Haiti - NOTICE : Call for expression of interest As part of the establishment of a private library, the Haitian company BIBLIOTHECOM is launching a call for tenders open to all in order to acquire the most old or newly published documents (Haitian or foreign) which mainly deal with subjects on the history and culture of Haiti (Santo Domingo) covering the entire colonial period up to the 20th century. Whether new or used. All persons or institutions who legally possess one or more documents on the history and culture of Haiti for the period indicated and who are interested in selling them, are requested to contact BIBLIOTHECOM at the following coordinates: Email : amedie@bibliotheque2030.org Phone : (509) 4732-2450. This call remains open for an indefinite period and does not require any formal process. However, BIBLIOTHECOM reserves the right, under the instructions of the persons in charge of the Library, to limit the quantity of documents to be acquired according to their budgetary forecasts. BIBLIOTHECOM, as a service provider, remains convinced that access to relevant documentation and information services, facilitated by the availability of libraries, contributes to sustainable development. 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of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe She has hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, and uses that reach to pass on scientific messages. Marian Garcia, better known as Boticaria Garcia, has turned her status as an 'influencer' into a way of earning a living, by raising awareness about misinformation and what she calls "Dr Google": the fake news that spreads at dizzying speed, the risk of which has increased at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The illness, she says, makes us more vulnerable to speculation and lies. You left pharmacy some years ago to dedicate yourself full-time to passing on scientific knowledge. Are you disappointed about the amount of fake news there has been during this pandemic? At first there was a great deal, such as that coronavirus could be cured by steam or that you should put a pantyliner inside face masks, but it has reduced as time has passed. But I am very disappointed at the way companies and individuals have played on people's fear and tried to sell them products that are useless. In general we have little scientific culture and that makes it easy for us to fall for scams. Some don't cost much, like the antibacterial ballpoint pens, although this is a virus, not a bacteria, or the mattresses with silver nanoparticles, which are popular, but there are more serious cases. They are selling ozone generators and ultraviolet lamps to restaurants, hairdessers and other businesses which have been closed for two months and are now spending thousands of euros on machines which are not recommended by the World Health Organisation. It's frustrating. I have received unpleasant messages and companies have even threatened to take me to court for reporting these things, but if the health authorities don't take a stronger stance and explain them properly, then we are the only ones to do it. But the rise in pseudoscience is nothing new. Before the pandemic, the anti-vaccine movement meant there were new cases of illnesses which had once disappeared. In my book I talk about the myths relating to vaccines. These pseudotherapies mainly arise when illnesses occur which are difficult to cure, or which affect children, and difficult conditions, such as autism. The MMS (miracle mineral supplement) is one example. But coronavirus is a transversal illness; we are all potential victims and we are all scared. And pseudoscience finds its niche in that fear, which is why they can sell you anything if you don't have a bit of critical spirit or the authorities don't intervene. In that sense, I am absolutely interventionist. When action is taken against these charlatans, people react. But if nothing happens, they think "Well, it must be true." The same thing happens in the field of nutrition, something else you cover in your books Of course. what they call York ham, for example, doesn't exist. It is a perversion of the food industry, the industry that makes us believe it is better to eat quinoa than lentils. But now everything revolves around coronavirus. I have realised that we are more afraid and more vulnerable than I thought, but also that there are a lot of people who want to make money out of that. And the health authorities need to be more robust about it. Have you been threatened? A short while I ago I said FPP2 fabric doesn't exist, although some companies are selling fabric masks and saying they are FPP2. Many of those companies received bad reviews for their products and blamed my publications for it. You become a type of Pepito Grillo, but I think it is a good thing to awaken people's awareness and critical spirit. Which mask is the most recommended? Tell me who you are and I'll tell you what type of mask you need. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs recommends reserving the PPE (personal protection equipment) for health workers or people who are in contact with positive cases. Then there is the surgical mask, like the blue ones that dentists wear, which the Consumer guide says is recommended for people who are ill. Healthy people should use "hygienic" [fabric] masks, but of course some people are asymptomatic. The surgical ones cost 97 centimos, last for four hours and have an impact on the environment. The virus is here to stay and we need to find sustainable solutions. If someone has no symptoms and can keep a safe distance from other people, the fabric masks can be a good option. If you're going to use public transport, you are ill or in contact with someone who has tested positive, you need a surgical mask. Some people wear their mask on their head, hung round their neck or they put them down just anywhere... There is still a lack of knowledge. Masks are designed to only be touched by the straps, not just because of the virus but due to possible micro-organisms that can remain on them and you end up rubbing those all over your face. Is it better to use hydroalcoholic gel than soap? No. The gel is recommended when you can't wash with soap and water. If your hands are dirty then the gel might not be effective: one thing is to clean, and another is to disinfect. You can't disinfect anything without cleaning it well first. Now sprays are fashionable, but the WHO has advised against them because you can inhale things that are damaging to the respiratory apparatus. What is the best way to keep a house clean? Use normal detergents unless there has been contagion, in which case you need bleach. Put two spoonfuls in a litre of cold water, because the chlorine can evaporate in hot water and will be less effective. But that is for surfaces which could be infected by coronavirus. You don't need to do anything special for normal cleaning. Are you optimistic about the chances of a vaccine soon? It is going to be a slow process, and until then we must maintain the hygiene and distancing measures. We can't relax, and think it's OK because there will be a vaccine soon. We must continue to be cautious. The JMM-led government is "steeped in corruption" while "crime and flourish," BJP chief J P Nadda said on Monday, launching a scathing attack on the Hemant Soren dispensation. Addressing a state executive committee meeting of the saffron party digitally from New Delhi, he said, the previous BJP government led by Raghubar Das had "almost eliminated" naxalism, which has now been resurrected. Nadda said the BJP lost the assembly elections in the mineral rich state due to "political arithmetic" despite garnering the highest number of votes. "The Hemant Soren government is steeped in corruption. No development is taking place under its watch. Corruption, and crime are flourishing unbridled. These are the result of the of appeasement," he alleged. Nadda said that the previous BJP government in had implemented several welfare schemes, and people of the state "lament their loss" following the defeat of the saffron party in the assembly elections. "The BJP does not crave power. It works for bringing in change in the society and the country," he said. Nadda said the New Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Narendra Modi government will encourage analytical thinking instead of rote-learning. "The country's educational policy was earlier tailored for India, now it has been designed for Bharat," he said, referring to the rural-urban divide. He said Prime Minister Modi ushered in positive changes in the country as a result of which the "lotus" (BJP's election symbol) found its place in the hearts of the people. Nadda lauded his party and the Modi government for tackling COVID-19. He said the measures taken by the Centre to mitigate the coronavirus crisis have "saved the lives of 130 crore Indians". "Only the BJP showed dynamism when opposition parties stood stock-still during the COVID-19 outbreak," he asserted. He said BJP workers had distributed over 12 lakh food packets, besides food grains, clothes, medicines and footwear among migrant workers returning to due to pandemic- triggered job loss. Union minister Arjun Munda, BJP state president Deepak Prakash, former chief minister Raghubar Das and BJP legislature party leader Babulal Marandi attended the meeting. (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.) Shoppers stand in front of the Primark shop window at Oxford Street as Coronavirus lockdown eases in London, England, United Kingdom on August 11, 2020. Photo: Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto via Getty Images Sales at Primark have beaten expectations since stores began re-opening in May, but performance is uneven across the country due to changes in ways of living and working. Associated British Foods (ABF.L), which owns Primark, said in a trading update on Monday that sales across its business had exceeded our expectations in recent weeks. In the latest four-week UK market data for sales in all channels, Primark achieved our highest ever value and volume shares for this time of year, the company said. While Primarks UK sales are down around 12% over the last 12 months due to extended store closures, ABF said sales performance since reopening has in aggregate been reassuring and encouraging. Shops benefited from pent-up demand when they began re-opening and sales since re-opening have hit 2bn ($2.61bn), ABF said. Primark is expected to make a profit at the top end of the 300m to 350m range ABF had previously told investors to expect. Primark made an operating profit of 913m last year. While performance overall is recovering, ABF said some stores were doing better than others reflecting the current circumstances of our customers including increased home working, less commuting and much less tourism. Retail parks, town centre, and shopping centre Primarks are performing well, while inner city locations in heavy commuter and tourist destinations like London are underperforming. Our 16 largest destination city centre stores contributed 13% of total sales pre-COVID-19 and 8% of sales after reopening, ABF said. Primark had made progress tackling a stock backlog caused by lockdown, ABF said, and the chain has benefited from a weak US dollar when ordering new stock. As well as Primark, ABF also owns a major sugar business, grocery brands like Twinings tea, and an agricultural and ingredients business. The company said all parts of its business were performing well. ABF said it has developed a flexible contingency plan to respond to any further COVID-19 restrictions and said it has completed all practical preparations should the UK exit the Brexit transition period with or without a trade deal. Story continues There is relatively little group cross-border trading between the UK and the EU, ABF said. Russ Mould, investment analyst at stockbroker AJ Bell, said another lockdown would significantly undermine the recent sales momentum. Primark needs a measure of normality to do well, he said. Its low ticket business model is not a proposition that seems likely to translate well to the internet and the company has not gone down this route, not even considering it at the height of the coronavirus restrictions. Shares rose as much as 5.5% at the open in London, before falling back to a gain of 2% on the day. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 15:51:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam poured over 3.1 billion U.S. dollars into importing chemicals and more than 3.5 billion U.S. dollars importing chemical products in the first eight months of this year, down 8 percent and up 2.1 percent on-year, respectively. Vietnam's biggest exporters of chemicals and chemical products included China, Japan and South Korea, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs on Monday. In the eight-month period, the country exported more than 1.1 billion U.S. dollars of chemicals and 921 million U.S. dollars of chemical products, declining 12.3 percent and rising 5.8 percent, respectively. Last year, Vietnam spent nearly 5.1 billion U.S. dollars importing chemicals, and over 5.4 billion U.S. dollars importing chemical products, mainly from China, said the department. Enditem Video PlayerClose Photo taken on May 28, 2020 shows a view of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. [Xinhua/Xing Guangli] BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) President Xi Jinping will attend a meeting to commend role models in China's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Beijing. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will present medals to outstanding individuals, and deliver a speech at the meeting, which will be held at the Great Hall of the People at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The event will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on xinhuanet.com. It will also be rebroadcast simultaneously on major news websites including people.com.cn, cctv.com and china.com.cn, as well as on news apps run by the People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television. (Source: Xinhua) National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) is going ahead with an extensive expansion plan that would lead to restrictions in cash flows and even a possible increase in debt, say analysts. The outgo for the alumina refinery expansion is 6,000 crore. We estimate negative free cash flow in FY2021-23 as it would use all its surplus cash and Nalco would require to raise debt in FY2023 to continue its expansion spends," said Kotak Institutional Equities. The strain on cash flows could also cut clean into its high dividend yields in the coming years. Nalcos dividend yield works out to about 4.2% based on payouts it made in FY20. One positive is that the market dynamics for the aluminium sector appear to be improving. Aluminium prices so far this financial year have stepped up about 20% in international markets, and this could shore up Nalcos profits. Demand from China has been steady, while the weak US dollar could continue to support prices. But one worry for the aluminium market is high inventory. A surplus market and weak costs should cap further upside in aluminium prices. The market remains well supplied despite the disruption at Alunorte, Brazil, and we see limited upside," said Kotaks analysts in the report. Of course, analysts have already raised expectations of earnings in FY21, supported by the lower base and expected better realizations. Valuations, however, continue to be on the higher side; and a lack of positive surprises coupled with strained cash flows could weigh on the stock. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Reliance Industries Ltd on Sunday released details related to carving out its oil-to-chemicals business into a separate entity, six months after it first announced the proposal as a precursor to a stake sale. According to the plan, RILs oil-to-chemicals assets, including its refining, petrochemicals, fuel retail (majority interest only) and bulk wholesale marketing businesses, along with its assets and liabilities, will be transferred to a new unit. In April, RIL approved an arrangement for transfer of its oil-to-chemicals (O2C) business to Reliance O2C Ltd as a going concern on slump sale basis. The separation of the assets was planned as part of RILs target to sell 20% in its refining and chemicals business to Saudi Aramco. The deal, however, has been delayed. Assets, including Reliance Ethane Holding Pte Ltd, Reliance Gas Pipelines Ltd, Gujarat Chemical Port Ltd, Reliance Corporate IT Park Ltd, Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd, among others, will not be part of the oil to chemicals undertaking. In a document on its website, RIL said it has been exploring options to bring in strategic investors in the O2C business. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Kangana Ranaut's statements are wrong, but it is the responsibility of the state government and those holding constitutional post to protect her in the land of law, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said here on Monday. "If it doesn't happen, we'll become a banana republic," Fadnavis added. The actress has been given Y-plus category security by the Union Home ministry after she spoke about drug use in Bollywood, following the death of fellow actor Sushant Singh Rajput. "There will be no rule of law. If you don't like someone's opinion ,then take legal action against them, but it is the responsibility of those who have taken the oath of the constitution to protect them. I think what centre did is right," Fadnavis said. He also said even terrorists have to be provided security in the land of law to see they are not attacked, whereas Ranaut is still an artist, according to PTI reports. Fadnavis, however, said the BJP did not support Ranaut's comments, in which the actress had likened Mumbai to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday expressed surprise over the Centre's decision to provide 'Y-plus' security to Ranaut, who he said, had "insulted" Mumbai and Maharashtra. The decision comes two days before Ranaut, who is in her home state Himachal Pradesh, said she plans to visit Mumbai on September 9. Ranaut is in the eye of the storm over her recent remarks on Mumbai and its police. "Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied- Kashmir?" Ranaut had tweeted, inviting criticism from various quarters. She would require security from Haryana or Himachal Pradesh police and would not accept protection from the Mumbai police to expose an alleged "drug mafia in Bollywood", the award-winning actor had said. Meanwhile, Ranaut on Monday took to Twitter to share videos of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials at her office premises here, adding they may demolish the property. "They have forcefully taken over my office measuring everything, also harassing my neighbors," she tweeted. "I am informed tomorrow they are demolishing my property," she added. , , , , @mybmc pic.twitter.com/C7zGe8ZyGe Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 7, 2020 "This is the office of Manikarnika films in Mumbai, which I have worked hard for fifteen years, I had only one dream in my life, whenever I become a filmmaker, I have my own office, but it seems that the time has come to break this dream , Suddenly there today some @mybmc people have come," she said on Twitter in Hindi. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Greek media have reported the purchases may include French-made Rafale fighter jets and at least one French frigate. Greece said it will bolster its military with new weapons, troops, and the development of its defence industry as a tense standoff with neighbouring Turkey has sparked concerns of open conflict between the two NATO allies. Ankara is currently facing off against Greece and Cyprus over oil-and-gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air forces to assert their competing claims in the region. The Turkish leadership is unleashing, on a near-daily basis, threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Monday. We respond with political, diplomatic and operational readiness, determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights. Petsas said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would be announcing details of plans to upgrade the countrys military during his annual state of the economy speech on Saturday. We are in contact with friendly countries in order to reinforce the equipment of our armed forces, Petsas said. Last week, Greece raised 2.5 billion euros ($2.96bn) in a bond auction as the country seeks to increase military spending and raise funds for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Greek media has reported the purchases may include French-made Rafale fighter jets and at least one French frigate. Petsas said Mitsotakis would be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting in Corsica of European Union Mediterranean countries. Painful experiences Last Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Greece to enter talks about disputed eastern Mediterranean territorial claims or face the consequences. Theyre either going to understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or in the field with painful experiences, he said. A Greek Hydra-class frigate Psara (F-454) of the Hellenic Navy and a military helicopter take part in manoeuvres in August [Greek defence ministry via AFP] On Monday, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Turkey was the only regional country that threatens its neighbours with war. Speaking after a meeting with visiting Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo, Dendias said Greece was always ready to have dialogue with Turkey, but a dialogue based on international law, and on the only pending issue the delimitation of the continental shelf. However, he said, dialogue under threatening conditions is inconceivable. EU sanctions? Greece and Turkey have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s, including once over exploration rights in the Aegean Sea. The current dispute escalated when Turkey sent seismic research vessel Oruc Reis, accompanied by warships, to prospect for oil-and-gas reserves in an area between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete that Athens claims as its own continental shelf. Greece sent its own warships to the area and put its armed forces on alert. European Union leaders say they will decide on an approach to Turkey when they meet on September 24-25, which could include sanctions against Ankara. Cyprus is divided between the Greek Cypriot-run south an EU member state and the Turkish Cypriot north. Turkey has stationed tens of thousands of troops in the north of the island since its 1974 invasion, which followed a coup engineered by military rulers in Greece. MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine president pardoned a U.S. Marine on Monday in a surprise move that will free him from imprisonment in the 2014 killing of a transgender Filipino woman that sparked anger in the former American colony. President Rodrigo Duterte said he decided to pardon Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton because the Marine was not treated fairly after opponents blocked his early release for good conduct in detention. A left-wing human rights group, Karapatan, immediately condemned the pardon as a despicable and shameless mockery of justice and servility to U.S. imperialist interests. Pemberton was convicted of homicide and has been serving a prison term of six to 10 years for the killing of Jennifer Laude in a motel in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila. His lawyer, Rowena Garcia-Flores, told The Associated Press that Pemberton was already aware of Dutertes decision when she called him. I heard the news, Garcia-Flores quoted the 25-year-old Pemberton as saying. Im very happy. Meeting Pemberton in detention a few days ago, she said he expressed his willingness to apologize to the Laude family even belatedly. Pemberton would likely be removed from the Marines due to his conviction and plans to work in the U.S., Garcia-Flores added. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who once served as a lawyer for the Laude family, said the presidential pardon would mean the immediate release of Pemberton from detention. The president has erased the punishment that should be imposed on Pemberton. What the president did not erase was the conviction of Pemberton. Hes still a killer, Roque told reporters. Laudes family denounced Dutertes action as a grave injustice, including to the LGBTQ community, family lawyer Virginia Suarez said. Duterte is one of the most vocal critics in Southeast Asia of U.S. security policies. But on Monday he said, If there is a time where you are called upon to be fair, be fair. Last week, the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo city, which handled Pembertons case, ordered authorities to release him early from detention for good conduct, but Laudes family appealed, blocking the Marines early release. Roque said the Department of Justice was planning a separate appeal. The court order rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment under the allies Visiting Forces Agreement, which provides the legal framework for temporary visits by U.S. forces to the country for large-scale combat exercises. Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford, Massachusetts, was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in joint exercises in the country in 2014. He and a group of other Marines were on leave after the exercises and met Laude and her friends at a bar in Olongapo, a city known for its nightlife outside Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy base. Laude was later found dead, her head slumped in a toilet bowl in a motel room, where witnesses said she and Pemberton had checked in. A witness told investigators that Pemberton said he choked Laude after discovering she was transgender. In December 2015, a judge convicted Pemberton of homicide, not the more serious charge of murder that prosecutors sought. The Olongapo court judge said at the time that she downgraded the charge because factors such as cruelty and treachery had not been proven. Pemberton has been serving his sentence in a compound jointly guarded by Philippine and American security personnel at the main military camp in metropolitan Manila. The place of detention was agreed to under the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement, although Laudes family had demanded that he be held in an ordinary jail. Garcia-Flores said his detention was shortened by authorities under a Philippine law that allows the reduction of prison terms for good conduct. Suarez said the law cannot apply to Pemberton, who has been detained alone in a military camp and given other special privileges under the VFA. The case has led to calls from some in the Philippines to end the U.S. military presence in the country, a former American colony with which Washington has a mutual defence treaty. On July 23, 2019, the Supreme Court had ordered cancellation of the registration of the Amrapali Group under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act The Supreme Court on September 7 directed Noida-based real estate firm Mahagun Real Estate Pvt to deposit Rs 240 crore by March 31, 2021 for the 40,000 square metre (sq m) plot of land, which was sold to it by embattled company Amrapali Group. It warned that in case the builder failed to deposit the amount, the said land parcel would be auctioned by the Noida Authority. The top court, which had earlier directed the realtor to deposit the money in six weeks, allowed the company to pay up in three instalments. The Supreme Court bench of Justices UU Lalit and Ashok Bhushan directed Mahagun to pay Rs 35 crore by October 31, Rs 65 crore by December 31 and Rs 140 crore by March 31, 2021. Mahagun had earlier told the top court it was willing to deposit Rs 35 crore by October 31 and the balance by April 30, 2021. The next date for hearing of the case is September 21. The court asked Mahagun to pay interest at the rate of 9.25 percent on this amount. In case it defaults in making payment, the land will revert to the Noida Authority for auction. If the first instalment is paid but the builder defaults on the second one, Rs 10 crore will be forfeited and Mahagun will lose its rights over the said parcel, the court said. Only in the event of the entire Rs 240 crore plus transfer charges and interest amount paid by the realtor, will it be allowed to create any charge or interest over the particular land parcel, it added. The SC also directed Mahagun to file an affidavit with a board resolution in 10 days. Noida Authority was also asked to indicate its dues in 15 days. This matter will now be heard on November 1. The apex court appointed court receiver in the Amrapali case R Venkataramani said in case the money is received from Mahagun, the dues of Noida Authority may be kept on hold and may be paid to it later and that the entire amount be handed over to the court will be utilised for construction. Amrapali Group had on October 9, 2017 agreed to sell 40,000 sq mt of land to Mahagun. Noida Authority had cancelled the lease deed of the parcel on September 7, 2019 as dues had not been paid. Mahagun group earlier this year moved the top court seeking that the plot be transferred to it and that it was ready to make the payment/deposit the balance price amounting to over Rs 191 crore and the authoritys dues in instalments. The top court on June 28 had said that on deposit of dues, the cancellation of lease will stand withdrawn and it will grant Mahagun seven years to complete the project, as is granted to a new lessee. The top court had earlier said that the amount received from Mahagun would help in completion of the stalled projects of Amrapali Group. The court receiver on September 7 informed the court that on the basis of the order dated September 1, he had sent a letter to the Governor of Reserve Bank of India and chiefs of other banks inviting them to finance Amrapali projects and to sanction the loan amounts. The response is awaited. The court directed him to place any reply received before it. Amrapali Groups promoter Anil Kumar Sharma had filed an application seeking directions to the lower courts to decide his case without prejudice to the findings/observations made by Supreme Court. The court asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to file a status report on the investigation/cases against him. DHFL also filed an application indicating it was ready to disburse loans to its regular accounts and that 72 non-performing asset (NPA) account holders were not responding to its mails/letters to come forward to restructure their accounts. The court allowed DHFL to take steps in accordance with the law and refused to pass any specific order with regard to their application. The governments construction arm -- NBCC informed the court that it has completed work on 230 units (63 and 167) and has handed over the units to the court receiver. The apex court has asked the receiver to provide details of the pending dues of buyers towards these units. NBCC has also sought assurance regarding future funds as it has employed almost 12,000 workers at different sites. The court directed NBCC and the court receiver to furnish details of the fund requirement. The SC also directed MSTC to file an affidavit in 10 days providing details of work carried out by it and problems being faced in sale of properties. More than 40,000 homebuyers, who had invested in various Amrapali projects more than eight years ago, are yet to receive possession of their homes. The estimated cost of completion of all these pending projects of Amrapali is around Rs 8,500 crore and NBCC, with the support of the apex court, has already completed and handed over two stalled projects while implementation of some more projects is in progress at present with the funds made available by the SC. On July 23, 2019, the apex court had cracked its whip on errant builders for breaching the trust reposed by homebuyers and ordered cancellation of the registration of the Amrapali Group under the real estate law RERA, and ousted it from its prime properties in the NCR by nixing the land leases. Panel that will examine bill to raise legal age of marriage has one woman member out of 31 Kerala: Health worker rapes 44-year-old woman who needed Covid-19 negative certificate India pti-Madhuri Adnal Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 7: In yet another shocker from Kerala, a woman, who was under quarantine, has alleged that she was raped by a health worker recently. The accused, a junior health inspector at a primary health centre, was arrested on Monday and a case under IPC section 376 (rape) registered against him, police said. The incident came to lighta day after a 19-year-old woman was raped by an ambulance driver as she was being shifted to a COVID care centre at Pandalam in Pathnamthitta district on Saturday midnight. 19-year old COVID-19 patient raped by ambulance driver in Kerala A police officer of the nearby Pangode police station said the 44-year-old woman, who was working as a home nurse at Malappuram, had returned to her home at Kulathupuzha recently and was asked to undergo quarantine by the health inspector. She also underwent an antigen test which was negative and was told by the man to collect the test certificate from his flat at Barathanoor, police said. The woman in her complaint stated that she went to his house on September 3 and was sexually attacked after being tied up and was allowed to leave only the next day. Meanwhile, the Women's commission has on its own registered a case against the health inspector and directed the state Health secretary to initiate disciplinary action against him. The police arrested a junior health inspector, Pradeep Kumar, based on the woman's complaint. The case was later transferred to Pangode station and an FIR registered. The accused will be produced before the court on Monday. Condemning the incident, leader of the opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the two incidents of rape has brought shame to the state. These incidents shows the "serious lapses" on the part of the health department, he alleged. Imperial Valley News Center Proclamation on Labor Day, 2020 Washington, DC - On Labor Day, we recognize and celebrate the workers of our great Nation. The American workforce is the best in the world and, since day one of my Administration, I have been standing up for the American worker. As recent global challenges have tested our mettle, the dedication of our workforce has once again proven that Americans resolve will never be overcome. Today, we celebrate all workers, across every sector of our economy, whose efforts have never been more appreciated than in recent months. Since the founding of our Nation, American workers have deployed their talents to build beautiful cities, develop new technologies, and shape the global economy. Now, our country depends on these hardworking patriots as we continue to aggressively fight the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, we celebrate every American who has worked tirelessly to ensure we maintain our way of life in this unprecedented time. These vital workers include medical professionals, grocery store and pharmacy clerks, farmers, meatpackers, truckers, factory workers, and the many employees who are important to the supply chain that makes essential goods and medications accessible to all Americans. Essential workers and volunteers like these and others have enabled my Administration to respond swiftly to the coronavirus pandemic and have safeguarded the prospects of countless American businesses and the lives and personal health of millions of people. From my first day in office, my Administration has acted to foster an environment for growth, jobs, and prosperity. Having built the greatest economy the world has ever seen, my Administration will do it again. We will not rest until American workers are safely back at work. In March, I signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which established the Paycheck Protection Program that gave small businesses the resources to keep their employees on payroll during the pandemic. I also issued an Executive Order continuing the work of the National Council for the American Worker, which coordinates resources across our Federal Government to ensure our Nations workers have the skills necessary for the jobs of the future. In addition, my Administrations Fiscal Year 2021 Budget includes $200 million for apprenticeship programs up $25 million from current funding levels and more than double from when I first took office to further support and expand a highly skilled workforce that is essential for global competitiveness. Even in the face of tremendous adversity, we have set record numbers in job growth along with record low unemployment a trend that will continue with the help of millions of hardworking Americans across our country. On this Labor Day, we express our deep gratitude to workers of every generation who helped create the greatest economy in the world and the workers whose tireless efforts will ensure our country and workforce bounce back with full force as we defeat the virus. Together, we will continue the great American comeback. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 7, 2020, as Labor Day. I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the contributions and resilience of working Americans. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth. DONALD J. TRUMP A former champion jockey has drowned after trying to swim 500 metres when he was forced to abandon a sinking boat. Former Jockey Keith Watson was with three friends on a vessel off the coast of Broome, in Western Australia, in the early hours of Monday when the boat began taking on water. The men, all aged in their 70s, desperately made radio calls at 12.45am to alert authorities the vessel was sinking. Former Jockey Keith Watson (pictured in 1985) was with three friends on a vessel off the coast of Broome, in Western Australia, in the early hours of Monday when the boat started to sink Police made contact but soon lost communication and the men abandoned the vessel. WA Police said the men couldn't access the tender that was attached to the vessel as it began to sink, The West Australian reported. All of the men jumped off the boat, with three heading to another one nearby while Mr Watson attempted the 500m swim back to shore. While the three other men survived, Mr Watson drowned while making the desperate journey back to shore. Volunteers from the Broome Marine Rescue found his body a short time later near Cable Beach. Senior Sergeant Dave Whitnell said an investigation into the 'tragic incident' was currently underway. 'The group had been sailing up and down the Kimberley region for the last couple of weeks,' he said. The three surviving men were 'shaken up' and were shocked when they noticed how quickly the boat started to sink. Mr Watson was a champion jockey in Western Australian throughout the 1970s and 80s, riding Heron Bridge to victory in the Newmarket at Flemington in 1984. The men, all aged in their 70s, desperately made radio calls at 12.45am to alert authorities the vessel had started 'taking on water' (pictured where the boat was parked) He then embarked on a racing career in Mauritius where he became a successful businessman after retiring. Close friend and former jockey Bernie Ryan said he had lost a great friend in a 'tragedy'. 'He was a very good jockey and a terrific person,' Mr Ryan said. 'He was just a really decent person, a great rider and a thorough gentleman. He will be sadly missed. This will be a shock to the whole racing industry.' The three other men remain in hospital with minor injuries. None of the men wore lifejackets. The Department of Transport will also prepare a maritime safety investigation report. Filmmaker Sandip Ssingh has said that in hindsight, perhaps he shouldnt have stood by Sushant Singh Rajputs family after the actors death on June 14. Sandip has been questioned about his relationship with the actor, especially since neither Sushants girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty nor his family have claimed to know who he is. To prove his credentials, Sandip recently shared screenshots of his text conversations with Sushant over the years. In an interview to The Times of India, Sandip said, Today, I do feel that maybe going and standing with the family was wrong. Maybe, I should have acted selfish and not gone there to stand with them in their time of need. Sandip said that he went to Sushants house on the day of his death simply because he felt it was the right thing to do, and took charge of the formalities because none of his other friends were there, and his sister was alone. I stood with my friends family, unlike others who chose to stay indoors. That is not a crime! he said. Watch l Those questioning me didnt even come to Sushants funeral: Sandip Ssingh Sandip was spotted at not only Sushants house, but also the hospital where the actors body was taken, and at his funeral the next day. Several questions were subsequently raised about Sandip, who confessed to have not been in touch with Sushant for over a year before his death. Vikas Singh, the lawyer representing Sushants father, had said in an interview to Pinkvilla, Meetu (Sushants sister) was devastated after seeing Sushants body so she went and she was lying down in the room so he (Sandip) just saw an opportunity and he took charge. Nobody in the family knows him, how did he come there. Suddenly how did he start taking charge. Since nobody from the family was there, there was an opening for him. I guess it should have been (Siddharth) Pithani who should have been there and not Sandip. He said that even his family is concerned, because for the last 20 days, mediapersons have stationed themselves outside his house, and are crossing their limits. He said, My friends, mom and family reprimanded me for being there for Sushants family. They said, You have made a mistake by going there. You should not have gone there. Tune to aa bail mujhe maar wala kaam kar diya (you asked for trouble). Baaki industrywale, his friends are intelligent, but you are an emotional fool to go and help. Also read: Sandip Ssingh makes texts with Sushant Singh Rajput, his family public: My silence has broken 20 years of my image, family Sushant died on June 14, at the age of 34. Three parallel investigations -- by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Enforcement Directorate -- are being conducted into his death. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 12:15 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4323d5f 1 National Bali-administration,Satpol-PP,health-protocol,COVID-19-protocol,face-masks,COVID-19,pandemic Free Bali will start imposing fines of Rp 100,000 (US$6.77) on residents seen out without a face mask during the pandemic, which has taken a toll on the resort island's tourism. The policy, stipulated in Gubernatorial Decree No. 46/2020, takes effect Monday. Klungkung Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) head I Putu Suarta said the Bali provincial administration had informed the public regarding the latest regulation over the past week. On Monday, we will deploy a team to enforce health protocols. We have announced sanctions for those who do not wear face masks at all, Suarta said on Sunday as quoted by tribunnews.com. Prior to the new policy, the administration had issued warnings to those who violated COVID-19 protocols. However, a more stringent measure was necessary given the high number of coronavirus cases in the region, Suarta said. Read also: Bali postpones plans to welcome international travelers in September As of Sunday, Bali recorded 6,212 infections, with 105 cases that had turned fatal, according to the central government's official COVID-19 tally. In the latest regulation, residents of Bali will be fined if they do not wear or carry face masks in public. Those who are unable to pay the fine will have to hand over their ID cards to the authorities. Furthermore, businesses that lack facilities instrumental to ensuring public health such as hand sanitizer and handwashing stations will be subject to a Rp 1 million fine. Bali Governor Wayan Koster previously postponed plans to reopen the region to international tourists on Sept. 11 following the central governments decision to wait until the end of this year before welcoming foreign visitors. (rfa) Mumbai, Sep 7 : Actress Amrita Arora has lashed out at people who have been displaying the Covid-19 positive report of her sister Malaika Arora on social media. "Price of being a celebrity? New normal? In sickness but not in health?? Is this ok?? My sister's results have been posted on various WhatsApp groups, Facebook and other mediums! While she was hoping and praying for a negative test and was also preparing herself to get better, this is what one has to deal with? How is this ok????????? What's has happened to us humans ... sad sad state of affairs," she wrote on Instagram Stories while sharing an image of the report, which has been leaked online. She noted that some people were even saying that Malaika "deserved it". "Was posting her result of any use to anyone ?????? She's a responsible citizen who would've declared it anyway! What's the perverse pleasure of making it a discussion and guessing how and when she got it, some going to the extent of saying she deserves it with laughing emojis! Why why why!!" Amrita wrote. The incident has left Amrita wondering how the report got leaked. "The question is how did her report get out in the 1st place ... How was it ok to disregard a doc / patient confidentiality. Let's just respect what's happening in the world today and stop this ridiculous naming and shaming syndrome! STOP," she wrote. Malaika posted on Instagram on Monday that she had tested Covid-19 positive. She is currently under home quarantine. "Today I have tested positive for coronavirus but I want to inform you all that I am feeling fine. I am asymptomatic and following all the required protocols and will be quarantined at home as instructed by my doctor and authorities. I request all of you to stay calm and safe. Thank you for all your support," Malaika, 46, shared on Instagram. The Welsh government has committed to using more British wool as insulation in public buildings following a UK-wide campaign. Campaigners have been calling for wool to be made mandatory for insulating in the UK governments new home insulation scheme. A new, long-term market for the fibre is being sought as wool prices have fallen substantially below the price of shearing for many producers. The campaigners' petition, which has received over 27,000 signatures as of Monday (7 September), says wool is 'sustainable, fire-retardant, bio-degradable, and the most efficient form of insulation'. Wales' rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said: I am pleased to say the Welsh governments own Facilities Management team has committed to consider the more widespread use of wool in our estate in future, subject to the required compliance testing and certification. But the Welsh Conservatives urged the devolved government to go even further by 'doubling-down' on their commitment, as concerns were raised over the administrations 'passive tone'. Shadow minister for rural affairs, Janet Finch-Saunders MS said she would write to the Housing Minister to request an 'explicit commitment'. She said: "Clinching this commitment from the Welsh government was essential so as to safeguard the long-term prospects of this pivotal industry." Despite this, she raised doubts: "I am most concerned by the Welsh governments passive stance on using this iconic Welsh product in devolved home insulation schemes. "Without an explicit commitment from the Welsh minister, our farmers wish to develop new and sustainable markets appears to have been stonewalled at this most challenging time. "I am writing to the Welsh government's Housing Minister to request a further commitment in this area, which will send a bold signal of support for an industry that is integral to the Welsh economy. Sales are announced by the USDA every week. "I think the record number of sales on the books for the rest of the year on soybeans, to China. This is absolutely sea change in our relationship with China and agriculture . . .We negotiated some 57 different structural changes that China needs to make in regulations and things like that, to increase our access for U.S. agricultural commodities to China. When before we started these conversations we had something like 1500 (agriculture) facilities across the board that were eligible to export to China, Doud said, Today, I am happy to report we have over 3500 eligible facilities to export agricultural products to China. Ricketts said, not just the trade deals with China have made an impact on U.S. ag, but also new trade initiatives made to open new markets through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). But the more draconian lockdown that accompanied Victorias second wave resulted in these stores being ostensibly closed to the public. However, it is also worth noting that Wesfarmers, which has not been eligible for any JobKeeper subsidies, has continued to pay staff during Melbournes current lockdown. Based on Andrews' latest road map, retail stores will not reopen until October 26 or even later. "We are going to do everything we can to support our team through this to the extent that it's possible," Scott said yesterday in response to a question on whether staff would continue to be paid. Scott insists it was not the impact on Wesfarmers profit that motivated him to speak out against the actions of the Victorian government. "We have got 30,000 people locked away and we feel we have a role in advocating on their behalf," Scott said on Monday. Scotts problem is that, while the Andrews government has given various Wesfarmers executives a hearing, they have not been heard. The executive complained that the numerous attempts to explain to the Victorian government the measures Wesfarmers' businesses had undertaken to ensure the safety of customers and staff had fallen on deaf ears. The company's representatives had also been part of the retail sector working group set up between business and the Victorian government. Loading Wesfarmers delivered the government its own plan, which it says provided evidence that its stores can operate safely and that its distribution centres had been modified to ensure a safer environment. Scotts frustration is compounded by what he describes as the "significant difference between what consultation means in Victoria versus the other states". "There has been far greater data sharing and dialogue over many months in other states than we are experiencing in Victoria. "We have had many interactions with government departments in Victoria, unfortunately there hasnt been as much of a two-way data flow." "For example we spent many weeks sharing information on COVID-19 safe practices on retail and distribution centres that seemed to be well-accepted by the government. So, he was astounded when he listened to chief health officer Brett Sutton saying that while the government didnt have evidence of outbreaks relating to retail, it suspected there may be. Wesfarmers argues that not all retail formats carry the same level of risk and that some fairly minor adjustments to the restrictions would open up the opportunity for another hundred thousand jobs without compromising the health objectives. "The biggest concern with the health issues is that aged care and the healthcare system seem to be responsible for the vast majority of cases, and its not clear what strategies are in place to address that. "We just feel it's possible to have a better plan a smarter plan that doesn't compromise health objectives but does less damage to people and the economy. It's about being smarter and being more fact based." Like others in business, Scott is concerned that the latest announcement involves a higher threshold for reopening. "Unless Victoria can somehow get to an average of five cases a day for two weeks, then hundreds of jobs will not come back into the market," Scott said. Scott Wyatt, the chief executive of petrol and diesel supplier Viva Energy, is another who publicly echoed about the uncertainty contained in the Victorian governments road map. The mystery drama, "Missing: The Other Side," follows a story about a village called the Duon Village where spirits of several missing deceased people reside. Later on, four people work together to find the truth about the death of the souls living in the village. A man named Kim Wook commits fraud, and he finds himself in the village and discovers the mysteries that he has taken an interest in. Together with Kim Wook is Jang Pan Seok, who seems discreet in his search for the missing people. He is the connection between the Duon Village and the outside world. Lee Jong Ah is a law-ranking public officer at a particular community center. She is an avid supporter of Kim Wook. Shin Joo Ho is an elite detective who lost his fiance one month before their wedding. He decides to join the missing person squad to find the love of his life. Together, these people go through different challenges to solve the mystery of the missing people. Song Geon Hee portrays Thomas Cha, who is the owner of Cafe Hawaii in Duon Village. He holds a unique personality that will make people love him! In the stills shows actor Song Geon Hee looking adorable. He wears a grey-colored Hilfiger shirt with plaid bottoms and suspenders. If looks could kill, viewers would probably be dead after seeing Song Geon Hee in the stills. The cafe carried a serene and peaceful atmosphere and caught the attention of several viewers. The real cafe was said to be a hot-pleated cafe located in Paju. In the next stills, Song Geon Hee is seen outdoors sitting with a table covered with wildflowers where the background is filled with trees radiating a happy vibe during the shoot. Other stills show the actor looking very passionate about monitoring the set as Song Geon Hee is seen talking about the concept of the title shoot with the director and checking the title photos after they are taken. The photographer happened to take several candid shots of the actor as he sips his coffee. Song Geon Hee poses with a sign on his cafe door, saying that he is currently looking for employees to help him with his cafe. The production team of the mystery-fantasy drama tells the viewers to look forward to the future episodes of the drama because the thrilling search for the truth about the disappearances of the people who live in Duon Village will catch the viewer's undivided attention and will leave them shocked and thrilled! Included in the cast are Actor Ko Soo, Heo Jun Ho, Ahn So Hee, Ha Joon, and Seo Eun Su. The mystery-fantasy drama "Missing: The Other Side" is directed by Director Min Yeong Hong and written by Ban Ki Ri and Jung So Young. Catch the mystery drama and its twists every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 p.m. KST. Don't forget to watch the trailer below! Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Monday slammed the Centre for the negative GDP growth and said Modinomics" has fallen flat and jingoism cannot be a remedy to revive the economy". Chowdhury, who is a member of Congress Working Committee (CWC) as well, suggested that Modi should listen patiently to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to revive the economy". Modi govt has eminently proved itself as a govt which has been infected by political as well as economic bankruptcy. While China is registering a growth of 3.8 per cent of its economy, India has contracted by 23.9%," he tweeted. #Modinomics has been fallen flat, for the survival of economics #Jingoism cannot be a remedy, Sh @narendramodi Ji, you should talk to former PM Sh Manmohan Singh Ji and listen to him patiently," the five-term MP said. The countrys economy suffered its worst slump on record in April-June period with the gross domestic product(GDP) contracting by 23.9 per cent as the coronavirus-related lockdowns weighed on the already-declining consumer demand and investment. The Congress had earlier attacked the government over a sharp decline in the GDP numbers and alleged that the NDA dispensation ignored its warnings and took no preventive steps to cushion the fall. Police in Pakistan have filed blasphemy charges against at least 40 people in the past month, a surge that rights activists say is extremely troubling. Most of the charges were filed against Shi'ite Muslims and relate to speeches made at religious processions, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said on September 7. "It is an unprecedented rise, and we are worried it can flare up sectarian violence," HRCP chairman Mehdi Hasan told DPA. Rights activists said laws have been used ruthlessly against the followers of other religions and minority Muslim faiths like Shi'a and Ahmadiyya in the Sunni-majority country. Pakistans blasphemy laws, which were introduced by former military ruler Ziaul Haq in the 1980s, envisage death as the maximum punishment for insulting the religion or the Prophet Mohammed. There has been a renewed focus after the U.S. State Department urged Pakistan to revisit the laws following the murder of a Pakistani-American man during his trial for blasphemy in July. Around 75 people facing blasphemy charges have been killed since 1980s by individuals or angry mobs even before their trials were concluded in the courts. The HRCP chairman said the state had abdicated its responsibilities under the international rights obligation by leaving those accused of blasphemy to the mercy of mobs. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 11:49 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c43213d0 1 News Waerebo,Wae-Rebo-village,NTT,NTT-governor,Viktor-Laiskodat,manggarai,East-Nusa-Tenggara,reopening,destinasi-wisata-kampung-adat-wae-rebo-NTT,buka-kembali,Nusa-Tenggara-Timur Free East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat reopened on Sunday Wae Rebo cultural village in Manggarai regency to domestic and international tourists. "We'll start receiving guests as long as they follow the health protocols," Viktor said as reported by kompas.com. He said the decision to reopen the recipient of the 2012 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation was made after discussions with tribal leaders and local stakeholders. The popular tourist destination had been closed for six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Viktor said the NTT administration planned to improve facilities in the village in a bid to attract more tourists and help the local economy recover. Read also: Tour guides hit hard as COVID-19 strangles tourist destinations "We'll set up a rest area for visitors and improve road access so that two-wheelers can easily enter and leave the village. It's important for logistics purposes and evacuations," he said. Currently, tourists need to walk 4.2 kilometers to get to Wae Rebo village, which is located 1,200 meters above sea level. The administration also plans to build an elementary school in the village. "I'll order the head of [NTT] Education and Culture Agency to coordinate with the Manggarai administration so children no longer need to go [to the nearest town] and waste a lot of time," Victor said, adding that he would also improve health facilities in the village. Victor expressed hope that the village could be more independent in agriculture and animal husbandry. (nal) In the run-up to the Bihar assembly elections, in his first-ever virtual rally on Monday, Chief Minister said the leaders of opposition were making false statements to mislead people without knowing the ground realities. During his address, Kumar presented a report card of the last 15 years, in which he touched upon law and order, the economy, creation of road infrastructure and flood relief measures undertaken during the time he has been serving as CM. Kumar compared it with the Lalu-Rabri regime of 1990-2005. Replying to Tejashwi's allegations about lawlessness in Bihar, Kumar said: "When they were in power, people could not step outside from their homes after 6 pm. There were no arrests, no trial of criminals. With the blessings of the government, criminals used to wave rifles from their vehicles. Now, a majority of criminals have been put behind the bars. They've undergone speedy trials. We have carried out special drives to nab absconding criminals. Now, the situation has improved with people stepping out with their familiies in the evening without any fear." Referring to 2018 NCRB data, Kumar said with a crime rate at an average of 222.1 per lakh population, Bihar ranked 23rd in the country in incidents of crime. The national average is above 300 per lakh population. In Bihar, 60 per cent of was crime was happening owing to land disputes between family members. Besides, in crimes against women, Bihar's ranking is 29th in the country, 33rd in rapes, 23rd in kidnapping and 11th in murders. "Naxalism in Bihar was at its peak during the Lalu-Rabri regime. When our government came into power, we identified 65 village panchayats and carried out a special drive to give them technical training. The situation has improved now with no such incident of Naxalite violence taking place in Bihar. Have they any answer to this?" asked Kumar. Kumar said the maintenance of roads was at its worst during the Lalu-Rabri regime. "Now 96,500-km roads have bee constructed. Moreover, construction of 18600-km roads is underway. The state government has made the concessionaire accountable to maintain roads after they are constructed with zero-tolerance." During his 1.15-hour speech Kumar also spoke about the Coronavirus crisis in the state. He said that the Bihar government has initiated a mass campaign against the pandemic to facilitate affected people either coming from other states or residing permanently in Bihar. Due to this, the recovery rate of Bihar reached the top position in the country. "The total testing has reached 1.5 lakh per day including through rapid antigen test and RTPCR. Beside, if anyone unfortunately dies due to Covid, we compensate them with Rs 4 lakh cash. Moreover, if Covid warriors like doctors, medical staff or any other person die while serving Covid patients on duty, their families will get benefited with jobs. In case any relative is unable to accept a job, we will give them the total salary of the deceased till retirement under the pension scheme," Kumar said. Reacting to allegations by opposition parties on non-creation of jobs in the state, Kumar said that more than 10 lakh people had been given jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi Rastriya Rojgaar Guarantee Yojna and other schemes including to 2.9 lakh migrants who returned home owing to Covid-19. Besides, 164153 people are registered in the employment exchange. The country is undergoing an economic crisis, still Bihar has done better, added the CM. "Besides Covid-19, Bihar also suffered due to devastating floods. We have given help to 83 lakh flood-affected families in 16 districts. We have not missed any single family during the floods. The flood in Bihar happens every year and that is not the state's mistake. Waters comes from Nepal, UP and MP. Since, the land of Bihar falls under low-lying areas, water accumulates here during the monsoon session. But opposition parties leaders do not know this. They are young (Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav) and have no knowledge of ground realities. Hence, they are propagating falsehoods in the public without any basis," Kumar said. During the rally, senior leaders of JDU like Sanjay Jha, Lallan Singh accompanied him. --IANS ajk/ash (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 hundred NHS Trusts may be overwhelmed this winter if the coronavirus hospitalisation rate surges to the level seen in April, an analysis has revealed. A comparison of the average number of beds needed between December 2019 and February 2020, and the number of beds required for Covid-19 patients in April, at the peak of the pandemic, showed the startling figures. It revealed that out of the 132 surveyed using data published by the NHS, 115 would be over-capacity should demand rise It showed 115 of the 132 studied would be over-capacity should there be a surge in hospitalisations. Four of the five NHS trusts that could set to suffer the biggest shortage of beds are in the capital, with one, Walsall Healthcare, based near Birmingham. The analysis comes as a leaked NHS document warns coronavirus hospital admissions could surge to five times the level seen in April without additional measures to control the virus - potentially overwhelming the health service. Accidentally published online by a health board in Kent, the paper suggested that even stricter social distancing rules might not be able to contain hospital admissions. The UK recorded the largest rise in coronavirus infections in 15 weeks yesterday, as 2,988 new cases were reported in just 24 hours. More than a hundred NHS trusts may be overwhelmed this winter, according to an analysis. Four of five of the worst affected will be in the capital, including Royal London Free NHS Trust (pictured above) King's College Hospital would be the second most overwhelmed according to the analysis It would be followed by Walsall, near Birmingham, according to the analysis The UK has recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since May after 2,988 were reported in just 24 hours A further two people died after testing positive for Covid-19 today, bringing the UK's total death toll to 41,551 Coronavirus 'is not out of control in Britain', claims Matt Hancock The Health Secretary has claimed that coronavirus is not out of control in Britain, after 2,988 were recorded in just 24 hours. Tempering fears, he said most cases were being recorded in under 25s living in 'affluent areas'. Speaking on LBC radio today, he said: 'This rise in case we have seen in the last few days is concerning, and its concerning because we have seen a rise in cases in France, Spain and some other countries in Europe. 'Nobody wants to see a second wave here. It just reinforces the point that people must follow the social distancing rules, they are so important.' Asked by presenter Nick Ferrari if the UK had 'lost control', as suggested by some experts, Mr Hancock said: 'No, but the whole country needs to follow social distancing. 'We certainly see cases where they are not, then we take action. Advertisement The analysis, carried out by Edge Health and The Guardian, did not include extra capacity provided by Nightingale hospitals or the private sector due to a lack of data. An NHS England spokesman said the health service is using a 3billion funding boost to ensure it has beds available in private hospitals, and maintain Nightingale hospitals until March 2021. 'Over winter the NHS will flex hospital capacity and community services as needed,' they said, 'alongside a major winter flu immunisation campaign'. 'While Covid inpatient numbers are currently low as we head into winter, the success of these efforts will of course also depend on controlling the virus in the community, including through test and trace, rapid action to control local outbreaks, and of course continued public support for hand hygiene and social distancing measures.' The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust would be the most overwhelmed if the number of coronavirus hospitalisations rose to the level seen in April, at 34.9 per cent over-capacity, the statistics predicted. King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust would be the second most overwhelmed, at 29.4 per cent over capacity, while Walsall healthcare would be third at 28.8 per cent. They are followed by Whittington Health NHS Trust, at 29.4 per cent, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust at 27.9 per cent, and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, at 25.5 per cent. Meanwhile a report posted online by Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group warns that hospital admissions could surge to five times the levels seen in April and overwhelm health services in a 'reasonable worst case scenario', reports the Health Service Journal. The three scenarios in the document - a 'more likely' and a 'reasonable best case' - predicted hospital admissions would shoot up over the winter months even with further lockdown restrictions taken. The 'more likely' scenario had admissions rising before Christmas and not declining until mid-2021, while the 'best case' would see cases rise close to the April peak and remain high for a period of several month. Under the worst scenario, 're-tightening' lockdown restrictions within the next two weeks would reduce admissions to half of April's peak, but mean it would take several months for that number to drop again. A re-imposition of some lockdown restrictions by mid-November in the 'more likely' scenario would mean Covid-19 levels wouldn't drop back to current levels until April next year, with a similar wait for them to fall also predicted in the 'best case'. The documents were included in public documents for Thursday's meeting of the Medway Foundation Trust board, but removed hours after an enquiry about them. They were marked as being 'Kent and Medway' level, but were referred to as 'regional scenarios', suggesting they could have been used by regional teams. To manage expected capacity rises five Nightingale hospitals were opened in the UK in April, with the capacity to treat almost 10,000 patients. But they were moth-balled without treating many patients. Just 51 were treated at London's 4,000-bed facility in the Excel centre and just a handful were seen at a facility in Manchester. The hospitals built in Birmingham and Harrogate are yet to treat a single patient. Each facility is currently on standby and will be able to resume some of its intensive care capacity at 48 hours notice, according to the Department for Health and Social Care. The number of patients in hospital with coronavirus in the UK stands at 756, with 69 of these on ventilation. Analysis did not include extra capacity from Nightingale hospitals or the private sector due to a lack of data. The hospitals, such as the one above at London's Excel Centre, were mothballed The hospitals built in Birmingham (above) and Harrogate never treated a single patient A further 69 patients were admitted to hospital with coronavirus in Wales on September 4, although there were no further admissions reported for other nations. Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline that yesterday's surge in cases came as a 'surprise'. 'Normally coronaviruses hit in November, December time,' he said. 'This has come back sooner than I had anticipated.' 'There was a report that went out to local authorities basically putting the peak at January. I think that's probably right. Certainly December-January for the peak.' On the deaths, he said: 'They are still pretty much flat-lining but the way the death statistics are reported is very late - so it's difficult to be sure what's going on. 'They are showing a small increase, but are still very low. 'Looking at what happened in the States you probably don't start noticing the deaths for about a month after the case numbers have started going up. 'I think it's likely that case numbers are going to continue to increase throughout the next few months possibly to numbers of the sort that we saw in March, April - maybe even more - but it's going to be fewer deaths and fewer hospitalisations mainly because it is now in younger people.' It is thought that the number of new coronavirus cases announced today will be lower as these will be figures compiled over Sunday, when fewer testing labs are operating. (Alliance News) - Cora Gold Ltd on Monday said its loss widened sharply on overhead costs in the fist half of 2020 as it continued to develop its flagship Sanankoro gold project in southern Mali. The miner posted a USD623,000 pretax loss for the six months ended June, far exceeding the USD397,000 loss reported the year before. The entirely of its loss in both years was attributed to overhead costs. Highlights from the interim period include the appointment of new Chief Executive Bert Monro, as well as positive results from a scoping study and bulk sample programme at Sanankoro. Monro said: "The year to date has been an active time for the company on all fronts with significant progress made in particular on the Sanankoro gold project. The combination of a very positive scoping study, with an 107% internal rate of return at a USD1,500 [per ounce] gold price, and a recent USD21 million term sheet to fund the construction of Sanankoro, puts us in a strong position as we move in to the next stage of development. "We are very much looking forward to our next season of work programmes with the bigger picture of working towards the completion of a [definitive feasibility study] on Sanankoro by the end of 2021." Shares in Cora were down 2.4% at 9.28 pence in London on Monday. By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. A bill on setting stricter liability for insult and defamation has passed a parliamentary committee on Monday. Vice Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan (My Step bloc) is proposing with the bill to amend the civil code and define higher penalties for insults and defamation. In times when the internet enables to register within minutes pages and websites which present themselves as news websites but are actually spreading defamation and fake news, I believe that we will be able to maximally prevent, reduce the fake news and defamation with these amendments, he said. Simonyan said he proposes to increase the envisaged penalty for insult up to 5 million drams, and the penalty for defamation up to 10 million drams. Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Nairobi The oil industry has asked the United States to pressure Kenya to change its world-leading stance against the plastic waste that litters Africa, according to environmentalists who fear the continent will be used as a dumping ground. The request from the American Chemistry Council, whose members include major oil companies, to the Office of the United States Trade Representative came as the U.S and Kenya negotiate what would be the first U.S. bilateral trade deal with a country in sub-Saharan Africa. That deal is expected to be a model for others in Africa, and its importance helped lead to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyattas White House visit with President Donald Trump this year a rarity for an African leader during this administration. Amateur radio featured in a TEDx talk In a TEDx talk entrepreneur Lital Marom recalls that back in the last century when she first attended an amateur radio class she was laughed at because she was female and young (10 years old) The talk was given at a TEDx event in Amsterdam in it Lital describes how as we shift from a stable, linear economy to an innovative and dynamic one, we need a new definition of success, and a new approach to learning. Through examples of her own journey and her interesting, personal, and funny take on the business of hacking our world, Litals talk explains the idea behind a hacker mindset in developing new young leaders. Watch Morse Code and the Future of Leadership https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jdDdY3d8M0 Fortunately much has changed since the era when Lital started the hobby. Not only is the hobby now inclusive but the old Morse exam requirement has been scrapped. What is Amateur Radio? http://www.essexham.co.uk/what-is-amateur-radio Free online amateur radio training course https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/foundation-online/ Upcoming political events in the Bay Area. Events take place online unless otherwise noted: WEDNESDAY Oakland Pride: A week of online Pride events. Full schedule is here. Brian Stelter: CNN chief media correspondent on his new book, Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth, in conversation with Mother Jones editor in chief Clara Jeffery. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 3:30 p.m. More information is here. S.F. D7 candidates: Candidates for San Francisco supervisor in District Seven Emily Murase, Joel Engardio, Myrna Melgar and Vilaska Nguyen in a debate hosted by sf.citi. 5 p.m. More information is here. THURSDAY Niki Solis on Kamala Harris: San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Niki Solis on Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Solis was a manager in the public defenders office when Harris was San Francisco district attorney. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 10 a.m. More information is here. Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Former White House press secretary and author of Speaking for Myself: Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House, in conversation at the Commonwealth Club. Noon. More information is here. FRIDAY Sierra Club and Point Reyes: Author Ken Brower, son of former Sierra Club executive director David Brower, on the history and present-day issues of Point Reyes National Seashore. Part of the Sierra Clubs Green Fridays series. 7 p.m. Register here. SATURDAY No on Prop. 16: A car rally in opposition to Proposition 16, the Nov. 3 state ballot measure that would reinstate affirmative action in public university admissions and government contracting and hiring. Hosted by StopProp16.org. 1:30 p.m. Gather at the Milpitas Community Center, 457 East Calaveras Road, Milpitas. More information is here. Flipping Texas: A Zoom event in support of Democratic candidates for the Texas state House, Sharon Hirsch and Akilah Bacy. Sponsored by Sister District CA Peninsula. 6 p.m. More information is here. SUNDAY Phone bank training: Training for introverts, designed for people thinking about making political calls to potential voters but who arent quite ready. Hosted by Swing Left San Francisco. 10 a.m. RSVP here. TUESDAY Peter Strzok: Former FBI agent and author of Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump, in a conversation hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 12:30 p.m. More information is here. SEPT. 16 Sen. Sherrod Brown: Ohio Democrat in conversation on progressive power in the Senate. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 3:30 p.m. More information is here. SEPT. 17 S.F. D1 candidates: Candidates for District One supervisor take part in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. 7 p.m. Register here. SEPT. 23 S.F. D7 candidates: Candidates for District Seven supervisor take part in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. 7 p.m. Register here. SEPT. 28 Election meetup: A Zoom meetup for supporting green candidates and issues in the November elections. Hosted by GreenChange.net. 6 p.m. More information is here. SEPT. 29 Juan Felipe Herrera, Naomi Shihab Nye: Former U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, author of the new book Every Day We Get More Illegal, and poet, songwriter and novelist Naomi Shihab Nye read and discuss each others work.. Hosted by KPFA-FM and City Lights Books. 7 p.m. More information is here. To list an event, please email Chronicle politics editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Thousands of women marched through the capital of Belarus on Saturday, calling for the resignation of the authoritarian president, and university students demonstrated against the detention of classmates during the wave of protests gripping the country for four weeks. For the first time in the demonstrations, supporters of LGBT rights appeared with rainbow flags in the women's march in Minsk, an indication that opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko are becoming bolder. LGBT people are calling for freedom. We are tired of living in a dictatorship where we simply didn't exist, Anna Bredova, one of the rainbow flag bearers, told The Associated Press by phone. Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Belarus in 1994, stigmatization of it is strong. Authorities haven't allowed any LGBT organization legal registry; same-sex marriage is prohibited. About 5,000 women took part in the march, according to the human rights organization Viasna. Police followed the march, but no detentions were reported. Marches and demonstrations by women have become a frequent feature of the protests, which broke out Aug. 9 after the election in which Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, was officially tallied with an 80% landslide victory. Protests took place after some previous elections that Lukashenko won with lopsided margins, but this year's have been by far the largest and longest-lasting. Sunday protests have been especially large, bringing crowds estimated at well over 100,000 people. Earlier in the day, hundreds of students formed human chains to demonstrate against the detention of students at the State Linguistics University. Viasna said about 20 of the students were detained Saturday. Lukasheno opponents have formed a Coordination Council to drive the protests and push for a transition of power. On Saturday, one of its most prominent members, Olga Kovalkova, surfaced in Poland after being jailed in Belarus for organizing protests. She told reporters that police came to her in jail during the night and said she could either leave the country or face a long term in prison. Masked police then drove her to the border, she said. Story continues Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lukashenko's main challenger in the election, fled to Lithuania the day after the vote. On Friday, she addressed the U.N. Security Council via video link, asking it to stop blatant human rights violations and cynical disregard for human dignity right in the middle of Europe. She accused Lukashenko of stealing the election and asked the U.N. to condemn the crackdown on protesters, send a monitoring mission to Belarus and call a special session of its Human Rights Council to discuss the situation in the country. Authorities also have revoked the accreditation of many Belarusian journalists and deported some foreign journalists, including two Moscow-based Associated Press journalists. APs Belarusian journalists were among those told their press credentials had been revoked. ___ Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of Belarus at https://www.apnews.com/Belarus Press Release September 7, 2020 Bill lowering minimum height requirement for policemen, firemen and jail guards okayed Senators on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to lower the minimum height requirement for applicants of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Correction (BuCor). Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1563 or the PNP, BFP, BJMP and BuCor Height Equality Act was approved with 23 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention. SBN 1563 is in substitution of SBN 312 introduced by Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Sen. Panfilo Lacson; SBN 405 filed by Sen. Francis "Tol" Tolentino; and SBN 871 authored by Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa. From the current 5'3" and 5'2" height requirement for male and female applicants respectively, the bill seeks to lower to 5'2" the height requirement for males and 5'0" for females. SBN 1563 also waived the height requirements for applicants belonging to the cultural communities or the indigenous people. Dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and sponsor of the measure, said the approval of the bill would allow the PNP, BFP, BJMP and BuCor to accept male applicants with 5 feet and 2 inches' height and female applicants with 5 feet height. "I still believe that sacrifice, dedication and service to the country cannot be measured by height nor by any physical characteristics given by the unseen hand of our Supreme Being," Dela Rosa said in his explanatory note. The Senator explained that given the required mandate of uniformed personnel, and for practicality in accomplishing tasks, there is still the need to retain a minimum height requirement for them to be able perform their duties and responsibilities exceptionally. During his manifestation after the approval, Dela Rosa said, "today, we translate into practice the credo of our former President Ramon A. Magsaysay who was also a former member of the Philippine Army, and I quote: "I believe that he who has less in life should have more in law." An elated Dela Rosa thanked his colleagues for supporting the measure. "Sa araw na ito, pinatunayan natin na tayong mga senador ay hinalal upang ipagtanggol ang "maliliit" - literally and figuratively, Mr. President. Our people expect no shortcomings from us. Indeed, there is no tall order that cannot be conquered. Maraming salamat po sa pagbibigay ninyo ng pag-asa at oportunidad para sa mga nakararami nating kababayan upang makapaglingkod ng tapat at buong puso sa bayan." The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has condemned former President John Dramani Mahama for endorsing ethnocentric comments made against Akyem tribe. A post by Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament, Isaac Adongo described elements from the New Patriotic Party as Akyem Sakawa Boys in relation to the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal. The article was shared on the Facebook page of the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama. The MFWA said such statements have the tendency to provoke and incite reprisal attacks which can fuel political tensions in the country. Although the former President has clarified that he did not make such comments, the MFWA said: John Mahama's action of sharing the article on his Facebook page amounts to republication and an endorsement of the ethnocentric comments. The MFWA urged all political party aspirants, candidates and political communicators to endeavour to focus on issue-based campaign ahead of the general elections. Political parties, their communicators, assigns and serial callers must also desist from engaging in a personal vendetta that satisfies their party ego and interests and makes commitments to ensuring to making the upcoming elections peaceful. Already the MFWA's 2020 monitoring of language use on radio ahead of the 2020 polls cited a total of 156 indecent expressions used by radio show hosts and influential political party officials. These include insults, prejudice or bigotry, inflammatory expressions, hate speech, tribal slurs and stereotyping, provocative remarks unsubstantiated allegations and gender-specific insults among others. citinewsroom RABAT - Morocco is facing a strong increase in coronavirus infections and has ordered a new lockdown in Casablanca, the country's main economic centre. Schools were scheduled to reopen Monday, but will now remain closed for at least two weeks. New measures include restrictions to circulation and a nightly curfew, authorities said. On Sunday it was announced that borders would reopen to tourism, by reservation only and with a negative Covid-19 test, and the reopening has not been revoked thus far. "We're at risk of being overwhelmed by the virus," Health Minister Khalid Ait Taleb told official Moroccan news agency MAP. "Therefore, drastic measures are necessary, otherwise the situation could get out of control in the coming days," he said. In recent weeks, the country has seen a spike in coronavirus cases. On Sunday alone, there were 2,234 new infections, a one-day record, and 42% were in Casablanca. Authorities attribute the spread of Covid-19 to peoples' lack of respect for health protocols. Casablanca, together with Marrakesh, had already been subjected to a series of restrictions three weeks ago, including the closure of beaches and reduced working hours. On Monday, authorities decided to close all educational institutions, including primary, middle, and high schools, as well as universities, after epidemiologists expressed concern about the ability of the health system to respond to the crisis. In Casablanca, outbound roads for the country's main cities closed at noon, with travel permitted only with "exceptional authorisation" issued by local authorities. Since the first reported coronavirus case at the start of March, Morocco has registered 72,394 cases of Covid-19, with 1,361 deaths. Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Wednesday condemned the needless violence that has unfolded in Kenosha, Wis., since the police shooting of a Black man, as he also expressed his solidarity with peaceful protesters and denounced systemic racism. The remarks, made in a direct-to-camera video posted on social media, come as Mr. Biden, the Democratic nominee, confronts competing political pressures from both the left and right: While the Trump campaign works to cast him as radically anti-law enforcement, many Americans particularly progressives have been overwhelmingly supportive of protests against racial injustice. In the message, Mr. Biden says that he has spoken with the parents and other family members of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot multiple times in Kenosha, Wis., by the police with his children nearby. After the shooting, which outraged many Americans, some protests turned destructive, leading Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin, a Democrat, to call for a state of emergency. Two people were killed in a shooting related to the protests, and a white teenager who was not believed to be among the protesters was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. Car imports in Vietnam have increased again after a long slump caused by the impact of Covid-19. Thailand and Indonesia have been the biggest sellers. The General Department of Customs (GDC) reported that in July, Vietnam imported 4,761 CBU cars of different kinds, an increase of 34 percent over the month before. This included 1,698 cars from Thailand, with 9 or fewer seats, up by 29.3 percent, and 1,251 from Indonesia, a three-fold increase over the month before. In H1, Vietnam imported a total of 4,078 cars, which was nearly equal to the import volume in July alone. These included 2,451 cars with 9 or fewer seats, mostly from Thailand and Indonesia. The General Department of Customs (GDC) reported that in July, Vietnam imported 4,761 CBU cars of different kinds, an increase of 34 percent over the month before. The figures showed a strong recovery in car imports. The noteworthy feature was the import price decrease. Indonesia sourced imports had an average price of VND247 million, while Thailand was VND378 million, which were VND80 million and VND82 million lower than the same period last year, respectively. A car dealer said that imports from Thailand and Indonesia have different average price levels, depending on the number of arrivals and models. In July, enterprises mostly imported small-size products, so the average import price was low in that month. If they had imported many pick-ups and SUVs, the price would have been higher. However, he said that importers now can sign contracts at the best prices. Thailand and Indonesia have large automobile output, while their domestic demand has decreased sharply because of Covid-19, so they are trying to boost exports to Vietnam. In 2019, Thailand manufactured 2,013,710 cars. In general, 60 percent of its output will be exported. However, because of Covid-19, the country may export 600,000 cars this year. As for Indonesia, the country hopes it can export 200,000 cars instead of 450,000 as initially planned. Challenge for domestic automobile industry Analysts believe that imports from the two countries will continue to increase towards the end of the year. The low domestic consumption has prompted them to boost exports. Sources said Thai and Indonesian manufacturers have asked their governments to loosen tax and fee policies, reduce barriers in import/export activities and support enterprises to optimize their production capacity. The rising number of imports from Thailand and Indonesia are not good news for Vietnams automobile manufacturers. If the two governments agree on the proposals, Thai and Indonesian imported cars will be cheaper. With production costs 20 percent lower than Vietnam, and a preferential tariff of zero percent, the products will be very competitive compared with products made in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam has removed many barriers to open the market to imports. Every year, Vietnam produces 500,000 cars with less than 9 seats. However, the figure will be only 200,000 this year. Tran Thuy Car prices expected to drop in August More people could afford imported cars from the EU when the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) takes effect from August 1. By Rukhsana Shama Rukhsana Shama A staff member at a school Boris Johnson visited has tested positive for Covid-19 - just days after the Prime Minister gave a speech there and met pupils and teachers. A member of staff at Castle Rock High School in Coalville, has tested positive for coronavirus, with students who came into contact with them being told to stay home and self-isolate. A letter was sent to parents last night by headteacher Michael Gamble - just 11 days after Boris Johnson visited the school. The Prime Minister addressed year seven pupils at the school on August 26, apologising for A-Level and GCSE exam results affected by a 'mutant algorithm' that forced an embarrassing Government U-turn. Mr Johnson previously contracted the virus himself and spent a week in St Thomas' Hospital in London in April, including three days in intensive care, so may now be immune from infection. A member of staff at a Leicestershire school which Boris Johnson visited on August 26 has tested positive for coronavirus, with the headteacher announcing the news last night Students are self-isolating at Castle Rock High School in Coalville, Leicestershire, (above) after a member of staff has tested positive for coronavirus His visit caused a stir online after the Prime Minister gave a speech in the library, in front of books with titles such as The Twits, Betrayed and The Subtle Knife During a rambling speech, Mr Johnson also told bemused year seven schoolchildren that it is politically acceptable to sing Rule Britannia and ruled that Harry Potter is not sexist. His visit caused a stir online after the Prime Minister gave a speech in the library, in front of books with titles such as The Twits, Betrayed and The Subtle Knife. It later emerged the former librarian didn't intend the covert message for Mr Johnson, but reportedly put it up as a message to school management during her last week on the job in February. In the letter sent out last night, Mr Gamble said: 'We apologise for the lateness of this letter, however this evening we have been informed that on member of our staff at The Castle Rock School has been tested positive for Covid-19. 'The health, safety and well-being of our students is paramount. Please be assured that we have sought immediate advice from Public Health England this evening, and we are continuing to closely follow the published government guidance. 'Staff who may have been in 'contact' with the staff member have already been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace process. 'Due to the timing of this news, and as a precautionary measure, we are requesting that students in the following classes/groups please remain at home tomorrow (Monday 7th September). 'We will contact each parent tomorrow to let them know if their child should continue to self-isolate.' Following the latest news, local residents have joked online that the Prime Minister may be a 'super spreader- and that his visit may have been to blame for the outbreak Mr Johnson previously contracted the virus himself and spent a week in St Thomas' Hospital in London in April, including three days in intensive care, so may now be immune from infection The Prime Minister addressed year seven pupils at the school on August 26, apologising for A-Level and GCSE exam results affected by a 'mutant algorithm' Locals took to Facebook to comment on the issue, with one saying: 'Is Boris a super spreader.' Another added: 'Castle Rock has covid, is it due to Boris going?' But others were quick to point out that the PM has already had the virus 'months ago'. BORIS JOHNSON'S CORONAVIRUS SCARE The Prime Minister, 55, spent a week in April at St Thomas's Hospital in London fighting coronavirus, including three days in intensive care. He had previously been self-isolating in Downing Street and had released a video saying his symptoms were mild. But in a shocking announcement, he was admitted to hospital on April 5. He was transferred to intensive care the following evening, where he was put on an oxygen drip - but did not need a ventilator. There were fears for the Prime Minister's life during his battle with coronavirus, with ministers and aides reportedly praying for him. After rallying, the Prime Minister told them that he owed his life to the doctors and nurses at St Thomas' Hospital in London, adding: 'I can't thank them enough.' Advertisement This comes soon after two schools have been forced to close just days after reopening last week as members of staff test positive for coronavirus, while entire year groups at three other schools are forced to self-isolate. One school in Suffolk and another in Norfolk have both closed just days after reopening for the autumn term after staff members tested positive for Covid-19. And entire year groups at three separate schools have been forced to self-isolate after coronavirus cases were diagnosed within their 'bubbles'. Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested that young people under-25 - particularly those aged 17-21 - have helped propel the rise in positive coronavirus cases across the country in recent days. The National Education Union (NEU) is also calling for a 'more robust and accessible' test and trace system after it said it had heard reports of teachers being told to travel hundreds of miles for a test. Old Buckenham High School, near Attleborough, has been forced to close after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus. Parents were given only a few hours' notice and had to hastily make plans for keeping their children at home after the Norfolk school announced the closure on its website on Sunday night. Some parents planning to head back to work today had to contact their boss at the 11th hour to say they couldn't come in. Old Buckenham said: 'Due to a member of staff testing positive for Covid 19, Old Buckenham High School will be closed on Monday 7th. 'We apologise for the late delivery of this information, however, we have only very recently become aware of the situation. More information to follow.' The co-ed school, with 530 students aged 11 to 16, had only re-opened for the autumn term on Friday. Old Buckenham High School, near Attleborough, (above) has been forced to close just days after reopening last week as a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus The news came hours before the majority of pupils in Norfolk will return to school, many of them for the first time in several months. Head teacher Andrew Fell added: 'While it is regrettable to close the school on Monday, this incident has shown that systems are in place and working to quickly deal with any issues related to Covid-19. 'The school will be deep cleaned on Monday and decisions about re-opening conveyed to parents/careers as soon as practicable.' Government guidance doesn't specify that schools should automatically close if a member of staff contracts the virus. But if a staff member tests positive, the class or group 'within their childcare or education setting' should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. CEO of the Sapientia Education Trust Jonathan Taylor said: 'Whilst we regret the further disruption we are working with colleagues in Public Health England to take all necessary steps to plan the re-opening of the school.' It comes as a Northumberland school was among three forcing pupils into self-isolation after positive coronavirus tests. Year one pupils at Newsham Primary School in Blyth are self-isolating for 14 days after a student in the year group was diagnosed with coronavirus. All children from that class have been told to stay at home soon after the school reopened to students on September 2. Year one pupils at Newsham Primary School in Blyth are self-isolating for 14 days after a student in the year group was diagnosed with coronavirus In a letter sent out on Sunday evening, headteacher Anne-Marie Armstrong wrote: 'Public Health have stated that all Y1 pupils need to isolate for 14 days from Thursday, September 3rd, which is the last day that this child was in school. The isolation period will therefore expire on Thursday, September 17th. 'Other family members of Y1 pupils and staff do not need to isolate for 14 days. 'I will write to parents and carers tomorrow but wanted the families of the children concerned to have this information as soon as possible.' She added: 'It goes without saying that this situation is one I'd hope we'd never have to deal with at Newsham Primary School. 'We are one of the earlier cases in the country where Covid-19 has affected a pupil and I know you will join me in sending love and best wishes to the child and family concerned.' In a previous message, Mrs Armstrong said 'a carefully organised procedure' was put into place after information was received about the positive Covid-19 diagnosis, in line with guidelines from the Department for Education. At least eight schools in Wales are believed to have been affected by coronavirus since reopening. Thirty pupils in year 7 at Ysgol Bro Edern in Cardiff have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days after a student tested positive for Covid-19. Head teacher Iwan Pritchard said: 'Due to the procedures we have in place, restricting contact between different classes and logging seating plans of all lessons, we have been able to limit the numbers of pupils needing to self-isolate and there is no need for parents or pupils that have not been contacted to self-isolate or be unduly concerned. Thirty pupils in year 7 at Ysgol Bro Edern (pictured) in Cardiff have also been asked to self-isolate for 14 days after a student tested positive for Covid-19 'Having kept to the two-metre social distancing rule, or worn a face covering if this hasn't been possible, no school staff need to self-isolate.' Additional cleaning, on top the normal daily routine, has also been completed as a precaution, Mr Pritchard said. The return to Ysgol Bryn Castell for some year groups was delayed after the positive test results, with a member of staff at Ysgol Maesteg also testing positive for the virus. A class of 21 pupils at St Gwladys Primary School in Bargoed, Caerphilly, were also told to self-isolate for two weeks after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19. Buile Hill Academy in Pendleton, Salford, were another school forced to put students in self-isolation for 14 days, until September 18. Pupils had only returned for three days after the academy opened last Wednesday to Year 7 students. Head teacher James Inman sent a letter to parents yesterday saying one person in the 'Year 7 bubble' had tested positive for Covid-19, adding that parents of affected children would be contacted by telephone. Mr Inman wrote: 'The school is working closely with Salford's Public Health England team to reduce the risk of infection for your children and our staff.' The pupils at the Manchester school, which is undergoing a deep clean, will be able to return after September 18 if they are not displaying any symptoms. Mr Inman said all 'household members' of the positive case will be self-isolating, adding that children cannot leave their homes or be visited by others during the isolation period. All year seven students at Buile Hill Academy in Pendleton, Salford, (above) are self-isolating until September 18 after one pupil was confirmed as having Covid-19 He added: 'Comprehensive remote learning will be available for all Year 7 pupils during this time and further details of how your child can access this will be made available tomorrow. 'Only your child needs to self-isolate, other members of the contact's household do not need to self-isolate.' It has not been confirmed whether the case refers to a pupil or a member of staff. In a separate letter sent to parents of Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 pupils, the school said Public Health England had advised it would not need to close with all other students being told to go to school as normal. Seven pupils and three members of staff at Cwmnedd Primary School, Glynneath, are having to self-isolate for two weeks after a student tested positive for coronavirus. Coedffranc Primary School in Neath, Wales, has also seen a member of staff, who attended the school during an inset day last Thursday when no pupils were present, has also tested positive. Three further members of staff at the school are now self-isolating. The council said both schools remained open and it was not necessary for any other child to self-isolate or be tested unless they developed symptoms of Covid-19. It is also estimated that as many as 200 pupils in Liverpool will be forced to isolate for the next two weeks as the city looks to avoid its spiking case numbers from rising any further. Staff and students from West Derby School in Tuebrook, Liverpool, have been told to self-isolate after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has suggested that affluent youngsters have helped to propel the rise in cases as he implored people to stick to social-distancing measures A total of 56 pupils and three staff members will now spend 14 days self isolating at home. The council said the citys public health team are working with the school to support them with the measures in place. Positive cases of the virus have also been found at Bellerive High School near Sefton Park and at Liverpool College. A message sent from Liverpool College to parents said a positive case of Covid-19 had been confirmed within Year 11 and that the children and staff in the bubble affected are self-isolating for 14 days. Five Liverpool primary schools, including Kingsley Primary and Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary, have also been hit by the virus. Staff and students have been told to self-isolate at the schools, which also include Hunts Cross Primary, Sudley Junior School and Ernest Cookson Special Educational School. Coronavirus cases have also been confirmed at three schools in the area around Middlesbrough. St Benedict's RC Primary School in Redcar, St Aidan's CE Primary School in Hartlepool, and Outwood Academy Ormesby in Middlesbrough have all seen positive cases, but will remain open. The JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire, closed on Friday after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus - and around 100 students were told to self-isolate. Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill, Suffolk, has shut after five teachers tested positive for coronavirus. Headteacher Andy Hunter (above) said it was a 'huge disappointment' This comes as another school has shut today after five teachers tested positive for coronavirus - with more members of staff awaiting test results. Pupils had started to return to the Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill, Suffolk, last Thursday - but classes in years nine and 11 were due for their first day back today. The school, which lies in Health Secretary Matt Hancock's constituency, said in a statement that the closure was a 'precautionary measure' and it hoped to reopen on Tuesday. Headteacher Andy Hunter said: 'The safety of pupils and all those who work at the school is my biggest priority. 'Obviously this is a huge disappointment after working so hard to get the school back up and running. 'I will be looking closely at the systems we put in place to try to understand how the transmission occurred and to make sure we do everything possible to limit the chances of the same thing happening again. 'I am very disappointed by this disrupted start to the school term. 'We have taken very extensive precautions. 'We were delighted that term had started so well last week and were looking forward to the final two year groups starting (on Monday). 'But I have had excellent support from Public Health England, Public Health Suffolk and Suffolk County Council. 'We are determined to do all we can to stop the further spread of the virus and agree with the precautionary action to close the school (on Monday).' Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill, Suffolk, has closed today after at least five members of staff contracted coronavirus A deep clean is to take place at the school. Anyone who has been in close contact with infected staff has been contacted and asked to self-isolate for 14 days, the school said. Further contact tracing will continue and additional pupils and staff may be asked to self-isolate. Stuart Keeble, director of public health at Suffolk County Council, said: 'Understandably, this news may worry parents across Suffolk, but it is important to remember that the risk of children contracting Covid-19 is still very small. 'Evidence suggests that children are more likely to contract Covid-19 at home.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admitted that there have been 'operational issues' over testing, when probed about people being asked to travel long distances for tests. Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: 'We need a far more robust and accessible trace track and test system with testing centres within a reasonable distance. 'We are hearing stories of teachers being told they must travel hundreds of miles for a test - the Government must act on this immediately.' The union is calling for the Government to plan for outbreaks - by employing more teachers and looking for additional space - to ensure that young people's education is as 'uninterrupted as possible'. 'The Government cannot side-step its responsibility, leaving schools and colleges to carry the can for its inadequate preparations,' Mr Courtney added. Yesterday the UK recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since May after 2,988 were reported in just 24 hours Mr Hancock suggested that affluent youngsters have helped to propel the rise in cases as he implored people to stick to social-distancing measures. Speaking on LBC radio on Monday, he said 'nobody wants to see a second wave' in the UK and that a recent surge in cases was 'concerning'. There were a further 2,988 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Sunday - the largest daily figure since May. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said it is 'impossible' to eliminate entirely the risks of transmission either in school or the wider community. He added: 'It is therefore likely that disruption will continue over the coming weeks and months. 'This shows the necessity for a robust contingency plan in case students are unable to take GCSE and A-level exams next summer or their preparation is significantly disrupted. 'The Government must take action now on such a back-up plan before time runs out.' Beverley Callard has revealed she kept her hip surgery a secret from her Coronation Street co-stars as she 'didn't want anyone to think I was feeling sorry for myself.' The actress, 63, spoke candidly about her recovery during Monday's Loose Women and gave her fans an update on her slow recovery process. She also discussed making a return to Corrie as Liz McDonald, who she played for 31 years, after there was 'uproar' when her character wasn't given a dramatic exit. Strong: Beverley Callard has said she kept her hip surgery a secret from her Coronation Street co-stars as she didn't want them to think she was 'feeling sorry for herself' (pictured during an appearance on Loose Women on Monday) Speaking via video link during the show, Beverley said: 'It's been a pretty difficult time. I'm trying to walk now. I'm on crutches as opposed to being hoisted around and pushed around, but I'm getting there slowly but surely.' When asked if she was told she'd never walk again, Beverley said: 'I was told, you'll love this, I may have one leg longer than the other! Which was a bit scary as you can imagine. I literally was, I had nerve damage, I still have. 'It's been one of the worst times I've gone through. But I'm battling, I'm fighting. I've got physio every day, hydrotherapy twice a week I'm trying my best.' The soap star also candidly discussed her recovery with OK!, revealing in an interview that she didn't tell her Corrie co-stars about her health issues. Slow process: The actress explained how she's still 'fighting' and slowly recovering with physio every day and hydrotherapy sessions twice a week Beverley said: 'I am quite a private person and I didn't tell anybody. I didn't want anyone to think I was feeling sorry for myself.' However Beverley said her on-screen son Simon Gregson and daughter-in-law Kate Ford have both been 'fantastic' since finding out about her procedure. As well as not opening up to her castmates, Beverley told the publication that she tried to keep just how bad her injury was from her family. She explained how although chatting regularly to her two children and three step-children on FaceTime they were 'shocked' when they saw her in person. Role: The 63-year-old actress played Liz McDonald in ITV soap Coronation Street for 31 years Beverley is mum to Rebecca, 45, and Joshua, 31, while her husband of 10 years Jon McEwan has Ben, 34, Jon, 31, and Danielle, 29. During her time on Loose Women, the actress said she believes she hurt her hip while doing Thunder Girls on stage last year. She explained how she went into hospital for a minor operation in March but she ended up having to have another in July after not being able to walk. Speaking of whether Liz will return to Coronation Street for a full exit scene, Beverley said: 'I will go back maybe the beginning of next year. So they will see a bit more of Liz and it's going to be very dramatic I believe! Return? Beverley said she's planning on returning to the soap next year to film Liz's exit after there was an 'uproar' when her character was given an off screen exit 'I wasn't going to talk about the operation at all, but I know there was a bit of an uproar, because after 35 years they're just sending her off to Spain and we're not going to see her. 'So it wasn't Coronation Street's fault, it was no one's fault, it was just one of those things. What I'm hoping for the exit is Liz and Jim get back together and just go off into the sunset, but I have a feeling that might not happen.' Beverley also revealed that she was asked to do this year's Strictly, but was unable to commit to the show because of her surgery. She said: 'I was asked to do it. It's one of my dreams to do it. But I've got no chance of doing that I'm afraid. Maybe next year. I will fight, and maybe next year!' Real talk: Beverley appeared via video link to update the Loose Women panel and her fans about her hip on Monday Shock: The star recently revealed she is suing the hospital which carried out the operation after a second opinion from a doctor led to her minor keyhole surgery being changed to a full hip replacement (pictured in character in 2015) Beverley's nightmare began when she visited her GP in March to seek advice on a 'niggle in my hip, in my groin on the right side'. Her doctor said it could easily be fixed with a small operation, however, what followed was a world of pain for the star. Beverley told The Mirror that following what she thought was a 'minor operation' at the hospital, which she is not naming for legal reasons, she was told that the surgery didn't go as planned. Pain: Beverley has previously said that the pain in the aftermath was 'absolute hell' (pictured with onscreen son Steve in 2010) She explained that she was told afterwards that during the procedure, her hip had 'crumbled' and that she needed 'further operations' while there. Days after being released from hospital, Beverley began to experience excruciating pain which only grew worse. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the thespian was left in agony for months while she waited for a new operation. It wasn't until a trauma surgeon pal stepped in that Beverley, who was in constant 'tears' over the pain, got a new appointment the next day, with the surgery following afterwards. Joe Biden has made it clear that he was for fracking before he was against it. Forget the cognitive testing the cognitive dissonance of the incoherent policies his puppet masters are feeding him though his earpiece is enough to disqualify him for the presidency and may doom him politically in key states like Pennsylvania just as Hillary Clinton's pledge to bankrupt a lot of coal companies doomed her. Banning fossil fuels and killing the energy independence Trump achieved before the Wuhan virus pandemic would kill the American economy and future hopes for recovery. It is said a little child shall lead us, and a little child named AOC wants to lead us and a President Biden over the economic cliff. She, and Biden running mate Kamala Harris, may only succeed in pushing Biden over the political cliff as voters realize that solar panels and wind turbines are not all that good at creating jobs in the gray skies of winter. Joe Biden's emergence from his basement bunker soon went off the rails when in Western Pennsylvania he claimed he never said he would ban fracking. Where does he think his environmental czar, AOC, stands, and what does he think the policy compact he signed with socialist Bernie Sanders says? What does he think the Green New Deal is all about? And certainly Kamala Harris, whom Biden picked to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, is as anti-fracking as they come. As PJ Media's Matt Margolis notes in a video montage, Biden has repeatedly pledged to ban fracking and end the use of fossil fuels, even if it costs millions of American jobs. Personnel is policy, the saying goes, and his reliance on Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Kamala Harris for guidance on energy policy shows exactly where he stands. As Paul Kengor notes in the American Spectator, this may doom him politically as the bitter clingers of Pennsylvania and other energy-rich states catch on: Two months ago, Donald Trump's numbers in Pennsylvania didn't look good. Now, given this sudden grassroots groundswell, I'm convinced Biden is the one in trouble. That's no B.S. And it's Biden's leftward lurch that has hurt him, especially with the highly ill-advised pick of Kamala Harris, who folk in this area see as a West Coast leftist whose "progressive" bona fides include an unwavering opposition to fracking. ... "[Pennsylvania] is one of the most robust economies in the country," Jeff Nobers, executive director of the Builders Guild of Western Pa., told the New York Times. "And it's mostly fueled by, yeah, the gas industry, the burgeoning petrochemical industry, manufacturing." The Times also quoted Jim Kunz, business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66: "I can tell you, in 2010, my local was at about 10% unemployment. Natural gas started to come here in about 2010. Within a year to a year and a half, we went from 10% unemployment to actually over-employment. I had to look for people. We went to full employment, and we've been at or near full employment, and occasionally over employed. ... If we end up with a Democratic candidate that supports a fracking ban, I am going to tell my members that they either don't vote or vote for the other guy." Pennsylvania workers realize this. Pennsylvania citizens realize this. Pennsylvania voters realize this[.] ... Says Shawn Steffe, business agent for Boilermakers Local 154 in Pittsburgh: "Biden needs to steer his car out of the far-left ditch back to the middle if he wants us to support him. It's not happening. I don't see my members voting for someone who will take away their jobs and pensions over something that has a lot of half-truths to it." Steffe, 53 years old, is a lifelong Democrat who voted for Trump in 2016 and intends to again in 2020. Be afraid; be very afraid. According to a 2016 report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the economy would suffer dramatically if lawmakers banned fracking: "A fracking ban would be a disaster for the U.S. economy, exceeding the economic harm caused by the financial crisis, the housing bust, and the Great Recession combined," the report said. "Those concurrent events cost the United States around 8 million jobs. A ban on fracturing would destroy more than 14 million jobs, all while raising costs for families and considerably reducing American energy security." A 2019 report by the National Association of State Energy officials noted that thanks to fracking, the natural gas industry employed directly some 625,000 Americans in good, high-paying jobs. The consequences of a fracking ban would be economically devastating. According to the Washington Free Beacon: The spike in energy prices would raise the cost of living by $4,000 a year, and household incomes would drop by $873 billion. The report concluded the U.S. gross domestic product would be reduced by $1.6 trillion. Texas (1,499,000 jobs lost), Pennsylvania (466,000), Ohio (397,000), and Colorado (215,000) would see more than a combined 2.5 million jobs lost from a fracking ban alone over that span, the report said, taking into consideration its effect on energy prices, incomes, manufacturing, and energy security[.] Fracking is a big deal well beyond Pennsylvania, with huge electoral implications. According to the American Petroleum Institute: In 2022, job losses under a fracking ban could total 7.5 million or 4.8% of total U.S. jobs with nearly 2.5 million jobs lost in Texas, California and Florida. Other top states for job losses as a share of overall employment include North Dakota, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Louisiana, West Virginia and Kansas. Fracking does not cause earthquakes. Nor does it taint well water. The mixture used to fracture shale is in fact a benign blend of 90% water, 9.5% sand, and 0.5% chemicals such as the sodium chloride of table salt and the citric acid of the orange juice you had for breakfast. Shale formations in which fracking is employed are thousands of feet deep. Drinking water aquifers are generally only 100 feet deep. There is a lot of solid rock between them. It is fracking that has produced a boom in the production of natural gas, a fossil fuel that has produced a significant reduction in the U.S. of so-called "greenhouse gases." As the Washington Times recently reported: White House senior advisor Brian Deese cheered the falling carbon dioxide levels at a Monday press conference without mentioning the outsize role played by natural gas, as the cleaner-burning fuel increasingly overtakes coal in electricity generation. "For those of you who are not breathlessly following the most recent data that has come out, I would note recent data that we've seen suggests or finds that for the first half of 2016, energy sector emissions in the United States are actually down 6 percent from last year, and 15 percent from 2005," said Mr. Deese. "And they're at their lowest level in nearly 20 years." He said nothing about the U.S. natural gas boom, an omission that critics say has become par for the course as the Obama administration highlights renewable energy and emissions restrictions without acknowledging the role of fracking in natural gas extraction. "To add dishonesty to injury, his administration is bragging about the reduced CO2 emissions of [the] U.S. industry without crediting the fracking for natural gas, a fossil fuel, that largely caused it," said Alex Epstein, author of the book "The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels." The Democrats have no case, moral or otherwise, for banning fracking, which would ironically hurt the environment they allegedly want to heal while creating an economic collapse. If they insist on advocating, they will be caught between shale rock and a hard place. Daniel John Sobieski is a former editorial writer for Investor's Business Daily and free lance writer whose pieces have appeared in Human Events, Reason Magazine, and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. Image: Marc Nozell via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. The HSE's Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said the potential for an "apartheid society" can be avoided if people re-double their efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. A recent increase in cases has seen 231 confirmed yesterday - the highest daily number in four months. There has also been a steady rise in hospital admissions, 46 people are being treated in hospitals today - six in ICU. Dr Colm Henry said it is important people act now to avoid further restrictions "so we can protect older people, and not create some sort of apartheid society when there is one set of rules for older people and another set of rules for younger people". Dr Henry also said it is important that Ireland works together to live with the virus to return to some ordinary life and keep schools open. "We need to redouble our efforts, a common sense of purpose, we're not just trying to avoid Bergamo, we're trying to open society up again, we're trying to live with Covid but in a different way than we have before," Dr Henry said. Dr Henry's comments come as 138 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland today however there were no new deaths. The number of new cases in Dublin dropped to 68 from a high of 133 cases yesterday. There are 13 cases in Limerick, 9 in Galway, 9 in Kildare, and 5 each in Cork, Wexford, and in Wicklow. The remaining 24 cases are in 14 other counties and 67% of today's cases are under the age of 45. The increasing case numbers mean Ireland must avoid an "overwhelmed" hospital system this winter according to Dr Henry. "We cannot face an overwhelmed hospital system and we cannot face levels of congestion in our emergency departments like we saw in previous years. "For this reason, we're focusing on avoiding people getting to hospital. Our Winter Plan, which is being finalised at the moment, is looking at the development of community assessment hubs being refashioned to look at people with respiratory disease presenting in the community. "We're also looking to add to our hospital capacity with the addition of 400 acute beds this year," said Dr Henry. President Donald Trump was on the defensive on Sunday over his attitude toward the US military following media reports that he had disparaged fallen veterans, which could harm his campaign for re-election on Nov. 3. Democratic and Republican opponents alike over the weekend seized on the reports - which said that Trump had called US soldiers buried in Europe losers - to attack his record on the military on news shows and in political ads. It breaks your heart, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the reported comments in an interview on MSNBC on Sunday. Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, a Republican, told ABCs This Week that the remarks, if true, were despicable. Hagel said the reports were credible because they were consistent with previous public remarks Trump had made denigrating military personnel, including former US Defense Secretary James Mattis. It will resonate with the military, he added. Retired US Army Colonel Jeff McCausland, a former National Security Council official, wrote in an op-ed for NBC News on Sunday that Trump over the years had demonstrated a clear pattern of disrespect toward the military. The furor over the Sept. 3 report in The Atlantic could dent support for Trump among service members, a key constituency for the Republican which largely backed him in 2016. The Atlantic reported that Trump made the disparaging remarks after canceling a visit to an American cemetery during a November 2018 trip to France, an account the president denied on Thursday and on Sunday said was disinformation. They will say anything, like their recent lies about me and the Military, and hope that it sticks, he tweeted, referring to the media and the Democratic Party, whose nominee Joe Biden is vying for the presidency in November. The Atlantic has stood by its report, which cited four unnamed people with firsthand knowledge of the matter and which was later confirmed by several other media outlets. Bloomberg on Sunday reported that Trump spent the extra free time in Paris selecting artwork to ship from the US ambassadors residence to the White House. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the Bloomberg report. Former Vice President Biden, whose late son Beau served in Iraq, on Sunday capitalized upon the uproar to highlight his own record of military support with a advertisement aimed at areas with large numbers of military personnel in battleground states. The ad will air nationwide on Sunday night during cable television news programs and on Facebook and Instagram throughout the week as part of a broader $47 million campaign, a spokesman told Reuters on Sunday. The Lincoln Project, a prominent Republican-backed group opposing Trumps re-election, on Saturday released a new video attacking the presidents comments and broader record on the military. Trump has never served and avoided the draft for the Vietnam war citing bone spurs in his feet. Hes a draft-dodger in chief who despises the men and women he supposedly leads. He insults their deaths and injuries with his contempt, it said. Military spending Trump has repeatedly touted his administrations spending on the military while also moving to pull American troops out of conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan, as well as out of allied countries such as Germany. More recently, he has said he would block the Pentagons plan to cut military healthcare by $2.2 billion and reverse its plan to close the Stars and Stripes military newspaper. Nevertheless, a Military Times poll of roughly 1,000 active-duty service members taken late July to early August and published last week, before the latest reports, showed waning military support for Trump and a slight preference for Biden. Several top administration officials, including US Defense Secretary Mark Esper, have rallied to Trumps defense as the controversy has grown in recent days. On Sunday, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie told CNNs State of the Union that he had never heard the president disparage the military or veterans. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at the White House that Trump supported the military 100%. 'The idea of going to the clinic was very scary,' said Metiboba, a Nigerian researcher for a charity When Loveth Metiboba's baby had diarrhoea, she worried that taking him to a clinic near her home in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, might expose them both to the coronavirus. "The idea of going to the clinic was very scary," said Metiboba, a researcher for a charity. Instead, the clinic, run by Nigerian health technology firm eHealth Africa, sent her a web browser link to hold a video chat with a doctor who diagnosed her son with a mild illness and prescribed medicine to avoid dehydration. Across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated changes in the way medicine is practised as medical care increasingly begins with an online consultation rather than a face-to-face meeting. But the opportunities in Africa, where access to medical care is often restricted, are transformational and offer growth prospects to companies that provide online consultations and online sales of medicine. Mukul Majmudar, chief executive of CureCompanion, which developed the online platform Metiboba used, said the Texas-based company had seen a 12-fold increase in business in Africa this year from 2019. That compares with a 10-fold rise in online medicine across all seven countries - Armenia, Honduras, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the United States, as well as Nigeria - where it is present. Helium Health, a Nigerian company that specialises in digitising medical records, brought forward to February the launch of its online consultation platform, which had been planned for later in the year, to meet demand resulting from the pandemic. In May, it raised $10 million from investors, including Chinese technology giant Tencent. Helium Health's CEO Adegoke Olubusi said dozens of hospitals and clinics had subscribed to the service. They include a private clinic in the Victoria Island business district of Lagos. It is run by doctor Ngozi Onyia, who said she had signed up for a 150,000 naira ($394.22) monthly subscription with Helium Health and that most of the clinic's patients had opted for online consultations, referred to as telemedicine, within weeks of Nigeria's first cases of the novel coronavirus. The online consultations cost 10,000 naira each - half the cost of an in-person examination. "This kept us going - we held on to our patients and even gained new ones," Onyia said. PRIVATE FUNDING, GOVERNMENT USE Even before the pandemic, public health experts and investors saw the potential for telemedicine to help Africa cater for the needs of rapidly-expanding populations. Funding from development agencies and venture capitalists alike has flowed into tech companies providing healthcare in Africa. Data from San Francisco-based investment firm Partech showed venture capital investment in Africa's health tech companies grew to $189 million in 2019 from around $20 million in both 2017 and 2018. Even in the turmoil of the pandemic, some $97 million was raised in the first half of 2020, Partech said. Of last year's total, $69 million was spread across 12 deals and $120 million went to Zipline, a Californian drone firm that launched in Rwanda in 2016. It estimates that its drones, carrying medical equipment, can reach 95% of the mountainous East African country from two distribution centres. In 2019 it expanded into Ghana, where the government enlisted it during lockdown in May to deliver coronavirus test samples, vaccines and protective clothing, such as gloves. "It became very handy during this pandemic where we needed to send samples quickly to testing centres," Nsiah-Asare, health adviser to Ghana's president said. The government is in talks with Zipline about expanding its operations in Ghana by creating three new distribution centres in addition to the four Zipline already operates there, Nsiah-Asare and the company's country director Daniel Marfo told Reuters. The government in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has also seen the potential for high tech help. Authorities in the capital Abuja contracted the charitable arm of eHealth Africa to roll out a system that alerts patients who test negative for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 with an automated text message. Those who test positive for the coronavirus require medical help and contact-tracing, but for negative tests, a message is enough. Chikwe Ihekweazu, who heads the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said automating the process would help authorities handle increased testing after the resumption of international flights from Sept. 5. "Almost everything we're doing right now, from logistics to managing the outbreak itself, is being migrated into different technological platforms," Ihekweazu said. ECONOMIC CRISIS For all the potential for technology to help, it is likely to be constrained as the COVID-19 pandemic adds to Africa's economic problems. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast a 3.2% contraction in sub-Saharan Africa's gross domestic product in 2020. In addition, the pandemic has put around 20 million jobs at risk across the continent, the African Union has said, which will reduce people's ability to spend on healthcare. Already Africa spends less on healthcare than the rest of the world. It makes up 16% of the world's population and carries 23% of the global disease burden, but accounted for just 1% of total global health expenditure in 2015, according to the most recently available data provided by the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. In per capita terms, the rest of the world spends 10 times more, it said. The widespread adoption of health technology may also be stymied by poor internet connectivity and patchy electricity. Metiboba switches between two network providers to overcome connectivity problems. It's an approach that is too costly for many, but for Metiboba it means she has continued to use remote consultations since her son's health scare and plans to continue to do so. "It works for me," she said. Search Keywords: Short link: PLYMOUTH Police are working to ensure the beefalo who has been wandering in the woods since escaping from a slaughterhouse last month will live out the rest of his life on an animal sanctuary. Buddy the Beefalo, as Plymouth police have named him, is a cross between a bison and domestic cattle. Sightings of Buddy in northwest Connecticut began in early August. He has been seen wandering the woods in the area of Route 72 and Judd Road for more than a month after he pushed his way out of a truck that brought him to a Terryville meat processing plant. Police efforts to take the wayward beefalo into custody have so far been unsuccessful. But as more time passes with Buddy still on the loose, the union that represents the Plymouth police officers started a GoFundMe campaign to cover the cost of purchasing the animal from his owner to ensure he lives a long life. As of Monday morning, more than $1,500 had been raised. There is a lot of public concern regarding what will happen to Buddy once he is caught, according to the Plymouth Police Union. The goal of the Plymouth Police Union is to purchase Buddy to alleviate any worries the public may have about his welfare. Police are working to raise the $6,000 to cover the cost of purchasing Buddy from his owner. Once hes captured, police said, Buddy will be released to an animal sanctuary so he can live out the rest of his life in beefalo luxury. Any money raised that goes beyond the cost of buying the animal will be donated to animal sanctuaries in Buddys honor, police said. In an update on the fundraising page, the union said Buddy was spotted multiple times by residents on Saturday. He is still on the loose and enjoying his free time, the union said. Police urge residents not to approach Buddy, but rather to call in any sightings to 860-589-7779 or 911. Charlotte Caldwell, the mother of 15-year-old Billy Caldwell, has brought her legal campaign to acquire medicinal cannabis for him through the NHS to an end. Mrs Caldwell and her son made headlines in 2018 when officials at Londons Heathrow airport confiscated cannabis-based medicine from them, which had been obtained in Canada to treat his epilepsy. Billy has refractory epilepsy, which can cause him to have a hundred seizures a day. The following year, the family launched a legal challenge against the NHS and the department of health in Northern Ireland over access to his cannabis-based medicine. Recommended Government urged to end deadlock over medical cannabis prescriptions for severely epileptic children According to the Belfast News Letter, the legal proceedings were withdrawn at Belfasts High Court on Monday 7 September 2020. The Honourable Mrs Justice Keegan stated: There will not be a need for further litigation, which is the last thing this family needs. Barrister Monye Anyadike-Danes QC, who represents Mrs Caldwell, added: My client thinks this matter can best be pursued through the RESCAS [Refractory Epilepsy Specialist Clinical Advisory Service] panel. The RESCAS panel, which is led by Great Ormond Street Hospital, was created in order to bring together paediatric neurologists who specialise in epilepsy, to support patients by offering their expertise. Mrs Caldwell will now correspond directly with the health professionals on the panel to discuss her sons access to treatment, urging them to ensure her sons prescription is funded, the News Letter said. Recommended Olivia Newton John says everyone should have access to medical cannabis Speaking on BBCs The Emma Barnett Show on Monday 7 September, Mrs Caldwell said that over the past 18 months, she and Billy have been through a very, very torturous ordeal, with her son being left high and dry by the powers that be. She explained that Billy was referred to the RESCAS panel in July this year, with the panel of eminent UK doctors coming to the conclusion that there are no legal or clinical barriers to medical cannabis access for Billy. So what is medicinal cannabis, what conditions is it used to treat and is it legal to prescribe in the UK? What is medicinal cannabis and is it legal in the UK? The term medicinal cannabis is used to refer to any form of medication that contains cannabis, the NHS states. In the UK, cannabis is classed as a Class B drug. If a person is found in possession of cannabis, they could face up to five years in prison and/or a fine, according to the government. If they are found to be supplying and producing the drug, they could face a life sentence, in addition to an unlimited fine. Medicinal cannabis, on the other hand, is legal in the UK. On 11 October 2018, the government announced that from 1 November 2018, expert doctors would be given the authority to legally issue prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines when they agree that their patients could benefit from this treatment. The government emphasised that only a specialist doctor and not a GP can prescribe these unlicensed medicines. They must make decisions on prescribing cannabis-based products for medicinal use on a case-by-case basis, and only when the patient has an unmet special clinical need that cannot be met by licensed products. If a product such as CBD oil or hemp oil is marketed as being a form of medicinal cannabis, there is no guarantee these are of food quality or provide any health benefits, the NHS states, explaining that these products can be bought legally as food supplements. CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the marijuana plant. Products that contain CBD (cannabidiol) are not illegal in the UK, as long as they only contain trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. What conditions is it used to treat? As explained by the government, while medicinal cannabis is legal, it can only be prescribed by specialist doctors on a case-by-case basis. In England, only patients with certain health conditions are likely to be prescribed medicinal cannabis, the NHS says. These include: children and adults who have rare, severe forms of epilepsy; adults who have undergone chemotherapy, which has caused them to vomit or suffer from nausea; and patients with multiple sclerosis whose health condition has caused them to experience muscle stiffness and spasms. It would only be considered when other treatments were not suitable or had not helped, the NHS adds. The health service states that the risks of using cannabis products containing THC (the chemical that gets you high) are not currently clear, which is why further clinical trials are needed. However, the majority of cannabis products are likely to contain a certain amount of THC, the NHS explains. Side effects of medicinal cannabis can include a decreased appetite, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhoea and nausea. ASHGABAT -- Turkmenistan's authoritarian leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has warned of a cabinet reshuffle after criticizing the government for what he sees as its failure to get state-controlled media to "report the countrys successes" and "shortcomings in resolving economic problems." Berdymukhammedov's warning came after Deputy Prime Minister Mahrijemal Mammedova, who is responsible for media and culture issues, presented a report at a government session that was broadcast by state television on September 4. Mammedova was appointed to her post in early July. At the same session last week, Berdymukhammedov, signed a decree relieving Deputy Education Minister Merdan Govshudov of his duties for what he called "serious shortcomings and the failure to properly carry out his duties." Berdymukhammedov frequently precedes the firings of government ministers and their deputies with this kind of public humiliation, and the fate of many such officials remains unknown. There are no independent media outlets functioning In the tightly controlled Central Asian nation. Information from nonstate media is scarce and often available only via the Internet. Turkmenistan's economy has been struggling for months, with government revenues depleted, partly as a result of unsuccessful energy deals and low global prices for natural gas, the Caspian nation's main export. Government critics and human rights groups say Berdymukhammedov has suppressed dissent and made few changes in the country since he came to power after the death of autocrat Saparmurat Niyazov in 2006. Like Niyazov, Berdymukhammedov long relied on energy revenues to subsidize prices for basic goods and utilities to help maintain his grip on power. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ A number of Ghanaian personalities have since Friday been subjected to trolling on social media after receiving awards at a ceremony that was made to look like a United Nations-related event. Among them were D-Black, Sarkodie, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, Chairman Wontumi, Alban Bagbin, Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and media personalities like Nathaniel Attoh, Berla Mundi and Johnny Hughes of TV3. The rest included legal practitioner and Board Chairman of the Minerals Commission, SK Boafo, Archbishop Prof. Dr. Asafo Adjei, Joy FMs DJ Black and others. The award ceremony dubbed '7th Global Leadership Service to Humanity Awards' was held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on August 24. It was organised by one Dr. Kwame O. Fordjour, who is now popularly called on social media as Dr. UN, with the purpose of honouring the personalities for their tremendous role in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The awards' plaques came in different forms, including horse, gold plates and cups with citations. Foudjour was reported to have said the Friday event was to also remember former United Nations Secretary General, Dr. Kofi Annan, and take inspiration from his leadership and diplomacy. A radio commercial recorded by DJ Black ahead of the awards ceremony clearly mentioned UN as part of the award. Online photos also showed instances where previous awards were handed out to recipients at backgrounds with UN logos. The recipients of last week Friday award ceremony were convinced they were recipients of a UN-owned award scheme, but critics of the award said it is not a UN award. UN is also yet to make official statement to that regard. Fordjour and the personalities have since Friday been trending on Twitter. In a video of him celebrating his triumph, he alleged that he had paid DJ Black more than GH10,000 to record the commercial for him. D-Black had said in a series of tweets that his instincts told him there was something not right with the award but he still went ahead to pick it. I took the 'plaque' handed it over to my guy and walked straight out of the venue never to return. I realised Sark and his team had also absconded (lol). The plaque is still in my car boot. Yesterday noor @Abeiku Santana called me, I was at Aqua Safari on a boys boys trip, he tweeted on Saturday. Shatta Wale on the phone explaining what actually happened with Mr. UNEbe now I understand but we move. By their suits we shall know them, Sarkodie also tweeted. Moradabad : , Sep 7 (IANS) A head constable, who had tested positive for Covid-19, has allegedly killed himself by jumping out from a fifth-floor window of the Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre (TMU). The incident, which happened on Sunday, was caught on CCTV where the constable, who was earlier posted at a complaint cell of Moradabad SSP office, can be seen lunging from the window before jumping out. According to police, the constable had Covid-like symptoms last month. He was admitted to the TMU's corona ward on September 4 after having tested positive for Covid. The hospital staff said that he was under a 'lot of stress and even had arguments with the hospital staff'. Moradabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhakar Chaudhary said, "Prima facie it seems to be a case of suicide but we are waiting for the autopsy report." The policeman was a native of Badaun, but was living in Moradabad's Hanuman Nagar. His family lives in Subhash Nagar area of Bareilly. Earlier, two patients, one of them a woman, had committed suicide in a similar manner after testing positive for Covid. "It is worrying that suicide cases of Covid-19 positive patients are being reported from TMU. We are scanning the CCTV footage. A separate magisterial inquiry has been ordered to probe this matter," the SSP said. The university has been served a notice under section 149 of CrPC to ensure prevention of cognizable offence in future and ensure proper monitoring. Nodal officer of Covid-19 care centre in Moradabad, Dr. V. K. Singh, said, "The head constable, who was admitted to the Covid facility here on September 4, was suffering from stress. He had even indulged in scuffles and arguments with the hospital staff and was given counselling by doctors. However, it is unfortunate that he decided to end his life despite the best efforts being made by the hospital staff." "As a precautionary measure, windows will now have iron grills for better security of the patients. So far, over 2,600 Covid positive patients from Bijnor, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur and Amroha districts have been treated at the L-3 Covid centre of TMU. Of these, as many as 2,200 patients have successfully recovered and discharged," Singh added. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) At the height of the coronavirus lockdown, President Donald Trump and his top health advisers trumpeted a new test that would help Americans reclaim their lives - one that would tell them if they already had the virus and were protected from getting it again. Their arrival would help 'get Americans back to work' by showing those who might have 'the wonderful, beautiful immunity,' said Trump, a point repeated at the daily briefings last April. Months later, the US is awash in the tests but the bold predictions about their usefulness have yet to materialize. It's not clear how many antibody tests have been administered nationwide - some 1.5 million had been performed in New York City as of last month - and those who took them still don't know if they have immunity to COVID-19, or how long it might last. 'There was definitely a lot of wishful thinking that there was going to be a magical test that was going to save us all, but were not there yet,' said Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York City's Public Health Laboratory. Scientists are still working to figure out how well antibodies for the new coronavirus may shield someone from another infection, or how long that protection might last. Pictured: A health worker draws blood for an antibody test in Florida (AP Photo/John Raoux) The tests check the blood for antibodies the body makes to fight off an infection. Scientists are still working to figure out how well antibodies for the coronavirus may shield someone from another infection, or how long that protection might last. Some early studies suggested any immunity fades fast; research published last week was more promising, suggesting that antibodies last at least four months after diagnosis and do not fade quickly. For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) explicitly warn that antibody tests should not be used to make decisions about returning workers to the office or students to school, though some labs still promote them for those uses. The CDC recommends everyone - even those who were sick and recovered - take precautions to prevent getting and spreading the virus. Experts say it was probably unrealistic to expect answers to key immunity questions early in the outbreak. Those questions have traditionally been answered only through long-term animal or human studies, said Mark Jenkins of the University of Minnesota. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and universities are conducting some of this work, but much of it has taken a back seat to the rapid development of vaccines in the middle of a pandemic. 'Everyones impatient and I can see why,' Jenkins said. 'But there's no easy path to this knowledge' about immunity. Antibody tests are different from the standard nasal swab tests that diagnose active infections. Instead, they use a blood sample or finger-prick of blood to look for signs of a past infection, whether the person was sick or had no symptoms at all. Based on other viruses, experts expect those with coronavirus antibodies to be at least partly immune for several months, if not longer. Dr. Anthony Fauci and other members of the White House task force said early on it was a 'reasonable assumption' that if 'you have the antibody, youre protected' but added that there wasnt proof. To get that proof, scientists first run experiments in animals. Human trials come next and can take even longer. Researchers track people who had an infection and developed antibodies to see if they become reinfected. Their antibodies are measured to to gauge the level needed for immunity. Jenkins and others said it's entirely possible that an effective vaccine will arrive before coronavirus antibody studies are completed, helping answer some of the key questions. Vaccines spur the production of antibodies, and a number of coronavirus vaccines are now being tested around the world. In the meantime, experts say antibody tests are useful for two things: Large studies in the general population to see how widely the coronavirus has spread, and screening people who may be able to donate their antibody-rich blood plasma, which is used as an experimental treatment for COVID-19. But those uses were not the focus of White House briefings last spring, which attracted between eight million and 10 million cable TV viewers daily, according to Nielsen. A spokesperson for the White House coronavirus task force did not provide a response to requests for comment. This antibody test, being administered by Somos Community Care, takes approximately 15 minutes and tests for the presence of antibodies in a person's blood, signifying that they may have some immunity to the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Expecting massive demand, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chose a 'flood-the-zone' strategy, allowing more than 170 tests to launch with little oversight. At the same time, Trump highlighted his administration's 'fantastic progress' bringing antibody tests to market, some officials were raising concerns. Reports of European governments forced to discard millions of faulty tests raised alarms. 'We're going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you youre likely immune from the disease...the test really said that,' said Admiral Brett Giroir, the administrations 'testing czar.' The FDA pulled back on its lax policy for antibody tests in May, requiring companies to begin submitting data on accuracy. The FDA has authorized about 40 thus far, while dozens more await review. Despite the precautions from regulators, some testing companies continue to advertise the tests for workers and others. Big laboratories, including LabCorp and Quest, offer the tests to employers, along with other services like temperature checks. 'We are aware of the CDC's guidance,' Quest spokeswoman Kimberly Gorode said in a statement. 'That is why we recommend that employers use antibody testing as part of a holistic approach to bringing their employees back to the office.' LabCorp said in a statement: 'As knowledge grows there may be benefit in having access to this information.' At testing sites in New York City in April, doctors with Somos - a medical non-profit serving low-income communities - told people who tested positive for antibodies that they could safely return to work, although they acknowledged 'nothing is 100%.' In a recent interview, the group's founder, Dr Ramon Tallaj, defended the testing. He said the workers would have been expected to go back anyway. The antibody tests simply provided 'one extra layer of protection,' he said. The CDC and state public health agencies continue to use antibody testing to track the spread of the virus in the US. So far, in most areas studied, fewer than 5% of the population have antibodies. That's far below the levels that most experts think will be needed for herd immunity against coronavirus, underscoring the need for a vaccine. For now, Jenkins doesn't recommend spending the money to get tested for antibodies unless a doctor recommends it. 'Even the research community can't really tell you what the result means,' Jenkins said. CSTO chief: Necessary to work on Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation, demarcation FBI search congressman's home in connection with Azerbaijan probe Newspaper: Armenia PM again goes way of black and white Newspaper: Scenario devised after war to be implemented in Artsakh EU Special Representative for South Caucasus arrives in Armenia Quake hits Armenia: 28 km northwest of Jermuk Crete island lighthouse illuminated with colors of Armenian tricolor Aurora Humanitarian Initiative to allocate $500,000 to projects in Artsakh Sajid Javid: Britain must learn to live with COVID-19, it could be with us forever Erdogan suggests Putin and Zelensky meet face to face EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus meets Aliyev US imposes sanctions on Ukrainians related to 'Russian harmful foreign activities' Sabah: Ankara refuses to hold next Armenian-Turkish meeting in a third country US general discusses regional security and bilateral cooperation in Armenia Secret graves of alleged protesters discovered in Almaty Armenian side members to Armenian-American Intergovernmental Commission confirmed WHO advises countries to lift or ease international travel restrictions US sanctions against Vladimir Putin, Ruben Vardanian and members of the Russian government Armenian Foreign Ministry discusses Mirzoyan's participation in Turkey forum Thailand to resume non-quarantine travel scheme from February 1 Instagram introduces paid subscription feature NEWS.am daily digest: 20.01.22 Europe considers new strategy to combat COVID-19 Norwegian prosecutors refuse release Anders Breivik, 2011 mass murderer Erdogan urges Turks to sell foreign currency for liras Azerbaijan not yet returned about 300 sheep of Armenia villager Media: Israeli President thinks about visiting Turkey Dollar quite stable in Armenia Trade turnover between Ukraine and Armenia increases by 24% Armenia legislature speaker meets with of International Republican Institute president, and director for Eurasia Kremlin does not exclude new call between Putin and Biden EU Special Representative for South Caucasus to soon visit Armenia, Azerbaijan State Duma discusses work of biolaboratories near Russia's borders US lawmakers to parliament speaker: Armenian POWs must be returned to their homeland immediately Security Council chief: Armenia expects OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to visit region Armenia government does not approve plan to considerably raise minimum wage Turkish FM: Armenian representatives invited to diplomatic forum in Antalya Twitter suspends Mexican billionaire's account over offensive behavior Armenian PM says Omicron strain is slowly spreading Azerbaijan says it supports launching border delimitation process with Armenia with no conditions Zakharova speaks on Aliyev's visit to Kyiv Zakharova does not comment on Azerbaijan president's threats against France presidential candidate for her Artsakh visit Cavusoglu: Steps to increase mutual trust will be discussed at next meeting with Armenia US gives go-ahead to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to send missiles and other American-made weapons to Ukraine Zakharova: Russia, as OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, supports continuation of work in this format Cyber attack on Red Cross: data of over 515,000 people compromised Pashinyan: UK has been strong partner of newly independent Armenia Israel hopes UN will unanimously condemn Holocaust denial Armenia, Ukraine depositories sign memorandum of cooperation Azerbaijan advises Armenia to correctly assess the new geopolitical realities and draw conclusions Australia, UK to fight back against cyberattacks from China, Russia and Iran Protesting residents of Armenias Parakar community march to territorial administration ministry Armenia government approves protocol on implementation of readmission agreement with Lithuania Iran suspends gas supplies to Turkey MFA: Armenia has no preconditions for border delimitation 621 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Paris to have place named after Hrant Dink Armenias Parakar enlarged community residents protesting outside government building Turkey opposition party MPs petition for parliamentary inquiry into Hrant Dink assassination France, Germany, Italy and Spain call on Israel to halt construction in East Jerusalem Armenia parliament speaker in US, meets with Nancy Pelosi Iranian MFA: Relations between Iran and Russia have moved into a new diverse, intensified direction Biden says invasion of Ukraine will be disaster for Russia Newspaper: Armenia PM Pashinyan plans to hold Presidents office Newspaper: Opposition Armenia bloc, led by ex-President Kocharyan, starting new processes Taliban PM calls on Muslim countries to be first to formally recognize their government Saudi Arabia records lowest temperature in 30 years Erdogan's visit to Ukraine scheduled for February 3 Russian peacekeeping contingent establishes order of passage through Lachin corridor French Senate votes to ban hijab at sporting events Armenian FM: All necessary conditions to be created for Demarcation Commission work Olaf Scholz: Borders in Europe cannot be changed by force Lavrov presents Armenian Ambassador to Russia, with the Order of Friendship Bill Gates warns of pandemics far more serious than COVID-19 FM on mirror withdrawal of troops: Not a single Armenian village will be left without proper protection Macron: EU countries must work together on agreement for stability and security PM Pashinyan assumes accountability for Armenia special representative for negotiations with Turkey Turkey Central banks and UAE sign agreement worth almost $5 billion Blinken: Western countries need unity to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine Iranian President performs evening namaz in Kremlin after talks with Putin Turkish police detain women protesting price hikes in hygiene products Delegation headed by Chief of the Cypriot National Guard General Staff has meetings in Armenia Merkel refuses job in UN structure Greece receives the first batch of French Rafale fighters NEWS.am daily digest: 19.01.22 Azerbaijan hopes Pope to mediate in relations with Armenia Talks between presidents of Russia and Iran start in Kremlin Armenian FM: This is not first time Baku makes nonconstructive statements Armenian Investigative Committee: 3,809 people die in the 44-day war Ombudsman: I urge not to give in to Azerbaijani manipulations, to visit Artsakh Armenian FM: Armenia passes a package of proposals to Azerbaijan France names the main favorite of presidential election Garo Paylan concludes address in Turkey parliament in Armenian Russian Foreign Ministry believes there is no risk of large-scale war in Europe Dollar goes up in Armenia Sharmazanov: Armenia ex-President Sargsyan did not decide to hold press conference, he did not change his mind Blinken: Russia has plans to increase force on Ukraine borders : Azerbaijani military participate in Turkish drills Taliban say all conditions for recognizing legitimacy of government are met WATERLOO Wearing biohazard suits, activists gave an eerie performance at an animal-rights demonstration in Waterloo Town Square Sunday afternoon. Silently, they held signs up over their heads naming various pandemics past, in order to bring attention to a connection between industrial animal farming practices and pandemic outbreaks. Around them played the constant drone of air-raid sirens and a voice recording that repeatedly said: This is not a drill. This is a warning. COVID-19 is a message. played on repeat. The protest organizers, K-W Animal Save, said the same scene was also played out at the same time in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. A few passers-by stopped to take pictures. Patrons at nearby restaurant patio tables looked on. The activists believe the current COVID-19 and many other global pandemics are caused by the industrial farming of animals. Mo Markham, an organizer of the Waterloo protest, said this pandemic was predicted by global scientists and experts unless major changes were made. She points the finger at wet markets where live animals are sold, and increasing amounts of industrial animal agriculture that encroaches on wild animal habitat and increases interaction between virus-carrying wild animals and livestock and humans. The fact is that we are absolutely going to have more (pandemics) until we stop doing what were doing, she says. The group cites Bird Flu, H1N1 flu, SARS, Ebola, HIV, the Spanish flu and COVID-19 all as zoonotic diseases passed on to humans from animals. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will tackle the issue of brain-drain from India, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the NEP Governors' conference, PM Modi said that when international institutes will set up campuses in India, students will not feel a need to go abroad for pursuing higher education. "India's brain-drain issue will be tackled through best international institution campus. Once all the best institutes are present in India, candidates won't need to travel abroad. This will also make Indian educational institutes more competitive," he added. Also Read: Live updates from NEP 2020 conference of governors NEP 2020 allows the top 100 international institutes to set up campuses in India. For this, a legislation has to be passed by the Parliament to allow foreign education institutes' campuses in India. So far, these global institutes had to tie-up with a local partner to set up an India campus. Close to 200,000 students travel abroad every year for higher education programmes. Due to this, almost Rs 50,000 crore flows out of India every year for higher education programmes. PM Modi said that all the stakeholders must implement the policy in letter and spirit. He added that by September 30, governors/state governments should have discussions and virtual events across universities to ensure that NEP is understood better. Also Read: All your NEP 2020-related questions resolved The Cabinet on July 29 gave its nod to the National Education Policy. Consequently, the Human Resource Development Ministry has been renamed as the Ministry of Education. The National Education Plan proposes far-reaching changes in the system of education not only in India. It also wants a self-sufficient domestic ranking system for Indian educational institutes. Freedom to choose courses NEP 2020 will now allow students to choose between subjects in Arts, Commerce, and Science programmes in school education and higher education. The idea is to have all-rounded development of the student by helping the candidate chose which combination of subjects they wish to take. PM Modi said that through this, a student can choose the subjects that he/she likes rather than being forced to study only one stream. "So far there was a lot of pressure among students to study certain education streams. This led to these students either dropping out midway or completing the course with no interest. This will no longer be the case," said the prime minister. This means that be it at the school level or college level, students can mix-and-match subjects as per their interest. So, an Arts student could now take up Physics or Mathematics as a subject while a Science student could take up Music or Literature as a subject. Job-ready education to be key Prime Minister Modi said that NEP 2020 plays special emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). This, he said, will be successful only if students graduate as skilled candidates. "NEP will help get students get the skills and knowledge for the future. The focus here is on learning and not studying. Focus is critical thinking and not merely curriculum. Emphasis is on passion, practically and performance emphasis," said PM Modi. NEP 2020 has proposed that students learn vocational education from the sixth grade onwards. This according to PM Modi will help students get required skills from an earl age. "Vocational education will not just make students more employable in India but will also help them be relevant for the global job market," he added. Connecting students to their roots While NEP 2020 aims to make Indian students be more relevant for the global economy, PM Modi explained that the policy also places special focus on staying connected to the roots. This, he said, would be through promotion of local languages and culture and making it a part of the curriculum. "Knowledge is what liberates our mind. To make this more effective, culture and the rich heritage of Indian languages will be connected to the education system," he said. NEP 2020 aims to focus on regional languages. One such provision under NEP 2020 is to change the medium of instruction till at least the fifth grade to the local language or mother tongue. This will be implemented wherever possible. Prime minister Modi said that there have been a lot of discussions on NEP implementation and especially around how the academic books will be translated into local languages. He added that the government is working with the stakeholders on this matter. "We need to end the politicisation of education. NEP is not an education policy of the government. It belongs to the country and everyone needs to take ownership of it," he said. President Xi Jinping will attend a meeting to commend role models in China's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Beijing. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will present medals to outstanding individuals, and deliver a speech at the meeting, which will be held at the Great Hall of the People at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The event will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on xinhuanet.com. It will also be rebroadcast simultaneously on major news websites including people.com.cn, cctv.com and china.com.cn, as well as on news apps run by the People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television. A relative takes care of a baby returning from South Korea at a quarantine facility in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam, September 6, 2020. Photo by Minh Chin. Fifty three Vietnamese infants who flew into HCMC from South Korea without their parents have been quarantined in the nearby Binh Duong Province. The children, all aged under one, were among 405 people repatriated by a special flight that landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport on Sunday. Their parents are working in South Korea and, due to financial difficulties, had to send them to Vietnam with acquaintances. Upon landing the infants were sent to a central quarantine facility in Bau Bang District, 90 minutes by road from HCMC. The other passengers on the flight were quarantined in HCMC. Dr Huynh Minh Chin, head of the quarantine facility in Bau Bang, said this was the first time such young babies had been brought in without accompanying parents. To ensure they get the best care, provincial authorities have allowed 41 relatives to enter the quarantine. All the children are in good health, Chin said. In the last few months Vietnam has repatriated thousands of its citizens from South Korea, mainly stranded workers and others in difficult circumstances. South Korea is one of the largest destinations for Vietnamese guest workers. Binh Duong currently has a 20-year-old man with Covid-19 who came recently from Germany. The countrys tally now stands at 1,049 with 196 active cases and 35 deaths. NEW YORK, Sept. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against FirstEnergy Corporation (FirstEnergy or the Company) (NYSE: FE) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the S, and indexed under 20-cv-06896, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired FirstEnergy securities between February 21, 2017, and July 21, 2020, inclusive (the Class Period). Plaintiff seeks to pursue remedies against FirstEnergy and certain of the Companys current and former most senior executives under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), and Rule l0b-5 promulgated thereunder. If you are a shareholder who purchased FirstEnergy securities during the class period, you have until September 25, 2020, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Defendant FirstEnergy is headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The Company is an electric utility company with subsidiaries and affiliates involved in the distribution, transmission, and generation of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services. FirstEnergys ten electric utility operating companies comprise one of the U.S.s largest investor-owned utilities, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. The Company also owned and operated two nuclear power plants in Ohiothe Perry Nuclear Generating Station and the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: defendants touted FirstEnergys legislative solutions to problems with its nuclear facilities, but failed to disclose that these solutions centered on an illicit campaign to corrupt high-profile state legislators to secure legislation favoring the Company. Over a nearly three-year period, FirstEnergy and its affiliates funneled more than $60 million to prominent state politicians and lobbyists, including Ohio Speaker Larry Householder (Householder), to secure the passage of Ohio House Bill 6 (HB6), which provided a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout to keep the Companys failing nuclear facilities in operation. In addition, defendants falsely represented that they were complying with state and federal laws and regulations regarding regulatory matters throughout the Class Period, exposing the Company and its investors to undisclosed risks of reputational, legal, and financial harm. The truth began to be revealed on July 21, 2020. That day, federal agents announced the arrest of Householder and four other persons, including a prominent FirstEnergy lobbyist, in connection with a $60 million racketeering and bribery scheme. The 82-page criminal complaint and affidavit detailed a pay-to-play scheme in which FirstEnergy corrupted the legislative process to ensure the passage of HB6. Prosecutors described the case as involving the largest bribery, money-laundering scheme in Ohio history. On this news, FirstEnergys stock price fell, trading as low as $22.85 per share on July 22, 2020, down nearly 45% from its closing price of $41.26 per share on July 20, 2020, damaging FirstEnergy shareholders. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen Collect for Labor Day, the Book of Common Prayer. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers on Monday forcefully opened a temple in Panvel and performed aarti to protest against the exclusion of religious places in the relaxation of lockdown. The Panvel city police have booked 19 party workers following the incident. The group led by local MNS party worker Yogesh Chile entered the Virupaksha temple in Panvel and opened the temple by allegedly breaking the lock, said police. After forcefully entering the temples, the group of party workers, with masks strapped under their chin and without following social distancing norms, performed an elaborate ritual in the temple. Addressing the media present at the temple during their agitation, Chile said, In the unlock phase, there is a crowd at malls and bus stops and even at wine shops. The government does not see this crowd, but they fear opening temples will spread coronavirus. Our leader Raj Thackeray had called for the opening of temples and we are following it. The Panvel police have booked 19 persons under section 188 of Indian Penal Code for violating orders and the MNS workers have been issued notices. Devotees are not allowed inside the temple as per the government notification. We have taken action against the violators following the incident, said Ashok Dudhe, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 2, Navi Mumbai. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Invitation for Silver Age Tourists to Visit Small Rural Villages as part of the Campaign Our Lovely Countryside: Silver Age 5.0 (TRAVPR.COM) THAILAND - September 7th, 2020 Press Release Invitation for Silver Age Tourists to Visit Small Rural Villages as part of the Campaign Our Lovely Countryside: Silver Age 5.0 Mayfair Ballroom AB, 11th floor, The Berkeley Pratunam - Department of Cultural Promotion, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, Thai Smile Airways and Thai Air Asia have launched the campaign Our Lovely Countryside: Silver Age 5.0 to promote 16 creative cultural communities for the silver age group, inviting influencers from various industries to help promote select communities around Thailand, allowing them prepare to accommodate Thai and foreign silver age tourists. Ms. Archaraporn Pongchavee, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture said, The Department of Cultural Promotion has collaborated with Thailand Village Academy Season 2 in selecting cultural learning sites in various communities with the aim of helping to prepare them, ready to cater to silver age tourists. Activities and food experiences comprising signature regional dishes, desserts and drinks have been tailor-made to suit the needs of the silver age group with the aim of encouraging them to visit parts of rural Thailand and enjoy memorable experiences. A total of 16 cultural tourism communities have been improved and enhanced to meet the needs of silver age tourists, including: 1) Dong Yen Agricultural Enterprise Community, Suphan Buri 2) Ban Rim Klong Homestay Community, Samut Songkram 3) Laem Pak Bia Community (Ban Don Nai), Petchaburi 4) Takhiantia Community, Chonburi 5) Ban Talay Noi Rayong Hi Tourism Community, Rayong 6) Prasae Homestay Tourism Community Enterprise, Rayong 7) Ban Kok Mueang Community, Buriram 8) Kemmarat Mae Khong Tourism Community Enterprise, Ubon Ratchathani 9) Silapetch Homestay, Nan 10) Pang Ha Homestay Community, Chiang Rai 11) Ban Ta Kan Tong Homestay, Chiang Rai 12) Mueang Luang Nuea Tai Lue Community, Chiang Mai 13) Leeled Ecotourism Community, Surat Thani 14) Ban Laem Mangrove Forest Conservational Enterprise (Ban Na Tab), Nakorn Sri Thammarat 15) Tung Yee Peng Ecotourism Community Enterprise, Krabi 16) Tamod Tourist Homestay Community Enterprise, Phattalung Mr. Noppadon Pakprot, Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said that The silver age group is the most powerful tourist group today. They tend to enjoy traveling and participating in rewarding, fun activities. They are interested in experiencing local culture, traditional food, nature, and the countryside atmosphere; these valuable aspects of travel remind us all, but particularly this age group, of joyous childhood memories. As part of the campaign Our Lovely Countryside, groups of silver age tourists from various industries were invited to take part in the campaign by visiting and promoting the communities. Ms. Piyaman Tejapaibul, Honorary President of Thailand Tourism Council and Tourism Authority of Thailand Committee, a silver age group representative, said Traveling brings us new experiences that we can share with our friends. And those experiences, in turn, bring value and vitality to our lives. It is also really rewarding to help these communities. I would encourage all silver age tourists to explore the country more as part of this campaign. Ms. Charita Leelayudth, Chief Executive Officer of Thai Smile Airways and a silver age group representative said, This age group generally has some experience of seeing the world and are eager to see more. Now, we would like them to explore Thai communities by visiting and experiencing their unique cultures. These amazing trips can help revitalize lives. Ms. Anchalee Charasyosvuthichai, Executive Vice President Sector Head Transaction Banking Sales and Products Sector of Krungthai Bank Company Limited (Public Company) and a silver age representative said, There is a great variety in terms of community tourism and plenty of things I, myself, have never seen or experienced before. The locals are just lovely, and everybody in these communities are passionate about welcoming into their homes. Its a fantastic way of seeing a different side of Thailand. Mr. Pitsanu Sawangnetra, Management of Mahabhirom Company Limited (Villa Mahabhirom Hotel, Chiangmai), a silver age representative said, When we think about the countryside, we often think of something that has perhaps fallen behind the time, but in the campaign Our Lovely Countryside, we realized that the countryside is just full of love. And if you visit the Thai countryside, you will definitely feel loved. Mr. Suthipong Suriya, founder of the Life Community Museum in Buengkan and a silver age representative said, The communities are genuinely lovely, and they know how to make simple, everyday things more appealing from nature, to the food and people. I am happy to invite you to visit these communities and Im sure that youll fall in love with them, just like I did. The campaign Our Lovely Countryside has received support from various online platforms targeting silver age groups in terms of advertisement, such as Forever young.asia, CountUp.life, Silver Journey, Journey D, Wongnai.travel, Giant Gogo, Gler, tour operators for the silver age group and leading airways such as Thai Smile Airways, Thai Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Adely Company Limited, Udachi Company Limited, Find Folk Company Limited, Friday Trip Company Limited, Matichon Academy Company Limited, Bangkok Airtour (1988) Company Limited, and Bangkok Travel Club Company Limited who have helped promote the programs for silver age visitors in all 16 communities. We would now like to invite all silver age tourists to visit the small countryside villages and experience a simple, happy, and tranquil way of life. See the locals take care of their orchards and fields, learn how to weave clothes, and chill out with some tasty coffee among the green fields. And of course, at the end of the day, you can enjoy delicious home-cooked meals with your favorite group of friends. In fact, you might fall in love with the countryside lifestyle so much that you wont want to go back home! Book your countryside trip at www..com ### Evergreen Cemetery and Fairview Cemetery, both owned by the City of Colorado Springs, are home to such historical figures as Gen. William Jackson Palmer and other, lesser-known folks, such as Spottswood Rice. While the cemeteries, which aren't supported by taxpayer dollars, don't make money, they typically break even every year. An independent probe has been ordered into Covid-19 outbreaks at a Northern Ireland hospital after the death of a fourth patient. Three wards at Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Armagh have been hit by coronavirus clusters. The most severe outbreak has been in the Haematology Ward. The Southern Health Trust said a fourth patient treated in the ward who had tested positive died on Monday morning. Health Minister Robin Swann has informed the Assembly that a Level Three Serious Adverse Incident investigation will be undertaken on the Covid-19 outbreaks at Craigavon Area Hospital.https://t.co/dhAn0XwiID pic.twitter.com/hYeJqKHvsK Department of Health (@healthdpt) September 7, 2020 Last week, two patients treated on the ward died at the hospital after testing positive for the virus. A third patient died after being discharged. That patient had also tested positive although the virus was not the primary cause of death. Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann has now ordered the most serious level of investigation available to him. He announced the move as he answered an urgent oral question on the outbreaks in the Stormont Assembly. Latest Covid-19 clusters update for Craigavon Area Hospital can be found at the link below https://t.co/htOp5ZMX27 pic.twitter.com/ZFuW9AtFmN Southern Trust (@SouthernHSCT) September 7, 2020 Earlier on Monday, the minister chaired discussions with senior officials from the Southern Trust, the Public Health Agency and the Department of Health. I said on Friday that a thorough investigation is required and that patients and bereaved families are entitled to answers, he said. Story continues I can now confirm that a level three serious adverse incident review will be initiated. This will be independently chaired and I expect its findings to be made public. I also want to again express my deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those who have passed away. I am deeply sorry that families have been plunged into grief in such disturbing circumstances. The minister said the Southern Trusts immediate priorities were to care for affected patients and staff and prevent further spread of the virus. The Public Health Agency gave me an assurance at the meeting that all the actions that have been requested to reduce spread have been implemented by the Trust, he said. I was also assured by the Southern Trust that support is available for families, patients and staff. There are undoubtedly questions that will have to be answered by the Trust in relation to these outbreaks. There is also a lesson for us all to keep heeding Covid-19 remains a lethal and highly infectious virus. Medical staff at Craigavon Area Hospital at the height of the pandemic in May (Niall Carson/PA) Confirming the latest death, Southern Trust chief executive Shane Devlin said: On behalf of the Trust I extend my deepest sympathy to the patients family and friends. As of Friday, 14 patients who had been treated on the Haematology Ward had tested positive. Seventeen members of staff had also tested positive. As well as the Haematology Ward, the Emergency Department and Ward 3 South of the hospital have also been hit with outbreaks. On Friday, a total of 56 staff connected with the three outbreaks were off work and self-isolating. Earlier on Monday, the Department of Health announced another Covid-19 fatality in Northern Ireland. The death of the person who had tested positive was reported to health officials between Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Before the latest death in Craigavon hospital was announced, the death toll recorded by Stormonts Department of Health stood at 565. A further 141 new cases of coronavirus in Northern Ireland were also announced on Monday. A formal induction ceremony of five Rafale fighter jets into the Indian Air Force (IAF) is scheduled to be held at Ambala airbase in Haryana on September 10, confirmed by Ministry of Defence. If reports are to be believed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be present in the ceremony. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the entire top military brass of the country will also present in the event to witness the induction of the five Rafale fighter aircraft into the IAFs Golden Arrows Squadron. French Defence Minister Florence Parly is expected to visit India to attend the ceremony. Apart from this, bilateral talks are also likely to be held with her Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on further boosting strategic ties. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will also meet Parly. About Rafale Aircraft The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. The jets are yet to be formally inducted into the IAF. Ten Rafale jets were delivered to India so far and five of them stayed back in France for imparting training to IAF pilots. The delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. A second batch of four to five Rafale jets are likely to arrive in India by November. The Rafale jets, known for air-superiority and precision strikes, are Indias first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia. The Rafale jet is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDAs Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets. About Ambala Airbase Ambala air force station is considered as one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF. The Indo-Pak border is around 220 km from there. The Mirage fighters, that were used for the air strike in Balakot in Pakistan, which happened on February 26 last year in wake of Pulwama terror attack, had took off from the Ambala air base. A woman has shared her ingenious hack to heat up cold food while stuck in hotel quarantine without a microwave. Nat Chancellor arrived from overseas ready to undertake her mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine in Rydges Southbank in Brisbane. When her dinner arrived at 5.30pm, she set it aside to re-heat it at a more suitable time. Nat Chancellor revealed she used a hairdryer to heat up her food while stuck in hotel quarantine Some of the food delivered to Ms Chancellor was shared to Facebook But with no microwave available, Ms Chancellor had to think laterally. When the time came to re-heat the meal, she wrapped it in aluminium foil and placed it in an insulated bag. A video she shared online showed her then unzipping a small section of the insulated bag, and put the end of her hairdryer in the gap. On her online post she said 'it actually worked' but added that she 'didnt do it for long and turned it off a couple of times' for fear of melting the container or overcooking the food. Social media users were in awe at the bizarre technique but thanked Ms Chancellor for sharing it. 'The good to come out of quarantine! Ppl getting more inventive & thinking outside of the box,' one person wrote. 'Brilliant idea,' another wrote. 'I reckon you could use an iron to heat up a toastie. Just an idea!' someone else joked, referencing the oft-used hack. Australians returning from overseas are required to undertake 14-days of mandatory hotel quarantine to control the spread of COVID-19. Sydney's leading university vice-chancellors have defended themselves against accusations they are susceptible to Chinese political interference, as the sector struggles financially due to lost revenue from overseas student fees. University of Sydney vice-chancellor Michael Spence said he was baffled by a recent federal government probe into his university's Confucius Institute, while giving evidence at the NSW government inquiry into the future of the state's tertiary education sector on Monday. The University of Sydney. The NSW government is holding an inquiry into the future of the state's tertiary education sector. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The inquiry was established in May to examine issues such as the post-pandemic return of overseas students, universities' financial sustainability, freedom of expression on campus and concerns about foreign political interference. One Nation MP Mark Latham, who chairs the education committee, questioned whether universities' reliance on fees from Chinese international students for research funding had hindered "best practice" and the institutions' ability to work in the public interest. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:04:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIGA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Latvian Interior Minister Sandis Girgens on Monday temporarily replaced the country's border guard chief Guntis Pujats who was briefly detained last week in connection with an ongoing criminal probe, local media reported. The interior minister appointed Colonel Ivars Ruskulis as acting chief of the State Border Guard. Interior security officers of the Latvian state police detained Pujats last Friday but released him on the same day, banning him from his office duties pending the investigation. Law enforcement authorities are probing Pujats as a suspect in a criminal probe concerning construction works on Latvia's eastern border. He is being probed for a failure to take the necessary action in response to unlawful activity related to the construction of protective zones on the state border. The total costs of the construction works exceed 40 million euros. The border guard official's inaction has reportedly caused the state losses worth several million euros, according to media reports. Enditem Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got it wrong this past week when he was asked about Canadas other national health crisis. That would be the alarming increase in deaths from drug overdoses. In some parts of the country, notably British Columbia, more people have been dying from overdosing on toxic drugs, mainly opioids, than are being killed by the COVID-19 pandemic that dominates the news. In fact the two crises are linked, as public health authorities have stressed since the coronavirus struck Canada in March. The opioid crisis was actually easing until early this year in the hardest-hit provinces, B.C. and Alberta. But the COVID-19 lockdown disrupted everything, including established drug supply routes. Street drugs are now more likely to be cut with even more toxic substances, making them potentially even more lethal than before. And the social isolation imposed by the pandemic can be the worst thing for people addicted to drugs. They may be more inclined to use, and access to safe-consumption sites is often more difficult. The result has been a spike in deaths. More than 900 people have died this year in B.C., a record, and earlier this summer Ontarios chief coroner reported a 35-per-cent increased in fatal overdoses compared to the same period last year. Experts say the trend is the same in most other provinces. No wonder more and more people are calling for a drastic change in approach: decriminalizing the use and possession of opioids and similar drugs. Public health authorities support the idea, as does B.C. Premier John Horgan and even the association representing Canadas chiefs of police. This idea has gone from radical to mainstream in the face of a crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 15,000 Canadians in the past four years. All this was put to the prime minister by a CBC Radio interviewer while he visited B.C. this past week. Trudeau said his government is not considering decriminalization, and added: Were always going to base our approach on science and evidence and understand that the opioid crisis is much more of a health issue than a justice issue, and thats the lens weve taken on it. In fact, if the federal government really was basing its approach on science and evidence it would remove simple drug possession from the Criminal Code. In addition to Canadian health authorities and police chiefs, thats the route recommended by the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the Global Commission on Drug Policy and countless medical experts. The prime minister has a good point when he stresses the need to ensure a safer drug supply, and the government has taken steps in this direction by, for example, green-lighting safe-consumption sites in some cities. But the health aspects of the crisis fall mostly under provincial jurisdiction. Some provinces, such as British Columbia, are leaders in this area. But others, including Alberta and Ontario, have much more mixed records. It depends a lot on policies adopted by each provincial government and often on the political complexion of that government. In Toronto, for example, Ottawa is funding a pilot project to offer a safe supply of opioids, an approach aligned with the harm-reduction policies pursued by the city. But the Ford government isnt part of that, and has capped the number of safe-consumptions sites in the province. The push-pull between levels of government doesnt allow for a united approach to the nation-wide crisis of overdose deaths. All of which makes it even more disappointing that the federal government wont take action in the area where it has exclusive authority criminal law. Only Ottawa could take the big step of decriminalization and make addiction a health issue, not one for the justice system. We understand why: its a political calculation on the part of the Liberals, who no doubt fear there are more votes to be lost than gained by taking that route. Plus, of course, the government has its hands very full battling COVID-19. But if Trudeau truly wanted to follow the science, he would take a different approach to Canadas other pandemic. By PTI INDORE: An 11-year-old boy was nabbed here in Madhya Pradesh on Monday for allegedly killing a 10-year-old girl on suspicion that she had killed his pet, a rat, police said. The boy also harbored a grudge against the victim as she used to defeat him in games played on mobile phones, a senior officer said. The boy allegedly crushed the head of the girl, a student of class 5, with a stone in the Lasudia police station area, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) HC Mishra said, adding that the victim died on the spot. The boy told police that he suspected the girl had killed his pet rat after an argument, he added. "He also harbored a grudge against the victim as she used to defeat him in games on mobile phones," Mishra said. The boy will be sent to a child correctional home after the casework gets over, he said. Meanwhile, another police officer ruled out the possibility of the boy raping the girl after killing her. He said police are awaiting a postmortem report. Devastated family members of the deceased said she had gone out of the house to pluck flowers. New Delhi, Sep 7 : The rift in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is visible in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections as one of the ally partners -- the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) -- has decided to draw up the candidates' list for 143 out of 243 seats in the state. Also, LJP leaders have demanded that the party must not contest elections under Nitish Kumar's leadership. The decision on the number of seats to be contested was taken during the Parliamentary Board meeting of the party chaired by LJP chief Chirag Paswan earlier in the day. In the meeting, it was decided that the party leaders will prepare the list of 143 candidates for the Bihar Assembly polls and submit it to Paswan. The LJP Parliamentary Board also decided that Chirag will take a call on the seat-sharing formula with NDA allies in Bihar. LJP sources said that a number of LJP leaders were against contesting elections under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. The source said that during the meeting, party leaders apprised Paswan of the negative perception of Nitish Kumar because of poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the flood situation, migrant workers and employment issues. The meeting comes days after former chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi joined the NDA. On a number of occasions, Manjhi has criticised the LJP chief for his stand on several issues. In the recent posters at Patna, Manjhi's HAM-S has not given space to any LJP leader while pictures of the BJP, JD-U leadership were there. Meanwhile, the LJP chief has also locked horns with an NDA ally, the ruling Janata Dal-United, on a number of issues. Paswan has even shot off several letters to Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar about the law and order situation in the state, the failure of the state government in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, the flood situation and lack of employment opportunities for migrant workers. However, Kumar has not replied to any letter of Paswan, that has irked the party leadership. According to JD-U sources, the key issue behind the recent friction between Nitish Kumar and the LJP chief is seat-sharing for the Bihar assembly elections. The source said that Chirag Paswan is eyeing to contest at least 43 seats in the assembly elections but Nitish Kumar is not in a mood to give more than 25-30 seats to the LJP. The LJP, which fought the 2015 assembly elections with the BJP as the ally partner, contested on 55 seats and managed to win just two seats. The LJP finished runner up in 36 assembly seats and managed to get 4.8 per cent vote share. (Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in) Brexit trade talks were on the verge of collapse today after Boris Johnson threatened to rewrite the terms of the UK's split from the European Union. The UK Government is pushing through legislation that could effectively override the Withdrawal Agreement which was thrashed out with the bloc at the end of last year. Mr Johnson has vowed he will 'not back down' but his actions have sparked fury in Brussels. The laws will unilaterally resolve crucial issues in the Northern Ireland border protocol and ministers say that the changes are essential to avoid 'confusion' if there is no trade deal agreed by the end of the transition period in December. However, Brussels insists that under the divorce deal those details can only be finalised by a joint committee, made up of people from both Britain and the EU. Below is a breakdown of what the row is about and why it has erupted now. Boris Johnson has sparked a furious war of words with the EU over its plans to protect against border chaos in Northern Ireland in the event there is no trade deal agreed by the end of the year What happens next in the Brexit process? The UK formally left the EU on January 31 this year. However, the two sides moved seamlessly into a status quo transition period lasting until December 31. This time was set aside to allow Brussels and Britain to hammer out the terms of their future relationship. Trade talks started in March and the eighth round of formal negotiations is due to get underway in London tomorrow. However, talks are at a standstill amid disagreements on fishing rights and whether the UK will sign up to Brussels' rules and regulations. Downing Street has said it does not want talks to drag into the autumn while the EU wants a deal done by the of October in order to give member states enough time to ratify it before the end of the transition period. Given the time constraints and the lack of progress being made both sides now view a deal by the end of the year as unlikely. Advertisement What was actually agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement? The Withdrawal Agreement is the name given to the divorce deal done between the UK and the EU. The treatment of Northern Ireland was the most difficult element of the painstakingly-negotiated divorce accord, because of the ties with the Republic - which is staying in the EU. The final pact keeps the province technically within the UK's customs territory, but all EU procedures will apply to goods arriving there. Any customs checks on the island of Ireland will be done in ports. For goods crossing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland that are deemed to be staying there, no EU tariff will apply. No EU tariffs would be paid on personal goods carried by travellers across the Irish frontier and for a second category of exempted goods that are for use in Northern Ireland, and are not at risk of entering the single market. So what's the problem now? An EU-UK body called the Joint Committee is meant to be defining this second group of 'no risk' goods more precisely. There was also a grey area between the demand that all exports from NI to Britain would require an 'exit summary declaration', even though the document guaranteed 'unfettered access' within the UK market. There were provisions to protect EU state aid rules - and the government now fears that British firms more broadly might be caught by them. However, while UK officials insist that process is continuing smoothly, the clock is running down on the end of the transition period. The hope was that many of the potential problems would be rendered moot by a wider trade pact. That has been looking increasingly unlikely with the two sides deadlocked over fishing rights, state aid and level playing field provisions. What is the UK proposing to do now that has caused all the fuss? The Government argues that legislation is needed to avoid 'confusion' in case the detailed implementation of the NI protocol is not resolved by December 31. Otherwise, they say, the integrity of the UK and the Peace Process might be put at risk - something that was explicitly stated in the Agreement should not happen. The Internal Markets Bill, and later the Finance Bill, will therefore describe the types of goods that should be classed as 'at risk', and make clear state aid rules do not apply to wider UK businesses. Ministers will also be able unilaterally to ditch the exit summaries, something that would fit with Mr Johnson's previous insistence that such paperwork could be 'thrown in the bin'. The UK's action will almost certainly not be accepted by the EU, which will regard it as circumventing the joint committee and as a breach of the Withdrawal Agreement. EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen delivered a thinly-veiled warning to the UK about breaking 'international law' But why now? The legislative plans have emerged on the eve of a round of trade talks that ministers describe as a 'moment of reckoning'. The timing does not appear to be coincidental, as there is plenty of time to fast-track such measures through Parliament before the end of the year. They could be designed to heap pressure on Brussels to make concessions, and demonstrate that Mr Johnson is not bluffing. Others suspect that the Government is trying to provoke the collapse of the negotiations so it can make a cleaner break from the EU and blame Brussels for the failure - something that would please Eurosceptic Tories. However, other cynics might speculate that Mr Johnson's toughest talk on Brexit previously came just before he compromised. Growing anti-Syrian refugee sentiment has led many to question the fate of Syrians should the AKP party be voted out. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor This year's National Communication Awards, which is a development communications reward programme instituted by RAD Communications Limited to champion communications, organisational and national development comes off on November 7, this year. RAD Communications Limited is a total communication and events management company managed by young innovative individuals with diverse business backgrounds. The event seeks to celebrate and reward excellent communications companies, teams and individuals across the country, and to serve as a springboard for many, who aspire to reach higher heights in Ghanas media and communications industry. This years event would be held in Accra at the Africa Trade House on November 7, at 1800 hours with strict adherence to all COVID-19 safety protocols. A programme of activities lined up prior to the awards ceremony copied to the Ghana News Agency include unveiling of nominees on 2nd September, release of nominee voting artworks on Monday, 7th September, public voting on 10th September and nominee spotlight conversation (virtual), October - November. The rest are COVID-19 reporting awards honorary nominee list to be release on 30th September and nominee virtual summit on communications, media reportage and peaceful elections 2020 on October 30. Dr. Ike Tandoh, Public Relations Specialist, Compassion International, Ghana, was the only person nominated for both the Outstanding Communication/Media Education Personality and the Communication Personality of the year awards. Dr. Tandoh, in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the weekend, said with his rich experience he hoped to win both awards. According to him, he was a Consummate Corporate Anthropologist and a Communication Scholar with 18 years experience in Corporate Communications, Integrated Marketing Communication and Brand Communication, Journalism, Publishing and Strategic Management. Dr. Tandoh said he had two decades of professional engagements serving as a Brand Strategist and lead spokesperson for both local and international brands. He revealed that he also had Professional engagements spanning across multiple industries including academia, media, banking, publishing, development work and consultancy. Dr. Tandoh said in the banking sector, he served as Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing for eight years while in the field of Journalism he once served as a News Editor. He told the GNA that for three years he was Principal Brand Communication Consultant and consulted for institutions like SSNIT, Illapi Ghana, ICS and UTRAK. The Nominee said he had also lectured at University of Professional Studies, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Central University, Christian University, Suni University, Blue Crest University and Sikkim Manipal University. In the words of Dr. Tandoh, he authored 27 books and also reviewed a lot of journals, two books and two conference papers and was an Editorial Board Member of Green Publication. He said was optimistic of winning the two awards. 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 Bars and discos in Ho Chi Minh City were allowed to resume operations from 6:00 pm on Monday after having been shut down for over a month to prevent COVID-19 spread, the municipal Peoples Committee said in a fiat the same day. The operators of all 180 bars and discos in the city are required to continue taking preventative measures like surface disinfecting and hand sanitizing after reopening, according to an urgent document signed by Le Thanh Liem, deputy chairman of the Peoples Committee. On July 31, city officials ordered non-essential businesses like bars and discos to close down after the resurgence of the novel coronavirus in Da Nang, a touristy city on the central coast, a week earlier. These services were also shuttered in mid-March before they were permitted to open again in mid-May, given the peak of the pandemic in Vietnam. Deputy chairman Liem also said in the document that crowded events such as festivals, fairs, trade promotion conferences, and other meetings can now be organized as long as COVID-19 prevention measures are taken. Everyone should not be complacent and should adapt to a new normal where life goes on amid the global pandemic. People are asked to don face masks whenever leaving the house, visiting public places, and using public transportation. They are advised to frequently wash or sanitize their hands; avoid large crowds outside public offices, schools, and hospitals; and maintain a physical distance in social interactions. Ho Chi Minh City has spent 40 days detecting zero local coronavirus cases, according to statistics. The city has recorded 77 infections, including 15 domestic and imported cases since the re-emergence of the virus in late July, as yet. Only seven are in treatment at the time of writing. Vietnam started riding a new wave of COVID-19 infections on July 25, when Da Nang confirmed the first community transmission after the country had gone 99 days without documenting any domestic case, according to the Ministry of Health. A total of 551 domestic cases have been recorded since then, most traced back to the central beach city. It has logged 1,049 coronavirus cases, including 691 local infections, since the virus first hit in January, with 843 patients having recovered and 35 having died as of Monday afternoon. Da Nang has recorded no community-based infections for a week, evidence that the virus has been kept at bay in the beach city thanks to aggressive contact tracing for over a month. On a national scale, Vietnam has documented zero locally-transmitted cases for four consecutive days. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still spreading across many parts of the world, and clinicians are working on recognizing biomarkers that are of value in predicting the risk of mortality in each case so as to make appropriate clinical decisions. This is also necessary for designing clinical studies and assessing the outcome of various novel treatments. Now, a new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* reports the use of D-dimer in predicting the risk of mortality in COVID-19. At present, there is little evidence to show which patients are at the most significant risk of dying. For this reason, a general clinical profile is used to make the necessary decisions. This includes laboratory test results and examination findings. D-dimer in COVID-19 The researchers evaluated the role of D-dimer, a fragment of protein produced by the break-up of fibrin clots that are typically linked to each other. This is a biomarker of importance in suspected thromboembolism (VTE). Some recent research demonstrates that when a patient with COVID-19 has high D-dimer levels when admitted in hospital, the risk of death is elevated. The role played by D-dimer relates to the high procoagulable state in COVID-19, as shown by the remarkable decline in mortality when those with high D-dimer levels are treated with anticoagulation. As a result, anticoagulants are now recommended in many protocols and guidelines, either using full doses for therapeutic use or intermediate doses for prophylactic use, to prevent thrombotic events in patients with severe COVID-19 infection and especially when D-dimer levels are high. The current study focuses on evolving monitoring and interpretation standards for D-dimer levels in hospitalized patients. The basic premise to be tested was that the mortality risk could be predicted using baseline and changing D-dimer levels, in combination with other risk factors. D-dimer fibrin degradation product, chemical structure. When found in the blood, D-dimers are indicative of the presence of blood clots (thrombosis). Image Credit: StudioMolekuul / Shutterstock Anticoagulation in COVID-19 The researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai exploited a large patient dataset, using records from the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) in New York City. This gave them access to baseline sociodemographic data, risk factors like coexisting illnesses, body mass index (BMI), and the presence of smoking. The most abnormal recordings of several vital signs at the point of admission were also retrieved, including the temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. So were the early laboratory tests sent within 24 hours of admission and before beginning anticoagulant prophylaxis or therapy. There were over 1,800 adult patients, with a median age of 67 years, about 60% being males, who were on therapeutic anticoagulation during their hospital stay. Almost three-quarters of them were discharged, while the rest did not survive. The MSHS protocol for anticoagulant therapy was implemented for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, provided they had no increased risk of bleeding. Therapeutic doses were given to all patients whose assessment showed a risk of or the presence of VTE, or for those with severely impaired breathing. For others, prophylactic doses were started. The drugs used were heparin, enoxaparin and/or apixaban. D-dimer Levels at Admission and Mortality Risk The D-dimer level was used to classify them into four cohorts the determinants being the initial concentration and the direction of change with anticoagulation. The first was the high-increase (HI) group with a high baseline level, which went up following treatment. The mortality rate in hospital for this cohort was 49%. The second was the high-decrease (HD) group at 27% mortality. The third, or low-increase (LI), group and the last, or low-decrease (LD) group, had a mortality of 21% and 9%, respectively. Patients with advanced age, multiple illnesses, more significant breathing impairment, worse kidney function, and signs of inflammation were generally at a higher risk of death during hospitalization and tended to have a longer delay from the start of the hospital period to the institution of anticoagulant therapy. D-dimer Levels Post-Anticoagulation and Mortality Risk After anticoagulation was provided, the subsequent levels of D-dimer showed higher levels for those patients who died vs. were discharged, with the median concentrations being 3.70 ug/ml and 1.70 ug/ml, respectively. These two groups (died vs. discharged) had a smaller gap at admission, in fact, at 2.02 ug/ml vs. 0.39 ug/ml, respectively. Again, D-dimer levels were found to rise after anticoagulation for those who died in hospital, but to decline for those who were discharged. Thus, it was markedly easier to predict the risk of in-hospital death using an anticoagulant D-dimer level than the baseline D-dimer level. Using a combination of the two did not improve the predictive value further. The patient cohort with high D-dimer levels after anticoagulation overlapped with the groups of patients who were older and sicker, with worse respiratory parameters at admission, and signs of more severe disease as marked by increased white cells but lymphopenia, renal disease and elevated inflammatory markers. Overall, there were ten factors significantly associated with a higher mortality rate. Reliable Predictive Values The researchers then looked at how the individual predictive factors in this model worked by leaving them out one by one and examining the impact. They found that age was most closely related to risk of mortality, but that the HD post-anticoagulant D-dimer group was close behind, followed by the HI post-anticoagulant D-dimer group and the platelet count, oxygen saturation and the LI post-anticoagulant D-dimer group. The predictive power was highest with the classification by D-dimer level following anticoagulation, combined with selected baseline variables, and significantly better than that of baseline models alone. Thus, the study on patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 shows the high and independent predictive power of post-anticoagulant D-dimer levels for in-hospital mortality, while taking into consideration 65 other important covariates. The researchers also found the direction of change in D-dimer levels to be important in predicting mortality after anticoagulation. In fact, this is the single most crucial variable among all those examined in the current paper. This demonstrates that post-anticoagulant D-dimer levels and trends are novel prognostic biomarkers that should be considered in the management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This conclusion differs from that of earlier studies showing high D-dimer levels to be markers of poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients when measured at the time of admission. In this study, the post-anticoagulant D-dimer was a reliable and sensitive indicator of mortality risk but not the point-of-admission D-dimer. In fact, the trajectory of the D-dimer was an important marker, since the LI group had higher mortality than the HD group. The researchers consider more studies to be critical to improving the accuracy of prediction, using serial measurements to capture the changes in this parameter. If the level remains high or rises even after anticoagulation therapy, it may indicate that the risk of clotting is high in large vessels or the microvasculature. Implications and Future Directions The applications of this study are threefold: First, this biomarker can be used to clarify treatment decisions by being made part of the therapeutic protocols for severe COVID-19. Since this was an observational study, confounding factors may have altered the outcome. To validate these findings, randomized controlled trials will be needed. In the long interim period, meanwhile, these outcomes will be of use in guiding the immediate management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Secondly, the study shows that post-anticoagulation, the HI group is a subset of patients with a very poor outcome. The possibility of identifying this early will facilitate proper care and guide future studies on the treatment of this condition with antiplatelet drugs or thrombolytics. Thirdly, it focuses attention on the patients at least risk, namely, the LD group, who will need to be analyzed further to reduce the dose of anticoagulation therapies, possibly as well as to understand if these drugs need to be continued further after their discharge. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Medical workers from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University pose for a group photo in "Wuhan Livingroom" makeshift hospital in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, March 7, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping will attend a meeting on Tuesday morning to commend role models in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic and present a national medal and honorary titles to four people for their outstanding contribution during the outbreak. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver a speech at the meeting, which will be held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at 10 am on Tuesday. Xi signed a presidential order on Aug 11 to confer the Medal of the Republic, the highest national honor, on prominent infectious disease expert Zhong Nanshan. The medal was first awarded last year during the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Zhong, who is a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, is widely praised and respected for delivering timely information on the latest epidemic situation and leading the formulation of diagnosis and treatment guidelines. The order also awards national honorary titles to three other experts for their contribution in fighting COVID-19. They are top traditional Chinese medicine expert Zhang Boli, Zhang Dingyu, the head of an infectious disease hospital in Wuhan, and military medical expert Chen Wei. Since the outbreak hit Wuhan, Hubei province, in late December, China has launched a resolute battle to curb its spread and is now taking regular disease control measures to prevent a resurgence as the disease continues to rage worldwide. As of Saturday, the Chinese mainland had reported no new local infections for 21 consecutive days and 186 confirmed cases were under treatment, according to the National Health Commission. Ten confirmed cases arriving from outside the mainland were reported on Saturday, the commission said in its daily report. BEIJING: Chinas export growth accelerated in August while imports edged lower as the worlds second-largest economy extended its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Exports rose 9.5% over a year earlier to $235.2 billion, up from Julys 7.2% growth, customs data showed Monday. Imports declined 2.1% to $176.3 billion, compared with the previous months 1.4% contraction. Chinas exporters have benefited from its relatively early reopening from a shutdown to fight the virus while competitors in many other countries still face anti-disease controls that disrupt business. Exports to the United States rose 20% to $44.8 billion despite tariff hikes imposed by the Trump administration in a fight with Beijing over its technology ambitions and trade surplus. Imports of American goods gained 2% to $10.5 billion. The changes were due mostly to lower prices and comparison with last Augusts relative weak exports, according to Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics. Evans-Pritchard estimated the volume of goods exported rose 9.7% from a year earlier while import volumes rose 9.5%. Other exporters have benefited from increased Chinese demand for their goods after growth in the worlds second-largest economy rebounded to 3.2% over a year earlier in the three months ending in June. Activity the previous quarter fell 6.8%, the deepest slump since at least the mid-1960s. Exports to the 27-nation European Union, Chinas biggest foreign market, fell 20.1% from a year earlier to $35.7 billion. Imports of European goods tumbled 29.7% to $22.5 billion. Chinas global trade surplus swelled by 72% over a year earlier to $58.9 billion. That was down from Julys $62.3 billion gap. Chinese importers have benefited from a slump in global prices for oil and many other goods due to weak demand caused by virus-related shutdowns. Fast-growing exports included integrated circuits, smartphones, auto-data processors and household appliances. That suggests China still has some trade partners that are willing to import Chinese technology despite tension with Washington, Iris Pang of ING said in a report. Still, Pang warned Chinese exporters of higher-tech goods might face trouble as Washington tightens curbs on access to U.S. components in a feud with Beijing over technology and security. Washington has cut off supplies of American components for companies including Chinas most prominent tech brand, Huawei Technologies Ltd. The Trump administration is lobbying European and other allies to avoid Chinese technology as they upgrade to next-generation telecom networks. This could affect exports of technological products and services in the coming months, said Pang. 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 Himachals monsoon session commenced on a fiery note on Monday with the ruling BJP and the opposition sniping at each other over the handling of the Covid-19 crisis in the state. After the House paid tributes to departed leaders, the CM informed the House of the business for the day. However, speaker Vipin Singh Parmar asked the CM to tell the assembly about the governments handling of the corona crisis. Objecting, leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said his party had already given notice under Rule 67, demanding suspension of business to discuss the Covid crisis and that the matter was not being raised in a correct manner. He was supported by other members of the opposition. Pandemonium prevailed in the House as the opposition raised slogans for over 15 minutes . Parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Bhardwaj tried to pacify the opposition, to no avail. When Bhardwaj said the opposition had nothing concrete to contribute to the discussion, they started raising slogans. Later, the speaker agreed to suspend business, which pacified the opposition. However, then BJP members resorted to sloganeering, which provoked the opposition , who started raising counter slogans. When forest minister Rakesh Pathania repeatedly came to the CMs defence, a heated exchange ensued between Agnihotri and the minister. In response to Agnihotris charge that the government had abjectly failed in handling the Covid-19 crisis, the CM said the government had done an excellent job on that front. Agnihotri said the governments actions were reminiscent of the emergency and that people were booked for sedition during the period. The CM, in turn, accused the opposition of resorting to cheap politics over the pandemic. All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and Dalhousie legislator Asha Kumari targeted the government over wasteful expenditure during the crisis. Agnihotri raised the issue of Rajeev Bindals resignation from the post of BJP state president after a corruption scandal came to light. He asked why Bindal was forced to resign. A scam took place in the health department under the nose of the CM. Raincoats were distributed instead of personal protective kits, the Congress leader said. The CM said Bindal had resigned because of his moral values after the opposition created hullabaloo. He said Bindal had set a precedent for others. Referring to the allegations against social justice and empowerment minister Sarveen Chaudhary, he said there was an ongoing investigation against the minister and as such the government should reveal how much land was purchased by her. He also demanded that the entire cabinet, including the chief minister resign. Thakur said the opposition had earlier sought resignation from Bindal and when he resigned, they started gunning for his resignation. Thakur said he had never spoken about the vigilance bureau probing the land deal. I had only said that a complaint was received, which is being examined. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Dubai-based Emirates airline has revealed that it is has returned over AED5 billion ($1.4 billion) in Covid-19 related travel refunds to date, making strong and steady progress on its commitment to customers to complete pending refunds. More than 1.4 million refund requests have been completed since March, representing 90% of the airline's backlog. This includes all requests received from customers around the world up until the end of June, save for a few cases which require further manual review, the airline said. Since the pandemic hit, Emirates has invested additional resources to ramp up its processing capability. The airline also continues to work with industry partners to facilitate refunds for those who have booked their Emirates flights through travel agents, this includes enabling direct refunds processing via global booking systems (GDS), it said. Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: "We understand that from our customers' standpoint, each pending refund request is one too many. We are committed to honouring refunds and are trying our utmost to clear the massive and unprecedented backlog that was caused by the pandemic. Most cases are straightforward, and these we will process quickly. But there are cases which will take a bit more time for our customer teams to manually review and complete. We are grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding." As global travel markets slowly re-open, Emirates has gradually restarted its passenger operations around the world, always ensuring that it provides customers with a safe and smooth travel experience. The airline has introduced a series of industry-leading initiatives to provide customers with additional reassurance and confidence when they travel from bio-safety measures at every step of their journey, to free Covid-19 medical cover, and flexible booking policies. Emirates currently offers flights to over 80 cities. Customers can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. Ensuring the safety of travellers, visitors, and the community, Covid-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Flexibility and assurance: Emirates' booking policies offer customers flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket by September 30, 2020 for travel on or before November 30, 2020, can enjoy generous rebooking terms and options, if they have to change their travel plans due to unexpected flight or travel restrictions relating to Covid-19, or when they book a Flex or Flex plus fare. - TradeArabia News Service Myanmar & COVID-19 Health Workers Make Up 10% of Myanmars COVID-19 Cases A health worker in Yangon. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YangonMore than 10 percent of those currently infected with COVID-19 in Myanmar are health workers, according to a top government medic. More than 10 percent of those infected with COVID-19 after Aug. 16 are health staff, said the director of contagious disease prevention and eradication at the Ministry of Health and Sports, Dr. Khin Khin Kyi. The first COVID-19 cases were reported in Myanmar in late March. There were only some 400 COVID-19 cases until the second week of August and most of them were imported. But large numbers of transmissions were reported in Rakhine State since Aug. 16, before cases spread to Yangon and elsewhere. The number of health workers, including doctors, nurses and other supporting staff, infected with coronavirus is the highest in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State, with a few in Yangon Region, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports. We are still compiling the number of cases among health workers. A doctor at North Okkalapa Township Hospital [in Yangon] tested positive for the virus on Sept. 3. And some are infected in Sittwe. The number is higher in Rakhine, said Dr. Khin Khin Gyi. Myanmar reported 1,464 confirmed cases by Sept. 7, of which 1,090 cases were detected since Aug. 16. Rakhine has seen the largest numbers with 540 cases, with the capital, Sittwe, the main hotspot. The health ministry will reinforce Rakhine services, she said. The ministry has dispatched 128 doctors, nurses and virologists to Rakhine State. All of them volunteered, said Dr. Khin Khin Gyi. Since Aug. 16, 540 COVID-19 confirmed cases have been reported in Rakhine State, 403 in Yangon Region, 42 in Bago Region, 20 in Mon State, 38 in Mandalay Region, 14 in Naypyitaw, 10 in Shan State, five in Ayeyarwady Region, four in Kachin State, three in Magwe Region, two each in Chin State and Sagaing Region and one in Tanintharyi Region. The country has tested 166,433 specimens, reported 1,464 cases, eight deaths and 385 recoveries, according to the health ministry. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: Thousands Sacked in Myanmars Commercial Hub Yangon Amid COVID-19 Downturn Fears Grow for IDPs in Myanmars Rakhine as COVID-19 Outbreak Disrupts Food, Health Services Huawei was expected to unveil its new flagship HiSilicon Kirin chipset at the IFA 2020. At its keynote on September 3, Huawei made no announcement regarding the new Kirin 1000 / 9000 SoC. However, Walter Ji, President of Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG) Europe, talked about Huaweis commitment to Europe. The very next day, on September 4, its sister brand Honor announced a bunch of new products for the international markets. As per the latest report from China, Huawei decided to skip launching its new chipset to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Huawei delays flagship Kirin 1000 SoC launch at IFA 2020 Huawei is at the center of US-China disputes over the technology sector. The Kirin 1000 will be Huaweis latest flagship mobile chipset. If everything went as per the plan, it could have been the worlds first mobile chipset to debut with the latest 5nm process. Advertisement While the companys HiSilicon unit designs Kirin chipsets, it uses third-party foundries to produce them. TSMC has been the long term partner for Huawei when it comes to producing its flagship Kirin chipsets. In May this year, the US Commerce Department made changes to the export rules which blocked TSMC from working with Huawei. However, the Taiwanese company was allowed to fulfill previous Huawei orders until September 14. TSMC is reportedly working overtime to ship as many chipsets as possible, but it could still be a long way off. Huawei is reportedly doubtful over the inventory required for its upcoming flagship smartphones. Huawei Mate 40 series will be launching soon with this new chipset As of now, the company is rumored to have only 15 million units in stock. Last year, it sold 12 million units of the Mate 30 smartphones in its first three months. If you didnt know, the Mate 30 was the first flagship from Huawei to miss out on GMS support. Advertisement For now, the upcoming Kirin 1000 could be the last chipset from Huawei to hit the market. Based on the rumors, this new chipset will be powering the Mate 40, Mate 40 Pro, and Mate 40 Pro+ smartphones. On the other hand, domestic foundries in China lack the cutting-edge technology to produce the flagship Kirin chipsets. Qualcomm is also looking to get permission from the US government to supply its chipsets to Huawei. While Huawei already uses Qualcomms Snapdragon chipsets in its budget smartphones, the upcoming Huawei P50 series could become the companys first flagship device to carry a Snapdragon chipset. As of now, Huawei hasnt officially mentioned anything about the delayed Kirin 1000 chipset launch. The new HiSilicon Kirin chipset will likely launch alongside the Mate 40 series in the next few weeks. A tsunami of commentary was unleashed by three words uttered by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman after the last meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council. The amount of ink spilt on her act of God" comment could fill many doctoral theses, and be the envy of divinity schools. It was a marathon meeting and those words were perhaps just a throwaway remark. Who would have guessed their power? They were evocative and conjured up the notion of force majeure in commercial contracts, which lets parties abandon their commitments. But this was the sovereign trying to renege on a written promise made to its sub-sovereigns: i.e., the states. It was an unconditional promise. Going back on it would have signalled betrayal, a huge crack in the foundation of trust, the very basis for cooperative federalism. There are good reasons why the Centre would have to honour its promise to the states, as it reportedly avowed on Monday, of filling the gap to ensure a 14% growth in GST revenues. The Centre is eminently more capable than the states to raise the requisite funds, having access to the central bank, foreign dollar investors, the instrument of cess, and de facto monetization of debt. States do not have any of these, and could not be left in the lurch. It does not matter that the 14% promise was too generous in hindsight. It did, after all, help secure a historic consensus. The pandemic, the lockdown and the consequent deep recession are opportune moments, if not a useful alibi, to work upon a complete redesign of the GST. This will not need parliamentary action and can be accomplished by the GST Council. GST is a destination-based consumption tax. If consumption is two-thirds of gross domestic product (GDP), we should ensure that the tax coverage is as comprehensive as possible. The current coverage is barely one-third, since it excludes electricity, petrol, diesel and real estate, as also agriculture. And despite such an incomplete coverage, the weighted average tax burden of GST is only 11.6%, as per Reserve Bank of India calculations. If the standard rate is brought down from 18% to 12%, as originally proposed by the Kelkar Committee, it would still be higher than the currently realized rate of 11.6%. To elucidate, if the standard rate of 12% is applied to half of GDP, then total collection will be 12 trillion, which would exceed current collections. There should be only a few items in the merit rate of 5%, and sin" goods rate of, say, 24%. This also leaves room for additional excise on petroleum products at the state level. Further, a 12% rate would increase compliance, reduce the need for arbitrary classification and discretion, and result in lower litigation. It would also act as a strong fiscal dose, which is the need of the hour. It is utterly myopic to get hung up on a notional revenue neutral rate" (RNR), as a reference peg. The GST is a long-term and structural reform. The underlying consumption and production patterns will change, sometimes drastically. The digital economy is growing by leaps and bounds. We cant be bogged down by an elusive and ill-defined RNR, which may work as a reference point only in the short-run. The world over, standard GST rates began much lower than Indias 18%. For instance, Australia rolled out GST, coincidentally also on 1 July, 20 years ago. Its rate has been a constant 10% since then. In these two decades, its underlying consumption pattern has changed. The share of consumption that is subject to GST has declined from 61% to 55%. Thats because of a rise in healthcare spending, which is exempt due to its demographics of an ageing society. E-commerce and digital transactions too can erode the tax base of GST. The challenge in Australia is to meet the increasing expenditure obligations at the state level, with a declining revenue share from GST in its federal system. Currently, only 44% of its state-level expenditures are covered by GST. The states feel that their autonomy is getting constrained. Sound familiar? The choice of reforms in GST is to either widen the net and remove exemptions or increase the standard rate to 12%. This needs a national consensus. Both India and Australia as federal democracies have a mismatch between revenue and expenditure at the state or local government level. There is an inbuilt imbalance, more so in Indias case. It can be called Indias two-third, one-third" problem, where two-thirds of revenue accrues to the Centre, but two-thirds of all expenditure obligations are on state and local governments. Rapid urbanization is putting more pressure on local governments. The need to align the tax base and government responsibilities is acute. Hence, Indias revised GST system should earmark revenues directly for the third tier. The formula could be that 10% be equally shared between the Centre and states, and 2% kept for the third tier. As more citizens pay this consumption tax, of which some portion they know helps run their local government, there would develop a nexus between the demand for and supply of good governance. Indias cooperative federalism will be tested in 2026, when the current framework of delimitation ends. Parliamentary constituencies, unchanged since 1971, would have to be realigned to reflect population changes. Either that, or the number of representatives will have to be increased. Interstate sharing of river waters is another thorny issue. In this light, maybe there is a God-given opportunity in these covid times to radically reform GST and make it states- and taxpayer-friendly. Ajit Ranade is an economist and a senior fellow at The Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 14:14:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A possibility ran high for South Korea's economy to contract with the COVID-19 resurgence, a state-run think tank said Monday. The Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in its monthly economic assessment report that with the resurgence of the COVID-19 here, the possibility for the economic contraction went higher. It noted that downside pressure on the economy expanded with the spread of the COVID-19 since the mid-August. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases grew in triple digits since Aug. 14 owing to cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area linked to church services and a massive rally in central Seoul on Aug. 15. The government tightened social-distancing guidelines to address the virus resurgence, encouraging people to stay at home and avoid social gatherings. It weakened consumer spending, hitting hard micro business owners. The KDI said the economic contraction was expected to be centered around the services industry as the government raised the social-distancing guidelines of the three-tier system to Level 2 with the COVID-19 resurgence. Credit card spending was estimated to have declined 12.1 percent between Aug. 19 and 30. Retail sale, which reflects private consumption, added 0.5 percent in July from a month earlier, after expanding 6.3 percent in June. Production in the services industry plummeted 1.3 percent in July on a monthly basis, after sliding 0.1 percent in June. The daily average export fell 3.8 percent in August from a year earlier, after skidding 7.1 percent in July. The KDI attributed the improved export to a partial recovery in global demand. Enditem Dear Editor, In 1958, while attending college at the University of Massachusetts, I heard the term creeping Socialism. Our economics professor was very concerned about Americas future. Today, our colleges are teaching the glories of Socialism to our young people. In 1968, while attending a college conference, I heard the liberal left talking about the outdated nuclear family. They saw no need for a father and mother. They said the State can do a better job. I asked the question, What about the children? Many of the delegates booed me and shouted Sit down. Today, the nuclear family is in real trouble. Look at what is happening in many of our major cities, where children have no father at home. Socialist/Marxist philosophy has always sought to replace individual freedoms under God, with dependence upon the government. This was true in the Socialist-Democratic Party under Hitler, Stalins Socialist-Marxist government in Russia, Socialist/Marxism in China, North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela. It has brought untold suffering and death to millions of innocent people. Also, their first goal was to take away its peoples guns. Hitler, in the early 1930s, gave Germany the Black Shirts who went into the cities and smashed windows, shut down businesses, beat up innocent citizens and stopped free speech. It is the Progressive Left today in America doing the same kinds of things. Burning, looting, rioting, and stopping free speech in colleges and across this great land. Have we as a people gone blind to what is taking place in this great citadel of freedom we call America? Churchill said the virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of misery. Socialism/Marxism divides a nation to conquer it. The Socialist/Marxist progressives will give us more suffering, less freedom and increase our decline. Do we hear the distant troubling drumbeat? The choice is clear for America: More creeping Socialism or the freedom that has blessed America and the world, the free market system with limited government. James T. Varelas East Jewett, N.Y. P hillip Hammond has criticised Boris Johnson's claim that a no-deal Brexit would be "good outcome" for the UK, and described the prospect of ripping up the Withdrawal Agreement as "an incredibly dangerous step". The former Chancellor on Monday tweeted: "Leaving without a deal would not be a good outcome for the UK'; nor would it be the outcome Boris and the Brexiteers promised. "The UK is a rule-of-law state, and attempting to legislate domestically to override international law would be an incredibly dangerous step and bound to lead to conflict with the judiciary. It would also hugely damage our standing on the world stage," he added. Mr Johnson has set a five-week deadline to either reach agreement or for both sides to accept there will be no deal when the current transition period ends at the close of the year. The comments by Mr Hammond come amid growing anger over reports that the Prime Minister's administration is planning to use new laws to override the Brexit withdrawal agreement, with critics saying it would be a "treacherous betrayal." Lets be clear on two points: 1) Leaving without a deal would not be a good outcome for the UK; nor would it be the outcome Boris and the Brexiteers promised. Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) September 7, 2020 A Government spokesman appeared to confirm to the Financial Times on Monday that Mr Johnson is planning new legislation that would override key parts of the Withdrawal Agreement the treaty that sealed Britains exit from the European Union in January. The move could see the collapse of trade talks, but the Prime Minister is expected to say that should negotiations fall through and there is no agreement by October 15, it would still be a "good outcome for the UK", allowing the country to "prosper mightily." But No 10 sources played down the row, claiming it was merely making preparations to protect the Good Friday Agreement in case talks break down on the fine details of Irish border arrangements after the current post-Brexit transition period ends in December. If true, this means repudiation by UK govt of a Treaty freely negotiated by it, & described by PM in GE as an oven ready deal. This will significantly increase likelihood of no deal, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans. https://t.co/p0Ur3YwEnK Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 6, 2020 Other politicians also took to social media today to express their concerns over the reports. Michel Barnier, the chief Brussels negotiator on Brexit, said he was worried about the development, and the Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney warned that it would be a very unwise way to proceed." Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move would constitute a repudiation by the Government of a treaty freely negotiated by it and which was described as oven ready by Mr Johnson. She tweeted this would significantly increase the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans. French President Macron tweeted saying he had held a very good discussion with Boris Johnson on subjects including Brexit and steps to tackle migration across the Channel. He wrote: We will step up our co-operation against migrant smugglers. We discussed steps to take following the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, the situation in Lebanon and the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Helen Worth and other older Coronation Street actors are finally going back to work after several months of lockdown. The actress, 69, who plays Gail Platt on the soap, is one of the first older actors to return to filming along with David Neilson, 71, who stars as Roy Cropper. Speaking to The Mirror, Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Ramsey said: 'It's funny, Helen Worth was in the other day and she kept calling herself the new girl, because it was her first day back. I said, "Oh please, Helen!" I think everyone's just getting used to it, as and when they're back in.' Back in action: Helen Worth, 69, and other older Coronation Street actors are finally going back to work after several months of lockdown (pictured in May 2019) The older stars were brought back to work later than their younger counterparts due to government guidelines regarding the coronavirus pandemic. According to the publication, other older stars like Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, are expected to return to the set soon. Julia is relishing being back on the Cobbles, playing a new incarnation of Shona who does not remember her friends or family or her fiance David Platt. She said: 'It's been really fun. Obviously it's very rare for an actor to be able to play a completely different character in a long-running soap, and it's been fabulous. Return: The actress, who plays Gail Platt on the soap, is one of the first older actors to return to filming along 'At first, it was really difficult; obviously we did lots of research about the specifics of Shona's brain injury.' Coronation Street shut down production for several weeks earlier this year when Britain went into lockdown. In May, Helen admitted she didn't know the full extent of the plans to return to work during an appearance on This Morning. She said: 'I havent got any scripts so I have absolutely no idea whats going on. I cant give anything away which is lovely for safety, but I can't give anything away because I don't know!' Filming: David Neilson, 71, who stars as Roy Cropper is also returning to set after lockdown Co-star: Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Ramsey said: 'It's funny, Helen Worth was in the other day and she kept calling herself the new girl, because it was her first day back' 'I hope Im not going anywhere' she said, adding: 'We are going back in a few weeks I think, its all been organised by ITV, everything will be safe for us to go back and we will start filming again to put more programmes again. We could get back to six episodes a week.' As for maintaining social distancing during filming, Helen explained that Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod and his team have been working on scripts to reflect to some extent the coronavirus pandemic. She said: 'Iain said there will be some reference to Covid-19 but again Im not sure how much, it would all be speculation on my part, I know they have been working on it since lockdown started. 'The writers are brilliant coming up with ideas when they need to, I cant see this being any different.' COVID-19 and the resultant chaos radically changed the lives of the students and proved to be a litmus test for educational organizations as well. UPES is one of the few institutes that managed to ride the tide due to their tech-led pedagogy, digitized curriculum, online-proctored examination system and faculty trained in conducting virtual classes. UPES began its academic year (AY) 2020-2021 on time after concluding AY 2019-2020 with online examinations and result declaration. The university developed and implemented an Immersive Academic Learning Framework (IALF) for this years batch, aptly called the Resilient Class of 2020. Consisting of three phases: Induction, Pre-Semester Learning, and Semester Commencement; this initiative turned around the stressful scenario into an interactive learning opportunity for students. Pre-semester learning, which began from August 3, consisted of workshops, masterclasses, exploratory projects, CEO talks and conversations with mentors. A virtual inaugural ceremony was held for the B.Tech students of School of Engineering with Mr. Kishore Jayaraman, President, Rolls Royce, India and South Asia, as the Chief Guest. He emphasized that every crisis is a burning opportunity, and the world will be able to emerge from it successfully. For the M.Tech program, Mr. Suraj Chettri, Regional Director HR, Airbus India & South Asia, was the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony. The young technocrats at the School of Computer Science also had the opportunity to listen to Mr Vithal Madyalkar, Program Director for IBM Innovation Center for Education, India/South Asia and Mr Hari Ramasubramanian, Leader at Business Development & Relationship Management in IBM Innovation Center for Education, India/South Asia. One of the first sessions for students of School of Business and School of Design, was with Mr. Kamal Bali, President, Volvo Motors India Group. As the Chief Guest for the opening ceremony, Mr. Bali advised the students to be prepared for a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world. For the students of School of Design, a string of masterclasses and workshops were held, including Paper Gets Smart with Mr. Paul Damle, founder of Aetos Design and Innovation; a ClayMation workshop by Mr. Dhimant Vyas, Creative Director of Zynga; and a session on Speculative Design by Mr. Hugo Pilate, a professional based in Los Angeles, Delhi, and Paris. Explaining the concept, Mr. Pilate said, Speculative Design is not different from science fiction or sci-fi films. But, instead of writing or making movies, we make products and services in the design spaces. Another luminary to grace one of the sessions for the School of Business students was Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India. Commenting on the New Education Policy 2020, Mr. Ahluwalia said that he hoped that at least 1% of the countrys GDP was spent on education in the next four to five years. What the students have to say Students have been enthralled by this framework of learning, wherein they have been able to acquire tangible skills in a condensed timeframe from the best in the business. The session on Personal Branding was conducted by Ms. Jessie Paul, an acclaimed author and founder of Paul Writer, a marketing advisory firm that works with several Indian and global clients such as IBM, Microsoft, LinkedIn, SAP, Oracle and Adobe. Anmol, who has enrolled this year in BBA (Digital Marketing) attended a session on Personal Branding said, I gained immense practical knowledge from the masterclass, which was directly linked to my specialization. Another student, Rakshita, said, The personal branding session helped me understand how to utilize various social media platforms. I have already begun working on it. While Anamika found the sessions informative, Tanisha was inspired by the industry stalwarts. Regular semesters UPES has now begun regular semesters in virtual mode for its engineering, computer science, business, design and health sciences students and will be starting online classes for media and law students, too, by the end of September. Eventually, face-to-face classes will be conducted as per the government and UGC guidelines. The university is taking all necessary measures to make its infrastructure safe for on-campus classes. UPES has recently received the coveted SafeGuard certification from Bureau Veritas, after a detailed Health, Safety and Hygiene Conformity Assessment. Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification services, has developed detailed checklists with global health, safety and hygiene specialists to ensure that the safety procedures meet local and international regulations, as well as recognized best practices. For more information, visit https://www.upes.ac.in/ Disclaimer: This content is released by Digpu News Network. No HT journalist was involved in the creation of this content. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Co Londonderry couple who took the Home Office to court over citizenship rights say they have been left facing an "enormous financial struggle" after receiving a massive legal bill. Emma and Jake DeSouza have now been hit with a legal bill of more than 45,000 following their five-year ordeal in the courts. Emma took legal action against the Home Office after her American husband was threatened with deportation because she would not say that she was British. She said that she has always identified as Irish, a right granted to everyone in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement. She had been told that in order for her husband to be granted residency she would have to renounce British citizenship and reapply as an Irish citizen, something that they felt was unnecessary and infringed on her rights. Almost five years on, the case was resolved in May this year when the couple secured a concession that the principles of the Good Friday Agreement held firm and Mrs DeSouza could be recognised as an Irish citizen and her American husband could stay in the UK. The ruling means that every person in Northern Ireland is deemed an EU citizen, both parties were directed to cover their own costs in the case, which was resolved outside of the courts process. Emma said that despite the "devastating" bill received last Friday, she and Jake are still celebrating their victory in the knowledge that they will have helped countless others struggling to wade through the immigration system in Northern Ireland. The final bill received by the couple amounted to 45,953. "When we received the bill on Friday we were floored," she wrote on Twitter. "It was so enormous and it really took us back, thinking about how we were going to pay it. "The last five years have taken such an emotional, physical and financial toll on us both, but we are still celebrating what we have done because I know that it will benefit countless other families. "As a family this is pretty devastating. Many will know that we are ordinary working people who fought against what we felt was a great injustice. "We never should have had to bring this case, but we did and we have no idea how we will cover these fees or recover as a family. "Due to the number of adjournments and the Home Office conceding so close to the court date, we had done all the work that we needed for the day so we are footing the costs. "We have managed to make seismic change to UK law, but we have been left with an astronomical bill." "When the Home Office conceded this case and changed the law they requested that we pay the government's fees. "We wrote to the court who ruled that each party is responsible for their own fees. As a result we are facing an enormous financial struggle." During their legal battle, Emma and Jake had launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover their legal costs. But due to the new bill they have received they have had to extend it and have expressed their thanks to everyone who has supported them so far. Since they received the new bill, the couple have received more than 20,000 in donations from across Ireland, but are still well short of meeting the costs. "The support that we have received throughout our ordeal in the courts was tremendous and we have been blown away by the recent support we have received since we told people about this new bill," said Emma. "We are so thankful for people's generosity. "We knew that this was going to hurt us financially, but we felt that we were in a position where we could do something to help others. "We met so many families who were affected by this during our journey and we are just happy knowing that we have been able to do something to help them." No patients? India's biggest COVID Care Centre in Bengaluru to be shut from Sep 15 India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bengaluru, Sep 7: The COVID Care Centre at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre here, that was touted to be the biggest such facility for the treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients in the country, will be shut from September 15, as it is not getting patients. In an order dated September 4, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city civic body has said the decision to close the facility with a potential capacity of over 10,000 beds was taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on the advise of the head of the Covid Care Care Task Force. Malaika Arora tests COVID-19 positive, quarantines at home It has been decided to give the furniture brought for the said centre like- beds, mattress, pedestal fans, dustbins, water dispensers among others to government-run hostels and hospitals at free of cost. The Social Welfare Department will get 2,500 furniture for its hostels, while the horticulture university hostel at Bagalkote, Minority Welfare Department hostel and the GKVK, Bengaluru will get 1,000 each. The remaining furniture will be given to government hospitals and hostels based on request, it added. Following the government's decision to allow home isolation of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID cases, there has been a drastic fall in people getting admitted to the centre, official sources said. Earlier, the centre had its share of controversy too. Following the widespread criticism and allegations of corruption against its decision to rent beds and furniture needed for the centre at a higher cost, the government had subsequently decided to purchase it. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, September 7, 2020, 14:10 [IST] Bengaluru, Sep 8 : India's largest Covid Care Centre (CCC) - the 10,100-bed facility at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) - will be shut down from September 15 for lack of patients The Bengaluru civic body has taken this decision after the head of CCC taskforce, Rajendra Kumar Kataria had suggested such a move, following discussions with Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. Started with much fanfare, the facility housed migrant labourers for some time in quarantine earlier during the lockdown, under the vigil of police. Furniture and beds bought for the large convention facility's CCC will be given away to government and university hostels. The Social Welfare Department will receive 2,500 sets of furniture for its hostels, and the Bagalkot Horticulture University hostel, the Minority Welfare Department hostels and GKVK 1,000 each. BIEC is famous for hosting several global events such as the CeBIT and others. Community organisations and unions warn up to 12,000 jobs in places such as women's refuges and homeless shelters could be lost if federal government funding to close the pay gap in the sector isn't renewed in the October budget. The national pay tribunal in 2012 awarded the community sector's mostly female workforce wage rises of 19 to 41 per cent, phased in over eight years, in recognition that their work had been undervalued because of their gender. Southern Youth and Family Services chief executive Narelle Clay (r) and youth worker Amy Hans are worried about the future of government funding for community services. Credit:Rhett Wyman The final stage of the increase, most of which is covered by state and federal governments that fund many of the programs in the sector, comes into effect in December. But a dedicated pot of money for community organisations dependent on federal support the SACS Special Account will run dry next year unless it is renewed at a cost of about $576 million annually. Turin Event since 2014 about the bliss of the Italian way of life - Epicurean experiences to enjoy our vida royal in full Turin style - Yoga, yogalates, pilates, Italian privates and more! THE SITUATION. Most of the country is now under the modified general quarantine or MGCQ, the least restrictive of the four kinds of quarantine in the Philippines since the first ECQ was imposed last March 16. The local governments of Cebu have gone through enhanced and general quarantines: ECQ and GCQ and the modified version of each. Cebu City, particularly, went through the rough stages of enhanced quarantine, moving into general quarantine, then falling back into ECQ before it caught up, starting September 1, with the other Cebu local governments at modified GCQ -- and, perhaps soon, the New Normal. But it's no longer called New Normal. If it were left to the legislators, the name would be Better Normal: from NN to BN. So after ECQ, MECQ, GCQ and MGCQ, it will probably BN. HOUSE-OK'D BILL. House Bill #686, which the House of Representatives approved on third reading last August 10, is titled "Better Normal for the Workplace, Communities and Public Spaces Act of 2020" or House Bill #6864. Unless the Senate version or the bicameral committee will come up with another name, the name the House proponents have given, it will stick on the law President Rodrigo Duterte will sign. The House version will undergo changes but even now, the bill gives people glimpses of how the law may affect their life after the quarantines. HB #6864 is mostly about policies and regulations related to public health and environment during a pandemic and its impact after the public emergency. THREE YEARS OR SOONER. What many people are interested in is what will come after the quarantine and how long the law regulating it will last. The House version, already transmitted to the Senate, provides under Section 16 (headed "Sunset clause") that the law shall cease to be in force (1) three years from date of effectivity of the law or (2) sooner, when the president shall declare, on recommendation of the national task force IATF, that the pandemic has ended. Story continues (The bill calls a health emergency "pandemic" if the outbreak of an infectious disease covers a wide geographic area and affects a large part of the population. It does not have to be global as the current meaning of the word conveys.) DOESN'T LOOK NORMAL. The post-quarantine regulations under HB #6864 keep the standard protocols that people have gone through the four CQs: notably, wearing of face mask and face shield, physical distancing, hand-washing and temperature-reading. And here's the part that tells us those health protocols might stay much longer: the bill says the law shall expire after the three-year period or sooner, when the president declares the health crisis is over, except regulations that are not rendered useless or impractical by the eradication of the epidemic. ROLE OF LGUs. Local governments will bear, as they have been doing during the current health crisis, the burden of implementing the Better Normal rules. LGUs are also charged with the duty of instituting local ordinances that will enforce national policies. And local legislation, as it is now, must adhere to programs and principles laid down by the national government. For example, under the bill, failure to wear a mask or shield is punishable only with censure and community service. Under the Cebu City ordinance, it is punishable with a fine and/or, on third offense, a jail term. The local ordinance has to conform once the bill becomes law. INFLUENCE ON POLICIES. Developments on drugs or vaccines and actual progress in containing of Covid-19 will influence government policies on life after the coronavirus. But the way national legislators are preparing for the post-Covid era must caution their constituents that things would be anything but normal. New or better, it would not be the normal that people were used to before coronavirus. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Austria's wholesale prices declined further in August, data from the from Statistics Austria showed on Monday. The wholesale price index fell 4.0 percent year-on-year in August, following a 4.6 percent fall in July. Prices for other mineral oil products declined 27.3 percent annually in August and those of old and residual materials decreased 14.7 percent. Meanwhile, prices of watches and jewelry grew 23.2 percent. On a month-on-month basis, the wholesale prices increased 0.1 percent in August, after a 0.9 percent rise in the prior month. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump listens during the daily White House coronavirus press briefing April 1, 2020 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has long been unhappy with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and White House officials have talked to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie about taking the top Pentagon job should Trump decide to fire Esper, three senior administration officials said. Two senior administration officials said Trump discussed the position directly with Wilkie at the White House last month. Two other senior administration officials said Wilkie had senior-level discussions with the White House about becoming Trump's next defense secretary. The conversations included the idea of naming Wilkie a Senate-confirmed member of Trump's Cabinet the acting defense secretary if the president fires Esper, officials said. Read more from NBC News: Wilkie was one of several possible replacements for Esper whom the White House informally interviewed this summer about serving as defense secretary, two current officials and one former official said. The conversations took place as Trump's monthslong threats to fire Esper intensified, officials said. The option of naming Wilkie as acting Pentagon chief would give Trump the flexibility to remove Esper immediately after the November election, if not before. Two senior administration officials said Trump has not entirely ruled out the possibility of making a change in Pentagon leadership before the election, although some of the president's allies have cautioned him to wait until after. Two senior administration officials said there are no current plans for Esper to be removed before the election. "There are no plans to replace Secretary Esper," one of the officials said. The White House declined to comment on the record. The Veterans Affairs Department and the Pentagon declined to comment. The relationship between Trump and Esper was further strained last week when the two again publicly clashed over a policy decision. The president pointedly rebuffed Esper's decision to cut funding in the Pentagon budget for Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for U.S. military personnel that has been published since the Civil War. Esper had been advised by multiple aides not to propose cutting the newspaper's funding because the move would draw a political backlash, and it did from Republicans and Democrats. A White House official said Trump thought the decision was "politically stupid," and on Friday he wrote on Twitter, "The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @starsandstripes magazine under my watch." Tweet The tensions between Trump and Esper persist as the president is under criticism over allegations that he made disparaging comments about the military after The Atlantic reported that he privately called veterans "suckers" and "losers." Esper has served as Trump's third defense secretary for just over a year. He was confirmed by the Senate in July, succeeding acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Trump's first Pentagon chief, James Mattis. Trump has told aides for months that he is unhappy with Esper and wants to fire him. Trump's allies inside and outside the White House have told him that shaking up leadership at the Pentagon before the Nov. 3 election would create turmoil in his administration during the closing weeks of the campaign. It would come at a time when the president is planning to reduce the number of U.S. forces in hot spots such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Esper's standing with Trump has taken a significant hit this summer, after he broke with the president on several high-profile issues. In June, Esper told NBC News that he would not support using the Insurrection Act to quell civil unrest across the country, even though Trump was leaving open the possibility of invoking the law to deploy federalized troops to respond to the protests. Another recent point of friction was the idea of renaming military bases named for Confederate generals and leaders. In June, Esper said he was open to the idea of renaming the bases. But days later, Trump issued a series of tweets denouncing the idea, writing that "my Administration will not even consider renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations." He followed up with "Respect our Military!" Later in the summer, when asked whether he had confidence in his defense secretary, Trump took a notable swipe at Esper. "Mark Yesper?" he responded, using the nickname some lawmakers and administration officials use to privately deride Esper as Trump's "yes man." "Some people call him Yesper," Trump added. "I get along with him fine. He's fine." Asked whether he had considered firing Esper, Trump said: "I consider firing everybody. At some point, at some point, that's what happens." Wilkie, who has been VA secretary since July 2018, has spent years working in various positions at the Pentagon. He was Mattis' undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, and he held more junior roles under defense secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. Wilkie remains a colonel in the Air Force Reserve. In March, Wilkie was named a member of the coronavirus task force set up by Vice President Mike Pence. A senior administration official said the task force work raised Wilkie's visibility and profile with Trump and other White House officials in recent weeks. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: Over 10,000 people have been arrested as protests continue across U.S Jill Duggar enjoyed a pina colada while out for a date night with her husband Derick Dillard this weekend making her the first Duggar to confirm that she drinks alcohol. On Saturday, the 29-year-old went out for dinner with Derick at a Mexican restaurant in Arkansas and shared a picture showing a tasty-looking frozen drink in front of her. When commenters asked what she was sipping, she told them it was a pina colada and further confirmed that it was a 'regular' one, not a virgin one made without alcohol. Freedom! Jill Duggar enjoyed a pina colada while out for a date night with her husband Derick Dillard this weekend making her the first Duggar to confirm that she drinks alcohol Good for her! She confirmed that it was a 'regular' alcoholic version of the drink in the comments 'Date night with my favorite person @derickdillard,' Jill wrote, captioning a photo of herself and Derick sitting side-by-side. 'Weve missed our regular date night outings during covid and have had lots of in home dates, but we were able to swap childcare with friends last night for a date!' In the comments section, she responded to inquisitive fans asking about her drink choice, confirming that she was, in fact, having an alcoholic beverage. Even a single cocktail is a major departure from Jill's upbringing in a strict evangelical Christian family, where she and her siblings were raised to stay away from alcohol. For some fundamentalist Christians, even wine is off-limits and they believe that references to wine in the Bible actually mean grape juice. There has been some speculation that Jill has opened up to the occasional cocktail, but this is the first time that she has explicitly said so. Go, girl! In July, Jill and Derick visited a whiskey and cigar lounge owned by her cousin Amy's husband Dillon King Snark? Amy, 33, said their new favorite word was 'freedom' on Instagram and Jill's husband Derick Dillard thanked them for 'good food, drinks, and company' In July, the mother-of-two was pictured out at Wellington's, a whiskey and cigar lounge in Springdale, Arkansas owned by her cousin Amy's husband Dillon King. Jill wasn't actually photographed partaking in either vice, but Derick Dillard did thank the other couple for treating them to 'good food, drinks, and company.' Amy shared a photo of them together on Instagram after the visit, taking a dig at Jill's parents and her restrictive upbringing in the caption. 'Our new favorite word: Freedom!' she wrote. While Jill didn't comment on the snarky caption, Derick did chime in, writing: 'Thanks for treating us! We had a great time! Good food, drinks, and company (not necessarily in that order.) Though the picture didn't show Jill or Derick actually drinking or smoking cigars for that matter Jill did post some snaps of the cheese and charcuterie plate they enjoyed which seemed to be a perfect pairing for a glass of wine. Yum! Though Jill wasn't pictured with alcohol at the time, she did share a photo of a tasty cheese and charcuterie plate No big deal! Her 'rebel' cousin Amy has no problem with alcohol, and seems to be supporting Jill while her relationship with the rest of her family is strained Jill, however, has been stepping away from a lot of her parents' stricter teachings and her husband has hinted before that they may not mind a drink here or there. In 2018, when a Twitter user asked Derick why they didn't drink wine, he seemed to deny it. 'Where did you read that?' he said. 'I dont think weve ever said that.' Jill has 'rebelled' against her parents' rules and teachings countless other ways, too, wearing pants and even shorts, cutting her once-long hair, taking relatively openly about sex (within the confines of marriage, of course), piercing her nose, and some fans speculate using birth control (the couple has not confirmed this; though Derick did say that his own parents used birth control). This summer, she shared a sponsored Instagram post for a modest swimwear company, modeling several of their outfits. Branching out: This summer, she shared a sponsored Instagram post for a modest swimwear company, modeling several of their outfits Big boy time: Jill Duggar's oldest son Israel started kindergarten two weeks ago Off they go! The whole family went with Israel to drop him off at the school - and all four of them donned face masks per the school's new regulations And on August 24, she dropped her oldest son, Israel, off at his first day of kindergarten in public school after she and her siblings had all been homeschooled. The proud mom seemed thrilled to be sending her five-year-old off on an adventure she herself never got to have. Unfortunately, some of this and the couple's refusal to film for the family's TLC reality show anymore has led to strained relationships with Jill's parents. Derick has claimed on numerous occasions that Jill's father, Jim Bob, restricts her visits to their home and that Jill has to ask permission to come over, especially if Jim Bob isn't there. Jill even reportedly had to get permission from Jim Bob to go do her sister Jessa's house when she gave birth to daughter Ivy last year. Down with the tyrant! Meanwhile, Derick has been calling out Jill's dad Jim Bob for restricting their access to the rest of the family Enabler: Jim Bob reportedly restricts Jill's access to the family home, and she is unwelcome at some family gatherings but Jill's abuser, sex pest Josh, is inexplicably welcome Derick has had some truly scathing words for his father-in-law, who doesn't seem to place similar restrictions on older son Josh, who admitted molesting four of his younger sisters, including Jill, as well as a fourth child when he was a teenager. In July, he even went so far as to compare Jim Bob, 55, to Jeffrey Epstein, accusing him of placing a higher importance on money than following Jesus. '[Counting On is] is still under his control. And he will attack the victims if they threaten his show. 'We were humiliated and threatened when we first tried to not film,' he added. 'We have to break this culture, that cares more about money and ratings than protecting the most vulnerable. 'Jeff Epstein already showed us that if you have enough money, power, and influence, you can get away with anything. Sadly, it doesnt stop with him. There are many more stories in this world that are not too different, existing in a culture where it can still thrive.' The move could risk the collapse of talks with the EU over a free trade deal. The UK Labour Party says it would be an act of '"immense bad faith". Meanwhile, Mr Johnson says Britain will walk away from negotiations in 38 days time. As part of the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the region is expected to continue to follow some EU rules after the transition period ends in 2021 to ensure there is no hard border. As the Brexit negotiations between the EU and British Government enter their eighth round this week in London, any threats of a roll back on the Irish protocol would represent a treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy, and GFA. 1/2 Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) September 6, 2020 Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill tweeted that any threat of backtracking on the protocol would be a treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday Agreement. Advertisement Ms ONeill stressed the need for the protocol to be fully implemented as soon as possible and to avoid any border in Ireland. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move would constitute a repudiation by the Government of a treaty freely negotiated by it and which was described as oven ready by Mr Johnson. She tweeted this would significantly increase the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans. If true, this means repudiation by UK govt of a Treaty freely negotiated by it, & described by PM in GE as an oven ready deal. This will significantly increase likelihood of no deal, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans. https://t.co/p0Ur3YwEnK Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 6, 2020 SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the British government would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement, risking the future of the UK and destroying its own credibility on the world stage if it proceeded with one of the most reckless acts concerning Ireland by a British government in a long long time. Its absolutely astonishing that any government who says they want to go and do trade deals around the world would just rip up an agreement that they made a few months ago with the European Union, Mr Eastwood told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour. Advertisement And what they would be doing in that would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement which is an agreement voted for by the vast majority of people on the island of Ireland, theyd be risking a hard border in our country and theyd be threatening the peace and security that weve built up over decades. It would be the most reckless act that a British government, and theyve made many reckless acts in Ireland in a long, long time and if they do this their international credibility I think would be shot to pieces. Mr Eastwood said he hoped the reported manoeuvrings by the British government were just posturing, because if they try to do this at the same time as trying to convince people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about the future of their Union, well they may as well forget about that as well, because people here will see this as a tremendous act of bad faith. Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said the reported development would be a very unwise way to proceed. This would be a very unwise way to proceed. #Brexit . https://t.co/D4aod2665h Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) September 6, 2020 Despite the accusations, UK environment secretary George Eustice said the story did not reflect what was actually happening. "The news this morning can obviously exaggerate certain things. The point is the Northern Ireland protocol is agreed. "We are working in good faith but it was always recognised that there are a few minor technical issues that still needed to be resolved through a joint-committee process and that work is ongoing." Representatives of Hyundai Motor's union and management attend a meeting on this year's wage negotiation and collective bargaining at the company's plant in Ulsan, Aug. 13. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor By Nam Hyun-woo Domestic carmakers are weighed down by growing uncertainties as unions stage standoffs with management in wage negotiations. Concern is growing on the Korean carmakers, as their domestic sales which had been relatively intact amid the COVID-19 pandemic show signs of contraction as the coronavirus becomes resurgent across the country. As unions add more woes, the outlook remains grim on their recovery from the current slowdown. According to industry officials, GM Korea's union plans to file for mediation on its dispute with the management to the National Labor Relations Commission. If the commission suspends mediation after recognizing wide differences in the parties, the union can launch strikes legitimately. Earlier this month, 80 percent of 7,778 union members voted for labor actions in regards to the protracted negotiations for wages and collective bargaining this year. Since July 22, the union and management have been in talks, but have failed to narrow their differences as the company refuses to accept the union's demand of a 120,304 won hike in monthly salary and additional incentives. GM Korea has been posting losses for six consecutive years. The company initially expected to snap the losing streak with the Trailblazer crossover, but faced a slowdown in overseas markets. From January to August, the company sold 228,417 vehicles, down 20.6 percent from a year earlier. Domestic sales increased 10.7 percent from the same period a year earlier, but exports plunged by 26.9 percent during the same period. As part of its protest, GM Korea's union is reportedly preparing for a joint protest with the unions of Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors. Hyundai's union, which is the largest in the country, has been showcasing a moderate stance this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned recently to its conventional hardline approach. The union said in its recent newsletter that Vice Chairman Yoon Yeo-chul visited the company's plant in Ulsan and told executives there that there will be no salary hike and no incentives at all, citing a slowdown stemming from the pandemic. The union said Yoon's remark was "nonsense" and it will return to conflict unless management comes up with a reasonable plan in this year's salary negotiations. Hyundai Motor sold 2.24 million vehicles from January to August this year, down 21. 4 percent from a year earlier. The company also logged a 3.9 percent growth in domestic sales during the cited period, but faced a 26.8 percent decline in exports. Renault Samsung is also taking on labor disputes, as its union plans to join the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the largest umbrella organization of unions in Korea, as part of its protest against the company in this year's wage negotiation and collective bargaining. Unlike unions at Hyundai, Kia and GM Korea, Renault Samsung's union is not a member of the KCTU. If Renault Samsung union joins the militant federation, it will exercise stronger influence in negotiations with management. The union members will vote on whether to join the KCTU later this week. Renault Samsung sold 84,157 vehicles from January to August this year, down 26.6 percent from a year earlier. It enjoyed a 28.6 percent increase in domestic sales as its new crossover XM3 enjoys popularity, but saw its export plunging by 73.4 percent amid the global market downturn and setbacks in securing production volume for exports. "Domestic carmakers avoided the worst situation in the first half as sales within the country were intact," a car company official said. "However, as the pandemic became resurgent and tax benefits end, they are losing domestic momentum while exports remain tepid. As uncertainties loom large, continued labor disputes will drag down carmakers' competitiveness further." The GST Council will meet on Thursday to take a call on the borrowing options given by the Centre to meet the compensation gap of states. Ahead of the special meeting, finance ministry sources reiterated that the shortfall in compensation to states - whether on account of GST implementation or the coronavirus (Covid-19 pandemic) - would be compensated. The ministry also ruled out borrowing by the Centre as suggested by some states with sources saying that under the GST law, the compensation cess is a tax owned by the states and under Article 292 of the Constitution. The Centre can ... You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The Japanese Coast Guard will conduct on Monday aerial search operations for the missing crew of the capsized Gulf Livestock 1 cargo ship, according to the Philippines' Foreign Affairs Department. In its latest bulletin, the DFA, citing reports from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, said search operations through patrol boat are still "not possible at this time" due to weather conditions in the area. "The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, reports that the Japanese Coast Guard will conduct aerial search operations today. As the area is still pounded by gusty winds, search by patrol boat is not possible at this time," the agency said in a statement. Search and rescue operations for the missing crew of the Panamanian-registered vessel was put on hold on Saturday, with Japanese officials anticipating a strong typhoon over the weekend. Rescue teams earlier evacuated the area due to bad weather, according to the Labor Department. The Japanese coast guard has so far rescued two Filipinos in the East China Sea where the ship carrying 42 crew members and more than 5,800 cows went missing last week during the onslaught of Typhoon Maysak. Officials earlier reported that 39 of the crew members were Filipinos. DOLE meanwhile assured that the rescued seafarers both recovering at a Japan hospital are in good condition and will be brought home to the Philippines soon. The DFA, on the other hand, said it is also coordinating with the Japanese Coast Guard, the ship's owner and manning agency in an effort to extend support for the seafarers and their families. This oil crisis is also producing a hardening of authoritarianism. Under normal circumstances, an economic crisis such as Venezuelas would have produced one of two political outcomes: a change in policy or a change in government. In Venezuela, it is producing more repression. For ruling parties, policy changes make sense when the ruling party is interested in staying electorally competitive. But since the mid-2000s, Venezuelas ruling party has given up on fair elections. It is only interested in staying in office. So instead of policy corrections, Mr. Maduro has relied on unregulated gold mining (whose toll on the environment and human security is also dismal), crackdowns on citizens protests and electoral tricks to disarm the opposition. This culminated in this summers nationalization of the opposition parties. The Constitution of Venezuela mandates that Mr. Maduro schedule a legislative election this year. The government knows it cannot win such an election competing freely, so it has opted to change the electoral rules. The government has expanded the number of seats in the National Assembly from 167 to 277 with the aim of diluting the power of the strongest opposition parties now in control. It has also refused to make electoral authorities impartial and replaced the leadership of opposition parties with people willing to go along with the government. Mr. Maduro has pardoned more than 100 political prisoners, which is a nice concession, but has kept the electoral irregularities in place. These irregularities have split the opposition into two camps, with one sector hoping to compete electorally and another calling for abstention. The United States is claiming, rightly, that the election is rigged. It may even be encouraging the opposition to abstain rather than unite electorally. The problem is that abstention is exactly what the Venezuelan government wants. The United States may be unintentionally helping the government weaken the once electorally mighty opposition. The United States has also played a role in the oil spill. While the spill is the result of industry decay in Venezuela, its continuation is connected to the U.S. oil embargo. Venezuela is now precluded from using refineries in the United States to process its oil into gasoline. This is one reason the government has not shut down the damaged refinery: It is the only one in the country that produces gasoline. So the leak has continued, with oil now entering rivers and lakes. Its easy to blame factors such as poor vision by the opposition and inconsistent responses by the United States for Venezuelas turn to incompetent and mean authoritarianism. Those factors are present, but they are not the main drivers. Venezuelas descent into authoritarianism has the same source as Julys oil spill: Venezuela is a petrostate that has lost interest in accountability. Javier Corrales, (@jcorrales2011) a professor of political science at Amherst College, is the author, most recently, of Fixing Democracy: Why Constitutional Change Often Fails to Enhance Democracy in Latin America. 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. Emma Barnett has been named as the new host of Womans Hour. The long-running BBC Radio 4 talk show recently announced that its current presenters, Dame Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey, would be stepping down. Barnett, who is known for her work on 5 Live and Newsnight, has already presented Womens Hours late-night spin-off and regularly chairs the Womans Hour Power List. BBC media editor Amol Rajan said that no decision has yet been made on Barnetts co-host. Rajan also described the recent departures of Murray and Garvey as coincidental. Barnett will assume the post in January 2021, which will bring an end to her work on 5 Live. She said: I have a long love of Womans Hour and live radio and know that this is a very special and rare opportunity. What adventures we are going to have together - all starting in the year that this BBC institution, the radio mothership, turns 75. Womans Hour first launched in 1946 on the BBC Light Programme, and is one of the longest-running series on UK radio. Garvey, who has presented the series for 13 years, announced last week that she would be departing, and will host her own Radio 4 show next year. We had a human being in a need of help, in need of compassion. In that moment we had an opportunity to protect him, to keep him warm, to bring him to safety, to begin the process of healing him and lifting him up, Warren said. We have to own the fact that in the moment we did not do that. 5 | India to get 100 million AstraZeneca's vaccine shots by December 2020, say Reports: With Covishield, the coronavirus vaccine candidate jointly developed by the University of Oxford and British firm AstraZeneca entering phase 3 trials, Serum Institute of India (SII) has started ramping up the production of the vaccine. The world's largest vaccine maker plans to have 100 million doses ready by December 2020 for an inoculation drive that could begin across India that same month, Bloomberg reported on November 13. From Russia sharing data on the safety and efficacy of its vaccine with India to China flaunting its COVID-19 vaccine for the first time, here are all the latest developments from the global race for an effective vaccine against the infectious virus, which has affected millions of people across the world. India may conduct separate Phase 3 trial of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Russia has shared comprehensive data pertaining to its COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V with India. Russia has shared details of the vaccine's safety and efficacy. India had earlier sought the information from Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. 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 "We are now deeply engaged with Russia on the vaccine front," a source told The Indian Express. India also has the option of conducting a separate Phase 3 clinical trial in the country after getting the necessary approvals, the report said. China shows-off COVID-19 vaccines for first time China has put its homegrown COVID-19 vaccines on display for the first time, as the country where the contagion was discovered looks to shape the narrative surrounding the pandemic. High hopes hang on the small vials of liquid - vaccine candidates produced by Chinese companies Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm - on show at a Beijing trade fair this week. Neither has hit the market yet but the makers hope they will be approved after the all-important phase 3 trials as early as year-end. UNICEF to lead global procurement, supply of COVID-19 vaccines In what could possibly be the world's largest and fastest ever operation of its kind, UNICEF has announced that it will be leading the procurement and supply of coronavirus vaccines to ensure that all countries have safe, fast and equitable access to initial doses when they are available. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the world's largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. With several vaccine candidates showing promise, the UN agency, in collaboration with the Revolving Fund of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will lead efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility for 92 low and lower middle-income countries, whose vaccine purchases will be supported by the mechanism. Australia expects to receive AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine within months Australia expects to receive its first batches of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as the number of new daily infections in the country's virus hotspot fell to a 10-week low. Morrison said his government has struck a deal with CSL Ltd to manufacture two vaccines - one developed by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and another developed in CSL's own labs with the University of Queensland. Morrison said Australia will in January and Feburary 2021 receive 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, in January and February last year. Motor Sich airlines (Zaporizhia) is canceling flights between Zaporizhia and Minsk (Belarus) until September 30, the company said on Facebook. Motor Sich notes that this decision was made in connection with the continuing difficult epidemiological situation caused by the spread of COVID-19. The company promises to inform additionally about the exact date of the resumption of flights on this route. "Passengers who have tickets for canceled flights, please contact the airline's contact center or travel agency where the ticket was purchased to resolve the issue of refunding the paid transportation or postponing the departure to a later date," the report says. India and Bangladesh are expected to hold a virtual meeting of their Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) later this month to review the bilateral relationship, people familiar with developments said on Monday. The matter figured in a phone conversation between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen. Jaishankar tweeted the two sides had agreed to hold the JCC meeting very soon but there were no details from the external affairs ministry. Warm conversation with FM Dr AK Abdul Momen of Bangladesh. Agreed to hold our Joint Consultative Commission very soon. Will continue to work closely to reach the ambitious goals set by our leaders, Jaishankar tweeted. The people cited above said on condition of anonymity that the two sides are expected to hold the JCC meeting via video conference in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The two leaders also discussed recent initiatives to improve connectivity between the two countries, including the operationalisation of the Daukandi-Sonamura inland waterway route on September 5 with the trial run of a vessel carrying cement from the Bangladeshi side to the northeastern state of Tripura, the people said. The last JCC meeting was held in New Delhi in February last year, when Momen and his then Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj led their respective sides. Momen told the BSS news agency in Dhaka that he and Jaishankar ageed in principle during their conversation to hold the JCC meeting virtually. BSS reported Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud bin Momen is unlikely to visit New Delhi ahead of the JCC meeting. At the last JCC meeting, the two sides had signed four MoUs to strengthen multifaceted cooperation. These MoUs covered the mid-career training of 1,800 Bangladeshi government employees, cooperation between AYUSH and the Bangladesh health ministry in the field of medicinal plants, cooperation between the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and cooperation with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority to facilitate investments in an Indian economic zone in Mongla. Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday (September 7) said that the road and electricity condition in the state has improved a lot and his government has successfully established law-abiding culture. He further said that he believes more in working rather than advertising about his work. Addressing the JDU's virtual rally, he said, ''The youth today does not know about the past situation of the state, therefore they should know about it so that they can understand the difference between the past and the present scenario.'' Speaking on coronavirus situation in the state, Nitish said, ''Many people in Bihar keep criticising us, without any information. In March, we had decided to increase testing capacity for COVID19 & today over 1 lakh 50 thousand people are being tested every day. We have more than sufficient arrangements for COVID here.'' He said that 20.95 lakh people received financial support from Bihar government during lockdown and more than 1.5 million people were kept at the quarantine center. He further informed that 5 kg extra ration was given to ration card holders. He also lauded Bihar government's effort to tackle flood situation and said 83 lakh people affected by floods were provided assistance. He further said, ''We work on the policy of zero tolerance. We cannot compromise with Triple C.'' Targeting RJD, he said, ''RJD ruled for so many years but could not even do the work of sieging the cemetery but in our government, each work is being given attention.'' Nitish Kumar has said that the Central and State Government have started schemes to give employment to migrants workers. 32 districts of Bihar are getting the benefit of the Central scheme so people should stop speaking against us without knowing the reality. People with ties to San Francisco have long known that Kamala Harris is ambitious but not too bright. Her success over the years came about because she latched onto then-mayor Willie Brown, even though Kamala was 30 years younger than the still married Brown. Love him or hate him, Brown is one of the smartest people in politics, and, even after the two ended their relationship, he regularly advised Kamala as she climbed up the California political ladder. It's tough to believe that Kamala spoke to Brown before she jumped with both feet into the Jacob Blake matter. If they had spoken, I'm reasonably sure that Brown would have told her that a person with her political prominence should never give an opinion about a famous or, worse, politically charged criminal trial. Doing so provides an opening for defense counsel to claim that it is impossible to find neutral jurors, forcing a mistrial or even dismissal. That's good for the police (whom I support) but is not the outcome Harris wants. But Harris may be too big (at least in her mind) to get advice from Willie Brown anymore. That's the only explanation for why she did this in a CNN interview: Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris has said that based on the video of Jacob Blake's shooting, the white police officer who shot him should be charged. In a wide-ranging interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Harris said she was "very clear" that the charges should be "considered in a very serious way and that there should be accountability and consequence." "Based on what I saw, he should be charged," the California senator told Bash, but added that she was "not in full possession of the facts and the evidence." Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris says while she is not in full possession of the facts in the Jacob Blake shooting, based on what she has seen, she believes charges "should be considered in a very serious way and that there should be accountability." pic.twitter.com/PTtdWfIjUS CNN (@CNN) September 6, 2020 Kamala made two big mistakes. The first is her reading of the Jacob Blake shooting video. Anyone who's spent even the smallest amount of time looking at the video and who has even a passing familiarity with criminal law (as Kamala should, given that she was San Francisco's district attorney and then California's attorney general) would know that the video, with nothing more, shows that the officers have a strong defense. In Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 395-396 (1989), the Supreme Court stated the "reasonableness" standard courts must use to determine whether a law enforcement officer acted unreasonably. The Court even spelled out the metric for determining reasonableness (emphasis mine): Because "[t]he test of reasonableness under the Fourth Amendment is not capable of precise definition or mechanical application," Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 441 U.S. 559 (1979), however, its proper application requires careful attention to the facts and circumstances of each particular case, including the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and whether he is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. See Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. at 471 U.S. 8-9 (the question is "whether the totality of the circumstances justifie[s] a particular sort of. . . seizure"). The "reasonableness" of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight. See Terry v. Ohio, supra, at 392 U.S. 20-22. *** The calculus of reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation. On the video alone, we know that Blake fought with the police, didn't respond to a stun gun, refused to respond to orders, and reached into the car. That made it reasonable for the officers to be worried about this horrific outcome: When you dont shoot a killer resisting arrest and reaching in his car... pic.twitter.com/E8Do6BYimp James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 25, 2020 (The two officers survived.) Add in the fact that Blake had admitted to having a gun, that they were coming because he was wanted on a serious outstanding warrant, and that he didn't respond to being tasered well, it would be a stupid prosecutor who would bring charges. Kamala's other big mistake is that she doesn't know her history. If she did, she would have been as wise as Trump was when reporters tried to pin him down on the Ghislaine Maxwell matter. Trump merely said he wished her "well," an ambiguous, almost meaningless statement. Trump may have held his fire because he was remembering what happened in 1970 when Richard Nixon scolded the media for making Charles Manson appear as a "rather glamorous figure." According to Nixon, Manson was "guilty, directly or indirectly, of eight murders without reason." Manson's attorneys immediately demanded a mistrial, saying Nixon had irredeemably tainted the jury pool. The judge denied the motion, but it could easily have gone the other way. Kamala is a prominent public figure. Anything she says about guilt or innocence in a specific matter is going to affect potential jurors, especially now that the internet brings all the news to everybody. She would have been much wiser to keep her mouth shut. (Again, this works in the police officers' favor, so I'm not complaining, just observing.) But if she'd been wiser, she wouldn't be Kamala Harris, would she? Image: Kamala Harris (cropped) by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Henry Nana Boakye, National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has condemned former President and NDC 2020 Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama's support for a comment on Akyem people. Mr. Mahama endorsed an article authored by Bolgatanga Central MP, Isaac Adongo regarding President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government. Hon. Adongo captioned the article "Agyapa Royalties fraud is the last straw: The Akyem Sakawa Boys and Grandpas Must Go"and the former President shared it on his Facebook page. Isaac Adongo's statement Hon. Isaac Adongo wrote: Agyapa Royalties Fraud Is The Last Straw: The Akyem Sakawa Boys and Grandpas Must Go Agyapa royalties deal is a big fraud on Ghana by Akufo-Addo and the Akyem Mafia. You mortgaged Getfund proceeds in excess of GHS25 billion for the next 10 years to borrow $1.5 billion and yet you could not expand educational infrastructure and build new schools to end double track, you mortgaged bauxite buried on the ground to Sinohydro to borrow $2 billion but has nothing to show after almost 2 years, you mortgaged ESLA proceeds for the next 10 years worth in excess of GHS30 billion in 10 years to raise energy sector bonds of about $1.3 billion and yet energy sector debts remain unpaid and you have since accumulated over $ 2 billion additional energy sector debt with power producers threatening to shut their power plants. " . . How can 76-year-old Akufo-Addo mortgage revenues of about GHS75 billion of the state for his maladministration to steal without caring about how his children and grandchildren will manage the economy into the future. No wicked man has ever ruled this country and destroyed Ghanas fiscal and debt framework the way Nana Addo and the empty lying Dr Bawumia have done...They will now sell us to borrow to satisfy their insatiable corrupt habits if they are allowed 1 more year in office''. Prez Akufo-Addo Blasts Mahama The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the action of the former President. According to him, it doesn't befit the personality and character of a former President to validate such a comment classified as tribalistic. Sometimes, one would hope when things come out, people will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent: Akyem Sakawa people, I have not heard any public figure in this country or anybody comment on it. If I was to get up to make a comment about northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that will be in the country, the President bemoaned. If you criticise the government, no matter what you say, it is legitimate. If the government is to respond, that is somehow illegitimate, the President complained, adding: If the President opens his mouth and says something that is unacceptable, he should be reprimanded. In the same way, opposition politicians, if they conduct themselves by their utterances in an unacceptable manner, they should be brought to book," President Akufo-Addo further decried. But the NDC Presidential candidate has refused to retract his action nor apologize for it. Akufo-Addo Has No Right To Complain Mr. John Mahama says the President has no moral right to complain about his validation of Hon. Adongo's statements. President Akufo-Addo has lost the right to complain because while he was in opposition, he called his predecessors all sorts of names," NDC Flagbearer said. He called me Dr. Do Little and called somebody Simpa Panyin and I dont want to repeat some of the things he has said. He is a President who has called his critics naysayers and Jeremiahs, so I dont understand on what standard he will be offended at this time because, when he has precedence of name-calling, he said. A Dangerous Call Addressing the issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Nana Boakye a.k.a Nana B was extremely disappointed in Mr. Mahama for his shameless description of Akyem people as ''sakawa boys and grandpas''. To him, President Akufo-Addo can stomach all political insults on his personality but for it to be extended to capture an entire Akyem population is something that should not be entertained. He labeled Mr. Mahama's action as a "dangerous call" and called on the elders of the land needs to vehemently condemn him. "Nobody stops you if you want to criticize the President but to lump an entire tribe and call them 'Akyem sakawa boys'; why? The truth is Nana Addo has been badmouthed. People have maligned him. He has become a target of political insults on his person but he's unperturbed but to attack his tribe, it's a dangerous call . . . It was in bad taste. I implore all our elders to condemn it," Nana B told Kwami Sefa Kayi. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moira Warburton (Reuters) Vancouver, Canada Mon, September 7, 2020 09:34 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4319586 2 World US-Canada,border,border-areas,border-closure,coronavirus,coronavirus-restrictions,COVID-19 Free They are small towns along the Canadian-American border, marooned by geography, whose residents' lives have already been upended by the border closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with winter approaching, residents of Campobello Island in Canada's Atlantic province of New Brunswick and the small US town of Point Roberts in Washington state are bracing for continued isolation adding to winter blues, exposing how tightly intertwined are communities that straddle an international border. Campobello Island, located off the coast of the US state of Maine, is accessible only by a private ferry service that runs during the summer or by driving through Maine, which connects to the island via a bridge. The lack of easy access to the rest of Canada has long been an issue, but is compounded by the pandemic, said Justin Tinker, 34, a civil engineer whose family has lived on Campobello Island for 10 generations. Residents of the island have to pass through the United States to go to a hospital on the Canadian mainland, but they now could wind up being turned away from the hospital because they've been to the US within the last two weeks, Tinker said. "Campobello's always come together when it needs to, but there's anxiety," said Tinker, who blames the province for dragging its feet on the lack of a solution. "Once that ferry stops running we can't get to Campobello Island within our own province." Across the continent, Point Roberts, a town of around 1,300 year-round residents in Washington state, sits on the tip of Canada's Tsawwassen Peninsula. Its proximity to Canada has made the local economy reliant on Canadian visitors, but also means that locals rely on an open border to access healthcare and other facilities. "We have five gas stations. We don't have five gas stations for 1,000 people," said Christopher Carleton, fire chief for Point Roberts, explaining the reliance on Canadians, who cross the border to buy gas that is roughly a third cheaper. Kids and isolation Carleton has been raising the alarm about an impending mental health crisis among residents in Point Roberts as their isolation looks likely to drag on into the winter. His efforts bring more attention to the plight of Point Roberts residents, though pressure on state and federal politicians hasn't paid off so far. Washington state Governor Jay Inslee wrote to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in August, asking him to address the "unique hardships" faced by Point Roberts residents. Beth Calder, 48, manages Point to Point Parcel, a package receiving business mainly serving Canadians who drive to Point Roberts to collect parcels, dodging expensive or unavailable international shipping. "Without the Canadians coming down and using our service, it's crippling our company," Calder said, citing a 90% drop in business as soon as the border closed. She described life in Point Roberts during the pandemic as "eerie." "If we can't get back to what was the normal, I don't see how we can survive," she said. Sandra Procter, 52, another Point Roberts resident, said she has cried every day since she and her husband made the decision to send their 16-year-old son to live with friends on the Canadian side of the border in late August so he can continue attending school in Vancouver, British Columbia. Point Roberts' school only goes up to Grade 3, after which age children attend schools in Washington or Canada. Although education was considered an essential reason to cross the border in June, when schools in British Columbia reopened, that's no longer the case. Public Safety Canada said the policy barring Americans from crossing the border for school will remain in place as long as the border closure continues. The US-Canada border is closed for non-essential travel until Sept. 21. The change in policy "came out of the blue," Procter said. "For the mental health of a 16-year-old, being as isolated as he is here, it's not healthy. "We're not asking for the border to be opened up, we're just asking that our kids' education is considered essential." Tens of thousands of people are being deprived of humanitarian aid in northern Mozambique as extremist militants intensify an Islamist insurgency, the UN agency World Food Programme said on Monday. Jihadists have been waging a violent campaign in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since 2017, launching sporadic attacks on towns and villages in a bid to establish a caliphate. The insurgency has claimed more than 1,500 lives and displaced at least 250,000 -- a tenth of the total provincial population. Lola Castro, World Food Programme's regional director for southern Africa, said that of those 250,000 internally displaced, "we are accessing 180,000" -- leaving 70,000 people without aid. Speaking to journalists in Johannesburg, Castro described northern Mozambique as "a very worrisome area". Cabo Delgado's insurgency has increasingly hampered humanitarian assistance in the area in recent months, forcing the International Committee for the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders to suspend operations in the town of Macomia in June. The militants took control of a key port city of Mocimboa da Praia nearly four weeks ago and government troops are still battling to recover it. World Food Programme and other humanitarian organisations operating in the area are concerned at the prospect of the conflict spreading northwards into neighbouring Tanzania. Castro also warned that food insecurity could affect 44.8 million people across the southern African region -- up from 41.2 million last year -- in the coming months through to 2021. The food shortages arise mainly from the combined effects of drought and economic hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Thirteen of the 16 countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc are threatened with food insecurity "not seen in many years," Castro added. President Trump reversed course Friday and announced that his administration would not eliminate funding for Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper that has been keeping troops informed since the Civil War. The presidents retreat came as a flurry of news reports were blaming him for the Pentagons proposed budget cuts. It also came as the White House was furiously trying to deny a report in the Atlantic quickly matched by other outlets, including Fox News that Trump had made disparaging comments about American soldiers killed in battle. So it was obviously in the presidents political interest to preserve a publication that is often the only source of independent news for troops in war zones. It otherwise was set to cease print and online publication by Sept. 30 under Trumps Defense Department budget, which would have saved $15.5 million out of a $700 billion spending plan. The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @starsandstripes magazine under my watch, Trump tweeted Friday. It will continue to be a wonderful source of information to our Great Military! Stars and Stripes had its bipartisan defenders on Capitol Hill. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a former Air Force lawyer, said, as a veteran who has served overseas, he knew the value it brought to readers. The importance of its print publication is magnified in areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq where internet access is limited. It also reports on an array of issues of particular interest to military personnel and their families. Stars and Stripes is an essential part of our nations freedom of the press that serves the very population charged with defending that freedom, 11 U.S. senators, including Californias Dianne Feinstein, said in a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper before Trump withdrew the proposed funding cut. The strength of its credibility editorial independence, a willingness to publish stories and showcase views that contradict the official line has made it a source of irritation for administrations even before the Trump era. President Barack Obamas administration had proposed cuts to the publications budget. Yet the latest tug-of-war over Stars and Stripes funding comes at a particularly precarious moment for government-funded independent journalism. Michael Pack, Trumps newly confirmed appointee to head the U.S. Agency for Global Media, wasted no time in wreaking havoc on one of its signature outlets, Voice of America an outlet the president has called disgusting. Pack is a close ally of Steve Bannon, the former Trump campaign strategist and White House adviser who was recently charged with fraud for allegedly diverting funds to personal expenses from the nonprofit We Build the Wall campaign. Pack fired four of the top officials of those agencies and replaced their bipartisan board members with political appointees. The remaining leaders of Voice of America resigned in protest. Pack has said one of his goals is to deal with these issues of perceived bias, an ominous warning from a conservative filmmaker. He also drew the ire of a group of Voice of America journalists by suggesting the outlet was a great place to be a foreign spy, a comment that could endanger their safety. One of the serious challenges for all American journalists in hostile areas of the world is the suspicion that they may be doing clandestine work for their government. U.S. interests are served when our troops are kept informed with the news and when citizens of totalitarian nations can witness an American commitment to a free press. These outlets must not be silenced or turned into propaganda machines. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Puspa Amri and Rocky Intan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, September 8 2020 COVID-19 arrived not only amid a retreat of multilateralism and rising strategic rivalry between the United States and China, but also at a time of ongoing worrying trends for democracies worldwide. Freedom House noted in March 2020 that we are entering the 14th year of consecutive decline in the health of democracy globally. Tracking the fate of the third wave democracies, Mainwaring and Bizzarro found that of the 91 democracies that emerged from 1974 to 2012, 34 experienced democratic breakdowns, while the quality of democratic practices stagnated in about 28 countries. In fact, several of those regimes may now be considered democracies in name only. Illustrative examples include Putins Russia, Orbans Hungary, Erdogans Turkey, and closer to home, Dutertes Philippines. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login About 27 rural districts in Mozambique are expected to benefit from a rural connectivity project launched by the government last week. According to the Xinhua news service, the project aims to provide free internet access to most of the countrys communities in the near future. It will be implemented through the creation of what are called digital squares. The minister of transport and communications Janfar Abdulai has said that the aim is that every municipality in Mozambique will have at least one digital square over the next five years. The project is funded by the Universal Access Service Fund (FSAU), which is affiliated to the Mozambican National Institute of Communications (INCM). While the coverage area of each digital square was not made clear (there are so far 73 of them), the initiative is expected to provide broadband internet to local communities in the southern provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane, the central provinces of Sofala and Zambezia and the northern provinces of Nampula and Niassa. As we noted in May, reporting on a Research & Markets analysis of the sector, mobile penetration in Mozambique remains far below the average for the region and there is considerable room for further growth in the coming years. There is also low fixed-line penetration. Therefore initiatives like this are likely to be very welcome developments as is the recent announcement that Vodacom Mozambique is to expand its network. Vodacom has also been involved in a rural connectivity agreement with Loon, a subsidiary of Alphabet, which takes internet connectivity to the skies in a fleet of balloons. Vodacom and Loon have signed a commercial contract to begin serving the Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces of Mozambique. By PTI LONDON: A man whose father gifted him 18-year-old whisky for his birthday every year is using the vintage liquor collection to buy a home in the UK, according to a media report. Matthew Robson from Taunton was born in 1992 and every year his father Pete bought him a Macallan Single Malt, spending 5,000 pounds on 28 bottles, the BBC News reported. Today, whisky connoisseurs value the collection at 40,000 pounds (Rs 39 lakh). A year-wise continuous chain of rare whisky is called a vertical and they are very rare to find, especially a set that spans across such a long period. Mathew says at first he viewed the gift as "quirky" and they came with the express order "never open them". "It probably wasn't the best gift for a young boy but now it has become quite the nest egg," the 28-year-old was quoted in the BBC report. His father Pete, 64, who is from Milnathort in Scotland, said the first bottle -- a 1974 vintage -- was bought to "wet the baby's head", referring to the drinks consumed with family and friends after the birth of a child. "I thought it would be interesting if I bought one every year and he'd end up with 18 bottles of 18-year-old whisky for his 18th birthday," Pete was quoted. "It wasn't the only present he got from us. It was just meant to be a unique present but it was a little bit of luck that we kept it going," he said. The collection is being sold by whisky broker Mark Littler. "The value of Macallan has risen massively over the last five to 10 years. To have such a vast collection of bottles is the real selling point of these," Littler, said, adding that offers were pouring in from the US and Asia. With Chinese State Councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi confirming his arrival in Moscow on Wednesday evening, the bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss ways and means to resolve the present Ladakh standoff is confirmed on September 10. The two leaders are meeting on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ministerial hosted by Russian Federation. The time of the meeting is being finalised. While EAM Jaishankar will arrive in Moscow on Tuesday evening with desk officers of China division, Foreign minister Wang will reach the next day to discuss the border escalation in Ladakh. The much awaited meeting of foreign ministers is expected to record a forward movement towards complete disengagement and de-escalation of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) with the Indian side insistent upon China to follow bilateral agreements and protocols since 1993. Although Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart Gen Wei Fenghe on the same platform on September 5, but the talks did not yield any result with both sides merely stating their formal positions. The meeting took place after Indian Army troops pre-empted a PLA aggression on south of Pangong Tso on August 29-30 and occupied the Rezang La ridgeline without either yielding to Chinese show of military strength or allowing them to cross the Indian perception of Line of Actual Control (LAC). Also Watch | Chinese army kidnapped 5 youths from Arunachal Pradesh: Congress leader During the meeting, foreign minister Jaishankar will remind his Chinese counterpart to implement the past bilateral agreements in letter and spirit including keeping minimum forces along the 3488km LAC. He will also demand that PLA forces restore status quo ante at Gogra-Hot Springs, Finger 4 relief feature on the north bank of Pangong Tso. Since the Indian pre-emption on August 29-30, the Xi Jinping regime has been asking the Indian Army to withdraw from their new positions south of Pangong Tso. It is understood that the Chinese Communist Governments move to deflect domestic discontent by invoking nationalism in Ladakh and South China Sea has not worked. According to China watchers, the PLA aggression in Ladakh will continue till such time CCP General Secretary XI is able to control the internal dissent whether it be on count of language as in Inner Mongolia, floods, economy or coronavirus which initiated from Wuhan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi, Sep 7 : The election to the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha will be held on September 14, the day Parliament's Monsoon Session convenes. The post fell vacant after Janata Dal-United MP Harivansh Narayan Singh's term in the Upper House expired. Harivansh has since been re-elected to the Rajya Sabha. "The Chairman, under Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Council of States, has fixed September 14 as the date of holding election to the said office of the Deputy Chairman," read an official notification issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretary General. The election will be held at 3 pm on September 14. The nominations will be accepted till noon on September 11. There is no official word from the BJP or the National Democratic Alliance on the likely candidate. The Congress and the United Progressive Alliance too has not officially announced any candidate though the matter is likely to be discussed in the Congress strategy meeting on Wednesday. The great Indian Festive season has started amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We all know what kind of a washout the first half of 2020 has been when it comes to businesses and even personal lives being completely disrupted. Given the strict Government directives on maintaining social distancing, the huge crowds of shoppers that usually throng the markets during this time might be a lot less this year. In normal circumstances, brands look at the festive season as an opportunity to gain maximum ROI, leveraging the consumer sentiments during this time. However, the unprecedented conditions have dampened the economy so far. While some are sceptical about businesses picking up during the rest of the year, we are also seeing a general mood of optimism. Also read: Consumers will increase spending on categories which are about home: Smita Murarka Amid such a scenario, Adgully has reached out to marketers and publishers across India to gauge the sentiments during the festive season this year as part of our special series on Festive Mood. Over the next few weeks, we will be bringing the views and insights from various markets on how marketers and publishers are endeavouring to trigger a revival and give a boost to festive sentiments. In conversation with Adgully, Deba Ghoshal, Vice President, Marketing & Key Accounts, Voltas, shares why he remains optimistic of a revival in consumer and market sentiments during the festive season amid pandemic condition. How do you see the consumer sentiments across the nation this year? Which markets are seen as leading the rebound and how? What factors will drive growth this festive season? How much do you see festive sales getting impacted due to COVID-19 this year? While there has been a substantial change in consumer behaviour, the white goods market is witnessing a slow yet steady return towards normalcy. There is a clear demand for need based products as consumers seek products to ease their daily lives in the new normal. We expect replacement demand to be high, since there has been a gap in consumption during peak lockdown. Earlier, we anticipated a phase-wise revival of different product categories, beginning with ACs and Air Coolers, followed by Washing Machines in monsoons, Refrigerators, Dishwashers and other Home Appliances, before the festival period. Thankfully, almost all the product categories are already gaining momentum as people continue to spend on these functional and necessary products, which are essential in the post-COVID world. While we are confident about the festive season, we need to be cautious about the temporary market lockdowns in new locations, which are continuously shifting due to the development of new COVID-19 hotspots. In the new normal, there is one category which is getting created from a consumer demand perspective, which is Dishwashers. Though on a relatively smaller base, we are witnessing an exponential growth in this category since March 2020, especially in the urban markets. For the festival season this year, we also expect more traction for Home Appliances, like Washing Machines & Refrigerators. What kind of integrated marketing activities are you planning for the festive season? On which platforms will you be investing your ad spends more and Why? What kind of digital push are you looking at? We are digitising a lot of our marketing efforts due to COVID-19 induced restrictions. We started ushering in the festive season amid the social distancing restrictions by announcing our Onam Celebration Offer for customers in Kerala through a digital meet. This digital Onam meet was actually a highly successful on-ground event till last year. As a part of our festival offer, consumers will have the opportunity to win benefits of up to Rs 20,000 on purchase of Voltas and Voltas Beko products, among other benefits. For Ganesh Chaturthi, we have rolled out a similar offer for our consumers in Maharashtra. Keeping in mind that these campaigns have been successful every year, as they raise consumer interest, we have planned similar offers for Dussehra, Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas. With social distancing bound to remain as the new norm, digital spends will go up as more people end up searching online and making purchases online. There are multiple ways in which we are trying to innovate and re-look at marketing in the post-COVID era, which is primarily driven by digital. Do you see retail footfalls increasing during the festive season, given that people are still not venturing out for shopping in a big way? What alternate routes are you looking at to shore up sales such as e-commerce, online purchases, D2C initiatives? Despite the increasing focus on going digital, the offline experience continues to be an important factor in decision making when it comes to Consumer Durables. Our Distribution, Organised Trade and Retail partners are already operational and are following social distancing guidelines to serve our customers. Our dealers are slowly witnessing a spike in footfalls for a variety of products. To address the needs of our customers who are still unsure of visiting the stores, we have sufficient product information in forms of product demo videos, feature specifications, etc., on our website and digital platforms, in the form of e-catalogs. We have also made this information accessible to our audience through our media partners. You will also see us digitally enabling the after-sales service initiatives through online content. There were several pull backs on all marketing investments in the industry due to the lockdown in the last quarter. Owing to signs of recovery and the upcoming festival season, we will focus on promoting tactical consumer offers for generating secondary sales. We are promoting these offers through online Digital initiatives and Activation initiatives in the field. We will also invest in Search, which will continue to be one of our focus areas. Over the past decade, Voltas has established a strong brand equity, which will help us ride through this pandemic. As a brand, Voltas always had the highest SOV as well as SoE, and we will continue to drive the highest ToM results. Jeremy Clarkson has described the first contestant to win Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in 14 years as like the Encyclopaedia Britannica in human form and Google in a head. The forthcoming series of the ITV quiz show will see a unnamed competitor answer 15 questions correctly to become the sixth champion in the programmes 22-year history. This episodes were pre-recorded without a studio audience due to Covid-19 and Government guidelines around social distancing. Host Clarkson, 60, said that, although the winner was lucky on a few occasions, he found their intellect genuinely staggering. He said: It was like having the Encyclopaedia Britannica sitting opposite me. As they pointed out, there were a couple of questions where they lucked out. They simply knew the answer. It was just one of those lucky things. Like the first million-pound winner Judith Keppel, she knew about Eleanor of Aquitaine. Shed just happened to have been to that part of France a year before and therefore knew the answer. And this contestant had a couple of those moments. But its genuinely staggering to look at someone who has a normal sized head and then within that head, they have every single fact known to man. Expand Close Former host Chris Tarrant (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former host Chris Tarrant (PA) Video of the Day Its Google, in a head. You just wonder how a head can be normal sized and have that much information in it. Clarkson admitted he did not know the answer to the 1 million question, despite studying the topic months earlier for an episode of his Amazon Prime Video motoring show, The Grand Tour. I did not, he said. Even though I had read up extensively on that subject matter only five months earlier for something that we were doing for The Grand Tour. We did a 90-minute programme on that exact subject a few months earlier. Id read countless books on it. It has gone in one ear and out the other for me. But its gone in their ear and stayed there. In May, retired doctor Andrew Townsley, from Glasgow, nearly became the sixth 1 million winner, but walked away with 500,000. Expand Close Andrew Townsley got to the final question on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (Stellify Media/ITV/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Andrew Townsley got to the final question on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (Stellify Media/ITV/PA) When faced with a final question on motorsport, he decided to play it safe and stick with half a million pounds. Clarkson doubted he was brave enough to tackle the final question, saying: I just dont know if I would ever have the balls to do it. So Im always staggered when people do take risks. Delighted but staggered. And it was fantastic when this contestant took the ultimate risk on the final question. Clarkson admitted recording the new series while adhering to social distancing measures was a bit strange to be honest. He added: You say things that you think are funny, and theres mainly silence. Maybe a little laughter but not what you normally expect. I then realised when filming the next few episodes, its better to just talk to the people like youre in a phone box and it got much easier. Ingram Wilcox was the most recent winner of the top prize, going all the way in 2006. In all, five contestants have previously won the 1 million prize on the UK version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The first was Judith Keppel in November 2000. For her final question, then-host Chris Tarrant asked: Which king was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine? Ms Keppel correctly answered Henry II. Perhaps the most famous contestant in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? history, Major Charles Ingram, was back in the news recently thanks to ITV drama Quiz. Ingram won the grand prize but it was never paid out after he was accused of cheating in an infamous coughing scam. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? starts on Monday at 9pm on ITV. Siddhanta Mishra By Express News Service NEW DELHI: After a break of almost five months, Delhi Metro is ready to welcome commuters again, but with a lot of precautions and dos and donts in place. As per the new normal, the guidelines issued by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) have asked commuters to travel only when necessary. On Monday, only the Yellow Line corridor from Samyapur Badli to HUDA City Centre in Gurugram will be operational between 7 am till 11 am and again from 4 pm to 8 pm. By September 12, all lines will be made fully operational with all safety measures in place to check the spread of Covid-19. The DMRC has asked travelers to talk less inside to avoid transmission of the virus. All the metro users should add extra time to travel plans since the stoppage time of trains at every station was increased by 10 seconds so that social distancing can be maintained by commuters while boarding or alighting. With the carrying capacity of a train drastically reduced to around 20% of the pre-lockdown period due to social distancing norms, it will be a challenge to regulate the passengers who may head to a station with the expectations of a pre-lockdown travel experience, said a DMRC official. To avoid overcrowding, DMRC officials appealed people to break the peak, where passengers stagger travel time so that the carrying capacity offered with new norms can be reasonably utilised by creating a travel pattern in which people are not rushing to the station in morning or peak hours only. Officials said at all stations, the CISF staff will be doing contactless frisking and red lines have been drawn at a gap of 1 ft to ensure social distancing. The Delhi government will provide civil defence volunteers to help the DMRC staff in managing the crowd, informed state transport minister Kailash Gahlot, who visited the Rajiv Chowk metro station to take stock of the arrangements. The Delhi Metro operations were suspended 169 days ago, on March 22. NEW DELHI: French defence minister Florence Parly will visit India on Thursday (September 10) to take part in Rafale fighter jet's induction ceremony at Indian Air Force's airbase in Ambala. During the visit, other than having a bilateral with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, she will also meet National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. India received the first batch of five Rafale fighter jets in July. Parly will be accompanied by sizeable defence officials and a defence industry delegation on a special plane and will have a full day of engagements. This will be the first foreign visit of the French Minister after the COVID measures were put in place in France. It is also the first high-profile visit of any foreign dignitary to India amidst Chinese aggression. Notably, after the violent Galwan Valley face-off, Parly had written to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoling the death of 20 Indian soldiers in the incident. Calling India as 'France's strategic partner in the region', Defence Minister Parly extended 'her country's deep solidarity'. The letter said, "This was a hard blow against the soldiers, their families, and the nation. In these difficult circumstances, I wish to express my steadfast and friendly support, along with that of the French armed forces. I request you to kindly convey my heartfelt condolences to the entire Indian armed forces as well as to the grieving families." A number of high-level engagement has happened between the two countries, with PM Narendra Modi last visiting France in 2019 to take part in the G7 summit on the 'special invitation' by French President Emmanuel Macron. Former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor and DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More They were the rockstars of Indias banking industry. Their word carried weight in the corridors of power and their opinion mattered, at home as well as abroad. They inspired envy among peers but were the inspiration for hundreds of youngsters looking to make it big in the banking industry. They moved with the swish set. Had expensive addresses-from Mumbai, Delhi, London to New York--and enviable art collections. But then greed caught up and the fall was as precipitous as the rise. Shady deals, money laundering, illegal transactions and kickbacks are some of the charges these once-powerful bankers are now facing. As their dealing with unscrupulous promoters are investigated, Moneycontrol looks at the fallen stars of the banking industry. ICICI Banks Chanda Kochhar Chanda Kochhar broke many glass ceilings as she rose through the ranks to lead ICICI Bank in an industry notorious for being male-dominated. She wasnt just a star at home, international media houses queued up outside her office for interviews. They just couldnt get enough of Kochhar. No banking conference was complete without her speech and her comments on the economy and banking industry were closely watched. If Kochhars rise was an inspiring tale, her fall is a bigger lesson for management students. Kochhar joined the private bank as a management trainee in 1984. Mentored by the likes of KV Kamath and Narayanan Vaghul, Kochhar was instrumental in building the banks retail business. Also read: 5 promoters who left Indian banks high and dry It was all going swimmingly well, until 2016 when whistleblower Arvind Gupta, a Delhi-based activist, wrote to the Prime Ministers Office, the Reserve Bank of India and other authorities pointing to suspicious financial transactions between the bank, Kochhars husband Deepak and Videocon chief Venugopal Dhoot. When a newspaper wrote about the alleged irregularities, there was no place to hide. In 2008, Dhoot floated an equal joint venture NuPower Renewables with Deepak Kochhar and lent Rs 64 crore to the firm and later transferred the entire stake to Deepak. Four years later, ICICI lent Rs 3,250 crore to the Videocon group companies as part of a Rs 40,000-crore consortium loan deal. The CBI says the two deals are connected. Initially, the ICICI Board gave a clean chit to Kochhar and defended her before finally agreeing to an internal probe. As the investigation began, Kochhar was sent on leave in June 2018 and resigned four months later following an internal probe by the bank. The bank, Dhoot and Deepak deny any wrongdoing. The Enforcement Directorate, which is also probing the case, seized assets of Deepaks firm. The company later moved court for their release. The CBI filed an FIR in January 2019 but is yet to file a charge sheet. Kochhar case is a major lesson to all top executives on how you should strictly draw a line between profession and family, said a senior banker on condition of anonymity. The argument that the board didnt know about the conflict of interest in the Videocon deal doesnt stand. Yes Banks Rana Kapoor Big borrowers just loved Rana Kapoor. And he returned their affection wholeheartedly, provided they shelled out fat upfront fees on loans. The Yes Bank founder was generous, willing to give loans no matter how problematic the account was. Most decisions were taken by Kapoor at his Mumbais Samudra Mahal residence, which was once the home of fugitive diamond tycoon Nirav Modi whose extradition trial resumed in a London court on September 7. Play big, earn big was Kapoors mantra. Play big, he did. About 10-15 percent upfront fee on every loan at the time of disbursal was the norm, say investigators. This helped to grow the loan book, fee income jumped but so did the risks. Kapoor, who had a penchant for mega events, struck several quid pro quo deals, according to investigators. Also read: Properties in news | Rana Kapoor's posh Mumbai, Delhi homes may go under the hammer One such was with DHFLs Wadhawan brothersKapil and Dheeraj. Kapoor gave loans to the Wadhawans in return for kickbacks to his family, the Enforcement Directorate said in its first charge sheet. In April 2018, Yes Bank gave a loan of Rs 3,700 crore in short-term debentures to DHFL. The money wasnt paid back, ED officials said. Yes Bank sanctioned a loan of Rs 750 crore to Belief Realty (BRPL), a company owned by DHFL promoters by the Wadhawans. In return, the Wadhawans paid a kickback of Rs 600 crore to Kapoor and his family members as a loan from DHFL, the ED said. This loan was extended to DoIT Urban Ventures, one of the many shell companies owned by the Kapoor family. Kapoors three daughters are 100 percent shareholders in DoIT through Morgan Credit Pvt. Ltd (MPCL), another family-owned firm. The Rs 600-crore loan was sanctioned based on mortgage of sub-standard properties, including a 7.79-acre parcel in Alibaug and 91.63 acres at Raigad. Kapoors daughter Radha gave a personal guarantee showing a net worth of Rs 1,386 crore, according to ED documents. Of the Rs 600 crore, DoIT used Rs 300 crore for repaying an earlier loan. The remaining, the company said, was for general corporate purposes. There were many such deals and Kapoor was arrested by the ED early this year. I still remember the day when I got a call from him. He asked me to come home and my association with the bank started that evening. He decided practically everything, said a senior executive who was previously associated with the bank. DHFLs Wadhawans If Kochhar and Kapoor were the superstars of the banking world, Wadhawans ruled the non-banking finance company (NBFC) industry, particularly mortgage lending. The fall of Kapil Wadhawan, whose family built one of the most fascinating mortgage businesses in India, was quicker than his rise. Even if one sets aside the criminal element to the story, DHFLs collapse is an exemplar of how promoters can destroy a successful business by growing too big, too fast. "An NBFC is always at the mercy of its financiers. It needs to be careful at all times. Somewhere, DHFL forgot this cardinal rule," said Siddharth Purohit, an analyst at SMC Global. For almost two decades, DHFL lorded over Indias booming housing finance space. With total assets under management of over a trillion rupees and an aggressive approach to the fast-growing affordable housing market, DHFL was leagues ahead of the competition, old and new. Banks and investors queued up at Wadhawans office for business. The firms shares hit a peak of Rs 690 on September 3, 2018, a value higher than that of some of the full-fledged banks. And then it all came crumbling down. A mix of factors financial failures and illegal transactionsled to the fall of Wadhwans. In May 2020, the Wadhawans were arrested by the ED in the Yes Bank money-laundering case. The Supreme Court recently rejected their bail plea. DHFLs misery wasnt confined to its financial situation. The Wadhawan brothers, says ED, were doing business with the underworld as well. According to the Enforcement Directorate, the Wadhawans had real-estate dealings with deceased alleged drug trafficker Iqbal Mirchi, a close aide of Indias most wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim. They allegedly met Mirchi in London, where he lived after leaving India. Kapil allegedly created a string of shell companies to facilitate financial transactions and to purchase prime properties belonging to Mirchis family in Mumbais Worli area. The Wadhawans allegedly also routed money from DHFL to the shell companies in which Kapil had a share. DHFL, at one stage, was used as a piggy bank by Wadhawans, who had unquestionable control over it. IL&FS Ravi Parthasarathy Next only to DHFL, IL&FS was a giant of Indias NBFC space, till it collapsed like a pack of cards in 2018. Ravi Parthasarathy was the chairman of the group and unlike others, he kept a low profile. NBFCs had a successful run in the years that followed the global financial crisis of 2007-08. NBFCs lent to every company which was turned down by banks. The assumption was that the economy would continue to boom but then came 2013 and the downfall. Worsening economic situation, high bad loans and a liquidity crunch forced IL&FS into the crisis. Also read: IL&FS saga: Here are answers to the Rs 90,000-crore questions investors have been asking According to an SFIO charge sheet, six executivesParthasarathy, Hari Sankaran, Ramesh Bawa, Arun Saha, Vibhav Kapoor and Karunakaran Ramchand committed fraud, harming the interests of the company, shareholders and creditors, resulting in a wrongful loss. A panel headed by veteran banker Uday Kotak is in the process of reviving IL&FS. As Kotak has admitted, the path is far from easy. These cases are at various stages of investigation. As the probe will move, more irregularities are likely to be unearthed. The organisations, be it ICICI Bank or Yes Bank, have moved on and are busy rebuilding business and image. There are a lot of unanswered questions on the role of executives and board members who connived to cheat the institutions they were instrumental in building. For now, these bankers seem to have traded infamy and ignominy for stardust. HC seeks response from central government and the streaming platform on a plea by the PNB scam accused on dismissal by lower court. Mehul Choksis lawyer contends that there is a two-minute footage about Choksi in the series Bad Boy Billionaires that shows him in a bad light and could affect the various proceedings against him in India. (Photo | Instagram - whatshappening.ent) New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Monday sought responses from the Centre and online video streaming platform Netflix on PNB scam accused Mehul Choksis appeal challenging the dismissal of his plea to pre-screen the Bad Boy Billionaires docuseries. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice to the Centre and Netflix and sought their stand by September 23. Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, appearing for Choksi, said he was only seeking that the matter be remanded to the single judge who had dismissed the plea. The single judge had on August 28 denied relief to Choksi, saying a writ petition for enforcement of a private right was not maintainable. The high court had said his remedy lay in a civil suit and granted him the liberty to raise the issue therein. During the hearing held via video conference on Monday, Aggarwal contended that there is a two minute footage about Choksi in the series which allegedly shows him in a bad light and therefore, could affect the various proceedings against him in India. Netflix opposed the plea, saying it was not maintainable as the high court has in the past held that over the top (OTT) or internet video streaming platforms cannot be regulated and the only option was to file a civil suit. It also said there can be no pre-censorship in the form of a preview or pre-screening of the docuseries as the same would be violative of the freedom of speech and expression. When the bench questioned whether the docuseries has been stayed, Netflix said that two individualsB Ramalinga Raju and Subrata Roy Saharawho also find mention in the docuseries have obtained stays from courts in remote corners of the country and appeals were being readied to be filed against the same. Sahara obtained an order from a local court in Araria in Bihar restraining Netflilx from using his name in the series. Netflix challenged the order in the Supreme Court which declined to entertain it, but gave the OTT platform the liberty to approach the appropriate forum in appeal against the lower courts order. Thereafter, a civil court in Andhra Pradesh restrained Netflix from airing the series on a petition by Raju who was convicted in the multi-crore accounting scandal of Satyam Computer Services Limited. Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems, and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. Choksi left the country last year and was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda. The documentary, which was scheduled for release in India on September 2, was promoted by Netflix as: This investigative docuseries explores the greed, fraud and corruption that built up - and ultimately brought down - Indias most infamous tycoons. In the petition before the single judge, Choksi claimed he has been falsely accused of various crimes in India and is presently under investigation or standing trial by and before various authorities and/or courts. The petitioner is entitled in terms of Indian law, that is, Article 21 of the Constitution of India to a presumption of innocence and a free and fair trial. Reputation being a facet of a persons life, the petitioner is also entitled to a right to a reputation, it had said. Boris Johnson's latest display of brinkmanship with Brussels risks sending food prices sharply higher in January if it results in the UK and EU failing to agree a trade deal. The government said it was planning to override parts of the withdrawal agreement, with Mr Johnson claiming that no-deal Brexit would be a good outcome for the UK. Shoppers visiting supermarkets in the new year may choose to disagree. So how much might households be affected by increased tariffs, border checks and a weaker currency? The impact will vary across different ranges of products and depends on a number of factors such as how dependent the UK is on imports of that item rather than domestic supply, and the import tariffs that will be applied. During winter and spring Britain is particularly dependent on imports of fresh fruit and vegetables because many are out of season in this country and must be imported from warmer climes Early in the year, around 90 per cent of lettuces, 80 per cent of tomatoes and 70 per cent of soft fruit is sourced from, or delivered via, the EU. While this percentage drops in the summer, over the whole year, the UK imports half of its food each year, with 30 per cent coming from the EU. Tariffs Under a schedule of tariffs published in May, about 85 per cent of food imported from the EU will face tariffs of more than 5 per cent. The British Retail Consortium, a trade body, calculates that the average tariff on food imported from the EU will be more than 20 per cent, with some staple foods attracting particularly high levies. The tariff on beef mince is 48 per cent, cucumbers 16 and oranges 12. Most of this will have to be passed on to shoppers, the BRC says, because Britain's grocery market is very competitive and runs on thin margins meaning the big supermarkets do not have much room to absorb the additional costs. A number of hard-line Brexiteers had advocated unilaterally slashing UK import duties to zero in order to reduce prices for shoppers. Such an approach could mean lower prices for some products. But the government decided against the zero-tariff approach because it likely would have had a disastrous impact on UK farmers. Farmers have developed their businesses in the context of the EUs customs union but would suddenly have to compete with cheap imports from around the world, including from countries which apply lower food standards that the UK, under a zero-tariff system. Exchange rates Exchange rates are also likely to add to food costs if no trade deal is ratified. The increased prospect of no deal sent the pound falling on Monday and analysts forecast it will tumble further if an agreement is not reached in time. That will mean less purchasing power for UK buyers, making imports more expensive. Much of this will filter through to higher prices on the shelves. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category For years, progressive Democrats in Albany have been pushing a three-word solution to many of New Yorks problems: Tax the rich. Yet year after year, proposals to make the wealthy pay more were blocked by Republicans. Now, however, their most staunch opponent may well be the states third-term governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, a socially progressive Democrat who often boasts of his history of tax cuts. That approach appeals to most taxpayers, and is easier to understand during a decade of financial growth. But as the coronavirus pandemic has transformed New Yorks financial problems from merely troubling to catastrophic, a growing contingent of Democrats in the all-blue Legislature is pushing the governor to reconsider his stance. They say the state must increase taxes on the wealthy to safeguard services for New Yorks neediest, which could be decimated if the state were forced to make broad cuts because of the looming deficit. Britain's chief negotiator David Frost (L) and EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrive for a working breakfast after a seventh round of talks, in Brussels on August 21, 2020. YVES HERMAN / Contributor / Getty Images Boris Johnson plans to rip up parts of the UK's legally-binding Brexit deal with the EU. The Financial Times reported that the UK government has a contentious plan to renege on the Withdrawal Agreement agreed last year. The prime minister will use legislation called the Internal Market Bill to contradict key parts of the agreement pertaining to Northern Ireland, the report says. Johnson's spokesman says they will pass a new UK law to "clarify specific elements" of the Brexit deal agreed last year. The EU warns that any attempt to renege on the withdrawal agreement will wreck any chance of agreeing a trade deal. Johnson on Sunday night reiterated that the UK was prepared to walk away from trade talks without a deal and trade with the EU on the harshest terms. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to overwrite key parts of the Brexit withdrawal deal he agreed with the EU last year as he insists that leaving all existing trade arrangements without a fresh deal at the end of the year would be a "good outcome" for Britain. The Financial Times reported on Monday that the prime minister intends to "eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement," citing three sources familiar with the plan. The government will on Wednesday table legislation called Internal Market Bill which if passed would effectively overwrite sections of the Withdrawal Agreement relating to Northern Ireland's relationship with Great Britain. Johnson's official spokesman confirmed on Monday that the government will move to "clarify specific elements" of the deal. "We are taking limited and reasonable steps to clarify specific elements of the Northern Ireland Protocol in domestic law to remove any ambiguity and to ensure the government is always able to deliver on its commitments to the people of Northern Ireland," the spokesman said. Story continues UK government officials on Monday morning insisted that the Internal Market Bill, to be published on Wednesday, would contain nothing more than minor clarifications on the Northern Ireland protocol. In practice, legislation being prepared by the government will give UK ministers the power to determine what goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are "at risk" of entering the EU and should have tariffs applied to them, and to waive export summary declarations on goods going the other way. Critics of the move say these changes are significant changes that could undermine the entire Withdrawal Agreement. Ministers will also be able to pick and choose when to inform the EU of any state aid decisions affecting Northern Ireland's goods market. Under the terms of the Northern Irish protocol, while Great Britain will leave the EU's single market and customs union at the end of the year, Northern Ireland will continue to follow the EU's trading rules in order to avoid a controversial hard border with the Republic of Ireland. This arrangement will create new checks on goods moving both ways between Great Britain and Northern Ireland from January. One of the sources familiar with the UK government's plan told The Financial Times that the legislation was "a very blunt instrument." They said: "The bill will explicitly say the government reserves the right to set its own regime, directly setting up UK law in opposition with obligations under the withdrawal agreement, and in full cognisance that this will breach international law." The report has worried moderate Conservative members of Parliament, who fear that the plan would damage Britain's international standing and undermine the union, not least by potentially bringing back a hard border on the island of Ireland. A former minister told Business Insider it would be "a gift for the SNP" as Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pushes for a new referendum on independence from the UK. Other Conservative MPs said Downing Street had been "incredibly panicky" about the Internal Market Bill in recent weeks and "going incredibly overboard" to reassure MPs of its content. The eighth round of formal talks over a trade agreement will begin on Tuesday with the two sides aiming to overcome major differences on fishing rights and state aid before the agreed October deadline. In the absence of an agreement, the UK will trade with the EU with costly tariffs and border checks when the transition period ends on December 31. Labour says Johnson's Brexit plan is 'dangerous' ANTHONY DEVLIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Responding to the reports, the EU warned that any attempt to rip up parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement would wreck any chance of agreeing on a new future trading relationship. "I trust the British government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law & prerequisite for any future partnership" EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Monday. She added: "Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is essential to protect peace and stability on the island & integrity of the single market." Andreas Michaelis, Germany's ambassador to the UK, on Monday morning urged the UK government to "get on with" respecting the Withdrawal Agreement in a tweet. Simon Coveney, Ireland's minister for foreign affairs, tweeted: "This would be a very unwise way to proceed." A spokesperson for the opposition Labour Party said the reported plan was "so dangerous" and warned: "No British government has ever willingly pushed the union to the brink like this. You can't talk about patriotism and then threaten the break-up of the U.K." The prime minister on Sunday night reiterated that he was prepared to walk away from negotiations without an agreement and trade with the EU on the harshest terms if Brussels did not shift its position on fishing and state aid. Johnson insisted that a no-deal outcome would be a "good outcome for the UK" and that "as a Government we are preparing, at our borders and at our ports, to be ready for it." This followed a week of reports of "critical gaps" and missed deadlines in the UK's work to prepare Britain's businesses and borders for the disruption of a no-deal exit. He said that Thursday, October 15 was the deadline for striking a deal, telling the EU: "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on." Read the original article on Business Insider Two handcuffed after narcotics dog locates LSD Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Two subjects were detained by Playa del Carmen police after they were found in possession of LSD. Police report the weekend arrests of two males along on Avenida Universidades. The vehicle in which they were traveling was stopped by police for a traffic violation. With the help of a K-9 narcotics dog, police discovered 30 aluminum foils on their person. The foils were identified as LSD, for which the two men were arrested. One of the men has been identified as being from the Mexican state of Chiapas, while the other is from the country of Peru. Both were placed at the disposal of the Attorney General of the State for their corresponding legal procedures. Canada needs renewed federal leadership to support our energy sector, given its importance to the entire economy. And all provinces and territories must come together in this effort. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/9/2020 (500 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Canada needs renewed federal leadership to support our energy sector, given its importance to the entire economy. And all provinces and territories must come together in this effort. If not, Canada will continue to see the sector fall behind the United States and other larger powers. We will lose our traditional position as a strong market-based global energy power. Despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global oil prices, Canada continues to be the largest energy partner to the United States, and yet we lag behind our southern neighbour in terms of achieving energy security for our domestic market. Canada has the worlds third-largest reserve of oil and were the fifth-largest producer of natural gas. However, this isnt relevant if governments squander that untapped wealth or sell it for sub-optimal prices. Canada has traditionally sold its crude oil to the U.S. at prices below what the broader international market paid. Canada is falling behind the U.S. in terms of productive energy policy, losing much ground when it comes to oil and gas development. By policy design, the U.S. has gone from being Canadas largest customer for crude oil and natural gas to its largest competitor. In the U.S., the owner of the land owns the hydrocarbons underneath property. In Canada and most other jurisdictions, the government owns subsurface mineral rights. The U.S. also has a vast infrastructure network that can handle an expanding energy sector. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has assured us that critical pipeline projects will proceed, but the actions of his government tell a different story. The Liberal government introduced Bill C-48, which imposed a moratorium on oil tanker traffic on British Columbias northern coast. The bill killed any hopes for pipeline projects that sought to move Albertas land-locked crude oil to the Pacific coast through one port. Then the government introduced Bill C-69, which was intended to streamline the assessment process for projects but ended up creating less clarity and more potential for legal mischief. The federal government also gave a tepid response when Alberta and British Columbia began an inter-provincial war of words over certain pipeline projects. The government allowed Bill S-245, designed to assert federal authority over inter-provincial pipelines, to die at second reading in the House of Commons. The government also didnt intervene when the premier of Quebec said no pipeline would pass through his province. One Financial Post columnist commented in 2015 that since 2010, the United States had built the equivalent of 10 Keystone XL pipelines. According to the U.S.-based Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL), between 2009 and 2013, almost 13,000 km of oil transmission pipelines were built in the United States. The U.S. has also relaxed offshore drilling regulations to ramp up production. Particularly under U.S. President Donald Trump, there has been an explosion in natural gas development in the U.S. His administration opened up large tracts of federal lands to energy development and has been instrumental in the shale gas revolution that expanded oil and gas reserves in the U.S., leading the country toward energy independence. The administration also changed regulations allowing for natural gas development through hydraulic fracturing (or fracking). The Department of the Interior also worked on allowing Native American communities to better utilize energy resources on tribal lands, to the benefit of those impoverished communities. The United States has emerged as an energy superpower while Canada has become an energy laggard and investment has fled. The Trump administration ramped up oil and gas exploration by changing royalty rates for oil and gas leases on federal lands, as well as changing water regulations for fracking on federal and tribal Indian lands. The Department of the Interior also accelerated the pace of offshore oil auctions and reduced royalty rates so more energy companies could enter the market. Meanwhile, Quebec and some Maritime provinces imposed moratoriums on fracking activities, despite the existence of vast untapped natural gas reserves, especially in New Brunswick. It wouldnt hurt if the federal government encouraged provinces to accept some fracking. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. While some of the energy explosion in the U.S. can be explained by better technologies and methods, much can be attributed to regulatory and policy changes, as well as transformational leadership. While Canada was listening closely to environmental interests and adopting a weak federal response to energy development, the U.S. was busy adopting winning policies and asserting a lead federal role in pursuing energy development, for both economic and foreign policy reasons. Canada need not adopt a Trump-style "Canada First" policy. Canadians in all regions value strong environmental regulation and wish to protect wildlife habitats. We already have global-best environmental rules and technologies. Canada needs a much more balanced approach that recognizes our desire to remain an energy superpower, with made-in-Canada policies that respect both the environment and the new energy economy within a free market. Joseph Quesnel is a research associate for the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Troy Media The resumption of Metro rail services in Delhi on Monday after a five-month hiatus has raised hopes among the traders in the national capital of an increase in customer footfall which would help them recover from the losses suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Delhi Metro restarted services with the curtailed operation of the Yellow Line. The trains will operate in batches of four-hour each from 7-11 am and 4-8 pm, officials said. Welcoming the resumption of the rapid transit system in the national capital, traders said its effect on commercial activities will be visible once the service becomes normal from September 12. The Home Ministry had recently issued guidelines allowing metro services in the country to resume operations in a graded manner, following which the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) decided to restart services in three stages from September 7-12. "I believe Metro trains will help revive Delhis economy by spurring commercial activities. Almost all major wholesale and retail markets like Chandni Chowk, Chawadi Bazar, Nehru Place and Khan Market have metro connectivity which means footfall will improve with the resumption of the train service, said Brijesh Goyal, convener of the Chamber of Industry and Trade. President of New Delhi Traders Association Atul Bhargava said, "Restarting Metro trains was needed even though the pandemic is yet to subside. It will have a confidence-building effect on people. But metro alone cannot revive the economy, and government help is needed for the traders who are broke. He said a majority of customers in Connaught Place use their own vehicles and only around 25 percent use public transport like metro trains. Bhargava hoped that footfall will increase with normal operations of the trains. At the Sarojini Nagar retail market, traders hoped that metro service will end their difficulties by bringing in more customers. "We have very high hopes that the Delhi Metro service has started now. The number of customers has dwindled due to fear of coronavirus and problems of commuting. I hope, Delhi Metro trains as safe and time and money-saving travel option, will increase footfall in the market, said Ashok Randhawa, president of Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Traders Association. Metro services in the National Capital Region were closed since March 22 due to the pandemic. The ruling AAP government had been advocating the resumption of Metro train services in the city which is striving to revive its economy hit by the pandemic. Various traders associations in a recent interaction with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also demanded restarting Metro services. Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said the government should run an adequate number of feeder buses for traders and customers so that they face no problem in commuting from Metro stations to the markets. The DMRC has appealed to people to use the rapid transport system only if urgently needed. Various precautionary measures such as strict adherence to using face covers and sanitisers, social distancing, travel through smart cards only, thermal screening have been put in place to ensure safe commuting. Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for successfully flight testing the indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). He said that this technology is a landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demontrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 7, 2020 The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demontrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase, Singh said on Twitter. Watch l India successfully tests hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them, he said in subsequent tweet. The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic speed flight, it can cruise at a speed of mach 6 and move up to an altitude of 32.5 km (20 miles) in 20 seconds, according to the government. Besides its utility for long-range cruise missiles of the future, the dual-use technology will have multiple civilian applications also. It can be used for launching satellites at low cost too, news agency PTI quoted a government official as saying. The HSTDV can move up to an altitude of 32.5 km in 20 seconds and once it is achieved successfully, India will enter a select club of countries that have such technology. The HSTDV cruise vehicle is mounted on a solid rocket motor, which will take it to a required altitude, and once it attains certain mach numbers for speed, the cruise vehicle will be ejected out of the launch vehicle. Subsequently, the scramjet engine will be ignited automatically. ARCHIVED - Spain could receive 3 million doses of Covid vaccine in December The Prime Minister said that the first vaccinations could take place in Spain during December on Monday The Spanish Minister of Health, Salvador Illa, said on Monday that Spain could receive 3 million doses of the vaccine against covid-19 currently in development at the University of Oxford in collaboration with AstraZeneca in December, if it passes the clinical trials . The Minister made his announcement during the Symposium "The frontiers of the fight against coronavirus" organized by 'El Espanol', in which he explained that Europe will buy a minimum of seven vaccines and a maximum of nine, although for the moment the contract has only been signed with the AstraZeneca company because it is the one with the most advanced trials. If the clinical analyzes exceed the due guarantees, as of December they would be in a position to supply doses. Europe will receive about 30 million doses and Spain would receive about three million , said the minister. The vaccine would foreseeably need two doses and that, if all goes well, in January there could be a regular supply. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also said on Monday that the first vaccinations in Spain could take place during December. Chennai: The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has suddenly resurrected its ancient demand of 20 per cent exclusive reservation for Vanniyars, a demand that was put to rest 31 years ago after the Most Backward Classes (MBC) category was created and the community was included in it. It was on that plank that the Vanniyar Sangam organized a series of protests between 1980 and 1989 in parts of Tamil Nadu where the community has a strong presence. It made Dr S Ramadoss, then a humble physician, into a mass leader. A massive agitation in 1987, in which highways were blocked by Vanniyar Sangam activists by felling trees across the road, paralysed normal life and left 21 persons dead in police action. It ultimately led to the government agreeing to carve out an MBC quota from within the 50 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs). The creation of the MBC quota not only rendered irrelevant the demand of Vanniyars for 20 per cent reservation but also prompted Dr Ramadoss to start the PMK which subsequently took part not only in elections but also in governments at the Centre. But now the PMK is raising the demand again. The demand was the second of 20 resolutions passed at its special general council held through video conference on Sunday. The resolution said that though the MBC quota was created, the Vanniyar community did not get adequate representation in education. Giving statistics, the resolution said Vanniyar representation in state government services was only 8 per cent though the community formed 25 per cent of the population. In Group I services they had only 2-3 per cent representation, in Group Two 6-8 percent and Group Four 7-9 percent. Vanniyars have not benefited from reservation for the MBCs, the resolution said, adding that if the trend continued the community would only go backwards. To rectify such a slide, 20 percent exclusive reservation for them was the only answer, it said and called upon the government to bring in a special law to provide for the special quota. By reviving an old demand now, the PMK might be trying to mobilize Vanniyar youth under its banner. However, it is not clear as to how such a demand would go own with the major political parties with which the PMK might try to forge electoral alliances. GMR Group, whose airports business will be listed separately at the bourses from April next year, has enough cushion to absorb financial pressures caused by covid-19 pandemic with the company's recently concluded deal to sell 49% stake in its airport business to Paris-based Groupe ADP, industry experts said. But the company continues to tread cautiously after rescheduling its capital expenditure plans for Delhi and Hyderabad airports, to a later period, despite raising money from overseas bonds, the company informed its shareholders through in its annual report. The funds received from the deal with Groupe ADP -- of which the company has got 9,813 crore so far in two tranches -- have been used to primarily reduce debt, provide exit to private equity investors and to improve overall liquidity at the group level, the company said in its annual report. GMRs cautious approach, though, comes at a time when the only other major private player in the Indian airports sector - Adani Group - has been aggressively bidding in government airport privatization plans picking up five airports. Adani, recently, also acquired a controlling stake in GVKs airport business, which operates the Mumbai airport and is developing the Navi Mumbai international airport. The deal with Groupe ADP provides the much needed cushion to GMR Airports to absorb the financial pressures caused by covid-19, said Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, practise leader and director -- transport and logistics at CRISIL Limited. "There are quite a few greenfield opportunities which have been awarded to GMR Airports and this will help in capital allocation and financial closure. It also helps the Indian units to incorporate some of the global operating standards in the functioning of these airports," Padmanabhan added. GMR Group's airport business comprises three operating airports -- Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad and Mactan Cebu International Airport in Philippines. Apart from operating and managing these airports, the company is developing greenfield airports at Mopa (Goa), and Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh and the Crete International Airport in Greece with local partner TERNA Group. It has also been awarded the contract of operation and management of Bidar Airport in Karnataka for a period up to 2033. However, the GMR Group has lost out in its bids to operate state-run airports -- Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram among others, and the Jewar airport -- where the company was outbid by competitors including the Adani Group and Zurich Airport AG. "Loss of not winning Jewar impacted the strategic plan of GMR Group for IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi) which plays a vital role in GMR group business, which includes energy, infrastructure, coal etc," said Nripendra Singh, industry principal, aerospace, defence and security practice at Frost & Sullivan. "None of the bids by the GMR Group for Indian airports done recently showed aggressive intention of the company to grab the Airports Authority of India (AAI) operated brownfield airports. This is possibly because of the lessons learnt from IGIA where it pays 45% revenue share to AAI," Singh said adding that the recent developments suggested that the Group's focus is towards greenfield airports. "Operating margins of brownfield airports has always been lesser than greenfield ones in which the operators have the flexibility to design the infrastructre from scratch as per planned revenue to ensure ROIs along with avoid the refurbishment costs to address passenger experience which in increasingly becoming the focal point of airport revenues,", Singh added. Another senior industry official said that development of brownfield airports may have challenges like non availability of land for expansion purposes, and opposition plans against expansion from public living nearby which prove problematic for airport development companies. GMR Infrastructure Limited's consolidated net loss for the June quarter more than doubled to nearly 834 crore against 336 crore loss in the January-March period in FY20. The company's airport business, which accounts for 65% of its revenue, was hit massively due to the covid-19 pandemic. Air passenger traffic recovery could happen in a meaningful manner only towards FY2022 and that FY2019 passenger traffic levels are likely to be surpassed only by FY2023, rating agency ICRA said in a June report. The company has raised $350 million and $150 million, respectively, through bonds, to fund expansion of the Delhi airport. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, it has postponed parts of planned capital expenditure to later periods. GMR Group has also raised $300 million in overseas bonds for further expansion of the Hyderabad airport. It has however partially rescheduled future capital expenditure to a later period. Our Teams have been focused on cash conservation and cost reduction through various interventions to our capital and operating expenditure in order to better manage liquidity," the company added in the annual report. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees stranded at sea for more than six months after repeatedly being denied port by regional authorities were rescued on Monday by local fishermen in Aceh, Indonesia, officials said. The rescue was carried out around midnight after the fishermen spotted the refugees near Ujong Blang Beach in Aceh, according to human rights groups. Two of the 300 or so passengers, who included 14 children, were taken to the hospital. Around 30 were reported to have died over the boats long months at sea. Before the rescue, the fishermen contacted Indonesian officials, who had earlier prevented the boat from docking. In June, a separate boat with Rohingya refugees was also rescued by Indonesian fishermen after the authorities initially threatened to turn them away. The Rohingya refugee crisis intensified in 2017 when the Buddhist-majority military in Myanmar unleashed what the United Nations has described as a campaign with genocidal intent. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya poured across Myanmars border with Bangladesh, bringing accounts of massacre and rape. Fire fighters are again battling flames aboard a fully loaded oil supertanker off Sri Lanka, the islands nations navy said on Monday, four days after fire first broke out on the New Diamond. Fresh flames have risen in the funnel section of the MT New Diamond Supertanker and fire fighters are battling the fire using foam to contain the blaze," said the Navy spokesman Captain Indika de Silva, adding that the fire had not reached the oil cargo of around 2 million barrels. Meanwhile, Sri Lankas Marine Environment Protection Agency has said that legal action could be taken against the owners, Liberian-registered Porto Emporios Shipping Inc, should the worst happen and the ship breaks up". A few hours back, the Indian Navy had tweeted, Re-ignition of fire observed on Starboard (Right) side of #MTNewDiamond. Fire-fighting & boundary cooling efforts intensified to bring fire under control. Salvage Team has arrived at scene. Additional assets, salvage personnel & FF equipment also enroute." #UpdateRe-ignition of fire observed on Starboard (Right) side of #MTNewDiamond.Fire-fighting & boundary cooling efforts intensified to bring fire under control.Salvage Team has arrived at scene. Additional assets, salvage personnel & FF equipment also enroute.@SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/NhOoUOLy2C SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 7, 2020 The fire broke out in the engine room last Thursday morning and spread to the bridge of the ship. That blaze was doused on Sunday. Senior ministers of the Union government took Prime Minister Narendra Modis clarion call of Atmanirbhar Bharat forward and urged automakers to reduce their dependence on imports, increase exports, and make India a global manufacturing hub for automobiles and auto components. I request the auto industry to not depend on imports, develop import substitutes, and expand its export business. The government will support you in increasing production and boosting employment potential, said Nitin Gadkari, the Union minister for road transport and highways, and micro, small and medium enterprises. Minister of railways, and commerce and industry Piyush Goyal and minister of environment, forest and climate change Prakash Javadekar also urged the auto sector to boost local manufacturing at the annual conventions organized by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), held on 4-5 September. This is also likely to boost the economy by creating enormous job opportunities at a time that the country is struggling to shake off the adverse effect of the lockdown imposed to check the spread of coronavirus. Gadkari urged the industry to develop import substitutes and increase investment in research and development (R&D) and export volumes and said that the government will set up industrial clusters along the 12-lane, 1,400km Mumbai-Delhi expressway. The expressway passes through the backward tribal areas of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Land acquisition cost in these areas is low. The land rate in Gurugram or any big city is 2-2.5 crore per acre. I am willing to give you land in these areas for 10-15 lakh per acre. I request the auto industry to develop industrial clusters on the land parcels, the road transport and highways minister said. Gadkari said his ministry will take the responsibility for connectivity to ports, railway stations and airports. Citing examples of existing auto hubs, such as Sanand, Manesar, and Hosur, Goyal said India must look at boosting its domestic capabilities and expand its global economic engagement. The auto industry should reduce dependence on imports, specifically in areas such as steel, tyres, and electronic parts, Goyal said. Goyal said he has requested the industry to come up with a viable model for setting up semiconductor fabrication units, which will help increase production of electronic components. India needs to focus immediately on setting up fabrication facilities because that is the root of the entire electronics chain. The government is willing to extend support to set these up, Goyal said. One or more large automakers may look at setting up such units, and even consider moving existing fabrication units from other countries to India, he said. I think it should be driven by the private sector and the government setting up a fabrication unit is not a good idea. Goyal said. The industry must aim to become a global manufacturing hub for sunrise sectors, including electric and autonomous vehicles. The government is working with other countries to sort out tariff and non-tariff barriers, including a free trade agreement with the European Union for India to become a preferred supplier. We are also considering a credit guarantee model to help exporters. Under the model they may get insurance of up to 90% of their export value. The scheme should be finalized soon, Goyal said. Gadkari and Goyal also hinted that the government is considering an increase in duties on import of auto components. Javadekar said that the government was evaluating the possibility of reducing goods and services tax for two- and three-wheelers to revive local demand, while Gadkari said that the much awaited vehicle scrappage policy is in its final stages of approval and will be rolled out within a month. Actor Priyanka Chopra on Monday posted a new video promoting the new season of Indian Premier League (IPL), due to begin in UAE. What caught our attention was her new hairdo. Having done her hair in bangs, her front fringe sat pretty on her face. Her hair is also considerably shorter. In the video, she talked about how much she looks forward to the thrill of watching IPL again. Priyanka also shared a video clip of her pet dogs, Gino and Panda, playing in a pool. Priyanka and her husband Nick Jonas have interesting names for their pets. Gino is called Gino The German while Panda is addressed as Panda The Punk. Earlier this week, Priyanka celebrated the fourth birthday of her first pet, Diana Chopra, a chihuahua. On Sunday, she posted a picture with Gino in another love-filled post. Priyanka, who has stayed put in her Los Angeles home for a long time, has been sharing fun posts all along. She posted a pretty picture of herself and declared how summer was coming to an end in her part of the world. She wrote: The last few days of summer... In the last week of August, she shared a picture from her office and wrote: Day at the office. In mid August, on a trip to Mammoth lakes in California, she had written: Mother natures medicine. Also read: Dalip Tahil: Before Kangana Ranaut passes personal judgement on her colleagues, she should also get a drug test done Amid all the fun stuff Priyanka posts, she also finds time for matters of more serious concern. She had recently expressed her concern at the state of girls education due to the ongoing pandemic crisis. She had written: One of the several challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic globally has been its impact on the education system. With classrooms going online for the immediate future, there is still uncertainty over what school will look like in the months to come. This uncertainty takes on another meaning for many girls around the world the question isnt when they will return to schoolits if they will return at all. Due to ripple effects from COVID-19, experts predict that tens of millions more adolescent girls could remain out of school forever. We cannot let this happen. Priyanka has completed shooting for The White Tiger. She also has Matrix 4 in her kitty among other projects. Follow @htshowbiz for more Jacob Blake has spoken publicly for the first time since a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, shot him seven times in the back. The 29-year-old said he is in constant pain from the shooting, which doctors fear will leave him paralysed from the waist down. In a video posted on Twitter by his family's lawyer Ben Crump, Mr Blake said from his hospital bed: "Twenty four hours, every 24 hours it's pain, nothing but pain. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side to side, it hurts to eat." Mr Blake, a father of six, also said he has staples in his back and stomach. "Your life, and not only just your life, your legs, something you need to move around and forward in life, can be taken from you like this," Mr Blake said, snapping his fingers. He added: "Stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out there, man, because there's so much time that's been wasted." Mr Blake, who is black, was shot in the back by a white police officer on August 23 after walking away from the officer and two others who were trying to arrest him. The officer, Rusten Sheskey, opened fire after Mr Blake opened his own SUV's driver-side door and leaned into the vehicle. The shooting was captured on video and posted online, sparking several nights of protests and unrest in Kenosha, a city of about 100,000 people between Milwaukee and Chicago. Mr Sheskey and the other officers who were at the scene were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. None of them have been charged. Mr Blake, who had an outstanding arrest warrant when he was shot, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman in May and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He appeared remotely via video conference from his Milwaukee hospital bed. Mr Blake spoke only to respond to the judge's questions. The state Justice Department has said a knife was recovered from Mr Blake's vehicle, but it has not said whether he was holding it when officers tried to arrest him. The man who made the widely seen mobile phone video of the shooting, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Mr Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell: "Drop the knife! Drop the knife!" before gunfire erupted. He said he did not see a knife in Mr Blake's hands. The Kenosha police union said Mr Blake had the knife and refused orders to drop it. Mr Blake fought with police, including putting one officer in a headlock, the union said. Police twice used a Taser, which did not stop Mr Blake. Credit: Unsplash Some of my students have been assaulted. Others have been homeless, jobless or broke, some suffer from depression, anxiety or grief. Some fight addiction, cancer or for custody. Many are in pain and they want to write about it. Opening wounds in the classroom is messy and risky. Boundaries and intentions can feel blurred in a class where memories and feelings also present teachable moments. But if teachers and students work together, opportunities to share difficult personal stories can be constructive. Writing about trauma The health benefits of writing about trauma are well documented. Some counseling theoriessuch as narrative therapyincorporate writing into their therapeutic techniques. Research suggests writing about trauma can be beneficial because it helps people re-evaluate their experiences by looking at them from different perspectives. Studies suggest writing about traumatic events can help ease the emotional pressure of negative experiences. But writing about trauma is not a cure-all and it may be less effective if people are also struggling with ongoing mental health challenges, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Internationally acclaimed researcher and clinician Bessel van der Kolk asserts in his book, The Body Keeps the Score, that trauma is more than a stored memory to be expunged. Rather, van der Kolk suggests our whole mind, brain and sense of self can change in response to trauma. Pain is complicated. And teachers in a classroom are not counselors in a clinic. If properly managed, though, sharing stories about personal suffering can be a relevant and valuable educational experience. It's a strategy that, in a professional setting, could be referred to as "lit therapy." An empathetic space Dr. Jill Parris is a psychologist who works with refugees and uses lit therapy as an extension of trauma counseling. Parris and I also worked together on the project Home Truths: An Anthology of Refugee and Migrant Writing, which paired refugee authors with a writing mentor to develop personal stories about challenging migrant journeys to Australia. Parris says writing about trauma is helpful in most cases, as long as teachers and their students monitor stress levels and offer an empathetic space where storytellers are given the time and tools to manage the complex feelings that may surface. "It is important that people feel absolutely free to avoid focusing on traumatic events and this should be made clear from the start," says Parris. Teachers should therefore be wary of implying traumatic personal stories are inherently worthy subjects, that divulgence alone is more likely to receive a higher grade or publication. It isn't. In fact, sharing a story may be detrimental. It may be unfair to the author's future self, the other people involved in their experience, or to the piece's intention for its readers. Helping individual students identify their own readiness to share personal experiences is an important first step. Parris recommends asking students how they know they are ready to share their story. What has changed to make them ready? Answering these questions helps people sit outside themselves. As teachers, we also need to be mindful that sharing painful memories presents a risk for those hearing them. Vicarious trauma Vicarious trauma is a real threat. To help mitigate the risk of emotional contagion, teachers should check in with students at the beginning and end of class to monitor feelings, reminding people they are in the present, that the trauma they recounted or heard was survived. If people feel stressed, Parris recommends looking around and forcing ourselves to name what we see, hear, feel, taste and smell as a way of returning to the present. Discussing what people will do outside class to care for themselves is also useful. As teachers, it is important to help our students organize their thoughts and feelings in relation to the craft of professional writing, which is writing intended for consumption by an anonymous reader. Students are likely to write what they're passionate aboutthe good, the bad and the ugly. Their best writing comes out of what's meaningful to them. Teachers can help guide their students' search for authenticity. Feelings and experiences matter, but writers and readers also want to know what they mean. Revealing how masters of personal storytelling bridge the personal and the universal is useful in demonstrating the broader purpose of sharing stories. Story craft is part of how author Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking is both a personal reflection and a forensic investigation of grief. Part of a writing teacher's job is exploring how personal stories can contribute to the archive of collective human experience. While I work with adult students, there is also evidence narrative writing exercises can help children and teenagers process thoughts and emotions related to challenging personal events. This work is emotionally demanding. Scenes of horrible things people have told me occasionally invade my mind, as if another person's lived experience orbits my own memories. It's unsettling. It's also why stories matter. Because hearing them can help us better understand the people who share them. Stories help us glimpse the humanity in the hardship, showing us while pain is universal, compassion is too. Explore further Schools can do more to help students cope with trauma, says education report This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. US Embassy Issues Advisories Against Visiting Mexico Over CCP Virus The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued advisories to Americans against visiting Mexico due to the spread of COVID-19. The number of confirmed and suspected cases is still increasing daily in several regions of Mexico. Mexico City, Nuevo Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico State, and Coahuila currently report the highest number of active cases for the preceding two-week period, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico said in a bulletin. It added that states with the most CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus hospitalizations are Nayarit, Colima, Nuevo Leon, Hidalgo, and Coahuila. Mexican health authorities have reiterated calls for people to stay home during this time, the embassy said. Mexico is among the top nations in terms of overall CCP virus fatalities. Reports have said that the Mexican government has downplayed the overall number of cases. International commercial flight options currently exist in Mexico, but at a reduced capacity. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights from Mexico to the United States at this time, the embassy said. Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said last week that a decline in the number of new cases has stalled because of the economy reopening. In weeks 33 and 34 [August 9-15 and 16-22] there was no decrease in the epidemic; this is certainly disconcerting because we all would like it to decrease until it disappears, Lopez-Gatell said, adding that we cannot keep society permanently cloistered. In European countries that began with the epidemic in the last two weeks of January or early February, there are very large outbreaks today, he said. This can happen at any time in a municipality, state, in the country or even worldwide, he said. A stock photo shows forensic experts are seen at the scene of the crime in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, on Jan. 18, 2019. (Ulises Ruiz/ AFP/Getty Images) The U.S. State Department currently said lists Mexico under its Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory because of the virus and elevated crime levels. On Aug. 6, the agency warned that people should not travel to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas states due to crime. Tamaulipas should be particularly avoided due to kidnapping reports, according to the agency. Violent crimesuch as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robberyis widespread. Armed criminal groups have been known to target and rob commercial vessels, oil platforms, and offshore supply vessels in the Bay of Campeche, the latest bulletin said. With high winds expected to fan the flames of a wildfire already burning in Oregons central Cascade Mountains, the U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed a large section of forest land to the public. Most of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, as well as some adjacent land in the Willamette National Forest, will be closed to the public for at least a few days, forest officials announced Sunday, as officials keep an eye on the Lionshead fire, currently burning to the east. We are ramping up our closure to ensure folks stay clear of the area during the next 72-hours, David Warnack, supervisor for the Willamette National Forest, said in a news release Sunday. We plan to shrink the closure as appropriate once we see how the fire behaves with anticipated high wind gusts during these next few days. Dangerously high winds are forecasted across the region from Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon, with gusts expected to reach as high as 65 mph in some areas. Combined with low humidity, the winds will increase the danger of wildfire in the area. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning through Wednesday evening. The Lionshead Fire, ignited by lightning on Aug. 16, is currently burning on the east side of Mount Jefferson. As of Monday morning, it had burned 18,615 acres and was 31% contained. The Willamette National Forest issued its latest fire restrictions Aug. 28, which bans all campfires except those within established fire rings of select campgrounds, as well as using charcoal or wood stoves, smoking and parking in areas of high vegetation. Forest officials are asking people not to do any activities that could create a spark, possibly igniting new wildfires on top of those that are already burning. The new closure area extends from U.S. 20 north to Breitenbush Lake, and from Oregon 22 east to Mount Jefferson. It includes the western slopes of Mount Jefferson as well as Three Fingered Jack. The eastern side of the wilderness area will remain open. See a full map of the fire closure online at fs.udea.gov. An extended fire closure was ordered Sept. 6, 2020 for much of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness and adjacent lands. --Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijan and Turkey will form a joint Turkey-Azerbaijan Media Platform. The relevant agreement was reached during Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmat Hajiyevs official visit to Turkey on September 7. Addressing the meeting with Fahretting Altun, Communications Director of the Turkish Presidency held in Istanbul, Hajiyev said that close cooperation between the public and private media agencies of the two countries will significantly contribute to enhance fraternal ties. Azerbaijan and Turkey always stand by each other under the slogan one nation, two states. Azerbaijan is sincerely happy with the achievements of brotherly Turkey in all areas, from economy to foreign policy. Further expansion of cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan in all fields, first of all, serves to further strengthen the fraternal ties between the two countries, Hajiyev said. He stressed that joint projects in all areas, from television to the film sector, exchange of experience, as well as cooperation in technology will play an important role in combating the smear campaign against both countries. Altun said that the platform will help Azerbaijan and Turkey carry out joint work from quickly delivering accurate information to domestic and international audiences to fight against fake news and disinformation. We discussed the integration of the two countries media, their effective work in informing the people, especially the creation of common strategies in the fight against misinformation on social media and smear campaign from abroad through this platform, he noted. "In particular, we would like to be in closer cooperation with Azerbaijan in all matters falling under the jurisdiction of our Directorate of Communications," Altun added. The Turkish senior official also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation on media communication and public diplomacy between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani delegation to Turkey included Farhad Amirbayov, head of the information support sector of the Azerbaijani First Vice President, Aslan Aslanov, chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan State Information Agency (Azertag), Ismat Sattarov, chairman of the National Television and Radio Council, Rovshan Mammadov, chairman of the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting (AzTV) CJSC, and Balakishi Gasimov, Director General of the Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (ITV). The delegation is accompanied by Azerbaijans Ambassador to Turkey Khazar Ibrahim and Consul-General Narmina Mustafayeva. The Azerbaijani delegation's visit to Turkey aimed to create the joint media platform between Azerbaijan and Turkey, implement the exchange of specialists and exchange of views, as well as expand the closer promotion of the two countries in the world through social media, Azertag reported. Earlier, Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev voiced Azerbaijans support for Turkey over tension with Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean. Accepting the credentials of the newly-appointed Greek ambassador on September 2, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan will stand with Turkey under any circumstances without any hesitation. Turkey also showed its unwavering support to Azerbaijan after Armenias military aggression on border Tovuz district in July that killed 12 Azerbaijan servicemen and a civilian. --- Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (September 7) joined President Ram Nath Kovind and Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal through video conferencing to address the inaugural session of the Governor's Conference on New Education Policy. PM Modi said that the work for NEP 2020 started around five years ago and suggestions of more than two lakh people have been incorporated to formulate the new policy. "The New Education Policy focuses on learning instead of studying and goes ahead of the curriculum to focus on critical thinking. In this policy, we have stressed on passion, practicality and performance," he said. The prime minister expressed confidence that NEP 2020 will give direction to country's goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and help India become more self-reliant in future. "True knowledge liberates minds. With the new NEP 2020, youth can study subjects as per their interest. New Education Policy isimportant for fulfilling national aspirations," noted PM Modi. The prime minister said that NEP 2020 has opened the way for the establishment of the best international institutions' campus across the country and this will play an important role in tackling brain drain and will allow the youth from ordinary families to receive world-class education in India. "Under the NEP, we've opened the pathway to open campuses of best international institutes in India for our students. When top campuses will open in India, our students will get more competitive and will not have to go abroad for quality education," noted PM Modi. "With vocational exposure right from early age, our youth will get better prepared for life. Our youth's participation in the global job market and employ-ability in India will increase with practical learning," added the prime minister. "The pressure on students for specific streams have been removed. Our youth will now be able to learn according to their interests. Earlier, students used to pick a stream beyond their aptitude and they realised it much later. Such problems have been done away with in the NEP," he remarked. The map of travel restrictions affecting Spain is looking increasingly red these days. Over 100 countries, including a few European ones, have banned transit from Spain or have cut off travel links with the country entirely due to the coronavirus situation. Another 65 have introduced disincentives such as quarantines and PCR tests, according to data provided by the Spanish Foreign Ministry. Spain currently tops the list of restrictions on mobility in Europe only Romania and Malta are dealing with similar constraints. Aware of the impact of such measures on tourism, business, and ultimately the countrys reputation, Spanish diplomats are trying to get Brussels and the biggest source nations for tourism to ease these conditions. But despite the governments efforts to get foreign officials to differentiate between the various regions of Spain, where coronavirus incidence varies significantly, the entire country is considered a risk zone in Germany including the Canary Islands, located off the coast of western Africa, where the pandemic has had little impact. The H10 Hotel in Puerto de La Cruz, on the island of Tenerife. Ramon de la Rocha (EFE) Denmark only allows travel that is justified (and tourism is not). Belgium has left the Canary island of Tenerife off its red list, while the United Kingdom, the main source of visitors to Spain before the days of Covid-19, introduced a quarantine for anyone coming from any part of the country. Britains decision, taken in late July, was the first of many restrictions to come. The rising coronavirus figures in Spain, where the latest data points to an incidence of 216 cases for every 100,000 people, have put a damper on the tourism industrys hopes for the summer following a lockdown that brought the sector to a complete halt. The government now hopes to help a sector that contributes more than 12% of gross domestic product (GDP). Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya last week provided a few details about the strategy at the weekly Cabinet meeting. Spanish authorities have made three requests to the European Commission. The first is for travel recommendations to differentiate between Spains various regions. The second is for Spanish infection figures to be complemented with other relevant indicators such as deaths and intensive care capacity. The third is for the number of coronavirus tests carried out to be included in the criteria to determine whether an area is high risk or low risk. EU Commission These requests were partially fulfilled last week. Irritated at the unilateral measures being taken by member states, the Commission on Friday released a statement with a proposal for unified criteria for restricting free movement. The proposal includes common criteria and thresholds for member states when deciding whether to introduce travel restrictions. It also asks states to consider the percentage of positive tests from all Covid-19 tests carried out in a given area during a seven-day period. The statement also notes that travelers coming from high-risk zones should either undergo quarantine OR undergo a Covid-19 test after arrival Covid-19 testing being the preferred option. Sources in London said that the countries on its quarantine list are reviewed regularly But the number of infections continues to be the main criteria to determine an areas risk level, and Brussels recommendation is no guarantee that member states will follow its guidelines. Border management remains a national issue, and for this reason, Spain is simultaneously exploring direct contact with the main source nations for tourism, namely Britain and Germany. Diplomatic sources from both countries with knowledge about the situation said they are aware of Spains desire to limit travel rules for instance by easing restrictions against the Canary Islands, where Covid-19 has had little impact and which relies heavily on tourism. But the same sources avoided creating any expectations for an upcoming change of criteria. Sources in London said that the countries on its quarantine list are reviewed regularly, and that restrictions will be eased when the health risk decreases. And sources in Berlin noted that it imposes the same rule on every country, requiring self-isolation for anyone coming from a territory with over 50 coronavirus cases for every 100,000 people. But the variety of rules depending on the destination can make travel from Spain confusing. Greece is currently asking for a PCR test, and Austria offers a choice between a 10-day quarantine and a PCR. France and Portugal, which share borders with Spain, have not introduced restrictions for now. French authorities simply ask travelers to sign a document stating that they do not have coronavirus symptoms. English version by Susana Urra. Attorney General K K Venugopal is in self-quarantine, the Supreme Court was informed on Monday as the Centre sought adjournment in a matter related to filling of vacancies in tribunals. A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta was requested by Additional Solicitor General S V Raju that a short adjournment be granted in the case as the AG, who is appearing in the matter, is in self-quarantine. The bench agreed to the request by Raju, representing the Centre in the matter, and posted the matter for further hearing on September 15. According to sources, Venugopal has gone into self-quarantine after one of his staff tested COVID-19 positive. The top court is hearing a batch of petitions related to filing of vacancies in tribunals including Central Administrative Tribunal and Armed Forces Tribunals. Also read: Working to make India 'knowledge economy': PM Modi on New Education Policy Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:02:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Fighting heavily intensified between Yemen's government forces and the Houthi group in the country's northeastern province of al-Jawf during the past 24 hours, leaving 28 killed, a military official told Xinhua. The local military official said on condition of anonymity that "armed confrontations that began late Sunday are still taking place between the government troops and the Houthi group over the control of key areas in al-Jawf province." The ongoing fighting left nearly 18 Houthis and 10 members of the government forces killed with score of injuries among both factions, the source said. He indicated that the government forces were determined to expel the Houthis out from strategic areas in al-jawf, but fighting expanded further in the province. "The Houthis staged a stiff resistance and succeeded in impeding the progress of the government forces in al-jawf til the moment," the source added. Another local Yemeni military official confirmed that the Iran-backed Houthis made progress on-ground and captured areas in the neighboring oil-rich province of Marib. Warplanes of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened and carried out a series of airstrikes against the Houthi-led areas in al-Jawf and Marib provinces, according to the local Yemeni sources. The Iran-allied Houthis control much of al-Jawf and government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition are attempting to expel the rebels out of the province. Yemen has been mired in civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi group seized control of much of the country's north and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. Enditem Congress MLA Ninong Ering claimed on Saturday China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has abducted five boys from Upper Subansiri's Nacho region in Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese FM spokesperson Zhao Lijian has in response to the claims said that China had never recognized so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" and they have no details on the matter yet. Congress MLA Ninong Ering claimed on Saturday that Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has abducted five boys from Upper Subansiris Nacho region in Arunachal Pradesh. Responding to this news, Chinese FM spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday that China had never recognized so-called Arunachal Pradesh which was Chinas south Tibet region, and they had no details to release yet about the question on Indian army having sent a message to PLA about five missing Indians in the region. Ering said in a self-made video that five boys had been abducted by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army from the Upper Subansiri area, doing something like that while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was in Russia meeting his Chinese counterpart, sent a very wrong message to the people there. He added that Arunachal Pradesh was a very special part of our country where people were welcomed with Jai Hind and slogans praising Bharat Mata. Claiming that this was the second such incident that has happened, the Congress MLA said that the border along China was approximately 1,100 kilometres long, they also shared borders with Bhutan and Myanmar. He said that that time, they had seen incursions in Chaglagam and Dibang Valley, and China had started construction of roads about 100 kilometres from the last outpost in Dibang Valley. Also read: India overtakes Brazil to become the serving worst Covid hit nation, 90k cases reported in a day China's PLA (People's Liberation Army) has abducted 5 boys from Nacho, Upper Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh. This has happened at a time when Rajanath Singh is meeting defence ministers of Russia & China. PLA's action has sent a very wrong message: Congress MLA Ninong Ering pic.twitter.com/Qr5SupeLDD ANI (@ANI) September 5, 2020 The Indian Army has already sent hotline message to the counterpart PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh. Response is awaited. https://t.co/eo6G9ZwPQ9 Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 6, 2020 SHOCKING NEWS: Five people from Upper Subansiri district of our state Arunachal Pradesh have reportedly been abducted by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Few months earlier,a similar incident happened. A befitting reply must be given to #PLA and #CCPChina. @PMOIndia https://t.co/8gRdGsQfId pic.twitter.com/KbDMJ3bUi2 Ninong Ering (@ninong_erring) September 4, 2020 Also read: As Indias Covid tally crosses grim 42 lakh mark, metro services resume pan-India today Ering also tweeted about the same earlier this morning, while urging Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to take action. His tweet read SHOCKING NEWS: Five people from Upper Subansiri district of our state Arunachal Pradesh have reportedly been abducted by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Few months earlier, a similar incident happened. A befitting reply must be given to PLA and CCPChina. The Congress leader made claims that he had sent satellite imagery of the concerned parts to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He further said in his video that he had sent satellite imagery of those parts to the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, the intrusion tells that China had made its mood to attack. He said that they were trying to divert the army to Dokhlam and Ladakh, and had started to carry out attacks there in Arunachal. He said that he requests the leaders to be cautious at the border and tell the soldiers also to be alert, the people of Arunachal Pradesh are very simple-minded and peaceful. He added that he requests the Defence Minister to speak to his Chinese counterpart and demand that the children be sent back to them. Ering recounted the first similar incident from 1962. He said that even in 1962, their aggression had happened, we can never trust China. He said that they were doing such things even while their leaders were engaging in talks, seeing their behaviour, it seemed that it was unlikely that they would be able to maintain a peaceful relationship. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case LIVE news updates: Centre extends Y+ level security to Kangana Ranaut An Atlas Air flight was forced to make an emergency landing after the plane caught fire midair over Honolulu. The heart-stopping incident took place on Saturday after a military chartered Boeing 767 took off from Hickman Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii, bound for Guam. Cell phone footage taken by a passenger inside the plane shows a pitch-black cabin that is sporadically lit up by the raging inferno on the wing. Cell phone footage taken by an Atlas Air passenger shows one of the engines on fire mid-flight (pictured) on Saturday The military chartered Boeing 767 was on course to Guam when one of the engine's experienced a mechanical issue The flames appear just outside a cabin window as turbulence grips the aircraft. A second video taken by a Honolulu resident shows the Atlas Air plane flying over the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport three miles away. 'Oh my god,' one person says, 'is it going to crash? Did you just see the fire come out of it?' The pilot declared an emergency landing just minutes after takeoff and, fortunately, none of the 212 passengers on board were injured. Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion around that time and said they saw flashes of light that may have been fire in the sky around 9pm Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion around that time and said they saw flashes of light that may have been fire in the sky around 9pm. 'It was quite loud. Im pretty sure I heard my neighbors down below talking about it,' Kevin Tynan, of Makiki, told KHON 2. 'You can hear a lot of people, it was pretty in tenses for a while there,' he added. Air travel officials later confirmed that the plan experienced mechanical issues with one of its engines. 'It was actually scary to watch because youre scared is this plane going to explode? Is it going to go down?' questioned Rick Bartalini of Kakaako. The flight, which had 212 passenger on board, took off from Hickman Air Force Base (pictured) 'I was nervous because when I first saw it, it was pretty close. I was like oh my gosh,' Tynan added. Following the incident, Atlas Air released a statement announcing an inspection into the fire's cause. 'An Atlas Air passenger flight landed safely at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu following a mechanical issue with one engine. At Atlas, safety is always our top priority and we will be conducting a thorough inspection to determine the cause.' wrote Atlas Air. The incident remains under investigation. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge saw lockdown as 'a rare gift' because royal children are usually 'unavoidably denied the privilege of prolonged time with their parents', a royal expert has claimed. Prince William, 38, and Kate Middleton, 38, spent the majority of the last six months at their Norfolk home of Anmer Hall with their children, Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two. Now royal commentator Victoria Arbiter has claimed the period gave the Cambridge children a 'privilege generations of royal youngsters have unavoidably been denied prolonged time at home with just Mum and Dad'. Writing for Australian site 9Honey, she said the children would likely be 'the most well-adjusted generation the royals have ever known', adding: 'For George, Charlotte and Louis a lifetime of duty eventually awaits, but thanks to the relative normality their childhood affords, their royal calling will feel less like a prison sentence and more one to be proud of.' The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 38, felt lockdown was 'a rare gift' to spend time with Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, who have been 'given the privilege' of 'prolonged time with their parents, a royal expert has claimed The royal commentator said the couple have 'set a royal parenting precedent' with their techniques. Victoria wrote that Prince William has long 'strived' to provide his children with the 'stability he once craved'. Meanwhile, she added that Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton have 'remained at the heart of the Cambridges' existence' and offer a 'stabilising force' to the family unit. She wrote: 'Given his admiration for their solid middle-class values and hands-on style, it's hardly surprising Carole and Mike play such a significant role in their grandchildren's upbringing.' Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter said the children would likely be 'the most well-adjusted generation the royals have ever known' thanks to Prince William and Kate's parenting techniques She commented that the combination of Kate's focus on early years education and the Middleton's 'nurturing presence', alongside Prince William's focus on mental well being and the Windsor traditions, would lead the Cambridge children 'to be the most well-adjusted generation the royals have ever known.' Meanwhile Victoria added that Prince William and Kate are 'paving the way' for 'royal children of tomorrow' with their parenting techniques. Her comments come after the couple returned to London following months away as the children prepare for the start of their new school year. Last month, the Queen reportedly reunited with William, Kate and their three children for the first time since the country was plunged in coronavirus lockdown. Victoria said that lockdown had brought the Cambridge children a 'privilege generations of royal youngsters have unavoidably been denied prolonged time at home with just Mum and Dad' (pictured, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Anmer Hall in April) Almost exactly five months after the Queen told Britons 'We will meet again' in a now historic address to the nation, she had her first socially distanced meeting with all five of the Cambridges. It was the first face-to-face meeting involving the Duke and Duchess, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis since lockdown began in March, reports The Sun. William and Kate and the three children are said to have visited Balmoral, in Scotland, where the Queen and Prince Philip have been in a Covid- secure 'bubble' since the beginning of August. According to the Sun, sources say the Queen spent time with her great-grandchildren while outside on the royal estate. It comes weeks after The Queen reportedly reunited with William, Kate and their three children at Balmoral for the first time since the country was plunged in coronavirus lockdown Prince Edward, Sophie of Wessex and Princess Anne were also reportedly at the 50,000-acre estate at the end of August. The source told The Sun: 'Like every family, they've been desperate to get back together and over the moon it was possible this weekend. 'They've all been up there for a few days and although there are very strict procedures with social distancing, they've been able to find ways of seeing each other outside. 'It's obviously been a difficult year for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh seeing the country dealing with the pandemic, so they were all keen to go there to show their support.' Earlier this summer, Prince William revealed his patience has been tested while homeschooling his children in lockdown, and that he's been struggling to teach Year 2 maths. The comments come after Prince William revealed his patience has been tested while homeschooling his children in lockdown, He is pictured, right, in September with Princess Charlotte (left), Kate Middle (second left) and Prince George (second right) as the royal children attended their first day of school for the year Prince George is in his final year of infant school at Thomas's Battersea, in south west London. His little sister Princess Charlotte joined him in September and is currently in the reception class. But the royal children have been homeschooled since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which Prince William admits has been a struggle. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Lives That Peter Crouch Podcast, which was recorded partially via Zoom and partially at Kensington Palace in March, the heir said: 'I've found it pretty testing, not going to lie, trying to keep the children engaged in some kind of work, it's been an interesting few months. 'I've learned through homeschooling that my patience is a lot shorter than I thought it was, that's probably been the biggest eye opener for me, and that my wife has super patience,' the duke revealed. Pakistan is seeking the reversal of a $5.8 billion penalty imposed by an international tribunal for denying a mining lease to an Australian company, saying that paying the fine would hinder its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The Reko Diq district in southwestern Pakistans Balochistan Province is famed for its mineral wealth, including gold and copper. Prime Minister Imran Khans government considers it a strategic national asset, though instead of yielding a bonanza the Reko Diq mining project may cost the country dearly. The World Banks International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes is considering Pakistan's appeal against enforcing the penalty over its cancellation of the Reko Diq mining lease for Tethyan Copper Corp. (TCC), a 50-50 joint venture of Barrick Gold Corp. of Australia and Antofagasto PLC of Chile. In the meantime, the Balochistan government has set up its own company to develop the mine: As prices for commodities surge, with gold recently at more than $2,000 an ounce, turning fiasco into fortune is all the more appealing. Pakistan and TCC have both signaled a willingness to discuss alternative solutions such as a settlement, but the status of any talks on a deal is unclear. Officials on the Pakistani side say they have not been in direct contact and no specific settlement has been proposed. Despite the initiation of arbitral proceedings in order to protect its rights, TCC remains hopeful of an opportunity to reach a negotiated resolution to the case, says a statement on the company's website issued after the 2019 arbitration ruling. Asked recently, TCC officials said there were no updates. An official in Pakistans attorney generals office said an out-of-court settlement with TCC was possible pending a final decision on the award, which might not come until next year. The Reko Diq case is testing Khans ability to use back-channel diplomacy to settle disputes and keep alive efforts to lure more foreign investors. According to details available on TCCs website, the Reko Diq mining project intended to build and operate a world-class copper-gold open-pit mine at a cost of about $3.3 billion. The project could be a beacon for further investment into exploration and mining sectors in Balochistan and Pakistan in general, the company said. TCC says its 1998 agreement with the local Balochistan government entitled it to the mining lease, subject only to routine government requirements. After an extensive and detailed feasibility study, the company's local subsidiary submitted a mining lease application in 2011. The project stalled in November 2011 when the Balochistan provincial government rejected the application. Pakistani officials in both Islamabad, the capital, and Balochistan say the mining lease was terminated by the Balochistan government because it was secured in a non-transparent manner and granted too many concessions to the company, violating government rules and regulations and ignoring national interests. By then, TCC had invested $220 million in Reko Diq. The Australian mining company sought help from the World Bank arbitration tribunal in 2012, and it ruled against Pakistan in 2017, rejecting an earlier decision against TCC by the Pakistan Supreme Court. The miner originally sought $8.5 billion. The tribunal opted to use a formula for calculating damages for the canceled lease based on the assumed profits TCC might have earned from the mine over 56 years, said an official at the Justice Ministry who spoke on condition he not be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media about the case. The resulting fine of nearly $6 billion, including the damages award and interest, is equal to about 2 percent of Pakistans GDP and is on a par with a recently agreed bailout package for Pakistan from the International Monetary Fund. Economist Jeffrey Sachs described it as a mugging of Pakistan. Other experts also have questioned the reasoning behind the huge award, which is more than double the size of the largest similar arbitration award, in a case between Dow Chemical and Kuwait Petrochemical Corp. Documents explaining the award suggest one intention was to penalize Pakistan for having violated its investment treaty with Australia. Regardless, paying compensation equivalent to 40 percent of the country's foreign exchange reserves would be a challenge as the impoverished Islamic nation struggles to revive its economy. The pandemic has infected nearly 300,000 of Pakistan's 212 million people and killed more than 6,300, while the economy contracted for the first time in decades in the fiscal year that ended in June. Reko Diq's proximity to the Saindak copper mine operated by Minmetals Corp. of China has raised speculation that Pakistan might tap help from Beijing in resolving the problem if its latest effort to get the award revoked fails. Balochistans Gwadar Port is an anchor in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of Beijings vast Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Minmetals chairman, Guo Wenqing, met with Khan in Beijing last year. But Pakistani officials involved in the Reko Diq project and Minmentals said there is no discussion of a bailout by China. Mahfooz Ali Khan, formerly a finance secretary in Balochistan Province, told AP the regional government initially agreed to the project hoping to see the mine developed but canceled after it found rules had been violated. I personally feel that both sides should consider an out-of-court settlement as both sides have solid legal points to continue a legal battle, but it would be better if they renegotiate and resume work on the project, he said. With China condemning Czech Senates trip to Taiwan, Czech President Milos Zeman sought to dismiss the spiralling tensions on September 6 and called the visit of its speaker as a boyish provocation. Shortly after Czech Senate speaker Milos Vystrcil, who visited the island without the backing of the government, made the comment of being a Taiwanese in a speech at Taiwan parliament, China expressed its anger. According to international media reports, the Czech government has said that its speaker would pay a heavy price for visiting the democratic island that China views as its own breakaway province. The controversial trip of Vystrcil also prompted Prague to summon Chinas ambassador. Meanwhile, Zeman has reportedly sought closer political and trade relations with the Asian superpower since he took the office in 2013. However, his efforts seemed to have failed with unsuccessful investment plans and division among politicians. Recently, in a televised interview, Czech President said that he would stop inviting the Senate speaker to meetings of states top foreign policy officials and noted that his trip could damage for the firms but added that Chinas remarks were reportedly exaggerated. I consider it boyish provocation, Zeman said of the trip. Like most countries across the globe, the Czech Republic does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan even though the island remains a large investor in the European country. Read - Czechs Name New Squad For Scotland Game After Outbreak Read - Czech Republic-Scotland Nations League Game Called Off China-Taiwan tensions Meanwhile, the tensions between both nations have been soaring with most recently Taiwan denouncing Beijing's vulgar threats to Czech Senate Speaker who visited Taiwan ignoring Asian superpowers' threats. China has already made it evident that for its government, Taiwan is a breakaway province and has even indicated the willingness to use force to recapture it. However, Taiwan has reiterated that it is an independent nation and has even removed the Republic of China from its official passport. The so-called breakaway province of China has grown stronger over the years with constant backing from the United States. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trumps administration has not left a single opportunity to get back at China since the COVID-19 pandemic originated in December 2019 from a province in the Asian superpower. Read - Czech Republic And Taiwan Deepen Bilateral Ties, Announce New Areas Of Cooperation Read - Czech, Taiwan, US Officials Speak At Joint Taipei Forum (With agency inputs) Petoskey officials at odds over best process for housing reforms While discussing a possible change to the zoning ordinance, some council members said it doesn't do enough to encourage more housing. The two-day monsoon session of Maharashtra Assembly is set to begin in Mumbai on Monday, amid the worsening Covid-19 situation in the state. It is the shortest session in the States legislative history, to take place on the backdrop of a political tussle between the Shiv Sena and the BJP over Sushant Singh Rajputs death case, the drugs case, Kangana Ranaut locking horns with the Sena and the Palghar lynching case. Several stringent security measures have been put in place in the Vidhan Bhavan area, particularly with respect to Covid-19. At least 9 ordinances and 14 bills are likely to be placed before the House during the session. The legislature will also move condolence motion to pay tribute to former President Pranab Mukherjee, who died last week after prolonged illness. Earlier on Friday, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Nana Patole had tested positive for Covid-19, following which RT-PCR tests have been conducted for all MLAs, their staff, the Vidhan Bhavan staff and journalists. Only those MLAs who will have a Covid-19 negative certificate will be allowed to enter the Assembly premises, however, they wont be allowed to take their Personal Assistants along with them due to Covid-19 threat. Only ministers will allowed to take their assistants along. Breaking the tradition in view of the pandemic, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Sunday cancelled the tea party usually hosted by the Chief Minister for the Opposition party on the eve of the session. A deputy in Sarasota, Florida has been placed on administrative leave after security footage showed him violently detaining a black teenager, according to reports. Sarasota County Sheriffs Office Deputy Neil Pizzo was put on leave on Friday following an altercation with 17-year-old Terrence Reed at the Juvenile Assessment Centre on 1 September, ABC7 reported. A video of the incident obtained by the broadcaster shows Mr Pizzo pointing at Mr Reed as he sits on a bench with his arms tucked into his shirt. The deputy can then be seen walking towards the teenager, immediately grabbing him by the neck, forcing him to the floor, and hitting him. According to an incident report released to ABC7, Mr Pizzo claimed that the violence unfolded after the teenager refused orders to take his hands out of his shirt and made verbal threats towards him. The deputy also reportedly claimed that Mr Reed had his fist clenched and felt he needed to step in and defend himself, according to the outlet. The teenager was arrested for cocaine possession, selling cocaine, contempt of court, and a probation violation, according to records obtained by the outlet. Following the incident, Mr Reed was reportedly taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he was treated for a head abrasion. YahooNews reported that Sheriff Tom Knight announced that the incident was under investigation. This initiative will benefit more than 1.5 lakh students from grades 1st-12th across the country immediately and will expand the scope in the coming years. Through this association, STEPapp will enhance the students' performance in school exams as well as in competitive exams. This will also enable schools to measure the students' learning outcomes through dashboards. The content provided will be in the English language. STEPapp is a gamified learning solution for students to gain conceptual clarity in math & science through its gamified format making it fun and enjoyable. It offers many features including a simplified testing methodology, measurable learning outcomes, self-paced learning, content created by 400+ IITians and Doctors, and rewards & recognition. The purpose of STEPappis to become the springboard for every childs dreams and provide universal access to quality education for every child in India using technology & gamification, by creating a bank of meritorious children who will be the assets to our country. STEPapp has been implemented in 242 Schools, with 35,167 registered students, in 21 States (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Nagaland, West Bengal, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram and Karnataka) as of 31st August 2020. Mr Praveen Tyagi, Managing Director, PACE-IIT CEO & Founder, EduIsFun Technologies (STEPapp) said ,This is a great initiative by the Government of India and Tribal education department. In these pandemic times, education needs to be given its utmost importance and the right steps have been taken. It gives me immense pleasure that we are able to empower EMRS schools and teachers to provide online learning solutions to these tribal kids and work towards our shared vision of empowering them with quality education. I am proud to contribute to the Nation Building in these very difficult times Ministry of Tribal Affairs, India: STEPapp is a wonderful initiative to teach students about the concepts of Mathematics and Science in a gamified way so they can have fun while learning various concepts. From the Ministry's side also our task is to provide high-quality education to the students, and STEPapp is one of the initiatives through which learning will be very beneficial for the students. Tens of thousands of Britons have seen flights from seven Greek islands added to the government's red list treble in price today, as they face a desperate rush back home to beat the quarantine deadline. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed on Monday that Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos are being stripped of quarantine exempt status as of 4am on Wednesday amid fears over a spike in coronavirus cases. Since the announcement, tourists have had to scramble to make alternative plans, with many frantically booking last-minute flights so they don't have to self-isolate for two weeks once back in Britain. However, holidaymakers are reporting huge price hikes for their journeys back, with some having to pay out three times more than they planned. Others face a dramatic race against time, with one visitor's flight set to land at 4.20am, while accountant Julie Frew has a tight window of just three hours between her scheduled arrival back in Birmingham and the cut-off point. The 46-year-old has been in Crete for nearly two weeks with partner David Wort, 48, and is anxious that any slight delay on the journey home could mean both have to quarantine, as well as daughter, Lauren, 23, and her two small children who are due back at nursery over the coming days. She told MailOnline: 'It's definitely going to be a case of biting our fingernails over the next 24 hours. Julie Frew and David Wort arrive back in the UK just three hours before the quarantine deadline and fear the consequences of a delay to their flight A graph shows the surge in prices for flights from Zakynthos to Birmingham after Monday's announcement A graph shows the surge in prices for flights from Santorini to Manchester after Monday's announcement 'I don't understand it because if anything it seems safer here than in the UK. 'It's been very quiet, there's barely anyone on the beaches, all the staff wear masks and there are hand-sanitisers on every table. 'It's not like it's a party island, everything shuts down by midnight, and I think they've only had one or two cases reported a day for the last few weeks compared to our thousands - we had no concerns coming here. 'The government just don't seem to know what they're doing, they're quoting different numbers and it's like they're playing Russian Roulette. 'Both of us are very angry and frustrated about it because we've followed the rules throughout lockdown and it feels like we might be punished. 'We've been looking forward to this holiday for months and it's been a well-deserved break away from a very hard year. 'Thankfully neither of us are in a position where we'd lose jobs or pay as a result of quarantine but I'm sure plenty of others face that threat.' Beth Maybury, 24, from Leeds, echoed Ms Frew's view that life in Crete was more comfortable than in the UK. She said: 'We've felt 100% safer here than back in Leeds as all employees are wearing masks and areas are a lot less crowded. 'Bars etc just seem a lot quieter, the hotel seems not even at half capacity so there's plenty of room round the pool/beach. There just seems to be a lot more awareness in terms of masks too. 'We live near the White Rose (shopping centre) in Leeds which has been consistently heaving throughout with people ignoring social distancing measures while out shopping and going out to eat. 'I've been nervous going out for food or drinks in the UK because it's too busy with no one following rules which is (the) polar opposite to how I feel here. 'I've worked all throughout lockdown as I'm a key worker and I've been so nervous to do anything outside of work. I've had to fly four hours to feel comfortable doing anything.' The Transport Secretary revealed that Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete (pictured), Santorini and Zakynthos are being added to the 'red' list as of 4am on Wednesday Meanwhile, author Fiona Perrin, who has been celebrating her tenth anniversary with husband Alan O'Reilly on the island, booked an earlier flight to come home but had to shall out more than treble the initial cost. She said: 'We were planning to come back on the Wednesday and thought we'd be fine because the quarantine list is normally announced later in the week. 'It was just the shock of seeing the price surge before our eyes, literally as I went to get my credit card, I looked up and it had risen again, it was extraordinary. 'We need to get back for work and because we're renovating a house, which is six months behind schedule as a result of Covid and we didn't want to shut our building site down again. 'Luckily in our case it's not too catastrophic but I think there will be a lot of people who will have to take two weeks without pay.' In his announcement in the Commons, Mr Shapps said that he was stopping short of following Scotland's example by slapping restrictions on arrivals from Greece as a whole. The grim news came as the Cabinet minister revealed that the quarantine system for England is being overhauled to take account of the widely different risk profile presented by some islands. The Joint Biosecurity Centre will now consider islands separately from their mainland where possible. 'For the first time we have the data and the capacity to add and remove specific islands from quarantine while still providing maximum protection for the public,' he told MPs. However, despite the move by the Transport Secretary to add more destinations to the 'red' list, England's approach to imposing quarantine remains less severe than both Scotland and Wales. Scotland has imposed travel quarantine on the whole of Greece while Wales has banned travel to a larger number of Greek islands. Greece as a whole is still well below the threshold for the UK considering quarantine measures - but some of the Greek islands have higher case numbers Matt Hancock says government wants to test arrivals in the UK for Covid 'as soon as it's practical' to halve two-week quarantine Matt Hancock today insisted coronavirus testing for arrivals in the UK will be introduced 'as soon as it is practical'. The Health Secretary said the government recognised how much strain the requirement for 14-day quarantine was putting on the travel industry. He warned that doing just one test at the airport 'doesn't work' as too many asymptomatic cases would be missed. But he confirmed that the government is working on a plan for screening incomers after around eight days, which could potentially halve the quarantine period. 'It is one of the things that we are looking to being in as soon as it is practical to do so,' Mr Hancock told an LBC radio phone-in. Ministers have been rattled by mounting Tory anger over the disastrous quarantine policy, with claims that 110,000 jobs linked to the aviation industry are at stake. The arrangements have been cast into further doubt as the UK's number of cases are now nearing the threshold at which it imposes isolation rules on other countries. The government is considering two options to open up the skies and help rescue the Covid-ravaged economy. Under the first, passengers would be given an airport test on arrival followed by a second test a few days later. The second option is for a single test after five to eight days of self-isolation. But aviation chiefs are furious at the slow pace of progress and want a firm commitment to border tests by the end of the week. Advertisement The Foreign Office has updated its guidance to advise against all but essential travel to the seven islands, but not Greece more widely. The announcement was broadly welcomed by the holiday industry as a step in the right direction. Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: 'It's to be warmly welcomed that the Government is amending its quarantine policy opening up some islands to British tourists again without them having to quarantine. 'Regional corridors are vital to keep travel and tourism alive and well, and I hope it removes the confusion of different UK governments pursuing different approaches to individual countries. 'It's sad news for the Greek islands who can't yet open up but I hope this policy provides impetus for them to get their cases under control.' But there were complaints that the government is acting too slowly. A spokesman for British Airways' owner IAG said: 'It was evident back in July that islands should be treated separately. The Government is being too slow in making obvious decisions. 'For most families summer is now over and the damage to the industry and the economy is done. On testing, we need to get on with it. We are way behind other countries on what has to be a more nuanced approach.' Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon criticised the Government's handling of the pandemic, describing its response as 'chaotic'. He said: 'The Government's response to the Covid-19 crisis has been nothing short of chaotic. At almost every turn, it lacked a clear strategy and this failure has been acutely felt in aviation. 'For months, even when the virus was at its peak, millions of passengers were coming from all over the world without any restrictions placed upon them at all. By the time restrictions were introduced, we were one of only a handful of countries in the world who up to that point had failed to take action in bringing restrictions in place.' It came after Matt Hancock insisted coronavirus testing for arrivals in the UK will be introduced 'as soon as it is practical' to ease the quarantine measures. The Health Secretary said the government recognised how much strain the requirement for 14-day isolation was putting on the travel industry. He warned that doing just one test at the airport 'doesn't work' as too many asymptomatic cases would be missed. But he confirmed that the government is working on a plan for screening incomers after around eight days, which could potentially halve the quarantine period. 'It is one of the things that we are looking to being in as soon as it is practical to do so,' Mr Hancock told an LBC radio phone-in. Ministers have been rattled by mounting Tory anger over the disastrous quarantine policy, with claims that 110,000 jobs linked to the aviation industry are at stake. The arrangements have been cast into further doubt as the UK's number of cases are now nearing the threshold at which it imposes isolation rules on other countries. The government is considering two options to open up the skies and help rescue the Covid-ravaged economy. Under the first, passengers would be given an airport test on arrival followed by a second test a few days later. The second option is for a single test after five to eight days of self-isolation. But aviation chiefs are furious at the slow pace of progress and want a firm commitment to border tests by the end of the week. Grant Shapps told the Commons that he was stopping short of following Scotland's example by slapping restrictions on arrivals from Greece as a whole During an LBC radio phone-in today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government recognised how much strain 14-day quarantine was putting on the travel industry Airport chief executives claimed testing, alongside other measures, could save 110,000 jobs industry-wide. Pictured: Arrivals at Heathrow The quarantine arrangements have been cast into further doubt as the UK's number of cases are now nearing the threshold at which it imposes isolation rules on other countries Airport bosses from Britain's largest transport hubs have warned Boris Johnson that he risks 'irreparable damage' to the economy if quarantining upon arrival is not scrapped. Pictured: Passenger wearing face covering has temperature checked Bahrain dropped second Covid test after just 0.2% were positive Bahrain dropped quarantine for arrivals who were tested at airports after discovering only a tiny proportion went on to develop coronavirus. The Gulf state originally introduced a two-test system, with passengers screened on landing and then again after 10 days of self-isolation. The system is similar to that now being considered by ministers in the UK. However, Bahrain abandoned the quarantine requirement after concluding that the risk of people developing the disease later was miniscule. Just 0.2 per cent - one in 500 people - who were negative on arrival tested positive 10 days later, according to the authorities. The second test is still carried out, but there is no need to isolate until that result. Advertisement Leaders from the likes of Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Luton have set the Prime Minister a seven-day deadline to replace mandatory self-isolation with Covid-19 testing at airports. In the letter seen by the Daily Telegraph - also addressed to Chancellor Rishi Sunak - 20 airport chief executives claimed testing, alongside other measures, could save 110,000 jobs industry-wide. Having already lost over 4billion due to reduced traffic during the pandemic, they wrote: 'We cannot currently envisage an end to this struggle, and without robust Government support there is real possibility of irreparable damage being done to our once world-beating aviation sector.' Led by Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, conservative chair of the Airport Operators' Association, the signatories stressed that testing, along with regional travel corridors, were critical to opening up travel. It is also believed scores of Tory MPs will today urge the government to back testing in airports to remove a 'barrier to travel'. TUI managing director Andrew Flintham also criticised the lack of testing at airports last night, writing in the Daily Telegraph: 'This Government wants to get people back to work - but what happens when there's no work for people to come back to.' In a boost for the Mail's campaign, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab yesterday said a testing regime was under review but would be 'no silver bullet' to end quarantine. But aviation chiefs are furious at the slow pace of progress and want a firm commitment to border tests by the end of the week. Ministers are now leaning toward the idea of a single Covid-19 test eight days after arrival to cut travel quarantine times by almost half. The single test would see travellers swabbed at an NHS testing centre or given home kits. A negative result would allow for early release from the 14-day quarantine rule. Airlines welcomed the move but warned time is fast running out. Industry leaders want ministers to commit to testing this week, with a firm timeline for implementation. They fear failure will wreck hopes of a rise in bookings over the autumn half term and lead to mass redundancies when the furlough scheme ends next month. Scores of Tory MPs and business chiefs are supporting the Daily Mail's campaign for Covid-19 tests at ports and airports and save thousands of jobs. Led by Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, conservative chair of the Airport Operators' Association, the signatories stressed that testing, along with regional travel corridors, were critical to opening up travel Bosses from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Luton set the Prime Minister a seven-day deadline to replace mandatory self-isolation with Covid-19 testing on arrival There is growing frustration at the Prime Minister's insistence that a single test on arrival would only detect 7 per cent of coronavirus cases. Public health experts and industry leaders have accused Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of ignoring an official Sage science advisers' report showing tests five days after arrival will detect 85 per cent of cases and 96 per cent after eight days. They also point out that the 7 per cent figure is based on a three-month-old Public Health England model that does not account for real-world data from 30 countries that have introduced airport testing regimes. Ministers have stoked further confusion by failing to clarify whether the 7 per cent figure refers only to asymptomatic carriers or to all coronavirus cases. One Tory MP said: 'There is a growing realisation that Downing Street might have got the wrong end of the stick on all this. 'It is possible the risk of airport testing is being dramatically over-estimated.' Sir David Spiegelhalter, a Cambridge University professor and one of the UK's top statisticians, yesterday described the Government's defence of 14-day quarantine as 'hopelessly wrong'. There is growing frustration at the Prime Minister's insistence that a single test on arrival would only detect 7 per cent of coronavirus cases He said even if only 7 per cent of cases were picked up 'the vast majority of people will have correct negative tests'. He described a single test on arrival as a 'straw man' and called for 'proper cost-effectiveness analysis of reasonable repeat strategies'. Senior Tories, including a number of former transport ministers, are now calling on Downing Street to carry out a review of data from countries with airport testing. One former minister told the Mail: 'They keep referring to this out-dated and questionable 7 per cent figure. I'm hoping it is a fig leaf while they work out how to do a reverse ferret.' Sir Graham Brady, leader of the 1922 committee of backbenchers, said: 'The variety of tests available means that there are a number ways of having far greater confidence that passengers are not carrying infection. 'This can also be done by means of a double-test with tests taken a few days apart from each other. 'Britain's aviation industry is on its knees and this country has lagged behind all its main competitors in terms of getting an airport regime in place. 'This should be done urgently while we still have a world-leading aviation industry.' Tory MP Henry Smith, whose constituency includes Gatwick, said: 'Boris and Shapps need to start looking at other countries which have introduced airport testing. These are big economies which we compete with. If it's working for them, why not us? Official Sage science advisers' report showing tests five days after arrival will detect 85 per cent of cases and 96 per cent after eight days but Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (pictured) have been accused of ignoring this 'No system is fool-proof. That goes for testing as well as quarantine. But I would argue that airport tests are a far more fool proof then a blanket 14-day quarantine that relies almost entirely on trusting the public to comply.' Former Tory health secretary Lord Lansley told Times Radio the quarantine policy should be ditched in time for half term. As many as 40 Tory MPs are preparing to rebel against 14-day quarantine ahead of a Commons debate on aviation on Thursday.Asked if the quarantine time could be cut to eight days, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC's Andrew Maar Show: 'The direction of travel will be making sure we have the capacity and the ability for when the time is right to ease up on the self-isolation at home, and that's certainly something that we'll be looking at.' But he cautioned: 'Let's just be clear about this when we think about airports - there is no silver bullet in airports.' Airlines UK, the trade body representing British carriers, is pushing for shorter five-day quarantine. Chief executive Tim Alderslade said: 'The Government's modelling says that if you undertake a test on day five the percentage of asymptomatic carriers caught rises to 85 per cent. 'So if the Government is not happy to introduce a regime based on one test on arrival, it could introduce a regime based on a day five test, but at the same time run a trial testing both on arrival and at day 5. 'This would provide real-world data which we hope would enable the Government to move to a one test on arrival system.' A Whitehall source told the Mail: 'There is a live discussion in Government over the possibility of a two-step testing regime to replace quarantine. But it will depend on a number of other factors such as testing capacity.' Europe is taking off again... as UK remains grounded By Transport Correspondent Britain lags behind most of Europe when it comes to re-opening the skies, damning figures reveal. Passenger numbers were down by 73 per cent year-on-year in August, according to data from Airports Council International seen by the Daily Mail. This compares unfavourably to data from countries where airport testing regimes have been put in place. In France, passenger numbers were down by only 60 per cent and in Italy by 62 per cent. Most countries in eastern Europe were down by 68 per cent and in southern Europe, including Spain and Portugal, by 65 per cent. Airport bosses said the figures prove the UK is trailing behind dozens of other countries which offer or accept Covid tests at airports. In another blow to Britain's status as an aviation heavyweight, figures show Frankfurt airport and Charles de Gaulle in Paris carried more passengers over the past few months than Heathrow for the first time in history. Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, told the Mail: 'There is no surprise that, with quarantine measures constantly changing, and no sign of a testing regime, UK aviation has suffered through its worst summer in a generation. 'The Government needs to work quickly with the industry to ensure further, irreparable damage to our once world-leading aviation sector does not occur. 'A robust testing regime for international travellers is one solution which could help secure the restart of UK aviation and UK PLC.' Aviation bosses backing the Mail's Get Britain Flying campaign have warned we will lose our status as a global trading superpower unless ministers take urgent action. Writing in the Mail last week, Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye warned: 'If the Government doesn't get a grip and reopen our borders safely, Britain will fall behind. 'If EU airports thrive, while the UK's hub declines, then Brexit Britain will rely on European hubs to get their global goods to market... Britain will become a vassal state of the EU, just after we have left.' Fly Out To Help Out? Rishi could cut tax on tickets By Tom Payne, Transport Correspondent for the Daily Mail The price of plane tickets for holidaymakers could be cut by the Chancellor under plans to get Britain flying again. At least 24 Tories, including Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 committee, are pressuring Rishi Sunak to suspend air passenger duty until the end of summer next year. The tax on flights from UK airports is charged to airlines but much of the cost is passed onto holidaymakers. It can add 13 to every short-haul ticket and 78 to long-haul fares. Last night the Treasury hinted that changes could be made in the autumn Budget after the transport committee called for a six-month suspension. At least 24 Tories are pressuring Rishi Sunak (pictured) to suspend air passenger duty until the end of summer next year An official statement said: 'The Chancellor has announced that there will be a consultation on aviation tax reform. 'As part of this, the Government will consider the case for changing the air passenger duty (APD) treatment of domestic flights, such as reintroducing a return leg exemption, and for increasing the number of international distance bands.' Research by York Aviation, a research consultancy used by Ministers, found waiving the duty would generate 8billion for the economy. This is three times the amount it had been expected to bring into the Treasury's coffers in 2019-20. Tory MP Henry Smith, whose constituency includes Gatwick airport, is urging Mr Sunak to grant an APD holiday to struggling airlines. In a letter to the Chancellor, he said: 'If we maintain our levels of air passenger duty, it will become a 'tax on recovery' as flying is the only viable route for investors and business people to approach and service existing and potential new markets.' A suspension could allow airlines to entice holidaymakers with cheaper fares and save many of the 600 air routes lost as a result of the pandemic. Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK and Ireland, has warned that many companies would not survive unless flight levies were reduced immediately. He said the industry was 'on its knees', adding: 'We really need the Government to step in and help us.' Airports are also calling on the Chancellor to waive business rates to help them cope with the collapse in travel. Regional airports have been hit particularly hard. The Airport Operators Association recently warned 20,000 jobs will have to be cut without urgent relief. Airports in England have paid more than 70million in business rates since March despite a 97 per cent slump in passenger numbers. Sir Graham said yesterday: 'The UK levies the highest rate of tax in the world on air passengers. 'After months in which the Government has effectively shut down much of our aviation industry, particularly through its blunt instrument of quarantine, it is unrealistic to think the goose will continue laying golden eggs. A period of relief for APD would help the sector get back in the air.' Mr Smith said: 'In light of the way the aviation industry is struggling, we are calling for a scrapping of APD until the end of summer next year. This would be a way of encouraging people to travel. 'We need to help the industry on a range of fronts and an important part of that is getting rid of flight levies. 'Other measures include testing for passenger and an extension of the furlough scheme for the aviation industry.' A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'We acted quickly to provide the aviation industry with an unprecedented package of support to help it through this exceptionally difficult period.' This included loans, tax deferrals and the furlough scheme, he added. Sushant Singh Rajput (File image: PTI) Ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, the art and culture wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released posters seeking justice for late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who died by suicide at his home in Mumbai in June. According to a report by the Indian Express, even as the saffron party has denied that the superstar's death is an election issue, the party's cultural wing has printed posters and stickers and has also taken out protest marches demanding justice for Rajput. The posters, according to the newspaper, read, "Na bhule hain, na bhulne denge" (We haven't forgotten, nor will we let anyone forget Sushant). The culture wing, however, has said that they have been running online and offline campaigns for the actor ever since his death, and that this is not a "political" but an "emotional issue". "We have also got 30,000 masks with the same message and have been distributing it for sometime now. We had also been conducting meetings in Patna in groups in July first week. It is just a coincidence that some people noticed the stickers and are attributing political motives to it," said art and culture wing convenor Varun Kumar Singh. Also Read: Sushant Singh Rajput case: Rhea Chakraborty appears before NCB for questioning on 2nd day Singh told the newspaper that a video on the actor's life and work, divided into two parts, will also be released on social media soon. "We have been part of justice for Sushant campaign since the beginning and had been instrumental in getting top BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sushil Kumar Modi and Ram Kripal Yadav meet Sushants father in July," Singh said. The culture wing of the party, according to the report, has also printed 25,000 car stickers and has been distributing them since July. Amid rumblings in the Congress ranks, party interim president Sonia Gandhi will meet some of the dissident letter writers on Tuesday at a key parliament strategy meeting. This is the first meeting of the grand old party leaders after the stormy Congress Working Committee session. Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, who were among the 23 leaders who signed the letter that called for major changes in leadership, will be participating in the meeting. The party was seen in a turmoil last month after the explosive letter ripples of which could be seen till Sunday when dissenters Jitin Prasada and former UP Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar were left out of the newly created Congress committees ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. However, an IANS report stated that Tuesdays meeting will focus on the party strategy during the Parliament session and the issues to be raised by the party. The Congress has been attacking the Narendra Modi government for suspending Question Hour and has decided to rake up the issue. The group met last week without Sonia to deliberate on the issues. Congress Deputy Leader in the Upper House Anand Sharma said, Delayed Monsoon Session of Parliament is one of special significance after the lockdown and phased unlocking, proposal to exclude Question Hour is arbitrary, shocking and undemocratic." It is members privilege and the very life of a session. Parliament sessions are not meant only for government business but also scrutiny and accountability of a government," Sharma added. The Congress has alleged that the Modi government does not want to explain the brazen transgressions by China into Indian territory. It does not want to answer about the plunder of the Indian economy and the free fall of the GDP. The Centre also does not want to answer why, for the first time in 73 years, the GDP has fallen by minus 24 per cent. Another Congress leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh underlined the importance of Question Hour in Parliament. In the eight years I was a Minister, I looked forward to Question Hour in every session of Parliament whenever BJP allowed it to function. I welcomed the grilling and used the opportunity to share maximum information on policy and programmes, and get feedback from the members," said Jairam. The idea of dropping Question Hour has the Opposition up in arms. They are accusing the government of stifling their voice. Both the Houses of Parliament will be meeting for the first time since the nationwide lockdown in March. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, The government has spoken in advance to all the Opposition parties for not holding Question Hour and everyone except West Bengal MP Derek OBrien has agreed to the arrangement." Ever since Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer has said that the Jalebi actress is ready to be arrested, because she feels that she's facing the consequences of loving the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, netizens are bifurcated in two minds. While some are slamming the actress for bringing the 'love angle' in the death case, others are sympathising with the actress. For the unversed, Rhea's lawyer had said, "She is ready for arrest as it's witch-hunt. If loving someone is a crime she'll face consequences of her love. Being innocent she hasn't approached any court for an anticipatory bail in all cases foisted by Bihar Police with CBI, ED & NCB." Now, lawyer Varun Singh, who is a representative of lawyer Vikas Singh, told a leading daily that 'love angle' can't protect Rhea in court. Shatrughan Sinha Asks If Sushant Will Be Pleased By The Treatment Given To Rhea Chakraborty He said, "If she may not be able to answer properly during the confrontation then she may be arrested soon. It's a strange argument that how stating love can protect her from a court of law. I don't understand how the love angle can help her. If she thinks so she should go to court and speak all this. Can't say anything on the drugs angle until and unless it is proved in court, but yes if there is anything such then it's going to help us." Sushant breathed his last on June 14, 2020. He was found dead at his Bandra residence. Currently, the CBI is carrying out the investigation in the Raabta actor's death and will soon unearth the truth behind his sudden demise. Mostaqbal Watan won 118 seats in the first round of Senate elections. The party has the largest number of candidates in the run-off round scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday Egyptian expatriates are voting in the run-off round of Senate elections on Sunday and Monday. The polls will be held in Egypt on Tuesday and Wednesday. The run-offs will be limited to 14 of Egypt's 27 governorates: Qalioubiya, Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, Menoufiya, Beni Suef, Qena, Sohag, Luxor, Aswan, Giza, Assiut, Matrouh, Port Said, and Ismailia. In the first round the pro-government Mostaqbal Watan (Future of Homeland) Party won 118 (around 60 per cent) out of the 200 contested seats. The National Election Authority (NEA) said the Mostaqbal Watan won 68 individual seats and 50 party list seats. "In the run-off round 52 candidates will compete, of whom 24 are affiliated with the Mostaqbal Watan, four with the Islamist Nour Party, three with the Guardians of the Nation Party, two with the People's Republican Party, one with the Congress Party, one with the National Movement Party, and one with the Ittihad (union) Party," said the NEA's statement. Hossam El-Khouli, deputy chairman of Mostaqbal Watan, said in a TV interview on Sunday that the party won 60 per cent of the contested seats in the first round. "Of the 74 individual candidates who won seats in the first round, we won 68 seats, and as for the 100-candidate National Unified List which contested the party list seats, 50 candidates are affiliated to our party. " This means we won 118 seats in the first round, and in the run-off round we have the largest number of candidates: 24 out of the total 52 candidates. We hope to gain at least 80 per cent of the contested seats." Amr Hashem Rabie, an Al-Ahram political analyst, said the Mostaqbal Watan's win in the first round was relatively easy. "It was almost known in advance the National Unified List led by Mostaqbal Watan would win the 100 party list seats that were up for grabs because it was standing unopposed," said Rabie, adding that "the Mostaqbal Watan placed 50 candidates on the National Unified List and won all its seats. Regarding the 100 contested individual seats, Mostaqbal Watan gave a good performance, winning 68 seats. Since it has the largest number of candidates in the run-offs, it is expected to make a second win, albeit not as easy as in the first round," said Rabie. In the first round Mostaqbal Watan won all the individual seats in nine governorates: Daqahliya, Fayoum, Minya, Beheira, Sharqiya, New Valley, Suez and North and South Sinai. It also won the majority of individual seats in the governorates of Cairo, Qalioubiya, Gharbiya, Giza, Beni Suef, and Alexandria. In the second round, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, the 24 Mostaqbal Watan candidates will face fierce battles in 14 governorates. In Qalioubiya, Mostaqbal Watan candidate Abu Serie Imam faces an uphill battle against independent candidate Khaled Irman. In Damietta, another fierce battle is raging between Mostaqbal Watan's Ahmed El-Balshi and National Movement Party candidate Hamdi Shalabi. In Kafr El-Sheikh, four candidates affiliated to the Islamist Nour Party are pitted against Mostaqbal Watan candidates. In Sohag and Qena, Mostaqbal Watan candidates seek to gain three seats up for grabs in these two Upper Egypt governorates. The party will also face competition from independent candidates in the governorates of Assiut, Beni Suef, Giza, Port Said, Ismailia, Luxor, and Aswan. The result of the run-offs will be announced on 16 September, after which the president will appoint 100 members in the 300-seat Senate. Search Keywords: Short link: Between the 8th and 10th of September, 2020, the worlds first virtual trade fair for agribusiness players in the fruit and vegetable sector will be taking place in Italy. Organized by Macfrut with support from the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), the fair offers players, especially those from Ghana and other African countries an important opportunity to gain access to the huge EU market. To adequately prepare agribusiness players in Ghana for opportunities as those offered by Macfrut Digital, the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) recently organized E-Lab Innova, a training programme to sensitize and update agribusiness players in Ghana on trends in the EU market. Dr. Enrico Turoni and Dr. Umberto Trulli, two instructors for E-Lab Innova, shared their views on how agribusiness players can leverage on the knowledge gained in the training programme to break into the EU market. According Dr. Enrico Turoni To enter into a competitive market, knowledge is a key factor. Thanks to E-Lab Innova, Ghanaian entrepreneurs had the opportunity to learn more about specific topics like business organization, market trends, quality requirements, logistics. etc. he reiterates. For Ghanaian companies, attending Macrfrut means getting in touch with a market whose dimensions are almost unlimited, interacting with well profiled potential business partners, having a detailed vision of the international marketplace in which they can compete adds Dr. Umberto Trulli. Both instructors also highlight four key benefits that agribusiness players in Ghana stand to gain from Macfrut Digital: 1. Assess to an unlimited market: Macfrut in its digital version represents a very interesting opportunity for Ghanaian companies who attended E-Lab Innova for Africa training course says Dr. Umberto Trulli. According to him The COVID crisis requires that companies completely redesign internationalization business processes from a digital perspective. This includes focusing on some important aspects related to business digital interaction. 2. Europe offers a year-round market for fruits and vegetables: In Europe there is an increased popularity of healthy lifestyles, moreover the interest in tropical fruits and vegetables is high and there is the need for a year-round availability says Dr Enrico Turoni. These are trends that offer opportunities for Ghanaian agribusiness players he further adds. 3. A Chance to present products and services in a virtual stand: One positive take-out of the dreadful coronavirus is that the world is now increasing leveraging on digital tools for business and trading. Participants in this years Macfrut Virtual fair have the advantage of literally sitting in the comfort of their homes or offices and yet being able to present their products and services to thousands of people across the globe. 4. A Chance to reach different targets and countries at the same time: Ghana already exports to the European Union but Ghanaian agribusiness players can build competitive advantages with certain niche products and/or specific market windows Dr. Enrico stresses. Macfrut Digital is the right opportunity to meet Italian and European importers and get this information he states. With hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors expected to take part in Macfrut Digital, the fair offers a one-off window for Ghanaian fruit and vegetable farmers and exporters to showcase their produce to the important European market and to the world in general. 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 By Ayya Lmahamad President Ilham Aliyev has viewed renovation work at school No.251 in Bakus Nizami district and attended the opening ceremony of the school's new building, Azertag reported on September 7. The school has been functioning since 1974 and enrolls about 1,700 pupils. About 100 teachers are taking part in the education process. Some 840 pupils are studying in the new building. The school has chemistry, physic and biology laboratories, 35 study rooms, library, reading room and utility rooms. All rooms are equipped with electronic devices and projectors. The schools pupils are distinguished for their success and have won competitions in Romania and Turkey. Residents of the multi-storey buildings adjacent to the school greeted the head of state from the balconies of their apartments. Renovation of chool No.251 is among many infrastructure projects carried out in the country despite the pandemic. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 19:16:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PEOPLE FIRST In essence, what Xi commands is a "people's war." By and large, it is a war waged by the people and for the people, embodying the fundamental purpose of the CPC, the world's largest ruling political party -- to serve the people wholeheartedly. "People" is the most prominent recurring word in the meetings he chaired and the instructions he issued. Xi has stressed putting people's lives and health first and placing their interests above anything else. He demanded closely relying on the people to win the war. He also said all prevention and control measures of the CPC Central Committee were taken with the primary consideration of preventing infections among the people and saving lives. China has made COVID-19 treatment free, pledging to treat every patient and leave no one unattended. The oldest COVID-19 patient saved in China is 108 years old. "We saved lives at all costs. We never gave up no matter how old a patient was or how serious their condition was," Xi said. Jiao Yahui, an official with the National Health Commission, said the elderly were among the most difficult to treat and required more medical resources than others. "But China has given every patient equal treatment, in disregard of their age or wealth," she said, adding that this reflects the traditional Chinese virtues Xi has emphasized that put people first in state governance. Jiao said China has far fewer COVID-19 cases and deaths than major developed nations in Europe and North America. Xi developed close ties to the people early in life. At 15, he went to the village of Liangjiahe in Shaanxi Province, and spent seven years there, working and living with peasants on the Loess Plateau. Meeting the press after the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi said, "People's aspirations for a better life are what we should fight for." Xi has made people's health a major focus. Not long after he was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in 2012, he traveled to a village clinic to learn about the new rural cooperative medical system. He has repeatedly stressed that without good health for all, there would be no moderately prosperous society in all respects. On Feb. 10, when the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Beijing reached 342, Xi put on his mask and visited a residential community, a hospital and a district disease prevention and control center. He held out his wrist to have his body temperature checked upon entering every location. Xi chatted with residents in a street, asking them about the prices of vegetables. "Let's not shake hands at this unusual time," Xi said. "We must have confidence that we can prevail over the epidemic." "We absolutely can beat it," the residents responded. A month later, Xi visited a residential community in Wuhan. At this time, daily new confirmed cases on the mainland had dropped to 24, but Wuhan still had 14,514 COVID-19 patients. The task of containment remained arduous. Walking between apartment blocks, Xi looked up and waved to residents under lockdown who stuck out their heads from their windows and balconies to greet him. "Let's keep it up! Hold on for a little longer!" Xi said. Speaking at a symposium in Wuhan, he made a special request for officials to supply more fish, a favorite food of Wuhan people. Andrey Ostrovsky, deputy director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said Xi's Wuhan inspection was a clear testament to the Party's principle of putting people's lives and health first. Xi cares deeply about medical workers. He demanded maximum efforts to reduce the loss of life and instructed cadres to relieve medical workers' stress, provide for their basic needs and give them enough rest and encouragement. At Huoshenshan Hospital, Xi spoke to fully gowned doctors by video link. "I can't see your whole faces as you are all wearing protective gowns and masks. But in my heart, you are the most beloved people," he said. Chen Jing, a lead nurse of the hospital's intensive care unit, said she was touched by Xi's visit and felt stronger than ever with the leadership and people firmly standing by medical workers. On International Workers' Day, Xi wrote to the staff of a household service company in central China. He lauded a wide range of working people from sanitation workers, deliverymen to workers producing anti-epidemic supplies. Their hard work and contributions, Xi said, had gathered tremendous strength to prevail over the epidemic. On International Nurses Day, Xi applauded nurses who braved the danger to save lives during the COVID-19 fight. On China's Doctors' Day, Xi again lauded medical workers who fought tenaciously against the virus on the front line. Xi was concerned about Chinese citizens' safety abroad and asked embassies, consulates, overseas Chinese associations and student unions to ramp up support. The government arranged flights to bring back Chinese students and other people in need from Iran, Italy, Britain and other countries. Cadres, Xi said, must shoulder their responsibilities for the people. Those who disobey orders, be self-serving, fail to take on responsibilities or have undesirable conduct will be punished. In serious cases, the supervisors of wrongdoers will be held accountable too, Xi said. On April 4, Xi led the nation of 1.4 billion to observe three minutes of silence for the lives lost to the coronavirus. This year's "two sessions" also opened with the mourning of the fallen, once again demonstrating the people-first spirit. (to be continued) Powerhouse Energy Group plc ("Powerhouse" or the "Company") Notice of Annual General Meeting Powerhouse Energy Group plc (AIM: PHE), the UK technology company pioneering hydrogen production from waste plastic, announces that the Notice of Annual General Meeting ("AGM") and Form of Proxy have been posted to shareholders. The Company's AGM will be held at 11.30 a.m. on 30 September 2020 at the Company's registered office at 15 Victoria Mews, Mill Field Road, Cottingley Business Park, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16 1PY. A copy of the Notice of AGM can be found on the Company's website at www.powerhouseenergy.net. To comply with the UK Government's current guidance in relation to Covid-19, shareholders will not be allowed to attend the meeting in person. Shareholders are strongly encouraged to therefore submit their votes, in respect of all matters of business, via proxy as early as possible. They should appoint the Chairman of the meeting as their proxy. If a shareholder appoints someone else as their proxy, that proxy will not be able to attend the meeting in person or cast the shareholder's vote. If the situation changes then shareholders will be notified via the Company's website at www.powerhouseenergy.net and via an RNS announcement. The Company is committed to constructive engagement with all of its shareholders. Should a shareholder have a question that they would have raised at the meeting, the Company is asking that instead of attending the meeting they send it by email to inquire@powerhousegroup.co.uk to be received by 5pm on 28 September 2020. To the extent that answers can be given to such questions, answers will be published on the Company's website following the AGM. For more information, contact: Powerhouse Energy Group plc Tel: +44 (0) 203 368 6399 David Ryan, Chief Executive Officer WH Ireland Limited (Nominated Adviser) Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 James Joyce / Lydia Zychowska Turner Pope Investments Ltd (Joint Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 203 657 0050 Andrew Thacker / Zoe Alexander Ikon Associates (Media enquiries) Tel: +44 (0) 1483 271291 Adrian Shaw Mob: +44 (0) 7979 900733 Notes for editors: About Powerhouse Energy Group plc Powerhouse has developed a proprietary process technology - DMG - which can utilise waste plastic, end-of-life-tyres, and other waste streams to efficiently and economically convert them into syngas from which valuable products such as chemical precursors, hydrogen, electricity and other industrial products may be derived. The Powerhouse technology is one of the world's first proven, modular, hydrogen from waste (HfW) process. The Powerhouse DMG process can generate up to 2 tonnes of road-fuel quality H2, and more than 58MWh of exportable electricity per day. The Powerhouse process produces low levels of safe residues and requires a small operating footprint, making it suitable for deployment at enterprise and community level. As announced on 11th February 2020 under its Supplemental Agreement with Peel Environmental, Powerhouse will receive an annual license fee of 500,000 in respect of each project which is commissioned. Powerhouse is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM Market under the ticker: PHE, and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. For more information see www.powerhouseenergy.net WAUKESHA, Wis. - Surrounded by vintage comic books and video games, Henry Gacek sat behind the cash register in his antique store in this overwhelmingly White suburb of Milwaukee and recalled the chills running down his back when he saw the video of a police officer down the road in Kenosha firing seven pistol rounds into Jacob Blake's back. "It looked like a blatant assassination," said Gacek, 48. But Gacek's 401(k) and his IRAs, he said, were doing quite well during President Donald Trump's term. He has doubled his life savings in four years and could retire now, he said. Trump brought him out of a 20-year voting hibernation in 2016 and has "pretty much" earned his vote again, despite his unease over police brutality issues that have hit close to home. For Riley Menting, 20, recent events have only solidified her appreciation for Trump. Menting had always figured she was a Democrat because that's what her high school friends were. And she has sympathized with the Black Lives Matter cause. Dating a police officer, though, has opened her eyes to the struggles law enforcement officers face daily, she said. Menting recently switched political allegiances. "I honestly think that Kenosha brings me closer to Trump," said Menting, a student at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. "I totally agree with protesting. I went to a protest for the BLM movement, but I don't agree with the violence and rioting." Four years after Trump stunned Democrats and won Wisconsin by a margin of 22,748 votes, or less than 1 percent, the state's suburban counties around Milwaukee are once again a critical battleground in the presidential race - and, in the aftermath of recent events down the road in Kenosha, the unexpected crossroads of the nation's reckonings on racial justice and Trump. In the towns and small cities near Lake Michigan, the White suburban voters who form the backbone of the Republican Party's power base in Wisconsin are weighing the visceral White grievance appeals from the president against Democratic nominee Joe Biden's calls for racial reconciliation, as well as Trump's criticism of looting and violence in the wake of the shooting of Blake, who is Black, by a White officer and the arrest of a White teenager in connection with the killing of two protesters days later. Trump must win big here to overcome an expected large turnout in Democratic cities, while Biden's campaign is angling to eat into the suburban success Trump enjoyed here four years ago. In a sign of the importance of Wisconsin to both campaigns, Trump and Biden each visited Kenosha last week, but with dramatically different audiences in mind - Trump, flanked by police, touring burned-out ruins of buildings destroyed during an outbreak of violence and Biden meeting with the Blake family and calling for an end to systemic racism. The eruption of civic strife has not yet yielded definitive answers about who will capture the vote-rich counties in the state's southeastern corner, with polls showing a tight race in the state overall. But the political terrain in Wisconsin has been churning - possibly not to Biden's benefit - with the respected Marquette Law School poll showing approval numbers for the racial justice demonstrations in the state declining from 61% in June to 48% in August. And interviews with more than a dozen voters here revealed that Trump's efforts to present himself as the "law-and-order" candidate are hardening at least a portion of his support base. Chatting over barbecue chicken wings at Papa Stache Pub and Eatery in Big Bend, Wis., Dawn Haag and Lori Wichman said that they both planned to vote for Trump and that the handling of the Kenosha turmoil only affirmed their decisions. Wichman, 38, a bartender who said she voted for Barack Obama in 2008 but backed Republican Mitt Romney in 2012, attributes the rioting and property damage in Kenosha to a failure at the local level and not a lack of leadership in the White House. "It needs to be fiercer, it needs to be just shut down," Wichman said of the police response to rioting. "A lot of what happened was because of the state and down. It's not under Trump's watch. Any president cannot be in charge of everything. He gave all of the rights to all of the local authorities. He gave the governor the chance to do the right thing and [Tony] Evers did not do the right thing." Both were in agreement that police officer Rusten Sheskey was justified in shooting Blake seven times in the back. Blake's family says he is paralyzed but expected to live. "He had to make a split-second decision to protect himself, his co-workers, the public," said Haag, 49, a bar owner. "How is that wrong? That's what they're trained to do." Biden's efforts to win over the suburbs are complicated by a debate in the state over how Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a low-key Democrat who beat GOP incumbent Scott Walker two years ago, has responded to the unrest. Evers, whose handling of the coronavirus pandemic had lifted his approval numbers earlier this year, deployed the National Guard to Kenosha last month following incidents of arson and vandalism during protests over the Blake shooting. But Evers's support among Republicans has dropped as some voters have grown frustrated with his "safer at home" policies. And Trump, who has railed against Democratic governors for their handling of the virus and racial justice demonstrations, has cast himself as tougher than Evers. "At least the governor asked me if I could," Trump said Tuesday ahead of his trip to Wisconsin, referring to support from the National Guard. "He finally agreed to even a small number." But Evers's office quickly corrected Trump, noting that Evers had already activated the National Guard before Trump offered support and instead had declined Trump's offer of involvement from the Department of Homeland Security. Rick Steiner, 71, a retired mechanical engineer in Mount Pleasant, about 13 miles from where Blake was shot, said Evers "sucks" and described him as a "do-nothing puppet." Steiner's wife, Jeanne, a retired health-care worker, said Trump appeared "personable, apologetic and nice" in his visit to Kenosha. They agreed the violence in the city probably hurt Democrats and helped Trump's reelection bid in the eyes of their peers. "The violence is so stupid," Rick said over eggs at Big Apple Bagels in Hales Corners, Wis. "It didn't prove anything. People are upset and they say, 'Let's go torch this car lot.' And Democrats didn't care about any rioting and looting until they saw that it looked bad in the polls. And then they go, 'Oh yeah, we should probably speak out against this,' and then they blame Trump for everything. How stupid do they think people are?" Said Jeanne, "Even if I weren't a prior Republican, this episode would've helped cinch the decision to go Trump. I don't like everything the President does, especially with the tweeting - I mean, grow up - but the Democrats vacillate and keep changing their story and [Trump] reacts and gets things done." Despite the challenges, many Democrats are optimistic, pointing to Evers's victory and the surprise win by liberal candidate Jill Karofsky in April's election for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, held on the same day as the state's Democratic presidential primary. Karofsky beat the conservative incumbent by 11 points, but Republicans argue that win was boosted by turnout for Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the primary. Democratic State Rep. Robyn Vining, who won a suburban Milwaukee seat in 2018, sees a quiet shift in the region. "The fear message doesn't resonate with suburban families," she said. "These suburbs are moving. They don't like the national message that we are divided, that people are completely against each other. They want to vote for a good person, from the state level to voting for president." Maryclaire Torinus, a retired hospice chaplain from Brookfield, Wis., said she voted for John McCain in 2008 and Romney in 2012, but couldn't bring herself to choose between the lesser of "two evils" in 2016. "I said, well, I don't vote for evil. I should've voted for Hillary [Clinton], but I voted for Governor Kasich," she said. Torinus, 68, said over coffee at Einstein Bros. Bagels down the street from her home Thursday that she would never again vote Republican. "I couldn't do it and sleep at night," she said, pointing to this latest episode in Kenosha as Trump's latest betrayal of his responsibilities. "It's a photo op, just like when he stood outside of that church and held the Bible upside down. The fact that he didn't meet with [Blake's] family and just came to make headlines is really deplorable and unethical to me. He sows division. He encourages it." Torinus said she has lost friends over her anti-Trump stance, which extends to Facebook in the form of status updates. "I'm working on people. It's Waukesha County, wealthy Republicans," said Torinus. "I have very few friends voting for Biden, and they've told me to stop posting anything involved with politics. But there are also people who reach out to me privately in messages and say they would click 'like' on what I'm posting, but they're afraid to because their husbands and friends are Trump voters. That gives me some hope." Democrats are also counting on improved turnout from African Americans and Latino voters who did not show up for Clinton. Biden's visit to Kenosha shows that Democrats "aren't taking this state for granted," said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is Black. "People see him paying attention to Wisconsin whether it's suburban women or Black and Latina women in the city. This isn't 2016. You're going to see the vote come back in Milwaukee. People know what's at stake." Holding together Republicans who have reservations about him will be far less of a problem for Trump this time around than in 2016, when pockets of Wisconsin Republicans, who saw themselves as "Paul Ryan conservatives" or "Scott Walker Republicans" balked at some of Trump's comments. Nowhere was that perhaps more true than Wisconsin, a state that celebrates civility and is the historic home of the Republican Party, which was founded in Ripon in 1854. Even as Trump dominates the GOP here and nationally, anti-Trump conservative commentator Charlie Sykes, a former Milwaukee-area radio host, said there are suburban Republicans who might sour on Trump in the final stretch. "It's so fluid right now," Sykes said. "But this is Wisconsin, and when you have the president defending a 17-year-old shooter and vigilante violence in Portland, there is the chance of a backlash. It's not about whether Trump wins or loses the Milwaukee suburbs, it's about the margin, and my sense is that law and order isn't the magic bullet he may think it is." Sykes acknowledged that the breakaways like himself may be few and far between. "One of the most extraordinary things about Wisconsin politics is how anti-Trump Republicans have, by and large, gotten in line," he said. Walker, a Trump ally who lost his bid for a third term for governor in 2018, said in an interview with The Washington Post that any unease about Trump among reliable Republican voters has dissipated. "I, for one, didn't know if he'd be a conservative," Walker said of his early apprehension about Trump as a presidential candidate. "He had never held office. This is a totally different context. Conservatives see the largest tax cut, the regulatory reforms, arguably the most pro-life administration ever, excellent picks for the judiciary. Those are the things that matter to us." "They want to hear him make clear what happened to George Floyd was wrong, which he did, and they want to see him support what Senator Tim Scott is working on," Walker continued, referencing the opportunity zones championed by the Senate's lone Black Republican, who represents South Carolina and was a featured speaker at the GOP convention. Interviews with suburbanites here suggested a less-nuanced set of criteria on the minds of voters. Yvonne Dufresne, 59, sat outside a Waukesha bar Wednesday morning with a raspberry White Claw in hand and described the Democratic voting tendencies of her youth as a long-forgotten mistake. "If you were never a Democrat, you have no heart," she said. "If you were never a Republican, you have no brain." She said she consumed much of her news from Fox News Channel, but even Fox wasn't cutting it anymore. She recently discovered the X22 Report, a YouTube channel that traffics in far-right conspiracy theories and hawks vintage silver coins. "I follow a lot of YouTubers," Dufresne said. "Some would call it conspiracy theories. I would not." Dufresne, a recently retired industrial engineer who spends half the year in the Dominican Republic and half the year in Waukesha, said the unrest in Kenosha only deepened her commitment to Trump, whom she voted for in 2016. Like several others interviewed for this story, she brought up, unprompted, some of the baseless conspiracy theories that have spread online, such as the notion that liberal billionaire philanthropist George Soros is bankrolling the protests. "Does the name George Soros ring a bell? Kenosha's a small 'burg, and these people were brought in," Dufresne said, pointing to a statistic released by the Kenosha police indicating that the majority of those arrested in Kenosha last week were from other cities. "They were heavily funded, heavily paid, and many of them don't know what they're doing. It's all meant to create divisiveness and blame it on Trump. "The Democrats were hoping that this pandemic would last through November 3 and it didn't happen, so they went to the riots and the looting. It's just very predictable for me." WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump has been putting forth convoluted guidance to his supporters on submitting double votes in the November election, an act that would be illegal and risk public safety in the pandemic. In a week filled with fabrication, half-truths and misrepresentation, he also wrongly took full credit for veterans improvements that were underway before he took office. He said he never called John McCain a loser he did and also distorted events in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Democratic rival Joe Biden falsely claimed to have been the first person to have called for the use of emergency production powers in the pandemic, and he tried to shed light on the history of the incandescent bulb, but was a bit hazy. A look at recent claims and reality: NOVEMBER ELECTION TRUMP: So you sign your ballot and mail it in, just mail it ... On election day or early voting, go to your polling place, even though youve mailed it in, go to your polling place to see whether or not your mail-in vote has been tabulated or counted. ... So if it hasnt been counted, if it doesnt show up, go and vote. And then if your mail-in ballot arrives after you vote, which it shouldnt, but possibly it could, perhaps. That ballot will not be used ... So send it in and then see, and then vote, and lets see what happens. North Carolina tele-rally on Friday. TRUMP: Send in your ballots, send them in strong ... And you send them in, but you go to vote. If they havent counted it, you can vote. interview Wednesday with WECT TV6 in Wilmington, North Carolina. THE FACTS: To be clear, it is illegal in all 50 states and under federal law to vote twice in an election. Election officials also advise people against heading to the polls to check on their mail-in ballots and then attempting to cast another ballot if there isn't full verification, saying it will cause unnecessary chaos, long waits and health dangers in the pandemic. Contrary to what Trump suggests, information on whether a ballot has been counted is typically not available right away. In several states, absentee ballots arent even counted until after polls close. What can be checked is whether an absentee ballot has been received, and in some cases, whether it has passed a security review and will be submitted for counting. Story continues A flood of voters showing up on Nov. 3 to check the status of their ballots would mean even more disruption, election officials say. Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, said the board strongly discourages people from following the presidents guidance. That is not necessary, and it would lead to longer lines and the possibility of spreading COVID-19," she said in a statement. Brinson Bell added: Attempting to vote twice in an election or soliciting someone to do so also is a violation of North Carolina law. Many states offer ways for voters to verify the status of their ballot online that provide information on when an absentee ballot request has been received, when a ballot has been sent, when the ballot has been received by a local election office and whether it has passed the security review and been accepted. These are typically available on the website of the state election board or the secretary of state. Voters in the few states that dont provide this information online have the option to call their local election office. ___ ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR on fraud in the vote-by-mail process: Elections that have been held with mail have found substantial fraud and coercion. CNN on Wednesday. THE FACTS: Actually, multiple studies have debunked the notion of pervasive voter fraud in general and in the vote-by-mail process. The five states that relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah have said they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure against fraud and to prevent hostile foreign actors from co-opting the vote. More states intend to rely more heavily on mail-in voting this fall because of the pandemic. The attorney general cited a report from more than a decade ago from a commission led by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker that said vote-by-mail was vulnerable to fraud. But the commission pointed out in a statement in May that it had found little evidence of fraud in states such as Oregon that had sufficient safeguards. Barr also said he was basing on logic his concern that a hostile foreign actor could produce bogus ballots for the election. But senior U.S. officials said on a conference call with reporters last month that they had no intelligence to suggest that was happening. _____ VETERANS and McCAIN TRUMP: I was never a big fan of John McCain, disagreed with him on many things including ridiculous endless wars and the lack of success he had in dealing with the VA and our great Vets. part of a series of tweets Thursday. VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY ROBERT WILKIE, referring to Trump: I see the proof in the pudding. And the proof in the pudding is, our military is stronger, and our Veterans Affairs Department is in a place that it has never been. This is the renaissance. And its all because of one man. interview Sunday on CNN's State of the Union." THE FACTS: Trump and his VA chief are ignoring the accomplishments begun during the Obama-Biden administration, which included McCain's singular successes on behalf of fellow veterans. McCain was a leading force in the Senate behind the law that gave veterans an option to go outside the Department of Veterans Affairs' health care system and get private care at public expense under certain conditions. President Barack Obama signed the VA Choice legislation into law. Ignoring that reality, Trump persistently claims that he brought Choice into law when no one else could. Trump signed a law in 2018 that expanded the options for using the Choice program established by Obama, McCain and other lawmakers. The 2018 law is named after three lawmakers who were veterans of war. All of them now are dead. They are Rep. Samuel R. Johnson, R-Texas, and Democratic Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawaii, and McCain, R-Ariz. Both Trump and Wilkie also frequently point to VA accomplishments such as improved wait times and the offering of same-day mental health services. But those same-day services at VA were started during the Obama administration under Wilkies predecessor, David Shulkin, who was a VA health undersecretary at the time. A 2019 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, meanwhile, found improved wait times at VA from 2014 to 2017, a period largely covering the Obama administration, with VA patient satisfaction also on the rise. While the VA has shown good ratings during the Trump administration, the VA improvements that Wilkie attributes all to one man Trump alone are sorely misplaced. ___ TRUMP: Also, I never called John a loser and swear on whatever, or whoever, I was asked to swear on, that I never called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES. tweet Thursday. THE FACTS: He called McCain a loser. In addition, The Associated Press has confirmed many of the comments Trump was reported by The Atlantic to have made disparaging fallen or captured U.S. service members, such as his description of the American dead in a military graveyard as losers. As for McCain, Trump told a conservative forum in Iowa in 2015 that his view of McCain changed when McCain lost the 2008 presidential election to Obama. He lost, so I never liked him as much after that, cause I dont like losers, he said. Trump went on to dismiss McCains war service: Hes not a war hero. Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people that werent captured. Trump in 2015 also tweeted a news article on Twitter calling McCain a loser. ___ THE WALL TRUMP, claiming Biden wants to eliminate America's borders: He wants to tear down the wall he actually suggested tearing down the wall that we fought so hard to get built. North Carolina tele-rally on Friday. THE FACTS: That's false. Bidens immigration plan does not include money for new border fencing, and he and his campaign task force on immigration arent calling for any new walls. But neither has proposed taking down existing barriers. Asked specifically by NPR last month if he would tear down the wall, Biden said: No. There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration, No. 1." No. 2 Im going to make sure that we have border protection, but its going to be based on making sure that we use high-tech capacity to deal with it and at the ports of entry. Thats where all bad stuff is happening. ___ PANDEMIC BIDEN: When it got up to March, I kept saying, Look, youve got to invoke, and you remember, I think I was the first I may be mistaken person calling for the Defense Production Act. comment after a news conference Wednesday. THE FACTS: He is correct about being mistaken. Biden issued a statement March 18 saying he was issuing a call for Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to give priority to and immediately increase domestic production of any critical medical equipment required to respond to this crisis such as the production of ventilators and associated training to operate. His call came the same day Trump signed an order to use his authority under the act. Five days earlier a group of Democrats in Congress wrote to Trump asking him to use powers under the act, a step that Trump officials and others had been discussing publicly for several weeks. ___ LIGHT BULB BIDEN: Why in Gods name dont we teach history in history classes? A Black man invented the light bulb, not a white guy named Edison. in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Thursday. THE FACTS: Biden is shading the actual story a bit. Thomas Edison invented the incandescent electric light bulb, but it burned out quickly. It was Lewis Latimer, an African American inventor who worked with Alexander Bell and later with Edison, who made light bulbs practical to use. Latimer created a light bulb with a durable carbon filament and sold the patent to the U.S. Electric Co. in 1881. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Although todays light bulbs use filaments of tungsten, which lasts even longer than carbon, Latimer will always be remembered for making the widespread use of electric light possible, in public and at home. Latimer is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. ___ PROTESTS and VIOLENCE TRUMP, on Wisconsin officials and the National Guard: Once they responded and once we took, you know, control of it, things went really well. remarks in Kenosha on Tuesday. TRUMP: One of the reasons Im making the trip today and going to Wisconsin is weve had such a big success in shutting down what would be, right now, a city that wouldve been Kenosha a city that wouldve been burnt to the ground by now. ... And it all stopped immediately upon the National Guards arrival. remarks Tuesday before visiting Wisconsin. THE FACTS: Not true. He had nothing to do with the deployment of the National Guard in Wisconsin. The federal government never took control of it. Gov. Tony Evers, D-Wis., activated the states National Guard the day after a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake, sparking protests and violence over police actions and racism. When National Guard forces from three other states came in to help, it was because the governor had asked for that help from fellow governors, not the White House. Evers said National Guard troops from Arizona, Michigan and Alabama were operating under the control of those states and Wisconsin, not in a federal status. National Guards answer to governors and sometimes state legislatures, not Washington. The federal government sent deputy marshals from the U.S. Marshals Service and agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, about 200 in all. The restoration of order was primarily in the hands of National Guard units and local law enforcement. As of last week, 1,000 National Guard troops from Wisconsin were in Kenosha along with 500 National Guard troops from the other three states, said Wisconsin National Guard Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp. ___ TRUMP, asked if he would condemn the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged in the shooting deaths of two men during Kenosha protests: "You saw the same tape as I saw. And he was trying to get away from them, I guess; it looks like. And he fell, and then they very violently attacked him. And it was something that were looking at right now and its under investigation. But I guess he was in very big trouble. He would have been I he probably would have been killed. news conference on Aug. 31. THE FACTS: His implication that Rittenhouse only shot the men after he tripped and they attacked him is wrong. The first fatal shooting happened before Rittenhouse ran away and fell. Trump did not say whom he meant by they the two men he shot or others in pursuit of him. But he spoke in defense of someone who opposed racial justice protesters, who authorities say was illegally carrying a semi-automatic rifle and who prosecutors accuse of committing intentional homicide. According to the criminal complaint released by prosecutors, victim Joseph Rosenbaum was shot and killed first, after following Rittenhouse into a parking lot, where Rosenbaum threw a plastic bag at the gunman and tried to take the weapon from him. The medical examiner found that Rosenbaum was shot in the groin and back which fractured his pelvis and perforated his right lung and liver and his left hand. He also suffered a superficial wound to his left thigh and a graze wound to his forehead. Rittenhouse then ran down the street and was chased by several people trying to stop him and shouting that he just shot someone, according to the criminal complaint and cellphone video footage. He tripped and fell. Anthony Huber, who was carrying a skateboard, was shot in the chest after apparently trying to wrest the gun from Rittenhouse, the complaint said. A third man was shot and injured. Rittenhouses lawyer said he acted to defend himself. ___ JOBS BIDEN: Donald Trump may be the only president in modern history to leave office with fewer jobs than when he took office. Wilmington, Delaware, speech Friday. THE FACTS: Maybe yes, maybe no. Not since Depression-era Herbert Hoover has a president left office with a record of fewer jobs than when he began. This could happen to Trump because of the pandemic, but he could also end up with a small gain. In August there were 4.7 million fewer jobs than there were when Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. But if he leaves office in five months, and if the economy adds more than 1 million jobs each month, as happened in July and August, he could end up in the black. There are signs, though, that the gains are slowing as businesses have recalled many of the workers who were temporarily laid off from restaurants, bars, retailers and other businesses. So Bidens prediction could come true. ___ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Deb Riechmann, Lynn Berry, Will Weissert, Eric Tucker, Josh Boak and Christopher Rugaber in Washington and Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this report. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE A look at the veracity of claims by political figures. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apnews.com/APFactCheck Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck India's third Covid wave likely to peak on Jan 23, daily cases to stay below 4 lakh: IIT Kanpur scientist India logs over 3.17 lakh new Covid cases in last 24 hours; daily positivity rate up at 16.41 per cent Sixth round of Indo-China Brigade Commander level talks remain inconclusive India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: The sixth round to the Brigade Commander level talks between India and China ended inconclusively. The talks held at Chushul on Sunday, ended within four hours. There is no word as yet on the next round of talks. Meanwhile, New Delhi will watch for the next steps taken by Beijing amidst the tense standoff. While Beijing says that the responsibility is entirely with Delhi, India maintains that China has violated all pacts and this has led to the face-off along the Line of Actual Control. Now all eyes would be on the meeting between Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterparts, Wang Yi scheduled to be held this week. 'Hotline message sent to PLA': Minister on abduction of 5 Arunachal locals amid tension with China Last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his 2.20-hour talks with his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe at Moscow pushed for restoration of status quo ante at all the friction points in Eastern Ladakh. The two leaders met at Moscow last week and held discussions on the ongoing standoff. Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and Indian Ambassador to Russia D B Venkatesh Varma were part of the Indian delegation at the talks that began at around 9:30 pm(IST) at a prominent hotel in Moscow following a request from Gen. Wei. "The meeting between Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh and Chinese Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe in Moscow is over. The meeting lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes," Singh's office tweeted. Kamala Harris has warned that Russia is again meddling in US elections to the extent that it could once again throw the outcome to Donald Trump, compounding all the other threats to the USs electoral system. Speaking to CNNs Dana Bash about a Homeland Security bulletin advising that Russia is amplifying the presidents baseless claims of widespread mail-in ballot fraud, the vice-presidential nominee said that she had no doubt that the Kremlins activities will be a factor in the campaign right up until polling day. I am clear that Russia interfered in the election of the president of the United States in 2016. I serve on the Senate Intelligence Committee; we have published detailed reports about exactly what we believe happened, and I do believe that there will be foreign interference in the 2020 election and that Russia will be at the front of the line. Could it cost you the White House? asked Ms Bash. Ms Harris did not pause. Theoretically, of course. Warnings of renewed Russian election interference have been circulating for some time. Joe Biden warned about it this summer, saying at a fundraiser that we know from before and I guarantee you I know now because now I get briefings again. The Russians are still engaged in trying to delegitimise our electoral process. Fact." Other foreign powers, notably China, are known to be exerting influence on US politics to varying degrees, but Russia is widely held to be by far the most direct and ambitious meddler. While Mr Trumps attorney general Bill Barr warned last week that it was China that posed the bigger threat, House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff responded that Mr Barr was lying in order to save the president. The Senate Intelligence Committees latest report on the extent of Russian involvement in the 2016 election gave an extended and highly detailed account of Trump associates connections with Russian operatives and business interests. While Republicans on the committee characterised the report as proving there was no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, their Democratic colleagues Ms Harris among them issued a statement concluding that the report unambiguously shows that members of the Trump campaign co-operated with Russian efforts to get Trump elected. Ms Harriss uncompromising diagnosis of the threat to the integrity of the election did not just revolve around Russian influence. She also trained her sights on state-level efforts to keep particular groups from voting, as well as the presidents own assault on Americans confidence in their electoral process. Im a realist about it, Joes a realist about it ... We have classic voter suppression. We have what happened in 2016, which is foreign interference. We have a president who is trying to convince the American people not to believe in the integrity of our election system and compromise their belief that their vote might actually count. These things are all at play. And I am very realistic, Joe is very realistic about the fact that until we can win, can get in and put some teeth back in the Voting Rights Act and bring back the confidence in the system, that there will be many obstacles that people are intentionally placing in front of Americans ability to vote. But we will surpass and surmount and get around those obstacles. Fellow Ghanaians, at the grand burial ceremony of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony is quoted to have said that, the evil men do lives after them. I find it hypocritical and outright disgusting double standard for president Akufo Addo to have arrogated to himself the moral high horse to condemn former President Mahamas supposed insulting comments made about Akyem being "Sakawa people". A classic case of the pot calling the kettle black! On the other day I was going through the works of Winston Churchill when I stumbled upon this statement of his, War is a game that is played with a smile. If you cant smile, grin. If you cant grin, keep out of the way till you can. In Dagbani we say, "a yi je ta-kahi, a bi nyeri sokpang bindi" (if you fear the loss of your dignity, don't be caught defecating by the road side). And you simply have no right to fight back if caught in such an undignified act. You see, the problem is not that that president Akufo Addo has a clean slate of political Saint-ism, he is not innocent in the interplay of our political gamble. True is, President Akufo Addo is the greatest beneficiary of politics of insults ever in this country. Had it not been the naked trading of insults that almost became a pedagogical tradition in the NPP in the buildup to the 2016 general elections, president Akufo Addo would not be president today. No scintilla of decorum was reserved for then-President Mahama. Insults were even added to injury when the NPP mixed those insults with cocktail of lies, shenanigans, and concocted deceit to character assassinate the political image of president Mahama. The former President Mahama was described with all manners of pejorative adjectives in the English lexicon. Assurance of lucrative ministerial appointments were almost made to political attackers of the NPP who could verbally attack the Mahama administration. And indeed, people have been awarded juicy ministerial appointments for publicly calling president Mahama a thief, and were being supported not to apologize for it! Many members instantly became famous within the ranks of the party for hurling insults at president Mahama, and those like Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, the politically banished general secretary of the party and few others who thought description of the president personally was wrong and sowing of bad seeds, were sadly and suddenly unceremoniously sacked with alacrity from the party! Why would president Akufo Addo teach moral lessons from a brothel today? And has that in itself not amounted to insult to Ghanaians considering the fact that, President Akufo Addo himself used that commando-style verbal gymnastics and rode on the back of politics of insults to the Flagstaff House? What form of hypocrisy is this in this country? Is it today president Akufo Addo and his new NPP would want Ghanaians to believe politics of insults must be spoken against by clerics? I believe the clerics of this country serve a just God who does not entertain injustices among His servants in the least! An eye for an eye, a leg for a leg, an arm for an arm. The problem is, in the NPP, it is an insult when Ministers are asked to submit to the principles of probity and accountability. It is an insult in the NPP any time president Akufo Addo is called out for his practice of unprecedented nepotism. In the NPP, when deodorized and perfumed corruption is exposed it amounts to insults; when arrogance of power is pointed out one must lose his job instantly and must never eat if not live because that is an insult. When attention is drawn to repetition of political sins president Akufo Addo had accused previous governments of, hell must come crushing to mother earth, especially, if the one shedding light on this abortion of leadership is from among the "Others". In the NPP under Akufo Addo, the New Patriotic Party suddenly transforms into New Perfectionists Party-led only by group of angels, perhaps and the almighty God Himself who must never be questioned! Nobody makes mistake, and they are all honest and incorruptible. May Allah forgive me for putting such words (honesty and incorruptibility) together in a sentence with the NPP. Lord have mercy on me. Wait, did I hear Vice President Bawumia talking about making tribal comments being wrong in this country? I laughed in Fante! So, in his demand and supply thinking, the big-time Alhaj does not know that there would never be an input without an output? When does it suddenly become inappropriate to say, for instance, what one of the stalwarts of the NPP, who nearly swore Antoa that the tape was doctored about him, reported to have said, that the part of the country with much resources should always lead this country? Has Vice president Bawumia forgotten it was part of politics of tribalism and dividing of Ghanaians as such that warranted the deployment of military to the Afloa Border to harass citizens into not registering in the just ended needles voter registration exercise? Actions, they say, speak louder than words! But you see, I do not begrudge the president on this brand-new double standard boldly showcased by him. It has been his bane and version of politicking. We all were in this country when he said Ghana has all the money it needed to develop, and that it was incompetence for borrowing forty (40) billion cedis to govern. Today, only God can save Ghanaians from the borrowing-to-feed family and friends government of president Akufo Addo. The Saint of borrowing, president Akufo Addo, has exacerbated borrowing in the annals of our history with every Ghanaian paying almost 6000 cedis for the current defocused leadership we are witnessing. We were all in this country, when he accused the Mahamas administration of too many ministers of 89 when the Ministry of Power was created in the height of the Dum-Sor former president Mahama inherited. Today, we have as many as three deputies to ministries whose only function is to serve as vehicles for carting of hard-earned taxpayers money to inflate bank accounts of people who can best be described as enemies of the state! In the NPP theres almost a caste system being practiced whereby some members of the party by virtue of the part of the country they are coming from, ought not to hold certain portfolios. Dont look far. Consider the reshuffle of his ministers. Look at the man deputizing in the Ministry of Energy for example. What could have prevented him from becoming a substantive minister when his Boss who in actual fact, must have been the deputy, was shamed out of office for misleading a competent president? Also, consider the Information Ministry and the nonsense and very insulting to Muslims Zongo development Ministry (are Muslims the only and most backward people in Ghana?). Hon. Mustapha Abdul Hamid was in the political war front with his chest out defending then-presidential candidate Akufo Addo. He faced all the hurtful words he exchanged on political campaign platforms with his personality at stake. However, after Akufo Addo won the election, that delicious part of the spoil of office was taken away from him. Suddenly, President Akufo Addo did not see the need to let him continue with his job as spokesperson (Minister for Information, which, if handled very well, can sell one to Ghanaians as a potential president one day). The carpet of the prestigious information ministry was pulled off under his feet. Why because it was now time for honour (of dealing with dignitaries and the international community) and no longer dishonour (of trading insults on behalf of a presidential candidate on political platforms). Come on! We are not more kids in this country. Similar thing happened to Otiko Afisa Gyaaba who suddenly lost her job as Gender Minister. Perhaps, because of where she is coming from because she was one of those who insulted President Mahama to fame, and her colleagues are still holding their posts till date. The list continues. The question is, fellow Ghanaians, does it not amount to insults for using and dumping party food-soldiers like this? And who is more politically tribalistic here? So, President Akufo Addo and the NPP are the trailblazers of politics of insults as well as tribal politics in this country both in intra and interparty levels. In fact, we are waiting chin in hand the day the vice president, who is now being touted as the most authentic economic prophet even with his doctored economic data, would be told go back to his cattle-herding community without resources from his region as a license to leadership in this country. Fellow Ghanaians, that some people, probably being the worst of us, claiming competence and superiority of everything to the rest of us, is a reality in this country. And only those who wish to insult the commonsense and sensibilities of Ghanaians who have been the worst offended of this callousness would try to debunk such a mans cruelty to another man in humanity! And lest I forget, remember Manasseh Azures harsher assessment of the Mahamas administration that was hailed as the zenith of brilliance and patriotism and hard work as a young man by the goons of the NPP. Today Manasseh sleeps with one eye fixed on the direction to run to in case of any intolerance of government for saying things minimal against the government compared to what he had said to former President Mahama and his government. Today, they say their darling boy, Manasseh Azure, is in a self-destructive mode for repeating what he said yesterday. In fact, the ace journalist had to escape harassment if not death when he embraced brief exile to South Africa. Could something like that have happened if Manasseh was from Somanya or Ejisu? Come on! Talents have been ignored to waste in this country because those possessing them are supposed to be second-class citizens if not third-class! Projects and Programs have been diverted by powerful individuals and offices from where they were supposed to go to because the intended beneficiaries are less regarded and do not deserve them! Somebody should say Amen: may Allah cure our land of this kind of hypocrisy. But I wonder ponderously, when would that be? Sometimes, the acknowledgement or admission of something untoward is a halfway of dealing with it. For the president to explain away from this reality he has been the greatest champion of means we cannot contain tribal politics nor politics of insults. Or at least, not under President Akufo Addo. The king himself is naked! Fellow Ghanaians, we cannot treat cancer with Martins Liver Salt or Paracetamol. The politics of insults, like corruption under president Akufo Addo, has been firmly established in our body politics, and even if we should dream about sanitizing our political space of politics of offensive name-calling, certainly not now under president Akufo Addo. The man must reap what he sowed. The evil men do lives after them Mark Anthony. Long Live Ghana, God Bless us all. Abdul Hakeem Iddrisu (The Young Prof.) Contact details: 0557762967 By Munehisa Tokunaga, KYODO NEWS - Sep 7, 2020 - 16:17 | All, World Annual global emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have risen by almost 10 percent in the past two decades despite international pledges to act in combating climate change, a recent study by a multinational team of scientists found. The surge resulted in a record high concentration of the sunlight-absorbing gas in the atmosphere in 2017, the latest year for which comprehensive data is available, with the emissions reaching 596 million tons, the Global Carbon Project said. Over 90 scientists involved in the project gathered data from some 100 observation stations around the world between 2000 and 2017. Climate scientists stress the need to mitigate methane release as it has a warming potential 84 times greater than the same weight of carbon dioxide over 20 years. With its impact accounting for 23 percent of the temperature rise caused by all greenhouse gasses, methane is the second-worst contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Akihiko Ito, a participant in the project from Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies, suggests the insufficient implementation of measures to cut emissions amid intensifying industrial and agricultural activities is the major driver behind the rise in atmospheric methane concentration. The world now sees around 50 million additional tons of methane every year than the average between 2000 and 2006. There has been a 2.5 fold increase in concentration since 1750, the time immediately before the Industrial Revolution. Set up in 2001, the team attributes methane's yearly increase to anthropogenic sources that fall under three categories -- agriculture, including ruminant livestock that emits the gas while digesting coarse grass, extraction and burning of fossil fuels, and the decomposition of organic materials in waste. The study found that over 60 percent of methane emissions now come from human activity. Natural methane emissions, from sources such as wetlands and lakes, remained unchanged, however. The scientists warned with the current pace of emissions increase, the surface temperature of the planet will likely rise more than 3 degrees Celsius from 1750 levels by the end of the century, surpassing the 2-degree temperature cap targeted in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. In addition to higher sea levels and more intense storm and fire seasons across the globe, among other serious issues, the higher temperatures will increase the pace of Arctic permafrost melt, climate scientists say. The loss of permafrost will unlock huge stores of methane and carbon dioxide which will trigger further warming in a so-called positive feedback scenario that the United Nations notes could throw the 2-degree Paris target well off track. The report also highlighted regional differences in methane emission levels. Europe was the only region from which emissions decreased by a minimum of 1.6 million tons in 2017 from the 2000-2006 average, as "various mandatory measures to protect the environment played a part," said Ito. A significant increase was seen in three regions -- Africa and the Middle East, China, and South Asia and Oceania, the report said, with each posting a jump of up to 15 million tons. North America came next with an increase of at least 5.0 million tons, mostly driven by emissions from the United States. In North America and China, fossil fuels constitute the primary source of methane, while agriculture and waste serve as predominant sources in less industrial regions such as in countries in Africa and many in Asia. Japan's methane emissions are on a downtrend since the 1990s, however, possibly due to a drastic reduction in rice production, said Ito, citing separate data as the latest report had no detailed analysis of the country. Japan has also made progress on limiting its total greenhouse gas emissions, reducing them for five years in a row as of March 2019, but has been criticized for its continued reliance on coal-fired power generation in the wake of the 2011 quake-tsunami disaster which led to it idling nuclear power stations countrywide. The nation's export of coal-fired power technology has also come under fire globally, as has its lagging performance on meeting its Paris target which Japan itself has said is not ambitious enough. The project also found tropical and subtropical regions tend to produce more methane. While 64 percent of global emissions in 2017 originated in areas below 30 degrees north, only 4 percent derived from high latitude locations above 60 degrees north. The team hopes its findings will be reflected in future policies implemented to address global warming. "Although there are various technologies already available to reduce, contain or retrieve methane at a number of sources, they are not widely implemented yet because of their costs," said Ito, a section chief of the institute's Center for Global Environmental Research. But "in a more familiar example, efforts as mundane as reducing food waste should also make a difference." Related coverage: Japan to draw map of marine plastic pollution with help from G-20 FEATURE: Australians tap Aboriginal cultural insight to prevent "wrong fire" Butterfly endemic to southern Japanese islands feared extinct Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 15:53 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c433941b 1 National Chinese-workers,foreign-workers,Riau-Islands,Bintan Free Indonesia has granted entry to 450 Chinese workers employed by PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (PT BAI), an aluminum producer based in the Galang Batang special economic zone in Bintan regency, Riau Islands. On Saturday, 145 more Chinese workers were employed by our company, bringing the total number of Chinese workers in the company to approximately 450 people. Just like other foreign employees, they also abide by the health protocols, the president director of PT BAI, Santoni, said on Monday as reported by kompas.com He said the workers were employed to help build a coal-fired steam power plant and bauxite smelters in Bintan using their expertise. The project itself is expected to be finished by November this year, with operations slated to begin by January 2021. Without those Chinese workers, the construction process will be hampered, Santoni said. Previously, the arrival of hundreds of Chinese workers in the country despite travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic drew backlash, with much of the public concerned about local employment opportunities possibly being taken by foreign nationals, in addition to concerns over possible virus transmission. However, Santoni said the company mostly comprised locals with more than 3,000 Indonesian workers. The majority of our employees are Bintan residents, he said. Bintan Manpower Agency head Indra Hidayat also defended the arrival of the Chinese workers, saying that they were construction experts needed for the company. They are contracted for six months to finish the project by PT BAI. They will be sent home right away after the project is finished, Indra said. He explained that the Chinese workers had obtained temporary stay permits (KITAS) and work permits (IMTA) and tested negative in COVID-19 swab tests. After arriving in Bintan regency through Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, the Chinese workers underwent 14-day quarantine under strict monitoring from the COVID-19 task force, he added. Previously, residents of South Konawe regency in Southeast Sulawesi staged protests in June over the employment of 500 Chinese workers in nickel smelter projects in the region amid a trend of mass layoffs due the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah defended the employment of foreign workers, saying it was only allowed for national strategic projects requiring technologies that local workers had yet to master. (trn) Thousands of helicopter professionals from 160+ countries "worldwide" visit JustHelicopters.com every day, making it the Helicopter Industry's #1 Online Resource! Whether a Helicopter Pilot, Helicopter Student, Helicopter Mechanic, Employer, Helicopter Flight School, Helicopter Business, or an enthusiast, JustHelicopters.com has something for you. By Aas Mohammad Kaif, TwoCircles.net Bareilly: In Aonla area of Bareillys Uttar Pradesh, a 34-year-old man has died after a mob allegedly tied him to a tree and severely beat him. The incident took place on September 4 at around 12 pm. The video of the assault was shot and later circulated on social media. Support TwoCircles The deceased man, identified as Basit Khan (a rickshaw puller by profession), had been accused of theft by a guard of a tube well office. Basit was apprehended by a mob, tied to a tree and severely beaten for hours before the police arrived. Police and media reached the crime scene around 2:30 pm, following which both Basit and his assailants were carted off to the police station. Instead of taking him to a hospital, police took injured Basit to the police station, Basits family said. His family members, in a phone interview with TwoCircles.net, described Basit as wounded, half-dead with his pants torn and bloody legs. Basit succumbed to the wounds at 3:30 pm, barely 15 minutes after he was deposited at our home by persons who were part and instigators of the mob who lynched him. We caught one of them Vikram Singh then, his brother Nasir told TwoCircles.net. The police have registered a case against 8 people and arrested the main accused Vikram Singh. The atmosphere in Aonla Bareilly is tense after the killing of Basit. Basit Khans mother Taslima (56), rejected the allegations of theft against her slain son. My son is not a thief. He has never stolen. There is no case of theft registered against him. He pulls a rickshaw. He has four children. He has a 13-year-old daughter. His wife works at a bindi making factory. We are poor, not thieves. It is sheer assault. The charge of stealing the wire is absolutely false. We have faced many difficulties. We all work together but we are not thieves. They accuse him of being a thief, then why was the wire not recovered from him, she told TwoCircles.net. According to Prabhakar, SDO of the Tube Well department, the watchman told him that he had caught a man who came to steal the wire. I asked him to hand him over to the police, Prabhakar said, and added, We handed him over to the police, he went alright from here. Former Aonla Municipality Chairman and a local Samajwadi Party leader Sayyid Abid Ali, who arrived at the spot, confirmed the incident to TwoCircles.net. He said Basit Khan was severely beaten after being tied to a tree and the mob themselves made the video and made it viral. The locals all know each other. The accused are associated with a political party and special ideology. They took the law in their hand. They do not believe in the law. They should have called the police if he had stolen. Who gave them the power to kill someone by taking the law in their own hands? People are asking that he was not a thief. The question is why was he killed? Was his life so cheap? Even if he was a thief, is it right to take his life? he questioned. Dayaram Muni, PCC member of Congress from Aonla, said the death of Basit proves that there is no fear of law in a particular class of people. They have become the court, the police and the lawyers, he said. Basit Khan used to work with Rajiv Gupta, the local city president of Congress. Rajiv Gupta said that he (victim) was a hard-worker and had no previous history of stealing. According to local Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ramakrishna, the young man Basit was tied and beaten to a tree. Based on the report of Basits brother Nasir, two people have been arrested. We are identifying the accused from the viral video. We are taking legal action, he added. Basits killing is the second incident of mob lynching on the charges of theft in Bareilly in the last two years. Earlier on 29 August 2018, a 22-year-old youth Shah Rukh Khan was beaten to death after being accused of allegedly stealing buffalos in village Bholapur Hindolia of Bareilly. Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh witnessed a spurt in the hate campaign against Muslims in 2017 through the distribution of pamphlets saying Sarkar Hamari Aa Gayi Hai, Sudhar Jao, (Our government is in power. Mend your ways.) Speaking to TwoCircles.net, Mukhtar Mansuri of Aonla said that the case is an aberration in the history of Aonal. The history of Amla was about embracing Hindu-Muslim unity. Peoples attitudes have changed over recent years. Killing someone on the charge of just stealing iron is surprising. This incident has happened at a place near the office of the irrigation department. Apparently, people in the department may also be involved. There is law in this country. There are the police. Why did these government employees not inform the police about this incident? Why one should take the law in their hand. Is there no rule of law in Uttar Pradesh? he said. Sunil Kumar Singh, whos investigating the case, told TwoCircles.net that, FIR has been filed. Three named assailants including Vikram Rajpal, Potiram and Sonu Lal, accused of lynching Basit have been arrested. Some unnamed assailants are being investigated. One of them, Sukupendra, has been identified and is being scouted. Additional reporting by Tazeen Junaid. HEFEI, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- A freight train on Saturday left Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, for Dourges in France, marking the launch of a new rail cargo service between Hefei and Europe. The train, carrying refrigerators and freezers worth 630,000 U.S. dollars, is expected to arrive in the French port city after a journey of 16 days. The goods will be distributed from Dourges to other European cities. Anhui operates 24 China-Europe freight train routes. In the first eight months of this year, Hefei saw a total of 309 inbound and outbound China-Europe freight trains, a year-on-year increase of 8 percent. A combined team of the Baatsona Police Division and the Divisional Police Command, has arrested 23 suspected criminals at their (criminals) hideouts. This brings to 116 suspects arrested by the police. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, Head of Public Affairs Unit (PAU) of the Accra Regional Police Command, told the Ghana News Agency that the exercise was part of efforts to flash out criminals in the Division. "The operation identified and raided crime prone within Kotobabi Market, Cambodia, Kiosk Estates/Ghettos and Ghanaman Park; all in Baatsonaa Division," she said. DSP Effia Tenge said quantities of narcotics were retrieved from the suspects as exhibits. She said they also retrieved one set of home theatre, one laptop computer and eight mobile phones, all suspected to have been stolen items. The Head of Public Affairs said after screening they would be arraigned. 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 Little League players warm-up before a game as a brush fire is ablaze in back at a field next to the Sycuan Casino on the Sycuan Indian reservation during the Valley Fire, near Dehesa, in San Diego, California on September 6, 2020. SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP via Getty Images One of three major wildfires tearing through Califonia this weekend was caused by a gender reveal party. A "smoke generating pyrotechnic device" sparked the El Dorado Fire in Yucaipa, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said. The fire has so far burned 7,050 acres. Two other major active fires The Creek Fire and The Valley Fire have burned 73,278 and 9,850 acres respectively. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A fire that broke out in California and has so far burned more than 7,000 acres of woodland was caused by a gender-reveal party, authorities said. At around 10:20 a.m. on Saturday, a "smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party" sparked a fire in the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said in a statement on Sunday. The fire has since spread north to Yucaipa Ridge, prompting evacuation orders to be enforced on Oak Glen, Yucaipa Ridge, Mountain Home Village, and Forest Falls. "With the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire. Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible," the statement said. As of Monday morning, 7,050 acres have been burned, only 5% of which has been contained, according to a tracker from CAL FIRE. The fire is one of three currently raging across parts of the state. On Sunday, governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for five counties. San Miguel County Firefighters battle a brush fire along Japatul Road during the Valley Fire in Jamul, California on September 6, 2020. SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP via Getty Images The Creek Fire currently moving through the Sierra Nevada Mountains has burned 73,278 acres since it began on Friday, according to CAL FIRE. On Saturday, around 150 campers were trapped at the Mammoth Pool Reservoir in the National Park after the fire exploded in size. They were later airlifted to safety. Story continues The Valley Fire that began on Saturday in San Diego County has so far burned 9,850 acres, CAL FIRE said. The fires are the latest in a succession of blazes that have hit California in August and September. Eight people have died and around 3,300 buildings have been razed, Reuters reported. Read the original article on Insider New Delhi: The nation on Monday (September 7) bid adieu to Special Frontier Force's (SFF) Commando Nyima Tenzin, a member of the Tibetan community, with full public honours in Ladakh, amid the atmosphere reverberating with slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and, "We salute Indian army". The Indian National anthem was sung along with and the anthem of the Tibetan government in exile. Tenzin, who was martyred in the military action against Chinese PLS on the intervening night of August 29, 30, was the company leader of the SFF, which is also known as the Development Regiment or Vikas Regiment. Tenzin's farewell with full military honours and singing of the Tibetan government in exile's anthem has apparently irked China as the development comes amidst heightened Sino-India tensions at the line of actual control (LAC) in the Eastern Ladakh. The Tibetan community in Delhi also paid homage to the martyr at Majnu Ka Tila monastery. On his picture was written, "hero of India's resistance against Chinese PLA's aggression" and "the unsung Tibetan". Tenzin joined the Vikas Regiment in the year 1987, and participated in many campaigns and was considered a master of mountain warfare. Like Tenzin, his elder son is also a soldier of the Vikas Regiment. So far, the SFF has been away from any attention, but this is the first time that the Tibetan community's anger against China has been shown in India. This regiment is not part of the Indian Army, but the majority of its soldiers are from the Tibetan community living in India. The development is expected to rile China. Tenzin's funeral in Leh showcased a passionate picture of unity between India and Tibet as the martyr's wife was given the flags of India as well as Tibet. The military honour given to a Tibetan community member can be witnessed as a sign of a change in the strategic policy of the New India. About 7,000 Tibetan people live in a refugee camp near Leh. Many of these are part of the Development Regiment, which was established in the year 1962 by training the Tibetan warriors who had escaped from China. The Regiment has learned to have caused great strategic damage to China on the intervening night of August 29, 30. The Indian Army had captured many such areas, which were out of reach since the 1962 war. The recent development has perturbed Chinese President Xi Jinping as reports coming in say that President Xi is angry with the PLA's debacle, especially with the news that a Chinese Commander withdrew forces near Pangong Lake. After its misadventure at the Galwan Valley in June, China has received another setback in the south of Pangong Valley in the last week of August. This has reportedly created a negative atmosphere against the Communist Party in China and is likely to create new problems for President Xi Jinping. Tenzin's honour was symbolic of adopting the Tibetan cause in India. This was just opposite to China, which reportedly did not take pain even to give information about its martyred soldiers. According to DNA analysis, India has shown a strategic shift in paying full military honour to SFF Commando Nyima Tenzin. The big change can be understood through the points given below: 1. This is a major change in India's strategy against China. So far, the Indian Army has never indicated that it is taking any assistance from the Special Frontier Force. 2. The Indian Army has given a message that the SFF Commandos can deploy for a larger role in Ladakh, putting pressure on the Chinese military. The SFF soldiers are familiar with the hilly terrain of the mountainous region like the back of their hands. 3. This is likely to pave a way for possible international support for the Tibet's independence. The voice of Tibetan refugees has been unheard. After India's support, other countries are likely to extend their support to the Tibetan cause. 4. China annexed Tibet in 1950, but for the first time after 70 years, the people of Tibet are witnessing the possibility of their native country becoming independent. India's relationship with the Tibetan people will be further strengthened. 5. India never raised the issue that may put pressure on China. Now, there is every possibility that India will also make its stand clear on Taiwan. Through the Tibetan issue, India has now opened a new diplomatic chapter amid tensions with China. The analogy is understood to have been drawn from ancient political thinker Chanakya, who taught at the University of Taxila and was the mentor of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Chanakya's writings on diplomacy, Raj Mandal principles, are still applicable. Accordingly, a nation should first establish the balance of power in comparison with its neighbour, then only it should sign a treaty, otherwise, it will not be on an equal footing. India seems to have established a similar balance of power with China in the current scenario. In another field also, India today surprised the world community, especially China, and successfully tested the indigenous Hypersonic Technology. After America, Russia, and China, India has become the fourth country in the world to have this technology. The test was conducted by the scientists of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). India will witness a major revolution in its defense sector, as the Hypersonic Technology will help in launching hypersonic missiles that will travel at a speed of 7000 km per hour. These missiles will take just a few minutes to cover a distance of thousands of kilometers. Many countries in the world are currently trying to create an air defense system to destroy the hypersonic missiles, but none have been successful so far. The Ebrahim K. Kanoo company has hosted the first ever Injaz Bahrain Virtual Job Shadow event in Bahrain showcasing the different aspects of the companys spare parts division. Over 40 participating students from across Bahrain shadowed six volunteers from the spare parts division. They were provided the opportunity to view the companys state-of-the-art inventory, customer service, storage and warehousing activities. The volunteer mentors gave students an overview of the business while site visit presenters briefed them on a typical day in the life of a spare parts division employee. Ebrahim K. Kanoo Managing Director, Talal Kanoo, who is also a member of the Injaz Bahrain Board of Directors, welcomed the tour as an integral part of educating students in what job opportunities await them upon graduation, stating: Ebrahim K. Kanoo has always been a pioneering business, implementing world-class learnings and leading the way for other businesses in Bahrain. "We were excited to host the first ever virtual Job Shadow event where we could educate the students about the many facets of the spare parts department, and how important it is to have all the parts available to the market. I thank the team at Injaz Bahrain for allowing us to participate in this programme and for their tireless support. The event comprised sessions from volunteers in Toyota Plaza in Tubli, the Toyota spare parts department in Riffa and the latest Toyota spare parts hub in Salmabad.-- Tradearabia News Service A tag of Ballymun Towers South Dublin put by billionaire Dermot Desmond on the 338m apartment plan by Cairn Homes for former RTE lands in D4 creates a stigmatisation that is just completely unwarranted for the development. That is according to Cllr James Geoghegan (FG) who was just one of a number of Fine Gael Dublin City councillors to hit out at the Ballymun tag placed on the development by Mr Desmond at a Council Dublin South East area meeting to consider the Cairn Project Montrose plan. An Bord Pleanala is due to make a decision on the plan next week after the High Court last Friday cleared the way for a decision to be made after rejecting a challenge by Mr Desmonds wife, Pat Desmond and two other Ailesbury Rd residents. Expand Close Pat and Dermot Desmond. Photos: Kieran Harnett / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pat and Dermot Desmond. Photos: Kieran Harnett In a lengthy report, Dublin City Council planners have recommended to An Bord Pleanala that planning permission be granted. However, elected members of the council are divided over the plan. Mr Desmond wrote to councillors in June where he claimed that the 611 apartment plan is akin to Ballymun Towers South Dublin. Read More Cllr Geoghegan - who is in favour of the Cairn application - told the meeting it was very unfortunate Mr Desmond used the Ballymun phrase when referring to the Cairn development. Cllr Geoghegan stated that Mr Desmonds letter contained reasonable criticisms of the Government fast track plan legislation under which the Project Montrose plan has been lodged. Cllr Paddy McCartan (FG) also hit out at Mr Desmonds Ballymun towers characterisation of the proposal. Cllr McCartan stated that it was a pejorative reference as Ballymun was built in the 1960s made up of 36 blocks. Cllr Danny Byrne (FG) described the reference to Ballymun as incredible. He said the development is one of the finest if not the finest development that Dublin has seen. He stated: It is an absolutely fantastic development in a brilliant location. However, Cllr Mannix Flynn (Ind) told the meeting he has huge problems with the proposal in terms of height and wind tunnelling. He stated: There is a comparison between the development and the towers of Ballymun. Expand Close Mannix Flynn. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mannix Flynn. Photo: Gerry Mooney The Ailesbury Rd Residents Association is one party to object to the Cairn plan and Cllr Pat Dunne (Independents4change) told the meeting: Let the message go out to the millionaires on Ailesbury Rd that their worries, their concerns are not the concerns of the majority of the people in this city. He said: Our concerns are in relation to homelessness, the lack of housing, the thousands of families living in over-crowded decisions. Cairn Homes is planning to sell 61 of the apartments in the plan to the city council for 30m to comply with Part V social housing obligations and Cllr McCartan stated that this works out at 500,000 an apartment on average and is something I dont think is sustainable. He said: I dont think it is value for money and paying 500,000 for an apartment is not tenable. The Regional Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) (Group) Limited has called for the conduct of rigorous background checks on workers in sensitive roles and other staff as part of measures to curb cyber-attacks on banks and financial institutions. "Investigate staff living above their means and most importantly compensate adequately to protect staff from undue financial pressure." Mrs Abiola Bawuah said this at the induction and award ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) Ghana's Maiden Presidential Ball ceremony in Accra. The ceremony was used to induct 52 members into CICM Ghana. Seven persons were conferred with Honorary membership, thirty five were awarded as Chartered fellows. Seven persons who had distinguished themselves in various businesses over the years were also awarded as Honorary fellows. Mrs Bawuah recounted that as fraudsters become more agile in their methods, Banks and other financial institutions must also adapt and stay ahead of them. "As banks, we must ensure that security is paramount in all our decision especially in technology and processes that can expose us or our customers to cyber-attacks." She said it was important that Banks and financial Institutions would embrace cyber security preventive mechanisms and work assiduously to ensure retention of trust in Ghana's financial system. "Cyber threat is continuously evolving and as custodians of the financial sector, let us embrace the cyber security preventive mechanisms and work assiduously to ensure retention of trust in our financial system." According to Mrs Bawuah, internal collusion remained a strong factor in most cyber-attacks. "The defense against cybercrime is one that has to start from within every financial institution. Internal governance, framework from internal control, Audit, compliance and risk and credit management should be at their best," Mrs Bawuah stressed. She said there was also the need for constant education of bank staff and customers on the various typologies of cyber fraud. On the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs Bawuah said banks had been compelled to use technology more to deliver financial services. She said because banks and financial institutions were providing services through digital channels, there had been a reduction in face to face interaction. Consequently, she said banks and financial institutions had become prime targets for cyber-attacks by criminals all over the world. Citing the Ghana's Criminal Investigation Department data, Mrs Bawuah said from 2016 to 2018 the country lost $97 million to cybercrime related activities. She called for collaboration between Bank of Ghana, Banks and other financial institutions to deal with emerging threats of cybercrime. According to her, cyber criminals were obtaining access to personal data via data breaches by using personal information to gain customer's trust in scams or takeover some accounts. "Fraudsters are aggressively using SMS authentication with phone porting, Phone spoofing of legitimate business...scammers have attempted to record victim's voices to bypass voice recognition, finger prints, biometric and customer personal data sourced from cyber market places. She said digital transformation was "changing fraud typologies and therefore to respond, banks needed to be proactive and update their fraud risk framework... Look for next generation prevention and detection solutions." Dr Cudjoe Awudi, Director, Corporate Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Forestry Commission, who chaired the occasion, urged stakeholders in the financial sector to look for solutions to cybercrime as huge sums of monies were being lost. Dr Awudi said cyber security threats were real and scarier than most pandemics, saying however that with effective collaboration, it could be contained. Mr Amo Agyapong, Executive Secretary of CICM, Ghana, noted that businesses thrived on credit, hence the need for the public to understand credit issues in order to promote the growth of businesses. The programme was on the theme: "This Era of COVID-19, Conundrum and the Increase Cyber Security Threat in the Banking and Financial Service Industry." 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 In the 18th century, workers had no rights and they were often abused. The average unskilled American worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week just to earn a decent living. It was commonplace to see children as young or 4 or 5 toiling away in the textile mills. Employers actually preferred children because they were easier to manage, and they could pay them very little and in many cases, no wages at all. Looks like John Oliver will get his sewage plant after all. A week after the host of HBOs Last Week Tonight once again calling out the town of Danbury, Connecticut, Mayor Mark Boughton said in a video Sunday that hell name the citys waste processing facility after Oliver so long as Oliver travels to Danbury in person for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A little background: On the August 16 episode, during a segment talking about jury selection in Connecticut, Oliver took a detour to insult Danbury, a town he selected apparently at random, in incredibly personal, profane terms. If you are going to forget a town in Connecticut, why not forget Danbury because, and this is true, f Danbury! From its charming railway museum to its historic hearthstone castle, Danbury, Connecticut, can eat my whole ass, Oliver said. If youre from there you have a standing invite to come get a thrashing from John Oliver, children included, f you, Oliver joked. Boughton responded by announcing that the citys sewage plant would be renamed The John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant. Why? Because its full of crap, just like you, John. Pretty funny, but unfortunately he later admitted he was just joking. Also Read: John Oliver Rips 'America's Most-Laminated Prince' Jared Kushner for 'Infuriating' Reaction to NBA Strike (Video) Oliver revisited the subject on the August 30 episode, first congratulating Danbury for a truly good insult, then mocking it for not following through. You had the first good idea in your citys history and you chickened out on the follow-through. What a classic Danbury move, Oliver said. Then Oliver offered to donate $55,000 to local charities if Danbury would actually go through with naming its sewage plant after him. Oliver gave the city a week to decide, after which he threatened to donate the money to charities in other nearby communities. Those of you with a calendar handy already know that today was the deadline, and so it is that Boughton has accepted Olivers deal with one condition: Oliver has to come to Danbury in person for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Story continues But Boughton didnt waste the chance to get in one more dig. He revealed that if Oliver refuses to come, the city already has named a poop-related thing after him: A portable toilet now known as The John Oliver Shouse. Get it? Also Read: John Oliver Enlists a Shirtless John Cena to Debunk the Most Absurd Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories (Video) Watch the mayors clip, followed by John Olivers Danbury-related content, below. Well keep you posted on Olivers reply. Watch the clip below: #JohnOliverMemorialSewerPlant Posted by Mayor Mark Boughton on Sunday, September 6, 2020 Heres the first installment of the beef, which begins 6 minutes and 16 seconds in. And heres the follow up: Read original story John Oliver Will Get His Danbury Sewage Plant After All and a Porta-Potty (Video) At TheWrap Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar will address a virtual rally of the party on Monday to connect with people ahead of the state assembly polls due in October-November, a party leader said. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, giant screens will be installed in public places across the state, where people will be able to watch the chief ministers address, senior leader and minister Ashok Choudhary said. The programme was earlier scheduled to be held on Sunday but it was rescheduled a day later due to the week-long state mourning following the death of former of formerPresident Pranab Mukherjee on August 31. Kumar will address his first virtual rally at 11.30 am via the partys digital platform jdulive.com, which was launched on September 2. "It will be our endeavour to connect with more and more people of the state through the digital platform, said Choudhary who is the states building construction minister. A host of party leaders have visited various areas of the state capital and formally invited people to watch Kumars address. Stock Market SPX to Gold/Silver Ratios Explored What To Expect Next RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: A Phase II rally in metals is just getting ready to start. Phase II rallies are very explosive and tend to enter Parabolic trends. Gold could rally 250% to 350% over the next several years. Silver could rally 550% to 750% over the next several years. My research team and I started exploring the relationship between the Gold-to-Silver ratio and the S&P 500 to find trends in Metals and the US Stock Markets. We called the collapse in the Gold-to-Silver ratio accurately back in March 2020, and we believe the current setup in the S&P to the Gold-to-Silver ratio shows the move in Precious Metals is far from over. If you would like to review some of our earlier research posts, please take a minute to review these posts: August 13, 2020: DETAILED 2020/2021 PRICE FORECASTS FOR GOLD & SILVER May 15, 2020: SILVER BEGINS TO ACCELERATE HIGHER FASTER THAN GOLD April 22, 2015: IN THREE TO FIVE YEARS GOLD WILL BE PRICELESS PLAYING WITH RATIOS WHAT CAN WE LEARN The Weekly Gold-to-Silver ratio chart below highlights our predictions from late March 2020 where we suggested the incredible spike in the ratio value was similar to the spike that took place in 2008. We identified a Flag/Pennant setup after each spike in the ratio volume and predicted a downward ratio decline would continue pushing both Gold and Silver higher. We also suggested that Silver would begin to rally much faster than Gold throughout this move. METALS MAY RALLY 350% TO 750% FROM CURRENT LEVELS Now, with the Gold-to-Silver ratio sitting near 69.50, we believe another important ratio component has come into play for Precious Metals the S&P to Gold-to-Silver ratio. If our earlier research continue to be correct, then the Gold-to-Silver ratio should continue to decline targeting levels near or below 50 at some point over the next 3+ years. We believe this process may take place in a very transitional global stock market. When we suggest this term transitional, we are suggesting a very fluid and aggressive global stock market where capital will actively move from risks to opportunities very quickly. As the global environment shifts from stability to moderate crisis over the next 3+ years, we believe more and more capital will attempt to find safety in Precious Metals and other safe-havens. The one thing that is really starting to concern me is the news and talk that the riots and protests in the US may get much worse over the next 6 to 12+ months. From a technical standpoint, it is very difficult to define technical indicators that attempt to quantify the effect of these riots and destruction to local economies. Although, we do have one technical analysis component to rely upon price since it always discounts external factors faster than the news can print stories. Because of this, we believe the new ratios we are sharing with you today are very important. Please take a look below at our new Monthly ratio analysis of the SPX500 to the price of Gold. We believe this ratio chart highlights how global investors are moving away from safety, shown with rising ratio levels on this chart, and back into safety/metals, shown with declining ratio levels on this chart. Lets take a look at a bit of history. From 1981 to the peak in 1999 (nearly 18 years), investors shrugged off risk and piled capital into the US and global stock markets as the Reagan, Clinton, and DOT COM rallies ran back-to-back. The ratio rallied from low levels near 0.30 to high levels near 5.60. This represents a tremendous increase in the global stock market valuations while precious metals languished in a lower/sideways price range. Then, in late 1999 and early 2000, the ratio peaked and began to move downward. That downward ratio trend lasted nearly 10 years in total and produced the $1923.70 peak price in Gold in Sept 2011. The real rally in Gold didnt begin to accelerate until mid-2005 nearly 5 years after the peak in this ratio chart. Before you continue, be sure to opt-in to our free-market trend signalsnow so you dont miss our next special report! We believe the current move in Gold and Silver is similar to the 2000~2005 initial impulse move after the peak in 1999 (highlighted in LIGHT BLUE). This impulse move sets up a bigger, more aggressive downside price trend as the rally in precious metals accelerates and moves in a parabolic trend when markets near peaks (highlighted in RED). These aggressive moves are typically 2x to 3x (or more) than the normal precious metals price ranges and can be very explosive in nature. If we are correct in our analysis, the end of 2020, and throughout the next 2 to 3+ years, we may enter one of these explosive price phases in precious metals because of the current setup in this SPX500/Gold ratio pattern. If the ratio declines from the current 1.78 level to a level near 0.40, this would represent a 77% decline. Our researchers believe this could prompt a 250% to 350% rally in Gold if the SPX500 stays above $2,200 (near the recent March 2020 lows). This would suggest that Gold could rally to levels above $5,500 to $7,500 over the next 3+ years. Our researchers applied the same ratio analysis to Silver. Comparing the SPX500 to Silver ratio setup similar types of patterns, yet we noticed the impulse move in Silver is often shorter in time as Silver attempts to rally faster than Gold to make up for depressed price levels throughout the rally phase of the ratio levels. Silver, as many of us already know, tends to be the forgotten little brother to Gold. Our researchers believe the impulse move in Silver has already completed. We believe the next phase of the decline in the SPX500/Silver ratio will begin the real fear move in Silver. This suggests a rally to levels above $36 to $45 fairly quickly which will be very near to the all-time high of $49.82. Using similar ratio analysis calculations in the chart below, we believe the upside price target for Silver would target 5.5x to 7.5x current Silver price levels, assuming the ratio level falls to levels below 0.30. That places the ultimate peak level in Silver near $156 to $213. As incredible as that may seem, if the SPX500 stays above the $2,000 price range and does not decline below 2016 lows because of Federal Reserve actions and global central bank support, then a ratio decline targeting recent historically low levels would equate into an even bigger upside price moves in precious metals. The ratio cant fall to near historic ratio levels unless metals prices rally to levels to offset the advance in the SPX500 price. As amazing as this may seem for many of you, we want to be one of the first and only research firms to provide technical research to support our predictions. Our past research continues to astound many professionals in the industry. Now, we are making a bold prediction that metals may enter a Phase II rally mode over the next 3 to 6+ months and that new phase may include an incredible parabolic upside price rally. Gold may target $5,500 to $7,500 or more. Silver may target $135 to $213 or higher. These are 350% to 750% price rallies in Gold and Silver they are absolutely HUGE and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The last thing we want you to consider is that each of these research charts suggests these trends and cycles last about 7.5 to 11.5 years (on average). If this trend continues and we are only about 2.5 to 3 years into this current trend, then we have another 5 to 7+ years of upward trending in Gold and Silver before a peak price level may setup. If this research helps you better understand the opportunities setting up in Precious Metals, then take a minute to visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com to learn more about how we help our members find better trades and protect their assets. Isnt it time you learned how I can help you better understand technical analysis as well as find and execute better trades? If you look back at past research, you will see that my incredible team and our proprietary technical analysis tools have shown you what to from the markets in the future. Do you want to learn how to profit from these expected huge moves? If so, sign up for my Active ETF Swing Trade Signals today! If you have a buy-and-hold or retirement account and are looking for long-term technical signals for when to buy and sell equities, bonds, precious metals, or sit in cash then be sure to subscribe to my Passive Long-Term ETF Investing Signals to stay ahead of the market! Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Ant and Christina welcomed their first child together exactly a year ago. And the couple both marked their son Hudson's first birthday by posting tributes to him on Instagram, Sunday. Ant, 41, wrote a lengthy caption honoring their 'miracle baby,' and their blended family as they both brought two children into the marriage. Milestone: Christina and Ant Anstead marked their son Hudson's first birthday by posting tributes to him on Instagram, Sunday 'Happy birthday Hudzo,' he wrote. 'Where has the year gone!???' Adding: 'You are our miracle baby, the perfect blend of your beautiful mummy and this Brit dad! We love you so much! Today we celebrate you!' 'Happy 1 Birthday Hudson,' Christina wrote. 'Sweet, sensitive, busy boy ... cant wait for you to be chasing your siblings around the house soon we love you.' The Wheeler Dealers host is currently in the UK to be reunited with his children Amelia and Archie. Miracle: Adding: 'You are our miracle baby, the perfect blend of your beautiful mummy and this Brit dad! We love you so much! Today we celebrate you' Blended family: The Wheeler Dealers host is currently in the UK to be reunited with his children Amelia and Archie, while Christina is at home in the US with Hudson and her children Taylor, nine, and Brayden, five who she shares with ex Tarek El Moussa 'I always found it weird (cool) that Amelie and Tay were born exactly 7 days apart,' he said of his daughter and Christina's daughter. 'And Archie and Bray we ALSO born exactly 7 days apart.' 'And then Hudzo landed right bang in the middle of them,' Ant added. 'Coincidence? I dont think so! It was written in the stars.' Meanwhile back home, his wife Christina has been making the best of co-parenting with her ex-husband Tarek El Moussa. He and Christina were married from 2009 to 2018, sharing daughter Taylor, nine, and son Brayden, five. Sweet: 'Happy 1 Birthday Hudson,' Christina wrote. 'Sweet, sensitive, busy boy ... cant wait for you to be chasing your siblings around the house soon we love you' Destined: 'I always found it weird (cool) that Amelie and Tay were born exactly 7 days apart,' he said of his daughter and Christina's daughter. 'And Archie and Bray we ALSO born exactly 7 days apart' And, the celebrity real estate investors are getting back to work on their reality show, as Hollywood starts to reopen. Tarek will also soon pop up in another reality favorite, as he joins fiancee Heather Rae Young, 32, on season four of her hit Netflix show Selling Sunset. Last month Tarek celebrated their first anniversary by proposing on a romantic boat trip to Catalina, and she accepted. Christina and Tarek were spotted last week returning to work filming Flip Or Flop amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In the wake of his engagement she told E! News that she had 'Of course!' congratulated him, adding: 'And I couldn't be happier for them. They're very happy.' Lovebirds: Christina and Ant married in December 2018 after she finalized her divorce from Tarek in January BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: The EU and the World Health Organization (WHO) have handed over 129 oxygen concentrators and 60 pulse oximeters to Azerbaijans Ministry of Health, to help patients recover from severe illness due to COVID-19, Trend reports citing a joint statement of the EU, WHO, and the Health Ministry. The equipment was procured by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, with funding from the EU, through the Solidarity for Health Initiative, said the statement. Oxygen concentrators are a non-invasive way of providing oxygen to patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Such supplemental oxygen is the first essential step for the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients with low blood oxygen levels and should be a primary focus for treatment, the statement noted. The statement added that the pulse oximeters supplied will help monitor patients by measuring their blood oxygen levels. As a part of Team Europe, the EUs Solidarity for Health Initiative program continues to support the health system of our partner country Azerbaijan, first, through delivery of personal protective equipment, and now with essential medical devices which will help to save lives, said Kestutis Jankauskas, Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan. Were very pleased that with the Solidarity for Health Initiative were contributing to the national efforts of and hopefully, making a difference in Azerbaijan, said Hande Harmanci, a WHO Representative in Azerbaijan. Such equipment is crucial in preventing serious disease and deaths in people who need oxygen therapy. Providing appropriate care in hospitals is extremely important while we try our best to prevent transmission of the disease within the communities, Harmanci added. We are grateful to our partners to receive the best type of oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters, said Rahim Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Health. These supplies from the EU and WHO to Azerbaijan will be used to treat severely ill patients with respiratory distress at designated COVID-19 treatment health-care facilities, said Aliyev. The EU and WHO also organized 8 face-to-face and 7 online training sessions for health care professionals, who will in turn train more health care workers on the latest methods in managing and supporting COVID-19 patients. The donation of these critical supplies is part of the EUs response to the outbreak of COVID-19, currently affecting more than 216 countries and territories. On 27 March 2020, the EU announced an assistance package of 30 million euros to help prevent, detect and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in six countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. The funds are being used initially to meet immediate emergency needs, such as procuring essential supplies and training for health-care workers and frontline responders. In the longer term, the assistance will go towards strengthening the countrys capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The project builds upon the EUs and WHOs ongoing support to Azerbaijan. (Newser) A leading opposition activist in Belarus is missingand witnesses say they saw masked men bundle her into a vehicle Monday morning. Maria Kolesnikova is one of three women who challenged President Alexander Lukashenko in last month's disputed election, the BBC reports. The other two, Veronika Tsepkalo and leading opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, fled the country after the election. Witnesses said they saw the masked men seize Kolesnikova's phone before forcing her into a minibus in the capital, Minsk. Kolsenikova told the BBC last month that she saw no point in having bodyguards. "I am aware that no number of guards would be of any use if a bus full of riot police stopped us," she said. "We all know what a police state is capable of." story continues below The apparent arrest follows a massive Sunday rally in Minsk, where more than 600 of an estimated 100,000 protesters were arrested according to the Belarusian Interior Ministry. The ministry said Monday that it hadnt detained Kolesnikova but there was no comment from the State Security Committee, which still uses the name KGB, reports the AP. Kolesnikova is a member of the Coordination Council, set up by the opposition to seek a peaceful transfer of power from Lukashenko. At least two other members of the council went missing on Monday, opposition activists say. (Read more Belarus stories.) A throng of protesters gathered outside Nancy Pelosi's home after she sparked outrage by visiting a San Francisco salon that was shuttered due to coronavirus. More than a dozen women descended on Pelosi's pad in Pacific Heights on Thursday and mocked the Democratic House Speaker by donning hair curlers and plastic drapes around their shoulders. They took the stunt a step further by hanging hair dryers in a tree out front - a reference to the blow-out Pelosi received at eSalon SF on August 31. Pelosi became the target of widespread ridicule last week after video of her not wearing a mask inside the salon - which was closed due to local coronavirus restrictions - was leaked to Fox News. The California congresswoman's stylist defended her by suggesting that the owner of eSalon, Erica Kious, had deliberately set Pelosi up and had authorized the controversial hair appointment. Scroll down for video A throng of protesters gathered outside Nancy Pelosi's home on Thursday after she sparked outrage by visiting a San Francisco salon that was shuttered due to coronavirus The women decorated a tree outside Pelosi's home with hairdryers and an American flag Pelosi became the target of widespread ridicule last week after video of her not wearing a mask inside the salon - which was closed due to local coronavirus restrictions - was leaked But Kious denied that claim, telling Fox News last Wednesday: '[Pelosi] had called the stylist, or her assistant did, and had made the appointment so the appointment was already booked so there was no way I could have set that up. 'And I've had a camera system in there for five years, I mean I didn't go in there and turn cameras on as soon as she walked in and set her up so that's absolutely false.' 'Not only did I not set her up, her assertion that she is a victim and set up is totally false and outrageous.' Kious said she has received death threats in the wake of exposing Pelosi's trip and claimed her business was 'done'. A fundraiser - set up by former Nevada State GOP chairman Amy Tarkanian - has raised nearly $300,000 as of Monday to help Kious 'to pay off any debts from the business that she is forced to shut down, expenses to relocate and reopen in a new location'. The day after Kious' interview, fellow enraged citizens flocked to Pelosi's home to condemn decision to visit a salon without a mask whilst publicly insisting that California businesses remain closed and calling for a federal face covering mandate. eSalon owner Erica Kious (pictured) said she has received death threats in the wake of exposing the House Speaker's trip to her business on August 31 A fundraiser - set up by former Nevada State GOP chairman Amy Tarkanian - has raised nearly $300,000 as of Monday to help Kious 'to pay off any debts from the business that she is forced to shut down, expenses to relocate and reopen in a new location' 'What she has done is a slap in the face of not just a salon owner, but every woman, every man, every person who's unemployed in the state of California, who lost their jobs and their livelihoods, many of whom are my friends,' one protester told KRON. Video obtained by NewsNation showed the protesters hanging an American flag on a tree outside Pelosi's house, alongside hair dryers and curlers. SF Chronicle reporter Jessica Christian said the group declared it a 'Freedom Tree'. '[We] gather to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to earn a living and feed their families,' one protester said before the group joined in a circle and raised their hands in unison. The protesters mocked Pelosi by wearing hair curlers and plastic drapes on their shoulders San Francisco Mayor London Breed briefly addressed the protests on Friday, telling reporters it was time to 'move on'. 'I get that they have these feelings, they are voicing their feelings, but we are doing the very best we can and I know that's not good enough for them, I understand,' Breed said. 'I get it, but at the end of the day, it is really time for us to move on.' San Francisco Mayor London Breed (pictured) briefly addressed the protests on Friday, telling reporters it was time to 'move on' After the video of her ill-advised salon trip went viral, Pelosi claimed she had fallen for 'a set up'. 'I take responsibility for trusting the word of the neighborhood salon that I've been to over the years many times when they said we're able to accommodate people one person at a time,' she said. 'As it turns out, it was a setup. It was a set up, and I take responsibility for falling for a setup. 'I think that this salon owes me an apology, for setting me up.' Pelosi also sought to defend her lack of mask by saying that she had taken it off to wash her hair. 'I just had my hair washed. I don't wear a mask when I'm washing my hair. Do you wear a mask when you're washing your hair?' she incredulously asked reporters. 'I always wear a mask. And that picture is when I just came out of the bowl.' Jonathan DeNardo, the San Francisco beautician and stylist who did Pelosi's hair before the city allowed salons to operate again, released a statement through his lawyer on Wednesday. 'The fact that Ms Kious is now objecting to Speaker Pelosi's presence at eSalon, and from a simple surface-level review of Ms Kious' political leanings, it appears Ms Kious is furthering a set-up of Speaker Pelosi for her own vain aspirations,' the statement read. 'Ultimately, Ms Kious authorized Mr DeNardo to proceed with Speaker Pelosi's appointment.' The eSalon in San Francisco where the speaker had her hair washed and blown dry Kious has maintained that she did not approve the appointment and did not deliberately set Pelosi up - as the White House emerged as one of the congresswoman's fiercest critics. Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany played the leaked video during a press briefing and branded Pelosi a hypocrite. 'Apparently the rules do not apply to Speaker Nancy Pelosi,' McEnany said. 'She wants small businesses to stay shut down but only reopen for her convenience. Do as I say not as I do, says Nancy Pelosi.' President Donald Trump also weighed in, tweeting: 'Crazy Nancy Pelosi is being decimated for having a beauty parlor opened, when all others are closed, and for not wearing a Mask - despite constantly lecturing everyone else. We will almost certainly take back the House, and send Nancy packing! 'The Beauty Parlor owner must really dislike Crazy Nancy Pelosi. Turning her in, on tape, is a really big deal. She probably treats him like she treats everyone else...' A day later, he returned to the theme. 'I want the salon owner to lead the House of Representatives,' he told a cheering crowd in Pennsylvania. 'She made a terrible mistake because you want people that can't be set up. 'She said "I was set up, I was set up by the salon owner, I was set up". 'I said "tell me she didn't say that."' Trump attacked once again on Saturday, saying that Pelosi showed poor judgment and naivety but falling for the salon owner's trick. 'Nancy Pelosi said she got "set up" by the owner (a very good one) of a beauty parlor,' he tweeted. 'If so, how will she do in negotiations against President Xi of China, President Putin of Russia, or Kim Jong Un of North Korea. 'Not so well, I suspect, but far better than Joe Hiden would do!' he added, referencing his repeated claims that Joe Biden has been hiding during the 2020 presidential campaign. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany played the leaked video during a press briefing and branded Pelosi a hypocrite Chennai, Sep 7 : The Tamil Nadu government on Monday came up with a new electronics manufacturing policy, offering various subsidies and incentives and flexibility in labour laws to increase the electronics industry's output to $100 billion and to contribute 25 per cent of the country's electronics exports by 2025. The policy offers various subsidies - capital subsidy of 10-30 per cent (based on the investment, plant location and employment potential), for land lease cost, interest, patent application cost and employee training subsidy (only for the state's native residents). It also offers electronics manufacturing industries exemption from stamp duty and electricity tax. The government said the new policy aims to increase the level of value addition done in the state in sectors like mobile handsets, light emitting diode (LED) products, fabless chip design, printed circuit boards, solar photovoltaic cells, medical electronics and automotive electronics. Investors may choose to avail incentives under any one policy of the state government including this policy or the extant Industrial Policy or any other applicable state government policy. All incentives offered by the Tamil Nadu government to units in the electronics manufacturing industry shall be in addition to the incentives offered by the Centre to those units. Investments made from January 1, 2020 will be considered eligible for availing incentives. The policy classifies the electronics manufacturing projects as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), large (new or expansion, with Rs 200-500 crore investment and over 500 persons employment range) and mega (new or expansion with the investment of over Rs 500 crore and employment range over 2,000 persons). In addition to the incentives listed in the policy, the state government may, in its discretion, approve higher incentives/concessions and relax the conditions for deserving projects giving due weightage to investment, employment, value addition and potential for attracting further investment through vendors and ancillaries. The Tamil Nadu government also said it will formulate a special package of incentives for Electronic System Design Manufacturing (ESDM) units in the MSME sector. The new policy will also encourage development of private ESDM parks with common infrastructure, amenities and waste handling facilities. For electronics manufacturing clusters (EMC) apart from the incentives offered by the central government, the Tamil Nadu government offers its own incentives. According to the policy, the state government proposes to promote the development of EMCs across the state by 2023. Some of the proposed EMCs include a greenfield EMC in Hosur, and in the Chennai/Tiruvallur/Kancheepuram region; brownfield EMCs in Sriperumbudur and Oragadam; and the ELCINA industrial park as Brownfield EMC in Coimbatore region. The EMCs shall provide internal and external infrastructure, inclusive of multimodal logistics and shared testing and training facilities. According to the policy, the state government, through various organisations, will promote industrial housing projects near existing and new ESDM hubs. It will also promote bespoke industrial housing projects for the electronics industry, based on the demand and requirements given by a specific company or group of companies. The government will use the Tamil Nadu Shelter Fund and funds from the Central government for industrial housing for this project. In order to develop a circular economy, private investments in development of electronic repair parks with facilities for electronic waste management shall be encouraged through viability gap funding/revenue sharing mechanisms. For the promotion of the semiconductor fabrication industry (FAB) industry, a special task force will be formed to create an appropriate eco system and special incentives will be offered for investors in this sector, the policy said. The policy has exempted ESDM companies from various laws and will allow self-certification and third-party verification for labour related clearances and approvals under labour laws. The flexibility in working hours, working in three shifts and employment in night shifts may be allowed for women employees, provided all necessary security arrangement, creche facilities for children, facilities of restroom and safe transportation are arranged; the employers have to ensure that night shift work may be carried out under the supervision of women supervisors and ensure the presence of women security officers. First quarter affected by the Covid-19 crisis, as expected Structural fixed cost-cutting plan amounting to 30 million Continued efforts to secure long-term resources with an additional 15 million New contracts wins corresponding to full-year revenue of 20 million Sector consolidation under consideration The FIGEAC AERO Group (ticker: FGA), a leading partner for major aerospace manufacturers, has today released its revenue figures for the 1st quarter (1st April to 30th June 2020). Unaudited figures m Q1 2019/20 Q1 2020/21 Chg. Organic chg. Aerostructures 98.1 39.3 -59.98% -59.94% Other business activities 14.1 10.9 -22.66% -23.20% Total revenue 112.2 50.2 -55.29% -55.32% Discontinued deliveries to clients took a heavy toll on activity The aerospace market felt the full effects of the Covid-19 crisis as global air traffic plummeted during the lockdown period, forcing aircraft manufacturers everywhere to reduce their production programmes considerably and draw down their inventory. FIGEAC AERO's revenue thus reached 50.2 million in the 1st quarter of financial year 2020/21 (from 1st April to 30th June 2020), which is 55.29% lower year-on-year. At constant scope and exchange rates, the Group's quarterly revenue fell by 55.32%. Having already been affected by the discontinuation of production on the Boeing 737 Max programme, the Aerostructures division saw a steep drop in its activity (-59.98% reported, -59.94% like-for-like) on account of the Covid-19 crisis. The Group's other business activities registered a 3.2 million drop in revenue. Plans to adjust the headcount in response to an unprecedented economic crisis As announced in the press release issued on 27th August, the Group is having to adjust its workforce in response to the ongoing economic downturn in the air traffic sector in order to safeguard its competitive standing and protect itself from the difficulties looming on the horizon as well as their impact on employment. Talks with all the Group's social partners continue, particularly at the Figeac site, the aim being to reach agreements so that they can come into effect in January 2021. Other measures are also being examined in France and overseas. All the measures taken under the operational optimisation plan should reduce fixed and structural costs by approximately 30 million, and almost the full effects of this plan will be visible in financial year 2021/22. These cost savings will make the Group more competitive and generate significant operating leverage when volumes pick up again, which will allow for cash-flow generation over the long term. Meanwhile, the plan is expected to incur one-off costs estimated at between 20 million and 23 million, most of which will be provisioned this financial year (ending 31/03/2021). "Atout" loan obtained from Bpifrance FIGEAC AERO has been granted a 15 million "Atout" loan from Bpifrance; this is in addition to the State-Guaranteed Loans (amounting to a total of 80 million) obtained from its long-standing banking partners. These funds will secure the Group's future. Furthermore, the Group is in talks with its banking partners to ease the terms and conditions of its financial covenants for the year ending March 2021. The negotiations are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks, i.e. before the end of the first half of 2020/21. New contracts wins, in line with the Group's strategy to expand in North America and diversify in the engines segment FIGEAC AERO has been awarded a 'programme life' contract worth USD250 million (at current production rates) to produce detail parts and sub-assemblies for the A320, A321 and B787 programmes. This new client has selected the Group to manufacture small, medium and large aluminium and titanium mechanical parts, as well as sub-assemblies, primarily thanks to a successful strategy deployed across its entire global footprint. The Group has been awarded this major contract largely because of its industrial and commercial positions in the USA, its critical size and the know-how it has developed in Europe over the past 30 years. The contract is set to contribute fully to the Group's revenue base as of 2022, with USD17 million, following an initial ramp-up phase. FIGEAC AERO has also reached a Long-Term Agreement worth around USD50 million with a major engine manufacturer. The Group's 'Usine du Futur' (Plant for the Future) in France will produce complex engine parts for the A350 programme based on the expertise it has acquired with other engine manufacturers. Following an initial ramp-up phase, this contract will contribute USD5 million to the Group's full-year revenue base as from 2022. "My staff and myself are hugely proud to have been awarded these major contracts by tier-1 clients, ranking among the industry's leading customers worldwide, and for such considerable amounts", says Thomas Girard, VP Sales & Marketing at FIGEAC AERO. "This crisis is creating opportunities and will bolster the positions of systemic suppliers in the industry. We are confident that we will win further contracts like these, that will not require substantial capex, as per the roadmap set out by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee." Outlook It is difficult to establish forecasts for the short term as there is little visibility on a resumption in global air traffic and on the repercussions this will have for deliveries by aircraft manufacturers. FIGEAC AERO believes it is not in a position to issue guidance targets for financial year 2020/21, which is likely to be affected by a steep drop-in activity and by one-off restructuring costs. For the past 30 years, FIGEAC AERO has successfully established itself as a leading partner in the aerospace sector and developed considerable expertise and a solid foothold in Europe as well as, more recently, the USA; these strengths will help it maintain its commercial momentum. The Group is also examining the role it might play in the consolidation of the aerospace suppliers market; it stands to be a major participant thanks to its leading position in Europe, international footprint, technological leadership and diversified client mix and product mix (fuselage, wings, tail units and engines). The Group will explore all avenues to secure its long-term viability and develop its activities. Agenda: 16th December 2020: revenues for the 2nd quarter of 2020/21 and earnings for the 1st half of 2020/21 (after trading) ABOUT FIGEAC AERO The FIGEAC AERO Group, a leading partner for major aerospace manufacturers, specialises in producing light alloy and hard metal structural parts, engine parts, landing gear and sub-assemblies. FIGEAC AERO is a global group operating in France, the USA, Morocco, Mexico, Romania and Tunisia. The Group generated annual revenue of 447m in the year to 31st March 2020. FIGEAC AERO Jean-Claude Maillard Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 34 52 52 Abdelkader Benchiha Head of Institutional Relations VP IR & Public Affairs Tel.: +33 (0)5 81 24 61 90 / abdelkader.benchiha@figeac-aero.com ACTUS Finance & Communication Corinne Puissant - Analyst/Investor Relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 77 / cpuissant@actus.fr Manon Clairet - Press Relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 / mclairet@actus.fr ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: mZhwZZttlGqcnnJrkpuZl5Zqbm9hm5XKbmLGxJabasqVZ59mmZuTmJWaZm9lnmVu - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-64908-fga-ca-t1-2020_21-vdef-uk.pdf Euromonitor International is the world's leading independent provider of strategic and tactical market research. We create data and analysis on thousands of products and services around the world. New Delhi: The results of Common Admission Test (CAT) 2016 has been released by IIM Bangalore on Monday. The results has been released online. Candidates can check their results on the official website www.iimcat.ac.in. The test was conducted on December 4 in two sessions for admission to various management programmes of IIMs. After qualifying the written examination, the candidates would have to appear for group discussion and personal interview. The registrations for the Common Admission Test (CAT) to Indian Institutes of Management and other leading B-schools have shot up to a seven-year high, with 2,32,434 applications received for CAT 2016 as against 2,18,664 registrations for the test Steps to check CAT Exam results 2016 - 1) Log on to the official website: iimcat.ac.in 2) Click on the link CAT 2016 results on the homepage 3) Enter the details like registration number and date of birth; 4) Click on submit; 5) Check and download the result 6) Download the same and take a printout for further reference. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Boris Johnson vowed he will 'not back down' today despite Brexit trade talks being on the verge of collapse over his threat to rewrite the terms of the divorce deal. The UK government is pushing through legislation that could effectively override the Withdrawal Agreement thrashed out at the end of last year. The laws will unilaterally resolve crucial issues in the Northern Ireland protocol - including deciding what goods require customs checks between mainland Britain and the province. Ministers say that the changes are essential to avoid 'confusion' if there is no settlement by the end of the transition period in December. However, Brussels insists that under the divorce deal those details can only be finalised by a joint committee. As the dramatic move risked crashing this week's make or break round of talks before they even start, Michel Barnier warned that 'respecting' the Withdrawal Agreement was a 'precondition' for settling the future relationship. Meanwhile, European commission president Ursula von der Leyen swiped that the deal was an 'obligation in international law'. Boris Johnson further stoked tensions today by declaring he will walk away from trade talks in five weeks unless the EU 'rethinks' its demands, saying that would still be a 'good outcome'. 'I will not back down,' he said. The PM said there was 'no sense' in allowing faltering trade talks to continue beyond October 15, when EU leaders are due to hold a major summit in Brussels. Mr Johnson said there was 'still an agreement to be had' but he 'cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country to get it', such as the freedom for the UK to set its own laws and fish its own waters. Boris Johnson says there is 'still an agreement to be had' but says he 'cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country to get it' The PM's comments come ahead of crunch talks in London tomorrow between his chief negotiator David Frost (left) and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier (right) EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen delivered a thinly-veiled warning to the UK about breaking 'international law' 'There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it's going to be in force by the end of the year,' he said. 'So there is no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond that point. If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on.' The UK is planning legislation that could impact on key parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, by unilaterally fixing details of the Northern Ireland protocol that the EU believes should be agreed at a joint committee. Sections of the Internal Market bill, due to be published on Wednesday, and the forthcoming Finance Bill are expected to 'eliminate the legal force' of the Brexit Bill passed last October. The measures would come into effect if no settlement has been reached through the joint committee by December 31, when the 'standstill' transition period is due to end. Ministers would then dictate exactly what kind of goods coming from the British mainland to Northern Ireland should be classed as 'at risk' of entering the EU single market - meaning they must be subject to controls. They could also unilaterally ditch the requirement that all exports from NI to Britain have an 'exit summary declaration', a grey area in the QA itself as it guaranteed 'unfettered access' within the UK market. The new laws would also clarify that EU rules against state aid for businesses would not apply to British firms with a presence in the province. The action, first reported by the Financial Times, could be the final nail in the coffin for hopes of a trade deal. Why is this happening now and what does the EU say about it? What is the row about? Ministers are acting unilaterally to 'clarify' how parts of Boris Johnson's Brexit deal will operate in Northern Ireland. This involves legislating to tie up 'loose ends' on issues like state aid, tariffs and the paperwork faced by businesses trading with the rest of the UK. Is the PM tearing up the deal he negotiated last year? No. Downing Street yesterday said the PM would implement the Withdrawal Agreement and the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol regardless of whether or not a trade deal is struck. It was designed to prevent the need for a hard border in Ireland. But some details were left unresolved. They have been the subject of negotiations by a joint EU-UK committee. But, with the UK's departure now approaching fast, ministers decided to act unilaterally on 'minor' issues to prevent 'legal confusion'. These include state aid, tariffs and the paperwork businesses should face. What does the EU say? Senior EU figures were unhappy about the UK's decision to act unilaterally. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said sticking to the letter of the deal was a 'precondition' for any trade agreement. Dutch PM Mark Rutte said it was 'not very reassuring' and warned a deal looked 'very difficult'. But there was no immediate move to halt trade talks. Why is this happening now? Downing Street says it is the last chance to clarify the situation in law before the end of the year. Some Tories believe the timing of the move is part of a broader tactic designed to put pressure on the EU to cut a deal now or risk the UK acting independently in even more areas. What is the UK proposing on state aid? Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, Northern Ireland will effectively remain in the EU customs union and single market when the rest of the UK leaves. This means that EU state aid rules will continue to apply in Northern Ireland. Ministers feared that the Commission could try to extend its jurisdiction to British firms with links to Northern Ireland. Under the new provisions, Business Secretary Alok Sharma will decide whether or not a subsidy has to be reported to the EU. Will firms in N. Ireland face extra paperwork? They had been braced to have to make export declarations on goods shipped to the rest of the UK. Boris Johnson last year told firms there they should put any forms 'in the bin'. Ministers have now ruled unilaterally that export declarations will not have to be made. Will goods shipped there face EU tariffs? One of the EU's biggest concerns is that Northern Ireland could become a 'back door' for British goods entering the single market. The Withdrawal Agreement sets out plans to create a list of goods travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland which are 'at risk' of entering the single market via Ireland. These would then face EU tariffs. Under the changes, UK ministers will now decide which exports should be placed on the 'at risk' list. Advertisement Revisiting the WA could cause disquiet among some MPs, but the government has an 80-strong majority and could almost certainly force the change through Parliament even if there was a significant Tory rebellion. Speaking on French radio today, Mr Barnier said he would be seeking clarification about the UK's plans. He said honouring Withdrawal Agreement was 'a pre-condition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected'. Mr Barnier admitted he was 'worried' about the fate of the talks between the two sides. The PM's spokesman said the government was 'continuing to work with the EU in the Joint Committee to resolve outstanding issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol'. However, the spokesman added: 'As a responsible Government, we cannot allow the peace process or the UK's internal market to inadvertently be compromised by unintended consequences of the protocol. 'The Northern Ireland Protocol was designed as a way of implementing the needs of our exit from the EU in a way that worked for Northern Ireland and in particular for maintaining the Belfast Agreement, the gains of the Peace Process, and the delicate balance between both communities' interests. 'It explicitly depends on the consent of the people of Northern Ireland for its continued existence. As we implement the Northern Ireland Protocol this overriding need must be kept in mind. 'So we are taking limited and reasonable steps to clarify specific elements of the Northern Ireland Protocol in domestic law to remove any ambiguity and to ensure the government is always able to deliver on its commitments to the people of Northern Ireland. 'These limited clarifications deliver on the commitments the Government made in the General Election manifesto, which said ''We will ensure that Northern Ireland's businesses and producers enjoy unfettered access to the rest of the UK and that in the implementation of our Brexit deal, we maintain and strengthen the integrity and smooth operation of our internal market.'' This was reiterated in the Command Paper published in May.' The spokesman added: 'The PM has always been publicly clear about what our interpretation of both the withdrawal agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol was. 'For example, he publicly set out that there would be no export summary declarations on goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and he also ruled out tariffs on goods moving from GB to NI on several occasions. He set out those positions in advance of the EU signing the withdrawal agreement. They did so with full knowledge of the prime minister's position.' A UK government official said: 'The government is completely committed, as it always has been, to implementing the NI Protocol in good faith. 'If we don't take these steps we face the prospect of legal confusion at the end of the year and potentially extremely damaging defaults, including tariffs on goods moving from GB to Northern Ireland. 'We are making minor clarifications in extremely specific areas to ensure that, as we implement the protocol, we are doing so in a way that allows ministers to always uphold and protect the Good Friday peace agreement.' Former chancellor Philip Hammond waded in to claim that overriding the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement with any UK legislation would be 'an incredibly dangerous step'. He tweeted: 'Let's be clear on two points: 1) Leaving without a deal would not be a 'good outcome for the UK'; nor would it be the outcome Boris and the Brexiteers promised.' He added: '2) The UK is a rule-of-law state, and attempting to legislate domestically to override international law would be an incredibly dangerous step and bound to lead to conflict with the judiciary. It would also hugely damage our standing on the world stage.' The row come ahead of crunch talks in London tomorrow between UK chief negotiator David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier. Lord Frost yesterday vowed he would not 'blink' in the face of EU demands to accept continuing Brussels oversight of key areas of British law. He urged Mr Barnier to 'take our position seriously' and act now to salvage talks. Lord Frost said the UK was not willing to be a 'client state' of Brussels in any circumstances, adding: 'We are not going to compromise on the fundamentals of having control of our own laws.' SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon branded Mr Johnson a 'charlatan' over the idea of changing the Withdrawal Agreement What happens next in the Brexit process? The UK formally left the EU on January 31 this year. However, the two sides moved seamlessly into a status quo transition period lasting until December 31. This time was set aside to allow Brussels and Britain to hammer out the terms of their future relationship. Trade talks started in March and the eighth round of formal negotiations is due to get underway in London tomorrow. However, talks are at a standstill amid disagreements on fishing rights and whether the UK will sign up to Brussels' rules and regulations. Downing Street has said it does not want talks to drag into the autumn while the EU wants a deal done by the of October in order to give member states enough time to ratify it before the end of the transition period. Given the time constraints and the lack of progress being made both sides now view a deal by the end of the year as unlikely. Advertisement SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon branded Mr Johnson a 'charlatan' over the idea of changing the Withdrawal Agreement. 'If true, this means repudiation by UK govt of a Treaty freely negotiated by it, & described by PM in GE as an 'oven ready' deal,' she tweeted. 'This will significantly increase likelihood of no deal, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans.' Pressed on whether the UK was facing medicine shortages if there is not a trade deal, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told LBC radio: 'I am comfortable that we have done the work that is needed.' Yesterday Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the negotiations were facing a 'moment of reckoning' this week and warned that thousands of jobs across the EU would be put at risk unless Brussels relented. Mr Raab said there would be a 'significant downside' for the economies of EU member states if there was no trade deal, with exports of cars and other goods likely to be hit. The Department for International Trade will today launch an advertising campaign to warn EU businesses they must prepare for the changes that will come when the Brexit transition period finishes at the end of the year. Trade talks have been deadlocked for weeks over the EU's demands on fishing and the so-called 'level playing field'. Brussels wants EU trawlers to be guaranteed their current access to Britain's fishing grounds for ever. Mr Raab told the BBC's Andrew Marr show that this was unacceptable, adding: 'Having seen UK fisheries and the fishing industry pretty much decimated as a result of EU membership, the EU's argument is we should keep control of access to our own fisheries permanently low. That can't be right.' An even bigger sticking point is the EU's insistence that Britain continues to follow EU laws after Brexit in order to guarantee a 'level playing field' for continental firms. Talks are currently stalled over Mr Barnier's demand to see details of the UK's new state aid regime before moving on to other areas of negotiation. State aid is the system of rules that cover government support and subsidies for struggling industries. The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured) said the negotiations were facing a 'moment of reckoning' this week What was agreed on NI in the Withdrawal Agreement? Under the Withdrawal Agreement, after transition Northern Ireland will remain in the United Kingdom's customs territory but all EU procedures will apply to goods arriving there. Any customs checks on the island of Ireland will be done in ports. For goods crossing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland that are deemed to be staying there, no EU tariff will apply. No EU tariffs would be paid on personal goods carried by travellers across the Irish frontier and for a second category of exempted goods that are for use in Northern Ireland, and are not at risk of entering the single market. An EU-UK body called the Joint Committee is meant to be defining this second group of goods more precisely. The UK will be allowed to reimburse excise duties for companies in Northern Ireland, but there were provisions to protect EU state aid rules - which were again due to be clarified by the joint committee. Advertisement Mr Raab said the EU could not 'credibly be worried' that the current Conservative administration was likely to push for heavier subsidies than some existing member states. But he said it was a 'point of principle' that the UK should set its own rules. A government source last night added: 'It is a question of where decisions are made. We had a vote in this country to take back control and we are not going back on that.' The Prime Minister today stresses he is seeking a simple free trade deal along the lines of the one negotiated between the EU and Canada. He adds: 'If the EU are ready to rethink their current positions and agree this, I will be delighted. But we cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country to get it.' Some senior ministers are privately concerned that the UK is not ready to cope with the impact of leaving the EU without a trade deal at the end of this year. It would leave the UK trading on World Trade Organisation terms, with tariffs on some goods in both directions. Hauliers have warned of disruption to supply lines if there is no agreement on border controls. But Eurosceptics have long complained that the terms of the Northern Ireland deal are unacceptable and risk undermining the Union by creating a trade border in the Irish Sea. A Brussels insider told the FT the move would 'clearly and consciously' undermine the agreement on Northern Ireland created to avoid a hard border with the Republic. Last week, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned 'a precise implementation of the withdrawal agreement' was vital for the success of the trade talks. 'It is a very blunt instrument,' the insider told the FT. 'The bill will explicitly say the government reserves the right to set its own regime, directly setting up UK law in opposition with obligations under the withdrawal agreement, and in full cognisance that this will breach international law.' A government spokesman said it was 'working hard to resolve outstanding issues' with the Northern Ireland protocol. He added: 'As a responsible government, we are considering fallback options in the event this is not achieved to ensure the communities of Northern Ireland are protected.' Under the withdrawal agreement, the UK must tell Brussels of state aid decisions that would affect Northern Ireland. It must also make businesses in the province file customs paperwork when sending goods into the rest of the UK. But clauses in the internal market bill to be debuted this week will soon force the UK courts to follow UK law rather than the agreed deal with the, weakening the current protocol in the agreement. A coronavirus vaccine set to be rolled out in Australia in January will require two injections and is expected to provide immunity for several years, health minister Greg Hunt said today. The federal government has signed a deal to buy a vaccine being developed at Oxford University and will also produce one being developed at the University of Queensland if they are deemed safe. In total the government wants to roll out 80million doses next year, including 3.8million for vulnerable people and healthcare workers in January and February. A chemist is pictured at AstraZeneca's headquarters in Sydney on August 19. Australians are set to get early access to 3.8million doses of the University of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine as early as January 2021 if it is deemed safe Mr Hunt today revealed that both vaccines will require two injections to be effective. 'It's likely that both vaccines will require what's called a double shot, or an initial vaccination and a booster approximately a month later,' he told reporters. He said they will likely provide immunity to coronavirus for several years. Poll Would you take a coronavirus vaccine rolled out in Australia? Yes No Undecided Would you take a coronavirus vaccine rolled out in Australia? Yes 3752 votes No 5332 votes Undecided 812 votes Now share your opinion 'The best advice that we have - and it's not determined yet - is that there is likely to be multiyear protection,' he said. 'Nobody can say whether it will be lifetime.' Researchers at the University of Queensland are in early controlled-group stages in the testing of their vaccine - known as phase one - while the University of Oxford scientists are at the more advanced phase-three stage involving 30,000 people. Once approved, the vaccines will be rolled out to Australians who want one for free. A vaccine will not be compulsory. 'Australians will gain free access to a COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 if trials prove successful,' Mr Morrison said. 'By securing the production and supply agreements, Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a safe and effective vaccine, should it pass late-stage testing. 'There are no guarantees that these vaccines will prove successful, however, the agreement puts Australia at the top of the queue if our medical experts give the vaccines the green light.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison at AstraZeneca headquarters in Sydney in August. He said Australia would be the 'first in the world' to gain access to a 'safe and effective' vaccine if they are found to be safe Late last month, volunteers aged 55 and over were urged to help with the next phase of human trials for the University of Queensland's vaccine. The tests would gauge if the vaccine is safe for older people, virologist and project co-leader Professor Paul Young said. 'As most people are now aware, Covid-19 appears to have a higher degree of disease severity in older individuals,' he said. 'By conducting this expanded safety study, we'll be able to gather key data to support the large-scale efficacy trials.' UQ is recruiting 48 volunteers between 56-65 years of age and another 48 volunteers aged 66 years and over. The team was aiming to start the new trials within three weeks, with volunteers required to make nine visits for two doses and 'regular bleeds'. The global progress in vaccine development comes as Melbourne residents were told they would remain under coronavirus lockdown until at least October 26. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has outlined a four-step plan for the state to return to normality if case numbers continue to fall. From September 14, the nightly curfew will start an hour later at 9pm and run until 5am. Pictured: The development of the University of Oxford vaccine. The Australian government has also announced an agreement to make 33.8million doses of the Oxford vaccine domestically People living alone can nominate a friend or family member who can visit them and two hours of daily exercise will be allowed, including 'social interactions' such as having a picnic at a local park or reading a book at the beach. Further restrictions could be eased from September 28 and the government will consider lifting the curfew entirely from October 26, depending on case numbers. 'We can't run out of lockdown. We have to take steady and safe steps out of lockdown to find that COVID normal,' Mr Andrews said on Sunday. Under Mr Andrews' roadmap out of lockdown, residents will have to wait until November 23 for all retail stores to reopen. Former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating often quoted the Depression-era politician Jack Lang: Always back the horse named self-interest, son. Itll be the only one trying. When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced in March the establishment of a national cabinet, he was swimming against the current of history. Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds a media conference after meeting with premiers and chief ministers on Friday. Credit:David Gray/Getty Images It was self-interest, rather than consensus, that defined and repeatedly derailed the national cabinets predecessor the Council of Australian Governments over four decades of existence. In banishing COAG for the new body, Mr Morrison evoked the status of a wartime cabinet. With a once-in-a-century global pandemic knocking on the door, he sought to stress the seriousness of the COVID crisis to life and livelihood. Kyle Sandilands took revenge on Ben Fordham this week after the fellow radio star mocked the shock jock's efforts at parking his $1.3 million Rolls-Royce Phantom. The KIISS FM star was in Surry Hills to dine at a local restaurant and was struggling to find parking. As Kyle, 49, attempted to u-turn in the middle of the road to fit into a too-small spot while irate drivers honked at him, he got a call from Ben, 43, who happened to be at the same restaurant and was watching the hilarity unfold from a balcony. Revenge: Kyle Sandilands (pictured) took revenge on Ben Fordham this week after the fellow radio star mocked the shock jock's efforts at parking his $1.3 million Rolls-Royce Phantom 'He rings me up having laughing at me. He says, "Look up! Look up at me!" There's this celebrity and a bunch of other people laughing at me on the balcony!' Kyle relayed on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. 'He said, "What are you doing? It's embarrassing!" I said, "Go F yourself! And hung up','" Kyle added. He asked listeners to guess who the celebrity was, but when they could not, Kyle admitted it was Ben - saying they are close, and the radio star is one of only 10 people who have Kyle's number. Jokes: As Kyle, 49, attempted to u-turn in the middle of the road to fit into a too-small spot while irate drivers honked at him, he got a call from Ben, 43, who happened to be at the same restaurant and was watching the hilarity unfold from a balcony, and poked fun at him Once Kyle got inside, having handed the keys to his manager Bruno to finish parking, Ben found him and continued to mock him. Kyle decided to call Ben live on air to confront him - and to reveal how he got his revenge. 'Honestly my grandmother can drive better than you and she's been dead 15 years,' Ben joked on the show. His side: Kyle decided to call Ben (pictured) live on air to confront him - and to reveal how he got his revenge. 'Honestly my grandmother can drive better than you and she's been dead 15 years,' Ben joked on the show He explained: 'I was just sitting there trying to enjoy a nice quiet lunch and I look down it's the size of the thing that's the give away. The most show pony vehicle in Sydney. Here's me in my little Mazda. 'He starts doing the 20 point turn that turns into a 40 point turn, and he gets Bruno to get out like his man servant to wave him in. 'Maybe driving isn't for you mate, once you reach a certain age you need to give up the license!' Ben joked. Ben then revealed that he had sent over two bottles of wine to Kyle's table to apologise for mocking him - but Kyle left him with the entire bill instead. Oh dear: Ben then revealed that he had sent over two bottles of wine to Kyle's table to apologise for mocking him - but Kyle left him with the entire bill instead 'My bill was $600 and I had a small lunch!' Ben complained to which Kyle replied: 'I forgot, I said Bens picking up the tab!' Co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson asked if Ben paid up, and he said: 'Of course I paid for it! I didnt want to be arrested'. Jackie also told Kyle he should pay Ben back, to which Kyle said: 'No way. Screw the a**hole. I got up and left and didnt even think about who was paying the bill 'He didnt even call or text, gutless wonder. That's the pecking order in radio. Last in, must pay!' A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on September 5 The new edition includes articles: President Aliyev: Azerbaijan to support Turkey in any circumstances; 146.7m barrels of oil transported from Ceyhan terminal; MFA: Azerbaijan pursues independent foreign policy based on national; Azerbaijani director to shoot film on Karabakh conflict and etc. AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az. Sending a child off to school for the first time is never easy. On the one hand, there's pride at watching those first steps into a wider world, but it's matched with anxiety over how they will cope away from home, possibly for the first time. Little Alice Crory took her first steps without a care in the world last Tuesday as she headed off to Naiscoil An Lonnain on the Falls Road, Belfast. And while mum Elaine said she had no fears over her daughter's big day, she will now have to be kept off school this week as her older sister awaits the results of a Covid-19 test after becoming unwell over the weekend. "Any nerves I had were more to do with the usual first day fears rather than anything about what's been going on around us all," she said. "She had attended Sure Start so had been in that social environment, but that all stopped in March. I was keen for her to get back and after four days it couldn't have gone better. She's loved it. "But it's a lot easier to be starting for the first time," said Elaine. "Alice didn't know what to expect. She had no preconceptions of what school life was like before Covid and children of her age will be much more receptive to any rules and regulations that have been put in place. "It's her first time in formal education so she won't have known life before restrictions and won't be like some of the older children who will question why they have to do certain things. "Older kids will have a harder time adjusting. Everything is brand new for Alice and she will be able to follow the rules better. "But she's a carefree child, so different to her older sister who tends to worry more. She was fearful about the Covid-19 stuff - would she bring it home to Nana or Daddy? I suppose the older you are, the more aware of your surroundings you are. There was none of that for Alice." Alice, though, will miss out for a few days until a Covid-19 test returns for her big sister. "It's easy enough to tell her she's not going on Monday," said Elaine. "She was never sure what days she was going anyway so she'll be fine. Fingers crossed we'll get good news in the next day or so. It has been a bit stressful, but Alice is still really excited about the whole experience." As Alice sits it out on Monday morning, Carol Strachan will be saying farewell to four-year-old Thomas as he heads off to Our Lady of Lourdes Primary (Park Lodge Primary) in the north of the city. "He hasn't been in a school environment since March, so missed out on all the social skills he would have learned at nursery school," said Carol, who said he can't wait to get back to life in the classroom having missed out on six months of nursery. "But he knows a lot of his friends from nursery will be there and he's really excited about getting to play with them all again," she said. "It will be great for him and though I may have a tear or two letting him go, it's not because of any fears for his safety. Our children need that social interaction and I have no concerns. "The school have been brilliant in letting us know what to expect as parents, but as this is my first child heading off to school I don't know what it was like before. "All our children need that social interaction and they've been missing out on it for the past few months. Thomas met his P1 teacher a couple of weeks ago and we're happy to get the family into some sort of routine. "And I suppose Thomas is lucky hat he's starting P1 right now. "He won't have any previous experience of what school was like before all the restrictions were brought in. "For him it will be a normal part of life." Qantas developed a plan 10 years ago to outsource all airport ground handling work by 2020, raising questions about its claim that last month's move to sack all 2400 remaining ground workers was a consequence of the COVID-19 crisis. The airline said in August that outsourcing Qantas and Jetstar baggage handling, aircraft cleaning and ground crew work to third-party contractors at 11 major Australian airports would save it around $100 million a year as "part of its COVID recovery plan". Qantas intends to outsource all baggage handling, aircraft cleaning and ground crew work. Credit:Paul Rovere But an internal company document from 2010 obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age shows that Qantas had long considered the move as a way to simplify the business and cut costs. The "private and confidential" document outlines a "2020 Vision" strategy for the airline which includes "BTW (below the wing) ground handling exited" by this year. T he Evening Standard is this month running a number of features on the London office market. This week Joanna Bourke looks at some immediate changes in buildings that people returning to offices might observe London feels busier this month. The roads look busier. The tube looks busier. Offices (some) look (slightly) busier. September marks not only kids returning to school, but also many workers entering HQs for the first time since March when the lockdown started. A number of firms have told the Standard they are planning to have more employees back into offices from this month. For those returning to City and West End desks this week, the office is likely to look and feel very different. Landlords, building managers and occupiers have been discussing ways to make workplaces Covid-secure, and this will be open to different interpretations. Here are some of the ways offices may appear different compared to six months earlier: Masks The government has signalled it does not intend to make face coverings a requirement in offices. However, various rules will be in place for different buildings. For example, employers might ask staff to wear masks in communal areas, such as entering a property and on a escalator, but they wont expect people to wear them while typing at their desks. Clean One would hope the space they worked in was clean prior to the coronavirus outbreak, but if it wasnt that will have now changed. As Andrew Phipps, head of EMEA business development at Cushman & Wakefield puts it: the office will look cleaner than it ever has." He points to hand sanitizer being around, phone wipes, and desk cleaning. Nicola Gillen, a partner at Cushman & Wakefield and one of the firms workplace experts, adds: Cleaning regimes have been stepped up considerably with cleaners, who used to be back of house and work at night, now welcomed front of house and regularly seen cleaning throughout the working day. Layout changes Physical layouts may look very different in some buildings. Expect to see more spaces between desks in some offices, and certain communal seating not currently in use. You may also spot new additions now or in the near future at some sites. Maarten Jamin, a chief design officer at serviced office provider IWG, is founder of design company better space; better people which has helped come up with changes at IWGs Spaces brand. New Spaces sites in London to be opened later this year are set to have touch-free vending machines for refreshments and office supplies. They are operated via an app. Less crowds Various businesses have said they will look at rotas to ensure there are not too many people in a office at one time, making it easier for social distancing to work. Beth Hampson, commercial director at flexible workspace provider The Argyll Club, says some people are worried about how they'll get into town safely, so are adjusting the times they commute to avoid rush hour or are looking into alternative modes of transport. Hampson says: We've seen an 80% increase in businesses seeking bike storage and showers at their offices, so teams can more easily cycle to work. The usual rush of people into a building each morning may be much quieter, with people arriving and leaving at less conventional office hours. Andrew Barnes, head of central London tenant representation at property agent JLL, says: There are serious changes that have been implemented in many offices including segregated teams in the office at different times, limitations on access to meeting rooms, limited access to the entire building and reduced food and refreshment provision. The first phase of changes There are still numerous companies that have a large chunk of their employees working from home, and plan to keep that model in place for the immediate future, while some bosses have told staff to keep doing their jobs remotely until at least next year. For staff that are heading back soon, they are likely to experience a employers first phase of action for a workplace, according to Stefanie Woodward, head of interior design at Cushman & Wakefield. Woodward explains: That is their employer should have done everything required to ensure the worker feels safe sharing a space with their co-workers all day." But companies will also be working on longer term further phases of action, including how office buildings will look in the future, what features they might want in new spaces, and whether they will need more or less space. Later this month I will report on how offices in the future could look even more different, and what demand for them there will be in London. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Su Xinqi (Agence France-Presse) Hong Kong Mon, September 7, 2020 14:15 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c433062d 2 World Made-in-Hong-Kong,made-in-China,Hong-Kong,Hong-Kong-security-law Free At the Koon Chun Sauce Factory workers are scrambling to cover hundreds of thousands of bottles with new "Made in China" labels as the popular Hong Kong brand falls victim to spiraling diplomatic tensions. Founded nearly a century ago, the family-owned factory has survived a world war, multiple economic crises and the slow withering of Hong Kong's manufacturing base as companies looked for cheaper labour in mainland China. It remains one of the financial hub's most enduring brands, churning out culinary staples such as soy, hoisin and oyster sauces found in Chinese restaurants and kitchens around the world. But from November it can no longer place the words "Made in Hong Kong" on any products exported to the United States -- part of Washington's response to Beijing imposing a tough new security law on the restless city. The new rules, announced by US Customs in August, came just two days before a Koon Chun shipment of 1,300 boxes was about to set sail for Atlanta. The factory suddenly had to re-label the entire shipment and all other cargo the firm planned to ship to the US this summer. "It was a mission impossible," Daniel Chan told AFP from the factory his great-grandfather founded in 1928. China blanketed Hong Kong in a new security law to stamp out huge and often violent pro-democracy protests that convulsed the city last year. Both Beijing and local authorities said it would have no impact on businesses and would restore stability. Impossible situation But economic consequences have rippled through the recession-hit hub as authorities use the new powers to pursue political opponents. Rattled tech firms have declined to share data with local police while some companies and universities are struggling to attract international talent. Banks have found themselves caught in an impossible situation. The US has sanctioned key Chinese and Hong Kong officials in response to the law. But that same security law also forbids companies from complying with any foreign sanctions regime. Another victim has been the "Made in Hong Kong" brand, a label that companies can place on products made exclusively in the city. Donald Trump has turned increasingly hawkish towards China as he seeks re-election, and the crackdown on democracy supporters in Hong Kong has given him fresh ammunition. This summer his administration declared Hong Kong no longer sufficiently autonomous to justify special trading status. Instead it would be treated like any other Chinese city. Chan, who studied at Harvard in the US, said he expected the political landscape would shift in Hong Kong. But he never thought it would come so fast. "I envisioned something closer to 2047, when Hong Kong is officially without One Country Two Systems," Chan said, referring to the China promise to let Hong Kong keep key liberties and autonomy for 50 years after the 1997 handover from Britain. The past few weeks have been a blur of activity at the sauce factory as its 90 employees try to adjust to the new reality. Political fiasco On top of the stop-gap stickers, new labels are being drawn up for US exports -- the large "Made in Hong Kong" lettering replaced with a much smaller "Made in China" declaration. Much time has been spent rearranging storage for now-delayed cargo shipments. Companies were given a reprieve when Hong Kong's commerce minister Edward Yau said Washington had postponed the label rule until early November, after the presidential election. "This buys us a little bit of time," Chan said. But he described it as "a short-term solution to this whole politically inspired fiasco". Yau has slammed the labeling change and threatened to take the US to the World Trade Organization. He also stressed that Hong Kong-made shipments to the US were worth just HK$3.7 billion ($480 million) in 2019, less than 0.1 percent of the city's gross exports. But that is little consolation for Chan who says around half his products go to the US, where the brand is especially popular with the large Chinese diaspora in North America. "I would say we are the only company which is only based in Hong Kong and still doing this kind of mass production and shipping it to US," he said. Looking ahead, Chan fears more international markets may follow America. "In 20 years, 30 years from now, people will only have 'Made in China' and forget about Hong Kong," Chan said. "That's very sad." Service NSW has confirmed that the personal data of 186,000 customers and staff were leaked after a cyber attack earlier this year, in which 47 employees had their email accounts compromised. A four-month investigation, which began in April, concluded that roughly 3.8 million documents had to be analysed to assess the severity of any possible breaches. "This rigorous first step surfaced about 500,000 documents which referenced personal information," Service NSW chief executive Damon Rees said. "The data is made up of documents such as handwritten notes and forms, scans, and records of transaction applications." By Azernews By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijani servicemen have won the Golden Voice vocal nomination in the song and dance contests of the "Friendship Without Borders" Festival of National Cultures held in Moscow as part of the International Army Games - 2020, the Defence Ministry has reported. Azerbaijan was represented by the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Army Ideological and Cultural Center named after Hazi Aslanov in these song and dance contests. The Azerbaijani ensemble also took the second place in Dance rhythms nomination in the song and dance contests of the "Friendship Without Borders" Festival of National Cultures. The ministry noted that successfully performing at the festival, the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Army took first place in the "Golden Voice" vocal nomination and second place in the "Dance rhythms" nomination. It should be noted that at the festival, servicemen performed songs, martial music, and dances of their country and other peoples of the world. National martial music performed by the Azerbaijani servicemen and dances in national costumes to music performed on Azerbaijani traditional musical instruments won the sympathy of the jury and the audience. Earlier, Azerbaijani servicemen ranked 4th in the Tank Biathlon and also won the Sea Cup competition both held as part of the "International Army Games 2020 organized by the Russian Defence Ministry recently. The "Sea Cup" international contest was held in the territorial waters of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea from 25 August to 4 September this year. Azerbaijani Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov and the Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu inaugurated the opening of the Sea Cup competition at the Buta Naval base of Azerbaijans Naval Forces on August 25. Border guards in Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam arrest eight Lao men last Sunday for transporting 10 kg of meth. Photo by VnExpress/Quang Ha. Quang Tri Province border guards last Sunday caught eight Lao men red handed transporting 10 kg of methamphetamine into Vietnam. The guards caught the group at the Lao Bao International Border Gate in Huong Hoa District, which borders Laos. They seized 10 kg of meth, a K59 pistol with four bullets, two cars and two fake license plates. Local authorities said the eight Lao nationals were regular drug traffickers operating close to the border and typically armed during their trips. Since the beginning of this year, Quang Tri border guards have busted 40 drug cases, arrested 78 people and seized more than 900,000 synthetic drug tablets, 41 kg of meth, 4.5 kg of ketamine and 804 kg of marijuana. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine face the death penalty in Vietnam. The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death. But despite some of the world's toughest drug laws, drug busts remain a frequent occurrence in the country. SALEM, Ore.: Hundreds of people gathered Monday afternoon in a small town south of Portland for a pro-President Donald Trump vehicle rally just over a week after member of a far-right group was fatally shot after a Trump caravan went through Oregons largest city. Later, pro-Trump supporters and counter-protesters clashed in Oregons Capitol city of Salem. Vehicles waving flags for Trump, the QAnon conspiracy theory and in support of police gathered at about noon at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City. The rallys organizers said they would drive to toward Salem and most left the caravan before that. A smaller group of members of the right-wing group the Proud Boys went on to Salem, where a crowd of several dozen pro-Trump supporters had gathered. At one point Monday afternoon, the right-wing crowd rushed a smaller group of Black Lives Matters counter-demonstrators, firing paint-gun pellets at them. Videos on social media showed right-wing protesters chasing, tackling and assaulting left-wing protestors with weapons, their fists and with pepper spray, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Paintballs were also fired between the two groups. After unfolding a large American flag on the steps of the Capitol, right-wing protesters charged counter-protesters, leaving several of them injured, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Right-wing protesters made a second rush later, tackling and beating at least one person, leading to two arrests, the media outlet said. Organizers of the earlier vehicle rally in Oregon City said they did not plan to enter Multnomah County, where Portland is located. Oregon City is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Portland. In Portland on Monday, Black Lives Matter supporters rallied in a city park and demonstrated peacefully, KOIN TV reported. Teacher unions are part of the labor movement, and I feel like its really important for people who are members of a union to step up and say, Our labor supports Black Lives Matter and we are ready to organize in support of systemic change, educator Joanne Shepard told the TV station. On Aug. 29 Aaron Jay Danielson, a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, was killed in Portland after a pro-Trump caravan went downtown. Trump supporters fired paint ball canisters at counter-demonstrators, who tried to block their way. Danielsons suspected killer, Michael Forest Reinoehl, was fatally shot by police Thursday. Reinoehl was a supporter of antifa shorthand for anti-fascists and an umbrella description for far-left-leaning militant groups. Demonstrations in Portland started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and have continued for more than 100 days. A fire started outside a police precinct on Portlands north side resulted in about 15 arrests during protests Sunday night into Monday morning, police said. Demonstrators protesting police brutality began marching about 9 p.m. Sunday and stopped at the North Precinct Community Policing Center, the site of several volatile protests in recent months. Officials warned demonstrators against entering the precinct property, saying they would be trespassing and subject to arrest. Shortly after arriving, the crowd began chanting, among other things, burn it down," police said. Some in the group lit a mattress on fire. Most of those arrested were from Portland. Others were from San Francisco; Sacramento, California; Mesa, Arizona; and two from Vancouver, Washington. Charges included interfering with an officer, resisting arrest, reckless burning and possession of a destructive device. 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 Nigerias first lady, Aisha Buhari, has disapproved of the cartoon image of her showing Nigerians drowning in a river while she displayed the wedding invitation of her daughter and picture of the bride and groom. The image by Daily Trusts cartoonist, Mustapha Bulama, shows Mrs Buhari saying At least you can enjoy the pictures while Nigerians drown in the river. Hanan, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari and Turad, the son of a former lawmaker, Mohammed Shaaban, tied the knot at the Aso Rock Villa on Friday after Jumaat Prayers. Mrs Buhari shared photos of the couple on her official Instagram page @aishambuhari. She also expressed gratitude to those who attended the event and well-wishers for their goodwill messages. Speaking to BBC Hausa, on Monday, the spokesperson of the first lady, Aliyu Abdullahi, said the first lady was not happy with how the cartoonist portrayed her in the cartoon image. READ ALSO: The cartoonist did not put Mrs Buhari in the right perspective with his drawing. Her daughters wedding has nothing to do with the present hardship Nigerians are facing. And let me tell you that the first lady told all her aides not to make the wedding a big one because it was going to be a low key event. And again, the wedding pictures Aisha shared on her social media pages were pictures shot after the wedding parties. Also, the video that was going around the social media were videos that were shot in Zaria at the grooms residence, not at the presidency, Mr Abdullahi said. Some Nigerians are of the opinion that the wedding should have been postponed because of the economic situation of the country and the unprecedented hardship Nigerians are experiencing in the country at the moment. Umar Mohammed, a social media commentator, who resides in Kaduna, told PREMIUM TIMES that he saw nothing wrong with what the cartoonist did. Aisha shared the pictures herself, it doesnt matter if she is using that to thank the people who attended the event. They were glamorous pictures. I believe Nigeria has never felt it bad like now. That you cannot even afford a bowl of maize not to talk of rice. And here you are sharing glamourous pictures of your daughters wedding. And even videos were shared, people spraying money like water. That cartoonist did well. Hauwa Hassan said, Yes you have to wed when the time comes, but as the first lady, she should allow other people to do it. It is not easy again under there regime. More money to pay for the electricity that you will get only 4 hours a day if you are lucky, petrol is very high, no food to eat, everything biting hard on Nigerians. It is not necessary. Of course, Nigerians will be sad. I dont see anything wrong with Bulamas cartoon. He does that to everybody and people just laugh it out, why is she complaining besides it is true. Overriding elements of the Brexit withdrawal deal would amount to a serious betrayal of an international treaty, Northern Irelands pro-Remain parties have warned. Sinn Fein, the SDLP, Alliance Party and Green Party NI have voiced concern at the prospect of the UK government introducing domestic legislation to supersede parts of the deals Northern Ireland protocol governing state aid and customs arrangements. In response to a Financial Times report outlining Boris Johnsons apparent intention, the parties have written a joint letter to the Government and the EU demanding that the terms of the treaty are honoured. Under the protocol negotiated in the withdrawal deal, Northern Ireland will continue to follow single market rules for goods and administer the EUs customs code at its ports. It was designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, but unionists have been vehemently opposed to it, insisting it instead creates an economic border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Joint letter from remain political leaders in the North to the British Government & EU Chief Negotiator @MichelBarnier on EU Exit Negotiations. We must avoid any hardening of border on the island of Ireland & protect the peace process, Good Friday Agreement & all-Ireland economy pic.twitter.com/DqTf65XCDs Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) September 7, 2020 The letter was signed by Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, Alliance leader Naomi Long and Green Party NI leader Clare Bailey. It is entirely unacceptable to the Northern Ireland parties that the UK Government would seek to abandon these safeguards and mitigations, which we believe would amount to a serious betrayal of an existing International Treaty, they wrote. The economic and political impact on the island of Ireland, on the United Kingdom and above all on the people whom we represent would be devastating, long-lasting. It would represent a shocking act of bad faith that would critically undermine the Good Friday Agreement political framework and peace process and the UKs ability to secure other crucial deals to protect the Northern Ireland economy. We therefore call upon the UK Government to honour its commitments, and to now ensure the rigorous implementation of the Protocol, prioritise peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and work to secure a future economic partnership with their EU colleagues now and in the weeks ahead. The letter was sent as MLAs clashed at Stormont over the prospect of the protocol being overridden. The issue was the first item of business in Parliament Buildings in Belfast as the Assembly returned from summer recess. Expand Close Matthew OToole said the Government has treated Northern Ireland with contempt (Peter Morrison/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Matthew OToole said the Government has treated Northern Ireland with contempt (Peter Morrison/PA) The protocol will require extra regulatory checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, with the expansion of infrastructure to screen animals and food products. The Government has insisted there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland, but additional administrative processes on good crossing the Irish Sea are set to be required. The DUP said it welcomed in broad terms speculation that elements of the Brexit withdrawal deal may be superseded. In a statement on Monday evening, it said: We note the speculation that the Government will pursue fall-back measures under the Internal Market Bill to protect Northern Irelands interests should a deal not be agreed that mitigates the threat of the NI Protocol. We will want to see the finer details and clauses relating to this, and will study them carefully. We welcome them in broad terms in so far as they go, but the Government must continue to work to remove any disadvantages to Northern Ireland brought about by its signing up to the Protocol. That the UK Government would seek to use what looks like legislation in the House of Commons to undermine core tenets of the protocol is deeply worrying and disappointing, but perhaps not surprising Matthew OToole, SDLP The party position would appear to be at odds with its leaders stance. Last week party leader and Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster reiterated that the DUP was opposed to the deal but said she has to recognise the reality that it is now law and she has to be part of the process that saw it implemented. In an interview with Sky News, she said: I mean, there are some who would continue to fight against the protocol; I have to recognise that that is the reality now. The issue was raised in the Assembly as a matter of the day by the SDLP. The partys South Belfast MLA Matthew OToole was highly critical of the Government. That the UK Government would seek to use what looks like legislation in the House of Commons to undermine core tenets of the protocol is deeply worrying and disappointing, but perhaps not surprising, he said. Its attitude to Northern Ireland and our institutions throughout this process has been little better I am afraid than contemptuous, certainly since Boris Johnson became prime minister. The protocol is no ones ideal situation for Northern Ireland, the protocol is not something any of us five years ago, before the Brexit process, would have asked for. However, it is now lodged in the United Nations in international law. It is there to protect our society and our island from a hardening of the border on this island. Its necessary, its essential, it becomes all the more essential when the UK government signals that it wants to strike the hardest possible Brexit Expand Close Christopher Stalford said he hoped speculation about the NI protocol proved correct (Rebecca Black/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Christopher Stalford said he hoped speculation about the NI protocol proved correct (Rebecca Black/PA) The DUPs Christopher Stalford struck a very different note. He said he hoped the speculation proved correct and the protocol was overridden. We will be doing all we can to act in the interests of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom and its precisely because we are acting in the interests of Northern Ireland that we, as a party, are opposed to this protocol, he said. It will damage our economy, because it hives us off from our largest market, the GB market. As a sovereign and now thankfully independent country, the United Kingdom has the right to legislate upon the regulation of its own internal market. It is to be hoped that this is what is about to be undertaken this week by the Government. The South Belfast member added: For the sake of our country, our small businesses and our economy as a whole, I hope that the speculation is correct. Jerri-Lynn here. I was tracking the progress of these state and municipal climate lawsuits earlier, long before I first started posting for Naked Capitalism. For some of my Naked Capitalism accounts, see here and here. But then the coronavirus crisis intervened and diverted my attention. Fortunately DeSmogBlog has stayed on the climate change liability beat. And since its now rather clear that coronavirus is here to stay, at least for the time being. I should make up somewhat for my months of neglect by crossposting Dana Drugmonds account about the Hoboken suit. Not only is this post worth reading, but another recent one is as well, Latest Youth Climate Lawsuit Filed Against 33 European Countries Over Human Rights. By Dana Drugmand, a freelance writer and attorney who writes about climate issues. Originally published at DeSmog Blog New Jersey has now joined the wave of lawsuits seeking to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate impacts. The city of Hoboken today filed a case against major oil and gas companies and the American Petroleum Institute (API), a powerful industry trade group which has played a major role in promoting uncertainty about climate science. The lawsuit seeks to recover costs associated with climate impacts like extreme flooding and sea level rise. Like other climate liability lawsuits targeting fossil fuel companies, Hobokens suit alleges that the oil and gas companies and their lobbying group not only knew early on about the climate harms resulting from their products, but actively engaged in campaigns of deception to undermine climate science and avoid policy responses. Here in Hoboken, we are now paying the price for these deceptive actions, Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla said during a press conference held Wednesday, September 2. We cannot sit idly by and let Big Oil continue profiting at the expense of Hoboken residents. Defendants named in the Hoboken lawsuit include BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Shell, and Phillips 66, plus the largest trade association in the U.S. for oil and gas, API. This lawsuit is the second climate case in recent months targeting API specifically. The Big Oil trade association is also a defendant in a lawsuit filed June 24 by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Hobokens lawsuit points to the long history of the oil and gas industrys knowledge of the potentially damaging impacts of its products on the climate, and the differences between what they came to say about the issue publicly versus privately over time. It cites Frank Ikard, API President in 1965, when he delivered a dire warning about a report on climate change during an oil industry conference: [T]here is still time to save the worlds peoples from the catastrophic consequences of pollution, but the time is running out. But decades later, APIs approach toward climate change had evolved. The lawsuit quotes a 1998 internal action report in which API says, Unless climate change becomes a non-issue there may be no moment when we can declare victory for our efforts. API did not immeditately respond to requests for comment from DeSmog. According to Hobokens legal complaint, Defendants, some of the worlds largest fossil fuel companies and their largest trade association, have known for more than a half-century that the fossil fuels they extract, produce, market, and sell on a massive scale are causing accelerating climate change that poses grave threats to society sea level rise, extreme heat, and increasingly destructive storms, among many others. Instead of addressing those threats, Defendants have spent the last fifty years deceiving the public about their central role in causing climate change in order to grease the wheels of their ever-expanding production and sale of fossil fuels. The lawsuit includes legal claims of public and private nuisance, trespass, negligence, and violation of New Jerseys Consumer Fraud Act. The city is seeking monetary damages in other words, demanding that the oil companies help pay for climate-related costs that otherwise are saddled onto taxpayers. Exxon spokesperson Casey Norton told DeSmog, This suit does nothing to advance meaningful actions to reduce the risks of climate change. The claims are baseless and without merit. We look forward to defending the company in court. We want to be compensated for the costs of climate damages both past, present and future, Mayor Bhalla said. Hoboken has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars on resiliency projects, he explained. According to a 2019 study by the Center for Climate Integrity, Hobokens estimated costs for sea walls alone by 2040 will add up to $27.9 million, while the cost for sea walls in Hudson County (which includes Hoboken) is estimated at $505 million. Mayor Bhalla said climate resiliency must emphasize protecting the citys most vulnerable residents, such as people of color and lower-income families who tend to be disproportionately impacted by fossil fuel pollution and climate disasters like Hurricane Sandy, which devastated the New Jersey coast in 2012. This is a racial justice issue, he said. Hoboken filed its climate lawsuit on September 2 in Hudson County Superior Court, which is a New Jersey state court. Similar climate cases filed by states and municipalities have been embroiled in jurisdictional battles, with fossil fuel companies determined to move the cases to federal courts where they see an easier path to dismissal. None of these climate accountability cases have made it to trial yet, with the exception of a securities fraud case filed by the state of New York against Exxon. A judge dismissed that case last December. We fully recognize that a legal decision may not come down for some time, Mayor Bhalla said during the press conference. He explained that the city is joining the fight now for the sake of the younger generations of Hoboken residents. We dont believe it is hyperbole to say that what Hoboken, the nation, and the world are facing is an existential threat, said Jonathan S. Abady, an attorney with the New York City law firm Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward Maazel LLP, which is providing legal representation for Hoboken at no cost to the city. Time is of the essence, Abady said. And time is running out. Vodafone India stock has made a smart comeback on Dalal Street. The telecom share has gained 61% in last four sessions. Vodafone India share price has seen a strong rally on fundraising plans and reports of the Indian firm rebranding itself. The telecom stock has been referred as among the top stocks to give potential returns to investors by many analysts, especially in the short term. The debt-laden telecom carrier, with about 280 million subscribers as of June is rebranding itself. Announcing a major strategic move today, Vodafone Idea, unveiled a new brand identity which will now be called "Vi". Amid efforts to rediscover itself in the highly competitive telecom sector, the telco aims to draw a new set of subscribers while promising them assured quality under the new brand and stop further user erosion. For its survival, essential to avoid a duopoly in the Indian telecom sector, the telco may announce new tariff plans in the coming days. The board of the third-largest telco in the country last week approved raising up to Rs 25,000 crore through a combination of equity and debt instruments to keep the company afloat, to meet its payment obligations towards Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues, and invest in its network operations. Proposals will be taken for approval at the company's AGM on September 30. The upcoming fundraising will offer a lifeline to the cash-strapped company, at a time where its parent Vodafone Group has disinclined to commit any additional funds. Vodafone Idea share rises 10% after board clears plan to raise Rs 25,000 crore With the SC verdict averting an immediate bankruptcy, the tariff raise comes as a long-term sustenance plan for the carrier. Ending a year-long tariff war, Vodafone Idea is finally back on a path to recovery, with plans to reclaim its lost customers and bolster finances. Share Khan in its report said," Even though the apex court has asked telecom operators for 10% upfront payment by March 31, 2021, the relaxation in terms of staggered payments over next 10 years starting from February 7, 2022, provides some breather space to telecom players, especially to Vodafone Idea." Vodafone's stock has seen more upward momentum despite many brokerages suggesting sell rating as the stock had fallen prior to the surge. The stock has been consecutively rising despite the volatility from continuous AGR hearings. As more investors focus on penny stocks, Vodafone has turned out to be an eye catcher, with prices trading near Rs 10. Vodafone, Idea rebrand as Vi amid efforts to attract new subscribers In today's trade, the stock has hit another fresh 52-week high of Rs 13.45 and closed at Rs 12.30 on BSE, rising 2.4%. Vodafone's market capitalisation stood at Rs 35,344.53 crores, as of today's closing session. Under the top BSE 200 scrips, Vodafone's shares have risen 21% MoM. The stock has gained 65% year-to-date, ranking in the fourth position in top BSE 200 scrips, after Adani Green, Aurobindo Pharma, Divi's Labs and Tata Consumer. Deutsche Bank Research in its report on Indian telecom companies said," We believe that at least a Rs 700 bn recap is needed to reduce gearing to a manageable level, which is triple VIL's current market cap. After that, however, it would appear to offer value vs. its peers. We doubt that investors have such appetite, however, and that a partial recap is more likely." "During its results call, management mentioned that its network was rated first or second in every circle now, so it expects customer perception to improve," it added. Brokerages have already factored in raising tariffs by the telecom carrier and in a short term view, analysts expect more upside momentum is still left in this stock. Vodafone Idea to unveil new brand identity today Fundamentally speaking, other telecom companies are ahead of VIL in terms of debt and its balance sheet as well as ARPU income. Although, the stock has risen more in comparison to other telecom stocks, due to its short term indicators. Most technical indicators of the stock have been bullish, on a weekly as well as monthly basis. It also trades higher than its 5, 10, 50, 100 as well as 200-day moving averages. The highly volatile stock of the debt-ridden telecom has gained 140% in one year. The stock has given returns of 40% growth in 1 month and 21% in the last week itself. The stock also rates under 'high under weighted scrips' among telecommunications, with 100% underweight and -13 bps, as per Emkay Research data, that suggests hold rating for the stock. Vodafone Idea plans to raise up to $1.5 billion through equity This is despite the fact that most analysts earlier cautioned that the company's longer-term viability was under a cloud. Birla had also warned in December last year that the company was headed toward insolvency if there was no help from policymakers. As per Geojit Financial Services, the stock has a cautious stance, but with improved operating margins. The report said,"Further cost optimisations, coupled with higher ARPUs backed by higher prices, and a probable equity infusion is required to support the company's survival in the coming months. We reiterate our HOLD rating with a revised TP of Rs. 9.3 based on 7.3x FY22E EV/EBITDA". "Though the SC verdict offers a lifeline to the company, we are apprehensive of the company's ability to stick to payment deadlines without improvement in ARPU levels or further equity infusions by the promoters. We expect an increase in prices in the coming months thereby translating to higher ARPUs," it added. Emkay Securities in a note said," In our view, even after a tariff hike, an equity infusion by promoters or a strategic investor, along with any potential surrender of the unused spectrum to reduce future liability, seems to be the only solution to ensure VIL's survival." Motilal Oswal said in its note,"VIL, with payments from Vodafone PLC, Bharti Infratel, and existing OCF, could manage the current fiscal but would require a sizable price hike and capital infusion (board meeting on 4th Sep)." On Vodafone Idea, Morgan Stanley said that ARPU levels are required in the near term to reach Free Cash Flow break-even. Morgan Stanley in its note added," With payment obligations getting onerous for VIL, it could trigger either larger tariff increases in the industry or heightened subscriber churn for VIL." Lakshmi Vilas Bank shares gain 5% on fundraising plan Rupee slips 4 paise to 73.18 amid strong dollar, weak equities (Alesia Kazantceva/Unsplash) With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging on, working from home is fast becoming the the new normal for many. However, its difficult to imagine what the capitals busy office spaces will look like in the future. But what about those who work more productively within an office environment? Based on cost, commutes, and access to social spaces, these are the best London boroughs to set up a remote-working office, Capital on Tap found. READ MORE: Three in four UK business leaders predict office downsizing Camden is the cheapest London borough to set up a remote-working office space, with minimum monthly costs coming in at just 60 ($77), or 7.20 per square metre. Whats more, with just a 30-minute commute time and a 800m walk to the nearest tub station, Camden is one of the most accessible areas in London for businesses and employees. Waltham Forest follows Camden, with office spaces starting from 75 a month, or 9 per square meter, a 40-minute commute for residents, and a 1km walk to the tube making it a very affordable space for workers in London. The top five cheapest London boroughs for office space Camden (60 per month) Waltham Forest (75) Islington (98) Hillingdon (100) Sutton (197) However, taking other factors into account, Richmond-upon-Thames may be the actual best area to set up a remote-working office, combining reasonable prices with better access to the outdoors and socialising spaces. For one of the wealthiest parts of the capital, the Outer London borough is surprisingly affordable, with office spaces starting at just 103.00 per month, or 24.72 per square metre. The location is easily accessible, with the average commute time for employees living in the borough clocking in at just 27 minutes, while the nearest tube station is a mere 320m walk away. READ MORE: Office workers save 500 a month by working from home Unlike Camden, which only affords workers access to 12 parks and green spaces, Richmond boasts over 135. It also has over 500 pubs, compared to just 123 in Camden, making it far more suitable for workers who want to enjoy the outdoors on their lunch break, or grab a friendly pint after clocking out. Story continues Meanwhile, Kingston upon Thames is the worst part of the capital to set up a remote-working office, with high minimum monthly office space costs of about 325, a 40-minute commute for Kingston residents, and a 850m walk to the nearest station. Whats more, with only 31 parks and green spaces, and just 45 bars, its one of Londons least sociable boroughs, the study found. Top five best London boroughs to set up an office space Richmond upon Thames (103 per month) Kensington and Chelsea (75) Islington (98) Brent (164) Westminster (103) For those who prioritise socialising, Barnett may just beat out Richmond as the best location for office space, the study found. Although Richmond may have more bars, the suburbs of Barnett boasts a better parks-to-bars ratio, with 159 green spaces and 161 places to grab a pint and with the highest number of employees in London, theyre bound to be lively and atmospheric after work. Alarm as three of six new COVID cases reinfected BANGKOK: Thailand has confirmed six new imported cases of the novel coronavirus, including three Thai men who were previously infected but had been certified virus-free before flying from Singapore. COVID-19Coronavirushealthtourism By Bangkok Post Monday 7 September 2020, 09:52AM A traveller passes through a body temperature scanner at Don Mueang airport on Thursday. Thailand added six new coronavirus cases on Sunday. Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool / Bangkok Post The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Sunday (Sept 6) the three men aged 43, 53 and 56 tested positive for the virus after arriving on Friday, reports the Bangkok Post. An official at the CCSA call centre said they had contracted the virus in Singapore, but then made a full recovery. They applied for and received certificates of good health from the Thai embassy before boarding the flight, as required for every person flying into Thailand. The men were tested again upon arrival and diagnosed with COVID-19. It was not immediately clear how the course of events could have taken place. The final Singapore tests could have returned a false negative, or the tests on arrival in Thailand a false positive. What would ring alarm bells is the remaining scenario the men caught the disease, recovered and then caught it again. That would imply they had no immunity to the disease even after contracting it, which could render any vaccine ineffective. The CCSA said that three other imported cases were recorded on Sunday. Two Thai nationals, a 46-year-old housemaid and a woman aged 83, were found infected during quarantine on Friday after returning from the United States on Monday. The sixth case was a 46-year-old Frenchman who arrived in Thailand on Tuesday from the United Kingdom. He tested positive on Friday while in quarantine at a private facility in Bangkok. He was a language teacher at a private school in the country. The new infections, all asymptomatic, took the total tally of infections in the country to 3,444, while no new fatalities were reported. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday the United Kingdom will walk away from Brexit talks if no agreement is struck with the European Union by Oct. 15. The big picture: The U.K. has five weeks to reach a deal with the EU, with negotiations due to resume in London on Tuesday. The threat comes as the U.K. plans legislation to "override" key aspects of the Brexit withdrawal agreement reached with the European Union including on Northern Ireland, the Financial Times first reported Sunday. Why it matters: The moves could see trade talks collapse and the unraveling of the deal the U.K. reached with the EU last October to avoid a hard border with customs control on the island of Ireland. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said last week a "precise implementation of the withdrawal agreement" would be the "only way to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and preserve the all-island economy." Between the lines: Northern Ireland has the U.K.'s only land border with an EU member state. Top U.S. Democrats have ruled out a trade deal with the U.K. if Brexit creates a hard border with Ireland and violates the Good Friday Agreement which helped bring peace to Northern Ireland in the 1990s after decades of sectarian violence. Congress must approve all U.S. trade deals. Details: Aspects of the U.K. internal market bill, to be published Wednesday, are set to "eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement" signed in January including on Northern Ireland customs, the FT notes. A British government source told The Guardian the move was "part of the preparation for a no-deal exit" that would present "new trade barriers" from Northern Ireland. What they're saying: A government spokesperson told the FT that officials were working to "resolve outstanding issues" on Northern Ireland. "[W]e are considering fallback options in the event this is not achieved to ensure the communities of Northern Ireland are protected," the spokesperson added. Johnson said in a statement there's "no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond" the Oct. 15 deadline. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," he said. "Our door will never be closed and we will trade as friends and partners but without a free trade agreement." Go deeper: Brexit's Irish border headache Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said on Monday the Centres move to provide Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut with Y-plus category security was surprising and sad. Ranaut has been granted Y-plus category security by the home ministry and she will be guarded by 10-11 armed commandoes in three shifts. Also read: Home ministry grants Y-plus category security to Kangana Ranaut ahead of Mumbai visit The security arrangement has been provided ahead of her visit to Mumbai on September 9 after her spat with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who had asked the actor to not return to Mumbai for criticising Mumbai Police. It is surprising and sad that those who insult Mumbai and Maharashtra are being given Y level security by the Centre. Maharashtra is not only of the NCP, Shiv Sena or Congress but of the BJP and the public too. People of all party should condemn it if one insults Maharashtra, Deshmukh said, according to news agency ANI. Ranaut has been involved in a war of words with the Maharashtra government and Raut after she likened Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir last Thursday. BANGALORE, India, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Retail Analytics Market size is expected to grow from USD 4,581.96 Million in 2019 to USD 9,372.60 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.66% during the forecast period. Retail analytics has gained significant market traction worldwide to its ability to analyze the massive amounts of data flooding the retail sector. The retail world today is more dynamic than it was only a couple of years ago. Because of growing consumer demands and demand for one-click solutions, most retailers have begun to think of new ways to meet consumers' needs. Retail analytics has thus begun to gain significant momentum among retailers for providing actionable insights from consumer data. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/360I-Auto-2B331/the-global-retail-analytics COVID-19 IMPACT ON RETAIL ANALYTICS MARKET The omnichannel businesses are currently reducing their physical store presence and are concentrating on the virtual presence through e-commerce or mobile apps. The COVID-19 pandemic, driven by online grocery shopping, has improved the e-commerce businesses. The trend in online grocery shopping has increased the need for analytics at the consumer level. The global pandemic has brought close attention to retailers on supply chain management. Suppliers and logistics companies across the supply chain have taken steps to implement Artificial Intelligence ( AI) and Smart Analytics to optimize business processes and operations. Smart retail helps maintain a safe and reliable supply chain while satisfying the demand of consumers. Get Detailed Analysis of COVID-19 Impact on Retail Analytics Market: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/360I-Auto-2B331/The_Global_Retail_Analytics_Market TRENDS INFLUENCING THE RETAIL ANALYTICS MARKET SIZE Factors such as personnel management, inventory management, pricing management, and much more often influence retail's overall efficiency. Thus, retail analytics models help improve in-store operations and employees' efficiency, which would contribute to business growth. This feature is, in turn, expected to increase the retail analytics market size. Advanced technologies offer the ability to achieve a range of market goals, including supplier management, value for the consumer, and enhanced revenue generation. Artificial Intelligence (AI ) and machine learning give retailers insights that can improve revenue and customer experience. These features provided by AI, Big Data Analytics, and Machine Learning are expected to increase the forecast period's retail analytics market size. Increasing Demand for Cognitive Computing is expected to drive the retail analytics market size. For merchandising analytics, predictive analytics, and other types of customer analytics, the analysis and data accumulation in the cloud are ultimate. Through these analytics, the strategies developed help retailers understand long standing trends and make predictions. Inquire for Regional Insights: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/360I-Auto-2B331/The_Global_Retail_Analytics_Market RETAIL ANALYTICS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS North America is expected to hold the largest Retail Analytics Market share during the forecast period. This dominance of North America is attributed to the presence of large hypermarkets, supermarkets, and retail chains. Furthermore, ongoing online shopping trends also contribute to market growth across North America. The adoption of cloud-based and affordable retail solutions in Italy and France drives European market growth. Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to show strong growth during the forecast period. The involvement of the developing economies in this area will draw major retailers to invest in the regional expansion of the company. RETAIL ANALYTICS MARKET SEGMENTATION This research report categorizes the Retail Analytics to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Component, the Retail Analytics Market studied across Services Software. The Services further studied across Managed Services and Professional Services. Based on the Deployment Model, the Retail Analytics Market studied Across On-Cloud On-premises. Based on Application, the Retail Analytics Market studied across Customer Management, Inventory Analysis, Merchandising Analysis, Performance Analysis, Pricing Analysis. Major Market Key Players Angoss Software Corporation Fujitsu Limited Information Builders Inc International Business Machines Corporation Microsoft Corporation MicroStrategy Inc ORACLE CORPORATION Qlik Technologies Inc. SAP SE SAS Institute Inc Others THE REPORT ANSWERS QUESTIONS SUCH AS: What is the market size and forecast of the Global Retail Analytics Market? What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Retail Analytics Market during the forecast period? Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Retail Analytics Market? What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Retail Analytics Market? What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Retail Analytics Market? What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Retail Analytics Market? Buy Now for Single User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=360I-Auto-2B331&lic=single-user Buy Now for Enterprise User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=360I-Auto-2B331&lic=enterprise-user SIMILAR REPORTS : Retail Analytics Software Market View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-9K1273/global-retail-analytics-software Internet of things (IoT) in Retail Market The global Internet of Things (IoT) in Retail Market size is projected to reach USD 28.9 Billion by 2026, from USD 11 Billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 17.5% during 2020-2026. APAC is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. This rise can be attributed to ongoing smart city initiatives and the fast-decreasing cost of sensors in the area. The adoption of IoT technologies by China is tremendous, and India sees significant progress. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-1H283/iot-in-retail AR in Retail Market The global Augmented Reality in Retail market size is projected to reach USD 4612.7 Million by 2026, from USD 1544 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 20.0% during 2021-2026. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-2Z282/ar-in-retail Smart Retail Market In 2019, the global Smart Retail market size was USD 12.410 Billion, and it is expected to reach USD 30.730 Billion by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of 13.7% during Forecast Period 2020-2026. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-4D232/smart-retail Artificial Intelligence(AI) in the Retail Market The global Artificial Intelligence in Retail market size is projected to reach USD 14.7 Billion by 2026, from USD 2.7 Billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 32.7% during 2020-2026. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-21S1695/global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-retail-market Digital Transformation in Retail Market The major factors driving the Digital Transformation in Retail Market size are increased usage of smart devices, growing need for advanced mobile logistics management, and demand for an increase in yield and efficiency View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-1V249/digital-transformation-in-retail ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains detail research methodology employed to generate the report, Please also reach to our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources CONTACT US: Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp : +91 9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Linkedin - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports SOURCE Valuates Reports Those property investors with highly geared portfolios dependent on precarious cash flow to survive may well be swamped by this wave. But do not confuse those with the entire Victorian economy. The overwhelming narrative in most of our media is doom and gloom. But banks are not seeing the mortgage defaults that were predicted not yet, anyway. Bankruptcies are not soaring. The Coroner has clarified that suicides are no greater in number this year than last year. Discretionary spending is way down, but that is the point it is discretionary. Loading The fundamentals of the Victorian economy are unchanged. We are a major economy, a society of great sophistication and diversity. We have absorbed the shock from the closure of the car industry better than predicted and will recover from this shock too. We will still shop, eat in restaurants, drink in bars and go to cinemas. Regional tourism will boom, as will regional and coastal real estate. Granted, this extension of lockdown and the gradual re-emergence is unpleasant, expensive and challenging. But not catastrophic. Apart from the disingenuous nature of the claims, the simple exaggeration of the impact is undermining confidence essential to the recovery. Those prosecuting their self-interested claims must be asked if they are prepared to take responsibility for the damage their probably spurious claims cause to public confidence. Calling for the Commonwealth to intervene and sack the state government? Really? An idiotic claim, bordering on irresponsible and mendacious. Are some of these claims coming from the same quarters as those corporate organisations that are paying bonuses and dividends to themselves after claiming they were dependent for survival on JobKeeper? A rort is a rort no matter how you dress it up. My anger is not directed at a premier and his team who are doing their best in trying circumstances but at those who are sensing an opportunity to line their own pockets and profit from a crisis. Loading No one can excuse the errors made on hotel quarantine. No one can ignore the decision to bow to the wishes of police that private security be allowed to manage hotel quarantine. No one can turn a blind eye to the failings of contact tracing. But those mistakes, terrible as they are, do not disqualify the government from governing. For the opposition to call on Dan Andrews to resign, for the Morrison government to try to force Andrews to go against medical advice, is as astonishing as it is reckless. The Premier may be wounded, but is not walking away. Will Scott Morrison accept responsibility for a Europe-style third wave if it eventuates? Or would the PM accept as much responsibility for that as he has for the disaster of aged care? Or the rorting of JobKeeper? Or the failure of the water buyback scheme? Or the attacks on industry super that jeopardise their participation in the recovery? Or the disclosures in this newspaper that Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar was using taxpayer-funded electoral staff to wage internal Liberal Party wars? Loading Victoria and Melbourne are more than an economy. We are a society and a community. We do not measure our success or failure only according to a balance sheet. To seek to measure our wellbeing by economics alone is to misunderstand everything that this community has become. That those interests are dominating the debate is a sign of their muscle and media savvy, but not their deep connection to the people. Victorians are far more resilient than that. Jon Faine is a former presenter on ABC 774. FRONT ROYAL, VA / ACCESSWIRE / September 7, 2020 / Lawrence Urgo has helped many roofing contractors by teaching them how to integrate their sales and processes to work within the insurance restoration market. Thus, enabling them to achieve more sales while helping people (policyholders) who have damage due to storms and bad weather. Lawrence Urgo is the founder and owner of AllClaims Pro, one of the largest public adjusting firms in Virginia. To date, he's helped thousands of homeowners navigate the intricacies of roofing claims and the claims adjusting process. Lawrence has a history of working in the roofing industry as well as for a claims consulting company. It was there where he realized the magnitude of the industry and how many people could be helped who were in need. This experience opened his eyes to the ways in which contractors who do insurance restoration help homeowners or policyholders who have damage by getting the costs of the repairs covered by the policyholders insurance companies. Lawrence became a public adjuster, so that he could be an advocate for homeowners when they felt like they may be taken advantage of by their insurance carrier. This benefits general contractors and roofers, because he helps their respected homeowners (clients) receive the proper funds from the insurance company, which they are in return able to pay the roofer the correct price to put on a new roof. Lawrence put his license and expertise to work more diligently than ever before and fully dove into the field, and within months had helped multiple roofing companies grow their business and profit margins. Lawrence's approach to public adjusting differs from many others in the industry. Instead of stepping in when a homeowner and insurance company are already at odds, Lawrence and his team prefer to enter the scene from the very beginning, assess the damage, and offer advice on how to best move forward. Perhaps the biggest key to his success can be found in his ability to understand the proper dynamics that policyholders and contractors should share with insurance companies and their adjusters. Many public adjusters make the mistake of viewing the insurance company as the enemy and instantly alienate the insurance adjuster. According to Lawrence, this is the wrong approach. At the end of the day, the insurance company has a responsibility to do what is right by their client, and offering solutions to help them achieve that task tends to lend itself to mutually beneficial results among both parties. Having an amicable relationship with the insurance companies is vital to ensuring the best outcome for both the policyholder and the contractor. Lawrence also advises both parties to remember that they share a mutual responsibility to take care of the client. When the policyholder (or their contractor or public adjuster) knows how to speak and handle the insurance adjuster appropriately and respectfully it tends to lend itself to the best possible outcome. Story continues To date, Lawrence and his team at AllClaims Pro have stood on over 5,000 roofs and provided consulting services to contractors, policyholders and insurance adjusters alike. The roofing contractors he's worked with have experienced exponential growth in their margins, he's worked with brand new companies just starting out who are now doing eight figures in a very short time and worked to help established companies 10x their profit as well. Lawrence's processes are simple, yet effective. In the last 5 years, he's helped countless Virginia contractors scale their companies quickly and build out an insurance process to run and maximize claims, all in a timely manner, which can often be the most difficult part when working with insurance companies. Through it all, Lawrence seeks to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for other young entrepreneurs. Even if you feel you've hit rock bottom, take the opportunity to dust yourself off, hone a skill and pursue your dreams. You never know how you may struggle only to emerge stronger on the other side. If you are a roofer or a contractor, Lawrence wants you to know that he is an expert in the insurance restoration field and that through his skills and experience, he has helped other contractors profit greatly by working with them and perfecting the insurance restoration process. CONTACT: Contact Name: Lawrence Urgo Business Name: AllClaims Pro Address: Front Royal, VA 22630 Phone Number: 540-683-1952 Website Link: http://www.allclaimspro.com/ Send Email SOURCE: Lawrence Urgo View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/604865/Public-Adjuster-And-Owner-Of-AllClaims-Pro-Lawrence-Urgo-Is-An-Expert-In-The-Insurance-Restoration-Field Trump is following the steps of George H.W. Bushs presidential campaign against Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1988. For those who dont remember, in August, three months before the election, Dukakis was leading Bush by 15 points and it looked certain that Dukakis was headed for a victory in November. But then Bush started a TV campaign showing a revolving door of Willie Horton, who was released from a Massachusetts prison and went on to kill someone. The message was that Bush was the law-and-order president and that Dukakis would turn the country into an unsafe place to live. The polls started turning immediately, and Bush won in November. If Biden wants to win this November, he has to address the law-and-order issue head-on, and he has to keep addressing it until November. Andy Papachristopoulos, Tigard Representative image India has recorded more than 42.04 lakh cases of the novel coronavirus and 71,642 deaths. Of these, more than 8.8 lakh are active cases while 32.5 lakh have recovered. Across the country, 7,20,362 samples were tested for the novel coronavirus on September 6, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said. Maharashtras COVID-19 tally remains the highest among Indian states and union territories. The health ministry updates its numbers a day after states release their data. Globally, more than 2.7 crore infections and over 8.8 lakh deaths have been reported due to the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine update September 7 | Here are all the updates on COVID-19 vaccine from around the world Here are all the latest updates: >> India surpassed Brazil's total COVID-19 cases to become the second worst-affected country in the world, behind only the United States (US). >> The Centre said that India has cumulatively tested nearly 5 crore people ever since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country. Of these, nearly 1.33 crore tests were done in the past two weeks, while over 7 lakh tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, the government said. >> Attorney General KK Venugopal is in self-quarantine, the Supreme Court was informed today as the Centre sought adjournment in a matter related to filling of vacancies in tribunals. Venugopal has gone into self-quarantine after one of his staff tested COVID-19 positive. >> Delhi Metro resumed services today in a calibrated manner after being closed for 169 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Services were started on the Yellow Line and Rapid Metro. >> Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will have a virtual convocation in November, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. >> More than 200 United Nations (UN) staff members have been infected by COVID-19 in Syria as the global body steps up its contingency plans to combat the fast spread of the pandemic in the country, medical workers and officials said. At first, she could only read about 60 pages of Evil Angels, the book of the case by a Melbourne author, John Bryson. Six weeks later, she picked it up again. I thought that anything that affected me that way was potentially an important story to be told, she said at a news conference in Melbourne. Meryl Streep, the Oscar-winning actress, spoke yesterday of how the story of Mrs Lindy Chamberlain, whom she will portray, hit her like a kick to the stomach. Ms Streep talked at the conference with the films makers and writers. Sitting on a stage before a crowded room, she had her first meeting with Mr Bryson to discuss her role, one she finds upsetting. Ive put off thinking about it a lot, she said. Meryl Streep once said she knew she had made it when her face appeared on more magazine covers than the Ayatollah. At the Hyatt on Collins Hotel yesterday she said her face was too well known to be seen in mid-Manhattan but she felt secure in Melbourne, although she did ask news crews not to try to film her young children. Her appearance was, loosely, casual chic: turquoise and silver drop earrings, a bright blue polo shirt with a red collar under a shiny black bomber jacket. There were hints of nervousness, but her quickness, feelings and humor shone through. More than many people, she was able to express what the story meant to her. The reason it interested me is because its a danger we all face: judging people through the electronic media in 30-second snatches on the news. You see someone and you dont like the set of their eyebrows, and whether they cry or not. Im very interested in the idea that there is a set of appropriate responses to any given tragedy. Being an actress, Im interested in investigating emotions, and I have found in other parts that I have played that there are all sorts of surprises in human behaviour. Just because someone doesnt act the way you would expect them to on the television that night may not be a fair indication of who they are and the size of their emotion and feeling. Last Sunday, August 30, the 40-year-old cochair of the Spokane, Washington chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Jeremy Logan, was arrested by unidentified local officers dressed in plainclothes at a protest against police brutality. He was detained in a local jail for over 24 hours as federal agents attempted to interrogate him. The incident is a chilling development in the antidemocratic crackdown on protests against police brutality across the United States in which local police carried out snatch-and-grab operations previously in New York City, Pittsburgh, and Portland. In the latter city, these kidnapping-style arrests were carried out directly by unmarked federal agents deployed by the Trump administration. Logan described the events he endured through social media posts and interviews, which were verified by two witnesses who were present at the time. Around 2:00 p.m., he arrived at the site of a local rally. He noticed a man dressed all in black approaching him, then looked across the street as two men, also in plainclothes, were running directly at me, one of them with a green vest and a gun. One of the men told him he was under arrest for a warrant in Okanogan [County]. Jeremy Logan Soon after being grabbed by these men, a beatup, old minivan arrived with up to five more officers in street clothes, who then placed handcuffs on Logan and put him in the back of the van, driving him a few blocks away so that a city cop car could pick him up to transport him to the downtown jail. None of the men had badges or identified themselves with a department. Logan reported that he repeatedly asked them to identify themselves and was told not to worry about it. After Logan hounded the officers to state the cause for his arrest, the city police contradicted the snatch squads earlier statement and said they had a warrant from Chelan County. Based on Logans admittance that he does have a warrant for unpaid fines in Douglas County and has not even traveled to Chelan or Okanogan for years, there is no evidence of a valid cause for arrest. According to official communications received by HuffPost after Logan was released, the Spokane County Sheriffs Office carried out the arrest, citing a valid felony warrant and alleging that Logan has made threatening public statements toward law enforcement in the past. The Spokane Police Department took responsibility for his transportation in the marked city police vehicle to the jail. Logan pointed out that police could have arrested him at any point in the years in which his warrant had been active, but they chose to do so at the site of a protest. It is clear that the warrant was utilized as a pretext for his arrest on the basis of his political involvement with tenant organizing, the DSA, and antipolice violence protests since a close friend was murdered by police in 2017. The political motivations behind the unconstitutional proceedings were made clear by the fact that local police repeatedly tried to get Logan to speak to federal officers, presumably about his political activity, other protesters, and similar topics while he was detained. They were going to try to convince me that something bad is going to happen to me if I dont cooperate with them, he told the HuffPost. And even though Im scared, even though Im tired. ... I know that theres nothing that they can do to me. I know that they have nothing on me. Thus, Logan refused to speak to the two federal agents. I would like people to recognize how scary this is, Logan told the World Socialist Web Site, that I can be targeted because of my political beliefs. They [the police] are hiding behind a warrant for not paying probation fines on an arrest that happened nine years ago in December. Since when do pigs [police] chase down and throw someone in a van to arrest them for a warrant? While he has not been in a position to comment on the specific details of what happened to him inside the jail, he explained that in general, officers and agents will prevent you from using the phone, or communicating with people as much as they can. They will lie to you and try to make it seem like your life is over, and it might feel like it. He continued, They will tell you your comrades are ratting you out or try to make you question their integrity. They want to ruin your life because you are their enemy, and they do not see you as a human being. Logan told the WSWS that black SUVs were parked outside his apartment building all day on Friday, when the widely read HuffPost article was published. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich ranted against the article in a statement, claiming that Logans account of events was entirely false, saying that the publication seemed to have forgotten we are a country of laws. Theyve also forgotten their duty to our country to provide unbiased, factual reporting per the protections provided by the Constitution of the United States. The Spokane DSA issued a brief statement in response to the events, calling upon the Spokane city government to launch an investigation into the arrest and detainment. The actions by local and federal agents against Logan violate all basic democratic or legal norms for due process. This is only the latest in a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the Trump administration to brutally suppress all forms of social oppositionuniversally labeled as domestic terrorism, Antifa, and radical left extremismthrough authoritarian and police state methods. During the protests against police violence and racism this summer sparked by the murder of George Floyd at the end of May, the world watched in horror as federal agents kidnapped protesters into unmarked vehicles in Portland. Now, local police have been emboldened to perform similar actions, given the green light by the White House and possibly with direct collaboration behind the scenes. As indicated by the HuffPost comments, Sheriff Knezovich is a fascistic figure with a disdain for left-wing protesters and the media. During the June protests, Knezovich, without a shred of evidence, blamed property damage on Antifa activists who came into Spokane from out of town, while he defended far-right Proud Boys protesters for legally carrying weapons, stating, They werent the ones causing damage. The illegal kidnapping and detainment of protesters, whether by federal or local police, serves as a warning to the entire working class of the methods that will be employed in an effort to intimidate all those who express opposition to the endless reign of police terror or, for that matter, to the homicidal campaign to reopen schools and workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump is pursuing this strategy from a place of fear ahead of the November elections, knowing well that he lacks the support of the majority of the American population and that the pentup anger in the working class could explode into a much broader political struggle against the capitalist system. A joint paper by Kazan Federal University, Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, and Russian Oil and Gas University was published in Chemistry - A European Journal. The team produced and studied new active photocatalysts based on natural aluminosilicate nanotubes with cadmium sulfide quantum dots stabilized on their surface synthesized by self-assembly. Co-author, Chief Research Associate of the Bionanotechnology Lab (Kazan Federal University) Rawil Fakhrullin explains, "Quantum dots are semiconductor nanoparticles up to 10 nanometers in size with unique optical properties. They have found applications in many industries, including photonics, sensor technology, and biomedicine. A joint study has shown that the use of natural aluminosilicate nanotubes as carriers for quantum dots of cadmium sulfide makes it possible to create efficient and low-toxic photocatalysts that are active under visible radiation." The studied photocatalysts are nanotubes with an inner diameter of up to 20 nanometers, on the surface and inside of which about 50 nanoparticles of cadmium sulfide, doped with ruthenium as a co-catalyst, are formed. This inert metal is used in electronics and as a catalyst and anti-corrosion additive. "We have developed a method for self-assembly of nanoparticles on the surface of natural nanotubes, which was used to synthesize quantum dots of cadmium sulfide. Its application made it possible to increase the quantum yield of the reaction of hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions to more than 9%. We chose ruthenium as a co-catalyst. It is known that the addition of small amounts of ruthenium leads to an increase in the activity of such photocatalysts tens and hundreds of times. Its use made it possible to prevent side processes of charge redistribution and reactions that reduce the amount of evolving hydrogen. It is interesting to note that the stability of these photocatalytic systems is greatly influenced by the ratio of sulfur to cadmium in a sulfide nanoparticle; upon reaching a certain value, the stability of the system sharply decreases," says Russian Oil and Gas University employee Anna Stavitskaya. Dr. Fakhrullin opines that photocatalysts are one of the most promising areas of modern chemistry. They use the most affordable source of energy - sunlight. "Photocatalysts can be used to decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen, which will make it possible to obtain safe and environmentally friendly fuel in unlimited quantities. With the help of photocatalysts, it is possible to create self-cleaning surfaces (for example, windows that do not need to be washed), easily sterilizable medical instruments that will disinfect light, and also purify water from organic contaminants and pathogenic microorganisms. Heterogeneous catalysts used for photocatalysis should not only have the ability to accelerate the reaction, but also be stable and not cause toxic effects on living systems. This can be achieved by the simultaneous use of ruthenium, quantum dots and halloysite nanotubes," says he. In this paper, the results of a study of the effect of a system based on natural halloysite nanotubes and quantum dots of cadmium sulfide synthesized on its surface in situ on the nematode organism (distribution of nanomaterials in organs, body length, and reproductive capacity) are presented. "Investigation of nanostructured photocatalysts in vivo in nematodes showed no acute negative effect. The developed photoactive nanomaterials were not detected in tissues outside the intestinal tract of soil nematodes, which is a good indicator for nanosystems, many of which penetrate into organs and tissues and negatively affect the body," concludes Fakhrullin. By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/09/06 The seventh episode of "Secret Forest 2" on Friday saw the first appearance of Choi Hee-Seo In the drama's cast. As her role is not a major one, it was not widely know ahead of time. She plays the wife of Dong-jae, who is played by Lee Joon-hyuk and not identified by name. The character appears in the drama because Dong-jae had recently gone missing. Advertisement In full context, Dong-jae's wife is summoned because the other investigators need a comparative blood sample. To this end they ask for one from their son, but Dong-jae's wife refuses, offering to instead to provide Dong-jae's personal effects from home. The role has garnered attention from viewers who recalled seeing Choi Hee-Seo In the leading role in last year's independent film "Our Body", begging the question of just how important her character could end up being. Choi Hee-seo also featured prominently in the eighth episode of "Secret Forest 2" which had ratings of 7.5%. "Secret Forest 2" is currently airing on Saturday and Sunday night in the nine 'o clock evening slot on tvN. Written by William Schwartz ___________ "Secret Forest 2" is directed by Park Hyeon-seok, written by Lee Soo-yeon-I, and features Cho Seung-woo, Bae Doona, Kim Young-jae, Choi Moo-sung, Park Sung-geun, Park Ji-yeon-I. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/08/15~Now airing, Sat, Sun 21:00 on tvN. FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A security officer stands outside a building of SMIC during its grand opening in Shanghai November 22, 2001. By Josh Horwitz and Donny Kwok SHANGHAI/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's biggest chipmaker SMIC plunged a fifth on Monday in response to news of potential U.S. sanctions against the company, wiping about $28 billion off its market value and prompting analysts to predict doom if a ban is implemented. On Friday, Reuters reported that the U.S. Department of Defense might block American companies from providing goods and services to the company, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). That could dash what some view as China's best hope to develop a self-sufficient semiconductor industry via SMIC and further escalate the Sino-U.S. spat that involves trade and technology, analysts said. "The company could go under within a few years," says Mark Li, who tracks China's chip industry at Bernstein Research. SMIC did not immediately reply to a request for comment. SMIC trails rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) in production volume, technology, and efficiency despite state support since it was founded two decades ago. It only recently introduced capacity for chips at the 14 nanometre process node, making it about two generations behind that of TSMC. Like TSMC and other fabs, SMIC relies on a number of U.S.-based companies, such as Applied Materials, to obtain key production equipment. Research firm Jefferies estimates that roughly half of SMIC's suppliers are American. Sources have told Reuters that the United States is investigating alleged ties between SMIC and the People's Liberation Army in China. SMIC says it has no relationship with the Chinese military. SMIC shares in Hong Kong fell more than 23% to HK$18.10 on Monday, their lowest since June 12. Its shares in Shanghai, where it raised $6.6 billion in a secondary listing in July, fell as much as 11%. The potential sanctions echo those placed by the United States on Huawei Technologies that bar U.S. companies from selling products and technology to the Chinese smartphone maker. The restrictions have muzzled Huawei's once-promising chip division and is squeezing its overseas phone sales. DEPENDENCY Story continues U.S. sanctions could also impact supplies from non-American vendors, analysts said, as chip equipment vendors from countries such as Japan and the Netherlands, which have friendly ties with the United States, could "shadow follow" the U.S. order. A precedent for such a possibility exists. In 2018, the Trump administration prevented Dutch machinery maker ASML from shipping to SMIC a $150 million chip-lithography machine that is needed to manufacture advanced microprocessors. Analysts said that while SMIC could potentially continue to use its existing line of equipment in the face of a supplier ban, its business would suffer because equipment providers would no longer be able to service its production lines. Losing this official support service would put SMIC in "serious trouble", said Doug Fuller, who researches China's chip industry at the City University of Hong Kong. "The machines need to be tended to by suppliers every two to three months." SMIC could potentially look to local companies, unaffiliated with their official suppliers, to service their production lines, he said. "But that will just compound SMIC's well-known operational inefficiency." (Reporting by Josh Horwitz and Donny Kwok; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Himani Sarkar) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday applauded DRDO for successfully test firing hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) for the first time. Congratulations to @DRDO_India for successful flight of the Hypersonic Test Demonstration Vehicle today. The scramjet engine developed by our scientists helped the flight achieve a speed 6 times the speed of sound! Very few countries have such capability today, the PM wrote on Twitter. Congratulations to @DRDO_India for successful flight of the Hypersonic Test Demonstration Vehicle today. The scramjet engine developed by our scientists helped the flight achieve a speed 6 times the speed of sound! Very few countries have such capability today. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 7, 2020 WATCH | India successfully tests hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle In a landmark achievement, the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha on Monday. The HSTDV, which operates on scramjet engines that can attain the speed of around Mach 6, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor, which took it to an altitude of 30 kilometres (km), where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated at hypersonic Mach number. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned, the defence ministry said in a press release. Defence minister Rajnath Singh, too, congratulated the DRDO. The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase, he tweeted. I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising the Prime Ministers vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them, Singh wrote in series of tweets. ABC NewsBy ADAM KELSEY, ABC News (WASHINGTON) -- Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel blasted President Donald Trump Sunday for comments he allegedly made about members of the U.S. military -- with unnamed sources claiming he called them "losers" and "suckers" and questioned their motivations for pursuing a service career, according to an explosive report published by The Atlantic. "If they're real, it's beneath the dignity of any commander-in-chief. Truly, they're despicable," Hagel said of the purported remarks in an interview on ABC's This Week Sunday. On Thursday, The Atlantic published the story which described the alleged disparagements and what it described as Trump's private views on the military, resulting in swift and vocal backlash from the president's critics. Trump and numerous members of his staff present for some of the events referenced in the article have denied the report and labeled it a "hoax." ABC News has not independently confirmed The Atlantic report, which cites four unnamed sources with direct knowledge in making the claims. Those who have come to the president's defense have been quick to note that the report relies on anonymous sources. Hagel acknowledged that fact Sunday and urged those sources to come forward. "I think it's important now, if these guys who said this -- or allegedly said it -- think it's that important for the future of this country, then they should show some courage and stuff for it as well," he told This Week Co-anchor Martha Raddatz. But Hagel went on to point out Trump's record of public disrespect toward the late Sen. John McCain and members of his administration who served in the armed services. "Let's go back and look at Mr. Trump's words himself, coming out of his own mouth, starting in 2016 and what he said about John McCain and what he continued to say about McCain. How he degraded the service of Gens. (James) Mattis and (H.R.) McMaster, and just recently, Gen. (John) Kelly," Hagel said. "The history of -- of this president over the last three and four years is -- is pretty clear." The president repeatedly clashed with McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, before the senator's death in 2018. During the 2016 presidential primaries, Trump insulted the more than five years McCain spent as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, saying he likes "people who weren't captured." The president tweeted Thursday that he "never called (McCain) a loser," as claimed in The Atlantic story, but video shows Trump doing just that at a 2015 campaign event. "He's on the record with saying things himself over the past few years, and that makes the credibility of this article, and those anonymous comments, more and more credible," Hagel said Sunday. I disagreed with John McCain on a lot of things, Trump acknowledged in an exchange with ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl Friday. That doesnt mean I dont respect him. I respected him, but I really disagreed with him on a lot of things and I think I was right. I think time has proven me right, to a large extent. Hagel, a Republican who served as defense secretary in the Obama administration and represented Nebraska for two terms in the Senate, endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in March, after backing neither Trump nor Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016. Asked by Raddatz about how the report might resonate in the final two months of the campaign, Hagel predicted that it could have an impact. "I think it's a pretty clear indictment of this president's attitude toward our veterans," he said, going on to criticize Trump's recent deployment of the military at racial justice protests. "No president has ever done that -- use your veterans, use your active military as props." Raddatz also spoke with military veterans in the Denver area who shared their reactions to the story, ranging from skepticism about the unnamed sources and a defense of the president's actions on veterans' issues, to blunt condemnations and concerns about active duty troops under his command. "My immediate reaction was, what is this? This doesn't make a lot of sense. And each allegation was supported by anonymous sources," said one veteran, Nic Gray, who said he "absolutely" did not believe the article. "I'm a veteran. I served two tours. I have a purple heart. It resonates with me," said Drew Sloane, who served tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. "This is someone who has a very me-centric view of the world, and it's hard to have a me-centric view of the world and really understand military service," he said of the president. "I think this is someone who respects the military vote," Sloane continued. "But that's not the same thing as respecting military service." Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Vodafone Idea are now 'Together For Tomorrow' giving birth to a new brand called Vi (read as We). A brand with its eyes set on the future, it is built for and around customers. Vodafone Idea (VIL) communicated its new unified consumer brand identity and positioning through a virtual launch today. The integration of two brands is a culmination of the largest telecom integration in the world. Vi is built to be strong, ever-dependable, agile, intuitive, and a brand in tune with the needs of the customers, in these ever-changing times. It is designed to help customers move ahead in life, for a better today and a brighter tomorrow. Vi is future ready and is committed to dynamically serve and enable a digital society to progress in life. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Albury-Wodonga has been one of the flash points of the border war through the coronavirus recession. The community's 100,000 residents are separated by the meandering Murray River which is normally nothing more than a pleasing sight as people from both cities make their daily crossings of the state border. The NSW-Victoria border at Albury-Wodonga has become a flashpoint in the coronavirus recession. Credit:David Gray/Getty Images Two days before NSW shut the border crossing, Scott Morrison announced a package of infrastructure projects that included $400,000 to make "safety improvements" to the Bandiana Link Road that effectively connects east Wodonga with South Albury. It would, the Prime Minister said, help "rebuild our economy and create more jobs". INVISTA Textiles (U.K.) Limiteds technology and licensing business, INVISTA Performance Technologies (IPT), and Jiangsu Jiatong Energy Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Tongkun Group (Tongkun), have reached agreement to license INVISTAs latest P8 PTA technology for two PTA lines. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200906005045/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) These two lines will be installed in Rudong, Nantong City, Jiangsu province, China. Both lines deploy INVISTAs largest twin stream design respectively, utilizing INVISTAs latest P8++ PTA technology. Building on the demonstrated performance of the P8 technology platform, the variable cost, capital productivity and environmental performance is expected to set new benchmarks within the industry. Tongkun and INVISTA have been working together for 10 years in PTA. INVISTAs first P7 and first P8 technology platforms were successfully installed, commissioned, and operated at another subsidiary (Jiaxing Petrochemical) of Tongkun Group. Based on the successful co-operation on these projects, Tongkun has again selected INVISTAs latest P8++ PTA technology for the Jiatong project. Adam Sackett, IPT vice president PTA, commented, We are honoured that our industry-leading P8++ PTA technology has been selected again by Tongkun Group. Our companies have a long history of PTA innovation, and we look forward to working together on this new chapter of technology and cooperation between the two parties. A kick-off meeting was successfully concluded on August 15, 2020, by Jiatong, INVISTA and CTCI (the engineering contractor). A project start-up date of Q4 2022 is targeted for the first line. INVISTAs industry-leading PTA technology, including its latest version of P8 technology, is available as a license package from IPT. For more information, please visit the IPT website at www.ipt.invista.com. About INVISTA: From the fibers in your carpet to the plastic in your automobiles, INVISTAs commitment to continuous improvement has led its employees to develop some of the most durable, versatile polymers and fibers in the world. A subsidiary of Koch Industries since 2004, INVISTA brings to market the proprietary ingredients for nylon 6,6 and recognized brands including STAINMASTER, CORDURA and ANTRON. INVISTA also offers specialty chemical intermediates and process technologies. See the bigger picture at INVISTA.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200906005045/en/ Her wedding was sadly called off due to the global pandemic. Yet Anthea Turner, who was due to marry business tycoon fiance Mark Armstrong, 55, this month, was not letting the news get her down as she took to social media to share a snap of her jaw-dropping figure during a holiday in Greece. The TV star, 60, proudly flaunted her frame in a tiny yellow bikini as she larked around in the surf before revealing she was back to reality doing laundry. Oh my! Anthea Turner, who was due to marry business tycoon fiance Mark Armstrong, 55, this month, was not letting the news get her down as she took to social media to share a snap of her jaw-dropping figure during a holiday in Greece Flaunting her toned stomach and perky cleavage, she jumped into the ocean in joyous fashion while beaming at the camera. She then shared a snap of her washing rack to announce she was back home. Sharing a caption alongside the snap, she penned: 'Back from my beautiful Greek Odyssey to Santorini, Naxos and Crete. This was the last shot taken while saying goodbye to the Aegean Sea the second shot taken this morning !!... 'Nothing like a white wash to say Im Home I love coming home and even though we Brits have turned complaining into a national sport its still the place that holds my heart - Show you a other shots when Ive sorted myself, lots more washing'. Back to reality! She then shared a snap of her washing rack to announce she was back home Anthea was supposed to exchange vows with Mark this September, but the couple have had to postpone their wedding plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She recently revealed that she and Mark were forced to postpone their wedding in Italy, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The celebration was originally scheduled to take place this September, but the couple announced in May they've pushed back their nuptials. Anthea told HELLO!: 'Mark and I had planned to go out and look at venues in March and then set a date for September. 'Mark is from Italy, his family are from Milan, so it seemed the perfect place for us. 'It will be next year now. I am not even in any angst about it. When we do it, it will be small and cute, just with our close friends and family.' The TV veteran was previously married to ex-husband Grant Bovey for 13 years, but the couple split after he cheated on her with a woman half her age in 2013. Thrilled: Anthea was supposed to exchange vows with Mark this September, but the couple have had to postpone their wedding plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (pictured in July) Anthea's first marriage was to her manager, former DJ Peter Powell, in 1990, with the couple splitting up eight years later. On finally finding The One, the media personality gushed about her man of 13 months, who had planned a trip to Rome for her 60th birthday: 'Mark is the absolute love of my life, we adore each other. 'He makes me smile every day and we are excited about our life together. Sometimes, when you are a bit older and you have lived, something tells you this is so right, you just know. Sacramento politics usually keep a dignified profile compared with the constant carnival in Washington. But when Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks tweeted out a video of herself and her newborn on the floor of the Assembly last week, it was a reminder that our state leaders can do ridiculous too. Wary of exposing her 1-month-old to the coronavirus, the East Bay assemblywoman had asked for the right to vote by proxy on a pending housing bill and was denied. Instead, Wicks was forced to stop breastfeeding at home in Oakland to drive to Sacramento to cast her vote in person. Please, please, please pass this bill, she implored colleagues as her crying baby wriggled behind a striped blanket. And Im going to go finish feeding my daughter. The good news is that the ensuing outrage likely means Wicks will get a different answer the next time she asks to spare her newborn a trip inside the Capitol. But her dilemma spotlights the crisis crushing working moms across America: we are being squeezed between a relentless pandemic that asks ever more of us at home and a working world that makes precious few concessions to this new reality Every woman has been in that situation, just maybe not on the floor of the Assembly, Wicks told the Guardian in the votes aftermath. The question for us now: Can we use this moment to fix it? Of course, tensions between work and home predate the coronavirus. Prior research shows women spend about an hour a day more than men do on housework and an hour more on child care. But with schools online, day care centers closed and so much of life forced inside, who knows how many more hours of domestic work women are logging today? Wild guess: probably far more than men According to recent studies, about 1 in 3 millennial mothers who were unemployed this summer reported that it was because they couldnt access child care or because they needed to care for children who were not in school. Only 11% of unemployed fathers in the same group said the same. For the mothers across our city who have been lucky enough to have and keep jobs, the reward has too often been undiminished work coupled with exploding child care and housework, an unsustainable equation of constant frustration on all sides. Forget taking on new assignments or pursuing promotions. If we can barely get our kids to stay logged into a Zoom class or need to cancel any outside recess due to horrific wildfires, its difficult to imagine nailing that new pitch or dazzling management with your polished presentation. But there is opportunity in crisis. To achieve greater pay equality, social scientists have long said that other than women avoiding marriage and children changes would have to take place in workplaces and public policy that applied to both men and women. It seems like the moment for such sweeping changes has arrived. To achieve true equity for women in the workplace, we must expand our investment in the types of subsidies that would create greater equity for women at home. Lets start with a federal policy guaranteeing paid family leave. Despite the patchwork of local and state efforts, the United States falls behind nearly every industrialized nation by failing to have a federal law guaranteeing paid family leave. Existing law does allow for unpaid family leave, but exemptions for small employers mean that only 60% of the workforce is eligible. As a result, millions of employees must rely on individual employers to step up. Many dont. The impact of this policy failure is felt acutely by women nearly half of our workforce and often the primary caregivers for children and aging parents. Ironically, one of the crucial votes Wicks went to Sacramento for was on a bill to expand Californias unpaid family leave to address this very issue. But local measures that allow some people to access paid or unpaid family leave will never usher in the scale of change needed to level the playing field for all women in the workplace. After years of talk, a national paid family leave policy is finally gaining momentum in Washington. Its overdue. And if we pull it off, the extra mile Wicks went to do her job and care for her newborn might have been a spark that led to real change. Suzy Loftus is a mother of three, former San Francisco district attorney and an elected member of the San Francisco Democratic Central Committee. The Council of State, France's top administrative court, on Sunday upheld as warranted the obligation to wear face masks imposed on the entirety of a municipality as long as it comprises multiple zones at high risk for the spread of the coronavirus. The court's urgent applications judge thereby approved mandatory face masks in the French cities of Lyon and Villeurbanne, while excluding physical activity and sport from the requirement. The judge meanwhile asked the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin department, where the city of Strasbourg is located, to limit the mask obligation to densely populated areas. The two prefectures concerned have until Tuesday to make the revisions. An administrative court recently ordered the prefects of the Rhone, responsible for Lyon and Villeurbanne, and the Bas-Rhin to review their decisions relating to Lyon, Villeurbanne and Strasbourg and to exclude the lowest density areas and hours from the obligation to wear face masks. The case had been referred to that court by local groups. The French government brought the case to the Conseil d'Etat to have those decisions annulled. Twenty-eight 'red zones' The government said Sunday that French authorities have placed seven more departments covering major cities such as Lille, Strasbourg and Dijon on high alert as increases in Covid-19 infections accelerate. Of France's 101 mainland and overseas departments, 28 are now considered "red zones" where authorities will be able to impose exceptional measures to slow the number of new coronavirus cases. The move comes as France reported a record of nearly 9,000 cases in a single day on Friday. On Saturday, the nationwide test positivity rate increased to 4.7 percent. Paris and the southeastern Rhone department were the first to be placed on high alert by the government on August 14 after infection rates began to climb. That prompted local officials to require face masks in all public spaces to slow the virus's spread, in the hope of averting a spike in cases that could again overwhelm hospitals as autumn approaches. More than 30,000 people have died in France since the pandemic flared last March. (FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS) A boat has washed up north of Brisbane, prompting a police appeal to track down the owner. The vessel was being battered against rocks in Clontarf, in the Moreton Bay region, when it was found about 4pm on Monday. The boat washed up in Clontarf, about 25 kilometres north-east of Brisbane. Credit:Queensland Police Service Police said the boat was found near the swimming enclosure, north of the Pelican Park boat ramp. The boat has been described as a 15-20 feet long with a white fibreglass hull and features "Yot of Lisa on the stern. They put on an affectionate display during a beach outing in Malibu on Saturday afternoon. And that evening, Sofia Richie and her former flame Jaden Smith were spotted enjoying an intimate dinner with friend Moises Arias and his girlfriend at Nobu restaurant. The cozy pair, who both happen to be 22-years-old, sat next to one another as they chowed down on their food. Moonlight dinner: Sofia Richie and her former flame Jaden Smith were spotted enjoying an intimate dinner with friend Moises Arias and his girlfriend at Nobu restaurant on Saturday evening Sofia stepped out for the night in a black maxi dress that featured long sleeves and a stylish mock neck. The daughter of Lionel Richie removed her chic leather jacket and hung it on the back of her chair. Her golden hair was pulled up and fastened with a pale pink claw clip and she had a pair of gold hoops in her ears. Sofia leisurely sipped on a drink and picked at her plate as she engaged in conversation with her crew. Cozy: The pair, who both happen to be 22-years-old, sat next to one another as they chowed down on their food Chic: Sofia stepped out for the night in a black maxi dress that featured long sleeves and a stylish mock neck Jaden looked suave in a burgundy button down shirt, a pair of black trousers,and a glistening gold chain necklace. The After Earth star, who happens to be the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, had a large bottle of sparkling water in front of him and seemed to be enjoying his meal. Numerous times throughout the dinner, Jaden and Sofia leaned in close to one another to chat. After finishing their meal, Sofia was spotted leaving the swanky Japanese restaurant with a slew of pals. Jaden was not in sight. Suave: Jaden looked suave in a burgundy button down shirt, a pair of black trousers,and a glistening gold chain necklace Tight bond: Numerous times throughout the dinner, Jaden and Sofia leaned in close to one another to chat The former girlfriend of Justin Bieber made sure to wear a face mask as she collected her car from the valet. Jaden and Sofia have been friends for years and were rumored to have dated eight years ago in 2012. They were just 14-years-old at the time. For their beach day, Richie showcased her stellar figure in a hot pink floral print bikini that featured a triangle top and high legged bottoms. The model also brought along a pair of stylish slim sunglasses to block out the oppressive sun. Heading home: After finishing their meal, Sofia was spotted leaving the swanky Japanese restaurant with a slew of pals Mask mandate: She made sure to wear a face mask as she collected her car from the valet Sofia wore what appeared to be a watch strapped around her ankle, and she had on multiple necklaces and bracelets. Jaden matched her in pink swim trunks with flower and rainbow designs on the front. Sofia practiced coronavirus safety measures by arriving at the beach in a leopard print cloth mask, though Jaden didnt appear to be masked up as they found a spot on the sand. Affectionate: Sofia and Jaden put on an affectionate display during a beach outing in Malibu on Saturday afternoon Beach babe: Richie showcased her stellar figure in a hot pink floral print bikini that featured a triangle top and high legged bottoms As they romped in the water, the longtime friends held hands and kept close to one another. After they got their fill of the ocean, Jaden and Sofia returned to their spot in the sand. They enjoyed some close conversation before lovingly embracing one another. Matching: Jaden matched her in pink swim trunks with flower and rainbow designs on the front Safety first: Sofia practiced coronavirus safety measures by arriving at the beach in a leopard print cloth mask Though it's unclear whether or not she is rekindling her romance with Jaden, Sofia is currently single following her split from ex Scott Disick, 37. Sofia and Scott ended their three-year relationship in May, following the Talentless founder's brief stint at a Colorado rehab facility. Two-months after their breakup, the pair reunited at a Fourth Of July party in Malibu. Hand holding: As they romped in the water, the longtime friends held hands and kept close to one another Hug it out: They enjoyed some close conversation before lovingly embracing one another Decked out: Sofia wore what appeared to be a watch strapped around her ankle, and she had on multiple necklaces and bracelets But by mid-August, numerous outlets reported that Scott and Sofia decided to end their relationship for good. Instead of galavanting around town with Sofia, Scott has been spending tons of quality time with his ex Kourtney Kardashian, 41, and their three children, sons Mason, 10, and Reign, five, and daughter Penelope, eight. Jaden also has a connection to the Kardashian clan due to the fact that he reportedly dated Kylie Jenner, 23, in 2013. Just months after his alleged split from Sofia. Lounging: After they got their fill of the ocean, Jaden and Sofia returned to their spot in the sand When you buy and hold a stock for the long term, you definitely want it to provide a positive return. Furthermore, you'd generally like to see the share price rise faster than the market But Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) has fallen short of that second goal, with a share price rise of 16% over five years, which is below the market return. The last year has been disappointing, with the stock price down 16% in that time. View our latest analysis for Horace Mann Educators While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. Over half a decade, Horace Mann Educators managed to grow its earnings per share at 0.4% a year. This EPS growth is lower than the 3.1% average annual increase in the share price. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). Dive deeper into Horace Mann Educators' key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Horace Mann Educators's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Horace Mann Educators' TSR for the last 5 years was 33%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 19% in the last year, Horace Mann Educators shareholders lost 13% (even including dividends). Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 5.9%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Horace Mann Educators better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Horace Mann Educators that you should be aware of before investing here. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. NEW DELHI India's increasing coronavirus caseload made the Asian giant the world's second-worst-hit country behind the United States on Monday, as its efforts to head off economic disaster from the pandemic gain urgency. The 90,802 cases added in the past 24 hours pushed Indias total past Brazil with more than 4.2 million cases. India is now behind only the United States, where more than 6.2 million people have been infected, according to Johns Hopkins University. Indias Health Ministry on Monday also reported 1,016 new deaths for a total of 71,642, the third-highest national toll. The world's second-most populous country with 1.4 billion people, India has been recording the worlds largest daily increases in coronavirus cases for almost a month. Despite over 2 million new cases in the past month and the virus spreading through the countrys smaller towns and villages, the Indian government has continued relaxing restrictions to try and resuscitate the economy. On Monday, in Indias sprawling capital, New Delhi, commuters were scarce. Only asymptomatic people were allowed to board the trains, with masks, social distancing and temperature checks mandatory. But New Delhis streets have already returned to their normal bustle, and people are again flocking to markets. The city's bars will reopen on Wednesday. The reopenings come after India's economy shrank faster than any other major nations, nearly 24 percent in the last quarter. Image: A government representative makes announcement for the COVID-19 coronavirus test in a residential area in Mumbai, (Punit Paranjpe / AFP - Getty Images) India's economic pain dates to the demonetization of the nation's currency in 2016 and a hasty rollout of a goods and services tax the next year. But the strict virus lockdown that started on March 24 exacerbated the economic woes. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered everyone in the country to stay indoors, the whole economy shut down within four hours. Millions lost their jobs instantly and tens of thousands of migrant workers, out of money and fearing starvation, poured out of cities and headed back to villages. The unprecedented migration not only hollowed out India's economy but also spread the virus to the far reaches of the country. Story continues Now, as cases surge, most of the country, except in high-risk areas, has already opened up, with authorities saying they have little choice. While lives are important, livelihoods are equally important, Rajesh Bhushan, the top official of Indias federal health ministry, said at a news briefing last week. Image: People wait in a queue to register their names before giving their nasal swab samples to test for COVID-19 at a government health center in Hyderabad, India (Mahesh Kumar A / AP) Almost 60 percent of Indias virus cases are now coming from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Infections are also returning to areas that had managed to slow the spread of the virus, offsetting marginal gains. Initially hit hard by the virus, New Delhi had seemed to turn the tide through its aggressive screening for patients. But after reopening steadily, the state has reported a recent surge in cases and fatalities. The reopening of the metro is expected to further worsen the situation, experts fear. The recent surge in cases also highlights the risks of Indias strategy on relying too heavily on rapid tests that screen for antigens or viral proteins. These tests are cheap, yield results in minutes and have allowed India to test over a million people a day. But they are also less precise and likely to miss infected people, said Dr. Gagandeep Kang, an infectious diseases expert of Christian Medical College at Vellore in southern India. India says its recovery rate is 77.3 percent and that the fatality rate has declined to around 1.72 percent. The virus has already deepened misery in the countrys vast hinterlands and poorer states, where surges have crippled the underfunded healthcare system and stretched resources. S.P. Kalantri, a public health specialist, said Indias poor face a desperate choice between an immediate death versus a death that could come any time. The disease is already there in the villages, he said. Syracuse, N.Y. -- The weather on Labor Day should allow Central New Yorkers to get outside but might not be ideal for cookouts and picnics. Temperatures should starts in the 70s and reach a high of 82 degrees in the afternoon. Derek Witt, a meteorologist with Accuweather, said that Monday should start off as partly cloudy with clouds increasing as the day goes on. He said he estimated there is a 30 to 40 percent chance of rain in late afternoon, although he expected any precipitation would only amount to a light shower. The biggest challenge for those looking to enjoy the outdoors might be the wind. Witt said the weather in Central New York should be breezy with winds blowing between 15 and 25 mph. He said he expected occasional gusts could reach between 30 and 40 mph. To give an idea of the strength of that wind, Witt said that wind gusts of more than 40 mph generate a wind advisory from the National Weather Service. While he doesnt expect that to happen on Monday, the wind should be heavy enough to blow around paper plates and picnic materials. Its not ideal for barbecues, Witt said. Its one of those things where when youre down to half a sandwich, theres a good chance youre going to end up with it in your lap, BANGKOK, Thailand UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the life-saving disembarkation of approximately 300 Rohingya refugees on the northern coast of Aceh, Indonesia early this morning. Having survived some seven months at sea in desperate conditions, an unknown number are in need of medical attention. Among the group, two of three are women and children. Over 30 are estimated to have died en route. Approximately 330 Rohingya refugees are understood to have embarked on the journey in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, in February. Their hazardous ordeal has been prolonged by the collective unwillingness of states to act for more than six months. Equally, the Bali Process, as the only existing regional coordination mechanism able to convene states on such maritime movements, has failed to deliver comprehensive, regional action to predictably save lives through rescue and disembarkation. The group had repeatedly tried to disembark over the course of more than 200 days at sea, to no avail. Refugees have reported that dozens passed away throughout the journey. UNHCR and others have repeatedly warned of dire consequences if refugees at sea are not permitted to land in a safe and expedient manner. Ultimately, inaction over the past six months has been fatal. UNHCR staff in Aceh are supporting local authorities to assess the needs of the refugees. The immediate priority is providing first aid and medical care as required. All will be tested for COVID-19 in accordance with standard health measures in Indonesia for all arrivals. At the time of the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal crisis five years ago, Bali Process states acknowledged the need for a reliable and collective response to this genuinely regional challenge. Having created a mechanism to convene governments from across the region for precisely this purpose, the promise of that commitment remains unfulfilled. A comprehensive and fair response necessarily requires responsibility-sharing and concrete efforts across South East Asia, so that those who permit disembarkation and bring those in distress ashore do not carry a disproportionate burden. For further information, please contact: (Natural News) Last Monday, August 25, a police officer shot Jacob Blake, a Black man. For some reason, Black Lives Matter (BLM) rioters across the country took this as a sign that they could destroy property and vandalize statues for social justice. On the same day, BLM protestors pulled down the statue of a dinosaur outside the Kenosha Dinosaur Discovery Museum. Kenosha, Jacob Blake and a spike in crimes Last August 24, rioters burned at least three garbage trucks and shattered the windows of several businesses in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The unrest took place after Blakes shooting on August 23, Sunday. On Sunday, police shot Blake sometime after 5:11 p.m. The encounter was partially captured in a video and an officer could be seen firing several shots at close range into Blakes back. As of August 24, Blake is in serious condition at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. At 9 a.m. Monday, garbage trucks blocked the street outside the County Courthouse while at least 16 sheriffs deputies wearing helmets and holding shields were guarding the outside of the building. In Kenosha, vandals defaced the courthouse with spray paint: They kill us because they fear us, honor the dead and be water, spread fire. Rioters also damaged several buildings, like the Harborside Academy charter school, a law firm, the public library, the USPS building, the county register of deeds and the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. Violence against the police Following the shooting on Sunday night, large crowds gathered at the scene of the altercation. Podcaster Koerri Elijahs livestream showed small fires in the street. A person, who some believe may be an officer, could also be seen lying prone on the ground and surrounded by officers. The crowds them walked away from the scene, and the video showed people walking down the sidewalk and street. Some were riding bicycles with some vehicles accompanying them, and chanting could also be heard. The video showed people kicking at police vehicles. It also appears that some fireworks were set off. The person taking video said that there were tons of damage to cop cars and that the rioters also knocked out an officer. The violence didnt end there. At 11:15 p.m., a city dump truck was parked to prevent traffic from heading toward the police department was in flames. Some curious bystanders approached to take pictures until someone warned that the gas tank could blow. By 11:45 p.m., one of the tires blew up and scattered the crowd. At 12:21 a.m., several hundred people were gathered around the courthouse. Vandals defaced the building and condemned the shooting and police. An unknown suspect started a fire outside the courthouse, which was soon extinguished by officers. In defense, officers also started firing what looked like tear gas canisters. At this point, rioters started smashing windows at the administration building near the courthouse. Officers then formed a line behind a police vehicle and continued to deploy tear gas or smoke bombs. In a Facebook livestream by Mercado Media, sometime before 1 a.m. police asked for voluntary cooperation to disperse the area and leave the park. By 1:21 a.m., police formed a riot line and started moving into the park across the street from the courthouse. Within minutes, a firework went off in the crowd. People continued to mobilize through the city. Before 2:30 a.m., the livestream showed that rioters had once again set fire to another truck in the parking lot of a car dealership several blocks away from the courthouse. The rioters also set other cars on fire. Bystanders heard occasional pops and explosions as the fire burned through the lot and sent plumes of smoke into the sky. At 2:50 a.m., a fire truck arrived to begin extinguishing the blaze. Sometime after 3 a.m., the fire spread to the Bradford Community Church. The churchs marquee had read Black Lives Matter before it was engulfed in flames. The men livestreaming called out to anyone inside the building but no one answered. The men then tried to smother some of the flames using shoves while flagging down a lone fire truck near the car dealership. Racial justice and defacing public property It remains to be seen why BLM rioters bothered to destroy a statue at the Kenosha Dinosaur Discovery Museum. Twitter user Ian Miles Cheong posted a photo of the destroyed dinosaur for racial justice. Black Lives Matter rioters attacked the Kenosha Dinosaur Discovery Museum and tore down a statue of a dinosaur in the name of racial justice. pic.twitter.com/25xZNIG7Pz Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 26, 2020 Reports suggest that Blake is still hospitalized, is currently in serious condition and may have lost the ability to walk. Despite the shooting with the police, so-called BLM protesters are doing more harm than good by defacing buildings and setting cars on fire. Unfortunately, the riots that started last August 24 are still underway. It seems like rioters will continue to destroy libraries, museums and fire trucks until something is done to stop this madness. Sources include: WND.com USAToday.com Twitter.com WASHINGTON -- Infants and young children have brains with a superpower, of sorts, say Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists. Whereas adults process most discrete neural tasks in specific areas in one or the other of their brain's two hemispheres, youngsters use both the right and left hemispheres to do the same task. The finding suggests a possible reason why children appear to recover from neural injury much easier than adults. The study published Sept. 7, 2020 in PNAS focuses on one task, language, and finds that to understand language (more specifically, processing spoken sentences), children use both hemispheres. This finding fits with previous and ongoing research, led by Georgetown neurology professor Elissa L. Newport, PhD, a former postdoctoral fellow Olumide Olulade, MD, PhD, and neurology assistant professor Anna Greenwald, PhD. "This is very good news for young children who experience a neural injury," says Newport, director of the Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery, a joint enterprise of Georgetown University and MedStar National Rehabilitation Network. "Use of both hemispheres provides a mechanism to compensate after a neural injury. For example, if the left hemisphere is damaged from a perinatal stroke - one that occurs right after birth - a child will learn language using the right hemisphere. A child born with cerebral palsy that damages only one hemisphere can develop needed cognitive abilities in the other hemisphere. Our study demonstrates how that is possible." Their study solves a mystery that has puzzled clinicians and neuroscientists for a long time, says Newport. In almost all adults, sentence processing is possible only in the left hemisphere, according to both brain scanning research and clinical findings of language loss in patients who suffered a left hemisphere stroke. But in very young children, damage to either hemisphere is unlikely to result in language deficits; language can be recovered in many patients even if the left hemisphere is severely damaged. These facts suggest that language is distributed to both hemispheres early in life, Newport says. However, traditional scanning had not revealed the details of these phenomena until now. "It was unclear whether strong left dominance for language is present at birth or appears gradually during development," explains Newport. Now, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analyzed in a more complex way, the researchers have shown that the adult lateralization pattern is not established in young children and that both hemispheres participate in language during early development. Brain networks that localize specific tasks to one or the other hemisphere start during childhood but are not complete until a child is about 10 or 11, she says. "We now have a better platform upon which to understand brain injury and recovery." The study, originally run by collaborators William D. Gaillard, MD, and Madison M. Berl, PhD, of Children's National Medical Center, enrolled 39 healthy children, ages 4-13; Newport's lab added 14 adults, ages 18-29, and conducted a series of new analyses of both groups. The participants were given a well-studied sentence comprehension task. The analyses examined fMRI activation patterns in each hemisphere of the individual participants, rather than looking at overall lateralization in group averages. Investigators then compared the language activation maps for four age groups: 4-6, 7-9, 10-13, and 18-29. Penetrance maps revealed the percentage of subjects in each age group with significant language activation in each voxel of each hemisphere. (A voxel is a tiny point in the brain image, like a pixel on a television monitor.) Investigators also performed a whole-brain analysis across all participants to identify brain areas in which language activation was correlated with age. Researchers found that, at the group level, even young children show left-lateralized language activation. However, a large proportion of the youngest children also show significant activation in the corresponding right-hemisphere areas. (In adults, the corresponding area in the right hemisphere is activated in quite different tasks, for example, processing emotions expressed with the voice. In young children, areas in both hemispheres are each engaged in comprehending the meaning of sentences as well as recognizing the emotional affect.) Newport believes that the "higher levels of right hemisphere activation in a sentence processing task and the slow decline in this activation over development are reflections of changes in the neural distribution of language functions and not merely developmental changes in sentence comprehension strategies." She also says that, if the team were able to do the same analysis in even younger children, "it is likely we would see even greater functional involvement of the right hemisphere in language processing than we see in our youngest participants (ages 4-6 years old). "Our findings suggest that the normal involvement of the right hemisphere in language processing during very early childhood may permit the maintenance and enhancement of right hemisphere development if the left hemisphere is injured," Newport says. The investigators are now examining language activation in teenagers and young adults who have had a major left hemisphere stroke at birth. ### Additional authors on the report include Catherine E. Chambers, Peter E. Turkeltaub, and Alexander W. Dromerick. The authors report having no personal financial interests related to the study. This work was supported by funds from Georgetown University, MedStar Health, the Feldstein Veron Innovation Fund, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health (K18DC014558, K23NS065121, R01NS244280, and R01DC016902, TL1TR001431, M01RR020359, P30HD040677). About Georgetown University Medical Center As a top academic health and science center, Georgetown University Medical Center provides, in a synergistic fashion, excellence in education -- training physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, as well as biomedical scientists -- and cutting-edge interdisciplinary research collaboration, enhancing our basic science and translational biomedical research capacity in order to improve human health. Patient care and clinical research is conducted with our clinical partner, MedStar Health. GUMC's mission is carried out with a strong emphasis on social justice and a dedication to the Catholic, Jesuit principle of cura personalis -- or "care of the whole person." GUMC comprises the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing & Health Studies, Biomedical Graduate Education, and Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Designated by the Carnegie Foundation as a "very high research activity university," Georgetown is home to a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health, and a Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute. Connect with GUMC on Facebook (Facebook.com/GUMCUpdate) and on Twitter (@gumedcenter). Mark Driscoll Admits He Struggled to See His Sin, Was Filled With 'Self-Righteousness' Mark Driscoll Rejects His Former 'God Helps Those Who Help Themselves' Mentality Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Pastor Mark Driscoll of Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, has opened up about his struggles with pride, admitting that he was "filled with self-righteousness" and "condemnation of others," before he learned of God's grace. "There are times, if I'm honest, that I struggle to understand the soul-saving, eternity-altering, life-changing grace of God both in my life and the life of others, including the people who have hurt me the most," Driscoll wrote in a devotional on his website on Monday. "I do believe in the gracious grace of God but confess to not remembering it sometimes as passionately and completely as I should," he added, noting that the New Testament is full of Christians reminding others of the grace of God. The pastor, who formerly led the Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, said that he is a "sinner." "For many years I struggled to see myself as a sinner. This was because I was prone, as many sinners are, to compare myself to other sinners rather than to Jesus Christ. Furthermore, I was prone to focus on my 'good' qualities and dismiss my sins as mistakes, errors, lapses, and the like," he explained. "Of course, I was prone not to afford that same kind of license to those who sinned against me. As a result, I was far more aware of the speck in the eyes of other people than the lumberyard full of planks in my own." He said at the time he compared himself to the older brother in the story of the prodigal son as told by Jesus in the Bible, adding that he "lived by the pithy statements that are bantered about and that repudiate grace, such as "'God helps those who help themselves,' 'No pain, no gain,' and 'You get what you deserve.'" "Yet, in my heart I was filled with self-righteousness, pride, condemnation of others, and no real love for God," he continued. Driscoll said that one revelation of the "depth of my my sin" came during a state university philosophy class, where the students read about the writings of early Christian theologian Augustine and how the root of all sin is pride. "As I read Augustine's words and the fact that Satan was the proudest person who ever lived and Jesus was the humblest person who has ever lived, it was as if my entire world turned upside down," he reflected. "I was shaken to my core when I heard that pride was the root of my corruption and not the source of my righteousness. I had not sought to merit my salvation but simply assumed that the 'good' life I was living was adequate enough for God to be pleased with me and take me to Heaven when my 'good' life was concluded," Driscoll continued. "It was then that I started to learn about the grace of God." The Trinity Church leader, who was once described as one of America's "most prominent and celebrated pastors" by Forbes, has faced major controversies in the past. In October 2014 he resigned from Mars Hill following allegations of plagiarism and fostering an abusive work environment, which eventually led to Mars Hill being dissolved. Driscoll, now a pastor in Arizona, has since been posting video answers to readers' theological questions and online sermons tackling a variety of issues. Kolkata/New Delhi: Two months after note ban, the Modi government was on Monday still in the crosshairs of the opposition. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said people were on the brink of disaster. She urged President Pranab Mukherjee to intervene in the issue. Dubbing demonetisation as a shameless flop show, Banerjee asked the common people to rise in protest even as TMC activists staged dharnas in front of RBI office in Kolkata as well as CBI office besides many places in the districts in West Bengal. Banerjee while announcing the nationwide protests against demonetisation from today claimed that the CBI was being used to victimise her party, accusing the NDA government of turning CBI into a Conspiracy Bureau of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the surprise announcement on high value note ban on November 8 last. I urge the President, who is the constitutional head of the country, that if some government through its arbitrary decisions takes the country to the brink of disaster, as the protector of the Constitution give protection to the people and save the people, the Trinamool Congress chief said. ALSO READ | Mamata Banerjee says PM Narendra Modi's demonetisation a 'flop show'; TMC stages nationwide protests Famine has started. Indications of the beginning of the famine are coming. So save the people. If people dont survive then nothing will happen, she said while inaugurating the Mati Utsav (Soil Festival) in Burdwan. Asking the common people to rise in protest, Banerjee said, there will be some hardship, but someone has to bell the cat. Trinamool Congress will do that. We will take care of all the hardship that may befall us owing to our protests, she said. Earlier in a series of tweets, she demanded lifting of the restrictions imposed from time to time by the Centre. Restrictions should be removed. Hardships being faced by millions due to #DeMonetisation, she said. Trinamool Congress is organising nationwide protest against Modi babus shameless flop-show #NoteBandi, she wrote in another tweet. Banerjee said protest dharna is being held for three days from today in Bengal, Bhubaneswar, Punjab, Kishanganj (Bihar), Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Jharkhand and Delhi. She claimed that her party and its leaders were being victimised for protesting against the demonetisation of high value notes and its fallout. They (BJP-led Centre) have turned the CBI into a Conspiracy Bureau of India, she said referring to the agencys arrest of TMC MPs Sudip Bandopadhyay and Tapas Pal in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund scam. We dont care about that. If he can, Modi babu may put all of us in jail, but we will not stop talking for the people, she added. Even if they take us from Bengal to Odisha, Delhi or Uttar Pradesh, it does not matter, every place is our country, Banerjee said, adding, But when people react then where will Modibabu go? Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted demonetisation will adversely affect Indias GDP. Singh said demonetisation will have a very significant adverse effect on the countrys GDP and will be an issue in the upcoming assembly elections in five states. You will see there will be a very significant adverse effect on the countrys GDP, Singh said in New Delhi after releasing the the Congress manifesto for Punjab polls. Recalling his statement in Parliament that demonetisation will have a very adverse impact on the GDP of the country, Singh said subsequent developments have proved him right. In this context, he referred to the recent projection by the National Income Unit of the Central Statistical Organisation that the GDP in 2016-17 will slow down to 7.1 per cent from 7.6 per cent a year earlier. This, he said, had not accounted for demonetisation, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an unusual address to the nation on the night of November 8. Asked whether elections would be fought on the issue of demonetisation, he said, It will be an issue in the assembly elections in five states. Singh has been highly critical of demonetisation decision and has predicted a 2 per cent drop in the countrys GDP due to it. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. AHMEDABAD: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday (September 7) accused Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut of 'defaming' Gujarat by calling Ahmedabad a 'mini Pakistan' and demanded that he apologise to the people of Gujarat and Ahmedabad. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai earlier in the day, Raut asked whether actress Kangana Ranaut had the courage to compare Ahmedabad to 'mini Pakistan' the way she equated Mumbai with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Raut and Ranaut have been locked in a bitter war of words since the actress termed Mumbai 'unsafe' after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. "If that girl apologises to Mumbai and Maharashtra for calling Mumbai a 'mini Pakistan', then I will think about it. Does she have the courage to say the same about Ahmedabad?" the Sena MP had asked. Taking umbrage at Raut's remarks, Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said the Sena leader insulted the state by calling Ahmedabad a mini Pakistan. "He should apologise to Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Amdavadis," he stated. Pandya said the Sena should stop using any opportunity to defame Gujarat, Gujaratis and leaders from Gujarat "by targeting them out of jealousy, hatred and malice". "This is the Gujarat of Gandhiji and Sardar Patel. Sardar Patel has strengthened the unity and integrity of India by uniting 562 kingdoms. Junagadh and Hyderabad were prevented from going to Pakistan and made to stay in India due to his guts and strength," he said. Pandya added that Patel's dream of making Kashmir an integral part of India by revoking Article 370 has been fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who are from Gujarat. "Therefore, Gujarat's contribution to India's unity and integrity in the past and present should be remembered," he said. Pittsfield Finance Committee Recommends Water System Upgrades PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Finance Committee is recommending the city borrow almost $4 million to make needed upgrades to the water system. The committee last week endorsed the request from Mayor Linda Tyer to borrow $2.75 million to fund the new western pressure zone water storage tank. Public Services Commissioner Ricardo Morales said the current Lebanon Avenue water storage tank is in need of maintenance but cannot be shut off to facilitate repairs. "This tank was found about a decade ago to be deficient in a few areas, and it needs to be addressed," Morales said. "However, the Lebanon tank cannot be put offline because that would mean having a large section of the population in that area cut off from water." The solution, he said, is to install a second tank on the airport property that would serve the western pressure zone and allow the city to shut down Lebanon Avenue. Ultimately, both tanks will be running at the same time. Morales noted this is the only city water zone without redundancies built it. "Out of all of our zones, this one has the most problems with pressure," he said. "This is why we need it." Originally, the tank was supposed to be installed on the Berkshire Community College campus, but the college decided against this. Morales said the airport is a better location because it is city-controlled land and will be cheaper. There was some concern among the councilors at the meeting that this project would cause rates to increase. Financial Director Matthew Kerwood said the project was included in past planning but at the BCC location. Although at this point the city cannot indicate how the project will affect rates, the original analysis included the more expensive BCC project. "As we look at going forward with rates we will need to really look at the work that was done and make adjustments accordingly," he said. "Whatever future rate increases we might come forward with will include this project and costs associated with it." The project is still in the design phase and construction is slated to begin in spring 2021. The second borrowing authorization was for $950,000 to pay the cost of the Cleveland Brook Reservoir diversion structure maintenance and Cady Brook diversion project. Morales said the city needs to remove sediment that has been building up behind the dam. This brook feeds the reservoir in Hinsdale, the largest reservoir for the city. "This eliminates the sediment buildup in the area of the water intake that feeds our reservoir," he said. "That further helps with having less turbidity in the reservoir and ultimately the water treatment plant." The city recently went through the same process at Windsor Brook. Morales said the city is behind with this project and hopes to get started sooner than later, especially with the Army Corps of Engineers permit running down. He said they have started some preliminary work and have a contractor ready to begin the project once the City Council approves the funding. The councilors asked why the city was playing catch up, and Kerwood said the delay was really caused by the pandemic. He said the administration made the decision to hold off on all capital projects until there was a better view of the budget. He added that he had been unaware of the expiring permit, but he was confident the city could finish the project in time. "We think that we are on track," he said. "We think that we can do this in the time required." The full City Council will vote on these projects Tuesday, Sept. 8. The committee also recommended the allocation of $223,000 from the fiscal 2021 Community Preservation Act Fund to fund a slate of projects. These projects were selected by the Community Preservation Act Committee. Like any city, Milwaukee is always changing. Out with the old, in with the new, right? While some might argue we're a town that especially prizes our architectural gems, others will disagree and lament the lost treasures. No matter on which side of the debate you fall, you might still enjoy looking at the old cityscape and seeing how it changed. Thanks to collector Karl Bandow, we have some stunning, and sad (to some of us, at least), vintage Ray Szopieray images of great Milwaukee buildings' dates with the wrecking ball. Walter Allen School Walter Allen School was located at 1657 S. 3rd St., just north of Mitchell Street. Originally designated as Twelfth District School No. 1, in 1912 it became Hanover Street (which was then the name of South 3rd Street) and in '29 it was renamed in honor of Allen, who had been an assistant superintendent of MPS. Built in 1873, it was similar in design to other schools, which had been designed by Henry Koch notably 18th Street School suggesting it too may have been his. These images were captured during demolition in September 1975. Water Street, between Clybourn and Michigan It's hard to get a sense of what's being lost from this November 1960 riverside view of the block of Water Street between Clybourn and Michigan, but we can suspect that they were better than what replaced them, which is this ... St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church Built in 1905 and designed by Otto Uehling, St. Jacobi stood at 1321 W. Mitchell St. until it was demolished in April 1977. These photographs feel especially poignant after the landmark Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Downtown was wracked by fire this spring. The congregation bought some land on 86th and Forest Home in the early 1960s and moved its school there soon after. The church which began holding services at both sites once the school opened moved for good just before demolition began. Jefferson Street School Jefferson Street School, seen here from State Street, was designed by Ferry & Clas, who also designed The Pabst Mansion and the Central Library Downtown, and built as the Seventh Ward School in 1899. It was razed after being damaged by fire in 1978. Pittsburgh Plate Glass enamel plant, Walker's Point While some of the buildings in the Pittsburgh Plate Glass complex in Walker's Point survive today, this one on Oregon Street, just east of South 1st Street, did not. These are interesting because PPG was Szopieray's employer and one wonders how he felt seeing what must have been a familiar place disappear in August 1979. South Division High School South Division High, on Lapham Boulevard, was beloved for its distinctive dome topped with a spire. It was designed by Milwaukee architect Henry Koch, who also drew City Hall, The Pfister Hotel, Turner Hall and many other familiar buildings. The building had many additions over the years, but still was replaced in 1977 and razed soon after. Fortunately, that landmark dome survives. These photos were taken in June 1978 more or less 40 years ago today. Blessed Virgin of Pompeii By the time Ray Szopieray took these photos in October 1967, the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii built by the Italian community at 419 N. Jackson St. in the Third Ward in 1904 and lovingly known as the Little Pink Church had become orphaned in its neighborhood, most of the residents of which had already been cleared by urban "renewal." But, still, the memories of this church are powerful and beloved. Clearing a block for the First Wisconsin Center The U.S. Bank building at 777 E. Wisconsin Ave. remains, 45 years after it was built, the tallest building not only in Milwaukee, but in the state. You'll be unsurprised to hear that an entire square block of buildings including hotels, restaurants and apartments was razed to make way for it. Ray Szopieray, of course, was there to capture it in Kodachrome in November 1970. First Methodist Church The First Methodist Church (aka the Spring Street Station and Grand Avenue Methodist Church), located at 1010 W. Wisconsin Ave., was another of the many old Milwaukee churches to meet its demise for "progress." Designed by Leenouts & Guthrie, the church was built in 1907 (though the congregation dates to 1850). It was torn down in 1966 to clear the way for the north-south freeway, changing the character of a stretch of Wisconsin Avenue that boasted numerous houses of worship. About the photos and the photographer We have posted a number of collections of photographs from among the many that the late Ray Szopieray took during his perambulations around Milwaukee over the decades. While many of his images are in the collection of the Milwaukee County Historical Society, about 1,000 were sold to Leonard Budney of American Estates in Bay View by Szopieray's brother Chester following the photographer's death in 1992. On a visit to Budney's shop with his father, Karl Bandow asked if Budney had any old photos of Milwaukee. Thus, the slides came to light after nearly a quarter of a century in the dark. Bandow and Adam Levin, who also purchased some of the slides, have shared many of these images with us in recent years. Fortunately, Szopieray worked very methodically and all his images are dated and identify the subjects, says Bandow. "(In) these old shoe boxes (pictured above) this is how the slides were presented to me by Leonard and how they were stored all those years by Szopieray," says Bandow, who runs the Historic Milwaukee Architecture Facebook group. Thankfully, these collectors are eager to share these amazing images of bygone Milwaukee. A husband forced out of the firm he ran with his wife after their 19-year marriage fell apart has been awarded 100k after a judge ruled she racially harassed the Australian. Only last year Duncan and Fiona Bendall posed proudly with the Duchess of York at the UK launch of their company The Female Social Network, which they set up in 2016. But two months later staff packed Mr Bendalls belongings and kicked him out of the family home, which was also the companys London HQ. The Central London Employment Tribunal heard his wife wanted a female pal to replace him at the company, once valued at 170 million. In the lead-up to his exit from the company Mr Bendall, 47, received an email from his wife, 42, saying: I hate Australian mentality and you have it [in] droves, just s**t. He said: She kept treating Australia as an inferior race. He was fired for gross misconduct in August and the couple now plan to divorce. Mr Bendall claimed unfair dismissal and race and sex discrimination. Judge David Khan said: I accept Mrs Bendall harassed you because of your race. However, he ruled Mr Bendall was not sacked because of his race or gender, while upholding the unfair dismissal claim. He awarded him 102,954 including 2,000 for injury to feelings over the email. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Indian Army handed over 13 yaks and four calves that strayed across the LAC on Aug. 31, 2020, in East Arunachal Pradesh to China on Monday. PTI photo The Indian Army has begun efforts to secure the release of five villagers from Arunachal Pradesh who were reportedly abducted by the Peoples Liberation Army of China from Sera-7 area below the McMahon Line in Upper Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh. Disclosing that the Indian Army has made contact at the commander level and sent a hotline message to its counterpart in Eastern frontier of Arunachal Pradesh, sources said that local villagers have been assured that no stone will be left unturned to secure their release. But reports quoting state-run Global Times quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian as saying, "Chinas position on the eastern section of the China and India boundary and Chinas southern Tibet is consistent and clear. We have never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established on the Chinese territory. He also refuses to give details on five civilians who were abducted by the Chinese Army from Arunachal Pradesh. "We have no details to release yet about the question on Indian army sending a message to PLA about five missing Indians in the region," he said. The five youth, who have been missing since September 3, were part of a group of porters who carried supplies for the Army through an area without a motor-able road or mobile connectivity. Union minister Kiren Rijiju had on Sunday announced that the Indian Army has sent a hotline message to the Chinese Army and a response was awaited. The Indian Army has already sent a hotline message to the counterpart PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh. Response is awaited, said Mr Rijiju. Kento Danggen, the deputy commissioner of Upper Subansiri district, told this newspaper that they dispatched a police team from the headquarters town of Daporijo to Nacho, about 120 km north, for an investigation but it will take some time for them to reach the frontier villages. Parents of the abducted youth have expressed confidence in the Indian Army. We have very strong bonding with our Indian Army. They are always there to help us in our challenging days. We have been assured by local Army officers that they are trying to rescue the youths, a villager said. By Associated Press MELBOURNE: Australia on Monday recorded nine new cororavirus deaths and 47 fresh cases, the lowest single-day spike in new infections in the last two months, health officials said. All the fatalities and 41 of the new cases were reported from Victoria, which is in a stage four lockdown since August 2. Monday's tally of new cases is the lowest since June 26 in Australia. On Sunday, Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews announced a five-step strategy to lift the current restrictions. This plan will be in effect from September 13 to November 23, after which the state will need to maintain a "COVID-free" status for 14 days to finally be declared as "COVID-normal". The present stage four lockdown will go on till September 28. Andrews' roadmap aims to keep daily new cases between 30 and 50 till September 28 and fewer than five by late October. CLICK HERE FOR COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES Andrews defended the gradual lifting of restrictions, saying "you cannot run out of (this) lockdown because you will be running into a third wave, resulting in another lockdown." So far, Victoria has recorded 19,550 COVID-19 cases, while the death toll stands at 675. Andrews said, "These are difficult times, but to go from 725 cases to 41 cases in a month -- that demonstrates this strategy is working, the sacrifices that we are making are worth something. " He added, "I want that (sacrifices) to count and that's why we simply can't open up as quickly as everyone would like us to." "I would like to open up much more quickly than we can, but none of us have the luxury. None of us not me, not any Victorian has the luxury of letting our frustration get the better of us. That's not a recipe for anything other than a third wave," he added. On Victoria's virus roadmap, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the state's decision to extend the lockdown was "hard and crushing news" for Victorians. "It is vital to the national interest to restore Victoria to a COVID-safe environment, where we can reopen our economy and reasonably restore the liberties of all Australians, whether in Victoria or anywhere else," he said. "The proposed roadmap will come at a further economic cost. While this needs to be weighed up against mitigating the risk of further community outbreak, it is also true that the continued restrictions will have further impact on the Victorian and national economy, in further job losses and loss of livelihoods, as well as impacting on mental health," Morrison said on Sunday. Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded four new coronavirus cases, including three healthcare workers at Liverpool and Concord Hospitals. Queensland reported two new cases in the last 24 hours. The coronavirus has so far claimed 762 lives with 26,319 confirmed infections in Australia. ALSO WATCH: Berlin: Poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's condition has improved, allowing doctors to take him out of an induced coma, the German hospital treating him says. Navalny, a fierce, high-profile critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was flown to Germany last month, two days after falling ill on August 20 on a domestic flight in Russia. German chemical weapons experts say tests show the 44-year-old was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting the German government last week to demand that Russia investigate the case. Alexei Navalny, pictured last year, has been brought out of a medically induced coma. Credit:AP "The patient has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation," Berlin's Charite hospital said in a statement. "He is responding to verbal stimuli. It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning." It added that the decision to publicly release details of his condition was made in consultation with Navalny's wife. A rampaging goat was caught on camera clambering into a police patrol car before chewing up paperwork and knocking an officer to the ground. The body-cam footage was recorded by a police deputy in north-central Georgia last week. The officer was serving civil papers at a house in the area when she spotted the goat inside her patrol car, according to the Douglas County Sheriff Department. She eventually managed to get the animal to leave the vehicle but it head-butted her to the ground before scarpering. The Douglas County Sheriff Department reported the deputy was not physically injured during the bizarre encounter. A mischievous goat was caught on camera clambering into a police car before chewing up paperwork and knocking an officer to the ground in north-central Georgia last week In the video, the deputy begins to walk toward her car before she sees the goat through the window eating paper. She swings the passenger door open and attempts to scare it off by waving her arm around and saying: 'Get out, c'mon, get out, go.' The deputy, who had left her driver's door open, then walks around to grab the goat who continues to keenly eat through the files. She manages to snatch the rest of the paper from under the animal's hooves before eventually encouraging it to get out of the car. But as she attempts to wrestle the last piece of paper from its mouth it head-butts her and knocks her to the ground. She is able to get back to her feet and chuckles which is where the video ends. In the video, the deputy, who had left her driver's door open, walks around to grab the goat who continues to keenly eat through the files She manages to snatch the rest of the paper from under the animal's hooves before eventually encouraging it to get out of the car But as she attempts to wrestle the last piece of paper from its mouth it head-butts her and knocks her to the ground The Douglas County Sheriff Department reported the deputy was not physically injured during the bizarre encounter. The department later wrote a Facebook post about the incident that read: 'To explain what you are about to see, the deputy went to a residence to serve some civil papers. 'The deputy explained that due to the number of houses she visits daily, she routinely leaves her vehicle's door open because she has had to retreat on a number of occasions from vicious dogs. 'Never once did she expect or even consider what was about to happen this day! 'Even though she was knocked to the ground she was not physically harmed in the incident. At the end of the day we all got a little laugh out of it and we hope you do as well!' UBLY George Selleke has been involved with preparing food at Angelinas Eatery since he was a kid and now he is adding his own mark on the Ubly establishment. The third child of Susan Selleke is the brains behind Huco Brew Co., the micobrewery add-on to Angelinas in Ubly that is coming close to celebrating its one-year anniversary. Susan has operated Angelinas since it opened in 2000, having her four children Joey, Tommy, George, and Angelica work in the restaurant helping make pizzas. Angelica and Tommy still work in the place as a waitress and chef, respectively, while Joey works as a chef outside of the area. She was a stay at home mom and wanted her children to work with her, Selleke said. Related Story: Business owner is brewing up big plans in Ubly Selleke was always interested in turning the space next to Angelinas into either a club or brewery, something more unique than normal for the area. He followed that path by graduating from Ferris State University in 2018 with a degree in professional brew management and serving as the head brewer for Lexington Brewing Company and Winery for the past two years. After graduating, Selleke enrolled in Michigan States law school, going for pre-law and political science and it set to start taking law classes in the spring of 2021. At school, Selleke worked in state representative Doug Wozniaks office, but since he has been home since March while taking online classes, he has had more time to create new kinds of beer to brew. We use locally sourced honey from McCoys (Sweet Bee Honey) and locally grown hops, Selleke said. We use a lot of fruit from the county. Its all local ingredients. Huco Brew Co. currently has 11 beers on tap, with plans for up to 17 different varieties available and 10 different kinds of wine, which Susan makes. Selleke said the Honey Kolsch is the most popular variety they sell, with the beer mostly sold in growlers and howlers. The building Huco occupies is over 100 years old and used to be a warehouse, with the interior made up of taxidermized animals donated from hunting clubs and the wood inside from Amish workers. The beer is made in the back of the building, with each batch of beer taking between one and two weeks to make. When restaurants like Angelinas had to close during the pandemic, Selleke said that the community supported them thanks to carry out sales from pizzas, beer, and wine. They have expanded their options to include ribs, pasta, lasagna, and wings. I love the community, Selleke said. Its fantastic and you get to know everyone in the area. Angelina's Eatery and the Huco Brew Co. are located at 2212 E. Main St. in Ubly. A Croatian gay couple fostered two children after a legal battle becoming the first same-sex couple to be granted the right in the largely Catholic country, an activist said Monday. Croatia, a European Union member since 2013, has seen a gradual liberalisation of gay rights in recent years. Gay couples have been able to register as life partners since 2014, a status that grants them most of the same rights as married couples. In February, the top court ruled that gay couples also had the right to foster children -- a matter that was in dispute because they were not included in a 2018 law on the issue. It paved the way for life partners Ivo Segota and Mladen Kozic from Zagreb to foster children after the bitter legal fight since 2017 during which they were ping-ponged between a social welfare centre, the social policy ministry and the courts. "Our members Ivo and Mladen are very happy with new members of their household," said Daniel Martinovic, head of Rainbow Families, a group of same-sex parents. Children arrived in their home a few weeks ago and the official announcement was made by the association on Monday. "This gives us hope that things in our country can still change," Martinovic said and pledged to fight for a "full marital and family equality" notably the right to adopt children. "There is no child for whom would be better to spend his childhood in a home for orphans than with the support of adults, including of two men." In Croatia, where the Catholic Church remains immensely influential, religious groups have campaigned to restrict legislation on abortion access as well as on fostering and adoption for LGBT people. One opinion poll suggested almost two-thirds of Croatians still oppose same-sex couples fostering children. The top reason cited was that a child needed both a "mother and father" to be properly raised. Gay and transgender people still face threats or are forced underground in Croatia and other Balkan nations. Arizona News Chandler, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that a State Grand Jury indicted Mikal Lee Smith on charges of Conspiracy, Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Money Laundering in the First Degree, Pandering, Receiving Earnings of a Prostitute, Sex Trafficking, and Threatening or Intimidating. His co-defendant, Aprel Mae Rasmussen, was indicted on charges of Conspiracy, Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Money Laundering in the First Degree, and Pandering. Between December 2018 and September 2019, Smith and Rasmussen are accused of operating and maintaining an illegal prostitution enterprise. It is alleged that Smith and Rasmussen induced and encouraged an adult female victim to engage in acts of prostitution for over two months. Smith purportedly used constant surveillance and threats of retaliation to keep the victim under his control. A detective with Chandler Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant Attorney General Rachel Nava is prosecuting this case. All defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. If you are the victim of human trafficking or if you suspect someone may be the victim of human traffickers, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to: BeFree (233733). The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline is a national, toll-free hotline, available to answer calls from anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 200 languages. The Philippines will meet with Australian manufacturers for a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Queensland as the Southeast Asian nation expands its search for supplies to combat the regions biggest outbreak. The nation did not reach a commitment with Pfizer Inc. during a meeting last Friday as a law restricts pre-ordering without the products yet," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual briefing. The Philippines also wont be able to join Pfizers clinical trials, which are expected to finish by end-October. Philippine infections rose 2,839 to 237,365 cases while Covid deaths increased 85 to 3,875, according to data released on Sunday by the nations health department. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Merkel says sanctions on Nord Stream 2 over Navalny poisoning not ruled out 18:35, 07.09.20 1637 Maas has voiced hope that Russia, by refusing to probe into Navalny's poisoning, will not "force" Germany to change its stance on the pipe. 'We are in talks with allies to boost our armed forces,' government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters Greece plans to acquire arms, boost its armed forces and revamp its defence industry, the government's spokesman said on Monday, as tensions with NATO ally Turkey over energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean grow. Greece, which emerged from its third international bailout in 2018 and has been struggling with the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis, wants to spend part of its multi-billion euro cash reserves on its defence sector. "We are in talks with allies to boost our armed forces," government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters, adding that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will outline his plans during an annual economic policy speech on Saturday. A Greek government official told Reuters last week that Greece is in talks with France and other countries over the acquisition of fighter jets. Greece has also been trying for more than a decade to consolidate and privatise its loss-making defence companies. Mitsotakis will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Corsica on Thursday, before a Southern European leaders summit (MED7) on the French island of Corsica. The two leaders are expected to discuss the European Union's strained relationship with Turkey, Macron's office said. Petas said that cooperation in the defence sector between the two countries will also be on the agenda. Turkey and Greece have long disagreed over the extent of their continental shelves. Tensions rose last month after Ankara sent an exploration vessel into disputed waters, accompanied by warships, days after Greece signed a maritime deal with Egypt. Ankara has since been extending the vessel's work in the wider region, issuing advisories which Athens calls illegal. The Greek conservative leader discussed the latest twists in the row with European Council President Charles Michel, who chairs summits of EU leaders, during a phone call on Monday. Michel will visit Athens on Sept. 15, Petsas said. Search Keywords: Short link: A general view taken on August 25, 2014 shows a crater on the Yamal Peninsula, northern Siberia. VASILY BOGOYAVLENSKY/AFP via Getty Images A colossal, 164-feet deep crater which has suddenly opened up on Siberia's Arctic tundra could be the result of a climate change-induced explosion, scientists say. The giant crater was discovered by a Russian television crew earlier this summer who were flying over the Yamal peninsula in Siberia on an unrelated assignment. A team of scientists, who have been studying these types of craters for years, say it could be the result of a huge explosion that was caused by the build of methane underneath the ground. The explosions can occur when methane builds up in underground pockets, which then bubble up due to thawing permafrost. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A massive 164-feet deep crater that has suddenly opened up on Siberia's Arctic tundra could result from a climate change-induced explosion, scientists studying these formations have said. The crater was accidentally discovered by a Russian film crew earlier this summer as they were flying over the Yamal peninsula in Siberia on an unrelated assignment. A group of scientists, who have since visited the site, said that the hole most likely formed because of a huge explosion caused by the build of methane underneath the ground a process otherwise known as cryovolcanism. Related: Climate change may increase animal-to-human diseases "As of now, there is no exhaustive theory for the formation of these craters," Evgeny Chuvilin, a lead research scientist at Russia's Skoltech Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery who studied a similar crater found in the same the region two years ago, told Newsweek. "The explosive events behind them are too rare and too hard to catch in the act to study properly: a fresh crater usually 'lives' for just one to two years, and these are remote areas with little observation, although that has been changing due to remote sensing and exploration of Yamal," he added. Two-thirds of the Russian territory consists of permafrost, which is a huge natural reservoir of the potent greenhouse gas, methane. Story continues Scientists believe that methane gets trapped within deep pockets of unfrozen ground, called "cryopegs." The built-up methane puts an immense amount of pressure on the ground, so once the permafrost over it begins to thaw, it becomes unstable and can cause massive explosions. As temperatures rise across the world and the climate warms, melting permafrost is becoming more common and therefore leading to more crater formations, the scientists say. "Climate change might also be one factor in these cryovolcanic processes, as excessive warming in the top permafrost layer can arguably contribute to these explosions. But this is still something that requires a lot of careful research," said Chuvilin, according to Newsweek. The crater is at least the ninth of its kind spotted in the region since 2013. Chuvilin and his team have been going down these craters for several years to determine how they form. But the scientists must do their work which requires ascending down the holes with climbing gear as quickly as possible, as the craters usually turn into lakes within two years, CNN reported. "The main issue with these craters is how incredibly fast, geologically, they form and how short-lived they are before they turn into lakes," Chuvilin said, according to CNN. "Finding one in the remote Arctic is always a stroke of luck for scientists." Chuvilin, who says the newest crater is one of the biggest they've found so far, promised that his team would publish more detailed information on the natural phenomenon in an upcoming scientific journal. Read the original article on Insider Mumbai, Sep 7 : Actress Kriti Sanon on Monday penned her mantra on Instagram, and urged people not to consider it a cryptic post. "My mantra. P.S.: This is not a 'cryptic' post! It isn't for or against anyone! Sometimes things are just that simple. Sometimes there is actually NOTHING between the lines! "I write because I like penning my thoughts or poetic ideas. What you interpret actually depends on you, and not me," she wrote. "You can never please anyone, So don't even try. As long as you know your truth, As long as your heart is in sync with your conscience, As long as you still like the person you wake up as, And you understand the one you see in the mirror, You'll find the peace in any storm," Kriti's mantra read. Kriti has been sharing her thoughts on social media for a while now. Recently, people treated one of her posts as "cryptic" and linked it with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery New Delhi: The State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday said it proposes to recruit 14,000 employees during the current year and its 'on tap VRS' is not a cost-cutting exercise. The country's largest lender has planned a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) under which about 30,190 employees are eligible. The proposed VRS is not a cost-cutting exercise, an SBI spokesperson said in a statement. The bank "has been employee-friendly and is expanding its operations and requires people, which is evidenced by the fact that Bank has plans of recruiting more than 14,000 employees this year", the statement added. SBI has an existing workforce of around 2.50 lakh and it has been at the forefront of serving employee needs and assisting them in their life journey, it said. "In this backdrop, it was thought to provide a congenial solution to employees who expressed the desire for making a strategic shift in their vocations, either due to professional growth limitations, mobility issues, physical health conditions or family situations," the statement said. The bank further said it is deeply desirous of skilling the unemployed youth of the country, "as is evidenced by the fact that we are the only bank in the country which has onboarded Apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Scheme of Government of India." As per the draft scheme, 'Second Innings Tap VRS-2020' will be opened to all permanent officers and staff who have put in 25 years of service or completed 55 years of age on the cut-off date. Earlier on Monday, Congress leader P Chidambaram slammed the proposed VRS. "News reports say that SBI plans to implement a VRS scheme as an 'economic measure'. In normal times the plan would be debatable. In these abnormal times, when the economy has collapsed and jobs are scarce, it is cruel," Chidambaram tweeted. If India's biggest lender has to shed jobs, imagine what other big employers and MSMEs are doing, he added. "The plan is ostensibly voluntary but we know that subtle pressure will be brought on the employees that the Bank wants to get rid of. If the current rules provide for genuine voluntary retirement, why announce a new plan and give out an exact number like 30,190?" he said. The new National Education Policy (NEP) focuses on passion, practicality and performance, and is a major step towards moving away from a one size fits all approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he emphasised that maximum flexibility should be shown in implementing it. Speaking at the Governors Conference on Education, Modi said NEP was accepted nationwide as it was brought after elaborate discussions and consultations with people. He said the policy belonged to the nation and should be implemented collectively. The interference of the government in education policy should be kept at a minimum. The more teachers, parents and students are involved in it, the more relevant it becomes, the PM said. This is not a governments NEP but the peoplesthe countrys education policyhe added. While referring to the importance of vocational education in the new policy, Modi said for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), skill development was key. The NEP focuses more on learning than study. It focuses more on practically, passion and performance. In one way, this is a major step towards getting rid of the one size fits all approach to our education system, he said. For a very long time, our children have been bogged down by social pressure and the weight of school bags. These issues have been dealt with in the NEP, the PM said. The NEP was approved by the Union Cabinet in July to replace the 34-year-old National Policy on Education framed in 1986 and is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems. But some of the sweeping reforms proposed -- such as teaching up to Class 5 in a childs mother tongue or a single regulator for higher education institutions -- have been criticised by opposition parties. In his speech, the PM said because such a major reform was being ushered in, it was natural for people to have doubts. We have to collectively address all doubts. The vision of flexibility with which this policy was brought... We will have to show in a similar way maximum flexibility in implementing it, he told the conference. He suggested appropriate flexibility in the implementation of the policy. Before September 25, there should be several virtual conferences so that our understanding of NEP keeps improving, he said. The conference was also attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, and governors and education ministers of XXXX states. In his speech, Kovind said both Centre and states will have to increase funding in research and innovation to give impetus to a large economy like India. To give impetus to a large and vibrant economy like India, it is necessary to encourage knowledge-creation and research. The central and state governments will have to increase the percentage of investment in research and innovation, he said. Bengal opposes NEP Bengal said it will not implement the NEP as the policy undermined the countrys federal structure while Tamil Nadu opposed a proposal to make National Testing Agency as only body for conducting entrance examination to all higher education institutions. Jharkhand opposed the policy saying it would be lead to further privatisation of education. Bihar sought Central financial assistance to meet objectives of NEP. States ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the policy, saying it would transform the education sector and make students ready for the job market. Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee said he objected to the Centres decision of not including Bengali in the list of classical languages. There is no question of implementing NEP in the state for the time being. More discussions need to be held on the matter with all stakeholders. We have expressed our reservations about certain aspects of the NEP, as they undermine the countrys federal structure and the role of the states, he told reporters after the meeting. Tamil Nadu higher education minister K P Anbalagan opposed the National Testing Agency holding all entrance examinations saying it would discourage rural students. Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren said NEP encouraged more privatisation and commercialisation of education. Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel, who also holds additional charge of Madhya Pradesh, said both states have constituted task force to study the NEP and will submit its recommendations shortly on how to implement the policy. President Akufo-Addo has left Ghana for the 57th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit being held in Niger. A statement from the Presidency said Mr Akufo-Addo departed Ghana on Monday, 7th September 2020, to lead the Ghanaian delegation to the 57th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, which is being held in Niamey, capital of the Republic of Niger. The meeting of the Heads of State will discuss matters such as the COVID-19 situation in West Africa, the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme, and the political impasse in Mali. Additionally, they will also consider reports from the 44th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level, and the 84th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which preceded the Summit, the statement indicated. President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway MP; Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta; Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, and officials of the Presidency and the Foreign Ministry, it said. The President will return to Ghana on Monday, 7th September 2020, and, in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead. ---Daily Guide Pacific Gas and Electric Co. cut power to nearly 171,000 customers across Northern California, including parts of Sonoma and Napa counties late Monday and early Tuesday as the utility company braces for intense winds that could damage its equipment and potentially spark new wildfires. Electrical services might not resume until late Wednesday, though if winds die down earlier than anticipated it could be sooner. As many as 172,000 customers across the state could lose power as the utility responds to forecasts of strong winds beginning late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. Combined with bone-dry vegetation and continuing heat, there are red flag warnings across much of the state, with extreme fire risk. The shut-offs are meant to reduce the risk of the utilitys equipment igniting a fire. This round of shut-offs, affecting 22 counties in all, comes amid several large wildfires, an extreme heat wave, poor air quality and the COVID-19 pandemic, making them even more difficult to deal with than in previous years. As of Tuesday morning, PG&Es outage map showed scores of planned outages in effect across the Sierra Nevada, stretching from Shasta County to Tuolumne County. A flare-up of the Walbridge Fire in the Russian River area of Sonoma County prompted a new mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation warnings Monday night for areas west of Healdsburg. Cal Fire said the evacuations came after new activity kicked up on the fire, which is part of the LNU Complex. Cal Fire said forward progress on the flare-ups had been stopped. Earlier evacuation orders in the area had been lifted. The electricity cuts are to include 15,000 households and businesses in Santa Rosa, which works out to about 45,000 people. An additional 2,633 customers in Sonoma Countys unincorporated areas also are set to lose their electricity. In Napa County, about 5,000 customers in and around Calistoga will be shut down, PG&E officials said. The estimated time for the shut-offs for both North Bay counties was 3 a.m. Tuesday, though its subject to change based on weather. The utility anticipated shutting off power between 9 p.m. and midnight in other parts of Northern California, though the times will depend on when the winds arrive. The counties affected include: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Kern, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne and Yuba. Aaron Johnson, vice president of wildfire safety and public engagement at PG&E, acknowledged all that California is facing right now and said the decision to shut off power is necessary to protect public safety. To mitigate the hardships, the utility plans to set up 47 centers in 17 counties where residents can access charging stations, water and snacks. Utility officials said all of the centers will require face masks, check peoples temperatures, enforce social distancing rules and regularly sanitize surfaces. We know that (public safety power shut-offs are) an important wildfire safety tool, Johnson said. But losing power is disruptive for everyone and can cause significant hardship, especially in the current environment. PG&E has shut off power in an attempt to prevent utility-caused wildfires since 2018, a year after downed or damaged electrical equipment sparked fires in Wine Country. In 2019, several intentional blackouts left hundreds of thousands of customers without power for days, stoking anger among lawmakers and residents. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Meanwhile, much of the Bay Area baked Monday during day two of a punishing heat wave that has seen daily records fall in several cities. Although San Francisco and areas around the coast were getting some relief with ocean breezes, Oakland had hit 96 degrees by 3 p.m., surpassing the previous record high of 93 degrees on Sept. 7, 1957. Livermore also looked to be on its way to setting a daily record at 111 degrees, said Drew Peterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The areas away from the immediate coast are still cooking, Peterson said. The intense heat is expected to stay until at least Tuesday and then dissipate throughout the remainder of the week. Over the weekend, many in the Bay Area sought refuge at coastal beaches, filling up parking lots and hiking down to the water. Mayor London Breed denounced the more than 1,000 people who gathered on Ocean Beach Saturday night to celebrate Burning Man, a weeklong festival in the Nevada desert that was canceled this year because of the pandemic. Breed said on Twitter that the city was closing the beachs parking lots Sunday and that law enforcement would be present. She called Saturdays gathering reckless and selfish. On Sunday, heat records for Sept. 6 fell throughout the Bay Area, including 100 degrees in downtown San Francisco; 102 in downtown Oakland; and 110 in Napa. Also showing record heat were Livermore, Richmond, Kentfield, Redwood City, Half Moon Bay, San Jose and Gilroy. Cynthia Dizikes is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cdizikes@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @CDizikes New Delhi, Sep 7 : The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) or Great Indian Bast*** this was the main concern of the Indian delegation that was participating in the XIIth conference of the 'International Council for Bird Preservation' meeting in Tokyo in May 1960, where the idea was born that each country should designate its own 'national bird'. Our politically correct babus were petrified that people would mispronounce the Bustard's name as Bast***. And the poor bird lost its first battle. Legendary ornithologist Salim Ali had recommended Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps) as the 'national bird' of India. "The purpose was to pinpoint public interest and attention to some particular species that stood in the greatest need of protection in each country, especially where it was threatened with extinction owing to public apathy or direct human persecution. The Great Indian Bustard is a species that merits this distinction. This Bustard is a large and spectacular bird, indigenous to India, whose numbers, in spite of the legislative ban on its killing, are dwindling at an alarming rate due to poaching by vandalistic gunners and also encroachment upon its natural habitats. It needs an urgent nation-wide effort to save the bird from its impending doom," appealed Ali. Unfortunately, Ali's warning went unheeded and India chose the beautiful peacock as the National Bird in 1962 and the GIB lost to its more colourful cousin because of its name. Despite the Bird Man, Salim Ali's, several appeals, nothing was done. In India, the bird was historically found in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Today it is restricted to isolated pockets of Gujarat and Rajasthan (shared with Pakistan). In 1969, the population of this bird was 1,260 adults. And now? It's about 150 and its presence restricted to the Kutch of Gujarat and Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. In February, the UN wildlife conference had accepted India's proposals to include the Great Indian Bustard, the Asian elephant, and the Bengal florican in a list of migratory species targeted for enhanced transboundary conservation efforts. This was the time for me to meet GIB. A chance to click the endangered bird. Together with veteran wildlife photographer and guide Kamal Sahansi, we reached Sum, about 40 km from Jaisalmer in search of the GIB. To our dismay, we found that the Desert National Park (DNP) was closed indefinitely for the public. Reason, the authorities were still searching and collecting eggs of GIB scattered in DNP under the Species Recovery Programme. Conservationists hope the GIB chicks will eventually become fully grown adults and survive in the wild. We were now forced to take another route to catch a glimpse of the great bird. Our effort yielded success. After a two-hour bumpy drive through unmarked roads in the Thar desert and scrubs, we decided to disembark and climb the nearby dunes on foot. After the third dune had been climbed, we got the glimpse of four majestic GIB's in an open field. They stood out for their proud gait, long white fur necks and blackish crowns. And there also were chinkaras (Indian Gazelle) around. It was sheer luck to watch Rajasthan's state bird and animal together in single visual sweep. GIB is the heaviest flying bird in the world. An omnivore, it is a friend of farmers as it loves eating insects. Locals call them 'Godawan'. The GIB is a magnificent bird with males sometimes as tall as 5 feet and weighing 15-17 kilos. The GIB is a k-selected species, which in layman's terms means a species that invests significant energy in one offspring at a time, and has a relatively long life span. They can live for up to 40 years, and females produce one chick a year. According to the IUCN Red List (the world's most comprehensive inventory of the conservation status of species), the GIB critically endangered. In India, this state bird of Rajasthan is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. The bird flies across the border to Pakistan-part of its natural habitat. Once across the border, it is punished for this folly-and for its name. The Red List report for 2017 raised alarm over rampant poaching of the bustards in Pakistan, stating, "Current levels of hunting may result in the extinction of even the largest western Indian population in the next 15-20 years." It noted that "high-intensity poaching still continues in Pakistan, where 49 birds were hunted of 63 that were sighted over a period of four years." On February 21, 2020, during the UN sponsored Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMSCOP13), of which Pakistan is also a party, India asked Pakistan to work on conserving the GIB: "We are greatly worried about its killing and poaching that is taking place in Pakistan. Now when GIB has been included in appendix one of the CMS, it is the duty of all parties to this treaty, even mandatory, to do their bit for conservation." Too late. Still there is hope. Last year five chicks and in April this year, two chicks, were born-the first GIB births in captivity through artificial hatching. The species recovery programme is part of the Rajasthan government's plan to steadily build up a population of 25 bustards in captivity and release them in the wild. The GIB project is a joint effort of the Rajasthan wildlife department, Dehradun's Wildlife Institute of India, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC). Hopefully, in the near future we will see more GIBs as concerned agencies are working on a war footing to save this species. Authorities have also radio tagged a few GIBs as it is suspected that it flies into neighboring Pakistan and gets hunted there. The money and resources are available, it just needs the political will. Not saving the Great Indian Bustard will be a dreadful failure. It would be the first species in India since the Cheetah and the pink-headed duck to pass into oblivion. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) DECATUR City council members are due to decide Tuesday whether they are willing to spend more than $576,000 on increased design costs necessary to push forward with one of the most extensive and expensive traffic projects in Decaturs history. At issue is the Brush College/Faries Parkway Grade Separation Project. This ambitious project would separate road and train traffic by a bridge elevating Brush College over Faries Parkway and relieve massive holdups and congestion. The project is due to be put out for construction bids in April. But significant looming financial roadblocks keep getting in the way. The first is the engineering design costs. Originally pegged at more than $3.3 million, they were to be reimbursed by money awarded from the states Freight Funds and Illinois Grade Crossing Protection Funds. But City Manager Scot Wrighton will tell council members at their Tuesday evening meeting that the design bill has jumped by another $576,000. Wrighton said the increase was driven by adding extra roadway to the plans, upgrading retaining wall specifications and further complicated by unforeseen drainage design problems, among other issues. The question for council members is whether they are willing to authorize the extra design payment (to be paid out of the citys allocation of state motor fuel tax funds) to keep the engineering work and the project on track. Wrighton said the city is already seeking reimbursement from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Commerce Commission to cover the additional design costs. But there are no guarantees that will happen. When asked by the Herald & Review if, potentially, the city could be left with the extra bill, Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth said yes. He also pointed out that a more detailed and complete design is a crucial step to nailing down a realistic view of the final construction costs for the project, another area giving cause for concern. Briefing documents listed the bill to build the entire project at $25.35 million back in 2013, with most of that cost met by state-distributed federal funds. Now, with 60 percent of the design work in the bag, a more realistic cost estimate has ballooned to more than $42 million, a jump of 67 percent. The briefing documents say the city is fighting a rearguard action to try and bring down that bill. The city is appealing, for example, to state and federal railroad regulators to rein in what are described as excessive demands from railroads for changes in project design and rerouting of existing railroad tracks. Kindseth said the city is also asking for additional funding from state-allocated federal dollars and trying to identify other funding sources to help swallow the projects rising costs. But, again, there is no guarantee how much additional money will be found to help out. The city has not committed to the project beyond the design of it, said Kindseth. So should construction costs just become too extraordinary and there are no identifiable funding sources, the city will ultimately have to decide are we going to move forward with the construction of it? In other business due to be discussed at Tuesdays meeting, members will again consider rezoning changes for 1326-1336 West Eldorado Street, the current home of Temple BNai Abraham, and the adjoining 1308 W, Eldorado, home of the Decatur Fire Departments Station 3. The synagogues dwindling congregation want to sell their building and want it rezoned to permit light retail development to make the lot more sellable. The city is getting ready to build a new fire station on nearby Fairview Plaza, and city staff proposed including the fire station lot in the rezoning to make the whole area more appealing to potential developers. Council members balked at this in a meeting in July, worried that any commercial development might spoil the approach road to scenic Fairview Park. They voted to table the zoning changes to give more time for public comment, but Wrighton will tell them no written or official objections have been received. FROM THE ARCHIVES: The A.E. Staley Viaduct through the years Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A newly created wildfire research center at San Jose State University seeks to develop advanced tools to forecast wildfire behavior and help California firefighters and forest management officials better respond to blazes throughout the state. The Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center will also increase the monitoring of fire weather conditions, and research the impacts of fires in a social science perspective on the community, said Craig Clements, professor of meteorology and director of the center. University officials said the newly formed center is the largest interdisciplinary wildfire research center of its kind in the United States. The center is housed in the College of Science and is a collaborative, interdisciplinary undertaking with faculty from the College of Social Sciences and the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering. The centers scientists specialize in a number of areas such as fire ecology, fire and fluid dynamics, wildfire behavior modeling and wildfire meteorology, wildfire remote sensing and wildfire management and policy. New faculty joining San Jose State for the center are: Adam Kochanski, Amanda M. Stasiewicz, Ali Tohidi and Kate Wilkin. A fifth faculty member, whose name has not been released, will join the team in January. That professor specializes in wildfire remote sensing and monitoring wildfire behavior and developing novel airborne remote sensing technologies, university officials said. Other existing San Jose State faculty in the center are Clements, Patrick Brown and Mike Voss. Each professor joining the center is teaching two classes in his or her respective field and simultaneously preparing proposals for future classes in various fire specialties. Some are building their respective laboratories on campus including a combustion lab to conduct burn experiments as conditions allow, Clements said. The team met for the first time in person only recently, and members have hosted weekly Zoom calls. The labs are going to take a while because of COVID. Its pretty complicated, but it is what it is, Clements said. He said some of the tools that the team has already started exploring, including its advanced, wildfire behavior prediction system, can help explain extreme fire behaviors that were observing now because of climate change. This model, co-developed by Kochanski, assistant professor of wildfire management in the Department of Environmental Studies, is just one of the models the team hopes to employ. Most wildfire prediction modeling systems that are used by Cal Fire and so-called fire behavior analysts on fires are these somewhat outdated tools. They work, but what they neglect is the interaction of the fire and the atmosphere, so they cant generate fire behaviors, Clements said. They can estimate spotting, but they cant show where those embers may go, or how far they would be traveling. So thats the unique thing about this modeling system. Clements, who is also the director of San Jose States Fire Weather Research Laboratory, said he and his team are fire-line qualified, which means that they are listed on the national Resource Ordering and Status System as being qualified to go behind fire lines, which they have done in recent years. Incident commanders handling response to fires dip into this resource system and can request specific crews to respond, Clements said. Clements said he received a call from Cal Fire officials in mid-August asking for his teams opinion on what they could expect for the day related to forecasts of the fires. He said he supported the Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit with which he said he frequently collaborates and assists and said his team also deployed a radar truck to the CZU Lightning Complex in late August. We got some radar data, but we didnt go out after that, Clements said. In a separate, recent conversation with regional meteorologists analyzing the fires, Clements said he informed them of his teams up-and-running fuel moisture model and forecast tool, which allows them to see how much water is in plants. Thats a really important aspect in fire danger. I sent them the demo version of our modeling tools, so they can see some of these data, Clements said. Now are they gonna totally rely on it? No. Is maybe it something theyre using? I dont know. Did we get some thanks? Yeah, we did. They said, Oh thanks. This is great. But I have no idea if they are actually, you know, continuously looking at that because meteorologists and fire behavior analysts have their tools that they feel comfortable with. Theyre not gonna switch over overnight. But its another tool in their tool set. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The team has two customized trucks equipped with Doppler radar and one truck equipped with Doppler lidar. University officials said these are the only mobile fire weather units in the country. Clements said the Doppler lidar truck which had already been deployed to Butte Countys deadly Camp Fire in 2018 can measure the atmosphere above the truck, track fine smoke particles and do wind profiles and is equipped with an advanced service weather station and weather balloon system. The Doppler radar truck which was deployed to the Kincade and Briceburg fires in 2019, and the CZU Lightning Complex can diagnose plume dynamics of blazes, can measure wind and debris, and has further range that allows for reconnaissance in a fire environment, Clements said. The trucks are outfitted for these environments with four-wheel drive, they are lifted, they have areas to keep firefighting tools and fire shelters. Tohidi, assistant professor of fire and fluid dynamics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is an expert in wildfire spread and spot fire ignition. Tohidi developed a spotting prediction system called the ember transport model, which helps in predicting the way embers are blown in the wind, and how they ignite other fuels, Clements said. Clements said the team hopes to integrate Tohidis model into Kochanskis model, so that it can provide tools that can be operational and helpful for wildfire managers responding to fires and complexes in the state. College of Science Dean Michael Kaufman said in a statement that the new center is needed now more than ever before, saying that wildfires have scorched Californias landscape, burning millions of acres, injuring and killing hundreds of people and causing billions of dollars in damages. He said interdisciplinary solutions are required to appropriately find solutions for those challenges. Stasiewicz, assistant professor of wildfire management in the Department of Environmental Studies, will analyze the impacts of the coronavirus on firefighter camps, evacuation centers and wildfire management. Clements said she also plans on developing user-friendly, not super-technical interfaces for fire modeling tools that firefighters can use in the field. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept.7 By Azer Ahmadbayli Trend: After the collapse of the USSR, maintaining influence in the post-Soviet space has always been considered one of the main priorities of the Russian Federation. The plans to destroy Russia as the largest and richest (in terms of natural resources) state in the world, according to Moscow, have not disappeared, and the post-Soviet republics are a kind of the last geographic (geopolitical) frontier protecting Russia from a potentially hostile space (NATO). Therefore, stability in the former Soviet republics bordering on Russia is an important condition for ensuring the security of Russia itself, and one of the tasks of its foreign policy. Recently, new circumstances have emerged that may pose a potential threat to stability of not only the South Caucasus, but also Russia. Planes flying from Beirut with Lebanese Armenians on board arrived in Yerevan. According to the regional media outlets, their settlement in Nagorno Karabakh has begun. Judging by the way the plotters of the Armenian far-fetched moves are accustomed to act, at the initial stage everything looks rather harmless - as a purely humanitarian action and care for compatriots. However, coupled with plans to build roads and infrastructure, as well as residential settlements directly in the occupied territories (especially, Gubadli, Zangilan and Kalbajar districts of Azerbaijan), satellite images of which were recently provided by Azercosmos, it becomes obvious that the settlement of Armenians there is a deliberately planned powerful irritant factor for Azerbaijan. Why is all this being done? The background is not immediately apparent. The main goal is not only the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, which the Armenians finally decided not to return, but Russia. Such conclusion can be explained. In Lebanon, which, by the way, is often called the Middle Eastern Switzerland, an Armenian community of about 160,000 people has lived (and does not live in poverty) in a warm Mediterranean climate for more than a century. The Armenian deputies of the Lebanese parliament and the Armenian ministers of the Lebanese government are some kind of indicator of the Armenian communitys authority in this Arab country. The terrible explosion in Lebanons capital Beirut, according to the Armenian media outlets, left 13 Armenians killed and 300 wounded. But, this doesnt look like a reason to promptly leave ones habitual place. Nobody, except for the Armenians, began to leave Lebanon, especially since the aid was being provided, and the EU, on behalf of France and Germany, guaranteed the provision of significant financial support to the Lebanese government. While the rate of migration of the population from Armenia itself remains consistently high, the resettlement of the Lebanese Armenians looks more than strange. Its very difficult to believe in the sincerity of even the poorest sober-minded Lebanese Armenian, who decided to snap and move to a completely devastated foreign territory, where bullets are flying, and which he will sooner or later lose. The change in climate, lifestyle, field of activity (Lebanese Armenians are mostly not farmers) hardly counts as the search for a better life, as it was during the development of America. What is it then? Yes, changing the demographic balance in Nagorno Karabakh or the arrival there under the guise of migrants of Armenian militants from Lebanon (and other Middle Eastern countries) to conduct hostilities, as many analysts write, are also the goal of the Armenians, but these are tactical goals. The resettlement of Lebanese (and before that Syrian) Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh means the emergence of an alien Middle Eastern element in the South Caucasus and the transfer of Middle Eastern ties, including terrorist ones, to the post-Soviet space. Armenia has been tasked to turn the Caucasus into a second Middle East. The strategic goal is the destabilization and collapse of Russia. The absence of an immediate response from the international community to the settlement of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, which is a direct violation of international laws, gives one more reason to assume that this is not a spontaneous process, and that there is a powerful force behind it, which gave the command not to take serious actions against Armenia. The calculation is unmistakable: Azerbaijan will not silently observe the illegal settlement of its historically and legally recognized territories, and sooner or later will sharp reaction to the actions of Armenia, using its right to liberate the occupied territories. This will be the beginning of a series of tragic events and, as a result, complete destabilization of the situation in the South Caucasus. Further, its quite likely that the fire of the war will also affect the Russian North Caucasus. A big war on the borders of Russia or already on its border territories is what the West needs. At the same time, the goal will be achieved to put Russia and Turkey on opposite sides of the barricades, since their cooperation is the Achilles' heel of the West. Russia is a large and strong country, and large and strong countries do not immediately feel the potential danger, relying on inertia on a sense of self-confidence. But sometimes it happens that even a huge bear, having received a small wound, eventually dies from blood poisoning. The conflict in Nagorno Karabakh was the first destructive impetus to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now a similar scenario may be realized once again. Armenia is fulfilling a new order of overseas patrons - to kindle the fire of a big war in the Caucasus region. One can ask: what is the benefit of this for Armenia? The Armenians are sure, or rather, they were convinced that after the collapse of Russia, they will be helped to change again the borders in the region and finally become "Great Armenia". South Africa: COVID-19 deaths hit 14 889, while cases rise to 638 517 South Africa recorded 1 633 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday compared to 1 806 on Saturday. According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, there are now 638 517 cumulative confirmed cases since the country recorded its first case in March 2020. Meanwhile, 110 more people succumbed to the novel Coronavirus which brings the death toll to 14 889. Of the additional fatalities, 38 are in Mpumalanga, 31 in KwaZulu-Natal, 24 in Gauteng, nine in the Free State, seven in the Eastern Cape and one in the Western Cape. Also, 563 891 patients have recuperated, while 3 800 190 have been tested of which 16 367 were performed in the last 24 hours. Gauteng remains the hardest-hit province with 212 898 cases followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 114 824, Western Cape 107 187 and the Eastern Cape with 86 849 cases. The least affected provinces are the Free State with 39 781 cases, North West 26 245, Mpumalanga 25 076, Limpopo 13 734 and the Northern Cape with 11 923 cases. World ranking The Minister said government is encouraged to see some key indicators showing improvement in the state of the pandemic in the country. In the world ranking of a total number of cases per country, we have dropped from the fifth position to seventh position, Mkhize wrote on Friday. Decline in active cases, unnatural deaths In addition, the number of active cases is steadily declining, while there is a high recovery rate stands at 88%. The testing positivity rate continues to decline as well, now at 11% nationally on the 12th of July, corresponding more or less with the peak of our pandemic, we recorded the highest positivity rate at 30%. Despite South Africa ranked seventh in terms of the number of positive cases, the country has the 13th highest death toll in the world. Meanwhile, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) reported that unnatural deaths continue to drop although this decline has slowed down. On the other hand, it would be remiss of me not to inform the public that the same report indicated that unnatural deaths have increased following the easing of alcohol restrictions unnatural deaths now exceed the SAMRC predicted number, he added. Social distancing Mkhize said government is very concerned to see videos on social media of people hosting large parties and going to shebeens, taverns and bars and violating the curfew. The Minister is pleading with citizens to continue observing health protocols such as social distancing, wearing of masks, sanitising and washing of hands. We also caution against sharing of drinks, cigarettes, cigars, shisha pipes or hubbly bubbly and so on. Be aware that if you do this you have directly put yourself at risk, he added. Mkhize has also warned that the threat of a second wave remains very real. We wish to plead with South Africans to adhere to the curfew and not to drink excessively and irresponsibly. Globally, there have been 26 763 217 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 876 616 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Mr Navalny, a fierce, high-profile critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was flown to Germany last month after falling ill on August 20 on a domestic flight in Russia. German chemical weapons experts say tests show the 44-year-old was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting the German government last week to demand that Russia investigate the case. The patient has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation, Berlins Charite hospital said in a statement. He is responding to verbal stimuli. It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning. It added that the decision to publicly release details of his condition was made in consultation with Mr Navalnys wife. Mr Navalny had been in an induced coma in the Berlin hospital since he was flown to Germany on August 22 for treatment. Advertisement News of his gradual recovery came as German Chancellor Angela Merkels office indicated that she might be willing to rethink the fate of a controversial German-Russian gas pipeline project a sign of Berlins growing frustration over Moscows stonewalling about the case. German authorities said last week that tests showed proof without doubt that Mr Navalny was poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group. British authorities identified the Soviet-era Novichok as the poison used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018. Russia has denied that the Kremlin was involved in poisoning Mr Navalny and accused Germany of failing to provide evidence about the poisoning that it requested in late August. German foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Sunday that the Russian reaction could determine whether Germany changes its long-standing backing for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which brings Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine. The chancellor also believes that its wrong to rule anything out, Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters on Monday after being asked about Mr Maass comments. Previously, Mrs Merkel had insisted on decoupling the Navalny case from the pipeline project, which the US strongly opposes. Advertisement In August, three US Republican senators threatened sanctions against the operator of a Baltic Sea port located in Mrs Merkels parliamentary constituency for its role as a staging post for ships involved in building Nord Stream 2. Mr Seibert cautioned that it was premature to expect Moscow to respond to the matter within a few days, but made it clear that Berlin wants answers soon. I cant express a clear, time-limited expectation, except that we are certainly not talking about months or the end of the year, he said. German diplomats rejected the Russian suggestion that Berlin was to blame for any delay in investigating the case, noting that Mr Navalny was first treated for suspected poisoning in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20. All evidence, witnesses, traces and so forth are in the place where the crime was committed, presumably somewhere in Siberia, said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger. The co-leader of Germanys opposition Green party, Robert Habeck, called on the government to take a stronger stance and bury the pipeline project. The project divides Europe, it is economically nonsensical and oversized, and it is wrong in security policy terms, Mr Habeck said. Completing it would mean that Russia can do what it wants. This signal must not be sent. Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian envoy to international organisations in Vienna, voiced suspicions about the timing of demands to link the pipeline with the Navalny case. Suspicious coincidence of Navalny case and the final stage of Nord Stream 2 construction, which some states desperately want to be closed. I am not fond of conspiracy theories but it is obvious that the tragic events with Navalny are very timely and helpful for opponents of NS2, he tweeted. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:52:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The runoff parliamentary elections in nine provinces will be held on Friday, spokesperson for Iran's Elections Headquarters Esmail Mousavi announced on Monday. Mousavi said that the runoff parliamentary elections will be held in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Ilam, Alborz, Zanjan, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Golestan. Mousavi urged the voters to wear face masks and observe health protocols in the polling stations. The runoff parliamentary elections in Tehran and two other cities will be held next year with the nationwide presidential and city council elections. The first round of the parliamentary elections was held on Feb. 21, and the runoff should have been held on April 17 but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Enditem London, Sep 7 : A court in Saudi Arabia has commuted the death sentences of five people convicted over the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, state media said. The public prosecution said they were given 20-year jail terms because the journalist's family had pardoned them. Three others had their sentences of between seven and 10 years upheld, the BBC reported. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul by a team of Saudi agents. The Saudi government said the journalist was killed in a "rogue operation" and the following year Saudi prosecutors put 11 unnamed individuals on trial. Five were sentenced to death for directly participating in the killing; three were handed prison sentences for covering up the crime; and three were acquitted. The trial was dismissed as "the antithesis of justice" by a UN special rapporteur, who concluded that Khashoggi was "the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution" for which the Saudi state was responsible. -- With inputs from IANS The Covid-19 outbreak has restructured all dimensions of human life including mental and psychological phenomena. Because of the unexpected changes taking place in human life because of the pandemic, there is an optimum possibility of having a paradigm shift in choices and demands of people all over the world. The global tourism industry is also likely to have a transformation. Likely rise in spiritual tourism The World Health Organisation and American Psychological Association have described the Covid-19 pandemic not only as an epidemiological crisis but also as a psychological crisis which may lead to the following symptoms for humankind due to the enormity of living in isolation, changes in daily routine, job loss, financial hardship and grief over the death of loved ones. May lead to mental anxiety which includes excessive worry, emotional instability, sleeplessness and difficulties in concentration May lead to a panic attack which includes over-sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, a rapid increase in heartbeat rate, feeling choking and many more May lead to depression which includes lack of interest in anything, weight loss or gain, insomnia or excessive sleeping May lead to overtime spending on the internet and social media, isolating oneself from family and social interaction. Social stigmas associated with the virus may psychologically challenge the infected ones to get connected back with society and people. Yet, the impact of the virus can be analysed from various dimensions for various groups of people including children, elderly and youngsters. All these changes in the world and human life forecast a higher possibility of increased demand for mental relief, relaxation, peace and sense of solace across the world. This possibility is also going to provide a bigger opportunity for Nepal to redefine, establish and flourish spiritual and religious tourism. From the very starting point of tourism history here, Nepal has branded itself in the international market as a country of Mt Everest and Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha himself is an icon of spirituality in the world. The height of Everest can be reflected and manifested within the depth of spirituality in Nepal. Nepal itself being a birthplace of Lord Buddha possesses a higher possibility of being a hub for spiritual and religious tourism. What are spirituality and spiritual tourism? Most of the times, spirituality is defined as a concept associated with religion in opposition to science. But, in fact, spirituality and science are two complementary systems of knowledge. Religion without science has a possibility of changing into superstition and fanaticism whereas science without religion becomes just a tool for harsh materialism. So, spirituality itself is an inner science which offers techniques and mythologies for inner engineering of ones own mental and physical faculties which finally leads towards the perfection of mental and physical health, creating a tune of life. Spiritual tourism is that dimension of tourism which offers the sense of relaxation and relief to the guest by creating a distinctive mental and psychological experience. (After all, tourism is all about creating experiences.) These techniques and mythologies include yoga, meditation and various other forms of naturopathy. Spiritual tourism is motivated by the host creating an awesome inner experience for the guest so that the guest develops a sense of ecstasy, relaxation and relief. So, this would be a new experience and experiment for Nepal in particular and the world in general in the new normal. Nepals immense potential for spiritual tourism Before highlighting Nepals immense potential for spiritual and religious tourism from subjective and individual perspectives, lets look at some data from Tourism Statistics 2019 published by Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation. The data show that the number of tourists visiting Nepal for pilgrimage has remained significant every year, and is on the rise steadily. It proves spiritual and religious tourism can be a form of mainstream tourism in Nepal. Year Number Percentage of pilgrims out of total arrival 2015 14,996 2.78 2016 82,830 11 2017 141,633 15 2018 169,180 14.4 2019 171,937 14.36 Nepals immense possibility for spiritual and religious tourism can be defined from both religious and meditative perspectives. From a religious perspective, Nepal is a hub for both Buddhists and Hindus. Nepal as the birthplace of Lord Buddha could be a priority destination for Buddhists across the world. But, due to lack of sufficient activities in Lumbini and our inability to create our inner Buddhist circuit connecting all the places related with Buddha, Nepal has not fully exploited the benefits it could reap from this place. Places like Tilaurakot, Ramgram, Kapilvastu and many more have not been connected to tourism activities. This inability has turned Lumbini into just a one-day destination. Now, we need to connect religion and spirituality together; Lumbini should be rebranded as a spiritual destination also, not only a Buddhist religious destination. Lumbini should be developed as a place offering the tourists knowledge about methods and techniques of self-realisation in the form of meditation so that tourists can spend a week or a month in the desire of self-actualisation. Similarly, we can build many meditation centres within the Pashupati area so that strong followers of Lord Shiva may extend their length of stay in Nepal for meditation practices. We can create healing and recreational activities such as bhajans and aaratis in the area which eventually leads to business expansion in the area. Mountains of Nepal are said to be the land of yogis and seekers by many people in the world. Many seekers are said to have attained the stage of self-actualisation in the lap of Himalayas. Hence, it is fruitful for us to build many meditation centres in the countrys mountainous region. When we talk about spiritual tourism in Nepal, it does not only incorporate meditation and yoga. It can be enhanced and flourished even in the fields of astrology, Buddhist studies, Ayurveda, Tibetan medicine and tantric healing. Gautam is an officer at Nepal Tourism Board. Radio star Maz Compton is returning to the Hit Network - five years after the radio broadcaster unceremoniously dumped her from her 2Day FM show. The 40-year-old will join forces with Daniel' Gawndy' Gawned to host the early morning breakfast show across New South Wales. Maz, who will be covering for Ash Pollard during her maternity leave, commenced her eagerly anticipated return to airwaves on Monday morning. She's back! Radio star Maz Compton [pictured] is returning to the Hit Network - five years after the radio broadcaster unceremoniously dumped her from her 2Day FM show Speaking of the exciting news, a Southern Cross Austereo spokesperson said the broadcaster Hit Network is 'happy to welcome Maz Compton back'. They added: 'A big thank you to Ash for all her amazing work on air these past two years. 'We wish Ash all the very best for the pending arrival of her new baby and look forward to welcoming her back.' The 40-year-old will join forces with Daniel' Gawndy' Gawned [pictured together] to host the early morning breakfast show across New South Wales Back with a bang: Maz, who will be covering for Ash Pollard during her maternity leave, commenced her eagerly anticipated return to airwaves on Monday morning It was late 2015 when Maz and her former radio co-host Dan Debuf were replaced by Rove McManus and Sam Frost. A year later she explained she was on an airplane when her then co-star Dan texted her a link to a news article, revealing Rove McManus they were dumped from the show. 'So I got off the plane and I turned on my phone and Dan had sent me a text and I think the text said: "LOL" and it was a link to a newspaper article about how Rove McManus was taking over the Sydney breakfast show,' Maz told Game Changers: Radio podcast. 'I found out by text!' It was late 2015 when Maz and her former radio co-host Dan Debuf were replaced by Rove McManus and Sam Frost Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about her shock demotion at the time, Maz said: 'Of course I was disappointed, but it wasn't my decision.' 'It had nothing to do with how awesome our radio show is and was about the direction the company is going in, and I can't take that personally,' she said. It didn't take long before Rove & Sam suffered a massive decline in ratings, prompting 2DayFM to cancel their show in 2017. (Alliance News) - Bushveld Minerals Ltd and Invinity Energy Systems PLC on Monday said they have established a vanadium electrolyte supply joint-venture. The deal will see Bushveld - a South Africa focused-vanadium producer - help provide vanadium electrolyte rental to Invinity's customers through Vanadium Electrolyte Rental Ltd. Vanadium flow battery maker Invinity said renting electrolytes means its customers can save cash as they are able to rent electrolyte use instead of paying for a lump amount upfront. The companies noted that VERL has signed a deal with Electricite de France SA, or EDF, unit Pivot Power to provide five megawatts per hour of electrolyte for its Oxford SuperHub project. Bushveld shares were up 2.2% at 12.52 pence each in London on Monday morning. Invinity was up 4.6% at 115.00p. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Harry Styles has cancelled his NZ show so 2022 can officially get in the bin "Unfortunately it is just not possible at this time." Says Harry Styles on the cancellation of his 'Love On Tour' shows in Australia and New Zealand If your child brings home an uneaten packed lunch it could be a sign of coronavirus, scientists have warned. More than a third of school-aged children with the disease suffer from a loss of appetite that prompts them to skip meals. Parents and teachers are now being warned to look out for lesser-known symptoms of the disease as schools go back and the risk of infection goes up. A team from King's College London have been monitoring hundreds of infected children using a Covid-19 symptom tracker mobile app. They found the majority of youngsters who test positive do not show classic signs of the virus, such as a persistent cough, fever or loss of smell. They instead found most youngsters with the virus tended to skip meals, suffer headaches and feel exhausted. The app also found one in six under-18s break out in skin rashes that are usually very itchy. The NHS currently only advises people get a test if they have a fever, a continuous cough and a loss of smell or taste. A third of children with coronavirus skip meals due to a loss of appetite, researchers from King's College London say (file) The top five symptoms in under-18s with the virus were fatigue (55 per cent) headaches (53 per cent), fever (49 per cent), sore throat (38 per cent) and loss of appetite (35 per cent). This was different compared to the apps data on adults; fatigue (87 per cent), headache (72 per cent), loss of smell (60 per cent), persistent cough (54 per cent) and sore throats (49 per cent) More and more Covid-19 symptoms are being reported as doctors and scientists learn more about the virus which emerged from obscurity just months ago. KCL researchers have identified at least 20, which range from from mild sore throats and dry coughs to breakouts of rashes and even psychosis. The team running the 'Covid-19 Symptom Tracker' app have been collecting data from people self-reporting symptoms and test results for months. 'NO HEALTHY CHILD HAS DIED FROM COVID-19 IN BRITAIN' Healthy children do not die of coronavirus and only those who were seriously ill before they caught the disease are at risk, a major government-funded study has confirmed. No healthy child has died of the virus yet in the UK, researchers said. Six children have died but all had other serious health problems such as cancer or cerebral palsy when they were struck down by Covid-19. Research found that the risk to children is 'strikingly low', only a tiny proportion of them end up in hospital and deaths are 'exceptionally rare'. Six children under the age of 15 have died of coronavirus in England and Wales since the start of the pandemic, along with nine 15 to 19-year-olds. This compares with 52,082 victims in all other age groups up to August 14, according to the Office for National Statistics. Scientists led by the University of Liverpool found that one per cent of hospitalised children died, compared to a significantly higher 27 per cent of adults. This means that while one in four adults who ended up in hospital with Covid-19 died of it, only one in 100 children did. The research, published in the prestigious British Medical Journal, comes amid a fiery debate about whether children in England should return to school in September, with critics saying there is not enough evidence they will be safe. Parents should be reassured that their children will not be put in danger by returning to school, the scientists who led the study said. Professor Calum Semple, an expert in outbreak medicine and child health at the University of Liverpool who led the study, said: 'Severe disease is rare and death is vanishingly rare. 'They should be confident that their children are not going to be put at direct harm by going back to school and we do know that they are harmed by being kept away from school because of the lack of educational opportunities, and thats affecting mental health.' Advertisement They have had more than a quarter of a million school-aged children sign up and use the app with the help of their parents. The findings are based on data from 198 children with positive tests and 15,800 negative tests. It makes it one of the biggest research pools in the UK. The team found over half (52 per cent) of infected children didn't log any classic symptoms affecting adults - such as a cough, fever or loss of smell. A third of children carrying Covid-19 showed no signs of infection, reinforcing previous findings that many are asymptomatic. The top five symptoms in under-18s with the virus were fatigue (55 per cent) headaches (53 per cent), fever (49 per cent), sore throat (38 per cent) and loss of appetite (35 per cent). The app also found that one in six (15 per cent) children who tested positive suffered a skin rash. This was different compared to the apps data on adults; fatigue (87 per cent), headache (72 per cent), loss of smell (60 per cent), persistent cough (54 per cent) and sore throats (49 per cent). Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at KCL and creator of the Covid app, said: 'Getting children back to school and keeping them in school is a priority, so it is essential that we understand how Covid-19 affects children and highlight the potential differences. 'Knowing that children present less often with respiratory symptoms and are more likely to be suffering from headaches, fatigue and skin rashes, will help parents make the right decisions to keep them at home until they feel better. 'This is a stressful time for all and if we can get as many parents to log for their children as possible we will have a much clearer picture of COVID within local schools across the UK allowing us to keep schools open and children learning.' It comes after a study by researchers in Northern Ireland last week found diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps were much more common in Covid-19-positive children than adults. The symptoms, which do not feature among the three listed by the NHS, have also been found to be relatively common in adults. Officials have said, however, that they are too vague and that the system would be overwhelmed with worried people if everyone with a stomach ache thought they had Covid-19. Scientists from Queen's University Belfast say the gut-related signs are so strongly linked to the illness in children that they should be considered. But coughing one of the top symptoms in adults who go on to become seriously ill was not a reliable indicator of whether a child had coronavirus, they said. Dr Tom Waterfield, from Queen's, told the BBC: 'We are finding that diarrhoea and vomiting is a symptom reported by some children and I think adding it to the list of known symptoms is worth considering.' Dr Waterfield and colleagues studied 992 children, of whom 68 had coronavirus. They had an average age of 10 years old. Counting gastrointestinal symptoms those affecting the stomach and bowels would have significantly improved how many of the children could be diagnosed. One of the key decisions health bosses have to make when deciding what is an official symptom is how many of the people with that symptom will actually have the disease, and how many will have something else. They should also take into account whether the majority of people with the disease in this case Covid-19 could be found without including the symptom. Only 34 of the children who had coronavirus in the Northern Irish researchers' study had any symptoms. By looking at children with fever, coughs and changes in smell or taste the official Covid-19 symptoms scientists correctly identified 76 per cent of children with the coronavirus. When they added children who had stomach problems, however, this rose to 97 per cent 33 out of the 34. Because so many children didn't get symptoms, and many of those who did did not have common ones, the experts said most of them wouldn't ever be diagnosed. (Sharecast News) - Clinical-stage biotechnology company Destiny Pharma said on Monday that a major US hospital-based clinical trial lent "strong support" for the potential of its 'XF-73' nasal product as an alternative to mupirocin in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections. GOP Convention claims coronavirus pandemic is over and economy is booming At President Donald Trumps Republican convention, he is welcoming to immigrants, not the architect of some of the nations harshest anti-immigration policies. At Trumps convention, the coronavirus pandemic has largely subsided, not continued to infect thousands of Americans a day. The economy is booming, not sputtering. Trump is a leader in healing racial strife, not stoking divisions. Tuesdays gauzy prime-time programming amounted to an airbrushing of some of the darker and more controversial episodes of Trumps nearly four years in office an effort to urgently address the vulnerabilities that have imperilled his re-election prospects just over two months until his November face-off against Democrat Joe Biden. His campaign and his party were effectively asking voters to believe a polished and packaged portrait of the president more than the unrestrained version he puts on display each day. That version of Trump may energize his most ardent supporters, but it frequently frustrates more moderate Republicans and has alienated some voters, including many suburban women, whom Trump wants to win back before Election Day. The gap between reality and convention rhetoric was particularly glaring on immigration, the signature issue of Trumps political rise and his presidency. Trump ran for office in 2016 on a platform to dramatically crack down on immigration. Since winning the White House, he has fundamentally transformed the nations immigration system, including effectively ending asylum at the southern border and trying to scare people off crossing the border illegally by separating children from their parents. But Trumps convention made scant reference Tuesday to those policies and only passing nods to his signature plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. Instead, the most prominent mention of immigration came during a taped segment in which Trump oversaw a naturalization ceremony at the White House, jovially congratulating five immigrants as they were sworn in as new American citizens. Youve earned the most prized, treasured, cherished, and priceless possession anywhere in the world. Its called American citizenship, Trump said. He made no mention of the fact that he has also systematically made it much harder for people to come to the US legally to work, study, or settle in the country. Trump has long been adroit at creating an alternate reality and is often unconcerned with shifting focus when its politically expedient. Its been a signature of his business life and his rise in politics, and now, as he is nominated by the Republican Party for a second term, he is doing so with the White House as a literal backdrop. To be sure, political conventions are always aimed at creating a lofty image of a presidential candidate a days-long opportunity for their party to control their own narrative and shape their own story. For example, Bidens convention last week spun his more than four decades in Washington as necessary experience in a moment of crisis rather than the mark of a politician past his prime, as many Republicans contend. But Trumps challenge in shifting public perception is made more difficult, both because he is running on a real record from his nearly four years in office and because his campaign is asking Americans to look past many of the crises that are still actively battering the country. Thats particularly true regarding the pandemic, which has killed more than 170,000 Americans this year, but was largely an afterthought in Tuesdays convention proceedings. Larry Kudlow, a top Trump economic adviser, described the pandemic in the past tense, not as a virus that continues to upend nearly every aspect of American life. The virus has also cratered the US economy, shuttering businesses across the country and sending the unemployment rate soaring above ten per cent. Though some of aspects of the economy have recovered as cities and states have eased pandemic-related restrictions, the economy overall is in a far different place than it was at the start of the year. Nearly half of Americans whose families experienced a layoff during the pandemic believe those jobs are lost forever, according to a July poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. Yet the convention featured Americans and political leaders heaping praise on Trumps economic stewardship, describing the economy in glowing terms that no longer apply to many Americans. Trumps campaign also made a concerted effort to showcase a diverse array of speakers, particularly Black Americans, in a nod to the racial strife that has coursed through the country following the deaths of George Floyd and others while in police custody. Speakers defended Trump against charges of racism, but made no mention of his heated rhetoric about the protests that followed Floyds death and the aggressive crackdown on the crowds that gathered outside the White House earlier this summer. Polling also underscores the reality of Trumps abysmal support among Black voters, despite the diverse line-up on the convention stage. According to a Gallup poll, Trumps approval rating among Black Americans has hovered around one in ten over the course of his presidency. Peoples World It is by now very well understood by everyone that Daniel Andrews and his Labor government have botched Victorias COVID-19 response. This stands in contrast to other jurisdictions in Australia. Sadly, the so called "road map" released on Sunday is a massive disappointment focused on more lockdowns targeting the Victorian community and businesses rather than resolving the problems deep in the governments own response. Nothing was said about the need to fix contact tracing, nothing was said about the need to fix health worker infections. Premier Daniel Andrews says business leaders were not ignored. Credit:Getty Images Andrews and some other commentators have tried to build a dichotomy, a binary choice between staying in lockdown longer, likely much longer, and opening now only to see a relapse shortly after and a series of on/off restrictions/lockdowns being reintroduced. This is a false choice. We must be cleverer. We have to accept the virus will be with us and will not quickly go away. So we must live with it and manage it. This means having in place systems to respond quickly, decisively, to every outbreak, small and large. There are just too many stories, even this week, of slow response from contact tracing, and trite claims about artificial intelligence dont make up for the hard nitty-gritty work central to more effective contact tracing. Pro-Trump Christian group knocks on over 1M doors, plans to spend $40M on 2020 voting campaign Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Hundreds of canvassers affiliated with a grassroots campaign dedicated to mobilizing conservative evangelical and Catholic voters have knocked on nearly 1 million doors nationwide in the past month to encourage people to vote for President Donald Trump this November. As the U.S. heads into the final two months before the 2020 election, volunteers from the Faith & Freedom Coalition have been going from neighborhood to neighborhood in battleground states speaking with residents about the upcoming election and handing out voter guides to be distributed in churches. The Faith & Freedom Coalition, a national social conservative organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, and founded in 2009 by prominent evangelical activist Ralph Reed, has chapters in 21 states and began its election mobilization efforts during the first week of August. Normally, we start in September. But we backed it up a little bit this year just because the gravity of the election cycle merited an extra month of engagement, FFC Executive Director Tim Head told The Christian Post. As we head into Labor Day weekend, we are expecting on Sunday or Monday to hit our 1 millionth door. The organization, whose canvassers knocked on 1.2 million doors during the buildup to the 2016 general election and 2.25 million doors for the 2018 midterms, is hoping to knock on as many as 5 million doors by Nov. 3. Head said FFC has as many as 800 volunteers nationwide who've engaged in the voter-turnout campaign so far and expects that when the election is over as many as 6,000 volunteers will have engaged with the perspective voters. As more and more people get interested in the election, more and more volunteers will start to pick up the pace, Head expects. Well hit about 1 million in the month of August. Well probably hit just shy of 2 million in the month of September. Then, well probably hit just over 2 million in the month of October. The efforts are mostly focused on the presidential and U.S. Senate races, but in some states, FFC voter guides highlight competitive House races as well as some state-level gubernatorial races. The voter guide is a side by side comparison of the Republican candidate and the Democrat candidate and where they fall on various issues, Head said of the political literature. All of this is researched and documented from their campaign documentation or remarks they have made in the media or something to that effect. If we are talking about abortion-on-demand, it will show President Trumps position and Vice President Bidens stated position. We document that and footnote down at the bottom. If somebody needs to corroborate it, they can find the timestamp on the voter guide itself. Over the course of the last decade, Head said FFC has refined the voter guides quite a bit. They are simple. But their simplicity is their complexity, he added. But canvassing during a pandemic brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. More people are home than normal. But we also see a fair number of people who come to the door but dont necessarily want to open the door, the executive director stressed. I would say 20% of the people that we go to their home just kind of come to the window and kind of wave politely but may not open the door. In that case, we leave the voter guide on the door hanger or knob. We get a lot of thumbs up and waving and smiling. Ironically, some people are even in masks in their homes. We have gotten a smattering of reports to that effect in different parts of the country. FFC expects to spend upwards of $40 million on various mobilization efforts and strategies to encourage voters of faith to cast their ballots in November. Such efforts include a direct mail campaign and even operating phone banks on college campuses across the country. Its probably a 15% increase [in spending] from 2016 and comparable to 2018, Head said. That will include a pretty elaborate mail component and a pretty elaborate phone component in the closing weeks and days. While FFC is operating in 21 states, the organization has a special eye on swing states as it has footprints in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona. FFC is not alone as other organizations like My Faith Votes and the social conservative advocacy group Family Research Council have also engaged in efforts to drive evangelical voter turnout in 2020. Earlier this year, the nonprofit voter mobilization organization My Faith Votes launched a bipartisan initiative called Our Church Votes that seeks to encourage the 25 million Christians who didn't vote in 2016 to vote in 2020. The initiative serves as a tool for pastors and church leaders to engage with their congregations about the political process. In the 2016 election, exit polls show that Trump got about 81% of the white evangelical or born-again Christian vote while Hillary Clinton got just 16% of that demographic. Although Head believes the Biden campaign has done more outreach to voters of faith than the Clinton campaign, he believes more white evangelicals support Trump in 2020 than they did in 2016. In 2016, then-candidate Trump was running was running purely on his rhetorical statements and never held office, so there was no track record to point to, he said. Some people thought that was smoke and mirrors and he was going to deviate from the stuff he was promising on the stump. But honestly, he has delivered. It's been one thing after another. He has done that for the evangelical and Catholic crowd to extraordinary degrees, he continued. On top of that, Vice President Biden has changed a lot of public policy positions over the decades and I think a lot of people dont consider him to be a particularly strong leader. At a time when our nation needs a strong leader with a proven record, I actually think the contrast is becoming even more stark in 2020 than it was, ironically, in 2016. FFC canvassers are reporting that faith voters they talk with are most concerned right now with the economic recovery efforts from the COVID-19 shutdowns and law-and-order amid the riots, vandalism and arson attacks, Head stressed. So COVID shutdowns and riots are top of mind for faith-based voters, he said. If that continues to be the case for the next 60 days, I think that Trumps positioning on those two issues bodes well for him. The proliferation of riots and the lack of responsiveness by Democrat leaders across the country is repelling a lot of moderate Democrats, Head argued. There is a significant uptick just in the last month alone of moderate Democrats moving in the direction of Trump because of local Democrat leaders lack of action and silence on the part of national Democrats. As summer turns into fall, the United States is entering a new and even more dangerous phase of the coronavirus pandemic. Scientists and epidemiologists are concerned that as temperatures cool, people will engage in more activities indoors rather than outside, helping to spread the virus. The combination of the pandemic with the flu season, which generally begins in October in the US, could completely inundate hospitals, testing centers and health facilities. The principal factor creating the conditions for an even more horrific death toll in the coming months, however, is the ruling class policy of herd immunitythat is, allowing the virus to spread without any restraint. The death toll is already staggering. The US will soon surpass a new milestone of 200,000 deaths, possibly by the end of this week. COVID-19 has already become the third leading cause of death in the country, behind only heart disease and cancer. Last week, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington released a new report estimating that 410,000 people will have died by the end of the year. More than 400,000 people! This is greater than the entire population of New Orleans, Louisiana or Cleveland, Ohio. If the IHME projections are realized, by January 1 more people will be dead from the coronavirus in the space of less than a year than American soldiers died in World War II over the course of nearly four years. More than one out of every 1,000 people living in the United States will have succumbed to the virus. The Trump administration is spearheading a policy that it knows will lead to death on a massive scale. The White Houses new pandemic adviser, Scott Atlas, has argued explicitly in favor of ending social isolation measures to allow the disease to run rampant. A focal point to this homicidal policy is the drive to open schools and get teachers back to work, as that is seen as critical to forcing workers back on the job. Many colleges and universities have already reopened, becoming centers for the transmission of the virus. In the case of one school, SUNY Oneonta, 17 percent of students tested positive less than two weeks after classes resumed, forcing the school to shut down and send everyone home. This will be replicated many times over with the reopening of K-12 schools this month. The policy implemented in the United States is being repeated, in different forms, internationally. From the UK to Spain to Brazil, governments are pushing for the reopening of schools even as the pandemic accelerates. In France, new cases have surged far above the earlier peak in May, just as 12 million students are being sent back to school. In India, the government of Narendra Modi is eliminating all remaining restraints on transportation and business operations, even as the country has surpassed Brazil for the second most coronavirus cases, trailing only the United States. As the World Socialist Web Site has explained from the beginning of the pandemic, the response of world governments has been determined not by social need and public health but by profit. It is these same social interests that are creating the conditions for a horrific expansion of the disease in the coming months ahead. Trump is pursuing a policy dictated by Wall Street. The administration, however, has many aiders and abettors. In the media and the political establishment, the attitude that prevails to the staggering loss of life is indifference. Crocodiles have shed more tears than what is offered up by media pundits and Democratic Party politicians. The claim that is repeatedly made by Biden and the Democrats that Trump is an abject failure and incompetent (as Kamala Harris put it over the weekend) is an evasion and coverup. In fact, the Trump administration has proven quite competent in the implementation of ruling class policy in relation to the pandemic which has been bipartisan. Democrats, from Biden and Harris to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, fully endorsed the massive handout to Wall Street in March and support the homicidal policy of forcing workers back to work and students back to the classroom. The mantra is that everything must be done to get the economy goingthat is, resume the flow of profits. The Democrats offer no program or policies to halt the pandemic. As the election enters its final stage, their central focus is on what has preoccupied them throughout the Trump administration: the demand for a more aggressive campaign against Russia. In the face of a pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands, they are preparing a war that would kill millions. Workers cannot allow themselves to be subordinated to either faction of the ruling class in the upcoming election. The working class must intervene in this crisis with its own program and policies. There is already growing anger and opposition. Teachers have begun organizing independent committees to resist the homicidal back-to-school campaign. The scale of the social crisis, with millions of people out of work and facing poverty, eviction and hunger, is creating the conditions for a social explosion. At the same time, there are mounting protests over police violence. In Portland, protests have been held for more than 100 straight days. Over the past two weeks, demonstrations have erupted in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the shooting of Jacob Blake and in Rochester, New York after the release of video showing the police murder of Daniel Prude. Protests have been spurred on by the response of the police and the Trump administration, including the deliberate incitement of fascistic violence. The critical question is the development within the working class of a united and coordinated mass political movement for socialism. The protests against police violence cannot be isolated. They must be connected to the resistance of teachers, autoworkers, transit workers, service workers and all sections of the working class to the ruling class and the capitalist system. The Socialist Equality Party, along with our sister parties in the International Committee of the Fourth International, fights for a program that meets the needs of the working class. The back-to-work and back-to school campaigns must be halted, with all workers and parents receiving full income until the pandemic is brought under control. There must be an internationally coordinated campaign to save lives. The wealth of the billionaires must be expropriated and the trillions of dollars handed out to the banks reclaimed to meet urgent social needs, including universal health care, emergency relief for the unemployed, and the cancellation of debt, mortgage and rent payments. Consider the following: The IHME states that 200,000 people in the US could die by the end of the year. The 200 richest individuals in the country have a collective wealth of more than $2 trillion, which, if put at the disposal of society as a whole, would allow for a colossal investment in health care and public education infrastructure. It would be more than enough to ensure that everyone had a sufficient income to sustain themselves while the disease is brought under control. The lives of 200,000 vs. the wealth of 200... The implementation of such elementary measures to stop the pandemic is a revolutionary question. It is inseparable from the fight by the working class to take political power in its own hands, to restructure all of social and economic life on the basis of social need and not private profit. The ruling class and its parties are the parties of death and profit. The working class must fight for life and socialism. This is the basic issue that is posed in the months ahead. Shielding businesses from insolvency until the end of the year will leave 5000 companies facing closure in 2021 with tens of thousands more expected to struggle when government support ends. The Morrison government has changed the cut-off date for insolvency safe harbour rules from late-September to December 31 in a bid to help companies stay afloat through the coronavirus pandemic and "bounce back" in future. Tens of thousands of small businesses face an uncertain future. Credit:Getty Images Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter said the decision would "help to prevent a further wave of failures before businesses have had the opportunity to recover" and lessen the threat of actions that would push them into insolvency and external administration when health restrictions were still in place. But CreditorWatch estimates there will be about 5000 businesses operating by the end of the year that would normally have closed without this protection, compared to 2500 expected if safe harbour rules ended in September. This figure is before counting businesses shutting due to the economic impacts from the virus, which has plunged Australia into recession. She is currently acting as the Jury President for the 77th annual Venice Film Festival. And Cate Blanchett looked stylish as she was seen leaving her hotel to enjoy another day at the event in the Italian city on Monday. The Thor: Ragnarok star, 51, put on an androgynous chic display during her outing as she donned a black co-ord suit that was embellished with silver and gold beads. Stunning: Cate Blanchett exuded elegance in an embroidered black suit and shirt as she enjoyed another day at the 77th Venice Film Festival on Monday Cate completed her look by teaming the suit with a simple black button-up shirt, while she complemented her ensemble by wearing an array of gold bracelets. Her golden locks were styled into a sleek bob, and she shielded her eyes with pair of chic shades and protected herself amid the coronavirus crisis by wearing a mask. The Lord Of The Rings star boosted her statuesque figure by wearing a pair of black heels, and she kept her personal items in a black clutch bag. Glittering: Cate's outfit was embellished with silver and gold beads, and she complemented her ensemble by wearing an array of gold bracelets Cate's outing comes after she revealed she prefers to be referred to as an actor than an actress, as she often found the latter term to be used in a 'pejorative sense'. Throwing her support behind Berlin International Film Festival's new plan to do away with gendered awards, she told AFP: 'I have always referred to myself as an actor. 'I am of the generation where the word actress was used almost always in a pejorative sense. So I claim the other space.' Safety first! Cate's golden locks were styled into a sleek bob, and she shielded her eyes with pair of chic shades and protected herself amid the coronavirus crisis by wearing a mask Cate is heading the jury at Venice during an historic year, when the number of women directors competing for the top prize has quadrupled to eight. 'I think a good performance is a good performance no matter the sexual orientation of who is making them,' she added of her thoughts on the matter. 'The hardest thing as a jury member is to sit in judgement of other people's work. That's the hardest thing not the (gender) demarcation.' The Venice Film Festival is one of the world's oldest award ceremonies and is listed as one of the 'Big Five' events. It starts on 2 September and ends on the 12 September. According to Variety, when the Film Festival unveiled its official selection in late July, the 'unprecedented inclusion of eight female-directed titles within the 18-film roster was heralded as welcome progress for an event that has come under fire in recent years for scarce representation of female filmmakers.' Cate was chosen to head the jury back in January, making her the third woman in four years to hold the role. Chinese officials and experts have already been rushing out rival proposals to flesh out Mr. Xis strategy. Some have urged the government to ramp up support for Chinese technology companies. Others have called for reducing barriers to foreign investors, to help ensure that China keeps its friends and is not cut off. Chinas formula for growth has been evolving, though in the view of some economists, too slowly. Exports contribute notably less to economic growth than they did a decade ago, but the shift to domestic consumption has been incremental. And China depends on imports of technology, crops and energy, adding to the governments worries about external vulnerability. Frankly, a succession of policies from the Trump administration have made us see the importance of this more clearly, Yu Yongding, an economist in Beijing who previously advised Chinas central bank, said in a telephone interview, referring to Mr. Xis new emphasis on domestic consumption. We may step up the pace of our adjustment. Mr. Xi has said that dual circulation will shape Chinas next five-year development plan, which will be largely finalized later this year and rolled out next year. A Communist Party leaders meeting in October is likely to reveal more of what Mr. Xi has in mind for that plan and beyond. The leaders will be sorting through competing proposals on how to meet Mr. Xis goals as they hammer together the five-year plan. Central to their deliberations is how China should handle restrictions by the United States and other advanced economies that have become increasingly frustrated by and wary of China. In the end, Mr. Xis preference for state dominance is likely to determine what proposals become policy. I do think that China is preparing for an even further degree of decoupling, Zhu Ning, a deputy dean at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, said in an interview. In most of the propaganda, the domestic consumption cycle receives far more attention than the foreign cycle. Power Outages Possible, IID Customers Urged to Conserve Energy Imperial, California - Rotating Outages Possible, Customers Urged to Conserve Energy Due to the prolonged heat wave and increased energy demands, a statewide Flex Alert remains in place and customers should be prepared for the possibility of rotating outages between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. today. Energy conservation is essential in helping reduce the possibility of widespread rotating outages and the number of people impacted. Understandably, it may be difficult to reduce energy use during the high temperatures and the ongoing pandemic. However, everyone is urged to do their part to cut back on energy use, if health and safety permits, during this critical time. To help avoid service interruptions, IID asks residents and businesses to conserve energy by: Avoiding the use of major appliances like washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps, charging of electric vehicles, applicable industrial equipment, etc., between peak hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Setting thermostats at 78 degrees or higher. Using floor or ceiling fans to cool off. Turning off all unnecessary lights. Blocking the sun from overheating your home. Inside, use shades, blinds and drapes. Outside, use awnings, trees and shrubs. Although IID is operating all of its internal generation, the extreme energy demands across the western states has resulted in unexpected termination of contracts to import additional energy resources to the IID service area. IID appreciates everyones patience as their team continues to work around the clock in challenging conditions to procure energy resources needed to meet customer demand while continuing to respond to service interruptions in the field. Customers can contact IIDs Customer Service Center at 1-800-303-7756 with any questions, visit our website at www.iid.com. On August 30, the Movement for a Peoples Party (MPP) held its inaugural online Peoples Convention, which ended with participants voting to create a major new peoples party free of corporate money and influence in 2021. The MPPs stated purpose is to be a mechanism for candidates to run outside of the Democratic Party, with the goal of achieving ballot status to run congressional candidates in 2022 and in the 2024 presidential election. The MPP is an example of the type of formation produced by an extremely low level of political consciousness. It is somewhat difficult to comment on because it is not a serious organization. The term party is purely nominal. A party is based on a common program, a common assessment of historical experiences, and a common perspective. The MPP has none of these. It does not understand the past, it has nothing to offer for the present, and it has no future. What predominated among the eclectic combination of individuals, celebrities and media personalities brought together on August 30 was unseriousness, pessimism and a fair amount of dishonesty. The dominant line, however, was provided by those in and around the Democratic Party. The convention was organized by Nick Brana, who worked with Democratic governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe and Democratic Senator John Kerry before becoming the National Political Outreach Coordinator for the Sanders campaign in 2016 and a founding member of the Sanders-affiliated Our Revolution. Brana formed the MPP in 2017 out of the Draft Bernie for a Peoples Party organization, after Sanders endorsement of Clinton in the 2016 elections. At the time, Brana launched a fund-raising campaign to entreat Sanders to head the Peoples Party, which Sanders did not even bother to acknowledge. Other participants included Nina Turner, a national co-chair of Sanders 2020 presidential campaign; former Democratic Party presidential candidate Marianne Williamson; professor and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Cornel West; fired Amazon worker and activist Chris Smalls; comedians Jimmy Dore, Graham Elwood and Ron Placone; actor and DSA member Danny Glover; former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura; and investigative journalist Chris Hedges. Many of those participating in the conference advocate a vote for Biden in the 2020 elections. This includes the three main concluding speakers: Marianne Williamson, Cornel West and Nina Turner. West cited approvingly professor Noam Chomsky and Angela Davis, stating that he understood a vote for Biden was part of the development of an anti-fascist coalition. Turner, a member of the Democratic Party National Convention Committee in 2020, expressed the basic political orientation of the MPP when she said prior to the event that there are some progressives who want to #DemExit but there are some progressives who believe, Its my party, I can cry if I want to and Im going to stay inside and push. These two perspectives are parallel and the end is the same, she said. In other words, both those who are participating in the MPP, as well as those who are committed to formally staying in the Democratic Party, share the same strategy and perspective. Then there was Ventura, whose presence expressed the unprincipled and unserious character of the whole operation. Brana introduced Ventura with a glowing tribute, referring to him as a very special guest. Wearing a polo shirt with the insignia of the Navy Seals displayed on his chest, Ventura proudly proclaimed himself fiscally conservative, that is, in favor of cuts to social programs. No one participating considered it necessary to distinguish themselves from this right-wing agenda. The former Minnesota governor combines both anti-war positions with far-right and libertarian politics. In 2011, he appeared on the fascistic Alex Jones program to call for a vote for Texas congressman Ron Paul during the 2012 Republican presidential primaries. Anyone with principles would have had to immediately dissociate him or herself from the MPP based on Venturas presence alone. Journalist Chris Hedges denounced more stridently than the rest both the Democrats and Republicans, declaring that a vote for Biden was a vote for war, austerity and reaction. Hedges was also the only speaker who directly criticized Sanders, calling him a dutiful sheepdog in channeling opposition behind Clinton in 2016 and Biden in 2020. He did not remark on the fact that the speakers and organizers of the event were among those assisting the sheepdog, nor that many of the people speaking with him were urging a vote for Biden. These moral condemnations, however, in the end amounted to very little. Hedges concluded with a demoralized declaration that the fight against fascism was futile and doomed to defeat. He also called for a vote for the Green Party, a capitalist party that serves as an external pressure group on the Democrats (on their website, the main complaint that the MPP has about the Green Party is that its name marks it as too exclusively focused on environmental issues). Where the Green Party has come into power, most noticeably in Germany, it has formed coalition governments with the established ruling parties in order to implement policies of austerity, war and repression. An indication of what the MPP hopes to achieve, if it were actually to build anything, was given by Brana toward the conclusion, when he held up as models Morena (National Regeneration Movement) and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) in Mexico; the Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) in Greece; and the Podemos party in Spain. One wonders if anyone involved in the MPP has bothered to examine the politics and record of the individuals and organizations to which they refer. Syriza and its leader, Alexis Tsipras, came to power in Greece in 2015 pledging to end European Union austerity only to impose massive austerity measures. Before it was ousted by the right-wing New Democracy party in 2019, the Syriza government served as the front line of the EUs anti-refugee policy. In Spain, the populist Podemos party joined a coalition government with the Socialist Party (PSOE) in January of this year. Since coming to power, Podemos has hailed the 750 billion European bailout of banks and corporations as part of the ruling class response to the coronavirus pandemic and helped impose the homicidal back-to-work policy in Spain, including by sending police against workers protests. As for AMLOwhom Brana referred to as Mexicos Bernie Sanders, he is currently overseeing the disastrous response of the Mexican ruling class to the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 66,000 killed according to official figures. Working with the Trump administration, AMLO has forced workers back into disease-ridden sweatshops in order to generate profits for international capital. He visited the US and met with Trump in July, referring to Trump as his great friend and a great president. In relation to the Sanders campaign, no one posed, let alone answered, the question: How did we get fooled again? How did the political revolution that we championed end up in a campaign behind Biden, that stalwart of political corruption and reaction? No one will acknowledge that the outcome had been predicted by the World Socialist Web Site, as this would be to acknowledge the correctness of Marxism. To the extent that there is a theory behind the MPP, it is that a political movement is built on the lowest common denominator. No differences can be discussed, and any examination of the political role and record of the individuals involved must be avoided at all costs. There is a semi-conscious recognition that if they discussed anything seriously, the smiles would disappear and the whole operation would blow apart. This politics by eclectic amalgam is expressed in the name itself: the Peoples Party. But what are the people? The use of the term is above all aimed at clearly opposing the MPP to working-class politics, that is, a socialist and revolutionary perspective. One can venture a prediction that the August 30 convention will be the last time that the various individuals who formed the MPP will all come together. In any case, for workers and youth who are seeking a way to oppose inequality, war and dictatorship, its main purpose is to provide a lesson in what serious politics is not. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Police broke up a party in Southeast Grand Rapids after gunshots rang out just after midnight Sunday. Two men, 28 and 30, were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. One was injured in the hip and the other was shot in the arm. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries, according Grand Rapids Police. Police responded to Dickinson Street Southeast, where they believe one of the homes was rented for a party. One home on Dickinson Street was struck with gunfire eight times. Another was struck about six times, and at least three vehicles were hit, according to police. While the party underway, approximately 20 cars pulled up in front of the rented residence, two females began fighting and then shots rang out, according to police. No suspect or vehicle information was available Sunday. This incident is among a string of shootings that occurred during Labor Day weekend in Grand Rapids. On Saturday evening and into the night, police responded to three nonfatal shootings, with one person injured. Police also responded to three incidents of gunfire late in the afternoon and evening of Friday, Sept. 4, one that left a person with injuries that werent life-threatening, police said. So far this year, the city has reported 21 homicides. Last week, Grand Rapids local law enforcement and faith leaders held a press conference to draw attention to the emotional toll that the coronavirus pandemic has had on young people, possibly contributing to upticks in violent crime. Anyone with information regarding the shootings is asked to call investigators at 616-456-3380. Anonymous tips may be provided to Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org. More on MLive: State police find man with multiple gunshot wounds on side of US-131 Grand Rapids gunfire on Friday comes amid violent summer Boy, 9, hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself in the arm 2 injured, 1 in custody after shootings at Kalamazoo apartment complex In Missouri, frontline workers are continuing to show up for our communities every single day despite the very real dangers they still face. The men and women working in your local grocery stores are exposed to potentially thousands of customers per day, putting their health at risk to serve their communities. Without the courage of these essential workers at grocery stores, who continue to put themselves in harms way, our families would not have the food we need during this crisis. Given the growing risks as coronavirus cases continue to spread, it is time for the chief executives of every grocery chain in Missouri to step up and guarantee hazard pay for all of these frontline workers. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 represents more than 8,500 Missouri workers in grocery stores and many other essential businesses across the state. The members of our union know firsthand that the danger has not gone away for frontline grocery workers. Yet too many chief executives allowed hazard pay to expire months ago and showed zero interest in restoring it. The pandemic isnt over, nor is the danger these workers face. Just a few short months ago, grocery workers were being hailed as heroes across this country along with other frontline workers. Some companies did the right thing at that time and provided additional compensation. Most didnt provide much and allowed it to expire. What happened? Did grocery workers cease to be heroes? Did they wake up one day no longer frontline workers providing an essential service in a pandemic? Do grocery-chain executives with their record-breaking profits believe that workers are no longer at risk? These men and women are not cogs in a machine. They are people with bills to pay and families to support. We can applaud them on social media, but they cant pay bills with applause. They cant put thank you in the bank. These workers continue to show up for the public Schnucks and Dierbergs markets have experienced higher employee attendance during this crisis because their employees genuinely understand that their work is important but the folks who sign their paychecks refuse to acknowledge their good work. It was disappointing to see grocery chain executives in St. Louis and across Missouri raking in record profits during the pandemic and simultaneously cutting hazard pay for these brave frontline workers. While some of these companies have taken the right steps during this time, we must also acknowledge where they have fallen short. Schnucks and Dierbergs two St. Louis grocery chains with thousands of employees can be applauded for moving quickly to ensure better workplace safety and enacting rigorous tracing in the event of a positive test result. The applause must fall silent when we talk about compensation. Too many companies are treating grocery workers as expendable at a time when the pandemic danger is just as real as on Day One, and we continue to count on these essential workers to be able to put food on the table for our families. As the school year begins and many of our local schools are operating virtually, many of these grocery workers now have the added cost of child care to consider. This is a real financial burden that employers and customers are asking frontline workers to shoulder without any additional compensation. As coronavirus cases continue to spread across Missouri and our states grocery workers continue to be essential to our communities, it is time for the store chains to do the right thing and use a little bit of their profits to provide strong hazard pay to the men and women who made those profits possible. David Cook is the president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655, the union for 8,500 workers in grocery stores and other essential businesses serving the eastern half of Missouri. FILE PHOTO: Bags of frozen chickens 'Aurora' are pictured at a market amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 13, 2020. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes By Andreo Calonzo The Philippines lifted Monday its ban on poultry imports from Brazil after the Brazilian government presented coronavirus prevention measures, the Philippine Agriculture Department said. The Southeast Asian nation will however require poultry products from Brazil its third-largest source of chicken imports as of July to have labels stating these were handled in facilities with strict hygiene and sanitation measures, according to a memorandum issued by the Philippine agency. Shipments that wont comply with these conditions will be confiscated, it added. Philippines Canned Meat Costs May Increase on Brazil Poultry Ban The Philippines imposed the ban in mid-August following Chinas statement that surface sample of chicken wings from the Brazil tested positive for coronavirus. Brazils agriculture ministry said Manilas decision was disproportionate. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. More success for Have You Been Paying Attention? with an announcement during last nights show that format rights have been sold to Cyprus. E BAH! marks the second international sale for the show, following a New Zealand adaptation hosted by Hayley Sproull. Not bad for a show that faced very ordinary ratings in its infancy and is now a bonafide hit. Producers Working Dog have previously sold Thank God Youre Here to the US, UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, Norway, Israel, and Denmark. Sitting in Melbourne, 42-year-old Kate posts a photo of herself on social media donning a Phulkari mask. This beautiful piece of artwork was flown down to her doorstep from Moonak village in Sangrur district of Punjab. The story, however, is neither about the Phulkari masks nor of Kate. The beautiful Phulkari masks tell the story of women empowering themselves in the worst of times. Kates beautiful blue mask with an embroidered heart is a product of the love and labor of the widows of Moonak. Most of these widows were left to fend for themselves after their husbands died of suicide due to mounting debt. Punjab has seen an increase in farmers death in the past few years due to a drastic decline in the income of farmers. As per the data sourced from Punjab Agriculture Department and Punjab Revenue Department, the Punjab government recorded 2,528 cases of farmer suicides in four years between 2015 and 2019. With the main breadwinner of the family gone, the women had to step in to ensure that their children and dependents get a life of dignity. Phulkari became their weapon of choice. Phulkari is a traditional style of embroidery that has its origin in Punjab. It entails detailed embroidery with silken thread on cotton clothes. This distinct style of stitching is done on the coarse side of the cotton cloth. Even though Phulkari (Phool-Kari) translates to flower work, several intricate patterns are drawn by the highly skilled artisans of Punjab. For the women of Moonak, practicing Phulkari wasnt only about taking forward the tradition. This skill also helped them piece their lives back after the death of the breadwinners of their family and live a life of dignity. Delhi-based social worker Ghazala Khan came to their aid when these women were going through a tough phase in their life. With her support, they have been able to turn their skill into a profitable venture especially owing to the rising demand for designer masks in cities. Masks have become a daily companion in our lives due to the pandemic and are increasingly being treated as an accessory much like dupatta, belts, and earrings by city folks. Ghazala, who runs an NGO (Building Bridges India, BBI) that works with poor rural families in Punjab, helps in procuring the raw material, thread, rubber, and fabric for the masks for around 300 women. The aim of the NGO is to improve the conditions of those women who have lost their husbands. Now, there are ten centers in ten villages of Sangrur district in Punjab. Each center has 25 to 30 girls and women. We didnt have funds to buy land, I approached ten different Gurudwaras of Moonak village to give some space for this cause," said Ghazala. After seeing Ghazalas efforts and noble intentions behind creating these centers, Gurudwaras authority came forward and allotted free land for the women. The Gurudwaras provide a free, safe stay for the women- no is allowed to enter the centers without being checked. They are also provided a one-time meal. Convincing these women to take the reins of their life into their own hands wasnt easy. Most of these women arent educated. Under the social pressure, women were not ready to step out of the houses and join the center. They had this belief that talking about husbands suicide would make them a villain in family and society, said the 46-year-old social worker. The stories that come out of these self-help centers are of sheer grit and courage, of broken dreams and renewed confidence. Take for instance the case of 23-year old Nikki, whose father died by suicide three years back. Her father was a truck driver. Its hard to describe how it feels when you lose your fathers support at such a young age. Even as we were struggling to make ends meet, our mother could not endure the pain of losing her husband. She fell ill and we didnt even have the money to buy her medicines. Our relatives didnt come forward to help us out of this dire situation." Nikki is one of the few educated girls in the group. She has completed her high school and had ambitions of pursuing higher studies. However, the untimely death of her father cut short her dreams. Today, Nikki supports her family, she earns five thousand per month by making Phulkari masks. The beauty of the motley group of women brought together by Khan is the different kinds of situations they come from. Amarjeet, 34, is a single mother of two young daughters. Her world came crashing when her farmer husband Lakhbir died by suicide two years back. I couldnt visualize my life without my husband. This huge loss broke me down completely. No one stands for you when you are in pain. Being a single mother its not easy to raise two daughters that too without any support," said Amarjeet. Without any external support, it took Amarjeet a long time to take back control of her life. The centers are also supporting women who lost their jobs during the lockdown. Gaganpreet, 25, taught Accounts and Business Studies to 12th class students in a private school of Moonak. As the Coronavirus pandemic, the Principal sent out a message to Ganganpreet, Schools are shut and we dont want extra staff". Ganganpreet was laid her off along with the other female staff (the school only retained male staff), even as the authorities withheld her three months salary. She used to get Rs 6,000 by teaching students. Now, she earns half of that salary by making masks at the center. I am earning less but at least I have something to do in such difficult times. This amount helps me in fulfilling my basic necessities," said Gaganpreet. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Chandigarh, Sep 7 : Punjab Police on Monday registered a case against Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) legislator Simarjit Singh Bains for allegedly spreading false propaganda to mislead the people on the Covid-19 pandemic. An FIR has been registered in Ludhiana city on the complaint of a civil surgeon and legal opinion has been sought on the issue by the police, a police spokesperson said. In his complaint, the civil surgeon demanded legal action against Bains, an MLA from the Atam Nagar constituency in Ludhiana, for misguiding people through a video clip regarding Covid-19. The complainant said the video clip is being played on various social media platforms, thus leading to the creation of an atmosphere of confusion among the public with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. Bains was also inciting people not to wear masks, the complaint alleged. The District Attorney noted that Bains was giving statements with regard to severity and magnitude of the pandemic. Bains is making the claim that coronavirus is a bogey created by the government to perpetuate their power by misleading people, and asking them not to wear masks, the District Attorney said. Even though Bains is an elected MLA, who is representing a section of citizens in Ludhiana, he is misleading people by forbidding them to wear face masks, which have been made compulsory by the Central government to protect the health and safety of the citizens, the District Attorney added. Mazoon Electricity Company, the leading power services provider in Oman, said its well-structured maintenance strategy has been helping the firm to accomplish optimum performance across its electrical distribution network in the country. The company is primarily undertaking regulated distribution and supply of electricity in Dakiliya, South Sharqiya, North Sharqiya, South Batinah governorates and Suwaiq in North Batinah governorate of Oman. Mazoons maintenance strategy focusses on varying aspects including human and safety, service continuity and stability, power infrastructure augmentation, equipment protection, energy efficiency among others, according to a statment from the company. Its maintenance management system for primary stations are managed through Enterprise Asset Management system (EAM) which is supported by computerized maintenance management system. Moreover, the rest of the network asset maintenance management will be covered in the system in the next three years, it stated. The companys maintenance team enhanced the network reliability by applying new condition monitoring technology such as thermal scanning, partial discharge, and DGA to assess the asset condition. Using these techniques, the team manages to repair assets before it causes network outages. Mazoon Electricity had adopted condition based risk management system (CBRM) for power transformers and high voltage switchgears to assess the health index of those assets in order to prioritise the maintenance and future investments. Recent results of the CBRM module shows that most of the power transformers and switchgears are in good condition. Plans are on to add more to the module to have robust outputs of the CBRM in the future, said the statement. According to Mazoon, the scope of maintenance work at the company includes replacements of defective equipment, identifying and rectifying faults to short circuits, replacement of defective LT insulators, replacement of old and defective energy meters and installation of smart meters, carry out load shedding programmes, carry out line patrolling of the 33KV, 11KV and LT lines. Besides, the maintenance teams role comprises asset security inspection, testing of new/existing assets for grid/primary substations, cleaning services of grid stations, transport materials to be utilized by the contractors for any emergency work from company stores to the respective districts and other works. "Mazoon Electricity understands that maintenance is an important component for operation, supply and customer service," said a company spokesman. "As part of operations service, maintenance management helps the company maintain its resources while controlling time and costs to ensure maximum efficiency of the electricity network," he explained. "Mazoon Electricitys maintenance team plays a major role in keeping the supply chain from crumbling down. By having a close working relations and clear communication with all parties, the team helps identify maintenance problems more quickly, keeping labour and material costs lower," he added. According to him, a high standard maintenance strategy is being implemented at all Mazoon Electricitys distribution network including grid substation, primary substation, and 33KV and 11KV network and distribution substations. The maintenance management practices currently being implemented, is supported by condition monitoring and visual inspection, he added.-TradeArabia News Service The occupiers fired several shots from rifles and one from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher. Ukraine's Defense Ministry says Russian-led forces continue violating truce in Donbas as one ceasefire violation has been recorded since Monday midnight. "Since the beginning of the current day, September 7, as of 12:30 Kyiv time, one violation of the ceasefire by the Russian occupation forces has been recorded on the contact line," the ministry said in a report. Read alsoFM Kuleba comments on escalation in DonbasAfter 09:10 Kyiv time, from the direction of the village of Kruta Balka, the occupiers fired several shots from rifles and one from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Kamianka. There were casualties among the Ukrainian military, it said. Donbas ceasefire: background United States-Mexico border The United States-Mexico border wall spray painted black Photo illustration by Salon/AFP/Getty Images It's not a matter of if a privately built border fence along the shores of the Rio Grande will fail, it's a matter of when, according to a new engineering report on the troubled project. The report is one of two new studies set to be filed in federal court this week that found numerous deficiencies in the 3-mile border fence, built this year by North Dakota-based Fisher Sand and Gravel. The reports confirm earlier reporting from ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, which found that segments of the structure were in danger of overturning due to extensive erosion if not fixed and properly maintained. Fisher dismissed the concerns as normal post-construction issues. Donations that paid for part of the border fence are at the heart of an indictment against members of the We Build the Wall nonprofit, which raised more than $25 million to help President Donald Trump build a border wall. Former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon, We Build the Wall founder Brian Kolfage and two others connected to the organization are accused of siphoning donor money to pay off personal debt and fund lavish lifestyles. All four, who face up to 20 years in prison on each of the two counts they face, have pleaded not guilty, and Bannon has called the charges a plot to stop border wall construction. We Build the Wall, whose executive board is made up of influential immigration hard-liners like Bannon, Kris Kobach and Tom Tancredo, contributed $1.5 million of the cost of the $42 million private border fence project south of Mission, Texas. Last year, the nonprofit also hired Fisher to build a half-mile fence segment in Sunland Park, New Mexico, outside El Paso. Company president Tommy Fisher, a frequent guest on Fox News, had called the Rio Grande fence the "Lamborghini" of border walls and bragged that his company's methods could help Trump reach his Election Day goal of about 500 new miles of barriers along the southern border. Story continues Instead, one engineer who reviewed the two reports on behalf of ProPublica and The Texas Tribune likened Fisher's fence to a used Toyota Yaris. "It seems like they are cutting corners everywhere," said Alex Mayer, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. "It's not a Lamborghini, it's a $500 used car." Since Fisher's companies embarked on construction of the Rio Grande fence, the Trump administration has awarded about $2 billion in federal contracts to the firms to build segments of the border wall in other locations. Fisher agreed to the inspection as part of ongoing lawsuits against Fisher Sand and Gravel filed last year by the National Butterfly Center and the International Boundary and Water Commission. They unsuccessfully sought to convince a federal judge to stop the construction of the project until the potential impacts of the wall on the Rio Grande could be determined. Mark Tompkins, an environmental engineer hired by the wildlife refuge, noted in his report that widespread erosion and scouring occurred after heavy rain events such as Hurricane Hanna in July, but that the fence has yet to experience a flood of the Rio Grande. "Fisher Industries' private bollard fence will fail during extreme high flow events," concluded Tompkins, who specializes in river management. "When extreme flow events, laden with sediment and debris, completely undermine the foundation of the fence and create a flow path under the fence or cause a segment of the fence to topple into the river, unpredictable and damaging hydraulics will occur," he added in an affidavit to be filed in court. Experts have said the fence will face a never-ending battle with erosion given its proximity to the water and the sandy, silty material of the banks. In the Rio Grande Valley, the federal government usually builds sections of the wall miles inland on top of existing levees, partly due to erosion concerns. A second report, based on a geotechnical and structural inspection by the Millennium Engineers Group of Pharr, Texas, also hired by the National Butterfly Center, found that the fence was stable for now, but that it faces a host of issues. They include soil erosion on the river side in some areas gaps up to three feet wide and waist deep, concrete cracking, construction flaws and what the firm concluded was likely substandard construction material below the fence's foundation. The Millennium engineers called for a clay covering to protect the embankment from erosion, as well as closely monitoring the project. Its conclusion: "The geography at the wall's construction location in comparison to the river bend is not at a favorable location for long-term performance." According to a copy of an operation and maintenance plan, Fisher Sand and Gravel plans quarterly inspections of the fence as well as extra checkups after large storms. The company had also said it would plant grasses that better hold in place the sandy riverbank and add a layer of rocks to lessen erosion. New soil will also be "treated and seeded" to help fill ground cover. Tompkins called the maintenance plan "completely inadequate" and a "haphazard and unprofessional approach to long-term maintenance." Tommy Fisher said Tuesday that he couldn't comment on the reports because he hadn't reviewed them. But he added that his company has fixed all of the erosion, in part by adding a 10-foot-wide road made out of rocks for the Border Patrol to drive over that his crew considered big enough so it wouldn't be as easily displaced. He estimates it will cost up to $150,000. "Bottom line, if you want border security on the border you have to think outside the box," he said. "I feel very comfortable with what we've done." In July, Fisher appeared on a podcast hosted by Bannon, who called Fisher "kind of a mentor" who "taught me really about how you actually have to build a wall." Asked about the engineering concerns, which Bannon said were part of a "hit piece," Fisher called them "absolutely nonsense." "I would invite any of these engineers that so-called said this was gonna fall over, I'll meet 'em there next week. If you don't know what you're talking about, you probably shouldn't start talking," he said. "It's working unbelievably well. There's a little erosion maintenance we have to maintain." But to experts, Fisher's planned fixes are inadequate. "To me, it's almost like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound," said Adriana E. Martinez, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor and geomorphologist who reviewed the reports on behalf of ProPublica and The Texas Tribune. Officials with the International Boundary Commission have said that they too have found "significant erosion," but spokeswoman Sally Spener said she couldn't elaborate on that or on mitigation plans due to pending litigation. The binational body regulates building in the floodplain between the U.S. and Mexico because structures can worsen flooding and alter the course of the river, potentially violating international water treaties. The Mexican section of the commission has said it worries the wall could obstruct the river's flow or be knocked down by the force of the water, according to Spener. Trump tried to distance himself from the private fence after the ProPublica/Tribune stories, saying that he had never agreed with it and that it had been done to make him look bad. He again distanced himself from the project and We Build the Wall after the charges against Bannon and the others. "When I read about it, I didn't like it," he said. "It was showboating and maybe looking for funds. But you'll have to see what happens." Last November, We Build the Wall representatives met with Customs and Border Protection officials about donating the group's first border wall project a half-mile fence in Sunland Park, New Mexico, just outside El Paso. According to a memo obtained by The Nation, CBP called it an "overall positive meet and greet." But the federal agency identified several areas of concern with the Sunland Park project, including the possibility that it would require an environmental assessment, but also the fact that Fisher Industries had inflated the speed with which it could complete the project. "Their performance on this small project shows that some claims may have been inflated due to lack of experience with this type of work," the memo states. Fisher has said he wants to donate the Rio Grande fence to the federal government as well, although it's unclear whether the government will take it. The fence likely will come with a hefty tax bill if not donated, after Hidalgo County recently appraised the land's value at more than $20 million, which Fisher said his company will fight. The next court hearing regarding the pending federal lawsuits is scheduled for Sept. 10. Related Articles Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny - Pavel Golovkin/AP Alexei Navalny, the poisoned Russian opposition leader, has regained consciousness and is reacting to stimuli, doctors announced on Monday. He has been brought out of a medically induced coma for the first time since his suspected poisoning with the nerve agent Novichok, and is starting to breathe on his own. The news came as Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, said he had summoned the Russian ambassador to register the UKs deep concern about the poisoning". Its completely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used and Russia must hold a full, transparent investigation, Mr Raab tweeted. Mr Navalny's doctors stressed it is too early to determine whether he has suffered any long-term damage. The prominent Kremlin critic is being treated at Berlins Charite Hospital after being transferred from Russia last month. The patient has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation. He is responding to verbal stimuli, the hospital said in a statement. It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning. Mandatory Credit: Photo by CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10751900i) German Bundeswehr paramedics at the clinic after Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny arrived at Charite clinic in Berlin, Germany, 22 August 2020. Navalny was first placed in an hospital in Omsk, Russia, after he felt bad on board of a plane on his way from Tomsk to Moscow. The flight was interrupted and after landing in Omsk Navalny was delivered to hospital with a suspicion on a toxic poisoning. The hospital management agreed on 21 August 2020 to transport Navalny to a German hospital for further treatment. Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny arrives in Germany after alleged poisoning, Berlin - 22 Aug 2020 - CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Navalny fell ill on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow last month. He was put into an induced coma by Russian doctors after the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk. Russia initially claimed he was too sick to be moved but later bowed to international pressure and agreed to his transfer to Berlin. Angela Merkel announced last week that a German military laboratory had found traces of Novichok in his body. The nerve agent, which was developed by the Soviet Union, is the same poison used in the 2018 attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury. It is thought to be so sophisticated it could only be manufactured by a state. Mr Navalny is one of President Vladimir Putins most outspoken critics, and Western governments have pointed the finger of blame squarely at Russia. So far the Kremlin has refused to cooperate with investigations. A spokesman for Mr Putin said: Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd. Story continues Meanwhile, Mrs Merkel indicated for the first time on Monday that she could be prepared to cancel a controversial gas pipeline project over the poisoning. The German chancellor has faced calls from both allies and opponents to pull out of Nord Stream 2, which will allow Russia to pump natural gas directly to Germany. So far Mrs Merkel has defended the pipeline, which is opposed by the US on the grounds it will make Europe too dependent on Russia for its energy needs. But her spokesman said she now believes it would be wrong to rule anything out. Heiko Maas, the foreign minister, said at the weekend: I hope the Russians will not force us to change our position on Nord Stream 2. Samsungs global prospects for its network business have improved following US sanctions on its bigger rival Huawei, analysts said SEOUL: Samsung Electronics said on Monday it had won a $6.64 billion order to provide wireless communication solutions to Verizon in the United States, a major win for the South Korean firm in the next-generation 5G network market. Samsungs global prospects for its network business have improved following U.S. sanctions on its bigger rival Huawei, analysts said. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg told CNBC in July last year that Verizon does not use any Huawei equipment. Verizon had already been a Samsung customer before the order. Verizon is believed to be Nokias biggest customer, JP Morgan research said in a July note. Samsung winning the order from Verizon would help the company expand its telecom equipment business abroad, potentially giving leverage to negotiate with other countries, said Park Sung-soon, an analyst at Cape Investment and Securities. The order is for network equipment, a Samsung spokesman said. The company declined to comment on detailed terms the contract such as the portion of 5G-capable equipment included. With this latest long-term strategic contract, we will continue to push the boundaries of 5G innovation to enhance mobile experiences for Verizons customers, Samsung said in a statement. Samsung said in a regulatory filing the period of the contract, which Samsungs U.S. unit signed with Verizon Sourcing LLC, is from June 30, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2025. Samsung had a 3% market share of the global total telecom equipment market in 2019, behind No. 1 Huawei with 28%, Nokia's 16%, Ericsson's 14%, ZTE's 10% and Cisco's 7%, according to market research firm Dell'Oro Group. The Trump administration last month unveiled plans to auction off spectrum previously dedicated to military purposes for commercial use starting in mid-2022, to ramp up fifth-generation network coverage in the United States. The next-generation 5G wireless network is expected eventually to connect and enable high-speed video transmissions and self-driving cars, among other uses. Britain in July ordered Huawei equipment to be purged completely from its 5G network by the end of 2027, adding it needs to bring in new suppliers like Samsung Electronics and Japan's NEC. Samsung Electronics shares rose 2% compared to the wider KOSPIs 0.5% climb. Upon her arrival home for the Labor Day weekend, Sierra Madden, 18, receives a warm hug from her dad, Steve Madden, of Burrillville. Sierra, a freshman student at East Connecticut State University, was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship for an essay she wrote detailing her perspective on her fathers battle with Alzheimers Disease. Her father was diagnosed with the illness when Sierra was just 10 years old. In an apparent jibe at Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut over her 'Mumbai feels like PoK' comments, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said some people don't have gratitude for the city where they earn their livelihood. Ranaut is in the eye of the storm over her recent remarks on Mumbai and its police. 'Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir?' Ranaut had tweeted, inviting criticism from various quarters. She would require security from Haryana or Himachal Pradesh police and would not accept protection from the Mumbai police to expose an alleged 'drug mafia in Bollywood', the award-winning actor had said. Speaking in the legislative assembly on the condolence motion, Thackeray, without taking any names, said, "Some people have gratitude towards the city where they live and earn their livelihood, but some don't." The comments came when he was paying tributes to Anil Rathod, a former Shiv Sena MLA and minister who died recently. "Anil bhaiyya came from Rajasthan and made Maharashtra his home. He was a hardcore Shiv sainik," Thackeray said. Politicially motivated: Maha minister on security to Kangana Meanwhile, Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar termed as politically motivated the Centre's decision to provide Y-Plus category security to Ranaut. Kangana has been provided with Y-plus category security after she spoke about drug use in Bollywood, following the death of fellow actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Wadettiwar said the Centre's decision was a 'politically motivated move' and accused Kangana of being the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'parrot'. "By giving security to Kangana, the Centre and the BJP have endorsed her comments against Mumbai police and Maharashtra. This is betrayal of the people of the state," he said. BJP leader Ram Kadam recently asked the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government to provide police protection to Kangana since 'she wanted to expose the Bollywood drug nexus'. Responding to Kadam's tweet, the actor said she feared Mumbai Police more than the 'movie mafia', and would prefer security either from Himachal Pradesh or the Centre. Fitness entrepreneur Kayla Itsines looked rather glum while out shopping in Adelaide on Sunday, just two weeks after announcing her split from fiance Tobi Pearce. The 29-year-old, whose at-home workout empire is worth almost $700million, failed to raise a smile while strolling through the Burnside Village shopping centre. She showed off her famous abs in a cropped grey sweater and matching high-waisted shorts, which she paired with white sneakers and Adidas socks. You okay, hun? Fitness entrepreneur Kayla Itsines looked rather glum while out shopping in Adelaide on Sunday, just two weeks after announcing her split from fiance Tobi Pearce She carried a shopping bag from makeup store Mecca Maxima, and pulled her dark hair back in a sporty ponytail. At one stage, she checked her phone while leaving a store. The Bikini Body Guide founder confirmed her split from Tobi, who is the father of her one-year-old daughter, Arna Leia Pearce, on August 21. Glum: The 29-year-old, whose at-home workout empire is worth almost $700million, failed to raise a smile while strolling through the Burnside Village shopping centre At least she has abs! She showed off her toned tummy in a cropped grey sweater and shorts Lonely hearts: At one stage, she checked her phone while leaving a store 'After eight years together, Tobi and I have come to the difficult decision to separate as a couple. We will always be family, and remain good friends and devoted parents to Arna,' Kayla told her 12.6 million Instagram followers. 'We have grown up together in Adelaide, sharing a lifetime of experiences and special memories from moving into our first apartment and starting SWEAT from our lounge room to becoming parents to our beautiful daughter. 'Our friendship remains strong as we parent Arna together and run SWEAT as business partners. Thank you for your support and kindness during this time.' In 2018, Forbes estimated the couple's shared net worth to be $696million. Retail therapy: Kayla carried a shopping bag from makeup store Mecca Maxima It's over! The Bikini Body Guide founder confirmed her split from Tobi (left) on August 21 The couple welcomed their daughter in April 2019, just two months after Tobi surprised Kayla with an engagement party. After meeting in late 2012, the pair launched the Bikini Body Training Company and went on to amass a following of more than 20 million fitness enthusiasts worldwide thanks to their workouts, app and health books. They were named joint fifth on the Australian Financial Review's Young Rich List for 2018, making them the wealthiest self-made twentysomethings in Australia. Their fitness programs help people transform their bodies and achieve dramatic weight loss at the gym or from home. The way they were: The couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Arna Leia, in April 2019, just two months after Tobi had surprised Kayla with an engagement party (pictured) Co-parents: Kayla and Tobi are pictured with their one-year-old daughter, Arna Leia Pearce China on Monday shrugged off the Indian armys concern over five missing civilians in Arunachal Pradesh, saying Beijing has never recognised the state which it claims is part of south Tibet. The Indian army had asked China over the weekend whether the missing Indians were in the custody of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Chinas position on the eastern section of the China and India boundary and Chinas southern Tibet is consistent and clear. We have never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established on the Chinese territory, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said Monday at the regular ministry briefing. Regarding the specifics, you mentioned I am not aware of it now, Zhao said responding to a query about the missing Indians. The Indian Army had contacted its Chinese counterpart about the five missing civilians, who were engaged as guides and porters by the Indian army in the Upper Subansiri district on the Sino-India border, on Saturday. Those allegedly kidnapped have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri. They had gone hunting in a jungle when they were allegedly kidnapped by the PLA. In February, China had strongly objected to home minister Amit Shahs visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the visit had violated its territorial sovereignty and sabotaged mutual trust with India. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet and routinely, and sharply, criticises the visit of any Indian official visiting the region. In November, the Chinese foreign ministry had similarly slammed Indian defence minister, Rajnath Singhs visit to the state to review the security situation in the frontier border region. Relations between India and China have hit a multi-decade low since clashes in Ladakh in June that killed 20 Indian soldiers. Both sides have since stepped up monitoring of their largely unsettled 3,488 km border. We spoke with them (the PLA) on the hotline and told them that its suspected that some people have crossed across to your side and we will be grateful if you could hand them over back, as per what we do normally, Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Wardhan Pande, an Indian Army spokesperson, told news agency Reuters. There is no earmarked line going through the forest or the mountains, so they keep moving here and there. So they might have gone there. Its a very normal thing, he said, adding they were yet to hear back from the Chinese. Dr Jack Lambert says masks should be worn on busier urban streets as well as indoors A consultant in infectious diseases is calling for masks to be worn on the capital's streets in a bid to lower Covid-19 levels, as the latest figures show half of cases lie in Dublin. Dr Jack Lambert, a consultant in infectious diseases and genitourinary medicine at the Mater Hospital, said mask-wearing in congregated areas outside, is a decision that "must be taken now". But Dr Lambert predicted the Government would not make this move for at least four weeks. "It's not clear who's in charge in terms of Covid-19," Dr Lambert told the Herald. Last night's figures for the virus showed there were 138 new cases, with 68 of these in Dublin. The remainder were spread across the country, with Limerick reporting the second highest case numbers at 13. Galway and Kildare both had nine. Self-isolate Expand Close Henry St shoppers / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Henry St shoppers The latest cases were announced after the Sunday Independent reported that Beaumont Hospital in Dublin had been struck by outbreaks of Covid-19, with three patients and two staff testing positive. Three wards in the hospital were closed and more than 10 staff deemed to be close contacts were asked to self-isolate at home. Dr Lambert claimed there had been a number of outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes in recent days. He said it was his belief that masks needed to be worn throughout hospitals, including in cafes and offices, by medical staff. "You need a mask in every situation and we are letting our guard down," he added. With Dublin's figures at a high level for a number of weeks now, it was time to wear masks inside and out on busier streets, he said. "I was walking around Henry Street and Grafton Street and there were crowds but no one was wearing a mask," Dr Lambert said. "If I was in Government, it is the first thing I would bring in - masks in busier outside areas. "There's such a fear, we are paralysed by it. We have to do something to improve best practice - that is masks and social distancing because we need the economy to recover and mental health is suffering. "We need to travel, to welcome visitors safely. We should open all the pubs and yes, we run a risk but we need to live safely with the virus." Dr Laura Durcan, consultant rheumatologist at Beaumont Hospital, told Brendan O'Connor on RTE 1: "I'm not alarmed at all," by the outbreaks at the hospital. "Beaumont and James' are the only hospitals in the country, as far as I'm aware, who are testing everyone who comes in for an overnight stay. "If you come into our emergency department or are admitted for an operation, we will stick an unpleasant swab up your nose and make sure that you are not going to be a risk to staff and other people around you. Success "I would call this a success story. We hunt down a case and when we find it, we shut down the wards, where the contacts are and we chase it out of the hospital, he said. "I think nationally, we need to start looking at whether we need serial testing for our healthcare workers." Former HSE director general Tony O'Brien said if the Covid-19 figures were to increase in Irish hospitals, the country would be facing "a catastrophic winter". Mr O'Brien called for the Government to provide all the necessary funding the HSE asks for during the winter period to ensure the system is able to cope. Bed blocking could not be allowed, Mr O'Brien said while he warned overcrowding could not be tolerated during a pandemic when social distancing is vital. Health Secretary Matt Hancock pictured during an interview with LBC on Monday. (PA) The number of new coronavirus cases has risen to 2,948 in the last 24-hour period. It means the UK has seen another significant spike in cases for the second day in a row after an increase of 2,988 new cases on Sunday - the highest daily increase since 22 May. As a result, the seven-day rate of new cases has now risen above 20 cases per 100,000 people - higher than the level at which the Government considers imposing quarantine conditions on people travelling to the UK from other countries. The number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test being recorded has risen by just 2, taking the governments official death toll to 41,553, according to the UK government's coronavirus dashboard. Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other agencies - regarded by many as a more accurate toll - show around 57,300 deaths registered in the UK where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. The latest figures come as health secretary Matt Hancock admitted he was concerned about the spike in cases, which he said was predominantly among young people aged 17-21. He denied accusations the government had lost control of the epidemic just as schools are reopening and people return to work. Watch: Matt Hancock says young people account for a large number of new Covid-19 cases Former NHS regional director of public health for the south-west Professor Gabriel Scally said on Sunday: Theyve lost control of the virus. Its no longer small outbreaks they can stamp on. Its become endemic in our poorest communities and this is the result. Its extraordinarily worrying when schools are opening and universities are going to be going back. Speaking on Monday to LBC, Hancock warned the virus appears to be spreading in greater numbers due to young people. The rise in the number of cases we have seen in the last few days is concerning, he said. It is concerning because we have seen a rise in cases in France, in Spain, in some other countries across Europe nobody wants to see a second wave here. Story continues The rise in the number of cases weve seen in the last few days is largely among younger people. Read more: Scientists as well as politicians to blame for coronavirus failings, health expert says "So don't pass the disease on to your grandparents if you're a young person, everybody needs to follow the social distancing." Asked if the government had lost control, he said: No, but the whole country needs to follow the social distancing because we can only do this as a whole society. Train services will be ramped up from today as schools in England and Wales reopen and workers are encouraged to return to offices. (PA) The health secretary also suggested that the demographic of new cases is from more affluent young people, after host Nick Ferrari asked him to comment on claims that it is more prevalent across poorer communities. He also hit out at large-scale social events which he said are completely inappropriate in a time of coronavirus. His comments come as COVID case rates were found to be growing fastest among those aged between 10 and 29, according to analysis of Public Health England figures gathered between the beginning of July and the end of August. The case rate for those aged 10-19 has quadrupled after reaching a low point in early July, while the rate for those in their 20s has tripled. Bolton in Greater Manchester has the highest number of cases in the UK. (Getty) Currentlyseven-day rate of new UK cases currently stands at 19.0 per 100,000 people just below 20 cases per 100,000 which, if recorded in other countries, is the threshold above which the government considers imposing quarantine conditions on people travelling to the UK. The most recent data from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey analysis produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that those working in patient-facing healthcare or resident-facing social care roles are more likely to have ever been infected by COVID-19 over the study period, 8 June to 2 August 2020, than those not working in these roles. Read more: Government website is telling people there are 'no coronavirus tests available' right now Of those in our study who reported working in patient-facing healthcare or resident-facing social care roles, 12.6% tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies from a blood test during the study period. By comparison, the percentage of people reporting not working in these types of roles testing positive for COVID-19 on a swab test was lower at 4.7% The news comes as rail network ramp up services to coincide with schools across the country reopen and more and more British people get back to work. Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said timetables will be increased to around 90% of pre-coronavirus pandemic levels, meaning additional and longer trains on many routes, particularly at peak times. Watch as Yahoo UKs Health reporter explains how coronavirus is treated Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter Experts attempting to douse the blaze at an Oil India Limited (OIL) natural gas well in Assams Baghjan, which had a blowout on May 27 and caught fire on June 9, had temporary success on Monday and were able to put out the flames for nearly eight hours. According to OIL officials, effort to divert the gas from the well to flare pits to the Early Production System (EPS) was successful and led to dousing of the blaze. But due to technical issues, the blow out preventer (BoP) ram was opened and the fire started again. The fire was doused for eight hours. But considering observed leakage through wellhead, it was decided for the wells safety to open the BoP ram and flare the gas through it as was the case earlier. Experts will explore the possibility of welding the leakage point, OIL spokesperson Tridiv Hazarika said. On August 17, foreign experts engaged by OIL were able to cap the well by placing a BO stack over the wellhead. But problems surfaced two days later when attempts were made to douse the fire by killing the well. The operation was suspended on August 19 following rupture of a casing valve. Today we were successful (in dousing the fire). It was a unique attempt (to douse fire by diverting gas to flare pits and start production from a blazing well). Hopefully, the leakage will be easily repaired and by Wednesday we should be able to divert the gas from the wellhead once again, Hazarika said. Last week, Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary told the state assembly that it would take another 6-8 weeks to douse the fire at Baghjan. Experts from Canada are coming to Baghjan in a chartered aircraft carrying equipment to kill the well with snubbing technology. It could take another 6 to 8 weeks to complete the operation, he said. The well in Tinsukia district had a blow out on May 27, during a work over operation and caught fire on June 9 killing two firefighters. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The European Court for Human Rights recently ruled in favour of two of the Roma injured in the Moldava raid seven years ago. This is how the case unfolded over time. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Read this story to learn: How the Budulovska locals describe the raid and how the police inspectorate concluded it How the case unfolded in Slovak courts What the ECHR ruling means for Slovak courts and where the case may go from here What changes is the current interior minister promising and what the prime minister says about the ruling Robert Rybar was dragged out of his house. He remembers receiving five or six kicks in his ribs, and several punches to the head. That is how he has repeatedly described the treatment he received from police officers during the June 2013 police raid that Slovakia has since come to know as the Moldava Raid. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Even though several people were left injured after the raid, the investigation did not find any violation of the rules of police actions. On the pretext of searching for seven men for whom they had arrest warrants, 63 police officers raided the settlement called Budulovska in the eastern-Slovak town of Moldava nad Bodvou on June 19, 2013. They found none of those men, but violence ensued. Several persons were injured and 15 Roma were taken to the police station. Two weeks later, then Police Corps president Tibor Gaspar backed the local police officers and stated that the Roma had been treating the police with more respect since the raid. Budulovska locals did not agree with his assessment. It was all unnecessary violence, Rybar told the press. We didn't do anything. On the day of the police raid they came to us, they entered our houses without permission and they started beating us head-on. Charges were brought against some of the police officers, but they were all dismissed. On the other hand, Rybar and five more of the beaten Roma were later accused of false testimony against the police officers. Eastern-Slovak courts have been dealing with their cases. On September 1, 2020, Rybar and his neighbour from Budulovska, Roland Danco, won their case against the Slovak Republic in the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR). The court upheld the view of the plaintiffs that they suffered inhuman treatment and that the authorities failed to conduct a proper investigation into that ill-treatment. The court awarded 20,000 to each of the two men as non-pecuniary damage, and 6,500 jointly in respect of costs and expenses. Some see the ECHR ruling as a game-changer in the case. Unless Slovakia learns from the ruling, police brutality will occur again, stated former police investigator Jozef Satek. The ruling talks about the entire politics-police-prosecutor system, which organised, carried out and approved the brutal police raid, then intentionally slowed the investigation of it, and finally manipulated the investigation results to such an extent that it aimed the blade of criminal law against the victims, accused them and charged them, Satek wrote on his Facebook page. Another ruling still expected The pandemic recession is a cloud that will remain hanging over our entire country for the foreseeable future. As workplaces and businesses went dark this spring, there were fewer paychecks being cashed and even fewer places to spend them, such as dairy-rich restaurants and other establishments. However, federal stimulus spending, including the $2.2 trillion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, accomplished its purpose to stem a bit of that bleeding, described Andy Novakovic on the September 1 Hoards Dairyman DairyLivestream. The Cornell University agricultural economist illustrated that this government action provided a considerable boost to Americans spending power during this time of crisis. The data is called personal disposable income how much money do I have left over after I pay taxes and a few other things that I can spend at my discretion? he defined. In Quarter 1 (January through March), that number was up 3%. In Quarter 2 (April through June), that number was up 13%. That seems counterintuitive, but Novakovic explained, If you take out government benefits, which is social security and regular benefits, but also certainly the extra funding that came through the CARES Act, that Quarter 1 statistic is exactly the same. You take away government benefits, and instead of plus 13% personal disposable income in Quarter 2, its now minus 4%. That negative pressure on consumer buying ability would have likely made the waves in the demand for milk even more dramatic than what was realized this spring. The federal spending, Novakovic affirmed, had a tremendously important impact on not having an even worse result for consumption-type expenditures. This year, we have learned how every bit of dairy sold and consumed counts. What looks like pretty small changes in production and consumption can have pretty powerful effects on price, the economist noted. He added that stimulus payments are not a perfect solution and, of course, create debt, often to other countries. But that money has helped bring some life back into the economy. The reality is, if we do nothing, it gets worse, concluded Novakovic. Buying dairy This is not even to mention the amount of dairy that was purchased directly by the government in the form of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Through the first two rounds of the program, from mid-May to the end of August, USDA bought over $605 million in dairy products. That food has been distributed to Americans in need in more than 75 million food boxes. The third round of contracts is just beginning, with another $1 billion allocated for purchasing dairy, meats, and produce. An ongoing series of events DairyLivestream will air twice each month for the remainder of this year. The next broadcast will be on Wednesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. CST. Each episode is designed for panelists to answer over 30 minutes of audience questions. If you havent joined a DairyLivestream broadcast yet, register here. Registering once registers you for all future events. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2020 September 3, 2020 SAINT JOHN, N.B.The leader of New Brunswicks Progressive Conservatives has dropped one of his candidates after learning he had reposted a Facebook message containing transphobic language. Blaine Higgs said Monday he was disturbed by the reposting of a transphobic meme by Roland Michaud, the partys candidate in Victoria-La Vallee, that suggested physical violence against transgender women when they use washrooms. Higgs said during a news conference in Saint John late in the afternoon that the post was missed during the vetting of Michauds candidacy and says he only became aware of it early on Labour Day. The leader said he was particularly disturbed by the violence described in the post, adding that inciting aggression is unacceptable for a political candidate. Michaud posted on Facebook Monday night that he had apologized for circulating the meme and he didnt intend to withdraw his name from the race. Im a blue collar, ordinary guy just like you and ordinary people make mistakes. Ive admitted to that and Ive apologized but Im only human just like you and Im sure many of you have made mistakes over the years also. Im asking you to give me a chance, he wrote. Im still on the ballot for Victoria-La Vallee and I can still be the voice that you folks need. So please vote Roland Michaud. Give me the opportunity to prove to you who I am. Higgs said during the news conference that with the revelation of the December 2018 post coming just a week before the Sept. 14 election, Michauds name would remain on the ballot and his party will be unable to provide a fresh candidate. However, he said the party is asking Michaud to remove its signs and it will not accept Michaud into caucus should he be elected. Michaud is running in the Liberal-held riding in northwest New Brunswick, which includes a large Francophone population. At dissolution, the Progressive Conservatives and Liberals each had 20 seats in the legislature, while the Greens and the Peoples Alliance each had three. There are two vacant seats and one Independent. Higgs said that it wasnt a difficult decision to ask Michaud to withdraw, even as his party seeks to win additional seats in hope of forming a majority government. Its a message we have to send across the province. We have higher standards we must uphold and follow, he said. The Tory leader said he will raise questions about his partys vetting process for candidates, agreeing with a reporter that finding the offensive post wasnt particularly difficult. I will ask the questions of the vetting process ... There is a process that needs to be followed and followed diligently, he said. Alice McKim, a candidate for the Liberal Party who is a transgender woman, said the comment by the Tory candidate was inciting violence and was contrary to the provinces Human Rights Act. The degradation of this type increases the likelihood of the degraded to become victims of crime and decreases the inhibition of others to harm us, she said in Saint John. Let the candidate (Michaud) go. Lets move on. Read more about: Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Haiti - FLASH : Armed gangs of the G9 issue an ultimatum to the National Palace Gangs members of the G9, the Federation of armed gangs and allies, issues an ultimatum to the National Palace for the release no later than Monday, September 7, of the Gang Leader Albert Stevenson aka "Djouma" of the Simon/Pele neighborhood (commune of Cite Soleil). Recall that "Djouma" was arrested on September 2 by agents of the territorial unit of the airport police station during a routine check https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31708-haiti-news-zapping.html If they do not get satisfaction, these gangs threaten to paralyzethe airport road at first. In addition, some sources suggest that armed individuals members of the G9 are in the process of preparing other actions in case of failure. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31708-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31243-haiti-flash-the-minister-of-justice-dismissed.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-31691-icihaiti-gangs-violent-armed-clashes-many-victims.html HL/ HaitiLibre Security forces in Belarus detained scores of protesters and were filmed beating a man as he lay on the street, as the authorities launched a crackdown on mass demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko. Nearly a month after an election which Lukashenkos opponents say he rigged, tens of thousands of people marched through Minsk, many decked out in red-and-white opposition colours and shouting go away! and youre a rat!. The authorities had laid barbed wire on the streets, and deployed military vehicles, prisoner vans, water cannons, helmeted riot police and plain clothes officers with masks and truncheons to try to contain the demonstrations. At least 100 people were detained, the Russian news agency Interfax quoted the government as saying, while the human rights group Spring-96 put the figure at more than 200. Local media also showed protests and detentions in other cities. A witness said the harsh treatment of the protesters appeared to mark an escalation by the authorities after weeks of comparative restraint, although the violence was not as widespread and indiscriminate as in the protests first days. Footage from local media outlet TUT.BY showed a masked man beating a protester as he lay on the ground. Plain clothes officers could be seen smashing the glass door of a cafe to get at protesters sheltering inside. We ran into a cafe to hide from the riot police, they broke the glass, burst inside, pulled out three people, beat at least one, Evgeny, a 28-year-old protester, said while waiters cleaned up the smashed glass. JUMPING INTO THE RIVER A witness described helmeted security forces and men in plain clothes detaining at least two dozen protesters near President Alexander Lukashenkos residence, and beating and kicking another man as he lay on the ground. Some protesters left chanting well be back. An ambulance arrived at another cafe, where another witness said a man had been beaten by men with truncheons and could only walk with difficulty. TUT.BY described people jumping into the Svislach River to escape the police in Minsk. Protests also took place outside the capital. In the city of Brest near the Polish border, video footage from TUT.BY showed women shouting shame at masked members of the security forces who dragged people away. Internal Affairs Minister Yuri Karayev defended the actions of the security forces. They talk about the brutality of the Belarusian police, and I want to say this: there are no more humane, restrained and cool-headed police anywhere in the world, he said, according to the official Belta news agency. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, denies electoral fraud. Buoyed by a show of support from traditional ally Russia, he has rejected calls for new elections. Demonstrations have carried on throughout the four weeks since the election, gaining in size on the weekends and drawing tens of thousands of people each Sunday. Western countries have had to balance sympathy with the Belarusian pro-democracy movement against a desire not to provoke Moscow. The crisis has tested European resolve at a moment when countries are also weighing how to respond to the suspected poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. In an interview published in the Financial Times on Sunday, Lithuanias foreign minister urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Belarus and counter Russias influence or risk undermining the credibility of its foreign policy. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 05:37:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- An extradition hearing opened on Monday at the Old Bailey courthouse in London against WikiLeaks founder, Australian Julian Assange. Assange, aged 49, who spent almost seven years holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, faces an 18-count indictment from the U.S. authorities accusing him of recruiting hackers to steal military secrets. Assange, who sat behind a glass security screen at the back of the court, was formally rearrested on a new U.S. indictment which updated and broadened previous charges, brought mostly under the U.S. Espionage Act. Assange told district judge Vanessa Baraitser he did not consent to be extradited, paving the way for a lengthy legal battle in London's most famous courthouse. The indictment says Assange and WikiLeaks repeatedly sought, obtained, and disseminated information that the U.S. classified due to the serious risk that unauthorised disclosure could harm the national security. A 200-page submission by Assange's barrister Edward Fitzgerald asserted that the prosecution was being pursued for ulterior political motives and not in good faith. Fitzgerald said in the submission: "The request seeks extradition for what is a classic 'political offence'. Extradition for a political offence is expressly prohibited by article 4(1) of the Anglo-U.S. extradition treaty. Therefore, it constitutes an abuse of this court's process to require this court to extradite on the basis of the Anglo-U.S. treaty in breach of the treaty's express provisions." Assange faces a prison term of up to 175 years in the U.S. if he is found guilty over the publication of secret intelligence and military documents. A number of Assange supporters, including his partner Stella Morris, gathered outside the courthouse before the case opened Monday. The hearing in London is set to continue for a number of weeks. Enditem Sushant Singh Rajput (File image: PTI) The Congress on Monday accused the ruling BJP of politicising the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, terming it a new low in Indian politics. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala condemned the party and said Rajput's death was being politicised to deflect attention from the problems faced by the people in Bihar. "This is a new low in the new India of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Surjewala said at a virtual press conference. He alleged that Bihar was ravaged by floods and reeling under acute misery with the government having "abdicated its responsibility". Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should conduct an impartial probe into the death of the actor, unmindful of the political implication of the case. "Mr CBI and his masters, how many days will be required to unearth the mystery of the death of great actor Sushant Singh Rajput, already media trial has been continuing in full swing which even can dwarf the judicial trial. "We will certainly expect from premier investigating agency CBI that impartial investigation will be conducting on the sensational death of Sushant Singh Rajput, unmindful of its political implication (sic)," Chowdhury tweeted. Surjewala claimed Bihar has rampant unemployment with over 4,00,000 unfilled posts, and the people of the state have a dearth of rations. There are no opportunities for the youth, he added. "The entire government machinery lies decimated in shambles in Bihar under the BJP and Nitish babu's rule. Consequently, they are attempting to divert attention and politicise the death of a film star," he said. The debates on the electronic media are now focussed on Sushant Singh Rajput and Rhea Chakraborty instead of issues of national importance like coronavirus outbreak, unemployment and the economy, Surjewala said. "I think this is utterly condemnable and reprehensible. I would with folded hands urge the media owners to show the reality of life of real India and not the new India, the make-believe India of Modiji, which does not exist," he added. The Congress alleged that posters of actor Rajput have been put up by the ruling BJP in Bihar ahead of the assembly polls in the state. 07.09.2020 LISTEN A former MP for La Dadekotopon, Nii Amasah Namoale, has denied claims that former President John Mahama gave all of Ghanas bauxite to his brother Ibrahim Mahama as constantly alleged by governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). Mr Ibrahim Mahamas Exton Cubic firm was granted the lease to the concession close to Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region on 29 December 2016, approximately a week before Mr Mahama handed over power to then-President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo. However, a Supreme Court revoked the lease after several legal battles between the firm and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. The issue came up again recently, when Mrs Samira Bawumia, wife of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, told supporters of the NPP in the Ashanti Region that Ghanaians will not repeat the mistake of electing a leader that will give all of the countrys bauxite to a sibling. While addressing supporters of the partys launch of its Womens Wing Campaign Committee in its stronghold on Saturday, 5 August 2020, Mrs Bawumia said: Someone came and gave all of Ghanas bauxite to a sibling but President Akufo-Addo says hes using Ghanas resources for all Ghanaians and not just a select few. What else do you want but this? Clarifying issues regarding the bauxite deal, however, Mr Namoale told Kwabena Prah Jr on Accra100.5FMs morning show Ghana Yensom on Monday, 7 September 2020 that: Its not true that former President John Mahama gave all of Ghanas bauxite to his brother as has been constantly recited by the NPP. Supporters of the NPP, he noted, have been brainwashed to keep reciting that lie. They recite it like the Catholics do the rosary at mass, Mr Namoale indicated. According to him, even the President of the Republic fell for that lie when he went to inaugurate the Tema Motorway Interchange. He did the same mistake that serial callers were doing because he taught the recitation was true but its a lie. In the first place, he intimated, Mr Ibrahim Mahama went through the process for the Nyinahin bauxite concession given to him. If he had not gone through the process, he would have been processed for court, prosecuted and jailed by now, he noted. He went through the process, the ex-MP stressed, adding: The only thing that disqualified him is that he is a brother of former President John Mahama, per the logic of the NPP. ---classfmonline Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The Department of Health, citing medical research, said Monday that crushed dolomite being used to cover a portion of the Manila Bay could cause eye irritation, as well as respiratory problems, once inhaled, and gastrointestinal illnesses when ingested. Mayroon pong mga sinasabi sa mga pagaaral na kapag na-inhale natin ito, ng mga tao, may mga adverse reactions - sa respiratory mainly, Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media forum. [Translation: Inhaling dolomite has adverse reactions - in the respiratory system mainly.] Aside from respiratory issues, dolomite particles, once ingested, could cause stomachache and diarrhea, the health official said. These are minor effects ng (of) dolomite na nilagay doon sa (that was put in) Manila Bay, Vergeire added. While it is unlikely for people to experience these health problems after just one visit to the Manila Bay, Vergeire still urged them to exercise caution. She advised people to observe the minimum health standards such as wearing face masks so they would not inhale the dolomite once they go to the area. The overlaying of synthetic white sand on Manila Bay shores is part of the P389-million Manila Bay rehabilitation project led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Authorities earlier pointed out the white sand is crushed dolomite boulders from Cebu province. However, the dolomite was extracted and brought to Manila without permission from local officials, Cebu Provincial Board Member John Ismael Borgonia earlier said. Environment advocates have opposed the beautification project, noting it may destroy the natural ecosystem in Manila Bay and the source of the dolomite. Oceana Philippines also pointed out the program is a total waste of peoples money. Vice President Leni Robredo called the move "insensitive" since it is being done at the height of a health and economic crisis. DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda responded to critics by saying that they studied the project thoroughly before pursuing it. Vergeire also expressed belief the DENR knows what it is doing and would not implement a project without carefully studying its impacts on the environment and the people. "Di naman ipapatupad ng DENR yan kung di po nila napagaralan na this will cause harm to environment and people, she said. [Translation: DENR would not implement this project without studying whether it could cause harm to the environment or the people.] Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market: Global Industry Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 A recent market study published by FMI on the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market includes the global industry analysis of 2015-2019 & opportunity assessment for 2020-2030, and delivers a comprehensive assessment of the most important market dynamics. Our analysts have conducted thorough research on the historical as well as current growth parameters of the market to obtain growth prospects with maximum precision. Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Segmentation Product Embolic Coils Intracranial Stents Carotid Stents Thrombectomy Devices Intrassacular Devices Balloons Embolic Protection Devices Liquid Embolics Stent Retrievers Sample of Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-871 Technique Neurothrombectomy Procedures Cerebral Angioplasty Stenting Coiling Procedures Flow Disruption End User Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Region North America Latin America Europe Middle East & Africa (MEA) East Asia South Asia Oceania Report Chapters Chapter 01- Executive Summary The report gives a brief with the executive summary of the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, which includes a summary of the key findings and statistics of the market. It also includes the demand & supply-side trends pertaining to the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market. Chapter 02 Market Overview In this chapter, readers can find the definition and a detailed taxonomy of the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, which will help them understand the basic information about the market. Along with this, comprehensive information about Neurointerventional procedure medical devices is provided in this section. This section also highlights the inclusions and exclusions, which help readers understand the scope of the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market report. Chapter 03 Key Market Trends This section includes key trends impacting the market as well as the major development trends associated with advancements and latest innovations in Neurointerventional procedure medical devices. Chapter 04- Key Success Factors This section includes key successful factors concerning the success of prominent products, the key strategies followed by manufacturers, the global market regulatory scenario and disease epidemiology and key statistics. Chapter 05 Global Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market- Pricing Analysis This chapter provides an in-depth regional pricing analysis by product type, along with a demarcation between manufacturer and distributor level pricing as well as the global average pricing analysis benchmark. Chapter 06- Global Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Demand (in Volume or in Units) Analysis 2015-2019 and Forecast, 2020-2030 This section explains the global market volume analysis and forecast for the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market for the historical period 2015-2019 & forecast period of 2020-2030. This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the historical digital wound measurement devices market, along with an opportunity analysis for the future. Readers can also find the absolute $ opportunity for the current year (2020), a Y-o-Y growth trend analysis and absolute $ opportunity for the forecast period. Chapter 07- Global Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Demand (in Value or Size in US$ Mn) Analysis 2015-2019 and Forecast, 2020-2030 This section explains the global market value analysis and forecast for the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market for the historical period 2015-2019 & forecast period of 2020-2030. This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the historical digital wound measurement devices market, along with an opportunity analysis for the future. Readers can also find the absolute $ opportunity for the current year (2020), a Y-o-Y growth trend analysis and absolute $ opportunity for the forecast period. Chapter 08- Market Background This chapter explains key macroeconomic factors that are expected to influence the growth of the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market over the forecast period. Along with the macroeconomic factors, this section also highlights forecast factors, pointing out the relevance and impact of rising incidences of neurological disorders, new product developments and value chain analysis. This section also sheds light on the prominent market dynamics by bringing to the fore prominent drivers, restraints and opportunities for the upcoming forecast period. Chapter 09- COVID-19 Crisis Analysis This chapter explores the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on current and future growth projections. It incorporates the current statistics and the probable future impact, current GDP projections and its probable impact, and a comparison of the incumbent scenario with the 2008 financial crisis. Furthermore, this section also incorporates the impact of the pandemic on each of the segments covered in the report. It also provides a quarter-wise forecast, highlighting possible recovery scenarios in the near future. Chapter 10- Global Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 and Forecast 2020-2030, by Product Type This chapter provides details about the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market based on regime type and has been classified into embolic coils, intracranial stents, embolic protection devices (EPD), intrassacular devices, balloons, carotid stents, thrombectomy devices, flow diverters, liquid embolics and stent retrievers. Chapter 11- Global Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 by Technique This chapter provides details about the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market based on regime type and has been classified into neurothrombectomy procedure, stenting, cerebral angioplasty, coiling procedure and flow disruption. Chapter 12 Global Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 by End-User This chapter provides details about the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market based on application and has been classified into hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Chapter 13- Global Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 by Region This chapter provides details about the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market based on region and has been classified into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa (MEA), East Asia, South Asia and Oceania. Chapter 14- North America Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the North America Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes the U.S and Canada. Readers can also find the pricing analysis, regional trends, and market growth based on material and countries in North America. Chapter 15- Latin America Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the Latin America Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Rest of Latin America. Chapter 16- Europe Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the European Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes Germany, Italy, France, the U.K, Spain, BENELUX, Russia and Rest of Europe. Chapter 17- South Asia Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the South Asian Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Rest of South Asia. Chapter 18- East Asia Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the East Asian Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes China, Japan and South Korea. Chapter 19- Oceania Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the Oceania Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes Australia and New Zealand. Chapter 20- Middle East & Africa Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the Middle East & Africa Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes GCC countries, Turkey, South Africa and rest of MEA. Chapter 21- Emerging & Key Countries Neurointerventional procedure medical devices Market Analysis 20152019 and Forecast 20202030 This chapter provides the growth scenario of the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market of 20 key countries by type, and form. Additionally, COVID-19 impact in the said market in all respective countries has been included. To Buy This Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/871 Chapter 22- Market Structure Analysis In this chapter, readers can find detailed information about the tier analysis and market concentration of key players in the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market, along with their market presence analysis by region and product portfolio and channel footprint. Chapter 23- Competition Analysis In this chapter, readers can find a comprehensive list of all the prominent stakeholders in the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices 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 Stryker Corporation, Penumbra Inc., Covidien Public Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Private Limited and Terumo Corporation. Chapter 24- Assumptions & Acronyms Used This chapter includes a list of acronyms and assumptions that provides a base to the information and statistics included in the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market report. Chapter 25- Research Methodology This chapter help readers understand the research methodology followed to obtain various conclusions as well as important qualitative and quantitative information about the Neurointerventional procedure medical devices market. ABOUT US: Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India. FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. CONTACT US: Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com A total of 145 police personnel deployed in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar have tested positive for COVID-19 and 75 per cent of them have recovered, officials said on Sunday. Also, 34 police personnel are currently undergoing treatment for the novel coronavirus, which has claimed the life of one of their colleagues in the district, the officials said. "So far, 145 policemen have tested positive for COVID-19 in the district and 110 of them have recovered. There are 30 active cases, while the death toll is one," said Ankur Aggarwal, the Gautam Buddh Nagar police's nodal officer for COVID-19. Earlier, multiple policemen who recovered from the disease had stepped up to offer their plasma for treatment of patients in the district. Gautam Buddh Nagar has so far recorded 8,737 cases of COVID-19 including 47 deaths. The number of active cases stood at 1,429 on Sunday, while 7,261 patients have recovered, according to official data. (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.) PARIS Francoise, the design venture created by Johanna Senyk in 2018 in partnership with Italian manufacturer Castor, has launched a new line with a sustainable bent called First. Drawn up from leftover fabrics including silk scarves and thrifted buttons, the collection is made using only recycled materials. Conceived before the coronavirus crisis swept across Europe and the U.S., the new line hits stores at a time when wary consumers have become even more discerning when it comes to considering the environmental credentials of a label. First is the response that we owe to ready-to-wear, said Senyk, speaking to WWD via FaceTime. The designer, who won the ANDAM prize in 2016, is known for her spirited, Seventies-tinged update of French girl style. Today, we are asking questions. A product on the market today, well, three months later its on sale, and then two years later, its on [vintage seller] Vestiaire Collective and is worth 5 percent of its original price. This doesnt make sense, the designer said. Senyk had noticed, during various moves throughout the years, that much of her closet was disposable. I didnt keep anything, she said. I have my black coat, cut perfectly, that I love; the trousers that makes my bottom look fantastic; the little cashmere sweater I have my fetish pieces that are very strong, while the rest is bad quality Im obsessed with quality, the designer added. We can dress intelligently, noted Senyk, who nonetheless emphasized the importance of making clothes pleasurable. Im trying to dress my friends, so I try to make it so they can buy things, she added with a laugh. The new line will be sold on Matchesfashion.com and at Galeries Lafayette, with items priced between 500 euros and 1,200 euros. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Californias oldest state park will remain closed for at least a year following extensive damage caused by the recent CZU August Lightning Complex fires. In a statement to SFGATE on Sunday, the California State Parks department said it was saddened by the devastation the wildfire has caused, not only to Big Basin Redwoods State Park but the surrounding community in the Santa Cruz area. Because the parks ancient redwood trees are currently unstable, they must be stress tested against the effects of winter storms, wind, soil erosion and potential flooding in burned-out areas before the public is allowed to return, according to the department, which is still assessing the damages. The recovery period will be a long process, the statement continued. A lack of prescribed burns in the area as well as vegetation buildup were both contributing factors to Big Basins worst fire in recorded history, according to Peter Jordan, one of the parks environmental scientists. Several structures were destroyed, including the parks headquarters which were built in 1936 and are registered with the National Register of Historic Places as well as the main lodge, ranger station, nature museum and campground facilities. The Mother of the Forest and the Father of the Forest trees, two of the parks largest, were both impacted by the wildfires but remain healthy. The Auto Tree, known for its recognizable hollow and as one of Big Basins oldest redwoods, sustained moderate to extensive damage, but remains standing, reported California State Parks. MORE: 'I loved walking into that tree': Docent waits on the fate of one beloved Big Basin redwood The upper crowns of some trees were scorched while others remain unscathed, but the redwoods unique chemical composition help them to recover over time. Trees in a fire-adapted ecosystem have a fair amount of bark protecting them from mortality, J. Keith Gilless, the dean emeritus of UC Berkeleys College of Natural Resources and chair of the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, told SFGATE earlier this month. Redwoods in particular have 10 inches of bark that are pretty resistant to heat coming in to kill them, and some are even adapted to sprouting after fires. All campgrounds will remain closed through Tuesday, including those in Half Moon Bay, Manresa, New Brighton, Seacliff and Sunset state beaches. All other state parks and beaches in these counties are temporarily closed to the public until further notice. Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett The empowered group has approved applications by iPhone contract makers Foxconn, Pegatron and Wistron, along with Samsung, Karbonn, Lava and Dixon to export mobile phones worth around $100 billion or Rs 7.3 lakh crore from India. All the applications -- under the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme -- will be put before the cabinet this week. Niti Aayog CEO, secretaries of economic affairs, expenditure, revenue, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) are part of the empowered group that approved the applications. According to a report in The Economic Times, five of the applicants are overseas companies, while seven are Indian and six are in the components manufacturing scheme. Samsung and Apple have submitted production estimates of phones worth $50 billion each in the next five years. Communications & IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said that the "extraordinary" response to the PLI shows the enormous trust of the global community in India's manufacturing capability and leadership of PM Modi. The PLI scheme aims to make India the manufacturing hub for smartphones. After the scheme was announced Apple started producing its latest models iPhone 11 and iPhone SE shortly after in India. The scheme also aims to attract manufacturers who are looking to move out of China amid the China-US trade tensions. Foxconn and Wistron already have plants in India. Pegatron is looking to set up factories in states like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Samsung that exports around $2.5 billion phones from India is all set to ramp up its production to $50 billion in the next five years. Also read: BT Buzz -- 'We ain't leaving India': Chinese firms on 'Boycott China' call Also read: Another blow to China! 24 companies plan to shift production units to India By Ayya Lmahamad The volume of Azerbaijans trade turnover with Poland increased by 3.7 percent, amounting to $55.1 million during the period of January-July 2020, Trend reported with the reference to State Customs Committee. Export of Azerbaijani products to Poland amounted to $2.7 million for the first seven month of the year compared to $2.3 million during the same period last year. Meanwhile, during the period of January-July 2020, import of Polish products to Azerbaijan increased from $50.8 million in 2019 to $52.3 in 2020. Export-import ration in foreign trade relations of two countries was 4.9 and 95.1 percent, respectively, in January-July 2020 while this figure was 4.3 and 95.7 percent, respectively, during the same period of 2019. Thus, the share of export of Azerbaijani products to Poland, in the total trade turnover of two countries, increased by 0.6 percent. It should be noted that Italy was Azerbaijans main trading partner in the period between January and July 2020. The trade turnover with Italy accounted for $3.7 billion out of Azerbaijans overall trade turnover of $15 billion in the first seven months of the year. Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were among the three leading countries of the Persian Gulf with which Azerbaijan conducted the most trade operations. Additionally, Azerbaijans top trade partners among Organization of Islamic Cooperation were Turkey, Iran and Tunisia. While, Spain, Mexico and Ecuador were the top three countries with which Azerbaijan conducted the most trade transactions from among Spanish-speaking countries. Likewise, Russia was the leader among Azerbaijans trade partners among the CIS countries as well as the countrys third largest trade partner with the volume of trade turnover between the two countries reaching $1.5. The volume of Azerbaijans foreign trade turnover amounted to $15 billion in the period between January and July 2020. During the reporting period, export amounted to $9.1 billion, which is 61.46 percent of the total volume of foreign trade. Meanwhile, imports amounted to $5.9 billion --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Sept 7 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. The Times - The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling on ministers to create a state-backed infrastructure bank to channel private sector cash into transport, broadband, housing and green energy projects. https://bit.ly/2EY0dT4 - Visa Inc is being investigated by the European Commission over its rules on electronic money providers, after allegations that the giant payments group has behaved in an anti-competitive way. https://bit.ly/3ibYyaU The Guardian - Boris Johnson is drawing up legislation that will override the Brexit withdrawal agreement on Northern Ireland, a move that threatens the collapse of crunch talks which the prime minister has said must be completed within five weeks. https://bit.ly/2EWRu3z - Frances O'Grady, head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has denounced a possible freezing of the national living wage as "totally wrong", as the Treasury reportedly considers backtracking on a planned pay rise for the lowest paid. https://bit.ly/35g2fbJ The Telegraph - British PM Boris Johnson will give the European Union just 38 days to strike a Brexit deal, warning that if there is no breakthrough by Oct. 15 Britain will accept a no deal scenario and "move on". https://bit.ly/35bpFil - Private equity firms Apollo Global Management and Lone Star Funds have been preparing offers to buy Asda from U.S. giant Walmart Inc. Bids are due on Monday. https://bit.ly/3i5JScZ Sky News - The founder of Iceland Foods, Malcolm Walker, has bagged a discount of about 5 million pounds ($6.62 million) on his purchase of a 63.1% stake of the company from Brait SE. https://bit.ly/2R2ADhS ($1 = 0.7549 pounds) (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom) The logos of mobile apps Facebook and Google on a tablet in Lille, France, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Denis Charlet/AFP/Getty Images) Five Eyes Nations Partner on Anti-Trust Issues, Google, Facebook Competition watchdogs from the Five Eyes nations have signed a new agreement to cooperate across international borders, just as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) pursues a more stringent regulatory stance on global tech giants Google and Facebook. The Multilateral Mutual Assistance and Cooperation Framework for Competition Authorities (MMAC), was signed between the ACCC and its United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom counterparts. Agencies will share intelligence, case studies, and investigative techniques to better coordinate investigations across international borders. According to ACCC Chairperson Rod Sims, The global economy is increasingly interconnected and many large companies, especially in the digital economy, now operate internationally. Competition regulators have to work together to ensure the companies comply with competition and consumer laws, he said in a media release. We expect this cooperation will particularly benefit our existing and future investigations of digital platforms, which are being closely watched by many agencies globally, Sims said. People walk past Googles UK headquarters in London on November 1, 2018. (Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images) The ACCC is currently working with the Australian government to introduce a world-first mandatory code to regulate social media giants Google and Facebook. The code would compel the tech giants to pay news publishers for their content and be more transparent with their data and ranking algorithms. If successful, the move will likely set a global precedent for Google and Facebook. A fate the tech giants are keen to avoid. In response, Google Australia launched a public campaign warning consumers would suffer dramatically worse services under the code, while Facebook Australia threatened to pull news content from its platform altogether. The ACCC was quick to refute both claims. On Sept. 7, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he met with senior executives from both companies last week. I think people from these companies understand that when I say something, I mean it and that I intend to follow through with it, Morrison told reporters in Canberra. And therefore I would encourage them, very strongly, to work constructively and cooperatively with the process that is underway, he added. The prime minister said coercion was not needed; in fact, it was something he did not respond very well to. Dr Rob Nicholls, associate professor at the University of New South Wales, told The Epoch Times on Sept. 7 that agreements between competition agencies were common. However, they were generally signed agency-to-agency, or were broad international schemes. The MMAC is signed between Five Eyes nations suggesting a continuing elevation of the importance of the partnership. In the past, the Five Eyes partnership has been concerned solely with intelligence sharing. However, recent meetings of treasurers and finance ministers of the Five Eyes nations indicates the partnership is now moving beyond its traditional role, he said. It may indicate that trade certainty is now considered a more important intelligence and security issue, he added. Trust between trade partners has become an increasingly valuable commodity, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted weaknesses in global supply chains. The MMAC is signed between the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the U.K Competition and Markets Authority, the New Zealand Commerce Commission, the Competition Bureau Canada, and the ACC. It came into effect on Sept. 2, 2020. Rao and nine other activists have been arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case, which was initially probed by the Pune Police and later transferred to the NIA Hyderabad: Two sons-in-law of Telugu poet and writer Varavara Rao, who has been arrested in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, on Monday said they have been issued notices by theNational Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking their appearance before the agency. K Satyanarayana, professor at the city-based English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), and the other son-in-law, a journalist with an English business daily, said they received the notices sent by the NIA, Mumbai, asking them to appear before it as a witness on 9 September. Satyanarayana said he has no connection with the case. In August 2018, the Maharashtra Police had raided the residence of the professor in Hyderabad. Varavara Rao and nine other activists have been arrested by Maharashtra police in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case which was initially probed by the Pune police and transferred to the NIA in January this year. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on 31 December, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial. The NIA notices seek their (professor and the journalist) appearance/attendance as a witness "for answering certain questions regarding the case along with supporting documents." "It is a fact that I am related to Varavara Rao but I reiterate that I have no connection with the case, " Satyanarayana said in a statement. "NIA notice adds to our family distress at a time when Varavara Rao's health condition is not very good and the (COVID-19) pandemic is fast spreading in Mumbai. I was summoned to Mumbai in these terrible times," he said. The Pune police also claimed that the conclave was organised by people with alleged Maoists links. He said cleaning and disinfection of schools, particularly those that had been used as quarantine centres, had not been done, adding that government also had no capacity to test all students, 136 000 teachers and 50 000 ancillary staff in less than two weeks. The Centre on Monday decided to provide Y-plus category security cover to actor Kangana Ranaut following her spat with the Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, officials familiar with the development said. Raut had warned her against returning to Mumbai from her home state Himachal Pradesh. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the paramilitary force that also provides security to home minister Amit Shah, has been asked to take over Ranauts security. Officials cited above said a threat analysis was carried out and the Himachal Pradesh government requested the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) to provide her security. Also Read: Let Kangana Ranaut apologise to Mumbai and Maharashtra: Sena MP Sanjay Raut on his haramkhor comment Under the Y-plus category, 10 to 11 armed commandoes will guard Ranaut in three shifts, with two or three Personnel Security Officers (PSOs) accompanying her round the clock and one security personnel deployed at her residence. Ranaut compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) after Sanjay Raut warned her against coming to Mumbai. Also Read: Kangana Ranaut shares video message for Sanjay Raut: Your men tell me they will break my jaw, kill me. Ill see you on 9th After the decision to provide her a security cover was taken, Ranaut tweeted This is proof that no fascist forces will be able to suppress the nationalist voices. I am indebted to Amit Shah Ji, who could have asked me to visit Mumbai later but he honoured the words and self respect of Indias daughter. Jai Hind. On Sunday, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur had said that the state government will provide her security as she is the daughter of the state. Party Girl Hill ($2.40) looked every bit the part of a divisional champion on Sunday (Sept. 6) at Harrah's Philadelphia, keeping her undefeated record intact with a decisive 1:48.4 score in the $253,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final for sophomore pacing fillies. Just eight days removed from her 1:49.2 victory in the Fan Hanover at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the daughter of Captaintreacherous once again asserted her superiorityand in almost identical fashion to her recent Grand Circuit victory. Driver Dexter Dunn floated Party Girl Hill forward from her pole position, but allowed Rocknificent and New Year to dispute a :26.4 first quarter before brushing from third to clear command with just over a lap to go. After rating a :55.1 half, Party Girl Hill braced for a first-over challenge from JK First Lady, who steadily advanced from fourth up the far side to force a :26.4 third sectional. Party Girl Hill's lead slipped to a length off the home turn, but she responded with a :26.4 quarter of her own, sprinting off at first asking before being taken in hand in the final yards of her two-and-a-half length victory. JK First Lady was a clear second, two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of tiring pocket rival Rocknificent. Chris Ryder trains Party Girl Hill, whose 1:48.4 mile broke the existing track and stakes records for three-year-old pacing fillies, for owner-breeder Tom Hill. She has won all nine of her starts and amassed $482,181 in purses. Party Girl Hill completed a sires stakes hat trick for Dunn, who also captured the $252,000 finals for three-year-old colts and geldings aboard pacer No Lou Zing ($6.60) and trotter Amigo Volo ($2.80). No Lou Zing, who only broke his maiden on June 20, has since vaulted into the upper echelon of pacing sophomores and proved his place among them with a sharp 1:49.3 effort. Dunn was reserved early with the Sweet Lou gelding and remained midfield while 3-5 favourite Allywag Hanover brushed from fourth after stalking a :25.4 quarter. Allywag Hanover maintained a spirited pace through middle splits of :53.4 and 1:21.1 and was forced to exert even more into the far turn while Sandbetweenmytoes encroached on the outside and No Lou Zing stalked from second-over. With just over an eighth remaining, Dunn flipped No Lou Zing three-wide and vaulted to the lead in upper stretch before striding two lengths clear. The Greek Freak saved second from a hard-earned pocket, while Cattlewash narrowly upended Allywag Hanover for third. Nancy Takter trains five-time winner No Lou Zing for the 3 Brothers Stables, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms. Amigo Volo lived to odds-on billing in the three-year-old male trot, scooting away from EL Ideal's stern head-stretch challenge by two-and-three-quarter lengths and delivering a 1:52.3 victory. Amigo Volo yielded to early speedster EL Ideal on the first turn, only for Dunn to angle his charge out and claim control just beyond a :27.3 first quarter. After stealing a :57.2 half-mile split, the Father Patrick gelding accelerated up the backside, reaching three-quarters in 1:24.4 before EL Ideal emerged from the pocket. However Amigo Volo made easy work of his challenger, sprinting clear in upper stretch to record the 10th win of his career. EL Ideal was an isolated second, five-and-a-half lengths better than Patriarch Hanover (Kakaley). Richard "Nifty" Norman trains Amigo Volo, whose career earnings now stand at $946,719, for the Pinske Stables and David J. Miller. Dunn's lone sires stakes defeat came in the $252,000 final for three-year-old trotting fillies, which saw Ron Burke trainee Crucial ($42.80) and David Miller spring a massive upset in a race that figured to be a showdown between Sister Sledge and Next Level Stuff. Next Level Stuff assumed early control, but kept early challenger Queen Of The Hilland Dunnparked through early splits of :27 and :56 while Crucial protected the pocket and 2-5 favourite Sister Sledge assumed second-over position. As Queen Of The Hill worsened in the breeze nearing three-quarters in 1:24, Sister Sledge angled three-wide but failed to fire as Next Level Stuff primary challenger raced in tow. Crucial angled out of the pocket turning for home and lifted clear by one-and-a-half lengths to win in 1:52.4. Sweet Shirley Mae and Dip Me Hanover emerged to take second and third respectively over an engulfed Next Level Stuff. It was the seventh career win for Crucial, who campaigns for the Burke Racing Stable, Bill Donovan, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi. In addition to his win with Amigo Volo, Norman captured two of the four $50,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes consolations on the card: Annabelle Hanover ($9.40, Dunn) took the three-year-old filly pace in 1:50.3, and Chestnut Hill ($8.20, David Miller) won the three-year-old colt and gelding trot in 1:53.2. Sherry Lyns Lady ($10.60, Tetrick) wired her foes in the three-year-old filly trot in 1:54.4 for trainer Jim Campbell, and Manticore ($2.80, Jordan Stratton) delivered a dynamite 1:49.2 mile in the three-year-old colt pace consolation for trainer Bruce Saunders. (Harrah's Philadelphia) Brexit trade talks plunged into crisis on Monday after Britain warned the European Union that it could effectively override the divorce deal it signed unless the bloc agrees to a free trade deal by October 15. In response, the EU chief warned that Britain has a legal obligation to respect the Brexit withdrawal agreement. "I trust the British government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday on Twitter. "Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is essential to protect peace and stability on the island & integrity of the single market," she added. In one of the most startling turns of the four-year Brexit saga, Britain is reportedly planning new legislation that will override key parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement a step that, if implemented, could jeopardise a treaty signed in January and stoke tension in Northern Ireland. Sections of the internal market bill, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to "eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement" in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs, the Financial Times said, citing three people familiar with the plans. Britain has set a deadline of October 15 to strike a free-trade deal with the European Union, and if none is agreed both sides should "accept that and move on," Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say on Monday. Johnson will say there is no sense in thinking about timelines beyond October 15. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," he will say, according to comments released by his office. Britain left the EU on January 31 but talks aimed at clinching a new trade deal before the end of a status-quo transition arrangement in December have so far snagged on state aid rules and fishing. Story continues Without a deal, nearly $1 trillion in trade between Britain and the EU could be thrown into uncertainty, including rules over everything from car parts and medicines to fruit and data. Brexit showdown The reported plan to undermine the Withdrawal Agreement disclosed on the eve of a new round of talks in London was condemned by parties on both sides of the Irish border and elicited surprise in Brussels. "If the UK chose not to respect its international obligations, it would undermine its international standing," said one EU diplomat. "Who would want to agree trade deals with a country that doesn't implement international treaties? It would be a desperate and ultimately self-defeating strategy." "Without correct implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, I cannot imagine the EU would conclude a treaty with a country that does not abide by its treaty commitments," said another EU diplomat. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who played a key role in negotiating the withdrawal agreement and Northern Ireland protocol, said on Twitter that the reported move "would be a very unwise way to proceed." Senior members of Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein and SDLP parties, the region's two largest Irish nationalist groups, also criticised the British government's plan, as reported by the newspaper. Asked about the report in the Financial Times, British Environment Secretary George Eustice said there might be some minor "legal ambiguities" that needed to be tidied up over the Northern Irish protocol. "We are not moving the goal posts," he told Sky News. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said he was worried about the difficult talks but declined to comment on the FT report. "We demand quite simply, and calmly, and until the end, that the political commitments in the text agreed by Boris Johnson be legally translated into this treaty," Barnier told France Inter radio on Monday. The agreement's Northern Ireland protocol was important to ensuring there was no physical customs border between Ireland and the province of Northern Ireland, Barnier said. It was also, he added, "the condition of a unified and functioning economy on the island [of Ireland] as well as for respecting the integrity of the EU's single market." "I remain worried," Barnier said of the negotiations, adding that Johnson's government wanted "the best of two worlds". If no deal is agreed, Britain would have a trading relationship with the bloc like Australia's, which would be "a good outcome", Johnson will say on Monday. "As a government we are preparing, at our borders and at our ports, to be ready for it," he will say. "We will have full control over our laws, our rules, and our fishing waters." In that case, Britain would be ready to find sensible accommodation with the bloc on practical issues such as flights, lorry transport or scientific cooperation, according to the excerpts. (FRANCE 24 with REUTERS) Russias Supreme Court upholds regulation establishing three-day vote RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 16:06 07/09/2020 MOSCOW, September 7 (RAPSI) The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dismissed a complaint of the Communist Party seeking to challenge a new regulation of the voting hold for three days, the Courts press service informs RAPSI on Monday. The claimant challenged the voting procedure for the elections to be held on September 13 approved by the Central Election Commission on July 24, according to the information, saying that after the abolishment of the self-isolation regime this procedure became unnecessary; at the same time, according to the Communist Party, it contradicts the Constitution. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case; an appellate instance said this decision was lawful. This August, Head of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova reported that 59% of the Russians approve the extended term of the voting. FILE PHOTO: A homeless teenage couple carry their months-old infant as they queue to receive free meals from volunteers on August 7, 2020 in Caloocan, Metro Manila, Philippines. The Philippine economy suffered its worst slump on record in the second quarter, falling into recession for the first time in 29 years as economic activity reels from months of strict coronavirus restrictions which has left millions of Filipinos jobless and hungry. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) By Claire Jiao Employment prospects for Filipino youth remain bleak as pandemic-hit companies freeze hiring and choose experienced workers for fewer jobs. Youth unemployment rate was 22.4% in July, when new graduates would typically enter the workforce, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Thats more than double the overall 10% jobless ratio and compares with 14.7% a year ago. It was at 31.6% in April. There were 1.7 million Filipinos age 15 to 24 years old without work in July, up 55% from a year ago. About 149,000 Filipino youth joined the labor force in that period. The capital region, which accounts for more than a third of the economy, registered the worst youth jobless rate at 32.1%. Manila and surrounds, the nations virus epicenter, have been subject to among the worlds strictest lockdowns that shut most businesses and required anyone below 21 years old to stay at home. Heres what analysts say: Robert Dan Roces, chief economist at Security Bank Corp. in Manila This is a hallmark of extreme economic downturns where premium is put on more seasoned workers in the meantime Youth employment will likely be slower to bounce back, as businesses gradually recover from the lockdown Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. in Manila New graduates are competing for fewer jobs, as businesses layoff workers and freeze hiring A bright spot could be a possible increase in foreign companies outsourcing work to the Philippines to cut costs 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Haishen, the countrys tenth typhoon this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds to areas north of Busan. Typhoon Haishen made landfall just north of the South Korean city of Busan on Monday morning, cutting power to homes and factories, toppling trees, and forcing trains to be cancelled and flights grounded. The storm, with heavy rain and powerful winds of as much as 126 km/h (78 mph), made landfall in Ulsan in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula at approximately 9am (02:00 GMT) on Monday morning, according to Yonhap news agency. It knocked out power in some 30,000 homes as well as in factories belonging to Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Mobis, the countrys biggest car parts manufacturer. Across the country, 298 flights were cancelled and wind shear warnings issued. A landslide site caused by Typhoon Haishen as it passed through southwestern Japan. Local media reported four people missing in Shiiba Town in Miyazaki prefecture [Kyodo/via Reuters] Haishen arrived in South Korea after battering Japans southern islands and cutting power to thousands of homes, but not causing major damage or injury. Some 440,000 homes in the southwestern Kyushu region remained without power on Monday morning after the storm passed through, public broadcaster NHK reported. It added that 32 people had been injured, including a woman who fell down a flight of stairs in the dark and four people who sustained cuts after the glass windows of an evacuation centre were blown in.Almost 2 million people had been ordered to evacuate the region, which was still recovering from heavy rains and flooding in July that killed 83 people. Typhoon Haishen follows just days after Typhoon Maysak smashed into the Korean Peninsula, leaving at least two dead and thousands without power. The storm is forecast to weaken as it moves up the Peninsula during the day, reaching North Korea around midnight. North Korea has borne the brunt of both Maysak and Typhoon Bavi, a storm the week before. Live footage on state television showed trees shaking and waves rising in Tongchon county in Gangwon province bordering the South. The state broadcaster reported that all Tongchon residents had been evacuated. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited coastal areas after Maysak and ordered party members to join the relief effort. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 10:38:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Hu Tao and Qiang Lijing BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- China has been able to demonstrate leadership in service liberalization both regionally and globally as cross-border trade in services has become the most dynamic part of global trade, said a World Bank official at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). The service industry will create more opportunities. "We hope to learn from China's reform efforts. And we are ready to contribute in any way to the success of these reforms," said Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank vice president for the East Asia and Pacific. She made the remarks at the Forum of Trade Facilitation in Services: Perspective of Multinationals held during the ongoing CIFTIS in Beijing. At the trade fair, themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," China highlighted higher-level opening-up, providing new impetus and creating new opportunities for multinationals. NEW PATTERN "With China's opening-up and a strong focus on advanced technology, we are confident that the country's growth and development journey will continue," said Bjorn Rosengren, CEO of ABB Ltd. China has vowed to deepen reforms and pursue higher-level opening-up to provide a strong impetus for establishing a new development pattern featuring dual circulation. "Under the new circumstances, trade service is of vital importance to China's economic and foreign trade development," said Li Jun, director with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce. "China's service trade has entered a new level, becoming a fresh driving force for the high-quality development of foreign trade and a new engine for promoting higher-level opening-up," Li said. NEW MOMENTUM China is sending positive signals: China will stay committed to further opening up, with measures including the establishment of a sound negative list management system in cross-border service trade, and the advancement of constructing open platforms for piloting innovative development of trade in services. The country will also continue to ease market access in the service sector and actively expand imports of quality services. "Under China's new development pattern of 'dual circulation,' improving the quality of services is essential to satisfy the growing domestic consumer demand while competing for a larger share of the high-end services market internationally," said Merlin Swire, chairman of Swire Pacific Limited. "We are pleased to see that the negative list compiled by the Chinese government is getting shorter, and the encouraged catalog is getting longer," said Swire. In the past four decades since reform and opening-up, China's service industry has been gradually opening wider to the outside world, becoming a vital factor in the country's service trade. NEW POTENTIALS China is committed to opening wider to the outside world and sharpening the competitive edge in international cooperation and competition, despite being severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country released a master plan in early June on building the southern island province of Hainan into a globally influential free trade port. China issued the 2020 version of the negative lists for foreign investment, which took effect in July, and reduced the number of sectors that are off-limits for foreign investors to 33 from 40 in the 2019 version. The country's commitments and actions have won global recognition. Steven Lien, president of Honeywell Aerospace Asia Pacific, was invited by the 2020 CIFTIS as one of the 24 industry narrators. Appearing virtually at the fair, he shared how the internet and big data are changing the world. Lien expects the proficient use of data to greatly improve industry efficiency and productivity, supporting China's development of "new infrastructure construction." "Lucky to be in China! With lots of people in flights, I can see the government's performance in pandemic control. The Chinese market is recovering, and the economy is showing its resilience," said Lien. Enditem (Xinhua reporters Ding Jing, Zhang Yiyi, Jiang Tingting, Luo Xin also contributed to the story.) A man who was allegedly intoxicated when he crashed into a motorcycle and killed the passenger was freed from custody pending trial in the case. Miguel Pichardo, 19, of Westville, was driving northbound on Tanyard Road in Deptford Township on the evening of Aug. 22 when he hit the rear of a motorcycle that had slowed to make a turn. The husband and wife on the Harley-Davidson were thrown from the vehicle and Ann Richards Stotsenburg, 52, of Deptford, later died of blunt head trauma from the crash. Pichardo was charged with vehicular homicide, assault by auto and driving while intoxicated. During an Aug. 28 detention hearing, attorneys revealed that Pichardo failed field sobriety tests, but that results of his blood alcohol tests werent yet available. The Gloucester County Prosecutors Office sought his pre-trial detention, arguing that he faces a lengthy sentence if convicted of the first-degree vehicular homicide charge, making him a flight risk, that his alleged intoxication made him a danger to the public if he were to get behind the wheel again and that he could obstruct the case if he is free. Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Amira pointed to two prior accidents Pichardo was involved in as evidence of a pattern. Pichardo was also cited in the past for speeding and delaying traffic. He exhibits some history of non-compliance with New Jersey motor vehicle laws and that has, unfortunately now resulted in the death of someone by his gravely poor judgement, Amira said. Defense attorney Michele Finizio challenged those assertions, arguing that her client wasnt charged in either of the previous accidents and that there was no indication he was at fault in those cases. Pichardo, who lives with his mother and works for a trucking company as an apprentice, has no prior DWI convictions, Finizio said. She also argued that his death by auto charge was only filed as a first-degree offense, which includes a potential 20-year prison sentence, because the crash occurred in a school zone. Pichardo has lived in Westville since he was a 5 years old and poses no flight risk based on his record, she said. Finizio also challenged the assertion that he was intoxicated simply based on his failing field sobriety tests, noting that he may not have performed well given what had just happened. The field sobriety tests were done after my client had just gotten into a car accident, she said. He ran out of the car to help the victims who were hit. Superior Court Judge Linda Lawhun, who noted that Pichardo had no prior contact with the criminal justice system and no juvenile record, found that the state failed to make its case for detaining him pre-trial. Lawhun said based on the absence of lab results at the time the hearing was held, she couldnt conclude he was legally intoxicated and, therefore, a danger to others if he was released. She also found no evidence to support the idea that he would fail to appear for court or try to obstruct the case in any way. She ordered him released from jail, with requirements that he have regular check-ins with court officials and maintain his employment. His next court date is Nov. 5 for a pre-indictment conference. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok testifies at the Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Joint Hearing in Washington on July 12, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Strzoks CBS Story on Russia Probe Origins Clashes With Facts News Analysis The FBI investigation of the Trump campaign for alleged collusion with Russia didnt start the way former high-level FBI official Peter Strzok portrayed it during a recent CBS News interview, available records show. Strzok would be the one most in the know, since, as the head of the FBI counterintelligence operations in 2016, it was Strzok who wrote the opening document that launched the probe, naming it Crossfire Hurricane. But his summary during the interview of the basis for the investigation doesnt fit the facts, not even those in the official record he helped create. Strzok reiterated the official narrative that the investigation was based on information about a conversation Australian diplomats had in May 2016 with Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos. He said the Australians conveyed the information to the FBI after Trump said during a July 27, 2016, press conference: Russia, if youre listening, I hope youre able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press. Lets see if that happens. In what he later described as a joke, Trump was referring to emails of his opponent, Hillary Clinton, which she had deleted from a controversial private server she had used for government business as secretary of state. When [the Australian diplomats] saw that statement by Trump, that triggered the memory of that conversation they had with Papadopoulos, Strzok said. So Donald Trump, with his own words, brought this investigation down on himself? CBS News national security correspondent David Martin, who conducted the interview, said. According to what the foreign government told us, yes, Strzok said. This clashes with information from the Dec. 9, 2019, report by the Justice Departments Inspector General (pdf). The report stated that one of the foreign friendly government officials already relayed the information about Papadopoulos to a U.S. government official on July 26, 2016a day before Trump made his comments. That official passed the information to an FBI legal attache at one of the U.S. embassies, who sent it to the FBI Philadelphia field office, and then, on July 28, 2016, it was sent to FBI headquarters. Strzok described the Australian information as follows: Papadopoulos told them that somebody on the Trump campaign had received an offer that said the Russians had material that would be damaging to Hillary Clinton and to Obama and they offered to coordinate the release of that information in a way that would help the Trump campaign. But this isnt what Strzok wrote in the opening document of the probe, which states that one of the diplomats said that Papadopoulos suggested that the campaign received some kind of suggestion that Russia could help it by anonymously releasing some information damaging to Clinton. Thats why Attorney General William Barr criticized the basis for the probe as a suggestion of a suggestion. The Australian diplomats were then-Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer and his aide, Erika Thompson. Downer recalled the May 10, 2016, conversation with Papadopoulos in multiple media interviews. But he never mentioned anything about Russia suggesting it would help Trump. Downer didnt say that Moscow was making an offer to the Trump campaign, much less an offer to coordinate something. The only point Downer acknowledged was that Papadopoulos thought the Russians may release informationmight release informationthat could be damaging to Hillary Clintons campaign at some stage before the election. Strzoks document says that Downers information was related to the alleged hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), during which thousands of its emails were stolen and released in 2016 by WikiLeaks. But according to Downer, Papadopoulos made no mention of hacking, emails, or the DNC. Papadopoulos has denied any recollection of having made the comment in the first place. The day before Downer talked to Papadopoulos, former Judge Andrew Napolitano aired on Fox News an unsubstantiated rumor that the Kremlin possessed emails from Clintons controversial private server and was considering releasing them. The FBI probe of Clintons server was a prime topic of political gossip in May 2016. It isnt clear how the FBI surmised that the alleged suggestion was about the DNC rather than what Fox had broadcast the day before. Strzok was fired from the FBI for exchanging text messages on government-issued phones with his then-paramour Lisa Page, who was a special counsel to FBI then-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. The texts showed strong animus toward Trump and sympathy toward Clinton at a time when Strzok was leading the probe of Trumps campaign and was also involved in the probe of Clintons email server. In one text, Strzok assured Page that Trump wouldnt become the president. Well stop it, he wrote. Strzok told Martin that investigations have conclusively proved that he wasnt using the probe as a tool to go after Trump. The IG report stated that the review did not find documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced [the] decision to open Crossfire Hurricane. But that didnt pertain to Strzok personally, but rather to his then-supervisor, Bill Priestap, who told the IG it was him who approved the probes opening. The IG, Michael Horowitz, told Congress that the lack of documentary or testimonial evidence doesnt rule out political bias influencing the probe. Strzok also denied impropriety regarding a spying warrant the FBI took out on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page in 2016. You get people who are overworked, who make mistakes, Strzok said, though he added that the mistakes were inexcusable. The IG found a litany of significant inaccuracies and omissions in the warrant, which heavily relied on the infamous Steele dossier, a collection of unsubstantiated rumors about Trump colluding with Russia to sway the 2016 election, which was spread to the FBI, the State Department, Congress, and the media by an operative paid by the DNC and the Clinton presidential campaign. Barr said it was more than just mistakes. FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith has recently pleaded guilty to falsifying a document related to the warrant. The document confirmed that Carter Page had a relationship with the CIA, but Clinesmith altered it to indicate the opposite. U.S. Attorney John Durham is conducting an investigation into the FBIs handling of Crossfire Hurricane. Actor Rhea Chakraborty filed a case against Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Priyanka Singh on Monday. Now, lawyer Vikas Singh, who is representing Sushants family in their case against Rhea, has responded to the latest development. The senior advocate called it a clear attempt by Rhea to keep the Mumbai Police involved in the case, so that they can do some mischief and ensure that Sushants family does not get justice. Speaking to ANI, the lawyer said, So this is a clear attempt to somehow keep the Mumbai Police alive in this matter so that they can do some mischief and ensure that the family of Sushant does not get justice in this matter. So this is clear attempt to somehow keep the Mumbai Police alive in this matter so that they can do some mischief and ensure that the family of Sushant does not get justice in this matter: Vikas Singh, lawyer of the father of #SushantSinghRajput https://t.co/U6428BsiGG ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020 Rhea filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police against Priyanka and others for acquiring a bogus and unlawful prescription for Sushant on June 8, so that he could get access to anxiety medication. She has asked for an FIR to be registered against them. Ive been given a complaint filed by Rhea Chakraborty in Bandra Police station. Its an effort to keep jurisdiction of Mumbai Police in this matter when SC said complaints with regard to death of Sushant Singh Rajput will be investigated by CBI, Vikas Singh said. If Bandra Police accepts the complaint, itll be a violation of the order of Supreme Court and hence a contempt of the court. If Bandra Police proceeds with it, we will take the matter to Supreme Court under contempt of court, he added, referring to a Supreme Court verdict last month, which ruled in favour of a Central Bureau of Investigation probe. The court said that a fair, competent and impartial investigation is the need of the hour. I've been given a complaint filed by #RheaChakraborty in Bandra Police station. It's effort to keep jurisdiction of Mumbai Police in this matter when SC said complaints with regard to death of #SushantSinghRajput will be investigated by CBI: Vikas Singh, Sushant's father's lawyer pic.twitter.com/oNVBU7AKSj ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020 If Bandra Police accepts the complaint, it'll be a violation of the order of Supreme Court and hence a contempt of the court. If Bandra Police proceeds with it, we will take the matter to Supreme Court under contempt of court: Vikas Singh, lawyer of #SushantSinghRajput's father ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020 Also read | Why is Akshay Kumars wife not a big star?: Twinkle Khanna has hilarious meme as her answer Rhea lodged her complaint on the basis of WhatsApp chats between Sushant and Priyanka that were leaked in the media. According to the chats, Priyanka procured a prescription for Sushant from a family friend, Dr Tarun Kumar of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi. The prescription was for anti-anxiety medication. Earlier, Vikas Singh had said that the Mumbai Police forced Sushants family to sign statements written in Marathi, a language they did not understand. The family has never given any statement of Sushant dying by suicide. These statements were recorded by the Mumbai Police in Marathi. The family also objected, Please dont write in Marathi if you want us to sign. They were forced to sign a statement written in Marathi. They had no clue of what was being written, he said at a press conference last week. Follow @htshowbiz for more Criminal operators are now embedded in the supply chain and it will take years to reverse that, tax official says. South Africa could take years to dismantle the criminal networks that sprung up and benefited from a ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products during the countrys coronavirus lockdown, according to the head of the tax agency. The ban, aimed at managing the health impact of the pandemic, has allowed illegal operators to gain a foothold in the market, South African Revenue Service Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said Monday in an online address to tax practitioners. Many illegal and criminal operators have now marketed themselves to previously honest smokers and drinkers, he said. They are now embedded in the supply chain and it will take us years to reverse the impact. Tobacco and liquor remained readily available through the black market from when the ban first kicked in with the nations coronavirus lockdown on March 27. Producers and retailers complained the restrictions have resulted in thousands of job losses and encouraged illegal trade. South Africa in late March implemented one of the worlds strictest lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 [File: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg] National Treasury data show the government lost out on 9.5 billion rand ($568 million) in alcohol and tobacco taxes in the first four months of the fiscal year. A 2018 report published by the countrys producer-funded Tobacco Institute showed South Africa was already one of the worlds biggest markets for illicit cigarette sales at the time. Four days While the bans were lifted in the middle of last month, shops are still only allowed to sell alcohol four days a week and the authorities have warned it could reinstate the curbs if needed. The policy achieves no end other than to fuel illegal activity which ignores any regulatory safeguards and contributes not a single cent to the beleaguered tax service which desperately needs the revenue for the state to meet its socio-economic obligations, Gareth Ackerman, chairman of Pick n Pay Stores Ltd., said at the grocers annual general meeting two weeks before the bans were lifted. The ban on alcohol sales also put investment projects worth at least 12.8 billion rand on hold, with Anheuser-Busch InBev SA unit South African Breweries, Heineken NV, glass manufacturer Consol Holdings Ltd. and wine and spirits maker Distell Group Holdings Ltd. adjusting spending plans. The revenue service is working with law enforcement agencies to bolster its investigative capabilities to tackle tax fraud and illicit activities, Kieswetter said. Exiled Belarus opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called the situation in her country "absolutely unacceptable" and pleaded for international pressure to dislodge embattled President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who she said no longer represents Belarus. In a virtual appearance before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on September 8, Tsikhanouskaya urged international pressure including sanctions on Lukashenka and his government. "My country, my nation, my people now need help," she said. "We need international pressure on this regime, on this one individual desperately clinging on to power. We need sanctions on individuals who issue and execute criminal orders that violate international norms and human rights. We need an immediate release of all political prisoners and to start a civilized dialogue in order to find ways for our country to move forward." She added an appeal on behalf of Belarusians currently being victimized by the mass detentions, beatings at the hands of security forces, and apparent forced disappearances. "I refuse -- as millions of Belarusians -- to accept that this is the fate of my country. I refuse, as do millions of Belarusians, to accept that the world will simply stand and watch these countless abuses of human rights, this blatant disregard for human dignity, this complete annihilation of any basic respect for human decency. I refuse, like millions of Belarusians, to stand down and give up. Tsikhanouskaya told the PACE representatives that "countries and parties that make deals with Mr. Lukashenka do so at their own risk" and should not expect a subsequent, democratically elected government to uphold treaties "made against [Belarusians'] will by an illegitimate regime." Tsikhanouskaya ran against Lukashenka in an August 9 election that the opposition says was rigged. She fled to Lithuanian days later amid massive protests and rumors she had been slated for arrest. Unprecedented daily protests have continued, calling for Lukashenka to resign and a new election to be held. Her PACE appearance comes just hours after Belarusian authorities said they had detained a Tsikhanouskaya ally after she and two other opposition organizers mysteriously appeared at a checkpoint on the Ukrainian border amid fears they had been abducted in Minsk a day earlier. All three are part of a Coordination Council pressing for a transition away from Lukashenka's 26-year rule. PACE President Rik Daems recently called for an all-inclusive national political process in Belarus to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition. Belarus is not a member of the Council of Europe, but since its guest status was suspended in 1997 the assembly has continued to hold a dialogue with Belarusian authorities and frequently invites Belarusian politicians to attend its committee meetings. "It is symbolic that I speak today here at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, representing a country, Belarus, that is right at the geographic center of Europe. And yet I have to speak here as an outsider," Tsikhanouskaya said on September 8. "I firmly believe that this situation will not last long. The Belarusians are now fighting for the values that this organization is created to uphold -- the human rights, democracy, and the rule of law -- the very thing that the current regime in my country despises and mocks." Lukashenka has refused to hold talks with his opponents and rebuffed calls to hold a new election. Tsikhanouskaya was quoted by Reuters as saying that the apparent abductions of oppostion Coordination Council members on September 7 looked like authorities were trying to stamp out protest momentum and intimidate the opposition. Tsikhanouskaya is scheduled to visit Warsaw later this week to hold meetings with top Polish officials. Lukashenka is doing his own travel, with plans to visit Russia within days, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 7. Dmitry Peskov reportedly told TASS that "preparations are in full swing. Opposition groups are also calling for the release of political prisoners and for an independent investigation of the police crackdown that swept up thousands in the days after the vote. With reporting by Current Time, AP, TASS, AFP, and Reuters Belarus last month handed back to Russia a group of Wagner PMC troops despite Kyiv's pleas to extradite them to Ukraine to be tried for Donbas war crimes. Ukraine is committed to prosecuting at the national level Russian mercenaries, including those with the infamous Wagner Private Military Company, says Deputy Prosecutor General Gunduz Mamedov. Asked by RFE/RL's Ukrainian service, what could be Ukraine's further actions regarding the Wagner troops, Mamedov noted: "The fact that the suspects were handed over to the Russian Federation doesn't fundamentally change the situation. We have collected a sufficient evidentiary basis related to their crimes committed during the armed conflict in Donbas." Read alsoU.S. responds to Putin's allegations of trying to destabilize BelarusCharges have been pressed against all of them, Mamedov said, adding that Ukraine "|will be prosecuting them at the national level and applying other instruments of criminal procedure, including international ones." Wagner PMC exposed in Belarus The "Stefan Iordache" prize, the Grand Prize of the Young Actor's Gala - HOP, was awarded on Sunday evening, in the Closing Gala, to actress Bianca Temneanu, 28 years old, graduated in 2020 from Babes-Bolyai University" of Cluj-Napoca, in the class of Professor Habil. Dr. Miklos Bacs. Bianca Temneanu was present in the Group section in the shows "Pe luna/On the moon" and "Unu pe doi/One on two". The Grand Prize of the Gala "Stefan Iordache" is awarded in memory of the great artist, who was a member of the jury at several editions of the HOP Gala, a great close to this event and of the support of young people at the beginning of their career. If initially, since the 2009 edition, it was awarded for best actor in the individual section, starting in 2013, the organizers decided that the Prize "Stefan Iordache" should become the Grand Prize of the Gala. The award for best actress in the individual section went to Georgiana Visan, UNATC graduate, 2013, in Adrian Titieni's class. She presented at the Individual section the moment "Dialogue with D". In the category Best Actor, the distinction went to the young Iulian Traistaru, graduate of the Babes-Bolyai University" of Cluj-Napoca, in the class of Prof. Dr. Miklos Bacs, class 2020. He was present at the gala both at the Individual section, with the moment "Hotar/Boundary", and at the Group section, in the performances "Pe luna/On the moon" and "Conflictual/Conflicting". The "Cornel Todea" award for the best troupe of actors, distinguished since the 16th edition of the Todea family, was awarded to the band composed of young Ana Baciu and Bianca Temneanu, for the show "Unu pe doi/One on Two". The "Sica Alexandrescu" prize, the special prize of the jury, was won by the actor Dragos Ionita, graduate of the Babes-Bolyai University" of Cluj-Napoca, in the class of Miklos Bacs, class of 2020. He presented the "Shakespeare & GENDER" show in the Individual section. The audience awards were also handed to Best Actress and Best Actor. In the first category, the winner was Ileana Ursu, a graduate of Babes-Bolyai University" of Cluj-Napoca, in the class of Miklos Bacs, class of 2020. In the Individual section, Ileana Ursu presented the moment "I am Judas!". The best actor was appointed, after the public vote, the actor Dragos Ionita, a graduate of Babes-Bolyai" University of Cluj-Napoca, in the class of Miklos Bacs, class of 2020. In the category Best troupe of actors, winners were appointed Alexandru Ionescu, Robert Iosif and Alexandru Petcu with the show "Dictum Meum Pactum", coordinated by Teodora Velescu. The Young Actor's Gala - HOP is a permanent programme of UNITER, singular in the local festival landscape, aiming to promote and launch young graduates from the higher artistic state and private education. The event is organized by UNITER and the co-financier is the Ministry of Culture. NEW DELHI: From helping state-run NTPC Ltd secure solar projects in 47 of least developed and small island developing member countries of International Solar Alliance (ISA) to being appointed the nodal agency for implementing India global electricity grid plan, the ISA first World Solar Technology Summit, to be held in the national capital on Tuesday, is expected to see some major announcements, said two people aware of the development. This comes in the backdrop of Chinas attempt to co-opt countries into its ambitious One Belt One Road initiative. The other marquee partnerships expected to be inked on Tuesday include the one between the Seoul headquartered Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the ISA for providing technical assistance in deploying one million solar irrigation pumps. The whos who of the global solar landscape is expected to attend the Summit hosted by the first treaty-based international government organization headquartered here, that has become a significant foreign policy tool. I hope the MoU we sign today will facilitate a strong partnership between GGGI and ISA. We look forward to collaborating with ISA to support deployment of 1 million solar pumps over the next five years. Both organizations have a common goal of supporting developing countries to achieve green growth and sustainable development," said Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General, GGGI. To start with, this support for solar pumps will be provided to Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Senegal, Mozambique, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati and maybe extended to other ISA member countries. The development assumes significance given that the ISA has achieved global disruption by bringing down the cost of solar-powered agricultural pumps by half, Mint reported earlier. Indias state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd conducted the largest global price discovery exercise by aggregating the demand from 22 ISA member nations, in a potential order valued at $2.7 billion. ISA also plans to sign a partnership agreement with the Paris headquartered International Institute of Refrigeration for setting up solar heating and cooling demonstration projects in member countries. Queries emailed to spokespersons for ISA and NTPC on late Sunday night wasnt immediately answered. More than 26000 participants from 149 countries have registered to join the virtual Summit which is expected to bring the spotlight on accelerating affordable and sustainable clean green energy by showcasing and deliberating on innovative state of the art next generation technologies in solar power," India ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) said in a statement. The summit will showcase next generation technologies that can ramp up solar deployment at an affordable cost and will also be attended by ministers of 67 ISA member nations, global chief executives and multilateral institutions. India and France have front-ended attempts to set up ISA, which has become Indias calling card on climate change, with France terming it as a political project". India has been trying to leverage ISA to execute the ambitious One Sun One World One Grid, that seeks to transfer solar power generated in one region to feed the electricity demands of others and India aim of becoming an electricity exporter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been championing the global electricity grid plan. According to the partnership agreement to be inked between the ISA, MNRE and the World Bank; it will be the ISA that will manage the bid process management and the global grid implementation plan. The global grid plan is spread across three phases. The first phase deals with the Middle East-South Asia-South-East Asia (MESASEA) interconnection for sharing green energy sources such as solar power. The second phase deals with the MESASEA grid getting interconnected with the African power pools; and the third and final phase is on global interconnection. French government-owned power utility Electricite de France SA and consulting firms McKinsey & Co., Boston Consulting Group, Kearney, Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers are among entities that have shown interest in creating the global solar grid roadmap, Mint reported earlier. With clean energy projects comprising more than a fifth of its installed power generation capacity, India has also been leveraging its solar energy credentials to build solar power parks under the aegis of ISA amid Chinese attempts to lure nations into its Belt and Road initiative. Under the aegis of the ISA, India has also been trying to land solar power project contracts in its member countries. A case in point being Sri Lanka, where state-run NTPC Ltd plans to set up a solar power park. NTPC also plans to help Gambia and Malawi develop solar power parks and is eyeing project management consultancy contracts in Sudan, Mozambique, Egypt, Uganda, Rwanda and Niger. Indias largest power generation utility recently got such contracts in Mali and Togo. ISA and NTPC will jointly look to work on projects in area of primary health care solarization, solar water pumps, solar powered cold storage in the 47 LDC and SIDS countries," said a person aware of the development cited above who did not want to be named. The event will also be addressed by Bertrand Piccard, who flew around the world in a solar powered plane; K. Vijay Raghavan principal scientific advisor to Government of India; and Nobel laureates Mario Molina and M. Stanley Whittingham. Whittingham who was jointly awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of lithium ion batteries will give the keynote address. France ecological transition minister Barbara Pompili and the co-president of the ISA Assembly, European Commission executive vice president Frans Timmermans and ISA president and Indias power and renewable energy minister Raj Kumar Singh are also expected to attend the event. As many as 84 countries have signed the ISA framework agreement, and 67 have ratified it. Germany has also expressed interest in joining Gurugram-headquartered ISA. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics On August 7, under the United States International Emergency Powers Act, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning, after 45 days, any transaction by a US entity with TikTok, and its parent company ByteDance. The order cited need to secure the information and communications technology and services supply chain, and asserted that spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in China continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. Concerns listed included TikTok automatically capturing vast swathes of information from users about network activity, location data, browsing and search histories. This, in turn, enabled the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to get Americans personal and proprietary information, with the potential for future blackmail and corporate espionage. Among its justifications for arriving at this assessment, the order specifically referred to recent Indian government action banning TikTok. In a subsequent order of August 14, ByteDance was given 90 days to divest itself of all its properties in the US. Several years earlier, Chinese hackers had been suspected to have stolen personal data of nearly 15 million US federal officials, and insurance-related data of more than 100 million people in US. The US action against TikTok followed earlier steps against Chinese technology companies Huawei and ZTE, controlling any further access by them to US technology, equipment, software etc. It was followed by restrictions on US entities using Weibo and WeChat. The US has also been running an aggressive international campaign to prevent use of Huawei in 5G rollouts, with some success so far in Europe and Asia. The Chinese had so far been restrained in their responses, recognising the continued US technology inter-linkages for many of their leading companies, and not wanting to provoke the unpredictable Trump as he headed into a difficult re-election campaign. In the TikTok case, however, they have barred any sale of AI-related technology, and the algorithm used by the App a clear signal of some countervailing technology power. In an article in the May issue of The Atlantic, HR McMaster, a former Trump national security advisor, cited Chinese Premier Li Keqiang telling Trump in November 2017 that China, having already developed its industrial and technology base, no longer needed the US.its role in the future would merely be to provide China with raw materials, agricultural products, and energy to fuel its production of the worlds cutting- edge industrial and consumer products. It can now be legitimately asked if the US-China economic and technology rivalry has finally crossed the Rubicon, and if some measure of decoupling is inevitable. The US has been struggling with its China policy for more than a decade now. For a long time, mainstream opinion supported integrating China into the international mainstream, which was assessed as leading to inevitable economic and political liberalisation. This did not happen. China gamed the WTO and international trading systems, initially keeping the Yuan devalued, and then subsidising heavily its State-owned enterprises, and building excess capacity in many areas, including steel. It sponsored national champions in technology. Under President Xi Jinping, China abandoned the Deng Xiaoping era policy of hide your strength and bide your time, and threw the gauntlet through its China Dream, and Made in China 2025, seeking to make China a leading global high-tech manufacturer. Trump has, no doubt, seized on a sharp anti-China rhetoric as electoral strategy, hoping to retain the votes of his 2016 base, which had seen its jobs vanish under globalisation, and to deflect the anger of those impacted by COVID-19. At the same time, his administration has taken the strongest measures, since the 1971 US opening to China, on tariffs, trade, technology denial, sanctions against Chinese officials and others for their actions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet, and the South China Sea. Aside from Trump, many senior US officials, including the Vice-President, have made sustained statements calling out China on cyber hacking, disinformation, intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, human rights violations, and transgressions of international law. Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden issued a statement on September 3, asserting that as US President he would put values back at center of American foreign policy, meet with Dalai Lama, and appoint a Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues. Whoever wins in US on November 3, there will be a new normal in US-China ties. Tech rivalry and reordering of supply chains will continue. There will be new opportunity for India if it builds on its Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US, to consolidate a trusted partner status, or supply chain resilience in areas of strength such as digital and pharma, or in new tech areas such as AI, cyber, quantum and big data. Staff at many of downtown St. Catharines biggest employers continue to work from home during COVID-19. Thats good for public safety, but not a help to the coffee shops, restaurants and stores that are missing their walk-in traffic. Of course they feel it quite a bit, said Tisha Polocko, executive director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association. On top of that, restaurants are still able to offer only limited indoor service and have had to rely largely on patios and takeout sales. Polocko said there are normally about 3,500 office-type jobs based downtown, and Id say less than half, definitely have returned. Its an economic pain being felt across the province. Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports 38 per cent of rural Ontario businesses are seeing normal sales volume for this time of year. Only 20 per cent of urban businesses can say the same. With downtown offices empty and international tourism dead, these businesses are really hurting said executive vice-president Laura Jones. About 7,500 people work in downtown St. Catharines, according to Niagara Economic Development. Among the biggest employers there are the provincial Ministry of Transportation, with other ministry offices, at 301 St. Paul St., and Accenture, the online support firm that opened a high-tech centre on King Street in January with plans for up to 600 workers to be based there. The majority of MTO staff who are able to perform their duties remotely, continue to do so, said ministry spokesman Jacob Ginger. The ministry is currently working on plans to safely return its employees to the workplace. At Accenture, All of our people continue to serve our clients by working from home, and we are looking forward to having our people return to our office when we can do so safely, said Rachel Stuchberry, managing director of Accenture Operations, in late August. Another large employer, St. Catharines city hall, is offering limited in-person service. Niagaras daily newspapers on King Street the St. Catharines Standard, the Niagara Falls Review and the Welland Tribune also continue to have their approximately 40 staff work from home, owner Torstar said recently. Taylor Wilson, broker of record at Colliers International Niagara Ltd. commercial realtors in St. Catharines, said businesses generally were already having more staff work from home even before COVID-19 arrived. The pandemic forced them to accelerate those plans, and he expects it to continue long term. Even myself, we bought a new house, we moved out to the country because I can work from home a lot more, he said. I was in the habit of going to the office just because it was a habit. But now with COVID I know I can do a lot more, being able to access my server from my home. Its great. Not great for the downtown restaurants and shops, but great for me. Its not the news merchants want to hear, he knows: There just wont be as much traffic downtown. Businesses that lease office and commercial space but now find they dont need so much room will have difficulty subletting, he said. Theyre stuck because the office (market) is so soft now that people arent going to want to sublet. Everyones just staying where they are and seeing if there is going to be this reported second wave. Cheryl Howlett, co-owner of Smokes Poutinerie on Summer Street, said because it is not on one of the main streets it isnt as dependent on downtown workers weekday traffic as other restaurants might be. I wouldnt call it a huge, significant portion of our traffic. Our daytimes are a little hit and miss at the best of times, she said. She added: Honestly, weve kept our heads above water ... But, obviously, it did dip down, were nowhere near what we used to be, just like everyone else. After laying off staff earlier in the year after COVID-19 hit, she expected to be back at full staff by the end of last week. At the downtown association, Polocko said she believes there has been a small increase over the past month of workers returning downtown. Thats reflected nationally, too, in data released last week by Statistics Canada. That, and the return of a limited number of students to Brock University and FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre slowly becoming more active, gives her hope. If we all had a crystal ball to look ahead ... she said. I think were all just waiting with bated breath to see what happens and keep our fingers crossed that everybody adheres to all the safety protocols so we dont regress backward. In retrospect, the resolutions taken during the CWC, and not the Congress interim chief's conciliatory words, appeared to be a sign of things to come. The Congress on Sunday announced seven committees for the state of Uttar Pradesh, but left out key party leaders who had recently criticised the party's functioning. The announcement has come well ahead of the elections in the key Hindi heartland state, scheduled to be held in 2022. Leaders such as Jitin Prasada and Raj Babbar, who were signatories to a letter to Sonia for a re-haul of the organisation, have failed to find a place in the new committees. Former Union minister RPN Singh is another senior leader who has not found a berth in any of the committees. India Today has quoted a party source as saying that he may have been ignored for having aired his difference of opinion over the partys strategy on Chinese incursions during a party meeting a couple of months ago. On the other hand, those who denounced the letter writers in the "Group of 23" like Nirmal Khatri and Naseeb Pathan have found places in the panels. Senior leaders sidelined despite Sonia's call for unity The sidelining of senior leaders shortly after they criticised the party's manner of working is in sharp contrast to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi's appeal to keep the party together in the aftermath of the internal crisis. During a Congress Working Committee meeting on 24 August, Sonia appeared to have taken an accommodative approach in dealing with the dissenting voices, as she said, We are a large family. We have differences and different views on many occasions...I hold no ill-will for any party member. Keep the party together." However, in retrospect, the resolutions taken during the CWC and not the Congress interim chief's conciliatory words appeared to be a sign of things to come. The CWC, in the meeting, had authorised the Congress president to bring about necessary organisational changes to tackle the challenges faced by the party. The CWC had also unanimously resolved to strengthen the hands of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in every possible way, while making it clear that no one will be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership. These sternly-worded resolutions, seen together with Prasada and Babbar being left out of party committees, are an indication that the party leadership is in no mood to brook dissent. In late August itself, while the row over the letter was still going on, it had become apparent that the party was unlikely to heed calls for reform. Shortly after the letter by the 23 leaders, a slew of senior leaders, including several chief ministers, rushed to the defence of the Congress' first family. Among those who backed the Gandhis were Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot. "Sonia Gandhi should continue to helm the Congress as long as she wants," Singh had said, adding that Rahul Gandhi should thereafter take over as he is fully competent to lead the party. The statements of these three chief ministers, as also several other Congress leaders, signal that the party is presently unwilling to look beyond the Gandhis for the leadership of the party. Indeed, in Uttar Pradesh itself, the Congress' strategy to win over young voters involves a quiz competition on the life and achievements of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. According to Hindustan Times, the quiz is to be held on 13 and 14 September and the party has announced that laptops, tablets and smartphones will be awarded to the winners. The party's decision to leave out senior leaders who raised concerns about the party's leadership, thus, appears to be a part of the same general trend. Salman Khurshid, PL Punia among leaders picked The committees that have been announced in view of the Uttar Pradesh elections on Sunday are the manifesto committee, outreach committee, membership committee, programme implementation committee, training and cadre development committee, Panchayati Raj election committee and media and communication advisory committee. While Salman Khurshid, PL Punia, Aradhana Misra, Supriya Shrinate, Vivek Bansal and Amitabh Dubey are in the manifesto committee, those in the outreach committee include Pramod Tiwari, Pradip Jain, Gajraj Singh, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Imran Masood and Bal Kumar Patel. Those in the membership committee are Anugrah Narayan Singh, Ajay Kapoor, BL Khabri, Mohd Muqeem, former MP Kamal Kishore "Commando" and former Varanasi MLA Ajay Rai. The media and communication advisory committee has Rashid Alvi, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, Surendra Rajput, Omkar Singh and Virendra Madan. The UPPCC president and the CLP leader will be ex-officio members of all the committees, an official communication from the party said. The Congress has already begun the process of consultations for preparing the manifesto, according to a report in The Indian Express. The report has quoted sources as saying that the first consultation was held in Kanpur in January and some 48 organisations had participated in the meeting. The Congress has been suffering a string of setbacks in Uttar Pradesh in recent years. In the 2017 Assembly polls, it won only seven seats despite allying with the Samajwadi Party. The party won two seats in the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha election and one seat in the 2019 election. In 2019, former party president Rahul Gandhi had lost the traditional party bastion of Amethi to the BJP's Smriti Irani. Dissenting voices in party Last month, twenty-three senior Congress leaders, including chief ministers, sitting MPs and former Union ministers, had written to interim party chief Sonia Gandhi calling for sweeping changes in the organisation. The letter had called for full time and effective leadership, visible and active in the field, elections to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and an institutional leadership mechanism aimed at the partys revival. Further, on Sunday, nine expelled Congress leaders wrote to party president Sonia Gandhi, asking her to "rise above the affinity for the family (parivaar ke moh)" and run the organisation by establishing mutual trust and restoring the constitutional and democratic values. In the letter dated 2 September and addressed to Sonia, the nine Congress leaders, including former MP Santosh Singh and former minister Satyadev Tripathi, said Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi built the Congress and the country with democratic values. But it's ironical that for some time, the way in which the party is being run, there is confusion ("asmanjas") and depression ("avsaad") among the ordinary Congress worker, they added. The leaders had been expelled from the primary membership of the Congress on 24 November last year for six years for allegedly tarnishing the party''s image and opposing its leadership''s decisions at public forums. With inputs from PTI A recent paper by Science Advances reviewed the data given by Indian Space Research Organization's very own Chandrayaan-1 orbiter that previously discovered water ice and also mapped out a significant variety of minerals while it was surveying the Moon's very own surface back in 2008. Lead author Shuai Li known from the University of Hawaii extensively studied the data and was very much surprised to find out that there is a close match with a certain spectral signature of hematite. This is the mineral that is a kind of iron oxide, otherwise known as rust. The big question is, if the moon does not have oxygen or even liquid water, how on Earth can it rust? Why is there rust on the moon The mystery all started with the solar wind and a stream of charged particles that actually flew out from the Sun shooting hydrogen to both the Earth and the Moon. Hydrogen also makes it difficult for the formation of hematite. In fact, this is quite the opposite. In order for rust to be formed from iron, it still requires an oxidizer capable of removing electrons. Although Earth already has a magnetic field that is shielding it from this actual hydrogen, the Moon, however, does not. Li admitted that it was completely unbelievable at first but with the finding of water on the Moon, speculations have grown regarding the possibility of a larger variety of minerals if the water actually reacted with rocks. After close observation, it was decided that the spectra were actually hematite-bearing, and there also needed to be an explanation for its presence on the Moon. Read Also: [Spotted] SpaceX Ships Raptor Vacuum Engine for Starship to Texas from California: The Testing Continues? Three hypotheses on how rust formed: First hypotheses The first theory is that although the Moon does not have an atmosphere, it is actually home to a trace amount of oxygen that is actually coming from Earth. This works by Earth's magnetic field trailing behind the Moon just like a windsock. Back in 2007, Japanese orbiter Kaguya found that Earth's upper atmosphere can latch onto the trailing magnetotail travelling at 239.000 miles towards the Moon. Second hypotheses Another theory is that hydrogen could actually be delivered by the known solar wind. Although hydrogen is a reducer, Earth's magnetotail serves as a mediating effect. Besides just sending oxygen to the Moon coming from Earth, it is said to also block about 99% of the known solar wind on certain periods of the Moon's orbit especially during a full Moon since this opens certain occasional windows when rust can form. Third hypotheses The third theory is that although the shell of the Moon is dry, Moon water ice was found in lunar craters. The theory expresses that the hematite was actually detected away from the ice. The paper, however, focuses on water molecules discovered on the Moon's surface. Li actually proposes that certain fast-moving dust particles could, in fact, release certain surface borne molecules mixing with natural iron in the Moon's soil. The heat could also affect the oxidation rate and dust particles themselves might already be carrying water molecules. Read Also: Fact-Checking Elon Musk's Claim of Inevitable Death for Mars Settlers Reveals It's Not a Bad Idea: Why are Volunteers 'Dying to Go' Regardless? JPL scientist Vivian Sun noted that the results show that there are even more complex chemical processes that are happening within the solar system. It was also stated that future missions to the Moon are needed to test these hypotheses. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The patrols evacuated families from the schools, throwing them and their furniture on the sidewalks in the early morning hours. Sowt Al-Asima says Syrian regime authorities began carrying out their threats to expel families who live in schools in the town of Yalda, south of the capital Damascus, days after they issued their last warning to evacuate. The schools were turned into shelters years ago. Sowt al-Asima sources said that patrols belonging to the Babbila Police Department, and others belonging to the military security detachment in Yalda, worked to evacuate the displaced families from the Yarmouk camp and move them to shelters, indicating that the operation took place in the presence of the head of the municipal council and the mayor of Yalda. The sources added that the patrols evacuated families from the schools, throwing them and their furniture on the sidewalks opposite the shelters in the early morning hours. The head of the municipal council ended up extending the deadline for complete evacuation till next Friday. The sources indicated that the Yalda shelters are home to many of the Yarmouk camp residents who fled their homes after the Islamic State took control of the area, in addition to those who were displaced during the recent military campaign on the city. The sources confirmed that the bulk of the families living in Yalda schools do not have a breadwinner, adding that the regime intelligence arrested all the male youth and men upon their arrival in the shelters years ago. According to the sources, the municipal council chalked up the eviction decision to the need to rehabilitate the school and render it operational again with the start of the school year, based on the districts need for more schools in light of social distancing measures. The security branches responsible for neighborhoods south of Damascus prevented the residents of the Yarmouk camp from returning to their homes, despite the numerous demands and repeated promises, with the exception of 150 families, who had obtained approval allowing them to return. It turned out that most of those who were granted the right to return are families of members of the Military Security and the Fourth Division, fighters in the General Command and Fatah al-Intifada, and other Palestinian factions that are fighting alongside the regime. 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 her complaint, the 28-year-old actress alleged that Rajput had died 'within a few days after obtaining this unlawful prescription prescribed at the behest of his sister Priyanka and the doctor Tarun Kumar' Mumbai: Actress Rhea Chakraborty, who is accused of abetting the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has filed a complaint with Mumbai Police, accusing Rajput's sister Priyanka Singh and a Delhi-based doctor of forgery and preparing a "fake" prescription of medicines for anxiety. In her complaint sent to the Bandra police here on Sunday, Chakraborty sought that Priyanka Singh and Dr Tarun Kumar, working with Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, be booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for forgery, the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. The 28-year-old actress in her complaint said Rajput was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was undergoing treatment for various other mental health issues. However, Rajput was not disciplined in following the treatment and would often abruptly stop his medications, she further said in the complaint. "On 8 June, 2020, Rajput showed me the messages he and his sister Priyanka had exchanged in which Priyanka sent him a list of medicines to take. I explained to Rajput that he has already been prescribed medicines by doctors who are treating him," Chakraborty said in her complaint. "He (Rajput), however, disagreed with me and insisted that he would only take the medicine his sister was prescribing," she said. On the same day, Rajput asked Chakraborty to leave the house as his sister Meetu Singh was coming to stay with him for a few days, according to the complaint. "It has now come to light that Rajput on 8 June told his sister Priyanka that he would not be able to obtain the said medicines without a prescription. His sister Priyanka subsequently on the same day sent him a prescription signed by one Dr Tarun Kumar, working with the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi," the complaint said. "Prima facie, the prescription appeared to be fabricated. The medicines prescribed by the doctor are prohibited from being prescribed electronically without consultation with the patient," Chakraborty said in the complaint. "Rajput died just a few days after he obtained the prescription, wherein he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances at the behest of his sister Priyanka and the doctor Tarun Kumar," she said. Rajput, 34, was found hanging in his apartment in suburban Bandra on 14 June following which the Mumbai Police had lodged an Accidental Death Report (ADR). On 25 July, Rajput's father KK Singh lodged a complaint with Patna police against Rhea Chakraborty, her parents Indrajit and Sandhya Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, the late actor's former manager Shruti Modi and his house manager Samuel Miranda. He accused them of cheating and abetting his son's suicide. He also claimed that the accused persons had siphoned off Rs 15 crore from his son's bank accounts. Based on this allegation, the Enforcement Directorate is probing money laundering charges. The FIR lodged by Patna police was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is probing a drug angle in the case. CAIRO The Egyptian armed forces announced Aug. 30 that seven officers and soldiers were killed and wounded in confrontations and raids launched by the army on terrorist hiding places in Sinai between that day and July 22. The statement said the armed forces were successful in targeting and destroying 317 shelters and stores of explosives material in the northern Sinai peninsula, in addition to destroying 19 four-wheel drive vehicles that were used by militants. The army also killed 77 militants and carried out several operations, killing two other individuals who were in possession of automatic rifles and explosive belts, in addition to confiscating quantities of ammunition of various calibers, explosives, a motorcycle and sums of money, according to the statement. Tribal sources and witnesses in Sinai cited by nwafez.com on Aug. 28 said there were clashes between the Egyptian army and militants from the Islamic State-affiliated Wilayat Sinai in the city of Bir al-Abed. Several soldiers were killed and injured; there was no mention of their exact numbers. The sources added that the Egyptian army forces, supported by warplanes, tried to advance toward the remaining areas under the control of Wilayat Sinai in the west of Bir al-Abed, which led to violent clashes between the two sides. The sources added that Wilayat Sinai militants destroyed an armored vehicle belonging to the army on the outskirts of Aqtiya village, which Wilayat Sinai is trying to regain control of after the army had retaken it. Khaled Okasha, a former top police official who is the director of the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor via phone that the Egyptian army has been fighting a violent war against terrorist and armed groups in Sinai for years, especially after the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi in the wake of major sweeping protests that began June 30, 2013. Okasha said the armed forces had drawn up a decisive strategic plan to confront terrorism years ago, namely with the launch of the Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018, which had eliminated many terrorists in Sinai and targeted hideouts, weapons caches and warehouses. He stressed that the security operation is going hand in hand with the development projects in Sinai. Okasha added that the Egyptian state has become aware of the importance of developing and reconstructing Sinai, in a bid to prevent it from turning into a hotbed for terrorist groups. The development projects are aimed at providing a decent life for the people of Sinai, which comes to the benefit of the state and its efforts to eliminate and uproot extremism and terrorism there, he said. He said the state has implemented a number of development projects, most importantly the establishment of the Mahsama water desalination plant, which was built on an area of 10,000 feddans (a little over 10,000 acres). This is in addition to other projects implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Agriculture. There are also efforts designed to expand arable and agricultural areas in the Sinai Peninsula, Okasha said. He further added that there has been a noticeable decline in the capabilities of terrorist groups since 2018, since the launch of the comprehensive operation in Sinai, in addition to the many preemptive strikes by the armed forces there and on the various important strategic fronts where Wilayat Sinai militants are active. He said the Aug. 30 statement from the armed forces confirms the armys success in eliminating many terrorist outposts in northern Sinai. Okasha, however, added that it is only normal to have some losses in military operations, as the Egyptian army lost seven personnel still, just a tenth of the 77 militants killed. The Egyptian army launched the comprehensive operation on Feb. 9, 2018, in Sinai, the Nile and Delta Valley and the Western desert, in a bid to eliminate any armed and terrorist groups in those areas. Also, army spokesman Col. Tamer al-Rifai said the armed forces were cooperating with police in order to eliminate terrorist militants in Sinai. Meanwhile, data from the operation showed that border guards were also part of the operations, and the air force targeted several outposts, hideouts and weapons warehouses. Since the ousting of Morsi in July 2013, the Sinai area has been a hub for terrorist activities, namely from Wilayat Sinai. Hundreds of army and police personnel were killed in separate attacks by Wilayat Sinai in recent years, which prompted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to issue orders to purge Sinai of terrorism on Nov. 29, 2017. This came after 305 people, including 27 children, were killed in a terrorist attack on Al-Rawda Mosque in the al-Arish area on Nov. 25, 2017. A high-ranking Egyptian security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Al-Monitor that some of the recent terrorist operations showed the despair of Wilayat Sinai militants after the armed forces made great progress in controlling a large number of villages in Sinai, where these groups were based and stored their weapons and ammunition. He said the high-tempo attacks on terrorist strongholds and arms caches, namely in the areas of Aqtiya, al-Marih, Rabia and al-Ganayen, caused the militants to confront the army with desperate and poorly executed terrorist attacks before being met by heavy losses and bitter defeat. The source added that the large number of arms and weapons that were confiscated clearly indicated that attacks were planned in the near future. The Egyptian army has moved from defense to offense in its war against militants and has been carrying out preemptive attacks to eliminate these groups, the source said. GALVESTON The only vacations Mark Artigo and Amy Simmons took this summer have been two 10-hour drives to Galveston one month apart. The couple from Joplin, Missouri, visited in August for their birthdays and loved the resort city so much they decided at the last minute to book a long weekend. We love it down here, Simmons said Saturday, as the holiday weekend kicked off to a slow start. Its the closest to California we can get. Artigo and Simmons were worried that beachgoers would pack Galveston with officials estimating that more than 250,000 people could cross the Interstate 45 causeway over the long weekend and prevent them from finding a room. But the couple beat the crowd that seemed to descend on the island beaches Sunday. While good news for public health, the prospect of below-average Labor Day weekend crowds worried leaders in Galveston, a city highly dependent on hotel occupancy and sales tax revenues, which already lost a big chunk of its tourism business this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beaches and most businesses shut down completely in March and April, and beaches closed again on July 4 weekend after a second spike in virus infections throughout the region. Galveston interim Mayor Craig Brown called the weekend very crucial for the city to end its summer season on a high note, hoping large crowds would descend on the island and help out struggling businesses. We just would like to invite everyone down, the beaches are quite an attraction on Labor Day and were happy to have everyone here, Brown said. Public health experts, on the other hand, were rooting for people to stay home and socially distanced. I am hopeful that reports of low turnout to the beaches are a good sign that we are all working together to protect each other and to hold onto the improvements weve achieved, said Dr. Marc Boom, president of Houston Methodist. Together, if we take things seriously and continue to be vigilant, we can keep the COVID-19 infection numbers down. In the Houston area and across the nation, upticks in hospitalizations and deaths followed Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Texas and Houston area counts currently are declining after peaking more than a month ago. There were 2,096 cases in the state Sunday, including 959 in a nine-county area from Montgomery to Galveston counties. Those numbers are down from more than 10,000 and 2,400, respectively. But crowds did gather on the beaches on the 27-mile island, said Peter Davis, Galvestons beach patrol chief. A crowd near San Luis Pass became so unruly Saturday that a volunteer emergency response team had to remove around 60 people from the water. Weather improvements also helped as overcast skies in the morning gave way to some afternoon sunshine, making for more pleasant beach conditions. Traffic picked up even more on Sunday with Davis reporting that their calls for service had tripled from the day prior. He compared the bustle to what Galveston sees during the Memorial Day weekend. As of early evening, people were still arriving, Davis said. The Galveston Ferry reported a 70-minute wait into Galveston with five boats running. Every beach on the island is crowded, he continued, adding that most groups were spaced out from each other. Few beachgoers were wearing masks, save for lifeguards and law enforcement, he said. Davis said his team had mostly been responding to the usual holiday weekend situations: lost children, a child locked in a car, and minor injuries from stingrays and jellyfish. On Sunday, first responders recovered a body matching the description of a teen swimmer who went missing during a night swim near the 4400 block of Seawall Boulevard. A rip current was reported near to where he was swimming and more were spotted Sunday along the Galveston beaches. Later Sunday, Galveston Beach Partol reported a second drowning, a 57-year-old Hispanic man. After his daughter was rescued, he was found face down just east of the 47th street rock groins. He received CPR at the shore but was pronounced dead at the emergency department of John Sealy Hospital. For island business owners like Cesar Hernandez, who owns Coastal Bike Rentals, which rents out surrey bikes, e-bikes, and scooters, a good Labor Day Weekend crowd would be more than welcome. Hernandezs day job is as a banker in Houston but he purchased the storefront on Seawall Boulevard and opened the shop in February, eager to capitalize on the islands booming tourist economy, which attracts more than 7 million visitors per year annually. Then COVID-19 hit. We opened in February, had spring break the first weekend, and then we closed, Hernandez said. Then we didnt open again until Memorial Day. You take the hit and hope for the best and keep moving forward. In the Strand Historic District, the pain of the pandemic has been felt even more acutely, owing to shuttered cruise ship terminals that typically contribute to tourism in the citys downtown. Shaelyn Fowler, who manages Hendley Market, said the fluctuations of shutdowns and reopenings this summer has made it difficult to keep a steady stream of revenue. Well have one really busy weekend and then well have one weekend where nobody shows up, Fowler said. Fowler added that with the island canceling some of its major fall events due to the pandemic, such as the Lone Star Rally, which attracts thousands of visitors, the next month or so of remaining summer weather will be critical for them. Some families took the opportunity of the long weekend to get their children some much needed outdoor stimulation. Raymond and Felicia Roberts traveled to Galveston from Houston with their four kids, a reward of sorts before navigating the stress of going back to school. At times it can be a bit frustrating because theyre confined to the house as well, Felicia Roberts said. Theres not too many places they can go. We decided to go (to Galveston) because its open, theres lots of room so we can stay 6 feet apart from people.Artigo and Simmons, the Missouri couple, gladly left their kids behind for the weekend, treating themselves to a weekend of sightseeing. Artigo raved about the ferry from Bolivar Peninsula to Galveston, and they made a list of places to see over the next few days. But the main attraction is the beach, where the couple planted themselves on Saturday afternoon, the waves of the Gulf of Mexico splashing at their feet. Its Galveston, man. Vacation, Artigo said. Just wanted to get away from Missouri. Missouri dont have any beaches. Nicole Hensley and Todd Ackerman contributed to this report. nick.powell@chron.com A father of two autistic children claims a local authority offered him 100,000 in cash to move his family out of the county for five years. Tom Browne said the proposal was made by Kent County Council after he made a formal complaint about the support being offered to his sons. The lawyer and his wife Bex had applied for a needs assessment for the boys, Harry and George, before they moved to Kent. The children, who have autism and suffer from anxiety, were given Education Health and Care Plans [EHCPs] outlining the support they were entitled to receive. Tom Browne said the proposal was made by Kent County Council (pictured, file photo) after he made a formal complaint about the support being offered to his sons But Mr Browne who also has a daughter, Millie alleges the boys were not provided with the care in the plans, so he complained. During a mediation session, he claims he was offered a 100,000 cash payment by the council to move out of the county. He told BBCs Panorama: There were no limitations on how we spent it, the only condition was that we provided proof of residence that we had moved out of Kent and also that we agreed not to return to Kent for five years as residents. Asked by a BBC journalist how that would help, Mr Browne said that maybe another local authority might be able to help them. Mr Browne, of Sittingbourne, added: Im still staggered by it. Why would they use that money to get us out of the county rather than to use [it] to help my kids? It feels like a huge waste of public money. The offer was formalised in a written document seen by the BBC which Mr Browne eventually decided not to accept. Kent County Council said it made the offer as it understood the family wanted to move. The Brownes refute this. Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee said that he isn't shocked by it A council spokesman said: The mediation failed, no amount was agreed and no monies were exchanged. He added the council had struggled to find common ground with Mr Browne but believe they can meet the needs of both boys in Kent schools. Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee, said: The sad thing is to say Im not shocked by it... because we know councils have been basically bending the rules. Its got to be stopped. The rate of refusals by councils to carry out EHCPs has been rising steadily every year.Across England last year, more than 18,500 children were refused, with almost 80,000 blocked since the system was introduced in 2014. Mr Halfon, who led an 18-month inquiry into the state of special educational needs provision, added: At the moment, I think the system mitigates against the child being the priority because what weve created is an adversarial system. BBC Panorama: Fighting for an Education is on BBC1 tonight at 7.35pm. The Black Death originated in China and spread along trade routes, turning the Silk Road into a superhighway of infection. It arrived in many places via trading ships, long believed to be carried by the fleas on rats that coexisted closely with humans. A more recent theory contends that fleas and lice on humans themselves helped spread the disease widely. As deaths mounted, populations in region after region struggled vainly to understand its cause or cure. The 10-day monsoon session of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, which commenced on Monday, is likely to be a stormy affair with the opposition planning to corner the government over several issues of public interest. The House will assemble in the afternoon to pay tribute to the former president Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away on August 31. It will also pay tribute to former MLA from Theog Rakesh Verma and former Dharamshala MLA Chander Verker. The opposition will try to pin down the government over issues such as corruption, involvement of a BJP minister in dubious land deals, and increase in power tariff. Vidhan Sabha staff checking the body temperature of BJP minister Ram Lal Markanda on the first day of the Himachal monsoon session in Shimla on Monday. (Deepak Sansta / HT) The Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government will undoubtedly try to highlight its achievements, especially its handling of the Covid-19 outbreak, which the CM claims was better than other states and won accolades from the Prime Minister himself. The Congress will bring up the bribery scandal involving former health and family welfare director Dr Ajay Gupta, which had caused much embarrassment to the ruling party . In an audio-clip that was widely circulated on social media, Dr Gupta was heard demanding 5 lakh for clearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kit orders for the state health department. Health minister Rajiv Saizal sanitising his hands at the assembly gate in Shimla on Monday. (HT Photo ) A sanitiser-purchase scam, which had involved some BJP leaders had also rocked the secretariat. The opposition has also alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 Response Fund. Allegations of social justice and empowerment minister Sarveen Chaudharys involvement in some questionable land deals in Kangra are also likely to be brought up. Former Congress minister Vijai Singh Mankotia had accused the minister of purchasing lands worth crores in the name of her family members. Though, the minister has denied the allegations, a preliminary probe by the state vigilance bureau had pointed out some irregularities in the purchase. Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said the government was ready to debate every issue. However, if the opposition creates unnecessary hullabaloo, it will get a befitting response. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Naked protesters wore spit hoods to demonstrate in Rochester Monday following the death Daniel Prude, who lost consciousness after police there held him down with a covering over his head. The six demonstrators sat in the rain outside a Rochester city building after Prude, 41, who was naked at the time of his arrest, died in March. Video of his arrest shows the officers, who were later suspended, covering Prudes head with a 'spit hood' designed to protect police from bodily fluids, after he complied with being handcuffed. They then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes. On Saturday a Black Lives Matter protester was struck by car in the city in New York as demonstrations entered a fifth night Sunday. On Sunday the mayor of Rochester promised reforms are coming to the city's police department. Paul Hypolite was one of those who protested Monday morning. He told The Democrat and Chronicle: 'It doesn't seem possible that humans could treat each other that way. 'I don't understand how someone can see another human in that position and not feel compassion and want do whatever they can to help them.' Naked protesters wore spit hoods to demonstrate in Rochester Monday following the death Daniel Prude, who lost consciousness after police there held him down with a covering over his head In this image taken from police body camera video a Rochester police officer puts a hood over the head of Daniel Prude, on March 23 in Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren announced at a news conference Sunday that the crisis intervention team and its budget would move from the police department to the city's department of youth and recreation services. Warren did not provide specifics, but said the move would be part of a series of reforms planned for 'the coming weeks, months and years.' 'We had a human being in a need of help, in need of compassion. In that moment we had an opportunity to protect him, to keep him warm, to bring him to safety, to begin the process of healing him and lifting him up,' Warren said. 'We have to own the fact that in the moment we did not do that.' A man attending a demonstration in Rochester, New York, was struck by a car on Sunday Police Chief LaRon Singletary, who joined Warren at the news conference, said he supports the need for reform in his department and is working with experts and clinicians in getting outpatient services for people with mental health issues that bring them into repeated police contact. In Rochester a man attending a demonstration was struck by a car on Saturday. Shared by Carolyn Delvecchio Hoffman, footage shows a group of demonstrators standing in an intersection during the city's third night of protest. Protesters watch a vehicle turning right out of the intersection with a screech, but a few voices suddenly scream out in warning. Seconds later, a red vehicle accelerates into the crowd and the driver unleashes a wave of yellow spray paint at protesters. Demonstrators clash with police officers a block from the Public Safety Building in Rochester Friday after a rally and march protesting the death of Daniel Prude Protests have followed each day since the family released the video on Wednesday, sometimes spawning confrontations with demonstrators and the police The police union head said the officers were following their training. Protests have followed each day since the family released the video on Wednesday, sometimes spawning confrontations with demonstrators and the police. On Sunday night, police said more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in downtown Rochester as people chanting 'We are elders, and we support our youth' and 'say his name, Daniel Prude,' led a march to the Public Safety Building that houses police headquarters. Protest organizers had speeches scheduled, uniting the crowd early on in the night. 'I came out tonight as a born and raised Rochesterian who loves her city,' said Kera Turner, a protester. Turner said she 'threw up' when she first saw the footage of Prude from March. 'Its just unacceptable,' she added. Daniel Prude apparently stopped breathing as police in Rochester, N.Y. were restraining him in March 2020 and died when he was taken off life support a week later The protest appeared to be peaceful late into Sunday night. Three officers were treated at hospitals for injuries they suffered when 'projectiles and incendiary devices' were hurled at them during Saturday night's protests over Prude's death, Lt. Greg Bello of the Rochester police said in a news release. Nine protesters were arrested. The Democrat and Chronicle reported that some protesters were hit by projectiles as well as thousands marched through the streets of New York's third-largest city. No information about injuries to protesters was provided by police. The Rev. Myra Brown called for about 50 church elders to gather at Spiritus Christi Church in downtown Rochester on Sunday evening to serve as a 'buffer' so protesters are free to express themselves without police interference. 'We elders have volunteered to put our bodies on the line to make sure that happens,' Brown said at the news conference with the mayor and police chief Sunday. The New York Civil Liberties Union criticized the police use of 'military tactics,' including sound cannons, flash bangs, tear gas, and pepper balls against the demonstrators. 'People speaking out are not enemy combatants, and to fire flash bangs, tear gas, and pepper balls at demonstrations against police violence only proves the point,' NYCLU Genesee Valley chapter director Iman Abid said in a statement Sunday. 'The mayor and RPD must stop these warfare tactics now.' The marches took place as New York's attorney general announced Saturday that a grand jury would investigate Prude's death. 'The Prude family and the Rochester community have been through great pain and anguish,' Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement Saturday. She said the grand jury would be part of an 'exhaustive investigation.' Prude's death came after his brother, Joe Prude, had called 911 seeking help for his erratic behavior. He had run away from his brother's home late in the night, about eight hours after officers had already taken him into custody for a mental health evaluation because of suicidal thoughts. Prude spent a few hours in the hospital for the evaluation and then was released, Joe Prude told officers. The Monroe County medical examiner listed the manner of death as homicide caused by 'complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.' The report cited excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or PCP, as contributing factors. A police internal affairs investigation cleared the officers involved of any wrongdoing, concluding in April that their 'actions and conduct displayed when dealing with Prude appear to be appropriate and consistent with their training.' The seven officers were suspended Thursday. Demonstrators march along a street in Rochester, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, during a protest over the death of Daniel Prude. Prude apparently stopped breathing as police in Rochester were restraining him in March 2020 and died when he was taken off life support a week later. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Protesters stand amid clouds of chemical irritant released by police outside the Public Safety Building in Rochester on Thursday Police officers force a line of demonstrators away from the front of the Public Safety Building Thursday. Seven police officers involved in the suffocation death of Daniel Prude in Rochester were suspended Thursday by the city's mayor, who said she was misled for months about the circumstances of the fatal encounter Protesters have called on Warren and Singletary to step down over the delay in releasing details of Prude's death. They've also demanded police accountability and legislation to change how authorities respond to mental health emergencies. The mayor and police chief said Sunday they had no plans to resign. Warren did not provide specifics Sunday about how the crisis intervention team's move would change the policing of a person going through a mental health crisis. But she said the city will double the availability of mental health professionals and work with Rochesters Commission on Racial and Structural Equity, or RASE, to re-envision the police department and how it responds to mental health crises. 'The chief and I, we love our city. We were born and raised here,' she said Sunday. 'We are committed to making the necessary changes to make sure this community moves forward.' When Sushant Singh Rajput said success of outsiders is only discussed in hushed tones in Bollywood Bhopal BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, known for often making controversial statements, has given the opposition something to frown upon yet again. Referring to the much-hyped contest for the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat during the general election in 2019, when she defeated Congress veteran Digvijay Singh in her electoral debut, Thakur said that the entire country was keenly interested in the election. "It was Bhopal's good luck that I was elected to the Lok Sabha from here, she said at a felicitation event organised by a right-wing organisation at her residence in the Bhopal. She added that Bhopal had become the centre the nation's attention during the election last year. The firebrand sadhvi had defeated Singh by more than 3.6 lakh votes. Singh, who often takes on his political opponents, is yet to respond to the BJP MP's remarks. However, other members of the opposition party have objected to her statement. Congress spokesperson Ajay Singh Yadav said, "With her contentious remarks, she has remained a source of embarrassment for Bhopal. If she shows her ego by saying that it was the city's good luck that she was elected, it is highly unfortunate." Clarifying Thakur's stand, BJP spokesperson Rakesh Sharma said, "She meant that despite high drama on part of her opponent Digvijaya Singh, the people had chosen her so that a candidate with intentions of service could be elected. Most of her statements are directed at Digvijaya Singh." The Congress has persistently accused Thakur of inaction as a public representative. Yadav said that the MP did not even visit those affected by the floods in Bhopal. Source: News18 Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The weeks-long postponement of the school opening has given the government more time to prepare and strategize for possible challenges the education sector may face amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday. In the virtual Laging Handa media briefing, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said DepEd is now more prepared for the resumption of basic education classes on Oct. 5. Itong dagdag na panahon, nagbigay sa atin ng mas marami pang opportunity na ma-anticipate kung ano talagang aktwal na mangyayari come Oct. 5, Briones said. Mas lalong handa tayo ngayon, nakikita natin ang maraming problema, mga challenges. At naisipan na natin, nai-strategize na natin kung paano ito i-solve. [Translation: The extension gave us more opportunity to anticipate what will actually happen on Oct.r 5. Were more ready now, because we see the problems, the challenges. And we have thought of solutions, and strategized how to solve them.] President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered a six-week-long postponement of the school opening, as the government sought to iron out the logistical limitations for the conduct of the blended and distance learning classes. The law mandates the school year to start not later than the last day of August, but a measure signed by Duterte in July allowed the President to set a different start date when theres a state of emergency or calamity. Over 24 million basic education students have so far enrolled for the school year, according to DepEd, with 22.2 million going to public schools. READ: 'It will work,' DepEd says on its readiness for 2020 class opening In South Korea, the Ministry of Interior and Safety said on Monday that nearly 1,000 people had evacuated out of the path of Haishen. In Busan, a city of 3.4 million, traffic lights collapsed, signboards were ripped off and roads shut down due to strong winds and heavy rain. Alain Cocq, who has been suffering for 34 years from a rare and incurable degenerative disease, said he would find another way to broadcast his death. He has stopped taking food, drink or medicine, and says he wants his death to be seen to help persuade French authorities to lift a ban on medically assisted suicide. While we respect Alains decision to draw attention to this important issue, we are preventing live broadcasts on his account based on the advice of experts that the depiction of suicide attempts could be triggering and promote more self-harm, Facebook said in a statement provided to Reuters. Cocq, 57 had said he would livestream his death on Facebook . After Facebook blocked it, he said a new means of livestreaming would be set up . So I have finished my last meal ... I drink to your health one last time. The road to deliverance begins and, believe me, I am happy, Cocq said in a video posted and shot from his bed at his home in Dijon, eastern France. I have made up my mind and I am at peace, he added. Frances neighbours Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands have adopted laws that allow medically-assisted dying in some cases. But France has resisted that step, in part under pressure from the Catholic Church. Because I am not above the law, I am not able to comply with your request, Macron said in a letter to Cocq, which Cocq published on his Facebook page. Your wish is to request active assistance in dying which is not currently permitted in our country, said Macron.He had written to French President Emmanuel Macron asking that medical professionals be allowed to assist his death. Macron wrote back saying this was not allowed under French law. Search Keywords: Short link: We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form US police have alarmed civil rights activists by asking Google for the details of every smartphone within a 100-yard radius of a crime scene. The so-called geofencing technology can 'cast a virtual net' around an area and identify all the devices within it, via a massive Google database called Sensorvault. Cops say it has helped them identify suspects in murders, shootings and burglaries, but critics say it violates the privacy of innocent people who happen to be nearby. Three requests for geofencing data in Chicago were recently denied by Illinois judges who said prosecutors cannot 'rummage where they please in order to see what turns up'. Google says it only complies with requests if there is a search warrant, but will hand over the data if one is granted. US police have alarmed civil rights groups by asking Google for the details of any smartphones in the area of a crime scene (file photo) In the Chicago case, the government sought a search warrant to find a suspect accused of stealing prescription drugs. Investigators wanted access to the location history collected by Google from sources including GPS, Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth beacons near two alleged crime scenes. The government initially sought data from within a 100-yard radius which included a swimming pool, restaurants and a residential complex. After that was denied, prosecutors tried shrinking the geofences to square or polygon-shaped areas so that fewer people would be covered. The request covered three 45-minute intervals in the early afternoon on separate days, meaning a large number of people were likely to have been in the area. Geofence requests: what they are and how they work A geofence request is a relatively new tool becoming increasingly popular with law enforcement agencies. According to Google's own data, there was a 1,500 per cent increase in geofence requests from 2017 to 2018. Other companies that have received requests include Apple, Uber and Snapchat. However, Google gets the bulk of the requests because Android devices are more widely used than any other operating system. The goal of the request is to learn which devices were in a specific location at a specific point in time. For example, within a 0.5 mile radius and 30 minutes of a crime. Companies are obliged to comply because the geofence requests class as warrants. The process normally goes as follows: Law enforcement sends a request to a tech company The tech company sends an anonymised list of all devices they are aware of that fulfill the requirements Police investigate further and then narrow down the list further The police can then ask for more details, including an email address or name, of all the devices/people on this list. One of which may be the perpetrator. The data comes out of a vault in which Google, and other companies, store location data of users. This is whenever a customer activates location services to call an Uber, navigate on Google Maps or find the nearest coffee house, for example. For Google, this is a place called the 'Sensorvault'. Tags of the user's specific location provided by GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi and cell towers is sent to this secure server. Google uses this for advertising purposes but it can also be handed over to law enforcement. Advertisement Officials insisted that the data would be anonymous - but Illinois magistrate Gabriel Fuentes rejected the application. 'Simply because Google can collect this information, or because the government can obtain it from Google' does not mean it is constitutional to use it, he said. While saying that geofencing was not 'categorically unconstitutional', he said a person's privacy rights should include their location at a particular point in time. Fuertes cited a case from long before the age of Google, in which police were rebuked by the Supreme Court for searching everyone in a tavern when they only had a warrant to search the bartender. 'The potential to use Google's capabilities to identify a wrongdoer by identifying everyone (or nearly everyone) at the time and place of a crime may be tempting,' he wrote. 'But if the government can identify that wrongdoer only by sifting through the identities of unknown innocent persons without probable cause and in a manner that allows officials to rummage where they please in order to see what turns up, even if they have reason to believe something will turn up, a federal court in the United States of America should not permit the intrusion.' The government made three attempts to obtain the data, but all were denied by two different judges. A different magistrate, David Weisman, said the request was too broad and 'provides no compelling reason to abandon Fourth Amendment principles'. The Fourth Amendment protects people against 'unreasonable searches and seizures'. Weisman accused the government of an 'indisciplined overuse of this investigative technique in run-of-the-mill cases that present no urgency or imminent danger'. This practice 'poses concerns to our collective sense of privacy and trust in law enforcement officials,' he said. Location history is stored in a massive Google database called Sensorvault, while Apple, Uber and Snapchat have also received requests. However, Google gets the bulk of the requests because Android devices are more widely used than any other operating system. The company said earlier this year that requests had jumped by 1,500 per cent from 2017 to 2018, and another 50 per cent last year. Google said in June that it would delete location history by default after 18 months for new users. The company told tech website CNET that it would not comply with geofence requests unless they have a warrant. 'We vigorously protect the privacy of our users while supporting the important work of law enforcement,' a statement said. 'We developed a process specifically for these requests that is designed to honor our legal obligations while narrowing the scope of data disclosed Police credit previous warrants with helping identify suspects in a fatal shooting in North Carolina, home invasions in Minnesota and a murder in Georgia. But civil rights activists say that the broad warrants will unfairly sweep up innocent people. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warns they 'allow the government to examine the data from individuals wholly unconnected to any criminal activity and use their own discretion to try to pinpoint devices that might be connected to the crime'. 'At the Nation's founding, general warrants were used by customs officials to go house by house, searching for smuggled goods; this general warrant allows law enforcement to go Google account by Google account, searching each user's private location data for evidence of an alleged crime,' the EFF argued in a different case. In one case, geofence data ensnared a man who seemed to be at the site of a 2018 killing in Avondale, Arizona. Jorge Molina spent six days in jail before his lawyer provided police with evidence exonerating him. Molina had given another man his old cellphone, which was still logged in to his Google account. Jorge Molina spent six days in jail as a result of a geofencing warrant, before his lawyer provided police with evidence exonerating him 'Police are basically treating this like it's DNA or fingerprint evidence, but it's not,' said Jack Litwak, Molina's attorney. 'Jorge was nowhere near there and then he was accused of the worst crime you can be accused of committing.' In another case, Florida restaurant worker Zachary McCoy said he was terrified after Google informed him that Gainsville police wanted information from his account. Plugging the case number into a police website, he saw a 97-year-old woman's home had been burglarized. 'I was kind of terrified that for some reason I was going to prison even though I hadn't actually committed a crime,' he said. McCoy borrowed $7,000 from his parents to hire a lawyer, who eventually persuaded police to withdraw the warrant. New York state legislator Zellnor Myrie has sponsored a bill to ban geofence warrants, saying they were troubling at a time of protests against the police. 'If you are someone who went out on the streets to express your rage, your sadness and your hope that there is a better way to do policing and are then subject to a warrant, I think that would go against everything we are telling people they have the right to do,' Myrie said. Geofencing technology is also used to control commercial drones and stop them flying in restricted areas. It came to wider attention during the chaos at London's Gatwick Airport in 2018, when suspected drone sightings led to hundreds of flights being cancelled. Tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes says massive investments in renewable energy initiatives like the $22 billion Sun Cable project could lift Australia out of recession by creating jobs, lowering power prices and generating new export revenue streams. One such project, according to Mr Cannon-Brookes, is a high-voltage cable that could transmit solar energy between Western Australia and the eastern states. "If we had west to east connectivity of power we would need vastly less storage in the NEM [National Electricity Market]," Mr Cannon-Brookes told The Sydney Morning Herald's Sustainability Summit on Monday. "Don't forget, 75 per cent of our population is about three or four hours ahead of the sunlight in Western Australia. That gets us through the evening peak of 5pm to 9pm having energy come from solar in West Australia which is very reliable, very consistent and even within our national boundaries." Mike Cannon-Brookes speaking at The Sydney Morning Herald Sustainability Summit on Monday. Credit:The Sydney Morning Herald Mr Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian, is an investor in the ambitious Sun Cable project, which involves a plan to build the world's largest solar farm. The farm would have a 10-gigawatt capacity covering 15,000 hectares near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and a 22GW-hour storage plant. Phuket airport to hold COVID-clearance tourist arrival exercise PHUKET: Phuket International Airport will stage its Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) and fast-track passenger exercise tomorrow (Sept 8) to boost confidence in that Phuket is prepared to receive international tourists. tourismCOVID-19Coronavirushealth By Tanyaluk Sakoot Monday 7 September 2020, 07:58PM A man is checked before he is allowed to enter Phuket International Airport. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The exercise involve 43 actors, simulating 10* foreign tourists arriving at Phuket airport. The tourists will undergo all the required processes, including separation from other regular users at the airport and the involvement of officers from the Phuket Provincial Office and the Department of Disease Control (DDC) team at the airport, among others, explained Phuket International Airport General Manager Thanee Chuangchoo. The exercise will begin at 9am, Mr Thanee confirmed. The exercise will involve the full medical team and the ambulance at the airport. Please do not panic if you see this. It is only an exercise, he said. The simulation will see actors play the role of tourists arriving at Gate 14/15, Mr Thanee said. The passengers will be scanned for elevated body temperature, then led to a waiting area. Officials will check their documents such as a Certificate of Entry (COE), a medical certificate or Fit to Fly, results of a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before they boarded the plane, and that they have health insurance coverage of up to US$100,000, he added. Only after the passengers documents have been inspected and verified, the passengers will be processed by immigration, Mr Thanee noted. Any persons found without all the correct documentation will not be permitted to enter the country, he said. If a passenger has a body temperature of more than 37.3C, the passenger will be removed from the group and taken for a swab test. If the person is found to be exhibiting signs of infection, they will be classified as a Person Under Investigation (PUI) and the medical team will take them to the designated area to wait for an ambulance to take them to hospital, Mr Thanee explained. Airline staff will bring the passengers luggage to the doctors clinic at Phuket International Airport, he added. Passengers who clear all the document checks and are approved by immigration to enter Thailand will go to collect the baggage claim area. Security personnel will be stationed in the area to prevent people from handling other peoples luggage, Mr Thanee said. The passengers will then be escorted by security personnel and local police officers to the designated area to wait for staff from their chosen ASQ venue to pick them up. Staff from the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) venues will be allowed only restricted access to designated areas within the airport so that they may pick up their guests, Mr Thanee explained. They will not be allowed to enter other general access areas at the airport. They will not be allowed to even use the general bathrooms and elevators inside the airport. Separate restrooms will be assigned, he said. ASQ staff must wear protective clothing, as well as all the airport officials involved in handling the new arrivals, Mr Thanee said. The ASQ staff must also present themselves at least 30 minutes before the aircraft lands to be issued a queue number to pick up their guests. Each ASQ vehicle must carry only one passenger, except where the passengers are travelling as a family, he explained. Right now, we really do not know when international flights will be allowed to fly direct to Phuket International Airport. So the main purpose of this exercise is to build confidence among people about what officials will do when processing foreign arrivals, and if a foreign tourist arrival is suspected of being infected with COVID-19, he added. *Correction: Simulating only 10 foriegn tourists arriving, not 43 as originally reported. The error is regretted. In a surprise move, the Brazilian who has been heading up the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Roberto Azevedo, stepped down from his role as director general last Monday, amidst acrimony between the US, China, and the EU and without a replacement nominated for the post. This leaves a void in the global trading system that Ireland depends on for protecting its key export sector from abuse by unscrupulous traders, outside of the EU protection rules a situation which is likely to become more important from January 2021 when the UK leaves the EU and may opt to trade under WTO rules only. Despite a torrid few years of negative media commentary and political neglect, the WTO has kept the worst elements of protectionism at bay and has adjudicated on a wide range of international disputes with admirable skill, which seldom get media coverage. Ireland and other open trading nations rely on the WTO's stable, predictable, and dependable rules for doing business internationally. Irelands manufacturers gained substantially from reduced tariffs of over one-third and scrapping them on 40% of manufactured goods, following the WTO global agreement in 1995. The loss of the worlds primary trade referee could turn the typically deliberate process of resolving international disputes into a free-for-all, paving the way for an outbreak of tit-for-tat tariff wars. Right now, the world economy needs a strong leader, who can deliver strong medicine to help recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession which has hammered world trade and investment. Throughout the pandemic responsible politicians failed to throw the lifeline of fresh cross-border co-operation; instead they have tolerated protectionism in various guises. "The WTO is facing its deepest crisis since its creation, Phil Hogan, the recently departed European trade commissioner, told members of the European Parliament his year. If the rules governing international trade can no longer be enforced, wed have the law of the jungle. Eight countries have nominated their candidate for the WTO director general post. Insiders believe that European countries will rally behind one of the two hotly-tipped African contenders Kenyas former Trade Minister Amina Mohamed and Nigerias Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former managing director of the World Bank and chair of the board of Gavi, the vaccine alliance. However, Ms Okonjo-Iwelas campaign may not be helped by its association with the US political strategy and consulting company, Mercury Public Affairs, a Washington DC lobbying firm with close ties to the Trump administration. Few believe that Liam Fox, a UK nomination and Brexiteer, sacked as international trade minister by Boris Johnson last July, has much chance of securing the job. Foxs nomination is a bit of a joke, said Vince Cable, trade minister in David Camerons government. Former EU Trade commissioner Phil Hogan had floated the idea of running for the post, before withdrawing when EU support was not forthcoming. Read More UK sees only 30%-40% hope of deal as hard Brexit looms The Trump administration has blocked the appointment of new judges to the key appellate body, accusing the WTO of having treated the US unfairly.Picture: Evan Vucci The WTO has not had a boss from Africa and, with the long-anticipated African Continent Free Trade Area to become operational in January 2021, this could be a very opportune time. However, there are concerns that the continents leaders have not rallied behind a single candidate, with Egypts Hamid Mamdouh also throwing his hat into the ring. In a worrying sign, none of the big block countries/regions the EU, US, China, India, or Russia have nominated a candidate. The Geneva-based body, established in 1995, provides a forum for its 164 member countries to administer a system of rules governing global trade. However, after the collapse in 2016 of its last major update round of negotiations the Doha round the WTO has seen one of its main functions, arbitrating trade disputes, hobbled by a dispute with the US. The Trump administration has blocked the appointment of new judges to the key appellate body, accusing the WTO of having treated the US unfairly. Since then, the US has gone on to enforce their own law, sidestepping WTO rules in moves protecting its steel and aluminium industry by imposing tariffs on Canada, Europe, and Japan. And the US attempts to rebalance its general trade imbalance by applying punishing levies to a wide range of Chinese goods. US president Donald Trump and his top advisers have criticised the WTO for giving China a free ride since becoming a member in 2001, doing little to curb Beijings unfair trade practices in forced technology and intellectual property breaches. Many other nations, including the EU member states, agree with the US that the WTO has failed to adequately police Beijing for using a mix of private enterprise and state support to dominate global industries. However, few agree with Mr Trumps methods of resolving the China question. Japan, Canada, China, the EU, and other governments are relying on the organisation to determine whether Mr Trumps tariffs on steel and aluminium violated global trade rules. However, in an indication of the growing lack of trust in the WTO, many of those governments including the EU, Mexico, and Canada have not waited for a ruling before imposing retaliatory tariffs on American goods. The prospective weakening of global trade rules has worried smaller nations such as Ireland. It has also rankled the EU, a strong believer in the multilateral system whose economy is heavily dependent on trade. Irelands priority in these negotiations has been, and continues to be, to see the process of trade liberalisation continue in a fair and balanced way and to support the strengthening of the WTO in its provision of a stable and consistent framework for the regulation of world trade. In a worrying dysfunctional sign, the appellate branch of the WTOs Dispute Settlement Body, sometimes called the supreme court of world trade, stopped functioning in December after years of relentless US opposition. So far however, the US has avoided expressing a preference for any candidate and has not embraced calls for an expedited process. There seems every likelihood that the US will simply avoid a firm commitment in any direction until after the upcoming presidential election in November. Should Donald Trump secure re-election, the director-general nomination is likely to be the Nigerian supportive candidate, but we can expect the objections to the WTO budget, the Appellate Body, and a range of other issues to continue. Appointing the head of the WTO is unlikely to be the number priority of Joe Biden if he wins the US election in November. Picture: Carolyn Kaster If Joe Biden wins, the US will want to signal re-engagement with international global bodies by backing a consensus candidate they find palatable. However, this is unlikely to be top of the Biden administrations priority list and at any rate would have to wait until he is inaugurated in the new year. There is little doubt that China violates the spirit, if not the letter, of WTO rules on intellectual property and subsidies. However, when the US and Europe complain that China is infringing global norms and rules, they forget their own economic history. Chinas policies are not so different from those that they too embraced while catching up with technological leaders of the time. They also forget that Chinas economic policies have generated not only significant domestic economic growth and poverty reduction; they have also created a huge market for western exports and investment. However, it is worth looking more in depth at a key complaint of both the US and EU about Chinese abuse of intellectual property. And, it is a big concern of many Irish software companies doing business in China. We are told that there is simply no recourse in WTO rules for challenging requirements of the Chinese for technology transfer, yet if you look at the accession agreement that China signed when joining the WTO, it binds China. As a member of the WTO, you find there are specific provisions prohibiting forced technology transfer. These provisions can give rise to claims in WTO dispute settlements against such required technology transfer. In fact, the protection provided for trade secrets in the WTO intellectual property agreement, the Trips Agreement, goes considerably beyond anything that has been said about trade secrets in other international intellectual property conventions. Yet, we are ignoring the opportunity provided by this article to support claims in WTO dispute settlement against China where China has violated this obligation. If the WTO has become dysfunctional, it is because politicians and businesses have not given it the support needed to update procedures and systems to match the changes in global trade practices. Moreover, its role as the leading forum for international trade-policy co-operation is increasingly eroded by the proliferation of regional trade agreements to which governments, led by the EU, have engaged in. However, concluding that the WTO is a failure would clearly be premature. Now, more than ever, we need a trusted global trade referee. The trade war with China is a clear indicator of the need for an honest broker to mediate a fair settlement that does not damage the legitimate trade aspirations of other countries. A fully functioning, updated, and respected World Trade Organisation continues to be essential. John Whelan is managing partner of the Linkage-Partnership, an international trade consultancy Mumbai, Sep 7 : Author Twinkle Khanna, who is known for her wit and sarcasm, has once again floored the fans with those traits. On Instagram, Twinkle posted a meme that had gone viral, featuring her as point of the joke. In the meme, Chris Evans as Captain America is seen saying: "Why is Akshay Kumar's wife not a big star? Because twinkle twinkle little star." Twinkle posted the meme with this caption: "How do you know if you are a bonafide star? When you become part of a famous meme." The tagged her post with #LittleStarProtestsAgainstSizeDiscrimination. Netizens are impressed with her sense of humour as always. "Hahaha funniest thing," a user commented. "Lol, mam you always make us laugh," another one wrote. Twinkle is currently spending time with her family in the UK, where her husband Akshay Kumar is shooting for his upcoming film, "Bell Bottom". To create online logistics platform named Cargo Connect Tata Consultancy Services has partnered with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in South Africa, part of Transnet SOC Ltd, a state-owned freight transport and handling company, to help the latter develop an integrated online marketplace platform by bringing together cargo owners, shipping lines, clearing and forwarding agents, and road/rail haulers. TPT saw an opportunity to simplify the South African logistics market by creating a connected portal that would provide comprehensive logistics information to cargo owners and logistics players. It partnered with TCS to create the new platform named Cargo Connect, which will function as an online logistics marketplace where customers can submit logistics related requests and allow service providers to bid online. Customers will be able to select the preferred proposal and award the cargo contract to that bidder. This will make the entire request and bid selection process completely transparent, delivering greater value to TPT's customers. The platform will also help customers remotely track the cargo at every point of the container journey and send automated alerts with critical information, whenever a cargo event occurs. Expected to be ready in 12 months, the Cargo Connect marketplace will reshape the industry and drive TPT's growth. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Geneva, 31 August 2020 (SPS) -Over 240 Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) composing the Geneva Support Group for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Western Sahara on Saturday advocated the creation of a mandate of special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sahrawi occupied territories. In a communique released on the occasion of the International Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances celebrated on 30 August each year, 245 NGOs urged the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to create a mandate of special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Non-Self-Governing Territory of Occupied Western Sahara. They underlined the need to very first Article of each of the four Geneva Conventions and to ensure that Morocco complies with the provisions of the said Convention under any circumstance in occupied Western Sahara, said the communique. In this regard, the signatories called the International Red Crescent Committee (IRCC) to cooperate with the Polisario Front, the only legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, in its search for the missing Sahrawis. The Geneva Group NOGs also urged the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) to schedule the examination of Moroccos compliance with the Convention. On 14 May 2013, Morocco had ratified the International Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. However, the Kingdom of Morocco has still not submitted its initial report on this issue to the CED, recalled the NGOs. Some hundreds of Sahrawis are missing, both militants and civilians, following the Moroccan military invasion of 1975 and Morocco's prolonged occupation of Western Sahara. Since October 31, 1975, the lowest estimates are around 1,000 cases, 80% of which occurred between 1975 and 1977, said the communique. (SPS) 062/SPS/APS Nicollette Sheridan wowed in white Sunday while grabbing dinner in Malibu, California. The 56-year-old actress wore white overalls along with a white polka dot bikini top for her outing to Nobu restaurant. Nicollette completed her summer ensemble with sandals and accessorized with sunglasses. Dinner outing: Nicollette Sheridan wowed in white Sunday while grabbing dinner in Malibu, California She secured a Harley-Davidson face mask scarf over her mouth and nose amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Nicollette had her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and also carried a matching white purse. The Desperate Housewives star declined to join her former co-stars for a Desperate Housewives virtual reunion earlier this year. Marcia Cross, Vanessa Williams, Brenda Strong, Dana Delaney and Eva Longoria all took part in the Stars in The House broadcast on April 12. Bikini top: The 56-year-old actress wore white overalls along with a white polka dot bikini top for her outing to Nobu restaurant Covering up: Nicollette secured a Harley-Davidson face mask scarf over her mouth and nose amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic Summer style: The actress completed her summer ensemble with sandals and accessorized with sunglasses Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman also did not join their former co-stars for the virtual reunion. Nicollette sparked engagement rumors in September 2019 when she made a red carpet appearance with beau Jake Marcus. She was previously married to Harry Hamlin, 68, from 1991 to 1992, and he went on to marry Lisa Rinna, 57. Cute couple: Nicollette sparked engagement rumors in September 2019 when she made a red carpet appearance with beau Jake Marcus Nicollette also was married to Aaron Phypers, 47, from December 2015 to August 2018 and he is now married to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Denise Richards, 49. She recently played Alexis Carrington in the revival of Dynasty, but The CW announced in February 2019 that she was leaving to focus on 'some personal family responsibilities'. Nicollette released a statement saying she was leaving the show to spend time with her terminally ill mother Sally. By Charles Wowkanech New Jerseyans usually think of Labor Day as the end of the summer season but in 2020 Labor Day is the start of a season. A season of change. And it will take the strength, vision and solidarity of all working people to bring the changes we need in New Jersey and America in this year of the coronavirus. Labor Day honors the men and women who forged the working conditions that Americans take for granted: weekends, fair wages and benefits, overtime pay, collective bargaining agreements and safe workplaces. Labor Day celebrates the men and women who united to create Americas diverse middle class. Labor Day is about everything that makes America great. This Labor Day, working families are challenged like never before. Were in the middle of a global pandemic, and its health, safety and economic impacts on Americans do not need rehashing. Every American everywhere has been affected. But theres something more challenging than COVID-19. The biggest challenge to working families on this Labor Day is the nonstop erosion of hard-earned rights: The right to organize and bargain collectively. The right to file a grievance about unfair working conditions. The right not to die from an invisible enemy infecting the workplace. The right of every citizen to be heard in our democracy, whether its a constitutionally protected peaceful protest or through the ballot box. The current administration in Washington D.C. is acting to stifle and stamp out these rights. Working people must act in their own best interests to restore and preserve them. In this 2020 season of change, every person who has benefited from the blood, sweat and tears that gave us Labor Day must make their voice heard. Every eligible person must vote. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 13. Voting by mail will start soon in New Jersey, and everyone who receives a ballot should fill it out and send it back immediately. Voting is a right, and with rights come responsibilities. Voters have the responsibility to learn everything they can about which candidates share our union values of hard work, fairness and solidarity. They have the responsibility to vote for candidates who stand with us to bring change for the better. In this historic election year, working people who vote and encourage others to vote can ensure they are represented by officials who will preserve the middle class that was built by the labor movement we celebrate on Labor Day. Otherwise, Americas greatness will slip away. Charles Wowkanech is president of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. In a revealing new documentary, Paris Hilton opens up about a trauma shes never publicly discussed. I feel like the whole world thinks they know me because Ive been playing this character for so long, Hilton says in the film, This Is Paris, which then cuts to a clip of her 2000s reality show The Simple Life." Thats not me, Hilton, now 39, continues. No one really knows who I am. Something happened in my childhood that Ive never talked about with anyone. I still have nightmares about it. I wish I could bring a camera into my dreams and show you what its like. Its terrifying. And I relive that every night. amfAR's 11th Annual Boathouse Rocks at Tavern on the Green (KMazur / WireImage) In 1996, Hiltons family moved from Los Angeles to New York. Hilton says she struggled with bullying at her new school and her parents expectations for her and younger sister Nicky Hilton to attend etiquette classes and follow their strict rules. She rebelled by sneaking out to nightclubs, where she felt accepted. It was then, she says, that parents Kathy and Rick Hilton sent her to a series of emotional growth schools. After running away from the first two, Hilton was sent to Utahs Provo Canyon School, which she describes as the worst of the worst. Youre sitting on a chair staring at a wall all day long, getting yelled at or hit, she says in the film. I felt like a lot of the people who worked there got off on torturing children and seeing them naked. They would prescribe everyone all these pills. I didnt know what they were giving me. I would just feel so tired and numb. Some people in that place were just gone, like the lights are on, no ones home. A lot of people were on suicide watch, and I was so scared that was going to happen to me. Eventually I found out a way to not take the pills, she adds. But everyone would tell on everyone, and they found a Kleenex with all of the pills in it. I got into so much trouble for that. Solitary confinement, like something out of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. Theyd make people take their clothes off and go in there for 20 hours. It felt like I was going crazy. Someone was in the other room that was in a straitjacket screaming. I was just freezing, I was starving. I was alone, and I was scared. Story continues Hilton says her parents were still in New York and she didnt notify them of what was happening for fear of being punished. She alleges that the schools staff told her, Were just going to tell your parents youre a liar and theyre not going to believe you. A representative for Provo Canyon responded to the allegations in a statement to TODAY: "Originally opened in 1971, Provo Canyon School was sold by its previous ownership in August 2000. We therefore cannot comment on the operations or patient experience prior to this time." The statement added, in part: "Provo Canyon School today is an intensive, psychiatric residential treatment center for youth between the ages of 8 and 18 that have special, and often complex, mental health and emotional needs. We offer innovative, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, academic instruction and life-skills training tailored to the needs of each of our students." In 2000, Universal Health Services acquired Provo Canyon from Charter Behavioral Health Systems, which filed for bankruptcy. A spokesperson for UHS declined to comment on Charter's operations for this story. TODAY also reached out to Magellan Health, which owned a 50 percent stake in Charter until August 1999, but has not received a response. I was at Provo for 11 months and the only thing that saved my sanity was thinking about what I wanted to do and who I wanted to become when I got out of there, Hilton says. I was going to do everything in my power to be so successful that my parents could never control me again. When I turned 18 and got out of Provo, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. Later in the film, she tells Kathy Hilton of the abuse and her mother responds, Had I known this, know that Dad and I wouldve been there in one second. According to Hilton, the effects of her treatment at the school have included insomnia, recurring nightmares and difficulty forming healthy relationships. After being at Provo, you dont even know what love is or how to have a relationship, she says. Ive been in a lot of relationships where people get so controlling and so angry that they become physical. Ive been strangled, phones thrown at me, computers, she adds. And I accepted it because I almost thought it was normal. It was like, 'He loves me so much that hes going this crazy.' I just wanted love so bad that I was willing to accept being hit or yelled at or screamed or strangled or a lot of things. Hilton says that the sex tape ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon released in 2004 wouldnt exist if not for the abuse she suffered years before as a teen: I was just so lost and desperate for love that I found the worst possible person. While Hilton says she was hesitant to speak out about her experience, worrying that it would affect her brand, she hopes that coming forward will prevent other kids from experiencing abuse and help heal her own trauma. The film shows her meeting with former Provo Canyon classmates, who discuss the schools impact on their lives two decades later and shoot a social media campaign for Breaking Code Silence, a movement to raise awareness for problems in the troubled teen industry. I feel like this is the best point Ive ever been in in my life, Hilton says following the reunion. We were really talking about our lives and things that affected us and making a change and a difference. It just made me feel like I wasnt alone anymore. "This Is Paris" will premiere on Hilton's YouTube channel Sept. 14. Repatriated ISIS Fighter Pleads Guilty to Terror Charge Dallas, Texas - A repatriated ISIS fighter has pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge, announced the Department of Justice. Omer Kuzu - a 23-year-old U.S. citizen captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces and returned to the U.S. by the FBI after a five-year stint handling communications for ISIS pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to provide material support to terrorism. The Department of Justice remains committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to join and support ISIS, said John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. We are thankful for the work of our foreign partners and the FBI in returning Kuzu to this country to face justice in an American courtroom. We hope countries around the world, including our European allies and partners, will likewise take responsibility for their own citizens who traveled to support ISIS. This defendant, an American citizen radicalized on American soil, pledged allegiance to a brutal terrorist group and traveled halfway across the world to enact its agenda, said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas. The United States must do everything we can to prevent and deter this type of radicalization and prioritize prosecution of those that support the terroristic agenda of ISIS. I am gratified Mr. Kuzu faced justice in an American court. Preventing terrorism remains the FBIs top mission priority. The defendant intentionally left the United States to join, train with, and fight on behalf of ISIS. The North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force worked closely with our domestic and foreign partners to ensure the threat he posed was mitigated, said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. We remain vigilant in our effort to prevent terrorism as well as hold terrorists, and those who provide support to terrorist organizations, accountable for their actions. In plea papers, Kuzu admits that he and his brother, Yusuf, departed Texas for Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 16, 2014. They then traveled to Orfa, Turkey, where an ISIS taxi picked them up and smuggled them across the border into Syria. They crashed in a series of waiting houses before ending up in Mosul, Iraq. In Mosul, alongside 40 other foreign fighters, the brothers underwent five days of physical and weapons training led by ISIS instructors. They were then sent to Raqqah, Syria, where Kuzu started work at the ISIS telecommunications directorate. Shortly thereafter, Kuzu admits, he pledged allegiance, or Bayah, to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Islamic Caliphate. He was given a monthly stipend, a Chinese-made AK 47, and an ISIS bride. Subsequently, Kuzu was sent to the second lines in Kobani, Syria and Hama, Syria, to provide communications support for ISIS fighters on the front lines. He also worked in the Caliphates technology center. In March 2019, Kuzu was captured by the SDF, alongside 1,500 suspected ISIS fighters. He was handed over to FBI custody, returned to American soil, and charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. In his plea papers, Kuzu admits that he knew ISIS had been designated a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and engaged in terrorist activities. He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing is set for January 22, 2021. The FBIs Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation through the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Errin Martin and Tiffany Eggers and Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. When the school year begins at Alexmuir Junior Public School some time in the next week or so, the corridors wont be filled with the usual hustle and bustle of the fall semester. In fact, there wont be many students in the Scarborough school at all. Just 26 per cent of students at Alexmuir, located near Midland Avenue and Finch Avenue East, are registered for in-person learning, with 68 per cent registered for online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released by the Toronto District School Board recently. (There was no response from the remaining 6 per cent of households.) There are similarly low rates in other nearby schools; of the 10 TDSB primary schools with the lowest registration for in-person learning, nine are in Scarborough. Thats no coincidence, says Mitzie Hunter, Liberal MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood. There are parts of Scarborough which have been COVID hotspots since the beginning of the pandemic. People know that if theres community spread, its more likely that it will be in schools. I do believe people are afraid, said Hunter in an interview. Kris Rushowy answers your back-to-school questions Jennifer Brown, president of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto union local, who has taught in a number of Scarborough schools, said some parents in the area are also likely wary of having students infect older relatives, many of whom live in the same household. There are a lot of multi-generational homes in the areas where those schools are, said Brown. In the northwestern part of Toronto which has also been hit disproportionately hard by COVID, according to Toronto Public Health many schools will also have fewer than half of students attending class in person; Firgrove Public School is at 41 per cent in-person enrolment, Driftwood is at 42, Sheppard is at 43, while Brookview Middle School is at 46 per cent. There are higher in-person enrolment numbers at high schools in Scarborough, including Agincourt Collegiate (69 per cent), Norman Bethune Collegiate (63), Birchmount Park Collegiate (61) and Lester B. Pearson (58). But in the northwest of the city, some high schools are also seeing low enrolment for in-person learning. At Westview Centennial, just 47 per cent of students are taking the in-person option. At York Humber, the figure is 45 per cent. (At Downsview Secondary, theres a higher proportion, with 56 per cent of students opting for in-person learning.) TDSB chair Alexander Brown also believes the lower in-person enrolment is likely because of the harsher effect the pandemic has had in some parts of the city. I think in some of those areas, which have been harder hit by COVID, parents just didnt want to take the chance, said Brown, adding many parents hes spoken to have also expressed frustration about the lack of clarity on what online and in-person experiences will look like. Without a more precise idea of what each stream will look like, some have been reluctant to commit to one option or the other, Brown said. People are worried. People are angry. They just want to know whats happening, Brown said, adding the frustration is also felt by board staff, teachers and principals. Even the overall in-person attendance rate of 63 per cent is an indictment of the provincial governments plans to reopen schools, argued Charles Pascal, a professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. The minister and the premier have said they want kids to be in classrooms. But this shows that their plan hasnt made parents feel confident their kids will be safe. ... They have created the worst possible scenario, said Pascal, who also served as special adviser in Early Learning to former premier Dalton McGuinty between 2007 and 2009. A spokesperson for Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce defended the governments school-reopening plan, saying the province has invested $900 million. That includes making the TDSB a designated board, allowing it to offer greater supports for schools in areas harder hit by COVID, said Caitlin Clark. In those very communities, supported by provincial and board funding, class sizes have been reduced, coupled with enhancements to safety like more cleaning staff, public health nurses, and rigorous screening and testing, said Clark. At the other end of the scale, many of the schools with the highest in-person enrolments are alternative public schools, such as Delta, Horizon and Spectrum, which are all above 90 per cent. That, too, is no coincidence, said the ETTs Brown. There are smaller class sizes and more distancing in a lot of the alternative schools, said Brown. WASHINGTON: At the height of the coronavirus lockdown, President Donald Trump and his top health advisers trumpeted a new test that would help Americans reclaim their lives one that would tell them if they already had the virus and were protected from getting it again. Their arrival would help get Americans back to work by showing those who might have the wonderful, beautiful immunity, said Trump, a point repeated at the daily briefings last April. Months later, the U.S. is awash in the tests but the bold predictions about their usefulness have yet to materialize. There was definitely a lot of wishful thinking that there was going to be a magical test that was going to save us all, but were not there yet, said Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York Citys Public Health Laboratory. The tests check the blood for antibodies the body makes to fight off an infection. Scientists are still working to figure out how well antibodies for the coronavirus may shield someone from another infection, or how long that protection might last. Some early studies suggested any immunity fades fast; research published last week was more promising, suggesting that antibodies last at least four months after diagnosis and do not fade quickly. For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Medical Association explicitly warn that antibody tests should not be used to make decisions about returning workers to the office or students to school, though some labs still promote them for those uses. The CDC recommends everyone even those who were sick and recovered take precautions to prevent getting and spreading the virus. Experts say it was probably unrealistic to expect answers to key immunity questions early in the outbreak. Those questions have traditionally been answered only through long-term animal or human studies, said Mark Jenkins of the University of Minnesota. The National Institutes of Health and universities are conducting some of this work, but much of it has taken a back seat to the rapid development of vaccines in the middle of a pandemic. Everyones impatient and I can see why, Jenkins said. But theres no easy path to this knowledge about immunity. Antibody tests are different from the standard nasal swab tests that diagnose active infections. Instead, they use a blood sample or finger-prick of blood to look for signs of a past infection, whether the person was sick or had no symptoms at all. Based on other viruses, experts expect those with coronavirus antibodies to be at least partly immune for several months, if not longer. Dr. Anthony Fauci and other members of the White House task force said early on it was a reasonable assumption that if you have the antibody, youre protected but added that there wasnt proof. To get that proof, scientists first run experiments in animals. Human trials come next and can take even longer. Researchers track people who had an infection and developed antibodies to see if they become reinfected. Their antibodies are measured to to gauge the level needed for immunity. Jenkins and others said its entirely possible that an effective vaccine will arrive before coronavirus antibody studies are completed, helping answer some of the key questions. Vaccines spur the production of antibodies, and a number of coronavirus vaccines are now being tested around the world. In the meantime, experts say antibody tests are useful for two things: Large studies in the general population to see how widely the coronavirus has spread, and screening people who may be able to donate their antibody-rich blood plasma, which is used as an experimental treatment for COVID-19. But those uses were not the focus of White House briefings last spring, which attracted between 8 million and 10 million cable TV viewers daily, according to Nielsen. A spokesperson for the White House coronavirus task force did not provide a response to requests for comment. Expecting massive demand, the Food and Drug Administration chose a flood-the-zone strategy, allowing more than 170 tests to launch with little oversight. At the same time, Trump highlighted his administrations fantastic progress bringing antibody tests to market, some officials were raising concerns. Reports of European governments forced to discard millions of faulty tests raised alarms. Were going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you youre likely immune from the disease the test really said that, said Admiral Brett Giroir, the administrations testing czar. The FDA pulled back on its lax policy for antibody tests in May, requiring companies to begin submitting data on accuracy. The FDA has authorized about 40 thus far, while dozens more await review. Despite the precautions from regulators, some testing companies continue to advertise the tests for workers and others. Big laboratories, including LabCorp and Quest, offer the tests to employers, along with other services like temperature checks. We are aware of the CDCs guidance," Quest spokeswoman Kimberly Gorode said in a statement. That is why we recommend that employers use antibody testing as part of a holistic approach to bringing their employees back to the office. LabCorp said in a statement: As knowledge grows there may be benefit in having access to this information." At testing sites in New York City in April, doctors with Somos a medical non-profit serving low-income communities told people who tested positive for antibodies that they could safely return to work, although they acknowledged nothing is 100%. In a recent interview, the groups founder, Dr. Ramon Tallaj, defended the testing. He said the workers would have been expected to go back anyway. The antibody tests simply provided one extra layer of protection, he said. The CDC and state public health agencies continue to use antibody testing to track the spread of the virus in the U.S. So far, in most areas studied, fewer than 5% of the population have antibodies. Thats far below the levels that most experts think will be needed for herd immunity against coronavirus, underscoring the need for a vaccine. For now, Jenkins doesnt recommend spending the money to get tested for antibodies unless a doctor recommends it. Even the research community cant really tell you what the result means, Jenkins said. ___ Follow Matthew Perrone on Twitter: @AP_FDAwriter ___ AP videojournalist Marshall Ritzel in New York contributed to this report ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Photo: (Photo : Photo by Natalie from Pexels) A newborn baby was left outside a Missouri home. The baby was inside a box with a note left by the mother of the child. The owner of the Missouri home was a someone who runs a daycare centre. Police are already investigating the incident. READ ALSO: Newborn Baby Left Near Mailboxes; Texas Police Are Looking for the Mother The newborn baby According to a report from the St Joseph News-Press, the newborn baby girl was left at the backdoor of a Missouri home. The woman who spoke to the media, but refused to be named, brought the baby girl inside her home and fed her. After that, she called the police, and the baby was brought to the hospital. Reports confirmed that the newborn baby is now in good condition. However, according to KMOV 4, there are no further details about what happened to the baby. The network said that the Missouri Department of Social Services did not comment on the matter, due to privacy reasons. READ ALSO: Uplifting Video: Newborn Baby Who Was Born Deaf, Hears Parents' Voices for the First Time The note that came with the newborn baby It was around six in the morning when a resident of a Missouri home discovered the baby at her back door. In an interview with the press, the woman shared that she heard a knock at the door, twice. When she checked the back door, she was shocked not to find the person who knocked. Instead, she saw a baby in a box. When the woman picked up the baby, she noticed that the umbilical cord was just cut off, but the baby was looking good. Along with the baby was a handwritten note, which is assumed to be from the mother of the baby. The note was written in Spanish. Here is what the letter says: "Good morning, I ask you to please take care of my baby, I give it to you with all my heart because I know that you are a great person," the note read. "I was not able to take care of her... That is why I decide to give the baby to you. Please God bless you with her, I love her but it's better if you can please take care of her." READ ALSO: Social Media Influencer, Texas Dad, Shared a Hack to Easily Put Babies to Sleep The Missouri law In the state of Missouri, there is a "safe haven" option for parents who think they cannot take care of their baby who is no more than 45 years old. However, babies should be left in any Missouri home that they prefer. The safe-haven options include fire or police stations or a hospital. Missouri police are now investigating the incident. READ ALSO: Moms Ask: How Many Calories Does Breastfeeding Burn? [Experts Reveal] King Salman spoke to Donald Trump on phone following UAEs decision to normalise ties with Israel in US-brokered deal. Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz told United States President Donald Trump that the Gulf country wanted to see a fair and permanent solution for the Palestinians, which was the starting point for its 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, the kingdoms state news agency reported on Monday. The two men spoke by phone following a US-brokered accord last month under which the United Arab Emirates agreed to become the third Arab state after Egypt and Jordan to normalise ties with Israel. King Salman told Trump that he appreciated US efforts to support peace and that Saudi Arabia wanted to see a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue based on its Arab Peace Initiative. Under the proposal, Arab nations have offered Israel normalised ties in return for a statehood deal with the Palestinians and full Israeli withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and site of its holiest shrines, does not recognise Israel. However, this month the kingdom said it would allow flights between UAE and Israel, including by Israeli aircraft, to use its airspace. During the call, Trump told King Salman that he welcomed that decision, and that the two also discussed regional security, a White House spokesman said. Palestinian issue Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is also a White House adviser, has said he hopes another Arab country normalises ties with within months. No other Arab state has said so far it is considering following the UAE. Egypt and Jordan normalised ties decades ago. King Salmans son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Kushner discussed the need for the Palestinians and the Israelis to resume negotiations and reach a lasting peace after Kushner visited the UAE last month. The UAE-Israel deal was met by overwhelming opposition among Palestinians who have condemned the move as a stab in the back. On Sunday, leaders of Lebanons Hezbollah movement and the Palestinian Hamas group met to discuss the US push for diplomatic normalisation, the movement said. Hamas chief Ismail Haniya and Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Iran-backed Shia Hezbollah movement, stressed the stability of the axis of resistance against Israel. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says cases being reported mainly among young people, which is risk for rest of population. Britains Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the sharp rise in daily COVID-19 cases reported in the United Kingdom on Sunday the highest since May was concerning. The UK reported 2,988 recorded on Sunday, mostly among younger people. The rise in the number of cases that weve seen today is concerning, Hancock said. The cases are predominately among younger people, but weve seen in other countries across the world and in Europe this sort of rise in the cases amongst younger people leading to a rise across the population as a whole. He urged everybody to follow social distancing rules to prevent the spread of infections. [It is] important that people dont allow this illness to infect their grandparents and to lead to the sort of problems that we saw earlier in the year, Hancock said, referring to the spring and early summer of 2020, when the countrys health system battled to contain the outbreak. The concern is that increased transmission generally heightens the risk that the virus could be passed on to the elderly and people with underlying health problems. Schools have also reopened, university terms are due to start and the UK is trying to encourage people to return to their offices. Issue of confidence Opposition Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth urged Hancock to update parliament on the governments approach on Monday. London Mayor Sadiq Khan also urged the government to build public trust with a fully functioning test, trace and isolate system. This a vital moment for those in positions of power to be honest with the public: we face both an ongoing health crisis, which we cannot afford to be complacent about, and also an economic crisis which is particularly acute in city centres. 1/2https://t.co/2tTidB62ri Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 6, 2020 The trend in the daily number of cases in Britain has started to rise in recent weeks, although the number of patients admitted to hospital and fatalities have remained at low levels. Two deaths were recorded within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test in the previous 24 hours, the government said on Sunday, taking the total to 41,551. Hancock said the government would continue to use local lockdowns to help suppress outbreaks of the disease, but social distancing remained the first line of defence. The number of cases confirmed on Sunday was the highest daily total since May 23, when Britain reported 2,959 cases. Rating: V (Prime) Cast: Nani, Sudheer Babu, Nivetha Thomas and Aditi Rao Hydari Director: Indraganti Mohan Krishna What could happen if a man who is on a killing spree challenges a tough cop to nab him? The much-awaited crime-thriller V dropped on Amazon Prime on Friday evening, the first-ever Telugu film to release on an OTT platform. The plot revolves around DCP Aditya (Sudheer Babu), the most happening police officer in town, whos on a hunt to nab the killer Vishnu (Nani). The killer drops clues for the police officer to decipher. So will the cop nab him? Unfortunately, for all the hype and expectations the film created (and despite having Indraganti Mohan Krishna, a director known for his writing skills), V seems to have gotten a lot of things wrong. The director may even have lost the plot when while making an action thriller for the first time, he chose to focus on elevating the principal characters design. With the writing and screenplay found wanting, V goes nowhere. V is neither a comprehensive crime thriller nor a full-fledged action entertainer. It just hangs uncertainly in between. However, the film does have its share of interesting elements, including good performances, action sequences and technical finesse. V even starts off on an exciting note elevating DCP Adityas heroism, Vishnus approach, etc. But, as the film progresses, its narration falls flat. Just as the audience begins anticipating an interesting cat-and-mouse chase, the story fails to take off. Indragantis attempt to branch out into a new genre is welcome, but he falls short of packaging a proper thriller, with twists, thrills and frills missing in the story. The killers flashback doesnt create any sympathy for him. The romantic tracks for both Nani and Sudheer Babu werent exciting and the climax turns out to be just too ordinary. That said, the writing leaves its mark in a few places with quirky and funny conversations, even as the narration gets predictable soon after. Nani is the soul of the film, effortless in a grey character. As much as he brings laughter with his witticisms and one-liners, his army background scenes dont seem convincing. Sudheer Babu does well as a flamboyant cop, and even matches Nanis performance in many scenes. While Nivetha Thomass character, called Apoorva, lights up the screen, her role as a crime writer who researches psychopaths was left hardly explored. Overall, V falls short of becoming the true-blue thriller A 34-year-old man was stabbed to death after intervening in a fight at an illegal rave in south London, the Metropolitan Police said. Sean Williams was stabbed in the neck in the early hours of Sunday morning after attending an unlicensed music event at Culverley Road in Lewisham, the Met said. Police and the London Ambulance Service were called to the nearby Thornsbeach Road to reports of a stabbing. Despite the best efforts of police and medics, Mr Williams died from his injuries at the scene shortly after 6.15am. Sean Williams, 34, was stabbed to death after intervening in a fight at an illegal rave in London Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran, who is leading the murder investigation, said: 'At this early stage we believe that both the victim and the suspect had attended an unlicensed music event at Culverley Road, SE6, during which a fight broke out between two men. 'The victim intervened in this fight and suffered a fatal injury. 'I know there were around 100 people at the event and someone who was there knows the identity of the person responsible. 'I want these people to do the right thing and get in touch. The Met Police have launched a murder investigation and forensic examination was carried out Police are urging the person responsible for killing Sean Williams to hand themselves in 'I also urge the person responsible to hand themselves into police.' No arrests have been made, the Met said. A second victim, 37, took himself to a south London hospital with a non-life-threatening knife injury to his hand, police added. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC, quoting 1832/06Sep. Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. A victim of the Telford and Birmingham grooming gangs has come forward to reveal her story to try and help other survivors. Lauren Elysia Priddey was 18 when she was raped and terrorised by cousins Mohammed Ali Sultan and Shahmeel Khan in separate attacks, only days apart. She says that she was the victim of trafficking and was abused by dozens of men in the West Midlands - none of whom have been brought to justice. However, after watching Michaela Coel's BBC drama I May Destroy You, she has waived her right to anonymity in a bid to offer hope to other survivors. Lauren Elysia Priddey (pictured) was 18 when she was raped and terrorised by cousins Mohammed Ali Sultan and Shahmeel Khan in separate attacks, only days apart. Now though, she has waived her anonymity to try and help other survivors Now, aged 31, Lauren had rebuilt her life and become a senior mental health nurse and she wants to offer one-to-one mentoring sessions to other survivors in the safety of their own homes. She said: 'For a long time I've been keeping my past separate from my friends, from my workplace - trying to pretend to be somebody I'm not. 'I feel I have to keep myself a secret all the time and I find that really difficult for my mental health as it is a big secret to keep. 'It's like society wants me to feel undervalued or oppressed because I'm a victim. 'But I want to feel good about myself and say "Yes, this is me look at my achievements."' Khan (left) was jailed for ten years while Sultan (right) received a six-year sentence and was jailed for a further eight years in 2019 for abusing a 13-year-old girl In 2007, just before she was due to sit her A Level exams, Lauren was attacked by Khan, 33, after he barged his way into her Telford flat and ordered her to undress before he raped her. Two days later his cousin Sultan - later exposed as a grooming gang ringleader - also forced his way into the flat and raped Lauren who he went on to further abuse. Lauren later gave evidence at court against both men leading to Khan being jailed for ten years while Sultan received a six-year sentence and was jailed for a further eight years in 2019 for abusing a 13-year-old girl. Lauren said: 'Being raped even once was devastating. It took a huge toll on my mental health. 'When Sultan came round two days after the rape I was still in shock, still traumatised. I had no fight left in me. 'He used to say he would make my life hell and said I didn't want to play games with him. 'He would say he would kick my door in and when I said: 'You won't because of the locks', he said: "I will kick your head in then".' Worn down by the attacks, Lauren fell into a cycle of drugs and abuse involving other Asian men in Telford, Birmingham and other parts of the UK. Lauren said: 'They degraded me to the point where I'd become this sex thing, this thing that wasn't human, but just an object. To the point where I believed that's what I was. 'I was 18 the first time I was raped. I was 18 when I was serially gang-raped. I was 18 when I was trafficked all over England and given to many men, sometimes as many as ten in one night. 'Some survivors like me managed to escape that lifestyle. Other survivors are caught up in that lifestyle for years and years, becoming prostitutes or drug addicts.' Following the repeated abuse she was subjected to, Lauren was diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. However, she has now rebuilt her life and in 2018 she revealed her traumatic past in the book No Way out, penned under the pseudonym Kate Elysia. This name was also used for Lauren's social media where she was also subjected to abuse. Lauren said: 'One troll told me to commit suicide, to cut my wrists. He said I must be really depressed knowing all I'd ever been valued for. 'I was just really angry because I am luckily not in that place but it might have pushed someone else over the edge. 'I reported him to Twitter but as far as I know he was not even banned.' Lauren said being so open about what happened to her could help other children falling victim to gangs and sexual exploitation. Lauren said: 'This is happening to 12, 13 year-old girls and they have a right to be informed. 'Trying to keep our children innocent is partly why they are falling victim - because they are not expecting it. 'Yet if we told them more, then they would be more aware of a man who was trying to chat them up.' Lauren decided to waive her lifelong right to anonymity after watching BBC drama I May Destroy You. The show, which was created and written by lead actress Michaela Coel, deals with a rape victim struggling to come to terms with her abuse. In one scene she publicly outs her attacker. Lauren said: 'I just thought it wouldn't be nice for fantasy to become reality.' 'I've spoken to mum and had the best chat about what happened. 'My mum and my dad are both supportive. My friends are all very supportive too. 'This is like a continuation of the MeToo movement - I'm saying "F**k you, this is me." 'I think lots of people may judge me, but the way society views women and victims is wrong.' Lauren's anonymity prevented her from sharing her experiences, but finally going public also allows her to talk about her achievements in overcoming those dark years of abuse. Lauren said: 'I've written a book but could not talk to people about what my book is about. 'I've done public speaking, yet was never allowed to talk about that. I've done extensive work with the police to bring my perpetrators to justice. 'All that experience has helped me in my job, yet I could never add that to my CV.' In order to set up her one-to-one mentoring sessions, Lauren is fundraising. She said: 'I can give them one-to-one attention, go to their home where they feel comfortable. Families can invite me to speak to their child if they felt it could help. 'I would not want to charge as I might be missing the ones who really need my help. I would not need to be paid, but might need travel expenses as I could not afford to do it myself. 'Lots of people send me lovely messages asking if they could help. So they could perhaps donate 10 or 20 to help others. 'I want to crowdfund so I can mentor young people known to be going through this kind of abuse. 'I would potentially like to work with social services. I had experience of grooming gangs for six years and have been a senior qualified nurse for eight. 'That is a greater amount of experience than police officers are given in this field. 'I am also working on two podcasts for survivors.' To donate to Lauren's crowdfunding, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lauren-elysias-survivors 07.09.2020 LISTEN Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said former President John Mahama must apologise for, according to him, endorsing the description of President Nana Akufo-Addos ethnic group by opposition MP Isaac Adongo, as Akyem Sakawa people. At a meeting with the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference on Friday, 4 August 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo complained that: Archbishop, this name-calling seems to be a feature of Ghanaian public life but sometimes, when things come out, we would hope that you will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent: Akyem Sakawa people, I have not heard any public figure, independent person, yourselves, comment on it. It is completely unacceptable, Mr Akufo-Addo said, adding: If I were to get up to make comments about Northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that would be in the country, he pointed out. The President wondered how Mr Mahama, a presidential candidate and a former President of Ghana, can call a group of Ghanaians Sakawa people. And it involves the group from which the sitting President comes, and that statement goes without comment, and at the same time we hear all these statements, let all try and bring the politics of insults to an end, the President said. During his campaign tour of Gusehgu in the Northern Region, Dr Bawumia accused Mr Mahama of substituting his incompetence with tribalism in the lead-up to the 7 December 2020 polls. We dont want a president who divides. We want a president who unites and, so, the recent utterance by John Mahama referring to Akyems as Sakawa Boys; how do you take a whole tribe and say they are Sakawa? Dr Bawumia wondered. You cannot win this Presidency with tribalism. Ghana has gone beyond tribalism, he condemned. Come and show your competence in the delivery for the people of Ghana but because you cannot show your competence, you are resorting to tribalism. We will not stand for tribalism and, so, we will continue to call on John Mahama to apologise unreservedly for what he has endorsed, the Vice President said. This election is going to be fought on our record but not on tribalism. Meanwhile, Mr Mahama, in his response to the President told TV XYZ in an interview on Saturday, 5 August 2020 that the President is rather seeking to stir tribal tensions: OK, remember that on two occasions in the recent past, I had called for a debate with President Akufo-Addo. Hes not found it worthy to respond to that call. I can understand President Akufo-Addos frustration, desperation and deliberate attempt to whip up ethnic sentiments in this particular case but I dont think it will wash, Mr Mahama said. Ive advocated a campaign of issues and that is what Im focusing on as I engage and interact with people on my tour of this country, he noted. According to the flagbearer of the NDC, President Akufo-Addo has no right to complain about the name-calling used to describe some of his friends and family members serving in his government and who are behind the shady and untidy Agyapa Royalties deal, since, in his view, the President set the precedence in the past. In any case, Mr Mahama noted, President Nana Akufo-Addo has lost the right to complain a long time ago. The former President explained: He [President Akufo-Addo] was an opposition leader who called Presidents before him anything you can imagine, including Prof Do Little and then he described somebody as a Simpa Panyin and I dont want to repeat the other things he said. Mr Mahama continued: Hes the President who has called his critics naysayers and Jeremiahs, adding: I dont understand on what standard he can be offended at this time because he has precedence of name-calling. Ill be the last person to disparage any tribe or ethnic group, Mr Mahama said. In the first place, the National Chairman of my party, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, NDC, is an Akyem and so are many leading members of my party and members and supporters and when I was President, I appointed many Akyems in my government. The head of our Manifesto Drafting Committee, Prof Danso Barfuor, is an Akyem and they have all contributed to our government and our forward march to recapture power in the December elections in order that we can create jobs, spread development in an equitable manner throughout the country, Mr Mahama pointed out. He said: Everybody knows me since Ive been in politics and Ill be the last to express any ethnic sentiments. Speaking about the Presidents angry disposition with which he made the complaint to the Catholic Bishops, Mr Mahama said: I think that temperament in leadership is very important and there are many things a president should attend to and you must not appear, in public, to have lost your cool. He seemed very angry, thats true, but I think he should maintain his temperament to come across as a good leader, Mr Mahama advised. Mr Mahama also denied that the Akyem Mafia and Sakawa Boys description was targeted at the Presidents ethnic group. It is important for me to point out that no one has described his ethnic group or any other ethnic group in the manner in which the President mounts this complaint. What I remember is: I shared a post of one of our very fine and brilliant MPs for Bolgatanga Central, that is Hon, Isaac Adongo, and in that post, Adongo describes certain people in Akufo-Addos government, and you know he has a lot of members of his family and friends in his government, so, Isaac Adongo describes those behind a certain shady and untidy deal in the government in a particular manner, Mr Mahama explained. ---classfmonline Australias golden ticket out of COVID-19 may well be international students. But to capitalise, premiers need to drop their airport arrival caps and fast. About a quarter of the $150 billion economic impact of international education flows to Australia. The remainder is captured by the United States, Britain and Canada but the lot is up for grabs for the first-mover nation that establishes a safe arrival model for students. Brisbane's International Terminal ... business goes begging. Credit:Attila Csaszar Unlike other parts of the economy, global students wont stop seeking qualifications. Australia needs to decide if it wants to meet that market. At present we are the laggard. We are also the only nation worldwide that limits our citizens returning. Set by paranoid premiers who jumped the Prime Minister in early July, these caps on arrivals from overseas were a panicked response to Victorias self-inflicted second wave of the virus. Astoundingly, the limits were arbitrarily extended to October 24 with barely a whimper. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will begin the tunnel boring work for the Mumbai Coastal Road Project by October 25, the timeline prepared by the civic coastal road department stated. Following the commencement of the work, it will take eight to 10 months to complete the boring through the 3.4-kilometre (km)-long twin tunnels between Priyadarshini Park at Malabar Hill and Girgaum Chowpatty. BMC has completed about 16% of the work for the Coastal Road Project, and has set a deadline of July 2023 to complete the entire project, a senior civic officer from the department said. The civic body is now re-assembling the parts of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) it purchased from China last year at the work site in Priyadarshini Park. The machine arrived in April, and was taken to the site in many dismantled parts in 17 trailer trucks. The TBM will drill the 3.4-km-long twin tunnels partially running under the sea, between Girgaum and Malabar Hill, as part of the 9.98-km-long Coastal Road between Priyadarshini Park, and the Worli end of the Bandra Worli Sea Link. As there will be two parallel tunnels of 3.4-km length each, the total length of the tunnels will be 6.8 km. They will run 25 metres below the surface at Girgaum and 75 metres below the surface at Malabar Hill. The width of each tunnel will be 12 metres, with two lanes each 3-3.2 metres wide one emergency lane. A senior civic official from the coastal road department said, We are re-assembling some parts of the TBM above ground at the worksite. Pilling and excavation work at both ends of the proposed tunnel is complete. Parts of the TBM will then be lowered into the ground through the shafts and assembled underground. End-to-end boring will take four-five months per side. It will start from Priyadarshini Park and bore through the length of one side of the tunnel to be pulled out at Girgaum Chowpatty. Then it will be taken back to Priyadashini Park to bore through the twin tunnel. As per BMCs original estimate, the TBM is to complete the tunnel boring work in 276 days. As the machine will be able to drill through a minimum of 3 metres each day, it will need roughly 276 days to complete the entire planned length of the tunnel. While expertise from the manufacturer will be required at the time of boring, BMC is in a fix now owing to the ongoing tensions with China. Another civic official said, Chinese experts who are already working on the Mumbai Metro project and the Bengaluru Metro project will help the civic body with this work. Besides, the general consultant for the coastal road project, AECOM, has experts on its panel who will be called to help the civic body. Earlier, BMC aimed to complete the coastal road by 2022. However, the Bombay high court put a stay on the work, which was later lifted by the Supreme Court. Following this, work resumed on December 18 last year after 154 days. LAJAS BLANCAS, Panama - Duperat Laurette fled Haiti after her countrys massive 2010 earthquake, making her way first to the Dominican Republic, then Chile and five years later to Panama, all with the dream of reaching the U.S. and finding a job to help support 14 siblings left behind in Haiti. The coronavirus finally stopped her. Panama, the slender bottleneck between the North and South American coninents, is a transit point for virtually every migrant heading from South America to the United States by land and it closed its borders on March 16 to halt the spread of COVID-19. The closure left nearly 2,000 migrants from Haiti and a handful of African and Asian countries stuck in camps in the jungle along Panamas northern and southern borders. They are among hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of migrants stranded in countries around the world because of virus-related border closures. Thousands of temporary workers from around Asia were stuck outside New Zealand when that country closed its borders. Other Asian workers got stranded in Moscow airports. Migrants have also been left in makeshift conditions in the Sahara Desert after being expelled without warning from detention centres in Algeria and Libya. The migrants in Panama say they know the United States has effectively suspended its asylum process at the southern border, but they want to keep heading there anyway, in the hope that they can somehow get in. Laurette, 45, and her husband arrived at the Panamanian border with Colombia seven months ago and have advanced no farther. There are no opportunities for work in the jungle, and she and her husband have exhausted their money. When she was in another camp, Laurette was taken to the hospital for what doctors said was a fibroid tumour that gave her belly pains and caused her to lose weight. They brought me to the hospital to operate, but they never did, she said. They said there was no space for the operation, the hospital is full with cases of COVID-19. Still, the couple have rejected Panamas offers of free flights home. Many of the migrants left their native countries years ago and cannot imagine returning worse off than they were before. Im still sick. I dont know what Im going to do, Laurette said in her native Kreyol. Tensions have been rising here in Lajas Blancas where about 200 migrants wait, as well as in nearby Penitas, where some of nearly 1,100 migrants were accused last month by police of setting fire to tents holding medical supplies at another camp. Eight migrants have been jailed in that incident and could face deportation. Jean Bernadeau hoisted a young girl up and pointed to the welts mosquito bites have left on her legs. We know there is a strong illness out there, he said. We cant stay here forever. The problem here is always that we have a lot of children, pregnant women, said Bernadeau, another Haitian who arrived from Chile. He had lived there for five years and saved $4,000 to continue his journey, but that money is gone now. Here we live like prisoners in a jail. The flow of migrants through the dense and dangerous Darien jungle has been going strong for more than a decade. This is the first time authorities have stopped it for an international health emergency. In 2015 and 2016, a huge influx of Cuban migrants tried to make it to the U.S. border before the end of a U.S. policy that favoured them. That situation forced Central American nations to fly migrants along portions of their route. Panama saw a wave of migrants in early 2019 that led to agreements with neighbouring Costa Rica to allow their free passage. Most of those stuck in Panama fled Haiti after the earthquake that left the country in ruins. Many spent years working in Brazil and Chile, saving money to continue north. In Lajas Blancas, the migrants live in a grassy field under tarps on wooden platforms packed tight between a dirt road and the brown waters of a river. A row of portable toilets sit across the road, and jungle surrounds them. They prepare their food over wood fires. Border police guard the entrance to the camp. Jean Edoly, a 30-year-old Haitian, is there with his wife and two children, ages 2 and 1, who were born in Chile. They dont feed us well. Were fed like dogs, he said. Panamas government says it is providing migrants with humanitarian support. It has built, along with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, a new camp with better shelter on the outskirts of Meteti, where it hopes to soon move 400 migrants, especially families with young children. The Panamanian government asks them to remain calm. Weve already made it six months. What remains is little. Light can be seen at the end of the tunnel, Public Security Minister Juan Pino said during a recent visit to the area. Panama has reported more than 92,000 infections and 2,000 deaths from COVID-19. In recent weeks, infections have been stabilizing and deaths declining. The government recently announced a plan to allow the reopening of more economic activity and a lifting of travel restrictions beginning Sept. 7. In Lajas Blancas, the migrants did not wear masks or practice social distancing, but Pino said there have been no more than 10 infections among them. Panama proposed the flights back to Haiti in early August with support from the International Organization for Migration. But most migrants were not interested, Pino said. Edoly dismissed that option as impossible. We have a destiny. We have a dream to realize, he said, reciting a list of the countries migrants had travelled through. We want to give our children a better life. (Natural News) When someone is asked to answer the common mathematical equation two plus two, they would usually answer four in a quick manner. However, a doctoral student from Harvard University claims the correct answer is five, not four. Kareem Carr, a post-graduate student at the universitys T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained on his Twitter that statements such as 2+2 = 4 are generalizations of something. He advised readers to think of these statements as associated with an underlying reality. Carr also claimed that mathematical equations that society uses to represent real-world scenarios do not always apply. He elaborated on this by using examples of literal-minded people using different examples, such as putting a rooster and a hen together and finding three of them after returning a year later (1+1=3) and leaving a fox and a hen together and only finding one after returning a year later (1+1=1). In addition, Carr pointed out that whenever one creates a numerical construct such as IQ, aggression score or sentimental score, it was important to remember that properties of this score might not mirror the real things being measured. He mentioned statistical models being used to harm marginalized groups across many parameters as an example. (Related: Harvard, Yale brazenly COMMIT to discriminating against people based on the color of their skin.) The answer to two plus two is still four no matter how oppressive it is However, not everyone took kindly to Carrs explanation. One user on Twitter mocked the current state of the education system, calling it literally Orwellian. British author George Orwell used the concept of 2+2=5 in his book 1984 as an example of how the human mind can deny objective reality. Another user commented that the scary kind of stupidity is attempting to change what is into what is isnt, which appears to be the case with Carr. Dr. James Lindsay, an American mathematician, wrote down his take on Carrs 2+2=5 explanation at the New Discourses blog. He outlined that Carr and other academicians subscribing to leftist thinking attempt to redefine what reality is, claiming that dominant and hegemonic discourses exclude their version of reality. Furthermore, Lindsay elaborated how easy it is for leftist academicians to redefine what words and symbols mean to create a different interpretation of two plus two altogether. In summary, Lindsay stated this as an attempt to radically rewrite the objectivity of math with other viewpoints that do not conform to the truth activists are pushing to be eradicated. In a piece for The Federalist, Katya Sedgewick pointed out that 2+2=4 is a simple truth, and getting people to agree that this is not the case was disorienting. Sedgewick also added that math is the single most liberating field of knowledge as it relies on logic, is unaffected by any ideologies, and is independent of fact gathering. A Twitter user named Wokal Distance further explained the nuances of the 2+2=5 argument pushed by Carr and other individuals in the education field. According to this user, proponents of 2+2=5 are trying to redefine the objectively correct 2+2=4 through the process of deconstruction. When the meaning of a thing is unstable, people can put forward their subjective conclusions about it. He further explains that if the idea that racism, sexism and bigotry is weaved into everything math is simply dismissed as a tool for oppression, destroying its true essence. Sedgewick warned that schoolchildren will be brainwashed to believe 2+2=5, thanks to left-leaning educators and bureaucrats. She further added that these educators and bureaucrats, with their positions in government and academia, could simply issue an edict saying that 2+2 does not necessarily equal to four. Find out more news about other left-wing absurdities in academia, including Kareem Carrs 2+2=5 argument and more, at CampusInsanity.com. Sources include: Breitbart.com Twitter.com 1 NewDiscourses.com TheFederalist.com Twitter.com 2 If we take into consideration the pace at which Azerbaijan is increasing its arsenal and the increasing quantity of arsenal, it becomes clear that Azerbaijan is purchasing weapons with the intention to use them someday, not keep them in a storage room. This is what Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Masis Mayilyan told Nationalia. Azerbaijan will take advantage of every opportunity to test and check to see if it is the right time to launch new aggression. We saw how Azerbaijan did this in April 2016 and just recently, on July 12, on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border (in Tavush Province of Armenia). In both cases, the defense troops of Artsakh and Armenia gave an adequate response. There are no grounds to believe that Azerbaijan wont make another similar attempt, and it will launch another military operation when it feels that it has become rather powerful. Of course, we realize this, and the Defense Army of Artsakh is ready to retaliate, as it has done in the past, the foreign minister declared. Asked if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government of Artsakh in general have taken actions to strengthen Artsakhs positions in international diplomacy, taking into consideration the fact that Artsakh remains unrecognized, Mayilyan said the following: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, in general, the authorities of Artsakh are doing their best to present the real picture to the world. Our republics position has remained unchanged since the declaration of independence. We have always supported an exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict. This position has been expressed on several occasions, publicly and during the meetings with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued several statements for international organizations, including the OSCE, the United Nations, etc. We dont conceal the fact that we want peace, but at the same time, we realize what the Latin philosopher meant with the following phrase: Si vis pacem, para bellum, meaning if you want war, be ready for war, and Artsakh has already gone through that. Sometimes just taking a look at the region is enough to understand the reality underlying the developments unfolding in the conflict zone. As you stated in the first question, thousands of demonstrators in Baku were demanding that the Azerbaijani government launch a large-scale war. To be fair, it is necessary to mention that the demonstrators who barged into the parliament also had an anti-government agenda. This simply goes to show what role the conflict plays in the lives of Azerbaijanis and how ready the Azerbaijani society and government are for peace and a peaceful settlement of the conflict. All sides need to aspire for peace. Unfortunately, Azerbaijans anti-Armenian moods have become a part of the countrys state policy, and Azerbaijan has prepared its population for war, not peace. This is the reality we face every day, and it is the reality that the international community needs to deal with. Artsakh needs to think about its people, whether the country is recognized or not, and we are doing our part to not only ensure our peoples security, but also play a constructive role in contributing to peace and stability in the region. As for the view that Nikol Pashinyans coming to power in Armenia in 2018 paved the way for new prospects for the signing of bilateral agreements with Azerbaijan which can eventually lead to some progress in the peace talks, the minister said the following: As I already mentioned, all sides need to aspire for peace. Azerbaijan also has to work for peace and create an atmosphere of confidence which will allow for advancing the peace process. The most important thing is that Azerbaijan must understand once and for all that it is naive expect any tangible progress without restoration of the trilateral format of negotiations, that is, the direct participation of the Republic of Artsakh. Allow me to remind that, to this day, the only significant achievement in the peace process is the signing of the termless ceasefire agreement signed on May 12, 1994 when Artsakh was participating in the negotiations. Since the ceasefire agreement was signed by Artsakh, one of the two main sides of the conflict, it is logical that the peace agreement also needs to be negotiated and signed by Artsakh. Azerbaijan and the relevant international organizations need to work on improving the state of human rights protection in Azerbaijan, promote the countrys democratic development and inform the Azerbaijani society about the advantages of peace, not war. Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, Sept. 7 (Jiji Press)--Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi offered measures to support Mauritius over an oil spill from a Japanese-owned cargo ship off the Indian Ocean island state, in telephone talks with its prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, on Monday. The measures include cooperation for the introduction of a marine navigation safety system and the supply of necessary equipment to affected fishing people, according to the Foreign Ministry. Motegi and Jugnauth agreed that the two governments will cooperate closely for environmental restoration in Mauritius, as well as its economic growth. The Mauritius leader expressed gratitude for Japan's support, adding that he does not think Japan is responsible for the oil spill, according to the Japanese ministry. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] As our nation continues to grapple with sins of the past, and finds ways to change our future for the better, there is one specific area that needs attention on a national level, but can start locally. Im not talking policing, or equal housing, or so many other issues that have rightfully given us pause. To me, it starts with one important piece, and this is most important for children in the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. It starts with inclusive truth in education. When Black Lives Matter again took center stage, inequities, and inequalities that have been rampant in these communities were highlighted. The statement that has resonated the most, and became commonplace with many people was, I never learned about that. This statement came from many learned people, who began to realize they were missing very important pieces of their education. The missing pieces usually involved the learning about BIPOC, woman, and many other minority groups. Why are so many people missing something that should be taught regularly? Perhaps there is no singular, simplistic answer, but can be summed up in the words of spoken word poet, Regie Gibson, speaking on Americas relationship with its past. He said, I think our problem as Americans is that we actually hate history, so we cant really connect the dots. What we love is nostalgia. We love to remember things exactly the way they didnt happen. History itself is often an indictment. And people? We hate to be indicted. In communities around our country and even the world, we started to realize how much we missed. How much we relied on our friends in said minority groups to give the education completion that many never sought. For example, Christopher Columbus. We are taught the glorified version of who he was, but history leaves out the terrible things he did. That leaves us incomplete. It leaves us with half truths, and when we acquire new information from new sources, and new perspectives, we are left wondering why we were not given the full story. It breeds within us a discontentment that may never be reversed, due to our mistrust of the system that was set up to teach us, but hid the truth. This is the tip of the iceberg. We are awake to Juneteenth, and the story of what actually happened in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Anger over Aunt Jemima, the stereotype on the pancake and syrup label for years, no longer there. Some searched the history of minstrel shows and Mammy and learned about Nancy Green. If they had been taught who she was they would have realized why the label should have been changed years ago. Instead some fought about it and fought about Columbus statues, or Confederate general statues and flags, and many other things. This goes back to one crucial piece of information we are not taught all the many perspectives of American history. We have opportunities to grow as a nation by not limiting what we teach. We grow individually, but not always collectively. By not learning about all the accomplishments of the variety of people who have contributed positively to this country, we do a disservice to the work they did, and it limits our understandings of one another. If we expanded our curricula to be more inclusive and teach all minority achievements, it may help to cross our divides as people. And limit fear of each other. We are more than us vs. them. We are a collection of differences, our experiences. A collection of our ancestors, and our communities. As we all have differences, learning those differences allows us to realize what makes us different makes us great. People have decided to say I dont see color, and while this may have the best intentions, it does more harm. If you dont see my color then you dont see all of me. You are missing parts of what make me unique and what makes me, me. You are missing an opportunity to learn from me and allow my life to help yours and denying me the opportunity in reverse. This is no different than missing parts of our history. If you arent taught the reason for the Civil War was majority slavery, or that George Washington had teeth in his mouth that used to be the teeth of slaves. Or youve never read What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?, by Frederick Douglass, or havent learned the important work of Investigative Journalist Ida B. Wells. And learning about space and NASA is incomplete if Valerie Johnson isnt discussed. We need to teach the advancements of minorities, as well as the setbacks faced. The importance of landmark Supreme Court Decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education, Mendez v. Westminster, and the legislation that was passed as a result. Teach the Trail of Tears, teach about Japanese Internment Camps, The Fugitive Slave Act, The Tuskegee Experiment, and so many others. I could fill an overwhelming number of pages giving full accounts of all the African Americans, Latinx, women, Natives, and other minorities that have made significant contributions to the America we all know and love. Because we love it, it is our responsibility to do justice to the people who have come before and have made advancements, or positive changes. That have invented and solved, explored and written, ran from slavery, or ran for office, have challenged our thinking, and taught us new ways to think. Have fought for freedom, or helped save a life. I believe so much in this that I, along with others in the state, have founded a Facebook group that is dedicated to making these changes come about in our school systems. It is called the CT Coalition for Educational Justice and a Culturally Responsive Curriculum. We have members from all over the state as well as people from outside of our state looking to help us and themselves. We organize our information so it is readily available, we have resources dedicated to teaching, and training, and learning. We have a Roll Call where you can say what school system you are part of, and we have people willing to help consolidate resources to best share. We are looking to add more things community based, and communications based within the near future. If you would like to be a part, or learn more, find us on Facebook. It is up to us, all of us, too change things as they are currently, and make a better way forward for all. History, in particular, isnt about teaching only positives. It is equally important to teach negatives. This gives us a complete picture. With that complete picture, we are granted the opportunity to make a decision how we feel about certain individuals, certain time periods, certain laws, certain cultures, and more. I will sum up with two important quotes from Frederick Douglass. The first is about slaves: Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave. The second quote pertains to teaching children: It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men. If we teach our children a more inclusive education today, they will lead all of us to a better tomorrow. Elijah Manning is a resident of Norwalk. Photo: (Photo : unsplash/sebastien rosset) Honey bee venom was successful in killing triple-negative breast cancer. Based on a study, it is a type of cancer that has very few treatment options. Apart from that, the bee venom also had good effects against HER2-enriched breast cancer cells. Honey bee venom from varied sources The study was published in the NPJ Precision Oncology journal. Dr. Ciara Duffy, from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and The University of Western Australia, explained their study. They used venom from more than 300 honeybees and bumblebees. She took them from varied sources in England, Ireland, and Perth, Western Australia. The news release stated that Duffy tested the venom against the subtypes of breast cancer. Duffy said that the venom "was extremely potent." She studied the active compound of honeybee venom called melittin. She also focused on the anti-cancer properties of the venom in honeybees. See also: Exercise Could Fight off Psychological Stress, Study Proves Melittin had the same effects as the honey bee venom Duffy said that both honeybee venom and melittin have decreased how cancer cells found in both types work. She explained that the synthetic product, melittin, also had good results. She and her team tested this very small positively charged peptide in honeybee venom. They found it had the same anti-cancer effects as honeybee venom. Not only did melittin killed cancer cells, but it also decreased the chemical messages of cancer cells. It means that it prevents deadly cells from dividing and proliferating within 20 minutes. Within 60 minutes, melittin could kill the cells completely. Duffy and her team studied how honeybee venom and melittin could affect the cancer cell signaling pathways. They found that the two quickly shut down the pathways. They also studied how melittin could help with chemotherapy drugs. See also: Weight Loss Could Help You Prevent Certain Cancers, Study Proves Allows treatments to enter the cancer cells The press release noted that it forms pores in the membranes of the cancer cells. Therefore, it kills the cells by letting the treatments enter the cancer cells. Duffy said that they found that the peptide can be used with small-molecule treatments, like docetaxel. She and her team found how it worked in decreasing tumor growth in mice when used with docetaxel. Western Australia's chief scientist, Professor Peter Klinken, explained in detail. He said they have observed that melittin could suppress breast cancer cell growth. To be specific, it prevents the growth of triple-negative breast cancer. See also: Omega 3 protects human brain against air pollution damage He also said that the peptide is another proof of where natural compounds could be used to treat human sickness. Duffy shared that there is a particular bee that gave the best results. She has found that European honeybee in Australia, Ireland, and England had produced the same effect in breast cancer cells than normal cells. She noted that at very high concentrations, the bumblebee venom was not able to cause the death of the cells. Based on the release, more future studies are needed to find the best method to produce melittin. Apart from that, the next studies may also find the highest tolerable doses and any toxicities. Sure, it might be warm Wednesday, but what about the rest of the week? local A psychotic serial killer due for release from jail on Thursday is being invetsigated over alleged threats to bomb a police station and kill one of his victim's family members. Reginald 'Tex' Arthurell is set to be walk free from prison this week by the New South Wales Parole Authority after being denied parole four times. The 75-year-old has admitted killing three people, including two after being released from jail for previous crimes and is a major suspect in several other murders. The former rodeo worker known as 'The Cowboy' bashed his fiance Venet Mulhall to death with a piece of wood in their home in Coonabarabran in 1995. He is accused of threatening Ms Mulhall's family on his impending release. Serial killer Reginald 'Tex' Arthurell (pictured with his former fiance and victim Venet Mulhall) is set to be released from prison this week The Daily Telegraph reported Arthurell told a fellow prisoner of destructive plans after his jail sentence, which has left Ms Mulhall's family in fear. The killer allegedly also plans to blow up the NSW Police headquarters. NSW police are looking into the claims to finalise their investigation before Arthurell's release. 'Officers from the Orana Mid-Western Police district have received a report of threats allegedly made by a 75-year-old man and are currently investigating the matter,' a spokesperson said. The SPA are also awaiting an aged care assessment before Arthurell's release. Arthurell was photographed wearing one of Ms Mulhall's dresses after her brutal murder and now calls himself 'Ms Arthurell' despite residing in a male prison. The couple became pen pals when Arthurell was in Darwin Prison and moved in together when he was released on parole in 1991. Ms Mulhall's brother Paul Quinn found her body after Arthurell's vicious attack and wrote a book titled 'In the Hands of Evil' about his sister's life and death. Arthurell (pictured) has admitted to three murders and is a major suspect in several others 'As I climbed through the window, I knew from the foul smell, that I was entering a horrendous situation, and that I was looking for a decomposing body,' Mr Quinn wrote. 'As the edge of the door passed through my gaze, I could see what I at first thought was a black plastic garbage bag, propped up against the door jam.' Mr Quinn told A Current Affair Arthurell was a danger to the community. 'He was born a psychopath and he'll be a psychopath all his life,' he said. 'He'll never change. He has no remorse, no conscience, he doesn't have any compassion for anyone.' Arthurell previously killed his stepfather Thomas Thornton in Sydney in 1974 and naval officer Ross Browning in the Northern Territory in 1981. Cory Lewellen, the Bozeman District Ranger for the Custer Gallatin National Forest, described the bigger picture of the Bridger Foothills fire situation. "Obviously, we've got a large scale fire. It's very complex. I'm hoping and I'm praying for some good weather tomorrow and that's really gonna help us out. However, we're a long way from being done with this incident," he said, adding that it looks like things will be drying out again by the end of the week. In a Sunday afternoon virtual public meeting, Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin said he did not have information about the status of residences yet, but that headway on collecting that information could be made Monday when more door-to-door contacts are made. Gootkin emphasized how remarkably he felt Saturday's evacuations went considering the circumstances. He credited the work done to notify people in advance of concerning weather forecasts for Saturday. Gootkin said his office works with a policy of a warning and then an evacuation order. The has filed a charge sheet against two government officials in the multi-crore I-Monetary Advisory ponzi scam case, alleging they took bribes from IMA promoter Mohammed Mansoor Khan to give him a clean chit, officials said on Monday. The charge sheet was filed against the then assistant commissioner of Bengaluru North Taluk L C Nagaraj and village accountant Manjunath N after getting the state government's permission to prosecute them in the alleged Rs 4,000-crore scam, they said. It has been alleged in the charge sheet that Nagaraj received a bribe of Rs 4.5 crore and Manjunath Rs 10 lakh, they said. The scam surfaced in mid-2019 when Mansoor Khan suddenly fled to Dubai, from where he was later deported. IN the charge sheet, the agency did not mention the then Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District B M Vijay Shankar, who was named in the FIR, as he has passed away, they added. It has been alleged that IMA group entities headed by Mansoor Khan had raised illegal and unauthorised deposits in an alleged in dishonest and fraudulent manner from innocent investors to the tune of over Rs 4,000 crore. In its charge sheet filed recently before a special court in Bengaluru, the has alleged that Nagaraj received Rs 4.5 crore from Khan and other directors of IMA for giving a clean chit to IMA activities, while Manujnath as middleman had received Rs 10 lakh. The case is an off-shoot of the IMA scam in which the CBI has filed two charge sheets against 22 accused, they said. The agency has registered four separate FIRs related to the scam. Along with Khan, the directors and others who benefited from the scheme were arrested. In all, around 25 people were arrested in connection with the scam. The CBI in its charge sheet has alleged that when the state government received complaints about the shady activities of the I-Monetary Advisory (IMA) jewels, it directed the district authorities to probe it. L C Nagaraj prepared a report stating that there was nothing wrong in the IMA investment firm and gave a clean chit to Mohammed Mansoor Khan, who operated the ponzi scheme, the agency alleged. Nagaraj received Rs 4.5 crore bribe for the clean chit, it alleged. It added Shankar too accepted the report and forwarded it to the state government without verifying it. Manjunath, the village accountant, allegedly acted as a middleman in this deal and accepted around Rs 10 lakh as a bribe, the CBI has alleged. (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.) Le Cantiche 1320 is a personal project to celebrate the 700-year anniversary of the iconic Divine Comedy. The Italian narrative poem written by Dante Alighieri in 1320. The Divine Comedy is one of the most important and well known works written by Dante Alighieri, it is studied all over the world, and considered the greatest masterpiece of literature of all time. Ive always been fascinated by Dante's masterpiece and Ive enjoyed studying it a lot at school. Because this work is written in the vernacular language, (the ancient Italian language), definitely studying it can be very difficult. This project has been created and curated by Creative Director Emanuele Milella in collaboration with Front-End Developer Clement Roche. http://www.lecantiche.com/ A huge part of the design process was spent on research. Even though I studied the poem for several years at school, I wasnt able to remember everything, so it was crucial for us to dust off the books and open them again. Collecting all the important information, gathering all the right content that needed to be displayed and sourcing all the related images gave us the ground foundation to build the initial design concept. The entrance to Hell In parallel to the research, we created a copy/paste storyboard with all details of the project to better visualise all the elements involved, and to start to create a design structure. With this in mind we started different design explorations for the page layouts and structure. The storyboard was so important and made the design work much easier. The whole design was built in separate/independent blocks, allowing them to be moved across the whole design if needed. The asterisk enabling the Canti section I usually have the tendency to use storyboards for my design. It helps me visualise better all the elements and future components of the whole experience Layout and Content The main idea of this project was to reproduce a digital booklet where users could browse easily without losing the look and feel of a book. I thought that having a combination of large images and big and bold typography in a storytelling layout would help people to get more engaged. We decided to have the design as a double page spread like an open book, so choose to have a horizontal scrolling experience. The progress bar in action The layout is divided into four main sections where we focus on each book of the poem. The Hell, the Purgatory and the Paradise. An introduction page was created to introduce the project and the overall details of the three books. A particular effort has been made on the design in order to highlight all the illustrations and images. To follow this path we tried to give full height to most images. Highlights of paragraphs in the Paradise chapter Art Direction I really enjoyed art directing this project! I somehow managed to add exactly everything I wanted and envisioned in my mind in the right place. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. An Easter Egg inside the site. The Red Room Particular attention was given to the typography in use. In all my projects I make a lot of room for typography, as for me its 90% of the design and can drastically define the look and feel of the whole experience. We wanted to highlight somehow the old century style. So we decided to use a meticulous and generous serif family typeface based on XVIIIth Century French aesthetics, in order to create this atmosphere. A lot of time and research has been spent finding the right style. In the end we decided to use the font Arthemys Display'' designed by Morgane Vantorre, a French type designer. It was great working with her, the collaboration and her availability was fantastic! In all my projects I make a lot of room for typography. For me its 90% of the design Vertical menu to give the feeling of a bookmark Arthemys Display is inspired by old engraved letters from cartographies, and represents a bringing together of shapes from the past with a contemporary twist. The graphic particularities of Arthemys (especially its ligatures and alternates) enable any text to have both a delicate and majestic value. In order to create this atmosphere, we decided to use a meticulous and generous serif family typeface based on XVIIIth Century French aesthetics All illustration made by Paul Gustave Dore are made with a lithographic pencil technique Technologies The main idea was to adapt the book reading feeling to a web experience, so we created several nice effects from it. First, we decided to use viewport height as the main unit in the CSS in order to keep the same layout whatever your viewport dimensions. Then, we played around horizontal smooth scroll parallax on images to add some volume to the reading. Next, to lead the user reading, we created a text block fade using CSS mask-image property and linear-gradient function. Finally, using WebGL and Fractal Brownian Noise we did a dissolve effect to imitate paper burning-feeling. Also, for performance reasons all images are rendered with WebGL. Frontend: Libraries: Hosting: Authors Info Emanuele Milella is an Italian Creative Director and Interactive Designer. With a focus in web interfaces and interactive design, Manu defines the visual design of a project - from initial exploration to final deliverables. Since 2015, he has been working with many companies (from digital agencies to startups) helping them to create interactive product experiences. Clement Roche is a freelance developer based in Paris. Student at Gobelins and front-developer at Neuvieme Page. The head of supermarket giant Coles has warned inner-city retail could be seriously weakened by COVID-19 for years as fewer workers, students and tourists flock back to CBDs across the country. The retailer was noticing a stark contrast between its Victorian stores during the state's stage four lockdown, with trade at suburban stores soaring 70 per cent while it had halved in the city centre, Coles chief Steven Cain told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Coles chief executive Steven Cain says inner-city stores could be weakened for the next five years. Credit:Wayne Taylor "We're seeing a massive change by store, and of course we're in a lucky position being a chain, but if you had one store and it was in the CBD, it would look pretty difficult," he said. The prospect of empty CBDs is shaping up as a key economic challenge posed by the COVID-19 crisis. Research from consultancy SGS Economics and Planning forecasts Sydney's central business district to cop a $10 billion blow, with the hospitality, arts and retail sectors bearing the brunt of the damage. India on Monday took the first steps towards developing a new class of ultra-modern weapons that can travel six times faster than the speed of sound (Mach 6) and penetrate any missile defence, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carrying out a successful flight test of the hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) for the first time from a launch facility off the Odisha coast. Only the United States, Russia and China have developed technologies to field fast-manoeuvring hypersonic missiles that fly at lower altitudes and are extremely hard to track and intercept. Mach 6 translates into a speed of 7,408kmph. India could develop hypersonic cruise missiles powered by air-breathing scramjet engines in about four years, a top government officer said on condition of anonymity. The DRDO has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of HSTDV at 1103 hours from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam launch complex at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha on Monday, the defence ministry statement said. An improvement over the ramjet technology, the scramjet engine operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds in excess of Mach 5. Experts say that such vehicles are launched on rockets before they detach and move towards their target in the upper atmosphere. They can be steered to add unpredictability in an attack and because they follow a flat and low trajectory, it is hard to detect them early with radar. Congratulations to DRDO India for successful flight of the Hypersonic Test Demonstration Vehicle today. The scramjet engine developed by our scientists helped the flight achieve a speed 6 times the speed of sound! Very few countries have such capability today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. The hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor that took it to an altitude of 30km, where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated at a hypersonic Mach number, the statement said. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned. The hypersonic combustion sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound or nearly 2 km/second for more than 20 seconds, the statement said. The first test of the HSTDV in June 2019 failed to meet mission parameters. Developing hypersonic missiles will require the cruise vehicle to travel at speeds above Mach 6 for a few hundred seconds for the weapon to strike its target, said a second official, requesting anonymity. Critical events like fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet demonstrated technological maturity. The scramjet engine performed in a textbook manner, the statement said. The parameters of launch and cruise vehicle, including the scramjet engine, were monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and telemetry stations, with the engine working efficiently at high dynamic pressure and very high temperature, it added. A warship was deployed in the Bay of Bengal to monitor the performance during the cruise phase of the hypersonic vehicle. All the performance parameters indicated a resounding success of the mission, the statement said. This marks a technological breakthrough for the country. The successful mission will enable us to develop many more critical technologies and pave the way for hypersonic vehicle development, DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy told HT. The flight test has proven a raft of critical technologies including aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvres, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials and separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities, the defence ministry said. With hypersonic vehicles being key to defeating missile defences, the successful flight of the technology demonstrator vehicle is an important milestone, said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. This has been some time in the making and the challenge now is to make a time-bound transition to the prototype testing phase. China is quite ahead in hypersonics and India cannot afford to lag behind, Bahadur said. The dual-use hypersonic technology has non-military applications too it can be used for launching satellites and developing commercial planes, experts said. Defence minister Rajnath, who spoke with scientists associated with the critical project, congratulated the DRDO on the landmark achievement towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The DRDO has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase, the defence minister wrote on Twitter. Reddy congratulated the scientists, researchers and other personnel associated with the mission for their resolute and unwavering efforts towards strengthening the countrys defence capabilities. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Meg Gorman for Congress and her campaign team said Marquita Bradshaw for U.S. Senate will be in Chattanooga and Athens on Friday. From 1-2 p.m., the Hamilton County Democratic Party hosts Ms. Bradshaw at a picnic event at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Ms. Bradshaw will be delivering the keynote speech, and featured speakers include Ms. Gorman and state Senate candidate Glenn Scruggs. Rep. Yusuf Hakeem will also speak. HCDP Chair Rodney Strong will be hosting the event. The candidates will then head to the Walnut Street Bridge for the Ed Johnson Memorial Walk from 2:15-3:10 p.m. From there, Ms. Bradshaw and Ms. Gorman will be traveling to McMinn County for an event at the Athens Market Pavilion with two separate speaking sessions from 5-6 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. On the way to this event, Ms. Bradshaw and Ms. Gorman will make a stop by the Fallen Five Memorial on Amnicola Highway. Masks will be required at all events. Kolkata: Three people have been arrested for allegedly taking photographs of women and girls at a restaurant here and making lewd comments on them, police said on Monday. The incident happened on Sunday night when a woman along with her relatives and a few others were celebrating the birthday of her 15-year-old daughter at the restaurant in Phoolbagan area, they said. The three accused, who were consuming alcohol sitting on another table in the restaurant, allegedly started making indecent gestures at the women and girls and making lewd remarks on them, a police officer said. The three were also accused of taking photographs of women using their mobile phones, he said, quoting the complaint lodged by mother of the girl. "When protested, the three allegedly attacked the women and outraged the modesty of the complainant," the officer said, adding that CCTV footage of the restaurant is being checked. Further investigation is underway, he added. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said his government was criticised by industrialists and others for being too selective in allowing projects that impacted the wildlife habitat, and asserted that during his tenure India was an active voice in international forums on environment issues and made positive contribution to the protection of the planet. In India, during the time that I was Prime Minister, we were conscious of our duty to accelerate economic development and raise the standard of living of our people, especially those in poverty. This is, after all, the first priority of any government, Singh said while presenting the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 to British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. At the same time, we were very selective in allowing projects that impacted the wilderness or the habitat of wildlife. Indeed, we were criticised by industrialists and those who thought we were being too restrictive. But I believe that if a proper balance is not firmly held, the results are deleterious and self-defeating, he added. We were also an active voice in international forums and discussions on issues concerning the environment and I like to think we made positive contributions to the protection of the planet, the former Prime Minister said. Singh conferred the award on Sir David at a virtual event. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were also present during the online function. The former Prime Minister expressed concern over the destruction of environment across the world. How acute the situation is cannot be clearer than from the pandemic that has gripped the earth, coincidently almost exactly one century after the great influenza epidemic. To some, this is natures way of telling humankind to loosen its tightening grip on the resources of the earth, to be less exploitative, to respect the needs of the natural world, especially the animal kingdom, more and slow down the pace of environmental destruction, he said. But it doesnt need an epidemic to tell us that we are not in good shape. Climate change, the assault on the oceans, the pollution of the atmosphere, the junk floating about in space, the reduction of forest cover, the extinction of life in rivers, the reduction of natural habitat for any life other than humans all this is evident to anyone who has eyes to see, added Singh. Sir David Attenborough was named the recipient of the award in November last year. His name was selected by an international jury chaired by former President Pranab Mukherjee, who died last week. To be sure there is an acute dilemma here. Millions of us live in abject poverty. Millions around the world do not have access to enough food, clean water and surroundings, a minimum acceptable standard of living. In the name of development, nature bears the brunt, with its long-term crippling effects on that very quality of life we are trying to improve, the former Prime Minister said. But like Sir David, I believe that it is possible for us to respect boundaries, to be aware always of the costs of economic development, and to refrain from excesses, from ignorant or willful actions that ultimately rebound on us, he added. In her speech, Sonia Gandhi described Sir David as one of Natures most staunch conscience keepers for over half a century Sir David is already well known to us all through his prodigious creativity in educating the humankind with brilliant films and books about the natural world. And he has, of late, been the most sensible voice warning us that we, more than anything else, are responsible for the accelerating threat to the environment on our planet, she said. When environmental protection has become all the more imperative, when climate change and continued loss of bio-diversity is threatening livelihoods and public health, indeed life on earth, there could not have been a more appropriate choice for an award in her name than Sir David, added Sonia Gandhi. She said Indira Gandhi despite being born in a political family saw herself as a child of nature, developing a special affinity for mountains, forests, birds and animals from an early age. As Prime Minister, she became an unwavering champion of environmental protection long before that cause had become popular both in India and abroad. While helping India accelerate the pace of investment and expand its economic infrastructure, she was very sensitive to the imperative of maintaining what she would often call ecological balance. Her political innings were a search for that balance and a journey of educating her colleagues and the people to preserve that balance, Sonia Gandhi added. It is not a surprise, therefore, to find that the legal and institutional framework India now has for protecting its wonderful bio-diversity had been put in place during her tenure as Prime Minister. It bears her personal imprimatur, the Congress chief said. Describing Sir David as the worlds leading authority on the natural world, she said his passion has been inspiring and is also to reiterate what we all acknowledge. Accepting the award, Sir David said, We have to change from being nationalists to being international. He said the world is heading towards an unprecedented crisis. We have taken over the natural world and are destroying it, he added. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was instituted in the memory of the former Prime Minister by a trust in her name in 1986. It consists of a monetary award of 25 lakh along with a citation. The award is given to individuals or organisations who work towards ensuring international peace and development, ensuring that scientific discoveries are used to further the scope of freedom and better humanity, and creating new international economic order. Sir Davids work has received widespread recognition across the world. Apart from his knighthood, he has received awards from the Royal Geographical Society, UNESCOs Kalinga Prize, the Micheal Faraday Prize, the Descartes Prize and Fellowship of the Royal Society, and several Emmy and BAFTA awards. Sir Davids current series with the BBC Natural History Unit - Seven Worlds, One Planet - is broadcast on BBC One on Sunday nights. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON French supermajor Total is giving up operatorship of five exploration blocks offshore Brazil in an environmentally sensitive area for which it has failed to secure drilling permits numerous times. Total said on Monday that it had notified its partners last month that it is resigning from its role of operator of five exploration blocks in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, 120 kilometers (74 miles) offshore Brazil. Total has also notified Brazils regulator ANP of its decision to give up operatorship of the blocks, which opens a six-month period in which a new operator will be appointed. Total did not give details about why it is pulling out as the operator of those exploration blocks, but the French company has been denied in recent years permits to drill for oil and gas in those blocks close to the mouth of the Amazon and has met opposition from environmental groups about its plans to drill in areas where coral reefs have been spotted. In 2018, Greenpeace said that a team of scientists onboard a Greenpeace ship had found a rhodolith field in the area Total was planning to drill. Now that we know the Amazon Reef extension overlaps with the perimeter of Totals oil blocks, there is no other option for the Brazilian government but to deny the companys license to drill for oil in the region, Thiago Almeida, Greenpeace Brazil campaigner, said in April 2018. At the end of 2018, Brazils environmental regulator Ibama rejected Totals plan to drill in the blocks for a fifth and final time. Oil and gas drilling in the blocks could endanger coral reefs and biodiversity in the area, Ibama said, agreeing with a technical assessment of the area. In 2019, the regulator again denied Totals request to reconsider restarting the licensing process for the blocks, meaning that the oil giant had to start the licensing processon which Total had spent five yearsfrom scratch. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: EVENTS companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic need more help from the Government, says a councillor. Leigh Rawlins, who represents Sonning Common on South Oxfordshire District Council, has written to Business Secretary Alok Sharma raising his concerns. He thanks the Government for allowing the council to provide help to more than 2,000 businesses in the district but says businesses that organise and host events have not been able to receive as much. This is causing a number of companies in my district a great deal of hardship, he said. Both our local MP John Howell and our own officers have raised the predicament facing our events companies. Unfortunately, we have not received any clarity on the matter and now time is running out. Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged support for event companies in March. But Councillor Rawlins, the councils cabinet member for finance, says: There has been no revised guidance on this particular issue and the only extension to the retail, hospitality and leisure provisions was to bring bingo halls, estate agents and letting agencies into the mix for extended business rate relief and associated grants. The main sticking point is that most events companies are not wholly or mainly used for the sale of goods to visiting members of the public, which means we cannot apply the rates freeze or award a grant. We know of other authorities which have made awards regardless but my council is mindful that we need to apply the rules in accordance with the guidelines otherwise we could be penalised. Indeed, government correspondence indicates the potential for recovery action in cases paid in error. I appreciate this business group can be considered for discretionary grants but this does nothing to help with the rate liability. He asks for urgent clarification on the issue with a view to allowing event companies to be deemed suitable to receive business grants. Adam Ralph, director of Imagine Events in Hart Street, Henley, agreed. He said: We were the first industry to have to stop and we will probably be the last one that is allowed back. Unlike the hospitality or restaurant sector, there has not been any extra relief. Because the venues have all been closed, we are not allowed to have any events, so we have lost a lot of income. We have written to MPs, the Chancellor and to Boris Johnson to try to get more funding. The business has been running for 25 years, having been started by Mr Ralphs father Peter. It would usually provide services for events and exhibitions for trade shows but it has been offering personal protective equipment in order to continue trading during the pandemic. Mr Ralph said: We have been doing office PPE, desk screening and hand sanitiser since May. We had to diversify as we realised that covid wasnt going to go away any time soon. Compared with our normal business, you have to sell a lot of screens and sanitiser to get anywhere near the same revenue. We are doing everything we can to keep our company alive. Simon Arscott, office manager at Delegate Office & Conference Services, also in Hart Street, said the business had seen an increase in demand for its virtual office services. He said: A lot of our clients are doing things through Zoom and taking appointments digitally rather than setting up office space in the centre of Henley and small businesses are finding that is much more useful. We always want Delegate to stay one step ahead. If not, the reality is that you will always be behind. You have to be able to provide your clients with a service that enables them to offer the right solutions. Just relying on the government guidelines would put us in the wrong place. If you take the approach that you need the Government to save you then you have very little chance of surviving. A lot of businesses have had to think differently and take a different approach. We have been in business for a long time and our conference services have gone off the cliff. We will have to wait until 2021 for our regular clients to be back. Despite being accused of sabotaging the federal governments legal contest against the British Virgin Islands firm, P&ID Limited, Olasupo Shasore, a Nigerian lawyer, also got another $2m arbitration deal on behalf of the government in 2019, PREMIUM TIMES has found. Mr Shasore, a former Attorney General of Lagos State, represented Nigeria in a 2012 arbitration suit between the federal government and Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID), but was later accused by the government of working against national interest amid corruption allegations. The British firm signed a gas supply and processing agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in 2010, to build and operate an Accelerated Gas Development project to be located at Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The Nigerian government was to provide natural gas from oil mining leases (OMLs) 123 and 67 operated by Addax Petroleum and supply to P&ID to refine into fuel suitable for power generation in the country. In the long run, the company accused Nigeria of breaching the terms of contracts after negotiations were opened with the Cross River State government for allocation of land for the project. It claimed failure to construct the pipeline system to supply the gas frustrated the construction of the gas project, thereby depriving it of the potential benefits from over 20 years worth of gas supplies. This led to an arbitration request in 2012 after all efforts at amicable resolution ended in a fiasco. In its defence, Nigeria argued before the arbitration tribunal that the failure of P&ID to acquire the site and build Gas Processing Facilities was a fundamental breach and that no gas could be delivered until this has been done. In July 2015, the tribunal found that Nigeria had repudiated its obligations under the GSPA and that P&ID was entitled to accept the repudiation and claim damages for breach. On December 23, 2015, the government appealed that the commercial court in the United Kingdom set aside the $10 billion awarded in favour of P&ID. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian government secured a judgement of the British court to suspend the unfavourable ruling on Friday by giving it more time to prepare its defence. Undoing According to Ross Cranstons judgement on Friday, the federal government accused Mr Shasore of non-disclosure of his involvement in the case to members of his law firm and running it through a different firm, Twenty Marina Solicitors, through which he obtained a legal fee of $2million. Also, Mr Shasore, whose service was employed in 2012, failed to cross-examine Michael Quinn, the founder of the company, on the matter, an action tantamount to strengthening the argument of P&ID and sabotaging the interest of his country. Mr Quinn had died when this came to the fore. Moreover, the Nigerian government noted in its appeal that Mr Shasore, for more than a year, failed to cooperate in handing over necessary materials to Bolaji Ayorinde, the senior lawyer who replaced him. In clear terms, Nigerias legal representative, Mark Howard, stated that in the first two stages of the arbitration, Mr Shasore, deliberately defended the case thinly. In fact, in a briefing note for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Folakemi Adelore, head of the legal unit of the petroleum resources ministry, criticised Mr Shasores strategy in the arbitration. Nevertheless, while the case was still ongoing, Mr Shasore allegedly made a questionable payment of $100,000 each to Folakemi Adelore and Ikechukwu Oguine, both legal representatives of the ministry of petroleum resources and NNPC respectively. The trio, who also discouraged Nigeria from strongly contesting claims of the British firm, formed the settlement team that jetted to London for negotiations with P&ID. Mr Shashore, in his reaction to the allegations, on Saturday, said he did his best in securing the best for the country. However, he neither affirmed nor contested the allegation of bribery and corruption levelled against him. Another big job Regardless of these concerns about Mr Shasores performance, the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari awarded him another lucrative arbitration contract. Approved: the contract award to Olasupo Shasore SAN of Africa Law Practice and the appointment of Mr Michael Tselensi, QC as the FGNs Counsel and Arbitrator respectively for the defence of the Federal Government in an Arbitration Case No. 23211 /TO, instituted at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris by Sunrise Power Transmission Company Ltd against the Federal Government and Sinohydro Corporation Ltd, an approval letter signed by the late Chief of Staff to Mr Buhari, Abba Kyari, read. It was for a new arbitration job awarded to Mr Shashore, two years after he defaulted on releasing necessary materials to Mr Ayorinde and at a time the Buhari-led administration was conducting an investigation into the controversial P&ID saga owing to the interim report by EFCC. A 2016 interim report of the EFCC had earlier indicted him for doing a shoddy arbitration, following the testimony of Ms Adelore. Also, in a letter to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on March 29, 2017, the Attorney General, Mr Malami, stated that Mr Shasore had failed to cooperate properly in handing over material when his (the Attorneys) office assumed the conduct of the case from the Ministry in mid-2016. Advertisements The letter of approval dated July 12, 2019, was sent to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. It was not immediately clear why this was the case. ALSO READ: For the new arbitration job, Mr Kyari directed the immediate payment of $450,000, being the initial sum of the professional fees, to Mr Shasore while the remaining sum was to be paid subsequently. Also, he directed the Solicitor General of the Federation to prepare a legal opinion on disciplinary options for the actions of the then Minister which contravened Councils directives by issuing a contract offer letter to Sunrise Power. Genesis of Arbitration The Mambilla power project, first conceived in the 1970s and expected to produce 3,050 megawatts of electricity, has stalled owing to controversies surrounding the award of the contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company. The award was a sequel to a 2003 agreement under Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba state, on a build, operate and transfer basis. Meanwhile, according to the Chairman of Sunrise, Leno Adesanya, some compromised officials in government awarded another contract to three Chinese companies, Sinohydro Corporation of China, China Ghezouba Group Corporation of China and China Geo-Engineering Group Corporation, to form a joint venture for the execution of the same project, four years after. With the new arrangement, the project was to be financed by the Export-Import Bank of China, Nigerias biggest creditor. Also in the 2017 letter, Mr Adesanya accused the late Kyari of unilaterally making the decision to remove the company from the contract while Mr Fashola was accused of frustrating all efforts to settle the dispute. This birthed the International Arbitration in Paris initiated by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company against the Nigerian government and Sinohydro Corporation Limited, the Chinese company currently handling the project, the same year. The transmission company is seeking an award of $2.3 billion for the breach of the 2003 agreement. However, in 2020, the payment of the $200 million to Sunrise Power as full and final settlement to discontinue the arbitration and set the government free from all liabilities was agreed upon. As of the time of filing this report, Nigeria was yet to pay the transmission company the agreed sum. The Cable reported that Mr Buhari failed to approve the payment for fiscal reasons. Centrick, on a mission to build good looking brand, digital first and mobile friendly opens its Bangalore office and appoints Ranjeet Bubber as head of Strategy & Integration. He will also be handling the South India operations and new business development for Centrick and our recently forged alliance with Bright Brain Technologies, who offer the very best of data and performance driven marketing solutions. Speaking on the appointment, Roy Menezes, Partner & Chief Creative Officer at Centrick, said, To continue our steady growth over the past 9 months and huge wins even in these trying times such as Kirloskar oil engines Ltd. Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Limited, Kirloskar Chillers Private Limited, Lifelong India Online and a premier design school, we decided to expand our offering to our favourite city Bengaluru. Ranjeet comes in with over 15 years of strategy, digital marketing experience and client management. He specialises in creating & managing brand perceptions through insight-driven marketing strategies and we want to harness that to create more value for our clients. Ranjeet started his career in Mumbai with the Percept group handling the digital business for Maruti Suzuki & Colgate-Palmolive. Then moved into a digital performance marketing role at Mindshare where he handled the NRI business for ICICI Bank. At Cequity, he provided insight-driven marketing strategies using big data for clients like Tata Sky & Aditya Birla Group and finally, ended up at Rediffusion YR before starting his own digital marketing agency which primarily managed the digital business for various real estate clients. A Kerala health inspector has been arrested on charges of raping a 44-year-old nurse who had approached him for a coronavirus-negative certificate, police said. The woman had been ordered to go into quarantine last month after she returned home to the state capital from north Kerala where she was working as a home nurse. She had tested negative after the two-week quarantine but she needed the negative certificate to return to work as a nurse. This is the second incident of rape involving a state employee working in the health sector. On Saturday last, a 22-year-old woman complained that the driver of a state-run ambulance service tasked to take her to hospital raped her on the way. The nurse told the police that when she approached the junior health inspector after her quarantine period was over, he insisted that she meet him at his house in Thiruvananthapuram districts Pangode. According to her complaint, when she went, he forced her to spend the day with him and raped her. She alleged that he threatened to tell the police that she had jumped quarantine if she didnt comply. He also assaulted her. Inspector P Suneesh who is investigating the case said the health official also physically assaulted her. A medical examination confirmed sexual assault. He was booked under different sections of the Indian Penal Code including rape, illegal detention and assault, the police officer said. Kerala health minister KK Shailaja said the state government would take stringent action against the offender. Health workers are toiling day in and out these days. But such unfortunate incidents will give a negative impression and portray their work in a bad light. We will take stringent action against the offenders and ensure such sad incidents do not recur, said Shailaja. On Saturday night a young patient was allegedly sexually assaulted by an ambulance driver in central Keralas Pathanamthitta district on the way to a hospital. The suspect was arrested within hours of the crime that set off a war of words between the ruling party and the opposition. The opposition Congress and BJP have sought the resignation of the health minister. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ramesh Babu Ramesh Babu is HTs bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism. ...view detail After Jongas arrest, the State claims to have retrieved exemption documents from his computer which they say link him to the offence and that there are witnesses who saw him committing the alleged offence. Afghanistan has reportedly reopened schools all across the nation, this development came after five months when schools were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. According to an international media report, one of the poorest countries in the world is working to improve literacy rate and there is much to do. Public schools have allowed only their older students for now, as they balance a need for education versus public health. Currently, in Afghanistan, there are more than 38,000 reported cases of coronavirus and out this over 29,000 infected patients have recovered, with more than 1,400 deaths. Read: Afghanistan Releases 400 Taliban Prisoners Ahead Of Peace Talks Afghanistans neighbor, Iran on September 5, opened the new school year after nearly seven months of closure. In a video conference, President Hassan Rouhani said the education of 15 million students is as important as the health system. Education will not be closed in our country even under the worst situation, he said, urging authorities to implement health measures in schools to the level of those in military garrisons. The reopening of schools came as many expressed concerns over a possible increase in infections, including medical professionals. The national COVID-19 task force should defend lives of millions of students, said Abbas Aghazadeh, a member of the board of the medical council. Prevent physical reopening of all schools across the country. Iran has so far used distance learning via internet apps and TV programs. Authorities say the system will continue for undergraduate university students. Irans death toll from COVID-19 has so far passed 22,000 out of 382,772 confirmed cases. The country has had the first and worst outbreak in the region. Read: Afghanistan Signs Decree To Release 400 Taliban Prisoners To Initiate Peace Talks Wuhan: 1.4 Million students attend classes Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus originated last December, has finally moved on, reopening its schools on September 1. A Chinese city, which underwent not only lockdowns but also mass testing finally reopened for school-goers allowing children to take lessons in person. Wuhan, which has reported over 50,340 alone has not reported any new cases in recent weeks. Read: Afghanistan: Flash Floods Claim 160 Lives, Rescue Operation Underway Read: Schools, Colleges Reopens After Months Of Covid Lockdown In England Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb told Face the Nation on Sunday that a vaccine for widespread use will likely be a 2021 event. If a vaccine were created before the end of 2020, it would probably be used for targeted populations, such as health-care workers and nursing home residents, Gottlieb said. The country could see the end of the more acute phase of the virus outbreak because more people will probably be infected between now and then, he said. Abigail Banerji Chinas first reusable spacecraft landed Sunday after two days in orbit, a possible step toward lower-cost space flight, the government announced. The secretive, military-run space program has released few details of the craft, which was launched Friday aboard a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Chinas desert northwest. The craft landed as planned at Jiuquan, the official Xinhua News Agency said. State media have yet to publish any photos. The crafts size and shape are unclear. The flight marks an important breakthrough in our countrys research on reusable spacecraft that promises a more convenient and inexpensive way to reach space, Xinhua said. China fired its first astronaut into orbit in 2003 and has launched a space station. Last year, it became the first country to land a robot rover on the moons little-seen far side. A probe carrying another robot rover is en route to Mars. The United States and the former Soviet Union both flew reusable spacecraft. The US space shuttle flew 134 missions from the 1980s until 2011. Since then, the US military has developed the X-37, a robot glider that made its sixth flight in May. The Soviet space plane, Buran, orbited the Earth twice during its single uncrewed flight in 1988. She said she was removed from prison with a hood over her head and forced into a car and kept out of sight. According to Kovalkova, the agents drove her to the Polish border, where they handed her a passport and a certificate that she did not have the novel coronavirus, although she had never taken a test. Kampala, Sep 7 : Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday said a Minister who was detained over the weekend will be prosecuted over the election violence in the ruling party primaries. Museveni tweeted that Mwesigwa Rukutana, Minister of State for Labour, who was arrested on September 5 after a video circulated on social media showing him grab a gun from a police officer, would answer for his charges, reports Xinhua news agency. The video shows that after the Minister grabbed the gun to attack his rivals, but the latter managed to escape. Rukutana had just lost an election in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries for legislators held the previous day. The Minister and his three body guards are facing charges of inciting violence, attempted murder by shooting, and malicious damage of property, according to police. The party primaries were marred by violence in some parts of the country. Museveni said all those who caused violence or engaged in some form of illegality would be arrested and prosecuted. "Those who beat people... are all in jail or on the run. Minister Rukutana is in jail and will be prosecuted. "They will be fully accountable with robust charges: assault, attempted murder, murder, etc.," the President added. The primaries were held as different political parties in the country are preparing for next year's general elections. The NRM party in July declared Museveni as the party's presidential candidate in the 2021 general elections. He will be running for another term of office after about 35 years in power. Museveni is expected to face off with Robert Kyagulanyi, a music icon turned politician, in what is anticipated to be a hotly contested election. Police have released footage of a man wanted on suspicion of murder after one person was killed and seven others injured in a series of stabbings in Birmingham. West Midlands Police launched a murder investigation on Sunday following the attacks, which took place between 12.30am and 2.20am. A 23-year-old man suffered fatal injuries, police said, while a man and a woman, aged 19 and 32, suffered critical injuries in other parts of the city. Five other people, aged between 23 and 33, were also injured. They were treated in hospital; two were discharged on Sunday evening. Savvas Sfrantzis, who owns Mykonos bar and grill in Hurst Street, said he witnessed a woman being repeatedly stabbed after he was alerted by her screams. He said: I looked at him, facing him, and I can see he had a blade, small, not very big, and he was stabbing her in the neck. He described how the attacker was so cold, walking calmly away and smirking, while other bar staff tried to follow him. Four scenes have been held throughout Sunday and forensic experts have examined each area, police added. Chief superintendent Steve Graham, said: We do not underestimate the impact that these incidents have had on the city of Birmingham today. We declared this a major incident at the earliest opportunity and we have drafted in scores of officers to help with the investigation and patrol the city to reassure residents and visitors that we are doing all we can to apprehend the person responsible. We have worked throughout the day to trawl CCTV footage and speak to witnesses to ensure we release the best possible video and image of the man we want to speak to. At this stage we believe that the attacks were random and we have no indication of a motive. I would urge people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to us. We are appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the footage to contact us urgently. We have a hotline number and a dedicated web page where you can submit information, photos and videos. If you see him, please do not approach him, but dial 999 immediately. The force tweeted: "UPDATE | We've had a strong response following our appeal to trace the BirminghamStabbings suspect. Our detectives are following up several new lines of enquiry. This man is wanted on suspicion of murder. Recognise him?" Police said there was no suggestion the stabbings were terror-related, motivated by hate or were gang-related. David Jamieson, the police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands, said the stabbings followed a surge in violent crime across the region over the past weeks and months. He warned that a rise in violence was almost inevitable because of the coronavirus lockdown. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 January 2022 Surfers enter the sea as the sun rises over Tynemouth on the North East coast PA UK news in pictures 17 January 2022 Bonhams Danny McIlwraith holds a Nigerian polycrome carved wood mask during a photocall for the sale of the Jim Lennon Collection at Bonhams in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 16 January 2022 The moon rises above the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Hampshire PA UK news in pictures 15 January 2022 Demonstrators outside Downing Street during a Kill The Bill protest against The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in London PA UK news in pictures 14 January 2022 Ecologist Emma Smart (left) and retired GP Dr Diana Warner outside HMP Bronzefield, in Surrey, following their release from the prison where Emma undertook a 26-day hunger strike during her incarceration. Ms Smart was sentenced in November, along with other members of Insulate Britain, to serve four months for breaking a High Court injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 motorway during the morning rush hour on 8 October last year PA UK news in pictures 13 January 2022 A TV presenter holds a copy of a newspaper outside 10 Downing Streetafter the Prime Minister apologised for attending a gathering of colleagues in the Number Ten garden in May 2020, while the UK was in strict lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic Getty UK news in pictures 12 January 2022 Fitness guru Derrick Evans after receiving an MBE during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 11 January 2022 A couple walk underneath an umbrella during wet weather on Westminster Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 10 January 2022 A jogger passes the Covid Memorial Wall in London AP UK news in pictures 9 January 2021 The sun rises over horses at Seaton Sluice in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 8 January 2022 Riders compete during the Veterans Men's race at the UK Cyclo-Cross National Championships 2022 in Ardingly, south of London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 7 January 2022 A dog looks out of a car window at the wintry conditions in Killeshin, Co. Laois PA UK news in pictures 6 January 2022 People walk through frost and mist alongside a frozen lake during sunrise in Bushy Park, London REUTERS UK news in pictures 5 January 2022 A skier jumps on the slopes at Allenheads in the Pennines to the north of Weardale in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 4 January 2022 Freshly-fallen snow covers houses in Corbridge, near Hexham in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 3 January 2022 Dean Morrison, 13, receives his Covid-19 vaccine from student nurse Anthony McLaughlin during a vaccination clinic at the Glasgow Central Mosque PA UK news in pictures 2 January 2022 Konastantinos Tsimikas of Liverpool with Chelseas Mason Mount during the Premier League match at Stamfrod Bridge Liverpool FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 January 2022 New Years Eve Lasers, drones and fireworks illuminate the sky in front of the Royal Naval College in Greenwich shortly after midnight in London EPA UK news in pictures 31 December 2021 Competitors in fancy dress run across the Pennine tops near Haworth, West Yorkshire, in the annual Auld Lang Syne Fell race which attracts hundreds of runners every year PA UK news in pictures 30 December 2021 Sunrise at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 29 December 2021 The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, looks at Becket, a six month old red-billed chough as he visits Wildwood Wildlife Park in Kent on the anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket PA UK news in pictures 28 December 2021 Troops of the Household Cavalry are seen reflected in a puddle during the changing of the Queens Life Guard, on Horse Guards Parade, in central London PA UK news in pictures 27 December 2021 A pedestrian walks past a winter sale sign outside a John Lewis store on Oxford street in London Getty UK news in pictures 26 December 2021 Riders take their bikes through the snow near Castleside, County Durham PA UK news in pictures 25 December 2021 Patrick Corkery wears a santa hat and beard as waves crash over him at Forty Foot near Dublin during a Christmas Day dip PA UK news in pictures 24 December 2021 People stand inside Kings Cross Station on Christmas Eve in London Reuters UK news in pictures 23 December 2021 Christmas shoppers fill the car park at Fosse Shopping Park in Leicester PA UK news in pictures 22 December 2021 The sun rises behind the stones as people gather for the winter solstice at Stonehenge. Getty UK news in pictures 21 December 2021 People take part in a winter solstice swim at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh to mark the solstice and to witness the dawn after the longest night of the year PA UK news in pictures 20 December 2021 An auction employee displays poultry to buyers and sellers attending the Christmas Poultry Sale at York Auction Centre in Murton PA UK news in pictures 19 December 2021 Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 December 2021 Freight lorries queuing at the port of Dover in Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 December 2021 Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan, bursts 'Boris' bubble' held by colleague Tim Farron, as she celebrates following her victory in the North Shropshire by-election PA UK news in pictures 16 December 2021 Brussels sprouts are harvested by workers as they prepare for the busy Christmas period near Boston in Lincolnshire PA UK news in pictures 15 December 2021 Lewis Hamilton is made a Knight Bachelor by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 14 December 2021 The Royal Liver Buildings surrounded by early morning fog in Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 13 December 2021 People queue outside a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination centre at St Thomas's Hospital in Westminster Getty Images UK news in pictures 12 December 2021 People take part in the Big Leeds Santa Dash in Roundhay Park, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 11 December 2021 People arrive at a Covid-19 vaccination centre at Elland Road in Leeds, PA UK news in pictures 10 December 2021 Stella Moris speaks to the media after the US Government won its High Court bid to overturn a judges decision not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange PA UK news in pictures 9 December 2021 Camels are lead around Salisbury Cathedral during a rehearsal for the Christmas Eve Service PA UK news in pictures 8 December 2021 Margaret Keenan and Nurse May Parsons, a year after Margaret was the first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer vaccine PA UK news in pictures 7 December 2021 Snowfall in Leadhills, South Lanarkshire as Storm Barra hits the UK with disruptive winds, heavy rain and snow PA UK news in pictures 6 December 2021 A person tries to avoid sea spray on New Brighton promenade in Wallasey as the UK readies for the arrival of Storm Barra Getty UK news in pictures 5 December 2021 People release balloons during a tribute to six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes outside Emma Tustin's former address in Solihull, West Midlands, where he was murdered by his stepmother PA UK news in pictures 4 December 2021 People walk through a Christmas market in Trafalgar Square Reuters UK news in pictures 3 December 2021 A pedestrian carries a dog as they dodge shoppers on Oxford Street in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 2 December 2021 Duchess of Cambridge inspects a Faberge egg at the Victoria and Albert Museum Getty UK news in pictures 1 December 2021 Meerkats at London Zoo with an advent calendar PA UK news in pictures 30 November 2021 Workers put the finishing touches to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree ahead of the lighting ceremony later in the week PA I have been saying for some time, in the context of Covid-19, that a lot of the pent-up feelings people have, and not being able to get out, and combine that with people who are now unsure about their future and about their jobs, it was almost inevitable that we would see a growth in violence, Mr Jamieson said on Sunday. "I'm not saying that this is directly related to that, but nevertheless we are seeing now a growth of violence among younger people, particularly younger males, we're seeing that growing across the region. "My fear is that if we don't address that and some of the underlying problems with some urgency then we could see that grow. "But, notwithstanding that, Birmingham is a good place, it's a good place to be, it's a safe city and it is regrettable that this awful incident happened last night." Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:15:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Martina Fuchs GENEVA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President called on the global donor community to urgently step up financial contributions to avoid a coronavirus-induced budget deficit, and warned that cyber attacks are posing fresh threats to its operations and international humanitarian law. BUDGET DEFICIT CONCERN "Like many other humanitarian and development organizations, we are concerned when we look into the future. While needs are almost exponentially growing with COVID-19, many countries have put a lot of money in stabilizing their economy," ICRC chief Peter Maurer told Xinhua in a recent interview. "While this is perfectly legitimate and certainly good and reasonable to do, we are afraid that the heavy debt that many countries have accumulated will have a negative ripple effect on the readiness to contribute to humanitarian programs," he said. Established in 1863, the ICRC, headquartered in Geneva, acts as the guardian of international humanitarian law. Its mission is to help people affected by conflict and armed violence around the world. "We hope that we can end the year with a minimal deficit. But at the moment I have to say that we will need a lot of support in the last months of the year in order to be able to break even," Maurer said. The ICRC is funded by voluntary contributions from the states party to the Geneva Conventions, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, supranational organizations such as the European Commission, as well as public and private sources. According to its annual report, the total expenditure of its operations in 2019 reached 2 billion Swiss francs (2.19 billion U.S. dollars). LAW UPDATE AMID NEW THREATS Meanwhile, modern technologies have given rise to new methods and means of warfare, such as cyber attacks, raising fresh humanitarian and legal challenges. Asked about this threat, Maurer said the ICRC was worried about indications of cyber attacks on civilian infrastructure and stressed that international humanitarian rules need to be updated. "I do believe that either by interpretation of existing bodies of norms or through the creation of new interpreted guidelines, soft laws and other normative systems, we need to frame a legal framework for these new developments," Maurer said. He highlighted that the ICRC was continuously and informally consulting with states and experts on this issue, but said: "We are far away from having consensus on what exactly needs to be regulated and how this should be regulated and which the respective institutions are." FOCUS ON CONFLICT HOTSPOTS Maurer said the ICRC's main geographic focus areas did not change due to COVID-19: "A big part of our work remains in Africa, in the Sahel, Lake Chad, in Sudan, in Somalia and other parts of Africa, in the Middle East, and of course globally in some of the most affected countries by war and violence." However, Maurer said that some of the programs and activities were prioritized and scaled up in a bid to better respond to the challenges of the pandemic. "COVID has brought a reprioritization of water, sanitation and health programs. We have heavily prioritized our work on detention facilities because we know that pandemics do not stop in front of prison doors," Maurer said. In 2019, the ICRC was present in more than 100 countries through delegations, sub-delegations, offices and missions. Around 18,800 staff members worked in the field and at the ICRC headquarters. Enditem Sanaa, Sep 7 : At least 28 people were killed as fighting intensified between Yemen's government forces and the Houthi group in the country's al-Jawf province, a military official said on Monday. The official told Xinhua news agency that "armed confrontations that began late Sunday are still taking place between the government troops and the Houthi group over the control of key areas in al-Jawf province". The victims comprised 18 Houthis and 10 government personnel. The official indicated that the government forces were determined to expel the Houthis from strategic areas in al-jawf, but fighting has expanded further in the province. "The Houthis staged a stiff resistance and succeeded in impeding the progress of the government forces in al-Jawf till the moment," he added. Another Yemeni military official confirmed that the Iran-backed Houthis made progress on-ground and captured areas in the neighbouring oil-rich province of Marib. Warplanes of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened and carried out a series of airstrikes against the Houthi-led areas in both al-Jawf and Maribs. The Houthis control much of al-Jawf and government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition are attempting to expel the rebels out of the province. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi group seized control of much of the country's north and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. IT Hiring vacancy Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras conducted the day one of its fully-online campus internship drive with 20 companies making 152 offers. The last years figure was 147 offers made on the first day. The total number of internships offers made during the last academic year (2019-2020) was 554. Students get paid a stipend during their internship. This year also saw two international profiles for internships, Rubriks Software Development, based in the United States and Jane Streets Quantitative Researcher, Hong Kong. NV Ravi Kumar, professor and advisor (internship), IIT Madras, said the institute had requested companies to be flexible considering that several students were in remote and far-flung locations where internet connectivity may not be as good as in urban locations. Microsoft India gave out the maximum number of offers of 21 offers during day one. Other top recruiters that offered internships include Google, Jane Street and Rubrik. Most of the companies utilised their organisations indigenous/outsourced platforms for conducting the interviews. Kunal Gupta, Sourabh Thakur, and Omkar Thombre, the students heads of the internship team, IIT Madras, said that though this internship process took months of planning, the institute was able to add new companies as well. The Internship Student Team coordinated the entire process in collaboration with the Placement Team of IIT Madras. This team coordinated with the students through various social media platforms and set up clear communications on how the internship process will be held this year. Internships are mandatory for B.Tech. and M.Tech. courses besides Dual Degree students as part of their academic curriculum. 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. Schoolchildren are being challenged to develop an invention that would help farmers care for the environment and reduce their climate impact. This year NFU Farmvention, which was first launched two years ago, is focusing on climate change and schoolchildren are being urged to participate. The annual competition, open this year to primary and secondary pupils, aims to bring the world of food and farming into the classroom. Entrants are being challenged to develop an invention, innovation or idea that would help British farmers boost the environment. To help with this, the NFU has created new interactive 3D farm tours. Children will be able to meet Blackbrook Longhorn cattle, get inside a combine harvester and visit a dairy farm which uses state-of-the-art robotics. The tours will be available alongside four inspiration hubs, based around the themes of technology, soil and plant health, renewable energy and sustainable food, which provide STEM-related activities. NFU President Minette Batters said this year's Farmvention competition was solely focused on 'one of the most relevant, important and challenging issues of the times'. It is crucial we bring farming into the debate to build childrens understanding of sustainable food production, what farmers are already doing to reduce their climate impact and what more can be done. Over the previous two competitions we have been astounded by the ingenuity of the inventions. The enthusiasm from both teachers and pupils for a practical project that brings key curriculum topics to life has been clear from the start." Winners will have the opportunity to present their ideas at the Houses of Parliament later in the year and will receive 1,000 for their school to spend on STEM or outdoor learning equipment. Entries close on Monday 31 May 2021. By Craig Murray September 07, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - " Today, the corporate media that cried Media freedom when Extinction Rebellion blocked the billionaire owned propaganda presses, is silent as Julian Assanges Calvary for bringing real truth unfiltered to the public moves on to its next station; the macabre Gothic architecture of the Old Bailey. The Tories appeared remarkably tolerant in the days when Extinction Rebellion were causing general disruption to the public. But to threaten the interests of billionaire paymasters is something against which the entire political class will unite. At a time when the government is mooting designating Extinction Rebellion as Serious Organised Crime, right wing bequiffed muppet Keir Starmer was piously condemning the group, stating: The free press is the cornerstone of democracy and we must do all we can to protect it. It is surely time we stopped talking about free press, as if it was Thomas Paine or William Cobbett distributing pamphlets. Print media is now the subject of phenomenonal ownership concentration. It broadcasts the propaganda of some very nasty billionaires to a shrinking audience of mostly old people. The same ownerships have of course moved in to TV and Radio and increasingly into new media, and have a political stranglehold over those who control state media. At the same time, the corporate gatekeepers of Facebook and Twitter purposefully strangle the flow of readers to independent online media. The idea of a free press as an open marketplace of democratic ideas has no real meaning in modern society, until anti-monopoly action is taken. Which is the last thing those in power will do. Quite the opposite, they are actively seeking to eliminate dissent even from the internet. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter I do not want permanently to close down the Sun or the Telegraph; neither do Extinction Rebellion. But their excellent action is an important opening to the debate about controlled public narrative, not least on climate change. The highly paid stenographers to power have been quick to protest. Murdoch mouthpiece David Aaronovitch tweeted out that in fact 99% of the time there was no editorial interference from Murdoch. But that is the point. Murdoch employs reliable right wingers like Aaronovitch; he does not need to tell them what to write. Show me the Murdoch journalist who has more than once published about the human rights abuses against the Palestinians. Murdoch ejected his own son from his media empire because James was insufficiently enthusiastic about the slow genocide of the Palestinians, and does not believe that the market will magically fix climate change. The corporate media selects its mouthpieces. Scotland has become an extreme example, where 55% of the population support Independence, but only about 5% of state and corporate media journalists support Independence. Julian Assange has been a light in this darkness. Wikileaks have opened a window into the secret world of war crime, murder and corruption that underlies so much of the governance we live under throughout the free world. Coming in the wake of the public realisation that we had been blatantly lied into the destruction of Iraq, there was a time when it seemed Assange would lead us into a new age where whistleblowers, citizen journalists and a democratic internet would revolutionise public information, with the billionaire stranglehold shattered. That seems less hopeful today, as the internet world itself corporatised. Julian is in jail and continuing today is an extradition hearing that has been one long abuse of process. The appalling conditions of solitary confinement in which he has been kept in the high security Belmarsh Prison, with no access to his legal team or a working computer, to his papers or to his mail, have taken a huge toll on his physical and mental health. The UN Special Representative has declared he is subject to torture. A media which is up in arms about the very dubious attack on Navalny, has no emotion for state torture victim Assange other than contempt. It is constantly asked by Julians supporters why the media do not see the assault on a publisher and journalist as a threat to themselves. The answer is that the state and corporate media are confident in their firm alliance with the powers that be. They have no intention of challenging the status quo; their protection from those kicking Assange lies in joining in with the kicking. I hope to be in court today, and throughout the extradition hearing. The public gallery of 80 has been reduced to 9 due to Covid. 5 seats are reserved for Julians family and friends, and I have one of these today, but not guaranteed beyond that. There are just 4 seats for the general public. Journalists and NGOs will be following the hearing online but only approved journalists and NGOs, selected by the Orwelian Ministry of Justice. I had dinner last night with Assange supporters from a number of registered NGOs, not one of which had been approved. I had applied myself as a representative of Hope Over Fear, and was turned down. It is the same story for those who applied for online access as journalists. Only the officially approved will be allowed to watch. This is supposed to be a public hearing, to which in normal times anybody should be able to walk in off the street into the large public gallery, and anyone with a press card into the press gallery. What is the justification for the political selection of those permitted to watch? An extraordinary online system has been set up, with the state favoured observers given online rooms in which only the identified individual will be allowed. Even with approved organisations, it is not the case that an organisation will have a login anyone can use, not even one at a time. Only specifically nominated individuals have to login before proceedings start, and if their connection breaks at any point they will not be readmitted that day. Given these restrictions, I was very conscious I may need to queue from 5am tomorrow, to get one of the 4 public places, if I drop off the family list. So I went this morning at 6am to the Old Bailey to check out the queue and work out the system. The first six people in the queue were all people who, entirely off their own bat, without my knowledge and with no coordination between them, had arrived while London slept just to reserve a place for me. I was swept up by their goodness, their trust in me and by their sheer humanitarian concern about Julian and the whole miscarriage of justice. I chatted cheerily with them for a while, then came back to write this, but just got round the corner when I burst into floods of tears, overwhelmed by all this kindness. I have to pull myself together now and get into that court. Craig John Murray is a British former diplomat turned political activist, human rights campaigner, blogger and whistleblower. Between 2002 and 2004, he was the British ambassador to Uzbekistan during which time he exposed the violations of human rights in Uzbekistan by the Karimov administration. - " Source " - Craig's coverage of Julians case is entirely dependent on your financial support. Unlike our adversaries including the Integrity Initiative, the 77th Brigade, Bellingcat, the Atlantic Council and hundreds of other warmongering propaganda operations, this blog has no source of state, corporate or institutional finance whatsoever. It runs entirely on voluntary subscriptions from its readers many of whom do not necessarily agree with the every article, but welcome the alternative voice, insider information and debate. Subscriptions to keep his blog going are gratefully received. An exam amid pandemic: This story follows the life of a JEE aspirant as he prepares to appear for the most important exam of his life. Students across the nation were unhappy with the governments decision to go ahead with entrance tests during the crisis and their anger only grew after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of holding the exams in under four minutes of the hearing. 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More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor NEW homes must be built in rural South Oxfordshire to meet housing demand, says a planning inspector. Jonathan Bore has given the district council his initial assessment of its local plan, which outlines future development in the area. He oversaw a three-week public examination of the document, which is due to be formally adopted by the end of the year. Mr Bore says the plan should extend to the year 2035, instead of 2034, with a total housing requirement of 23,550 homes. In a letter to the council, he says: The plan seeks to meet overall housing need in the right places through a logical and evidence-based spatial strategy that promotes sustainable development. Exceptional circumstances exist for the release from the green belt of all the relevant site allocations. They do represent encroachment into the countryside, but the allocations are of such a size that defensible boundaries and structural landscaping and good quality open space are capable of being designed into the schemes masterplans, such that the impact on the green belt can, to a degree, be mitigated. There are no reasonable alternatives to the approach taken in the plan to the alteration of the green belt. Alternatives would locate development in the wrong places, resulting in longer journeys, higher costs, additional pollution and additional pressure on existing settlements and their facilities. Mr Bore says that developments in market towns such as Henley would not be a reasonable alternative to strategic locations because they are too far away from major employment centres. It is also important to protect the towns character and historic centres and to ensure their community facilities do not come under excessive pressure. However, Mr Bore says the market towns still have an important role to play in meeting the districts overall housing needs. The inspector says that a bypass, or edge road, for Watlington, which would run through five development sites in the town and neighbouring Pyrton, was justified. He says: Watlingtons narrow streets are under extreme pressure from vehicles passing through, severely detracting from its historic character, harming living conditions and creating a hostile pedestrian environment. The edge road, funded in part by development and part from the Chalgrove [airfield] allocation, would help relieve this situation. I do not consider that the route would impinge to any harmful extent on the character of Pyrton or its attractive rural surroundings. Mr Bore says that the plan should preserve and enhance biodiversity, clarify housing density targets and mitigate against climate change. These recommendations will have to go to public consultation over the autumn before he will make his final judgement. Councillor Anne-Marie Simpson, cabinet member for planning, said: We will encourage our residents to provide feedback on the main modifications. So many people have been involved in the process so far and its important that they continue to make their voices heard in such an important process for our communities. The plan was drawn up by the councils previous Conservative adminstration but caused controversy by proposing development of green belt land. When a coalition of the Greens and Liberal Democrats won control of the council in an election, they wanted to withdraw or rewrite the document. But Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick stopped this, saying it could put at risk millions of pounds of government money for infrastruture improvements, and insisted that an agreed plan must be adopted by the end of this year. The global pandemic has changed the way commercial office spaces are used in Brisbane, with urban designers having to consider redesigning parts of the CBD. Griffith University urban and environmental planning expert Dr Tony Matthews said urban planners and designers spent decades trying to reduce the concentration of workplaces in the CBD but it never worked. A Brisbane urban planning expert says there has been a shift in focus from CBD office spaces to suburban workplaces. "The amount of office spaces in the CBD creates more pressures around congestion and traffic in the city, so to maintain broader sustainability there needs to be suburban work opportunities," he said. "Planners have traditionally tried to stimulate suburban opportunity to provide space through different phases for years. Jacque Montague Raymer, developer and creator of the MakuluLinux family of distributions, on August 24 released a new distro that is inspired by a project he shelved several years ago. MakuluLinux Shift is a well-designed Linux distro that blends several mainstream design concepts with performance features not found elsewhere. One of Shifts unique traits is its ability to modify key design elements effortlessly. Hence, its name. A few other Linux distros have mechanisms to alter the look and feel of the desktop, and even swap out desktop components without logging out and back into a computing session, but they work less ideally. Shift also minimizes the focus on choosing one complete desktop over another. Raymer built in many of the functions of the most popular desktops, so shifting customizations and themes along with in-house configuration tools give users a unique and familiar desktop environment. Separate configuration tools and better-designed menus give MakuluLinux Shift a new approach. click image to enlarge MakuluLinux Shift could very well be an ideal Linux computing platform with what comes close to being desktop agnostic. That says a lot for a Linux distribution. As Raymer described in exchanges with testers early on, Shift is essentially a modified GNOME build with a more traditional bottom panel, with bright colors and custom graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that drive some portions of the OS. It is less of any one desktop and more of a lot of popular desktop designs. You will sense a mixture of elements from GNOME, Cinnamon, Xfce, and splashes of several others. So unless you are a desktop purist not open to any adulteration, you will find plenty of styles, features, and configuration tweaks to make it your own new comfort zone. The MakuluLinux Shift desktop is a hybrid design that blends elements from several popular environments. click image to enlarge A Family of Restarts Shift comes in several varieties that all include hybrid code bases. One is adapted from Ubuntu 20.04 repositories. Another is built on MakuluLinuxs Debian base. Both are partial rolling releases that update without requiring reinstallations. MakuluLinux debuted in 2013 with a different approach to implementing Linux OS features. The last few years have brought considerable change and new development to this Linux family. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Now based in Vietnam, the developer first debuted the infant distro from his previous location in Africa. Hence the distros name reflects the African continent. Makulu is the word for big chief in the Zulu language. Spend a little time with the MakuluLinux 2020 family releases to discover how very appropriate the name is in branding this distro. Earlier versions of MakuluLinux offered a choice of Xfce, KDE, and Enlightenment 17 desktops. Rebuilt from the ground up in 2015, Raymer re-engineered his distros into three different editions. Earlier this year, the developer did another round of rip, replace, and rebuild. LinDoz features an in-house modification of the Cinnamon desktop. Flash runs an in-house modified version of the Xfce environment. Core, which introduced some radical changes, uses a highly customized desktop forked from Xfce and Cinnamon, with elements of GNOME. Raymer then decided to add Shift. This fourth member of the MakuluLinux family is all of these and then some. Shift was a much earlier project that stalled. The pandemic made it the right time to release it again. A Pandemic Project of Sorts COVID-19 forced Raymer into around-the-clock development at home. Along with his ongoing distro renewal projects, he turned his attention to a long-dormant distro he had shelved. I had really high hopes for Shift. Its been on the back burner too long. It is something I very much looked forward to finishing, he said. As a software developer, he constantly starts new projects and revives old ones. He has a few that he keeps on the back burner for various reasons that include design or code problems, timing, etc. Raymer originally set aside the original Shift distro when GNOME was going through some major development changes with release updates that would break half the extensions and shell themes along with random other items. So he switched to Cinnamon as a framework. But that lacked the intended effect. With GNOME all fixed, the timing seemed right to resurrect Shift. Unwrapping Shift Linux Shift is loaded with innovations and mashups that make this new distro in a class of its own. It has a variety of choices in the right-click menu on the desktop, including sharing options. You can also access options to search files and view folder content from the right-click menu. A D V E R T I S E M E N T You will also see some tweaks to the main menu. Plus, you can access display settings straight from the desktop by right-clicking. You can also access Themes from the same right-click menu. The combination of GNOME workspace panels and Cinnamons workspace switcher on the panel brings better user experience to MakuluLinux Shift. click image to enlarge The new dock bar layout comes with a few surprises. You can switch between a bottom panel and a dock easily with a click of a button and switch back again. It changes instantly and works well. Check out CoreCtrl in the main menu to view and manage CPU/GPU on your system. Currently, it fully supports AMD/ATI and also some support for Intel. Support for Nvidia is coming soon. Buttons on the bottom panel or dock, depending on your configuration, gives you instant access to design tools so you can Shift how the OS looks and functions. click image to enlarge Shift is very flexible. It comes in two lite builds for Ubuntu 20.04 and Debian Testing Branch. Both come with minimal applications pre-installed. A full version based on Ubuntu 20.04 has much more popular software preinstalled. The full version also fully supports Wine out of the box, as well as all the other regular software packages preinstalled in the other current MakuluLinux editions. All of the releases have updated GNOME packages as well as custom MakuluLinux extensions and scripts. A touch build is also available. This release is geared more toward tablet PCs and touch screen computers. You can also run it without trouble on non-touch screens, laptops and desktops. Bottom Line MakuluLinux Shift is an interesting Linux distro that takes some of the best features of popular desktop environments and rolls them together into one computing platform. It doesnt pit productivity against simplicity. It offers choices of minimal software or full application. Shift Linux is easy to use. Yet it has enough bells and whistles to satisfy power users. The one area that left me wanting more was the background images. They all are colorful and abstract. Rather than make users add their own image arrays, I would like to see the developer add some of the scenic collections used in the other MakuluLinux distros. The classy image display tool for picking background images seems wasted with such a minimal selection. If you want to get a closeup sampling of Shift Linux in action, view this Youtube presentation Raymer made. Want to Suggest a Review? Is there a Linux software application or distro youd like to suggest for review? Something you love or would like to get to know? Pleaseemail your ideas to me, and Ill consider them for a future Linux Picks and Pans column. And use the Reader Comments feature below to provide your input! The supermarket chain Publix, headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, made a major milestone in its hunger relief program during the pandemic. The company has made good on its pledge to support the states struggling farmers by purchasing over 11 million pounds (approx. 4,989,516 kg) of surplus fruits and vegetables and over 500,000 gallons (approx. 1,892,706 liters) of milk since April. In addition, the chain donated $3 million to 32 Feeding America food banks and 215 other relief organizations throughout Florida and the southeast on Sept. 1, bringing its total 2020 donation to $5 million. Millions of Americans arent sure where they will get their next meal, and as a food retailer, we can make a difference, Publix CEO Todd Jones announced in a company press release. (Illustration Ken Wolter/Shutterstock) Its been our privilege at Publix to help people in need for many years, he continued, most recently with our new program supporting farmers, food banks, and families hit particularly hard by the pandemic. The milk and fresh produce purchased from Florida farmers was part of the chains two-pronged relief effort, helping alleviate the financial burden on farmers unable to sell their produce during the shutdown while also helping feed a growing segment of vulnerable people, as decreased employment rates have impacted families finances nationwide. Farmers have been forced to discard surplus produce and raw milk unsalable due to decreased demand since March. School, restaurant, and hotel closures have devastatingly impacted food and agriculture industries. Central Texas Food Bank volunteers distribute emergency food supplies at a high school parking lot in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2020 (Vic Hinterlang/Shutterstock) Meanwhile, food banks reported 300 to 400 percent increases in patrons in need seeking assistance. Publix explained their relief effort as a way to bridge the gap. And its a timely initiative, as September is also Feeding Americas Hunger Action Month. The Publix supermarket chain has long been involved in hunger relief. The company has had a perishable-food-recovery program in place since 2011, and has donated more than 525 million pounds (over 238 million kg) of wholesome but unsalable dairy, deli, meat, and produce items from its stores to food banks and nonprofits to date. Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, told WSVN that the most vulnerable members of their communities, including many children and seniors, need us now more than ever. Valued partners like Publix and Publix Charities allow us to respond more efficiently and effectively when our clients need us the most, she added. The Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Tennessee (Screenshot/Google Maps) While Publix started out supporting Floridas farmers in their 2020 hunger relief initiative, they have since extended their effort by buying produce from neighboring states Georgia and the Carolinas. On Sept. 2, Tennessees Chattanooga Area Food Bank announced that the effort had reached them. The food bank received a $60,000 donation from Publix Super Markets Charities to support their School Mobile Pantry Program. Food Bank Interim President & CEO Mark Hilling called the gesture an inspiring example of how action can help fight hunger. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc The Google Pixel 5 launch date has seemingly been revealed by a carrier document. Granted, this is not the first time were seeing such information, but there you have it. This time around, the phones launch date in Europe has been revealed, it seems. This information comes from a German blog. The carrier in question is Vodafone Germany. The Google Pixel 5 launch date could be September 25 As you can see in the provided image below, the document claims that the Google Pixel 5 will be launched on September 25. This kind of contradicts earlier information which suggested that the phone is coming on September 30. Advertisement Now, some earlier information from the Google France blog (taken down since), suggested that pre-order will begin on October 8. That very same listing suggested that the phone will go on sale on October 16. It is possible that Google moved the announcement date since then, that would explain September 25. If the Google Pixel 5 does launch on that day, it will probably hit the shelves before October 16. Advertisement Do note that only the black variant of the Google Pixel 5 is mentioned here. Google is expected to release more than one color option for the Pixel 5, though. The Google Pixel 4a arrived in a single color only, so the Pixel 5 probably wont. Having options is always a good thing, and the company did offer more color variants in the past. The green color variant for the Google Pixel 5 has been mentioned before. The Pixel 4a 5G, on the other hand, is expected to ship in white and black color variants. Advertisement The Google Pixel 4a 5G will probably launch at the same time The Google Pixel 4a 5G will probably launch at the same time as the Pixel 5. It will be a larger variant of the Pixel 4a, with somewhat different internals. It will also be more expensive than the Pixel 4a. That device is said to cost $499 in the US, while the Pixel 5 will be available for $649. Both phones will be a bit more expensive in Europe, though, so keep that in mind. The Google Pixel 5 will be fueled by the Snapdragon 765G 64-bit octa-core SoC. The phone will likely feature a 6.01-inch fullHD+ display, with a 90Hz refresh rate. It will be a flat OLED display. Advertisement A 4,000mAh battery has also been mentioned, while Android 11 will come pre-installed on the phone. The device is expected to include an ultra-wide camera, finally, and it will sport a rear-facing fingerprint scanner. Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane during his visit to review the security situation in Ladakh, Friday, Sept 4, 2020. A PTI Photo. NEW DELHI (PTI): The situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh is "tense" and Indian troops are prepared for all possible contingencies, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane has said amid heightened tensions in the region after China's fresh attempts to occupy Indian territory. Wrapping up his two-day visit to Ladakh last Friday, Gen Naravane said the Indian Army has undertaken precautionary deployment in some areas and that the force is well prepared to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country. "The nation can count on us," he said. The Army Chief carried out a comprehensive review of India's security preparedness in the region and visited a number of sensitive forward posts to have a first-hand assessment of the situation. "The situation along the LAC is tense. We have undertaken precautionary deployment in some areas. The troops are prepared for all contingencies that may arise. All these actions have been carried out only along the LAC," he said. In his interactions with soldiers and senior commanders at multiple locations, the Army Chief asked them to remain vigilant and maintain a "high order of operational readiness". "It was very satisfying to see our soldiers and local commanders in high morale and good health. It gives me confidence that they are well prepared to safeguard the territorial integrity of our nation. The Indian Army is known for its commitment and resolve," he said. "We will continue to utilise all existing mechanisms to reduce tension and to ensure that the status quo is not unilaterally changed," he said. Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a bitter standoff in multiple places in Eastern Ladakh. Tensions flared up in the region after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in the southern bank of Pangong lake five days back when the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the festering border row. India occupied a number of strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong lake and strengthened its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese actions. China has strongly objected to India's move. However, India has maintained that the heights are on its side of the LAC. India has also rushed in additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region following the Chinese attempts. "Over the past three months, both sides are engaged in resolving the situation. Military and diplomatic channels are functioning. Indian side is firmly committed to resolve the current situation along the LAC through engagement," the Army quoted Gen Naravane as saying at the end of the visit. In a statement, the Army said Gen Naravane interacted with soldiers and local commanders deployed in difficult high-altitude forward areas. It said he appreciated their high morale and standards of professionalism exhibited by the units in safeguarding the country's territorial integrity. The Army Chief was briefed about the overall security scenario by Lt Gen YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command and Lt General Harinder Singh, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps. Gen Naravane was briefed on the state of operational preparedness and on the logistics arrangements for sustenance of forces in winters, the Army said adding, he expressed satisfaction on the efforts being made to ensure operational effectiveness and capability enhancement of the forces. The Rolling Stones has just released a new music video for their third and final previously-unavailable song from the newly released 'Goats Head Soup' reissue. Titled 'All the Rage', the song was recorded in late 1972 during the sessions in Kingston, Jamaica. The song had previously shown up on bootlegs as 'You Should Have Seen Her Ass'. Frontman Mick Jagger explained to UDiscoverMusic that he decided to pen down some new lyrics to get the song ready for its first official airing. "That's like a very Rolling Stones rock track," he said. "That wasn't finished, it didn't have a finished vocal or many lyrics, [so] I had to finish that one. But the guitar parts, I think, were all done. Might have added percussion, but that's what you would have done anyway [added] a bit more maracas and stuff afterwards." Guitarist Keith Richards added that certain songs "seem to be either closely related, or cousins of one another" when someone pointed out the similarities of the song to 'Brown Sugar'. "I'd forgotten about it until I heard it again, but yeah, it does come off to me, now you mention it, [as being] in the 'Brown Sugar' mold. Listen to 'All the Rage' below. Justice Arun Mishra has demitted office, and it is worth evaluating the implications of his tenure on the independence of the judiciary I view with apprehension the attitude of judges, remarked Lord Atkin in his storied dissent in Liversidge (1941), who show themselves more executive-minded than the executive. Justice Arun Mishra has demitted office, and it is worth evaluating the implications of his tenure on the independence of the judiciary. As his critics have argued, his tenure may have contributed even more to the already alleged transformation of the Indian Supreme Court into an executive court or, as Lord Atkin warned against, a court more executive-minded than the executive itself. Growing deference to the executive Constitutional democracies are predicated upon a natural and healthy tension between the executive and the judiciary, with the latter serving as a counter-majoritarian check upon the former. However, the first clear indication in recent years of this basic principle having come under strain was the public adulation by Justice Arun Mishra (appointed as Supreme Court judge on July 7, 2014, after the UPA government had twice blocked his well-deserved elevation) for the Prime Minister, calling him an internationally acclaimed visionary, and a versatile genius who thinks globally and acts locally. Justice M.R. Shah who sat on many benches with Justice Mishra too in 2018, immediately after taking over as Chief Justice of Bihar, had called Prime Minister a model and hero. True, an overwhelming majority of Indians similarly admire Prime Minister but should a judge say so publicly is the moot question. To be fair, Justice Mishras praises were not unprecedented by any means. It was, in fact, a grim reminder to an earlier time where the Supreme Court bent way over backwards for the executive. When Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980, Justice P.N. Bhagwati wrote to her, that I am sure that with your iron will and firm determination, uncanny insight and dynamic vision, great administrative capacity and vast experience, overwhelming love and affection of the people and, above all, a heart which is identified with the misery of the poor and the weak, you will be able to steer the ship of the nation safely to its cherished goal. Interestingly, the same Justice Bhagwati in State of Rajasthan (1977) had favoured mass dissolution of nine elected Congress governments by the Janata government by observing that never in the history of this country has such a clear and unequivocal verdict been given by the people, never a more massive vote of no- confidence in the ruling party. It appears that the clock seems to have started to run backwards for the Supreme Court, unlearning the lessons on the need for an independent judiciary acting as a check over the untrammelled powers of the executive. Justice Ranjan Gogois nomination to Rajya Sabha and his justification of acting as bridge between Parliament and judiciary rather than a watchdog over the legislature and government gave further credence to the allegation of an executive court. That the judiciary is independent from the executive is equally a matter of perception as it is of fact i.e. it must not only be independent, but in order to inspire confidence, it must also appear to be so. The government is the biggest litigant ie in 80 per cent cases before the courts, and the implications of such praises of the chief executive upon an ordinary citizens perception of the top court are axiomatic. A strained relationship with the Bar Justice Mishra also leaves behind a legacy of a liberal and frequent use of contempt threats against the Bar. In fact, long before the contempt case against Prashant Bhushan was instituted, the judge threatened contempt action against senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan while the latter was arguing for Justice Mishras recusal in the Indore Development Authority Case (2019). Justice Mishra not only threatened contempt in the midst of the oral arguments, but also promised to see through the conviction. On senior lawyers objection, he offered dandavat pranam ie prostration in abject apology. The Indore Development Authority Case (2019) also reignited the debate on recusal by judges when Justice Mishra steadfastly denied multiple pleas seeking his recusal on the ground of him leading a bench which was to re-examine his own earlier opinion passed as part of a smaller bench this raised a significant perception of bias. Lord Esher in Allison (1894) observed that the question is not that the judge, in, fact, was biased. It is the perception of bias that has to be the guiding factor. The Indian Supreme Court, too, in Ranjit Thakur (1987) held that judge should look at the partys perception. The ghost of the judges press conference The year 2018 marked a watershed moment for the Indian Supreme Court when four of its senior-most judges took to the media and alleged through an open press conference, that sensitive cases were being allotted to a select few judges. The then future CJI Ranjan Gogoi, during the press conference, indicated that the assignment of Judge Loyas case to Justice Arun Mishra was one of the reasons that forced the judges to go public. Justice Mishra in Bhushans sentence order said that it must be the first and the last occasion that judges had gone to press (Para 44). Justice Mishra was part of 540 benches and delivered as many as 132 judgments, which means he really worked very hard. Several matters with significant stakes for the central government came to be heard by benches which were led by Justice Mishra these include, the Rajasthan disqualified MLAs case; the dispute over the control of Delhi government over services; the Karnataka disqualified MLAs case; the CBI director Case; the AGR dues case; Sahara papers; a total of eight cases pertaining to the Adani group. The last being Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd (2020) delivered last Monday benefitting the Adani Group with Rs 5,000 crore. He delivered a controversial judgment in Haren Pandya (2019) convicting the accused who were acquitted by the Gujarat high court. Justice Mishra has also held in Davinder Singh (2020) that sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes is permissible. His judgment in Chebrolu Leela Prasad Rao (2020) quashing 100 per cent ST reservation of primary teachers in ST areas was also seen as diluting the reservation scheme. The final order was eviction of 48,000 slum clusters. In many cases, Justice Mishra overlooked the earlier precedents. But Justice Mishras judgment in Vineeta Sharma (2020) upholding coparcenary rights of Hindu daughters is widely appreciated. Justice Mishras tenure at the Supreme Court would be located in the context of the courts overtly deferential approach towards the executive, a strained relationship with the Bar, and a continuing lack of clarity in allocation of sensitive cases, all of which seem to have contributed to the tumultuous legacy that he leaves behind. Violent winds caused damage across Victoria overnight as Melburnians slept through the warmest night in the city since March. Heavy winds continued to gust through Melbourne and some regional areas on Tuesday morning as firefighters worked to bring a bushfire under control near Ballarat. The fire did not threaten homes. Early morning Williamstown after wild winds from the north brought very warm temperatures to Melbourne overnight. Credit:Jason South The strongest northerlies, which sparked hundreds of calls to the SES, arrived just before midnight on Monday until about 1am. A 100km/h gust was recorded at Melbourne Airport, 93km/h was recorded at Essendon and a 90km/h wind was recorded at Port Philip Bay. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:14:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Frostbite, heavy rains, and dry spell are some of the hostile weather conditions that farmers in Kenya have experienced in recent months. The adverse weather effects that are alternating in quick succession have become a thorn in the flesh of farmers, hurting the production of crops meant for both the local and export markets. Multiple interviews with farmers paint a picture of a lot gripped in a dilemma, some on the brink of giving up as the weather changes caused by climate change persist. Years ago, the weather was easy to predict and so were planting, disease control, and harvesting. One was thus assured that they would plant and harvest their crops without interference from the weather. But that period is gone - for good - if the adverse weather changes in the East African nation are anything to go by. "I am about to start harvesting my maize but the weather may not allow me to do the job with peace because it is raining at a time when it should be dry," Geoffrey Ambuche, said a farmer in Kitale, Kenya's breadbasket. Over the years, Kenya has been having two rain patterns, between March and May and October to December, according to the meteorological department. This allowed farmers to plant, wait for their crops to grow, harvest, and dry. "It is raining currently when the crop is ready for harvest, which means the produce risks rotting or aflatoxin attack. These weather changes are presenting very hard challenges," said Ambuche. Kenya produces an average of 40 million 90 kg bags of maize annually, according to the Ministry of Agriculture but with the adverse weather changes, the harvest is not assured. Other farmers badly affected by the erratic weather are those growing tomatoes, onions, capsicum, and potatoes. "For the last three years, I have been battling to save my tomatoes from blight but this year has been the worst because the cold spell has been long," said George Karithi, a farmer in Kitengela on the south of Nairobi. Karithi noted that instead of producing five tons from his half-acre, the erratic weather pushes it to two or three. Kenya's export crops like tea, coffee, and French beans have equally been hit harder, with the adverse weather effects slowing down production. For the Kenyan tea, production declined in July by 9.82 million kilos, according to the Tea Directorate, after cold weather engulfed growing areas in Central and the Rift Valley regions. This has been the trend for the past years. "There has been a significant drop in output of tea in most growing areas due to continued cold weather conditions coupled with declining amounts of rainfall," said the directorate in its latest report of the sector. In tea growing areas of the Rift Valley, temperatures between May and July fell to an average of 12 degrees Celsius, according to the agency, which not only affected tea growth but also picking. The directorate painted a gloomy production picture in the coming months. "The remaining period of the year is expected to register much lower production on account of cold weather conditions followed by dry weather period," it said. Beatrice Macharia of Growth Point, an agro consultancy, noted that the erratic weather is currently the biggest challenge to the attainment of food security in Kenya. "Farmers have to dig deeper into their pockets to fight attendant diseases and pests and losses arising from things like floods; some manage, others lose. Planning the cropping season has also become difficult," she said. Enditem New Delhi/Mumbai, Sep 7 : In a major action, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Deepak Kochhar, husband of former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, in connection with the ICICI Bank loan case. A top ED official told IANS, "Deepak Kochhar has been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after day-long questioning." He was arrested by the Mumbai branch of the financial probe agency. The action comes almost a year after the ED filed a money laundering case last year on the basis of a complaint registered by the CBI against Videocon Director Venugopal Dhoot, his companies (Videocon International Electronics Ltd and Videocon Industries Ltd), as well as former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak. Earlier this year, the ED provisionally attached Rs 78.15 crore worth movable and immovable assets in possession of ICICI Bank's former Managing Director and CEO, her husband and the companies owned/controlled by him. During investigation it was revealed that loans were refinanced and new loans aggregating to Rs 1,730 crore sanctioned to Videocon Industries Ltd (VIL) and its group companies and these loans became non-performing assets (NPA) for ICICI Bank on June 30, 2017. Investigation further revealed that an amount of Rs 64 crore, out of the loan of Rs 300 crore sanctioned by a committee headed by Chanda Kochhar to Videocon International Electronics Ltd, was transferred to Nupower Renewables Pvt Ltd (NRPL, earlier known as NuPower Renewables Ltd, a company of Deepak Kochhar) by VIL on September 8, 2009, just one day after disbursement of loan by the ICICI Bank. Further, net revenue of Rs 10.65 crore were generated by NRL from these tainted funds. Therefore, proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 74.65 crore were transferred to/generated in NRPL. Investigation also revealed that Chanda Kochhar and her family acquired an apartment in Mumbai owned by one of the Videocon group companies, by way of acquiring that company through her family trust at a nominal price by creating book entries. Accordingly, assets amounting to Rs 74.54 crore held in the name of Nupower Renewables Pvt Ltd, its subsidiaries, the flat located at Mumbai (book value of Rs 3.5 crore), and amount of Rs 10.5 lakh already seized by ED from company of Deepak Kochhar, totalling to Rs 78.15 crore being proceeds of crime have been provisionally attached by ED under PMLA. A historic Tudor Revival home with modern upgrades and several Woodlands mega-mansions are among the Houston area's most expensive estates sold in August, according to data provided by the Houston Association of Realtors. The historic estate located at 1644 North Boulevard is a must-see. The stunning 1920s home has undergone several renovations, including one upgrade in the 70s, that has turned it into a truly unique home with a blend of architectural styles that complement its historic architecture. PRIME PROPERTY: Get your updates on Houston real estate deals and developments Several Woodlands mansions also made the cut, including a massive award-winning home located on the prestigious street of Grand Regency Circle. Keep scrolling for a virtual tour of Houston's most expensive properties sold in August... Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect these homes were sold in August, not July. Asked today by the presiding judge whether he consents to be extradicted to the U.S. on espionage charges, Julian Assange said "No." The district judge Vanessa Baraitser commented: "That was the response I was anticipating." There were no opening statements by either parties. The indictment says Assange and WikiLeaks "repeatedly sought, obtained, and disseminated information that the United States classified due to the serious risk that unauthorised disclosure could harm the national security of the United States". It said: "Assange designed WikiLeaks to focus on information restricted from public disclosure by law, precisely because of the value of that information. [Assange lawyer Edward] Fitzgerald's submission asserted that the prosecution was "being pursued for ulterior political motives and not in good faith The [US] request seeks extradition for what is a classic 'political offence'. Extradition for a political offence is expressly prohibited by article 4(1) of the Anglo-US extradition treaty. Therefore, it constitutes an abuse of this court's process to require this court to extradite on the basis of the Anglo-US treaty in breach of the treaty's express provisions." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- While school looked far from normal during the last school year, Staten Island schools still made sure to celebrate their students achievements. Students continued their hard work winning competitions, while professors at Staten Island colleges worked to help fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19). And as we prepare for back to school, a giveaway is being held to distribute school supplies next week. Linda Herman, the new director at Zion Lutheran Preschool in Westerleigh, wanted to celebrate students before they moved on to kindergarten for the new school year. You can view the photo of graduates above. The Morrison government will roll out a national threatened species strategy by the end of the year that will include a strong focus on controlling feral predators and weeds. The initiative, announced on Monday to coincide with National Threatened Species Day, comes in the wake of the Black Summer bushfires, which burned vast tracts of threatened species habitat and intensified the impacts of feral cats and foxes as well as invasive plants. Feral cats inhabit 99.8 per cent of the continent. Environment Minister Sussan Ley said native animals and plants were facing enormous challenges. "From the cute and cuddly ones we all know, to others such as the smoky mouse, the green carpenter bee and the matchstick banksia, she said. Britain urgently needs to shift its mindset from a terror of the Covid-19 virus to focus on the damage already done to our economy and the worse that is yet to come. The spike in infections reported in the past few days was to be expected as life slowly returns to our streets and workplaces. They are concerning and, yes, we must be prepared for a second wave of Covid-19 while working hard to contain localised outbreaks to prevent it. We must not, however, let this hamper our efforts to return to normality. Much of the increase in infections is among the young, who tend to experience moderate or no symptoms. Crucially, we have not yet seen a jump in hospital admissions or deaths. The spike in infections reported in the past few days was to be expected as life slowly returns to our streets and workplaces. Pictured: A deserted Heathrow Airport last week As summer turns to autumn, cases will continue to rise and clearly, university towns face potential dangers as thousands of new students start the next phase of their education and others resume their studies. But how good it will be to see them back in the libraries and laboratories just as it was magnificent to see our children returning to school last week. Now we need to get more people back on public transport, and into offices, back into coffee shops and sandwich bars and shopping malls. We need to claim back our old lives lives in which we took for granted trips to the cinema, to the theatre and to concert halls. And, of course, we need to get our hospitals back firing on all cylinders, detecting and treating the cancers and cardiac diseases that did not go away just because Covid-19 was dominating the news. Tens of thousands of people have missed out on tests and treatments and we must remedy that as best we can. Much of the increase in infections is among the young, who tend to experience moderate or no symptoms. Crucially, we have not yet seen a jump in hospital admissions or deaths. Pictured: a man wearing a face mask and gloves passes a recently re-opened Pret-A-Manger shop in London This is why I unambiguously support the Daily Mails campaign to get Britains economy rolling and especially to get airports open again. And, as the Mail reports today, at last the Government seems to be listening, with plans to slash existing quarantine rules and begin the introduction of a two-test system. That is only right. We cannot thrive, we cannot live our lives in any decent enriching way, if we remain cut off from the world. Of course, international travel brings increased risk of infection. The Office for National Statistics shows the risk of disease in those who travel is about three times that of those who dont (0.17 per cent vs 0.05 per cent). So we must be vigilant as we think our way through to practical solutions. Airport testing provides a screen to identify infected people on arrival, with a second test five days later for those who initially test negative. Beyond testing at airports, there are grounds for further optimism on population testing and our progress in developing a vaccine both of which are crucial in enabling us to live and prosper with this virus. Britain has one of the largest testing capacities per capita, but we still need significantly more for two distinct purposes. First, it is crucial that we are able to diagnose Covid-19 accurately in potentially sick patients, health workers, those in care homes and other vulnerable populations. For this, the highly sensitive PCR test is the gold standard. The Governments SAGE committee suggests that using this form of testing on 10 per cent of the population at highest risk could reduce the R number the reproduction rate of the virus which needs to be below 1 by a startling 0.4. More broadly, how do we best give people the confidence to go to work, to the cinema, go shopping, travel abroad or attend school and university? We will need tests that are easier to use but less sensitive, and designed to measure whether or not an individual carries a high viral load and is therefore likely to spread the disease to others. Those with high levels of virus will need to isolate. Those with very low levels of virus are less likely to spread the disease and as a result pose little threat. In my work I move between lecture halls, laboratories, and to Whitehall and Westminster. I have never shown any Covid-19 symptoms, but because of the nature of my work, I am tested three times a week. Regular testing needs to become the norm for most of the population and I have no doubt it will. We will need tests that are easier to use but less sensitive, and designed to measure whether or not an individual carries a high viral load and is therefore likely to spread the disease to others. Pictured: Heathrow T2's new cover testing facility Swabbing of the nose and back of the throat is uncomfortable, but these types of Covid-19 tests will soon be a thing of the past. We hope that new consumer tests now being developed, known as Lateral Flow and LAMP tests, can be done at home and give results in minutes as quick and easy to use as pregnancy tests and, once licensed, available from pharmacies or on Amazon for a few pounds. These tests are not entirely fool-proof, but they should be good enough to spot potential super-spreaders. We cannot achieve absolute perfection and safety with any test regime, but regular testing will make managing the infection rate much easier and restore confidence. There is also good news on vaccine development. There are now 10,000 people in the UK who have had one or two double doses of a vaccine under development in Oxford, and a further 8,000 are being vaccinated in Brazil, a country which has one of the highest rates of infection. The outlook is promising, and I believe the trial will be satisfactorily concluded in the next few months. If the results are positive, there will be a supply of the vaccine available to start treating vulnerable groups once regulatory approval occurs. Indeed, it is quite possible we will get the green light for manufacture within six weeks. This would be the ultimate game changer. But it will take time to vaccinate larger populations, whole cities for example, so we need flexible testing in place too. Nor should we forget how much more we now know about Covid-19 and how to treat it. In the early days we over-treated patients, and put too many of them on oxygen and ventilators. A discovery by the Oxford team that the cheap, widely available steroid, dexamethasone, reduces Covid mortality rates by 30 per cent was a huge advance, and will end up saving an estimated 1.3 million lives worldwide. We have to remove or reduce fear of the virus so we can focus on the other essential parts of our recovery from the pandemic. Above all, we must avoid another national lockdown and get the economy back on track and fast. After all, how else will we pay for the NHS, and for the university and hospital laboratories where the scientific fightback against Covid is being waged? Event #85: $500 The Closer has come to a conclusion after close to 8 hours of play. The tournament field drew 4,012 and after a scintillating day of rapid-fire action, the winner at the end was Michael Hneves Gathy who used the final opportunity of the series to claim the fourth bracelet of his career and the grand prize of $272,504. Gathy won his last WSOP Bracelet in 2016 and has amassed 1.8 million in WSOP earnings in his impressive career. Final Table Results Place Winner Country Prize (in USD) 1 Michael "Hneves" Gathy Belgium $272,504 2 Yuan Yuan "SunnySummer" Li China $194,248 3 Shankar Pillai United States $138,467 4 Erik "KoiOfTheHill" Von Buxhoeveden Germany $98,704 5 Luis Gustavo "DJLITTLESOUL" Kamei Brazil $70,359 6 Craig "mrfeeny" Mason United States $50,154 7 Paul "Wizardofodds" Hockin New Zealand $35,751 8 Toni "FinBuddha" Ojala Finland $25,485 9 Vitor "SPEWberg" Adiron Brazil $18,166 The Belgian poker pro was solidly within the top of the chip counts for much of the day but really waited until the final two tables to make his move toward the top. The final table began with very few big blinds between all the players and the eliminations came rapidly as the entire table took only 30 minutes to complete, with most of the hands being preflop all in battles. Yuan Yuan "SunnySummer" Li entered the final table as the chip leader and at one point strengthened her lead but eventually Gathy would cut into that lead with several big pots and after Shankar Pillai was eliminated in third place, Gathy held a 2:1 chip lead going into heads up play. Gathy would not relent in heads up as he did not allow Li to win many pots and quickly whittled Lis stack down to a very short one before eventually securing his fourth bracelet. Firefighters tend to a structure lost during the Kincade fire off Highway 128, east of Healdsburg, Calif., on Oct. 29, 2019. (Philip Pacheco/AFP via Getty Images) California Issues Rolling Blackout Warning as Heatwave Peaks 'Every watt counts': Flex Alert urges Californians to conserve energy as mercury to hit 124 F Californias Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued a Flex Alert Sunday, asking Californians to slash power consumption to prevent rolling blackouts. CAISO said Sunday looks set to be the most challenging of the Labor Day weekend heatwave baking the state. The power grid operator stated that excessive heat throughout the western United States and wildfires threatening power lines were the reason for the Flex Alert, and reminded Californians that every watt counts in the battle to prevent rolling blackouts across much of California. According to the Flex Alert, Based on the current forecast and without significant conservation efforts, rotating power outages are likely throughout the state today between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. With todays excessive heat, increased #electricity demand and #wildfires taking out transmission lines, system energy supplies could be up to 4,000 megawatts short this evening. If Californians conserve 3-9 pm, we can all prevent or limit #poweroutages #FlexAlert California ISO (@California_ISO) September 6, 2020 The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an Excessive Heat Warning that is to remain in place until 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7. The mercury is expected to hit highs of up to 119 F in Los Angeles County on Sunday in what the Service termed Dangerously hot conditions. The NWS also forecast highs of up to 124 F for Death Valley on Sunday. Grid Under Pressure The CAISO said it managed to avoid blackouts on Saturday despite its declaring a Stage 2 power emergency warning as a punishing heatwave returned to the state on Friday. In California, a Stage 2 electricity emergency means that the CAISOa non-profit body responsible for overseeing the operation of Californias electricity market, transmission lines, and bulk electric power systemhas taken all available mitigation actions and is no longer able to provide its expected energy requirements. .@California_ISO has lifted the Stage 2 Emergency and the grid is stable. An Alert has been issued for tomorrow and there is potential for rotating outages between 4-9pm. Please continue to conserve energy. pic.twitter.com/qr6dlY2ws9 SCE (@SCE) September 6, 2020 Californias Governor Gavin Newsom signed an Emergency Proclamation Thursday to free up additional energy capacity, and declared a state of emergency across California. According to a statement from the Governor, The proclamation permits power plants to generate more power by suspending certain permitting requirements, helping to alleviate the heat-induced demands on the states energy grid. In addition, the proclamation contains provisions for the use of generators and auxiliary ship engines to provide extra power. Wildfires have caused system failures, while near record energy demand is predicted as a multi-state heat wave hits the West Coast for the second time in a matter of weeks, Newsom said in a statement on Saturday. Californians are rising to the occasion to meet these unprecedented challenges for our energy grid, and I want to thank all of the businesses and individuals who are conserving energy. Californians should heed CAISOs warnings and flex their power to shift energy consumption to earlier in the day today, and protect against predicted shortages Sunday and Monday. Power outages were avoided Friday and Saturday due in large part to individual conservation efforts, but even more conservation efforts are needed today! Do your part to reduce energy use & help avoid outages. https://t.co/j4p2wm6Qa3 pic.twitter.com/aaZB8fKnos Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) September 6, 2020 The Governors Office recommends Californians pre-cool their homes in the morning before turning up their thermostats at peak energy-demand times, i.e. from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Consumers should also refrain from using major appliances such as washers and driers in that time period, and should turn off lights and unnecessary appliances. Donald Trump met with evangelical leaders at Trump Tower shortly after his election - before allegedly turning to his 'fixer' Michael Cohen after they left, and telling him 'Can you believe people believe that bulls***?' Cohen's new book, Disloyal, out on Tuesday, described the encounter. Evangelical voters were seen as key to Trump's victory, marshaled to a large extent by Trump's vice president, Mike Pence, a famously devout evangelical. About one in four American adults belong to an evangelical denomination, according to research by the Brookings Institute. Trump was keen to court them, and yet, according to Cohen, was deeply disparaging behind their backs. Donald Trump is pictured with faith leaders inside the White House in February In the weeks he spent as president-elect, Trump met a series of people at Trump Tower Michael Flynn (left), Michael Cohen (center) and Rick Perry at Trump Tower in December 2016 After a prayer meeting, when evangelical leaders laid their hands on him, Trump allegedly said: 'Can you believe that bulls***? Can you believe people believe that bulls***?' Cohen writes, in excerpts of his book obtained by the Washington Post: 'The cosmic joke was that Trump convinced a vast swathe of working-class white folks in the Midwest that he cared about their well-being. 'The truth was that he couldn't care less.' Trump's three marriages, alleged infidelities, previous pro-choice comments and dubious business deals were all glossed over during the election - to startling effect. The 2016 National Election Pool Exit Survey had Trump leading Hillary Clinton among white evangelicals by 79 per cent to 16 per cent, Brookings reports. Pence, the most influential evangelical in U.S. politics, has not commented on Cohen's claims. Trump speaks at evangelical Liberty University in January 2016 while on the campaign trail Evangelicals are pictured praying for Donald Trump in January in Miami American evangelical Christian preacher Andrew Brunson prays for Trump in October 2018 But the White House has been quick to condemn the series of allegations in Cohen's book. Cohen, who worked for Trump from 2006-2018, paints Trump as racist, sexist and enamored of Vladimir Putin. Among Cohen's claims was that Trump said the only reason why Barack Obama had been admitted to Columbia University for undergrad and then Harvard Law School was because of 'f**king affirmative action.' Cohen also wrote that Trump's 'low opinion of all black folks' included him allegedly saying: 'Tell me one country run by a black person that isn't a s**thole. They are all complete f**king toilets.' Cohen's memoir is out on Tuesday He claims that Trump mocked Nelson Mandela after his death in 2013, writing that Trump didn't think Mandela 'was a real leader not the kind he respected'. Cohen claimed that Trump said 'Mandela f**ked the whole country up. Now it's a s**thole. F**k Mandela. He was no leader.' Cohen also detailed his payments made to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels. The White House hit back at Cohen - who is currently serving out a three-year federal prison sentence for tax evasion, lying to Congress and campaign finance violations - in a statement on Saturday. In a statement to the Washington Post, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said: 'Michael Cohen is a disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer, who lied to Congress. 'He has lost all credibility, and it's unsurprising to see his latest attempt to profit off of lies.' Another White House spokesperson told AP that the memoir amounted to 'fan fiction'. Cohen 'readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales,' White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern said. 'It's unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 13:39:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Foreign investors sold South Korean stocks last month amid worry here about the COVID-19 resurgence, financial watchdog data showed Monday. Offshore investors offloaded a net 1.07 trillion won (901.1 million U.S. dollars) worth of domestic shares in August, after purchasing 582 billion won worth of local stocks in July, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). The foreign selling came as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases grew in triple digits since Aug. 14 owing to cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area linked to church services and a massive rally in central Seoul on Aug. 15. The Middle East and U.S. investors were net sellers in the domestic stock market last month, but European investors bought local stocks worth 793 billion won. Meanwhile, foreign net investment in local listed bonds amounted to 997 billion won in August. The net investment means foreign net purchase minus maturing debts. The foreign ownership of domestic bonds reached 151 trillion won at the end of August, accounting for 7.5 percent of the total listed bonds. (1 U.S. dollar equals 1,187.43 South Korean won) Enditem London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2020 -- The collection of outstanding accounts costs any company both time and expense. In the past, the more effort they put into collecting what had become a bona fide debt would cost them extra administration, and hence greater cost. To the customer, who does not intend to pay or who is prepared to delay payment for as long as possible, no end of letter writing or bombarding them with overdue reminders will make any difference. Stepping in for such a scenario, First Collect International provides quick and efficient solutions to recover these debts. During a recent online industry event, the spokesperson of First Collect International informed, "As a full UK and international overdue account collection service, we leave our clients with more time to concentrate on their core tasks. Whether they are looking for complete sales ledger control or collection of a one-off debt, we remain there to assist them. Our debt collection support is currently available in countries like Russia, France and Italy. We have also been operational in the regions of Africa, Holland, Spain, the UK and South America." First Collect International has a worldwide network of agents and legal experts, which makes it capable of collecting its clients' money in Russia. The service provider runs a debt collection agency in Russia that has top managers with decades of industry experience. They are associated with entities like the CSA, ACA, IACC and LIC. First Collect International believes that every case is different, and thus, it remains flexible enough to redesign its debt collection strategy in the country. The fee structure is also based on the simplicity of making collections. The spokesperson further asserted, "Our debt recovery work usually begins with a mix of registered mails, faxes, and telephonic contacts. This can be extended to one-on-one interactions if required. Most people consent to repay at this stage. However, if they refuse to acknowledge their obligations yet, we may begin legal proceedings against them. Whatever we do, we ensure that it is within the ambit of the law. For those in Italy, it is helpful to know that we are recommended by Berne Union Members (the international association of credit insurers)." First Collect International also does debt collection in France where such collection may be particularly difficult. A different financial and legal system does have its complexities, and few creditors in the UK appreciate getting enmeshed. However, the service provider is fully capable of locating the gone away debtors. FCI line of solutions in France includes sovereign debt recovery and purchase, as well as asset disposal and dispute resolution. Some prominent features of these solutions are no file opening charges, no prepayment, and no subscriptions. About First Collect International First Collect International operates its debt collection agency in Italy, France and many other regions worldwide. The service provider offers solutions, including B2B debt collection, legal fee insurance, T&C review, asset disposal, dispute resolution, and sovereign debt and unpaid banking instruments. From MNCs to credit insurance corporations and some of the largest firms of accountants in the world, First Collect International has served all types of clients since the year 1993. BAKU -- A lawyer for hunger-striking Azerbaijani opposition politician Tofiq Yaqublu said after a jail visit on September 7 that the 59-year-old prisoner looks unwell and that his captors are pressuring him to confess to nonexistent psychological problems to explain his protest. Yaqublu was convicted of hooliganism and sentenced to four years in jail on September 3 over a dispute after a traffic accident that he and rights groups say was a setup for a bogus case. Yaqublu is a deputy chairman of the opposition Musavat Party and a senior politician in the National Council of Democratic Forces. The lawyer, Aqil Layic, told RFE/RLs Azerbaijani Service that Yaqublu was unwell [and] could not walk when he saw him on the sixth day of a hunger strike that he began on September 2 to protest perceived injustice in his case. He said that Yaqublu said officials at the Baku detention center where he is being held are trying to link the hunger strike to "a psychological disorder" but that Yaqublu has refused to sign statements to that effect. Layic said his client is mentally sound and his hunger strike is solely to protest his conviction on politically motivated hooliganism charges. Judge Nariman Mehdiyev of the Nizami district court in Baku interrupted Yaqublu in court and prevented him from making a final statement. Yaqublu was arrested in March after a collision between his car and another vehicle, after which he says the driver of the other car started a heated argument with him. Investigators accused Yaqublu of "using a wrench to conduct an act of hooliganism" against the other driver, a charge he has denied. European officials have expressed concerns over Yaqublu's conviction and called on Baku to revisit his case. Yaqublu, who frequently criticizes the government and authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev, spent 14 months in prison in 2013-14 on charges widely dismissed as politically motivated. He was also sentenced to several days in jail in October after an opposition rally, during which he claims he was tortured in custody. Critics of Aliyev's government say authorities in the oil-rich Caspian Sea state frequently seek to silence dissent by jailing opposition activists, journalists, and civil-society advocates on trumped-up charges. Aliyev has ruled Azerbaijan since 2003, taking over from his father, Heydar Aliyev, who served as president for a decade. Los Angeles: Rescuers in military helicopters airlifted 207 people to safety over the weekend after an explosive wildfire trapped them in a popular camping area in Californias Sierra National Forest, one of dozens of fires burning amid record-breaking temperatures that strained the state's electrical grid and for a time threatened power outages for millions. The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues that began late on Saturday and continued into Sunday morning at Mammoth Pool Reservoir. At least two people were severely injured and 10 more suffered moderate injuries. Two campers refused rescue and stayed behind, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said, and there was no immediate word on their fates. Gabe Huck, a member of a San Benito Monterey Cal Fire crew, stands along state Highway 168 while fighting the Creek Fire on Sunday, September 6 in Shaver Lake, California. Credit:AP A photo tweeted by the California National Guard showed more than 20 evacuees packed tightly inside one helicopter, some crouched on the floor clutching their belongings. In another photo taken on the ground from a helicopter cockpit, the densely wooded hills surrounding the aircraft were in flames. The blaze dubbed the Creek Fire has charred more than 184 square kilometres of timber, and the 800 firefighters on the scene had yet to get any containment after two days of work on steep terrain in sweltering heat. Some homes and businesses have burned, but there was no official tabulation yet. Gogglebox's Isabelle Silbery has spoken candidly about her relationship with her new fiance, Alex Richards. The reality star, 34, told New Idea Alex has 'shown her exactly what real love is' after she was left heartbroken following her split from her ex-boyfriend, Luke Gordon, last year. 'I was so heartbroken and I honestly thought no-one was ever going to love me that way again, but Alex has shown me exactly what real love is,' she said. Finding love: Gogglebox's Isabelle Silbery has said her new fiance Alex Richards (pictured) has 'shown her exactly what real love is' after she was left heartbroken following her split from her ex-boyfriend Luke Gordon She also revealed she met her fiance on Instagram shortly after she announced her split from Luke in January after less than one year of dating. 'Three months after my break-up I finally found the courage to share it on Instagram,' she said. 'I received a message from Alex, who had gone through his own traumatic break-up and realised we had a friend in common, Georgia Love, who gave me the green light on his credentials,' she explained. Fate: She also revealed she met her fiance on Instagram shortly after she announced her split from Luke in January after less than one year of dating Isabelle announced her split from her longtime boyfriend Luke in January, revealing they'd broken up 'before Christmas'. 'Letting him go has hit me hard,' she wrote on Instagram at the time. In March, she moved in with Alex, and wrote about their experience living together so early on in their relationship in an editorial for Kidspot at the time. 'Being in such close proximity to one another sure is a test of getting to know each other, fast...' she wrote. The ex: Isabelle confirmed she split from her boyfriend Luke Gordon in January after less than one year of dating 'There's always a laugh and a cuddle at the end of the day, which is a nice feeling.' In July, Isabella announced her engagement to Alex after dating for just six months. The 34-year-old shared the happy news on Instagram, alongside a loved-up photo of herself cupping her beau's face and showing off her ring. 'This happened...and I said yes. To a man who truly sees me, understands me & loves me for all my idiosyncrasies,' she wrote. A California forest fire that has destroyed thousands of acres of land resulting in hundreds of residents being evacuated from their homes was started by a firework used at a gender-reveal party, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has said. In a statement released late on Sunday evening, Cal Fire said the blaze tearing through El Dorado and the surrounding areas was caused by a smoke generating "pyrotechnic device", used during a gender reveal party. Gender-reveal parties are events where parents who are soon to have a baby announce whether they are expecting a boy or a girl. The parties have become increasingly popular in the US in recent years. The fire began on Saturday morning at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, about 72 miles (115km) east of Los Angeles, Cal Fire said. It has since spread north to Yucaipa Ridge, prompting local officials to issue evacuation orders in the surrounding areas of Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, and Forest Falls. "With the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire. Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible," Cal Fire added. Recommended California fire kills two girls and their father as he tries to rescue them The El Dorado blaze, which Cal Fire says has obliterated around 7,050 acres of woodland, has only been 5 per cent contained. It is one of a number of large fires currently rampaging through parts of the state during a record-breaking heatwave. California governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday declared a state of emergency in the Frenso, Madera, Mariposa, San Bernardino and San Diego counties due to the fires. Emergency services said 200 people were airlifted to safety overnight on Friday when a fast-moving blaze dubbed the Creek Fire cut off the only road out of the Mammoth Pool Reservior, a popular recreational site in California's Sierra National Forest. Madera County Sheriff's Office Department said on Sunday that 20 of those evacuees were taken to hospital as the blaze burned through 45,000 acres, forcing evacuations and road closures in the Frenso area of California, about 150 miles southeast of San Jose. At least two people were severely injured and 10 more suffered moderate injuries. Two campers refused rescue and stayed behind, the Madera County Sheriffs Office added, and there was no immediate update on their condition. The Creek Fire churned southward from the reservoir through miles of dense forest and by Sunday afternoon threatened a marina and cabins along Shaver Lake, where Jack Machado helped friends remove propane tanks from the lodge Cottages at the Point. Sheriffs deputies went through the town of several hundred residents to make sure people complied with evacuation orders. The lake is totally engulfed with smoke. You cant hardly see in front of you, Machado told Associated Press. The skys turning red. It looks like Mars out there. Temperatures in the fire zone were in the 90s, but that was cool compared to many parts of the state. Downtown Los Angeles reached 111F (44C) and a record-shattering high of 121F (49.4C) was recorded in the nearby Woodland Hills neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. It was the highest temperature ever recorded in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service. The mark rivaled the high in Californias Death Valley, typically the hottest place in the country. Meanwhile, Downtown San Francisco set a record for the day with a high of 100F (37.7C), smashing the previous mark by 5 degrees. By our calculations, over 99 per cent of Californias population is under an excessive heat warning or heat advisory today, the weather service in Sacramento tweeted Sunday afternoon. The exceptionally hot temperatures were driving the highest power use of the year, and transmission losses because of the wildfires have cut into supplies. Eric Schmitt of the California Independent System Operator that manages the states power grid said up to 3 million customers faced power outages if residents didnt curtail their electricity usage. Additional reporting by agencies. Scott Morrison has urged Daniel Andrews to follow New South Wales' 'gold standard' model of fighting the coronavirus - as he warns Victoria's plan is so strict Sydney would be shut down right now under the same rules. Mr Andrews at the weekend announced a 'roadmap' out of lockdown which keeps Victorians confined to 5km bubbles and the economy virtually shut down until at least the end of October. The Victorian Premier said the gradual reopening will eventually free the state of the virus altogether. But experts warn his state is being held back by its poor contact tracing. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday slammed Mr Andrews' roadmap and urged him and the rest of the country to look to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's contact tracing efforts as the 'gold standard' of fighting the virus. Authorities in NSW have so far succeeded in stopping a second wave from getting out of control and life has returned to close to normal. Tens of thousands of people are tested each day and clusters are contained by teams of disease detectives, who occupy three floors of a Sydney office building. The different approaches between NSW and Victoria can even be seen in the Premiers' personal lives. Gladys Berejiklian at the weekend celebrated Father's Day with her dad, Krikor. 'First time Ive had my parents over to my place during COVID,' she said Scenes at Bondi Beach last week as spring weather arrives in Sydney and Covid restrictions fall by the wayside Despite clusters breaking out, Ms Berejiklian has resisted plunging the state back into lockdown with the average number of daily cases standing at about eight. But Mr Andrews wouldn't drop Melbourne's curfew or restrictions on how far residents can travel from their homes until the average daily case number falls below five. As business leaders overnight slammed the Victorian plan as a 'document of despair' and a 'road map to nowhere', Mr Morrison today doubled down on his criticism of Victoria's 'crushing' approach. 'Lockdowns and borders are not signs of success in dealing with COVID 19,' the Prime Minister said. 'New South Wales is the gold standard - that is where we have to get everybody to to ensure everybody is open.' Mr Morrison said NSW had stronger 'capabilities' in contact tracing than Victoria, which was overwhelmed by a second wave. The Prime Minister added: 'The plan that was outlined yesterday (by Daniel Andrews) I hope was a worst case scenario. 'Under the thresholds set by that plan Sydney would be under curfew now. 'Sydney doesn't need to be under curfew now. They have a tracing capability that can deal with outbreaks'. An almost totally deserted Bourke St, Melbourne, at the weekend - as Premier Daniel Andrews announced the city will not be free of lockdown for many weeks to come Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews warned he did not want to have to plunge the state into a third lockdown as he announced the state will slow-walk its escape from shut down The different approaches between NSW and Victoria can even be seen in the personal lives of the states' premiers. Ms Berejiklian on Sunday visited her dad for Father's Day, celebrating the first time they had come together at her home since Covid began. 'First time Ive had my parents over to my place during COVID,' she posted to social media, alongside a photo of her father, Krikor, and mother, Arsha. Meanwhile Mr Andrews told reporters he hadn't been able to see his mother since Christmas, due to the bushfire crisis and then the lockdown. 'Third world' contact tracing in Victoria A leading infectious diseases expert said on Monday that Victoria still has a problem with contact tracing that will make escaping lockdown difficult. Dr Peter Collignon, from the Australian National University, said the state still has large numbers of mystery cases 'under investigation', weeks after they were identified by contact tracers. Pointing to statistics published by the ABC, Dr Collignon said: 'Victoria seems to have ongoing issue with finalising contact tracing and identifying in timely fashion (within 48hrs) close contacts of those infected or where people acquired their infection from,' Dr Collignon tweeted on Monday. 'This relatively poor contact tracing will make steps out of lockdown difficult.' But the Victorian government claims it is now completing 'almost' all case interviews within 24 hours and contact tracing within 48 hours of notification, and reporting it publicly. Victorians enjoy some time in the sun during their one exercise hour at the weekend Officials claimed their contact tracing 'capacity' was 'on the same level' as the NSW government on Sunday. 'I think the fact we have gone from 700 cases to 63 (on Sunday) is pretty good evidence that contact tracing is improving,' said the state's chief health officer Brett Sutton. The state government said Defence Force and Health Department personnel visit every Victorian who test positive or are a close contact. Meanwhile, authorities announced they have begun using artificial intelligence to interpret contact tracing interviews. State Opposition Leader Tim O'Brien has described the state's contact tracing efforts as 'third world.' 'It simply isn't fit for purpose,' Mr O'Brien told Sky News. 'It's why we've had a prolonged second wave for months and months. We've got completely inadequate contact tracing.' Dr Sutton said it's possible for Victoria to get to an average of five cases a day, even as NSW struggles to do the same under different settings. The lockdowns means the southern state won't suffer the same 'super spreading' events Sydney has experienced. Victoria reported 41 new cases on Monday, the lowest number in ten weeks. NSW reported four new cases. Cheryl Kary knows how important an accurate census is for Indian Country. We know that tribal programs, whether they serve the Native population off-reservation or whether theyre on-reservation, are typically underfunded, and so when you have an undercount as well as a program being underfunded, that creates -- exponentially creates -- more poverty and more disparity, said the executive director of the Sacred Pipe Resource Center in Mandan. The organization is one of several groups trying to increase participation in the 2020 U.S. census before counting ends Sept. 30. North Dakota has about a 64% self-response rate -- and an 86% total response rate -- but participation among the five tribal nations within its borders ranges from 21-40% for self-response, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Several factors account for the low response -- chiefly the coronavirus pandemic, census advocates say. The ability for workers going door to door, social distancing -- thats been a big, big part of it, North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Scott Davis said. Thats probably been the biggest factor that Ive seen experienced. Every tribe has a complete count committee for census outreach and promotion. Reservations can be harder to count due to rural settings and a lack of housing, Davis said. The Fort Berthold Reservation has a total self-response rate of 22.4%, according to the data. Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Chairman Mark Fox said tribal leaders have participated in public relations events such as commercials to publicize the census. An outdoor social distancing powwow also is planned, where the census will be promoted at the same time, he said. There have been no powwows on Fort Berthold since the pandemic emerged in North Dakota in March, which has "really hurt our people," Fox said. "That's an important part of our culture, important part of our ways, our traditions," he said. Remote communities as well as government distrust also are factors in the census response, said Nicole Donaghy, executive director of North Dakota Native Vote, which advocates civic engagement on reservations. Four organizers will be doing local census outreach on reservations in a safe manner, Donaghy said. North Dakota Native Vote also has worked with other organizations, such as Turnaround Arts and the Sacred Pipe Resource Center, for outreach, and is coordinating some events with tribes. "Its up to us. Its always up to us to take care of our communities, Donaghy said. To boost the census on reservations, the state has funded local complete count committees and recently did outreach on the Turtle Mountain Reservation and in New Town on Fort Berthold, North Dakota Census Office Demographer Kevin Iverson said. North Dakota's rural and Bakken oil patch residents also have proven challenging to count, and the pandemic brought setbacks with it, he said. Some census operations, such as nonresponse follow-up, were delayed. "COVID has just kind of changed everything, but towards the end of the self-response period, we were doing better in 2010 than we're doing now, and that's not just true for American Indians ... that's true for just about everywhere," Iverson said. The Sacred Pipe Resource Center has used COVID-19 relief events, such as food distribution, to share census information with tribal members who live on and off reservations, Kary said. The organizations census efforts are statewide, she added. Some tribal members might distrust government workers who come calling, asking for personal information that could be perceived to be used against them, Donaghy and Davis said. Fox said the census brings "a lot of apprehension, historically, from it." Some tribal members might fear for their housing situation or assistance if they are not compliant with federal requirements, he said. The U.S. Census Bureau cannot share any identifiable information about people or households. Census records can be released after 72 years for historical research. Fox said his greatest concern is not an undercount, but historical underfunding and being "still left out in the cold." "We're taxpayers like everybody else. We're governments like everybody else. We are historically and extremely underfunded at all levels," Fox said, pointing to Indian Health Service funding being 40-45% of the tribe's need, with the rest supplemented by the tribe spending millions of dollars every year. Federal CARES Act coronavirus relief funding also fell short for tribes, he said. "As much as we understand that there's a direct impact by being undercounted, there's a historical problem that we've got to get the United States government to recognize and do something about, which is underfunding us anyway, whether that count is accurate or not," he said. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Vatican City, Vatican Mon, September 7, 2020 09:54 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431a60d 2 World Pope-Francis,gossip,Plague,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free Pope Francis urged the faithful on Sunday to steer clear of gossip, calling it worse than the coronavirus and saying it could be used to divide the Roman Catholic Church. "Please, brothers and sisters, let's make an effort not to gossip. Gossiping is a worse plague than COVID," the pope said during his weekly address from a window above St. Peter's Square. "The devil is the great gossip. He is always saying bad things about others because he is the liar who tries to split the Church," Francis added in the off-the-cuff comments. The pope has regularly warned of the risks of gossiping and has also railed against Internet trolls. "If something goes wrong, offer silence and prayer for the brother or sister who make a mistake, but never gossip," he said on Sunday. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Kazakhstan has exported 202,987 tons of crude oil worth $60 million to Uzbekistan in 1H2020, which is more than double the volume exported last year, a source in Kazakhstans oil and gas sector told Trend. Thus, compared to 89,389 tons worth $38.7 million in 1H2020, the supplies to Uzbekistan increased by 2.2 times in value and by 54.7 percent in volume. Kazakhstan has also exported 29,422 tons of petroleum products worth $11.4 million, which is a decline compared to 135,963 tons worth $42.3 million in 1H2019. During the reporting period, Kazakhstan has also exported 59,762 tons of petroleum products worth $24.9 million to Afghanistan, whereas in 1H2019 Kazakhstan did not export petroleum products to Afghanistan. Kazakhstan has also exported 97,983 tons worth $20.7 million (95,721 tons worth $31.04 million) to Kyrgystan, and 31,245 tons worth $15.3 million tons (17,259 tons worth $5.5 million) to Tajikistan in 1H2020. Furthermore, Kazakhstan has also exported 89.9 tons of petroleum products worth $103,182 to Turkmenistan. Kazakhstans overall export of crude oil stood at 33.3 million tons worth $15.08 billion in 1H2020 which is compared to 34.6 million tons worth $16.4 billion in 1H2019. Kazakhstans overall export of petroleum products stood at 364,459 tons of products worth $1.04 million in 1H2020 which is compared to 574,297 tons worth $1.6 million in 1H2019. --- Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh Huawei Mate 40 is expected to arrive in the following weeks - predecessors Mate 30 and Mate 20 were introduced in Q3 as well. However, reports from Taiwan are the Chinese manufacturer lowered component orders to providers by 30%, likely expecting a decline in interest and shipments. Huawei Mate 40 Pro renders The company usually unveils its latest Kirin chipset at IFA 2020, but now the conference in Berlin, Germany, is over, with no platform in sight. Huawei did have an online keynote, but it was more of a statement the company is not backing down and will remain fully invested in its phone business in Europe. Last month Richard Yu did say the Mate 40 family will use HiSilicon chips but did not say what happens after that. Reports are the United States is trying to block TSMC from manufacturing the platforms, and Qualcomm also expressed concerns on the issue. Back in June, Huawei was reportedly aiming to sell 8 million devices of the new lineup just in Q4 2020, which would still be an accomplishment with the unpredictability of the US-Sino relations and Huawei being merely a hostage in this whole situation. Source | Via PHILIPSBURG:--- After two full years of restoring its academic programming and securing accreditation for its degree programmes, the University of St. Martin (USM) finally opened its doors to student internships from abroad to help push research in the community. The first student intern arrived this week from the Netherlands to start a study on the feasibility of inserting agroecology and nutrition into Sint Maartens system of education. Daughter of the soil Lynn Martina returned to the island from Europe for a four-month stay to work with USM and ECO Sint Maarten Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ECO-SXM), in hopes of designing a draft national plan for the schools with the help of school boards, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, teachers and local farmers. Lynn Martina (23) is a graduate of Milton Peters College who, after completing her HAVO-level studies, lived and worked in France and the Netherlands in order to get job experience before commencing her tertiary educational trajectory. Currently, she is completing her Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology at the HAS Hogeschool of Den Bosch in Brabant, the Netherlands. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, Martina had plans of going to Peru to conduct fieldwork with spider monkeys in the South American countrys Amazon forest. However, after seeing the impact of the pandemic upon her native land, she thought it might be time to come back and contribute. Having been in lockdown, I found the opportunity to think about what I really want to do with my life. No one knows what is going to happen from here to next year, so I decided to come back for a spell, to see what I can do for my own country. Its been a while and I really value this opportunity to get to know Sint Maarten again, said Martina. HAS Hogeschool and USM arranged the internship upon official agreement, ensuring that the work Lynn Martina does in Sint Maarten corresponds to the requisites for the completion of her studies. I am very excited about this chance to make a significant contribution. Im in love with the idea of making an impact in childrens lives and influencing education. I can apply what I have learned so far in the Netherlands to Sint Maarten. Imagine, such important topics as agriculture, nutrition, and education. Now more than ever, the time is now. The student intern will be working with USM science instructor of biology and agroecology Tanisha Guy and ECO-SXM founder Mr. Denicio Wyatte, a long-time advocate for community centred agriculture and education. Furthermore, Martina will meet with government officials, teachers, and school board representatives to get a feel of what already exists, the press release stated. A draft plan for inserting agriculture into the education system, based on a feasibility study, is scheduled to be completed by 15 December -Lynn Martinas last day of work at USM. USM hopes to create more on-island internships possibilities in the coming year, especially for those St. Martin students studying abroad and who might want to spend a summer or semester back home. What we hope to encourage is a culture of giving back to the community through research and hands-on projects. It is an opportunity for young St. Martiners to spend time at home and apply what they have learned so far. By putting college and university students to work in key areas of interest, we are sharing knowledge and building bridges to allow for brain gain instead of brain drain, said USM President Dr. Antonio Carmona Baez. After a season like no other at Marineland, there was at least one familiar sight Sunday the Labour Day Weekend protest. With few exceptions, it has been a ritual at Marineland for decades. There have been crowds of more than 1,000 people, and crowds of just dozens. But the message against the Niagara Falls park hasnt changed. Because animals are suffering and Im just tired of it, said Kitcheners Melissa Rejesky, pointing a sign that said Captivity Kills: Dont Go In to drivers on Portage Road. Her sentiment was shared by about a hundred other protesters, as it has been for several years. Some urge the park to release its animals and convert to rides only. Others want it closed completely. Some, like Quebecs Melissa Hayward, just want people to be informed. Like many of us, I went to Marineland as a kid and fell in love with the whales there, she said. But once I learned the state of some of these parks and what the effects are on these whales in captivity, it obviously struck a chord. After attending protests for a few years, Hayward recently took over organizing them. I love the aspect of being able to educate people and especially patrons are who willing to go into Marineland and then turn around after a little chat with us. While recent protests havent drawn near the crowds they did in 2012 and 2013, after former employees spoke to the Toronto Star about conditions at the park, the anger is still there, said Hayward. Whether it be in person or through other means, its absolutely important to keep the pressure going, she said. I dont know what the future holds for Marineland, but well be continuing. The protests have had a dramatic effect on Marinelands exterior appearance. Where there was once open space is a huge fence with black tarp separating any protesters from the parking lot and entrance. As well, the large wooden Marineland sign which was near the area protesters gather in and took several photos with has been moved further up the road. Inside the park, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on operations. Since its delayed opening in late July, none of the parks numerous rides have been operating, as mandated by the province. It was also because of the pandemic that Welland-born director Nathalie Bibeaus documentary The Walrus and the Whistleblower couldnt be screened at this years Hot Docs film festival in Toronto. Instead, it found an even bigger audience when it was broadcast by CBC May 28. The film follows Chippawas Phil Demers and his long saga with Marineland, from former employee to angry activist, as well as his unique bond with the parks 17-year-old walrus Smooshi. The film is starting to hit theatres across North America. It will be available on video-on-demand Nov. 24. Bibeau filmed portions of the movie at previous protests and returned Sunday to thank many of the activists. This is the end of the road, for me, she said. This isnt my story (now), its their story. Ive had the privilege of documenting it, and I wanted to come thank them for that. (Photo : Apple ) Multinational technology company and the most valuable company in the world, Apple, is gearing up for its two fresh drops on September 8, with its iPad and Apple Watch Series 6. Leaks confirm that this schedule will push through for Apple and even see the schedule reveal of the most-awaited addition in the lineup, the iPhone 12. The public is eager to know all the details regarding the new Apple devices; however, the company remains silent and patient in releasing information to the public. Apple's move is solved by trusted sources in the realm of technology, tweeting their rumors and speculations that confirms Tuesday, September 8, to see the release of new devices and scheduling. Tech Analyst and prominent Apple leak source, Jon Prosser, suggested on Twitter (@jon_prosser) that Apple will premiere an event on Tuesday that drops the all-new tablet, the iPad, and the latest iteration of the Apple Watch, now on its sixth generation or series. Apple press release is currently scheduled for Tuesday (September 8) at 9:00am EST though, I should note that its not locked in until the press has been briefed, day of. Ill tweet early that morning to update you if it changes. Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) September 6, 2020 Prosser's tweet was unclear with what iPad variant will drop tomorrow, with Apple still shrouding the release with mystery. The beloved tablet has four classifications or variants currently on Apple's lineup: the standard iPad, the iPad Mini, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. Alongside this iPad reveal is the speculated confirmation of the iPhone 12's schedule for its live reveal event that will most likely be done online, just like the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference or WWDC 2020. ALSO READ: Apple App Store Faces Japan Antitrust Probe Amid Ongoing Feud with Fortnite's Epic Games September 8 iPad release-What variation would it be? Apple's iPad went through a series of changes over the past years since its initial release ten years ago. The tablet brought a worldwide success for the company that stemmed into four classifications marketed to different individuals with preferences. According to Mac World, the standard iPad would be upgraded and refresh this year since its last change in September 2019. The iPad Pro was recently updated in early 2020 with a refreshed look and chipset, so it is ruled out, together with the iPad Air, speculated to release not until March 2021. The iPad Mini is looking at a bigger screen while still retaining its small and sleek body, the smallest among its iPad lineups. The so-called 'classic' iPad is the pending ground for an upgrade according to leaks and speculations. Second Tweet Leak: Don't Expect from Apple, it's just a date Trusted sources and media members who are in the frontlines of Apple news and releases are battling each other to provide the most accurate speculation for the beloved company's pending drops this year. September's big Apple news is taken to a turn with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman tweeting (@markgurman) his version of leak that there would not be any devices or tech the company would release on September 8. Instead, just a date for fans to anticipate with regards to the release of the iPhone 12. I wouldnt get too excited about rumors of new Apple products appearing this week. More likely I think: an announcement of the upcoming (of course virtual) September iPhone/Apple Watch event. Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 6, 2020 9 to 5 Mac states that Apple is known to announce an event two weeks prior, making September 8's announcement to hold the event on September 22. This timeline was followed before the lockdowns and coronavirus problems, giving the media leeway on traveling and attending the launch event. This timeline is most likely to see the drop of the iPhone 12 in October being the earliest, with pre-orders right in the middle of the two-week waiting time after the launch event. ALSO READ: Bill Gates Looks Down on Elon Musk's Tesla Semi and Electric Airplanes Despite Being Known to Drive a Model X This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Alonzo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Wall Street finance giant is boosting the proportion of investment bankers coming in to its London offices to 50 per cent for the first time since lockdown. The Standard understands that several thousand bankers, traders and analysts at JP Morgan will travel into the banks Canary Wharf headquarters on a week on, week off basis from today. Previously only about 25 per cent of its investment banking teams had been coming in daily. The move will be seen as symbolic in the drive by Londons financial services industry to get staff back at their desks and supporting the economy in the centre of the capital. However, across JP Morgans 12,000 London workforce as a whole including back office and support staff 65 per cent continue to be working from home although the number coming in is steadily rising. JP Morgan bosses hope to have 50 per cent of all London staff the maximum allowed under social distancing rules working in its buildings by Christmas although there will be no compulsion. They have set up airport check in-style barriers in the lobby outside lifts at its Bank Street building. Traders were the first to return in numbers as face-to-face contact within shouting distance during market opening hours is still considered essential. At the peak of lockdown in April only about 20 per cent of traders were coming in and were spread across several buildings to reduce the chance of infection. The JP Morgan return came as London train operators introduced a new timetable for commuters with around 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels of services. One major commuter network Southeastern which operates services from Kent and Sussex is providing an extra 900 carriages on its weekday services, restoring timetables to 98 per cent of normal. However, with train companies unable to run carriages more than around 50 per cent full to ensure passengers are safely distanced the effective new normal capacity is less than half. The Rail Delivery Group insisted trains are safe to travel in. Spokesman Robert Nisbet said: Today is really about telling commuters that you can travel with confidence. NLC India advanced 3.16% to Rs 53.90 after consolidated net profit jumped 21% to Rs 343.41 crore on 29.6% increase in net sales to Rs 2,699 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. Consolidated profit before tax (PBT) surged 44.1% to Rs 531.55 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. During the quarter, the group has recognised as an exceptional item, the one-time rebate of Rs 85.43 crore to DISCOMs on account of COVID-19 pandemic based on guidelines issued by Ministry of Power, Government of India. The Q1 result was declared post trading hours on Friday, 4 September 2020. Consolidated EBIDTA (excluding exceptional item) for the quarter ended 30 June 2020 was at Rs 1,380.18 crore as against Rs 883.99 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, registering a growth of 56.13% YoY (year-on-year). The construction and commissioning of Unit-II (500 MW) of Neyveli New Thermal Power Plant (NNTPS) (2 X 500 MW) is getting delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic and restriction on movement of migrant workers. Further commissioning of Andaman Solar 20 MW has also been delayed due the various restrictions imposed on account of COVID-19. The coal production target of Talabira - II & III coal mines for 2020-21 has also been reduced to 0.937 MT from 1.25 MT due to COVID-19. However, based on Ministry of Power Guideline issued on 15 May 2020, the group has created provision of Rs 85.43 crore towards one-time rebate and shown under exceptional items in Q1 2020-21. Apart from rebate surcharge for the said period has also been considered at the reduced rate as per directives issued by CERC in this regard. The impact of COVID 19 in the subsequent periods are being monitored. The construction and commissioning of Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power (NUPPL) has also been delayed due to restriction on movement of migrant workers. NLC India, a Navratna CPSE and Coal India, a Maharatna CPSE, both under the administrative control of Ministry of Coal, executed a joint venture agreement on 3 July 2020 for formation of a joint venture company to develop solar and thermal power assets to the tune of 5,000 MW on pan India basis. As of 30 June 2020, the Government of India held 79.20% stake in the company. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With theatres being shut over five months now, several films have already opted for a direct-to-OTT release, and among the most anticipated and awaited big-budget ones is actor Akshay Kumars Laxmmi Bomb thats announced to release on Disney Plus Hotstar. However, some reports have claimed that the film has been pulled out from the OTT platforms, and makers have decided to wait for cinemas to reopen, and release it theatrically only. Rubbishing these baseless allegations floating around in some sections of the media, HT City has now exclusively learnt that Laxmmi Bomb is very much releasing on the decided OTT platform, and as per schedule in November. A source confirms, No, Laxmmi Bomb is not being pulled out of the OTT platform. These are absolutely fake stories which have no meaning. Disney Hotstar is absolutely going ahead with its plan to release Laxxmi Bomb. The reports also stated that the film was set to release on Kumars birthday on September 9, but this claim also turns out to be untrue. Laxmmi Bomb was never meant to release on Akshays birthday, which is day after. So, the OTT platform is definitely going ahead with their plan or releasing the film in November and the date isnt decided yet, the source adds. Kumars another film, Sooryavanshi - that was to release in March - was postponed due to the onset of pandemic and it had been waiting since for a theatrical release. Though it was announced sometime back that it would hit the big screens on Diwali, makers later said that if theatres dont reopen even then, they might consider alternate options including an OTT release. When John Yurconic prepared to reopen in May, after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to battle with staff to bring them back to work. It was four days of hell, said Yurconic, president of the The Yurconic Agency, which offers insurance and certain PennDOT services at offices in the greater Lehigh Valley. Celebrate Labor Day from the safety of your very own heart-shaped social-distancing circle in a San Francisco park. Plus, while summer is coming to a close, you can keep the good vibes going during Bay Area Craft Week, Oakland Cocktail Week, and Oakland Restaurant Week. Bonus points for outdoor haircuts! Ditch your quarantine look and head to SF's first outdoor barbershop. More than 20 local barbers are working The Barber Collective at SoMa StrEat Food Park, where you can also grab brews and bites from food trucks afterward. // Book appointments on getsquire.com Oakland Restaurant Week continues through September 13th. Eat your way through special menu items at participating restaurantsthink Hopscotch, Homeroom, Shakewell, and Drake'sduring the fest's Late Summer Edition. // Find details and all participating venues at visitoakland.com Attend Bay Area Craft Weekvirtually. Participate in free workshopsthink pop-up paper techniques and finger crochet jamjoin maker meetups, and shop from more than 100 local and national artists. American Craft Council members will have early access to shopping via Wednesday's 3pm preview party; Monday through Sunday. // Details on craftcouncil.org Make and decorate your own sugar skull with artist Diego Marcial over Zoom; 5pm Tuesdays in September. // Register (free) on Eventbrite Catch a virtual country concert hosted by Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines and Tennessee's Arrington Winery. Get up and dance to Laurence Hobgood, Tim Hockenberry, and Billy Valentine, order some wine to go with, and make a donation to Sweet Relief to support the music industry during the pandemic; Wednesday at 5:30pm. // Registration and details on mailchi.mp Be transported to the 1930s with ODC/Dance's Drinks & a Dance: Walk Back the Cat. The evening of virtual festivities begins with a cocktail class hosted by Stookey's Club Moderne, followed by a conversation with ODC's founding artistic director and choreographer Brenda Way and composer Paul Dresher. The main event: a livestream viewing of Walk Back the Cat, inspired by Thomas Hart Benton's murals of 1930s life and featuring a jazzy score; 5:15pm Thursday. // Tickets ($35 per household) on odc.dance; cocktail kits sold separately. Visit Forest Hill's new Nature Exploration Area. Created from repurposed down logs, the Muni stationadjacent space offers social-distancing-friendly outdoor hangout spaceplus a new irrigation system set to save 442,494 gallons of water annually. // sfmta.com View "Bay Lights" artist Leo Villareal's new exhibit, Harmony of the Spheres. The Pace Gallery show features three new LED works plus nine single-panel pieces from Villareal's 2019 series "Instance"; by appointment only. // Book your visit on Eventbrite Join the livestream webinar Hip Hop for Change. Tune in for a panel discussion about how to create change through art, then catch performances by Ruby Ibarra and more; 5pm Thursday. // Details on Facebook Celebrate California Wine Month. Online festivities include the Home Wine Series with sommelier Amanda McCrossin (@sommvivant) highlighting a new wine region each week (this week is Central Coast); Facebook Live interviews with food and wine experts on Thursdays; and Instagram Live Fridays with McCrossin and travel influencer Aida Mollenkamp. This Thursday at 3pm, join a virtual harvest party cooking class ($25) with Kate Ramos of Hola! Jalapeno!. // Details on Facebook and Instagram Take an art history lesson on the role of photography in 1920s, '30s, and 40s American life with Crocker Art Museum. You'll investigate photojournalism in popular magazines and brush up on your photo analysis skills; 10am to 11:30am Thursday. // Register ($75 or $55 for Crocker Art Museum members) on crockerart.org Imbibe during Oakland Cocktail Weekwhich is really more like month. Work your way through a directory of bars and restaurants, attend virtual events, and donate to the Keep It Spirited COVID Relief Fund, in partnership with the Oakland Indie Alliance Keep it Caring fund. The occasion will help support Oakland's indie bars during the pandemic, with priority given to BIPOC-owned businesses and unopened bars Thursday through October 11. // Details on oaklandcocktailweek.com Take part in SF Parks Alliance's #HeartYourParks campaign. Find new heart-shaped social-distancing circle in parks across the city and donate $50 to the campaign to receive a special parks bandana designed by artist Orlie Kapitulnik; through September. // Details on @sfparksalliance Book an appointment to view Transcending Definition: Jay DeFeo in the 1970s at Gagosian San Francisco. A prominent figure in the Bay Area art and Beat scene, DeFeo's works here explore the representational and abstract and include paintings, photographs, and works on paper; Thursday through October 31. // Details on gagosian.com, email sanfrancisco@gagosian.com to make an appointment. Sample the Sierra. Nosh on dishes made with locally farmed ingredients during Farm-to-Fork Restaurant Week; watch four chefs compete to make dishes with a mystery box of locally grown ingredients; and virtually shop from local vendors; Thursday through September 20. // Details on samplethesierra.com Attend TedxMarin online. The 11th anniversary show will explore new ideas about life, the planet, technology, a post-COVID world, education, and more with the goal of creating a more compassionate world. Speakers include award-winning actor, Dameion Brown; author James Nestor; USF Law School professor Rhonda Magee; writer/producer Phil Rosenthal; and many more; Saturday at 6pm (also available with 24-hour or one-week viewing windows). // Details on tedxmarin.org Support Bay Area musicians and tune it to the Music in Place concert series. Up this week? Swing meets blues meets jazz group Alpha Rhythm Kings, followed by Barnaby Palmer and the Social Distance String Orchestra next week; Saturday at 5pm. // Details on musicinplace.org, watch live on Facebook See San Francisco Art Institute's From the Tower: Transmission. For eight weeks, all four sides of SFAI's Chestnut Street tower will morph into a canvas for weekly video screenings that explore experimental art making. Can't make it IRL? Watch online, through October 23. // Details on transmission.salience.io "Glamp In" with Outdoor Afro. Join special guests including rapper/producer/activist Boots Riley, hip-hop historian, Davey D and host and Gloryland author Shelton Johnson for a celebration of nature and community during Outdoor Afro's virtual fundraiser; Saturday at 5pm. // Register on one.bidpal.net Dine alfresco at Kendall-Jackson's farm-to-table dining series. Served under picturesque walnut trees or on the flagstone patio, Saturday's all vegetarian dinner features local, seasonal ingredients and wine pairings from the estate; Saturday at 5:30pm. // Register ($180) on Eventbrite Watch the 26th Music Festival for Brain Health online. First, watch the Scientific Symposium webinar and Q&A (10am) with brain health leaders, then attend a special donor dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse curated by Hell's Kitchen season 18 winner Ariel Fox or a four-course takeout kit with Staglin Family Vineyard wine. End your evening with an at-home livestream concert (5pm) by 10 time Grammy Award winner Arturo Sandoval; Saturday. // Details on music-festival.org Catch a window drag show. Red Victorian's new pandemic-era performance concept features performers including @bussy_dad and @fkasupernovagirl perform from the safety of the Haight Street window in an effort to help the Red Vic raise money to provide housing for Queer, Trans BIPOCso don't forget to donate, Saturdays at 8pm. // Follow @thefishbowlsf for details Get ready for SFMOMA's upcoming Diego Rivera exhibit by attending a presentation with mural steward and scholar William Maynez. Maynez will discuss Rivera's artistic endeavors in San Francisco and his largest mural here, housed at City College; Saturday at 11am. // Reserve a space on sfpl.org Watch Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone. The play tells the story of the famous American composer and features songs including "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." Livestream the show straight from the stage in Florence, Italy or watch it on demand all week; Sunday at 5pm PST. // Tickets on theatreworks.org Check out Undiscovered Sundays in SoMa. Folsom Street between 6th and 8th streets will be closed to traffic, allowing plenty of space to shop local and dine and drink while social distancing. Precautions include temperature checks and contact tracing, and masks will be required, of course. Get dim sum and cocktails from Cat Club, taco plates from Mestiza Taqueria, wine and beer from Decant SF, and more; 11am to 4pm Sundays. // Details on undiscoveredsf.com Director General of Border Security Force Rakesh Asthana on Monday concluded the four-day visit to forward areas and formations along the Indo-Pak border in the Jammu region. Four days visit of DG to Jammu frontier concluded in a very cordial atmosphere," a BSF spokesman said. During his visit, which began on September 4, the DG visited the entire area of operation (AoR) of the BSF including the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu-Samba and Poonch-Rajouri sectors, he said. Asthana was accompanied by additional DG (Western Command) and IG BSF Kammu frontier N S Jamwal. The DG BSF reviewed complexities and effective border domination done by the BSF during his visit to field locations, the spokesman said. He interacted with the jawans and was full of praise for their dedication towards safeguarding the International Border. The DG told troops to remain alert and said the BSF is a well-disciplined and professional force and the recent detection of a tunnel along the Indo-Pak border shows the forces devotion for the motherland, the spokesman said. He said he was very much impressed with the commitment of the jawans that too serving in tough conditions and told that he will work for the welfare of the jawans as a senior member of the force, the spokesman said. During the visit, the DG also interacted with intelligence agencies to take stock of the border situation, he said. N etflix has released a new true-crime documentary exploring the story of Chris Watts, a man who was found guilty of killing his pregnant wife and two children. The feature-length documentary, titled American Murder: The Family Next Door, lands on the streaming site nearly two years after Watts was sentenced to serve five life terms in prison for the murders of Shanann Watts, her unborn child and her daughters. Netflix's synopsis for the programme reads: Using raw, firsthand footage, this documentary examines the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her children, and the terrible events that followed. So, here's what you need to know about the case: What happened to Shanann Watts and her daughters? The case involving Chris and Shannan Watts began with the latter, who was 15 weeks pregnant, being reported missing by a friend on August 13. Following an initial police search of the couple's house, Ms Watts and the pair's daughters - Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3 - were officially declared missing a day later. Mr Watts then went on a publicity spree, appealing publicly in a series of television interviews for help in finding his missing family. But the following day, on August 15, he was arrested for the murder of his wife after failing a polygraph test and confessing to killing her. But he did not confess to killing his daughters, saying instead that Ms Watts was responsible for their deaths and that was what prompted him to murder her. He later confessed to murdering the two girls, however, and told detectives that he had been having an affair. He had murdered his wife at home before driving her body and his children, who were still alive at the time, to an oil field. There, he buried his wife in a shallow grave and smothered his children before dumping the girls in separate oil tanks. What sentence did Chris Watts receive and where is he now? Mr Watts was spared the death penalty at his sentencing in November 2018 when he pleaded guilty to all nine charges in the case, including three counts of first-degree murder; two counts of first-degree murder of a person younger than 12 while being in a position of trust; one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy; and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body. He is currently being held at Dodge Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison, in Waupun, Wisconsin. American Murder: The Family Next Door is available to stream on Netflix now Photo: (Photo : Screenshot from Facebook) A Texas volunteer tragically dies while putting off wildfires at California last August 31. The 63-year-old mom, Diana Jones, died while working with her son. According to reports, the Texas volunteer was supposed to celebrate her fifth year in November as a volunteer. READ ALSO: High School Students Help Seniors Through Free Online Grocery Shopping and Delivery During the Pandemic The tragic death of the Texas volunteer Last August 31, a vehicular accident happened in Northern California while firefighters were working on the Tathan wildfire. The accident led to the death of the Texas volunteer. A second firefighter was also injured because of the incident. In a statement by the acting forest supervisor, Sandra Moore, she said, "This was a tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen firefighter." READ ALSO: Wife works as a dishwasher to visit husband in a nursing home after 114 days Working with her son In a Facebook post by the Texas Cresson Volunteer Fire Department, it was mentioned that the Texas volunteer mom went to the Pacific Northwest with her son, Captain Ian Shelly, and worked on wildfires. Almost five years ago, the volunteer mom joined the fire department. Aside from being a firefighter, Diana was also an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certified. In the Facebook post of the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department, she was described as a servant, "She served us and our community in so many ways without seeking recognition." Before being a firefighter, Diana pursued a different profession. READ ALSO: College Student Volunteers to Provide Help to the Elderly [Via Telehealth Access] The investigation on the accident The fire department of the Texas volunteer mom decided to disclose Diana's identity just recently after securing permission from her family. The US Forest Service announced last September 1 that the Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. In their press statement, they assured that further details would be provided, once available. The public mourns with the family of the Texas volunteer. In the Facebook post of the fire department, a lot of people expressed their sympathies and condolences. One netizen said, "We are so sorry for your, her family's, and our great loss." Another said, "My condolences to the other firefighters, first responders, and most importantly, her family." Others admired the dedication Diana gave in serving her community, "My condolences to her son & the whole crew. What a remarkable woman, to become an EMT & firefighter at an age when many of us are thinking of taking it easy. You are a true role model." Some shared their personal experience with the Texas volunteer, "I met Diana when she came to Paskenta to fight our fire. She was such a warm and friendly person who was always smiling. Our community is devastated by her passing and has reached out to see how we can help her family and her fire crew." READ ALSO: Dad from California Makes Ice Cream to Keep His Family and Community Happy Technavio has been monitoring the distance learning market and it is poised to grow by 90.37 bn during 2019-2023, 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/20200907005071/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Distance Learning Market 2019-2023 (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? Growing popularity of online microlearning is a major trend driving the growth of the market. Growing popularity of online microlearning is a major trend driving the growth of the market. At what rate is the market projected to grow? The year-over-year growth for 2019 is estimated at 8.50% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be 90.37 bn. The year-over-year growth for 2019 is estimated at 8.50% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be 90.37 bn. Who are the top players in the market? Arizona State University, Aston University, University of Exeter, University of Missouri System, and University of Wisconsin System., are some of the major market participants. Arizona State University, Aston University, University of Exeter, University of Missouri System, and University of Wisconsin System., are some of the major market participants. What is the key market driver? The rising number of enrolments for higher education is one of the major factors driving the market. The rising number of enrolments for higher education is one of the major factors driving the market. How big is the North America market? The North America region will contribute 28% of the market share. The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Arizona State University, Aston University, University of Exeter, University of Missouri System, and University of Wisconsin System are some of the major market participants. The rising number of enrolments for higher education 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 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. Distance Learning Market 2019-2023: Segmentation Distance Learning Market is segmented as below: Type Traditional Online 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=IRTNTR31263 Distance Learning Market 2019-2023: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The distance learning market report covers the following areas: Distance Learning Market Size Distance Learning Market Trends Distance Learning Market Industry Analysis This study identifies the growing popularity of online microlearning as one of the prime reasons driving the Distance Learning 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 Distance Learning Market 2019-2023: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023 Detailed information on factors that will assist distance learning market growth during the next five years Estimation of the distance learning market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the distance learning market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of distance learning 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 2018 Market size and forecast 2018-2023 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE Market segmentation by type Comparison by type Traditional Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Online Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Market opportunity by type PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Europe Market size and forecast 2018-2023 APAC Market size and forecast 2018-2023 MEA Market size and forecast 2018-2023 South America Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Growing popularity of online microlearning Emphasis on non-conventional credentials Content customization PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Arizona State University Aston University University of Exeter University of Missouri System University of Wisconsin System PART 14: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of vendors classification 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/20200907005071/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Kamala Harris met Monday with the family of Jacob Blake, the black man shot by cops in Wisconsin last month, to kick off her visit to the critical swing state on Monday. The Democratic Vice President nominee gathered with Jacob Blake's father, two sisters and members of his legal team at a private airport in Milwaukee. Blake himself also joined the conversation from his hospital bed, along with his mother, and his attorney Ben Crump. Joe Biden met with the family in Milwaukee four days ago before visiting Kenosha, the city where police shot Blake seven times in the back during a domestic disturbance call on August 23. The meeting kicked off a packed day of Labor Day campaign events, with Harris scheduled to meet with IBEW union workers and Black business owners in Milwaukee. Vice President Mike Pence was also visiting Wisconsin Monday as the presidential race enters its final phase. He's scheduled to tour an energy facility in La Crosse. Biden, meanwhile, is collecting a trio of endorsements from organized labor as he heads to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for an AFL-CIO virtual town hall with union President Richard Trumka. President Donald Trump planned an afternoon news conference from the White House. Democratic VP pick Kamala Harris pictured arriving in Milwaukee on Monday morning Harris gathered with Jacob Blake's father, two sisters and members of his legal team at a private airport in Milwaukee while Blake's mother and attorney Ben Crump joined by phone Blake also joined the conversation by phone. Joe Biden met with the family last week in Milwaukee before visiting Kenosha, the city where police shot Blake Harris' morning meeting with Blake's family again underscored the two campaigns' differing approaches to addressing police shootings of black men and women and the resulting protests, including some that have been violent. While Harris and Biden have met with Blake's family, Trump did not in a recent visit to Kenosha, instead meeting law enforcement officials and touring damage to businesses from the protests. The president has previously spoken by phone to Blake's mother's pastor and called their conversation 'a great talk,' but said he hasn't connected with the Blake family directly because they want lawyers to listen in on the conversation, which he has said would be 'inappropriate.' Harris' meeting with the Blake family comes just 24 hours after the Democrat told CNN that, based on video footage of his shooting, the white police officer responsible, Rusten Sheskey, should be charged. 'Based on what I saw, he should be charged,' Harris said of Sheskey, adding that any charges issued should be 'considered in a very serious way and that there should be accountability and consequence.' The 29-year-old was shot seven times in the back in front of his three children as he attempted to get into his car, following an alleged altercation with police. Blake has been left paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the incident and remains hospitalized. Jacob Blake Sr. (L) and Zanetia Blake, father and sister of Jacob Blake, sit together on a bench during a rally against racism and police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 29. They both met with Harris face-to-face earlier today Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. talks during a tour of the IBEW 494 training facility Monday The meeting kicked off a packed day of Labor Day campaign events, with Harris scheduled to meet with IBEW union workers (above) and black business owners in Milwaukee This marks Harris' first solo foray out on the campaign trail for in-person events since she was announced as Biden's running mate nearly a month ago In an earlier interview last week with NBC, Harris said: '[Blake] was going to his car. He didnt appear to be armed. And if he was not armed, the use of force that was seven bullets coming out of a gun at close range in the back of the man, I dont see how anybody could reason that that was justifiable.' In a video shared by his attorney Ben Crump on Saturday, Blake spoke out for the first time about his injuries from his hospital bed. 'I got staples in my back, staples in my damn stomach... Every twenty-four hours it's pain, nothing but pain,' Blake said, adding, 'It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side-to-side, it hurts to eat. 'Please, Im telling you, change your lives. Stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out there, man, because theres so much time thats been wasted,' he continued. The video was uploaded 24 hours after he pleaded not guilty to a number of charges, including sexual assault. Police had initially responded to the scene where he was eventually shot on August 23 after his girlfriend dialed 911 to report Blake was on her property when he wasn't supposed to be, the DOJ said. The shooting later renewed nationwide protests against police brutality, first spurred by the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota on Memorial day. Kenosha suffered consecutive days of rioting and looting, in which two activists were shot dead by 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who says he acted in self defense as he was trying to protect business from looters. In a video shared by his attorney Ben Crump on Saturday, Blake spoke out for the first time about his injuries from his hospital bed Police had initially responded to the scene where he was eventually shot on August 23 after his girlfriend dialed 911 to report Blake was on her property when he wasn't supposed to be, the DOJ said Jacob Blake protesters lit buildings on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States on August 24 - one day after the shooting The shooting later renewed nationwide protests against police brutality, first spurred by the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota on Memorial day (Jacob Blake Sr., father of Jacob Blake, Jr., speaks at the Lincoln Memorial during a demonstration) Joe Biden met with the family in Milwaukee four days ago before visiting Kenosha, the city where police shot Blake seven times in the back during a domestic disturbance call on August 23 Trump's narrow win in Wisconsin in 2016 helped to send him to the White House. The state's importance was underscored by all four candidates campaigning there over the past week. The Biden campaign believes its labor support could help get out the vote in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. According to details shared first with The Associated Press, the campaign will announce three union endorsements: the Laborers' International Union of North America, the International Union of Elevator Constructors and the National Federation of Federal Employees, collectively representing hundreds of thousands of union workers nationwide who can be mobilized to support the campaign. Meeting with local labor leaders in the backyard of a supporters home in Lancaster, Biden spoke about trade, coronavirus and the economy as he criticized Trump for 'refusing to deal with the problems that affect ordinary people' and called for strengthening unions. All four of the attendees expressed support for Biden and frustration with Trump's policies. 'I can't understand what's going on today, Im lost,' said Bob Faust, a member of the local Ironworkers Union. 'I get choked up when I think about the direction this country's going in at this time. We need your help.' Joe Biden met with the family last week in Milwaukee before visiting Kenosha, the city where police shot Blake Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during an event in the backyard of a home in Lancaster, PA Vice President Mike Pence was also visiting Wisconsin Monday as the presidential race enters its final phase. He's scheduled to tour an energy facility in La Crosse Labor Day typically marks the unofficial start to the fall campaign season as candidates accelerate their activity for the final sprint to Election Day. But Mondays events are playing out this year against the backdrop of a pandemic that has upended campaigning, forcing much of the candidates traditional activity online. Indeed, this marks Harris' first solo foray out on the campaign trail for in-person events since she was announced as Biden's running mate nearly a month ago. But Biden himself has stepped up his campaigning over the past week, traveling to Pittsburgh and Kenosha and holding two news conferences. Aides say to expect both Biden and Harris to increase their campaigning for the remaining weeks. While the presidential campaign was roiled this past week by multiple reports recounting comments Trump allegedly made disparaging fallen soldiers, as well as the police shooting and violent protests in Kenosha, the focus on Labor Day is likely to return to the issue that polls consistently find at the top of voters minds: the economy. A strong economy that was Trump's biggest asset for reelection has now become a potential liability, brought down by the coronavirus. The Biden campaign has emphasized the economic damage wrought by what Biden argues was an inadequate response to the pandemic that resulted in more loss of life and jobs than necessary. It's a line both Biden and Harris are likely to push while speaking to union voters. The U.S. economy has been steadily rebounding from its epic collapse in the spring as many businesses have reopened and rehired some laid-off employees. Yet the recovery is far from complete. Only about half the 22 million jobs that vanished in the pandemic have been recovered. Economic inequalities also appear to have widened, with lower-income and minority workers suffering disproportionately while affluent Americans have lost fewer jobs and even benefited from rising stock and home prices. Debt is mounting on the hero teaseller of Mumbais CSMT and business is far from propelling to wane his woes. Now, Chotu Chaiwala is headed home to Bihar as business post lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic has been dismal. Back in 2008, when Mumbai was rocked by the deadly terror attack, Chhotu had managed to ferry injured people from CSMTs to St Georges Hospital on a hand-driven cart even while Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan were still shooting down people in the suburban section of the station. He was hailed a hero then. But now, Chotu is in a debt of Rs 3 lakh and has his life savings exhausted too, Mirror Now reported. Chotus business of two tea stalls outside CSMTs south exit has taken a bad hit over the last five months of coronavirus lockdown. His minimal earnings come from the sale of tea from a flask. The money from selling tea in a flask is not enough to support his family and three boys who work at his tea stall. Chhotu had come to Mumbai as 12-year-old boy in 1995 and worked at a food stall as a helper. Year later he managed to have his own tea stall and even employ three more boys. However, the lockdown has made it difficult for the business to sustain. To pay the salaries of the boys, Chotu had to take loan. It was only in February that Chhotu rented a licenced tea stall near his first one. He says he spent Rs 1 lakh to stock up his new stall. But a month later things turned for the worse when a lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus was imposed across the country. Hi act of bravery and selflessness during the deadly attack of 26/11 got him recognition and a cash reward of Rs 70,000. He invested the money in his first stall and started earning well for himself. But the pandemic has changed it all for him. In 2008, when the terrorists attacked Indias financial capital, Chhotu was standing outside the station masters cabin and Kasab and Khan started firing. Chhotu had a narrow escape and hid in the cabin. He played dead when Kasab came firing more bullets. Chhotu saw the station master lying with a bullet injury in his chest. He pressed his wound with a cloth and took the station master and many injured to St Georges hospital on a hand-cart. His heroic deeds even helped him sustain the lockdown crisis. In fact, it was majorly the railway officials of the CSMT, who remember his bravery of 2008, who lent him the money to pay the helpers at his tea stall. But now survival seems difficult in the city that has been Chhotus home for 23 years and is now going back to his home in Dumri village in Bihars Muzaffarnagar district. President Moon Jae-in, left, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ahead of a summit in Chengdu, China, on Dec. 24, 2019. Korea Times file Historical conflicts may remain under Suga By Do Je-hae Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, a frontrunner to succeed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is showing a hardline stance on historical issues with South Korea. His stance shows that if he becomes the next prime minister, the chilled Korea-Japan relations over the compensation issue for surviving South Korean victims of wartime forced labor are unlikely to improve soon. In an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun, Monday, he said he would conduct a "stern response" to Korea's "breach of international law." The remark referred to the South Korean Supreme Court's October 2018 ruling that ordered Japanese companies to compensate surviving South Koreans forced to work for them during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea. Tokyo has firmly resisted the ruling and claimed that the issue of wartime compensation was resolved under the 1965 South Korea-Japan bilateral treaty for normalizing relations. Tokyo has claimed Seoul is breaching international law by "violating" the treaty. In a Sankei Shimbun interview, Sunday, Suga made it clear that the 1965 treaty is the basis of the two nations' relations and the two countries must respect it. Yoshihide Suga, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary and ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker, speaks during a news conference to announce his candidacy for the party's leadership election, in Tokyo, Sept. 2. Reuters-Yonhap Suga, who has a big lead in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party election to be held on Sept. 14 for the prime minister position, announced last week that he "will continue Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's fully devoted work and effort to make further progress," according to the Yomiuri Shimbum. The remarks are seen to suggest that despite the upcoming change in Japanese leadership, there will be no drastic changes in Japan's rigid position regarding issues with South Korea, including the history and trade rows that have aggravated bilateral relations to the worst level since ties were normalized in the 1960s. Suga's hardline position on South Korea is raising concerns that any improvements in South Korea-Japan relations will continue to be a long shot and that the new Japanese leader will not respond to Cheong Wa Dae's hopes to improve ties. "Our government will continue to work with Japan's newly elected prime minister and new cabinet to promote friendly and cooperative relations between South Korea and Japan," the presidential office said in a statement after Abe's resignation announcement. Experts have underlined improving relations between the leaders of the two countries as a priority, but that has not happened under Abe. The two leaders have not communicated since a summit on the sidelines of a South Korea-Japan-China summit in Chengdu, China, in December 2019. Besides the forced labor ruling issue, South Korea and Japan have also been at odds over a foundation for the survivors of wartime sex slavery established under a bilateral agreement between former President Park Geun-hye and Abe. The foundation has been virtually closed under the Moon Jae-in administration, which has claimed that the agreement did not reflect the opinions of the victims. Tokyo has claimed this is also a breach of a bilateral agreement. People walk past a Uniqlo store in Gangnam, Seoul, on Aug. 2. The Japanese fashion brand's announcement to close some stores in Korea last month came amid slow progress in the chilly relations between Korea and Japan. Yonhap She's one of Australia's most controversial NRL WAGs, and fans are furious that Arabella Del Busso will appear on Channel Seven's upcoming series SAS Australia. The 30-year-old model first made headlines when she went to the police with a video of her ex-partner Josh Reynolds yelling at her. The charges against the 31-year-old Wests Tigers player were dropped in February, but fans aren't happy that Arabella has now landed a role on a major reality show. Controversial: She's one of Australia's most controversial rugby league WAGs, and fans are furious that Arabella Del Busso will appear on Channel Seven's upcoming series SAS Australia Angry rugby league fans vented their frustration on Twitter after it was revealed on Sunday that Arabella would be joining the cast. 'I'll never watch Channel Seven putting a loser like that on shows how much credibility they have,' one critic tweeted. 'I, for one, will not be tuning in... Absolutely disgusted in your efforts for ratings,' another added. No stranger to attention: The 30-year-old model first made headlines when she went to the police with a video of her ex-partner Josh Reynolds (left) yelling at her. The charges against the 31-year-old Wests Tigers player were dropped in February Getting worked up: Fans aren't happy Arabella has now landed a role on a major reality series The lingerie model joins the growing list of celebrities set to appear on the show, including convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby and publicist Roxy Jacenko. The military-style program will see the contestants having to endure sleep deprivation, interrogation techniques and physical challenges. Arabella last appeared on television in May, when she addressed her bitter split with Josh on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes. Celebrity? The lingerie model joins the growing list of celebrities set to appear on the show, including convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby and publicist Roxy Jacenko During the interview, Arabella tearfully denied faking pregnancies and miscarriages during her tumultuous relationship with the footy star. However, she did admit to passing off another woman's ultrasound scan as her own in order to 'spite' her then-boyfriend. Filming for SAS Australia begun earlier this year in Queenstown, New Zealand. But production was later relocated to the NSW Snowy Mountains due to travel restrictions being enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. SAS Australia premieres this October on Channel Seven Panaji: The Goa Assembly elections are likely to be a three-pronged fight with the ruling BJP, opposition Congress and new entrant AAP pitted against each other in the coastal state. While the Manohar Parrikar-led BJP had won in the 2012 elections in alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), this time it has been abandoned by its political friends who have now ganged up against it. Hence, the BJP has decided to go to the polls on its own for the Assembly elections scheduled to be held on February 4. As per a recent announcement, the party will contest in 37 out of the total 40 seats. In the remaining three constituencies under Salcette taluka, which has a Catholic stronghold, it will support the Independents. Departing from its 2012 strategy when it had announced Manohar Parrikar as the chief ministerial face before seeking votes, the BJP this time has said that the elected members will chose their leader. Standing alone, the BJP has covered majority of the ground through its Vijay Sankalp rallies, which have been addressed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, in 35 constituencies of the state. The BJP, which has seen steady growth in the coastal state, has its strength in the robust organisational set up which percolates to every booth level. BJP Goa chief Vinay Tendulkar recently said that the party is confident of winning over 26 seats on its own. We are fighting this election on the plank of good governance and development. We have shown the people that BJP means development, he said. But according to political experts, it would have been an easy election for BJP if its ally MGP had not split with it and the medium of instruction issue had not given rise to another political outfit Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) led by RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar. The three pro-Hindutva outfits - MGP, GSM and Shiv Sena - may eat into the votes of BJP and are likely to give the ruling party a tough challenge in several constituencies. MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar is slated to be projected as the chief ministerial candidate by these parties, which are likely to tie-up soon. The MGP split with the BJP on January 5, a day after election dates were announced. Dhavalikar has exuded confidence that his party will form government in Goa, in alliance with GSM and Shiv Sena. BJP will be wiped out from the state. For the 2012 elections, majority of the seats were won by BJP with the support of MGP. BJP would not have won 21 seats on their own without MGP, he claimed recently. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to inaugural session of the Governors Conference on National Education Policy (NEP) on Monday (September 7) at 10:30 AM. Deliberations from this conference will strengthen efforts to make India a knowledge hub, PM Modi tweeted. The Conference titled Role of NEP-2020 in Transforming Higher Education will also be attended by education ministers of all states. It is being organized by the Union Ministry of Education and will be held through a video conference. The NEP-2020 is the first education policy of the 21st century which was announced after 34 years of the previous National Policy on Education 1986. It is directed towards major reforms in both school and higher education level. The new National Education Policy strives for making India into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society. It envisions an India-centred education system that contributes directly to transforming India into a global superpower, the government said in a statement, adding that the NEP 2020 will bring about a paradigm shift in the countrys education system and create an enabling and reinvigorated educational ecosystem for a new Atmanirbhar Bharat as envisaged by the prime minister. The Ministry of Education and University Grants Commission had earlier organised a Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under National Education Policy-2020, which was addressed by PM Modi. HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited (the "Company") (NYSE: BORR) (OSE: BDRILL) today announced that, in connection with the assumption of his new role as CEO and in line with the Company's corporate governance policies, Patrick Schorn will step down from the Company's board of directors with effect from September 8, 2020. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/borr-drilling-limited/r/borr-drilling-limited-announces-change-to-board-of-directors,c3189770 SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited United States space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shared six images of our cosmos captured by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and other telescopes. The NASA post reads: Various types of objects are shown (galaxies, supernova remnants, stars, planetary nebulas), but together they demonstrate the possibilities when data from across the electromagnetic spectrum are assembled. (Image: nasa.gov) Messier 82, or M82, is a galaxy that is oriented edge-on to Earth. This gives astronomers and their telescopes an interesting view of what happens as this galaxy undergoes bursts of star formation. X-rays from Chandra (appearing as blue and pink) show gas in outflows about 20,000 light years long that has been heated to temperatures above ten million degrees by repeated supernova explosions. Optical light data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (red and orange) shows the galaxy. (Image: nasa.gov) Abell 2744: Galaxy clusters are the largest objects in the universe held together by gravity. They contain enormous amounts of superheated gas, with temperatures of tens of millions of degrees, which glows brightly in X-rays, and can be observed across millions of light years between the galaxies. This image of the Abell 2744 galaxy cluster combines X-rays from Chandra (diffuse blue emission) with optical light data from Hubble (red, green, and blue). (Image: nasa.gov) Supernova 1987A: On February 24, 1987, observers in the southern hemisphere saw a new object in a nearby galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud. This was one of the brightest supernova explosions in centuries and soon became known as Supernova 1987A (SN 87A). Data from Chandra data (blue) show the location of the supernova's shock wave similar to the sonic boom from a supersonic plane interacting with the surrounding material about four light years from the original explosion point. Optical data from Hubble (orange and red) also shows evidence for this interaction in the ring. (Image: nasa.gov) Eta Carinae: What will be the next star in our Milky Way galaxy to explode as a supernova? Astronomers aren't certain, but one candidate is in Eta Carinae, a volatile system containing two massive stars that closely orbit each other. This image has three types of light: optical data from Hubble (appearing as white), ultraviolet (cyan) from Hubble, and X-rays from Chandra (appearing as purple emission). The previous eruptions of this star have resulted in a ring of hot, X-ray emitting gas about 2.3 light years in diameter surrounding these two stars. (Image: nasa.gov) Cartwheel Galaxy: This galaxy resembles a bull's eye, which is appropriate because its appearance is partly due to a smaller galaxy that passed through the middle of this object. The violent collision produced shock waves that swept through the galaxy and triggered large amounts of star formation. X-rays from Chandra (purple) show disturbed hot gas initially hosted by the Cartwheel galaxy being dragged over more than 150,000 light years by the collision. Optical data from Hubble (red, green, and blue) show where this collision may have triggered the star formation. (Image: nasa.gov) India on Monday became the fourth country after the United States, Russia and China to develop and successfully test hypersonic technology from APJ Abdul Kalam testing range (Wheeler Island) in Balasore, Odisha. This indigenous technology will pave the way towards development of missiles travelling at six times the speed of sound (Mach 6). The test of Hypersonic Test Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was conducted at 11.03 am today using the Agni missile booster and lasted for five minutes. People aware of the development said this test means that the DRDO will have the capacity to develop a hypersonic missile with scramjet engine in next five years, which will have the capacity to travel at more than two kilometres per second. The test was led by DRDO chief Satheesh Reddy and his hypersonic missile team. The HSTDV performed on all parametres, including combustion chamber pressure, air intake and control guidance, the agency said. Watch: India successfully tests hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle The design of the HSTDV tested by the DRDO on Monday. (Pic: DRDO) At 11.03 am, the Agni missile booster took the hypersonic vehicle to height of 30 km after which the latter separated. Thereafter, the vehicles air intake opened and that led to successfully firing of the test scramjet engine. The combustion lasted for more than 20 seconds with the vehicle achieving a speed of Mach 6. The vehicle performed successfully on all the pre-determined parametres including the ability to handle combustion temperatures of over 2500 degrees Celsius as well as air speed, said a senior official. Defence minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO immediately after the test and praised their efforts to indigenously build a scramjet engine. He said that it is a landmark achievement towards realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase, Singh tweeted. The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demontrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 7, 2020 I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising the Prime Ministers vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them, the defence minister said in another tweet. The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic speed flight. Besides its utility for long-range cruise missiles of the future, the technology has multiple civilian applications also. It can be used for launching satellites at low cost too, according to government officials. A graphic explaining the entire HSTDV flight maneuver. (Pic: DRDO) The HSTDV cruise vehicle is mounted on a solid rocket motor, which will take it to a required altitude, and once it attains certain mach numbers for speed, the cruise vehicle will be ejected out of the launch vehicle. Subsequently, the scramjet engine will be ignited automatically. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON WASHINGTON (AP) Sales of previously occupied homes fell in December for the first time in four months as many would-be buyers were frustrated by a lack of available houses, which fell to the lowest level in more than two... Survivors of the Charlie Hebdo attack fled a courtroom in tears after they were shown CCTV footage of the gruesome massacre on Monday. The court in Paris sat through the graphic images showing the scenes during and after the 2015 newsroom attack. The trial of 14 suspects accused of aiding the two gunmen who stormed the offices of the French satirical cartoon opened last week and is set to run until November. Survivors of the Charlie Hebdo attack fled a courtroom in tears after they were shown CCTV footage of the gruesome massacre on Monday. Pictured: two masked gunmen brandishing Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers during the 2015 killings The court's presiding judge, Regis de Jorna, said as she showed the footage on Monday: 'Some people may find these scenes disturbing.' Once the viewing started, some attack survivors left the room in tears, while in the box of the accused, some watched while others looked away. 'What we've just seen is inhuman,' said Caty Richard, a lawyer for one of the civil parties. 'They were killing machines.' This court sketch made last week at the Paris courthouse shows the fourteen accused and their lawyers at the opening of the trial of the accomplices in Charlie Hebdo jihadist killings in 2015 It was 11:33 am on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, when the Kouachi brothers, Cherif and Said, entered Charlie Hebdo's premises in Paris and killed 10 people in under two minutes. In total 12 people, including some of France's most celebrated cartoonists, were gunned down at the scene. The former head of the Paris police's anti-terror unit, Christian Deau, walked the court through the chilling events of the day. The first of the graphic pictures, taken by police right after their arrival, showed the entrance used by the two brothers just before shooting the paper's webmaster, Simon Fieschi, who was later evacuated, seriously injured. In the adjacent room Moustapha Ourrad, a copy editor who worked at Charlie Hebdo for 30 years, lay in a pool of his own blood. A picture of the main conference room shows a tangle of bodies, dead or dying amid printers and stacks of printing paper. In total, 33 bullet cartridges were found at the crime scene, 21 from Cherif Kouachi's weapon alone. Police found seven rounds in the body of chief editor Stephane Charbonnier, known as Charb, fired at point-blank range of less than four inches, Deau said. Police and emergency vehicles at the scene after the gun rampage at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris in 2015 which left 12 people dead The trajectory of the bullets found in the bodies of most of the murdered cartoonists were consistent with execution-style killings from behind, Dead added. Closed-circuit video recordings showed the killers seemingly calm and determined during the attack, and also during their getaway when they casually killed a police officer, Ahmed Merabet, who was already on the ground. Following a sustained exchange of fire with several police units, the two killers abandoned their vehicle whose windows had been shot to pieces. The Kouachi brothers, Cherif (left) and Said (right), entered Charlie Hebdo's premises in Paris and killed 10 people in under two minutes Police later found enough extra weapons in the car to lead them to believe that the brothers may have been planning more attacks, Deau said. Police killed the brothers two days later after a manhunt. Fourteen suspected accomplices are on trial in connection with the killings, and with a related attack on a Jewish supermarket. The killings sparked a series of attacks on French soil, including 'lone wolf' attacks by people said to be inspired by the Islamic State group that have since claimed more than 250 lives. A message of solidarity with Charlie Hebdo - containing the popular slogan 'je suis Charlie' (meaning 'I am Charlie') - is laid out in Paris after the attack in 2015 Hearings began last week under heavy security as eleven of the suspects faced the court on charges of conspiracy in a terrorist act or association with a terror group. Three others, including the wife of one of the gunmen, are being tried in absentia because they fled to IS-held territory in Syria days before the 2015 attacks. The court is to hear the testimony of survivors on Tuesday and Wednesday. The applications by iPhone contract makers Foxconn, Pegatron and Wistron, along with Samsung, Karbonn, Lava and Dixon, to export mobile phones worth around $100 billion from India have been cleared by the empowered group, mentioned people with knowledge of the matter. The empowered committee has approved all applications estimated to export around $100 billion (Rs 7.3 lakh crore) worth mobile phones under the production linked incentive scheme (PLI) and all the applications will be placed before the cabinet probably this week, stated a senior government official. Members of the empowered committee include the Niti Aayog CEO along with the secretaries of economic affairs, expenditure, revenue, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Five of the applicants are overseas ones, seven are Indian and another six are in the components manufacturing scheme. Apples contract producers and Samsung have submitted manufacturing estimates of telephones value $50 billion every within the subsequent 5 years, in accordance with the functions, mentioned folks with information of the matter. Exports will probably be barely decrease in every case. The extraordinary response to the PLI shows enormous trust of the global community in Indias manufacturing capability and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications & IT Minister. The PLI scheme, which aims to make India a manufacturing hub for smartphones, was notified in April. Apples contract manufacturers started producing its latest handset models, the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE, shortly after that in India. The scheme is aimed at attracting manufacturers looking to move out of China amid Sino-US trade tensions, and even looks to draw companies from manufacturing hubs such as Vietnam. While Foxconn and Wistron already have plants running in India, Pegatron - Apples second-largest contract manufacturer is looking to set up its factory and is talking to states such as Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, Samsung, which now exports phones worth about $2.5 billion from India, is all set to ramp up its production to handsets worth $50 billion in the next five years. Of this, $40 billion will comprise devices with a factory price of more than $200. Samsung exporting $2.5 billion out of India - of this, 97 percent was in the below $200 segment. By putting this floor price of $200 for eligibility in the PLI scheme, we have incentivized them to make high-value phones in the country and now they will be vacating this space of less than 15,000 factory price for Indian players to occupy, says the first official. This is an important stage as it will ensure that Indian players are able to climb up the learning curve and start making world-class smartphones to compete globally. The five global applicants are Samsung, two units of Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron. The domestic ones are Lava, Dixon, Micromax, Padget Electronics, Sojo, Karbonn and Optiemus. According to government data, 22 companies had applied for the Rs 41,000-crore PLI scheme. Crowds of revellers flocked to an illegal street party in London amid spiraling coronavirus case figures. Just a handful of party-goers could be seen wearing face masks as they danced and chanted on their night out in Shoreditch in the early hours of Saturday morning. Some appeared to stand on tables as passersby watched on. One onlooker who asked to remain anonymous said the crowds 'just kept coming' to the street party - located just a stones-throw away from the station. It comes after 2,988 coronavirus cases were reported in just 24 hours yesterday - the highest daily total since May. The last time the UK's caseload was that high was May 23 - 15 weeks ago - when 2,959 people tested positive. On that day, 220 people died from Covid-19. Matt Hancock called the figures 'concerning', and admitted that there had been real terms rise even after taking into account the increase in testing. Crowds of revellers flocked to an illegal street party in London amid spiraling coronavirus case figures Party-goers danced and chanted on their night out in Shoreditch - with some appearing to stand on tables as passersby watched on Is Covid getting weaker? Infection rates rise but deaths and hospital admissions remain low as experts say people are passing on smaller doses of coronavirus due to social distancing Experts believe coronavirus spreading in lower doses is keeping death tolls and hospital admissions low but daily case totals high. Social distancing measures mean an infected person would only be able to pass on traces of Covid-19 to another person, therefore the virus's 'infectious dose' is lower. Because the newly-infected person would have a smaller amount of the virus, their symptoms would not be as serious - in a similar manner to chicken pox. While this would explain why a rise in cases has not lead to a rise in deaths, doctors have stressed that not enough is known about Covid-19 to determine whether it is dose-dependent. But other viruses, including SARS and MERS - the coronaviruses behind two previous pandemic outbreaks - follow this pattern. Cases of Covid-19 have been slowly creeping up in the UK since early July. This may seem alarming, but it has not corresponded with an increase in the number of people dying from the virus. In the first week of July, the number of new Covid-19 infections hit a low of roughly 550-a-day across the UK. At that point there were about 150 people hospitalised with the virus every day in England alone and about 30 deaths. Since then, the number of new infections has steadily risen. Last week, saw about 1,500 positive test results a day. But the number of patients ending up in hospital and dying have continued to fall. In the week ending September 4, there were a total of 51 UK deaths. In England, there are about 450 patients in hospital with Covid-19 well below the 17,000 that were during the pandemic's peak in April. Even in the Midlands, where there was a significant wave of cases throughout July and a return to lockdown in Leicester, the number of people in hospital or on ventilation has continued to fall. There are now roughly seven patients in hospital in the Midlands NHS area on ventilators, from a peak of 485. Bolton was last night placed under tighter Covid-19 restrictions as the infection rate in the area became the highest in England. Bolton Council has asked for people in the town to avoid mixing with other households and to only use public transport for essential purposes. The town's infection rate recently increased to 99 cases per 100,000 people per week, the highest in England, the council said. Greater Manchester as a whole saw 220 confirmed cases on Tuesday followed by 262 on Wednesday. Thursday saw a drop to 67. Meanwhile, Leeds is teetering on the brink and has been added to Public Health England's list of areas of concern - while measures will be eased in swathes of Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Leicester next week. The Yorkshire city, home to half a million people, has seen its infection rate rise to 32.4 new cases per 100,000 people, bringing it to the attention of authorities. Dr Elisabetta Groppelli, a virologist at St George's University of London, said: 'If you are exposed to a smaller amount of virus, fewer cells in your body get infected, so there's time for your immune system to mount a response. 'If you get lots of cells infected at once, you are already starting on the back foot. 'There is not particularly solid data for Covid-19 at the moment, but it's logical.' Advertisement He also pleaded with 'predominantly' young people who make up the new cases toll to not pass the virus onto their grandparents for fear they could become seriously ill or die from it. It was last week revealed that two-thirds of new coronavirus infections in the UK are in the under-40s, while the rate among older people has fallen sharply in an 'extraordinary' shift. The number of over-50s testing positive for Covid-19 now represents just a fifth of those nationwide, compared with three quarters in the spring. Just three per cent are now made up of those over 80, down from 28 per cent six months ago, reported The Times. The peak age range for infections is now in the 20s but for most of the pandemic it was in the 80s - sparking hope further restrictions can be reduced because it seems older people are voluntarily shielding. Experts believe that high case numbers combined with low death tolls could be due to coronavirus spreading in lower doses. Social distancing measures mean an infected person would only be able to pass on traces of Covid-19 to another person, therefore the virus's 'infectious dose' is lower. Because the newly-infected person would have a smaller amount of the virus, their symptoms would not be as serious - in a similar manner to chicken pox. While this would explain why a rise in cases has not lead to a rise in deaths, doctors have stressed that not enough is known about Covid-19 to determine whether it is dose-dependent. But other viruses, including SARS and MERS - the coronaviruses behind two previous pandemic outbreaks - follow this pattern. Cases of Covid-19 have been slowly creeping up in the UK since early July. But fears of a second coronavirus wave haven't stopped lockdown-weary rule breakers who flocked to illegal raves up and down the country in recent weeks. Police were not called to attend the Shoreditch party, a spokesperson confirmed. On Thursday, footage of a 500-person illegal rave was released by police in Thetford after an officer was attacked over the Bank Holiday weekend. More than a hundred police officers broke up the mass rave in Thetford woods on Saturday night. Ariel footage shows cars parked around the rave and a huge stage, complete with giant speakers and flashing lights, can be seen in a clearing. One clip shows an unknown man dressed in black clothing running towards an officer in full riot gear. The man kicked the officer before running away. Officers seized audio equipment, generators, the rig and a large flat-bed lorry which was used to transport the equipment. Five people were arrested and fined 100 for attending the unlicensed music event. Investigations are underway to identify the event organiser, who could face a 10,000 fine under new legislation which came into effect on August 28. The legislation brought in harsher punishment for organisers and attendees of illegal gatherings. In the early hours of Sunday morning, a 34-year-old man was stabbed to death after intervening in a fight at an illegal rave in south London. Sean Williams was stabbed in the neck after attending an unlicensed music event at Culverley Road in Lewisham, the Met said. Police and the London Ambulance Service were called to the nearby Thornsbeach Road to reports of a stabbing. Despite the best efforts of police and medics, Mr Williams died from his injuries at the scene shortly after 6.15am. Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran, who is leading the murder investigation, said: 'At this early stage we believe that both the victim and the suspect had attended an unlicensed music event at Culverley Road, SE6, during which a fight broke out between two men. 'The victim intervened in this fight and suffered a fatal injury. 'I know there were around 100 people at the event and someone who was there knows the identity of the person responsible. 'I want these people to do the right thing and get in touch. Police were not called to attend the Shoreditch party, a Met Police spokesperson confirmed The UK has recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since May after 2,988 were reported in just 24 hours yesterday A further two people died after testing positive for the bug yesterday, bringing the UK's total death toll to 41,551 Sean Williams, 34, was stabbed to death after intervening in a fight at an illegal rave in London 'I also urge the person responsible to hand themselves into police.' No arrests have been made, the Met said. A second victim, 37, took himself to a south London hospital with a non-life-threatening knife injury to his hand, police added. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC, quoting 1832/06Sep. Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. The Met Police have launched a murder investigation and forensic examination was carried out Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 06:04:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (L) meets with Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo in Athens, Greece, on Sept. 7, 2020. Malta's Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo on Monday called for dialogue and compromise to de-escalate tension in the Eastern Mediterranean lately, during a visit to Athens. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malta's Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo on Monday called for dialogue and compromise to de-escalate tension in the Eastern Mediterranean lately, during a visit to Athens. The other option of a military confrontation in the region would be more painful, he stressed at the joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias after their meeting. "The best way to build confidence with each other is to stop all activities in contested areas so that one can sit down and discuss... if we choose the other option, military confrontation, that would be more painful," Bartolo said in remarks broadcast on Greek national broadcaster ERT. Growing tensions between Greece and Cyprus on one side and Turkey on the other in recent months regarding energy explorations in the Mediterranean and maritime borders have caused concern among European Union partners and other countries. "(Greece is) always ready for dialogue with Turkey, but this dialogue should be conducted within the context of international law. There cannot be dialogue under blackmails and threats," Dendias said on his part. Dendias said the discussion with Bartolo also included the issues of the migration-refugee flows and the situation in Libya and the operation to uphold the arms embargo, according to an e-mailed press release issued from his office. Enditem The ban on civilian flights to Slovak airports has been lifted as of September 7. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Some travellers who make their way to Slovakia by plane landing at Slovak airports will need to register online before they make their trip. There are two forms to fill out. Our paywall policy: The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope. Starting on September 10 at 7:00, everybody who enters Slovakia via airports and who has been in a red country in the past 14 days will have to show a registration confirmation from the Korona.gov.sk/ehranica.sk website to a police officer. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Failure to present the confirmation may result in a fine of 1,659 by the regional Public Health Authority (UVZ) branch. The police can issue an on-the-spot fine of up to 1,000. The ban on flights to and from risky countries was lifted on September 7. However, passengers and airports have to follow strict measures. Everybody travelling from abroad to Slovakia needs to fill out an online form published on the website of the Transport Ministry, which will enable the search for their contacts in case the passenger is infected by some communicable disease, not only the coronavirus. What the form contains All passengers are required to state the following: the name of the airline; the flight number; the state of departure; the date of arrival; their name and surname; phone number; email address. After filling in the form, passengers should receive an email for the email address provided in the form, containing an electronic form in the pdf and hyperlink to the online form. Related article Related article The ban on civilian flights to red countries lifted Read more Moreover, each form has its own identification code, which should be used to verify the completion of the electronic form by respective authorities. The form was introduced in February 2020, but only in paper form, with passengers being asked to fill it in onboard. In addition, people arriving from risky countries will have to fill out an online form at the Korona.gov.sk website. Self-isolation required Following the measures adopted by the Public Health Authority that came into force on September 1, everybody who has visited an EU member state that is considered risky in the past 14 days needs to stay in home isolation until receiving a negative COVID-19 result. The testing can be done on the 5th day after the arrival (it is not required in the case of children younger than 3 years of age who have no respiratory problems). If there are no symptoms, the person can end the isolation after 10 days. Related article Related article How to travel to and from Slovakia post-coronavirus Read more People entering Slovakia who have visited a non-EU country that is considered risky in the past 14 days need to stay in home isolation until receiving a negative COVID-19 test result (it is not required in the case of children younger than 3 years of age who have no respiratory problems). The testing can be done on the 5th day after arrival. In this case, it is not possible to end isolation without taking the test. Everybody living in the same household needs to remain in home isolation, too. People returning from Ukraine will have to fill out the online form at the Korona.gov.sk website before crossing the borders, and show a confirmation that they were registered by a police officer after crossing. All non-EU citizens will have to keep the confirmation about registration during their stay in Slovakia. Exceptions include pilots and other crew members. Where to fly from Bratislava? The Bratislava airport currently operates flights to 11 destinations: Bulgaria: Burgas Cyprus: Paphos Greece: Corfu (until the end of September), Thessaloniki Ireland: Dublin Italy: Alghero United Kingdom: Birmingham, Edinburgh, London (Luton, Stansted), Manchester At the same time, there are charter flights scheduled for September to Rhodes, Crete and Larnaka. Before travelling to Greece and Cyprus, it is necessary to fill in the forms found on the websites of the respective countries. Moreover, passengers planning to travel to Cyprus need to show a negative COVID-19 test result. Due to the ban on foreigners from entering Ukraine, all flights to this destination have been halted until September 28. Bratislava will add more flights in October. This article was first published on September 7, 2020. Read more about the coronavirus outbreak in Slovakia: WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has warned about an undetermined amount of imported cooked duck blood curds from China. A recall was not requested because FSIS has been unable to contact the importer. The total amount of ineligible product is undetermined because the investigation is ongoing. The product about which FSIS has issued a alert is 10.58 OZ. (300g), vacuum-packed packages containing 'Cooked Duck Blood Curds, DUCK BLOOD.' The cooked duck blood curds product does not identify an eligible establishment number on its packaging and was not presented to FSIS for import re-inspection. FSIS has not received an official inspection certificate issued by the People's Republic of China to certify this product as eligible. Therefore, this product is ineligible to import into the U.S., making it unfit for human consumption. Retailers who have purchased the product are urged not to sell it. Consumers who purchased the product should not consume it and properly discard it. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. 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. New Delhi: Ratan Tata joined social media platforms in 2019 and since then he has been frequent on social media platforms. Last Saturday, which happened to be Teachers Day, Tata decided to answer queries from his followers on Instagram. One of the followers asked the legendary businessman what would have been his back up career option. Tata replied that he would have gladly become an architect had he not lead one of the countries largest companies. Ratan Tatas Instagram status There are many messages in my inbox that I cannot respond to, but you have some wonderful questions and I would like to answer a few. I understand Instagram has a question-answer feature, so I will try my best to answer some on Sunday evening. I look forward to hearing from you in the QnA story thats added," Tata shared from his account on September 5. Tata, who has a following of 3 million on the social media account, answered some of the questions on Sunday. On being asked how to compete when others are not playing fair, Tata replied, You can still compete effectively if you are fair to all your stakeholders. One of his followers asked him if he does Yoga. Tata replied that he does every evening. Tata usually shares words of inspiration or post images from his past. This is not the first time that the Chairman Emeritus at Tata Sons has made clear his love for architecture. During a seminar last April, Tata regretted his inability to practice architecture for long despite a degree in architecture from Cornell University. Reports of the abduction have come at a time that the Indian Army has enhanced its deployment along the 3,400 km-long LAC New Delhi: The Indian Army has taken up with the Chinese military the reports of abduction of five people from Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh by the PLA troops, military sources said on Sunday. The commander of the Army unit deployed in the area sent hotline messages to the PLA unit concerned about the reported abduction, the sources said. The reports of abduction of the five men came at a time that the Indian Army has enhanced its deployment along the 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control in view of the border row between the two countries in eastern Ladakh. A senior official of the Arunachal Pradesh government said on Saturday that the local police has launched a probe into the matter. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 10:18:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WINDHOEK, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Many countries have learned from China's experience of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Namibian Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shalunga told Xinhua in a recent interview. After Namibia reported its first coronavirus case, the government quickly announced a state of emergency and a lockdown in Erongo and Khomas Regions, Shalunga said, adding those measures followed China's practice. "The response of China was hailed because it was within a reasonable period of time that they were able to bring the pandemic under control" and many countries have learned from China's experience, said the minister. During its response and efforts to contain the pandemic, Namibia has received solidarity, especially from the Chinese government, the minister added. "During our response to the epidemic, we have received substantive support from the Chinese government," he said. He added that the support includes test kits, masks, disposable protective clothing and medical equipment such as ventilators. Namibia also received donations from Chinese enterprises and organizations, according to Shalunga, who said the country has benefited from the Chinese support. "Our medical doctors and Chinese doctors have been able to work together via virtual media so that the Chinese doctors can share their experience in handling COVID-19," said the minister. The Chinese doctors have shared with their counterparts in Namibia the best practices which Namibia could implement, the minister said. "Therefore we did not feel that we are fighting this (the pandemic) alone because we have the great solidarity" both within and beyond the country, he said. "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The forum has been instrumental in forging cooperation, solidarity and relationship between Africa and China, and many people and countries have benefited from this relationship," the minister said. Enditem (Alliance News) - Tesco PLC has said that Charles Wilson, the boss of its Booker wholesale business, is to leave the retail giant a following its two top executives out the door. Earlier this year, chief executive officer Dave Lewis and finance chief Alan Stewart said they would depart the supermarket group. Wilson has said he will now step down from the group himself, after 15 years leading the Booker business, which Tesco then acquired in a GBP3.7 billion deal in 2018. He was heavily tipped to take over from Lewis as chief of Tesco before being diagnosed with throat cancer in July 2018. The company said the disease remains in remission, but he decided that "now is the time to step back and take it a little easier". In 1998, Wilson became an executive director at Booker before taking the top job in 2005 and driving growth at the business to help it become the UK's largest wholesaler. He will be succeeded in the role by Andrew Yaxley, who is currently chief product officer at Tesco, immediately. Lewis said: "Charles' reputation in the UK food business is unparalleled and for very good reason. "The transformation of Booker over the last 15 years is one of the most remarkable business case studies in recent history. "Since the merger with Tesco he has been a superb member of the executive team and a brilliant colleague. "Whilst we are very sad to see him retire, we completely understand and wish Charles and his family all the very best for the future." Wilson said he will not be selling any Tesco shares in the next few years and will remain a "committed supporter" of the business. He said: "It has been a privilege serving our retail and catering customers and a pleasure working with a great team at Tesco and Booker. "Andrew will be a great leader of Booker within the Tesco Group. Andrew and I will ensure a smooth handover to maintain business as usual. "It has been a huge privilege to be part of Booker and Tesco, and I look forward to seeing the group flourish in the years ahead." Tesco shares were up 0.5% at 216.90 pence each in London on Monday morning. source: PA Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Leaked letter to Reuters says the world body was in final stages of securing medical facility for treating the cases. More than 200 United Nations staff members have been infected by COVID-19 in Syria as the global body steps up plans to combat the spread of the pandemic in the war-torn country, medical workers and UN officials said. UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Imran Riza last week told UN heads of agencies in a letter that the UN was in the final stages of securing a medical facility to treat the cases. More than two hundred cases have been reported among UN staff members, some of whom have been hospitalised and three who were medically evacuated, the letter said. Reuters news agency on Monday said the letter was leaked to it by an infected local UN staff member. Humanitarian workers and medics said the real number of cases is considerably higher, including the hundreds of staff employed by NGO partners working for nearly a dozen UN agencies that oversee the countrys humanitarian relief operations. #COVID19 has pushed the price of hygiene items in #Syria to record highs. Since the start of the year: Face masks367% Gloves307% Alcohol spray231% This is putting pressure on families who are already struggling with soaring food prices. pic.twitter.com/ZKVJBxdMA6 WFP Syria (@WFP_Syria) September 3, 2020 Riza said there had been a ten-fold spike in infections in Syria in the two months since he last briefed staff, referring to health ministry figures that say there have been 3,171 cases and 134 deaths since the first case was reported on March 23. The epidemiological situation across the country has changed considerably, Riza said. Damascus-based medics and relief workers are sceptical of official figures, saying the authorities are covering up the true extent. The authorities deny that, but admit testing is limited. The UN has expressed concern about the spread of the coronavirus in a country where the health infrastructure has been shattered by war and medical supplies are limited. Independent medics and relief workers say many doctors and medical workers have died in recent weeks. Witnesses and cemetery officials say there had been a tripling of burials since July in a cemetery that lies south of the capital, where NGOs and medics say most cases are concentrated. SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico health officials are reporting 46 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus the lowest daily number in the state since early April. The new cases announced Monday bring the states total to 26,144. State health officials also said four more people have died from the virus. According to state numbers, 807 people in New Mexico have died from COVID-19. There are 65 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico for the virus. That number may include individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 out of state but are currently hospitalized in New Mexico. ___ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK India now 2nd behind U.S. in reported virus cases amid economic pain Scientists are still trying to determine whether coronavirus antibodies shield someone from getting infected again and medical experts warn tests that check for them cannot be safely used to return workers to the office. United Kingdom implements quarantines on Greek island travellers as virus cases rise A teacher in Nigeria has helped students across the country, and internationally, learn math virtually during coronavirus restrictions. ___ Follow APs pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: PHOENIX -- The Arizona Department of Health Services is reporting 198 new COVID-19 infections this Labor Day. No new deaths were reported. Instead, the department reports two negative deaths, meaning there was a change in the number of deaths that was previously reported. So far, 5,219 people have died of the disease caused by the coronavirus, and there have been nearly 206,000 confirmed cases. Still, the state, once a national hot spot for infections, continues to see a downward trend in infections and hospitalizations. ___ MISSOULA, Mont. -- Laboratory results and law enforcement reports indicate methamphetamine use increased in Montana during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic. The Missoulian reports Millennium Health found a 34% increase in urine samples testing positive for methamphetamine after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency March 13. The company compared results from Jan. 1 through March 12 with results from March 13 through May 31. In Montanas Yellowstone County, law enforcement tied increased meth use to violent crime. The county experience a 21% increase in homicides, robberies and aggravated assaults from March through July compared to that period in 2019. ___ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida reported 1,838 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the lowest single-day number of new infections reported by state health officials since June 15. But health officials across the state were waiting to see if the Labor Day weekend might produce an uptick in the number of coronavirus cases, as might have been the case following the Fourth of July holiday when the largest single-day surge in new cases was reported about a week later. To date, the state has recorded more than 648,200 cases of COVID-19. The latest state data released by the Florida Health Department reflected 22 new deaths. That pushed down the average number of deaths over the past week to 99 a day the lowest average since July 16. In all, the state has tallied 12,023 deaths linked to the virus since the outbreak began. State officials said there were 3,160 people in hospitals with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19. Most of the states beaches remained open through the Labor Day holiday, with umbrellas sprouting across many of the states most popular beaches. ___ THESSALONIKI, Greece A prosecutor in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki has ordered the police electronic crime squad to identify the organizers of a weekend anti-mask protest and investigate whether they should be prosecuted for incitement to a criminal act. Mondays decision came a day after some 2,500 people protested peacefully in Thessaloniki in a gathering organized on social media. Demonstrators were strongly protesting the governments decision for obligatory use of masks by schoolchildren when term starts again on Sept. 14, but also expressed opposition to the future use of a vaccine against COVID-19, as well as to compulsory tests for the disease. Participants in Sundays demonstration had included a child carrying a placard that read I wont wear a muzzle. ___ LOUISVILLE, Ky. A Kentucky state representative announced that she has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Courier-Journal reported that State Rep. Attica Scott, a Louisville Democrat, said in a video posted to social media that she took the test last week and got the results back on Sunday. Scotts announcement came on the same day Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear announced a record number of positive coronavirus cases for the second straight week in Kentucky. Beshear said the 4,742 confirmed cases for the week ending Sunday topped the record 4,503 cases from the previous week. Health officials say there were 313 new cases recorded on Sunday, pushing the state total to at least 52,774. The three new deaths reported, brought the states total to at least 996. ___ MORGANTOWN, W.Va. West Virginia Universitys Morgantown campus announced that in-person classes will be cancelled on Tuesday, with nearly all undergraduate classes moving online on Wednesday. The changes are a response to a recent increase in positive cases among students and a concern that cases may increase even more following reports of parties over the holiday weekend where groups should have been in quarantine. The university placed 29 students on interim suspension on Sunday amid ongoing COVID-19 investigations. Additional sanctions are pending. ___ MADRID Fueled by a sharp surge of coronavirus contagion just as the school year opens, Spain has now officially more than half a million confirmed coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The health ministry on Monday reported 26,560 new infections since its last report on Friday, or an average of 8,800 daily, bringing the total since February to 525,549. Most new cases show new symptoms and the spike is so far not overwhelming hospitals. During the same period 29,516 people have died in Spain with the new coronavirus, although the real death toll is believed to be much higher given insufficient testing in March and April. More than 8 million undergraduate students are heading to school starting from Monday under strict safety measures including mandatory masks, frequent hand-washing, classroom ventilation and smaller student groups. ___ ROME The number of new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours dropped by nearly 200 in Italy, but the number of tests performed plunged to the lowest in two weeks. Fewer tests are often performed during weekends. Italys high number of tests lately largely reflected tens of thousands of vacationers who underwent testing at airports or seaports, many of them returning from vacations in places where clusters of infections were detected. Now, that influx of travellers is dwindling as families get ready for schools to reopen. The Health Ministry reported that Italys total number of confirmed coronavirus infections stood at 278,784, with the addition of 1,108 on Monday. There were 12 deaths since the previous day, raising to 35,535 the toll of known dead in the pandemic in Italy. Daily caseloads have been rising for five weeks now, after steadily dropping at the start of summer. As of Monday, 142 COVID-19 patients occupied ICU beds. Thats about 100 more than in late July. But the first weeks of the pandemic saw that number top 4,000, and many hospitals, especially in northern Italy which bore the brunt of the outbreak, were overwhelmed. ___ GENEVA As school resumes for millions of children, the World Health Organization is appealing for people not to stigmatize kids who come down with COVID-19 or their families. WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said Monday that anyone can get this disease. Ryan alluded to concerns and anxieties felt by many parents if their child were to contract the coronavirus, fearing they might become pariahs if the childs illness leads to the entire class being sent home. He emphasized that schools, too, should not be left alone and that public health authorities should work with them. Depending on local conditions, Ryan said its important that public health authorities explain whats going to happen next if an incident, case or cluster turns up in a school setting. And communities mustnt rush to judge. ___ JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has delayed plans to impose overnight curfews in 40 cities and towns hit hard by the coronavirus by 24 hours in order to consult with the communities. In a news conference Monday, Netanyahu said the curfews will now go into effect on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and last until 5 a.m. The government has been forced to take action after failing to contain an outbreak that has claimed more than 1,000 lives and remains at record levels of new infections. Netanyahu announced the curfew plan on Sunday but decided against full lockdowns after an uproar by politically powerful religious leaders. Many of the hardest-hit communities are home to ultra-Orthodox populations. The outbreak has raised fears of a nationwide lockdown during the upcoming Jewish New Year. ___ GENEVA The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization says governments that provide politically motivated information about the coronavirus pandemic could face a political backlash. Dr. Michael Ryan said Monday that trying to present oversimplified, simplistic solutions for people is not a long-term strategy that wins. He told reporters in Geneva that transparency, consistency, honesty and admitting errors can build trust. Ryan was speaking in general terms after being asked about conflicting messages sent by the Brazilian government over its COVID-19 response. Ryan says coronavirus-related messages sometimes come with political overtones and he alluded to a saying that trust takes years to build but seconds to lose. He says: If communities perceive that theyre getting information that is being politically manipulated or that it has been managed in a way that is distorting evidence, then unfortunately that comes back to roost. ___ ROME A doctor says the clinical condition of former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is starting to improve after he was hospitalized with pneumonia and COVID-19 last week. Dr. Alberto Zangrillo, Berlusconis long-time personal doctor, said in a statement Monday that the 83-year-old media mogul, who has a history of heart problems, has pneumonia in both lungs. Zangrillo says Berlusconis overall condition appears to be improving and that his body has mounted a specific robust immune response associated with a reduction in inflammation. Zangrillo heads the intensive care unit at San Raffaele hospital in Milan, but he has stressed that Berlusconi isnt in intensive care but in isolation elsewhere in the hospital. Zangrillo said last week that Berlusconis advanced age and his history of medical problems make him particularly vulnerable to the dangers of coronavirus infection. ___ PARIS Doctors have raised the alarm that nearly all the intensive care beds reserved for COVID-19 patients are in use in and around Frances second city of Marseille. The Marseille Hospitals Medical Commission President Dominique Rossi told BFMTV on Monday that of the 70 designated intensive care beds in the Bouches-du-Rhone region, between 65 and 67 are currently occupied. New daily infections in France have averaged over 5,000 in recent days, raising fears of a second wave of the virus. Rossi tweeted that the situation is tense, but that it isnt as bad as at the height of the first wave, when the Bouches-du-Rhone department had up to 270 COVID-19 patients in intensive care. Professor Lionel Velly, of the anesthesia-intensive care unit at Marseilles La Timone hospital, says he fears there will soon be no more beds to accommodate the sick in Bouches-du-Rhone. ___ COPENHAGEN, Denmark Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke says authorities have reduced the number of people who can gather in greater Copenhagen from 100 to 50. Heunicke said Monday that the restriction is imposed with immediate effect in the Danish capital and its suburbs, and Odense, Denmarks third largest city. He says 230 new cases have been recorded since Sunday and that the number of infections is the most worrying situation ... since the spring. Overall, Denmark has reported 18,113 cases and 628 deaths. Most of the new cases were recorded in private homes and among young people. ___ TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli demonstrators have placed more than 1,000 empty chairs in a central Tel Aviv square in an eerie display symbolizing the local lives claimed by the coronavirus. A red rose was laid on each empty chair Monday with black and white signs representing those killed by the virus. Israel has recorded nearly 130,000 cases of the virus, with more than 26,000 still active. It recently has been reporting some 3,000 new cases each day. The surge in cases has raised concerns that the country could be forced to declare a nationwide lockdown during the upcoming holiday period, a time of widespread travel and large family gatherings. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced overnight curfews in some 40 cities and towns hit hard by the coronavirus. But he backed away from reported recommendations for full lockdowns after an uproar by politically powerful religious politicians. ___ AMSTERDAM The coronavirus pandemic has proved to be the worst of times for an annual Dutch celebration of the works of 19th century British author Charles Dickens. Organizers said Monday that this years edition of the Dickens Festival, which was to have been staged in December in the eastern town of Deventer, has been cancelled. Organizers say it would be impossible for visitors and performers who dress up as Dickens characters during the two-day festival - to observe social distancing guidelines in Deventers narrow streets. The event draws more than 100,000 visitors to the town each year. ___ WARSAW, Poland Doctors say Polands first double lung transplant COVID-19 patient is feeling fine and will be going home this week. Doctors who treated 45-year-old Grzegorz Lipinski said Monday that the double transplant was the only way to save him after the virus almost totally his lungs. Lipinski is head of the medical instruments sterilization room at a hospital in Tychy, southern Poland, that only treats COVID-19 patients. He was initially treated there then was moved to the University Hospital in Krakow, where he was put on the ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, which is a system that performs the functions of the lungs. He had the double transplant at the Silesia Center of Heart Diseases in Zabrze in July. Professor Marian Zembala, the centres chief, says Lipinski is due to go home Tuesday. ___ Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:42:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 53rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings will take place from Wednesday to Saturday via video conference under the chair of Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, a Vietnamese official said Monday. Some 20 meetings will be organized within the framework of the event, including the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, the 21st ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung said at a press briefing, adding that about 40 documents are expected to be noted, issued and adopted. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is scheduled to attend and deliver remarks at the opening ceremony of the event on Wednesday, Dung said. The meetings are expected to discuss issues including ASEAN cooperation and community building, in particular implementation of priorities and initiatives for 2020, COVID-19 response cooperation, review of and future directions for the ASEAN's external relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual concerns, said Dung. A draft statement on economic and financial measures responding to emergency situations in the coming time will also be submitted to the ASEAN Plus Three foreign ministers, he said. Founded in 1967, the ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Vietnam is the ASEAN chair for 2020. Enditem The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday warned the Philippine National Police against the latters plan to monitor social media accounts of people who have violated quarantine protocols. In a statement, the CHR said that even if the Philippines is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, respect and protection of human rights must continue to prevail. While we recognize that the right to privacy is not absolute, any interference or surveillance must be subject to the standards of necessity, legitimacy, and proportionality. Otherwise, violation of these standards, especially if not founded on legal measures, may lead to offenses against the peoples rights. This is a scenario that we wish to avoid noting that we look upon the police as law enforcers and not as the first ones breach laws, the commission added. Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, Joint Task Force COVID Shield, said on Saturday that the police force may use online photos of people to prove that they are violating the quarantine. The police will be looking for images of people drinking or celebrating together and even those riding pillion. He also urged the public to report the violators, even if they are cops. A high-ranking officer, National Capital Region Police Office Chief Major General Debold Sinas, was caught in May violating quarantine rules when he hosted a birthday celebration right inside a police camp. Sinas had insisted that the photos which emerged from the bash were edited. This article, Human rights commission warns cops against online stalking of quarantine violators, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! TEHRAN, Iran, Sept.7 Trend: Iran's Atomic Energy Organization has issued a statement on the fire incident at the Natanz nuclear facility, said spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi, Trend reports citing IRNA. "The international organizations should investigate the incident, it was expected that they would comment about the issue and continue their investigations. As far as what we know, they have discovered the factors that caused the incident," Kamalvandi said. "We are not aware of the precise details, but we have been informed about it, since the case is under investigation we can not discuss it further," he said. "The aim of those that sabotaged the facility, was to damage the production of enrichment material but they failed, our current production has not been damaged or halted," he added. "The IAEA is under political pressure, the IAEA Director General Mr. Grossi has stated that there is pressure but he would try to act professionally," he said. "Iran has nothing to hide, therefore it has allowed IAEA access to its facilities," he said. "There have been many cyber-attacks that have been defused and some industrial sabotage attempts that were discovered," he added. The IAEA is expected to visit the second nuclear venue in Iran by late September. BRIDGEPORT A Bridgeport police officer was injured after a New York man struck her with his vehicle Saturday night, according to officials. Scott Appleby, director of the citys emergency communications department, said the officer received serious but not life-threatening injuries. Appleby said the officer was struck when police responded to reports of a possible street fight on Hollister Avenue Saturday just after 11:30 p.m. He said responding officers observed 100 to 150 patrons leaving a club and going to their vehicles. According to Appleby, K9 Officer Marie Cetti placed her vehicle across the roadway and proceeded to direct traffic north onto Logan Street from the parking lot so as party-goers cleared out they would have an easy egress from the event. As K9 Officer Cetti was directing exiting traffic, a vehicle that was not adhering to the officers orders sped up and struck the officers vehicle pinning her between the vehicles, he said. Appleby said the driver, later identified as Kyle Hunt of Rosendale, N.Y, drove onto I-95 with officers in pursuit. He said Hunt fled from officers, driving in excess of 100 miles per hour. Appleby said Fairfield police and Connecticut State Police assisted Bridgeport officers in their search for the vehicle, and found it crashed on I-95 in Fairfield. The operator had struck the guardrail. As officers approached the vehicle, the operator exited without incident, he said, adding that a handgun magazine and ammunition were found in the vehicle. Appleby said the 24-year-old Hunt was arrested and charged with engage police pursuit, disobeying signal of officer, illegal strike traffic officer with a motor vehicle, evade responsibility of physical injury, evade responsibility of injury property damage and two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment. He said the bond was set at $20,000. Appleby said the incident is still under investigation by the Bridgeport Police Department. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Vodafone Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai, has joined a host of African Leaders and international Community to share her thought of Africas Economic Recovery after COVID-19 at this years Bruegel Annual Meeting. Bringing the private sector perspective on the panel, Patricia Obo-Nai, disclosed that in March when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, her organisation partnered with the government and citizens to save lives. Our six-point plan included increasing network capacity by 60 percent to ensure people stayed connected as more folks worked from home. Ms. Obo-Nai added the network saw a 50 percent increase in data traffic. Aside putting devices in hands of health workers, Vodafone Ghana also set up a tele-centre which had 15 multilingual doctors helping citizens. With a good number of Ghanaian students based at home since March and the Ghanaian presidents declaration that schools will reopen in January, 2021, she noted that Vodafone Ghana is already operating online educational support for students, scaled up the programme offering both global and local content so more students can access the Instant Schools platform at no data charge. Aggregated anonymized data, mobility insights and contact tracing apps all were deployed in the fight against COVID-19. In addition, the collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Services gave insights of population challenges and dynamics, she said. We worked with the Central Banks to enhance financial inclusion. In many markets, we took the fees off when funds were transferred, Ms. Obo-Nai added. Other interventions by the telco include extending the tier limit with the Vodafone CEO indicating it started with Safaricom in Kenya and now there are 8 operations in African markets with about 40 million customers and we have about $14 billion yearly transactions. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, about 100 million has been pumped in by the global telecommunication entity. Speaking on the theme for the discussions, Madam Patricia Obo-Nai noted that governments and the private sector must work for economic recovery by looking at strengthening social resilience. The pandemic has impacted livelihoods, trade and economic growth. 25 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are being pushed into poverty so theres need for a deliberate effort by the private sector and government to rescue such people, she noted. According to Madam Obo-Nai, this crisis is leading to rising unemployment and widening of the gap between the rich and poor as well as young and old. For Africa, we have done the basic on mobile money usage but more work is being done for more people to venture into digital wallet, merchant payment etc. A billion dollars is spent yearly by Vodafone on network upgrades but infrastructure gaps with broadband require $80 to 100 billion which governments must do more to assist with, she stated. She stressed that with the COVID-19 pandemic, governments are tightening their budgets and restructuring sectors to receive governmental stimulus but theres need for governments to work with the private sector to better manage the health crisis, contain the socio-political impact and aid economic recovery. For her part, Former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, observed that at the start of 2019, Africa was hailed as a rising continent and despite the Ebola outbreak in West Africa as well as acts of terrorism in the Sahel, the continent recorded growth. Decades of economic and political transformations earned the continent its credentials of a participant democracy, she declared. The UN World Economic Situational Prospect for 2019 put the GDP rising from 3.2 in 2018 to 3.4 in 2019 to 3.7 in 2020 with four of the largest growth countries being African. Nonetheless 75 percent of 1.3 billion Africans face a bleak future because of rising population and limited resources which put great risk on sociopolitical stability of the states. It is in the face of these threats that Madam Sirleaf welcomes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which seeks to accelerate intra-African trade while boosting Africas trading Earlier, Vice President Eastern & Southern Africa, World Bank Group, Hafez Ghanem, warned there was a decline regarding the GDP of most African states adding about 12.5 people of Africa fall in the poverty bracket where they face acute hunger. He said since COVID-19 hit, many African states are losing huge revenue on commodity export with Nigerias revenue falling by 70 percent because of a fall in oil prices. According to Mr. Ghanem, Island economies have also taken a hit such as Mauritius whose tourism sector has been greatly impacted by the pandemic. In large economies like South Africa, industry has lost about 400,000 jobs, he added. 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 If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here A mother told how she was left 'trapped' at home for two days after Argos delivery drivers left her new sofas at the front door, blocking the only entrance. Sarah Miller, 44, of Fife, Scotland, spent 1,000 on two Chesterfield sofas for her new home with son Joel, seven, after separating from her husband Adam Cooper. But she was left 'in tears' when the delivery drivers arrived and refused to carry the furniture up the stairs at the entrance to her home due to Covid-19 restrictions. Sarah Miller told how she was left 'trapped' at home for two days after Argos delivery drivers left her new sofas at the front door, blocking the entrance (pictured) Sarah Miller, left, of Fife, Scotland, spent 1,000 on two Chesterfield sofas for her new home with son Joel, seven, after separating from her husband Adam Cooper. Right, with Joel They left the sofas stacked on top of each other just inside the front door, which left no way to easily access the property. Sarah explained: 'I measured my house to see that I could fit the couches in for sure. '[The delivery men] brought them in and the first thing the guy said was "I'm not allowed to go past the threshold of the door due to COVID-19". 'I said "right, okay. Fair enough", but I thought if me and my youngest son were to leave and go into a different room, surely it'd be okay. 'A week before a removal company had moved my eldest son into his flat without any problems at all. 'I said, "what am I going to do with these?" They were both jamming the door and it was twice as high as in the photo. 'When they left, they left the door two inches open so the spiel about not being able to come in wasn't true, because they did come to the top of the stairs. 'The younger guy said "this is like a chute" then sat on it [the cardboard] and made a noise saying "wee" all the way down it. Sarah and Joel lounging on the new sofa, after it was eventually carried up the stairs by her older son. The mother said she was left 'in tears' over the incident with Argos 'I was kind of just standing there in shock at them leaving them there like that.' Sarah phoned her ex-husband and, together with Joel, they were able to drag one of the sofas to the top of the stairs. 'He brought along step ladders, climbed through my kitchen window and managed with us to pull the top sofa upstairs,' she continued. Sarah with Joel, who did his best to help his mother drag the sofas up the stairs 'My ex-husband also had to leave us in that state and went back down through the kitchen window, leaving me and my son trapped there for a day and a half. 'He almost hugged me because I was really concerned for our safety. I was in such an emotional state. I was thinking, "if there's a fire, what do I do?"' With one of the sofas remaining in place, Sarah and Joel were still unable to get out of the property to buy food so they were forced to order takeaway pizza. Sarah said: 'We were starving but we couldn't get out the door so we ordered a pizza. 'The delivery guy came along and had to push the pizza through the railings of the kitchen window. 'I had no step ladders of my own and the kind pizza guy said "I don't want to push it through the railings because the toppings will fall off". I just told him to because we were starving.' The following day Sarah's older son Jack, 23, was able to visit and get the sofas into her living room safely. She said: 'The sofas fit perfectly in the living room just fine so there was plenty of space for them. It's a lot of money and you'd expect it'd at least be delivered safely, so I could get out the front door.' Despite the incident happening in July, Sarah claims Argos failed to respond to her complaint for six weeks. Sarah said: 'There was no contact for six weeks then under the threat of media engagement, they contacted me on Wednesday [August 26] and twice on Thursday. Sarah explained the sofas (pictured) 'fit perfectly' in her new living room despite the hassle Sarah shared this Facebook post sharing her disappointment and frustration at Argos' service 'I thought I'd leave it and give them a chance. I kept emailing and phoning and hearing nothing back. 'I hadn't heard anything from them for weeks and I said 'okay, I'm going to give you another week and if you don't respond, I'm going to take this to mainstream and social media'. An hour later I get a response from them. How predictable is that? 'What bothered me was the delivery guy did come [upstairs] in the end and then made this "weeing" sound like he was going down a chute. He was sliding down the top sofa.' After Argos were contacted for comment, she says the retailer then got in touch to offer her a 206 'goodwill gesture'. Argos claim they are also arranging a full refund for the sofas, which she has yet to receive. A spokesperson for Argos said: 'We have spoken to Sarah to say how sorry we are for the inconvenience this caused. We are arranging a full refund and additional gesture of goodwill.' She shot to fame back in 2006, when she appeared in the seventh series of classic reality television show Big Brother. And Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, 41, showed she remains a dab hand at captivating an audience over the weekend, when she put on an eye-popping display during a trip to the beach in Bournemouth. The erstwhile reality star hit the shoreline in a skimpy gold thong as she was seen playing with an adorable white pooch while soaking up the late summer rays. Life's a beach: Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace was spotted spending some time on the beach in Bournemouth over the weekend Wearing her golden locks in a topknot, the north London native shielded her eyes with a pair of stylish sunglasses as she mingled with fellow sun seekers. Keeping her makeup light and minimal, Aisleyne was seen employing the aid of a heavily tattooed friend to rub sunscreen into her back and posterior. She appeared to be in an upbeat mood as she sauntered along the sandy shore, before making her way down to the sea. Adorable: The erstwhile reality was seen playing with an adorable white pooch on the beach Thong, th-th-th-thong: The erstwhile reality star, 41, hit the shoreline in a skimpy gold thong Tress-ed to impress: Wearing her golden locks in a topknot, the north London native shielded her eyes with a pair of stylish sunglasses as she mingled with fellow sun seekers All eyes on me: Aisleyne put on an eye-catching display as she mingled with fellow sun seekers Bosom: The TV personality's swimwear of choice struggled to contain her bounteous bosom Aisleyne's outing comes after she revealed she's got her heart set on finding a partner and having a baby in the near future. Back in June, she spoke with new! magazine about her family ambitions and why she was thriving in lockdown, jokingly calling herself 'Jesus' because she had been helping deliver food to hospitals and hospices around the country. Famously straight talking, the reality star didn't mince her words as she laid out her post-lockdown plans. Aisleyne has tragically suffered three miscarriages and a stillborn in her bid to have a child, with doctors confirming she suffers from rhesus negative, a rare blood disease that threatens her chances of carrying a baby full-term. That's what friends are for: Aisleyne was seen employing the aid of a heavily tattooed friend to rub sunscreen into her back and posterior Jewellery: After a further touch of glam to her ensemble, she added a collection of bracelets Going light: The former Big Brother star kept her makeup light and minimal for the excursion Covered up: Aisleyne's pal appeared to be particularly attentive in leaving no spot uncovered Got her back: The star flashed a peace sign at an onlooker as her pal attended to her posterior Yet the reality star is continuing to maintain a positive outlook, telling new! 'I'm extremely fertile... I'm just so fussy, when it comes to reproducing these genes it's got to be with the right guy. 'I'm kind of old fashioned and want the whole raising children together thing.' However, the entrepreneur revealed that she is not dead set on marriage, quipping: 'I'm not fussed as long as I've got the big fat diamond ring! 'I'm pushed for time here so let's just find the guy, get the ring, have the baby and worry about the wedding later'. Hopes for the future: Aisleyne's outing comes after she revealed she's got her heart set on finding a partner and having a baby in the near future Heartbreaking: Aisleyne has tragically suffered three miscarriages and a stillborn in her bid to have a child, with doctors confirming she suffers from rhesus negative Struggle: Rhesus negative is a rare blood disease that threatens the TV personality's chances of carrying a baby full-term Aisleyne had been using her time in lockdown to renovate her home in north London, and was pictured during that time getting to work clearing out the space. The blonde bombshell put her famous curves on display as she slipped into a flesh flashing ensemble. Highlighting her ample cleavage, Aisleyne donned a busty pink top that also flashed her taut stomach. She teamed the garment with a pair of leggy black hotpants that were cropped to expose her peachy derriere. She completed the look with a pair of giant hooped earrings, whilst her golden locks were styled in loose waves that cascaded down her shoulders. Hug it out: Aisleyne was seen hugging her friend as they greeted one another on the beach Renovation: Aisleyne had been using her time in lockdown to renovate her home in north London, and was pictured during that time getting to work clearing out the space Diamonds are forever: The entrepreneur revealed that she is not dead set on marriage, quipping, 'I'm not fussed as long as I've got the big fat diamond ring' Plans: She said of her plans for the near future, 'I'm pushed for time here so let's just find the guy, get the ring, have the baby and worry about the wedding later' Aisleyne rose to fame in 2006 when she appeared in the seventh series of reality television show Big Brother. She entered the Big Brother House on Day 12, and became known for her clashes with fellow contestants Nikki Grahame and Grace Adams-Short, and for being voted into the House Next Door by the public - a secret house, where she was forced to choose who out of five new contestants would become new housemates. The reality star reached the final on Day 93; she came third with 22 per cent of the public vote. Her iconic scenes recently resurfaced during an episode of Big Brother: Best Shows Ever, which saw Davina McCall and Rylan Clark-Neal look back at past episodes of the hit show. Glam: The star caught the eye as she wondered by the sea during her day out in the sunshine Proud: Aisleyne appeared particularly proud of her peach derriere as she relaxed on the beach Setting the right tone: Aisleyne looked enviably toned as she bonded with the adorable pooch By Kim Ae-ran "All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace." In 2015, Pope Francis sincerely asked people to undergo an "ecological conversion" to recover the order of creation by "praying to protect our creation." He also issued an encyclical letter entitled "Laudato Si'" (Praise be to you, my Lord) on the environment and human ecology for the cure of our common home. His prayer intention for September 2020 is to "share the global resources not through exploitation but through justice and respect". Recognizing the fundamental cause of COVID-19 is climate change, we are advised to pray for the recovery in a "Season of Creation" from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, 2020. During this special period of "Season of Creation," there are various initiatives: an online conference on "Corona, the climate crisis, and human rights" organized by the Peace and Justice Committee of the Seoul Archdiocese; response action for a day of blue sky in the world; concentrated action throughout the country and pilgrimages on foot for climate action in the Daejeon Diocese; running the Climate School and the Ecological Spirituality School; and direct action for climate action by visiting a power plant at Dangjin. All of us have a dream to recover creation. Curing our common home has become our common hope. "The Butterfly Dream" is the most famous story in "Zhuangzi." Zhuang Zhou dreamt of being a butterfly fluttering about. Like a butterfly, he was happy and he did as he pleased. He didn't know that he was Zhuang Zhou. Soon he woke up and there he was. But he didn't know if he was Zhuang Zhou who dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming that he was Zhuang Zhou. This story concerns the transformation of things. As the butterfly dreams, we are nature, and nature is us. We are so closely interrelated that we affect one another. Day by day, we grow up with dreams, small or large, positive or negative. One day, I had a dream of a butterfly with colorful wings like the rainbow. Some words were there on the wings. In the midst of all the forms of crisis, we still have hope and freedom to be a butterfly that can reach the frontiers beyond all the obstacles. The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication. Learn more about the congregation at fsp.pauline.or.kr. Drive-ins: A new way to watch live performances BBC Researchers reveal true scale of megalodon shark for first time Guardian 8 Magnificent Facts About Mongooses TreeHugger The paradox of Graham Greene searching for peace in the worlds warzones Spectator Kate Manne on the Costs of Male Entitlement New Yorker (furzy) How the success story of genetically modified cotton in Burkina Faso fell apart Quart Africa (furzy) Goat climbs into deputys car, chews papers in Georgia Fox Sports Desk Vermonts First Trans State Representative Is Fighting For Her Community Them (re Silc) No, the Pandemic Is Not Emptying Out Americas Cities Curbed (UserFriendly) Reminder: The Rich Have Always Fled Cities in Epidemics TreeHugger Abuse survivors call trusts fraudulent Albuquerque Journal (Dan K) Frenchman blows up part of house while chasing fly NY Post #COVID-19 China? India Russia Germany Debates Halting Contentious Russian Pipeline Project Der Spiegel Belarus Belarus protesters continue pressure on Lukashenko with new march Al Jazeera Julian Assange If Trump Pardons Snowden, He Will Have My Vote American Conservative Health Care Georgia Governor Wants Out of Obamacare Health Exchange Pew Charitable Trusts (UserFriendly) Brexit Class Warfare Myanmar genocide and civil strife in America notwithstanding, Mark Zuckerberg is worth $100 billion. Its insanely profitable to sell tickets to the end of the world.https://t.co/We6SbUg0rU Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) September 4, 2020 Black Injustice Tipping Point College newsrooms challenge an industrys status quo Columbia Journalism Review 2020 Holy shit: Included in the ban are ads purchased by election officials secretaries of state and boards of elections who use Facebook to inform voters about how voting will work. https://t.co/HIz0qTbvXc Daniel Kreiss (@kreissdaniel) September 4, 2020 My real name is Rosa Arianna McGowan. I have lived a double life. Being a radical has been my only way out of being controlled by three letters that start with C. Its nice to meet you all. Go to my IG for more. #CulturalReset pic.twitter.com/j9jmFE3PQs Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) September 5, 2020 Antidote du Jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Greensboro businessman and U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is under fire again, for reportedly pressuring ex-employees to contribute to GOP campaigns and then repaying them through bonuses. The Washington Post reported Sunday that five people who worked for DeJoys former business, New Breed Logistics in High Point, were urged by DeJoy or his aides to write checks or attend GOP fundraisers at his Greensboro mansion. The donations occurred between 2003 and 2014, the employees told the newspaper. The company was sold in 2014 to XPO Logistics, a Connecticut-based company in which DeJoy continues to have a financial interest. Two other employees familiar with New Breeds financial and payroll systems said DeJoy would instruct that bonus payments to staffers be boosted to help defray the cost of their contributions, an arrangement that would be unlawful, the newspaper reported. Monty Hagler, a spokesman for DeJoy, told the Washington Post that the former New Breed chief executive was not aware that any employees had felt pressured to make donations. Sue Philippart, 61, (pictured) died after falling down narrow stairs at the Norton House Hotel in Swansea A popular teacher has died after falling down a set of stairs at a hotel after drinking wine on the day of her mother's funeral, an inquest was told. Sue Philippart, 61, had been drinking wine and relaxing with friends in Swansea after her mother Gerry's funeral service before returning to the Norton House Hotel for further drinks with her brother and partner Mansel Usher. Sue had been described as 'very tired' after dealing with the 'stress and fatigue' of the service. When Mansel and Sue went to bed on March 10, she fell down a flight of narrow stairs and suffered massive head injuries. She died two weeks later from her injuries - only months before she had been set to retire from teaching at St Joseph's Primary School in Swansea, where she had worked for 28 years. Sue (middle) fell down the stairs after the funeral service for her mother Gerry (left). She had been drinking with friends after the service and had shared a few more with her partner Mansel Usher and her brother. Pictured right: Sue's father Chris Speaking at a hearing at Swansea Guildhall, PC Mike Jenkins said: 'It is believed that she stayed in the bar until about 11.30pm to 11.45pm, when she made her way to her room. 'Mr Usher says the stairs were very narrow so they walked up in single file. 'He looked back to check to see she was OK only to find her on the floor unconscious. He did not hear her fall. 'It seems she lost her footing and fell backwards down the stairs but it was unwitnessed and there is no CCTV on the staircase. 'The fall was not deemed suspicious and police were not called to attend.' Sue died in hospital from a traumatic head injury two weeks after the fall, in March, this year. Pictured: Sue with one of her daughter's, Rebecca Senior Swansea Coroner Colin Phillips also spoke at the hearing and said: 'She died as a consequence of an unwitnessed fall down the stairs at Norton House Hotel, in Mumbles, which occurred on March 10 just before midnight. 'The ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital the next day. 'It was a tragic and accidental death.' Sue died in hospital from a traumatic head injury, two weeks after falling down the stairs. In a tribute, Sue's daughter Sarah Lee said: 'She was beautiful, very warm and friendly, she did a lot for the community. Sue, pictured on a trip to Sydney, had worked at St Joseph's Primary School in Swansea for the last 28 years. She fell down the hotel stairs only months before she had planned to retire 'She did a lot for Catholic Agency For Overseas Development. She went out to Zambia a couple of times on a teaching exchange programme.' Sarah Lee had been staying in Singapore when she heard about her mother's fall and she managed to fly back to the UK and stay with her for a week. 'It's been awful,' she said. 'This is the last thing we would expect especially so close to her mother passing away. 'We had so many plans as a family, she was meant to come out to Singapore and she was just about to retire. 'She had all these plans, she was going to downsize and get a little cottage and travel the world and do more work for Cafod so it's really tragic.' Sue's father Chris Mcneff, 84, also paid tribute to his daughter. He said: 'My wife has also died, one minute I'm fine and the next it's the question of I'm not too good. 'Susan was very generous, loving and helpful. We are coping thanks to the kindness, empathy and sympathy we have received from all of our friends.' After a volatile session on Monday, Sensex and Nifty closed marginally higher, tracking mixed cues from global equities. Sensex ended 60 points higher at 38,417 and Nifty gained 27 points to 11,325. Traders said subdued global cues and lingering border tension with China continued to weigh on investors' sentiments. On Friday, Sensex and Nifty closed 1.6% lower each, tracking losses in the global markets. Over the last week, Sensex and Nifty declined 1,110 points (2.81%) and 313 points (2.69%), respectively. M&M, followed by Bajaj Auto, Kotak Bank, HDFC Bank, HCL Tech, Bajaj Finance, M&M, GAIL, Bharti Airtel, ITC and UltraTech Cement were among the top losers today. On the other hand, Tata Steel, Maruti, Axis Bank, Asian Paints, Titan and Sun Pharma were among the gainers. On the sectoral front, except FMCG, IT and media, all the other indices closed in the red territory, with nearly 1% loss registered in the realty index. Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said, "Virus infections continued to rise unabated and this fear combined with a sell-off seen in the US markets, in the previous trading session, served to bring in doubts regarding the continuation of the momentum seen in recent times in the market." Aamar Deo Singh-Head Advisory, Angel Broking said, "Overall, advance and declines were also evenly poised clearly indicating that markets appear to be getting into a consolidation mode. Going forward, we could witness increased volatility as India VIX, continues to trade above the 20 mark, indicating an increase in volatility in coming weeks." On a similar note, the rupee on the currency front witnessed high volatility and later settled 21 paise lower at 73.35 against the US dollar, amid weakness in domestic equities and a strong dollar. On Rupee's outlook, Vaqarjaved Khan- Research Analyst, Angel Broking said, "With risk sentiment improving and global economies recovering from this unprecedented pandemic, USDINR (CMP: 73.19) is likely to move lower towards 72.5 in the coming week." As per market participants, stocks fell overseas, amid rising trade tensions between China and the US. News that the Trump administration might propose import restriction on China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) raised concerns. Asian stock markets were mixed on Monday, tracking losses in Wall Street that registered its biggest weekly decline in more than two months on Friday. On the other hand, European markets reversed from weak closing lower on Friday and traded 1% higher each today. Although, EU planning fresh sanctions on Russia kept investors cautious. Domestic as well as international equity markets were trading majorly lower today, amid weak stance by investors due to heightened tensions of slower recovery from rising virus pandemic. Worldwide, there were 272 lakh confirmed cases and 8.87 lakh deaths from COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, India's death toll from COVID-19 infections rose to 71,687 and total coronavirus cases to 42.04 lakh as of Monday. Expressing views on markets closing today, Manish Hathiramani, proprietary index trader and technical analyst, Deen Dayal Investments said, "The Nifty threatened crucial support of 11250 this morning but managed to swiftly climb above it to close past 11350. It is imperative the markets are able to keep above this level as a break of 11250-11200 could spawn a short-medium term breakdown which can drag the Nifty by about 300-400 points. On the upside, we would need to cross 11600 on a closing basis for the uptrend to resume again." Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking said, "We feel the performance of global markets combined with development on India-China LAC issue will continue to dictate the market trend. Considering the market scenario, traders should maintain positions on both sides and prefer hedged bets." Lakshmi Vilas Bank shares gain 5% on fundraising plan Rupee slips 4 paise to 73.18 amid strong dollar, weak equities Vodafone Idea share rises 10% after board clears plan to raise Rs 25,000 crore Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 03:38:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of Egypt and Malta met in Cairo on Sunday, where they discussed cooperation in combating illegal immigration as well as regional issues of mutual concern, said the Egyptian foreign ministry. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo highlighted the necessity of addressing comprehensively "the root causes of illegal immigration," said Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez in a statement. They also urged shared responsibility and burden-sharing among Mediterranean countries and EU member states in fighting illegal immigration across the Mediterranean Sea, according to the statement. Shoukry and Bartolo also exchanged views on the latest developments of the Libyan crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli decades-long conflict. "Shoukry reiterated the need to maintain cease-fire and halt the flow of weapons, terrorists and foreign fighters into Libya, in parallel with efforts aimed at reaching the desired political solution," said the Egyptian statement. As for the Palestinian issue, Shoukry reaffirmed Egypt's support for the two-state solution as well as all the efforts to foster stability, bring peace and preserve the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. The two ministers also agreed on the importance of continuing work to expand horizons of cooperation in various bilateral fields, especially in the trade and investment sectors, according to the statement. Later in the day, the top Maltese diplomat held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit at the league's headquarters in Cairo, where they also discussed the Libyan conflict, the Palestinian cause and other issues, the Arab League said. Enditem YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with the residents of Movses community in Tavush province during which he talked about the ongoing road construction works in the village. This is the first time this village with a history of 300 years has an asphalt road. And this is thanks only to tax-paying, responsible citizens. During the talk with the village residents I told them that our goal is to have same quality roads starting from Yerevans Abovyan street and Republic Square up to Movses, the PM said on Facebook. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan South Korea hunkered down as Typhoon Haishen travelled northwards along the country`s east coast on Monday, a day after the powerful storm battered Japan`s southern islands where four people are missing following a landslide. The storm, carrying top sustained winds of up to 112 km (70 miles) per hour, cut power to more than 17,500 households in the southern tip of the Korean peninsula as it made landfall in the southern city of Ulsan, the country`s weather agency said. The wild weather uprooted trees and caused landslides near apartment buildings on Geoje Island, off the southeastern tip of the peninsula, according to footage sent by residents to local broadcaster KBS. At least one person was injured after their car overturned in strong winds in Busan, the country`s second largest city, where there was also flooding, the safety ministry said in a statement. More than 1,600 people were evacuated in preparation for the storm, while more than 76 flights across 7 airports, including Jeju International Airport, were cancelled. Two nuclear reactors in the city of Gyeongju, around 375 km (235 miles) southeast of Seoul were shut down, according to Yonhap news agency. Entries to national parks and some national train services have been suspended, the ministry said. In Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported that four people were missing and more than 50 people were injured in the wake of the typhoon. The four went missing in the village of Shiiba, in Miyazaki prefecture, after a mudslide hit the office of a construction firm, Kyodo said. Among the injured were a woman who fell down a flight of stairs in the dark and four people who sustained cuts after the glass windows of an evacuation centre were blown in. Kyushu Electric said about 290,000 houses were still without power as of 1 p.m. (0400 GMT). Almost 2 million people had been ordered to evacuate the region, which was still recovering from heavy rains and flooding in July that killed 83 people. Typhoon Haishen comes just days after Typhoon Maysak smashed into the Korean peninsula, leaving at least two dead and thousands without power. NORTH KOREA North Korea, which bore the brunt of both Maysak and Typhoon Bavi a week earlier, is also in Haishen`s trajectory with the storm expected to draw near the port city of Chongjin Monday afternoon. Live footage on state TV, a rarity that has now been broadcast for three weeks, showed trees shaking and waves rising in Tongchon county in Gangwon province bordering the South. The state broadcaster reported that all Tongchon residents had been evacuated. North Korea`s agriculture sector is particularly vulnerable to severe weather, and this summer`s storms and floods have raised concerns over the country`s tenuous food situation. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday toured coastal areas hit by Maysak, and ordered party members to join the recovery effort. Mr. Xis triumphant account would probably have drawn much wider skepticism in China earlier this year, when many people were angered by officials who understated the spread of infections in Wuhan, where the epidemic took off. But the public mood shifted as China emerged from the crisis far more smoothly than the United States and other advanced economies did. Near the start of Tuesdays meeting, the thousands in the hall observed a minute or so of silence to mourn the thousands who died in China from the virus, including many medical workers. But online, Chinese people lamented the lack of mention of Li Wenliang, the Wuhan doctor who was chastised by the police for alerting his colleagues to the then little-understood virus, and later died from Covid-19. Dr. Li, I thought your name should have been at the award day ceremony, said one of many similar comments on Dr. Lis page on Sina Weibo, a popular Chinese social media service. Now China is trying to turn attention to economic recovery, and the government has chosen an unusual set of volunteers to test a coronavirus vaccine: its trade negotiators, who are more likely than most Chinese to interact with potentially infected foreigners. Chen Deming, a former commerce minister who is still active on trade issues, was maskless when he took the podium at an economic policy conference on Tuesday morning in Beijing. He drew laughter and applause when he began by saying, The host doesnt have to wear a mask because Ive already had the Phase 3 trial vaccine shot. Mr. Chen, a Communist Party elder statesman who turns 71 this year, added that he had developed antibodies to protect against the coronavirus. In a short interview after his speech, Mr. Chen said that he had received the Sinopharm vaccine, one of several now in Phase 3 trials in China. A third of the Commerce Ministrys staff has joined him in applying for the trial and receiving the vaccine, he added. Disturbing video captured the moment a six-year-old boy was scooped up off the pavement by his mother after they were both shot during a pre-dawn J'Ouvert celebration in Brooklyn. The mother and son were among the five people who were wounded by gunfire when shots rang out at the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and Crown Street in Crown Heights just before 3am Monday. The shooting came as New York City continues to see a dramatic spike in violence with at least 10 people shot over the course of Labor Day weekend. In the video, obtained by DailyMail.com, some of the 300 people who gathered for a pre-dawn procession celebrating the Caribbean J'Ouvert festival are heard screaming in terror and fleeing after the gun went off. The boy is seen lying on the pavement in a pool of his own blood as a woman, identified as his mother, rushes over and tries to pick him up. A few feet away from the boy, a man is seen collapsed on the ground after he was also apparently struck by gunfire. Disturbing video captured the moment a six-year-old boy was scooped up off the pavement by his mother after they were both shot alongside three other people during a pre-dawn J'Ouvert celebration in Brooklyn on Monday morning The boy is seen lying on the pavement in a pool of his own blood as a woman, identified as his mother, rushes over and tries to pick him up A few feet away from the boy, a man is seen collapsed on the ground after he was also apparently struck by gunfire Police sources told the New York Post that the boy, identified as Maxwell Cesc-Vinho, was shot in the left leg while his mother Patricia Bratwaith, 47, and a man named Flavian Yves, 40, were struck in the left foot. The sources identified the other two victims as Bob Charlotin, 46, and Kelly Barthold, 34, and said they were both shot in the right leg. All five victims were transported to Kings County Hospital Center with non-life threatening injuries. NYPD officers arrested two men at the scene who were both carrying guns, but police have not confirmed whether either was the shooter. Investigators are still working to determine the motive for the shooting, but NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said it appeared to be gang-related. 'This is a notorious gang area that, you know, we've had problems with in the past,' Harrison told reporters on Monday morning. It's unclear whether any of the victims were targeted on purpose. Harrison said that the mother and son were just getting out of a cab when they were struck. 'It was really crazy - everyone was in shock,' Joshua Kristal, who was in the procession when the shooting occurred, told the Post. 'The boy, his mom was carrying him. You could see there was blood in his pants. She dropped him, I didn't know what to do, then I saw tons of blood.' Kristal said he ran over to help a woman who was shot in the foot and held pressure on her wound until medics arrived. 'A woman was walking around saying: "I'm shot in the foot, I'm shot in the foot,"' he recalled. 'I was holding her foot. I was wondering where all this blood was coming from. It was really crazy.' Another witness told the Post that he saw one of the gunmen wearing a white coat, jeans, red cap and blue surgical mask. 'People were dancing and hanging out, having a good time and out of nowhere the shooting started,' the man, who did not want to be named, said. 'He was on foot. He came from Nostrand Avenue. He let off some shots.' He noted that the shooter casually walked away after opening fire. Video obtained by ABC7 showed first responders carting people into ambulances soon after the shooting took place - as well as crowds gathered for the march. First responders are seen rushing one of the victims into an ambulance Police arrested two men at the scene who were carrying guns. It is unclear whether either is suspected of carrying out the shooting Mayor Bill de Blasio canceled the official J'Ouvert celebration and the West Indian Day parade, which also would have been held on Monday, due to the coronavirus pandemic. But many people got up early to recognize J'Ouvert - a pre-dawn party that signifies the launch of Carnival in Caribbean nations - before daybreak on Monday anyway. De Blasio had warned last week that the NYPD would break up any Labor Day gatherings that flouted his ban. Harrison said many residents celebrated with barbecues and playing music outside. 'We actually promote that,' he said. 'That doesnt mean that people should come out and start shooting.' Hours after the shooting, a heavily police presence was stationed on Eastern Parkway, the traditional site of the West Indian Day parade. The West Indian American Day Carnival Association is still planning to hold its 53rd annual celebration, but will be doing so virtually. Brooklyn's J'Ouvert festivities have been marred by violence in past years. In 2016, 22-year-old grad student Tiarah Poyau was shot dead through her eye by Reginald Moise, 20, after she asked him to stop grinding on her at the festival. In 2017, four people were stabbed and one was shot during the revelry. About 300 people had congregated in Crown Heights for a pre-dawn processional New York City has seen a troubling spike in crime and violence this over the course of this summer. Last week police revealed new data showing there were 242 shootings recorded in August, compared with just 91 in the same month last year. At least 10 people have been shot over Labor Day weekend alone - including the five in the J'Ouvert incident and a 62-year-old man who was shot and killed a few hours later in Brooklyn's Bay Ridge neighborhood. Police said the man was gunned down at about 6.50am while walking his dog on 74th Street near Seventh Avenue. The man was struck in the head and shoulders and was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have not made any arrests in that shooting and are working to determine whether it was random or targeted. The motive of the shooting, and the whereabouts of the man's dog, remain unclear. Less than an hour earlier in Inwood, two man and a woman were shot at a BP gas station near Sherman Avenue. Police said the 31-year-old woman was shot in the leg, a 23-year-old man was hit in the right arm and a 29-year-old man was struck in the leg and shoulder. All three victims' injuries were non-life threatening, cops said. A fourth shooting took place at about 4.30am in the Fordham Manor neighborhood of the Bronx, where a 31-year-old man was struck in the leg by a masked gunman who took off on a motorcycle. That victim was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. By Milly Silva As unimaginable tragedy befell her nursing home this year, Donna Hensley, a certified nursing aide (CNA) in Mercer County, made a courageous choice. She had recently suffered a serious injury to her elbow while lifting a patient and needed an operation. But with surgeries suspended statewide due to COVID-19, it would be a while before she could get it done. At the same time, illness was spreading at her facility, the staffing situation was dire, and the residents desperately needed help. Donna decided rather than taking a leave of absence to tend to her injury, she would return to her nursing home and work through the pain. When she told her plan to her doctor, he replied, God bless you. Donna has been a CNA for 25 years, but nothing could have prepared her, or the thousands of CNAs like her, for a pandemic unprecedented in our lifetimes. Throughout her career, Donna has taken on the role not just of caregiver, but of surrogate family to residents who have no one else to turn to. One particular resident, a woman in her 80s with no family, was very close to Donna. Donna would bring her birthday presents, Christmas gifts and other tokens of love and friendship to keep her spirits up. Donna convinced her to be more active and to participate in the centers activities. Donna, if it wasnt for you, I wouldnt be playing bingo, she recalls the resident telling her. When she caught COVID-19, Donna would check on her often. The morning she passed away, Donna says that the woman had been waiting for her to come into work so that she wouldnt die alone. Donna represents the everyday heroism of nursing assistants, whose sacrifices are too often overlooked and underappreciated, especially in normal times. It takes a certain kind of person to take on this dangerous, emotionally- and physically-draining line of work, while earning an hourly wage averaging just $14.25 nationally. Yet speak to Donna or any CNA about their job and the improvements they would like to see in their profession and it is not pay issues that come up first but poor staffing. Most hands-on, direct care in nursing homes is provided by CNAs and without enough staff on the floor, its not possible for them to provide residents with the type of compassionate, person-centered care they strive to give. Short-staffing means delayed meals and cold food, missed baths, bedsores and a lack of the basic human interaction that is so vital to protecting residents overall wellbeing. For years, New Jersey nursing homes have had some of the worst CNA staffing levels in the nation. When the pandemic hit, the situation immediately went from bad to worse, as there was no staffing cushion to fall back on. Patient advocates, our states Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and nursing home workers themselves all point towards inadequate staff as one of the greatest failings of the industry during the pandemic. As our state legislature moves forward a package of nursing home reform bills to address many long-standing concerns, it is essential that they also enact a CNA staffing ratio bill. Such legislation has been in the works for many years, only to be repeatedly quashed by a powerful industry lobby. Strong staffing legislation was passed in 2015, then vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie. In the last legislative session, the bill was again approved by our state Senate, only to be scuttled by the state Assembly. Five years and one pandemic later, CNAs and nursing home residents continue to face unacceptably poor staffing conditions, their pleas for action left unanswered. This Labor Day, things must change. More than any other event in living memory, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into sharp relief just how important CNAs are to protecting our communities most vulnerable people. As we honor all essential workers on this holiday celebrating their labor, lets also provide specific, concrete solutions to the urgent issues they are facing on the frontlines of COVID-19. For certified nursing aides, who are the backbone of our nursing home workforce, it should mean prompt passage of CNA staffing ratio legislation. Milly Silva is executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, a union representing 8,000 nursing home workers in New Jersey and 450,000 caregivers across the East Coast. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The Cathedral of Learning, right, towers over the University of Pittsburgh campus in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh Monday, July 8, 2019. Instead of a 19-story freshman dorm, students are staying in the Residence Inn Pittsburgh Oakland/University Place, a newly renovated three-star hotel with an indoor pool and stylish suites. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Read more When University of Pittsburgh senior Stana Topich returned to campus in early August amid the coronavirus pandemic, it wasnt to the 19-story freshman dorms where she had expected to close out her college experience as a resident assistant (RA). Instead, she moved into the Residence Inn Pittsburgh Oakland/University Place, a newly renovated three-star hotel with an indoor pool and stylish suites. Along with two nearby hotels, the property is exclusively hosting Pitt students this semester, with masks required and capacity limitations in place. The school says it's working with area hotels to "de-densify" campus housing and help reserve some dorms for quarantining and testing. The hotel housing comes at no extra cost to students, the University of Pittsburgh told The Washington Post. Housing block agreements between universities and hotels are enabling a return to campus across the United States. For hotels, the partnerships are bringing back business during a time when decreased bookings have meant furloughed workers. But some students are worried the new normal could be an isolating experience. "When I first moved in, walking into this super grand lobby . . . I felt like I was in a movie, kind of like 'Eloise at Christmastime,' " Topich said. But the allure wore off when she realized that her senior year would not be the same. "The best thing about living in the residence halls is being able to walk around the floor when everyone has their door open, and, as weird as it sounds, running into people in the bathroom and striking up a conversation," she said. Graduate Hotels, a chain of 26 college-town properties nationwide, says it has welcomed the new business and now has over 1,000 students living in more than a dozen of its hotels. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students will make up the majority of the guests at chain's location there for the rest of the semester. "We take great pride in being able to provide a solution to parents and students," Graduate Hotels President David Rochefort said. The hotel chain partnered with the Cleveland Clinic to develop its new cleaning guidelines, and it said the other properties hosting students include the Graduate Knoxville, for the University of Tennessee, and the Graduate Cincinnati, for the University of Cincinnati. Students are relegated to their own designated elevators and entrances, and they are not permitted in sections of the hotel that may be open to non-university guests. The trend has spread throughout hotel chains and states. Emerson College in Boston has taken over eight floors of the nearby W Hotel to house 192 students after partially reserving sections of one residence hall, the Paramount Center, for quarantine rooms. The University of Pittsburgh says that 1,100 first-year students have been assigned to the three hotels that are operating exclusively for its students: two separate Residence Inns and the Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center. The Wyndham's general manager told The Washington Post that it welcomed the opportunity to house students because it brought back dozens of furloughed Wyndham employees. "Quite frankly, we suffered greatly from mid-March until the summer when we secured this business [from Pitt]" Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center general manager Coleman Hughes said. "It's meant the ability to bring 25 team members back to work, which has been really positive for them and their families." Pitt, Emerson, Wyndham and Graduate Hotels all said their institutions have created joint health and safety protocols to protect returning staff, including limiting interactions between students and requiring masks in all indoor areas - except for when students are in their own rooms alone or with their assigned roommate. Emerson College requires weekly tests for everyone on campus, on top of a mandatory test every student must take before their socially distanced move-in. The college of 3,100 has more than 2,000 students living on its campus in downtown Boston. "We might increase testing to twice-weekly," Emerson President Lee Pelton said. "I think it's fair to say that almost all colleges and universities in the U.S. have spent half a year reinventing themselves" to allow students to return to campus. Pitt senior Topich said her focus is on ensuring that freshman residents don't gather in groups larger than the six people permitted in rooms, or the two people permitted in elevators. She said that while most students head outside to nearby parks when they want to socialize, she can't control what they do "behind closed doors." Nicole Poitras, an RA at the W Boston, said Emerson students are limited to four students per room and that, so far, her residents seem to be taking the rule seriously. "We have the second floor mezzanine space, usually the hotel conference space, open to us with distancing and masks," she said. "That's the equivalent of what would normally be our common room." Both Poitras and Topich said that despite the new measures in place, and despite fears of loneliness, the hotels have begun to feel like home. I walk around and see people doing laundry and coming back from class, and its starting to feel like a normal residence hall, Poitras says. And thats really awesome, because I was worried I was going to feel isolated in some way . . . but I dont. I know who my residents are here and were all together. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is running for mayor, according to the Boston Globe. Mayor Marty Walsh, a Democrat in his second term, told the Globe on Monday he received a phone call from the at-large city councilor on Sunday. Jessicah Pierre, spokeswoman for the at-large city councilor, issued a statement to the Globe Monday neither confirming nor denying the conversation. Councilor Wu believes that in this moment of hardship in our city, each one of us should be asking ourselves how we can make a difference in strengthening our communities and fighting for change that matches the scale and urgency of our current challenges, Pierre wrote. A representative for Wu has not immediately responded to a request for comment from MassLive. Wu, 35, started working in City Hall as a Rappaport Fellow in Law and Public Policy under the late Mayor Thomas M. Menino. In 2013, she successfully ran for to City Council, becoming the first Asian American woman to hold that office. In January 2016, she became the first woman of color elected city council president. She was a sponsor of Bostons paid parental leave ordinance. A progressive voice on the council, Wu has called for making the MBTA free and criticized funds formed by Walsh in response to COVID-19 and calls for racial justice: the Boston Resiliency Fund and the Racial Equity Fund. Wu also voted no in the mayors most recent budget amid calls to re-allocate funds from the city police department to social services for underserved neighborhoods. In response to calls to defund the police, Walsh agreed to put $12 million from the departments $60 million overtime budget toward other programs. Some residents criticized the move saying it wasnt enough, pointing to the departments overall budget of over $400 million. When debating a one-twelfth budget, in light of the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19 Wu raised concerns about the Walsh administrations proposal. So far we are being presented with slight changes that dont represent the type of transformative investments that so many community members, activists and residents are reaching out for, Wu said, according to the Boston Herald. And were being told that its an either/or either we pass an inadequate budget or we cause mass layoffs across city departments and thats simply not true. No incumbent Boston mayor has lost an election since 1949 when acting mayor John B. Hynes defeated James Michael Curley, the Globe reported. Curley, who was re-elected during a federal indictment, was removed after serving time in federal prison for mail fraud. This is a developing story. Check MassLive.com for updates. / Cromwell Police Department CROMWELL A man has been arrested after he allegedly shot and killed a dog Sunday morning, according to police. Cromwell police said Bardsley Monfilston, a 31-year-old town resident, was charged with second-degree breach of peace, unlawful discharge of a firearm, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and first-degree reckless endangerment for the alleged crime. This story was originally published by Grist and has been republished here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Over the past several months, Joe Biden has assumed the herculean task of bringing the progressive left under his banner while maintaining the support of the more moderate liberals who form his base. As a result, hes revisited a number of his original campaign proposals, from college debt to health care to climate. I was convinced that I had to move further on some things that I hadnt focused on, Biden told New Yorker journalist Evan Osnos in a recent interview. Advertisement During the primary contest, advocates for climate action maligned Bidens climate platform for not being ambitious enough, despite the fact that Biden had the longest legislative environmental record of all the 2020 Democratic candidates. He was one of the first members of Congress to introduce a climate bill in 1987, and he oversaw implementation of the 2009 recovery act, which contained $90 billion in clean energy investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Bidens updated climate plan is viewed as evidence of his rapid evolution on climate, even as his campaign maintains that the vice president has remained consistent in his dedication to the issue over the years. But its clear his team has purposefully and publicly sought input from a fair number of high-profile climate and climate justice advocatesfrom former rivals to Obama administration alumni, union members, and activists who actively opposed his nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Thats part of the magic of Vice President Biden, Stef Feldman, Bidens policy director, told Grist in a statement. He has an unparalleled ability to bring people together to get big things done. The style of putting policy teams together is a window into how a candidate will govern, Amanda Renteria, former national political director for Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign, told Grist. There is no doubt that his team and especially his policy teams feel the heavy responsibility of being prepared should he win. Tom Steyer has had a few careers in his life: hedge fund manager, philanthropist, and activist and leading voice in demanding President Donald Trumps impeachment. The California billionaire was also a 2020 presidential candidate. His campaign, which ended in February, put climate action and environmental justice front and center. Advertisement Advertisement At the fifth Democratic primary debate, in November 2019, he had a memorable exchange with the partys current presidential nominee. Steyer proclaimed he was the only person onstage who would say that climate change was his No. 1 priority. Then he specifically called out Biden: Vice President Biden wont say it. I dont need a lecture from my friend, Biden replied. Turns out Biden did end up needing something from his former rival. In July, the then-presumptive Democratic nominee announced the formation of a six-member Climate Engagement Advisory Council aimed at mobilizing climate-conscious voters. The council includes environmental justice advocates, the head of a labor union, the former director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, and a sitting member of Congress. Steyer, the councils chairman, is harnessing the power of NextGen America, a progressive advocacy nonprofit he founded in 2013, to help accomplish the groups goals, which include increasing youth turnout this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This council is really about connecting the vice president to different parts of the climate community, letting him hear from them, and also letting them hear what I heard during the campaign, which is how much he knows and how much he cares, Steyer told Grist. Advertisement Advertisement Steyer isnt the only one of the former Democratic primary candidates who is advising the Biden campaign. The former vice president is in regular contact with Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who reportedly meets with Biden every 10 days to discuss a range of issues. When she dropped out of the race in March, she had more than a dozen different plans to address climate change, many of which drew significantly from ideas introduced by another former primary candidate, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Advertisement Inslee, whose climate platform spanned more than 200 pages, was seen as the climate candidate early in the 2020 campaign season. Biden has been in touch with Inslee in recent months, and his campaign has heard from several of the governors former advisers, who started Evergreen Action, a climate policy and advocacy group that in April put out a set of recommendations for a green recovery from an economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems like the campaign is trying to get information and advice wherever they can and [from] whoever can be most impactful, said Jamal Raad, co-founder and campaign director of Evergreen Action. For Biden to successfully unite Democrats going into the general election, he had to win over the supporters of his most important former rival, Bernie Sanders. Sanders, who after two primary contests was the front-runner in the race for the nomination, had put out a $16 trillion climate plan that he called the Green New Deal. It called for a 10-year mobilization to create 20 million jobs and move beyond the fossil fuel economy. He was endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and had the support of many young climate activists. Advertisement Advertisement When Sanders suspended his campaign in April, he promised to push progressive ideas forward with the Biden campaign and have a strong say in the eventual Democratic Party platform. Thats why, in May, Varshini Prakash, co-founder of youth climate group Sunrise Movement, got a call from a former Sanders campaign official asking her to join a new Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force on climate change. (It was one of six such task forces; other topics included criminal justice reform and education.) I was like, Oh, my God, that is wild, Prakash told Grist about the invitation. The committees existence might have been more for the public and the climate left than for Biden himself. Sunrise Movement backed Sanders in the primary and had been critical of Bidens climate platform. But Prakash agreed to be part of the task force, which would be co-chaired by Ocasio-Cortez and former Secretary of State John Kerry. It also included former Environmental Protection Agency head Gina McCarthy, who now leads the National Resources Defense Council; environmental justice advocate Catherine Flowers; and Conor Lamb, a moderate Democratic congressman who won in a Republican western Pennsylvania district and is a natural gas proponent. Advertisement Members of the task force met once a week for two hours on Zoom to hash out the particulars of a set of ideas they would send the Biden campaign to influence its climate policy. Every week, wed submit different policy recommendations, and then week by week wed go through [the campaigns edits], line edit by line edit, and assess each one, Prakash said. Advertisement Advertisement The task force disbanded in early July, after submitting a raft of policy recommendations to Bidens team. A week later, Biden announced an ambitious climate plan to spend $2 trillion over four years to simultaneously strengthen the economy and combat climate change. The plan aims to achieve an emissions-free electricity sector by 2035. Bidens timeline for reaching 100 percent clean electricity had been slashed by 15 years from the original 2050. And he had also promised to spend more money on climate soonerhis initial pledge was to spend $1.7 trillion over 10 yearsand ensure that 40 percent of that money goes to disadvantaged communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For me, going into the task force, the goal was never to walk out with Bernie Sanders Green New Deal in hand, Prakash said. But we were able to make some pretty significant strides forward. Despite the involvement of former EPA administrators, congressional representatives, and high-profile activistsnot to mention a former secretary of statein both the Climate Engagement Advisory Council and unity task force, campaign insiders say those groups have operated independently from the team thats actually writing Bidens climate policy. In fact, the committees existence might have been more for the public and the climate left than for Biden himself. Thats because, for the Democratic nominee, the optics of how he approaches climate action are almost as important as the climate policy his team puts forward. Advertisement Coalition building and party unity is paramount, Renteria, Clintons former national political director, said. She noted that policy is rarely the key driver to winning a presidential campaign. Behind the scenes, a different group, many of its members actual campaign staff, works on putting out concrete policy proposals, like Bidens updated $2 trillion climate plan, which was in the works even before the climate unity task force was formed, according to a campaign official. The Biden campaign confirmed five names to Grist (whose identities were recently reported to be influential climate advisers by E&E News). The list includes Stef Feldman, who, according to E&E News, worked on climate issues with Biden during the Obama administration; Cristobal Alex, a senior campaign adviser who, E&E reported, is a former board member of the environmental advocacy group League of Conservation Voters; and senior advisor Symone Sanders, who worked for Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. Advertisement Prakash knows shes not a campaign insider. After all, it was Sanders, not Biden, who gave her a seat at the table. But she doesnt regret joining the unity task force. I dont deny that there was probably a strong part of the task force that was about this narrative of unity, Prakash said. I think there were parts of it that legitimately impacted Bidens policy. Regardless of whom Bidens campaign puts on various committees, Prakash says theres no guarantee that the nominee will follow through on all of the things hes pledged to do thus far if he wins the presidency. We cant bank on Joe Biden doing anything, she said. It is essential that the climate movement continues to build and wield power mightily and consistently work to put pressure on people like Joe Biden. Johnny Depp in the recent Hollywood A-lister to join the men's club of young women dating. According to reports, the 57-year-old follows Leonardo DiCaprio Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck's example as he also starts to date 23-year-old British reality star Sophie Hermann. Though it hasn't been confirmed, Grazia reported that she and Depp have been talking on the phone a lot after meeting at The Corinthia Hotel in London early this year. The magazine quoted German magazine RTL, saying, "Sophie left her phone number on a piece of paper and slid it between his guitar strings." As most people are aware, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor has been in London for the past few months for a highly publicized High Court libel trial against British tabloid The Sun, who published an article that called him a "wife-beater." It has also involved his ex-wife Amber Heard, and on the stand, the two have exchanged bitter statements about their disturbing marriage that have been publicized across the media. Though there were reports that Hermann is in a relationship with "Made in Chelsea" co-star Fredrick Ferrier, the two are just really friends, leaving her and Depp to carry on. As previously mentioned, Johnny Depp is only one of the few men in Hollywood who opt to date younger women. Early this month, it was reported that Brad Pitt is dating a 27-year-old Polish model Nicole Poturalski. The model is based in Germany and is also married to a restauranteur, and they even have a seven-year-old son. The Angelina Jolie-lookalike was lucky enough to accompany Pitt on his shared vineyard estate in the South of France, seemingly making it clear that they're getting pretty serious. However, numerous reports also claim that Pitt and Poturalski have been dating for nine months already. Meanwhile, after his rocky marriage to Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck has moved on to 31-year-old Ana de Armas. The duo first met on the set of "Deep Water" in 2019 and kept their relationship professional. It was only in March when they traveled to Cuba and Costa Rica when they started the whole PDA overload, just after filming wrapped. Affleck is 48 years old. They're still going strong up to this day. Leonardo DiCaprio, on the other hand, is dating 22-year-old model Camila Morrone. Moronne is the only young woman on this list that has spoken out to defend the age gap of their relationship. After all, the award-winning actor is 45 years old. But why do these hunky men in their 40s and 50s like to date younger women? The simple and obvious explanation is "because they can." For many men, having an older partner is a constant reminder of his age. He can't pretend he's still twenty-eight years old when he's waking up next to a fifty-two-year-old woman. Having a younger partner is life-asserting. She will help fend off his dread of maturing and death. If a man wakes up next to a woman who is one to two decades younger than him, he can convince himself that he is not old. Additionally, many people see themselves reflected in their partners. If his partner sees him as someone attractive and young, then he will see himself as someone attractive and young. READ MORE: Good Riddance Amber Heard: Johnny Depp Moves On With British Reality Star --Covering a 358,000-square km expanse, the Yangtze River Delta, consisting of Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, is one of the most populated and urbanized city clusters in China. -- A spate of measures has been rolled out by local authorities in the delta region to support domestic sales of export products after the State Council released a guideline in late June. -- The four regions in the Yangtze River Delta are teaming up to further integrate their industrial chains to meet persified domestic demands. HEFEI, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Instead of shuttling across exhibition venues around the world as before, Pan Bin, general manager of Anhui San Cunguang Reflective Material Co., Ltd. was busy promoting products to the domestic market through e-commerce platforms. "We used to export reflective materials to Southeast Asian and European countries, but the overseas orders were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we turned our focus to tapping the domestic market," said Pan. The company was one of the trailblazers in the Yangtze River Delta to make its foray into China's new development pattern known as "dual circulation" that takes the domestic market as the mainstay and allows the domestic and foreign markets to boost each other. An electric vehicle at the 2020 International (Hefei) Energy Conservation and New Energy Automobile Exhibition in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) First introduced in May this year, the new development pattern has been placed high on the authorities' agenda. The top leadership of China has recently urged the delta region to take the lead in forming this new development pattern based on its various advantages. Covering a 358,000-square km expanse, the Yangtze River Delta, consisting of Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, is one of the most populated and urbanized city clusters in China, contributing one-fourth of the country's gross domestic product. INCREASING DOMESTIC SALES Sales of quality export products at home can further enrich the country's market supply and take full advantage of its super-large market size and demand potential, China's commerce ministry said in late June. Pan's company has benefited from the vibrant domestic market after selling products at home. "We launched seven online shops on several major e-commerce platforms, including Tmall and JD.com, and our total sales have surpassed 6 million yuan (about 877,200 U.S. dollars) as of July," he said. To better meet the growing domestic demand, the company has employed more staff and expanded production while developing new products. The company's successful transformation was possible thanks to the local government's support. "The local government has given us financial support and helped us to open up new sales channels," he said. A spate of measures has been rolled out by local authorities in the delta region to support domestic sales of export products after the State Council released a guideline in late June. Jiangsu Province adopted 12 new measures, including streamlining the certification process for the domestic sale of export products and reducing certification fees to promote the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade, according to a circular released by the provincial government. Anhui provided financial support to encourage export enterprises to sell their products to domestic customers via online exhibitions organized by the provincial department of commerce. STABILIZING THE INDUSTRIAL CHAIN Building a modern and stable industrial chain to supply quality products is one of the key forces in developing the "dual circulation" pattern, said Chen Wen, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who has participated in national-level planning of the delta region. From small chips to big planes, and from cloud computing to the Internet of Things, the four provincial-level regions in the Yangtze River Delta are teaming up to further integrate their industrial chains to meet persified domestic demands. Anhui Shenghuabo Auto Electric Co., Ltd., a company that specializes in manufacturing windscreen wipers, is a participant and beneficiary of the increasingly integrated development within the Yangtze River Delta region. With its manufacturing base located in Anhui, the company's R&D center is based in Shanghai, and its mold processing is conducted in Zhejiang Province. "Regional integration has brought us new opportunities as we can tap the best potential of each place and share resources within the region. Our clients have expanded from domestic brands to joint ventures," said Zhang Weixing, vice general manager of the company. "As time goes by, the region is becoming increasingly dynamic and appealing. Geographic proximity and similar cultures have nurtured friendship among cities. At the same time, cities in the region can also complement each other in terms of industrial chains," said Xu Xianping, a professor at Guanghua School of Management, Peking University. "The region will explore a high-level regional integration model for the country to achieve high-quality development," said Xu. DEEPENING OPENING-UP While the potential of the domestic market is being emphasized, China will not shut the door on the world. Instead, it will further open up its economy. Contributing to about one-third of China's foreign trade and investment, the Yangtze River Delta has the advantage of serving as a bridge between domestic and international markets. Statistics showed that in the first half of this year, Zhejiang Province achieved a total import and export volume of 1.47 trillion yuan, up by 4.2 percent year on year while that of Anhui totaled 244.16 billion yuan, up by 9 percent from last year. The deepening opening-up is reflected in the busy production lines at LCFC (Hefei) Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., the largest personal computer research and development and manufacturing base of the Chinese tech giant Lenovo. In the company's workshop, based in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province, workers are putting in extra hours in production. The lifestyle of stay-at-home and work-from-home amid the epidemic has spurred the booming global demand for computers and tablets, and in the first half of the year, LCFC exported 4.05 million computers, an increase of 15.9 percent from the previous year. "By participating in global competition, the enterprise can speed up technological innovation and industrial upgrades, which can, in turn, boost sales in the domestic market," said Bai Peng, CEO of LCFC. According to Bai, the enterprise is continuing to innovate new products to meet both domestic and global demands. "For example, as the ultrabook is popular in the domestic market, we launched new product lines including Xiaoxin and Yoga to keep up with demands of customers," Bai said, adding that they also offer customized products and services. China's development cannot be segregated from the world. By developing an efficient "dual circulation" pattern, China's economy can be more resilient and open up wider, said Ma Jiantang, a senior official at the Development Research Center of the State Council. A surge of pandemic-inspired generosity from Australian philanthropists and artists has enabled the National Gallery of Australia to acquire 20 new works worth $8 million including #MeToo-related fashion from designers Discount Universe, and a masterful painting by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. National Gallery of Australia director Nick Mitzevich said the end of the financial year usually sees a boost to donations but the haul in recent months was worth twice what they would normally expect. Looks from Discount Universe's spring 2019 collection Women. Credit:NGA/Discount Universe "[Donors] want to do something during this difficult time... to have a positive story to tell, and do something that makes everyone feel good," he said. The announcement comes as the gallery has been fielding criticism over a radical change to its acquisitions policy that focuses on quality over quantity. The year before last it bought 3000 works, this year it will be "80-something", Mitzevich said. NPP National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye has extolled the 2020 manifesto that his party launched in Cape Coast ahead of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December. The New Patriotic Party's (NPP) manifesto was a mix of achievements of the Akufo-Addo administration and future promises to accomplish should Ghanaians give the government a second term. Delivering a speech during the manifesto launch, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia touted the manifesto as ''second to none'', compared to all governments in their first term under the Fourth Republic. The investment in infrastructure by the NPP government over the last three years has been massive. I dare say our investment in infrastructure, our infrastructure record, is second to none for any government in its first term under the Fourth Republic, Dr Bawumia stated on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 during a virtual Government Townhall Meeting and Results Fair showcasing the NPP's infrastructure record, held in Accra. Notwithstanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the completion times of some projects, the data indicates that in the fourth republic, no government has achieved as much in its first term of office in terms of infrastructure projects it initiated its first term as the NPP government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo'', the Vice President said. President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Vice President have pledged to establish a national rental scheme to assist young graduates to acquire apartments, grant student loans without a guarantor, construct an airport and a new harbour in Cape Coast among other promises and assured Ghanaians they won't fail them in the next four years of their administration. Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Nana Boakye expressed delight in the party's manifesto stressing it is the only manifesto which captures projects a government has accomplished as well as new intiatives to enhance the progress of the economy. He cited some policies of the incumbent government like the 1 District 1 Factory, Free SHS and a myriad of other projects that the President promised Ghanaians and has relentlessly delivered on all the promises. To him, the NPP manifesto is the best ever under the Fourth Republic. ''I dare say it delights me every time I look at our manifesto. For me, ever since I followed politics under the Fourth Republic, this manifesto is the best manifesto''. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy pledged to donate his eyes as a part of the National Eye Donation Fortnight, the state government said. A certificate issued by SV Chandrakumar, State Programme Officer, Tamil Nadu State Blindness Control Society, Department of Health and Family Welfare states Mr Palniswamy was a "proud eye donor and has solemnly pledged to make his country blindness free by gifting his vision." "Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy pledged to donate his eyes and was presented with the certificate (for this purpose) by Principal Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan," an official release read. He launched a dedicated portal of the state Health and Family Welfare Department to help eye donors. State Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam and Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan were present on the occasion. The website has been created with the aim of spreading awareness about eye donation and the procedures involved among people and to create a registry among the people of Tamil Nadu. Prospective donors can register in the portal by sharing details like names, residential address, mobile phone number and e-mail and pledge to donate their eyes. After donating their eyes, candidates will receive e-certificates. This initiative will be helpful in using a donor's eyes at the correct time as they will be handed over to the eye bank. Majority of these cases are children and young people. Eye donation helps people who suffer from corneal blindness. In India, approximately 68 lakh people suffer from corneal blindness. Also read: Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir to reopen; to follow Tirupati model Also read: Attorney General KK Venugopal in self-quarantine after staff member tests COVID-19 positive Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has sent out an open warning to India, claiming that his country would win the "fifth generation or hybrid war". Addressing a ceremony marking Defence Day and Martyrs' Day at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Sunday, Bajwa said Pakistan is facing multiple challenges aimed at discrediting the country and its armed forces. "We are facing the challenge that has been imposed on us in the form of the fifth generation or hybrid war. Its purpose is to discredit the country and its armed foces and spread chaos", he said. "We are well aware of this danger. We will surely succeed in winning this war with the cooperation of the nation." Giving out an open and clear warning without naming India, Bajwa said that Pakistan will give a befitting response to every aggression if a war is imposed. "I want to send a message to my nation and the world that Pakistan is a peace-loving country. But if war is imposed on us, we will befittingly response to every aggression. "We are always ready to defeat nefarious intentions of the enemy," he said. Hitting out at India, Bajwa said that in 1965, Pakistan had defeated India, an enemy he said many times greater in might than it. He also reminded Pakistan's response to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes by India, insisting that there should be no doubt on the country's readiness to respond. "Pakistan had again demonstrated this in response to the failed airstrikes at Balakot and the enemy should have no doubt about it. "We want peace in the whole world and especially in our region. Pakistan's key role in peace efforts in Afghanistan is a testament to that, but our neighbour India has, as always, taken an irresponsible stance," Bajwa added. Mentioning the longstanding dispute of Kashmir between the two countries, the COAS said: "India, by illegally abrogating the special status of illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir had once again threatened peace in the region. "There is no doubt that Kashmir is a recognized dispute and Pakistan did not accept any unilateral decision in this regard. "Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had declared Kashmir the jugular vein of Pakistan. This is part of our faith. We will not show any flexibility in this regard." Bajwa reiterated that time has tried the capability of Pakistan many times, highlighting that the country has come our successful every time. "Pakistan is a living reality. Our blood, our passion and our actions will bear witness to this on every front," he asserted. Research News Grant to fund help for imprisoned domestic violence survivors The new Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic's initial mandate will be to represent incarcerated clients who have suffered serious abuse and have received harsh prison sentences for actions related to that abuse. Photo: Mark Mulville, 2005 UB LAW LINKS This act is one way to recognize what were slowly as a society coming to accept: that people can change, and that people are more than the worst thing they have done. School of Law students and faculty will address a historic blind spot in the judicial system with the support of a major grant awarded to the schools Advocacy Institute. The $53,125 grant from the American College of Trial Lawyers, which represents a major investment from that invitation-only advocates group, will be used to support a revitalized Innocence and Justice Project, with an initial mandate to represent incarcerated clients who have suffered serious abuse and have received harsh prison sentences for actions related to that abuse. This is a significant milestone, says trial attorney Terrence M. Connors 71, who chairs the Advocacy Institutes National Advisory Board, which includes four ACTL members. Their approval of our grant application recognizes that our Innocence and Justice Project, an arm of our Advocacy Institute, is incredibly worthwhile and is consistent with the mission of their foundation. To take on this project, the Advocacy Institute will collaborate with a new Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic, where students can work under the direction of Alexandra Harrington, who joined the law school this semester as an associate professor, to identify, interview and represent clients predominantly women who are in prison after suffering serious abuse. The work is made possible by the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, enacted last year in New York. The legislation, which draws on new understandings of the psychological underpinnings of such violence, allows state Supreme Court judges to significantly reduce some survivors prison sentences. Sentencing is supposed to be holistic, Harrington says. In practice, without this law that gives specific recognition to domestic violence survivors or laws that give specific recognition to people who were kids at the time of the crime mitigating factors werent always getting fair shrift at sentencing. The ACTL Foundation recognizes programs whose principal purpose is to maintain and improve the administration of justice. New York States new Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act addresses a historic blind spot in the judicial system: the failure to recognize that some survivors were convicted precisely because their abuse stripped them of the ability to participate effectively in their own defense, says foundation President Joan A. Lukey. Kudos to the School of Law for its willingness to help identify and assist the incarcerated survivors who are now eligible for resentencing. The ACTL Foundation is pleased and privileged to provide seed money for this important initiative. Anthony ORourke, Joseph W. Belluck and Laura L. Aswad Professor of Civil Justice who directs the Advocacy Institute, will serve as co-counsel with Harrington. He says the need is great for this kind of work and close at hand. The states largest prison for women is virtually at our back door, in Albion, he says, and theres little infrastructure at this point for representing clients from Buffalo. He says Legal Aid attorneys already have developed a list of their clients who could potentially seek relief. The Advocacy Institute, ORourke says, looks forward to partnering with Legal Aid to take on some of these cases. In addition to direct representation of clients, ORourke says students in the project will conduct research to understand the scope of the legal need, and develop creative litigation strategies as the justice system begins to implement the new law. The real goal, he says, is to ensure that the statute is interpreted in a way that is faithful to the Legislatures goal of addressing the years of injustice faced by survivors of domestic violence. ORourke says the grant will provide the resources necessary for effective and meaningful litigation work, including paying investigators and expert witnesses, training and travel for the purpose of litigation. We are extremely grateful to the ACTL Foundation for funding this important work, he says. Harrington, who worked with several legal clinics as a student and later a fellow at Yale Law School, says shes excited about engaging her Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic students in work under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act. Theres a lot of context and history and life that comes before this one event that were capturing at sentencing, she says. This law acknowledges that maybe the way that we sentence people and the way that we condemn people to spend decades of their life in prison is not, in fact, a fair and just way to treat human beings, and does not credit our complexity or our capacity for change. This act, she says, is one way to recognize what were slowly as a society coming to accept: that people can change, and that people are more than the worst thing they have done. News Indianapolis, Indiana - The United States announced Monday that Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) has agreed to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and Indiana law by undertaking measures to improve its environmental compliance at the Petersburg Generating Station, in Pike County, Indiana. The State of Indiana is also a party to the agreement. The settlement agreement resolves the claims under the Clean Air Act and related Indiana laws that the United States and Indiana have alleged against IPL in the complaint filed in federal district court for the Southern District of Indiana. The agreement, which is memorialized in a consent decree lodged in the district court, requires IPL to reduce its plants emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM) and sulfuric acid mist (H2SO4). IPL will install a pollution control device known as a Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction System (SNCR) on one of the plants coal-fired units, upgrade its sulfuric acid mitigation system, and continually operate all of its pollution control equipment to meet levels that will achieve reductions in NOx, SO2, PM and H2SO4 emissions. The agreement recognizes that IPL may permanently retire two of its Petersburg units earlier than it had planned. Retirement of those units would result in emission reductions significantly greater than any reductions achieved by installing and operating the SNCR. Thus, IPL may forego installing that control device if it in fact retires the two units prior to July 1, 2023, the deadline under the consent decree by which IPL must install the SNCR. Further, IPL will pay a total civil penalty of $1.525 million, of which $925,000 will go to the United States and $600,000 to the State of Indiana. The citizens of Indiana will breathe cleaner air, thanks to IPLs agreement to significantly decrease its excess emissions, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Brightbill for the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division. We are pleased that our Indiana State counterparts have worked closely with our federal team to achieve this favorable result for the environment. Working together with our state partners, EPA is helping to make the air cleaner in Indiana, said EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede. This agreement will significantly reduce excess emissions of harmful air pollutants to protect public health and our environment. Clean air is vital to Hoosiers long-term health, and IPLs commitment to reducing the emissions from its Petersburg Generating Station is an environmentally conscious step in the right direction, said Curtis Hill, Attorney General of Indiana. Under the agreement, IPL will also undertake a project costing $5 million to mitigate the harm to the environment caused by the plants excess emissions over the years. IPL will submit a proposal to EPA and the State to construct and operate a system that will provide a new, non-emitting source of power at an on-site location known as the auxiliary electrical unit. The new source of power is expected to reduce emissions of SO2, NOx and PM from that unit. In addition, at the request of Indiana, IPL will expend $325,000 to undertake a state-only environmentally beneficial project designed to restore and preserve some ecologically significant parcels of land near the plant. People seek employment opportunities at a JobTrain office in Menlo Park before the pandemic. On Monday, the state begins sending out an extra $900 in federally funded benefits to unemployed Californians. (Associated Press) As Californias economy continues to struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials will mark the Labor Day holiday by sending a $900 supplemental unemployment benefit to jobless residents but many will not get the assistance right away, and nearly 200,000 people are not expected to get it at all. The lump-sum payment covers three weeks of benefits retroactive to the week that ended Aug. 1 at the rate of $300 per week and is paid for by the federal government. On Monday, California Labor Secretary Julie A. Su announced that the state has received federal approval for an additional two weeks, or $600, bringing the total benefit to $1,500. A representative said the benefit announced Monday will go out later than this week's initial payment. An earlier federal program provided a $600 weekly supplemental benefit on top of normal state unemployment checks, but that program expired in July. With Congress deadlocked over a proposal to extend that $600 benefit, an executive order by President Trump last month authorized $300 in weekly supplements, but with no guarantee of continuing beyond three weeks. The latest payment will provide much-needed relief for Californias unemployed workers, said Dana Hadl, directing attorney for Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles, but she said more is needed. Despite the fact that this supplement will begin to alleviate many workers' fears that they will not be able to house and feed their families, it does not fully replace the $600 from the [Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security] Act, and Congress still needs to act to protect our country's vulnerable low-wage workers, Hadl said. The state Employment Development Department said it is starting to send the first $900 in federal supplements out Monday to 3.1 million people who have been receiving at least $100 in weekly unemployment benefits from the state and previously certified that they were unemployed due to a COVID-19-related reason. Story continues The EDD said it will take a couple of weeks to send out all of those benefits, with agency-issued debit card holders getting a lump-sum payment and those getting benefits by check being issued separate checks. An additional 1.2 million claimants still need to certify eligibility that their joblessness is COVID-19 related and will be notified by the EDD starting Sept. 15 of the need to do so. However, some 192,000 unemployed Californians will not receive the extra $300 benefit because they have been receiving less than $100 in state benefits, the threshold set by the federal government for participation, according to researchers at UCLAs California Policy Lab. The average state benefit received for those who are ineligible is $68 per week, according to an analysis by the lab. Being left out of the new benefit adds insult over injury, especially since no strong justification has been provided for why they are excluded, said Till von Wachter, a coauthor of the report, UCLA economics professor and faculty director at the lab. The analysis found that those not qualifying for the benefit are disproportionately younger, female and workers with a lower education level, state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) said. The formula for qualifying perpetuates an immense economic hardship for those on the brinks of being evicted, not having food on the table, or not being able to attain employment because they are essential workers whose jobs disappeared with the onset of COVID-19, Durazo said. But even a majority of those who get the $300 supplemental payment will have benefits below the poverty level, with the total benefits averaging $575 per week, the report said. Seeing the amount provided by the federal government cut in half is disappointing to some unemployed Californians, including Michelle Safransky, who has struggled to get claims for benefits approved because of EDD's ongoing problems in processing applications. It will definitely be more difficult to make ends meet, and Im not sure that its enough for many unemployed people, including myself, Safransky said of the $300. But, she added: Anything will be better than nothing. Why did the Delhi Police team that raided the flat at Batla House in an anti-terror operation on September 19, 2008 not wear bulletproof jackets? The shootout in which a police officer died had sparked a major controversy and became a political issue. Karnal Singh, the Delhi Police officer who led the operation years ago, now claims to provide some answers in his book Batla House: An Encounter That Shook The Nation. An IPS officer of the 1984 batch, Singh, who is now retired, was Joint Commissioner of Police in the Special Cell at that time, reveals what happened inside flat number 108 at L-18 Batla House that morning and why Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma who was killed in the operation, and his team did not wear bulletproof jackets and how the encounter was given a political colour despite irrefutable evidence against the Indian Mujahideen (IM) members. In his book, Singh says that his team had managed to piece together by September 18, 2008, a day before the encounter, that a number used by slain terrorist Mohammad Atif Ameen was key to solving the conspiracy was key to solving a conspiracy behind a string of blasts in Jaipur (May 13, 2008) and Ahmedabad (July 26, 2008) and the serial blasts on September 13, 2008 in Delhis Karol Bagh, Connaught Place and Greater Kailash. After it was established by the evening that Atif Ameen was a person of interest, Karnal Singh ordered the team to capture him alive. On September 18 evening, a small team was sent to Batla House to conduct a reconnaissance and familiarize themselves with the Batla House area. The team was unanimous in its decision to raid Atifs location L-18 Batla House. The crucial question was, when? It was the month of Ramadan and, hence, it was not advisable to search in the evening or night. Mohan suggested that we should search Batla House during daytime since this is the time when they would be resting at home, writes Singh. Two teams were formed for September 19. Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma led an 18-member team while DCP Sanjeev Yadav (ACP at that time) led the second team. Singh recalls Sharmas son was hospitalized that day due to dengue but the slain Inspector put his duty first. He writes that most of the officers in the team, including Inspector Rahul, Dharmender and others had returned late that night or early morning on September 19 from other states after working on different inputs. They all had familial responsibilities, emotionally strained spouses (rightly so), and children or/and older parents to be taken care of, among other things, but when it came to the call of duty, everything was secondary. This was my team. And we were ready for the Batla House operation, writes Singh. Seconds before the raid was to start, around 11 am on September 19, Singh got a call from Sharma who said Sir, there are people inside L-18. We are going in. After about 10 minutes, my phone rang. This time it was Sanjeev (Yadav). Sir, Mohan and Head Constable Balwant have been shot and are being shifted to hospital. The terrorists are also injured but they are inside the house. His voice was choking, as if he was in tears. This is when Singh himself and then Special Cell DCP Alok Kumar also rushed to Batla House while directing Yadav to contain the terrorists. Terming his walk as the one of most tense moments of his career, Singh writes, I could sense animosity for the Delhi Police in the by-lanes, as a huge crowd had gathered in the area shouting slogans against the department. On reaching the flat, Singh asked his team to explain the sequence of events. Rahul explained that Mohan was leading the front team. All the team members, except Dharmender, were asked by Mohan to be in casual wear. This was done to ensure even if the target was not found in the apartment, the team could withdraw without anyone knowing about their presence or the search. That was also the reason why none of the team members were wearing bullet-proof jackets, adds Singh. The terrorists had fired indiscriminately at the first team due to which Sharma was hit by two bullets from the front. Head Constable Balwant was also received a bullet injury but he survived. Singh, who also headed the Enforcement Directorate (ED), says that Sharmas team had parked their vehicles near the Khalilullah Mosque, which had bullet-proof vests and AK-47 rifles. Sharmas team carried only small arms with them to the L-18 flat. Singh adds that when he came to know about Sharmas death at Holy Family hospital, I walked towards him, put my palm over his forehead and tears started flowing from my eyes. The very life of the Special Cell, the man whose investigation yielded us results, the one who could beat any encrypted message and intercept any call, the one whose network of human intelligence was immaculate, was lying there connected to machines and wires, writes Singh. Singh recalls how the encounter was given a political colour and even the media was publishing unverified claims by witnesses, making Special Cell the biggest villain. Leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh, Mamata Banerjee and others had sought a judicial enquiry questioning the genuineness of the encounter. However, after the evidence was shown to then minister Kapil Sibal, he was convinced that it was a genuine encounter. Singh recalls that during the February 22, 2009 At Home function of Delhi Police, then PM Manmohan Singh had told him You have done a good job. The Batla House encounter became a historic event in the fight against terrorism. It caused a critical blow to Indian Mujahideen, as it neutralized its key members and broke the backbone of its network in India. We lost one of the most intelligent and brave officers, whose findings led us to the core IM members. The work done by all the Special Cell personnel helped crack the bomb blast cases and neutralize the threat from this terror group that had caused many blasts across the country between 2004 and 2008, causing injuries to 765 people and killing 239 innocent men, women and children, he writes. This case stirred a political storm, instigated a witch-hunt against Special Cell officers, divided public opinion and became a raging controversial topic in the media that continues till date. F rance has added seven more departments to its list of Covid-19 red zones as it struggles to contain a resurgence in the virus. A decree published on Sunday, which entered into force immediately, classified seven areas as "zones where the virus is circulating actively". Those areas are Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse on the island of Corsica, as well as Cote-d'Or, Nord, Bas-Rhin, and Seine-Maritime on the mainland, along with Reunion, an island in the Indian Ocean. Several major cities including Lille, Strasbourg and Dijon now fall within red zones as a result of the move. Meanwhile, of Frances 101 mainland and overseas departments, 28 are now considered red zones - a designation that enables authorities to impose exceptional measures to slow the number of new coronavirus cases. So, here's what you need to know: The UK Government last month added France to its travel quarantine list owing to a resurgence of coronavirus in the country / AP What is a red zone? A department is classed as a red zone if its incidence rate of Covid-19 exceeds 50 new cases of the virus per 100,000 inhabitants in one week. The designation gives local authorities 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. Which departments are classed as red zones? The following departments are classed as red zones: Alpes-Maritime Var Bouches-du-Rhone Gard Herault Vaucluse Sarthe Haut-Garonne Gironde Rhone Paris Seine-Saint-Denis Hauts-de-Seine Val-de-Marne Loiret Val d-Oise Essonne Seine-et-Marne Yvelines Martinique Gaudeloupe Corse-du-Sud Haute-Corse Cote-d'Or Nord Bas-Rhin Seine-Maritime Reunion What is France's Covid-19 caseload? French health authorities recorded 7,071 new confirmed Covid-19 cases on Sunday, down from Saturday's 8.550 and also below Friday's peak of 8,975. Friday's figure marked a record-high number of daily cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic - almost 1,500 higher than the previous March 31 daily peak of 7,578. France's Covid-19 death toll now stands at 30,701. Nearly 325,000 coronavirus cases have been recorded nationwide since the pandemic erupted. Is it safe to travel to France? The UK Government last month added France to its travel quarantine list owing to a resurgence of coronavirus in the country. All arrivals into the UK from France are now required to self-isolate for two weeks as a result. Current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice states: "The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advise against all but essential travel to France (including Corsica)." Loading.... "There has been a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in France during recent weeks, with a significant number of French departments now at heightened vulnerability'." SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The " Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market Size " Study has been added to DBMR database. 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According to this report Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market will rise from Covid-19 crisis at moderate growth rate during 2020 to 2027. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market includes comprehensive information derived from depth study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Industry historical and forecast market data. Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market Size to Expand moderately as the new developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery and Impact of COVID19 over the forecast period 2020 to 2027. TO UNDERSTAND HOW COVID-19 IMPACT IS COVERED IN THIS REPORTGET FREE COVID-19 SAMPLE @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/covid-19-impact/global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-drug-discovery-market Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market report provides depth analysis of the market impact and new opportunities created by the COVID19/CORONA Virus pandemic. Report covers Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market report is helpful for strategists, marketers and senior management, And Key Players in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Industry. The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below By Offering (Software, Services) (Software, Services) By Technology (Machine Learning, Other Technologies) (Machine Learning, Other Technologies) By Drug Type (Small Molecule, Large Molecules) (Small Molecule, Large Molecules) By Application (Immuno-Oncology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Diseases, Other Applications) (Immuno-Oncology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Diseases, Other Applications) By End-User (Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Contract Research Organizations, Research Centres and Academic & Government Institutes) Top Key Manufactures or Players (this may not be a complete list and extra companies can be added upon request): Microsoft NVIDIA Corporation IBM Corporation Atomwise, Inc DEEP GENOMICS Cloud Pharmaceuticals, Inc Insilico Medicine BenevolentAI Ltd Exscientia Cyclica Inc Numerate NuMedii, Inc Envisagenics twoXAR, Incorporated OWKIN, INC XtalPi Inc BERG LLC Access Full Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/singleuser/global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-drug-discovery-market Scope of Report: The Market report lists the most important competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market. This report will help you to establish a landscape of industrial development and characteristics of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market. The Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status. Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, price, cost, revenue and gross margins. According to the Regional Segmentation the Main Bearing Market provides the Information covers following regions: North America South America Asia & Pacific Europe MEA (Middle East and Africa) The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as 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. For More Information or Query or Customization Before Buying, Visit @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-drug-discovery-market The data and the information regarding the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market growth are taken from reliable sources such as websites, annual reports of the companies, journals, and others and were checked and validated by the industry experts. Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market Scope and Market Size Based on offering, artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery market is segmented into software and services. On the basis of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery market is segmented into machine learning and other technologies. Machine learning has been further segmented into deep learning, supervised learning, reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning and other machine learning technologies. Based on drug type, artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery market is segmented into small molecule and large molecules. On the basis of application, artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery market is segmented into immuno-oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases and other applications. Artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery market has also been segmented based on the end user into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, contract research organizations, research centres and academic & government institutes. Major Objectives Covered in The Report: A. The points that are discussed within the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market report are the major market players that are involved in the market such as manufacturers, raw material suppliers, equipment suppliers, end users, traders, distributors and etc. B. The complete profile of the companies is mentioned. And the capacity, production, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, sales volume, sales revenue, consumption, growth rate, import, export, supply, future strategies, and the technological developments that they are making are also included within the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market report. The historical data from 2010 to 2020 and forecast data from 2020 to 2027. C. The growth factors of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market are discussed in detail wherein the different end users of the market are explained in detail. D. Data and information by manufacturer, by region, by type, by application and etc., and custom research can be added according to specific requirements. E. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market report contains the SWOT analysis of the market. Finally, the report contains the conclusion part where the opinions of the industrial experts are included. Key Reasons to Purchase: - 1) To gain insightful analyses of the keyword market and have comprehensive understanding of the global market and its commercial landscape. 2) Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk. 3) To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the keyword market and its impact in the global market. 4) Learn about the keyword market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations. 5) To understand the future outlook and prospects for the market. 6) Besides the standard structure reports, we also provide custom research according to specific requirements. With tables and figures helping analyze worldwide Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market, this research provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market. Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary - the basic information of the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market. Exclusive Summary - the basic information of the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market. Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Chapter 4: Presenting the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Presenting the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region 2010-2020 Displaying the by Type, End User and Region 2010-2020 Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery 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 in these various regions. To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions. Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source Finally, Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Drug Discovery Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies. Complete Report is Available (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Graphs, and Chart) @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-drug-discovery-market Top Trending Related Reports Drug Discovery Informatics Market By Function (Sequencing & Target Data Analysis, Docking, Molecular Modelling, Libraries & Database Preparation, Other Functions), Solutions (Software, Services), End- User (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Contract Research Organizations (CROS), Other End Users), Product (Discovery Informatics, Development Informatics), Mode (In-House Informatics, Outsourced Informatics), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-drug-discovery-informatics-market By Function (Sequencing & Target Data Analysis, Docking, Molecular Modelling, Libraries & Database Preparation, Other Functions), Solutions (Software, Services), End- User (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Contract Research Organizations (CROS), Other End Users), Product (Discovery Informatics, Development Informatics), Mode (In-House Informatics, Outsourced Informatics), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market By Workflow (Target Identification & Screening, Target Validation & Functional Informatics, Lead Identification & Candidate Optimization, Preclinical Development, Other Associated Workflow), Therapeutic Area (Respiratory System, Pain and Anaesthesia, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Haematology, Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Immunomodulation, Anti-Infective, Central Nervous System, Dermatology, Genitourinary System), Drug Type (Small Molecules, Large Molecules), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-drug-discovery-outsourcing-market By Workflow (Target Identification & Screening, Target Validation & Functional Informatics, Lead Identification & Candidate Optimization, Preclinical Development, Other Associated Workflow), Therapeutic Area (Respiratory System, Pain and Anaesthesia, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Haematology, Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Immunomodulation, Anti-Infective, Central Nervous System, Dermatology, Genitourinary System), Drug Type (Small Molecules, Large Molecules), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 Artificial intelligence in Healthcare Market By Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), Technology (Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Context- Aware Computing, Computer Vision), Applications (Robot- Assisted Surgery, Virtual Nursing Assistant, Administrative Workflow Assistance, Fraud Detection, Dosage Error Reduction, Clinical Trial Participant Identifier, Preliminary Diagnosis), End- Use Application (Patient Data and Risk Analysis, Inpatient Care & Hospital Management, Medical Imaging & Diagnostics, Lifestyle Management & Monitoring, Virtual Assistant, Drug Discovery, Research, Healthcare Assistance Robots, Precision Medicine, Emergency Room & Surgery, Wearables, Mental Health), End- User (Hospitals and Providers, Patients, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Healthcare Payers), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-artificial-intelligence-in-healthcare-market By Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), Technology (Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Context- Aware Computing, Computer Vision), Applications (Robot- Assisted Surgery, Virtual Nursing Assistant, Administrative Workflow Assistance, Fraud Detection, Dosage Error Reduction, Clinical Trial Participant Identifier, Preliminary Diagnosis), End- Use Application (Patient Data and Risk Analysis, Inpatient Care & Hospital Management, Medical Imaging & Diagnostics, Lifestyle Management & Monitoring, Virtual Assistant, Drug Discovery, Research, Healthcare Assistance Robots, Precision Medicine, Emergency Room & Surgery, Wearables, Mental Health), End- User (Hospitals and Providers, Patients, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Healthcare Payers), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 Mobile Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market , By Technology Type (7nm, 10nm, 20 To 28nm), Application (Drones, Smartphones, Cameras, Robotics, Smart Boards, AR/VR, Automotive And PCS ), Geographical Segments (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East And Africa)-Industry Trends and Forecast to 2025 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-mobile-artificial-intelligence-ai-market About Data Bridge Market Research: An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today! Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge Market Research adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate. Contact Us: Sunday saw the first All Blacks team of the year named, with 4 new caps catching the eye of media pundits. Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke, Hoskins Sotutu, and Tupou Vaa'i all earned the call up for the first time after exceptional Super Rugby seasons. Shortly after the team was announced, a video surfaced online that shows the touching moment Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i broke news of his call up to his family over Facetime. A visibly emotional Vaa'i tells his family that he had news for them, fighting through tears to say "I just wanted to let you guys know I made the All Blacks". The news was met with pure jubilation from his adoring whanau, with many of them succumbing to tears as emotions filled the room. It's one of those truly unique moments where you see how much the Black jersey really means to this country, and we thank the Vaa'i family for sharing this beautiful moment with the rest of the world! Congrats Tupou! Check the video out below: Caerphilly subject to first local lockdown in Wales face coverings mandatory in shops & other measures implemented This article is old - Published: Monday, Sep 7th, 2020 Caerphilly will be under a local lockdown from 6pm tomorrow due to an ongoing spike in coronavirus cases. This is the first such lockdown to be introduced since easing of restrictions, and shows for the first time what measures Welsh Government bring in for the circumstances. People will not be allowed to enter or leave the Caerphilly County Borough Council area without a reasonable excuse. The travel restrictions will mean people cannot enter or leave Caerphilly County Borough Council area without a reasonable excuse this includes work, if they are unable to work from home, or making a compassionate visit to a loved one or to give care. Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in shops; People will only be able to meet outdoors meetings with other people indoors and extended households will not be allowed for the time being. No overnight stays will be allowed. The new restrictions will apply to everyone living within the Caerphilly County Borough Council area. The new measures will be kept under regular review and enforcement of the new restrictions will be undertaken by the local authority and by the police. The measures are being introduced following a rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in coronavirus, which have been linked to clusters of people meeting indoors, not following social distancing guidelines in the borough and summer holidays overseas. They will be kept under regular review but if cases do not fall, the Welsh Government, working with Caerphilly Council and Public Health Wales, will consider further measures. Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: We have seen a significant rise in cases in Caerphilly borough over a very short space of time, which are linked to holiday travel abroad and people socialising indoors and not following social distancing guidelines. A lot of these cases are in younger people and thankfully, at the moment, most of these are mild. But coronavirus is now circulating in the community and its only a matter of time before we start to see more serious cases, which need hospital treatment. We need the help of everyone in Caerphilly borough to prevent the increasing and onward spread of coronavirus. We can only bring this local outbreak under control if everyone pulls together and follows these new steps. If we do not see cases falling, we may need to take further steps to bring this local outbreak under control. In the last seven days there have been 133 new cases confirmed, equivalent to a rate of 55.4 cases per 100,000 population in Caerphilly the highest rate in Wales and one of the highest in the UK. It is expected case numbers will continue to rise. Community testing was introduced in Caerphilly at the weekend. On Saturday, some 450 people were tested and 19 were positive a positivity rate of 4% indicating the virus is circulating in the community. A similar number of people were tested on Sunday and the results are expected shortly. Shadow Health Minister Andrew Davies MS said tonight, I am disappointed that a local lockdown has become necessary in Caerphilly. However, its absolutely vital that the virus is controlled, especially with more people returning to work and schoolchildren and students returning to study, and as the trend is rising. Critically, any such local lockdown must be for as short a time as possible. Other parts of Wales will be watching how Caerphilly deals with this local outbreak, and hopefully any lessons learnt will be shared widely to avoid a similar situation occurring in other parts of Wales. Today Wrexham has seen +9 new confirmed cases on the day on day statistics, with that out of 150 tests giving positive proportion of 6%. There are 132 new confirmed cases across Wales on the day on day figures, the highest since the 27th of June, and follows a distinct rise in the recent figures. There has been less tests in the last 7 days (22.8k) compared to the 7 days before (25.8k), however nearly 30% more confirmed cases going from 311 to 403. Wrexham saw extra testing rolled out in late July / early August but thankfully the 1,400 people tested only saw 11 new confirmed cases. Similar localised testing has been rolled out in Caerphilly with great demand, with over 1,000 more carried out there than in Wrexham in the last 7 day period, an 98 new confirmed cases. A huge demand for #coronavirus tests at Caerphilly Leisure Centre has seen three hour waits and long queues of traffic.https://t.co/vLvt1AKrCN Caerphilly Observer (@CaerphillyObsvr) September 7, 2020 Wrexham had been in the unwelcome position of having three areas of coronavirus concern, however avoided such measures that Caerphilly is now subject to. An issue connected to a local food factory was formally declared an outbreak on the 23rd of June (with staff walking out in protest at the start of April). Wrexham Maelor Hospital also has an Outbreak Control Team at work, with additional concerns of wider community transmission meaning pop up mobile testing facilities appearing at the end of July in parts of the town testing over 1,400 people in a few days. Top pic: Mobile testing in Wrexham. Abdulrahman al-Sudaiss latest sermon has sparked controversy and rifts. According to some, it is a prelude to diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. In reality, he stressed the importance of "healthy international relations. Trump and King Salman spoke on the phone. The Saudi monarch reiterated the Kingdoms position: first comes peace with the Palestinians. Riyadh (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Imam of the Great Mosque of Makkah Abdulrahman al-Sudais has become the centre of a controversy for seemingly justifying the normalisation of relations between Israel and Arab countries. His latest sermon, last Friday, comes in the wake of the agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It sparked attacks and heated discussions on social media, with many seeing it as a prelude to an agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. In recent days, many Muslim religious leaders in the Middle East expressed their opposition to normalisation. One of them, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, resigned from the UAE- based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies in protest against the organisations support for normalisation. In the Friday sermon, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah stressed the importance of dialogue and good relations with non-Muslims, making specific reference to Jews. He also invited the faithful to avoid "any misconception about correct beliefs in the heart coexisting with having healthy dealings in interpersonal exchanges and international relations. Abdulrahman al-Sudais then cited several personal stories from the life of the Prophet Muhammad, in which the latter is seen as nurturing good relations with non-Muslims. "When the course of healthy human dialogue is neglected, parts of people's civilisations will collide, and the language that will become prevalent is one of violence, exclusion and hatred," Sudais said. He went on to stress the importance of obedience to ones leaders and authorities, and to be aware of "misguided factions and groups". Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations. Saudi authorities recently said that a comprehensive peace agreement was one of their priorities. Establishing diplomatic relations with Israel was however conditional on solving the Palestinian question. Over the weekend, King Salman had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, during which he reiterated Riyadh's position, i.e. a permanent solution to the Palestinian question as the starting point of an "Arab peace initiative", which would include relations with Israel. Despite the lack of official diplomatic relations, Saudi Arabia and Israel have been engaged in a political and economic rapprochement, especially aimed at containing Iran. Middle East Eye recently revealed that Saudi Arabia's strongman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pulled out of a planned visit to Washington DC to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trumps Mideast adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner had been pushing for the meeting to relaunch bin Salman's image as a young Arab peacemaker and shore up regional support for the deal between Israel and the UAE. Bin Salmans father, King Salman, pulled the plug on the meeting, saying that any peace agreement with Israel was contingent on a two-state deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Former chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis on Monday welcomed Centres move to provide Y-plus category security for Kangana Ranaut. The Bollywood actor started receiving threats soon after commenting on Mumbai Police. Applauding Centres decision, BJP leader Fadnavis said that protecting people is Centres responsibility. There will be no rule of law. If you dont like someones opinion then take legal action against them but it is the responsibility of those who have taken the oath of the constitution to protect them. I think what centre did is right, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said. Fadnavis, however, further clarified that BJP did not support Ranauts comments on Mumbai Police. The controversy erupted over Ranauts remarks Mumbai Police which sparked a political row on Friday, with Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh saying she has no right to stay in Mumbai. Ranaut tweeted that Sanjay Raut had issued an open threat to her to not return to the city if she had no faith in the Mumbai Police. Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena leader has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai, after Aazadi graffitis in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan occupied Kashmir? she tweeted. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:49:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Monday strongly condemned the attack on its convoy which resulted in the death of a civilian on Sunday. One of the vehicles in a convoy of the AMISOM, which had departed the mission's Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Maslah heading towards Mogadishu, was targeted by an improvised explosive device (IED) at the Bakala Soqola junction. According to the AU mission, a preliminary investigation indicates one civilian who was near the scene of the attack was killed as a result of the blast. "AMISOM strongly condemns the attack on its convoy and presents its condolences to the family of the deceased," it said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. The AU mission vowed it will continue to fight terrorism side-by-side with its Somali counterparts in pursuit of peace and stability for the country. "AMISOM is investigating the matter to fully establish the circumstances in which the unfortunate incident happened and the overall number of casualties," it said. Enditem The Furnace is Malek's first collaboration with an international production Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek has gained attention for his role in 'The Furnace', an Australian film that premiered on Friday during the Orizzonti section of the 77th Venice International Film Festival. At a full-house hall, the screening of the film, directed by Roderick MacKay, received a standing ovation followed by many positive critical reviews from various prestigious papers and magazines from many countries. The Furnace explores a forgotten aspect of the 19th century west Australian gold rush, when Muslim and Sikh camel handlers from India, Afghanistan and Persia Iran's former name were brought in by the British colonisers to help open up the Outback, many essentially working as indentured laborers. The Furnace follows the story of a young Afghan cameleer played by Malek, who is led away from his friendship with local Aboriginal people by a shifty gold prospector. "It's shining a light on a little-known chapter of our history and representing community groups who have not really been represented in Australia's history,'' the 33-year-old director told The Associated Press after the screening. The Furnace is Malek's first appearance in an international production. Malek is best known for his role as the young Hassan El-Banna in the series The Brotherhood, as well as Ahmed in the series With Premeditation, and teenage womaniser Adham in the TV series Hayats Tale, for which he received recognition from Middle Eastern audiences. His latest films include Ras El-Sana by director Mohamed Sakr and screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy, which is currently available on shahid.net, and The Guest (2019) and Gunshot (2018). In 2013, Malek won a DG Award for Best Young Actor for his performance as Ahmed in With Premeditation. In its 2018 edition, the Berlin International Film Festival announced Malek among its Berlinale Talents. The Venice International Film Festival is taking place between 2 and 12 September. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Influencer and YouTube star Ethan Peters, known as Ethan Is Supreme, has died. He was 17. On Sunday, several fans and friends in the beauty community mourned the death of Peters on social media. A rep for Peters did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. A cause of death is unknown at this time. "My best friend in the entire world, my twin flame.....the only person there for me when I had no one. I love you Ethan, I am at a loss for words. I wish I knew how bad it was. I know what youd want me to say to the Internet rn but Im to [sic] heartbroken to say it. Rip," Peters' close friend and fellow influencer Ava Louise shared on Twitter. My best friend in the entire world, my twin flame.....the only person there for me when I had no one. I love you Ethan, I am at a loss for words. I wish I knew how bad it was. I know what youd want me to say to the Internet rn but Im to heartbroken to say it. Rip pic.twitter.com/EjQdm0JVxE Ava Louise (ig @avalouiise) (@realavalouiise) September 5, 2020 The talented makeup artist, who hailed from Texas, had been battling with addiction, according to Louise. "Addiction is a disease. I had to pull Ethan aside in recent weeks and have talks with him about his usage. Everyone close to him was scared," she shared on Sunday. "I just wish I f---ing tried harder I f---ing wish I yelled at him more I wish I didnt enable a single pill he popped." "Snap your friends out of it before its to [sic] late. Get your friends REAL help before its to [sic] late," Louise continued. "Ethan told me a week ago he wanted help...I wish I forced him I wish I yelled at him. I f---ing wish I didnt let him do pills in front of me. This pain is insane." RELATED: Tana Mongeau Opens Up About Recent Struggle with Xanax Addiction and Suicidal Thoughts Story continues Manuel Gutierrez, known professionally as Manny MUA, also shared a tweet on Sunday. "Rest in peace ethan @trashqueenethan you were so incredibly talented at such a young age," he shared. "I know hes made many many mistakes... but to say he deserved to pass away is horrible and inhuman. I pray for his family and loved ones, a horrible loss." rest in peace ethan @trashqueenethan you were so incredibly talented at such a young age. i know hes made many many mistakes... but to say he deserved to pass away is horrible and inhuman. i pray for his family and loved ones, a horrible loss Manny MUA (@MannyMua733) September 6, 2020 Peters began his YouTube career on April 24, 2017. By 2019, he amassed more than 500,000 followers on Instagram and over 140,000 subscribers on YouTube. Prior to breaking into the beauty world, Peters ran a successful meme account (Betch) which he grew to 1.3 million followers before selling it for $25,000 at just 13 years old. "After I saw all these boy beauty gurus become big and it just inspired me to start a new chapter in social media , I just wanted my face to be known," he said in a 2019 interview. In that same interview, Peters said influencer Tana Mongeau was someone he "always looked up to." Mongeau also mourned Peters on Sunday, sharing an Instagram Story that read, "rip angel. my heart goes out to his family and friends. if u need anything reach out please." If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. Bhubaneswar: Alleging political vendetta behind the arrest of TMC leaders, Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyays wife Nayna on Monday said her husband was in the custody of Modi and not in the CBIs custody. Nayna, who has been camping here ever since her husband had been brought to the CBI custody for his alleged link to the multi-crore Rose Valley chit fund scam, said, Sudip does not know why he is arrested, what is his fault? For me Sudip is in Modis custody. If they (CBI) extend Sudips custody, then also I will consider that my husband is sent to Modis custody again, Nayna said outside the Special Chief Judicial Magistrates (CBI) Court here where the TMC leader was produced on completion of his six-day remand. Nayna, a TMC MLA, alleged that the CBI arrested her husband without having sufficient evidence against him. Even local police stations do not arrest anyone without informing the accused about the offences. Here in case of CBI, they did not feel it proper to inform the family members as to why Sudip was being arrested, Nayna said. Meanwhile, a group of TMC activists staged protest before the CBIs Odisha headquarters and outside the court against the arrest of Sudip Bandyopadhyay, the TMCs Parliamentary Party leader in the Lok Sabha. They demanded action against BJP leader Babul Supriyo whom they accused of being involved in the Rose Valley chit fund scam. The Modi government wanted the innocents to be behind bars while the BJP people remain outside, alleged a TMC leader. Odisha unit TMC leader Arya Kumar Gyanendra said that the party was organising a massive rally here at the Lowe PMG Square to protest the political vendetta of the Modi government against the TMC leaders. Our protest is not against demonetisation or black money. We will protest illegal arrest of two TMC MPs- Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal, Gyanendra said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Actress Kriti Sanon put up a new post on her Instagram page, wherein the actress wrote, "You can never please everyone, so don't even try. As long as you know the truth, as long as your heart is in sync with your conscience, as long as you still like the person you wake up as, and you understand the one you see in the mirror, you will find your peace in any storm." Before netizens could misunderstand her post, Kriti captioned her post as, "#MyMantra Just... P.S. : This is not a "cryptic" post! It isn't For or Against anyone! Sometimes things are just that simple.. Sometimes there is actually NOTHING between the lines! I write because I like penning my thoughts or poetic ideas. What You interpret actually depends on YOU, and not ME. ." Netizens loved Kriti's poetic side, and praised her heartfelt note. Earlier, Kriti was in the headlines owing to her connection with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. When the actor breathed his last on June 14, 2020, many questioned her silence, and shamed the actress for not putting up a social media post to offer her condolence. Later, Kriti bashed all the trolls saying that social media is a toxic place, and wrote that those who don't grieve on social media are the real people. Apart from bashing the trolls, Kriti also slammed the culture of writing 'blind items' and asked the journalists to be responsible with their actions, as it affects the celebrities. Sushant Singh Rajput's Death Case: Rhea Chakraborty Claims SSR And His Friends Consumed Drugs A file photo of a construction worker on a site in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 23, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) California Attorneys Exploit State Labor Law, Says Business Owner Commentary A California law meant to protect workers from labor law infractions is being used by attorneys to take advantage of small businesses, says Tom Manzo, a small-business owner and founder of the California Business and Industrial Alliance. Manzo told The Epoch Times that lawyers are using the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to latch onto minor labor law infractions and sue businesses for large sums of money. The labor law digest used to determine violations is more than 1,100 pages long, making it almost impossible to be fully compliant, he said. If somebody is violating a labor law, like theyre not paying minimum wage, or theyre not paying overtime, then, yeah, for sure, they should be punished without a doubt, Manzo said. Yet violations may include misspelling a name on a pay stub, having employees take late lunch breaks, or rounding when employees clock in and out. If business owners want to give employees bonuses, they must recalculate the workers overtime rates and reflect that on the pay stubs, Manzo said. If you dont do that, thats a violation, and a lot of people end up getting hit over that. Mistakes such as these can cost an employer hundreds of thousands of dollars in one of these lawsuits, Manzo said. Most of that money goes to the lawyers, Manzo said, and sometimes the employees only get a few hundred dollars. How PAGA Works PAGA was signed into law in 2004 under Gov. Gray Davis. According to the states Department of Industrial Relations, the law allows aggrieved employees to file civil lawsuits for labor code violations. Under PAGA, an employee can file a lawsuit representing not only himself, but representing all employees in the company and representing the state of California. They could deputize a private citizen to step in the shoes of the attorney general, Manzo said. Manzo said out-of-court settlements are almost always reached in these cases, and some settle for millions of dollars. The settlement is then distributed among three parties: the employees, the state government, and the attorneys. The attorneys get their cut, and then everything else is negotiated, Manzo said. The attorneys in almost all instances receive from 33 to 40 percent of the total settlement. A Case in Point Manzo runs a midsize manufacturing business that employs more than 200 people. He said one of his employees brought a PAGA case against the company over late lunches, which ended up costing nearly $1 million in settlement fees. We had a legal counsel, and we also had an HR [human resources] consultant. And nobody sat down and said to us, You know, if you take lunches later than five hours, it could cost you a lot of money, Manzo said. Now, there is no longer a flexible work schedule at his company. Every employee must start at a certain time and take his or her lunch at a determined time. When they did take their lunches, we never made them clock in or clock out. Were not taking any chances whatsoever at this point. Confidentiality agreements following the settlement require all parties to be quiet about it, Manzo said. All of this is done in mediation, behind closed doors. For this reason, he thinks the problem of attorneys abusing PAGA isnt well known. Before filing a lawsuit, he recommends that employees communicate their concerns with their employers instead. Most employers would gladly correct these issues if they could, he said. It would save some of them hundreds of thousands of dollars. Los Angeles attorney Glenn Danas has worked on PAGA cases and wrote a defense of PAGA last year. Among his arguments in favor of PAGA is the fact that amendments have been included over the years to protect employers from frivolous cases. He wrote about cure provisions allowing employers the option to cure certain technical violations, such as certain types of wage statement violations, before the plaintiff may file suit. Manzo said the cure provisions are practically useless for employers. They only apply to some types of violations, and an employer can only cure one violation within the 33-day period. A PAGA action may involve a couple or more technical violations. Its also difficult to cure, because it can mean, for example, revising all pay stubs for all employees going back three years. It becomes almost impossible to comply with the fix. You just dont have the time, Manzo said. Its expensive to go back. I mean think about if you had 100 or 200 employees and 50 of them no longer work for you anymore. Say they were paid weekly for the last three years. That could mean tens of thousands of stubs to rework. Manzo founded the California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) as a trade organization focused on fighting PAGAs misuse. CABIA is suing California Attorney General Xavier Becerra over PAGA. Challenging PAGA in Lawsuit Ivan Munoz, editor-in-chief of The Santa Clara Law Review, published an article in July stating: In 2020 and perhaps beyond, PAGA will confront its most threatening challenge to date in CABIA v. Xavier Becerra. Regardless of the outcome at the trial court level, observers and the business community can expect an appeal. As the alleged causes of action raise important constitutional challenges, the case may reach the California Supreme Court. Munoz said the state depends on PAGA to enforce the labor code, and the California Legislature would have an enormous task of ensuring proper enforcement of the labor code, in hopes of avoiding the pre-2004 enforcement reality that led to PAGAs enactment. The state collects a substantial sum of money from PAGA actions, he said. However, without PAGA, the state might be able to cut out the large attorneys share of the settlements and collect the full amount of available penalties. California Insider is an Epoch Times show available on YouTube. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. London: Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who has been lodged at a prison in London since his arrest in March last year, is set to appear via videolink for the second leg of his extradition trial at a UK court on Monday. The 49-year-old jeweller is fighting extradition charges related to the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case brought by the Indian government, being represented at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In line with the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, District Judge Samuel Goozee has directed Modi's appearance from a room in Wandsworth Prison in south-west London with social distancing norms in place for the part-remote setting for the five-day hearing scheduled to conclude on Friday. Justice Goozee had presided over the first leg of the extradition in May, during which the CPS sought to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Modi. The upcoming hearings are ear-marked to complete those arguments after the Indian government had submitted additional corroboratory evidence. It will then go on to deal with the additional extradition request, made by the Indian authorities and certified by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this year, which add on the charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or criminal intimidation to cause death against Modi. Goozee has already said that the different extradition requests are inextricably linked, and he would therefore be handing down his judgment at the end of hearing all the arguments. Additional hearings scheduled for November 3, for the judge to rule on the admissibility of the evidence that will be presented before him, and December 1, when both sides will make their final submissions, mean his ruling on whether Modi has a case to answer before the Indian courts is expected only after the final hearing in December. The charges against the diamond merchant centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds making fraudulent use of a credit facility offered by PNB, known as letters of undertaking (LoUs). The CPS, appearing on behalf of India, had told the court that a number of PNB staff conspired with Modi to ensure LoUs were issued to his companies without ensuring they were subject to the required credit check, without recording the issuance of the LoUs and without charging the required commission upon the transactions. Modi's team has sought to counter allegations of fraud by deposing witnesses to establish the volatility of the gems trade and that the LoUs were standard practice. Modi has made repeated attempts at bail over the past year, each of which were turned down as he is deemed a flight risk. The jeweller was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard. At a case management hearing ahead of the trial last week, Modi's barrister Clare Montgomery had told the judge that she may be seeking a partial reporting ban on the proceedings following allegations of party political bias against one of their expert witnesses from India retired Indian High Court judge Abhay Thipsay. We may have to put in an application for reporting restrictions around the reporting of his [Thipsay] evidence to avoid further public commentary on it, she said. From the legal documents submitted, prison conditions in India will once again play a major part in this extradition case, as in the past with other Indian extradition cases, with Modi's severe mental health condition being a factor to be raised behind closed doors. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2020 -- An Israeli court has ruled that the Committee for Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe (CPJCE) and Ms. Faina Kukliansky, a Lithuanian attorney may not participate in the conference center development, on a Jewish cemetery. The ruling is a blow to the developers of the controversial conference center initiative, as they were looking to include the Jewish participants to rubber stamp the project. The developers include the Lithuanian Government, Turto Bankas property bank and the Vilnius City Council. The Israeli court's decision effectively precludes all parties (including the Jewish members of the team) from being partof the development, stating that efforts of the developers to build an international conference center on the cemetery, violate Jewish and international law. According to the court ruling, continued participation by the Jewish partners in the project is illegal. The court decision effectively jeopardizes the legal status of the project. The absence of a bona fide Jewish participant in the development would render the project a non-starter, as the law in Lithuania requires that: "Any construction or reconstruction work in the area of the graves or in the buffer zone is required to be carefully assessed and strictly controlled under the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the protection of immovable heritage and specific requirements of the special protection plan for the Cemetery." Seemingly, even the cooperation of a Jewish person with the developers to participate in the development (in violation of the court decision), would not be of any assistance to the developers, as Lithuanian law requires that the developers comply with Jewish law and its "specific requirements" on which the Israeli court has already ruled. The controversial conference center development has been strongly condemned by international Jewry, global politiciansand multi-denominational spiritual leaders. Sources in the Vilnius Jewish community confirmed that leaders have questioned the motives and good faith of the developers, for including the CPJCE and Kukliansky in the project, especially in light of recent allegations against Kukliansky of corruption and fraud. Reports also indicate that Turto Bankas property bank has been blacklisted by financial institutions, for its involvement in the development of a conference centre on a cemetery. Turto Bankas did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations. The Israeli court decision was made by the Rabbi Nissim Korrelitz's Supreme Court, a rabbinical court in Bnei Brak, which is held in high regard. The ruling underlines relevant halachic decisions made by the most senior experts in Jewish law. Source: https://www.briefingwire.com/pr/kukliansky-and-cpjce-exit-from-conference-center-development-in-vilnius-lithuania About DEGRAF CHANNEL An online news channel dedicated to financial news, reviews and interviews on the global economy and startups. https://www.facebook.com/degraf Saul Kemp Degraf Channel 1330 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 newsroom@media-agency.online Tel: +1-914-575-6439 Whatever your opinions on the culinary contributions of Chilis Grill & Bar restaurant franchise, it has undoubtedly created one of the most pervasive earworms of all time. In fact, by just reading Chilis your brain is likely singing I want my baby back, baby back, baby back right now. Baby back ribs and spare ribs are the cuts that are generally considered whenever you tell somebody that you are having ribs for dinner. Yes, there are beef ribs, lamb ribs and ribs from other protein sources, but pork is king in the barbecue rib world. But baby backs and spare ribs, while similar, have serious differences: baby backs are taken from the top part of the pig, where the rib makes contact with the spine near the loin region, and spares are taken further down in the belly. Baby backs tend to have chunkier meat, but contain less fat, while spares are traditionally marbled with layers of fat ribbons that goes through the slabs. Both cost about the same, averaging about $3 per pound, but the baby backs require significantly less work from bag to finished barbecue and are much easier to handle as baby backs are about half the size of spares. Baby backs require far less prep work, said Clarence Joseph, a champion barbecue cook based out of San Antonio. I prefer spares, but would say that baby backs are easy for the home cook, because all you have to do is take them out of the bag, season them up, and you are good to go. When selecting your ribs, Joseph recommends looking for the fattiest ribs over the meatiest ribs because fat equals flavor. The more fat means the less likelihood that any piece of meat will dry out on you, Joseph said. The only serious prep work that really needs to be done with a rack of baby backs is addressing the thick white membrane, often called silverskin, on the bone side of the slab. The membrane is a thick layer of tissue thats designed to protect the internal organs. When its not removed, though the ribs may come out perfectly tender, every bite will have a tough and chewy finish like you just bit into a piece of plastic. It does not render down like fats do. There are two ways to address it. Ideally, you want to gently run a butter knife under it and slowly peel it up enough to the point where you can grab it with a paper towel and tear it all off in one big swipe like painters tape. But if that isnt working, the membrane can be scored throughout with a knife, which will allow the smoke and heat to cook evenly through the ribs. On ExpressNews.com: Chucks Food Shack: How to make a DIY pork trompo al pastor at home After that, and a heavy application of a good dry rub, its totally up to you how you want to cook them. You can get fantastic results in the oven, grill or a smoker, which is the favorite way to cook ribs at the Food Shack. The only adjustment needed from one device to the other is the cooking time. If youve heard of the 3-2-1 method for smoking ribs, forget it now; its one of the biggest myths in barbecue. The idea is that the ribs are smoked for three hours, wrapped in foil or butcher paper for another two hours then sauced and allowed to finish for the final hour. That equation will usually lead to disaster, and way overdone meat and theres no need to wrap baby backs to get them tender. Thats a long time to cook ribs, and whoever invented that must be cooking really low and slow, Joseph said. Most people that would do 3-2-1 would quickly discover that adjustments need to be made. If you need more than four hours for a rack of ribs, you are probably doing something wrong. On a charcoal or gas grill or in the oven, baby backs usually only take about two hours to cook half their cooking time in a smoker. On ExpressNews.com: Chucks Food Shack: Whats better: smoking pork ribs wrapped in butcher paper, aluminum foil or unwrapped? Another common mistake is pulling the ribs off too early. If you are diligently using a meat thermometer, as you should, pork is technically finished and safe to consume at 145 degrees. But ribs wont deliver that sought-after fall-off-the-bone tenderness until they get into that 195- to 205-degree window, and some cooks are so precise, they swear that 203 degrees is the optimal temperature. The use of sauce is another routine blunder. I know this is Texas, and we like to say that good barbecue doesnt need sauce, but Ill agree to disagree on ribs. Ribs are great with a classic Memphis-style dry rub; they are better wet with more of a Kansas City-style sauce treatment. Instead of saucing ribs for one hour during the cooking process, its best to apply it during the final minutes, or even wait until the slabs have been pulled off the grill or smoker. You are only looking to caramelize that sauce on the ribs, which is something that can be done in 10 to 15 minutes, Joseph said. Slicing the finished product can also be tricky for folks who arent skilled with the knife. Baby back bones are often curved oddly, and what you thought was going to be a clean slice can quickly turn into a meaty mess. A good workaround is to leave two or three bones intact in between cuts. If the ribs have been cooked to proper tenderness, its no problem to pull them apart on the plate. Recipe: Kansas City-Style Baby Back Ribs Recipe: Memphis-Style Dry Baby Back Ribs Chuck Blount is a food writer and columnist covering all things grilled and smoked in the San Antonio area. Find his Chucks Food Shack columns on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.comTo read more from Chuck, become a subscriber. cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver Metro Video Services A woman was killed early Saturday in southwest Houston when a gun went off during an apparent argument between four to five people, authorities said. Officers responding to a 2:57 a.m. shooting reported in the area of Lindenloch and Greenpark Manor lanes found the woman, described only as being between 45 and 50, lying on the ground in front of her home suffering from a single gunshot wound, said Houston police detective Jason Escobar. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she died. (Photo : ESA Technology Twitter Page) PICASSO, the first CubeSat nanosatellite mission for the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), will carry technology developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Ltd. to conduct scientific studies in Earth orbit. The Belgian satellite, whose name stands for PICo-Satellite for Atmospheric and Space Science Observation, is among the 42 satellites loaded by the European Space Agency (ESA) as a part of the latest Vega mission. The European rocket, operated by the French aerospace company Arianespace, has successfully carried all of its 53 satellites to Earth orbit after lifting off from South America's Guiana Space Center on September 2, around 9:51 PM EDT. RELATED: Vega Rocket Returns To Service, Carries 53 Satellites To Orbit PICASSO's Mission PICASSO is equipped with the latest in sensing technology developed and fabricated by the state-owned VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The 3.5-kilogram nanosatellite carries two specialized instruments for taking scientific measurements up in the Earth's atmosphere. The first, and most important payload for the PICASSO satellite, is its Visible Spectral Imager for Occultation and Nightglow (VISION), designed to take sun occultation measurements - occultation referring to events when an object is hidden by another between it and its observer. VISION, according to sources, is an improvement on the spectrometers employed in previous Finnish satellites Aalto 1 and the Reaktor Hello World. Its second payload is the Sweeping Langmuir Probe (SLP), which is developed by the BIRA-IASB, and is intended to take plasma measurements in the ionosphere. Aside from taking measurements, the PICASSO nanosatellite also aims to demonstrate its capabilities while pushing the limits of miniaturization in remote sensing applications. The data collection by both the VISION and the SLP, with respect to their costs, will enable additional research not yet performed with satellites of this scale. PICASSO will be orbiting the Earth at approximately 530 kilometers above ground. Depending on the instruments' resistance to the extreme conditions in space, the team behind the Belgian satellite is looking at a lifespan of up to two years, after which it will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. State-of-the-Art Sensing Technology VISION is a miniaturized spectral imager that will take measurements of the gas in the atmosphere. It is fitted with a camera that can detect visible light in the 430-800 nanometer freely selectable narrow wavelength range. RELATED: NASA's Fast Neutron Spectrometer Could help To Survive The Crews From The Radiation Exposure "Integrating atmospheric measurement instruments into a satellite the size of a carton of milk is challenging - but the scientific opportunities are massive," explained VTT Research Team Leader Antti Nasila. In the future, instruments like VISION can also be used to measure other gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane," Nasila added. Johanna Tamminen, a research professor from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, explained that VISION studies the ozone layer in both the stratosphere and mesosphere layers of the Earth's atmosphere by observing the spectral range of visible light. She added that although the ozone layer is gradually recovering, it is still important to continue monitoring because of its relation to climate change. "The satellite instruments that are currently performing similar measurements are already nearing the end of their useful lives, so the launch of PICASSO VISION occurred at an important moment," Tamminen added. Check out more news and information on the European Space Agency in Science Times. There were a lot of negative comments pertaining to the ending of the most-watched Game of Thrones final season but throughout the course of this series, a lot of people were attuned with the series. The theme song alone is enough to get people remembering the good times they've had watching GoT, especially during the earlier seasons. What should have happened in the last season When Arya finally jumped on-screen and stabbed the evil Night King himself shattering the icy fiend into thousands of shards of evil pieces, a lot of people were questioning this moment and although it was satisfying, there was actually an alternate plan that the series almost followed. Maise Williams, the ever eccentric sword-wielding Stark, revealed that that moment was actually originally planned out for no other than Jon Snow! The king of the north could have been the one to take on the greatest enemy in the whole Game of Thrones universe. Maise revealed that the actor behind Jon Snow, Kit Harrington, first expected that he was going to be the one to actually kill the Night King. Her statement to The Hollywood Reporter even elaborated that Kit Harrington stated that it was actually going to go that way and that someone told him during season three that he was supposed to kill the evil Night King. Maise then said that Kit Harrington then read the script and found out it was Arya the whole time. According to Maise, she was glad that it was Arya who actually killed the Night King giving her the best storyline of the other main characters in the final season. It is true that Arya's character really did stand out especially during the final season. Read Also: [Confirmed] Director Ripley Scott Will Indeed Be Directing a New ALIEN Movie: Here's What We Know Was it a change in direction or was it the plan all along? There are two possibilities when it comes to whether or not this was planned. Either the show's very own producers were originally trying to mislead Kit Harrington back in season three, or that the plans actually did change over the span of six years. It could actually also be a kind of harbinger of what is expected to come in the upcoming A Song of Fire and Ice books. The Author George RR Martin has also previously stated that what happened during the entire series is not necessarily what people can expect with the upcoming Winds of Winter as well as A Dream of Spring books. George RR Martin wrote on his own site Not A Blog first asking how will it all end then explaining that if you are expecting the same ending as what happened in the show, or something different, "well... yes. And no." the statement continues with both yes and no giving a pretty uncertain answer as to what is to be expected. Read Also: Disney's Mulan Was Mostly Filmed in New Zealand: How did The Movie Use Their $290 Million Budget This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian Buenconsejo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a carefully prepared political land mine for the reelection campaign of President Trump, the Atlantic magazine published a report last week about disparaging comments Trump made about US soldiers killed or wounded in the course of the wars waged by US imperialism over the past century. The report, followed by heated denials and denunciations from the White House and cynical declarations of shock and anger from the Democrats, has dominated the US presidential election campaign for the past five days. The corporate media has used the furor to push to the side such questions as the coronavirus pandemic, the Depression-level jobless total and the mass protests against police violence and murder. The report by Jeffrey Goldberg, the magazines editor-in-chief, cites four anonymous sources, all allegedly former Trump administration insiders, giving details of Trumps remarks over a two-year period in 2017 and 2018, in which the president described US soldiers killed in World War I as losers and suckers and applied similar labels to US soldiers in Vietnam. President Donald J. Trump talks to members of the press [Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian] There is little doubt that the allegations made in the Atlantic are true. Key details have been confirmed by the Associated Press, the Washington Post and, most significantly, Jennifer Griffin of Fox News, a bastion of pro-Trump propaganda, all citing sources who wish to remain anonymous for fear of White House retaliation. Trump confirmed the validity of those fears by tweeting out a demand that Fox News fire Griffin for her reporting. The denials from the White House are so over-the-top that they tend to add rather than detract from the credibility of the article. For example, Trump flatly declared that he had never called the late Senator John McCain a loser because as a Navy pilot he was shot down over North Vietnam and captured, although the videotape of that 2015 statement is widely available. Particularly damaging was Griffins confirmation that Trump had told aides, during the preparation of July 4 activities in Washington in 2019, that wounded veterans should not be included in a planned parade because the sight of the gory consequences of war was not a good look. As always with Trump, there are elements of grotesque narcissism and vulgarity in the various incidents cited. He apparently was concerned that going to the American cemetery near Belleau Wood, outside Paris, in the rain would have unfortunate consequences for his hair. He told his senior aides, Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers. He later described the 1,800 Marines killed in the ferocious 1918 battle with German troops as suckers, and questioned why the United States had intervened in the war as it did. The latter issue may have occurred to Trump because his father Fred, a first-generation German-American who grew up speaking German at home, would have preferred that American imperialism sided with Germany rather than Britain and France in World War I. His mother, however, was an immigrant from Scotland. But in voicing his contempt for those sent by the US ruling class to do its dirty work, to kill and be killed on battlefields all over the world, Trump is speaking not just for himself. He expresses the class sentiment of Wall Street and corporate America as a whole towards those, drawn disproportionately from the working class, whose lives are deemed expendable in the cause of advancing the profit interests of the giant banks and corporations and the strategic interests of American imperialism. Trumps Manhattan colleague, hotel billionaire Leona Helmsley, became notorious for her pronouncement that only the little people pay taxes. Trump gained exemption from the Vietnam War draft by claiming bone spurs, and derided those who enlisted or were drafted because they did not have his advantages as chumps. His motto might well have been, Only the little people fight wars. A half-dozen current and former Trump aides have flatly denounced the Atlantic report, but no high-ranking military official, either current or former, has done so. Trump himself suggested that his former chief of staff John Kelly, a retired four-star general, was a source for the article. If true, that would only underscore the intensity of the conflict within the American capitalist state and its military establishment, provoked mainly by differences over foreign policy relating to Syria and Russia. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leaped at the chance to attack Trump from the right and posture as a greater admirer of the American military than the commander-in-chief. I just think it is sick. It is deplorableso un-American, so unpatriotic, he sputtered. Ive just never been as disappointed in my whole career with a leader that Ive worked with, president or otherwise. That statement is itself remarkable, given Bidens long career. Taken literally, it would mean that Trumps verbal slurs against US soldiers are worse than the decision of George W. Bush to go to war in Iraq based on lies about weapons of mass destruction, which led to the deaths of more than 4,000 US soldiers and more than a million Iraqis. Biden linked Trumps disparagement of the military with his decision not to raise with Russian President Vladimir Putin the claims by intelligence agencies, made public by the New York Times, that Russia had offered bounties to Taliban fighters in Afghanistan for any American soldiers killed. Biden, who ends every public speech with the phrase, And may God protect our troops, added that for the US government, we only have one truly sacred obligationto prepare and equip those we send into harms way, and to care for them and their families. So much for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, civil rights, or freedom of speech! The Atlantic report is clearly part of a coordinated attack on Trump involving sections of the military, the media and the Democratic Party. It is a continuation of the effort since Trump first took office to divert the enormous popular opposition to Trump into right-wing, pro-imperialist channels. Like the Washington Post, owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the Atlantic is the personal property of a billionaire, with Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs, the controlling shareholder. Jobs gave the largest possible donation to the Biden Victory Fund in June. Within hours of the articles publication, VoteVets had released an online ad in which the parents of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan speak out on the claims that Trump had disparaged their sons and daughters. VoteVets is the political action committee that has sponsored the rise of the CIA Democrats, the rapidly growing caucus of Democratic military-intelligence operatives who have won seats in the House of Representatives. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Public Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company. "Dear Igor Ivanovich, Accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the remarkable occasion of your 60th anniversary. Under your leadership Rosneft Oil Company has made great strides to become one of the world leaders in the field of oil and gas. Cooperation between Rosneft and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is an important component of Azerbaijan-Russia collaboration in the energy sector, which contributes significantly to the strengthening of friendly relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. I wish you long life, the best of health, happiness and success," the letter said. MOSCOW Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has lashed out at Moscow after a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman likened him to the actor Sharon Stone in an explicit scene in the movie "Basic Instinct." Maria Zakharova, known for her undiplomatic commentary on Facebook, posted a shot from the 1992 film showing Stone crossing her legs during an interrogation, and compared it to an image of Vucic on Friday sitting in a chair in the Oval Office in front of President Donald Trump. If you are invited to the White House but your chair is situated as if you are in an interrogation, you should sit as shown in picture number 2. It doesnt matter who you are. Just trust me, Zakharova wrote in her post. Image: Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (StudioCanal/REX/Shutterstock) In televised remarks during a visit to Brussels, Vucic said, Maria Zakharova speaks mostly about herself, and the primitivism and vulgarity she showed speaks of her, and by God, of those who placed her there. Vucic was in Washington for U.S.-mediated talks with Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti on normalizing relations. The post ruffled the feathers of other Serbian officials, as well. Today, the enemies of Serbia and Russia are delighted with Zakharovas petty malice, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said in a statement. Zakharova rarely walks her remarks back, and often seems to revel in controversy. But given that Serbia is one of Russias closest allies in the Balkans, she issued an apology later Sunday and her boss, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, spoke with Vucic by phone. I am sorry, but my post was misinterpreted! Zakharova wrote on Facebook. The only thing meant by it was a rejection of the arrogant attitude on the part of the exceptionals, she wrote, referring to the White House. A video of Vucic sitting next to Trump in the Oval Office announcing the restoration of economic ties went viral over the weekend when the Serbian leader appeared to react with surprise as Trump announced his agreement to move the Serbian Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Reuters contributed to this report. Imperial Valley News Center Medical Clinics Boss Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Money Laundering and Health Care Kickbacks Scheme New York - A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 156 months in prison Monday for his role in a vast multimillion-dollar health care kickback and money laundering conspiracy, the Department of Justice announced. Aleksandr Pikus, 45, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly of the Eastern District of New York. Judge Donnelly also ordered Pikus to pay $39.4 million in restitution and to forfeit $2,614,233. On Nov. 15, 2019, after a two-week trial, Pikus was convicted by a jury of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, two counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the IRS. For nearly a decade, Aleksandr Pikus stole millions of dollars from the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs in a major healthcare kickback, money laundering and tax fraud scheme, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. This significant sentence holds Pikus accountable for his leadership role in this scheme and reflects the Departments commitment to protecting our valuable federal healthcare programs and their beneficiaries from this kind of fraud. The defendants key role in an elaborate scheme to steal and conceal tens of millions of dollars from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, was staggering in scope and deserving of the significant punishment he received today, stated Acting U.S. Attorney DuCharme. This office takes very seriously its obligation to protect government funds that provide vital medical coverage counted upon by individuals and families who qualify because of their low income, disability or advanced years. Pikus was the kingpin running a massive money laundering and kickback health care fraud syndicate, said Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Now, like others who plot to steal from government health programs, he is paying a heavy price for his crimes. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to root out individuals who steal vital taxpayer-provided health funds. The defendants greed and desire for money drove him to perpetrate crimes against our healthcare system and prey upon the vulnerable in our society., stated IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Larsen. Justice has been served and IRS-CI will continue to work alongside our counterparts to uncover these schemes to hold these criminals accountable for their actions. According to evidence presented at trial, Pikus and his co-conspirators perpetrated a scheme through a series of medical clinics in Brooklyn and Queens over the course of nearly a decade, which clinics employed doctors, physical and occupational therapists, and other medical professionals who were enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In return for illegal kickbacks, Pikus referred beneficiaries to these health care providers, who submitted claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Pikus and his co-conspirators then laundered a substantial portion of the proceeds of these claims through companies he controlled, including by cashing checks at several New York City check-cashing businesses. Pikus then failed to report that cash income to the IRS. Instead, Pikus used the cash to enrich himself and others and to pay kickbacks to patient recruiters, who, in turn, paid beneficiaries to receive treatment at the medical clinics. The evidence further established that Pikus and his co-conspirators used sham shell companies and fake invoices to conceal their illegal activities. More than 25 other individuals have pleaded guilty to or been convicted of participating in the scheme, including physicians, physical and occupational therapists, ambulette drivers, and the owners of several of the shell companies used to launder the stolen money. This case was investigated by the HHS-OIG and IRS-CI, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York. Assistant Chief A. Brendan Stewart and Trial Attorneys Sarah Wilson Rocha and Andrew Estes of the Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for approximately $19 billion. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers. A special Israeli ministerial committee has decided to impose a night curfew in 40 cities and towns with high Covid-19 morbidity starting from Monday, according to a government statement. The curfew will be in force from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Xinhua news agency quoted the joint statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Health as saying on Sunday. During these hours, only essential businesses will be allowed to open and movement will be perimitted within 500 metres from residences. In these cities and towns, gatherings of more than 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors will be banned, while schools and kindergartens will remain closed. The 40 cities and towns were announced "red" as part of a government "traffic light" program, which has classified all cities and towns in into red, orange, yellow and green according to morbidity level. Meanwhile, the country reported 1,708 new cases on Sunday, which took the overall caseload to to 130,644. The death toll increased to 1,019 with 12 new fatalities, while the number of patients in serious condition rose from 439 to 453, out of 922 patients currently hospitalized. The number of recoveries reached 102,477 with 996 new ones. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The coronavirus pandemic has landed a powerful one-two punch on New Yorks workers, putting many front-line employees at risk of contracting the deadly virus while also hammering the local economy and, as a result, slashing city and state spending. Yet the labor movement is battling back, proving its resilience and its worth in securing protections for workers while lobbying against mass layoffs. Our Latest Labor Power 100 list highlights the labor leaders who are influencing the governments response whether its how to restart schools or save transit systems or ensure adequate health care as well as the states leading activists, academics and elected officials who are ensuring that working New Yorkers are not forgotten in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. 1. Michael Mulgrew President, United Federation of Teachers UFT As head of New York Citys teachers union, Michael Mulgrew plays a critical role in determining what public education looks like during the coronavirus crisis. The longest-serving classroom teacher to head the UFT, Mulgrew demanded improved safety measures, better ventilation and cleaning, and rapid, randomized testing and contact tracing and his threat of a strike just forced Mayor Bill de Blasio to delay the start of school until later in September. 2. George Gresham President, 1199SEIU Kevin Coughlin/Office of the Governor A powerful voice in New York politics, George Gresham advanced labors involvement with Black Lives Matter long before nationwide protests erupted over the police killing of George Floyd. Now in his fifth three-year term, Gresham advocates for the 60,000 members working in New York nursing homes amid the pandemic many of them doing so, he said, without adequate personal protective equipment and while being denied needed paid sick time. 3. Henry Garrido Executive Director, District Council 37 Clarence Elie-Rivera When much of New York closed due to the coronavirus, members of District Council 37 - the citys largest public employees union - were still going to jobs, including nurses aides, EMTs and lab techs. My members are being overlooked, Henry Garrido said in April. To that end, the union provided personal protective gear to members, including school cafeteria workers feeding families during the pandemic. 4. Mario Cilento President, New York State AFL-CIO El-Wise Noisette Recently reelected president of the state AFL-CIO, Mario Cilentos primary role these days is protecting public-service workers whose lives have been upended by the coronavirus. An advocate for paid sick leave, health coverage, and wage replacement for front-line workers and those furloughed, Cilento was among those who successfully lobbied for state legislation mandating death benefits for the families of workers who died of COVID-19. 5. Andrew Pallotta President, New York State United Teachers NYSUT Reelected president of the New York State United Teachers union in May, Andrew Pallotta has been advocating for a state plan in reopening schools and a mask mandate. Pallotta has been warning of the impact of education budget cuts and calling on the federal government to step in and provide further aid. NYSUT has also flexed its muscle at the ballot box, helping turn the state Senate blue in 2018. 6. Gary LaBarbera President, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York New York State Building & Construction Trades Council After helping secure an expansion of New Yorks prevailing wage, albeit with a delayed start, Gary LaBarbera is contending with keeping construction workers safe during the pandemic, including ensuring procedures are in place to prevent infections. LaBarbera and de Blasio recently signed an agreement to hire more workers from low-income communities and communities of color both of which have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. 7. Stuart Appelbaum President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union RWDSU Representing tens of thousands of retail workers on the front lines during the coronavirus, Stuart Appelbaum wants a scientific, health-driven approach to reopening the economy. This means the enforcement of mask mandates, plexiglass partitions at registers, and sanitizer and gloves for workers, along with additional breaks for hand-washing. As he wrote in late May: Our union knows all too well that this is a matter of life or death. 8. Kyle Bragg President, 32BJ SEIU 32BJ SEIU A year after being thrust into his leadership role after the death of 32BJ SEIU President Hector Figueroa, Kyle Bragg took to the streets after the police killing of George Floyd. He also worked to protect Black essential workers commuting to work during the New York City curfew. As he told LaborPress in June: They still have to travel while Black and they dont know what the outcome (will be.) 9. Vincent Alvarez President, New York City Central Labor Council Submitted As president of the New York City Central Labor Council, Vincent Alvarez speaks for 1.3 million workers in 300 unions. He also has a say in New Yorks response to COVID-19: In May, Alvarez was tapped by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be part of a regional control room, and de Blasio appointed him to a business sector council helping to plot the citys reopening. 10. Bhairavi Desai Executive Director, New York Taxi Workers Alliance Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photo Office A federal judge in late July ruled in favor of Uber and Lyft drivers fighting to be treated like other workers, thanks in no small part to Bhairavi Desai and the New York Taxi Workers Alliance. The group, which advocates on behalf of taxi, app-based and other drivers, successfully argued the state was unfairly taking months to pay unemployed drivers while processing benefits for other workers in a few weeks. 1. Radhika Apte Movies - Manjhi: The Mountain Man (2015) 2. Radhika Apte Movies - Parched (2015) 3. Radhika Apte Movies - Phobia (2016) 4. Radhika Apte Movies - Pad Man (2018) 5. Radhika Apte Movies - Andhadhun (2018) 6. Radhika Apte Movies - Bombairiya (2019) 7. Radhika Apte Movies - Raat Akeli Hai (2020) Radhika Apte has carved a niche for herself as a dependable actor not only in Hindi cinema but in Marathi, Bengali and films down South as well. For instance, she acted opposite superstar Rajinikanth in Kabali and held her own. She has this inherent ability to get under the skin of her characters with ease and can be relied upon to do complete justice to every role she gets. Presenting a list of her best movies down the years...Director: Ketan MehtaCast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika ApteIts a film based on the life of Dashrath Manjhi. Manjhi, widely known as the Mountain Man. Manjhi was a poor labourer in Gehlaur village, near Gaya in Bihar, India, who carved a 25 feet deep, 30 feet wide and 360 feet long path through a hill using only a hammer and chisel, working tirelessly for close to 22 years at a stretch. Dashrath Manjhi (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) lives in a small village near Gaya, Bihar, with his wife Phaguniya Devi (Radhika Apte) and his son. Theres a rocky mountain near his village that people either had to climb or travel round to gain access to medical care at the nearest town Wazirganj. One day Manjhi's pregnant wife falls down while trying to cross the mountain and eventually dies giving birth to a girl. Saddened by her loss and enraged by grief, Manjhi decides to teach the mountain a lesson and for 22 years struggles to carve a path through it. Hes made much fun of by the other villagers but doesnt give up the project. His success proves that mountains indeed can be moved if you have the required faith. The chemistry between Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte is excellent. Nawazuddin shines both as a young husband and as a bitter old man who struggles against all odds to fulfil his vow. Ironically, after the real Manjhis death in 2010, the government finally built a concrete road to their village.Director: Leena YadavCast: Tannishtha Chatterjee, Radhika Apte, Surveen Chawla, Adil Hussain, Lehar Khan, Sayani GuptaRani (Tannishtha Chatterjee), is a doting mother who wants her wayward son Gulab (Riddhi Sen) to grow up and tend to his responsibilities. Lajjo (Radhika Apte) is Rani's friend and is a housewife whos much abused by her husband for being infertile. Bijli (Surveen Chawla), who despite being a prostitute is still accepted as their friend and her exploits kind of brings a vicarious pleasure to the other women. The women have had enough of the patriarchal rules put up by the male-dominated society and decide to rebel. Lajjo sleeps with another man in order to get pregnant, Rani sells off her house to pay off her debts, then releases her daughter-in-law out of the forced marriage and asks her to be with her childhood sweetheart. They understand theyll never be able to live according to their own norms in their village and decide to run away together in search of better prospects. The film was praised for its bold content. And for striking a blow against patriarchy. The performances of the three leads carried the film and came in for a lot of plaudits.Director: Pavan KirpalaniCast: Radhika Apte, Satyadep Mishra, Ankur Vikal, an artist suffering from acute agoraphobia which was triggered by her being molested by a taxi driver. She cant make herself come out of the house and this starts affecting her relationship with her initially supportive sister. A family friend forcibly takes her to his now empty flat, reasoning that living alone would make her snap out of her condition. She makes friends with Nikki (Yashaswini Dayama), a college-going girl who is her next-door-neighbour. Her other neighbour Manu (Ankur Vikal) is working on anger management issues and is part of a community laughter club. Manus girlfriend Jiah (Amrita Bagchi) used to live in the flat earlier and he has been upset ever since she left him without any explanation. Mehak is convinced Jiah was killed as she starts getting visions. But that theory goes for a toss when Jiah returns one day to get her things. Mehak realises the visions she keeps seeing are actually of her own future self, who are warning her of a calamity. Assured of the knowledge of her survival, she does venture outside when danger strikes and manages to reach out to people, overcoming her. Radhika Apte was praised for her superlative acting in the film.Director: R BalkiCast: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika ApteIn India, men still behave as if periods don't exist and a large number of women still don't have access to sanitary pads.is a fictionalised account of the life of Arunachalam Murganatham. He understood that only a meagre percentage of women in India use sanitary pads and went on to create a low-cost process for making sanitary napkins. Today, women cooperatives across India use his technology to make low-cost sanitary products. In 2014, Time magazine included him as one of the 100 most influential people across the world. In 2016, The Indian government awarded him with a Padma Shri. Thanks to his efforts, the taboos associated with menstruation and menstrual hygiene are slowly getting broken at the grassroots level. Akshay Kumar, who played the lead role, embodied the spirit of Arunachalam Murganatham. It was a sincere effort on the actors part. His speech towards the end about why he thought of making affordable sanitary pads, though long, was straight from the heart. You felt you're watching someone with genuine concern for women and not just an actor going through the paces. Radhika Apte acted as the Muse for Akshay's character. He was moved by all the trouble she faced during the days she was getting her periods. She was made to sleep in the balcony and didn't even have access to sanitary pads as they were too costly. That's when he decided to invent an economically viable alternative.Director: Sriram RaghavanCast: Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan, Manav Vij, Zakir HussainAkash () is a talented pianist who pretends to be blind because he feels it'll help enhance his craft. Hes having a fling with Sophie (Radhika Apte), who doesnt know hes acting. She begins to love him despite his handicap. A faded yesteryears star Pramod Sinha (Anil Dhawan), is enamoured by his talent and invites him over for a private performance on the occasion of his anniversary, meaning it to be as a surprise for his much younger wife, Simi (Tabu). Unfortunately for everyone involved, Pramod has been killed by Simi's paramour, (played by Manav Vij) and the 'blind piano player witnesses the duo disposing off the body. He soon finds that his handicap isn't going to help him flee the clutches of the criminals after all.Director: Pia SukanyaCast: Radhika Apte, Siddhanth Kapoor, Akshay Oberoi, Adil Hussain, Ravi KishanMeghna Shergill (Radhika Apte), is a PR professional working for maverick superstar Karan Kapoor (Ravi Kishan). Her phone gets snatched by a delivery boy (Siddhanth Kapoor), when they get involved in a traffic accident. She borrows the phone of a helpful stranger Pintu (Akshay Oberoi), to sort things out on the work front and to get her phone back. Meanwhile, an encounter specialist working undercover (Amit Sial) is targeting people under instructions from jailed politician Pandya (Adil Hussain). How their worlds collide and how the mess Meghna is in gets evened out forms the crux of the film. Radhika Apte once again proved with the film that you can put her in anything and she'll deliver.Director: Honey TrehanCast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Shweta Tripathi, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Nishant Dahiya, Ila Arun, Swanand Kirkire, Shreedhar Dubey and Aditya SrivastavaA wealthy landlord, with political connections aplenty, gets murdered in his own home the night he got married the second time. The usual suspects are his immediate family comprising his own son and daughter, his widowed sister-in-law and her two grown-up kids and his daughters husband, as well as his new-bride Radha (), who was living-in as his mistress for some time. Inspector Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is assigned the case and his superiors want a quick result. As he proceeds with his investigation, numerous family skeletons come tumbling out, the mysteries get murkier and more bodies pile-up. Radhika Apte comes across as the victim at first and goes through several changes as the film progresses. She deftly brings out the different aspects of her character and makes you root for Radha. Google's office in Colombia said it respected Colombian laws and would evaluate the order once it was informed of it by the regulators. Colombian regulators on Friday ordered Alphabet Inc's Google to clearly ask each user whether the world's largest search engine can use their personal data which is being captured without authorization. Non-compliance could lead to investigations, sanctions and fines equivalent to 1.76 billion pesos ($480,500), the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce said in a statement. "The decision was taken ... after determining that the information treatment policy used by Google LLC, located in the United States, does not comply with 52.63% of the requirements demanded by Colombian regulation." Google's office in Colombia said it respected Colombian laws and would evaluate the order once it was informed of it by the regulators. Google has paid billions of dollars in fines to regulators in recent years, including in antitrust proceedings in the European Union. We can't let our guard down just because a child has antibodies or is asymptomatic, wrote authors of a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association Paediatrics last Thursday that suggests that children still have the potential to transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus even if antibodies are detected in their blood. This is because researchers found that the virus and the antibodies coexisted in children which is not the case with other viruses where once antibodies are detected, the virus is not seen anymore. In the light of these findings, the president of the Bangalore Paediatric Society, Dr Ravishankara Marpalli, who is also the HOD of Paediatrics at SS Sparsh Hospital on Mysore Road, cautioned that once the schools reopen, alternating children between offline and online classes is of paramount importance for the safety of teachers, school staff, van drivers and the children themselves. Follow live updates on the Covid-19 pandemic here Dr Rajath Athreya, a Consultant Paediatrician at Rainbow Childrens Hospital in Marathahalli, said, "Health workers are being tested for seroprevalence to see if they have developed antibodies and are safe to get back to work." "Antibodies are proteins that the body produces in response to a virus. If the antibodies can clear the system of the virus, they're called neutralising antibodies. The body then memorises this and produces the same antibodies so that the virus doesn't affect the body again. This is what drug manufacturers aim to produce in the form of vaccines," he added. Dr. Sagar Bhattad, Consultant, Paediatric Immunology, Aster CMI Hospital, told DH, "The reason patients are not being tested before discharge is the fact that the RTPCR test may be positive even after a few weeks of acquiring the infection, even if they are not infective. Children who are positive on PCR and antibodies may not be infective." Echoing similar sentiments, Dr BG Raghunandan, a paediatrician at the government-run KC General Hospital in Malleshwaram said that the virus will be present in the system upto 28 days and sometimes upto 45 days, in children as well as adults. There are two types of antibodies, IgM and IgG antibodies that start appearing in the body from day seven and day 14 respectively. IgG antibodies is present for several months. "It is normal for patients to test positive for both, the virus and the antibodies, if one were to test a patient on day 7, 14 or 25. Even if they test positive on an RTPCR test, they cannot spread the infection as the test is picking up the dead virus only," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 15:41:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 militants were killed and eight others wounded after Afghan security forces repelled a Taliban attack in eastern Laghman province during Sunday night, a provincial government spokesman said Monday. "The militants stormed security forces' position in Jaibon locality of Alishing district, in the north of provincial capital Mehtarlam at mid-night. The ground forces called in an air support, and the Afghan Air Force struck the militants by a precise airstrike in the area, leaving the casualties," spokesman Assadullah Dawlatzai told Xinhua. Those among the killed militants were five Taliban's Red Unit fighters who usually use visible laser and night vision equipment during the fight with soldiers, he said. The attackers came from nearby mountains, and the security forces found weapon and ammunition after the clashes. Local villagers and Afghan Red Crescent Society personnel usually collect the bodies of the militants after clashes to identify and hand over the bodies to relatives. The Taliban militants have tried to overrun small towns or districts across Afghanistan and consolidate their position since the signing of a Taliban-U.S. peace agreement in late February. The militants have intensified attacks, frequently launching hit-and-run ambushes against security forces. The militant group has not responded to the report so far. Enditem The National Executive Committee of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Monday unanimously approved the People's Manifesto at a meeting held in Accra, following a presentation by the Party's Manifesto Committee. A statement issued by Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, Spokesman, NDC Campaign Team, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the manifesto, which addressed the felt needs of various interest groups and individuals, came after months of consultations with professional groupings, opinion leaders, market women, groups and individuals from across the country. GNA Actor Rhea Chakraborty has filed a police complaint with the Mumbai Police against Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Priyanka Singh and a few others over acquiring a bogus medical prescription for the actor. Rhea has said in her complaint that Sushant died within five days of his sister Priyanka getting the prescription so that the actor could get access to anxiety medication. Rhea has said that an FIR should be registered against Priyanka, Dr Tarun Kumar of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospitaland a few others under IPC, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act & Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. She said in her complaint, It is imperative that actions of Priyanka Singh, Dr Tarun Kumar and others be investigated and that it be determined as to how they came to provide the deceased with such a bogus and unlawful prescription. Filed on the basis of WhatsApp exchanges between the actor and his sister, the complaint said Sushant was shown as an Out Patient Department patient at the RML hospital when he was actually in Mumbai on June 8. As per the chats, three medicines were prescribed for Sushant. Priyanka Singh asked Sushant to take Librium for a week, Nexito every day and Lonazep for whenever there is anxiety attack. Rheas complaint said the prescription appeared forged and fabricated as the drugs cannot be prescribed electronically. The WhatsApp exchanges happened on June 8, the same day that Rhea left the actors home. Sushant died on June 14. The family has so far said that they were not aware that Sushant had any mental health problem. The family only knew that he was prone to ghabrahat (anxiety), familys lawyer Vikas Singh had said in a press conference on Wednesday, stressing that his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty was behind whatever psychological problems that the actor might have had. The family never accepted that he was suffering depression. His mental health deteriorated after Rhea Chakraborty entered his life, he said. Rhea is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Narcotics Control Bureau following an abetment to suicide and misappropriation of funds complaint filed by Sushants father in Patna in July. She is being questioned by NCB in a drug related angle in the case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Julian Assange: prolific leaker of secrets back in spotlight Julian Assange has spent most of the past decade either in custody or holed up in Ecuador's London embassy as he has tried to avoid extradition A fearless campaigner for democratic openness? Or a criminal trying to avoid justice? WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a highly polarising figure. Australian national Assange, 49, is the figurehead of the whistleblowing website that exposed government secrets worldwide, notably the explosive leak of US military and diplomatic files related to the Iraq and Afghan wars. But he has spent most of the past decade either in custody or holed up in Ecuador's London embassy as he has tried to avoid extradition -- first to Sweden to answer allegations of rape, and then to the United States. Born in Townsville, Queensland, in 1971, Assange has described a nomadic childhood and claims to have attended 37 schools before settling in Melbourne. As a teenager, Assange discovered a talent for computer hacking, which soon brought him to the attention of Australian police. He admitted most of the charges levelled against him and walked away with a fine. After launching WikiLeaks in 2006 with a group of like-minded activists and IT experts, he was constantly on the move, bouncing between cities and frequently changing his phone number. "We are creating a new standard for a free press," Assange told AFP in an interview in August 2010. - Embassy asylum - His current legal saga began in 2010 -- soon after he published revelations from classified documents about US military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan -- with rape allegations in Sweden, which he always denied. He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempt to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in the Ecuador embassy. For seven years he lived in a small apartment in the embassy, exercising on a treadmill and using a sun lamp to make up for the lack of natural light in a situation he compared to living in a space station. It was revealed in April that Assange had fathered two children with his partner, South Africa-born lawyer Stella Moris, while at the embassy. Story continues Moris, 37, told The Times newspaper in an interview published on Saturday that she informed Assange she was pregnant with Gabriel, now three, by writing it down on a piece of paper to avoid surveillance. He watched the birth on livestream and the baby was smuggled into the embassy with the help of an actor friend posing as his father, she said. - 'Hands-on father' - Moris described Assange as someone who "loves children" and a "hands-on father", who speaks to his sons regularly, although to his youngest, Max, now aged 18 months, he is a "disembodied voice on the phone". Assange has an adult son, Daniel, who was born near Melbourne in 1980, and at least one more child, who was living in France. Moris, who changed her name from Sara Gonzalez Devant for security reasons after getting involved with Assange, said the couple planned to marry and he proposed using a virtual-reality headset. Assange's situation changed after the new government in Quito turned him over to British police in April 2019. He was arrested for jumping bail and jailed. Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the rape investigation, saying that despite a "credible" account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed. But as he had feared, after his arrest it was revealed that Washington was charging him with violating the US Espionage Act over the 2010 leaks. - Ties with Russia? - Assange was initially supported by human rights groups and newspapers that once worked with him to edit and publish US war logs. They included a leaked video showing a US military Apache helicopter firing on and killing two journalists and several Iraqi civilians on a Baghdad street in 2007. But many were horrified when WikiLeaks dumped unredacted documents online, including the names of informants, and Assange fell out spectacularly with erstwhile media partners such as The New York Times and The Guardian newspaper. Questions also mounted about his relationship with Russia. Special prosecutor Robert Mueller's probe into interference in the 2016 US presidential election found that Russians hacked Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign, "and publicly disseminated those materials through various intermediaries, including WikiLeaks". In a preliminary court hearing in London in February, Assange's lawyer alleged US President Donald Trump had promised a pardon if he denied that Russia leaked the emails that so damaged Clinton. The White House denied the claim and Trump -- who in 2016 declared his "love" for WikiLeaks -- has always angrily rejected allegations that his campaign colluded with the Kremlin. bur-ar/jwp/jit/phz/erc Imperial Valley News Center Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Signs Antitrust Cooperation Framework With Australia, Canada, New Zealand, And United Kingdom Washington, DC - Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim signed a new competition enforcement framework between the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission, and competition agencies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The Multilateral Mutual Assistance and Cooperation Framework for Competition Authorities (Framework) aims to strengthen cooperation between the signatories, and provides the basis for a series of bilateral agreements among them focused on investigative assistance, including sharing confidential information and cross-border evidence gathering. Building on the antitrust agencies existing cooperation arrangements, the Framework includes a memorandum of understanding designed to reinforce and improve existing case coordination and collaboration tools among the agencies, and a model agreement. The model agreement is expected to serve as a template for subsequent agreements among signatories that would permit enhanced cooperation in both criminal and civil non-HSR matters. The framework recognizes that signatories will use best efforts to negotiate and implement bilateral agreements with one another based on the model agreement. The Framework sets a new standard for enforcement cooperation, strengthening our tools for international assistance and evidence gathering in the increasingly digital and global economy, said Assistant Attorney General Delrahim. We hope that it will provide a model for agencies around the world interested in enhancing international cooperation. DOJ looks forward to continuing this important work through the negotiation of the bilateral agreements contemplated in the Framework. Joining Assistant Attorney General Delrahim in signing the Framework were Chairman Joe Simons of the Federal Trade Commission, Chairman Rod Sims of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell of Competition Bureau Canada, Chair Anna Rawlings of the New Zealand Commerce Commission, and Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli of the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the agreement was signed separately in each jurisdiction in near-simultaneous fashion, allowing the agencies to come together virtually to reaffirm the importance of international cooperation even in these extraordinary times. The U.S. antitrust agencies are authorized to enter into such agreements under the International Antitrust Enforcement Assistance Act of 1994 (IAEAA), and the U.S. agencies already have an IAEAA agreement with Australia from 1999. A new study has found that ozone pollutants in Earths lower atmosphere increased across the Northern Hemisphere over the past 20 years. Ozone is a form of oxygen. In Earths upper atmosphere, it acts as a barrier to block harmful radiation from the sun. But closer to Earths surface, ozone is a common pollutant. At ground level, high levels of ozone can harm peoples lungs and damage plants. A European research program called the In-Service Aircraft for a Global Observing System collected the data. The program equips commercial aircraft with instruments to measure atmospheric conditions during flight. The study, published recently in Science Advances, is the first to use information from passenger planes. The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) carried out the research. It is a partnership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado Boulder. The researchers used ozone observations from more than 60,000 flights worldwide. The scientists centered on five areas of the Northern Hemisphere the northeastern United States, Germany, India, Southeast Asia and Northeast China and Korea. The Northern Hemisphere was studied because it contains a large percentage of the human population affected by air quality. The study found that overall, ozone levels in most parts of Earths atmosphere increased in the Northern Hemisphere during the past 20 years. The researchers did, however, report lower ground-level ozone in some areas, including North America and Europe. But they said those results were canceled out by increases in ozone higher up in the atmosphere. Audrey Gaudel was the lead writer of the study. She is a CIRES scientist working in NOAAs Chemical Sciences Laboratory. The results are, in her words, a big deal because it means that as we try to limit our pollution locally, it might not work as well as we thought. Gaudel said the data collected by international aircraft was very valuable in creating a clear picture of ozone levels over the Northern Hemisphere over long periods. Other methods of long-term data collection have produced conflicting ozone results. She noted that between 1994 and 2016, commercial aircraft planes had captured nearly 35,000 ozone profiles. The research team used the data to estimate changes in lower atmospheric ozone from the mid-1990s to 2016. On average, ozone values increased about 5 percent every 10 years. To explore what was causing the changes, the scientists examined levels of nitrogen oxides, a mixture of gases made up of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen oxides are considered to be atmospheric pollutants often resulting from human activities. The researchers used the aircraft data to create models to estimate how nitrogen oxide releases affected atmospheric conditions. They said results suggested that increased releases in the tropics, the area close to the equator, were likely driving the observed increase of ozone in the Northern Hemisphere. The team said it found some of the sharpest increases in areas where ozone levels were once the lowest. These included Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as other parts of Southeast Asia, and India. Those areas had very low ozone values between 1994-2004, but very high levels in recent years, between 2011-2016. Next, Gaudel said her team plans to take a closer look at ozone levels in the tropics. She thinks Africa will be one area to watch as a possible hot spot of increasing pollutive releases in coming years. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports by CIRES, the University of Colorado Boulder and Science Advances. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Quiz - Study: Ozone Pollutants Still Increasing in Northern Hemisphere Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story commercial adj. related to buying and selling things profile n. a set of data that describes the significant features of something hot spot n. a place with more than the usual amount of interest or activity ALBANY Three new cases alleging child abuse in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany were filed this past week - including one involving a priest who in August was put on the diocese's list of offenders after years of allegations against him. A lawsuit filed Wednesday says that former Albany Diocese priest Daniel J. Maher and now deceased former priest Donald Starks each abused the plaintiff when he was 11 to 13 years old from 1966 to 1968 when he was an altar boy. The two men began by touching him inappropriately and subsequently forced the young boy to have oral sex with them, the suit alleges, including in the rectory of St. Francis de Sales church in Colonie. The priests told the boy that the abuse was 'our secret, or something between us and God, which would be wrong to tell anybody, the lawsuit says. From 2003 to 2007, multiple people came forward with stories of child abuse at the hands of Maher, the lawsuit notes, but the diocese threw out the allegations after an internal investigation through their Diocesan Review Board process and allowed Maher to continue as an active priest. Maher was finally placed on leave by the diocese in February after an investigation that stemmed from yet another complaint in 2018. The diocese posted on its website that Maher had been added to its List of Offenders last month, but the release was not distributed by email as it usually would be, and it has not previously been reported by news outlets. Diocese spokeswoman Mary DeTurris Poust said she was working remotely from vacation when the release went out and the news was not distributed properly as a result.When a reporter for the Times Union mentioned this news to the lawyer who filed this weeks case, the lawyer did not know that it had occurred. There have been more than 100 lawsuits filed against the Albany Diocese under the Child Victims Act, a New York law that took effect last year opening a temporary look back window where complaints of childhood sexual abuse can be reported that would otherwise be outside of the statute of limitations. Recently, another extension grants survivors until Aug. 14, 2021 to file claims. The second CVA case this past week was filed Thursday alleging abuse in the early 1980s by an Albany Diocese priest named Timothy Mangan, and the third was filed Friday the plaintiff in the suit told the Times Union although the complaint was not yet uploaded online by Sunday afternoon. A groundbreaking 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy abuse detailed the seven steps that were taken by dioceses around the country and the world to create a circle of secrecy that buried abuse claims, allowing alleged abusers to escape accountability and enabled the cycle of abuse to continue. Several of the steps in that grand jury report were part of the allegations in last weeks suits filed against the Albany diocese: deficient and biased diocesan investigations, insufficient reporting to law enforcement, misleading or missing public statements about complaints, financial or professional support for accused priests and a tendency to reassign accused abusive priests rather then removing them from the priesthood. Victor DeSantis, a former priest in the Albany diocese from 1961 to 1971 whose son, Michael, came forward a decade ago with reports of abuse perpetrated by four Albany priests against him when he was a child, spoke to the Times Union about the personal tension he feels between those two parts of his life. Michael is the plaintiff in the case filed late Friday afternoon for which records were not yet available. Michael declined on Saturday to speak to the Times Union for this story without first receiving permission from his lawyers, and his lawyers couldn't be immediately reached. The Times Union normally does not name alleged survivors of sexual abuse, however Michael has spoken to the Times Union previously about his experience. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. I felt that when our case, my sons case, was investigated by the diocese 12 years ago, I felt the investigation was a sham. And the way it was conducted, DeSantis said. They used a former FBI agent to investigate the case, and Id say the way he went about it was atrocious. And the questions he asked and the way it was done. DeSantis said his son's story was eventually deemed not credible by the church. For three of the four priests, it was at least the second time the church had cleared them after accusations they had sexually abused children, according to previous Times Union reporting. DeSantis said he and many of his friends in the priesthood were shocked when the landslide of abuse cases came forward against clergy. Pedophelia I would say was not on the radar for most of us, at that point. I hadnt heard of any cases and most of my friends hadnt heard of any, and then all of a sudden when it came to bear the last 20 years, I was surprised. Ill admit that. I was surprised by the number of cases all over the world, he said. DeSantis gave his perspective on the feeling within the priesthood that allowed abuse to perpetuate. They probably didnt want to believe it. And they didnt want it out in the public because it would damage the reputation of the church. 'This couldnt happen to us' kind of thing, he said. The priesthood is a pretty close club, you know? DeSantis said. The priesthood is certainly much, much more closely a fraternity and they going to protect one another, that kind of thing, you know? Its really a close club. Things have changed, I think, since my time but not totally. The Sushant Singh Rajput case has not only gripped the nation, but it has also gripped the minds of politicians, especially in the poll-bound state of Bihar where the late actor came from. While the BJP and JD(U) are fronting the campaign, even smaller players in the state like the Congress dont want to be left out. So while some in the Congress are questioning the media frenzy over the coverage of the case, the party is singing a different tune in the state, scared that not playing the Bihar ka beta card could cost it electorally. Not surprisingly, one of the many visitors to Sushants family has been Shaktisinh Gohil who is the Congress state in-charge. In fact when the CBI probe was announced by the Bihar government and the Centre, Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra took credit and welcomed the development. Gohil too rushed in to claim credit for the inquiry. But as the BJP local unit came out with posters calling for justice for Sushant, the Congress was caught in a bind. It has been accusing the media and the BJP of using the Sushant case to divert attention from what it calls the kushasan of chief minister Nitish Kumar. It has accused the BJP and the Centre of not focusing on serious issues like rising Covid-19 cases and economic distress. But in a state like Bihar, where Sushant, as son of the soil, has become an electoral issue, how can the Congress not join the bandwagon? Elections in any state throw up the issue of son of the soil, and it often works. In Maharashtra polls Maha for Marathis, in Gujarat Modis Gujarati asmita, in Bengal aamra Bangali ( with BJP portrayed as outsider) are seen as winning tags. As Bihars new generation looks outwards , the state leaders are now looking inwards. And this is what the entire issue of justice for Sushant is all about. Former union minister Shakeel Ahmad, who was suspended by the Congress last year for standing in the Lok Sabha polls as an independent candidate, and is now hoping to contest from the state as a party nominee after the decision has been revoked, said, We as Biharis would certainly want to know the truth about Sushant Singh Rajput. We dont want to do politics over it." This may very well be the official line but for a party that is hanging by a thread in the state, no issue can be ignored anymore. Hence, sources say as the poll dates come closer, the Congress too will use this as an issue to show that it feels for the state and Sushant. Local leaders are expected to come out with posters and also welcome any step which brings the case closer to a closure. The dilemma remains as what the Congress does in Bihar is linked to what happens to its coalition government in Maharashtra. It is clear that the battle in Bihar is being played out with an eye on Maharashtra. The fight is now open between the Shiv Sena and the BJP. Actress Kangana Ranaut has become the shoulder from which the BJP is firing and hitting out at the Sena. The dilemma within the Congress is best illustrated by its stand on the Shiv Senas verbal spat with Kangana. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, We dont accept the comment by Shiv Sena on Kangana. We think its OK to give her security if there is a threat to her though even her comments on Mumbai are unacceptable." Sources say that the feedback from the Congresss Bihar unit to the high command has been that the party has not done enough on the Sushant issue: at a time when our party is in the doldrums, when Nitish-BJP seem unshakeable, and the real issues are not being highlighted, any issue, even the death of a star like Sushant, should not be missed". At the Centre, the Congress has agreed but has requested the state leaders not to cross the Lakshman Rekha. And hence, dont be surprised if over the next few weeks, the Congress too exploits the emotional aspect of the Sushant Singh Rajput case. After all, in politics, even a death can be a poll plank. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: During the meeting of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and IDPs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on September 7, the Head of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, MP Tural Ganjaliyev raised the issue of the illegal resettlement of Armenians from Lebanon to the occupied Azerbaijani territories, the Azerbaijani community told Trend on Sept. 7. The PACEs delegations were informed that the Armenian political leadership amid the support of the world community to Lebanon in connection with the humanitarian crisis after the explosion in Beirut, building a political game on the suffering of the victims, is trying to consolidate its occupation policy. Although MP from the Armenian delegation, Tatevik Hayrapetyan, attended the meeting and the moderator allowed the Armenian parliamentarian to answer, she was forced to remain silent, unable to object to the irrefutable facts. The repayment comes as Harry and Meghan seek to forge new careers for themselves and attain financial independence. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have refunded British taxpayers 2.4 million pounds ($3.2m), the cost of renovating their United Kingdom home, in line with a commitment they made after announcing in January they would step back from royal duties. The refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, a house within the grounds of Queen Elizabeths Windsor Castle west of London, had been criticised by some British media as too expensive. The repayment comes as Harry and Meghan, an American former actress, seek to forge new careers for themselves and attain greater financial independence. They announced last week they had signed a contract with Netflix to produce content for the streaming platform. Officially known as the duke and duchess of Sussex, the couple has moved to California but will keep Frogmore Cottage as their home when they come back to the UK, under the terms of their agreement with the queen, Harrys grandmother. A contribution has been made to the Sovereign Grant by The Duke of Sussex, a spokesperson for the couple said, referring to a pot of taxpayer money used to fund the monarchy. This contribution as originally offered by Prince Harry has fully covered the necessary renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage, a property of Her Majesty The Queen, and will remain the UK residence of The Duke and his family. The terms of Harry and Meghans contract with Netflix have not been disclosed. Prior to that, the bulk of their income was coming from the private estate of Prince Charles, Harrys father and the heir to the British throne. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 18:17:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NICOSIA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will begin a two-day visit to Cyprus on Monday to discuss regional issues with President Nicos Anastasiades. The visit comes amid intensified tensions in the Mediterranean over disputed claims to exploration rights. Prior to his arrival, Lavrov told the Cypriot daily Phileleftheros that he had urged the leaderships of countries in the region to show political foresight and resolve disputes exclusively by peaceful means. "It is better to resolve differences at the negotiating table rather than aggravate them with public rhetorical duels," he said. During his stay in Nicosia, Lavrov will review Cyprus-Russia bilateral relations and Russia-European Union ties with his Cypriot counterpart, Nikos Christodoulides. Other events scheduled for the top Russian diplomat include signing a revised double taxation protocol during a special ceremony on Tuesday. Lavrov's visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nicosia and Moscow. His last visit to Cyprus was in November 2019. Enditem In an urban church near looted downtown buildings in Kenosha, Wis., Joe Biden told the diverse group in the pews that President Donald Trump was the accelerant for the country's burning racial divide. An hour later, in a leafy Milwaukee suburb that is 90 percent White, Biden discussed the challenges of going back to school when districts are struggling to reopen - a problem they wouldn't have, he said, if Trump hadn't bungled the coronavirus response. The next day, Biden said in a nationally televised speech that the nation's recovery would be racing ahead if not for one man, Trump, whose coronavirus response he said cratered the economy. Biden has been under intense pressure from allies to hasten his campaign pace - but from there the advice has diverged, with some favoring a strategy meant to attract some White working-class voters and others Black voters who are mobilizing and calling for racial justice. Amid the frenzy of recommendations, Biden has settled on a through line meant to appeal to everyone: Trump is the reason for all of America's most pressing ills, no matter which one matters most to a specific audience. A newly energized Biden campaign last week demonstrated its biggest burst of campaign activity in six months, as an internal debate over how to position Biden for the rush to November led to a far more aggressive candidate, a rewritten campaign message and a robust travel schedule. While the tension over responding to the nation's urban protests and Trump's new emphasis on "law and order" prompted adjustments last week, many Biden advisers say they still believe the election will be decided on Trump's response to the coronavirus, which has disrupted the economy and continues to be a major health crisis that is killing nearly 1,000 Americans each day. "This is foundational. ... This is where the public is, this is their focus, this is what they believe this election is about," said Mike Donilon, the campaign's top strategist. "The president tried to reformulate it as a law and order campaign. ... There was a lot of speculation that when he did that, that would work to his benefit and drive the electorate there." "That didn't happen," he added. "The public is still primarily focused on the central issue in their life, which is the virus. They're still very much focused on the fact that there's not really a plan that they see in place, that the death toll continues to rise, that the economy continues to suffer, that their kids can't really go back to school - and their lives are still upended. That is the fundamental truth of this election." The divisions over which voters Biden should seek out to win the White House stemmed not only from long-standing Democratic disputes but also from the quirks of Biden's own coalition. He eased to the nomination because of strong support among Black voters, particularly older ones, but also has long had more cachet than many other Democrats among White voters in suburbs and rural areas. The tension since this summer has rested on the question of whether those groups' goals had separated due to urban unrest or whether they would unify in a shared desire to defeat Trump. In the past week - besides the advice Biden heard from backers like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., both of whom demanded more attention to their state - two strains competed for prominence. Some worried that Biden has been talking too much about protests against police treatment of Black Americans, potentially alienating White voters. Concern grew not only as Trump focused on the lawlessness that arose from some of the protests, but amid polling signs that support was plummeting for Black Lives Matter protests, particularly in such states as Wisconsin and Minnesota. Then, after Biden released an new ad on Wednesday calling out lawlessness and looting, some top advisers heard complaints that it should not have relied so heavily on images of destroyed downtown buildings and clashes in the streets, lest it offend Black voters by distracting from the actions of police. "We're condemning violence and you have a problem with that?" an incredulous adviser responded, recounting the exchange on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Angela Rye, a Democratic strategist and former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Biden "should be focusing on a winning message of justice and equity rather than doubling down on Trump rhetoric." "Law-and-order messaging is dangerous and it is the very thing that has cost Black people their lives," said Rye, who has urged the campaign to focus instead on the peaceful nature of most protests. "Law and order means shoot to kill Black people." Trump's campaign, meanwhile, has delighted in forcing Biden to spend money to defend his position on the protests, after months of struggling to shift the campaign conversation away from the coronavirus pandemic. At campaign events, Trump continues to both attack Black Lives Matter protests and try to appeal to Black voters by boasting of his economic and criminal justice reform record. "Why did Joe Biden actually have to go out in public and say, 'Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters?' Because to most Americans, that's exactly what he is when he excuses the rioters and calls them 'peaceful protesters' and blames law enforcement for inciting the violence," Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said. "Voters in all communities can see that President Trump has stood for law and order, while Joe Biden is too weak to stand up to the radical, anti-police wing of his party." While some Biden aides wanted him to take on Trump's law and order message, others were upset, believing that he was allowing Trump to goad him and set the agenda. Biden himself on Friday ruminated over whether he should respond to the things that Trump says, worried that it could distract from his own agenda. "It's a conundrum," Biden said, amid a flurry of questions from reporters in which he was asked to respond to things that Trump had recently said or done. Biden's attempt to deliver an anti-Trump message to different audiences seems destined to continue when he travels on Wednesday to Michigan. Tentative plans include a stop in Detroit, where a low turnout of Black voters in 2016 helped defeat Hillary Clinton, and a meeting with autoworkers in suburban Macomb County. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich, has been urging Biden to come to the crucial swing county that twice voted for Barack Obama before Trump easily won it in 2016. On Friday, both Biden and Trump are scheduled to be in Shanksville, Pa., for the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The Biden team says the conventions and the burst of activity after them did little to change the dynamics of the race, stoking their optimistic view of their chances. The campaign raised a record-breaking $364.5 million in August - and brought in 1.5 million new donors - which has enabled it to outspend Trump's campaign. Biden's campaign has spent $22 million in Pennsylvania on TV and radio ads, compared with $10.3 million from Trump. Biden has also far outspent Trump in Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona. In Wisconsin, the campaign has 242 staffers, targeting women and rural voters. In Pennsylvania, it has 347 staffers trying to turn out Democrats in Philadelphia and swing voters in the surrounding counties who sided with the party in 2018 races. Minnesota, a state Democrats haven't lost since 1972, ranks as Biden's top defensive target, and the campaign is also eyeing typically Republican Georgia, where 112 staffers are aiming at an increasingly diverse electorate. "We understand that we are in for a fight to the very end. We have no illusion about how tough this race is and how tough it will be to the end," Donilon said. "But the truth is there has been a pretty consistent standing for the vice president in the most important states, in the battlegrounds." The campaign also is putting in place several voter-protection efforts, with hotlines in 15 battleground states to monitor any problems voters have in casting ballots. Campaign aides have declined to detail any plans to handle the time period directly after Nov. 3, when some Democrats fear results might not be clear from mail-in ballots and Trump could move to declare victory based on early results. "There are big states that will be called on election night. And there will be a significant amount of the vote that will be called on election night," said Jen O'Malley Dillon, the Biden campaign manager. "So at the end of the day, I think that for us, our job is to make sure we get the most votes." Biden's new more aggressively public strategy also culminates months of discussion inside his campaign over how to handle health concerns, an effort to both model what they think is responsible behavior but also to protect him from getting the coronavirus. It is not an idle concern for the oldest candidate to ever be nominated by a major party, one who at 77 is in the most at-risk age ground and who, until recently, was not being regularly tested for the virus. Those around him have long been fearful that he could catch the virus, which is one reason he spent months largely confined to the basement of his Wilmington, Del., home. But in recent weeks, the desire to insulate him has collided with the need to get on the campaign trail, leading advisers to recommend he take on a more robust schedule. Biden said he would not do any "irresponsible rallies," and his campaign is reviewing guidelines in various states to make sure they comply. Most events, advisers say, would be done in small group settings. If a state sees a spike in coronavirus cases, campaign events could be canceled. "What you'll see from our travel is that it will always put safety first. That will be fundamental," O'Malley Dillon said. "You'll never see the vice president with a big large crowd, without people with masks on, because it's just not safe and every expert in the country has said that." Biden's campaign has closely monitored the daily cases and deaths, and its says that in some places the virus has leveled off enough for him to travel. His campaign headquarters in Philadelphia is not likely to reopen; staffers are now spread around the country and some have given up the apartments where they once lived near the now-empty office. The small number of aides in regular contact with Biden, and who are allowed inside his home, are tested regularly. His medical advisers have also determined that he can fly on chartered planes, as long as they are sanitized properly. So far none of his trips have been overnight, which prevents the need to stay in a hotel. "The vice president has been trying to press the flesh for a while because that's what he's best at," said Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., co-chairman of Biden's campaign. "It's now apparent that we can do it in a safe and responsible manner and not put people at risk." "It's not all about his health - it's about the people who will come out, their health too. We're not going to put people's lives in jeopardy," Richmond added. "There are ways to campaign. Having a speech on the lawn of the White House with no one wearing masks is not the responsible way to do it." - - - The Washington Post's Michael Scherer contributed to this report. A 51-year-old man was killed in a crash while he was crossing M-37, according to the Michigan State Police. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Hart Post are investigating a fatal crash between a car and the pedestrian that occurred on at 9:41 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, on M-37 south of 88th Street in Brooks Township, Newaygo County. The man was crossing M-37 headed east when he was struck by a car northbound on M-37. The car was operated by a 16-year-old female from Grant. Life saving measures were performed at the scene, however, the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The investigation is ongoing and police ask anyone with information about the crash to contact Trooper Fry of the Michigan State Police Hart Post at 231-873-2171. Newaygo Fire and First Responders, Life EMS, Newaygo Police Department, Newaygo County Deputies, and the Newaygo County Medical Examiners office assisted MSP. Read more: Crews search for Jackson teen in Lake Michigan Grand Rapids party ends in gunfire, injuring two and damaging homes and vehicles State police find man with multiple gunshot wounds on side of US-131 The Cabinet has decided to convene a special one-day session of the Legislative Assembly on September 14, government sources said on Monday. A proposal by Principal Secretary (Law) for the one-day special session of Assembly was considered and approved by the Cabinet on September 5, they said. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the session will be held with various safety measures in place, including testing of legislators and staff, they added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko may pay a visit to the Russian capital of Moscow in the coming days, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, Sputnik reports. "It [preparations for Lukashenko's visit] has entered an active stage. In general, it can truly be expected to happen in the coming days, we will provide information in due time," Peskov told reporters, when asked about preparations for the Belarusian leader's visit to Russia. (CNN) President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented public attack against the leadership of the US military on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines), accusing them of waging wars to boost the profits of defense manufacturing companies. "I'm not saying the military's in love with me -- the soldiers are, the top people in the Pentagon probably aren't because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy," Trump told reporters at a White House news conference. Trump's extraordinary comments come as several defense officials tell CNN relations between the President and Pentagon leadership are becoming increasingly strained. They also followed efforts by Trump to convince the public that he had not made a series of reported disparaging remarks about US military personnel and veterans, which were first reported by The Atlantic magazine. A former senior administration official confirmed to CNN that Trump referred to fallen US service members at the Aisne-Marne cemetery in crude and derogatory terms during a November 2018 trip to France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Other outlets, including Fox News, have confirmed much of The Atlantic's reporting, which Trump and the White House vehemently deny. Some have expressed concern that the President's Monday accusations against the military's top brass could have a corrosive effect. "The President's comments about the motivations of military leaders not only demeans their service and that of those they lead; he lends credence to the very disdain and thoughtlessness he tries to deny," retired US Navy Rear Admiral and CNN analyst John Kirby said. The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment on Monday's remarks. While Trump has publicly disparaged the service of several high-profile veterans such as the late Sen. John McCain and his former Secretary of Defense, retired Gen. Jim Mattis, Monday's broadside was on a new level targeting leaders he appointed to carry out his orders. Trump has also repeatedly touted boosting the defense budget as one of his administration's major accomplishments, citing it as evidence of his support for the military, spending that has also benefited defense contractors. Top commanders exhausted and worried CNN has previously reported that relations between Trump and his Defense Secretary Mark Esper are tense, with Trump believed to be on the verge of replacing him. But, less than two months from the presidential election, the Pentagon's top commanders are growing increasingly exhausted and worried about their relationship with the President, several defense officials tell CNN. A critical area of concern is how the Pentagon would respond if Trump invokes the Insurrection Act to put US military troops on the streets to deal with civilian protestors as he continues to stoke divisions across the country in the run up to the election. Trump floated the idea last month and, after he first made the threat in June, Esper publicly broke with him by saying he opposed any such move. To avoid a new showdown with the White House, for the last several weeks, top military officials -- including General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- have been getting regular briefings on civil unrest in major cities across the country. The idea is to be ready with alternative plans for state-activated National Guard and other federal civilian law enforcement rather than have active duty troops potentially clash with protesters, according to several defense officials. Another issue that could lead to a clash between Trump and military leadership is the $740 billion defense bill that would strip the names of Confederate generals in the face of vocal opposition from Trump who said he'd veto any move. The entire Joint Chiefs have made it clear they want to eliminate what they see as the divisive symbols of the Confederacy. Milley did not hold back on the issue in appearance before Congress in July, stating that "those officers turned their back on their oath," referring to the names on the bases. "It was an act of treason, at the time, against the Union, against the Stars and Stripes, against the US Constitution." Military leadership have embarked on several initiatives aimed at improving racial inclusion. Officials say it is vital work to ensure that when troops go to war, they are a cohesive fighting force. There are also very real concerns about the aftermath of November's election, particularly if the result is not immediately clear after election night. Last month Milley told members of Congress that the military will not play a role in the election and won't help settle any disputes if the results are contested. "In the event of a dispute over some aspect of the elections, by law U.S. courts and the U.S. Congress are required to resolve any disputes, not the U.S. Military," Milley wrote in a letter to the House Armed services committee. "I believe deeply in the principle of an apolitical U.S. military," Milley wrote. Despite what Milley stated, should there be some kind of constitutional crisis if the election result is unclear, the military could well be put in a tricky position especially as Trump's opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, floated the idea they might become involved in an interview in June. "I promise you, I'm absolutely convinced they will escort him from the White House with great dispatch," Biden said, referring to the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff. On top of that uncertainty there are concerns Trump may launch military action against an adversary before Inauguration Day, regardless of who wins the White House are also front and center for the top brass. This story was first published on CNN.com 'Trump launches unprecedented attack on military leadership he appointed' Washington: With the United States being the worst-affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris hit out at President Trump saying his administration was "minimised the seriousness" of the outbreak. "From the beginning of this pandemic, he has called it a hoax. He has muzzled the public health experts--he has minimised the seriousness of it. If he had listened to the scientists and the experts, he would have understood the gravity of it," Harris told CNN. Trump previously promised that the US would come out with a vaccine "by the end of this year if not sooner" to which, Harris responded, "I think we have learned that ever since this pandemic started, that there's very little that we can trust what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth. I would trust the words of public health experts and scientists and not of Donald Trump." She further criticised the US President for making the virus a partisan issue stating that "the could care less who was voted in the elections." "We have a President of the United States who made this a partisan issue. The virus could care less who you voted for in the last election or who you plan to vote for in the next election," the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate said. As per the latest update, the United States -- the worst affected country from the COVID-19 pandemic-- has a total of 6,270,950 cases and 188,810 deaths due to the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Amaravati, Sep 8 : People in Andhra Pradesh are surprised at the lowest literacy rate of 64 per cent attributed to the state by the National Statistical Office (NSO) for the year 2017-18. "I highly doubt that Andhra Pradesh could fare so badly in terms of literacy rate," Sai Deepak, a native of Guntur who lives in Hyderabad, told IANS. According to the NSO survey, the southern state is rated lowest in the country, below Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. T. Suguna Rao, a retired teacher from an aided school in West Godavari district in coastal AP neither agreed nor disagreed with NSO's estimation. "It seems AP's literacy rate is 64 per cent," said Rao without commenting much but did not look convinced. Echoing Rao, Bhimavaram resident Pradeep, an MSc fisheries graduate said he also cannot say much about this development. "I am not sure," said Pradeep. But Rao's wife, T.D. Vakyamani, also a retired teacher from a government school said NSO's estimation could be correct. AP's literacy rate for males is estimated to be 73.4 per cent and for females 59.5 per cent, a disparity of 13.9 percentage points between the genders. Though rated lowest in overall literacy rate, the gap between men and women is not the worst and better than Rajasthan (23.2 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (18.4 per cent), Jharkhand (18.3 per cent) and others. Sagnik Choudhary, a retail professional who studied in Hyderabad when Andhra Pradesh was united, is not convinced with literacy rate variance between men and women. Irrespective of NSO adjudicating AP as the lowest literate state, several towns and a few cities in the state are major educational hubs, drawing thousands of students for studies. Vijayawada, Guntur, Nellore, Bhimavaram, Kakinada, Vishakapatnam, Rajamundry, Kurnool and others are known for famous schools, intermediate junior colleges and several engineering colleges. Some of the private schools such as Sri Chaitany and Naraya have expanded their branches all over the country, originating from the state. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, both the Telugu states, send a sizeable number of students every year to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), premier technical schools in India. AP is also known for a high number of students who migrate to the US for higher studies. Council flies Red Ensign to honour Merchant Navy Douglas Borough Council raised the Red Ensign last Thursday to honour the men and women who kept the British Isles afloat during both World Wars and celebrate the work of modern-day merchant seafarers. Douglas Mayour Jonathan Joughin read a message of support from HRH The Earl of Wessex to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy. For the fifth year in succession Seafarers UK led the campaign to fly the Red Ensign, the UK Merchant Navys official flag on civic buildings and landmark flagpoles, with more than 1000 locations taking part. Beijing, Sep 7 : Huawei's operating system, HarmonyOS, can now match 70-80 per cent of the performance features of Google Android operating system, a top executive of the company has said amid tightening US restrictions on the Chinese tech giant. If Huawei continues to face restrictions on using Google's ecosystem, HarmonyOS will gradually gain traction and it will eventually be able to replace Android, Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Consumer Business Group, told news site finace.sina.com, according to a report in Global Times on Monday. During the 'Huawei Developer Conference 2020' from September 10-12, the company is likely to announce that it will use HarmonyOS in its mobile phones. Huawei, which became the largest smartphone seller in the world in the second quarter of this year according to a report from Canalys, last year officially launched HarmonyOS. "Since May 16, 2019, major chips and technologies from the US have not been available (to Huawei). But we have prepared for nearly 10 years to develop our own chips, software and supplies, so the first round of US sanctions was not a crisis for Huawei," Yu was quoted as saying. Huawei's consumer businesses faced a tough time due to inability to use Google's ecosystem in overseas markets. The US on August 17 of this year tightened its restrictions so that Huawei cannot get access chips made with US technology. According to a report in Taiwan-based DigiTimes, which cited industry sources, Huawei is expected to cut shipments of the flagship Mate 40 phone which is likely to be the company's last smartphone to carry Kirin 9000 chips. Groundbreaking advance in orbital vehicle technology highly possible: experts The Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying China's Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft blasts off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 17, 2016.File photo:Xinhua After flying in orbit for two days, China's reusable spacecraft landed safely to its designated site on Sunday, marking a breakthrough in China's technology for reusing spacecraft. So far, Chinese space authorities have been virtually silent on details of the experimental flight. All that can be learned from reports by the Xinhua News Agency is that the spacecraft was successfully launched on Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which has witnessed multiple milestone events in the country's manned space exploration, and the carrier rocket is the Long March-2F, the "go-to" launch vehicle for China's manned space projects. No official renders or photos of the spacecraft have been made public as of press time. Xinhua pointed out on Sunday that the successful experiment of the spacecraft offers more convenient solutions for future peaceful use of the space and enables cheaper round-trips. The two-day flight experiment was designed to test the performance of new materials for the reusable vehicle and to test the monitor and control system, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday. "The test would focus on the vehicle's capability to enter orbit via a carrier rocket launch and the reliability of its returning to Earth, which are key for a reusable orbital vehicle," said Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine. China has not developed this kind of reusable orbital vehicle before, and once it achieves maturity and puts into practical use, it will transform the current space use landscape in both civilian and military use, experts said. "The vehicle could be equipped with robotic arms to conduct maintenance and supply missions for on-orbit spacecraft such as satellites. And in return, Chinese satellites could enter a new age of modularization, further tap into the potential of space application," Wang said. Despite keeping a low profile, the news of reusable spacecraft has gained a great deal of attention and led to wild speculation, with many, such as space.com, the New York-based source of space news, believing that the flight mission was related to China's space plane project. The US website cited a Xinhua report in October 2017, quoting Chen Hongbo, a researcher with China's state-owned space giant China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, as saying that China plans to launch its reusable spacecraft in 2020. "Unlike traditional one-off spacecraft, the new spacecraft will fly into the sky like an aircraft," Chen revealed, adding that the spacecraft can transport people or payloads into the orbit and return to Earth. The spacecraft will also be easier to maintain and can increase the frequency of launches at lower cost, bringing new opportunities for more people to travel into space. China has been developing its own reusable Earth-to-orbit space vehicles that can take off and land horizontally, and has already completed several crucial ground tests for engines and other key components [of the reusable spacecraft,] Liu Shiquan, a vice director of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, told media at the Global Space Exploration Conference in Beijing, the People's Daily reported. Many foreign reports and Chinese netizens have been drawing comparisons between the mysterious vehicle, if it is a fixed wing space plane, and the X-37B space plane owned by the US Air Force. The US model has flown a total of five orbital missions. The first X-37B flight was launched in 2010, while the fifth mission began in September 2017 and is still underway, space.com reported on Friday. Based on materials provided by the China Academy of Launch Vehicles, the developer of the Long March-2F rocket, the 58.4-meter-long launch vehicle with 3.35-meter-diameter core stages is capable of sending payloads weighing 8.6 tons into Low Earth orbit. The Long March-2F, which has a unique escape design on the top-end, is also the go-to launch vehicle for China's manned space programs. As of June 2017, the Long March-2F had made 13 successful flights, sending six manned spaceships, five unmanned spaceships, two space labs and 11 Chinese astronauts into space. The use of Long March-2F for the mission shows that the experiment mission is of great significance, Xi Yazhou, a military expert, said in his column published by Guancha.com on Friday. Xi also cited unknown sources as saying that the Long March-2F has installed a 5-meter-diameter nose cone for the special mission, and noted that if this information is true, it would mean that the vehicle could be "larger than a conventional spacecraft." Xi found Chinese netizens' small-sized space plane theory very possible. Considering the data and method of launch, China's orbital vehicle could be very similar to US' X-37B, and the vehicle could have a fixed wing span of more than four meters, Wang said. It is too early to determine when the Chinese orbital vehicle could be put into practical use, as the project has only just had its first launch and return test, Wang said, noting that once the technology matures, China would be the third country to have such space planes, following the US and Russia. NASA's now-retired space shuttle fleet flew 135 missions between 1981 and 2011, and a similar vehicle built by former Soviet Union, called Buran, made it to orbit once, in 1988, space. com said. The reusable orbital spacecraft would be first used in civilian domains, conducting operations such as surveying the Earth, monitoring the environment and maintenance for in-orbit satellites, space experts said. China's authorities have not revealed any intention of military use for the vehicle, but observers stressed that just as the US Air Force's X-37B claimed to have the capability to strike anywhere on Earth within half an hour, China should at least have that capability. Sofia Richie is already reminiscing about her 22nd birthday soiree which as just last month. The young model looked like she had a blast during her b-day boat ride in some new snaps from the celebration which were shared to Instagram on Monday. Despite the fact that smart phones can take high quality photos, the beauty embraced a retro technique and actually used a camera with film. Birthday throwback: Sofia Richie is already reminiscing about her 22nd birthday soiree in Cabo San Lucas and shared some new snaps from the celebration to Instagram on Monday '@amberasaly came back with the film so brace yourself for more pics,' the beauty captioned her most recent Instagram post. Sofia shared three new shots from her August girl's trip to Cabo San Lucas for her birthday. The first snap sees the model and her equally photogenic gal pals lounging in a cluster on the back of a boat. The six bikini clad beauties struck a pose for the camera while soaking up some sun and sipping glasses of rose. Vintage: Despite the fact that smart phones can take high quality photos, the beauty embraced a retro technique and actually used a camera with film Too cute! In one snap, Sofia smiled broadly with her face covered in vanilla frosting from her birthday cake Sofia stunned in a green checkered bikini that highlighted her petite frame. In the next image, Sofia was presented with a small iced birthday cake topped with pink French macarons. Her name was written in pink on the side of the confection but, likely due to the August heat, it was a little worse for the wear with the 'S' sliding off. The final photo sees the daughter of Lionel Richie with a face full of vanilla icing and a huge ear-to-ear grin. Looking good: In previous snaps from the day, Sofia flaunted her curves in the skimpy bikini, showing off a pair of high-rise bottoms that hugged her tiny hips and exposed a hint of her backside Getaway: Sofia had escaped on the girl's trip with her closest circle after officially calling it quits with boyfriend of two years, Scott Disick, after briefly rekindling this summer Sofia, who turned 22 on August 24th, celebrated another year around the sun with her family and friends during a lavish Mexican getaway. In previous snaps from the day, Sofia flaunted her curves in the skimpy bikini, showing off a pair of high-rise bottoms that hugged her tiny hips and exposed a hint of her backside. She captioned her earlier post, 'Yesterday was a girls dream' and garnered many likes and comments from her close friends. Sofia had escaped on the girl's trip with her closest circle after officially calling it quits with boyfriend of two years, Scott Disick, after briefly rekindling this summer. Living the life: Sofia and her girlfriends donned matching ensembles and flew in a private jet to Mexico for the celebration The cover girl has become incredibly close with the KarJenner clan, even inviting Kylie Jenner's best friend Stassie and former assistant Victoria on her tropical birthday getaway. The relationship between Sofia and Scott started to go south after Scott was spotted at a rehab back in May. He has since been spending a lot of time with ex Kourtney Kardashian and their three children, even vacationing in Colorado with the family. When she returned home from Mexico, Richie sparked relationship rumors with her longtime friend Jaden Smith. She's been friends with the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett for years and the pair were rumored to have dated when they were kids - nearly eight years ago. Fizzled out: The relationship between Sofia and Scott started to go south after Scott was spotted at a rehab back in May (Pictured at Sofia's 21st birthday last year) They looked awfully cozy together over Labor Day weekend when they reunited for a fun day at the beach in Los Angeles on Saturday. And, later the pair ventured up to the swanky Japanese restaurant Nobu in Malibu for a double date with their friend Moises Arias and his girlfriend. The two spent 'all day and night,' together a source told E! on Sunday. 'They spent the afternoon playing on the beach together with friends.' Adding: 'But Sofia and Jaden only had eyes for each other. They swam in the water together and wrapped their arms around each other. They held hands as they went in and out of the water and then they pulled each other in for a hug.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 14:58:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Robots with unique functions like disinfection, delivery and rehabilitation assistance are exhibiting their talents to global consumers at the ongoing 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), which kicked off Friday in Beijing. Themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," the fair is the first major international economic and trade event that China has held both online and offline since the COVID-19 outbreak. In an exhibition area at the fair, a snail-like robot can be seen automatically moving toward a storage box, loading itself, entering an elevator and putting the box back in place after delivery. The building distribution robot then takes a nearby disinfectant box and becomes a sterilizing vehicle. "They were busy day and night during the epidemic," said Zhang Wenyi, design director at Candela (Shenzhen) Technology Innovation Co., Ltd., which develops Candle series robots. According to Zhang, Candela sent a number of Candle robots to the Huoshenshan, Leishenshan and Jinyintan hospitals to aid in the fight against COVID-19 in the hard-hit city of Wuhan during the early days of the outbreak. In addition to routine distribution and handling services, one of the robots at the Leishenshan hospital was assigned a special mission in late February. It was tasked with sending a wedding cake to a couple who were then working in the hospital and were unable to have their wedding ceremony in Shanghai as originally scheduled. "It was a special wedding. The hospital became the marriage hall, the protective suit became a wedding gown, and the Candle robot was the cake delivery man," Zhang recalled. "Technology warmed people's hearts, and made the cold winter warmer." An AI nursing robot at the fair can be seen simulating rehabilitation training for patients, helping a stuffed teddy bear lift its back, bend its knees and turn over. This has attracted significant attention at the booth operated by Shenyang-based Siasun Robot and Automation Co., Ltd. Siasun has been in touch with the First Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang since the early outbreak of COVID-19. It has donated 10 nursing robots and seven logistics robots to the hospital, according to Li Xuewei, general manager of Siasun's medical and health robot division. Li said Siasun's nursing robots have helped COVID-19 patients recover, and reduced cross-infection and labor intensity for medical staff, thus improving efficiency. It took just three days to complete installation and debugging processes after the robots arrived at the hospital. "At the CIFTIS, people can experience in person of all kinds of robots that are better serving human beings now," Li said. Shenzhen-based company UBTECH Robotics Corp has brought its intelligent thermal detection robots, which participated on the frontline in the anti-epidemic battle, to exhibit at the fair. Zhou Jian, founder of UBTECH, said the robots developed by the company have not only taken up tasks at hospitals, schools and enterprises in China, but have also provided anti-epidemic services in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Belgium, Nigeria and other countries. The global robot market was valued at about 29.41 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, with service robots contributing nearly one third of the total and seeing the fastest growth of 14.1 percent, according to the Chinese Institute of Electronics (CIE). China's service robot market was estimated to be worth 2.2 billion dollars by the CIE in 2019, accounting for more than a quarter of the global service robot market. "We've achieved the independent R&D of core algorithms and software platforms, as well as the design and manufacturing of the products," said Li Xuewei, adding that China's high-tech industry has entered a fast track, providing advanced AI services to more global consumers. Enditem US President Donald Trump arrives to speak after touring the Lima Army Tank Plant at Joint Systems Manufacturing in Lima, Ohio, March 20, 2019. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images One of the most talked about articles of the week is Jeffrey Goldberg's bombshell report in The Atlantic detailing President Donald Trump's appalling insults against military heroes, who he reportedly dismissed as "losers" and "suckers." Two Never Trump conservatives, Jennifer Rubin and Charlie Sykes, have responded to Goldberg's article with articles of their own and both of them contemplate how many Republicans will or won't have the courage to call Trump out for insulting Americans who served in the military. The Trump White House has flatly denied the allegations of Goldberg's sources. Yet the type of anti-veteran insults those sources attribute to Trump are consistent with his comments about the late Sen. John McCain in 2015; Trump said of McCain, who was captured and imprisoned by the Viet Cong for five years during the Vietnam War, "I like people who weren't captured." And according to three of Goldberg's sources, Trump had no interest in honoring McCain after he died in 2018 and said, "We're not going to support that loser's funeral." Goldberg also reports that when Trump visited France in 2018, he insulted the American World War I veterans buried at Aisne-Marne Cemetery and said, "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers." The reporting in Goldberg's article, according to Rubin, "seems entirely in character for Trump." But she doesn't expect a lot of Republicans to condemn Trump because of it. (Some Trump current and former officials denied aspects of the report on the record after it was published.) Rubin argues that the senior officials quoted anonymously in Goldberg's article should have had the courage to take a stand when Trump was insulting military veterans in their presence. Story continues "The silence of these senior aides is really no different from the silence of virtually all elected Republicans," Rubin writes. "They, along with intellectually corrupt right-wing pundits and media outlets, have denied, deflected, ignored or excused almost everything that has come out of Trump's mouth. The so-called Republican hawks Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have stuck with him through thick and thin. They did not condemn him when he first slandered POWs . It seems there is no insult, lie or exaggeration about our troops too great to prompt these Republicans to declare Trump unfit to serve as commander in chief." Meantime, in The Bulwark, Sykes notes that although Republicans he describes as "anti-anti-Trumpers" have been expressing "skepticism" about Goldberg's reporting, they "know that the accounts are most likely true because they've seen it so many times before." Sykes explains: "No one has forgotten how he mocked John McCain as a POW, or attacked Gold Star families. He has suggested that soldiers in Iraq were stealing money they were supposed to distribute. But Republicans eventually accepted it all. The anti-anti-Trumpers found a way to look the other way." In his article, Sykes makes a distinction between "anti-anti-Trumpers" in the GOP and Trump's "hardcore bootlickers" in the GOP. The "anti-anti-Trumpers," Sykes argues, might privately cringe over things Trump says but won't criticize him publicly, whereas the "hardcore bootlickers" genuinely adore him. According to Sykes, "This is what distinguishes anti-anti-Trumpers from the hardcore bootlickers: the anti-antis generally have no illusions about the man's character, and even remember the many times that he has lashed out viciously at women, minorities, the disabled and veterans. But they salve their consciences in various ways. Today, they would prefer to talk about Nancy Pelosi's visit to a hair salon." This week, the right-wing media have been obsessing over Speaker Pelosi getting her hair done, which they insist, she wouldn't have done if she took social distancing as seriously as she claims. Goldberg's article is "awkward" for Republicans, Sykes writes, "because it dramatically raises the ante. It causes a stirring in the place where their consciences have been hibernating. What if it is true that the commander-in-chief, who is seeking another four years in office, is a small, vicious and despicable man who dishonors everything he touches?" Related Articles live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More State Bank of India (SBI) said it has launched a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for its employees to help them in their career decisions and not as a measure to reduce workforce or cut costs. The bank said this in a statement after reports that a VRS scheme has been launched to cut costs and workforce. There have been media reports about the 'On Tap VRS' scheme proposed to be introduced by SBI. The reports have been interpreted as a cost-cutting measure and the banks intent to reduce workforce, the bank said. It was thought to provide a congenial solution to employees who expressed desire for making strategic shift in their vocations, either due to professional growth limitations, mobility issues, physical health conditions or family situations, said the bank in a statement. SBI has been employee friendly and is expanding its operations and requires people, which is evidenced by the fact that the bank has plans of recruiting more than 14,000 employees this year, it said. SBI has an existing workforce of around 2.50 lakh and has been in the forefront of serving employee needs and designing ways and means for engaging and assisting employees in their life journey. While our commitment towards our valued employees remains unshakable, we are deeply desirous of skilling the unemployed youth of the country, as is evidenced by the fact that we are the only bank in the country which has onboarded Apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Scheme of Govt of India, SBI said. WWII: How an Error Turned the Tide During the Battle of Britain In September 1940, Hitler pledged to destroy British cities Commentary Eighty years ago this month one of the great turning points of the Second World War took place, one that saved the radar and airfield defences of an England on the brink of invasion. With the fall of France in June 1940, nothing but the English Channel stood between Hitlers blitzkrieg and British soil. Many, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill, expected invasion to be imminent. Preparations were made as well as possible, including small arms practice by the Royal Family and the prime minister himself. In late May-early June, the heart of Britains army, its Expeditionary Force fighting in France, had been forced to leave most of its weapons and machinery in France when the Royal Navy, assisted by a large civilian flotilla, rescued more than 300,000 soldiers who otherwise would have been captured or killed by German forces. The evacuation became known as the Miracle of Dunkirk. To the amazement of many, Adolf Hitler chose this time to sight-see near Paris. The British, he was convinced, were not among Germanys natural enemies, and he desired not to conquer the island but to reach an accommodation with its government. Churchill would have none of it, and on July 10 the Battle of Britain, an attempt by the Germans to achieve air superiority prior to invasion, began. Airfields and radar stations, Britains newest and most promising technology, were targeted by the Luftwaffe from the start. Serious damage was done to landing strips, aerodromes, and fighter planes on the ground, as well as radar structures. At one point, Air Marshal Hugh Dowding despaired that the British could keep up the fight. Then the navigational error that turned the tide occurred. On the night of Aug. 24, a formation of Heinkel bombers lost their bearings and flew over London. (Some claim this was deliberate.) Thinking they were clear of the city, they released their bombs and went home. Hitler had forbidden the bombing of London in hopes of sparing German cities the wrath of British attacks. An angry Churchill, sensing a chance to save his embattled airfields, ordered a reprisal raid. Eighty-one Wellington bombers flew to Berlin. The political and cultural heart of Nazi Germany, Berlin was deep inside the Third Reich. Putting aside reason, advice, and the fact his air force had nearly crippled British defences by pummeling their aerodromes and radar stations, on Sept. 4 Hitler promised a cheering crowd that since Britain had dared to bomb Berlin, he would smash her cities. Hundreds of bombers attacked London, and before the Blitz was over many other centres such as Coventry were also in flames, with more than 40,000 civilians killed. But the aerodromes and radar stations were largely spared from that point, and the damaged ones were repaired. This enabled the young men in Hurricanes and Spitfires to prevail, preserving air superiority over English soil and the English Channel and making invasion untenable. In this manner, England was saved. A German Messerschmitt fighter plane is paraded outside the Houses of Parliament in London after being shot down by Allied Spitfire pilots, circa 1940. (Keystone/Getty Images) Churchills Genius Another part of the story also needs to be stressed. Had almost anyone other than Churchill been prime minister, Hitler might well have achieved a peace pactand then broken it to slaughter innocents, as he had done before. Respected men like Viscount Halifax and Neville Chamberlain argued for accommodation, not war; they wanted peace, not another bloodbath such as they had witnessed from 1914 to 1918. Like Churchill, they were products of the First World War, when almost a full generation, the cream of British manhood, was mowed down by machine guns and shelling in the trenches of France. Some 887,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom and its colonies died in the Great War, while 1.6 million were wounded. (Germany suffered 4.3 million dead and missing.) Britain was also crippled financially, its treasury depleted. Chamberlain, having misread Hitlers intentions (after being lied to and deceived at Munich in 1938), and lacking conviction and direction as Hitlers armies roared across the Low Countries early in 1940, had been pressured by his own party to step down. While many Conservatives favoured replacing him with the predictable but dour Halifax over the brilliant but unstable (so they said) Churchill, the majority embraced Churchills genius, his clarion calls to prepare, his bulldog tenacity, and his long grooming for war as a soldier, writer, statesman, and historian. It helped that he was a descendant of John Churchill, a British hero, the 1st Duke of Marlborough (16501722). Even as a youth, Churchill felt destined for greatness. We are all worms, he liked to say, in mock humility, but Im a glow worm. Indeed. There was no one else like him in Parliament. It was an epic case of preparation meeting opportunity. Had Churchill been killed in the Boer War as a young man, or if illness had put out his light as a youth, then accommodation with Hitler may well have been reached in May-June 1940. Disarmed, England would have been weak. Almost certainly, the same slaughter of Jews, intellectuals, the infirm, Gypsies, and homosexuals which took place on continental Europe (some six million dead to 1945 in addition to six million Jews) would also have happened in England. Many in England and North America had openly admired Hitlers success in rejuvenating the German economy during the Great Depression. Mackenzie King, Canadas prime minister and usually a shrewd judge of character, met with the German dictator in June 1937 and left convinced of his peaceful intentions. American hero Charles Lindberg, whose solo trans-Atlantic flight in May 1927 was the first of its kind, also admired the Austrian-born fascist with the peasant background and beguiling ways. But Churchill knew better. Almost alone in the 1930s, the man many regard as the greatest Englishman who ever lived sounded the alarm week after week in the House of Commons as friends fed him gen (facts) about Germanys rearming in breach of the Treaty of Versailles, or about Jews and others being persecuted. Alone among the Conservatives, embattled within his own party, accused of war-mongering and malice, Churchill stared down the gullible minions around him and soldiered on in his tireless efforts to see that England was ready for the conflict to come. She scarcely was. Thanks largely to Churchills fewthe pilots of Hurricanes and Spitfires who fought courageously to stop Hitlers invasionEngland won the Battle of Britain. While 1,497 Allied aircrew died in the victory, including 22 Canadians (more than 100 Canadians took part), some 2,500 German aircrew also perished. At least eight American pilots fought in the Battle of Britain, including ex-barnstormers and a Minnesota farm boy. Thanks are also due to the many women in Britains civil defences such as those in fire brigades, ambulance drivers, nurses, and air raid wardens, not to mention the many in factories making armaments. With the great assistance of Churchills friend President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the United States, and the indomitable efforts of Soviet armies to repel Hitlers troops on the Eastern Front (where 27 million Soviet troops and civilians died, and 4 million Germans), the Allies went on to win the war. Yet it all hinged, in those early months of the conflict, on a certain raid of Heinkels going astray over London. Such are the vicissitudes of war. Since 1987, Brad Bird (the Canadian columnist and author, not the Hollywood director) has reported on wars in the Western Sahara, Basque Country, Chechnya, Kosovo, and Ukraine. He comes from a line of military men. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is examining claims from a whistleblower that Rio Tinto was aware of problems at its underground copper mine extension project of Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia months before the miner confirmed the project would face delays and higher costs, the Financial Times reported https://on.ft.com/3h4XQeb on Sunday. The SEC is probing allegations made by Richard Bowley, a British national who worked for the company's copper business in Mongolia between 2017 and 2019, the newspaper said, citing people with knowledge of the situation. The U.S regulator has not yet decided to launch an investigation, the newspaper added. In July, Rio Tinto said it cut estimated reserves at its underground copper mine extension of Oyu Tolgoi and confirmed it would face delays and higher costs after ground instability forced it to redesign the mine plan. Oyu Tolgoi (OT) is Rio's biggest copper growth project but has faced geological challenges. The SEC was not immediately available for Reuters' request for comment. (Reporting by Sabahatjahan Contractor in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrea Ricci) Your browser does not support the video tag. Fedor Holz Wins Second Bracelet in WSOP Online Event #79: $25,000 Heads Up NLHE ($1,077,025) September 06, 2020 On the final Sunday night of the 2020 WSOP Online, Fedor Holz wrote another chapter in a career for the ages and extended his poker legacy further by capturing his second WSOP bracelet in Event #79: $25,000 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em [People's Choice Event, Most Popular]. The GGPoker ambassador defeated Brunno Botteon in the finals after dispatching Sergi Reixach a round earlier. Holz received $1,077,025 for his victory with some of that distributed right back into the community through GGPoker's staking feature. With the win, Holz closes in on the No. 7 spot on the Hendon Mob all-time money list currently held by David Peters, who won his second bracelet in the $10,000 edition of this event. The PokerCode founder blazed through both of his matches, needing about 45 minutes to work himself past Reixach while taking only 15 to crush Botteon in a lopsided final. The German follows up on his 2016 win in the $111,111 NLHE High Roller for One Drop to another highlight to an endless list of accolades. Botteon received $622,300 for finishing runner-up, while Reixach and Oktay Kahyaoglu scored $311,150 each for reaching the semifinals. Check out below how Holz celebrated his final hand. Crazy emotions right now. Shipped my second bracelet and a million bucks (also for 130 lucky staker)! ## https://t.co/mDvnq4J7Io Fedor Holz (@CrownUpGuy) WSOP Online Event #79: $25,000 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em Final Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Fedor Holz Germany $1,077,025 2 Brunno Botteon Brazil $622,300 3 Oktay Kahyaoglu Turkey $311,150 4 Sergi Reixach Spain $311,150 5 Jason McConnon United Kingdom $194,469 6 Justin Bonomo United States $194,469 7 Stuart Wallensteen Canada $194,469 8 Aaron Van Blarcum United States $194,469 Relive Holz' bracelet win in the PokerNews live report Holz Dispatches Reixach After taking a five-day hiatus, four players returned from a field that originally sported 127 entries. Needing five wins to make it to the semis, Holz worked his way through a stacked line-up of Luc Greenwood, Anton Morgenstern, Robert Flink, George Wolff, and an epic quarterfinal showdown against Justin Bonomo who denied him a $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop victory back in 2018. Taking on Reixach in the bottom part of the bracket, Holz quickly found himself trailing after losing some smaller pots to see Reixach close to getting a 2-to-1 lead. In the second level, Holz picked up a sizable pot after a river shove that wasn't called to match the stacks. He then flopped a set of fives against Reixach's aces, but a four-flush board shut down river action. Still, Holz held the lead after that and never relinquished it. In the final hand between the two, Reixach held ace-jack and flopped an ace, but Holz turned a flush with his two clubs to gain a mortal lock on the hand. Holz shoved all in on the river and Reixach called it off to see his chances at a WSOP bracelet evaporate. Follow all the latest from the GGPoker 2020 WSOP - LIVE! The cards are in the air in the GGPoker WSOP Online. The PokerNews live reporting team is on top of all things WSOP. Don't miss a beat! FOLLOW HERE Lightning-Fast Final vs. Botteon In the top half of the bracket, Botteon awaited after he eliminated Kahyaolgu in a grindy affair. While Holz could take his time to prepare, Botteon needed the better part of 90 minutes to advance past his Turkish adversary. The final proved lopsided with Holz opening up a 3-to-1 lead right away in the first level. Botteon couldn't answer Holz's river check-raise all in and was left with half his stack. Shortly after, those remaining chips flew in on an eight-five-four flop. Holding pocket tens, Botteon's overpair was crushed by Holz's fives, who had flopped another set with them. The nine on the turn and four on the river sealed the deal for Holz to add another highlight to a storied career. 2020 WSOP Online Bracelet Winners on GGPoker Sign Up for a GGPoker Account Through PokerNews If you want to play in the WSOP 2020 Online on GGPoker, tonight is your last chance to do so! You'll need to sign up for an account in order to jump into the action. By downloading GGPoker via PokerNews entitles you to a welcome bonus worth up to $600. Your first deposit is matched 200% up to a maximum of $600. The bonus releases into your account in $10 increments each time you earn 6,000 Fish Buffet Points, which is the equivalent of $60 in rake or tournament fees. While the $25K Heads-Up is over, there's plenty more action going on over at GGPoker during the WSOP's final Sunday! Check out the $10,000 WSOP Super MILLION$ with a $5M guarantee, the final day of the $100 WSOP MILLION$, or the $500 Closer, right here on PokerNews. Sharelines The GGPoker ambassador doubled his bracelet tally on the final Sunday of the WSOP Online! Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on September 2, 2020, to attend Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) at the House of Commons in central London for the first time since the summer recess. The UK Parliament returned to work on September 1 with the governing Conservative Party having taking a summer of hits in the polls bringing them level with the main opposition Labour Party amid a series of embarrassing U-turns and economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.(photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) The eighth round of negotiations resume in London this week, with both sides talking increasingly tough, amid accusations of intransigence and political brinkmanship. The UK's chief negotiator, David Frost, did little to raise expectations about a breakthrough, promising no compromise on London's red lines, in a rare newspaper interview published on Sunday. His EU opposite number, Michel Barnier, this week said the talks stood or failed on the need to get an accord on EU access to UK fishing waters and state aid rules, but Britain was giving no ground. Brussels has already indicated that mid-October was the latest a deal could be struck, given the need for translation and ratification by the European Parliament. Despite months of refusing to confirm a firm cut-off date, Johnson agreed. "There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it's going to be in force by the end of the year," he said in remarks released by his office. "So, there is no sense in thinking beyond that point. If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us." Should that happen, Britain will have an "Australia-style" deal with the EU or one similar to that agreed with Canada and other countries, he said. Australia trades with the EU under World Trade Organization rules and tariffs. But Johnson, whose government had said it wanted a "zero tariff, zero quota" regime, insisted it would still be a "good outcome" for Britain. - Door open - Johnson's warning will likely compound criticisms from British pro-EU "remainers" that his ruling Conservative government envisaged a "no-deal" scenario all along, despite claiming the contrary. "Brexiteers" had promised that securing a deal with Britain's biggest trading partner would be straightforward and rejected criticism that unravelling nearly 50 years of ties with Europe would be lengthy and even impossible. Britain formally left the 27-member bloc on January 31 -- nearly four years after a divisive referendum that crippled the country politically and saw two prime ministers resign. Johnson, who took over after Theresa May repeatedly failed to get her Brexit divorce deal through parliament, promised Britain's borders and ports will be ready for when the so-called transition period comes to an end on December 31. Meanwhile, media reports said Johnson was also planning new UK legislation that would override parts of the withdrawal agreement made with the EU last year and ratified in January. According to The Financial Times, which cited three people close to the plans, the bill would undermine agreements relating to Northern Ireland customs and state aid. A government spokesperson told the newspaper it was "working hard to resolve outstanding issues" with the Northern Ireland protocol, which was negotiated as part of the deal in order to keep the Irish border open. - 'Full control' - Britain remains bound by EU rules while it tries to thrash out new terms of its relationship. The talks, which were on a tight timetable even before disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak, have stalled, notably because of wrangling over fishing rights and fair competition rules. Johnson did not rule out a deal altogether and vowed to work hard this month to achieve one. But he pledged Britain "will be ready" if talks break down. "We will have full control over our laws, our rules, and our fishing waters," he promised. "We will have the freedom to do trade deals with every country in the world. And we will prosper mightily as a result. "We will of course always be ready to talk to our EU friends even in these circumstances. "Our door will never be closed and we will trade as friends and partners - but without a free-trade agreement." A farmer works in a paddy field under power lines in Laos - Reuters Staff/Reuters The poor, small Southeast Asian country of Laos is set to cede majority control of its electric grid to a Chinese company, as it struggles to stave off a potential debt default, people with direct knowledge of the agreement said. The deal comes at a time when critics accuse Beijing of debt trap diplomacy to gain strategic advantage in countries struggling to repay loans taken out under President Xi Jinpings global Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. China is Laoss biggest creditor, and the deal will bind the landlocked, mountainous country of seven million people closer to its giant neighbour. The power grid shareholding deal was signed on Tuesday between state-owned Electricite du Laos (EdL) and China Southern Power Grid Co., according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, which did not give details of the new ownership. Three people with knowledge of the matter said it would give majority control of the new Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDLT) to the Chinese company. Power exports are central to Laoss development plans. It will give the Laos state grid better bargaining power with regional countries and start to make a profit, said one of the people with direct knowledge of the discussions. A view of the Mekong river bordering Thailand and Laos - Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters Chinas embassy in Laos said on its website that Laos would operate the transmission assets. It did not give shareholding details but said Laos can also gradually repurchase shares during the operation. Neither EdL nor China Southern responded to Reuters requests for comment on the deal. The Laos and Chinese governments did not respond to requests for comment either. Reporting from the Laos capital Vientiane, Xinhua quoted Laos energy and mines minister Khammany Inthirath as calling it a key project which would benefit from the Chinese companys advantages in experience, technology and human resources. The new company will operate under Laos government regulation, Xinhua reported, but would take advantage of China Southerns financial strength and mature experiences in power grid construction, operation and management. Story continues The state-run Vientiane Times said after the deal that EDLT would in future invest about $2 billion in the local grid and international connections. Laos has spent heavily on hydroelectric schemes, many financed by China, with the aim of becoming The Battery of Southeast Asia. But those projects, along with a new Chinese high speed railway, are at the centre of a debt crunch. The World Bank estimated in June that debt levels would reach up to 68 percent of GDP in 2020, from 59 percent last year. Rating agency Moodys warned last month of a material probability of default in the near term. The Mekong river is also of strategic importance to China - Boy_Anupong/Getty Images While Laos has recorded only 22 coronavirus cases and no deaths, the epidemic has hit tourism and overseas remittances hard. Laos debt service obligations in 2020 are around $1.2 billion with loans from commercial banks and Thai bonds maturing in September and October, Moodys said, but foreign reserves were just $864 million in June, according to the central bank. Among companies suffering delayed payments already are the Chinese firms behind hydroelectric projects that were not paying back as expected, people with knowledge of the China Southern agreement said. China was also considering postponing part of Laos total debt service payments, two people with direct knowledge said. Chinas government did not immediately respond to a question on the discussions. Economically Laos is going to depend more on China and this is inevitable, said Toshiro Nishizawa, a Japanese professor who has advised the Laos government on fiscal stability. Laos could be eligible for help by the International Monetary Fund under its Covid-19 Financial Assistance and Debt Service Relief response, from which 80 countries are benefiting, two Western diplomats said. But they said it had made clear it would rather try to find a solution with China. An IMF deal would require greater financial transparency. Total Chinese investment in power, transport, a border economic zone and other projects already totals over $10 billion, according to Xinhua citing figures from Laos. That is more than double investment by Thailand, the next biggest. A study published in 2019 by the Australia-based Lowy Institute put Laos debt to China at 45 percent of GDP. The economic relationship with Beijing has also strengthened political ties, with Laos a reliable backer of Chinas position on matters such as the South China Sea in the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Laos was the first country to endorse Chinese leader Xis political message of building of community of common destiny. Giving China a major stake in the Battery of Southeast Asia Plan puts Laos fast on the track of becoming a pseudo-province of China, said Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia programme director of the Stimson Center think-tank in Washington. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 04:41:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's former president Evo Morales on Sunday rejected the nomination of a U.S. official to preside over the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a lending institution traditionally led by a Latin American. "Supporting Trump's candidate for the IDB presidency is an attack against the interests of the country and a betrayal of the region," said Morales, who was forced out by the opposition and now lives in exile in neighboring Argentina. "The IDB will cease to be a development bank and will have a disastrous role, like that of the IMF (International Monetary Fund)," should the United States succeed in placing its representative at the helm of the organization, Morales said via Twitter. The proposed candidate is Mauricio Claver-Carone, senior director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, a key architect of U.S. President Donald Trump's policy toward Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Other regional voices have also rejected the nomination, including Argentina, whose Minister of Foreign Affairs Felipe Sola instead proposed Argentine politician Gustavo Beliz to head the IDB. "The figure of Claver-Carone is not questioned from a technical perspective, it is questioned from a political perspective, because it expresses the most hardline U.S. vision of the Americas," Sola said on July 16. A slew of regional ex-presidents, including those from Chile, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico, as well as Spain's government, issued a statement opposing the U.S. nominee and calling for a delay in the election of the IDB's next head, which is due to take place on Sept. 12 and 13. Enditem The Romanian Naval Forces (FNR) marked, on Monday, the 90th anniversary since the entry into the service of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria destroyers, the predecessors of the frigates that bear the same names today, informs a press release of the General Staff of the Naval Forces (SMFN). The jubilee of the ships King Ferdinand and Queen Maria was marked by the organization of a military and religious ceremony in the Constanta Military Port, on which occasion glorious pages from the history of the two destroyers have been commemorated."The two destroyers were built between 1927-1930, in the Italian shipyards CTT&Pattison, and docked, on September 7, 1930, in the Constanta Port, as part of the "Aces Square" of the Romanian Royal Navy. They wrote important pages in the history of Romania, by participating, with courage and sacrifice, in more than 30 operations of war and defence of the maritime coast, during the Second World War, and by the successful evacuation of the Romanian and German troops from Crimea, between April 5 and May 14, 1944, under the "Operation 60,000" mission, reads the same press release.The tradition of destroyers was continued by the entry into service, on September 9, 2004, and April 21, 2005, respectively, of the frigates King Ferdinand and Queen Maria, who, since 2005, have constantly participated in drills and missions at the national level or with foreign partners and NATO allies. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday pledged to donate his eyes, the government said. He also launched a dedicated portal of the state Health and Family Welfare Department to help eye donors. Chief minister Edapadi K Palaniswami pledged to donate his eyes and was presented with the certificate (for this purpose) by Principal Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, an official release here said. He also launched the website www.hmis.tn.gov.in/eye- donor, which would be helpful to people interested in eye donation. Since many prospective donors were not aware how to go about vis-a-vis eye donation, this website will help create a registry of such persons and also spread awareness on the subject, the release said. They can register in the portal by sharing their personal details including mobile phone number and e-mail and pledge to donate their eyes following which an e-certificate would be sent to them. This initiative will be helpful in using a donors eyes at the right time as they will be handed over to the eye bank, the release added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a major success for the security forces, the Delhi Police Special Cell on Monday (September 7) arrested two terrorists of banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) after an ecnounter in North West Delhi. According to police, large amount of arms and ammunition have been recovered from them. The two terrorists identified as Bhupender alias Dilawar Singh and Kulwant Singh were wanted in several cases. Delhi Police Special Cell has recovered six pistols and 40 cartridges recovered from their possession. BKI is a terrorist organisation that operates in Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and in some parts of India. in 2019, four members of the BKI were chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In the chargesheet, the NIA had mentioned that the four terrorists were planning and conspiring to carry out terror acts in Punjab. BKI was founded in 1978 after clashes with the Nirankari sect of Sikhs. The group remained active throughout the 1980s in the Punjab insurgency, though its influence declined in the 1990s after police took action against the group. When I see young people on TV, so many of them are angry. I think what happened is that they had a rude awakening as they aged. Their schools, families and society in general caved to their emotional demands for years. They were never held responsible for their actions. Now these 20-somethings entered a world where consequences are real and actually enforced. If you dont pay rent, you will be evicted. If you dont go to work, you will be fired. To them, it all seems so unfair. To us, it is a normal part of life. The Bishops of Portugal hold their first meeting of the pastoral year, bringing together a team that is working "behind-the-scenes" on the organisation of World Youth Day 2023. By Vatican News Preparations for World Youth Day in Lisbon resumed on Saturday, marking the beginning of the new pastoral year. According to Archbishop Americo Aguiar, auxiliary bishop of Lisbon and president of the "WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation, Pope Francis is following the preparations for World Youth Day quietly and with excitement. Last Wednesday, 2 September, Archbishop Aguiar participated in the first General Audience held by the Pope with participation of the faithful, after they had been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. "The Pope is very happy, but he is also calm, said Archbishop Aguiar, explaining that this is because "he is aware that the preparatory work for WYD is progressing." "He also asked us not to forget the dimension of solidarity," added the Archbishop. Solidarity The organisation of WYD 2023 has been "behind-the-scenes because the priority has been solidarity, explains the president of the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation. World Youth Day in Lisbon was initially due to take place in 2022 but was postponed by one year due to the health emergency triggered by the Covid-19 crisis. The delivery of the symbols of WYD - the Marian Cross and Icon - to the young people of Portugal was also postponed. Handing over of cross and icon Usually on Palm Sunday, which is Diocesan Youth Day, a delegation of young people from the country that hosted the most recent WYD deliver the two symbols to their peers of the nation that will host the following World Youth Day, in St. Peter's Square. This time it would have been Panama, where WYD 2019 was held, passing the cross and the Marian icon to Portugal. This year, however, the pandemic prevented the handover. In the true spirit of WYD At the moment, the handing over ceremony is scheduled for 22 November, the Feast of Christ the King. However, Archbishop Aguiar stressed that everything will depend on the health situation, because "the health and life of the participants" at WYD must be taken into account. Archbishop Aguiar expressed his hope that the event in Lisbon be truly "in tune with the lifestyle, the way of feeling and the language of the young people", so that they may be the real protagonists of the event. The San Antonio police have a man in custody for allegedly shooting a driver on the city's West Side, according to authorities. Officers responded to a shooting around 2 a.m. Monday in the 8100 block of Marbach Road, near John Jay High School. Moussa81/iStockBy ANGELINE JANE BERNABE, ABC News (NEW YORK) -- Pregnancy isn't always easy for expectant moms, and that includes mogul and author Chrissy Teigen, who is expecting her third child. Teigen shared on Twitter on Sept. 4 that she's been suffering from "bad pregnancy headaches," which she also struggled with during her second pregnancy. "I love being pregnant," Teigen tweeted in 2017. "I like it more than not being pregnant. But the headaches, my god the headaches. Someone please help. Don't say water. Or Tylenol. Or iron. Or magnesium. I need witchcraft." This time around though, the superstar mom isn't turning to witchcraft, but Botox. "Was thrilled to be cleared to do neck muscle botox along with a crazy combo of beta blocker shots and radio wave frequency something something doctor terms," Teigen tweeted on Friday. Teigen, who's no stranger to Botox, has been using it to treat her regular headaches and migraines caused by jaw grinding. "Women are three times more likely to suffer from [migraines] than men and they usually appear in their childbearing years, which is exactly what you've seen here with Chrissy Teigen," Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a Dallas-based OB-GYN, told ABC News' Good Morning America. But while headaches can be common in pregnancy, experts say one of the main concerns is the medication used to treat them -- some of which may be harmful to the developing fetus. According to the Food and Drug Administration, when it comes to Botox, "it is not known if BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby." The Food and Drug Administration also says that "there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women," and that it should be used "only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus." For the treatment of migraines during pregnancy, Shepherd said doctors typically start with over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol before discussing an alternative treatment such as Botox. "There are certain medications that are used for migraines that we typically try to use sparingly during the pregnancy," Shepherd said. "The important part is that you make sure that you talk to a doctor who is very comfortable using Botox for the treatment of migraines [in pregnancy]." Shepherd said it's very important for all patients to discuss any history of headaches with your doctor, what your triggers are and what treatments you've used in the past. "It is important when you go to your doctor, if you are a migraine sufferer, to let them know," she urged. Although it's unknown what the risks are for getting Botox injections while pregnant, Teigen expressed on Twitter how it's helping her. "It's just so bad but I see the light finally," she said. The Cravings cookbook author announced her pregnancy in August by showing off her baby bump in husband John Legend's music video for "Wild." The two are also parents to 4-year-old daughter Luna, and 2-year-old son Miles. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 11:27 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431fe97 1 National KPK,Corruption-Eradication-Comission,Firli-Bahuri,Agus-Rahardjo,abraham-samad,corruption,detention,graft-suspect,ICW,graft-fight-in-Indonesia Free While critics have slammed him for prioritizing prevention over law enforcement, recent data show that Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Firli Bahuri has led the agency to arrest more graft suspects compared to his predecessors. Over his first six months of leading the countrys anticorruption agency, Firli said he would prioritize preventive measures first, such as pushing for systemic governance reform and stepping up anticorruption education among the public. This has led to criticism from activists, who say that such an approach has diminished the publics trust in the KPK. However, according to data compiled by The Jakarta Post, under Firli, the KPK has detained 60 graft suspects as of Aug. 18 -- roughly eight months after President Joko Jokowi Widodo appointed him as the commissions chairman. The latest arrest was that of Rachmat Yasin, the former regent of Bogor in West Java who was named a suspect for allegedly embezzling money from various agencies between 2008 and 2014. In comparison, the graft busters only detained 28 suspects during the first eight months of Agus Rahardjos tenure from 2015 to 2019. The antigraft body made even fewer arrests during Abraham Samads term from 2011 to 2015 with 22 arrests. Most of the detainees were members of the legislative body at the national and regional level, with 22 suspects. Half of them were former North Sumatra councillors, who were detained on July 22 for their alleged role in a bribery case implicating former governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho, who was convicted in 2016. Despite the higher score, more than half of the suspect namings--36 suspects--were the result of investigations that had begun prior to Firlis term. Graft busters had only named 24 suspects from new investigations. Moreover, only six suspects had met their fate in court. Read also: Drastic action needed to save KPK amid controversies, lackluster performance: Activists Activists suggest that the high number does not necessarily translate to the KPKs good performance under Firlis leadership. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) activist Kurnia Ramadhana said the KPK still had a long list of unresolved major cases. He added that the antigraft body had yet to show seriousness to solve them. The long list includes the e-ID graft case that cost the country Rp 2.3 trillion (US$155 million), the Bank Indonesia liquidity support (BLBI) bailout graft case that caused an estimated Rp 4.5 trillion in state losses and the Rp 7.4 trillion Bank Century graft case. Kurnia went on to say that investigators had also launched fewer operations to arrest graft suspects, as Firlis KPK only scored two this year. Detention is only a part of a long process. Despite the high number of [suspects] detained, a lot of problems behind the scenes arent sorted out yet; therefore, the detention cant be justification [for good performance], he said recently. Zaenur Rochman of the Gadjah Mada University Center for Anticorruption Studies (Pukat UGM) urged Firli to lead the KPK to focus on strategic sectors, which usually caused the most state losses, as the commission had limited number of investigators. Read also: Turning employees into civil servants will not affect KPK's independence: State Palace Among the strategic sectors is the health sector, as the government is expected to spend at least Rp 677.2 trillion to handle the COVID-19 outbreak. Another area is corruption involving law enforcement officers. This area is important because [good] law enforcement is a key to eradicating graft. We cant clean a room with a dirty broom, said Zaenur. KPK acting spokesperson Ali Fikri accepted the criticism. Were trying our best to eradicate corruption in the country, he said on Sunday. ASEAN countries are becoming a rising hub destination for global manufacturers thanks to well-established trade networks, a growing middle class, a thirst for tech expansion, and a young and educated workforce. As a region, ASEAN has experienced years of consistent high growth. Its markets now draw more foreign direct investment and are wealthier than before and by 2030, the regions economy is expected to double from $3.1 trillion in 2019 to $6.6 trillion over the next few years, according to United Overseas Bank Ltd. From a demographic perspective, the regions credentials are equally impressive. ASEAN is currently home to over 660 million people equivalent to a little under half the population of China of whom 450 million are of working age. By 2030 these numbers will likely swell to 725 million and 488 million respectively. It is this demographic windfall, combined with economic expansion, that will power the region forward in the decade ahead. Talking with VIR, CEO of Malaysian-based Elquator Henrik Pryter said the ongoing pandemic has raised vulnerabilities and is quickening shifts in key exchange hallways. On the other hand, worldwide supply chains are being broadened. This presents openings for both inbound and outbound activities for ASEAN. Pryters company aims to expand to countries such as the United Kingdom and Denmark to meet the surging demand. If successful, the moves would further demonstrate the product capacity of ASEAN groups. China remains the leader in global manufacturing, with every fluctuation in its manufacturing output and cost levels making headlines around the world. But foreign investors are increasingly turning their gaze southward to the 10 dynamic markets comprising ASEAN, with manufacturing one of the blocs key economic growth drivers. Already, the region is a global manufacturing hub and was estimated to have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 per cent in the last four years. Many big names are already based here, including Bosch, Ford, ABB, Ericsson, GE, Samsung, LG, ExxonMobil, Coca-Cola, and Pepsico, and many more. Foreign investors have a growing awareness of ASEANs value as a base of operations mostly focused on chemicals, food and beverages, metals, and motor vehicles, but other sectors such as renewables and water treatment are fast becoming new trends. Horst Harbers, CEO and founder at OptiCat R2V Pte., Ltd. which is collaborating with Swedish water purification innovators Drupp told VIR, My aim is to use renewable energy here in Southeast Asia to further promote the modular water from air technology to many businesses looking for a sustainable solution, including food and beverages and personal care manufactures. In recent report from Cushman & Wakefield (C&W), it was noted that the current China-US trade war and the ongoing pandemic may be catalyst for change but they are not the underlying drivers for the growth of ASEAN manufacturing. The manufacturing shift towards Southeast Asia has been a long time in the making. As minimum wages in China grew, more orders for labour-intensive products, such as clothes, toys, and shoes shifted to less expensive locations in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Vietnam, the report said. However, despite government initiatives to attract manufacturers by Southeast Asian countries, China retains a clear infrastructure advantage with the ability to efficiently move goods via road, rail, or sea transport. In Southeast Asia, on the other hand, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Manila enjoy a cost differential over all Chinese markets offering cheaper land and labour. In fact, Vietnam has jumped a few notches in C&Ws global ranking of the most cost competitive manufacturing hubs to number two after China. Beyond this, Jakarta and Bangkok act as alternative locations for higher order manufacturing due to higher costs in rent and labour respectively, according to the report. ASEAN has been playing on cost efficiencies. It is time to transform that into technology-led innovation because thats the way they will participate in global value chains and also grow across industries, said a representative of Standard Chartered at last weeks ASEAN Business Forum. Whether expanding into ASEAN or reconfiguring their current regional footprint, foreign investors need to carefully analyse both their medium- and long-term implications for two reasons, according to a report from McKinsey & Company. Firstly, companies face extended time horizons for realising returns on capital-intensive investments. Secondly, the process for plant location requires significant time, resources, and organisational focus. Having to repeat this process unexpectedly, due to significant shifts in demand, for example, could have a material impact on a companys supply chain, business strategy, and bottom line, the report said. Natalie Black - UK Trade Commissioner for Asia-Pacific The United Kingdom has launched the first Digital Trade Network, starting in the Asia-Pacific. This will increase UK digital tech expertise on the ground in ASEAN, allowing us to strengthen our partnerships for the digital economy and unlock the benefits that responsible tech can deliver. The UK government will further deepen its digital partnership with ASEAN through a pilot which will explore how micro, small, and medium-sized tech enterprises can deliver digital solutions to some of the more challenging business issues faced in the region. The UK will also continue to work closely with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council to develop a private sector regional digital trade connectivity roadmap, complementing the ASEAN Single Window programme which can lead to more facilitative trade within the bloc and beyond. Michele DErcole - President, ICHAM Vietnam Italian companies and the skills found within mechanical segments can work as a vital resource for ASEAN nations inside the setting of modification of supply chains. Numerous conversations focus on making smart cities, e-governments, and networks as well as organising security. Smart cities and Industry 4.0 definitely help Vietnam along with other countries, as here in Italy, our government has also designed Industry 4.0 policy initiatives. They are an assignment given to a city that uses green vitality, clean vitality, and a framework for the long haul, upgrading the quality and execution of urban life to decrease utilisation, wastage, and costs. They also incorporate numerous perspectives which are not continuously simple for ASEAN nations that encounter fast and solid urbanisation. We are willing to share our experience with ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, on how to utilise smart cities and reach sustainable development. VIR Nguyen Thu Should Vietnam pursue hi-tech or ecological agriculture? In an agricultural ecosystem, the impact caused by humans, such as a decline in biodiversity, which affects food chains and food networks, has created more risks. Surprised? Not at all. Shocked? Yes. Yet again. No one who has been paying even the slightest bit of attention to the actions and statements of Donald Trump, from even before he was elected president, could have been at all surprised to learn that he called our nations fallen veterans losers and suckers. But while the details didnt seem out of character, it was nonetheless shocking. An article in The Atlantic written by Jeffrey Goldberg and posted online late last week paints a portrait of our nations president, and commander in chief of the military, that is at once disturbing, disheartening and completely believable. After the pieces appearance, the reporting was independently confirmed by The Associated Press, The Washington Post, CNN and Fox News. Yes, Fox News. The White House, not surprisingly, scrambled to condemn The Atlantics reporting, which came from four anonymous sources who were said to have firsthand knowledge of the events described. The most damning anecdote: Trump canceled a planned visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018, claiming at the time that the helicopter could not transport him there because of bad weather. In fact, Goldberg reports, Trump was concerned about the effects the rain would have on his hair, and in conversations with senior staff on the morning of the scheduled visit had said, Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers. Of course Trump immediately and vehemently denied the report. But consider, this is a man who, during the 2016 campaign, disparaged then-Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican who had been held prisoner of war for five and a half years after his bomber was shot down over North Vietnam in October 1967. He was repeatedly tortured during his stay at what was known as the Hanoi Hilton, and yet refused early release, which was offered as a public relations stunt when his captors learned that his father was an admiral. In July 2015, at an event in Ames, Iowa, Trump said of McCain: He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured. Not at all far removed from the sentiment he now denies having expressed of the fallen vets just two years back. Well ask, and not for the first time: Where is the outrage? Why are congressional Republicans not hopping mad over this news? Ailing Pizza Express has confirmed it plans to permanently shut 73 of its restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk. The closures span Aberdeen to Torquay, including its original site in Wardour Street in Soho, London, which opened in 1965. Other sites across major cities including Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh are also set to stay closed for good. The closures will affect one in six - or around 16 per cent - of its UK sites. Pizza Express has had plans to shut 73 restaurants approved by creditors (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Gone: The Pizza Express branch on Lloyds Avenue in Ipswich is staying closed for good Closed: Pizza Express has permanently shut its restaurant in Sudbury, it announced today The company has said it will try to look for redeployment opportunities for staff affected by the closures. Pizza Express' branch in Woking, Surrey, is not on the list of the 73 restaurants due to close. The Woking branch was mentioned by Prince Andrew during his televised interview with the BBC's Emily Maitlis last year. It is the latest in a raft of casual dining chains, including Zizzi-owner Azzurri Group, Byron Burger, and Frankie & Bennys owner The Restaurant Group, to shut sites after being hit by lockdown. Pizza Express has 355 restaurants open across Britain, and over 30 more restaurants and music venues are scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks. Locations of the 73 Pizza Express restaurants closing Aberdeen Belmont St Aylesbury Barnstaple Three Tuns Biggleswade Billericay Birmingham Corporation St Birmingham Mailbox Bournemouth Post Office Rd Bramhall Bristol Berkeley Sq Bristol Regent St Bromsgrove Bruton Place Charlotte St Chippenham Dalton Park Darlington Dudley Merry Hill Earls Court Earls Ct Rd Edinburgh Holyrood Formby Fulham Palace Road Glasgow Princes Square Glossop Gosforth Grantham Halifax Hampstead Hatch End Hereford Heswall Ipswich Lloyds Ave Leeds Crown St Leeds Horsforth Ludlow Lymington Melton Mowbray Midhurst Milton Keynes Hub Moseley New Brighton Newcastle Newport Isle of Wight Newport South Wales Northallerton Nottingham Goosegate O2 Finchley Orpington Oxford Oxford Castle Poole Port Solent Ramsgate Reading St Marys Butts Scarborough Sheffield Devonshire St Sheffield The Moor Shirley Southport Old Bank Stafford Staines Stoke Stourbridge Sudbury Torquay Uxbridge Wakefield Walsall Wapping Wardour St Weston-super-Mare Whiteley Village Whitstable Wrexham How one man created Pizza Express after he wanted a 'taste of Italy' in London Pizza Express was founded by Peter Boizot in 1965, below is a brief history of the company and how it evolved 1965, London: Peter Boizot visited London and realised that 'great pizza didn't exist' in the capital. His first restaurant was opened that year 1969: Mr Boizot wanted to change the way people ate out and introduced the Pizza Express Jazz Club, which would go on to host the likes of Amy Winehouse 1993: Mr Boizot sells the restaurant chain for a reported 33 million after it was floated on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). It also opened franchises across the UK 1995: The chain expanded into the republic of Ireland 1996: Franchises re-purchased by the company 2003: TDR Capital and Capricorn Associates buy the company and make it private again 2005: Floated again on the LSE 2007: Purchased by private equity group Cinven 2011: Firm launches a major re-brand of its UK restaurants 2014: Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital acquires the brand for 900 million 2017: Launches PizzaExpress Live, which hosts various events including showing stand up comedians 2018: Mr Boizot dies at his home in Peterborough. It is reported that he left assets of 99,050. These were reduced to nil after his liabilities were settled 2019: Employs advisors to help them undergo talks with creditors The chain said 89 per cent of its creditors voted for its Company Voluntary Arrangement restructuring deal, which will also see it secure rent reductions. It needed a minimum of 75 per cent of creditors to vote in favour of the deal to give it the green light. In a statement, Pizza Express said today: 'The successful vote unlocks the companys ability to actively address the challenges brought by Covid-19, securing over 9,000 jobs in the UK. 'The directors of Pizza Express thank its creditors for their support during this period and look forward to ongoing partnership as the hospitality industry recovers to growth.' Last month, Pizza Express said the slump in revenue caused by the enforced closure of all restaurants during the pandemic, the cost of reopening, and Britain's uncertain economic future meant its rental costs were no longer sustainable. The restructuring will also see a significant de-leveraging on the groups external debt, reducing it from 735million to 319million. Around 144million of new funds will be pumped into the business to drive future growth. The company, which is majority-owned by Chinese firm Hony Capital, also confirmed last month that it had hired advisers from Lazard to lead a sale process for the business. Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out Scheme gave the hospitality sector a boost last month, but many casual dining chains look set to struggle as winter rolls in. Many chains in the sector faced dwindling profits and sky-high costs well before lockdown. The owner of Ask Italian and Zizzi restaurants plans to close 75 of its restaurants, putting 1,200 jobs at risk. Meanwhile, Casual Dining Group, the owner of Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge, and Las Iguanas, closed 91 restaurants when it collapsed into the hands of administrators in July. Back in June, The Restaurant Group, which owns Frankie & Bennys and Garfunkels, said it would close up to 120 restaurants, with nearly 3,000 jobs lost. Earlier this year, around 1,000 people employed at Italian restaurant chain Carluccio's lost their jobs amid a rescue deal. Last year, Jamie's Italian restaurant chain, led by Jamie Oliver, also went into administration, with 1,000 people losing their jobs as 22 sites were closed. Troubled times: The owner of Ask Italian and Zizzi restaurants plans to close 75 of its restaurants, putting 1,200 jobs at risk Collapsed: Jamie's Italian restaurant chain collapsed last year, with 1,000 jobs lost Video PlayerClose Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) via video on Sept. 4, 2020. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for joint efforts to overcome difficulties to promote the development and prosperity of global trade in services and push for global economic recovery as early as possible. He made the remarks while addressing the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) via video, underlining the need to boost global cooperation amid challenges. "Today, with COVID-19 yet to be brought under full control at the global level, all countries face the formidable task to defeat the virus, stabilize the economy, and protect livelihoods," he said. "It is against such a backdrop that China decided to hold this important international trade event despite many difficulties in preparation. It shows China's willingness to join hands with all of you in this trying time and work together to enable global trade in services to thrive and the world economy to recover at an early date," he said. Proposals for Cooperation Calling the open cooperation in the service sector "an increasingly important driver for development," he made three proposals. Firstly, all countries should jointly foster an open and inclusive environment for cooperation, Xi said. China will stay committed to further opening up, with measures including the establishment of a sound negative list management system in cross-border service trade, and the advancement of constructing open platforms for piloting innovative development of trade in services, Xi said. The country will also continue to ease market access in the service sector and actively expand imports of quality services, he said. The Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) is held in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2020. [Xinhua/Cai Yang] Secondly, all countries should work together to invigorate momentum for cooperation driven by innovation. China will work with all countries in enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights and actively promote the development of digital economy and sharing economy, Xi said. Thirdly, Xi called for joint efforts to break new ground in win-win cooperation. All countries should strengthen coordination in their development of trade in services, innovate the ways of cooperation, deepen the areas of cooperation and seek to maximize common interests in development. Beijing's Spearheading Role In his speech, Xi pledged support to better leverage Beijing's role in spearheading the opening-up of China's service sector. He said the country will support the municipality in developing a national integrated demonstration zone for greater openness in the service sector. A pilot free trade zone characterizing scientific and technological innovation, opening-up of the service sector, and digital economy will be established in Beijing, Xi said, noting that it will serve as a platform of high-standard opening-up for the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. CIFTIS, a large exhibition and trading platform dedicated to trade in services, has already been held six times since 2012. The theme of this year's CIFTIS is "Global Services, Shared Prosperity." (Source: Xinhua) Three people were injured when a seven-seater car crashed into a group of vehicles stopping at a red light in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday night. The accident occurred on No. 7 Street in Vinh Loc Industrial Park in Binh Tan District at around 8:10 pm. The seven-seater car rear-ended a motorbike carrying two people moving in the same direction before slamming into several vehicles waiting at a red light. The car driver and two others were injured in the crash. They were rushed to the hospital following the accident. Three motorbikes, two trucks, and the car in question were damaged in the pile-up. Municipal authorities are still investigating the accident. A seven-seater car is seriously damaged following a crash on No. 7 Street in Vinh Loc Industrial Park, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City, September 6, 2020. Photo: A.X. / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As the current pandemic in all its forms has been with us for around six months, Ive noticed that the crux of the public debate that surrounds Covid-19 has shifted from the purely medical, to that of what are, and what are not - appropriate governmental actions to contain the virus in a modern society. Go anywhere, or indeed read anything - and it is immediately noticeable that there are wide divisions in what the public as a whole think appropriate or inappropriate methods to contain the virus. Since the initial outbreak in early March, for instance their was a noticeable difference between various countries as to what was seen to be the most effective method of combating the coronavirus. From the British governments somewhat laid back attitude to any element of lockdown in those early days, to that of Spains immediate and tough complete lockdown and closure of almost everything. History will decide what was the best method in combating the pandemic, but it is interesting to look at the differing actions employed at that time and to scribe a path to where we are at the moment in comparing the perceived British approach - and that of Spain. Naturally enough, most european countries tend to fit around either models in their non medical approach to the pandemic. A Vaguely Coherent Policy I have to say that in the early days of Covid-19 during March and April when I was stuck in the United Kingdom for nine weeks, the difference in the approach by our two governments was astonishingly diverse. Whilst the UK government fifed-and-faffed about for what seemed like ages, agonising over - lets face it, a very limited lockdown - Spain went into full lockdown mode monitored closely and vigorously by the various police forces here, with random road blocks and a no nonsense protocol of stop and explain your reason for breaking lockdown the order of the day. Like it or not - and lets face it, not many people liked it - but a person certainly knew what they could or couldnt do, with almost no room for manoeuvre. In the UK, it was quite the opposite, with no-one actually sure what was expected of them, save for a few guidelines and it was an awful long time before anything vaguely coherent policy was presented to the public. Classic Government Arm Waving! Indeed, as Britain still wrings its hands over limited strategic and geographical lockdowns in individual cities, towns and communities - the Spanish government is floating (via the Public Prosectors Office) that those who wilfully break the coronavirus restrictions face a year in prison - as highlighted on Thursdays MDB splash front page headline. Now this could be a bit of classic government arm-waving, signifying not very much - or, it might be that those in authority are happy to consider tough action on those who flout the rules. Frankly, in the United Kingdom there would be outrage at such apparent strong arm tactics; questions would be asked in Parliament, opposition leaders and civil rights activists would be foaming at the mouth at the very thought that such draconian measures were to be introduced. On the other hand - there are many people in Britain who have never knowingly worn a face-mask at any time - anywhere. This is why the rules, or shall I say - advice/recommendations/guidance are routinely ignored and where I suppose that people are supposed to act responsibly, whereupon the word responsibly in this context, is never actually defined. Good luck with that one then! The rule Breakers, Why? In terms of those who break the rules that are set for them in whatever country or community they hail from, they usually follow certain pattern that will be common in most european countries including Britain and Spain. First up, we have those people who dont really care anyway and believe rightly or wrongly, that Covid-19 has nothing to do with them - so why should they follow a silly set of rules anyway? A simple minded group, not much given to social analysis, who have and will continue to break governmental guidelines at any given time. Then we have young people - who are really fed-up with the whole coronavirus business and in some ways I really dont blame them. When you are a mid-late teenager, not being allowed out to socialise with friends really is a big-deal. It is that time in their lives when they are discovering who they are and what they want from life and being stuck indoors with tedious parents and perhaps younger siblings isnt really part of the deal that they thought their life would be about prior to 2020. I know that this may sound trite in the extreme, but imagine yourself at sixteen having to suffer a seemingly endless set of rules that confine and restrict your life - because of a disease that almost certainly will not affect you medically? Last but not least - we have those who see themselves as part of a bulwark against an overweening government, set upon restricting their lives for no good reason. In Spain, this grouping might spring from those who remember (or claim to remember) the sins of previous political regimes - where you did what you were told or else! In Britain, much the same applies to civil liberty groups who are always, rightly or wrongly, on the lookout for any legislation that might interfere with their human rights as individuals and citizens of a powerful nation state. Then there are those who live in both Spain and the United Kingdom, who believe that the whole Covid-19 pandemic scenario, is a giant conspiracy set about to subjugate and control the populations of both countries. If only it were that simple! frankleavers@hotmail.com Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Masis Mayilyan said the following in an interview with Barcelonas Nationalia news agency: Turkey has never maintained neutrality in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, even though it has acceded to the OSCE Minsk Group, which carries out its mission as a mediator for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey is the only state in the region that has not only publicly expressed its support to the fraternal Azerbaijan, but also supports Azerbaijans blockade of Armenia and Artsakh. It is no secret that Turkey assists Azerbaijan in army construction, taking into consideration that several Azerbaijani officers are undergoing training in Turkey and Turkish military advisors are engaged to support Azerbaijans military leadership. We consider the Turkish governments statement supporting Azerbaijans provocations and gross ceasefire violations unacceptable. Once again, we emphasize that Turkeys position makes its accession to the OSCE Minsk Group nonsensical. It is clear that the South Caucasus is a very intricate region in which there are many role-players with various interests, and it is not by chance that Russia, France and the US are the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. It is also clear that the restart of military operations will be devastating not only for the region, but also the whole international community. The Republic of Artsakh is ready to assume its share of responsibility to maintain peace and security in the region, and it is time for the other interested role-players to do the same, Mayilyan said. Lungs can repair themselves after a serious bout of coronavirus in just three months, a new study has revealed, raising hope patients will not be living with debilitating symptoms for years on end. Doctors said trials showed nearly half of patients had no evidence of lung damage at 12 weeks. Although they confirmed long-standing fears that Covid patients can suffer serious effects weeks after recovering from the virus, the results were the first to show that these tended to heal over time. Eighty-six patients from an outbreak hotspot in the Tyrol region of Austria were admitted to hospital between April 29 and June 9, then followed up at six, 12 and 24 weeks after discharge. At the six-week visit, 88pc of patients showed evidence of lung damage, but this dropped to 56pc at the 12-week check-up. The results from the 24-week visits are not yet ready to be published. Meanwhile, 65pc of the cohort showed general symptoms of lung problems at the six-week visit, with breathlessness the most common symptom - 47pc - followed by coughing - 15pc. By 12 weeks, breathlessness had improved and was present in 39pc of patients. The proportion of patients coughing did not improve as markedly, however, only dropping to 13pc. Ameliorate Dr Sabina Sahanic, who worked on the study at the University Clinic in Innsbruck, said: "The bad news is that people show lung impairment from Covid-19 weeks after discharge. "The good news is that the impairment tends to ameliorate over time, which suggests the lungs have a mechanism for repairing themselves." The results will be presented at the European Respiratory Society International Conference today. ( Daily Telegraph London) Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] A 50-year-old man, arrested in a 12-year-old case related to the assault of a neighbour, died in police custody in Sitamarhi district of Bihar on Sunday evening. The victim has been identified as Nageshwar Rai, a resident of Ranjitpur village under Punaura police station. Alleging torture by the police, the victims family members and neighbours attacked the Sadar hospital and damaged half a dozen vehicles, including an ambulance. The police, however, said he was ill and suddenly fell unconscious on the way to Dumra civil court. He was immediately rushed to the Dumra primary health centre where the doctor referred him to Sadar hospital. Rai was declared dead on his arrival. Dinesh Ram, the SHO of the Punaura police station, said the court had issued an arrest warrant against Rai, which was pending for execution. The police arrested him at around 2pm as per the court order. Late on Sunday, the villagers came to know that Rai died in police custody and his body was taken away somewhere. Soon hundreds of villagers gheraoed the police station for an hour, demanding to know the whereabouts of Rai. Meanwhile, a police officer informed them that Rai was brought dead to the Sadar hospital which escalated the tension. The irate villagers and family members entered the hospital premises and started pelting stones. As the situation worsened, Sadar SDO Rakesh and SDPO Ramakant Upadhyay with additional police force rushed to the spot and dispersed the irate mob. Deceaseds brother Ajay Kumar has alleged that Rai died due to torture by policemen. Sitamarhi SP Anil Kumar said that necessary action would be taken against the police official if they are found guilty. He said that Rais autopsy will be carried out by the medical board. Civil surgeon Rakesh Chandra Sahay Verma said postmortem examination was done by a board of at least three doctors preferably from three different institutions. The post mortem has also been videographed, he added. Earlier in March 2019, two persons from Chakia in East Champaran district died allegedly due to police torture in Dumra police station. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Myanmar & COVID-19 AA Leader Says Myanmar Govt, Military Deliberately Spreading COVID-19 in Rakhine Arakan Army chief Tun Myat Naing in April 2019. / The Irrawaddy YANGONThe leader of a Rakhine ethnic armed group has accused the Myanmar government and army of intentionally spreading COVID-19 for their political and military benefit in Rakhine State, where fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops has flared even as the western state reels under the pandemic. Some parts of Rakhine, especially in the north, have been a battleground for the past few years, witnessing sporadic armed clashes between the two armies since late 2018, when the AA launched its armed struggle for autonomy in the state. The fighting has caused civilian deaths and forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes. The government has denounced the AA as a terrorist organization. Currently, 3 million people in Rakhine State are under government travel restrictions, as all 17 of its townships with the exception of Yanbye have reported COVID-19 cases. The state has 540 patients so far, becoming the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak since last month. In a video message to Rakhine people last week, AA leader Major General Tun Myat Naing raised questions such as how coronavirus infections spread to Rakhine and why the infection rate was higher there than anywhere else in the country. Even though COVID-19 is a health problem, there are many other factors to take into consideration, such as whether the disease is spreading to Rakhine people for political and military reasons, he said. The Myanmar government and military are abusing their rights and power as weapons to wipe out Rakhine State politically, ethnically and militarily, so its a point worth considering, he added. The AA chief said that despite its announcement of a ceasefire early this year to control the disease, the government had effectively ignored its own truce and continued to fight based on the countrys counterterrorism law. He also complained that while the whole world was practicing social distancing and restricting unnecessary travel, thousands of government troops were streaming in and out Rakhine, as if they intended to spread the coronavirus. The Myanmar government and army are making the most of the pandemic in the time of COVID-19. We suspect they let it spread [in Rakhine] as they profit from it [militarily and politically], the major general said. In the aftermath of the outbreak in Rakhine, Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi pledged the governments full support for the fight against COVID-19 in Rakhine State late last month, saying, I dare say Rakhine will never face shortages. Currently, the government is spending 1.6 billion kyats to provide financial assistance to internally displaced persons in Rakhine, according to the states Disaster Management Department. Additionally, medics and volunteers from across the country have flown to the state to reinforce healthcare workers on the ground. On Friday, Myanmar Presidents Office spokesperson U Zaw Htay rejected the AA leaders accusation as a very horrible remark. It is not OK for the AA leadership to say such a damn reckless thing while concerned people all over the country are trying to help Rakhine, he said during a press briefing, commenting that it was the armed group itself that was trying to exploit COVID-19 politically and militarily in order to create misunderstandings among local people. The spokesperson said that despite the rebel groups declaration of a ceasefire, it continued to fight and plant landmines on a daily basis. What they are saying is totally different from what they are doing. I have to say their [ceasefire statement] is merely for propaganda, he said, adding that the AA had failed to respond to the governments offer of bilateral peace discussions, even in a third country. No reply yet. It seems they dont want peace, he said. On Thursday last week, the Myanmar military set a village on fire in Rakhine States Kyauktaw Township, destroying more than 200 homes and killing two civilians, according to local residents. You may also like these stories: Health Workers Make Up 10% of Myanmars COVID-19 Cases While Elephants Enjoy Some Rest, Humans Suffer as COVID-19 Hits Thai Tourism Myanmar Reports Its Seventh COVID-19 Death; First in Over Four Months We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. CNN's Jake Tapper speaks to the audience during a Democratic presidential debate in Detroit, Mich., on July 31, 2019. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Republican Campaign Arm: CNNs Jake Tapper Meddling in House Races A GOP campaign arm said on Sunday that former Democratic aide Jake Tapper, now an anchor for CNN, may be meddling in some congressional contests, citing an anonymously sourced report on Tapper intervening in a closely-watched race in Pennsylvania. The National Republican Congressional Committee shared a story from Breitbart News that said Tapper, 51, tried convincing Sean Parnell, the Republican nominee for Pennsylvanias 17th Congressional District, to run in a different district. The story cited unnamed sources, but a screenshot of Tapper appearing to admit to doing so was published by a Fox News reporter. So how many other districts has @jaketapper pulled this crap with? Why is CNN meddling in House swing races? This is absurd, the committee said. A CNN spokesman didnt return a request for comment, nor did Parnells campaign. According to the story, sources familiar with Tappers actions claimed he used text messages, Twitter direct messages, and phone calls to lobby Parnell to choose a different district to run in. Parnell is challenging first-time Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Penn.). Both are military veterans. This is a DM Tapper sent Parnell pic.twitter.com/SPA8YndGwu Brian Flood (@briansflood) September 10, 2020 Richard Grenell, an advisor to the Republican National Committee and former acting director of national intelligence, campaigned at a rally for Parnell on Sunday. Grenell said Tapper messaged him and said he didnt ask Parnell to not run against Lamb. Grenell called on the anonymous sources to come forward and speak on the record. Breitbart in a Twitter statement said: We stand by our reporting. Katrina Pierson, an advisor to President Donald Trumps campaign, said that, if true, what Tapper did would be election interference. Tapper worked as a campaign aide for former Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky (D-Penn.) in 1992. After she won the election, he worked in her office. Tapper later took a job with the HandGun Control Inc. group, which lobbied for laws against gun ownership. He worked for ABC News from 2003 until 2012 when he moved to CNN. Amid simmering tension between India and China at Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, Pakistan is trying to make use of the opportunity to infiltrate around 400 terrorists through Line of Actual Control inside Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the exclusive information received by Zee News, around 400 terrorists are currently assembled at various launch pads near LoC and Pakistan Army's SSG has been tasked to help these terrorists cross the LoC. A report based on the inputs provided by intelligence agencies said that Pakistan Army is continuously violating the ceasefire along LoC in order to help these terrorists infiltrate into India. The Pakistan Army has also activated BAT (Border Action Team) for attacks on Indian security forces and these BATs are active in many areas. Several terrorists have also been seen in Pakistani Army camps in areas adjacent to the LoC. According to intelligence report, a huge gathering of terrorists are seen in Gurez, Machhal, Keran sector, Tangdhar sector, Naugam sector, launching pad adjacent to Uri, launching pad adjacent to Poonch, launching pad adjacent to Bimbhar gali, launching pad adjacent to Krishna valley, Nowshera, Akhnoor and Dras sector. According to security agencies, the Pakistani army is engaged in taking advantage of rising border tension between India and China but the Indian Army is on high alert at LoC too, forcing the terrorists to search for new routes to cross the LoC. Nitish Kumar launches Bihar poll campaign, targets RJD's 15 years rule India oi-Deepika S Patna, Sep 07: Kickstarting JD(U) campaign for Bihar Assembly polls, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday highlighted the development works done by his government in the past 15 years and asked party workers to tell new generation about the difference between the NDA and the RJD regimes. Kumar raked up the issue of former minister Chandrika Rai's daughter Aishwarya Rai, estranged wife of RJD president Lalu Prasads elder son Tej Pratap Yadav. Their marriage has broken and the matter is pending in a Patna court. Kumar also refered about Jai Vardhan Yadav, grandson of former union minister Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav. Chandrika Rai and Jai Vardhan Yadav, both RJD MLAs and hailing from Yadav caste, recently switched over to JD(U). Kumar was addressing party's virtual rally named "Nischay Samvad" which was broadcast live through newly launched digital platform jdulive.com from Karpoori Thakur Sabhagar (conference hall) at the party office here. The rally was also available on facebook, twitter and TV channels. Thakur was a veteran socialist leader who served as chief minister of Bihar. LJP meet on Monday to decide whether to contest against JD(U) in Bihar elections "I want to know what happened with former CM Daroga Prasad Rais son Chandrika Rai and his daughter Aishwarya Rai. What kind of treatment was meted out to Aishwarya Rai. "She is well educated. People talk on education and see what happened to educated people. This is a family matter on which I do not want to say anything, Kumar said taking an apparent dig at the RJD supremo and his family. Stating that the state has witnessed an all-round development during the NDAs 15 years rule, Kumar said that law and order, education, health, road, energy, agriculture etc. witnessed a noticeable change during the period. He talked about prohibition in Bihar and made it clear that its going to stay in the state till he is in power. Kumar cited the central government data of 2018 to show that Bihar's law and order situation was much better than many other states. Bihar stands at 23rd rank in overall crime figures while it figures 33rd in rape cases and 29th in crime against women in the latest report of the Union government, he said to drive home the point. A coal mine collapsed in a county in Iran's southwestern province of Kerman on Sunday, killing at least four miners and injuring another, Xinhua reported citing IRIB state TV. The Tunnel 2 of the Hojedk coal mine, located in Kuhsaran district of Ravar county in northern Kerman, collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), IRIB quoted Malek Azhdari, governor of Ravar, as saying. At first, rescue units found one corpse and took one injured miner out of the tunnel, hours before three more dead workers were found, Azhdari added. "The inspection team of the General Department of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare in Kerman Province is investigating the reasons of the incident, the outcome of which will be announced later," the governor said. An Annapolis Valley, N.S., man who first came to the province as a foreign farm worker has created a true Cinderella story by starting his own business. Richard Gardner applied to work in Canada in 2004, but had no say in where he would go. He didn't know anything about the Annapolis Valley. He went to work for Charles Keddy Farms and Melvin Farms. "I used to do strawberries with Charles Keddy and cauliflower, cabbage, green onion and stuff like that with Stephen Melvin," Gardner said Friday. After a few seasons of work, he grew to love Nova Scotia. Then he met Serilla and fell in love with her, too. They married. This summer, she helped him open Cinderella's Caribbean Pot in New Minas. Cinderella is his mother's name. CBC "Well, back in Jamaica, my mom, she's a cook back in the district, so that's where I learn all of this cooking from," he said. When CBC visited, customers formed a long line minutes after Gardner opened for the day. Sarah Fraser has been supporting the food truck since it opened. She and her two children ordered the jerk burger. "That's the second time; it's actually really, really good. Usually we do the jerk chicken sandwiches, but we switched it up," she said. 'It's a beautiful, beautiful community' The Gardners say local businesses and government safety inspectors have gone out of their way to help them succeed. "It's a beautiful, beautiful community. Customers gave a warm welcome. They're here every day. Some come four or five times a day," Richard said. COVID-19 has kept Cinderella Gardner from sampling the food, but she's helping from home and hoping to visit next year. CBC Serilla said things get pretty hot in the kitchen. "When it reaches into the 40s, that's when you really start minding it. We've learned to kind of move around each other and who's in what space, so it's worked quite well. "We still love each other at the end of the night," she said with a laugh. Story continues Gardner said the new career has been a big risk, but worth it. "When the chance is there, you have to take it, right? You have to make a change in life sometimes. Take a chance and never give up. Just fight determination, right?" He's currently based out front of West Side Charlies, a pool and billiards hall. The owners invited the Gardners to use part of the parking lot for the food truck and serve Red Stripe beer inside to continue the Jamaican experience for thirsty customers. Gardner plans to operate the food truck daily until the weather gets too bad in November, and then reopen in the spring. MORE TOP STORIES Washington: President Donald Trump was on the defensive on Sunday over his attitude toward the US military following media reports that he had disparaged fallen veterans, which could harm his campaign for re-election on November 3. Democratic and Republican opponents alike over the weekend seized on the reports which said that Trump had called US soldiers buried in Europe "losers" to attack his record on the military on news shows and in political ads. "It breaks your heart," US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the reported comments in an interview on MSNBC on Sunday. Former Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel, a Republican, told ABC's This Week that the remarks, if true, were "despicable." Four international online platforms for learning the Chinese language are launched on Sept 5, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] BEIJING -- The Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education has launched four international online platforms for learning the Chinese language. Besides the launch which was on Saturday, "Chinese Plus" cloud services, "Chinese Bridge" app and two other platforms were also on the scheduled agenda of the International Forum on Trade in Education Service at the China International Fair for Trade in Services 2020 that opened Friday. At present, more than 4,000 universities, over 30,000 primary and secondary schools as well as over 45,000 colleges of Chinese studies in more than 70 countries around the world have offered Chinese courses, according to Liu Jin, director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges with MOE. A total of 200 million people outside China have learned, and use Chinese, according to Liu. "Online platforms can help the development of Chinese education internationally amid the epidemic," said Zhao Guocheng, deputy head of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation. A total of 18,000 enterprises and institutions from 148 countries and regions and about 100,000 people have registered for this year's CIFTIS. A photo from the set of Mission: Impossible 7 has given fans a glimpse at one of the incredible stunts to be featured in the forthcoming film. Director Christopher McQuarrie posted an image to his Instagram showing a makeshift track constructed high in the mountains. The track, built on multiple stories of scaffolding, appears to end abruptly in an upward ramp pointing towards snow-capped mountains in the distance. A figure can be seen standing alone on the jaw-dropping set piece. Although The Independent was unable to identify the person in the picture and accompanying video, it is likely Tom Cruise himself, who is famous for performing his own stunts. Cruise, who stars as Ethan Hunt in the films, has performed his own stunts in the franchise since its first installation was released 24 years ago. The films production is currently underway in Norway, where Cruise has rented a 500,000 cruise liner to serve as a hotel for the crew in order to prevent filming delays. McQuarries photo, which has since received nearly 14,000 likes, was accompanied by the caption: Action #MI7 Day 1, suggesting that filming is back underway after facing numerous setbacks. Early filming in Italy was suspended in February following the enforcement of the country's lockdown measures. Later in August, shooting was again halted due to an accident involving an exploding motorcycle. The film also found itself in deep water after it was reported the films crew was pushing to blow up a bridge in Poland that is considered a national monument by locals. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up The timing of McQuarries post appears to confirm previous announcements that the film would resume shooting in early September. Cruise will star alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames in the highly anticipated movie. Following multiple delays both pandemic-related and otherwise Mission: Impossible 7 is now scheduled for release in November 2022. In a significant development, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has been granted Y category security by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday (September 7). It is to be noted that Kangana has been at loggerheads with the Maharashtra government after her recent comments over Mumbai Police and Shiv Sena-led coalition government in the state. Sources told Zee News that seven policemen will take care of Kangana's security. Reacting to the MHA's decision, Kangana has thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "This is proof that no fascist forces will be able to suppress nationalist voices. I am indebted to Amit Shah, who could have also asked me to visit Mumbai later considering the present situation, but he honoured the words of a daughter of this country. Jai Hind," she tweeted. Kangana sparked a controversy after she recently compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The comments did no go down well with Shiv Sena leaders. Kangana made the statement after she was warned by Shiv Sena MP Kangana Ranaut against returning to Mumbai. On Sunday, Kangana launched a scathing attack on Raut and told him that he is not 'Maharashtra' and he has no right to demand an apology from her. "Sanjay-ji I condemn you, you are not Maharashtra," she said in a video statement tweeted on Sunday. Kangana claimed that Raut's has an "anti-women" mindset and asked why he made abusive remark against her but not against actors Aamir Khan or Naseeruddin Shah, who had also said that they were afraid to live in Mumbai. Kangana defended her remarks about the Mumbai police, saying it was "freedom of expression." "Mr Sanjay Raut, you called me har******r ladki. You are a public servant. You know how many girls are raped every day in the country, how many of them are tortured and killed sometimes by their own husbands. And you know who is responsible for all this? It is this mindset you have very shamelessly displayed. You have empowered those exploiters. The daughters of this country will never forgive you, Kangana said. It is to be noted that Kangana has been targeting several big Bollywood celebrities for fanning nepotism and recently in the drug conspiracy related to Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput case. By Express News Service MALAPPURAM: We are ready to face any legal cases for bringing the scams of the government to light, said Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala here on Friday. He was reacting to reporters queries on the statement of Law Minister A K Balan that legal action will be taken against Opposition parties for alleging involvement of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Chief Secretary Viswas Mehta in the recent fire at the Secretariat. Chennithala also said Kerala is not China to suppress the voice of Opposition parties and the media through undemocratic ways. People no longer trust the Left government. After the recent developments in the state, people have begun to move away from it, he said. Some files missing from gutted building Kozhikode: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Friday alleged that some files were missing from the protocol office of the Secretariat building which caught fire. He told reporters that CM Pinarayi Vijayan was now embarrassed as the governments manipulative activities were being exposed by the Opposition. Fire at secretariat building is also a strange incident. The statement that a fan has triggered the mishap, in a centralized air-conditioned building, is ridiculous. NIA should investigate the incident and not the Chief Secretary, he said. Files dont walk and burn itself. Rampant corruption is going on. Chief Minister himself is leading the loot, he alleged. Fonteh Lucas Ndefru alias Mad Dog Facebook The Cameroonian military killed a notorious separatist fighter, Fonteh Lucas Ndefru alias General Mad Dog on Saturday night breaking Sunday, a military source said. According to information on Honneur et Fidelite - Armee Camerounaise, a social media page attributed to Cameroons military, Mad Dog, also known as Luggard or The Beast was gunned down during an operation cleverly planned by the 5th Joint Military Region, RMIA5. The cosmetic raid in Bamenda, capital of Cameroons North West Region was conducted by elements of the 3rd regiment of the Rapid Intervention Brigade, the BIR an elite unit of the countrys army. Open sources say the dreaded rebel figure fell into the dragnet of the military in Ntasen, Nkwen, although his remains were found at Liberty Square (City Chemist Roundabout) in Mankon early Sunday morning. Mad Dog allegedly led the gang of unidentified armed men that attacked the Head Office of Mitanyen Cooperative Credit Union Limited, MitaCCUL, at Sonac Street Bamenda on Friday, August 21, 2020. CCTV footage that made rounds on social media suggested that five unidentified armed men staged the Friday morning attack at MitaCCUL. They arrived on board a RAV4 jeep, ordered the yellow-cloth security guard into the bank before making away with an undisclosed sum of money. The killing of Mad Dog is believed to be the fruit of investigations by security forces. Audio of a recorded call has now gone viral on social media in which Mad Dog is heard threatening someone believed to be of MitaCCUL. The conversion seems to confirm speculations that the August 21 attack at MitaCCUL was championed by Mad Dog. Mad Dog said inter alia: This is Fonteh speaking. The information I want to pass to you and all your colleagues is that the steps you want to take, you should go ahead. I want to let you know that we are fighting a country. We will blow off your heads. We will kill all of you. You sent a message to me that my face was caught by the CCTV camera. I do not care. You should do what you can do. But make sure you do it well because we will do our own to the highest level. Anyone who survives there, change our names. I have spoken. I am Fonteh. This is my number. Any time you wish to call me, call it and put it on a loudspeaker. What is good for you is to call and meet me immediately before I decide what to do to you and your other colleagues. Call me immediately so we can talk one-on-one else. Since news of Mad Dogs demise went viral on Sunday morning, messages have been pouring in on social media suggesting that he had been terrorizing locals in Bamenda long before the Anglophone crisis morphed into an armed conflict. 07.09.2020 LISTEN WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY TOWARDS GHANAS DEVELOPMENT As Ghanaians, we all have a role to play towards the growth and development of our beloved nation. If we cannot get the best from the young and old then, it is not the fault of the ages. The fault is not in the young and old but in us. It is because our politicians have failed to gather the needed courage to nurture the young in education and facility of good breeding so how can they be good young or old? Ghana our beloved country is still underdeveloped all because we have not striven to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery which has put the nation in a state of crabology not to be able to depend on our own apron apart from been beggars without a choice. DEATH IS NO RESPECTER OF AGE Politicians who are found of making mockery of the aged in politics should desist from this uncivilized and needless assumption that there is nothing good that our old and experience politicians can offer towards the growth and development of Mother Ghana and its citizenry. I must say death is no respecter of age, whether young or old when your time is up it will lay its icy hands on you. After Ghanas independence, we have had young and old men to steer the affairs of the nation and when it comes to achievements and developments by the young and old I leave it for Ghanaians to make their own judgments with regards to their performance in government towards the growth and development of our dear nation. LEADERSHIP QUALITIES HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AGE As many philosophers have said, youth is good and it is time for any extraordinary toil also it is time to learn and experiment, stumble and fall and rise again, time to play sponge and take in life lessons. Old age is the time for wisdom, to translate experience into purpose. Lenin Lewis was young when he took over Russia. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was old when he took over USA and became one of the greatest US presidents. Churchill was written of at the age of 51 years at the House of Commons as a political obituary but he rose to become the greatest Briton of his century. Paul the Apostle, wrote in the Bible to Timothy Let no man despise your youth. GHANA NEEDS A LEADER WHO CAN CREATE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING Youth is eternal; it is also a moment of strength and idealism. But old age is also good. There is a Chinese proverb that, when I was old, I did not have the strength. We need both young and old in building the best and perfect Ghana. We can have a young leader with primitive ideas in government and also have an old leader with fresh ideas and the will power to take bold decisions to move the nation forward. What Ghana need is a leader who can create something out of nothing to rebuild or bring to life what is not functional and not unachievable promises? NO ROOM FOR PROPAGANDA MACHINERY IN OUR CONTEMPORARY POLITICS Our Politicians must now understand propaganda machinery have no place in contemporary politics. Ghanaians are not blind or deaf so no politician should try to use any deceptive tactics to get our votes. As good citizens and electorates our conviction to vote is not based on tribal lines, ethnicity, personality, cronyism and other trivial factors which have no basis in advancing the course of the citizenry. Also we can no longer tolerate gutter politics that will define the state of a banana republic. GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alice Ritchie and James Pheby (Agence France-Presse) London, United Kingdom Tue, September 8, 2020 01:38 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c434bbf8 2 World Julian-Assange,extradition,Wikileaks Free Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Monday failed to persuade a British judge to throw out new US allegations against him, as he resumed his fight to avoid extradition to the United States for leaking military secrets. Protesters gathered outside London's Old Bailey court as the 49-year-old Australian was brought in, brandishing placards reading "Don't Extradite Assange" and "Stop this political trial". Inside, Assange's lawyers sought to "excise" new allegations lodged by Washington in recent weeks, saying they had not had time to formulate a proper response. Assange faces 18 charges under the US Espionage Act relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Washington claims he helped intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before exposing confidential sources around the world. If convicted, Assange -- who has been held at the high-security Belmarsh Prison for the last 16 months -- could be jailed for up to 175 years. US authorities recently laid out new evidence against Assange alleging that he and others at the whistleblowing site recruited hackers. In court on Monday, defense lawyer Mark Summers protested against the "11th hour" allegations, noting the difficulties Assange already had in communicating with his legal team due to coronavirus restrictions. "What is happening is abnormal, unfair and liable to create injustice if allowed to continue," he said. But District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said: "These are issues which must take place in the context of considering the extradition request and not before it." 'Abuse trial' Clean-shaven and wearing a dark suit and maroon tie, Assange spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, and said he did not consent to extradition. It was the first time he has been seen in public since the first part of the hearing in February, when he appeared weak and confused. The second part of the hearing, due in April, was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. It is set to last three to four weeks. Supporters of Assange gathered outside the court, including fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who said he was "shining the light on all the corruption in the world". His father, John Shipton, said the hearing was an "abuse trial." Assange's partner, Stella Moris, took a 80,000-strong petition opposing his extradition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Downing Street office, but was turned away. She has said she feared Assange would take his own life -- leaving their two young sons, who were conceived during his asylum in Ecuador's London embassy, without a father. US journalism lecturer Mark Feldstein, from the University of Maryland, was the first witness to be called in the hearing, giving evidence via videolink. He said leaks of classified information, either to the media or Congress, were commonplace. "Leaks shed light on decision-making by the government and inform the public powerfully, but they also expose government deceit, corruption and illegality and abuse of power," he told the court. At the February hearing, James Lewis, representing the US government, said WikiLeaks was responsible for "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States". "Reporting or journalism is not an excuse for criminal activities or a license to break ordinary criminal laws," he added. Long-running saga The extradition hearing is the latest in a series of legal battles faced by Assange since the leaks a decade ago. In 2010, he faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he denied. He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempt to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in Ecuador's embassy in London. For seven years he lived in a small apartment in the embassy, but after a change of government in Ecuador, Quito lost patience with its guest and turned him over to British police in April 2019. Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the rape investigation, saying that despite a "credible" account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed. US says WikiLeaks founder conspired to hack govt computers, but supporters claim Assange is being unfairly targeted. The US extradition trial for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange resumed on Monday at Londons Old Bailey court, with the whistle-blowers lawyers arguing that he would not receive a fair trial in the United States on political charges. The hearing had been delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown. Assange appeared in the dock wearing a dark suit and maroon tie the first time he has been seen in public since the first part of the hearing in February. He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, and said he did not consent to extradition. US authorities accuse Australian-born Assange, 49, of conspiring to hack government computers and of violating an espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011. But his supporters say the US is attempting to target him for leaking secrets about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange formally declined to be extradited to face a superseding indictment issued by US authorities in June. Several dozen supporters, including fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and Assanges partner Stella Moris, gathered outside the court before the hearing on Monday. Earlier, Moris delivered an 80,000-signature-strong petition opposing his extradition to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Downing Street office. In an interview published in The Times newspaper, Moris, 37, said: For Julian, extradition will be a death sentence. She said she feared he would take his own life, leaving their two young sons, who were conceived during his asylum in Ecuadors London embassy, without a father. Journalist John Pilger said outside the court on Monday: The extradition hearing in London beginning this week is the final act of an Anglo-American campaign to bury Julian Assange. It is not due process. It is due revenge. The American indictment is clearly rigged, a demonstrable sham. So far, the hearings have been reminiscent of their Stalinist equivalents during the Cold War. Fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood gestures as she holds a ball with a word justice written on it outside Assanges court hearing in London [Peter Nicholls/Reuters] Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. The site later published vast troves of US military records and diplomatic cables. He has also attracted more recent criticism for WikiLeakss release of documents stolen from the Democratic National Committee, which damaged nominee Hillary Clinton during the 2016 US presidential campaign. He has denied accusations by US investigators that WikiLeaks obtained those documents from Russian hackers. The issue is not part of the legal proceedings. Political charges The pursuit of the whistle-blower was part of US President Donald Trumps effective declaration of war on leakers and journalists, Assanges lawyers argued in court papers. He was an obvious symbol of all that Trump condemned, having brought American war crimes to the attention of the world. Assanges legal travails in the UK date to 2010, when he began fighting an attempt to extradite him to Sweden to answer questions about allegations of sexual assault, which have since been dropped. In June 2012, facing imminent extradition, he sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy. After Ecuador revoked his asylum, he was dragged out of the embassy in April 2019 and served a short British prison sentence for violating bail terms. He remains jailed pending the outcome of the US extradition request. The hearing is expected to last weeks, until early October, with a decision about a month later. Aam Aadmi Party's councillors led by the party's in-charge for municipal corporations, Durgesh Pathak, staged a protest on Monday with the civic body employees over non-payment of their salaries. The protest was held at the Civic Centre here. Speaking to the media, AAP's senior leader Pathak demanded that the BJP-ruled municipal corporations pay the employees' salaries or resign immediately. "The BJP should stop misleading people, release the salaries of workers immediately or resign. The will run it in a better way in the same budget. It has been about six months that the employees of the corporation are not getting their salaries," he said. "Unless all the employees of the BJP-ruled MCDs, whose salaries have not been paid for the last about six months are released, the Aam Aadmi Party will continue to protest and raise its voice to bring justice to the common man," 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.) Twelve Hong Kong residents detained by the China Coast Guard after trying to flee an ongoing crackdown on dissent by boat are being denied access to lawyers, one lawyer who has been hired to represent one of them said on . The 12 Hongkongers are aged 16 to 33, and were held on suspicion of "illegal immigration" after they tried to escape by speedboat to the democratic island of Taiwan last month. Hong Kong activist Andy Li who was arrested earlier this month for alleged national security law violations was among them, sources told RFA at the time. Lawyer Lu Siwei, who was recently hired by the family of one of the detainees, told RFA he waited three hours at the Yantian Detention Center in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, before being turned away on two occasions, the last of them on . Lu said detention center staff had claimed they were unable to verify that he had been instructed to act for his client. "It was about verifying my status as an instructed lawyer and the relationship between me and my client," Lu said. "I told them this has no basis in law." "I demanded that they show me the legal basis, but they couldn't. I think they are deliberately preventing me from meeting with [my client]," he said. Lu said his client has been accused of organizing the bid to cross an international border illegally, which carries a jail term of two to seven years, compared with just a few months for illegally crossing a border. "The sentence for crossing a border illegally is only regarded as a crime if there are aggravating circumstances," Lu said. "Otherwise it would be less than a year, or just administrative detention." "But someone organizing an illegal border crossing can get two to seven years," he said. 300 arrests But he said the priority for the 12 detainees' lawyers is to be allowed to meet with their clients in detention, and protect their right to due process. Hundreds of people took to the streets of Hong Kong over the weekend to protest the postponement of elections to the city's Legislative Council (LegCo), ostensibly because of coronavirus safety concerns, and to call for the release of the 12 Yantian detainees. Police fired pepper balls and arrested around 300 people, as well as tackling a 12-year-old girl to the ground in footage widely shared on social media. The protest came despite warnings that shouting certain slogans, including those from last year's anti-extradition and pro-democracy movement, could result in prosecution under a draconian new security law imposed on the city by Beijing. There are also concerns that the Chinese authorities may be refusing visits from lawyers because they are planning to charge the 12 detainees under that law, their lawyers said. In aggravated circumstances, "organizing others to cross a border illegally" can carry a sentence of up to life imprisonment, in cases where the "smuggler" is a gang leader, or where violence was used to resist arrest. "When I took this case, I didn't expect it to be so complicated and sensitive," said Lu, who has represented other political cases, including that of a businessman jailed for producing liquor commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre. Lu has been targeting online for verbal abuse by China's "50 cent army," of commentators paid by the ruling Chinese Communist Party to support its official line on social media. "[They were calling me] traitor, liar and supporter of independence for Hong Kong," Lu said. "It was definitely the 50-cent brigade, an organized campaign of insults." Attorney Fan Biaowen said he had met with a similar response when hired by the relatives of another detainee to represent his client. "I am guessing it has something to do with the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong," Fan said. "I don't actually know why they are making such a requirement [of verification of the lawyer's status]." "Maybe the charges are under the National Security Law for Hong Kong." No access to lawyer Hong Kong Police Commissioner Chris Tang said the detainees "will be dealt with according to the law," and that the city's police force is being informed of the status of their cases by the mainland Chinese authorities. Rights attorney Ren Quanniu told Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK that he had also been denied access to his client, who is among the 12 aboard the boat caught fleeing to Taiwan. "They said I can't prove that the instructions I have came from family members even though I have provided my client's birth certificate issued in Hong Kong," Ren, who traveled nearly 1,500 km from central China to Shenzhen to meet with his client Wong Wai-yin, told the station. Hong Kong's mass protest movement flared up last year over plans by chief executive Carrie Lam to allow the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to face trial in mainland China's court system, which is entirely controlled by the ruling party. The imposition of the National Security Law for Hong Kong on launched a crackdown on peaceful dissent and criticism of the government in schools and colleges, in the media and on the streets. The law bans secessionist, subversive, and terrorist words and deeds, as well as collusion with foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong's internal affairs, charges which carry a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life. It covers actions or words that take place anywhere in the world, including mainland China, and has already been used to target the media with the arrest of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai and a national security police raid on his Apple Daily newspaper on Aug. 10. Charges of "collusion with foreign powers" appeared in the law after repeated claims from Beijing that last year's anti-government and pro-democracy protest movement was instigated by "hostile overseas forces." Foreign journalists in Hong Kong have already been forced to leave the city after the immigration authorities denied their visa renewal application. Reported by Gao Feng and Sing Man for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. London, Sep 7 : The long-awaited extradition trial of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi is set to resume on Monday in a UK court. Nirav Modi, who has been lodged at the Wandsworth Prison in south-west London since his arrest in March 2019, will appear before court via video-link for the second phase of his extradition trial. The second phase of the hearings are expected to complete arguments on establishing a prima facie case against the 49-year-old fugitive and also deal with the additional extradition request made by the Indian authorities and certified by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this year. He faces additional charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or "criminal intimidation to cause death" against him. Additional hearings have also been scheduled for November 3, for the judge to rule on the admissibility of evidence presented before him. Both sides will make their final submissions on December 1. Nirav Modi's defence team has also raised concerns about his "deteriorating" mental health in Wandsworth, one of England's most overcrowded prisons, as among a number of "additional issues" it is likely to raise. The charges against the fugitive merchant centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Stellar Diamonds and Solar Exports making fraudulent use of a credit facility offered by the Punjab National Bank (PNB), known as "letters of undertaking" (LoUs). The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian authorities, sought to establish that a number of PNB staff conspired with Nirav Modi to ensure LoUs. The letters of undertaking (LoUs) were issued to his companies without required credit checks, without recording the issuance of the LoUs and without charging the required commission upon the transactions. This resulted in a fraud amounting to nearly $2 billion. Nirav Modi's team has sought to counter allegations of fraud by deposing witnesses to establish the volatility of the gems trade and that the LoUs were standard practice. -- With inputs from IANS Two Liberian operators have had legal problems in recent days, with both Lonestar Cell-MTN and Orange Liberia finding themselves at the wrong end of regulatory decisions. According to news service Front Page Africa, Liberias Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has with immediate effect instructed Lonestar Cell-MTN to stop offering its new mobile money international remittance service. A letter sent to the company late last week suggested that the company lacks the capacity to detect and report incidence of money laundering and terrorist financing activities. The FIU suggests that the new mobile money service could provide easy means for criminals exploiting the financial system of Liberia using the international remittance service of the Lonestar MTN Mobile Money platform to continue unobserved. Another ruling went against a competitor of Lonestar as Orange Liberia lost its challenge against an order dating back to February 2019 from the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA), when it announced the planned introduction of floor prices on voice and data calls. Orange challenged the LTA in the Civil Law Court and then the Supreme Court. In the wake of the 3 September ruling from Liberias Supreme Court against Orange Liberia, the company says it takes note of the decision and will now execute surcharges on mobile voice and data services. Orange has said it believes that mobile and data price increases have a negative impact on its customers, as well as its operations in Liberia, but, like its competitors, is now waiting for a date from the LTA to commence the imposition of the additional surcharges and increase the prices of voice and data services. Violence that left one dead appeared to be random, police say, as they rule out gang crime or terrorism. UK police have arrested a man on suspicion of murder after a series of stabbings in the city of Birmingham left one person dead and seven others injured. The 27-year-old suspect was detained in the Selly Oak area of the city at 4am, West Midlands police said on Monday, a day after the attack. Detectives said the stabbings, which took place in four locations over two hours, were linked but appeared to be random and were not thought to be gang-related or connected to terrorism. Officers worked through yesterday and into the early hours of this morning in a bid to trace the man we believe responsible for these terrible crimes, said Birmingham police commander, chief superintendent Steve Graham. 200906062347019 Clearly this is a crucial development but our investigation continues. We still need to speak to any witnesses who saw what happened whove not yet spoken to us, or anyone who may have video footage or photos of the incidents or the attacker. A 23-year-old man died after being stabbed, and a man and a woman, aged 19 and 32, are in hospital in a critical condition after also being attacked. Five others were less seriously injured. Stabbings in England and Wales increased 6 percent in the year to the end of March, according to the Office for National Statistics. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel sent condolences to the victims of the Birmingham attack and thanked the emergency services, who declared a major incident in response to the violence. Manila Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has granted an absolute pardon to a U.S. Marine convicted in 2015 of killing Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman in the Philippines, the president's spokesman confirmed on Monday. "It does not mean his conviction is erased," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said of Duterte's decision to pardon Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton. "But what this means is Pemberton is free now and that there is no more question if he is entitled to good conduct time allowances." Last week a court in Olongapo City, north of Manila and next to a former U.S. naval base, ordered Pemberton's early release after it ruled that the U.S. serviceman had shown good behavior and had therefore served the equivalent of his maximum sentence of 10 years. The court's decision was met with opposition from various parties, including Laude's family. Supporters of the late Jennifer Laude hold up her image during a protest near a Philippine court in Olongapo, north of Manila, in a February 23, 2015 file photo. / Credit: NOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty In a statement issued on behalf of the victim's family, attorney Virginia Lacsa Suarez called Duterte's decision to pardon the American Marine, "revolting!" "We strongly denounce the ABSOLUTE PARDON given by Duterte. This is another injustice not only to Jennifer Laude and family, but a grave injustice to the Filipino people," Suarez said, calling the decision "another hallmark of Philippine's subservience to the U.S." and a reflection of "the systematic discrimination and violence inflicted by U.S. to Filipino women, children and the LGBTQ community." The government's own Department of Justice had even been in the process of filing a motion to block Pemberton's release when the presidential pardon was announced. Before the announcement on Monday, the debate over Pemberton's had centered around whether he was even qualified for early release for good behavior, given that he was kept in solitary detention at a military camp and not in a national prison. That was due to an arrangement in place for American soldiers under the U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement, reached years ago between Washington and Manila. Story continues "The law does not distinguish where a convict is detained, nor does it distinguish between a Filipino, American, or any other nationality," Pemberton's attorney Rowena Garcia-Flores told local radio station DZMM on Monday, referring to the nation's laws governing early prisoner release. She added that she had not applied for a presidential pardon on Pemberton's behalf. Duterte's move effectively cut short all the discussions about his eligibility for release, and for that matter, the judicial process itself. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures during a speech at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, in this March 12, 2020 file photo. / Credit: RTVM via AP During a Monday evening cabinet meeting that was aired live on TV, Duterte said he was not favoring anyone, but merely being fair. "We should allow him the good character presumption, because there was never a complaint of him going berserk," Duterte said. His remarks stood in sharp contrast to comments from his spokesman just a few days earlier. "I deplore the short period of imprisonment meted on Pemberton, who killed a Filipino under the most gruesome manner," said Roque, who previously served as a private prosecutor working for the Laude family, before going to work for Duterte. The court that backed Pemberton's appeal for early release was the same that found him guilty of killing Laude in October 2014. Security camera video showed Pemberton and Laude checking into a hotel together, but only Pemberton left. The Marine admitted choking Laude in a rage after discovering that she was transgender, but claimed in his testimony that she was still breathing when he left. His lawyers argued that Pemberton felt "raped" when he realized Laude was transgender. The crime occurred just six months after the Philippines and the United States signed a military agreement allowing the rotational presence of more U.S. troops in the Philippines. Duterte had sought in recent years to pivot away from the long-standing alliance between the two countries in favor of a closer relationship with China. He even started the process of terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement. But then he backpedalled, without much explanation, in June. Activists say Duterte's decision to pardon Pemberton reflects a desire to keep the world's biggest superpower sweet. "So much for claims of having an independent foreign policy," said Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the left-wing political organization Bayan. "The U.S. government had its way again on this issue." Philippine human rights organization Karapatan also denounced the pardon, calling it "a despicable and shameless mockery of justice and servility to U.S. imperialist interests." "While human rights defenders, activists, government critics and ordinary folks are being arrested and jailed for all sorts of fabricated and flimsy charges, while elderly and sickly prisoners continue to be denied humanitarian release amid a deadly pandemic, Duterte has granted absolute pardon to a transphobic murderer, who has not shown an iota of remorse for his brutal crime," Karapatan said in a statement Monday. "Sometimes we have no choice": Guatemalan family recounts harrowing journey across the U.S. border Biden argues U.S. economy is improving after release of April jobs report Federal civil rights charges for 4 ex-officers in George Floyd's death Credit: CC0 Public Domain Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care has arrived, with enormous potential for change in the delivery of care, but experts published in the Medical Journal of Australia today are asking if we are ready. "AI, machine learning, and deep neural network tools can assist medical decision making and management, and have already permeated into at least three different levels: AI-assisted image interpretation; AI-assisted diagnosis; and, AI-assisted prediction and prognostication," wrote the authors, Joseph Sung, the Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Cameron Stewart, Professor of Health, Law and Ethics at the University of Sydney, and Professor Ben Freedman, the Deputy Director of Research Strategy at the Heart Research Institute and the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Center and Concord Clinical School. "From diagnosing retinopathy to cardiac arrhythmias, from screening for skin cancer to breast cancer, from predicting outcome of stroke to self-management of chronic diseases, AI and machine learning devices can replace many time-consuming, labor-intensive, repetitive and mundane tasks of clinicians and give possible suggestions of management plans," Sung and colleagues wrote. The quality of AI in health care is dependent on the quality of the data on which it is based. "Algorithms are being developed and validated on data generated by health care systems where current practices may already be inequitable," they wrote. "A system built on poor-quality, biased data will reflect those problems ('garbage in, garbage out'). If a health care system has excluded populations of patients, the structural inequalities of health care will be repeatedly reinforced by the AI." AI is built on access to big data "Big data in health care is primarily generated by public health systems, funded by the public for the public. Increasingly, claims over the health data generated by these public systems are being contested," Sung and colleagues wrote. "Issues of data sovereignty threaten the existence of effective AI. Patient data should not be provided to technology giants without a good governance structure to protect data sovereignty." Changing standards of care "If AI keeps its promise of benefit and it is integrated more into practice, standards of care must require AI use, and traditional forms of therapeutics will be forced to change. We will see a time when all medicine and allied health work as a team with AI. Those who refuse to partner with AI might be replaced by it." AI-caused injury "A doctor using AI should be responsible for AI decisions made in the course of treatment, especially if the doctor retains the power to make the final decision regarding treatment," wrote Sung and colleagues. "But as AI takes on more autonomous decision making, it might be argued by some doctors that they should not be responsible for that which they cannot control. Similarly, it seems unfair for doctors to be held responsible for an AI decision when they are unable to deduce how and why that decision was made. A stepwise gradation model of shared responsibility between the human doctor and the machine in diagnosis and clinical management has been proposed." Sung and colleagues concluded that before AI tools can be put into daily use in medicine, "data quality and ownership, transparency in governance, trust-building in black box medicine, and legal responsibility for mishaps are some of the hurdles that need to be resolved." Explore further AI's potential in skin cancer management comes with a warning More information: Sung et al., Artificial intelligence in health care: preparing for the fifth Industrial Revolution. Medical Journal of Australia (2020). Journal information: Medical Journal of Australia Sung et al., Artificial intelligence in health care: preparing for the fifth Industrial Revolution.(2020). DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50755 China has landed its secretive reusable experimental spacecraft back on Earth after a successful two-day test flight. Long March-2F carrier was launched into orbit last Friday from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the northwestern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia. It returned to the scheduled landing site as planned on Sunday, the official state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. The reusable experimental spacecraft, of which no pictures have emerged, was launched to test 'reusable technologies' during its flight and could lead to a 'convenient and inexpensive way' to reach space. A Long March-2F carrier delivered the spacecraft into orbit from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in north-western Chinese region Inner Mongolia, reported state media Xinhua. The file picture shows a modified model of the Long March CZ-2F rocket carrying the unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 taking off from northwest China on November 1, 2011 'China's reusable experimental spacecraft on Sunday returned to the scheduled landing site after a two-day in-orbit operation,' said Xinhua. 'The successful flight marked the country's important breakthrough in reusable spacecraft research and is expected to offer convenient and low-cost round trip transport for the peaceful use of the space.' Orbital data later confirmed that the vehicle had been placed in an orbit at a similar height to China's previous crewed flights, New Scientist reports. The 'space plane' could take Chinese astronauts to and from China's planned future space station. 'A space plane is an ideal technology for atmospheric re-entry due to less brutal accelerations for the human body,' said Shenzhen-based space analyst Jean Deville. The mission appears to have been carried out with low-key preparations and high-level security, and the specifics of the spacecraft are yet to be revealed. No images of the spacecraft or its lift-off have yet to be released, and staff and visitors at the launch site were prevented from filming or discussing the project online, according to reports. A copy of an official document circulated online warned people not to film on the launch site or discuss the project online, according to South China Morning Post. The official memo read: 'All units should strengthen personnel security education and personnel management during missions to ensure that there is no leakage of secrets.' A Chinese military source suggested that the Chinese spacecraft was similar to the X-37B, a reusable robotic spacecraft launched by the US Air Force. The file picture taken in April, 2010 shows X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle in the encapsulation cell at the Astrotech facility in Titusville A Chinese military source confirmed the authenticity of the notice to the Hong Kong newspaper and said: 'There are many firsts in this launch. 'The spacecraft is new, the launch method is also different. That's why we need to make sure there is extra security.' The source also suggested that the Chinese spacecraft was similar to the X-37B, a reusable robotic spacecraft launched by the US Air Force. Also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle, the US's unmanned spacecraft takes off vertically and returns to the Earth horizontally on a runway landing. The Boeing-made space plane has flown four secret, long-duration missions in Earth orbit to date. On July 23, China launched its Tianwen-1 spacecraft (pictured) to Mars, which is due to arrive on the Red Planet next February after a seven-month, 34-million-mile voyage A Long March-5 rocket carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on July 23 in Hainan, China China revealed back in 2017 that it's planning to launch a spacecraft in 2020 that can fly like an aircraft and would be reusable, increasing the frequency of launches and lowering mission costs. Last year, it became the first country to land a robot rover on the moon's little-seen far side, and in July this year launched its robot rover to Mars. The Tianwen-1 is due to arrive on the Red Planet next February after a seven-month, 34-million-mile voyage. The unmanned space probe took off aboard a Long March 5 Y-4 carrier rocket on July 23 from Wenchang Space Launch Centre on the southern island province of Hainan, China. The craft, which consists of an orbiter, lander and rover, measures just over six feet in height (1.85m) and weighs 530 pounds (240kg). It will survey the composition, types of substance, geological structure and meteorological environment of the Martian surface, and look for signs of alien life. The launch of Tianwen-1 in July was sandwiched by the launch of two other missions to Mars by the US and the UAE. A Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Monday declined to hear an application to lift an injunction barring South African retail company, Shoprite Checkers (PTY) Limited, from transferring its assets. Justice Nicholas Oweibo said the matter is not urgent enough to be heard during the courts vacation. Nigerian courts are currently on vacation and would resume on September 28. Only cases of extreme urgency, arrest of ship, and fundamental rights cases are to be entertained during the vacation, according to a circular by the chief judge on the federal high court, John Tsoho. In the suit, Shoprite is seeking to overturn a July 14 mareva injunction by Justice Mohammed Liman of the federal high court in favour of a Nigerian firm, A.I.C. Limited. A mareva injunction is a court order preventing an asset from being taken out of a country. Mr Liman restrained Shoprite from transferring, assigning, charging, disposing of its trademark, franchise and intellectual property in a manner that will alter, dissipate or remove these non-cash assets and other assets, including but not limited to trade receivables, trade payables, payment for purchase of merchandise, from within the jurisdiction of this honourable court. The judge also mandated Retail Supermarket Limited, the Nigerian subsidiary of the Shoprite Group, to disclose its audited financial statements for the years ending 2018 and 2019 to enable the judgment creditor/applicant determine the judgment debtors/respondents funds in its custody in order to preserve same in satisfaction of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/L/288/2018. Last month, Shoprite officially announced its decision to discontinue operations in Nigeria following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our reevaluation of the groups operating model in Nigeria. In 2018, A.I.C. Limited secured a $10 million judgment against Shoprite in a breach of contract lawsuit. The $10m judgment was entered in favour of A.I.C. Limited against Shoprite by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court. In May, a Court of Appeal in Lagos affirmed the state high courts judgment that Shoprite breached its contract with A.I.C Limited. Shoprite has appealed at the Supreme Court. Ethnic Rohingya people rest after the boat carrying them landed in Lhokseumawe, Aceh province, Indonesia (Rahmat Mirza/AP) Almost 300 Rohingya Muslims have landed on a beach in Indonesias Aceh province, and were evacuated by military, police and Red Cross volunteers, authorities said. The group arrived at Ujong Blang beach from one boat and were reported by local residents. The 181 women, 100 men and 14 children were given shelter and received help from locals, police officers, military personnel and healthcare providers. Expand Close Local residents inspect the boat that carried hundreds of ethnic Rohingya people (Zik Maulana/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Local residents inspect the boat that carried hundreds of ethnic Rohingya people (Zik Maulana/AP) In June, Indonesian fishermen discovered 94 Rohingya Muslims on a wooden boat adrift off Aceh, Indonesias westernmost province. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar due to a military crackdown, and many live in densely crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh. Rights activists fear large numbers of Rohingya have gone to sea, fleeing ongoing persecution in Myanmar and hardship in the camps in Bangladesh where traffickers may promise the refugees a better life abroad. Being able to teach in the lab, my students can see and hear what Im trying to have them learn, and begin to develop a skill set, Hibner said. They are fully engrossed in learning when they can actually see me operating a machine, and listen to the sound of it. For me, being able to teach from the lab is the best way to educate our students until we get through this pandemic and are all back together again. By Express News Service CHENNAI: The blaze has re-ignited at the Panamanian flagship oil tanker MT New Diamond which is carrying 270,000 metric tonnes of crude oil even as firefighting efforts by the Indian Coast Guard and Indian and Sri Lankan Navies continue for the fifth day. The Indian Coast Guard said intense and persistent firefighting efforts are on amidst the inclement weather. Coast Guard sources said the flames have been brought under control on MT New Diamond, which was chartered by the Indian Oil Corporation. Battling the fire in the sea is a biggest challenge, say Coast Guard sources. The vessel is now 40 nautical miles away from the Sri Lankan coast after the fire, which broke out in the engine room on Thursday following an explosion, resulting in a two-metre crack which has been observed from the weather deck. This crack is approximately 10 metres above the waterline on the port quarter deck. Currently, foam and water is constantly pumped to contain the fire which is spreading due to 3200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. The vessel is safe and the oil is intact. The pollution response will start only in case there is an oil spill, sources added. Meanwhile, in a pre-dawn joint operation with the Customs, Indian Coast Guard apprehended a fishing boat 'Sagar' near Diamond Harbour, Kolkata, involved in smuggling textiles worth Rs 5 crore. Further investigations are in progress. More than 350 demoiselle cranes, locally called kurjaa, have arrived in Jodhpur earlier than their usual time this year. These migratory birds come to the water streams and water bodies in Jodhpur every year by flying thousands of kilometers for a pleasant stay during the winter. So far, four swarms of kurjaa have reached Khichan village in Jodhpur district. Last year the first swarm of kurjaa reached on September 4, but on September 1 this year, three swarms were sighted together. More than 350 kurjaa have come here in four swarms in the last six days, said a local bird watcher Sewaram Mali. He said that in the next few days, there is a possibility that thousands of these winged guests will reach the Jodhpur village. They usually arrive in Jodhpur in the first week of September and begin retiring to home places by the last week of March. Wildlife expert Dr Hem Singh Gehlot said it was a pleasantly good sign that migratory birds have started knocking the water bodies of Jodhpur. He said every year, about 100 species of migratory birds fly into India, either in search of food or to escape the severe winter of their native habitat. In Indian subcontinent, majority of migratory birds are winter migrants, he said, adding the winter migrants from central Asia and Siberia, Asia Minor, Arabia, Central and NE Asia, East Asia, Mongolia, North Eastern China, Europe and Arctic region, arrive through different migratory routes in the country during September to March. Demoiselle crane is one of Avian migrant species which fly over distances of thousands of kilometers in order to find the best ecological conditions and habitats for feeding, breeding and raising their young, he further said. The Demoiselle cranes conservation status is Least Concern under version 3.1 of IUCN Red List Categories (2012). An orca named Tahlequah who touched the hearts of people around the world in 2018 after she carried her dead calf for 17 days has given birth to a new baby. The 21 year-old orca or 'killer whale' gave birth on September 4 to her new calf, dubbed 'J57' by researchers, in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in US waters. According to the Whale Research Center, Tahlequah and her new calf appear to be healthy with the infant 'swimming vigorously alongside its mother'. Tahlequah gave birth to one calf in 2010 who survives to this day 'J47', also known as 'Notch' but she also miscarried a calf in mid-2010 before losing the 2018 calf soon after birth. Experts feared she was likely also lose this new one. An orca named Tahlequah who touched the hearts of people around the world in 2018 after she carried her dead calf for 17 days has given birth to a new baby Her pregnancy was first reported by whale watchers in July after experts from the Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research conservation group spotted that she was larger than usual. 'We hope folks on the water can give the Southern Residents plenty of space to forage at this important time. With such a small population every successful birth is hugely important for recovery,' the nonprofit group wrote at the time. So it came as a relief to experts when J57, yet to be given a common name by the research team, was born between Washington State and Vancouver Island. According to the Whale Research Center, Tahlequah and her new calf appear to be healthy with the infant 'swimming vigorously alongside its mother' The 21 year-old orca or 'killer whale' gave birth on September 4 to her new calf, dubbed 'J57' by researchers, in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in US waters. 'Hooray! Her new calf appeared healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother in its second day of free-swimming life,' researchers said. The centre did not release the gender of the new calf as they cut observations short. It said that when Tahlequah was spotted she was mostly separate from the other whales and 'very evasive' as she crossed the border into Canada. 'So we ended our encounter with her after a few minutes and wished them well on their way,' the centre said. 'We hope this calf is a success story.' Researchers can't say exactly when the calf was born, but have set its birth date as September 4 due to the fact its dorsal fin was upright when they spotted it. 'We know that it takes a day or two to straighten after being bent over in the womb, so we assign its birthday as September 4, 2020,' the team explained. Her pregnancy was first reported by whale watchers in July after experts from the Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research conservation group spotted that she was larger than usual Tahlequah shot to worldwide fame in 2018 when she carried her stillborn calf for 17 days - and over 1,000 miles - through the Salish Sea off Washington State. WHAT ARE THE MAIN THREATS TO THESE KILLER WHALES? According to the NOAA, the Southern Resident Killer Whales are up against three main threats: Lack of prey Boat traffic and noise Chemical contaminants Chinook salmon are the most nutrient-rich prey available for Southern Resident killer whales. But, the salmon's population has plummeted in recent years, spelling disaster for the whales that rely on them. Noise and overcrowding from boat traffic is considered to be one of the top threats to their existence, along with modern pollution and contaminants lingering in the water from chemicals banned decades ago According to the NOAA, the main contaminants of concern are: PCBs (found in plastics, paints, rubber, electrical equipment), DDT (found in pesticides), and PBDEs (fire retardant chemicals found, for example, in mattresses, TVs, toasters). Advertisement It was seen as a form of grief in another species and so her story captivated the media and the general public, drawing attention to the plight of Pacific orcas. Population ecologist John Durban of Southall Environmental Associates and marine mammal expert Holly Fearnbach from SR3 (Sealife Response + Rehab + Research) have been undertaking long-term studies of the orcas visiting Puget Sound. The use of remote-controlled drone surveillance from 100 feet up the air has allowed the researchers to assess the body conditions of the whales non-invasively. Unfortunately, the southern resident whales in the Pacific of which there are currently only 72 are endangered, meaning that new births are vital. According to experts, a lack of salmon and resulting stress from hunger has been linked to the southern resident whale's poor reproductive circumstances. They are also threatened by pollution and underwater noise with the latter disrupting the orca's sound-based hunting ability. The researchers are concerned that a number of the juveniles in the three pods are looking thin including Tahlequah's living calf, J47. 'There are stressed whales out there, critically stressed,' Dr Fearnbach told the Seattle Times, adding that the drone study has shown the whales to be spread out in small groups. This, she explained, is a sign that they are working hard to find food and spending correspondingly less time socialising. Both the researchers said that while conducting their field studies this year they observed a considerable amount of boat traffic in the area that the whales frequent much of it travelling far too fast, which also creates more underwater noise. Researchers said that when Tahlequah was spotted she was mostly separate from the other whales and 'very evasive' as she crossed the border into Canada Dubbed Tahlequah, or J35, the around 21-year-old orca or 'killer whale' touched hearts around the world when news of her grieving process spread. Tahlequah carried her dead calf with her, balanced on her forehead, for 17 days before letting it go Dr. Holly Fearnbach and Dr. John Durban from Southall Environmental Associates (SEA) first captured images of Tahlequah looking pregnant in July 2020. She gave birth on September 4 'People need to appreciate these are special whales in a special place at a vulnerable time,' Dr Durban told the Seattle Times, adding that boats should give the animals the space and the quiet that they need to survive. He concluded: 'These whales deserve a chance.' With the whales having so much nutritional stress in recent years, a large percentage of pregnancies fail, and there is about a 40 per cent mortality for young calves. 'With this new calf in J pod, that we designate as J57, the population now numbers 73, although the official number for July 1 is estimated to be 72,' the team said. 'We have to sort through all of the photos to see which whales were alive yesterday, and it follows that they would have been alive on July 1. 'The July census is used for consistency in comparison with the Northern Resident killer whale population monitored by DFO Canada.' MINSK, Belarus Pit Pawlaw, guitar in hand, bobbed before the line of riot police guarding the presidential palace, belting out the chorus of his bands biggest hit even as a siren blared. The protesters joined in behind him: Hey, la-la-la-lai, dont wait, dont wait. The police stayed silent during this recent Sunday protest. But, Mr. Pawlaw said, I felt like, in terms of their body language, they were singing along. Thirty years ago, when the Soviet Union fell, rock music was Eastern Europes sound of change and freedom. In Russia, some of the rockers whose anthems bid farewell to Communism rose to stardom, wealth and mainstream acclaim. But in neighboring Belarus, where President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko soon re-established authoritarian rule, many were forced back underground and they have stayed there ever since. Now, it is as though Belarusian rockers grizzled, jaded, tired of playing cover gigs and giving guitar lessons are emerging from as much as a quarter-century of cryogenic sleep. Their renewed relevance sheds light on the breadth of the revolution now sweeping Belarus, one that has yet to unseat Mr. Lukashenko but is already reshaping society and national identity in what was long Europes most tightly controlled authoritarian state. A veteran's dog, Harley, will soon be reunited with his human, Staff Sergeant A.J. Kirrish after she was almost deported to Jordan. On Thursday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the dog to stay in the country. Initially, the organization denied the dog's permit due to a "mistake with her paperwork." They met during a combat tour According to a press release, the military veteran met the one-year-old dog when he was deployed in the Middle East on a combat tour. PEOPLE reported that "Paws of War" took care of Harley when she was still overseas. The dog received veterinary care, shots, and vaccines with the help of the nonprofit organization. On August 24, she was on her way to be reunited with Kirrish in California. However, since the CDC found paperwork problems when she arrived at JFK International Airport, the reunion got on hold. See also: Blind grandpa and army veteran makes ukulele from scratch as hobby Ml On Tuesday, Kirrish posted a Facebook video saying that his dog got rejected from her entry to the US. The agency also started making plans to deport Harley back to Jordan. Kirrish said in the video that his dog means the world to them. Saved her from torture, death, and neglect He explained that while he was on a combat deployment overseas, he rescued her. He wanted to save Harley from torture, death, and neglect that is why he wanted to bring her home. On Tuesday, many New York lawmakers wrote an open letter to Robert Redfield, CDC Director. One of them is Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., who tweeted her thoughts about the rejection. They are asking him to let the poor dog into the country. Harley, a one-year old companion dog for an American veteran, arrived at JFK airport from Jordan and is facing likely euthanasia due to a minor paperwork mistake. This is unacceptable. Im joining the LI Delegation to demand @CDCgov intervene and save this dogs life. pic.twitter.com/g0uDGRQoeE Kathleen Rice (@RepKathleenRice) September 2, 2020 See also: How to Get Rid of Fleas in House? [5 Easy and Effective Steps to Keep Pests at Bay] American soldier being denied his dog. If you are a proud American you must read this right now. A.J a hero American... Posted by Paws of War on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 Lawmakers said in the letter that if they deported Harley back to Jordan, people there will euthanize her. Rep. Rice wrote that it is unacceptable for just a minor paperwork mistake. She also wrote that she is joining the LI Delegation to intervene and save Harley's life. Reunion after quarantine The CDC finally decided to issue a permit allowing Harley into the country on Thursday. A press release from Rice's office said that the dog will get a new rabies vaccination. She will have to be quarantined until October 2. See also: Army Veteran's Stepdaughter Donates Part of Her Liver to Stepdad Harley will be reunited with Kirrish and his wife after that. Kirrish said in a statement that words could not describe their appreciation for all the people involved. He and his wife are eternally humbled and grateful for all the hard work and support from the people who helped his dog get the permit into the country. Kirrish also added that they are counting the days until they can finally be reunited with their little girl, Harley. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 18:54:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- As Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shows its potential in the fight against COVID-19, events featuring TCM have become highlights of the ongoing 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services. The fair, which kicked off on Friday, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive fairs for trade in services and has attracted 18,000 enterprises and institutions from 148 countries and regions. In an exhibition zone of the fair held in Beijing, TCM-related enterprises and organizations including Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in Hebei Province, the producer of Lianhua Qingwen capsules, drew a lot of visitors to their booths. Lianhua Qingwen is a recommended patent TCM for the treatment of COVID-19. According to Zhang Yunling, the company's executive deputy general manager, the capsules have recently received a drug registration certificate granted by Kuwait authorities to treat mild and moderate cases of COVID-19. The greenlight has given the drug a market entry into Kuwait, gaining a foothold for the company to further explore the Middle East market, she said. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Lianhua Qingwen capsules have been recommended in the diagnosis and treatment protocols of many Chinese provinces and cities. The medicine has obtained marketing approval in several countries. Thanks to a raft of plans and regulations, the development of TCM has been raised to unprecedented levels, said Zhu Haidong, an official with the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Zhu added that TCM has so far gained a presence in 183 countries and regions, and the administration will continue to promote projects involving remote medical education and create a sound environment for the development of TCM. The combined use of TCM and Western medicine is one of the reasons China has successfully controlled the COVID-19 epidemic. TCM has demonstrated its unique advantage in reducing the fatality rate and improving the recovery rate, said Wang Qi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering. TCM has been used in treating 92 percent of all confirmed COVID-19 cases across China, said a white paper released by the State Council Information Office in June. The white paper noted that in Hubei, a province once hardest hit by COVID-19, more than 90 percent of confirmed cases received TCM treatment that proved effective. Tong Xiaolin, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said he believes now is the right time to let the world know about, and benefit from, TCM. He hopes that TCM and Western medicine can deepen integration through the COVID-19 fight. Since many people are skeptical about TCM, Tong noted that it needs more scientific evidence and efficacy proof to allow the international society to accept the positive role of TCM in epidemic control. "The novel coronavirus knows no countries, borders, or race. No country can stay out of the epidemic. What we need to do is cooperate, not compete," Tong said. Enditem With all eyes on the behaviour of AFL officials, family members, club staff and players in the various league hubs in Queensland, the news that two Richmond players Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones significantly breached the COVID-19 protocols late last week was a massive jolt for the AFL. It's a hot topic of discussion for our AFL Real Footy podcasters this week Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson and Michael Gleeson who examine some of the big questions for the Tigers, including whether a flag this year would be tainted and whether the careers of those two players could even come to end. Sydney Stack has apologised and said he'll own the consequences of his actions on the Gold Coast. Credit:Getty Images For chief AFL writer Niall, the blemish puts Richmond's so-called 'Richmond exceptionalism' in the spotlight. "I think we have a slightly naive assumption in media we talk about culture of clubs," Niall says. "And we equate winning with being good citizens. Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters. Bartels, a South Dakota native, graduated from Cottey College in 1977 and Northern Arizona University in 1980 and then moved to New Mexico for her first journalism job. The Rocky Mountain News hired her in 1993 as its night cops reporter and in 2000 assigned her to her first legislative session. The Gold Dome hasn't been the same since. In 2009, The Denver Post hired Bartels after the Rocky closed, just shy of its 150th birthday. Bartels left journalism in 2015 to join then Secretary of State Wayne Williams's staff. She has now returned to journalism - at least part-time - and writes a regular political column for Colorado Politics. Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and US President discussed the efforts of the G20 group to combat the global Covid-19 pandemic over a phone call, state-media reported on Monday. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the the two leaders reviewed the work of the G20 chaired by Riyadh this year, and the efforts made within its meetings to protect lives and livelihoods from the impact of the pandemic. They also reviewed the most prominent policies that have been agreed upon to reduce the negative aspects of the pandemic on peoples and the global economy, Xinhua news agency quoted SPA as saying in its report. King Salman stressed that Saudi Arabia will continue to support and coordinate the group to confront the effects of the global health crisis on the human and economic levels. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the G20 countries have been holding regular meetings to deal with impacts of the deadly virus in various sectors. During a summit in March, the G20 leaders vowed to pump more than $5 trillion into the economy. The also appreciated the efforts made by the US to promote regional peace, affirming the Kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and just solution to the Palestinian cause through the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by the Kingdom in 2002. Under a historic US-brokered accord on August 13, the United Arab Emirates agreed to become the third Arab state to normalise ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan. Under the Initiative, Arab nations have offered Israel normalised ties in return for a statehood deal with the Palestinians and full Israeli withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 Middle East war. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Africa: Honouring fallen police officers Police officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty, were honoured on Sunday. On this solemn day of remembrance, we gather to honour and pay tribute to our police officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty. We honour them for their dedicated service to the nation to ensure that each one of us enjoys fundamental freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, said Deputy President David Mabuza. The Deputy President officiated at the annual South African Police Service Commemoration Day held at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Memorial Site at the Union Buildings. Mabuza said it remains a serious concern that police officers are killed by suspects resisting arrest while responding to complaints, effecting arrests, and in vehicle accidents, among others. It is highly disturbing that police officers lose their lives in stop-and-search operations and are sometimes murdered for their firearms, Mabuza said in his virtual address. He said police officers have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the nation. Their patriotism is not in question. These dedicated professionals were willing to place themselves in the line of duty. [This is] to ensure that every citizen of our country and all those within our borders are safe from harm. Their dedication made us feel secure in the knowledge that our government was taking care of the well-being and safety of all people, black and white, said the Deputy President. The annual commemoration is held to remember fallen heroes and heroines, whose deeds serve as an example of what it means to be selfless and patriotic in the service of humanity. These departed members of our police service have paid the ultimate price so that we can enjoy the safety, security and freedom that their protection provides. They came from different backgrounds. They were raised under different environments and by different communities. Yet, what was common for all of them was sacrifice and selfless service to ensure that justice is served for all victims of crime, irrespective of societal standing. Theirs was to ensure that our communities are kept safe from [crime]. As we remember and honour these 39 members of the SAPS and one police reservist, we do so with mixed emotions. Their sacrifice was not in vain, Mabuza said. Their names have been engraved on the memorial site wall. Mabuza said government will continue to extend its unwavering support to the South African Police Service, its members and their families. We are informed of the good performance of the SAPS Education Trust, which was established in 2010 to look after the educational needs of the children of deceased South African Police Service employees, said the Deputy President. Police Minister Bheki Cele reflected on the lives of the fallen officers. They got up, got ready for work and kissed their families goodbye. But their work, and that of all the officers of the SAPS, is like no other. The moment they put on that uniform, they answered a call to serve and to protect, Cele said. This years commemoration took place amid the global Coronavirus pandemic, which has affected the South African Police Service in many ways. COVID-19 has robbed us of capable men and women, many who succumbed to the virus while on the frontlines. This virus has robbed us as the Police Service of our tradition to bid farewell to the men and women of the law with a befitting official SAPS send-off, Cele said. Cele said the majority of officers in the police service do an incredibly hard and dangerous job. While we mourn the passing of these public servants, we must equally celebrate their lives. As we celebrate their stance to serve, we must find inspiration in the fact that they were head and shoulders above their peers with their fearlessness and courage. The deaths of these 40 members should not be in vain, Cele said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Readers hoping to buy Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX:MND) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. This means that investors who purchase shares on or after the 10th of September will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 2nd of October. Monadelphous Group's next dividend payment will be AU$0.13 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of AU$0.26 to shareholders. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, Monadelphous Group has a trailing yield of approximately 2.4% on its current stock price of A$10.93. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. So we need to investigate whether Monadelphous Group can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. View our latest analysis for Monadelphous Group If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Monadelphous Group paid out 91% of its earnings, which is more than we're comfortable with, unless there are mitigating circumstances. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. Thankfully its dividend payments took up just 39% of the free cash flow it generated, which is a comfortable payout ratio. It's good to see that while Monadelphous Group's dividends were not well covered by profits, at least they are affordable from a cash perspective. Still, if the company continues paying out such a high percentage of its profits, the dividend could be at risk if business turns sour. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. With that in mind, we're discomforted by Monadelphous Group's 19% per annum decline in earnings in the past five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls. Story continues The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Monadelphous Group's dividend payments per share have declined at 11% per year on average over the past 10 years, which is uninspiring. It's never nice to see earnings and dividends falling, but at least management has cut the dividend rather than potentially risk the company's health in an attempt to maintain it. Final Takeaway Is Monadelphous Group worth buying for its dividend? It's never great to see earnings per share declining, especially when a company is paying out 91% of its profit as dividends, which we feel is uncomfortably high. However, the cash payout ratio was much lower - good news from a dividend perspective - which makes us wonder why there is such a mis-match between income and cashflow. It's not an attractive combination from a dividend perspective, and we're inclined to pass on this one for the time being. So if you're still interested in Monadelphous Group despite it's poor dividend qualities, you should be well informed on some of the risks facing this stock. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Monadelphous Group you should know about. If you're in the market for dividend stocks, we recommend checking our list of top dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. File image: Rhea Chakraborty Actress Rhea Chakraborty, who is accused of abetting the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has filed a complaint with Mumbai Police, accusing Rajput's sister Priyanka Singh and a Delhi-based doctor of forgery and preparing a "fake" prescription of medicines for anxiety. In her complaint sent to the Bandra police on Sunday, Chakraborty sought that Priyanka Singh and Dr Tarun Kumar, working with Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, be booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for forgery, the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. The 28-year-old actress in her complaint said Rajput was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was undergoing treatment for various other mental health issues. However, Rajput was not disciplined in following the treatment and would often abruptly stop his medications, she further said in the complaint. "On June 8, 2020, Rajput showed me the messages he and his sister Priyanka had exchanged in which Priyanka sent him a list of medicines to take. I explained to Rajput that he has already been prescribed medicines by doctors who are treating him," Chakraborty said in her complaint. "He (Rajput), however, disagreed with me and insisted that he would only take the medicine his sister was prescribing," she said. On the same day, Rajput asked Chakraborty to leave the house as his sister Meetu Singh was coming to stay with him for a few days, according to the complaint. "It has now come to light that Rajput on June 8 told his sister Priyanka that he would not be able to obtain the said medicines without a prescription. His sister Priyanka subsequently on the same day sent him a prescription signed by one Dr Tarun Kumar, working with the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi," the complaint said. "Prima facie, the prescription appeared to be fabricated. The medicines prescribed by the doctor are prohibited from being prescribed electronically without consultation with the patient," Chakraborty said in the complaint. "Rajput died just a few days after he obtained the prescription, wherein he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances at the behest of his sister Priyanka and the doctor Tarun Kumar," she said. Rajput, 34, was found hanging in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14 following which the Mumbai Police had lodged an Accidental Death Report (ADR). On July 25, Rajputs father K K Singh lodged a complaint with Patna police against Rhea Chakraborty, her parents Indrajit and Sandhya Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, the late actor's former manager Shruti Modi and his house manager Samuel Miranda. He accused them of cheating and abetting his sons suicide. He also claimed that the accused persons had siphoned off Rs 15 crore from his sons bank accounts. Based on this allegation, the Enforcement Directorate is probing money laundering charges. The FIR lodged by Patna police was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is probing drugs angle in the case. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Rochester, New York Mayor Lovely Warren On Sunday, the mayor of Rochester, New York, pledged to explore policing and mental health reforms. Protests in response to Daniel Prude's March death in police custody had entered their fifth night in the city. Mayor Lovely Warren said at a press conference that she recognized a "need to continue to deliver consistent progress over the coming weeks, months, and years" following Prude's death on March 30, one week after police detained him, placed a so-called "spit-hood" over his head and held his head to the ground. As Rochester readied for its fifth night of protests in response to Prude's death on Sunday night, Warren said the city would move its crisis intervention team from the city's police department and relocate the mental health workers and its funding to the Department of Youth and Recreation Services. "We had a human being in a need of help, in need of compassion," Warren, 43, said. "In that moment, we had an opportunity to protect him, to keep him warm, to bring him to safety, to begin the process of healing him and lifting him up. We have to own the fact that in the moment we did not do that." Monroe County Medical Examiner's office ruled Prude, 41, had died as a result of a homicide caused by "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint," according to the New York Times. RELATED: Black Man Died of Suffocation After Police Put 'Spit-Hood' on Him to Protect Against Coronavirus Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Joe Prude, the brother of Daniel Prude, leads demonstrators in a march for his brother in Rochester, New York Prude's death was not made public until last Wednesday, when his family released police footage of his death. In response to questions from Prude's family and demonstrators about why it took more than five months to make Prude's death public, Rochester Police Chief La'Ron Singletary said multiple times during Sunday's press conference that "this is not a cover-up." Story continues Both Singletary and Warren said they would not resign, despite growing calls by demonstrators for them to do so amid questions about the city's handling of Prude's death. Prude's brother, Joe Prude, had called police that day seeking help after his brother left in an erratic mental state. Prude had been hospitalized the day before with apparent mental health problems, according to The Times. I placed a phone call for my brother to get help. Not for my brother to get lynched, Joe Prude said at a Wednesday press conference, according to the Associated Press. How did you see him and not directly say, The man is defenseless, buck naked on the ground. Hes cuffed up already. Come on. How many more brothers gotta die for society to understand that this needs to stop? Prude, who had been running in the streets nude at the time of his arrest, told the group of police officers, "Take this s--- off my face, you're trying to kill me," as heard in body cam footage, first reported by the Democrat & Chronicle. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images People gather as they prepare to march for Daniel Prude during a protest following news of his death in police custody in March. The officers involved in Prude's death have been suspended without pay, according to CNN, though no one has been charged in his death. New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement on Saturday that she would be forming a grand jury to investigate Prude's death. Bob Duffy, who was both the city's former mayor and former police chief, blasted the city's handling of Prude's death in a statement on Sunday. "Police-community relations are not about buildings or town halls," Duffy, now the president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, said. "Positive relationships are built through mutual respect and trust. This incident and its aftermath have created a divide in our community that will only be repaired with true leadership, courage, transparency, and deep systemic change. The time for excuses and band-aids is over." Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:01:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Australian (SA) authorities have flagged easing the state's border restrictions "within days." Grant Stevens, the commissioner of SA Police and the state's COVID-19 coordinator, revealed recently that the state was "ready to move" on border restrictions. Under current restrictions anyone who enters SA from New South Wales (NSW) or the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) must quarantine for 14 days while travellers from Victoria are banned from entering the state altogether. Stevens said that authorities were "really hopeful we can relax border restrictions" to NSW and the ACT and be more "liberal" with travel exemptions for Victorians. "It means a lot to people to be able to travel into and out of those two locations, so we're watching really closely," said Stevens, according to News Corp Australia on Monday. "We're hopeful, the way the NSW Government particularly is dealing with the current numbers they have, continues the way it is." "It could be days (for borders to reopen) but it is really dependent upon what happens there." Stevens said that Victoria's success in fighting its second wave of COVID-19 infections gave authorities "the latitude to more actively consider exemptions" but warned against letting "optimism cloud our understanding of the actual circumstances as they are today." "The reality is we still face a risk of COVID-19 finding its way into our community and we need to be ready to respond if that does occur," he said. Enditem The Ministry of Justice (MJ) on Monday informed that the ministry reform is completed, with the activity having been consolidated on three levels: legislative drafting, strengthening control and integrity and ensuring better communication. "The Ministry of Justice announces the completion of the institution reform process according to Decision no. 466/2020 on the modification and supplementing of the Government Decision no. 652/2009 on the organisation and functioning of the Ministry of Justice. The process, which can be consulted in the new organisational chart of the institution, was based on the strengthening of the activity of the ministry on three levels: legislative drafting, strengthening control and integrity and ensuring better communication," reads a press release of the MJ.According to the Ministry, the main regulations regarding the modification and supplementing of GD no. 652/2009 on the organisation and functioning of the Ministry of Justice concern the following fields of activity:*The possibility of setting up committees to draft the codes and other normative acts in the justice field, to document and/or draft the explanatory documents and strategies in the justice field. The committees will also be able to work with outside collaborators, according to the law - professors at the higher education institutions, scientific researchers, judges, prosecutors, members of the regulated legal professions or other experts.*The Minister will be able to notify the Judicial Inspection to investigate into such cases of alleged disciplinary misconduct of prosecutors.*Two departments of the Ministry of Justice - the Accounting Department and the Investment Department - will no longer function separately and they will merge into the Economic Department, which will take over the activity, offices and the personnel of the two aforementioned departments. The Economic Department will be a flexible structure adjusted to the current requirements and with a clear vision in the economic field.*The judicial statistics office will be transformed into a compartment of the Human Resources Department, in order to reach, of an efficient manner, the purpose of meeting the responsibilities of both compartments, under the best circumstances and with a unique vision.*There has been set up the Communication Compartment at the Ministry of Justice, in charge with the creation and evaluation of the public image of the policies in the justice field and with the drafting of the recommendations; it will also draft the communication strategies, organise the public activities of the Ministry of Justice and other representatives of the Ministry, organise the press conferences of the Ministry.' *There has been reorganised the Ministry's control body at the department level. This compartment is independent and directly subordinated to the Ministry of Justice.*The secretary-general will also coordinate the National programme for strengthening the infrastructure of courts in the county capitals and the "Neighbourhood for Justice - an urban complex meant for the headquarters of some institutions in the judicial system." Without a deal, the new year will bring tariffs and other economic barriers between the U.K. and the bloc, its biggest trading partner. Johnson said the country would "prosper mightily" even if Britain had "a trading arrangement with the EU like Australia's" -- the U.K. government's preferred description of a no-deal Brexit. Britain left the now 27-nation EU on Jan. 31, 3 years after the country narrowly voted to end more than four decades of membership. That political departure will be followed by an economic break when an 11-month transition period ends on Dec. 31 and the U.K. leaves the EU's single market and customs union. With talks deadlocked, Johnson said an agreement would only be possible if EU negotiators are prepared to "rethink their current positions." The EU, in turn, accuses Britain of failing to negotiate seriously. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson talked tough on Sunday ahead of a crucial round of post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union, saying Britain could walk away from the talks within weeks and insisting that a no-deal exit would be a "good outcome for the U.K." British chief negotiator David Frost and his counterpart Michel Barnier are to meet in London starting Tuesday for the eighth round of negotiations. The key sticking points are access for European boats to U.K. fishing waters and state aid to industries. The EU is determined to ensure a "level playing field" for competition so British firms can't undercut the bloc's environmental or workplace standards or pump public money into U.K. industries. Britain accuses the bloc of making demands that it has not imposed on other countries it has free trade deals with, such as Canada. Frost told the Mail on Sunday newspaper that Britain was "not going to compromise on the fundamentals of having control over our own laws." "We are not going to accept level playing field provisions that lock us in to the way the EU do things," he said. The EU says a deal has to be struck before November to allow time for parliamentary approval and legal vetting before the transition period expires. Johnson gave an even shorter deadline, saying an agreement needed to be sealed by an EU summit scheduled for Oct. 15. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," he said. Barnier said last week he was "worried and disappointed" by the lack of progress and said the U.K. had not "engaged constructively." Without a deal, British freight firms have warned there could be logjams at ports and supplies of key goods in Britain could be "severely disrupted" starting Jan. 1. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday that talks were "not going well" and dismissed British attempts to drive a wedge between EU nations on issues such as fishing. Le Drian said the 27 nations remained united. "We would prefer a deal, but a deal on the basis of our mandate," he told France Inter radio. "There is room for action, but the whole package, including the fishing package, needs to be taken up in order to avoid a 'no deal.'" In this global pandemic, public addresses by international leaders is now commonplace. Its not unusual to switch from one media channel to another, one country to another, and find the same theme running through all their briefings. We wake up wondering what the numbers will be for our region today. We tune in to hear the latest advice for our country. We follow the global statistics and we hear the sorrow and triumph, worry and hope, of other countries around the world. Covid-19 has infiltrated everything. But here in New Zealand, a trend has begun in the messages being spoken over and over by our current heads. Various ministers of Parliament step in to address their respective spheres of influence, and all of them urge us to follow safe practices, adhere to health guidelines, etc. They all have different perspectives in working towards the common goal of eradicating this virus from our shores, but there is one mandate which they all agree on and speak tirelessly from their platforms: Have courage and be kind. Yes, that is a direct quote from the 2015 Cinderella movie. Back when getting to the ball in a magic pumpkin was the most prominent problem a person might face. 2020 has been, in the words of our own Prime Minister, frankly terrible. Lockdowns, shifting alert levels, mask wearing, travel restrictions, social distancing, cancellation of events, rising cases of domestic violence, job losses, and the generic rise in mental struggles such as anxiety and depression. Not to mention the virus itself, and the subsequent suffering and death. This is not a year well be eager to repeat. And yet, in the midst of all this heaviness, kindness is in. Nowhere have we seen this more powerfully than in the Christchurch community in the South Island, where families of the murder victims of the 2019 terrorist attack gathered to face the killer of their loved ones in court. In the midst of Covid-19s chaos and impact, they carried yet another layer of loss and grief. But they didnt face it alone. Outside the courthouse, multiple Kiwis gathered a mix of nationalities, genders, and religions to hold up signs of solidarity, to sing songs of love and support, to offer hugs to strangers who were publicly suffering all over again. Because kindness is a universal value. It has nothing to do with personality or gender, age or religion or race. Kindness is a human quality that anyone can practice, cultivate and live by. Too often it is ignored, dismissed, seen as weak or unintelligent. But it is none of these things. Kindness is, in fact, the most powerful resource in a society. It fosters trust. It builds community. It paves the way for progress, which cannot be made without respect and insight and openminded collaboration. All things that are direct results of kindness. We are all too familiar with the dissention that gossip breeds. The crumbling of values when selfishness takes over. The halt of human productivity, enlightenment and even history, when cruelty becomes the basis of our transactions. There is enough hate and backstabbing in this world. An act of kindness. A word of kindness. A person whose entire vibe IS kindness. These are the tools we need to overcome disease, to rise above pettiness, to lift our entire race by lifting the person who stands beside us. Because kindness empowers. It strengthens. It flourishes. It raises both the giver and the receiver. And now, in the chaos and uncertainty of 2020, kindness is being acknowledged more and more. It is a trait we notice when it is present and when it is not in the way worldwide leaders handle this crisis. It is taking over our personal interactions and conversations. Were even seeing it play out in arenas where previously it may have been left to lie dormant. Kindness is now so in it has become something we praise publicly on social media. Kindness is the latest trend. As the world seems to be burning all around us, we are learning that triumph and success, prowess and even professionalism, do not have to hide any kindness that may be in their layers. Kindness is a necessary trait. A legitimate tool. A methodology which could change the face of humanity, if only each one of us made the conscious choice to open its many channels and funnel it out into our workplaces and homes, our minds and our actions and our hearts. And now its time to take it one step further. To make kindness more than a fleeting trend. To offer it freely. To speak it intentionally. To teach our children to value it fiercely. To train our own voices to hold the colours of kindness with pride. Until kindness is such an ingrained part of our humanity, we dont know how to step into a day without it. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 7, 2020 / In this globally competitive world, various players from the business and entrepreneurial landscapes have been on their toes as they strive to leave legacies and make marks in their respective industries. And as someone who has gained recognition for being a frontrunner in his field, Scott Keever has made it his mission to help others stay on top of their games. Scott Keever, the esteemed founder of Scott Keever SEO, has been in the digital marketing field for over ten years. He has a well-established track record for assisting businesses with their growth. As such, he has been featured in Forbes, INC, Entrepreneur, USAToday, and Thrive Global. On top of that, he is also an official member of the Forbes Agency Council. Known for his expertise in search engine optimization and digital marketing, Scott Keever has worked hard to earn his sterling reputation in the Miami area. And taking the reins on his company, a small but mighty SEO firm, he has charted new directions that allow local businesses to compete with larger entities by increasing their visibility online. Moreover, the company also turns its clients' websites into a revenue-generating machine that creates a buzz on social media. As a result, Scott Keever SEO has become an instrumental piece in elevating brands and businesses that need to enhance their reachability. At a very young age, Scott found himself gravitating toward the thrill and excitement brought by the fast-paced work environment. However, he realized that the thing piquing his interest the most was delivering value to the people he worked with. And stumbling upon this enthralling passion, he decided to dive into a retail sales career for the Fortune 100 Company, Verizon Wireless. Proving to be a man of remarkable skill and talent, Scott got hold of a management position in the said company. And after fifteen long years of being committed to Verizon Wireless, he went from being an associate to the manager of one of the busiest and most successful retail locations in the country. Story continues Although Scott was doing well in his position at that time, he felt that he was ready to take on a new challenge. And moving forward to the next chapter of his life, the go-getter threw in his analytical, creative, and managerial acumen to the burgeoning economic market. So in 2011, he was able to start a document-filling agency that quickly began generating thousands of dollars in revenue per day. Pounding the pavement with his marketing flair, Scott mastered the art behind pay-per-click ads and ran major campaigns on Google and Bing. But as he got deeper into his work, he noticed that his revenue stream produced significant inconsistencies. From there, he realized that his venture would be made more valuable if he used a holistic approach that increased revenue and search rankings. After going through his fair share of challenges and bumps along the road, Scott was finally able to create Scott Keever SEO, an agency emboldened by the vision of helping other small business owners like himself succeed online and in the area. Today, Scott Keever SEO is prominently known for offering web design, local SEO, social media and reputation management, and many more. To know more about Scott Keever and his company, you may head on to their website or follow them on Instagram. Company: Scott Keever SEO Email: scott@scottkeeverseo.com Phone number: (813) 455-1455 Website: ScottKeeverSEO.com SOURCE: Scott Keever SEO View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/605071/Scott-Keever-on-Elevating-Businesses-and-Transcending-Challenges-of-the-Times Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Libya on Monday reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections, the highest tally for a single day since the conflict-ravaged country announced its first cases in late March. "Of the 4,291 tests performed on Sunday, 1,080 were positive," said the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a Tripoli-based government agency. The figure brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the North African country to 18,834, including 16,376 who required hospitalisation, 2,162 patients who recovered and 296 deaths. The NCDC urged people in areas where the virus is spreading rapidly to avoid travel unless it is essential. Tripoli and its suburbs, home to more than one-third of Libya's population, accounted for more than half of the new cases for the third week in a row. On Sunday, the NCDC launched a campaign to raise awareness about health protocols, including the wearing of masks which is compulsory in public. It called on Tripoli residents to be more vigilant and to respect such measures given the "rapidly worsening epidemiological situation". Libya, ravaged by a complex web of conflicts since the ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, has seen COVID-19 cases surge, weighing on already stretched health services. At the end of August, the World Health Organization voiced alarm over the uptick in infections. "Compounding the situation, Libya's health care system has been badly disrupted by years of conflict," the WHO said. "Given the acute shortages of tests and laboratory capacity, the real number of (COVID-19) cases is likely to be much higher." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has long been unhappy with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and White House officials have talked to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie about taking the top Pentagon job should Trump decide to fire Esper, three senior administration officials said. Two senior administration officials said Trump discussed the position directly with Wilkie at the White House last month. Two other senior administration officials said Wilkie had senior-level discussions with the White House about becoming Trump's next defense secretary. The conversations included the idea of naming Wilkie a Senate-confirmed member of Trump's Cabinet the acting defense secretary if the president fires Esper, officials said. Image: Robert Wilkie (Steven Ferdman / Getty Images file) Wilkie was one of several possible replacements for Esper whom the White House informally interviewed this summer about serving as defense secretary, two current officials and one former official said. The conversations took place as Trump's monthslong threats to fire Esper intensified, officials said. The option of naming Wilkie as acting Pentagon chief would give Trump the flexibility to remove Esper immediately after the November election, if not before. Two senior administration officials said Trump has not entirely ruled out the possibility of making a change in Pentagon leadership before the election, although some of the president's allies have cautioned him to wait until after. Two senior administration officials said there are no current plans for Esper to be removed before the election. "There are no plans to replace Secretary Esper," one of the officials said. The White House declined to comment on the record. The Veterans Affairs Department and the Pentagon declined to comment. The relationship between Trump and Esper was further strained last week when the two again publicly clashed over a policy decision. The president pointedly rebuffed Esper's decision to cut funding in the Pentagon budget for Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for U.S. military personnel that has been published since the Civil War. Esper had been advised by multiple aides not to propose cutting the newspaper's funding because the move would draw a political backlash, and it did from Republicans and Democrats. Story continues A White House official said Trump thought the decision was "politically stupid," and on Friday he wrote on Twitter, "The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @starsandstripes magazine under my watch." The tensions between Trump and Esper persist as the president is under criticism over allegations that he made disparaging comments about the military after The Atlantic reported that he privately called veterans "suckers" and "losers." Esper has served as Trump's third defense secretary for just over a year. He was confirmed by the Senate in July, succeeding acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Trump's first Pentagon chief, James Mattis. Trump has told aides for months that he is unhappy with Esper and wants to fire him. Trump's allies inside and outside the White House have told him that shaking up leadership at the Pentagon before the Nov. 3 election would create turmoil in his administration during the closing weeks of the campaign. It would come at a time when the president is planning to reduce the number of U.S. forces in hot spots such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Esper's standing with Trump has taken a significant hit this summer, after he broke with the president on several high-profile issues. In June, Esper told NBC News that he would not support using the Insurrection Act to quell civil unrest across the country, even though Trump was leaving open the possibility of invoking the law to deploy federalized troops to respond to the protests. Another recent point of friction was the idea of renaming military bases named for Confederate generals and leaders. In June, Esper said he was open to the idea of renaming the bases. But days later, Trump issued a series of tweets denouncing the idea, writing that "my Administration will not even consider renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations." He followed up with "Respect our Military!" Later in the summer, when asked whether he had confidence in his defense secretary, Trump took a notable swipe at Esper. "Mark Yesper?" he responded, using the nickname some lawmakers and administration officials use to privately deride Esper as Trump's "yes man." "Some people call him Yesper," Trump added. "I get along with him fine. He's fine." Asked whether he had considered firing Esper, Trump said: "I consider firing everybody. At some point, at some point, that's what happens." Wilkie, who has been VA secretary since July 2018, has spent years working in various positions at the Pentagon. He was Mattis' undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, and he held more junior roles under defense secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. Wilkie remains a colonel in the Air Force Reserve. In March, Wilkie was named a member of the coronavirus task force set up by Vice President Mike Pence. A senior administration official said the task force work raised Wilkie's visibility and profile with Trump and other White House officials in recent weeks. Dr Kafeel Khan was released on Tuesday after spending seven months in jail for criticising anti-Muslim citizenship law. An Indian doctor who was jailed for more than seven months for criticising a controversial citizenship law was released on Tuesday night after a court in northern Uttar Pradesh state called his incarceration illegal. Dr Kafeel Khan told Al Jazeera he was physically tortured while in captivity, which included him being stripped of his clothes and beaten and deprived of food for days. It was very hard for the whole family. My 65-year-old mother was forced to visit the courts during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, he said. Dr Khan was arrested in January for a speech made a month earlier that authorities in Uttar Pradesh (UP), governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), deemed incendiary. He was later charged under the National Security Act (NSA), which stipulates that a person can be held without charge for a year. His speech focused on major issues facing the country of 1.4 billion people such as malnutrition, lack of health facilities and unemployment crisis. They really wanted to break me this time. Dr Kafeel Khan But Khans criticism of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which bans Muslims from neighbouring South Asian countries from gaining Indian nationality, seemed to have earned him the governments ire. The passing of the law in December sparked nationwide protests led mostly by Muslims Indias largest minority, numbering nearly 200 million. Targeted because of his religion Yogi Adityanath, who is UPs chief minister and known for his anti-Muslim statements, ordered a crackdown against anti-CAA protests in the northern state. More than two dozens Muslims were killed in police action that was condemned by Amnesty International India. Who will speak up in this time of atrocities, if we are also quiet, who will raise their voice? Khan had said during the speech in front of students of Aligarh Muslim University, located around 125km from the capital, New Delhi. Critics and family members say the 38-year-old paediatrician was targeted because he chose to speak up against the law, which the United Nations dubbed fundamentally discriminatory. The UP police department in its complaint accused Dr Khan of sowing seeds of discord towards other religious communities. But the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday disagreed with the police, saying a complete reading of the speech also nowhere threatens peace and tranquility of the city of Aligarh [located in UP]. Dr Khan is rising as a prominent Muslim face in India, which the government doesn't want ... they don't want an educated Muslim person raising his voice, about their rights or equality. Harjit Singh Bhatti, a doctor based in New Delhi The address gives a call for national integrity and unity among the citizens. The speech also deprecates any kind of violence, the 42-page judgement read as it ordered the immediate release of Khan. Dr Khan said that after he was slapped with the NSA, his family became untouchable as people avoided contact with them in their home city of Gorakhpur in UP. Lawyers would not take my case, he said. His activism has also brought troubles to his family. His brother Adeel Khan said his business has been targeted since Kafeel Khan was arrested in 2017. Another brother survived a gun attack. The 38-year-old doctors release on Tuesday ends his third stint in prison [Courtesy family of Dr Kafeel Khan] Harjit Singh Bhatti, a doctor based in New Delhi, has been one of Khans most vocal supporters. He said that Khan has been presumably targeted because of his religion. Dr Khan is rising as a prominent Muslim face in India, which the government doesnt want they dont want an educated Muslim person raising his voice, about their rights or equality, Bhatti told Al Jazeera. A history of persecution Dr Khan has spent nearly 500 days in prison in the last three years, as his case has become a symbol of state repression on dissent. And he is not the only one. Several activists behind the peaceful anti-CAA protests are still behind bars for opposing the governments alleged anti-minority policies. The address gives a call for national integrity and unity among the citizens. Court verdict referring to Khan's speech Rights groups have condemned their continued incarceration as the coronavirus virus pandemic poses a threat to their life in Indias crowded prisons. On Monday, India overtook Brazil to become the second-worst country hit by COVID-19 with over 4.2 million cases. The 38-year-old doctors release on Tuesday ends his third stint in prison. His ordeal with the BJP-led UP government began in September 2017, when he was arrested in the wake of the deaths of 70 children due to lack of oxygen supply at Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College hospital in Gorakhpur, Khans hometown. Then a junior doctor in the paediatrics department, Dr Khan was hailed as a hero for securing a supply of oxygen tanks for the hospital ward from his personal money. However, according to Dr Khan, the incident did not go down well, with Adityanath chastising Khan for his efforts upon meeting him days after the incident. Khan was arrested with eight others for the deaths of the minors, and jailed for seven months. He was arrested again a year later for 45 days, after authorities claimed he had barged into a hospital in the Bahraich district in UP, leading to an alleged ruckus. The doctor claims he went to the hospital to enquire about the deaths of children at the hospital from encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Thousands of children have died in Uttar Pradesh and in neighbouring Bihar state due to episodic outbreaks of encephalitis since the 1970s. In 2018, an investigating team looking into the BRD hospital tragedy exonerated the paediatrician of any criminal wrongdoing. Khan has sought an apology from the Adityanath-led government and the reinstatement of his job. Dr. Kafeel Khan released from jail, talks to India Today, says- '' I was tortured in custody''#NewsToday with @sardesairajdeep pic.twitter.com/FtCMahdHIO IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 2, 2020 But instead, the government ordered another inquiry into the childrens death case. Dr Bhatti, who is also the President of Progressive Medicos and Scientists Forum, said Khan has been made a scapegoat. Khan has been continuously made a scapegoat for the BRD tragedy, despite being a junior doctor at the hospital, Bhatti told Al Jazeera. Bhatti has been an outspoken critic of the Modi governments coronavirus pandemic policy, as the country has emerged as the epicentre of the virus in Asia. They wanted to break me Khan, who has moved to western Rajasthan state since his release, says he feared for his life inside the jail. For the first four to five days of my incarceration, I did not receive any food. I wore the same clothes I was not able to take a bath or brush my teeth. To go to the toilet there was a queue of 30 minutes, he said, adding that he had to share the barrack with some 150 people while it actually had the capacity to hold 40. They really wanted to break me this time, he told Al Jazeera. The paediatrician said at times he would bite on his sleeves to distract himself from the excruciating hunger he experienced. I was in so much pain I could have eaten grass, he said. He said that jail authorities asked him to stop talking about the BRD hospital tragedy, and also demanded that he stop criticising CAA and a proposed citizenship register, which critics fear will likely be used to disenfranchise Muslims. Despite the immense hardships, Khan revealed that his fellow prisoners, who were aware of his heroics during the BRD episode, would help him with food and other requests during his incarceration. Khan has temporarily moved to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state, where he has been reunited with his family, including his two children, wife and brother. He said his most pressing concern is to demand the UP government revoke his suspension from his previous post at the BRD hospital so that he could resume his work. For the past three years, he said, I have written 25 letters to the UP government to either revoke my suspension or terminate me, so that I can go work somewhere else. Nick Folk was cut Saturday, signed to the practice squad Sunday and will almost certainly be the New England Patriots starting placekicker when they host the Miami Dolphins, Sunday in Week 1. It appears that the decision to finalize the 53-man roster with no kickers on cutdown day was less a reflection on Folk, who was the Patriots best kicker in training camp and more of an instance where Bill Belichick saw an opportunity to take advantage of a temporary roster rule created because of the pandemic. For starters, the Patriots didnt put in a waiver claim on Chase McLaughlin, Matt Gay or Stephen Hauska, who were cut by Indianapolis, Tampa Bay and Buffalo respectively. If they werent comfortable with Folk, there were capable replacements available and they didnt pursue them. New England signed Folk to the practice squad. If Justin Rohrwasser, the fifth-round pick who was also cut and signed to the practice squad, was expected to be the Week 1 starter, there would have been no reason to use a spot on Folk. In a normal year with experience restrictions, Folk would have been way too experienced to be eligible for a practice squad. But thats been eliminated for 2020. Plus having 16 practice squad spots makes that real estate less exclusive allowing the Patriots to use two of those spots for kickers. Belichick has long found moments of fleeting glee from recognizing opportunities that were unintended when rules were created. Its possible the Patriots could spend the entire season without a kicker on the active roster, a move that would seem to fit Belichicks love of exploiting fine print. Normally any team can sign someone to their active roster from someones practice squad. But in 2020, new practice squad rules allow teams to designate four practice squad players that cant be signed away from an opponent. Plus, on game day teams can make two practice squad players eligible to play. So Folk could be one of the four protected players and one of the two elevated players each week. Or if Rohrwasser, who struggled in camp, rediscovers his accuracy and length, Belichick could simply move Rohrwasser into that role. Folk was 14-for-17 on field goals and was perfect from 40 yards and under and 5-for-8 on kicks 40 yards or more. He was 12-for-12 on extra points, which distinguished him from other New England kickers whod struggled badly on extra points missing six of 33 tries. Related content: Who will be New England Patriots kicker? Five possibilities for Week 1 against Miami Dolphins Patriots cut Justin Rohrwasser and Nick Folk leaving New England without a kicker (reports) New England Patriots 53-man roster revealed: Brian Hoyer makes cut as third quarterback A woman Bharatiya Janata Party worker was shot in her head in a village in south Bengal allegedly by goons backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress on Monday. BJP leaders identified the woman as Radharani Naskar. She is a BJP worker from Bishnupur in South 24 Parganas. The victim had to be rushed to a state-run hospital. Her condition was stated to be critical till reports last came in. One person has been detained for questioning. Investigation is going on, said an officer of the Bishnupur police station. While the BJP has alleged that she was shot by goons backed by the TMC, the ruling party refuted the allegations saying that it was a conflict between two neighborhoods. The miscreants had targeted the victims husband. But as he was not at home they attacked his wife and shot her. The TMC has unleashed terror on BJP leaders, workers and supporters. Police are a mute spectator, said Dilip Ghosh, president of the BJPs West Bengal unit. TMCs Rajya Sabha member Subhasis Chakraborty said: The TMC is not at all related to this. What I gathered from the locality is that it was a conflict between two neighborhoods. The accused will be soon arrested. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON (Newser) Doctors in a Berlin hospital have pulled Russian Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader whom German officials say was poisoned, out of an induced coma and say he's responding to verbal stimuli. Navalny is being eased off a ventilator, Sky News reports. Although they said he's improving, doctors were cautious. "It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning," the hospital said in a statement, per the BBC. Germany has called the poisoning attempted murderNavalny led anti-corruption campaigns against his governmentand asked Russia for answers. story continues below Russia countered that it wants to see Germany's evidence, and in the meantime has called its ambassador back to Moscow. Germany's foreign minister said Sunday that its support for an underwater pipeline that carries gas from Russia to Germany may hang in the balance. "The chancellor also believes that its wrong to rule anything out," a spokesman for Angela Merkel said Monday, per the AP. Russia pushed back Monday. "Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd," a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin said. (Read more Alexei Navalny stories.) Telangana Rastra Samiti (TRS) chief and state Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday said that the party will launch a national party at an appropriate time. Speaking at Telangana Rastra Samiti Legislature Party (TRSLP) meeting, he clarified media reports on the launch dates. There is a discussion and debate on the formation of a national party in the media. We have enough time for Parliament elections. We will announce the party in an appropriate time after discussing with party leaders." The Chief Minister told the MLAs that the New Revenue Act will be introduced and urged party members to create awareness about the new legislation. It is an innovative law that aims to give better services to the people. There is no such law anywhere in the country," he said. The new act aims to abolish the Village Revenue Officers (VRO) system which is working in the villages, sources said. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar asked the District Collectors to handover the files from VROs for implementation purposes. Kumar issued orders suspending all registration-related activities, barring a few, from September 8 in the state until further instructions. Accordingly as per the powers vested under Rule 5 of the Telangana Registration Rules under the Registration Act 1908, holidays are declared with effect from September 8 until further orders for all Registrar and Sub-Registrar offices in the state in respect of all registration services under the Registration Act, 1908," the Orders said. The Telangana legislative assembly sessions began under strict safety protocols including mandatory use of face masks and COVID-19 negative reports. Assembly members also passed condolence motion mourning the deaths of former president Pranab Mukherjee. Moving the motion for Mukherjee, who passed away on August 31, KCR said the former president played a crucial role in the formation of Telangana as the head of a committee appointed by then UPA Government on the statehood issues. The CM said, " He was always sympathetic towards the Telangana movement. He guided the then leadership at the Centre over the Telangana issue and later as the President of India signed the Telangana bill," he said." The House observed two minutes silence for Mukherjee. The assembly also mourned the deaths of former members who died recently. Assembly Speaker P Srinivas Reddy said all the members should get their body temperature examined every day and if anyone is suffering from cough, cold or fever, they should refrain themselves from coming to the Assembly. Woman Who Died 6 Months Ago Receives Letter Claiming She Has COVID-19: Son Local health agency confirms story, apologizes to family The son of a Tennessee woman said that although his mother died six months ago, the Shelby County Health Department sent her a letter notifying her that she tested positive for COVID-19 and needed to self-quarantine. Im just having a hard time understanding how they can say someone has COVID-19 when they are not even alive, Troy Whittington told WKYC. The Shelby County Health Department confirmed the mistakenly sent letter and apologized. Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Alisa Haushalter personally spoke with Mr. Whittington on Thursday and a letter of apology from her was sent to the family on Friday. As an agency, we are in the process of reviewing current procedures and are implementing additional safeguards that will help to prevent situations like this from occurring in the future, the agency said, according to Newsweek. Whittington told the news station that his mother died while in hospice care. Its been six months, almost seven, since she passed away, he added. There was no testing that was done at that time. On her death certificate it was stated she died, what the cause of death was, and it was not COVID-19. It was COPD. COPD refers to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Whittington said he called the local health department, which said she tested positive for the virus on June 20. By that time, he said she was already deceased and cremated. Its impossible for someone to be tested on June 20, who passed away on February 16th. I tried to call the health department this morning, ask them why this was going on. She said she would have to get a supervisor. She was sorry for the mistake or she couldnt tell me any information till she got a supervisor, and I havent heard back from them, he said. Whittington said that hes now questioning the overall CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus figures in the United States. I would just like for the health department to be more accurate, he said. They have a record of her death there. That is where I got the death certificate from, and its in the same building theyre sending out saying she is positive, which is not possible. So far, more than 6 million cases of the CCP virus, otherwise known as the novel coronavirus, have been reported in the United States, along with nearly 190,000 deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Aug. 31 that new weekly CCP virus deaths may decrease in the coming weeks, with 3,300 to 7,500 new deaths during the week ending Sept. 26, and its forecasts predict 200k to 211k total COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. by Sept. 26. THE GOAL: Brain fog, confusion, trouble focusing, even bouts of delirium. As the world learns more about COVID-19, reports are trickling in about survivors still coping with these issues, even months after infection. But how widespread are they? Which parts of the brain are impacted? And will patients get better? These are the kinds of questions a team from Western University in London, Ont., the University of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre hopes to answer with a massive global study on the impacts of COVID on the brain. Instead of coming into a lab or a doctors office, participants will take part in online games from the comfort of their own homes, to help researchers understand the long-term effects of the virus. THE TEAM: The study is led by Dr. Richard H. Swartz, a neurologist and clinician-scientist at Sunnybrook and Adrian Owen, a professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at Western. Cambridge Brain Sciences, an online platform with cognitive function tests that have been used for other large studies over the years, has donated the use of the tests. THE TIMELINE: The researchers hope to recruit tens of thousands of people from around the world to take part in the online games. Theyll do them again at three months and one year later. So far, the majority of participants are from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. How does it work? Participants can sign up from anywhere, and the study is available in English, French and Spanish. A positive COVID-19 test result is not required. After participants fill out a screening questionnaire, they are directed to a series of 12 tasks that take from 45 minutes to an hour to complete. These are all little games that youd play on your Smartphone, said Swartz, who is also an associate professor at U of T. Things like remembering a phone number or looking at shapes and determining which one of these things is not like the other, the old Sesame Street game. Each test is designed to look at a specific function and or a location in the brain, specifically cognition, so thinking, planning, sequencing, decision making, remembering, Swartz said. If they get enough people, they can start making comparisons between those who never had COVID and did the same online games in the past. They hope to also compare asymptomatic vs. critical patients, men and women, and even start to see if COVID long-haulers, those suffering from lingering symptoms, are improving over time. What do we know so far? Swartz, a stroke neurologist, started developing the proposal for the study with Owen earlier in the spring, before long-haulers and brain fog were part of the COVID vocabulary. But results from the first studies were starting to come in on the risks of blood clots and strokes. They also knew that some patients, even without COVID, develop ICU brain after spending time in intensive care. Medications critically ill people have taken, like sedatives, and being on a ventilator, could impact the brain. Others may have inflammation of the brain from COVID, or effects from the low oxygen levels it can cause. There have also been reports of direct invasion with the virus getting into the brain through the olfactory nerves, thats why people lose their sense of smell, Swartz said. Some people may not have ever been hospitalized, but might have suffered a small stroke in their brain without noticing. It doesnt have to be the dramatic kind of stroke you see in the commercials said Swartz, where speech is slurred or one arm goes numb, although there have been rare reports of those even in younger people with COVID. Even a small stroke in the wrong spot can cause problems. Its a little bit like Monopoly, theres Boardwalks and Park Places, Swartz explains. Theres high-priced real estate, and theres other areas that can tolerate some injury without an obvious, overt noticeable change if youre not doing things like subtle cognitive testing. Could this help long-haulers and those with lingering brain symptoms? The research team doesnt collect identifiable data, in order to ensure security and privacy. But they are going back to their ethics board to get approval to share participants own information with them. To get a sense of how they are now and then they can compare over time, Swartz said. Some might feel reassured, or if they are having problems it can give them a sense of where some of their strengths and weaknesses are. They could take their results to a doctor or an occupational therapist, for example, to provide a more precise picture of whats wrong. The good news is that with strokes and inflammation there is reason to hope that things will get better over time, Swartz said. How much is exactly what were trying to measure. If the team can tease out some common patterns, they might also be able to help people with some strategies for getting back on track, he added. Is there any screening mechanism to make sure people who never had COVID dont spam the study? The team has done this kind of study with the general public before, and have some valid ways of red flagging results, inconsistent answers, for example. We have some validated algorithms to kind of weed that out, Swartz said. And with such a large sample size, one or two phoney questionnaires shouldnt skew things too much. Whats next? The team is still recruiting, and looking for the full range of people whove had COVID, from those who never had symptoms to long-haulers. You can sign up at: https://www.cambridgebrainsciences.com/studies/covid-brain-study If the researchers can secure more funding, they could expand and do five-, even 10-year checkups with participants. When they started writing the study proposal there were six million people in the world affected by COVID, and were up to 25 (million) and growing fast, Swartz. The way COVID is grumbling along, we may stay open. COVID: Front-line Thinkers is part of a regular series highlighting COVID-19 research in Canada. Elanco is centring its 2020 Layer Conference on shaping the future of food safety, specifically Salmonella protection throughout the entire food chain. Salmonella is one of the top foodborne bacterial diseases worldwide with eggs and egg-based products still the primary cause of salmonella related illnesses. Its widely accepted that there is no single measure to control salmonella and instead, a holistic industry commitment and approach is needed. Whilst successes have been enjoyed in the past, its not enough to rely on these to secure a successful future for the industry. Continuing to strive to improve best practice standards as a means of reducing Salmonella outbreaks in the long-term is imperative. The Lion Code has been in place since 1998, in which time billions of Lion Code eggs have been tested and sold. It is seen as the quality stamp by producers, packers and retailers alike and Mark Williams from the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) will be hosting a session at the conference to share how the Lion Code is continuing to raise the bar. Whilst the Lion Code is still seen as an industry standard and plays a vital role, further protocols and traceability are crucial to ensure Salmonella prevention. Officially launching at the Layer Conference taking place on 24 September is Elancos new Food Safety Program (FSP), which was initially introduced in 2016 to bring another dimension to the traceability of the egg, from pullet to plate. The FSP is an integrated concept combining on-site audits, assessment, calculations and follow up actions. By assisting businesses in understanding and improving their food safety protocols, focussed on Salmonella protection, the FSP will reassure retailers and the public that the industry continues to innovate to ensure Salmonella safety and prevention. An integrated Salmonella prevention programme starts with the bird. Protecting and building bird immunity from a young age via vaccination is essential and forms the basis for the health of the egg. Answering the question How does a vaccine make a difference? is one of the topics that will be covered at the conference as its imperative that we as an industry understand the importance of vaccinations. Prevention of Salmonella infection has the best chance of being managed successfully through an integrated approach. All potential transfer sources of Salmonella to poultry (feed, day-old chicks, water, staff, etc.) should be carefully considered when you evaluate intervention strategies against Salmonella and biosecurity is crucial Robert Gooch from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) will be exploring the challenge of biosecurity on farm at the conference. Also part of this approach is the role of auditing where Dave Hodson from Rosehill will be taking delegates through his advice on what a good audit looks like. As part of the FSP, there are essentially four steps to achieving integrated Salmonella prevention: Measure This stage involves an on-site visit from the Elanco team to understand and identify possible risk areas that may lead to Salmonella contamination. An analysis of the various risk areas will be carried out from which a Food Safety Index (FSI) score will be calculated. The FSI is at the centre of the FSP and is a score that has been developed to determine the relative risk of Salmonella on farm. By facilitating measurement of risk factors, the FSI can be used to guide interventions to minimise the risk of Salmonella to a flock by quantifying risks and implementing solutions. Risks are identified and ranked using our integrated questionnaire and weighting system. For each area, the risk is calculated and ranked into one of three risk categories: high risk, increased risk and potential risk. Understand This stage involves identifying and documenting points of control with the Food Safety Index (FSI) - developed in conjunction with many producers and veterinary professionals. Using questions and the field visit in stage one, the responses and their relative impact determines the index score. The index is presented as a percentage; the higher the percentage, the lower the risk. The FSI will rank the scores and identify areas of potential risk so the farm can focus on these and improve where necessary. Improve Once risks have been assessed, whether high, increased or potential, further discussions, and where necessary, workshops and training sessions would be planned in co-ordination with the producer and their teams, working together to review the gaps in protocols and how these can be controlled and corrected. The discussions will focus on the farms lowest scores in the index and their influencing factors. Recommendations will be made and can be discussed further. A follow up assessment is recommended to monitor the progression and impact of interventions. Monitor The FSP is a continual loop whereby everything is monitored to avoid complacency. Analysis and actions to test the effectiveness of the implemented solutions is critical to ensure the recommendations are well implemented by the farm staff. On-going monitoring will be designed with the producer management team taking into account factors that may have an impact on success i.e. finance, time etc. The monitoring will focus on specific risk factors identified by the FSI, an increased index score will reflect successful implementation. Alongside the FSP launch, the virtual event will also offer a full afternoon of presentations and webinars by industry leaders and will be hosted by renowned food and drink broadcaster, Nigel Barden The FSP also allows benchmarking between customer farms, both geographically and over time. This will give an overview of farm status before and after implementation of improvements. Overall, the aim of the Elanco Food Safety Program is to support farms to become Salmonella-free and remain Salmonella-free in the long term. Its a science-based, internationally tested tool, grounded in real world application practical and pragmatic in its approach with the unique algorithm that will generate a bespoke food index score for your farm. The FSP follows a systematic process that works to protect everything around the bird through each stage of poultry production and highlighting where gaps need to be controlled: Evaluate the risks related to Salmonella contamination at the different stages of poultry production Support risk reduction by providing tailored recommendations and individual solutions, quantifying critical points on farm through evidence-based risk assessment Benchmarking of farms to drive continuous improvement with specific areas of focus Analyse resultant data to identify areas of risk across the entire producer base Establish a monitoring programme to improve current situations Support farms to aim to become Salmonella-free or remain Salmonella-free in the long-term The Elanco Poultry Team are delighted to be launching the Food Safety Program (FSP) at the upcoming 2020 Elanco Layer Conference within the conference theme of Shaping the Future of Food Safety. Alongside the FSP launch, the virtual event will also offer a full afternoon of presentations and webinars by industry leaders and will be hosted by renowned food and drink broadcaster, Nigel Barden. To register for the virtual Layer Conference please visit https://web.elanco.com/fsp-pullet-to-plate-register.html. Australia could build its way out of the deepest recession since the 1930s through a $220 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects that would transform the nation, deliver jobs and sharply increase the nation's long-term productivity. The projects, on top of the government's existing $100 billion infrastructure plan over 10 years, could be a key consideration for Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the October 6 federal budget as economists call for a bigger stimulus to rebuild the economy. Investing in infrastructure could deliver jobs and increase the nation's long-term productivity. Credit:James Alcock While the government has committed up to $10 billion in recent months to projects across the nation, much of this work has come from existing projects in last year's budget. The Global Infrastructure Hub, an Australian initiative at the G20 summit in Brisbane in 2014, estimates Australia faces a $217 billion infrastructure shortfall by 2040. By its estimates, Australian governments have already committed enough to road and water networks and the biggest problems concern railways and ports. Donald Trump's secretary of energy is helping rescue Gavin Newsom's California from its green power folly. California's power supply is now at third-world levels of reliability, thanks to insane regulations that require unreliable renewable power sources like wind and solar generation and the resultant closing of reliable (and much cheaper) natural gasfired and other conventional generators. With a major heat wave underway (it was 103 degrees yesterday afternoon where I live), the faltering power grid was so shaky that the state called for federal regulations to be suspended to allow more power sources to be used. The Moss Landing Power plant has had its electricity generating capacity cut by more than 60%. Photo credit: David Monniaux licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Bronson Stocking reports at Townhall.com: The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Sunday that Sec. Dan Brouillette, in response to an urgent request from the state of California, issued a Section 202 (c) emergency order to help prevent California's already-faltering power grid from being completely overwhelmed. "I hereby determine that an emergency exists in California due to a shortage of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the generation of electric energy, and other causes, and that issuance of this Order will meet the emergency and serve the public interest," reads a letter from the Assistant Secretary for Electricity Bruce Walker. The DOE order authorizes the emergency use of stationary and portable generators, as well as auxiliary engines on board ocean-going vessels berthed in California ports. The order suspends any laws, regulations or permits limiting the use of these power-generating machines. The order is set to expire just before midnight on September 13. "The Secretary concurs with the California Independent System Operator Corporation (CAISO) that a grid reliability emergency exists which demands immediate federal intervention," said DOE spokeswoman Shaylyn Hines in a statement. Just a couple of days ago, California suspended its own insane regulations that would have required the closure of gas-fired power plants along the coast, as Clarice Feldman reported: Last week I described the dilemma facing the California State Water Resources Control Board. It could demand adherence to the schedule for closing coastal gas plants which use sea water by the end of this year. If they did so, they would compound California's energy crisis; if not, the board would have to face the fact that renewable energy was insufficient for the State's needs and acknowledge that it needed these fossil fuel plants to continue operating or the state would face further blackouts. Today it acknowledged reality, as the Los Angeles Times reports. The board allowed the plants to remain in operation for a few more years until they hope chimerical renewable energy can pick up the load: State officials threw a lifeline to four fossil fueled power plants along the Southern California coast, deciding the facilities are still needed to provide reliable electricity even as they contribute to the climate crisis. Tuesday's vote by the State Water Resources Control Board to let the gas plants keep operating past the end of this year followed brief rolling blackouts over two evenings last month, as a heat wave caused air conditioning demand to soar, and California found itself short on electricity supplies. Energy regulators are still investigating the causes of the power shortage. But they said allowing the coastal gas plants to stay open a few more years would help prevent more outages as California continues its transition to cleaner energy sources an ironic solution given that climate change almost certainly exacerbated the recent heat wave. The goal of reducing California's CO2 emissions is what motivates the push for renewable energy. But any reductions that California might realize are utterly swamped by the increase in CO2 emissions in China and India, which are both building conventional power plants at a rapid pace. The scores of billions of dollars that California has squandered on green schemes are utterly wasted, but in the process, necessary maintenance and improvement of the power grid itself have been starved of funding. The local arm of Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi has officially entered the electric vehicle (EV) arena after announcing the availability of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the Philippine market. After making its rounds around the country as early as 2017, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) launched the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. This plug-hybrid vehicle from the Japanese automotive brand has already claimed a portion of global vehicle sales, after rolling out more than 260,000 units in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. MMPC President and CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri expressed pride over the introduction of the Outlander PHEV in the local market. MMPC is very excited to launch the Outlander PHEV in the Philippine market as the car best represents Mitsubishis expertise in automotive engineering and its ever evolving technology. The Philippines is one of the strongest markets of the brand and we are honored to be given the opportunity to make the Outlander PHEV available here in the country, he said. MMPC said that it will start releasing the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV via Peak Motors Philippines Inc. (PMPI) dealership branch in Manila Bay. The dealership will also be the premier Mitsubishi dealer that will install a Vehicle to Home (V2H) showcase facility. This resource will provide the vehicle another way to charge energy by way of solar panels. Outlander PHEV According to MMPC, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a fusion of the best traits of their models: the powerful Mitsubishi Pajero SUV, iconic 4WD rally car Lancer Evolution and the pure electric vehicle i-MiEV. Its twin-motor 4WD system dishes power in an all-wheel drive configuration with zero emission. On a full charge, the Outlander PHEV (which produces 60 kW and 137 Nm for the front while 70 KW and 195 in the rear) can cover 55-kilometers. Meanwhile, its 2.4 liter DOHC MIVEC engineable to deliver around 126 horsepower and 199 Nmhas a fuel consumption rating of 16.6 kilometers per liter. Story continues This powertrain is mated to a Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated vehicle dynamics control system, Active Yaw Control (AYC), Active Stability Control (ASC) and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) for utmost driving response. Comfort is one of the key selling points for the Outlander PHEV, as this compact SUV can comfortably seat 5 adults with flexible seat configurations to accommodate various cargo requirements. When the second row is folded, the vehicle can offer a maximum of 1,602 liters of space. The Outlander PHEV is fitted with an eight-inch Smartphone-Link Display Audio (SDA) system, to which driver and passengers can patch their mobile device via Bluetooth for easy connectivity. It is also compatible with Android Auto. Safety is not compromised in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which got a five-star rating from the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) thanks to features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system, Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system, Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Lane Change Assist (LCA), Automatic High Beam (AHB), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system, and Ultrasonic misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS). The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is priced at P2.998 million. Further, the Outlander PHEV will be retailed in the following provincial authorized dealerships by early 2021: Fast Autoworld Philippines Corporation, SFM Sales Corporation, Motor Plaza Incorporated, Mindanao Integrated Commercial Enterprises Incorporated. Photo/s from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation Also read: Mitsubishi to Introduce Outlander PHEV Yearend This Year Expect the Next-Gen Mitsubishi Outlander to Get Bigger Mitsubishi PH Gives Outlander PHEVs, i-MiEVs to Department of Science and Technology A UK judge, presiding over fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modis extradition case over the estimated USD 2-billion PNB fraud and money laundering charges brought by India, rejected an application seeking a partial reporting ban at the start of a five-day trial here on Monday. District Judge Samuel Goozee dismissed the application after hearing representations in what he called a high profile case in India, including from members of the press present at Westminster Magistrates Court who stressed the importance of free and fair reporting of the proceedings. Modis barrister, Clare Montgomery, applied for the partial restriction with reference to a BJP press conference held in India in May, giving unfair commentary" on the evidence given by former Indian High Court Judge Abhay Thipsay during the first part of the extradition trial. Thipsay, as a member of the Congress party, was accused of party political bias in his expert legal opinion, which challenged the Indian governments case. Having gone over the transcript of the press conference, I am satisfied it was given in a political context opinions of politicians and commentary outside these proceedings are of no regard (to the case), said Justice Goozee, as he concluded that there was no evidence of a substantial risk to the administration of justice which would necessitate restrictions on the media. Modis legal team have instead sought a written assurance from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian authorities in the extradition proceedings, that there would be no government commentary on further evidence given by Thipsay, scheduled via a videolink on Wednesday. Barrister Helen Malcolm agreed to address the request and went on to lay out the Indian governments case of intimidation against Modi. A video was played in court to highlight the diamond merchants role in coercion and death threats against so-called dummy directors linked to the companies he owned. Meanwhile, Modi observed the proceedings from a room in his Wandsworth Prison cell in south-west London, frequently referring to documents before him and making notes. The 49-year-old jeweller, who has been behind bars since his arrest in March last year, appeared via a videolink dressed in a dark suit and sporting beard and moustache. Representatives from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were in court and logged into the remote court network to observe the present their case. The hearings this week are earmarked to complete arguments on the prima facie case against Modi after the Indian government submitted additional corroboratory evidence in May. It will then go on to deal with the additional extradition request, made by the Indian authorities and certified by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this year, which add on the charges of causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or criminal intimidation to cause death against Modi. In line with the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, Judge Goozee had directed Modis appearance from prison, with social distancing norms in place for the part-remote setting of the hearings. He had presided over the first leg of the extradition in May, during which the sought to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Modi. The judge has already said that the separate extradition requests are inextricably linked, and he would therefore be handing down his judgment at the end of hearing all the arguments. Additional hearings scheduled for November 3, for the judge to rule on the admissibility of the evidence that will be presented before him, and December 1, when both sides will make their final submissions, mean his ruling on whether Modi has a case to answer before the Indian courts is expected only after the final hearing in December. The charges against the diamond merchant centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds making fraudulent use of a credit facility offered by the Punjab National Bank (PNB), known as letters of undertaking (LoUs). The has told the court that a number of PNB staff conspired with Modi to ensure LoUs were issued to his companies without ensuring they were subject to the required credit check, without recording the issuance of the LoUs and without charging the required commission upon the transactions. Modis team has sought to counter allegations of fraud by deposing witnesses to establish the volatility of the gems trade and that the LoUs were standard practice. Modi has made repeated attempts at bail over the past year, each of which were turned down as he is deemed a flight risk. The jeweller was arrested on March 19 last year on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard. Seoul/Tokyo: South Korea hunkered down as Typhoon Haishen travelled northwards along the country's east coast on Monday, a day after the powerful storm battered Japan's southern islands where four people are missing following a landslide. The storm, carrying top sustained winds of up to 112 kilometres per hour, cut power to more than 17,500 households in the southern tip of the Korean peninsula as it made landfall in the southern city of Ulsan, the country's weather agency said. An empty shopping arcade is seen in Fukuoka, Japan, ahead of Typhoon Haishen making landfall. Credit:Getty The wild weather uprooted trees and caused landslides near apartment buildings on Geoje Island, off the southeastern tip of the peninsula, according to footage sent by residents to local broadcaster KBS. At least one person was injured after their car overturned in strong winds in Busan, the country's second largest city, where there was also flooding, the safety ministry said in a statement. Ex-Khabarovsk Region Governor appeals extension of detention in 2000s murder case Moskva city news agency, Kirill Zykov 10:58 07/09/2020 MOSCOW, September 7 (RAPSI) The former Khabarovsk Region Governor Sergey Furgal charged with organized murders of businessmen in 2004-2005 has challenged extension of his detention, defense lawyer Boris Kozhemyakin has told RAPSI. On September 3, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow extended detention of Furgal until December 9. On July 10, Moscows Basmanny District Court placed Furgal charged with killing and attempted murders of businessmen in detention. The hearing was held behind closed doors. A judge took the decision granting a motion of investigators who said about threats against other defendants in the case. Furgal denied his guilt and political nature of the case. Governor of the Khabarovsk Region Sergey Furgal was arrested on July 9. According to investigators, crimes were committed by an organized criminal group allegedly led by Furgal in Russias Khabarovsk and Amur Regions in 2004-2005. Earlier, four alleged members of the gang were arrested and placed in detention. Born in the Amur Region, Furgal worked as general physician at a hospital more than 6 years before the start of his political career. After being discharged from healthcare in 1999, he went in for business, according to his biography on the Khabarovsk Krai governments website. He was elected as the State Duma lawmaker three times. In September 2018, he was elected as a Khabarovsk Region governor by popular vote. Monday, 07 September 2020 10:49:35 (GMT+3) | Istanbul Turkish integrated long steel producer Kardemir Karabuk Demir Celik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Kardemir) has stated that, on the back of investments, it has exported to South America as well as to European and Middle Eastern countries, despite reduced local demand and exports due to the coronavirus pandemic. While Kardemir has strengthened its product supply to the local market with its new product development and quality enhancement efforts, the company has continued to focus on exports of railway products and wire rod. Kardemir produces the thickest wire rod in Turkey, while it will launch its railway wheel product, which will be certified soon, in the local and export markets. Kardemir has the power to export its products to many countries with its production memory and its structure which is open towards development. Under these conditions, all we have to do is to increase our quality in high-quality steel production and develop our product range according to the needs of the industry, said Necdet Utkanlar, general manager of Kardemir. The company, which focuses on domestic production, supplies products to the defense industry, building, automotive and rail transportation sectors and also exports steel to world markets. Hollywood stars who wear heavy makeup whenever they are in the spotlight also spend a lot of time getting rid of them. Well, except for personalities like Khloe Kardashian and Emma Stone since they found magic in coconut oil! Through the years, makeup removers have been life and skin savers to those who want to feel flawlessly clean after a long day of makeup use. They come in different shapes and sizes, some of them are liquid while others are soap-like. However, whatever packaging they may come from, nothing beats the power of coconut oil. Coconut oil in the Philippines, Thailand and other tropical countries is not a product of sorcery or whatsoever. It is just that it can really dethrone chemically-formulated makeup removers from celebrities' vanity desks with its natural but powerful components. How Come Coconut Oil Is the New Makeup Remover? Compared with chemical removers, coconut oil is natural and skin-friendly. It has saturated fatty acids, which helps in removing the makeup from the skin while leaving nutrients afterward. Since this is also anti-bacterial and anti-yeast, one can be sure that no toxins will ever enter through the pores once again. Thus, it can prevent clogged pores and the occurrence of pimples. Furthermore, coconut oil in the Philippines and other countries in Asia has been used by a lot of people as natural sunscreen. It lasts even longer than any product and is a much cheaper option that can save the skin and pocket. Coconut oil is organic, unrefined and cold-pressed, which is why some chemical makeup removers are already using it as their products' base ingredient. With that said, coconut oil is up to become the next big thing in the beauty industry, and celebrities have been suggesting it to other stars, too! Celebrities Already Tried Coconut Oil's Miracle Because of the coconut oil in the Philippines and other parts of the world, Hollywood celebrities luckily found a natural makeup remover with a safe detergent effect. Khloe Kardashian, one of the most influential members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, uses a wide range of expensive makeup sets. But when it comes to removing them off her face, coconut oil remains the best for her skin. Before going to bed, the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" star holds her beauty ritual using a gel cleanser first to dry out her breakouts before using an all-natural product from her dermatologist. After that, she lifts the ever magical coconut oil, and there it is -- a cleaner face for Khloe before completing her skincare routine. Meanwhile, Emma Stone revealed in an interview with Vogue that coconut oil is the secret behind her fresh-looking face after makeup use. "I'm allergic to everything so I just use extra virgin olive oil on my skin because I know it won't cause a reaction. At night, I take off my makeup with coconut oil," she shared. The power of coconut oil has been proven through the years, and everyone should opt to use it from this day forward! READ MORE: Coco Stars: 3 Hollywood Celebs Who Stand by the Power of Coconut Oil A newly formed Ohio House committee will have its first meeting Sept. 10 on efforts to repeal and replace House Bill 6. HB 6 is the bill at the center of an alleged bribery scandal involving now-former Speaker of the House Larry Householder, R-Glenford. Householder and four others were arrested July 21 for allegedly violating the racketeering statute through honest services wire fraud, receipt of millions of dollars in bribes and money laundering. New Speaker of the House Bob Cupp, R-Lima, announced the creation of the House Select Committee on Energy Policy and Oversight on Aug. 31 and announced its committee members on Sept. 2. The committee will be led by State Rep. Jim Hoops, R-Napoleon, who voted for House Bill 6 last year. According to the agenda, the Sept. 10 House Select Committee on Energy Policy and Oversight meeting will be the first hearing for House Bill 746. That legislation from Reps. Laura Lanese, R-Grove City, and Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario seeks to repeal House Bill 6 and revive the law it replaced. Lanese said at a July 23 news conference announcing the legislation a repeal of House Bill 6 is needed not only because it was bad policy from the start, but because we need to reassure Ohioans that their representatives, be they Democrat or Republican, are truly working in their interest. House Bill 6 was signed into law in July 2019, a little more than three months after it was introduced. The bill, among other things, gives North Perrys Perry Nuclear Power Plant and Ottawa Countys Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant $150 million annually between 2021 and 2027. The funds are raised through charges paid by residential, commercial and industrial electric customers. FirstEnergy Solutions, the owner of Ohios two nuclear plants, filed for bankruptcy in March 2018 and had plans to shut down both plants by 2021 if it did not receive subsidies. FirstEnergy Solutions officials emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy Feb. 27 of this year as Energy Harbor. Lanese also said at the news conference that a full repeal is needed due to the allegations against Householder. From the beginning, to the middle, to the end, this bill was tainted, she said. While these allegations may eventually prove to be false, that does not remove the taint. Thats why we need to start afresh with any kind of energy policy going forward. Householder was arraigned on charges in federal court Sept. 3. He pleaded not guilty. Federal investigators allege that Generation Now was incorporated in February 2017 as a social welfare entity purporting to promote energy independence and economic development, but was secretly controlled by Householder. Millions of dollars from the electric company known in the complaint as Company A were allegedly used to support Householders bid to become speaker, to support House candidates believed to back Householder for the position and for personal benefit. The Ohio House in late July unanimously voted to remove Householder from the position of speaker, though he remains a member of the House. Cupp was selected as the new Speaker of the House in a 55-38 vote as all House Democrats and a few House Republicans voted no. Joining Hoops in the House Select Committee on Energy Policy and Oversight are eight House Republicans and six House Democrats. Including Hoops, five of the Republicans on the committee voted for House Bill 6s passage last year. All six Democrats voted against it. Among the Democratic members of the committee is Rep. Mike OBrien of Warren, who is one of the sponsors of another House Bill looking to repeal House Bill 6. OBrien and fellow sponsor Michael Skindell, D-Lakewood, were critical of Cupp Aug. 31 for the creation of the committee, calling it an unnecessary level of bureaucracy. The pair wanted a repeal of House Bill 6 passed last week. In addition to subsidizing the states two nuclear power plants, the bill also allows utilities to charge ratepayers up to $1.50 per month to subsidize two coal-powered electric plants run by Ohio Valley Energy Corp. One of those plants is in southern Ohio, and the other is based in Indiana. By the end of 2020, House Bill 6 eliminates state electric mandates for energy efficiency, peak demand and the solar renewable portfolio standard carve-out. A solar carve-out is the part of a states renewable portfolio standard that sets a specific level of electricity to be generated from solar panels. Additionally, the renewable portfolio standard will be reduced and, by the end of 2026, eliminated. The renewable portfolio standard is a requirement that a specified percentage of the electricity that utilities sell comes from renewable resources. Feldstein did manage to present a few minutes of cogent testimony to the court, telling the judge that classified leaks are a daily occurrence in U.S. news media, that much of leaking is done by government officials, and that the practice dates to the time of George Washington. Feldstein told the court that journalists and publishers have been threatened with legal action before but that theyve never faced criminal prosecution, as that could violate First Amendment protections. Stellan Skarsgard as Hans in Second World War drama The Painted Bird. (Eureka Entertainment) The Painted Bird star Stellan Skarsgard says media reports of walkouts at the films Venice premiere were overstated. Telling the story of a Jewish boy (Petr Kotlar) during the Second World War, the three-hour epic from Czech director Vaclav Marhoul adapted from the 1965 novel by Jerzy Kosinski features brutal violence, bestiality, incest and rape. It is a film that some people have difficulties taking and I totally understand that, Skarsgard told Yahoo Movies UK. The actor appears in a brief role as Nazi soldier Hans in the monochrome epic, while other major stars such as Harvey Keitel, Udo Kier and Julian Sands also provide cameo appearances. Read more: Stellan Skarsgard reveals lengthy Dune make-up job Skarsgard said he saw the film at that Venice premiere, after which the director was given an 11-minute standing ovation. He added: It was reported as walkouts but, out of this big cinema, it was maybe 10 or 12 people who walked out and most of them came back when they had peed. Cast and crew walk the red carpet ahead of the The Painted Bird screening during the 76th Venice Film Festival in September 2019. (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) Further walkouts were reported when the film screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, with around 40 people heading for the doors early. Read more: New film from Babadook director causes festival walkouts Skarsgard said the films horrific violence is necessary in depicting the true horrors inflicted by the Nazis during the Second World War, but said he doesnt hold a grudge against those unwilling to take the plunge. Its totally legitimate and I understand people who do not want to see it, he said. Petr Kotlar in The Painted Bird. (Eureka Entertainment) But they have been talking about how the violence is so horrible. Theres much less violence in this film than in any American popcorn film. The violence is truthful and thats the horrible thing. Violence is not just entertaining and easily digested. Lars von Trier, when he did The House That Jack Built, I read a review where he was criticised because the violence was unpleasant. I was like: Oh no, you couldnt enjoy the massacres? You couldnt enjoy the cutting up of people? Story continues Read more: Lars von Trier discusses House That Jack Built walkouts Skarsgard revealed he only asked for 100 to appear in the movie the lowest pay packet he has ever received for a film role. Despite the controversy, The Painted Bird has attracted rave reviews from critics and currently has an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Read the full interview with Stellan Skarsgard, in which he discusses the long road to The Painted Bird, working with Lars von Trier, his future with Marvel and the joy of getting to cuddle Colin Firth on a boat... Yahoo Movies UK: This film is a hell of an experience and there has been controversy around it, which we will talk about. But when you first saw the finished movie, what did you think of it? Stellan Skarsgard: I was really happy because it was everything I dreamed it would become. Its the kind of film that is barely done any more because it is definitely not done for the small screen. Its done to be seen in a cinema and it reminds you of the great cinematic films from the 60s, where the cinematic language is what carries the film. Theres not much dialogue in it. Its all images and they are very powerful. Its a real, uncompromising vision, I think. Theres no concessions. Its nearly three hours long, its in black and white, as you say theres little dialogue. It feels like someone has made the movie they set out to make, regardless of what was going to happen to it. Definitely. The director contacted me 11 years ago, after having tried for two years to get the rights to the book, and he said he was going to write a script and turn it into a film and would I like to be a part of it. I said yes immediately, because its the kind of film thats impossible to finance, but you really want it to be made. So I signed up and then Harvey Keitel, Julian Sands, Udo Kier and other people who could bring some money to the film signed up for small roles. I was reading in another interview that you had quite a strong connection to the book. Is that right? Well, I have a lot of connections to a lot of books. Its not a big part of my life, but I read it in the 60s or early 70s and I thought it was a great book, which it is. Jerzy Kosinski is a great writer. He did another film, which was totally different. That is Being There with Peter Sellers. Thats also based on a Kosinski book. You mentioned that you first got involved 11 years ago. What was it that finally got the film over the line? Stellan Skarsgard and Petr Kotlar in The Painted Bird. (Eureka Entertainment) As you can see from the film, he knew what he wanted to do and he did not want to give up. He fought for it for 15 years, I think, in total. Of course, some of the names he got on the film could attract some money and then, of course, the quality of the material attracted some people. Everyone involved knew they wouldnt be rich from it even the producers. Then all of the local European funding and stuff like that. He also wanted to shoot it over two years, in black and white and with a boy that was growing throughout the shoot. That was, of course, extremely complicated and expensive. I told my agent there would come an offer from Czechia and I want you to negotiate it to exactly 100. Its the least money Ive taken for a film ever. So we all chipped in in different ways. You mentioned the young star there [Petr Kotlar]. What was it like to work with him and how difficult was it for him, given the many demands on him as a young actor? I was there for two days and I just saw his face and thought he was fantastic in what he did. Then I saw the film and he is unbelievably truthful and moving and everything. But physically, it must have been extremely hard for him. I asked him and he said that he was fine with it. He didnt say he was traumatised by it. Obviously the atmosphere of the film is so intense. Did that intensity come through on set? No, and it usually doesnt. Ive done a lot of strange and dark films and usually you have a lot of fun on the set. At least I have fun, otherwise I dont think I can work. Its fun making dark films too. Make-believe. Do you have more fun on a film like this, or when youre cuddling Colin Firth on a boat? Cuddling Colin Firth on a boat is not even acting. Its just making sure that you have fun. The audience experiences that you are enjoying yourself and gets bitten by it, so that was much less acting. Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. (Universal) You mentioned your strange, dark roles there and, of course, youve worked with Lars von Trier a number of times. How did working with Marhoul on The Painted Bird compare to working with Von Trier? Well they have very different techniques. Vaclav has very designed images, which means that you have to fit into those images because the images are doing the talking. In a Lars von Trier film, you have total freedom in front of the camera and you can do exactly whatever you want and he will pick out what he needs. So Marhouls approach was very forensic and planned out? It was very planned out and sometimes almost stylised in the acting, which is a different thing for me. Is it difficult for you to put together a complete character knowing you only have a couple of days on the set? Petr Kotlar in The Painted Bird. (Eureka Entertainment) Of course it is. You know you cant. Not even in an hour-and-a-half leading role can you really portray a human being. But you can show different sides at least if you have a leading role. What you have to concentrate on is to have a presence with some weight and human feelings. Im intrigued to ask about the film playing on the festival circuit. There were widely reported walkouts. Were you there for any of those screenings? Thats the wonderful thing about media you have to find something to write about, so you write about the walkouts. Ive only seen it once and that was in Venice, at the festival. It was reported as walkouts but, out of this big cinema, it was maybe 10 or 12 people who walked out and most of them came back when they had peed. But of course it is a film that some people have difficulties taking and I totally understand that. I dont have a problem sitting through it, but I have a brother who cant see any film where you feel sorry for anybody. Thats a lot of films! It takes away a lot. Its like 90% of films in the world he cant see because hes so vulnerable to the power of the story. So its totally legitimate and I understand people who do not want to see it. But they have been talking about how the violence is so horrible. Theres much less violence in this film than in any American popcorn film. But the violence is truthful and thats the horrible thing. Violence is not just entertaining and easily digested. Lars von Trier, when he did The House That Jack Built, I read a review where he was criticised because the violence was unpleasant. I was like: Oh no, you couldnt enjoy the massacres? You couldnt enjoy the cutting up of people? Uma Thurman, Christian Slater, Lars von Trier, Stellan Skarsgard, Stacy Martin and Shia LaBeouf attend the Nymphomaniac photocall during 64th Berlinale International Film Festival in 2014. (Dominique Charriau/WireImage) You mentioned media narratives there. Do you think those narratives can help the film? Ultimately, people might go to see it because of that notoriety. I dont care why people see it. I think that the film is strong enough to survive any preconceived ideas about it, so it doesnt matter. I hope people see it. If they like cinema, it really is true cinema. Its an extremely beautiful film, but brutal. I guess thats the difference with someone like Von Trier. He obviously seems to relish the controversy around his films and uses that to push them. Well, to a certain extent. He told me once: Stellan, Ive figured out what the films are that Im doing. Im doing all the films that havent been made. He just wants to do films that havent been made, and thats a very good thing because most films that you see have already been made. Away from the controversy, are you happy in general with the way the film has been received? Yes, it has got fantastic reviews. It was wonderful to see Vaclav Marhoul in Venice, after having worked on this project relentlessly for 15 years, get an 11-minute standing ovation. To watch his face at that moment was fantastic. Where do you see this film sitting in terms of Second World War films in general? As it happens, I saw Come And See recently and the comparisons between that and The Painted Bird are very strong. Aleksey Kravchenko in classic war movie Come And See. (Sovexportfilm) Thats one of my favourite films. Did you know that Aleksey Kravchenko, who plays the boy in that film, also has a part in this one? I met him for the first time in Venice and, for once, I was a little starstruck. Come And See is a fantastic film and its definitely one of the best Second World War films ever made. I cant think of any better. Throughout your career, youve really balanced Hollywood movies with smaller films and European projects. Is that a conscious choice to keep a balance? Definitely, but its not as part of a big scheme or plan. Its just that once Ive done a film like Mamma Mia, its really nice to go and do a film like Painted Bird and once Ive done something like a Trier film, its nice to go and do a Marvel film. I want a lot of dishes on my Swedish smorgasbord in front of me. But of course it also helps because, if theres a small film like this that is going to be financed, the bankers look at my name and check on how much my films have made in the last year. They see over a billion dollars, so thats a good investment, they think. They dont understand that it has nothing to do with me, but they finance a small film based on it. Weve mentioned Mamma Mia a couple of times. If they were to do another film, would you want to come back? Yes. If its even only decently a good script, I would come back. With both of those films, it was such a joy doing them with a bunch of really good actors. And you might get to cuddle Colin again, which is always a good thing. Its always a good thing to cuddle Colin. We mentioned Marvel too. As far as you know, is there a chance well see Erik Selvig again? I dont know. Youve got to ask Kevin Feige about that. Ive done four films for them. I dont know if they killed me? I havent followed that up. They might have. Everything is possible in those films. Stellan Skarsgard has played Erik Selvig in several Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. (Marvel/Disney) Did you sign for a certain number of films? They had an option for five films, but that option has sort of run out. They dont own me. But if you were offered the chance? Yes, it would be fun. I would do it. Ive enjoyed the four Ive done so far, so I would do that. If they can afford me. So Painted Bird is coming out and youve finished with Dune. Whats next for you? I was supposed to do a film written by my wife. Its a Chinese-produced and -directed film in Finland. But they had virus problems. It would be horrible for the entire cinema industry if nobody goes to the cinemas. A lot of companies have gone down in China and so the financing just disappeared. The survivors from this will just be the big companies that are already rich. The Painted Bird is in UK and Irish cinemas and on digital from 11 September. At least three people were shot early Monday outside a south Houston nightclub, according to police. The shooting victims had left the Local Seat nightclub in the 4800 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard by the time police arrived. Someone had dropped each of them off at Ben Taub hospital, police said. Aizawl/Shillong/Guwahati, Sep 8 : Drugs and foreign origin cigarettes, valued at Rs 3.78 crore, were seized in three different cases in Meghalaya and Mizoram and five people, including a woman, apprehended, officials said on Monday. Security officials suspect that the drugs and the cigarettes were smuggled from Myanmar, which shares a 1,640-km unfenced border with four northeastern Indian states -- Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Acting on a secret information, Meghalaya Police had intercepted a Tripura-bound truck, coming from Assam, at Shillong Bypass on Sunday night and seized 5.08 kg of Yaba tablets (Methamphetamine tablets) valued at around Rs 2 crore from the vehicle. East Khasi Hills district's Superintendent of Police Silvester Nongtnger told IANS over phone that the 31-year-old truck driver, a resident of North Tripura district, has been arrested and now being interrogated. He said that in another incident, three persons, including a woman, were arrested and 0.65 gm of heroin seized from their possession. All the four were charged under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In another development, in the second such case in a week's time, 100 cartons of smuggled foreign cigarettes, valued at Rs 1.30 crore, were seized by Assam Rifles troopers in Mizoram's border Champhai district. An Assam Rifles official said that acting on a tip-off, troopers of the central paramilitary force's 23 Sector raided some houses and makeshift structures at Zokhawthar area in Champhai late on Sunday evening and recovered the cigarettes, smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar. An Assam Rifles release said that a resident of Aizawl was detained in the operation and the contraband and the detainee were handed over to Custom Preventive Force for further investigations and prosecution. A total of 75 boxes of foreign cigarettes worth around Rs 1 crore were seized by Assam Rifles in the Champhai district bordering Myanmar on August 31. "Ongoing illegal drug trades are a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram," the release said. Although Mizoram's international border with Bangladesh (318 km) and Myanmar (404 km)and inter-state borders with Tripura, Assam and Manipur are sealed in view of the Covid-19 outbreak, smuggling of various drugs, arms and ammunition and other contraband is still going on. While the Border Security Foces guards the Bangladesh border, the border with Myanmar is looked after by the Assam Rifles and it has seized drugs and other contraband including heroin worth around Rs 29 crore since July 1 after these were smuggled from the neighbouring country. Meanwhile, industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) said that the Assam Rifles, during its recent successful interception, seized illicit cigarettes, smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar, worth Rs 14 crore. It said that the recent rise in smuggling in the northeastern region can be attributed to economic distress insinuated by Covid-19 pandemic. "Loss of jobs and lack of income due to recurrent lockdowns have left citizens without a means of livelihood. Reports suggest that smugglers and insurgents are using people from the local tribal areas to transport smuggled goods by taking advantage of their financial vulnerability caused due to Covid-19," a FICCI report said. The FICCI's Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE), headed by Anil Rajput, highly appreciated the efforts of Assam Rifles and praised its Director General along with other officers for their anti-smuggling operations. September is Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, and the Joint Caucus of Black Elected Officials has teamed with the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois to raise awareness and encourage blood donations by African Americans. As part of the campaign, which was unveiled at a news conference in Chicago last week, blood drives are planned in the metropolitan area including the south suburbs. The big shareholder groups in Manulife Financial Corporation (TSE:MFC) have power over the company. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones. We also tend to see lower insider ownership in companies that were previously publicly owned. Manulife Financial has a market capitalization of CA$37b, so it's too big to fly under the radar. We'd expect to see both institutions and retail investors owning a portion of the company. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutions own shares in the company. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner, to discover more about Manulife Financial. View our latest analysis for Manulife Financial What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Manulife Financial? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Manulife Financial. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Manulife Financial's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Manulife Financial. BMO Global Asset Management is currently the company's largest shareholder with 4.1% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 3.6% and 3.1% of the stock. Story continues A deeper look at our ownership data shows that the top 25 shareholders collectively hold less than half of the register, suggesting a large group of small holders where no single shareholder has a majority. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Manulife Financial The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Manulife Financial Corporation in their own names. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own CA$18m worth of shares. It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying. General Public Ownership With a 44% ownership, the general public have some degree of sway over Manulife Financial. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Manulife Financial . Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. While asset managers and investors increasingly emphasize sustainable investment in their criteria for investing in funds and equities, the Trump Administration is proposing a rule that would limit retirement funds investments in retirement plans based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Some of the worlds largest asset managers, including BlackRock and Fidelity Investments, oppose the proposed regulation as burdensome and limiting fiduciaries ability to consider financially material ESG factors when picking investments. Critics of the plan range from those who see the proposed regulation as flawed in its assumptions that sustainable investing is not financially material, to those who see it as a rule that would limit options for participation and diversification for retirement plans, and to those that see it as a not-so-subtle push to help the oil and gas industry by limiting fiduciaries investments based on sustainability criteria. The U.S. Department of Labor, which proposed the new rule in June, wants retirement plan fiduciaries to select investments and investment courses of action based solely on financial considerations relevant to the risk-adjusted economic value of a particular investment or investment course of action. The Department is concerned, however, that the growing emphasis on ESG investing may be prompting ERISA plan fiduciaries to make investment decisions for purposes distinct from providing benefits to participants and beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the plan, it said in the proposed rule. Related: The Threat Of Oil Nationalism In Argentina During the 30-day comment period, prominent asset managers including BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, State Street Global Advisors, and Putnam Investments expressed concerns that limiting ESG criteria for investment also limits options for retirees, especially in light of evidence that sustainable indices have outperformed non-sustainable ones. The Proposal creates an overly prescriptive and burdensome standard that would interfere with plan fiduciaries ability and willingness to consider financially material ESG factors, regardless of their potential effect on the return and risk of an investment, BlackRock said, noting that the proposal would impose significant costs and burdens on ERISA plans that would ultimately be detrimental to plan participants and beneficiaries. Fidelity Investments said that the Proposal would result in far-reaching, harmful consequences for ERISA plans and participants, as well as a burdensome effect on plan fiduciaries if it is implemented in its current form, while State Street Global Advisors noted that the proposed rule unfortunately discourages such integration by U.S. private sector plan fiduciaries, potentially disadvantaging plans, participants and beneficiaries by restricting access to an entire type of long-term, value-driven investment that could help ensure future retirement security. Putnam believes that the evidence that thoughtful integration of relevant ESG considerations may in fact improve returns and reduce risk is compelling. Of the total more than 8,600 comments on the proposed rule, more than 95 percent of comments opposed the proposed rule, and only 4 percent of comments expressed support, according to an analysis of the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF) and several investor organizations and financial industry firms. The proposed DOL rule is a thinly disguised political attack on ESG investing, with no legitimate factual basis. As the overwhelming negative response demonstrates, investors across the spectrum see environmental, social, and governance factors as a critical part of the analysis of the long-term value of investments, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) Chief Executive Officer Josh Zinner said. Jon Hale, Morningstars director of ESG research for the Americas, wrote at the end of July, while there is no demonstrated need for the rule other than the Trump Administration's desire to protect the fossil-fuel industry, the biggest problem with the proposal is that it reflects a (willful?) misunderstanding of what ESG investing is about today. According to 2019 Morgan Stanley research, which studied the performance of nearly 11,000 mutual funds between 2004 and 2018, sustainable funds returns were in line with those of comparable traditional funds. Morgan Stanley saw evidence that sustainable funds are more stable during periods of extreme volatility, demonstrating lower downside risk. At times of uncertain markets, sustainable funds may offer a layer of stability for investors looking to reduce volatility, Morgan Stanley said. Regardless of the Trump Administrations ultimate motivation behind proposing the ESG rule, the worlds top asset managers say that sustainable investment is material to financial performance, especially in long-term plans. The proposal as-is will limit options for retirement plans and potentially increase costs for fiduciaries that could be passed on to the savers, the financial industry says. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Relations committee of the Armenian parliament has approved the ratification of the three Implementing Protocols of the Armenia-EU Readmission Agreement with Bulgaria, Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Germany. Migration Service chief Armen Ghazaryan introduced the protocols to lawmakers, noting that the Armenian policy in readmission is aimed at stronger cooperation in the migration area with EU countries. He attached importance to the fight against illegal migration and stressed that the ratification of the protocols will positively impact the expansion and deepening of this cooperation. Currently Implementation Protocols are ratified with three countries France, Estonia and the Czech Republic. Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan September 07 : Demand for Justice For Sushant Singh Rajput has turned into political and regional battle, involving Kangana Ranaut and Sanjay Raut. The whole thing is nothing less of 80s bad emotional drama, where everyone is screaming at the top of their voice and making a name and the real issue is lost somewhere in the translation. The soup of Kangana Ranaut and Sanjay Raut reached the tipping point when both went on record slamming each other; as a result, the Central government has approved "Y" level security for the actor. Ranaut took to her social media expressing gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah for extending security to her. She wrote, "This is proof that no fascist will be able to crush a patriot voice. I am thankful to Amit Shah ji. If he wanted, he could've asked me to postpone my visit to Mumbai in view of the circumstances. But he respected the work of a daughter of India," she tweeted in Hindi. The development comes amid an ongoing war of words between Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Ranaut following her remarks. Yesterday, Ranaut's father had written to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur asking him to provide security for his daughter in the light of her recent spat with Raut. Last week, Kangana took to her social media and claimed, "Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai. After Aazadi graffitis in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan occupied Kashmir?" Accusing Raut of "empowering those who exploit women" in the country, the Bollywood actor posted a video, where she is seen saying It shows your mindset...If I criticise Mumbai Police or if I criticise you, then you can't say I am insulting Maharashtra. You are not Maharashtra. Your people are threatening me, still I will come to Mumbai on September 9." "Your people are saying they will break my jaw, they will kill me. Kill me, but this country's soil is enriched with the blood of those who sacrificed for its dignity and we too will do the same," she added. Raut, responding to her tweet, had refused to applogise to the actress and said that she should apologise to Maharashtra for her "discrediting" remarks against the state. Earlier, Ranaut had raised the issue of "inaction" by Mumbai Police during the Palghar lynching, and it refusing to register a case on the request of the father of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's in connection with his death, to state why she had turned out to be its critic. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery This came days after Trump made a provocative visit to Kenosha, Wis., where a Black man, Jacob Blake, was shot seven times in the back at point-blank range by a White police officer. Trump declined to speak with Blake or his family, and did not even say Blakes name. Instead, he focused on property damage caused by disturbances in the wake of the shooting and would not even condemn a rifle-toting young White vigilante who came from out of state to defend Kenosha and ended up allegedly killing two unarmed protesters. The head of major fuel refiner Viva Energy has criticised the Victorian government's COVID-19 road map as unrealistic, warning the company may be forced to close its Geelong oil refinery for good if restrictions are not eased by November. Viva has been mulling its options for the Geelong site since the virus and its related restrictions on both international and local travel wiped out demand for fuel. However, the recent stage three and four lockdown in Victoria has exacerbated the issue, prompting the company to consider a full shutdown of the plant. Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt says "I don't pretend to understand all the challenges and the decisions, but we all need a pathway out of this that we can be confident in and that seems realistic and achievable. And I'm not sure that hit the mark yesterday". Credit:Wayne Taylor Chief executive Scott Wyatt said the state government's current road map out of stage three and four restrictions, revealed on Sunday, would mean the plant may be able to return to full production by late November. However, Mr Wyatt said the hurdles for hitting that easing of restrictions did not seem "realistic or achievable". Jacob Blake, the black man whose shooting by police last month, ignited another round of nationwide protest against systemic racism and police brutality. Blake appeared in court from his hospital bed on September 4 and entered not guilty pleas on charges stemming from a domestic incident in May 2020. Domestic violence charges Blake is now paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the shooting incident in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 23. He wore a blue dress shirt and a yellow tie in the video link from Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, according to Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal reported. The shooting of Blake is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which has so far provided few details about the incident. The shooting was captured in a cellphone video, and it showed Officer Rusten Sheskey fire seven shots into Blake's back as he leaned into his car, where his three children were inside. Also Read: Pedophile Shoots Teen to Death Multiple Times While Raping Him in Broad Daylight The video shows three officers with their weapons drawn as Blake walks around his car and opens the driver's door. As soon as he leans in, Sheskey grabs his shirt and fires. The Kenosha Professional Police Association claims that Blake had a knife and "forcefully fought" with officers, but that is not seen in the video. The Department of Justice said that Blake told the police officers that he had a knife in his car, and a knife was found on the floorboard of his car after the shooting. The agency has not said whether Blake was holding the knife at any time during the incident. None of the other police offices fired their weapons, all of them have been placed on administrative leave. Blake's arrest According to the department, the police responded to a call from a woman, who has not been identified, who told them that her boyfriend was present and was not supposed to be on the premises, as reported by BBC. The police tried to arrest Blake and tased him, but the agency has not said why the police tried to arrest him. However, it was later learned that there was a warrant out for his arrest after charges were filed in July 2020 regarding the domestic incident in May 2020. The charges from the May 3, 2020 incident are one felony count of third-degree sexual assault and two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing. All the charges were filed on July 6, 2020. The hearing that happened on September 4 was the first court action in that case, which so far has not been linked to the incident on August 23, as reported by People.com. A court commissioner issued a $10,000 signature bond for Blake, which means he only pays the money if he fails to appear in court or violates the terms of his release. The terms include no violent contact with the victim or her children, no contact at the victim's residence, no possession of any weapons, and no out-of-state travel except for medical treatment. Both the defense attorneys and the prosecution agreed to the terms and noted that Blake has no prior criminal record. A pretrial conference is scheduled for October 21. Related Article: US Marshals Rescue 39 Endangered Children in Georgia and Busted a Sex Trafficking Ring @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Three police officers have been injured while trying to arrest a man with a knife in Sydney's CBD. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) Family Shootings Inquest to Open in Sydney A coroner will hear of the final moments of two Sydney siblings fatally shot by their 68-year-old father when an inquest into the deaths opens on Sept 7. Jennifer Edwards, 13, and her brother Jack, 15, were shot dead in their West Pennant Hills home by their estranged father on July 5, 2018. John Ian Edwards, 68, then returned to his Normanhurst home and took his own life. His actions shocked the nation, prompting politicians and activist groups to launch reviews of firearms and domestic violence legislation. NSW Coroner Teresa OSullivan on Monday morning will open the inquest into the deaths, examining among other things the financial planners ability to legally acquire five rifles and pistols in 18 months. Described as kind, clever, strong, the childrens devastated mother, Olga Edwards, took her life in December 2018. Her kids were everything to her, friend Olga Burykina told AAP. Staff from the NSW Firearms Registry, a wing of the NSW Police Force, are expected to be scrutinised about the permit scheme that allowed Edwards to get his licence. Shooters, Farmers and Fishers MP Robert Borsak, a long-time critic of the registrys efficiency, said he hoped the coroner got to the bottom of the failings of its management. I hope the true facts come out and that proper, fair, honest regulation and disclosure will prevail in the future, he told AAP. Police should not be running the registry, they should be administering the law. Police declined to comment on the inquest. As the matter is subject to a coronial inquest, it is not appropriate to comment at this time, a spokeswoman told AAP on Saturday. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Luke Costin in Sydney Dr Alex George has returned to Instagram after taking a two-week break from social media following the tragic death of his younger brother Llyr. Taking to the site on Monday to share a snap of himself smiling, the Love Island star, 30, announced he was back after 'taking some reflective time offline'. His 20-year-old brother, Llyr George, tragically passed away in July following a battle with mental health. Moving forward: Dr Alex George has returned to Instagram after taking a two week break from social media following the tragic death of his younger brother Llyr In the emotional caption he penned: 'Hi everyone - I am back. Taking some reflective time offline these last few weeks was really important for me. 'I have been spending time with my family and friends, living in the present and trying to focus on the things that matter most. Working in A&E has also been a helpful focus, the love and support from my friends and colleagues has meant the world to me and I am thankful to them all.' Signing off he said: 'I'm sure there will be ups and downs to come but I am glad to be back on here - this community we have built together means a lot to me and I am grateful for you all. Let's do this.' Honest: In the emotional caption he penned: 'Hi everyone - I am back. Taking some reflective time offline these last few weeks was really important for me' Immeasurable loss: Dr Alex's 20-year-old brother, Llyr George, tragically passed away in July following a battle with mental health Last month Dr Alex explained his decision to take break as he thanked fans for their support since Llyr's death. The A&E doctor shared a candid snap of himself on the beach as he explained his reasons for deciding to leave social media. He penned: 'I have decided to take a few weeks off social media. With everything that's happened it's important for my mental health that I take some time offline. 'I am focusing on my family and friends as well as looking after myself. Time for reflection: Last month Dr Alex explained his decision to take break as he thanked fans for their support since Llyr's death 'I'm also going to spend some time thinking and working on a few projects that are close to my heart. 'Without doubt A&E will continue to keep me busy too. Thank you for your support and see you all in a few weeks. Stay safe and be kind to yourselves. Fans poured in with their messages of support and encouraged the Love Islander to look after himself. Shocking: Dr Alex was recently left shocked when a follower took issue with him for being on social media so shortly after Llyr passed away following a battle with mental health It came after the NHS doctor admitted he was 'hanging on by a thread' after a troll criticised him for being on social media in the wake of his brother's death. Last month Alex took a screen grab of the exchange, in which the person responded to his seaside picture with the comment: 'your brother is dead get off social media.' Sharing his anguish at the response, Alex penned: 'Imagining being this person. I'm holding by a thread and you get people like this.' Response: In his Instagram story, the medic explained to his fans why he was on social media, as he thanked them for support during this tough time In his next Instagram story, the medic explained to his fans why he was on social media, as he thanked them for support during this tough time. He wrote: 'I am honest and open with you all. The good, the bad and the ugly. There is so much that isn't shared online of course. So many of you are so kind and message me each day with well wishes.' He concluded: 'I often post to let you know I am still going strong x.' The doctor also recently shared a Just Giving page that he set up in memory of his late brother, which he posted on his Instagram story in hopes that his followers could donate. Just an hour after mentioning the fundraiser to raise money for mental health charities, Alex thanked his fans for their immediate contributions: 'Wow, you guys are being so generous. Let's do this!' Alex confirmed that his brother's funeral took place at the beginning of August. Llyrwas just weeks away from getting into medical school and following in Alex's footsteps. If you have been affected by this story, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org archive ALBANY City police are asking for the public's assistance regarding a shots fired incident that occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday. Albany police spokesman Officer Steve Smith said Monday that police responded to South Pearl Street near Mount Hope Drive and Kenwood Road in Albany at about 7:45 p.m. for shots fired, and found evidence confirming as much. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reportedly made a shocking move that left an indelible stain in the royal family, according to the book Royals at War. The books authors share how Meghan grew tired of the palace communication teams and decided to branch out, a move that reportedly didnt go over well. Meghan Markle | Tim Rooke Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle shocked the palace, books authors claim Before Prince Harry and Meghan made their official royal exit, they didnt always follow the royal family rules to the letter. One move by Meghan, in particular, was not well received, according to Royals at War authors Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett. In the book, the authors shared how Meghan found the constraints of royalty frustrating and that she and Prince Harry burned too many bridges when they exited. One insider told the Howard and Tillett (via Express) that Meghan can be difficult. She has very high standards and is used to working in a Hollywood environment. However, there is a different degree of respect in the royal household. Meghan Markle wanted to improve her image, but hired her own PR team Meghan decided to seek assistance to boost her image after suffering from so much negative media scrutiny. The duchess hired PR team Sunshine Sachs because, a source told the books authors, she was tired of palace advisers and communications teams. The decision to hire her own PR team left the palace shocked, according to insiders, who said Meghan left an indelible stain on her and Prince Harrys relationships with the royal household. RELATED: Prince Harry Has Given Up Everything and Burnt Every Bridge for Meghan Markle to Get What She Wants Meghan Markle was seen as problematic Meghan was perceived to be problematic during her time in the royal family, according to expert and Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie. He believes that Meghan might have had a different experience if she had she played more by the rules, however. During his Sept. 4 Heirpod podcast, Scobie was asked, If the royal family is so experienced in working with powerful world leaders, why couldnt they handle working with Meghan? Scobie said that it came down to an issue of supporting Meghan. There is no more pragmatic a family than the royal family and I think that they are capable of having positive and healthy relationships with anyone, he said. As weve seen this wasnt necessarily about relationships between royal family members and Meghan, this was about the institution of the monarchy and how they supported Meghan. Meghan might have had a more positive relationship, he said, if the duchess had conformed to the constraints of the institution. Had Meghan have come in and done everything sort of by the book, rather than ever come up with her own ideas or challenge a way of working, or bring in her own ideals than it may have been very different, Scobie explained. But thats obviously not what we can realistically expect from a human being. SYDNEY : Australia expects to receive its first batches of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as the number of new daily infections in the country's virus hotspot fell to a 10-week low. Morrison said his government has struck a deal with CSL Ltd to manufacture two vaccines - one developed by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and another developed in CSL's own labs with the University of Queensland. "Australia needs some hope," Morrison told reporters in Canberra. "Today, we take another significant step to protect the health of Australians against the coronavirus pandemic." Health Minister Greg Hunt said scientists leading the development of both vaccines have advised that recent evidence suggests both will offer "multi-year protection". Morrison said CSL is expected to deliver 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, in January and February next year. AstraZeneca's candidate, AZD1222, is viewed as a frontrunner in the global race to deliver an effective vaccine to combat the virus. Australia had announced in August that it planned to buy AZD1222, along with an agreement of intent from CSL to manufacture it. That plan was thrown into some doubt when CSL announced shortly afterward that it would prioritise the manufacture of its own vaccine. Morrison's announcement on Monday that Australia would also purchase the CSL drug if trials proved successful appeared to be the culmination of a deal to get both vaccines across the line. The CSL vaccine is due to begin second stage clinical trials in late 2020, meaning the earliest it could hit the market would be mid-2021. Should both vaccines pass clinical trials, Australia will spend A$1.7 billion ($1.24 billion) for a total of nearly 85 million doses, Morrison said. The agreement came as Australia's Victoria state said 41 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the past 24 hours, the lowest single-day rise since June 26. Australia's second most populous state has been the epicentre of a second wave, and now accounts for about 75% of the country's 26,320 cases and 90% of its 762 deaths. The southeastern state on Sunday extended a hard lockdown in its capital Melbourne until Sept. 28 as the daily infection rates had declined more slowly than hoped. Job losses The extension of the lockdown in Melbourne is expected to fuel further job losses. The national Treasury Department said the original six-week lockdown had already cost Victoria around 250,000 jobs, or half the total recorded by the state since the pandemic began. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Monday announced Australia would extend its temporary insolvency and bankruptcy protection rules until the end of this year, barring creditors cannot issue bankruptcy notices to businesses for debts below A$20,000. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Intense heat, parched conditions and high winds fueled record-shattering wildfires and strained the electrical grid across much of California on Monday, forcing the Forest Service to close eight national forests. California has been struggling with a record-breaking fire season this year more than 2 million acres have been torched. The days ahead look equally grim. "Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening, and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire, said Randy Moore, regional forester for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. Latest wildfire updates Tuesday: Washington town devastated; helicopters rescuing stranded California hikers In Northern California on Monday night, Fresno County Fire Department reported that up to 50 people were trapped near Lake Edison and that 14 hikers were trapped near China Peak. A rescue effort was unsuccessful due to "heavy smoke conditions," Fresno County PIO stated in a social media post. Another effort was being planned to evacuate the trapped people. Fresno County Lt. Brandon Purcell stressed during a press conference that the trapped people "are safe" and "just can't get out because of roadblocks." Most of the hikers had started their routes Friday before the Creek Fire ignited. The fire has since grown to 135,000-plus acres, and is 0% contained. At least one person died, according to Fresno Battalion Chief Tony Escobedo. 'You cant hardly see in front of you, area resident Jack Machado said. The skys turning red. It looks like Mars out there. Earlier, helicopters pulled more than 200 people to safety as flames raced nearby from the Creek Fire roaring through a section of the Sierra National Forest since Friday. Firefighters were able to save the tiny town of Shavers from the flames, but the blaze surrounded Mammoth Pool Campground and destroyed about 30 homes in the town of Big Creek. Story continues More than 12,000 lightning strikes in the past three weeks have sparked almost two dozen major fires, according to Cal Fire. The fires have burned tens of thousands of acres, destroyed homes and caused thousands of residents to flee. September and October are historically the worst fire months, Cal Fire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff said: Its usually hot, and the fuels really dry out. And we see more of our wind events. Widespread power outages had not materialized, although almost 60,000 homes and businesses were dark Monday afternoon. The states largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, was preparing to cut power to 172,000 customers in 22 counties in the northern half of the state to reduce the possibility its lines and other equipment could spark new fires. In Southern California, a pyrotechnic device at a gender-reveal event sparked a fire that roared through thousands of acres. The El Dorado Fire near Yucaipa began burning Saturday, and authorities said the culprit was a device sometimes used to release blue or pink smoke to announce the gender of an expected baby. The fire, 70 miles east of Los Angeles, had burned more than 7,000 acres and was 5% contained Monday. Evacuations were ordered in several small communities. Temperatures in the fire zone have climbed into the 90s, and downtown Los Angeles reached as high as 111 degrees in recent days. A record high temperature of 121 degrees was recorded in the nearby Woodland Hills neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. "CAL FIRE reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire," the press release said. "Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially responsible and criminally responsible." Fire officials: El Dorado blaze sparked during gender reveal party The family that used the pyrotechnic device tried to extinguish the fire themselves, then called 911 and remained on the scene until firefighters arrived, Cal Fire Capt. Bennet Milloy said. The family has absolutely been cooperating with officials, Milloy told The Desert Sun on Monday. He described the event as a small gathering of family members rather than a "party." No arrests have been made, and it will be up to the district attorney whether any charges will be filed, he said. Possible charges also depend on whether any homes are lost or people injured, Milloy said. More than 200 campers rescued by helicopter: Creek Fire prompts state of emergency in California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged state residents to keep their thermostats at 78 degrees or higher, to use appliances sparingly and to keep lights off whenever possible. "Power outages were avoided ... due in large part to individual conservation efforts," Newsom said. "Even more conservation efforts are needed." Newsom has declared a statewide emergency and secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster the states emergency response. He also issued an emergency proclamation for the counties of Fresno, Madera and Mariposa, which are fighting the Creek Fire; for San Bernardino County, which is battling the El Dorado Fire; and for San Diego County because of the Valley Fire. More than 14,000 firefighters were battling the blazes. "As we reflect on Labor Day, we want to thank the firefighters and first responders that have worked tirelessly battling the August Lightning Siege fires," Newsom said. "Thank you." Contributing: Sheyanne N. Romero and Joshua Yeager, Visalia Times-Delta; Nicole Hayden and Colin Atagi, Palm Springs Desert Sun; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California wildfires set record as more than 2 million acres torched Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (459) It is more than a month since the US consulate was ordered to close in Chengdu, the city in China's south-west where I help represent Australian businesses. It was a sad day for the city. The consulate was something of a local landmark. Surrounded by leafy boulevards, European bakeries, cafes and beer halls. It added to the cosmopolitan charm of the city. Chinese police officers guard the former United States consulate in Chengdu, formally closed in July. Credit:AP The consulate also brought with it American talent, American investment and the American Chamber of Commerce. Its closure is a loss for the United States and China. The US has lost its diplomatic and trade hub in a region of 240 million people with a $US2 trillion ($2.7 trillion) economy, roughly the size of Italys. Rochester police reported no arrests Sunday night after demonstrators protesting the death of Daniel Prude descended on the city's Public Safety Building, a day after nearby demonstrations resulted in numerous clashes between protesters and police. "The Rochester Police Department would like to thank our local and state law enforcement partners for their assistance and a special thanks to Dr. Myra Brown and a group of community elders for keeping the protest safe and allowing everyones voice to be heard," the department posted to social media following Sunday night's demonstration. Police said on Sunday evening that about 1,000 people had come out for the fifth day of protests against Prude's death at the hands of Rochester police. Sunday's demonstration came hours after Mayor Lovely Warren and the city's police chief La'Ron Singletary called for calm following contentious protests on Saturday. In a new tack, police on Sunday night allowed protesters to march up to the Public Safety Building (PSB), home to the Rochester Police Department, after previously barricading demonstrators about a quarter mile up the road, where clashes ensued between protesters and police. MORE: New York forms grand jury to investigate Daniel Prude's death at hands of Rochester police Singletary said earlier Sunday that there was credible information that outside agitators want to destroy the PSB, but country legislator Rachel Barnhart, who was injured while attending Saturday night's protests, told ABC News she thought Saturday's protests only became violent after demonstrators encountered police at the barricade and suggested that allowing protesters to march to the PSB would curtail the violence. On Sunday evening a group of church elders boarded buses near City Hall to travel to the PSB in order to act as a buffer between protesters and the police in a move that city officials hoped would keep the protests peaceful. Story continues PHOTO: Demonstrators take up space in front of the Public Safety building after marching for Daniel Prude on September 06, 2020 in Rochester, New York. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) "Lets work together to keep everyone safe!" the police department tweeted Sunday evening, not long before demonstrators descended on the building. Warren's pleas for peaceful demonstrations came after police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse a crowd of over 1,200 people Saturday night. She stood by Singletary and the police department and commended them for their restraint during the last couple nights of protest, which authorities said included agitators from out of state. "People from outside of the city like Alaska and Massachusetts have been arrested," Singletary said. The protests stem from last week's release of body camera footage showing the March 23 incident involving Rochester police officers and Prude, 41. Prude's brother Joe called 911 to get help, saying Daniel was having a mental health emergency. PHOTO: Daniel Prude is arrested by Rochester Police on March 23 in bodycam video footage released on Sept. 2, 2020. (Rochester Police Dept.) In the video, which was first reported by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, officers approach Prude, who is naked, and Prude initially complies with the officers' orders. Prude is subsequently seen shouting and spitting, which prompts officers to place a spit bag over his head. MORE: Family calls for Rochester police to be charged after Black man dies during mental health emergency while in custody The officers are seen pinning Prude to the ground while the bag is still on his head, and he eventually goes lifeless. Prude died in the hospital a week later. Seven Rochester officers have been suspended with pay as New York State Attorney General Letitia James's office investigates the incident, which is part of New York state's protocol anytime someone dies in police custody. On Saturday, James announced she would empanel a grand jury to investigate Prudes death. PHOTO: Protesters march in Rochester, New York, Sept. 5, 2020, on the fourth night of protest following the release of video showing the death of Daniel Prude. (Maranie R. Staab/AFP via Getty Images) Protests that have taken place in the city since the news broke had become increasingly contentious between those involved and the police. Officers say they've been struck by bottles and rocks and have had to use pepper spray, tear gas and other weapons to disperse crowds during the demonstrations, including the one on Saturday night. Three officers were treated for injuries related to fireworks Saturday and nine people were arrested after some in the crowd appeared to set off fireworks, according to the authorities. MORE: Amid calls for police reform, better training needed to handle mental health emergencies: Experts At the same time, Warren acknowledged that the department and city should have done more to protect Prude. "We have to own the fact that in that moment, we did not do that," she said. The mayor revealed that she first saw the body camera footage last month but could not take any direct action because of the investigation by the attorney general. She defended Singletary and his actions thus far in the investigation, saying that he's done everything by the book and has not impeded or covered up the case. PHOTO: Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, left, speaks to the media during a press conference in Rochester, N.Y., Sept. 3, 2020, where she announced the suspension of officers involved in the death of Daniel Prude. (Adrian Kraus/AP, FILE) "I wholeheartedly believe RPD Chief Singletary can lead us through this time," she said. In the meantime, Warren and Singletary said the city is already working to change the way the city responds to mental health emergency calls. The city will double the availability of mental health professionals and the police will review its measures in place for handling such emergencies, according to the mayor and chief. "Certain calls shouldnt be handled by police," Singletary said. ABC News' Trevor Ault and Christopher Donato contributed to this report. Demonstrators march to Rochester Public Safety Building to protest death of Daniel Prude originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The three-year-old pacing colt Retour Au Jeu notched his third-straight victory with a lifetime mark of 1:54.2 in winning the $10,000 colt division of the Breeders Trophy Series at the Hippodrome 3R Sunday (Sept. 6). This was the final preliminary leg of the series, which culminates on Sunday, Sept. 27 with the top-eight point earners from both the colt and filly divisions competing in their respective $65,000 finals. The seventh race co-feature saw Whitecookie leave strongly from post 5 and cut the mile to the first quarter in :27.2 with Shanghaigold sitting the pocket trip. By the half mile marker in :56.2, Brutus Bayama came first over with Retour Au Jeu second over. Driver Jonathan Lachance moved Retour Au Jeu three wide at the three-quarters in 1:25 and collared race leader Whitecookie into the final turn. However Whitecookie attempted to battle back at the inside through the stretch, but gave chase to Retour Au Jeu as he finished one-and-three-quarter lengths better in a 1:54.2 mile. Brutus Bayama finished third. Sired by Hes Watching, Retour Au Jeu posted his fifth win in nine starts for trainer Maxime Velaye and owner-breeder Guy Corbeil of Mirabel. He paid $7.70 to win. Acaena De Chakrika continued her dominance of the Breeders Trophy Series for the fillies as she won the first division with ease for driver Stephane Brosseau despite some tough attempts from her competitors. SOS Cupcake with driver Samuel Fillion shot to the early lead and then parked out Acaena De Chakrika past the opening quarter in :27.3, and did not let them pass until heading to the half mile. Once on the lead, Acaena De Chakrikad breezed by the half in :57.1, but once in the backstretch she was then challenged by a determined Kinnder Lolita, who inched in front of the 1-9 race favourite at three-quarters in 1:28.2. But Brosseau pulled the ear plugs on Acaena De Chakrikad and parked Kinnder Lolita around the final turn, then pulling away from the field in the stretch to win by four lengths in 1:59.2. YS Big Girl closed with a ton of speed to be second with Kinnder Lolita third. It was the third-straight win for Acaena De Chakrika. The Sunshine Beach filly is trained by Dany Fontaine for owner-breeder Diane Lepine of Quebec City. She paid just $2.10 to win. The fastest of the two filly divisions came in the fifth race where Streakazana bested race-favourite Zar E IP. Zar E IP and driver Pascal Berube shot to the early lead with Perfect Romi in the pocket seat to the opening quarter mile in :27.4. Lotus Sena came first-over before the half mile in :58 with Streakazana second over. Then in the backstretch, driver Stephane Brosseau moved three wide with Streakazana at the three-quarters in 1:26.4 and cleared to race first over on the final turn. In the stretch Streakazana collared Zar E IP and widened to a one-and-one-quarter lengths in 1:57.3. Zar E IP was second with Perfect Romi third. It was the second-straight win and fourth of the year for Streakazana, who is sired by Western Paradise and trained by Francis Richard for the MCR Streakazana Group of Charlottetown, PEI. He paid $5.50 to win. In addition to winning both filly divisions, Stephane Brosseau led all drivers with three winners. Trainer Francis Richard had two winners. At the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit races held at Gaudreaults (4G) farm at St-Joseph-de-Lapage Saturday, the all-age track record for trotters was re-written by Mr Logan Mirox, the only trotter in the race, with a 2:02.1 for owner-trainer-driver Michel Audet. The previous record was 2:03.1 set by Abundasass in 2018. Live racing resumes at H3R on Friday (Sept. 11) with an earlier post time of 1:00 p.m. (EDT). The third leg of the Future Stars Series for trotting three-year-olds headlines that program. (with files from Quebec Jockey Club) To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R. New Delhi, Sep 7 : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has thrown its weight behind the government's National Education Policy (NEP), with its key affiliate in the education sector -- the Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan -- tasked with kickstarting a pan-India awareness campaign on the NEP from September 11. While it will hold detailed discussions on the scope, scale and impact of the reforms under the NEP, Vidya Bharati will also hold a MyNEP Competition involving an NEP-themed popular online contest, September 25 to October 2. "Our mass-awareness campaign involves popular participation centred around a series of NEP-themed contests for both, school and college students as well as the interested citizenry," said Vidya Bharati General Secretary Shriram Araowker. However, the focus of the awareness campaign is going to be the government's thrust on mother language, which Vidya Bharati will stress upon. Elaborates Araowker, "The NEP has recommended the mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction for enhanced learning outcomes. In a similar spirit, most of the contests under the MyNEP Competition will be Held in 13 regional Indian Languages including Hindi and English to reach out to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Participation itself will be an enriching experience for the contestants." The MyNEP Competition will be held on four sub-themes: India-Centric Education, Holistic Education, Knowledge-Based Society and Quality Education. It will be conducted across three categories: for studying in classes 9-12, the Undergraduate and Postgraduate and finally, the Citizen Category.A While "significant cash prizes" will be awarded to the winners in each category, the amount has not been made public, yet. Meanwhile Vidya Bharati says it has decided to give every contestant a participation certificate, regardless of their performance. Handmade paintings, meme-making, letters to the PM, speech-making, essay writing, short film making, digital designing and Twitter thread compositions will be held under the competition. In addition to these category-specific contests, an interactive quiz on the various facets of the National Education Policy will also be conducted online. The names of the winners will be announced by October 5. An interesting aspect of the competition is that Vidya Bharati has handed over the responsibility to spearhead the NEP awareness campaign to young volunteers. So elaborate is the plan of the RSS-linked body that it has also decided to appoint NEP Ambassadors whose job will be to "manage and lead" online activities related to the MyNEP Competition. Meanwhile, it added that schools and higher education institutes can also take part in this "awareness movement". However, as a precondition, they have to take what it calls a "NEP pledge" to support the latest policy. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 7 conferred the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize on British broadcaster David Attenborough at a virtual event. Congress President Sonia Gandhi was also present during the online award function. She described David Attenborough as one of Nature's "most staunch conscience keepers" for over half a century. David is also the brother of actor Richard Attenborough. "David is already well known to us all through his prodigious creativity in educating the humankind with brilliant films and books about the natural world. And he has, of late, been the most sensible voice warning us that we, more than anything else, are responsible for the accelerating threat to the environment on our planet," Gandhi said in her speech. "When environmental protection has become all the more imperative, when climate change and continued loss of bio-diversity is threatening livelihoods and public health, indeed life on earth, there could not have been a more appropriate choice for an award in her name than Sir David Attenborough," she said. Accepting the award for the year 2019, Attenborough said, "We have to change from being nationalists to being international". The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was instituted in the memory of the former prime minister by a trust in her name in 1986. It consists of a monetary award of Rs 25 lakh along with a citation. The award is given to individuals or organisations who work towards ensuring international peace and development, ensuring that scientific discoveries are used to further the scope of freedom and better humanity, and creating new international economic order. Sonia Gandhi said Indira Gandhi despite being born in a political family saw herself as a child of Nature, developing a special affinity for mountains, forests, birds and animals from an early age. "As prime minister, she became an unwavering champion of environmental protection long before that cause had become popular both in India and abroad. While helping India accelerate the pace of investment and expand its economic infrastructure, she was very sensitive to the imperative of maintaining what she would often call 'ecological balance'. Her political innings were a search for that balance and a journey of educating her colleagues and the people to preserve that balance. "As prime minister, she became an unwavering champion of environmental protection long before that cause had become popular both in India and abroad. "It is not a surprise, therefore, to find that the legal and institutional framework India now has for protecting its wonderful bio-diversity had been put in place during her tenure as Prime Minister. It bears her personal imprimatur," the Congress chief said. Describing David Attenborough as the world's leading authority on the natural world, she said his passion has been inspiring and is also to reiterate what we all acknowledge. "Age has not dimmed his zeal, neither has humanity's willful disregard for what he says," she said, adding that he has kept going relentlessly, educating, enlightening and sensitizing millions of people. Washington: "Pandemic fatigue" is a risk as the US heads into autumn and winter when infectious diseases spread more readily, former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) head Scott Gottlieb said on Sunday. A coronavirus vaccine is unlikely to be available for widespread use this year, and more than 20 per cent of the US population could be infected with COVID-19 by year-end based on current spread rates, Gottlieb said on CBS's Face the Nation. Public health officials in the US and elsewhere are facing growing anti-vaxxer movements and resistance from groups claiming coronavirus rules are affecting personal freedoms. Credit:AP "People are exhausted," he said. "People have been social distancing and wearing masks and staying home for a long period of time right now. Small businesses are hurting." Cold weather and people spending more time indoors can allow viruses to spread more easily in the months ahead, said Gottlieb, who served as FDA commissioner under US President Donald Trump for almost two years until April 2019. Biden Comments on Post-Pandemic Economy Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden made an appearance in Wilmington, Delaware where he spoke about the economy and the countrys response to the pandemic. Valtteri Bottas had a poor start to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. In just a few laps he lost four places. He was even so slow that he thought he had a flat tyre. However, the drama started before his car even started to move. "I had an issue with the actual reaction to the lights," the Finn tried to explain afterwards to Autosport.com. "We've been playing around with the way we do start practicing and the protocol of how we do it. We've changed that a bit, and I feel like there's been some disturbance sometimes at the actual starts." Read more Why Hamilton's lack of understanding of the pit lane rules was unjustified Bottas says he can't go into more detail about the unusual way they do test starts, but he feels they're not representative of 'the kind of start' needed in the race. Just like in Hungary Bottas says that the problem he had now is similar to the incident in Hungary when he reacted too early to the lights. According to him, once the clutch is engaged and the car rolls away, there is nothing wrong, it is purely a matter of when he starts. The fact that Mercedes has a different way of starting can also be seen from the onboard images in recent weeks when test starts are made during the free practice sessions. Last weekend, Hamilton put his left hand on top of the wheel and then performs an action behind the wheel. On September 3, Michael Forest Reinoehl, 48, was shot and killed by a federal fugitive task force led by the US Marshals Service outside an apartment complex in Lacey, Washington. Reinoehls killing came several hours after he had been charged with the murder of Aaron Jay Danielson, a Trump supporter and right-wing vigilante, at a protest in Portland, Oregon, on August 29. Reinoehls death was a state-sanctioned killing, carried out with the support of the Justice Department and the White House. Just minutes before Reinoehls death was announced, President Donald Trump tweeted a demand that the police take action to apprehend Danielsons killer. Do your job, and do it fast. Everybody knows who this thug is, Trump declared. Michael Forest Reinoehl While the precise circumstances leading to Reinoehls death remain murky, statements by police investigators, the US Marshals and Attorney General William Barr make clear there was no attempt to arrest him alive. His death was the intended outcome of an operation meant to intimidate others opposed to police violence and set a precedent for violent state attacks on workers coming into struggle against mass unemployment and the ruling classs homicidal back-to-work and back-to school drives in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The most chilling statement came from Attorney General William Barr, who said in a press release posted on the Justice Departments website that the killing of an admitted Antifa member was a significant accomplishment in the ongoing effort to restore law and order. Barr justified Reinoehls extrajudicial killing by declaring that he had attempted to escape arrest and produced a firearm. This is a well-known formulation that has often been used to justify police assassinations since the Supreme Court gave law enforcement a green light to shoot criminal suspects based on the claim that they were fleeing and posed a threat to the public or police. Such claims have been used to whitewash the killing of political opponents, including the FBIs efforts to destroy the left-wing Black Panther Party in the 1960s and 1970s. Bobby Hutton, the treasurer of the Black Panthers, was killed in a shootout with the Oakland, California, police in 1968. Stripped to his pants and attempting to surrender, the 17-year-old Hutton was shot and killed by police who claimed he had attempted to flee. Historian Edward B. Westermann notes that under Germanys Nazi regime as well as the preceding Weimar Republic, the phrase shot while trying to escape was frequently used to describe the killing of the regimes putative political and racial enemies He explains that in many cases, the phrase normalized the act of murder by providing a veneer of procedural legality that served as both a euphemism and a justification for murder. The murder of Reinoehl occurred the same week that Jeremy Logan, co-chair of the Spokane, Washington, chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, was kidnapped and placed in an unmarked van, then detained for more than a day by federal agents. The methods used by the Pinochet dictatorship in Chilesnatch squads, disappearances and extrajudicial murders of political opponentsare appearing in the United States. Reinoehl had been active in nightly protests against police violence in Portland. He had expressed committed opposition to racism and fascism and sympathy for Antifa, but had made clear that he was not a member of any such organization. During an interview broadcast by VICE News the same day that he was killed, Reinoehl admitted that he had shot Danielson, but he insisted that it was in self-defense. I had no choice, he said. I mean, I had a choice. I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color. But I wasnt going to do that. Records unsealed on Friday show that Danielson, a member of the far-right Patriot Prayer organization, had been armed with a can of bear mace, a retractable metal baton and a hand gun in a holster on his hip when he was shot. The killing took place in the context of a provocation by pro-Trump elements, who drove pickup trucks through downtown Portland and shot paintballs and pepper spray and engaged in fistfights with anti-police violence protesters. In his interview with VICE News, Reinoehl said that he had not turned himself in to the police because he believed they were working with far-right groups, and that he would not be safe in their custody. Theyre out hunting me, he said. Theres nightly posts of the hunt and where theyre going to be hunting. They made a post saying the deer are going to feel lucky this year because its open season on Michael right now. According to a statement by the Thurston County Sheriffs Department, which is investigating the killing of Reinoehl, the suspect was shot as he ran from the task force. During the attempt to apprehend him, shots were fired at the suspect in the vehicle and he fled from the vehicle on foot, the department said in a statement. Additional shots were fired at the suspect and he was pronounced deceased at the location. The murder of Reinoehl contrasts sharply with the treatment of 17-year-old Trump supporter and far-right militia member Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot and killed two protesters and wounded a third in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 25. Rittenhouse, armed with a semi-automatic weapon, was allowed to cross police lines and return to his home in Antioch, Illinois, before being arrested on murder charges by local police. He is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility in Illinois awaiting extradition to Wisconsin. Right-wing forces, including Fox News commentators, have declared Rittenhouse a hero. They have raised more than $1 million for his legal defense. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie hailed his incredible restraint, while President Trump argued that he had acted in self-defense. The mainstream liberal press and the Democratic Party have been largely silent on the police murder of Reinoehl, as well as the murder of two protesters in Kenosha by Rittenhouse. As of this writing, there have been no calls for an investigation into the killing of Reinoehl by any Democratic politician, major media outlet or the American Civil Liberties Union. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Senator Kamala Harris have said nothing about Reinoehl, and Biden avoided saying anything about Rittenhouses victims when he was in Kenosha last week. Instead, Biden has launched a law-and-order campaign, denouncing looters and anarchists, while promoting racial identity politics as a solution to police brutality. Democratic officials at every level across the country have deployed riot police and the National Guard against peaceful protesters demanding an end to police violence and racism. The killing of Reinoehl, robbed of his democratic right to the presumption of innocence and a jury trial, and the silence of the Democratic Party are a serious warning to the working class. These are milestones in the criminalization of left-wing dissent and state support for violent fascist vigilantes. The Democrats will do nothing to defend the rights and lives of young people and workers who oppose the policies of the government and the daily violence and death meted out by the police agencies of the ruling elite. The basic social and democratic rights of the working classthe vast majority of the populationcan be defended only through the independent mobilization of the working class in a conscious struggle to put an end to capitalism, the source of inequality, war and dictatorship, and establish socialism. Fear and hunger stalk the survivors of a suicide bomb attack on a site for displaced people in northern Cameroon, local residents say. Eighteen people died and 15 others were wounded in the overnight attack on 1 August at Nguetchewe, close to the border with Nigeria, where thousands of internally displaced people have sought safety over the past seven years. Since then, insecurity in Far North region has continued. Attackers killed seven and wounded 14 on Monday when they targeted a Goldavi village, which hosts IDPs. The 2,000 residents at the site near Kolofata have had to adjust their daily routines since August and this has made their lives even harder. We can no longer dig in the fields for fear that armed men will hide in them and attack us. These days, we farmers do virtually nothing, said Ndonoko, 40, who fled to Nguetchewe when attackers burned his village in Cameroon to the ground. Ndonoko is no stranger to violence. His younger brother was killed last year and his niece, Yakadam, died in Augusts attack on the site, which is in the Far North regions Mozogo commune. Nguetchewe, which borders a nature reserve, overlooks the frontier with Nigeria and this proximity makes it vulnerable. "This attack mainly affected women and children." The attack has changed life in Nguetchewe, a village of straw huts topped with tattered tarpaulins, in other ways too. Children still play, women fetch water from a well or go to the local market and some people still work in small fields of rice and corn. But others have set up vigilantes for self-defence and villagers sleep outdoors to be able to escape if attacked again. "This attack mainly affected women and children and they are in particular need of protection," said Olivier Guillaume Beer, the representative in Cameroon for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency It shows the extreme vulnerability of these displaced populations . We have a duty to provide them protection and assistance and we are at the disposal of the authorities to help them in this task, he said. Violence is rising in the Far North, after a spate of looting, attacks and kidnapping by Boko Haram and other groups. Some 360,000 internally displaced people and 115,000 Nigerian refugees stay in the region. Overall, around 3.2 million people have fled their homes in the Lake Chad basin region. This includes around 2.8 million who are internally displaced in northeast Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger and roughly 300,000 Nigerian refugees who have fled into neighbouring countries. "I woke up my children to run towards the bush." Memories of the August attack haunt survivors. Suzanne Taramna recalls the sound of gunfire awakening her that night. "I woke up my children to run towards the bush. In the dark, people were running. It was a complete stampede and in the confusion I lost sight of two of my children who took another direction. I took shelter in a cornfield. Not far from me, I heard a loud explosion. A piece of debris from the explosive device hit my hand, she said. Afterwards, when I went to the scene, I discovered the remains of my two boys aged 12 and eight, she said. Witnesses said the suicide bombers themselves were children. Within days of the attack people in the Kordo and Gueredou nearby also fled their homes fearing they too might be targeted. UNHCR provides protection and assistance with water, food, shelter and other items to more than 400,000 refugees in Cameroon, mainly from Nigeria and the Central African Republic. "They have lost everything." For Mylene Ahounou, head of the UNHCR sub-delegation in Maroua, northern Cameroon, the needs are never-ending. They have lost everything: from their material goods to their documents and this exposes them to all kinds of risks from exploitation to impoverishment, she said. These people, who have been displaced more than once, are particularly exposed to bad weather and need blankets, mats, dignity kits for women, latrines and of course access to drinking water, health care and food, she said. One sign of hope was a recent food donation from the government the planned joint response of humanitarian actors in the area. Yet problems persist. Our operation remains underfunded and it is also crucial that UNHCR and its humanitarian partners obtain improved access so that we can better serve everyone who has been forced to flee, Ahounou said. Bhupinder, an Indian Army sepoy who laid down his life in a gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Nowgam, had become a father five months ago and met his wife and son just once after his birth. The soldier belonged to a farming family in Dadris Bass (Ranila) village. Bhupinders father Malkhan Singh said his son had got married 18 months ago. He had come home only for one night when his son was born five months ago. He promised us that once the situation along the border eased, he would come to see his son Purva and wife Rekha. Five days ago, he had spoken to his wife and promised her to return soon, but now he will never come to see his son, said the grieving parent. After completing Class 12 from a private school in neighbouring Ranila village, Bhupinder had joined the Indian Army in 2015. Deepak Kumar, Bhupinders younger brother, said despite the grief, his family was proud of his brothers sacrifice for the nation. We are proud of my brother for he laid down his life for the country. I too want to join the army, and if required, I will fight with the Pakistan troopers till my last breath, he added. He said his brothers body will be brought to the village on Monday.. Dadri deputy commissioner Shiv Prasad could not be reached for comments regarding official communication with the army about the last rites of the soldier. Director Nitin Chandra, who directed the first-ever Maithili film Mithila Makhaan, received the prestigious National Award for this project. The directed opened up on the idea of making this film and how challenging it was to find a female lead. He also shared his experience of winning the National Award. Nitin Chandra shared that the idea of the film occurred during his visit to flood-affected areas in Bihar, in the year 2008-2009. Director Nitin Chandra bags National Award The director who went on to bag the National Award for his film Mithila Makhaan said that a National Award is something every filmmaker aspires. Nitin Chandras DVD reached the DFF Office in Delhi on the last day, and he was not sure whether it had reached. When he heard the results of the National Award in March, he realised that it did reach the office, and the rest is history. Also Read: From 'Natrang' To 'Ajintha': Sonalee Kulkarni's Marathi Movies That Are A Must-watch The director first made a documentary to understand the problems in the area. The director said that the floods in North Bihar were causing havoc. The idea of making a film came to him when he saw economically abled individuals create jobs in their own village. Nitin Chandra wrote the story back in 2013 and was looking for investors. However, when the director had almost given up on making the film, a Producer from Singapore came along with a few sources, and the film was made. Also Read: Goat Climbs On Buffalo To Munch On Leaves, Netizens Say 'leap And Hustle' To Achieve Goals Nitin Chandra further said that making the film was a challenge in itself. The film was shot in Toronto, India, and in some parts of Nepal. The director said that they wanted to shoot winter in Toronto, but they did not know winter in Toronto ranged from 35 to -10 degrees on normal days. They somehow managed to complete the shoot and returned back to Bihar. One of the best memories from their shoot was when they switched from -35 in Toronto to +45 in the heat of Bihar, during the month of May. Also Read: Chhattisgarh CM Reviews COVID-19 Situation, Pitches For Improved Treatment Facilities Kranti Prakash Jha and Anuritta K Jha played lead roles in Mithila Makhaan. Nitin Chandra said that casting was not easy, especially for the female leads. He said that Kranti Prakash Jha had worked with him in Deswa and casting him was the first option. The director was dicey in casting Anuritta Jha but thought of giving it a shot by meeting her. Soon everything fell into place and the film was on floors. (Image Source: Nitin Chandra Instagram, Maithil Makhaan movie clip) With inputs from PR Also Read: Here Are The Highlights Of The 14th Toshali National Crafts Mela In Odisha Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday sacked Workers Party members in North and South Hamgyong provinces for failing to prepare for typhoon Maysak and visited flood-hit areas. He also recruited 12,000 party members from Pyongyang to help with recovery efforts in the typhoon-hit areas. Kim earlier praised apparatchiks in Hwanghae Province when he visited the area after typhoon Bavi. But on Saturday, looking cross and sartorially challenged in a beige Mao hat, Kim was clearly intent on passing the blame for his regime's failings to party officials in a bid to appease public discontent amid the triple whammy of international sanctions, the coronavirus epidemic and heavy flooding. A restaurant in Co Down was used to launder cash for one of the largest criminal enterprises in the UK. The Taj Tandoori, in Bangor, had deposits in its accounts that came from Alam Zeb Khan's 180million heroin empire. Last week the National Crime Agency (NCA), which was part of the taskforce that busted the drugs gangs in 2014, announced it had recovered 17million from the cartel's property portfolio. That included three properties in Bangor and 56 private residences rented out in Birmingham, where the gang was based. The network was controlled by Alam Zeb Khan, who is serving jail time for importing heroin and money laundering. His brother Ameran Khan was among eight men imprisoned for a total of 139 years for their role in the ring following a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court. Expand Close Taj Tandoori, Bangor / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taj Tandoori, Bangor A third brother, heroin addict Aurang Khan, ran Bangor's Taj Tandoori (inset), which ceased trading in 2010. A 2017 ruling that granted the NCA control of the properties revealed that between September 2002 and August 2010, 457,901 had been deposited in the restaurant's business account in Aurang Khan's name. He and his wife also paid more than 700,000 into various personal accounts over a 13-year period, the source of which they could not explain. Aurang Khan came to Northern Ireland in 1989 and worked as a chef before setting up the restaurant in 1995. The lease of the Taj Tandoori was sold in 2010 and the funds transferred to Alam Khan, who used the money to buy properties in Birmingham. During a contested hearing Aurang Khan admitted he had been a heroin user until 2010 and said the years of drug abuse had affected his memory. It was also revealed that hundreds of thousands of pounds had been deposited from various sources into bank accounts in the name of Aurang Khan and his wife Shakar Begum. The monies were used to buy properties in Bangor and Birmingham, with 153,942 having been lodged in one account between November 2000 and September 2012. Among these properties were houses on Marlo Heights and Albert Street in Bangor. Alam Khan lodged 12,000 worth of cheques in another account. Between 1998 and 2011 Aurang Khan and his wife's joint declared income was 80,572, but a total of 371,212 was paid into various accounts in his name. Accounts held in his wife's name had 340,047 paid into them during the same period. A court ruling said neither party had challenged the accuracy of the NCA's evidence. Similarly, Aurang Khan could not give an explanation for the deposited cash. He did, however, admit putting some money into his wife's accounts so he could not use it to fund his heroin habit. A defence barrister claimed the Zeb Khan network did not exist and said there was no evidence linking the defendants to such criminal activities. But a judge said that given the lack of a credible explanation, Aurang Khan's drug addiction and his links to Alam Khan, the only conclusion was that cash deposited in the accounts came from drug dealing, money laundering and tax evasion. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:23:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GUIYANG, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Police have busted 12 drug gangs, nabbing more than 80 suspects and seizing 68 kg of heroin in the city of Zunyi in southwest China's Guizhou Province. In February 2019, police found that a suspect surnamed Ji purchased drugs from dealers in other provinces and peddled them in Guizhou. Further investigation led to three other suspects who trafficked drugs from overseas to Sichuan and Guizhou provinces via the southwestern border province of Yunnan. After over four months of investigation, police discovered the whereabouts of the gang members, who were part of the large criminal network, and later apprehended them. Enditem The last several years have been difficult for the eclectic Nob Hill neighborhood with restaurants and retail stores having to contend with the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project and now, the coronavirus pandemic. But despite the hardships, the neighborhood continues to attract new local businesses. City Councilor Pat Davis, whose district includes the neighborhood, said Nob Hill has started to come back to life within the past year and he expects that trend to continue despite the immediate economic challenges. The first six months after the (construction) cones were gone, we saw almost 20 new businesses that got licenses in Nob Hill, he said. And interest in the neighborhood isnt only coming from business owners looking for new opportunities. Davis said during the pandemic he has seen an uptick in foot traffic along the Nob Hill portion of Central, which he thinks speaks to peoples desire to get out of their houses. From the return of Scalo to the opening of Ihatov Bread and Coffee, 2020 has seen numerous businesses open their doors. Clint and Caren Goodrich, the husband and wife owners of El Camino Donuts, at 3417 Central NE, are recent Albuquerque transplants who came to the city specifically to open their doughnut shop. Ive always been a doughnut aficionado for years and years and years, and Ive been frustrated in the past 20 years trying to find the doughnuts that used to exist, and I know can exist, Clint said. And I finally said you know what, Im going to do this myself. He spent time traveling the country to visit doughnut shops and speak with other bakers who shared his passion. He and his wife even owned a previous doughnut shop before their current operation. Clint said one of the keys to making a classic doughnut is not cutting corners, which can seem like an appealing option in a business that requires lots of work and long hours. But ultimately, he makes doughnuts based on his tastes and standards. I make everything basically for myself and hope that people come in and like it, he said. There has already been an outpouring of support from community members in the few weeks that El Camino has been open with people coming in daily to thank them for moving into the space. We have been overwhelmed by how we have been received by the local people in this area. Literally people just come in here and thank us daily, he said. Its really been overwhelming and we werent expecting that. He said that customers have told him that they enjoy being able to walk to a local doughnut shop in their neighborhood, but some customers are coming from as far away as Rio Rancho and even Santa Fe. Tio Davids Just a few doors to the west of the shop sits Tio Davids Peruvian Flavor, at 3409 Central NE, Albuquerques newest Peruvian restaurant. The opening of the restaurant has been years in the making, according to co-owner Diego Diaz. Diaz, who owns the restaurant with his father, David, said his dad has been cooking for the community since they immigrated to the United States in 2001. People have been in love with my dads food and demanding, pretty much, that he open a restaurant, so here we are, Diaz said. Word of the restaurant opening spread quickly among the Latin American community. The cool thing is that because my dad has been cooking for the community for so long, we do have a lot of support from the local Latin American community, all the way from Santa Fe to Taos, he said. Diaz said that he and his father are trying to introduce Peruvian food to New Mexico and give people the opportunity to try it for the first time. Not everybody knows Peruvian food, but if they know Peruvian food, they know its delicious, he said. Diaz said the original plans to open in late February got scrapped, and the restaurant instead opened on the last day of May. Since then, the majority of business has come from take-out orders and delivery apps. That model of business has had difficulties since many delivery apps demand a large fee. Luckily, a partnership with local delivery app Selflane has cut down on some of those costs, and the restaurant is now able to have indoor dining at 25% capacity. Pilar Martinez covers retail and commercial real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at pmartinez@abqjournal.com or by phone at 505-823-3887. A leading disease expert has warned Daniel Andrews' road map out of lockdown is flawed because his target of five daily cases is 'unrealistic' and Victoria's contact tracing is too unreliable. Professor Peter Collignon from the Australian National University, said Victoria's strategy to eliminate COVID-19 is 'not sustainable' and unlikely to be achieved in the timeline set down by the state Premier. Victorians have been cooped up since July 8 after a surge in coronavirus cases and only permitted to leave their homes for essential reasons like grocery shopping, health appointments, work and exercise. Stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne, and Stage 3 stay-at-home orders in rural Victoria, were scheduled to end on September 13. Scroll down for video. Professor Peter Collignon (pictured) has slammed Daniel Andrews' roadmap out of lockdown Police are pictured patrolling locked-down Melbourne along Elizabeth Street in the CBD But Mr Andrew's announced yesterday the draconian measures to stop the spread of the virus will continue until at least October 26, although some restrictions will be eased from midnight next Sunday. According to Professor Collignon, there are two main reasons why the ambitious plan to get community transmission down to zero before fully reopening is flawed. 'It's much harder than any other state has tried and secondly, a lot hinges on very good contact tracing and so far Victoria has not been able to do it as good as other States,' he told channel 9's Today show. 'They still don't have quick contact tracing and there is a lot of undefined cases where they don't know where they came from.' Professor said that internationally, tougher restrictions have not necessarily resulted in better outcomes. A pedestrian strolls past a closed shop as Melbourne extends Stage 4 lockdown restrictions Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) announced his four-step plan out of lockdown on Sunday Places like California, Spain and New Zealand all enforced very strict lockdowns in an attempt to fully eliminate COVID-19, but later suffered a second wave of cases. 'Nobody has achieved that except Taiwan. New Zealand tried but it didn't work. It came back and that is almost inevitable over the next few years unless we have a vaccine that is 90 percent effective,' he said. Mr Andrews' road map out of lockdown involves a four-step plan for the state to return to normality if case numbers continue to fall. Under the plan, long-suffering residents will have to wait until the daily average of new cases in the past 14 days reaches five of less before retail stores can reopen and indoor public gatherings of just 10 people can take place. November 23 is the target date for this to happen. But Professor Collignon was not the only disease expert to publicly criticise the strategy. Chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, Professor Catherine Bennett, says the plan is 'very bizarre' and that she was 'really disappointed'. 'You don't need to keep us in Stage 4, you just need to have a really smart path that keeps elimination suppressed but starts to open up, and then you get the best of both worlds: you've got people on board, you've got good compliance, and that's how we wrap up the end of this tail,' she told 3AW radio on Monday. A lone runner is pictured getting her one hour of essential exercise by Melbourne's Yarra River Professor Peter Collignon has criticised Victorian contact tracers for being too slow. Pictured: Lonsdale Street in Melbourne Professor Bennett said the efforts of the state government should be centered on the aged care and health settings because that is where the majority of transmissions are now taking occurring. 'We certainly know in the tail that we've got particular areas that should be priority areas. That's what you focus on,' she said. But despite her opposition to the extended restrictions, she urged Victorians to follow all the rules handed down by the state government. 'The numbers are the key here not the dates, so I think we just go hard. We may not like this road but the faster we move through it, the better,' Professor Bennett said. On Monday Victoria has recorded 41 new COVID-19 cases - the state's lowest daily count in since June 27 - and nine deaths. Over 1850 coronavirus cases are still active in the state. Another disease expert, Professor Catherine Bennett, says the Daniel Andrews' plan is 'very bizarre' and she was 'really disappointed'. Pictured: Flinders Street Melbourne Thousands of absentee ballots get rejected in every presidential election. This year, that problem could be much worse and potentially pivotal in hotly contested battleground states. With the coronavirus creating a surge in mail-in balloting and postal delays reported across the country, the number of rejected ballots in November is projected to be significantly higher than previous elections. If ballots are rejected at the same rate as during this years primaries, up to three times as many voters in November could be disenfranchised in key battleground states when compared to the last presidential election, according to an Associated Press analysis of rejected ballots. It could be even more pronounced in some urban areas where Democratic votes are concentrated and ballot rejection rates trended higher during this years primaries. It is the number one thing that keeps me up at night the idea that voters will do everything they can to ensure their ballot is returned on time and the system will still fail them, said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Ballot rejections occur even under the best of circumstances. They go uncounted because they arrived too late in the mail, voters forgot to sign them or signatures didnt match the one on file at local election offices. Those problems could be compounded this year as millions of voters cast mail-in ballots for the first time because of election changes forced by the coronavirus. Large numbers of uncounted ballots could be used to sow doubts about the election; President Donald Trump has been claiming for months without evidence that widespread mail-in voting will lead to fraud. The sudden leap is worrisome: 22 states are going from absentee ballots comprising less than 10% of all ballots four years ago to perhaps half or more this November. Pennsylvania is among them: Nearly 51% of all votes cast during its June primary were mail-in. If voter turnout is the same as 2016 and the ballot rejection rate equals the 1.4% from this years primary, nearly 43,000 voters in Pennsylvania could be disenfranchised this fall, according to APs analysis. Thats almost the same number of votes by which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the state four years ago, when some 2,100 ballots were rejected. In Philadelphia, a far higher percentage of absentee ballots cast in June were rejected 3.9%. Most of those arrived too late to be counted, even though Gov. Tom Wolf extended the deadline by a week. Amy Campbell, a 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania medical student, had her ballot rejected for another reason: a missing signature. Campbell is upset she didnt have a chance to fix her ballot. She received an email two days after the vote count ended telling her officials couldnt obtain (her) required signature. The first communication I got from the state was basically to tell me that my ballot had been canceled, Campbell said. Philadelphia Board of Elections spokesman Nick Custodio said thats not supposed to happen, but couldnt explain why it did. Vote-by-mail rejections could be of special concern to Democrats, who have seen a surge in absentee ballot applications this year. In Pennsylvania, for example, more than twice as many Democrats as Republicans voted by mail in the June primary. Only 21 states have defined procedures for notifying voters if absentee ballots are rejected so they have a chance to fix it. For its analysis, the AP also collected absentee ballot data from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Based on the percentage of those ballots cast in each states primary this year, between 185,000 and 292,000 voters in the seven states examined could be disenfranchised if Novembers turnout matches that of four years ago and the rejection rate remains flat. That compares to nearly 87,000 ballots rejected in those states in 2016. The ballot rejections could be pivotal in close races. In 2016, Trump won Wisconsin by roughly 23,000 votes. Reasons for rejection can vary. In a few states, a witness or notary must sign the ballot envelope for the ballot to be valid. Where ballots received after Election Day are counted, a legible postmark from that day is generally required. There could be a lot of people who are voting this way for the first time, and they tend to make the errors that lead to lost votes, said Larry Norden, an elections expert with the Brennan Center for Justice. New, young, Black and Hispanic voters who tend to favor Democratic candidates are disproportionately affected, according to research by University of Florida political scientist Daniel Smith. All have had absentee ballots rejected at higher rates than white and more experienced mail-in voters. Being able to notify voters of problems in time to fix them will be difficult enough for understaffed election offices. It doesnt help that election officials in some states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania, are not allowed to begin looking at absentee ballots until Election Day. That leaves a narrow window for identifying problems and allowing voters to fix them. Experts say voters must be diligent about requesting and returning absentee ballots well ahead of Election Day; the Postal Service advises allowing seven days for a ballot to reach an election office. Drop boxes can help. Michigan, Georgia, Colorado and Arizona are among states adding more. Colorado, which has been mailing ballots to all voters since 2013, saw a slight increase in rejections from about 1% in 2016 to 1.6% in this years primary; the rejection rate doubled in Denver but still remained below 2%. Joe Bernal, a 31-year-old tech analyst in Miami, expects to be driving to the nearest drop box to deliver his ballot ahead of Nov. 3. His ballot was rejected in Floridas March presidential primary for arriving after the deadline, even though Bernal said he mailed it at least three weeks before. Bernal, who lost an aunt to COVID-19, said he is unwilling to vote in person: Im asthmatic. I dont want to have to risk it. But drop boxes only solve one problem. The process of authenticating voter signatures on ballot envelopes an anti-fraud measure is so troublesome that lawsuits have been filed seeking to end the practice barring an adequate remedy. Jennifer Morrell, a former election official in Utah and Colorado, said voters need to be certain they will be given an opportunity to fix a problem. Some jurisdictions are adding software that quickly alerts voters via text or email, but Morrell said the problem is being unevenly addressed. States that are really new to this, most likely they will just be sending out a letter in the mail and hope the voter gets it in time and fills it out, she said. That wasnt the case for Tasha Young, a 43-year-old teacher in metro Atlanta who found a letter from her local election office buried in a pile of mail after Georgias primary in June. It said she had failed to sign her ballot, but by then it was too late for her to submit the required affidavit. She plans to vote in person in November. For one thing, I dont want to have to worry about a deadline or missing a signature, Young said. Elon Musk is one of the most active CEOs on Twitter and although he does not always send out a Tweet, you can see his activity retweeting, replying, or maybe even just liking certain material about him. A recent tweet sent out by Everyday Astronaut caught the attention of Elon Musk by tagging him in the tweet itself. I'm not sure why I'm seeing it come up so often again, but LOTS of people are saying how much rockets pollute, how bad are they for the environment & how big of a hypocrite @elonmusk is for launching rockets while selling green cars... maybe watch this https://t.co/MMserbJK1i September 6, 2020 What did the tweet say? The tweet was meant to explain just how harmful rockets are to the environment and with the tweet was attached a video to a YouTube video that talks about just how harmful rockets are to the environment. Although at first glance it could seem like the tweet was made to attack Elon Musk, the SpaceX CEO has actually been a supporter of this Twitter page and if you scroll down Everyday Astronaut and check out the other tweets, you'll find that Musk has also liked other tweets by this page. The tweet also started off with "a lot of people have been saying" then elaborating the concerns of rocket pollution and Elon Musk. The suggestion was to check out the video linked to the tweet. The YouTube video The video that the tweet links to is a 55-minute video trying to explain how much pollution actually comes out from Rockets. The video really tackles a few meaningful questions when it comes to rockets just like what actually comes out of a rocket and how much of what is found actually comes out. The video also elaborately looks at different types of engines to see if the equation changes. This is also paired with taking a closer look at different fuels and how they affect both the rocket and the pollution it emits. The video also delves into the question as to whether or not SpaceX's very own proposed point to point Starship transportation within Earth could potentially replace jetliners in the future. The point of the video is to find out the answers for all of these questions begging the question if this would actually be an improvement or turn out to be a massive step backwards when it comes to emissions. Read Also: [Spotted] SpaceX Ships Raptor Vacuum Engine for Starship to Texas from California: The Testing Continues? Elon Musk's success The puzzling question about Elon Musk's priorities can be found out by watching and finishing the video. When it comes to most industries, although Amazon, Musk's companies, and even Apple are moving towards green energy, one industry still has a problem adjusting to these changes, the space industry. As of now, fossil fuels are used to launch rockets and there hasn't been a discovered replacement as of the moment. Musk has really big plans like providing really good worldwide internet connection with Starlink and also later on sending human beings to Mars. The eccentric billionaire seems to be more than just a big tech CEO but rather a person looking towards humanity's advancement. The question is, what are Elon Musk's priorities? Read Also: [New Discovery] NASA Finds Rust on the Moon: How can Rust Form without Oxygen or Liquid Water? 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Over 30 Pentecostal Christians arrested in Eritrea as crackdown continues: report Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment More than two dozen Pentecostal Christians were reportedly arrested in recent days as the crackdown against nondenominational Christianity in the northeast African nation of Eritrea continues. Berhane Asmelash of Release Eritrea told BBC that over 30 Christians were rounded up and detained while praying in three different locations in the nations capital of Asmara. The BBC report follows reports from human rights watchdogs earlier in the month that stated that 141 Christians were arrested on May 10 in the Mai Temenai area of Asmara. They were detained after gathering for a private meeting ahead of the countrys Independence Day, according to nonprofit Release International. Open Doors USA noted that of those arrested were 104 adult females, 23 men, and 14 minors. The Eritrean government, which has been run by President Isaias Afwerki since the countrys independence from Ethiopia in 1993, only recognizes four religious affiliations Orthodox Christianity, Sunni Islami, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea and the Catholic Church. Afwerki is reportedly a member of the Orthodox church. According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Eritrean government highly regulates religious practice to the extent that there is little to no freedom of religion or belief for people outside the four officially recognized faith communities. But even the officially recognized religious bodies in the country have suffered from government interference as the government demands full control of religious organizations and their entities that include schools, clinics, and orphanages, reports the Catholic nonprofit news website Zenit. Eritrea, which has a population that is about half Christian and half Muslim, has been recognized by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for egregious violations of religious freedom since 2004. According to Release International, about one out of 12 Eritreans has fled the country and gone to other African nations or Italy. In its 2019 annual report, USCIRF said that Eritreans are regularly arrested and detained for their religious beliefs and practices while not being afforded due process under the law. Members of approved religions are regularly arrested for protesting government interference in their activities, and members of unregistered religious groups can be arrested if found to be observing the illegal religion, the USCIRF report reads. In March 2018, the honorary president of the Al Diaa Islamic School in Asmara died in detention, having been arrested and detained in 2017 along with other colleagues for opposing government interference in the school. Even in prison, USCIRF warned, inmates are banned from praying aloud, preaching and having religious books. Arrested individuals have reported being asked to sign documents certifying that they renounce their faith or that they join or return to the Eritrean Orthodox Church, and if they do not, face transfer to worse conditions, according to the report. A United Nations inquiry from 2016 found that the use of torture by Eritrean officials has been, and remains, both extensive and methodical in civilian and military detention centers. Last year, authorities in Eritrea released Pastor Oqbamichel Haiminot, the senior pastor of Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church in Asmara after he spent over 11 years in prison. Haiminot was among 60 evangelical Christians arrested in 2005 during a wedding ceremony and taken to Sawa military center. Eritrea is ranked as the seventh worse country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List. During the 2019 World Watch List reporting period, government security forces conducted many house-to-house raids and imprisoned hundreds of Christians in inhumane conditions, including small shipping containers in scorching heat, an Open Doors factsheet reads. Protestants, in particular, face serious problems in accessing community resources, especially social services provided by the State. Christians from nontraditional church groups, such as evangelicals, face the harshest forms of Christian persecution, Open Doors reports. Also converts from a Muslim background and cross-denominational converts from Orthodox backgrounds encounter harsh mistreatment from their families and communities. Through the years, people from every part of the city have shared their stories with me meaning with you, the Tribunes reader, writes Mary Schmich in her farewell column. I learned from all of them, was changed by them all. South African actress, Thandeka Mdeliswa, has been shot to death. The 34-year-old actress, according to a statement by her family, was shot while trying to settle a dispute involving her brother in her family home. In the statement, the family announced that the young and talented actress was fatally shot on September 3, 2020, and was rushed to Evander hospital, stabilised then airlifted to Witbank after which she was transferred to Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Pretoria) as her condition was critical but stable. She passed on in the morning of the 5th September 2020 (Saturday). It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our dearest daughter. She was shot in Evander, Mpumalanga on Thursday, 3 September 2020, the statement said. The brutality which was inflicted on our daughter has left us deeply hurt. This is another incident of violence against women (gender-based violence) which our country has to fight against. We believe justice will be served, the statement read. A police brief says the victim heard a commotion between her brother and two men. She then went out to investigate the problem whereupon getting closer one of the men fatally shot her. Police in Evander has assured the public that they are working hard to find the shooter. Thandeka Mdeliswa was best known for her role as the 25-year-old Khanya In drama Ikani. She previously landed minor roles on local soaps Generations: The Legacy, Isidingo, and Rhythm City, and her biggest one on the SABC1 short story series Ngempela. Christiane Eda-Pierre, a French soprano who broke ground as the country's first black woman to make her mark on the international opera stage, has died at 88, her family told AFP on Monday. She died of natural causes at her home in Deux-Sevres, western France, on Sunday. Born on March 24, 1932, in France's Caribbean territory of Martinique, Eda-Pierre was steeped in the arts from an early age -- her aunt Paulette Nardal, an author and journalist, was the first black female student at the Sorbonne. She learned to read music from her mother, a piano teacher, while still a young child. "Her first experience with opera was through her grandfather, who knew all sorts of arias from ensembles which would stop for performances in Saint-Pierre or Fort-de-France while travelling between Europe and the United States," her biographer Catherine Marceline told AFP. After arriving in Paris for piano studies in the late 1950s, she made the acquaintance of the Swiss baritone Charles Panzera, who proposed to help her get into the rigorous Conservatoire de Paris music school. "My eyes nearly popped out of my head because I thought, 'Me, a black girl, in the Conservatoire, it's just not possible'," she recalled in a 2013 podcast. She soon made her debut at the Opera de Nice in southern France, performing in Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" alongside Gabriel Bacquie, the French bass-baritone who died in May. That led to a series of major roles in Paris, including the prestigious Opera Garnier, before she embarked on tours that brought her to arts capitals including London, New York and Vienna. A highlight of her career was a triumphant turn in a 1977 production of "The Tales of Hoffmann" directed by Patrice Chereau. Her experiences made her a steadfast promotor of black artists in all fields. "She would say that the more often you put them on stage, the more normal it would eventually be," said Marceline. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Local partners for the Burke Business Park met Tuesday at the business park location off Kathy Road to celebrate the groundbreaking for a 500,000-gallon water tank. Representatives for the partners in the business park project (Burke County, city of Morganton and towns of Valdese, Drexel and Rutherford College) attended the celebration. "The building of the water tank at the business park is a final piece of infrastructure needed at the site," said Johnnie Carswell, chairman of the Burke County Board of Commissioners. "With this, we can move forward in our efforts to locate new or expanding businesses at the site. The water tank, which is needed for fire suppression by companies locating in the park, is being funded by a grant provided through the North Carolina's Infrastructure Development Fund and 25% matching funds provided by the business park partners. The project costs are estimated to be about $2.3 million, including contingencies. Morganton Mayor Ronnie Thompson said he was pleased to see the project moving forward. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} People in Hong Kong staged protests Sunday on what would have been an election day for the territory's legislature before it was delayed by a year, with police arresting at least 289 of them for unlawful assembly or on other grounds. At least 289 people have been arrested for allegedly violating the national security law in Hong Kong as protestors took to the streets protesting the draconian law imposed by mainland China in June.As per the South China Morning Post, the people gathered following online calls by anonymous activists who aimed to draw 50,000 people on the streets. The police fired pepper-balls at the anti-government protestors. The protestors chanted, Liberate Hong Kong; the revolution of our times. The police said that one woman has been arrested for violating the draconian law for chanting slogans promoting Hong Kong independence.270 other people were detained on the suspicion of illegal assembly and five people were held for disorderly conduct in a public five while the other five persons were held for not being able to produce identity cards, The South China Morning Post further reported. Police sources earlier said 2,000 riot officers would be deployed across West Kowloon, with water cannons and armoured vehicles on standby. The protests organised on the day Hongkongers were supposed to be casting their votes to choose lawmakers for the next terms.However, the pro-China Hong Kong administrations postponed the election citing the rising coronavirus concerns in late July. ALSO READ: Australians can receive free coronavirus vaccine early next year: PM Morrison Beijing imposed the National Security Law in Hong Kong in June targeting acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, with punishments of up to life in prison for the most serious offenses.The move came after months of social upheaval triggered by opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill but that morphed into wider demands, including universal suffrage. The legislation, which came into effect on July 1, punishes what Beijing terms secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign interference with punishment ranging up to a life-term in prison. ALSO READ: Trump administration will continue to hold China accountable for Covid-19: Pompeo Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is scheduled to visit central Pennsylvania today, Labor Day. Biden is expected to go to the Harrisburg headquarters of the Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. While there, hes planning to take part in a online talk with labor leaders from across the country at 4:15 p.m. Nothing has been announced about the public being allowed to attend. Bidens trip to central Pennsylvania continues a series of visits by both parties that are expected to continue through Election Day. Last week, Biden visited Pittsburgh on Monday, while President Donald Trumps daughter-in-law Lara stopped by the Bucks County GOP headquarters in Doylestown. Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Luzerne County on Tuesday and Trump talked law and order during a stop in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, on Thursday. Biden and Trump both are planning to be in Shanksville for a 9/11 observance on Friday. MUSKEGON, MI Much-needed work to spruce up a rusty railroad overpass will cause lane closures on Seaway Drive in Muskegon for the next several weeks. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, there will be lane closures on Business Route U.S. 31 between Laketon and Hackley avenues, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Thats so the railroad overpass can be cleaned and painted in anticipation of an artists mural that will be added next year. The city of Muskegon is paying about $68,000 for the work on the bridge that is owned by CSX railroad. Lane closures are expected to continue through Oct. 1. A public fundraising campaign is expected to begin next month to help pay for two murals on the bridge one on the north side and one on the south side, said Judith Hayner, project manager for the MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative. Fundraising also will begin for two other murals on a second railway bridge over Seaway Drive just to the south, between the cities of Muskegon Heights and Norton Shores, she said. The Muskegon Downtown Arts Committee received digital design proposals for the four murals from 16 artists, five of whom are from Muskegon, Hayner said. The proposals have been narrowed to nine semifinalists who have an Oct. 15 deadline to submit 30 percent scale paintings of the art, she said. Four will be chosen most likely the following week, when the designs will be made public, she said. We have some really good designs that I think people will absolutely love, Hayner said. The Muskegon bridge is 9 feet tall and 210 feet long. Each of the two artists will be paid $8,000 for the murals on that bridge. The other bridge, between Sherman Boulevard and Broadway Avenue, is 8 feet high and 108 feet across, and artists for murals on that one will be paid $7,000 each. The Muskegon city commission in February approved a $68,385 contract with Seaway Painting of Livonia to vapor blast and paint the overpass in preparation for the murals. The MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative of the Muskegon Community Foundation has commissioned several art pieces, including Moxie the Mastodon, which was installed outside the Lakeshore Museum Center, 430 W. Clay Ave., last summer, and A City Built on Timber 20-foot sculpture that was installed in July at Heritage Landing Park on Muskegon Lake. In addition, a 22-foot abstract sculpture with LED lighting is expected to be added to the center of the citys Pere Marquette beach roundabout by the end of the year. The initiative also plans a sculpture at the downtown Muskegon convention center currently under construction. A contributor donated $25,000 to jumpstart 10 public art projects for a total of $250,000. Also on MLive: Road, water work to disrupt Pere Marquette beach traffic Muskegon street to be named for late Bishop Nathaniel Wells Jr. New coronavirus testing site opens in Muskegon County United Airlines Holdings Inc UAL is planning to expand its October flying schedule on uptick in demand for leisure travel. The airline expects to operate 40% of its full schedule in October, indicating a rise from 34% of the schedule it hopes to fly in September. Domestic Expansion On the domestic front, the carrier expects to fly 46% of its October 2019 schedule, higher than the September flying schedule of 38%. This includes resuming or starting new services on approximately 50 routes with the majority from the airlines hubs in Chicago, IL Denver, CO and Houston, TX. In Florida, the Chicago-based airline plans to restart services connecting Sarasota and Miami with Washington-Dulles and Fort Myers with Denver. In Oregon, the carrier will reinstate services connecting Los Angeles with Eugene, Medford and Redmond/Bend. United Airlines also intends to resume eight routes to Hawaii, upon approval of the state's pre-arrival COVID-19-testing program. United Airlines Holdings Inc Price United Airlines Holdings Inc Price United Airlines Holdings Inc price | United Airlines Holdings Inc Quote International Expansion On the international front, United Airlines expects to fly 33% of its October 2019 schedule, compared with 29% of the year-ago flying schedule planned for September. This includes resumption of services to 14 international destinations including Bogota, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; and Panama City, Panama. The airline will also increase services between New York/Newark and Tel Aviv to twice daily and resume thrice weekly service connecting Washington, D.C. and Tel Aviv, starting Oct 25. Additionally, it will restart or increase flights to Cancun, Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico from its Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York/Newark and Washington, D.C. hubs. Zacks Rank & Key Picks United Airlines carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Transportation sector are Canadian Pacific Railway Limited CP, Landstar System Inc LSTR and Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc KNX. While Canadian Pacific carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), Landstar and Knight-Swift sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Shares of Canadian Pacific, Landstar and Knight-Swift have rallied more than 13%, 16% and 26% so far this year. Story continues Just Released: Zacks 7 Best Stocks for Today Experts extracted 7 stocks from the list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys that has beaten the market more than 2X over with a stunning average gain of +24.3% per year. These 7 were selected because of their superior potential for immediate breakout. See these time-sensitive tickers now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report KnightSwift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research With many area school districts set to reopen Tuesday for face-to-face instruction, a local coalition that includes parents, teachers and health professionals is warning that the move is premature and risky. At the start of each school year, educators make a promise to students and their families that those in our care will be safe. (This year) we cannot promise we can keep our students and staff safe, said Adrian Reyna, who teaches middle school social studies in the San Antonio Independent School District and is a member of the San Antonio Coalition on School Reopening. The group held a news conference Monday morning to say many districts are not ready. Local school districts are requiring mask-wearing, social distancing and frequent sanitizing, and some are limiting the arrivals to younger grades or students with special needs or those for whom at-home learning poses particular difficulties. Two of the areas largest school districts are among those returning to schools tomorrow on a smaller scale. Class sizes across North East ISD, for example, are capped at 5, said Aubrey Chancellor, school district spokeswoman. Approximately 14,400 students are set to return Tuesday to NEISD schools, Chancellor said. Thats about 22 percent of total enrollment. San Antonio invited up to 10 percent of students back to schools, with priority given to students who require special education, those who are at risk and struggling academically and those in pre-kindergarten through second grade. Class sizes will be limited to four to six students, the district said. There will be no in-person extracurricular activities. Members of the San Antonio Coalition on School Reopening said they have concerns about going back to campuses. Campuses are still waiting PPE (personal protection equipment), air conditioning filters have not arrived, protocols have not been shared with staff or are not being followed with fidelity, declared the coalition in a news release. Safety concerns and questions have been ignored, and educators have been given a simple choice: return to work, even under dangerous conditions for you and your students, or lose your job, it stated. Others who spoke were critical of city and school district leaders, saying that educators and parents have been ignored or marginalized during the reopening process. In her remarks, retired school teacher Wanda Longoria said that when teachers in campus workshops recently sounded alarms about inadequate PPE and other problems they were intimidated, and in some cases retaliated against. Today we want to make it very clear. We are not the enemy. COVID-19 is. It will quickly take advantage of laxity, inconsistency, negligence and the opportunity to infect, she stated. Among the coalitions specific recommendations were that districts be required to comply with the Metro Health Directive and report COVID-19 cases and exposures on district websites; mandate that all districts provide proper ventilation including CO2 detectors and MERV 13 filters; ensure that all school employees have adequate PPE; provide paid sick leave to employees if they need to quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19; and front-line workers like custodians, food service and transportation staff should get hazardous pay. Full implementation of safe protocols will be needed to ensure the safety of all our students and staff, and schools should remain closed until they are in place, said Alejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel. A wealthy British heiress who found notoriety for her involvement with the IRA could well have been involved in one of the highest profile art thefts of the 20th century, a new publication has claimed. Rose Dugdale, now 79 and still living in Ireland, has been linked to the 1974 as-yet unsolved theft of a valuable work by Dutch master Johann Verneer from a stately home in north London. Dugdale, a former English debutante and the daughter of a millionaire, is said to have embraced Irish revolutionary politics following the events of Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. A student at the elite Miss Ironside's School in Kensington, her involvement in a series of art thefts, all to raise funds for the IRA, is documented in a new book by a US museum security expert, Anthony Amore, due to be published in November. The Woman Who Stole Vermeer charts the role played by Dugdale in some of the highest profile art thefts in the 1970s. Educated at Oxford, Dugdale was the heiress to a country estate in Devon, and stole paintings from her own family home to raise funds for the IRA. Now it's her alleged involvement in the 1974 theft of one of Vermeer's most famous works that's been brought to the fore. The Guitar Player was stolen from Kenwood House in north London. The 1672 masterpiece, a portrait of a young girl playing a small guitar, was stripped from its frame and went missing for three months after a break-in. A substantial ransom note demanded the transfer to a Northern Ireland prison of jailed IRA bombers Dolores and Marian Price, who were on hunger strike in Brixton Prison attempting to secure repatriation to Ireland at the time. The painting was eventually recovered from a London cemetery following an anonymous tip off, but the theft, according to Amore, could well be another in a line of art thefts carried out by Dugdale in the 1970s. Dugdale had been arrested soon after the theft from her own family home in 1972 and received a two year suspended sentence. The judge said he considered the risk of her committing any further criminal acts to be "extremely remote". But just two months after the theft of the Vermeer from Kenwood House, Dugdale was a member of an IRA gang which broke into Russborough House in Co Wicklow, the stately home of a former Conservative MP, Sir Alfred Beit. Expand Close One of the stolen paintings: Lady writing a letter with her maid / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp One of the stolen paintings: Lady writing a letter with her maid The gang tied up the owner and made off with 19 works of art, among them another of Vermeer's famous works, Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, plus other valuable pieces by Rubens, Goya and Gainsborough. All 19, valued at around 8m at the time, were eventually recovered from the boot of a car at a home Dugdale was renting in Cork. She was sentenced to nine years for her role in the theft, and for playing her part in a previous attack on an RUC station in Strabane. The Russborough House theft also produced a ransom note calling for the release from prison of the Price sisters, with Amore claiming Dugdale had gone after those works of art after the earlier theft of the Vermeer from Kenwood House failed to secure their transfer. After her release in 1980, Dugdale was active in the campaign in support of protesting Irish republican prisoners during the 1981 Irish hunger strike. The author was unable to interview Dugdale for the book. Darren Cooper had arrived early for a meeting, but someone reported to local cops that he was sitting in his car armed. An Akron, Ohio man recounted the events that led to officers from the Ravenna Police Department pulling guns on him as he sat in a parking lot on Aug. 13. Darren Cooper (in t-shirt) arrived early in Ravenna, OH for a meeting, but someone reported to police that he was sitting in his car armed. According to Darren Cooper, he was in Ravenna, a town about 20 miles northeast of Akron, sitting in his Mustang talking on his speaker phone and drinking tea when police pulled into the parking lot and approached his car, yelling, Put your hands up! Cooper told the Akron Beacon Journal that he was waiting outside of the Portage County Job and Family Services building, where he was expected for a 9 a.m. training session. Turns out a woman from a dentists office across the street had called police to say a man was sitting in a car with a gun. According to the report, in the 911 call, she is heard saying, I really believe he was holding a pistol. Read More: Couple removed from ferry over masks, blames Black Lives Matter The woman continued: Im pretty darn sure its a pistol. Four police officers arrived with unholstered weapons. Cooper was searched and released, and the police officers apologized. Cooper said he was happy to share his story because my wife almost lost a husband, and my kids almost lost their father, over someone who thought I had a gun, but it was my iPhone. Read More: Kamala Harris slams Trump, Barr for denying systemic racism in justice system Cooper said the woman didnt identify him by race, nor did she give the correct color of his car. The caller said his Mustang was black; it is dark gray. To him, attention to detail is of the utmost importance. Captain Jake Smallfield, a spokesman for the Ravenna Police Department, noted that he felt the incident was handled professionally and civilly. Read More: Judge bans Detroit police tactics against protesters Smallfield said that he doesnt plan to charge the caller, saying that police rely on tips to help deter crime. However, Cooper disagrees. Story continues They didnt come at name with excessive force, he said, but the person who filed the false police report should be charged. Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now! The post Woman calls police on Black man using his phone, falsely claims he had gun appeared first on TheGrio. Spain became the first country in Western Europe to register 500,000 coronavirus infections on Monday, after a second surge in cases that coincided with schools reopening. Health Ministry data showed a total of 525,549 cases, up from 498,989 on Friday, and 2,440 infections registered in the last 24 hours. Spain updates its data retroactively, so the latest numbers could be revised. Recent infections have been more common among younger people who often develop no symptoms thanks to their stronger immune systems, and the death rate remains far below the March-April peak when daily fatalities routinely exceeded 800. Spain reached a milestone of more than 500,000 coronavirus cases today, after schools reopened. Pictured, schools in Spain will require all students aged six or older to wear masks Despite the unwanted milestone, unlike then, hospitals have enough beds to treat Covid-19 patients. After a first wave in spring that ravaged Spain's elderly population and overwhelmed the hospital system, authorities brought the outbreak under control with the help of one of the world's toughest lockdowns. But as restrictions on movement were lifted and mass testing began in late June, infections rose from a few hundred a day to a new peak of over 10,000 around 10 days ago, outstripping other hard-hit nations such as France, Britain and Italy. The overall mortality rate since the pandemic first struck is around 6% in Spain, lower than in Italy, Britain and France. Spain reported eight new deaths on Monday, bringing the total to 29,516. Despite the surge in cases, hospitals have enough beds to treat Covid-19 patients and infections have been more common among younger people who often develop no symptoms. People keep their distance at a Covid testing centre in Girona, Catalonia (pictured) Rafael Bengoa, co-founder of Spain's Institute for Health and Strategy, said hospitals should be able to keep fatalities in check this time even as infections increase, but longer term problems could overburden the healthcare system. 'Many people will be infected, and some of these people, while they won't die, will suffer an immediate and severe impact on their health that will likely be long-lasting,' he said. While discounting the need for a new nationwide lockdown, he said localised confinements of city neighbourhoods could become increasingly useful to control transmission. Some Spaniards think current restrictions are insufficient. 'They aren't taking adequate measures. Look, people are walking around without face masks, the government is opening schools and that is not fair to children or to adults,' said Madrid resident Lux Marin, 25. Schools reopened in six regions including the Basque Country on Monday and others will resume classes over the next 10 days. 'We demand a safe, face-to-face return to class and more resources to guarantee public education and make our schools safe,' said student union leader Coral Latorre, who took part in a rally by teachers and students in Madrid on Saturday. People enjoy a warm afternoon at Sant Sebastia beach, in Barcelona after one of the world's toughest lockdowns While some commentators blame the abundance of cases on Spain's highly social culture and propensity for large family gatherings, Joan Ramon Villalbi of the Spanish Society for Public Health and Sanitary Administration is wary of invoking such stereotypes. Instead he blames a rushed exit from lockdown, which allowed people to start moving around the country before virus tracking could start in earnest, varying health rules in Spain's regions, a high population density and reliance on low-wage workers. 'For these vulnerable workers, whether in agriculture, domestic service or in restaurants, you can tell them to stay at home for two weeks but it's not clear they can afford that.' On the positive side, he said restrictive measures in some regions such as Aragon appear to have stymied the resurgence of the virus there in the past few weeks. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) Another member of the powerful Parojinog political clan has died while under detention at the Ozamis City Jail. Melodina Parojinog Malingin, 60, died past 6am on September 6 barely two days after her brother Ricardo "Ardot" Parojinog was found dead inside the Ozamis City police station. Police said Malingin died due to failure of the heart to pump enough blood. It cited "cardiogenic shock secondary to intractable cardiac arrhythmia-atrial fibrillation to ventricular tachycardia secondary to massive gastrointestinal basal secondary to uremic gastropathy." She was first brought to the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamis City, but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Malingin has been in jail since 2017 following her arrest along with with her husband, Gaudencio Malingin, after they were found with 8 kilograms of suspected shabu. Officials have tagged members of the Parojinog clan as the source of illegal drugs in Ozamiz. CNN Philippines stringer Alwen Saliring contributed to this report. Regulatory News: ESI Group (Paris:ESI) (FR0004110310 ESI), leader and pioneer in Virtual Prototyping solutions, hereby releases the total number of shares making up the company's capital and the total number of voting rights in August 31, 2020, in accordance with articles 223-16 and 221-3 of the General Regulations of the "Autorite des Marches Financiers". Number of shares Number of theoretical voting rights * Number of voting rights ** 6,027,142 8,311,369 7,935,476 * The number of theoretical voting rights is calculated based on all shares eligible for voting right (single or double), including shares temporarily deprived of voting rights (treasury shares). ** All Group shares have equal right to vote, except treasury shares, which are deprived of the right to vote, and registered shares held for more than four years that are eligible for double voting rights. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200907005163/en/ Contacts: ESI Group Advertisement President Donald Trump said the Democratic ticket, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, should 'immediately apologize for the reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric' they've deployed during his North Portico press conference on Monday. 'They're political lies. They'll say anything and it's so dangerous for our country what they say,' Trump went on. 'But the vaccine will be very safe and very effective and it will be delivered very soon.' At practically the same time on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, Biden told reporters he would take a coronavirus vaccine 'tomorrow' even if it cost him the presidential race. Biden's comments came after Harris said she wouldn't trust Trump's word on vaccine safety. President Donald Trump demanded that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris apologize for their 'reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric,' during a Monday news conference on the White House's North Portico Trump lashed out at Biden and Harris a number of times during the press conference, which was held at an unusual location: the White House's North Portico, which is essentially the executive mansion's front porch' 'They're political lies. They'll say anything and it's so dangerous for our country what they say,' Trump said. 'But the vaccine will be very safe and very effective and it will be delivered very soon' Later in the presser, Trump said Biden and Harris were 'going to make the vaccine into the negative' 'If I could get a vaccine tomorrow I'd do it, if it would cost me the election I'd do it,' Biden responded when asked if he'd be comfortable taking a vaccine in the lead-up to the November 3 election. 'One of the problems is the way he's playing with politics,' Biden said of Trump. 'He's said so many things that aren't true. And I'm worried that if we do have a really good vaccine people are going to be reluctant to take it.' Biden added that Trump was 'undermining public confidence.' In front of the White House's front door, Trump began to make what was likely the same point about Biden and Harris. 'And what's happening is all of the sudden you'll have this incredible vaccine and because of that fake rhetoric, it's political rhetoric, just for politics,' Trump said, not fully finishing the thought. Later in the presser, Trump said Biden and Harris were 'going to make the vaccine into the negative.' The president also said he was hopeful that it would come out before a 'special date,' a clear nod to election day. Harris had earlier said that she'd be dubious of any vaccine fast-tracked before election day, as the pandemic has made Trump's re-election prospects more difficult. 'I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he's talking about. I will not take his word for it,' Harris said in an interview with CNN that was released Saturday. At the same time, Democratic nominee Joe Biden was telling reporters that he'd take a coronavirus vaccine 'tomorrow' even if it cost him the election, though also hit Trump for 'undermining public confidence' on healthcare issues 'One of the problems is the way he's playing with politics,' Biden said of Trump. 'He's said so many things that aren't true. And I'm worried that if we do have a really good vaccine people are going to be reluctant to take it' She also feared members of of the medical community could potentially be silenced. 'They'll be muzzled, they'll be suppressed, they will be sidelined,' Harris said. 'Because he's looking at an election coming up in less than 60 days and he's grasping to get whatever he can to pretend he has been a leader on this issue when he is not.' Trump's Monday presser was filled with digs at Biden and Harris. 'Biden wants to surrender our country to the virus,' Trump said at one point. He also said Harris should be looked into carefully, suggesting that because Biden is 77, the California senator could become president. 'You know he doesn't have a clue,' Trump also said. 'In primetime he wasn't good and now it's not primetime.' Trump also called his Democratic rival 'a stupid person.' At the press conference, Trump also brought up some of Biden's family members, including name-dropping Biden's son for his controversial business dealings abroad while Biden was serving as vice president. 'His son. Where's Hunter. I call him "Where's Hunter,"' Trump said. 'He walked away with a fortune from Ukraine, with China, and from other countries.' Trump also blasted Biden's brother, likely a reference to Frank, for some of his business dealings too. Trump's impeachment in December was based on a call he made to the Ukrainian president to pressure him to open an investigation into Hunter and Joe Biden. Vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, photographed during her trip Monday to Wisconsin, said in an interview with CNN that she wouldn't trust Trump to be honest about a vaccine's safety in the run-up to the presidential election 'I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he's talking about. I will not take his word for it,' Harris said in an interview with CNN that was released Saturday 'You talk about a quid pro quo,' Trump said Monday, which had been what was problematic about the call. He told reporters they should be looking into his rival's family members instead. 'You should be ashamed of yourselves, the press should be ashamed of themselves,' he told the small group of masked reporters sitting in chairs placed on the White House driveway. Trump also spoke about The Atlantic article - which claimed, among other things, that he referred to American war dead as 'losers' and 'suckers.' Trump said soldiers were pro-Trump, but suggested the top brass at the Pentagon didn't care for the president because he wasn't pro endless wars, suggesting they were in the pocket of top defense companies. Trump made similar complaints about Sen. John McCain on Monday. 'John McCain liked wars. I will be a better warrior than anybody, but when we fight a war, we're gonna win 'em,' Trump said. The Atlantic's reporting said that Trump was furious when flags were flown half-staff for McCain's funeral. Flying Whales' LCA60T aircraft in the woods. Flying Whales France-based Flying Whales is developing an environmentally friendly cargo transport aircraft with commercial production posied to begin in 2025. The LCA60T airship can off-load its up to 66-ton payload mid-air. Because the LCA60T is a VTOL, it won't require any extra infrastructure to operate, allowing it to serve more remote locations without harming the environment. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Flying Whales is producing a blimp-like aircraft that can transport and drop off cargo mid-flight. Several components of the cargo transport airship are made to be environmentally friendly, such as its floating capabilities powered by helium, hybrid-electric propulsion system, and lack of need for extra infrastructure during take-offs and landings. But don't get confused by its oblong shape and helium-powered floating capabilities: the LCA60T is rigid and can't be "deflated", setting it apart from the traditional blimp despite its exterior appearance. The aircraft was originally designed to transport wood logs around inaccessible areas by creating an airship that didn't need infrastructure support. However, the France-based team quickly pivoted to a larger, less targeted client base, the team told Business Insider. "We realized that this solution could be used in a lot of other sectors, so the [later] goal was not to make something that was only able to work for wood transport," Romain Schalck, marketing manager for Flying Whales, told Business Insider. "But we wanted to start with something because it's, generally speaking, easier to start designing something to answer a specific market." In terms of other iterations, Flying Whales is currently working with both state and private financial supporters and clients across various industries in Europe, Asia, and Canada, with plans to eventually expand to the US as the team grows in the future. As of right now, one of the company's biggest investors is the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The same year AVIC first called Flying Whales (2017), the company also received an investment from the French state of around $29.5 million, according to Schalck. Story continues Flying Whales' LCA60T aircraft in the woods. Flying Whale Around then, the company started expanding from its team of five to six people, to 50 employees. Now, Flying Whales has over 130 employees with plans to expand even more when the group starts shifting from an engineering to an industrial company, which will come when it's ready to start physically producing the airships. "Maybe at the end of the program development, we will be close to 300 people in the design office," Pierre-Yves Fouillen, market manager at Flying Whale, told Business Insider. "Once we start to operate the airships, the number of employees will just explode." Flying Whales plans to build its first factory in France in the coming year with the goal of having the first LCA60T in the air by 2024. Flying Whales' LCA60T aircraft in the woods. Flying Whale Commercial production is poised to begin in 2025, and the final goal is to make over 162 LCA60Ts in the first decade of production. As of now, the price of the aircraft is confidential, but according to the Flying Whales team, its tag is closer to that of a helicopter than a plane. Flying Whales' LCA60T aircraft carrying several wind blades. Flying Whale The company also plans to develop an "ownership operator" segment of its business that will allow clients to use the airships for short-term projects instead of having to purchase an entire unit just for one mission. The rigidity of the structure that sets the LCA60T apart from a blimp is its "multilayer envelope technology," which uses several thin layers of textile fabric panels similar to that of an inflatable boat over the actual structure, according to Schalck. Flying Whales' LCA60T carrying part of a pipeline. Flying Whale And since the air vehicle uses helium to hover, the LCA60T has a low fuel consumption compared to traditional aircrafts. The airship can also load and remove cargo while hovering, which is done by employing winches that are controlled by a "loadmaster." Flying Whales' LCA60T aircraft carrying an electrical tower. Flying Whale Despite its 66-ton payload, the LCA60T can carry objects of any size or shape by using slings that hang under the aircraft, although there's also a cargo holding area inside. The LCA60T can cruise at around 62 miles-per-hour with the aim of doing "short" within around 124 to 186 miles trips. The LCA60T has vertical take-off and landing capabilities, which means additional infrastructures like runways won't be needed just to operate the aircraft. Flying Whales' LCA60T aircraft in the desert. Flying Whale According to Schalck, the lack of any extra infrastructure means remote areas can be accessed without harming the environment. The hybrid electric propulsion system that powers the airship also gives Flying Whales the opportunity to then shift to full electric propulsion in the future, further decreasing the airship's carbon footprint. "We decided to equip the first airship with a hybrid propulsion first because we think today, we are in a world in which we cannot create new industrial tools without taking into account the protection of the environment," Schalck said. "A hybrid electric propulsion is not the perfect saver for the environment, but it's a good first step." Read the original article on Business Insider Buying a low-cost index fund will get you the average market return. But if you invest in individual stocks, some are likely to underperform. That's what has happened with the AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE:ABC) share price. It's up 14% over three years, but that is below the market return. Looking at more recent returns, the stock is up 11% in a year. See our latest analysis for AmerisourceBergen To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. AmerisourceBergen was able to grow its EPS at 25% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. The average annual share price increase of 4.6% is actually lower than the EPS growth. Therefore, it seems the market has moderated its expectations for growth, somewhat. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on AmerisourceBergen's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of AmerisourceBergen, it has a TSR of 21% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective AmerisourceBergen provided a TSR of 13% over the last twelve months. But that return falls short of the market. The silver lining is that the gain was actually better than the average annual return of 0.2% per year over five year. This suggests the company might be improving over time. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand AmerisourceBergen better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for AmerisourceBergen that you should be aware of before investing here. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Monday failed to persuade a British judge to throw out new US allegations against him, as he resumed his fight to avoid extradition to the United States for leaking military secrets. Protesters gathered outside London's Old Bailey court as the 49-year-old Australian was brought in, brandishing placards reading "Don't Extradite Assange" and "Stop this political trial". Inside, Assange's lawyers sought to "excise" new allegations lodged by Washington in recent weeks, saying they had not had time to formulate a proper response. Assange faces 18 charges under the US Espionage Act relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Washington claims he helped intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before exposing confidential sources around the world. If convicted, Assange -- who has been held at the high-security Belmarsh Prison for the last 16 months -- could be jailed for up to 175 years. US authorities recently laid out new evidence against Assange alleging that he and others at the whistleblowing site recruited hackers. In court on Monday, defence lawyer Mark Summers protested against the "11th hour" allegations, noting the difficulties Assange already had in communicating with his legal team due to coronavirus restrictions. "What is happening is abnormal, unfair and liable to create injustice if allowed to continue," he said. But District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said: "These are issues which must take place in the context of considering the extradition request and not before it." 'Abuse trial' Clean-shaven and wearing a dark suit and maroon tie, Assange spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, and said he did not consent to extradition. It was the first time he has been seen in public since the first part of the hearing in February, when he appeared weak and confused. Story continues The second part of the hearing, due in April, was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. It is set to last three to four weeks. Supporters of Assange gathered outside the court, including fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who said he was "shining the light on all the corruption in the world". His father, John Shipton, said the hearing was an "abuse trial." Assange's partner, Stella Moris, took a 80,000-strong petition opposing his extradition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Downing Street office, but was turned away. She has said she feared Assange would take his own life -- leaving their two young sons, who were conceived during his asylum in Ecuador's London embassy, without a father. US journalism lecturer Mark Feldstein, from the University of Maryland, was the first witness to be called in the hearing, giving evidence via videolink. He said leaks of classified information, either to the media or Congress, were commonplace. "Leaks shed light on decision-making by the government and inform the public powerfully, but they also expose government deceit, corruption and illegality and abuse of power," he told the court. At the February hearing, James Lewis, representing the US government, said WikiLeaks was responsible for "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States". "Reporting or journalism is not an excuse for criminal activities or a licence to break ordinary criminal laws," he added. Long-running saga The extradition hearing is the latest in a series of legal battles faced by Assange since the leaks a decade ago. In 2010, he faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he denied. He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempt to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in Ecuador's embassy in London. For seven years he lived in a small apartment in the embassy, but after a change of government in Ecuador, Quito lost patience with its guest and turned him over to British police in April 2019. Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the rape investigation, saying that despite a "credible" account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed. (AFP) Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:33:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem (C) hold a press conference in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Sept. 7, 2020. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Monday he is optimistic about the prospects of the war-torn country's economic situation, as Russia and Syria are exerting efforts to reinforce the partnership. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Monday he is optimistic about the prospects of the war-torn country's economic situation, as Russia and Syria are exerting efforts to reinforce the partnership. Al-Moallem made the remarks during a joint press conference held in the capital Damascus with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov. "Our economic relations are growing and developing in the interest of both peoples. I am optimistic that the general economic situation will see progress in the coming days and months," al-Moallem said during the conference. He said Russia and Syria are tied with partnership relations in all fields, adding that both countries are exerting their utmost efforts to reinforce the ties. For his side, Lavrov said the Russian delegation's visit aims to discuss the prospects of developing bilateral relations. Lavrov said the Russian delegation discussed with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Syrian officials the priorities of the economic and trade cooperation. The delegation stressed the Russian commitment to the Syrian sovereignty. Meanwhile, Lavrov said Syria has won the war on terrorism, while still hunting down the rest. "Some foreign powers are trying to suffocate the Syrian people by using economic sanctions," said the Russian foreign minister. Borisov also said Syria is subject to an economic siege and Western sanctions, adding "we are working to break the (economic) siege." He stressed the economic isolation and sanctions are preventing foreign investments in Syria and affecting the Syrian economy, noting 40 new projects have been discussed during the current visit including rebuilding infrastructure. Regarding the Syrian oil and gas, Borisov acknowledged that most of the oil and gas-rich areas in Syria are out of the government control, which prevents the Syrian government from trading in oil. During a meeting with the Syrian president, the two sides discussed the agreements already signed and ways to reach new deals in order to ease the negative repercussion of the Western sanctions on Syria. Earlier in the day, Lavrov arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus, marking his first visit to the country since 2012. Other Russian officials of the delegation arrived in Damascus on Sunday. Enditem Deputy Information Minister, Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide has waded into the "Akyem Mafia" cum "Sakawa boys and Grandpas" saga, pointing out that accusatory fingers of the real perpetrators of 419 (scammers), should be directed at two individuals; specifically ex-President Johna Dramani Mahama for allegedly receiving bribe from a Burkinabe contractor, and his brother, Samuel Mahama for acting as a conduit to channel bribes in the infamous Airbus SE and is now on Interpol's Red Notice. To him, Mr Mahama, who failed as a president and ended up earning the "incompetent" tag, but triumphed remarkably on sleaze, lacks the moral right to needlessly peddle such allegations. The Deputy Info Minister held that as a statesman and someone who is aspiring to reoccupy the highest seat of government again, "he shouldnt be heard or seen making such divisive comments." Mahama & Brother Are The "Real 419ers" Speaking on Okay Fms Ade Akye Abia morning show, he stressed that the former president should rather be heard condemning what the NDC Member of Parliament for Bolga Central, Isaac Adongo wrote on social media, rather than adding salt to injury by re-echoing the derogatory statement. "We are getting into an election year and in as much as politicians go about campaigning, it should be issues-based and matters that will appeal to the heart of voters. "It is only when you dont have anything to say that you will engage in a campaign of insult and vilification, which for me should be condemned by all. in any case.....if we are to look for the real perpetrators of 419 (scammers) in the country, it should be the person who received bribes from a contractor based in Burkina Faso for easy and swift facilitation of winning road contracts.... "If we are looking for someone who is 419 and is perpetrating sakawa it is the person declared wanted by Interpol and is being sought by the Special Prosecutor to answer questions on how he was used as a conduit to channel bribes to his relatives with one of them known as Government Official 1.....Such a person in my view is the real sakawa....these two personalities are long on sleaze and short on substance...It is not Nana Akufo-Addos brother who has been declared wanted by Interpol, it is John Mahamas brother. So if you ask me who the real sakawa is, I will point fingers at John Mahama, the Deputy Information said. Apologize Hon Hadzide therefore called on the former president to humbly apologize to the people of Ghana and show commitment to ensuring a peaceful electioneering campaign process devoid of ethnocentrism. No Apology Ever! Even before Mr Mahama reacts to that call, the opposition party has emphatically stated that there is no reason their flagbearer will apologise for allegedly endorsing the Akyem Sakawa Mafia comment. Deputy General-Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Otokunor believes the words have been taken out of context by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its 2020 flagbearer, President Akufo-Addo, pointing out the tag was in relation to a selected group of people in government and not every member of the Akyem tribe. Nana Addo "Disturbed" President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, last week, condemned a reference to himself and his home townsfolk as Akyem Mafia and Sakawa people by opposition MP Isaac Adongo, which was amplified by former President John Dramani Mahama, who shared it on his Facebook timeline a few days ago. The Bolgatanga Central MP, in a statement relating to the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal, accused the President of forming a family-and-friends cartel to capture the mineral resources of the state. However, at a meeting with the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference at the Jubilee House on Friday, 4 August 2020, President Akufo-Addo said he was very disturbed by the ethnocentric tagging his ethnic group. "That is the kind of language we dont want in our politics, If I was to get up to make a comment about northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that will be in the country." Sometimes, one would hope when things come out, people will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent: Akyem Sakawa people, I have not heard any public figure in this country or anybody comment on it. he added. Watch Video Below Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:38:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Kremlin said Monday it does not see the risk of Germany blocking the Nord Stream-2 natural gas pipeline due to the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, despite demands by some German officials. On Monday when asked whether Chancellor Angela Merkel would protect the pipeline if Germany were to seek sanctions over the Navalny case, German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said: "The chancellor also believes that it's wrong to rule anything out." The multinational Nord Stream-2 project, which links Russia and Germany via the Baltic seabed, includes two 1,230-km natural gas pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year. The United States, citing energy security concerns, has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on the project's participants. But Germany sees the Nord Stream-2 as a stable and cleaner source of energy as it is moving away from coal and nuclear power. However, various German politicians suggested halting the Nord Stream-2 for the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Navalny in Russia last month. Navalny is currently being treated in a Berlin hospital. Enditem Richard Leonard responded to point out Scotland is his home (Jane Barlow/PA) A Conservative MP has been urged to apologise and is facing criticism from her own party after claiming Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonards accent is the reason why the Labour Party isnt doing well in Scotland. Dehenna Davison, who represents Bishop Auckland, tweeted Watching @SophyRidgeSky and she is discussing why the Labour Party isnt doing well in Scotland. I think Ive got to the bottom of it The Scottish Labour Leader has a broad Lancashire accent [facepalm emoji]'. Richard Leonard responded to point out he is from Yorkshire and stressed that Scotland is his home. He tweeted: I came to study (at Stirling Uni) four decades ago. Scotland has been my home ever since. And its a broad Yorkshire accent, as it happens! I came to study @StirUni four decades ago. Scotland has been my home ever since. And its a broad Yorkshire accent, as it happens! https://t.co/gSGmNCOm5J Richard Leonard (@LabourRichard) September 6, 2020 SNP MP Hannah Bardell said: Tory MP Dehenna Davison should apologise for this ill-judged tweet, which says far more about backwards Tory attitudes than it does about Scotland, which is a welcoming country. Place of birth appears to be an obsession for the Tories with their hostile migration policies but Scotland has been built on people of all backgrounds making our country their home, and it is all the better for it. Labours ailing fortunes have precisely nothing to do with Richard Leonards accent and absolutely everything to do with their decision to side with the Tories on imposing Brexit against Scotlands will and denying the people of Scotland a choice over our future. In fairness, Richard Leonards accent is irrelevant. What is relevant is that he leads a party in a poor third position in Scottish politics and has continued to fail to stand up to the SNP in their relentless push for separation. https://t.co/hERxlpnZZu Dean Lockhart MSP (@DeanLockhartMSP) September 6, 2020 Conservative MSPs also took aim at Ms Davisons remark, with Dean Lockhart saying Mr Leonards accent is irrelevant. Mr Lockhart tweeted: In fairness, Richard Leonards accent is irrelevant. What is relevant is that he leads a party in a poor third position in Scottish politics and has continued to fail to stand up to the SNP in their relentless push for separation. A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: This criticism is unacceptable. It plays into the kind of divisive politics that the SNP promote. Police officers have rescued an 87-year-old man who was held against his will by his own daughter at her home in central Mexico. The shocking discovery took place last Thursday while agents were serving a warrant for the repossession of unpaid goods at the Celaya, Guanajuato, residence of a woman identified only as 54-year-old Leticia. While removing some of the items from the house the cops heard cries emerging from one of the bedrooms, where they found her elderly father Bonifacio. An 87-year-old man identified by the Celaya police as Bonifacio was safely removed from his 54-year-old daughter's home in Guanajuato, Mexico, last Thursday. The decision to take him from the house was made after cops heard him crying while he was locked inside a room at the residence Cops discovered that the 87-year-old man was forced to sleep in a filthy room littered with trash on the floor. The elderly man's bed was a wood bunked frame that this not have a mattress Photos shared by the Celaya municipal police showed the bedroom's grimy conditions with bottles and trash littering the floor, and dirty clothes lying on top of the bed frame. Bonifacio was forced to sleep on the bottom part of a wooden bunk frame without the support of a mattress. The elderly man, who suffered from an unknown condition on both of his legs, was removed from his daughter's house because his living condition was deemed inhumane. He was then taken to a local medical clinic and was transferred to city-operated shelter for seniors. Leticia was arrested and placed in the custody of the Guanajuato state prosecutor's office, which as of Monday hadn't determined if any charges were going be filed against her. The role of the Border Security Force has become more important as "our neighbouring countries" are planning against India, Director General said on Sunday, in an apparent reference to Sino-India border situation in Ladakh and frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Asthana, who arrived in Jammu on Friday, concluded his three-day tour with a visit to Forward Defence Locations (FDLs) along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch where he took stock of the prevailing situation, a release said tonight. Without naming China and Pakistan, the chief in his address to 'Sainik Sammellan' at the force's Paloura camp here said, "This is a very crucial time for all, asboth our neighbouring countries are planning against us." "Our role has become more important now as we are the first line of Indian defence," Asthana added. On the third day of his maiden tour, the release said, the DG was briefed by Deputy Inspector General, sector headquarters, Rajouri, I D Singh and field commanders on the LoC regarding the operational preparedness and the present situation. He was accompanied by Additional Director General (WC) S S Panwar and Inspector General of BSF, Jammu frontier, N S Jamwal. Appreciativeof the measures adopted by the troops while maintaining domination along the LoC, Asthana emphasised on meeting the security challenges more effectively. He lauded the excellent synergy amongst all the security forces and exhorted all ranks to maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism. He was very appreciative of the vigilant BSF jawans who guard the nation's border round the clock defying all hostile conditions, the release said. Asthana, who took over as the chief of the border-guarding force recently, visited forward areas along the International Border including Samba where the BSF detected an underground tunnel last month and frustrated Pakistan's design to facilitate infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of narcotics. (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.) My concern was based on the concerns of the employees of the State Non-Commercial Organization renovating the governmental mansions, and the State Supervision Service launched inspections based on those concerns. This is what Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia Eduard Aghajanyan said during the Facebook press conference show aired on RFE/RL, responding to the question regarding the alleged misuse during renovation of the first governmental mansion in which the Prime Ministers family lives and the link of this misuse to MP Hrachya Hakobyan. I personally addressed the State Supervision Service since alleged risks of spending more than the required amount were noticed. The results of the inspections of the State Supervision Service confirmed my concerns, and I urged to send the case to law-enforcement authorities, and it was sent to them. There was a report on AMD 250,000,000, but I must say that the number is exaggerated since the amount of expenditures might have been less. As far as Hrachya Hakobyan is concerned, this is another absurd idea disseminated by a media outlet. Hrachya Hakobyan has nothing to do with the case, including with the contractor company, Aghajanyan said. After Monday, when the statewide eviction moratorium expired, upwards of 400,000 Pennsylvanians stand to lose their homes. We are racing against the clock, and I am imploring my colleagues in the General Assembly to expeditiously act on legislation to prevent widespread homelessness. When the federal moratorium on evictions ended in July and the federal government refused to act to extend it, state legislatures across our country were unable to pass legislation to further stave off evictions and foreclosures in time; piecemeal laws at the local level have also proven to be futile. The culmination of inactivity across all spectrums of government is currently resulting in collectively millions of tenants in danger of being put out in the streets. Pennsylvania is coasting toward the same fate. In the same month the federal moratorium ended, upwards of 40% of Pennsylvania renters were unable to pay their rent. Even now, many continue to remain financially stunted as they struggle to catch up to pay off overdue debts owed during the pandemic. House Democrats have been dreading this countdown like a doomsday clock. I, along with some of my colleagues, have joined forces to form the House Democratic Housing Working Group, a legislative advocacy group aimed at keeping Pennsylvanians in their homes. Our Safe at Home plan includes 10 pieces of legislation tackling all areas of the evictions process -- a moratorium extension, expansion of mortgage and rent relief program, establishing payment plans, and measures to assist mom-and-pop landlords relying on monthly rent to make ends meet, to name a few. Among those 10 is my bill, H.B. 2481, which I introduced with state Reps. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, and Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. It would ensure that low-income renters and homeowners who are in debt, and who are among the most vulnerable and at-risk of homelessness, have qualified legal representation in disputes with landlords and management companies. While both the majority and minority caucuses have been mostly in agreement in passing critical legislation to protect Pennsylvanians during this health and economic crisis stemming from the pandemic, some Republican members in the General Assembly appear to be taking cues from their federal peers. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been many detractors and partisan tactics fashioned to undermine Gov. Tom Wolf and his emergency disaster declaration helping to quell the spread of the virus. These politricks ultimately downplay the severity of this fatal pandemic and prolong the need to follow stringent guidelines, which come at the expense of lives, income and our economy. I am calling on House Speaker Bryan Cutler to continue compelling his colleagues to work with us, and not against us. We are faced with an explosive housing crisis that could relegate so many families to living on the streets. During these uncertain and incredibly stressful times, in which medical experts are urging everyone to stay at home, residents should be able to take solace in having a home of their own to retreat to. Malcolm Kenyatta, a state representative from Philadelphia, represents the 181st legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Rep. Kenyatta is a member of the House Democratic Housing Working Group. Texas county allows 2 Christian schools to reopen despite earlier COVID-19 shutdown order Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A county in Texas is allowing two private Christian schools to hold in-person class instruction, despite earlier issuing a ban on such practices for public and private schools. Cameron County officials had previously prohibited all schools, including Laguna Madre Christian Academy and Calvary Christian School of Excellence, from holding in-person classes. However, the First Liberty Institute, a law firm representing both schools, announced last Thursday that the county would allow the schools to hold in-person instruction. Both schools intend to enact safety measures to help curb the risk of spreading the coronavirus, including social distancing and the wearing of facemasks. Jeremy Dys, special counsel for Litigation and Communications at First Liberty, said in a statement that his organization was pleased with the county decision. We are pleased that Cameron County has approved of the careful work Laguna Madre Christian Academy and Calvary Christian School have put into safely resuming in-person classes, stated Dys. As Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made clear weeks ago, local officials serve their community best by respecting the religious liberty of religious institutions. In July, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a guidance letter to private schools informing them that they were exempted from any local school district closures. Under the Governors orders, local governments are prohibited from closing religious institutions or dictating mitigation strategies to those institutions, wrote Paxton. Local governments are similarly prohibited from issuing blanket orders closing religious private schools. Because a local order closing a religious private school or institution is inconsistent with the Governors order, any local order is invalid to the extent it purports to do so. Initially, Cameron County Chief Legal Counsel Juan Gonzalez rejected the request of Laguna Madre to hold in-person classes, claiming that the Paxton guidance was invalid. Cameron county is of the opinion that Paxtons guidance is not grounded in legitimate or correct legal analysis, wrote Gonzalez, as reported by local media outlet KVEO. Further, it is nothing more than an opinion and does not have controlling legal authority over the situation. Last month, the Christian school expressed their plans to hold classes despite the local order and First Liberty sent a letter to Gonzales on their behalf. LMCA certainly appreciates the delicate situation presented by COVID-19, wrote Dys at the time. Nonetheless, we must insist that Cameron County respect the laws and fundamental freedoms of this state and nation. Samsung has announced that it has clinched a deal to supply network equipment to US wireless carrier Verizon. Samsung Networks, the network equipment manufacturing arm of the South Korean conglomerate will supply wireless telecommunication solutions worth KRW 7.9 trillion (around $6.6 billion) to the American wireless provider over the next five years. The contract will run through December 2025. We are pleased to expand our long-standing partnership with Verizon to advance their next-generation network evolution. With this latest long-term strategic contract, we will continue to push the boundaries of 5G innovation to enhance mobile experiences for Verizons customers, Samsung said in a statement. Were excited to continue delivering on breakthrough network technologies that will expand whats possible through 5G, the company added. Verizon has been Samsungs customer in the past as well. Advertisement Samsung strikes its biggest-ever network equipment deal with Verizon Following the US sanctions on Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, Samsung has been steadily expanding its network infrastructure business globally. In the recent past, the South Korean company has secured network equipment supply deals with carriers in South Korea, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. The recent deal with Verizon, however, is the biggest contract Samsung Networks has ever received. The size of the contract is even larger than the business annual sales. Analysts estimate Samsung Networks annual sales to be worth around four to five trillion won. This contract is equivalent to 3.43 percent of Samsungs full-year sales of 2019, which sits at around 230 trillion won. A majority of this wireless telecommunication solutions deal will involve 5G technologies. Samsung and South Korea were among the firsts to flip the switch on commercial 5G networks and the company has been at the forefront of this transition to 5G ever since. Not just networking equipment, but Samsung is leading the evolution with its 5G-enabled mobile devices as well. Advertisement Huawei, meanwhile, despite its troubles, is still a dominant force in the global 5G network infrastructure market. Samsung Networks has been struggling to expand its presence in markets like India, where Ericsson and Nokia are emerging as its main rivals. This has added to the Korean giants inability to catch up with the Chinese company. The COVID-19 pandemic has also hindered Samsungs progress. 5G network infrastructure development slowed down because of the global health crisis and that was reflected in Samsung Networks business in the first half of the year. Samsung is now aiming to turn around the business in 2021 and it may have just received a much-needed boost. This deal with Verizon may help the company secure more network deals around the world in the future. New Delhi: Nokia may soon launch its own artificial intelligence assistant app called Viki in an effort to battle against smartphone giants like Samsung, LG and Apple. Once considered to be the leading player of the mobile business, Nokia was left behind in the ever increasing competitive mobile race was later bought over by Microsoft only to be sold again. According to a trademark application unearthed by Dutch blog GSMinfo, Nokias Viki will be joining a crowded field: Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, Alexa and Samsungs rumoured AI assistant called Bixby. The trademark is for software for the creation and monitoring of mobile and web digital assistants working with knowledge and combining all data sources into a single chat and voice-based interface, according to the paperwork. Google and Amazon are already fighting an intense battle to capture more devices with its assistant and hence Nokia will have a hard time getting to more consumers as it has entered the fray late. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Just a year ago, the Surfwheel looked poised to catch on, after winning innovation awards and going on sale in toy stores across the United States for US$399 (HK$3,092). The company behind the one-wheel electric skateboard, which made users look like they were surfing on land, was Koofy Development, a Hong Kong start-up which got its product off the ground in neighbouring Guangdong province. It made prototypes at low cost in Shenzhen, the mainland city nearest Hong Kong, before proceeding to manufacture in Dongguan, 65km away. But co-founder and CEO Ondy Ma Song-qi said the Covid-19 pandemic had hit business, with sales in the US crashing to a mere 10 per cent of targets. Surfwheel went viral after it appeared in the film, Love Off the Cuff, in 2017. Photo: Handout Pandemic-related travel restrictions in place since February also resulted in Koofy suspending prototype development in Shenzhen, as well as its plans to enter the mainland retail market. The one-hour living circle concept became meaningless when we could not cross the border without having to be quarantined, said Ma, referring to Hong Kongs much-touted connectivity with Shenzhen and the rest of the Greater Bay Area. Forty years after Shenzhen became Chinas first testing ground for reforming and opening up mainland Chinas economy, the fishing village that turned into a hi-tech metropolis has found itself at the crossroads. Is it ready to take off on its own, competing head-on with Hong Kong, or will it continue playing a complementary role? Under Beijings ambitious bay area plan, Hong Kong was positioned to steer in-depth regional integration with Macau and nine cities in Guangdong. Shenzhen, already home to tech giants Tencent, Huawei and genetic powerhouse BGI, as well as being a magnet for Hong Kong start-ups like Koofy, was to build on its role as a national innovation hub. But Hong Kongs months of social unrest from June last year, escalating tensions between the US and China, and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have since combined to raise questions about what the future holds. Story continues When Beijing unveiled a blueprint in August last year to turn Shenzhen into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, it raised the possibility that the central governments long-term plan was to diminish the strategic importance of protest-stricken Hong Kong, and replace it with Shenzhen. The hard reality is that the roles of the two cities under the bay area plan were derailed by last years protests in Hong Kong Professor Linda Li, CityU Painful mix of uncertainties The hard reality is that the roles of the two cities under the bay area plan were derailed by last years protests in Hong Kong, said Professor Linda Li Che-lan, who teaches Chinese political economy at City Universitys department of public policy. She saw Shenzhen as being in a more challenging position than Hong Kong to navigate escalating US-China trade tensions, and suggested that a light touch in government regulations and market-oriented policies would be best to help the mainland city manage risks. As for Hong Kong, she said instead of reinforcing its leading role in regional integration, it should reprioritise and strengthen its role as an international financial centre before any large-scale US-led sanctions were put in place. Hong Kong should think of how to make the best use of our soft skills, together with the strengths of the financial and professional sector, to convince foreign investors that its still a worthwhile place to base themselves, she said. Hong Kong investors played a critical role in helping Shenzhen take off after it was declared a special economic zone in August 1980, by putting down capital and moving labour-intensive factories there. As the mainland city developed into a hi-tech centre, countless Hong Kong start-ups have headed there to test their ideas and bring them to fruition at relatively low cost. The Hong Kong start-up community familiar with Shenzhen describe it as efficient, flexible and collaborative when asked why they liked being there. Light-touch regulations and favourable tax policies have been catalysts for the citys astonishing growth. In 2018, Shenzhens exports, half of which were from the hi-tech sector, accounted for 10 per cent of Chinas total exports, the largest single contributor among all mainland cities for more than 20 years. Last year, its gross domestic product totalled HK$3.1 trillion (US$400 billion), edging past Hong Kongs for the first time. The current mix of uncertainties has hit aspiring start-ups as well as experienced Hong Kong tech firms that relied on Shenzhen to expand their business on the mainland. US-China tensions affected Tung Hing Automation, which was established in 1977 and is now the largest Mitsubishi Automation Distributor in China. Roy Lim president of Tung Hing Automation. Photo: Handout Its president, Roy Lim Long-hei, said friction between the superpowers prompted a request from its partner, the Japanese multinational, to stop buying Huawei components for two years. The impact on us was significant, as those orders amounted to HK$100 million per year, he said. We had to make a huge effort sourcing replacement parts elsewhere. The anti-government protests in Hong Kong, with their strong anti-mainland sentiment, may have also put a damper on Shenzhens ability to attract the young talent much needed in the start-up community. Since the protests erupted, some young Hong Kong talent were not willing to travel to Shenzhen because of the political sentiment Mingles Tsoi, ParticleX ParticleX, a Hong Kong-funded accelerator helping 23 start-ups from the city to explore the mainland market, established its headquarters in Shenzhen in late 2017 but has begun encountering problems drawing young people there. Mingles Tsoi, the companys chief exploration officer, said: Since the protests erupted, some young Hong Kong talent were not willing to travel to Shenzhen because of the political sentiment. Guo Wanda, executive vice-president of the China Development Institute, a Shenzhen-based think tank, said Hong Kong still had an important role in providing talent to Shenzhen. Noting that five Hong Kong universities ranked among the top 100 institutions globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021, he said: In terms of talent, Shenzhen is still no match for Hong Kong. Mingles Tsoi of ParticleX giving a talk. Photo: Handout Hong Kong best for entrepreneurs Amid the ongoing uncertainties, the Hong Kong entrepreneurs interviewed by the Post said they had to examine their Shenzhen connections, and all had backup plans in case of more storms ahead. Koofys Ma is considering shifting the research and development base of his patented skateboards from Shenzhen to Vietnam, as well as pulling resources from developing hardware to new e-commerce platforms with fewer constraints on location. For now, he still considers Hong Kong the ideal place for entrepreneurs, and believes its role cannot be replaced easily by Shenzhen, not least because of the wide differences in intellectual property rights protection. In mainland China, it is still common for huge companies to copy the tech of start-ups and use their massive power to overwhelm them or even initiate patent lawsuits against them, he said. Protecting intellectual endeavours is a basic but important principle throughout the world. Without this, theres no point in talking about promoting disruptive innovation in a socialist market economy. Tung Hing Automations Lim has a backup plan if US-China relations continue to deteriorate the company will relocate its servers to Israel, or trade under the name of affiliated corporations based in Malaysia or Macau. The only thing impeding our growth is internet censorship on the mainland ... If this can be improved, Shenzhen will overtake Hong Kong and even Silicon Valley one day Roy Lim, Tung Hing Automation But as he sees a huge potential in Shenzhen overtaking Hong Kong in years to come, in terms of its ability to attract foreign investment and talent, he will continue to use his Shenzhen office and R&D centres to explore the vast mainland market. The companys profits grew by 40 per cent year on year as the global lockdown brought about by the pandemic led to increased use of technology by different sectors. It sold 400 Temi personal robots to elderly care homes in the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong since the start of the pandemic, to help ease the workload on health care personnel. The only thing impeding our growth is internet censorship on the mainland. When conducting research on artificial intelligence, we can only access the database of Chinas 1.4 billion population, but not the 7 billion global population, he said. If this can be improved, Shenzhen will overtake Hong Kong and even Silicon Valley one day. For ParticleXs Tsoi, Shenzhens competitive edge over Hong Kong lies in its mature ecosystem with favourable government policies and comprehensive networks needed in the start-up community. We will continue to be based in Nanshan district, where the municipal government has been very flexible in adjusting itself to welcome outsiders, by offering consultancy services and financial support which I dont see the Hong Kong government coming anywhere near, he said. The strengths of Hongkongers are our global outlook and freedom to access information, so we can continue to perform our role as creative problem-solvers while utilising resources in Shenzhen. City Universitys Li thought it was too early to predict the outcome of the rivalry between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Both must now explore their new roles against the backdrop of the various uncertainties, and so far, it has been a bottom-up, dynamic process for each to find its respective place in developing Chinas economy. Their designated roles in the countrys blueprint have never been static, she said. Its more realistic for each to make good use of its strengths and be resilient in times of unprecedented uncertainties, she said. Additional reporting by Gary Cheung Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China. More from South China Morning Post: This article With Shenzhen poised in the wings, is Hong Kongs time in the sun over after protests, Covid-19 pandemic and US-China row? first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. The crisis in the aviation industry goes far beyond holidays and jobs for cabin crew, important though those are. The Government's abject failure to get the planes flying again is devastating for our aerospace manufacturing industry and will kybosh ambitions to be an open, free-trading economy post-Brexit. Most outrage has focused on leisure travel and the impact of quarantine on vacations and tourism. What politicians seem to have forgotten is that grounding flights has put our aerospace sector in jeopardy. Devastating: Politicians seem to have forgotten that grounding flights has put our aerospace sector in jeopardy The lack of determined action is all the more perplexing given its importance. As the moment, the UK industry is the leader in Europe but not for much longer if we go on like this. It provides 374,000 direct jobs and many more indirectly, most highly skilled and well paid. The vast majority are in the regions, which are key to Boris Johnson's ambition to 'level up'. Before Covid, plane-makers enjoyed a period of success with healthy order books. There was some trepidation at a No Deal Brexit, but no one contemplated the wholesale blight being faced today. The two leading companies in commercial aerospace, Rolls-Royce and Airbus UK, have cut thousands of jobs. Melrose, which took over GKN, has also indicated it will be making large-scale staff reductions. A look at Rolls-Royce paints a grim picture of what companies are up against. Synonymous with British engineering excellence, it is on its knees, having made a record loss of more than 5billion after the air travel slump. The shares have tanked by two-thirds and Rolls is in danger of being ejected from the FTSE 100 elite index. Three thousand British jobs are under the shadow of the axe. Worst of all, the UK's flagship engineer has warned investors that Covid uncertainty may cast doubt over it as a going concern. In other words, there is a fair chance it might go bust. Industry guru Howard Wheeldon believes that large operators such as Airbus and Rolls will survive, but he is worried about smaller supply chain companies, many of which are close to the point of no return. Trade body ADS has asked government to throw suppliers a 1billion lifeline in the form of a 'patient capital investment fund', backed by the industry, government and the financial sector. It is a good idea. Yet Chancellor Rishi Sunak, despite his generosity in other areas, has shown no inclination for a bailout of airlines or aerospace. His position is in contrast with France, where the Macron government put together a 13billion package shoring up Air France and Airbus. In Germany, Lufthansa has received an 8billion bailout and the US carriers have been offered a 19billion lifeboat. Some see aviation as a polluting industry unworthy of support. But backing it would actually be an investment in innovation and green technology. Melrose's GKN division is exploring hydrogen power for jet engines and Rolls-Royce has produced breakthrough inventions such as small modular reactors to generate electricity that could be a far quicker, greener and cheaper alternative to costly new nuclear power stations. But for all our expertise and heritage, we could easily be overtaken by the French, if we continue on the current path. This country has a tremendous record in aerospace engineering. Every wing of every Airbus plane is made in Britain. Rolls-Royce supplies more than half of all engines used on Airbus and Boeing wide-bodied aircraft. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Stevo Pendarovski, President of the Republic of North Macedonia. "Dear Mr. President, I cordially congratulate you and your people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the countrys national holiday the Independence Day. I believe that the development of friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia will further serve the interests of our peoples. On this festive day, I convey my best wishes to you, and wish everlasting prosperity to your friendly people," the letter said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Nation/Asia News Network) Mon, September 7, 2020 13:45 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c432b314 2 News Thailand,tourism,travel,China Free A senior official of the Chinese embassy in Bangkok has ruled out early reopening of tourism between China and Thailand, as the two countries are not ready to open the sector. China has been recently reopening for domestic tourism, but has not yet welcomed foreign tourists, or urged Chinese people to travel abroad, said Yang Xin, minister counsellor and deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China to Thailand. Even Chinese tourists want to visit Thailand, but Thailand is unlikely to open for foreign tourists, he said in an exclusive interview to Nation Multimedia Group. The Thai government has not yet reopened the tourism sector, as it was still worried about potential import of new COVID-19 cases. The government only plans to allow first 200 long-stay tourists to enter the country next month. About 10 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand annually in recent years out of some 40 million every year. Yang said that China was currently reopening travel for business persons who could apply for fast lane clearance when they enter China for doing business. Foreign business persons are not subject to 14-day quarantine but they can visit only limited places essential for their business activities. He said the Chinese government has managed to control the COVID-19 outbreak and now schools nationwide have been reopened after they were closed for eight months. Read also: Thailand not opening to foreign tourists any time soon China this year has not set a target for economic growth but would focus on job creation and people's living standards, he said. The government has implemented many stimulus packages to support people and businesses especially small and medium-sized enterprises, said Yang. Regarding Hong Kong, Yang said that the special administrative region had returned to stability following the enforcing of the security law. He reiterated that China wants to maintain the one country, two systems principle, but foreign interference was trying to create a two-country system. As for the Thai governments decision to defer the purchase of two more China-made submarines, Yang said the ties between the two countries has deepened and widened to many areas. He added that officials from both sides are working closely together on the submarine deal and will continue doing so. Topics : Thailand tourism travel China Topics : This article appeared on The Nation newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post John Kovach / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Two people were killed in an early morning crash Sunday on Middletown Avenue, police said. A 21-year-old New Haven woman and 23-year-old New Haven man were killed in the crash, New Haven Police Capt. Anthony Duff said shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday. The names of the two people killed in the crash have not yet been released. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mardika Parama (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 A United Nations Development Program (UNDP) economist urges Indonesia to evaluate its social assistance program and eliminate ineffective programs amid rising need for social welfare to prevent further economic fallout from the pandemic. The UNDPs senior economic advisor for Asia Pacific Balazs Horvath on Friday said all governments needed to review their expenditure including social assistance programs to create fiscal space for additional welfare. Its not feasible that every country goes out and borrows a huge amount of money. Governments need to have a clear-headed review of their expenditure and revenue policies, and get rid of inefficient policies to create fiscal space, he said during an online discussion held by the agency. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Weather Alert ...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 20 to 29 below zero. * WHERE...Central, northern and southern Vermont and northern New York. * WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Friday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Temperatures will drop well below zero tonight into early Friday morning with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph expected across the region. The coldest wind chills are expected between 5 AM and 9 AM Friday with winds expected to weaken as the day progresses. Temperatures will remain on the cold side throughout the day with high temperatures only climbing into the single digits above zero. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. && Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dan Williams (Reuters) Jerusalem Mon, September 7, 2020 20:30 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c434204f 2 World Israel-UAE,normalization,Israel-Palestine-conflict,Israel-annexation,bilateral-relation,bilateral-ties Free The United Arab Emirates is planning to make its first official visit to Israel on Sept. 22 to build up the countries' agreement to normalize relations, a source familiar with the provisional itinerary said on Monday. Israeli officials declined to comment and UAE officials did not respond to calls seeking comment. The two countries announced on Aug. 13 they would normalize diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal that was hailed as a breakthrough by Washington and Israel but spurned by the Palestinians. The UAE delegation's trip to Israel, which has yet to be finalized, would come in reciprocation of a groundbreaking trip to Abu Dhabi last week by senior Israeli and US envoys, the source told Reuters. The source said the UAE was expected to finalize the trip after a date is announced for a ceremony, likely in Washington, where the countries' leaders will sign their normalization accord. That ceremony is likely to take place in mid-September, the source added. The source declined to be identified by name or nationality due to the sensitivity of the evolving contacts. The trip would be the first publicly acknowledged visit to Israel by an official delegation from the UAE. Israel exchanged embassies with neighbors Egypt and Jordan under peace deals decades ago. But until the UAE accord, all other Arab states had demanded Israel first cede more land to the Palestinians. An Israeli minister said on Monday annual trade between Israel and the UAE is expected to reach $4 billion. GENEVA: The World Health Organization is working with China on requirements for international approval of any Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, a senior official said on Monday. "WHO's office in China and WHO headquarters has been working with the regulatory authorities in China," assistant director-general Mariangela Simao told a briefing in Geneva. "We are in direct contact, we have been sharing information and the requirements for international approval of vaccines." The chief executive of Sinovac Biotech Ltd said on Sunday about 90% of the Chinese firm's employees and their families have taken an experimental vaccine it has developed under the country's emergency use programme. The extent of inoculations under the emergency programme, which China launched in July but has released few details about, points to how actively it is using experimental vaccines in the hopes of protecting essential workers against a potential COVID-19 resurgence, even as trials are still under way. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay and Emma Farge; Editing by Alex Richardson) This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Australia on Monday recorded nine new coronavirus deaths and 47 fresh cases, the lowest single-day spike in new infections in the last two months, health officials said. All the fatalities and 41 of the new cases were reported from Victoria, which is in a stage four lockdown since August 2. Mondays tally of new cases is the lowest since June 26 in Australia. On Sunday, Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews announced a five-step strategy to lift the current restrictions. This plan will be in effect from September 13 to November 23, after which the state will need to maintain a Covid-free status for 14 days to finally be declared as Covid-normal. The present stage four lockdown will go on till September 28. Andrews roadmap aims to keep daily new cases between 30 and 50 till September 28 and fewer than five by late October. Andrews defended the gradual lifting of restrictions, saying you cannot run out of (this) lockdown because you will be running into a third wave, resulting in another lockdown. So far, Victoria has recorded 19,550 Covid-19 cases, while the death toll stands at 675. Andrews said, These are difficult times, but to go from 725 cases to 41 cases in a month -- that demonstrates this strategy is working, the sacrifices that we are making are worth something. He added, I want that (sacrifices) to count and thats why we simply cant open up as quickly as everyone would like us to. I would like to open up much more quickly than we can, but none of us have the luxury. None of us not me, not any Victorian has the luxury of letting our frustration get the better of us. Thats not a recipe for anything other than a third wave, he added. On Victorias virus roadmap, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the states decision to extend the lockdown was hard and crushing news for Victorians. It is vital to the national interest to restore Victoria to a Covid-safe environment, where we can reopen our economy and reasonably restore the liberties of all Australians, whether in Victoria or anywhere else, he said. The proposed roadmap will come at a further economic cost. While this needs to be weighed up against mitigating the risk of further community outbreak, it is also true that the continued restrictions will have further impact on the Victorian and national economy, in further job losses and loss of livelihoods, as well as impacting on mental health, Morrison said on Sunday. Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded four new coronavirus cases, including three healthcare workers at Liverpool and Concord Hospitals. Queensland reported two new cases in the last 24 hours. The coronavirus has so far claimed 762 lives with 26,319 confirmed infections in Australia. Ancient Judea was ideally placed between North Africa and Asia, along major trade routes, and the Romans, who traded all over the Mediterranean, could have brought western varieties with them to pollinate the older varieties from the east. Putting it simply, what do we find? Dr. Sallon said. The story of ancient Israel and the Jewish people, of diasporas, trade routes and commerce throughout the Middle East. After the dates were harvested, there was little chance to savor the moment in the ensuing flurry of activity. Minutes after the picking and tasting, the dates were whisked away to be measured and weighed. About a dozen of the hundred or so from the bunch were individually wrapped in aluminum foil, packed on ice and sent to the Ministry of Agricultures research institute. Even the pips of those that had been eaten were collected for further study. Aside from Dr. Sallons interest in their medicinal properties, there was some banter among the institute staff about mass producing the old-new fruit, with an eye to marketing the fruit as the dates that Jesus ate, and using the funds for research. Lucky, it tasted good, Dr. Solowey said. If it had been awful what would I have said? That in the old days they didnt know what a good date was? Theres a lot of literature about how they were the best dates in the world. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 00:20:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People line up to take buses at Market Square Bus Terminus in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sept. 7, 2020. Zimbabwe's sole public transport provider, the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco), last Saturday hiked urban transport fares by 100 percent barely three months after an increase by the same margin. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) by Tafara Mugwara HARARE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's sole public transport provider, the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco), last Saturday hiked urban transport fares by 100 percent barely three months after an increase by the same margin. Bus fares were hiked from 8 Zimbabwean dollars to 16 Zimbabwean dollars (0.19 U.S. dollars), while small commuter omnibus fares were increased from 16 dollars to 32 dollars (0.38 U.S. dollars). The latest bus fare hikes followed an increase in fuel prices by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulation Authority (ZERA). Remedzai Muhomba, a Harare commuter, said the fresh hikes put more economic pressure on already overburden Zimbabweans. "Getting a (U.S.) dollar is very difficult. But now the fares for buses are increasing maybe on a rate which is too high for us to make ends meet, it's very difficult and we have to get into town to make ends meet. So it's proving very difficult for us to use public transport. There is nothing we can do but we are feeling the pinch," Muhomba told Xinhua. He said while fuel and transport costs continue to increase periodically, wages have remained stagnant. "Salaries are stagnant. Nothing has increased yet fuel prices are increasing, this and that is increasing, but what you earn at the end of the day is not increasing. It's having a great impact on the person, as an individual thereby you need to sustain your family and it's proving to be difficult," he said. Muhomba said some people have resorted to walking in order to get into the city center. "Either you walk, or you change your routine whereby you are getting into town three times a week or two times a week than the usual way you get into town on a daily basis," he said. Desire Machiva said responsible authorities should have increased the rates in stages to make it easier for struggling commuters. "I think the margin which they increased the fares is too much because they doubled the price. At least they could have increased the prices gradually, you know it's not easy to get the money, and people who use Zupco are having challenges," he said. George Tichareva said although Zupco fares have gone up, they are still affordable compared to private cars, which are illegal. "In my opinion, Zupco fares are far much better than using private cars, because private car owners are charging 1 U.S. dollar from the suburbs to the city center, or a dollar for two people," he said. State-run-Zupco buses and private owned buses under the Zupco franchise are the only mode of transport allowed to ferry passengers. Taxes and private-owned buses have been banned from operating since a lockdown by the government started on March 30 in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19. However, due to the shortage of mass public transport some commuters are now using private cars to travel, while others have to endure long hours in queues waiting for the Zupco buses. Enditem By PTI HONG KONG: At least 90 people were arrested Sunday at protests against the government's decision to postpone elections for Hong Kong's legislature, police and a news report said. The elections were to have taken place Sunday but Chief Executive Carrie Lam on July 31 postponed them for one year. Lam blamed an upsurge in coronavirus cases, but critics said her government worried the opposition would gain seats if voting went ahead on schedule. READ| United Nations experts raise concerns over Hong Kong security law Anti-government protests have been held in Hong Kong almost every weekend since June 2019. They erupted over a proposed extradition law and spread to include demands for greater democracy and criticism of Beijing's efforts to tighten control over the former British colony. On Sunday, one woman was arrested in the Kowloon district of Yau Ma Tei on charges of assault and spreading pro-independence slogans, the police department said on its Facebook page. It said such slogans are illegal under the newly enacted National Security Act. The ruling Communist Party's decision to impose the law in May prompted complaints it was violating the autonomy promised to the territory when it was returned to China in 1997. Washington withdrew trading privileges granted to Hong Kong and other governments suspended extradition and other agreements on the grounds that the territory of 7 million people is no longer autonomous. Also Sunday, police fired pepper balls at protesters in Kowloon's Mong Kok neighborhood, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported. At least 90 people were arrested, most of them on suspicion of illegal assembly, the police department said on a separate social media account. In the Jordan neighborhood, protesters raised a banner criticizing the election delay, the Post said. "I want my right to vote!" activist Leung Kwok-hung, popularly known as Long Hair, was quoted as saying. The newspaper said Leung was later arrested. Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan (Image: Twitter.com/@ichiragpaswan) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will on September 7 launch the campaign, digitally, for the Bihar assembly elections planned later this year but there is uncertainty over alliance with the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Led by Chirag Paswan, who is the son of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, the LJP will hold a meeting later in the day to decide whether it will contest the election with Kumars Janata Dal-United ((JDU) or against it. Both the JD (U) and LJP are part of the BJP-led NDA alliance at the Centre. While the BJP and JD-U are partners in Bihar, LJP is not a part of the Nitish government, which it has often accused of not fulfilling its poll promises. On September 6, Chirag Paswan wrote another letter to JD(U), accusing the government of failing to provide free land to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities. Earlier, Paswan had criticised the governments handling of the coronavirus outbreak and flood situation. Ties between the two parties have been strained for months but Kumars recent decision to join hands with former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has angered the LJP. Manjhi, like Paswans, is a Dalit leader. With an overlapping voter base, the two sides are bitter rivals. Soon after Manjhis return to the NDA fold, LJP came out with a full-page advertisement in local papers, saying the Paswans were fighting for Bihars pride. The advertisement, which talked of Bihar First, Bihari First, was seen as yet another dig at Kumar. The 37-year-old Paswan, whose twitter bio describes him as Yuva Bihari (young Bihari), is being projected as a youth leader who can lead the eastern state. We might as well see a new front with Chirag as a CM face, said a leader who didnt want to be named. Kumar will at 11.30 am launch the poll campaign with a virtual rally through the partys dedicated digital platform JDUlive.com. Elections for the 243-member assembly are expected to be held in October-November as the Houses term ends November 29. In the last election, the LJP contested 42 seats but could win only two. In 2019 Lok Sabha election, it won six parliamentary seats. The Paswans have refrained from attacking the BJP, which has said the election will be held under the leadership of Kumar. The Paswans may decide to field candidates against JD(U) while staying with NDA, sources said. BJP poster campaign seeking justice for Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has created a flutter in a poll-bound Bihar. Opposition parties are of the view that posters and pamphlets have been released to influence voters ahead of assembly elections scheduled in October November this year. Talking to reporters in Patna RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said, Tejashwi Yadav was the first to demand a CBI probe into the case but never used it for political reasons. Its tragic to see BJP doing politics over someones body. Dismissing the Oppositions allegations BJP leaders in Patna said that the posters were released by the art and culture wing of the party and has nothing to do with politics. According to BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand, Sushant is the son of the soil who represented Bihar in Bollywood. His untimely death has been a shock to all of us which is visible not only in the Bihar but globally. Bihar BJP has stood by the demand of justice for the late Bollywood actor. Sources said that posters and pamphlets with the slogan Justice for Sushant and Naa Bhoole hain naa bhooleny dengey ( we have neither forgotten not let anyone forget) have been distributed all across the state especially among the youths. The party is also planning to release a video on the life and struggle of Sushant Singh Rajput on the social media soon. The art and culture wing of our party is a forum of artists belonging to all streams and have found their way to express solidarity and love for Sushant Singh Rajput. Not only they are paying tribute but have plans to keep the memory of Sushant alive through different activities. There should be no political interpretation to the genuine concern expressed by any forum of Bihar BJP, Nikhil Anand said. Sushant Singh Rajput who hailed from Patna was found hanging at his apartment in Mumbais Bandra June 14. The case was handed over to CBI after a tussle between Maharashtra and Bihar police. The state government had recommended CBI probe into the case after Sushant Singh Rajputs father KK Singh filed an FIR against actress Rhea Chakraborty, her family and six others for abetment of suicide of his son and fraud. New Delhi, Sep 7 : Attorney General KK Venugopal has gone into self-quarantine after one of his colleagues tested positive for coronavirus, the Supreme Court was told on Monday. The information was shared with a bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta during the hearing of a matter connected with the vacancies in various tribunals. In the backdrop of this development, the Centre had sought adjournment in the matter. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju urged for a short adjournment in the case as the AG, who was representing the Centre, had gone into self-quarantine. The AG is the top law officer of the government. The bench agreed to Raju's request and scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 15. Sources familiar with the development said that a few other persons from the AG office too have gone into self-isolation. The apex court was hearing a clutch of petitions in connection with the filling of vacancies in various tribunals, including Central Administrative Tribunal and Armed Force Tribunal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to have a stopover in Iran on Tuesday on his way to a four-day visit to Russia, where he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, people familiar with the developments said. Jaishankar is visiting Moscow to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) of which both India and China are members. He is likely to have a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Tehran before he leaves for Moscow, they said. Jaishankar's trip to Moscow comes days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Russian capital to attend a meeting of SCO defence ministers. On Friday, Singh held an over two-hour meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe on the escalating border row between the two countries in eastern Ladakh. In the talks, Singh categorically told Wei that India will not "cede an inch of land" and is determined to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the country at "all cost. An official statement said that Singh conveyed to his Chinese counterpart that China must strictly respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and not make attempts to unilaterally change its status quo. It was the highest level face-to-face contact between the two sides after the border tension erupted in eastern Ladakh in early May. Both Jaishankar and Wang are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Thursday, the people familiar with the developments said. The two foreign ministers held a telephonic conversation on June 17 during which both sides agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner. The talks took place two days after the Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. The clashes escalated the tensions manifold. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details. According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35. Tensions flared up again in eastern Ladakh after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in the southern bank of Pangong lake a week back when the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the prolonged border row. India occupied a number of strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong lake and strengthened its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese actions. China has strongly objected to India's move. However, India has maintained that the heights are on its side of the LAC. India has also rushed in additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region following China's transgression attempts. . Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:40:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ABUJA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- One bandit was shot dead and four others were nabbed in a raid by the Nigerian military in the country's central region, a military spokesman said in a statement on Monday. The raid on Sunday took place at a border town between Benue and Nasarawa, two states in the north-central region, said John Enenche, the spokesman for the military. It was part of the ongoing "Operation Whirl Stroke" aimed at smoking out bandits and other criminals wreaking endless havocs in the country's central region, Enenche said. The dawn raid on the bandits' camp at Guma Forest, along the Benue-Nasarawa border, led to the killing of one bandit, the military officer said, adding the other four who fled did so with gunshot wounds. The hideout of the bandits was subsequently destroyed while the nabbed suspects are currently being profiled after which they will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency for further action, Eneche said. The military spokesman added that such "offensives against the common enemies of this nation (Nigeria) will not cease until normalcy is restored to all the troubled zones of the country." Enditem A 66-year-old Texas retiree is celebrating not one but two medical marvels after beating a brain bleed and the CCP virus. On both occasions, Alvis Whitlow, a retired school teacher, only had a 20 percent chance of survival. In late March, Whitlows daughter, Marranda Edwards, received a call from her aunt in San Antonio. Edwardss aunt said Whitlow was having trouble walking to the bathroom unassisted. Having noticed her mothers increasingly infrequent phone calls in the days preceding, Edwards decided to take action. Alvis Whitlow (R) with her daughter, Marranda Edwards. (Courtesy of Marranda Edwards via American Heart Association) Edwards, an assistant school principal, left her home near Atlanta, Georgia, to fly to San Antonio. It was not the first time she had rushed to her mothers side in a potential medical emergency, reported the American Heart Association. Back in 2003, Whitlow was rushed to hospital after she vomited and felt unwell at a beauty salon. As paramedics examined Whitlow, then 49 years old, her heart stopped beating. Whitlow was successfully resuscitated, and physicians at the hospital diagnosed a burst brain aneurysm, a form of stroke, but the prognosis was worrying. The doctors told Edwards that her mother only had a 20 percent chance of making it through surgery. However, Whitlow was a warrior. She survived, and even returned to work as a teacher until her retirement. Flying to San Antonio in March 2020 was worryingly reminiscent of times past for Whitlows daughter. She arrived to find her mother weak, coughing, and out of breath. Edwards called 911, claiming she knew immediately: Shes got it. Shes got the coronavirus. The following day, Whitlows diagnosis was confirmed; she was placed on a ventilator. The doctor advised Edwards, once again, to prepare for the worst; Whitlow only had a 20 percent chance of survival. Alvis Whitlow. (Courtesy of Marranda Edwards via American Heart Association) Medics attempted twice to remove Whitlows ventilator, but each time, the retiree was unable to breathe on her own, reported the American Heart Association. Edwards was told that the medics could insert a breathing tube, that may be permanent, and transfer Whitlow to a longer-term facility, or they could keep her where she was, but her ventilator would eventually be removed and would not be re-administered. The worried daughter turned to prayer and finally decided on the breathing tube. Whitlow was transferred to a hospital where she could see and wave to her daughter through the window. Gradually weaned off her ventilator, Whitlow was soon able to speak to Edwards on the phone. Whitlow spent a total of 43 days in hospital battling the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, 24 of which were spent on a ventilator, reported Fox San Antonio. On May 11, Whitlow went home. The stoic grandmother even refused the assistance of a wheelchair so that she could walk straight into her daughters outstretched arms. Her medical team cheered, and the joyful moment was captured on camera. (Courtesy of Marranda Edwards via American Heart Association) On May 12, a joyful parade of over 100 well-wishers drove by Whitlows San Antonio home to celebrate her return, before the grandmother packed bags and headed to Atlanta with Edwards to take stock. A huge sign in the Edwards familys front yard, reading, Youre a Survivor, and the grinning faces of her grandkids were there to greet her upon arrival. (Courtesy of Marranda Edwards via American Heart Association) It made me feel really good, Whitlow told the American Heart Association. God blessed me to be alive and to have someone here like Marranda to take care of me. Without her, I dont know what I would have done. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc The research, released today as part of Drinks Industry Group of Ireland's Support Your Local campaign, reveals that over half of pubs are reported temporarily or permanently closed (56 per cent) as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. Broken down further, 61 per cent of people living in rural areas reported a local pub closure, compared to 50 per cent in urban areas. These prolonged pub closures have raised a number of concerns for those within local communities, with over 60 per cent of people concerned about the knock-on effects of the restrictions on the local economy. According to the research, the main concerns surrounding the closure of pubs in local areas include: The loss of jobs within the local community (78 per cent) The negative impact on supporting industries (75 per cent) The isolation and loneliness of elderly people within the community (67 per cent) The lack of support for musicians and the arts (67 per cent) Community impact People have noticed significant changes to their local communities as a result of pub closures. The research found that six in ten people (59 per cent) visited their local pub at least once a month before the Covid-19 pandemic. Advertisement Since the Government implemented restrictions on the opening of pubs, half (53 per cent) feel that the vibrancy of the community has dampened, with 50% also noting a decrease in the level of community spirit and morale among the community. Supporting the industry Over 72 per cent of the Irish population believe it is time for the Government to step in with additional support for the drinks and hospitality industry. Three fifths of the population believe that local publicans will act responsibly and ensure public health measures and guidelines are enforced correctly, while the majority (90 per cent) say that they are also taking personal responsibility for their health and safety by adhering to public health advice. Meanwhile, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said that the next date pubs are given for reopening will not be changed. "What I'd like this time is to give publicans a date that actually happens. A lot of them [publicans] feel that they were brought to a point on a two occasions where they thought pubs were going to be opened in a few days." A new date is expected to be revealed in the Government's six-nine month plan for living with Covid-19, set to be published next week. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan described the plan as important as if not more important to my mind than the budget. Laura Dern showed off her casual style on Sunday as she made a quick trip in Los Angeles to grab a takeout order. The 53-year-old Oscar winner dropped by the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles with her 19-year-old son Ellery Harper. The Marriage Story star highlighted her trim figure in a charcoal T-shirt, which she paired with a slim set of black jeans. Simple outing: Laura Dern, 53, cut a casual figure while picking up a takeout order Sunday at the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles with her son Ellery Harper Laura rounded out the low-key ensemble with a pair of well-worn tan Gucci sneakers. The 5ft10in Jurassic World: Dominion actress had her blonde locks parted down the middle and cascading down her shoulders in gentle waves. Her son was also dressed casually with a gray plaid shirt atop a white T-shirt, black jeans and red sneakers. Both she and Ellery wore masks to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, and he went a step further with a pair of blue nitrile gloves as he carried their food. No fuss: She showed off her trim figure in a charcoal T-shirt, black jeans and weathered Gucci sneakers Although the coronavirus pandemic has shut down much of Hollywood, Laura has still managed to keep working on select projects. She was recently back in Los Angeles after reprising her role as Dr. Ellie Sattler in the upcoming sequel Jurassic World: Dominion, which had been shooting in England. The film, which stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, will see the return of Dern, as well as her original Jurassic Park costars Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum. Goldblum led the 1998 sequel The Lost World, while Neill returned for 2001's Jurassic Park III, which featured a small cameo from Dern. Goldblum appeared in a small scene in the last film, 2018's Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, but this is the first time all three original stars will be reunited in the franchise. New role: She was back in LA after reprising her role as Dr. Ellie Sattler in the upcoming sequel Jurassic World: Dominion, which had been shooting in England; still from Jurassic Park Coming soon: The film, which stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, will see the return of Dern, as well as her original Jurassic Park costars Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum Although production was halted in March, Laura and her original costars didn't begin filming their parts until after filming had resumed in August. Though some of the film was shot in Malta, the majority was filmed in England at Pinewood Studios. The actress joked about going back to set in a July Instagram post featuring her Jurassic Park action figure against a window in England. 'In quarantine getting ready to get back to work,' she wrote. She also referenced the English shoot in a post about the electric car she was driving from late last month. Having a laugh: The actress joked about going back to set and having to quarantine in England in a post from last July Still got it: The project comes amid a career renaissance which saw her win an Emmy and a Golden Globe for Big Little Lies and the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Marriage Story The new project comes amid a career renaissance for the actress, who first rose to prominence in the mid-1980s with acclaimed roles in Peter Bogdanovich's Mask (1985) and David Lynch's Blue Velvet (1986). In 2017, Dern began starring on HBO's Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley and Zoe Kravitz, which won her an Emmy and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a miniseries. The actress won her first ever Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a divorce lawyer in Noah Baumbach's acclaimed Netflix film Marriage Story from last year, which also starred Adam Driver and Scarlet Johansson. She followed that role by playing Marmee March in Greta Gerwig's rapturously received adaptation of Little Women. A Boeing logo sits on the fuselage of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, produced by Boeing Co., as it stands on display prior to the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, U.K., on Sunday, July 13, 2014. The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing quality-control lapses at Boeing that could stretch back almost a decade, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing an internal government memo and people familiar with the matter. The review piles onto the numerous regulatory issues Boeing has faced in the wake of two crashes involving its 737 Max planes that killed all 346 people onboard the two flights. Since then, Boeing has faced renewed scrutiny over its safety standards and manufacturing protocols as well as a deluge of questions from both regulators and lawmakers. Its 737 Max planes remain grounded. This latest assessment was prompted by production issues at a Boeing 787 Dreamliner factory, according to the report. An internal FAA memo reviewed by the Journal showed Boeing notified regulators that it had produced parts that did not meet its own design and manufacturing standards. As a result, the high-level FAA review could require enhanced or accelerated inspections for as many as roughly 900 of the approximately 1,000 Dreamliners delivered since 2011, according to the report. Boeing told regulators a defect in the Dreamliners from the quality lapse wouldn't pose an immediate safety risk, people familiar with the matter told the Journal, and regulators aren't planning immediate action. But in August, Boeing decided to voluntarily tell airlines to ground eight of the planes for immediate repairs due to the combination of that defect and a recently discovered assembly-line defect, the Journal reported. In a statement, a Boeing spokesperson said the company identified two separate manufacturing issues which, on their own, still met limit load conditions. But when combined, they "result in a condition that does not meet our design standards." Boeing notified the FAA and is conducting its own review of the "root cause," according to the statement and "immediately contacted the airlines that operate the eight affected airplanes to notify them of the situation, and the airplanes have been temporarily removed from service until they can be repaired." "Safety and quality are Boeing's highest priorities; we are taking the appropriate steps to resolve these issues and prevent them from happening again," the statement said. "The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been fully briefed, and we will continue to work closely with them going forward." In a statement, the FAA said it "is investigating manufacturing flaws affecting certain Boeing 787 jetliners. The agency continues to engage with Boeing. It is too early to speculate about the nature or extent of any proposed Airworthiness Directives that might arise from the agency's investigation." Read the full report at The Wall Street Journal. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: How airlines park thousands of grounded planes Rhea Chakraborty was questioned for about six hours by the NCB for the first time in relation to Sushant Singh Rajput's death on Sunday. Rhea Chakraborty on Monday appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for questioning for the second straight day in the drugs case linked to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She was questioned for about six hours by the agency for the first time in this case on Sunday. The 28-year-old arrived at the agency's office in the Ballard Estate area around 9:30 am, escorted by police personnel. The agency has said that it wants to question Rhea and confront her with her younger brother Showik Chakraborty (24), Rajput's house manager Samuel Miranda (33) and his house staffer Dipesh Sawant to ascertain their roles in this alleged drug racket after it obtained mobile phone chat records and other electronic data that suggested some banned drugs were allegedly procured by these people. The NCB, over the last few days, has arrested these three men in this case. Officials said the actor was questioned on these lines on Sunday. She was earlier questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Rhea, in interviews given to multiple TV news channels, has said that she has never consumed drugs herself. She had, however, claimed that the late actor used to consume marijuana. It is claimed that Miranda told NCB investigators that he used to procure bud or curated marijuana for the late actor''s household. A total of eight people have been arrested till now by the NCB with six being directly linked to this probe while two were arrested by it when the investigation was launched under criminal sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. When the probe in the case began, the agency had arrested two men, Abbas Lakhani and Karan Arora, for alleged drug peddling and officials have claimed that through them they reached Zaid Vilatra and Abdel Basit Parihar who are allegedly linked to this drugs case as they were in touch with Miranda. Miranda, they had said, used to allegedly procure drugs from them on the purported instructions of Showik, agency officials said. Both Lakhani and Arora have been granted bail. The NCB had said it recovered 59 grams of cannabis from them. The NCB, while seeking remand of one of the accused in this case last week, had told a local court that it was looking into "the drug citadel in Mumbai, and especially Bollywood" in this probe. This case has given the NCB an "inkling" into the narcotics network and its penetration in Bollywood or Hindi movie industry, NCB Deputy Director General Mutha Ashok Jain had told reporters last week. Various angles surrounding the death of the 34-year-old actor are being probed by three federal agencies, including the ED and the CBI. The NCB initiated a drug angle probe in this case after the ED shared with it a report following the cloning of two mobile phones of Rhea. Rajput was found dead at his flat in the suburban Bandra area on 14 June. The New Diamond, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) chartered by Indian Oil Corp (IOC), that was carrying the equivalent of about 2 million barrels of oil, is seen after a fire broke out off east coast of Sri Lanka September 4, 2020. Sri Lankan Airforce media/Handout via REUTERS (Photo : Reuters Connect ) The massive fire which struck an oil tanker off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka has now been extinguished. Tanker Salvaged The massive fire which occurred on the oil tanker was doused by fireboats and rescue vessels with international help, according to the Sri Lankan navy. Last Sunday, international salvaging consultants started to assess the fire's damage. It has been feared that a leak may cause a risk of environmental disaster. Mauritius Disaster Another accident occurred last July on Mauritius. The bulk carrier MV Wakashio from Japan had crashed on a Mauritian reef and leaked oil amounting to over 1,000 tons into Mauritius's pure waters. The vessel which currently caught fire in Sri Lanka is more significant than the MV Wakashio. READ ALSO: [CAUGHT ON VIDEO] Last Moments of Mother Dolphin and Calf, Struggling Amid Mauritius Oil Spill The Accident The fire-stricken oil tanker is the New Diamond, registered in Panama, which had more than 270,000 tons of diesel and crude oil as its cargo. When the fire struck, the ship came from Kuwait and was going to Paradeep, an Indian port. It was at that time last Thursday that the fire distress call was received from the ship when one of its engine rooms exploded. The accident left one crew member from the Philippines dead. Fire Already Out Nishantha Ulugetenna, the Sri Lankan navy chief, reported that the tanker's fire had been extinguished. Last Friday, the fire was put under control by the navy and the coast guard of India. However, the oil tanker's steel plates were still hot enough to pose a risk that the fire may be reignited. READ NEXT: Explaining Today's Hyperactive Hurricane Season: Storm Trends and Implications Announcements from the Authorities According to the Indian coast guard in a tweet, there was no smoke or flames from the ship. This announcement was made while the Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka announced that foreign experts on salvaging and insurance assessors began to examine the distressed ship. It is located roughly 75 kilometers or 46 miles away from the Sri Lankan coast. International Assistance According to the Sri Lankan navy, early last Sunday, ten professionals from the Netherlands and Britain who are experts in disaster evaluation, legal consultation, and rescue operations have arrived on the site. The navy reported that Smit Salvage, a Dutch marine salvage firm, brought the various experts. It also sent for the additional assistance of two tug boats from Mauritius and Singapore. The Indian coast guard also deployed an aircraft, helicopter, and six ships, and reported that a vessel of its own also arrived to serve as pollution control. The Indian Ocean is the site of the accident. The commissioned rescue vessels doused the oil tanker continuously to prevent new fires from igniting, with heavy winds beating on the ship's hot steel plates near the fire's site. According to officials, the fire also caused cracking on the hull roughly 10 meters or 33 feet above the waterline. Despite this, authorities say no oil has leaked, and the hull's crack is not considered a failure of the structural integrity. According to the Marine Environment Protection Agency of Sri Lanka, the owners, Porto Emporios Shipping, Inc., registered in Liberia, could be sued if the oil tanker breaks up. Presently, the incident of the massive fire on the oil tanker in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka continues to be a significant problem. READ NEXT: Sustainable, Biodegradable, and Cheap: Dog and Human Hair Useful for Oil Check out more news and information on Oil Spills on Nature World News. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser In a weeks time, the government intends to publish its plan as to how they envisage the country will live with Covid-19 for the foreseeable future. The new normal. Nothing or very little will be what it was like before but what is clear, seven days out from its publication, there is a discernible desire from Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his ministers to allow mothballed sections of our society to re-open. After nine weeks of chaos and confusion from the new government and the lapsing of the previous roadmap, the new plan is overdue and badly needed. With no deaths in Ireland for over two weeks from Covid-19, hospitalisations and ICU cases remaining low even with the schools back, there is a growing anger that our daily focus on new cases is missing the real target and as a result, the continued closures are disproportionate. While the new plan, driven by the Department of Health and the Department of Taoiseach, is taking input from many departments, it is in essence about three key areas restoring travel, opening pubs and the future of sporting and cultural events. Government keen to expand green list and ease two-week quarantine rules In terms of travel, what is clear is the Government wants to axe the two-week quarantine for those coming from some foreign countries, but particularly the UK. Several government sources have pointed to tests being carried out at Heathrow airport which involve the rapid Covid testing of passengers who, if introduced here, would pay for the privilege. A lot of attention is on the Heathrow testing. If a viable model can be found, it would be a huge game-changer not just for travel within the EU, but especially between here and the UK, said a government source. There have also been question marks raised about the viability of the so-called green list given the increase in our transmission rate. When the green list was introduced our transmission rate was much lower. The list operated on allowing countries with a rate similar or lower to ours come here. But there is no way we can do that now, said the source. It is expected that an easing of the rules around international travel, specifically the requirement to restrict movement for 14 days, will be contained in this plan with Green leader Eamon Ryan stating that it would contain "a planned approach allowing for connectivity". Mr Ryan has ordered his officials to look at how other countries are now handling people who come from abroad when drawing up a new set of guidelines. The government is keen to broaden the number of countries on the green list and ease quarantining rules, but these changes will also have to take in advice from public health officials and other Departments. It is understood that the new plan will focus on the next 12 to 18 months and will contain provisions to "flex up and down". "It will have to respond in different ways to different circumstances at different times. They will be looking at the green list for sure," a Government source said. "There are a lot of different things to be balanced and that is a challenge." Read More Extinction Rebellion protesters highlight marine pollution in London march Sporting events may get green light for controlled crowds while pubs may remain closed until October In terms of sporting events, it is expected a limited number of people will be allowed to attend games, providing crowds can be properly controlled, separated and ensure social distancing can be maintained at all stages. Meetings between sporting bodies and ministers have been described as productive. In relation to wet pubs, several government sources said that weekend suggestions of them opening by mid-September are overly optimistic and that it could be October before they are open. There is a realisation that pubs will lead to clusters and spikes in positive cases. Sources said it is about managing what they called the acceptable risk. While the plan will include far more than these three areas, they are seen as the most vital aspects of adjusting the country to the idea of living alongside the virus rather than seeking to snuff it out. While medics are preparing to see increases in the instances of Covid as the country re-opens, the time has come to accept we can no longer strangle the people in order to save them. Cambodian authorities have prepared a decree allowing for the regulation of all web traffic to be routed through a national internet gateway in an effort to control and monitor online traffic. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expresses its concern that the plan will restrict internet freedom and block critical content. The document , drafted in July, said that the country will manage the internet connections to improve national revenue collection, protect national security and ensure social order. Article 4 of the draft decree states that the establishment of national internet gateway is to facilitate and manage domestic and international internet connections. The government will appoint operators to collaborate with government agencies including the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia. One of the duties of the operators is to work with the government in blocking certain types of content and to take actions to block and disconnect all network connections that affect safety, national revenue, social order, dignity, culture, traditions and customs. A spokesman from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Im Vutha, said that the agency has been finalising a draft sub-decree on the national internet gateway (NIG) regulation. It will be scheduled to complete by the end of this year. The government believes that the NIG would create a one-stop system to bring all overseas internet connections through a single point and save costs for Cambodias telecom sector. According to a report from Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia, published on July, Cambodia had 14.8 million internet subscribers as of May, or 90 per cent of the total population. The country has seen a 33 per cent increase of internet subscribers to 249.132 users in May. Cambodia has been known to block independent news websites, including online radio media outlets Radio Free Asia (RFA), Voice of America (VoA) and Voice of Democracy (VOD) and several English-language news websites in the lead up to the 2018 general election. The IFJ said: Internet freedom is a human right that the authorities must respect. IFJ denounces the finalisation of the sub-decree to launch national internet gateway and calls the government to ensure open and free access to information for people in Cambodia. By Andre Paultre and Sarah Marsh PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Rene Max Auguste says demand for solar panels at his store in the Haitian capital, Port au Prince, has soared over the past two years. The reason? The state power utility's inability to guarantee electricity, he says. In a country where most survive on less than $3 per day, customers in Auguste's shop typically opt for small systems that enable them to charge their phone and perhaps a lamp. "The situation is a failure of the state: a failure of the elite for the past 30 years," says Auguste. "The situation is going to stay as it is. Or it's going to get worse." President Jovenel Moise took office three years ago promising to bring around-the-clock power to the poorest nation in the Americas. Instead, amid political turmoil and unrest, he has presided over the worst power outages in more than a decade. Generation at Haiti's hydroelectric and diesel and heavy fuel oil-powered thermal plants was down to 94 MW in August, less than half its installed capacity, according to state electricity utility EDH, and less than one-fortieth of the capacity of neighboring Dominican Republic, which has roughly the same population of 11 million. Only around one-third of Haitian households are connected to the grid, most of them in towns, according to analyst estimates. Those who are suffer frequent blackouts, living with power for just a few hours per day. Moise blames the blackouts largely on sabotage by unnamed vested interests, whom he accuses of also fomenting anti-government protests last year to prevent reform. Critics say he is scapegoating others for the government's mismanagement of the already dysfunctional sector. The situation was exacerbated in July, after Moise appointed Michel Presume, who is known for his privatization of various Haitian industries, to overhaul EDH. That prompted a damaging strike at the state utility. Employees besieged its headquarters and refused to maintain or fix broken machinery, leaving areas of Port-au-Prince without lights for weeks on end. Story continues There are some signs of change. Haiti's National Regulatory Authority for Energy, ANARSE, has issued tenders for private operators to take over regional grids and develop microgrids for rural communities, with a focus on gas-powered and solar projects. Moise has also negotiated a $150 million deal with Taiwan for an overhaul of the national grid, due to start this week, Minister of Public Works Nader Joiseus told Reuters. Two multimillion dollar deals to install 55.5MW of gas electricity with General Electric and 130MW of solar electricity with Turkey are also in the works, he said. But the key challenge remains EDH, which until recently monopolized generation and distribution. The company consumes around $200 million a year in subsidies, equivalent to 10% of government expenditure. It loses an estimated 70% of power due to technical losses, clients who do not pay, and people who connect illegally, according to a study by Limestone Analytics. "This company is practically bankrupt and cannot see to its own basic needs, like the maintenance of its power stations," Presume told Reuters. He said he aims to raise revenues by installing prepaid systems and increasing the number of clients. "It needs to act like a commercial company and actually turn a profit," he said. CHARCOAL IRONS, CLOSED FACTORIES With Haiti struggling to recover from the effects of a devastating 2010 earthquake, the lack of power depresses living standards and is one of the main obstacles to economic development, Haitian economist Etzer Emile said. Haiti needs to increase its generation eight-fold to meet the needs of its population, ANARSE estimates. "We use candles and a little kerosene lamp," said Midrenne Lubin, 50, a cleaner who uses a charcoal iron to press her clothes and waits until after dawn to leave for work. "Bandits attack in the darkness." Businesses, hospitals and wealthier households have installed generators to become self-reliant. More than 70% of power consumed in Haiti is produced by small-scale diesel-fueled generators, according to an April IMF report. But diesel can also be scarce. Two textile-exporting factories were forced to shut down for around a week last month due to diesel shortages, an industry source said. Woodburning and charcoal remain Haiti's primary source of energy, the IMF wrote. That contributes to deforestation, aggravating Haiti's vulnerability to the Caribbean's annual hurricane season by heightening the chance of mudslides and flooding. At least 31 people were killed in Haiti by Tropical Storm Laura last month. STATE TAKEOVER EDH says the current decline in power supply is partly due to the use of bad quality heavy fuel, which it says was imported in April via the state agency Bureau de Monetisation des Programmes d'Aide au Developpement, or BMPAD, that damaged multiple power plants. BMPAD did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Joiseus said an investigation was ongoing but the plants should be able to treat the fuel. A series of blackouts also occurred in April last year after a dispute between U.S. energy trader Novum and the BMPAD over overdue payments led to a shortage of fuel. Then in November they occurred again after the state took over power plants previously run by private power provider Societe Generale dEnergie SA (Sogener). Authorities said the takeover was due to Sogener overbilling and other issues. Stanley Gaston, a Sogener lawyer, said Moise singled out the company because its management is linked to the opposition. The state takeover did not allow for an orderly handover of skills, he said. These altercations have likely dampened appetite for future much-needed private investment, analysts say. ANARSE did not reply to request for comment on whether it had receive any acceptable bids for auctions that had an end-2019 deadline. The temptation for the government will be to simply add more generation capacity on credit to resolve the short-term problem, with an eye on elections, warned Rene Jean-Jumeau, a former Minister Delegate for Energy. But if EDH does not truly reform, then those new plants will also require extra subsidies and fall into disrepair, said Jumeau, now director of the Haitian Energy Institute. "I'm waiting to see if Presume can give the results no-one else has been able to," he said. (Reporting by Andre Paultre in Port-au-Prince and Sarah Marsh in Havana Editing by Daniel Flynn and Rosalba O'Brien) In July 2020, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) introduced draft Power Market Regulations 2020 for comments from stakeholders. A number of changes have been proposed in terms of ownership, governance structure, management of the power exchanges, clearing and settlement mechanism apart from mentioning as to which contracts would be governed by the CERC and which would be governed by SEBI. This dispute between the CERC and SEBI has been going on for years and hopefully, matters will come to a rest now, albeit after the Supreme Court (SC) gives its judgement in the matter. The draft regulations also introduce the concept of a 'market coupler' who would determine a uniform clearing price, subject to market splitting, in the day ahead and real time markets based on the information provided by the various power exchanges. Also Read: Proposed reforms don't address issues of power sector, says L&T Power CEO Shailendra Roy Who will function as the market coupler will be decided by the CERC and ironically, the concept of the coupler is being introduced in the same breath while tightening the functioning of the power exchanges. One is calling this ironic since the coupler, as and when it starts functioning, will reduce the power exchanges to a mere secretariat. All that the power exchanges would do is to forward the bids received to the coupler and thereafter convey the market-clearing price to the stakeholders after due diligence has been done (ie. by the coupler). In its explanatory memorandum, the CERC has given three reasons why a coupler is required in a multi-power exchange model. First, there is a difference in the prices discovered on different power exchanges for a particular market segment, second, the allocation of transmission corridors amongst power exchanges is not optimal due to skewed market share of various power exchanges, and third, the overall economic surplus is not maximised since buyers and sellers may be spread out on various power exchanges. Unfortunately, these arguments don't seem valid and prima-facie, don't justify the introduction of a power market coupler. Taking the first argument, the CERC seems to be backtracking from its own argument as cited in the Power Market Regulations 2010 that there would be more than one power exchange and that competition amongst them would result in competitive price discovery, product innovation, efficiency in service, minimum transaction fee etc. It is obvious that prices are likely to be different in each exchange and CERC can't use that as the reason now for introducing the coupler. Also Read: 24x7 power supply, complaints redressal in fixed time; cabinet to okay new consumer charter soon As far as the second argument is concerned regarding transmission corridors, in case there is no congestion, it does not really help having a coupler since no extra efficiency is gained. In India, most of the times there is no congestion and the spot market prices are the same throughout the country. However, some seasonal congestion is possible but is expected to iron out over time. Coming to the third argument, there is no way to estimate, a priori, the total economic surplus if the buyers and sellers are spread out in various power exchanges vis-a-vis if the coupler integrates the bids. The measure of economic surplus is a function of the elasticities of the demand and supply curves and we have no idea as to what are the elasticities in an integrated market or separate markets. The CERC would have done well to reference such statements so that one could study the literature that they are relying on. The first Power Market Regulations were enacted in 2010 and what really happened between 2010 and 2020 is that such a volte-face is being done by the CERC. The answer, perhaps, lies in the concept note of the CERC entitled "Market Based Economic Despatch" (MBED). Under the proposal, while the beneficiaries will continue to pay a fixed charge for generators, for the variable charge, it will be a daily bidding in the power exchange. It is feared that with a severely fractured power exchange, where 95% of the day-ahead market lies with the one particular exchange, the MBED will not be viable. With a market coupler in place, a bidder, be it a seller or buyer, will not be constrained by the fact that he is bidding in the exchange which has only 5% of the market. The market coupler will integrate the bids and determine the market clearing price. Now that the CERC has given permission to another entity to operate as the third power exchange, it would be proper to give it time to develop so that it can compete with the dominant power exchange of today. The chances of this power exchange succeeding are very good since it has one of the major trading organisations as a promoter who has the requisite experience and skill. Moreover, since the problem with SEBI is being eased out, the power exchanges are now in a position to leverage technology and introduce greater product innovation to commence longer duration forward and derivative products for the benefit of power market consumers. If the market coupler becomes a reality, there will be no incentive left for the power exchanges to innovate since the coupler would centralise the platform. With increasing renewable energy penetration and involvement of other players like batteries and electric vehicles, there is more of a need for innovation in the market place today which is not possible in a centralised set-up. In any case, there is no guarantee that the MBED would be a workable solution since one would still have to deal with the legacy of PPAs. States that have relatively low per unit power purchase cost, for example, Uttarakhand, Chattisgarh and Odisha, are likely to offer resistance to its implementation. There would be the added problem of availability of transmission corridors since the relatively cheaper power will be completely allocated. To kill power exchanges just to get MBED implemented is certainly not a good idea and would be a classic case of regulatory uncertainty. The best course of action is to allow the third exchange to mature and use this time to debate on the utility of a market coupler. For this purpose, the CERC should bring out a concept note having more depth than the draft regulations they have recently published. While preparing the concept note, it would be useful to see what has been the experience of having market couplers in other countries. One is aware of the existence of market couplers in Europe but there it's coupling across countries, involving several exchanges and moreover, coupling was voluntarily started by the power exchanges themselves. There is no case of compulsory coupling across exchanges. Finally, it may be mentioned that there are a few issues which have not been addressed in the draft regulations. The first is how to increase the market share of power traded in the power exchanges which is stagnating at 4% for the last five years and the second is how to enable renewable energy participation in the power exchange which is negligible today. These issues could also be included in the concept note to make it holistic.(The author is former Member (Economic and Commercial), Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power.) Washington: US presidential candidate Joe Biden is bracing himself for the possibility that US President Donald Trump could announce a coronavirus vaccine within weeks, in a move that could significantly alter the race for the White House. Trump has repeatedly insisted a vaccine could be announced "by the end of the year" but, in recent days, has been talking up the prospect it could be even sooner. Joe Biden is preparing for a Trump announcement. Credit:AP Speculation intensified last week, when the federal government's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention urged the states to speed up approval for vaccine distribution sites by November 1 two days before the election. "We remain on track to deliver a vaccine before the end of the year and maybe even before November 1st," Trump told reporters at his latest briefing on Saturday (AEST) "We think we can probably have it some time during the month of October." Appointment 7 September 2020 Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Aimbridge Hospitality's international division, has expanded its senior management team with the appointment of Jean-Charles Denis to the role of Chief Operating Officer. With a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, Jean-Charles joins Interstate from IHG, where he held a variety of senior positions including Director of Operations, Vice President Commercial and Vice President Finance. Having been an owner and operator of his own portfolio of hotels, Jean-Charles brings a unique perspective to the newly created role, overseeing operations across all of Interstate's 96 hotels in the UK, Ireland, Europe and Russia. Nicholas Northam, Executive Vice President - International for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, said: "I am delighted to welcome Jean-Charles to our senior team. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 14:40:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A freshman (1st R) walks with a family member (2nd R) in the campus of Peking University in Beijing, capital of China on Sept. 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) - China has offered help to 150 countries, including dispatching 29 medical expert teams to 27 countries as of May 31, and four int'l organizations to fight COVID-19 - China's success in controlling COVID-19 has allowed its economy to revive steadily - The Belt and Road has played a vital role in assisting the global anti-pandemic fight and stabilizing global supply and industrial chains BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- As the strenuous global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic recession is well underway, China has managed to place the pandemic under full control domestically and continued to buoy up the world with its robust recovery, consistent overseas assistance and global cooperation. CHINA'S RESILIENCE BOOSTS GLOBAL RECOVERY The ongoing 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) highlights China's success in the combat against COVID-19, said World Trade Organization (WTO) Deputy Director-General Yi Xiaozhun in his online speech for the event's opening on Friday. China is a driving force of world economy and increasingly plays an important role as supply-demand hub in services trade, Yi said, adding that China can positively influence and significantly contribute to international cooperation by supporting and advancing the services agenda of the WTO. The country's success in controlling COVID-19 has allowed its economy to revive steadily, as shown by a slew of upbeat data recently. A service robot makes a cup of coffee during the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 6, 2020. The CIFTIS runs on Sept. 4-9 in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) For instance, in the first seven months of the year, China's pilot free trade zones (FTZs) attracted robust foreign investment and trade despite downcast sentiment in the global market, data of the country's Ministry of Commerce showed. The six pilot FTZs in the regions of Shandong, Jiangsu, Guangxi, Hebei, Yunnan and Heilongjiang, as well as Shanghai's Lingang Area, a newly launched section of the Shanghai FTZ, attracted 13.11 billion yuan (about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars) of foreign investment during the January-July period. Foreign trade in those FTZs came in at 660.76 billion yuan (about 90.5 billion dollars) in the seven-month period, accounting for 10.8 percent of the total foreign trade in the regions. On the other hand, the Belt and Road, serving as an international platform for cooperation, has played a vital role in assisting the global anti-pandemic fight and stabilizing global supply and industrial chains. In recent years, thanks to the joint construction of the Belt and Road, China's service trade with Eurasian countries has developed rapidly, noted Liu Huaqin, director and researcher of the Eurasian Institute of the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute under the Ministry of Commerce. Two boys view models of China-Europe freight trains in the comprehensive exhibition area of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Chuanqi) In the first half of 2020, China-Europe freight trips rose 36 percent year-on-year to 5,122, transporting 3.67 million pieces and 27,000 tons of anti-pandemic materials to European countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Hungary. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to push for global economic recovery in his speech at the ongoing services trade fair, which analysts said has injected momentum into the world economy amid COVID-19. It (the fair) shows China's willingness to join hands with all of you in this trying time and work together to enable global trade in services to thrive and the world economy to recover at an early date, Xi said. Noting that Xi has reiterated China's commitment to further opening up, Piotr Gadzinowski, editor-in-chief of Polish newspaper Trybuna, said that "I believe that China will fulfill its promises, contribute in the efforts to bring the globe back to normal soon." "It serves the benefit of people all over the world," Gadzinowski added. Chinese medical expert team members communicate with local frontline health workers at a COVID-19 testing facility in Juba, South Sudan, Aug. 21, 2020. (Chinese Embassy in South Sudan/Handout via Xinhua) OVERSEAS ASSISTANCE AGAINST COVID-19 Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has launched the largest medical assistance operation since the founding of the People's Republic of China to support the COVID-19 fight in the virus-hit Hubei Province, sounding early alarms and winning the world a critical window period for the prevention of the disease. From Jan 24 to March 8, China rallied 346 national medical teams, consisting of 42,600 medical workers and more than 900 public health professionals to the immediate aid of Hubei, according to an official white paper on China's battle against COVID-19. At a very early stage of the spread of disease, Chinese researchers shared the gene sequence of the novel coronavirus and insightful observations globally. From Jan 3, on a regular basis, China began to update the World Health Organization, relevant countries and regional organizations on the development of the disease. Overseas, China has offered help to 150 countries, including dispatching 29 medical expert teams to 27 countries as of May 31, and four international organizations to fight COVID-19. It has also provided two batches of cash support totaling 50 million dollars to the World Health Organization, and exported protective materials to 200 countries and regions from March 1 to May 31. Chinese medical experts discuss with members of academic committee and epidemiologists from Veneto via internet in Padova, Italy, March 18, 2020. (China's Anti-Epidemic Expert Team/Handout via Xinhua) Officials and experts worldwide have also commended China's efforts and rich experience in containing COVID-19. "Basically the Chinese have shown the way in how to deal with the epidemic," Namibian Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shalunga told Xinhua in an exclusive interview recently. The country has received numerous test kits, masks and equipment from the Chinese government, as well as donations from Chinese enterprises and organizations. "The response of China was hailed because it was within a reasonable period of time that they were able to bring the pandemic under control, and it was also from there that many countries have taken experience from," he said. Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa also praised the significant role played by China in bolstering her country's fight against COVID-19. "COVID-19 has wreaked havoc among our people, especially the economy, and we know our economy mostly is SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). The lockdown has caused a lot of problems, but I must say as a country, with the help of our best friends like China and many others, we have managed to contain this virus," she said. Massachusetts public health officials reported eight coronavirus-linked deaths on Labor Day, bringing the states death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic to 8,925. The state Department of Public Health also reported 222 new COVID-19 cases, based on 9,870 new molecular tests. As of Monday, 322 people are hospitalized due to a coronavirus-related illness. Since the pandemic began, 121,046 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Massachusetts and more than 1.86 million have been tested across the state. While the states positive test rate remains low, other parts of the U.S. continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases as students return to schools and work resumes. In Massachusetts, some industries, such as bars and arcades, remain sidelined as the state tries to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. Yet more visitors from out-of-state are getting the green light to enter Massachusetts without a two-week quarantine. DPH added Oregon, Washington state and Wyoming to the list of lower-risk states exempt from Bakers travel order. The seven-day weighted average of positive tests remains at 0.9% for the fifth day in a row a sign of progress as the state tries to prevent community spread. The three-day average of COVID-19 hospitalization is at 6% as of Monday with 320 patients in the hospital yesterday, according to DPH. As families across the state celebrate the unofficial end of summer, Gov. Charlie Baker urged residents to wear masks, wash their hands, stay at least 6 feet apart from people outside their household and take other precautions. Its important that all of the commonwealths residents stick to these proven practices, the Republican governor said last week. COVID is highly contagious, and its going to be with us until we have a treatment or a vaccine. Everyone needs to continue to take it seriously and not let down their guard. Related Content: - Numerous studies are still being conducted regarding the first COVID-19 vaccine in Russia - A team of scientists in the said country has published the first report about the early results of the trials - They said that all participants who received Sputnik V have developed antibodies - It was also reported recently that the Russian vaccine had no serious side effects PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed A team of scientists in Russia recently published its first report about the early results of the first-ever vaccine for the novel coronavirus disease. KAMI learned that numerous studies are being conducted after the said country announced in August that it has registered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world. It was Russian President Vladimir Putin who shared the good news, but many people doubted the said treatment because of how fast it was developed. This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered, he quipped through a televised cabinet session. I know that its effective and forms sustainable immunity, he added. A photo illustration of a medical syringe and Russian flag with 'Sputnik V' inscription (From Getty Images) Source: Getty Images PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! A few days ago, The New York Times shared the report of Russian scientists about how the vaccine called Sputnik V performed on early trials. It stated that the said vaccine was actually safe and every person who participated in the trials developed antibodies. CNN Philippines also reported several important details about the results. It said that the levels of antibody response developed after the vaccine was administered were similar to that of the people who have recovered from the disease. Popular news site BBC.com also reiterated that all the participants who received Sputnik V did not experience any serious side effects. PAY ATTENTION: Shop with KAMI! The best offers and discounts on the market, product reviews and feedback The novel coronavirus disease has been affecting the lives of many people since December last year. Many places in the world are on community quarantine because of the threat of the virus. A few months ago, an Italian doctor claimed that the said disease is already getting weaker and it may just disappear without the need for a vaccine. The World Health Organization also gave an important update regarding the effective vaccine against COVID-19. 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 Two old friends separated by thousands of miles are set to feature in a television programme that brings the best of home cooking to ex-pats abroad. Lilian Parkes, who lives in Belfast, and friend Laura Greer, in South Africa, will talk about, and eat, their favourite foods on the first episode of the new series of Tastes Like Home with Catherine Fulvio, which airs on RTE on Monday evening. The friends met 38 years ago at Ashleigh House Grammar, now Hunter House. On the show, Lilian teaches Catherine to make lamb shanks with bacon and red wine, and colcannon potato, with the host then travelling to Johannesburg to meet Laura. Apart from the lamb dish, there are a few other food items that Laura misses from home - and some that she smuggles in her luggage when returning to South Africa after a visit. "Tayto chips and a good pork sausage," she said. "I also take Oxo cubes back with me, as well as beef flavour Hula Hoops. "And of course Sarson's vinegar and potato bread, when I can fit it into my luggage! Salmon is also something I try to take, but I normally forget to pack it and leave it in mum's fridge." Laura described how the pair first met at school, but then met up again when she went on an adventure in South Africa, where Lilian had family. "I was only supposed to go for a year, but I have been here for just over 27 years now," said Laura. "At the start of my journey in SA, Lilian came to visit me and then she came out to live in SA with her daughter Angela for a few years. She went back in the late 90s, leaving me." Expand Close Close bond: Lillian Parks / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Close bond: Lillian Parks Laura explained that her sister, Paula, was supposed to be her home partner on the show, but had to back out at a late hour. "As Lilian knew me well and had spent time with me in SA , I suggested she would be an ideal alternative," said Laura. "The lamb shanks was a recipe that we both made here in SA when Lilian lived here. And of course, there are always potatoes on my table with every meal." Laura said she "loved every minute" of the Tastes Like Home team visit. "They were just incredible and we had such fun," she said. "They came in July, which is our winter in SA and freezing, but they thought it was a heatwave compared to Irish summers. "I cried when they left as Deon (my partner) and I had just returned from a three week holiday in Northern Ireland and I wanted to go back with them. "Although South Africa has been good to me and it is a beautiful country, Northern Ireland will always be my home. "Hopefully some day, I will return on a permanent basis... watch this space. As they say, there's no place like home." At the very end of my summer, I felt as if Id experienced the end of the pandemic, or at least I got a foretaste of the end. In the New Jersey beach town my family goes to each year, I went ten entire days without seeing a mask, or wearing one myself. Part of this was accomplished with savvy planning. We got a giant order of groceries delivered on the first night and limited trips to shops or takeout orders. I was told people were wearing them in the stores. But the sight of normal people interacting the way I normally expect them to interact was an immense relief nonetheless. Im conflicted about masks. I think they are fine as a matter of emergency hygiene. They are even polite during a pandemic. But culturally, I think they are obnoxious and intolerable. Most of all, I hate putting the tiny ones on my children. But that is the price of taking them along as I do the errands and chores of life. On the avenue closest to the beach, I never saw the people riding bicycles or walking dogs wearing masks, as I sometimes do in my hometown. The beach itself was like a place where the danger of infection didnt exist. And yet, I wonder how many people will continue to wear them for years. Or at least during any flu season? For some people, an emergency can give life some kind of drama and meaning, even long after the danger has passed. Last year, around the time my book came out, I was on Jonah Goldbergs podcast, and we were discussing nationalism. I quoted one of the central historical figures in my book, the Irish-language activist and revolutionary leader Patrick Pearse. During the First World War, Pearse defected from the mainstream of Irish Catholic politics, which had been firmly behind the Home Rule party of John Redmond, aimed at restoring a devolved national parliament in Dublin. Pearse came to believe that only full separation from the English could honor Irelands history of rebellion and its ambitions for its own life. He wrote: Story continues The men who have led Ireland for twenty-five years have done evil, and they are bankrupt. They are bankrupt in policy, bankrupt in credit, bankrupt now even in words. They have nothing to propose to Ireland, no way of wisdom, no counsel of courage. When they speak, they speak only untruth and blasphemy. Their utterances are no longer the utterances of men. They are the mumblings and the gibberings of lost souls. . . . They have built upon an untruth. They have conceived of nationality as a material thing, whereas it is a spiritual thing. They have made the same mistake that a man would make if he were to forget that he has an immortal soul. They have not recognised in their people the image and likeness of God. Hence, the nation to them is not all holy, a thing inviolate and inviolable, a thing that a man dare not sell or dishonour on pain of eternal perdition. They have thought of nationality as a thing to be negotiated about as men negotiate about a tariff or about a trade route, rather than as an immediate jewel to be preserved at all peril, a thing so sacred that it may not be brought into the marketplaces at all or spoken of where men traffic. I had quoted it to Goldberg, and he noted that on the first hearing, this is somewhere he couldnt go himself. Goldbergs chief worry is the smashing of the minority or the individual in the name of the majority, which takes the name nation as its own license. He wants to understand the limiting principles involved. What prevents this line of thinking, he asks, from leading to tyranny and barbarity? I wish we could have talked about it more in the larger context of Pearses essay. The language is urgent and extravagant (all holy!), but I think the principle involved is limited and proper. And the moral point that Pearse is making is the basis on which we judge and execute people guilty of treason. Its the basis on which we ask young men to risk their lives in war. I think it is the basis on which America justly launched its own claim to independence. As Ive written before, I think there are a small number of people whose psychology inclines them toward the nations collective life and character as their chief political preoccupation. Lets call them the natural nationalists. They tend to be conservative. And then I believe that a much larger section of any nation can be aroused to care and to act by events major demographic change, crisis, foreign interference, or war. Nationalist political movements are like fevers and can be curative or fatal in themselves. Goldbergs reaction is on my mind because I recently had the same experience myself of immediately pulling away from a nationalist text in horror Patriotism, by Yukio Mishima. Mishima has a small cult following among some young right-wing nationalists. Born in 1925, Mishima was just a teenager during the period of Japans military ascendancy in the Pacific. Mishima was many things: a playwright, actor, novelist, homosexual, bodybuilder, and ultimately the leader of a quixotic right-wing nationalist militia, the Shield Society. He was recognized as a genius at home and hailed for his great international reputation as an author of beautiful, erotic prose. At the same time, his politics were a source of bafflement, even embarrassment. He was devoted to a Japanese ideal that had brought the country to ruin, was he not? At the age of 45, he and a few comrades visited the Tokyo headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Mishima gave a dramatic and theatrical speech demanding a coup that would restore the position of the Japanese emperor and expel the Americans. He was jeered by the very soldiers he hoped to inspire. He then immediately committed seppuku. Paul Schrader made a film about his life in the 1980s. And in an interview with Dick Cavett, he explained that for most artists, the act of creation is purgative. But not for Mishima. His work did not extinguish his nationalist fantasies but enflamed them all the more. Mishimas suicide was practically scripted from beginning to end. He designed the customs. He notified the press. Patriotism, which was reprinted in translation in Esquire magazine, begins this way: On the twenty-eighth of February, 1936 (on the third day, that is, of the February 26 Incident), Lieutenant Shinji Takeyama of the Konoe Transport Battalion profoundly disturbed by the knowledge that his closest colleagues had been with the mutineers from the beginning, and indignant at the imminent prospect of Imperial troops took his officers sword and ceremonially disemboweled himself in the eight-mat room of his private residence in the sixth block of Aoba-cho, in Yotsuya Ward. His wife, Reiko, followed him, stabbing herself to death. The lieutenants farewell note consisted of one sentence: Long live the Imperial Forces. His wifes, after apologies for her unfilial conduct in thus preceding her parents to the grave, concluded: The day which, for a soldiers wife, had to come, has come. . . . The last moments of this heroic and dedicated couple were such as to make the gods themselves weep. The lieutenants age, it should be noted, was thirty-one, his wifes twenty-three; and it was not half a year since the celebration of their marriage. (For those who would like the background, you can read about the February 26 incident here.) What follows over the next several score of short pages is a languid description of the officer and his wife making love to each other and then plunging these weapons into themselves. Once it occurs to you that it is pornographic, suddenly almost all else vanishes. But it is only morally vulgar. Even in translation, the prose is beautiful and hypnotic. And one must admit that this highly aestheticized form of nationalism has seductions and contradictions aplenty. By treating their own lives as mere kindling in the national flame, our two leads paradoxically distinguish themselves all the more as individuals. The crucial fact about these characters is hidden in the last phrase of that introduction. Mishima uses the fact of their youth and the newness of their marriage to heighten the drama, to draw our attention to their physical beauty and the brightness of their passions. But the most important thing is that they are childless. This is highlighted even more by the way Mishima draws attention to the filial bond in the penultimate sentence. The presence of a child of their own would render such an act perverse. Instead of the chilly self-sacrifice, we would see the flaming self-indulgence. For a certain type, I think Mishimas spell is irresistible. Precisely as Japan becomes a producer of Honda two-stroke engine motorcycles and other consumer distractions, Mishima is preoccupied with the glories of imperial Japan, revealed in the supererogatory sacrifices of its children. But in this book as in his life, Mishimas vision severs the ideal of the nation not just from any organic community but from human nature itself. And it becomes the funhouse image of the Japan that would come later into being. Instead of consumerist, martial. Instead of vulgar anime, lurid melodrama. But in each, the unmistakable barrenness and loneliness. The passions in national feeling burn fast and bright, but they make sense only when shared with others, and when the sacrifices are performed not to make spectacles of ourselves, but to provide suitable homes for our children. More from National Review About a month to the governorship election in Ondo State, thugs have barricaded the entrance of the Ondo State House of Assembly complex, creating a huge stir among lawmakers and staff of the assembly. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the hoodlums, who are made up largely of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, were at the complex at the instance of the Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun. The development is part of the ongoing feud between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, both of whom are candidates of separate parties for the October 10 governorship election. A source at the assembly confirmed that the purpose of the hoodlums was to prevent nine suspended lawmakers from gaining entrance into the complex in spite of the court judgment quashing their suspension. More than a week after an Ondo State High Court in Akure set aside the suspension of four members of the State House of Assembly, the leadership of the house has failed to obey the order. The lawmakers involved are the Deputy Speaker of the House, Iroju Ogundeji, Adewale Williams, Tomide Akinribido and Favour Semilore Tomomowe. On July 8, 2020, the lawmakers were suspended indefinitely by the leadership of the house for alleged unparliamentary acts. The judge, Ademola Bola, in his ruling last Friday, said the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyeloogun, lacked the power to suspend any member of the Assembly. While describing the suspension as illegal and unlawful, the court also ordered the assembly to immediately pay all the entitlements of the affected lawmakers and awarded N5 million as damages to the affected lawmakers. PREMIUM TIMES was informed that as of Thursday last week, the house had no intention to obey the order, as there were directives from the leadership to prevent the lawmakers from reporting to their offices as ordered by the court. It was reliably gathered that two of the lawmakers came to the assembly complex on Wednesday, but no one stopped them from gaining access to the complex. It was learnt that on learning that the two lawmakers were allowed into the house complex, Mr Okeyelogun queried the security operatives at the gates who explained that they could not stop the lawmakers because they came with a judgment of the court. The Speaker was said to have issued a further directive to prevent them from entering, but on Friday, the lawmakers made a repeat entry and the security operatives, citing a similar reason, could not stop them. Mr Oleyelogun reportedly secured the services of the hoodlums to bar the affected lawmakers from the house since the security agencies had failed to carry out his orders. By the time workers and other lawmakers reported to work on Monday morning, the hoodlums had already taken over, placing barricades in the form of security checkpoints at the entrance of the assembly. The Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Tee Leo-Ikoro, who confirmed the incident, said the Speaker invited the NURTW members to the assembly. He, however, said he could not tell the reason why he did so, but confirmed that miscreants wanted to create a problem at the complex using the opportunity. It was the Speaker who invited members of the NURTW for whatever reason I cannot tell, he said. But we got wind of it and deployed more men to the assembly to forestall any breakdown of law and order. As I speak to you now, we have brought everything under control. He added that the police command was prepared to deploy more men if the need arose, to be sure of the safety of everyone in the area. Olugbenga Omole, the spokesperson of the assembl, had earlier informed PREMIUM TIMES that the assembly was yet to receive or sight a copy of the judgment. According to him, since the house had not received any judgment of the comment, he would not comment on the issue at all. Advertisements However, one of the suspended lawmakers, Mr Akinribido, confirmed that two of his suspended colleagues were at the office of the Clerk of the House on Thursday, in spite of rumours that the security agencies would prevent them from entering the place. He said they were there to present the court judgment to the Clerk of the house. Mr Akinribido said although he did not report at the complex on Monday morning, he could confirm that the hoodlums were there to prevent them from gaining entrance after repeated failure by the security agencies at the gates to keep the lawmakers away. The suspension was a product of the politics of wits between pro-Rotimi Akeredolu lawmakers and pro-Agboola Ajayi lawmakers, in an attempt to impeach the latter. Amidst the fray, nine of the houses members turned down the call to sign the impeachment notice, which technically ended the process to remove the deputy governor. The deputy governor is currently the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for the October 10, 2020 governorship election. Seven of the nine lawmakers were also left out of a car distribution done by Mr Akeredolu to members of the assembly on Friday. Endorsing Jabari Brisport might have seemed like an obvious choice for the United Federation of Teachers in the spring. Brisport, a UFT member who teaches at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School, a public middle school in Brooklyn, was running for an open Brooklyn state Senate seat. And his most prominent opponent in the Democratic primary, Assembly Member Tremaine Wright, was a supporter of charter schools, while the union and Brisport are against them. But when it came time to endorse candidates, the UFT sided with Wright over its own member. Of course, the UFT was just following the crowd. Wright, an attorney who has served in the Assembly since 2017, was endorsed by most of the citys biggest labor unions, including 1199 SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, District Council 37 and Transport Workers Union Local 100. Brisport got the backing of just two smaller unions, UNITE HERE Local 100 and Teamsters Local 814. Brisport ended up winning decisively, with 58% of the vote to Wrights 34%, thanks to support from left-wing grassroots activists, including the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. NYC-DSA also helped three other candidates to victory over incumbent state legislators. It would have been understandable for Brisport to hold UFT in contempt and gloat in the light of his upset victory. Instead, he reached out to leaders at UFT, 1199, the New York State Nurses Association and other unions that had supported his opponent. We said we just want to make sure were on a good foot, Brisport told City & State. We want to have good personal relationships with all of them, not just for our personal benefit, but because unions are good. And we want to make sure were supporting them in their endeavors at every opportunity in the next few years. M Stan Reaves/Shutterstock Democratic socialists such as Brisport generally support labor unions, seeing them as a way of empowering the working class against capitalist control. At meetings, DSA members sing the anthem Solidarity Forever, the lyrics of which declare that the union makes us strong. But unions in New York never seem to share the same love for the leftist candidates, at least when it comes to elections. In race after race, unions line up behind the incumbent rather than a challenger coming from the left. When there is no incumbent, as in Brisports race, the unions generally side with the candidate who has already held office. Thats in part because unions, especially public-sector unions that are bargaining with the government, want to be on the good side of the future winner. But now, in many races, siding with the establishment means backing the losing candidate. In state legislative primaries in 2018 and 2020, incumbents have been frequently out-organized by progressive coalitions that go beyond the DSA to include the Working Families Party, the Sunrise Movement and New York Communities for Change. So in the next round of Democratic primaries, in 2021s New York City municipal elections, unions will have to either forge a new, more insurgent-friendly, progressive coalition, or find a way to beat back the challengers. Young radicals need to understand this: The labor movement is more encumbered in terms of preserving relationships than independent activists who are not answerable to a particular constituency. CWA District 1 Political Director Bob Master, to Jacobin New York Citys major labor unions have always been some of the best endorsements a candidate can get, with the ability to bring an influx of volunteers, money and organizing prowess which can go far in low-turnout local primaries. As county party organizations faded in size and influence, labor unions picked up the slack , particularly as validators. The appearance of an 1199 logo on a candidates flyer is a clear sign theyve got a good chance at winning. In New York City, more than 21% of workers belong to a union, and statewide, its nearly 22% among the highest rates in the country. In return, the unions get support for their legislative priorities. But while members of progressive advocacy groups are united by a shared political vision, union members are united by a profession. Unions policy goals are often less about changing the way the political system operates than about their members interests. So labors support of incumbents is often less about the individual politician, and more about the very practical desire to join the winning team. Thats why Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didnt get any labor endorsements ahead of her upset over then-Rep. Joe Crowley in 2018, as Communications Workers of America District 1 Political Director Bob Master explained to the socialist magazine Jacobin in 2019. Young radicals need to understand this, he said. The labor movement is more encumbered in terms of preserving those relationships than independent activists who are not answerable to a particular constituency, and there are going to be tensions there. By the same token, these establishment-friendly unions dont have a worldview that would prevent them from backing a leftist once she wins office. In 2020, the endorsement lists of Ocasio-Cortez and state Sen. Julia Salazar were stacked with labor unions that had backed their opponents two years earlier. We have permanent interests we dont have permanent friends or permanent enemies, 1199 Political Director Gabby Seay told City & State. So, any person who reaches out and says, How can we better serve your members? Well open that door. And just this summer, that was Brisport, who knocked on Seays proverbial door with an email after his win. The way Brisport sees it, its a common understanding that most of the unions have their backs against the wall when it comes to making endorsements because of their relationships with the political establishment. Nobody sees these endorsements in DSA and says, Oh, now we have bad blood because of that. People get it. Theres ample precedent for agreement between labor and progressives. Even while the WFP and CWA District 1 were running races against each other, both were calling for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislators to pass a wealth tax on billionaires to help close the states yawning budget gap. And 32BJ got a lot of credit for partnering with progressive groups in 2018 to oust then-state Sen. Jeff Klein, who had kept Democrats out of power during part of his tenure as head of the Independent Democratic Conference. But there have also been moments of conflict between labor unions and progressive organizations, even outside of elections. While organizations like New York Community for Change and Make the Road New York supported a public campaign finance system, most of the states unions stood against it, fearing it could reduce their influence. That debate didnt come long after the 2018 gubernatorial election, when many of the states most powerful unions, including 32BJ and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, left the WFP after the party endorsed Cynthia Nixon over Cuomo. While unions have partnered with more ideological progressive activists at times, some labor leaders have bristled at the thought of associating with the DSA, which is more extreme than their sometime allies in the WFP. When the NYC-DSAs Labor Branch publicly released details of a rank-and-file strategy encouraging DSA members to take jobs and become members of certain unions in order to push them to the left, many labor leaders seemed offended. That strategy is only going to divide the labor movement, DC37 Executive Director Henry Garrido told Politico New York in 2019. Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, is also holding the DSA at an arm's length. In an August interview with City & State, he gave the organization credit for managing their media coverage well, but said that candidly, the DSA, their positions can be very controversial, citing the organizations opposition to building an Amazon headquarters in Queens. And labor unions have far more committed members than the DSA, LaBarbera noted, especially among blue-collar workers. I call them keyboard warriors, he said. Its very easy to go on Instagram and Twitter, which is a lot of what they do, through social media. We have permanent interests we dont have permanent friends or permanent enemies. 1199 SEIU Political Director Gabby Seay NYC-DSAs rank-and-file strategy is still moving forward. And DSA members understand the hesitation from labor unions to partner with them, since the organization has only recently become a political force. If unions are going to test the waters a little bit with a new ally, they should want a demonstration of credibility and strength, said Matthew Thomas, a member of NYC-DSAs Queens branch who is also communications director for Zohran Mamdani, a DSA member who defeated Assembly Member Aravella Simotas in the recent Democratic primary and is headed to win her Queens seat in November. Im hopeful that weve been able to demonstrate that over the last few cycles, and that weve been able to build enough power and credibility. The 2021 New York City elections are an obvious opportunity for such a relationship. Due to term limits and retirements, at least 35 City Council seats will be open, as well as four borough presidencies. The mayor and comptroller will also be term-limited out. NYC-DSA is expected to focus primarily on City Council seats, and any candidate with their backing will instantly become a top contender, given the organizations success in the 2020 primaries. And its not just DSA candidates. Other progressive challengers, such as Khaleel Anderson, Emily Gallagher and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, won Assembly primaries against candidates with more labor union support, thanks in part to the backing of progressive organizations, even as NYC-DSA stayed out. Lately, voters in every corner of the city seem more inclined to vote for progressive newcomers than the kind of candidate who has toiled away in establishment politics for years, building relationships with labor union decision makers. So if labor unions want to maintain their power and pick winners, they may have to start backing more socialists. One race to watch will be in City Council District 22, covering the Queens neighborhoods of Astoria and East Elmhurst, where former Queens district attorney candidate Tiffany Caban is expected to run to fill the seat being vacated by the term-limited City Council Member Costa Constantinides. Caban was backed by a progressive coalition, including the DSA, in her 2019 district attorney campaign, but was endorsed by only one union, while three of her opponents each had more than a dozen union endorsements. Caban is still a prototypical DSA candidate: a young person of color with leftist ideological purity and little experience working professionally in politics. But other candidates in the council race have the resume more typically favored by labor. Rod Townsend is the former president of the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, which often aligns with labor to back incumbents, and Nick Roloson is Constantinides chief of staff, and has worked as a political aide for a decade. Those two might be battling it out for the major unions endorsements in a typical cycle, but this time around, Caban would be entering the race as a heavy favorite. If labor unions want to win, they may have to go with Caban. That pattern could play out in districts across the city, and 2021 could be a referendum on unions electoral influence in New York City. Lately, unions are definitely getting outclassed by the Justice Democrats and DSA, former Assembly Member Michael Benjamin, who sits on the New York Post Editorial Board, told City & State. Theyre putting boots on the ground and boots on the internet. Unions insist their power isnt waning. Electeds wouldnt be seeking our support or endorsements if it didnt matter. Its self-explanatory and self-evident, said LaBarbera, adding that four candidates called him in the previous day alone. But Big Labor may want to recalibrate its strategy, because not every future winner they reject will be as conciliatory as Brisport. Milwaukee: Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Monday (Tuesday AEST) met with the family of Jacob Blake, a black man who was left paralysed after being shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August. Harris, who landed in Milwaukee on Monday for her first trip as Joe Biden's running mate, met with Blake's father, two sisters and two members of his legal team. Blake reportedly joined the conversation by phone, according to Bloomberg, as did his mother and lawyers for the family. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris. Credit:AP Blake, who remains in hospital, was shot seven times by a white police officer in Kenosha and is now paralysed. Blake's shooting sparked protests and violence in the city, including the killing of two protesters by far-right counterprotester Kyle Rittenhouse in late August. Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family of Blake, said Harris visit with the family was "inspirational and uplifting". Q: I live near the Albany Airport and often see military aircraft (Air National Guard, Air Force, and Navy based on aircraft markings) doing touch-and-go training exercises. I suspect the military uses the field because it is available and relatively close to the fields at which the planes are based. I am curious about two things. First, why come to Albany instead of using their home bases for training? Second, does the Albany airport receive any reimbursements for each touch-and-go to help cover maintenance costs for the runways? Don Porterfield, Latham A: According to Doug Myers, director of public affairs for Albany International Airport, the airport does not receive any compensation from the government for training exercises at the airport. Stratton Air Base in Schenectady, McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland all have occasion to use the airport, he said. A spokesman for Andrews said that the 89th Airlift Wing uses Albany International, along with other civilian airfields, to keep crews current and qualified. Factors including airspace restrictions, air traffic congestion and weather sometimes prevent them from using their home airfield for these exercises. A touch-and-go landing involves landing and taking off again without coming to a full stop. Q: I travel to Saugerties, Exit 20 of the New York State Thruway, from Albany quite often. At the end of the exit, just beyond the toll booths, one must either take a left or right turn. The problem is that there is no red light at the intersection, just a flashing red/yellow signal. Sometimes, trying to make the turn, one can sit at the flashing light for several minutes before there is a break in the traffic. With the construction of the overhead toll system now underway, is the Thruway Authority going to replace the flashing signal with a red-yellow-green traffic control signal? Dominick Calsolaro, Albany A: That intersection is managed by the New York State Department of Transportation. According to Glenn Blain, assistant director of communications, the DOT is assessing options for potential enhancements in light of the ongoing cashless tolling project. Clifton Park: The Clifton Park Highway Department will start a stormwater pipe replacement project the week of Sept. 8 on Berkshire Drive West between Sheffield Drive and Stratford Drive. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Prepare for possible road closures. Non-residents are asked to avoid the area. Residents may be asked to park their vehicles on the street. Work could stretch into the next week depending on the weather. CDTC: The Capital District Transportation Committee has officially adopted a new long-range transportation plan. New Visions 2050 contains planning and investment principles that will guide the development of the regions transportation as well as a financial plan. Considerations include efficiency, making cyber-security a priority, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making streets friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists. The plan was developed in conference with Capital Region communities and local, state and federal agencies. Have a question about transportation in the Capital Region? Email gettingthere@timesunion.com and include your name, town and phone number or tweet @abigail_rubel. When Megha Jain said that Gopal Narsimhamurthy is completely unlike any man I have ever met, she was speaking about the man whom she met in June 2018. He was the man who took 15 round-trip flights from Dublin, where he lived at the time, to New York, where she lived during a 14-month period of long-distance dating. Ms. Jain, a lawyer who works in employee relations at Disney in New York, was speaking about the man who so strongly believed that he and she were meant to be that he bought the apartment next to hers in Manhattans Sutton Place neighborhood for the purpose of knocking down the walls, combining them and starting a family. He was with me so often, said Ms. Jain, beginning to laugh, that people I knew were wondering if he actually had a job in Ireland. Ms. Jain and Mr. Narsimhamurthy, both 30, met at a bar in New Orleans, just after they had attended a bachelor and bachelorette party. Mutual friends had introduced them. With few exceptions, I believe that one of the most difficult things that we have to do in this life is to wait. We all understand what it means to wait because we have all done it. We have heard or seen confrontations and reactions of those who have not responded well to having to wait. We ourselves may be able to recall times or events in our own life where we have not responded well to waiting. While the responses to waiting are varied, what is the proper Christian response? Is it flying into a rage? Or throwing a tantrum? Pacing back and forth? Or maybe even twiddling our fingers? Of course not. For many, waiting is something that is tolerated. However, God has a greater purpose in our waiting. We will see that when we do it Gods way, there is great value in waiting on the Lord. God is truly desiring to work out patience in our lives. But what is our part in this? 1. The Lord Wants Us to Wait Patiently Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4). The word perseverance here indicates endurance and continuance. Thayer and Smiths Bible Dictionary defines it as the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. Is this the type of patience that we exercise? This is the type of patience that the Lord would see manifested in us. There is a surrender that is involved in this, because we have to allow patience to have its proper place in our life, with the end result being that we will be brought to spiritual maturity. Waiting patiently helps us to grow. Job was a man who exhibited this type of patience. Through his afflictions, he chose to wait on the Lord; and yes, patience is a choice. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Jobs perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (James 5:11). This verse states literally that we are counted as blessed when we endure, and the outcome of our patient endurance, even under the most strenuous circumstances, is that we will be the recipients of Gods compassion and mercy. We cannot go wrong by waiting on the Lord! Photo credit: Getty Images/Wavebreakmedia 2. The Lord Wants Us to Wait Expectantly Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lords coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains (James 5:7). To be honest, sometimes waiting on the Lord is like watching grass grow; when is it going to happen! Rather, I choose to look at waiting on the Lord like looking at an old-fashioned grandfather clock, whose hands you cannot see move, but you know they are because time is passing. God is working at all times with our best interests in mind and moving at His own pace. Here in verse seven, the word patience carries with it the idea of long-suffering. This is how many of us view waiting as a form of suffering. But this is not what James is bringing out. He is stating that there will be times where we simply have to wait for a long time! It has been said that we are living in a microwave generation (I guess now we are living in an air-fryer generation); the idea being, that we want what we want no sooner than now. But in the spiritual realm, this is not always the case. James here gives the example of the farmer who plants his seed and waits for his harvest. But how should he wait? The word wait in this verse means to look for or wait with expectation. This word is used several other times in the New Testament and give us further insight on waiting expectantly. Here a great number of disabled people used to liethe blind, the lame, the paralyzed (John 5:3). This familiar story of the disabled man by the Pool of Bethesda shows us that this man waited with expectation for the moving of the waters. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). Here, the writer of Hebrews speaks of Abraham, who looked and waited with expectation for the heavenly city. This then is the expectation we ought to have as we wait on the Lord. There is one final way in which I believe the Lord would have us to wait. 3. The Lord Wants Us to Wait Firmly Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). The fact that this verse does not speak of waiting should not deter us. It does speak of a certain frame of heart, mind, and spirit that we should possess as we live out our calling. I believe these same qualities of being firm and resolute should also be in place as we find ourselves waiting on the Lord. We should not allow anything to move us away from our expectation. There are naysayers, and scoffers, and haters who thrive on belittling your hope. David understood this. As he was running for his life from King Saul, waiting for the time when he would once again stand before the Lord in the temple with his people, we read twice: My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, Where is your God? (Psalm 42:3). My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, Where is your God? (Psalm 42:10). If we do not have a firm determination to wait on the Lord, words like these have the capacity to crush and pull from us the patient and expectant waiting on the Lord. Probably the most familiar, and defining Scripture concerning waiting on the Lord is found in Isaiah 40:31. It reads: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31). God promises us several things here: Photo credit: iBelieve Renewed Strength God will restore and refresh our strength so that we are empowered for the work that is to be done. We must remember that it is not our might, or by our own power that His will is accomplished; it is by and through His Spirit as He strengthens us. The Ability to Sour above Our Situation Mounting up with wings as eagles, gives us a Gods eye-view of our circumstance. It causes us to see things from a different perspective and prevents the difficult times from overpowering or overwhelming us. The Ability to Move Forward I believe that God always wants us to be in forward motion. We are never to retreat; we are to stand still and see what He will do, but this is not retreating; it is waiting expectantly. As we wait on Him in this way, there is nothing we cannot do. Waiting teaches us to trust Him even in the most dire conditions. We take another page from Davids songbook: Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:14). Amen! Photo credit: Getty Images/GaudiLab Out of all the live adaptations Disney created so far, the "Mulan" 2020 movie is by far the most controversial one. Before "Mulan" lead actress Liu Yifei sparked criticisms for supporting Hongkong Police, Disney expected that the remake of the 1998 animated film would be a massive hit. In addition, the fact that they have Donnie Yen, Jet Li and Gong Li undoubtedly boosted Disney's confidence about the film. However, some outlets predicted that the movie would flop due to the controversies and multiple postponements caused by the coronavirus pandemic. If they had pushed through its release on big screens though, the film would surely not enjoy the amount of attention they are receiving now due to its issues. On September 4, the "Mulan" 2020 movie finally conquered Disney+, and here are what the critics have said about the film so far: Mulan 2020 Movie "Couldn't Be More Relevant, Vital, and Alive" With its $200 million budget, "Mulan" is currently the most expensive film a female director has ever created. It is also considered as the priciest of all Disney's recent live adaptations. Fortunately, the expenses they made gave justice to Mulan's story. In a review written by Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com, she applauded the movie's wuxia-inspired aerial work and the perfectly choreographed martial arts moves and horse stunts. This breathed life to Yifei's character, showing how a woman can be a warrior, too. She also pointed out how the actress' character and story resonated with all women worldwide, making a connection to its viewers while doing the storytelling in the most impressive way. However, Lemire also pointed out the one thing Yifei lacked. "Liu's performance might have been more powerful if she'd been a bit more emotive, but the steeliness and physicality she displays make her a convincing fighter," she wrote. "Beauty and the Beast" BETTER Than "Mulan" To establish a comparison, Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair brought up the "Beauty and the Beast" remake to the table and compared it to the "Mulan" 2020 movie. Per Lawson, "Mulan" is not awful. However, it is a bland film with bland scenes, and it is more boring than "Beauty and the Beast." Other than the "Reflection" theme song, which Cristina Aguilera re-recorded, nothing seemed to be new. "The new Mulan is a sweeping action movie with lots of cool fight choreography, and yet it never musters up a sense of awe," he said. Despite its delivery of wuxia and martial arts, the film failed to deliver an exciting overall feel. "Mulan" 2020 Movie "Prioritizes Honor Over Excitement" Scott Mendelson of Forbes has been a big fan of Niki Caro's film, but he honestly said how the live adaptation failed to bring back the emotion people felt in the 1998 toon. According to Mendelson, this new film totally lacked the energy of Mulan. "It's also excessively respectful, including its share of frankly condescending platitudes, going out of its way to avoid "problematic" content," he said For a war-based film, the "Mulan" 2020 movie seemed to be patronizing its origin, choosing to offer no blood to be respectful to the theoretical Chinese audiences. READ MORE: RIP, Legends: Chadwick Boseman Reunites With Stan Lee in Tear-Jerking Fan-Made Video " " Giant dinosaurs of prehistoric days are fascinating to behold, but would we want them with us in the modern world? Matthew Lloyd/ Getty Images You're ready to leave work for the day, but before you do, you need to check the traffic report. The concrete jungle doesn't just come populated with predatory drivers these days; dinosaurs were recently resurrected and boy, have they thrived. Just last week, a Tyrannosaurus rex took it into his head to stampede during rush hour, kicking buses and taking bites out of some of the smaller cars that crossed his path. If he's still roaming along your regular commute, you'll plan another route. OK, let's back up a bit since that scenario is a little far-fetched. How about we consider the question: What if dinosaurs were alive today? Well, technically, many scientists would argue that dinosaurs are alive in modern times. In fact, you probably see them every day since birds are descended from dinosaurs. Minuscule avians like flittering hummingbirds might make a disappointing sight if it was the mighty reptilians of the prehistoric age you were hoping for, but that's what evolution and extinction events have dictated. Advertisement But back to our scenario: Researchers have toyed with the idea of recovering preserved DNA and cloning long-dead dinos, a la "Jurassic Park," but it's a challenging proposition. In Japan, efforts are under way to try to clone a woolly mammoth -- extinct only some 8,000 years -- and even that project is proving prickly [source: Macrae]. Most dinosaur species haven't walked the Earth in about 65 million years, so the chances of finding DNA fragments that are robust enough to resurrect are slim. Not to mention the many other mile-high procedural obstacles in the way. Going back to a "Jurassic Park" scenario, let's say scientists recovered a bloodsucking insect locked in amber dating from a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The potential for cross-contamination both from the entrapped insect itself (which, after all, would likely contain gut flora and the blood of other victims) or from modern organisms the specimen had come into contact with, means very little suitable dinosaur DNA would likely be recovered. If a specimen were cracked open -- assuming it hadn't rotted hollow -- it would be incredibly trying to distinguish the sources of any DNA it contained. So, chances aren't great we'll ever need to worry whether roaming herds of theropods will disrupt our rush-hour commutes. Or even get to marvel in wonder at specimens concocted in labs occupying prime zoo real estate. After all, if dinosaurs were alive today, their immune systems would probably be ill-equipped to handle our modern panoply of bacteria, fungi and viruses. The chasm is just too large to make that a likely possibility. On the next page, we'll explore a thornier side of the question: What if dinosaurs hadn't been almost universally wiped out some 65 million years ago when the Chicxulub meteor hit? Would they still be around today? Would we? A resurgence of coronavirus is taking place across Europe due to the decision to reopen its economies. Across the continent, governments prematurely ended national lockdowns from as early as May. By the end of July, the number of dead in Europe from COVID-19 passed 200,000. In the weeks since it has climbed to almost 210,000. Total cases now stand at 3,797,904, with around 30,000 new cases being recorded daily. On Friday 35,223 cases were announced across Europe; 29,348 on Saturday. On Sunday, a further 26,021 cases were registered. Last week, Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, warned that the virus was starting to infect as many people as it did when the pandemic started to spread exponentially in March. The virus did not sleep during the summer. It was not on holiday, Ammon told Members of the European Parliament. New data showed that 46 people per 100,000 were infected in Europe. We almost went back to the numbers we saw in March, She noted that by the end of March, the number infected had reached around 40 infected per 100,000. This shot up by the end of April to around 70 infected per 100,000. In some parts of the continent, the infection rate is far higher already than it was in late April. The Dubrovnik Times reported of Ammons statement, The figures, relating to the 27 EU member states, Britain, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, vary widely from country to country, from two infected to 176 per 100,000 people, she said, without specifying the countries in question. Central to the ruling elites opening their economies is the return of tens of millions of pupils to class, so their parents can be forced back to work to create profits for the corporations. On Friday, France, Spain, Italy and Britain all reported the highest numbers of coronavirus cases since the height of the pandemic in the spring, when the world was shocked by scenes of mass deaths and hospitals unable to cope with the rapid spread of the virus. In France, according to data released by the Directorate General of Health on Saturday, 8,550 new COVID-19 cases had been identified since Friday. This was roughly the same level as the day before (8,975 cases). On Sunday, another 7,071 cases were recorded, with Public Health France noting, In mainland France, the progression of viral circulation is exponential. A rapid and sustained transmission of the virus is taking place across approximately one-quarter of Frances territory, including all the largest cities: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. According to lepoint, 53 new clusters of the virus have been detected out of 484 already identified, including 208 in nursing homes. Seven new local regional districts have been moved into the COVID-19 red zone category, bringing to 28 the number of districts where enhanced measures to prevent the spread of the virus can be adopted. As 12 million children return to school in France, 22 schools have already been shut down due to COVID-19 infections (12 in mainland France and 10 schools in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion). Spain, with 517,133 cases, has the most per capita of any European state. Another 4,503 cases were announced on Fridaythe highest level in four months. The 184 deaths registered the same day took its official death rate to almost 30,000. The Madrid region is among the epicentres of the pandemic, with around a third of Spains 96,000 infections recorded there over the past fortnight. In the UK, almost 3,000 new cases (2,988) were recorded on Sunday. This was the biggest leap in cases since May 23 and a substantial rise on Saturdays figure of 1,813 infections. Total cases stand at 344,164. The death toll, according to the official figures, stands at 41,549, the fifth highest of any country in the world. These figures are highly manipulated as thousands more have died according to statistical analysis based on excess deaths. Those country with higher death tolls (the US, India, Brazil and Mexico) all have significantly larger populations than Britain. The Johnson Conservative government, which declared in favour of a herd immunity policy at the outset of the pandemic, fully ended the national lockdown from July 4. Such is the rampant spread of COVID-19 since then that a large area of northern England, as well as the city of Glasgow, and the regions of West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire in Scotland are under local lockdowns. From August 11, over 10 million pupils and 1.5 million education staff returned to classrooms in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales. By Sunday, this homicidal policy had already resulted in coronavirus infections in at least 140 schools. In Italy, where 35,534 have died of COVID-19, the number of daily cases is edging towards 2,000. Last week, former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was hospitalized in Milan after testing positive for COVID-19. During the first week of September, intensive care hospital admissions for COVIDa key figure, both for hospital capacity and for the likely future virus death tollrose by 62 percent nationally, with 1,733 new cases. A report published by Italys evidence-based medicine foundation, GIMBE, said these statistics are a key indication that the epidemic has returned to Italy on the eve of the crucial moment of the reopening of schools. In the face of the resurgence, Franco Locatelli, president of Italys Higher Health Council and a member of the governments technical scientific committee, declared, We will reopen the schools at any cost. A survey by Save the Children found that seven out of 10 parents are worried about the consequences of sending their children back to school. Italys health minister Roberto Speranza, who participated in a World Health Organization video conference with 53 countries on August 31, tweeted, Right to health and right to education must go together. Today, representing Italy, I promoted a conference with WHO on the safe reopening of schools. This is the real priority for the coming weeks in all countries of the world. In Rome, St. Georges School delayed opening due to the high number of reported coronavirus cases within the school community, and Marymount school was forced to close, and go online instead, after 60 of their students and staff had to be quarantined because of a massive outbreak on campus. In Germany, health authorities reported 988 new infections in one day, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) early Sunday morning. Experience has shown that on Sundays the reported case numbers are often lower because not all health authorities transmit data to the RKI over the weekend. On Sunday, the district of Oldenburg in Lower Saxony reported another coronavirus outbreak involving 14 people in a meat processing plant in Hatten. New infections of students and teachers are reported daily in states that already went back to school. In Essen, the second largest city of the Ruhr, new cases were reported at two schoolsat Bockmuhle Comprehensive and Bertha Krupp Secondary school. In Winterhude, in Hamburg, eight classes were sent into quarantine after new cases. Since the return to school 106 students or teachers have tested positive. Schools are set to reopen in Bavaria, the second most populous German state where infection rates are among the highest. With its recent surge in new cases and deaths, Russia has now passed 1 million cases and has 17,820 fatalities. Over 15,000 cases and almost 300 deaths were recorded in just the three days since Friday. On Saturday, 798 cases were recorded in the Czech Republic, as Hungary reported a record 510 new cases. Slovakia, which has a population of just 5.4 million and total cases of 4,526, reported a record spike of 226 cases Saturdaythe highest one-day rise since the start of the pandemic. 5 Injured, Including 6-Year-Old Boy, in New York City Shooting: Police A 6-year-old boy and four others were injured in a shooting at a street party in New York City early on Monday morning, officials said. What we have right now is she was getting out of a cab with her son and then two individuals pulled out firearms and started shooting and they were both struck, NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison told the New York Post. Authorities said the shooting occurred in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, near an outdoor JOuvert celebration. Its a large street party as part of Carnival in many Caribbean islands. Two men, who were not named, were arrested, officials said. At tonights senseless shooting in Brooklyn where five people were shot, officers also arrested two menand recovered two guns. The investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing, added Chief Terence Monahan. Officials said the boy was shot in the leg, and a 47-year-old woman and three men suffered gunshot wounds. None of the injuries are considered life-threatening, police said, according to CBS News. Police told the network that its not clear if the shooting was connected to the JOuvert celebration. Officials told Channel 4 News that the young boys mother was the woman who was shot. Only reason she was over here was because her daughter wasnt answering the phone. After she spoke to her daughter, they were walking right here, and thats when three shots went off, a witness said. I saw the little boy on the floor full of blood, and I ran. President Donald Trump appeared to weigh in on the incident. Rochester N.Y., Brooklyn N.Y., Portland All had bad nights, all weakly run by Radical Left Democrat Governors and Mayors! Get the picture? he wrote on Twitter. Ozlem Warren, International cookery teacher and the author of Ozlems Turkish Table cookery book, is delighted to be visiting Gurus Place Cookery School in Kalkan, on Friday, October 16th, at 9.45am 2pm, to co-teach hands-on cookery classes, with owner Huseyin Kayr. We will cook together delicious Turkish recipes from Ozlems Turkish Table cookery book after which, we will all sit down and enjoy our cooking, with a glass of wine. Ozlem will be teaching southern Turkish specialties from her cookery book. Details: Date: Friday, October 16th, 9.45am 2 pm Place: Gurus Place Cookery School, Kalkan Turkey Menu: Mucver Courgette fritters with cheese, onion and dill (and its baked version) Baked mini meatballs in tomato and pepper sauce Bulgur pilaff with sauteed aubergines and freekeh Antakyas flat breads with cheese and zaatar Biberli Ekmek Revani zesty semolina sponge cake Turkish coffee and tea Cost per person: 50 GBP (Glass of wine, recipe packs and ingredients included in the price.) Deposit payment of 20 GBP is requested upon registration. Also, signed copies of Gourmand award winning Ozlems Turkish Table cookery book is available during the class (cost per book is 25 GBP or TL equivalent). If youd like to join the classes, please contact: Gurus Place Cookery School at gurusplace@hotmail.com Call Huseyin Kayr on 00 90 536 331 1016. As always, your wellbeing is a priority and social distancing and safety measures will be observed. Ozlem and Gurus Place Cookery School cant wait to welcome you with Turkish hospitality, please book soon as spaces are limited. For decades, Pakistan has struggled with an insurgency in Balochistan, its largest but least populated province endowed with abundant natural resources. Unlike its other provinces, the local militants in Balochistan have rarely been inspired by radical or extremist Islam, and their demands have had more to do with enhanced autonomy for the region and a greater say in the exploitation of natural resources such as gas and minerals. It is, therefore, curious that the Pakistan armys deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme for ethnic Baloch militants who have surrendered lays so much emphasis on Islam. Almost a fifth of the programme is devoted to a religio-patriotism module, including lectures by speakers such as local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, which is not known for espousing a progressive or moderate form of Islam. The Jamaat-e-Islami is known for its long-standing links with the Pakistani military and extremist and jihadi groups, which were strengthened during the days of the jihad in Afghanistan against Soviet forces. The deradicalisation plan is also unusual in that it strives to virtually replace the ethnic identity of the surrendered Baloch militants with one that suits the ends of the Pakistani military. In that regard, the similarity between the Pakistan armys programme in Balochistan and Chinas so-called re-education camps for Uighurs in the Xinjiang region is startling. Other Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia have sought to use similar deradicalisation programmes to wean militants and terrorists away from hardline and extremist groups, with varying degrees of success. Very few, however, would have had training modules where the former militants would be taught about jihad as part of the concept of patriotism. Pakistan has for long sought to blame India of fishing in the troubled waters of Balochistan, without any evidence whatsoever. The problems in Balochistan are of Pakistans own making, ranging from a complete lack of sympathy for the genuine demands of the Baloch people to the rampant exploitation of the regions natural resources, including for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Addressing the real issues affecting the Baloch people and stopping what human rights activists have described as the kill and dump policy of security and intelligence agencies could be much more effective than such a misguided deradicalisation programme. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON - Ex-BBNaija housemate Ka3na was recently in Port Harcourt for her homecoming event - The reality star was given a queens welcome as dedicated fans awaited her at the airport - Photos and videos have surfaced on social media PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! Ex-Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) housemate Ka3na aka Boss Lady finally headed back to Port Harcourt weeks after getting evicted from the BBNaija house and it was indeed a grand event. The reality star had spent the past few days announcing her homecoming event on social media and fans really turned up to welcome her home. Ka3na was given a queens welcome as a lot of fans who had been waiting to finally meet her were all at the airport to receive her. The ex-Lockdown housemate was presented with flower bouquets and some other gifts from dedicated fans. One of the videos that surfaced on social media captured an overwhelmed Ka3na falling on her knees as she revelled in the beautiful moment. Some other photos also captured Ka3na exchanging warm hugs with some of her fans that took out time to give her deserving welcome to PH. Check them out below: PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app BBNaija's Ka3na and fans. Photo: Instagram/@official_ka3na/@kotlandgroup Source: Instagram In what seemed like an appreciation post for an event that went well, Ka3na returned to her Instagram page noting that she is thankful for her new life. The single mum of one said: "I may not be where I need to be but I thank God I am miles away from the past...Changing the narratives." See the post below: PAY ATTENTION: Do you have news to share? Contact Legit.ng instantly Before her arrival in PH, the reality star had taken to her Instagram page to let fans know that she would be travelling in a private jet. Ka3na was spotted looking stylish in a two-piece red suit as she posed inside the aircraft. Still in a related BBNaija story, Legit.ng previously reported that Ka3na and Lilo became the first set of female housemates to be evicted from the fifth season of the BBNaija show. The ladies were evicted after spending just two weeks in Big Brother's house. Ka3na and Lilo showed up among housemates with least votes from fans and they were both voted out by fellow contestants. BBNaija: Praise is a very sexxy man - Ka3na declares | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng A new export tax rule in Russia could cost domestic exporters of fuel oil as much as US$1 billion in missed sales every year, Reuters has estimated. Russia is set to enact as of September 14 a new rule on the taxation of fuel oil exports aimed at bringing in additional revenues for the state at a time when oil prices and oil demand took a hit with the pandemic. The new rule would close a loophole that companies have so far used to avoid paying export duty on fuel oil and other heavy oil products by passing off those products as duty-free export products. According to Reuters estimates, based on Russian customs data, Russian firms could have earned a total of additional US$1 billion from their exports last year if they passed the products off as duty-free exports. Russia is looking to raise more revenues for its budget via the oil and gas industryits key export responsible for contributing a large part of the states income. Currently, Russias economy is suffering the consequences of the oil price crash that it helped to create after the temporary rift with its OPEC+ partner Saudi Arabia in March. The oil price crash, along with the coronavirus-driven global recession, will result in Russias economy shrinking this year by 6 percent, or by the most in 11 years, the World Bank said in its latest economic report on Russia in July. Meanwhile, Russias exports of petroleum products to the United States more than doubled in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year, reaching their highest levels since at least 2004, according to Russian customs data. The U.S. was Russias second-largest buyer of oil productsaccounting for 12 percent of Russias petroleum products exportsafter the Netherlands, which accounted for 16.3 percent of all oil product exports, the customs data showed. The U.S. has been raising its imports of fuel oil from Russia over the past year and a half after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuelas exports, Reuters reported in July, quoting data from Refinitiv Eikon. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad President Ilham Aliyev has viewed renovation work at school No.251 and attended the opening ceremony of the new school building in Bakus Nizami district, Azertag reported on September 7. Head of State was informed about the conditions created in the school. The school has been functioning since 1974, and enrolls about 1,700 pupils. Meanwhile, about 100 teachers are taking part in the education process. Some 840 pupils are studying in the new building. The school has chemistry, physic and biology laboratories, 35 study rooms, library, reading room and utility rooms. All rooms are equipped with electronic devices and projectors. The schools pupils are distinguished for their success and have won competitions in Romania and Turkey. Residents of the multi-storey buildings adjacent to the school greeted the head of state from the balconies of their apartments. Thus, complete renovation of the infrastructure of another school No.251 is another manifestation of attention and care to the development of education in Azerbaijan. Five people have been spared execution by a Saudi Arabian court over the murder of journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi, after his family said they did not seek the death penalty. The 59-year-old columnist for The Washington Post was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018 after writing articles critical of Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. Now Riyadhs criminal court has handed down rulings for eight Saudi nationals implicated in the killing, with five due to serve a maximum sentence of 20 years after Khashoggis family asked for their death penalties to be commuted. The three others saw their sentences spanning between seven and 10 years upheld by the court. Saudi state television aired few details about the final verdicts, and did not make public the names of those sentenced. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The trial has been criticised by human rights organisations and an independent UN investigator, who noted that no senior officials, nor those suspected of having orchestrated the killing, had been found guilty. "Under international human rights law, the killing of Mr Khashoggi was an extrajudicial execution for which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should be held responsible," the UNs Agnes Callamard said. "This case demands an investigation into the chain of command to identify the masterminds, as well as those who incited, allowed or turned a blind eye to the murder, such as the crown prince." At the time of his killing, Khashoggi had been living in exile in the US amid a crackdown in his home country on human rights activists, writers and critics of Saudi Arabias military involvement in Yemen. A forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers, and individuals who worked for the crown prince's office have all been implicated in the killing. However, the crown prince himself has denied any knowledge of the operation. Additional reporting by agencies (CNN) Nearly two-thirds of New York restaurants could be out of business as soon as January without some sort of additional government aid, according to a new study. Restaurants across the Empire State have been struggling to stay in business since the coronavirus pandemic forced them to shut down in March. On Thursday, the New York State Restaurant Association released the findings from its latest survey of more than 1,000 restaurateurs across the state. Nearly 64% of restaurant owners said they are likely or somewhat likely to close by the end of this year unless they receive financial relief. And about 55% of those who are likely to close said they expect to shut down before November. Only about 36% said they expect to still be in business by January. "It is painfully clear that without financial assistance, the restaurant industry in New York State could collapse," the association's president, Melissa Fleischut, said. "These recent survey results illustrate just how dire the financial situation has become for most restaurants, and it shows how critical it is that elected officials understand the urgency of the situation." In New York City, the situation has been particularly dire. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has maintained an order barring restaurants in the Big Apple from allowing indoor seating. The order is designed to limit the resurgence of Covid-19, but Cuomo has allowed restaurants outside the five boroughs to seat customers at a limited capacity. New York City restaurateurs like Jason Birchard, 53, co-owner of Veselka, a Ukrainian restaurant in Manhattan, say the restrictions on indoor seating are killing their business. "We would find it very difficult to survive past January," Birchard told CNN Business. "I'm doing the best I can right now." This story was first published on CNN.com Nearly two-thirds of New York restaurants may have to close by January Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will not conduct coronavirus clinical trials in the Philippines but the Philippine government will continue negotiations with the manufacturer and other vaccine makers, a Department of Health official said Monday, Nagbigay sila ng information na hindi sila gagawa ng clinical trial sa Philippines because they are well advanced already with their Phase 3 clinical trials. Baka end of October tapos na ang kanilang clinical trial, Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters in a media forum. [Translation: They have given us information that they would not hold clinical trials in the Philippines They might be finished with Phase 3 of the clinical trials by the end of October.] Phase 3 of the clinical trial is the critical stage is where thousands of patients have to be inoculated with the vaccine to test its safety and efficacy. It is also usually the final step before approval for mass rollout. Vergeire said they talked to Pfizer on Friday about a possible product supply deal, but they made made "no commitment" and did not place an advanced order as they need to follow the procurement law. She said they will also finalize a confidentiality disclosure agreement or CDA with the vaccine maker. She stressed the CDA is a safeguard measure for both parties, and that it is vital to secure sensitive data being exchanged with others. Other vaccine talks The official said they are also coming up with a CDA with US-based firm Moderna, which is also working on a potential vaccine against the coronavirus. Authorities from the Philippines are also set to meet with biotechnology company CSL Ltd. and the University of Queensland in Australia even if they are still in the early stage of coronavirus vaccine development. Meanwhile, the country vaccine expert panel has sought clarifications regarding the documents submitted by developers of Russias coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V. The documents shared with the Philippine government contain the findings of Phase 1 and 2 of the clinical trials of Sputnik V. Officials are awaiting the response of manufacturer Gamaleya research institute, Vergeire added. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier confirmed the Philippines will join the Phase 3 of the Sputnik V, which will be fully funded by Russia. Around 1,000 people will be randomly selected from areas with high COVID-19 transmission to join the medical experiment. READ: 1,000 Filipinos to join Russia vaccine clinical trial THE African National Congress (ANC) delegation led by secretary-general Cde Ace Magashule is expected in the country today for bilateral engagements with their Zanu PF counterparts. This comes as the two parties are strengthening cooperation in the wake of a renewed onslaught against former liberation movements by Western powers, who are working with opposition parties in the region, some churches and a select media to manufacture a non-existent crisis in Zimbabwe. Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu yesterday said the two parties will exchange notes on economic and political cooperation. I can confirm that all is set for the Zanu PF-ANC talks. We have been briefed that our revolutionary counterpart the ANC is sending its top brass ahead of the indaba scheduled for this Wednesday. Considering that this whole crisis narrative constitutes a peripheral concern, we are certain that obvious rationality will shift our discussion focus to other more important issues, he said. The more pressing details that the two parties are likely to spend time deliberating on are centred on the political threats posed by the two countries detractors as well as economic cooperation. As political parties unified by the permanent effects of colonial infiltration, in our respective national interests, we ought to emerge from this dialogue more ideologically clear to create firm buffers against existential shocks exerted on us by forces working in the interest of fragmenting African liberation movements. An obviously foreseen resolution will be our heightened inter-party solidarities aimed at building a strong foundation for African solutions for African problems in the region. However, in this instance we have no problem to tackle at length considering that the crisis alarm is not founded on what is prevailing on the ground, he said. The dialogue, Cde Mpofu said, comes at an opportune time considering the favourable policy environment recently enabled by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) pact. As ZANU PF, this dialogue is beyond politics, this dialogue is set to strengthen our bilateral ties in making the SADC an optimal hub for extensive investment opportunities. We have more to fight for on the economic solidarity front than anything else. So our agenda will be predicated on real issues and nothing else, he said. Dr Mpofu added: In essence this is an opportunity for our liberation sisterhood as ZANU PF and the ANC to be concretised in the service of a plethora of genuine concerns affecting both ZANU PF and the ANC. South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mphakama Mbete also confirmed the arrival of the ANC delegation. I can confirm that the ANC nine-member delegation will arrive in Zimbabwe today, but I dont have the exact time, he said. War veterans chairman Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa weighed in saying their association is behind the dialogue between the two sister revolutionary parties. The two revolutionary parties were born out of the protracted liberation struggle. We shared the same trenches during the liberation struggle. XIAMEN, China, Sept. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A Philippine delegation will open the prestigious Guest of Honour Pavilion at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) today, ready to show China and the world its capabilities as a leading foreign direct investment destination for businesses ready to expand within Asia. China and ASEAN investors attending the Fair will also experience the first unveiling of the Philippines' new international investment brand "Make It Happen In The Philippines" the Philippines' first sustained and unified multi-sector, multi-market campaign designed to drive foreign investment leads. Developed and tested among international investors in the biggest Asian economy, China, as well as among the world's largest consumer markets including the US and UK, the new investment brand and fully-integrated marketing campaign will become the Philippines' uniform corporate identity for foreign direct investment. Promoting the market's resilience, adaptability and positive 'make it work' mindset, the 'Make It Happen In The Philippines' investment brand will be brought to life at CIFIT with bespoke content, marketing brochures and a selfie wall. Investors will be able to experience the new brand and the scale of the Philippines' economic growth success story by visiting www.philippines.business through monitors and laptops on the stand. The Philippines' successful growth has been driven in part by its strength, capacity and capability in leading sectors including electronics manufacturing (valued at $37 billion in 2018), automotive, aerospace, IT and health, attracting a host of global businesses such as Siemens AG, Mitsubishi, Lufthansa which are already established in market. Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Philippine Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) said: "We are delighted that the Organizing Committee of CIFIT has bestowed us with the unprecedented accolade of Guest of Honour for two consecutive years, a testament to our success as a leading foreign investment destination within the ASEAN marketplace. He continues, "The Philippines continues to be a vital place to do business in the world and is recognized as one of Asia's leading economies and fastest-growing emerging markets. With the current health crisis affecting the world economy, we have acted swiftly with a range of incentives and measures to maintain ease of doing business and mitigating the impact of Covid-19 for businesses. We look forward to sharing our "Make It Happen" story and partnering with the world's investors at CIFIT 2020 and beyond." Foreign direct investment plays an essential role in the Philippines' economy, bringing billions to its economy annually and creating vital jobs: Philippine FDI increased by 40 per cent in the three year period to 2019 in comparison to the previous three years.1 The "Make It Happen In The Philippines" investment brand and supporting promotional program highlights the adaptability of the Philippine mindset which is vital amid the global pandemic. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund both forecast a V-shaped recovery, rebounding as much as between 6.2 to 6.8 per cent made possible by the market's competitive advantages such as a young and upbeat workforce, English proficiency and service-oriented work ethic as well as its strategic geolocation at the heart of Southeast Asia, its rapid development of IT parks and economic zones and its focus on sustainable economic development through infrastructure. For more information on the 'Make It Happen In The Philippines' investment brand, investment activities and prospects in the Philippines, investors are invited to visit the new multilingual digital promotional platform and speak to the Board of Investments at www.philippines.business About the Philippine Board of Investments: The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is the lead government agency responsible for the promotion of investments in the Philippines. Taking the lead in the promotion of investments, BOI assists Filipino and foreign investors to venture and prosper in desirable areas of economic activities. The BOI is a one-stop shop in doing business in the Philippines. To find out more about investment opportunities in the Philippines, visit www.philippines.business 1 Source: World Bank. SOURCE The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Los Angeles, United States Mon, September 7, 2020 16:00 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4339908 2 World california,fire,party Free A firework at a gender reveal party triggered a wildfire in southern California that has destroyed 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) and forced many residents to flee their homes, the fire department said Sunday. More than 500 firefighters and four helicopters were battling the El Dorado blaze east of San Bernardino, which started Saturday morning, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said. Residents of several communities in the area have been ordered to evacuate. "CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the El Dorado Fire, burning near Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, was caused by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party," Cal Fire said on Twitter. "Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible," it warned. Gender reveal parties are held during pregnancy to unveil the sex of the expected child, sometimes announced by pink or blue smoke fireworks. California has been baking under scorching conditions with temperatures reaching a record 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49 Celsius) on Sunday in Woodland Hills, an all-time high for Los Angeles county, the National Weather Service said. With the hot and dry conditions, California has suffered a particularly busy fire season this year, with more than 1.6 million acres destroyed so far, including in three of the biggest blazes in the state's history. In northern California, more than 200 people were airlifted to safety over the weekend after a fast-moving wildfire trapped them near the Mammoth Pool Reservoir northeast of Fresno. They were rescued by military helicopters, with dozens packed into a Chinook, a photograph posted by the California National Guard showed. The Creek Fire, which started on Friday in steep and rugged terrain, has so far spread to 73,000 acres, according to the US Forest Service, making it one of the largest. More than 800 firefighters were battling the blaze. Another rapidly-spreading fire near San Diego, Valley Fire, has so far spread to 10,000 acres and destroyed 11 structures, Cal Fire said. California governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday declared a state of emergency for five counties affected by the Creek, El Dorado and Valley fires. "The fires have burned tens of thousands of acres, destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of thousands of residents," the governor's office said. Record temperatures over the three-day Labor Day weekend have aggravated already dangerous fire conditions and further stressed exhausted California firefighters. Topics : california fire party Three males, ages 17, 31 and 44, and one woman, age 25, were hit, Jara said. The 44-year-old man was taken to South Shore Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the right foot and the others were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center. He weighed in on the importance of teacher's amid the coronavirus pandemic on his first ever Instagram Live show late last month. And Brian Austin Green put his money where his mouth was when he purchased a preschool teacher's entire Amazon wishlist of extra school supplies. The 47-year-old Beverly Hills, 90210 star did the charitable deed after he was contacted by Amy Hoffman, a preschool teacher from Collingswood, New Jersey, according to TMZ. Good Samaritan: Brian Austin Green, 47, did a good deed by paying off a preschool teacher's entire Amazon wishlist of school supplies after she tagged him in a social media post; shown November 2019 Hoffman told the outlet that she was catching up on Brian's inaugural Instagram Live show from August 29, which ran for almost 40 minutes. In the final few minutes, the actor updated his fans on the schooling situation for his four children while also saluting teachers who were skilled enough to 'trick' uninterested youngsters into learning. Hoffman was inspired by Green's words about teachers, so she tagged him on social media and linked to her Amazon wishlist, which was filled with close to $500 in school supplies. To her delight, the TV star bought everything on her list for her the same she tagged him. Stirred up: Amy Hoffman, a preschool teacher from Collingswood, New Jersey, was inspired by Green's Instagram Live video from last month when he mentioned the importance of teachers One and done: Hoffman, who only gets a $250 budget from the school, needed extra supplies due to the pandemic, and Green bought them all on the same day she linked to her wishlist; shown in February According to Hoffman, teachers are on the hook for more school supplies than ever due to the coronavirus pandemic, as its no longer safe for children to share most supplies, such as crayons and pencils. She normally has a school supply budget of around $250, which doesn't cut it for the 15 students she usually teaches. Like most teachers throughout the US, Hoffman normally has to shell out plenty of her own money to give her students a better learning experience. The preschool teacher also shared a photo of the gift receipt included with her order, which featured the standard 'Enjoy your gift!' message and was addressed from 'brian green.' Relationship turmoil: Brian's charitable deed came following his split with his estranged wife Megan Fox, 34, who moved on with rapper Machine Gun Kelly less than a month later; shown together in December 2019 Brian's charitable deed comes following his separation from his estranged wife Megan Fox, 34. Earlier in his first Instagram Live video from last month, the Anger Management actor said he would 'never say never' about the possibility of a reconciliation. 'I kinda feel like people are on paths in life and sometimes your paths are together and you travel that path together, and you see eye to eye and then sometimes those paths do different things,' he explained. 'We shared a lot together and we really went through a lot together,' he added of Fox, who started dating Machine Gun Kelly less than a month after their split. 'At some point I think our paths will regulate a bit and run parallel to each other.' Leaving it open: Earlier in his first Instagram Live video from last month, the Anger Management actor said he would 'never say never' about the possibility of a reconciliation He continued: 'Im on my path doing what I feel I need to do to be happy and its not for a lack of love for the kids or lack of being responsible, its really important to take care of yourself. 'Its important for us as parents to take care of ourselves. I wish her all the best and I wish myself the best as well,' he said. When asked about his opinion on the 30-year-old Bad Things rapper, Green said that he had 'never met him.' External affairs minister S Jaishankar will make a stopover in Tehran to meet his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on Tuesday afternoon on his way to Russia for a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), people familiar with developments said on Monday. Jaishankar will be the second senior Indian minister to visit Iran in less than a week, with defence minister Rajnath Singh having made a stopover in Tehran on Sunday for talks with his Iranian counterpart Brig Gen Amir Hatami that focused on bilateral cooperation and regional security issues. The two foreign ministers are expected to meet on Tuesday afternoon to review bilateral ties and the regional situation, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. There was no official word on the stopover in Tehran from the external affairs ministry. The back-to-back visits to Tehran by the Indian cabinet ministers come close on the heels of reports that China and Iran are close to an agreement for a 25-year strategic partnership in trade, politics and security. They also come at a time when Indian is attempting to work more closely with Iran to increase the economic viability of the strategic Chabahar port. The evolving situation in Afghanistan, where an intra-Afghan dialogue is set to get underway, is also expected to figure in the talks between Jaishankar and Zarif. Jaishankar last visited Iran in December 2019 and had spoken to Zarif in April. This will be his first visit abroad since foreign travel by ministers was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides participating in the SCO foreign ministers meeting in Moscow on September 10, Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with some counterparts. However, most of the focus will be on his expected meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. Jaishankar told an online event on Monday that his position for this meeting will be built around certain principles, including how peace and tranquillity on the border with China over the past 30 years has allowed the rest of the bilateral relationship to progress. He also said the standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) cannot be delinked from the overall bilateral relationship. The Indian Army has already sent a hotline message to the counterpart PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh The Indian Army has begun efforts to secure the release of five villagers from Arunachal Pradesh who were reportedly abducted by the Peoples Liberation Army of China from Sera-7 area below the McMahon Line in Upper Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh. Disclosing that the Indian Army has made contact at the commander level and sent a hotline message to its counterpart in Eastern frontier of Arunachal Pradesh, sources said that local villagers have been assured that no stone will be left unturned to secure their release. But reports quoting state-run Global Times quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian as saying, "Chinas position on the eastern section of the China and India boundary and Chinas southern Tibet is consistent and clear. We have never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established on the Chinese territory. He also refuses to give details on five civilians who were abducted by the Chinese Army from Arunachal Pradesh. "We have no details to release yet about the question on Indian army sending a message to PLA about five missing Indians in the region," he said. The five youth, who have been missing since September 3, were part of a group of porters who carried supplies for the Army through an area without a motor-able road or mobile connectivity. Union minister Kiren Rijiju had on Sunday announced that the Indian Army has sent a hotline message to the Chinese Army and a response was awaited. The Indian Army has already sent a hotline message to the counterpart PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh. Response is awaited, said Mr Rijiju. Kento Danggen, the deputy commissioner of Upper Subansiri district, told this newspaper that they dispatched a police team from the headquarters town of Daporijo to Nacho, about 120 km north, for an investigation but it will take some time for them to reach the frontier villages. Parents of the abducted youth have expressed confidence in the Indian Army. We have very strong bonding with our Indian Army. They are always there to help us in our challenging days. We have been assured by local Army officers that they are trying to rescue the youths, a villager said. There must be times in Australias history when people look at the nations economic experts and wonder if they have any idea what theyre doing. Today, the boots on the other foot: people who care about our economic future are wondering what game the nations defence and foreign affairs experts think theyre playing. The concern of many business people and others has been most eloquently expressed by Dr John Edwards, former Reserve Bank board member, in a paper for the Lowy Institute. Hes in complete agreement with Scott Morrisons assertion last year that even during an era of great-power competition, Australia does not have to choose between the United States and China. Wang Xining, deputy head of mission at the Chinese embassy in Australia, has criticised Australia for failing to consult China before calling for an inquiry into the origins of coronavirus. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Edwards says Australia made its choices long ago, and is now locked into them. It chose its region, including its largest member, China, as the economic community to which it inescapably belongs. It also long ago chose the US as a defence ally to support Australias territorial independence and freedom of action. There is a good deal of tension between these two choices, but no possibility that either will change, he says. Like many other enduring foreign policy problems, it cannot be resolved. It must instead be managed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: As reported earlier, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today accepted the credentials of the newly-appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the country Seyyed Abbas Mousavi. Trend presents some excerpts from the remarks of President Aliyev at the meeting. Azerbaijan contributes to the strengthening of Islamic solidarity and makes a great effort, President Aliyev added. Azerbaijan is always ready to make additional effort to unite the Islamic world and resolve the problems between some countries. At the same time, our countries are actively involved in trilateral cooperation formats in foreign policy, the Azerbaijani president said. The Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkey and Azerbaijan-Iran-Russia trilateral cooperation format has existed for several years, and this format is very effective. The relations between neighboring countries and the development of these relations are a guarantor of stability and peace in the region, President Aliyev said. The fact that the legal status of the Caspian Sea has finally been resolved shows the intention of all the Caspian littoral states, our policy, and the friendship among these countries. Photograph: John G Mabanglo/EPA Susana de SantAnna hasnt been able to take a full breath of air since about June 2015. That was when she was hospitalized in San Francisco with severe sepsis, complicated by Lemierres syndrome a rare infectious disease - and an abscess of the left lung. She underwent two lung surgeries, and in the two years it took her to recover, she burned through all her savings and became homeless. SantAnna has spent the last five years bouncing between shelters, transitional housing and friends couches. Now, with wildfire smoke choking the city, fog for weeks on end and the lingering threat of a virus that affects the lungs, she spends her days hiding in a hotel room paid for by donations that she stretches by cutting back on food, knowing that just one breath of the smoky air outside could set her recovery back. Theyre saying people like me with vulnerabilities need to be in a safe place, but I dont have a home, SantAnna said. Now I have two hazards to face. Related: What is California's wildfire smoke doing to our health? Scientists paint a bleak picture Tens of thousands of Californians across the state have found themselves in circumstances similar to SantAnna: unhoused or housing-insecure amid a pandemic, struggling to breathe in a region cloaked in smoke. North of Los Angeles, the Lake fire has been burning in Angeles national forest since 12 August, tearing through 31,089 acres. Mid-August lightning storms ignited more than 900 wildfires in the north of the state that together have burnt through more than 1.5m acres (2,344 sq miles) and killed eight. Though their encampment sits 50 miles south of the Lake fire, the ash that rained down upon 48-year-old Brooke Carillo and her community was so heavy that it weighed down their tents. The ash weighs down your tent. It makes things warmer in your cooler Brooke Carillo It looked like little flakes of snow, she said. Living on the street, we get a lot of dust and dirt and soot already. It wasnt the smoke that bothered us so much as it was the ash. It weighs down your tent. It makes things warmer in your cooler. Story continues The local fire department passed out masks to protect against the smoke and coronavirus, Carillo said. Farther north, however, other homeless communities were left to fend for themselves. Even before the wildfires, houseless Californians were hampered by cuts to services in some jurisdictions, diminished operations at some shelters because of social distancing practices, and a dwindling of resources with businesses closed. At Carillos encampment in Chatsworth, a neighborhood in Los Angeles sprawling suburban San Fernando Valley, the unhoused residents have been forced to relieve themselves in bags and cups and toss them into garbage cans because there are so few restrooms open, Carillo said. Smoke from wildfires obscures a view of the San Francisco skyline and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge last month as seen from Oakland, California. Photograph: Ben Margot/AP And in Sonoma county, unhoused residents found little relief when the wildfires hit. Smoke has clung to the region each fire season since the Tubbs fire tore through in 2017, displacing hundreds and killing 22. Yet to this date, we dont have a program in which the county administers PPE to folks on the streets, said Marcos Ramirez, co-founder of Mask Sonoma, an organization that passes masks out to unhoused residents for protection from both the smoke and coronavirus. With the LNU Lightning Complex fire now the third-largest wildfire in California history burning through parts of the county, prompting widespread evacuations, many homeless people were left behind, Ramirez said. As the Russian River community of Guerneville vacated, advocates like Ramirez got reports of unsheltered individuals wandering the empty streets, wondering where everyone had gone. There was no concerted effort to get those folks off the street, let alone effort to get PPE to them, Ramirez said. The long story short is, folks were exposed and they were exposed for a long period of time, he said. Unless they received masks from us that were both Covid-safe and had a good enough filtration for the smoke, it was not provided by the county. Folks suffered, and who knows what that will mean in terms of the long-term effects for their health. Sonoma county officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Folks were exposed and they were exposed for a long period of time Marcos Ramirez, Mask Sonoma This week, Ramirez watched with other community advocates as police cleared a homeless encampment of about 100 individuals near downtown Santa Rosa. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly stated throughout the pandemic that if individual housing options are not available, allow people who are living unsheltered or in encampments to remain where they are it is safer for everyone and mitigates the risk of spread. You weigh the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, which is that you dont cause encampments to break up, and you weigh the conditions in the encampments themselves, David Gouin, Santa Rosas director of housing and community services, told the Guardian. Given the number of people living in the encampment, city fire marshals grew concerned of fire risks, Gouin said. Beyond the cooking fires and barbecues typical of an encampment, someone had figured out a way to wire into the lamp post for electricity and folks were running electrical cords from it, he said. By his count, he said, there were 41 residents in that encampment, 21 of whom accepted city services to eventually transition out of homelessness. City providers have been handing out masks to protect from coronavirus, but not specifically to filter smoke, Gouin said. They will continue to hand out coronavirus masks, but not smoke masks, Gouin said, including to the homeless residents inhabiting the 68 two-person tents of the citys outdoor sanctioned encampment. We dont differentiate between a mask for keeping people safe from a forest fire several miles away that is challenging for us or a mask for keeping people safe from a pandemic, he said. To us, its all about wearing a mask. In any case, Gouin said: Masks were provided. They primarily werent used. Ramirez, who estimated that Mask Sonoma had passed out tens of thousands of masks since he co-founded the organization during the Tubbs fire in 2017, disagrees with Gouin, saying homeless people do wear masks, and that regardless, everyone should have access to the same tools. Plenty of housed individuals choose to walk their children outside in the smoke and not wear masks, even in jurisdictions where masks are mandated. But they have the option to return indoors and to protect themselves if their health requires it. Without even smoke-filtering masks, unhoused residents do not. In San Francisco, SantAnna should have qualified for a hotel room provided by the city. With a pre-existing medical condition, she was at risk for Covid-19 and needed to shelter in place. But when her friend told her she could no longer stay with her at the end of June, and she found the city and its homeless services unresponsive. Related: California braces for record heat even as wildfire smoke keeps windows closed Even before her friend asked her to move out, SantAnna had been calling every agency and reaching out to housing advocates. Her doctor wrote the city in August. A friend and an organization helped her pay for two weeks at a hotel, but since then, shes been living off of funds raised through her GoFundMe page. City officials said they could not comment on individual cases but said that referrals to shelter-in-place hotel rooms are made through referring entities including first responders and street outreach teams as well as through other vetted entities working within the public health system. On days that the air quality reaches a certain level, homeless outreach teams provide N95 masks for sensitive groups who are unsheltered and have respiratory conditions, said Deborah Bouck, a spokeswoman for San Franciscos department of homelessness and supportive housing. SantAnna moved to San Francisco in 2013 after getting her masters degree in digital media, hoping to get a job in tech like so many others. But now she gets exhausted talking for too long. She doesnt know which days will be too smoky for her to go outside, so she stays indoors. My lungs are suffering, but my heart is suffering too, SantAnna said. I dont know what to do. The stress the stress will kill you. Pizza Express is now owned by Chinese private investment firm Hony. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images Popular chain Pizza Express said on Monday that creditors had approved restructuring plans that will close 73 of its restaurants and put as many as 1,100 jobs at risk in the UK. In a statement, the company said that 89% of its creditors voted in favour of its proposed company voluntary arrangement (CVA) restructuring deal, securing more than 9,000 jobs. The successful vote unlocks the companys ability to actively address the challenges brought by COVID-19, Pizza Express said. Regrettably, the CVA proposes the closure of 73 restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, it said. Pizza Express announced the sweeping restructuring process, which will see widespread rent reductions, late last month. READ MORE: Pound slips as Boris Johnson says no deal Brexit 'a good outcome' Noting that most of its 454 restaurants have been profitable over the past three years, the company said that declining earnings had been exacerbated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In early August, Pizza Express said it had hired advisers from Lazard to lead a sale process for the business. The company is now owned by Chinese private investment firm Hony, which acquired it in 2014 from UK private equity firm Cinven. That sale is being run separately from the companys restructuring process. Pizza Express also said that it was hoping to sell its business in mainland China. Pizza Express had already been struggling under the weight of a huge debt pile, with interest payments on its hundreds of millions in loans more than offsetting its operating profits in recent years. READ MORE: 'Encouraging' signs at Primark as stores reopen Hospitality has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic and its related public health restrictions. Around 80% of hospitality firms stopped trading in April, with 1.4 million people in accommodation and food services furloughed, according to the Treasury, the highest of any sector. The UK government launched the Eat Out to Help Out scheme to assist the recovery of the hospitality industry, but it was wound down at the end of August. Story continues The directors of Pizza Express thank its creditors for their support during this period and look forward to ongoing partnership as the hospitality industry recovers to growth, the company said on Friday. Here is the full list of restaurants that are set to close: Aberdeen Belmont St Aylesbury Barnstaple Three Tuns Biggleswade Billericay Birmingham Corporation St Birmingham Mailbox Bournemouth Post Office Rd Bramhall Bristol Berkeley Sq Bristol Regent St Bromsgrove Bruton Place Charlotte St Chippenham Dalton Park Darlington Dudley Merry Hill Earls Court Earls Ct Rd Edinburgh Holyrood Formby Fulham Palace Road Glasgow Princes Square Glossop Gosforth Grantham Halifax Hampstead Hatch End Hereford Heswall Ipswich Lloyds Ave Leeds Crown St Leeds Horsforth Ludlow Lymington Melton Mowbray Midhurst Milton Keynes Hub Moseley New Brighton Newcastle Newport Isle of Wight Newport South Wales Northallerton Nottingham Goosegate O2 Finchley Orpington Oxford Oxford Castle Poole Port Solent Ramsgate Reading St Marys Butts Scarborough Sheffield Devonshire St Sheffield The Moor Shirley Southport Old Bank Stafford Staines Stoke Stourbridge Sudbury Torquay Uxbridge Wakefield Walsall Wapping Wardour St Weston-super-Mare Whiteley Village Whitstable Wrexham In a path-breaking decision, Sudanese authorities have separated religion from the state. Sudan, which is currently under a transitional government ended the 30 years long Islamic rule to become a democratic nation. The declaration for the same was signed in between Leaders of Sudans Peoples Liberation Movement-North rebel group Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu and Sudanese Prime minister Abdalla Hamdok in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. For Sudan to become a democratic country where the rights of all citizens are enshrined, the constitution should be based on the principle of separation of religion and state, in the absence of which the right to self-determination must be respected, the declaration stated. Read: Sudan Declares Emergency As Floods Kill Almost 100 People, Wash Away 100,000 Houses Read: UN Peacekeeping Troops Prepare To Withdraw From South Sudan Civilian Protection Camps Peace Deal This comes as Sudanese leaders and rebel commanders on August 31 agreed to sign a historic deal. Reports suggest that this will be a step towards ending 17 years of conflict. Gibril Ibrahim, the commander of one of the rebel groups, the Justice and Equality Movement reportedly said that he wants to congratulate everyone in Sudan for signing this historic deal that addressed the roots of the problem and has ended the war. Leaders of the Sudan Revolutionary Front which is an umbrella organization of rebel groups from Darfur and the southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile also celebrated after signing the deal. According to the United Nations, 300,000 people died alone in Darfur after rebels took up arms in the year 2003. The former government leaders were reportedly accused of carrying out genocide and of crimes against humanity. However, the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile flared up in the year 2011 in the wake of South Sudan's independence. Read: Sudanese Leaders And Rebel Commanders Agree On A Historic Peace Deal Read: US Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo To Visit Sudan, Meet Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok Image credits: AP Company members prepare a flower-themed exhibition at Shine Hills, a commercial zone in Beijing's northeastern Shunyi District. [For China Daily] Authorities are organizing celebratory events to enable the public to engage traditional heritage and creative innovations in such areas as art, design and music. Cultural and creative fairs have gained popularity across the country. Modern and fashionable gift boxes containing delicate artworks, cabins that look like spaceships and vibrant urban houses decorated with flowers were scattered along the European-style streets of Shine Hills in early August. The commercial zone in Beijing's northeastern Shunyi District was packed with visitors during a cultural and creative fair from July 31 to August 2. "We received more than 100,000 visitors during the three days," says Li Hui, a senior officer with Shine Hills' marketing department. Many were drawn to the intangible cultural heritage and traditional Beijing snacks, such as tie-dye and sugared haws, Li says. Visitors taste sugarcoated haws on a stick for free at the Shunyi fair in Beijing. [For China Daily] Visitors could choose from various cultural and creative goods, make art and play interactive games. New art-product releases and online broadcasts were also organized. "The fair offers a place for cultural creators and companies to display and sell what they offer," Li says. Over 70 businesses attended the fair, which was initiated by the Beijing government. They promoted products ranging from home decorations to mobile games, picture books, educational puzzles, jewelry and accessories, film and television products, and food and beverages. Some are winners of past sessions of the Beijing Creative Culture Competition, which was first staged in 2016. "The results (of the fair) were good. This thematic event seemed to appeal more to the public,"Li says. Customers look at tie-dye products at Beijing's Shunyi fair. [For China Daily] "A lot of visitors expressed strong interest in what's behind the products." The Shine Hills fair is the first of such several cultural and creative events the capital city will host to carry forward culture, encourage innovation and boost artistic consumption, the local government says. It also offers opportunities to develop relevant industries. "We received good feedback from exhibitors, who said they'd met 'seed users', who may become customers in the future," Li says. Beijing staged another cultural fair in its downtown Wangfujing shopping area in August, after the Shunyi event. And more will be staged this year, Beijing authorities say. As COVID-19 prevention and control continues to improve in China, a growing number of people are willing to leave their homes to re-experience the comfort and leisure of cities. Several government bodies, including the Ministry of Commerce, recently proposed the promotion of small-shop businesses. A live music performance at the Rhino Market in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. [For China Daily] Tourist attractions and neighborhoods are encouraged to court visitors by offering unique, distinctive and historical local experiences. More support will be provided for food, bar, tea and culture streets. Culture and tourism departments across the country have rolled out measures to offer quality cultural and creative fair experiences to satisfy public demand and boost industry recovery. Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, has also hosted various cultural and creative fairs. The city's Rhino Market resumed operations in early August, offering thousands of products. The city inaugurated the fair in 2013. It offers catering, handicrafts and cultural displays. "The number of booths at the Rhino Market has come to exceed 1,200, compared with 40 at the beginning," says Wang Han, an official with the 1905 Cultural and Creative Park, where the fair was held. A drama script-reading event at the Rhino Market in Shenyang. [For China Daily] It has registered over 1 million visits to date, Wang says. This year, the Rhino Fair focused on facilitating interactions between businesses and visitors. It offered novel cultural experiences, featuring art, operas, lectures and music. Visitors watched operas at close quarters, while performers received audience feedback that could improve their creations, an official with the 1905 Mumu Theater says. The fair invited over 200 independent cultural and creative brands, which is a sign of steady development in the sector amid the pandemic, the organizer says. It will be staged more frequently and present more content in the future. "We'll continue to create new cultural scenes to build a broader platform for cultural creation and output," Wang says. In Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan Province, about 90 cultural businesses brought over 200 products featuring Xiang embroidery (a local form of intangible culture heritage), crossover artworks and music performances at the Malanshan fair in July. Most products were snapped up, the fair organizer reports. A cultural-exhibition booth in Beijing. [For China Daily] In Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, the Chunxi Road Culture Fair packed in nighttime visitors in July with paper-cut, floral-arrangement, painting and calligraphy displays, as well as Sichuan Opera performances and qipao (traditional Chinese dresses) showcases. In Shanghai's Jing'an District, many time-honored brands impressed visitors with upgraded products at its cultural and creative fair. For example, the producer of Butterfly sewing machines, which were popular in the 1970s, showcased its new Wi-Fi and intelligent add-ons. The 400-year-old Shanghai Leiyunshang Pharmaceutical brand integrated tradition and fashion, and offered perfumed satchels and essential oils. Visitors also made their own satchels. Nanjing Institute of Tourism and Hospitality associate professor Lyu Shengnan believes cultural and creative fairs can effectively boost the retail, catering, accommodation and leisure sectors, and inject new vitality into cultural and tourism development. Lyu proposes the continued diversification of fairs' content to offer immersive experiences, such as developing facilities for the public to experience traditional arts. Zeng Bowei, director of the China Tourism Economics and Policy Research Center of Beijing Union University, calls for more policy and financial support for such fairs, and continued efforts to mine local cultural resources and increase short-distance leisure-and-tourism consumption. Li Hui from Shine Hills believes cultural and creative fairs offer slow-paced lifestyle experiences. "You don't necessarily have to buy something while shopping. Just enjoy the process of trying things out and looking for good stuff," Li says. The Beijing commercial zone will continue to host similar fairs, featuring domestic fashion, red wine and coffee during the National Day holiday, Li says. (Source: China Daily) Paul Biya signant des textes PRC The first-ever Regional Elections in Cameroon will take place on Sunday, December 6, 2020, President Paul Biya said in a decree today. Decree no. 2020/547 of September 7, 2020 to convene the electoral colleges for the election of Regional Councillors says electors shall cast their ballot at divisional headquarters across the country on December 6. Voting shall begin at 8 a.m. and shall end at 6 p.m., the president decreed. Before convening electors to the polls today, the President signed two decrees last week detailing the number of seats per division, as well as setting the modalities for the imminent polls. Decree N 2020/527 of September 2, 2020, fixes the conditions and terms of payment of members of the Electoral College while Decree N 2020/526 of September 2, 2020, fixes the number of seats for regional council per division and per category. Article 2(1) of Decree N 2020/527 of September 2, 2020, states that during the election of regional councillors, members of the electoral colleges shall be entitled to a lump-sum allowance to cover the cost while Article 2 (2) specifies that FCFA 50.000 will be allocated to each and every member of an electoral college who effectively participates in the election. The election of regional councillors comes to fulfil provisions of Part X, Articles 55 to 62 of Cameroons Constitution of 1996 with amendments through 2008. As part of steps towards resolving the protracted crisis in the countrys North West and South West Regions, the General Code on Regional and Local Authorities was adopted in 2019 in view of deepening decentralisation. In June, the election management body, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) announced its readiness to organize Regional Elections once the date is fixed. Grumbling over sharing of seats Wednesdays decree fixing the number of regional councillors per division and per category was received with mixed feelings in some areas. In the South West region, for example, of the 90 regional councillors, Fako Division has 24, Meme 18, Ndian 16, Manyu 13, Kupe Muanenguba 10, and Lebialem 9. The lions share harvest by Fako division has been the subject of grumbling. Although some say the distribution of seats is influenced by the number of subdivisions, others say if that were to be the case, then Ndian would have been on top. While Fako has 24 seats with only seven subdivisions, Ndian with nine subdivisions could only have 16 seats behind Meme Division that had 18 seats with only five subdivisions. With the North West and South West Regions to have 20 traditional rulers as part of the 90 regional councillors, just like any of the other eight regions, many are now seeking to know what form the Special Status for the English-speaking regions will take. Officials of the Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Development have been quick to point out that the Special Status package is in gestation and will include a House of Chiefs exclusive to the two Anglophone regions. Kamto names shadow cabinet, swears to block polls On Tuesday, September 1, Professor Maurice Kamto, President of the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM, signed several decisions appointing his special advisers as well as National Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries. Given that Kamtos appointments are akin to that of the SDF Shadow Cabinet, pundits say the CRM chairman has picked men and women with whom of materialise his promise of blocking the imminent regional elections. Kamto has threatened to lead street protests in order to unseat President Paul Biya if he goes ahead to organize regional elections within the present context. SDF demands review of electoral code, ceasefire in NW, SW Just like the CRM, the Social Democratic Front, SDF, says they cannot participate in upcoming regional elections if the regime does not level the playing ground by resolving the Anglophone crisis and revising the current Electoral Code. SDF National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi said on September 2 that the party can no longer participate in an electoral masquerade like that of 2020. Vi is We: Two yrs after merger Voda Idea integrates to create new identity Just when everyone had written Vodafone Idea off in India, its joint venture telecom business in the country has sent out a strong signal that its going to be around, possibly for years to come. At a virtual roundtable called to announce a strategic decision by Vodafone Idea, the telco, saddled with huge losses and high debt, launched a new brand identity for itself Monday morning. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Advertisement The numbers of people testing positive for Covid-19 in the UK should not be compared to the height of the outbreak because so many more tests are being done, experts say. Scientists have accused the Government of losing its grip on the disease as the highest number of cases since May were reported on Sunday 2,988 and a further 2,948 were added to the toll today. But even though case numbers are high, the percentage of people testing positive for the disease is still dramatically lower than it was at the peak of the crisis. When the disease was out of control in March and April, rationed testing meant that at times more than 40 per cent of test results were positive, but this has since plummeted to just 2.3 per cent in the community and 0.5 per cent in hospitals. That means around one in 50 people test positive in testing centres, while just one in 200 hospital patients who get swabbed actually have the disease. As more and more people get tested, the proportion of the tests that come back positive has stayed level, showing the current strategy is successfully finding more and more people who actually have the disease but that still only a small proportion of those suspected of having Covid-19 actually do. And numbers cannot be directly compared, either. Although there were days in April and March with similar numbers of cases to what the country is seeing now, only a fraction of people who were sick were getting tested. The true number of cases is now thought to have been in the hundreds of thousands at any given time during the peak at the end of March, while no more than 5,200 people were ever diagnosed in a day. For this reason, 3,000 cases in a day now, when everyone who thinks they might be ill can get tested, cannot be compared like-for-like with 3,000 cases per day in April, when only severely ill people were tested and the real size of the epidemic was a mystery. Eminent statistician Sir David Spiegelhalter told MailOnline that infection rates could 'no longer give a simple answer' about the virus's trajectory. He admitted that a huge increase in testing was skewing the figures upwards, but he noted that the proportion of people testing positive was also rising very slowly, suggesting a mixture of more swabs in high risk areas and 'some increase in infection risk' was driving the case rate up. The current case rate the number of people per 100,000 who test positive for Covid-19 has risen since June and July as lockdown rules have loosened but is still only a fraction of what it was during the worst days of Britain's crisis. A surge in positive tests over the weekend pushed the rate to 21.3 per 100,000 for the past week, which is above Britain's own holiday quarantine threshold. Once infections rise above 20 in 100,000 in other countries, the British Government begins seriously considering enforcing a quarantine period for holidaymakers returning from abroad. Scientists say it was always inevitable that more tests would yield more cases, and that there would be a rise in infections when rules were lifted. Professor Kevin McConway, a statistician at The Open University, said: 'In the early stages of the pandemic, there was far less availability of testing in most countries than there now is. So one reason there are more cases is just that people have got better at looking for and finding them.' The Office for National Statistics, in separate data, estimates around 28,000 people in England have the coronavirus at any one time and 2,000 people catch it per day. This estimate, based on random population testing, has not changed significantly for a number of weeks, suggesting surges in cases are localised. Data from Public Health England shows that more than 40 per cent of coronavirus tests done in hospitals were positive in March and April but this has now plummeted and remains below 2.5 per cent in both hospitals and the community. This shows that there remains only a small proportion of people with the symptoms of coronavirus who actually have it Scientists have previously said cases have risen over August as a result of increased testing (pictured, how testing has risen during the pandemic) British officials start to consider forcing travellers to quarantine after the country they are arriving from begins to record more than 20 cases of coronavirus per 100,00 people. Greece is below this rate currently but certain places in the country have exceeded it and will be added to the list from Wednesday Scientists have said all along that an increase in testing capacity would spot more cases of the virus and drive up infection rates. But they have warned it does not necessarily mean more people are getting infected and likely means those who were previously being missed by the regime are now being picked up. For example, there were around 130,000 tests being carried out each day in July, at around the same time lockdown started to be loosened drastically. At this point cases had dipped below 1,000 a day and the epidemic was deemed to be squashed. Following 'Super Saturday', when pubs, restaurants and other amenities reopened, infections started to creep up - but so too did the number of tests being conducted. Now the UK is carrying out about 190,000 tests per day - up by a fifth from the figure in July, which is almost definitely skewing the number of cases upwards. Experts say a more accurate and fair way to track the virus' trajectory is to look at test positivity rates - the proportion of swabs that come back positive. Since July, the number of positive results has gone up by only 0.3 per cent, suggesting new cases are a combination of more tests, and only a slight rise in infections in hotspots. They say this rise is too small to bear any real significance, especially when compared to rates at the peak of the crisis. Public Health England data shows that more than four in 10 people swabbed for the disease at the peak were actually infected - compared to 3 per cent today. In the week up to April 7, 44.1 per cent of pillar one tests done in hospitals and PHE labs came back positive, the highest rate on record. It meant there were 25,796 diagnoses that week. The following week 40.1 per cent of swabs carried out on hospital patients yielded positive results, meaning 26,261 people were officially diagnosed. And in the seven days that followed, there was a case positivity rate of 30.8 per cent after 21,838 people tested positive. Even as Britain's new case count has risen in recent weeks the percentage positivity recorded by Our World in Data - which considers all tests and all cases in the UK - has remained below one per cent But the number of people who receive a 'positive' result after getting tested under Pillar 2 has increased in recent weeks (blue line) to 2.3 per cent. It's also increased under Pillar 2 (red line), but is nowhere near the levels seen at the height of the pandemic Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the uptick in cases in the past few days have been in younger people under 25, 'especially 17 to 21 year olds'. Pictured is the raw data for new cases in each age bracket over August, showing females aged 20 to 30 make up the majority of cases Whereas in the week up to September, the most recent reporting period, less than 3 per cent of everyone who took a test were actually infected. A total of 596 people in hospitals were diagnosed with the virus at the end of August, just 0.5 per cent of the pillar one tests. And 652 people were diagnosed after taking tests at home, at a drive-through centre or in any other setting, only 2.3 per cent. HOW DOES TESTING AFFECT CASE NUMBERS? If more people are being tested for Covid-19, this will show up in cases data, experts say. On the surface, it may look like a spike in infections, but broadly is not something to worry about because it just means more people are being diagnosed than before, when testing was limited to those in hospital. Professor Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics, The Open University, said: 'In the early stages of the pandemic, there was far less availability of testing in most countries than there now is. So one reason there are more cases is just that people have got better at looking for and finding them.' And Dr Andrew Preston, a reader in microbial pathogenesis at University of Bath, said: Test more people, you will find more positives. 'Initially, testing was restricted to those reporting symptoms, but this has eased and it's now possible for a wider range of people to request tests.' Testing capacity has rapidly increased over the course of the pandemic in order to reach more people. And this has caused a slight increase in the number of people getting a positive result - but not to levels that suggest prevalence of the virus is soaring. A significantly higher number of people are being tested since July - when diagnosed cases were at their lowest, NHS Test and Trace data shows. Some 442,392 people were tested between 13 August and 19 August - an almost 20 per cent increase on the 355,597 tested between July 9 and 15. However, the positive result rate only slightly went up, from 1.12 per cent to 1.4 per cent in the same period. This shows there no that many more people testing positive compared to negative in August than in July. Other data from Public Health England reveals a similar trend over the course of the pandemic. Testing has increased vastly from no more than 13,000 tests per day at the start of April to around 150,000 in July. During the same period, positive test results in Pillar 2 - which are those outside of hospitals and care homes - went drastically down from a peak of 5.2 per cent in May to 1.4 per cent in mid-July, showing that less people were testing positive for the coronavirus despite testing reaching thousands more people. This figure has risen slightly over this month from 1.6 per cent to 2.1 per cent in the week ending August 23. But it's a small increase when comparing with the 5 per cent seen in May. Testing has shot up to almost 200,000 per day this month. Commenting on these figures, Dr Duncan Young, a professor of intensive care medicine at University of Oxford, told MailOnline: 'It is therefore very possible that the increase in cases is mostly related to increased testing, but will a small additional effect from the increased prevalence.' Despite this, it doesn't necessarily rule out that transmission of the disease is, indeed, climbing. Scientists admit that the evident rise in cases will be driven by more transmission in the community as a result of easing lockdown restrictions. 'But the position isnt like it was back in March and April,' Professor McConway said. 'The level of cases [in the UK] remains a very long way below what it was at the peak of the pandemic here in March and April. Advertisement The positivity rate has been hovering at around 3 per cent since June, which has given ministers confidence the outbreak is not spiralling out of control. Professor Spiegelhalter, from the University of Cambridge, told MailOnline today that neither experts nor politicians 'can know with any certainty' if the increasing Covid-19 case rates signal an escalation of the crisis. He said: 'It cant just be increased testing [causing the rise in the figures] because test positivity is increasing, although not by very much and not as much as positive tests. 'It seems to be a mixture of more testing - targeted in areas where outbreaks are suspected - and some increase in underlying infection risk. 'But I must say the extent of it is very uncertain, theres no right or wrong. The data alone is not going to tell you or give you a simple answer to this. 'There's a lot of uncertainty because data cannot tell you exact pattern of whats going on , were still only identifying just some of people being infected.' The statistician has called for the Government to keep a record of every person who comes forward for a test, and the circumstances around the swab. He said if more people are coming forward because they have symptoms then that would indicate that the virus is starting to grow exponentially again - because most people who catch the disease are asymptomatic, a rise in symptomatic patients would signal more people are contracting it. He said: 'It wouldve helped hugely if there was a record for every positive test about why they went to testing. Was it because they had symptoms or were they simply picked up from the street and asked to volunteer for a test? Or were they swabbed because theyd been near a suspected or confirmed case? 'Were hindered because we dont know reason for coming forward for testing. If we knew why, we would be able to have a better idea of the extent to which there is a genuine increase in infection risk.' Other promising figures from the Office for National Statistics data suggests the number of people actually suffering from Covid-19 has only risen slightly since July. The most recent ONS estimate said 27,100 people likely had the disease in the last week, compared to 23,600 in the first week of July. And because more positive patients are being picked up by the testing programme, it could signal that the virus is more under control now that it was then, even though there were fewer official infections appearing in the data. The seven-day average number of daily cases is currently at 1,800 more than double the amount in the first week of July before lockdown was eased. If 1,800 people test positive out of 27,000 (6.6 per cent) then that means one in 20 infectious people are isolating and not out on the streets boosting the virus's spread. Whereas on July 6, when just 650 people were testing positive out of a likely 23,600 patients, it meant only 2.7 per cent of people were isolating. Dr Duncan Young, a professor of intensive care medicine at University of Oxford, told MailOnline: 'It is therefore very possible that the increase in cases is mostly related to increased testing, but will a small additional effect from the increased prevalence.' Dr Andrew Preston, a reader in microbial pathogenesis at University of Bath, added simply: Test more people, you will find more positives.' Data from PHE shows 21.9 people per 100,000 aged 15 to 44 got diagnosed with Covid-19 in the week to August 30 - more than four times the rate in those aged between 65 and 85 years old. It's a vastly different picture compared to mid-April, when some 200 over 85s per 100,000 had were diagnosed with the virus compared to less than 50 in the 15-44 age group. Some scientists say the rise in cases among the young is not something to be concerned about, and was inevitable given that people of working age are returning to work and are allowed to socialise again. Mr Hancock said today that most cases were being driven by under 25s in 'affluent areas', while pleading with them to continue social distancing to avoid passing the virus onto their grandparents. Labour's shadow health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth called the spike in cases 'deeply concerning and worrying' and suggests there is a real increase in the prevalence of the coronavirus. He also demanded Mr Hancock give an urgent statement to the House of Commons to explain the testing 'fiasco' in which some people are still being told by the NHS test booking site to drive hundreds of miles to get a test. Scientists have previously said cases have risen over August as a result of increased testing in hotspots. The more testing is done, the more cases are found. But the data suggests more people are actually catching the coronavirus, and it's not just due to more testing. The number of people who receive a 'positive' result after getting tested has gone up by 50 per cent in six weeks - from 1.4 per cent in mid-July to 2.3 per cent now - proving the prevalence is on an upward trend. However on a positive note, a larger proportion of cases are being detected now compared to March and April - when testing was just limited to hospitals and the very sick and millions went untested. A daily 3,000 cases is less of a concern now compared to the height of the pandemic, when it was clear diagnosed cases were only the tip of the iceberg. The escalating Covid-19 cases in the UK follows the same trends in France and Spain, and the releasing of several lockdown restrictions. Office for National Statistics data: There are now an estimated 2,000 new cases each day, on average. The estimate has risen since June, when the country was still in lockdown, but appears to have stabilised and even dropped slightly since then Speaking on LBC radio this morning, Mr Hancock said: 'This rise in case we have seen in the last few days is concerning, and its concerning because we have seen a rise in cases in France, Spain and some other countries in Europe. 'Nobody wants to see a second wave here. It just reinforces the point that people must follow the social distancing rules, they are so important.' Asked by presenter Nick Ferrari if the UK had 'lost control', as suggested by some experts, Mr Hancock said: 'No, but the whole country needs to follow social distancing. 'We certainly see cases where they are not, then we take action. 'For example in Bolton where numbers are the highest, we traced a lot of those cases back to an individual pub and we have taken action on those pub. The pub needed to close and sort the problem out.' IS SOCIAL DISTANCING MAKING THE VIRUS WEAKER? Experts believe coronavirus spreading in lower doses is keeping death tolls and hospital admissions low but daily case totals high. Social distancing measures mean an infected person would only be able to pass on traces of Covid-19 to another person, therefore the virus's 'infectious dose' is lower. Because the newly-infected person would have a smaller amount of the virus, their symptoms would not be as serious - in a similar manner to chicken pox. While this would explain why a rise in cases has not lead to a rise in deaths, doctors have stressed that not enough is known about Covid-19 to determine whether it is dose-dependent. But other viruses, including SARS and MERS - the coronaviruses behind two previous pandemic outbreaks - follow this pattern. Cases of Covid-19 have been slowly creeping up in the UK since early July. This may seem alarming, but it has not corresponded with an increase in the number of people dying from the virus. Dr Elisabetta Groppelli, a virologist at St George's University of London, said: 'If you are exposed to a smaller amount of virus, fewer cells in your body get infected, so there's time for your immune system to mount a response. 'If you get lots of cells infected at once, you are already starting on the back foot. 'There is not particularly solid data for Covid-19 at the moment, but it's logical.' Many comparisons have been drawn between Covid-19 and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. A dose-dependent theory would offer an explanation for what happened then, too. A 2010 analysis showed the second wave hit poorer communities living in more crowded conditions. They got bigger infectious doses, and many thousands died. Dr Groppelli added: 'Age and other illnesses play a huge role. But if I had to be infected with this coronavirus, I'd like the smallest dose possible because that would mean a higher chance of my body getting the infection under control.' Professor Wendy Barclay, who's head of the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London, added: 'It's all about the size of the armies on each side of the battle,' she says. 'A very large virus army is difficult for our immune system's army to fight off. 'So standing further away from someone when they breathe or cough likely means fewer virus particles reach you, and then you get infected with a lower dose and get less ill.' Advertisement Mr Hancock said the most important point to get across was that the uptick in cases in the past few days have been in younger people under 25, 'especially 17 to 21 year olds'. Data from Public Health England shows 21.9 people per 100,000 aged 15 to 44 got diagnosed with Covid-19 in the week to August 30. It's more than four times the rate in those aged between 65 and 85 years old. It's a vastly different picture compared to mid-April, when some 200 over 85s per 100,000 had were diagnosed with the virus compared to less than 50 in the 15-44 age group. Some scientists say the rise in cases among the young is not something to be concerned about, and was inevitable given that people of working age are returning to work and are allowed to socialise again. But Mr Hancock remains concerned infections will soon begin spilling into the older generations - even if the data at the moment does not suggest this is happening. Mr Hancock said: 'The message to all your younger listeners [on LBC] and everybody is that even though you are at a lower risk of dying from the coronavirus, if youre that age, if youre under 25, you can still have really serious symptoms and consequences. 'And Long Covid, where people six months on are still ill, is prevalent among that population. Also, you can infect other people. 'And this argument that some people come out with, saying "you dont need to worry about a rise in cases because its younger people and they dont die". 'Firstly, they can get very very ill. And secondly, inevitably it leads to older people catching it from them. So dont infect your grandparents.' There has been speculation that most new cases are found among poorer communities, where there is overcrowding in housing and people in key worker jobs, for example. Professor Gabriel Scally, a former NHS regional director of public health for the South West, claimed the virus is now 'endemic in our poorest communities'. However, Mr Hancock said it was currently more frequent in 'affluent areas', after various health chiefs have noted spread is predominantly happening when people socially mix in other people's homes. He said: 'Over the summer we had particular problems in some of the areas that are most deprived. Actually, the recent increase weve seen over the last few days is more broadly spread and is not concentrated in poorer areas. 'Its actually amongst more affluent younger people especially that weve seen the rise. 'And that is where people really need to hear this message and abide by it - which is that everybody has a responsibility for social distancing to keep themselves safe and to keep others safe.' As Government data has shown a rising number of cases in recent weeks, scientists have suggested it comes down to more testing in England's hardest hit locations, particularly in the north-west. The vast majority of new cases were missed at the height of the UK outbreak because testing was limited to hospitals, whereas now anyone is able to get a test. Last week scientists said if more people are tested, there will inevitably be more cases detected, which on the surface suggests the coronavirus is spreading more, even if that is not the case. However now, data suggests a higher number of people are, in fact, getting infected. Of those people being tested, a higher proportion are getting a positive result - called the test positivity rate. In the week to August 30, 2.3 per cent of people under Pillar 2, which is anywhere outside hospitals and care homes, who had a coronavirus test got a positive result - the highest since June 21 and a 0.2 per cent increase on the week prior. It hit a record low in the week to July 19, when 1.4 per cent tested positive, and has been rising steadily since. It's nowhere near the 5.2 per cent reported in May - when records of 'test positivity' began - but represents an increase of 50 per cent in six weeks. The data, from Public Health England, also shows test positivity has increased under Pillar 1, which is hospitals and care homes. It went up from a low of 0.4 per cent on August 2 to 0.6 per cent in the week to August 30. The highest was in the week to April 5, when 44 per cent of patients tested got a positive result back. Asked whether the record numbers of cases were due to testing, Mr Hancock said: 'There is a degree of that. 'But we also check what we call the test positivity - so both the number of cases we find, but also the proportion of people who test positive. That is going up as well.' Figures show those aged 15 to 44 have the highest positivity rate of all ages. Three per cent of men and 2.5 per cent of women tested in the community (Pillar 2) get a positive result back, compared to 1.6 and 1.3 per cent, respectively, in the 75 to 84 year olds. The older generations aren't even testing positive more often in hospitals (Pillar 1), with a similar positivity rate across all ages. Health Secretary Mr Hancock tempered fears today and said cases were not out of control, while admitting cases were 'concerning' because 'nobody wants a second wave'. He is pictured during the interview today on LBC radio It comes after Professor Gabriel Scally, a former NHS regional director of public health for the south-west, said the government had 'lost control of the virus'. He told The Guardian: 'Theyve lost control of the virus. Its no longer small outbreaks they can stamp on. 'Its become endemic in our poorest communities and this is the result. Its extraordinarily worrying when schools are opening and universities are going to be going back.' Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of prestigious medical journal The Lancet, said it was clear a new strategy was needed. He wrote on Twitter today: 'The UK now stands on the edge of a COVID-19 precipice. Aside from the need to rethink testing strategies, clear, more frequent, and firmer messaging about behaviours to reduce risks of community transmission is urgently needed. Communication is key, but is failing spectacularly.' Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said he feared the outbreak was a 'return to exponential growth', and if so 'we can expect further increases over coming weeks.' He said yesterday: 'Today's reported number of cases is the largest new cases reported in a single day since May. This is especially concerning for a Sunday when report numbers are generally lower than most other days of the week. 'Some of that increase may be because of catch up from delayed tests over the past few days due to the widely reported difficulties the UK testing service has faced dealing with the number of tests being requested. 'Nevertheless this represents a marked increase in the seven-day rolling average of 1,812 case per day compared to 1,244 a week ago and 1,040 a week before that.' Professor Hunter told MailOnline that the recent surge in coronavirus cases had come a bit earlier than he was expecting. 'Normally coronaviruses hit in November, December time,' he said. 'This has come back sooner than I had anticipated.' 'There was a report that went out to local authorities basically putting the peak at January. I think that's probably right. Certainly December-January for the peak (but with fewer deaths).' Labour's shadow health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said yesterday's caseload was 'deeply concerning' and 'deeply worrying'. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, he said: 'It's one days' worth of data so we will have to see what the trend is. But that days' worth of data is alarming, there is no question about it. It does suggest there is an increase in the virus.' Mr Ashworth has called on Mr Hancock to go to parliament today to explain the testing 'fiasco' that has emerged in recent days. People with coronavirus symptoms who try to book a test online have reported being told to drive three hours to reach their 'nearest' centre. And some of them have had to drive past closer testing centres on their way to the farther ones because of a flaw in the Government's booking system. Test and trace boss Dido Harding installed a 75-mile limit on travelling to appointments on Friday after it was revealed some patients were being asked to drive almost 300 miles. It's been suggested fixing this flaw is the reason behind the surge in cases, as more people are now being told they can access a test nearby. Mr Ashworth said: 'I think the key ask of the government is, what is happening with testing? 'Because we've had all these stories in recent days of people trying to book a test, people who are ill, they are sick, they think they've got symptoms of Covid, and they've been told to travel miles and miles, sometimes over 100 miles to get to a testing centre. That is clearly unacceptable. 'So we are asking the Government, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, to come to the commons quickly. Tell us what they think is happening with the infection rate today, and tell us what he is going to do to fix the fiasco in testing in recent days.' A further two people died after testing positive for the bug today, bringing the UK's total death toll to 41,551 The surge in cases has not been evident in hospitalisations or deaths in the UK, further evidence the coronavirus is mostly affecting the younger generations. On May 23, the last time daily new cases were as high as they are now, 220 people died from Covid-19. But yesterday's death toll was significantly smaller. A further two people died after testing positive for the bug in the 28 days prior. Professor Hunter said: 'Fortunately, the daily reported numbers of deaths due to Covid-19 remain very low with a seven day rolling average of just seven deaths per day. 'However, with the new approach to recording deaths it is difficult to be confident that there are timely statistics. It with be another two or even more weeks before we can really expect to see any impact on mortality figures.' One scientist believes a rise in hospitalisations will be expected, but deaths will not follow due to better treatments. Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We have better treatments and doctors have better clinical ways of managing patients and have learned how to improve survival. 'The good news is I think deaths will continue to fall but I think hospitalisations will continue to be challenging if these numbers continue and restrictions aren't brought in place to try to bring it under control.' Other data suggests Britain's coronavirus crisis is not getting worse, with the Office for National Statistics reassuring on Friday that the number of people catching coronavirus in England per day remains stable. Surveillance swabbing suggests 2,000 per day are getting - down 200 from the previous Friday, when the prediction sat at 2,200. Some 27,100 people in England are thought to be infected at any one time - 0.05 per cent of the population or one in every 2,000 people. This total is a decrease of four per cent from the 28,200 estimate last week. Statisticians at ONS said: 'Evidence suggests that the incidence rate for England remains unchanged.' Mr Hancock said the ONS figures prove the NHS Test and Trace system is working, despite it being constantly criticised for failing to reach targets. The scheme tracks down close contacts of Covid-19 cases and tells them to self isolate in order to stop transmission. He said: 'Today's ONS data shows NHS Test and Trace and our local restrictions approach, in partnership with local areas, is working to contain the virus and is supporting the country to safely return to normal.' Meanwhile, Government experts said Friday they think the UK's growth rate - how the number of new cases is changing day-by-day - is between -1% and +2%. Like the R rate, the growth rate is a tool to keep track of the virus. If it is greater than zero, and therefore positive, then the disease will grow, and if the growth rate is less than zero, then the disease will shrink. The value is shown as a range. Because it is +2%, it suggests that a small increasing rate of cases is slightly more likely than a slow fall. Last week's growth rate interval was from -2% to +1% per day, so the interval has moved up by a small amount in the direction of increasing cases, rather than decreasing. But the estimates have a high degree of uncertainty. The R - the average number of people each virus patient infects - needs to stay below one or the outbreak could start to grow exponentially. But SAGE estimates it is still hovering between 0.9 and 1.1, having remained unchanged from last week. However, the UK's low infection rate means small outbreaks can skew the estimate upwards. Mr Hancock's previous warnings that the UK was on the same path as France and Spain to a 'second wave' was met with disagreement from scientists. The Health Secretary on Tuesday warned that the UK 'must do everything in our power' to stop a second surge of people going into hospital with the coronavirus, which he said was starting to happen in Europe. But experts told MailOnline Mr Hancock's comments were 'alarmist' and that there is currently 'no sign' of a second wave coming over the horizon. The data shows hospital cases are also not rising by much in Europe, contrary to the Health Secretary's claim, and the reason hospital admissions have not risen in the UK with diagnosed cases 'simply reflects increased testing'. Scientists say it is younger people driving up infections and they are less likely to get seriously ill and end up in hospital. For that reason, hospital cases and deaths will not necessarily follow higher cases, and there may not be a deadly wave like the first. Professor Carl Heneghan, a medicine expert at the University of Oxford, said: 'There is currently no second wave. What we are seeing is a sharp rise in the number of healthy people who are carrying the virus, but exhibiting no symptoms. Almost all of them are young. They are being spotted because finally a comprehensive system of national test and trace is in place.' India has accused China of kidnapping five of its citizens along the disputed Himalayan border. Relations between the nuclear-armed Asian giants have hit a multi-decade low since a mass brawl along the frontier left 20 Indian soldiers dead. The two sides have since renewed patrols along the 2,000-mile Line of Actual Control (LAC) which has been in dispute since the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The five missing men are from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as South Tibet, and the Indian Army said it informed the People's Liberation Army (PLA) about them on Saturday. Indian soldiers pay their respects during the funeral of their comrade, Tibetan-origin India's special forces soldier Nyima Tenzin in Leh on September 7 Indian protesters burn a poster of Chinese president Xi Jinping in July after a mass brawl which left 20 soldiers dead 'We spoke with them on the hotline and told them that it's suspected that some people have crossed across to your side and we will be grateful if you could hand them over back, as per what we do normally,' Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Wardhan Pande, a spokesman for India's defence forces, told Reuters. 'There is no earmarked line going through the forest or the mountains, so they keep moving here and there. So they might have gone there. It's a very normal thing.' He said they were yet to hear back from the Chinese. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said at a daily briefing that he was not aware of the situation. Separately, a Tibetan member of an Indian special forces unit who died days ago in a mine blast near the site of a border flare-up with Chinese troops in the western Himalayas was cremated on Monday. His death gave a rare glimpse into a little-known group of elite, high-altitude warriors drawn mainly from Tibetan refugees in India. At least 20 Indian soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in June during a mass brawl at the border Indian soldiers pay their respects during the funeral of their comrade, Tibetan-origin India's special forces soldier Nyima Tenzin in Leh on September 7 Relatives attend the funeral of Tibetan-origin India's special forces soldier Nyima Tenzin in Leh on September 7 Tenzin Nyima, 53, was killed and another commando critically wounded in the blast near the shores of the Pangong Tso lake in the western Himalayas. Indian and Chinese forces came close to direct confrontation in the area over the weekend over competing territorial claims, their governments have said. Nyima was part of the Special Frontier Force (SFF), a little-known group of elite, high-altitude warriors drawn mainly from Tibetan refugees in India. Few details are publicly known about the covert force set up soon after a war between India and China in 1962. Two officials estimated its strength at more than 3,500 men. The force recruits mostly from the hundreds of thousands who have made India their home since the Dalai Lama fled Tibet following a failed uprising in 1959. Some are Indian citizens. Amitabh Mathur, a former Indian government adviser on Tibetan affairs, said the SFF were 'crack troops, especially in the context of mountain climbing and high-altitude warfare. 'If at all they (SFF) were deployed, I am not surprised. It makes sense to deploy them at high altitudes. They are terrific mountain climbers and commandos.' India's defence and home ministries did not respond to a request for comment on the SFF. China has long considered the presence of a large number of Tibetans in India as a threat to its territorial integrity. They are led by Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing denounces as a dangerous separatist. He says he only wants genuine autonomy for his remote Himalayan homeland. A senior Indian military official said the SFF had played a pivotal role in the 1971 war with Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh as well as a near-war with Pakistan again in 1999 over the Kargil heights. The prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, said his 'government does not comment on the SFF'. The world's two most populous countries have sent tens of thousands of troops to the region since a brutal June 15 battle fought with wooden clubs and fists. An Indian army convoy moves on the Srinagar- Ladakh highway at Gagangeer, northeast of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir India has said 20 troops were killed. China acknowledged casualties but did not give figures. The two sides blamed each other for the latest incidents. India's defence ministry said Chinese troops 'carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo' at the border on Saturday. China's People's Liberation Army said that India was 'seriously violating China's territorial sovereignty' with its operation staged Monday and demanded that Indian troops withdraw. India's foreign ministry said last week that China had caused the incident with the Tibetan commando 'even as ground commanders of the two sides were in discussions to de-escalate the situation.' Indian media reports, quoting military sources, said PLA forces tried to take hilltops traditionally claimed by India around Pangong Tso, a lake at 13,500ft. India's defence ministry said its troops 'undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground.' The Business Standard newspaper said that the SFF had been used to take heights that China considers its own. Amid calls for boycotts of Chinese goods, India has stepped up economic pressure on China since the June battle and repeatedly warned that relations would suffer unless its troops pull back. India has banned at least 49 Chinese owned-apps, including the TikTok video platform, frozen Chinese firms out of contracts and held up Chinese goods at customs posts. A fire that has burned more than 7,000 acres in San Bernardino County was caused by a smoke-emitting pyrotechnic device that was part of a gender-reveal party in a Yucaipa park, officials said. Such devices typically shoot off blue or pink smoke to signal the gender of an expected child. The El Dorado fire near Yucaipa has forced evacuations in some communities. Cal Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesnt take much to start a wildfire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement. It was one of several massive fires burning in California amid an epic heat wave. A fire in the Japatul Valley southeast of Alpine has burned more than 9,850 acres and destroyed at least 11 structures in addition to 25 outbuildings. The blaze, dubbed the Valley fire, was the nightmare scenario many had feared: a roaring wildfire chewing through vast stretches of the back country amid searing record-high temperatures, forcing homeowners to flee all during a time of coronavirus-induced mask wearing and social distancing. Boiling clouds of smoke pouring from the fire rose into the air and filtered over the county with an acrid stench, making for unhealthy air conditions. The Bobcat fire in the Angeles National Forest near Duarte broke out Sunday afternoon and forced Labor Day weekend visitors to flee. It was not threatening homes. In the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno, the 45,500-acre Creek fire trapped more than 200 hikers in the Mammoth Pool recreation area when it crossed the San Joaquin River on Saturday afternoon, prompting a massive rescue effort by the California National Guard. The San Diego Union-Tribune contributed to this report. (Natural News) The euphoria of todays Wall Street investors is based primarily on two things: 1) Continued Fed money printing, and 2) Expectations that a coronavirus vaccine will arrive in November and magically end the pandemic. At the same time, President Trump is also aggressively pushing a coronavirus vaccine to be released before Election Day, hoping that some significant portion of the countrys population will happily allow themselves to be injected with an experimental, fast-tracked medical intervention just two days before the election. (See VaccineWars.com for more coverage of the ongoing vaccine wars in America.) In fact, CDC director Robert Redfield recently sent a letter to all 50 states, urging them to fast-track state licensing and distribution requirements for rapid deployment of a coronavirus vaccine. As The Epoch Times reports: CDC urgently requests your assistance in expediting applications for these distribution facilities, he wrote, adding, and, if necessary, asks that you consider waiving requirements that would prevent these facilities from becoming fully operational by November 1, 2020. Skipping safety trials, pushing experimental vaccines for political purposes a recipe for disaster So we have a fast-tracked vaccine thats skipping phase 3 trials, meaning there are zero long-term studies being conducted on vaccine safety or efficacy. And then we have a federal agency pressuring states to waive their own requirements for licensing, which amounts to yet more government pressure to eliminate state-level scrutiny of vaccine efficacy and safety. The result? America is being put on the fast track to a public health train wreck that will be blamed on guess who? President Trump. There is also a very real risk that the entire vaccine industry will be utterly discredited in the aftermath of a looming fast-tracked vaccine disaster. This fact is affirmed by none other than the CEO of Pfizer, a major vaccine manufacturer, who now warns that skipping the safety trials could end in catastrophe. As reported by NewsTarget.com: Albert Bourla, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer has warned of the damage that pushing a vaccine before testing its guaranteed to be safe may cause the reputation of the pharmaceutical industry. Bourla acknowledged that people were skeptical about vaccines. They are skeptical because theres so much politicized science right now, he said in a press conference of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations. This is the worst situation for society. The FDA, meanwhile, has already declared it will not require coronavirus vaccines to be proven safe or effective at all. Instead, they will be approved under emergency authorization, which allows the FDA to approve emergency medical interventions if there is no other recognized treatment alternative available. And thats why weve all witnessed a Big Pharma-funded propaganda war against hydroxychloroquine, of course. The FDA can only justify emergency approval of a fast-tracked vaccine if HCQ is discredited as a treatment. Thats the entire reason behind the coordinated fake science effort to false claim HCQ is dangerous. So we are now witnessing the CDC and a cartel of Big Pharma vaccine makers try to convince the world that a safe drug (HCQ) is dangerous, while potentially dangerous vaccines are safe. It has all become politicized now. On top of that clusterf#ck, President Trump is trying to convince the nation that a rushed coronavirus vaccine is our pathway to restoring growth and abundance to Americas economy. He recently stated, Under Operation Warp Speed, we have three different vaccines in the final stage of trials, right now, years ahead of what has been achieved before We will have a safe and effective vaccine this year. And together we will crush the virus. But what if Operation Warp Speed is actually just twisted, junk science medicine? You cant claim vaccines are safe in the long run unless you test them for the long run. The whole purpose of phase 3 trials is to test the vaccines on a much larger population for an extended period of time in order to estimate what might happen when you start giving out hundreds of millions of doses to the population at large. Its a sensible step before you run around injecting half the population with a new, experimental substance created in a laboratory. mRNA vaccine platform is a grand, risky medical experiment that should be subjected to at least a decade of exhaustive testing The new mRNA platform now being used for coronavirus vaccines further underscores the foolishness of skipping phase 3 trials, given that no mRNA vaccine has ever been approved by the FDA for use in humans, meaning the entire platform is a grand medical experiment with unknown consequences. The rush to proclaim victory over the coronavirus, it seems, is leading Trump to blindly dive head first into a dark pool that may or may not hold any water. If the first fast-tracked vaccine miraculously shows zero problems while granting full immunity to all its recipients, it will be deemed a Trump miracle. But the odds of this are so slim that you might simply call it zero. The far more likely outcome is that fast-tracked vaccines, injected into a hundred million Americans, will reveal underlying problems that could have been recorded in a phase 3 trial, but were never observed because the trials were skipped. And this is even if we assume the vaccine manufacturers are acting in good faith and arent deliberately trying to use the vaccine platform to achieve infertility or depopulation goals, both of which are repeatedly and aggressively promoted by vaccine advocates such as Bill Gates. Vaccines given to young women in Kenya have been confirmed to be spiked with infertility chemicals, revealing that vaccines are used to reduce human populations through campaigns of mass deception. But what happens if the first fast-tracked vaccine turns out to be a medical time bomb that detonates across America, injuring or killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people? Adding to the medical insanity of this situation, the city of Houston, Texas is reportedly randomly selecting Houston citizens to be human guinea pigs / test subjects for the experimental coronavirus vaccine. If you are selected by this medical lottery, Houston will send health officials to your door to inject you with the vaccine, just to see what happens: A fast-tracked vaccine could kill 200,000 Americans, exceeding the official deaths from COVID-19 Notably, early Moderna vaccine trials caused side effects in 50% of study subjects, and produced serious injury in 20% of patients in the high dose group. This is the very same vaccine being fast-tracked for rapid approval by the Trump administration. Moderna even openly admits that its mRNA vaccine technology can produce significant adverse events, which is another way of saying it can injure and kill people. If you have a dangerous vaccine thats injuring 20% of people who receive it, fast-tracking the vaccine doesnt reduce the rate of injury. In the same way, if you have a broken car with a flat tire and a bent wheel, driving it 100 mph down the highway doesnt make those problems go away. If anything, it makes the looming catastrophe far worse. Lets do the math: If this Modern vaccine causes serious injuries in 20% of patients, and if its given to 100 million Americans, we would expect to see 20 million Americans injured by the vaccine. Out of those 20 million injured Americans, how many might die from the vaccine? We dont know the numbers yet because, of course, the larger clinical trials are being skipped. But if just 1 out of 100 serious injuries results in death, were looking at 200,000 dead Americans. That number 200,000 exceeds the number of Americans reported to have died from COVID-19 itself, according to official statistics from the CDC. And this means a fast-tracked vaccine could kill more Americans than the virus it claims to be halting. Its not difficult to imagine the headlines in the New York Times: Trumps vaccine kills 200,000 Americans Vaccine APOCALYPSE. No doubt fake news outlets such as The Atlantic a discredited fiction rag will claim Trump had all the vaccines spiked with Russian technology, making them even more deadly. Trump is making a dangerous, risky bet, and if hes wrong, any American stupid enough to get vaccinated may pay the price We dont believe Trump would intentionally seek to use vaccines as weapons against innocent people thats something that depopulation globalists advocate, however but Trump could rush dangerous vaccines into widespread use, accidentally unleashing a medical time bomb that could kill hundreds of thousands of Americans and destroy his legacy. If youre going to tie yourself to a horse, make sure that horse isnt leaping off a cliff, in other words. The vaccine industry will do anything for profit, and they see huge profits in fast-tracked coronavirus vaccines. They have zero liability for damage or death caused by their vaccines, so theres no incentive whatsoever for them to even conduct long-term safety trials. Their entire incentive is to get the vaccine selling as quickly as possible, regardless of how many innocent people die in the process. They also know that Big Tech will censor any reports of vaccine injuries or deaths. Even the fake news mainstream media will usually go along with the cover-ups, protecting Big Pharma with lies and propaganda to falsely claim all vaccines are safe and effective, even as theyre injuring or killing hundreds of thousands of people each year in the United States alone. But when it comes to Trump, the media will do anything to destroy him, and they may decide that throwing Moderna under the bus is worth casting blame onto President Trump for vaccine injuries and deaths. If the vaccine injuries start piling up, it wont be difficult for the media to cast Trump as a reckless president who ignored safety protocols and pressured the CDC and FDA to skip all the necessary protocols in order to try to save his own presidency. The Fauci Folly: Trump is foolishly allying himself with a dishonest, fraudulent industry that values no lives whatsoever In our view, Trump is placing a very risky bet on fast-tracked vaccines. Hes allying himself with an industry steeped in science fraud and horrible quality control. Since the industry has enjoyed legal immunity since 1986, there are no incentives for vaccine manufacturing to be conducted in a manner that any reasonable person would consider to be safe. Even worse, vaccines are deliberately formulated with toxic chemicals such as squalene, thimerosal and aluminum-based adjuvants. Rushing vaccines to market is a lot like trying to rush a space shuttle launch. In 1986, the same year Congress granted the vaccine industry legal immunity from vaccine injuries, NASA found out the hard way that when you rush complex, highly technical projects, they sometimes blow up in your face. (Or in the sky, in the case of the space shuttle Challenger.) In NASAs case, they rushed the launch even though cold weather had crept in, rendering critical o-rings brittle and subject to failure. Importantly, NASA had been warned in advance by its own scientists that this catastrophe would happen, but they ignored the warning because they wanted to meet a deadline for public relations purposes. Even this catastrophe only managed to kill 7 Americans. By comparison, Trumps fast-tracked vaccine push may kill or injure hundreds of thousands of Americans. Like NASA, Trump is desperately trying to meet a deadline by rushing the science and demanding results for political purposes. This is incredibly ignorant and almost certain to end in catastrophe. The only real question concerns the scale of the catastrophe: Will the first fast-tracked vaccine only kill a few hundred people, or will it destroy the lives of hundreds of thousands? For a president who declared, before he was elected, that vaccines are dangerous, it is nothing less than horrifying that hes now betting Americas future and his own historical legacy on a rushed, risky vaccine technology that can only be honestly described as medical experimentation on human beings. You know its risky when even the CEO of Pfizer is warning you to change course and stick to long-term testing. Weve even heard that many of the usual suspects of vaccine advocates like Paul Offit are warning about rushing experimental vaccines into large-scale deployment. When the vaccine advocates themselves are urging you to slam on the brakes and take the time to study the long-term safety of a new vaccine, thats a fairly reliable sign that youre probably playing with fire. But Trump seems determined to catapult America into a nationwide medical experiment with utterly unknown consequences. Its a roll of the dice, with hundreds of millions of lives at stake, along with a very real risk that the vaccine will do absolutely nothing on the positive side to quell the spread of the coronavirus. In fact, the vaccine might actually make the pandemic worse, leading to the dreaded second wave of infections and deaths that Democrats will use to justify even more draconian lockdowns and economic suicide. Heres Dr. Carrie Madej warning about the genetic consequences of the mRNA vaccine: The thing is, we already know how to beat the Wuhan coronavirus. A recent event called Pandemic Town Hall documented the simple solutions that are working to save lives and beat the infections using simple drugs and nutrients. See the video here: Trump would do much better for America, it seems, by listening to the complementary medicine community and advocating nutrients like zinc, quercetin, green tea extract and vitamin D rather than risky, experimental vaccines that have skipped safety trials. For honest, accurate reporting on COVID-19, vaccines and medical ethics, read NaturalNews.com, which has been proven correct again and again about the corruption of the FDA, CDC and greed-driven vaccine industry. The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) is today launching the second stage of its Reconciliation Action Plan. Administered through Reconciliation Australia, the strategy sets out practical actions to drive contribution to reconciliation, both internally and in the communities in which it operates, through the development of meaningful relationships and opportunities for First Nations peoples. The SAFCs RAP, titled Innovate, details the agencys ongoing commitment to developing long-term, beneficial and reciprocal partnerships with First Nations peoples and communities in the screen industry, and supporting and amplifying the extraordinary stories and creative voices of South Australias First Nations screen sector. The agencys previous Reflect RAP included the launch of Centralised, supporting First Nations filmmakers and screen creatives in South Australia and the Northern Territory; Deadly Family Portraits, an ABC iview documentary series by South Australian First Nations filmmakers; the establishment of the SAFCs first First Nations Screen Strategy Committee; and the recent appointment of the SAFCs First Nations Industry Development Executive, as well as a raft of free training and upskilling workshops and development opportunities across Adelaide and regional South Australia. SAFC CEO Kate Croser said, The SAFC has a long history of highlighting First Nations voices and supporting First Nations stories on screen, and as an organisation with storytelling of all cultures at its heart, we recognise reconciliation as one of the most important and pressing social issues of our time. Our Reflect RAP set a roadmap for the SAFC to begin our reconciliation journey and laid the foundations for our organisational approach to reconciliation. Now we continue that journey with this Innovate RAP to advance reconciliation not just within the screen sector in South Australia, but also outside state borders through our projects, programs and initiatives. South Australias First Nations communities are bursting with incredible screen talent, and through initiatives such as our First Nations Screen Strategy, within the important context of reconciliation, the SAFC will continue to bring their stories and voices to the fore. SAFC First Nations Screen Strategy Executive Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin said, At the SAFC we walk side by side with First Nations peoples to tell their stories on screen. We believe that, through creative expression, truth-telling will educate, build forgiveness and understanding while unburdening us from our past. We proudly look to a future of reconciliation where there is greater visibility for First Nations peoples, cultures and stories in work created by First Nations screen practitioners, and where the unique perspectives, wisdom and stories of Australias First Nations continuing cultures are shared and celebrated on screen for audiences across Australia and the world. SA Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni added, I commend the SAFC for launching the second phase of their Reconciliation Action Plan. The RAP underlines the work the SAFC has demonstrated over many years in amplifying the voices of Indigenous South Australians, and this process shows real leadership for the sector. SAFCs new First Nations Screen Strategy will be launched later this year. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:17:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Fresno, Madera and Mariposa counties Sunday due to the Creek Fire, which exploded to 73,278 acres (296.6 square kilometers) in 30 hours with 0 percent containment so far. The governor also declared the state of emergency for San Bernardino County due to the El Dorado Fire and for San Diego County due to the Valley Fire, and the two blazes consumed over 7,000 and 4,000 acres (28.3 and 16.2 square kilometers) till Sunday night, respectively. The declaration will help the state quickly deploy additional resources to assist in fighting the fires and keeping people and structures safe. At least 224 people were rescued from the communities and camping sites surrounded by the fast moving Creek Fire Sunday morning. Local media reported local agencies and the National Guard used resources on land and air, including Blackhawk choppers and a Chinook. About 20 evacuees had injuries ranging from broken bones to burns, local ABC 30 news channel reported Sunday night, adding that some 800 firefighters are battling the fire, which is threatening over 3,000 structures. Besides these three fires, about two dozen more wildfires are raging in California, fueled by the heat, winds and dry brush. Captain Richard Cordova from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) was quoted by CNN Sunday night as saying that more than 2,094,955 acres (8,477.9 square kilometers) had burned across the state this year. That is the size of more than 10 New York Cities and broke the all-time record, the official said, warning that the state had not stepped into wildfire season usually starting from October. However, on Cal Fire's official website, the figure of this year's burning land is 1,848,311 acres (7,479.9 square kilometers) with a total of 7,448 incidents. Enditem Sen. Kamala Harris spoke with Jacob Blake by phone during a private meeting with his family and legal team in Milwaukee, per a campaign official, four days after Joe Biden met with them in the wake of Blakes shooting by Kenosha police. Driving the news: This is Harris first visit to a battleground state since being named Bidens running mate. She's also meeting with local labor leaders and business owners to discuss workers rights, the economy and systemic racism. What she's saying: Harris told reporters that her message to the family was "to express concern for their well-being and of course, for their brother and their son's well being and to let them know that they have support." "And they just do it with such dignity and grace. And you know, they're carrying the weight of a lot of voices on their shoulders," she said. Details: Harris is meeting with four members of Blakes family and three members of his legal team. Blakes father and two sisters met with Harris in person, and his mother joined by phone. Attendees: Jacob Blake, Sr., Blakes father Letetra Widman, Blakes sister Zietha Blake, Blakes sister Julia Jackson, Blakes mother (by phone) Ben Crump, Blakes attorney (by phone) Patrick Salvi, Jr., on Blakes legal team BIvory LaMarr, on Blakes legal team Blake, who is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in the back seven times by a Kenosha police officer, answered questions from his hospital bed during a court hearing on Friday. In a video shared by his attorney Ben Crump on Saturday, Blake gave his first comments on his injuries, saying, "24 hours every 24 hours, it's pain. ... It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side to side, it hurts to eat." "Please, I'm telling you: Change y'all lives out there. We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man, because theres so much time that has been wasted," he said in the video. Flashback: President Trump visited Wisconsin on Tuesday, where he met with business leaders and local law enforcement, but he didn't mention Blake in his remarks. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include what Harris said about the meeting. The German hospital treating Aleksei Navalny says the Russian opposition leaders condition "has improved" and he is "responding to verbal stimuli." Berlins Charite hospital said in a statement on September 7 that the 44-year-old has been "removed from his medically induced coma" and "is being weaned off mechanical ventilation." However, the hospital also said that it remains "too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning." Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner who has led nationwide protests against Russian President Vladimir Putin, was flown to Germany on August 22, two days after falling ill on a flight in Siberia. German experts say tests show that he was poisoned with a Soviet-style military-grade nerve agent from the Novichok group, prompting the European Union, Germany, the United States, and other countries to demand that Russia investigate the case. Britain's Foreign Minister Dominic Raab on September 7 said he had summoned Russia's ambassador to London to "register deep concern about the poisoning." "It's completely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used and Russia must hold a full, transparent investigation," Raab tweeted. "The Russian side noted that unfounded accusations and politization of the issue, which has a strictly medical and legal nature, are unacceptable," the Russian Embassy said in a statement, adding that "an interest in establishing all the facts related to this incident was expressed." Russian authorities have refused to open a criminal investigation, saying that no hard evidence of poisoning has been found. The Kremlin has also vehemently denied allegations by Navalnys team, his relatives, and others who believe that Russian authorities are behind the poisoning. A Novichok nerve agent was used to poison Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Britain in 2018. A British investigation blamed the Russian state. On September 5, leading Russian physician Leonid Roshal, who in recent years has publicly supported Putin and his policies, said that Russia's National Medical Chamber had called on Germany's Physicians Chamber (Aerztekammer) to create a joint group to evaluate Navalny's health. The next day, Navalnys wife slammed the 87-year-old Leonid Roshal as being little more than a stooge for the Russian leader. Instagram Post Yulia Navalnaya wrote on Instagram that medical institutions in Russia consider patients their "property," falsifying information they make public via the media while "deceiving relatives, not letting them see the patient and inventing rules at their own discretion, literally turning the hospital into an analogue of a Russian prison." "Dr. Roshal, I would like to say that my husband is not your property. You did not have, do not have, and will not have anything to do with his treatment. All your public activities in recent years give me no reason to trust and respect you. You are not acting as a doctor, but as the voice of the state, and you do not want to help a patient whom you do not care about, but to find out information and curry favor for your boss. Do not take sin on your soul, especially at such a respectable age," Navalnaya wrote. Germany has signaled that Berlin would push for new sanctions against Russia if Moscow fails to explain the poisoning of the Kremlin foe, including a possible shift in German policy regarding the nearly complete Baltic Sea pipeline known as Nord Stream 2, which would bring gas from Russia to Germany. Merkel has been under pressure from the United States and other Western countries to scrap the plan. Asked on September 7 whether Chancellor Angela Merkel would protect the multi-billion-euro pipeline if Germany were to seek sanctions over the Navalny case, her spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The chancellor believes it would be wrong to rule anything out from the start." Navalny's close associate Lyubov Sobol told RFE/RL on September 4 that she believes that Navalny was poisoned either by Russia's Federal Security Service or by Kremlin-connected powerful businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. "Neither special services, nor Yevgeny Prigozhin could organize this poisoning without the direct order by [Russian President] Vladimir Putin," Sobol said, though she did not provide any concrete evidence of a connection. Sobol believes the Kremlin would want to poison Navalny because of his Smart Voting campaign that supports independent and opposition candidates in municipal elections later in September. She added that a wave of instability sparked by protests stretching from Belarus, on Russia's western border, to the Far Eastern region of the Khabarovsk Krai, have also unsettled Russia's leadership. Q: Ive been divorced for 15 years; our one child lives with me. Prior, we had joint custody; I had extensive visits most weekends, all summer, and all holidays. The mother wasnt on speaking terms with her parents. They asked me to see their grandson. With my sons approval, I shared my access. I felt itd be wrong not to. His mother accused me of several things, including sexual abuse of the child. That resulted in a lecture from the Family Court judge, about false accusations and her being responsible for all costs of transportation for access. When my son moved with me (hes now 20), he wanted no further contact with his mother. I advised him, despite the problems, that he stay in contact, that hed regret his decision in the future, so he continued contact. Now, she wants to visit her son at my home. Id be OK with that, except I fear shell again make up stories, as happened numerous times in the past, that end up with me being arrested. Her entire family doesnt speak to her, nor see her, saying she has extensive mental illness problems. I cannot wish her away. My son says Im not to worry, itll be like in the past. They (i.e. the police/courts) will say shes crazy, fine, but I fear that even a few minutes alone with her is problematic. But this means no contact at all with her, no chance of her and I being civil. It all gives my son great stress. Hes my concern, hes had far too much stress in his life. Im lost for an answer. Worried Father A: The answer has to be your sons, not yours. At 20, he has the right to choose or reject his own stress. He said when he moved in with you that he didnt want contact with his mother you told him hed later regret that decision. Thats a common response to children of divorce, but hes now an adult. He can drop contact to avoid stress and/or resume contact later if he feels he can handle it. Your ex made a false accusation against you in the past, which couldve gone the other way if shed been believed, and you convicted of a serious crime. Having her in your home with you and your son is like supplying matches to an arsonist. Ask your son what he feels is best for him now. If he wants to see her, ask if hes able to do so on his own. If not, ask if hed consider talking to a counsellor experienced with post-divorce anger, false accusations and reconnecting with the other parent. Let him find his own answers. Q: A mother from my sons class asked me to share the class rep role. I like her, but shes very opinionated, and can become hard to take. Id like to avoid this situation without offending her because our boys are friends. Uncomfortable Parent A: Parents with a volunteer role in their childs school have the chance to contribute to its betterment. Parents bring vision and voice to situations that might otherwise be missed by a busy teacher/school official, all currently dealing with their own and parents COVID-based concerns for children and staff. Set ground rules with this mother to define the timing of meetings regarding issues. If differences of opinion and/or discussions keep being repeated, call a full meeting of all class parents. Thoughtful parental involvement in classroom issues is especially needed, now. Ellies tip of the day Let adult children of divorce decide about contact with the other parent. With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in South Korea, the government decided to strengthen its health protocol implementation and upgraded its social distancing protocol to level 2.5. The social distancing level 2.5 is a strengthened health protocol that will be applied to the upcoming Seoul International Drama Awards event. The organizing committee has decided to change the format of the event to protect the safety of participants and strengthen community quarantine efforts. Chairman Sung Jae Park of the organizing committee of the Seoul International Drama Awards declared that the ceremony would push through with a non-face-to-face policy due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. The awards ceremony was initially planned to be held with a live broadcast on September 10 without the audience and only the presenters in attendance. However, it was now replaced to be a recorded broadcast and was moved to air on September 15th, and both presenters and winners will not be present in the awards ceremony. The organizing committee will be the one to hand over the trophies to local and overseas winners personally. And the winners will share their speech through a recorded video presentation to be viewed by the fans worldwide. Of course, we wouldn't want to miss the celebratory performances, yes! It will push through to create a more happy and lively atmosphere for the said event. The strict social distancing policy will still be followed by the performers and onsite staff. Rules have been given, and all should abide by it. The performers and crew will not be permitted to gather at a place all at the same time since their safety is the number 1 priority. It is going to be a team by team basis. There will be a few assigned personnel present at a specific time to assist each team. The 15th Seoul International Drama Awards (2020) will be broadcasted on the MBC network at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on September 15th (Tuesday). The awarding ceremony will also be aired on "wavve" in South Korea. On the other hand, fans form the overseas may also watch the recording on MBC drama's official YouTube channel. The Seoul International Drama Awards also known as SDA, is a yearly event that occurs in Seoul, South Korea, this ceremony honors excellence in television drama productions worldwide. The said awarding ceremony is hosted by the Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee and the Korean Broadcasters Association which was founded in the year 2006. This year marks the 15th year of celebration. Although there is a considerable impact brought by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, still a total of 212 entries from 41 different countries have been submitted for the competition, which proves that the Seoul International Drama Awards is a renowned drama festival. The Grand Prize will be awarded to the drama with the most exceptional artistry, originality, and popularity among the listed categories such as TV Movie, Mini-Series, Serial Drama, and Short-Form. Mnangagwa Says Zimbabwe Will Punish People Attacking State Security Agents President Emmerson Mnangagwa has condemned the brutal attack on members of the security forces Saturday at Chicken Inn Police Base in Chivhu communal lands. In a statement, Mnangagwa said, This cowardly and senseless attack aby an assailant on the two soldiers who were enforcing lockdown measures aimed at mitigating the spread of the deadly Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19)) at the police base near the Chivhu Chicken Inn, must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all peace-loving Zimbabweans. Government will not tolerate anyone who attacks, harms or kills any member of the security establishment, let alone disarming and unlawfully taking arms of war in their possession. Any breach of this nature will attract the severest punishment. Thirty-year-old Lance Corporal Lorance Mupanganyama of the 21 Reserve Force, Mount Darwin, and Corporal Peter Zvirevo were attacked by Elphas Jani (20) and an unknown assailant at the police base. According to the Zimbabwean government, Zvirevo is in intensive care at West End Hospital in Harare where he is nursing serious injuries. At the same time, Corporal Stanalious Chiunye, who was part of a team which killed the two suspects, is also at West End Hospital. He sustained injuries in the ensuring gunfire exchange with Jani and the other suspect. Mnangagwa praised people who tried to assist the injured soldiers in Chivhu. The role played by members of the public at the Chivhu crime scene when they rendered help to the injured and took them to the nearest health facility, is highly commendable and exemplary. Their actions were a show of great compassion and high respect for the work our soldiers do to ensure national security and a demonstration of the spirit of Ubuntu that has come to characterize our great nation. State security agents killed six people in 2018 when some people protested over presidential election results. Other people were gunned down following protests over fuel price hikes of up to 150% in 2019. After almost 17 straight years of handling those duties, she has been confined to home for more than three months. In May, after working with a client who had a nagging cough, she began feeling lousy and received a Covid-19 test. It was positive. You cant imagine, Beh said of repercussions from that illness. For a time, she struggled to breathe. She lost her sense of taste and smell, and her appetite. While she has gradually regained strength, she is frustrated by tests that keep coming back positive. She lives, for now, on unemployment benefits. What she wants more than anything is to get to work both for the pay and because it is simply what she does. Yet until she tests free of the virus, she is stuck at home. I also called Yolanda Colon, 25, who started working for an agency in February, just before the pandemic. She is taking off Labor Day to be with her family, which she said is her first holiday since beginning the job. Colon has a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old, and she said she takes as many hours as she can often far more than 40 in a week because her husband Juan was laid off from construction work, and he is available for now to watch the kids. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 14:11:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HAVANA, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Four Points by Sheraton Havana, the only hotel operated by a U.S. company in Cuba, was forced by Washington to cease operation, which aimed to increase economic pressure on the Caribbean country, a Cuban expert has said. Ricardo Torres, a senior researcher at Havana's Center for the Studies of the Cuban Economy, made the remarks after the U.S. hotel chain Marriott International formally notified the end of hotel operations in the Caribbean country on Aug. 31. "Although over the past few months the hotel had been shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it stood as a symbol of the U.S.-Cuba detente under the Obama administration," he told Xinhua. "The current U.S. administration's policy toward the Caribbean country is meant to increase economic pressure and undermine hard currency sources for the Cuban economy," he said in a recent interview about the impact of the U.S. embargo against the country. In that regard, Torres said, the Trump administration has also been limiting the amount of remittances Cuban Americans can send back to their families on the island as well as attacking Cuban medical assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The United Nations and the international community have urged the U.S. government to lift unilateral economic sanctions against many countries during the global health emergency, but it has been ignored," he said. Marriott became the first U.S. hotel company to sign a deal with Cuba since the victory of the socialist revolution, he said, but the U.S. Treasury Department in June ordered the company to wind down operation of the Four Points by Sheraton Havana by Aug. 31. As far as the U.S. policy toward the island is concerned, Torres said, it is not guided by principles but out of political reasons at the moment, adding that the U.S. administration has been hostile to enemies and allies alike. "Under the Obama detente, the United States ranked second after Canada in terms of international arrivals on the island, gaining some ground on the Cuban tourism industry," he said. "Marriott planned to operate new facilities such as the Inglaterra hotel in Havana," but the U.S. administration deprived the global hotel chain of the right to continue investing on the island, he added. The expert also said that U.S. companies are not benefiting from the huge potential of Cuba as a business and tourist destination while the sanctions are in place. "Also, U.S. commercial and charter flights to Cuba have been restricted and U.S. cruise ships banned from sailing to Cuban ports. We are seeing an escalation of a U.S. aggressive policy against the island nation," he said, adding that the White House is responsible for the worsening bilateral ties over the past few years. Enditem MOSCOW Maria Kolesnikova, the last prominent protest leader in Belarus still at large, vanished on Monday and local news media outlets reported that she had been grabbed off the street by masked kidnappers in the center of the East European nations capital, bundled into a dark minivan and driven away at speed. The abduction of Ms. Kolesnikova, the latest in a series of disappearances apparently engineered by Belaruss security agencies, followed large protests on Sunday in Minsk, the capital, and towns across the country. It seemed to reflect a shift in strategy from the initial frenzy of police violence against protesters to picking off opposition leaders one by one and sending them out of the country. Linas Linkevicius, the foreign minister of neighboring Lithuania, said Ms. Kolesnikova had been the victim of a kidnapping, deploring in a Twitter post that Stalinist N.K.V.D. methods are being applied in 21st century Europe. It is hard to believe the undue barriers Tram Tran and thousands of workers and out-of-work New Mexicans are going through to get the help they need and deserve during this difficult time. Since April 2016, Tram has been a nail technician at Princess Spa and Nails. Her workplace shut down in March of this year. With the loss of income, Tram, her husband and their 18-month-old baby struggled to survive. It was their first time experiencing unemployment. Tram went online to apply for unemployment benefits, but there were no applications or assistance available in Vietnamese. The process was unclear and misleading. The page crashed before she could submit, forcing her to start over again. Her account then got locked, and she didnt understand what had happened. She called the Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS) hot line. For weeks, it took her hours of waiting only to be randomly disconnected, or connected with representatives who said they could not address her problems. There were times when the line was transferred to a supervisor but then suddenly disconnected. I called DWS every single day, and I know the numbers and options by heart now, said Tram, It would have been OK if I just knew what was going on with my account. She believed she put in the correct information, but the system kept saying her account wasnt working and there were no explanations. During this time, Tram and her family dipped into their savings to pay for groceries, diapers, mortgage, car payment and utility bills. She didnt know how long it would last and what they could do to survive. I am not getting much sleep, I have no idea what is next. So many people are mentally and emotionally checking out and I do not want to be one of those. By the time her benefits were approved, the system denied her three weeks of back pay. Its really unfair being denied because the system fails, Tram said. When she called again, she was automatically sent to voicemail, and her problems went unaddressed. She was very disappointed and felt DWS didnt listen to her. After months of waiting, Tram called and told us that she finally received her back pay on July 27. At the New Mexico Asian Family Center (NMAFC), Trams story is only one among many. Since March, NMAFC, the only nonprofit in the state that provides culturally and linguistically tailored programs and services to the Pan-Asian community, started to hear many stories from community members who lost their jobs in the pandemic but couldnt access the unemployment system. We heard these kinds of phrases over and over again: How am I going to pay rent? How am I going to feed my family? What should I do if the bank forecloses my house? The current system is leaving behind thousands of workers like Tram, especially non-English speaking immigrants and refugees. On May 1, after working for weeks with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and other partners, NMAFC sent in a letter with sign-ons from over 40 organizations and individuals to DWS Secretary Bill McCamley. Since then, we have barely seen any changes. The unemployment system is built to provide a safety net for all working New Mexicans when they need it. NMAFC and organizations supporting workers rights in New Mexico call on DWS to fix problems and remove barriers to unemployment benefits so that all our working families can access benefits. Tram calls on DWS to provide applicants clear in-language instructions and applications, such as a video to help non-English speakers fill out their applications correctly so that no one has to experience the same situation as she. A buffalo attacked and killed a woman who was taking her baby to a clinic in West Pokot on Saturday afternoon. Confirming the incident, Kenya Wildlife Services Senior Warden Hamisi Amulavu said Ms Chepokugho Ngolerongan was found dead and her seven-month-old baby unscathed. The body was moved to Kapenguria County Hospital mortuary. The baby was taken to hospital for treatment. The Buffalo was traced later by KWS officers and killed, he said. One of the locals, Moses Lotukon, said a passer-by found the unharmed baby girl in a bush next to the lifeless body of her mother. The stray buffalo was also spotted a few metres away. It killed the woman but the child is safe. The woman was taking her baby to the clinic when she met the buffalo on the way, Moses said. The woman was taking her baby girl to the hospital while the other twin baby boy had been left at home. Her eyes were gouged out and it broke her legs and hands. Fortunately, the baby girl was not hurt, he added. According to the KWS warden, the stray buffalo migrated from Uganda to Chepasacha Village in West Pokot County where it destroyed maize plantation. He said it migrated due to cold weather in Uganda and urged locals to be alert and report any sighting of wild animals to the authorities. After the animal was gunned down, locals skinned the buffalo and shared the meat ignoring a warning from KWS against eating wild meat. We scrambled for the meat. Previously the buffalo had been spotted chasing kids who were herding cows. We are happy the KWS officers responded immediately and killed the buffalo. We can now sleep without worries, said Moses Lotukon. Czech director Jiri Menzel and his wife Olga Menzelova arrive at the Berlinale International Film Festival in February 2007 Oscar-winning Czech film director Jiri Menzel has died aged 82 after battling serious health problems for a long time, his wife Olga Menzelova said on Sunday. "Our dear Jiri, the bravest of the brave. Your body left our mundane world in our arms last night," she wrote on Facebook. Menzel won the Academy Award for the best foreign language film with "Closely Watched Trains", a World War II drama, in 1967. Born on February 23, 1938, Menzel studied film direction in Prague, graduating in 1962. In the 1960s, he was one of the leading figures of the Czechoslovak New Wave of cinema, alongside another Oscar winner Milos Forman. "Closely Watched Trains", based on a novel by Czech writer Bohumil Hrabal, was Menzel's first feature film. Hrabal became an endless source of inspiration for Menzel, who shot the bitter-sweet film "Larks on a String" in 1969, depicting the life of people sidelined by the Communist regime ruling in then-Czechoslovakia and based on Hrabal's novel. He shot the film in the wake of a political meltdown known as the Prague Spring, a loosening of communist influence that was crushed by Soviet-led armies in August 1968. The film was banned by the authorities, and it only returned to the screen after Communism was toppled in the peaceful Velvet Revolution of 1989. It won the Golden Bear award at the Berlin international film festival in 1990. "I always admired in Hrabal the ability to look at people and see them as they truly are, with a truly uncompromising perspective, but he still loved people," Menzel said. His other films based on Hrabal's books include "Shortcuts" (1981) and "The Snowdrop Festival" (1984). Menzel's "Sweet Little Village" from 1985 earned him an Oscar nomination. After the Velvet Revolution, Menzel shot "The Beggar's Opera" (1991) using a screenplay by former Czech dissident playwright and later president Vaclav Havel. Story continues In 2006, he shot his last film inspired by Hrabal, "I Served the King of England". "Good comedy should be about serious things. If you start to talk about serious things too seriously, you end up being ridiculous," Menzel once said. An occasional actor and writer and prolific theatre director, Menzel has won the French award of "Knight of Arts and Letters" -- just like his muse, Bohumil Hrabal. frj/jj A Deputy Campaign Manager for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, has accused former President John Mahama of inciting ethnic groups in the country against the governing party. Mustapha Hamid says recent name-calling by Mr. Mahama is unacceptable and uncalled-for. We have all seen how former President John Mahama tagged some people as Akyem Sakawa people. How can a former President of this country call a group of people Sakawa people? Its so unacceptable of a former President, said Mustapha Hamid. At a news conference in Accra on Monday, September 7, 2020, Mustapha Hamid questioned why the former President will include an ethnic group in his statement. Mr. Mahama has been lambasted for sharing on his Facebook page an article authored by the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo. The article described elements from the New Patriotic Party as Akyem Sakawa Boys in relation to the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal. President Akufo-Addo on Friday at a meeting with the Catholic Bishop Conference at the Jubilee House expressed misgivings about the description by the former President, calling on everyone to condemn the statement. The former President on Saturday insisted that President Akufo-Addo has lost his rights to complain about the said tag. In any case, President Nana Akufo-Addo has lost the right to complain. He was an opposition leader who called Presidents anything you can imagine, including Professor, do little. I do not want to repeat some of the other things he has said. He is the President who has called his critics naysayers and Jeremiahs. I do not understand on what standard he can be offended because he has precedence of name calling, Mr. Mahama added. But Mustapha Hamid says John Mahama wants to whip up ethnic sentiment to win the December polls. This is not the first time John Mahama has done this. During the voter registration exercise, he was in the Volta Region inciting Voltarians against the NPP and now Akyem Sakawa people. Why is John Mahama doing this? Mustaha Hamid, who is also the Minister of Inner City and Zongo Development called on well-meaning Ghanaians to ignore John Mahama and ethnocentric statements as the December polls draw closer. citinewsroom For Subscribers Senate votes to increase Partners in Education tax credit program Senators voted to increase the amount of money the Partners in Education tax credit program can give out for scholarships to private school students. AMAC Aerospace awarded several new contracts. Image: AMAC Aerospace AMAC Aerospace received an Airbus ACJ340 in late July in Basel. The Head of State aircraft stayed for two months at AMACs headquarters to undergo a C-check. AMAC installed a Ka-Band system to ensure a seamless connectivity on board of the aircraft. The Airbus team of AMAC performed some minor modification cabin work and several rectifications inside the aircraft. A second Head of State aircraft arrived in late July in Basel. AMAC carried out a multiple C-check package on the Airbus A320. AMAC Aerospace was awarded further maintenance projects on four Airbus aircraft. Completed project on a Bombardier Global XRS The company also completed an 8C-check on a Bombardier Global XRS. The privately-owned aircraft was delivered by the end of February to undergo a maintenance check. While on ground, a cabin refurbishment was completed as well as avionics upgrades were carried out. The maintenance check required the removal of the stabiliser. A Bombardier Global Express has entered AMACs hangars to undergo a 750-, 1,500- and 3,000-hours inspection. Furthermore, AMAC carried out an ADSB-Out installation as well as Service Bulletin (SB) and Airworthiness Directive (AD) tasks. AMAC Aerospace has also been awarded the upgrade of the connectivity system on a privately-owned Bombardier Global 6000. Andreas Michaelis, German Ambassador to the Court of St James's, visited Bristol on Wednesday 2 September accompanied by his wife Frau Heike Michaelis, German Consul General Hans-Guenther Loeffler, and the new Honorary German Consul for Bristol Kai von Pahlen. The University's objectives for the visit were to discuss opportunities for collaboration with Germany across research, education and mobility, to gather information on Germanys priorities for the higher education sector, and to identify how the University can best build and foster its relationship with the Ambassador. This is the Ambassadors first official visit outside London, and came in response an invitation from the Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees. Herr Michaelis is from Hannover, Bristols twin city. Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement Erik Lithander said: We were delighted to be able to welcome the Ambassador to the University to have the opportunity to showcase some of the terrific research being done in collaboration with German colleagues and institutions. The University of Bristol is determined to keep European collaboration at the centre of its research strategy, and opportunities such as the Ambassadors visit are an excellent way to accentuate this. Bristol City Council introduced the Ambassador to some of Bristol's networks with German connections, such as Airbus and the University of Bristol, and welcomed the new Honorary German Consul for Bristol with a visit to the SS Great Britain. The delegation had lunch with Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Karla Pollmann, Professor of German and Comparative Literature Robert Vilain, Senior Lecturer in German Dr Debbie Pinfold, and Language Director in German Mandy Poetzsch. The delegation visited the Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology in the School of Chemistry and the GW4 Facility for High-Resolution Electron Cryo-Microscopy housed in the Life Sciences Building. The Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology was founded in 2019 by the University of Bristol and the Max Planck Society. The Centre pursues game-changing research and postgraduate training in the emerging field of minimal biology to address some of the most complex challenges in fundamental science. The GW4 Facility for High-Resolution Electron Cryo-Microscopy is closely aligned with the Wolfson Bioimaging Facility and provides world class cryo-microscopy and analysis tools, enabling researchers from diverse disciplines across the Great West region and beyond to study molecular processes using single-particle cryo-EM or cryo-tomography. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris both warned Americans this holiday weekend to be skeptical of anything Trump says about a potential coronavirus vaccine, saying theyll take their cues from scientists and not the president. Why it matters: The Democratic ticket is trying to strike the right balance they want to warn that Trump may be making premature claims for political gain, but they dont want t0 dissuade Americans from actually using a vaccine once one is safe and available. At an AFL-CIO virtual town hall, Biden said he would take a vaccine only if Trump had been completely transparent and other experts in the country could look at it. Driving the news: Trump is attacking Biden and Harris for expressing concern that the president might accelerate the introduction of a vaccine for political reason. On Monday, Trump called on his opponents to immediately apologize for the reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric that theyre talking right now. Between the lines. Trump continues to hint that there could be a vaccine before the November election. At a press conference in New Jersey he teased that there could be a very big surprise coming up. Investing platform Interactive Investor has announced plans to scrap and change a number of costs from its investment and Sipp service from 1 October. The biggest change for pension investors is the removal of its monthly income drawdown fee, however, customers hoping that its 10 per month Sipp fee that amounts to 120 a year on top of its monthly platform fee have been left disappointed. The 10 per month Sipp fee is currently beign waived until April 2021 for those who open an Interactive Investor Sipp before 30 September. Interactive Investor will scrap and change a number of pension related costs from 1 October The tweaks from II are the latest in a string of fee changes the platform has made in recent years, having permanently removed its exit fees in 2018, introduced a flat-fee monthly subscription starting at 9.99 last year and scrapped its 99p flat fee levied on regular investments earlier this year. Interactive Investor's flat charging structure is aprticularly beneficial for investors with large pots, compared to percentage of investment-based fees, such as rival Hargreaves Lansdown's, although it charges no extra fee for Sipp accounts. The latest change comes with the aim to simplify the firm's pricing, create better value and help make investing simple. Most of the alterations relate to the Interactive Investor Sipp, where a number of administrative charges are to be removed. The monthly 10 income drawdown fee will be scrapped, along with nine other administrative costs. For example, there will no longer be a charge for the alternative method to drawdown of taking cash out of pensions, so called UFPLS (uncrystallised funds pension lump sums), where the first 25 per cent of all sums taken out is tax-free. This method introduced by the pension freedom changes allows investors to keep their pension invested in a Sipp and take out money after the age of 55. Pension sharing and annuity purchase fees will also be removed by II. The costs association with pension sharing on divorce, payment of death benefits, review of capped income drawdown and annuity purchases have also been removed. Interactive Investor fee changes (effective from 1 October 2020) Feature Current cost Cost from 1 October Sipp - Monthly Drawdown fee 10 0 Sipp - Pension sharing on divorce 300+VAT 0 Sipp - Payment of death benefits 200-500+VAT 0 Sipp - Review of capped income drawdown 50+VAT 0 Sipp UFPLS 50+VAT 0 Sipp - Small pots 50+VAT 0 Sipp - Annuity Purchase 75+VAT 0 Sell out fee due to non-payment (trade) 40 0 Registered post 10 0 Valuation of holdings for Probate (per line) 10 0 Large trades: (UK) 100k-500k - Investor plan 40 40 100k-500k - Funds Fan plan 40 40 100k-500k - Super Investor plan 36 40 500k+ Investor plan 70 40 500k+ Funds Fan plan 70 40 500k+ Super Investor plan 66 40 Urgent GBP withdrawal over 100k 25 15 Urgent EUR withdrawal 30 15* Withdrawals other currencies Varies 15* * charged at an equivalent rate of 15 Sipp investors pay 10 per month for their self-invested personal pensions, along with a service plan charge, ranging from 9.99 to 19.99 per month depending on whether you have an 'Investor', 'Funds Fan' or 'Super Investor' account. This flat fee model was introduced last year and also gives customers access to a trading account, a stocks and shares Isa, and as many free junior Isas they have children. Meanwhile, within the plans themselves, the cost of trades between 100,000 and 500,000 has increased by 4 to 40 for the Super Investor plan, but has remained at 40 for the Investor and Funds Fan plans. The cost of trades worth 500,000 or more have now reduced to 40 across all plans while the cost of making an urgent sterling withdrawal worth over 100,000 has dropped from 25 to 15. Interactive Investor's investment plans cost between 9.99 to 19.99 per month Richard Wilson, chief executive of Interactive Investor, said: 'Last year we switched to a much- welcomed Netflix-style monthly subscription charge. Earlier this year we successfully introduced free regular investing. 'All this to make things simple and clear so customers can choose what is best for them and have an easier investing experience. 'Now we are going one step further and cutting our eight pages of charges down to two.' Global funds most popular in August According to the platform's figures for last month, customers continued to favour overseas funds. Terry Smith's Fundsmith Equity retained its top spot as the best-selling fund for August, followed by Baillie Gifford American in second position and ethical fund Baillie Gifford Positive Change in third. Other favourites included Baillie Gifford's Global Discovery, Long Term Global Growth and Managed funds, which meant the Edinburgh-based asset manager dominated for a second month in a row, taking half the seats in the top ten fund purchases. Global mandates were also preferred by investment trust buyers, accounting for nine out of the top ten bestsellers in August. Scottish Mortgage, also managed by Baillie Gifford, once again secured the number one spot. It boasts a record as the most-purchased investment trust on the platform every month bar one since February 2014. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges and financial hardship for small business owners across the state of Tennessee. Confronted with the reality of declining or inconsistent sales and an uncertain economic outlook, many are forced to make difficult life and business decisions at a troubling rate. At the Department of Revenue, we hear from taxpayers in this position every day. For many of them, financial relief may be available. Gov. Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group have announced several programs intended to assist businesses and organizations struggling with the impacts of COVID. One of those programs is the Tennessee Business Relief Program. The program was designed to assist those small businesses who were directly impacted by mandatory closures or who suffered a related and substantial reduction in sales. The Tennessee Business Relief Program requires no application, and its relief payments are not loans that need to be repaid. Eligible businesses are simply asked to certify their business information with the department, and once eligibility is confirmed, a relief payment is issued. More than 40,000 small businesses across a wide range of industries are eligible for the program. Restaurants, salons, hotels, and gyms are just a few examples of the more than 60 qualifying business types. A full list of eligible industries can be located on the departments website at https://www.tn.gov/revenue/tennessee-business-relief-program.html. Payment amounts are based on a business total gross sales and range between $2,500 and $30,000 per business. Because this program is focused on small business relief, eligible businesses must have annual gross sales of $10 million or less. To date, the program has generated $130 million in relief payments to more than 17,000 businesses. However, there are still many thousands of businesses who have not yet acted. The Department of Revenue has notified by email or letter those businesses it has been able to identify as potentially eligible for the program. However, all business owners who believe they may qualify for a relief payment are encouraged to visit the departments website to learn more about the program. The deadline for businesses to certify is Sept. 25, 2020. With just a few weeks remaining, I strongly encourage all eligible business owners to complete this step as soon as possible. And if you know a small business owner who could benefit from this program, please help spread the word and awareness. The funding is available, and certifying is simple. For more information on the Tennessee Business Relief Program, please visit the Department of Revenues website at https://www.tn.gov/revenue/tennessee-business-relief-program.html. You can also call the Taxpayer Services Division from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Central time, at 615-253-0600, or email the department at revenue.support@tn.gov. David Gerregano has served as the Tennessee Department of Revenues commissioner since December 2016. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 7, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org (http://compare-autoinsurance.org/) is a top auto insurance brokerage website, providing car insurance quotes online from trustworthy agencies all over the United States. This website released an online guide that presents the main reasons for adding roadside assistance as an extra car insurance option. Most insurance providers will offer their customers the possibility to purchase roadside assistance insurance. This coverage is very important and policyholders are highly recommended to purchase it. Usually, insurance providers will have partnerships with companies that provide roadside assistance services. Roadside assistance is a type of coverage that helps drivers with cars that are suffering from breakdowns. When this situation occurs, the closest and most appropriate service provider is dispatched. The following services are provided for drivers that purchase roadside assistance: Battery jump-start service. Trained professionals will attempt to start the vehicle by jump-starting the battery. If the car that suffered a breakdown is an electric car, then the policyholder might be in trouble as there are a few qualified professionals that can jump-start an electric vehicle. Towing services. This service is offered when all of the attempts of making the car drivable again had failed. The affected car will be towed to the nearest mechanic shop and the necessary repairs will be made. Flat tires replacement. Drivers that own an available roadside assistance coverage are protected in the case they need to replace a flat tire. Usually, a service professional will be dispatched to the location in order to replace the deflated tire with the spare one inside the policyholder's vehicle. Fuel delivery service. This service is useful for drivers that run out of gas while driving. The delivered fuel will be enough to get the vehicle to the nearest gas station. Also, policyholders should know that some roadside services will charge for the fuel. Lockout and locksmith service. This service is useful for drivers that need to gain entrance to their vehicles. The lockout service profession can gain entry to a vehicle by using a pump wedge or a long reach tool to unlock a door. If that fails, then a locksmith is called. Story continues For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit http://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. "Before purchasing coverage, drivers should analyze if they need roadside assistance. This service can help drivers to quickly get out from many unpleasant situations", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing Company Person for contact Name: Gurgu C Phone Number: (818) 359-3898 Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz Website: http://compare-autoinsurance.org SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/605033/What-Are-The-Main-Reasons-For-Buying-Roadside-Assistance 07.09.2020 LISTEN Once in the street of Goka, two women from one womb were involved in a brawl, exchanging war of words which started not much fiercely. Their names, the sisters fighting, were Mama and Adoma. It's said by those who witnessed from the beginning the eyesore sight between these two siblings of the same blood, that; they'd not imagined the sad end of what started as a normal misunderstanding that's not uncommon to all human settlings. Until Adoma said to her half-sister that: "you, I don't envy your social status at all. It's so abased, and never deserves my respect or others who think like me. Because, the very man you share your bed with, your husband, is a foreigner to our noble Gokaland. Where he's from, the people there are only employed as labourers, slaves, to our kinsmen here. So, like we say here: _kfiri kwanso na ware timamuhunu_. To wit: "it's the stranger that marries a hopeless citizen". Replying in equal measure, or harsher, Mama said to her sister: "which is better, marrying a labourer, a strong slave, or, mortgaging your heart to a swindler who harvests where he never sowed, who cares even if that dubious character is the most handsome Prince of the Goka Kingdom?" Mama's response tore to the core the very heart of Adoma. So she left the scene and reported her sister to a respected Friar, (or a pastor the today's generation will call him) in the Kingdom to reprimand Mama for her unsavoury remarks against the person of her lovely husband. Mama was eavesdropping when Adoma was reporting her to the Friar. Hearing every word Adoma uttered, she Mama accosted her sister when she was leaving the venerated presence of the Friar. She repeated same words, and even said more damaging words that sought to erase any reputation left in the Adoma's household. The husbands of the two sisters were informed by talebearers, of how their wives are washing their dirty clothes outside, mudslinging one another, with the husbands' names reduced to a carpet that only serves the good for others to walk on. In a flash, the two husbands of the fighting sisters appeared at the warring scene. Hearing enough from those who carried to them the history of the brawl, seeing same themselves, boiling with anger, the two husbands resorted to redeeming their maligned characters by exchanging fisticuffs to appease for the insults hurled by their wives on them respectively. The two husbands fought till they all fell dead. The death of their husbands ceased the fire between the two sisters. Abruptly, the war of words in irksome name-callings ceased without a third person's interference. They recoiled to their homes to mourn the sudden deaths of their husbands as widows clad in black clothes. Their tears never dried from sobbing, for contributing to the deaths of their husbands, with whom they've not yet had offsprings. No man in Goka or from other land dared to risk their lives marrying these two sisters who by their poor judgements send their husbands to their early graves. So, Mama and Adoma did not outlive their husbands for long. As if they planned it, their neighbours forced opened their doors one morning when they'd been in their rooms for an unusually longer time. Mama, by her own hands had stabbed her stomach with a dagger, and her intestines gushed out. Whilst in Adoma's room, she hanged and dangled on the ceiling with her neck tied with a rope, and her tongue protruding out of her mouth, and her eyes coming out of their sockets fearsomely. By their tongues, two sisters from one womb, ended the lives of two able men, their husbands, and their own lives followed. They didn't leave behind any offspring to succeed them. Their names were wiped from the minds of the Goka people. What the people know about them today which we've narrated now, is documented in the Knowledge Vaults, in the Royal Archives, of the Goka Palace to remind every living soul the most dangerous path that leads to self destruction. So narrated, will the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by President Mahama, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by president Addo, be told this story of Mama and Adoma, in this electioneering period in Ghana, vis-a-vis the brawls between their two camps lately? Long live Ghana !!!! Written by: Charles Yeboah (Sir Lord) The Founder Of One Ghana Movement (#1GhM) Contact/WhatsApp: +233249542111 Email: [email protected] Businesses and citizens appeal to the Prime Minister for help as a last resort. However, should this be done? Many local newspapers and journals have recently reported that Pung Kook Sai Gon II has made an appeal to the Prime Minister against the decision by the Binh Duong provincial Customs Agency to collect the tax arrears of VND30 billion from the company. The Pung Kook Sai Gon II's headquarter Prior to 2017, Pung Kook Sai Gon II got an import tax refund. However, in August 2019, the Binh Duong Customs Agency released a decision to collect tax arrears and impose a fine on the company, totaling VND31 billion. Normal practice Disagreeing with the decision on the tax arrears collection and fine, Pung Kook sentdocuments to the Ministry of Finance and General Department of Customs and then lodged an appeal with the Prime Minister. Of course, lodging an appeal to appropriate agencies is not prohibited. Appealing to the Prime Minister and asking for help appears to be increasingly popular. Most recently, the aviation association sent a petition to the Prime Minister, asking for help to overcome difficulties amid Covid-19. The owner of Cong Thanh Cement Plant in Thanh Hoa province last July also complained to the Prime Minister that he has been blocked by state agencies for decades and could not kick off the Dong Huong urban area project Some months ago, rice companies, whose exports unexpectedly could not get customs clearance, asked the Prime Minister for help. So, the appeals to the Prime Minister for help may be not the best solution, but it could be a factor that opens up other policies that could be more beneficial for both the state and the market. At the same time, beverage companies sent a dispatch to the Prime Minister to complain that their revenue had falken dramatically. Earlier this year, when Thanh Ha Water Park was demolished, Cienco 5 complained to the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, many businesses ask for the Prime Ministers help because they face problems in administrative procedures and enforcement by state management agencies. In early 2019, the Prime Ministers taskforce made an intervention to rescue enterprises that import scrap materials. In March, Kim Oanh Company, believing that Thien Phu Company played tricks to hinder the development of the Hoa Lan project in Binh Duong, capitalized at trillions of dong, also asked the Prime Minister and relevant leaders for help. Regarding the case, one year before, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Justice to report the results of the inspection over the auctioning of assets in Hoa Lan project. Thien Phu Company last June withdrew its complaint at the District 7 Peoples Court. However, the case has not been solved thoroughly. In 2017, the Bac Ninh provincial Peoples Committee appealed to the Prime Minister for help as some leaders of the province were threatened after they proposed the dredging of the waterways passage of Cau River. However, the government and Prime Minister cannot deal with all the complaints. An expert said that there are numerous similar cases reported to the Prime Minister every day. Besides dealing with specific cases, the task of the head of Government is to ensure a safe and predictable legal framework for the business environment. Respecting the law Analysts believe that there are problems in the enforcement and application of the law. In the case of Pung Kook Sai Gon II, when the Import-Export Tax Law took effect on September 1, 2016, many issues could not be checked immediately. The tax arrears collection should have been conducted in 2011-2016. However, many local customs agencies could not update the information and only in 2018 did the Ministry of Finance and General Department of Customs remind the agencies of collecting tax arrears. This poses questions about the credibility and feasibility not only of the policy but also of its enforcement. Clearly, the risks businesses face not only come from policies, but also from implementing policies in different ways by different agencies. Of course, the tax arrears collection will cause difficulties and raise worries, especially for small companies, because this may affect the resources of businesses which make them weaker. As businesses have been seriously hit by the pandemic, the tax arrears collection, though it is implemented strictly in accordance with the laws, will still cause difficulties for enterprises. So, the appeals to the Prime Minister for help may be not the best solution, but it could be a factor that opens up other policies that could be more beneficial for both the state and the market. Thr petitions for help may lead to a mechanism that will more efficiently and legally handle corporate complaints and petitions. Pung Kook Saigon II, for instance, said they may bring the case to the court. This behavior is more civilized and law abiding. Chan Luan Complicated administrative procedures hinder development of industrial property in VN Problems in land access and administrative procedures continue to exist, making it difficult for industrial real estate to develop over the long term, experts say. Kentucky congressman against mandates says he has COVID-19 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) Police officials will not pursue an active surveillance of personal or private social media accounts, the Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield said Monday amid criticisms on the planned monitoring of digital platforms to spot possible quarantine violators. Speaking to CNN Philippines, JTF COVID-19 Shield Commander PLt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar allayed netizens privacy concerns regarding the order, saying the police has no capability to spy on private pages and will only rely on online complaints as well as viral public posts. When we say monitoring, what were going to monitor is the Facebook account namin, na kung saan, doon nagpapadala yung ating mga netizens, as well as those publicly and openly nila pinopost, Eleazar said in an interview with The Source. Lilinawin natin, wala kaming kapabilidad, lalo na yung ating mga police stations, na mag-spy o magtiktik sa mga private accounts, he added, stressing that police officials have numerous other tasks lined up for them. [Translation: When we say monitoring, what were going to monitor is our Facebook account, where netizens send information or complaints, as well as those publicly and openly posting. We would like to clarify that we dont have the capability, especially those in the police stations to spy on private accounts.] Eleazar announced on Friday that police commanders have been directed to monitor social media to spot possible violations like mass gatherings, parties, and drinking sessions. He said that online posts could be used as evidence to warn, fine, or even summon people found to be violating lockdown policies amid the coronavirus pandemic. The pronouncement, however, was met with criticisms and concerns from both netizens and rights groups, who said the move violates the privacy rights of citizens. Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief PGen Camilo Cascolan said the police would never intercede with a social media account, as authorities observe the Data Privacy Act. However, he said its different for a post gone viral. If it goes viral we have to investigate. If it's in your account, hindi naman namin papasukan ang account niyo, kayo bahala diyan (we wont go into your account), Cascolan said in a separate media briefing But if you make it public, there will be a question there. Are you doing social responsibility on your part? Monitoring focuses on public officials, personalities Eleazar assured social media posts will not be used as basis for arrests, as every evidence would have to undergo validation and due process. He stressed that the monitoring would focus more on government officials and prominent personalities. That is not a basis for arrest that is a basis to start an investigation. For the common citizen, walang tayong pinupursue diyan (were not pursuing them). Ang dinadali natin diyan, mga (what were more after are) government officials and prominent personalities, Eleazar said, as he once again sought the publics cooperation to report possible quarantine violations. Cascolan also said possible quarantine violators will be issued warnings, with community service also encouraged as initial penalty. According to the JTF COVID Shield data, over 300,000 individuals have been warned, fined, and charged for violations of quarantine rules since March 17. Despite various restrictions amid the pandemic situation the city registered its tenth organ donation on Sunday. The family members of a 41-year-old woman who died due to brain haemorrhage at Jehangir Hospital donated her heart and liver to hospitals in Pune and Mumbai. The deceased was admitted at Jehangir hospital and died on Saturday. The donor was the mother of a school-going daughter, said Aarti Gokhale, Pune zonal transplant coordination committee. Her heart was sent to Mumbai via a private flight with green corridor made by Pune and Mumbai traffic police and liver to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, added Gokhale. The deceased suffered from brain haemorrhage. It was a welcome gesture by the deceased husband, said Vrinda Pusalkar, transplant coordinator, Jehangir hospital. The twitter handle of Pune airport said, In its continued efforts for saving lives a green corridor was created to transport a live human organ from Pune airport to Mumbai by a charter flight today. Covid warriors at Jehangir Hospital, traffic police, ... joined hands for this task. In July last year, Florida-based Skyboxe announced to launch a first-of-its-kind device in Q1 2020. As per the official website, the company pushed the launch into the fall of 2020 without mentioning any reason. Nevertheless, the Skyboxe Hub 4G is now certified by the FCC for the US launch. The Skyboxe Hub 4G is an all-in-one device combing the Android TV box and Wi-Fi Router. Instead of using broadband via an internet service provider, the device offers internet connectivity with a 4G LTE connection. By the time of its official launch, Skyboxe will partner with one of the biggest carriers in the US. All-in-one Skyboxe Hub 4G to launch in fall 2020 As of now, there is no mention of the exact launch date. Instead of just selling hardware, the company will be offering Skyboxe Hub 4G and its service as a package. Apart from an internet connection, the company will also provide local digital TV channels with over-the-air antenna technology. Additionally, these local channels can be watched for free. Advertisement Furthermore, it comes loaded with Android TV OS for accessing all the smart TV features like streaming Netflix and Prime Video. The company says this new device is designed for cord-cutters and remote workers. With the FCC certification, Skyboxe will start testing it with the carrier partners. The data service plan pricing will be announced at a later date While the current-gen Skyboxe Hub comes with 4G LTE support, the company also mentioned bringing an upgraded version with 5G support in the future. As of now, we dont know how the company could pull all features with just an LTE connection. Moreover, 4G internet plans are also costlier than broadband plans. The company also plans to launch a 5G TV box in the future As per the Opensignals Mobile Network Experience Report January 2020, AT&T had the fastest LTE download speed of 29.1 Mbps among the four big US carriers. In comparison, the average download speed of fixed broadband connections is around 135 Mbps, according to Speedtest.net. Advertisement While the LTE connection is good enough for basic tasks, it wont be able to offer the same experience as a broadband connection for streaming 4K content or playing multiplayer games. However, this could change when 4G will eventually get replaced by 5G. Currently, the average 5G download speed in the US is just 50.9 Mbps. With 5G gradually becoming widespread, there should also be improvements in the 5G speeds. Auctions in Victoria have virtually almost disappeared with the number of properties listed in Melbourne diving by 83 per cent in just one week. In the last week of August, 162 homes in Melbourne went to auction as winter ended. The first week of spring, traditionally a strong time for auctions, was a very different story with just 28 homes listed in the week ending September 7, CoreLogic data showed. Melbourne's auction clearance rate has also dropped from 40.6 per cent to 33.3 per cent with just eight homes selling for more than the reserve price. Auctions in Victoria have virtually almost disappeared with the number of properties listed in Melbourne diving by 83 per cent in just one week. Pictured is an auction in Brisbane illustrating how Queensland is allowing socially-distanced bidding on site By comparison, Sydney's equivalent auction clearance rate over the same time frame rose from 64.2 per cent to 69.5 per cent. Melbourne's auction clearance woes Auction listings plunged from 162 in the week ending August 30 to 28 in the week ending September 6 This marked a plunge of 82.7 per cent Clearance rates fell from 40.6 per cent to 33.3 per cent Source: CoreLogic Advertisement The results were confirmed on Sunday as Victoria's Labor Premier Daniel Andrews announced the strict, Stage Four lockdowns would be extended until September 28. Under Victoria's lockdowns, home owners are allowed to sell their house but auctions can only be held remotely by video link. Home inspections are also banned. During the earlier lockdowns in March, neighbouring New South Wales banned open home inspections but allowed prospective buyers to see a house or apartment by appointment provided social distancing and hand sanitiser rules were followed. Melbourne is also Australia's worst performing house market with median house prices dropping for the fifth consecutive month in August. CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless said Melbourne and Sydney had the most to lose from the coronavirus pandemic as the national border closure caused net overseas migration to plunge from 232,000 in 2018-19 to just 31,000 in 2020-21. In the last week of August, 162 homes in Melbourne went to auction as winter ended. The first week of spring, traditionally a strong time for auctions, was a very different story with just 28 homes listed in the week ending September 7, CoreLogic data showed. Pictured is Melbourne's Bourke Street on Sunday as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a lockdown extension Australia's population growth pace would more than halve from 1.4 per cent to 0.6 per cent - marking the slowest increase since 1917 before the Spanish flu. Central business district apartments and housing near universities were most in danger. 'Three-quarters of those capital city migrants arrived in Sydney and Melbourne Within the cities, the largest number of overseas migrants are generally centered around the CBD, and precincts close to the CBD, where high density housing options are common, and to a lesser extent, middle-ring suburbs close to educational precincts or transport hubs such as Parramatta in Sydney or Clayton in Melbourne,' Mr Lawless said. "The Walking Dead" star Michael Rooker spoke about his struggles with his COVID-19 battle. Known for his role as Merle Dixon in the hit zombie apocalypse series, the 65-year-old took to Instagram to detail his experience after testing positive for the dreaded disease. Michael Rooker Tested Positive From COVID-19 In a lengthy post, Rooker began his statement by confirming that he had been "fighting" the deadly virus and isolating in his "crazy awesome Airstream" trailer home. Days before his revelation, the Alabama-born actor previously shared a photo of his 1987-34 foot RV parked outside his home, which prompted fans to speculate that he isolated due to the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, the "Guardians of the Galaxy" star mentioned that his "battle" with the deadly virus was solely up to him, given that there were no confirmed methods or widely available vaccine to cure the symptoms. "I have to let y'all know it has been quite a battle. And as in any war, ALL is fair. And in the middle of this epic battle, I've come to the conclusion that there aint a whole heck of a lot one can do externally, to fight off COVID-19 once it has gotten into your body. This is my personal opinion, definitely not the conclusion of some scientific study. The real battle takes place internally, on a cellular level," Rooker said. Furthermore, he explained that in the process of his recovery, he did not take "any extra medicines or vitamins or supplements" as he feared that that would "do damage" to his kidneys and liver. He also shared that there were days when he felt "like crap, or pretty dang good, semi-human in fact during his battle with the illness." "The Waling Dead" Star Shares "Great News" To Fans The "Suicide Squad" actor concluded his post by sharing a "great news" to his fans. Rooker shared that his "daily battles have come to an end" and he has "won the war" against coronavirus. "Covid put up a pretty good fight... but bottom line, it ended up getting its ass knocked out! buy [sic] my immune system. 1,2, punch to the head, 2 body shots and a left hook right upper-cut combination. End of story..... Rooker out........" he wrote,followed by a photo of a diagnosis stating that he is negative of COVID-19. Fans flocked to the comments section and expressed their joy over Rooker's health update. "So happy to hear this good news! Wishing you health every day forward!" one fan wrote. Another fan sent healing vibes all the way from Scotland: "That's great news that you're all better now. Sending well wishes from all your Scottish fans." The actor joins the list of celebrities who have tested positive for COVID-19, including Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, comedian Tiffany Haddish, and the most recent Robert Pattinson and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and his whole family. Despite this, the "TWD" star is set to star as the supervillain Savant in the upcoming sequel of "The Suicide Squad," which will debut in 2021. READ MORE: Charli D'Amelio Net Worth: Tiktok Star Makes It To Fortune's 40 Under 40 List! LONDON WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in a British court Monday as he fought extradition to the United States where he faces up to 175 years in prison on espionage charges. Assange, 49, sat separated by glass and guarded by two men as he heard the case, answering No when asked whether he was prepared to consent to be extradited. He faces 18 charges, including conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law. Prosecutors say the Australian national conspired with U.S. army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange, who is being held at a high security prison in east London, and his supporters say the leaked documents exposed U.S. military wrongdoing, and argue he was acting as a journalist. Among the files published by WikiLeaks in 2010 was a video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad that killed 11 people, including two Reuters journalists. Image: Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrive at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court ahead of a hearing to decide whether Assange should be extradited to the United States, in London, Britain (Peter Nicholls / Reuters) The hearing began in February but it was postponed in April because of the coronavirus pandemic. After the case was postponed, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a new indictment in June, which said that Assange sought to recruit hackers at conferences in Europe and Asia who could provide his anti-secrecy website with classified information, and conspired with members of hacking organizations. Although the superseding indictment does not contain additional charges beyond the 18 counts the Justice Department unsealed last year, prosecutors said it underscored Assange's efforts to procure and release classified information, allegations that form the basis of criminal charges he already faces. On Monday, Assanges legal team asked the judge to rule out new allegations contained in the new indictment. Mark Summers, one of Assanges lawyers, said that the fresh allegations came too late and were unfair as the defense team did not have the time to properly respond to them. Story continues Later in the day, he asked for the extradition case to be adjourned till January, but the judge denied his request, saying it would lead to significant delays in the case. In their defense submissions shared with the media on Monday, Assanges lawyers said their clients prosecution is not motivated by genuine concerns for criminal justice but by politics," adding that it's the result of President Donald Trumps effective declaration of war on leakers and journalists. Assanges vulnerable mental state and high risk of suicide if he is extradited to the U.S. will also form part of their case. Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics Ahead of the hearing, Assange's partner and mother of his two sons, Stella Moris, said in statement that he "had no access to his lawyers for six months." U.K.'s justice ministry told NBC News on Monday that all prison visits were temporarily cancelled during the coronavirus lockdown with visits slowly beginning to restart. A press officer with the ministry said the prison where Assange is being held is now running a limited visit schedule. "Two weeks ago, I was able to see him for the first time since lockdown," Moris said. "He looked a lot thinner than on my last visit. He was in a lot of pain and his health is not good." Along with her sons Gabriel, 3, and Max, 19 months old, she said she was "warned by the prison staff that if they tried to touch him, the visit would be ended." She told a British morning show that she didn't think Assange would survive an extradition to the U.S., calling it "catastrophic." Image: Stella Moris, partner of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, poses holding a media card of Julian Assange as she attempts to deliver a petition and a Reporters Without Borders letter on press freedom to Downing Street in central London (Glyn Kirk / AFP - Getty Images) Assange fathered the boys while he was living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He stayed there for seven years in a self-imposed exile to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was facing rape allegations. Those charges were dropped several months after Assange was evicted from the embassy in April 2019 and arrested by British authorities. Several dozen Assange supporters, including fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, gathered outside the courtroom ahead of the hearing, with many holding "Don't extradite Assange" banners. Assange's father, John Shipton, was also there, telling Reuters his son's hearing was "an oppression for journalism and free press everywhere in the Western world." WikiLeaks' editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson told Assange's supporters outside the court that the future of journalism is at stake. On Monday, the U.K.'s National Union of Journalists renewed its call for the British government to dismiss the extradition request. "If this extradition is allowed, it will send a clear signal that journalists and publishers are at risk whenever their work discomforts the United States government," a statement from the union said. The human rights organization Amnesty International said ahead of the hearing that if Assange is prosecuted, it could have "a chilling effect on media freedom" that could lead to self-censorship. The judge is expected to take weeks or even months to consider her verdict, with the losing side likely to appeal. If the courts approve extradition, the British government will have the final say. The case comes at a delicate time for transatlantic relations as the U.K. is keen to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the U.S. after leaving the European Union. The Associated Press contributed to this report. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend: Uzbekistan is an important strategic partner of Russia in agriculture sector development, a representative of Russia's Ministry of Agriculture (Minselkhoz) told Trend in an interview. According to the representative, the interrelations between the countries are established in almost all major areas of cooperation. "Following the meeting of the Russian-Uzbek Working Group on Agriculture held in Tashkent on March 6, 2019, the sides developed a road map to intensify bilateral cooperation in agriculture in the medium term," the representative said. Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev and Agriculture Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khojaev signed the document on 30 May 2019. "The road map provides for the development of Russian-Uzbek cooperation in such areas as poultry production, oilseed cultivation, commercial fish farming and aquaculture, digital agriculture, cooperation in veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance, horticulture and greenhouse management, consulting support in the agro-industrial complex, scientific and technological cooperation, as well as implementation of joint programs and investment projects in the agro-industrial complex," the official stated. Representative added that the heads of agricultural agencies of the two countries are actively working on expanding bilateral cooperation in the agro-industrial sector. The official added that the sides promote the development of exports and increase trade in agricultural products and food to attract significant amounts of investment for the implementation of various programs and investment projects in both countries. "The two sides are successfully implementing major investment projects in the construction of wholesale distribution and trade and logistics centers, which have helped to create favorable conditions for cooperation and create a modern trade and logistics infrastructure to increase the volume of mutual supplies of agricultural products," she said. The representative of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture added that the parties are considering the possibility of implementing projects in Russia to build agrological clusters. --- Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini The two entities will maintain and reinforce the further strengthening of their business relationship. "We are pleased to partner with one of the leading Chinese commercial banks and the official clearing bank of Chinese Renminbi," said Yasutomo M. Izumi, Executive Chairman and President of NGMEX. "We at NGMEX are convinced that this relationship will bring many benefits for the marketplace and will stimulate new innovations across a range of asset classes." "We are pleased to partner with one of the leading Chinese commercial banks and the official clearing bank of Chinese Renminbi," said Yasutomo M. Izumi, Executive Chairman and President of NGMEX. "We at NGMEX are convinced that this relationship will bring many benefits for the marketplace and will stimulate new innovations across a range of asset classes." Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NGMEX, a full-service commodity and multi asset exchange that incorporates the complete workflow of a trading venue and also provides on-line commodity futures and options trading, is pleased to announce that NGMEX and a leading commercial bank in PRC, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to maintain and reinforce the further strengthening of their business relationship. The name of the bank will be disclosed once all the regulatory and agreement steps will be finished. Under the MOU, the Bank also intends to participate in the Silver Pricing, as administered by NGMEX, as well as to facilitate the trading of NGMEX products for customers in Peoples Republic of China. "We are pleased to partner with one of the leading Chinese commercial banks and the official clearing bank of Chinese Renminbi," said Yasutomo M. Izumi, Executive Chairman and President of NGMEX. "We at NGMEX are convinced that this relationship will bring many benefits for the marketplace and will stimulate new innovations across a range of asset classes." Physically deliverable futures contracts for USD/CNH and EUR/CNH have been available on NGMEX. Now that NGMEX Clearing intends to work with the Chinese bank, it also plans to amend these contracts so that physical delivery will bring cost and time-saving advantages to market users. "The ability to transact during local and foreign hours represents a high priority to those organizations who value flexibility in managing their positions in markets where prices can move sharply in short time frames," said Tadayo Shimizu, Senior Managing Director, and President of NGMEX Clearing. "Our primary target right now is to build out all the necessary infrastructure and RMB products for a flourishing marketplace as well as extending our partnership into other areas," added Mr. Shimizu. Story continues Nagoya Mercantile Exchange (NGMEX) NGMEX is a full-service multi asset exchange that incorporates the complete workflow of a trading venue and also provides on-line commodity futures and option trading. The organization believes in delivering nothing but the best to its loyal customers. From the individuals to the corporations, from institutions to the government agencies, NGMEX has always been a trusted establishment offering genuine industry insights and information on the benchmark commodity prices. NGMEX mission is to provide traders with state-of-the-art order entry capabilities, extremely competitive execution timing and the professional service that today's financial world demands. Sadao Endo +81-9078960105 News via KISS PR Brand Story https://story.kisspr.com Attachment Flash The U.S. and Turkish forces on Sunday brought in new military reinforcements to their bases in the northeastern province of Hasakah, state news agency SANA reported. The U.S. forces on Sunday brought military and logistic reinforcement from their bases in Iraq through the al-Walid crossing east of Hasakah province to the base in the northern countryside of Hasakah, said SANA. On Friday, the U.S. forces sent 50 military vehicles from Iraq into Syria through the al-Walid crossing, the report added. Over the past few hours, the Turkish forces brought large amounts of military gears from Turkey through the Ras al-Ayn and al-Sukkariyah crossings in northern Hasakah countryside heading toward their bases in the villages of Bab al-Khir, Daoudia, and Eineq al-Hawa. SANA said the entry of military gears by both powers is "a violation of international laws." It said throughout the past few months, the U.S. and Turkish forces have sent thousands of military vehicles to reinforce their "illegitimate" bases in northern Syria. The Syrian government completely condemns the presence of Turkish and U.S. forces on Syria soil as both powers entered the country illegally and supported various groups against the Syrian government. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:29:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Experts attending an international online forum criticized the current U.S. policy toward China, and called for dialogue and cooperation between the two major countries to address common challenges facing mankind such as the coronavirus. Washington's current China policy is "increasingly disconnected from mainstream policy community in the United States," said Evan Medeiros, former senior director for Asian Affairs at the White House's National Security Council serving former U.S. President Barack Obama's administration. Speaking on Sunday at the ongoing virtual Taihe Civilizations Forum hosted by Taihe Institute, a Beijing-based think tank, Medeiros noted in particular that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum "doesn't have wide-spread support in either Democrats or Republican party circles." Besides, such a China policy is also disconnected from the U.S. business community, who refuses confrontation in the economic relationship, Medeiros added. Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, warned that the current U.S. administration "needs to stop distorting and exaggerating China's actions," and stop viewing China as a strategic competitor because China "does not pose an existential threat to Americans, our country or our way of life." "Don't allow the lie that the engagement between our two countries has failed to prevail, because it has succeeded in ways too numerous to list," he said. The two countries could take reciprocal steps, such as restarting a strategic and economic dialogue, and work together against such common threats to mankind as climate change, terrorism, global economic crisis and the current COVID-19 pandemic, he added. Susan Thornton, former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said although there are ups and downs in the history of U.S.-China relations, the record has shown that "the positive result of U.S.-China joint efforts is considerable." Noting that retreating from globalization in face of the common challenges in the 21st century is irresponsible and will lead to regression in global development and progress, Thornton said, "we must find ways to open up more and together effectively deal with and mitigate the problems that the opening brings." Susan M. Elliott, president and CEO of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, warned that the worsening of U.S.-China relationship "will affect not just the U.S. and China, but all countries of the world." Elliott suggested that both countries engage in negotiations and constructive dialogue, and cooperate to be leaders in the support of international norms and systems. The two countries also need to "work together through diplomatic and private channels to develop effective COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines," she added. The United States should learn to adjust to an ever-developing China, said Wang Wen, head of the Financial Research Institute of China's Renmin University. Wang suggested that intellectuals from both sides should play an active part in pushing forward dialogue between the two governments and cooperation between the two countries. Enditem Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech Ltd (SVA.O) said on Monday its coronavirus vaccine candidate appeared to be safe for older people, according to preliminary results from an early to mid-stage trial, while the immune responses triggered by the vaccine were slightly weaker than younger adults. Health officials have been concerned about whether experimental vaccines could safely protect the elderly, whose immune systems usually react less robustly to vaccines, against the virus that has led to nearly 890,000 deaths worldwide. Sinovacs candidate CoronaVac did not cause severe side ... An eighth person has been arrested by detectives investigating allegations of ill-treatment of patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Antrim. The 57-year-old woman was detained on Monday morning in the Antrim area. There are no further details at this time. Muckamore Abbey houses patients with severe learning disabilities and mental health issues. Allegations of abuse of patients at the facility, which first emerged in 2017, have resulted a major police investigation and 59 precautionary suspensions of staff members, however no one has been charged. Detectives have viewed thousands of hours of CCTV footage from the hospital as part of their investigation. The Department of Health last month published a damning review into the leadership and governance at Muckamore, covering the period from 2012 to 2017. Read More Health Minister Robin Swann apologised on behalf of the health service to patients and their families who he said had been "let down". Mr Swann said he would be establishing an inquiry into the allegations of abuse at the hospital. "This was a sustained failure of care, affecting some of the most vulnerable members of our society," he said. Read More "Patients and families have been let down and I want to apologise to them on behalf of the health and social care system." 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A team of senior civic officials took a review of the status at the jumbo facility and accordingly two cardiac ambulances have been made available here. We have started deploying staff at this jumbo Covid facility from Friday, in which 50 doctors and 120 paramedic staff is being appointed. The recruitment process is carried out by the PMC and Pune district administration, said Rubal Agarwal, additional municipal commissioner PMC and executive head of the jumbo facility. PMC staff is still working at the facility but some staff appointed by the agency have resigned. Officially the contract for running the hospital is with the Lifeline agency. In next two days the decision will be taken about what action is going to be taken against the agency, after that the operation work is going to be handed over to another agency, said Agarwal. Divisional commissioner has given orders that now the overall supervision and responsibility will be with the PMC. A 24 hours-notice has been given to the Lifeline agency and accordingly further action will be taken, said Agarwal. Sujit Patkar, director, Lifeline agency, which is managing the operations of the hospital said, A total of 80 medical staff which were appointed by our agency, which includes 40 doctors and other 40 medical staff have resigned till now since the operation started at the facility. The staff alleged they received threats from political workers and for safety reasons they resigned, he said. WASHINGTON - Since the end of last month, President Donald Trump and his allies have been vigorously spreading doctored and misleading videos. On Aug. 30, the president retweeted footage of a Black man violently pushing a White woman on a subway platform under the caption "Black Lives Matter/Antifa" - but the man was not affiliated with either group and the video was shot in October. White House social media director Dan Scavino shared a manipulated video that falsely showed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden seeming to fall asleep during a television interview, complete with a fake TV headline. And Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the second-ranking House Republican, released a video splicing together quotes from activist Ady Barkan - who has Lou Gehrig's disease and uses computer voice assistance - to falsely make it sound as if he had persuaded Biden to defund police departments. For the president and his top supporters, it was a campaign push brimming with disinformation - disseminating falsehoods and trafficking in obfuscation at a rapid clip through the use of selectively edited videos, deceptive retweets and false statements. The slew of false and misleading tweets and videos stood in contrast to the approach taken by Biden, the former vice president, who in 2019 took a pledge promising not to participate in the spread of disinformation over social media, including rejecting the use of "deep fake" videos. Trump has built a political career around falsehoods, issuing more than 20,000 false or misleading statements during the first three-plus years of his presidency. But many experts said the sheer onslaught of the disinformation efforts by Trump and his team in the late weeks of the campaign make the deception particularly difficult to combat, not to mention dangerous to the country's democratic institutions. "When you have this disinformation and it's introduced to one side of the forest, for example, it can travel so quickly through so many different communities and does so many unintentional things before you can even do a fact check," said Whitney Phillips, assistant professor of communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University. "He's able to muddy the waters so thoroughly that democracy wilts on the vine." By late August, the deceptions came in quick succession. In addition to the misleading subway video, Trump repeated a false claim that 6% of the nation's death toll in the pandemic was actually caused by the novel coronavirus itself - part of his ongoing effort to portray the virus as less deadly or pervasive than it actually is. Trump's campaign shared a short video on Monday of Biden saying, "You won't be safe in Joe Biden's America." But the video did not include the full context of Biden's remarks, which he used to argue the opposite - that Americans are experiencing violence and unrest in Trump's America. Later that day, in an interview with Fox News's Laura Ingraham, the president pushed hazy conspiracy theories claiming - again, with no evidence - that Biden is controlled by people in the "dark shadows" and that a plane full of uniformed "thugs" was descending on cities with the intent of creating violence and discord. During a Tuesday visit to Kenosha, Wis., which has been the site of unrest after the police shooting of a Black man, Trump held a photo op that was muddier than he made it appear. He met with the former owner of Rode's Camera Shop, which was destroyed in the riots and fires there, while claiming that the man was the current owner of the shop. In fact, he is the owner of the building and not the shop. The photo store's current owner, meanwhile, had refused to meet with Trump - characterizing the visit as a divisive "circus." Later Thursday, Trump sent tweets seeming to encourage people to vote twice - and prompting Twitter to place a public-interest notice on the missives for violating the site's "civic integrity policy." The same day, in response to an Atlantic story detailing Trump repeatedly denigrating the military and those who served, Trump falsely claimed on Twitter that he had never called Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a "loser." He called him that publicly in 2015, shortly after announcing his candidacy for president. In the case of the Barkan video, Scalise eventually updated the clip after a public uproar. In an opinion article in The Washington Post, Barkan warned of the "ominous lessons" he gleaned from the experience: "the ability to use technology not only for good but to mislead and manipulate; the willingness of those with political agendas to resort to such disinformation and propaganda; and the way in which America has cleaved into two separate information universes, with a conservative media ecosystem amplifying falsehoods that then take root." Some social media platforms, including Twitter, removed some of the misleading and manipulated content or labeled it as such. The Trump campaign, meanwhile, claimed that its out-of-context video saying voters wouldn't be safe in "Joe Biden's America" was simply in jest, lambasting "all the triggered journalists who can't take a joke about their candidate." White House spokesman Judd Deere dismissed the idea that the president is actively promoting disinformation, saying "the American people never have to wonder what the president is thinking or how he feels about a particular topic." "The media routinely manipulates the President's words and takes him totally out of context, but that will never stop him from unapologetically calling out their biased reporting, raising important questions, or suggesting common sense ideas to solve problems," Deere said in an emailed statement. Democrats, however, argue that the messages spread by Trump and his allies go beyond mere political trickery. "Spin has been something that folks in politics have come to expect, but this is the invention of a totally new reality," said Lily Adams, a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee's Trump response team. "Because they can't run on the reality that every American is seeing, they're inventing a new one." Joan Donovan, research director at the Harvard University Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center, described Trump's strategy as "terminal incoherence," a deliberate effort to so "flood the zone" with misleading information that "it really makes it hard for people to understand what the stakes are of life and death information, like what's going on with the coronavirus." Trump has repeatedly retweeted false, misleading and controversial videos and content, with his aides sometimes claiming that he never watched the videos or did not fully understand what he was sharing. His team has declined to put in place any system to prevent the president from blasting out disinformation. "Retweeting is now his plausible deniability strategy. He now says, 'I didn't watch the video, I just retweeted,' " Phillips said. "If it's not an active strategy that they sat down to work through, it is still what is communicating the most pernicious elements of his communications strategy in 2020." There were several prominent examples of deceptive videos presented at the Republican National Convention last month, when Trump formally accepted his party's nomination. In one instance, event organizers created a video featuring four tenants of federal housing programs in New York talking about Trump's record on public housing - but three of the four people interviewed for the video later said they did not support Trump and were misled about the purpose of the production. The president also hosted a naturalization ceremony at the White House that was used in another convention video - but again, several of the participants said they were not aware that their ceremony would be featured prominently at the convention. Daniel Effron, an associate professor of organizational behavior at the London Business School, said that from a psychological perspective, repeating a false claim is an effective strategy because it makes the falsehood more familiar. "The concern is not just that we're post-truth in the sense that you can say anything and people will believe it," Effron said. "It's that we're post-truth in the sense that people won't believe anything that anyone says and, worse, they won't care. It's that we become morally numb to all the falsehoods swirling around." Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo said in a statement that Trump's misinformation is intended to obscure his poor leadership. "The coordinated effort by Donald Trump's campaign to promote conspiracy theories, manipulate media to mislead Americans and lie about Joe Biden is the clearest signal yet they know they're losing," Ducklo said. For some like Barkan, the actions of Scalise and others in Trump's orbit are not missteps. They are deliberate "disinformation test balloons that should put every single one of us on alert." "If they can without consequence make it seem as though I said something I didn't, what else can they do?" he wrote in the opinion article. "What else will they do?" - - - The Washington Post's Isaac Stanley-Becker contributed to this report. Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of ALS Limited (ASX:ALQ) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for ALS The calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$231.7m AU$190.0m AU$201.5m AU$210.5m AU$218.5m AU$225.8m AU$232.6m AU$239.1m AU$245.4m AU$251.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x4 Analyst x2 Est @ 4.46% Est @ 3.8% Est @ 3.34% Est @ 3.02% Est @ 2.79% Est @ 2.63% Est @ 2.52% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% AU$214 AU$162 AU$158 AU$152 AU$146 AU$139 AU$132 AU$125 AU$118 AU$112 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$1.5b Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.4%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2030 (1 + g) (r g) = AU$252m (1 + 2.3%) (8.4% 2.3%) = AU$4.2b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$4.2b ( 1 + 8.4%)10= AU$1.9b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$3.3b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$8.7, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf The assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at ALS as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.026. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For ALS, we've compiled three fundamental aspects you should assess: Risks: For example, we've discovered 4 warning signs for ALS that you should be aware of before investing here. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for ALQ's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Swatting definition Swatting is a form of harassment in which attackers try to trick police forces into sending a heavily armed strike force often a SWAT team, which gives the technique its name to a victim's home or business. The Los Angeles Police Department, in a press release about a specific swatting attack that occurred in August of 2020, provided this definition of swatting: "The term 'swatting' refers to someone who places a false emergency call for service, generally of a nature which causes a large police response." The LAPD goes on to add that "the 'swatting' practice is dangerous and places the community and first responders in harm's way." For some attackers, this is the thrill and the purpose of swatting: to cause the victims to fear for their lives as armed police charge into their homes, often with little warning. The police often believe that they themselves are facing an armed and dangerous adversary, producing a volatile scenario that can result in property destruction, injury, and death. How swatting works Swatting follows a basic and fairly simple pattern. The attackers place a call to a law enforcement agency local to their victim. They report that a particularly gruesome crime or imminent threat is taking place or about to take place at the victim's home; often, they'll claim a hostage situation is in progress, and, to make sure the responding law enforcement team is particularly primed for conflict, they may imply that one of the hostages has already been killed, or is about to be. There are a variety of techniques swatters use to pull off their attacks. Obviously in order to successfully swat someone, you need to know where they live; that's why swatting goes hand-in-hand with doxing, the practice of discovering and revealing personal information (like home addresses) of individuals without their consent. Swatters will often begin their quest by seeking to dox their victims, and sometimes doxers will publicly post or sell people's personal information in the hopes that others will take up the baton and swat them. Swatters also need to disguise their own identity, both to make their initial call more believable and to ensure that they don't end up getting in trouble once the deception has been revealed. Swatters will generally use caller ID spoofing, a relatively simple technique that makes it appear that their call is coming from somewhere else; if they've managed to dox the victim's phone number, it's common to try to trick 911 operators into believing the call is coming from the victims themselves, which heightens the realism. Swatters also make use of teletypewriter (TTY) relay services, which are intended to relay text messages from deaf or hard-of-hearing users as voice calls to a third party. Because TTY services are required to keep calls and callers confidential, this exploitation adds an extra layer of anonymity to the process. None of these techniques require much by way of resources or technical skills, but they can go a long way towards shielding the perpetrators from consequences. Brian Krebs, author of the Krebs on Security blog and himself an attempted swatting victim (more on that in a moment) told the New York Times that "like any other type of crime, when the cost is zero and the deterrent is very low, youve created a perfect opportunity for people to pour time and resources into that crime." Swatting examples We'll discuss some specific high-profile instances of swatting in a moment, but it's worth discussing the history of the practice a bit in order to understand the types of people who are frequent swatting targets. As we discussed, swatting doesn't really take much technical acumen to pull off; nevertheless, it first become popular in online, tech-focused spaces, like among hackers and in the hypercompetitive world of videogaming streams. Because streamers will provide an audio or video of themselves along with their gaming stream, if their rivals swatted them, both the attackers and other viewers at home would be able to watch the chaos when police arrived, adding a voyeuristic aspect to the attack. High-profile female streamers in particular found themselves targets. Once established in those communities, the practice spread. For instance, a number of social media executives were swatted by people bitter that they had been banned from various platforms. Some swatters have political agendas as well; one attack, perhaps predictably, targeted a Congresswoman who introduced a bill to make swatting a felony. Here are five noteworthy examples of swatting. Matthew Wegman. Known in the phone phreaking scene as "Li'l Hacker," this legally blind teenager was an early pioneer in swatting. He first came onto the FBI's radar in 2005 when he swatted the home of a man whose daughter refused to have phone sex with him, but was responsible for numerous other incidents by the time he was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2009. League of Legends terror. A Canadian teen (who was underage and therefore his identity was not released) pled guilty in 2015 to 23 charges related to his swatting attacks, many of which were focused on female League of Legends players who refused to accept his online friend requests. He also shut down Disneyland's Space Mountain with a bomb threat. He chalked his actions up to "boredom," while his mother said he had been led astray by older members of gaming groups. Sergey Vovnenko vs. Krebs. As we mentioned above, security researcher Brian Krebs was the victim of an attempted swatting attack in 2013. After Krebs infiltrated a Russian-language hacking forum where Vovnenko was active, Vovnenko arranged to have heroin sent to Krebs's home address, with the plan to sic the cops on him immediately afterwards. (The scheme flopped because Krebs got wind of it and called the police himself.) Tyler Barriss. A small beef within an online game gave rise to one of the highest-profile cases of swatting in recent memory. Casey Viner and Shane Gaskill got into an argument while playing online; Viner enlisted Tyler Barriss to swat Gaskill; and Gaskill dared them to do it and provided an address that wasn't actually his. When police arrived at this incorrect address, they shot and killed a resident, Andrew Finch, when he stepped out onto his porch. Barriss had apparently swatted multiple people before this without consequences. Barriss and Viner were both sentenced to prison and Gaskill reached an agreement with prosecutors to avoid prosecution. The officer who killed Finch was not charged. Black Lives Matter Los Angeles. In August 2020, an unknown 911 caller claimed to be holding hostages at the home of Melina Abdullah, a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement in Los Angeles. Police surrounded her home in an incident that was streamed live on Instagram, though the confrontation ended without violence. The caller said he wanted to "send a message" about his dislike of Black Lives Matter. Swatting statistics It's actually difficult to know how common swatting is, because, despite it being on law enforcement's radar for more than a decade, it still isn't a specific category that's used in the FBI's database of nationwide crime statistics. Kevin Kolbye, a former FBI special agent who worked on numerous swatting cases and later became assistant police chief for Arlington, Texas, told NBC News that "most of that swatting is called a 'false police report' or could be a 'terroristic threat.' A lot of those aren't data that's grouped together where we have a real national focus." He also told the Economist that the number of swatting cases is on the rise, from about 400 instances in 2011 to more than 1,000 in 2019. How to prevent swatting Swatting is a difficult technique to prevent so long as heavily armed police strike teams exist with a mission to respond to urgent request for help. There have, however, been a number of attempts to address the problem, coming at it from a few different angles. One method to reduce swatting attacks is to make potential victims aware of the practice and explain good online identity hygiene techniques. In essence, these are some of the same techniques that would be used to prevent doxing: if you can't be doxed, you can't be swatted. Anyone should at a minimum make sure that their home address or phone number isn't easily discoverable by a simple Google search. Cloudflare emphasizes that online gamers in particular who are often young and can be somewhat naive about privacy issues need to be careful about not revealing any potentially identifying information on in-game chat or gaming forums, since swatting is still common in gaming communities. For further privacy, gamers can connect to the internet via a VPN to hide their IP address, which a determined doxer could use to track them down. On the law enforcement end of the equation, there have been attempts to educate 911 operators about the existence of swatting so that they're on guard against the practice. A guide put out by the National Emergency Number Association offers some guidance, but notes that "Initially these calls cannot be differentiated from real incidents. The [call center] must process these calls as a normal call, following existing standard operating procedures." It urges operators to keep the caller on the line as long as possible; "asking specific questions and comparing the response to previously-supplied information may be useful." One police department is taking further steps to be proactive. The city of Seattle allows those worried about being swatted to register their concerns. While this won't prevent a swat team from being dispatched to a registered address, it will make the law enforcement officers more aware going into the situation that they may be dealing with a potential hoax. A Brisbane man has been charged with the stabbing of an 18-year-old man who is fighting for life in hospital. Police believe a dispute between the victim and a 19-year-old man led to the alleged attack about 4pm on Sunday at a residence on Scotts Road in the Brisbane suburb of Darra. Police have charged a man after a stabbing in Brisbane. Credit:Queensland Police Service The 18-year-old was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition after suffering wounds to his neck and torso. The 19-year-old Darra man was questioned after he was taken into custody at the scene. Over my career, I have noticed that how we adopt foreign culture and make it our own is manifested through food. However, sometimes this generates some interesting adaptations and ironies. Several years ago, when I first visited Tokyo, I was picked up at the Narita Airport and driven to a restaurant, called The Santa Fe before I was taken to my hotel. My host thought that I might feel right at home eating at a place that was named after a city that lies close to where I grew up. Plates of tacos, enchiladas, and other New Mexican foods were brought to our table. The host told me it was one of his favorite restaurants. He and our companions were so gracious that I didnt have the heart to tell them that what we were eating was not in any way close to the food in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I smiled as I ate and complimented the flavors, which seemed to be a cross between mild chiles and tomato sauce. However, that was a Japanese interpretation of New Mexican food that seemed to suit the locals well, as the place was packed and apparently a popular lunch spot for the business crowd. Later on that same trip, I happened to eat at Shakeys Pizza in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The restaurant looked like the Albuquerque Shakeys I used to go to when I was in college. However, the pizza toppings were uniquely Japanese, with various kinds of dried fish and flavorings with which I was unfamiliar good to the taste, but definitely not my idea of a traditional pizza. Of course, Italians traveling through the U.S. would probably be perplexed at the pizza we churn out here, which only has a distant resemblance to the original form of pizza in Italy. I was aghast the first time I ate pizza at a worldwide chain in Mexico City, which is quite similar to pizza at the same chain in the U.S. The people I was dining with took a bottle of ketchup and some ranch dressing and poured it on top of each slice they were eating. To this day, I have never eaten pizza topped with ketchup, but I now love to dip pizza slices in ranch dressing. Then there was the first time when I was living in Mexico City that I had coffee at a friends house. She served me a coffee cup full of hot milk. I hesitated to touch the cup because I thought she must have accidentally served me creamer for the coffee. Then I looked in her cup and it also was full of milk. She then returned from the kitchen with a jar of Sanka instant coffee, which she handed to me. I looked at her and she must have seen that I was confused. She asked for the jar, took three scoops of instant coffee out and put them in her milk. I had never seen coffee consumed this way, because in the U.S. we generally prepare standard coffee the other way around. I often chuckle at Americans who visit Mexico and are accustomed to supposed Mexican foods in the U.S. I have been with fellow Americans in Mexico who are surprised to see that chimichangas and fajitas are not on a typical Mexican restaurants menu. The chimichanga is an Arizona creation, while fajitas are believed to have originated in Texas. Americans visiting China might be surprised to not find General Tsos chicken in a Chinese restaurant. Many Chinese are perplexed how a legendary nineteenth century general and battlefield legend has had a plate of an American version of Chinese food named after him. Apparently, a creative Chinese-American restaurateur whipped up a dish with ingredients that has resonated so well with the American public, but is a mystery to Chinese citizens. In that same sense, chop suey served in the U.S. bears only a scant resemblance to the same dish in China. Aficionados of beer in Germany probably shudder that the top five beers consumed in the U.S. are Bud Light, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite and Modelo. Ive talked to Germans who say that most American beer, other than craft beers, taste like water to them. Most German beer that I have drunk in Germany are bold and dont even seem to be related to the most popular U.S. beers. In Mexico, enchiladas are made by dipping tortillas in chile and then rolling them around fillings such as cheese or beef, with a final topping of white cheese. In New Mexico, I grew up making enchiladas stacked, much like lasagna, with the red or green chile sauce baked into the entire dish. This rich concoction is then topped with cheddar cheese, which some of my Mexican friends tell me is an abomination. However, I explain to them that in the days of the Santa Fe Trail, which stretched from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa Fe, many goods from the Midwest started making an appearance throughout northern New Mexico. This included cheddar cheese, which was integrated forevermore into classic New Mexican cuisine. To this day, I have arguments with my Mexican friends over which form of enchilada is tastier. The core of a peoples culture tends to remain constant over generations. However, this does not mean that culture is static. Incorporating the best elements of foreign culture, such as food, has made nations across the globe stronger and more dynamic. Foods are a physical representation of this phenomena. Jerry Pacheco is the executive director of the International Business Accelerator, a nonprofit trade counseling program of the New Mexico Small Business Development Centers Network. He can be reached at 575-589-2200 or at jerry@nmiba.com. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says its been a month since she asked President Donald Trump to continue to fully fund the Michigan National Guard. A presidential executive order in August extended the deployment of National Guard troops to help respond to the coronavirus crisis, but took federal funding in all but five states from 100% down to 75%, leaving them to pay the rest from late August to the rest of the year. Whitmer requested a phone call with Trump in an Aug. 12 letter to discuss the cost share that requires Michigan to chip in 25% at the same time the state is experiencing a budget shortfall from decreased revenues during the pandemic. She says the president has not yet responded to the request. COVID-19 is still a very real threat to our state, and we need full federal funding for the Michigan National Guard in order to continue protecting our families and frontline heroes, Whitmer said in a statement Monday. Our Guard members have been vital to our COVID-19 response by testing thousands of people in communities across the state during the height of the pandemic, and will be crucial to our recovery efforts moving forward. Michigan National Guard members have operated testing sites in communities where more testing is needed, distributed personal protection equipment, assisted at food banks and supported public safety during the pandemic. Michigans congressional delegation has also asked for full funding in an Aug. 10 letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf. The president should not be playing partisan games while peoples lives are on the line, Whitmer said in the statement. Its irresponsible and irrational to fully fund National Guard activities in some states but not others. We need the president to step up and do the right thing for Michigan families, our frontline workers, and our economy. 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, click here. More on MLive: Be prepared for Election Week, not Election Day, says Michigan Secretary of State Monday, Sept. 7: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan Trump suggests Michigan, MSU could be left out of Big Ten football season Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow the UAE until Israel has signed an internationally recognised peace accord with the Palestinians In a phone call to Trump on Sunday, King Salman affirmed the "kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and fair solution to the Palestinian cause to bring peace", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. (AFP) Riyadh: Saudi Arabia supports a "fair" solution for the Palestinian cause, King Salman has told Donald Trump in a phone call, as the US President praised the kingdom for opening its airspace to Israel-UAE flights. Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow the United Arab Emirates, which announced last month it would establish diplomatic ties with Israel, until the Jewish state has signed an internationally recognised peace accord with the Palestinians. In a phone call to Trump on Sunday, King Salman affirmed the "kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and fair solution to the Palestinian cause to bring peace", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Last week, Saudi Arabia agreed to permit UAE flights to "all countries" to overfly the kingdom, as Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of regular direct flights linking the UAE with the Jewish state. The announcement came just days after the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi passed through Saudi airspace, marking the normalisation of Israel-UAE ties under a US-backed deal known as the Abraham Accords. Riyadh's decision marked another concrete sign of Saudi Arabia's cooperation with Israel even after it publicly refused to follow the UAE's move. "President Trump... welcomed the opening of Saudi air space to flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, beginning with last week's historic commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi," said a White House readout of the phone call. "President Trump highlighted the significance of the Abraham Accords and discussed ways to enhance regional security and prosperity." Allowing flights between Israel and the Emirates to cross Saudi airspace saves long detours around the Arabian peninsula. Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy and home to Islam's holiest sites, faces more sensitive political calculations than the UAE. Despite its clandestine relations with Israel, a formal recognition of the Jewish state would be seen by Palestinians and their supporters as a betrayal of their cause and hurt the kingdom's image as the leader of the Islamic world, analysts say. Trump also urged Saudi Arabia to "negotiate with other Gulf countries" to resolve a regional rift with Qatar, the White House added. Riyadh and its allies severed ties with Doha in a shock move in 2017, accusing the gas-rich emirate of backing extremists and siding with Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran. Qatar denies the charges. The crisis shows no sign of relenting despite rising international pressure. Vietnam ends Army Games with three bronze medals, one champion cup Members of the Vietnamese team at the Sniper Frontier competition of the 2020 International Army Games. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. In its third year at the International Army Games, Vietnam took part in 10 competitions, bringing home three bronze medals and a champion cup. The Vietnamese People's Army sent a team of 125 officers and men to this years games to compete in 10 events and attend the International Military-Technical Forum 2020. It won the bronze in Emergency Area for emergency rescue units, Safe Route for combat engineering units, and Confident Reception for anti-aircraft missile units. Vietnam was also crowned champion and won the cup in Group 2 of the Tank Biathlon, beating Abkhazia, Congo, Laos, Myanmar, Qatar, South Ossetia, and Tajikistan. However, the Group 2 result did not count toward the medal tally. With its success, Vietnams tank crew won a ticket to compete in the Tank Biathlon Group 1 next year, set to face nations like Belarus, China and Russia. Other events Vietnam competed in include Safe Environment for reconnaissance crews, Emergency Area for emergency rescue units, True Friend for dog handlers, Field Kitchen, Masters of Artillery Fire, Sniper Frontier, and Military Medical Relay Race. In all, Russian finished first with 25 gold medals, four silvers and one bronze, followed by Belarus, Uzbekistan, and China. International Army Games 2020 was held in Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan from August 23 to September 5. More than 5,000 participants from 156 teams from over 30 countries and regions competed in the event. No amount of resources can sustain the 2.7 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps in the northeast, not even N5 billion monthly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Yusuf Yusuf, has said. He also urged the federal government to stop IPD syndrome and called on security agencies to do more to end the insurgency so that people could safely return to their various towns and villages. The lawmaker said this while briefing journalists on his committees findings after an oversight visit to various IDP camps in the northeast, Daily Trust Newspaper reported. Mr Yusuf noted that most of the victims of insurgency were eager to return home and fend for themselves, but their villages were still inaccessible. Nigeria, he said, might witness a major crisis from the IDPs, who were mostly orphans below the age of 18, if nothing was done to get them back to their villages. It is a very sad thing that I have seen in the IDP camps. There are 2.7 million people in the IDP camps. No amount of resources that can sustain or take care of their palliatives. We cannot continue to believe that the IDP syndrome should continue. We must exit it at one time or the other. It is a sad thing. There are children who are orphans in all respects and most of them are below the age of 18. Its a time bomb waiting to explode. The government, the development partners are doing their best but the resources are very small. We cannot sustain spending about N5 billion a month to take care of these people, he said. Mr Yusufs remarks come on the heels of concerns about the safety and welfare of the IDPs, especially women and children. The UN has also raised concerns about the population of the camps and the high risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 disease. To further cater for the IDPs, the Minister of humanitarian, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Farouq, has said the Nigerian Air Force will commence air-dropping of food relief to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in difficult to reach locations of Borno State. The federal government had earlier outlined the challenges faced by NGOs operating in the northeast to include insecurity, floods or terrain, which it said could be addressed with the support of the security services. Trump said during an interview with Fox Business Networks Maria Bartiromo on Aug. 13: They [Democrats] need that money in order to make the post office work, so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots. 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. These words set in motion not only questions about the impact on mail-in ballots, but also the impact on all mail operations. Since he was appointed Postmaster General on June 16, 2020, Louis DeJoy has put in place changes that have caused delays in the delivery of essential mail, such as prescription drugs. Veterans may be particularly affected by mail delays because the Department of Veterans Affairs relies on the Postal Service for delivery. In his testimony before the congressional committees, Mr. DeJoy has repeatedly said that he was not aware that mailboxes and sorting machines were being removed and that overtime was being restricted, which raised the question as to how can someone make changes to a nation-wide operation without knowing about major changes already underway? He said that the only change he instituted was to assure that the trucks were sent out on time. However, the mission of the Post Office is not to send out trucks on-time. The mission is to deliver the mail on-time. A report by NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, Tennessee, found that trucks were going out on-time, but empty. DeJoys selection happened after Trumps Treasury Secretary Mnuchin met with Republican members of the Postal Service Board of Governors. The Postal Service has been an independent non-partisan agency since 1970. Mnuchins meeting with only Republican members of the Postal Service Board of Governors has called into question the independence of the Postal Service under Trump. His selection has raised questions about the labor practices at the companies he has owned. One of his companies was ordered to pay $1.5 million for retaliating against three female employees who said they had been sexually harassed. Employees at a warehouse he owned were disciplined using a point system, in which they could be fired once they racked up 10 points. Asking for a break to go to the doctor could earn you a point, as could taking too long on a break. Trumps comments have also shed light on his plan to privatize the Post Office. In a June 2018 report, the Trump Administration stated that it wants to restructure the United States Postal System to prepare it for future conversion from a government agency into a privately-held corporation. As Mr. DeJoy said during his testimony before Congress, that he is only putting off changes until after the November election. Keep this in mind when you vote. A vote for Trump and/or a vote to elect a Republican to the House and Senate, since Congress will need to vote privatize the Post Office, is a vote to privatize the Post Office. (Richard A. Reichard is a West Brighton resident.) Experts say it's not a good idea to warm up your car in winter Experts say it's not a good idea to warm up your car in winter. Here's why. It seems that last weeks decision against MTN Ghana in the Commercial High Court in Accra is not going to be the end of the story. In the aftermath of its failed attempt to challenge its recent classification as a Significant Market Power by the regulator, the National Communication Authority (NCA), MTN Ghana said its concerns remained unresolved and that it will explore all available options and next steps in this process. With the news that MTN Ghana is applying to the Supreme Court for a resolution of the SMP declaration, we now know what those next steps will be. In a press release, the company told its customers, shareholders and other stakeholders that it had filed papers on Friday 4 September at the Supreme Court seeking to review the High Courts recent decision. This step, says MTN Ghana, was taken after a careful review of the Courts judgment. The company explains that, while it respects the decision of the Court, it believes that the judgement did not address our concerns that the NCAs decision did not meet the requirements of procedural fairness. Couching its opinion in careful language, MTN Ghana says it acknowledges the duties and powers of the NCA to promote fair competition among licensed operators and supports the legitimate exercise of the NCAs regulatory powers. However, the company continues, as a good corporate citizen and considering the international investment community we believe that a decision by the highest court of the land would provide certainty and a veritable precedence on the procedural fairness in this, and future regulatory decisions of the Authority. An investigation by Declassified UK has revealed that for more than 15 years, US and UK security agencies have been waging a covert war in Kenya, arming and training a secret Kenyan paramilitary team that has committed atrocities against Kenyan civilians and violated Kenyan laws under the guise of fighting terrorism. While the report does important work in documenting this, the collaboration between Kenya and the West and its brutality is hardly news. Reports of Kenyan agencies working with their Western counterparts to disappear, rendition, torture and murder local terror suspects are legion, and have appeared regularly in Kenyan and international press for decades. However, the Declassified UK report does bring to mind startling similarities between the way the global war on terror is waged today and the British effort to put down what came to be known as the Mau Mau uprising in colonial Kenya nearly 70 years ago. At the time, a peasant movement, focused mainly in the countrys central highlands, had taken up arms and formed the Kenya Land and Freedom Army with the express aim of kicking out the colonial settlers and recovering the land they had lost. Their violence, which targeted white Europeans and their African collaborators, reflected the brutality employed by the British in their half-century occupation of the country. In their response, the British sought to paint the rebellion as a reflection of the innate savagery and primitivity of Black Africans and to deny the fighters in the forests had any legitimate grievances or practical visions of the future. The press, both in Kenya and in Western capitals, was inundated with propaganda generated by the Colonial Office in London. All we heard was how savage Mau Mau was, Caroline Elkins, author of the influential book on colonial atrocities during that period, British Gulag, quotes John Nottingham, then a young colonial officer, as saying. Just completely atavistic, and somehow had to be gotten rid of, regardless of how this was done. As painted by the British, the conflict pitted the peaceful, progressive and enlightened forces of white colonialism against the dark, evil, foul and secretive filth of the degraded Mau Mau. The very name, Mau Mau, was an attempt to associate the movement with the idea of savagery. It did not originate with the fighters. In fact, they actively rejected it. In a 1953 Charter, introducing the movement, Dedan Kimathi, the leader, declared: We reject being called [Mau Mau or] terrorists for demanding our peoples rights. [It is derogatory]. We are the Kenya Land [and] Freedom Army. Kenyan politician Josiah Mwangi JM Kariuki, who was interned in prison camps from 1953 to 1960 for channelling resources to the fighters, and eventually murdered by the state agents of independent Kenya, later wrote: The world knows [the KLFA] by a title of abuse and ridicule with which it was described by one of its bitterest opponents. Compare this with the descriptions of those today fighting against Western domination of Middle Eastern societies as anachronistic, long-bearded, cave-dwelling atavists defined by their brutality rather than by the aims they espouse. There is an entrenched resistance to the idea that those who espouse a violent overthrow of the current world order can either have legitimate reasons for doing so or espouse rational alternatives to their exploitation. This resistance manifests in the tendency to employ simplistic, binary views of conflict and the zero-sum, with-us-or-against-us rhetoric pioneered by the George W Bush administration. It is also evident in the idea of radicalisation which seeks to paint a resort to violence as a form of mental illness or the result of brainwashing. In the 1950s, the British efforts against the KLFA focused on the secret oathing ceremonies that the fighters used to recruit their members. According to Elkins, the colonial establishment attributed their colonial subjects anger to the so-called spell of the Mau Mau oath rather than an outgrowth of legitimate complaints rooted in individual circumstances. Confessing the oath came to be regarded as the sin qua non of effective rehabilitation (or, as we would say today, de-radicalisation). To achieve this, the British established a horrendous system of camps referred to as the Pipeline where those suspected of taking the oath were interred and subjected to unspeakable tortures to get them to confess. Tens of thousands died and many more were left scarred and destitute. One and a half million people were forced from their homes and put in concentration camps where many starved. All this was justified by the rubric of fighting Mau Mau terror. Today, the talk of de-radicalisation similarly denies the legitimacy of grievances. The anger many feel at Western policies and aggressions towards their countries and societies are easily dismissed and rather than focus on the oppressive policies, de-radicalisation frames the actions of the victims as the problem. For example, decades of massacres and brutalities committed by the Kenyan government against the majority Muslim regions of the coast and the northeast of the country are seldom cited as the cause of widespread disaffection in these areas. Rather the blame is easily laid at the feet of radical preachers whose words, like those of the Mau Mau, are said to have the effect of casting magical spells on simple-minded populations. To recognise the legitimacy of grievances is not to defend the tactics of terror (though it will inevitably be portrayed as such by some). Rather, the resort to such violence should be understood within its full context, and that context includes recognition of the violence of oppression that incites it. Further, while the brutality of the British and their local allies did effectively break the KLFA, the cost of doing so has continued to be paid till today in the suppression of public memory both in Kenya and in the UK, and in the terror the Kenyan state exhibits towards its population and the consequent violence it perpetrates against them. Similarly, the brutal tactics used by the West and its allies may enjoy short-term success. But this will come at the long-term expense of entrenched instability, hostility, fear and conflict. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The value of your investment and any income from it can go down as well as up and as a result your capital may be at risk. This year has seen many traditional income-paying companies cut their dividends to conserve cash and remain resilient as the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic unfolds. It has highlighted the importance of resilient income investing to many individuals, savers, investors and to pension funds, who hold shares for their dividends. But with much uncertainty still facing countries around the world, the prospect of the tried and tested companies reinstating those dividends remains an unanswered question. That doesn't mean there aren't income investing opportunities out there though. And as the world adapts to living and working with coronavirus, there are some sweet spots worth investigating. Baillie Gifford investment manager James Dow, of the Scottish American Investment Company, gives us a glimpse of the potential star performers of tomorrow. Good dividends will grow and bad dividends will become a thing of the past, says James Dow When it comes to finding companies which pay a regular dividend Dow, the joint manager of The Scottish American Investment Company, commonly known as SAINTS has a theory. He says there are companies that offer investors a 'good dividend' and companies that offer a 'bad' one. Dow expects two things from the fallout of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic: good dividends will grow and bad dividends will become a thing of the past. Good and bad dividend investing Many companies, structurally in decline or low growth, are nevertheless paying dividends in a desperate attempt to entice shareholders. These are bad dividends, says Dow. 'I think we are going to see the decline of bad dividend investing, and I think this is a good thing if it happens. Its where companies are over-distributing,' he says. 'Theyre paying too much, theyre not investing enough in their own business, they may even be borrowing to pay dividends.' Take high street retail. Despite being challenged by the rise of e-commerce, Dow points to some companies still paying out too much, instead of investing in the transition to e-commerce. I think we are going to see the decline of bad dividend investing, and I think this is a good thing if it happens. -- James Dow He also avoids oil and gas, explaining: 'Hydrocarbons, generally, are in the sunset of their lives. 'The catch with something like a big oil company, or a bank, or a telecoms company the usual suspects for income funds is that they need to invest huge sums all the time just to keep their business level.' These businesses are now being forced to pay lower dividends, which is how he believes it should be. The flipside is what Dow calls 'good dividend investing'. He says: 'When investors receive these dividend payments, theyre taking the excess cash that companies dont need,' he says. 'That money is being used to support savers, those in retirement, charities, any kind of investor who needs income. Thats good dividend investing. Im optimistic about that.' Distribution businesses have been great beneficiaries of the social lockdown Looking outside UK borders The UK market has been hit hard by the crisis. A combination of capital-intense business models and structurally-challenged companies, some of which have been over-distributing dividends, means that UK dividends are expected to fall this year by between 44 and 61 per cent. Global dividend payments look healthier, and are expected to fall between 15 and 25 per cent. 'While there are some great companies with sustainable dividends in the UK, very large parts of the market are not in that category,' says Dow. 'If youre a long-term income investor, you would be much better off looking outside the UK, looking globally for good dividend companies, like Microsoft or UPS. A securities exchange, such as Germanys Deutsche Borse, is a good example of what he looks for. Dow highlights its combination of a capital-light business model and an ability to produce cash, which means it can simultaneously grow and provide shareholders with a stable and resilient dividend. For interesting areas for a globally diversified income investor, he starts with healthcare. 'Given the value that we as a society ascribe to healthcare and our desire to see innovation and to pay for it, this sector only going to go up,' he says. More thought will be given to how factory floors are laid out and how engineering processes work, increasing the demand for automation The coronavirus effect Dow also believes a wholesale move to automation will be accelerated by the way the world is changing as a result of the pandemic. More thought will be given to how factory floors are laid out and how engineering processes work, increasing the demand for automation. A third area to explore is digital. He says: 'Anything digital that enables us to either work remotely or to collaborate without having to travel - those types of business, whether it be chip makers, software makers, whatever it might be, should be great beneficiaries.' President Donald Trump said the US will bar fast-growing social media app TikTok from the United States over security concerns. Dow believes good companies listed in China will still offer investors opportunities to grow their dividend income in spite of trade tensions Don't rule out China As for regions or countries that might offer attractive dividend-paying opportunities, on the five to 10-year view, Dow is most excited by China. With huge innovation taking place, often by founder-run businesses, he expects to see more growth and dividend companies that foreign investors can access through Chinas A-share market. 'Theres quite a lot of angst about Chinas place in the world, and trade relations and so forth, but the thing with great companies is that they tend to thrive regardless of the geopolitical climate,' he says. Thats why income investors need not fear the demise of bad income investing: good dividend investing in a globally diversified portfolio is on the rise. You can hear more of James Dows thoughts on the future of dividend investing in the Baillie Gifford podcast Short Briefings on Long Term Thinking, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and at bailliegifford.com/podcasts News Washington, DC - The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Tuesday announced key reforms that will empower the FBI to build a more robust internal compliance program and that will ensure, among other things, the accuracy of FISA applications, as well as the active oversight of applications targeting federal elected officials, candidates for federal elected office, and their staffs. Today, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation press forward with Foreign Intelligence Surveillance reforms. In consultation with FBI Director Wray, I issued two memoranda one that authorizes the establishment of an FBI Office of Internal Auditing and directs the FBI to undertake aggressive compliance measures, and the other that establishes protocols to ensure the accuracy of FISA applications and the effective oversight of any surveillance applications targeting elected officials and political campaigns, said Attorney General William P. Barr. FISA is a critical tool to ensuring the safety and security of Americans, particularly when it comes to fighting terrorism. However, the American people must have confidence that the United States Government will exercise its surveillance authorities in a manner that protects the civil liberties of Americans, avoids interference in the political process, and complies with the Constitution and laws of the United States. What happened to the Trump presidential campaign and his subsequent Administration after the President was duly elected by the American people must never happen again. Since the Inspector Generals Crossfire Hurricane report was issued last December, I have made clear that it describes conduct that was unacceptable and unrepresentative of the FBI as an organization said FBI Director Christopher Wray. Thats why I immediately ordered more than 40 corrective actions, including foundational FISA reforms, many of which went beyond those recommended by the Inspector General. The FBI has been working diligently to implement these corrective actions. The additional reforms announced today, which we worked on closely with the Attorney Generals office, will build on the FBIs efforts to bolster its compliance program. FISA is an indispensable tool that the FBI uses to protect our country from national security threats, and Americans can rest assured that the FBI remains dedicated to continuously strengthening our FISA compliance efforts and ensuring that our FISA authorities are exercised in a responsible manner. The first memorandum issued by the Attorney General is entitled Augmenting the Internal Compliance Functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This memorandum makes significant improvements to the FBIs internal compliance program. It authorizes the establishment of the Office of Internal Auditing to overcome a gap in auditing capability at the FBI and requires the development of compliance and oversight mechanisms, training, and internal controls to ensure the FBIs compliance with applicable statutes, policies, procedures, and court orders that govern the FBIs national security activities. The reforms also require the FBI to perform robust auditing functions, including, for example, routine audits of the FBIs use of National Security Letters, compliance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), and adherence to FISAs minimization, targeting, and querying procedures. The second memorandum is entitled Supplemental Reforms to Enhance Compliance, Oversight, and Accountability with Respect to Certain Foreign Intelligence Activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The supplemental reforms in this memorandum build on the corrective measures undertaken by the FBI Director in his response to the December 2019 report of the Department of Justice Inspector General entitled Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane Investigation. These reforms are designed to ensure the accuracy and completeness of FISA applications targeting U.S. persons. The reforms also include oversight protocols to ensure that any use of FISA to surveil federal elected officials, candidates for federal elected office, or their advisors or staff is justified, non-partisan, and based on full and complete information. Finally, the memorandum requires the FBI to develop procedures to prevent United States persons from becoming unwitting participants in malign influence operations by foreign powers and to review its disciplinary policies and procedures to ensure appropriate disciplinary action for those who knowingly misrepresent facts to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates at the the ceremony marking 75th founding anniversary of Radio The Voice of Vietnam (Photo: VNA) At the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, on behalf of the Party and State, presented the title Hero of Peoples Armed Forces to the national radio broadcasters Theatre, the Labour Order, first class, to the VOV, the Independence Order, first class, to VOV News and Current Affairs channel (VOV1) and the Labour Order, first class, to VOV International (VOV5). Addressing the ceremony, the PM praised the VOVs leaders and staff, who he described as pioneer fighters on the ideological and cultural front, for their significant contributions to the countrys cause of construction and development. He asked the VOV to promote its tradition, strength and prestige to become a modern multimedia agency leading in digital transformation and application of new technologies. According to VOV General Director Nguyen The Ky, over the past 75 years of development, the VOV currently has all the four forms of press, namely radio, television, print paper and online paper. It has eight radio channels, including a channel broadcasting programmes in 13 ethnic minority languages and another broadcasting in 13 foreign languages. It also has 17 TV channels, two e-newspapers, and one printed newspaper. The VOV now has six domestic bureaus and 13 overseas bureaus. In addition, it owns a theatre and two broadcasting colleges. The VOV has set up ties with many radios, TVs and press in the world./. The situation in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in Donbas has deteriorated. "Over the past day, September 6, the armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the agreements reached on July 22, 2020," the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports. The enemy opened fire from an automatic mounted grenade launcher at Ukrainian positions near Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk). As a result of the shelling, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was wounded. He received medical assistance on time and was taken to a hospital. In another sector of the front, the enemy opened aimed fire from small arms at our defenders in the area of Prychepylivka (50km north-west of Luhansk). As a result of the shelling, one Ukrainian serviceman was killed. Over the past day, the Russian occupation forces fired two provocative shots from an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Shumy (41km north of Donetsk). Since the beginning of the current day, September 7, the ceasefire has been observed in all sectors of the front. No violations have been recorded. ish We send out headlines each week day of the latest Chattanooga news. Our news headlines have links that take you to the stories with a click. We also send out special emails if there is a highly significant local news story breaking so you will be aware of it quickly. To be added to the email headline list, just email us at news@chattanoogan.com. In addition, like us on Facebook and Twitter and get our news sent to you "in real time." Our Internet newspaper allows us to post stories very quickly there is no need to wait for a press run or for carriers to deliver the paper. It is always free to read all the articles on Chattanoogan.com. Click on the links below and be sure to "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter. With the feeds, you will be able to catch up on the local news as it happens. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 07.09.2020 - Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif during an official visit to Tehran. Their discussions focused on Switzerland's protecting power mandates and efforts to ensure the region's stability. As the two countries celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, they also discussed cooperation in the fields of trade, science and human rights. Mr Cassis underlined that Switzerland and Iran have a long-standing relationship based on trust. Regional stability in the Middle East is a priority for Swiss foreign policy. Mr Cassis reaffirmed Switzerland's readiness to continue to promote and facilitate constructive dialogue between the countries of the region. At the same time, he called on Iran to comply with the nuclear deal. Iran thanked Switzerland for the work it carries out under its protecting power mandates. Mr Cassis, Mr Rouhani and Mr Zarif also discussed the progress made towards implementing the bilateral roadmap agreed in 2016 covering, among other matters, trade and finance, human rights, and cooperation in the fields of science, the environment, health, intellectual property and nuclear safety. Mr Cassis cited the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement as a good example of Swiss-Iranian cooperation. "With the payment mechanism for the export of medicine and food, we are not only supporting Swiss companies, but also the people of Iran, which is currently subject to US sanctions," noted Cassis. During his three-day working visit, Mr Cassis also paid a courtesy visit to the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Mr Cassis also welcomed the creation of the Iran-Switzerland parliamentary friendship group to mark the anniversary of diplomatic relations. 100 years of diplomatic presence As part of the celebrations marking 100 years of Switzerland's diplomatic presence in Iran, Mr Cassis opened an exhibition in Tehran on the history of Swiss-Iranian bilateral relations. "As early as 1873, the Swiss Confederation and the Persian Empire signed their first treaty of friendship and trade. Switzerland enjoys great trust in Iran, a fact that also benefits the work we do as part of the protecting power mandates," said Mr Cassis at the opening ceremony. Since 1980, Switzerland has represented US interests in Iran. In 2017, Switzerland assumed protecting power mandates for Iran in Saudi Arabia and for Saudi Arabia in Iran. Since 2019 it has also represented Iran's interests in Canada. 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 Publisher Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html Pemberton was convicted of homicide and has been serving a prison term of six to 10 years for the killing of Jennifer Laude in a motel in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila. His lawyer, Rowena Garcia-Flores, told The Associated Press that Pemberton was already aware of Dutertes decision when she called him. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Rain showers in the morning will evolve into a more steady rain in the afternoon. High 41F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Expect periods of freezing rain. Low 29F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 90%. A giant snowman erected on the bank of Songhua River in Harbin, the capital of Northeast Chinas Heilongjiang province, has drawn much attention online. Around 2,000 cubic meters of snow was used to create the 18.5-meter-tall figure dressed in a red hat and scarf. Since December, ice and snow sculptures featuring Winter Olympics and Lunar New Year elements have popped up across the city famed for its ice festivals, drawing many visitors Jan 20, 2022 06:19 PM Queensland's Great Barrier Reef export fishery licence has been cancelled by federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley after the state government failed to deliver a sustainable fisheries strategy required by Commonwealth law. Ms Ley wrote to Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner on Sunday revoking permission for the export fishery using her powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has revoked the export licence of the Great Barrier Reef commercial fin fishery. The ban, which comes into force on September 30, cancels fishing for export in the East Coast Inshore Fin Fishery extending from the NSW border along the Barrier Reef to the top of Cape York where gillnets are used to target several species of shark, black jewfish and mullet. The Australian Marine Conservation Society and WWF Australia have campaigned against the fishery, arguing it did not have the promised sustainable fisheries strategy, which was due in January. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Court overturns life sentences against unnamed defendants for journalists murder to between seven and 20 years in jail. A Saudi court has overturned five death sentences over dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggis killing, a final ruling in the case that saw the Washington Post columnist killed and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad. The court on Monday handed 20-year sentences to five people and three others were sentenced to between seven to 10 years, state media reported. The eight convicted of the murder, which took place in Saudi Arabias consulate in Turkey, were not identified. The verdict comes after Khashoggis sons said in May they had pardoned the killers, a move condemned as a parody of justice by a United Nations expert. On Tuesday, UN spokesman Rupert Colville, while noting that the global body opposes the death penalty, said the Khashoggi trial lacked transparency and fell short on assigning accountability for the crime. This is case where there has not been proper transparency in the justice process, those responsible should be prosecuted and given sentences commensurate with the crime, he said in Geneva. There is a whole issue of transparency and accountability in the case. #JamalKhashoggi: 1.The Saudi Prosecutor performed one more act today in this parody of justice. But these verdicts carry no legal or moral legitimacy. They came at the end of a process which was neither fair, nor just, or transparent. https://t.co/nt4n2CqS21 Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) September 7, 2020 Khashoggi went missing on October 2, 2018, while visiting the consulate in Istanbul. Turkish authorities later revealed he was murdered inside the building by a Saudi assassination team. His body has never been found. The trial was widely criticised by rights groups who noted no senior officials nor anyone suspected of ordering the killing was found guilty. The independence of the court was also brought into question. Many Saudis hailed Mondays ruling in comments on Twitter, a platform favoured by pro-government supporters. Some said the verdict ended one of the most difficult political cases the kingdom has faced, while others said it makes Saudi Arabia the land of justice and a country where rights are never lost. Khalil Jahshan, from the Arab Center in Washington, DC, noted the prosecutors office said the announcement closes the case forever. Most importantly, where is the body of Jamal Khashoggi? With these sentences, I assume they have found out what happened to his body, Jahshan, a family friend, told Al Jazeera. The whole verdict seems to me to have been manipulated. According to legal practice in Saudi Arabia, the family has a right to commute any sentence, and the family has issued such a declaration most probably under duress. I dont think it was done freely, knowing the family. Credible evidence Khashoggi, 59, wrote critically of the Saudi government. He had been living in exile in the United States for about a year, leaving Saudi Arabia just as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was beginning to unleash a crackdown on Saudi human rights activists, writers and critics of the kingdoms devastating war in Yemen. Questions remain over Prince Mohammeds role in ordering the killing, with several western intelligence agencies alluding he had knowledge of the operation beforehand. MBS has said he had nothing to do with the murder, but acknowledged it happened under my watch. The Saudi government called the assassination a rogue operation after repeatedly denying any involvement for weeks. Agnes Callamard the United Nationss special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions also found credible evidence that Prince Mohammed and other senior Saudi officials were liable for the killing in an investigative report published in June 2019. Callamard said on Twitter on Monday the trial was not fair or transparent and the responsibility of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has not even been addressed. Khashoggis fiancee also denounced the verdict on social media. The ruling handed down today in Saudi Arabia again makes a complete mockery of justice, Hatice Cengiz said on Twitter. The Saudi authorities are closing the case without the world knowing the truth of who is responsible for Jamals murder. Who planned it, who ordered it, where is the body? These are the most important questions that remain totally unanswered, Rami Khouri, from the American University of Beirut, told Al Jazeera the Saudi trial was widely criticised around the world as going against internationally acceptable standards of justice. The issue of who actually ordered it [the murder] is still a big question. The crown prince has been implicated thats a very serious accusation when it comes from the investigator at the United Nations and the CIA. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, said Khouri. He noted the Khashoggi case was not the only one with other governments in the Middle East region accused of following, tormenting, and terrorising critics living around the world. Turkey trial A team of 15 Saudi agents flew to Turkey to meet Khashoggi inside the consulate for an appointment to pick up documents allowing him to marry his Turkish fiancee, who waited outside. Turkey apparently had the Saudi consulate bugged and shared audio of the killing with the CIA, among other intelligence agencies. The assassination of Khashoggi a US resident prompted a worldwide backlash against Saudi Arabia and caused lasting damage to MBSs image in the international arena. Ankaras ties with Riyadh came under intense strain after the journalists killing as he was an acquaintance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In March, Turkish prosecutors indicted 20 Saudi nationals over Khashoggis murder, including two former senior aides to Prince Mohammed, the kingdoms de facto ruler. According to the indictment, Saudi Arabias former deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri is accused of establishing a hit team and planning the murder. Saud al-Qahtani, a royal court and media adviser, is accused of instigating and leading the operation by giving orders to the hit team. Khouri noted al-Qahtani was not charged in the Saudi trial and still works for the government. There are many questions that will continue to be raised, he said. Other suspects are mainly Saudi military and intelligence officers who allegedly took part. Among those ensnared in the killing is a forensic doctor believed to have been tasked with cutting the body into pieces with a bone saw. Not premeditated The Saudi verdicts came after the kingdom tried 11 people in total in December, sentencing five to death and ordering three others to lengthy prison terms for covering up the crime. The Saudi trial, however, concluded the killing was not premeditated. That paved the way for Salah Khashoggi, one of the writers sons, to months later announce the family had forgiven his Saudi killers, which essentially allows them to be pardoned from execution in accordance with Islamic law. Salah Khashoggi lives in Saudi Arabia and has received financial compensation from the royal court for his fathers killing. A small number of diplomats, including from Turkey, as well as members of Khashoggis family, were allowed to attend the initial trials nine court sessions. Independent media were barred. Luckman Alabi and his wife, Anastasia Kobiaba Wricketts are in the grips of the Central Regional Police for allegedly molesting their 12-year-old son leading to his untimely death. Alabi and his wife, residents of Ayikoayikoo in Cape Coast are respectively, the father and stepmother of the deceased. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Irene Serwaah Oppong, Regional Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Cape Coast. She said on Sunday, September 06, at about 0700hours, Corporal Sampson Babayi together with three others, arrested suspect after a distress call received from an informant that Mr. Alabi was beating his 12-year-old boy now deceased in his room. Narrating the incident, DSP Oppong said in the process the boy escaped from the back door to the balcony and jumped from the last floor of the three-storey building but unfortunately, he landed on his head and suffered a severe head injury. The boy was rushed to Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) but was pronounced dead on arrival. The body has been deposited at the hospital's morgue for preservation and autopsy and the suspects are currently in Police custody, assisting in investigations. GNA MORE THE MERRIER This Canadian fund is eyeing a $700 million Reit. No big deal except that it borrowed a page out of its peers playbook and ended up hiring ten investment banks to run the process. It wasnt long ago that the Mindspace Reit had 14 merchant bankers zooming on calls from across the globe. Seems like some of the names from the last issue have managed to hustle in and are working overtime to file the DRHP in October and complete the sale process by December. The firm was initially taking it slow during the early months of the pandemic. But the exuberance in capital markets has pushed them to press the accelerator. Earlier this year, it hired Morgan Stanley, BoFA and Citibank. Now it has added an army of desi banks in the last few days. After all, ye dil always mangey more. To the Times: On Aug. 23, Jacob Blake attempted to disrupt a fight between two people. Police officers shot Blake seven times in the back in front of his car with his three young sons inside. Blake lived, although he remains in intensive care. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I am heartbroken to see the continued violence that Black people face in this country and pray that Jacob Blake make a complete recovery. Some of the protests happening across the country may prove successful in bringing important issues, like the worth of the lives of Black people, into the national dialogue, but we should also demand that change be institutionalized through policies to prioritize the lives and livelihoods of all marginalized peoples and hope that the American people will vote for those who can enact such change in the upcoming election. Madeel Abdullah, MD, Garnet Valley By Akbar Mammadov Apart from occupying Azerbaijans internationally-recognized territories and expelling civilians from their homes, Armenia is also engaged in environmental terror against Azerbaijan. Since war in the early 1990s, Armenia has been using Sarsang water reservoir with 560 million cubic meters in occupied territories as a tool against Azerbaijani civilians by depriving them of water. Head of the separatist regime set up in Nagorno-Karabakah recently Karabakh revealed the details of the project regarding the illegal use of Sarsang reservoir. The regimes leader said that Sarsang water reservoir will be used for infrastructure, construction and other activities across all occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The plan envisages irrigation of up to 30 thousand hectares of land and create about 40-50 thousand jobs. The dangerous plan to use the water of Sarsang water to the maximum will further deepen Azerbaijans water supply problem and will cause environmental disaster in the Azerbaijan villages. Built in 1976 on the Terter River in the Agdere district by Azerbaijan, Sarsang reservoir is the fourth largest reservoir in the country after the Mingachevir, Shamkir reservoirs and the Araz hydroelectric complex. Before the occupation, hundreds of thousands of hectares of agricultural land were irrigated from this reservoir in Tartar, Barda, Yevlakh, Goranboy, Agdam, Agjabedi districts. The height of the reservoir dam is 125 m. The reservoir is located at an altitude of about 700 m above the sea level. However, after the occupation, in the absence of maintenance and monitoring, the reservoir gradually fell into decay and, according to experts, is in an emergency condition, posing a threat to hundreds of thousands of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenias illegal use of water resources in Azerbaijans occupied territories was raised by the Parliament Assembly of the Council of Europe in 2016 when it adopted the resolution 2085 titled Inhabitants of frontier regions of Azerbaijan are deliberately deprived of water. PACE stated that the deliberate creation of an artificial environmental crisis must be regarded as environmental aggression and seen as a hostile act by one State towards another aimed at creating environmental disaster areas and making normal life impossible for the population concerned. It deplores the fact that the occupation by Armenia of Nagorno-Karabakh and other adjacent areas of Azerbaijan creates similar humanitarian and environmental problems for the citizens of Azerbaijan living in the Lower Karabakh valley. The Assembly recalls that, in their statement of 20 May 2014, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs expressed their hope that the sides would reach an agreement to jointly manage these water resources for the benefit of the region. The resolution also noted that the lack of regular maintenance work for over twenty years on the Sarsang reservoir, located in one of the areas of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia, poses a danger to the whole border region. Thus, the PACE emphasized that the state of disrepair of the Sarsang dam could result in a major disaster with great loss of human life and possibly a fresh humanitarian crisis. The Assembly firmly condemned the lack of co-operation of the Armenian parliamentary delegation and the Armenian authorities during the preparation of the report on this issue. Since the irrigation canals of Sarsang reservoir remain in Azerbaijans territory, Armenian decided to build new ones within the occupation territories and redirect water through the system of these canals, said Ilgar Valizade, head of the Political Scientists Club "South Caucasus, in an interview with Day.az. The project of the Sarsang reservoir, built on the Tartar River, provided for a large network of irrigation canals. A corresponding distribution station was built in the lower reaches of Tartar. It distributed water through a system of canals laid in Lower Karabakh - Barda, Terter, Agjabedi, Aghdam regions. These canals were the main source of irrigation for agriculture. In this region, after the construction of canals, cotton growing and viticulture began to develop rapidly, the political scientist noted. Valizade highlighted that after the occupation of Karabakh by Armenia, the hydroelectric complex ended up in the occupied territories, but the network of canals remained on the Azerbaijani side. He added that the hydraulic unit was built to regulate the water level in the reservoir. The political scientist pointed out that therefore, the risk of overpressure on the dam was reduced. Water discharge, moreover, the target discharge (the surplus entered the irrigation canals) was used for agricultural needs. The operational properties of the unit remained effective until the occupation, Valizade said. What are we seeing now? Since the system does not work, the Armenian side simply dumps excess water that appears during floods and melting snows into the Tartar River, as a result of which floods often occur. In addition, in summer, the water flowing through the canals to Azerbaijani villages is shut off, he said. Valizade also noted that as a result, the pressure on the hydroelectric complex increases, which threatens a man-made disaster. Experts have repeatedly noted the occurrence of cracks on the hydroelectric complex itself. It should be noted that Khachinchay, Arpachai, Agdamkend and other reservoirs also remain in the territories occupied by Armenia, which have also been turned into ecological time mines. Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a conflict over Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh breakaway region, which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and around one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France has been mediating the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict since the signing of the volatile cease-fire agreement in 1994. The Minsk Groups efforts have resulted in no progress and to this date, Armenia has failed to abide by the UN Security Council resolutions (822, 853, 874 and 884) that demand the withdrawal of Armenian military forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. --- Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Brexit trade talks plunged into crisis on Monday after Britain warned the European Union that it could effectively override the divorce deal it signed unless the bloc agrees to a free trade deal by Oct. 15. In one of the most startling turns of the four-year Brexit saga, Britain is reportedly planning new legislation that will override key parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement - a step that, if implemented, could jeopardize a treaty signed in January and stoke tension in Northern Ireland. Sections of the internal market bill, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to "eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement" in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs, the Financial Times said, citing three people familiar with the plans. Britain has set a deadline of Oct. 15 to strike a free-trade deal with the European Union, and if none is agreed both sides should "accept that and move on," Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say on Monday. Johnson will say there is no sense in thinking about timelines beyond Oct. 15. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," he will say, according to comments released by his office. Britain left the EU on Jan. 31 but talks aimed at clinching a new trade deal before the end of a status-quo transition arrangement in December have so far snagged on state aid rules and fishing. Without a deal, nearly $1 trillion in trade between Britain and the EU could be thrown into uncertainty, including rules over everything from car parts and medicines to fruit and data. The reported plan to undermine the Withdrawal Agreement - disclosed on the eve of a new round of talks in London - was condemned by parties on both sides of the Irish border and elicited surprise in Brussels. "If the UK chose not to respect its international obligations, it would undermine its international standing," said one EU diplomat. "Who would want to agree trade deals with a country that doesn't implement international treaties? It would be a desperate and ultimately self-defeating strategy." "Without correct implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, I cannot imagine the EU would conclude a treaty with a country that does not abide by its treaty commitments," said another EU diplomat. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who played a key role in negotiating the withdrawal agreement and Northern Ireland protocol, said on Twitter that the reported move "would be a very unwise way to proceed." Senior members of Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein and SDLP parties, the region's two largest Irish nationalist groups, also criticized the British government's plan, as reported by the newspaper. Asked about the report in the Financial Times, British Environment Secretary George Eustice said there might be some minor "legal ambiguities" that needed to be tidied up over the Northern Irish protocol. "We are not moving the goal posts," he told Sky News. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said he was worried about the difficult talks but declined to comment on the FT report. If no deal is agreed, Britain would have a trading relationship with the bloc like Australia's, which would be "a good outcome," Johnson will say on Monday. "As a government we are preparing, at our borders and at our ports, to be ready for it," he will say. "We will have full control over our laws, our rules, and our fishing waters." In that case, Britain would be ready to find sensible accommodation with the bloc on practical issues such as flights, lorry transport or scientific cooperation, according to the excerpts. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Uzbek national Abdulkadir Masharipov was handed 40 life sentences without parole after 39 killed in Istanbul attack. A Turkish court sentenced to life in prison the main suspect in a gun attack at an Istanbul nightclub on New Years Day in 2017 in which 39 people were killed. Abdulkadir Masharipov, an Uzbek national, was given the equivalent of 40 life sentences without parole on Monday, plus an additional 1,368 years in prison, Turkeys state-owned Anadolu news agency reported. Police detained Masharipov on January 17, 2017, and said he acted on behalf of the ISIL (ISIS) armed group that claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria. The Reina nightclub shooting was one of a string of attacks in Turkey believed to have been carried out by ISIL. Several revellers jumped into the waters of the Bosporus to escape the attack. Most of the dead were foreigners. Masharipov previously repudiated statements to police in which he admitted guilt for the attack, and disputed the evidence against him, saying he was not the person photographed holding an assault rifle in the club. In his final words of defence on Monday, Masharipov asked that he be acquitted, saying his initial testimony was taken under torture and pressure. He insisted there was insufficient evidence against him. He is expected to appeal his conviction. Niece of notorious terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, Noor bin Ladin has expressed her support for the reelection of United States President Donald Trump. In an interview with The New York Post, the 33-year-old stated that a second terror attack comparable to the 9/11 bombing of the world trade center may be preventable if Trump stays in office. In her statement, Bin Ladin stated that during the Obama/Biden administration, the Islamic State (ISIS) grew in numbers which led them to enter Europe. She also noted that Trump has shown that he is protecting the US and other countries by extension through obliterating the roots of terrorism before they are able to strike back. According to Bin Ladin, she grew up in Switzerland and clarified that their side of the family has always spelled the last name differently than her uncle. Noor's uncle is known to be the leader of the terrorist group Al Qaeda which is the mastermind of the 9/11 bombing. Moreover, the niece of the terrorist leader stated that she has been a long-time admirer of the current president. It can be recalled that during his campaign, Trump pledged to ban Muslims from the US in 2016. Trump also vowed to pursue a stricter anti-terror policy than what was imposed by Obama's organization. However, during his time as president Trump has been repeatedly accused of going after a chaotic policy that allowed fighters of ISIS to regroup back in Syria. Read also: Trump Overrides Defense Department's Directive Shutting Down 'Stars and Stripes' Newspaper' The young Bin Ladin also stated that she has supported Trump since the beginning of 2015 when the president announced his candidacy. She added that she watched Trump from afar and admired his resolve, emphasizing that it is essential for America and the whole western civilization's future that Trump is re-elected. In addition, Bin Ladin also used the terror attacks in Europe in the past 19 years as an example of how the "Radical Islam" has completely infiltrated the society and shaken everyone's core. She also expressed alarm on how the leftists in the US have aligned themselves with those who share the ideology of radical Islam. Aside from the interview, Bin Ladin also tweeted pictures of herself donning clothes with slogans promoting Trump. Her tweet also contained pro-Trump QAnon conspiracy movement hashtags. America is the greatest, least racist country in the world, despite what her enemies claim. Noor Bin Ladin (@NoorBinLadin) September 5, 2020 I have not had a single bad experience with Americans despite the name that I carry. On the contrary, I was overwhelmed by their kindness and understanding, https://t.co/W70TJb6DaS Moreover, Business Insider reported that Bin Ladin has shared propaganda in support of Trump, and has even shared a number of clips of Tucker Carlson, a Fox News reporter who is known as a Trump ally. Swiss-born Noor bin Ladin is the daughter of Osama's half-brother, Yeslam Bin Laden, and Carmen nee Dufour, who is a known Swiss author. In 2004, Noor's mother became a best-selling author in a memoir she wrote about her life in the Bin Laden family. The parents of Noor separated back in 1988 and the young Bin Ladin has stated that she had very little information and interaction with her father. The family is known to have made their fortune in Saudi Arabia in the construction industry. Related article: Melania Trump Used Private Email to Conduct Official White House Business, An Act Potus Condems @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has backed a rise in the superannuation guarantee, slamming opponents as patronising Australian workers while criticising the government's early release scheme as poor quality. The superannuation guarantee is currently legislated to increase to 12 per cent from 9.5 per cent by 2025. However, the federal government has said it will consider whether this should go ahead following research from the Reserve Bank and the Grattan Institute that showed it could come at the expense of wage growth during an economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has backed a rise in the super guarantee. Credit:Nic Walker Labor, the unions, former Treasury secretary Ken Henry and former prime ministers Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd support keeping the increase, saying it will ensure an adequate retirement and there is no guarantee it will come at the cost of wage increases. Mr Turnbull said on Monday it was his judgment that "we would be better off sticking to the legislated increase". While opinions may vary on how best to combat climate change, we cannot mount a meaningful fight to address climate change without natural gas as part of a strategic energy policy that protects both the environment and good union jobs. Vice President Joe Biden, who I endorsed early in the Democrat Presidential primary and continue to support, should embrace natural gas as an important foundation of Americas all of the above energy policy. It would be bad politics and bad energy policy to capitulate to the demands of extreme environmental interest groups who want to shut down the natural gas industry and tell Pennsylvania building trade union members their jobs do not matter. These same extreme environmental interest groups are pushing Biden to adopt energy policies that require complete elimination of natural gas as a source of electric generation a policy that would cost millions of jobs, increase all electric bills, and severely weaken Americas economic position in the world. The past decade has seen tremendous growth in natural gas, a sector that now supports nearly 10.3 million U.S. jobs nationwide. Because of abundant gas supplies unlocked by new hydraulic fracturing technology, U.S. natural gas exports reached a record high in 2018, making the U.S. a net exporter of natural gas for the second straight year. In 2000, Pennsylvania imported over 75 % of its natural gas; today, Pennsylvania is a net exporter of natural gas and has become the second largest producer of natural gas in the nation. The energy sector renaissance in Pennsylvania can transform our economy by creating energy production jobs as well as reenergizing our manufacturing sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear to every American that we can no longer afford to off-shore the manufacturing of petrochemical products, like personal protection equipment, to countries like China who manufacture the vast majority of mask, gowns, and other PPE for our front line health care workers. Recently, I joined a broad, bipartisan collation of business groups and building trade unions to pass the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit. The new Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit will attract billions of dollars in private investment and create nearly 5,000 new jobs in the construction and operation of Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities that use dry natural gas to produce fertilizer and other petrochemical products in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit proved that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can deliver on the promise of government to create good, family-sustaining, blue collar union jobs while also being good stewards of the environment. Unfortunately, not every political group is interested in bipartisan compromise that helps working families. For example, the Democratic National Committee has advanced policies in its 2020 platform recommendations to ban fracking, halt natural gas exports, and abandon new fossil fuel infrastructure all together. Vice President Biden, who is now leading the Democratic ticket, has said he will oppose a fracking ban on the oil and gas industry. I trust Vice President Biden will stay true to his word, but the Vice President has to understand that the party he leads is sending the message to Pennsylvania building trade unions and working families that your jobs dont matter. Telling someone their job and way of life has no value will make it very hard to compete for votes in critical Pennsylvania counties, like my home county of Luzerne. Leaving Luzerne Countys blue collar workers out of the conversation was the same road Hillary Clinton traveled in 2016. It ended up costing her Pennsylvania and the Presidency. Pushing policies that stifle natural gas production is a poor election strategy, especially when more than 339,000 Pennsylvania jobs and the families they support are tied to it. If Vice President Biden hopes to win Pennsylvania, he should embrace the idea that aggressive climate change action and a robust energy sector can be achieved together. Because of increased natural gas use, Pennsylvania has lead the way on climate change action with shale gas producers in the Marcellus and Utica cutting their methane emissions by more than three quarters since 2011 and helping bring U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to their lowest level since 1992. If we abandon the idea of a balanced approach to energy development that advances Pennsylvanias robust energy portfolio that includes natural gas, renewable energy, and other forms of energy production in favor of complete reliance on wind and solar, we will see rolling electricity blackouts, like the ones now occurring in California, a loss of a half million jobs in Pennsylvania, an increase of $1,200 in your electric bill, and higher taxes to subsidize the renewable energy industry. Overall, thats a horrible economic strategy for Pennsylvania working families. If Vice President Biden fully embraces those in the Democrat party who are more interested in radical ideological fights, like banning fracking and shutting down natural gas jobs, rather than fighting for Pennsylvania working families then the voters of Pennsylvania, especially those in northeastern Pennsylvania, will take notice of which candidate believes their jobs matter and which candidate has decided their jobs just dont matter anymore. John Yudichak is an Independent and represents the 14th State Senatorial District New Delhi: Now boozing with friends can help you to boost your health, suggested Oxford scientists who found that moderate alcohol consumption may improve wellbeing due to the increased social interaction. Researchers were studying the scope of improving social cohension by drinking with friends. Researchers at the University of Oxford in the UK looked at whether the frequency of alcohol consumption or the type of venue affect peoples' social experiences and wellbeing by combining data from three separate studies observing conversational behaviour in pubs, a questionnaire-based study of pub clientele and a national survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The researcher found sharing a drink with friends in a pub is socially engaged and contented, it tends to build trust among community members too. They also observed that those without a local pub had significantly smaller social networks and felt less engaged with, and trusting of, their local communities. The study showed that visiting a local pub can affect peoples' social network size ," said Robin Dunbar, Professor at University of Oxford. "Personal wellbeing and happiness have a massive impact not only on individual lives, but on communities as a whole," said Colin Valentine, CAMRA's National Chairman. "Pubs play a unique role in offering a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends in a responsible, supervised community setting," he said. "For this reason, we all need to do what we can to ensure that everyone has a 'local' near to where they live or work - the first step to which is to strengthen planning protection for pubs to stem the 21 pubs closing across this country each week," Valentine said. A new fire has erupted on the fully loaded oil tanker offshore Sri Lanka, due to extreme temperatures and high winds, the Sri Lanka Navy said on Monday, days after the tanker first caught fire. The Sri Lanka Navy had just issued a previous release saying that the fire on board the MT New Diamond oil tanker had been completely extinguished. Last Thursday, that the Sri Lanka Navy said one person was injured and another went missing after an oil tanker carrying crude oil from Kuwait to India caught fire east of Sri Lanka. The tanker MT New Diamond, carrying 270,000 metric tons (nearly 1.9 million barrels) of crude oil, was traveling from the port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip when an explosion of a boiler followed by fire erupted in the main engine room. The Sri Lanka Navy responded immediately to the distress signal of the tanker for relief assistance, while a nearby vessel rescued 19 out of the 23 crew members, the Navy said. One crew member, a Philippine national, is missing, while an engineer sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. The MT New Diamond was chartered by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the biggest refiner and fuel retailer in India, and was fully loaded, according to Refinitiv data reported by Reuters. The Indian Coast Guard also came to the scene of the incident, and the Indian vessel Shaurya has started to extinguish the fire. Other Indian coast guard and navy vessels are also approaching the area. The Indian Coast Guard, in a swift Sea & Air Coordinated operation, immediately diverted its ships Shaurya, Sarang, Samudra Paheredar, as well as Dornier Aircraft, to help with firefighting the blaze on the oil tanker, the Indian Coast Guard said on Twitter. The Sri Lankan Navy and authorities are taking steps to mitigate and manage the risk of possible oil spills in future due to this disaster, the Navy said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 15:13:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn will participate in the 53rd ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings to be held virtually on Sept. 9-12, according to a foreign ministry's statement on Monday. The 53rd AMM and related meetings will review the ASEAN Blueprint and the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, focus on ways and means to realize the ASEAN community building and the recommendations for the ASEAN Community Vision Post-2025, the statement said. It added that those meetings will further promote ASEAN's unity and solidarity, resilience, integration and connectivity, as well as engagement with the global community. "The meetings also address the COVID-19 socio-economic impacts and the ASEAN's comprehensive recovery plan," the statement said. Besides taking part in the 53rd AMM, Sokhonn, who is also a deputy prime minister, is expected to attend the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone Commission meeting, the 21st ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 10th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and 27th ASEAN Regional Forum, among others, it said. Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Vietnam is the chair of ASEAN for 2020. Enditem The EU has voiced serious concern and regret over Belgrades commitment to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, casting a shadow over the resumption of Serbia-Kosovo talks. President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti are to meet in Brussels for a second round of EU-brokered, face-to-face talks to resolve two decades of disputes after clashing in war. The meeting follows a high-profile summit at the White House where Vucic and Hoti agreed to improve economic relations and in Serbias case, following in the USs footsteps, committing to moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. But the EU remains committed to the so-called two state solution in which Jerusalem will be the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state, with its own diplomatic mission is in Tel Aviv. The bloc expects prospective members such as Serbia to align with its foreign policy positions. In this context, any diplomatic steps that could call into question the EUs common position on Jerusalem are a matter of serious concern and regret, EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told reporters in Brussels. Breaking with long-standing diplomatic practice, US President Donald Trumps administration in December 2017 recognised Jerusalem as Israels capital and moved the US embassy to the city. Now, we shall have more powerful allies Washington touted the agreements signed by Vucic and Hoti on Friday as a major breakthrough, but on Monday the two leaders issued a joint statement giving a far more cautious read. The recently agreed documents in Washington DC, building on previous dialogue-related commitments undertaken by the two parties, could provide a useful contribution to reaching a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on normalisation of relations, the statement said. In one of Europes most intractable disputes, Serbia has refused to recognise Kosovos declaration of independence since the province broke away in the bloody 1998-99 war that was ended only by a NATO bombing campaign against Serb troops. Both Kosovo and Serbia are facing mounting pressure from the West to resolve the impasse which is seen as crucial to either side joining the EU. One key question is diplomatic recognition for Kosovo five of the EUs 27 countries do not acknowledge its independence. At a news conference in Pristina, Kosovos capital, President Hashim Thaci tried to calm the fears of Muslim nations that its decision to recognise Israel could damage ties with the Islamic world. Thaci hailed the deal with Serbia signed at the White House in Washington, which included mutual recognition between Israel and Kosovo. But he added that he had received messages of concern from the Arab League and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the mutual recognition of Israel-Kosovo. I am in contact with President Erdogan. I spoke to him on the phone and this recognition of Kosovo-Israel will not jeopardise in any way the friendly and strategic partnership with Turkey. Now, we shall have more powerful allies (Israel) in our efforts to globally strengthen the state of Kosovo. Kosovo, a predominantly Muslim country, has never recognised Israel, nor has Israel recognised Kosovo. In mid-2020 India found itself in an armed confrontation with Chinese troops in Ladakh. This is a high-altitude region of northwest India and the contested area is on Pangong Lake, which is 4,250 meters (14,000 feet) above sea level. Part of the Indian reinforcements were helicopter gunships. Instead of sending some of their recently acquired American AH-64E helicopter gunships, the Indian-made LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) was sent. India said this was because the LCH could operate more effectively at high altitude than the AH-64E. The service ceiling (highest altitude it will operate at) for the LCH is 6,500 meters (21,300 feet) while for the AH-64E it is 6,100 meters (20,000 feet). The AH-64 performed well in Afghanistan at similar altitudes as Pangong Lake. The AH-64 has also been in service for several decades while the LCH just entered service in 2020 with the Indian Air Force obtaining the first two. It was apparently the air force which sent the LCHs to Ladakh. The air force also has 22 AH-64Es. The Indian Army also has LCH and AH-64E helicopters on order but has not received any yet. The army and air force have had disagreements over who should control the helicopter gunships. In most countries the army has all the helicopter gunships. There is also the problem with Indian industry being unable to produce a lot of locally developed and manufactured helicopters and combat aircraft. The army insisted on obtaining the proven AH-64E rather than the LCH. Politics prevailed and the army and air force were compelled to obtain both LCH and AH-64E. The American gunship can use laser guided missiles while the LCH cannot, at least not yet. Both helicopters have an autocannon (20mm for LCH and 30mm for the AH-64). The LCH only carries 70mm unguided rockets and light unguided bombs. It appears the LCHs were sent to Ladakh more for political than practical reasons. This is not unusual in India when it comes to locally made and imported weapons. The LCH made its first flight in 2010 and in 2011 was declared ready for service. Orders were not placed by the army air force until 2016 because of misgivings about the capabilities of the LCH. The air force plans to eventually have 65 LCH while the army will order 97. India has ordered 72 AH-64Es with the air force and army both getting some. So far only the air force has some (22) while the army has six on order. In 2011 the Indian Air Force has supposed to order 65 LCH which were supposed to be delivered in 2012. That did not happen because the LCH had problems passing the qualification tests. Changes in the LCH had to be made it was not declared fit for service until 2018. Mass production of the LCH was not authorized until 2020. LCH is a 5.7-ton helicopter gunship that cruises at 260 kilometers an hour and has a max speed of 275. Endurance is about five hours per sortie and max altitude was initially 5,500 meters (17,000 feet) until complaints from the military got changes made and altitude increased. There is a crew of two, with armament consisting of an 20mm autocannon and about 2.5 tons of rockets, bombs and missiles. Electronics carried will allow for night attack operations. The twin-engine LCH is similar to the twin engine version of the AH-1 (like the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z) and European Tiger. The AH-64 was also opposed by politicians who wanted Indian firms to design and build a helicopter gunship. But commanders involved in combat operations all agreed that they needed the best available and they needed it as quickly as possible. That led to the AH-64, which entered service as the AH-64A in 1986. Numerous planned upgrades to the B and C standard were planned during the 1990s but stalled because of budget reductions after the Cold War ended in 1991. These upgrades were incorporated in the 1997 AH-64D Block I. The AH-64D Longbow (because of the radar mast, making it possible to see ground targets and flying obstacles in all weather) models began appearing in 2002. Mass production of the latest version (the E model) and conversion of D models to E began in late 2013. The U.S. Army began receiving AH-64Es in 2012 and this is the model India is receiving. AH-64Es have more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, as well as much improved electronics. AH-64Es also have Internet-like capabilities enabling these gunships to quickly exchange images, video, and so on with other aircraft and ground troops. Each AH-64E can also control several UAVs and launch missiles at targets spotted by these UAVs. The AH-64E radar has longer range and onboard computers are much more powerful than earlier ones. The electronics are easier to upgrade and maintain. The combination of improved fire control and Internet capabilities greatly increases the combat effectiveness of the AH-64. The 10-ton AH-64E carries a pilot and a weapons officer, as well as up to 16 Hellfire missiles (plus the 30mm automatic cannon). Sorties average three hours. The AH-64 can operate at night and has a top speed of 260 kilometers an hour. Influencer Charly Jordan apologized to her fans on Monday for traveling to Rwanda during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it was a very incorrect time to travel and Im completely in the wrong for doing that in an Instagram Story. The apology comes after a wild few days for Jordan, who has more than 5 million followers combined on TikTok and Instagram. Last Wednesday, Jordan told her followers she had made it to Rwanda and added she was definitely corona free haha, complete with the crying emoji face. (Rwanda is one of only a few dozen countries that is allowing American citizens to visit, with some restrictions.) Jordans trip got off to a good enough start; her Instagram includes a video with Silverback Gorillas, and she also posted some dancing and eating videos on TikTok. Things soon took a turn for the worst, though, after she tested positive for COVID-19 despite having tested positive for the virus only a few months earlier. In a TikTok video, Jordan tearfully said literally the fing government showed up at my place, and came and dragged me away from everybody I was with, and I dont speak the language, and they locked me in this fing room. And I cant leave. Jordan added the Rwandan government wasnt telling her how long shed have to be isolated in her room. Also Read: Behind Kevin Mayer's Sudden Exit From TikTok: Bad Fit, Reputation Fears Later, as Vulture pointed out, Jordan said the U.S. shouldnt be letting anyone be traveling out of the country in a comment on TikTok. Her response came after some fans had been critical of her decision to go on a trip, despite the pandemic. Compounding matters, Jordan said she was unable to smoke medical marijuana which has helped her cope with anxiety for several years while being locked down in her room. After four days on government-mandated lockdown, Jordan received some good news: her test had been a false positive. She then posted a followup video on TikTok, saying I knew that I didnt have it, as she moved around her room, shook her hands and held back tears. Story continues @charlyjordan original sound charlyjordan On Monday, the 21-year-old shared the following apology on Instagram and said she wont be traveling until theres a vaccine for COVID-19. I would like to make an apology for traveling during this time, because I know that its a very incorrect time to travel, and Im completely in the wrong for doing that, and I have learned my lesson one hundred percent, she said. Trust me. Ive been sitting here in this room, locked in this room for the past four days thinking about it, and I will not be traveling anymore during this time. Read original story TikTok Star Charly Jordan Apologizes For Traveling to Rwanda Despite COVID-19 Pandemic At TheWrap The UAE Cabinet, chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the National Policy on Vaccinations, which is a multi-sectoral national framework for combating communicable diseases and reducing their risks to individuals and society. The policy will act as a coordination framework for all parties involved in the immunisation field, in order to support the health system in the country and enhance the efficiency of provided services, reported state news agency Wam. It also aims to bring together the non-governmental sector and community members to support the UAE's fight against communicable diseases by promoting a healthy lifestyle; as well as ensure the delivery of the best quality of vaccination services and preventive care nationwide, it added. Some of the most important objectives of the National Policy on Vaccinations is to make vaccines widely available, ensure their sustainability and quality, raise awareness on their importance, and support innovation and research in the field. It also includes policies on safeguarding public health during health emergencies and disease outbreaks. The policy also aims to enhance the country's position as a regional and international healthcare hub, in light of its development of a comprehensive and sustainable health system, and through ensuring the provision of the best quality immunisation services in compliance with international safety practices. Contacts of a positive case of Covid-19 urged to follow guidelines and self-isolate for two weeks This article is old - Published: Monday, Sep 7th, 2020 Contacts of a case of Coronavirus are being reminded to stay at home for full two weeks of self-isolation The population-wide Test, Trace, Protect programme was rolled out across Wales at the start of June, with the Wrexham teams based within the council. Anyone who has a positive Coronavirus test result will be contacted by a team of contact tracers and asked for details of everyone they have had close contact with while they have had symptoms. All of their close contacts will then be followed up and will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution to prevent the virus spreading further. A close contact includes:- Anyone who has been within 1m of and had a face-to-face-conversation, had skin-to-skin contact with or have coughed on, or been in other forms of contact with for a minute or longer; Anyone who been within 2m of for more than 15 minutes Anyone who has travelled in a vehicle with or sat near on public transport. The North Wales Test, Trace, Protect service have now issued thanks to all of those cases and contacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19) who are staying at home and following the Welsh Governments self-isolation advice. It is by staying at home, that you can help stop the virus spreading. The team is also urging people who are contacted by tracers to follow the guidelines and stay at home for two weeks of self-isolation. Dr Rachel Andrew, one of the leads for the North Wales Regional Hub of Test, Trace, Protect (TTP), said: It is really important that if you have been telephoned by a member of the contact tracing team and told you are a contact of a case of Coronavirus, that you follow their advice and stay home for the full 14 days. The reason we ask contacts to self-isolate is because they could be developing the infection and be at risk of spreading it to family and friends. This advice is the same for people returning from countries where Welsh Government requires self-isolation for 14 days on your return. Having a negative test during this time only tells you that you dont have Coronavirus on the day the swab was taken. Healthcare workers and some other keyworkers have different opportunities for testing, they are advised to speak to their employers about what to do if they are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: We would like to remind the people of North Wales that Coronavirus is still circulating in the community. To keep everyone safe, always stay two metres away from others, and wash your hands regularly. If you meet another household, outside your extended household, stay outdoors during your visit and work from home if you can. If you or anyone in your extended household has symptoms, stay at home and arrange a test. Thank you to those who are making sacrifices to keep us all safe, including those who are staying at home for the full 14 days of self-isolation. In July Wrexham Council issued advice on how to tell if a call from a contact tracer is genuine details of which can be found here. Anyone with a high temperature, new continuous cough, or a loss of, or change, to sense of smell or taste should get tested for Coronavirus. Visit www.gov.wales/coronavirus or call 119 to arrange a test. Five members of the Illinois state Health Facilities and Services Review Board will make a definitive decision on whether or not to approve a request from Sarah Bush Lincoln to demolish and replace the SBL Bonutti Clinic in Effingham, according to the board's administrator, Courtney Avery. The board usually carries nine voting members appointed by the governor, with no more than five members from the same political party. Currently there are only five voting members, with four vacancies the governor has the option to fill. A majority of the nine members would be five voting members. Therefore, all decisions made by the board no matter how many members on the board would require five votes to approve the SBL Bonutti Clinic request. Also on the board are three non-voting board members, representing the office of Secretary of Human Services, Director of Healthcare and Family Services and Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Several speakers appeared Wednesday at a public hearing in Effingham before the review board. Sarah Bush Lincoln has proposed building a new, $35 million Bonutti Clinic. HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital has challenged the scope of the project, saying it would dupliucate some services that the local hospital already provides. Illinois State Senator Dale Righter, R-55th District, testified that his main goal is to insure the discussion and consideration of the project was based on facts and urged the review board to approve the Sarah Bush Lincoln application. Righter said Sarah Bush Lincoln services are housed in several locations in the city of Effingham and a new facility would allow for consolidation of several services under one roof. He said claims made that St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital would lose over $30 million worth of revenue are baseless. "After my review of the application and other materials available, there is no evidence to support such a claim," Righter said. He said any significant loss of revenue to St. Anthony's is already happening today and construction of a new facility will not change change that fact. Dr. Ruben Boyajian specializes in general surgery and is the medical director of the Womens' Wellness Center and Cancer Services at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital. "I am an independent physician, meaning I'm not affiliated with either of the pursuing applicants or the affected hospital," said Boyajian, who noted that he arrived in Effingham long before Sarah Bush Lincoln did. "After more than 40 years of practicing my specialty in Effingham, I believe I understand the community and it's healthcare needs," Boyajiian said. "I make no apology for advocating for my home hospital in the community." He opposes the project proposed by Sarah Bush Lincoln. He said the application in its current form would result in service cuts and job losses at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital. "The net effect would be negative for the Effingham area," Boyajian said. Boyajian said collaboration was the key to successful rural health care and is needed now more than ever in Effingham. He said when the applicants first came to Effingham they were given access to a whole floor at St. Anthony's Hospital and use of hospital owned equipment. He said a hallmark of their past collaboration was St. Anthony's becoming one of two hospitals in the state to earn a joint commission's gold seal of approval for advanced total hip and knee replacement certification. "The COVID-19 pandemic has financially challenged all Illinois hospitals," Boyajian said. "And has produced necessary layoffs at St. Anthony's. Especially now, it makes little sense to allow this unnecessary duplication and expansion of existing hospital services." "I truly hope the staff and members of the review board would find a way to the win-win solution that this community wants, needs and deserves," Boyajian said. "The first step in getting there would be more complete information on this application." Nick Williams, a physician assistant at SBL Bonutti Clinic, read a summary of written testimony from Dr. Peter Bonutti, who is an orthopedic surgeon and namesake of Sarah Bush Lincoln Bonutti Clinic. "For the past 30 years, I've done everything in my power to provide excellent and cutting edge care for my patients," Bonutti said. "Despite offers of practice at prestigious institutions such as Stanford, Emery, University of Florida and among others, I chose to bring my practice to Effingham, Illinois, bringing the latest in orthopedic care to my patients." Bonutti said patients have traveled to Bonutti Clinic from 41 states and six countries. "We see patients on a daily basis who travel hundreds of miles to our clinic," Bonutti said. "This has required us to build a multidisciplinary facility which will encompass all clinical and diagnostic services under one roof; therefore allowing patients to have access to all services in the same day. This consolidation of services enhances not only the quality, but the cost efficiency of the patient's care." He said after 25 years of exclusive work with St. Anthony's, the hospital was not willing to invest in his practice and a much needed new facility. Bonutti said HSHS demanded he travel to offer services in Breeze, Greenville and O'Fallon taking surgeries and revenue away from Effingham. "Three years ago, Jerry Esker, the Sarah Bush Lincoln President and CEO, and I talked about advancing orthopedics and the quality of care," Bonutti said. "After understanding Jerry and Sarah Bush Lincoln's commitment for improving and investing in the quality of care for our patients, not only I, but the entire group of providers and staff all chose to partner with SBL." "Our partnership allows me to focus on continuing my research and development," Bonutti said. Bonutti said he has published more than 100 papers, has more than 400 patients and more than 700 licenses for medical products. He said during his 30 years of contributing to the Effingham community he has never had to ask for or received any financial incentives from the city of Effingham. "Sarah Bush Lincoln is providing all capital to build a first-rate medical building," he said. "The clinic we are asking to build is a high quality building that will combine several Effingham medical practices into one location, and streamline services, and create efficiencies and comfort for all our patients," Bonutti said. "It is amazing that Sarah Bush Lincoln is willing to invest $35 million into a state-of-the-art building for our community. This new facility is its long-term commitment to providing jobs, and quality of care in the Effingham community." "Even HSHS agrees the Bonutti Clinic needs to be replaced," Bonutti said. "This certificate of application spells out specifically why the space is needed and how it will be used." "Please accept this letter as an indication of my wholehearted support," Bonutti said. "I look forward to an expedited approval of the Certificate of Need as our aging facility is in urgent need of a new quality building to continue to provide excellent care to our patients." Dr. Andrew Mahtani is a hospitalist at St. Anthony's. He spoke in opposition of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Bonutti Clinic. "Given the enormous financial and operational challenges for small hospitals from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no category of hospital has been more profoundly harmed than rural hospitals," Mahtani said. Mahtani said St. Anthony's has been responding to the pandemic since March. He said the hospital established a COVID unit, conserved personal protection equipment, followed Centers for Disease Control guidelines, executive orders of the governor and IDPH guidance to close non-emergency services. He said St. Anthony's followed state orders and prepared for an influx of COVID patients that never came. "The loss of revenue from curtailed elective procedures was never offset by COVID related patient volume," Mahtani said. "All the while our sole community hospital continued to make its essential services and resources available even as usage declined." He said money from the Federal CARES Act helped, but didn't cover all of the hospital's COVID losses. He said 75.9 percent of the hospital's revenue comes from outpatient procedures that would be duplicated at the new Bonutti Clinic. "I am deeply concerned the project will threaten our sole community hospital's ability to sustain these essential services," Mahtani said. Effingham resident and business owner Doug Wohltman of Wohtman Construction of Effingham supports the Sarah Bush Lincoln Bonutti Clinic project. "I was very surprised to learn HSHS St. Anthony's Hospital filed an objection to this $35 million project," Wohltman said. "Without a doubt we need Sarah Bush Lincoln, its facilities and investment into our community." He said the construction of the new facility means positive entrepreneurial growth for the Effingham community. Wohltman said the project will bring several construction jobs to the Effingham area over the 18 months it will take to erect the building. "This will also create several trickle down jobs in the community," Wohltman said. "A building of this caliber along Interstate-70 will most definitely be a welcome addition to the landscape and create a 'wow' impression to those taking exit 160 into Effingham," Wohltman said. Wohltman said it was time for the Effingham business to focus on the community at large and to move forward with a growth mindset. The founder of Kingery Printing, John Kingery, spoke in opposition to the SBL proposal. "I am completely committed to and involved in my the local community," Kingery said. "As a community leader I well understand the Effingham area, the health care needs of our people and what our sole community hospital means to this community." Kingery said at one time he was volunteer board member of St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital. He stressed that St. Anthony's supports several service organizations in the community along with providing a variety of medical services for the park district, schools police and fire departments. "St. Anthony's is the largest employer in Effingham County," Kingery said. "It provides all essential hospital services, including an emergency room that never closes even when it doesn't pay for itself." "Our 144 year-old hospital is fundamentally important to virtually every aspect of life in Effingham," Kingery said. "It is a precious asset worthy of preservation." Kingery said the new services proposed at the clinic and construction of an oversized facility are not in the best interest of the community. "A win-win solution is certainly possible," Kingery said. "It would be good for everyone to have complete, clear and consistent information from the applicant." The board is expected to review submitted information at a meeting at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook, on Sept. 22. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Biden Takes Heat For Meeting Jacob B. Sr. Joe Bidens critics took aim at his meeting with Jacob Blakes dad. Among them is a prominent Jewish activist, criticizing Biden for meeting with someone who has a history of making anti-Semitic comments on social media. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 7 : The Kerala gold smuggling case's prime accused Swapna Suresh was on late Monday was taken to the state-run Medical College Hospital after she complained of a chest pain. Swapna, who is presently in judicial custody and lodged at the Viyur jail near here, complained of uneasiness, and was taken to the hospital, where she is being examined. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had taken over the case, had arrested Swapna and her associate Sandip Nair from Bengaluru on July 11, after they were on the run since July 5 following the arrest of an accomplice by the Customs Department. Her bail plea was last month rejected by the special NIA court at Kochi and since her arrest she has been questioned on numerous occasions by the various central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate and the Customs. The gold smuggling case first surfaced when P.S. Sarith, a former employee of the UAE Consulate here, was arrested by the Customs on July 5 when he was facilitating smuggling of 30 kg gold in diplomatic baggage to Thiruvananthapuram from Dubai. It turned murkier when the name of Swapna, a former employee of the Consulate, and the employed with the IT Department, surfaced and more so, when her links with powerful IAS official M. Sivasankar, who held the dual posts of Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state IT Secretary, came out. Sivasankkar was subsequently removed from the posts and then suspended from service. Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has hit back at former President John Dramani Mahama for calling the Akyem people Sakawa boys. He said the December 7 general elections will be won based on track records and competence and not tribalism. You cannot win this election with tribalism, Ghana has gone beyond that come and show your competence but because he cannot show your competence you are resulting to tribalism, we will not stand for tribalism. Dr Bawumia said Ghana needs a president who will unite the country and not one that will bring division. Vice President Dr Bawumia called on former president John Mahama to unreservedly apologize to the good people of Akyem for endorsing the sakawa boys tag. The Vice President made this known when he visited the Gushegu constituency during his tour of the Northern Region. The Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) in the Gushegu constituency, Lawyer Hassan Tampuli, addressing the people of Gushegu during the Vice Presidents visit assured the people that he would retain the Gushegu seat for the NPP come December 7. We are focused on our campaign and stand in readiness to fight tooth and nail to retain the Gushegu seat for the NPP with a resounding victory come December 7 by the special grace of God. He said the people of Gushegu have shown their appreciation for the massive developmental projects in the constituency and has assured that they would vote for the party to continue with the good work. ---citinewsroom She's excitedly preparing for the arrival of her first child, after announcing she's expecting a bay with fellow former Love Island star Jamie Jewitt. And Camilla Thurlow treated her fans to something of a progress report on Monday, when she took to Instagram to share a snap of herself cradling her baby bump. The 33-year-old reality star looked positively radiant as she posed in a flowing patterned dress, which featured a deeply plunging neckline. Baby bump: Pregnant Camilla Thurlow treated her fans to something of a progress report on Monday, when she took to Instagram to share a snap of herself cradling her baby bump With her glossy brown locks styled in a sleek blowout, the mother-to-be further glammed up her look with gold earrings and a light slick of dewy makeup. She shared the snap as part of a sponsored post for a florist and couldn't resist making a quip about the 30th week of her pregnancy, stating she was 'in full bloom'. Camilla's post comes after she admitted there have been 'ups and downs' with her pregnancy, but that she's 'very happy' while talking to Andi Peters on Lorraine. Happy families: She is expecting baby number one with model Jamie Jewitt who she met on Love Island in 2017 The star also discussed struggling to open up to people after working as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist in Afghanistan and Cambodia. She said: 'The biggest part of it is about the work I did with the [charity] Halo Trust. 'Before Love Island that was the work I liked doing and I was lucky enough to travel to Afghanistan and Cambodia, and during that time I learned a huge amount. 'As I travelled across several different countries, it changed in different places, but the work was majority in landmine clearance. 'There's been ups and downs': Camilla Thurlow discussed her pregnancy on Lorraine on Thursday and admitted to feeling 'social dislocation' after working as a bomb disposal expert 'You might clear land that can then be used for people to farm land for food for their family. Every country had different challenges, but it was an amazing experience.' Camilla has written a book called Not The Type: Finding My Place in the Real World The memoir is not just about finding the courage to go out and deal with lethal threats at work, but the courage to confront one's own fears and anxieties. She said: 'I feel like I had got to a point where I had enough space to reflect on those times with Halo that were perhaps trickier and have the opportunity to turn that into something I could explain to others. New: Camilla has written a book called Not The Type: Finding My Place in the Real World - a memoir about finding courage at work and in her personal life. Pictured with Andi Peters 'I've always wanted to write a book and the last few years have been about working out how to do that. 'I came back from Afghanistan and I struggled with social dislocation, and was struggling to process the events I'd seen. 'I was struggling to connect with my friends and family. I couldn't work out how to balance everything. 'I knew at that point I wasn't maintain healthy relationship and I was trying to figure out a balance between the two. Exciting time: Camilla has been sharing a steady stream of baby bump pictures on social media and has said she is 'very very happy' She said: 'I was approached by one of the [Love Island] researchers, and just went through the process, it was going on in the background while I was really struggling. 'So when they asked if I'd be in the opening cast I think if you're struggling with socialising, Love Island offers quite an immersive experience to talk and there are no other distractions. 'I had seen some episodes I think I tried to watch a few when they first contacted me, it was really interesting. 'You can watch the show but when you're in it it's an entirely different experience, you forget about the cameras and what you see and what it's like.' Actress Emma Corrin says she has got to know Diana, Princess of Wales, like you would a friend while playing her in The Crown. The 24-year-old actress will portray Diana during the early part of her relationship with the Prince of Wales, before handing over the role to Elizabeth Debicki, for series five and six of the hit Netflix drama. Corrin, a relative newcomer whose previous credits include Misbehaviour and Grantchester, said she had developed a sense of empathy and understanding for the late princess. Expand Close Diana, Princess of Wales (John Stillwell/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Diana, Princess of Wales (John Stillwell/PA) She told British Vogue: I feel Ive got to know Diana like you would a friend. I know that sounds really weird, but I get a great sense of companionship from her. I suppose, over time, you kind of start to patch together a sense of empathy and a sense of understanding. I love figuring people out. Corrin said she had kept the role secret, but that some friends had correctly guessed her casting. I didnt tell anyone for a while, she said. I love my mates but I think it would have got out. Video of the Day Expand Close Emma Corrin on the set of The Crown (Kirsty OConnor/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Emma Corrin on the set of The Crown (Kirsty OConnor/PA) My friends from school did this incredible thing, where they made me a scrapbook filled with all of the screenshots from our group WhatsApp, where I have said, Oh my God, guys, Ive been invited to read. Or a random conversation wed had four years ago when I said, Isnt Diana amazing! The young actress also recalled filming the first scene with Diana in her wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and featuring a 25ft train. Corrin said that she had needed 10 others to help her put on the replica dress, and that the crew went silent seeing her in it for the first time. She told the magazine: The Emanuels, who designed the original, gave us the patterns, and then it was made for me. We were filming the scene when you first see her in the wedding dress I think it was Lancaster House in London and I had a team of about 10 people helping me put it on, because its massive. I walked out and everyone went completely silent. More than anything else I wear in the series, its so its her. In the next series, Imelda Staunton will play the Queen while Lesley Manville has been cast as Princess Margaret. They will replace Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter respectively, who will bow out after the forthcoming fourth series. The full interview is in the October issue of British Vogue, available on Friday September 11. Alianza de sangre I subscribe to the cpop/jpop/kpop tag and almost all of the posts are KPop which is completely understandable because it's whats popular and relevant worldwide but I thought it couldn't hurt to add some JPop to the mix, so join me to see what was popular in Japan this summer!The biggest thing to happen this summer was probably Yonezou Kenshi releasing his new album, STRAY SHEEP, and making his entire discography available across all streaming services worldwide. Released a month ago STRAY SHEEP still sits on top (or near) of all the album charts.Next up two songs that absolutely ruled the digital streaming charts all summer:YOASOBI- Racing into the Nightbtw The First Take (and The Home Take thanks Corona) is a series put out by Sony to promote their artists where the artists record a song in one take, it's launched a few streaming hits.Eito- KousuiARASHI- KiteThis video is old but this seems to be the song they released this summer and is still charting months after release. A collab with Yonezou and obviously meant for the Olympics :(ARASHI- IN THE SUMMERI missed this one but it seems to have been released for international fans?SixTONES- NAVIGATOROne of Johnnys newer groups.There was some big talk last year about there being being a boy group battle this year because of Produce 101 JAPAN, some other survival shows, a number of new boy groups debuting and the thought that Johnnys power grip on the industry is weakening.The group that came out if PD101 Japan is JO1 and they have been doing well in physical sales.JO1- OH-EH-OHThis one doesn't count for the summer because it's being released at the end of the month and probably won't be a hit anyway but I like it so you get it.THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE- FEARSThis too... I like DISH// so you get DISH// they're up and coming ok!!DISH//- Bokura ga TsuyokuThough not as big of a hit as the top songs here this song has been floating around the top of the Billboard top 100 all summer and Aimyon is a very popular artist:Aimyon- Naked HeartAnother popular artist with songs constantly in the top 10 is Official HigedandismOfficial Higedandism- LaughterI felt bad not including any girl groups but the biggest girl group hit of the summer was NiziU- Make You Happy which was posted here before but I wasn't sure if TWICE's Japanese release from this Summer was posted already so here's that:TWICE- FANFARELast but not least Tokyo Jihen is continuing their comeback this year after disbanding 9 years ago!Tokyo Jihen-Did I miss anything important? Do you have any favorite Japanese songs?Sources: 1 Demonstrators took to the streets of Halifax on Monday to demand paid sick days for all workers in Nova Scotia. Hailie Tattrie, an organizer with Fight for $15 and Fairness Halifax, says they're fighting for 10 paid sick days a year. "We believe that everybody deserves 10 paid sick days. If you're sick, you're sick. You can't go into work," said Tattrie. "Folks shouldn't have to be deciding about paying bills or going into work sick, and I think that's especially relevant now during a global pandemic." The Nova Scotia government doesn't require employers to give their staff paid sick leave, so sick leaves are often based on contracts or collective agreements. Tattrie said that leaves a gap for people like grocery store workers or those in the service industry, who would need to miss a day's wages if they call in sick. Jeorge Sadi/CBC She noted that many of these non-unionized, low-wage workers have been working throughout the pandemic to provide essential services to the public. "These essential workers, they stepped up for us during the pandemic, and now it's time for us to step up for them and fight for what they deserve," said Tattrie. While COVID-19 "truly highlighted this need" for paid sick days, Tattrie said it's a fight that needs to last beyond the pandemic. She said the 10 days should also cover caregivers, such as parents who need to stay home and care for sick children. Federal program 'clunky' Mark Culligan, another organizer with Fight for $15, said they're calling specifically for employer-paid sick days, not the new sick leave benefit recently announced by the federal government. Culligan described the Canada recovery sickness benefit, which begins at the end of the month, as "clunky." It requires workers to miss 60 per cent of their scheduled work in the week that they claim the benefit, and it only covers workers who must miss work for reasons related to COVID-19. Story continues "The other big problem with the program is that it's temporary. It's only going to last for a year," said Culligan. "We think this is a long-term problem that requires a permanent solution." Jeorge Sadi/CBC He said mandating paid sick days is "the only way that we're going to prevent workers from showing up sick." The rally also called for better protections for migrant workers. Since the pandemic began, many migrant workers in Canada have gotten sick from COVID-19 and at least three have died. Stacey Gomez, a member of the Halifax-based group No One Is Illegal, said some do not qualify for subsidies like the federal government's emergency response benefit. "This is what inequality looks like," she said. Gomez called for permanent immigration status for all migrant workers. NDP plans to introduce legislation Kendra Coombes, the MLA for Cape Breton Centre and NDP labour spokesperson, said people without paid sick leave are forced to choose between staying home and missing a day's worth of pay, or going to work sick and potentially spreading an illness. "That is an unfair, unattainable position that we put workers in every day," she said. "And it is necessary that it is enshrined in the labour codes to ensure all workers have that right." Jeorge Sadi/CBC The NDP plans to introduce legislation for 10 paid sick leave days this fall. "COVID-19 is not [the only] issue," said Coombes. "We're going to have influenzas, and potentially other pandemics, so we need to be ready, and we need to be allowing our workers to be safe." Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has previously said that he doesn't believe government should impose paid sick days. "I'll let the employers and their representatives come to determine what benefits they want," he said in early March. MORE TOP STORIES Barcelona are planning to make a final offer for Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez. Recently-appointed Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has informed Luis Suarez that he isn't in his plans, with Juventus looking to sign the Uruguayan. As reported by goal, Martinez is at the top of Barcelona's wishlist as they look to bring in a new striker, despite links with Lyon's Memphis Depay. Barcelona are preparing their final offer for Lautaro Martinez as they aim to sign a new striker Martinez has demonstrated his credentials for Inter, having scored 30 goals in 84 appearances since joining from Racing Club in 2018. Crucially, Martinez is ten years younger than Suarez, with Barcelona looking to rebuild their squad. Suarez is in talks with Barcelona over the termination of his contract, which expires next year. Martinez could end up replacing Luis Suarez, who is eager to secure a move to Juventus New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is tasked with trying to reshape the club's squad As reported by Marca, the striker has reportedly agreed a 9million-a-year salary with Juventus. According to ESPN, Suarez is training away from the main group at Barcelona alongside Arturo Vidal until his future is sorted. Barcelona have already brought in Miralem Pjanic, as well as having previously secured deals for Pedri and Francisco Trincao. There is still much more work to do, however, as Koeman seeks to get Barcelona to bounce back following a hugely frustrating campaign. Barcelona have also been linked with a move for Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who Koeman knows well from his time in charge of the Dutch national team. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yunindita Prasidya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 The Indonesian Fintech Lenders Association (AFPI) has offered to help accelerate the disbursement of national economic recovery program (PEN) funds as the government struggles to amass the data needed to deliver the money to the right places. AFPI chairman Adrian Gunadi said on Thursday that because the fintech lending industry catered to the unbanked, the platforms could help the government target micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He said the industry had a data center and analytics capabilities that could help address the disbursement challenges. The data center contains information on more than 25 million enterprises, which fintech platforms use to build credit profiles. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Mumbai, Sep. Sep 7 : In a significant order, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) at Esplanade Court has ordered that all remand applications in the cases related to the Sushant Singh Rajput matter be conducted only through video-conference, officials said here on Monday. The order was issued on Sunday (Sep. 6) by in-Charge CMM Tejali T. Dande, citing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and also "past experience" pertaining to maintaining law and order in such high-profile cases with huge media interest. "With immediate effect, any accused related to the 'Sushant Singh Rajput case' remand will be carried through video-conferencing only," said Acting CMM Dande's order, with a list of modalities to be adhered to. Lawyer Satish Maneshinde, representing actress Rhea Chakraborty in the Sushant case, welcomed the order, terming the behaviour of the media as "horrendous". One accused in the Goa matter of the case has tested Covid positive, he said. Even if any person is not accused or facing serious charges, there are possibilities of them getting infected by Coronavirus. The Acting CMM has ordered that the video-link in such cases will be created by the CMM office which will be shared confidentially with the concerned investigating agency. The Narcotics Control Bureau and any other probe agency will arrange for all the necessary hardware and internet connections to ensure smooth video-conferencing. The video-links shall be provided to the Public Prosecutors and the defence lawyers who will not disclose the same though they have the option to make a personal appearance. However, if the public prosecutor or the accused's lawyers decide to appear in person, only two juniors will be permitted to accompany them. The Acting CMM also directed that all remand case papers can be submitted either in person or online via email. The NCB or any other agency will also arrange to conduct the Covid-19 tests of the accused in their premises to prevent the time lost in the to-and-fro trips to hospital and the resultant law and order issues, she added. The CMM office has also informed the Bombay High Court, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, the NCB Zonal Director and other top officials of its decision. In the past, there have been a few occasions when video-conferencing has been taken up in certain important cases in view of the security concerns of the accused besides the hordes of media-persons who throng courts and public places to cover such high-profile cases. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery Regional parts of the Northern Territory had 57 JobSeekers for each role advertised online in June, shocking figures have revealed. The coronavirus crisis has destroyed so many jobs that even Canberra, the nation's least-affected area, had four times more people receiving unemployment benefits than job vacancies. In regional Australia as a whole there were 28 JobSeekers per available job, compared to 13 per role in the capital cities. Regional parts of the Northern Territory have 57 JobSeekers available for each role advertised online, shocking figures have revealed. Pictured: Uluru Regional Queensland had 30 people claiming JobSeeker for every job available in June. Pictured: The town of Montville in the Sunshine Coast region There were about 740,000 Australians on JobSeeker in regional areas in June, Department of Social Services figures show. The Department of Jobs and Small Business's Internet Vacancy Index, which tracks SEEK and other job sites, shows there were 25,000 job vacancies in the same month. In capital city areas, there were about 873,000 JobSeeker recipients for 63,000 job vacancies. After the regional Northern Territory, the worst-affected place in terms of the number of JobSeekers per job available was regional Tasmania with a ratio of 50 to one. Regional South Australia was third with a ratio of 43 to one, although the figures do not take into account Victoria's second wave, which is expected to put 400,000 out of work by December. Hobart is the capital city which ranks the lowest, with 35 JobSeekers per job. The data was released by the Department of Social Services in response to a question by Labor shadow minister Linda Burney who wants the rate of JobSeeker to be permanently increased. The June figures were the latest available because the regional breakdown of July's JobSeeker figures had not been released. Job prospects across Australia (June 2020, before Victoria's second wave) City Jobs online JobSeekers JobSeekers per job Sydney 20,028 218,457 10.9 NSW regional 8,890 251,722 28.3 Melbourne 17,659 271,632 15.4 VIC regional 3,691 112,474 30.5 Brisbane 9,290 113,390 12.2 QLD regional 8,754 261,610 29.9 Adelaide 4,047 91,234 22.5 SA regional 794 33,715 42.5 Perth 7,666 136,829 17.8 WA regional 2,841 42,010 14.8 Hobart 547 18,850 34.5 TAS regional 416 20,661 49.6 Darwin 812 8,086 10 NT regional 321 18,193 56.6 Canberra 3,825 14,595 3.8 The boosted unemployment benefit, which is worth $1,115 a fortnight, will be cut to $815 on 24 September and then to $565 on 31 December. Labor fears the reduction will cause mass job losses as a knock-on effect of Australians being given less money which could be spent in shops and local businesses. 'Many in regional Australia are anxious about the level of support that will be available to them after December,' Ms Burney told Daily Mail Australia. She called on Nationals leader and deputy prime minister Michael McCormack to back her demands for an increase to the JobSeeker payment. 'The Deputy Prime Minister should stand up for regional Australia by delivering a permanent increase to JobSeeker,' she said. Mr McCormack has previously said: 'The best form of welfare is a job.' Last week Labor warned thousands of working Australians stand to lose their jobs when the JobSeeker payment is dramatically reduced in December. Sydney had 11 JobSeekers per job available in June. Pictured: The Queen Victoria Building in the CBD The coronavirus crisis has destroyed so many jobs that even Canberra (pictured), the nation's least-affected area, has four people receiving unemployment benefits for every vacancy The grim forecast came after the country suffered a quarterly slump worse than the 1930s Great Depression with a seven per cent drop in GDP in the June quarter. Ms Burney, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services, said a permanent increase would support the economy. 'Australians who are out of work or who have had hours reduced during this crisis are spending their JobSeeker payments on local businesses, sustaining local jobs,' she said. 'The Prime Minister's snapback of JobSeeker in December is not a plan for jobs and threatens to leave out-of-work Australians behind.' Labor has refused to say how much the payment should be increased by. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he will consider announcing a permanent increase in the October budget but he is focused on getting Aussies off JobSeeker and back into work. The government estimates that 1.5million Australians will be on JobSeeker in December. After December 31 they are due to get $250 less per fortnight, meaning $375million less will be pumped into the economy. Thousands more Australians stand to lose their jobs when the JobSeeker payment is dramatically reduced at the end of the year, Labor has warned. Pictured: A shop in Sydney Australia has officially sunk into recession for the first time in almost 30 years with a quarterly slump worse than the 1930s Great Depression. Pictured: A Melbourne shop closing down This amount is the equivalent to the average fortnightly wages of 143,711 Australians. National accounts figures released on Wednesday showed that consumer spending in the June quarter declined by $33.5 billion compared with the same period the previous year. During the quarter the government spent about $6.3billion on the coronavirus supplement. The prime minister doubled the payment in March to cushion the blow for hundreds of thousands of Australians who lost their jobs due to coronavirus restrictions. A spokesman for Social Services Minster Anne Ruston said: 'Labor continues to reveal its ignorance on economic management preferring to spend now and tax later. 'Instead, our focus is targeting support where it's need and getting people back to work because that is the best way to get the economy back on track. 'More than 340,000 jobs have been created in the last two months, recovering about 40 per cent of the jobs lost since the start of the pandemic, and we will continue to support employment growth by investing in infrastructure, incentives for businesses and reskilling and retraining people. 'As we've said since the pandemic began we are keeping a close eye on economic conditions and will continue to provide enhanced support to the community through this difficult period.' HELSINKI (dpa-AFX) - Finland's trade deficit decreased in July amid declines in both exports and imports, preliminary figures from the Finnish Customs showed on Monday. The trade deficit of EUR 440 million in July from EUR 498 million in the same month last year. In June, the trade deficit was EUR 220 million. Exports declined 13.8 percent year-on-year in July and imports fell 13.6 percent. Shipments to the EU countries decreased 9.8 percent in July and imports from them fell 12.2 percent. Shipments to countries outside the EU decreased 18.0 percent and imports from those countries declined 15.3 percent. For the January-July period, the trade deficit was EUR 2.1 billion compared to a EUR 507 million shortfall registered a year ago. Exports declined 16.8 percent and imports decreased 12.3 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. Nearly 300 Rohingya migrants reach Indonesia 'after seven months at sea' Nearly 300 Rohingya migrants came ashore on Indonesia's Sumatra island in what is believed to be the one of the biggest landings of the persecuted Myanmar minority since 2015 Nearly 300 Rohingya migrants reached Indonesia early Monday claiming to have been at sea for seven months, United Nations officials said, in one of the biggest landings by the persecuted Myanmar minority in years. The migrants -- including more than a dozen children -- were spotted at sea on a wooden boat by locals who helped them land near Lhokseumawe city on Sumatra's northern coast, officials said. "From their testimonies, they said that they were seven months adrift," said UN refugee agency coordinator Oktina, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. "We have seen their condition is very weak at the moment," she added. Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project -- an NGO that focuses on the Rohingya crisis -- said the migrants may have been held at sea while traffickers extorted money from their families. "These people were actually kept hostage," she said. "They (the traffickers) said they wouldn't disembark until we're paid." But she admitted "we don't really know the full story yet". At least one member of the group -- which included 102 men, 181 women and 14 children -- was ill and had to be rushed to a local hospital for treatment, said the area's military chief Roni Mahendra. - 'They're human beings like us' - Images from Lhokseumawe showed migrants sitting on the ground in a makeshift building with their meagre possessions. Locals had donated food and clothing. "We're concerned about their condition," said Lhokseumawe resident Aisyah. "They need help in the name of humanity... They're human beings like us." The landing comes after about 100 Rohingya, mostly women and children, arrived in the same area in June following what they described as a perilous four-month journey that saw them beaten by traffickers and forced to drink their own urine to stay alive. Both groups that came ashore in June -- and the latest arrivals -- may have been part of an estimated 800 Rohingya who reportedly left southern Bangladesh earlier this year, Lewa said. Story continues About 30 migrants in the original group were believed to have died at sea, she added. Around a million Muslim Rohingya live in cramped and squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh -- next to their native Myanmar -- where human traffickers run lucrative operations promising to find them sanctuary abroad. Muslim-majority Indonesia and neighbouring Malaysia are favoured destinations. Hundreds of Rohingya had set sail in early April, but were pushed back by Malaysian and Thai authorities in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Lewa said. "This is the biggest (arrival) we have seen since 2015," Lewa said. "The big question is whether all of them have now come ashore or if any are still at sea," she added, referring to the original 800 refugees. str-hrl-pb/fox Shandong Gold Provides Further Improved Offer Perth, Sep 7, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cardinal Resources Limited ( ASX:CDV ) ( FRA:C3L ) ( OTCMKTS:CRDNF ) ( TSE:CDV ) refers to its announcement of 3 September 2020 regarding the competing takeover offers for the Company from Shandong Gold Mining (HongKong) Co., Ltd. ("Shandong Gold") and Nord Gold S.E. ("Nordgold").Further Improved Shandong Gold OfferAs noted in Cardinal's prior announcements of 2 and 3 September 2020, the matching rights provisions of the Bid Implementation Agreement provide Shandong Gold with the opportunity (but not the obligation) to provide a matching or superior proposal to the revised Nordgold on-market takeover offer for Cardinal at A$0.90 cash per share ("Nordgold Takeover Bid").Cardinal advises that it has received a further improved offer from Shandong Gold whereby Shandong Gold has confirmed that it remains committed to acquiring 100% of the Shares in Cardinal and that it intends to increase the Offer Price of the Shandong Gold Offer to A$1.00 per share ("Further Improved Offer").Cardinal notes while the Further Improved Offer is no longer subject to Chinese Regulatory Approvals or FIRB Approval, it remains subject to a number of conditions, including the minimum acceptance condition of 50.1%.These conditions are set out in Cardinal's announcement of the Bid Implementation Agreement announced on 18 June 2020 and varied on 29 July 2020.The Further Improved Offer from Shandong Gold is now being carefully considered in detail by the Board, together with the Special Committee and its financial and legal advisers. Cardinal will also continue to engage with Shandong Gold in respect of the Further Improved Offer.Cardinal will provide a further update to shareholders in this regard as soon as it is able to do so.Take no actionIn light of the Further Improved Offer, and noting the Nordgold Takeover Bid announced on the ASX on 15 July 2020 and varied on 2 September 2020, shareholders are advised to TAKE NO ACTION in relation to their shares at this time. The Company will provide an update to shareholders as soon as practicable.AdvisorsCardinal's joint financial advisers are Maxit Capital LP, BMO Capital Markets, Hartleys Limited and Cannacord Genuity Corp. Cardinal's legal advisers are HopgoodGanim Lawyers (Australia) and Bennett Jones LLP (Canada).About Cardinal Resources Ltd Cardinal Resources Ltd (ASX:CDV) (TSE:CDV) (OTCMKTS:CRDNF) is a West African gold exploration and development Company that holds interests in tenements within Ghana, West Africa. The Company is focused on the development of the Namdini Project with a gold Ore Reserve of 5.1Moz (0.4 Moz Proved and 4.7 Moz Probable) and a soon to be completed Feasibility Study. Exploration programmes are also underway at the Company's Bolgatanga (Northern Ghana) and Subranum (Southern Ghana) Projects. Cardinal confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in its announcement of the Ore Reserve of 3 April 2019. All material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning this estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed. Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong awarded Azerbaijan Ambassador to Vietnam Anar Imanov with the Friendship Order in acknowledgement of the ambassador's efforts in promoting bilateral ties. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung (right) conferred the Friendship Order to Azerbaijan Ambassador Anar Imanov on Friday. Photo courtesy of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Vietnam The order was presented to the Azerbaijan Ambassador by To Anh Dung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a ceremony held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. In his speech, Dung emphasised that in recent years traditionally friendly relations between Vietnam and Azerbaijan have grown rapidly. He expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Anar Imanov for his strong contribution to developing and strengthening interstate relations between Vietnam and Azerbaijan. He said that, in recognition of the active work of the ambassador, the Vietnamese President had signed the decision to award him the Friendship Order. Ambassador Anar Imanov in his reciprocal speech expressed his deepest appreciation to Vietnamese President Trong for the award and said it was his honour to receive it. The Azerbaijan ambassador stressed that established by Heydar Aliyev and Ho Chi Minh, national leaders of the two countries, traditionally friendly Azerbaijan-Vietnam relations were actively developing in all spheres. He stressed that the strong intention of the leadership of both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation made him believe in the bright future of these relations. VNS Azerbaijanese ambassador honoured for fostering ties The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on February 27 awarded Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam Anar Lachin Oglu Imanov a Commemorative Medal for Peace and Friendship among Nations. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global ophthalmic devices market is expected to reach USD 55.5 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The rising geriatric population base is presumed to propel the need for ophthalmic devices as this age group is more prone to the development of chronic eye disorders. The rising prevalence of eye disorders such as macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma is also boosting the growth of ophthalmic devices. Approximately 10% of the people suffering from eye disorders will experience loss of vision in spite of the proper treatment as per the statistics of the WHO, driving the clinical urgency to incorporate highly advanced ophthalmic devices. Additionally, the rising demand for minimally invasive and complication-free operative surgeries is expected to upsurge the demand for ophthalmic devices. The ophthalmic devices market growth can also be attributed to technological advancements such as the development of intraocular lenses, mydriatic fundus cameras, and OCT devices. Furthermore, the increasing involvement of market players in expanding treatment solutions through strategic alliances is expected to present this market with a potential growth platform. For instance, in May 2016, Bausch & Lomb through its enterprise partnership with Apple and IBM will develop a cataract surgery app that would integrate patient data, calculation data, and records thereby helping cataract surgeons work efficiently. The app will be enabled with IBMs cognitive computing capabilities to reduce surgical errors. Further key findings from the study suggest: l The vision care segment dominated the product segment of the overall ophthalmic devices market in terms of revenue share at over 78.0%in 2015, owing to its adoption in vision correction procedures and the rising number of initiatives to promote the awareness pertaining to vision care l For instance, in April 2016, Alcon announced its support to the Think About Your Eyes, which is a public awareness program. Alcon committed USD 4 million to support this initiative to promote awareness pertaining to vision care l The diagnostic& monitoring devices segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR at over 7.0% in 2015. This can be attributed to the fact that diagnosis is an indispensable process in the treatment of eye disorders and is responsible for contributing towards the diagnostics & monitoring segments growth l In 2015, North America dominated the overall ophthalmic devices market at over 36.0%owing to the increasing utilization of ophthalmic devices in hospitals and private clinics. Moreover, subsequent changes in demographic trends, such as a rise in the geriatric population & unhealthy lifestyles, are presumed to drive the market in this region. Moreover, high R&D investments in the development of new products are expected to impel the market growth in North America l Asia Pacific is anticipated to be growing at the fastest CAGR of around 7.0% over the forecast period due to the presence of untapped opportunities in the emerging economies in China and India. Moreover, the increasing government initiatives towards healthcare infrastructure; for instance, in China, healthcare reforms through an initiative called New Health Care Reform Plan implemented by the Chinese State Council and the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee is expected to drive growth of the Chinese regional market. l Some key players in this market are involved in adopting collaborative strategies and indulge in frequent product approvals to facilitate business and geographical expansions. For instance, in February 2016, Alcon acquired Transcend Medical, Inc., in a probe to expand its business in the treatment of glaucoma. This acquisition added Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgical (MIGS) devices to Alcons product portfolio Browse Details of Report @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/ophthalmic-devices-market The United States has expressed concerns over the fate of independent Uzbek journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev, who was extradited to Tashkent from Kyrgyzstan last month. In a September 5 statement, the U.S. State Department said the extradition of Abdullaev, who had been enrolled in a journalism program at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, was "based on vague and unsubstantiated charges." "Although Mr. Abdullaev was released after he arrived in Uzbekistan and was allowed to travel to be with his family outside the capital, his current status is unclear. The United States calls on the government of Uzbekistan to clarify the allegations against him as well as the next steps," the statement said. It urged Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev and his government "to respect the right to freedom of expression, for members of the media as well as Mr. Abdullaev, and allow him to travel to any location of his choosing." The statement also said that the United States is concerned by allegations that Abdullaev was tortured while in custody in neighboring Kyrgyzstan, "as well as by the Kyrgyz Republics decision to extradite [Abdullaev] to Uzbekistan, despite its non-refoulement obligations." Non-refoulement is the practice of not forcing refugees or asylum seekers back to countries in which they are likely to be subjected to persecution. The State Department also called on Kyrgyzstan to release the journalist and let him depart to a country of his choice. Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on August 22 that Abdullaev was extradited to Uzbekistan in accordance with international law." It said the Uzbek government provided Kyrgyzstan assurances that Abdullaev would not be ill-treated or tortured. Upon arrival in Uzbekistans capital, Tashkent, Abdullaev was released after visiting the Security Committee,his lawyer told RFE/RLs Uzbek Service. Sergei Mayorov said his client was released to his sisters house but was barred from traveling inside or outside Uzbekistan pending a full investigation and further questioning. Uzbekistan has not specified the exact nature of the charges against the 47-year-old independent journalist. Media reports in Uzbekistan suggest Abdullaev is being sought in connection with social-media posts critical of Mirziyoev that were written under the pen name Qora Mergan (Black Shooter). Abdullaev has denied that he has any connection to the writings. Abdullaev's treatment has previously been the focus of rights groups after he and three other men were arrested in 2017 in Tashkent. They were charged with calling for a change to Uzbekistan's constitutional order by force. Those charges stemmed from a series of articles under the byline Usman Haqnazarov, which was apparently used by more than one person. Abdullaev also denied guilt at the time, saying he was doing his job as a journalist. In May 2018, Abdullaev was convicted on charges of producing "anti-government propaganda." But he was cleared of the more serious charge of conspiracy against the state -- and was then released. Kyrgyz authorities detained Abdullaev in Bishkek on August 9 and held him in a detention center pending a decision on Uzbekistan's extradition request. Abdullaev studied for four months at Bishkek's American University of Central Asia and has been stuck in Kyrgyzstan due to coronavirus travel restrictions. Prior to that, the journalist had lived in Germany for several months at the invitation of the media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Seven foreign-based human rights groups, including RSF, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch (HRW), had appealed to the Kyrgyz authorities to release Abdullayev out of concern he could face abuse in Uzbekistan. President says detained government critic led himself to Rwanda, accuses him of of being a terrorist leader. Rwandan President Paul Kagame denies that a detained opposition figure who inspired the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda was kidnapped in order to be brought back to the country, saying he was responsible for his own arrest. Paul Rusesabagina is credited for saving 1,200 lives during the countrys 1994 genocide by letting people shelter in the hotel he was managing during the mass killings. The outspoken government critic is now accused of supporting rebel violence in Rwanda. His family and supporters say they have not been able to speak to him and that he has not had access to a lawyer nearly a week after he was paraded in front of the media in Rwandas capital, Kigali, in handcuffs. Appearing on national television on Sunday, Kagame did not explain how Rusesabagina who had lived outside Rwanda since 1996 and is a citizen of Belgium and has a US permanent residence permit was brought back. The 66-year-olds family has said they believe he was kidnapped during a visit to Dubai and that he would never knowingly have boarded a plane to Kigali. But Kagame suggested that Rusesabagina came of his own accord. With kidnap, that was not the case, and he will attest that to himself. There was no kidnap. There was no wrongdoing in the process of his getting here, Kagame said, describing the handling of the case as flawless. The president suggested that Rusesabagina was told a story that fit into his expectations and ended up in Rwanda. How he got here was more to do with himself than anybody else, Kagame said. And he will say it; when the time comes, he will the people what happened. The Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation said Rusesabagina has had no consular visits, and it rejected the Rwandan governments statement that it had talked to his sons about a potential visit as not true. Pauls wife has called the jail and has not been allowed to talk to him, it said on Saturday. The Rwandan government has said it issued an arrest warrant for Rusesabagina to answer charges of serious crimes including terrorism, arson, kidnap, and murder perpetrated against unarmed civilians. Police called him the suspected founder, leader, sponsor and member of violent, armed, extremist terror outfits including the Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD). The MRCD has an armed wing, the National Liberation Front, that has been accused of attacks in 2018 and 2019. Rwanda arrested NLF spokesman Callixte Nsabimana last year. Rusesabagina heads a group of terrorists that have killed Rwandans. He will have to pay for these crimes, Kagame said on Sunday. Rusesabagina has the blood of Rwandans on his hands. Rusesabagina in the past has denied the charges that he financially supports Rwandan rebels, saying he is being targeted for criticising the Kagame government over human rights abuses. Rwandan authorities have not publicly shared any international arrest warrant. They have referred to international cooperation but given no details. No trial date set Rusesabaginas detention has prompted concern among human rights activists that this was the latest example of the Rwandan government targeting critics beyond its borders. Rusesabagina has received several international honours, including the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, for helping to save lives during Rwandas genocide, in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. The US government has said it expects the Rwandan government to provide humane treatment, adhere to the rule of law and provide a fair and transparent legal process for Rusesabagina. It is not clear when Rusesabagina will appear in court. Rwandan law says a suspect can be in provisional detention for 15 days, renewable for up to 90 days. Kagame said Rusesabaginas trial will be held openly and conducted fairly. We are obligated to do this, he said. We want to do things in a right way. Mexico National Guard troops confiscated a deadly cartel's homemade tank which was equipped to withstand bullets and shrapnel. The shocking discovery took place last week while servicemen were conducting a surveillance operation in Apatzingan, a municipality in the western state of Michoacan. Photos tweeted by the National Guard last Friday showed how the heavily armored vehicle was built out of scrap metal armor panels which were attached to a full size pickup vehicle. Members of Mexico's National Guard investigate a pickup truck that was converted into a homemade war tank and abandoned in the western state of Michoacan The souped-up vehicle was fortified with multiple sheets of steel that protected it from bullets and shrapnel The homemade war tank was fortified with multiple sheets of steel which towered over the vehicle and protected the side and rear areas from attacks. The pickup truck's front windshield was completely covered, except for a small area which provided the driver of the massive vehicle enough space to see through. Slightly above the front passenger side of the tank was a metal mount where the cartel members could rest their rifles. Mexico's National Guard found a homemade tank that had been reportedly abandoned by Los Viagras, a cartel that was born out of a self-defense group created in 2014 According to local media outlets, the souped-up vehicle was abandoned in the Apatzingan neighborhood of San Jose de Chila by Los Viagras, a criminal organization which formed in 2014 as a self-defense group. The then-chief of the Michoacan state police approached Los Viagras in 2015 for help in taking down the leader of Los Caballeros Templarios cartel. But the gang quickly moved into the drug trade business themselves. Today the group remains entangled in a war with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico's fastest growing criminal syndicate, over control of the Tierra Caliente region, which covers the states of Michoacan, Guerrero and State of Mexico. In a phone call to Trump on Sunday, King Salman affirmed the "kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and fair solution to the Palestinian cause to bring peace", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. (AFP) Riyadh: Saudi Arabia supports a "fair" solution for the Palestinian cause, King Salman has told Donald Trump in a phone call, as the US President praised the kingdom for opening its airspace to Israel-UAE flights. Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow the United Arab Emirates, which announced last month it would establish diplomatic ties with Israel, until the Jewish state has signed an internationally recognised peace accord with the Palestinians. In a phone call to Trump on Sunday, King Salman affirmed the "kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and fair solution to the Palestinian cause to bring peace", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Last week, Saudi Arabia agreed to permit UAE flights to "all countries" to overfly the kingdom, as Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of regular direct flights linking the UAE with the Jewish state. The announcement came just days after the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi passed through Saudi airspace, marking the normalisation of Israel-UAE ties under a US-backed deal known as the Abraham Accords. Riyadh's decision marked another concrete sign of Saudi Arabia's cooperation with Israel even after it publicly refused to follow the UAE's move. "President Trump... welcomed the opening of Saudi air space to flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, beginning with last week's historic commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi," said a White House readout of the phone call. "President Trump highlighted the significance of the Abraham Accords and discussed ways to enhance regional security and prosperity." Allowing flights between Israel and the Emirates to cross Saudi airspace saves long detours around the Arabian peninsula. Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy and home to Islam's holiest sites, faces more sensitive political calculations than the UAE. Despite its clandestine relations with Israel, a formal recognition of the Jewish state would be seen by Palestinians and their supporters as a betrayal of their cause and hurt the kingdom's image as the leader of the Islamic world, analysts say. Trump also urged Saudi Arabia to "negotiate with other Gulf countries" to resolve a regional rift with Qatar, the White House added. Riyadh and its allies severed ties with Doha in a shock move in 2017, accusing the gas-rich emirate of backing extremists and siding with Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran. Qatar denies the charges. The crisis shows no sign of relenting despite rising international pressure. - Kathryn Bernardo shared in her latest vlog how commercial shoots are being done now in the new normal - She shared that everyone going to the set were required to undergo a swab test - The actress also mentioned that the things she used were all sterilized and disinfected - Members of the production were also required to wear a face mask, face shield, and PPE PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Actress Kathryn Bernardo shared a glimpse of how celebrities are doing their commercial shoots amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. KAMI learned that Kathryn shared what the production team did to comply with the new normal. Kathryn Bernardo (Photo from Flickr) Source: UGC In the latest vlog of Kathryn on YouTube, the actress detailed the things they had to observe and follow to ensure their safety. Basically, I want to show you how we work nowadays because this is our new normal, Kathryn said. She shared that a day before the shooting, they had to undergo a swab test to make sure they are healthy and safe. All of the people attending the shoot were required to undergo the said test. While on the set, the actress said that those people who would be in close contact with her like her hairstylist, make-up artist, and styling assistant, were all required to wear a face mask, face shield, and PPE. Aside from that, all of her clothes, accessories, and other things that were used to style her were disinfected properly. A safety officer was also present during the shooting to make sure that people in the set were following the health protocols like wearing of face mask or face shield, observing social distancing and sanitizing or washing of hands. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Kathryn Bernardo is a famous actress and endorser in the Philippines. She is in a relationship with Daniel Padilla both on-screen and in real life. Earlier, Kathryn shared in her other vlog what Daniel would do whenever she had too many drinks with her friends. Kathryn also went emotional after she had an interview with her father, Teodore Bernardo. They both cried in the interview. 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 The long-awaited fourth series of The Crown will document Princess Diana's meeting and eventual marriage to Prince Charles, along with the births and early years of the two Princes. And, Emma Corrin, 24 - the actress who will play the Princess of Wales in the forthcoming season - says she got to know Princess Diana 'like you would a friend,' while discussing taking on the iconic role in a new interview. The Grantchester star also revealed that she needed 10 people to help get her into the 'massive' replica wedding dress as she graced the cover of British Vogue in an 80s-inspired shoot. Playing an icon: Emma Corrin, 24, says she got to know Princess Diana 'like you would a friend' as she spoke about her role in The Crown while gracing the cover of British Vogue Emma Corrin will portray Diana during the early part of her relationship with the Prince of Wales, before handing over the role to Elizabeth Debicki, for series five and six of the hit Netflix drama. The Misbehaviour star explained how she developed a sense of 'empathy and understanding' for the late princess. She told the publication: 'I feel I've got to know Diana like you would a friend. I know that sounds really weird, but I get a great sense of companionship from her. 'I suppose, over time, you kind of start to patch together a sense of empathy and a sense of understanding. I love figuring people out.' Empathetic: The Misbehaviour star explained how she developed a sense of 'empathy and understanding' for the late princess while posing for an 80s-inspired accompanying shoot Royal role: Emma Corrin will portray Diana during the early part of her relationship with the Prince of Wales, before handing over the role to Elizabeth Debicki (Diana pictured in 1989) The young actress also recalled filming the first scene with Diana in her wedding dress. The original ivory silk taffeta wedding gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel was hand-embroidered with 10,000 pearls and featured a 25ft train. Emma revealed that she had needed 10 others to help her put on the replica gown, and that the crew went silent seeing her in it for the first time. Fame: 'I feel I've got to know Diana like you would a friend. I know that sounds really weird, but I get a great sense of companionship from her,' said Emma (pictured as Princess Diana) She told the magazine: 'The Emanuels, who designed the original, gave us the patterns, and then it was made for me.' David Emmanuel was a consultant on set. 'We were filming the scene when you first see her in the wedding dress - I think it was Lancaster House in London - and I had a team of about 10 people helping me put it on, because it's massive. 'I walked out and everyone went completely silent. More than anything else I wear in the series, it's so... it's her.' The immense train of the original dress was famously creased when Diana arrived for the wedding, prompting Elizabeth Emmanuel to whisper to David: 'Oh it's creased. But when she came out of that carriage it was the most wonderful vision I'd ever seen.' Emma also admitted that she had kept the role secret, but that some friends had correctly guessed her casting. Iconic gown: The Grantchester star also revealed that she needed 10 people to help get her into the 'massive' replica wedding dress (The Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace on January 23rd 1999) She said: 'I didn't tell anyone for a while. I love my mates but I think it would have got out. 'My friends from school did this incredible thing, where they made me a scrapbook filled with all of the screenshots from our group WhatsApp, where I have said, 'Oh my God, guys, I've been invited to read'. 'Or a random conversation we'd had four years ago when I said, 'Isn't Diana amazing!' The full interview with Emma Corrin is in the October issue of British Vogue, available on Friday September 11. Emma took to Instagram on Monday to announce that she would be appearing on the cover of British Vogue. Alongside the cover shot, she wrote: 'Honestly lost for any words! What an honour. Thank you so much @edward_enninful and @britishvogue for having me on your October cover to join the incredible people who have come before me! 'Very overwhelmed! Going to pour a big drink,' before adding credits for the magazine feature and accompanying shoot. Keeping schtum: Emma also admitted that she had kept the role secret, but that some friends had correctly guessed her casting (pictured in March) Diana married Charles in 1981, and the couple welcomed sons William in 1982 and Harry in 1984. After separating in 1991, the couple divorced in 1997. Emma's casting was announced in April 2019, with The Crown's creator Peter Morgan calling her 'a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer.' 'As well as having the innocence and beauty of a young Diana, she also has, in abundance, the range and complexity to portray an extraordinary woman who went from anonymous teenager to becoming the most iconic woman of her generation.' Grateful! Emma took to Instagram on Monday to announce that she would be appearing on the cover of British Vogue The next series will be released later this year, but it was recently revealed that the show will conclude after its fifth season, with Imelda Staunton taking the throne as its final Queen Elizabeth II, while Lesley Manville has been cast as Princess Margaret. They will replace Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter respectively, who will bow out after the forthcoming fourth series. Show creator Peter Morgan confirmed the Netflix drama would not include a sixth season while revealing Imelda, 64, will take the role 'into the 21st century'. This means that current Royal scandals including the allegations made against Prince Andrew as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'Megxit' drama won't be featured on the Netflix hit. Read the full feature in the October issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands Friday 11th September The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has significantly strengthened secret intelligence capabilities, information and analytical activities, as well as the potential of electronic, air and space intelligence. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at the celebrations on the occasion of the Day of Military Intelligence Service of Ukraine, the press service of the head of state reported. According to Zelensky, military intelligence, through its complex and painstaking daily work, reinforces Ukraine's national security system, its power and independence. And now it is at an important stage of development. The efforts of our intelligence agencies contributed to Ukraine's obtaining the status of a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner, he said. At the same time, the President stressed that the Main Intelligence Directorate still faces many challenges. "The present and the future require new methods, forms and means of both armed and intelligence struggle," he said. One of the key factors in the success of intelligence, according to the President, is the formation of a strict personnel policy, because random people have no place here. Only careful selection of professional and patriotic personnel will ensure the success of the Main Intelligence Directorate. Zelensky noted that the work of intelligence officers is an invisible tense intellectual duel, which always, and especially in times of war, lasts around the clock and seven days a week for the sake of peace and stability in Ukraine. "For the seventh year, we have been confronting an enemy whose actions are difficult to predict. That is why the information you have obtained is so important. Timely and, most importantly, reliable information. It determines not only the adoption of important political decisions, but also the viability of the entire state mechanism. Without you, our state, I say frankly, is blind, deaf and almost powerless," the head of state noted. The President stressed that the work of military intelligence creates a positive image of Ukraine and the Armed Forces, opposes Russian propaganda and tells the truth to the foreign diplomatic circles and mass media outlets about the events taking place in our country. Congratulating the intelligence officers on their professional holiday, the head of state thanked them for the work they are doing with honor for the sake of Ukraine. Zelensky also presented state awards to the best warriors. ish Rulings in two lawsuits originating in Texas over business income losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic were handed down in August in favor of insurance firms. In one, an insurance agency was added to a restaurant groups lawsuit against its insurance company in an attempt to wring coverage from the agency in case its initial claim against the insurer failed. The second case was brought by a group of barbershops claiming coverage under their commercial property insurance policies after civil authority imposed shutdowns forced the closure of their businesses. Swingle Collins Released from Suit by Restaurant Group A federal judge in Texas dismissed an independent insurance agency from a lawsuit brought by a Dallas restaurant group seeking reimbursement for business income losses stemming from the civil authority enforced shuttering of businesses in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid-19. Vandelay Hospitality Group LP had named Dallas-based Swingle Collins & Associates and agent Brandon Cass as additional defendants in a suit against Cincinnati Insurance Co. over the insurers denial of the restaurant groups claim for reimbursement for losses sustained as a result of forced business closures by both Dallas-area and state authorities. Vandelay filed its lawsuit against Cincinnati and Cass on April 23; it added Swingle Collins to the suit on May 21. Vandelay had claimed more than $1 million in damages among its three Dallas-area restaurants due to the government mandated closures and filed for recovery under its commercial insurance policy from Cincinnati Insurance. Cincinnati Insurance denied the claim. The restaurant group asserted in its lawsuit that Swingle Collins and Cass had misrepresented that the groups commercial property all risk policy would cover the losses brought on by the pandemic. In Swingle Collins plea for dismissal from Vandelays suit against Cincinnati filed on June 12, the agency asserted that Vandelay has not shown, and cannot demonstrate, a distinct, concrete injury caused by Swingle Collins apart from the damages it claims it suffered as a result of Cincinnatis purported breach of contract. The agency also asserted that the negligent misrepresentation claim against Swingle Collins also fails as a matter of law. Plaintiff merely engages in a formulaic recitation of elements against Swingle Collins without identifying the who, what, where, when, why, or how regarding how such representations were made, and to whom from Plaintiff those representations were made. U.S. District Judge Sidney Allen Fitzwater agreed, finding that Vandelay had failed to prove that Swingle Collins or Cass had misrepresented the terms of the Cincinnati Insurance policy. Fitzwater also denied Vandelays attempt to remove the lawsuit from federal to state court. The judge found that Vandelay had failed to state a claim on which relief can be granted in state court. In its pitch to have the case remanded to state court, Vandelay had asserted a claim of negligent misrepresentation against Swingle Collins and sought the amount in damages the restaurant group had claimed under its commercial property insurance policy. Judge Fitzwater said the damages sought by Vandelay are not available under the restaurant groups claim against Swingle Collins. The court concludes that Vandelay has failed to state a negligent misrepresentation claim because the damages it seeks are not available under this claim as a matter of law, Fitzwater wrote in his opinion handed down on Aug. 18. In dismissing the case against Swingle Collins, Fitzwater said Vandelay had to pay the agencys court costs. Vandelays case against Cincinnati Insurance Co. is still alive. Cincinnatis June 2, 2020 motion to dismiss is still pending and will be decided in due course, Fitzwater wrote. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against insurers seeking reimbursement for Covid-19 closure business losses under commercial property insurance policies. Vandelays addition of Swingle Collins and Cass as defendants in an action against an insurer seems to be one of the first attempts to add agents to such lawsuits but more are expected, according to Jim Redeker, vice president and claims manager at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. In a presentation on agency errors and omissions best practices and the Covid-19 pandemic during the Virtual Insurcon held by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas in June, Redeker said claims or potential claims against agents were trickling in. Weve only had two lawsuits most of these are reported as potentials agents have reported those out of abundance of caution, he said. The cases were mostly centered in East Coast and Ohio Valley jurisdictions. We think they are going to be much more widespread than this, Redeker said. While the primary targets of the BI lawsuits will be insurers, agents will be added as policyholders fail to find relief from their insurance companies. The first target of these lawsuits is not going to be the insurance agents. The first target is going to be the carrier who denies the business interruption claim, he said. However, we are expecting many claims to be made against agents and brokers, said Susan Taylor Wall with Gordon & Rees, who serves as national coordinating counsel for Swiss Re in Covid-19 related E&O lawsuits. Speaking as part of the IIAT Insurcon panel on E&O, Wall warned that plaintiffs lawyers are very creative. And claims against agents and brokers may include novel allegations that weve rarely seen or may have never seen in the past. Judge Dismisses Texas Barbershops Suit Against Insurer A federal judge agreed with an insurer that a group of barbershops in the San Antonio, Texas-area have no basis for claims seeking coverage under their commercial insurance policies for business interruption losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs suffered no physical damage as required under their policies. Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, on Aug. 13 dismissed the lawsuit alleging State Farm Lloyds wrongly denied the barbershops claims for business interruption losses resulting from shutdowns ordered by state and local authorities attempting to control the coronavirus pandemic. In siding with the insurer, Ezra wrote that while there is no doubt that the businesses suffered losses because of the mandated closures, State Farm cannot be held liable to pay business interruption insurance on these claims as there was no direct physical loss, and even if there were direct physical loss, the Virus Exclusion applies to bar Plaintiffs claims. The suit was brought by Diesel Barbershop LLC; Wilderness Oaks Cutters LLC; Diesel Barbershop Bandera Oaks LLC; Diesel Barbershop Dominion LLC; Diesel Barbershop Alamo Ranch LLC; and Henleys Gentlemens Grooming LLC. The plaintiffs sued State Farm after the insurer refused to cover claims they filed in March. In denying the claims, State Farm argued that the claims are not covered because the policy specifically excludes loss caused by enforcement of ordinance or law, virus, and consequential losses. Like other insurers that have faced similar business interruption claims, State Farm held that the plaintiffs had not sustained the physical damage from a covered cause of loss that would have triggered coverage for business interruption losses. In addition, the insurer said the virus exclusions contained in the policies also barred coverage from any losses caused by the pandemic. In separate actions earlier this year, both the state and Bexar County, where the barbershops are located, had implemented closures of non-essential businesses for certain periods of time due to the pandemic. The plaintiffs had maintained that the government-enforced closures were enough to trigger losses. They argued that the virus exclusion in their policies should not apply because the closure orders designed to protect public health and welfare were the cause of the direct physical loss to their properties, not the presence of COVID-19. The barbershops accused the insurer of breach of contract, noncompliance with the Texas Insurance Code, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. In his written opinion, however, Judge Ezra stated that the plaintiffs assertions of breach of contract and duty of good faith, and noncompliance with the insurance code all fail. He recognized that though the coronavirus may not have been present in the plaintiffs properties, it was the presence of COVID-19 in Bexar County that primarily caused the government ordered business closures. Ultimately, however, there was no direct physical loss, and even if there were direct physical loss, the Virus Exclusion applies to bar Plaintiffs claims. Given the plain language of the insurance contract between the parties, the Court cannot deviate from this finding without in effect re-writing the Policies in question. That this Court may not do, Ezra wrote. Topics Lawsuits Carriers COVID-19 Agencies Texas Claims USA Profit Loss Property Manchester Hardware in Easthampton, beloved by homeowners as the convenient stop to buy the part or tool they need to finish a project, announced Monday it is closing forever after 125 years in business. While I love the store and serving the community, I have reached a fork in the road, owner Carol A. Perman wrote in a letter posted on the stores Facebook page. The entire inventory as well as the fixtures and equipment will be on sale. We are digging out some great stuff from the cellars and barn. The retirement sale begins Thursday. The store is at 65 Union St., Easthampton. The going-out-of -business sale will start at 20% off. The property is available for sale or lease, Perman said Monday. Ill miss it a lot. Ill miss the people, Perman said. But at 67 its time to enter that other phase of life. As an example, she spoke Monday Labor Day as she worked in her office sending out letters announcing the going-out-of-business sale to hundreds of customers. I have been trying to retire for the last five years, she said. This was my last choice of how to do it. But all my other options didnt pan out. She said part of the building has been for sale for two years. Her idea was to have a smaller, easier to-run hardware store. This year, she said, shes shown the store to potential buyers and people with small chains of hardware stores. There were no serious offers, so she decided to close. If somebody wanted it, you could make a nice living, she said. Its a great store. And there is still a possibility that a buyer could emerge. You never know, she said. G.L Manchester founded the business in 1895 selling pipe fittings for heating. The store changed hands and locations over the decades. Electrical contractor George R. Stawarz, Permans father, bought the hardware store and the Manchester Gift Shop in 1960. He died in 1989. Perman became the sole owner and proprietor in 2016. In recent years, Perman has spoken in the press about the challenges of running a small business in a changing community, where older customers were dying out and businesses faced challenges building relationships with new people moving in. Manchesters customers started buying big-ticket items like power tools and large parts at big-box stores out of town, she said. Then theyd come to Manchester for less expensive items and things they needed quickly, like washers and fasteners. I thought I could run it as a baby hardware store, not have it be as big, she said. Then I wouldnt have to be here all the time. But that didnt work out. Manchester ceased its tool rental business in 2017 and recently, due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, had to set strict rules for traffic patterns and social distancing within the store. The independent hardware store is a bit of a dying breed. Habermans Hardware in Holyoke closed in 2016 after 89 years, leaving Highland Hardware and Bicycle Shop as the Paper Citys hardware store. Brightwood Hardware in Longmeadow sold out, also in 2016, to Pittsfield-based Carr Hardware, and Carr moved the location across the state line to Enfield, Connecticut. In Easthampton, locally owned Fleury Lumber sells hardware items along with building supplies, and there is a branch of the Aubuchon chain on Northampton Street. In Northampton, Foster Farrar True Value Hardware, founded in 1796, was recently named the oldest hardware store in the country by a trade publication. SPRINGFIELD When police arrested three men on drug and firearms charges over the weekend, two must have looked familiar: Both had been convicted of firearms charges in the past two years. Nathan Mercado, Greg Crichlow and Michael Bedinelli, all 21 and from Springfield, were charged with three counts of carrying a firearm without a license, two counts of carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a loaded large-capacity firearm on a public way, two counts of carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of receiving stolen property less than $1200, 2 counts of possession of ammunition, possession of a Class B drug (Xanax) and possession of a Class C drug (hallucinogenic mushrooms). Mercado and Crichlow were also charged with three counts of carrying a firearm without a license second offense, police said. The three were arrested at about 3:30 p.m. by officers in the Narcotics Unit, under the direction of Capt. Brian Keenan. Officers also confiscated three guns and multiple rounds of ammunition, police said. Crichlow was already serving probation after being convicted in November 2018 for an armed robbery with a firearm. In that case, he and two other assailants broke into a room at the Travelodge in West Springfield in 2017, sprayed the occupants with green paint and demanded their cell phones and wallets. As he was running from the scene Crichlow accidentally discharged the firearm he was carrying in his pocket, shooting through his underwear and pants. Mercado was convicted of two counts of possession of a firearm with a license in August 2019 after a Springfield police raided a home on White Street six months earlier and arrested him and three other people. At the time Mercado was also charged on two warrants for illegal firearms possession and armed assault with intent to murder from an April 2018 incident in Springfield. One of the people Mercado was arrested with was killed in January in a shooting on Sargeant St. in Holyoke. Mercado, Crichlow and Bedinelli are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Tuesday by a Springfield District Court judge, police said. Related content: Man injured in Springfield daytime shooting in Six Corners neighborhood Springfield man arrested after police confiscate handgun, stolen rifle from apartment Man, woman injured in double shooting in Springfield parking lot Rep. Adam Schiff is accusing Attorney General William Barr of lying with his claim that China poses a bigger threat to the U.S. elections this year than Russia. Thats just a plain, false statement by the Attorney General. A flat-out false statement, Schiff told CNN. What Bill Barr just did in that statement was just flat out mislead the American people with a blatantly false statement. The chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee was responding to a clip of Barr referring to U.S. intelligence finding that Russia, China, and Iran are seeking to interfere in the 2020 elections. Barr was asked which country was pursuing the efforts most aggressively and Barr said China, citing intelligence that he said he could not reveal. Ive seen the intelligence, Barr said. Thats what Ive concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schiff pushed back and said that what Barr said wasnt true, characterizing it as another example of why the Trump administration official cant be trusted. Its just such a disservice to the country that we cant trust our own attorney general, Schiff said. But apparently Bill Barr is willing to do anything or say anything to help Donald Trump. Asked if Barr was lying, Schiff said: That is basically what he is doing. And I hesitate to say that, but it is the reality. The Democratic lawmaker then said it outright. Schiff noted the intelligence is clear that while Russia is actively engaging to interfere in the election China has a preference and that means you can tell that Bill Barr is just flat-out lying to the American people, and its tragic but its as simple as that. Barr is hardly the only one in the administration pushing the China message. National security adviser Robert OBrien said on Friday that China is the country that has taken the most active role in trying to interfere in the November election. We know the Chinese have taken the most active role, OBrien told reporters. With a COVID-19 vaccine likely a year away at best, the WA government has moved to expand its contact tracing capabilities and local PPE supply chains to ensure it can manage an outbreak of up to 10,000 active cases until at least the end of 2022. Documents released by the Department of Health showed it was moving to solidify its contact tracing system during a relatively comfortable period following 149 days without community transmission of the virus. WA will implement a new COVID-19 contact tracing system in 2021. Credit:WAtoday The current system was acquired quickly under emergency procurement laws and has to date traced 551 confirmed cases and 2033 of their close contacts using 118 staff. Only 16 of WA's cases were unable to be traced back to a known source. The Centre on Monday launched a 24X7 toll free mental rehabilitation helpline for providing psychological support to people. The helpline KIRAN (1800-599-0019) was launched by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot. The helpline will offer mental health rehabilitation services with the objective of early screening, first aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well being, promoting positive behaviour and psychological crisis management, the minister said. The helpline will function as a lifeline to provide advice, counselling and reference in 13 languages to individuals, families, NGOs, parent associations, professional associations, rehabilitation institutes, hospitals or anyone in need of support across the country," he said. I hope this helpline will also be very useful for family members of those with mental illness," Gehlot said. Prabodh Seth, Joint Secretary at social justice and empowerment ministry, gave a presentation to highlight the salient features of the helpline. This toll free helpline will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the technical coordination of BSNL. It is backed by 660 clinical and rehabilitation psychologists and 668 psychiatrists," he said. The 13 languages covered in the helpline are Hindi, Assamese, Tamil, Marathi, Odia, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kannada, Bengali, Urdu and English, he added. Explaining the working of the helpline, Seth said when 1800-599-0019 is dialled from any mobile phone or landline of any telecom network, from any part of India, one gets the option of selecting the language following which they get connected to the helpline centre of native or desired state. The callers will then be connected to mental health experts who will help to resolve the issue or refer and connect to external help (clinical psychologists or rehabilitation psychologists or psychiatrists), the official explained. The helpline is dedicated to resolve mental health issues related to anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, suicide, depression, panic attack(s) adjustment disorders, post traumatic stress disorders and substance abuse. The helpline will cater to- people in distress, pandemic induced psychological issues and mental health emergency," Seth said. The helpline is being coordinated by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai and National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR), Sehore. Professional support for the helpline is being provided by the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP), Indian Psychiatrists Association (IPA) and Indian Psychiatric Social Workers Association (IPSWA), he added. New Delhi, Sep 7 : : Hours after Rhea Chakraborty filed a fresh complaint against Sushant Singh's sister Priyanka Singh, a doctor at Ram Manohar Lohia and some others, alleging forgery, senior advocate Vikas Singh, who represents the late actor's family on Monday threatened that if the Mumbai Police takes this complaint forward, he would "initiate a request for contempt of court proceedings." "Mumbai police shall not accept any such complaint as it would be a clear violation of the Supreme Court's order. The order clearly prohibits any other agency apart from CBI from registering any new complaint in this case," said Singh at a press conference here. "This is a clear attempt to deflect the mind of the people and derail the probe. If the Bandra Police will take this complaint forward, we will initiate contempt proceedings," he added. The Supreme Court last month closed all options for the Mumbai Police to continue the probe or register a criminal case in future in connection with the unnatural death of SSR. Ordering a CBI probe into the matter, Justice Hrishikesh Roy had said, "While according approval for the ongoing CBI investigation, if any other case is registered on the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the surrounding circumstances of his unnatural death, the CBI is directed to investigate the new case as well." The top court had also noted that in the present case, the Mumbai Police has attempted to stretch the purview of Section 174 without drawing up any FIR and therefore, as it appears, no investigation pursuant to commission of a cognizable offence is being carried out by the Mumbai Police. "They are yet to register an FIR. Nor they have made a suitable determination, in terms of Section 175(2) of the CrPC. Therefore, it is pre-emptive and premature to hold that a parallel investigation is being carried out by the Mumbai Police," observed Justice Roy. The senior lawyer, while addressing the media on Monday, also said that this complaint is just an attempt to "somehow keep the Mumbai Police active in this case." He added that the telemedicine guidelines are under the purview the Medical Council of India (MCI) and there is no police jurisdiction in such a matter. "Moreover, in my opinion, by filing this complaint, Rhea herself has committed another offence punishable under section 182 of IPC (filing false complaint)," Singh said. Earlier in the day, Rhea Chakraborty filed a police complaint against Priyanka Singh, sister of her late boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput, for allegedly getting a bogus prescription for the actor to help him with his anxiety issues. In her six-page long complaint, the actress shared that Sushant passed away five days after he obtained a prescription wherein "he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances at the behest of his sister Priyanka". In the complaint, Rhea begins by stating that she knew Sushant for many years, going on to share that they got close after attending a party in April 2019. "We officially moved in together in December 2019 at our residence in Mount Blanc, Bandra, Mumbai, and I resided there to the 8th of June 2020," the complaint read. "Rhea Chakraborty has filed a police complaint before the Mumbai Police against Priyanka Singh, Dr Tarun Kumar of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and others for offences of forgery, NDPS Act and Tele Medicine Practice Guidelines 2020, for having sent a bogus medical prescription depicting SSR as an Out Patient Department person," her lawyer revealed on Monday. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery A Saudi court on Monday issued final verdicts in the killing of the dissident writer Jamal Khashoggi, months after one of his sons said he and his siblings had forgiven the men who killed him, effectively eliminating the possibility that the defendants would be executed. Saudi state television announced that five of the eight defendants had been sentenced to 20 years in prison each, and that two had been sentenced to 17 years each. One was issued a 10-year sentence. In December, a Saudi court sentenced five of the men to death, a punishment the kingdom usually carries out by beheading, in connection with the killing and dismemberment of Mr. Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Three defendants received prison terms. The trial, held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, was shrouded in secrecy. The kingdom did not reveal the suspects names, and foreign diplomats who attended were sworn to silence. Human rights groups dismissed the outcome, saying the court was punishing low-level agents while protecting their leaders. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:51:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- As South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma's corruption trial was scheduled to commence at the Pietermaritzburg High court on Tuesday, his foundation said it would be postponed, calling the move disappointing. In a statement, the Jacob Zuma Foundation accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) which is prosecuting in the case of not being ready for the start of the trial. "The Jacob Zuma Foundation notes as a result of the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) unreadiness to proceed with the trial against the former president, there will be no court appearance on 8 September," it said. For too long, the NPA together with the media accused former president Zuma of applying delaying tactics, the foundation said. "Yet, it is the NPA that is not ready to proceed when President Zuma calls upon it to present its case against him," the foundation added. Zuma and French arms company Thales face charges of fraud, corruption, and racketeering linked to a multi-billion-rand arms deal. An application by Thales to challenge racketeering charges against it was expected to cause further delays in the matter. "Our courts should remove the matter from the roll until the NPA and Thales have finalized their dispute. The Foundation calls upon courts to be fair and independent regardless of the antipathy of certain sections of our society on president Zuma," said the foundation. Enditem Laois publicans are holding a protest at the constituency offices of Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan and Fianna Fail Minister of State Sean Fleming TD, this Monday September 7. Below: Sean Fleming with the protesters. With a campaign called #OpenThePubs, the publicans who are members of the Vintners Federation of Ireland are asking for "wet" pubs to be allowed to reopen. Last Saturday night Laois pubs held a #LightUpLaoisPubs night, when they all turned on the lights in solidarity for their campaign to be allowed to reopen. Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive of the VFI recently called for extra support for pubs who are forced to stay closed. "The need for a special support package for pubs who are still closed has been directly conveyed by the two vintner groups during meetings with Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar TD and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD held over the past few weeks. As we have made clear from the outset of this crisis, pubs want the opportunity to trade responsibly. The pubs that are still closed cant wait to get their doors open again, to interact with their customers and to earn a living. These businesses will abide by the public health requirements, they just want the same chance as was granted to the rest of the economy. The clear preference of these pubs is to reopen, but if the Government wont let them then they owe these pubs special support. They are being denied their right to trade due to the public health situation and they should receive meaningful assistance for as long as that continues. It is also critical that should there be any further delays to reopening that the Government simultaneously announces a support package. The survival of these businesses depends on it, he said. "In the spring, I just started thinking, 'What feels most worth my time? What do I want to work on?'" says Maher when we meet at the Whole Foods across from the new iO Theater compound. He quickly decided on his coma experience as a story he needed to tell, but wondered how to present it. "How funny can it be? And how true can it be? And how much can it combine all the different things that I'm into and be as much me as possible?" he wondered. (Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co. won a 7.9 trillion won ($6.6 billion) order to provide fifth-generation wireless solutions to Verizon Communications Inc. in the U.S., a big win for the electronics giants networking gear business. The contract was finalized Friday and is valid from June 30 through December 2025, it said in a regulatory filing. The deal marks one of Samsungs biggest 5G contracts since Koreas largest corporation decided years ago to invest in networking and compete with global players like Nokia Oyj and Ericsson in providing telecom equipment. It should lift Samsungs market share in the wireless industry at a time leader Huawei Technologies Co. is grappling with U.S. sanctions and Washingtons effort to get allies around the world to shut out the Chinese company. Read more: Samsungs Lee Looks Beyond Next 10 Years With 6G, System Chips Nokias shares fell as much as 2.5% Monday in Helsinki. Liberum analyst Janardan Menon cited past evidence that the Finnish telecom gear giant is losing share at the largest American carrier to Ericsson, potentially hampering its longer-term investment in technology. With this latest long-term strategic contract, we will continue to push the boundaries of 5G innovation to enhance mobile experiences for Verizons customers, Samsung said in an emailed statement. Samsung, the worlds largest memory chip and electronics gadget maker, has been pushing hard to expand its market share in the 5G equipment market and investing in sixth-generation mobile networks. The company didnt provide further details about the Verizon deal. The U.S. carrier gained much-needed mid-band spectrum for its 5G rollout after emerging among the top winners in a recent U.S. auction of airwaves. (Updates with Nokias shares in the fifth paragraph) For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Lieutenant-General Onik Gasparian, the chief of the Armenian armys General Staff, held talks with his Russian opposite number, General Valery Gerasimov, after attending the closing ceremony of the annual International Army Games organized by the Russian Defense Ministry. Official Armenian and Russian sources said the two men discussed close military ties between their nations but gave very few details. In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry cited Gerasimov as calling Armenia Russias ally and key partner in the Transcaucasus. For his part, Gasparian described Russia as his countrys strategic ally and stressed the special significance of Russian-Armenian relations for Yerevan. According to the statement, he also thanked the Russian military for helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus among Armenian and Russian military personnel serving in Armenia. Moscow sent a team of Russian army medics and special equipment to the South Caucasus state for that purpose in April. Later on Saturday, Russias Southern Military District announced the start of a fresh Russian-Armenian exercise held at two training grounds in northwestern Armenia. It said the drill will involve about a thousand soldiers of the Russian military base headquartered in Gyumri, 200 tanks, artillery systems and other military hardware as well as two dozen Russian and Armenian warplanes. A statement released by Russias Southern Military District on Monday said Russian MiG-29 fighter jets engaged in imaginary dogfights with enemy aircraft and struck ground targets as part of defensive and offensive operations simulated by the two militaries. It said the jets, which are normally stationed in Yerevan, then landed at an airfield in Gyumri, Armenias second largest city located just 10 kilometers from the Turkish border. The Armenian Defense Ministry did not issue any statements on the drill as of Monday afternoon. Armenia hosts up to 5,000 Russian soldiers as part of its military alliance with Russia. Successive Armenian governments have regarded the Russian military presence as a crucial deterrent against Turkeys possible military intervention in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The likelihood of such intervention appears to have increased after deadly hostilities that broke out on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in July. Turkey blamed Armenia for the escalation and pledged to boost Turkish military aid to Azerbaijan. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on July 16 that the Armenians will certainly pay for what they have done to his countrys main regional ally. In what appears to be a related development, Turkish and Azerbaijani troops held last month joint two-week exercises in various parts of Azerbaijan. The Armenian government responded by accusing Ankara of undercutting international efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict and posing a serious security threat to Armenia. Armen Grigorian, the secretary of Armenias Security Council, said on August 2 that Yerevan counts on Moscows support in its efforts to counter that threat. Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan clearly alluded to Turkey when he denounced the expansion of some countries ambitions in the South Caucasus in a speech delivered in Moscow last Friday. The Russian presence in the region as well as the deepening of military-political cooperation between Armenia and Russia are a very important deterring factor that helps to maintain regional stability and security, Tonoyan said at a meeting of the defense ministers of several former ex-Soviet states, China, India and other countries. Tonoyan addressed the meeting during what was his second visit to Moscow in less than two weeks. He met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and attended the opening ceremony of the International Army Games on August 23. Due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, most schools in Hanoi held a solemn but short ceremony with the direct attendance of only a limited number of students in line with epidemic prevention measures. Other students followed the ceremony in their classrooms. (Photo: Minh Son/ Vietnamplus) It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. On the other hand, we'd be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So before you buy or sell Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. What Is Insider Selling? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, such insiders must disclose their trading activities, and not trade on inside information. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Columbia University study found that 'insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers'. View our latest analysis for Valero Energy Valero Energy Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Independent Director Randall Weisenburger bought US$2.1m worth of shares at a price of US$47.31 per share. That implies that an insider found the current price of US$51.22 per share to be enticing. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider purchases were made at close to current prices. Valero Energy insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! Story continues There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership of Valero Energy Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Valero Energy insiders own about US$76m worth of shares. That equates to 0.4% of the company. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. What Might The Insider Transactions At Valero Energy Tell Us? There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Valero Energy insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Valero Energy. To assist with this, we've discovered 4 warning signs that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Valero Energy. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. A former royal chef has shared how the Queen truly feels about fast food, a revelation that many may not find particularly surprising given the 94-year-olds typically refined manner. Former royal chef Darren McGrady served several high-profile individuals during his time at Buckingham and Kensington Palace, acting as a personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry over the course of 15 years. Speaking to Insider, McGrady recalled how the Queen would avoid fast food at all costs, and if she ever fancied takeaway food, royal chefs would create their own versions of the dishes. Despite not feeling any desire to indulge in McDonald's or KFC within the confines of her royal households, there is one traditional fast food item that the Queen makes an exception for. According to McGrady, the royal does enjoy eating burgers, although she is very particular about how they are served, requesting that the burgers come without a bun. It always tickled me at Balmoral, we would make our own burgers, he said, having travelled with the royal family to Windsor Castle, Sandringham and Balmoral Castle as part of his duties as a Palace chef. They would shoot deer, and we would do venison burgers. Thered be gorgeous cranberry and everything stuffed into them, but we never set buns out. McGrady explained that the royal family would eat their burgers with a knife and fork. 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Show all 38 1 /38 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Beaming in blue The Queen is pictured in an azure coat with a zig-zag buttoning detail as she attends the opening of the National Cyber Security Centre in London on 14 February 2017. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Going bold for Easter The Queen leaves the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 5 April 2015, wearing a sky blue coat and matching hat. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments All smiles in lilac Queen Elizabeth II was all smiles as she attended the Braemar Gathering on 3 September 2016, wearing a purple ensemble adorned with vertical and diagonal line detailing. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Colourful Christmas Magenta was the colour of choice for the monarch on Christmas Day in 2014, as she attended the Christmas Day Service with the royal family at Sandringham Church. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Bringing a burst of colour to the racecourse Among a sea of grey suits, the Queen stood out at the Royal Ascot on 17 June 2016, wearing a salmon pink coat and feathered hat. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Royally radiant While Christmas is usually associated with red and green, in 2017 the Queen attended Christmas Day Church Service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in an eye-catching shade of bright orange. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Summer fashion done right Queen Elizabeth II fully embraced the arrival of summer on 23 May 2017, when she attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in sunflower yellow. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Regal elegance at its finest The monarch donned a very regal look while attending the State Opening of parliament at the Palace of Westminster on 25 May 2010, matching her crown with a gold patterned dress, pearl jewellery and a small gold handbag. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Finding the silver lining The Queen is pictured in a silver, floral ensemble at the Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, as she attended the Queen's Banquet for Commonwealth Heads of Government on 23 November 2007. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A queen from head to toe On 14 July 2000, Queen Elizabeth II wore her full regalia for the Service of the Order of St Michael and St George at St Paul's Cathedral. AFP/Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Green with delight The Queen appeared to be in high spirits as she attended the Braemar Gathering in Braemar, Scotland on 1 September 2007, donning an emerald green ensemble. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Paying tribute to Ireland On 17 May 2011, Queen Elizabeth II became the first monarch to visit Dublin, Ireland since 1911. The Queen honoured the country by wearing a seafoam shade of green. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Colour co-ordinating On 18 October 2014, the Queen attended the BQIPCO British Champions Day at the Ascot Racecourse, dressed in an outfit which combined dark blue with a lighter shade. 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Regal purple The monarch donned the regal colour purple while making an appearance at the newly-opened James Armstrong Richardson International airport in Winnipeg, Canada on 3 July 2010. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A joyous, canine enounter Two of the Queen's apparent greatest interests are wearing colourful outfits and corgis. Her passions were combined on 1 May 2012, when she encountered a group of corgis at Sherborne Abbey in Sherborne, England dressed in a fuchsia ensemble. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Never letting the rain dampen her spirits Over the years, the Queen has been spotted matching her umbrellas with her outfits on several occasions. On 10 May 2016, the monarch was photographed at a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, pairing her bubblegum pink ensemble with a clear and pink umbrella. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A very merry Christmas Another day, another matching umbrella. The Queen opted for a red coat with fur trimming on Christmas Day in 2015. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A floral summer ensemble The Queen got into the spirit of summer during a visit to Winnipeg, Canada on 3 July 2010, wearing a pink and yellow patterned, floral dress and a bright pink hat. The appearance of several corgis at the event likely put her in high spirits. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Subtle yet stylish While less colourful than the Queen's usual outfits, this ensemble was still a bold choice for the monarch as she visited the British Garden at Hanover Square in New York City on 6 July 2010. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A royal occasion In celebration of the Queen's 92nd birthday, the monarch attended a special performance at the Royal Albert Hall in her honour. The Queen wore a mid-length dress designed with a gold floral pattern. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Multicoloured to the max On 24 May 2010, the Queen attended a VIP preview of the Chelsea Flower Show at Royal Hospital Chelsea. Her outfit seemed to match the flowers she was perusing, combining a multitude of vibrant colours. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Minty fresh The Queen donned a shade of mint green as she attended the service of Holy Communion at the inauguration of the 7th General Synod of the Church of England on 14 November 2000. AFP/Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Positively periwinkle The Queen cut a chic figure as she left Westminster Abbey following a service to mark the centenary of Australia's constitution on 7 July 2000, wearing a sky blue overcoat and a dark blue hat. AFP/Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Royal blue A colour fit for a Queen, the monarch donned royal blue during a visit to the newly opened National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, London on 29 March 2007. AFP/Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A colour fit for a queen The Queen's outfit colour choice was perfectly apt for the Commissioning Ceremony of HMS Queen Elizabeth on 7 December 2017. Her daughter Anne, Princess Royal, followed behind. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Bold in red The Queen donned scarlet red as she welcomed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, to her Windsor residence on 26 October 2010 during a state visit. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments In pink at the polo Queen Elizabeth II was beaming in pink on 16 June 2013, pictured attending the Cartier Queen's Cup Final at Guards Polo Club in Egham, England. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Portant rose en France A portrait of the Queen was taken during her third official visit to France on 11 June 1992. In the picture, the monarch wore grey gloves with a pink coat, hat and pearl jewellery. AFP/Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A colourful celebration In celebration of the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on 29 April 2011, the Queen wore a shade of bright yellow to the nuptials. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Dazzlingly bright On the final day of a four-day state visit to Germany on 26 June 2015, the Queen was pictured wearing a lemon yellow coat and matching hat. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Never one to blend into the crowd While visiting the Lexicon shopping centre in Bracknell on 19 October 2018, the Queen opted for a vibrant shade of turquoise for her outfit. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Grass green The monarch appeared to match the greenery of her surroundings as she arrived at the Epsom Festival at Epsom Downs racecourse on 4 June 2005. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Taking florals to the next level During a visit to Nicosia, Cyprus on 19 October 1993, the Queen embraced florals to the nth degree, wearing a blue, three quarter length-sleeved patterned dress, a matching floral embellished hat and carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers. AFP/Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Commanding the room Sat upon the golden Sovereign's Throne, the Queen delivered a speech at the State Opening of parliament in the House of Lords on 21 June 2017 wearing a bright blue coat and a yellow and blue patterned floral dress. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Chic in burgundy The monarch opted for a burgundy look while attending the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on 12 March 2018. Chris Jackson/Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments Glittering in gold On 19 November 2012, the Queen attended the Royal Variety performance at the Royal Albert Hall in an ornate gold and silver striped wrap gown. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments A poignant celebration Queen Elizabeth II combined Olympic blue and turquoise for the ensemble she chose to wear for the commemoration of the centenary of the RAF with on 10 July 2018. Getty Images 38 of the Queen's most colourful fashion moments An enduring love of colour The Queen has clearly always had an eye for bright colours. Here the monarch appears at Epsom Downs Racecourse in 1960, dressed in a canary yellow outfit. Getty Images McGrady previously told US Weekly that in his 11 years at Buckingham Palace, pizza was never served to the royal family or their guests. The menus at Buckingham Palace are very traditional French, which wouldnt lean towards having pizza on it, he told Insider. Her Majestys Victorian upbringing dictates that the only thing you would pick up and eat with your fingers is afternoon tea. McGrady recently revealed everything that the Queen eats in a day, which he detailed in a series of YouTube Q&A videos. The chef said that the Queen has four meals breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner all of which are served in small portions. In August 2017, McGrady spoke to CNN about the monarchs preferred alcoholic beverages, telling the news outlet that she enjoys a gin and Dubonnet, a beverage that was also a favourite of the Queen Mother. The Queen also occasionally has a sweet, German wine with her dinner, he stated. High school principals successfully pushed the Andrews government to delay the return to the classroom in term four by one week, to minimise the risk of a COVID-19 case robbing any year 12 students of their last chance to sit the General Achievement Test. Year 12 students will return to the classroom for one day on October 7 to sit the GAT. The test, called the GAT, will be taken on October 7 almost four months later than originally scheduled with year 12 students due to break from remote learning for one day to take the test at school. Term four begins on October 5, but the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals lobbied the government to delay any staggered return to face-to-face learning until week two, for fear that an unplanned shutdown would force the tests cancellation. Association president Sue Bell said the significant delay in sitting the GAT this year due to the pandemic had left no room in the school calendar to reschedule the test without clashing with VCE exams. New York saw a concerning spike in shootings over Labor Day Weekend, with at least 10 people shot as the surge in gun violence continues. In one instance, a 62-year-old Brooklyn resident was shot dead on Monday morning while walking his dogs near his home. Just two hours before that, a six-year-old boy and his mother were among three others who were shot during a festival in the same borough. Meanwhile, surveillance footage from the New York Police Department showed a shootout on August 25 inside the lobby of Marlboro Houses in the Gravesend neighborhood. The New York Police Department released surveillance footage of a gun fight the took place inside an apartment building lobby on August 25 One man (right) can be seen holding a firearm as people scramble out of the way when someone opens fire A group of unidentified men are seen standing inside an apartment building lobby and appear to be looking towards something outside. One man, who brandishes a gun in his right hand, walks further into the lobby before raising the firearm towards the door. It's unclear who opens fire first, but the group of men suddenly scrambles out of the way. A different man runs into the lobby and appears to fire a round out of the open door. The NYPD said that no injuries were reported. They ask anyone with information on the shooting to call Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM them on trough their NYPD Crime Stoppers page. As of August 30, the rate of shooting victims in New York City was up 120 per cent that week compared to the same time last year. There were 64 shooting victims this year, while last year amassed to 29. NYPD CompStat showed that shooting incidents were up 85 per cent, with 50 recorded this year and 27 in 2019. The numbers continued to rise on Monday as a Brooklyn man was shot dead outside his Bay Ridge neighborhood home around 6:50am. New York Daily News reports that Michael Scully, the owner of five cocker spaniels, was struck several times in the head and shoulders by the shooter. Authorities said Scully got into an argument with the suspect after leaving his home to walk his dogs. The suspect pulled out a gun, shot Scully and fled the scene before police officers arrived. Scully was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The suspect has not been brought into custody. The numbers continued to rise on Monday as a Brooklyn man was shot dead outside his Bay Ridge neighborhood home around 6:50am. Michael Scully, 62, (pictured) was shot dead on Monday morning by an unidentified shooter in Brooklyn 'I dont know who would do this,' said William Mendez, a longtime friend of Scully's. 'I dont believe he had any enemies. Everybody loved Mike.' 'He loved Brooklyn,' Mendez, 55, added. 'You needed help, he was there for you. He was just the best.' According to friends of Scully, he was warm-hearted and kind man who spent several years working for a technology company. He liked to bring his dogs with him to church. He was also an entrepreneur who bought and sold items, like perfumes and clothes, on the side. Scully kept a list of all the perfumes he had in stock, friends said. Scully lived downstairs from his brother in a two-family home they shared. The brother was overcome with emotion as he hugged their sister outside their home just hours after the shooting, NYDN reports. David Martinez, a longtime friend of Scully, said the man's girlfriend died about two years ago and the loss was devastating. Her funeral was one of the only times the Martinez saw Scully cry. The other two occasions were during the funerals of his father and mother. 'He didnt deserve this,' said Martinez. 'This is execution-style.' Around 3am on Monday, in the same borough were Scully was killed, a six-year-old boy was scooped up off the pavement by his mother after they were both shot during a pre-dawn J'Ouvert celebration. Around 3am on Monday a six-year-old boy and his mother were both shot during a pre-dawn J'Ouvert celebration. The boy is seen lying on the pavement in a pool of his own blood as a woman, identified as his mother, rushes over and tries to pick him up In the video, obtained by DailyMail.com, some of the 300 people who gathered for a pre-dawn procession celebrating the Caribbean J'Ouvert festival are heard screaming in terror and fleeing after the gun went off. The boy is seen lying on the pavement in a pool of his own blood as a woman, identified as his mother, rushes over and tries to pick him up. A few feet away from the boy, a man is seen collapsed on the ground after he was also apparently struck by gunfire. Police sources told the New York Post that the boy, identified as Maxwell Cesc-Vinho, was shot in the left leg while his mother Patricia Bratwaith, 47, and a man named Flavian Yves, 40, were struck in the left foot. The sources identified the other two victims as Bob Charlotin, 46, and Kelly Barthold, 34, and said they were both shot in the right leg. Disturbing video captured the moment a six-year-old boy was scooped up off the pavement by his mother after they were both shot alongside three other people during a pre-dawn J'Ouvert celebration in Brooklyn on Monday morning All five victims were transported to Kings County Hospital Center with non-life threatening injuries. NYPD officers arrested two men at the scene who were both carrying guns, but police have not confirmed whether either was the shooter. Investigators are still working to determine the motive for the shooting, but NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said it appeared to be gang-related. 'This is a notorious gang area that, you know, we've had problems with in the past,' Harrison told reporters on Monday morning. It's unclear whether any of the victims were targeted on purpose. Harrison said that the mother and son were just getting out of a cab when they were struck. 'It was really crazy - everyone was in shock,' Joshua Kristal, who was in the procession when the shooting occurred, told the Post. 'The boy, his mom was carrying him. You could see there was blood in his pants. She dropped him, I didn't know what to do, then I saw tons of blood.' New York City has seen a troubling spike in crime and violence this over the course of this summer. Last week police revealed new data showing there were 242 shootings recorded in August, compared with just 91 in the same month last year - a 166 per cent increase. On Sunday, a 25-year-old man was shot dead in Queens while sitting inside his car. ABC 7 reports the incident happened around 1am, and when police arrived to the scene they found the victim on the passenger side of a Nissan Rogue. He had a gunshot wound to his head and chest. In anotherinstance, two men and a woman were shot at a BP gas station near Sherman Avenue. in Inwood. Police said the 31-year-old woman was shot in the leg, a 23-year-old man was hit in the right arm and a 29-year-old man was struck in the leg and shoulder. All three victims' injuries were non-life threatening, cops said. A fourth shooting took place at about 4.30am in the Fordham Manor neighborhood of the Bronx, where a 31-year-old man was struck in the leg by a masked gunman who took off on a motorcycle. That victim was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. A convicted drug dealer is once again dishing out ice cream to children and unsuspecting parents at one of Northern Ireland's most popular beach destinations despite being exposed by Sunday Life in 2018. Ex-con Shane Carton had to pay back 127,000 proceeds of his crimes in 2007 after being convicted of selling 50 wraps of highly-addictive cocaine in Coleraine. And in 2014 he was branded "evasive and untruthful" by a judge during a civil action. In 2018 Sunday Life revealed former drug pusher Carton was working out of an ice cream van called Sambo Mr Whippy on East Strand beach in Portrush, selling sweet treats. His presence as a trader at the family location caused concern and led to an investigation by Causeway Coast and Glens Council. Now, sources told Sunday Life, Carton is back on the popular stretch of sand selling ice creams and has set up his own doorstep delivery service called Mr Whippy NI. The business, advertised on Facebook, offers trays of ice cream for 5 a pop as well as a range of ices and sweets. When contacted Mr Carton said "gobsh*tes" within the ice cream van industry were seeking to make trouble for him and insisted he had paid his debt to society. He said: "What's the issue about this? It was 2007, 13 years ago, I've never stopped working. "What line of work do I do? I've done me jail, I've paid me fine, I've done me crime, I've done me time. Am I now allowed a second chance at life? "This is coming from other members of the ice cream community who have ice cream vans, I know that, obviously this is (where) it's coming from. I do have a street traders licence." UUP Alderman for Causeway Coast and Glens, Norman Hillis , said he would be looking into the matter and felt any licence Carton is operating under should be revoked. Expand Close Norman Hillis / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Norman Hillis He said: "There was a process being worked through in 2018 and I believe warning letters were sent out. "If you have a conviction you're not allowed to employ someone with a conviction and I believe the licence holder at the time was written to. "I'm surprised he is back trading and I'll want to know what is being done about it. "The rules are nice and simple, you cannot operate a street trading licence if you have any conviction and you cannot employ somebody with a conviction, it's nice and clear. "So I think we should be withdrawing the licence from the person that has it." Following his conviction for drug dealing, Carton was ordered to pay back 127,475 under proceeds of crime legislation in June 2007. His conviction and confiscation order came about after an investigation started in April 2005 by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit of Coleraine police. Several years later Carton had a 60,000 compensation case against a nightclub thrown out despite claiming he fractured his ankle on a slippery dancefloor. Carton, then 41, alleged he was injured at the Anchor Bar in Portstewart after slipping on a drink-covered floor. However, High Court judge Mr Justice Horner dismissed his bid for compensation, labelling him "evasive and untruthful". The judge held that Carton had been untruthful about his drinking or drug-taking at the time and told him: "I consider it more likely that he fell descending stairs while in a state of intoxication brought on by alcohol or drugs or a combination of both." Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said in a statement: "Council is not aware of illegal trading taking place in Portrush. "However, any allegations of this nature should be emailed to environmentalhealth@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk and they will be investigated." j.toner@sundaylife.co.uk Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will discuss the escalation of the situation in Donbas with international partners, including at meetings in Bucharest during his visit to Romania. According to Ukrinform, the diplomat announced this on his Facebook page. Kuleba noted that he is currently going on a long-planned visit to Romania "which is our reliable partner and shares Ukraine's views on the security situation in the region." At the same time, he noted that he was mentally on the front line in eastern Ukraine, where the enemy killed a Ukrainian soldier and wounded another one on September 6. The minister said that the insidious murder of a Ukrainian soldier, every death and wound, would not go unpunished. "To achieve this goal, the Foreign Ministry is working with our international partners. Diplomats have done, are doing and will do their job well to counter Russian aggression. Today and tomorrow I will talk about the murder of the Ukrainian military and the security situation in eastern Ukraine at meetings in Bucharest. In particular, I will talk with my Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu, with Prime Minister of Romania Ludovic Orban and in my speech to all Romanian ambassadors abroad," Kuleba said. Kuleba will pay a working visit to Romania on September 7-8. On September 6, Kuleba initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in connection with a shelling attack by Russian-backed forces in Donbas in which killed one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another one was wounded. op Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who has been lodged at a prison in London since his arrest in March last year, is set to appear via videolink for the second leg of his extradition trial at a UK court on Monday. The 49-year-old jeweller is fighting extradition charges related to the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case brought by the Indian government, being represented at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In line with the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, District Judge Samuel Goozee has directed Modi's appearance from a room in Wandsworth Prison in south-west London with social distancing norms in place for the part-remote setting for the five-day hearing scheduled to conclude on Friday. Justice Goozee had presided over the first leg of the extradition in May, during which the CPS sought to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Modi. The upcoming hearings are ear-marked to complete those arguments after the Indian government had submitted additional ?corroboratory evidence?. It will then go on to deal with the additional extradition request, made by the Indian authorities and certified by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this year, which add on the charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or "criminal intimidation to cause death" against Modi. Goozee has already said that the different extradition requests are inextricably linked, and he would therefore be handing down his judgment at the end of hearing all the arguments. Additional hearings scheduled for November 3, for the judge to rule on the admissibility of the evidence that will be presented before him, and December 1, when both sides will make their final submissions, mean his ruling on whether Modi has a case to answer before the Indian courts is expected only after the final hearing in December. The charges against the diamond merchant centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds making fraudulent use of a credit facility offered by PNB, known as "letters of undertaking" (LoUs). The CPS, appearing on behalf of India, had told the court that a number of PNB staff conspired with Modi to ensure LoUs were issued to his companies without ensuring they were subject to the required credit check, without recording the issuance of the LoUs and without charging the required commission upon the transactions. Modi's team has sought to counter allegations of fraud by deposing witnesses to establish the volatility of the gems trade and that the LoUs were standard practice. Modi has made repeated attempts at bail over the past year, each of which were turned down as he is deemed a flight risk. The jeweller was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard. At a case management hearing ahead of the trial last week, Modi's barrister Clare Montgomery had told the judge that she may be seeking a partial reporting ban on the proceedings following allegations of "party political bias" against one of their expert witnesses from India " retired Indian High Court judge Abhay Thipsay. "We may have to put in an application for reporting restrictions around the reporting of his [Thipsay] evidence to avoid further public commentary on it," she said. From the legal documents submitted, prison conditions in India will once again play a major part in this extradition case, as in the past with other Indian extradition cases, with Modi's severe mental health condition being a factor to be raised behind closed doors. Also read: PNB case: Nirav Modi UK extradition judgement to be delivered after December 1 The theme music was the same, the presenter had a north Belfast accent... but this wasn't Stephen Nolan on the Stephen Nolan Show. And, if you hadn't been listening to last week's trailers on BBC Radio Ulster, it might have taken you a moment or two to figure out who the smooth-voiced 'stand-in' was. Eamonn Holmes was certainly in no hurry to reveal the name behind the voice. Over two minutes - a veritable life-time in radio terms - had passed before he introduced himself to tens of thousands of listeners tuning in to "the biggest show in the country". Read More Perhaps, and as arguably the UK's most accomplished - and certainly its most omnipresent and highest earning - broadcaster, he doesn't really need to. There was no hyperbole either ("Northern Ireland, thank you for having me" was the closest he came), no over-selling of the day's main headlines, just calm, slick, seemingly effortless presentation from someone who, despite being synonymous with television, has also been doing radio shows for the best part of four decades. With the two biggest ongoing stories of the last five years - the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit - dominating the day's agenda, there would be no problem filling the first hour of the 90-minute show. Eamonn's 'demotion' of Alliance's deputy leader Stephen Farry to MLA - "they tell me you're an MP, I'm very sorry" - provided the only awkward moment of the first hour. A touching and informative piece about Organ Donation Week was ultimately followed by a rather too matey encounter with Nolan regular and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who had his latest book to plug. Moments before the programme started, BBC Ireland reporter Emma Vardy took to Twitter to remind listeners of what was in store, using some good old Norn Iron vernacular. "Do not adjust your dial, Eamonn Holmes in the chair on The Stephen Nolan show now, so it is! Give him a call. #welcomehome." The occasional clunky moment aside, the ITV This Morning presenter's performance hit all the right notes and seemed in keeping with the "heal, not divide" promise he made on Twitter last week. The sudden resurgence of the contentious Brexit/Irish border issue may, however, test both audience and presenter, who is used to more UK-wide listeners and viewers, in the days to come. Fans later went online to voice their appreciation for the 60-year-old mellifluously-voiced 'stand-in'. Jane Corscadden said on Twitter: "Weird listening to The Nolan Show and not wanting to rip my eyes out - get Eamonn Holmes his own show." (Will you tell her, or shall I, that up until February he already had a hugely popular drive-time one on national station TalkRadio and, surprisingly, gave it up?) Another listener, Hannah Lyons, added: "Loving The Nolan Show this morning from the Causeway Coast." Meanwhile, James McCarthy said: "Can we keep Eamonn for a bit and see how Nolan gets on on This Morning?" Eamonn actually gave the Belfast Telegraph a name check within the first 23 seconds of the programme - cheers for that - but, despite promising to "track down" the absent, staycationing eponymous presenter, that didn't happen - maybe next time - and, for once, the Nolan Show stayed Nolan-less. Long before stepping into the hot seat temporarily vacated by Nolan, the former UTV anchorman promised his 47-year-old fellow broadcaster that he'd take care of the large audience for a week, adding: "I'll try to do it the same.... only differently," he vowed. "For listeners and you to know that 'The Biggest Show in The Country' is in good hands and that I am one of them, there to listen." The listening bit works both ways. So far, so good, Eamonn. - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been elected the new chair of ECOWAS - He was elected on Monday, September 7 at the ongoing 57th ECOWAS Summit - Mr. Akufo-Addo left Ghana on Monday for the Summit - Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Ghanas President Nana Akufo-Addo has been elected as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This was announced by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency, on his Facebook wall on Monday, September 7, 2020. He said the announcement was made at the 57th ECOWAS Summit which is being held in Niamey, capital of Niger. READ ALSO: Woman gives reasons why Akufo-Addo deserves 4 more years (Video) The summit is being held at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre, where leaders will also be considering reports form the 44th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level and the 84th Ordinary Session of the Ecowas Council of Ministers, which preceded the Summit, among others. In April 2020, at the peak of the new coronavirus pandemic, ECOWAS appointed Nigerias Muhammadu Buhari as the organisations COVID-19 response coordinator via videoconference. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged to do whatever is necessary to strengthen the already-strong relations between Ghana and Nigeria. According to President Akufo-Addo, it is important for the progress of West Africa and, indeed, Africa, Ghana and Nigeria are seen to be working together. APC flagbearer Hassan Ayariga has vowed to end corruption if voted into power | #Yencomgh Got a story you think we should know about? Get interactive via our Facebook page! Source: YEN.com.gh As a 27-year-old woman from the city probably became the 'first' victim of COVID-19 reinfection nearly a month after recovering, Karnataka Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar on Monday instructed the officials to conduct a clinical study about such cases. Expressing concern over the reinfection of the patient who was discharged from a hospital in July after recovery, he said it should be dealt with carefully and efforts taken to dispel fears among the people. "Minister Dr K Sudhakar has instructed the officials to conduct a clinical study about the coronavirus reinfection cases," his office said in a statement. Referring to the woman found infected with coronavirus for a second time at the Fortis Hospital, the Minister, who held a meeting with the COVID-19 taskforce officials, said several other countries have reported cases of reinfection and each country has come up with a different reason for it. According to the statement, an official said that when a person recovers from COVID-19, it takes at least 15 days for production of white blood cells and this might lead to reinfection in some patients. However, this cannot be considered as the definite reason for the reinfection, it was stated. "Responding to this, the Minister demanded clarity over coronavirus reinfection, and instructed officials concerned to submit a report regarding the treatment of special cases such as this in other states," the statement said. The Fortis Hospital at the Bannerghatta Road has said the woman has been found to be the "first" confirmed victim of COVID-19 reinfection in the city. The hospital's Infectious Diseases Consultant Dr Pratik Patil has said that in the first week of July, the patient was symptomatic (fever, cough and sore throat) and tested positive. She was admitted to the hospital and recovered well. A repeat test was conducted on her, which turned out to be negative post which she was discharged on July 24. However, nearly after one month, in the last week of August she developed mild symptoms again and had been tested positive again, Patil said in a statement. This was possibly the first reported case of COVID-19 reinfection in Bengaluru, Patil said, adding normally, in case of infection, the Covid Immunoglobulin G antibody is tested positive after 2-3 weeks of infection. However, in this patient, the antibody has been tested negative, which means she did not develop immunity after infection. Another possibility was that the IgG antibodies disappeared in nearly one month leaving her susceptible for reinfection, he has said. "Reinfection cases mean that the antibodies may not be produced by every individual or if they do develop, they may not last long enough, and therefore, allowing the virus to enter the body and cause the disease again," Dr Patil has said. Karmo reportedly told agents that he and Smith have been roommates in Hartville, Mo., for approximately four weeks, that they worked together, and are part of an organization called the 417 Second Amendment Militia. Karmo reportedly said the two decided to travel to Kenosha to see for themselves what was going on regarding the riots. Karmo told investigators that "he would be willing to 'take action' if police were defunded." Among evidence federal agents collected in their investigation were social media posts and text messages that showed firearms and persons dressed in tactical gear. According to Kruger, Karmo has prior convictions in California, including for burglary, possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property and evading a law enforcement officer resulting in injury or death. Smith has a prior misdemeanor domestic battery conviction in California and acknowledged regular drug use. As a result, both Karmo and Smith were prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Abirem Constituency in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region has denied allegations that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate, Mavis Ama Frimpong, was arrested or detained by the police on its orders. This follows reports that the District Chief Executive for the area, had directed the Police to detain some culprits who were involved in the removal of the NPPs flags and posters at Adausena. According to the Abirem Constituency NPP, the allegations is an attempt on the part of the opposition NDC in the constituency to court sympathy from the people. A statement issued by the party and signed by its Constituency Secretary, Evans Osei Yeboah on Monday, 7 September 2020 noted that: On Friday, September 4, 2020, the NPP as a law-abiding party in Abirem Constituency, lodged a complaint with the New Abirem District Police Station on the removal of the NPP party flags and posters at Adausena by some NDC Apparatchiks. The police followed up on the report and the culprits of the said act were arrested. The Abirem Constituency NPP, however, stated unequivocally that the DCE. Hon Remond Nana Damptey did not instruct the District Police Commander to detain the culprits. Again, it must be stated that; the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Mad. Mavis Ama Frimpong was neither arrested nor detained as the NDC party in Abirem wants the public to believe. It continued that it believes this is a calculated, diabolical and malicious attempt to create an unfounded diversion in order to win sympathy for the NDC party in Abirem. The statement emphasised that the NPP in Abirem constituency believes and holds firm to democratic principles and condemns all forms of indiscipline, adding "We are grateful to the police for their prompt response and do applaud them for maintaining peace and tranquility in the Constituency. ---classfmonline NEW DELHI: It has been five years since the Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) took to investing in equities but it is yet to devise a way to allocate units of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to its subscribers. EPFO has been investing in the stock market since August 2015 via ETFs but it remains unclear about crediting gains to subscribers during a partial or full withdrawal. There have been talks, since 2017, on how EPFO subscribers will have ETF units and the non-equity component of their retirement corpus in their account, but this is yet to happen. The ETF unit allocation plan shall offer freedom to withdraw the non-equity component and keep the ETF units in their account even after retirement or in the case of early withdrawal," said a government official requesting anonymity. The initial plan was if a subscriber wishes to withdraw both equity and cash components, he or she will have to mention this in the withdrawal application. But a final decision is yet to be taken," said the official. The official said subscribers' accounts were supposed to have two components one for the debt investments and the fixed return it assures, and the second the ETF units with an option to withdraw or keep it during partial or full claim settlements. Its still a work in progress," the official added. The last time EPFO encashed some ETF units was in 2017-18 when it redeemed 2,686 crore. In 2019-20, EPFO invested nearly 31,000 crore in the equity market. Every year, EPFO invests 15% of its accruals in equity and rest in debt investments. You cannot ignore equity as an asset class. But its very important how you do it and whether you mark it to market in terms of accounting and returns. May be EPFO can give options like NPS to those who wish to invest more in the equity asset and a basic default threshold for all others, said Amit Gopal, India business leader-investments at Mercer. Belying promises, five years of investments via ETFs have yielded the EPFO negative returns, with implications for subscriber payout. While the overall cumulative return is almost -8.3% as of 31 March for its 1.03 trillion equity investments, its return on investments in government-backed Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) ETF has been -24.36%. Similarly, in the government-backed Bharat 22 ETF, EPFOs return on investments is -19.73%, according to official documents reviewed by Mint. The issue is likely to be discussed in EPFOs board meeting on Wednesday. Besides, the EPFOs equity investments via ETFs suffers from limited diversification and there is no option increase or decrease equity exposure unlike that offered by the National Pension System (NPS). This has resulted in low or negative returns for this asset class. ETF as a concept is not bad for a pension fund like EPFO. But this Nifty 50 centricity needs to change. May be, they should broad-base it and look at Nifty 100 and Nifty 500 indices for diversification, and a fair representation of the economy," said Shyam Sekhar, a financial planner and founder ithought, a financial consulting and advisory firm. CPSE ETF or Bharat 22 ETF may not be good vehicles for a pension fund for the way it is managed. There is structural problem in themand it was not thought through enough to create value for its shareholders while achieving some disinvestment targets," added Sekhar. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Newmont Ghanas Akyem Mine has donated GHC 360,000 worth of medical supplies to the New Abirem Government Hospital to further support COVID-19 relief efforts in the mines host communities. The donation included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hospital equipment and consumables. The items included 270 boxes of assorted gloves, 100 coveralls, 100 packets of disposable gowns, 20 gumboots, 140 boxes of surgical and N95 nose masks, 150 pieces of rebreather face masks, 30 bottles of disinfectant, 1 automatic external defibrillator. Others are 3 nebulizers, 6 oxygen cylinders, 6 oxygen concentrators, 20 oxygen flow meters, 2 laryngoscopes, 50 endotracheal tubes, 10 portable patient monitors, 5 portable pulse oximeters, 5 portable suction machines, 10 hospital beds, 10 bedside cabinets, a washing machine and dryer, 5 televisions, 5 tabletop fridges, among other items. At a ceremony to present the items, the General Manager of Newmont Ghanas Akyem Mine, Joshua Mortoti, stated that in line with its values, the company was committed to strengthening the healthcare system in the mines host communities to sustain the fight against the viral disease. COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our lives. As time goes on, it has become clear that we have a long road ahead of us with this deadly virus, Mr. Mortoti said. To overcome this pandemic, it is important to build strong healthcare systems that can support the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. He stated that Newmont had established a $20 million Global Community Support Fund towards COVID-19 management efforts in all its jurisdictions around the world. This donation was sponsored from the Akyem Mines allocation of the fund. Receiving the donation on behalf of the New Abirem Government Hospital, the Birim North District Health Director, Mr. Thomas Azurago acknowledged Newmont Ghanas consistent support for the facility. As the major health delivery center for the District, the widespread nature of the pandemic has put a significant strain on this facility. Through Newmonts continued support, we are better equipped to manage the pandemic and its effects on our people. This is the second donation the Akyem Mine has presented to the New Abirem Government Hospital in recent months to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the District. In May, the company donated medical supplies worth GHC 110,000, as well as materials for the construction of an isolation unit to the hospital. Commending Newmont Ghanas efforts, Obrempong Akwasi Amo Kyeretwie I, the Chief of Abirem, stated, This gesture is a symbol of Newmonts longstanding partnership with its communities. We are grateful for your support and for standing by us in these difficult times. Newmont Ghanas donation complements its previous contributions to the national and District fight against COVID-19. In April, the company donated a $100,000 support package towards Ghanas public health efforts to control the transmission of COVID-19 in the country. As part of this, Newmont Ghana donated $20,000 towards the Birim North District Assemblys relief efforts. The company also donated GHC 56,000 worth of medical supplies to the Birim Central Municipal Health Directorate and sponsored a 12-week radio education programme to increase sensitization in its communities. In July, the company signed a GHC 3 million Memorandum of Understanding with KCCR to procure equipment and set up two testing laboratories in its host communities. The company said that it hopes these efforts will significantly help prevent the spread and manage the impacts of COVID-19 in Ghana. About Newmont Africa Newmont Africa is a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation, the worlds leading gold business. It has two gold mining operations in Ghana: The Ahafo Mine located in the Ahafo Region and the Akyem Mine located in the Eastern Region. Commercial production at Ahafo began in 2006 and at Akyem in 2013. The Company currently employs over 5,500 employees and contractors. Its Ahafo mine was named Mining Company of the Year in 2016 and Ghanas Corporate Social Responsibility Organization for 2018, while the Akyem mine was adjudged the Best Company in Ghana for 2015 and 2016. The Company also has greenfield exploration activities in Ethiopia. Kangana Ranaut has been granted Y-plus category security by the Union home ministry ahead of her Mumbai visit on September 9, said officials, amid an escalating war of words between the actor and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut . The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been asked to take over the actors security. Officials said the decision was taken after a threat perception was carried out and the Himachal Pradesh government also approached the ministry. Under the Y-plus category, Kangana will have 10 to 11 armed commandoes guarding her in three shifts, with two or three Personnel Security Officers (PSOs) accompanying her round the clock and one security personnel deployed at her residence. The actor also took to Twitter to thank home minister Amit Shah. In a tweet written in Hindi, she said, This proves that a patriots voice cannot be crushed by fascists. I am grateful to Amit Shah, if he wanted, he could have advised me to go to Mumbai after a few days but he respected a daughter of India, protected her pride and self-respect. Jai Hind. The verbal duel between the actor and Raut started after her Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir comment last Thursday. She had also said that she feared Mumbai Police more than what she has dubbed as movie mafia. Also Watch l More scared of Mumbai police than movie mafia goons: Kangana Ranaut Raut had hit back in Senas mouthpiece Saamana after that, asking Kangana not to return to Mumbai for criticising Mumbai Police. This issue concerns the pride of Maharashtra and there will be no compromise on this front. Ranaut needs to apologise for her PoK remarks or she will face the music from our womens wing, he had said in the editorial. Refusing to back down, Kangana had said she will return to Mumbai on September 9 and said Raut is not Maharashtra. Your people are threatening me, still Ill come to Mumbai on September 9, she said in a video message on Sunday. Mr Sanjay Raut, you called me haramkhor ladki. You know how many girls are raped every day in the country, how many of them are tortured and killed - sometimes by their own husbands. And you know who is responsible for all this? It is this mindset which you very shamelessly displayed in front of the entire country. The daughters of this country will never forgive you, the actor had said. She is at her family home in Himachal Pradeshs Manali. On Sunday, the actors father had written to the Himachal Pradesh government, requesting security for her. "Kangana Ranaut's father has given in writing asking for police protection. I also spoke to her sister yesterday. The Director-General of Police has been directed in this regard and she will be provided security here. We are discussing what can be done to provide security to her outside the state as she is leaving for Mumbai on September 9," chief minister Jai Ram Thakur had said. Queensland police are closing in on an elderly alleged dognapper who refused to give back an adorable corgi after pet-sitting her. Gold Coast mother Carmen Pham and her family had to go to Vietnam in a hurry a few months ago, leaving their four-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi 'Haku' with an elderly couple who were family friends. However when Ms Pham returned and asked for her dog back, the elderly couple asked to keep her for company during the coronavirus lockdown. Carmen Pham with her adorable corgi Haku. Ms Pham is missing her pet very much Kirilly Cull (left), from the Missing & Stolen Pets QLD Facebook page with Ms Pham (right). Ms Cull said the dog is microchipped and registered to Ms Pham as the owner and sternly told the dog-borrower to hand back the 'stolen' pet Ms Pham let them keep Haku for a while, however when the lockdown lifted and she asked for her dog back, they refused. In July, they disappeared and Ms Pham went to the police. Ms Pham then found out that the couple had separated and the husband had taken Haku with him, leaving the worried mum with no idea how to get her back. There is now hope that Carmen will be reunited with Haku as police have made a breakthrough in the investigation. 'After spending the afternoon with Southport Police, the investigation into Hakus theft has progressed,' Carmen's family said in a statement on Facebook on Saturday. 'We look forward to being reunited with Haku very soon. 'We thank everyone for their support.' Ms Pham told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that she had her fingers crossed that the elderly man would soon return her dog. 'I'll just try to be positive and await for Haku to be returned,' she said. Haku the four-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi disappeared along with an elderly family friend who was her pet-sitter during the pandemic lockdown, leaving Carmen Pham in tears Haku with Carmen Pham and her family at Christmas Carmen Pham's heart was broken after Haku disappeared. Ms Pham said she had trusted the elderly man who was a friend of the family and always seemed kind. But when Carmen started asking for her dog back, he would not return her. 'After the lockdown I did approach and said: 'hey maybe you should get my dog back, it's after lockdown',' Ms Pham told Nine News Queensland. When she persisted, the man allegedly told Carmen he wanted to keep Haku - and then disappeared with the dog. Carmen Pham at Southport Police station on Saturday. The family said in a statement that the investigation has made progress and they hope to be reunited with Haku soon On Facebook, Carmen said he had left his residential address in Labrador on the Gold Coast, in July. '(He) was found in Chevron Island last week but has now gone into hiding again,' she wrote. Distraught, Ms Pham told Nine News that she felt he had played on her sympathy. 'You need to return my Haku - I can't take it anymore it's taking so much toll on me,' she said. Haku, who Carmen affectionately calls 'my little fatty', went missing in July, and is microchipped and registered to Ms Pham as the owner. On Facebook, Carmen told a friend how she had feared for her dog. The post that went viral on Facebook, being shared more than 745 times in just three days 'Hes on the run now with Haku too. So Im also worried for her safety,' she wrote. Ms Pham posted a plea for her dog's return on the Missing & Stolen Pets QLD Facebook page last Thursday night and it was quickly shared more than 745 times by outraged pet-lovers. Kirilly Cull, from the Missing & Stolen Pets QLD Facebook page, said the police had found the person who 'stole Haku'. 'He has now gone into hiding,' she said. The man who took Haku told Nine News he did not steal the dog, he thought she had been left with him permanently. However Missing & Stolen Pets page administrators wrote on Friday that they had copies of all conversations between the 'persons of interest' and the legal owners as well as a copy of the police report. 'Hand Haku into a vet, pound or police. Keeping an animal that is legally not yours is deemed under Australian law 'theft of property',' they wrote, but all in capital letters. Pictures of Haku have also been posted to the Instagram page of the dog-napper's new girlfriend, the Missing & Stolen Pets QLD Facebook Page reported on Saturday. New Delhi, Sep 7 : Milk will soon be an integral part of the midday meal scheme to ensure proper nutrition to all students in government schools across the country, which is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim to make a malnutrition-free India. The Women and Child Development (WCD) and Education Ministries are working in a coordinated way to meet the Prime Minister's vision of providing nutritious meals to the students in government schools. All the officials linked to the departments concerned dealing with the policies have been directed by both the ministries on the 3rd 'Rashtriya Poshan Maah' to expedite changes in midday meal by including milk soon after the schools resume functioning with attendance by children. The Prime Minister had in 2018 launched 'Poshan Abhiyaan'-- a robust scheme which has been playing an important role in eliminating malnutrition from the country. On this 'Poshan Maah 2020', Modi's government planned to focus on an intensive campaign across the country for the holistic nourishment of children with severe acute malnutrition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a statement. In this regard, an official, requesting anonymity, told IANS that the Education Ministry may come up with a revised menu for midday meals scheme, that will include milk as an integral component. All the state government's have been told to implement the new midday meal policy which includes milk. Earlier, the then HRD Ministry had revised its midday meal policy in 2016. In order to give better quality food to children in schools where midday meals are provided, the HRD has revised its norms, that include milk as a necessary supplement. WCD Minister Smriti Irani on Monday assured Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu that the central government would consider recommending to all the states to "include milk in the midday meal scheme". Irani's assurance came after Naidu earlier in the day suggested to her to add milk in breakfast or midday meals of children to improve nutritional level. The Vice President spoke with Irani on the 3rd Rashtriya Poshan Maah aimed at contributing towards a malnutrition-free India. An official in the Education Ministry told IANS that all students from Classes 1 to 8 in all government schools will be given 200 ml milk every day along with the midday meals. As per the official, this policy as is similar to the one issued in 2016 and then HRD Ministry direction to states in 2018 in which many loopholes were reported in its implementation. The states were earlier also directed to include milk and milk products in the midday meals so that these items could be procured from cooperative milk unions or federations. The Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department also took up the issue with the state Chief Secretaries on December 15, 2017, requesting them to consider supplying milk and milk products through their network under midday meals scheme of the Centre. Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Puducherry, and Gujarat have confirmed supply of milk through schools but some states with higher surplus stocks of milk powder like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab are yet to decide in this regard. Almost two decades have passed since the midday meal became a part of the daily routine in government schools across the country. The central government had received complaints earlier on about inclusion of milk in midday meals. As per government norms, every child should receive 150-200 ml milk. However, there have been complaints that one litre of milk was mixed in a bucketful of water to serve to more than 80 children in a school in rural Uttar Pradesh. Some videos have also gone viral on the social media regarding the said incident. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) What would U.S. President Donald Trump have to say or do to lose himself a second term? This isnt wishful thinking on my part. The man, panicking and lashing out, will inevitably injure himself badly while casually injuring others. It is likely that those who do his bidding Federalist Society judges, Louis DeJoy looting the national postal service, violent right-wing extremists, Republican Party cowards will rig the election anyway, which will render this speculation pointless. It wouldnt even have to be rigged. Trump always wins. His suggestion that Republicans vote twice is his usual crazy-like-a-fox strategy. If the vote favours him, that means his silent majority won the day despite those Democratic double-voters. Trumps shamelessness is a mirror image of this Jessica Ann Krug person currently in the news, a white, Jewish professor at George Washington University who self-identified as Latina/Black but so loudly and viciously that it beggars description. Who would invent an alias like Jess La Bombera? Who would dare to appear before New York City Council and shout coarse, crude things at white people as part of her act? Who would risk being filmed teaching young Black girls to dance salsa (a very Kansas City salsa)? Trump, thats who. He has such Krug level of audacity that hed call himself Donalda De La Vega and open Los Pollos Hermanos II, a southwestern chain offering Mexican take-out chicken. If the vote goes against him, he will already have discredited that outcome, while still calling on his gun-soaked base as a backup. Trump base. Chicken base. As in soup. This is where my Trump-is-actually-smart theory collapses. What good does it do Trump to present himself as an idiot, possibly senile, and deteriorating fast? I understand his notion that protesters might throw cans of soup at police. But bags of soup? Trump said anarchists used soup bags as weapons. And if it hits you, thats worse than a brick because thats got force. And when they get caught, they say, No, this is just soup for my family. Its like our pandemic dreams. A tree fell at the seashore but it was three-kilometres long and I couldnt sail home or call a cab because my cellphone was made of gasoline. No, minestrone. I dont believe antifa threw chowder at the cops because you cant bring bulk liquids on the plane, especially the Flight of the Looters plane that Trump said flew into and out of Washington. It was almost completely loaded with thugs wearing these dark uniforms, black uniforms, with gear and this and that. The entire plane filled up with the looters, the anarchists, rioters, people looking for trouble. Even if they did bring soup the boxed meals were pricey and they couldnt expense it why would they attract attention by booking block seats? I guess they were using their points? The whole family was antifa and they wanted to sit together? If soup and looters didnt destroy Trump, his suggestion to then press secretary Sarah Sanders that if Kim Jong-un had indeed winked at her, she should fly to North Korea and take one for the team wouldnt bother voters either. Neither will insulting the American war dead as he stands by their graves. This I dont understand. Americans fetishize their military, worship them blindly, and blither on about teens signing up to serve their country. (In Canada, we dont worship anyone, we just say someone got a job in the army.) Trump had already mocked the late Sen. John McCain for being captured and tortured by the North Vietnamese. Losers and suckers was just the paper frill on the leg of lamb already served. So. What would do it? Using the n-word wouldnt. Falling down in front of Putin wouldnt. Falling down twice would. Killing a woman? No. Killing Tom Hanks? Maybe. Punching a baby in the face? Not if it was a Democratic baby. I shall plant my flag. The Moscow pee tape would suffice if the images were clear and the production values good, and the strippers were sourced and gave on-camera interviews. Comb the CIA files, search the national attic, find it under a movie seat, and our work is done. PUBLICANS from across Limerick have staged a demonstration outside Minister of State Patrick ODonovans offices in Newcastle West. It comes with so-called wet houses bars not serving food close in on being closed for six months due to Covid-19. Two previous target dates to re-open have been missed, leaving businesses particularly in rural Ireland reeling from both the loss of trade and a social outlet. As part of a campaign to get non-food serving pubs back trading, the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) picketed the offices of government TDs around the country. Mary Cronin runs The Hogan Stand bar in Meanus, and is secretary of the Co Limerick VFI. She said: We feel we have abandoned. We need to get our pubs open and we need meaningful support. We've been left high and dry really. The support announced in the last few weeks doesn't amount to much: 1,600 and a top-up grant which is basically 65 a week while we've been closed. We've been closed for six months. We want the right to open and earn a living. In Meanus, she said her bar is more like a community centre than a pub, due to the fact the village has already lost its post office and general store. Its where the older people come and meet up every day. They miss us terribly. It's the centre of our community as we no longer have any shop or post office. The pub is the meeting up place for everybody. We opened during the day, and had a lot of older people coming in for a meet and a bit of a chit-chat, she said. Although food-serving pubs have been pulling pints since July, there is still no date for their drink-only equivalents to start. OPW Minister Mr ODonovan said he is supportive of the publicans cause, describing Ireland as the only outlier now in Europe. Its a bit strange to put it mildly. And I know they were closed for a good reason, and in fairness we all had to make sacrifices, but it's time now I think, with proper procedures and trust, to open, he told the Limerick Leader. "In fairness to publicans, I think they have built up trust with their customers and it's not in their interest to put their customers or families at risk. They want to work with the HSE and the government and I think they should be given the opportunity to do it, the TD added. Mr O'Donovan acknowledged not everyone in his own party supports his position and not everyone in government does either and "that's fine too". "I don't have a difficulty with that. I know that there's a risk, but I think the risk will be outweighed by the responsibility that publicans will take. Publicans don't want their licences taken off them and they know if they act irresponsibly that there is a strong possibility that the guards will object in court to the renewal of their licences so they don't want that, he concluded. Anyone planning to spend Labor Day outdoors would do well to enjoy it in the morning and afternoon come nightfall, the weather could get dicey around Portland. Forecasters are predicting clear and sunny skies all day Monday, with a high of 91 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature is expected to drop to a low of 63 degrees overnight. Winds are expected to pick up over the course of the day, beginning with gusts as high as 21 mph in the afternoon. Just before sunset, another surge of wind should arrive with gusts of 35-50 mph in the Portland metropolitan area, forecasters said Monday, and gusts of 55-65 mph near the Columbia River Gorge and across the West Hills. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning from Monday at 5 p.m. through Tuesday at 1 p.m. Those strong winds, combined with low humidity, will bring increased fire danger across the region, extending from the west slopes of the Cascades to the Pacific coast, especially in higher terrain and the Portland-Vancouver area. A red flag warning will be in effect through Wednesday at 8 p.m. Its about as extreme of fire danger as we get here, Colby Neuman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland, told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Sunday. Neuman said people should avoid starting a fire, even in a fire pit. Once youre done barbecuing, throw water on the charcoals, he said. The winds could also result in downed trees and limbs, creating power outages across the area. Portland General Electric on Sunday warned 5,000 customers living in a high-risk fire area near Mount Hood their power might be temporarily shut off because of the fire risk. Residents who live off of U.S. 26 between Brightwood and Government Camp can enter their address at PortlandGeneral.com/wildfire to see if they are within the area that may be impacted. --Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB The Lok Janshakti Party, a constituent of the Bharatiya Janata party-led National Democratic Alliance, continued to talk tough ahead of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled to be held in October-November at its Bihar state parliamentary board meeting on Monday. According to people familiar with the happenings at the meeting, the partys state parliamentary board has authorized its chief Chirag Paswan to take a call on whether LJP will be part of the NDA for the upcoming assembly polls. The partys Central parliamentary board is expected to meet next week to take a decision on the matter said persons aware of the developments. The Janata Dal United is also part of the alliance and in recent months Paswan has been critical of its leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. The state parliamentary board also decided to send a list of 143 candidates to the central parliamentary board said Raju Tiwari, president of the Bihar state parliamentary board. As per functionaries aware of the details, the board asked Paswan to consider breaking away from the NDA, pointing out that there is a strong anti incumbency factor against the current dispensation of which the LJP is a part. There is lot of anger against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (of the Janata Dal, United) and the board authorised party chief, Chirag Paswan to take all decisions regarding the polls. It was however, pointed out to him that there is a lot of anger against his government and the allies too would face consequences if they go into polls under his leadership, said a functionary. Political analysts said the move could be aimed at exerting more pressure on the JD-U, which has partnered with former Bihar CM and HAM-S chief Jitan Ram Manjhi in an attempt to woo Dalit voters, the traditional base of the LJP. Senior BJP leaders such as RK Singh and Sanjay Paswan have categorically said that while the BJP is capable of winning on its own, it respects its allies. For BJP, both JD-U and LJP are allies, but JD-U and the LJP dont see each other as allies. So, it is a ticklish thing for the BJP to handle, said former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences, DM Diwakar. Though the election commission is yet to announce the schedule of polling in Bihar, the election is expected to take place in October-November as a new assembly has to be elected before November 26. While the BJP refrained from commenting on LJPs stance; it has been asserting that the differences between allies will be sorted once formal talks begin. Party president JP Nadda in his address last month said the BJP workers will have to ensure the victory of all contestants from the NDA stable and reiterated that the BJP, JDU and LJP coalition is a winning combination. Another analyst, PK Dutta said the acrimonious statements by LJP leaders are not serious at the moment. It seems to be just a bargaining tool for more seats. We may just have to wait and watch, but for now it does not seem extremely serious, he said. In the 2015 assembly elections, when JD-U was part of the Grand Alliance (GA) of parties opposed to the BJP, the LJP contested 42 seats and could win just two. However, its strike rate has been very good in the Lok Sabha elections. At present, it has six MPs in the Lok Sabha. It contested on as many seats. Based on its Lok Sabha performance the LJP is seeking a seat sharing formula that will take into account the partys performance in the last general election. In Bihar, the JD-U has already steered clear of LJP due to Paswans recent attacks on Nitish Kumar . The LJP has also criticised the holding of elections itself , asserting that the timing of the election is not right and that the parties should not have to focus on electoral politics at a time when the state is battling the twin challenges of COVID-19 and floods. We have been urging the allies to reconsider the timing of the election. There is so much anger on the ground that seats where the margins are low; the prospects of the opposition doing well is stronger, said a party functionary who asked not to be named. The central leadership of BJP and LJP are expected to meet next week to iron out differences said a person aware of the details. MyBroadband has released the August 2020 South African ISP rankings, which revealed that Cool Ideas, RSAWEB, and Afrihost are the top-rated Internet service providers in the country. The rankings are based on 235,543 speed test and customer satisfaction ratings which were conducted using the MyBroadband Speed Test App in August 2020. To ensure a neutral testing environment, MyBroadbands speed test servers are hosted in Teracos vendor-neutral data centres. MyBroadband has speed test servers at NAPAfricas peering points in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. After a user performs a speed test, they can rate their ISP based on their overall satisfaction with their provider. These customer satisfaction ratings are then used to rank South Africas ADSL, fibre, fixed-LTE, and 5G ISPs. It should be noted that these rankings only include fixed broadband tests which were conducted over Wi-Fi or a LAN. It therefore excludes mobile network tests. Best and worst ISPs in South Africa The top service providers in the latest South African ISP rankings were Cool Ideas, RSAWEB, Afrihost, and Supersonic. At the other end of the scale, Telkom, Rain, and Herotel were ranked as the worst ISPs in South Africa. The table below provides an overview of the customer satisfaction rankings of South Africas prominent ISPs in July. The median download speed, upload speed, and latency of ISPs are also provided as a reference point. It should be noted that these speeds are technology-dependent and should therefore not be seen as a reflection of network performance. Only ISPs with a large number of speed tests and votes were listed. August 2020 ISP Rankings ISP Latency (ms) Download Speed (Mbps) Upload Speed (Mbps) Rating Cool Ideas 6 18.451 11.224 4.06 RSAWEB 7 13.655 10.213 3.60 Afrihost 13 10.094 9.112 3.59 Supersonic 8 18.784 18.965 3.50 Vodacom 32 10.656 8.003 3.47 MTN 43 15.478 10.992 3.47 Vox 19 13.086 9.952 3.46 Webafrica 7 18.295 10.258 3.34 Axxess 23 7.801 3.510 3.25 Internet Solutions 45 7.931 5.628 3.23 MWEB 16 9.586 4.892 3.06 Liquid Telecom 40 5.028 4.649 3.04 Cell C 30 12.022 9.802 2.82 HeroTel 43 4.850 2.068 2.79 Rain 39 3.235 4.295 2.62 Telkom 34 5.809 1.690 2.55 Now read: Internet speeds in South Africa vs The World Belarusian protest leader Maria Kolesnikova has been abducted by unidentified individuals in central Minsk, according to the Belarusian Tut.By media outlet, citing a witness. Masked men took her and drove off in a minivan, said Tut.By. The development on Monday came hours after security forces arrested 633 protesters following a mass anti-government rally on Sunday, the latest since the disputed August election. Police in Minsk said they had not arrested Kolesnikova, according to Russias Interfax news agency. Kolesnikova is the last one left in Belarus of three female politicians who joined forces before the August 9 presidential election to challenge longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko. A vocal critic of Lukashenko, she has played an important role in the countrys post-election political crisis, which has seen weeks of mass protests and strikes by people who accuse the strongman of rigging his re-election, something he denies. Before the vote, Kolesnikova teamed up with opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who later fled to Lithuania, and with Veronika Tsepkalo, who has also since left the country. Another leading activist, Olga Kovalkova, arrived in Poland on Saturday, saying she had been told she would face arrest if she stayed in Belarus. Tsepkalo told Al Jazeera from Poland that her allies in Belarus still did not have any information on Kolesnikovas whereabouts. Hopefully she will be released as soon as possible. I really worry about her, she said. Tsepkalo also said it was not safe right now for the leaders and as you can see all the leaders are put in prison, detained or had to leave the country. Lukashenko isolates the strongest leaders. During this presidential season, he has put two opposition leaders in prison. My husband is facing up to 15 years behind bars on criminal charges, she said. Tsikhanouskaya said the reported abduction of Kolesnikova looked like an attempt by authorities to derail the oppositions Coordination Council and intimidate its members. Germany on Monday demanded clarity on the whereabouts of Kolesnikova. Voicing great concern over her fate, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: We demand clarity on the whereabouts and the release of all political prisoners in Belarus. The economy Earlier on Monday, central bank figures showed Belarus had burned through nearly one-sixth of its gold and foreign exchange reserves, or $1.4bn, in August, as it fought to prop up its rouble currency during the wave of unrest. Kolesnikova had announced on August 31 that she was forming a new political party, Together, with the team of jailed opposition figure Viktor Babaryko with whom she had previously worked. On Sunday, columns of protesters defied a government warning not to march, waving red-and-white opposition flags and shouting go away and youre a rat. Protests also took place in major cities throughout Belarus. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and, buoyed by a show of support from traditional ally Russia, has rejected calls for new elections. Unprecedented protests broke out when he claimed he had been re-elected with 80 percent of the vote. Daragh McDowell, principal analyst at the global consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft, said economic factors are playing a significant role in the demonstrations, with the country rapidly running out of money. The IT sector has been repeatedly undermined with the internet shutdowns to disrupt the protesters. Weve also seen a lot of strikes in the state-owned sector as well. So the Belarussian economy is really on the brink, McDowell told Al Jazeera. The people have lost their fear of Lukashenko, hes lost a lot of his authority. No matter how many riot police hes deployed to the streets, it just hasnt stopped people from continuing to come out. SUZHOU, China, Sept.7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Transcenta Holding Limited (Transcenta), a global biotherapeutics company with fully-integrated capabilities in discovery, development and manufacturing of antibody-based therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Dr. Charlie Qi as its Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Development. Dr. Qi worked at many well-known pharmaceutical companies like Roche, Hutchison MediPharma and Eli Lilly. Before joining Transcenta, he served as the Head of Oncology Product Development in Roche Global Product Development Center in Shanghai, where he oversaw Roche oncology product development programs in China. He and his team had led the approval of multiple key products in China, including Tarceva, Avastin, Perjeta, Alecensa, Kadcyla and Tecentriq etc. When working as the Head of Medical Sciences for Hutchison MediPharma, he led the global development programs of two national first-class innovative biological targeted therapies for cancer treatment (Savolitinib and Surufatinib). "We are pleased and honored to have Dr. Qi join the Transcenta team," said Dr. Li Xu, Acting Chief Medical Officer. "Dr. Qi brings Transcenta with his extensive experience in clinical development of innovate drugs in China. He will lead clinical development of new drugs in our pipeline in China. " "Transcenta is an integrated biotherapeutics company focusing on bionovel products led by an experienced team of global biologics talents," said Dr. Qi, "I am very excited to join the excellent team and look forward to accelerating the clinical development of biologics in the pipeline, expanding global access to new biologics and benefiting more patients." About Transcenta Holding Limited. Transcenta is a global biotherapeutics company that fully integrates antibody-based biotherapeutics discovery, development and manufacturing. With a Discovery and Translational Research Center in Suzhou, a Process and Product Development Center and Manufacturing Facility in Hangzhou, and Clinical Development Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in China and in Princeton, US, and External Partnering Center in Boston, US. Transcenta has established a global footprint. Upon the latest financing, the company has raised over $230 million from globally prominent investors. For more information, please visit www.transcenta.com. SOURCE Transcenta Related Links http://www.transcenta.com GRAFTON This small riverfront town has a lot riding on the crowds who visit over Labor Day weekend and the revenue that visitors represent. Mayor Rick Eberlin made sure to emphasize the citys reliance on tourism. The community missed its traditionally huge Memorial Day crowds this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with near-perfect weekend weather, no flooding but with pandemic precautions in place, are people coming? Yes, they are. We picked a great day to come, said first-time Grafton visitor Mark Varner of Fisher. We are staying at a bed and breakfast in Golden Eagle and came across on the ferry and we just started to walk up and down. Its a great place, he said. Varner and his group crossed the river amid a flotilla of President Donald Trump supporters, who landed at Grafton and helped to swell crowd numbers Saturday. The boaters joined the usual motorcyclists, car cruisers, shoppers and sightseers who regularly fill the city of Grafton on balmy summer weekends. Donny Racer Wood of Jacksonville is one of Graftons frequent visitors and he was there over the Labor Day weekend. We like the hospitality, location and, the prices are reasonable, Wood said. Its just a nice area. Theyve done well with it. Theyve got to be optimistic in this community, it seems like they are going in the right direction this weekend, he noted. And you cant order up any better weather. Grafton businesses welcomed a steady stream of customers Saturday, including Uncle Andys Country Market. Its been pretty busy, said Uncle Andys owner Margaret Dublo. And most people who come in are wearing masks and social distancing. With the nice weather, everybody wants to come out and get outside since theyve been cooped up all summer. Dublo has waded through floodwaters during her business operations and dealt with the shutdown because of the pandemic, but Labor Day weekend had her feeling better about the future. I think that all of us business owners are pretty resilient, she said. Weve been through the flood and the pandemic now, and were in it for the long haul. Grafton Pub employee Christina Forbes said the towns optimism is one of my favorite things about working here. When we were shut down, obviously that was terrible. A few businesses in town didnt make it, said Forbes as she delivered a drink order to one of the many full, but socially-distanced, tables at the pub. But now that we are open, people seem to come out and support us. Every year that we have been here, weve been strong and we hope to continue that. Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) on Monday launched a new brand identity amid efforts to rediscover itself in the highly competitive telecom sector of the country. The telco with about 280 million subscribers as of June, said that Vodafone and Idea brands will now be called Vi. The company will offer products and services to its customers in India under the new brand name. Vodafone India had merged with Idea in August 2018. However, the two had maintained separate brand identities till date. Vi has not launched any new prepaid or postpaid plans today. However, the company may announce new tariff plans in the coming days. The double data offers available on a few of the Vodafone Idea prepaid plans have been retained by Vi. These include Rs 299, Rs 449, and Rs 699 prepaid plans which offer up to 4GB data per day. The prepaid plans such as Rs 599, Rs 249, Rs 149, Rs 399, and Rs 219 offer extra data benefits up to 5GB. The Vodafone RED X plan which includes multiple offers is priced at Rs 1,099 per month. However, it is currently under TRAI's scanner. Here are 7 things Vodafone Idea customers must know about Vi: 1. Vi is an abbreviation of Vodafone and Idea. The "i" is punctuated with a bold mustard dot reflecting the "throbbing and progressive pulse of India", the company said. 2. VIL has announced "Happy Surprises" a program that invites everyone to know more about Vi by spotting the new logo on the Vi app and also win prizes every day. 3. The telco has launched an application to enable mobile users to create and download their own exclusive and customized Vi Tune. 4. A mobile user can download the Vi app to use this feature or visit the Vi website. The user just needs to key in his 10 digit mobile number to get a ringtone. 5. These initiatives are open for both Vi customers as well as non Vi users. 6. The company said that it has planned a range of other exciting engagements with digital users over the next few days. 7. "With our new brand Vi, we stand committed to partner the government to accelerate India's progression towards a digital economy, enabling millions of citizens to connect to the digital revolution and build a better tomorrow," said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group & Vodafone Idea. Also read: Vodafone, Idea rebrand as Vi amid efforts to attract new subscribers Northern Door Countys charming White Gull Inn is on Main Street in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, but not on the main draga key distinction. Rather, its tucked away on a quiet road in an idyllic location bordered by parks that provide a restful space to view the inviting waters of Green Bay. So when a guest and I shared a recent weekend at the hotel, which dates to the late 1800s, we were well away from the traffic that flows through town on Highway 42, which also doubles as Main Street. That meant we could sit on our veranda, sip coffee that was delivered to our door, and enjoy birdsong, butterflies, and childrens laughter instead of vehicle noise. Much more attracts visitors to the White Gull Inn, which dates to 1896, such as its location beside the Episcopal Church of Atonements lovely grounds and nearby Sunset Park. The Church of Atonement sits near the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, Door County, Wis. (Courtesy of Brian Clark) The inn consists of several buildings for a total of 17 rooms. The main structure, a hotel built by German doctor Hermann Welker, was originally named after his wife, Henriette. He also owned a casino down the street, now a hostelry known as the Whistling Swan. The inn, crowned with a broad second-story balcony, has a cozy feel and beautifully landscaped surroundings that give guests a feeling that theyve stepped back into a slower time. Its been updated in an understated way, though, so bathrooms are now en suite, no longer requiring a trek down the hall in the main building. Many rooms have gas fireplaces. And the four-suite Welker buildingwhich was erected 20 years ago but looks like it could also be from 1896even has two-person jet tubs for those seeking a bit of warm luxury. The food here is excellent. The inn gained fame in 2010, when Good Morning America named its Cherry Stuffed French Toast the best breakfast in the country for that year. The inns fish boils are also popular, as are the candlelight dinners offered several nights a week. I had the inns signature and delicious cherry-topped French toast with Door County maple syrup both mornings, and the evening meal of baked salmon graced with string beans ended with a delightful finish of ice-cream-topped fruit crumble. That Best Breakfast Challenge award really put us on the map nationally, said Meredith Coulson-Kanter, whose parents owned the inn from 1981 until 2018, when she and her husband, Chris, bought the property. Meredith and her two sisters grew up at the inn, helping their folks with various tasks. I worked as a busser, my moms retail assistant, and a prep cook, Meredith said. But that fell off when she went to college and veterinary school because her summer jobs needed to be related to her chosen career. She toiled for seven years as an emergency room veterinarian, often working night shifts at a clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. But the inn drew her back six years ago after a years sabbatical at the University of Wisconsin, during which she received a masters degree in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Even though I became a vet, I always envisioned myself being here eventually, she said. However, I wasnt quite sure how that would work out after going to school for 12 years for something else and having all my student loans. When her parents began talking about selling the inn, Meredith and her siblings were alarmed. We didnt want that to happen, but we couldnt just drop what we were doing, she said. As it turned out, my folks lost their longtime kitchen manager around the same time. I filled in, and after six months, it became clear that this was where I wanted to be long term. Her husband, who was working on his doctorate thesis in dairy economics at the University of WisconsinMadison when they moved north, signed on, too. In 2018, they bought the inn. When we visited Fish Creek, the inn was relatively busy, with travelers beginning to come out of their pandemic shells. All of the staff at the hotel and restaurant wore face masks, and tables in the restaurant were at least six feet apart. One evening, we ventured north a few miles to Sister Bay, where we boarded the Edith Becker, a 65-foot sailboat thats a replica of a late 1800s merchant schooner, for a sunset outing. With Capt. Andy Hallett at the helm, we sailed past forested hillsides and rocky shores. He told us that Herb and Doris Smith, authors of Sailing Three Oceans, built the ship in the early 1980s and named it Appledore III. In 1984, the couple and some paying crew members set off to circumnavigate the globe. They then sold the ship to Peder Nelson, a former Chicago school teacher and avid sailor who renamed it for his great grandmother, Edith Becker, who spent her entire life in Door County. Andy Hallett captains the Edith Becker in Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. (Courtesy of Brian Clark) At sunset, we headed back to the marina, with the deckhands firing a small cannon to announce our return. Its fun to captain this boat, said Hallett, a science teacher at Gibraltar High School when hes not sailing. She really does feel like a piece of history, even if she isnt 130 years old. When You Go White Gull Inn: WhiteGullInn.com For more information on Fish Creek, Sister Bay, and Door County: DoorCounty.com. Brian Clark is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2020 Creators.com Sotoudeh, a mother of two, was arrested in 2018 on charges of collusion and propaganda against the system and eventually was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes. Under the law she must serve at least 12 years, said Khandan. Five COVID-19 patients were caught hours after they fled from a Nagpur-based government-run hospital while undergoing treatment on Sunday, a senior official said. According to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) official, they had run away from the facility in the morning and were caught at Betul railway station in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh as they had boarded a train after the escape. A guard at the hospital informed the RPF about their escape, following which our personnel launched a search. One of the patients was a woman who had delivered a baby recently and had later tested coronavirus positive," he said. After being tipped-off, the RPF team went through the CCTV footage, which revealed that they boarded the Bihar-bound Sanghamitra Express. Since the train had already left the Nagpur station, the Betul RPF unit was informed about these five infected passengers," the official said. That unit immediately acted on it and the five patients were brought back to the Nagpur hospital in anambulance from Betul, he said, The BBC is under fire over plans to spend up to 1million of taxpayers' cash setting up staff surveys. In a move likely to anger the 3.7million over-75s stripped of their free licence fees, the corporation has earmarked the sum to get feedback on 'culture and engagement'. The price of the software for 'staff surveys, exit surveys and regular pulse surveys' could pay for 6,300 licence fees at a cost of 157.50 each. In a move likely to anger the 3.7million over-75s stripped of their free licence fees, the corporation has earmarked the sum to get feedback on 'culture and engagement' The broadcaster billed the move as a way to 'deliver one of the key objectives of making the BBC an even greater place to work'. Last night MPs and campaigners branded the contract a 'colossal waste of money' and urged the BBC to 'sort its priorities out'. The plans were posted on the corporation's sourcing website days before Tim Davie took over as the new director-general. The procurement document read: 'The BBC is looking to purchase a staff survey and engagement software-based platform solution.' It added that collecting such data is 'critical in ensuring we can respond to the areas people are telling us we need to improve on'. The contract is for three years - with the possibility of extending to five. The 1million fee would be spread across the five years. It comes as Downing Street piled pressure on Mr Davie to 'look again' at the decision to axe universal free TV licences for the over-75s. The BBC paid for 3.7million older people to receive free licences from 2015 when a new financing deal was brokered by the Government. But the corporation claims it can no longer afford the 750million annual cost. As of August 1, most over-75s will have to pay, though those receiving pension credit are exempt. Conservative MP Peter Bone, pictured, branded the proposed 1million contract as a 'colossal waste of money' Conservative MP Peter Bone branded the proposed 1million contract as a 'colossal waste of money'. Tom Hunt, MP for Ipswich, said: 'I don't know how surveys can cost that much money. The BBC doesn't seem to be making every effort to minimise cost.' Dennis Reed, director of campaign group Silver Voices, said the news would only anger over-75s 'militant' about fighting the licence fee. He said: 'The BBC needs to sort its priorities out.' A BBC spokesman said: 'Like most large organisations we use staff surveys to gain valuable feedback on our performance and respond to the areas people are telling us we need to improve on.' New Delhi, Sep 7 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday said that it has filed a chargesheet against two government officials in Karnataka in connection with its probe into the IMA ponzi scam, a financial fraud to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore. A senior CBI official here told IANS: "The CBI has filed a chargesheet against L. C. Nagraj, then Assistant Commissioner and N. Manjunath, then village accountant." The official said that in the chargesheet it has been alleged that Nagraj received a bribe of Rs 4.5 crore while Manjunath received a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from the IMA and its Directors for extending favours. The agency filed the chargesheet against the two after obtaining the sanction from the Karnataka government to prosecute them in the IMA ponzi scam, the official added. He said that the third chargesheet was filed last week in a Special CBI court in Bengaluru. "Nagraj has given clean chit to IMA and its Directors in an enquiry conducted by him and as a quid pro quo he accepted the bribe from the IMA and its directors." Manjunath liased between Nagraj and the IMA directors to settle the inquiry, the official added. The CBI in June this year had sought sanction from the government to prosecute Karnataka Cadre IAS officer B.M. Vijayshankar and two state service cadre officers over allegations of taking bribes in the IMA ponzi scam. According to the CBI officials, the agency had sought prosecution sanction for IAS officer B.M. Vijayshankar, then Deputy Commissioner, Bangalore Urban, Karnataka service officer Nagaraj, then sub divisional officer Bangalore North Division and Manjunath, then village accountant and working under Nagaraj, from the Karnataka government. The CBI official said that Vijayshankar and Nagaraj abused their official positions to receive illegal gratification from I Monetary Advisory (IMA) group, its promoters and directors to favour their company in an inquiry. The IMA scam came to light in 2018 and pertains to illegal collection of money from innocent people in the form of investments in various Ponzi schemes such as Monthly Plan, Education Plan, Marriage, etc. The IMA was planned and executed by group head Mohammed Mansoor Khan, who was deported from Dubai and was arrested by the probing agencies. When the scam came to light Vijayshankar and Nagaraj were nominated as the competent authority under the Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments (KPID) Act, 2004 to probe the complaints against the IMA group. Local police after registering a case against the IMA directors and promoters were also probing the case which was later transferred to the CBI. The CBI officials alleged that during investigation it was found that the IMA and its entities were violating the government rules and misusing large amounts of money invested by the public, while Vijayshankar and Nagaraj "intentionally" neglected and submitted a report to the government in favour of the IMA and its entities by obtaining "illegal gratification from IMA" and thereby helping the IMA and its entities to continue their illegal activities. It was further alleged that Manjunath, while working as village accountant, entered into a criminal conspiracy with Vijayshankar and Nagaraj and as per their directions acted as mediator and contacted the IMA and obtained illegal gratification for himself and for them to favour the company. During the probe it was found that Nagaraj received Rs 50 lakh as bribe in November 2018. Later in the first week of March 2019, he received Rs 2 crore twice - totalling Rs 4 crore -- as illegal gratification through Manjunath. After that the file pertaining to the IMA group companies reached the office of Vijayshankar, who demanded Rs 2 crore from the IMA for forwarding a favourable report. After negotiations, he settled for Rs 1.50 crore, sources said. Manjunath also received a bribe for mediating the deal. The three government officials' role came to light during the CBI probe into the scam. The CBI had formed a 12-Member Multi Disciplinary Investigation Team (MDIT) comprising of its investigators who are being assisted by Chartered Accountants, Forensic Auditor, Computer Forensic Experts and Bankers. This is the third chargesheet in the IMA scam case by the CBI. The agency had filed two chargesheets earlier against 22 accused. (Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in) Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan on Monday said the Indias GDP data for the first quarter of financial year 2020-21 should alarm us all and the government and bureaucrats need to be frightened out of their complacency and into meaningful activity. In a post on LinkedIn, Rajan, currently a professor at the University of Chicago, suggested that Indias economy is far worse than two of the most Covid-affected advanced countries the US and Italy. The recently released quarterly GDP growth numbers for the first quarter of FY2020-21 should alarm us all. The 23.9% contraction in India (and the numbers will probably be worse when we get estimates of the damage in the informal sector) compares with a drop of 12.4% in Italy and 9.5% in the US, two of the most Covid-affected advanced economies, he wrote, adding, India is even worse off than these comparisons suggest. The pandemic is still raging in India. So, discretionary spending, especially on high-contact services like restaurants, and the associated employment, will stay low until the virus is contained. Stressing on the urgency for government-provided, the renowned economist said, This has been meager primarily free foodgrains to poor households, and credit guarantees to banks for lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), where the takedown has been patchy. GoIs reluctance to do more today seems partly because it wants to conserve resources for a possible future stimulus. This strategy is self-defeating. If you think of the economy as a patient, relief is the sustenance the patient needs while on the sickbed and fighting the disease. Without relief, households skip meals, pull their children out of school and send them to work or beg, pledge their gold to borrow, let EMIs and rent arrears pile up Rajan said economic stimulu was like a tonic, but if the patient has atrophied, stimulus will have little effect". Even SMEs that have stayed open but have huge unpaid bills and interest will not be able to function well. Without relief measures, the growth potential of the economy will be seriously damaged. Brazil, which has spent tremendously on relief, is seeing a much lower downgrade to medium term growth than India. The Narendra Modi government, he cautioned, will have to expand the resource envelope in every way possible, and spend as cleverly as possible. It also has to take every action that can move the economy forward without additional spending. All this requires a more thoughtful and active government. Unfortunately, after an initial burst of activity, it seems to have retreated into a shell. Rajan said India needs strong growth, not just to satisfy the aspirations of youth but to keep the unfriendly neighbours at bay. The recent pick-up in sectors like autos is not evidence of the much awaited V-shaped recovery. It reflects pent-up demand, which will fade as we go down to the true level of demand in the damaged, partially-functioning economy. No doubt, GoI and its bureaucrats are working hard as always. But they need to be frightened out of their complacency and into meaningful activity. If there is a silver lining in the awful GDP numbers, hopefully it is that. An Australian mother has been left in hysterics after being gifted an Anna from Frozen Ooshie collectible that had 'visible eye bags' and 'looked exhausted'. The woman, who lives on Queensland's Gold Coast, posted a photo of a regular Anna miniature and compared it to the one she received, citing some visible differences. 'Anna before and after the ball... even princesses wake up with bags,' she captioned the image. Plenty of parents said the abnormal Anna looked 'wrecked' or compared her to being the epitome of 2020, while others said it looked like a case of 'Instagram vs reality' - a play on how people look different on their social media accounts. Scroll down for video The woman, who lives on Queensland's Gold Coast, posted a photo of a regular Anna miniature and compared it to the one she received, citing some visible differences 'Anna before and after the ball... even princesses wake up with bags,' she captioned the image 'This is before and after you have kids. Thanks for the laugh,' said one lady. 'Now THAT is what I would call a rare Ooshie,' said another. A third added: 'There clearly hasn't been any quality control here'. The 36 Disney+ fan favourites landed in Woolworths stores on Wednesday August 26, featuring iconic characters from Marvel, Star Wars, Disney and Pixar. Customers can retrieve one Ooshies collectable for every $30 they spend in stores - but there are some 'participating brands' you can buy from that will give you bonus toys. These brands include Uncle Toby's, Tip Top, Oral B, Huggies, Sorbent, Woolworths Macro Organic and McCain, and there is no price limit on what you can buy. These brands include Uncle Toby's, Tip Top, Oral B, Huggies, Sorbent, Woolworths Macro Organic and McCain, and there is no price limit on what you can buy Revealed: The participating brands for bonus Ooshies Pantene Huggies Gillette Energizer Oral B Devondale Fresh fruit Tip Top Pauls Gold Power Finish Danone Moccona Macro Organic D'Orsogna Fancy Feast Uncle Tobys Sorbent McCain Vegemite Advertisement You can buy Pantene's shampoo and conditioner, Cold Power laundry liquid, LeSnak cheese snacks, Devondale sliced cheese, McCain fries, Pauls custard and Moccona coffee, to get an extra Ooshie. Every week, the supermarket will nominate selected products from its catalogue that are eligible for a bonus Disney Plus Ooshie collectable. 'If a customer purchases five products from one participating brand, they will receive five bonus Ooshies,' a Woolworths spokesperson told FEMAIL. The spokesperson confirmed shoppers will be limited to five items per shop for any eligible bonus brand. Last year, shoppers found a loophole to score more than 10 Lion King Ooshies for just $30 after their grocery bill included selected items such as $2 hand washes and $1.80 cat food. The new Ooshies feature iconic characters like Darth Vader, Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Thor, Ariel, Yoda, Black Panther and Moana. Customers can score more than one themed figurine in a single transaction if they buy selected products from participating brands The collection includes silver, gold, colour changing, glow in the dark, and additional glitter edition Ooshies, which can all be kept in a limited-edition box. 'We know many Aussie families have had a challenging year, so we're partnering with Disney to give our customers something exciting to look forward to from their everyday shop,' Woolworths chief marketing officer Andrew Hicks said earlier this week. 'Whether it's Woody, a hologram Princess Leia or a glow in the dark Yoda, we're confident the collection is something the entire family can enjoy and collect together.' Industry body on Sunday said the recent rise in smuggling in the northeastern region can be attributed to economic distress insinuated by Covid-19 pandemic. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) said loss of jobs and lack of income due to recurrent lockdowns have left citizens without a means of livelihood. "Reports suggest that smugglers and insurgents are using people from the local tribal areas to transport smuggled goods by taking advantage of their financial vulnerability caused due to Covid-19," a report said. The FICCI's Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) highly appreciated the efforts of central para-military force Assam Rifles and praised its Director General along with other officers for their anti-smuggling operations. The report said : "The Assam Rifles during its recent successful interception, seized illicit cigarettes, smuggled from neighbouring country, worth Rs 14 crore. Enforcement agencies impounded illicit cartons of cigarettes in 26 operations along the Indo-Myanmar border during months of July and August alone." "Various battalions of the forces intercepted smugglers transporting the illicit consignments using bikes, cars and trucks while hiding them inside rice sacks, jungle tracks, vegetation and others."FICCI CASCADE Chairman Anil Rajput said that illicit cigarette smuggling is a formidable challenge before our nation that has been draining our government exchequer by creating opportunities from tax arbitrage. "It also threatens local industries and their capacity to create livelihoods. Assam Rifles' proactive vigilance in intercepting the movement of smuggled goods is a definitive step towards putting fear in the hearts of those who deal in such trading. Their commendable effort sets forth an example to be keenly studied and followed by other enforcement agencies of the country," Rajput said in its report. FICCI has also requested the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to intervene into the vital issue and to sensitize other paramilitary forces on the gravity of the issue and amplify the need for a greater focus on combating smuggling and smuggling-related crimes at the borders.In order to create large-scale awareness of this menace, FICCI CASCADE has been conducting interactions with government and enforcement agencies across several states in India on the ways to mitigate this challenge. FICCI also appealed to the central government to declare smuggling as a national threat and that should be addressed with stricter vigilance and reforms.Meanwhile, security forces in Nagaland arrested four people for smuggling opium seeds worth Rs 1.44 crore on Saturday. Officials in Kohima said that acting on secret information, Assam Rifles troopers impounded two trucks carrying 120 bags of Vietnamese Poppy near Piphema on National Highway-29. The arrested persons and the seized contraband were handed over to custom preventive division officials. Four Indian northeastern states --Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,640-km unfenced border with Myanmar and the India-Myanmar border turned into the vital corridor for smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition and other contraband. --IANS sc/sdr/ (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.) Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday said there were positive aspects in the proposed merger of Spanish lenders Caixabank and state-owned Bankia. "From the perspective of size, the Spanish financial sector has to take steps forward," Sanchez said in an interview in TVE. The two lenders are set to agree a merger to create Spain's biggest domestic lender in the coming days, two sources told Reuters on Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:59:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said on Monday that it had prioritized eradication of desert locusts in Kenya and the greater Horn of African region. Dominique Burgeon, FAO director for Emergencies and Resilience Division, said that containing the voracious pests is key to boosting food security and transforming livelihoods in Kenya and neighboring countries. "We are pleased with the role played by the government of Kenya and will continue our partnership to ensure that the desert locust menace is whipped from the country and the Horn of Africa," Burgeon said at a briefing in Nairobi. He said that about 350 tons of cereals have been secured thanks to a robust fight against desert locusts besides cushioning more than 150,000 households from potential food crisis after 150 hectares of land was sprayed to kill the pests. Burgeon said FAO will in future prioritize building the resilience of local communities against desert locusts invasion. Peter Munya, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives said that Kenya has partnered with FAO to strengthen response to desert locusts and other migratory insects in the country. He said that Kenya has managed to contain the spread of desert locusts thanks to financial and technical support from multilateral institutions. Enditem COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lankas government is sending scientists to determine whether a three-day fire on a giant oil tanker off its coast damaged the marine environment, an official said Monday. Ships and helicopters from Sri Lanka and neighboring India extinguished the fire on the MT New Diamond carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil on Sunday. The fire killed one Filipino crew member and injured another. Navy spokesman Indika de Silva said although the main fire has been extinguished, occasional small-scale fires are taking place from time to time. Firefighters have doused them as they continue spraying water to cool the ship. The general manager of Sri Lankas Marine Environment Protection Authority, Terney Pradeep, said the scientists from state agencies and universities will prepare a risk assessment, including the potential for an oil leak. The authority has said it plans to take legal action over the fire. On Sunday, Attorney General Dappula de Livera directed officials to prepare cost and environmental damage assessments. With its engines shut down, the tanker drifted to within 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers) of Sri Lankas eastern coast on Friday before a tugboat towed it farther out to sea. Meanwhile, 10 British and Dutch professionals, including rescue operation specialists, disaster evaluators and legal consultants, reached the scene and were waiting to board the tanker to begin the mission of salvaging the ship. The experts were sent by New Shipping Ltd., the commercial owner of the New Diamond in Athens, Greece, the navy said. The fire began in an engine room boiler but did not spread to the tankers oil storage area and no leak has been reported, the navy said. Sri Lankan officials had warned of possible massive environmental damage if the ship leaks or explodes. The tanker had 23 crew members 18 Filipinos and five Greeks. Twenty-one crew members left the tanker uninjured as the fire burned. The tanker was transporting crude oil from the port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip, where the state-owned Indian Oil Corp. has a refinery. 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 Nigeria is yet to deposit the $200 million ordered by a British court following its appeal for a stay of execution of the $8.9 billion (about N3.2 trillion) judgment debt awarded in favour of Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) Ltd. The deposit of $200 million was supposed to be paid into the UK Business & Property Courts account in order to prevent Nigerias assets abroad from forfeiture. Rather than pay the sum, the federal government has appealed the decision and is awaiting the outcome of the appeal, Attorney General of Federation, Abubakar Malami, said on Sunday. It should be noted that the court gave Nigeria up till November 25 to make the deposit. Mr Malami, who spoke on Channels TVs programme, Politics Today, on Sunday, highlighted the need to review the condition of payment of such an amount by Nigeria. Genesis The UK court had in August 2019 awarded $9.6 billion judgment debt against Nigeria over an alleged breach of a gas contract between the country and P&ID. It was over a gas supply and processing contract which the Ministry of Petroleum Resources signed with P&ID on behalf of the Nigerian government ten years ago. P&ID was to build and operate an Accelerated Gas Development project in Cross River State while the Nigerian government provides natural gas from oil mining leases (OMLs) 123 and 67 operated by Addax Petroleum and supplied to P&ID to refine into fuel suitable for power generation in the country. As part of its defence on the alleged breach, the firm claimed that the failure to construct the pipeline system to supply the gas frustrated the construction of the gas project, thereby depriving it of the potential benefits from over 20 years worth of gas supplies. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian government secured a judgement of the British court to suspend the unfavourable ruling on Friday. The judgment also indicted Nigerias first counsel in the arbitration, Olasupo Shasore, who was accused of working against national interest amid other allegations of corruption after receiving a handsome payment of $2 million as legal fees. Olasupo Shasore, former Attorney General of Lagos State. [Credit: Channels TV programme; Reviewing Olasupo Shasores A Platter Of Gold With Aduke Gomez Pt3] $200m deposit appeal Meanwhile, in his comment on the live programme, Mr Malami said: We filed an application for variation to allow us perhaps to consider the possibility of posting a bank guarantee as against the posting cash deposit thereto and we appealed against the order. So, the order for the deposit of such amount of money and the appeal component is being considered at the superior court of record. But one thing I want to place on record is that Nigeria has not paid the amount in contention, has challenged the order as it relates to the posting of cash deposit and, arriving from the context, we have succeeded in perhaps making a case that the condition of payment of such amount should now be reviewed and be considered at the appellate level. He further stated that, in lieu of investigations conducted, some persons involved, including government officials, have been prosecuted and convicted. As I would not like to be preemptive of taking into consideration that the rise that is there exists the other component of the case to be considered by the court, but the fact still remains that at the local level, some of the principal characters are being investigated. Some were not only investigated but arraigned and then there were certain convictions that were recorded within the official circle of government. There are some retired. So perhaps Im not sure whether there are some that are serving but there are some that have retired out of the system. He noted that the people were involved in underhand dealings to the tune of $301 million dollars. Also, the minister disclosed that extensive investigations are still going on. When asked to elaborate more on the federal governments findings on Mr Shasore, the minister declined comments on the basis that certain investigations are ongoing. I can assure you that the investigations are extensive and all insinuations arising from the investigations will be adequately looked into and at the end of the day if proof exists of any breaches as a financial or otherwise as a compromise as its own processes and procedure or otherwise, we will do the needful in terms of ensuring the interest of the nation is adequately protected in terms of ensuring that there are indeed consequences for wrongdoings, he replied the anchor. (Repeats with no changes to the text) * Russian doctors first thought Navalny was poisoned * Changed minds after laboratory tests * But did treat him with emergency drug * Navalny would be dead if plane did not land - sources By Anton Zverev OMSK, Russia, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Russia first treated Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for suspected poisoning, but doctors changed their minds after six hours when laboratory tests came back that found no traces of poison in his system, one of the doctors who treated him has said. A dispute over what caused 44-year-old Navalny to collapse on a domestic Russian flight last month is straining ties between Germany, where he is now being treated, and Russia, which denies Berlin's accusation that he was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent. The chief toxicologist at the Siberian hospital who was the first to treat Navalny, Alexander Sabaev, said he initially suspected poisoning and that he and his colleagues treated him accordingly. Navalny was put on a ventilator and into an induced coma and given the emergency drug atropine, Sabaev said. This is in line with usual treatments of Novichok victims, a medical source familiar with the German results told Reuters. But Sabaev said the Russian laboratory findings were conclusive that Navalny had not been poisoned. He now believes the politician was suffering from a serious metabolic disorder. "As a toxicologist I am sure. There was no Novichok there," said Sabaev. The immediate treatment Navalny received helped save his life, say two medical sources, as did the pilot's decision to make an emergency landing in Omsk when Navalny collapsed aboard his plane on the way to Moscow. "If the plane had not made a forced landing, Navalny would not have survived," an Omsk-based medical source said. Sabaev told Reuters doctors had given the politician three milligrams of atropine in his time there. He said that was to treat a problem with his lungs. Though Sabaev rejects the German finding, the small dose of atropine - used widely in emergency situations - was the right thing to give him even if the dose was modest and administered for different reasons. Story continues Novichok nerve agents trigger a wave of deadly effects, including slowing heart rate, fluid on the lung and permanent nerve damage across the body. Atropine is one of the first treatments used to counteract those immediate effects. Sabaev said he believes Navalny had a metabolic disorder, noting his blood sugar levels were four times higher than normal and that he had pancreatic problems. Other Omsk-based medical sources dispute that diagnosis. SICK IN SIBERIA Navalny, an outspoken opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was airlifted to Germany last month after collapsing on a domestic Russian flight. Before boarding, he drank a cup of tea that his allies said was poisoned. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Berlin has concluded Navalny was poisoned with Novichok, the same substance that Britain said was used against a Russian double agent and his daughter in an attack in England in 2018. Sabaev said the hypothesis that Navalny had been poisoned was shared by the ambulance team in Omsk. "We carried out detoxification measures since we suspected poisoning. This is infusion therapy, this is forced diuresis. This is a transfer to an artificial lung ventilator," he said. It was only after three sets of independent laboratory tests came back which found no traces of any poison or toxins that doctors abandoned the poisoning diagnosis, said Sabaev. The equipment used by one of the laboratories in Omsk, which was not part of the hospital, was of "expert level", made in the United States and technically capable of identifying Novichok if it was present, he said. Dr Peter Chai, an emergency medicine doctor at Brigham and Womens Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, said Russian doctors would have struggled to diagnose Novichok poisoning so soon into Navalny's treatment course. "Confirmatory testing... takes time with complex analytic techniques. This is a nuanced process and I think it may have been premature to suspect this," he said. Part of the problem is that there are many different versions of Novichok - most are still secret - so the exact chemical structure of the chemical agent in question might not be immediately known outside a few highly secret chemical warfare laboratories, Chai said. Sabaev said he and his colleagues were ready to share the results of 60 tests in digital form. In the 2018 British case of the poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, traces of Novichok were found far and wide. One policeman got sick, and a woman, Dawn Sturgess, died after becoming contaminated. Sabaev noted there were no signs that the Russian doctors who had treated Navalny had poisoning symptoms. "Everyone is alive and well," he said. (Additional reporting by Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Guy Faulconbridge in London; Maria Tsvetkova, Gleb Stolyarov and Rinat Sagdiev in Moscow Writing by Andrew Osborn Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 By Zeyni Jafarov Trend: The transactions worth 994.5 million manats ($585 million) were carried out through the payment portal of the Azerbaijani government from January through August 2020, Trend reports citing the data from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA). These funds cover a total of 32 financial institutions, in which 20.2 million transactions were carried out. The lowest volume of transactions was observed in the Baku branch of the National Bank of Pakistan. The number of transactions reached 16.3 million manats ($9.6 million). The highest indicator was observed in Azerpost LLC. In this organization, the number of transactions through the government's payment portal was estimated at 348.4 million manats ($204.9 million). The results of the activity of five financial institutions from January through August 2020 were announced by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan: Transactions via payment portal of the government # Name of financial institution Sum of transactions in manat Number of transactions 1 Baku branch of the National Bank of Pakistan 16.3 million ($9.6 million) 675 2 Gunay Bank 67.8 million ($39.9 million) 71,061 3 Kapital Bank 128.3 million ($75.5 million) 1,358,289 4 AFB Bank 249.5 million ($146.8 million) 262,861 5 Azerpost LLC 348.4 million ($204.9 million) 15,826,276 (1 USD = 1.7 AZN on Sept. 7) ---- Follow the author on Twitter: @jafarov_zeyni - Fans are scared Erica might get another strike from Big Brother - The Head of House abandoned her lounge to go and sleep on her lover, Kiddwaya's bed - Erica already has two strikes from Biggie and a third means disqualification from the reality show PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! Where your heart finds peace and rest of mind should be called home, this is exactly what Erica has displayed as she left the Head of House's lounge to be with Kiddwaya. The BBNaija couple has continued to churn out contents with their relationship in the house. Popularly called Kidderica, the two housemates have shown that they cannot do without each other in the house. As the head of house, Erica, alongside her deputy, Prince, are expected to sleep in the HoH's lounge specially set aside for whoever emerges as head of Biggie's house for the week. Many of their fans are scared if this could earn Erica another strike from Biggie. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported earlier that Big Brother punished Kiddwaya, Tolanibaj, and Erica for flouting the Head of House lounge rules during the week. Legit.ng notes that this came after Biggie's return to the house after his six-day vacation. BBNaija Erica abandons Head of House lounge to sleep on Kiddwaya's bed. Photo: Instagram/_BBNaija Source: Instagram The Big Brother Naija Lockdown housemates were issued strike on Sunday, August 23, when Biggie arrived. Ozo was also issued a strike for flouting the no-whispering rule, an offence Erica also got a strike for. As it stands, Erica has two strikes and will be disqualified if she is given the third one. Kiddwaya, Tolanibaj, and Ozo have a strike each and two more strikes will see to their disqualification from the reality show. When Biggie arrived from his vacation, he assembled the housemate in the lounge and gave his verdicts to the guilty ones. It was also reported that the BBNaija Lockdown lovers, Erica and Kiddwaya, recently had a chat about their relationship and whether his wealthy background played a part in the way she feels about him. In response to this, Erica pointed out that she was with him for him and not for what he has. Kiddwaya who appeared convinced added that they got into a relationship without her knowing about his background. Kiddwaya went on to state that he didn't want to talk about himself and claimed that even the gist about him going to Lagos from Abuja in a private jet came from Nengi who said an artist told her. PAY ATTENTION: Do you have news to share? Contact Legit.ng instantly BBNaija: My boyfriend was not happy with my romance with Eric - Lilo | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng With all of the talk about hazard pay in the news, everyone seems to have forgotten about the municipalities and the numerous essential workers who have worked throughout this crisis doing the same job as state workers. It seems Gov. Henry McMaster has turned a blind eye to law enforcement, fire and rescue employees, grocery store workers, etc., that live in one of the 269 municipalities throughout the state. Many of these agencies worked alongside state employees to assist during the pandemic, yet for some reason that's not good enough for them to qualify for hazard pay. My husband is one such worker, and he has worked longed hours and is always on call even when his shift has ended. It's time the municipalities step up and demand what they deserve. It's like a slap in the face to all of these workers who have poured their heart and soul into their work to be told they don't qualify. The message they hear is that they are expendable and not worthy of recognition. Advertisement Suellen de Souza could no longer endure the confinement. After six months of precautions, the Brazilian nursing technician decided that Sunday would be her first day at the beach since the pandemic began. 'This week it was very hot ... the truth is I really wanted to come' to the beach, said the 21-year-old at Rio de Janeiro's Ipanema beach, which is technically still closed to sun-bathers though few respect the prohibition and authorities seldom enforce it. Under a burning midday sun, she had difficulty finding an empty space in the sand as thousands crowded the famed beach, which was dotted with hundreds of umbrellas and families sunning themselves. Beach-goers were packed close together with few wearing face masks. With tentative signs the coronavirus pandemic is easing, Brazilians exhausted with quarantine measures and social distancing are increasingly relaxing precautions and flooding beaches as if the pandemic were over. They are being urged to do so - and violate the recommendations of health experts - by President Jair Bolsonaro, who has resisted many lockdown measures and pressed for a return to normal life from the beginning, famously calling the novel coronavirus a 'little flu.' Brazilians were packed onto the beaches this weekend, taking advantage of a long holiday to indulge in normal life despite the COVID-19 pandemic Brazilians exhausted with quarantine measures and social distancing are increasingly relaxing precautions and flooding beaches as if the pandemic were over People take a shower at Ipanema beach, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 'It is like a rain that is going to reach you,' Bolsonaro said of the virus on July 7, the day he confirmed his own infection from which he has since recovered. In Rio, recommendations by health experts to remain isolated are being challenged even by people like Souza, a nursing technician who worked in a field hospital for coronavirus patients. 'The coronavirus is being controlled a little more, that gave me security to go out,' she said. The same scenario is playing out in Sao Paulo, Brazil's worst-hit state with more than 855,000 confirmed infections and 31,000 deaths. Thousands of residents took advantage of the long weekend to travel to the coast. An aerial view of people enjoying the weather at Ipanema Beach on September 6, 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Another aerial view of Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where residents and tourists disrespected the rules of the city and occupied the sands of the beaches A municipal decree cleared beach vendors and permitted bathing in the sea. However, the use of chairs and tents on the sand is still prohibited Under a burning midday sun, beach goers had difficulty finding an empty space in the sand as thousands crowded the famed beach, which was dotted with hundreds of umbrellas and families sunning themselves Sunbathers spend a sunny day, without keeping the social distance to prevent the spread of coronavirus, at the Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 September Beach-goers were packed close together with few wearing face masks With tentative signs the coronavirus pandemic is easing, Brazilians exhausted with quarantine measures and social distancing are increasingly relaxing precautions and flooding beaches as if the pandemic were over With more than 4,100,000 confirmed infections and 126,000 deaths from the virus, Brazil has the second highest totals in both figures behind only the United States 'If you stay indoors for a long time, you will go crazy. I was like that. The moment I found out the beach was open, I decided to come,' said Josy Santos, a 26-year-old teacher who spent the day in Guaruja, a seaside resort an hour from Sao Paulo. With more than 4,100,000 confirmed infections and 126,000 deaths from the virus, Brazil has the second highest totals in both figures behind only the United States. In recent weeks, Latin America's largest country has left a new case number plateau that had dragged on from almost three months and started seeing a reduction in the number of new confirmed cases. But with an average of 820 deaths per day, its numbers are still considered high by health experts. Patricia Canto, a pulmonologist at Brazils premier biomedical research and development lab, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, or Fiocruz, warned that if Brazilians are negligent the country could see a repeat of what happened in Europe, especially Spain, where second waves of new cases were seen. People enjoy the Ipanema beach amid the coronavirus pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil More than 6 months after the start of the pandemic, Brazilians seem increasingly relaxed about taking precautions to fight the virus' spread. Some attribute this to Bolsonario's denial rhetoric People enjoy the Ipanema beach amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Sept.6, 2020. Brazilians are packing the beaches and bars this weekend, taking advantage of a long holiday to indulge in normal life even as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) 'Spain controlled the pandemic, but there were new outbreaks when many young people were negligent during the summer,' Canto said. If Brazil's 'population is not conscientious and continues to frequent beaches and bars without precautions, it might mirror this.' Geraldo Tadeu, political scientist and coordinator of the Center for Studies and Research on Democracy, said the lack of coordination among levels of government in the COVID-19 fight demoralized many Brazilians. 'After six months, no one can stand to stay indoors seeing how there are no clear guidelines for fighting the virus,' said Tadeu. 'As there is no serious policy, the population is exhausted. People head out to the streets when they see that others are not complying and the effort of staying home is no longer worth it.' More than 6 months after the start of the pandemic, Brazilians seem increasingly relaxed about taking precautions to fight the virus' spread. Some attribute this to Bolsonario's denial rhetoric. Souza said many do not believe in taking precautions because 'Bolsonaro did not believe in the disease ... He did not set an example.' But Sao Paulo Gov. Joao Doria, who clashed with Bolsonaro over quarantine measures, does not think this is necessarily the case. The congestion and vehicle flow on Sao Paulos highways this weekend exceeded that seen during Carnival in February. 'We see the same problem (of full beaches) in Spain, the United States and England, which do not see these speeches against social distancing,' Doria told The Associated Press. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ramped up pressure on the Victorian government to act more quickly to trace new coronavirus cases, urging it to embrace the approach in NSW to lift its performance against the pandemic. Mr Morrison warned of a national cost for the state outbreak and named NSW measures as the best standard in contact tracing, piling pressure on Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Prime Minister Scott Morrison Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Worried the Victorian systems were still paper-based as recently as last month, federal officials are urging the state government to replicate the NSW system in order to drive down case numbers. The Morrison government believes the NSW system has an advantage in the way the public health unit in each local health district conducts the initial calls to those infected, arranging interviews within hours. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 14:12:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- China will hold a meeting Tuesday to commend role models from the country's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. It is proper, necessary and timely to hold such an event to honor the heroes on all fronts of the people's anti-virus war, draw inspiration and boost the national morale to march forward in the face of new challenges. The Chinese people have demonstrated to the world their solidarity, the highest degree of discipline, self-sacrifice and an unconquerable will to win during the fight against the virus. There was a time when COVID-19 struck with unprecedented scale and ferocity, and at the same time, China's prevention and control measures were met with doubt, ridicule, accusations of human rights violations and even racist attacks from certain Western politicians. Yet rising above these smears, the country has set a noble example by putting people's lives first no matter the cost. Tuesday's event will neither be a joyous celebration, as the sacrifice has been great, nor an ending to the anti-virus fight, as threats from imported cases or new outbreaks remain. Rather, the event will mark a new beginning of a long and arduous journey to counter the economic and social fallout from the epidemic, improve the public health system and fix governance shortcomings to strive for a better life for the people. In a broader sense, China must face up to more difficulties and obstacles ahead on its path to realizing the dream of national rejuvenation. While China must focus on the daunting task of reform, development and maintaining stability, it has to tackle external threats to its core interests, interference in its internal affairs, and the comprehensive campaign launched by some U.S. politicians to contain China's development and alter the country's course of development. These politicians, motivated by selfish political gains, are even attacking China's governance system with the aim of driving a wedge between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people. Their attempts are doomed to fail, as the leadership of the CPC and the inseparable link between the Party and the people have only been strengthened amid the battle against the virus and the recovery of work and production. Despite challenges, China will rely on the great strength of the people to move forward. The country will also continue to cooperate with the international community to get over this difficult period. In this closely connected international community, there cannot be isolated victories over the virus. True victory will be total and shared by all. The prevention and control measures taken by China may not be directly transferrable to other countries, given their different conditions and social systems. However, solidarity, the courage to face challenges and the strong will to win can transcend national and ethnic boundaries. Heroes must be remembered, and their sacrifices will not have been made in vain. Tuesday's occasion will be a clarion for Chinese society to march toward the future with greater confidence and new vigor. Enditem The causes of the deaths are multiple and include, for instance, airstrikes, but also the Covid-19 pandemic, Zaman al-Wasl reports At least 17 members of Bashar al-Assads armed forces originating from the coastal region have died of either Coronavirus or airstrikes in August, pro-regime accounts said. The death toll includes eight officers, of whom four were generals. Activists said, for instance, Maj. Gen Adib Jabbour was killed during an Israeli airstrike on the 61st Brigade in southern Daraa province. More than 220,000 regime forces have been killed since the armed conflict began nine years ago. 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. Imperial Valley News Center United States Seizes Domain Names Used by Foreign Terrorist Organization Washington, DC - The United States has seized Aletejahtv.com and Aletejahtv.org, two websites, which were unlawfully utilized by Kataib Hizballah, a Specially Designated National and a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Once again we see designated foreign terrorist organizations turning to the internet to push their message and recruit followers for their violent causes, said John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. We will continue to fight terror recruitment and propaganda efforts in the digital world, as we do elsewhere. Our system of commerce and our infrastructure, whether physical or electronic, is to be used by lawfully, said U.S. Attorney Byung J. BJay Pak for the Northern District of Georgia. We will not allow groups that have been rightfully prohibited from obtaining goods and services in the United States to use our internet services especially to further their terrorist agenda. This seizure underscores national collaboration and a commitment to protecting our commerce and infrastructure. The District of Arizona is home to many successful technology companies whose goods and services are capable of being used by individuals across the world, said U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey for the District of Arizona. We will not allow members of terrorist organizations to illegally use those goods and services to further their propaganda and agenda. The National Security of the United States is, and will always be, the top priority for the Bureau of Industry and Securitys Office of Export Enforcement. Attempts to surreptitiously utilize U.S. based online networks and services to promote Iran backed terrorist propaganda will immediately be disrupted, disabled, and seized, said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Non-exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce. The Bureau of Industry and Security is committed to ensuring the stability of the Iraqi government and protecting our troops and Allied Forces against terrorist acts of violence On July 2, 2009, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury designated Kataib Hizballah, an Iran-backed terrorist group active in Iraq, as a Specially Designated National for committing, directing, supporting, and posing a significant risk of committing acts of violence against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. On the same day, the U.S. Department of State designated Kataib Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for committing or posing a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism. Aletejahtv.com and Aletejahtv.org, acted as Kataib Hizballahs media arm and published internet communications such as videos, articles, and photographs. These communications included numerous articles designed to further Kataib Hizballahs agenda, particularly destabilizing Iraq and recruiting others to join their cause. They also functioned as a live online television broadcast channel, Al-etejah TV. Portions of the communications expressly noted that they were published by Kataib Hizballah. Federal law prohibits designated entities like Kataib Hizballah from obtaining or utilizing goods or services, including website and domain services, in the United States without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Aletejahtv.com and Aletejahtv.org are domain names that are owned and operated by a United States company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kataib Hizballah did not obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control prior to utilizing the domain names. On August 31, 2020, pursuant to a seizure warrant, the United States seized Aletejahtv.com and Aletejahtv.org. Visitors to the site received the following message: This seizure was investigated by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Northern District of Georgia, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of Arizona, and trial lawyers from the Department of Justice National Security Division prosecuted the seizure. Half of US Christians say sex is sometimes, always OK in dating relationship Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Half of Christians say sex between consenting adults who are in a committed dating relationship is sometimes or always acceptable, and over half with the exception of evangelical Protestants say casual sex is OK, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. Some 62% of Catholics, 56% of Protestants in the historically black tradition, 54% of mainline Protestants, and 36% of evangelical Protestants say casual sex between consenting adults is sometimes or always acceptable, according to the survey. Among those who are religiously unaffiliated, as many as 84% say casual sex is sometimes or always acceptable, Pew adds. And the percentage increases to 94% among atheists and 95% among agnostics. Pew clarifies that the survey did not ask respondents if they themselves would engage in any of these practices. Instead, the questions asked if they found the practices acceptable regardless of whether you would do it yourself. The study notes that the gap between Christians and the unaffiliated is not very big when it comes to sex between unmarried adults who are in a committed relationship. Fifty-seven percent of Christians say its sometimes or always acceptable. That includes 67% of mainline Protestants, 64% of Catholics, 57% of Protestants in the historically black tradition, and 46% of evangelical Protestants. In comparison, nearly 80% of religiously unaffiliated Americans say sex between unmarried adults in a committed relationship is sometimes or always acceptable. However, Americans, in general, do not tend to accept a range of other sex and dating practices, for example, having sex on a first date, exchanging sexually explicit photographs with other consenting adults, and having an open relationship. Evangelical Protestants are significantly less likely than most other Christian groups in this analysis to find these practices acceptable, Pew notes. Just over a third of Christians say its sometimes or always acceptable. Church attendance has a bearing on peoples views on what they find acceptable, the survey adds. For example, a little less than half (46%) of U.S. adults who attend services at least once a month say sex between unmarried adults in a committed relationship is sometimes or always acceptable, compared with three-quarters (74%) of those who go less often. And about one-third (35%) of those who go to religious services at least monthly say casual sex is sometimes or always acceptable, compared with three-quarters (75%) of those who attend less frequently, the study points out. In a column for The Christian Post this week, CPs Executive Editor Dr. Richard D. Land addressed the embrace of sexual lifestyles condemned in Holy Scripture, focusing on biblical responses to its incidence. We should never let another Christians moral or theological failures shake our own personal Christian faith, he said, adding that we should forgive regardless of whether they repent or not or they request it or not. When the person confesses their sins and repents, then they should be welcomed back into the fellowship, Land, former president of the Southern Baptists Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said, cautioning, that restoration to fellowship with the Body of Christ does not mean automatic elevation to the previous or a new position of leadership. Statement on the inclusion of additional issues in the agenda of the regular shareholders' meeting of Joint Stock Company "Olainfarm" on September 22, 2020 at 10.00 The board of Joint Stock Company "Olainfarm", hereinafter - the Company, (joint registration No. 40003007246, legal address: 5, Rupnicu Street, Olaine, LV-2114) announces that on September 22, 2020, at 10:00, following additional issues are included in the agenda of the regular shareholders' meeting: "Amendments to the statutes of Joint Stock Company "Olainfarm""; "Internal audit"; "Recall of the council and election of the new council"; "Withdrawal of the Audit Committee and election of a new Audit committee". An additional issue is included at the request of the shareholder of the Joint Stock Company "Olainfarm" Nika Saveljeva, who represents 7.79% of the share capital of the Joint Stock Company "Olainfarm", using the rights specified in the second paragraph of Section 274 of Commercial Law of the Republic of Latvia. Olaine, September 7, 2020 Board of Joint Stock Company "Olainfarm" Additional information: Janis Dubrovskis Investor Relations Advisor of JSC Olainfarm Ph.: +371 29178878 janis.dubrovskis@olainfarm.com Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg on Friday blasted President Trump's reported 2018 comments about veterans who died in WWI. Fox News Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, on Friday, criticized President Donald Trump's reported comments about American soldiers who died during World War I. The Atlantic on Thursday reported that during a 2018 trip to France, the president who avoided the draft during the Vietnam War five times called fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers." "This president has been disrespecting the military from the day that he let some sucker in his view go in his place to serve in Vietnam because he didn't want to," Buttiegig said during an appearance on Fox News on Friday. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Pete Buttigieg, the former candidate for president and mayor of South Bend, Indiana, blasted President Donald Trump on Friday over his recently reported remarks about American soldiers who died in combat. On Thursday, The Atlantic reported that President Donald Trump in 2018 described American Marines who lost their lives during a World War I battle as "suckers" and "losers" in canceling a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris that November. He also reportedly canceled the trip due to his fears that inclement weather would disturb his hair, according to The Atlantic. The White House and several people connected to it have since denied the accuracy of The Atlantic report, though Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin said in a Twitter thread she was able to confirm some of The Atlantic's reporting, which was based on reports from sources it granted anonymity. In response, Trump called on the cable news network to fire Griffin. Other outlets, including The Associated Press and The Washington Post, also reported the comments first published by The Atlantic on Thursday. As Business Insider reported noted, Trump has had a noted history of making disparaging comments about US veterans most notably, the late 2012 GOP presidential candidate and Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was held as a prisoner of war by North Vietnamese forces for more than five years during the Vietnam War. Story continues On Twitter, Trump denied ever calling McCain a loser, despite a video of him calling him doing so during a 2015 event. Buttigieg said Friday he wasn't buying the president's denials. "I mean, look, the president today lied on Twitter about never calling John McCain a loser," said Buttigieg, who served as a US Navy Reserve officer from 2009 to 2017, which included a seven-month tour as a counterintelligence officer in Afghanistan. "Now, he's asking us to believe that, OK, he's lying about that today, because we can check and see the footage, but he's not lying about the other stuff?" Buttigieg, who dropped out of the Democratic Party's primary race in March, added. He continued: "He must think we're all suckers, and the amazing thing to me is how little respect he has for the intelligence of his own supporters." According to a previous Business Insider report, President Donald Trump avoided the military draft five times during the Vietnam war four times for being enrolled and college and once for having bone spurs. "This president has been disrespecting the military from the day that he let some sucker in his view go in his place to serve in Vietnam because he didn't want to," Buttigieg said. Read the original article on Business Insider September 07 : Rhea Chakraborty and her family have been facing the unprecedented media trial ever since the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput. The case is being investigated by CBI but the actress is being targeted, as if a witch hunt going against her. After pictures of Rhea surfaced the internet yesterday, where she has been mobbed be the media before entering the NCB office for investigation, many bollywood celebrities have come forward to speak in support of the actress. 'Mirzapur' actor Divyenndu Sharma wrote, "Shameful Media of this country!! He also shared, "News Channel pe dekha...Breaking News: 'Riya ko kaun bacha Riya hai..." Slow clap.. actually should be slow clap. #sensitive journalism" Director Hansal Mehta wrote, "There is clear evidence of harrassment, lynching and heckling by the media. Should these vultures get away qwith this behaviour? Shouldn'y they be arrested for their horrible behaviour? Let these people who take vicarious pleasure in somebody's misery spend time in detainment" Rohit Bose Roy also expressed his anger via Twitter. He shared, Sad state of affairs... journalism- RIP Yesterday, during Rhea's visit to NCB office for questioning in the drugs case linked to Sushant's death, many appalling images of her came out where she was mobbed by the media. Pictures of her struggling to make her way were viral all over the internet. As a result, today, proper arrangements were made by the Mumbai Police to ensure the actress reached the NCB office without facing any media. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery Compared to preceding generations, millennials are influential in the emergence of new technologies, new experiences and new travel styles, according to a report from Outbox Consulting, which specialises in tourism and hospitality in Vietnam. The frequency of using mobile phones for seeking travel information of Vietnamese millennial travelers. Photo Outbox Consulting The report Mobile Device Usage Habits of Vietnamese Millennial Travelers in Their Travels conducted a survey of 246 Vietnamese millennials (26-35 years old). Millennials (the generation with birth years from 1981 to 1996) often set travel trends. Not only do mobile devices play an indispensable part during trips but the frequency of use of mobile phones to seek travel information is also very high. Around 72.3 per cent of millennial travellers said that they find it comfortable to use mobile phones throughout their travel journey, from looking for ideas and booking services to planning detailed itineraries for their trips. However, up to 13.8 per cent of Vietnamese millennial travellers surveyed stated that they still find it inconvenient to use mobile devices to look for information, book services or make travel plans. Vietnamese millennial travellers use mobile devices most commonly for taking photographs, checking in and sharing information about destinations, and looking for different places and tourist attractions at the destination. When searching for information as well as carrying out tasks like booking services or making payments, Vietnamese millennials favour using website platforms with higher reliability and more connecting functions over application platforms. More than 42 per cent use mobile phones regularly as a tool to seek ideas and information related to destinations and travel activities, and 22.8 per cent often use them besides other information searching tools. Around 44.4 per cent of those who surveyed said that social media, particularly Facebook, provides a great way to learn about new travel experiences. In addition, YouTube (24.4 per cent), with the explosion of travel vlog channels and travel bloggers with growing diversity and significant influence, has also become a channel for travel inspiration and ideas. Vietnamese millennials prefer using websites to search for information and mobile data to access the Internet at the destination. The need for continuous connection and updates at the destination is also a distinctive characteristic of Vietnamese millennial travellers. Considering this generations increasing purchasing power along with their habit of using mobile devices in travel activities, destination marketing organisations as well as travel service providers should take into account speed, mobile optimization, and application development trends. Travel agencies need to consider how to apply technologies such as voice technology, computer technology and predictive analytics to engross business travellers and leisure travellers. VNS Vietnamese travel agents not fully exploit online tourism potential According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourisms statistics, domestic online tourism trading floors have just carried out 20 percent of service on the Internet while the remaining have been done by foreign floors. The US presidential election is upon us. Most readers would agree that this will be the most important poll in the history of American democracy244 years old by one measure, but only 55 years old by a more accurate one. I refer here to the fact that America was not a complete democracy until 1965, when then President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, which finally gave African-Americans the unfettered right to vote. I cant help but think back with a chuckle to when globalization pundits were talking about Indias increased economic association with the US, pushed largely by offshoring, as being the meeting of the worlds largest democracy with the worlds oldest". Evidently lost on them was the fact that African-Americans were not given the right to vote until well into the 1960s, almost 20 years after India became a full democracy. Such comparisons between the American and Indian democratic traditions usually made it to the presentations of Indian information technology services firms that were trying to win offshore outsourcing business contracts after the turn of the century. The dotcom bust of 2000 caused many jobs held by Indian programmers living in the US on H1-B visas to disappear, but a concurrent massive boom in fibre-optic digital cable links serendipitously created a glut of telecom bandwidth and allowed American firms to send work offshore to India, where most of those H1-B programmers had returned. I used to argue that the US decibel level on issues of immigration and trade barriers displayed a four-year cycle of peaks and valleys, cresting right before an election, after which the deafening roar would peter out to just a distant rumble. After an election is decided, I would argue, the country tends to go back to business as usual and H1 visas get issued in much the same numbers. Protectionism and harangues over immigration are now no longer just election-year rhetoric. The world began changing inexorably in 2016. A backlash from an uneasy Caucasian populace in countries such as Britain and America has created a new world order that one needs to accept and adjust to. While globalization and trade are far from dead, they have been knocked into a different playing field, where the rules are different and the players tend to play rougher. While I am apolitical, at least in public, I cant help but observe with interest the US political process itself, and note how this process has been affected in so many ways by the use, misuse and timing of data driven" announcements on both sides". Never has a US election campaign been smudged with as much invective as the current one. Mutual hatred between the Democratic and Republican parties seems to be the only constant theme, and constructive election debate on issues affecting both America and its sphere of global influence has been pushed to the fringes. The run up to this election is unique, and data scientists as well as almost all polling organizations, which failed in 2016 at predicting both Brexit and the US presidential election outcome, would do well to approach the mugs game of making predictions much more gingerly this time. For a predictive algorithm, all you need to reflect the mood of the 300-plus million US population is a representative sample of about 380. However, poll organizations use sample sizes of around 1,000 for most of their polls in an attempt to ensure a lower margin of error, and conduct these polls on a regular basis during election season. The spectre of an October surprise", which has turned many a past election on its head, looms much larger this year than ever before. In 2016, it was the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reopening a probe of candidate Hillary Clintons personal email server. The case was reopened two weeks before the 2016 ballot, and FBI director James Comey revealed just two days before the election that the FBI had determined Clinton should not be prosecuted, just as his agency had already determined in July that year. Yet, that single event arguably cost Clinton the White House. But this year, a number of surprises lurk before election day on 3 November. It has been over a hundred years since a pandemic played a role in a US election, and there is simply no data on which to base an empirical analysis of how pandemics may favour a challenger over an incumbent. Second, while the stock market has been sizzling, the economy has clearly not, and the cost in terms of job losses is staggering. No one really knows how these economic indicators influence an election when they are in such stark contrast to one another. Third, the US has been roiled by protests and hard crackdowns that are more reminiscent of the ones seen in China 30 years ago than anything the US has itself witnessed since the civil rights uprisings of the 1960s. And, last but not least, fierce battles rage over whether Americans can exercise their right to vote during the pandemic by posting in their ballots, rather than risk infection by going to possibly-crowded ballot booths. What might fans of algorithms and big data have to say? If we have truly crossed the chasm of being able to understand how data functions and how it can lead businesses or election campaigns to make good decisions, we should not be where we are. Given all the so-called intelligent data algorithms that have been written about over the last few years, a reliable prediction should have emerged some time ago. But here we are, still completely clueless. Siddharth Pai is founder of Siana Capital, a venture fund management company focused on deep science and tech in India Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan has said the government will have to expand its resources in every way possible, spending as cleverly as possible to bring the economy back to pre-pandemic GDP levels. Rajan, in his LinkedIn post published on Sunday, stated that the Centre has "to take every action that can move the economy forward without additional spending." He further added that the government's strategy to conserve resources today for a possible future stimulus is "self-defeating". Also Read: India's GDP data 'alarming', says ex-RBI governor Raghuram Rajan "If you think of the economy as a patient, relief is the sustenance the patient needs while on the sickbed and fighting the disease," he said. Rajan added that the belief that the government cannot spend on both relief and stimulus is too pessimistic, highlighting the need to expand resources and spend cleverly. He further opined that India could borrow more by setting future debt reduction targets through legislation and committing to honest and transparent fiscal numbers under an independent watchdog fiscal council. He expressed that public sector firms should be prepared for on-tap share sales to make use of periods of market buoyancy as the "current period of market buoyancy already looks like a missed opportunity." Also Read: Lockdown not enough to contain coronavirus in India: Raghuram Rajan Suggesting to prioritise government spending, which should be an equally key task, Rajan suggested the following: 1. Replenish MGNREGA, which is a is a tried and tested means of providing rural relief and should be replenished as needed. 2. Given the length of the pandemic, provide more direct cash transfers to the poorest households, especially in urban areas. 3. Government and public sector firms must quickly clear payables so that liquidity moves to corporations. 4. Rebates could be given on corporate income tax and GST paid by small firms last year. 5. Resources should be set aside to recapitalise public sector banks. 6. Private sector should also be urged to give a helping hand. The government should urge cash-rich platforms like Amazon, Reliance, and Walmart to reduce receivables and pay small suppliers on time. With the RBI provided loan moratorium now over, Rajan suggested the Centre should devise a well thought out plan to address the coming financial distress. He proposed:- 1. A variety of structures should be in place to help debtors and claimants reach agreements to restructure obligations. 2. A number of arbitration forums should be set up to renegotiate claims of various sizes. 3. Civil courts, debt recovery tribunals, and the NCLTs should be beefed up to provide rapid back-up judgments. Rajan highlighted that since reforms can be a form of stimulus, "temporary half-baked reforms, such as the recent suspension of labor protections in number of states, will do little to enthuse industry or workers, and give reforms a bad name." He ended his post by emphasising that each of these measures will be needed to ensure that the Indian economy returns to strong growth, which is necessary to "not just to satisfy the aspirations of our youth but to keep our unfriendly neighbors at bay." Imperial Valley News Center Three Former Caregivers Sentenced on Civil Rights and Obstruction Charges Related to Death of Disabled Resident Kansas City, Missouri - Three former caregivers in Fulton, Missouri, have been sentenced for their roles in the death of a disabled resident at Second Chance Homes, an organization that provided housing and care for developmentally disabled persons through a Missouri Department of Mental Health initiative. On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes sentenced Sherry Paulo to 210 months of imprisonment. Wednesday, Judge Wimes sentenced Anthony Flores to 188 months of imprisonment and Anthony R. K. Flores (R.K. Flores) to three years of probation. On Nov. 22, 2019, Sherry Paulo, 55, and Anthony Flores, 60, each pleaded guilty in federal court in the Western District of Missouri to one count of willfully failing to provide necessary medical care to victim C.D., resulting in injury to and the death of C.D. Paulo also pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud arising from her efforts to hide C.D.s death. On February 12, 2020, R.K. Flores pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly falsifying a document with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence a federal investigation related to the death of C.D. Our caregivers have a moral as well as legal obligation to treat those they are entrusted to care for with respect and protect them from abuse, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. In this free country, it is the solemn duty of government to protect all persons, including those who are most vulnerable, from criminal acts that result in the horror that occurred in this case. No one should be confined and left to die in a small, dark basement and then hidden in a trash can filled with cement. The department of Justice will ensure that those who commit acts like these and violate the civil rights of others see justice under the law. These defendants violated their legal and moral obligation to provide medical care to a person with developmentally disabilities, who was dependent upon them, then attempted to cover up their crime beneath layers of deceit and literal concrete, said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison of the Western District of Missouri. Besides substandard care and dismal living conditions, they refused to seek medical treatment for their victim as his health deteriorated. Today the justice system is holding them accountable for their roles in his tragic death. These sentencings are the culmination of the unwavering commitment to seeking justice for those most vulnerable in our society, said Timothy R. Langan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Kansas City, Missouri. The defendants in this case not only failed to provide care for the victim, but took steps to conceal their abuse while continuing to profit from their actions. The FBI remains committed to seeking justice for victims and insuring those responsible are held accountable. These former caregivers committed horrendous crimes against a patient with a developmental disability, while raiding vital Medicaid funds to prop up their alibis, said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure such criminals are brought to justice. According to court documents filed in connection with the sentencings, Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores worked as caregivers at Second Chance Homes. Victim C.D., who was significantly developmentally disabled and entirely dependent upon his caretakers, had been a resident at Second Chance Homes (SCH) since 2008. Paulo was assigned to care for C.D. in the months leading up to C.D.s death. In their guilty pleas, Flores and Paulo admitted that, beginning in 2014, they observed C.D.s weight decline and his health deteriorate. However, Paulo stopped following C.D.s prescribed health regimen and stopped taking C.D. to his doctors appointments. Paulo and Flores observed C.D. become underweight and pale, struggle to eat, and appear to have less energy. As C.D.s health deteriorated, Paulo occasionally took C.D. out of his designated SCH residence and put him in the basement of the home she shared with Flores. The basement was small and dark without access to sunlight or running water. Although Paulo and Flores witnessed C.D.s health continue to decline while in her basement, they did not take C.D. to get necessary medical treatment because they did not want Paulo to be blamed for C.D.s malnutrition and ill health. In approximately September 2016, C.D. suffered an acute medical emergency while in the basement room of Paulo and Floress home. Despite observing C.D.s physical distress and obvious medical need, Paulo and Flores chose not to seek medical care for C.D. C.D. died in their home while Paulo and Flores watched. Before his death in or about September 2016, C.D. last saw a doctor in December 2015. In their plea agreements, Paulo and Flores admitted that, after C.D.s death, Paulo placed C.D.s body in a trashcan. Paulo and Flores put the trashcan in a wooden crate that they filled with cement. Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores then placed the crate in Paulos storage unit. In the months that followed, Paulo took extensive measures to cover up C.D.s death. She instructed another SCH resident to lie in C.D.s bed to convince officials that C.D. was still present at SCH; repeatedly used C.D.s Electronic Benefits Card; asked an SCH employee to falsely present another SCH resident as C.D. at a doctors appointment and get a prescription in C.D.s name; and falsified numerous official records related to C.D. In particular, Paulo admitted that after C.D. died, she submitted, or caused to be submitted, false Medicaid claims for services purportedly rendered to C.D. when, as Paulo knew, C.D. was deceased. The amount wrongfully paid by Medicaid, between approximately September 2016 and April 2017, was $106,795. It was not until April 2017 that the defendants admitted C.D. was no longer at SCH. Paulo reported C.D. missing to the Fulton, Missouri Police Department on April 17, 2017. When interviewed by the police, Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores falsely stated that they had seen C.D. on April 16, 2017. In truth, none of the defendants had seen C.D. in months; Paulo and Flores further knew that C.D. had died. Defendants Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores did not admit their wrongdoing until a week later, when the Fulton Police Department discovered C.D.s body. This case was investigated by the Jefferson City Resident Agency of the FBI Kansas City Division and the St. Louis Field Office of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General Kansas City Region. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cindi Woolery and Gregg Coonrod of the U.S. Attorneys Office, and Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer and Trial Attorney Janea Lamar of the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section. The Fulton, Missouri Police Department and Callaway County Prosecutor Christopher Wilson contributed significantly to the investigation and prosecution of this matter. A U.S. Army Ranger has been chosen to receive the Medal of Honor for rescuing 75 hostages during deployment in Iraq in 2015. The soldier will receive the prestigious award in a ceremony at the White House on Sept. 11the 19th anniversary of the 2001 World Trade Center attacks. President Trump will present Sgt. Maj. Thomas Patrick Payne, 36, with his award in person. Sergeant Paynes extraordinary heroism and selfless actions were key to liberating 75 hostages during a contested rescue mission, the White House announced in a statement on Sept. 3, adding that the Ranger knowingly risked his own life for the sake of others. Payne, a Ranger with the Armys Special Operations Command, helped recover the hostages from imminent execution by Islamic State militants, a U.S. Army news release stated. In a predawn raid on Oct. 22, 2015, a task force, cooperating with Kurdish commandos, was flown in via CH-47 Chinook helicopter to the northern Iraqi town of Huwija. Intel from Kurdish Regional Government officials warned of a planned massacre of dozens of prisoners, including Kurdish peshmerga soldiers. Time was of the essence, Payne recalled of the rescue. There were freshly dug graves. If we didnt action this raid, then the hostages were likely to be executed. The task force met with gunfire and suicide vest detonations from ISIS fighters but manged to climb over the walls of the prison where the hostages were believed to be held. They used bolt cutters to free 40 hostages from one prison house before encountering more heavy gunfire at a second house, heavily fortified and partially on fire, according to Payne. U.S. Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler was killed during the attack along with 20 enemy fighters. After a brief reprieve on the roof of the second prison house, ISIS militants detonated suicide vests, destabilizing the structure. Payne and an Iraqi partner headed to the second locked compound with cutters but had to retreat due to heavy smoke. It was Payne who ventured back inside after recovering in the fresh air, releasing 30 more hostages. The Ranger, according to a news release, went back inside the crumbling building two more times to check for anyone left behind. One hostage, too terrified to follow the group, had to be assisted out before the building collapsed. We had to use speed to our advantage, said Payne. The Ranger, a married father of three from South Carolina, joined the Army in 2002 as an infantryman. Driven by a strong sense of duty to serve, according to his Army bio, Payne quickly advanced into the 75th Ranger Regiment, and he now serves with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Medal of Honor, Paynes most prestigious award to receive, is not his first accolade. He earned a Purple Heart after sustaining an injury in Afghanistan in 2010 and won the Armys Best Ranger competition two years later alongside his comrade, Master Sgt. Kevin Foutz. Mastering the basics, thats going to get you through everything, Payne told WTVM upon receiving the elite Ranger title. Its a strong brotherhood, added Foutz. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc Nearly two months after the alleged gangrape of a private school staffer, the Karnal superintendent of police (SP) has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Karnal Range, to transfer the case to another district. The development has raised serious questions as the woman complainant, who accused the school owner and a senior official of the revenue department of raping her, was also arrested for allegedly taking Rs 7.25 lakh to withdraw her complaint. She recently availed bail and presented some audio recordings, accusing the son of Nilokheri MLA of helping the police to frame her in the case. As per the letter, SP Surinder Singh Bhoria said the cases were already under the investigation and two SITs have been formed for the same. But these cases are being highlighted in the social media to a great extent and unnecessarily, district police are being dragged in the controversy by both the parties, he said. Many audio recordings are being used in the media, but these were never produced before the SIT during the course of investigation by the complainant, read the letters. It is requested to ensure the impartial image and working of the police and in the interest of justice that this case be transferred to some other district, the SP mentioned in the letter. Karnal IGP Bharti Arora confirmed that she has got a letter from the SP and decision to transfer the case will be taken on Monday. It is pertinent to mention here that on the complaint of the woman on July 7, the police had booked the owner of a private school, a revenue official and the woman principal of the school under sections 376D, 506, 323 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for the crime committed in 2018. The school management accused the woman of extortion and blackmailing for a hike in salary, leading to the registration of an FIR against the woman. Two SITs were constituted to investigate these cases. On August 22, the woman was arrested for taking Rs 7.25 lakh to settle the case. Now, the woman has presented recordings of her telephonic conversation with Nilokheri MLAs son, accusing him of persuading her to settle the case. However, the MLAs son has refuted the allegation. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 7 : After recording the highest single-day spike of over 3,000 Covid cases on Sunday, Kerala on Monday reported a dip in the daily tally with 1,648 new cases. The reason for this striking contrast can be attributed to the fact that only 20,215 samples were tested on Monday as against Sunday's 40,000 plus. State Health Minister K.K. Shailaja said in a statement on Monday that at present, there are 22,066 active cases in kerala, while 67,001 persons have been cured of the disease. "On Monday, 2,246 persons have been cured. The state also reported 12 deaths, taking the overall death toll to 359. Across the state, 2,00,651 people are under observation, of which 18,130 are in hospitals. There are 575 hotspots in the state presently," said Shailaja. On Sunday, Finance Minister Thomas Issac became the first state minister to test positive and according to the health officials, his fever has come down on Monday and he is under treatment at the Medical College hospital here. Consequent to Issac turning Covid positive, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Shailaja have gone into self-isolation, the second time after the pandemic struck. The Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday has also been postponed to next week. Royal Dutch Shell plc RDS.A recently inked a deal with Hungary whereby it will supply 250 million cubic metres of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually for six years to the country. The gas will be delivered through an LNG terminal on the island of Krk in Croatia. The terminal is planned to commence operations in the next few months. This is the first time that Hungary entered into a long-term gas supply pact with a Western energy company. As a bold attempt in the countrys energy diversification, the country will obtain 10% of its gas supply from the West. By and large, Hungary has been dependent on Russia for its gas supply and has never been in any long-standing supply agreement with any gas seller except Russias Gazprom. Gazprom Export signed four long-term contracts with the Hungarian gas importer Panrusgas for a total of 4.2 billion cubic meters per year. Of the four, two contracts ended last year while the remaining two are scheduled to conclude next year. Notably, Hungary settled on a 6.2-billion cubic metre pact with Gazprom and is intended to have a flexible long-term agreement with the company. About Shell Headquartered in the Netherlands, Shell is one of the largest integrated energy companies and is engaged in production, refining, distribution and marketing of oil and natural gas. The company has been an offshore pioneer in the Gulf of Mexico for more than 40 years and achieved some remarkable technological milestones in the design, construction and operation of world-class oil and gas producing assets. At present, the company operates nine deep water production hubs, several subsea production systems and one of the largest contracted drilling rig fleets in the gulf region. Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks Shell currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other top-ranked players in the same space include Murphy USA Inc. MUSA, CNOOC Limited CEO and SilverBow Resources Inc. SBOW, each presently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Story continues Just Released: Zacks 7 Best Stocks for Today Experts extracted 7 stocks from the list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys that has beaten the market more than 2X over with a stunning average gain of +24.3% per year. These 7 were selected because of their superior potential for immediate breakout. See these time-sensitive tickers now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CNOOC Limited (CEO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A) : Free Stock Analysis Report Murphy USA Inc. (MUSA) : Free Stock Analysis Report SilverBow Resources Inc. (SBOW) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 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. NORWALK Protesters are calling for customers to boycott a longtime South Norwalk pizzeria over an apparent incident involving a Black Lives Matter shirt. Dajuan Wiggins told News 12 Connecticut he recently went into Famous Pizza House wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt and was told by an employee he should wear an all lives matter shirt the next time he comes in. The apparent incident drew protesters Sunday outside the Washington Street pizzeria, which opened in Norwalk in 1966, who echoed sentiments that have been posted on social media, including that the restaurant is frequently patronized by the Black community. Hearing your position on BLM is so upsetting, Shantele Coram-Burse wrote in a comment on the restaurant's Facebook page. My girls and I have been eating there for the last 20 years, maybe more. I actually drove from Yonkers (N.Y.) to Famous about a week ago because I wanted your pizza. That wont happen again! Your restaurant would be NOTHING without the Black community!!! Others flooded the comments with Black Lives Matter images. Norwalk resident Kimberly Mill Feldman said her family has eaten at the restaurant for years, but would not return until there is a public apology. While hours for the pizzeria indicate it is normally open at 11 a.m. on Mondays, phone calls to the restaurant were not answered. Elias Christakos, who is listed as the owner of the pizzeria, said he plans to release a statement in an emailed response to a request for comment through the restaurants website. News12 Connecticut reported that a sign on the door of the eatery states it will be closed for Labor Day weekend. As a loving husband and father-of-two headed off for a morning surf, Simon Wilson had no idea he was set to become a dad again. He would never find out. The last time Simon was seen was when he was pulled out of the water off Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast. Amid her grief at her husband's still-unexplained death on August 6, his wife Lisa took a home pregnancy test the next day. 'I had suspected I was pregnant but didn't want to take the test too soon. But after what happened, I just had to know,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Simon Wilson (pictured with wife Lisa) drowned on August 6 while surfing at Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast Mr Wilson (pictured with daughter Ava, son Finn and wife Lisa) had gone surfing alone before he drowned at the popular beach in Queensland Mr Wilson with his daughter Ava, who often ask why her father is dead - but her mum has no answer to give her The test was positive, and so were two more she took just to be sure. A visit to the doctor four days later confirmed the bittersweet news. Mr Wilson, 44, was already a devoted father to Ava, 8, and Finn, 4, whom his wife promised will make sure he's not forgotten. 'My kids will definitely keep that memory alive for their new sibling. They will know who their dad was and how much he loved all us,' she said. 'Simon was kind, generous and always willing to help out. He was a wonderful friend and work colleague. He was one of those people that everyone liked. 'He always took time out to teach the kids things and just play with them. Whatever they wanted to do. 'He used to like treating them with little dates individually or together. He worked hard to provide for us and wanted to give us nice things and take us on adventures.' 'My kids will definitely keep that memory alive for their new sibling. They will know who their dad was and how much he loved all us,' Lisa said Finn barely knew his father, just for four short years, before he was suddenly ripped from their lives Ava was a keen surfer like her dad, having joined the Broadbeach nippers Lisa said she was devastated by the very thought of Mr Wilson not being at the birth of his child in April 2021. 'He loved our kids so, so much, he would have been excited at hearing the news just as he was with our first two,' she said. Also agonising was not knowing how and why he died, even after a post-mortem examination, blood tests, and a CT scan. 'I refuse to believe he just drowned due to the conditions, his knowledge of the water and the fact that he never panicked,' she said. 'My daughter keeps asking if we know yet how he died. That's hard to hear when we can't give her any answers.' Queensland Ambulance at the time said it was believed Mr Wilson had a medical episode while on the surf, but what it was is unknown. Lisa said she felt barely present in the world since that day and the family couldn't bring themselves to live in their half-renovated house. Lisa said she refused to believe Mr Wilson drowned due to the conditions, his knowledge of the water and the fact that he never panicked The 44-year-old was pulled ashore by lifeguards and received 15 minutes of CPR but was unable to be saved (pictured paramedics and lifeguards at the scene on August 6) The financial impact was also massive, with Lisa left with three children, a huge mortgage, and renovations still to pay for - and the breadwinner gone. 'The thought of having to do my job and his is overwhelming. He did a lot, I don't think I realised how much until he was gone,' she said. On that front at least, strangers have come to the rescue after close family friend Kate McFall started a fundraiser that has $42,000 in donations. 'Our own hearts break for these two soon to be three - beautiful children, and Lisa who is now on her own to raise her babies without her soulmate,' she wrote. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:48:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani military said on Monday that five terrorists including a commander were killed in the country's northwest tribal district of North Waziristan. An army statement said that the wanted terrorist commander Waseem Zikriya was killed along with four others during an intelligence-based operation of the security forces in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan that borders Afghanistan. The statement from the army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that 10 other terrorists were arrested. According to the army, the commander who belonged to the Haider Khel area of Mir Ali was wanted as he had been the mastermind in 30 different terrorist acts since 2019. The terrorist commander was directly involved in target-killings, attacks on security forces and the killing of a government officer in the area. Pakistani military had conducted a series of operations against terrorist groups in North Waziristan. Although the area has mostly been pacified, remnants of the terrorist groups still manage to launch attacks on the security forces sporadically. A military official said on Monday that two Pakistani soldiers were critically wounded after a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire at a vehicle of security forces in North Waziristan. Enditem Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the re-opening of $500 dependent stimulus payment registration for parents who did not receive the aid. The IRS previously announced that they would be sending out around 50,000 stimulus checks for those who missed the $500 dependent stimulus payment for their children. This time, the IRS announced that the registration for the payment is now open. The $500 dependent stimulus payment is part of the financial aid under the CARES Act Pres. Trump approved in March. This is a relief aid that is intended for eligible American families where their child can receive $500 as financial support. The registration is open for parents across the country who did not receive $500 dependent stimulus payments. Some of them already received Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement, or veteran's benefits but not yet the dependent stimulus payments. The CARES Act that Pres. Trump signed int law allowed the qualified individuals to receive $1,200 per person who made $75,000 or less based on the recent Tax Return they filed in the IRS. That also includes an amount of $500 for dependent whose age is below 17. However, many still did not receive the dependent payments six months after the CARES Act was made into law. Many of them are also worried that they will still experience the same fate once the next stimulus bill is approved this month. The IRS said that recipients could get the federal benefit by filing using the non-filers tool and providing the IRS information. Those who did not file their 2018 or 2019 tax return are urged to file immediately. Take note also that the registration is only until Sept.30. Meanwhile, if ever that parents cannot register for the $500 dependent stimulus payment, they will need to wait until next year and claim the payment as a credit on their 2020 federal income tax return. The IRS also advised that those who cannot access the non-filers tool can also file a simplified paper return. Those who received their other benefits through direct deposit will also receive the dependent stimulus payment in the same way. Meanwhile, other recipients will receive it through checks. However, the fastest way to receive the payment is by updating the bank information in the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service also said that those who used the non-filers tool after May 5 do not have to do anything because the IRS will automatically send the payment in October. Make sure also to visit the IRS website for the progress and development of dependent stimulus payment distribution. This is just one of the many financial programs that Trump's administration offered to the Americans who are facing the economic devastation of the global pandemic. Most of them are those who were laid-off from their jobs and were furloughed. Despite this, Trump's administration is trying to do their best and pushing for the second round of the stimulus bill to avoid government operation shut down that will hamper Americans' needs. The Senate is set to discuss the new bill on Sept.8, Tuesday, while Congress will deliberate it next week. Check these out! Police records showed the man who shot and killed his two teenage children in a domestic assault in Sydneys northern suburbs had been violent towards or stalked four prior domestic partners and one of his other children. In 2010, John Edwards was refused a gun licence due to a prior AVO, the coronial inquest into the deaths heard on Monday. John Edwards shot dead his children Jennifer and Jack before taking his own life. But despite a long history of stalking and assault charges registered on the central police system known as the COPS database, Edwards was able to successfully apply in 2017 for a Commissioners Permit to undergo gun safety training at Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai gun clubs. On July 5, 2018, Edwards gunned down his two children, Jack and Jennifer, who, with their mother Olga, had fled their fathers violent control to live in a rental property in West Pennant Hills. Indian government officials say that as testing increases, so too will cases. They point out that India fares well compared to some countries on measures of mortality from the coronavirus. India has recorded about 50 deaths per million people due to covid-19, far lower than in either Brazil or the United States, where the same figure is more than 500. New Delhi: CBI has registered a FIR in a case of 8.5 kg of gold worth over Rs 2 crore going missing from the customs vaults at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Sources in the agency said a case has been registered against unknown officials under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust besides provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act. Also Read: DRI Chennai seize 8.7 kg gold worth Rs 2.44 Cr smuggled from Sri Lanka at Mandapam; 1 arrested A complaint was received from the Customs department saying it found during a joint stock-taking exercise with DRI and CBI teams that the gold was removed and replaced with non- precious metals in 10 packets, they said. The sources said a total of 8.5 kg of precious metal was allegedly found missing from the customs vault. Authorities ordered the CBI probe after it surfaced that gold seized from smugglers mysteriously disappeared from customs vaults at IGI Airport. There have been many cases of gold, both in form of bullion and jewellery, going missing in the last over Four years from the customs warehouse. In all these cases, it was replaced with non-precious yellow-coloured metal, official sources said. The cases of disappearance of gold had earlier been reported to Delhi Police. As the pilferage continued, The Finance Ministry decided to recommend a CBI probe following approval of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the sources said. The vigilance wing of the Finance Ministry is also looking into the suspected role of customs officials, the sources said. Earlier, Delhi customs in reply to an RTI query had said over 23 kg of gold worth more than Rs 6 crore had gone missing from its warehouse. In June last year, the customs officials had lodged a FIR in connection with the disappearance of 11 kg of old worth Rs 2.92 crore from its vault. The gold was seized in five incidents from passengers at the international airport. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. On Tuesday, September 8, at 13:30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "International Investors VS Ukraine's Ecology. Lawsuit Filed in Ukraine Against Actions of International Giant in Manufacture and Sale of Furniture Components, as well as Provision of Production Services." Participants include representative of the public organization "EKO Rivnenshyna" Alla Losik; MP of the Verkhovna Rada of the seventh and eighth convocations, former head of the State Ecological Inspection of Ukraine Yeghor Firsov; lawyer, partner of Ario Law Firm, MP of the Verkhovna Rada of the eighth convocation Ruslan Sydorovych; lawyer, adviser to Ario Law Firm Serhiy Derkach; resident of Horodok village, ATO veteran Andriy Ovsiychuk. The press conference will be broadcast on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine (8/5a Reitarska Street). Press accreditation by phone: (050) 454 1141 (Anastasia). Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. London's FTSE 100 bounced from a near four-month low on Monday as the pound weakened on growing prospects of the UK leaving the European Union without a trade agreement, while Primark-owner Associated British Foods jumped on issuing a strong forecast. The export-heavy FTSE 100 was up 0.9%, after ending Friday with its biggest two-day slide in nearly a month following a tech-led plunge on Wall Street, while the domestically-focussed FTSE 250 rose for the first time in three sessions, up 1%. Britain has set a deadline of Oct. 15 to strike a free-trade deal with the EU, and if none is agreed both sides should "accept that and move on," Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say on Monday. "The probability of a deal seems to be reducing with state aid the surprising current sticking point," said Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid. "This has certainly raised the stakes at a fraught time in talks. The UK seems to be briefing hard in the media that they are quite prepared to walk away from talks if no progress is made." UK stock markets have rallied since crashing to multi-year lows in March, propelled by historic global stimulus, but they have lagged their European and U.S. peers with the domestic economy on course for its worst recession in three centuries. Data on Monday showed British house prices hit a record high in August, adding to signs of a post-lockdown boom in the country's housing market. Shares of homebuilders jumped 1.4%. In company news, Associated British Foods rose 1.5% after saying trading in its latest quarter exceeded expectations, while AstraZeneca Plc gained 1.6% as Australia said it expected to receive its first batches of a potential COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the drugmaker in January. Trading volumes are expected to remain muted on Monday with U.S. equity markets closed for a local holiday. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie BANGALORE, India, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Propylene glycol is a synthetic organic compound. It can be made from petroleum products as well as bio-based and has characteristics such as exceptional stability, high flash and boiling point, low vapor pressure, and large solvency. The global Propylene Glycol market size is projected to reach USD 7166.7 Million by 2026, from USD 4566.8 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 7.8% during 2021-2026. Because of these characteristics, it has found a variety of industrial applications for craft goods such as unsaturated polyester resin, coolants and antifreeze, hydraulic and brake fluid, aircraft deicing fluid, and paints and coatings. This study focuses on the volume and value of Propylene Glycol at the global, regional, and enterprise levels. This study reflects the overall market size of Propylene Glycol from a global perspective by evaluating historical data and prospects. This study focuses on North America, Europe, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and the Indian region. Get Detailed Analysis of COVID-19 Impact on Propylene Glycol Market: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Othe-1L344/Propylene_Glycol_Market TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GLOBAL PROPYLENE GLYCOL MARKET SIZE Deicing and anti-icing fluids perform a critical operation during harsh winter conditions to provide clean, uninterrupted, and timely air travel. Federal Aviation Administration "Clean Aircraft Rule" outlaws takeoff with ice accumulation on an airplane's critical surfaces. Thus replacing ethylene glycol with propylene glycol as the base fluid for formulations for aircraft deicing is expected to increase the Propylene Glycol Market size. Also, the accumulated amount of spatial exploration agendas combined with the need for high-quality antifreeze & coolant are expected to drive the propylene glycol market size. The growing demand for propylene glycol in the food processing and pharmaceutical industries is further expected to fuel the Propylene Glycol Market size. The use of propylene glycol in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs), which are heavily consumed in the construction, transport, and marine sectors, will also propel the propylene's growth glycol market size over the forecast period. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-1L344/propylene-glycol PROPYLENE GLYCOL MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS Bio-based propylene glycol is predicted to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This rapid growth of bio-based propylene glycol is attributed to the environmentally friendly production methods, decreased reliance on petrochemical feedstock, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to hold the largest Propylene Glycol market share (about 32%) during the forecast period. This dominance is attributed to the growth of the Indian and Chinese automotive, manufacturing, F&B, and pharmaceutical sectors. North America is expected to hold a significant propylene glycol market share due to the growth of industrial production and increased trade activities. Inquire for Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Othe-1L344/Propylene_Glycol_Market PROPYLENE GLYCOL MARKET SEGMENTATION By Type Petroleum Propylene Glycol Bio-Based Propylene Glycol. By Application: Transportation Building & Construction. Key Players: The Key manufacturers that are operating in the global Propylene Glycol market are: ADM BASF DOW Global Bio-Chem Technology Lyondellbasell Huntsman SKC Shell Temix International Ineos Oxide AGC Adeka Manali Petrochemicals Qingdao Shida Chemical Tongling Jintai Chemical Industrial Dongying Hi-Tech Spring Chemical Industrial Shandong Depu Chemical Industry Science and Technology Chaoyang Chemicals Oleon Golden Dyechem Haike Chemical Helm Oxyde Belgium Arrow Chemical TRI Chemicals. Buy Now for Single User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Othe-1L344&lic=single-user Buy Now for Enterprise License: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Othe-1L344&lic=enterprise-license SIMILAR REPORTS : 1,2-Propylene Glycol Market Report In 2019, the global 1,2-Propylene Glycol market size was USD 3332.2 Million, and it is expected to reach USD 3968.7 Million by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of 2.5% during 2021-2026. The Unsaturated polyester resins segment is expected to hold the largest 1,2-Propylene Glycol Market share (about 41.10%) during the forecast period. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-5S331/global-1-2-propylene-glycol Petroleum-based Propylene Glycol Market Report The increase of Petroleum-based Propylene Glycol in the transportation and construction industry is expected to drive the Petroleum-based Propylene Glycol Market size. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-1W347/petroleum-based-propylene-glycol Biobased Propylene Glycol Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-4Z1850/global-biobased-propylene-glycol 1,3-Propylene Glycol Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-4G302/1-3-propylene-glycol High Purity Propylene Glycol Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-4C303/high-purity-propylene-glycol Pharmaceutical Grade Propylene Glycol Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-3K312/pharmaceutical-grade-propylene-glycol Mono Propylene Glycol Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-17V1529/global-mono-propylene-glycol ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. 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CONTACT US: Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp : +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Linkedin - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports SOURCE Valuates Reports Full refund shall be provided by airlines immediately for tickets booked during the COVID-19 lockdown for domestic or international travel within the lockdown period, civil aviation regulator DGCA has proposed in the Supreme Court. For all other cases, the airlines shall make all endeavors to refund the collected amount to the passenger within 15 days, the Director General of Civil Aviation said in an affidavit filed in the top court. If the tickets have been booked during the first lockdown period, that is March 25, to April 14, 2020 for the journeys to be undertaken in both first and second lockdown period that is from March 25 to May 3, 2020, in all such cases, full refund shall be given by the airlines immediately (this is being mandated vide MoCA's OM dated April 16, 2020 as the airlines were not supposed to book such tickets), it said. The DGCA said that after various rounds of deliberations between the stakeholders including the airlines, they have arrived at a proposed workable solution keeping in view the interests of both passengers as well as companies. On June 12, the top court, while hearing a PIL filed by NGO 'Pravasi Legal Cell', had asked the Centre, the DGCA and the airlines to discuss and work out modalities for full refund of tickets for domestic and international flights which were cancelled following the COVID-19 lockdown. Also read: COVID-19 impact: Vistara institutes three days LWP for pilots in Sept The aviation regulator in its affidavit said that if airlines are not able to refund the amount on account of financial distress, they shall provide a credit shell equal to the amount of fare collected and this shall be issued in the name of the passenger who has booked the ticket for domestic travel directly or through an agent including online platforms. It said the passenger shall be able to consume the credit shell up to March 31, 2021 on any route of his choice and If the passenger wants to buy a ticket of value more than the credit shell, then he can use cash to top it up. If he wants to buy a ticket of value less than the credit shell, he/she can do so and the balance amount of credit shell shall be available to him/her, it said, adding, there shall be an incentive mechanism to compensate the passenger if there is a delay in consuming the credit shell. It said, From the date of cancellation of ticket up to June 30, 2020 the value of credit shell shall be enhanced by 0.5 per cent of the face value (the amount of fare collected) for every month or part thereof between the date of cancellation and June 30, 2020. Thereafter, the value of credit shell shall be enhanced by 0.75 per cent of the face value per month, up to March 2021. The regulator also proposed the credit shell shall be transferable and to any person, and the airlines shall honour such a transfer. The airlines shall devise a mechanism to facilitate such a transfer, it said, adding that by the end of March, 2021, the Airlines shall refund cash to the holder of the credit shell. Also read: International passenger flights suspended till Sept 30; Vande Bharat mission, 'air bubble' planes to operate The DGCA said that the airlines shall also refund the full amount in case of travellers who have since expired to the account of the passenger or to his representative. Similarly, a proposal was made by the DGCA for refund of tickets for passengers who have booked tickets for international travel through Indian carrier or foreign carrier during the lockdown period. The aviation regulator said the existing legal regime which is governed by Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) recognises the rights of air passengers to seek refund of their air tickets. It further said that during the lockdown travel restrictions, some passengers reported that airlines have booked tickets during lockdown and are not refunding the fares. It is submitted that to address this peculiar situation, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) issued an Order dated April 16, 2020 providing for refund of fares of those tickets which were booked during the lockdown period, that is from March 25, to April 14, for the journeys to be undertaken in both first and second lockdown that is from March 25 to May 3, 2020, the DGCA said. Referring to the discussions held by representatives of the airline companies, the DGCA said that they have submitted that on account of cancelation of flights/complete suspension of operation due to COVID-19 pandemic situation, the airlines have run out of liquidity or are facing an acute liquidity crisis. Also read: Cap on flights shields SpiceJet, GoAir; delays recovery The regulator said, considering the concerns highlighted by the airlines, any enforcement action initiated by the DGCA, for violation of provisions of CARs, can result in reduction/suspension of approved schedule of the airline which are already operating to their limited capacity. On June 12, the top court had asked the Centre to take a stand on the issue and work out ways for full refund. The plea by NGO had urged the court to declare the alleged action of airlines of not refunding the entire value of cancelled air tickets as violative of civil aviation requirement issued by the authority. Better thank your lucky stars youre living in Texas, because two of its cities have just been ranked on the Forbes list for The Best Places to Retire in 2020. According to Forbes, San Antonio and Dallas are among in the top 25 places to enjoy your golden years. INTENSE MOMENTS: Storm chasers capture Laura's landfall In making its selections, Forbes took the approach of analyzing which cities "offer a high quality of life at an affordable price." What's particularly key when looking at this year's list is how the pandemic has given seniors a new set of challenges to consider. "The pandemic could influence retirement location decisions in other ways, too, which fortuitously largely align with how we've traditionally approached our list," Forbes contributor William Barrett wrote. "For example, some Boomers who haven't financially suffered may need their savings to stretch further as they help out millennial kids who have take a hit." Note: Forbes' list delineates top cities in alphabetical order, so there's not a ranking of No. 1 or No. 2. Forbes commended San Antonio for these top qualities: Good air quality Low cost of living Bike-friendly atmosphere Median home price of $188,000, 34 percent below the national median Low risk for climate change Lack of state income and inheritance tax Adequate number of doctors per capita The drawbacks to San Antonio as a retirement spot include its shortage of walkable areas and its rate of serious crimes, which is above the national average. Dallas was praised for these attractive qualities for a retirement spot, according to Forbes: Adequate number of physicians per capita Relatively low cost of living Vibrant culture scene Median home price of $219,000, 21 percent below the national median Lack of state income and inheritance tax Good climate Good air quality Low risk of climate change Very bikeable, somewhat walkable High ranking on Milken list of best cities for successful aging. The only drawback for living in Dallas in your golden years is the serious crime rate, which is above national average. As Forbes prepared this year's list, they made certain selective adjustments in light of the of coronavirus concerns. While college towns had typically been top mentions on this list, now they are not highlighted for 2020. "In a nod to the continuing impact of COVID, this year's list is lighter than its predecessors on smallish college towns," Barrett stated. "We worry that the educational and cultural opportunities that had made them so appealing will be slow to return." The other consideration that is specific to this year is the proximity to quality medical care. "Another timely metric we've long considered is the availability of medical care, using doctors per capita as proxy," Barrett said. "Plus, we look at whether a city encourages a healthy and active lifestyle with good air quality, convenience for walking and biking and low serious." Yes, our beloved Houston didn't make the list. We're still in a quandary about that. But there's always next year. Secretary General of the Cambodian National Assembly Leng Peng Long (Source: VNA) Hanoi Secretary General of the Cambodian National Assembly Leng Peng Long has appreciated Vietnams initiative to put the discussion of the establishment of a young parliamentary committee on the agenda of the upcoming 41st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly. In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Cambodia on September 4 on the threshold of the event slated for September 8-10, Leng Peng Long stressed the necessity for parliaments to issue policies dedicated to youths so as to create favourable conditions for them to get engaged in the national development cause. He highly valued the hosts idea to continue discussions on the COVID-19 pandemic during this event. According to him, although ASEAN organised two meetings to seek measures in response to the pandemic, including this content in the AIPA 41 agenda is still urgent as all Southeast Asia countries have been hit hard, but yet to find out a radical solution to deal with difficulties caused by the pandemic. He suggested AIPA member parliaments to seek common solutions as AIPA is a legal mechanism of ASEAN and needs to help the bloc effectively cope with complicated developments of the disease. Regarding Cambodia-Vietnam parliamentary cooperation, Leng Peng Long affirmed that the cooperation remains close amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Cambodian NA is completing procedures to receive aid worth 25 million USD from the Vietnamese side to build its office, he stated, adding that in May, 30,000 face masks of Vietnam were sent to Cambodias NA and Senate, thus meeting the countrys urgent demand. 2020 Middle East Stevie Award winners were celebrated at a virtual awards ceremony for the first time. It was announced during the ceremony that the 2021 awards will begin accepting nominations September 15, and it will do so with a new name. The new name of the competition will be the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, to better represent the 17 nations covered in the awards. The Middle East Stevie Awards, sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is an international business awards competition open to all organizations in 17 nations in the Middle East and North Africa. The focus of the awards is recognizing innovation in all its forms. For the past 18 years the Stevie awards programs have recognized excellence in business worldwide. Each year the eight Stevie awards competitions received more than 12,000 nominations from organizations of all types and sizes in more than 70 nations. More than 500 nominations were reviewed in the Middle East Stevie Awards judging process this year by more than 90 professionals worldwide whose average scores determined the winners. On August 25 winners were celebrated at a virtual Stevie Awards ceremony which was broadcast to winners and their guests. During the awards ceremony, the Stevie Awards shared videos about the award-winning organizations followed by acceptance speeches, messages from Stevie Awards judges, sponsors, and special guests. Nashwa Al-Ruwaini gave the keynote speech to congratulate Stevie Award winners and appreciate their hard work over the past year, and especially over the past few months. Nashwa Al-Ruwaini is an Egyptian producer and media personality. She has been called the "Oprah Winfrey of the Arab World". Al-Ruwaini told Stevie winners Innovation prevails in times of crisis. The world we knew drastically changed overnight with the outbreak of COVID-19. Often in business, you need to come up with new tactics to preserve and maintain your vision. Companies, entrepreneurs, governments, and citizens have proved how capable humans are of innovating during times of crisis. It was announced during the ceremony that the 2021 awards will begin accepting nominations September 15, and it will do so with a new name. The new name of the competition will be the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, to better represent the 17 nations covered in the awards. We aimed to honor organizations and individuals across the region. This year we received more than 500 nominations, which is very impressive for our first-year event. We cant wait to see what 2021 holds for the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, said Stevie Awards President Maggie Gallagher. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. New Delhi: The Director-General of CISF, Rajesh Ranjan on Monday (September 7, 2020) visited Delhi Metro Rail and took stock of the situation and arrangements made from CISF perspective amid COVID-19 outbreak. CISF DG along-with Sudhir Kumar Saxena, ADG (HQ), Dayal Gangwar, IG (NCR), Jitender Rana, DIG, DMRC and other senior officers boarded metro from Central Secretariat and travelled to Rajiv Chowk and then to Jor Bagh metro station. During the visit, Ranjan also interacted with the CISF personnel and briefed them about the protocol to be followed amid the COVID-19 outbreak and advised to maintain minimum close proximity interaction with passengers without compromising security procedures. The DG also interacted with the commuters as the travellers appreciated the hassle-free security arrangements made by CISF. Ranjan said that the arrangements have been made to conduct contactless frisking, and appealed the passengers to carry a bare minimum handbag and metallic items on their person so that baggage screening and frisking could be done speedily and crowd formation could be avoided at the checking point. He stated that all necessary preventive measures have been adopted to safeguard the force personnel from COVID-19. The visit comes post the resumption of the metro rail services across India after more than five months of COVID-19 halt. The metro rails will operate under strict COVID-19 guidelines and it has been made mandatory for people to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones. Metro authorities in cities like Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai Line-1, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Maha Metro (Nagpur), Kolkata, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have prepared their standard operating procedures following centre's guidelines, while Maharashtra being the worst-coronavirus-hit state, will reportedly not resume metro operation this month. That the school system made it through the first week with a degree of success was due to the herculean efforts of teachers and school staff members, according to more than a dozen interviews with parents and teachers. They delivered computers and hotspots to students homes if parents couldnt pick them up. They determined which special education students may need Play-Doh for a more tactile experience and delivered that to homes, too. They spent their evenings tracking down hard-to-reach families on social media, through friends and home visits, filling in when the school systems communication failed to reach parents. (HealthDay)Visiting your dentist during the coronavirus pandemic poses little risk, an expert says. Dentists have taken measures to protect patients, but some people are still reluctant to get dental care, said Dr. Cecile Feldman, dean of Rutgers University's School of Dental Medicine in New Jersey. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines for re-opening in June, the American Dentistry Association encourages regular dental visits, and the World Health Organization recommends continuing routine care except in hot spots where there is "intense, uncontrolled community transmission," Feldman noted. It's crucial for people to continue dental visits, she added. "Untreated dental disease is only going to get worse. And we know there's a link between oral health and systemic health. For example, poor periodontal health is associated with heart disease," Feldman said in a Rutgers news release. She doesn't know of any documented cases of patients being infected with the new coronavirus during a dental visit. "Especially for the past 35 years, dentists have known the importance of using PPE [personal protective equipment] and keeping their offices and dental instruments clean. In the 1980s, before the HIV/AIDS crisis, dentists didn't wear gloves, masks, surgical gowns or eye protection. With COVID, when we know more, we'll be able to determine if the extra precautions we're taking are necessary," Feldman said. She noted that in "keeping with American Dentistry Association guidelines, patients at the dental school are screened for symptoms both the night before and the day of an appointment. At the dental school, we require patients to wear face coverings when entering the building and our providers wear gowns, gloves, face shields, head covers, surgical gowns and N95 masks." Explore further Is it safe to visit the dentist during the pandemic? More information: The American Dental Association has more on The American Dental Association has more on dental visits Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. DUBLIN, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "China Animal Feed Market - Forecasts from 2020 to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The China Animal feed market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.06% over the forecast period. Concerning livestock farming, hog and sow inventory are both starting at low levels, having fallen 27% and 30% respectively from 2019's starting inventory. Due to robust restocking efforts in 2020 and fewer losses to African swine fever, the decline in herd inventory is estimated to reverse, and year-end 2020 inventories are forecast to grow by 9%. Total hogs slaughtered and pork production in 2020 is both estimated to decrease further by 24% and 20%, respectively, from the previous year. High prices will incentivize many Chinese consumers to opt for other substitute sources of proteins. Even though traditional Chinese dishes cannot substitute beef for pork, thinly sliced beef that is well renowned for hotpot will likely witness high growth in 2020. In 2019, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) implemented a three-year mission plan for stabilizing swine production and supply. One of the key principals of this plan is to set specific production targets on a per-province level. Specific targets of slaughtered hogs to be shipped out in 2020 were set for top wine-producing provinces including Henan, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Shandong while the hog production targets are also set for hog intake provinces/municipalities. Large companies are encouraged to assist small to medium swine farms resume operation. By the end of 2019, MARA had implemented a program called Large Agricultural Enterprises Lead 10,000 Households on Swine Farming to Alleviate Poverty in 16 less developed cities in provinces including Hubei and Sichuan. With an investment of RMB50 billion ($7.1 billion) by 15 large agricultural enterprises, the program is expected to add 22 million slaughtered hogs per year [Source: USDA]. Therefore, with no signs of a decrease in consumption patterns and proactive government initiatives animal feed market of China is poised for a meteoric rise to satiate the incremental consumption pattern of the Chinese consumers. Further, another aspect of the livestock farming that is poised throttle the growth of China animal feed sector is the longer lifecycle of beef production, the overall cattle inventory will remain stable and is expected to grow with government stimulus, relaxation of environmental standards, and higher profits will possibly incentivize some larger operations to invest in long-term expansion. It is also estimated that domestic beef production will increase to 7 MMT. China's cattle herd inventory will increase by 2% to 91 million in 2020. It should be noted that Sustained demand growth for beef in China has led to several years of high prices and strong profits for the Chinese beef industry. Pork shortages have in a way catapulted the beef consumption a new level and it is rising. Further, net profits for raising beef cattle were about 2,000 RMB in 2019, up more than 20% over 2018. The government has also promised to grant subsidies of RMB250, 000 to 500,000 to farms that slaughter 500 or more head of beef cattle or breed more than 50 head of cows in 2020. Environmental protection policies on livestock breeding were relaxed in 2019 to encourage increased production, accelerating ongoing expansion within the large-scale beef cattle sector [Source:USDA]. Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 1.1. Market Definition 1.2. Market Segmentation 2. Research Methodology 2.1. Research Data 2.2. Assumptions 3. Executive Summary 3.1. Research Highlights 4. Market Dynamics 4.1. Market Drivers 4.2. Market Restraints 4.3. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers 4.3.3. The threat of New Entrants 4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes 4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry 4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis 5. China Animal Feed Market, By Type 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Fodder 5.3. Forage 5.4. Compound Feed 6. China Animal Feed Market, By Livestock 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Aquatic Animals 6.3. Cattle 6.4. Poultry 6.5. Others 7. China Animal Feed Market, By Form 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Liquid 7.3. Dry 8. China Animal Feed Market, By Production Systems 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Integrated 8.3. Commercial Mills 9. China Animal Feed Market, By Source 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Organic 9.3. Conventional 10. China Animal Feed Market, By Raw Materials 10.1. Introduction 10.2. Cereals & grains 10.2.1. Wheat 10.2.2. Maize 10.2.3. Barley 10.3. Oilseeds 10.3.1. Soybean 10.3.2. Rapeseed 10.3.3. Others 10.4. Pulses 10.5. Others 11. Competitive Environment and Analysis 11.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis 11.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness 11.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations 11.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix 12. Company Profiles 12.1. East Hope Group 12.2. Alltech 12.3. New Hope Group 12.4. Cargill, Incorporated 12.5. Wen's Group 12.6. Purina Animal Nutrition (Land O'Lakes) 12.7. Weston Milling Animal Nutrition 12.8. Archer Daniels Midland 12.9. BASF SE For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lf9ruy Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Southern Africa has faced impacts of climate change for the past four years nonstop. ... I have witnessed the short-lived hope in peoples eyes these past four years when seeds are distributed or exchanged in the hope for a better yield next season, only to be disappointed by more climate disasters, she said. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal The concept of ethics in business is all about value value for colleagues, value of community, value of clients. Thats the shared message from winners of this years Ethics in Business awards. The annual awards honor individuals, businesses and nonprofits that show a devotion to ethical principles. This years winners are Frontier/Golden Pride Inc., Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers Inc., Adelante Development Center Inc., Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque, Antavius Greathouse and Kara Bobroff. The Ethics in Business Awards capture New Mexico at our most affirming and optimistic, award selection committee Chairman Todd Sandman wrote in an email. It is genuinely uplifting to learn about so many nominees who are leading with their ethics and values and leaving a lasting impact on our state. Individuals, businesses and nonprofits are nominated by their peers, evaluated by University of New Mexico students, then considered fully by a diverse selection committee, according to Sandman, who is also senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Presbyterian Healthcare Services. An awards banquet honoring winners was originally scheduled for April 23 but was postponed due to the pandemic. This years award recipients instead will be celebrated in April 2021 along with the 2021 recipients. Sponsors of the program are Wells Fargo Bank; Bank of Albuquerque; CliftonLarsonAllen; French Funerals and Cremations; Kirtland Federal Credit Union; PNM Resources; Admiral Beverage Co.; UNM Anderson School of Management, UNM Health Sciences; Glass-Rite; Merrill Lynch, The Humphrey Group; New Mexico Gas Co.; New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and Sunny 505. The Albuquerque Journal is a media sponsor of the event, which is managed by CNM. Frontier/Golden Pride Inc. Larry and Dorothy Rainosek have seen their share of highs and lows over the years. The husband-and-wife team who co-founded Frontier Restaurant and Golden Pride are facing the same challenges as many other restaurants across the country today. While the Rainoseks four Golden Pride restaurants are doing well better, even, than before the pandemic the University of New Mexico-adjacent Frontier has taken a major hit. Its really been a difficult, difficult time with the pandemic, and then not being able to open was the worst, Dorothy said. People werent accustomed to Frontier being to-go. But those factors dont sway on the principle the Rainoseks have operated under for decades: that when a community is good to you, youre good back. And despite everything in recent months, Albuquerque has been good to them. Dorothy said she saw that community support when Frontier reopened with sidewalk seating. People were excited that we were open, she said. And Im glad. The Rainoseks companies have jointly received this years Rust Award for Excellence in Ethical Business Practice by a Medium-Sized For-Profit Business. We feel that if everyone were to treat one another ethically what a fabulous world this would be, Dorothy said. It would be a utopia. Its one reason the Rainoseks have tried to do right by local charitable causes. According to the nomination for their award, that includes support for UNM, a number of education- and art-related nonprofits, and their own church. The Rainoseks said theyre happy to support projects that do good in the community. When they were approached by Geraldine Forbes Isais of UNMs School of Architecture and Planning about the effort to launch whats now the Indigenous Design & Planning Institute, the Rainoseks said, they were excited about the program, which they felt was an important one, and made a major contribution. Were happy to say the program is flourishing, Dorothy said. Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers Inc. If the leaders of Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers werent totally convinced they had the right approach to workplace wellness, theyre sure now. The Albuquerque-based structural engineering firm which is the recipient of this years Rust Award for Excellence in Ethical Business Practice by a Small-Sized For-Profit Business takes a three-tier approach to workplace wellness, offering tools to support its 34 employees physical, financial and emotional health. Company president and CEO Chris Youngblood said hes seen that robust commitment to holistic health pay off during the near-unprecedented stress of the pandemic. Its prepared our staff for the trying times that were going through now, he said. Weve set ourselves up for success. Much of Chavez-Grieves wellness programming has been able to continue even with staff working remotely. The companys regular sponsored adventure outings which range from fishing and mountain biking to participation in the famously grueling Tough Mudder race are on hold, but its gym membership reimbursements carry over to home-based fitness subscriptions like Peloton memberships. Access to a personal financial planner and other financial resources have moved online. The mindfulness classes Chavez-Grieves rolled out more recently are available online now. And the companys counseling services which it always made available are being put to good use, Youngblood said. We dont get access to who calls, he said. But we get reports on the numbers, and those numbers are up. While the next-level wellness programs arent the same when theyre not in person, Youngblood said the company has focused on a message of consistency and persistence this year. Leaders at the firm whose work locally has included the new Isotopes Park and the Pit renovation at UNM say their approach to workplace wellness stems from the companys purpose statement. We start by recognizing that our people, without exception, are our most valuable resource, Youngblood said. Adelante Development Center Inc. Adelante Development Center President and CEO Mike Kivitz can no longer give a good elevator pitch that describes his organizations work. Thats because in the more than four decades since its founding, Adelante has expanded the scope of its work to the point that it just cant be described briefly anymore. We used to be able to give a good elevator speech and say we serve people with intellectual disabilities, Kivitz said. Today, Adelante serves people with all sorts of disabilities, in all corners of the state. It has a residential program, and, before the pandemic, ran a day program. It runs a meal-delivery program to seniors in Dona Ana County and Back in Use, an Albuquerque nonprofit resource that takes in donated medical equipment, including wheelchairs and walkers and gives them away to those in need. The list goes on. Jill Beets, Adelantes vice president of marketing and communications, estimates the organization impacts the lives of about 81,000 people a year, ranging from those in residential programs down to people who perhaps receive a few meals on a temporary basis. Weve gone above and beyond our mission in a lot of ways, she said. Adelante received this years Hopkins Award for Excellence in Ethical Practice by a Large-Sized Non-Profit Organization. Beets said over Adelantes many years, it has tried to always provide value to communities. That means working hard to avoid stepping on toes offering partnership rather than competition to other nonprofits with overlapping purposes. With involvement in so many projects, Kivitz said Adelante has never lost sight of its aims: offering resources to the community and elevating the lives of the people it serves. We want people to see that the people we support are of value to the community, he said. Beets said that mission is even more crucial during the now monthslong pandemic. Its really important that we all sort of get through this situation together, she said. Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque may have a staff of just 18, but between that team and an army of volunteers about 550 at the moment, according to Executive Director Shauna Frost the nonprofit has an outsized impact through its work of providing home-delivered meals to about 600 New Mexicans every day. Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque is this years recipient of the Hopkins Award for Excellence in Ethical Practice by a Small-Sized Non-Profit Organization. Frost said the organization has worked hard to mature in its nearly 50 years by avoiding complacency and embracing best practices. Were constantly questioning who we are and what voices havent we considered, said Frost, who began with the organization as a volunteer driver and has been executive director for more than six years. Weve really taken a lot of steps to bring ethics to the forefront. Even good changes arent always easy. When Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque first implemented mandatory background checks for volunteers several years ago, some long-term volunteers were taken aback. That was really tough, Frost said. It was a long road, and there were some people who definitely were not happy about it, but we got through it. Still, staffers stuck to their guns and worked hard to explain to volunteers how the new policy was best for the clients. And this year, after COVID-19 arrived in New Mexico, the team had to get even more flexible. Instead of daily hot meals, the nonprofit switched to weekly deliveries of frozen meals for a time to reduce exposure among volunteers and clients. When the organization was ready to switch back to hot meals, some clients found they preferred the frozen meals, either because they werent ready for more frequent visits, or because they liked the flexibility the frozen meals afforded them. It was a happy finding, Frost said, and today, about half the meals delivered are frozen. Frost said shes proud of her team for adapting. My team is just amazing and this pandemic has really shown that, she said. Antavius Greathouse For Antavius Greathouse, the concept that knowledge empowers is key. Its why Greathouse, a financial adviser at Legacy Financial Group, says hes doing exactly the job he wants to be doing: giving clients the tools and education they need to take control of their finances. I have the platform to serve the people Ive always wanted to try to help, said Greathouse, the recipient of this years Emerging Leader in Ethical Excellence. Greathouse, an Austin, Texas, native, said he grew up in poverty with little sense of how to manage finances. We didnt have anyone to really teach us about credit, finance, investments, he said. Greathouse got those lessons himself when he went off to college. After earning a bachelors degree in business from Texas State University, he initially took a job with Morgan Stanley. After four years, though, Greathouse decided to go out on his own into the world of advising. To me, I think the biggest way for a lot of New Mexicans to improve their situation is the more knowledge and information and guidance you can seek, it really kind of helps you get your financial household in order, he said. Today, Greathouse said his clients are widely varied: office workers, teachers, small-business owners, construction companies, tax firms and more. Its kind of a great mix, he said. After months of global financial insecurity, Greathouse said hes seeing more new faces. Everyones more concerned about their finances and their retirement and their futures, he said. Being nominated for an ethics award by a client means everything, Greathouse said. There can be a certain stigma around financial advisers, he said. (The nomination) speaks volumes to the way that I run my business. Ultimately, they have to be able to trust you. Kara Bobroff Its not easy to match pace with Kara Bobroff. The Navajo/Lakota educator who founded both the Native American Community Academy and later the NACA-Inspired Schools Network briefly served as deputy secretary of identity, equity and transformation under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams Public Education Department. According to NISN board member Ian Esquibel, who has worked with and for Bobroff in a variety of capacities for years, Bobroffs energy is nothing new. My observation when I worked with her was she was hard to keep up with because she is such a force, Esquibel said, adding he considers Bobroff one of our states strongest leaders as well as one of his own mentors. Bobroff is the recipient of this years PNM Award for Individual Excellence in Ethical Business Practice in Honor of John Ackerman. According to Esquibel, who nominated her for the award, Bobroff has used her own leadership skills to create lasting change. Kara is a visionary and a team builder, Esquibel said. Shes somebody who really values community and creates it within the organizations that she leads. Bobroff started her career as a special education teacher before founding NACA. Today, the public charter school has grown to serve students from more than 60 tribes, according to the schools site. Esquibel said Bobroffs leadership style isnt to control, but rather to encourage talent among her team and draw out participation in communities shes serving. Shes committed to developing people and leaders and young people in particular, Esquibel said. She has a lot of clarity and confidence in what shes doing. Celebrate next year Recipients of the 2020 Ethics in Business awards will be celebrated with next years recipients in April 2021. For information, go to ethicsinbusinessnm.com or email ethics@cnm.edu. She's been gearing up for the arrival of her first child, a baby boy, with her partner Sam Mucklow. And Shelby Tribble pulled out all the stops to celebrate her unborn son as she held a baby shower with her family in Plymouth on Sunday. The former TOWIE star, 27, cradled her baby bump in a chic white jumpsuit as she rang in the occasion, complete with blue balloon arches, fun-filled games and personalised cupcakes. Oh baby! Pregnant Shelby Tribble pulled out all the stops to celebrate her unborn son as she held a baby shower with her family in Plymouth on Sunday Looking every inch the yummy mummy-to-be, the former beauty pageant queen stunned in the elegant one-piece by Club L London, which featured off-shoulder straps and wide-leg trousers. The media personality and her guests appeared in great spirits as they played pin the dummy on the baby while blindfolded. Following a blue theme, the hall was decorated with elaborate balloon displays by her mother Karen's company All That Sparkles Events. Details: The former TOWIE star, 27, cradled her baby bump in a chic white jumpsuit as she rang in the occasion, complete with balloon arches, fun-filled games and personalised cupcakes Go big or go home: Following a blue theme, the hall was decorated with elaborate balloon displays by her mother Karen's company All That Sparkles Events The group indulged in a series of sweet treats, including tasty mini cakes emblazoned with her son's ultrasound snap. Taking to Instagram to thank her mum for organising the event, the model wrote: 'So much fun celebrating our baby boy yesterday. 'Thank you so much to my mummy for organising and making my baby shower so special with your incredible balloon displays @allthatsparkles_events and to everyone who came to celebrate and spoilt me rotten. Thank you so much.' (sic) Having fun: The media personality and her guests appeared in great spirits as they played pin the dummy on the baby while blindfolded How cute! The group indulged in a series of sweet treats, including tasty mini cakes emblazoned with her son's ultrasound snap Yummy mother-to-be: The former beauty pageant queen stunned in the elegant one-piece by Club L London Handsome couple Shelby and Sam have had a turbulent relationship, which was well documented on TOWIE. The duo began sleeping with each other on a 'friends with benefits' basis but things soon turned sour when Sam decided to pursue a romance with TOWIE newbie Demi Sims while on a group trip to Thailand last year. During a heated row, the fiery star called the brunette a 's**g' but months later, the pair decided to give things another go. However, they were met with opposition when Shelby's close friend Clelia Theodorou told her she had felt deserted because the influencer was spending all her time with the hunk. The former BFF's had several bitter rows, with Clelia, 25, accusing her of not being there for her when she was at her lowest point after splitting from her boyfriend, who is Sam's pal. Shelby and Sam decided to step back from TOWIE in order to focus on their romance later that year, and have been going strong ever since. US President Donald Trump, on September 6, held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Emperor Salman bin Abdulaziz wherein welcomed the kingdoms decision to open its air space to flights between Israel and UAE, spokesman Judd Dheere told media reporters. Saudi Arabia, in a statement, announced that it would now allow flights from all countries to cross its air space to reach the United Arab Emirates without mentioning its arch enemies Iran and Qatar. However, emphasising on resolving the dispute in the region, Trump urged Saudi Arabia tp to negotiate with other gulf nations. Trump welcomes G20 presidency Today, President @realDonaldTrump spoke with King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. President Trump praised Saudi Arabias G20 Presidency and welcomed the opening of Saudi air space to flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates,... Judd Deere (@JuddPDeere45) September 7, 2020 In addition, both leaders also talked about enhancing regional security and prosperity. While the Saudi emperor reasserted his commitment to achieving a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue. Trump highlighted the significance of Abraham Accords. Read: Saudi Arabia's Top Military Commander And Son Removed From Posts Read: Kushner Meets With Saudi Crown Prince In Neom President Trump also urged Saudi Arabia to negotiate with other Gulf countries to resolve the rift. President Trump emphasized the strong partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and thanked King Salman for his leadership, Deere said about the conversation. Saudi opens airspace to all Marking a historic decision, Saudi Arabia on September 2 announced that it would now allow flights from all countries to cross its air space to reach the United Arab Emirates. As per the state-controlled press agency, the move came following UAEs request to allow flights to and from the country to pass over its skies. This decision comes just after the kingdom let the first-ever Israeli commercial flight use its airspace to reach UAE directly. The decision to allow global aircraft was announced in a statement, which had mention of Saudi Arabias arch-enemies Iran or Qatar. Both, the Islamic nations are currently boycotted by the Saudi kingdom. Meanwhile, experts have opined that this remarkable decision was probably a sign to start commercial flights from Israel to the UAE, as any direct flight between the two nations would need to use Saudi airspace to be commercially viable. Read: Boris Johnson Dials Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman To Discuss Trade, Yemen Crisis Read: Saudi Arabia Allows 'all Flights' To Cross Its Airspace To Reach UAE Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:35:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Namibian Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula (R, Front) and Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming (L, Front) attend a handover ceremony of medical supplies in Windhoek, Namibia, on July 15, 2020. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua) During its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Namibia has received substantive support from the Chinese government, Namibia's health and social services minister said. WINDHOEK, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Many countries have learned from China's experience of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Namibian Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shalunga told Xinhua in a recent interview. After Namibia reported its first coronavirus case, the government quickly announced a state of emergency and a lockdown in Erongo and Khomas Regions, Shalunga said, adding those measures followed China's practice. "The response of China was hailed because it was within a reasonable period of time that they were able to bring the pandemic under control" and many countries have learned from China's experience, said the minister. During its response and efforts to contain the pandemic, Namibia has received solidarity, especially from the Chinese government, the minister added. "During our response to the epidemic, we have received substantive support from the Chinese government," he said. He added that the support includes test kits, masks, disposable protective clothing and medical equipment such as ventilators. An airport worker handles a box of medical supplies at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, capital of Namibia, April 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Musa C Kaseke) Namibia also received donations from Chinese enterprises and organizations, according to Shalunga, who said the country has benefited from the Chinese support. "Our medical doctors and Chinese doctors have been able to work together via virtual media so that the Chinese doctors can share their experience in handling COVID-19," said the minister. The Chinese doctors have shared with their counterparts in Namibia the best practices which Namibia could implement, the minister said. "Therefore we did not feel that we are fighting this (the pandemic) alone because we have the great solidarity" both within and beyond the country, he said. "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The forum has been instrumental in forging cooperation, solidarity and relationship between Africa and China, and many people and countries have benefited from this relationship," the minister said. Labor Day 2020 is on Monday, Sept. 7. The day is originally set aside to honor the contributions of the labor movement to America but has also become the unofficial end of summer. Labor Day was first celebrated, most often in the northeastern parts of the U.S. in the 1880s before being named a federal holiday in 1894. In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official public holiday. By 1894, 30 U.S. states officially celebrated Labor Day. It is marked on the first Monday in September each year. This years holiday comes amid the coronavirus pandemic and health officials are urging people to use precautions to prevent a flare up of the virus. Heres a look at whats open and whats closed for Labor Day 2019: Federal offices and courts - Closed State offices and courts - Closed County - Offices Schools - Most closed Post office - Closed. No mail service Banks - Most closed Malls - Most malls are open, stores have special sales Restaurants - Most open Stock market - Closed Libraries - Most closed Grocery stores - Most open Walmart, Target - Open. Some stores may be on shortened hours due to the coronavirus pandemic. Garbage and trash service - Most on delayed schedule; check with your local provider Liquor stores - In Alabama, all ABC stores will be closed except: Store 69, Guntersville Store 130, Orange Beach Store 132, Orange Beach Store 239, Orange Beach Store 240, Gulf Shores \ Attorney General is in self-quarantine, the was informed on Monday as the Centre sought adjournment in a matter related to filling of vacancies in tribunals. A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta was requested by Additional Solicitor General S V Raju that a short adjournment be granted in the case as the AG, who is appearing in the matter, is in self-quarantine. The bench agreed to the request by Raju, representing the Centre in the matter, and posted the matter for further hearing on September 15. According to sources, Venugopal has gone into self-quarantine after one of his staff tested COVID-19 positive. The top court is hearing a batch of petitions related to filing of vacancies in tribunals including Central Administrative Tribunal and Armed Force Tribunals. (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.) Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 28F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. New Delhi: The Pakistani Army is running two indoctrination camps built on the lines of Uyghurs re-education camps of China for Baloch fighters in a bid to control the situation in its restive southwestern province of Balochistan. Pakistan's biggest province is dealing with its local insurgency over Islamabad's strong hand as locals say the resources are being drained the region. The layout of the camps closely aligns with those run by Chinese authorities in its westernmost province of Xinjiang. The main objective of these clandestine camps is psychological, social and cultural conditioning of Baloch fighters and forcefully instil 'values' in them by "transforming them into law-abiding" citizens, as per a document seen by Zee Media on the camps stated. The document lists Pakistani studies, religious- patriotism and jihad as the key subjects at the camps and focus is to remove any remnants of Balochi nationalism. The camps run by Pakistani Army extensively use of mullahs or religious preachers especially those affiliated to Jamaat e Islami. Guests speakers are also invited to conduct guest lectures which include politicians like Mubeen Khan Khilji and Nawabzada Gohram Bugti and Jamaat e Islami's Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi. Xinjiang has been in the news as Chinese authorities try to rein in the largely Muslim local population in a forceful manner via government-backed camps. The idea of such indoctrination camps was suggested by Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa former director-general of the media wing of the Pakistani Army. He was in the eye of the storm recently as his name cropped up in shady financial dealings. He is currently the Special Assistant to Pakistani PM Imran Khan on Information and Broadcasting and also the Chairman of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Remember General Bajwa has close ties with the Chinese communist party for multiple reasons, one being CPEC. The duration of both the camps is around three months. The first batch was from December 17, 2018, to March 9, 2019, and consisted of 50 fighters, out of which five were regional commanders and 45-foot soldiers. The second batch from April 29, 2019, to July 27, 2019, had 128 fighters. The age group of most of the fighters are between 18 to 40 with most from Dera Bugti, followed by Sibi and Kohlu districts. Currently, the camps are being run by Major Gen Irfan Ahmad Malik of GOC 41 Division. He succeeded Major Gen Abid Latif Khan on October 19, 2019. Protiviti Member Firm for the Middle East Region, a global consulting firm, and Monimove, an award winning fintech solution provider, have announced a blockchain strategic alliance. It aims to empower the trade ecosystem with a fully digitised blockchain enabled platform for greater transparency reduced cost and increased investment protection. The Monimove platform lays great emphasis on promoting and empowering SMEs, in accordance with the UAEs National SME Programme, through better liquidity management, reduced disputes and increased focus on growing their business to play a larger role in the UAE economy. Our partnership with Monimove enables us to offer our UAE clients across public sector, financial institutions, capex intensive industries and diversified conglomerates, an end-to-end solution for efficient liquidity management, supply chain financing, and block chain enabled trading documentation, stated Arindam De, Managing Director, Protiviti. He added: This will help all the stakeholders in the ecosystem to minimise their credit and operational risk, bring in efficiency and cost savings, which is critical in the present economic environment. The partnership will look at leveraging Protivitis strong presence in the region and its expertise in the areas of technology, finance, blockchain, risk, compliance and business transformation to provide businesses and financial institutions with Monimoves unique platform, to facilitate seamless transition and adoption for organisations and minimises discrepancies in financial instruments and provides assurance on delivery and project completions. Commenting on the alliance, Hashim Al Husseini, Managing Director, Monimove said: With their in-depth understanding of business operations across industries and strong capabilities in the technology and business consulting domain, Protiviti is the most suited partner for us in the region. He further added: At Monimove, we view problems in supply chain and trade finance from multi stakeholders perspective. This approach has helped us in developing a solution that ensures full visibility of money movement on real time basis, meets necessary compliance obligations and enhances financial credibility. The platform is in line with the UAE Vision 2021 and National Innovation Strategy and helps prevent misuse of project and procurement funds that encourages local and international investors to participate in UAEs economic growth. -- Tradearabia News Service Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 19:44:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Pakistani soldiers were critically wounded after a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire at a vehicle of security forces in the country's northwest tribal district of North Waziristan, a military official said on Monday. The military vehicle was targeted near Hasokhel Bridge in the Mir Ali town of North Waziristan on Sunday evening, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. An army officer was among the injured, said the official, adding that the militants managed to escape from the scene after launching the armed attack on security forces. Upon receiving information, security forces immediately rushed to the site and shifted the injured to a hospital in Mir Ali town. Security forces cordoned off the area and conducted a search operation in the surrounding areas. No group or individual claimed the attack yet. The situation in tribal districts of North Waziristan and neighboring South Waziristan remained tense recently as security forces faced frequent attacks. Pakistani military said on Thursday night that a roadside bomb attack in North Waziristan killed three Pakistani soldiers and injured four others. Enditem By PTI NEW DELHI: The Finance Ministry on Monday said banks have sanctioned loans of about Rs 1,61,017 crore under the Rs 3-lakh crore Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for the MSME sector reeling under the slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, disbursements against this stood at Rs 1,13,713 lakh crore till September 3. The scheme is the biggest fiscal component of the Rs 20-lakh crore Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May to mitigate the distress caused by lockdown due to COVID-19 by providing credit to different sectors, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The latest numbers on ECLGS, as released by the finance ministry, comprise disbursements by all 12 public sector banks (PSBs), 24 private sector banks and 31 non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). "As of 3 Sept 2020, the total amount sanctioned under the 100% Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme by #PSBs and private banks stands at Rs 1,61,017. 68 crore, of which Rs 1,13,713. 15 crore has already been disbursed," the finance minister said in a tweet. The loan amounts sanctioned by PSBs increased to Rs 78,067.21 crore, of which Rs 62,025.79 crore has been disbursed as of September 3, she said. At the same time, private sector banks have sanctioned Rs 82,950 crore of loans and disbursed Rs 51,687 crore. "Compared to 24 Aug 2020, there is an increase of Rs 5,022.06 crore in the cumulative amount of loans sanctioned & an increase of Rs 7,786.16 crore in the cumulative amount of loans disbursed by both #PSBs and private sector banks combined as on 03 Sept 2020," Sitharaman said. Market leader SBI has sanctioned Rs 24,388 crore of loans and disbursed Rs 18,971 crore. It is followed by Punjab National Bank, which has sanctioned Rs 10,511 crore. However, its disbursements stood at Rs 8,264 crore as of September 3.On May 20, the Cabinet approved additional funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore at a concessional rate of 9.25 per cent through ECLGS for MSME sector. Under the scheme, 100 per cent guarantee coverage will be provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) for additional funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore to eligible MSMEs and interested Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) borrowers in the form of a guaranteed emergency credit line (GECL) facility. For this purpose, a corpus of Rs 41,600 crore was set up by the government, spread over the current and next three financial years. The scheme will be applicable to all loans sanctioned under GECL facility during the period from the date of announcement of the scheme to October 31 or till the amount of Rs 3 lakh crore is sanctioned under GECL, whichever is earlier. The cap was introduced as part of the 2017 Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Overall, the package was hugely skewed in favor of the rich: 20 percent of the value of the tax cuts went to households whose income was in the top 1 percent. Democrats lined up to decry the changes as a giveaway to the wealthy. And so it was, in the main. Opinion Debate Will the Democrats face a midterm wipeout? Mark Penn and Andrew Stein write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. Matthew Continetti writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. Ezra Klein speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. Michelle Cottle examines two primary contests that will shake the parties well beyond the states in play. But there was one seriously progressive element, a single diamond in a lot of rough: the introduction of the SALT cap. Lifting it would therefore reverse one of the few good things about the 2017 bill. Almost 60 percent of the benefit of removal would go to the top 1 percent of households (of which 90 percent are white). For the superrich, the top 0.1 percent, repeal would make for an average tax cut of around $145,000 a year. In isolation, this change would be more skewed to the rich than the Republican tax bill as a whole. Whats going on here? Senator Schumer and others are dressing up the cut in anti-Covid clothes, suggesting that it would help people in decimated cities like New York. This is specious. It is true that potential beneficiaries mostly live in higher-tax cities and states, but it is the richest residents who would reap most of the rewards. This is not a tax cut for those hit hardest by the virus. Families in the middle 60 percent of the income distribution nationally would see, on average, a minuscule reduction in their tax bill, around $25. To be fair, leading Democrats combine their calls for a removal of the SALT cap with other offsetting tax changes, like lifting the top rate of income tax, giving the rich money with one hand and then taking it back with another. But really, this is no way to do tax policy. Rather than repealing the cap, the deduction should be removed altogether. Even with the cap in place, it is still highly regressive, with 75 percent of the economic benefits going to families in the top fifth of the income distribution. California made a big change recently when it said goodbye to the coronavirus watch list and hello to a new, tiered blueprint governing coronavirus restrictions. And several counties, including two in the Bay Area, may see more changes as soon as Tuesday, when they could move into less restrictive tiers. Under the new system, instead of moving on and off the watch list, counties are placed in one of four color-coded tiers representing coronavirus risk levels: Purple is widespread risk, red is substantial risk, orange is moderate and yellow is minimal. Each tier has restrictions on which businesses are allowed to open. As of the Aug. 28 launch, all but two of the Bay Areas nine counties are in the purple tier, the highest risk category. Only San Francisco and Napa counties are in the next level down, the red tier. But that may change Tuesday, when the state reassesses each county with updated data, and some counties could be assigned new tiers. Such quick progression for counties in the purple tier, less than two weeks after their initial assignment, would be a one-time occurrence, the state said. In the future, it will take longer to progress to less restrictive levels. Instead of the many metrics involved with the watch list, two critical thresholds now govern whether counties move up or down: coronavirus case rate and positive test rate. To progress to the next less restrictive level, a county must remain in its current tier for a minimum of three weeks and meet the next tiers more stringent requirements for two consecutive weeks. But if the case rate or positive test rate has fallen into a more restrictive tier for two consecutive weeks, the county is bumped back to that tier. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Data are reviewed weekly, and tiers are updated every Tuesday. Counties are placed in the purple tier when they have more than 7 new daily cases per 100,000 people and a positive test rate of more than 8%. To move into the red tier, they must report 4 to 7 daily new cases per 100,000 and a positive test rate of 5% to 8% for two weeks. If a county is conducting more coronavirus tests than the state average, then the state adjusts its case rate using a calculation that reflects the testing volume. Adjusted case rates are now reflected on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy interactive map, though they were not initially included in the rollout. Thats why San Francisco, with a daily case rate of 9.8 per population of 100,000, has an adjusted case rate of 6.4. In addition to business reopenings, the new system also has guidelines for when schools can reopen for in-person instruction. Counties in the purple tier cannot reopen schools unless the health department grants a waiver, for K-6 elementary schools only. Once a county is in the red tier for at least two weeks, schools have the states green light to reopen, though counties and districts can still decide to impose stricter rules than the state. Based on recent data, seven California counties have the potential to move to the red tier, including Marin and Santa Clara in the Bay Area, and nearby Santa Cruz. Marins case rate is 5.9 with an adjusted case rate of 4.6, and a positive test rate of 3%. Matt Willis, Marin County health officer, called the new system a more nuanced framework than the watch list. Its an improvement, he said. It does seem like overall a better strategy at the state level to have more categories in which to place counties. There are other protections built into this that are important." One of those protections is that counties must hold in a certain tier for three weeks before moving to the next one, which Willis said is important so we arent opening up too quickly. Last Tuesday, Willis appeared in a COVID-19 update video and said the countys case rate is about 6 new cases per day per population of 100,000, and the positive rate is about 3%. Based on those rates, Marin County is scheduled to move from Tier 1 to Tier 2, the red level, starting next week if our case rates dont increase significantly, he said in the video. These numbers are significantly better than they had been one month ago. Santa Clara Countys case rate is 8.6, but the tier-assignment rate adjusted for testing levels is 6.7, with a percent positive rate of 3.5%. Our data for Aug. 25 did meet the criteria for the red tier, and so if we do meet those criteria for the week thats ending today, we would then be able to move into the red tier on Sept. 8, Santa Clara County Counsel James R. Williams said in a Board of Supervisors meeting last Tuesday. Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang London: "No." With one word, Australian-born WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange resumed his high-stakes legal battle against the US government, which is trying to have him extradited. He faces a jail term of up to 175 years in the US over the publication of secret US intelligence and military documents. Julian Assange is taken from court in London in May. Credit:AP Assange, who is being held on remand at Belmarsh prison after being refused bail in March, appeared at his hearing at the Old Bailey in London on Monday with his white hair neatly cut and wearing a dark suit. His clean-cut appearance marked a stark contrast from his dishevelled appearance when he was arrested at the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge his political refuge for 6 years in April 2019 and dragged into a prison van. As a sworn reserve deputy for a major sheriff's department, I cringe with disgust whenever I see any unjust police action. During my academy training, we were required to memorize the California Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. Here is the first paragraph: As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice. Unjust police actions impact the authority of every sworn officer and hurt the reputation of every law enforcement agency. This is why it is vital for law enforcement representatives to speak out against the bad apples anywhere in the justice system not unlike how it is done in the medical field. But the claim that "systemic" racism permeates law enforcement agencies strikes me as false. What correlates most to police shootings and arrests is the crime rate, not race. There are an estimated 375 million annual U.S. police interactions with citizens in 2019, 999 ended in shooting fatalities by police (0.0003%), and 14 were unarmed blacks (0.000004%). Only one of those shootings was not attempting to resist or evade arrest (0.0000003%). (Source: Washington Post.) The Black Lives Matter movement chooses to ignore these facts and prefers to call attention to questionable police tactics and to ascribe racial motivations to much of law enforcement. Tactical units from my sheriff's department have recently been called out only to discover that there were cameras set up on scene just to "catch" officers doing something inappropriate. The Black Live Matter movement is really two disparate groups. One identifies with the idea that black people have been unfairly treated and discriminated against in society. These BLM-supporters often wear the T-shirts, carry the signs, chant the slogans, and demand political and economic change. These supporters are not part of the second group. That is a formal organization that maintains a website with revolutionary goals, large amounts of money, and radical leadership. The first group of adherents to the BLM message is larger and likely not aware of the radical organization whose water its members carry. The second group is smaller and more disciplined and raises some fundamental issues that need close examination. I refer to the first group as "BLM Supporters" and the second group as "BLM Activists." The BLM movement was founded in 2013 following the death of Trayvon Martin. As the original movement grew, it failed to pay attention to factors that have caused many of the race-related problems the country has confronted. The destruction of the black nuclear family and missing black fathers, for instance, are arguably the single most detrimental societal change America has witnessed over the past 100 years. Out-of-wedlock births are a corollary. Worse, these changes have too often been incentivized by government policies. Every weekend in major inner-city neighborhoods, the death toll from black-on-black murders is staggering. Black lives do not seem to matter to the BLM organization under these circumstances. The young perpetrators are more often than not from fatherless homes. Not only are BLM activists silent on this issue, but they say on their website: "We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement[.]" Hanging on the wall in the Orange County sheriff's training academy is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I make a mental note to read it every time I am at the academy: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." MLK taught us that we should judge others not on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character. BLM activists say something different: "We work vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people[.]" In law enforcement, we are sworn to protect freedom and justice for all people equally. Sometimes law enforcement tragically misses the mark (as do all professions), but we shouldn't destroy or defund the whole law enforcement structure because of a few rogue incidents. We should deal with them. Bad cops should be fired just as bad teachers should be removed. Nobody hates bad cops more than good cops. Lady Justice is always portrayed with a blindfold. The symbol stands for the idea that justice from cop to court is applied without regard to wealth, power, or status. Should we raise the blindfold in certain instances so she can peek out with an eye toward taking better care of black Americans? BLM Activists, I suspect, would say yes. There is another critical factor that differentiates BLM Activists from BLM Supporters. The co-founders of the BLM movement are unapologetically Marxist followers of Karl Marx, the revolutionary German philosopher who died in 1883 and whose ideas have inspired the governments of all the communist regimes. BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors explicitly said that she and fellow BLM co-founder Alicia Garza are "trained Marxists." On the BLM website, they state: "Our members organize and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes." The Los Angeles Chapter of BLM held a rally on June 23, 2020. Their message: "We are demanding that the School Board vote ... to defund school police by 90% over the next three years." This theme seems to resonate throughout the BLM movement and is often endorsed by many political leaders on the left. It is time we no longer embrace the well meaning slogans of the BLM Supporters or the radical agenda of the BLM Activists. Rather, we must vigorously embrace and stand for the American way of life, characterized by a colorblind society, adherence to the tenets of the U.S. Constitution, and a return to traditional American family values. Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." We are now called upon to end our silence. We must be vigilant or we may very well lose the country the vast majority of us of all faiths and colors and creeds love. Image: Johnny Silvercloud via Flickr (cropped), CC BY-SA 2.0. After all the months of planning and preparation, a new school year is under way for most Connecticut students, or will be shortly. As students, teachers and staff get used to innovations such as plastic barriers and mask breaks, the important work of educating a new year of students is ready to begin in earnest. No one knows quite what to expect. In a best-case scenario, infection rates will remain low, everyone will be safe and something resembling a regular school year will be allowed to proceed. Given how the last six months have gone, no one is counting on that. Even in our current situation, where Connecticut remains in a good position on coronavirus infections compared with the rest of the nation, there are going to be cases and there are going to be outbreaks. The precautions that have been put into place cant stop that, except maybe in districts that have opted for online-only instruction. The key will be how schools deal with it. The only way it will work is to be upfront. That doesnt mean releasing information only to staff that then leaks out to the public and fuels rumors around town. It means district officials taking ownership of whatever happens and getting information to the public on coronavirus cases as soon as its available. An example of what is going to happen around the state can be found in Greenwich, where officials confirmed this week that three staff members in the public school system are quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19, and a fourth who was exposed to the virus is also in quarantine. The school system is following public health guidelines as to the effect on classrooms, but since students had not yet returned at the time the cases were discovered, the wider public was not initially told. With school back in session, those rules are going to have to change. School plans are more than likely going to be in flux. Some districts that have started in a hybrid model say they will reassess after a few weeks and potentially move to full-time in-school learning. More likely is that schools will have to go in the other direction, increasing distance learning as COVID cases increase. Teachers need to feel safe. While anyone can contract the virus, it is more likely to be a health hazard for older people and those with other medical conditions. That doesnt mean children are without risk, since there have been serious cases reported among young people around the country, as well. But it is faculty and staff who tend to have the greatest worries. Adapting to this new normal requires everyone to have the most up-to-date information. Even if administrators wrongly think it reflects badly on them to have cases in their town, everyone needs to be kept up to speed. Officials will need to be flexible and act quickly as situations inevitably change. Its a cliche to say the only constant is change, but its undeniably true this school year. The only way forward is to keep everyone informed. Kannada actor Ragini Dwivedis bail application was rejected by the first ACMM court judge who extended her police custody by five days. Ragini has been arrested in a drug case by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch and is one of the 12 people named in an FIR filed at the Cottonpet police station in this regard. She along with other accused have been charged under various sections of IPC including 120b (criminal conspiracy) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 under sections 21, 21C, 27A, 27B, and section 29. Sandeep Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police Crime told the media, She was produced before the court via video conference. We had sought 10 days of her custody but they have provided her custody to us till Friday. The public prosecutor told the judge that Ragini had been uncooperative during interrogation citing health reasons and therefore sought 10 days additional custody. In a surprise move though, Ragini through her family has changed her advocate. Senior lawyer Sudarshan who was representing Ragini confirmed that her family through her father had given a written note asking him to retire from the case. The political battle between Congress and BJP continued on the issue of Ragini having campaigned for some of the candidates of the ruling party during elections. Even as Congress spokesperson M Lakshman said that Ragini was a brand ambassador of the BJP, horticulture minister K C Narayana Gowda for whom she had campaigned distanced himself from her. Neither I nor the party invited her. Some well-wishers of mine invited her and she came and campaigned. The party has nothing to do with her. Chief minister BS Yediyurappa speaking to the media too reiterated that there was no question of protecting anybody. Our goal is to put an end to the (drugs) business which is having a bad impact on students and youth. We are doing whatever is necessary (to fight the drug menace). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to grant absolute pardon to a US marine found guilty of killing a Filipino transgender woman did not sit well with some, calling it "shameless" and a betrayal of public trust." Duterte made the decision on Monday, as first confirmed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. In separate statements on Monday, members of Congress and other groups expressed their disapproval at how Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton's case played out. "There is a pending appeal in the court from the family of Jennifer Laude, but this connivance between Malacanang and the United States government ensured that this appeal would not prosper. Inunahan ng kanilang sabwatan ang desisyon ng korte, at tuluyan nilang ibinasura ang sigaw ng mga kaanak, kaibigan at taga-suporta ni Jennifer para sa katarungan," said Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite of the decision. [Translation: There is a pending appeal in the court from the family of Jennifer Laude, but this connivance between Malacanang and the United States government ensured that this appeal would not prosper. Their connivance preceded the court's decision, and completely disregarded the cry for justice of Jennifer's family, friends, and supporters. Gaite said the decision was an "injustice" to the family of Jennifer Laude and to the Filipino people, as well as "a mockery of our national dignity and sovereignty." Senator Risa Hontiveros said the decision was "unbelievable" as Filipinos who have been convicted of lesser crimes have never been given the privilege of pardon. "This current move also gives the lie to the so-called support of the president for the trans and LGBTQI community," she said. Meanwhile, Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas said Duterte committed treason by granting Pemberton absolute pardon. "Pemberton's guilt in the death of Jennifer Laude is loud and clear. This move by President Duterte is an outright disregard for the respect of the Philippine justice system and an affront to our sovereignty. Pardoning such heinous crime is clearly an evidence of betrayal of public trust," she said. Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said the power given to the President in granting pardons must be exercised with caution, which is why there was a Board of Pardons and Parole and that the board has not recommended the pardon for Pemberton. "Moreover, there appears to be no just and valid reason for granting Pemberton an absolute pardon," he said. Meanwhile, the legal representatives of the Laude family say signs indicating Pemberton would be let off easy "had been there all along. The Center for International Law said it would confer with the Laude family to discuss the matter. Atty. Virginia Lacsa-Suarez, the legal counsel of the family of Jennifer Lausede said the decision was "revolting." "This is another injustice not only to Jennifer Laude and family but a grave injustice to the Filipino people. This is a travesty of Phil Sovereignty and democracy. This is another hallmark of Philippines' subservience to the US," she said. The coffins are 2,500 years old and still retain some original colours Related Ancient Egyptian Sarcophagus of high priest opened live on Discovery channel Egypt's first antiquities discovery of 2019: Mummy-filled burial chambers in Minya A collection of more than 13 intact and sealed coffins has been unearthed in Saqqara, the first step towards a huge discovery to be announced soon on site, a statement by the tourism and antiquities ministry said. They were unearthed inside an 11-metre deep shaft, where three sealed niches were also found. The coffins are 2,500 years old and still retain some original colours, the statement added. Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled El-Enany and Mustafa Waziri, the secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, inspected the excavation work carried out in the shaft on Sunday and found that the coffins were stacked on top of each other. Initial studies indicate that the coffins are completely sealed and have not been opened since they were buried inside the shaft, and that more are likely to be found in the same location. Waziri said that the exact number of the coffins as well as the identity and titles of their owners have not yet been determined, but these questions will be answered during the next few days as the excavation work continues. El-Enany thanked the workers on site for working in difficult conditions while adhering to coronavirus health and safety measures. This discovery includes the largest number of coffins in one burial since the discovery of the Al-Asasif cachette, he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Biotechnology giant CSL says it's ready to juggle production of two separate coronavirus vaccines in Australia after inking deals with the government and global pharmaceuticals firm AstraZeneca. The $128 billion blood products business unveiled details of the agreements on Monday, which involve plans to produce 30 million doses of the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine and 51 million doses of the University of Queensland's vaccine product if successful. CSL Behring's production facilities in Broadmeadows, Victoria. CSL will be key to onshore manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines after a heads of agreement was signed with the Australian government. Credit:Joe Armao Producing both vaccines is a task CSL chief executive Paul Perreault had previously flagged as a challenge due to their different approaches. The company says it has now worked through the technical challenges. Senior vice president of research and development at CSL's vaccine business Seqirus, Dr Russell Basser, said it was too early to tell whether CSL would be involved in coronavirus vaccine production in the long term, though it would be making doses for the next couple of years. Bachelor Locklan 'Locky' Gilbert will soon welcome blonde bombshell intruder Bec Cvilikas into the mansion. And the 25-year-old Sunshine Coast native's arrival this week appears to draw the instant wrath of her co-stars, as she instantly shares intense chemistry with Locky. 'The second Locky and I connected on the screen, there was this instant spark. You couldn't have wiped the smile off our faces if you tried!' Bec told TV Week this week. Ruffling feathers: Bachelor Locklan 'Locky' Gilbert will soon welcome blonde bombshell intruder Bec Cvilikas into the mansion. And the 25-year-old Sunshine Coast native's arrival this week appears to draw the instant wrath of her co-stars, as she instantly shares intense chemistry with Locky 'Some of the girls are definitely taken aback by how strong our connection is in such a short time I mean, even I am!' she continued. Bec describes herself as 'a bit of a tomboy' having played rugby for years. 'I don't know if the other girls are jealous, but if it was the other way around, I'd be feeling protective over my connection as well,' she added. 'The second Locky and I connected on the screen, there was this instant spark. You couldn't have wiped the smile off our faces if you tried!' Bec told TV Week on Monday In a teaser trailer for this week's episodes, host Osher Gunsberg tells the remaining ladies another woman has entered the competition via video link. 'She's frickin amazing!' an excited Locky gushes in a piece-to-camera. 'All the boxes are being ticked.' But while Bachelor Locky is thrilled about the new arrival, fellow suitor Izzy Sharman-Firth describes the newcomer as a 'kick in the d**k'. There she is! While Bec joins the cast in an upcoming episode, she's already sneakily featured in promotional footage for the series. The blonde appears to enjoy a single date with Locky whitewater rafting, and even shares a kiss with the former Survivor star while aboard the adventure raft While Bec joins the cast in an upcoming episode, she's already sneakily featured in promotional footage for the series. She appears to enjoy a single date with Locky whitewater rafting, and even shares a kiss with the former Survivor star while aboard the adventure raft. Last month, Daily Mail Australia published images of Bec at a rose ceremony following hometown week, which was filmed in July. Five women were pictured on the grounds of the estate: Irena Srbinovska, Kaitlyn Hoppe, Bella Varelis, Izzy Sharman-Firth and Bec. The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10 The claim: Anyone working during the pandemic is eligible for hazard pay from FEMA in the form of a one-time $2,800 payment Since the announcement of the coronavirus relief package in the spring, many Americans have anticipated a second wave of federal assistance. Although details of the second aid check remain uncertain, a viral Facebook post on Aug. 25 claims individuals working during the pandemic can look to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help. "If you've worked any during the Covid19 pandemic, FEMA has finally authorized a ONE TIME $2800.00 check for hazard pay!" Facebook user Dave Jastrzab and others claim. A link to apply for the assistance is provided; upon clicking, it leads to an image of a gorilla extending its middle finger. USA TODAY reached out to Jastrzab for comment but received no response. Fact check: CDC's data on COVID-19 deaths used incorrectly in misleading claims FEMA denies the claim Rumors of FEMA offering hazard pay, or additional payment for duties or jobs that are potentially hazardous or involve physical discomfort and distress (which essential workers would be eligible for), began circulating in July, according to Snopes. Jean Benjamin joins unemployed airport workers, the Black Lives Matter Alliance of Broward and other supporters to ask that Delta Airlines contractor Eulen America, which demonstrators say received $25 million in federal coronavirus relief, hire back unemployed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport workers on Aug. 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Though the post appears satirical, given the gorilla image linked in it, the agency released a statement Aug. 25 refuting the claim. "CARES Act funding provided unemployment benefits for citizens during the pandemic. Additionally, since FEMA enacted the Lost Wages program in August, billions have been provided to states to assist with their unemployment claims," the statement reads. "FEMA funding allows states to provide at least an additional $300 per week to people who lost work due to COVID-19 through their unemployment insurance programs. However, no federal assistance was given in the form of hazard pay, nor has FEMA directly paid individuals." Gabriel Lugo, a public information officer for the agency, confirmed in an email to USA TODAY that the claim of a $2,800 one-time hazard payment is untrue. Story continues Our ruling: False We rate this claim FALSE, because it is not supported by our research. FEMA is not providing any financial assistance equaling $2,800 as hazard pay. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: False claim that FEMA offers hazard pay Jon Cryer sparked an unexpected Twitter feud with Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz on Saturday after revealing he donated to his political rival. The spat began Saturday after Cryer, 55, took a swipe at Gaetz in a tweet announcing that he donated money to Democrat Phil Ehr. 'Rep. Matt Gaetz invited a white supremacist to the State of the Union,' he wrote, referring to alt right activist Charles C. Johnson. '[Matt] attempted to intimidate a federal witness [Michael Cohen], and endorsed a sociopathic bigot [Laura Loomer] who applauded the deaths of migrants for congress.' Six hours later, the 38-year-old GOP politician hit back on Twitter with a pointed criticism of Cryer's acting career. 'Charlie Sheen totally carried two and a half men,' Gaetz, 38, wrote. Scroll down for video On blast: Celebrities came to the defense of Two and a Half Men alum Jon Cryer (L) following his Twitter tirade against Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz (R) on Saturday Three reasons: The feud was sparked after the 55-year-old native New Yorker announced he donated to the 38-year-old Republican politician's Democratic opponent Phil Ehrin Cryer and Charlie Sheen, 55, both held lead roles in the hugely popular sitcom, Two and a Half Men when it debuted on CBS in 2003. The award-winning series continued with much of its original cast until 2011, when Sheen was fired over his 'dangerously self-destructive conduct,' inflammatory comments about producers and because he became difficult to work with. Sheen, who was then the highest paid actor on American television, was admitted to a rehabilitation facility. Ashton Kutcher was hired in Sheen's absence. Gaetz directly responded to Cryer by making a reference to his former onscreen brother: 'Charlie Sheen totally carried two and a half men' At that, Jon replied: 'Is that why, after he left, it lasted for 4 more years and I won an Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy?' In response to Gaetz, Cryer boasted his accolades and noted the franchise's success after Sheen's dismissal temporarily halted production. 'Is that why, after he left, it lasted for 4 more years and I won an Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy?' wrote Cryer. In fact, Cryer received two Emmy Awards for his portrayal of struggling chiropractor Alan Harper in all 262 episodes of the 12-year sitcom. Two and a Half Men: Technically, Cryer received two Emmy Awards for his portrayal of struggling chiropractor Alan Harper in all 262 episodes of the CBS sitcom, which aired for 12 seasons between 20032015 Cryer added in a separate tweet that his dig at Gaetz was not an insult to Sheen or his talent. 'And FWIW, this wasnt meant as a slam on Charlie,' Cryer said. ' 'He was undeniably the star of the show. And a fantastic actor. Despite his issues, we had many more highs than lows. 'But you cant say he carried a show that lasted four years without him.' Gaetz attempted to belittle Cryer's awards, writing back: 'What's an Emmy? An award Hollywood gives itself? I win elections.' The Donald Trump defender then belittled Jon's Emmy wins by replying: 'What's an Emmy? An award Hollywood gives itself? I win elections' 'He was undeniably the star of the show': Cryer stressed that Matt 'can't say [Sheen] "carried" a show that lasted four years without him,' but clarified he wasn't underplaying his disgraced 55-year-old ex-castmate's talents The pair's Twitter spat would eventually trend on social media, prompting others to come in defense of Cryer. Comedian Patton Oswalt re-tweeted the feud and hilariously referred to Cryer's 1986 breakout role as Philip 'Duckie' Dalekie in Pretty in Pink, cracking: 'Don't. F***. With. Duckie.' Star Wars legend Mark Hamill also showed his support for Cryer by re-tweeting the exchange. 'This is the moment when Matt Gaetz decided to show that in addition to being a loathsome person, he is also a dreadful television critic,' wrote Hamil. 'Thumbs down. Jon Cryer for the WIN!!! Thumbs up.' Comedian Patton Oswalt then re-tweeted the feud and hilariously referred to Jon's 1986 breakout role as Philip 'Duckie' Dalekie in Pretty in Pink, cracking: 'Don't. F***. With. Duckie' 'In addition to being a loathsome person, he is also a dreadful television critic': Star Wars legend Mark Hamill also showed his support for Cryer by re-tweeting the exchange Cryer - who endorsed John McCain for president in 2008 - will next reprise his recurring role as supervillain Lex Luthor in the sixth season of Supergirl, which premieres 'midseason 2021' on The CW. But this isn't the first time that Gaetz has gotten into a virtual argument with a celebrity on Twitter. In June, he was criticized by actor Ron Perlman, of the series Sons of Anarchy,' for saying he'd rather have no US Soccer team, 'than have a soccer team that won't stand for the National Anthem.' Tamil Nadu on Monday reiterated its opposition to the three language formula suggested in the New Education Policy (NEP) released by the Centre saying it has already taken a decision to continue with the existing two-language policy which is a success. In a letter to Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K P Anbalagan expressed the states reservation over several provisions of the NEP like conduct of national-level entrance exams, institutional restructuring and consolidation and the three-language formula. The letter comes a month after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami declared that the state would continue to implement the existing two-language policy Tamil and English and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the proposal for imparting three languages. The state of Tamil Nadu has always followed two-language policy which has been a success. The state government of Tamil Nadu has already taken a decision to continue with the two-language policy in future also, Anbalagan said in the letter to Nishank. Political parties in Tamil Nadu, barring the BJP, view the NEP as an attempt by the Centre to impose Hindi on states where the language is not spoken. Arch-rivals DMK and AIADMK are on the same page on this sensitive issue, while the public sentiment is also largely in favour of the existing two-language formula. Also recent incidents like DMK MP Kanimozhi being asked whether she was an Indian for not knowing Hindi at Chennai Airport and a Secretary-level officer asking doctors from Tamil Nadu leave a virtual conference for not knowing the language have brought Hindi imposition to the center stage yet again. The state government has also constituted a committee of experts to go into the NEP and submit a report. In his letter, Anbalagan said while the NEP envisages the target of achieving Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 50 per cent in 2035, Tamil Nadu has already achieved 49 percent. We are very hopeful that we would achieve the target of 50% in the 2019-20 academic year itself. We have taken various measures by opening new colleges, introduction of new courses, Increasing the capacity of colleges by recruiting teachers, creating labs and other facilities and would continue to do the same and by 2035, Tamil Nadu can achieve an ambitious target of 65% GER, he said. He welcomed the move to convert the B. Ed programme into a 4-year Integrated Degree Course including two major subjects, saying it will enable students to complete the degree early and enter into the teaching profession quickly. On the proposal to conduct Entrance Examination by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the minister said the move would discourage rural students and the Government of Tamil Nadu is not for such proposal. Further, this will be an added burden on the students, he said. Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu has censured former President John Dramani Mahama for supporting an article by Bolgatanga Central MP, Isaac Adongo regarding President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government. Hon. Adongo wrote an article captioned "Agyapa Royalties fraud is the last straw: The Akyem Sakawa Boys and Grandpas Must Go" and the former President shared it on his Facebook page. Addressing the issue on the Friday edition of Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Charles Owusu noted that the action by the former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) tells that Asantehene's advice to Mr. Mahama fell on deaf ears. Asantehene's Advice Mr. Mahama visited the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to introduce his Running Mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang to him. During the visit, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II asked Mr. Mahama to reflect on his mistakes that led to his defeat in the 2016 elections and tell Ghanaians what new he is bringing on board in his bid to become President again. "You have been a President before and you want to return again as President. I have spoken to you a lot and I have said that if you want to come back, let Ghanaians know what went wrong yesterday. Also let Ghanaians know that the mistakes won't be repeated. "When you lost the election, I said that Ghanaians voted against you out of disappointment and anger." "And when you were re-elected as flagbearer and you informed me, I asked you whether you have looked at your mistakes in the past and how you can convince Ghanaians how you will correct those mistakes'', the Asantehene said. The Asantehene further advised both President Nana Akufo-Addo and his main contender in this year's elections, John Mahama, to focus their campaign messages on addressing issues rather than make seditious comments. "The current President is telling Ghanaians what he has done in the past three and half years. That they have done better than you and they should be given another term of office." "Everybody should talk about what they have done and what they will do. What you did in the past and what you will do in the future should be told, and the Ghanaian people will be the best judges." "We want a peaceful election and nobody should initiate violence. Just make your points well and Ghanaians will be the best judges. It's all about issues'', he stressed. Mahama Disrespects Otumfuo But to Charles Owusu, Mr. Mahama validating Hon. Adongo's comments proves his support for tribal politics which is contrary to the advice that Otumfuo offered him when he (Mahama) paid a courtesy call on him. According to him, "former President John Mahama has disrespected Otumfuo Osei Tutu II" because immediately after leaving his palace, he returns to his politics of tribalism and the first shot is to repost Hon. Adongo's triablistic article. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The introduction of superannuation in Australia was one of the most important pieces of economic policy this country has ever seen. Yet most people dont really understand how it works or lets be frank, give much of a toss. Its boring, complicated; abstract. But you could be doing yourself a disservice by not paying enough attention to whats happening with your super account. We all more or less understand how super works: you sacrifice a bit of your salary in order to build a little investment nest egg so that by the time you retire, you dont have to rely on a pension. Employers make a contribution too. What is easy to lose track of is what super fees youre paying. Unless youre self-managing which is a whole other kettle of fish every super fund charges fees. These include administration fees, investment fees and insurance fees just to name a few. Some of these fees are a flat rate, and some are a percentage factor. For example, AustralianSuper charges an administration fee of $2.25 per week plus up to 0.04% pa of your account balance: the flat $2.25 per week calculated weekly and deducted monthly and the percentage component deducted daily from investment returns. That doesnt sound like a lot but it can add up over time. Keep in mind, thats just the administration fee. For Australians who are just starting their working lives, or who are currently unemployed, this unholy cocktail of percentages and flat fees can really take a bite out of your super. That $2.25 a week doesnt sound like much but it takes a much bigger bite out of a $1,000 balance than it does out of a $100,000 balance particularly if theres no money coming in. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ryans Bar (@ryans_bar) on Mar 19, 2020 at 9:00pm PDT Speaking from experience, I had a summer casual job where I accrued super from, but I lazily just went with my employers fund without doing any research. Once summer was over and I was back to my studies, with no more money coming into the account, I was being charged more in fees than I was generating in returns, and my meagre balance was sucked dry. I didnt even realise it was going on until it was too late. Thats the thing about super: its easy to forget about. But if youre not careful, you can do yourself damage in the long run compound interest is a b*tch. Even if youve got a steady job and moneys coming into your super account, you ought to do your research and make sure youre not getting ripped off with super fees. One easy way to reduce your fees is to consider what level of insurance you have: common fees include life insurance, income protection and disability cover. You might find that you dont want or need as high a level of cover as youre currently getting (and being charged for the privilege of having). A really easy way to make sure youre getting the best deal is to go with a MySuper fund. Most funds offer a MySuper product, which is essentially just a low-fee, basic fund without other features (and therefore fees). MySuper replaced the default fund system we had before 2011 the idea being that if employees didnt choose their own super fund, their money would go into a basic account where they wouldnt be charged for things they dont want or need, instead of some dodgy default product. If you were already in a default super fund before 2017, chances are youve already been moved into an equivalent MySuper fund, so theres nothing to worry about. However, depending on how long youve been building super, you might be in an older fund type that might be charging you too much. Alternatively, if youve elected to choose your own fund you might find that a MySuper product makes more sense for you. In any case, do some research. Another easy way to make sure youre not being stung by unnecessary fees is by making sure all your supers in the one place. This is another thing thats common with casual workers: you go between jobs, have numerous active super accounts going (which are all attracting fees), and then they all get whittled down to nothing. These days, its pretty easy to consolidate your different accounts. Roll all your stray funds into one to make sure youre not getting hit up more than you need to for fees. Super has been a hot topic lately. Part of the governments COVID-19 economic measures has been allowing Australians early access to super a controversial policy that is likely to have deeply negative consequences for our future economy, Warren McKeown from the University of Melbourne relates. Also in the news, former Labor Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating have come out in force against Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Coalitions hints at deferring the super guarantee, which is legislated to rise incrementally from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent come 2021, ABC News reports. With the future of super looking shakier than ever, young Australians need to ensure that theyre not dealing with unnecessary fees on top of all the other bullsh*t. Read Next Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa Mon, September 7, 2020 16:04 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c433a251 2 Art & Culture dance,South-Africa,Zulu-dance Free Coronavirus lockdown rules forced Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini on Saturday to host a scaled down version of the annual reed dance celebration. The king invited only 30 maidens to his eNyokeni Royal Palace for the annual highlight which usually attracts thousands of virgins. Every September tens of thousands of bare-breasted young women descend on the traditional royal residence in Nongoma, KwaZulu Natal for the reed dance. Adorned in colorful beads, they celebrate their virginity by dancing before the Zulu king holding long reeds which they later present to him. The ancient cultural rite of passage to womanhood was revived officially by the Zulu king in 1984. But on Saturday, the ceremony, known for promoting sexual abstinence by young women to reduce HIV transmission, was held with only 30 participants. Others were forced to watch it on social media. Read also: South African pharmacy in racism row over black hair images And instead of presenting the king with reeds, this year's 30 maidens who also wore masks, carried placards calling for an end to gender based violence (GBV). In his keynote address, the traditional leader threw his support behind South African women affected by GBV. "I want women to rest assured that I am in their corner," Zwelithini said in the address which was broadcast on various social media platforms. "I commit myself to your safety for as long as I live.... This is a war that I and all who identify themselves as Zulus embrace." South Africa had been grappling with the problem of violence against women long before the coronavirus lockdown in the country. But the number of victims has surged since the lockdown instituted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March. More than 120,000 victims rang the national helpline for abused women and children in the first three weeks after the lockdown started on 27 March -- double the usual number of calls. In the KwaZulu Natal south coast, terror has also gripped communities after a string of women's bodies were uncovered within six months on sugar cane farms and open fields in the Mtwalume area, sparking fears of a serial killer on the loose. "We must not take this as a norm because no nation that allows the killing of women deserves respect," implored the Zulu monarch. South Africa has so far registered 635,078 coronavirus infections and 14,678 deaths. Naomi Campbell is mourning the loss of her beloved grandmother. The 50-year-old supermodel paid tribute to Ruby Russel for teaching her "have strength and courage" and to stay true to herself as she remembered her late relative in a touching post on Instagram. Sharing a selection of photos of herself and Ruby, Naomi wrote: "Dear Grandma Ruby Louise Campbell Russel , all that I am is because of you , even though I would moan and groan to have to do my chores , your discipline has remained with me till this very day and I thank you .. Wife , Mother Grandmother , Great grandmother , you have taught us all to have strength and courage in trying times and to hold our heads up high and stay true to our integrity. "You came to uk during Windrush for better opportunity , but your heart always remained in Jamaica. You stayed true and loyal to your faith for 77 years . "You travelled the world and was loved by so many where ever you would go.(sic)" Naomi credited her grandmother for keeping her family together and promised to retain her "strength". She continued: "I will miss you Grandma , you were the Matriarch of our family that held us so closely together . , know your strength is instilled in me . I love you forever more .(sic)" And the catwalk star expressed her hope she will be reunited with her grandmother one day in the future. She concluded her lengthy post: "Until we meet again on the other side . May you take your place with the highest Rest In Peace Grandma My Ruby . [crown, heart and prayer emojis] (sic)" By Mirza Mosaraf Hossain, TwoCircles.net West Bengal: The son of a day labourer, Dilbar Hossain, is among the 19 Muslim candidates out of the total 94 enlisted candidates selected for appointment for the post of Joint Block Development Officer under the Department of Panchayats & Rural Development in the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) examination, Group C. The results were published on the 4 September, nearly more than two and a half years after the completion of the preliminary exams. Support TwoCircles The Preliminary Exam was held in January 2018 and the main exam was conducted in August 2018. The total of 94 selected candidates is empaneled in the six distinct departments of the State administration. Whereas, the Department of Panchayats & Rural Development has the enlistment of 9 Muslim candidates out of the total selected 47 candidates for the posts of Joint B.D.O; the rest of the five distinct departments have comparatively low participation of the Muslim candidates in terms of the total number of the candidates selected in each department. For example, the Finance (Revenue) Department has a list of total 16 selected candidates in which only three of them are Muslims to be appointed as Assistant Commercial Tax Officers, four Muslim candidates out of the total 15 enlisted to be appointed as West Bengal Subordinate Land Revenue Service, Grade-I Officers in the Land & Land Reforms & Refugee, Relief & Rehabilitation Department; two out of the total 12 candidates in the Consumer Affairs Department. Abdul Samir Mondal is among the three candidates selected for appointment to the post of Superintendent, District Correctional Home/Deputy Superintendent, Central Correctional Home in the Department of Correctional Administration. There is no Muslim candidate selected for the post of Chief Controller of Correctional Services under the Department of Correctional Administration. Out of the total 19 candidates, there are only three female candidates selected in this list. Whereas Kahekashan Parveen is selected as Joint BDO under the general category, Sahina Khatun is selected as Land Revenue Officer under the OBC reserved category with a physically handicapped-low vision disability. Another female candidate, Merina Yasmin, is selected as Deputy Assistant Director of Consumer Affairs & Fair Business Practices under the Consumer Affairs Department in the OBC reserved category. Dilbar Hossain, who hails from Kushabaria village of Murshidabads Domkal block, 190 km away from Kolkata, has been declared to be joining as a Joint BDO through this result. This was his third interview after 2016 and 2017 interviews for the same civil state civil services examinations. But for someone belonging to a poor family in an undeveloped locality like him, the journey to reach this doom was never so easy for him. He is the only graduate in his family and the first generation learner. His father, now 55 years old, a day labourer in a bag shop in another block, Beldanga, with a monthly humble income, never disheartened him for the expenses of his studies, rather always stood by him encouraging him, inspiring him to focus on his studies to do something better in life. His elder brother who works as a mason also stood by him in his studies by financial help. Indeed, his success has sprinkled rays of betterment into his family and all are very happy with his achievements. A B.Sc degree holder in Mathematics from the nearby K.N College at Berhampore in 2014, Dilbar shared some of the worst times he has been through. Though I had targeted State civil service exams to opt for a career just after graduation, the journey was always very cruel and difficult. Financial scarcity on the one hand and depression, mental instability at the success of my friends of Al Ameen Mission who became doctors, engineers just after the completion of their degrees made me anxious. At last, the Almighty brought that day to me and my family and we all are very happy at it, he said. He added that Monirul Islam, the head of a civil service study centre, namely VOICE, situated in Kolkata, helped him a lot and without whom he would not have been successful. He now aspires to be an executive officer under the Group A category of the State civil service to motivate the underprivileged children, especially from his locality, to join administrative jobs which his locality lacks. Rakibul Islam, who hails from Sekhalipara village of Murshidabad districts Domkal block, is empanelled as Land Revenue Officer under the Land & Land Reforms & Refugee, Relief & Rehabilitation Department in the OBC reserved category. The father of a 2.5 years old son is very happy with this success. While speaking to TwoCircles.net, he said, I have been preparing since April 2017, but was not called for the interview. But my family, my wife always stood by me by providing mental support whenever I got depressed. This success has been made possible only because of them. Now we are happy. He further said that he took guidance from a local study centre of his area, namely Inspirational Study Centre, and he was immensely supported by the head of the Centre, Anuttam Karmakar, and one Humayun Kabir who helped him during the preparation of the said exams. Sahina Khatun, with low vision disability, hailing from Laghosha village in Birbhum districts Labour block, approx 200 km away from Kolkata, got selected as a Land Revenue Officer. Talking to TwoCircles.net, she said, My father always wanted me to become a civil servant from my childhood which I dreamt since then. He is a farmer but he held a graduate degree in Commerce. I always wanted to fulfil his dreams and today I have done that I can say. He added that if a struggler sticks to his or her work with patience, they will see success in life. According to the merit lists after the Preliminary exam published by the recruiting authority, the West Bengal Public Service Commission, the total 11036 candidates cracked the Preliminary exam and secured their chance to sit for the main exam and only 203 of them were called for the interview which was held between February and March of this year. Among the total candidates called for the interview, 50 Muslim candidates in the lists appeared for the personality tests. This clearly shows that the participation of the Muslim students in the administrative departments of the State is not proportionately satisfactory and it needs to be addressed consciously with extra consideration by the concerned people, NGOs, and by large the students need to be inspired to go for administrative jobs. The participation of the Muslim female candidates in the civil services exams is also negligible and this too has to be dealt with accordingly to eradicate the proportionate difference. Teachers and other school workers have formed the Detroit Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to mobilize educators and other workers in the city to fight against the unsafe school reopening in Michigans largest school district. It pledges to unify teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, parents and students to fight on behalf of science and the protection of life and to oppose the homicidal back-to-work policies of Republicans and Democrats. The following is the statement from the committee outlining its purpose and demands. It is not safe to reopen Detroit schools. We, the Detroit Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, are opposed to laying down the lives of educators, students and parents for profit or participating in a poorly designed, underfunded, deadly experiment that puts our community at unnecessary risk. By the end of August, Michigan coronavirus cases topped 102,000 with more than 6,400 deaths. The Detroit metropolitan area accounted for 66 percent of these infections and 82 percent of deaths and was a national epicenter of the deadly coronavirus. A recent photographic installation on the citys premier park, Belle Isle, commemorated the 1,500 Detroiters killed in less than six months by COVID-19 in a grim memorial to this unspeakable calamity. Cass Technical High School in downtown Detroit (Photo: Albert Duce/Wikimedia Commons) Nevertheless, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is scheduled to open on Sept. 8. Aligned with the Democratic Party, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti is responding to the demands of Wall Street and the auto companies. These corporate giants are determined to get children into school, regardless of the dangers, in order to get their parents back into the unsafe factories, warehouses and other workplaces to produce profit. The districts decision was dutifully rubber-stamped by the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT), agreeing to a mishmash of in-person, virtual plus in-person (hybrid), or all-virtual instruction. The deal between the DFT and DPSCD establishes a joint labor management committee, which they claim will oversee the safe reopening of the schools. This is nothing but sheer deception. Social distancing is impossible when the DPSCD-DFT plan allows for 20 students in a class. Teachers, parents and other school workers know that herding 51,000 students and more than 4,000 school employees into dilapidated and poorly ventilated school buildings will lead to a resurgence of the virus. Temperature checks at the schools are meaningless, since infected children are more likely to be asymptomatic. In the absence of regular and universal testing, with instantaneous results, quarantining and contact tracing, the schools can only become a vector for spread of the deadly virus, which has produced so much tragedy in the city and across the US and the world. We issue these demands: 1. We call for the immediate closure of all public, private and charter schools. Schools must remain closed until the rank-and-file safety committees, working in conjunction with trusted scientists and public health expertsnot only the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHH)can ensure the safety of children, teachers and school employees. 2. Every student and teacher must be provided with up-to-date computer technology and internet access for virtual instruction immediately. This technology must include working webcams and microphones. 3. School ventilation systems must be renovated or replaced to comply with scientific recommendations for a safe environment. 4. When schools reopen face-to-face, we demand mandatory rapid on-site testing once a week for all faculty, students and staff. Registered nurses must be stationed at every school, authorized to oversee testing and robust contact tracing. Working alongside educators organized in the rank-and-file safety committee, they must ensure that safety protocols are fully enacted. Teachers have the collective right to refuse to work under unsafe conditions. 5. Full transparency. We demand daily reporting to the community on results and COVID-positive cases. No one can return to a school building without a negative test. 6. No loss of income for educators who choose to stay home. Teachers will not lose their position at their school if they decide to remain virtual. Teachers shall be provided unlimited COVID-19 sick leave. 7. For freedom of speech and the protection of whistleblowers to include teachers, students and staff. 8. For the unity and safety of all educators, parents, students and workers in our community, especially the paraprofessionals. These poorly paid workers, who make as little as $10 per hour, have been completely abandoned by the DFT and are expected to go into school buildings and create Learning Centers to get students online and monitor their virtual instruction as though they were at home. 9. Full income and job protection to all parents and caregivers who stay home with their children. 10. These measures to be paid for by a surcharge on Michigans billionaires, with a combined net worth of about $50 billion: Hank and Doug Meijer at $9.5 billion, the DeVos and Van Andel families (Amway), $12 billion; Daniel Gilbert at $6.5 billion; Ronda Stryker and family $11 billion (medical equipment); pizza and sports magnate Marian Ilitch at $3.7 billion, and, of course, the multi-billion-dollar Ford family. Repeal the corporate tax abatements showered on the automakers and parts manufacturers. The decrepit conditions of Detroit schools became an international scandal in 2015. But now they represent an immediate and deadly threat. New studies have shown that aerosolized particles can travel as far as 16 feet. Under these conditions, updated HVAC is a life-and-death necessity. But Detroit schools have been bankrupted and have no funds for HVAC retrofitting. Also, of great concern is sanitation and access to clean water. Our schools have never had sufficient supplies or adequate cleaning under normal circumstances. How will deep cleaning occur? The district was forced to shut off drinking water at every one of the 106 school buildings because of elevated levels of lead and copper. This means children must rely on contaminated water for frequent handwashing and cleaning. There is enormous support for a fight. Last month, Detroit educators voted by 91 percent to authorize a safety strike to block in-person teaching. A poll in late August showed 80 percent of parents also opposed the unsafe return to buildings. Autoworkers at the Jefferson North and Sterling Heights Assembly Plant have already set up their own safety committees because the promises by the auto bosses and the United Auto Workers union for a safe reopening of the plants have amounted to nothing. It is a matter of historical fact that the plants were only closed, and the partial lockdown of the economy put in place in March, because autoworkers defied the UAW and management and shut down production as the contagion ripped through the plants. But the enormous strength of the working class can only be mobilized if educators organize independently of the DFT, which values its relationship with Duggan, Whitmer and Biden more than the lives of educators. While their rhetoric may differ, the Democrats, no less than Trump and the Republicans, are determined to force teachers back into the schools. Superintendent Vitti and DFT President Terrence Martin have hypocritically claimed that getting Detroit children back into the schools is a racial justice issue. The supposed concern over the plight of minority children never stopped the Democrats who run Detroit from slashing school funding, closing hundreds of schools and cutting vital social programs. The Democrats, the DFT and groups like By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) claim the miserable conditions in Detroit are caused by racism because they want to protect the Democratic politicians and the corporations who are responsible. At the same time, they want to divide teachers along racial lines right at the time when millions of workers and young people, black and white, are coming together across the country and the world to oppose police killings and racism. The terrible toll of the pandemic in our city is not caused by systemic racism. It is caused by the systemic class oppression of capitalism, a system that subordinates every aspect of life, including life itself, to corporate profit. The Detroit Rank-and-File Safety Committee rejects all the efforts to divide the working class along racial and ethnic lines and fights to unite all workers and youth to protect our lives and social rights. The Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee has been formed as a national network to coordinate and facilitate the building of district-wide and state-wide safety committees which are being set up in Florida, Texas and many other locations. There is growing sentiment for a national strike to halt the homicidal reopening of schools. We support this movement and wish to lend our strength to those around the country looking for mass action of the working class because our lives are at stake. We call on all layers of workersmanufacturing, logistics, food processing, health care, public and private sectorin Michigan and nationally to join this struggle. We have formed the Detroit Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to protect the lives of our students, families and the most vulnerable members of our community. We call on all educators, parents and students in Detroit who agree with these demands to join and build our rank-and-file safety committee! All those who agree with this fight should contact us today, build the Educators Rank and File Safety Committee Facebook group and make plans to attend our next online call-in meeting on Saturday, September 12. Delhi Police on Monday claimed to have arrested two suspected members of the banned militant outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) after a brief exchange of fire near Nirankari ground in north Delhi. Police said the suspected BKI members had come to Delhi from Punjab late at night on Saturday to collect a consignment of illegal arms and ammunition. At least six rounds of fire were exchanged between the suspected BKI members and the police personnel. Six pistols and 40 cartridges were seized from the arrested duo, who have been identified as Bhupender alias Dilawar Singh and Kulwant Singh. Both the arrested accused belong to Ludhiana in Punjab, said Delhi Polices special cell officials, who were involved in the operation. Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) (special cell), Delhi Police, said that Dilawar is a key member of the BKI and he was deported to India from Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), last year in a terror-related case. The arrested persons have revealed that they had planned to kill some politicians in Punjab and the arms and ammunition were being procured for the mission. We cannot disclose the names of their potential targets because of their safety and security, said DCP Yadav. The special cell team had been intercepting telephonic conversations of an illegal arms supplier based in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and keeping a tab on their activities for the past few months. They came to know recently that two persons from Punjab would visit Delhi to collect a consignment of illegal arms and ammunition, the DCP said. Later, the special cell team learnt that the delivery of the consignment would take place near Nirankari ground in Burari, north Delhi, late at night on Saturday. Accordingly, a trap was laid in the area and two persons were arrested after an exchange of fire while they were walking to a taxi in which they had come from Punjab, the DCP said. Nobody was hurt in the shootout. We are interrogating the arrested accused, who are wanted in some other cases in Punjab as well, the DCP added. W ikileaks founder Julian Assange has failed in a bid to exclude new allegations against him in his extradition battle with the United States. The 49-year-old activist was arrested this morning on a new indictment lodged in June, four months after his extradition hearing began in the UK courts. At the resumed hearings today, his lawyer Mark Summers QC argued it would be fundamentally unfair for him to face the new allegations from US prosecutors as they had been handed to Assanges legal team with less than two months to spare. The problem here is one of timing, it simply arrives too late, he said. It would be an impossible task for the defence to deal with these fresh allegations in any meaningful way in the time that has been afforded to them and that time is a matter of weeks in respect of which we are provided absolutely no explanation for the late arrival of these matters. Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange take part in a protest outside the Central Criminal Court / AP He claimed the process was abnormal, unfair, and liable to create injustice, asking District Judge Vanessa Baraitser to exclude the new claims from the case. Assange is wanted in the US over the leak of hundreds of thousands of classified military documents in 2010 and 2011. It is claimed he conspired with analyst Chelsea Manning to crack passwords and hack files. Mr Summers said the new indictment, which was announced via a press release before being shown to Assange or his team, includes claims that he was involved in the hacking of the Icelandic Parliamentary phone system and a bank - allegations not in the original indictment. Judge Baraitser rejected the application, saying that Assanges team could have applied for an adjournment if more time was needed to prepare its evidence and arguments. I offered the defence an opportunity to apply to adjourn this, which would have given them further time, time they say they needed to prepare, she said. I appreciate Mr Assange is in custody and it was not an attractive option. But if they considered themselves disadvantaged by the new request, and that its fundamentally unfair for the government to proceed in this way, there was the opportunity to apply for an adjournment. The judge added that the argument could be resurrected as an abuse of process argument during the hearings. A crowd of Assange supporters, including Dame Vivienne Westwood and the Wikileaks founders father John Shipton, gathered outside court this morning to call for his release. Fashion designer Dame Vivienne said: Im an activist, I am very frightened, Ive lost days and years of sleep worrying about Julian Assange. Julian Assange is the trigger, he is shining the light on all the corruption in the world. She added: Weve got to protect human rights, the establishment is corrupt, they will not listen to Julian. The hearing continues. GUANGZHOU, China Shares of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), China's biggest contract chipmaker, plunged over 23% on Monday, after the U.S. government said it was considering putting export restrictions on the company. The firm's Hong Kong-listed shares plummeted by 22.88% to close at 18.24 Hong Kong dollars on Monday. SMIC's recently-listed Shanghai shares closed 11.29% lower at 58.80 Chinese yuan. The U.S. Department of Defense is assessing whether to add SMIC to the Commerce Department's so-called Entity List. "Such an action would ensure that all exports to SMIC would undergo a more comprehensive review," a Department of Defense spokesperson said. China has put a lot of emphasis on developing its domestic semiconductor industry, a move that has gained further impetus amid the trade war with the U.S. SMIC, which manufactures chips, is however still behind rivals like Taiwan's TSMC and South Korea's Samsung Electronics in terms of technology. SMIC also relies on American chipmaking equipment. If it were to be added to the Entity List, that could make it more difficult for the company to obtain the gear needed to develop its capabilities and hurt production. She's been working hard, following her husband Mark Wright's training regime this summer. And Michelle Keegan showed off the results of her hours in the gym in a sizzling Instagram post on Sunday night. The actress wowed in a tiny crop top and satin flares as she snapped a selfie in the makeup chair ahead of a photoshoot. Wow! Michelle Keegan showed off the results of her hours in the gym in a sizzling Instagram post on Sunday, flaunting her incredible abs in a behind the scenes shot from a recent shoot The throwback shot showed Michelle getting glam with the help of her masked makeup and hair crew. Taking the photo in the mirror, the actress flaunted her incredibly toned abs in her racy ensemble as she playfully pouted for the camera. 'Last week ( I wish I would of taken the trousers home now),' she captioned the stunning shot. Michelle's new Instagram post came just hours after her husband Mark Wright's ex fiancee Lauren Goodger posted throwback snaps of the pair while marking 10 years in the spotlight ahead of the TOWIE reunion special on Sunday. Gym buddies: The gorgeous actress been working hard, following her husband Mark Wright's training regime this summer during lockdown The reality star, 33, took to Instagram to thank the famous show for providing her with meaningful 'memories' and insisted she's 'proud' of all her castmates. Childhood sweethearts Lauren and Mark, 33, became engaged on TOWIE, after both starring since its inauguration in 2010, and were a couple for 11 years before suffering an extremely acrimonious break-up which has led to much mud-slinging. Despite their bitter split, the Celebs Go Dating star brushed aside their past drama to upload images of them winning the Audience Award at the 2011 BAFTA Awards. Reflection: Michelle's new Insta came just hours after her husband Mark Wright's ex fiancee Lauren Goodger posted throwback snaps of the pair while marking 10 years in the spotlight The media personality wrote in an accompanying caption: '10 years ago changed my life we created a show called 'the only way is Essex' I was 22 when I first started filming and what an amazing journey this has been !! 'I put my life on national television and we won a BAFTA - not a lot people can say that ! You've seen me laugh, cry, engaged, break ups and make ups ! I've grown up on the screens and it was all real! 'Congratulations to all the OGs @towie these images are from google thank you for memories and well to all my costars im proud of you all and always will be.' (sic) Mark and Lauren were believed to be on bad terms ever since they called it quits, and the former Extra host went on to tie the knot to actress Michelle in May 2015. Model Lauren previously branded their marriage 'weird' and claimed they don't speak to each other. 'Thank you for the memories': Lauren buried the hatchet with ex Mark as she shared throwback snaps of the pair ahead of the TOWIE reunion on Sunday (pictured in 2011) We will continue to deal with Chinese PLA in firm, resolute manner: Army chief Viral Video: People forced to quarantine in metal boxes as China enforces zero Covid policy Never recognised so-called Arunachal Pradesh, says China; 5 'abducted' youths still traceless India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Sep 07: China on Monday claimed that it is "not aware" of any communication specific to the case of five Indians "being abducted" from the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh and China. China has never recognised the "so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh', which is China's south Tibet region", Global Times, a Chinese state-run media publication, quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian as saying in response to a question about the missing Indians. "We have no details to release yet about question on Indian Army sending a message to PLA about the five missing Indians in the region," he added, denying knowledge of the abduction. Arunachal Pradesh police has launched a probe following reports that five people, who had gone hunting in a forest in Upper Subansiri district on the Sino-India border, were allegedly kidnapped by the Chinese military, a senior official said on Saturday. The alleged incident occurred on Friday in Nacho area of the district, their families said. Two others, who were in the group, managed to escape and informed police, PTI news agency reported. "I have sent the officer-in-charge of the Nacho police station to the area to verify the facts and directed him to report immediately. However, the report will be available only by Sunday morning," Superintendent of Police Taru Gussar said. Congress leader Ninong Ering on Saturday morning also tweeted that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) had reportedly abducted five people from the Subasiri district. "SHOCKING NEWS: Five people from Upper Subansiri district of our state Arunachal Pradesh have reportedly been 'abducted' by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA)," Ering tweeted. China displays COVID-19 vaccines at Beijing trade fair The alleged 'abductions' MLA's come at a time when tensions have flared up again in eastern Ladakh after China's unsuccessful attempt to occupy Indian territory in the southern bank of Pangong lake. India occupied a number of strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong lake and strengthened its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese actions. China has strongly objected to India's move. However, India has maintained that the strategic heights are on its side of the LAC. India has also rushed in additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region following China's transgression attempts. Following China's fresh attempts to change the status quo in the southern bank of Pangong lake, India has further bolstered its military presence in the region. New reports on the Farmers to Families Food Box program indicate that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) overpaid and underprovided on promises to deliver tens of millions of food aid boxes to families in need. Ostensibly, the program was designed to bridge the gap between farmers who had lost markets during the pandemic and the millions of people struggling to put food on the table. It would do this by contracting distributors to purchase, package and deliver the food to charities and food banks around the country. In theory, this would have provided food to those in need, saved farmers from bankruptcy and eased the burden on food banks. The reality has been far from what was promised. Within just weeks, the program has been riddled with issues of inefficiency, disorganization and fraud. The USDA had promised to deliver 40 million boxes by the end of June. By June 17, only 17 million boxes had been delivered and by the end of July Reuters was reporting that just two-thirds of the boxes ordered had actually arrived. Food banks across the country were reporting that orders were not being fulfilled. In Puerto Rico, the distributor Caribbean Produce Exchange failed to show up to a scheduled distribution event in mid-May in San Juan, leaving 600 people waiting for food that never arrived. The catering company CR8AD8 (pronounced Create a Date) was awarded a $39 million contract but failed to deliver 250,000 boxes of the 750,000 ordered. The boxes that were delivered were often reported to have issues with packaging and labeling, making it difficult for food banks to actually distribute the provided food once delivered. Even when food boxes were delivered on time they were consistently overpriced. Both Caribbean Produce Exchange and CR8AD8 were paid up to $100 per box, much to the dismay of food bank organizers who noted that equivalent boxes could be made for two-to-three times less money. The issue lies in the very structure of the program. Other food aid programs provide assistance directly to food banks from farms. Last year, for example, the USDA purchased 18.5 million gallons of milk and delivered it to food banks free of cost. Also in 2019, the USDA purchased $1 billion worth of food impacted by increased tariffs and delivered it to food banks as well. Instead of distributing food directly, however, the USDA has overspent on contracts to outsource distribution. The idea was that food banks could not afford to distribute the extra food directly to people in need so the contractors would be paid to do that instead. This was referred to as truck to trunk and was expected to alleviate much of the pressure placed on food banks to handle nearly double the demand of previous years. It is now becoming clear that distributors oftentimes did not even uphold this end of the bargain. Food bank organizers have been reporting that distributors have been delivering food to warehouses and then leaving the food banks to foot the bill to handle the last mile from the warehouse to the distribution site. A particularly severe example of this was Gordon Food Service, which refused to deliver outside of its footprint, according to Sherrie Tussler, executive director of Wisconsins Hunger Task Force. This meant that indigenous communities were left out of reach of the food box program and Hunger Task Force was left to pay $50,000 to deliver the food itself, using money that could have been spent helping more people. To make matters worse, contracted distributors have generally purchased food from the same commercial vendors that food banks would typically buy from themselves. This means that not only are the contractors essentially pointless as middlemen, but that the farmers whom the program was ostensibly created to protect have hardly benefited at all. All the money that has been poured into paying distributors for nonexistent services has translated to overinflated box prices and wasted funds. According to the USDA, the weighted average price for fresh vegetables is 64 cents per pound and 71 cents for fresh fruit. This means that a typical American worker should be able to purchase a 20-pound box of fresh fruits and vegetables for less than $14. Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, told NPR that some of these food boxes, they were $40, $50, $60 for what youd get at a grocery store for about $20. Millions of dollars that could be utilized to feed struggling workers have been wasted all while millions of American families go hungry and millions of pounds of food have gone to waste in the fields. The USDA has taken some steps to improve the program, including increasing the size of boxes to 3040 pounds and mandating that they be combinations of produce, meat and dairy with set minimum requirements for each group. Previously, boxes weighed 1520 pounds and were often just one type of food. However, this is far too little too late. The extra $1 billion will amount to just 31 cents for each food insecure person, which Feeding America believes has risen to 54 million people due to the pandemic. The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been a wasteful and disorganized mess that has failed to accomplish even its most basic goals. It is little more than an electoral campaign stunt for President Trump, who has also ordered the placement of signed letters in food boxes touting the Presidents response to the pandemic. Such a move is a blatant attempt to utilize federal funds to promote the Trump campaign and is another wasteful insult to the millions of people suffering from the pandemic. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- As the eighth round of trade talks with the European Union is about to start, U.K. government officials from the chief trade negotiator, David Frost, to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab have put out the word that Britain is ready to walk away. To underscore the point, Boris Johnson is setting a deal deadline of Oct. 15. The prime minister is also threatening something much more serious. According to a Financial Times report on Sunday, the government will introduce legislation this week contravening the international treaty that sealed Britains EU exit. If Johnson follows through with the new law, which would weaken the Brexit Withdrawal Agreements provisions on Northern Ireland, he will probably scupper chances of a trade deal and undermine Britains international standing and credibility. At a time when his error-ridden Covid policies are under fire, it seems an odd gamble. This would be a very unwise way to proceed, tweeted Simon Coveney, Irelands foreign and defense minister. Thats diplomat speak for, Are you out of your mind? The idea of effectively ripping up the Northern Ireland Protocol is so extreme its tempting to dismiss the suggestion as an empty threat. And yet, even the posturing is worrying. Ireland, for those who can remember back to the herky-jerky ride of the Brexit talks, has a big stake in this. The purpose of the Protocol in the exit agreement is to keep the Irish border free of any customs infrastructure and allow the EU to enforce its own customs regime, while letting the U.K. pretend it hadnt ceded any sovereignty by letting this happen. Johnson has always hated that concession. Trade negotiations are stuck primarily over the question of state-aid rules. The EU argues that Britain should hew closely to the trading blocs regulations to avoid unfair competition; Johnsons government argues that as a non-member it no longer has to obey the EU. Only it sort of does. Under the terms of the Protocol, the U.K. cannot diverge from EU state aid rules in any way that impacts trade between Northern Ireland and the EU. That may sound minor, but as the lawyer George Peretz has noted, the bar for determining such trade effects may be low. And it will be independent regulators, the courts, the European Commission and ultimately even the European Court of Justice who are the arbiters of a breach. Johnson himself will have very little say. Story continues Regardless of the prime ministers frustrations, abrogating an international treaty that he only recently signed would do lasting damage to Britains EU relationships. Once you lose trust in that way, its not hard to imagine the implications for cooperation on security, counter-terrorism, migration policing and other important issues. It would have knock-on effects for future trade talks with other countries. How would anyone sign a deal with the Johnson government after that? Its not clear how his government would pull it off, either. Johnsons 80-seat majority means he can generally pass any legislation he wants. But international treaties take precedence over domestic law, so the courts would presumably invalidate any provisions that undermine the Withdrawal Agreement. Even if Johnson is bluffing on the legislative threat, the collapse of trade talks is a real possibility, with its own set of consequences. As much as I think he must be taken at his word when he says hed like an agreement, the situation isnt a repeat of last years crunch dealmaking ahead of the withdrawal deal. Johnson isnt trying to win an election this time, so there is no political imperative to fudge a deal. Its long been clear that Britain is unlikely to get a trade deal thats significantly better in economic terms than not having one. And to strike any deal, Johnson would have to agree to compromises that would displease the ardent Brexiters in his party. He may also have calculated that during the economic ravages of the pandemic, some increased trade friction wont be noticed as much and an already swollen government budget can be used to soften the blow. Or he may be betting that, following a cooling-off period, negotiations will resume: The two trading partners need each other too much to stay mad. Indeed, a big punch-up with the EU may seem just the thing right now. Labour leader Keir Starmer has gained in popularity with his accusations of government incompetence over Covid. Refocusing attention on Brexit gives the Tories a rallying point and hands Labour a reminder of that partys own divisions on the subject of Europe, which nearly tore it apart last year. However, none of the arguments for walking away are compelling on grounds other than short-term political expediency. Britain has already left the EU and on Dec. 31 will lose its access to Europes single market. People are going to feel some impact after Jan. 1. Will they really just blame Brussels? Of course a no-deal exit will impact business and U.K. Consumers. Whether or not the aggregate impact pales in comparison with the pandemics wrecking ball is beside the point. If we learned anything from the recent U.K. fiasco over school exam grades, its that individual stories matter greatly. How will Johnson respond should small U.K. businesses start closing because of new trade frictions? All of the theatrics could be just that an attempt to concentrate minds as another round of U.K.-EU trade negotiations kick off. If there is a deal to be done, however, it will require political will, from Johnson and the EU governments. So far, the U.K. prime minister is signalling hes not very interested. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. She was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies during the House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on Aug. 24, 2020. (Tom Williams/Pool via Reuters) Trump Supports Probe of Postmaster General DeJoy President Donald Trump on Monday said he supports an investigation into Postmaster General Louis DeJoy after former employees at DeJoys company claimed they were pressured to donate to Republicans. I dont know too much about it, Trump said, adding that he read the story containing the allegations. Asked if he would support an investigation, the president said he would. Let the investigations go, but hes a very respected man, he said. Asked if he supports DeJoy losing his post, Trump added, If something can be proven that he did something wrong. I think hes a very honest guy, but well see, Trump told reporters at the White House in Washington. DeJoy donated to Trumps 2016 campaign but the president was not directly involved in appointing him. President Donald Trump speaks during a labor day press conference at the North Portico of the White House in Washington on Sept. 7, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) DeJoy led New Breed Logistics, a shipping operation, before being appointed to head the U.S. Postal Service earlier this year by the services Board of Governors. Louis was a national fundraiser for the Republican Party. He asked employees for money. We gave him the money, and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses, David Young, who directed human resources at New Breed Logistics for about 15 years, told the Washington Post. No other former employees quoted in the piece were named. A spokesman for DeJoy told the paper, which is owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, that DeJoy wasnt aware of any pressure put on employees making contributions. Mr. DeJoy was never notified by the New Breed employees referenced by the Washington Post of any pressure they might have felt to make a political contribution, and he regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason, the spokesman said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on March 20, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) During questioning by Congress last month, a representative asked whether DeJoy paid back top executives through bonuses or awards. Thats an outrageous claim, sir, and I resent that, he said. The answer is no. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement that the story contained very serious allegations that must be investigated immediately, independent of the Trump Justice Department. North Carolinas Attorney Generalan elected official who is independent of Donald Trumpis the right person to start this investigation, he added. And Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), during an appearance on MSNBC, called on DeJoy to resign. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service has filed administrative charges against the nine policemen involved in the June 29 shooting incident in Sulu that killed four soldiers. PNP Chief Police General Camilo Cascolan said grave misconduct charges were filed against the policemen, adding this may lead to their dismissal from service. Administrative charges were also filed against three officers for command responsibility: Provincial director of Sulu police Col. Michael Bawayan, Jolo Chief of Police Major Walter Annayo, and Sulu police drug enforcement head Captain Ariel Corcino. All policemen are now under restrictive custody in Camp Crame. The National Bureau of Investigation earlier filed murder and planting of evidence charges against the nine policemen while neglect of duty cases were filed against the three officials before the Justice Department. The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed the filing of administrative cases against the 12 police officers. "We in the AFP will not stop until justice is served with dispatch for the victims of that unfortunate incident. Justice should neither be delayed nor denied to our soldiers who were killed while in the actual performance of their solemn duty to protect our people and secure our country from terrorists," it said in a statement. AFP Chief Gilbert Gapay previously said that the four troops killed were chasing suspected terrorists on that fateful day. He said they were minutes away from taking down the suspects when the soldiers were shot by the police. The suspects that got away were later found to be those who perpetrated the deadly twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu last August 24. CNN Philippines correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report. Conservationists are not known for delivering a lot of good news. But in the Burmese roofed turtle a giant Asian river turtle whose bug-eyed face is naturally set in a goofy grin they have cause for celebration. Just 20 years ago, the species was presumed extinct. But after rediscovering a handful of surviving animals, scientists have grown the population to nearly 1,000 animals in captivity, some of which have been successfully released into the wild in Myanmar over the past five years. We came so close to losing them, said Steven G Platt, a herpetologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society. If we didnt intervene when we did, this turtle would have just been gone. Turtles and tortoises face one of the highest extinction risks of any animal group, with more than half the planets 360 species listed as threatened. The crisis is most acute for Asian species, pummeled by both habitat loss and high levels of hunting for food, medicine and the pet trade. The Burmese roofed turtle is among the species that has faced this toll. The turtles once basked in the hundreds at the mouth of the Irrawaddy river south of Yangon, Myanmars largest city, with a range stretching all the way to Bhamo in the north. Females which grow significantly larger than males can exceed the size of a steering wheel, while males undergo a breeding-season transformation that causes their usually green heads to turn a bright chartreuse-yellow with bold black markings. By the mid-20th century, intensified fishing pressure and indiscriminate trapping techniques were killing many adult turtles, while overharvesting of eggs prevented the population from replenishing itself. For decades, Western scientists had no idea how the species was faring, as the country was closed to foreigners. When it began to reopen in the 1990s, researchers could find no trace of the Burmese roofed turtle. Many presumed it to be extinct. In 2001, however, a villager in a former war zone handed Platt a shell from a Burmese roofed turtle. The bad news was that the turtle had recently been eaten. The good news was that the species wasnt extinct, reigniting hope for it. Around the same time, a live specimen turned up in a market in Hong Kong and subsequently found its way to an American collector, who still has it in his possession. When the species showed up in a pet shop in Hong Kong, it raised a lot of eyebrows, said Rick Hudson, president of the Turtle Survival Alliance. There were a number of local dealers smuggling star tortoises out of Burma at that time, so we just assumed it had been smuggled out by the same traders. Encouraged by these developments, Gerald Kuchling, a biologist now at the University of Western Australia, secured permission to initiate a joint expedition with the Myanmar Forest Department to survey the upper Chindwin River, where an American expedition in the 1930s had collected Burmese roofed turtles. When the summer monsoon grounded the team in Mandalay, Kuchling killed time by visiting the turtle pond at a Buddhist temple. Gazing out at the murky water, he suddenly saw three smiley heads pop up. They bore an uncanny resemblance to photos of Burmese roofed turtles he had seen in old natural history catalogs. Kuchling returned the next day and lured the three turtles to the edge of the pond with a bit of grass. In the seconds before the guards shouted for him to back away, he was able to confirm that they were indeed the long-lost species. I was very excited, and definitely flabbergasted, he said. Kuchling and his Burmese colleagues worked with the temples board to transfer the rare reptiles, a male and two female turtles, to the Mandalay Zoo. The species luck was just beginning. Kuchling found several additional surviving individuals in the Dokhtawady River, a tributary of the Irrawaddy, and arranged for their transfer to the Mandalay Zoo. A major damming project soon destroyed local suitable nesting habitat. When Kuchling finally made it to the upper Chindwin River, fishermen from the Shan ethnic group also confirmed that a handful of female turtles still nested there each dry season. Rather than capture the turtles in the upper Chindwin River, Kuchling worked with the Forest Department and the Wildlife Conservation Society to set up a conservation stewardship program to annually hire nearby villagers to fence off the beach, watch for nesting turtles and carefully excavate the eggs. Later, the Turtle Survival Alliance also joined the village partnership. Around 1,000 Burmese roofed turtles some hatched from eggs laid in the wild and others bred in captivity now live at three facilities in Myanmar. Five wild females also continue to go back to the Chindwin beach to lay eggs. No one knows how many wild male turtles remain, but in 2015, all the females stopped producing fertile eggs, suggesting that any remaining males had died. After the researchers released 50 turtles from captivity, all five wild female reptiles began producing viable young, including one that had never laid fertile eggs before. While the species is no longer in danger of complete extinction, Platt cautioned that unsustainable fishing practices remain a problem for the turtles recovery in nature. I dont expect we can raise the flag of success during my career, he said. Scientists also still do not fully understand the turtles biology and ecology. Barely a month ago, Platt and his colleagues published the first description of baby Burmese roofed turtles. The lack of basic knowledge makes it difficult to determine which aspects of the environment need to be protected to enable the species to survive in the wild. All that said, Hudson added, this is one of the best global-level turtle conservation successes we have. US President Donald Trump has been putting forth convoluted guidance to his supporters on submitting double votes in the November election, an act that would be illegal and risk public safety in the pandemic. In a week filled with fabrication, half-truths and misrepresentation, he also wrongly took full credit for veterans improvements that were underway before he took office. He said he never called John McCain a loser he did and also distorted events in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Democratic rival Joe Biden falsely claimed to have been the first person to have called for the use of emergency production powers in the pandemic, and he tried to shed light on the history of the incandescent bulb, but was a bit hazy. A look at recent claims and reality: NOVEMBER ELECTION TRUMP: So you sign your ballot and mail it in, just mail it On election day or early voting, go to your polling place, even though youve mailed it in, go to your polling place to see whether or not your mail-in vote has been tabulated or counted. So if it hasnt been counted, if it doesnt show up, go and vote. And then if your mail-in ballot arrives after you vote, which it shouldnt, but possibly it could, perhaps. That ballot will not be used So send it in and then see, and then vote, and lets see what happens. North Carolina tele-rally on Friday. TRUMP: Send in your ballots, send them in strong And you send them in, but you go to vote. If they havent counted it, you can vote. interview Wednesday with WECT TV6 in Wilmington, North Carolina. THE FACTS: To be clear, it is illegal in all 50 states and under federal law to vote twice in an election. Election officials also advise people against heading to the polls to check on their mail-in ballots and then attempting to cast another ballot if there isnt full verification, saying it will cause unnecessary chaos, long waits and health dangers in the pandemic. Contrary to what Trump suggests, information on whether a ballot has been counted is typically not available right away. In several states, absentee ballots arent even counted until after polls close. What can be checked is whether an absentee ballot has been received, and in some cases, whether it has passed a security review and will be submitted for counting. A flood of voters showing up on Nov. 3 to check the status of their ballots would mean even more disruption, election officials say. Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, said the board strongly discourages people from following the presidents guidance. That is not necessary, and it would lead to longer lines and the possibility of spreading COVID-19, she said in a statement. Brinson Bell added: Attempting to vote twice in an election or soliciting someone to do so also is a violation of North Carolina law. Many states offer ways for voters to verify the status of their ballot online that provide information on when an absentee ballot request has been received, when a ballot has been sent, when the ballot has been received by a local election office and whether it has passed the security review and been accepted. These are typically available on the website of the state election board or the secretary of state. Voters in the few states that dont provide this information online have the option to call their local election office. ___ ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR on fraud in the vote-by-mail process: Elections that have been held with mail have found substantial fraud and coercion. CNN on Wednesday. THE FACTS: Actually, multiple studies have debunked the notion of pervasive voter fraud in general and in the vote-by-mail process. The five states that relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah have said they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure against fraud and to prevent hostile foreign actors from co-opting the vote. More states intend to rely more heavily on mail-in voting this fall because of the pandemic. The attorney general cited a report from more than a decade ago from a commission led by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker that said vote-by-mail was vulnerable to fraud. But the commission pointed out in a statement in May that it had found little evidence of fraud in states such as Oregon that had sufficient safeguards. Barr also said he was basing on logic his concern that a hostile foreign actor could produce bogus ballots for the election. But senior U.S. officials said on a conference call with reporters last month that they had no intelligence to suggest that was happening. _____ VETERANS and McCAIN TRUMP: I was never a big fan of John McCain, disagreed with him on many things including ridiculous endless wars and the lack of success he had in dealing with the VA and our great Vets. part of a series of tweets Thursday. VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY ROBERT WILKIE, referring to Trump: I see the proof in the pudding. And the proof in the pudding is, our military is stronger, and our Veterans Affairs Department is in a place that it has never been. This is the renaissance. And its all because of one man. interview Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. THE FACTS: Trump and his VA chief are ignoring the accomplishments begun during the Obama-Biden administration, which included McCains singular successes on behalf of fellow veterans. McCain was a leading force in the Senate behind the law that gave veterans an option to go outside the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system and get private care at public expense under certain conditions. President Barack Obama signed the VA Choice legislation into law. Ignoring that reality, Trump persistently claims that he brought Choice into law when no one else could. Trump signed a law in 2018 that expanded the options for using the Choice program established by Obama, McCain and other lawmakers. The 2018 law is named after three lawmakers who were veterans of war. All of them now are dead. They are Rep. Samuel R. Johnson, R-Texas, and Democratic Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawaii, and McCain, R-Ariz. Both Trump and Wilkie also frequently point to VA accomplishments such as improved wait times and the offering of same-day mental health services. But those same-day services at VA were started during the Obama administration under Wilkies predecessor, David Shulkin, who was a VA health undersecretary at the time. A 2019 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, meanwhile, found improved wait times at VA from 2014 to 2017, a period largely covering the Obama administration, with VA patient satisfaction also on the rise. While the VA has shown good ratings during the Trump administration, the VA improvements that Wilkie attributes all to one man Trump alone are sorely misplaced. ___ TRUMP: Also, I never called John a loser and swear on whatever, or whoever, I was asked to swear on, that I never called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES. tweet Thursday. THE FACTS: He called McCain a loser. In addition, The Associated Press has confirmed many of the comments Trump was reported by The Atlantic to have made disparaging fallen or captured U.S. service members, such as his description of the American dead in a military graveyard as losers. As for McCain, Trump told a conservative forum in Iowa in 2015 that his view of McCain changed when McCain lost the 2008 presidential election to Obama. He lost, so I never liked him as much after that, cause I dont like losers, he said. Trump went on to dismiss McCains war service: Hes not a war hero. Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people that werent captured. Trump in 2015 also tweeted a news article on Twitter calling McCain a loser. ___ THE WALL TRUMP, claiming Biden wants to eliminate Americas borders: He wants to tear down the wall he actually suggested tearing down the wall that we fought so hard to get built. North Carolina tele-rally on Friday. THE FACTS: Thats false. Bidens immigration plan does not include money for new border fencing, and he and his campaign task force on immigration arent calling for any new walls. But neither has proposed taking down existing barriers. Asked specifically by NPR last month if he would tear down the wall, Biden said: No. There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration, No. 1. No. 2 Im going to make sure that we have border protection, but its going to be based on making sure that we use high-tech capacity to deal with it and at the ports of entry. Thats where all bad stuff is happening. ___ PANDEMIC BIDEN: When it got up to March, I kept saying, Look, youve got to invoke, and you remember, I think I was the first I may be mistaken person calling for the Defense Production Act. comment after a news conference Wednesday. THE FACTS: He is correct about being mistaken. Biden issued a statement March 18 saying he was issuing a call for Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to give priority to and immediately increase domestic production of any critical medical equipment required to respond to this crisis such as the production of ventilators and associated training to operate. His call came the same day Trump signed an order to use his authority under the act. Five days earlier a group of Democrats in Congress wrote to Trump asking him to use powers under the act, a step that Trump officials and others had been discussing publicly for several weeks. ___ LIGHT BULB BIDEN: Why in Gods name dont we teach history in history classes? A Black man invented the light bulb, not a white guy named Edison. in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Thursday. THE FACTS: Biden is shading the actual story a bit. Thomas Edison invented the incandescent electric light bulb, but it burned out quickly. It was Lewis Latimer, an African American inventor who worked with Alexander Bell and later with Edison, who made light bulbs practical to use. Latimer created a light bulb with a durable carbon filament and sold the patent to the U.S. Electric Co. in 1881. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Although todays light bulbs use filaments of tungsten, which lasts even longer than carbon, Latimer will always be remembered for making the widespread use of electric light possible, in public and at home. Latimer is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. ___ PROTESTS and VIOLENCE TRUMP, on Wisconsin officials and the National Guard: Once they responded and once we took, you know, control of it, things went really well. remarks in Kenosha on Tuesday. TRUMP: One of the reasons Im making the trip today and going to Wisconsin is weve had such a big success in shutting down what would be, right now, a city that wouldve been Kenosha a city that wouldve been burnt to the ground by now. And it all stopped immediately upon the National Guards arrival. remarks Tuesday before visiting Wisconsin. THE FACTS: Not true. He had nothing to do with the deployment of the National Guard in Wisconsin. The federal government never took control of it. Gov. Tony Evers, D-Wis., activated the states National Guard the day after a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake, sparking protests and violence over police actions and racism. When National Guard forces from three other states came in to help, it was because the governor had asked for that help from fellow governors, not the White House. Evers said National Guard troops from Arizona, Michigan and Alabama were operating under the control of those states and Wisconsin, not in a federal status. National Guards answer to governors and sometimes state legislatures, not Washington. The federal government sent deputy marshals from the U.S. Marshals Service and agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, about 200 in all. The restoration of order was primarily in the hands of National Guard units and local law enforcement. As of last week, 1,000 National Guard troops from Wisconsin were in Kenosha along with 500 National Guard troops from the other three states, said Wisconsin National Guard Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp. ___ TRUMP, asked if he would condemn the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged in the shooting deaths of two men during Kenosha protests: You saw the same tape as I saw. And he was trying to get away from them, I guess; it looks like. And he fell, and then they very violently attacked him. And it was something that were looking at right now and its under investigation. But I guess he was in very big trouble. He would have been I he probably would have been killed. news conference on Aug. 31. THE FACTS: His implication that Rittenhouse only shot the men after he tripped and they attacked him is wrong. The first fatal shooting happened before Rittenhouse ran away and fell. Trump did not say whom he meant by they the two men he shot or others in pursuit of him. But he spoke in defense of someone who opposed racial justice protesters, who authorities say was illegally carrying a semi-automatic rifle and who prosecutors accuse of committing intentional homicide. According to the criminal complaint released by prosecutors, victim Joseph Rosenbaum was shot and killed first, after following Rittenhouse into a parking lot, where Rosenbaum threw a plastic bag at the gunman and tried to take the weapon from him. The medical examiner found that Rosenbaum was shot in the groin and back which fractured his pelvis and perforated his right lung and liver and his left hand. He also suffered a superficial wound to his left thigh and a graze wound to his forehead. Rittenhouse then ran down the street and was chased by several people trying to stop him and shouting that he just shot someone, according to the criminal complaint and cellphone video footage. He tripped and fell. Anthony Huber, who was carrying a skateboard, was shot in the chest after apparently trying to wrest the gun from Rittenhouse, the complaint said. A third man was shot and injured. Rittenhouses lawyer said he acted to defend himself. ___ JOBS BIDEN: Donald Trump may be the only president in modern history to leave office with fewer jobs than when he took office. Wilmington, Delaware, speech Friday. THE FACTS: Maybe yes, maybe no. Not since Depression-era Herbert Hoover has a president left office with a record of fewer jobs than when he began. This could happen to Trump because of the pandemic, but he could also end up with a small gain. In August there were 4.7 million fewer jobs than there were when Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. But if he leaves office in five months, and if the economy adds more than 1 million jobs each month, as happened in July and August, he could end up in the black. There are signs, though, that the gains are slowing as businesses have recalled many of the workers who were temporarily laid off from restaurants, bars, retailers and other businesses. So Bidens prediction could come true. Rounds of wet weather and gusty winds will spread over parts of the Plains through midweek as a potent storm system drops south over the region. The same storm that is causing temperatures to plummet and bringing late-summer snow to the Rocky Mountains through the beginning of the week will also bring wet weather to the center of the country. A storm system sinking south across the West as well as the Plains will help to usher in this change in the pattern. The storm arrived across the northern U.S. on Monday and is expected to spread areas of rain across the Dakotas, Minnesota and into Nebraska. After sinking southward, the storm will hover over northern Texas through the middle of the week. As the storm lingers over this area, rounds of rain and some thunderstorms will continue from Nebraska to Wisconsin and Iowa and expand over parts of the southern Plains. As the storm reaches the southern Plains, it will be able to pull in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, creating pockets of heavier rain that could lead to rainfall totals of 2-4 inches across this region. This will be most likely in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas and will be the most likely location for an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 6 inches. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Widespread rainfall totals of 1-2 inches are expected across the rest of the region. Any rain can help to ease the moderate to severe drought conditions that have been developing across the Plains through the summer months. The clash of cold, dry air arriving across the warm and humid southern Plains will also help to spark heavy thunderstorms from Missouri to Texas into Wednesday. The storms can bring downpours that can increase the risk of flash flooding across the region as well as gusty winds. Motorists traveling along interstates 35, 40, 70 and 80 through Wednesday should be wary of reduced visibility in heavier downpours and ponding on low-lying roadways. This storm system will also whip up wind gusts of 40-60 mph across the central U.S. through Tuesday night as it arrives across the region. An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 80 mph will be possible. Story continues Winds of this speed can cause localized damage to structures and crops and kick up dust in areas that have been dry before wet weather arrives. This storm system will also help to usher cooler air across Plains. While temperature drops are not expected to be record challenging, like in Denver, some areas can expect cooler conditions to end the week. Afternoon temperatures in the 90s F across Texas and Kansas on Monday will be replaced with much lower temperatures by the middle of the week. The temperature in Wichita, Kansas, climbed to 98 F on Monday, but plummeted through the 60s during the midday hours on Tuesday and may struggle to reach 60 on Wednesday. Amarillo, Texas, reached 91 F on Monday. Temperatures lunged into the 40s for a time on Tuesday and may struggle to top 50 on Wednesday. The normal high temperature for both Wichita and Amarillo for the beginning of September is around 86 F. Cool and rain conditions are forecast to continue across the central U.S. into Thursday as the storm system begins to move east and weaken. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. Absentee ballot application forms sent by outside groups add to voters' confusion, especially that they receive not just one but plenty of application forms in the mail. This, because third parties and outside groups are increasing their efforts, especially for this year, to get people to vote. One way that major political parties and voter engagement groups ramp up election votes is to send out application forms for absentee ballots. It is perfectly legal for these groups to do so as long as they comply with the guidelines put out by the state. However, the problem is that these groups do not coordinate with the state, who also sent out application forms; thus, Americans received not just one but several absentee ballot application forms. Unfortunately, some Americans are not aware that one absentee ballot application is enough for an official ballot to be sent to them after local election officials verify their information. So when they received more forms after they have already mailed one, they would fill it in and send it because they have not received the ballot yet, according to a report on ABC News. So aside from adding to voters' confusion, it is also making local election officials frustrated because they would receive and process more than one application from a single voter. And, this activity of mailing in multiple absentee ballot applications is snowballing in local election offices and adding to the work of election officials who are working 24-7 to adhere to the changes of election law this year. The eligibility for absentee voting has been expanded because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This, so Americans do not have to go out of their homes to vote. According to a report on The Hill, over the weekend, Iowa sent application forms for an absentee ballot to all of its active registered voters. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said that Iowans could choose how they want to cast their votes. They can either vote from home via the absentee ballot or in-person at the county auditor's office or on Election Day. The application forms that were sent out included prepaid, first-class mail postage. While many Americans are preparing to vote from their homes' safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the veracity of absentee ballot voting has also been questioned. Some claim that there is a difference between an absentee ballot and a mail-in ballot, according to a report on the USA Today. An absentee ballot would require proof of identity while a mail-in ballot does not. While there is a difference between the two, both would certainly need to be verified to be officially counted. That is aside from the fact that both ballots, regardless of what they are called, are sent through the mail. As Election Day nears, Americans should expect to receive more absentee ballot application forms as outside groups will continue to work hard to ensure that many will vote for the president of their choice. Check these out: COVID-19 Vaccine: President Trump Says the Vaccine May Be Available by October Already Senate GOP Unity on New Stimulus Package to Get Divided by Sen. Cruz's School Choice Plan Majority of Latino Voters in California Are Certain to Vote in November Wellington, Sep 7 : New Zealand reported four new coronavirus cases, including two in managed isolation facilities who had arrived from India, on Monday, according to Health Ministry. The two cases comprised a boy and a woman in her 20s. They arrived from India on August 23 and both of them had close contact with previously confirmed cases, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying. The other two new cases were linked to the Auckland cluster, it added. Presently, there are 70 people linked to the community cluster who remain in the Auckland quarantine facilities, including 52 who have tested positive for the virus. With Monday's new cases, the total number of active cases in New Zealand is 118. Of those, 41 are in managed isolation facilities, and 77 are community case. The country's total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 is now 1,425, the Ministry said. New rules for testing certain higher-risk workers at the border and in managed isolation and quarantine facilities were in force on Monday, shifting surveillance testing at the border to a more routine pattern. 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Caring.com, an online site aimed at caregivers, ranked Fredericksburg in second place nationally behind San Francisco. Washington, D.C.the only other locality nearby to make the top 10was ranked in seventh place. Fredericksburg is a wonderful place for seniors to livewe have a thriving arts and cultural scene, a top-notch hospital, wonderful restaurants, great housing options, and a perfect location that provides easy access to world-class cities, mountains and beaches. We truly have it all here in Fredericksburg, and it was great to see that reflected in the recent rankings, said Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Caring.coms Senior Living Report graded cities and states across six categories: senior housing, engagement, affordability, quality of life, health care and transportation. Fredericksburg was No. 1 nationally in the health care and senior housing categories. The city does quite a bit to keep seniors in the community comfortable and happy, Caring.coms report stated. The Fredericksburg Senior Citizen Association offers a variety of engaging activities and programs, as well as day trips to nearby attractions, and the city government provides income supplements to seniors residing in licensed assisted-living facilities or approved adult foster care homes. The complete report is available at caring.com/senior-living. Minister of Health Paulette Lenert was RTL Radio's invitee on Monday morning. Lenert said that she expects a coronavirus vaccine to be ready by the end of 2020, or in early 2021 at the latest. A working group would be in place to come up with an effective vaccine strategy. In hindsight, locking down Luxembourg in March was the right choice to make, said the minister, but another similar situation should be avoided at all cost. Nonetheless, both the government and the public are much better prepared and a more nuanced approach could be taken to tackle a third wave swiftly, should it be necessary. Video report in Luxembourgish: Invitee on Monday morning: Paulette Lenert E Meindeg de Moie war d'Gesondheetsministesch eis Invitee vun der Redaktioun. The public behaves differently now that they comprehend what the virus is about, how to maintain distance and how to stay safe in general. This reflects in the recent statistics, Lenert explained. The testing and tracing strategy is also working well. Most infections show up in travellers returning from summer holidays abroad, and family gatherings are no longer are big cause for concern. A small peak is expected in autumn again, as this accompanies the yearly flu season. Precise testing will be of great importance then. Cross-border workers that tested positive are no longer included in the daily statistics by the ministry. But this does not affect the testing strategy; cross-border workers are still tested and tracing is completed for positive cases, but the numbers are no longer reported, as they had a negative effect abroad. A leading infectious diseases expert has accused Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews of chasing an eradication strategy, going against the National Cabinets agreement to suppress the virus. Professor Peter Collignon from the Australian National University told Channel Nines Today show such a coronavirus strategy wasnt sustainable, hitting out at the stringent steps outlined by Mr Andrews on Sunday as part of his roadmap out of lockdown. It is not sustainable for the long-term and it is a plan to get elimination. No-one has done that except Taiwan... New Zealand tried but it came back, he said. Prof Collignon said the roadmap was not achievable, with Step Three requiring less than 5 daily cases on average over a 14-day period. Yet Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton stressed on Monday the steps are the only option, telling ABC Breakfast they will enable the state to avoid a scenario that is too awful to contemplate. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has defended the state's roadmap. Source: Getty Mr Andrews has repeatedly denied the states strategy has shifted to one pursuing elimination of the virus, however he said last week it could well be a by-product of measures put in place. Weve got to defeat this and do it properly, he told The Sunday Project. Prof Sutton said it wasnt a total elimination strategy however, eliminating community transmission was the goal. It is an aggressive suppression strategy that effectively eliminates community transmission, he told ABC Breakfast. That's what we're looking to get to. And that's what is going to help guarantee, or give us the greatest confidence possible that we can keep it under wraps for weeks and months ahead of us. NSW situation different, CHO says Prof Sutton addressed concerns that if the roadmap was applied to NSW, its current level of infection means the state would find itself under lockdown. NSW is in a different situation. They don't have the levels of community transmission that Victoria has got, he said. They haven't had the kind of numbers that we've had to move through with these ongoing transmission chains that are hard to get on top of. Story continues People will be allowed to exercise for two hours a day in Melbourne from September 13. NSW has not achieved below an average of five daily cases over a two-week period in over two months. And while Prime Minister Scott Morrison has heaped praise on NSWs response to the virus, allowing the states residents relative freedom while suppressing daily infections to below 20, Prof Sutton said it wasnt a chance Victoria was willing to take. I don't want to provide commentary on NSWs approach, but we do know that whenever there are grumbling cases that just continue along - there's always a risk of it taking off again, as we've seen in South Korea, as we saw in Singapore, he said. Prof Sutton said he was confident the state could reach the desired 28-day period of no transmission. We know that most of Australia got to that. We know that we can get to that with the same kind of metrics, he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Philippe Coutinho will return to the Nou Camp next season as Barcelona rule out another loan move for the 28-year-old. Barca manager Ronald Koeman wants to keep the Brazilian, who helped Bayern Munich smash his parent club 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals before going on to lift the trophy with the German side. The Catalan giants will only consider selling Coutinho if a club offers a substantial fee to take him permanently, according to Marca. Attacking midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, will now stay at Barcelona for the coming season However, given the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic, Barcelona are unlikely to receive an offer which meets their demands. Instead, Koeman plans to utilise the former Liverpool man as a central midfielder next season, rather than playing him as winger like Ernesto Valverde had previously done. Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman wants to play the Brazilian as a central midfielder next season Coutinho scored twice for Bayern Munich against Barcelona during their 8-2 thrashing Coutinhos future had looked bleak at Barca as he struggled to impress since leaving Liverpool in 2018 for 145m. Following a lacklustre debut season at the Nou Camp, Coutinho was shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich. Despite scoring for Bayern during their 8-2 thrashing of Barca which led to Quique Setien being sacked the German giants turned down the opportunity to sign Coutinho permanently for 108m. The decision had left the door open for potential suitors to snap up the 28-year-old, but the appointment of Koeman has now changed the Brazilians fate. Coutinho had previously been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Frank Lampard's Chelsea offering Barcelona a deal. However, the midfielder is now back in Spain training with Barcelona ahead of next season. Five police officers surrounded two elderly women sitting on a park bench in Melbourne and threatened to arrest them for not showing their identification. A bystander filmed the heavy-handed confrontation, which ended with a policeman snatching a mobile phone from one of the women after she started filming the ordeal in the Victorian capital on Saturday. 'No, I'm not standing up,' the woman could be heard telling the officers in the footage. 'On what grounds am I under arrest? This is unlawful.' Five officers were filmed by a bystander swarming around two elderly women sitting on a park bench in the Victorian capital on Saturday The woman then raised her voice to again ask why she was being arrested. 'For failing to provide your name and address,' one of the female officers responded. The woman's friend pulled out her phone to record the encounter, before a male police officer stood behind her and aggressively snatched it from her hand. 'Excuse me, you have no right to seize my property,' the woman yelled. Victoria Police were unable to confirm whether the woman was arrested. A police spokesman said: 'Generally speaking, it is an offence to not provide your name and details to police when they believe you have either committed or are about to commit an offence. 'As part of their powers, police have the ability to remove items from a persons possession where necessary to effect an arrest.' Melbourne residents are currently only allowed to leave home between 5am and 9pm for work, exercise, essential shopping or caregiving. Saturday's incident happened while a 'Freedom Day' protest took place in the city. Police said seven people were charged with breaching COVID-19 directions after some 200 people gathered to protest near the city centre. Scuffles between demonstrators and police resulted in more than 160 fines for contravening lockdown measures or not wearing a mask. 'Despite all the warnings, it was disappointing to see individuals turn out to protest in the city, putting the lives of Victorians at risk,' a police statement said. Victoria Police charged a protester with assault after an officer suffered cuts to the head during the anti-lockdown rally. A photographer at the scene said a man punched officers at the city's Shrine of Remembrance before being fitted with a mask and handcuffs. Saturday's incident happened while a 'Freedom Day' protest took place in Melbourne Officers and Melburnians fall to the ground during dramatic arrests from the anti-lockdown protest on Saturday Later at Albert Park, police reportedly surrounded a group of about 30-50, pushing some to the ground. Some of the demonstrators carried placards with anti-government sentiments and at one stage were singing the national anthem. Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday announced stage four lockdown would be extended another two weeks. Victoria on Monday recorded 41 new COVID-19 cases - the state's lowest daily count in since June 27 - and nine deaths. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment. New Delhi: Actress Kangana Ranaut, in a series of tweets, has alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has "taken over her office" - her production house Manikarnika Films - in Mumbai and she has been informed that they will demolish the property on Tuesday. Kangana also posted a video of a few men, which she claimed to be BMC officials, present at her office. She tweeted, "They have forcefully taken over my office measuring everything, also harassing my neighbors when they retorted. BMC officials used language like, 'vo jo madam hai uski kartoot ka parinam sabko bharna hoga'. I am informed tomorrow they are demolishing my property." However, Kangana added that she has all the papers of the office and there is no illegal construction in the property. "I have all the papers, BMC permissions, nothing has been done illegal in my property, BMC should send a structure plan to show the illegal construction with a notice, today they raided my place and without any notice tomorrow they demolishing entire structure," read the tweet. I have all the papers, BMC permissions nothing has been done illegal in my property, BMC should send a structure plan to show the illegal construction with a notice, today they raided my place and without any notice tomorrow they demolishing entire structure Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 7, 2020 The actress also tweeted a video of how Manikarnika Films' office looks like and said in Hindi that it took her 15 years of hard work to achieve the dream of having her own office. Kangana is currently in her hometown Manali. She is likely to arrive in Mumbai on September 9 amid the controversy surrounding her and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut over the actress' statement comparing Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Earlier today, Kangana was granted Y category security by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). A photo allegedly showing the fake Obama in Trump's office Donald Trump so hated Barack Obama that he hired a look-alike to sit in his office so he could "fire" him, according to claims in a new book from the president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen. In Disloyal, out on Tuesday, Mr Cohen alleges that his old boss was a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man. The lawyer, 54, is currently under house arrest, having been freed from prison early during the coronavirus pandemic. He was sentenced to three years in December 2018 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and campaign finance violations - crimes he alleged were a result of covering up for Mr Trump's "dirty deeds". In a photo included in the book, Mr Trump is seen seated at his desk across from the alleged "Faux-Bama", wearing a suit with an American flag pin. Michael Cohen and Donald Trump - REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Mr Cohen writes that Mr Trump "ritualistically belittled the first black president and then fired him." He claims the New York billionaire was obsessed with Mr Obama, who he claimed was only accepted into Columbia University and Harvard Law School because of affirmative action. He also claims Mr Trump made racist comments about black leaders. Tell me one country run by a black person that isnt a ****hole. They are all complete ******* toilets, he allegedly said, during one rant about the former president. In response to the claims, the White House called Mr Cohen's memoir "fan fiction". White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany attacked Mr Cohen's credibility in a statement on Saturday, saying that "Michael Cohen is a disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer, who lied to Congress. He has lost all credibility, and it's unsurprising to see his latest attempt to profit off lies." Michael Cohen, former attorney and fixer for President Donald Trump, testifies before the House Oversight Committee in 2019 - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The one world leader Mr Trump did admire was Vladimir Putin, according to Mr Cohen's account. "Locking up your political enemies, criminalizing dissent, terrifying or bankrupting the free press through libel lawsuits - Trump's all-encompassing vision wasn't evident to me before he began to run for president," Mr Cohen writes. Story continues Separately on Sunday it emerged that while in Paris in 2018, Mr Trump spotted artworks inside the US ambassador's residence that he liked, and ordered them loaded onto Air Force One for the return trip to Washington. State Department lawyers were stunned and scurried to ensure the move was legal - ultimately ruling that it was, because the artwork was US government property, according to a Bloomberg report. The White House confirmed the president took artwork from Paris. "The president brought these beautiful, historical pieces, which belong to the American people, back to the United States to be prominently displayed in the People's House," said White House spokesperson Judd Deere, in response to questions from Bloomberg News. The Panamanian-registered New Diamond, carrying over 270,000 tonnes of crude and diesel, was en-route from Kuwait to the India when the fire broke out A massive fire that crippled an oil tanker off Sri Lanka has reignited in strong winds, the island nation's navy said Monday, just a day after the blaze was extinguished. The Panamanian-registered New Diamond, carrying over 270,000 tonnes of crude and diesel, was en-route from Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip when it issued a distress call Thursday after an engine room explosion that killed a Filipino crew member. The ensuing fire was put out Sunday through the combined efforts of Sri Lanka's navy and air force, the Indian navy and coastguard, as well as private operators. Firefighters continued to douse the tanker with water and dry chemicals, but the squally conditions -- where winds were blowing at up to 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) -- led to a fresh flare-up. "Due high winds... the fire which has already been doused, has re-ignited from the effects of extreme temperature and sparks onboard," the navy said in a statement. Sri Lanka navy spokesman Captain Indika de Silva told AFP the blaze was at a "serious level, but we hope we will be able to contain it". The tanker was earlier pulled away from the country's coast but the high winds moved it some 18 kilometres (11 miles) closer to the shore, officials said. Powerful tug boats were now secured to the large ship to prevent it from moving closer, they added. The navy said the cargo has not been affected by the recurrence of the fire. The vessel had suffered a crack of its hull some 10 metres (33 feet) above the waterline as a result of intense heat from the first fire, officials said. But authorities had said there was no oil slick and the crack was not considered a catastrophic structural failure. Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Agency has said that legal action could be taken against the owners, Liberian-registered Porto Emporios Shipping Inc, "should the worst happen and the ship breaks up". aj/grk/rbu TEL AVIV - Ill people in Gaza will be able to seek treatment outside the Strip, in the West Bank or elsewhere, as the result of a "temporary accord" that involved Hamas and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in indirect talks. The deal, announced on Twitter by UN special coordinator Nickolay Mladenov, allows those who are most ill, and those accompanying them, to leave the Strip. It therefore partially overcomes the current break in relations with Israel announced by the PNA following the presentation of the Trump Plan and Israel's intention - later frozen - to annex part of the West Bank. Gaza is currently struggling with the spread of coronavirus, which for seven months was kept out of the Palestinian enclave. RBI has released recommendations by the KV Kamath committee on restructuring loans for borrowers from sectors hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The report listed specific financial parameters for 26 sectors, including auto, aviation, construction, hospitality, power, real estate and tourism, among others, that can be factored in by lenders while finalising resolution plan for borrowers. The recommendations have been broadly accepted, the central bank said in a statement on Monday. "The Committee has since submitted its report to the Reserve Bank on September 4, 2020... The Committee has recommended financial parameters that, inter alia, include aspects related to leverage, liquidity and debt serviceability. The Committee has recommended financial ratios for 26 sectors which could be factored by lending institutions while finalizing a resolution plan for a borrower," the RBI said. The expert committee was formed under the former ICICI Bank CEO KV Kamath last month to chalk out financial parameters that banks need to consider while working on resolution plans. These factors include total outside liabilities or adjusted tangible net worth, total debt or EBIDTA, and debt service coverage ratio. ALSO READ: Banks may restructure loans worth over Rs 10 lakh crore ALSO READ: BT Insight: RBI moratorium over; should you restructure your loan now? ALSO READ: RBI to infuse Rs 1 lakh crore via term repo auction to boost liquidity By Richard Cowen. Sept 6, 2020 For a second time, a federal appeals court has shot down a New Jersey gun club's attempt to have the state's ban on large-capacity magazines declared unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit again upheld a 2018 New Jersey law that banned magazines with 10 rounds or more of ammunition. The appellate panel agreed with the District Court ruling that the ban was a "reasonable" gun regulation enacted in response to mass shootings, and did not violate the citizen's right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In a ruling handed down this week, the appeals court agreed with the earlier decision by U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan that the law "does not prohibit the possession of the quintessential self-defense weapon, the handgun," nor does it "effectively disarm individuals or substantially affect their ability to defend" themselves. All it does is lower the number of bullets in the magazine, the court said. ..... 'The Libyan delegations, expressing appreciation for Rabats mediatory role, will discuss details of the transitional period, restructuring of institutions and representation of the Libyan factions in key power positions' The second day of talks between parties to the Libyan conflict started on Monday in Moroccos coastal town of Bouznika, south of the capital Rabat, in a bid to reach a political settlement. The talks are attended by representatives of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament and the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. The Libyan delegations, expressing appreciation for Rabats mediatory role, will discuss details of the transitional period, restructuring of institutions and representation of the Libyan factions in key power positions, Sky News Arabia reported. The negotiations follow official visits to Morocco by the Libyan parliaments speaker Aguila Saleh and the UN chiefs special representative for political affairs in Libya Stephanie Williams in July and August respectively. During Williams visit to Morocco, she praised the kingdoms outreach efforts for the resolution of the Libyan conflict. On its first day, talks went well and were positively concluded, a diplomatic source told Al-Arabiya. Fathi Al-Meremi, media advisor for the speaker of the Libyan parliament, said that the talks in Bouznika will be followed by another round of meetings in Geneva that will be based on Cairos peace initiative and the outcomes of the Berlin conference on Libya, Al-Arabiya reported. Al-Meremi noted that the talks in Morocco will see an emphasis on the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and the departure of all foreign troops from Libya, including the Turkish ones, terrorist groups and mercenaries. He added that unifying both political and economic state institutions will also be tackled. The LNA said on Sunday that it remains committed to the ceasefire that was announced last month. Speaking to Sky News Arabia on Sunday, spokesperson of the LNA Ahmed Al-Mismari pointed out that fighting has stopped since 8 June, adding that the Libyan factions mainly focus on negotiations in the meantime. However, Al-Mismari blamed the other side, referring to the GNA in Tripoli, for enhancing its military presence in Libya. He said that Turkey, which backs the GNA, seeks to control more ports and airports and transfer more mercenaries to Libya. The mercenaries who are transferred from Syria and other states to Libya are dangerous, terrorist elements who are trained to fight in different types of areas, he warned, adding that the LNA has repeatedly warned that the enemy will benefit from the ceasefire and that the international community has been disregarding such developments. Concerning the talks in Morocco, Al-Mismarithough noting that the LNAs leadership did not issue a statement about itsaid that the LNA always backs peace and security in Libya. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said on Sunday that the Libyan people want to hear good news, and stressed that only dialogue can solve the Libyan conflict. Noting that stability in Libya would positively affect that of Morocco, Bourita said that dialogue between parties to the Libyan conflict represents the way to trust-building, maturation of ideas and reaching understandings. In a press statement, the Moroccan foreign ministry said that the Morocco talks aim to open negotiations to solve disagreements between the Libyan factions. The two major parties to the Libyan conflict are Khalifa Haftars (LNA) and the troops of the Tripoli-based GNA. Egypt, France, Russia and the United Arab Emirates back the LNAwhich is allied to the Tobruk-based House of Representativeswhile the GNA is backed by Qatar, Turkish troops and thousands of Syrian mercenaries. In 22 August, both parties to the conflict declared a ceasefire that ended fears about possible GNA aggression against the port city of Sirte, 230 miles (370 kilometres) east of the capital Tripoli, and Al-Jufra, which has a major military airbase. GNA Premier Fayez Al-Sarraj announced on Facebook that he "issued instructions to all military forces to immediately cease fire and all combat operations in all Libyan territories." Speaker of the east-based parliament Aguila Saleh also announced a ceasefire, which was welcomed by world leaders. Both sides agreed to hold elections in March 2021. Search Keywords: Short link: Japan and the U.S. have seen an increase in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures, which is driven primarily by a rise in elective PCIs in Japan compared to non-elective in the U.S., according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Since adoption of large-scale PCI trial results vary internationally, the study sought to analyze large national registries in both countries to illuminate international variation in PCI practice as a foundation for further quality improvement. In a study looking at NCDR CathPCI Registry data in the U.S. and J-PCI registry data in Japan, researchers from the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics in Tokyo and several U.S.-based hospitals, compared temporal trends in procedural volume, patient characteristics, pre-procedural testing, procedural characteristics and quality metrics in the U.S. and Japan between 2013 and 2017. Researchers found that PCI volume increased by 15.8% in the U.S.--from 550,872 in 2013 to 637,650 in 2017--primarily due to an increase in non-elective PCIs. In Japan, PCIs increased by 36%--from 181,750 in 2013 to 247,274 in 2017--primarily due to an increase in elective PCIs. Elective PCI rates were more than two-fold greater in Japan (72.7%) than in the U.S. (33.8%). Data also showed the ratio of non-elective vs. elective PCI and the performance of non-invasive stress testing in stable disease was lower in Japan than in the U.S. Computed tomography angiography was more commonly used in Japan. ### For an embargoed copy of the study, please contact Nicole Napoli, nnapoli@acc.org. To further recognize the vast amount of scientific research coming out of Asia, with a special emphasis on Japan, China and South Korea, JACC recently announced the 2021 launch of JACC: Asia, which will publish original manuscripts focused on Asian populations and by Asian authors. Learn more here. The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology ranks among the top cardiovascular journals in the world for its scientific impact. JACC is the flagship for a family of journals--JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, JACC: Heart Failure, JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, JACC: Basic to Translational Science, JACC: Case Reports and JACC: CardioOncology--that prides themselves in publishing the top peer-reviewed research on all aspects of cardiovascular disease. Learn more at JACC.org. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been taken out of an induced coma and is responsive. Navalny, a fierce, high-profile critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was flown to Germany on August 22, two days after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia. German chemical weapons experts say tests show that the 44-year-old Navalny was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting the German government last week to demand that Russia investigate the case. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been taken out of an induced coma and is responsive after he was 'poisoned' at an airport. His press officers claim he was spiked while drinking a cup of tea at a cafe, pictured Berlin's Charite hospital said Monday that Navalny's condition has improved, allowing doctors to end the medically induced coma and gradually ease him off mechanical ventilation. The hospital said in a statement: 'The patient has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation. 'He is responding to verbal stimuli. It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning.' It added that the decision to publicly release details of his condition was made in consultation with Navalny's wife. The campaigner, an opponent of Vladimir Putin, is in a Berlin hospital after falling ill on a flight in Siberia Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's press secretary, says she suspects poison was added to the cup before he fell ill on a flight and was rushed to hospital He has been in an induced coma in the Berlin hospital since he was flown to Germany for treatment. German authorities said last week that tests showed 'proof without doubt' that he had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group. British authorities identified the Soviet-era Novichok as the poison used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018. Paramedics are seen at the clinic after the Russian opposition activist arrived at Charite in Berlin, Germany, 22 August Navalny was unconscious when he was taken from the plane, and had to be put on a ventilator German chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Navalny's poisoning was an attempt to silence one of President Putin's fiercest critics. But Putin's spokesman has brushed off allegations that the Kremlin was involved in poisoning Mr Navalny and said last week that Germany had not provided Moscow with any evidence about the politician's condition. Navalny's associates say the use of Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent, shows that only the Russian state could be responsible, but the Kremlin fiercely denies any involvement. Navalny is in a medically induced coma at the Charite hospital in Berlin (pictured on Wednesday) 'Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd,' Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday. News of his gradual recovery came as German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office indicated that she might be willing to rethink the fate of a controversial German-Russian gas pipeline project - a sign of Berlin's growing frustration over Moscow's stonewalling about the case. Russian officials have accused Germany of being slow to share the findings of its investigation, despite a request from prosecutors. British authorities identified the Soviet-era Novichok as the poison used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018 'We expect information (from Germany) to be provided in the coming days,' Peskov said. 'We are looking forward to it.' But Germany warned that the failure by Moscow to thoroughly investigate the incident could have serious consequences. Navalny is seen as Putin's most charismatic and potentially dangerous foe. He has faced constant legal attacks and has served a number of jail sentences. His anti-corruption organisation was dubbed a 'foreign agent' by the Russian authorities. The two men accused of trying to assassinate Sergei Skripal with the same nerve agent were filmed on CCTV walking through Salisbury in March 2018 Police have conducted repeated raids on his offices, and this is not the first time that Navalny has suffered a physical attack. In 2017 he was left partially blind in one eye after attackers threw green dye used as a disinfectant at his face outside his office. In August last year he suffered rashes and his face became swollen while he was in a police detention centre serving a short term for calling for illegal protests. He was taken to hospital where doctors said he had suffered an allergic reaction but Navalny asked for an investigation into poisoning. A plane carrying Navalny arrives at Berlin's Tegel Airport on August 22 after the Russian opposition leader was airlifted to Germany for specialist treatment Alexei Navalny, pictured with his wife Yulia, has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for years German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Sunday that the Russian reaction could determine whether Germany changes its long-standing backing for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which brings Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine. 'The chancellor also believes that it's wrong to rule anything out,' Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters Monday after being asked about Maas' comments. Previously, Merkel had insisted on 'decoupling' the Navalny case from the pipeline project, which the U.S. strongly opposes. In August, three US Republican senators threatened sanctions against the operator of a Baltic Sea port located in Merkel's parliamentary constituency for its role as a staging post for ships involved in building Nord Stream 2. German chancellor Angela Merkel (left) said Mr Navalny's poisoning was an attempt to silence one of President Putin's (right) fiercest critics Seibert cautioned that it was premature to expect Moscow to respond to the matter within a few days, but made it clear that Berlin wants answers soon. 'I can't express a clear, time-limited expectation, except that we are certainly not talking about months or the end of the year,' he said. German diplomats rejected the Russian suggestion that Berlin was to blame for any delay in investigating the case, noting that Navalny was first treated for suspected poisoning in the Siberian city of Omsk on Aug. 20. 'All evidence, witnesses, traces and so forth are in the place where the crime was committed, presumably somewhere in Siberia,' said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Sunday that the Russian reaction could determine whether Germany changes its long-standing backing for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline The co-leader of Germany's opposition Green party, Robert Habeck, called on the government to take a stronger stance and 'bury' the pipeline project. The project 'divides Europe, it is economically nonsensical and oversized, and it is wrong in security policy terms,' Habeck said. Completing it 'would mean that Russia can do what it wants. This signal must not be sent.' Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian envoy to international organizations in Vienna, voiced suspicions about the timing of demands to link the pipeline with the Navalny case. 'Suspicious coincidence of Navalny case and the final stage of Nord Stream 2 construction, which some states desperately want to be closed. I am not fond of conspiracy theories but it is obvious that the tragic events with Navalny are very timely and helpful for opponents of NS2,' he tweeted. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Junior High School (JHS) teachers in the Kologo and Naaga communities in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region, residing outside the communities, are finding it difficult to go to school to teach the final year students preparing for their examination. The two communities have been cut off from other parts of the Municipality due to the continuous rains in the region that washed off parts of the main road linking them to Navrongo, the Municipal Capital and other communities. According to residents of the two communities, anytime it rained heavily the water gathered at the Awinchokum stretch of the road where a bridge was being constructed, the force of the water damages the road and floods the area. When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the Awinchokum stretch of the road where the bridge was located, there was heavy flooding in the area making it impassable for residents but those who had no choice had to cross with the assistance from young men who had pitched camp close by the bridge assisting people for a fee. A resident who spoke to the GNA pleading on anonymity said I am a teacher in one of the JHS schools in Kologo and I am the only one who went to school today and that is because I passed the night there. The other teachers who stay in town couldn't come because they can't cross the bridge. Going to work when it rains is expensive for us because you have to pay GHc 5.00 for the boys to help you to cross and when you're returning home after work you still have to pay the same amount of money for them to help you cross. How can you be paying GHc10.00 everyday just to cross a bridge? Another resident Stephen Aing-pah who is a farmer said: At the moment, I don't know what we would do if there is an emergency at our health centre and we have to refer the sick person to the hospital in Navrongo or Bolgatanga, he said. At the time of the GNA's visit, a health worker with the Navrongo Health Research Centre who was travelling to Kologo to collect a research sample was stranded at the bridge. He said he had spent an hour at the bridge trying to arrange with his colleagues at Kologo to send the sample to the bridge site so that he could pay the boys to cross and pick it for him. GNA The founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings, has conspicuously missing at the launch of the 2020 manifesto of the NDC. Quite a significant number of NDC bigwigs are present at the launch of the manifesto at the University of Professional Studies Accra. But absent for some unknown reasons is Mr Rawlings. However, in his speech, former President John Mahama and flagbearer of the NDC, has paid tributes to late former President John Evans Atta-Mills, late former Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur, and Mary Grant. ---Daily Guide ELYRIA, Ohio -- An Ohio historical marker honoring Williams Graves Sharp was dedicated in Elyria Thursday (Sept. 3). Sharp was one of two men from Elyria to have served in the U.S. Congress and also one of two men to have served as ambassador to France during the early 20th century. He is also known as the father of air mail. The Elyria Historical Association, Lorain County Historical Society, Ohio History Connection and Washington Avenue Christian Church came together to dedicate the marker at the church located at 301 Washington Ave. Elyria resident William Graves Sharp has been honored with an Ohio historical marker. (Photo Courtesy of Lorain County Historical Society) Sharp was born in Mount Gilead, Ohio, in 1859. The family moved to Elyria with his mothers parents, according to biographical information. They lived in the Starr-Worthington home on Washington Avenue. Sharp graduated as a lawyer from the University of Michigan in 1881 and came back to practice law in Elyria. He also was involved in the manufacture of charcoal, chemicals and pig iron (product of a blast furnace then made into cast iron by removing impurities). From 1909 to 1915, Sharp was a member of the U.S. Congress. He resigned to accept an appointment from the 28th U.S. president, Woodrow Wilson, to become ambassador to France -- one of two from Elyria. He served until 1919, then returned home once again. Sharp is said to have had a vision of using the developing aircraft of the time for postal delivery. He is now known as the father of air mail for the legislation he successfully passed to realize that goal. The familys Elyria home was purchased in 1945 by the Washington Avenue Christian Church. The Sharp home was incorporated into the churchs new building and was dedicated in 1951. Many of the mansions beautiful architectural details remain. At the unveiling of the marker, dedication remarks were presented by Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield, President of the Elyria Historical Association Bill Bird, Executive Director of the Lorain County Historical Society Kerri Broome and the Rev. Nathan Russell, senior pastor of Washington Avenue Christian Church. Read more from the Sun Sentinel. Minister for Education Norma Foley, second left, meeting with students who have received their Leaving Certificate results from the Dominican College in Dublin (@Education_Ire/Twitter) There was a mix of joy, nervousness and excitement as thousands of students opened their Leaving Certificate results in the midst of a pandemic. More than 60,000 young people learned of their calculated grades on Monday. The system, based largely on teacher predictions, was introduced after the traditional examinations due to be held in June were cancelled due to Covid-19. A message from Minister Norma Foley to the Leaving Certificate class of 2020 pic.twitter.com/0iMyeIZ6DQ Department of Education (@Education_Ire) September 7, 2020 Having learned from last months exam controversies across the UK, the education authorities in Ireland did not rely on the past performance of schools in the standardisation calculation. While broadly welcomed by students there are concerns that the grading will lead to higher points requirements for college courses. Limerick student David Wolfe is one of those students who was thrilled with his results. Im feeling fantastic Im very relieved, he said. Im delighted with how everything has turned out. I was dreading the results for a few days but its over with the best possible outcome. A student of John the Baptist Community School in Hospital, Co Limerick, Mr Wolfe said he was confident he will have enough points to gain a place to study history and politics at Trinity College Dublin. Expand Close David Wolfe said he was relieved (David Wolfe/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Wolfe said he was relieved (David Wolfe/PA) I know that there will be a bit of disappointment and some people are still in limbo still but Im very happy and I hope most people will be too, he said. It was really tough. The eldest of 17 grandchildren, Mr Wolfe said his entire family were happy for him and that he said he was looking forward to celebrating with his friends in a socially distant way even if it was not going to be how he envisioned. Even though its not the closure we all wanted, we do feel now weve graduated finally, he added. Alex Linehan, a student of Colaiste Eamann Ris in Cork, was also happy with his results. The second I woke up I checked my results and the feeling: it was just amazing, he said. I managed to get 544 points which Im really proud of myself. I did put in quite a lot of work. I was talking to some of my friends and we all felt the system was very accurate and fair. Expand Close Alex Linehan was happy with his results (Alex Linehan/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alex Linehan was happy with his results (Alex Linehan/PA) Even though there was some controversy around the system and people thought it wouldnt be done well, I think it was handled perfectly. It was both fair and accurate. Not all students were happy. Some 17% of results were downgraded after changes were made to the system to ensure that schools previous results were not taken into account in the standardisation process. Aaron Wolfe, principal of Colaiste Eamann Ris, described the grading system as hard for everyone: students, parents, teachers. Teachers didnt want to be in this position, he said. Teachers have taken industrial action to stop this from happening in the past but in the current pandemic teachers said well do it. Teachers did not want to take part in the calculated grading system, having resisted grading their own students for years. He said results day was very different for both the students and their teachers only a small group of students were allowed to go to the school to learn of their results in a socially distant way. Theyve been here for six years; they would have liked to come in and meet the staff but they couldnt because we dont have visitors anymore in the building. Everyone was wearing masks, we couldnt shake their hands, he said. It was very strange. He said it was also unfortunate that students would not be able to celebrate the rite of passage that was results night. Theyve missed out on so much, theyve missed out on their Leaving Cert graduation, they didnt finish properly and they didnt sit exams and now theyre going to a very different type of college, Mr Wolfe said. They wont have a social life, that is important in third level and thats half the fun of going to college. Over the last four weeks, Rashelle Chase has taken on a series of part-time jobs. Speech therapist. Physical therapist. Teacher. Every role fills a need for her son, Leo, whos entering his second-grade year at Kairos, a Portland charter school that focuses its services on the citys Black children. Chase, who works as a content architect for KinderCare Education, and Leo meet with his educators over Zoom weekly to check in on his social emotional well-being and discuss his academic progress. But the mother of two said that although Leos teachers are doing a wonderful job, the gaps inherent in the distance learning model mean the family has to step in to bridge the divide. The experience has been, hands down, the most difficult experience Ive had as a parent, Chase said. Students at Kairos started classes the first full week of August, about one month before all of Portland Public Schools embarked on what administrators are calling a soft launch. And Chase and Leos experience that of weekly one-on-one check-ins via Zoom or over the phone and of parents stepping in to serve as part-time educators is typical of what other families in the district can expect until at least November. Thats the earliest Portland Public Schools officials, along with their counterparts in a handful of the states largest districts, say students will see the inside of a classroom. Some other Oregon districts, many of them in the states rural reaches, have already begun hosting in-person instruction. Schools statewide cant open unless Oregon sees infections remain below 10 per 100,000 residents and test positivity rates at 5% or lower for three consecutive weeks. In counties where infections total 30 per 100,000 or fewer for the same amount of time, districts can allow kindergartners through third-graders inside classrooms. Multnomah County isnt there yet. Although test positivity has remained below 5% for the last two weeks, total cases have come in at 41 per 100,000 residents over the same period. Portland Public Schools soft start, which began Wednesday and will stretch through next week, was meant to acclimate students and their families to the realities of schooling in the midst of a pandemic. Its important for families to have some time to process the context of our world right now, Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said. This week has been about reconnecting and reenergizing. But the districts distance learning model means every student needs to have their own device and a stable internet connection. School board member Rita Moore said a sizable chunk of the districts 49,000 students lack broadband access. An estimated 12% of households in the district lacked broadband access as recently as 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Teachers have noticed that even students who have stable internet connections have had trouble staying focused. Elizabeth Thiel, who teaches English at Madison High and is president of the union that represents the districts teachers, said shes heard from some students who were optimistic they could fit an extracurricular activity into their distance learning schedule but were discouraged when they realized how demanding it is to learn exclusively through a screen. Im getting the sense that some kids are setting aside their expectations, said Thiel, who has an incoming freshman at Madison. Chase said shes had to rely on a patchwork of childcare solutions in the time Leos been back in school. On Friday, she met with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, when he spoke with Portland parents and teachers learning at Grout Elementary about the issues theyre facing with distance learning. Wyden said hes working on a bill that would provide $175 billion for elementary and secondary education to provide for digital programming, technology and other materials. He also wants the Legislature to provide $1 billion to provide broadband access to rural communities. And hes introduced a bill that matches one championed by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici that the House has approved that would provide $50 billion to fund child care services and access across the country. Chase said such resources would make the next couple of months easier for her as Leo watched cartoons on his tablet on the pavement at Grout. Before the pandemic, we had access to reliable childcare and education, she said. Right now were losing that access. --Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano | Eder on Facebook Eder is The Oregonians education reporter. Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email ecampuzano@oregonian.com. On Wednesday, September 9, at 14:00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "The Kharkiv Robin Hoods Case: Rewarding Activists, Plans for Protection." Participants include Chairman of the People's Award Mission and Chairman of the International Fund of the National-Patriotic Association "Knight of Goodwill" Pavlo Tsihaniuk; honored lawyer of Ukraine, Constitutional Court ex-justice Viktor Shishkin; lawyer, military veteran Viktor Shendybylo; ex-commander of Azov regiment Maksym Zhorin The press conference will be broadcast on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. Additional information will be available by telephone (093) 723 59 26. Russia complied nearly 100 percent with its share of oil production cuts in August as per the OPEC+ deal, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday. Independent assessments about the oil production of all members of the OPEC+ pact will be in in a week, or in five days, Novak said, quoted by Russian news agency Interfax. "Russia is close to 100 percent, it is always close to 100 percent, but let's wait for the OPEC+ methodology to assess compliance rates," the Russian minister added. In August, when OPEC+ started easing the record cuts by 2 million bpd, Russia's oil production rose by 5 percent from July, to reach 9.86 million bpd, according to Reuters' estimates of energy ministry data in tons. Russia's production figures include condensate, while the OPEC+ deal excludes it. Considering Russia's condensate production of around 700,000 bpd-800,000 bpd, and its crude oil production ceiling of 9 million bpd as of August 1, the figures show that Russia produced slightly more crude oil than its quota, according to Reuters estimates. Referring to reports that some of the laggards in compliance in the OPEC+ deal could have the period for compensating previous overproduction extended by two months to November, the Russian minister said he was not aware of such proposals. Last week, Iraqwhich denied reports that it would seek an exemption from the dealsaid that it could ask the OPEC+ panel to allow it to extend the period in which it should compensate for its lack of compliance through November, instead of by the end of September. OPEC+ has given the laggards in compliance, such as Iraq, time until the end of September to additionally cut production on top of their share of the cuts, in order to offset the overproduction between May and July. The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), which meets every month to assess compliance and the market situation, is meeting on September 17, and will likely discuss all those issues then, Novak said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: SINGAPORE China is in for "a tough time" in the short term as the U.S. tries to deny it access to crucial tech components, a business consultant told CNBC on Monday. Tensions between the two countries in the technology space heated up over the weekend with the U.S. considering blacklisting China's largest chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation or SMIC. The measure would restrict SMIC from obtaining specific goods made in the U.S. Even though China has been developing its own semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, companies such as SMIC still relies on American equipment in its production line. Richard Martin, managing director of IMA Asia, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" that China may have to "look elsewhere" for supply of semiconductors if SMIC's ability to produce them is crippled by the U.S. move. "The problem with looking elsewhere is if you go to Europe or if you go to Japan, the companies in Europe and Japan are using U.S. machinery at some point in their production process. And therefore ... they can be hit by this U.S. effort to choke it off," he said. "So what China needs to do is move the entire supply chain into China," he added. Such effort may take years given that SMIC is still "a long way" behind its rivals in terms of chip-making capabilities, said Martin. "That's going to be the big drive," he said. "It's going to take them two or three years to get past this and move the whole supply chain into China." TBILISI -- The United National Movement (ENM) and several other opposition parties in Georgia that are members of the Strength in Unity political movement have nominated former President Mikheil Saakashvili as their candidate for the prime ministers post ahead of elections in October. ENM Chairman Grigol Vashadze said on September 7 that Saakashvili "must return to Georgia and be with his people." Saakashvili wrote on Facebook on September 6 that he plans to announce his return to Georgia. Saakashvili, 52, served as Georgias president from 2004 until 2013. His ENM party was defeated in the 2012 parliamentary elections by Georgian Dream, a coalition formed by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a critic of the then president. Saakashvili left Georgia shortly after his presidential term ended in late 2013 as some members of his party were arrested. In January 2018, a Georgian court convicted him in absentia of covering up evidence in the case of the killing of a Georgian banker and sentenced him to three years in prison. In June 2018, another court convicted him of abuse of power and sentenced him to six years in prison in absentia. Saakashvili has denied all the accusations and says the charges are politically motivated. Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani has said that if Saakashvili returned to Georgia, he would be detained and placed in jail. In 2015-2016, Saakashvili served as governor of Ukraine's Odesa region. When he resigned, he accused then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko of corruption. Poroshenko, in turn, stripped Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship. As one of his first acts as president last year, current President Volodymyr Zelenskiy restored Saakashvili's Ukrainian citizenship, facilitating Saakashvili's return to Ukraine. In May, Zelenskiy named Saakashvili to head the executive committee of Ukraine's National Reform Council, which irked Tbilisi. Parliamentary elections in Georgia are scheduled for October 31. PHILIPSBURG:--- The joint press conference with the Parliaments of Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten that is scheduled for today, Monday, September 7, 2020 at 14.00hrs. with regard to the joint letter and position sent by the Parliaments of Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten to the Chairman of the Kingdom Council of Ministers, Mr. Mark Rutte, regarding the Caribbean Reform Entity (CRE)/ Organization for Reform and Recovery Aruba (ORRA). Has been postponed until further notice. The new date and time will be related, and a new invite sent as soon as this is known. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility on Monday for a knife attack in Tunisia which killed one National Guard officer and wounded another, as security forces rounded up more suspects. The attack on Sunday morning in a tourist district of the coastal city of Sousse saw a group of assailants ram a patrol of the National Guard with a vehicle before stabbing the officers. They were chased by security forces before three of them were shot dead in an ensuing gun-battle, the Guard said, labelling the attack a "terrorist" act. The Islamic State group said Monday its "fighters" had carried out the attack, in a brief statement by its propaganda arm Amaq on the Telegram messenger service. "Photos show that one of the attackers was wearing a T-shirt with a specific inscription to Daesh (IS)," said Mokhtar Ben Nasr, former head of the National Counter-Terrorism Commission, while stressing it was difficult to establish precise links between the group and its supporters. Tunisia, since its 2011 revolution, has been hit by a string of jihadist attacks that have killed dozens of security personnel, civilians and foreign tourists. Sunday's incident took place close to the site of the deadliest attack, when 38 people, most of them British tourists, were killed in a 2015 beachside shooting rampage. Tunisian authorities said Monday they had arrested seven people over the attack. The wounded officer was "in a stable condition" on Monday, interior ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni told AFP. National Guard officer Sami Mrabet, a 38-year-old father of two, was buried Monday in his hometown of Moknine south of Sousse, in the presence of more than 1,000 people, including several government officials, an AFP correspondent reported. 'Microbes' Since Sunday, "43 people have been questioned and seven of them arrested," Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebabli told private station Radio Shems. Map of Tunisia locating the coastal city of Sousee where a knife attack on Sunday killed a Tunisian National Guard officer and wounded another with three assailants also killed.. By (AFP) They included "the wife of one of the assailants, who described her husband as a 'martyr' during the interrogation," he said. Two brothers of one of the attackers and a person suspected of recruiting them were also arrested, he added. He said the attackers were twin brothers and a third man from the marginalised northwestern region of Siliana. He did not confirm or deny reports of a fourth assailant. Jebabli said the twins had visited Facebook pages dealing with "explosive and armed attacks" but had stayed under the radar of the authorities. Tunisia's President Kais Saied, on a visit Sunday to the scene of the knife attack, said police were investigating whether the attack was planned "by individuals or an organisation". Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi vowed to "eradicate terrorists as soon as possible". Mechichi, in a statement from his office, urged Tunisians "not to be afraid" of assailants, whom he described as "microbes". Sunday's attack was the first since March, when a suicide operation against security forces protecting the US Embassy in Tunis killed a Tunisian police officer and left several others wounded. The year 2015 was particularly bloody, with three major deadly attacks claimed by the Islamic State group. An attack at the capital's Bardo museum in March killed 21 foreign tourists and a security guard. Three months later, the 38 tourists were killed in the shooting at Sousse. And in November of that year, a bomb blast on a bus in central Tunis killed 12 presidential guards. While the situation has significantly improved since then, Tunisia has maintained a state of emergency. Advertisement Ominous images captured by passengers aboard planes above California show them flying through thick clouds of smoke thousands of feet as devastating wildfires continue to rage across the state. A Twitter user, identified as Gabriela, captured on video the moment her flight approached LAX airport for landing on Sunday, with a dense smog of grey and orange smoke surrounding the wing of the plane - completely obscuring the ground below. Similar unsettling scenes were captured by family members of CNNs Oliver Darcy on Sunday evening, who were flying out from Fresno to Salt Lake City. An orange glare is seen breaking through the center of a billow of grey smoke. When sharing the pictures on Twitter, Darcy said that passengers aboard the flight could reportedly smell the smoke from the wildfires inside the cabin. Fire Departments across California have battled more than 900 wildfires since August 15, many of which have been spurred by record-breaking temperatures and other freak weather conditions, including concentrations of thousands of lightning strikes in a number of different areas. The blazes have burned more than 1.5 million acres or 2,434 square miles, destroyed nearly 3,300 structures and caused eight deaths. Cal Fire said 14,800 firefighters were continuing to battle 23 major fires in the state as of Monday. Scroll down for video Troubling scenes were captured by family members of CNNs Oliver Darcy on Sunday evening, who were flying out from Fresno to Salt Lake City. An orange glare is seen breaking through the center of a billow of grey fumes Darcy said that passengers aboard the flight could reportedly smell the smoke from the wildfires inside the cabin A Twitter user, identified as Gabriela, captured on video the moment her flight approached LAX airport for landing on Sunday, with a dense smog of grey and orange smoke surrounding the wing of the plane and completely obscuring the ground below Cal Fire said 14,800 firefighters were continuing to battle 23 major fires in the state as of Monday. A total 28 active fires are currently listed on Cal Fire's website While officials said the fires across the state were around 91 percent contained as of Monday morning, another devastating fire erupted in El Dorado on Saturday, so far destroying more than 7,000 acres of land with the blaze only five percent contained. The fire, now burning around 70 miles east of Los Angeles, began when a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal photo shoot set foliage alight. Amid a record-breaking heatwave, with record temperatures of 121 degrees, the state has been turned into a tinder box, officials said. The fire started on Saturday at 10:23am, and 527 people from 10 fire crews are currently trying to halt the fire's progress. It spread from the El Dorado Ranch Park north, onto the Yucaipa Ridge. The ridge separates Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the City of Yucaipa. Bennet Milloy, spokesman for the department, told DailyMail.com that the people hosting the photo shoot were still on the scene when the firefighters arrived. 'We know how it started because they were still there,' he said. 'That, and the fact that there were surveillance cameras in the park.' Milloy said that it was a relatively small family gathering, and that the relatives had got together for a photo opportunity. He did not know if they were local people, but he said they were potentially both civilly and criminally responsible for the fire - facing jail time and a massive fine. The family could be held responsible for the entire cost of putting the fire out, amounting to many millions of dollars, he said. CAL FIRE reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire, the department said in a press release. Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially responsible and criminally responsible. Fire Departments across California have battled more than 900 wildfires since August 15, many of which have been spurred by record-breaking temperatures and an intense freak series of thousands of lightning strikes (pictured: A firefighter douses flames as they push towards homes during the Creek fire in the Cascadel Wood) The blazes have burned more than 1.5 million acres or 2,434 square miles, destroyed nearly 3,300 structures and caused eight deaths While officials said the fires across the state were around 91 percent contained as of Monday morning, another devastating fire erupted in El Dorado on Saturday morning, so far destroying more than 7,000 acres of land with the blaze only five percent contained The El Dorado wildfire (pictured), which broke out on Saturday morning, was started by a gender reveal photo shoot, it has been confirmed Amid a record-breaking heatwave, with record temperatures of 121 degrees turning the state into a tinder box, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Sunday night that a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device caused the fire (pictured) The fire spread from the El Dorado Ranch Park north, onto the Yucaipa Ridge and into the San Bernardino National Forest Satellite images on Saturday gave a sense of the scale of the El Dorado fire, which was started by a gender reveal photo shoot Temperatures in the fire zone were in the 90s while downtown Los Angeles reached 111 degrees. A record-shattering high of 121 degrees was recorded in the nearby Woodland Hills neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. It was the highest temperature ever recorded in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service. It rivaled the high in California's Death Valley, typically the hottest place in the country. Meanwhile, downtown San Francisco set a record for the day with a high of 100F, smashing the previous mark by 5 degrees. By our calculations, over 99 percent of California's population is under an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory today, the weather service in Sacramento tweeted Sunday afternoon. Wildfires have burned more than 2 million acres in California this year, setting a state record even as crews battled dozens of growing blazes in sweltering temperatures Monday. The most striking thing about the record is how early it was set, with the most dangerous part of the year ahead, said Lynne Tolmachoff, spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 'It's a little unnerving because September and October are historically our worst months for fires,' she said. 'It's usually hot, and the fuels really dry out. And we see more of our wind events.' The previous high was 1.96 million acres burned in 2018. Cal Fire began tracking the numbers in 1987. In Northern California, rescuers in military helicopters airlifted 207 people to safety over the weekend after an explosive wildfire trapped them in a popular camping area in Sierra National Forest that has burned since Friday afternoon. The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues that began late Saturday and continued into Sunday morning at Mammoth Pool Reservoir. At least two people were severely injured and 10 more suffered moderate injuries. Two campers refused rescue and stayed behind, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said, and there was no immediate word on their fates. A photo tweeted by the California National Guard showed more than 20 evacuees packed tightly inside one helicopter, some crouched on the floor clutching their belongings. In another photo taken on the ground from a helicopter cockpit, the densely wooded hills surrounding the aircraft were in flames. The blaze, dubbed the Creek Fire, has charred nearly 80,000 acres of timber, and the 800 firefighters on the scene had yet to get any containment after more than two days of work on steep terrain in sweltering heat. A photo tweeted by the California National Guard showed mdozens of evacuees packed tightly inside one helicopter, some crouched on the floor clutching their belongings A business owner, who declined to give his name, looks up at the smoke-covered sky from the Creek Fire at his boat rental place on Sunday The blaze, dubbed the Creek Fire, has charred nearly 80,000 acres of timber, and the 800 firefighters on the scene had yet to get any containment after more than three days of work on steep terrain in sweltering heat Smoke from the Creek Fire billows beyond a ridge as seen from Huntington Lake on Saturday, September 5 Firefighter Ricardo Gomez, of a San Benito Monterey Cal Fire crew, sets a controlled burn while fighting the Creek Fire At least two people were severely injured and 10 more suffered moderate injuries. Two campers refused rescue and stayed behind, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said, and there was no immediate word on their fates. Embers fly off burning timber as flames push towards homes during the Creek fire in the Cascadel Woods area of unincorporated Madera County Firefighters walk through the site near Shaver Lake as they continue to battle against the Creek Fire which started on Friday afternoon before spreading across 73,278 acres Some homes and businesses have burned, but there was no official tabulation yet. Officials said at least 2,000 structures were threatened in the surrounding 290 miles of the blaze. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The lake is totally engulfed with smoke. You cant hardly see in front of you, area resident Jack Machado said. The skys turning red. It looks like Mars out there. The exceptionally hot temperatures statewide were driving the highest power use of the year, and transmission losses because of the wildfires have cut into supplies. Eric Schmitt of the California Independent System Operator that manages the states power grid said up to 3 million customers faced power outages if residents didn't curtail their electricity usage. At 7pm on Sunday, the California Independent System Operator declared an emergency and said power outages were imminent because a transmission line carrying power from Oregon to California and another in-state power plant went offline unexpectedly. The cause of the outages is unknown at this time, the agency said. By 8:30pm, the agency issued a tweet calling off the emergency thanks to conservation of Californians! It said no power outages were ordered by operators of the grid. Pacific Gas & Electric, the state's largest utility, warned customers that it might cut power starting Tuesday because of expected high winds and heat that could create even greater fire danger. Some of the state's largest and deadliest fires in recent years have been sparked by downed power lines and other utility equipment. In Southern California, crews scrambled to douse several fires that popped up, including one that closed mountain roads in Angeles National Forest. The largest was a blaze in the foothills of Yucaipa east of Los Angeles that prompted evacuation orders for eastern portions of the city of 54,000 along with several mountain communities. Cal Fire said the fire scorched at least 4.7 square miles of brush and trees. By our calculations, over 99 percent of California's population is under an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory today, the weather service in Sacramento tweeted Sunday afternoon Firefighters keep an eye on the Creek Fire along state Highway 168, late on Sunday, September 6 Cal Fire firefighters protect a structure near Montiel Truck Trail during the Valley Fire, in San Diego County on Sunday Firefighters struggled to corral several dangerous blazes Monday ahead of dry, hot winds predicted to raise fire danger to critical levels in the coming days. Evacuation orders were expanded to more mountain communities as the largest blaze churned through the Sierra National Forest. Debra Rios wasn't home when the order came to evacuate her hometown of Auberry, just northeast of Fresno. Sheriff's deputies went to her ranch property to pick up her 92-year-old mother, Shirley MacLean. They reunited at an evacuation center. 'I hope like heck the fire doesn't reach my little ranch,' Rios said. 'It's not looking good right now. It's an awfully big fire.' Mountain roads were filled with cars and trucks leaving the town of about 2,300 people. Firefighters working in steep terrain saved the tiny town of Shaver Lake from flames that roared down hillsides toward a marina. About 30 houses were destroyed in the remote hamlet of Big Creek. 'About half the private homes in town burned down,' resident Toby Wait said. 'Words cannot even begin to describe the devastation of this community. And it is a very close-knit community.' An elementary school, church, library, historic general store and a major hydroelectric plant were spared in the community of about 200 residents, Wait told the Fresno Bee. Sheriff's deputies went door to door to make sure residents were complying with orders to leave. Officials hoped to keep the fire from pushing west, possibly toward Yosemite National Park. Plumes of smoke rise into the sky as a wildfire burns on the hills near Shaver Lake. Fires in the Sierra National Forest have prompted evacuation orders as authorities urged people seeking relief from the Labor Day weekend heat wave to stay away from the popular lake The wind whips embers from a tree burned by a wildfire Yucaipa. Three fast-spreading California wildfires sent people fleeing Saturday, with one trapping campers at a reservoir in the Sierra National Forest, as a brutal heat wave pushed temperatures into triple digits in many parts of state In eastern San Diego County, the Valley Fire broke out Saturday afternoon, and fire officials warned the blaze was burning at a dangerous rate of speed. By Sunday morning it had destroyed at least 10 structures after burning 6.25 square and prompted evacuations near the remote community of Alpine in the Cleveland National Forest. At least two of the lost structures were homes, ABC10 News in San Diego reported. Cal Fire said 14,800 firefighters were continuing to battle 23 major fires in the state as of Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency because of the widespread fires and extreme weather conditions. He has also secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster the states emergency response. Additionally, Newsom issued an emergency proclamation for the counties of Fresno, Madera and Mariposa, which are fighting the Creek Fire; for San Bernardino County, which is battling the El Dorado Fire; and for San Diego County because of the Valley Fire. Newsom also urged state residents to keep their thermostats at 78 degrees or higher, to use appliances sparingly and to keep lights switched off whenever possible. Power outages were avoided ... due in large part to individual conservation efforts, Newsom said. Even more conservation efforts are needed. Bollywood actor Kangana Ranauta, who is in a verbal spat with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, has been provided with Y category security by the Ministry of Home Affairs, official said on Monday. The decision has come after Kangana compared Mumbai to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Sanjay Raut criticised her in the partys mouthpiece Saamana, asking her not to return to Mumbai for blasting Mumbai Police. She has stated that she will reach Mumbai on 9th September. Individuals are given such security on the grounds of threat assessment done by central security agencies and is subject to periodic review. High-risk people are given security by the police and local government. The category is divided into four tiers -- Z+ (highest level); Z; Y and X -- depending on the threat perception to the person. Individuals under the security blanket include cabinet ministers, chief ministers, high court and Supreme Court judges, leading politicians, etc. Here is what Z+, Z, Y and X categories of security mean: Bollywood actor Kangana Ranauta, who is in a verbal spat with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, has been provided with Y category security by the Ministry of Home Affairs, official said on Monday. The decision has come after Kangana compared Mumbai to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Sanjay Raut hit back at her in the partys mouthpiece Saamana, asking her not to return to Mumbai for criticising Mumbai Police. She has stated that she will reach Mumbai on 9th September. Individuals are given such security on the grounds of threat assessment done by central security agencies and is subject to periodic review. High-risk people are given security by the police and local government. The category is divided into four tiers -- Z+ (highest level); Z; Y and X -- depending on the threat perception to the person. Individuals under the security blanket include cabinet ministers, chief ministers, high court and Supreme Court judges, leading politicians, etc. Here is what Z+, Z, Y and X categories mean: SPG: It is a classified security detail and given exclusively to the Prime Minister Z+: 55 personnel Z: 22 personnel Y: 11 personnel X: 2 personnel The Special Protection Group, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Central Reserve Police Force are the agencies responsible for providing securities to VVIPs/VIPs/politicians/high-profile celebrities and sportspersons. * NSG is used to guard VIPs and VVIPs, especially those in the Z+ category. Several NSG personnel are ass to SPG, which guards the Prime Minister. * SPG commandos cater to the PM, former PMs and their immediate family members as part of the Z+ category of security cover. * The Z category entails security cover by the Delhi Police or the ITBF or CRPF personnel and one escort car. * The Y category encompasses two personal security officers (PSOs) and the X category, one PSO. Also Read: Sandip Singh opens up on relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput, makes WhatsApp exchanges public It needs to be fiercer, it needs to be just shut down, Wichman said of the police response to rioting. A lot of what happened was because of the state and down. Its not under Trumps watch. Any president cannot be in charge of everything. He gave all of the rights to all of the local authorities. He gave the governor the chance to do the right thing, and [Tony] Evers did not do the right thing. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Mon, September 7, 2020 12:32 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4326781 1 National Karo,regency,regional-elections,regent,candidate Free A regent candidate in Karo regency, North Sumatra, Kena Ukur Karo Jambi Surbakti, 74, died from COVID-19 on the last day of registration for regional elections on Sunday, when his daughter stepped in to replace his candidacy. The Democratic Partys North Sumatra chapter acting head, Herri Zulkarnain, said the replacement of Kena Ukur had been agreed upon by supporting parties, including the Golkar Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN). We agreed to replace the late Kena Ukur Karo Jambi with his daughter, Yus Surbakti. Today, we immediately registered her at the KPUD [Regional General Elections Commission], Herri told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. Kena Ukur, who had served as Karo regent from 2011 to 2016, died at Columbia Asia Hospital in Medan on Sunday morning. Medan Health Agency head Edwin Effendi said Kena Ukur had died as a confirmed COVID-19 patient. At the request of the family, Edwin said, Kena Ukur was buried under strict COVID-19 protocols at a cemetery in Ndokum Siroga village, Simpang Empat district, Sunday morning. Read also: COVID-19 is no laughing matter, says mayor as more local leaders test positive Kena Ukur is the only regent candidate in North Sumatra who has died from COVID-19. Previously, Binjai mayor candidate Lisa Andriani Lubis was exposed to the coronavirus. Lisa is now under self-isolation at home. The General Elections Commission (KPU) reported that 37 prospective candidates in 21 provinces for the upcoming regional elections had tested positive for COVID-19. The number of prospective pairs of candidates registered for the upcoming elections had reached 687. Thw KPU is conducting health verifications on all prospective candidates. The commission reminded political parties, prospective candidates and voters to comply with health protocols during each stage of the elections. (syk) A small but dedicated group of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Bidens supporters assembled Monday in Harrisburg. Dozens of people lined the 600 block of North Second Street hoping to catch a glimpse of Biden, who was participating in a virtual town hall inside the Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and Congress Industrial Organizations headquarters. I would just like him to know that there are people who support him in this area, said Gail Geyer of Camp Hill. Geyer said as a native of Wilkes-Barre she was excited at the prospect of seeing Biden, who was born in Scranton. She added in order for Biden to win the November election, peoples minds have to change. They have to have faith in him and know that they can trust him to do the right thing and to turn things around, she said. Joe Biden waves from a window at the Pa. office of AFL-CIO in Harrisburg after a virtual chat with union members nationwide. September 07, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com The gathering was interrupted several times by Trump supporters, who drove by in pickup trucks decorated with Trump flags. At times, Bidens supporters joined in a chorus of We want Joe. Trumps got to go. Before exiting a side door along Liberty Street, Biden energized the crowd as he waved from inside a second floor window. However, some supporters were upset he didnt greet them in person. Some of us waited for two and half hours on Second Street to at least see our candidate. If he wants our vote, he should have at least come out and said hello to us, said Carrie Fowler of Harrisburg and member of the Harrisburg School Board. As Democrats we should do better, she added. Earlier in the day, Biden had stopped in Lancaster where he met with union members at a Lancaster Township home, according to Lancaster Online. Pennsylvania has long been viewed as one of the key battlegrounds in the presidential election and both Biden and Trump are devoting much of their attention to the commonwealth. Trump narrowly won the Keystone State in 2016, beating Hillary Clinton by less than a percentage point, but the win in Pennsylvania helped propel him to the White House. I believe at this day and age this country not only needs some decency, we need some damn integrity in the White House, said Cynthia Boykin of Harrisburg. Before you can even focus on significant policy you need individuals who care about the people that put them there. Boykin said she walked over the gathering in hopes of seeing Biden, and was hoping her phone battery didnt die, so she could snap a picture of him. She stressed Biden has heart, decency and character and cares about veterans. As for the election, she said shes looking forward to November, describing it as a piece of work set up by Trump to be rigged. No matter what [Trump] does, we just need to show up and not be afraid of this man. Nobody is afraid of Trump, she said. James Carter and his son, Malaki Carter, 11, of New Cumberland, rode their bikes to the city expecting to attend Labor Day celebration but instead stumbled on the gathering. Carter said hes on the fence about who to vote for in November. Im in the middle. Trump does love his country and Biden does, too. Its just hard right now, he said, adding he voted for Trump in 2016. He added Trump put his foot down with other countries but hes gotten out of hand lately. If Trump doesnt win, does the racial stuff go away? he said. Joe Lucia of Harrisburg said in order for Biden to sway union votes, he has to tell the truth. Youve got to tell them, Look, were going to have to get you new jobs and this is how were going to do it. You put it in plain words, he said. Joe Biden arrives at the Pa. office of AFL-CIO in Harrisburg as a site to have a virtual chat with union members nationwide. September 07, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com Earlier in the day Biden posted a Labor Day message on his campaign Facebook page: Today, we honor the generations of union workers who fought for the rights, power, wages, and benefits that built and sustained the great American middle class. #LaborDay Last week, Biden visited Pittsburgh on Monday, while President Donald Trumps daughter-in-law Lara stopped by the Bucks County GOP headquarters in Doylestown. Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Luzerne County on Tuesday and Trump talked law and order during a stop in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, on Thursday. Biden and Trump both are planning to be in Shanksville for a 9/11 observance on Friday. READ MORE: Summer of protest: Chance for change, but obstacles exposed States plan for cuts as Congress deadlocks on more coronavirus aid White House memo calls for ending racial sensitivity training, labeled divisive, un-American propaganda sessions Here are three examples among many: Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina have Republican-majority state legislatures responsible for redistricting. According to the Pew Research Center, all three states have roughly the same percentages of Democratic and Republican voters (including citizens who lean toward one party or the other) somewhere between 40 percent and 44 percent. So, theoretically, they should send more or less the same numbers of Democratic and Republican legislators to the House of Representatives, right? Well, not so fast. Of Georgias 14 representatives, nine are Republicans. Five of Kentuckys six representatives are Republicans. And nine of North Carolinas 13 House members are Republicans. Even with a new court-ordered congressional map in North Carolina, The Post predicts that eight of those 13 congressional seats will still go to Republicans. A Punjab and Haryana high court bench on Monday reserved order on two pleas of Sumedh Singh Saini, former DGP of Punjab police, including one for anticipatory bail in the Balwant Singh Multani disappearance case of 1991. Punjab police special public prosecutor Sartej Narula said Saini had not been granted interim protection from arrest by the high court, with the anticipatory bail plea pending before it. During the hearing that started at around 11:30 am and continued till 4:30 pm on Monday, Saini pleaded that an FIR filed against him for the disappearance of Mohali resident Balwant Singh Multani in 1991 was the result of a mala fide act against him for launching probes against Congress leaders and their relatives to unearth scams. Punjab police have argued that fresh evidence has come on record on Sainis alleged involvement in Multanis murder case. Hence, question of political victimisation does not arise. The judgment in both the petitions from the high court bench of justice Fatehdeep Singh is likely to be pronounced on Tuesday. Two judges who had recused from hearing this case earlier were justice Suvir Sehgal from hearing the bail plea and justice Amol Rattan Singh from hearing the petition seeking quashing of the FIR on September 2. The additional district and sessions judge of Mohali had on September 1 dismissed Sainis anticipatory bail plea and he had appealed to the high court against this order on September 4. Before this, Saini had approached the high court on August 19 seeking quashing of the FIR. The former DGP, whose whereabouts are not known at present, was booked in May this year in connection with the disappearance of Mohali resident Balwant Singh Multani, a junior engineer with the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Corporation (Citco) in 1991. Multani had been picked up by the police after a terrorist attack on Saini, the then senior superintendent of police in Chandigarh and now he faces arrest because of murder charges. Initially the case was registered under Sections 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence), 344 (wrongful confinement), 330 (voluntarily causes hurt) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code at Mataur police station in Mohali. Leaving Cert grades are up on average by 4.4 percentage points on last year (PA) Leaving Certificate results generated by the calculated grades model are the highest on record. On Monday morning about 60,000 young people will learn what grades they have attained under a system based largely on teacher predictions. The average marks across all subjects and at all levels are up by 4.4 percentage points on last year. The Department of Education said the results were stronger than those recorded in any other year. Expand Close Minister for Education Norma Foley said the calculated grades process had produced the fairest possible solution (Julien Behal/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Minister for Education Norma Foley said the calculated grades process had produced the fairest possible solution (Julien Behal/PA) The system was developed after Leaving Cert exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The results would have been even higher if they had not been subjected to a standardisation process. Around 17% of grades predicted by schools have been reduced and 4% upgraded. Education Minister Norma Foley congratulated the class of 2020. This has been a challenging time for students, their families and school communities, she said. However, I do believe what has been created is the fairest possible solution given the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves as we journey together through the Covid-19 pandemic. Leaving Certificate 2020: Your questions answered here - https://t.co/tS5vogsBYb Department of Education (@Education_Ire) September 1, 2020 Hundreds of additional college places have been made available in high-demand courses across Ireland in anticipation of a record set of results. Having learned from last months exam controversies across UK, the education authorities in Ireland did not rely on the past performance of schools in the standardisation calculation. The model instead uses the performance of students in their Junior Cert exams and national averages across subjects over recent years. The standardisation process did not result in schools in disadvantaged areas experiencing higher rates of grade reduction one of the main criticisms of the contentious algorithms used in the UK. Students unhappy with their grades will have the option of appealing a process that opens on September 14. They can also choose to sit their written exams on November 16. If they pursue that option, they will ultimately be allocated whatever grade is higher. There are not set to be the traditional scenes of celebration at schools on Monday morning, as results are instead being issued to students online. The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) praised students for their resilience. We extend special congratulations to all students on receiving their results today and recognise that the last several months have been extremely difficult for them Martin Marjoram, TUI president The union also highlighted the remarkable flexibility and commitment of Irish teachers in engaging with the calculated grades process. TUI president Martin Marjoram said: While the clear preference of the TUI was always that the written Leaving Certificate examinations would proceed, the union recognised that this was not possible due to the public health emergency and engaged positively with the other stakeholders to develop a robust, credible alternative process of comparable status the calculated grades. As a result, students will receive state certification of their academic achievement and can progress to the next phase of their lives, be that in higher or further education or in employment. We extend special congratulations to all students on receiving their results today and recognise that the last several months have been extremely difficult for them. We commend their resilience in deeply challenging and uncertain times and we have no doubt that the fortitude they have displayed will benefit them now and in the future. World Bank ranking over the years The question here is not limited to data integrity alone but that of intent too. The labour movements and civil society organisations have been pointing out how the ranking is being used to deregulate labour rights and environment regulations. The report seems to be based on the wrong assumption that what is good for the business is good for the environment, labour and the society as a whole. The question here is not limited to data integrity alone but that of intent too. The labour movements and civil society organisations have been pointing out how the ranking is being used to deregulate labour rights and environment regulations. The report seems to be based on the wrong assumption that what is good for the business is good for the environment, labour and the society as a whole. While Chile was downgraded, India gained increase in ranking. It was pointed out that this is also due to changes in methodology In our country, the ease of doing business is used for pushing every reform whether it is within the parameters or not. For eg, the The draft was met with This one-sided push is what doing business report promotes leaving out the dimensions of sustainability, equity and ethical business practices. Ease of doing business has come to represent reforms which bypass regulations, promote private capital, reduces taxation and promotes extraction. The report and intent is not about data integrity alone but much more. This is the time for the World Bank not just to suspend the report but give it a Covid burial. --- Source: Centre for Financial Accountability, New Delhi The reports which started to reduce red tape ism however is being used as a tool to push governments into reforms to reduce taxation and to deregulate land, labour and environment norms. It has become a tool for corporates and powerful nations to open up economies and accelerate extraction of resources.In our country, the ease of doing business is used for pushing every reform whether it is within the parameters or not. For eg, the draft amendment to the EIA draft which waters down even the existing norms which relaxes public consultation and allows for post-facto environment clearance allowing the violator to pay and get away is introduced to promote ease of doing business.The draft was met with huge backlash with more than 17 lakh comments from all sections of people including students, civil society, environmental activists, academicians, affected communities etc. Likewise the changes in the labour laws providing for ease of hiring and firing and regulations on unionisation has seen massive labour protests. Every sector is opening up to reforms which will ease doing business without looking at the beneficial parts of regulation whether it is mining, urban development or promotion of infrastructure corridors.This one-sided push is what doing business report promotes leaving out the dimensions of sustainability, equity and ethical business practices. Ease of doing business has come to represent reforms which bypass regulations, promote private capital, reduces taxation and promotes extraction.The report and intent is not about data integrity alone but much more. This is the time for the World Bank not just to suspend the report but give it a Covid burial.--- On August 27, the World Bank came out with a statement suspending the Doing Business Report. The statement said that a number of irregularities have been reported regarding changes to the data in the Doing Business 2018 and Doing Business 2020 reports, published in October 2017 and 2019. The changes in the data were inconsistent with the Doing Business methodology.It is not that the Doing Business Report and the Ease of Doing Business ranking is coming under criticism for the first time. It was earlier challenged by labour groups, environment groups for promoting de-regulation leading to violations of labor rights and destruction of the environment.The integrity of the data was raised in 2018 when the then chief economist of World Bank Paul Romer publicly stated that the decline in the ranking of Chile resulted from methodological changes, rather than a deterioration of Chiles business environment, and may have been the result of the World Bank staffs political motivations. The ranking of Chile went down when the socialist government came to power. He went on to apologize to Chile for conveying the wrong impression.While Chile was downgraded, the case was different for India, who gained an increase in its ranking. It was pointed out that these are also due to the changes in the methodology and not due to change of business climate as such. Independent analysis with consistent methodology shows that the changes are just half of what was otherwise reported by the Doing Business report.The World Bank, instead of standing with their chief economist, chose to defend the report leading to the resignation of Paul Romer. After firing the whistleblower, this suspension of the Doing Business Report now does not improve the Banks credibility.The critique of the report is not about data manipulation, but a credibility question to the World Bank. The data given by the World Bank is usually quoted as truth by economists, policy makers and academicians. The loss of face will have a bearing on how the World Bank is perceived particularly in the global south. The report is said to be influential in determining the business climate and subsequent investments to countries. If the report itself could be biased and manipulated, the institution faces a huge challenge. LONDON: The U.K. on Monday recorded nearly 3,000 new coronavirus cases for the second day running and unveiled a new islands policy that will require anyone returning to England from seven Greek islands, including Crete. Mykonos and Santorini, to self-isolate for 14 days. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, the U.K. reported 2,948 daily new coronavirus Monday, down from the previous days number of 2,988, which had been the highest since May. Although the higher cases can partly be attributed to more testing, its clear theres been an uptick in the past few weeks as lockdown restrictions have been eased. In some places, local outbreaks in Britain have been so severe that many lockdown restrictions have been reimposed. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Monday the situation was concerning but denied that the government had lost control over the spread of the virus. He said those under 25 accounted for a large number of the new infections and appealed to them to keep social distancing to protect vulnerable loved ones. Dont infect your grandparents, he said. Britains Conservative government also said Monday that travelers returning from seven Greek islands will have to quarantine for 14 days on their return to England beginning early Wednesday. Lesbos, Serifos, Tinos and Zakynthos have been added to the U.K. quarantine list. The other Greek islands and the mainland remain free of quarantine requirements. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the changes are part of a new targeted risk approach to quarantine requirements to guard against importing coronavirus cases. Britain has Europes worst death toll from the virus, recording more than 41,500 deaths within 28 days of testing positive. The actual toll is believed to be far higher as the government tally does not include those who died without having been tested. The spike in U.K. cases follows big increases in Spain and France, both of whom have seen the number of COVID-19 patients being hospitalized rising dramatically during the summer. Spains Health Ministry on Monday reported 26,560 new infections since its last report on Friday an average of 8,800 new infections a day. France has been averaging over 5,000 new infections a day recently. In Frances second city of Marseille, doctors have raised the alarm that nearly all the intensive care beds reserved for COVID-19 patients are already being used. Over the past few weeks, British tourists have faced travel chaos as the government tweaked its weekly advice to popular holiday destinations. The travel advice to the two most visited countries, Spain and France, changed at short notice, prompting many travelers to return to the U.K. in the middle of their vacations in order to avoid mandatory quarantines. Spains Balearic and Canary Islands remain on the U.K. governments quarantine list. The changes in travel advice have also slammed the travel industry. Shapps said the government is working actively on the practicalities of using testing to release people from quarantine earlier than 14 days." Many travel companies such as Londons Heathrow Airport have urged a ramp-up in testing but the government claims testing isno silver bullet. Jim McMahon of the opposition Labour Party said the governments response during the coronavirus pandemic has been nothing short of chaotic and says that ineptitude has been acutely felt in aviation. ___ Aritz Parra in Madrid and Thomas Adamson in Paris contributed. ___ Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak 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 Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said that about 3,000 pilgrims will visit the city of Uman in Ukraine's Cherkasy region this year to celebrate the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah. Avakov said this at a meeting with National Police Chief Ihor Klymenko, Uman Mayor Oleksandr Tsebriy, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, on Monday, September 7, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's press service reported. "According to various estimates, 30,000-40,000 people came to Uman every year to celebrate the Jewish New Year. About 3,000 people will visit the city this year due to the global pandemic. All pilgrims who arrived in Ukraine before the government imposed a temporary ban on the entry of foreigners will be tested for COVID-19," Avakov said. According to him, technical restrictions will be introduced in Uman during Rosh Hashanah. "We understand all the risks linked to Rosh Hashanah celebrations. Interior Ministry units will ensure law and order and security on the streets of Uman. We will do everything we can so that these events take place calmly and safely," Avakov added. As was reported earlier, the Uman authorities, in cooperation with Ukraine's chief rabbi, decided to conduct PCR tests for all pilgrims arriving in the city to celebrate the Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah. On September 3, Uman City Council decided to set up temporary quarantine monitoring and control points at Hasidic pilgrimage sites from September 10. The city of Uman, where the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, Rebbe Nachman, was buried, is a site of mass pilgrimage for followers of his teachings. In 2020, Rosh Hashanah falls on September 18-20. op Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Typically on Labor Day, the small sea port city of Port Angeles is having the final push for summer tourism. The Olympic Mountains are on glorious display; the early fog along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, burns off by mid-morning, and the Olympic National Park beckons travelers to explore the woodland trails. Port Angeles, Washington, is the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. It is the gateway to some of the most remote and scenic wonderlands in the world. In a typical year, three million visitors bring their cameras and their pocketbooks to enjoy the scenery and the fresh seafood caught in the nearby saltwater. Tourism wasnt always the main employer in this region of tall timber and mighty seas it was logging and fishing, paper manufacturing and forest products. But as resources thinned, so did those employment opportunities. What was left to the remaining residents was the beauty that surrounded them, and the annual tourists who made the pilgrimage to see for themselves the stunning vistas, old growth timber, rainforests, and ocean beaches. Over the last decade, small businesses have come to rent spaces in the depleted, but classically historic downtown. Artisans with blown glass creations, boutique clothing stores, and specialty ale breweries have catered to the expensive tastes of visiting clientele. Just as the wind of financial solvency was picking up and Instagram was bringing a younger set of tourists to the region, Covid-19 struck and Washington state clamped down on non-essential businesses closing them for months. Then came the biggest financial blow from across the Strait of Juan de Fuca Victoria, British Columbia. When Canada decided to close the borders, this meant the huge Coho ferry that brought daily boat loads of tourists from all parts of Canada and international travelers, would not be running. In a tourism-dependent economy, this has been devastating. In 2019 alone, the ferry traffic brought $64 million to Port Angeles and county residents. Shopkeepers, local hotels, restaurants and tour companies hoped the Canadian border would open at the same time Washington State was gradually allowed to open. But the Canadian border remained closed and it appears that it will not reopen soon. Will local tourism dollars sink along with the Coho ferrys finances? One of the board members for Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce commented that having the Coho ferry service halted is like have Seattles Space Needle removed. The Coho ferry is a local icon as steady as her schedule, the Coho employed local residents since its christening in 1959. Without the inflow of tourists, and with Covid changing many peoples travel plans, Port Angeles tourism is a fraction of normal. This is doubly hard since many businesses must wait until next tourist season for sales. Finances are already stretched tight for many local residents. Some have closed indefinitely. Throughout the tourism months of March through October, all of the local county fairs that bring in tourists have had to be cancelled. The spring time Lavender Festival was cancelled typically bringing 35,000 visitors. And the October Crab Fest, which brings in 25,000 people, was also cancelled. The oldest continuing festival in Washington State, the Sequim Irrigation Festival, was cancelled for this first time in 125 years. Local residents have weathered the economic challenges before, but Covid-19 brought a whole new concern to a region with limited resources. Labor Day may signal the end of summer time tourism, but will it also end the legacy of the Coho ferrys service to and from Canada? After 61 years of ferry service, it has never sat idle this long. The financial losses are as deep as the Strait of Juan de Fuca that the ship used to cross numerous times a day. The Black Ball Ferry line who owns and operates the Coho, is doing all they can do to hang on, but the decision to operate is resting on the Canadian government, who is not inclined to risk bringing Covid across the border. As our nation celebrates Labor Day, this is one for the record books the Washington Post reports that over 100,000 small businesses across the nation have already closed for good. Port Angeles shopkeepers wonder if they can hang on to see another Labor Day. Beirut: A search operation of a building that collapsed during last months deadly blast in Beirut stopped on Sunday after rescue workers said they did not find any survivors. The operation in the historic Mar Mikhail district had gripped Lebanon since Thursday, sparking hope that a survivor might be found under the rubble a month after the blast on August 4 that killed 191 people and wounded nearly 6500. Seven people remain missing. A Chilean rescuer, right, holds a sniffer dog as they search in the rubble of a collapsed building in Beirut after detecting a sign of life one month after the massive port blast. Credit:AP The devastating explosion of nearly 3000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at the port of Beirut caused widespread damage to several neighbourhoods. The Lebanese capital is still reeling from the blast, with a quarter of a million people made homeless by the impact of the explosion on apartment buildings. In early September 2001, I got talking to a middle-aged neighbour about the news of the week. A long-time Labor voter, she was singing the praises of the then prime minister John Howard. A few days earlier, Howard had refused to accept refugees picked up at sea by the Norwegian freighter Tampa and sent special forces troops on to the ship after it entered Australian waters. My neighbour was all for Howard's action because, as she told me, refugees who tried to come by boat could be terrorists or be carrying disease. "Good on Howard. Don't let any of them in," she said. Most Australians agreed with her. The instantaneous leap in support for Howard and his government in opinion polls after Tampa was so profound that some pollsters went straight back out into the field and polled voters again to check that the first polls were accurate. They had been. The Howard government won a federal election in a canter soon after. Illustration: Jim Pavlidis Credit: John Howard is long gone from politics but his stance on the Tampa was the gift that kept on giving for the Liberal Party. At election after election, the Liberals have ramped up their strong-on-borders brand and reaped the benefits at the ballot box. Fear can have a powerful effect in politics, as some state premiers have found to their advantage lately. The more they've dug in on locking down their borders and casting themselves as great protectors, the more popular they've become. Watching Scott Morrison's rising frustration as various premiers against his wishes kept their borders closed for a mixture of practical and political reasons was piquant, to say the least. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:08:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Monday reported new 4,299 recoveries from COVID-19, the highest in a single day since the outbreak of the disease, raising the tally of recoveries to 202,859. A statement by the ministry said that 4,314 new COVID-19 cases were detected during the day, bringing the total nationwide infections to 264,684. It also reported 77 deaths, raising the death toll to 7,589, after using 24,318 testing kits across the country, and a total of 1,765,247 tests have been carried out since the outbreak of the disease. Meanwhile, Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi said in a press release that the ministry was able to raise the number of beds in hospitals to 8,000 for treating the people infected with COVID-19, as well as providing the hospitals with over 4,000 ventilators. Al-Tamimi also said that "the laboratory tests have reached 26,000 per day after the establishment of over 45 labs," adding that the ministry is working to increase the COVID-19 tests to detect more infections. Iraq has been taking a series of measures to contain the pandemic since February when the first coronavirus case appeared in the country. China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Iraq's capital Baghdad. Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem Seera Group, the regions leading travel services company, has launched a new data portal for industry partners, which offers comprehensive insights on future searches, bookings and traveller behaviour. The portal has been designed to enable tourism boards and other industry partners to further understand the customer journey at every touchpoint and make projections for strategic campaigns. In an attempt to support the wider travel ecosystem during the recovery phase of travel, Seera Group is working closely with partners globally to identify the most valuable data sets to tailor the platform and whitelabel it according to their needs. Phase one of the portal roll-out will focus on tourism board partners, with data delivered by Seera Groups flagship consumer travel brand Almosafer - the leading omnichannel travel brand in KSA. With VisitBritain as a launch partner, Seera is looking to further strengthen the groups partnership with the National Tourism Board of Britain which has focused on boosting the tourism sector by positioning the country as a destination of choice for Saudi visitors. Almosafers recent insights show that the number of flights booked from KSA to the UK has doubled from 2018 to 2019. Furthermore, Almosafer saw an increase of 19% percent in hotel bookings by Saudi travellers to the UK in 2019 as compared to the year before. London, Manchester and Birmingham maintained their position as top three destinations in the UK since 2018 KSA travellers. The new portal, developed by Seera Groups data and analytics team, enables VisitBritain to access powerful data sets and projections on business outcomes. Insights will be provided on target destinations, as well as details such as preferred travel dates, length of stay, booking windows, cities of preference, accommodation and airline preferences and other real-time statistics that will help VisitBritain in making informed decisions and driving forward-planning. The portal also provides insights on traveller behaviour during the Covid-19 era including search trends as well as data from the interaction with health and safety related information available on consumer platforms. Louise Blake, VP of Data and Analytics at Seera Group, said: These insights will enable a deeper understanding of the target audience and behaviours, helping our partners deliver further value. Through this portal, traveller preferences and activities can be tracked by VisitBritain, which will help them to foster a deeper experience for the guests by providing an enhanced personalised journey. Sofia Santos, Country Manager GCC for VisitBritain, said: Tourism is also an extremely competitive global industry and initiatives such as Seeras innovative insights portal, supporting us to access real-time data on travellers preferences and future booking patterns, will help to position Britain as the destination of choice for visitors from Saudi Arabia when the time comes to promote travel once more working with strategic partners across the region. Partners can access data on Seera Insights such as competitor performance, reviews, social graphs, differential guest value, and preferred destinations that can help develop optimal strategies for both the traveller and the business. In the second phase of the Seera Insights project, the platform will evolve to include data insights from other verticals of the Group, including Corporate & Government travel management insights via elaa, as well as car rental data through Seeras brand Lumi and in future, more data sets from Seeras Hajj & Umrah travel brand Mawasim and its KSA Destination Management Company Discover Saudi - which will be made accessible to partners across the ecosystem including hotel chains and airlines. Abdullah Aldawood, CEO of Seera Group, added: During these times, where the travel sector has faced an unprecedented level of impact due to Covid-19, it is more important than ever that industry partners come together to support each other and create an enhanced experience for travellers. Were delighted to strengthen our association with VisitBritain, which will support its goal in positioning Britain as a destination of choice for the regions travellers. It will be of tremendous value, especially as travel returns to normalcy, and travellers will invariably have new preferences in terms of how and where they travel to, stay and spend their time. Seera Insights is a data-driven value-add for our industry partners helping them to understand the Saudi traveller in granular detail. As Menas largest homegrown travel company, Seera manages cutting-edge omnichannel consumer online travel platforms on app, mobile and web as well as retail travel agencies across the kingdom. Seera is also the largest corporate and government travel services provider in Saudi Arabia. - TradeArabia News Service Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ram Madhavs presence at the official funeral of a Tibetan soldier from the secretive Special Frontier Force (SFF) on Monday created a flutter in diplomatic and political circles amid the border standoff with China. The funeral of SFF company leader Nyima Tenzin, killed in a landmine blast in an operation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during August 29-30, was held at Leh in the union territory of Ladakh. The funeral cortege was joined by scores of cars and motorcycles and people waving the Indian and Tibetan flags. Tenzins coffin, carried in an army truck, was draped in the Indian tricolour and Tibetan flag, which were handed over to his widow at the funeral. Experts noted this was probably the first time an SFF personnel who died in action was given a public funeral, complete with military honours and a volley of shots by a ceremonial guard. BJP national general secretary Madhav posted photos of the funeral and paid tribute to Tenzin on Twitter but subsequently deleted the tweet. Screenshots of his tweet, which were widely shared, showed he had posted: Attended [the] funeral of SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting our borders in Ladakh, and laid a wreath as a tribute. Let [the] sacrifices of such valiant soldiers bring peace along the Indo-Tibetan border. That will be [the] real tribute to all martyrs. People present at the funeral shouted slogans such as Bharat Mata ki jai, Tibet desh ki jai, Vikas Regiment zindabad and We salute Tenzin. SFF is also known as Establishment 22 and Vikas Regiment. Banners put up at the funeral site by SFF ex-servicemen described Tenzin as a soldier who sacrificed his life to protect his second homeland India fighting common enemy China. Madhav spoke to the media at the funeral, saying in Hindi that he hoped Tenzins sacrifice will bring peace to the border and that efforts are on to end the tension. He added, We hope peace will be restored soon. People familiar with developments said Madhav hadnt attended the funeral as a representative of the government. On Sunday, Madhav began a two-day visit to Ladakh, a union territory that was carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, whose special status was scrapped in August 2019. However, the move marks a shift from the governments reported decision in early 2018 asking officials and leaders to skip events which were being organised at the time to mark the Dalai Lamas 60 years in exile. As the government worked to improve ties with China, especially through the mechanism of informal summits, the Tibet issue was largely sidelined. SFF was raised with former Tibetan guerrillas in 1962 and went on to see action during the 1971 war with Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh and the 1999 Kargil conflict. It is led by army officers and most of its personnel are men of Tibetan origin. Amitabh Mathur, a former special secretary in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) who advised the government on issues related to Tibet, said it made sense for India to use a force such as SFF in the current scenario because of the special skills of its personnel. They are used to operating at high altitudes and it would be an enormous waste if they are kept away from the terrain where they are most useful, he said. However, he said the Indian side will have to ensure that their use is followed up with other messages that reach the overall Tibetan community and a consistent policy. There has to be some sort of gesture, an overt sign and this message should reach the Tibetans in Tibet, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] 'Switch it on at 2 pm, they will scream the same.' 'Are there no other problems that the country is facing today about which people need to know or these channels must need to broadcast?' 'There has to be some limit to this naked TRP greed.' IMAGE: Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty along with her brother Shovik Chakraborty arrive at the DRDO guesthouse in Santacruz, north west Mumbai, for questioning in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, August 30, 2020. Shovik has since been arrested by thr Narcotics Control Bureau for alleged possession of drugs. Photograph: Photograph: PTI Photo Dr Parvinder Singh Pasricha, is one of the seven retired Maharashtra police officers who have petitioned the Bombay high court against the 'media trial' of the Mumbai police in the Sushant Singh Rajput's death by suicide case. The others petitioners are M N Singh, D K Sivanandan, Sanjiv Dayal, Satish Mathur, K Subramanyam, K P Raghuvanshi and D N Jadhav. Dr Pasricha, tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com that television news channels must stop concocting facts and draw their own lakshman rekhas (the threshold for not sensationalising the case) while reporting on the case that has clear political overtones. What made seven DGPs and a police commissioner knock at the doors of the Bombay high court in the Sushant Singh Rajput case? We have been watching (some news channels reporting on the death by suicide case) for the last few weeks with great distress. Some of the channels, with their eyes on the TRPs (television rating points, a metric that helps channels earn higher advertising revenue) are trying to concoct facts that have not even come on record and are misleading and misinforming their viewers. Such kind of reportage is ultimately going to have far-reaching consequences in the sense that the public will lose trust in the police. We have nothing against any investigation or investigation agencies whatsoever; be it the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), the Narcotics (Control) Bureau, or the ED (Enforcement Directorate). We have nothing to do with that. We have also nothing against the media reporting. That is their right and public also has a right to know the truth. There is no problem with that. But the problem arises when the media concocts facts and their coverage is not based on evidence and facts. Nobody should try to act as the prosecutor, jury, or judge; let everybody show restraint and dignity, that's all. But who decides that the news channels you believe are concocting facts are actually doing that? How does one know that they are not reporting the facts of the case? There is something called individual character, professional integrity, and intellectual honesty. Nobody can mark a lakshman rekha (how the media should report); we all have to define our own lakshman rekha; we have to discipline ourselves because everybody should act with responsibility. Nobody is setting a lakshman rekha for reporting on such cases. Every media organisation has to look inward and go by their conscience; what is right, what is not. What makes you believe that some news channels have transgressed this lakshman rekha and trying to influence the course of investigation? I don't want to discuss it beyond this because on the 10th (of September), the high court is having a proper hearing. Let the hearing be done and we can discuss further these finer points. But the Mumbai police are being pilloried by some of these news channels according to your petition in the Bombay high court. What is at stake for the Mumbai police here? I have nothing to say; as to the case is concerned, I have zero issues. No problem, no investigation problem. I have nothing to say on that or even nothing to see on media reporting. What we are saying is that tell the public only those facts and evidences that have come on record of the investigation or investigating agencies. Do not imagine facts and mislead your viewers. Do you believe that this section of the media is playing into the hands of politicians or is it just to ratchet up their TRPs? I don't know. I do not want to comment on these issues. We are all professionals and our approach is very, very, professional. I am only saying that let everybody show some discipline, define their own lakshman rekhas and inform their viewers. They should be morally upright, intellectually honest and follow basic ethical standards of reporting. As a former Mumbai police commissioner and Maharashtra DGP, what pains you the most, what disturbs you the most about such media reportage? Even yesterday, even this morning, I tried almost 18 to 20 channels just to get some international news; barring WION and a couple of other channels, every other channel was screaming Rhea (Chakraborty, Rajput's partner). Switch on your television even at 2 in the morning they will scream Rhea; switch it on at 2 pm, they will scream the same. Are there no other problems that the country is facing today about which people, their viewers, need to know or these channels must need to broadcast? There has to be some limit to this naked TRP greed. What is the line that divides 'ethical', 'balanced', 'unbiased', 'objective' reporting from their opposites, which according to your petition some news channels are indulging in? Remember that nobody can buy or sell intellectual honesty and values. These are imbibed in your system, in your soul, in your conscience. I cannot teach anybody lessons in these moral values. Everybody has good and bad in him, weaknesses and strengths, everybody has to take their decisions themselves. Each and every individual is the sole arbiter of what's good and evil for their own selves, for the system and for the nation. I don't want to preach that to anybody. Everybody has their own values and one should go by his own conscience, do the right thing, the right way. Why is this section of news channels doing it? Is it just to boost their TRPs or is there a political angle to it? What can I say about it? You are from the media. You tell me. We all know why this is happening, but what's the point of discussing it because that is an inevitable part of our life now. Woh purana Lal Bahadur Shastri wala, Vajpayee wala value system to kab ka khatam ho gaya hai (That old value system practiced by late prime ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atal BIhari Vajpayee has long been done away with). The world has changed today; even we have changed. The policing that existed 50 years ago have changed too; our system has changed, society has changed, youth and their mindsets have changed. So, there is no point talking about the politics of it all. What is there is there. Everybody knows about it. You know about it. I know it. We have no plans to enter politics. We believe that everything should be systematic and fair for the country to progress and become like the countries in Europe or America or Japan. For that, we have to inculcate certain values, build national character, build the system on these values, and it has to be a united effort. For the last couple of months we have been subjected to this news (about Rajput's death by suicide) as if nothing else is happening in the world. What is your message to the Mumbai police which is being hounded by a section of news channels? The Mumbai police must maintain their poise and dignity. They should not get ruffled by certain acrimonious and abrasive remarks (made by some news channels on their professional integrity). They should maintain their dignity, keep doing the job. Everything will fall in line; these are professional hazards and we have to accept them. Five COVID-19 patients were caught hours after they fled from a Nagpur-based government-run hospital while undergoing treatment on Sunday, a senior official said. According to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) official, they had run away from the facility in the morning and were caught at Betul railway station in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh as they had boarded a train after the escape. "A guard at the hospital informed the RPF about their escape, following which our personnel launched a search. One of the patients was a woman who had delivered a baby recently and had later tested positive," he said. "After being tipped-off, the RPF team went through the CCTV footage, which revealed that they boarded the Bihar-bound Sanghamitra Express. Since the train had already left the station, the Betul RPF unit was informed about these five infected passengers," the official said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Akufo-Addo has been elected as the new Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the ongoing 57th ECOWAS Summit being held in Niamey, capital of Niger. The Ghanaian President takes over from President of the Republic of Niger, President Mahamadou Issoufou. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is scheduled to give his acceptance speech later at the ongoing summit. The ECOWAS summit, which being held at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre will see leaders discussing reports from the 44th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council among others. The last time a Ghanaian President was elected ECOWAS Chairman was during the 44th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS where former President Mahama, took over from Ivorian President Allasane Ouattara (Natural News) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an intelligence alert to Chicago-area law enforcement warning that as many as 36 different cold-blooded street gangs have formed a pact to shoot on-sight any cop that has a weapon drawn on any subject in public. A situational awareness report, dated Aug. 26, explains that members of these street gang factions have been actively searching for, and filming, police officers in performance of their official duties. In the event that an officer is caught drawing his/her weapon on any subject, members of these street gangs have been instructed to shoot-on-sight in order to garner national media attention. Though such alerts are commonly distributed to law enforcement agencies even when they are very unspecific, this one comes with an added sense of urgency and severity as roving mobs of Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Antifa terrorists tear up cities and neighborhoods in the name of social justice. At the same time, the FBI has admitted that this Potential Activity Alert came from a contact whose reporting is limited and whose reliability cannot be determined. This means it could have come from a police street source, a cooperating witness in a case that is ongoing, or from discussions overheard on a wiretap or other surveillance recording. The latest news stories about escalating chaos and violence across America can be found at CivilWar.news. Chicago police facing overall sense of lawlessness due to leftist-fueled protests According to Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent David Brown, the threat is likely credible because his department increasingly faces what he described to the media as a sense of lawlessness. The dangers posed to police officers are real and increasing, he says, especially with each subsequent shooting or altercation involving black criminals. I think its bigger than a suggestion, he is quoted as saying. I think 51 officers being shot at or shot in one year, I think that quadruples any previous year in Chicagos history. So I think its more than a suggestion that people are seeking to do harm to cops. Just last weekend, some 54 people were shot in Chicago, including two police officers. Both of them are expected to live, but 10 of these 54 ended up dying. Keep in mind that back in May, a shocking 18 people were murdered in Chicago in a single 24-hour period, the deadliest day ever recorded for the Windy City. Supt. Brown is convinced that these spikes in violence are being done specifically by people who are seeking to do harm to cops. He is thus calling on both police officers and community members to push back fervently against lawlessness. I-Team Chicago, reporting on the FBI bulletin, says CPD is fully aware of the gang threat, which includes names such as the Latin Kings, the Vice Lords, the El Rukns, and the Black P Stones. The department is responding by taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its officers. So far this year, Chicago has seen 2,152 shootings and 505 murders. Commenting on the development, one commenter at the DailyMail Online (United Kingdom) wrote that it is shameful for Mayor Lori Lightfoot to not accept any federal assistance to help deal with the problem of escalating violence against police. The Mayor would rather sacrifice police lives than accept federal assistance, this person wrote. Politics over lives. Shameful. Another wrote that it is probably not a good idea for gangs or anyone else to shoot-on-sight at cops, seeing as how they are armed and well-trained in self-defense. Cops should have the same policy towards the gangs, wrote yet another. Read more news about attacks on police at Antipolice.news. Sources for this article include: ABC7Chicago.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com DailyMail.co.uk ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska ranks last in U.S. Census responses that do not involve census takers making personal visits, including phone, mail or online participation, officials said. The state has the lowest level of self-response so far during the 2020 Census, Alaska Public Media reported. It had a rate of 49.5% by computer, phone or mail as of Sept. 1, while the national rate of self-response is 63%, census officials said. Alaskas overall response rate remains about 5% lower than in 2010. Some people are fearful or not trusting of the government. Some people just arent aware of the census or dont think it applies to them, U.S. Census Bureau spokesperson Donald Benz said. The bureau has made an extra push to reach more Alaskans and remind residents the census is safe, easy and important, Benz said. The count taken once every decade helps determine federal funding issued to states and the number of representatives each state has in Congress. A Census Bureau map showed there have been low rates of self-response in most regions of Alaska. Response rates were higher in Juneau and Anchorage, which were comparable to the national average, and somewhat lower in Fairbanks. Alaska communities with higher rates of self-response had more responses submitted online. The Census Bureau announced last week that counting would finish a month early this year, on Sept. 30 instead of Oct. 31. The agency planned to hire more enumerators to complete the job quicker. But on Saturday, a federal judge in California issued an order against the Census Bureau and the Commerce Department, which oversees the agency. The order stops the Census Bureau from winding down operations until a court hearing is held on Sept. 17. The bureau has started the final push to complete the count in Alaska with census takers who have been hired locally, Benz said. Its not like were going to be shipping people from California to Alaska to get this count, Benz said. Were hiring local people from the community. Time sensitive: Department of Health Secretary Brendan Murphy, pictured with Health Minister Greg Hunt and PM Scott Morrison, says Victoria needs confidence in its contact tracing. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Under a data management system being installed within Victorias Health Department by the Silicon Valley group Salesforce, automated text messages will alert health officials, infected people and potentially their close contacts about positive tests, dramatically improving the speed of the process. The Andrews government has engaged a US tech giant to lift its COVID-19 contact tracing system into the digital age, as the nations most senior health official urged Victoria to have greater confidence that it could move safely out of lockdown. Victoria rejected an approach by Salesforce earlier in the pandemic, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company also made an unsuccessful pitch to the federal government to roll out a national contact tracing management system. The high-tech boost to Victorias contact tracing regime was confirmed by government sources on Monday as Victorias painstakingly slow path out of restrictions brought into sharp focus the states capacity to contain future outbreaks. The Commonwealths Department of Health Secretary and former chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said although Victorias contact tracing had significantly improved since the start of the second wave, it appeared to be holding back the states emergence from lockdown. "I think they are in a stronger position, a much, much stronger position now, and I hope they can feel confident with the strength of their position to take a somewhat less conservative approach to their restrictions," he said. "Theres no rule book for this virus, but I think some of us feel that if there was more confidence in the public response capability, you could take some slightly more generous triggers." China launched its Long March 4B rocket Monday, sending an Earth observation satellite to orbit - but the boosters return was not so successful. Footage released after the launch shows the booster falling back to Earth, narrowly missing a school, before crashing and exploding in a nearby town. The horrifying scene was captured near the Lilong village, Gaoyao Town in the Luonan county of Shaanxi province and the video surfaced on the Chinese social media site Weibo. The booster was seen quickly falling from space, with bystanders yelling in the background after realized it had traveled off path and was heading towards a school. China launched its Long March 4B rocket Monday, sending an Earth observation satellite to orbit - but the boosters return was not so successful. Footage released after the launch shows the booster falling back to Earth, narrowly missing a school, before crashing and exploding in a nearby town China launched its remote sensing satellite, called Gaofen-11 (2), Monday morning, which will be used in land census, urban planning, road network design, crop estimation and disaster prevention, Space.com reported. The satellite joins Chinas High-resolution Earth Observation System, which began in 2010 and launched the first device in 2013. China has kept a tight lid on its satellite constellation, but footage of the first Gaofen 11 in 2018 and previous footage suggests these specific technologies are part of a larger aperture telescope used to observe Earth. And although Gaofen-11 (2) made its way to orbit, the Long Marc 4B rocket booster that took it there had a hard time returning home. The horrifying scene was captured near the Lilong village, Gaoyao Town in the Luonan county of Shaanxi province and the video surfaced on the Chinese social media site Weibo Footage surfaced shortly after the launch of the failing booster, which instantly exploded into a massive orange cloud after making a crash landing. The video shows the booster off in a distance and bystanders watching who begin shouting once they see it is headed towards a nearby school. The clip then shows a view from inside the town, with a massive orange and yellow cloud in the background the booster luckily missed the school. Although no injury reports have surfaced, the Long March 4B first stage is fuled with a toxic mixture of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide that can causes serious health problems for those who come in contact with the concoction. Footage surfaced shortly after the launch of the failing booster, which instantly exploded into a massive orange cloud after making a crash landing Although this launch was not a complete success, China completed a separate one of Friday that took off without any problems The country set off a reusable experimental spacecraft aboard its Long March 2-F carrier into orbit from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwestern Chinese region Inner Mongolia, reported state media Xinhua, without specifying the time of the launch. No images of the spacecraft or its lift-off have yet to be released. Staff and visitors at the launch site were prevented from filming or discussing the project online, according to reports. The reusable experimental spacecraft is currently in orbit and testing reusable technologies during its flight, providing technological support for the peaceful use of space, said Xinhua. It is scheduled to return to a Chinese landing site at an unspecified date. The boy was playing in the sand when he was pricked by a discarded syringe. (PA) A nine-year-old boy is awaiting test results for HIV after accidentally pricking himself with a discarded needle on Boscombe beach in Bournemouth. Dan Spiller said his son Clayton pulled his hand out of the sand and had a dirty syringe in his finger and the father was gobsmacked by the response when he sought help. Spiller initially sought the assistance of the beach ranger on the promenade, but the council official reportedly said he didnt know where the first aid box was. Spiller told the Daily Echo: I am just gobsmacked with how they took care of the situation. The one person who was fantastic was the lifeguard. We live in Bournemouth and know the area very well, we go to the beach all the time. A nine-year-old has been tested for HIV after accidentally pricking himself with a needle on Boscombe beach in Bournemouth, pictured. (PA) Spiller said he asked where the manager was but that the ranger couldnt radio through to him. The family then went to the lifeguard, who gave them antiseptic wipes, took the needle and advised them to go straight to hospital. Spillers partner Ferne took Clayton to hospital, where tests were taken. Read more: UK begins trial of HIV medicine and steroid as possible COVID-19 treatments Now the parents will have to spend eight weeks of worrying about whether their son has HIV. Ferne Spiller said: They were trying to reassure us the chances are low. Because he is under-18 he had injections for hepatitis B and D, well go back in three months for another one. I am just cross, upset and disappointed. The little boy was taken to hospital for tests on the advice of an RNLI lifeguard. (Getty) A spokesperson for BCP Council claimed no staff working at Boscombe were involved in the incident. Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, told Yahoo News: "Fortunately, occurrences such as this are extremely rare. We clean our beaches on a daily basis and our staff patrol the seafront regularly to ensure the safety of our visitors. "We have looked into this specific incident and do not believe the person spoken to was a seafront ranger. Our rangers are equipped with radios and are certainly aware of the location of first aid kits; indeed many of them are fully trained first-aiders. We have asked other members of staff working that day but have no further indication as to who it was the father spoke with. Story continues "At this time of year, RNLI lifeguards take responsibility for first aid duties on Boscombe Beach and we are very grateful to them for providing an excellent service, as they did on this occasion. "This must have been a very distressing incident for the family and we wish them well." Read more: A cure for HIV? Five patients are virus-free months after new vaccine The risk of injury from used syringes found in community settings like beaches causes much concern, especially when children are involved, but needlestick injuries are most likely to happen among healthcare workers who are accidentally exposed to infected blood, according to the Aids Map. Injuries from discarded needles in the community are less common and infections are rare. Watch: Woman might have been cured of HIV without treatment The prominent elderly couple from Emzaza village in Empandeni who were gruesomely murdered last week was laid to rest this Monday at KoWami cemetery with villagers, friends, church and family members describing them as community heroes. Nicholas Nleya (83) and Margaret Nleya (78) were killed by suspected robbers who invaded their homestead on Tuesday evening and set them alight before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash. Mourners, who included MDC-T leader Dr Thokozani Khupe flocked to the Nleya homestead to pay their last respect to the couple who were known for their generosity in their community and passion for community development. The couple, both former teachers left behind 10 children, 20 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Speaking on behalf of the Nleya family, during the burial service, Patrick Nyathi said the huge turnout was a testimony of the good works done by the couple. Let us not forget the good works done by the deceased to the community, said Nyathi. Eddie Nleya, one of the children said their parents tragic death has brought pain to the whole family. One of the grandchildren, who was identified as Tumo, called for justice saying they have been robbed of loving grandparents. Meanwhile, ward 13 councillor, Moses Moyo said he lost a great adviser in the late Nicholas Nleya. I used to tell Nicholas that we see development through him, I then selected him to be my adviser in community meetings I used to have and even as budget consultation meetings are approaching, I was still looking forward to his input, said Cllr Moyo. Headman Zibuyeni Ncube said the community was now living in fear as the assailants were yet to be arrested. We hope that the police will continue with their investigations as villagers now live in fear. There are so many theories that we have heard as the community but we leave all that for the law to take its course because many families here depended on that family now things will never be the same especially at a time when we are facing a drought, said Headman Ncube. MDC-T leader Dr Thokozani Khupe said she has lost an uncle who was developmentally oriented. Soon after the elections he called me to come down here to talk about development, I told him if he had voted for me for president, things could have changed in Zimbabwe, said Dr Khupe. Sunday, September 6, 2020 By now, polls should have mostly absorbed any potential impact of the conventions and it makes sense to look at them again. Joe Biden's lead in the national polling average on realclearpolitics is still substantial (6.9%) and double the lead Hillary Clinton had on Donald Trump. I can't remember an incumbent president running for reelection who was trailing so far behind as Trump does at this point in time of the campaign and who ended up winning. Am I saying that Joe Biden will win? No, because surveys are never a prediction. But I would rather be in team Biden than in team Trump at the moment. Let's look at the underlying dynamics of the race. Conventional wisdom has it that an election with an incumbent is foremost a referendum on the incumbent. When voting for a challenger, voters merely express a wish. When voting for an incumbent, they render a verdict. In that respect, the job approval rating of the incumbent is crucially important (and was sometimes a better prediction of the vote than the match-up question). At the time of writing, 44% approve of the job Trump is doing while 56% disapprove. This has actually been remarkably stable throughout his term. Trump's personal favorability ratings are basically the same: 42% have a favorable opinion about him while 56% have an unfavorable one. So it's not that voters disapprove of the job he is doing but would like him as a person (or vice versa). In addition to job approval and personal favorability, another important indicator is how voters think about the state of the country. At the moment, 27% say that the country goes in the right direction while 67% say it's off the wrong track. This number has slightly improved but is still dangerously low for an incumbent. Now, these are all nationwide numbers and one might argue that it's not really a nationwide, but a state-by-state election. Let us also remember that the state polls were pretty skewed four years ago. But the race does indeed seem to have tightened in the battleground states. Biden is still ahead in the realclearpolitics polling average in most swing states, but the lead has become smaller: Florida (+1.8%), Pennsylvania (+4.2%), Michigan (+2.6%) and Wisconsin (4%). In other words: screw the popular vote. This campaign is now all about the electoral college and is actually more competitive than what the nationwide polls might indicate. A black man was offered a job with a sheriff's office in Florida after he was wrongly detained by deputies after matching the description of a burglary suspect while out on a jog last week. Footage from the incident shows former military policeman, Joseph Griffin, being approached by deputies from the Volusia Sheriff's Office. According to Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood, the deputies were responding to call about a burglary in the area and Griffin, who currently works as a registered nurse, fit the description. Footage from the incident shows former military policeman, Joseph Griffin (pictured), being approached by deputies from the Volusia Sheriff's Office Authorities said they were looking for a black male with a beard who was wearing a white tank top and dark shorts and Griffin matched that description. He is seen being handcuffed during the incident Authorities said they were looking for a black male with a beard who was wearing a white tank top and dark shorts and Griffin was wearing a similar outfit. In the footage, one deputy is heard telling Griffin: 'Just bare with me, because you fit the description. I'm not saying you're guilty, but my sergeant is telling me to detain you.' By that point, Griffin had pulled out his cellphone and started live streaming the incident on Facebook. He is then seen putting his phone down as the deputy proceeds to handcuff him. As he's being placed in the handcuffs, Griffin is heard telling his viewers on Facebook: 'If something happens to me, y'all better raise hell.' The deputy then said: 'Again, buddy, you're not under arrest, it's just that you fit the description. He also offered to hold Griffin's phone for him while he continued to live stream the encounter. 'It's just a lot going on today,' Griffin said, referring to the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake and the death of George Floyd who died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. More than 12 minutes later, the deputies released Griffin (pictured after being released) while also apologizing for the discomfort they may have caused. They also thanked him for keeping calm through the ordeal Following the incident, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood released a statement commending the deputies for their handling of the encounter and offering Griffin a job with the department More than 12 minutes later, the deputies released Griffin while also apologizing for the discomfort they may have caused. They also thanked him for keeping calm through the ordeal. Following the incident, Sheriff Chitwood released a statement commending the deputies for their handling of the encounter. 'Witness descriptions are never perfect, and these deputies did an outstanding job given the limited information they had about a call in progress,' Chitwood said. 'To each and every deputy who was involved in this response, I am extremely proud of your hard work and dedication. This is exactly the kind of effort that has allowed us to cut down the crime rate in Deltona,' the sheriff wrote. 'Likewise, Mr. Griffin was calm and cooperative even though he had reason to be frustrated with the inconvenience. To Mr. Griffin, I appreciate your cooperation with these deputies, and I'd like to invite you on a ride-along sometime in the future.' Chitwood also revealed that he would be happy to train and hire Griffin as a deputy. 'Mr. Griffin is a military veteran and a medical professional, and I told him we'd train and hire him as a deputy in a second if he ever wants a new job,' Chitwood told WSAV. Chitwood also said in his statement that the deputies ended up arresting the actual burglary suspect. The new owners of 5 million combined acres of land and mineral rights in southern Wyoming say they plan to pursue opportunities to expand renewable energy development in addition to existing drilling and mining activity a potential new source of revenue for the state as a third-party investment company takes over land long held by oil companies Anadarko and Occidental Petroleum. In a Friday interview with the Star-Tribune, Jon Lamb, the CEO of the purchasing firm Orion Resource Partners, and Johnny DeCooman, the new CEO of Sweetwater, the company taking over management of those lands, said they would be looking into opportunities to diversify the regions already productive sources of trona and oil into other arenas, including wind, solar and potential rare earth extraction, in an effort to boost the long-term profitability of their $1.33 billion purchase. One of the things that attracted us today to this portfolio on the surface was the opportunity for renewables development, Lamb said. There is clearly a demand for that with a couple of large transmission projects that are currently underway. I really see that as just surface being scratched. Were excited to get the transaction closed and started looking at how to best advance those opportunities. Orion an international mining company specializing in leasing large swaths of land for mining and development was the successful bidder in a highly competitive sale of the land earlier this year, beating out the state of Wyoming in a nine-way race to purchase the acreage. That land, which was part of the land grant that helped build the nations first transcontinental railroad, is considered one of the worlds largest sources of trona and has proven to be a reliable source of oil revenues over the years despite changing hands several times throughout its history. Those revenues, plus the potential of getting even greater use out of those lands, ultimately compelled Orion to outbid Wyoming by hundreds of millions of dollars to close the deal and potentially open the door to even greater development opportunities in the long term. Royalties of this scale with the underlying quality these assets have is quite rare, Lamb said. And to have an opportunity to acquire those is unique, let alone having one in a great local jurisdiction with great local partners and a lot of option value, just given the size of the land package and the mineral package. And really, all of the current cash flow is being generated from a just fraction of that. Were long-term investors, and this is a long-term business were setting up here, he added. Sweetwaters entry in the market also means the likelihood of continued payments in lieu of taxes to local governments in the region a major concern for municipal leaders as news of the deal first broke earlier this year. While no plans are set in stone yet, DeCooman said the company plans to begin an outreach effort with local officials and current lessees shortly after the deal closes. The sale is expected to occur on or around Oct. 19. Fridays interview comes just days after a contentious post-mortem of the deal among members of the Wyoming Legislatures Select Committee on Capital Financing & Investments, where Treasurer Curt Meier chided lawmakers for not involving his office in evaluating the land back in the fall and said that he had lingering concerns about the prospects of an overconcentration of trona in the states investment portfolio. (Occidental did not approach the state about the land until January, Rep. Bob Nicholas noted, with the bidding process not announced until March of this year.) While Wyoming missed the boat this round, Meier said that the process could be seen as a teaching experience that could help the state in future land purchasing scenarios. I think there are going to be other opportunities like that, whether in real estate or other areas, he told committee members. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 6 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BRUSSELS: The European Union warned the British government on Monday that any attempt to renege on commitments made ahead of its departure from the bloc earlier this year could put at risk the hard-won peace in Northern Ireland. The comments show growing signs that trust between the two sides is evaporating ahead of another round of Brexit trade talks Tuesday in London. Britain left the bloc on Jan. 31 but the two sides are in a transition period that ends at the end of this year and are negotiating their future trade ties. The 27-nation bloc said any attempt by Britains Conservative government to unilaterally ride roughshod over its divorce agreement with the EU could also jeopardize the prospects for a trade deal. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EUs Executive Commission, said she expects British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government to implement the withdrawal agreement that paved the way for the U.K.s smooth departure from the bloc. She said in a tweet that the agreement is an obligation under international law and a prerequisite for any future partnership. She added the section in the agreement that ensures an open border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K., and EU member Ireland, is essential to protect peace and stability on the island." Her comments followed a report in the Financial Times newspaper that the British government is planning domestic legislation that would effectively override the international treaty obligations enshrined in the Brexit withdrawal agreement, particularly over issues related to the Irish border. Johnson has said Britain could walk away from the talks within weeks and insists that a no-deal exit would be a good outcome for the U.K. He said in a statement that any agreement must be sealed by an EU summit scheduled for Oct. 15. The EU has previously said negotiations must conclude before the end of October. Mondays developments prompted widespread selling of the British pound as traders priced in a growing likelihood that the trade talks could be heading for collapse. The pound was down 0.9% against both the dollar and the euro. During this transition period, the U.K. remains within the EUs economic orbit, benefiting from frictionless and tariff-free trade. But British businesses are worried about the uncertainty of what happens to their trading ties with their biggest market beginning Jan. 1. The EUs chief negotiator in the talks, Michel Barnier, said Monday that he will be seeking clarification from David Frost, his counterpart in the U.K., on Tuesday to better understand the governments intentions. This protocol is a condition for preserving peace and for protecting the integrity of the single market, Barnier told French radio France Inter. Its also a pre-condition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected. Britains environment secretary, George Eustice, sought to downplay concerns that the government is seeking to tear up its treaty obligations. He argued that the Internal Market Bill, due to be published Wednesday, aims to to tie up some loose ends where there was a need for legal certainty." He insisted that Johnsons government remained committed to the principles of the deal, which will see customs checks on some goods moving from the rest of the U.K. to Northern Ireland. What we are talking about here is what type of administrative customs processes you might have for goods that might be at risk of entering the EU single market, he told BBC radio. James Slack, the prime ministers spokesman, also insisted that the government remains fully committed to the Brexit withdrawal agreement and that this weeks legislation is intended to clear up ambiguity and avoid unintended consequences in the complex border agreement. If the U.K. to walk away from the talks, the two sides would be heading toward a no-deal outcome that would see tariffs and other impediments to trade imposed at the start of the year. Kallum Pickering, senior economist at Berenberg Bank, said in that situation the costs would fall disproportionately on the U.K., potentially tipping it back into recession in early 2021, while temporarily slowing the EU recovery. For the U.K. and the EU to find compromises on the sticking points, both sides must work to build trust, he said. The U.K.s actions are doing the opposite. The trade discussions have made very little progress over the summer, with the two sides seemingly wide apart on several issues, notably on business regulations, the extent to which the U.K. can support certain industries and over the EUs fishing rights access to British waters. The German government said a deal was still possible and that its in the interest of both sides to secure one. For this, Britain in particular needs to move on the core issues of governance, whats summed up as level playing field, and on the issue of fisheries, said German government spokesman Steffen Seibert. ___ Pylas contributed from London. Frank Jordans contributed from Berlin. __ Follow all AP stories about Brexit and British politics at https://apnews.com/Brexit. 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 This article outlines 30 of the most consequential victories that unions fought for in the name of workers' rights. You'll learn about the milestones unions have achieved and the circumstances that made those victories worth fighting for. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 02:07:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close AMMAN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Monday condemned the continuous Israeli violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque, the latest of which is installing speakers over the northern and western walls of the mosque. Jordan also denounced Israel's arrest of several employees of the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Department in Jerusalem, which is affiliated with Jordan. Jordan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Daifallah Fayez said "Israeli forces' absurd practices are irresponsible, utterly rejected and condemned, and constitute a provocation of the feelings of Muslims all around the world," according to a ministry statement. Fayez said that the ministry had sent an official note of protest through diplomatic channels, calling on Israel to stop its violations and provocations. He warned against the continuation of such attacks, calling for their "immediate stop" and respect for the historical and legal status quo. The Jordanian official stressed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a "pure" Islamic holy site and that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Department is "the sole authority" tasked with supervising all its affairs. The spokesperson urged the international community to shoulder its responsibility and exert pressure on Israel to halt its attacks that violate international law. Enditem China-India standoff risks unintentional war, AP reported citing experts. In 45 years, a series of agreements have supported a difficult ceasefire along the border on the eastern edge of the Himalayan region of Kashmir. But actions and clashes over the past several months have made the situation unpredictable, increasing the risk that a miscalculation on either side could have serious consequences. The situation is very dangerous on the ground and can spiral out of control, said Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, who was head of the Indian militarys Northern Command from 2014 to 2016. A lot will depend on whether the two sides are able to control the volatile situation and make sure it doesnt spread to other areas. The countries have unsuccessfully held several rounds of talks, mainly with the participation of military leaders. In a sign that talks are now moving to the political level, their defense ministers met in Moscow on September 4 to try to break the deadlock. This was the first high-level direct contact between the parties since the start of the standoff in Ladakh four months ago. Last week, the two most populous countries in the world, which are separated by thousands of kilometers of a disputed border, accused each other of provocations. India said its soldiers halted provocative movements by the Chinese military twice last week. In turn, the Chinese defense ministry has accused Indian troops of crossing established lines of control and provocations along the border. Tensions first arose in early May as a result of fighting between soldiers on both sides. The situation escalated sharply in June, when 20 Indian soldiers were killed and dozens were injured in a scuffle. The standoff concerns disputed stretches of untouched landscape in a region that boasts the world's tallest runway and glacier feeding one of the world's largest irrigation systems. Hooda said that while he does not think that either side is seeking full-scale war, the "real calamity" is the violation of existing agreements and protocols. Wang Lian, a professor of international relations at Peking University in Beijing, believes the likelihood of open war is unlikely, as both sides have shown restraint in recent clashes. But according to him, New Delhi is under pressure from internal anti-Chinese sentiments and encouraged by tougher US measures against Beijing. I dont think (India) would go so far as to escalate military conflict of a larger scale, but I believe both sides are making some preparations, Wang said. India and China share a disputed and unmarked 3,500-kilometer border known as the Line of Actual Control, which stretches from the Ladakh region in the north to the Indian state of Sikkim. Defense analyst Rahul Bedi noted that India changed the rules of war on the border after the deadly June clash. According to him, local commanders were given freedom to initiate adequate and proportionate responses to any hostile acts by Chinese troops. Members of India's strategic community, including military analysts and retired generals, say the Chinese military is opening new fronts and deepening mistrust. NASA has released some stunning and phenomenal images of the Universe galaxies, supernova remnants, stars, planetary nebulas processed by its Chandra X-Ray Observatory the worlds most powerful x-ray telescope. Launched on July 23, 1999, the observatory allows scientists to capture X-ray images of various high energy regions in the universe. X-rays were produced in the cosmic world when the matter heats up to millions of degrees. They are emitted from black holes, neutron stars, or supernova remnants. Each composite image released by NASA contains X-ray data from Chandra as well as other telescopes. The objects represent a range of different astrophysical objects and include the galaxy Messier 82, the galaxy cluster Abell 2744, the supernova remnant 1987 A, the binary star system Eta Carinae, the Cartwheel galaxy, and the planetary nebula Helix Nebula. The International space agency took to micro-blogging site Twitter and shared beautiful images of the cosmic world with the caption, Observing our universe in different kinds of light Milky Way". Each of these images combines data from our @ChandraXray Observatory with data from other missions," NASA wrote. The compilation gives examples of images from different missions and telescopes being combined to understand better the science of the universe. Each of these images contains data from NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory as well as other telescopes. Various types of objects are shown (galaxies, supernova remnants, stars, planetary nebulas), but together they demonstrate the possibilities when data from across the electromagnetic spectrum are assembled. I believe that is one explanation for why he won in 2016 it came from his willingness to basically denounce post-9/11 military policy as foolhardy, and very few members of the political mainstream were willing to say that, said Bacevich, who said he will not vote for Trump and may support a third-party candidate. Since his presidency, he hasnt ended endless wars, but I just wonder if in some way, if we are looking for a reason, this is some other expression of his opposition to foolish wars. (Photo : Katka Pavlickova/Unsplash) Digitally-altered Images in Instagram should be labelled A leading charity group in the United Kingdom has backed a proposed law that would force social media influencers and advertisers to label their online images that were digitally-edited. However, critics doubt the bill, which could address unrealistic portrayals of beauty over the internet. The proposed law would require advertisers, publishers, and broadcasters to tag images of digitally-altered faces or bodies. It is welcomed by the members of Girlguiding advocate panel aged between 14 and 25. The Girlguiding, also called as The Guide Association, is the leading charity organization in the UK that aims to empower girls and young women. The group has now helped 400,000 girls to achieve their best and face growth challenges through fun and adventure as well as by fostering friendship. According to the panel's own research, around half of young women between 11 and 21 years old use apps or filters to make their photos look better online. According to Alice, a 15-year-old panel member, young girls encounter "the 'perfect' images" that leave a devastating impact on their confidence and self-esteem. "These enhanced images create a false society where how girls look is perceived to be the most important aspect about them," Alice added. The bill was proposed by Dr. Luke Evans MP, a Tory member of the Health and Social Care Committee. He introduced the bill after seeing the effects of these edited images on people's psychology and their mental health as a whole. "We know how damaging this is... whether that's slimming down for women or bulking up for men," he said. Meanwhile, Evans acknowledges the difficulty in enforcing his proposal, so he intends to encourage social media influencers to aid in spreading awareness. "These influencers have large audiences and need to be transparent - labelling content is not a huge ask," he said adding that social media companies should also ain in letting people see the "true reality." Those who would go against the law would either apologize and issue a correction, or pay a fine. In 2017, France passed a similar law, in which any enhanced commercial image must show a label of "edited photograph"; otherwise, companies would be fined. Similarly, stock images agency Getty has already banned edited images from its commercial category. Meanwhile, Evans hopes to have talks with social media companies while he already had discussions with the Advertising Standards Agency, which already banned some airbrushed ads campaigns. Read also: [VIRAL] Instagram Rollerblading Duo Creates Another Video After Hacking Attack Influencers should take transparency at their own pace While the bill seeks for greater transparency over the images being shown on social media, influencers are against the proposed bill as it puts too much weight on them. Rahi Chadda, a model with more than 700,000 followers in Instagram, said people can follow at their own discretion. "It is an individual's choice how they wish to represent themselves through social media," Chadda told BBC. He also said that influencers should be working toward transparency at their own pace. Meanwhile, he contradicted the bill by saying that editing photos can also impacts people's mental health, making them feel more confident. "That's a personal choice which shouldn't be judged," he added. Read also: Toxic Gamers Appear in Call of Duty, Battlefield and Xbox In New Research Findings-Minecraft and Animal Crossing Makes the List Too 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. File image The BJP accused Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut of "defaming" Gujarat by calling Ahmedabad a "mini Pakistan" and demanded that he apologise to the people of Gujarat and Ahmedabad. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai earlier in the day, Raut asked whether actress Kangana Ranaut had the courage to compare Ahmedabad to 'mini Pakistan' the way she equated Mumbai with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Raut and Ranaut have been locked in a bitter war of words since the actress termed Mumbai unsafe after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. "If that girl apologises to Mumbai and Maharashtra for calling Mumbai a 'mini Pakistan', then I will think about it. Does she have the courage to say the same about Ahmedabad?" the Sena MP had asked. Taking umbrage at Raut's remarks, Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said the Sena leader insulted the state by calling Ahmedabad a mini Pakistan. "He should apologise to Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Amdavadis," he stated. Pandya said the Sena should stop using any opportunity to defame Gujarat, Gujaratis and leaders from Gujarat "by targeting them out of jealousy, hatred and malice". "This is the Gujarat of Gandhiji and Sardar Patel. Sardar Patel has strengthened the unity and integrity of India by uniting 562 kingdoms. Junagadh and Hyderabad were prevented from going to Pakistan and made to stay in India due to his guts and strength," he said. Pandya added that Patel's dream of making Kashmir an integral part of India by revoking Article 370 has been fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah who are from Gujarat. "Therefore, Gujarat's contribution to India's unity and integrity in the past and present should be remembered," he said. WASHINGTON Memorial Day brought the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, prompting hundreds of thousands of Americans to take to the streets in protest. President Donald Trump called Floyds death a disgrace and momentum built around policing reform. But by Labor Day, the prospects for federal legislation have evaporated. And Trump is seeking to leverage the violence that has erupted around some of the protests to scare white, suburban voters and encourage them to back his reelection campaign. The three-month stretch between the symbolic kickoff and close of Americas summer has both galvanized broad public support for the racial justice movement and exposed the obstacles to turning that support into concrete political and policy changes. It has also clarified the choice for voters in the presidential race between Trump, who rarely mentions Floyd or other Black Americans killed by police anymore, and Democrat Joe Biden, who argues that the summer of protests can become a catalyst for tackling systemic racism. Polls show Biden has an advantage among Americans when it comes to which candidate can manage the country better through the protests. An ABC News/Ipsos poll out Friday showed that 55% of Americans believe Trump is aggravating the situation. When it comes to reducing violence, Americans favor Biden to Trump, 59% to 39%. No matter what he says or what he claims, you are not safer in Donald Trumps America, Biden said Friday. Yet Trumps campaign also sees an opportunity to appeal to some voters who may be turned off by scenes of violence cropping up around some of the protests, including in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where police shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times last month. The president has openly directed his appeals at the suburban housewives of America especially white housewives casting his reelection as the only thing preventing violence in cities from spilling into their neighborhoods. Trump traveled to Kenosha this past week, thanked law enforcement for their efforts and met with people whose businesses were destroyed in fires. He did not meet with Blakes family. Biden did, on Thursday, while on a visit to the city. A Marquette University Law School poll that came out before the Aug. 23 shooting showed that support for the protests had slipped from 61% in June to 48% in August among voters in Wisconsin, one of the most crucial states in the November election. Among white Wisconsinites, approval of the protests dipped from 59% in June to 45% in August. Approval increased slightly for Black voters, to 78% from 77%. While approval fell among members of both parties, the dip was larger among Republicans. I think that there was a lot of optimism surrounding the protests this summer in the wake of George Floyd because for the first time, we were starting to see all of these white people in the United States pay a great deal of attention to police brutality and racial injustice, said Ashley Jardina, assistant professor of political science at Duke University, and author of the book White Identity Politics. But white Americans have always had a low tolerance for protests and unrest around race in the U.S., and thats particularly true when they think that protests become violent or involve the destruction of property, Jardina added. The majority of racial justice protests have been peaceful. But some, including in Kenosha and Minneapolis, saw vandalism and violence. Federal officials have arrested more than 300 people since the demonstrations began. A Trump supporter is charged with homicide in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha, and an anti-fascist shot and killed a right-wing protester in Portland, Oregon, and was later killed during his arrest by law enforcement. Trump has also tried to link the protests to local increases in shootings, murders and other crimes in cities, including Kansas City, Missouri, Detroit, Chicago and New York, even though criminal justice experts say the spike defies easy explanation in a year with historic unemployment and a pandemic that has killed more than 180,000 people. Crime overall remains lower than it has been in years past and criminologists also caution against a focus on crime statistics over a short time frame, such as week-to-week or month-to-month. Dan Cooper, a white 51-year-old software engineer in Portland, remains supportive of the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement but fears the vandalism is playing into the rights hands. It makes Portland look bad and it makes it easy for the right to portray the city as being fundamentally lawless when in reality its this tiny area downtown thats mostly peaceful otherwise, he said. A few months ago they started off in a more BLM-focused way. It does seem like theyve lost their way a little bit, Cooper said of the protests. Steve DeFeo, a white 49-year-old manager at an insurance company in Edgewater, Florida, shares that concern. He said that while he supports the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, he worries that violent protesters allow others to inaccurately portray the movement as dangerous. READ MORE: Trump wades into racial tensions with visit to Kenosha That message gets amplified when you go out and spray-paint and throw rocks and light fires, he said. When you see a burnt building, that is helping the wrong side of the narrative. Its not as effective for the BLM movement and keeping their message for what it should be. National Black Lives Matter organizers have never asked for, encouraged or condoned looting or fighting with law enforcement or police supporters on the streets, because they are protesting the violent harm done to their communities. Thenjiwe McHarris, a strategist with the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 organizations, said Trumps effort was a desperate tactic to paint our movement a particular kind of way to stoke fear in communities across the country and to try to steal this election. What does it mean for the president of the United States to call the movement violent and dangerous and chaotic? It means that hes putting a target and a bulls-eye on thousands and thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, who are courageous and bold enough to say that Black lives matter. Leaders say the movement isnt losing steam and the coalition has only begun to move toward its next phase of advocacy and grassroots work, and the majority of people support it because they understand that whats happening to Black people is such a grave injustice, McHarris said. Federal police reform stalled on Capitol Hill after an initial burst of movement. Nationwide, since late May, there have been at least 450 pieces of policing reform proposals introduced in 31 states, according to a count by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many states had finished their normal legislative session at the time of Floyds death and are planning to address police accountability next year. Meanwhile, some within the movement have grown frustrated with what they see as outsize attention on the violence even those accused of endorsing that violence. You think people want to go out and destroy property? Absolutely not, said Hawk Newsome, a New York activist whose comments about protest violence on Fox News prompted a tweet from Trump. This is a last resort. People just got so frustrated at a lack of progress, lack of clarity, lack of transparency, lack of truth. Newsome said the way to keep the movement going forward is to educate people about white supremacy and systemic racism and how both are knit into the fabric of America and must be unraveled in order to progress. But thats not easy to talk about in a sound bite, and Newsome blames both Democrats and Republicans for a lack of nuance and accountability. Breanna Wright, 24, of Louisville, Kentucky, participated in more than 20 demonstrations in her hometown, where Breonna Taylor, a Black woman, was killed by police in March. Wright says she remains focused on turning the protests into action. Everyone is putting Black Lives Matter on the street, Black Lives Matter in their windows, she said. That changes nothing for me because next week theyll murder me on your Black Lives Matter decorated street. I mean, its cute, youve tried -- thank you! Its touching that youve done that! -- but the system has to change. ___ Stafford reported from Detroit and Rico from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Emily Swanson contributed to this report. The University of Bristol is pleased to welcome Professor Geoffrey Grimmett FRS as the new Chair of the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research (HIMR). The Heilbronn Institute is a national centre supporting research in the mathematical sciences across the UK. The University of Bristol has been HIMR's principal academic partner since it was founded in 2005 as a partnership with Government Communications Headquarters. Professor Grimmett will be responsible for shaping HIMRs profile as an internationally leading research institute, making a significant contribution to strengthening the UK mathematics community. He will lead the institute's external research activities across the UK, which includes supporting a substantial number of postdoctoral research fellows, an expanding national training programme for PhD students and an extensive range of conferences, workshops and summer schools. Professor Grimmett is an internationally renowned mathematician who is distinguished for his work in Probability Theory and Statistical Mechanics, and in particular for his groundbreaking contributions to the theory of percolation processes. He has written over 150 research papers and books on these topics. He was awarded the Rollo Davidson Prize in 1989 and he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2014. Geoffrey joins us from the University of Cambridge, where he has been Professor of Mathematical Statistics for almost 30 years. In Cambridge, he has served as the Director of the Statistical Laboratory (1994-2000) and Head of the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (2002-07). He was the Master of Downing College, Cambridge from 2013-18. Geoffrey's first permanent academic appointment was at the University of Bristol, which he joined in 1976 as Lecturer in Statistics, so it is particularly pleasing to be welcoming him back to the university. Professor Grimmett said "It gives me enormous satisfaction to be back in Bristol, and leading the external work of the Heilbronn Institute. It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of this unique national organisation. I will continue the work of my predecessor, Jon Keating, in supporting and developing excellence in mathematical science across the United Kingdom." Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the University of Bristol, said: "I look forward to welcoming Professor Geoffrey Grimmett to the University of Bristol as the new Chair of the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research (HIMR). We are delighted with his appointment to this internationally renowned research institute. Professor Grimmett is ideally placed to further enhance the Heilbronn Institutes research activities and support the career development of its postdoctoral research fellows. The infection numbers across Europe are constantly evolving, many countries being declared as at-risk zones the same way the Grand Duchy was being labelled not too long ago. Is it possible to maintain an overview? Last week, the Robert Koch Institute declared Spain an at-risk country. A few days later, the German government issued an official statement telling citizens to avoid the country altogether. How is Luxembourg responding to these changes? Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn recently explained that Luxembourg could and would not issue comparable travel restrictions, simply because Luxembourg has a much smaller network of ambassadors. Nevertheless, the country still has a specific service that can be consulted prior to travelling abroad, as it is constantly revising foreign Covid-regulations. Asselborn nevertheless noted that people had a certain amount of responsibility themselves: "In the end, everybody needs to decide whether or not an at-risk country is a desirable holiday destination." Asselborn also reiterated the administration's position on open borders: "We never closed our borders at any moment since the beginning of the pandemic, since we do not believe it to be a viable solution to the problem. Furthermore, the way we know numbers to fluctuate it is nonsensical to label countries as at-risk zones. Unfortunately, we still lack consensus in that regard within Europe. And we have already voiced our concerns over the vague estimation criteria that the RKI applies. My hope is that we will overcome such inconsistencies in the future." The EU is currently working out a more transparent evaluation system, but it is not yet known when it will come into effect. In any case, Luxembourgers returning from a trip abroad will continue to be able to get tested free of charge. Last Friday, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen published a post on Facebook, raising the same concerns about the need for a transparent evaluation system within Europe: "It remains out priority to allow free travel within the Union while simultaneously doing everything in our power to contain the virus." Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE In the race for a rare open U.S. Senate seat, Democrat Ben Ray Lujan has a lead over Republican Mark Ronchetti entering the general election homestretch, a new Journal Poll found. Among likely voters surveyed in the recent poll, 49% said they would vote for Lujan while 40% said they would vote for Ronchetti. Libertarian candidate Bob Walsh trailed far behind in the three-way race, with 4%, while roughly 8% of voters said they had not decided whom to vote for. Ben Ray Lujan has a comfortable lead, but hes not at the 50% mark that helps candidates sleep better at night, said Brian Sanderoff of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc., which conducted the poll. Lujan, the son of former House Speaker Ben Lujan, who died in 2012, has held the states northern New Mexico-based 3rd Congressional District seat since 2009. But he announced last year he would forego a re-election bid in order to run for the seat held by fellow Democrat Tom Udall, who is stepping down when his term expires. Ronchetti, a former KRQE-TV meteorologist, is a political newcomer who easily won a three-way GOP primary race in June. The fact that the Republican nominee is a well-known face to many New Mexicans and is comfortable in front of a television camera could be an asset in this years race, Sanderoff said. Lujan also has ample name recognition from his tenure in Congress. As assistant U.S. House speaker, he is currently the highest-ranking Hispanic member of Congress. However, this years Senate contest marks his first statewide race, and Lujan may not be as well known in some parts of New Mexico, Sanderoff said. Lujan, who lives in Nambe, had a commanding advantage in the Journal Poll over Ronchetti in the states north central region, which is included in his current congressional district. But he also had a sizable edge 20 percentage points among likely voters in the Albuquerque metro area, where Ronchetti lives. For his part, Ronchetti had greater support than Lujan in northwest New Mexico and in the states eastern region, though that backing was not enough to offset his rivals support in the more highly populated Rio Grande corridor. GOP winless since 2002 While Ronchetti is running as an outsider who would bring a pragmatic perspective to Washington, D.C., Sanderoff said he may be linked to President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican, in many voters minds. The top of the ticket has a significant impact on down-ballot races like this one, Sanderoff said. While independent voters were almost evenly split between Lujan and Ronchetti in the Journal Poll, self-described moderates broke for Lujan by a ration of more than 2-to-1. Hispanic voters were also much more likely to support Lujan than they were his Republican opponent, as 59% of Hispanic voters said they would vote for the six-term congressman, and 31% indicated they planned to vote for Ronchetti. Anglo voters were more narrowly divided, with Ronchetti narrowly outpacing Lujan among such voters, according to the Journal Poll. While both Ronchetti and Lujan have recently launched television ads, Lujan has a significant fundraising advantage over his opponents. Specifically, Lujan, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, had raised more than $6.3 million for his Senate campaign as of June, and spent nearly $3.4 million. Ronchetti, for his part, had raised nearly $1.4 million and spent about $815,000. Its also unclear whether national Republican-leaning groups will spend money in the race in an attempt to bolster Ronchettis campaign, as a GOP candidate has not won a Senate race in New Mexico since the late Pete Domenici did so in 2002. Methodology The Journal Poll is based on a scientific, statewide sample of 1,123 likely general election voters who also voted in either the 2016 and 2018 general elections or both. The poll was conducted from Aug. 26 through Sept. 2. The voter sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. The margin of error grows for subsamples. All interviews were conducted by live, professional interviewers, with multiple callbacks to households that did not initially answer the phone. Both cellphone numbers (73%) and landlines (27%) of likely general election voters were used. Coming Tomorrow Do New Mexicans support or oppose the removal of memorials to Juan de Onate? Scott Morrison has said he hopes Victoria's road map out of coronavirus lockdown is a worst-case scenario. The prime minister said the state's plan to keep lockdown restrictions in place for at least six weeks was 'crushing news'. 'The plan that was outlined yesterday, I hope, is a worst-case scenario. I see it as a starting point in terms of how this issue will be managed in the weeks and months ahead in Victoria,' Mr Morrison said today. Scott Morrison has said he hopes Victoria's road map out of coronavirus lockdown is a worst-case scenario Under premier Daniel Andrews' plan, released on Sunday, lockdown will only end when there are an average of five cases per day, which is not expected until October 26. Until then, a curfew will be in place from 9pm to 5am and residents can only leave home for exercise, shopping, school and work, and caregiving. New South Wales has managed to remove lockdown and keep its economy going while suppressing cases to an average of less than 10 per day so far this month. Mr Morrison noted that Sydney would be under lockdown if it followed Mr Andrews' road map. 'What I can't help but be struck by is that, under the thresholds that have been set in that plan, Sydney would be under curfew now,' he said. 'Sydney doesn't need to be under curfew now. They have a tracing capability that can deal with outbreaks.' Asked if Victoria's contact tracing system was as good as New South Wales's, he said: 'Well, New South Wales can cope with much higher levels - and have. So, look, that's, I think, just a matter of record.' The prime minister said he wanted Victoria's contact tracing regime to be beefed so it can handle a reasonable number of cases without requiring lockdown. Mr Andrews has been slammed by businesses and opposition politicians who say such low numbers as a threshold for easing restrictions was unrealistic. Daniel Andrews has said he will speed up Victoria's road map out of lockdown if coronavirus case numbers fall faster than expected On Monday morning, the premier said he is open to changing the plan. 'If we saw things change dramatically then we would obviously remodel the whole thing,' he told Melbourne radio station 3AW. 'If the data was to fundamentally change then we would be standing up making different announcements.' Mr Andrews also said he was not trying to eliminate the virus but suppress it enough that contact tracing teams can identify and isolate the contacts of every case. He said after lockdown is lifted there will be cases but they would not necessarily mean a return to harsh restrictions, saying the state was not pursuing unrealistic eradication but controllable numbers. Police are seen along Elizabeth Street on Sunday as Premier Andrews released his roadmap 'A strategy where you're trying to eradicate it would mean that if you had one case you would go back into lockdown. That's the difference,' he said. 'This thing, it moves so fast, so silently, that it can get away from you so fast. 'You've got to beat it first then you can find that new normal.' On Monday Victoria announced nine more deaths from coronavirus, taking the state toll to 675 and the national figure to 762. But there was some good news for the state, with new case numbers dropping significantly on Monday to 41. It is Victoria's lowest daily case number since June 26. Hospitals and aged care homes in Victoria will have to conduct physical distancing assessments of their tea rooms, sleeping areas, locker rooms and other common facilities in an attempt to drive down infections among staff. Temporary measures such as heated outdoor marquees may be needed if existing spaces do not comply, while workers starting shifts will have to make formal declarations stating they do not have coronavirus symptoms. Healthcare workers will have to sign declarations stating they are symptom-free when starting their shifts. Credit:Penny Stephens The measures are among initiatives outlined in a circular from the state governments new healthcare worker infection prevention taskforce, detailing efforts to curb spread of the disease in high-risk caring industries that are linked to more than 60 per cent of the state's active cases. Donald Trump stayed in Paris with the U.S. ambassador to France, and then returned to Washington with three works of art taken from the residence, it has emerged. The president was in Paris in November 2018 as part of the commemorations for the centennial of the end of World War I. He stayed as a guest of Ambassador Jamie McCourt at the Hotel de Pontalba, a spectacular Parisian townhouse built between 1852 and 1855, which was bought by the U.S. in 1948. The president had the artworks removed from the residence by staffers who loaded them on to Air Force One before his entourage left France. Trump's time in Paris has been in the news this week after the Atlantic reported that he had described U.S. soldiers who died in World War I and in Vietnam as 'losers' and 'suckers', for not finding a way to dodge the draft. The Atlantic also claimed he canceled a visit to a second cemetery, the Belleau Wood cemetery, because he was worried the rain would affect his hair. Donald Trump traveled to Paris in November 2018 to mark 100 years since the end of WW1 Trump's trip has this week been overshadowed by reports that he denigrated war dead However, the detail of his 'shopping trip', reported by Bloomberg, has not been previously disclosed. Trump decided that he wanted to take three pieces of art from the house. One was a Benjamin Franklin portrait, painted by Joseph Duplessis around 1785. At the time the oil painting was produced, Franklin was the most famous American in the world, and was representing the new republic in France - where, according to the National Portrait Gallery, 'he was revered for his wit and scientific knowledge.' The portrait was used as the basis of Franklin's likeness on the $100 bill. Duplessis painted numerous versions of Franklin - one of which, with him wearing a red coat, currently hangs in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. There are only three signed versions of the grey coat version. One is owned by the New York Public Library; one is owned by the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC; and the third was sold at auction by Sotheby's in January 2015 for $1.445 million. A Benjamin Franklin portrait, painted by Joseph Duplessis around 1785, was one of the items The U.S. ambassador's residence, the Hotel de Pontalba - where Trump stayed in Paris The second item was a bust of Franklin. Little is known about the bust, although a 2015 photo of the residence shows what appears to be a Jean-Antoine Houdon version. Houdon produced his first portrait bust of Franklin in terracotta, and it is now preserved in the Louvre. Subsequently, two marbles were carved - one in 1778, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and one dated 1779, sold for $3 million in 1998 to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The third item taken by Trump was a set of figurines of Greek mythical characters. Trump's decision provoked a furious exchange of emails, Bloomberg reported, as State Department and White House officials tried to work out if it was legal. They concluded that it was, as the art is U.S. government property. But all three were in fact replicas, it later emerged. The combined value of all three artworks - given their dubious authenticity - was estimated by Bloomberg at $750,000. A bust of Benjamin Franklin, pictured inside the residence in 2015, was also taken The third item was a set of Greek figurines, pictured sitting on the mantlepiece The Franklin portrait was a copy, and the original was then held by the National Portrait Gallery, a mile from the White House. The curators removed a different portrait of the founding father from the Oval Office and borrowed the original Duplessis from the gallery. That one now hangs in the Oval, not the replica Trump ferried out of France. The Franklin bust was also a replica, White House art curators concluded. Trump joked that he liked the fake better than the $3 million original, two people familiar with the episode said. And the Greek figurines were also deemed to be of little value. They were intended to be taken for almost 500-year-old sculptures, from the 16th or 17th Century, said London-based art dealer Patricia Wengraf. In fact, the set date back only 100 years or so. Depicting Greek gods, they were made by Neapolitan artist Luigi Avolio, and, Wengraf said, of little value. She described the figurines as '20th century fakes of wannabe 17th century sculptures.' The U.S. embassy in Paris is housed inside a building bought by the U.S. in 1948 Trump visited American Cemetery of Suresnes, outside Paris, but refused a second cemetery The White House defended the president's actions. Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, said he had proudly brought the pieces back to the U.S. for the nation. 'The President brought these beautiful, historical pieces, which belong to the American people, back to the United States to be prominently displayed in the People's House,' he said. During an interview on Sunday, Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield said that Democrats should be wary of Michigan's election results. Chatfield noted that in 2016, the state went red, meaning Republicans won the race and added it could go red once again during this year's elections. Key battleground state On Wednesday, the official stated the comments after Democratic President Candidate Joe Biden's announcement last week that he would be visiting the state. Political experts have noted that Michigan is a critical battleground state in the presidential elections. According to Fox News, Chatfield said that Michigan residents have previously voted Democrats on Sunday but that in 2016, Republican Donald Trump won the state's overall votes. The official added that 1988 was the last time a Republican won over Michigan. The Republican House Speaker explained that the election results were due to two key reasons: First is how Democrats have been radical and progressive recently. Second, Trump has since expressed his focus on an economic message. On Sunday, ESPN host Will Cain said that during the 2016 elections, Americans criticized Hillary Clinton for not focusing more on Michigan, which resulted in the state being won by Trump. Chatfield noted that Republicans in the state are eager to vote for the right-wing president. During the interview, Cain asked Chatfield of his estimation of why Democrats have recently ignored Michigan in the past few elections. The speaker said left-wing politicians took his state for granted after it has gone blue for 30 consecutive years of political races. Chatfield noted that Democrats are beginning to be wary of Michigan and its potential electoral results and are challenged by how to get the state's support while proving they are not lead by New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Progressive left. Also Read: Trump Overrides Defense Department's Directive Shutting Down 'Stars and Stripes' Newspaper Campaigning for support On Thursday, Republican President Trump is set to visit Michigan and deliver his remarks amid the ongoing presidential race. On Saturday, Trump's campaign announced that he would be holding an event near the MBS International Airport in Freeland, as reported by Freep. Since last year, Trump's visit to Michigan marks his first campaign event in the state when a rally was held in Battle Creek on the day that the White House voted to have him impeached. In May, Trump visited a Ford Motor Co. plant in Ypsilanti, but it was not a campaigned-related event. The Republican's Thursday visit comes a day after his rival, former vice-president and current Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, is also scheduled to hold a Michigan campaign event. Both sides' plans to visit Michigan underscores the state's critical role as a crucial battleground in the November elections. Both candidates are moving to increase their campaign activity in the area to gain support from residents before the elections officially begin. Most polls show that Biden is showing a lead in Michigan, but experts believe that the advantage will quickly narrow down as the United States approach the elections. President Trump had previously expressed his desire to visit the state, and in an interview in July, he planned to hold a big rally in Michigan. However, he could not do so due to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer implementing social distancing protocols to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Related Article: President Donald Trump begins Process of Defunding New York City, Gov. Cuomo Fires Back @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. CLEVELAND, Ohio The city of Cleveland announced Sunday that a reward of up to $35,000 is being offered for information leading to the identity and prosecution of anyone involved in the murder of Det. James Skernivitz, who was shot and killed Thursday night while working undercover on the citys West Side. Skernivitz, 53, was killed along with informant Scott Dingess, 50. They were inside Skernivitzs unmarked police car on West 65th Street near Storer Avenue when somebody opened fire on the car, according to sources. Skernivitz, who was conducting an investigation into drug dealing in the area, was shot once in the chest. He tried to drive away but crashed. The informant was struck several times. Police arrested two juveniles and an adult in connection with the investigation, but none of them have been charged. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the FBI tip line at 216-622-6842. The FBI is putting up $25,000 of the reward and Crimestoppers of Cuyahoga Cpunty is putting up the other $10,000. Skernivitz worked in the departments gang investigations unit and the day before he was killed he was sworn in to work with federal agents on the Northern Ohio Violent Crimes Task Force. Skernivitz is the first Cleveland officer killed on duty in a shooting since Derek Owens on Feb. 29, 2008. A friend emailed me about the Trump flotillas, saying, "These Trump flotillas are starting to look like Dunkirk." She's right. Dunkirk is about ordinary people taking matters into their own hands and saving the world from the forces of darkness. In America, in the face of Democrat darkness and Biden riots, normal people have an answer to the lockdown on rallies. In May 1940, Dunkirk was a military rout. The Allies had lost the Battle of France, and Nazi troops had pushed the British Expeditionary Force, along with some Belgian and French forces, into Dunkirk. The troops had their backs to the channel, and the Nazis were closing in from the front. The British government was gathering whatever small crafts it could find to rescue the trapped troops, crafts the government assumed would get naval commanders and pilots. Instead, in the Miracle of Dunkirk, from the end of May to the beginning of June 1940, ordinary British people, in 800 civilian boats, traveled at significant risk to themselves and rescued around 198,000 British troops and another 140,000 Allied troops. This saved the British to stand alone against Hitler until America joined in the fight. A 1941 Britannica Book of the Year description sums up the miracle: No purely military study of the major aspects of the war could do justice to the skill and the heroism of the evacuation from Dunkirk. Suffice it to say only that, when it began, members of the British imperial general staff doubted that 25% of the B.E.F. could be saved. When it was completed, some 330,000 French and British troops, together with some Belgian and Dutch forces who refused to surrender, had reached haven in England. ... One of the most motley fleets of history ships, transports, merchantmen, fishing boats, pleasure craft took men off from the very few ports left, from the open beaches themselves, for German air attacks had virtually destroyed most port facilities. Of course, the 2020 election doesn't present the life-and-death scenario seen in May 1940. No matter how bad the Biden/Harris ticket is and I believe it's very bad we're not looking at the instant extermination of 330,000 people in battle, the Holocaust, or a war that eventually killed an estimated 70 million people or more. However, we are looking at the most consequential election of our lifetimes, one that will decide whether we continue as a constitutional democratic republic or become a socialist nation. Trump stands for the Constitution, and 2020 ought to have been a smooth election year for him: the economy was soaring; unemployment was plummeting; and he was breaking old paradigms around the world, creating a pathway for peace in Central Europe and the Middle East, to name just a few of his successful initiatives. Trump could also expect months filled with his wildly popular rallies, which inspired the base and attracted curious people with open minds people like Karlyn Borysenko: But then the Wuhan virus hit. After a two-week lockdown to which the American people agreed, the Democrats went for a six-month lockdown, severely damaging the economy. The lockdowns also ensured that Trump-supporters, a law-abiding group, could not attend Trump rallies never mind that the left always found excuses for the safety and appropriateness of huge Black Lives Matter protests and riots. September has seen the economy rebound beautifully, but what about those Trump rallies? Happily, Trump-supporters are smart, creative, and determined people. Faced with a seemingly impossible hurdle, they improvised, and so began dozens of little Miraculous Trump Flotillas all over America. As at Dunkirk, some of the boats will sink, but everyone survives, and Americans see that, with Trump, anything is possible. Here are just a small number of the videos showing Trump flotillas put together by Americans who will not stand quietly by as Democrats systematically strip away their rights and their voices: Even in the Belly of the Beast San Francisco the boaters were out for Trump, as you can see in this thoughtful video from a sailing former Democrat. These glorious boat parades are a reminder that today's Democrats are people sunk in a permanent, angry, dysfunctional depression. They're the friend who used to be fun but then started doing drugs and hanging around with the scary, weird kids. Meanwhile, Republicans are the happy, dynamic, fun-loving people who light up the space around them. They don't scream on the streets and set their fellow weirdos on fire; they go out and have fun, boating and voting for Trump. Image: Trump boat parade, Lake Murray, South Carolina; YouTube screen grab. For more than ten years, Cell C has been struggling to make enough money to repay the billions of rands it owes to creditors. Talk of selling Cell C to Telkom dates back as far as 2007. Former Cell C CEO Jeffrey Hedberg also said in 2009 that he would like to see the company sold to Telkom. Complicating matters further was that back then, all of Cell Cs debt was denominated in dollar and euro. The repayments alone were hundreds of millions of rand per year. While the exact amount of debt was never disclosed, former Cell C CEO Jose Dos Santos once said that it was in the high double-digit figures, and all in foreign currency. In July 2014, Cell C asked bondholders for permission to extend the repayment term of 77.4 million of its debt by three years. Just under a year later, in June 2015, Standard & Poors issued a warning over unsecured debt at Cell C of R2 billion. After more than a decade of trying, finding a buyer willing to put up enough money to satisfy Cell Cs shareholders and take over all its debt has proven impossible. Dos Santos did manage to secure a deal with Blue Label Telecoms that included a recapitalisation of Cell Cs debt in rand terms. When the deal was finalised in 2017, Blue Label put up R5.5 billion for a 45% stake in Cell C. In 2019, Standard & Poors downgraded Cell Cs secured bonds to Default, stating that there was an increased likelihood that Cell C will be unable to repay its debts when they become due. In January 2020, Cell C defaulted on the payment of a $184-million loan, which was due in December 2019. It also defaulted on interest and capital repayments related to bilateral loan facilities with Nedbank, China Development Bank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China all of which were due in January. Cell C has said that this default is the result of an informal debt standstill, and payments have been suspended while the companys recapitalisation is being negotiated. Cell C is now going through yet another recapitalisation deal, along with a massive restructuring that will see it close 128 retail stores and cut 546 jobs. This raises the question: how did Cell C land in this position? The dirty history of call termination rates in South Africa One of the factors that hobbled Cell C from the beginning is the issue of call termination rates. Finweek reported in 2010 that Vodacom and MTN got together in London in 1999 to discuss how much they would charge each other, and other networks, for connecting calls to their subscribers. This is called the interconnect or call termination rate the cost of terminating a call on a competitors network. As the chart below shows, between 1994 and 1999, Vodacom and MTN charged the same as Telkom to terminate calls on their networks: 10c per minute for off-peak calls and 20c per minute for on-peak calls. In the years leading up to the launch of Cell C in 2001, Vodacom and MTN hiked their call termination rates by over 500% for off-peak calls and over 1,100% for on-peak calls. Cell C has argued that this placed it at a massive disadvantage from the outset. The high call termination rate meant that Cell C had to pay over a substantial chunk of its revenue from voice calls to Vodacom and MTN. Vodacom has said that the increase of mobile to mobile call termination rates in 1999 had nothing to do with Cell Cs entry into the market, which only happened in 2001. It said that the initial termination rates of 20c for peak calls and 10c for off-peak calls were implemented with the understanding that the rates would be reviewed once traffic patterns were better established. Telkom has also criticised Vodacom and MTN in recent years regarding the issue of call termination. It argued that Vodacom and MTN used high call termination rates to get Telkom subscribers to subsidise the expansion of their cellular networks. It should be noted that Telkom was a 50% shareholder in Vodacom until 2008. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) finally stepped in to regulate call termination rates in 2010. This included asymmetric rates for smaller networks, like Cell C, allowing them to charge a higher rate for terminating calls on their networks than Vodacom and MTN were allowed to charge. Lack of foresight While the substantial hike in mobile call termination rates between 1999 and 2001 put Cell C at a disadvantage, it was not the only reason for Cell Cs financial challenges today. Another major problem was the lack of foresight from management. One infamous example is former Cell C CEO Jeffrey Hedberg declaring in 2008 that 3G is hype and we wont fall prey to hype. While Vodacom and MTN were evolving their networks and investing in new technology, Cell C said that 3G was becoming an obsolete technology as overseas operators were already talking about 4G. The first LTE networks were only commercially launched in South Africa in 2012. As a result of Cell Cs lack of foresight, it lost many customers who wanted access to the latest mobile data services to Vodacom and MTN. Former Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt corrected this blunder in 2010, but Cell C had already given Vodacom and MTN a two-year head start on 3G. The recapitalisation of Cell C Blue Label Telecoms joint CEO Brett Levy recently stated that Cell Cs recapitalisation is progressing well and is expected to be finalised by the end of the year, despite the complexity of the deal. Once the deal is done, Cell C has stated that it plans to migrate all of its cellular traffic onto MTNs radio access network over the course of several years. Current Cell C CEO Douglas Craigie Stevenson emphasised that the company was not becoming a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) like Virgin Mobile or FNB Connect. We have got our own spectrum, licence, number range, brand, customers, and core billing, Craigie Stevenson said. The move to relying entirely on its roaming agreement with MTN for the radio access portion of its network is part of a strategic move to get Cell C out of needing to invest in its own infrastructure. Cell C cant be in capital expenditure, we never could have been, Craigie Stevenson said. Intel received that 'Pakistan could foment trouble on the Line of Control to divert India's attention from China standoff' Sept. 2018 file photo of Border Roads Organization workers resting near Pangong Lake in Ladakh. India is bolstering its border presence in view of the standoff with China. (AP) New Delhi: Following specific intelligence that China could use Pakistan to trigger large-scale incursions, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Army have been put on high alert along the international border and the Line of Control (LoC). We have specific inputs that Pakistan could try and foment trouble along the border. But we have taken adequate preventive measures and substantially increased our security presence along the Indo-Pak border, a senior BSF official said. India and China have been engaged in a tense military standoff in the Ladakh sector since May. Tensions between the two armies flared up again last week after India, in a preemptive move, occupied around two dozen peaks on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso and Spanggur Gap. Given the tense situation along the India-China border, intelligence inputs were received that in an attempt to divert the attention of Indian security forces, China could use Pakistan to start an armed offensive along the border and LoC by violating the ceasefire line. Earlier, the Union Home Ministry had increased the presence of forces along some parts of the India-China border, particularly in Sikkim and Uttarakhand. Close to 100 companies or 10,000 personnel of paramilitary forces have been rushed to the border area. Most of the additional security companies that have been deployed along the Chinese frontier are those that were pulled out of Jammu & Kashmir a couple of weeks back. Both ITBP and SSB have beefed up security deployment in the Doklam region in Sikkim and Kalapani region in Uttarakhand following increased Chinese activity noticed in these sectors. Chief of defence staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat had on Thursday said that Pakistan could try to take advantage of any threat developing along Indias northern borders but warned that the Pakistani Army would suffer heavy losses if it attempted any misadventure. Selbyville, Delaware, Sept. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Based on Global Market Insights Inc., report, the Europe Air to Water Heat Pump Market was estimated at $2.5 billion in 2019 and is slated to exceed $3 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 6.6% from 2020 to 2026. The report provides a thorough analysis of the major winning strategies, market estimations as well as size, main investment avenues, competitive scenarios, drivers and opportunities, and wavering industry trends. Increasing investments in residential, commercial, and industrial infrastructure coupled with the growing demand for energy-efficient water and space heating in buildings will enhance product deployment. Europe air to water heat pump market is set to witness a substantial growth from the industrial sector on account of developing industrial infrastructures across the region. Governmental regulations pertaining to soaring GHG emissions will propel a requirement for efficient and cleaner space heating systems with lower emissions, thus proliferating the market demand. Moreover, the government introduced financial aids for end-users in order to replace conventional fuel systems with energy-efficient units that will further enhance the business growth. Request for Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/4808 The air to water heat pump units installed across industrial and commercial sectors can produce a large amount of thermal energy with less electrical energy consumption, making it a favorable option for large spaces. Moreover, growing concerns for energy conservation across the region will fuel demand for energy-efficient technologies, further propelling the Europe air to water heat pump market share. France air to water heat pump market will witness significant growth on account of growing residential and commercial buildings across the country. For instance, according to EUROPA, a total of 418 thousand households were commercial infrastructures including restaurants, educational constructed in 2017, making it a record year for the residential construction business in France. Increasing consumer disposable income along with expanding facilities, theatres, and others have created a demand for energy-efficient heating solutions. The rising requirement for effective and sustainable water and space heating systems will further enhance product adoption . Some major findings in the Europe air to water heat pump market report include: Growing replacement of conventional heating systems with clean and sustainable heating units to meet the energy efficiency standards will propel the industry outlook Rising efforts to curb the growth in carbon emission from buildings across the region will complement the product deployment. The upsurge in the demand for high-level comfort and flexibility coupled with the rising refurbishment activities will augment the industry growth. Favorable regulatory schemes and financial aids for adopting sustainable heating technology will proliferate the market statistics. Stringent government regulations and policies pertaining to achieving energy efficiency across the buildings will fuel the product adoption. Request for customization of this report: https://www.gminsights.com/roc/4808 Key players operating in Europe air to water heat pump industry include Johnson Controls, Inc., Danfoss, Nibe Industrier AB, Systemair AB, Daikin, Samsung HVAC, LLC, Swegon Group AB, Mitsubishi Electric, Aermec S.p.A., Panasonic Corporation, Effiziento Haustechnik GmbH amongst others. They have incorporated several strategies including partnership, expansion, collaboration, joint ventures, and others to heighten their stand in the industry. About Global Market Insights, Inc. Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights, Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making. Today, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence announced a new offering created on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver complete anti-money laundering regulatory compliance solutions. The solution is supported by the availability, reliability and security of AWS and offers banks and financial institutions the opportunity to quickly stand up an affordable integrated financial crime regulatory compliance solution. Through this implementation, BAE Systems will provide customers with advisory services, as well as implementation, migration, and management of regulatory and compliance solutions on AWS. By building on AWS, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence offers a flexible commercial model with no upfront costs minimising an organisation's capital expenditure and maximising ROI. Customers will connect quickly with standard regulatory compliance data interfaces, designed specifically for their industry and territory, significantly reducing the effort of internal IT teams with standard data interfaces and full service management. Once deployed, service levels include hardware and software availability, security patches, support responsiveness, system upgrades, support and maintenance. Last month, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence announced NetReveal 360, a complete regulatory compliance solution, packaged to operationalise quickly. Out of the box, customers receive a specifically designed service for the organisation, which includes end-to-end solutions for Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Anti Money Laundering (AML), and Watchlist Management (WLM). Provisioning, management, and support of both the business solutions and underlying AWS infrastructure is completed by BAE Systems Applied Intelligence to provide customers with a single point of contact and with clear responsibility. Financial institutions want to focus on delivering outstanding services and experiences to customers and growing their organisations, but at the same time they need to ensure they adhere to the latest regulations and avoid regulatory fines. In smaller organisations, the challenge is balancing these two things navigating changing regulations while making the best use of investigative teams in tackling financial crime. If you are a smaller or emerging financial institution, NetReveal 360 offers an affordable and rapid go-live for the key elements of fighting financial crime. Larger banks which are looking to deploy standard set ups quickly can enjoy the same benefits that would be gained by smaller banks With over 20+ years' experience in financial crime regulatory compliance, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence has a deep understanding of what organisations require to fully comply with applicable anti-money laundering regulations. At the same time, we understand the challenges financial organisations face in managing a regulatory compliance solution specifically the need to stand up an affordable integrated financial crime regulatory compliance solution quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Garry Harrison, Managing Director of Financial Services at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence said, "The importance of cloud has never been greater as we continue to outmaneuver the uncertainty caused by the global pandemic; living with increasing levels of financial crime and cyber breaches. Cloud technology is vital to helping companies unlock greater efficiency, elasticity and innovation, and drive enduring business change at speed and scale. We are easing the burden of all financial institutions, both large and small, to become and remain compliant against increasing complex regulatory requirements. We chose to build on AWS because of their deep technical expertise and global scale. With a strengthened collaboration with AWS, we further enhance our position as a leader in financial services." Learn more here about how BAE Systems Applied Intelligence accelerates compliance for our customers. About BAE Systems Applied Intelligence: At BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, we help nations, governments and businesses around the world defend themselves against cybercrime, reduce their risk in the connected world, comply with regulation, and transform their operations. For more information regarding our compliance, fraud detection and prevention solutions, visit https://www.baesystems.com/financialservices/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200907005105/en/ Contacts: Nick Haigh, BAE Systems M: +44 (0) 7525 3909782 E: nick.haigh@baesystems.com For North America: Brad Grantham, BAE Systems M: (919) 519-8528 brad.grantham2@baesystems.com The Parakana people have for decades been fighting to protect their land from illegal miners, loggers and farmers. When Kawore Parakana sees the smoke rising on the horizon, the Indigenous leader knows that another part of Brazils Amazon rainforest is gone. For more than three decades, the Parakana people have been fighting to protect their land in the Apyterewa reservation, in the northern state of Para, from illegal miners, loggers and farmers who clear large swaths of trees. With each day that passes there is a huge amount of deforestation. They create large fields. There has been a lot of smoke here lately at the bottom of the area, Kawore said. Amazon Indigenous men from different tribes holding a march to demonstrate their unity before delivering their response to a government proposal to end their occupation of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam construction site, in Vitoria do Xingu, near Altamira in Para State [File: Lunae Parracho/Reuters] He said the Parakana fear there will be many more burning trees after a Supreme Court decision that could allow the municipality that oversees the reservation to legalise the presence of farmers already encroaching on the land. In May, Justice Gilmar Mendes opened the door to negotiations between Brazils government and the municipality of Sao Felix do Xingu, which wants to reduce the size of the Indigenous territory on behalf of a local farmers association. Land rights activists say the proposal, which would make Indigenous protected areas available for development, is unconstitutional. The negotiations referred to by the court as a conciliation could set a precedent for the reduction of other Indigenous territories across the country, they warn. Rights to (Indigenous) territories, as provided in the Constitution itself, are non-disposable rights they are not subject to any type of negotiation, said Luiz Eloy Terena, a lawyer at APIB, Brazils main Indigenous federation. Eloy explained there are several other Supreme Court hearings set for the coming months to address similar land conflicts between Indigenous communities and illegal miners, loggers and farmers. Those hearings may be influenced by the result of the negotiations over Apyterewa, he added. Eloy and other Indigenous rights advocates say the Parakana were not initially asked to participate in the negotiations about their own land. Kayapo Indigenous people walking on Brazils BR 163 national highway blocked during a protest against the government measures in the Indigenous lands in Novo Progresso, Para state, Brazil [Lucas Landau/Reuters] In June, the Attorney Generals Office published a document criticising the lack of Indigenous representatives in the process. The Thomson Reuters Foundation made several requests for comment to Mendes, the Attorney Generals Office, the lawyer representing Sao Felix do Xingu and the farmers associations, but received no replies. For the Parakana people, negotiations are not an option, Kawore said the only acceptable outcome for the community is the eviction of the invaders from their land. We dont want to give them even a millimetre, he said. Soaring deforestation Covering 730,000 hectares (1.8 million acres), Apyterewa had the second-highest level of deforestation amongst Indigenous territories in 2019, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), which tracks deforestation in Brazil. More than 85sq km (32sq miles) of forest were cleared last year alone, the institutes data shows. Deforestation in Brazils Amazon hit an 11-year high last year and has soared a further 25 percent in the first half of 2020, according to INPE. A firefighter monitors a spot fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest, near Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil [File: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters] The tree loss is driven mainly by forest being cleared for cattle ranching, soy cultivation, and illegal gold mining and logging. Forests are vital for curbing climate change, as trees absorb about a third of the planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions produced worldwide. The Amazon forest also plays a crucial role in producing moisture that falls as rainfall in the southern agricultural heartlands of Brazil and Argentina areas hit by heavy drought in recent years as the forest disappears. Under Brazils current constitution, enacted in 1988, Indigenous lands belong to the state, which grants Indigenous peoples the permanent right to live and work on them. Indigenous reservations, which the federal Indigenous affairs agency, Funai, said make up more than 12 percent of Brazils territory, have long been targeted by outsiders looking to tap their natural resources. Human rights groups say invaders have been stepping up their activities in recent years, emboldened by Brazils right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and his plans to introduce mining and farming in protected and Indigenous lands in the Amazon region. The government wants to exchange Indigenous people for cattle. That is the governments main interest to transform the forest into farmland and put cattle on Indigenous land, Kawore said. Clearly a threat Carlos Fausto, an anthropologist and lecturer at the National Museum, a leading research institution in Brazil, said the Supreme Courts decision could have long-lasting implications for Indigenous land rights and for the Amazon. It means all Indigenous land will be a target from now on, he said. In destroying large swaths of forest cover, the illegal miners and loggers are also affecting water sources vital to the animals that the Parakana hunt for food, he added. Worst of all, we are talking about an area where springs that serve as subsistence to the Parakana people are located, said Fausto, who carried out his doctoral research among the Indigenous community. One of the greatest threats caused in the process of forest clearing is to the area where game breeds, he noted, adding that the community relies on the springs for fishing and hunting. A member of the Kayapo tribe at a roadblock along the BR163 in the Amazon [Joao Laet/AFP] As the Parakana wait to hear the governments position on the reduction of their territory, Aluisio Azanha, the lawyer representing the community, noted that Brazils constitution imposes a duty on the Union to demarcate and protect [Indigenous lands]. Kawore said the negotiations are clearly a threat. Its nothing more than that: The government is threatening our territory, he said. If this happens to the Parakana people, the people will die together with the land, because how will we practice our culture? It could suddenly die. We dont want that. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) COVID-19 Task Force chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said they will support the implementation of a modified enhanced community quarantine in Bacolod City due to the rising COVID-19 cases. During a press briefing on Monday, Galvez said this is also the recommendation of Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano. If Sec. Ano will raise that to the IATF (meeting) today, we will support it, he said. He added that they will also be vising the city on Wednesday to assess the overall situation. In late-August, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked for assistance from the government due to reports that there were hospitals in the city that refused to admit new COVID-19 patients, saying that they have already reached full capacity or they lack manpower. This was immediately responded to with the deployment of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu together Galvez, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, and Retired Major General Mel Feliciano, the IATF deputy chief implementor in Cebu who will be helping the city in determining what actions should be done to control the spread of the virus. Latest count of cases in the city is at 2,178, significantly more than the cases of Iligan City at 388, which was placed under MECQ starting this month. Meanwhile, Galvez also reminded the public to remain vigilant despite an observed flattening of the curve in the countrys total cases. In order to prevent another spike, he also said that people should always minimum health standards like the wearing of face masks, and proper washing of hands. The public should also know where they can be most vulnerable to infection, like in workplaces and transportation. The coordination among local government units, private sector, and the public should also be done since the crisis does not only involve health, but also the economy. He said LGUs and the private sector should both determine the parts of the economy that can resume without sacrificing public health. On Sunday, University of the Philippines professor and OCTA Research Team fellow Guido David said that country has already flattened the curve as shown in the reproductive rate, or the rate at which the virus is transmitted. He said this already lowered to around 0.94 from 0.99 last week. Total infections in the country has reached 237,365, with 184,687 recoveries and 3,875 deaths. New Delhi: Vodafone Idea Ltd said on Monday announced that it will go by the brand name "Vi". The Beleaguered telecom operator, announced the rebranding of the company through a virtual platform. "A brand with its eyes set on the future, it is built for and around customers... The integration of two brands is a culmination of the largest telecom integration in the world," VIL said in a statement. Vodafone Idea, a joint venture between Britain`s Vodafone and India`s Idea Cellular on Friday approved plan to raise up to Rs 25,000 crore through a combination of equity and debt instruments to keep the company afloat. The crucial decision came days after the Supreme Court directed telecom operators to pay 10 per cent of total adjusted gross revenue (AGR)-related dues this year, and rest of the payments in 10 instalments, starting next fiscal year. The fund-raising will throw a lifeline to cash-strapped VIL, which has suffered massive losses, as it has been losing subscribers and average revenue per user (ARPU), and faces outstanding AGR dues of about Rs 50,000 crore. In a filing on Friday, Vodafone Idea said its board has approved raising of funds through a combination of equity and debt instruments and that the total fund-raising will not exceed Rs 25,000 crore. The company will consider fund-raising through GDR, ADR, FCCB, debentures or warrants. The proposals will be taken up at the company's annual general meeting scheduled on September 30, 2020. The company had reported a staggering Rs 73,878 crore of net loss in fiscal ended March 2020 - the highest ever by any Indian firm - after it provisioned for Supreme Court mandated statutory dues. It reported a net loss of Rs 25,460 crore for the June quarter after making additional provisions to pay past statutory dues and had said its ability to continue as going concern hinges on the Supreme Court allowing more time to pay dues. The apex court has rejected the demand for a 20 year time for telcos to clear a combined Rs 1.6 lakh crore in past dues, but allowed the liability to be cleared in 10 years. Following the SC verdict earlier this month, some analysts had been of the view that Vodafone Idea may struggle to pay its dues in the 10 years that the Supreme Court granted to telecom companies, although Bharti Airtel may be able to meet the payment schedule. With Agency Inputs New Delhi, Sep 8 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow during his 4-day visit to Russia. People familiar with developments say Jaishankar is likely to have a stopover in Iran on Tuesday on his way to a 4-day visit to Russia. This will be the second high level engagement between India and China in Moscow in the last few days. Earlier, the Defence Minister held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Moscow on September September 4 on the sidelines of the SCO meeting. Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Iranian counterpart during his transit halt in Tehran on his way back to India from Russia. Chinese mouthpiece Global Times had reported that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will also plan to meet on September 10. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met General Wei Fenghe, State Councillor and Defence Minister of China on September 4 in Moscow on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. The two Ministers had frank and in-depth discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on India-China relations, as per an official statement. The Defence Minister categorically conveyed India's position on the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) including in the Galwan valley in the Western Sector of the India-China Border Areas in the last few months. He emphasised that the actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing of large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements and not in keeping with the understandings reached between the Special Representatives of two sides. 'Raksha Mantri' stated clearly that while the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management, but at the same time there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sources told IANS that India and Iran are to explore the revival of regional approach to diplomacy with respect to Afghanistan following the US-Taliban peace deal. China and Iran share a strong bilateral relationship and have a strategic alliance in the region. On Saturday, Rajnath Singh had met his Iranian counterpart Brig General Amir Hatami in Tehran enroute New Delhi from Moscow. India's strategic alliance with the US -- the arch-rival of both China and Iran -- has strained its relationship with Tehran, especially after the Trump administration killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Major General Qassem Soleimani and other top military leaders of Iran in an air strike in Baghdad in January this year. The Chabahar port in Iran, which India is helping develop to access oil and gas resources in Central Asia, has seen very slow progress since. The project is important to India as the port aims to offset the competition China poses with its Gwadar port built in Pakistan's Balochistan province. The 19-year-old Belgian-British pilot Zara Rutherford set a world record as the youngest woman to fly solo around the world, touching her smal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has promised a shake-up of federal laws will maintain current protections for wildlife and World Heritage areas as Labor questioned her pledge to develop new national standards. The Morrison government passed a bill through the lower house last week that would give state governments control of major project assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. But it came under fire for its omission of national standards to ensure states did not weaken environmental protections. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley is consulting on deals with the states that could come ahead of the national standards. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The bill is set to be debated in the Senate when Parliament resumes next month. Speaking at The Sydney Morning Herald Sustainability Summit on Monday, Ms Ley said project approval powers would not be handed from federal to state governments until they had shown their assessment regimes met the requirements of Commonwealth law. She reiterated she would pursue further changes through Parliament to bolster environmental protections. By Jun Ji-hye Improving the quality of the air we breathe has been of major public interest in recent years amid mounting concerns about the potential health risks posed by worsening fine dust pollution. Environment Minister Cho Myung-rae stressed that government and citizens, together with the international community, should cooperate in reducing the level of fine dust particles, because clean air is never a given, but only attained by mutual effort. Environment Minister Cho Myung-rae speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center in Seoul, Sept. 2. / Courtesy of Ministry of Environment In our current epoch of human history, when populations of major cities swell into the tens of millions, an urban center of 30,000 people doesnt seem very impressive. 1,000 years ago, a city that size was larger than London or Paris, and sat atop what is now East St. Louis. At its height in 1050, Annalee Newitz writes at Ars Technica, it was the largest pre-Colombian city in what became the United States. Its colorful wooden homes and monuments rose along the eastern side of the Mississippi, eventually spreading across the river to St. Louis. It is called Cahokia, but that name comes from later inhabitants who themselves didnt know who built the ancient metropolis, Roger Kaza explains, We really have no idea what the builders called their city. Also, no one, including the people who settled there not long afterward, knows what happened to the citys inhabitants. Archaeologists call these lost indigenous societies the Mississippians. They occupied a territory along the river of nearly 1,600 hectares during what is called the Mississippian period, roughly between 800 and 1400 A.D. The society built mounds, some 120, notes UNESCO, who have designated Cahokia a world heritage site. (See an introductory video below from the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society and two artist recreations elsewhere on this page.) The largest of these mounds, Monks Mound, stands 30 meters high. Cahokia is a striking example of a complex chiefdom society, with many satellite mound centres and numerous outlying hamlet and villages. Size estimates vary. UNESCOs is more conservative This agricultural society may have had a population of 10-20,000 at its peak between 1050 and 1150, they writestill, at any rate, a major city at the time. The Mississippian civilization left behind pottery, ceremonial art, games and weapons, Kaza notes. Their trade network was vast, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. The mounds were a symbol of both earthly and religious power, and the city appears to have been a pilgrimage site of some kind, with remains of what may have been a 5,000 square foot temple at the top of Monks Mound and evidence of human sacrifice on other mounds. A circle of posts west of Monks Mound has been dubbed Woodhenge, because the posts clearly mark solstices and equinoxes, writes Kaza. But the true strength of Cahokia, as in all great metropolises, was economic power. As archaeologist Timothy Pauketat of the University of Illinois notes, it just so happens that some of the richest agricultural soils in the midcontinent are right up against that area of Cahokia. Corn grew plentifully, produced surpluses, and the society grew rich. Then, seemingly inexplicably, it collapsed. By the time European colonizers set foot on American soil in the 15th century, these cities were already empty, One recent study suggests two natural climate change events several hundred years apart explain both Cahokias rise and fall: an unusually warm period called the Medieval Climatic Anomaly gave rise to the regions abundance, and an abrupt cooling period called the Little Ice Age brought on its end. Climatologists have found evidence showing how a drought in 1350 caused the pre-Columbian Mississippian corn industry to implode. Pauketat finds this explanation persuasive, but insufficient. Politics and culture played a role. Its possible, says archeologist Jeremy Wilson, who coauthored the recent climate paper, that the climate change we have documented may have exacerbated what was an already deteriorating sociopolitical situation. Evidence suggests mounting conflict and violence as food grew scarcer. Climatologist Broxton Bird argues that the Mississippians left their cities and migrated to places farther south and east like present-day Georgia, Angus Chen writes at NPR, where conditions were less extreme. Before the end of the 14th century, the archaeological record suggests Cahokia and other city-states were completely abandoned. We should be careful of seeing in this contemporary language any close parallels to the situation major cities face in the 21st century. Just one link in the global supply chain that drives climate change today can employ 10,000-20,000 people. But perhaps its possible to see, in the distant indigenous past of North America, the not-so-future vision of a migratory future for the inhabitants of many cities around the world. via Art Technica and Messy Nessy Related Content: Native Lands: An Interactive Map Reveals the Indigenous Lands on Which Modern Nations Were Built Interactive Map Shows the Seizure of Over 1.5 Billion Acres of Native American Land Between 1776 and 1887 Two Animated Maps Show the Expansion of the U.S. from the Different Perspectives of Settlers & Native Peoples Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness The growth of Indias telecom sector depends on higher tariffs, which remain very low despite the increase in December 2019, Vodafone Idea Ltd chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said. Writing to shareholders in the companys annual report released on Monday, Birla said the operating environment remained challenging in FY20 due to unsustainable pricing and hyper-competition. The telecom industry also witnessed the first round of tariff hike by all operators in December 2019. However, tariffs are still very low, and therefore, pricing revival is critical for the long-term growth of the sector, he said. Birlas statement is on the same lines as that of Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal, who wrote to shareholders that India still has some of the lowest data tariffs globally and the industry is barely able to cover the cost of capital. The Supreme Court verdict on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) also added to the financial woes of telecom operators. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) also intervened to restore the financial health of all operators by way of a two-year moratorium on spectrum fee payments, said Birla. /chk/ Your company continues to focus on driving 4G penetration to increase average revenue per user (Arpu). Further, your company remains focused on strengthening its position on enterprise services, especially the new and fast-growing segment of IoT and cloud services. All these initiatives will improve revenue and profitability and subsequently strengthen your companys overall competitive position in the market, Birla wrote. After the top court allowed telcos to pay adjusted gross revenues-related dues across 10 years, the Vodafone Idea board on 4 September approved raising up to 25,000 crore via equity and debt, with a limit of 15,000 crore through either route. Vodafone Idea will take up the proposal at its annual general meeting on 30 September. If the firm raises 15,000 crore via equity, it would be about 44% of its market value of 34,511 croreleading to a stake dilution for UKs Vodafone Group Plc, which holds around 43%, and the Aditya Birla group, which holds 29%. The Vodafone Idea annual report reiterated the focus on the population, which is rural and new to the internet. The overall teledensity for India as of March 2020 stood at 85.87%, suggesting a proportion of the population is yet to start using mobility services. This holds true, especially for rural areas where tele-density is still low at 58.5%. If we consider the active subscriber base of 989.1 million (March 2020), the penetration is still around 73.4% indicating a large population base which is yet to adopt mobile telephony services, a clear long-term opportunity for the mobile operators, said the report. The company said it has partnered with Home Credit India Ltd, a non-bank lender, for a unique handset and telco recharge which is made available as an integrated bundle on loan, an industry first. This was primarily based on the identification of the new to credit customers within its own base, with the help of big data analytics. Customers walking into over 25,000 retail offline stores across the country could buy a 4G smartphone on EMI along with a six-month unlimited prepaid plan. The operator has also partnered with device makers such as Samsung and Vivo for the launch of flagship products with joint advertising, with the objective of gaining a higher share of incremental high-end customers. Following the difficulties in mobilizing customer recharges as noted by the management, the telco deepened its partnerships with popular digital wallets - PayTM, PhonePe and Amazon Pay for cashbacks, making plans more affordable and convenient to recharge, said the report. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced his office reached a civil settlement with Hacienda Healthcare Inc., (Hacienda) where it will pay the State more than $11,000,000 to resolve its case with the Arizona Attorney Generals Office (AGO). By signing the settlement agreement, Hacienda accepts responsibility for the below conduct, but it does not exonerate any former officers in the ongoing AGO criminal indictment. A Medicaid fraud investigation initiated by the AGO determined that former officers with Hacienda improperly allocated direct and indirect costs, inflated reported expenses, and engaged in improper billing during 2013-2018, resulting in an overpayment of at least $10,895,648.25 from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to Hacienda. This settlement provides a pathway for Arizona to recover funds misused for years by Hacienda, said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. While our office is limited in what we can say about ongoing criminal cases at this time, I can assure Arizonans that the individuals who perpetuated this fraud will be appropriately prosecuted. Settlement agreement details include: Settlement Amount: Hacienda agrees to repay AHCCCS an overpayment in the amount of $10,895,648.25. Hacienda will deliver an initial payment of $7,000,000 followed by monthly installments of $50,000. Fine Amount: Hacienda will pay a $1,000,000 fine to be allocated to the AGO and AHCCCS Office of the Inspector General. The State agrees not to take any civil, criminal, or administrative legal action against the entity Hacienda for the covered conduct in the settlement unless there has been a breach in the settlement agreement. Haciendas former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) William Timmons and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Joseph OMalley were recently indicted by a State Grand Jury. All defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Assistant Attorneys General Scott Blake and Sean Coll are prosecuting the cases. Financial Remedies Section Chief Tom Rankin worked on the settlement agreement with Hacienda. Case Background: The AGO launched a criminal investigation into Haciendas finances in early January 2019 after learning the institution failed to comply with its contract terms. During 2013 to 2018, the Arizona Department of Economic Securitys Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD) contracted with Hacienda to provide medical and behavioral health services to members of AHCCCS. Hacienda ran an Intermediate Care Facility and was contracted to receive a certain amount of money ($1,100) per day per patient. The contract stated if Hacienda received an overpayment, Hacienda would reimburse DES/DDD. Even though Hacienda operated several facilities, the DES/DDD contract was only with its Intermediate Care Facility. During the same time period, Hacienda had other contracts with the State for programs for which it also received per diem reimbursement based of the number of individuals served. The State alleges that during the time period of 2013-2018, Hacienda engaged in improper billing, inflated reported expenses, and misallocated direct and indirect costs. Administrative salaries resulted in the largest misallocation of funds pursuant to the contract. Even though the DES/DDD contract was only with Haciendas Intermediate Care Facility, investigators determined Hacienda used the money to pay for a large portion of costs at its other facilities. Any money given under the contract that exceeded the direct costs and allowed indirect costs associated with the operation of the Intermediate Care Facility should have been reimbursed back to the State. During the contract term, Haciendas Chief Executive Officer (CEO) William Timmons and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Joseph OMalley regularly met and provided Haciendas Board of Directors with financial data regarding the entitys performance but not about how costs were allocated between affiliated programs and entities. In January 2019, OMalley disclosed to Haciendas Board of Directors that costs had not been allocated correctly over the course of the DES/DDD contract and that he and Timmons were aware of this. Timmons resigned in January 2019 for reasons unrelated to the AGO investigation. OMalley later resigned in March 2019. A new administrative team took over Hacienda in March 2019. Every two weeks, Zombie House Flipping star and Hummelstown native Keith Ori writes about the notable differences between growing up in Pennsylvania and living in Florida. Hunting in Florida usually means calling a guy with hip waders, a four-wheel-drive truck and a boom box to nab a nuisance gator. The boom box is so the trapper can play a CD with the sound of a wounded baby alligator at the side of the lake to attract larger gators looking for an easy meal. Theres probably a metaphor for Florida hiding in there somewhere. This isnt hunting in the normal sense; for various excellent reasons gator hunting is something most people watch rather than participate in. Wild boar are hunted in Florida, but I imagine its about as challenging as hunting a bull while its still actively in the china shop, for the ridiculous amount of noise boar make in the wild. In any event, hunting is not the first activity that comes to mind when one thinks of Florida. Which is why its hard to explain Central Pa. hunting to people who grew up in Florida. Elements that are or were absolutely normal in Pa. sound completely apocryphal here -- even just the idea that school in Pennsylvania wasnt held on the first day of deer season sounds fictional, let alone that students used to be able to store rifles at school for after school hunting excursions. And dont get me started on camouflage as a fashion item. I still have this childhood image in my head of a guy proudly driving back and forth down main street in Hummelstown, honking and yelling like a yahoo with a dead buck roped to the hood of his Datsun, showing off his kill. I tell this story once in a while and the response is always some variation on Where the hell did you grow up? My answer is pretty standard- You remember the movie Red Dawn? The violent one about the Russians launching a massive a land attack on the U.S.? Well, nobody in my hometown was the slightest bit worried about that happening to us. Thats where I grew up. It was also an area where even nerds like myself knew how to dress a deer, and game wardens were something people outside of an Elmer Fudd cartoon had to actually consider. Its not that anyone went poaching, per se, but sometimes dumb stuff just happened. When I was fourteen a buddy got a single shot .22 rifle with open sights for Christmas, so naturally we went out plinking in the woods. About half an hour in, a doe popped up on the other side of a ravine about 100 yards away. To clarify, it was not doe season, or any season. This didnt stop my buddy from pointing the .22 at the doe. If this sounds nefarious, it wasnt; his aim was so casual that Im pretty sure he was looking back at us when the gun went off. The shot from the tiny rifle rang out and the doe, surprisingly, remained unperturbed. The air was still and it was almost like we were having a staring contest with the doe. Except that right then it dropped over, stone cold dead. Dude! You gave it a heart attack!!, one kid yelled, comprehensively not getting it. It was deathly quiet for about another five seconds and then, as if on queue, we all began yelling Get up!!!! Get up!!! The doe did not get up. Hiking over to the now prone doe we quickly ascertained that it did not, in fact, have a heart attack. Terrified, we hiked out of the woods and called my friends older brother. He showed up quickly in a compact car, the trunk lined with a tarp (in retrospect this should have been alarming), and while calling us every name in the book he folded the worlds unluckiest doe into the trunk and disappeared. The fear, of course, was that a game warden would step out from behind a tree at any moment and take us off to juvie hunting jail or something. Im not sure how many 14-year-olds in Florida can articulate their fears of game wardens, or for that matter, if we even have game wardens, but its definitely not a substantial concern. In Pennsylvania though, even with hunting experiencing a decline in popularity over the last 30 years or so, its still a cultural touchstone. Last years change to the start date of rifle season generated the kind of debate normally associated with a constitutional amendment, whereas a change to the dates of hunting season in Florida would likely be met with a shrug, or even confusion that its still a thing. Ive gone hunting personally, and though Ive never been an avid hunter I do think the culture and the self-sufficiency hunting breeds are fascinating. Hunting maintains our ties to human history, teaches patience, respect for the environment, and keeps us in touch with where food actually comes from. Just dont ask me to eat a venison burger. Keith Ori is presently writing a memoir of growing up in Central Pa. He can be reached at his website or on Instagram at @keithori READ MORE: In Pa., you eat the animals. In Florida, the animals eat you | Keith Ori While central Pa expects all to be well, Floridians embrace the chaos | Keith Ori Think central Pa. is quirky? Try living in Florida | Keith Ori Four persons have been confirmed dead in parts of the North East Region following the spillage of the Bagre dam by authorities in Burkina Faso, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) confirmed this to Citi News. Swathes of farmland have also been submerged as a result. Citi News Maxwell Suuk who visited the Janga community where one of the deaths occurred, reported that more water is flooding the banks of the Volta River which passes through several communities in the North East Region. The water flooded swathes of land that many farmers have been using to cultivate their early crops yearly. Two died at the Bunkpurugu district, one at Janga in the West Mamprusi Municipality whilst the fourth person died at Langbinsi in the East Mamprusi municipality. Three others died allegedly due to the rains. Uncle of one of the deceased, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the family is yet to come to terms with the death of their son. He went to the farm and was returning and that happened. We searched for him for three days. That happened because of the heavy rains. He is a responsible man with a wife and kids. Although we were aware that the river will get flooded, it is surprising that he could drown in it. The North East Regional NADMO Director, John Kweku Alhassan appealed to philanthropists to support victims with relief items as his outfit is unable to assist all affected persons. Others blamed the issue on the spillage of the Bagre dam in Burkinabe Faso which often wreaks havoc on the lives of people and their farms annually. ---citinewsroom A Roosters vs Raiders match on the weekend has become the highest Live streamed NRL match ever, thanks to Kayo, Foxtel Now and Foxtel Go platforms. 468,000 viewers tuned in across combined Foxtel platforms, in a Grand Final rematch which heralded the return of Sonny Bill Williams. Total Live Viewing 468,000 Foxtel Linear 307,000 Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO, Kayo 161,000 The great thing is this is just the beginning of SBWs comeback to the NRL. Its like a snowball rolling down the mountain, picking up pace and size as it goes. In sport you cant go wrong with genuine superstars, and Sonny Bill, even at 35, is still a genuine superstar, said Steve Crawley, Executive Director, FOX Sports. Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). John Bruton has criticised both the Government and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for their handling of Phil Hogan's case. The former Taoiseach and EU ambassador to Washington warned that the actions of both the Dublin and Brussels authorities seriously undermined the independence of the Brussels executive. He said this had serious future implications for smaller member states such as Ireland within the EU. "I was genuinely shocked by what happened," Mr Bruton said in his first public comments on the controversy. Read More He also argued that Mr Hogan's conduct did not warrant him having to quit office at all. Mr Bruton has insisted that both the Government and Ms Von der Leyen each had "other options" rather than taking actions which amounted to Mr Hogan having to resign. He said an EU ethics committee process could have led to a reprimand - and any alleged Covid-19 rule breaches by Mr Hogan could have been dealt with in Ireland. The former Taoiseach also said he believed Mr Hogan's conduct, though "foolish", was not a resigning matter. He said Article 247 of the EU Treaty has set out two grounds for seeking a commissioner's resignation: inability to "fulfil the conditions for the performance of his duties" or "has been guilty of serious misconduct". Mr Bruton insisted that neither criteria was met in Mr Hogan's case. "Failure to recollect all the details of a private visit over two weeks, or to issue a sufficient apology quickly enough, may be political failings. But they hardly rise to the level of serious misconduct," he argued. Mr Bruton has suggested that the Government did not meet its EU treaty obligation to respect the independence of the EU Commission. He also questioned Ms Von der Leyen's failure to put the issue before the entire commission or set up an ethics investigation. Looking back over the events of last month, Mr Bruton noted two key moves by the Government which mitigated heavily against Mr Hogan holding his job in Brussels. "Late in the evening of August 22, the leaders of the Irish Government called on the EU Trade Commissioner, Phil Hogan to 'consider his position'. "Those words mean resign," he told the Irish Independent. "They piled on the pressure thereafter, with a further statement, on August 23, containing a political determination that he had broken their Covid-19 rules." He noted that Mr Hogan voluntarily resigned on August 26 - a decision he was entitled to make. But Dublin pressure, and Ms Von der Leyen's response to it, influenced that decision to quit. Mr Bruton argued that Ms Von der Leyen's move to accept the Government's stance raises questions about the future of the EU Commission's independent management. European Commission officials yesterday said they had no comment to make on Mr Bruton's remarks. Brussels officials pointed out that Mr Hogan voluntarily resigned. Mr Bruton was Fine Gael leader from 1990 until 2001, Taoiseach for the years 1994 to 1997, and EU ambassador to the US from 2004 until 2009. He also held many senior government posts, including that of finance minister. After struggling first through Lebanon's economic crisis and then the coronavirus pandemic, Ethiopian worker Tarik Kebeda said the deadly blast that ripped through her Beirut home was the final straw. Inside the small house she shares with four friends, she pointed to the window frames covered by sheets, because the glass was smashed out by the August 4 explosion. They had already lost their jobs -- as domestic workers, or in supermarkets or restaurants -- but now their home too is at risk. "I'm scared to sleep here," the 22-year old said, showing the deep cracks running down the bedroom's walls, saying she feared the building "will collapse on top of us". Thousands of foreign workers were already stranded in Lebanon, after months of dollar shortages and then the coronavirus pandemic. Then came the blast in Beirut's port that killed more than 181 people, wounded thousands and devastated swathes of the city. Many say it was just one disaster too many, and now they need to leave. "I love Lebanon, but I don't want to live here anymore," Kebeda said. "There's no more work. How will I eat?" Some foreign workers also say they feel sidelined by aid efforts. In the poor neighbourhood of Karantina, Kebeda's neighbour Hana claimed aid workers sometimes put fellow Lebanese first. Next door, 31-year-old Romane Abera recounted how she hid beneath a parked car to hide from the explosion. "Once, a truck came to distribute food boxes but they said: 'Only give them to the Lebanese'," Hana said. Today her damaged home is barely held up by scaffolding, with hot gusts of summer air sweeping through a huge hole in the wall. - Hammer protest - "I wish Lebanon could go back to how it was before," said Abera, who left behind her baby boy in Ethiopia and recently lost her job. Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers of multiple nationalities --- including at least 250,000 housekeepers and carers -- toil in Lebanon for cash to send home. Story continues They enter Lebanon under a controversial sponsorship system called "kafala", which has been repeatedly denounced by rights groups as enabling a wide range of abuses. Under kafala, a worker cannot terminate their contract without the permission of their employer or they will lose their legal immigration status. Many foreign workers have reached breaking point. Outside the Gambian consulate in Beirut, around 30 Gambian women clamoured for help. "We're like slaves," one protester shouted. "We are not treated well, and the racism here is very high." Zeina Ammar, from Lebanon's Anti-Racism Movement (ARM) organisation, urged countries to fund evacuations, and provide travel documents when needed. "We want to go home," they chanted. Some threw handfuls of dirt towards the building, while others hit its door with hammers. "It should be a systematic, unconditional provision of laissez-passer to absolutely everyone in order to save their lives," she said. - 'Systematically dehumanised' - After the port blast, Lebanese shared videos online celebrating the courage of migrant workers helping with clean-up efforts in the streets, as well as footage of a housekeeper on August 4 diving to rescue a toddler from an imploding window. But ARM says not enough attention is being given to the migrants who fell victim to the blast. "The official tally of the deceased and the missing remains incomplete, excluding primarily people of non-Lebanese origin," ARM said. "Migrant workers and refugees are systematically dehumanised and marginalised in Lebanon, in life as in death." Outside the Kenyan consulate, dozens of women said they had been holding a sit-in since August 10 to demand their repatriation. Among them, a 21-year-old recounted escaping abusive employers, only to be injured and see her home destroyed in this month's explosion. The consulate said efforts were underway to fly those who wished back home, but demonstrators complained of inaction. Another woman said her employers had dumped her at the consulate just days after the blast without a passport or the salary she was owed, accusing her of being too ill to work. A fellow protester, 27-year-old Emily, was incensed. "Who throws a sick woman on the streets at night?" she asked, with another woman's five-month-year-old baby lying beside her. "We just need help to go back home. Only that." on/ah/pjm/fz South Africa: Government tightens law to curb GBV The South African government and its partners will make good on its promise to protect the countrys women and children against gender-based violence, President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed. To demonstrate this commitment, government recently set the wheels in motion to tighten perceived legislative loopholes. Apart from the R1.6 billion Emergency Response Action Plan to combat GBV and femicide - announced by the President last week in Parliament - government last week tabled three key bills relating to GBV. The swift action comes after public calls to action following a series of brutal murders and attacks on women and children over the past year. Writing in his newsletter on Monday, the President said: I committed to marshal substantial resources of the State to tackle gender-based violence and femicide. I gave an undertaking that we would review our laws around gender-based violence. "One of the key demands made by many womens organisations was that the laws of our country should be tightened on granting bail to suspects and enforcement of long sentences for offenders. "I concluded that the struggle to end GBV needed a multipronged strategy that should be led by the President and enlisted government to act. Cabinet agreed to allocate resources and commit to a plan of action." Over the six months of its implementation, public spending in various government departments was reprioritised to support interventions for care and support for survivors, for awareness and prevention campaigns, to improve laws and policies, to promote the economic empowerment of women, and to strengthen the criminal justice system. Through the introduction of these bills, President Ramaphosa said, government was honouring the promise made to the protestors last year and to all the women of South Africa. The three amendment bills are designed to fill the gaps that allow some perpetrators of these crimes to evade justice, and to give full effect to the rights of our countrys women and children. "The sad reality is that many survivors of gender-based violence have lost faith in the criminal justice system. Difficulties in obtaining protection orders, lax bail conditions for suspects, police not taking domestic violence complaints seriously and inappropriate sentences have contributed to an environment of cynicism and mistrust. It is hoped that once finalised, the bills will help to restore the confidence of women in the law. The first bill seeks to amend the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act. This creates a new offence of sexual intimidation, extends the ambit of the offence of incest, and extends the reporting duty of persons who suspect a sexual offence has been committed against a child. Said the President: It expands the scope of the National Register for Sex Offenders to include the particulars of all sex offenders. "Until now, it has only applied to sex offenders convicted of sex crimes perpetrated against children or persons with mental disabilities. The time an offenders particulars must remain on the register has been increased, and those listed on the register will have to disclose this when they submit applications to work with persons who are vulnerable. "The Bill also makes provision for the names of persons on the National Register for Sex Offenders to be publicly available. The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill tightens the granting of bail to perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide, and expands the offences for which minimum sentences must be imposed. President Ramaphosa said the amendments impose new obligations on law enforcement officials and on courts, addressing the perception that many perpetrators exploit legal loopholes to avoid imprisonment, and that sentencing is often not proportionate to the crimes. When a prosecutor does not oppose bail in cases of gender-based violence, they have to place their reasons on record. Unless a person accused of gender-based violence can provide exceptional circumstances why they should be released on bail, the court must order their detention until the criminal proceedings are concluded, said the President. In reaching a decision on a bail application, the courts are compelled to take a number of considerations into account. They include pre-trial reports on the desirability of releasing an accused on bail, threats of violence made against a survivor, and the view of the survivor regarding his or her safety. On parole, a complainant or a relative of a deceased victim must be able to make representation to the parole board. Given the unacceptably high levels of intimate partner violence in South Africa, government has tightened the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act. The bill also extends the definition of domestic violence to include the protection of older persons against abuse by family members. Complainants will be able to apply for a protection order online. To prevent a scenario where perpetrators can hide past histories of domestic violence, an integrated repository of protection orders will be established. The proposed amendments also oblige the Departments of Social Development, Basic Education, Higher Education and Health to provide certain services to survivors where needed, and to refer them for sheltering and medical care. The circumstances under which a prosecutor can refuse to institute a prosecution when offences have been committed under the amended act have been limited. In perhaps the most groundbreaking proposed amendment to the act, if someone has knowledge, reasonable belief or suspicion that an act of domestic violence has been committed against a child, a person with disability or an older person, and fails to report it to a social worker or police officer, they can be fined and even imprisoned. Similarly, failure by a member of the SAPS to comply with their obligations under the act will be regarded as misconduct, and must be reported to the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service. The President said while the law is the one sure protector of all of society, the most vulnerable must be prioritised. When diligently and fairly applied, it is the most powerful guarantor of justice, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Advertisement Hoards of flag-waving President Trump supporters sailed into the waters again on Sunday for a series of boat parades after several vessels sunk and were capsized in Texas. Labor Day Weekend in the United States this year comes just three months before the highly polarized presidential election in November, and a number of conservatives have lifted their anchors to show their support for President Trump. At least nine cities across the country, from California to Georgia and back again, hosted Great American Boat Parade events to herald the current Commander-in-Chief for a second term. Just one day before, officials said that five boats sank during a Trump boat parade at Lake Travis, Texas, amid a flurry of distress calls. Lake Travis, a reservoir on the Colorado River, is known for its hazardous sailing conditions at times and has been the site of dozens of boating accidents over the years. No injuries or deaths were reported. Multiple boats had to be towed in Lake Travis, Texas after they sank during a Trump Boat Parade on Saturday The multiple boats created high, powerful waves that sunk some of the smaller boats in Travis, County, Texas, on Saturday The Travis County Sheriff's department said it has received multiple calls of boats sinking, but no injuries have been reported At least nine cities across the United States held Trump Boat Parades on Sunday to draw up support for the current Commander-in-Chief ahead of the presidential election in November A man is seen wearing a rubber mask bearing the likeness of U.S. President Donald Trumo on a boat on Lake Lanier during a 'Great American Boat Parade' in Cumming, Georgia The majority of vessels pictured in Great American Boat Parade events were decked out in Trump 2020 flags, controversial Confederate flag and a swarm of American flags The Great American Boat Parade events took placed in several US cities over Labor Day Weekend, which is just three months away from the presidential election People watch as planes fly in formation over Lake Lanier where the 'Great American Boat Parade' in support of President Donald Trump was under way in Georgia Georgia Thousands of 'Keep America Great Again' supporters participated in the Great American Boat Parade at Lake Lanier on Sunday. Organizers said that around around 700 vessels participated in the event, but the Georgia Department of Natural Resources estimated that almost 4,000 people showed up. Georgia DNR Game Warden Kevin Goss told 11 Alive that the surprising number includes spectator boats as well. The agency will get a more exact count after they review aerial images. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources estimated that almost 4,000 people showed up to the Great American Boat Parade in support of President Trump on Sunday Organizers of Georgia's Great American Boat Parade said the event was meant to show support for 'the leadership of this great nation' and first responders Two women are seen on a boat during a 'Great American Boat Parade' in support of President Donald Trump on Lake Lanier on Sunday Luckily, the waters on Sunday were fairly calm and Goss said no issues were reported. 'It went really smooth, we haven't received any reports of boats sinking or swamping or getting turned over,' he said. Organizers of Georgia's Great American Boat Parade said the event was meant to show support for 'the leadership of this great nation' and first responders. A man sporting U.S. patriotic garb, with 'USA' written on the back, is shown at a restaurant on Lake Lanier during a 'Great American Boat Parade' Boats floating on Lake Lanier on Sunday adorned American flags, President Donald Trump campaign flags and others Although the Georgia Department of Natural Resources estimated around 4,000 participants, organizers said they only counted roughly 700 boats during the event Sophia Rosin (pictuerd) is seen in the back of an SUV at Lake Lanier during the 'Great American Boat Parade' in support of President Donald Trump in Cumming, Georgia 'Let's come together as Brothers and Sisters and celebrate these very freedoms,' the group wrote on the Facebook event page. Elaine Hill, a local resident, heard about the event and ventured out to see the inaugural event. 'They're out here doing something they enjoy and they're not hurting anybody,' said Hill. 'They're just peaceful people for Trump.' Goss said participants at the Lake Lanier boat parade followed local rules and the county never contacted the agency. In addition to the George DNR, agencies from Hall, Forsyth Gwinnett County were there. Elaine Hill: ''They're out here doing something they enjoy and they're not hurting anybody. They're just peaceful people for Trump' Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump are seen at a restaurant on Lake Lanier with 'Make America Great Again' hats and drinks on Sunday Washington D.C. Further north, a similar event was held by organizers in the Potomac River when hundreds of boars arrived on Sunday afternoon Stephanie Christacos, who helped organize the event, told WUSA 9 that their Great American Boat Parade was meant to create excitement around Trump's 2020 bid. 'It's all grassroots, I'm just a mom,' said Christacos. 'I love our country, and I want to be safe. And I believe that's President Donald Trump.' The boat party, or the 'Trumptilla', began the journey from the Old Dominion Boat Club in Alexandria and then headed for the Memorial bridge. 'The enthusiasm is off the charts,' said organizer Mae Snow. Trump supporters taking part in Washington D.C.'s Great American Boat Parade pose with a cardboard cutout of President Trump on Sunday Stephanie Christacos: 'It's all grassroots, I'm just a mom. I love our country, and I want to be safe. And I believe that's President Donald Trump' A person dressed as President Donald Trump drives a jet ski during the 'Nation's Capital Trumptilla Boat Parade' on the Potomac River in Washington D.C. Supporters of President Donald Trump participate in the 'Nation's Capital Trumptilla Boat Parade' on the Potomac River on Sunday The organizers, including Carole Berman, said the President has their unwavering support in spite of the anti-military statements her reportedly made about veterans or polls that label Biden the front runner. 'I've never been polled. I've never been polled. I've never been. I don't believe in the polls and I don't think most people do,' they said. More importantly, Christacos said, people need to get out and vote for the November election. 'Everybody has to get out to vote. Get out to vote, do not sit home,' she added. One participant, Art Barletta, told WUSA 9 that he voted for Republicans in 2016 and felt is was important to show support for the party. A source just sent me this video of the Trump boat parade in DC. Says The Georgetown patrol is not allowing us to enter. When asked how many boats. I was told around 500. pic.twitter.com/Y4iflFFybw Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) September 6, 2020 The U.S. Capitol is seen as supporters of President Donald Trump participate in the 'Nation's Capital Trumptilla Boat Parade' on Sunday in Washington D.C. He admitted, however, that Trump had not made good on all his promises. 'Campaign promises never come to reality all the time,' said Barletta, who added that he still believed Trump should get a second term. 'He needs to unite the country. He needs to get equality for everybody. He needs to get equality for everybody that's not been born yet,' said Barletta. Pennsylvania Hundreds of Trump supporters sailing through the waters were also spotted at Pennsylvania's Erie. 'It just shows a lot of love for America's values and our love for our president and our support,' said Adam Stanzzyk, a person who attended on Sunday. According to Your Erie, this particular event was organized by a 19-year-old student from Gannon University who wished to stay anonymous due to death threats. Participants in a boat parade in support of President Donald Trump enter Presque Isle Bay in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday to show support for Trump ahead of the election Pictured: A Donald Trump boat parade passes the marina at Shikellamy State Park on the Susquehanna River The Great American Boat Parade was met with some protesters who opposed the event, but no reports of confrontations or altercations were made The boats gathered at Presque Isle before navigating to Dobbins Landing just 10 miles away. One person visiting Erie said the amount of boats sailing was shocking. 'Seventy five boats more boats have shown up and I think about 95% of them have Trump flags on them so that's pretty cool. Great show of support for our president. There really is a silent majority out here,' said Mark Webb. Erie County Councilman Brian Shank, a local conservative politician, welcomed Trump supporters and others to the event. Shank: 'Put a thing on Facebook and said hey we got a boat parade coming in we want to come out and show our support for the folks out on the water' A boat taking part in boat parade for the re-election of President Donald Trump passes the marina at Shikellamy State Park on Lake Augusta near Sunbury, Pennsylvania 'Put a thing on Facebook and said hey we got a boat parade coming in we want to come out and show our support for the folks out on the water,' said Shank. 'So we got together a couple of friends. It's a beautiful day and is what freedom is all about.' A small group of counter-protesters arrived to the event, resulting in a back and forth with Trump supporters. Shank said that the difference in opinion is what makes the country great. 'That's what makes America great. We're allowed to have a difference of opinion.' A Great American Boat Parade was also held near the Owensboro Riverfront of the Ohio River. Those organizers said that in addition to supporting Trump, the event allowed Indiana and Kentucky boaters social time during the pandemic. Pictured: local residents participating the Great American Boat Parade at the Ohio River parked along the shoreline and watched the boats sail by San Diego In San Diego, California, tens of thousands of Trump supporters lined the San Diego Bay on Sunday afternoon. Around 2,000 boats outfitted in Trump 2020 flags, controversial Confederate flag and a host of American flags as they floated. Tens of thousands of supporters stood along the shoreline, many of them waving banners and flags, and chanted 'four more years!' Californians watching the Great American Boat Parade in San Diego chanted 'four more years' as around 2,000 boats sailed by Tens of thousands of people line the shore of the San Diego Bay to support President @realDonaldTrump during the boat parade. Around 2,000 boats participating and people from the shore can be heard chanting, 4 more years Here is a portion of the route along Harbor Island. pic.twitter.com/3VNfCemQDG KUSI News (@KUSINews) September 6, 2020 The event began at 11:30am with the participating boats lined up for the national anthem at noon. CBS8 reports that a skydiver with an American flag performed a jump just after the Star Spangled Banner to kick off the festivities. The event was organized by the Military Appreciation Channel near the Naval Base Point Loma. Nearly 90 miles north, a similar event was held at Newport Beach Harbor. The German government has demanded an explanation from Russia, but the Kremlin does not seem inclined to offer one, saying it has not yet been shown proof that Mr. Navalny was poisoned. Mr. Navalny has been brought out of the medically induced coma and is being weaned from a respirator, the hospital said in a statement. He is responsive to verbal stimuli, the statement said. It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning. Russia has a long history of using poison in assassination attempts, including Novichok agents. Sergei V. Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer living in England, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were poisoned by a Novichok agent in March 2018, and the British authorities accused operatives from Russias military intelligence service of carrying out the attack. Both Skripals survived, but they are in hiding and little is known about their condition. The British government said on Monday that the Russian ambassador had been summoned and informed that London views Mr. Navalnys poisoning as absolutely unacceptable, and stressed the demand from the German government for a full and transparent investigation. Mr. Navalny fell violently ill on Aug. 20 as he made his way back to Moscow after meetings with opposition politicians in Siberia, ahead of nationwide local elections to be held on Sunday. Two days later, he was evacuated to Berlin, where he has been receiving treatment in one of the countrys leading research hospitals. Experts from the German Army were asked to run tests that detected a substance from the Novichok group in Mr. Navalnys system. Jamal Khashoggi died in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 - Hasan Jamali /AP The fiancee of Jamal Khashoggi, the slain Washington Post columnist, branded the Saudi justice system a farce on Monday after it jailed five people for twenty years over the journalist's murder but did not identify them or explain what role they played in his death. The Kingdoms Public Prosecution office announced it had commuted the death sentences of five defendants in Khashoggi's murder trial, handing down 20-year sentences to them instead, while a further three people had been jailed for seven to ten years. But Hatice Cengiz, who was due to marry Khashoggi before he was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, called the trial a "mockery of justice" in a statement. "The Saudi authorities are closing the case without the world knowing the truth of who is responsible for Jamal's murder," she added. "The international community will not accept this." In his columns for the Washington Post, Khashoggi was an outspoken critic of the Saudi government and of Mohammad bin Salman, the Kingdoms Crown Prince and de facto ruler. Khashoggi had been living in exile in the United States for about a year as the Crown Prince oversaw a crackdown in Saudi Arabia on human rights activists, writers and critics of the Kingdom's war in Yemen. This is my statement in response to the ruling today. #Khashoggi pic.twitter.com/rPxzWhetb1 Hatice Cengiz / (@mercan_resifi) September 7, 2020 The Crown Prince has been accused by the CIA of personally ordering Khashoggis murder, a charge that he vehemently denies, while Saudi authorities have blamed the death on rogue agents. In May, Khashoggis four children issued a statement which said they had pardoned their father's killers, after five people were sentenced to death in December 2019 by the Saudi courts over the murder. Story continues The pardon appears to have led to the five death sentences being commuted, in favour of long term imprisonment. We, sons of the martyr Jamal Khashoggi, announce that we forgive those who killed our father, said one of the sons, Salah Khashoggi, at the time. Whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward lies with God. He does not love the unjust.' The trial has been strongly criticised by human rights groups and senior UN investigator Agnes Callamard, who closely monitored the case as the special rapporteur for extrajudicial killings. "The Saudi Prosecutor performed one more act today in this parody of justice. But these verdicts carry no legal or moral legitimacy. They came at the end of a process which was neither fair, nor just, or transparent," she said on Monday on Twitter. She added: "I do welcome the fact that the death penalty has been commuted. Had such sentences been carried out, they would have amounted to yet more arbitrary killings by the State of Saudi Arabia, and permanent silencing of key witnesses to the execution." BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov had a telephone conversation with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov on September 7, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The FMs exchanged views on the various aspects of bilateral cooperation. The development of bilateral cooperation including the increase of trade turnover between the countries amid pandemic was stressed. The sides also discussed the issues of holding the next meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The cooperation within international organizations, as well as the issues related to the current chairmanship of Uzbekistan within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) were discussed. The two ministers also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. News reports after Khashoggis sudden disappearance in October 2018 described an extensive Qahtani-led effort to discredit the journalist, including the use of a troll farm in Riyadh where a small army of government workers used phony Twitter accounts to post messages skewering Khashoggis essays and slamming his character. But according to a new analysis, only a small portion of the anti-Khashoggi campaign was visible to Western eyes. Most of it was conducted in Arabic, on Twitter accounts widely read in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, according to the review by the Soufan Group, a private security consulting firm headed by Ali Soufan, a former FBI agent and counterterrorism official. Mumbai, Sep 7 : Actress Rhea Chakraborty has filed a police complaint against Priyanka Singh, sister of her late boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput, including others for sharing bogus medical prescription for the late actor. Rhea's lawyer Satish Maneshinde confirmed the news on Monday. "Rhea Chakraborty has filed a police complaint before the Mumbai Police against Priyanka Singh, Dr Tarun Kumar of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and others for offences of forgery, NDPS Act and Tele Medicine Practice Guidelines 2020, for having sent a bogus medical prescription depicting SSR as an Out Patient Department person," said lawyer Maneshinde. The statement further read: "When he was in Mumbai on 8th June 2020 prescribing schedule drugs, which are listed in Schedule of NDPS Act listed at items 36 and 37 as Psychotropic Substances and Tele Medicines Practice Guidelines 3.7.4 dealing with Prohibited List, which prohibits prescribing of any Narcotic or Psychotropic Substance listed in the NDPS Act. It is a misconduct under 3.7.1.4 of the Tele Medicine Practice Guidelines." Earlier in the day, Rhea appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for the second consecutive day in connection with the ongoing probe into a possible drugs connection in Sushant's death. On Sunday, she appeared before the NCB for the first time and was subjected to a six-hour grilling amid speculations that the actress would be arrested as investigators went hammer and tongs after drugs-related allegations emerged in the death case. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery T here was growing anger today over reports that Boris Johnson's administration is planning to use new laws to override the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, with critics saying it would be a "treacherous betrayal". A Government spokesman appeared to confirm to the Financial Times that the Prime Minister is planning new legislation that would override key parts of the Withdrawal Agreement the treaty that sealed Britains exit from the European Union in January. The move could see the collapse of trade talks, but the Prime Minister is expected to say that should negotiations fall through and there is no agreement by October 15, it would still be a "good outcome for the UK", allowing the country to "prosper mightily". Mr Johnson also plans to give Brussels a five-week deadline to agree fresh trade terms or otherwise call for both sides to accept no deal and spend the rest of the year minimising the extent of the disruption from the fallout. Brexit Day at Parliament Square - In pictures 1 /22 Brexit Day at Parliament Square - In pictures Anti-Brexit protesters in Parliament Square, London PA Police presence at anti-Brexit protests in Parliament Square, London PA The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London PA Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit Getty Images A man carries an EU themed wreath at Parliament Square Reuters Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union PA Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit Getty Images A man wears a President, Donald Trump mask and holds an American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit Getty Images People hold placards in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London AFP via Getty Images A man holds up a President, Donald Trump, American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit Getty Images A Red Viking apple with the Union Jack is displayed and given out for free to promote British produce as an Anti-Brexit demonstrator waves the European Union flag in Parliament Square AP Joseph Afrane in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images A man takes a photo of political artist Kaya Mar's paintings in Parliament Square Getty Images A man in an oversized 'Keep America Great' hat and draped with a US flag holds a Union Flag in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images A woman holds a newspaper at Parliament Square Reuters A woman wears a face mask in Parliament Square PA No 10 sources played down the row, saying that it was merely making preparations to protect the Good Friday Agreement in case talks break down on the fine details of Irish border arrangements after the current post-Brexit transition period ends in December. Michel Barnier, the chief Brussels negotiator on Brexit, said he was worried about the surprise twist while the Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney warned that it would be a very unwise way to proceed. Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill tweeted that any threat of backtracking on the protocol would be a treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday Agreement. Ms ONeill stressed the need for the protocol to be fully implemented as soon as possible and to avoid any border in Ireland. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move would constitute a repudiation by the Government of a treaty freely negotiated by it and which was described as oven ready by Mr Johnson. She tweeted this would significantly increase the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans. The FT reported that sections of the Internal Market Bill, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to eliminate the legal force of the Withdrawal Agreement in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs. As part of the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the region is expected to continue to follow some EU rules after the transition period ends in 2021 to ensure there is no hard border a resolution some Brexiteers were angry about when initially revealed. Approached about the reports, a Government spokeswoman said it was working to protect Northern Irelands place in our United Kingdom. She said: We are working hard to resolve outstanding issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol through the Joint Committee and will continue to approach these discussions in good faith. As a responsible Government, we are considering fall back options in the event this is not achieved to ensure the communities of Northern Ireland are protected. Brexit briefing: 116 days until the end of the transition period SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the Government would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement, risking the future of the UK and destroying its own credibility on the world stage if it proceeded with one of the most reckless acts concerning Ireland by a British government in a long long time. Its absolutely astonishing that any government who says they want to go and do trade deals around the world would just rip up an agreement that they made a few months ago with the European Union, Mr Eastwood told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour. And what they would be doing in that would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement which is an agreement voted for by the vast majority of people on the island of Ireland, theyd be risking a hard border in our country and theyd be threatening the peace and security that weve built up over decades. It would be the most reckless act that a British government, and theyve made many reckless acts in Ireland in a long, long time and if they do this their international credibility I think would be shot to pieces. Mr Eastwood said he hoped the reported manoeuvrings by the Government were just posturing, because if they try to do this at the same time as trying to convince people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about the future of their Union, well they may as well forget about that as well, because people here will see this as a tremendous act of bad faith. Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh said: It beggars belief that the Government is yet again playing a dangerous game in Northern Ireland and sacrificing our international standing at the altar of the Prime Ministers incompetence. The suggested move, along with Mr Johnsons comments about no-deal, is likely to pile the pressure on as negotiators prepare to meet on Tuesday for another round of crunch talks in London. Everything that has been signed must be respected, Mr Barnier said on France Inter radio. We demand quite simply, and calmly, and until the end, that the political commitments in the text agreed by Boris Johnson be legally translated into this treaty. The important thing for me is what the Prime Minister says and does, and what the British Government itself says and does. Barnier: UK-EU trade deal post-Brexit unlikely UK negotiator Lord Frost, in the lead up to his meetings with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, used a rare interview to vouch not to blink as the deadline for securing a deal grows closer. He told the Mail on Sunday (MoS) the UK would not be a client state to the EU, adding that Britain would be exiting the transition period come what may after December 31. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, speaking to Sky News Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, said the negotiations had been boiled down to two outstanding bones of contention control of UK fishing waters and the level of taxpayer support the Government will be able to provide businesses and argued neither principle could not be haggled away. Mr Johnson will make clear on Monday that the UK will not budge, telling his counterparts in Brussels the Government cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country, and will look to turn attention to preparing for no-deal. The MoS reported that Downing Street has created a transition hub, with handpicked officials across Government departments working to ensure the UK is ready to trade without a deal when the transition period ceases. The Prime Minister is expected to say: We are now entering the final phase of our negotiations with the EU. The EU have been very clear about the timetable. I am too. There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if its going to be in force by the end of the year. Loading.... If we cant agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on. Additional reporting by PA Media. NEW DELHI : An overwhelming majority of Indians intend to avoid travelling during the festive season, which begins in October, with the coronavirus tally crossing the four million mark and daily cases around 85,000, according to a survey of 25,000 people in 239 districts conducted by social media and community platform LocalCircles. August and September are the favourite travel booking months for Indians. Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath festivals all typically fall in October-November and people in many parts of India plan their travel home or vacation during these months, all the more so that schoolchildren also get to enjoy a holiday. However, 69% of the people said they will not travel this year and would rather stay at home. Another 3% said they will be travelling to a holiday destination, 13% said they will visit family and friends, and 3% said they will do both. Another 12% were unsure about what they would do. This means that only 19% of citizens said they will travel in the festive season. Even with those who wish to travel, uncertainty continues to loom over their bookings, with 68% of the respondents saying they will not book till closer to the travel date. Only 16% said they will book soon, while another 16% were unsure. Cars and taxis emerged as the most preferred mode of travel for 38% of people, followed by flights (23%) and multiple modes of transport (18%). The pandemic has seen millions of people either confined to their homes or working from home for the past six months. While many are desperate to get out and travel, the fear of infection is holding them back. India resumed domestic air and train travel operations in June. However, the daily caseload has grown by 10 times since then. Unlock 4.0 came into effect on 1 September with curbs removed by most states, making people more cautious. Based on the survey findings, service providers in road transportation may want to build capacity, said experts. Similarly, online travel portals may want to consider providers for outstation rental taxi services. Many people have returned back from home after a long break and going back again is not on their wishlist. Besides, people are focussing on their jobs and not looking at celebrating. Going home also involves additional expense," said Rajiv Mehra, director at Uday Tours and Travels. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Suddenly Im being yelled at, even though I was willing to pay for the installation and pay for the electricity, said Okorafor, a Nigerian-American science fiction author. I think it was they didnt want to deal with a new thing. One person said, Your car is from the future, this building was built in the past! My science fiction writer mind is going, This is so wrong! Thats just very backward. DAMASCUS, Syria - Russia and Syria plan to sign an economic pact before the end of the year that is partly aimed at circumventing U.S. sanctions, Russias deputy prime minister said Monday as he led a high-level delegation on a visit to Damascus. Yuri Borisov said the Russian side is expecting to sign the pact on his next visit in December, adding that it includes more than forty new projects in the energy sector, reconstruction of a number of power stations and offshore oil extraction. The agreement, he added, would outline a new framework for trade and economic ties between the two countries for the coming years while providing relief from U.S. sanctions, which he said were strangling the Syrian people. Borisov spoke at a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem in Damascus after the delegation met with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Syria faces an unprecedented economic crisis after nearly a decade of civil war and Western sanctions. The economic and financial situation has been worsened by the financial crisis in neighbouring Lebanon, Syrias main link with the outside world and where many Syrians have their money. Syria is also grappling with a coronavirus outbreak. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is visiting Damascus for the first time since 2012, also attended the news conference. Russia has been a close ally of Assad in Syrias devastating nine-year civil war, lending his government vital military, economic and political support. Russian troops have been fighting alongside Syrian government forces since 2015, and President Vladimir Putin has visited the war-torn country twice, including in January this year. With the help of Russia, as well as regional ally Iran and its proxy Lebanese militia Hezbollah, Assad has largely succeeded in crushing the armed rebellion against him. The rebels are confined to the northern Idlib province, where a truce has been in place for months. But Syria has been ruined, the economy has spiraled out of control, and the country remains divided. Turkey-backed forces control a sliver of territory along the border, and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces control an oil-rich area in the northeast. We have to admit that most of the areas rich in oil and gas are outside the control of the Syrian government, Borisov said Monday. This fact prevents the Syrian government from trading in oil, given that it is an important source of revenue. The same applies to agricultural lands, he added. After Syria used to export grain, it now imports it. ... This harms food security. Borisov blamed the United States for the economic deterioration in Syria, which risks reversing the governments recent military gains, calling U.S. policies unconstructive. The most important reason for the tragic situation in Syria is the devastating situation of the United States of America, in addition to the Kurds unwillingness to communicate with Damascus and hand over control to the legitimate government over agricultural areas and oil fields, Borisov said. Lavrov also criticized U.S. and Western sanctions on Syria, saying they are trying to strangle the Syrian people. Our visit to Syria focuses on the prospect of co-operation to develop relations between the two countries in light of new developments in the region, he said. The Syrian pro-government Al-Watan newspaper earlier quoted Syrias ambassador to Russia, Riad Haddad, as saying that the Russian delegations visit is of special importance, given the political and economic files that will be discussed. Those include progress by a committee discussing possible amendments to the Syrian constitution and Western sanctions on Syria, as well as efforts to fight terrorism. Talks between government, opposition and civil society delegations resumed in Geneva late last month on a possible new constitution for the country. The U.N.s envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called the talks a prospective door-opener to a final resolution of Syrias long-running conflict. The pandemic forced the postponement of an earlier meeting in March. Read more about: Find all of the most important pandemic education news on Educating N.J., a special resource guide created for parents, students and educators. Following the announcement that cuts would be made to school programs across the state, one cash-strapped Monmouth County district is pleading with Gov. Phil Murphy: dont take away our students mental health counseling. As part of Murphys latest state budget proposal, the School-Based Youth Services Program, which serves 100 New Jersey school districts, is on the list for elimination. It represents a budget savings of $11 million - and is the price needed to keep the program afloat for the remainder of the fiscal year. In Keansburg, a township with a 25% poverty rate, and where the school districts building projects are funded by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, school officials see the programs elimination as a deathblow to the well-being of their students. In an interview with NJ Advance Media, Keansburg High School Principal Jennifer Vecchiarelli and Jaclyn Fay Puglisi, program coordinator for the School Based program in Keansburg, both decried the decision to eliminate the program, saying that the program was integral to the Keansburg student community. Among other resources, the program offers mental health and counseling to students, desperately needed help for students dealing with the stress, anxiety and often trauma of the coronavirus pandemic, the officials said. The school based program is truly an integral part of the community of the high school, said Vecchiarelli. Its one of the pillars that keeps us up. A student, their education and their social, emotional and mental well-being go hand in hand. And school based counselors, thats all thats included with that integral part of helping our kids cope with the everyday stresses of being a teenager, on top of the struggles they already are enduring. In Keansburg, like the other school districts served by the program, School Based not only offers individual mental health counseling, but recreational and after-school programs for students, said Fay. The program offers peer mediation for students who are fighting, trips for those students who may not be able to afford or go on trips and even college visits, she said. The program also combats bullying and coordinates with the high schools Gay-Straight Alliance to ensure a school-wide policy of acceptance for the LGBTQ community, said Vecchiarelli. Those in the program also opened their doors to students with learning and mental disabilities. Getting rid of the program would leave the students without anywhere to go, she said. Theyre not even a separate program, said Vecchiarelli. Theyre a part of us. Keep up with the latest in N.J. schools coverage. Sign up your email here: Keansburg, a community nestled alongside Sandy Hook Bay, overshadowed by some of its more affluent seaside neighbors, has dealt with its share of struggles. According to Census data, 25% of the residents live in poverty, compared to 6.7 percent in Monmouth County overall. The Keansburg school district is one of 31 Abbott districts - school districts in low-income communities where construction and renovation is overseen by the New Jersey School Development Authority. Many of Keansburgs students deal with a difficult home life and problems with gangs, said Fay. The program helps those students too, she said. Were a 1-square-mile town, said Fay. So we like to provide services that they dont normally get. The state Department of Children and Families (DCF), which administers the program, did not immediately respond to requests for a comment. But according to a department statement sent to NJ Advance Media last Tuesday, the DCF sees the program as no longer necessary, outpaced and made nearly obsolete by other programs that it says have replaced it. The original school based programs were created over 30 years ago and have without a doubt meant a lot to the children, youth, families and educators who use them, DCF spokesman Jason Butkowski said. In the last 30 years, the array of services available in the state to support children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges -- as well as funding for those services -- has significantly changed. The existing School-Based Youth Services network operates in only a fraction of New Jerseys schools. In the statement, Butkowski said that while some of the states School Based programs offered mental health services, it was not across the board. The decision to cut the program to make way for promoting and bolstering the privately-run Childrens System of Care was made to provide students with help at home. Shifting funds to Childrens System of Care, the administration plans to re-allocate $45 million within the departments budget to raise the treatment rates provided by Childrens System of Care, or CSOC, which serves youth at home and in community programs around the clock. The proposed $45 million investment into CSOC in FY 2021 will allow for updated rates to providers, in order to stabilize and modernize supports and services for children, youth and families at a time when the anxiety and stress brought on by the COVID-19 public health emergency have put even greater pressure on the mental and emotional health safety net for children and youth, Butkowski said. To supporters of School Based like Vecchiarelli and Fay, the cut has left them scrambling to salvage the program. As of Sunday, a petition started by a Brick Township School Based counselor to compel Murphy and State Senate President Stephen Sweeney to save the program has reached nearly 31,000 of its 35,000 signature goal. With Keansburgs first day of school scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, Vecchiarelli has already asked for help from their state legislators, Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, Assemblyman Gerard Scharfenberger and State Sen. Declan OScanlon, from the 13th Legislative District. All three are receptive, Vecchiarelli said. I will do absolutely anything I can to support School Based youth services, said Vecchiarelli. We cannot afford to lose such a valuable resource for our students. There is no way any of us can be effective educators without supporting the social and emotional health of our students. I love my students and will do anything I can to ensure their well-being. 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. Katy Perry is settling in to her new roles as a first-time mom, 11 days after she and fiance Orlando Bloom welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom, to the world. And on Sunday, in a classy and touching move, Perry's friend and American Idol colleague, Ryan Seacrest, sent the blissful couple a gift for their newborn baby. 'Thank you [uncle] @ryanseacrest,' the pop superstar wrote in an Instagram post that also included a picture of the box full of goodies. Love fest: Katy Perry, 35, took to Instagram to thank Ryan Seacrest for sending a gift for her newborn baby girl Daisy Dove Bloom Perry appeared to place the stylish gift box, which has a pink flamingo and green leaves stitched on the brown covering, in front of a clothing closet in her home when she snapped the photo. It had all kinds of fun stuff including an assortment of dolls, stuffed animals, and what looked like a children's book. The slick packaging also had a moveable, pink top and pink and black lining. Thoughtful: The brown and pink gift box had all kinds of fun stuff including an assortment of dolls, stuffed animals, and what looked like a children's book History: Perry and Seacrest have been friends for many years, and working colleagues on American Idol since 2017 The songstress, 35, and Bloom, 43, announced the birth of their first child together on Wednesday with a sweet black-and-white photo holding onto their newborn's tiny hand. 'We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter,' said the couple in a statement to UNICEF. In an adorable tribute to her baby girl, the Firework hitmaker had a white daisy etched on her thumb nail as she held onto Daisy's hand. She could be seen wearing a white babygrow and a patterned hat in the first image. Daisy Dove: Perry and Bloom announced the birth of their first child together with a sweet black-and-white photo holding onto their newborn's tiny hand Post-baby: Just five days after giving birth, Perry posted a photo of herself dressed in a breast pumping harness and grey high-waisted underwear, in a funny poke at MTV VMA's famous step-and-repeat photo format on the red carpet Just last week, Perry posted a photo of herself dressed in a breast pumping harness and a pair of grey high-waisted underwear, five days after giving birth. The image was meant to be a funny poke at MTV VMA's famous step-and-repeat photo format on the red carpet. MTV held their first virtual Video Music Award ceremony on Sunday, which honored the visual works produced by some of the biggest names in music. Moving across the pond: Perry and Bloom are reportedly planning to raise Daisy Dove in the UK where the Pirates Of The Caribbean star was born and raised and still has a home. Perry and Bloom are reportedly planning to raise Daisy Dove in the UK where the Pirates Of The Caribbean star was born and raised and still has a home. 'It doesn't matter what happens in the November election, Kate and Orlando are moving to England to raise their little girl,' a source told US OK! Europe is firmly off the agenda this year, unless you are Tony Abbott. Gerard Rennick hits the surf. Credit:Illustration: John Shakespeare So what are our politicians to do for their holidays in this age of closed borders? It's good to see Liberal senator Gerard Rennick already has a plan. The Queenslander who is currently serving two weeks' quarantine in Brisbane after returning from the sitting week in Canberra has just bought a beach house in the NSW coastal haunt of Cabarita Beach with his wife. The pair settled on the new pad on Monday. The father of three appears to have chosen well. Cabarita Beach is located about 30 kilometres south of the Queensland-NSW border and, for now, sits blissfully inside Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's border bubble. It's also been the keen longboarder's favourite break for the past 20 years. "I don't get out [on the water] as much as I'd like to, and I've also got young kids I thought I'd kill two birds with the one stone," he said. Reducing consumption by expanding the notion of the rental economy and giving people access to tools and equipment has been something of a startup holy grail for some time. It's a model that's worked famously well for fashion and accessories (just ask investors in Rent the Runway), but has had not had the same resonance for white label goods. The Shed, out of Richmond, Va., hopes to change that. Launched by Karen Rodgers O'Neil, a longtime marketing executive, and Daniel Perrone, a serial entrepreneur and technology executive whose previous company, BroadMap, was acquired by Apple; The Shed hopes to take the rental model that Home Depot has turned into a billion dollar business line and take it to the masses. Unlike Home Depot, The Shed touts its presence in eight categories. Stanley Black & Decker is a marquee early partner and the company's executives said that others have come on board. "We don't buy product," said Perrone. "We take delivery of all the products and rent them out in the local marketplaces where we do business." The only thing the manufacturer provides is the products and some servicing starter kit so that The Shed and its employees can manage and maintain the product. The Shed founders Karen Rodgers O'Neil and Daniel Perrone. Image Credit: The Shed Since its launch in April the company has expanded beyond its Richmond, Va. home base to Denver -- and will be looking to expand further into Portland, Austin, and San Jose, according to Perrone. Among the features that the company intends to roll out as it expands is a dynamic pricing capability that will enable manufacturers to wring the most out of their goods when they're in high demand. Rodgers O'Neil came up with the concept back in 2012 when she was working as a marketing executive for General Electric out of Boston. Perrone met Rodgers O'Neil at a networking event in Boston and became convinced that her notion of offering more rental options to encourage a more circular economy and reduce consumption was something that could resonate with consumers. Story continues To be sure, The Shed isn't the first company to attempt to bring the rental business to a broader array of consumer products in an effort to cut down on consumption. The Los Angeles-based startup Joymode was attempting to do much the same thing. That company sold to an early stage investment firm out of New York. Joymode's chief executive, Joe Fernandez spoke about the difficulty of running the business. Part of the thesis was that by making things available for rental, people would want to do more stuff, said Fernandez, but what happened was that consumers needed additional reasons to use the companys service, and there werent enough events to drive demand. By contrast, The Shed isn't owning any of the inventory, just acting as a broker and managing inventory between local retailers and manufacturers who want to take advantage of the company's service. In addition to Stanley Black & Decker, companies like Primus camping equipment have placed their products on The Shed along with Mobility Plus, which added wheelchairs and mobility scooters; and Replacements, the largest china dealer in the country, which is offering a Party in a Box for dinner, cocktail or tea parties. To date, the company has raised $1.75 million from investors and entrepreneurs from the Richmond, Va. area. Now, with 60 manufacturers on board and another 15 to 18 vendors signing up monthly, the company is looking to expand even further. "I joined with Karen because I saw that this would be a game changer in the rental space," said Perrone. There are a number of retailers in specific verticals that still don't transact online, so The Shed becomes their avenue to reach the market, he said. Sarah Ferguson is to release a new cookbook, described by her publisher as a super fun book for kids. The book, titled Fergies Fun Food, is due to be published by Serenity Press in 2021, although an exact date is not yet known. The duchess will collaborate on the book with food artist Laleh Mohmedi, the woman behind Jacobs Food Diaries, a project that saw Mohmedi turn her sons healthy meals into Disney characters. Mohmedis innovative culinary creations soon gained worldwide attention, being featured by news outlets including Good Morning America, The Today Show and CBS. The Duchess of York revealed the news of her new book on social media, saying that she is so excited to be working with Mohmedi on the publication. On the Facebook page for Serenity Press, which is based in Perth, Western Australia, it stated that the book will be published through the firms Duchess Serenity Collection division. Kids are going to LOVE the recipes in this book and we cannot wait to see children across the world recreating Lalehs beautiful fun food art, the publishing company wrote. Serenity Press added that Mohmedis food art has captured the attention of several celebrities in the past, including Gigi Hadid, Jimmy Kimmel and Stacey Solomon. The artist wrote on Instagram that she is so excited and honoured to be partnering with the Duchess of York and Serenity Press to create the most AMAZING food art book filled with delicious recipes and fun reactions for the whole family to enjoy. In February, it was reported that the duchess had signed a deal with Serenity Press to write seven childrens books. The Duchess of York has written several childrens books in the past, including the Budgie the Little Helicopter series. In August, Ferguson revealed that she bought her daughter, Princess Beatrice, a portrait by artist Claire Fletcher for her 32nd birthday. BERLIN/GENEVA : Germany and France want to give more money and power to the World Health Organisation after the COVID-19 pandemic underscored long-standing financial and legal weaknesses at the U.N. agency, an internal document seen by Reuters shows. The proposed reforms could already be discussed at the WHO in mid-September, three officials familiar with the talks told Reuters, in a fast timeline that would confirm the two European powers' growing concerns about the organisation, which they also see as excessively subject to external influences. In a joint paper circulated among diplomats involved in the reform talks, Berlin and Paris said the WHO's mandate, which includes preventing outbreaks across the world and helping governments tackle them, was not backed up by sufficient financial resources and legal powers. "Not only during the current pandemic, it has become clear that the WHO partly lacks the abilities to fulfil this mandate," the document seen by Reuters said. A Western diplomat in Geneva, referring to member states' contributions based on their GDP, said: "The key point is the mismatch between WHO mandate and financing. It's very much pro-WHO, it should have more money and (they are) asking for an increase in assessed contributions." France and Germany are seeking consensus "from Washington to Beijing" around the document, a source close to the talks said. The move shows the two countries' keen interest in an overhaul aimed at strengthening the WHO, despite talks on the matter with the United States collapsing earlier in August at G7 level over differing views about the reform. France and Germany, whose health ministers pledged new funds after talks with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in June, have not hidden their criticism of the WHO. But their approach is very different from that of the Trump administration which has cut funding, announced its withdrawal from next July, and accused Tedros of being a puppet of China. The Franco-German reform plan is focused on strengthening the WHO, in part to empower it to be able to be more critical of member states if they do not honour global rules on transparency in reporting health and disease issues. A German government official, asked to comment on the document, said: "Germany together with others wants a reform, talks are under way on different levels." The French health ministry was not available for comment. A WHO spokeswoman was unable to provide any information. The seven-page document lists 10 reforms aimed at boosting the WHO's legal powers and funding. "WHO's overall budget with roughly $5 billion per biennium equals the funding of a larger sub-regional hospital," the joint paper said, urging larger and more reliable funding. Only a fifth of the agency's budget comes from member states' payments without strings attached. The remainder is raised through "short-term, unpredictable and largely highly specified voluntary contributions", the document said, in an apparent reference to the role of individual philanthropic funders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A stronger budget is needed in particular for handling emergencies, the document said, to avoid the WHO needing to raise funds in the midst of outbreaks, which could further reduce its independence. WHO experts should be able to "independently investigate and assess (potential) outbreaks as early as possible", the paper says. China has been accused in this pandemic and in past epidemics of being slow or reluctant to share data and to grant swift access to WHO teams. The WHO should also be subject to a stronger oversight in emergencies to quickly assess its operations, the document said, proposing the creation of a group of national experts who could monitor crises. To make sure that the proposed reforms have a proper follow-up, the document recommends the establishment of a panel of experts for this purpose, similar to the one that is currently assessing the handling of the pandemic. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics THE State is now facing a potential lawsuit for tortious assault and battery by a family that was tear-gassed by police while at the Queens Park Savannah in Port of Spain last Sunday. Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob has been given 28 days within which to provide specific pieces of information to attorneys representing the family or, in default, a civil claim will be filed at the High Court, the familys attorneys warned yesterday. Actor Arav Nafeez, who was crowned Bigg Boss Tamil season 1 winner, married actor Raahei on Sunday in Chennai in a close-knit ceremony. Raahei makes her Tamil acting debut via Gautham Menons upcoming action-thriller Joshua. The wedding was attended by immediate family members of the couple and close friends. Some of the celebrities who attended the wedding are filmmaker KS Ravi Kumar, Vijay, Gayatri Raghuram, Vayapuri, Suja Varunee, Bindu Madhavi, Harish Kalyan, Varun and Pradeep Krishnamurthy among others. Thanks to Bigg Boss, Aarav earned a lot of popularity on the show and became a household name. He was rumoured to be in a relationship with co-star and co-housemate Oviya. However, neither of them ever made their relationship official. Also read: Kangana Ranaut to be provided Y+ category security. Heres what it means Arav and Raahei have known each other for over a year. They have decided to get married with their parents approval. The wedding will be hosted at a plush hotel in Chennai with only friends and families in attendance. On the career front, Arav awaits the release of his upcoming Tamil film Raja Bheema, which has been waiting for release for a long time. It is not known whether Raahei has signed any other project as of now. She awaits the release of Joshua, which was supposed to release earlier this year but got postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Follow @htshowbiz for more File image The battle for Bihar has begun. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on September 7 launched the poll campaign through a virtual rally, listing achievements of his government and the Centre in fighting the coronavirus outbreak. Bihar has to elect a new House before the term of the assembly runs out on November 29. The election to the 243-member assembly is expected in October-November. The Bihar government has taken care of the situation arising due to the lockdown imposed to combat coronavirus in the state. Both the state and Central government worked towards protecting people of Bihar during the pandemic, Kumar said in the rally. Kumar's Janata Dal (United) is a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre. Seeking a second successive term, Kumar, whose JD (U) is the senior partner of the BJP, faces anti-incumbency wave and criticism over the handling of the pandemic and floods that ravaged the state recently. We saw it (Covid-19 cases) reduced in Delhi and now it is rising again there. Who knows what will happen tomorrow. I am urging everyone to stay alert and follow social distancing norms and wearing masks, Kumar said. Bihar had enough ICU beds in hospitals and people were being counselled call centres and by doctors. If someone dies of Covid-19, then the state government provides Rs 4 lakh financial assistance for the deceased's family, Kumar said, referring to the illness caused by the coronavirus. His government was providing assistance to people hit by floods as well. As many as 83 lakh people across 16 districts in the state suffered due to floods. Farmers suffered huge losses in February, March and April. Over 5 lakh people were evacuated to shelter homes and public kitchens were made to support and feed them. The situation is improving now," Kumar said. He also listed steps taken by his government to help people from the marginalised sections. Kumar has come under repeated attacks from the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan for not doing enough for the weaker sections. The LJP, which is part of the NDA but not the Kumar government, is meeting during the day, to decide if they want to go or with JD-U in the assembly elections. All ration-card holders have been provided 5 kg rice and 1 kg pulses and will continue to be provided till the month of November. Till now 23,38,000 households in Bihar have been provided ration cards, he said. Kumar said his government had adopted zero-tolerance towards crime, corruption and communalism. We remember earlier people would hesitate to appear as witnesses. There were no hearings. Now, we know how law and order situation has improved in Bihar, Kumar said, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics. The NCRB data says the average crime in the country is 383.5 per one lakh of population. In Bihar, the numbers are 222.1 per lakh of population. Bihar is at 29th number among states in crime against women, the CM said, saying his government made efforts to resolve land and property disputes out of court. More than Rs 40,000 crore were spent on the development of rural roads. The power situation had improved significantly, he said. Every house has been electrified, he said. He also spoke about providing bicycles to girls to encourage education among his government's achievements. As an integrated marketing partner and agency, Option Designs has been vested with the responsibility to create new brand experience for the Nova products among its audience through effective strategies, planning and execution. Being competent with the ways of delivering a brand message, the motive of value creation and giving the audience a reason to stay connected with our brand, Option Designs will definitely achieve our motive of reaching far beyond the horizon of achieving sales, said Mr. Sharad CEO of Nova. Dairy brand Nova announced the collaboration with Option Designs, a purpose driven agency for their integrated marketing/advertising services. Option Designs through the media, content, and marketing communication will be curating the media strategy while increasing the brand visibility of Nova. Marketed by Sterling Agro, Nova is one of the pioneers in dairy industry in India in private sector. Driven by passion of providing quality milk products in India since 1991, the company has been marketing high quality dairy products which are trusted household brands in India. Speaking on this Anurag Mehta, Co-founder of Option Designs said, We are extremely happy to be selected as a marketing partner by an esteemed brand like Nova. We look forward to our partnership with Nova and hope to build a dynamic media model using data, strategy and technology to deliver the right messaging to their consumers and to further strengthen the brand in newer markets. By orchestrating an intricate study of the audience, knowing their beliefs, expectations and intentions for the brand, Option Designsstrives to introduce innovative marketing strategies and solutions that conveys the idea represented by the brand. Thus,bringing the customer closer to the brand and they build the best brand visibility and trustamong the consumers. The Prime Minister also launched a "Poshan Maah" recipe content and urged the people to share the recipes of nutritious dishes on My Government website. Launching a social media campaign to promote Poshan Maah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday stressed the importance of proper nutrition in building a prosperous nation and asked the people to contribute towards a malnutrition-free India. Proper nutrition is vital to build a prosperous nation. #POSHANMaah2020 starts today. Let us undertake efforts to reach out to people across the length and breadth of India and spread awareness on eradicating malnutrition. This will help our Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti, PM Modi said in a tweet. The Prime Minister also launched a Poshan Maah recipe content and urged the people to share the recipes of nutritious dishes on My Government website.Lets be #Local4Poshan! Our nation is home to dozens of healthy dishes, which have high nutrition value. Share them on a specially created space on @mygovindia. May your family recipe contribute to a nutritious as well as healthy India, he said in the following tweet. The contest, which aims to bring the nutrition discussion to the grassroots-level, invites citizens to come forward, share nutritional recipes and contribute towards creating a healthier India. Amit Shah, in a series of tweets, said that the Central government will focus on an intensive campaign across the country for the holistic nourishment of children with severe acute malnutrition during the Poshan Maah, which translates to nutrition month. ALSO READ: Do not sit here: Delhi metro resumes under strict protocols with stickers, no cash transactions Proper nutrition is vital to build a prosperous nation. #POSHANMaah2020 starts today. Let us undertake efforts to reach out to people across the length and breadth of India and spread awareness on eradicating malnutrition. This will help our Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti. pic.twitter.com/mpPEuaT210 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 7, 2020 Lets be #Local4Poshan! Our nation is home to dozens of healthy dishes, which have high nutrition value. Share them on a specially created space on @mygovindia. May your family recipe contribute to a nutritious as well as healthy India. #POSHANMaah2020 https://t.co/svVCymanwo Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 7, 2020 Adequate nutrition for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers has always been the priority of PM @NarendraModi. Launched in 2018, Poshan Abhiyaan is a robust scheme which has been playing an unprecedented role in eliminating malnutrition from the country. #POSHANMaah2020 Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 7, 2020 ALSO READ: Do not sit here: Delhi metro resumes under strict protocols with stickers, no cash transactions Adequate nutrition for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers has always been the priority of PM @NarendraModi. Launched in 2018, Poshan Abhiyaan is a robust scheme which has been playing an unprecedented role in eliminating malnutrition from the country. #POSHANMaah2020, Shah tweeted. This #POSHANMaah2020, PM @NarendraModi govt will focus on an intensive campaign across the country for the holistic nourishment of children with severe acute malnutrition. To further strengthen this scheme, let us all take a pledge & contribute towards a malnutrition-free India, he added.This comes in line with Prime Ministers Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission, the Central governments flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. ALSO READ: Ahead of Bihar Elections, BJP paints city with Sushant Singh Rajput posters and masks, says Na bhoole hain, na bhulne denge A prototype model of the 'Flying V' aeroplane, named after Gibson's famous electric guitar, has had a successful test flight at an airbase in Germany. Engineers performed a successful maiden flight of the 1/20 scale model, which is 10 foot wide and weighs 50 pounds, at the secret air base. The V-shaped plane has been developed at Delft Technology University in the Netherlands and backed by Dutch airline KLM. Once scaled up for commercial flights, Flying V will carry up to 314 passengers, including some housed within its wings, and use 20 per cent less fuel. The craft's wings, which stretch diagonally from the nose to form the distinctive V, will hold the passenger cabin, cargo hold and fuel tanks. Its bizarre design will mean passengers looking out the window will be able to see the other half of the plane. The scaled flight model of the Flying-V, TU Delft's energy-efficient aircraft design, made a successful maiden flight During the test flight, the remote pilot succeeded in taking off, flying various test manoeuvres and approaches and landed when the batteries were nearly empty. 'One of our worries was that the aircraft might have some difficulty lifting-off, since previous calculations had shown that rotation could be an issue,' said project leader Dr Roelof Vos. 'The team optimised the scaled flight model to prevent the issue but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. You need to fly to know for sure.' The successful test flight followed wind tunnel testing and a series of ground tests in the Netherlands. It confirmed that the current design still shows too much Dutch roll, however, where it wobbles on either side, causing a slightly rough landing. The team said the next step will be to use the data collected during the flight for an aerodynamic software model of the aircraft. This will make it possible to programme it into a flight simulator to be used in future research and test flights. Engineers and a drone pilot of TU Delft travelled to an airbase in Germany for the first real test flight of the scaled flight model of the energy-efficient aircraft design, called the Flying-V The plane still has a slight wobble on landing, which the engineers are working to fix before the design is scaled-up Rotation on take-off, where the nose of the aircraft points up, was performed easily and occurred at a speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km per hour), the team reported. 'The planes thrust was good and flight speeds and angles were as predicted,' TU Delft said in a statement. The researchers are now working towards building a commercial version of the plane, which would have a total width of 215 feet and length of 180 feet. A pair of turbofan jet engines, which combines a gas turbine engine and a fan to accelerate air, will be mounted at its rear. Computer calculations have predicted that the aircrafts improved aerodynamic shape and reduced weight will reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent compared to advanced aircraft models of today, such as the Airbus A350-900. The design will potentially reduce the carbon footprint of long distance air travel and the expenditure on fuel. Following wind tunnel testing and a series of ground tests in the Netherlands, it was time to perform the first flight Project leader Dr Roelof Vos and his team took the scale model of the Flying-V for flight tests to a well-guarded airbase in Germany, where they could work together with a team from Airbus The pilots task was to take-off, fly a number of test manoeuvres and approaches until the batteries were nearly empty and land For fuel, it will likely burn liquid hydrogen instead of kerosene, which belches pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and soot into the air. The Flying-V is one of TU Delft's lines of research into making aviation more sustainable. Professor Henri Werij, Dean Faculty of aerospace engineering, said: 'Ultimately, we have to fly entirely on sustainable energy. CO2-neutral. 'If CO2 is still released during the flight, for example because we then fly on synthetic kerosene, the same amount of CO2 will be used to produce those fuels. 'At Delft University of Technology, we are investigating how we are going to achieve this. 'For example, we are investigating new forms of propulsion, such as electric and electric hybrid, the climate impact of aviation and air traffic operations, such as airports.' As passengers enter the aircraft, they will be sent down on of either of its wings. Passengers looking out the window will be able to see the other half of the plane A stunning 'V-shaped' craft developed by researchers at Delft Technology University in the Netherlands has been financially backed by KLM Its total width is 215ft (65m) and its length will be slightly shorter, at 180 ft (55m). Details of what the inside will look like are scarcebut it will inevitably allow for a range of innovative seating arrangements, rooms and fittings Concept images of the full-scale Flying V were released last year, showing an artist's impression of the Flying V being prepared for a commercial flight at an airport. Its size makes it a comparable rival to the traditional Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787 and it would be able to use existing gates, hangars and runways. Various business partners are now involved in the project, including Airbus, which are working together on 'a research plan to fine-tune the concept'. Flying-V is named after the iconic Gibson electric guitar of the same name developed in 1958, used by Jimi Hendrix, Brian May of Queen, Dave Davies of the Kinks and Tim Wheeler of Ash. The HSTDV, developed by the DRDO, is capable of powering missiles to attain a speed of around Mach 6, said officials, adding that only a very few countries like the US, Russia and China have such a capability New Delhi: India on Monday successfully flight-tested the indigenously-developed hypersonic technology demonstration vehicle (HSTDV), joining a select group of countries having the capability to develop the next-generation hypersonic cruise missiles, officials said. The HSTDV, based on hypersonic propulsion technologies and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will help India develop futuristic space assets like long-range missile systems and aerial platforms, they said. The HSTDV is capable of powering missiles to attain a speed of around Mach 6 or six times the speed of sound, the officials said, adding only a very few countries like the US, Russia and China have such a capability. Successful flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island off the cost of Odisha today. pic.twitter.com/7SstcyLQVo / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 7, 2020 "The DRDO has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of hypersonic technology demonstration vehicle at 1103 hours from APJ Abdul Kalam launch complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha today," the defence ministry said in a statement. The HSTDV operates on a scramjet engine, as against the ramjet engine which is used on most missiles. The ramjet engines operate at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 3. The ministry said all the performance parameters have indicated a resounding success of the mission. The successful test comes over a year after a similar attempt did not provide expected results Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO over the successful test flight of the HSTDV, calling it a "landmark achievement". I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 7, 2020 A DRDO official said, with the successful test flight of the HSTDV, India has demonstrated capabilities for highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for next-generation hypersonic vehicles in partnership with domestic defence industry. DRDO with this mission, has demonstrated capabilities for highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for NextGen Hypersonic vehicles in partnership with industry. DRDO (@DRDO_India) September 7, 2020 The defence ministry said the parameters of launch and cruise vehicle, including the scramjet engine, were monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and telemetry stations. "The scramjet engine worked at high dynamic pressure and very high temperature. A ship was also deployed in the Bay of Bengal to monitor the performance during the cruise phase of hypersonic vehicle," the ministry said. With the successful test, it said many critical technologies such as aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvres, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic were proven and validated. It said the hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven rocket motor, which took it to an altitude of 30 kilometres where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated. "The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned. The hypersonic combustion sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound," the ministry said. It said the critical events like fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet demonstrated technological maturity and that the scramjet engine performed in a "textbook manner". Former President John Dramani Mahama will root out corruption if voted into power, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has said. Addressing members of the National Democratic Congress at the official launch of the NDCs manifesto, Mr. Iddrisu said the former President Mahama will ensure that corruption scandals that have been swept under the carpet are investigated under the current government. John Dramani Mahama promises to once again make corruption a high-risk activity. He will sting corruption like the scorpion will bite you when you are caught with it. The good people of Ghana are sure that John Dramani Mahama will find answers to the unanswered question of corruption whether it is BOST, whether it is missing excavators or whether it is Kroll Associates. Public officialswho loot the public purse will be punished accordingly. Give NDC mandate At the same event, National Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo asked Ghanaians to give the National Democratic Congress (NDC) the nod in the forthcoming general elections. Mr. Ampofo said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, are leading the country into massive retrogression. According to Mr. Ampofo, the 2020 poll is a critical decision to salvage the receding socio-economic development of the country. He added that it will take a new NDC government to restore the gains lost under the NPP administration. He thus urged voters to give the NDC their mandate and subject them to strict accountability. We the people of this noble country, are now at this critical juncture. We cannot sink any further than we have. We are at rock-bottom. The incumbent is not only confused and exhausted, President Akufo-Addo is digging an even deeper hole which if not stopped, we will all be buried alive. I, therefore, call on all our countrymen and women and every citizen, to go to the poll in December and with one big push rescue Ghana and Ghanaians from this affliction. Enough is enough, give us your mandate and hold us to account for things that you find in this manifesto. Vote for President Mahama and let us together move Ghana in the right direction because indeed Ghana must work again, he said. ---citinewsroom California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency due to wildfire in five counties on Sunday. The counties, as stated in the Newsom's statement, are Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Bernardino, and San Diego. The statement can be found on the California government's website. Newsom also assured that the state of California had secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. This will help with the state of emergency response amid the wildfires. The state of emergency declaration was prompted by Creek Fire that started on Friday night. It burned down around 45,000 acres, forcing evacuations and road closures in central California. Eight people were killed in the fires, and some 3,000 structures have been burned down. The wildfires lasted for about three weeks across the state, said a Reuters report. Over 200 people had to be evacuated via airlift overnight. They were trapped in a fast-moving wildfire that cut off the only road out of the Mammoth Pool Reservoir. "We had to splash water on our hair because our hair was catching on fire," evacuee Rylee Zukovsky told New York Times. She said it took 12 hours before she was rescued. Zukovsky said none of the evacuees knew that helicopters were coming. "The Chinook just flew out of the smoke," she said. Other fires linked to the declaration were the El Dorado fire in San Bernardino and the Valley Fire in San Diego. California Gets More Help The state of emergency declaration will help the state quickly add resources to fight the fire and keep people safe. California has also secured Fire Management Assistance Grants to support their response to the wildfires. Fires are burning in Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Napa, Nevada, Lake, Solano, Yolo, and Monterey counties. According to ABC 7, there are currently some 800 firefighters battling the fire. They haven't caught much of a break lately as the state's heatwave only added to the size of fires. Heat, winds, and dry brush push many fires to explode and are still at 0% containment. Heat Records Broken Through California The year 2020 is one of the worst years for wildfire in California. In terms of acres burned, it is the worst one yet. The state recently broke its record for land scorched statewide on Sunday. According to Cal Fire Capt. Richard Cordova, there have been over two million acres burned all over the state. "This is crazy. We haven't even got into the October and November fire season, and we've broken the all-time record," Cordova said in a CNN report. It was of great concern to Cal Fire, as they need to get breaks after battling the wildfires. Other than the land burned down by fires, even heat records have been slashed. According to an alert from National Weather Service, at least 10 heat records have been surpassed this weekend. The state is at the hottest for more than half a century, the alert said. In Los Angeles, where there are at least two fires still burning, temperatures are set at 121 degrees Sunday in Woodland Hills. Check these out! Death Valley Temperature Reaches 130 Degrees, Hottest Day on Site in 107 Years Favorable Weather Boosts Battle Against California Wildfires Lightning Strikes Add to Raging California Heat, Thousands Evacuate BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: Azerbaijans Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB) named the reason for the relatively small number of tests conducted on September 7 and the small number of infected people, TABIB told Trend. In connection with preventive disinfection, which is carried out on Sundays on a priority basis in the laboratories in which the tests for the detection of coronavirus are carried out, the number of tests is relatively low and, accordingly, there is a decrease in the number of infected people during these days. "As the rules of the quarantine regime will be mitigated again from September 8, we again call on our citizens to observe the sanitary and epidemiological rules," TABIB said. Some 3,936 tests were carried out on September 7 to reveal coronavirus. Some victims of sexual violence were reluctant to report it after going to parties during lockdown and felt they were breaking Covid-19 rules. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) saw a surge in callers reporting abuse when lockdown restrictions were eased, rising from three to 47 between mid-July and mid- August. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Noeline Blackwell, chief executive of the DRCC, said they do not judge those seeking help and reminded them: "It's never your fault." Referring to cases of sexual assault or rape during the national lockdown, she said: "People still feel as though they weren't maybe behaving perfectly - that they couldn't report the harm done to them. "They felt they weren't even able to come forward to us. And then in July/August there was a surge in contacts. "Out of the 47, I can say anecdotally there were a couple of dozen who felt they didn't have the right to look for support because they took an unnecessary risk [going to a party]. "And we are asking people please don't feel like that. We are not here to judge - it's never your fault. "There are no circumstances where it's OK to sexually assault or rape someone. If you are a victim, there are services available. Our helpline is confidential and non-judgmental." The DRCC launches its annual report for 2019 today, and it fears 2020 may "mark a turn for the worse". Ms Blackwell said: "Victims of sexual violence are telling us about high levels of anger among abusers. "Unfortunately the safest place for an abuser to vent that anger is in the home, on those nearest to them, with less fear of consequences." The centre has also witnessed a dramatic loss in fundraising with all events cancelled during the pandemic. More than 14,000 callers sought support from the DRCC's national helpline last year, a 6pc increase from 2018. Around 20pc of those reporting rape/sexual assault last year had been assaulted by a partner. The centre saw a 118pc increase in those seeking support as they went through the criminal justice system. Ms Blackwell said the service is a key support for those on what is often a very difficult path through the criminal justice system. "We have to underline again what a lonely place the justice system is for those who report sexual offences," Ms Blackwell said. "While we are glad to support as many as we can, our support - dependent on the public fundraising resources we can bring to it - is no substitute for adequate, structured support for victims of these most intimate of crimes." Covid-19 had presented problems for the operation of the centre. Volunteers could not physically accompany victims to the sexual assault treatment unit at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. A new system was developed last month to allow for limited face-to-face support and video support is to be arranged. Some victims reported feeling worried for their safety as cases were stalled and courts were closed. DRCC operates a national 24-hour helpline on 1800 778888 for callers in any part of the country with no reduction in service. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:17:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan police announced that they have seized on Sunday 3.7 tons of cannabis near the Atlantic city of Azemmour, official news agency MAP reported on Monday. The banned substance was hidden in a farm at the village of Tnine Chtouka, said the agency, adding that a 37-year-old man, with a criminal record for his alleged ties to an international drug-trafficking network, was arrested. An inflatable boat and two engines suspected of being used in drug trafficking were also seized during this operation carried out jointly by the Moroccan Police and the Royal Gendarmerie, it said. Despite efforts in the past decade to crack down on cannabis harvesting, Morocco remains one of the world's largest producer of the cannabis resin. Enditem Photo: (Photo : GoFundMe) Alabama student, Kirsten Jones, tragically died after the boat she was riding went over a dam in the Black Warrior River. Her friends from the University of Alabama remembered her as a "fun-loving" spirit teen. On Thursday, at around ten in the morning, Northpoint Fire Chief Bart Marshal said that they have recovered the body of the 20-year-old teen, according to AL.com. It was two days after Jones and two of her friends went out boating. Jones' two friends survived the incident, but she had gone missing. Boat went over Kirsten's father, Thomas Jones, told "The Tuscaloosa News" that at around eight in the evening on Tuesday, the trio's boat went over the river's dam. His daughter was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and was out together with a sorority sister and a male friend. The accident happened ten minutes after they went out. See also: San Diego Teen Sews Unique Dolls for Children with Medical Conditions No life jackets worn Senior Trooper Freddie Ingram, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, told CBS affiliate WIAT that on Thursday morning, divers put sonar and cameras at the bottom of the river to recover Jones' body. He noted that the three teens on board were not wearing any life jackets. Both the University of Alabama and Kirsten's sorority group confirmed her death. They wrote that they have "unimaginable grief" with the loss of the teenage girl. The sorority wrote that everyone was blessed to know her because she was a source of light. Apart from that, she was also an amazing sister and friend. It also wrote that they will remember her because she had a fun-loving spirit, laugh, and authenticity. See also: Police and Community Help Illinois Teen Boys Raise Almost $4k After Lemonade Stand Got Robbed Because many loved her, she will stay in their hearts forever. Finally, it wrote that during this time, their thoughts and prayers go out to Jones' family and friends. The University of Alabama also wrote that its people are saddened by the loss of Jones. They are mourning the death of one of their UA family. "The Tuscaloosa News" said that Jones was majoring in health management and was from Niceville, Florida. She had hoped to work in the hospital or medical field one day. See also: Father and Son Rescued Woman and Teen Floating in Sea for 15 Hours Many people set up GoFundMe pages for Jones. One of them has already raised $25,000 for her memorial service. Another one is to raise money for her bereaved family. It has already raised $7,000. The teen was at the prime of her life Ingram told WIAT that what happened is extremely tragic. He explained that Jones was getting into the prime of her life, trying to figure out what she was doing with her life as she went through school. Then suddenly, something like that has happened to her. Ingram said that it is a tragic situation. PEOPLE talked to a spokesperson for Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service. However, the person has not immediately responded yet. The MV Funing departed Tauranga on the weekend, bound for Singapore. The bulker is under tow by the Skandi Emerald, and left Tauranga at 10am on Sunday morning. On July 6, the 40,000 DWT bulk carrier was departing New Zealand bound for China with a load of timber when it lost engine power at approximately 12.30am while in the main shipping channel. There was a pilot aboard at the time but Maritime New Zealand reported that the weather conditions were considered poor with a 30 knot wind and significant swell. After losing power the Funing was unable to steer and began drifting due to the high winds and tides in the area. The vessel snagged the chains holding one of the buoys marking the shipping channel. The tides and currents then pushed the Funing across the channel before the ship was able to anchor and hold position. For a time it threatened navigation to New Zealands largest port. At the time of the incident, there were 20 crew members aboard. None of the crew was injured and Maritime New Zealand said that there were no reports of oil or other pollution from the vessel. Two Port of Tauranga tugs were dispatched to the vessels assistance and they were later able to tow the Funing to deeper water and a safe anchorage. An inspection of the propeller and rudder was conducted by divers because it was believed that the vessel had made contact with a marker buoy at the harbour entrance. After having remained at anchorage for the following week, the offshore tug Pacific Runner arrived in Tauranga to assist the Funing. They completed a towage trial on July 14 and later in the day towed the vessel to the dock in Tauranga. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission appointed a team of three investigators to gather evidence relating to factors such as what people involved with thinking and doing; the ship itself, including its maintenance and design; the ship operators policies and procedures; and what was going on with the weather and sea conditions. Maritime New Zealand said the investigation could take up to 14 days. Once repairs and investigations were completed the Funing would be able to continue its voyage to China. FUNING (IMO: 9690913) is a Bulk Carrier that was built in 2015 and is sailing under the flag of Singapore. Its carrying capacity is 39784 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 6.7 meters. Her length overall is 179.99 meters and her width is 30 meters. Funing leaving port on Sunday. Photo: Port of Tauranga web cam. During the investigation and repairs all 20 crew remained on board. Maritime NZ has filed one charge each against the master and chief engineer of the log carrier Funing. Maritime NZ alleged breaches of section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act, which prohibits dangerous activity involving ships or maritime products. Maritime NZs investigation is continuing and no decision has yet been made about further charges or other action against other parties, says a Maritime NZ spokesperson. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is also investigating the grounding. The accused made their first appearance in Tauranga Court on Thursday, August 27. The tow vessel Skandi Emerald arrived in port and the MV Funing departed Tauranga at 10am on Sunday, under tow by the Skandi Emerald, and bound for Singapore. The case is due back in court on September 10 at 10am for pleas to be entered, however, these times/dates may change. Maritime NZ has no further comment while the matter is before the court. Victorias first massacre site is to be treated to a healing by its Aboriginal owners almost 190 years after white whalers took their guns to a clan of the Gunditjmara people. Known as the "Convincing Ground" near Portland on the far south-west Victorian coast, the site has sat virtually untouched since 2005, when a developer was controversially given a permit to build homes on the land. As many as 200 people were killed at the 'Convincing Ground'. Credit:Jessica Shapiro Local Aboriginal people, including descendants of those massacred who consider the site to be as important to them as the Eureka Stockade is to other Australians, challenged the plan and eventually forced the development to be abandoned. Restoration of the site is one of a series of significant projects for the Gunditjmara people of south-west Victoria. Drinking water will be supplied to residents by the hour. The third, most severe, stage of water supply restrictions has been introduced in the town of Simferopol, and Bakhchisarai and Simferopol districts in occupied Crimea from September 7 over drought and shallowing of water reservoirs. Drinking water will be supplied to residents by the hour, as reported by RFE/RL's Russian service with reference to the website of the Russian government of Crimea. Read also"Not a chance": Leading party chair says Rada not to consider resumption of water supplies to CrimeaIn Simferopol, part of the town will get water for three hours in the morning and evening. According to the Russian authorities in Simferopol, water consumption will drop to 100,000 cubic meters per day instead of 160,000 cubic meters. Water supplies to Crimea: statements Ahead of the upcoming festive season, Kurkure, one of Indias most loved snack brands and LAYS, one of Indias favorite potato chip brands launched two unique campaigns. The campaigns promote an initiative with Airtel offering a special digital experience for all its prepaid customers. Ringing in the festive season, every customer would get upto 2 GB of Airtel Data with the purchase of LAYS, Kurkure, Uncle Chipps and Doritos *packs. Special TVCs featuring Kurkures brand ambassador Akshay Kumar and LAYS brand ambassador Ranbir Kapoor were launched promoting the initiative. Data is most important today and people across generations are spending more hours indoors than ever before. Whether it is remote working, content streaming, gaming, e-learning or e-shopping, everyone is relying on data to stay connected. For the quarter ended June 30th, 2020, average mobile data consumption per user on Airtels network increased to 16.3 GB, an increase of 40% over last year. The Kurkure film opens with Akshay Kumar announcing to his family, that he will be preparing snacks while asking his brother to open the video of a recipe. The family takes a moment to digest the information while Akshays brother sadly informs everyone that the data pack has finished. Their father happily adds Waise bhi Kurkure hain na. Akshay quickly munches one Kurkure and says Ab toh poora dinner main banaunga. The family is shocked while Akshay tells them that there is upto 2GB Airtel data free with Kurkure. He then tells his brother to look for a thai curry recipe and the film closes with Akshay asking his brother to cut the vegetables well, while munching Kurkure. LAYS film opens with Ranbir Kapoor solving a puzzle in his home and he receives a video call from his friend. Ranbirs friend mentions how he is tired of eating khichadi and would want to learn Ranbirs recipe for Biryani. Ranbir promptly asks his friend to write down the recipe and starts by saying Sabse Pehle, Ek packet LAYS le the friend is shocked and says Biryani mein LAYS?. Ranbir then tells his friend that with every pack of LAYS one can get free *data and all he needs to do is, go online and search for the recipe. The film closes with Ranbirs friend saying, Ab Biryani bhi pakaunga, aur video call pe tujhe bhi. Sharing his thoughts, Kurkure Brand Ambassador Akshay Kumar said, Data has played a key role in helping us stay connected with our family and friends over these past few months. I am glad that consumers across India will continue to have a seamless connect with their loved ones through the special initiative by Kurkure, ensuring that they dont have to miss out on any of their chatpata, fun family moments. Sharing his excitement, LAYS Brand Ambassador Ranbir Kapoor said, Meeting friends and loved ones has become tougher. In this situation, the special initiative by LAY'S is a perfect companion to help people find moments of joy and togetherness. Having always resonated deeply with LAYS, I enjoyed shooting for the LAY'S new brand film - a fun, playful and entertaining conversation between friends as they celebrate their connection. Shashwat Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer, Bharti Airtel said: At Airtel, we are obsessed about offering our customers the best network experience. We are thrilled to partner with PepsiCo India to help all their customers experience our award winning 4G data services. This also gives us the opportunity to reward our loyal customers with complimentary data and unlock a world of digital experiences on Airtel Thanks when they buy their favourite packet of snack. Ritu Nakra, WPP Lead PepsiCo Foods, India, said, In the last few months we have truly understood the value of connecting with our friends and family. Keeping this in mind, the creative team at Wunderman Thompson developed the campaign idea for LAYS which depicts that the answer to all your questions lies inside a LAYS pack. Similarly, for Kurkure, the creative thought stemmed from the fact that everyone in the family is having chatpata fun in the kitchen with recipes. The integrated campaign developed by the WPP team at MS, VML and WT, brings this idea alive on this special initiative. Expressing his thoughts on the campaign, Dilen Gandhi, Senior Director and Category Head Foods, PepsiCo India said, The new normal has catapulted everyone into a more digital world than ever before. At PepsiCo India, as part of our digital first approach, we follow evolving digital trends and develop matching strategies. Our insights showed us that consumers are enjoying our products and seeking convenience while working and watching content at home. The special initiative with Airtel is therefore is perfect fit that will further compliment in-home experience of consumers. With festive season kicking in, the initiative, truly emphasize the importance of staying connected with friends and family. To avail the benefit, consumers can simply check the free data voucher code printed inside the snack pack and go to Airtel Thanks app - My Coupons section and enter the voucher to claim the data offering. Once the user has availed their code, the data can be redeemed immediately or at a later date of convenience and requirement till January 31st, 2021. Once redeemed, the data will remain available for three days in the customers Airtel account. The offer can be availed up to 3 times on a unique mobile number. Consumers can avail the benefit on Rs 10 and Rs 20 SKUs of LAYS, Kurkure, Uncle Chipps and Doritos across the country 1 GB data for Rs. 10 packs and 2 GB data for Rs. 20 packs. The integrated campaign brings this idea alive as developed by the WPP team at Mindshare, VML and Wunderman Thompson The resident engineer of the Pokuase Interchange, Kwabena Bimpong says the project is about 82 percent complete. The Pokuase project comprises a four-tier interchange at Pokuase, a five-kilometre Awoshie-Pokuase road, a two-kilometre Accra-Nsawam road, a two-kilometre Kwabenya road, and 10-kilometre local roads. The $94 million Pokuase Interchange project is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve urban mobility, and benefit agro-industries located within the project zone . The president on August 2, 2019, assured that the project will be completed in 2020. Contractors of the interchange in July 2020 complained that the project had delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to them, most of the materials needed to execute the project delayed in arriving because of the strict lockdown in China in the early days of the pandemic. Again, the pandemic also affected human resources as some contractors expected to come down from China were unable to do so. Also, some cases of COVID-19 were recorded among the contractors. Nevertheless, the resident engineer on the Citi Breakfast Show said the project is progressing as expected. The project is going on well. We are currently about 82 percent complete. And when I say 82 percent complete, I don't mean just the interchange because you know we have other components of the project. The interchange [flyover] itself is about 77 percent complete, he said. The government is jointly funding the project with the African Development Bank. The project is being undertaken by Zhongmei Engineering Group Limited, with Messrs Associated Consultants Limited (ACON) and the Bigen Group. citinewsroom New Delhi, Sep 7 : After a verbal slugfest between Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, the Congress on Monday said that it respects her right to dissent but criticised her Mumbai-PoK comment. The Congress is an alliance partner in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, along with the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party. "Unlike Modi ji and the BJP, I will defend the right to dissent of the biggest critic of mine -- that is the principle of the Congress and of the alliance partners in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena and the NCP," Congress chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said at a press conference. The Congress leader slammed Kangana for comparing Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and said that it is "politically motivated". "Despite a particular film actress carrying on the agenda of Modi ji and the BJP, she will be given adequate protection," added Surjewala. But, the Congress leader said, describing the business capital of India as PoK is "naive, incorrect and politically opportunistic, and reprehensible". The party said it rejected such allegations and politically motivated statements. The Congress also slammed the media for turning their eyes away from the crises of coronavirus, unemployment in the country and floods in Bihar and other places. Kangana had courted a controversy with a series of comments against the Mumbai Police, Maharashtra, film industry and related issues, that has caused major political row in the state. As the controversy snowballed, Kangana dragged in the Palghar lynching incident, labelled Mumbai as "addicted to blood", dared the Maratha pride of Maharashtra, made allegations of an 'Islam-dominated' Bollywood, besides comparing Mumbai to PoK. Shiv Sena activists reacted with protests, burning her effigy and pictures in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and other cities. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh (NCP) "strongly condemned" Kangana's statements, and without taking her name, virtually showed her the door. The teams role is to review and report on the nature, extent and causes of issues between council elected members; set out an action plan to achieve improved governance performance; and monitor and report on progress to the council and chief executive. Peter's appointment was confirmed following an extraordinary council meeting on September 2, where he was empowered to select up to two further members who would contribute to an effective, multi-skilled team. I believe Basil and Linda have an ideal blend of experience and skills to help the Review and Observer Team deliver on its goal of assisting council elected members to address their governance issues, Peter says. The Department of Internal affairs has asked that the council provide evidence that it is taking steps to restore trust and confidence in its ability to function as a high-performing council and we look forward to working with all elected members to find a positive way forward. Basil Morrison brings significant public and private sector governance experience to his new role. He is a current member of the Waitangi Tribunal and chairman of the New Zealand Local Government Superannuation Board of Trustees. A past long-serving Mayor of the Hauraki District, Basil was president of Local Government New Zealand from 2000 to 2008. He has also served as chairman of both the Local Government Commission and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum. Linda Tuhiwai Te Rina Smith (Ngati Awa, Ngati Porou) is Professor of Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato. Linda has held numerous leadership roles in research and tertiary education facilities. Her work is internationally recognised and amongst many honours, she received the Prime Ministers Lifetime Achievement Award for Education in 2017, and the Royal Society of NZ Te Puawaitanga Award for Research Excellence in Te Ao Maori and Indigenous Knowledge in 2018. Peter says the teams initial focus will be to discuss and decide upon the approach required to deliver on the objectives set out in its terms of reference and then to meet and engage with the Mayor and Councillors. Bouznika, Morocco (PANA) - The two delegations to the Libyan Dialogue being held in Morocco, comprising representatives of the High Council of State and the House of Representatives (Parliament), stressed, at the end of the opening session on Sunday in Bouznika, "their sincere desire to reach a consensus that will make Libya a haven of peace to end the suffering of the Libyan citizen" Facebook decides to block a live streaming attempt of a French man who chooses to die peacefully. Alain Cocq suffers from an incurable degenerative disease. A condition he has been living with for over three decades. His rare illness caused his arteries to stick together. Cocq's long-suffering has caused him to ask President Emmanuel Macron for permission so he could die through "active medical assistance." According to a CNN report, Cocq requested that he be allowed to die in peace and "with dignity." Ending life with dignity In Cocq's letter, he described his suffering and how he has been crippled by "unbearable pain." Likewise, he asked for a review of French laws so that euthanasia gets legalized. He said others call it "active euthanasia" or "assisted suicide." To him, it is the ending of life with dignity with active medical assistance. French law allows "passive euthanasia" only under specific circumstances. President Macron, however, denied his request. He is not above the law, he said, and could not do something that would overstep the "present legal framework." The president did say that he admires Cocq's demonstration of will power while fighting "incessant battles" with his incurable illness. Cocq told CNN that he already expected that the president couldn't comply with his request. Still, he appreciated the president's compassion. His decision to end his suffering is a brutal one, he said, but it made him feel good. He refused to take medication, food, and drink beginning Friday night. On his social media account, Cocq wrote that his deliverance begins and that he is happy about it, announcing he had taken his "last meal." He said that after that, he might have just days to live and endure the pain that he has never felt before. Facebook blocks his attempt to live-stream his dying moments Cocq planned to stream his death on Facebook Live. He said he chose to publicly show the moments of his pain because citizens are free to choose and that death "should be democratic." In its response to The Verge, Facebook said they decided to block Cocq's live stream because their rules do not allow users to show "suicide attempts." Facebook said their hearts go out to Alain and to anyone affected by the "sad situation." However, under experts' guidance, they have taken steps to stop Cocq from broadcasting live on Facebook. Cocq confirmed this in a message, stating that Facebook blocked him from broadcasting video until September 8. Addressing his supporters, Cocq said that it is up to them now. He encouraged them to express what they think about Facebook's policies that restrict freedom of speech. 'Right-to-die' divides a nation The "right-to-die" has been the subject of debate and has polarized French citizens. Such was the case of Vincent Lambert. In 2008, Vincent was left in a vegetative state after a vehicular accident. Years of physical therapy did not help improve his condition. Hence, whether he be allowed to die peacefully through "passive euthanasia" has caused division among his family members. His parents fought hard to oppose his wife's decision to put him off life support. His case has also become a highly politicized issue, prompting some legislators to push for the legalization of assisted suicide. Read also: Free Internet for Low-Income Households Soon T-Mobile Announced Scientist Turns Himself Into Human Cyborg to Overcome MND After Watching YouTube Tutorials, This Man Builds Affordable 3D Prosthetic Limbs If you love to dance and a good rags to riches story, Netflixs Work It is the perfect movie for you. Heres what we know about the future of characters like Quinn Ackerman, Jake Taylor, and Jasmine. Sabrina Carpenter attends the premiere of Big Time Adolescence | Dia Dipasupil/WireImage Work It is a Netflix original movie Netflix is back with a new original movie, Work It. This film featured one character, Quinn Ackerman, who dreams of attending her late fathers alma mater, Duke University. The problem? She may have exaggerated her interest in dance to the admissions counselor. As a result, this character has to scramble to get a team together for the Work It Dance Competition. The problem? She cant dance. Like, at all. Thanks to the help of her best friend, an award-winning choreographer, and her rag-tag team, Quinn Ackerman discovers her passion for dance and her new place in the world. This film features actors like Jordan Fisher, Liza Koshy, and Sabrina Carpenter This movie featured a pretty eclectic cast, including comedian Liza Koshy, Broadways Dear Evan Hansen actor Jordan Fisher, and Girl Meets World actor, Sabrina Carpenter. After a long run with Disney Channel, Sabrina Carpenter explained what drew her to this Netflix original movie during an interview with Elle Magazine. I loved the character of Quinn and I wanted to do a dance movie for a really long time, because I grew up in Pennsylvania dancing five or six days a week, Carpenter said. That was a big part of my life when I was younger. Then I wasnt doing as much of it, so when I got the script, I was like, its the best of both worlds. The only thing is, I really dance poorly throughout most of the film, but that also became more of a challenge, she continued. Sometimes it was really great to be the one who had to dance poorly, and then other times, watching everyone killing it, I really wanted to be dancing better than I had to be. But it was an incredible experience. RELATED: Now That Kissing Booth 2 Is Out, What Other Rom-Coms Are Available for Streaming Exclusively on Netflix? Theres no word regarding when, or if, there will be a sequel to Work It Will there be a Work It sequel? Will Jordan Fishers character return to dance with a new crew, despite his injury? Will Quinn Ackerman regret her decision to dance over attending Duke University? This original movie left fans with a few questions. Unfortunately, theres no word regarding future content premiering on the subscription service. Neither Netflix nor director Laura Terruso have announced any plans for a sequel. Not to worry, though, Netflix is pretty sporadic when it comes to sharing announcements. The streaming platform shared Kissing Booth 3 would join the streaming platform only a few days after the premiere of the second movie in the franchise. Until more is announced, fans can watch the original movie, Work It, exclusively on Netflix. RELATED: Hot off the Heels of His Broadway Debut in Dear Evan Hansen, Jordan Fisher Stars in To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You After being shut for 169 days due to COVID-19, Delhi Metro on Monday resumed its services while ensuring that social distancing norms are adhered to. After being shut for 169 days due to COVID-19, Delhi Metro on Monday resumed its services while ensuring that social distancing norms were adhered to at several stations including Rajiv Chowk, one of the capitals busiest interchange station. The police force has been deployed outside the metro stations for crowd management. Barricades have been installed at the entrance gates of Rajiv Chowk metro stations to maintain social distancing. Atul Katiyar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Delhi said that they had deployed police force at every metro station for crowd management and to ensure that people wear face masks and follow norms of social distancing. In phase 1, metro services will be resumed on Yellow Line connecting Samaypur Badli to Huda City Centre and Rapid Metro in Gurugram and the operating hours are 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm hours to 8 pm. Only the use of a Smart Card allowed for entry. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case LIVE news updates: Centre extends Y+ level security to Kangana Ranaut Also read: India overtakes Brazil to become the serving worst Covid hit nation, 90k cases reported in a day A large number of passengers are relieved as the services in the national capital resume, however, some are still scared to travel amid the COVID-19 crisis. Nawan, a commuter at Rajiv Chowk metro station said that hed be travelling to Gurugram, it was quite interesting to witness all the arrangements made by the government as the metro services had been resumed. He said that it was going to be tough for all of them to travel amid the COVID-19 crisis. He said that he hoped everyone would follow the protocols issued by the government. Another commuter told ANI at Samaypur Badli metro station that he had been spending much money on his travel since the metro services were put to a halt but it was a good initiative taken by the government to start the services again, now he could save his time and money as well. The Do not sit here stickers have also been fixed on alternate seats to maintain social distancing inside the metros. A commuter travelling via Yellow Line said that he was going for his duty and he was really happy that the metro service has been resumed, he had to face major problems while going to work earlier when the services were shut. Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has also resumed its services on the Aqua Line for the public from 7 am today. We are continuously making safe arrangements for the commuters here. We are checking their temperature, we also check if they have installed the Aarogya Setu app. Sanitisers and masks are also available here. Stickers have also been put fixed here to maintain social distancing, said Ram Mohan Singh, Deputy Commissioner, 49th BN PAC, Gautambuddh Nagar. The Home Ministry, in its Unlock 4 guidelines, gave a nod to the resumption of metro services from September 7 in a graded manner. The guidelines gave more relaxations in the restrictions enforced to contain the spread of COVID-19. The metro services were suspended in March due to COVID-19. The DMRC had said that the carrying of Smart Card (with online recharge) was a must as tokens would not be available and all cash transactions would not be permitted, adding that it will not be providing services to stations that in containment zones for any given day in any of the states. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed happiness over the resumption of Delhi Metro services after five months hiatus on Monday. He has requested everyone to take all the necessary precautions while commuting. Taking to Twitter, the Chief Minister wrote that he was happy that the metro services were starting from today. He wrote that the Delhi Metro had made good arrangements. He said that everyone should take precautions and not neglect them. Also read: As Indias Covid tally crosses grim 42 lakh mark, metro services resume pan-India today Doc Martin will come to an end in 2021 after 17 years on-screen. ITV has confirmed that the upcoming 10th series of the comedy-drama will be its last, with filming set to begin in the spring. Doc Martin first debuted on screens in 2004 with Martin Clunes playing the cantankerous GP, and the show has won a legion of fans with its heartwarming nature and idyllic Cornwall setting. Coming to an end: Doc Martin will come to an end in 2021 after 17 years on-screen, as ITV confirmed on Monday that upcoming 10th series will be its last In a statement, star Martin and producer Philippa Braithwaite explained that they've decided to end Doc Martin now to allow fans a chance to celebrate the show and its titular character with a final series. They said: 'We have loved making nine series of Doc Martin. When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have. 'The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that Doc Martin has topped the ratings every time. 'However, after sixteen years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn. We will be making the tenth and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it.' Beloved: Doc Martin first debuted on screens in 2004 with Martin Clunes playing the cantankerous GP ITV's Head of Drama Polly Hill also paid tribute to Martin, Philippa and the hard-working production team and crew who produce the series. She said: 'I just want to thank Martin and Philippa and everyone involved in Doc Martin, because it's a brilliant, beautifully made series that has delighted audiences for many years. 'I am pleased that we are making series 10, and sad this will be the last, but respect their decision to bring it to a close.' Doc Martin first debuted on screens in 2004, and starred Martin as the titular doctor as he moved from his bustling London practice to the sleepy Cornish town of Portwenn after being unable to perform vascular surgeon due to his fear of blood. Exciting: Series Nine - which aired last year - saw Martin decide he no longer wished to practice medicine, while his wife Louisa revealed that she was pregnant His lack of social skills and bedside manner mean he struggles to fit in around the town, but he slowly earns the respect of the neighbours thanks to his success at tending to emergencies. Martin's will-they won't-they relationship with teacher Louisa Glasson (played by Caroline Catz) has also taken centre stage throughout the series, with the pair eventually marrying and welcoming a child together. Series Nine - which aired last year - saw Martin decide he no longer wished to practice medicine, while Louisa revealed that she was pregnant. Filming for Series 10 is expected to begin in spring 2021, and will air later that year. (CNN) Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated out of the path of a powerful typhoon that's expected to make landfall in southwestern Japan on Sunday. Typhoon Haishen has sustained winds of 195 kph (121 mph) and gusts of up to 240 kph (149 mph), the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic, CNN Weather reported on Sunday. It's the second powerful storm to hit the region in a week. Typhoon Maysak -- the equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 mph -- followed a similar path to Haishen. Haishen hit the Ryukyu Islands off Japan's southwestern coast on Sunday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the region and knocking out power to thousands of homes. The storm is currently near Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima prefecture and will track north toward the west coast of Kyushu Island from Sunday night through Monday morning local time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The storm is then expected to continue on its path north and impact the Korean Peninsula in the next 36 hours. The JMA said Haishen has weakened slightly but is still urging maximum caution for heavy rain, strong wind, high waves and tidal surges. The storm is forecast to bring between 100 to 150 millimeters of rainfall to mainland Japan and the Korea Peninsula, some areas seeing over 200 millimeters of rain. In Kagoshima prefecture, 246,251 people have been evacuated, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. A further 36,392 people have been evacuated from their homes in Nagasaki prefecture in advance of the typhoon. More than 200,000 households are out of power in Kagoshima and 3,930 households in Okinawa. More than 500 flights were canceled in southern Kyushu and Okinawa on Sunday, as Haishen affected transportation networks. It's the second powerful storm to hit the region in a week. Typhoon Maysak -- the equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 mph -- followed a similar path to Haishen. A cargo ship with 43 crew members and almost 6,000 cows onboard went missing near southern Japan during Typhoon Maysak last Wednesday. Search and rescue efforts were suspended on Saturday due to bad weather, according to Japan's Coast Guard. Three sailors were rescued from the sea, but one of them later died, the Coast Guard said. Maysak also brought destructive winds and heavy rain to the Korean Peninsula. On Sunday, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had convened a meeting in the damaged regions to discuss the typhoon recovery. Kim reportedly ordered the military to aid the repair effort in the Hamgyong provinces and fired the South Hamgyong provincial party chief. According to KCNA, Kim had called on Pyongyang citizens to volunteer for repair efforts in the areas damaged by Typhoon Maysak. The North Korean leader said more than 1,000 homes were destroyed and homes and public facilities in South Hamgyong province were inundated, causing many people to be displaced. North Korea is now preparing for Typhoon Haishen, according to KNCA, which reported that efforts included educating residents on disaster response guidelines, evacuation sites, and the evacuation path. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that the typhoon will not hit the Korean Peninsula directly as first thought, but will travel along the east coast. The agency had issued a preliminary typhoon warning for all South Korean provinces as well as a heavy rain warning for northern Gangwon Province. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Thousands evacuated as powerful Typhoon Haishen barrels toward Japan and the Korean Peninsula" A Canadian father and three of his children were killed in an apparent murder-suicide carried out by his brother-in-law over the weekend. Durham Regional Police Police say shooter 48-year-old Mitchell Lapa, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, entered the home 'uninvited' in Oshawa Friday morning and launched the shooting, killing four members of the same family. Father Chris Traynor, 50, his children Bradley, 20; Adelaide, 15; and Joseph, 11 were shot and killed, according to CBC. A woman identified by friends as Chris' wife Loretta Traynor, 50, was injured in the shooting and is recovering in the hospital. Lapa died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. The homicide unit is still investigating the motive behind the shooting. The Toronto Sun reports that Lapa is a brother of Loretta and the car at the scene was registered to him. Father Chris Traynor, 50, (above) his children Bradley, 20; Adelaide, 15; and Joseph, 11 were shot and killed in the Friday morning shooting Daughter Adelaide Traynor, 15, left and Bradley Traynor, 20, right, were also killed The shooting took place at the Traynor family's home in Parklane Avenue in Oshawa, Ontario on Friday morning A friend of the family said that Lorettas father passed away last year, and the loss heavily impacted her family. She has two older siblings, Christopher Lapa and Mitchell. 'Their father, Matthew, died last year and his wife, Marilyn, had passed away years before. Even as a kid growing up, Mitchell was a couple of years younger than me always in and out of trouble,' a friend who remained anonymous said. 'And that was from a point of view of a teenager who was able to see that all that time ago. I am not surprised of what Im hearing He was mentally unstable,' the friend added. Police said Friday evening that Lapa was a 'one attacker' who entered the home as an 'uninvited person' and he was the owner of the vehicle that was towed from the scene. 'Lapa was the sole shooter in this incident and he died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound,' police said in a statement Friday. They said Lapa was 'a relative' of the family. Police announced Sunday investigators want to speak to anyone who knew Lapa to understand the motive. Forensic officers pictured taking photographs of the front porch Durham Police officer holds police tape at the Oshawa home on Friday Friends of victims of the shooting father outside the home and lay flowers after the shooting took place Family members comfort each other outside the scene of the shooting on Friday The friend alleged that Mitchell killed the family and only injured her to make her suffer. 'In that grapevine community, theyre saying Mitchell killed all Lorettas family and only injured her enough, so she would have to live without the rest of her family,' she said. 'I had heard that when the father died, something deteriorated then,' the friend added. The friend says that Loretta and Chris had four children and the eldest was in college at the time of the shooting. Police announced Sunday investigators want to speak to anyone who knew Lapa to understand the motive. Locals have left messages of condolences in chalk on the grounds of two Oshawa schools in honor of the family. The car belonging to Lapa, which had Manitoba license plates, pictured being towed from the home Friday Chris Traynor was a well-respected teacher at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in Oshawa. 'He was a very impactful teacher to many students and inspired a lot of kids to keep attending class despite the desire to drop out. He was the type of teacher to make you want to succeed. He always shared the opportunity to teach us perseverance,' former student Noella Gilkes, 20, who was a student of Traynors in 2016 and 2017 said.. 'A tragedy like this is always bad, especially in your hometown,' Jake Walker, another former student of Traynors said. 'But when the victims was one of few teachers to impact yourself, along with three of his children it is a harder pill to swallow. I am at a loss of words right now. RIP Mr. Traynor and all who lost their lives far too early,' Walker added via Twitter. Loretta was also a teacher at St. Theresa Catholic School. Locals have also left messages of condolences at Sir Albert Love Catholic School, which Joseph Traynor attended. Bradley was a university student and Adelaide was just starting high school. A GoFundMe page to assist the Traynor family in moving forward has raised over $116,000, surpassing the goal of $5,000. China has lashed out at the U.S. government over potential export restrictions on SMIC, the country's biggest chipmaker. The U.S. Department of Defense said Saturday that it was considering adding SMIC to the Commerce Department's so-called Entity List, which would make it more difficult for the company to obtain parts made in the U.S., potentially hurting production. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused Washington of "blatant hegemony," adding that Beijing was "firmly opposed" to such actions. "China has made a solemn stand on (the) U.S.' unprovoked suppression on Chinese companies," Zhao told reporters, according to a CNBC translation of his comments in Mandarin. "For a period of time, the U.S. has generalized the concept of national security, used state power to set all kinds of restrictions on Chinese companies." "What the U.S. has been doing uncovers the fig leaf of market economy and fair competition which the U.S. has long been touting," he added. "This not only breaks international trade rules, global industry chain, supply chain and value chain, but also spoils national interests and image of the U.S. itself." By PTI UNITED NATIONS: In what could possibly be the world's largest and fastest ever operation of its kind, the UNICEF will be leading the procurement and supply of coronavirus vaccines to ensure that all countries have safe, fast and equitable access to initial doses when they are available, it has said. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the world's largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. With several vaccine candidates showing promise, the UNICEF, in collaboration with the Revolving Fund of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will lead efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility for 92 low and lower middle-income countries, whose vaccine purchases will be supported by the mechanism. The UNICEF will also serve as procurement coordinator to support purchases by 80 higher-income economies, which have expressed their intent to participate in the COVAX Facility and would finance the vaccines from their own budgets, it said. The vaccine procurement and distribution effort, involving over 170 economies, has the potential to become the world's largest and fastest ever operation of its kind. "This is an all-hands on deck partnership between governments, manufacturers and multilateral partners to continue the high-stakes fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said. "In our collective pursuit of a vaccine, UNICEF is leveraging its unique strengths in vaccine supply to make sure that all countries have safe, fast and equitable access to the initial doses when they are available," she said. ALSO READ | Uncertainty over long-term immune response has implications for vaccine efficacy: Experts The UNICEF will undertake these efforts in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), PAHO, World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other partners. The COVAX Facility is open to all countries to ensure that no country is left without access to a future COVID-19 vaccine. About 28 manufacturers have shared their annual production plans for COVID-19 vaccines -- through 2023 -- with UNICEF, which said in a market assessment that the drug makers were willing to collectively produce "unprecedented quantities" of vaccines over the coming 1-2 years. However, manufacturers signalled that investments to support such large-scale production of doses would be highly dependent on, among other things, whether clinical trials were successful, advance purchase agreements were put in place, funding was confirmed, and regulatory and registration pathways were streamlined. The UNICEF said a key next step would be ensuring self-financing economies sign up for the COVAX Facility by 18 September, which would allow COVAX to support early, at-risk investments in increasing manufacturing capacity on a broad scale. "UNICEF has been critical partner in Gavi's success over the last two decades," Gavi chief executive officer Seth Berkley said. Over the 20 years, Gavi has reached over 760 million children with life-saving vaccines, preventing more than 13 million deaths. "(UNICEF) helped us reach more than half the world's population with life-saving vaccines." Berkley said. "This expertise and experience will be important in ensuring that COVAX -- as a global effort to procure and deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, on an accelerated timeframe and at unprecedented scale -- can protect the most at-risk, wherever they may be in the world," he said. "Together we can work to end the acute stage of this pandemic, including its devastating impact on individuals, communities, and economies," Berkley added. ALSO READ | Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rapped up for his view on COVID vaccine being not mandatory The COVAX Global Vaccines Facility is the vaccine pillar of the ACT-Accelerator, an initiative launched in April to speed up development of medicines to treat COVID-19 and make them available to people everywhere. It is operated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; CEPI, and WHO, alongside multinational and developing country vaccine manufacturers. The facility works to ensure as many countries as possible cooperate to pool development, procurement and allocation of any COVID-19 vaccines. Australia OKs funding for two potential vaccines Australia on Monday announced that it had struck supply and production agreements with pharmaceutical companies worth 1.7 billion Australian dollars (USD 1.2 billion) over two potential COVID-19 vaccines. Under the agreement, Britain's University of Oxford in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Australia's University of Queensland working with CSL will provide more than 84.8 million vaccine doses for Australia's population of 26 million people, almost entirely manufactured in the Australian city of Melbourne, a government statement said. Australians would have access to 3.8 million doses of the University of Oxford vaccine in January and February, it said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said both vaccines would need to be proven safe and effective and meet all necessary regulatory requirements before being made available to the public. Any vaccine would be free to all Australians. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy New Delhi, Sep 7 : The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the summons issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to the Superintendent of Police of Jharkhand's Deoghar seeking his appearance before the house's Committee on Privileges after a BJP MP from the state filed a complaint against him. A bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta said: "Issue notice, returnable in four weeks. There shall be stay of further proceedings pursuant to the notice dated July 16, and the office memorandum dated August 28." BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had filed a complaint with the Committee, claiming that some officials of the JMM-led Jharkhand government allegedly conspired to defame him and his family by implicating them in false criminal cases. Dubey claimed their aim was to create obstacles in his functioning as a lawmaker. A plea was filed by Jharkhand's acting Director General of Police M.V. Rao seeking direction to the Lok Sabha Secretariat's Privileges and Ethics Branch and the Committee of Privileges to bring on record the proceedings in connection with the alleged breach of privilege, following the complaint by Dubey. Senior lawyer Fali Nariman, along with advocates Arunabh Chowdhury and Pragya Baghel, represented the petitioner, who claimed that the notice/complaint for alleged breach of privilege filed by Dubey is vague and does not make out any case of breach of privilege. Two separate FIRs were filed in July in Deogarh against Dubey's family members and others for alleged offences of cheating and using forged documents in connection with a property deal. "The impugned action is ex-facie without jurisdiction and a blatant case of misuse of the power of privilege and transgresses into the power and jurisdiction of the police to register and investigate a crime in a case disclosing cognizable offences," said the plea. The Committee of Privileges' notice said: "Oral evidence of Shri Piyush Pandey, Superintendent of Police, Deoghar on the notice of breach of privilege dated 16 July, 2020 given by Dr. Nishikant Dubey, MP against some officials of Govt. of Jharkhand for allegedly conspiring to defame him and for misusing Government machinery for implicating him and his family members in false cases with intention to cause hindrance in his parliamentary work and duty." A five-year-old girl has issued a stern warning to the thief who stole $600 she had been saving towards a Ferrari. Maddison Houston, five, had raised the money by doing chores and selling strawberries at her mother's cafe, Whistlestop at Pimpama, on the Gold Coast. But it was all stolen on Sunday night when the crook cut the power to the cafe and broke in. All the money was stolen on Sunday night when a robber cut the power to the cafe and broke in Maddison Houston, 5, had raised the money by doing chores and selling strawberries at her mother's cafe, Whistlestop at Pimpama, on the Gold Coast He took all of Maddison's hard earned cash as well as the business' weekly takings. The five-year-old said she would have done the thief a favour if they hadn't taken all her money. 'I would take you in the Ferrari if you didn't steal my money,' she told 7News. 'Give me back my money, because it's not your money. I made it for my business.' Only the man's silhouette was caught on CCTV before he cut the power to the entire store and broke his way in. Maddison described the thief as a 'grown up' who kicked the door and left a shoe print before 'grabbing stuff without asking'. The family business has been robbed six times since it has been owned by Maddison's mother, Sarah Degen. Only the man's silhouette was caught on CCTV before he cut the power to the entire store and broke his way in The family business has been robbed six times since it has been owned by Maddison's mother, Sarah Degen 'What sucks is that I put in a lot of time and I sacrifice a lot of my time with my family and my children,' she said. Ms Degen took to Facebook once she realised an entire week worth of work was stolen from her. 'We got broken into last night!' the devastated mother wrote. 'We are absolutely gutted after such a hard week now everything is gone! 'To you low lives we work seven days a week, 20 plus hour days so our kids can have a better future...you stole from our children...hope its worth it!' Queensland Police are investigating the break-in. Putting an end to speculation about him joining the Congress after being released from jail recently, Dr Kafeel Khan said that he is a doctor and would like to remain so. IMAGE: Dr Kafeel Khan addresses a press conference in Jaipur. Photograph: PTI Photo He was recently released from Mathura jail after the Allahabad high court quashed his detention under the stringent National Security Act. The court had ordered his immediate release, asserting that his speech at the Aligarh Muslim University didn't promote hatred or violence, rather gave a call for national integrity. Dr Khan, who is presently in Rajasthan, said that he will "not join any political party". "I am a doctor and would like to remain the same," he said and expressed a desire to visit flood-hit areas of Bihar and help the victims. He said that when his release was delayed after the Allahabad high court order on September 1, it was feared that the Uttar Pradesh government was preparing to implicate him again in a case. "Because of the apprehension that I could be implicated in any other case by the Uttar Pradesh government, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had helped me on humanitarian grounds," he said but made it clear that it should not be construed as he is going to join the Congress. Dr Khan said there has been no discussion regarding politics with Priyanka Gandhi, nor has he got any indication as such from the Congress leader. "As there is a Congress government in Rajasthan and the distance from Mathura to Bharatpur is of just 20 minutes, Priyanka Gandhi offered me to come to Bharatpur". He thanked the Congress general secretary saying it was due to her he got "security" in Rajasthan. Dr Kafeel said that he has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath urging him to reinstate him to his post at Gorakhpur Medical College so that he can serve the people. Khan, who worked as a paediatrician at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, first hit headlines in 2017 after several children died at the hospital due to the lack of oxygen cylinders. Initially, he was hailed as a saviour for the children for arranging emergency oxygen cylinders. However, later, he faced action along with nine other doctors and staff members of the hospital, all of whom were released on bail. A state government probe had cleared Khan of all major charges, prompting him to seek an apology from the Yogi Adityanath government. The doctor had alleged that an institutional failure had led to the deaths of the children. Khan was again arrested in January this year on the charge of delivering a provocative speech at the AMU during the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests. After the Allahabad high court ordered his release on September 1, he walked out of Mathura jail late in the night. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Democrat Xochitl Torres Small and Republican Yvette Herrell are locked in another tight race separated by just 2 percentage points as they face off in one of the most closely watched congressional races in the country, according to a new Journal Poll. Torres Small, who won the traditionally Republican seat in 2018, had support from 47% of likely voters surveyed in the 2nd Congressional District, which covers the southern half of New Mexico. Herrell, a former state representative from Alamogordo, was favored by 45% of those surveyed. The remainder said they were undecided, didnt know or wouldnt say which candidate they would vote for. Approximately 60 days out, this race is too close to call, Brian Sanderoff of Research and Polling Inc., which conducted the survey, said in an interview. In the states two other congressional races, the Journal Poll found that Democrats held substantial leads: a 27-point edge for incumbent Deb Haaland in the 1st Congressional District and a 15-point lead for Teresa Leger Fernandez in the 3rd Congressional District. New Mexicos 2nd District has emerged as a priority for Republicans this cycle. Until 2018, Republicans had held the seat for all but two years since 1981. Its no surprise to me or anyone else, Sanderoff said, that this is one of the most competitive races in the nation. Torres Small, a water rights lawyer from Las Cruces, defeated Herrell by less than 2 percentage points to win the district in 2018, when Democrats swept every congressional and statewide race in New Mexico. She prevailed even as Republican Donald Trump won the district by 10 percentage points in 2016. But the Journal Poll showed Trump with just a 4-point edge in the district this time. Hispanic voters are a source of strength for Torres Small 62% of them said they would vote for her, a 32-point advantage over Herrell, according to the Journal Poll. Herrell, in turn, had a 15-point edge among Anglo voters. The expansive district borders Texas, Arizona and Mexico roughly divided by the Sacramento Mountains. Herrell enjoyed strong support in the eastern part of the district, which includes the energy-producing Permian Basin. She had support from 61% of voters on the districts east side, or 30 points more than Torres Small. The Democratic incumbent had an advantage in the western part of the district, including Las Cruces, home to New Mexico State University. The poll found that 57% of likely voters on the west side supported Torres Small to 34% for Herrell. Sanderoff noted that Torres Smalls 2-point advantage overall is well within the margin of error of plus or minus 4.8 percentage points for the poll. Its anyones race, Sanderoff said. Respondents to the survey were asked whom they would vote for if the election were held today. Albuquerque turns blue Haaland, a former chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, was favored by 58% of likely voters in the 1st Congressional District, covering much of central New Mexico. Republican Michelle Garcia Holmes, a retired police detective, had support from 31% of those surveyed. Sanderoff said Haalands lead comes after she won the district by 23 percentage points in 2018. She enjoys a larger lead now that shes had two years of incumbency under her belt, Sanderoff said, running against a good candidate with some name recognition, but not a household name. He noted that the 1st Congressional District was once held by Republicans but flipped in 2008 and never went back. As Albuquerque has grown and become more urban, Sanderoff said, it has started to behave politically more like a big city. Albuquerque over the decades continues to turn blue, Sanderoff said. All-female delegation Leger Fernandez carried a sizable lead over Republican Alexis Johnson in the race to succeed Ben Ray Lujan in the 3rd Congressional District. Lujan, a Democrat, is vacating the seat to run for the Senate. The Journal Poll showed 50% of likely voters in the district say they would vote for Leger Fernandez, an attorney from Santa Fe. Johnson, who is retired but used to work as an environmental engineer for oil producers, had support from 35% of those surveyed. Of those surveyed, 14% said they were undecided or didnt know whom they would vote for. The district includes the Democratic strongholds of Santa Fe, Espanola, Taos and Las Vegas. Democrats have held the seat for 22 years. Leger Fernandez is not a household name yet among the general election population, Sanderoff said, but shes doing really well. Whoever wins the district will help give New Mexico an all-female delegation in the U.S. House. Each of the major-party candidates in all three races is a woman. Methodology The Journal Poll is based on a scientific sample of likely general election voters who also voted in either the 2016 and 2018 general elections or both. The poll was conducted from Aug. 26 through Sept. 2. In the 2nd Congressional District, the poll sampled 418 voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.8 percentage points. In the 1st Congressional District, the poll sampled 404 voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. In the 3rd Congressional District, the poll sampled 301 voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.6 percentage points. The margin of error grows for subsamples. All interviews were conducted by live, professional interviewers, with multiple callbacks to households that did not initially answer the phone. Both cellphone numbers and landlines of likely general election voters were used. ABC News Four people, including two adults, a teen and an infant, have been found frozen to death about 40 feet from the U.S.-Canada border while being smuggled into North Dakota, according to U.S. and Canadian authorities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and law enforcement officers with the Department of Homeland Security performed a traffic stop Jan. 19 on a 15-passenger van about 1 mile from the border when they found two undocumented Indian nationals from Canada inside, according to the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Less than a quarter mile away from the border, law enforcement encountered and apprehended five additional undocumented Indian nationals that walked across the U.S. border from Manitoba, Canada, according to the RCMP. A shooting that damaged two homes and a vehicle in Susquehanna Township early Sunday stemmed from a dispute between neighbors, police said Monday. Police charged Erasmo Sanchez III, 25, with simple assault, criminal mischief, discharge of a gun into an occupied structure and recklessly endangering another person. He also was charged with receiving stolen property because the gun reportedly used in the crime was stolen. The shooting occurred about 3:30 am. Sunday in the 600 block of Sandra Avenue in the Latshmere development. Police were called after neighbors heard shots fired. Police said they learned this activity was the result of a dispute between neighbors. Police did not elaborate on the nature of the dispute or how it escalated into a shooting. Officers arrested Sanchez without incident and he was arraigned at night court. A judge set his bail at $100,000. Sanchez does not have a prior public criminal record in Pennsylvania, according to online court records. READ: Carlisle police arrest man for calling 911 to complain about nearby neighborhood Staff at Dalehead Foods in Linton have donated 275 pairs of boots, worth over 5,000 in total, to a charity in Nigeria which supports local farmers, with more boots expected to be donated in the months ahead. The donated footwear is washed and sanitised before distribution and will help farmers work safer, particularly in the wetter months. Rajesh Ramkhelawan, Dalehead SHE manager, explained that as a large employer they go through a great deal of footwear which is mandatory, but decided it was wasteful to get rid of boots that others could make good use of. I got in touch with Crossroads Global Village, a charity which supports development projects around the world. They got in touch with an NGO in Nigeria, Guildance Community Development Foundation, who were more than happy to have the boots sent to them, said Mr Ramkhelawan. Its really pleasing to hear that the boots are now being put to good use in Nigeria and weve been told the farmers are really pleased with the footwear. A big thanks to all the staff at Dalehead Foods Linton who have made this project happen. Matt Dight, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Pilgrims Pride Ltd., commented that it is about more than making good use of products we no longer need: Its about supporting developing communities, reducing waste and helping those less fortunate. This will be the first of many projects across our sites as we look at new and different ways we can safely reuse equipment and materials. Adisa Kabiru, president of the Guildance Community Development Foundation, said: thanked Dalehead Foods for the donation, and added: There are many dangers faced by farmers in Nigeria, often because of a lack of appropriate footwear, including hazards on the ground and exposure to chemicals. The boots will be a very useful tool in eliminating those challenges, reducing the health threats to farmers and helping to improve efficiencies. Get Our E-Newsletter - Pig World's best stories in your in-box twice a week See e-newsletter example Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy Bengaluru: Two people including a Nigerian national were arrested with drugs worth Rs 13 lakh, police said on Monday. The duo, identified as Ogologo (35), a Nigerian residing in Agara in Bengaluru, and Samson Sagay Raj (24), a resident of Halasuru in the city, were arrested with 500 grams of cannabis, 20 grams of MDMA, 10 Ecstasy pills and 530 grams of hashish oil, police said. They were allegedly selling drugs near the BMS Engineering Hostel under the Hanumanthanagar police station, the police said. Police have recently intensified its crackdown on drug traffickers and peddlers after the Narcotics Control Bureau arrested three persons from Kerala in the city with a huge consignment. Besides this, the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru city police arrested six people including film actress Ragini Dwivedi for supplying drugs in the high-end parties. By Azernews By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijan and Turkey will form a joint Turkey-Azerbaijan Media Platform. The relevant agreement was reached during Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmat Hajiyevs official visit to Turkey on September 7. Addressing the meeting with Fahretting Altun, Communications Director of the Turkish Presidency held in Istanbul, Hajiyev said that close cooperation between the public and private media agencies of the two countries will significantly contribute to enhance fraternal ties. Azerbaijan and Turkey always stand by each other under the slogan one nation, two states. Azerbaijan is sincerely happy with the achievements of brotherly Turkey in all areas, from economy to foreign policy. Further expansion of cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan in all fields, first of all, serves to further strengthen the fraternal ties between the two countries, Hajiyev said. He stressed that joint projects in all areas, from television to the film sector, exchange of experience, as well as cooperation in technology will play an important role in combating the smear campaign against both countries. Altun said that the platform will help Azerbaijan and Turkey carry out joint work from quickly delivering accurate information to domestic and international audiences to fight against fake news and disinformation. We discussed the integration of the two countries media, their effective work in informing the people, especially the creation of common strategies in the fight against misinformation on social media and smear campaign from abroad through this platform, he noted. "In particular, we would like to be in closer cooperation with Azerbaijan in all matters falling under the jurisdiction of our Directorate of Communications," Altun added. The Turkish senior official also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation on media communication and public diplomacy between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani delegation to Turkey included Farhad Amirbayov, head of the information support sector of the Azerbaijani First Vice President, Aslan Aslanov, chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan State Information Agency (Azertag), Ismat Sattarov, chairman of the National Television and Radio Council, Rovshan Mammadov, chairman of the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting (AzTV) CJSC, and Balakishi Gasimov, Director General of the Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (ITV). The delegation is accompanied by Azerbaijans Ambassador to Turkey Khazar Ibrahim and Consul-General Narmina Mustafayeva. The visit is aimed to create the joint media platform between Azerbaijan and Turkey, implement the exchange of specialists and exchange of views, as well as expand the closer promotion of the two countries in the world through social media, Azertag said. Perhaps it's fitting how much Dannielynn Birkhead loves rollercoasters when you consider the tedious climbs and sharp descents that marked her first year of life. There was the untimely passing of half-brother Daniel Smith, who overdosed while visiting mom Anna Nicole Smith and her newborn daughter in a Bahamian hospital, and the eerily similar death of the larger-than-life former Playboy model just months later. And, of course, the custody circus that ensued with freelance photographer Larry Birkhead, Smith's attorney Howard K. Stern and even Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband Frederic Prinz von Anhalt staking their claim for the 5-month-old. The weeks-long spectacle finally ended in April 2007 with Larry, paternity results in hand, stepping outside the Nassau courthouse to tell the reporters, photographers and curious locals that gathered, "I hate to be the one to say this but...I told you so." So the fact that Larry now describes his no-longer-so-little girl as fearless, the type of person who embraces all the twists, turns and heart-dropping falls that come her way? Yeah, that checks out. Anna Nicole Smith: Her Life and Legacy Of course, these days, Larry works hard to ensure Dannielynn's only rollercoaster rides are of the literal variety. Despite the stranger-than-fiction events surrounding her birth and first few months, the newly minted high schooler leads a life that's, by all accounts, fairly standard. At their 10,000-square-foot Kentucky home, the 14-year-old has a pet lizard, practices the violin, makes homemade slime and argues with Dad about how much time she spends on her cell phone. (She's obsessed with Snapchat, obvs.) But the two are still tight enough to plan joint Halloween costumes (in 2018 they chose an Exorcist theme), enjoy family trips to Dollywood and Walt Disney World and make their yearly pilgrimage to the Kentucky Derby. And they never miss a moment to discuss the legacy that Anna Nicole left behind 14 years ago. Though they usually mark the Feb. 8 anniversary of her death with cake and his best stories, "In our house, every day is Anna day," he told E! News in 2019. "We talk about her and remember her all the time." Story continues For Larry, it's a chance to hone in on the positives of the life he experienced with Anna Nicole. "When we talk about Anna Nicole, there were a lot of happy moments for her," he said in a Feb. 5 20/20 special. "There were a lot of highs before there were a lot of lows." Continued Larry, "Anna should be remembered as this larger than life figure that was really a caring, giving person. A beautiful lady who loved her fans and loved her family." Dannielynn Birkhead, Larry Birkhead, Kentucky Derby 2019 Like most parents, especially single ones, the University of Louisville alum, 48, says his days are filled vacillating between various roles. "Sometimes you feel like a bodyguard, sometimes you feel like a chauffeur," he joked to Us Weekly in 2017. "It depends on what the day is. But my job is dad and I think I've done a pretty good job. She's adjusted to it and she's just a normal kid." Thrust into fatherhood with one DNA test, Larry made some snap decisions to give his daughter a life befitting your standard kid rather than the fishbowl-like existence some celebrity offspring are subjected to. His first move was to his hometown of Louisville, some 2,000 miles removed from Hollywood's glare. "It takes away the chase," he said on the Today Show in 2016 of life in the Midwest, "it takes away the curiosity, it takes away the false stories." In Kentucky, "life has been really great and quiet by design," he told E! News. "It's given Dannielynn a great foundation, too. She is concentrating on school and has even made the Honor Roll!" It's the type of milestone he might casually mention to Howard K. Stern, the former foes now actually pretty close. As Larry tells it, the dueling dads quickly realized it was time to behave as the grown-ups in the situation and Anna Nicole's former lawyer and lover swiftly dropped any custodial claims. "He just said, 'Look, you've got to get strong. You've got to be there for Dannielynn,'" Larry recalled in an interview with ABC News' 20/20 last year. "The minute after the paternity test was over...he's helping me change Dannielynn's diaper, [showing me], 'This is how you feed her,'...it's been nonstop since then." The pair have maintained their relationship, a once tentative friendship transitioning into a real bond. "We work together on stuff all the time," Larry told E! News. "He gives advice and reaches out to us. Some people may think it's weird, but he's a good friend and has been real supportive." As for Larry, his paternal instincts kicked in pretty quickly and he learned to listen to his gut. Like the time Guess approached asking if his then-6-year-old daughter would like to pose for the brand that made her mom a household name. Defending himself from critics who were quick to cry exploitation, Larry explained the stint was more about connecting with the mother she never knew than testing out future career opportunities. "Dannielynn has always looked up to her mom's image and...I think that this is kind of Dannielynn's way of paying tribute to her mom in her own special way," he said on Good Morning America in 2012. "To see her mom's picture next to hers as a Guess girl and say, 'Hey, I was a Guess Kids girl, my mommy was a Guess girl,' that might be her only connection with her mom." Dannielynn Birkhead, Guess Kids And to this day, it remains a one-off gig. "I've had companies call me since then and ask me for her to model," he's shared, "and the answer is no. She doesn't show any interest in it. She wants to be a kid." Though, as of late, the ninth grader has displayed a penchant for acting. "I got an email from her teacher [that] said, 'Dannielynn gave one of the most believable performances of the whole entire school that was in the play,'" he revealed to Jesse Palmer in a September 2019 interview with Daily Mail TV. "If she wants to do something like that when she's older, I'll have my own opinion about it." For now, though, she's just enjoying the school theater scene, saying it's "really cool" to take on a different identity: "It's like portraying a new person. It's fun." Dannielynn Birkhead, Larry Birkhead, Kentucky Derby Because, of course, there are moments when it's clear she's not your average tween, like when she spots herself on the cover of a tabloid in the supermarket checkout line or asks just one more time, "Daaaaadddd, why can't I have a YouTube channel?" While the other kids in her class can simply goof around on the video-sharing site or fantasize about the type of clip that might help them go viral, Larry has to remind his daughter that anything she posted would get massive traction. "I still have to warn her that, you know, your friend might have a YouTube account, but if you have a YouTube account that's different," he told Us Weekly, "because people know who you are." Instead, she frequents the site for makeup tutorials and dreams of one day starting her own cosmetics or clothing line. But much like any protective father worried about the unknowns his daughter could encounter on the web, Larry limits her access to the Internet, posts liberally to their shared Instagram account and avoids most public appearances, save for, of course, when the Kentucky Derby comes to town. The main event, and the Barnstable Brown Party the night before are traditions, both because it's the same bash where Larry first connected with Anna Nicole and, well, because it's close to home and a lot of fun. "She's my good luck charm," he told E! News at the 2015 event. "She picks all the winners." If Dannielynn had her way, Dad would find a winner of his own. One of her favorite activities involves floating prospective dates for Larry. "Dannielynn tries to hook me up," he told E! News back in 2013. "She is a matchmaker." It's not just that she wants to see her father happy and in love more than a decade after his two-year on-off dalliance with Anna Nicole ended, though she does. The way Larry sees it, she's simply craving another female figure in her life. Dannielynn Birkhead's Derby Days And it not like he's uninterested in finding love... "I've been on a few dates," he insisted to E! News, "but I'm not on dating sites or anything like that!" Though the photographer and house flipper willingly signed on for a stint on The Millionaire Matchmaker back in 2014 it's just hard to date as a single parent. Tougher still when prospective girlfriends know every last detail about your ex. And conversations about Anna Nicole are something he'd prefer to leave between him and his little girl. They've certainly had some awkward ones, like the time Dannielynn asked why her Wikipedia page says her surname was Stern when she was a baby. Really, any time you're discussing your Wikipedia page, you've ventured far away from the standard father-daughter talking topics. But mostly Larry likes to keep his explanations of Anna Nicole and her passing as light as possible. "The way I've told Dannielynn in the past is that, 'Your mom took some medicines and she...might not [have] taken them correctly or the right way, and the doctors couldn't help her, and they tried," he explained to 20/20. As for anything she might discover on her own, "I have a block on her [computer]," he told Wendy Williams in 2017. "We sit down and I have a talk with her and I say, 'You're going to see these things about your mom and not everything is true." He sees each chat as a learning opportunity: "I take a little bit of Anna's life and I put it into lessons." It's undeniable that the teenager misses the mom she never knew, that she craves a fuller house so much that she once handed Larry a stack of adoption brochures and told him, "Just surprise me when you get home. Bring the best one home." But she also seems to have accepted the idea that she has a different type of relationship with her mom. Dannielynn Birkhead, Larry Birkhead She sees her in the Anna Nicole-crafted portrait that hangs in her Peter Pan-themed bedroom, in the butterflies that chase her around (a family friend having once told her any she spots were sent down by her mother) and sometimes she quite literally sees her on camera. Watching Anna Nicole's "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" music video, reveals Larry, "She'll shout to the TV, 'Slay, Queen, slay!'" Her backstory is a lot for anyone to handle, much less a 14-year-old who has to worry about things like passing math, navigating a new high school social scene and whether or not boys are gross. So outside of a sojourn they made to the Bahamas in late 2017 to mark what would have been Smith's 50th birthday, Larry works to keep the focus on homework, video games and Girl Scout meetings. "She's a good kid," he said, "and we laugh and have the best times and she wears me out." Because, much like Mom, she sprints toward life with no fears, ready to roll with the ups, the downs and the loop-the-loops. "I'm going on amusement park roller coasters doing 200-foot drops holding on to her and she says, 'I told you the last time, do not hold on to me!'" he marveled. "Sometimes you just have to say, 'I gotta let you go and become your own person.' You can only do so much. Sometimes I'm amazed by the way she handles things." (Originally published Feb. 8, 2019, at 6 a.m. PT) The situation in eastern Ladakh, which had almost disappeared from the media channels, was back in the limelight last week. In a swift and proactive move, the Indian Army occupied numerous dominating heights in the Chushul Sector, overlooking the Chinese positions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This has triggered a flurry of military, diplomatic, and political activity, and defence ministers of India and China held a face-to-face meeting in Moscow. Both sides stuck to their respective principled positions of China not losing an inch of its territory and India determined to protect its territorial integrity". However, there was a consensus to continue with military and diplomatic engagements for the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC. We have seen a consistent stream of messages from the Indian government that the primary focus for resolving the ongoing crisis is through diplomacy (although the military option is not completely ruled out). Foreign minister S Jaishankar recently stated, I am totally convinced that the solution to the (LAC) situation has to be found in the domain of the diplomacy, and I say that with responsibility. It would be preferable for both countries that the ongoing standoff is de-escalated through talks, but unless there is some progress in the disengagement process, the ground situation could see a sudden deterioration that could derail the diplomatic process. My observation is based on three realities that the two armies face along the LAC. The Indian Army, after having been surprised in May, will look at all PLA actions with suspicion. This mistrust will also get carried forward to the military to military engagements. First, there has been a complete breakdown of agreements and protocols that guided the conduct of soldiers when they came into a face-to-face situation with each other. The use of force and violence was strictly prohibited. In the Chumar face-off in 2014, at least a thousand soldiers on each side were at a distance of a few yards from each other. The concern in the Northern Command Headquarter at that time was that some local dispute between the soldiers on the ground should not spin out of control. Fortunately, peace was held. Now, after the brutal incident and the loss of lives at Galwan, the procedures and protocols have been revised with free authority to local commanders to take action as they deem fit. These are appropriate orders keeping in view the actions of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), but they also heighten the chances of a shooting war. Second, there is a great deal of mistrust on both sides. The Indian Army, after having been surprised in May, will look at all PLA actions with suspicion. This mistrust will also get carried forward to the military to military engagements. In the past, border meetings between the two armies have been a very effective instrument for keeping peace along the LAC. I recall that in 2015 we had almost 50 border meetings with the PLA, some ceremonial but mostly to resolve minor disputes along the LAC. There was a lack of rancour at these meetings, and the effort was to find a solution with a certain amount of give and take. This spirit of accommodation has almost completely evaporated, and hardened positions on the Chinese side make the success of military-level talks suspect. It is apparent that neither country wants a full-blown conflict. Still, the situation on the ground would be extremely tense, with a lack of trust becoming the primary driver of military actions. Local incidents could spiral out of control. Third, the LAC appears to have lost its sanctity, at least in eastern Ladakh. A few disputed areas exist in this sector, but these are clearly known to both sides, while the settled portions of the LAC have been scrupulously respected. It has now become almost open season all along the LAC with Chinese incursions into Galwan, Patrolling Point 15, and Gogra areas that had never seen transgressions in the past. How Indian soldiers will react to any perceived Chinese movements close to the LAC is evident from their reaction in the Chushul Sector. It is apparent that neither country wants a full-blown conflict. Still, the situation on the ground would be extremely tense, with a lack of trust becoming the primary driver of military actions. Local incidents could spiral out of control. Both countries would have their military options ready, but these options must be part of a national strategy, not the result of local military dynamics. The tail must not wag the dog. China must recognise the danger that has been created by its risky adventurism along the border. The current deadlock on the disengagement process will only heighten the risks of military action. High-level diplomats of both countries must discuss the principles of disengagement and de-escalation that could then be passed on to the military commanders to work out the detailed modalities. Unless these principles are finalised, it will serve little purpose to continue with military-level talks. Diplomatic engagement should also focus on putting in place some new protocols for military activity along the LAC. The old ones are broken and cannot be fixed, and a fresh look is needed. The idea should be to restrict the opening up of any new fronts as that could entirely vitiate the overall dialogue process. The Chief of the Army Staff noted that the situation along the LAC has been tense, and if these tensions persist, both countries could face some unintended consequences. If this is to be avoided, China, which took the first step forward, must also take the first step back. President Xi must remember that history is replete with examples where hopes of a short, swift victory turned into a quagmire of long, bloody conflict. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:20:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KAMPALA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday said a minister who was detained by police over the weekend will be prosecuted over the election violence in the ruling party primaries. Museveni tweeted that Mwesigwa Rukutana, minister of state for labor, who was arrested on Saturday after a video circulated on social media showing him grab a gun from a police officer, would answer for his charges. The video shows that after the minister grabbed the gun to attack his rivals, the rivals sped off in a car. The minister had just lost an election in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries for legislators held on Friday. The minister and his three body guards are facing charges of inciting violence, attempted murder by shooting, and malicious damage of property, according to police. The party primaries were characterized by violence in some parts of the country with losers claiming that their vote was stolen. Museveni said all those who caused violence or engaged in some form of illegality would be arrested and prosecuted. "Those who beat people... are all in jail or on the run. Minister Rukutana is in jail and will be prosecuted," Museveni said. "They will be fully accountable with robust charges: assault, attempted murder, murder, etc.," the president added. The primaries were held as different political parties in the country are preparing for next year's general elections. The NRM party in July declared incumbent president Museveni as the party's presidential candidate in the 2021 general elections. He will be running for another term of office after about 35 years in power. Museveni is expected to face off with Robert Kyagulanyi, a music icon turned politician, in what is anticipated to be a hotly contested election. Enditem B ritain has just seen three different protests: one predictable, one annoying, and one very alarming. The protest when construction of the HS2 railway got underway last week was no surprise. There were similar ones against the Channel Tunnel, the M25 and the original steam railways 170 years ago. The plot of Elizabeth Gaskells Cranford a fictional depiction of a Victorian Cheshire town I used to represent as an MP is all about the local people trying to stop a railway line. These days Cranford would be campaigning for a railway line if their forebears had succeeded. I am passionately in favour of HS2, as the person who first promised high-speed trains over a decade ago and believes we can build a Northern powerhouse. Its exactly what you would hope a rational, organised government to do. Plan for tomorrow and win the democratic argument for those plans HS2 was in the last four winning election manifestos. So the protests dont faze me. Nor do the ongoing demonstrations were seeing organised by Extinction Rebellion. They just annoy me. This weekend they blockaded newspaper printing plants , including ours even as one of XRs leaders was writing a column on these pages to get their message across. The media was understandably indignant, and the capitals commuters once again are suffering. But although the tactics are anarchic, at least theres an underlying issue of real seriousness: climate change. They fit in to a long tradition of Left-wing protest in this country, often led by a combination of students and retired middle-class professionals think the Greenham Common women and CND. I dont agree with them, but at least I can see where theyre coming from. However, there was another event in the past fortnight that made me really frightened about our future. It was a march through London to #Save the Children. This demonstration had nothing to do with the famous charity or saving any children. The people taking part mostly ordinary citizens, many of them young women have become convinced that theres a giant conspiracy. Some of the posters carried the red and black sign of QAnon a movement that began in America in 2017 with an anonymous post by someone called Q on an internet chat forum. In its purest form, they believe that Donald Trump is leading a holy war against a cabal of Satan-worshipping paedophiles made up of senior politicians, journalists and famous actors; and a day of reckoning (they call The Storm) will arrive when this will all be exposed. I am not making this up although someone clearly did. A protesters holds a Q sign at a Donald Trump campaign rally in the United States in 2018 / AP QAnon has now spread to our country and others, turbocharged by coronavirus purposefully invented, they believe, by this child-abusing elite to cover their tracks. Now it has merged with other conspiracy theories about Covid that face masks are a tool of repression; that mandatory vaccinations are being used to control us; and that 5G telephone masts are spreading the virus. One of the banners on the London march said Arrest Bill Gates for crimes against humanity. On the same day there were other large marches in other civilised cities like Berlin and Boston. We could laugh all this off. Wed be wrong to. For it represents a fragmenting of the basic social contract turbo-charged by social media segmentation and cynically fuelled by forces on the Left and Right who have made railing against the elites and their swamp their modus operandi. The President of the United States retweets some leading QAnon voices. Why is it happening now? These sorts of millenarian movements have appeared before in world history, with theories of corrupted power, holy crusades and judgment days. They can lead to wholesale breakdown, violence and ruin. They flourish when the existing elites are struggling to cope with events, like plagues and droughts. A new book this week, The Wake Up Call, argues persuasively that the Covid pandemic has exposed the weakness of the West. As one of the authors, John Micklethwait, puts it: even accounting for their dodgy numbers, Chinas Xi Jinping has been 20 times better at protecting his people than Donald Trump or Boris Johnson. The book suggests sensible liberal improvements to the size, efficiency and redistribution power of modern western government. I agree.The risk is these sorts of answers are too prosaic and gradual for scared populations, and they turn instead to false prophets and wild conspiracies. Thats why we should all be alarmed at the QAnon march we just saw in London. All the best dogs find their way home eventually. Sometimes, like Pipsqueak the wiener dog, theyve got to embark on a journey of more than 10,000 miles to get there. Little Pip was stranded in South Carolina at the height of the CCP virus pandemic after her owners were forced to abandon their round-the-world sailing trip and fly home to Australia. With borders closing quickly, Zoe and Guy Eilbeck, and their sons Cam and Max, had less than 48 hours to pack up everything from their 40-foot yacht after docking in Hilton Head Island. Australias tough pet import rules meant their loyal dachshund Pip couldnt come with them. Thats okay, they thought. Theyd be able to return in no time at all for a tail-wagging reunion before heading back out on the ocean. So Zoe made a few last-minute phone calls to arrange for Pip to be looked after by a friend, and the family said goodbye for what they hoped would be just six short weeks. But thats not quite how it worked out. Pipsqueak was left stranded in South Carolina at the height of the pandemic after her family was forced to head home to Australia. (Courtesy of Zoe Eilbeck) The Eilbecks first encountered Pip in 2018 in Messina, Sicily, when they were midway through their four-year sailing tip. Pip quickly adapted to life on board, enjoying deck time and hanging out with her family. Zoe says she was always aware that arranging to take the dog back home would be a lengthy and drawn-out process due to Australias very strict border regulations. I knew wed have to import Pip and that shed have to do 10 days quarantine, Zoe tells CNN Travel. When the time came, they planned to fly her from the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, a relatively short hop to Sydney. Of course, this wasnt to be. As the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, began to spread in early 2020, the Eilbecks decided to head for South Carolina to find a safe berth for their yachtand for Pip. On March 27, Zoe hired a rental car and took an eight-hour drive to North Carolina, where she handed the dog over to her friend Lynn Williams before the family caught a flight back to Sydney. (Illustration Sylvie Corriveau/Shutterstock) Pip went from living on a sailboat to living on a bison farm, laughs Zoe. Thats something that really tickles me. Unfortunately, Williams already had two dogs on the farm and was not able to take in another for very long, so she advertised for someone to replace her as Pips guardian. Ellen Steinberg, who lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina, was one of three people to answer the ad. The deal was that Pip would decide who she would go to live with, Steinberg tells CNN Travel. We [her and her dog Frankly] won the shootout, and Pip came a few days later. As the advertisement had gone into very little detail about why the Eilbecks had left Pip behind, Steinberg admits to having made some harsh judgments about their decision. I heard that a family who were living on a boat abandoned their dog and flew back to Australia and immediately formed impressions about who these people were, adds Steinberg. But as soon as I talked to them, I realized they couldnt be more caring. I just got the wrong impression from not having all the details. While Steinberg took care of Pip, Zoe was getting up at 4 a.m. every weekday to deal with the endless paperwork involved in importing a dog from the United States to Australia, while keeping up to date with Pip via video calls and messages. I was always taking photos all the time and posting them on social media, she says. Pip started to develop her own fan base. It soon became clear it wouldnt be possible for the Eilbecks to return to the United States because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Pip would have to make the long journey to Australia alone. The red tape was made more complicated due to the pandemic-related disruption. To export a dog from America, you need to get a U.S. declaration to say the dog is in good health and has had particular blood tests to do with rabies, Zoe explains. This was being done in New York, which was now closed. So trying to get anything like that done was extremely difficult. Steinberg was also having to constantly take Pip to her local veterinarian for paperwork, vaccinations, and blood tests in order for her to meet the requirements. Once they finally received an import permit for Australia, Qantas, the flag carrier of Australia, announced it was no longer flying dogs to the country. After many phone calls, Zoe discovered that the family could import Pip if they went through New Zealand and managed to get their little dog on a flight from Los Angeles to Auckland by booking via pet transport company Jetpets. By this point, Steinberg, whod looked after Pip for three months, had to make a trip to visit her family and had passed the dog onto her friend Stacey Green. When Stacey got Pip, she actually fell in love with her, to the point where I didnt think I was going to get her back, jokes Zoe. But they still had to get Pip from North Carolina to Los Angeles. And while flights were operating, they were constantly being canceled. Flying cargo was also now an issue. Many U.S. carriers dont allow pets to be shipped from May to September, the hottest months for animals to travel in the northern hemisphere. Zoe decided to post a message on social media searching for anyone who was traveling from the east to west coast. This is when Melissa Young, who works for dog rescue foundation The Sparky Foundation, stepped in and volunteered to fly across America with Pip. After making sure Pip felt comfortable with her, Young flew from Greensboro to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then from Charlotte to Los Angeles with the dachshund under her seat. Pip was then handed over to Jetpets, who had her for the night to deal with all of the declarations and paperwork, before putting her on a flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Once she was on board, all of her temporary carers, along with the Eilbecks, were on the edge of their seats, tracking her flight as it made its way across the ocean. All over the world, were watching this flight inch across the screen, says Zoe. Pip arrived in Auckland on July 23 and went into quarantine overnight before flying to Melbourne, where she spent a further 10 days in quarantine, as is mandatory for every pet that comes into Australia from overseas. She was scheduled to fly to Sydney on Aug. 3, but the state of Victoria imposed a strict lockdown once Pip arrived, and the borders between Victoria and New South Wales were closed. Zoes brother Rob, who lives in Melbourne, agreed to take Pip in for a few days, and the dog was booked on no less than four flights to Sydney, but all were canceled. By now, the story had been picked up by local media, and after a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Virgin Australia stepped in and agreed to fly Pip home. When Pip finally arrived at Sydney Airport on Aug. 11, five months after theyd last seen her, the Eilbecks were there to greet her, along with a film crew and several local reporters. It was an emotional reunion. Our greatest fear was that she wouldnt remember us after all that time, says Zoe. My kids were so worried that they got a hotdog and rubbed it on their hands. And then this tiny dog walks out through the hangar, strutting along When she heard our voices, she came barreling into our arms. It was absolutely amazing to have her back after all that time. After so long apart, the Eilbecks are thrilled to have their crew back together. Im conscious that shes a dog, but we think of ourselves as a bit of a crew, says Zoe. Living on a boat you really have to work together. And even though she just lazed about and didnt really do anything, we still consider her a member of our crew. The family have since moved to Scotland Island, an island and suburb on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, in order to continue their water lifestyle, and their sons are back in school. They travel back and forth to the mainland on an aluminum fishing boat known as a tinny. Pip is embracing that because shes a boat dog at heart, adds Zoe. Shes gone straight back to what she loves best, which is lying on our deck and contributing licks and joy. The CNN Wire and Epoch Times Staff contributed to this story. Most physicians are likely to call palliative care specialists primarily when death is imminent many worry that calling in a palliative-care consultation will increase anxiety and fear among patients. Diane Meier, a palliative care specialist who directs the Center to Advance Palliative Care, said doctors are the group most fearful of death. We are people who like to achieve control over the uncontrollable. For our profession in particular, it is existentially threatening. Any acknowledgment that life is finite, that we dont live forever, is like saying there is no God. The Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny is no longer in a medically induced coma and his condition has improved, German doctors said Monday, more than two weeks after he was poisoned with a nerve agent. The German government said Navalny was poisoned with Novichok, a substance developed by the Soviet military during the Cold War. Pressure has mounted on the Russian government to explain how one of its fiercest critics came to be sickened with a military-grade neurotoxin, becoming seriously ill while on a Russian flight from Siberia to Moscow last month. Navalny "has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation," said a statement from Berlin's Charite hospital, where Navalny was moved after pressure from his family and supporters who said he was not safe in Russia. "He is responding to verbal stimuli," the hospital said, although adding that "it remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning." Image: Alexei and Yulia Navalny and Lyubov Sobol (Kirill Kudryavstev / AFP - Getty Images file) Navalny has been one of the Kremlin's most high-profile critics of the past decade. His poisoning has been condemned by leaders around the world, among them German Chancellor Angela Merkel who called it "attempted murder" and an "attempt to silence him." Later Monday, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab summoned Russia's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrei Kelin, "to register deep concern about the poisoning" of Navalny. Raab tweeted, "It's completely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used and Russia must hold a full, transparent investigation." As with other poisonings over the years, Russian officials have denied any involvement, and suggested the allegations are part of a Western disinformation campaign. Russian authorities have said that the first tests conducted on Navalny while he was still in Russia found no poison in his system. In 2018, then-British Prime Minister Theresa May said it was "highly likely" Russia was behind the poisoning of the Russian double agent Sergei Skripal, again with Novichok, in the historic English city of Salisbury. A British inquiry also found that Russian President Vladimir Putin "probably" personally sanctioned the 2006 murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB agent turned outspoken Kremlin critic. He died in London after drinking green tea laced with polonium-210, a potent radioactive isotope. The Russian government denied any involvement in both incidents. At a time when most of the Girls Preparatory School seniors had a sense of anticipation with graduation minutes away, May queen Kshama Patel also felt a sense of relief with her likely biggest personal moment of the day behind her. It was all part of the crazy-but-meaningful end of school for her and the GPS seniors that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, featured May Day and graduation taking place in the same evening in late July. But this commencement double-header was still special to Miss Patel and her classmates, and maybe even more so than it would normally have been, due to all the disruptions. They will never be able to forget about our class, she proudly said in a video interview a few days after the July 23 event. Miss Patel is now attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and in some follow-up email correspondence this week, said she is enjoying college and has pledged Chi Omega sorority after going through the recruitment process. UTK is going great and I already love it so much, she said. As Miss Patel looked back on her time at GPS during the initial interview, she was quite aware that she as a May queen had been through a senior year unlike any other past queen. It was, of course, unusual for everyone else, too. The craziness started on Friday, March 13, after the students learned that would be their last day together for the immediate future due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sensing the sudden end of GPS life as they knew it, she and fellow seniors tried to do the day justice. As president of the Class Leadership Council, she helped get breakfast treats from Julie Darling Donuts, the class members set up a loudspeaker on campus and enjoyed music, and they joined the tables during lunch so all the seniors could eat together. They also did a mock May Day procession, and concluded the unusual day with the chapel program, where Haley Williford gave her senior talk and they sang GPS, We Love, Extol Thee. We tried to make the last day the best we could, she said. Miss Patel, whose first letter of her first name is silent when pronounced, said her first day as a GPS student was also enjoyable nearly six years earlier, as she remembered how other students made her feel welcome. Just like last years May queen, Myra Brock, she did not start GPS in the sixth grade. She had moved with her parents, Mehul and Anandi Patel, to Chattanooga from San Francisco before her fifth-grade year, and she was encouraged to attend the Montessori School off McCallie Avenue for two years. But a teacher there had sent her two daughters to GPS and recommended the school to Miss Patel. It was just really weird to start in the seventh grade, but it was easy to make friends, and the teachers were really great, she said, remembering that several faculty members also started new that year. Among the teachers, she took a special liking to history teacher Callie Hamilton. Its just the way she teaches it, she said of this faculty member who also wrote her college recommendation letter. Everything makes so much sense. She cares about the material and is willing to help you. She also enjoyed all the close friends she had at GPS, including best friend Faith Copeland and the Class Leadership Council Miss Patel headed as councilwoman. Back in December, all these great memories that had built up resulted in an emotional day when the senior May Court was selected by the seniors, and then a vote for May queen was held afterward among the student body. It was a day during which Miss Patel was in tears, but happy ones as admittedly an emotional person. And it was just as much for the other classmates who were being selected. She admitted she did not hear either Miss Copelands name called as the Maid of Honor or hers last as the May queen during the festive event full of clapping and cheering, But she did know how to react. We were all jumping up and down, she said with excitement. It was a good day. No matter who it was, wed be jumping up and down. However, she added, I was shocked to be the person. GPS defines a May queen and court as representative of the senior class in the highest sense and possessing such qualities as grace, friendliness, loyalty, active involvement, giving of their time and talents, and being full of character, integrity, respect and other admirable qualities. Miss Patel said she did not feel any extra pressure after being selected as May queen, simply adding, Its just being there for the girls and doing what you do on a regular day. In February with Miss Copeland with her she went to All Dressed Up off Highway 153 in Hixson and picked out a May Day dress. She had some alterations done to it and was all excited, thinking about the day being a once-in-a-lifetime experience, she said. She and her classmates would have that once-in-a-life experience, but in a different sort of way due to the once-a-century pandemic. The dress was placed in the back of her closet, and that is where she thought it might stay. But it would indeed be front and center on the GPS campus. May Day and commencement took place after all, but at the unusual time of late July. No May Day dances by the underclass students were done, and just the seniors took part and processed across Smith Courtyard as families sat apart, but it was still meaningful. Even the masks all the students had to wear could not hide her excitement she felt at getting to serve as May queen and be with her beloved classmates after not knowing if that day would come. It was all so surreal to be sitting there, she said, adding that they quickly put on graduation robes over their May Day dresses before the commencement ceremony. Thinking about how we got there, I still cannot believe it happened. In August, Miss Patel left for the University of Tennessee, where she plans to study biological sciences and look at becoming a pediatric dentist or doctor, although that could change. She is up there with 13 other GPS classmates, including Miss Copeland, who is her roommate in a newer dorm. Miss Patel said some of the girls in her new sorority of Chi Omega are from GPS, and they along with the others have helped UT feel welcoming to her. The whole reason I wanted to go through recruitment was to find a sisterhood like I had at GPS. It is great to be a part of an organization that puts girls first and cares about each sister so deeply. She added that it has definitely been difficult going to college during the pandemic, but UT has put in measures to ensure students safety and that the students follow the guidelines. I am really grateful I ended up finding Chi Omega and UTK because they both feel like home, she said. Miss Patel and her former GPS classmates are also glad they are getting a second chance to reconnect as they meet new friends and branch out. And Miss Patels May queen dress might get a second life as well somewhere down the road. Now I want it to be my wedding dress, she said with a smile. Jcshearer2@comcast.net The Delhi High Court, which is hearing a lawsuit filed by SpiceJets former promoter, Kalanithi Maran of Sun Group, and his KAL Airways, against the low-cost airline, has ordered it to deposit nearly Rs 243 crore within six weeks. The amount is essentially an interest payout of the sum Maran and KAL Airways won as refund from an arbitration panel in 2018. SpiceJet had unsuccessfully challenged the panels decision in the Supreme Court. Failure to deposit the sum will mean Maran and his company can revive their plea seeking status quo on SpiceJet shareholding, the court ruled. In other words, Ajay Singh and family, the current promoters of SpiceJet, cannot dilute stake in the airline through an IPO or any other means if they fail to deposit Rs 243 crore with the court. Moneycontrol has reviewed a copy of the order. We are reviewing the court order, said a SpiceJet spokesman. Reacting to the verdict, SL Narayanan, Group CFO, Sun Group, said, SpiceJet breached its contractual obligations and therefore we were compelled to seek legal remedies to secure our interests. The order passed by the honble Delhi HC only vindicates our consistent stand that we ought to be compensated for the losses we have sustained. Three-year-old case The root of the three-year-old case is a bitter share transfer dispute. A final decision on the matter is expected on November 4, 2020, said a person familiar with the case, asking not to be named. In February 2015, Maran and KAL Airways, his investment vehicle, transferred their 58.46 percent in SpiceJet, to Singh, the current chairman and managing director, for Rs 2 after the airlines operations were upended by a severe cash shortage. Singh, a co-founder of SpiceJet, took on the airlines liabilities of around Rs 1,500 crore. As part of the agreement, Maran and KAL Airways said they paid SpiceJet Rs 679 crore for issuing warrants and preference shares. Maran launched litigation in the Delhi High Court in 2017 against Singh and SpiceJet after he said neither the convertible warrants and preference shares were issued nor the money was returned. In July 2018, an arbitration panel rejected Marans claim of damages of Rs 1,323 crore for not issuing warrants to him and KAL Airways, but awarded him a refund of Rs 579 crore plus interest. SpiceJet was permitted to furnish a bank guarantee for Rs 329 crore and make a cash deposit of the remaining sum of Rs 250 crore. Soon after Maran contested the ruling of the arbitration panel that had not only rejected his claim of damages but also regaining control of the airline. The Delhi High Court was ruling on this case on Monday. Interest Payout The court sided with the Marans plea to ask the airline to cough up the up-to-date interest. Of the Rs 579 crore payable, the Marans have received a total of Rs 308 crore, said the person cited above. This includes the Rs 250 crore cash deposit and Rs 58 crore from the bank guarantee, he said. Singh and his family hold 59.93 percent in SpiceJet as on June 20. He owned around 2 percent before Maran exited the airline. Gomes leaves Portugal camp with injury Monday, 7 September, 2020 The midfielder was an unused substitute against Croatia and picked up an unspecified knock in training, casting a doubt on his availability to face Tottenham on Sunday when Everton kick off their 2020-21 Premier League campaign. Carlo Ancelotti is already awaiting results of a scan to determine the extent of Mason Holgate's foot injury but he expects Yerry Mina to be fit and was confident that Fabian Delph's ability to rejoin the group this week after training on his own to this point. The imminent arrivals of Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez are expected to further bolster the manager's options for Sunday's game. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer About these ads The Indian Army has sought to upgrade its infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) with night-fighting capability to fill a critical operational void in its mechanised infantry fleet at a time of heightened military tensions between India and China in the Ladakh sector, officials familiar with the development said on Monday. The army on September 4 invited expression of interest (EoI) from Indian vendors for developing prototype and subsequent procurement of upgraded armament for its BMP-2/2K ICVs inducted almost 35 years ago. The terrain along our borders lends itself to conduct of large-scale mechanised operations and the belligerence of our adversaries on the borders, necessitate that our capabilities are adequately built up to match the threat, the EOI said. The army has deployed its ICVs along with tanks and artillery pieces in the Ladakh sector, where the two nuclear powers have been locked in a border row for more than four months. The army said the armament system on BMP-2/2K --- the mainstay of the mechanised infantry --- is night-blind as on date and needs to be upgraded with modern sights to fill capability gaps. Former army vice chief Lieutenant General AS Lamba (retd) said, The BMP-2/2k is an excellent combat platform armed with advanced weapons. But its critical to equip the fleet with night-fighting capability to optimize its impact in the battlefield. According to the army, the current armament sighting system on the ICVs is based on image intensifier technology which is not fit for modern day warfare due to its vast limitations. The present system is also deficient of modernised fire control system and automatic target tracker which adversely affects the capability of BMP-2/2K to fight both during day and night. All these aspects are critical requirements for mechanised infantry to operate in armour intensive battlefield, the EOI said. The army is planning to upgrade 811 ICVs with third-generation thermal imager-based gunner sight, modern thermal imager-based commander sight, modernised fire control system and automatic target tracker. Vendors have been asked to submit their responses to the EOI in six weeks. If the multi-stage process progresses smoothly, user trials could take place in two years. In June, the defence ministry placed an order with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for 156 BMP 2/2k ICVs for the armys mechanised forces. The ICVs will be manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak in Telangana at an estimated cost of Rs 1,094 crore. The induction of the ICVs will be completed by 2023 and the existing deficiency in the mechanised infantry battalions will be mitigated, the ministry had then said. University authorities said that a notification will soon be issued asking students to register for the event, which will likely be held in November New Delhi: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will hold its fourth convocation virtually in November, a statement from the varsity said on Monday. Noting that a convocation is a "special moment", JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar said despite the coronavirus pandemic, the varsity has decided to hold the convocation to make it a "memorable event" for the students. The Executive Council, which met on Monday, approved holding of the varsity's fourth convocation, JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar said. "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the convocation this year will be a virtual convocation. Soon a notification will be issued inviting the students to register themselves for participating in the virtual convocation," he said. Kumar said the university revived the convocation by holding its second convocation in 2018. The first convocation was held in 1972. "A convocation is a special moment in the life of a student. It is all about celebrating the scholarly achievement of a student after years of hard work by the university, family members and friends. "I have no doubt that the convocation enhances the sense of belonging of students to their alma mater. Therefore, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to hold the convocation and make it a memorable event for our students," he added. The convocation committee will work out the details on holding the virtual event sometime in November, he said. Last year, thousands of JNU students clashed with police as their protest over fee hike on the varsity's convocation day escalated, forcing HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' to stay inside the AICTE premises for over six hours. The students were protesting outside the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the venue for the varsity's third convocation. The first convocation was held in 1972 but due to a controversial speech of the then students' union president VC Koshy, the ceremony was apparently discontinued. Doctors in Nigeria's state-run hospitals have embarked on a strike to demand a pay rise, better welfare and adequate facilities. The strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (Nard) is the latest in a string of strikes by medics in Africas most populous nation. More than a third of Nigeria's 42,000 practicing doctors will take part in the indefinite strike as the country struggles to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Doctors' union leader Aliyu Sokomba told the BBC that 14 doctors had died from Covid-19 since the country reported its first coronavirus cases in March. So far Nigeria has recorded more than 55,000 cases of the virus. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video One person dead, one injured after supertanker catches fire off Sri Lanka coast A Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) caught fire on September 3 off the coast of Sri Lanka and burned for three days before the flames were extinguished. One person died in the incident aboard the MT New Diamond tanker, while another crewman was injured and taken to hospital in a serious condition. Image: Sri Lanka Navy The MT New Diamond, was sailing 38 nautical miles (70km) off Sangamankanda Point east of Sri Lanka when it sent a distress signal to authorities at the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center in Colombo. The New Diamond had a crew of 23 people, including 5 Greek national and 18 Philippine nationals, and was carrying around 270,000 metric tonnes of crude oil from the port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip. There was also a reported 1700 metric tonnes of diesel stored onboard to be used as fuel. The Sri Lankan Navy brought in several boats and a helicopter to assist in firefighting efforts while four Indian ships and two Russian anti-submarine ships also assisted in the operation. On September 5, the navy said that there was no immediate threat of an oil spill, but that if one should occur, it would be an environmental disaster. An Indian ship assisting in the operation said that it had observed a 2m crack in the New Diamonds hull above the water line. Image: Sri Lanka Navy The New Diamond is a Panamanian-flagged tanker that had been chartered by Indian Oil Corp. After burning for three days, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a statement that the fire had been brought under control. However, due to high temperatures inside the ship and environmental factors, there was a risk that further fires could erupt. Several vessels and craft have remained nearby the New Diamond to continue cooling operations. The statement added that salvage operations will begin shortly. AGRA: A major fire broke out at a chemical factory in Agra in Uttar Pradesh on Monday (September 7). According to reports, the chemical factory is located close to Sikandara vegetable market in the city. Meanwhile, several fire tenders have been rushed to the spot and efforts are being carried out to douse the flames. The fire broke out on Monday afternoon. As flames continued to intensify, the fire became uncontrollable with thick black smoke emerging from the building, thus creating a panic in the area. This is a developing story and more details are awaited. A few hours after Nigerias resident doctors embarked on indefinite strike action, the federal government has said the doctors have no reason to do so as more than half of their demands have been addressed. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in a statement, on Monday, said the government had already addressed six out of eight demands of the striking doctors Government has already addressed six out of the eight demands listed by the Association. With such a high percentage of the Associations demands already addressed, coupled with the existence of a pending case in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) instituted by two Civil Society groups against NARD, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Ministers of Health, and Labour and Employment, NARD had no reason to embark on an industrial action, he said. The doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) downed tools in the early hours of Monday. The doctors are protesting the failure of the government to meet some of their demands made in June this year following a week long strike action. The association had in June protested over unpaid salaries, non-payment of hazard allowance, and a dearth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hospitals, among several other reasons. Following an appeal by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi and other stakeholders, the one-week-long strike was suspended to give the federal and state governments time to fulfil the outstanding demands. READ ALSO: These demands are yet to be fulfilled, NARD president Aliyu Sokomba told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday. Resident doctors make up a large percentage of doctors in Nigerias tertiary hospitals. Governments efforts The minister noted that the government has already spent N20 billion on the Special Hazard and Inducement Allowances for Medical and Health Workers for April, May and June 2020, with a few outstanding payments to some health workers for June 2020. He said the government has expended N9.3 billion as premium for Group Life Insurance for Medical and Health workers, as well as for all civil and public servants in federal organisations that are treasury funded, to run from March 2020 to March 2021. Mr Ngige also stated that the government appropriated N4 billion in a 2020 special budget for funding of Medical Residency Training and intended to do same in the ongoing 2021 budget. He further stated that N4 billion has been processed for payment. But Mr Sokomba said this has not translated to availability of the funds because our residency training programme has continued to suffer a setback as a result of poor funding. Law Mr Ngige urged the striking doctors to respect the countrys laws and suspend their industrial action. He explained that by Labour Laws and ILO Conventions, when issues are being conciliated, all parties are enjoined not to employ arm-twisting methods to intimidate or foist a state of helplessness on the other party; in this case, your employers, the Federal Ministry of Health. He noted that two groups, Citizens Advocacy for Social Rights (CASER) and Association of Women in Trading and Agriculture (AWITA), had asked for an interlocutory injunction against further strike actions by NARD, adding that all parties had already appeared and exchanged court processes. The Minister said the ongoing conciliation meeting between NARD and the ministry of health and that of finance, budget and national planning has been reconvened to be held on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. London, Sep 7 : Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to say that if no agreement on trade between the EU and UK can be reached by October 15 both sides should "accept that and move on". Johnson will say completing the UK's exit from the EU without a trade deal would still be a "good outcome", the BBC reported. It comes after UK chief negotiator David Frost said the UK is not "scared" of walking away. Another round of talks - the eighth - is due to begin on Tuesday. But on the eve of the negotiations, the Financial Times reported that the UK is planning new legislation that will override key parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement made last year. The new bill would eliminate the legal force of arrangements over customs in Northern Ireland which had been designed to avoid a hard border with the Irish Republic. It would also override provisions on state aid - the financial assistance sometimes given by the government to companies. Government sources told the BBC that the legislation would be introduced this week, describing it as a "sensible fall-back option" in case negoiations break down. They said it was "not intended to derail the talks", but a key EU diplomat told the BBC it was "a self-defeating strategy" that could lead to the trade talks unravelling altogether. On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC that there were two outstanding issues to be resolved in the negotiations, fishing rights and rules over state aid. The prime minister is due to say that time is running out to find a solution before 31 December, when the UK's transition period ends. Although the UK left the EU on 31 January, it continues to follow some EU rules while the trade agreement is being negotiated. "We are now entering the final phase of our negotiations with the EU," Johnson is expected to say. He will say there needs to be an agreement by the European Council on October 15 if it is to be in force by the end of the year, so "there is no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond that point". "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," Johnson will say. The UK has said it wants to strike a deal with the EU which resembles Canada's. But Johnson will say no-deal means having a "trading arrangement with the EU like Australia's", using trade protocols set by the World Trade Organisation. "I want to be absolutely clear that, as we have said right from the start, that would be a good outcome for the UK," the prime minister will say. He is due to say that "we are preparing, at our borders and at our ports, to be ready for it", although groups representing road hauliers have warned the UK is "sleepwalking into disaster". "We will have full control over our laws, our rules, and our fishing waters," Johnson will say. "We will have the freedom to do trade deals with every country in the world. And we will prosper mightily as a result." The prime minister is expected to say the UK "will always be ready to talk to our EU friends" even if no agreement is struck, finding "sensible accommodations on practical issues" including flights, lorry transport and scientific co-operation. He will say there is "still an agreement to be had" if the EU is ready to rethink its positions "even at this late stage". "But we cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country to get it." The EU's chief negotiator, Michael Barnier, has previously suggested the end of October is a "strict deadline" to finalise an agreement for next year. He said he has shown "openness to find compromise" but the UK will "have to move" if it wants to avoid the consequences of having no deal. Bruges mayor Dirk De fauw first realized something was desperately wrong with European tourism when on a brisk March morning he crossed the Burg square in front of the Gothic city hall and there was nothing but silence. There are always people. Always, De fauw said. That morning? Nothing. Nobody is on that large square at the heart of one of Europes most picturesque cities, he said. Six months later, as Europes meanest tourist summer season in history is starting to draw to a close, COVID-19 is yet to loosen its suffocating grip on the continent. If anything the pandemic might tighten it over the coming months, with losses piling up in the tens of billions of euros across the 27-nation European Union, and the continents vaunted government support and social security system under increasing strain to prop up the sector. The upheaval so far, the blocs executive European Commission said, shows that revenue losses during the first half of 2020 for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, long distance train operators and airlines were roughly 85-90%. No country has been exempt in an area spanning from Greeces beaches to the trattorias in Rome and the museums of Paris. And even now, the European Commission told The Associated Press, bookings for September and October remain abnormally low, as dire as 10% of capacity in Bruges. It dents hopes that a brief uptick in business in July would be a harbinger of something more permanent. Over the summer, though, came fresh spikes in COVID-19 contamination, new restrictive measures and regional colour codes that spelled disaster for local tourism when they turn red. It left the European tourism industry relying on hope more than anything else. It was all evident on a late summers day in Bruges, when usually throngs of American and Asian tourists should have been mixing with Europeans along the cobblestone streets below gabled houses to help boost the annual visit numbers to over 8 million in the city of 110,000. The swans have it all to themselves, muttered Michiel Michielsens as he slowed his boat behind a bank of swans who gracefully obstructed a quick passage on the canals. On a normal day not like the one when he had 114 customers instead of 1,200 tourists instead of birds would rule the waters. Now a boat could be seen showing a single couple around while normally 40 people fit in one. For tourists who can live with wearing masks for hours, there are some advantages. In Bruges, it extends to the citys famed museums where the medieval Flemish Primitives take center stage. Instead of craning over other tourists flashing smartphones, any visitor could now be alone for minutes on end to study in detail one of Jan Van Eycks most famous pictures Our Lady with the Child Jesus, St. George, St. Donaas and canon van der Paele. All this is bittersweet to museum officials though. Across Europe, just about all have had to close for months early this year, and the outlook is bleak. Attendance has now slumped to a quarter of what it was in 2019 at Bruges museums. But during the uptick in July we had 50%. So its declining gradually. Every month we see the numbers declining, said Jonathan Nowakowski, the business director of Bruges Museums. I can tell you that were looking at losses of 3.4 to 4 million euros this year, all happening despite expectations being high in a Van Eyck memorial year with special exhibits. We had we thought we would have had huge numbers of visitors, he said. It all quickly trickles down to hotels, restaurants, shops and the survival of families. For those who own the building it is more manageable than for those who rent a building, since often those monthly payments must continue to come. With reservations down for the next months, some hotels will just close down, knowing the costs will never match up to the puny revenue. Others are using the low winter rates in summer. A great many put staff on temporary unemployment, and they acknowledge government aid has been a help. But they fear that will whittle down soon despite the 750-billion-euro recovery fund that EU recently agreed to. In the next few months, we will see a lot of places that will go bankrupt. A lot of people will be unemployed, said Luc Broes, co-owner of the hotel-restaurant Duc de Bourgogne, which overlooks a canal. Social protection, he said, only goes so far. We also have to pay our rent for the building. We also have to pay all the staff. We have to pay the insurances. We have to we are not protected. In the moment we cant pay anymore, we will go bankrupt as well, Broes said. Despite the 19th-century novel Bruges-La-Morte (Bruges, the Dead City) that turned the city into a metaphor of melancholy and decay, there is a steadfast conviction that people can turn this around that tourism will survive. It is a feeling felt through much of the bloc and a special EU summit is already planned for early October on how to reinvigorate and reform tourism in general. Unsure how long the pandemic will last, Bruges has already decided to forego any blockbuster exhibits. Instead, it will centre on local artists who have been hart hit financially by the pandemic. It includes a photographer tasked to show the solitude that COVID-19 has spawned in the city. They get funds. They get paid, They can survive, and we can offer the visitors something new, something inspiring without having all the logistical difficulties that corona(virus) brings, Nowakowski said. The question of whether there will be more lockdowns, nationwide restrictions or limits on international travel still haunts everyone. Renowned chocolatier Dominique Persoone was lucky to survive on a big local fan base so he could do without the big cruise ship crowds that come and buy his chocolates from his shop, in the shadows of the cathedral. The hardest thing is that you dont know what the future will bring. We dont know how its gonna be in September, October, when the real chocolate season starts. Then its Halloween, Santa Claus, Christmas. Now, winter and more uncertainty beckons. We thought we were safe and we had a wonderful life. And, now, this is happening, Persoone said. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Bengaluru: The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF)s Infosys Prize 2016 were given away in six fields at an awards ceremony, celebrating their inspiring journey and contributions to science and research. The Prize was given across the fields of Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. Dr Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society, Nobel Prize Laureate and Padma Vibhushan, felicitated the winners and awarded each laureate a purse of Rs 65 lakhs, a 22-karat gold medallion and a citation certificate. Trustees of the Infosys Science Foundation, S D Shibulal, President of the Board of Trustees, N R Narayana Murthy, Mohandas Pai, Kris Gopalakrishnan, Srinath Batni and K Dinesh, were present at the event, also attended by eminent scientists and leaders from different industries and academia. Ramakrishnan commended the extraordinary work that the Infosys Science Foundation is doing to encourage scientific research in India, according to a Foundation release. In a complex and technological world, it is increasingly important for all of us to understand the basis of science and technology, and to distinguish evidence based facts from speculation and myth, he said. Scientists work quietly to advance the state of our understanding in areas from pure mathematics and physics all the way to medicine and engineering, and the Infosys prize is a nice way to recognize the work of some leading scientists and stimulate public interest in science, he said. The winners of Infosys Prize 2016 are 1) Engineering and Computer Science: V Kumaran, Professor, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, 2) Humanities: Prof Sunil Amrith, Mehra Family Professor of South Asian Studies, Professor of History, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA, 3) Life Sciences: Prof Gagandeep Kang, Executive Director of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad. 4) Mathematical Sciences: Akshay Venkatesh, Professor, Department of Mathematics, Stanford University, USA, 5) Physical Sciences Dr Anil Bhardwaj, Director, Space Physics Laboratory, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram 6) Social Sciences: Prof Kaivan Munshi, Frank Ramsey Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge, UK. Infosys Science Foundation is a not-for-profit trust funded by a corpus which today stands at over Rs 140 Crore contributed by the trustees and Infosys. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A MAN sent menacing packages to the Department of Health containing leaflets with distressing content, it has been alleged. Mark Watts (50) was ordered to have no contact with any minister, TD or government department as part of his bail terms when he appeared in Dublin District Court. Judge Michael Walsh adjourned the case for the accused to consider how he intends to plead. Mr Watts, with an address at Nicholastown, Athy, Co Kildare, is charged with sending a postal packet containing a leaflet with handwriting that was offensive or menacing. He is facing four counts of the offence in 2019, including dates in March and April that year. The prosecuting garda said she arrested the accused at Pearse Street station today. He was charged at 10.03am and made no reply after caution. He was handed copies of the charge sheets. The DPP was directing summary disposal of the charges at district court level, she said. Judge Wwalsh asked for an outline of the allegations. The garda said in relation to one charge sheet, it was alleged that a package was received by the Department of Health on Baggot Street in March last year. When opened by a staff member it contained an envelope which had very distressing text. The other charge sheets were all pretty much similar, the garda said. Judge Walsh accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case in the district court. There was no garda objection to bail subject to conditions. The judge granted Mr Watts bail in his own bond of 1,000, with no cash lodgement required. Under bail conditions he is to appear in court for each remand date, be of good behaviour and not commit any offences. He is also to have no contact directly or indirectly with any minister or TD, or any member of the Oireachtas, or government department. The judge said this included contact by any electronic means. At the request of defence solicitor Matthew Byrne, the judge ordered disclosure of prosecution documents, to include all offending material, custody records and copies of the accuseds garda interview. The judge granted free legal aid after Mr Byrne said his client was unemployed and in receipt of social welfare assistance. There was no garda objection. The judge said the defence would need some time to consider the charges and adjourned the case to October 12. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:13:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SOFIA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The eighth edition of the "Alley of the Book -- Sofia," a large-scale outdoor book fair, opened here on Monday, with the participation of about 100 of the Bulgaria's leading publishers and booksellers. During the week-long event, which is staged in 36 tents set up in the park next to the National Palace of Culture and in a nearby pedestrian street, visitors can browse and buy thousands of books, some at 10 percent to 50 percent discount. A rich cultural program accompanies the fair, featuring meetings with writers, publishers and translators, premieres and book presentations, and even a Bulgarian spelling contest. According to Diana Boycheva, a member of the Steering Committee of the Bulgarian Book Association, the event organizer, this is the largest outdoor book fair ever held in Bulgaria in terms of the area it occupies and the number of exhibitors. To some extent, the coronavirus situation has led more publishers to prefer this outdoor format, Boycheva told Xinhua. Here, each publisher can meet and talk to the readers in person and display their books in a way that is not possible in large bookstores, she said. Enditem Acwa Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants, has announced the successful signing of senior financing agreements for the $650 million Jubail-3A IWP. The project is the fourth seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination project to be awarded in Saudi Arabia over the last three years, as part of the largest public-private partnership (PPP) desalinated water procurement programme in the world. Jubail-3A IWP will utilise RO technology to yield a capacity of 600,000 cu m per day. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the project was awarded to a consortium of Sepco III, Power China and Abengoa, said the Saudi project developer. The operations and maintenance agreement was signed with an affiliate of First National Operations & Maintenance Company (Nomac). The commercial operation date of the plant is scheduled towards the end of 2022, it added. The utility-scale project had been awarded to the consortium led by Acwa Power, in association with Gulf Investment Company (GIC) and Al Bawani Water and Power Company (AWP), earlier this year at a world-record tariff of 41 US Cents per cu m for desalinated potable water. The water purchase agreement was signed in May by Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) in its capacity as the off taker of the project. The transaction is financed through limited recourse ring-fenced project financing with Al Rajhi Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Riyad Bank and Mizuho Bank being the initial mandated lead arrangers. In addition, Riyad Bank and Bank AlJazira have already provided equity bridge loans for the transaction earlier this month. President and CEO Paddy Padmanathan said: "Signing of the financing agreements for Jubail-3A IWP project in less than four months from the date of signing the water purchase agreement, especially in the midst of a pandemic which is causing global disruption, is testament to the financial communitys confidence in Acwa Powers proven capabilities in delivering large-scale utility plants; and an indication of the unwavering support of our partners, including our lenders, contractors and advisors." Chief Investment Officer Rajit Nanda said: "We take this opportunity to thank Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) and the various authorities within Saudi Arabia whose immense support and cooperation have enabled our swift progress in the projects development." "We take great pride in having broken the record for the lowest tariff for desalinated potable water, thrice in the last 3 years, including for the Jubail-3A IWP project," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:38:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO), along with two international organizations on Monday commended Cambodia for taking actions in regulating Breast Milk Substitutes (BMS) and responding to parents' complaints promptly. "We greatly appreciate the government's swift action to suspend the sale of BMS products from companies failing to meet international standards to protect the health and well-being of children and their mothers," said a joint statement released by the WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Helen Keller International (HKI). The statement was signed by Li Ailan, representative of WHO-Cambodia, Foroogh Foyouzat, representative of UNICEF-Cambodia, and Gwyneth Cotes, country director of HKI-Cambodia. "We are also concerned by the results of the recent investigation of infant formula milk powder produced by Nutrilatt," it said. The result of the independent laboratory tests revealed inadequate levels of iron and zinc in the company's infant formula milk powder, the statement said, adding that this is a reminder of the crucial importance of robust regulation of BMS products. The statement said micronutrients like iron and zinc are critical for the health and development of children, and insufficient levels in children can lead to lifelong impaired physical and cognitive growth. "We request the government to arrange for affected children and their families to receive appropriate care and support," it said. The statement said global evidence shows that exclusive breastfeeding remains the best way to feed infants. Where BMS products are used, they need to be rigorously regulated according to the international standards and Cambodian law. "Failure to do so, along with their inappropriate use, puts children's lives at risk," it said. "Ensuring children have access to safe, affordable, appropriate, nutritious products that are adequately regulated by the government is crucial to protect their well-being." Until they reach six months, babies should only receive breast milk to ensure all the nutrients they need to grow well and be healthy, the statement said, adding that from the age of six months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods alongside continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond. Enditem New Delhi: Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has been given Y-plus category security by Central security agencies and will be protected by about 10 armed commandos around the clock, Union Home ministry officials said on Monday. The decision comes two days before Ranaut, who is in her home state Himachal Pradesh, said she plans to visit Mumbai on September 9. She said she felt unsafe in Mumbai after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and also spoke of drug use in a section of the film industry. The Home ministry has decided to accord Ranaut Y-plus category security through a paramilitary force, a ministry official said. The Y-plus category central cover entails the deployment of about 10 armed commandos with the protectee round the clock, he explained. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Sunday said his government decided to provide the actor security after her father and sister sought protection for her. Officials said the Himachal Pradesh government has requested the Central government to provide security to Ranaut through a paramilitary force. BJP leader Ram Kadam recently asked the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government to provide police protection to Ranaut since "she wanted to expose the Bollywood drug nexus". Responding to Kadam's tweet, the actor said she feared Mumbai Police more than the "movie mafia", and would prefer security either from Himachal Pradesh or the Centre. Reacting strongly to her comment, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut purportedly said, "We kindly request her not to come to Mumbai. This is nothing but an insult to Mumbai Police." Hitting back, Ranaut tweeted, "Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir?". The "Queen" actor also tagged a September 1 news report on Raut asking her not to return to Mumbai if she was afraid of the city police. Raut had on Friday urged the Maharashtra government to take action against people defaming the city police. He also asked Ranaut to tour the PoK first to see the situation prevailing there. In a tweet stating that she would be returning to Mumbai on September 9, Ranaut had dared anyone to stop her. Sena MLA Pratap Saranik hit back with a slap threat and said she should be arrested for sedition. Ranaut also asked Raut to apologise for his remarks against her. Raut on Sunday said he would consider doing so only if she apologises for her "insulting" remarks against Mumbai and Maharashtra. Isabel Sandoval, the writer, director and star of "Lingua Franca," sends in a self-styled portrait. (Markus Sia) Quiet moments come alive with defiance in Lingua Franca, the third feature film from writer-director Isabel Sandoval. In one scene, a cautious woman tentatively allows herself to experience pleasure, a tumult of emotions erupting across her face; in another, two friends sitting in a church find solace in a softly sung hymn from their youth. The film's vision is at once radical and nuanced, and that the protagonist of "Lingua Franca" is a trans Filipina immigrant is both rare and deeply personal to Sandoval, who also stars in the indie drama. "Movies about trans characters tend to focus on the gender transition process," Sandoval said over Skype on the eve of her film's Aug. 26 Netflix debut. "I wanted Lingua Franca to start where these trans narratives usually end. Her transition is well behind her. Thats where I was really chronicling, in a fictional narrative, my own experiences as a trans woman living in Brooklyn." "Lingua Franca," bearing what Sandoval describes as her own emotional and psychological truths, simply lets its heroine live, which is more than one could say about the America she exists in. Isabel Sandoval stars in "Lingua Franca" as Olivia, a Brooklyn woman seeking to attain legal status in the U.S. The film premiered last year in the Venice Days program of the Venice Film Festival. (Array) Olivia (Sandoval) works as a caregiver for an elderly Russian woman named Olga (Lynn Cohen) in the Brighton Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn. She sends money and balikbayan boxes care packages to her family in the Philippines while saving up to buy a green card marriage, the only option she sees that will allow her to legally stay in the U.S. When she meets Olga's grandson Alex (Eamon Farren), an unexpected connection blossoms. But with newfound hope comes new anxiety for Olivia. "One of the truly jarring emotional experiences I had when I transitioned was the first time I realized I was attracting male attention," she said. "I felt flattered, and it gave me such a rush, but at the same time I became anxious and worried about my own safety and well-being, that feeling of being both powerful and vulnerable at the same time. I wanted to distill that and capture that feeling through the film, and through Olivia." Story continues Then the 2016 election happened. The movie took on deeper sociopolitical themes as Sandoval wrote Olivia's legal status into the story. The anti-immigrant rhetoric of President Trump and his policies waft in and out of "Lingua Franca" from news broadcasts like invisible specters, filling every inch of Olivia's world with dread. Will she find love? Can she share her truth? Does she dare hold out hope for the future or in reaching for happiness, is she risking it all? Alex (Eamon Farren) and Olivia (Isabel Sandoval) in "Lingua Franca." "What's important between these two characters is actually what's left unsaid and unarticulated the secrets that they find themselves holding onto out of a sense of shame," said Sandoval. (Array) "Lingua Franca" is the latest film from Ava DuVernays Array Releasing, focused on amplifying Black, female and diverse voices, to debut on Netflix. Recent Array titles such as "The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open" by Elle-Maija Tailfeathers and Kathleen Hepburn, "The Burial of Kojo" by Blitz Bazawule and "Burning Cane" by Phillip Youmans have propelled bold new cinematic voices into the spotlight via the streaming platform. Making her first U.S.-set picture since gaining international attention with her previous movies 2011's "Senorita," centered on a trans woman looking for a new start, and 2012's "Apparition," about nuns living in a remote convent under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos' rule Sandoval is another emerging artist whose arrival feels vital and urgent, says Array President Tilane Jones. "Who she is and what shes doing is so important, especially at this time," said Jones, who acquired "Lingua Franca" out of its film festival run, which began a year ago in Venice. "The film is a love story, but it does touch on issues of immigration and what people have to go through to be in this country, and it wasnt centered on who most people think of as an immigrant. She is a one-woman phenom. And to see someone in [the trans] community share a different kind of story, I think, is transforming not just for that community but for the world." Like Olivia in "Lingua Franca," Sandoval emigrated from the Philippines and put down roots in New York City, then faced pivotal choices about her future. Her earlier path had taken her from post-grad studies at New York University to a career in media working at a film distribution company. But she couldn't ignore the voice in her head urging her toward her passion for storytelling. Discussing her pictures, the longtime cinephile volunteers influences that seeped in subconsciously along the way, from the movies of Wong Kar-wai and Pedro Almodovar in her earlier works to Chantal Akerman, Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Christian Petzold in various elements of "Lingua Franca." Yet the film is undeniably unique to her vision, and Sandoval's authorship is inscribed in every frame on every level. Creative freedom and control were two reasons why she insisted on keeping the budget low, to $500,000, resulting in a 16-day shoot in fall 2018. Veteran actress Cohen ("Sex and the City") was one of the project's earliest champions. "Her own parents were immigrants from the Ukraine," Sandoval said of Cohen, who died in February at age 86. "She told me that this was a story that needed to be made, and that she wanted a voice like mine to be heard." Isabel Sandoval, left, and Lynn Cohen in a scene from "Lingua Franca." (Array) The filmmaker connected with Farren "a young Christopher Walken" she'd seen in "Twin Peaks: The Return" over Skype, and she cast him nearly a year before they'd meet in person, just before filming. "Theres that combination of intensity, vulnerability and also a sense of danger and unpredictability; you dont know what hes going to do next," she said. "That was perfect for someone who was going to play Alex." One of their first scenes together would be the intimate encounter she describes as the opposite of 2013's "Blue Is the Warmest Color," which drew criticism for its explicit sex scenes and male gaze. In "Lingua Franca," Sandoval and cinematographer Isaac Banks employ a lyrical delicacy that centers Olivia's experience without feeling exploitative. "Its not just naked bodies gyrating against each other," said Sandoval. "Its really about her gaze and about seeing a woman, and a trans woman at that, in the act of desiring and experiencing sexual pleasure." It's also a pivotal character moment in Olivia's burgeoning sense of self, and a precursor to the complications to come in her budding romance: "Seeing a woman, especially a trans woman immigrant, thinking on-screen in an American film a character that has tended to be quite invisible for the most part is an assertion of personhood and identity. I exist. I am an agent." But the most loving relationship in the movie is the friendship between Olivia and her best friend Trixie, played by actress Ivory Aquino ("When We Rise"). "One of the brilliant things about [Sandoval] is she recognizes what other things people can bring to the table that can enhance her vision," said Aquino, who knew Sandoval before being cast in the picture. She shared an example: After filming her principal scenes as Trixie, a fellow trans Filipina immigrant who is engaged to be married to a New Yorker, Aquino had dinner with Sandoval and a group of friends. They were at a Filipino restaurant, music was blasting, and Aquino started singing. A week or so later, Sandoval called Aquino to shoot a pickup scene she'd written in which Trixie sings to Olivia in church, in Tagalog, as they reminisce over their childhoods together and the futures they both yearn for. (The film is primarily in English but also includes voice-overs in Cebuano, Sandoval's native language.) Isabel Sandoval as Olivia (right), with Ivory Aquino as Trixie: "Having shown in the other scenes how Olivia can allow herself to enjoy being a sexual being, I also wanted to show two Filipina trans women in a spiritual setting outside of sex and desire." (Array) It's among the film's most affirming moments, exploring a shared experience not only between Olivia and Trixie but also the actresses themselves, who also grew up Roman Catholic in their native Philippines. "Isabel sees two trans women, two trans friends, comforting each other in a church as radical, and I agree with that," said Aquino. "Despite what religion may say about our existence." For Aquino, screening "Lingua Franca" for early audiences was a surreal and touching experience in itself. "Its such loving validation to be able to see ones story, and your narrative, in something thats being celebrated as art," she said. "There were trans Filipina immigrants coming up to us, saying, Thank you so much, I saw my story on-screen. And, wow there are no words to describe those experiences. As I was listening to these women, I felt myself in their body saying those words. Because their words expressed how I was feeling as well." Sandoval says the experience of seeing "Lingua Franca" connect with viewers has bolstered her resolve as an artist, even with three features under her belt. In many ways, it feels like her first film, she says. The notion is reflected in three words that reverberate off the screen: "Introducing Isabel Sandoval." "I feel even more emboldened and inspired to take even more risks than I have before," said the filmmaker, whose next script, "Tropical Gothic," is a "Vertigo"-esque colonial drama set in 1570s Philippines. "Ive gotten to this point in my career of just taking the plunge, taking the risk and not really caring about 'Is this movie going to make a ton of money?' but Is this movie going to be authentic? I wanted Lingua Franca to be more authentically myself as a storyteller and as an artist. And Im going to continue doing that." Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 01:12:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, on Monday commended the country's increasing COVID-19 testing capacity as the number of confirmed cases reached 59,648. Ethiopia's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 59,648 after 976 new cases were registered on Monday, the country's Ministry of Health said. The ministry said in a statement that 15 more patients succumbed to illnesses related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the last 24 hours, which brought the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the East African country to 933. "A month ago we launched the campaign to increase COVID-19 testing throughout the country to inform measures that need to be taken in curbing the spread of the virus," Ahmed said in a statement issued on Monday. The East African country officially launched a nationwide month-long testing campaign on early August, which the Ethiopian government said "will determine the next steps to undertake in the new year," which will start on Sept. 11. "As we pass the 1 million mark, gratitude to all enabled this and caution to all fellow citizens to continue precautionary measures as we engage in upcoming New Year celebrations. 2013 expects the best out of us - let us meet the challenge by keeping healthy," Ahmed said. Many argue that the rapid increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia are due to the country's growing number of tests in recent weeks. Ethiopia has a far higher number of COVID-19 medical tests as compared to fellow other East African countries, including Kenya, the region's second-most affected country. The country has so far conducted 1,063,454 COVID-19 medical tests, including 19,449 tests during the last 24-hour period, according to the ministry. Kenya has so far conducted 474,477 COVID-19 medical test, and reported 35,205 COVID-19 positive cases and 599 number of deaths due to illnesses related to the virus. The country has also reported 21,310 recoveries, according to the latest figures from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa is currently the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for about 70 percent of all confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the ministry. Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation with about 107 million people, has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in East Africa. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, some 21,789 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had recovered, including 482 in the last 24-hour period. The ministry also said a total of 36,924 COVID-19 patients are still undergoing medical treatment, including 309 under severe health condition. Ethiopia confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 13. Amid the rapid spread of the virus in recent weeks, the government is intensifying its mass COVID-19 testing campaign. The Ethiopian government is mobilizing resources to ensure there is no shortage of laboratory materials and quarantine centers. Ethiopia is also boosting its COVID-19 testing capacity at border points with neighboring countries. As the country strengthened the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese engagement has injected much-needed momentum in Ethiopia's anti-pandemic efforts. Recently, Chinese technology and social media giant ByteDance donated 100,000 COVID-19 testing kits in support of Ethiopia's anti-COVID-19 pandemic efforts. Enditem Police launched a manhunt today for a violent on-the-run prisoner who escaped from an open jail last night. Terry McDonagh, 28, was serving time for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. He is reported to have absconded from Springhill Jail in Buckinghamshire around 5.35pm on Sunday, Thames Valley Police said. McDonagh was understood to have links to Hertfordshire but police said there had been no sightings of him. Terry McDonagh was serving time for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving McDonagh has connections to Aylesbury, Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire, Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire and the Shepherd's Bush and White City areas of London, police said. Thames Valley Police described him as a white male, around 6ft tall, of broad to heavy build, with dark brown shaved hair and blue eyes. The public was warned not to approach him but to dial 999 if they saw him. Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Justin Harris of CID based at Aylesbury police station said: 'We are appealing for information to trace McDonagh who is wanted on suspicion of escaping from lawful custody. 'We would ask anyone with information as to his whereabouts, or anyone who might have seen someone matching his description to come forward. 'Anyone who sees him should not approach him but call Thames Valley Police on 999 or if you have information as to his whereabouts please call 101.' Wildlife Rescue Trust, a non-governmental organization on Sunday rescued a hedgehog from a residential area in Gujarats Vadodara district. Speaking to ANI, Trust president, Arvind Pawar said, This is a rare species and was last caught in Vadodara in 2007. ANI also took to Twitter to share some images of the rescued spiny mammal. In the posts caption they detailed the incident and shared three pictures. Taken from different angles, the images show the animal sitting atop what appears to be a red coloured stool. Gujarat: A hedgehog was rescued from a residential area in Vadodara by Wildlife Rescue Trust, a non-governmental organization yesterday. Trust president Arvind Pawar said, "This is a rare species & was last caught in Vadodara in 2007." pic.twitter.com/drJ95GIDau ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2020 Since being shared a few hours ago, the post has received close to 500 likes and the numbers are increasing. People also had to say different things about the incident. There were a few who wrote that the animal looks cute. I know this animal, expressed a Twitter user. Looks cute, said another. Expressing the same notion another user of the micro-blogging site commented, Its cute. On September 5, an 8-feet long crocodile was also rescued from Manjalpur area in Gujarats Vadodara district by the Wildlife Department. What do you think of the hedgehog rescue? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Articles Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. 07.09.2020 LISTEN The New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate for Afigya Kwabre North Constituency of Ashanti Region, Collins Adomakoh Mensah donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth several thousands of Ghana cedis to some electoral areas within the constituency to help combat the COVID-19. The distribution according to him is part of his contribution towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, his campaign team donated hand sanitisers, assorted personal hygiene, and Protective equipment to help protect the frontline of the spread of the coronavirus in the constituency. The Parliamentary candidates who is optimistic of winning the 2020 Parliamentary elections told Otecnews in an interview that after the distribution in the Edubiase township called on well-meaning Ghanaians to join hands in combating the deadly epidemic stating that his move is not for vote-buying but to contribute towards the development of the country as a citizen. His visit took him to Akom, Esaase, Nkwantakese, and Denase on the first day where he paid homage and interacted with the respective traditional leaders. The fight against coronavirus is not an individual fight, it is a fight that we all as Ghanaians should join hands and help our leaders to send this unknown disease away, I call on all persons especially the well to do in our community to at least buy one sanitizer for the poor and the destitute, Mr. Collins Adomakoh Mensah told the chiefs and people at Akom His visit also took him to Nkwantakesehene, Mr. Collins Adomakoh Mensah called on all residents in the constituency to in the vote massively for him and Nana Addo in the forthcoming general election in December. Let us all comport ourselves during this pandemic era to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, he added. On his Part the Chief of Nkwantakese, Nana Boakye Yam Ababio congratulated him and his team, dedicating the victory to their hard work. Nana called for a united front and urged him to bring on board the other contestants in the last primaries. ---OtecfmGhana.com Honduran Finance Minister Marco Midence said on Sunday he has tested positive for coronavirus, only weeks after stepping into the post. Midence, 35, said on Twitter that "today I found out that I've tested positive for #covid 19". 15 countries with the highest number of cases, deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic Midence, appointed finance minister on Aug. 20, said his symptoms are "mild" and that he will remain isolated at home and work from there. CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH "I will continue to execute the projects and actions under my responsibility," he said. The Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday turned down an application from diamantaire Nirav Modis defence team to hold in secret the next deposition of its witness, former high court judge Abhay Thipsay, who was allegedly attacked ad hominem by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad after his first deposition in May. Thipsay had told the court via videolink from India on May 13 that the government of Indias charges against Modi would not hold up in an Indian court. The next day, Prasad reportedly held a press conference in New Delhi, attacking Thipsay and the Congress. Also Read: Nirav Modis 5-day extradition trial in London to begin from Monday Claire Montgomery, Modis lawyer, asked judge Samuel Goozee to hold Thipsays next deposition in secret or impose reporting restrictions so he does not become the subject of attacks in India again. According to her, Thipsays deposition in May had led to a disgraceful attack by Prasad in the press conference and very hostile reporting in the mainstream media. She said Thipsay was concerned that another appearance in the case would lead to more attacks. Judge Goozee referred to precedents and details presented to say that the circumstances did not justify holding Thipsays next deposition in secret or to impose reporting restrictions. He noted that the former judge had not refused to give further evidence. Also Read: Explained: What is Interpol red notice and how it will affect Nirav Modis wife Accusing Thipsay of acting on behalf of the Congress, which he had joined in 2018, Prasad reportedly said at the May press meet: There is overpowering suspicious circumstances from which we can infer that the Congress is trying its best to save and bail out Nirav Modi. The magistrates court is hearing the Modi extradition case over five days this week, with more hearings scheduled later in the year and a judgement expected in December. Modi, who is lodged in the Wandsworth jail, appeared in court via videolink. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON S reeram Visvanathan is the new chief executive of IBM UK and Ireland. The 53 year-old is from Bangalore in India and previously led IBMs global Public Sector team. In the middle of London Tech Week, he talked to the Evening Standard about the future and admits many businesses simply were not prepared for the pandemic. Youre in the first week of your new role. How does it feel to be the chief executive of IBM? Its a real privilege to be appointed. IBM has been a strong voice in the business and technology community for decades and I look forward to continuing that legacy. I spent a number of my formative years in the UK and have since worked with clients around the world. This has enriched my perspectives on the role of technology in shaping society and business, and has encouraged me to always challenge the status quo. For me, London has always been a city that shares that same outlook, and Im looking forward to reconnecting with other businesses here, particularly as we work together to get through this pandemic. From IBMs perspective, how is current sentiment in the business world post-lockdown? Now we are a few months down the line from the initial shock, organisations are undergoing an important process of reflection. A recent survey of over 300 business leaders we commissioned from Omdia discovered that the vast majority (78%) of business leaders believe their continuity/disaster recovery plans were inadequate or short-sighted. They simply werent prepared. They now need to move forward and apply the lessons learnt. The organisation of the future needs to be resilient, innovative, flexible and as agile as change itself. Where should business start if they want to become more resilient? As Londons businesses seek to emerge stronger, its critical they rethink digital and business models. Organisations must understand the data and insights they have gathered, factor in changes to customer behaviour, stabilise supply chains and ongoing operational conditions while working to mitigate against the possibility of further crises. IT will be central to all of these processes, so its vital to review the role of IT in the business. Critically, the discipline needs to be seen as far more than just an enabling function or tool for survival. I firmly believe that, with the right approach, IT can become the leader of the organisation in terms of customer engagement, product development, agility, innovation and resilience. Sreeram Visvanathan is the new chief executive of IBM UK and Ireland / Courtesy Image In what ways has technology helped businesses thrive and survive during the pandemic? The numbers speak for themselves. At a time when business infrastructure was severely disrupted, 88% of businesses we spoke to said technology had helped them mitigate the impact. Similarly, companies that were further advanced in their digital transformation programmes felt better equipped to meet the challenges of lockdown. This was most apparent in their ability to be agile, and to switch quickly to remote working. Conversely, almost all (98%) companies who were in the early stages of digital transformation felt that they should have invested earlier in data-driven and cloud-based technologies. These organisations have learnt that digital readiness is key and its important to have the technology in place before you need it. Which technologies should businesses prioritise? This is a unique opportunity for organisations to refocus their digital transformation efforts on customers. Businesses would be well-advised to place greater emphasis on capabilities that deliver direct value to the business frontline particularly in engaging customers and better serving the demands of remote customers. Its also an important moment to rethink workflows. Our research shows that the pandemic has led businesses to adopt hybrid strategies and shift many operations and offerings to the cloud. 95% of respondents agree that moving applications to the cloud had benefited their organisation during the pandemic, with 94% anticipating further investment to accelerate recovery. This will be augmented by investments in edge computing and IoT to further build out their digital platforms. What role will AI play? Increased use of data and AI has become essential to help organisations garner insights that allow them to be more agile and better serve customers. Our study confirmed this, with 57% of respondents intending to invest in business wide AI, both embedded in applications and as part of a business data platform, with supply chain and customer insights as primary use cases. A great example of this was TSB seeing an urgent need to give customers immediate access to the measures the bank had introduced during the pandemic, so it launched a new Smart Agent function on its website. This gave customers the chance to chat live online with TSB staff for the very first time. What has London got going for it as a tech hub? Well, Im talking to you during a week where the capital is celebrating London Tech Week, which is a 10-day celebration (so not quite a week) of the innovation in Londons tech sector. Were at a really key point this year in shaping the future of our industry and our city through tech. Take our universities for example. UCL students used IBM Watson to develop a VR game which helps users, like the elderly, feel less isolated. And University of the Arts London held its Graduate Showcase through a digital platform created by IBM and hosted on its public cloud. What we do right now will define the future, and London Tech Week provides a common ground to start those conversations. So, what exactly can Londons businesses do to make a success of the return to work? Everything begins with your employees. 85% of the businesses we spoke to made new investments to manage the shift to remote working, and we know that evolving flexible working models continues to be important. However, Londoners are keen to get back to some sort of normality, and this must be balanced with the need to protect the health and safety of everyone while empowering people to get their work done. How confident are you that businesses have learned from the lessons of the pandemic? Personally, Im convinced that tomorrows organisations will be more agile, fuelled by data, guided by AI insight and able to work in any cloud environment. Ultimately, I believe that technology can and should help everyone, and through this pandemic, weve seen that the possibilities of technology are endless. What we do with that realisation is now down to us. September 07 : Kangana Ranaut, who has been quite vocal in Sushant Singh Rajput case, claimed that the medical team of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has ruled out the possibility of suicide by the late actor. The actress also claimed that most likely the death was caused by strangulations. Taking to Twitter, the Panga actress wrote, AIIMS medical team has ruled out the possibility of suicide, most likely to be death by strangulations. AIIMS medical team has ruled out the possibility of suicide, most likely to be death by strangulations. Where is depression gang? If depression is like diabetes or cancer then why dont we accuse diabetes or cancer patients of suicide? https://t.co/X4uypFAS3h Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 7, 2020 Through her tweet, Kangana took a jibe at those who claim that the actor was depressed and hence took his life. She further wrote, Where is depression gang? If depression is like diabetes or cancer then why dont we accuse diabetes or cancer patients of suicide? Kangana referred to a report by India Today, which suggests that the AIIMS doctors will ask four questions to the doctors of Cooper Hospital who conducted the autopsy of the late actor. A team of three AIIMS doctors, who are in Delhi currently, is helping the CBI investigate the Sushants death case. The AIIMS doctors asked the Cooper Hospital doctors certain questions, which indicate that they doubt that Sushant Singh Rajput had committed suicide. They reportedly asked the Cooper Hospital doctors to explain how they ruled out the possibility of ligature strangulation? They also asked How could ligature mark be produced by a kurta, the alleged ligature material? The AIIMS team also visited the scene of crime along with the CBI team. Reacting to the same report, Sushant's US-based sister, Shweta Singh Kirti said in a tweet, Truth cannot be hidden for long! However, contrary to Kanganas claims, the India Today report doesnt clearly say that the AIIMS medical team has ruled out the possibility of suicide in the case. Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery Almost all the employees of a Chinese drug company and their families have been given its experimental coronavirus vaccine, the firm said on Sunday. The CoronaVac vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech, is currently undergoing phase three clinical trials. Company spokesman Liu Peicheng confirmed that the around 3,000 employees and families had been offered the drug on a voluntary basis under Chinas emergency use scheme. Sinovacs coronavirus vaccine production line, which has an annual output capacity of more than 300 million doses, started operations at the end of last month. Sinovacs products on display at a trade fair. Photo: EPA-EFE The vaccines entry into the mass market is subject to the results of the latest trials but the companys chief executive Yin Weidong said he expected its use to be approved as soon as the end of the year. In July, China approved the emergency use of vaccines for specific groups who were deemed to be at high risk of exposure, including medical personnel and border officials. Beijing was the first city in China to start the emergency use programme and tens of thousands of people including workers at the Xinfadi food market, which was at the centre of the capitals last major outbreak in June have been given the Sinovac vaccine. It will also prevent repeated epidemics in the coming autumn and winter seasons, Yin told the China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing. If there is one person infected in this venue, it will affect hundreds of people. The strong control strategy in China needs to be improved, and improvement needs to rely on vaccines. The pricing [of the vaccine] is unknown at the moment, but not as high as people expect, it should be an acceptable price for everyone. Meanwhile, Zhang Yinan, deputy general marketing manager at China National Biotec Group (CNBG), also said that she had been given her companys vaccine. After animal testing, Im willing to try the companys product to see if its safe and effective, and there are 150 employees like me who have been inoculated, she said at the trade fair. Story continues Sinovac and CNBG are currently carrying out large-scale trials abroad as they race to get their vaccines onto the market. CNBG is expected to complete its phase three clinical trial, which has seen more than 35,000 people given the vaccine in the United Arab Emirates, in November. The UAE has a purchase intent [agreement] with CNBG and we cant disclose the exact figure, nor the pricing, Zhang said. Sinovac says it has received orders from a number of countries and is currently conducting phase three trials in Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil and Indonesia. In late August, Sinovac and PT Bio Farma, a state-owned Indonesian pharmaceutical company, signed a preliminary agreement for the purchase and supply of CoronaVac, which Liu described as the largest publicly reported order to date for a Chinese vaccine company. The agreement provides for the supply of 40 million doses of semi-finished CoronaVac products between November and March, with further sales likely throughout next year. Bio Farma will package the vaccines and supply them to customers in Indonesia. Sinovac has urged the authorities in different countries to ensure the vaccine can be registered more quickly. China National Biotec Groups vaccine is undergoing a large-scale trial in the UAE. Photo: Reuters For example, if the study we did in Brazil is accepted by other countries in South America, the vaccine can be registered and we can supply it to more countries. Yin said. We call on more countries to accept the results of our current clinical studies and approve a safe and effective vaccine for marketing as soon as possible. Of course, the biggest market for vaccines, the biggest demand, and the biggest challenges, are all in China. Sinovac claimed that no serious adverse reactions have been observed in the phase three clinical trials, indicating that the vaccine is safe. The adverse reactions observed were mainly local pain at the injection site, followed by fatigue and weakness, and local swelling, all of which were transient, Liu said, Only very few have fever and allergic reactions. Last month both Sinovac and CNBG warned consumers not to fall for online scams in which advertisers are offering Covid-19 vaccines for sale. Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China. This article Chinese drug firm Sinovac says thousands of employees and their families have been given its Covid-19 vaccine first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Getting a vaccine to nearly all Americans is a complex process, said Khan, who formerly served as CDC director of public health preparedness and response. During the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak, a vaccine was ready in November. But it wasnt until April that health officials were able to vaccinate a quarter of Americans. So I think CDC is appropriately reaching out to states and saying, Please get your plans ready so that when vaccine is available, we can go right away and were not left waiting to get vaccine into peoples arms, he said. Khan said hes very optimistic a safe, effective vaccine potentially more than one will be identified. He said he thinks people will start to see results from some vaccine studies in October or November. But he told NPR that it would be super optimistic to think a vaccine will be ready in October. Other lessons Another lesson learned, Hewlett said, is the importance of clear guidance at the national level. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 05:39:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli parliament has approved an economic plan to support and accelerate the Israeli economy during the coronavirus pandemic, a parliament spokesperson said on Monday night. The plan totals 7.2 billion new shekels (about 2.1 billion U.S. dollars), initiated by Israeli Finance Minister Israel Katz. Of this amount, 4.2 billion shekels will be allocated to the Ministry of Education, mainly for the Israeli education system to deal with the pandemic. In addition, 2 billion shekels of the total amount will be used to support Israeli industry. The remaining 1 billion shekels will be allocated to increase negative income tax grants for low-income employees, and to small businesses that have been significantly affected by the coronavirus crisis. Enditem In what will give India a technology edge the scramjet demonstrator vehicle travelled 6 times the speed of the sound Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex in Odisha. PTI photo Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully flight tested Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle. This will pave the way for indigenous development of hypersonic cruise missiles by India which can breach some of the conventional air-defence systems and hit targets in the rival countries during a war. In what will give India a technology edge the scramjet demonstrator vehicle travelled 6 times the speed of the sound. DRDO has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) at 1103 hours from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha today, said a defence ministry statement. It said that the hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor, which took it to an altitude of 30 kilometres (km), where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated at hypersonic Mach number. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned. The hypersonic combustion sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound that is nearly 02 km/second for more than 20 seconds. The critical events like fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet demonstrated technological maturity. The scramjet engine performed in a text book manner, said the statement. The parameters of launch and cruise vehicle, including scramjet engine was monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and Telemetry Stations. The scramjet engine worked at high dynamic pressure and at very high temperature. A ship was also deployed in the Bay of Bengal to monitor the performance during the cruise phase of hypersonic vehicle. All the performance parameters have indicated a resounding success of the mission, said the statement. With this successful demonstration, many critical technologies such as aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials, separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities were proven, it said. As I write this column, I do so without knowing if all those who regularly purchase the Daily Mail from their newsagents will be allowed to buy the edition in which it appears. That infringement of their your liberty is the purpose of Extinction Rebellion, a small-ish but increasingly influential group of middle-class climate change protesters who want to silence anyone or any organisation that doesn't share their hysterical view that the planet and its inhabitants will fry to fossil-fuelled extinction within a decade or two unless we return immediately to a form of pre-industrial subsistence. That, ostensibly, is why they had been blockading the print sites of most of our national newspapers. Their belief is not based on science but is quasi-religious: they regard any provider of information which does not conform to their strictures as wicked and to be silenced (if they refuse to be converted), rather in the same way that the Spanish Inquisition treated heretics. Extinction Rebellion are pictured blockading Newsprinters in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, on Friday night using vehicles and bamboo lock-ons to try to prevent newspapers from reaching newsstands on Saturday One of its founders and still an active member, Roger Hallam, went even further, declaring that 'maybe we should put a bullet in the head' as 'punishment' for those he deems responsible for this alleged impending planetary extinction. Intimidate Although it was the bulk of the newspaper industry that his group has been attempting to intimidate and shut down this weekend, last year it tried something similar with the BBC, massing outside New Broadcasting House, preventing many of the corporation's journalists from getting in, while holding up banners with the slogan 'BBC, your silence is deadly'. In fact it is Extinction Rebellion which wishes to silence voices it disapproves of; and it was almost comical that it should have targeted the national broadcaster, which has itself taken the decision not to allow airtime to anyone who questions the idea that man-made climate change is the biggest global threat to human health (although the coronavirus pandemic might have caused some inside that organisation to wonder belatedly whether in fact disease might be the true villain). Sir David Attenborough, still vigorous well into his 90s, is the cutting edge of that BBC campaign. He has declared that 'we cannot be radical enough' in our policies to reduce CO2 emissions. Andrew Neil (left), during XR's tedious onslaught last year on those attempting to get to work in London, interviewed the movement's then spokeswoman, Zion Lights (right). Neil asked her to give the scientific basis for claims that 'our children are going to die in the next ten to 20 years' It is even more fabulously ironic that the issue of The Sun newspaper which the Extinction Rebellion blockaders on Friday night fought to prevent reaching the public contained an adoring interview with Sir David about 'the climate crisis'. In it, he told his interviewer: 'We are damaging the environment just by sitting here breathing. The carbon dioxide going out of this window as a consequence of meeting here is quite significant.' I would have been tempted to reply: 'Don't be silly, Sir David; it isn't.' But the nation's favourite presenter of once ideology-free wildlife documentaries was, as always, treated with uncritical deference. In a way, the same unwillingness to debate has been both the media's and the politicians' approach to Extinction Rebellion and its spiritual leader, the precocious Swede Greta Thunberg. Yes, the Press is now defending itself robustly against XR's physical attempts to silence it, yet there has been a peculiar reluctance to challenge the protest group's claims forensically. Peculiar, because it is not just that their methods are objectionable: so are their arguments. Perhaps the only time this happened (at least on the BBC) was when Andrew Neil, during XR's tedious onslaught last year on those attempting to get to work in London, interviewed the movement's then spokeswoman, Zion Lights. Neil asked her to give the scientific basis for her claims that 'our children are going to die in the next ten to 20 years'. After some confused waffle, she responded: 'The overall issue is that the deaths are going to happen' which did not get us much further. She seemed even more at a loss when Neil responded to her insistence that 'billions of people will die [as a result of climate change] over the next few decades': 'I looked through the report of the IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] and there is no reference to anything of the sort.' Alas, the BBC have since parted company with Mr Neil, whose critical approach to this matter is not their house style. As for Ms Lights, she has since left XR to become an advocate of nuclear power. Delusion In a brave article, she said that she had become aware that this country (or any other developed nation) could not abandon fossil fuels and still keep the lights on without rapid development of nuclear power the only reliable way of mass-producing energy without emitting CO2. Bjorn Lomborg's latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts The Poor, And Fails To Fix The Planet, has been almost entirely ignored in the British media (forget about any BBC interviews with Lomborg) No amount of wind or solar energy installations can produce energy 24 hours a day, or in absolutely reliable quantities: they are inherently intermittent in their production. As the late chief scientific adviser to the Government, Professor Sir David MacKay, said a week before he died in 2016: 'Because my time is thinner and thinner, I should call a spade a spade 'There is this appalling delusion people have that we can take this thing [renewables] and we can just scale it up, and if there is a slight issue of it not adding up, then we can just do energy efficiency. Humanity really does need to pay attention to arithmetic and the laws of physics.' Yet the XR lot regard nuclear power as satanic, not just because of its former connection with weapons production, but also because they shun anything which doesn't seem to them 'natural'. One of Extinction Rebellion's founders and a continued member, Roger Hallam declared 'maybe we should put a bullet in the head' as 'punishment' for those he deems responsible for this alleged impending planetary extinction It seems they would rather mankind died of hunger naturally, than prospered through technological and industrial processes. Or, rather, they take prosperity for granted, without understanding how it was created (perhaps because the great majority of them seem to come from homes which have never known poverty). Yet our politicians seem cut from the same cloth. When Greta Thunberg came to the UK in April last year, they queued up to praise her and her arguments, which are indistinguishable from those of XR. Speaking alongside her in parliament, the then Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: 'We have not done nearly enough. Greta, you have been heard.' Scared Indeed, two months later, the Government legislated to make the UK 'net zero carbon by 2050' admittedly 25 years later than XR's impossible demand. But it had no idea how much this would cost, or how it would be done. When Greta Thunberg (second from right) came to the UK in April last year, politicians including Michael Gove (far left) queued up to praise her and her arguments, which are indistinguishable from those of XR The New Zealand government did carry out such an exercise, and concluded that to achieve 'net zero' by 2050 would cost 16 per cent of GDP annually. This would equate to 560 billion a year if applied to the UK equivalent to almost three-quarters of all public expenditure. Yet this legislation was passed without even a debate, let alone a vote in the House of Commons: it was enacted through a statutory instrument. This could only happen because the overwhelming majority of MPs are too scared to be seen as so-called 'climate change deniers'. And they absolutely refuse to engage with such rigorous thinkers as Bjorn Lomborg, the president of the Copenhagen Consensus Centre think-tank, or Michael Shellenberger (named as a 'hero of the environment' by Time Magazine in 2008), both of whom argue that grotesquely excessive resources are being ineffectually dedicated to 'preventing' climate change. So Bjorn Lomborg's latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts The Poor, And Fails To Fix The Planet, has been almost entirely ignored in the British media (forget about any BBC interviews with Lomborg). And I believe the Daily Mail is the only British newspaper which has given much space to Shellenberger's new book, Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All perhaps the most pertinent of his points being that to move to 100 per cent renewables 'would require increasing the proportion of land used for energy from today's 0.5 per cent to 50 per cent'. The fact that the British political establishment and the bulk of the media have ceased even to engage in this debate, on an intellectual level, has left the ground free for Extinction Rebellion to occupy. Really, they didn't need to try to silence the Press. The intimidation and groupthink has done its work quite thoroughly already. Abu Dhabi Airports Duty Free, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports, has launched a new home delivery service, allowing residents across the UAE to buy Abu Dhabi Duty Free products from the comfort of their homes. Now, residents can browse and choose from an expansive selection of items from leading international brands and have them delivered straight to their door. The new service comes as a results of Abu Dhabi Duty Frees desire to cater to those remaining at home during the Covid-19 outbreak, said a statement. Shareef Al Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: We are delighted to launch Abu Dhabi Duty Free home delivery service, enabling residents of the UAE to take advantage of a growing selection of our most popular items we have to offer at Abu Dhabi Duty Free without having to leave their homes. This new program forms a part of our commitment to our customers to ensure they can enjoy our great range of products while staying safe. We have made the online ordering process incredibly easy and will continue find ways to make our products and services as attractive and rewarding as possible, added Al Hashmi. How It Works The Abu Dhabi Duty Free website (https://addf.ae/) allows residents to easily register for an account, shop for duty free items, pay for them online through a secure gateway, and then have them delivered anywhere within the UAE. Customers also have the option to create Wish Lists of products to be purchased at a later date. All purchases will be delivered by Aramex as per every customers delivery preferences. Abu Dhabi Duty Frees customer support team is available during business hours to assist and answer any queries, it said. - TradeArabia News Service On August 28, in Sardarapat, we expressed our appreciation and paid our respects to Armenian servicemen on the occasion of the victorious battles led in July. Our visit today, which is ending with an unprecedented concert (as a matter of fact, the Armenian National Philharmonic has never played in Berd and the people of Berd couldnt even remember the last time a classical music concert was held in Berd), and todays events are dedicated to the heroic people of Tavush Province and our heroic people of the Berd region. This is what Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during the opening of the 21st Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival in Berd and summed up his visit to the borderline villages of Tavush Province. Our victory in July was shaped by our armed forces, but the heroic people of Berd and the Tavush Province were the strong rear for them. Today we can state facts and repeat the word unprecedented a few times in order to show that victories are shaped through collective efforts and consistency, Pashinyan said. Pashinyan stated that today he had visited a few borderline villages where roads, homes, roofs and parks are under construction. No house has been built in our borderline Chinari village since Armenias declaration of independence. Today, a house for a family of ten is being built from scratch in Chinari, and construction is set to end by the end of this year. Throughout the 300 years of its existence, Movses village has never had an asphalted road. Today, there is a road that meets all modern requirements. The Nerkin Karmiraghbyur village has never had an asphalted road during the period of independence, but today, there is a new road, and there will be a new park by the end of this year. Another village that has never had an asphalted road is the Aygepar village, but all the streets are asphalted, and the roofs of homes damaged from shelling are being repaired. Todays concert is entitled Culture-Rear, and it expresses the vision for development of our settlements. We want people to not only be invited to these concerts, but also to pay for tickets at ticket booths in villages and to see people afford to pay for tickets to classical music concerts. With this concert, we are shaping the vision of the strategy for the development of our country, our regions and our borderline villages. Dear residents of Berd village, today we have come to give thanks for keeping the rear of the army strong. During escalation of the situation on the border in 2015, as a Member of Parliament, I visited Aygepar village. In one of the homes, I told a local that this is the last home in Armenia, and he corrected me and said this is the first home in Armenia. We have come here to say that the idea of that resident of Aygepar has become a state policy, which will be implemented consistently, Pashinyan stated. Kolkata, Sep 7 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) women's cell leader Radharani Naskar was shot and seriously injured by unidentified assailants on Monday in West Bengal's South 24-Parganas district. The incident occurred in broad daylight at Raghudebpur village in Bishnupur police station jurisdiction when Radharani was shot in the back of her head. She was admitted to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata in a critical condition. Naskar was the booth committee Vice-President and the BJP's Mahila Morcha cashier. Her husband Arun Naskar is President of the BJP's local booth committee at Bishnupur. According to sources, a group of armed miscreants, allegedly backed by the Trinamool Congress, barged into her house while looking for Arun, who was not present. They beat up Radharani and fired at her, before fleeing. The local people rushed Radharani to a primary healthcare centre, but she was shifted to Kolkata hospital in the afternoon after her condition deteriorated. BJP Mahila Morcha leader Agnimitra Paul visited Radharani at the hospital. "She was shot by Trinamool Congress-backed goons. Complete lawlessness is prevailing all across Bengal as the criminals know they will never be punished in Mamata Banerjee's rule as long as they are Trinamool supporters," Paul alleged, adding that Radharani is fighting for her life. Meanwhile, angry villagers staged a sit-in at the village to demand the immediate arrest of the culprits. Mainak Bandopadhyay of Bishnupur police station said that a special team has already started investigating the case though no arrest has been made. A team of police officials, led by DSP Jibanesh Roy, also visited the spot. West Bengal Education Minister and TMC Secretary General Partha Chatterjee condemned the attack. "Whoever has done this will be punished. The police will take strict action against them," he told media persons here. Dominica came first in the CBI Index yet again, scoring maximum points in six pillars, including the new ones added this year, measuring family appeal, and the programme's certainty. Other pillars Dominica scored top marks in include strong due diligence, ease of processing, lack of mandatory travel or residence, and affordable minimum investment outlay. "Emerging for the fourth consecutive year as the world's best CBI programme, Dominica balances an excellent reputation for meeting the needs of investors with strong due diligence, a low minimum investment outlay, efficient processing, and a renewed focus on family reunification," the report reads. Researcher James McKay makes good note of the recent changes to the definition of 'dependant' and post-citizenship additions under Dominica's CBI Programme. He observes that Dominica offers one of the most sibling-friendly programme, which makes provisions for a wider age eligibility. Similarly, those who have already obtained Dominican citizenship via CBI can now add more dependants after the initial application, such as new-borns, new spouses, and pre-existing dependants. Ambassador Emmanuel Nanthan, the Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) in Dominica, comments: "We are honoured to be crowned once again the world's best country for citizenship by investment. CBI plays a major role in our economy and daily lives, and we work hard to maintain high standards of integrity, efficiency, and, importantly, a tangible impact on our population." As regards how 'certain' Dominica's CBI Programme is, the researcher notes that, having been established in 1993, it has "stood the test of time". The report concludes that Dominica is "a highly reputable destination for second citizenship." Moreover, the report notes the island's welcoming environment: "countries like Dominica offer verdant nature, sunshine, clean air, and year-round access to lush fruit and vegetables." Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said: "For us, foreign investors who become our citizens through CBI are truly valuable partners. We are proud to call them our own and to offer them a truly spectacular place to call home." Individuals and families wishing to obtain Dominica's citizenship must first pass a series of due diligence checks. Once successful, they can either make a minimum contribution of US$100,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund or invest at least US$200,000 in pre-approved real estate. Applications can only be submitted through an Authorised Agent. Processing takes three months on average. In light of Covid-19, the CBIU has temporarily allowed Authorised Agents to submit applications online, with the original documentation required at a later stage. www.cbiu.gov.dm [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1249824/CBI_Index_Dominica_Infographic.jpg SOURCE The Government of Dominica Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's campaign will resume running ads centered on his support of the military. REUTERS/Leah Millis; REUTERS/Alan Freed; Insider Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is relaunching a $47 million digital campaign targeting military service members. The massive ad relaunch comes amid a bombshell report that said President Donald Trump privately referred to fallen US soldiers as "losers" and "suckers." The ads will target voters living near military bases in five swing states: Wisconsin, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. The Biden campaign originally ran the ads, which feature Biden interacting with military service members, in January. Those ads represent just one facet of the $47 million campaign. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Joe Biden is relaunching an ad campaign targeting military service members, according to his campaign, following a bombshell report that said President Donald Trump privately referred to fallen US soldiers as "losers" and "suckers." The president made those comments in an attempt to explain the reason for his canceled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery outside Paris in 2018, according to the report, published in The Atlantic. This is the site where hundreds of American soldiers who died fighting during World War I lie. "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers," Trump said of the trip, according to The Atlantic. In a separate conversation also related to the trip, Trump referred to dead Marines as "suckers," The Atlantic reported. Immediately after the report was published, Trump's remarks received resounding criticism, with Biden delivering some of the strongest words against them. "If what is written in The Atlantic is true, it's disgusting and affirms what most of us believe to be true: That Donald Trump is not fit to do the job of president and be commander in chief," Biden said during a news conference last week. The Democratic presidential nominee has taken his criticism further, relaunching a $47 million ad campaign across various TV, digital, and radio platforms. Story continues In January, Biden released an ad titled "Protect Our Troops," featuring Biden interacting with military service members, including his late son Beau. This ad ran across several platforms over the weekend in five swing states: Wisconsin, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. That ad represents just one facet of the $47 million campaign. The relaunch effort will be an attempt to reach voters living near military bases in key battleground states. In addition to the ad buy, Biden also tweeted out a video Friday bashing Trump for his comments. Less than a minute long and entirely wordless, the video delivers a series of powerful images of burial sites where US soldiers lie. Each burial site was one that Trump declined to visit for ceremonies to honor those who died serving. Images of the burial sites and of soldiers marching are overlaid in the video with the president's remarks, as reported by The Atlantic. "If you don't respect our troops, you cannot lead them," the video ends. When reached for comment, Biden spokesperson Rosemary Boeglin gave Business Insider the following statement: "Joe Biden understands the sacred duty of a Commander-in-Chief, and that in order to lead our troops, you must respect them." "As part of a military family, Joe Biden knows the sacrifices made by our troops and our military families across the country, and wants to send a message that he will never take this obligation lightly," Boeglin's statement continued. Trump has vehemently denied the report from The Atlantic, characterizing it as "fake news." "I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes," Trump said Thursday to reporters. But news reports published over the last four years have revealed that Trump has a history of disparaging those serving and finding ways to avoid being drafted in the military. Biden, ahead by about 7 percentage points, maintains a lead over Trump so far, according to a national polling average from Real Clear Politics. The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Business Insider. When reached for comment, Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign's director of communications, refuted the allegations that the president had referred to fallen soldiers as "losers" and "suckers," saying that multiple people like "Trump critic John Bolton, who was also there, said he never heard the President say the things alleged." "President Trump shows his reverence for the men and women of the military by rebuilding the military, increasing military pay, and improving healthcare for veterans by expanding choice, increasing quality, and bringing accountability to the VA system," Murtaugh added in his statement. Read the original article on Business Insider JERSEY CITY When Francis Frannie Villa was born, she was premature and was hospitalized for two months, her mother, Angelise said. Her survival was a miracle, she added. But, on Friday, Villas life was cut short as police found her body with a gunshot wound in her Forrest Street apartment, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. She was 22 years old. According to police radio transmissions, the fatal incident was initially declared as self-inflicted. But Villas family told The Jersey Journal on Sunday that she wouldnt be the type of person to do that. Shes a bubbly person, said Andre, 30, her older brother. She was always the person that, not just loved to help others, she loved to see her progress in helping others... She forgives and forgets so easily; you dont find people like that. Villa was the youngest of four siblings. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Villa worked at the post office and helped at her brother, Andre, and his wifes pet supply store, PitBull City, just down the block from her mothers apartment on Old Bergen Road. Villa had been living with her boyfriend at his moms apartment on Forrest Street for a while now, her family said. Police found her body Friday after her boyfriend reported it, according to police radio transmissions. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office is investigating the incident as suspicious. The family held Villas funeral on Saturday and said they saw a gunshot wound in the middle of her forehead, which almost shattered her skull. They also said the 22-year-old had bruises and a nearly shut black eye. This was not suicide, said Samantha Roman, Andres wife. ... It needs to get screamed from the top of the mountains. She had no voice. For Villas older sister, Anyerin, 28, she said she and her family were completely shocked by the news. She described her sister as a lovable person, and someone who was always happy. She didnt do bad to nobody, Anyerin said. She didnt deserve this. Luis, 32, the oldest of Villas siblings, called his youngest sister his baby. He teared as his mother, Andre and Roman spoke of her. The family said the last time they saw Villa was a few months ago, but Andre last spoke with her on Aug. 29. At that time, they did not see any injuries on Villa. The family has not been in contact with the boyfriends family. I cant speak, said Angelise, Villas mother, as she teared and held onto Andre and Roman. ... I dont even want to speak about it. Villa is survived by her three children, including her seven-year-old son with her boyfriend. The family is offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who has information that can help with the investigation, they said. As of Sunday, no arrests have been made. I want justice for my sister, Anyerin said. Twin sisters who featured as a Nazi-pop duo in a 2003 Louis Theroux documentary left BBC viewers feeling 'moved' as they revealed how they have 'unlearned' their mother's right supremacist teachings. Lamb and Lynx Lennon Lingelser, 28, of Montana, starred in 2003 documentary 'Louis and the Nazis', where they were introduced as hate-spouting white supremacist folk group, Prussian Blue. But nearly 20 years later, the filmmaker revisited the pair for BBC2 documentary 'Louis Theroux Beyond Belief', which aired last night. In the episode the sisters explained their hatred towards ethnic minorities was entirely 'taught' behavior, and say that while they are no longer 'angry and resentful' towards their racist mother, they 'pity her' for skewing their beliefs. They added they are 'so separate' from the 'little girls' who were made to sing hateful songs. Lamb and Lynx Lennon Lingelser, now 28, starred in 2003 documentary 'Louis and the Nazis', where they were introduced as hate-spouting white supremacist folk group, Prussian Blue. Louis Theroux revisited the sisters in BBC2 documentary Louis Theroux, which aired last night Lamb and Lynx Lennon Lingelser (pictured right in 2003), now 28, who live in Montana, starred in documentary 'Louis and the Nazis', where they were introduced with their mother April (pictured right) as hate-spouting Nazi-pop folk duo, Prussian Blue The transformation left viewers feeling emotional, with one saying it was clear the girls had grown into 'lovely' young women, pictured The transformation left viewers feeling emotional, with one saying it was clear the girls had grown into 'lovely' young women. One tweeted: '#LouisTheroux #lifeontheedge nazi popgroup, poor girls. Luckily they seem to have changed.' Another posted: '#LifeOnTheEdge its very moving to see what lovely girls lynx and lamb have become #LouisTheroux @louistheroux.' Lamb and Lynx have both moved over 1,300 miles from their home in Bakersfield, California to Montana - and Lamb is now married and has given birth to her first child. Louis spoke to the sisters via videolink (pictured) for the documentary which aired last night Viewers noted how much the sisters have changed since meeting Theroux in 2003 When asked by Louis whether they are angry about being fed hateful beliefs from such a young age, Lamb said: 'Not anymore. 'When we were teenagers there was a lot of resentment and anger and blame on my mum, but now it's just pity. Those little girls were so separate from what we are now, Lynx continued: 'We were very removed, even watching it now, it's very hard. We didn't comprehend and understand fully, how controversial those topics are. 'Racism and those beliefs, they are learned and they can also be unlearned and untaught.' Nearly 20 years later, Lamb (left) and Lynx (right) have dramatically changed their outlook on life, describing themselves as 'pretty liberal now' The pair were just 11 when Prussian Blue rose to fame, and have previously claimed their namesake was inspired by their German heritage and blue eyes. However, Prussian Blue is also a name used for the residue left by Zyklon B, a poison used by Nazis to gas Jewish people during the holocaust. In his original documentary, Louis introduced viewers to their mother April - a member of racist fringe groups such as the National Alliance and the National Vanguard. The mother home-schooled her daughters in the hope that they would focus all of their energy into their singing act. 'They're going to be an example,' she said in the documentary. 'And show how being proud of your race is something that would be very appealing to teenage girls. In 2005, the pair (pictured) were snapped in smiley-face Hitler T-shirts and in the same year they donated money to victims of Hurricane Katrina - but insisted it go to whites only 'What red blooded American boy isn't going to find two blonde twins 16-years old, singing about white pride and pride in your race [unappealing]?, very few are not going to find that appealing.' The pair were given a computer game to play, provided by the National Alliance, called 'Ethnic Cleansing', in which a Nazi skinhead goes through a town and shoots ethnic minorities. Later, Louis met their grandfather, Bill Gaede, who had a swastika on his belt buckle, painted on his truck and even branded into his cattle. He was seen quizzing Louis on the ethnicity of his wife, telling him he should be 'preserving the white race'. The twin sisters explain that their hatred towards ethnic minorities was entirely 'taught' behavior and say they 'pity their mother'. Pictured, Lamb on her wedding day (left) and posing with her first child (right) Lynx (pictured) was diagnosed with cancer during her first year of high school and doctors removed a tumour from her shoulder By the time the twins were 13, in 2006, Prussian Blue had recorded a roster of hateful songs, with titles including 'Aryan Man Awake' and an album called, 'For The Fatherland.' Another one of their tunes was called 'Hate For Hate: Lamb Near The Lane,' co-written by David Lane - the late member of terrorist group The Order - and Lamb's then pen-pal. Lane was ten serving 190 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of Jewish talk show host Alan Berg in 1984. In 2005, Lamb and Lynx were snapped in smiley-face Hitler T-shirts and in the same year they donated money to victims of Hurricane Katrina - but insisted it go to whites only. However, in 2012, at the age of 20, Lamb and Lynx radically transformed themselves, and ditched their hateful beliefs - crediting medical marijuana for changing their mindset. By the time the twins were 13, in 2006, Prussian Blue (pictured) had recorded a roster of hateful songs, with titles including Aryan Man Awake Louis Theroux Beyond Belief: Life on the Edge sees him revisit the stories of those he's interviewed over the last 25-years and airs Sunday on BBC2 at 9pm Lynx was diagnosed with cancer during her first year of high school and doctors removed a tumor from her shoulder. She was prescribed OxyContin and morphine to deal with the pain. She also suffers from a rare condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome. She began smoking to ease withdrawal symptoms and nausea. Lamb, who suffers from scoliosis and chronic back pain, leading to emotional stress, soon acquired a medical marijuana card of her own. 'I have to say, marijuana saved my life,' Lamb told the Daily Mirror in 2012. 'I would probably be dead if I didnt have it.' 'We just want to come from a place of love and light,' Lamb said, adding, 'I think were meant to do something more - were healers. We just want to exert the most love and positivity we can.' Recipients of two new awards made in the name of former South African President Nelson Mandela by an institution in Chennai have called for an end to the increasing nationalism of states across the globe to address the issue facing the world. The awards were made by the Madras Development Society (MDS) at its inaugural International Conference on Peace and Development on Sunday evening. The virtual conference saw 17 global leaders from the Indian diaspora sharing views on how the teachings of Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King could be used to address the ever-increasing border and inter-state tensions across the globe. Dr Navi Pillay, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, received the individual award and the Austrian Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR) the institutional award. Internationally renowned lawyer Pillay was the first woman judge to be appointed to the South African High Court by Mandela after he ascended to the Presidency in 1994 following 27 years as a political prisoner during the reign of the apartheid-driven white minority government. We need governments to work collectively with civil society and not against it, Pillay said in her acceptance address, dedicating the award to the thousands of Indians who had left South India, like her own grandparents, from 1860 onwards, to toil almost slave-like as indentured labourers in South Africa. Pillay said that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ordinary people all over the world had mobilised themselves to protest against inequality and discrimination through projects such as the Black Lives Matter and MeToo campaigns. These are all powerful voices demanding change and governments must listen to their call. No single country can fight COVID-19 on its own and no country can bring an end to conflict and achieve peace unless they work together, Pillay added. Concurring with Pillays views, Gudrun Kramer of the ACPCR said that her organisation had trained over 6,000 people already to assist in UN Peace missions. The challenges of COVID-19 and climate change need to be addressed in a different way of thinking. We need to understand that we share a common planetary destiny, Kramer said. The approach of nation-state centrism with an attitude of my nation first will not be able to address these planetary challenges, he said. MDS President Dr V S Sampath said the awards had been instituted in Mandelas honour because he had been a champion of peaceful transition of the majority in South Africa after decades of suppression by a minority. Puducherry Chief Minister Velu Narayanasamy said the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Mandela had to be propagated to the entire world, while South African Minister of Cooperative Governance Pravin Gordhan said the youth of the world were sending messages through their protest actions that the changing geopolitics and geo-economics of the world has led to narrow nationalism, which is not what Mandela and others stood for. Former Prime Minister of Guyana Moses Nagamootoo shared the experience of his short-lived attempt to bring about peace and reconciliation through multi-party governance but remained hopeful that this could still be achieved. Plans were also announced at the conference for a statue of Mandela to be erected in Chennai by next year. Govindasamy Viswanathan, chancellor of VIT University, said the statue would be a mark of respect to both Mandela and the many Indians, especially from the Tamil community, who had settled in South Africa. Viswanathan said a committee of local leaders was in discussion with both government and NGOs about the statue project. Both awards will also be conferred personally at the unveiling of the statue on a date which will be decided after the COVID-19 crisis ends. Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan (Image: Twitter.com/@ichiragpaswan) The Bihar parliamentary board meeting of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), that took place on September 7, has decided to defer a decision on whether to contest the upcoming assembly elections with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal-United ((JDU) or against it. The board authorised partys national president Chirag Paswan to take a final call on the issue. All the members gave their views on issues including what the party would choose to do with the alliance for the upcoming polls. It has been decided that LJP president Chirag Paswan will take a final call on this, said Raju Tiwari, member of the LJPs Bihar Parliamentary board. The meeting also decided on a list of 143 probable candidates, which will soon be sent for final approval to the partys Central Parliamentary Board. The meeting was held on a day when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a virtual campaign for the Bihar assembly elections scheduled later this year. Led by Chirag Paswan, who is the son of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, the LJP has been at odds with Nitish Kumar over several issues including Kumars recent decision to join hands with former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. On September 6, Chirag Paswan wrote another letter to JD(U), accusing the government of failing to provide free land to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities. Both the JD(U) and LJP are part of the BJP-led NDA alliance at the Centre. While the BJP and JD-U are partners in Bihar, LJP is not a part of the Nitish Kumars state government. Saakashvili's party United National Movement decides to nominate him for post of Georgia's PM The Georgian opposition party and former ruling party United National Movement has decided to nominate its leader, former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, for the post of the country's prime minister. "The political council of the United National Movement and all parties included in the opposition association Power in Unity have made the unanimous decision to nominate Mikheil Saakashvili for the post of prime minister," Grigol Vashadze, a leader of United National Movement, told a press briefing on Monday. Saakashvili will announce his decision to return to Georgia on Monday evening, Vashadze said. A Georgian court has convicted Saakashvili in absentia on several criminal counts. He is on the country's wanted list. During a meeting with journalists on August 28, Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani promised to detain Saakashvili and give him an individual prison cell should he return to his home country. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili issued a decree in late August scheduling the next parliamentary elections in the republic for October 31. On September 4, the Georgian Central Elections Commission reported the completion of the process of registering the political parties that expressed a desire to run in the parliamentary elections. A total of 66 parties were registered. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 06:03:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Monday privately met with the family of Jacob Blake, the African American father who was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot seven times in the back by police in Kenosha, midwestern state Wisconsin, last month. Benjamin Crump, an attorney representing the Blake family, said in a statement that the senator spoke with the family in Milwaukee during her first appearance in the key swing state about how they're handling the trauma of the shooting and the Democrats' legislation efforts focusing on police practices and law enforcement accountability. Harris, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's running mate, spoke with Blake by phone during the meeting, a Biden campaign official said. "Every 24 hours there's pain ... It hurts to breathe. It hurts to sleep. It hurts to move from side to side. It hurts to eat," Blake, the 29-year-old father of three, spoke from his hospital bed in a video posted to Twitter by his attorney on Saturday. "We do have two systems of justice" for black and white Americans, Harris said on CNN on Sunday. The Blake family is launching a civil suit against the Kenosha Police Department over the Aug. 23 shooting, which has sparked week-long violent protests in Kenosha and some other cities. The police officer who shot Blake is on administrative leave pending an investigation. Enditem MILWAUKEE Jacob Blake, shot seven times by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police, has some powerful words from his hospital bed as the nation grapples with escalating tension over racial inequities: Theres a lot more life to live. A minute-long video was posted to Twitter on Saturday by Blake's attorney, Benjamin Crump, in which the 29-year-old Black man calmly described the pain he's experienced and encouraged viewers to value their lives and lives of others. Blake is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in the back at point-blank range by Kenosha Police Department Officer Rusten Sheskey on Aug. 23. Theres a lot more life to live out here man, he said. Your life, and not only just your life, your legs something that you need to move around and move forward in life can be taken from you like this. I promise you, the type of (expletive) that you will go through I got staples in my back, staples in my (expletive) stomach you do not want to have to deal with this (expletive), man. #JacobBlake released this powerful video message from his hospital bed today, reminding everyone just how precious life is. #JusticeForJacobBlake pic.twitter.com/87CYlgPDBj Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 6, 2020 Thousands march: Thousands march with Jacob Blake family in Kenosha: 'Well walk hand in hand' Every 24 hours, its ... pain. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side to side, it hurts to eat. Please, Im telling you, change your lives out there. We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man, because theres so much time that has been wasted. Story continues In this photo from Kenosha County Court video, Jacob Blake answers questions during a hearing Sept. 4. 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. The video comes a day after Blake made his first public appearance by video in Kenosha County Circuit Court. On Friday, he pleaded not guilty to several charges stemming from a domestic incident in May a case unrelated to the shooting. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing and being conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Video of the shooting set off days of protests in Kenosha which sometimes included looting, arson and violence and attracted in-person visits from President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Biden in Kenosha: Biden describes talk with Jacob Blake during Kenosha visit: 'He talked about how nothing was going to defeat him' Trump in Kenosha: Trump claims credit for bringing calm to Kenosha in visit criticized as politicizing unrest Blake was initially handcuffed to his hospital bed with deputies stationed in the room until the open warrant in the domestic case was vacated a week ago after a $500 bail was posted. The handcuffing outraged Blakes family and others, including Gov. Tony Evers. A GoFundMe page for Blakes medical expenses and counseling for him and his family raised $2.2 million as of Saturday evening. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jacob Blake Kenosha: Video released by attorney Benjamin Crump Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack revived the claim that Victoria's second wave of coronavirus cases was caused in part by a Black Lives Matter protest in June on Q+A before backing down. Host Hamish McDonald interjected nine times to challenge Mr McCormack's assertion, which he initially defended. "There were three confirmed cases from one of those protest rallies," Mr MrCormack said. Contact tracers did not know who may have caught the virus there, he said. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is not a professional singer. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen There were six cases of coronavirus detected among people who attended the rally in Melbourne on June 6, which conservative politicians at the time argued led to a subsequent sharp spike in cases. But the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has said there is no evidence to show the protesters acquired the virus there or that it spread to people in public housing towers, which were locked down and formed part of the second wave. When McDonald put that to Mr McCormack, he relented. "I'll accept that but people shouldn't be protesting," Mr McCormack said. Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid agreed there was no evidence the protest spread the virus but backed up Mr McCormack's broader point, saying large gatherings like protests risked mass transmission of the virus. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Colin Packham (Reuters) Sydney, Australia Mon, September 7, 2020 10:40 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431d536 2 World Australia,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-vaccine,AstraZeneca,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free Australia expects to receive its first batches of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as the number of new daily infections in the country's virus hotspot fell to a 10-week low. Morrison said his government has struck a deal with CSL Ltd to manufacture two vaccines - one developed by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and another developed in CSL's own labs with the University of Queensland. Morrison said Australia will in January and February 2021 receive 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, in January and February last year. AstraZeneca's candidate, AZD1222, is viewed as a frontrunner in a global race to deliver an effective vaccine to combat the virus. Australia had announced in August that it planned to buy AZD1222, along with an agreement of intent from CSL to manufacture it. That plan was thrown into some doubt when CSL announced shortly afterward that it would prioritize the manufacture of its own vaccine. Morrison's announcement on Monday that Australia would also purchase the CSL drug if trials proved successful appeared to be the culmination of a deal to get both vaccines across the line. The CSL vaccine is due to begin second stage clinical trials in late 2020, meaning the earliest it could hit the market would be mid-2021. "By securing the production and supply agreements, Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a safe and effective vaccine, should it pass late stage testing," Morrison said in an emailed statement. Should both vaccines pass clinical trials, Australia will spend A$1.7 billion ($1.24 billion) for a total of nearly 85 million doses, Morrison said. The agreement came as Australia's Victoria state said 41 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the past 24 hours, the lowest single-day rise since June 26. Australia's second most populous state has been the epicentre of a second wave, and now accounts for about 75% of the country's 26,320 cases and 90% of its 762 deaths. The southeastern state on Sunday extended a hard lockdown in its capital Melbourne until Sept. 28 as the daily infection rates had declined more slowly than hoped. Job losses The extension of the lockdown in Melbourne is expected to fuel further job losses. The national Treasury Department said the original six-week lockdown had already cost Victoria around 250,000 jobs, or half the total recorded by the state since the pandemic began. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Monday announced Australia would extend its temporary insolvency and bankruptcy protection rules until the end of this year, barring creditors cannot issue bankruptcy notices to businesses for debts below A$20,000. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. 1022 out of 3549 active coronavirus cases in Armenia receive treatment in hospitals, the rest at home, Armenian healthcare ministers spokesperson Alina Nikoghosyan told Armenpress, stating that mainly patients with mild symptoms receive their treatment at home. Currently 2527 out of 3549 active cases are at home, the others are in hospitals, she said. The criteria, based on which the citizen needs hospitalization, is defined by the healthcare ministers decree. The spokesperson said mainly those people who have breathing problems, pneumonia, are being hospitalized. For instance, if a person has 37.5 degrees fever, but no other symptoms, he/she stays at home after testing, being considered as a mild case. But if the temperature drastically rises or other symptoms emerge, he/she is transported to hospital by the mediation of a doctor, she said. At the moment hospitals serving coronavirus infected patients in Armenia are nine, some of them are not coronavirus-only hospitals, but have departments. As of September 7, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Armenia has reached 44,845, out of which 40,121 have already recovered. The number of active cases is 3549. The death toll has risen to 900. Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:29:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Naume Mudzonga conducts an online lesson in a classroom at Mother Touch Senior School in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sept. 1, 2020. While many schools in Zimbabwe are still waiting for the resumption of normal classes, Naume Mudzonga's Chinese language teaching has moved to online to keep her students engaged despite the lockdowns due to the pandemic. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua) by Tafara Mugwara, Zhang Yuliang HARARE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- While many schools in Zimbabwe are still waiting for the resumption of normal classes, Naume Mudzonga's Chinese language teaching has moved to online to keep her students engaged despite the lockdowns due to the pandemic. Mudzonga, a graduate from Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology in northern China and a beneficiary of Confucius Institute Chinese language scholarship from University of Zimbabwe, now teaches Chinese at Mother Touch Senior School in the capital Harare. When classes begin, she logs on to Microsoft Teams, an online communication and collaboration platform that allows people to work together online. To keep her students actively engaged during the virtual classes, Mudzonga makes sure that there is maximum participation of all students and regular responses from them, which provide valuable insights into their opinions and help her understand their grasp of the content. The virtual environment, in Mudzonga's view, ensures that students, safely and comfortably at home, can interact and make contributions as much as they do in face to face classes. Primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe closed in March due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, just a week before the end of the first term. "We realized that if we fail to teach them during this lockdown, exams will still come and they will have nothing to write," she told Xinhua. But she also admited that not all her students can attend the online classes regularly. "Some of them are less privileged and they cannot afford data bundles every day. So sometimes they attend two classes per week or three classes per week," she said. The move to conduct Chinese language lessons online was prompted by the fact that there has been a rising demand from students seeking to learn the language. Mudzonga said the influx of Chinese businesses in Zimbabwe over the past years has made the ability to speak Chinese a great selling point in the job market. Economic engagement between China and Africa has expanded exponentially over the years. As Zimbabwe continues to cement its bilateral relations with China through increased economic engagement, opportunities also grow within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Forum on Africa-China Cooperation, therefore there has been a pressing need to know Chinese language, history and culture. Zimbabwe's Look East Policy was adopted in 2003 with the aim to expand bilateral and trade relations with China. The country has seen a surge in the number of parents sending their children to learn Chinese. One of Mudzonga's students Rumbidzai Mundeta said the ability to use Chinese language offers many opportunities. "When you know a different language, jobs tend to became more likely to be obtained. People are interested in those who know many languages," she said. Enditem Egypt plans to scrape old and rickety cars manufactured over 20 years ago and replace them with new ones running on natural gas as well as to convert hundreds of thousands of vehicles to gas-powered models It takes between two and four hours to convert a vehicle to run on the dual-fuel system, natural gas and gasoline, Egypt's petroleum minister Tareq El-Molla told a cabinet meeting on Sunday. Using natural gas as an alternative fuel saves up to EGP 1,200 (approximately $75) a month for vehicle owners, he added. The cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and attended by four ministers, was held to follow up on the country's strategy on bi-fuel system conversion. Egypt plans to scrape old and rickety cars manufactured over 20 years ago and replace them with new ones running on natural gas as well as to convert hundreds of thousands of vehicles to gas-powered models. The Egyptian strategy, which focuses mainly on microbuses and taxis, is meant to preserve the environment and make use of the countrys plentiful natural gas production. El-Molla urged the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel for cars for its economical and environmental benefits, saying "the price of one m3 of natural gas is EGP 3.5, while the price of one litre of gasoline hovers around EGP 6.5-7.5." If people's daily consumption of gasoline 80 is 10 litres, they can save EGP 825 a month and EGP 1,200 if they use gasoline 90, the minister added, noting that there are 28.5 million vehicles running on natural gas worldwide. Last month, the Minister of Trade and Industry Niveen Gamea said each vehicle will be converted with a total cost ranging EGP 8,000 and EGP 12,000 (approximately $500 to $750), and the cost could be funded by small-interest loans. Concerning the replacement of obsolete vehicles, she noted the first phase will kick off in seven governorates that are equipped with the adequate infrastructure to go ahead with the process. Military production minister Mohamed Morsi said during Sunday's meeting his ministry has already taken measures to convert the buses of the Cairo Public Transport Authority to gas-powered models instead of diesel to be in line with the state's strategy. Environment minister Yasmine Fouad stressed that emissions coming from transportation modes in Egypt cause the biggest share of air pollution the country is suffering from, especially Greater Cairo. "The transport sector is responsible for one-third of air pollution in big Egyptian cities," Fouad told the cabinet meeting, citing a study carried out by her ministry over the past 20 years. She said about 42,000 taxis were already replaced and scrapped in cooperation with the finance ministry. "Some 1,000 microbuses in Cairo, which were manufactured over 30 years ago, will be scrapped and replaced with new ones running on natural gas," Fouad added. Over the past six years, 118,000 vehicles have been converted to the bi-fuel system, bringing the total number of converted vehicles in the country to 322,000, the petroleum ministry said last month. The government aims to convert 147,000 gasoline-powered taxis and microbuses to natural gas within three years and replace 240,000 diesel-powered microbuses with new natural gas vehicles over four years. Egypt wants to rely on cheaper, cleaner energy sources and increase the amount of power generated from renewable energy sources to 20 percent by 2022 and 42 percent by 2035. In July, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt will license new vehicles in August only if they operate on the bi-fuel system. Search Keywords: Short link: The pandemic destroyed rehearsal, audition and performance as we knew it, but Quaver means musicians can adapt to this changed world and remain at a high standard of playing skill. Nimikry Music, an innovative music technology start-up, has joined forces with leading UX design firm Creative Navy, to create a new tool for musicians with an app called Quaver. Whilst social distancing during the Coronavirus pandemic has put most creative musical collaborations on ice, the Quaver app allows 'orchestra quality practice, play and critique through innovative technology and social sharing. Nimikry has previously pioneered apps for classical music, but this partnership with Creative Navy has focused on a digital experience that means musicians can practice their instrument, playing virtual chamber music and orchestral pieces and sharing that creative production by exchanging with other musicians across a global community. Nimikry founders Alessandro Baticci, a classical flautist and Rafal Zalech, a viola player, have worked together as performers and composers since 2016. Alessandro says; The pandemic destroyed rehearsal, audition and performance as we knew it, but Quaver means musicians can adapt to this changed world and remain at a high standard of playing skill. Theres still the need for hard work but collaboration is now possible with other musicians using Quaver and its valuable because you can assess, critique and improve. Ultimately Nimikry Music has aspired to create a platform not just to overcome the current challenges faced by musicians, but to bring together musicians to play and to create together via this new app. The team at Nimikry has addressed the issue of digital copyright by introduced a royalty-based system for content creators inside the platform. Apart from practicing with accompaniments and recording their own practice sessions, users have the possibility to upload their own transcriptions, accompaniments and play-alongs in a dedicated upload area. This is how they can contribute to the App library. Whats more, all users will benefit from these contributions seeing as, through a price per download system, content creators will receive some payment for their content. Rafal Zalech said: Covid19 has created a need for musicians to adapt to a new world, but hard work and collaboration remain key. Music is an essential source of creativity and classical music in particular has inspired us to consider what is meaningful and how it can be reinvented. Regarding its audience, Nimikry has an even farther-reaching agenda: Music is a universal language says Alessandro Baticci. We want to conceive Quaver as an universal music platform, not necessarily restricted to particular genres. We think that the social approach of Quaver is the genuinely new element of the product and can change the way we make and also consume music in the future. The team already has concrete ideas to expand Quaver beyond its original scope, to allow more users apart from musicians to benefit from the App. Dennis Lenard, CEO and product architect of Creative Navy said: Nimikrys take on how musicians can use technology to become better performers is unique and were excited to be part of the journey. Our evidence-based approach to design and the experience we have in human-computer interaction has helped create an app with a global appeal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Nimikry Nimikry Music OG is a music tech start-up founded by two classically trained musicians, Italian flautist Alessandro Baticci and Polish viola-player Rafal Zalech, who came together as a composer-performer duo in 2016 and have collaborated artistically since then. In 2018 they started working on the design of a new interface of expression and digitalisation methods for instruments. Nimikry operates at the threshold of music and digitalisation, conceiving artistic work in terms of its possible translation into the digital domain. About Creative Navy Creative Navy is a boutique design consultancy with offices in London, Berlin and Basel. It supports clients to create digital products that are meaningful to users, be they consumers or professional users. The design company has extensive experience across the technology landscape, including embedded systems and unusual devices. Press contacts Alessandro Baticci, Nimikry Music, Quaver App alessandro.baticci@me.com "Any film that gets made even a bad one is a miracle," says Roderick MacKay, whose film The Furnace is the only Australian film selected for this year's Venice Film Festival. MacKay says making The Furnace, a slice of historic fiction about the cameleers who came from Afghanistan and India to provide desert transport to prospectors during the gold rush, is the hardest thing he's ever done. Ahmed Malek was surprised to learn some of the complex stories from Australia's colonial past. There was the challenge of making a film in five languages. Then there was the day they shot an action sequence in a gorge and the mercury topped 55 degrees. Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, who plays cameleer Hanif, recalls the torment of wearing multiple layers in that heat. But he was better off than the actors playing colonial troopers in hats, boots and thick woollen jackets. "I have to tip my hat to our troopers, who just soldiered on," says MacKay. "Like troupers! It was all tricky, but worth it." Covid-19 has thinned the ranks of critics in Venice, but what English-language reviews there are of The Furnace have been enthusiastic. Trade magazine Screen described it as "weighty, surprising and beautifully made", predicting that it was "likely to win attention for its sensitive exploration of a little-known area of Australian history". The Guardian's Xan Brooks took it in the spirit of a Western; he said he was "immersed in the action, living each twist and turn of the trail" and that it was "tough as old leather and as unadorned as cow hide". Four out of five stars. A fire in California that has spread over more than 7,000 acres was caused by a "pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party, local officials have said. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement on Sunday that the smoke generating device had sparked the El Dorado fire on Saturday morning. With the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesnt take much to start a wildfire," the agency said. "Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible." The El Dorado fire is one of more than 20 blazes currently raging in California, which is experiencing a record heatwave. Nearly 15,000 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the fires, the largest of which is known as the Creek Fire. The blaze has burned more than 73,000 acres to date and local authorities said on Sunday that none of it has been contained. California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday declared a state of emergency in the Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Bernadino and San Diego counties due to the fires. California Wildfires: August/September 2020 - In pictures 1 /90 California Wildfires: August/September 2020 - In pictures The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area Noah Berger/AP The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area Getty Images A man pulls out a garden hose as he helps Fire Fighters with Cal Fire protect the St. Helena Water Treatment Plant from the Glass Fire in Napa Valley, California AFP via Getty Images An air tanker drops retardant on the Glass Fire burning in Calistoga AP Firefighters knock down flames on a dog house while battling the Glass Fire burning in St. Helena AP Cal Fire Capt. Jesse Campbell works to save the Louis Stralla Water Treatment Plant as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena, AP The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California Getty Images Embers fly from a tree as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena AP Grape vines at Chateau Boswell Winery burn as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California Getty Images An air tanker drops retardant as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flat community in unincorporated Napa County AP Chula Vista firefighter Rudy Diaz monitors the LNU Lightning Complex Fire REUTERS Following the LNU Lightning Complex fires, a scorched VW Microbus rests in a driveway of the Spanish Flat community in Napa County AP Fire consumes land recently deforested by cattle farmers near Novo Progresso AP Smoke rises from the LNU Lightning Complex wildfires as seen from an AlertWildfire camera looking east from Mount St. Helena, north of Calistoga, California via REUTERS Firefighters Cody Nordstrom, Kyle Harp and Robert Gonzalez, from left, of the North Central Fire station out of Kerman AP Fire consumes land recently deforested by cattle farmers near Novo Progresso AP Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires leap above Butts Canyon Road AP A charred vehicle is parked in front of a home after the CZU Lightning Complex AP Resident Alyssa Medina reacts after finding an intact cup amidst the burned remains of her home AFP via Getty Images Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires leap above Butts Canyon Road AP Howard Forest Helitack firefighters return to their helicopter after battling the LNU Lightning Complex AP Vehicles and homes have been burned by the CZU Lightning Complex Fir AP AP A vehicle drives along Knoxville Road, with flames from the LNU Lightning Complex in the background in Napa County AP Firefighters take refuge in their trucks in a cleared field as a wildfire also known as the Hennessey Fire jumped Knoxville Berryessa Road, west of Sacramento AP A resident hoses down a burning bicycle and tree as flames from the Hennessey approach a property in the Spanish Flat area of Napa, California AFP via Getty Images An outbuilding burns as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flat area of unincorporated Napa County AP Bill Nichols, 84, works to save his home as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through Vacaville AP Residents extinguish spot fires while protecting their property as the LNU Lightning Complex fire burns through the area in Fairfield, California Getty Images A bicycle and palm tree burn at a residence during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in the Spanish Flat area of Napa, California AFP via Getty Images Mobile homes burn at the Spanish Flat Mobile Villa as the LNU Lightning Complex Fire burns through the area in Napa, California Getty Images Firefighters monitor flames as they approach a residence in the valley area of Vacaville, northern California during the LNU Lightning Complex fire AFP via Getty Images Horses stand in an enclosure as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flats community in unincorporated Napa County AP A CalFire crew from Coulterville takes a break while fighting the River Fire near Salinas AP A massive column of smoke rises above Highway 1 just north of the Santa Cruz County line as a section of the CZU August Lightning Complex burns above Waddell Beac AP Debris piles burn as the LNU Lightning Complex fire burns through the area in Fairfield, California Getty Images Fire burns along the closed Interstate 80 Getty Images In this long exposure photograph, flames consumes both sides of a segment of Lake Berryessa during the Hennessey fire in the Spanish Flat area of Napa AFP via Getty Images In this long exposure photograph, embers fly off a burning tree during the Hennessey fire in the Spanish Flat area of Napa, California AFP via Getty Images Mobile homes burn at the Spanish Flat Mobile Villa as the LNU Lightning Complex Fire burns through the area in Napa, California Getty Images Fire crews maintain a backburn to control the River Fire near the Las Palmas neighborhood in Salinas AP Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn in unincorporated Napa County AP A pickup truck drives on a freeway overpass as flames from the LNU Lighting Complex Fire approach Interstate 80 on the outskirts of Vacaville, California REUTERS Mobile homes burn at the Spanish Flat Mobile Villa as the LNU Lightning Complex Fire burns through the area in Napa, California Getty Images Firefighter David Widaman directs water onto a tree that had exploded in flame as a fire crew defends a house northwest of Santa Cruz AP A home burns as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flats community in unincorporated Napa County AP Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires lick above a fire truck in unincorporated Napa County AP A flag flies as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires crest a ridge in Napa County AP Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires jump Interstate 80 in Vacaville AP Fire crews maintain a backburn to control the River Fire near the Las Palmas neighborhood in Salina AP Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires jump Interstate 80 in Vacaville AP AP AP AP AP AP AP AP Douglas Forest Protective Association AFP via Getty Images AP AFP via Getty Images Getty Images AP Butte County Sheriff Butte County Sheriff Butte County Sheriff Butte County Sheriff His office said the declaration was prompted by the Creek Fire. Eight people have been killed and more than 3,000 structures destroyed over the past three weeks in fires across California. COVID-19: No new community infections in five days No new Covid-19 cases were reported on Monday morning in Vietnam, marking five days in a row without virus community transmission according to the Ministry of Health. A stranded tourist in the central city of Da Nang is supported to return home. (Photo: VNA) The figure includes 691 cases infected domestically, of which 551 related to the outbreak in the central city of Da Nang since July 25. Among the active patients, 27 have tested negative for the novel coronavirus once, 24 twice and 35 three times. The committee also noted that nine patients are in critical conditions, three of them testing negative for the virus three times. Total recoveries stand at 815 and death toll 35. Most of the fatalities were the elderly with serious underlying diseases. There are 39,975 people having close contact with confirmed cases or coming from pandemic-hit areas under quarantine at present. Innovative creations for community service during COVID-19 epidemic browser not support iframe. During COVID-19, a lot of scientific initiatives and innovation have also been put into operation. In Da Nang city, from the beginning many automated devices have been quickly researched and put into operation by school units as well as youth union members. The device for counting people in and out of this market was conceptualized and implemented by teachers and students of Danang Vocational College within 5 days since Da Nang City started distributing even and odd market tickets. Integrating camera, automatic antiseptic water nozzle and mean to control the number of people currently in the market, this device contributes to the social distance in the markets. Stemming from the real need of the community, these automatic disinfection machines have been quickly put together and put into use. With the convenience of effectively helping to limit cross-contamination, these machines have been rapidly replicated across the city during epidemic season. With initiatives aimed at practical community service, young people not only show their role, but also contribute to protecting the doctors or the police, army. Over the past time, Da Nang has joined hands with the city government to fight off epidemics, such practical and valuable scientific initiatives can be considered as the most effective weapons that young people have contributed to the city's anti-epidemic work. Philippines secures over 8.8 bln USD for COVID-19 response The Philippines has so far secured a total of 8.83 billion USD in borrowings, loans and grant assistance for the government's COVID-19 response efforts from its development partners and the commercial markets, Chinas Xinhua News Agency reported. The Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) said on September 6 that of the total amount, 5.98 billion USD is budget support financing from the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the French Development Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. A total of 2.35 billion USD was sourced from the government's latest global bond offering that fetched its lowest ever coupon in the USD market, the DOF added. The DOF said the remaining 496.36 million USD is from grant and loan financing from the Philippines' development partners for various COVID-19 specific projects. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said that total government borrowings for 2020 and 2021 are projected to reach 3 trillion pesos (roughly 61.7 billion USD) to support priority expenditures necessary for the country's swift recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and public investments in infrastructure and social services. Dominguez added that borrowings are expected to settle at 2.3 trillion pesos (roughly 47.3 billion USD) in 2022, with funding in favor of domestic sources. He said the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to settle at 54 percent this year, 58 percent in 2021, and 60 percent in 2022. Dominguez added that these projections are still lower when compared to the country's all-time high debt level of 71.6 percent of GDP in 2004. Last year, the debt-to-GDP ratio fell to a historic low at 39.6 percent. COVID-19-triggered lockdowns severely curtailed the countrys economic activities and muted its revenue-generation capacity, with total revenue collection reaching only 1.7 trillion pesos (roughly 35 billion USD) in the first seven months of 2020, or 7 percent lower than the revenue take in the same period last year, with 85 percent of the revenues coming from tax collections. Industrial parks serious about tackling pandemic browser not support iframe. Although there has been no case of any factory being closed due to suspected Covid-19 infection but the prevention and surveillance works have been taken seriously in many industrial parks in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh. These shields on workers' dining tables have been installed since the outbreak of Covid-19 in Vietnam. Besides ensuring safety of workers' meals, epidemic prevention at the factory has been carried out seriously. The food production has been strengthened than ever. In addition, with a large volume of cargo trucks regularly entering and leaving factories, monitoring of epidemic prevention right from entrance is extremely important. Many businesses require mandatory medical declaration at the entrance gate, thereby reducing the risk of bringing pathogens into the factory. Ho Chi Minh City currently has 18 export processing zones, industrial zones in operation, with about 1,500 businesses and 300,000 workers. With the current complicated development of the pandemic, the risk of disease transmission is still high. Therefore, it is very important to raise the awareness of self-protection for workers and factories, in order to help the city to achieve the dual goal of both production and epidemic prevention. Da Nang sees off medical staff as COVID-19 situation under control The Peoples Committee of Da Nang city on Sunday said goodbye to five out of eight medics from Ho Chi Minh City who came lending their helping hands to stamp out the COVID-19 outbreak. Le Trung Chinh, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang municipal Peoples Committee, thanked the timely support from other localities, including Ho Chi Minh city, for Da Nang to overcome the hard time. The situation now is under control as a result of doctors and nurses's four weeks of working tirelessly. Since the COVID-19 resurfaced on July 25 after a 99-day streak of no community infection, Da Nang city has gone through one week without any COVID-19 infection. 70 cases have been treated at health facilities. 31 Da Nang citizens have died of the coronavirus. So far Vietnam has reported 691 locally transmitted cases of 1,049 cases in total. Indonesia reports over 3,440 COVID-19 cases on Sept 6 Indonesia confirmed new 3,444 COVID-19 infections on September 6, raising the tally to 194,109, with total death toll at 8,025, according to the countrys Ministry of Health. Jakarta capital posted the largest number of new cases on the day with 1,176, followed by East Java with 303 and West Sumatra 244. On the day, 2,174 patients were declared to have recovered, bringing the recoveries to 138,575. At present, the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 has spread to all 34 localities of the country. Meanwhile, Malaysia had six new cases to report on September 6, including three imported, raising the national count to 9,397. As many as 9,115 patients were given the all-clear, accounting for 97 percent. The country reported 128 COVID-19 deaths. More than 240 Vietnamese citizens brought home from Philippines More than 240 Vietnamese citizens in the Philippines were brought home on a flight operated by VietJet on September 6. The flight was arranged by Vietnamese authorities, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines, the carrier, and relevant agencies of the host country. The passengers included children under 18, pregnant women, the ill, students without accommodations, labourerss with expired labour contracts and stranded tourists. The Vietnamese Embassy sent officials to the airport to help them with boarding procedures. Security, safety and hygiene measures were carried out throughout the flight to protect their health and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Upon landing at Can Tho International Airport in the Mekong Delta city of Can Cho, those on board received health check-ups and were sent to concentrated quarantine facilities. More flights are set to be conducted in the time ahead to repatriate Vietnamese citizens with disadvantaged circumstances, depending on their need and quarantine capacity at home. Nearly 1,000 Vietnamese citizens return home on Friday and Saturday Close to 1,000 Vietnamese citizens were safely flown home on repatriation flights on September 4 and September 5. Specifically, on September 4, nearly 350 Vietnamese people were repatriated from Australia and New Zealand on a flight which was conducted under a joint effort of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Vietnamese authorities, representative missions of Viet Nam in Australia and New Zealand and the two countries' authorities. The passengers included children aged under 18, the elderly, people with sickness, workers whose visas or labour contracts expired, students with no residences due to dormitory closures and those in extremely difficult circumstances. Given that travel restrictions continue to be in place in Australia and New Zealand in response to COVID-19, Vietnamese missions in the two countries have worked with local authorities to facilitate travel of Vietnamese expats to pickup points at airports in Sydney and Melbourne (Australia). Vietnamese diplomats were also sent there to assist the citizens with procedures until they boarded the flight. Upon landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City, all the flight crew and passengers were given heath checkups and put into compulsory quarantine in accordance with regulations. Meanwhile, on September 5, the repatriation flight from Singapore operated by Vietjet Air carried over 240 passengers, all of whom were in particularly disadvantaged circumstances, and 405 passengers were on the flight from the RoK, operated by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines. Upon the Vietjet flights arrival at Can Tho International Airport and the Vietnam Airlines flights arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, those on board received medical check-ups and were sent to concentrated quarantine sites in line with regulations. Security, safety and hygiene measures were carried out throughout the flights to protect passengers health and prevent the spread of COVID-19. More overseas Vietnamese with disadvantages are set to be brought home in the time ahead basing on their aspirations, the pandemics developments and local quarantine capacity. Also on September 5, as reported by the Treatment Sub-Committee of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Control and Prevention, 19 patients have been given all clear, including six patients at a Nang Lung Hospital, nine at Hoa Vang District Medical Centre and four at Quang Nam Central General Hospital. The total recoveries in Viet Nam now reach 805. KABUL -- Afghan negotiators have postponed a scheduled trip to Doha for long-awaited peace talks with the Taliban because of logistical issues at the venue of the talks in the Qatari capital. A date for the start of the negotiations has not been set, but both sides have indicated that talks could begin soon after they finalized a months-long prisoner exchange last week. Afghan negotiators had initially expected to fly to Doha late last week ahead of talks starting as soon as September 7. But Afghan officials said the team is not expected to leave until September 8 at the earliest. The Talibans negotiating team arrived in Qatar on September 5. Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on September 7 that both sides were making final preparations. Technical issues and preparations are almost complete. We hope that the Taliban also finishes their preparations so that our delegation can travel [to Qatar], Sediqqi said. In an interview published on September 6, Vice President Amrullah Saleh said the Afghan delegation would go to Doha after all logistical issues are sorted, including who should be given time to speak and how flags should be arranged during the opening ceremony of the talks. Prisoner Release Another issue was the release of six remaining Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan. In a deal struck with the Taliban last week, the inmates will be transferred to Qatar, where they will be under house arrest, Saleh said. An Afghan government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the six had been transferred to Doha on September 7. Earlier, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militant group was waiting for the six prisoners to be released, but said technical teams from both sides were working on the issue. France and Australia had objected to the release of the men because of their links to the murders of French and Australian civilians and troops in Afghanistan. The delayed intra-Afghan negotiations are part of a landmark deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February. Under the U.S.-Taliban agreement, international forces should withdraw from Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counterterrorism guarantees from the Taliban, which pledged to negotiate a permanent cease-fire and power-sharing deal with the Afghan government. The deal promised 5,000 Taliban prisoners would be set free by the Afghan government ahead of the negotiations, in return for 1,000 members of the security forces held by the militants. The last Taliban prisoners, except the six being sent to Qatar, were released last week. With reporting by Reuters and AP As chief minister Nitish Kumar kicked off the JD (U) campaign for assembly polls via a virtual rally, leader of opposition and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav attacked him and hurled 10 questions at the government.. Today he is addressing a virtual rally. Everybody has seen the fate of the partys actual rally on March 1 this year. Chief Minister would only speak on stale issues in the virtual rally and will not speak on the issues of unemployment and poverty which are afflicting the state, Tejashwi Yadav said, taking a dig at JD (U)s claim that 25 lakh people will join the rally through virtual medium. Yadav continued. Bihar is a state with maximum youth population. Why has the Chief Minister not been able to stop migration, malnutrition and unemployment in the state even after being in power for 15 years in the State? He was not able to establish industries in the state. The RJD leader also targeted the state government on what he called 15 years of misrule. In the last 15 years, why did unemployment, poverty, hunger and migration increase in Bihar? Why is the unemployment rate, at 46.61% in Bihar, the highest in the country and why has it become the centre of unemployment?, chief minister should reply on these issues as well. Citing Niti Aayog and NHM data, Yadav questioned Kumar, Why is Bihar getting pushed behind every year. As per Niti Aayog, the state is ranked lower on education, health and other development indices. Who is responsible for this? Taking a dig at the law and order situation in the state, Yadav said that as per the NCRB data, the state has the highest crime figures. Crime rate in Bihar is at 40%. An incident of rape takes place every 4 hours, while a murder every 5 hours in Bihar. CM should talk about this as well, he said. He also asked the state government to make public the work done on a package of Rs 1.65 lakh crore announced by the Prime Minister. And lastly, people also want to know why the CM disrespected the public mandate in 2017, he asked, in an oblique reference to JD (U) leaving the Grand Alliance in 2017. JD (U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan responded to the barrage of criticism with a single point. Tejashwi Yadav should first check his facts before saying anything, the JD (U) leader said, contending that 6.75 lakh people had been employed in government offices during the last 15 years. He said the corresponding figure when Tejashwi Yadavs parents - Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi - were in power was only 93,000. He also cited data from the National Crime Records Bureau to claim that the law and order situation in Bihar wasnt in a bad shape, insisting that Bihar ranks 23rd among all states vis-a-vis cognizable cases. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The 2020 census was supposed to end at an earlier date this year after the White House said the Census Bureau should "wind down" operations for certain groups, but a federal judge's order blocked this plan. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California issued a temporary restraining order against the Census Bureau and the Commerce Department, the Al Jazeera reported. The order will stop the bureau's plans to "wind down" operations until a court hearing is held on September 17. If the order hadn't been in place and the bureau continued to wind down, the census data collection would be done by the end of September. Certain civil rights groups found the decision as a victory as they had requested a later deadline for the 2020 census. They said the bureau should restore its plan to finish the census at the end of October instead. Census Bureau Pushed Back Deadlines The census was supposed to end data collection by the end of July this year but was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Every U.S. citizen's headcount, which only happens once every 10 years, will determine how federal funds will be distributed. It will also set how many seats in Congress a state gets in a process known as apportionment, noted the Associated Press. The bureau also requested Congress to extend the deadline for turning in the apportionment numbers from December into next spring. December is the deadline required by law. But the request was not granted, and the bureau was forced to create a new schedule. The bureau faced a suit on August 18, arguing that the "rushed" timeline could lead to inaccurate results. It can also lead to a massive undercount in the country's people of color, the Reuters reported. The lawsuit also alleged that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' announcement to shorten the census collection was not agreed to by the bureau's staff. Census Bureau Followed White House Orders The lawsuit contends that the Census Bureau changed the schedule to accommodate the White House's orders to exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2020 census data. The orders were only for numbers used in redrawing congressional districts. If this was followed, the bureau can hand in the data by December. A statement from the White House also said that states which "encourage violations of the federal immigration law" should not be rewarded with House seats. A CNN report noted that these changes in the headcount can have drastic effects to district seats. Many other lawsuits have been filed across the country, all of which challenged the White House memo. Each tagged the White House order as unconstitutional and an attempt to limit immigrants' power in Congress. Kristen Clarke of Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said the court recognized that the White House was "short-circuiting" the census data. She also noted that the order was a "threat" to a fair and accurate process. Koh's order cited previous court cases on apportionment. She said these earlier case concluded that it is in the public's interest to be fairly apportioned. She added that an accurate census will assure fair distribution of federal funds. "Thus, the balance of the hardships and public interest tip sharply in Plaintiffs' favor," Koh said. There haven't been any immediate comments from either the White House or the Commerce Department yet. Check these out! White House Seeks to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants from Census Data Trump Signs Memorandum Excluding Undocumented Immigrants From Census Next Stimulus Package Must Include Healthcare Price Transparency He also said, The anti-vaccine movement, they can build narratives to fight against vaccines but the track record of vaccines tells its own story and people should not be confused.' The head of the World Health Organization said the UN health agency will not recommend any COVID-19 vaccine before it is proved safe and effective, even as Russia and China have started using their experimental vaccines before large studies have finished and other countries have proposed streamlining authorization procedures. At a press briefing on Friday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said vaccines have been used successfully for decades and credited them with eradicating smallpox and bringing polio to the brink of being eliminated. I would like to assure the public that WHO will not endorse a vaccine thats not effective and safe, Tedros said. He said newly developed Ebola vaccines helped end the recent Ebola outbreak in Congo, noting that stopping the deadly virus was complicated by the dozens of armed groups operating in the region. Tedros appealed to people opposed to vaccination to do their own research. The anti-vaccine movement, they can build narratives to fight against vaccines but the track record of vaccines tells its own story and people should not be confused, he said, appealing to parents in particular. They can have a look for themselves on how the world actually used vaccines to reduce under-5 mortality to save children. Last week, Britain said it was preparing to revise its laws so that any effective coronavirus vaccine could be used before it was fully licensed. Russia became the first country in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine in August after licensing a shot that had only been tested in several dozen people. On Friday, Russian scientists published data from early studies suggesting their vaccine was safe and prompted an antibody response, but the results were limited and experts said the shot had not yet proven to work. The Russian vaccine, known as Sputnik V, is now being tested in about 40,000 people and is being offered in parallel to key workers like doctors and teachers. Among those who have received it are one of President Vladimir Putins daughters and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. China has reportedly begun inoculating some high-risk groups with one of its experimental coronavirus vaccines while the large studies to prove its efficacy and safety are ongoing. In July, the head of Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that he had received the shot, although he did not specify whether that was done as part of a clinical trial. Hyderabad, Sep 7 : Two Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire between the police and the left-wing extremists in Telangana's Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Monday, police said. The incident took place in the forests between Vaddipeta and Pusuguppa villages in Cherla mandal near the border with Chhattisgarh. This is the second encounter between Maoists and police in the district in less than a week. A Maoist was killed and another had escaped after an exchange of fire on September 3 near Devallagudem village of Gundala mandal. The extremists killed in Monday's incident have not been identified. District Superintendent of Police Sunil Dutt said the incident occurred when police were conducting combing operations in the region following information that the outlawed CPI-Maoist's Telangana State Committee was planning sensational actions against security personnel and public representatives in the wake of the bandh they called on Sunday to protest against the September 3 encounter. "We also received further inputs that Maoist teams were moving in Cherla area to destroy public property and cause harm to public life, following which the security forces had launched combing operations," the SP said. He said during the search operations, an exchange of fire took place between a group of armed Maoists and the district police special party. The police official said search was on in the forests for other Maoists. The SP said one single barrel muzzle loading (SBBL) gun, one pistol and two haversacks were seized from the scene of the encounter. Suspected Maoists had triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast on a road at Taliperu project area in Cherla mandal to target policemen on Sunday night. No one was injured in the incident. Maoists have stepped up their activities in the district in recent weeks to regroup in Telangana. An exchange of fire between two sides had taken place in July in the district. According to police, some Maoists had escaped after the incident. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. The Irish border has been a key part of Brexit talks (Brian Lawless/PA) Reports that the UK Goverment is planning legislation to override parts of its Brexit Withdrawal Agreement with the EU has been met with dismay on both sides of the border. The Financial Times has reported that the Government's Internal Market Bill could roll back on parts of the deal, including the agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Under current plans Northern Ireland will continue to follow some of the EU's custom rules when the Brexit transition period ends on December 31. The Northern Ireland Protocol was agreed last year in an attempt to prevent a hard border in Ireland. Reports claim that the new bill could prevent the need for checks on goods travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Read More The Government has previously acknowledged that extra regulatory checks will be needed on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, but insisted there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland. In response to the reports deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said any rollback could have disastrous consequences. "As the Brexit negotiations between the EU and British Government enter their eighth round this week in London, any threats of a roll back on the Irish protocol would represent a treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy, and Good Friday Agreement," the Sinn Fein vice-President said. "With clock ticking towards the end of the transition period, time is of the essence to conclude negotiations on future economic partnership and fully implement Irish protocol. "Our priority is to avoid any border in Ireland and protect the peace process, GFA and all-Ireland economy." Expand Close Leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood (Liam McBurney) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood (Liam McBurney) SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the plan would would shred the Governments international credibility and could see the return of a hard border. The interests of people, businesses and communities in Northern Ireland are again being placed in extreme jeopardy as part of a political gambit by this inept government" the Foyle MP said. "Were back to where we were a year ago - this government threatening a hard border in Ireland in the pursuit of some meaningless concept of sovereignty. Johnson still hasnt learned the lessons of our past - you cant eat a flag. The SDLP will join with other parties at Stormont and in Westminster to resist any attempt to renege on the Ireland Protocol." Read More Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said there would be "catastrophic consequences" should Westminster ministers override the Withdrawal Agreement. After Steve Aiken, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, called on people to "await the actual proposed legislation" before making a judgment, Ms Long responded: "Let's not." "Let's make it clear right now where we stand and the catastrophic consequences of such action now, while there is a chance of influencing how this unfolds," she tweeted. "At the very least, if they proceed, they can't claim the damage it will bring in its wake was not anticipated." Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, a key player throughout the Brexit process, said that any attempt to override the protocol would be a "very unwise way to proceed". In a statement the Government said it was working to address "outstanding issues". "As a responsible government, we are considering fallback options in the event this is not achieved, to ensure the communities of Northern Ireland are protected," a spokeswoman said. An eighth round of discussions around the UK's long-term trade future with the EU are set to start on Tuesday. Expand Close Boris Johnsons reported moves to roll back the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement have sparked a fierce reaction (Dominic Lipinski/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Boris Johnsons reported moves to roll back the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement have sparked a fierce reaction (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to say that if an agreement is not reached by October 15 both parties should "move on", while the EU has set its own deadline of October 31. The latest revelations come after DUP MP Sammy Wilson said his party would not accept the Brext withdrawal deal in its current form. We are still arguing that, in these negotiations, the Withdrawal Agreement must be scrapped or, at the very least, significantly changed," he said. The North Antrim MP's comments appeared to be at odds with party leader Arlene Foster who said last week that her party continued to oppose the deal, but "recognise that that is the reality now. So instead of saying I wish that hadnt happened and I do how to mitigate against that, and also take steps to make sure that we have a shared prosperity in the future for the whole of the UK, the First Minister said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Monday morning: "I trust the British government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership. "(The) protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is essential to protect peace and stability on the island and (the) integrity of the single market." A protest outside the Portland Police Bureaus North Precinct on Sunday and early Monday stayed mostly calm as police remained scarce early except for a brief appearance to escort a fire truck to extinguish a mattress fire then later made targeted arrests. More than 100 people marched from Alberta Park to the precinct, located near the corner of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Killingsworth Street. Police took a restrained position from the beginning, staying mostly out of sight while broadcasting announcements from a distance. The bulk of the nights 15 arrests came late in the event as police retreated down a street they had declared closed and warned protesters not to follow. Several did and were arrested. It was the 102nd night of protests in Portland over police violence and anti-Black racism. The local demonstrations began May 28, following the death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. At protests the night prior, police arrested 59 people, by far the most from a single event. That night, a riot was declared and tear gas almost immediately deployed after three Molotov cocktails were thrown from the protesters and one person was burned. Most of the arrests, however, were linked to nonviolent charges over failing to follow police commands. Here are some key takeaways from Sundays demonstrations. CONCILIATORY TONE: Police did not at any point declare the gathering an unlawful assembly or a riot, nor order the crowd to disperse. Officers instead broadcast narrower orders over the course of the night at one point thanking protesters for cooperating. As protesters arrived around 9:45 p.m., police were stationed far back from Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, mostly out of sight. Shortly before 10 p.m., some in the crowd produced mattresses and box springs that were quickly lit aflame, numerous video streams showed, though deliberately placed far from nearby buildings. The mattresses burned in the street for half an hour before police, citing the Portland Fire Bureau, announced the blaze was a danger to the public. Minutes later, video streams showed, police officers moved toward the crowd, which mostly retreated. A fire truck emerged from behind the police line and doused the remains of of the fire. Then the truck left, and police retreated. Thank you for your cooperation, police said over a loudspeaker. Please remain peaceful and do not light fires. CROWD PEACEFUL BUT IMPASSIONED: The crowd did not appreciate the courteous tone and responded with jeers as the message was repeated several times. The demonstrators remained peaceful, however, and the event turned into an open mic night where protesters spoke about the movement. We are not violent. We are civilly disobedient, said a speaker identified as Gary Floyd. Were going to do what we have to do to make them understand that Black lives matter. TARGETED ARRESTS: Much of the crowd later marched to the other side of the building, where a police line was waiting. Minutes after midnight, more police officers emerged and rushed into the crowd, detaining at least one person. A police officer told a gaggle of video streamers that the arrest was tied to the earlier fire. Another targeted arrested followed shortly after. Police and protesters faced off for about an hour at Northeast Sixth Avenue, which leads to a back entrance to the precinct and which police had closed. One man with a speaker stood just feet from a police officer, belting freelance rap, prompting police to announce via loudspeaker, Please step back from officers. Minutes later, at 12:40 p.m., police announced that police would be leaving and warned protesters not to enter the closed Sixth Avenue. Some in the crowd followed as officers left, and police made several arrests, apparently for failing to obey the street closure. Most of the remaining crowd scattered for the night. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive Mark Graves and Sean Meagher contributed reporting. NEW DELHI : India on Monday conducted a successful test flight of the indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), joining an elite group of countries i.e. the US, Russia and China, who possess the technology. The HSDTV has a range of uses, including missiles of the future for air defence, surveillance and reconnaissance besides in the development of energy-efficient, low cost and reusable satellite-launch vehicles. It comes in the wake of India acquiring the ability to use a missile to shoot down a satellite in space last year and demonstrating that the country had acquired submarine based nuclear deterrence capability in 2018. Coincidentally Mondays test also comes at a time when ties between India and China are frayed due to intrusions by Chinese troops into Indian territory and tensions are at unprecedented levels with thousands of troops facing off across the borders. The success of Mondays flight test of the HSTDV was confirmed by Indias defence minister Rajnath Singh and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase," Singh said in the first of two posts on Twitter. I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat," he said referring to prime minister Narendra Modis self reliant" India campaign that aims to transform Asias third largest economy into a manufacturing hub. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them," Singh said. In its statement, the DRDO described the achievement as historic." In a historic mission today, India successfully flight tested Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), a giant leap in indigenous defence technologies and significant milestone towards a #sashaktbharat and #atmanirbharbharat. DRDO (@DRDO_India) September 7, 2020 India successfully flight tested Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), a giant leap in indigenous defence technologies and significant milestone,"it said. DRDO with this mission has demonstrated capabilities for (developing and delivering) highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for NextGen Hypersonic vehicles in partnership with industry," it said. India first tested the HSTDV last year in June. Like last year, Mondays test was also conducted from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha. Giving details of the test, the statement said the hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a previously tested solid rocket motor, which propelled it to an altitude of 30 kilometres where the aerodynamic heat shields separated at hypersonic Mach number or speeds. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake (channel) opened as planned. The hypersonic combustion (was) sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound i.e. nearly 2 km/s for more than 20s. The critical events like fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet demonstrated technological maturity. The scramjet engine performed in a text book manner. The parameters of launch and cruise vehicle, including scramjet engine was monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and Telemetry Stations," the statement said. The scramjet engine worked at high dynamic pressure and at very high temperature. A ship was also deployed in the Bay of Bengal to monitor the performance during the cruise phase of hypersonic vehicle. All the performance parameters have indicated a resounding success of the mission," the DRDO said. With this successful demonstration, many critical technologies such as aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials, separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities" were tested, it added. Besides its utility for long-range cruise missiles of the future, the dual-use technology will have multiple civilian applications too. For instance, it can be used for launching satellites, according to DRDO officials. What gives a hypersonic missile its potency is the speed at which it travels, said Rajeshwari Rajagopalan, an expert on space and nuclear technology at the New Delhi- based Observer Research Foundation think tank. Countries like Russia and China have perfected this technology which makes it key for India to acquire it, she said. This test today puts India in an elite club of nations definitely, but India will have to perfect the technology with many more tests," said Rajagopalan. A hypersonic missile is a quick reaction missile" which makes it invaluable in offensive as well as defensive uses, Rajagopalan said. In case of defence, it can be used to intercept incoming missiles in the outer atmosphere or in the inner atmosphere. It will help add to Indias ballistic missile defence capabilities, she said. India has been developing a range of cruise missiles and ballistic missiles to meet its security challenges under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. These include the Prithvi and Agni missiles as well as the anti-tank Nag and surface to air Akash. India in collaboration with Russia has developed the Brahmos cruise missile. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Monday sought responses from the Centre and online video streaming platform on PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi's appeal challenging the dismissal of his plea to pre-screen the 'Bad Boy Billionaires' docuseries. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice to the Centre and and sought their stand by September 23. Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, appearing for Choksi, said he was only seeking that the matter be remanded to the single judge who had dismissed the plea. The single judge had on August 28 denied relief to Choksi, saying a writ petition for enforcement of a private right was not maintainable. The high court had said his remedy lay in a civil suit and granted him the liberty to raise the issue therein. During the hearing held via video conference on Monday, Aggarwal contended that there is a two minute footage about Choksi in the series which allegedly shows him in a bad light and therefore, could affect the various proceedings against him in India. opposed the plea, saying it was not maintainable as the high court has in the past held that over the top (OTT) or internet video streaming platforms cannot be regulated and the only option was to file a civil suit. It also said there can be no pre-censorship in the form of a preview or pre-screening of the docuseries as the same would be violative of the freedom of speech and expression. When the bench questioned whether the docuseries has been stayed, Netflix said that two individuals -- B Ramalinga Raju and Subrata Roy Sahara -- who also find mention in the docuseries have obtained stays from courts in remote corners of the country and appeals were being readied to be filed against the same. Sahara obtained an order from a local court in Araria in Bihar restraining Netflilx from using his name in the series. Netflix challenged the order in the Supreme Court which declined to entertain it, but gave the OTT platform the liberty to approach the appropriate forum in appeal against the lower court's order. Thereafter, a civil court in Andhra Pradesh restrained Netflix from airing the series on a petition by Raju who was convicted in the multi-crore accounting scandal of Satyam Computer Services Limited. Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems, and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab Bank (PNB) fraud case. Choksi left the country last year and was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda. The documentary, which was scheduled for release in India on September 2, was promoted by Netflix as: "This investigative docuseries explores the greed, fraud and corruption that built up - and ultimately brought down - India's most infamous tycoons". In the petition before the single judge, Choksi claimed he has been falsely accused of various crimes in India and is presently under investigation or standing trial by and before various authorities and/or courts. "The petitioner is entitled in terms of Indian law, that is, Article 21 of the Constitution of India to a presumption of innocence and a free and fair trial. Reputation being a facet of a person's life, the petitioner is also entitled to a right to a reputation," it had 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 National Control Bureau (NCB) is set to question Rhea Chakraborty for the second consecutive day on Monday (September 7) in connection with the drug probe related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death. It may be recalled that Rhea was questioned for over six hours on Sunday (September 6) by the NCB at its Mumbai office. Sources told Zee Media that the NCB would question Rhea in front of her brother Showik (24), Sushant's house manager Samuel Miranda (33) and the late actor's personal staff Dipesh Sawant. It is to be noted that Showik, Miranda and Dipesh are under arrest in connection with this case. During the questioning on Sunday, Rhea had told the NCB that Sushant used to consume drugs. She had told the NCB that the late Bollywood actor used to smoke week or 'charas'. According to Rhea's statement to NCB, Sushant had told her to find out about getting weed from Showik and Samuel. Rhea also told the NCB that Sushant did not take any other drugs besides weed. Rhea also told the NCB officials that she she does not know whether Showik consumed drugs or not as she is not aware of this. Rhea claimed that Sushant knew that Samuel and Showik's knew some people who can arrange drugs for him. I arranged drugs once or twice for Sushant when he asked me to do so. Rhea told the NCB that Sushant used to get drugs directly from Samuel. Significantly, the NCB had unearthed some phone chat records and other electronic data, which suggests that some of the banned drugs were allegedly purchased by these individuals. NCB Deputy Director General (South-West Region) M Ashok Jain said on Sunday that agency had also conducted fresh raids in this case against a person named Anuj Keshwani, whose name came up during questioning of Kaizan Ibrahim. It may be recalled that Ibrahim was arrested few days ago in connection with this case. Anuj was directly in touch with Ibrahim, who was involved in procuring drugs from Anuj and then giving it to Samuel and some other staff of Sushant. The NCB is now looking for the person who was supplying drugs to Anuj Keswani. The NCB is also expected to summon some more friends and staff of Sushant for questioning in this case. Postcard from Plymouth: The Mayflower at 400 celebratory year adapts Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment It was supposed to be a yearlong commemoration of the 1620 sailing of the Mayflower and the Pilgrim settlement of what became New England. Then came the global pandemic that is the novel coronavirus and international tourism ground to a halt. A large component of the celebration in Britain involved the expected hundreds of thousands of American tourists in the lead up to Sept. 16, the exact anniversary of the Mayflowers departure from Plymouth, England. But with foreign tourists effectively banned technically a visit is possible if one quarantines for two weeks upon arrival in the United Kingdom the entire program had to be adapted. The recently relaunched Mayflower 400 commemoration includes much of the programming originally planned. The big change, however, is the extension of the timetable through next summer, which should enable destinations, attractions, museums and tour operators to recoup some of the visitors and money lost this year. Home base for much of commemoration is Plymouth, England, which sees new museum The Box finally open later this month with its flagship exhibition, Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy. Organizers tout the exhibition as highlighting the experience and impact the Pilgrims had on local Indians. Also exhibited will be 300 artifacts, including the first Bible printed in the present-day United States. Meanwhile, programming on this side of the pond is moving forward under the auspices of Plymouth 400. This includes Mayflower II, a replica ship, and Plimoth Plantation, the living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. There will also be a formal remembrance ceremony with dignitaries and others in April. Spires and Crosses, a travel column exclusive to The Christian Post, is published every week. Follow @dennislennox on Twitter and Instagram. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alexandria Sage (Agence France-Presse) Venice, Italy Mon, September 7, 2020 14:06 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c43301e6 2 Entertainment Majid-Majidi,street-children,Venice-Film-Festival Free It took Majid Majidi four months and nearly 4,000 auditions to find the dynamic street children stars of "Khorshid" (Sun Children), the Iranian director's latest movie premiering Sunday in Venice. But the five kids lucky enough to be cast -- one of whom accompanied Majidi to the prestigious Venice film festival on the Lido -- are just a handful of the world's 152 million street children who face a grim future without society's intervention, the director said. "The whole world has this problem -- kids who have to work to be able to live and let their families live," Majidi said. "Many of these kids are selling items in the streets, or underground. They have the worst conditions but it's not limited to Iran, it's everywhere, unfortunately." Despite the heavy subject matter, an adventure story plot and Majidi's ability to find humanity and humour in the face of adversity help highlight the spirit, intelligence and potential of Majidi's young subjects. In the film, 12-year-old Ali (Rouhollah Zamani) and his three friends help support their families through odd jobs, even stealing a tyre or two. One day, they are told a hidden treasure is buried underneath a school for street children. To dig for it, they must enrol. Majidi said he deliberately sought a light touch, even including unexpected moments of humor that had the audience cheering at a press screening. "The topics are already very sad, very heavy. So in order to be able to keep the viewers engaged, you don't need to force them into a heavy, sad situation," Majidi told AFP, speaking through an interpreter. "I wanted to do a mixture of light and heavy and play between those so people can stand to watch this misery." The film is one of 18 in competition for the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion. Read also: Greta Thunberg says Venice documentary shows her real self Working at five Just before departing for the festival, lead actor Zamani tested positive for coronavirus and could not travel, Majidi said, adding that the youngster was fine, though disappointed. Actress Shamila Shirzad, 13, made the trip, however. In the film, Shirzad and her younger brother played roles that differed little from their actual lives. As Afghans without papers in Tehran, they worked selling items in the subway while living under the constant threat of their family being sent to a refugee camp. "I was born in Iran and started working when I was five and went to school," where Majidi found her, she said at a press conference. Some three to four million Afghans are currently living in Iran, their situation worsened by their illegal status and the prejudice they face, said the director, whose 2001 film, "Baran" focused on Afghan refugees in Iran. Majidi warned that the plight of street children was not limited to one country or region, saying the world could not afford to ignore these kids' potential. "These (children) are supposed to be the future of humanity, and what is happening to the future of humanity is disastrous," Majidi said. Responsibility goes "beyond the state," he said. "The responsibility is to understand and be aware of the children's situation, and that concerns us all, not just those who govern us." A week and a half since Hurricane Laura raked Southeast Texas as it made landfall in southwestern Louisiana, nearly all Texas residents who lost power as a result of the storm are back online. Entergy Texas spokeswoman Allie Payne said, as of Monday morning, all Texas customers power was restored. In fact, the majority of them had power by Saturday. Farther north, the Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative as of Sunday evening had only 400 of 21,150 meters of power lines left to restore for residents who lost power in the storm. According to an update from the company, crews mostly are working in the hardest-hit areas of Deweyville, Newton and Bon Wier. Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox In addition to restoring power to these areas, crews are working to restore power to individual outages and members who have made repairs to their meter loops that were damaged, according to the company. However, in southwestern Louisiana, where Laura made landfall, more than 89,000 Entergy customers remained without power on Monday afternoon. While the outages didnt last nearly as long as those experienced after Hurricane Rita a storm many people were comparing Laura to before landfall the lack of utilities caused Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bill Bartie to push his mandatory evacuation order back a few more days. Even then, carbon monoxide poisoning from generators in structures without power claimed the lives of eight individuals in and outside of Port Arthur. Many residents who didnt lose power during the storm were included in rolling power outages in an attempt to avoid a more extensive, prolonged power outage. Those outages included residents in Beaumont all the way to The Woodlands and Conroe, both north of Houston. Related: Laura victims may go weeks without power Payne said she wasnt sure if a camping and staging site set up for Entergy employees at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport also was housing crews working to restore power in Louisiana. However, some crews still are completing final work in Texas. Its unclear at this time when that work will be complete. Crews have been staying at the airport for nearly a week after encountering issues finding enough lodging for the thousands of workers who flooded the area to restore power. The tent city provided space for utility trucks, tents, portable showers, dining areas and other necessities. Jacob Dick contributed. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain What do lawyers think about the plan of the police to monitor digital platforms? We now go above and beyond the headlines with the President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Atty. Domingo Cayosa. The Ministry of Coal has withdrawn five coal blocks from Chhattaigsarhs densely forested areas of Hasdeo Arand and Maand from the proposed commercial auctioning list. The decision was taken in the wake of intense public anger over the matter with the forests also serving as the catchment area for the Hasdeo and Maand rivers. The coal blocks, namely Morga 2, Morga South, Madanpur North, Syang and Fatehpur East, were classified as No-Go zones in a study conducted in 2010 when Jairam Ramesh was the environment minister. It was then contended that every region has more coal outside the densely forested areas. This has been proved right with the three new coal blocks that have replaced the five forested areas have almost similar coal deposits. The new coal blocks added to the list are Dolesara that is fully explored, and Jarekela and Jhalarpalam-Tangarghat that are partially explored. Following the Centres announcement of auction of 41 coal blocks for commercial mining by private players in June this year, the Jharkhand government had moved the Supreme Court opposing the move. The Chhattisgarh government had also urged the Centre to reconsider coal blocks included in Hasdeo Arand and Maand forests as they fall in dense forests and are biodiversity-rich areas. On August 1, Union minister for Coal and Mines Prahlad Joshi had met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and later, told reporters that five contentious blocks will be excluded from the auction list and three new blocks will be added instead in accordance with the governments suggestion. On June 20, Chhattisgarh Forest minister Md Akbar had written to Joshi informing him that following an increase in the numbers of wild animals and a subsequent rise in man-animal conflicts, the state government has proposed to declare an area of 1,995 square km around the Hasdeo river as reserve forest for elephants. A notification on the same was under progress, the minister said while raising objections to the coal block allocations. Initially, nine coal blocks in the northern part of the state were included in the auction list and five of them, namely Madanpur North, Morga 2, Morga South, Sayang and Fatehpur East, had been classified as no-go zones. Previously Bander coal block was also withdrawn from the list following opposition from the Maharashtra government. The Bander block is situated in the Tadoba Abdhari Tiger Reserve. The Marwatola of Madhya Pradesh also falls in the tiger corridor, while two others among the auction list in the state are classified as no-go zones. Similarly, three of the nine blocks in Jharkhand and one of the 10 blocks in allocated in Odisha fall in densely forested areas. New Delhi, Sep 7 : The election to the post of Deputy Chairpersons of the Rajya Sabha will be held on September 14, the day Parliament's Monsoon Session convenes. The post fell vacant after Janata Dal-United MP Harivansh Narayan Singh's term in the Upper House expired. Harivansh has since been re-elected to the Rajya Sabha. "The Chairman, under Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Council of States, has fixed September 14 as the date of holding election to the said office of the Deputy Chairman," read an official notification issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretary General. The election will be held at 3 pm on September 14. The nominations will be accepted till noon on September 11. There is no official word from the BJP or the National Democratic Alliance on the likely candidate. The Congress and the United Progressive Alliance too has not officially announced any candidate though the matter is likely to be discussed in the Congress strategy meeting on Wednesday. Advertisement Black Lives Matter protesters chanted 'burn it down' and lit fires in the street near a police precinct in Portland as they took to the streets on the 101st night of demonstrations in the city. A rally and march at Alberta Park was scheduled to take place on Sunday night but authorities later received word that crowds had gathered outside the North Precinct blocking traffic. Shortly after 10pm, the Portland Police Bureau issued a warning to the demonstrators on Twitter which read: 'To those gathered at North Precinct: You are not to enter the property of North Precinct. Southeast Emerson Street is closed between NE MLK and NE 6th Ave. 'If you enter the property, you are trespassing and subject to arrest, citation, and/or the use of crowd control munitions.' Black Lives Matter protestors chanted 'burn it down' and lit raging fires in the street near a police precinct in Portland (pictured) as they took to the streets on the 101st night of demonstrations in the city Firefighters were called to the scene a short time later to put out fires at the protest site, according to police, who urged protesters to move away from the blaze. One video from the scene showed what appeared to be a mattress engulfed in flames as crowds chanted 'burn it down' in reference to the precinct. It comes after 59 people, ranging in age from 15 to 50, were arrested on Saturday as hundreds more gathered for rallies and marches. A rally and march at Alberta Park was scheduled to take place on Sunday night but authorities later received word that crowds had gathered outside the North Precinct blocking traffic (pictured) Firefighters were called to the scene a short time later to put out fires at the protest site (pictured), according to police, who urged protesters to move away from the blaze The majority of arrests were over low-level misdemeanors that Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said he will dismiss, Oregon Live reports. Molotov cocktails thrown in the street during a march sparked a large fire and prompted police to declare a riot. Demonstrations in Portland started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Protestors have broken windows, set fires and pelted police with rocks during the clashes which continue to rumble on. Protestors (pictured outside Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct) have broken windows, set fires and pelted police with rocks during the clashes which continue to rumble on Shortly after 10pm, the Portland Police Bureau issued a warning to the demonstrators (pictured) on Twitter to move away from the area Earlier Saturday, hundreds of people gathered in a park just north of Portland in Vancouver, Washington, for a memorial service for Aaron 'Jay' Danielson. Danielson, a supporter of a right-wing group called Patriot Prayer, was shot and killed August 29 after a pro-Trump caravan cruised through downtown Portland. The suspected killer was fatally shot by police Thursday. The ruling Chinese Communist Party has suspended two county-level officials in its northern region of Inner Mongolia for failing to implement its directives amid a region-wide schools boycott and widespread protests against plans to phase out Mongolian-medium education. The party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) imposed the penalty on two section-level leading cadres in Zhenglan Banner -- a county-level division, according to a Sept. 5 report on the banner government's official Shangdu news website. They were accused of "failing to implement" directives from the ruling party's Central Committee in Beijing, indicating that the order to make sweeping changes to Mongolian-medium education in the region came all the way from the top. The Communist Party committee of Bairin Right Banner -- a county-level division -- also warned recently that civil servants and public employees must send their children back to schools on , or face suspension without pay from Sept. 8 pending expulsion hearings. The announcements came as hundreds of ethnic Mongolians were arrested or forced to resign from public office after they resisted the changes to the curriculum, which were kept under wraps until the start of the new semester at the end of August. The New York-based Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) has estimated that some 300,000 students have boycotted class across Inner Mongolia in protest at the policy, which will see Chinese used as the language of instruction for classes in math, physics, chemistry, and political and physical education in schools that previously offered Mongolian-medium education. The authorities are saying the move is towards "bilingual education," but ethnic Mongolians say it is a form of cultural genocide aimed at cutting off their remaining connection to their culture and heritage. U.S.-based ethnic Mongolian activist Nomin said the authorities have also put pressure on other high-schoolers to drive out to rural areas and persuade families there to send their children back to school. "They are organizing teachers everywhere, and each teacher has to recruit 5-10 students to persuade other students," Nomin said. "They are using this method in all locations." "There has been a steady stream of [students] driving out to rural areas ... to carry out their political duty," he said. "Anyone opposing 'bilingual education' is regarded as opposing the government, and therefore subversive." Khubis, an ethnic Mongolian living in Japan, said the authorities had also been cracking down on ethnic Mongolian public servants in the region capital, Hohhot. The ethnic Mongolians who gathered in large cities such as Hohhot are largely public servants, so the government has been using various ... means like intimidation over the past few days to put pressure on them," Khubis said. Herders hold out He said the intense pressure had forced some parents to send their children to school on , although farmers and herding communities were still upholding the boycott. "In the countryside, the herders still aren't sending their kids to school," he said. "In Ar-Horchin Banner and Chifeng city, hardly any parents were sending their children to school -- until now." Nomin said hundreds of people have been arrested across the region as a result of the civil disobedience and protest movement. "They have arrested more than 100 people in Tongliao city, and also in Ordos city," Nomin said. He said among the arrestees were Urabagen of Ar-Horchin Banner and Tungger, who organized a petition against the language policy that garnered more than 300 signatures among employees of state broadcaster Radio Inner Mongolia. Meanwhile, police in Linhe district of Bayanuur city announced they had detained four people for "opposing and preventing" the implementation of the language policy, citing posts on the social media platform WeChat. They were accused in the statement of "publishing false information and making false statement," as well as colluding with class boycotts and inciting illegal gatherings. They were being held under "coercive measures," a term that often indicates house arrests, on public order charges, the statement said. "The government doesn't trust its ethnic Mongolian civil servants, and calls them 'two-faced'," Nomin said, citing the recent resignations of an ethnic Mongolian police captain in Ortog Banner, and his wife, a kindergarten principal in protest at the new policy in schools. School principals had also reportedly resigned in Ordos and Abag Banner of Shilin-Gol League, near the border with the independent country of Mongolia, he said. Police in Naiman Banner and Horchin Left Middle Banner said they had detained 17 ethnic Mongolians for "forwarding false and harmful information" relating to the new language policy in schools, "creating and spreading rumors," and "maliciously obstructing" students from attending class. Ethnic Mongolian academic Arichaa said the situation showed no signs of easing. "In the past few days, many local police departments have issued notices of wanted suspects, numbering hundreds of people," Arichaa said. Administrative detention People are also being held under administrative detention for 10 days just for adding a popular signature to their WeChat accounts supporting the protest movement, Arichaa said. She said one woman, Yang Jin, and her husband had been incommunicado in Shilin-Gol League for more than a week. The Global Times newspaper, which has close links with Communist Party official newspaper the People's Daily, said the changes to the curriculum didn't mean that Mongolian would be phased out of the curriculum entirely. It cited authorities in Shilin-Gol League as saying that the changes to the medium of instruction in some subjects didn't mean the end of preferable policies aimed at helping ethnic minority students get into college. "The Inner Mongolia government ... released new education regulations last month saying that students entering grade one in ethnic primary and middle schools, will use unified national textbooks for Chinese language and literature and the course would be taught in [Chinese]," the paper reported. In the past students started taking the course in the second grade. Mongolian language remains the medium of instruction in other subjects from the first grade. "Other subjects will be still taught in the Mongolian language and bilingual education in these schools is not scrapped. Neither the central government, nor the regional government have indicated the teaching in Mongolian language is to be cancelled," it quoted a statement from the Shilin-Gol League government as saying. "The new regulation on bringing courses taught in Putonghua has not been fully explained to parents, and disinformation has misled the public," the paper said in a report on . It said China's National Textbook Committee recently compiled standard textbooks in Chinese language and literature, politics and history for use in all primary and secondary schools nationwide since 2017. Starting this year, six provinces and autonomous regions, including Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, have also started using these textbooks, the paper said. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The U.S. candidate , Mauricio Claver-Carone, currently has the requisite super-majority from the Banks member governments and shareholders to win a five-year mandate at the helm of the IDB. In an unprecedented gambit, his opponents are trying to postpone the September 12 IDB balloting until after the U.S. election exposing their ideological and partisan motives. until after the U.S. election Although they have invoked an unwritten rule reserving the IDB presidency for a Latin American, similar guidelines for distributing the Banks senior positions have been violated. For example, the second ranking position, executive vice president (EVP), has been reserved for a U.S. citizen designated by the U.S. Treasury Department . According to published reports, in 2018 and 2020, Mr. Claver-Carone was nominated to serve as EVP, but current IDB president Luis Alberto Moreno defied Treasurys wishes and named another U.S. citizen to that key post. designated by the U.S. Treasury Department The Mexican economist Jacques Rogozinski, who served for over a decade in the IDB group, has pointed out that Moreno has broken other unwritten rules meant to ensure representation of regional heavyweights, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, and to distribute other senior posts fairly among shareholder countries. Although Mexico holds 7.3 percent of the Banks shares, Moreno has named only four of its citizens to senior positions, and none to a vice-presidential position. Rogozinski explains that, although Colombia accounts for only 3.1 percent of the Banks shares, Colombians hold 10 key IDB posts, including a vice president position. Today, Bank insiders say that Moreno is actively campaigning against a U.S. successor. This is more than a bit ironic, because many say that the Philadelphia-born, U.S.-educated Moreno (who renounced his U.S. citizenship when he was named Colombias ambassador to Washington in 1998) owes his 2005 election to the support of President George W. Bush. Incidentally, Morenos Colombia is supporting Claver-Carones election enthusiastically. Moreno locked horns with the United Statesthe Banks major shareholderover plans to hold the Banks 2019 annual meeting in Chengdu, China. After the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) refused to seat the representative of the democratic interim government of Venezuela, a majority of IDB member countries joined a U.S.-led boycott, scuttling the PRC-hosted meeting and embarrassing Moreno. Perhaps the strongest argument for Claver-Carones election is the widely shared, bipartisan goal to synchronize American economies, financial markets, industries, and national development plansto build stronger, more secure supply chains and to counter Chinas exploitive economic model, predatory lending, and destructive environmental practices. President Trump signed legislation in 2019 doubling the kind of overseas financing that will incentivize this realignmentsecuring $60 billion in lending authority for the rebranded U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Mr. Claver-Carone, who served at Treasury before being named Trumps Western Hemisphere advisor, spearheaded the Growth in the Americas ( America Crece) initiative , which commits robust U.S. financing to promote private-sector-led growth and security cooperation among like-minded countries. America Crece) Several Latin American observers also have told me that U.S. leadership will hold the line against corruption and invigorate free-market thinking in the Bank. Mr. Claver-Carones life-long commitment to human rights and the rule of law in Cuba and his tireless work to dismantle the dictatorship in Venezuela have sharpened his understanding of grave threats to the regions security and prosperity. Those who see the dire challenges ahead for the region should focus their energies on ensuring an urgent transition and encouraging the most talented professionals from throughout the Americas to join Mr. Claver-Carones team. Bolstering democratic capitalism -- empowering people to hold their governments accountable and to build more just and inclusive societies -- is neither partisan nor ideological. It is a mission shared by most governments in the region and by Mauricio Claver-Carone, who deserves an urgent vote of confidence. If you need proof of Emily Urquharts belief that human creativity doesnt come with a expiry date, it exists right outside the window. On this particular late August day, she is visiting her parents at their home in the town of Colborne, about an hour east of Toronto. Emilys husband and two kids are stationed at the nearby family cottage for a last summer hurrah before driving back to Kitchener-Waterloo, where she teaches creative nonfiction at Wilfrid Laurier University. Growing up with two Governor Generals Award winners as parents, Emilys upbringing served as a master class in creativity. Her mother, Jane Urquhart, is the bestselling author of such exquisite novels as The Underpainter, The Stone Carvers and Away. Her father, Tony Urquhart, is equally lauded for his career as an innovative artist and as one of Canadas pioneering abstract painters. Emily puts the phone on speaker from the room that Tony has adopted for his drawing. The two spent a lot of time here during the winter talking about art when Emily was researching her fascinating new book, The Age of Creativity: Art Memory, My Father, and Me. Lately, Tony, who is now 86, has been preoccupied with another book, one that surveys his work from the 1950s and 60s. This was the era when the young artist expanded from the abstractionist paintings for which he was well known into three-dimensional box sculptures that engage viewers from every angle. Emily observes how he looks through the book like a photo album. Today, though, Tony is facing a window in a direction that he normally doesnt sit while in this room. Not long into the phone call, he has discovered a new view that he hadnt noticed before, of a small porch with a door that, from his vantage point, leads nowhere. He observes the shapes of several windows and is already plotting how he would turn this image into a drawing, describing how he rearranges various subjects on the canvas. My dad draws from life, but he always changes it, says Emily. If there are three windows or they are in a certain spot, it will never be an exact replica. As she reveals in the book, Emily spent a lifetime immersed in her fathers art. At a young age, she even had her own wee work table in his studio. Although she recalls a memory of accidentally knocking over a large canvas through her curiosity to look at it, Tony doesnt recall her disrupting his work. She spent her childhood years as if on an artists residency. The Urquhart family travelled overseas, often staying in one place for a period of time so that Tony could immerse in a single visual, drawing it over and over in a series. If you wanted to be a part of my dads life, you were going to have to travel with him, Emily says. And youre gonna have to travel in the way that he does, which is different than what we think of as tourism travel. It seemed quite normal to me that you would go off to a small medieval village in France and thats where youd live for the year with your parents. Following their early adventures, the two would continue to travel together. They both love food, and Emily is one of the few people who can almost keep up with Tony, who happily spends hours in art galleries deeply absorbing details of individual works. Their father-daughter trips underpin the most personal stories in The Age of Creativity, which began as an essay for The Walrus (the book is published under the magazines imprint at House of Anansi Press). Even after a major health scare and a diagnosis of dementia, Tony continues to work. Emily wanted to know whether her fathers late-in-life dedication to his practice is rare. As it turns out, its our ideas about aging that are outdated. Emily, who has her doctorate in folklore and also studied journalism and art history, set out to write a big idea book about how creativity continues in old age. But the more time she spent with her father and talking to other artists about their experiences, the more personal the book became. Ultimately, it was the stories that started taking precedent and the research became the underlying interwoven thread of the book, but really it was the stories that captured my attention, she says. Despite the many famous historical precedents, such as Claude Monet painting his famous water lilies while in his 70s, even Emily admits that she used to think that once an artist or musician hit their prime, their later work would never be as good. As she points out, our collective obsession with youth and our subsequent fear of aging has a ripple effect, determining whose art is purchased, reviewed and displayed on the walls of galleries and other institutions. Its so pervasive in our culture that its innate. We fully believe that you become irrelevant after a certain age and you stop being creative. But thats just not true, she says. Youre in a different stage of your life; youre probably going to produce something different. Youve lived longer, youve had more experiences, youre probably going to create something that doesnt sound or look like it did when you were in your 20s or 30s. SC Sue Carter is editor of the Quill & Quire and a freelance contributor based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @flinnflon President Donald Trump says he would support an investigation into campaign contributions involving Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. 'Let the investigations go,' Trump told reporters at a White House news conference on Monday. It came on the heels of a Washington Post report claiming that DeJoy, who is a major Trump donor, had asked employees at a business he owned to make political contributions and then reimbursed them later with company funds. It's not known whether an investigation is under way or being considered. Trump said the postmaster general is a 'very respected man,' and that if it can be proven that he did something wrong, he should lose his job. President Donald Trump (left) on Monday said he would support an investigation into campaign contributions involving Postmaster General Louis DeJoy (right). It came on the heels of a Washington Post report claiming that DeJoy had asked employees at a business he owned to make political contributions and then reimbursed them later with company funds Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday called for the North Carolina attorney general to probe allegations against DeJoy. 'These are very serious allegations that must be investigated immediately,' Schumer wrote in reference to the Post story about New Breed Logistics, a North Carolina-based company that DeJoy led from 1983 to 2014 when it was acquired by XPO Logistics. A spokesman for DeJoy said he sought and received expert legal advice 'to ensure that he, New Breed Logistics and any person affiliated with New Breed fully complied with any and all laws.' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (pictured) on Sunday called for the North Carolina attorney general to probe allegations against DeJoy DeJoy has been in the political spotlight after ordering operational changes and a clampdown on overtime in a bid to fix the financially troubled US Postal Service. Democrats have accused him of deliberately disrupting the Postal Service just as millions of Americans consider whether to cast their ballots by mail in the November 3 presidential election. The Post reported that five former New Breed employees, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they were urged by DeJoy's aides or by the chief executive himself to write checks and attend fundraisers at his mansion. They told the newspaper that DeJoy later reimbursed them through bonuses. 'Louis was a national fundraiser for the Republican Party. He asked employees for money. We gave him the money, and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses,' said David Young, the company's longtime director of human resources, who is now retired but had access to payroll records at New Breed from the late 1990s to 2013. Directly or indirectly reimbursing employee campaign contributions violates federal election laws. The arrangement is sometimes used to evade limits on campaign contributions. The Washington Post published its story about New Breed Logistics, a North Carolina-based company that DeJoy led from 1983 to 2014, on Sunday (file photo) DeJoy 'was never notified by the New Breed employees referenced by the Washington Post of any pressure they might have felt to make a political contribution, and he regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason,' his spokesman said. Josh Stein, the North Carolina attorney general, said in a statement on Sunday that he could not comment on specific cases but that 'any credible allegations of such actions merit investigation by the appropriate state and federal authorities'. A spokesman for XPO Logistics said that the company 'stays out of politics' and that staff have the same 'right as anyone else to support candidates of their choosing in their free time,' according to the Post. A United States Postal Service (USPS) carrier makes his rounds on August 5 in New York City. The USPS, the nation's national mail carrier service, is under increased scrutiny from politicians who are warning that the agency is not prepared to handle the tens of millions of mail-in ballots which are expected to be sent for the November election Last week DeJoy was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee for 'witholding' documents about mail delays and communications with the Trump campaign. The subpoena sought documents related to operational changes that have slowed mail, and the agency's plans for the presidential election. The request comes after the Democrat's committee chair Rep Carolyn Maloney said DeJoy has not sufficiently answered the panel's requests for more information. 'It is clear that a subpoena has become necessary to further the Committees investigation and help inform potential legislative actions,' Maloney (D - New York), said last week. De Joy's appointment in June set in motion a set of policy changes that have delayed mail and sparked concern over the agency's ability to process mail-in ballots this fall. He has appeared before Congress twice in recent weeks to testify about the removal of the agency's blue collection boxes and mail sorting machines, as well as changes to trucking operations and overtime hours that postal workers say are resulting in delays. Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D - New York), questions DeJoy during a hearing before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on August 24 Amid a public outcry, DeJoy said he halted some of the changes until after election. Democrats have been pushing for increased oversight of the Postal Service following DeJoy's operational changes and Trump's baseless claims that mail-in voting will lead to widespread fraud. Trump floated an idea to supporters Wednesday that they vote twice - once by mail and once by person - to see if mail-in balloting is working. 'So let them send it in and let them go vote, and if their system's as good as they say it is, then obviously they won't be able to vote. 'If it isn't tabulated, they'll be able to vote,' Trump suggested to a crowd gathered at the airport in Wilmington, North Carolina. It would be considered voter fraud for people to knowingly vote twice in an election. The CEO of DomaCom Limited (ASX:DCL) is Arthur Naoumidis, and this article examines the executive's compensation against the backdrop of overall company performance. This analysis will also evaluate the appropriateness of CEO compensation when taking into account the earnings and shareholder returns of the company. View our latest analysis for DomaCom Comparing DomaCom Limited's CEO Compensation With the industry Our data indicates that DomaCom Limited has a market capitalization of AU$24m, and total annual CEO compensation was reported as AU$248k for the year to June 2020. Notably, that's an increase of 34% over the year before. Notably, the salary which is AU$198.6k, represents most of the total compensation being paid. In comparison with other companies in the industry with market capitalizations under AU$274m, the reported median total CEO compensation was AU$378k. Accordingly, DomaCom pays its CEO under the industry median. Furthermore, Arthur Naoumidis directly owns AU$1.6m worth of shares in the company, implying that they are deeply invested in the company's success. Component 2020 2019 Proportion (2020) Salary AU$199k AU$164k 80% Other AU$49k AU$20k 20% Total Compensation AU$248k AU$185k 100% Speaking on an industry level, nearly 70% of total compensation represents salary, while the remainder of 30% is other remuneration. DomaCom pays out 80% of remuneration in the form of a salary, significantly higher than the industry average. If salary dominates total compensation, it suggests that CEO compensation is leaning less towards the variable component, which is usually linked with performance. A Look at DomaCom Limited's Growth Numbers DomaCom Limited has seen its earnings per share (EPS) increase by 27% a year over the past three years. It achieved revenue growth of 12% over the last year. Shareholders would be glad to know that the company has improved itself over the last few years. It's also good to see decent revenue growth in the last year, suggesting the business is healthy and growing. Moving away from current form for a second, it could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future. Story continues Has DomaCom Limited Been A Good Investment? Since shareholders would have lost about 8.0% over three years, some DomaCom Limited investors would surely be feeling negative emotions. This suggests it would be unwise for the company to pay the CEO too generously. To Conclude... As we noted earlier, DomaCom pays its CEO lower than the norm for similar-sized companies belonging to the same industry. Importantly though, the company has impressed with its EPS growth over three years. Although we would've liked to see positive investor returns, it would be bold of us to criticize CEO compensation when EPS are up. But we believe shareholders would want to see healthier returns before the CEO gets a raise. CEO pay is simply one of the many factors that need to be considered while examining business performance. That's why we did our research, and identified 5 warning signs for DomaCom (of which 3 are a bit unpleasant!) that you should know about in order to have a holistic understanding of the stock. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a different set of stocks. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Licefreee!, the leading non-toxic head lice treatment in the US market, has launched a Hulu campaign featuring Super Lice Man. The campaign will bring a funny and lighthearted spin to a typically unpleasant topic, head lice. Licefreee! partnered with Whitney Cicero from The New Stepford (@TheNewStepford) to create this surprisingly witty lice campaign. Cicero has been working with the company for over two years, originally creating Super Lice Man for a social media series. Super Lice Man, played by Johnno Wilson, has gained traction, and since branched out from the initial social media campaign, snagging his own Instagram account, TikTok page, and now a campaign on Hulu. The campaign is set to run from September through November. About Licefreee! Licefreee was created in 1999 when an employee of Tec Laboratories, the parent company of Licefreee, could not find a solution to combat their child's head lice infestation. During that time, the options were limited to mainly those that contained chemical pesticides, pyrethrum, and Permethrin. Pyrethrum, an insecticide derived from chrysanthemum plants, and Permethrin, a synthetic insecticide, were (are) used in agriculture to combat pests that threatened the livelihood of crops. Unfortunately, both can be harsh when used to treat head lice but were long considered the standard for lice treatment. Tec Laboratories was determined to come up with a head lice treatment free of Permethrin and pyrethrum. After countless hours of research and testing, the Original Non-toxic head lice treatment, homeopathic Licefreee! Gel was created, hitting retail shelves in 1999. Over the years, weve added more products to our beloved line of safe solutions including Licefreee Spray!, the Licefreee! Kit which includes Licefreee! Gel and Licefreee Everyday! Daily maintenance shampoo, and now, Licefreee! Home. To learn more about Licefreee!, please visit http://www.licefreee.com. To view commercials please visit: https://bit.ly/2EZcLcv Police want to speak to the owner of a dog after a boy was allegedly bitten in Wrexham. (North Wales Police) A four-year-old boy was bitten by a dog that dragged him along the ground at a retail park in Wales, police said. North Wales Police said the boy was attacked outside the River Island store at the Eagles Meadow retail park in Wrexham last Wednesday. It has published CCTV footage in an effort to track down the dogs owner. The boy suffered a minor injury in the attack, which happened at about 1.15pm, police said. This dog bit and dragged a 4-yr-old boy outside River Island, Eagles Meadow at 1:15pm on Weds 2nd Sept. Thankfully only minor injuries however we need to trace the Staffy-type dog and it's owner. Can you help? Do you recognise them? Please contact us quoting ref. 20000528748 pic.twitter.com/nb24zjWh1m NWP Wrexham Town (@NWPWrexhamTown) September 4, 2020 The force wants to speak to the owner of the animal, a black-and-white Staffordshire bull terrier. Read more: BBC boss dismisses left-wing bias claims Its male owner was wearing a black hoodie, a face mask and grey tracksuit bottoms, police said. In a Facebook post, police said: "A dog bit and dragged the four-year-old child, however, thankfully, it only caused a minor mark. Police published CCTV footage of a dog's owner after the alleged attack. (North Wales Police) The dog a black and white Staffy and its owner ran away towards the direction of Mecca Bingo. The male who was with the dog is described as being white, short, was wearing a black hoodie, face mask and grey tracksuit bottoms. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101. It would be utterly perverse to say Im glad COVID-19 leaves some sufferers with long-term symptoms, including crippling fatigue. I wouldnt wish that on anyone. But as one who has coped with that very thing along with chronic pain for more than a decade, I am thrilled that its at last getting serious attention from the medical profession. Pity its taken a global pandemic, an illness (almost) everyone believes is real, to make it happen. There are numerous reports of COVID sufferers anguished at the length of their recovery, symptoms that wax and wane, hitting them like a truck just when they think they are improving. Credit:Stocksy "I have sympathy for people with chronic fatigue syndrome now, and I believe this disease fast-tracks you into experiencing these symptoms," Professor Paul Garner, infectious diseases specialist at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, told the ABC. He should know. He has COVID-19. It is, he says, his worst-ever illness, and he has had dengue fever and malaria. "You feel quite well and then suddenly in the afternoon it slaps you round the head like a cricket bat, he said. Welcome to my world. There are numerous reports of COVID-19 sufferers anguished at the length of their recovery, symptoms that wax and wane, hitting them like a truck just when they think they are improving. Professor Francis Williams, of Kings College, London, wrote in The Conversation that this may be the case even for some with mild symptoms. She acknowledged: Chronic fatigue doesnt lie within the remit of a single medical speciality, so its often overlooked on medical school curricula, and doctors are poorly trained in the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue. Why I will not vote for Joe Biden By Hamid Dabashiby September 06, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Once again it is presidential election season in the United States and once again progressive critical thinkers who care about the future of our humanity find themselves in a quandary - to get rid of the wicked Donald Trump and his corrupt family and cronies should they or should they not opt to vote for yet another corporatist liberal, Joe Biden. It is deja vu, it is a rerun of a tired old movie, it is Groundhog Day: We had it with Trump and Hillary Clinton last time, and we have it again with the same Trump and even worse Biden now. I completely sympathise with the leading American public intellectuals caught in this snare. Cornel West, the eminent African American philosopher, for example, says he is planning to cast an "anti-fascist" vote for Biden in November despite his concerns about the former vice president's ties to "Wall Street and militarism". West knows all too well Biden will betray every single ideal and principle for which West stands, but he is so disgusted with Trump - and rightly so - he is doing what in Persian we call "jumping from one crumbling column to another with hope". The same is true with Noam Chomsky, the world-renowned linguist and political activist who is also on the record encouraging people "to vote for Joe Biden and then haunt his dreams" - whatever that may mean. Politicians like Trump or Biden do not dream for us to haunt their dreams. They are the definitions of nightmares. Neither Trump nor Biden is to be trusted, and Chomsky knows that. But he is jumping from one crumbling column to another - is it with hope or is it in despair? No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter The revolutionary thinker and activist Angela Davis too has said she is supporting Biden for president, calling it crucial to back the candidate "who can be most effectively pressured". But really? How so? Biden could not tolerate a single BDS-backing Palestinian activist, Linda Sarsour, taking part in his campaign and swiftly moved to kick her out. That is the sort of zealot Biden is. What sort of "pressure" can one hope to exert on him? Between a rock and a hard place Still, the terrorising presidency of Trump and the Dark Ages of ignorance and criminal racism he has unleashed in the US, make it perfectly understandable why these and many other eminent critical thinkers who would not be caught dead with Biden are now rushing to declare their support for him. They are jumping from one crumbling column to another and forming a strategic alliance in the hopes that once Trump is out of the picture they can charge ahead beyond Biden's perilous promises. But I write this essay to differ with these towering moral figures and openly declare that I will not vote for Biden. This is not to say I am more principled than them or care less about the consequences of yet another calamitous term of Trump. For the future of my own and millions of other American children I hope and wish for a day he is collected from the White House and taken to prison or asylum - whichever is closer. But still, I will never vote for Biden for I believe the function of people like me is entirely different from even those among the American left with whom I wholeheartedly identify. The task of critical thinking at this point is not to rush to declare we are voting for Biden - an unrepentant racist and self-declared Zionist with a frightening record of misogyny who has actively supported the Iraq war. We had a far superior choice in Bernie Sanders, but twice in a row, the Democratic Party made absolutely sure to kill his chances. The task at hand is to sustain the course of critical thinking that could not possibly embrace Biden. Voting for Biden is voting for the very foundation of a political culture that has a whole platoon of Trumps and Bidens waiting to surface. If we choose between Trump and Biden today, next time we will have to choose between Ivanka Trump and Chelsea Clinton. This vicious cycle can only come to an end through a sustained and uncompromising course of critical thinking against the very grain of this political culture that demonises the Black Lives Matter uprising, celebrates neo-Nazis, and canonises Hillary Clinton and Biden as God-given salvation against this murderous banality. A fateful moment It was Barack Obama's speech that sealed my decision to never vote for Biden. Up until then, I was thinking to myself that a vote for Biden is not actually a vote for him, but a vote against Trump, alongside other such tall tales and poor excuses. But when Obama took to the podium and began to get emotional and pleaded for people to go and vote for Biden, right there and then, I decided it would be obscene of me to do so, especially with this hypocritical con man on his side. Every time Obama starts choking up, I remember him crying in public for children who have fallen victim to gun violence in the US, just before going back to his Oval Office to send even more arms to Israel with which to slaughter Palestinian children, or sell them to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to kill more Yemeni children. Are Palestinian and Yemeni children not children? Every single human being stands for the entirety of our humanity. How could this coward be so openly cruel and callous when it comes to children in Yemen, Palestine, Afghanistan and beyond, and still pretend to care deeply about America's children? Biden is even worse than Obama in his die-hard Zionism - in his support for the apartheid state of Israel, in his categorical disregard for Palestinians. Voting for Biden means excusing all the times in the past he helped arm Israel to murder Palestinians. Voting for him means, should he become the next president, siding with him every time he signs - and he will undoubtedly sign many - a new arms deal to support Israel and its murderous tyranny. Why would any decent human being want to do anything like that? Yes, Trump is an American monster but so is Biden. People like me have no candidate in this election. The ethics of ultimate responsibility The task of my sort of critical thinkers is not to jump on the bandwagon and rush to vote for Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, reluctantly. Generations of critical thinkers from Rosa Luxemburg to Aimee Cesaire to Frantz Fanon to Edward Said to Arundhati Roy did not live and think and write for us to cast a strategic vote for a reactionary liberal, an unrepentant warmonger, a hardcore Zionist, with a record of racism and alleged sexual abuse. Our task is something else. In his famous essay, Politics as Vocation (1919), the eminent German sociologist Max Weber made a crucial distinction between an "ethics of responsibility" and an "ethics of ultimate end" that to this day remain a hallmark of a moral choice in politics: "We must be clear," he told his audience at the University of Munich, "about the fact that all ethically oriented conduct may be guided by one of two fundamentally differing and irreconcilably opposed maxims: conduct can be oriented to an 'ethic of ultimate ends' or to an 'ethic of responsibility'." These are two identically ethical acts, but in two diametrically opposed directions. Weber further clarified: "This is not to say that an ethic of ultimate ends is identical with irresponsibility, or that an ethic of responsibility is identical with unprincipled opportunism. Naturally, nobody says that." Be that as it may, he still insisted: "There is an abysmal contrast between conduct that follows the maxim of an ethic of ultimate ends ... and conduct that follows the maxim of an ethic of responsibility, in which case one has to give an account of the foreseeable results of one's action." But in between the two choices Weber left us, emerges a third: An ethic of ultimate responsibility. Our specific and ultimate responsibility today is not to rush to vote for a lesser evil, as I also argued about four years ago when the choice was between Trump and Clinton, but to sustain the course of critical thinking that seeks to overcome both evils. More than 300 million human beings trapped to choose between a Coke and a Pepsi deserve and must strive for a healthier choice. An entire planet at the mercy of US militarism and warmongering most certainly has everything to lose from either of these two American calamities. ATHENS, Greece - Greece will be bolstering its military with new armament programs, a boost to military personnel and the development of the countrys defence industry, the government spokesman said Monday, as a tense stand-off with neighbouring Turkey has led to concerns of open conflict between the two NATO allies. Ankara is currently facing off against Greece and Cyprus over oil and gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air forces to assert their competing claims in the region. The Turkish leadership is unleashing, on a near daily basis, threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said. We respond with political, diplomatic and operational readiness, determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights. Petsas said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would be announcing details of plans to upgrade the countrys military, during his annual state of the economy speech on Saturday. We are in contact with friendly countries in order to reinforce the equipment of our armed forces, Petsas said. Last week, Greece raised 2.5 billion euros ($2.96 billion) in a bond auction as the country seeks to increase military spending and raise funds for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Greek media have reported the purchases may include French-made Rafale fighter jets and at least one French frigate. Petsas said Mitsotakis would be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting in Corsica of European Union Mediterranean countries. Last Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Greece to enter talks over disputed eastern Mediterranean territorial claims or face the consequences. Theyre either going to understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or in the field with painful experiences, he said. On Monday, a senior NATO official met with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and senior military officials in Ankara, and discussed the standoff as well as a NATO initiative aimed at avoiding the risk of accidents and conflict between the two allies. A statement from Akars office said the Turkish minister conveyed to Gen. Stuart Peach, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, that Turkey backs the NATO initiative, attaches importance to dialogue and good neighbourly relations for the resolution of problems but that the country was determined to protect its rights in the eastern Mediterranean. In Athens, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Turkey was the only regional country that threatens its neighbours with war when they want to exercise their legal rights in blatant violation of the U.N. Charter. Speaking after a meeting with visiting Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo, Dendias said Greece was always ready to have dialogue with Turkey, but a dialogue based on international law, and on the only pending issue, the delimitation of the continental shelf. Turkey, he said, has a clear choice: dialogue without threats or sanctions. Greece and Turkey have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s, including once over exploration rights in the Aegean Sea. The current dispute escalated when Turkey sent seismic research vessel Oruc Reis, accompanied by warships, to prospect for oil and gas reserves in an area between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete that Athens claims as its own continental shelf. Greece sent its own warships to the area and put its armed forces on alert. ___ Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece and Suzan Frazer in Ankara, Turkey, contributed. Read more about: A phase three global clinical trial led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) has shown a new drug boosts bone growth in children born with achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial results, led by MCRI clinical geneticist Professor Ravi Savarirayan, have been published today in the prestigious medical journal, The Lancet. Achondroplasia is the most common cause of dwarfism and is caused by overactivity of the FGFR3 protein, which slows bone growth in children's limbs, spine, and the base of their skull. The experimental drug, vosoritide, blocks the activity of FGFR3, potentially returning growth rates to normal. Previous MCRI-led trials have confirmed vosoritide was safe to give to young people with dwarfism. This new randomized controlled trial conclusively shows it is also effective increasing bone growth over one year of daily injections. Professor Savarirayan said, "This drug is like releasing the handbrake on a car, it lets you get up to full speed instead of having to drive with the brakes on." Achondroplasia is a genetic bone disorder affecting 250,000 people worldwide, or about one in every 25,000 children. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene that impairs bone growth and means that children grow around 4 cm per year, instead of the usual 6 to 7 cm. Current achondroplasia treatments, like surgery, only address the symptoms. In contrast, vosoritide is a precision therapy directly targeted at the molecular cause of the disease. BioMarin Pharmaceutical, who manufacturers the peptide drug and funded the trial, has applied to the US Food and Drug Administration to license vosoritide for its use in treating achondroplasia. The European Medicines Agency validated the Company's application. Australian licensing is expected to follow sometime after a successful US application. For the trial, 121 children aged five to under 18 were enrolled, which was conducted at 24 hospitals in seven countries. In Melbourne, the trial was conducted at the Melbourne Children's Trial Center. The 60 children who received daily injections of vosoritide grew an average of 1.57 cm per year more than the children who received placebo, which brought them almost in line with their typically developing peers. Professor Savarirayan said, "We know that beyond the cold hard facts and figures around growth rates and bone biology, we have hope that a treatment can improve kids' health outcomes, social functioning and increase access to their environments. Anecdotally, our patients tell us they now are able to do more stuff like climbing trees, jumping rocks and being more independent generally, which is specific to their experiences." Dr. Johnathon Day, Medical Director of Clinical Science at BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. said, "Vosoritide is the first potential precision pharmacological therapy that addresses the underlying cause of achondroplasia and this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study further adds to the scientific knowledge we've gained over many years from the clinical development program. I'd like to personally thank and congratulate all of the investigators and I am especially grateful to all of the children and their families who have participated in these studies," Paul Cohen and Elizabeth Ryan's daughter, Sarah, was born with achondroplasia. Sarah was one of the very first patients enrolled in the trial. Mr Cohen said, "During the trial we've seen Sarah grow up at the same rate as her friends. She can now join in bike rides with her friends, and loves being allowed on our local waterslide." Although the trial did not significantly improve the children's proportions between their upper and lower bodies, the children will be followed until they achieve their final adult height to see how long the drug's effects last and whether they experience a growth spurt during puberty, as this doesn't normally happen in children with achondroplasia. Vosoritide is also being tested in children from birth to five years which may improve final height, body proportion and other age-related complications such as spinal cord compression, which can cause sudden death. Explore further Drug boosts growth in youngsters with most common form of dwarfism, new study finds More information: Ravi Savarirayan et al. Once-daily, subcutaneous vosoritide therapy in children with achondroplasia: a randomized, double-blind, phase 3, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial, The Lancet (2020). Journal information: The Lancet Ravi Savarirayan et al. Once-daily, subcutaneous vosoritide therapy in children with achondroplasia: a randomized, double-blind, phase 3, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31541-5 ALBANY - They say they had their hours reduced, personal time-off cut and annual wage increases frozen. They called us heroes during the COVID pandemic, but then treated us like zeroes, said Jennifer Bejo, an Intensive Care Unit nurse at Albany Medical Center Hospital for 14 years. Union nurses want safe staffing improvements, raise increases, affordable health insurance and better health and safety measures. Most importantly, they want respect. While the essential employees worked throughout the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, they have been unsuccessful in settling a contract with their employer and recently voted to strike within 10 days if hospital leadership does not meet them at the table. We care for our community, and we make sure to deliver safe, quality care to every patient we take care of, Bejo said. We are tired of being disrespected, therefore the 2,000 nurses at Albany Medical Center voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. This was not an easy decision, but we felt that our CEO, President Dennis McKenna, has given us no alternative. More than 100 people clad in red shirts and face masks gathered outside Albany Med on Labor Day calling on the hospitals leadership to negotiate and settle a fair contract for the institutions nurses. Local, state and federal lawmakers, as well as members of other Capital District labor unions, also showed up to support the nurses efforts Assemblyman Phil Steck, D-Colonie, was among several state legislators who attended the Monday rally organized by the New York State Nurses Association. When it comes to Labor Day, we all talk about labor and yet we dont stop disrespecting our working people, Steck said. We need to do that, and Im saying to this hospital that Labor Day means dont disrespect your nurses, give them a contract. Ellis Hospital in Schenectady and Bellevue Woman's Center in Niskayuna recently settled contracts with their nursing staff, because nurses were persistent and didnt back down, said Kathy Dawson, a registered nurse at Ellis Hospital who previously worked at Albany Med for 11 years. We stayed the course, we stayed united and that got us what we needed, which is a fair contract that includes a safe staffing ratio, she said. For several years, nurses at Albany Med and other area hospitals have called on hospital leadership to address staffing shortages, but as the coronavirus took its grip in the Capital Region, those calls got more urgent and came with concern for adequate personal protective equipment. Albany Med communications Director Matt Markham said the hospital continues to negotiate in good faith with the nurses association, noting that the facility has not laid off or furloughed any staff despite operating on a nearly $26 million operating loss. We must ensure that any contract agreement is both fair to all our employees and fiscally responsible, so that we may continue our mission as our community expects and deserves, Markham said in an emailed statement. Quality and safety are always our highest priorities. All decisions are made to provide a safe environment for patients and employees. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:49:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DOHA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Qatari health ministry on Monday announced 253 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 120,348, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. Meanwhile, 243 more recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 117,241, while the fatalities increased by two to 205, according to a ministry statement quoted by QNA. The ministry reiterated the need to take preventive measures, including staying at home and observing social distancing. A total of 663,648 persons in Qatar have taken lab tests for COVID-19 so far. 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Ismael Mukhtar Omar, government spokesman said the SNA thwarted a suicide bombing by al-Shabab militants after a vehicle tried to force its way into a military checkpoint, but was unable to do so as the area was heavily guarded. "Two soldiers who were in control of the army base were killed, three injured, and no one else suffered loss of cowardly attack," Ismael said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. He said the suicide bomber had fired warning shots at the security officers manning the military base but later blew himself up after being shot in the head by a security officer. Chris Karns, director of U.S. Africa Command (Africom) Public Affairs said the U.S. and Somali forces were conducting an advise, assist and accompany mission when al Shabab attacked using a vehicle employed as an improvised explosive device and mortar fire. "One U.S. service member was injured in an attack by al-Shabab this morning in the vicinity of Jana Cabdalle, Somalia," Karns said. However, al-Shabab which has been fighting to overthrow the Western-backed government claimed responsibility for the latest attack, saying its fighters killed four American soldiers and 16 U.S. trained Somalia special forces. The militants said 12 others were injured in the attack. Southern and central regions of Somalia have become the battleground of clashes between government forces and al-Shabab extremists after the militants were driven out from the capital Mogadishu in August 2011 by Somali army and African Union forces. Enditem New Delhi: A staggering 400 million jobs are expected to be created by 2035 in China courtesy its digital boom.The nation's e-commerce giant Alibaba is generating 100 million of them, a report has said. Internet-based economy could be worth USD 16 trillion by then, according to a Boston Consulting Group report that was released at a new economy summit sponsored by Alibaba Group on Sunday. Alibaba, China's biggest online trader, is expected to generate over 100 million of those jobs, according to the report, with 30 million created last year. As jobs are created, digital technology like cloud computing and artificial intelligence will replace more and more manpower, the report was quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency as saying. Meanwhile, 20 per cent of the world's population will become self-employed or freelance via the Internet in the next decade, Alibaba Vice President Gao Hongbing said at the summit. The digital economy will surpass the manufacturing sector in scale and account for a quarter of the world's economy, Gao said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. 07.09.2020 LISTEN Political parties and people in government do not have absolute knowledge in public policymaking. There is a void created between the conception of public policies and their implementation. Therefore, the inadequacies in public policymaking and their implementation can be addressed by the advisories of Civil Society in the Country. Elinor Ostrom, a Nobel laureate in economics once remarked that a core goal of public policy should be to facilitate the development of institutions that bring out the best in humans. Achieving this goal is the desire of the CSOs in the country. Some of the public policies in Ghana need critical evaluation, to assess the choice of an optimal decision for the masses. Sometimes government appointees or communication officers have been a hindrance in the offering of solutions, by institutions that are not operating in the government sector, ascertained after thorough investigations and analysis. Governments are supposed to facilitate the growth and development of markets and institutions through public policy planning. This cannot be achieved independently without the extensive evaluation of the policies. It is often difficult to achieve a balance between public policymaking and independent evaluation of policies, especially if the evaluation is carried out by people who are not party faithfuls. But party faithfuls do not and cannot give independent opinions about policies made by their parties without prejudices. Party faithfuls make commentary on policies of governments that are untenable. Civil Society Organisations often called the Citizen sector, play critical roles in the formulation and implementation of policies. The CSOs in Ghana have expertise that is relevant in shaping the direction of government policies. CSOs offer constructive roles in development planning and policymaking. The criticisms of the CSOs serve as early warning mechanism that can help check poor implementation of policies. They equally monitor and critically assess the outcomes of policies. The personnel including all the staff, manning the CSOs in the country have much expertise in several fields and so they possess adequate expertise to criticize the government and public sector policies. The CSOs are perceived as institutions that give negative view or picture of governments and their goals. Yet, governments that encourage broad-based development participation incorporate the opinions of Civil Society. Governments customarily find it difficult to integrate the views of the CSOs because they are not democratic in their policy formulation and implementation. The CSOs are needed because those in politics lack the toughness to be faithful in their evaluations. The CSOs too have never had it right all the time. They sometimes fail to provide empirically grounded reasons and analysis of government policies. Their criticisms are not in themselves absolute. But they always give censures and reasons that adequately address the problems of the day. Many of the CSOs have made assessments on government policies and projects they were not accurate. Sometimes their opinions are perfect, they reveal solutions to problems that affect society. It is very rigid seeking development planning consensus. The success of development planning does not depend on what governments do, what the CSOs, the citizen sector, do have positive impacts on public policy. The difficulty in having a consensus in development planning is found in what can be described as intellectual conflict. The CSOs often feel they offer the best of policy alternatives which are ignored by the implementing authorities whereas governments want to demonstrate authority. It is hurting to proffer ideas that solve a particular issue to be rejected ultimately. The CSOs should not be described as all-knowing because they are always critical of governments and have it tough with state institutions. The failure of the government sector indicates there is the need for the Citizen sector to step in and fill the void in evaluating policies. In fact, governments should strive to incorporate some ideas offered by the CSOs to achieve the desires of the citizens. The CSOs are acting on behalf of the citizens who may find it extremely difficult to pinpoint the lapses in government policies. The level of public education in the country does not permit the influence of public policy through public pressures. The political parties and their governments should appreciate the efforts of the CSOs and embrace them as friends whose intentions are purely geared towards development and not only exposing the rots of governments. The CSOs, on the other hand, should recognise the inability of governments to accept every alternative idea they offer. This is because some of these solutions are inappropriate to the problems or issues at hand. Many of the CSOs in Ghana delight in commenting on every issue. There is a failure in the public sector as there cannot be perfect public policies. However, the CSOs cannot be perfect in their assessments. The work of the CSOs will have acknowledgement if they focus on reviewing public policies in a fair manner. CSOs do not know it all but they have superior policy alternatives. Emmanuel Kwabena Wucharey Economics Tutor, A growing Activist and Religion Enthusiast. Chennai, Sep 7 : DMK President M.K. Stalin on Monday came to the support of a Central government employee who had complained against being posted in his department's Hindi Cell despite not knowing the language. The complaint of Balamurugan, Assistant Commissioner in Goods and Services Tax (GST) Department, shows the threat to India's diversity, he said, adding that Balamurugan has said that he was posted in the Hindi Cell against his wishes and he does not know Hindi. But official letters in Hindi, drafted by two other officials, are being signed by him and another official without knowing what is written, the official had said. Stalin wondered whether the Central government is planning to convert India into "Hindia" and whether it is a government only for Hindi-speaking people and not for others. Balamurugan on Monday sent a letter to the Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), saying his mother tongue is Tamil and he does not know Hindi but had been posted in the Hindi Cell as an additional incharge. Noting that there are officials with Hindi as their mother tongue, he said that instead of posting them in the Hindi Cell, posting Tamilians there is not appropriate and it is an imposition of Hindi on him. The raging Creek fire, which trapped hundreds of campers and ravaged large parts of the Sierra, is taking a devastating toll on the town of Big Creek, Calif. Photos from residents and others showed numerous homes destroyed in the Sierra town as the fire burned more than 78,000 acres. Early reports were that at least two dozen dwellings in the town have been lost, but no official assessment had been made Monday amid the burgeoning emergency. Exploding propane tanks have caused further damage, said Christopher Donnelly, chief of the area's volunteer fire department. With a population of fewer than 200, Big Creek is a beloved town familiar to many who visit the Sierra. The fire trapped more than 200 hikers in the Mammoth Pool recreation area when it crossed the San Joaquin River on Saturday afternoon, prompting a massive rescue effort by the California National Guard. A vehicle streaks by in a long exposure as Fresno County sheriff's Deputy Jeffery Shipman stands along State Route 168 while the Creek fire creeps closer to Shaver Lake. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom late Sunday declared a state of emergency for the counties affected by the fire. Monitoring the fire from his home in Fresno on Sunday morning, Duane Ruth-Heffelbower was trying to put together a picture of the last 24 hours, in which the Creek fire had grown to nearly 40,000 acres. Ruth-Heffelbower has been going up to Huntington Lake for 45 years and is executive director of a church camp on the west end of the lake. Saturday morning evacuations played a key role in allowing strike teams to put together a plan to protect property, and by evening a few backburns were started that have so far kept most of the cabins ringing that portion of the lake safe. An upgraded water system also played a role, said Donnelly. In a neighboring tract of nearly 40 cabins, five have been lost. Donnelly was on the north shore of Huntington Lake on Saturday when he heard sirens at 5:30 a.m. Sheriff's deputies were en route to Big Creek, a small town of about 60 homes just west of and nearly 2,000 feet below Huntington Lake. The town, most of whose residents are employees of Southern California Edison, which owns and manages the hydroelectric facilities in the area, was being evacuated. Donnelly was in Big Creek by 6 a.m. and saw the fire with a column of smoke rising nearly 10,000 feet burning to the south. Story continues By 7:30 a.m., smoke poured through Big Creek, and Donnelly knew it was time to leave. The wind, which during the night blew into the valley, was shifting direction and gaining velocity. Once the Creek fire reached Big Creek, it would race upslope to Huntington Lake. He recommended to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection incident commander that the communities along Huntington Lake be evacuated as well. Fire engines belonging to the volunteer fire department began to drive through the tracts making the announcement to residents and vacationers. Cell towers and power are down in the region, so tallying the damage will come later. The Laguna Hotshots Crew battles the Creek fire as it approaches the Southern California Edison Big Creek Hydroelectric Plant. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) On the south fork of the San Joaquin River, Mammoth Pool was a getaway for Central Valley residents looking to escape the heat wave, and by some estimates, nearly 1,000 people were camping at the site in advance of the long weekend. The California Air National Guard on Saturday night airlifted scores trapped by flames at Mammoth Pool. Two people had suffered life-threatening injuries. They were put in the helicopters first. Then came the 19 walking wounded, who needed hospital care but were not considered critical. Crews also prioritized children and those with underlying health conditions, officials said. Some of those at Mammoth Pool described a terrifying scene of driving through flames and finding shelter wherever they could. Jeremy Remington told ABC30 that he and his family were boating when they went to fill their chest with ice. In less than 30 minutes, he said, the fire was roaring toward them. The fire completely engulfed everything, all around us, he said, adding that they poured water on their shirts and used them to cover their faces as protection against the smoke and heat. We do believe there will be more rescues, said Col. Dave Hall, commander of the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, which flew the mission. We are posturing crews day and night to support potential rescues. What is unique about the terrain up there is it is a very, very popular camping site and also backpacking site. And because the fire travels very quickly, it is very possible for backpackers and hikers to potentially be stranded. WASHINGTON In the latest in an avalanche of books about President Donald Trump, his former attorney says the president authorized hush money to an ex-porn star, routinely disparaged Black and Hispanic people and women, and will do anything to hold onto the presidency. Michael Cohen, who served as Trump's "fixer" for years, says "anything" includes messing with the election system and refusing to give up office even if he loses the November election to Joe Biden. "So Donald Trump will do anything and everything within which to win. And I believe that includes manipulating the ballots," Cohen told NBC News in previewing the book to be released Tuesday. Cohen's interview with Lester Holt will air on Tuesday's episode of NBC Nightly News. "I believe that he would even go so far as to start a war in order to prevent himself from being removed from office," he added. "My biggest fear is that there will not be a peaceful transition of power in 2020." Cohen describes Trump as a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, (and) a con man," reports The Washington Post, which obtained an early copy of the book. Trump's hatred of predecessor Barack Obama is so intense, Cohen says, that during the 2016 campaign he hired an Obama impersonator for a video in which the former host of "The Apprentice" could "fire" the nation's 44th president, according to the book, "Disloyal, a Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump." Cohen declined to comment on the book. 'He can't be trusted:' Michael Cohen denounces Trump in ads airing during Republican National Convention More: Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to be released Thursday amid coronavirus fears The White House dismissed Cohen's effort. Michael Cohen is a disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer, who lied to Congress," said White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany. "He has lost all credibility, and its unsurprising to see his latest attempt to profit off of lies. Story continues Some of the book echoes previous Cohen testimony before prosecutors and congressional committees. The lawyer writes that Trump may not have colluded with Russians who interfered in the 2016 election, but he welcomed their help; Trump has long sought to do business deals with Russia, and always admired authoritarian Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "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," Cohen writes in the forward to his book. Cohen also goes into detail about his assertion that Trump authorized hush money payments to ex-porn star Stormy Daniels right before the 2016 election in order to buy her silence about a past affair. Michael Cohen: 'I am not protecting Mr. Trump anymore,' former fixer says Read: Michael Cohen's opening statement to Congress Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges that he lied to Congress about Trump's plans for a project in Moscow that was under discussion even during the 2016 presidential election. He also pleaded guilty to breaking campaign finance laws over the payments to Daniels and said at the time Trump authorized those payments. The former Trump lawyer was recently released from prison because of the spread of COVID-19. In addition to helping with the Russian development, Cohen writes that "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." The president routinely disparages millions of Americans, according to Cohen, particularly Hispanic and Black Americans, as well as white working-class voters who helped him win election. "The cosmic joke was that Trump convinced a vast swath of working-class white folks in the Midwest that he cared about their well-being," Cohen writes, according to The Washington Post account. "The truth was that he couldnt care less. Cohen's work is the latest in a run of books about the president. Just this summer has seen former National Security Adviser John Bolton write in a book that Trump is self-dealing in foreign policy, such as asking Chinese leader Xi Jinping to buy more U.S. agricultural products to help his re-election campaign. The president's niece, Mary Trump, wrote a book saying he was scarred by his father and developed habits of lying and self-deception that shadowed him into the White House. There have also been pro-Trump books. Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders' memoir will also be published Tuesday. Also coming out Tuesday: Ex-FBI agent Peter Strzok, a former deputy assistant director of counterintelligence who, according to his publisher, "grapples with a question that should concern every U.S. citizen: When a president appears to favor personal and Russian interests over those of our nation, has he become a national security threat?" Future Trump books include new ones by Bob Woodward, the investigative reporter who made his name during the Watergate scandal; Andrew Weissmann, an assistant to Special Counsel Robert Mueller during the Russia investigation; and Rick Gates, a former campaign official who testified during Mueller's probe. Gates book is entitled "Wicked Game: An Insider's Story on How Trump Won, Mueller Failed, and America Lost." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael Cohen: Donald Trump will do anything to keep power (Newser) Citing the inmate's good behavior in prison and the need "to do justice," Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pardoned a US Marine on Monday who was convicted of killing a transgender woman in 2014. The pardon surprised even the inmate's lawyer, the Washington Post reports, and brought anger from activists and the victim's family. A lawyer for Jennifer Laude's family called the decision "another hallmark of Philippines' subservience to the US." Karapatan, a Philippine human rights group, said, "We view this as not only a mockery of justice but also a blatant display of servility to US interest." Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Laude, 26. He admitted becoming enraged and killing Laude in a motel room when he realized she was transgender, per CBS. He was 19 at the time. story continues below A Laude family lawyer had said there was no documentation, no findings, to suggest Pemberton had reformed. The pardon, she said, is a demonstration of "the systematic discrimination and violence inflicted by US to Filipino women, children and the LGBTQ community." But Duterte said on TV that Pemberton had not been treated fairly, per Reuters. "This is how I see it," the president said. "So release him. Pardon." Pemberton's lawyer thanked Duterte. Months before the slaying, the government had signed a deal allowing a greater US military presence in the country. "So much for claims of having an independent foreign policy," a leftist political organization said Monday. "The US government had its way again on this issue." (The killing immediately increased tensions between the two nations.) On August 18, Democratic governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, announced a proposal for drastic cuts to the state budget. The proposal erases all of the previous spending gains such as raises for teachers and other state workers, as well as funding for mental health, tuition relief, transportation and access to health care that were part of the previous budget that was voted into effect in early March. The state legislature is planning to vote on the new budget in a special session that began last month. The Democratic Party-controlled state will not restore most of the $2.2 billion that was suspended in April under conditions of economic uncertainty caused by the spreading pandemic. The cuts have effectively gutted the few scraps that were thrown to workers in an already pro-business budget. Gone from the budget is a $400 million increase in the states education fund, which included $145 million slated to go to meager raises for educators. Virginia teachers are some of the lowest paid public professionals in the United States, despite the state being one of the countrys wealthiest. Also gone is a $145 million initiative to provide free tuition to community college students from low-income homes. The state capitol building in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo: Anderskev/Wikimedia Commons) Increases to health care, public transportation and other services were likewise cut. Northam is seeking to use roughly $1.3 billion in federal aid left over from the CARES Act passed by Congress in March to allot minimal funding toward voting access in November, housing assistance and other initiatives. The Commonwealth of Virginia ended its fiscal year in June with $234 million in lost revenue. These losses were considerably less than the previously estimated $1 billion in losses that had been projected in the second quarter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The slightly cushioned losses are due to the fact that it is mainly low-income workers who have been affected by the economic downturn. According to the Virginia Mercury, Despite spiking unemployment claims, the state didnt see a severe drop in withholding revenue, the income tax money employers deduct from workers paychecks and send to the state. While the federal Paycheck Protection Program helped Virginia avoid some job losses, officials say that trend is also explained by the fact that most of the people who lost jobs were in lower-paid positions, meaning their taxes didnt make up a huge chunk of state revenues. While promising that he remained committed to the progressive budget that was passed earlier this year, Northam said that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on state revenue meant that there no longer exists the necessary funding for programs of social uplift. Our economy was booming before the pandemic, and it can fully rebuild only when this virus is behind us, Northam said. This means that as we make budget decisions, this week and into the next session, we must keep in mind that we cant know what is going to happen with the pandemic, when a vaccine will be available, or how much longer this will go on. So we need to follow the oath that doctors lead with: First, do no harm. The latter statement is significant. Northam showed no such concern for the medical well-being of the population when his government began reopening the states businesses in late May as the number of COVID-19 cases grew unchecked. Despite Northams rhetorical invocations of his professional background as a pediatrician, his advocacy of budget cutting, like his states decision to begin reopening earlier this summer, is predicated upon the corporate and financial interests who dominate the states political institutions from top to bottom. Furthermore, Northam proclaimed: Just as our revenues now look better than we predicted when the pandemic began, we expect the December reforecast to show additional improvement about 16 weeks from now. But for that to happen and allow us to return to these shared priorities, our economy must show improvement. Northams demanding of an improvement in the economy in exchange for funding various programs is part of the bipartisan campaign to cajole the population back to work amid the raging pandemic. While Northam lies about the states finances with a pious look on his face, there do exist the means to support struggling workers. In 2019, Northam approved the deal for net commerce giant Amazon to build its second corporate headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. As part of the deal, the corporation was offered $750 million in tax rebates and subsidies. The state of Virginia currently possesses the highest number of local jurisdictions whose bonds are rated AAA, meaning the region is a prime investment destination for big business. So dominated is the state by corporate interests that it will not seek to use its so-called rainy day fund of $1.1 billion, presumably to be used during times of crisis, to address the shortfall of tax revenue. Its called a rainy day fund for a reason. Its pouring, Democratic state Delegate Sally Hudson told the Mercury. Hudson demanded Northam use the fund to meet some of the states prior spending promises. I think its important to remember at a time when so many people are hurting, there have been winners from the COVID crisis Online retailers. Multi-state corporations. And its important to make sure that a share of that revenue comes back to Virginia, she added. However, other Democrats were more forthcoming about their priorities. Delegate Vivian Watts opposed using the funds because of the potential impact on Virginias AAA bond rating, stating, The expectation is that the first thing that you do is scrub your spending, she said. Once youve done that, then and only then can you make a better judgment of what your honest budget needs are. It goes without saying that there will be no talk of raising taxes on corporations, which have benefitted enormously from the pandemic and the ensuing economic depression. It is urgent that workers in Virginia and throughout the United States draw the necessary conclusions and break with the Democratic Party and take up the revolutionary struggle against capitalism to meet their pressing needs amid the pandemic. WASHINGTON - As Donald Trump laid the groundwork in 1999 to run for president as the Reform Party candidate, he made a little-remembered attack on the person he saw as a rival in a possible general election campaign: Republican John McCain. Many considered McCain a war hero for surviving five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and a television interviewer asked why Trump felt he was more qualified to be commander in chief. "Does being captured make you a hero? I don't know. I'm not sure," Trump said in the CBS interview. A few years earlier, Trump had bragged on a morning radio show about avoiding the Vietnam draft, remarking that one of the show's hosts who had gotten out of service by declaring he had a bad knee had done a "good job." Long before Trump's views of the military would emerge as a flash point in his 2020 reelection campaign - before he would shock the political world with the more widely seen 2015 attack on McCain, in which he said the senator was "not a war hero" and declared, "I like people who weren't captured" - Trump had a long track record of incendiary and disparaging remarks about veterans and military service. Many of his remarks are memorialized in television interviews and the tapes of radio conversations with shock jocks, dating to his years as a private citizen and businessman. Trump, who avoided military service by citing a bone spur in his foot, has disparaged veterans who were wounded or captured or missing in action, and he compared his fear of sexually transmitted diseases to the experience of a soldier, saying in 1993, "if you're young, and in this era, and if you have any guilt about not having gone to Vietnam, we have our own Vietnam. It's called the dating game." It is a history filled with contradictions, of a man who denigrates his handpicked generals while saying no one supports the military more than he does, and of a commander in chief who questions the bravery of some soldiers even as he reversed disciplinary action against a Navy SEAL over the objections of Pentagon officials. He was raised in a family that criticized the value of military service, according to niece Mary L. Trump, but nonetheless he was sent to a military academy for most of his teenage years. And now, Trump and his aides are fiercely denying a report in The Atlantic in which the president is quoted denigrating U.S. soldiers, including calling those killed in combat "losers." Trump has on rare occasions admitted that he struggles with how to address military issues because of his efforts to get out of service. He told The Washington Post in 2015 that he "always felt somewhat guilty" about not serving in the military. "I had a lot of deferments," Trump said. "I had a foot deferment for a short time. And then I got a lucky number. I got 356 [out of 365]. You don't get a luckier number than that." In what he called an effort to make up for his guilt, Trump said he "spent a fortune" to build a Vietnam memorial in New York City and sponsor a Memorial Day parade. The Post has reported that Trump gave $1 million in 1985 to help build the memorial and at least $200,000 for the 1995 parade. At the time of the memorial dedication in 1985, Trump struck a tone more in line with the traditions of honoring the service of those who fought for their country. "I was a very strong opponent of the Vietnam War," Trump said when the memorial was dedicated, "but I also recognized that the people who went to fight were great Americans." Trump also highlighted the plight of those missing in action, reading a telegram from then-President Ronald Reagan that said the federal government wanted "the fullest possible accounting of your missing comrades in arms." Such comments stand in stark contrast to Trump's later criticisms of POWs, as well as private comments, reported by The Post last week, that he did not understand why the U.S. government spent so much effort to find missing soldiers who he believed had performed poorly and were caught. Trump told senior advisers that those who served in Vietnam were "losers" because they did not find a way to avoid service, a person familiar with the matter told The Post. Military historians said there is no precedent for a commander in chief to have made such attacks on the military he oversees. "He may imagine, however bizarre, that this is a way to energize his so-called base" that agreed with his disdain for "endless wars," said Andrew Bacevich, a Vietnam veteran and author of "The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory." "I believe that is one explanation for why he won in 2016 - it came from his willingness to basically denounce post-9/11 military policy as foolhardy, and very few members of the political mainstream were willing to say that," said Bacevich, who said he will not vote for Trump and may support a minor-party candidate. "Since his presidency, he hasn't ended endless wars, but I just wonder if in some way, if we are looking for a reason, this is some other expression of his opposition to foolish wars." The White House issued the following statement in response to questions for this story: "President Trump has nothing but the utmost, solemn respect for our nation's military. He lauds their heroism and has consistently been the strongest advocate for our veterans and active servicemen and women." The roots of Trump's view of the military were formed at an early age, according to friends and family. Growing up in a mansion in Jamaica Estates in Queens, Trump heard the family criticize those who joined the military instead of going into business. Trump and his father, Fred Trump Sr., were especially focused in criticizing the decision by Donald's older brother, Fred Jr., to join the U.S. Air National Guard, according to Fred Jr.'s daughter, Mary L. Trump. "My father was frequently ridiculed for his career choices and disparaged for serving our country by both his father and by his brother Donald," said Mary L. Trump, author of a book critical of the president. She said that given the family history regarding the military, it is "beyond comprehension" that her uncle is commander in chief. Notwithstanding the family criticism of the military, Donald was such an unruly boy that his father decided he needed to impose discipline on the 13-year-old by sending him to the New York Military Academy for five years. Trump's long periods of separation from his family at such an early age, as he was thrust into a militaristic regimen for which he had little aptitude, may have embittered him and created resentment toward some military figures, according to schoolmate John Bolog, who lived a few blocks from Trump in their Jamaica Estates neighborhood and often shared a ride with him when one of their mothers drove them to the academy. Bolog noted a previously reported episode in which Trump headed the A Company but was quickly transferred to a different position because of a dispute over his leadership capabilities. It was one of several experiences that may have weighed heavily on Trump and shaped his view of the military, Bolog said. "You have to know that those formative years are what formed his opinion of the military," Bolog said. "You come from your beautiful home in Jamaica Estates and suddenly you get dropped off at this military school, it was darkness, it was horrible. So spending five years there and then having a cold, rich man as your father, I can't imagine it. It's got to harden your bark." Other classmates have said the experience was a positive one, and Trump told The Post in 2016 that he left his position at A Company because of a promotion. "I had total control over the cadets," he said. "I did very well under the military system," Trump said, while declining to release his transcripts. Trump wrote in his 1987 book, "The Art of the Deal," that if he stepped out of line at the academy, one of his instructors "smacked [him] hard." He said that he initially was not happy about being sent to the school but that he "learned a lot about discipline, and about channeling my aggression into achievement." He wrote that "I can't say I ever worked very hard" at the school and "was never all that interested in schoolwork." By the time Trump graduated in 1964, some of his peers were volunteering for service in Vietnam, but Trump used a series of deferments to attend college. Upon graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, Trump faced the prospect of being subject to the draft, which began in 1969. Trump then received a medical deferment for what his campaign called "bone spurs on both heels of his feet." The daughters of the podiatrist who determined that Trump had bone spurs told The New York Times that the diagnosis was made as a favor to Trump's father, Fred Sr., who was the doctor's landlord. Shortly after that, Trump entered the draft lottery, in which he received a high number that ensured he would not be called to serve. - - - Years later, Trump repeatedly congratulated himself and others for avoiding military service. Appearing on Howard Stern's radio show in 1995, he said that "during the Vietnam War, I got very lucky. I had a very high lottery number." Stern responded that a member of his staff, whom he referred to as Jackie the Joke Man, "convinced the doctor that he had a bad knee. I love that." "Well, that was a good job, Jackie," Trump said. Trump's aversion to service reportedly filtered into his own family. In her book, Mary L. Trump wrote that when Trump's son Don Jr. said he might join the military, Trump and his then-wife, Ivana, "told him if he did, they'd disown him in a second." By the time Trump decided to seek the Reform Party presidential nomination in 1999, he veered far from the comments he had made 14 years earlier at the dedication of the Vietnam War memorial he helped finance. At the time, thousands of people flocked to events at which McCain autographed copies of his memoir of the Vietnam War, a prelude to his first presidential bid. In McCain's book "Faith of My Fathers," he cast his decision to serve as putting self-sacrifice for his country ahead of personal ambition. Trump countered by appearing on the CBS show "60 Minutes II" to promote his campaign book, "The America We Deserve," and tout his presidential ambitions. He was asked to comment on his potential rivals. It was then that, as interviewer Dan Rather said that McCain "flew combat missions with distinction," Trump questioned whether the shoot-down of McCain's plane and subsequent capture made him a hero. Mark Salter, who co-wrote McCain's memoir, said he had no recollection of Trump making the comment at the time and never heard McCain mention it. "In 1999, McCain's message was sacrifice for a cause greater than one's self," said Salter, co-founder of a group of former McCain staffers supporting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. "For Donald Trump, there isn't a cause greater than self-interest . . . sometimes he doesn't know he is hurting his self-interest." Trump withdrew from the campaign in February 2000. As Trump prepared for his 2016 bid, he told his then-attorney Michael Cohen to prepare for questions about his lack of military service, Cohen later told the House Oversight Committee. Cohen said he asked Trump to provide his medical records that would document the bone spur that enabled him to avoid being drafted. "He gave me none and said there was no surgery," Cohen told lawmakers. Trump ended the conversation by saying, "You think I'm stupid? I wasn't going to Vietnam," Cohen said. As Trump watched the 2016 Democratic National Convention, he became infuriated at a speech by Khizr Khan, whose son Army Capt. Humayun Khan was killed in a 2004 car bombing in Iraq. After Khizr Khan said Trump had "sacrificed nothing" for his country and had smeared Muslims, Trump seemed to compare the death of a soldier to his financial achievements. "I've made a lot of sacrifices," Trump said. "I work very, very hard. I've created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, built great structures. I've had tremendous success." Trump was ridiculed across the political spectrum for picking a fight with the parents of a fallen soldier, but he won the election, touting his pledge to "rebuild the military." He said he knew more about the Islamic State "than the generals do, believe me." As president, defense spending rose each of the first three years he was in office, with more than $2 trillion in overall spending and $738 billion approved for 2020. The Pentagon greeted the money warmly after facing cuts during the Obama administration that included a reduction in the overall size of the military, smaller pay raises and a shortage in spare parts. Trump's criticism of "endless wars" has resonated with voters, including a majority of veterans, who believe that the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were not worth it, according to the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. But Trump's relationship with the military sometimes has fractured over his abrupt decisions. For example, while Trump has reduced the number of U.S. troops under his watch in Afghanistan to about 4,000 as part of negotiations with the Taliban to end the war there, violence has remained high, and there is no clarity on whether a full peace deal will be reached. Trump's withdrawal of U.S. troops from northern Syria last year triggered a period in which Russian forces took over American bases, and some veterans decried what they saw as an abandonment of Kurdish forces who have partnered with the United States against the Islamic State. Trump has had fights with the generals he put in power, some of whom left in anger and dismay. In a 2017 meeting at the Pentagon, he called his top generals "losers" and "a bunch of dopes and babies," according to "A Very Stable Genius," by Post reporters Philip Rucker and Carol D. Leonnig. Among those who have departed include his chief of staff, retired general John Kelly, and his defense secretary, Jim Mattis, a McCain favorite. Mattis said earlier this year that "Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people - does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us." In response, Trump, who had once lavished praise on Mattis, tweeted: "I didn't like his 'leadership' style or much else about him. . . . Glad he is gone!" - - - The Washington Post's Alice Crites, Dan Lamothe and Carol Leonnig contributed to this report. Hyderabad, Sep 7 : In a major reform aimed at streamlining the revenue system, the Telangana government has decided to scrap the posts of Village Revenue Officers (VROs). The Telangana Abolition of Village Revenue Officers Bill, 2020 will be tabled in Assembly during the ongoing session, which began on Monday. This Bill was approved by the state Cabinet at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekha Rao on Monday night. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government says its move is aimed at making the revenue system in the state transparent and corruption-free. Analysts say this is the biggest reform in land administration since the hereditary Patel-Patwari system was abolished by Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao in 1985 in the then undivided Andhra Pradesh. KCR, as the Chief Minister had already hinted at scrapping the VRO system, blaming it for corruption in the land administration at village level. He even remarked that the VRO system proved worse than the Patel-Patwari system. Hours before the Cabinet approved the Bill, all VROs were asked to submit their records to the office of their respective tehsildars. The government also issued an order on Monday, suspending registration activity from Tuesday until further orders. However, registration of will deeds, administration of marriages and franking services will continue as usual. The TRS government wants to bring a new revenue system to provide quality services to citizens for registration of property documents. To ensure this, the government is reportedly planning to reduce human interface in land transactions. It may involve blockchain technology that will automatically update land records and mutations immediately. A pilot project for the same is being run by the Revenue Department in coordination with the Information Technology and Electronics Department in Shamshabad since 2018. Meanwhile, the state Cabinet has also approved the Telangana Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books Bill, the Telangana Municipal Act 2019 Amendment Bill, the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development-Gram Panchayats-Transfer of non-Agriculture Properties Act-2018 Amendment Bill, the Telangana GST Act-2017 Amendment Bill, the Telangana Private Universities Act Amendment Ordinance, the Telangana Disaster and Public Health Emergency Ordinance and the Telangana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Bill. All the Bills will be tabled during the current session which will last till September 28. The government on Monday said, if necessary, the session will be extended by a few days. Communist policy on the war for the defeat of Hitler War profiteering must be prevented by the government freedom menaced by Menzies This statement originally appeared in Tribune September, 1939 Men and women of Australia! The savage German fascists have launched a new aggression against Poland and the British Empire and France are at war with Germany. This war, launched for the purpose of the conquest of Poland and its subjection to the fascist empire of Hitler, of Krupp and Thyssen, the German monopoly capitalists, is an act of stark aggression, without justification of any kind whatever. Therefore, lovers of justice and liberty throughout the entire world will support the struggle of the Polish people for their independence and against enslavement to a foreign power. What has brought the world to this dreadful pass, where it is faced with a repetition of the inferno that raged from 1914 to 1918? In the first place the responsibility lies with German fascism. The Nazi pestilence set itself the task of destroying German democracy and the German labour movement. To this end, it launched a wave of terror against everything decent and progressive in German society unprecedented since the dark ages. German fascism set itself the task of realising the aims of German imperialism, of realising the objectives of the German capitalists, of the enslavement of small nations and the domination of the world. But that is not the whole of the picture. Since the accession of Hitler to power in the German Reich, we Communists, as well as other anti-fascists and peace-lovers, consistently pointed out that fascism means war, that the German fascists are the organisers and incendiaries of a new world war (Dimitrov, 7th World Communist Congress, 1934). We Communists demanded that Hitler be stopped before he became too strong; that he be confronted with a mighty front of democratic and peace-desiring nations headed by Britain, the Soviet Union and France; that collective security be organised through the machinery provided by the League of Nations. Ruinous appeasement Instead of this, the policy of so-called appeasement was followed by the British and French governments; the League of Nations was torpedoed; the friendly democracy of Republican Spain was strangled by non-intervention; the Czech democracy was sacrificed to the aggressor at Munich; China was not assisted against aggression and Abyssinia, Albania, and Austria were left to their fates. In addition, economic and financial aid was extended to Hitler, which assisted to maintain his tyrannical rule over the German people. All this enormously strengthened the fascist powers. Instead of listening to the demands of the Soviet government for common action against the fascist aggressors, the capitalist class of Britain saw in Hitler a bulwark against Bolshevism and encouraged Hitler to arm, at the same time inciting him to attack the Soviet Union. This anti-Soviet policy was pursued to the very end. Soviet peace proposals The Soviet Union desired a mutual, reciprocal pact, equally binding on all parties. The representatives of the so-called democracies, on the other hand, wanted a pact that would bind the Soviets but would leave themselves the opportunity, as Molotov stated, to wriggle out and leave the Soviet Union to shoulder the burden of war with the fascist powers alone. The Chamberlain government were not sincere in seeking to conclude a pact with the Soviet Union. Although political and military missions visited Moscow, they were given no power to come to any agreement with the Soviet authorities. Negotiations dragged out for months and ended in a fiasco when the Polish government refused to allow Soviet troops on Polish soil, hereby making it impossible for Soviet troops to meet the German fascist armies. In this attitude, they were supported by the British and French governments. This was convincing evidence that their fear that they might strengthen the prestige of the Soviet Union led them to reject a mutual assistance pact with the land of Socialism. Meantime, the Soviet Union was able to break up the fascist triangle, the anti-Comintern Pact, between Germany, Japan and Italy by means of a non-aggression pact with Germany. Non-aggression pact This pact has brought about the neutrality of Japan, which is of the utmost importance to Australia, and, in the event of war, can mean that British and French forces do not have to fight in the Pacific as well as in Europe, at the same time. The non-aggression pact has forced also the neutrality of Franco Spain, and, to a considerable degree, that of Italy also. The pact of non-aggression with Germany has considerably added to the security of the Socialist Fatherland against the machinations of all the imperialist powers, a fact of the first importance to the working class of the whole world. The working class, whilst supporting the measures necessary to resist the aggressor and the war of Poland for its independence, demands if such a war has to be fought, that its aims be just, that there be no new Versailles imposed upon the German masses who have been forced along the path of aggressive war by the Hitler dictatorship. There must be no annexations of territory or paralysing indemnities placed upon the German people; they must be assisted to overthrow the fascist dictatorship and to restore democracy and freedom in Germany. The Austrians, Czechs and Slovaks must have their national rights and independence restored. It is only on the basis of justice to all that a new and lasting peace can be established among the nations and necessary confidence in each other be established. While supporting the struggle against foreign fascism, the Australian working class and the defenders of Democracy must keep an alert eye on their own democratic liberties. The Emergency Regulations announced by Menzies give to the Commonwealth government dictatorial powers that could strangle our Australian freedom. The suppression of the legitimate rights of free speech and press, of the right of the masses to organise and voice their grievances, must not be allowed to be smuggled in under any pretext whatever. Australian democracy It is not much of a gain to defeat foreign fascism only to find that a dictatorship has been established in our own land. To fight fascism demands that democratic liberties be extended and broadened among the people opposed to fascist war and dictatorship. Neither must military measures against German fascist aggression be used as pretext by the capitalists to reduce the standards of living of the Australian people. All such attempts must be resisted to the end by the labour movement. To prevent profiteering, extortionate prices for necessary commodities and high rents, price control tribunals must be established at once. Nor can a people fighting for freedom, tolerate that profits be made by great monopolies out of the production of arms supplies and war materials. The democratic movement has long demanded the ending of the coining of profits from the blood of our people. The government should proceed at once to nationalise the war industries of the country. Labour unity In this dreadful emergency, the unity of the labour movement becomes of greater urgency than ever before. The Communist Party. which has inscribed the sign of unity upon its banners, again declares its readiness for a united front agreement with the ALP for the defence of democracy and of the living standards of the people. The Communist Party will strengthen its efforts to establish great, united peoples mass movement for the defence of democracy and the restoration of world peace. The Menzies government, a reactionary government allied with the rich, sympathising with fascism, cannot be trusted to defend democracy against fascism from within or without. We must strive for its removal from office and its replacement by a government of the Labor Party, pledged to a democratic peace, to defend our living standards and liberties. Unite against fascism! For a Democratic Peace! Finally, the Communist Party has always taught that, while capitalism lasts, there will always be wars and danger of wars. Capitalist competition for markets and spheres of interest, for raw materials and cheap colonial labour will again and again end in armed struggles between capitalistic states. It is only when Socialism has triumphed that the national hates, rivalries and wars engendered by the rule and profit-making interests of the capitalist class will be ended and the era of universal peace and brotherhood be firmly established. Working men of all countries, unite! Central Executive, CPA 3rd September, 1939 The Labor Day Weekend weather on the Jersey Shore was near-perfect, for a third consecutive day, on Monday. If the holiday really is the unofficial end of summer, the timing could not have been much better. Beach-goers flocked to Long Branch, but it appeared less jammed than heavy turnout on July 12 that prompted a warning from Gov. Phil Murphy about following social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some towns are extending lifeguarding, and the need for a beach badge, until after Labor Day as some towns are seeing an uptick of rentals in September, with the coronavirus causing more schools to offer online instruction, and an unusually slow June at the Shore. In Atlantic City, the temperature peaked at 80 degrees, AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rossio told NJ Advance Media. Rossio, referring to the recent stellar conditions, explained that an air mass originating from Canada led to very comfortable temperatures across the region. Rain is not in the forecast until Thursday. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Ed Murray can be reached at emurray@njadvancemedia.com Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com The Y-plus category central cover entails deployment of about 10 armed commandos with the protectee, the official said New Delhi: Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has been given Y-plus category security by Central security agencies and will be protected by about 10 armed commandos around the clock, Union Home ministry officials said on Monday. The decision comes two days before Ranaut, who is in her home state Himachal Pradesh, said she plans to visit Mumbai on September 9. She said she felt unsafe in Mumbai after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and also spoke of drug use in a section of the film industry. The Home ministry has decided to accord Ranaut Y-plus category security through a paramilitary force, a ministry official said. The Y-plus category central cover entails the deployment of about 10 armed commandos with the protectee round the clock, he explained. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Sunday said his government decided to provide the actor security after her father and sister sought protection for her. Officials said the Himachal Pradesh government has requested the Central government to provide security to Ranaut through a paramilitary force. BJP leader Ram Kadam recently asked the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government to provide police protection to Ranaut since "she wanted to expose the Bollywood drug nexus". Responding to Kadam's tweet, the actor said she feared Mumbai Police more than the "movie mafia", and would prefer security either from Himachal Pradesh or the Centre. Reacting strongly to her comment, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut purportedly said, "We kindly request her not to come to Mumbai. This is nothing but an insult to Mumbai Police." Hitting back, Ranaut tweeted, "Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir?". The "Queen" actor also tagged a September 1 news report on Raut asking her not to return to Mumbai if she was afraid of the city police. Raut had on Friday urged the Maharashtra government to take action against people defaming the city police. He also asked Ranaut to tour the PoK first to see the situation prevailing there. In a tweet stating that she would be returning to Mumbai on September 9, Ranaut had dared anyone to stop her. Sena MLA Pratap Saranik hit back with a slap threat and said she should be arrested for sedition. Ranaut also asked Raut to apologise for his remarks against her. Raut on Sunday said he would consider doing so only if she apologises for her "insulting" remarks against Mumbai and Maharashtra. There is a lot that gets to people these days, as can be proved by their social media uproar over the level of security that is being provided to actor Kangana Ranaut for her upcoming visit to Mumbai on 9th of September. Kangana who has been in the news lately for making bold comments related to Bollywood movie mafia, drug abuse thats apparently rampant in the Hindi film industry and of course nepotism, amongst many other things, had put in a request for security cover for her upcoming visit to Mumbai, after receiving multiple death threats recently. Facebook Kangana Ranaut Her request was accepted and it was announced by the Home Ministry that Kangana will be provided with Y-plus security for the visit. Now, people cannot seem to understand the logic behind proving this level of security to Kangana, so we tried to understand what all Y-plus security entails and what is to be expected. Who Gets A Security Cover In India? Facebook Kangana Ranaut In India, security cover is arranged by the police or government for VIPs or high-risk individuals who seek protection for apparent threat to their personal safety. Reportedly, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) along with the home secretary and the home minister takes a call on whether an individual should be given a security detail and under which category. What Kind Of Security Detail Does India Provide? Depending on the degree of threat to a person, they can be given a security cover based on four categories, namely Z+, Z, Y and X. Right from the President, to Supreme and High Court Judges, Chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces, Chief and Cabinet Ministers, as well as high-profile celebrities are provided security cover under one or the other categories by the NSG (National Security Guards), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and state police. What Do These Security Categories Mean? TOI a. Z+ is the highest level of security blanket for VVIPs which includes 55 personnel consisting of 10+ NSG commandos and police personnel. b. Individuals with the Z category security blanket have 22 personnel at their disposal including four to five NSG commandos and police personnel. c. People with Y category security cover get 11 personnel, which includes one to two commandos and police personnel. d. X category security cover includes two armed police personnel. What Will Kangana Ranaut Get In Her Y-Plus Security Cover? Facebook Kangana Ranaut Based on the guidelines laid down by the Home Ministry in the Yellow Book regarding security arrangements, this is what one can expect Kanganas Y+ security detail to cover. 1. Although individuals with Y category security detail get 11 personnel, given that Kangana is said to receive Y+ protection (which is given to people perceived to be under a greater threat) means that the final number of security personnel for Kangana may be between 11 to 22 personnel, which is more than that of tier Y but less than tier Z. 2. It is being reported that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be responsible for providing security to Kangana. Facebook Kangana Ranaut 3. Uniformed armed guards of 1:6 will be put on duty at Kanganas residence to cover the house 24x7. 4. Additional security will be present during sunset and sunrise. 5. 2 armed Personal Security Officers will stay with Kangana 24x7, one carrying a stengun while the other will be armed with a 9mm pistol. That should keep Kangana safe and sound for her upcoming Mumbai visit. A woman who allegedly lured her pregnant friend to a fake baby shower before murdering her and cutting her unborn child out of her womb has been named by police. Police say Rozalba Grimm, 28, has admitted to plotting for five to six weeks before she lured Flavia Godinho, 24, to a bogus baby shower and murdered her on August 27 at an old ceramic warehouse in Canelinha, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Authorities said Grimm admitted to become obsessed with stealing a child after she had a miscarriage earlier this year. Grimm allegedly confessed to repeatedly bashing school teacher Godinho's head with a rock and then using a blade to cut her belly open and extract the baby. Godinho was 34 weeks pregnant when she was killed. The newborn, who has been named Cecilia, survived and is recuperating at Joana de Gusmao Children's Hospital in Florianopolis. A court in Santa Catarina, Brazil has charged Zulmiar Schiestl (left) and Rozalba Grimm (right) with femicide, attempted murder, alleged childbirth, abduction of the incapacitated and concealment of a body after Grimm confessed to ripping out an unborn girl from the womb of Flavia Godinho on August 27 Flavia Godinho was killed August 27 in Santa Catarina, Brazil, by a woman who she became friends with on social media and who planned her a surprise baby shower for before the bogus event was cancelled . Godinho was 34 weeks pregnant with a girl, who was cut out of her womb during the attack. The baby, who was named Cecilia, is recuperating at a hospital Grimm appears to be heavily pregnant in Facebook pictures of the couple, found by Brazilian news sites, which were posted in May and June - months after her reported miscarriage. It is not known if they were staged, or from an earlier pregnancy. Grimm had taken the baby to the hospital, and allegedly claimed she had delivered the baby on her own. But officials became suspicious and contacted police. Grimm and her husband, Zulmiar Schiestl have both been charged with femicide, attempted murder, alleged childbirth, abduction of the incapacitated and concealment of a body. Grimm appears to be heavily pregnant in Facebook pictures of the couple, found by Brazilian news sites, which were posted in May and June - months after her reported miscarriage. It is not known if they were staged, or from an earlier pregnancy. The mother of another woman claims her daughter was also approached by Grimm, but was says the killer was primarily interested in a girl. She told Brazilian news outlet NCS that Grimm had uploaded a photo that showed her bloodied arms with a baby covered in a blanket before they were admitted into the hospital. A second woman who was also pregnant with a boy was ignored by Grimm after she learned she too was expecting a boy, O Municipio reported. Victim Flavia Godinho, photographed with her husband Valdeli Mafra, whom she married in October Rozalba Grimm shared her pregnancy lab results on Facebook in November 2019 before suffering a miscarriage in January Flavia Godinho (left) and Valdeli Mafra (right) were expecting their first child Pictured: The knife used in the horrific crime in Brazil. Police said Mafra's cause of death was a sharp cut to the abdomen and wounds sustained from being hit with a brick Victim Godinho married Valdeli Mafra in October and became pregnant months later. Grimm broke news of her own pregnancy via her Facebook page November 17, 2019, and in January shared a second post in which picked out the name of her child although she didn't reveal the gender. Authorities said that Grimm suffered a miscarriage some time in January but kept it a secret from her family members. Over the following months she browsed the internet for pregnant women and lied that she was still expecting a child. Grimm eventually formed a relationship with Godinho on social media and planned a baby shower. Grimm then contacted the guests and called off the August 27 without Godinho's knowledge. Surveillance video footage aired by G1 showed Godinho entering Grimm's car before the pair drove off towards the abandoned pottery yard where the expecting mother was killed. Mafra's body had been dumped in an abandoned pottery yard in the Galera neighbourhood of Canelinha, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina Her family filed a missing person's report later in the evening after she failed to come home and her body was located by her husband and mother approximately at 9am on August 28. The lead detective in the murder case, Paulo Alexandre Freyesleben dee Silva, confirmed Godinho's death was caused by a sharp cut to the abdomen and wounds from a brick. An autopsy will confirm if the baby was removed with the pregnant woman alive or if she was already dead. Godinho, who studied pedagogy and worked as a substitute teacher, was buried in the Municipal Cemetery of Canelinha after a brief ceremony. September 2020 marks the one-year anniversary of Daimler Trucks acquisition of Torc Robotics making it part of the companys Autonomous Technology Group. The engineering teams of both Daimler and Torc say they have, since the merger, been collaboratively pursuing a common goal of bringing series-produced highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) to the roads within the decade. This includes on-road deployment of a Level 4 test fleet, initiation of redesign of truck chassis, adoption of a hub-to-hub model, formalized rigorous testing protocols, formal truck safety driver certification process, and extended software capabilities. Now, the group has announced it will extend its testing activities to New Mexico with the construction of a new testing center in Albuquerque, stating that expanding to a new location will support testing due to begin later this year. In February 2020, it revealed plans to expand testing to additional locations, adding new public routes in the USA, but the project was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> During the enforced break due to the pandemic, the group focused on its simulation program, before public road testing resumed in Virginia in June 2020. According to Daimler, its team based in Oregon will focus on the development of vehicle safety systems, with a goal of refining a truck chassis suited for highly automated driving and including the redundancy of systems needed to achieve safe, reliable operation. While we have tested our system in New Mexico with other vehicles, we are very happy to be opening a test center for an ongoing self-driving trucks program, said Michael Fleming, CEO of Torc Robotics. New Mexico offers a unique environment for testing, along a major long-haul trucking corridor that is critical to a large percentage of commercial freight activities. There have been at least five people shot by on-duty Chicago cops since July, two of them fatally, yet no video has been released from any of them in a summer when shootings in other cities have brought closer scrutiny of police actions. Now some are questioning if the citys policy to make video and other evidence available to the public within 60 days is strong enough to restore public trust. The veal project aims at creating job opportunities, developing livestock, and providing red meat at fair prices Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urged the speedy construction of 200 dairy assembly plants nationwide and ordered the doubling of allocations for the national veal project to EGP 2 billion (about $126.7 million), a presidential statement read. Expanding on dairy assembly plants will reflect positively on people's health and economic conditions, El-Sisi added. El-Sisi's statements came at a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation El-Sayed El-Quseir and his deputy for livestock, fisheries and poultry Mostafa El-Sayad, and General Director of the National Service Products Organisation of the Armed Forces Mostafa Amin. The president also urged supplying livestock owners with quality fodder and livestock strains known for their high productivity of meat. Funding for the national veal project was doubled last month to EGP 1 billion, the presidency said in an earlier statement. The veal project has been ongoing for the past four years. It targets providing good strains of imported livestock for fattening mainly to owners of small farms, in exchange for loans with five percent maximum interest. The project aims at creating job opportunities, developing livestock, and providing red meat at fair prices. It seeks to decrease meat imports through fattening calves to provide more meat. The project mainly targets youth, small farmers and women. Head of the Livestock and Poultry Development Sector at the Agriculture Ministry Tarek Soliman told the media 15,300 people have benefited from more than 183,000 calves in the project. Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said he had a "very fruitful" meeting with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Amir Hatami during which the two discussed ways the peace process in Afghanistan as well as ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Singh's visit to Iran is seen as significant coming as it does after he voiced India's concern about the situation in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf during the regional Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in Moscow on Friday. Singh was in Tehran on a transit halt after concluding his three-day visit to Russia where he attended a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers. He also held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Russia, China and the Central Asian republics. "Had a very fruitful meeting with Iranian defence minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami in Tehran. We discussed regional security issues including Afghanistan and the issues of bilateral cooperation," Singh said in a Twitter post. "Both the Defence Ministers discussed ways to take forward bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional security issues, including peace and stability in Afghanistan," Singh's office said in a separate Twitter post on the meeting held at the request of the Iranian defence minister. The talks took place in a "cordial and warm atmosphere," it said, adding that the leaders referred to the cultural, linguistic and civilisational ties between India and Iran. Irans IRNA news agency noted that Singh was the first top Indian official to visit Iran since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to travel across the globe, it noted. Iran and India enjoy traditional friendly ties. Iranian and Indian officials hold regular consultations on close cooperation to ensure regional peace and security, the report added. India has been keeping a close watch on the evolving political situation in war-torn Afghanistan after the US signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February. The deal opened the doors for the US to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan, effectively ending Washington's 18-yearlong stay in the country. In his address at the combined meeting of defence ministers of the SCO on Friday, in the Russian capital, Singh said that the security situation in Afghanistan remains a concern. "India will continue to support the efforts of the people and government of Afghanistan for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled inclusive peace process," Singh said in his speech at the SCO meet. India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and New Delhi has said that care should be taken to ensure that any such process does not lead to any "ungoverned spaces" where terrorists and their proxies can relocate. According to a recent UN report, as many as 533 Afghan civilians - including more than 150 children - were killed in war-torn Afghanistan due to fighting. There have been global concerns over Pakistan's support to the Taliban and other terror groups operating in Afghanistan. At the SCO meeting, Singh had also voiced India's concern over the situation in the Gulf region, vital for the country's energy needs. A series of incidents in the Persian Gulf involving Iran and the US in recent months have flared up tension in the region. "We are deeply concerned about the situation in the Persian Gulf," Singh said in his address at the SCO meeting on Friday. "We call upon countries in the region - all of which are dear and friendly to India, to resolve differences by dialogue based on mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of each other," Singh said. Iran has threatened to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz if the US, which has already imposed crippling sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme, tries to strangle its economy. India and Iran have strong commercial, energy, cultural and people-to-people links. India-Iran commercial ties were traditionally dominated by Indian import of Iranian crude oil. In 2018-19 India imported $ 12.11 billion worth of crude oil from Iran. India however suspended oil buys from Iran after the US ended its six month waiver for those countries importing from Tehran after walking out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Bilateral trade during 2019-20 was $ 4.77 billion, as a consequence, a decrease of 71.99 % as compared to the numbers in 2018 which stood at $ 17.03 billion. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Pune, Sept. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global respiratory protective equipment market size is projected to reach USD 12.88 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period. Spread of the coronavirus through air route will surge the adoption of RPE throughout 2020, observes Fortune Business Insights in its report, titled Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Air Purifying Respirators (APR) {Unpowered Air-Purifying Respirators [Disposable Filtering Half Mask, Half Mask, and Full Face Mask], and Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR) [Half Mask, Full Face Mask, and Helmets, Hoods & Visors}, and Supplied Air Respirators {Airline Respirators, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Combination SAR/SCBA or APR/SAR}), By End-Use (Industrial, Oil & Gas, Mining, Petrochemical, Construction, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Fire Service), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027. In July 2020, scientists from 32 countries provided strong evidence of airborne transmission of the COVID-19 infection in an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO). The study, led by a team from Peking University in China, found that COVID patients could exhale millions of virus particles per hour, spreading the infection in vast quantities. Previously, the WHO had stated that the virus spread only through respiratory droplets or physical contact. Now, with new evidence pointing toward air transmission of the virus, the demand for respiratory protective equipment is likely to spike, mainly in healthcare facilities, where workers are in constant proximity to coronavirus and other patients. Get Sample PDF Brochure with Impact of COVID19: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/respiratory-protective-equipment-rpe-market-103534 The report states that the global market value stood at USD 6.54 billion in 2019 and features the following highlights: Accurate computation of relevant market figures and values; Thorough evaluation of the factors driving and obstructing market growth; Tangible analysis of all the market segments; and Exhaustive examination of the competitive landscape and regional dynamics influencing the market. Driving Factors Extensive Utilization of RPE in Mining Industry to Stoke Growth Respiratory protective equipment is commonly used by miners owing to the massive health risks involved during mining operations, particularly coal mines. The most widely utilized RPE are powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) on account of their high efficacy in filtering out dust particles. These particles are known to cause severe lung disorders in miners who have had prolonged exposure to harmful dust. Such exposure has been known to lead to a common lung condition called pneumoconiosis, or dusty lung, which usually manifest in the form of silicosis and coal miners pneumoconiosis (CWP), or black lung. Both these conditions are incurable and invariably lead to premature deaths. Effective RPE can prevent miners from inhaling these toxic dust particles and save them from developing lifelong debilitating health conditions. Regional Insights Strict Implementation of Workplace Safety Rules to Accelerate the Market in North America In North America, where the market size stood at USD 2.5 billion in 2019, the market is expected to perform exceptionally well as regulatory bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have been strictly imposing workplace safety rules. As a result, the adoption of RPE and other personal protective equipment such as hard hats has become mandatory in the US and Canada. Asia Pacific is expected to present lucrative opportunities owing to the rapid expansion of the construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors in the region. In Europe, the demand for effective RPE is escalating, primarily from workers in core industries. For example, Germanys RPE market share in construction industry stood at 11.9% in 2019. Inquire Before Purchasing this Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/respiratory-protective-equipment-rpe-market-103534 Competitive Landscape Key Players to Experience Booming Sales amid COVID-19 Pandemic The respiratory protective equipment market growth is set to skyrocket as the demand for RPE and PPE has risen astronomically in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Companies in this market are also capitalizing on this unprecedented opportunity, with some of them reporting booming sales, while some others are partnering with other players to combat the health crisis. List of the Leading Companies Profiled in the Global Respiratory Protective Equipment Market are: Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (U.S.) Jayco Safety Products Pvt. Ltd. (India) Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.) Gentex Corporation (U.S.) Intech Safety (India) Bullard (U.S.) Alpha Pro Tech (Canada) 3M (U.S.) Uvex Safety Group (Germany) Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. (U.S.) MSA (U.S.) Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (Germany) Delta Plus Group (France) Avon Protection (U.S.) Ansell Ltd. (Australia) Industry Developments: May 2020: Alpha Pro Tech, a pioneer in protective apparel, reported that revenue in the first quarter of 2020 rose by 47.5% to reach USD 18.2 million, compared to the same period in 2019. According to the company, exponential growth in demand for its N-95 Particulate Respirator facemask and shield. April 2020: 3M joined forces with Cummins to expand production of filters for 3Ms powered air-purifying respirators for high-efficiency filtration of particulate matter. The partnership aims at doubling the production of these filters to meet the surging demand for respiratory protective equipment the coronavirus pandemic. Browse Detailed Research Insights with Table of Content: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/respiratory-protective-equipment-rpe-market-103534 Detailed Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market SegHouseholdtation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Key Emerging Trends For Major Countries Industry SWOT Analysis Regulatory Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, New Product Launches, and Mergers & Acquisitions Global Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Product (Value) Air Purifying Respirators (APR) Unpowered Air-Purifying Respirators Disposable Filtering Half Mask Half Mask Full Face Mask Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR) Half Mask Full Face Mask Helmets, Hoods & Visors Supplied Air Respirators Airline Respirators Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Combination SAR/SCBA or APR/SAR Others By End-Use (Value) Industrial Oil & Gas Mining Petrochemical Construction Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Fire Service Others By Region (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa TOC Continued!!! Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/respiratory-protective-equipment-rpe-market-103534 Have a Look at Related Research Insights: Personal Protective Equipment Market Size, Share & PPE Industry Analysis, By Product (Head Protection, Eye & Face Protection, Hearing Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Protection, Fall Protection Protective Footwear, Hand Protection, and Others), By Application (Construction, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Chemical, Food, Pharmaceutical, Transportation, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027 Healthcare PPE Market for COVID-19, Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Eye & Face Protection {Safety Spectacles, Safety Goggles, Face Mask, and Face Shield}, Protective Clothing {Isolation Gowns, Coveralls, and Others}, Hand Protection/Safety Gloves, and Respiratory Protection/N95 Respirators) By Application (Hospitals, Clinics, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. At Fortune Business Insights, we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We, therefore, offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1-424-253-0390 UK: +44-2071-939123 APAC: +91-744-740-1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Fortune Business Insights LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs Read Press Release: US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton has been granted an absolute pardon by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for the killing of a trangender woman in 2014 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte granted an absolute pardon on Monday to a US marine convicted of killing a transgender woman, drawing condemnation from rights groups. Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton has been in prison since the October 2014 killing of Jennifer Laude, whom he met at a bar while on a break from military exercises in the northern city of Olongapo. A local court ruled last week that Pemberton qualified for early release due to good behaviour, but was still being held due to an appeal. Duterte's pardon clears all legal obstacles to the soldier's release, despite him serving just over half his 10-year sentence. Duterte, a former prosecutor, said in a televised speech that it was his personal decision to pardon Pemberton after learning about his case in the news. "You have not treated Pemberton fairly. So I will release him (through) pardon," he said after meeting his cabinet, including the justice minister. Duterte said officials had not accurately measured the jail time served by Pemberton under a law that rewards good behaviour with shorter terms. The Laude family lawyer condemned the decision, calling it a "mockery" of the country's justice system. "This is another injustice -- not only to Jennifer Laude and family but a grave injustice to the Filipino people," Virginia Suarez said in a statement. "This is a travesty of Philippine sovereignty and democracy." The pardon has renewed anti-American sentiment in the Southeast Asian nation, where groups have long called for the removal of US military presence. Renato Reyes, leader of the leftist group Bayan, criticised the president's remarks and condemned Pemberton's "special treatment." "If Filipinos want pardon... they need to undergo a long process. The American soldier that killed a Filipino was given an express lane," he tweeted. The pardon came despite Duterte shifting away from the US to seek closer relations with China since assuming power in 2016. rbl/rbu Rioters chant in front of a burning truck in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Study: Hundreds of BLM Demonstrations Involved Violence Hundreds of Black Lives Matter demonstrations involved violence, according to a new study. Approximately 7 percent of demonstrations linked to the movement between May 24 and Aug. 22 in the United States involved violence, according to researchers with the U.S. Crisis Monitor, a joint project between the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) and the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University. Overall, more than 10,600 demonstrations took place during the time period studied, researchers said. Peaceful protests are reported in over 2,400 distinct locations around the country. Violent demonstrations, meanwhile, have been limited to fewer than 220 locations, they wrote. Violent demonstrations are defined as demonstration events in which the demonstrators themselves engage in violently disruptive and/or destructive acts targeting other individuals, property, businesses, other rioting groups, or armed actors. Riots have caused millions of dollars in damage in a number of large cities since May 25, when George Floyd died in police custody in Minnesota, including Portland, Oregon; Seattle; and Minneapolis. Buildings continue to burn in the aftermath of a night of protests and violence following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, on May 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Hundreds of people are facing charges for participating in the destruction. The Black Lives Matter Global Network didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Most demonstrations that have taken place in recent months were connected to either the Black Lives Matter movement or the COVID-19 pandemic. The peak of Black Lives Matter-linked demonstrations came in late May and early June. Dozens are still taking place each week. Researchers accused the federal government of responding in a heavy-handed manner to demonstrations, promoting claims that the Trump administration inflamed the situation in Portland by surging federal officers and agents there in July to protect a U.S. courthouse that became a target of rioters. Federal officers walk through tear gas while dispersing a crowd of about a thousand people during a protest at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland, Ore., on July 21, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Although federal authorities were purportedly deployed to keep the peace, the move appears to have re-escalated tensions, researchers wrote, publishing figures that said more use of force was reported after the surge than before it. Portland officials had ordered police officers not to respond to violent demonstrations in the city in an attempt to deescalate the situation. When rioters targeted the courthouse, they didnt respond, prompting the surge. Data also shows more violent demonstrations taking place in Portland after the surge, researchers said. Officials expected that the heightened tensions would die down after federal officers pulled back in late July, but the opposite happened, and rioters began targeting different parts of the city, alternating between different police precincts, county buildings, and police union offices. The Department of Homeland Security didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf has defended the surge, telling members of Congress last month that federal law enforcement officers were abandoned due to the dangerous policies by local officials. A number of non-state actors have intervened in demonstrations in recent months, including the far-left Antifa network, the anti-government Boogaloo Bois movement, and militias such as the New Mexico Civil Guard. Pro-police demonstrators and others, left, and counter-protesters clash in front of the Multnomah County Justice Center in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 22, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Since May, such actors have engaged in demonstrations over 100 times, according to the report. In July, nearly 30 such events took place, compared with zero from July 2019. Out of over 360 counter-protests that took place during the studied time period, 43 turned violent, with clashes between pro-police demonstrators and demonstrators associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, according to the report. In one of the latest instances, skirmishes unfolded between pro-President Donald Trump ralliers and counter-demonstrators in Portland on Aug. 29. That night, an Antifa member allegedly killed a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer. ACLED, a nonprofit, receives funding from the State Department and a number of other governments and groups, including the German Federal Foreign Office and the University of TexasAustin. Roughly 950 people move to Florida every day and the state has seen 'unprecedented demand' and an uptick in luxury home sales as people in northern states flee large cities amid the pandemic for more space and sunnier shores. The influx in new residents comes as the coronavirus shutdown led families to flee congested cities and seek short-term stays that turned into permanent moves. The 2020 Miami Report released this summer states that an average of 950 people move to Florida every day and a majority come from high-taxed areas like New York, Boston, California and Chicago, according to the New York Times. According to the Douglas Elliman August report, new contracts for single-family homes and condominiums doubled in July and continue to rise in five south and central west coast Florida counties. In Palm Beach County, new single-family and condo contracts are well above normal levels from a year ago, seeing a 268 percent increase in single-family contracts over $1million. Roughly 950 people move to Florida every day and the state has seen 'unprecedented demand' and an uptick in luxury home sales as people in Northern cities flee the pandemic for more space and sunnier shores. A view of Palm Beach, which has seen a 268 percent increase in single-family contracts over $1million, above The 2020 Miami report released this summer states that an average of 950 move to Florida every day and a majority come from high-taxed areas like New York, Boston, California and Chicago. Those numbers are likely now even higher with the pandemic For the first six months of 2020 80 percent of residential transactions were residential transactions. And experts say many Northeast buyers were looking to purchase in August, concerned that COVID-19 could make a comeback in flu season. From Northern states, according to data pulled from 2019, 20 people moved a day from Connecticut, 72 a day from New Jersey and 242 people a day from New York to Florida, as per the 2020 Miami report. Jay Phillip Parker, chief executive of Douglas Ellimans Florida brokerage said the wealthy end of the market swelled 'across the major markets of South Florida Tampa and St. Pete are seeing the same amount of activity.' New Jersey couple Vanessa Antonelli and Jordan Epstein of Manalapan rented a house in Orlando for a 10-day break with their five-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son, but ended up staying months. 'We quarantined and ended up staying three months,' Antonelli, 38, an interior designer said to the Times. 'The pandemic made us reevaluate the way we were living. It gave us the time to reflect.' A new development called Boca Bridges, where Antonelli and Epstein bought a home, has seen 102 houses sold for an average $1.7million since May 1. A view of Boca Raton above According to a Douglas Elliman August report, new contracts for single-family homes and condominiums doubled in July and continue to rise in five south and central west coast Florida counties. A view of signed Palm Beach County single family home contracts increasing above This graph shows how condos in Palm Beach County, which includes Boca Raton, saw new signed contracts increase drastically this year and new listings increase as well By June they purchased a home in Boca Raton in a new development, joining a wave of people leaving the east coast for sunnier shores. They purchased a five-bedroom 5,900-square-foot 'Veneto' model home with a lake view for $1.4million. 'A lot of our final decisions will depend on how everything goes with this school year and Covid in New Jersey,' Antonelli said. The influx comes even in the wake of a spike of COVID-19 case in Florida earlier this summer that caused beaches and bars to shut down. Today Florida has 648,269 total cases and 11,871 deaths. A new development called Boca Bridges, where Antonelli and Epstein bought a home, has seen 102 houses sold for an average $1.7million since May 1, according to Jill DiDonna, senior vice president of sales and marketing at GL homes, the developer. 'We have seen unprecedented demand from all over the country, but certainly New York, New Jersey and Connecticut,' she said. She says buyers are looking for home offices, larger kitchens for increased in-home dining, home gyms and private pools. 'The shifting product needs of the customer, along with the desire to escape urban areas, combined with the tax advantages, created the perfect storm,' DiDonna said. A view of sunny Palm Beach, Florida above back in March when the pandemic broke out across the country A view of Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, which has seen an influx in wealthy new residents, above This Douglas Elliman report shows how new signed contracts peaked over 1,600 in mid July in Miami-Dade County This graph shows how condo contracts have also increased since March in Miami-Dade County Taxes are a major appeal for new residents. Florida residents pay no state income or estate tax and receive a homestead exemption of up to $50,000 on a primary resident and a three percent annual cap on home assessments. The sunshine state also grew more appealing with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 which limited the amount of total state and local taxes that can be deducted on a federal income tax return to $10,000. From last year the population of the state is growing by 343,000 to 22million, according to World Population Review. Jay Phillip Parker, chief executive of Douglas Ellimans Florida brokerage, says multimillion dollar sales in Palm Beach and Miami have snowballed. But he says its in part from people who have rental homes in Florida or frequent the state who have snapped up permanent residences. 'The pandemic is one of the many elements that have contributed toward what we have always known to be a natural migration. Weve been referred to as the "sixth borough,"' he said. With 447 new fatalities in 24 hours, Brazil's overall Covid-19 death toll has increased to 126,650 amid thousands heading to the beach and other recreational spots to celebrate the country's Independence Day. A day ahead of Independence Day, thousands flocked to Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and also Santos, Guaruja, Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba in Sao Paulo on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency. While Rio de Janeiro has imposed a ban on social gatherings due to the pandemic, Sao Paulo is the worst-hit state currently. According to the Globo TV network, less that 40 per cent of Sao Paulo's residents stayed away from the festivities on Sunday. Some 200,000 vehicles passed the highway that connects the state capital Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America. But the Defence Ministry last month cancelled the Independence Day parade, held at the Ministries Esplanade in Brasilia annually on September 7, due to crowd concerns amid the pandemic. This is the first time the event will not take place since the 1960s. currently accounts for the third highest number of cases and second highest fatalities in the world. As of Monday, the total number of cases in the country stood at 4,137,521. It is also the country with the maximum amount of infections and fatalities in Latin America. Sao Paulo, the most populated state in the country and the epicentre of the pandemic, has registered over 856,000 confirmed cases and 31,353 deaths, followed by Bahia, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Ceara. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) INVISTA Textiles (U.K.) Limited's technology and licensing business, INVISTA Performance Technologies (IPT), and Jiangsu Jiatong Energy Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Tongkun Group (Tongkun), have reached agreement to license INVISTA's latest P8 PTA technology for two PTA lines. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200906005045/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) These two lines will be installed in Rudong, Nantong City, Jiangsu province, China. Both lines deploy INVISTA's largest twin stream design respectively, utilizing INVISTA's latest P8 PTA technology. Building on the demonstrated performance of the P8 technology platform, the variable cost, capital productivity and environmental performance is expected to set new benchmarks within the industry. Tongkun and INVISTA have been working together for 10 years in PTA. INVISTA's first P7 and first P8 technology platforms were successfully installed, commissioned, and operated at another subsidiary (Jiaxing Petrochemical) of Tongkun Group. Based on the successful co-operation on these projects, Tongkun has again selected INVISTA's latest P8PTA technology for the Jiatong project. Adam Sackett, IPT vice president PTA, commented, "We are honoured that our industry-leading P8 PTA technology has been selected again by Tongkun Group. Our companies have a long history of PTA innovation, and we look forward to working together on this new chapter of technology and cooperation between the two parties." A kick-off meeting was successfully concluded on August 15, 2020, by Jiatong, INVISTA and CTCI (the engineering contractor). A project start-up date of Q4 2022 is targeted for the first line. INVISTA's industry-leading PTA technology, including its latest version of P8 technology, is available as a license package from IPT. For more information, please visit the IPT website at www.ipt.invista.com. About INVISTA: From the fibers in your carpet to the plastic in your automobiles, INVISTA's commitment to continuous improvement has led its employees to develop some of the most durable, versatile polymers and fibers in the world. A subsidiary of Koch Industries since 2004, INVISTA brings to market the proprietary ingredients for nylon 6,6 and recognized brands including STAINMASTER, CORDURA and ANTRON. INVISTA also offers specialty chemical intermediates and process technologies. See the bigger picture at INVISTA.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200906005045/en/ Contacts: Shelley Zhang INVISTA +8621 6389 9202 Shelley.Zhang@INVISTA.com The fast-moving Creek Fire in Fresno County has erupted into a raging inferno since it first sparked Friday and is pumping out massive amounts of smoke. Bishop, about 40 miles east of the Creek Fire, was flooded with sooty air and ash on Sunday. The Air Quality Index stood at 449 through most of the morning and afternoon, according to AirNow.gov. This is well into a level considered "hazardous" with the Eastern Sierra town recording the most polluted air in the country. The Air Quality Index operates on a scale from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. An AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 signals hazardous conditions and everyone is more likely to be affected. AirNows figures are based on Environmental Protection Agency standards and are calculated using a complex algorithm that uses longer averages during periods of stable air quality and shorter averages when air quality is changing rapidly. National Weather Service forecaster Stan Czyzyk said a northerly wind pushed smoke from the fire across the Sierra overnight and it settled into the valley. "It has been in place for a good chunk of the day and it doesn't look like it will change in the next 24 hours," Czyzyk said. "Stronger winds will push out Monday into Tuesday depending on how the fire evolves." The smoke was so thick in Bishop Sunday morning that Czyzyk said it kept temperatures about 5 to 10 degrees below where they should have been. We stayed in the upper-70s for longer than we should have," Czyzyk said at 3 p.m.. "Now it's well over 100. We're forecast to hit a high of 104 today." The Creek Fire started Friday and by Saturday afternoon it had exploded in size, jumping the San Joaquin River and cutting off the only road into the Mammoth Pool Campground. At least 2,000 structures were threatened in the area about 290 miles (467 kilometers) north of Los Angeles. Bone-dry conditions and the hot weather fueled the flames once the fire started and it grew seven-fold to 55 square miles (142 square kilometers) within a few hours Saturday afternoon. The fire sent huge plumes of smoke into the air, affecting the air quality for miles around and turning the sky a sickly orange. Visitors to Yosemite National Park on Saturday recorded video of the eerie sight. Amy Graff is the news editor at SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. A lexei Navalny has been taken out of an induced coma and is responsive, the German hospital treating the Russian opposition leader has said. Berlin's Charite hospital said on Monday that Mr Navalny's condition has improved, allowing doctors to end the medically induced coma he has been in for more than two weeks. The vocal Kremlin critic is being gradually eased off mechanical ventilation and is responding to speech, medics said, but "long-term consequences of the serious poisoning can still not be ruled out." The 44-year-old, a thorn in the side of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was flown to Germany on August 22, two days after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia. German chemical weapons experts say tests show "proof without doubt" he was poisoned with Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, prompting widespread outcry and mounting pressure on Russia to investigate. A portable isolation unit used to transport Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny to hospital / Getty Images It comes as Chancellor Angela Merkel's office further upped the ante on Moscow on Monday, indicating Germany may be willing to rethink a controversial German-Russian gas pipeline project. Ms Merkel has demanded Russia launch an investigation into the poisoning, but Russia has denied that the Kremlin was involved and accused her of failing to provide evidence. German foreign minister Heiko Maas said the Russian reaction could determine whether Germany changes its long-standing backing for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which brings Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine. Novichok, a lethal military-grade nerve agent, was also used in Salisbury in 2018 by suspected Russian agents to attack former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The UK is negotiating digital trade partnerships with Singapore and Vietnam. Photo: The northern mountainous areas of Vietnam UK trade with Southeast Asia is up 70 per cent over the past decade to 42 billion ($56 billion), and we could do more, Natalie Black, Her Majestys Trade Commissioner ( HMTC ) for the Asia-Pacific told Bloomberg. UK companies are showing a huge amount of interest in developing digital trade partnerships in the Asia-Pacific. This is a real focus for the UK, which is currently in trade talks with Singapore and Vietnam, she said. We collectively need to put free trade at the centre of everything that were trying to achieve amid COVID-19 recovery in preserving jobs, supply chains, and keeping affordable goods and services flowing," said Black. Regarding Brexits impact on Asia-Pacific relationships, Black said Brexit used to be more prominent but lately has gone down in the agenda. The UK remains very interested in contributing to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and is closely following negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Harris Warns Russian Interference Might Cost Biden the Election Former Vice President Joe Biden might lose the 2020 U.S. presidential election due to Russian interference, according to his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Asked in an interview with CNN on Sept. 6 if the Russian interference could cost Biden the White House, Harris said theoretically, of course, yes. I am clear that Russia interfered in the election of president of the United States in 2016. I serve on the Senate Intelligence Committee. We have published detailed reports about exactly what we believe happened. And I do believe that there will be foreign interference in the 2020 election, and that Russia will be at the front of the line. The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) assessed in July that China, Russia, and Iran are actively attempting to influence the outcome of the 2020 election. NCSC Director William Evanina said last month that China prefers for President Donald Trump to lose the 2020 election, while Russia is working to boost Trumps chances. Despite the foreign influence, the U.S. electoral system is uniquely resilient to foreign interference, due in part to the diverse systems employed by each state. According to the NSCS, state-level checks and post-election auditing make it virtually impossible for a foreign adversary to broadly disrupt the electoral process or change vote tallies without detection. While suggesting that Russia threatens the integrity of the election, Harris alleged that Trump is doing the same by trying to convince the American people not to believe in the integrity of our election system and compromise their belief that their vote might actually count. She also suggested that classic voter suppression is at play and alleged that states have passed laws designed to suppress the black vote, to suppress students from voting, to suppress our indigenous people from voting. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on which Harris sits, recently reaffirmed the assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in order to help Trump win. Harris made her remarks days after Biden challenged Attorney General William Barrs assessment that China, rather than Russia, is the main election security threat in 2020. There are a lot of countries around the world I think would be happy to see our elections destabilized, but the one thats working the hardest, most consistently and never has let up is Russia, Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Sept. 4. The Trump campaign didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Ken Farnaso, the Trump campaigns deputy national press secretary, previously responded to Biden remarks by pointing out that Trump has taken actions to hold both China and Russia accountable. Joe Biden should be the one facing questions of foreign interference, as his campaign employs multiple former DNC staffers who attempted to use the fake Steele dossier to rig the 2016 election, Farnaso told The Epoch Times in an email. The presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee funded the Steele dossier, which the FBI used to secure a warrant to spy on a former Trump campaign advisor. The author of the dossier relied mainly on a Russian source living in Washington. Subsequent reviews of the warrant applications unearthed an inordinate number of errors and omissions, one of which has already resulted in a guilty plea in a federal court. South Korea's health authorities said Monday that some test kits that can detect both the new coronavirus and seasonal flu are under review for approval of their use. As autumn is approaching, health authorities are preparing to tackle both COVID-19 and flu as it is not easy to distinguish coronavirus cases from flu patients due to their similar symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fever. Several institutions have applied for approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for such test kits and their approval process is under way, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). "As COVID-19 and influenza share symptoms, it is very important to discern them from each other in the country's fight against the new coronavirus," KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a briefing. If the use of the test kits is approved, it is expected to shorten the time to receive test results, compared with cases involving two separate tests. (Yonhap) New York is facing the nightmare scenario that its political leaders have feared since the 1970s, when the city nearly went bankrupt. It is staring down a budget hole of more than $5 billion, along with hard questions about how to fill it. Mayor Bill de Blasio has asked the State Legislature to give him the authority to borrow the $5 billion. Without it, the mayor says, hell be forced to lay off or furlough 22,000 city workers. In the end, New York may have to borrow some money until revenues recover and the city is back on its feet. Like other areas of the country hard-hit by the coronavirus, the city and state will also need more federal aid in the months and years ahead. Borrowing should be a last resort since it increases the cost of every dollar the city spends, though it can be an appropriate strategy to get through a short-term crisis. But borrowing to meet operating expenses is especially hazardous. Cities that do so over and over again are at greater risk of the kind of bankruptcy faced by New York in the late 1970s and Detroit in 2013. The meeting kicked off a packed day of Labor Day campaign events Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris met the family of a Wisconsin man shot by police last month to kick off her Labor Day visit to a critical swing state while President Donald Trump assailed the Democratic ticket and put the halting economic recovery under the best light. Harris gathered with Jacob Blakes father, two sisters and members of his legal team at the airport in Milwaukee while Blakes mother, attorney Ben Crump joined by phone. Blake also joined the conversation by phone. Joe Biden met with the family last week in Milwaukee before visiting Kenosha, the city where police shot Blake. Nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump and co-counsels Patrick Salvi II and BIvory LaMarr released the following statement about Sen. Kamala Harris visit today with the family of Jacob Blake Jr., who joined by phone from his hospital https://t.co/V43zDpkp3K Kenosha News (@Kenosha_News) September 7, 2020 The meeting kicked off a packed day of Labor Day campaign events, with Harris meeting IBEW union workers and Black business owners in Milwaukee, while Vice President Mike Pence, also sent to Wisconsin, toured an energy facility in La Crosse before delivering a speech that touched on jobs, the economy and protests in Kenosha. We will have law and order in every city in this country for every American of every race and creed, Pence said. At a news conference from the White House, Trump attacked Biden as a leader incapable of handling the coronavirus and reviving the economy and pledged his own undying loyalty to the American worker. He said Biden and Harris would destroy this country and would destroy this economy. Read More: Biden, during Kenosha visit, says America will tackle original sin of slavery Story continues Trump boasted of adding more than 10 million jobs since May without mentioning thats only about half of the jobs lost since the pandemic. Biden, meanwhile, was collecting a trio of endorsements from organized labor as he headed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for an AFL-CIO virtual town hall with union President Richard Trumka. Meeting first with local labor leaders in the backyard of a supporters home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Biden spoke about trade, coronavirus and the economy as he criticized Trump for refusing to deal with the problems that affect ordinary people and called for strengthening unions. The four attendees expressed support for Biden and frustration with Trumps policies. I cant understand whats going on today, Im lost, said Bob Faust, a member of the local Ironworkers Union. I get choked up when I think about the direction this countrys going in at this time. We need your help. U.S. President Donald Trump waves to journalists as he returns to the White House following a trip to Wisconsin September 1, 2020 in Washington, DC. The president traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to survey damage and speak to law enforcement officials following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police and the killing of two protesters by an under-age vigilante last week. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Harris morning meeting with Blakes family again underscored the two campaigns differing approaches to addressing police shootings of Black men and women and the resulting protests, including some that have been violent. While Harris and Biden have met with Blakes family, Trump did not in a recent visit to Kenosha, instead meeting law enforcement officials and touring damage to businesses from the protests. Trumps narrow win in Wisconsin in 2016 helped to send him to the White House. The states importance was underscored by all four candidates campaigning there over the past week. The Biden campaign believes its labor support could help get out the vote in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. According to details shared first with The Associated Press, the campaign will announce three union endorsements: the Laborers International Union of North America, the International Union of Elevator Constructors and the National Federation of Federal Employees, collectively representing hundreds of thousands of union workers nationwide who can be mobilized to support the campaign. Labor Day typically marks the unofficial start to the fall campaign season as candidates accelerate their activity for the final sprint to Election Day. But Mondays events are playing out this year against the backdrop of a pandemic that has upended campaigning, forcing much of the candidates traditional activity online. Indeed, this marks Harris first solo foray out on the campaign trail for in-person events since she was announced as Bidens running mate nearly a month ago. But Biden himself has stepped up his campaigning over the past week, traveling to Pittsburgh and Kenosha and holding two news conferences. Aides say to expect both Biden and Harris to increase their campaigning for the remaining weeks. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA.), delivers remarks during a campaign event on August 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images) While the presidential campaign was roiled this past week by multiple reports recounting comments Trump allegedly made disparaging fallen soldiers, as well as the police shooting and violent protests in Kenosha, the focus on Labor Day is likely to return to the issue that polls consistently find at the top of voters minds: the economy. A strong economy that was Trumps biggest asset for reelection has now become a potential liability, brought down by the coronavirus. The Biden campaign has emphasized the economic damage wrought by what Biden argues was an inadequate response to the pandemic that resulted in more loss of life and jobs than necessary. Its a line both Biden and Harris are likely to push while speaking to union voters. Read More: Kamala Harris slams Trump, Barr for denying systemic racism in justice system The U.S. economy has been steadily rebounding from its epic collapse in the spring as many businesses have reopened and rehired some laid-off employees. Yet the recovery is far from complete. Only about half the 22 million jobs that vanished in the pandemic have been recovered. Economic inequalities also appear to have widened, with lower-income and minority workers suffering disproportionately while affluent Americans have lost fewer jobs and even benefited from rising stock and home prices. Ronayne reported from Sacramento, California. Jaffe reported from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! The post Harris meets Blakes, Trump goes on attack in Labor Day blitz appeared first on TheGrio. The European Union(EU) has partnered the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to educate local communities about accountability, rule of law and anti-corruption in the Ejura-Sekyedumase District of the Ashanti region. Under its social auditing programme, the NCCE is hoping to promote good governance in Ghana by reducing corruption and improving accountability and compliance in the public service. Subsequently, a durbar has been organised to give the people of Nyinase, one of the towns in the district, to have options in developmental projects and own them through proper auditing of the progress of work. Director The Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Director of the NCCE, Mr Dujing Jacob Japiong, told the chiefs and people of Nyinase, a farming community in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality that social auditing was crucial to the development of any community, urging the people to actively participate in every developmental project to ensure value for money. Committee Sequel to that, a five-member working committee has been inaugurated to champion the social audit programme in the community. The municipal director admonished the committee to liaise with duty bearers in order to pool resources to develop their community. He said development was a collective responsibility not to be shouldered by government alone. Mr Japiong stressed that social auditing was not an event but rather a process towards achieving the desired goals and needs of the community. He urged the committee to work assiduously and closely with the key actors in the municipality to press home their demand. Interaction In interaction with key stakeholders in the municipality, Mr Japiong entreated them not to see social auditing as a political witch-hunt but rather a key role in promoting community ownership of developmental projects. He urged the stakeholders and duty bearers to work in harmony with the five-member committee to ensure that their priority needs are met. Chief The chief of Nyinase, Nana Donkor Najah, commended the NCCE for selecting the community to benefit from the programme. He urged the committee to work in close collaboration with the locals to ensure that the most pressing needs of the community were met. Assemblyman The Assemblyman for the area, Philip Appiah, pledged to work with the team in order to bring development to the community. He commended the municipal Director, Mr Japiong, for his work and urged him to replicate the exercise in other communities. 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 Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has postponed its sailing from Portsmouth Naval Base after seven crew members tested positive for Covid-19, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Around 100 further members of crew are isolating onboard because they have been in contact with positive cases. Infected crew members have been removed from the ship and will continue to isolate. If the new tests give the all-clear, the ship will set sail tomorrow for two weeks. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has postponed its sailing from Portsmouth Naval Base after a number of crew tested positive for Covid-19, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed The 3 billion warship was set to leave Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this afternoon for training exercises but the departure was put on hold at the last moment. A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed that 'fewer than 10' members of the 1,000-strong crew had tested positive for the coronavirus and had been taken ashore to be put into isolation in barracks. Other sailors who had contact with their infected crew-mates will isolate on board the 65,000 tonne ship which is expected to leave Portsmouth as soon as Tuesday. It is the second time the carrier has had to postpone its sailing after two crew members tested positive for Covid-19 in April. The aircraft carrier, which is currently in Portsmouth, has postponed its sail for 24 hours after up to nine of its crew members tested positive for coronavirus A Royal Navy spokesman said: 'A small number of HMS Queen Elizabeth's personnel have tested positive for Covid during routine preparation for sailing. 'Those affected have been isolated and are working with the NHS Test and Trace system to ensure the virus does not spread further. 'The crew will continue to follow appropriate health guidelines and the HMS Queen Elizabeth will depart once their status has been confirmed.' The spokesman said that the decision when to sail would be left to the carrier's commanding officer Captain Angus Essenhigh who will act on PHE guidance. The carrier is expected to carry out training exercises at sea before returning to base for supplies ahead of departing for major international exercises including the embarkment for the first time of both US and UK F35 Lightning jets. It is aiming to declare strike carrier capability later this year ahead of its first operational deployment in 2021. Around 100 further members of crew are isolating onboard because they have been in contact with positive cases Infected crew members have been removed from the ship and will continue to isolate A number of British and American F-35B stealth jets will also be onboard the aircraft carrier in the largest cohort of jets seen on a British warship in more than a decade. American aviators from the US Marine Corps arrived at RAF Marham last week to prepare for the role. The Queen Elizabeth is due to deploy on her first operational mission early next year, which will she her travelling across the world. Her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, is expected to undertaker its maiden operational deployment in 2023. With the United States being the worst-affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice Presidential candidate hit out at President Trump saying his administration was "minimised the seriousness" of the outbreak. "From the beginning of this pandemic, he has called it a hoax. He has muzzled the public health experts--he has minimised the seriousness of it. If he had listened to the scientists and the experts, he would have understood the gravity of it," Harris told CNN. Trump previously promised that the US would come out with a vaccine "by the end of this year if not sooner" to which, Harris responded, "I think we have learned that ever since this pandemic started, that there's very little that we can trust what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth. I would trust the words of public health experts and scientists and not of " She further criticised the US President for making the virus a partisan issue stating that "the could care less who was voted in the elections." "We have a President of the United States who made this a partisan issue. The virus could care less who you voted for in the last election or who you plan to vote for in the next election," the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate said. As per the latest update, the United States -- the worst affected country from the COVID-19 pandemic-- has a total of 6,270,950 cases and 188,810 deaths due to the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. (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.) New Delhi: Film producer Sandip Ssingh has released WhatsApp chats with Sushant Singh Rajput and his family, claiming he did this to clear his stand. Sandip said that he shared a close bond with Sushant. However, he drew flak when the family of the late star said they did not know him. He has also been questioned for his presence at Sushant's flat after the actor was found dead on June 14. In a series of Instagram posts, Sandip broke his silence and shared his chats with Sushant between November 2016 and June 2018. He also released a statement on why he was "unable to stop himself" from going to Sushant's flat. "Sorry bhai, my silence has broken 20 years of my image and family into pieces. I was unaware that friendship requires a certificate in todays time. Today I am making our personal chats public, as this is the last resort which proves our equation," Sandip wrote while sharing his WhatsApp conversation with Sushant. He also attached screenshots of his chats with Sushant's Mumbai-based sister Mitu Singh and the late star's brother-in-law OP Singh too. He wrote, "Everyone is saying that your family does not know me. Yes, it's correct, I never met your family. Is it my fault to help a grieving sister alone in this city to complete the final rites of a brother? Just want to end the speculation why I was talking to the ambulance driver despite his statement." In a separate post, he wrote, "On 14th June when I heard about you I was unable to stop myself and I rushed to your house in grief but was shocked to see no one present except Mittu Didi. I am still thinking whether I was wrong to stand by your sister in that critical time or I should have waited for your other friends to come." Sandip Ssingh was among the first persons to reach Sushant's residence after hearing the news of his death. He was also pictured with Sushant's sister Mitu outside the Cooper Hospital, where Sushant's body was taken for a postmortem. Few days after Sushant's demise, he had spoken about past memories of sharing an apartment with Sushant and his ex-girlfriend Ankita Lokhande. In another Instagram post, Sandip also revealed his plans of making his directorial debut with a patriotic film starring Sushant. However, senior advocate Vikas Singh, who represents the Sushant's family, claimed that the Rajputs didn't know about Sandip Ssingh. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested former ICICI Bank managing director Chanda Kochhars husband, Deepak Kochhar, in connection with a money-laundering probe against the couple and companies linkted to them, people familiar with the developments said. Officials said Deepak Kochhar was arrested in Mumbai after he failed to give satisfactory response to fresh evidence gathered by the investigation team suggesting suspicious transactions in his company NuPower Renewables Pvt Ltd. He was called for questioning and confronted with several documents before being arrested. He was evading answers to certain questions related to transactions in his company, said an officer who didnt wish to be named. He will be produced in a PMLA (prevention of money laundering act) court on Tuesday morning. Deepak Kochhars lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, declined to comment. Deepak Kochhars arrest is the first such action in a multi-agency investigation against the couple for decisions Chanda Kochhar took as the head of the private sector ICICI Bank in giving loans to Videocon Group in lieu of alleged bribes. Chanda Kochhar stepped down from ICICI Bank on October 4, 2018 after allegations of irregularities surfaced. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also investigating the Kochhars for alleged corruption. In its FIR registered in January last year, CBI alleged that six high-value loans worth Rs 1,875 crore were given by ICICI Bank to Videocon group companies between 2009 and 2011. While attaching properties worth Rs 78.15 crore belonging to Kochhars in January 2020, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said an amount of Rs 64 crore out of a loan of Rs 300 crore sanctioned by a committee headed by Chanda Kochhar to Videocon International Electronics Limited was transferred to M/s NuPower Renewables Pvt Ltd by Videocon Industries Limited (VIL) on September 8, 2009, just one day after the disbursement of the loan. It is noticed that Chanda Kochhar and Venugopal N Dhoot (chairman-cum-managing director of VIL) are known to each other whereas family members of Chanda Kochhar are having joint holding in certain companies with the persons of Videocon group viz in NRPL (NuPower Renewables Pvt Ltd) and SEPL (Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd). The nexus is evident from the changes in the shareholding patterns in the specified companies into and amongst such persons under a design and plan, said an ED report in possession of HT. In an investigation report filed in a Delhi court, as first reported by HT in April 2019, ED claimed that it was investigating a total of 24 loans aggregating Rs 7,862 crore that were given by the bank to Videocon Group between 2009 and 2018. Both the agencies decided to look at quid-pro-quo arrangements between Dhoot and Kochhars after it emerged that former was an investor in Deepak Kochhars company. EDWARDSVILLE Local officials want Madison County to participate in a nationwide initiative to decrease the number of people with mental illness going through the criminal justice system. The Step Up Initiative started about five years ago by the National Association of Counties, the American Psychiatric Association Foundation and the Council of State Governments Justice Center. The program seeks to develop strategies that will both keep the mentally ill out of the criminal justice system, and provide help for those already in it. Its really a holistic approach to get the resources to the people who need them, said Capt. Kris Tharp of the Madison County Sheriffs Department. Madison County Public Defender John Rekowski said that about 75 percent of the clients his office sees have some kind of mental health issues. He shared information about one current client with mild mental illness that can be maintained with help who was arrested for shoplifting several sodas. The county has no proper facilities to hold her, he said. To put her out on the street is almost as inhumane as holding her in jail, Rekowski said. The criminal court system has become the cesspool to which everybody drains. Madison County Board Member Michael Doc Holliday said he and some other county board members are trying to push a resolution to have the county participate in the Step Up Initiative. According to stepuptogether.org, an estimated 2 million people with serious mental illnesses are booked into local jails each year. The website states federal, state and local policies and budget limitations have made county and other local jails the de facto mental health hospitals for people who cannot access appropriate community-based mental health treatment and services. One of the biggest problems law enforcement is facing on the street is mental illness, and we have nowhere to turn to get real help for these people, said Madison County Board Member Mike Parkinson, a Granite City police officer. We have to have real funding, and real meaning behind this. Until we get serious about this. Were going to continue to see this cycle. Jail is not the right place for them, he said. We just dont have any other place to put them. I think this is really an idea we need to push to get funding for. The county boards Judiciary Committee discussed the program at its Friday meeting but took no action. Committee Chairman Mike Walters, R-Godfrey said more discussion was need and cautioned any programs would need outside funding. For more information visit https://stepuptogether.org. Committee members on Friday also heard there were 278 inmates in the Madison County Jail, with 35 waiting to go to the Illinois Department of Corrections. We have been making progress through the IDOC, but it has been a slow process, said Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Maj. Jeff Connor. He also said the jail renovation project still has a completion date in March. China announces more standardised official Chinese names for 15 more places in Arunachal Pradesh Whereabouts of 5 youths from Arunachal 'abducted' by PLA not yet known: Cops India oi-Deepika S Itanagar/Beijing, Sep 07: The Arunachal Pradesh police on Monday said the whereabouts of the five youths from a village in the northeastern state on the India-China border allegedly abducted by China's People's Liberation Army(PLA) are not yet known. Engaged as porters and guides by the Indian army, the five villagers from the Nacho area of Upper Subansiri district who were part of a 7-member group which went for hunting in a jungle were reported missing by their families through social media last Friday. China, meanwhile, brushed off concerns over the whereabouts of the five youths and needled India, saying it has never recognised the northeastern state which it claims is part of south Tibet. 'China's position on the east sector of the China-India boundary, or Zangnan (the southern part of China's Xizang (Tibet) ), is consistent and clear,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing, adding the Chinese government has never recognized the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh'. 'I'm not aware of the situation you mentioned,' the spokesperson said when asked about any updates about the missing Indian nationals. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) condemned the Chinese statement dubbing the state as part of 'South Tibet'. 'Not aware': China on abduction of five Indians from Arunachal Pradesh "The people of the state outrightly reject the dubious statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry dubbing our state as part of 'South Tibet'. We strongly condemn such statements and advise the Chinese government to refrain from such notoriety," the union said in a statement in Itanagar. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter on Sunday to say the Indian army has already sent a hotline message to the PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh and that a response is awaited. The development comes at a time when the Indian army has enhanced its deployment along the 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control(LAC) in view of the tense border row between India and China in eastern Ladakh. A senior official of the Arunachal Pradesh government said on Saturday the local police has launched a probe into the matter. Nacho is the last administrative circle along the McMahon line and is around 120 km from the district headquarters Daporijo. Two members from the group of youth which went for hunting in the jungle returned home and informed the families of the other five that they had been whisked away by the Chinese troops from Sera-7, an Army patrol zone located about 12 km further north of Nacho. Tezpur-based Defence spokesman Lt Col Harshvarshan Pande said, 'We have alerted our teams and are in constant touch with the civil administration.' The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Upper Subansiri said no one has lodged any formal complaint with the police or the armed forces that guard strategic areas along the LAC. Earlier, talking about the incident, the SP Taru Gussar had said, 'We came to know from local sources that five people belonging to the Tagin community were abducted by the PLA from a jungle near Nacho when they were out hunting'. 'We are trying to verify the fact and are in touch with the Army since there have been past instances of the PLA capturing locals from the LAC and releasing them,' the SP said. Those allegedly kidnapped have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri. AAPSU president Hawa Bagang and General Secretary Tabom Dai in a joint statement said, "People of Arunachal Pradesh are proud Indians and staunch nationalists. We don't need any recognition or validation from a foreign entity. 'Instead of issuing misleading statements, the Chinese government should direct its armed forces to immediately release five civilians from Nacho area in Upper Subansiri district who, were abducted by PLA personnel recently." The AAPSU termed the incident as 'unfortunate' and called upon both the Centre and the state government to ensure early and safe release of the youths. 'The recent incident is not an isolated case as time and again the PLA has been repeatedly indulging in similar antics whereby innocent civilians living at the inhospitable border areas are taken captive at regular intervals,' the union said in its statement. In March, a 21-year-old man was abducted by the PLA from Asapila sector near the McMahon line. While his two friends managed to escape, Togley Sinkam was taken away at gunpoint, his family had said. After 19 days in captivity, the youth was released by the Chinese army. The Ministry of Public Finance (MFP) borrowed 938 million lei off banks on Monday in a benchmark government bond issue of a residual maturity of 51 months, at an average yield of 3.22% per year, according to data released by the National Bank of Romania (BNR). The nominal value of Monday's issue was 500 million lei, with banks demanding 1.363 billion lei.An additional auction is scheduled for Tuesday, by which the government wants to raise another 75 million lei at the same yield set on Monday for bonds.The Ministry of Public Finance (MFP) has planned to take out loans from commercial banks of 4.54 billion lei in September 2020, of which 400 million in an issue of discounted treasury certificates and 3.6 billion lei through eight issues of government bonds.Adding up to that can be 540 million lei through additional sessions of non-competitive bids at bond auctions.The amount, 1.1 billion lei higher than the one planned for August, will be used to refinance public debt and to narrow the general government deficit. California Sen. Kamala Harris is on the ground in Wisconsin Monday for her first campaign trip since accepting the Democratic vice presidential nomination -- as Labor Day marks the start of the home stretch for the 2020 presidential campaign season. Shortly after landing in Milwaukee, Harris met with the family and legal team of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who was shot in Kenosha in front of three of his children last month and remains hospitalized. MORE: Jacob Blake speaks out from hospital bed in emotional video: 'It's nothing but pain' The meeting, which took place at a private airport in Milwaukee, included Blake's father, two sisters and members of his legal team. Blake, his mother and family attorney Benjamin Crump joined by phone, according to a list of attendees released by the campaign. PHOTO: Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris arrives at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Sept. 7, 2020, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images) Harris called the meeting "really wonderful" when answering a shouted question from a reporter while on a tour of an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training facility in Wauwatosa, a city five miles west of Milwaukee, later on Monday. Ahead of a roundtable with Black Milwaukee business leaders in the late afternoon, Harris took the moment to share some details of her meeting with Blake and his family. "I mean, they're an incredible family and what theyve endured and they just do it with such dignity and grace, and you know. They're carrying the weight of a lot of voices on their shoulders," she said. She said she expressed concern for the family's well-being and that the meeting was "to let them know that they have support." PHOTO: Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris listens to a worker as she tours an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training facility, Sept. 7, 2020, in Milwaukee. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images) Crump called the visit "inspirational" and "uplifting" and said Harris discussed policy changes she would seek if she and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden were elected, including the Justice in Policing Act and implicit bias training for law enforcement. "In a moving moment, Jacob Jr. told Sen. Harris that he was proud of her, and the senator told Jacob that she was also proud of him and how he is working through his pain. Jacob Jr. assured her that he would not give up on life for the sake of his children," Crump said in a statement following the meeting. "She encouraged them to continue to use their voices even through their pain to help America make progress to end systematic racism." Story continues Biden last week also met with Blake's family and legal team. In one of his most aggressive campaign trips in months, Biden last Thursday visited with Blake's family in Milwaukee -- with Blake joining by phone -- and met with community leaders in Kenosha. MORE: Biden meets with Jacob Blake's family in Wisconsin on trip to 'bring people together' PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden gives the thumbs up as he arrives to pose for photographs with union leaders outside the AFL-CIO headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 7, 2020. (Carolyn Kaster/AP) The White House also sees Wisconsin, a state President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2016, as a pivotal prize in November. Vice President Mike Pence is also in the state Monday to tour an energy facility and deliver remarks in La Crosse. Trump visited Wisconsin last Tuesday where he met with business leaders and local law enforcement. He didn't mention Blake's name in his remarks. The president has previously spoken by phone to Blake's mother's pastor and called theirs "a great talk," but said he hasn't connected with the Blake family directly because they want lawyers to listen in on the conversation, which he has said would be "inappropriate." ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin and Libby Cathey contributed to this report. Kamala Harris meets with family of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin, Blake joins by phone originally appeared on abcnews.go.com There is a two-minute footage about Choksi in the series which allegedly shows him in a bad light and therefore, could affect the various proceedings against him in India. The Delhi high court on Monday sought responses from the Centre and online video streaming platform Netflix on PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi's appeal challenging the dismissal of his plea to pre-screen the 'Bad Boy Billionaires' docuseries. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice to the Centre and Netflix and sought their stand by September 23. Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, appearing for Choksi, said he was only seeking that the matter be remanded to the single judge who had dismissed the plea. The single judge had on August 28 denied relief to Choksi, saying a writ petition for enforcement of a private right was not maintainable. The high court had said his remedy lay in a civil suit and granted him the liberty to raise the issue therein. During the hearing held via video conference on Monday, Aggarwal contended that there is a two-minute footage about Choksi in the series which allegedly shows him in a bad light and therefore, could affect the various proceedings against him in India. Netflix opposed the plea, saying it was not maintainable as the high court has in the past held that over the top (OTT) or internet video streaming platforms cannot be regulated and the only option was to file a civil suit. It also said there can be no pre-censorship in the form of a preview or pre-screening of the docuseries as the same would be violative of the freedom of speech and expression. When the bench questioned whether the docuseries has been stayed, Netflix said that two individuals -- B Ramalinga Raju and Subrata Roy Sahara -- who also find mention in the docuseries have obtained stays from courts in remote corners of the country and appeals were being readied to be filed against the same. Sahara obtained an order from a local court in Araria in Bihar restraining Netflilx from using his name in the series. Netflix challenged the order in the Supreme Court which declined to entertain it, but gave the OTT platform the liberty to approach the appropriate forum in appeal against the lower court's order. Thereafter, a civil court in Andhra Pradesh restrained Netflix from airing the series on a petition by Raju who was convicted in the multi-crore accounting scandal of Satyam Computer Services Limited. Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems, and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. Choksi left the country last year and was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda. The documentary, which was scheduled for release in India on September 2, was promoted by Netflix as: "This investigative docuseries explores the greed, fraud and corruption that built up - and ultimately brought down - India's most infamous tycoons." In the petition before the single judge, Choksi claimed he has been falsely accused of various crimes in India and is presently under investigation or standing trial by and before various authorities and/or courts. "The petitioner is entitled in terms of Indian law, that is, Article 21 of the Constitution of India to a presumption of innocence and a free and fair trial. Reputation being a facet of a person's life, the petitioner is also entitled to a right to a reputation," it had said. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters Trump: Schools that teach 1619 Project will not be funded' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding for schools that include The New York Times Magazines controversial 1619 Project as part of their history curriculum. The president responded on Sunday to a tweet asserting that California has implemented the 1619 project into the public schools. The Department of Education is looking at this, he tweeted. If so, they will not be funded! Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded! https://t.co/dHsw6Y6Y3M Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020 The 1619 Project was unveiled last year to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first African slaves on American soil. The thesis of the 1619 Project points to the year 1619 as the founding date of the United States of America, as opposed to 1776, when the U.S. officially declared its independence from Great Britain. The 1619 Project attempts to reframe American history by focusing on the impact that the institution of slavery has had over the years. Nikole Hannah-Jones, the principal author of the project, won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary as a result of her work on the historical framework. The Pulitzer Center serves as the education partner for the 1619 Project, working to distribute lesson plans based on the commentary of Hannah-Jones and her co-authors to schools across the country. According to the Pulitzer Center, the 1619 Project has reached 4,500 classrooms since August 2019 and tens of thousands of students in all 50 states. School districts in Buffalo, New York; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Wilmington, Delaware; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina have adopted the project at broad scale. Trump is not the only politician to express outrage over the inclusion of the 1619 Project in many public schools. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced a bill this summer that would prohibit Federal funds from being made available to teach the 1619 Project curriculum in elementary schools and secondary schools. The Saving American History Act of 2020 describes the 1619 Project as a racially divisive and revisionist account of history that threatens the integrity of the Union by denying the true principles on which it was founded. Trumps tweet came as Cottons bill has failed to gain any traction more than a month after its introduction. The president did not offer any specifics on how he would withhold funds from public schools that incorporate the 1619 Project into their curriculum. Cottons bill instructed the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services to determine the cost associated with teaching the 1619 Project and withhold funds equivalent to that amount from schools that include the historical framework in their curriculum. The legislation forbids the secretaries from reducing federal funds for the free and reduced school lunch programs and programs for students with disabilities. The president had previously expressed concern about the American education system during his July 4 speech at Mount Rushmore. Our children are taught in school to hate their own country, he said. This left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American revolution, he added. Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children. While the 1619 Project has received condemnation from Republican politicians, Democratic politicians have given the historical framework more favorable reviews. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., the Democrats 2020 vice presidential nominee, praised the 1619 Project as a powerful and necessary reckoning of our history. We cannot understand and address the problems of today without speaking the truth about how we got here, she argued. The #1619Project is a powerful and necessary reckoning of our history. We cannot understand and address the problems of today without speaking truth about how we got here. https://t.co/W6gFOJ1zj6 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 15, 2019 The 1619 Project has also received support from the establishment media, as well as select Christian media outlets. The National Catholic Reporter urged readers to demand that your schoolpublic, private, Catholic or other religious institution, charter or homeinclude the curriculum as a required course of study. Maria Kolesnikova (C-L) is the last remaining member of the opposition 'troika' in Belarus - Sergei Bobylev /TASS A Belarusian opposition leader was abducted from the streets of Minsk in broad daylight on Monday, local media reported, as authorities extend their crackdown on protests against dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Maria Kolesnikova, part of the troika of women who spearheaded efforts to oust the longtime ruler in an election last month, was bundled into a minibus by men in unmarked clothes, a witness said. The 38 year old is the only member of the trio still in Belarus after Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who stood against Mr Lukashenko in the election, was forced to flee to neighbouring Lithuania following apparent threats to her children, and ally Veronika Tsepkalo left for Poland. Two other opposition figures were also reported missing on Monday. A witness told the independent Belarusian news site Tut.by that she had seen Ms Kolesnikova walking near the National Art Museum in the centre of Minsk on Monday morning. I saw a dark minibus with Communication written on its side, she said. I walked ahead and heard the sound of a phone falling on the pavement and some kind of commotion. I turned around and saw people in masks and civilian clothes were pushing Maria into the bus. Calls to Ms Kolesnikova from the Telegraph went unanswered on Monday. Her team said their lawyers were working to ascertain her whereabouts. Authorities said they had no information about any detention, while Minsk police said they were clarifying information about the alleged abduction. Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled to Lithuania citing fears for her safety - PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP Mr Lukashenko claimed victory in the August 9 vote, which was widely seen as rigged, and police launched a brutal crackdown on the hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who came out to protest. Officers used rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas on demonstrators. Many of those arrested during the rallies later showed evidence of beatings while in police custody. At least four people have died and many more are still missing. Videos on social media have shown abductions of protestors into unmarked vehicles in the weeks since the election. Story continues Ms Kolesnikova is a member of the Coordination Council set up by Ms Tikhanovskaya to oversee the peaceful transfer of power. Last week Ms Kolesnikova said she was launching a new political party called Together that would push for constitutional reforms. Several other members of the Coordination Council have been detained in recent weeks, after Belaruss prosecutor general opened a criminal case against the group. On Monday, Ms Kolesnikovas press secretary said the councils spokesman and executive secretary were also out of contact. The reported abduction comes a day after an estimated 100,000 people took to the streets of Minsk in the latest protest calling for Mr Lukashenko to go. Troops, water cannon and armoured reconnaissance vehicles were deployed in response. Police later said they had arrested more than 600 people. In the days following the election, a wave of popular protest and mass strikes looked all but certain to bring down Mr Lukashenko, who has ruled the Eastern European country with an iron fist for 26 years. But in recent weeks a harsh response from authorities, coupled with shows of support from Russia, has propped up his regime. Metro Manila (CNN Philippine, September 7) President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday granted "absolute pardon" to US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton after serving less than six years in detention for killing Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude. He was set to be released early after a local court on September 1 credited Pemberton more than four years worth of good conduct time allowance (GCTA) a privilege given to detainees who exhibit exemplary behavior in prison. The court said Pembertons accumulated jail time already exceeded 10 years due to his good behavior. But this was challenged by the lawyer of the Laude family by filing a motion for reconsideration, questioning the computation and basis of GCTA credits awarded to him. The appeal delayed the release of the convicted American national. Duterte said it is unfair to keep Pemberton detained pending appeal resolution, arguing it is not Pemberton's fault there is no proper record of his exemplary behavior while he was alone in a special detention cell in Camp Aguinaldo. "You have not treated Pemberty fairly so I will grant for his release. Pardon... There is a time where you are called upon to be fair, be fair," he said during his weekly address to the nation. "It is not the fault of Pemberton na hindi na na-compute because we should allow him the good character presumption kasi wala namang nag-report na Marines na nagsabi nagwawala siya." [Translation: You have not treated Pemberty fairly so I will grant for his release. Pardon... There is a time where you are called upon to be fair, be fair. It is not the fault of Pemberton that his good conduct was not computed properly. We should give him the presumption of good character because the Marines did not report that he misbehaved. ] Duterte said he informed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra before he announced his decision. Guevarra said the President's decision was made independently, without external pressure. He added that even outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim was surprised with the news when he arrived in Malacanang on Monday night for his farewell call. He said Duterte simply saw that the presumption of good conduct was on Pemberton's side since there is no proof he misbehaved in detention. "I saw that the presidents decision to grant pardon to Pemberton was solely his own. No one prompted it," he said in a message. The Department of Justice was slated to file a motion for reconsideration this week to oppose the Olongapo Court's release order, but it was preempted by the granting of absolute pardon. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the former counsel of the Laude family, said the pardon erases questions on whether Pemberton is qualified for good behavior credits. "No more issue/question if he's entitled to GCTA. Wala nang issue kung applicable ba sa kanya yung batas dahil hindi siya nakulong sa national penitentiary. Binura na po ng Presidente kung ano pa yung parusa na dapat ipapataw kay Pemberton. Ang hindi po nabura ng Presidente yung conviction ni Pemberton, mamatay tao pa rin siya," he said. [Translation: No more issue/question if he's entitled to GCTA. There is no more issue whether the law applies to him because he was not detained at the national penitentiary. The President erased any additonal punisments that may be given to Pemberton. What the President did not erase was Pemberton's conviction, he is still a killer.] Pemberton has served a total of 2,142 days or over five years and ten months in prison, but the court credited to him a good conduct time allowance of 1,548 days or more than four years. This yields an accumulated jail time of 10 years, one month, and 10 days, the court said. The Court of Appeals initially sentenced Pemberton up to 12 years of imprisonment, but this was later reduced to a maximum of ten years. In an interview with CNN Philippines' News Night, Pemberton's lawyer Rowena Flores said the President's decision was a surprise, adding that she did not make a representation to Malacanang for the pardon. "I'm very happy with this development, and I thank our President for his pardon," she said. "I think with this development, justice is served and that the laws were followed." Flores said Pemberton would have to meet certain requirements first before he can leave the country, including clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation. Several senators, such as Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Imee Marcos, backed the President's decision. However, the President of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, Edre Olalia, said the decision was "unbelievable," adding it was timed to "pre-empt the possibility of any other adverse result to his case." "What makes it even more atrocious is that his entitlements and liberty were apparently politically bartered through an onerous and servile military agreement. What cheap price sovereignty and national dignity," he said in a statement on Monday. Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Domingo Cayosa said while the President's move was unexpected, the Constitution gives Duterte the privilege to grant pardon. He said there are three exceptions to this executive power: if the offender is being impeached; if the criminal case pertains to election offenses, in which the President would need the Commission on Elections recommendation; and if the offender is not yet convicted with finality. "The case of Pemberton does not fall into any of these exceptions, so the power of the President can be exercised," he told CNN Philippines. In October 2014, Laude was found dead in an Olongapo City motel room after a night out with then 19-year-old Pemberton. Laude's neck was blackened with strangulation marks, head rammed into a toilet, after Pemberton learned that she was transgender. Editorial Injustice prevails against Bla(c)k deaths Two weeks ago, two Indigenous families were let down, left without closure, as our judicial system failed to hold anyone to account for the deaths of their family members. The family of Tanya Day were devastated and angry that no criminal charges will be laid against the police officers involved in the case, according to the ABC. In 2017, Day, a Yorta Yorta woman, who was asleep on a V/Line train to Melbourne was arrested by Victorian police for public drunkenness. She was placed in a cell in Castlemaine police station where she fell and hit her head on a wall, sustaining a serious head injury. Days death could have been preventable, according to a Victorian coroner, however, the officers involved failed to adequately check on her. The decision by the prosecutors to not lay charges on the officers, says the family, was based on a police investigation that we have said all along was flawed and lacked independence. The family of Tane Chatfield were also left with a series of non-answers after the inquest into his death was finalised. According to the ABC, the coroner found that he died of intentionally self-inflicted injuries (for more information about this Black death in custody see our editorial Deaths in Custody #1924). As a result of the findings, Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame recommended authorities undertake a comprehensive audit of all cell hanging points at the Tamworth Correctional Centre and undertake urgent removal of any point identified (ABC). The prison, however, is heritage-listed and thus the advice to remove these hanging points has been met with resistance because the exercise would be expensive or difficult a sentiment perfectly encapsulating how Australia views the lives of Indigenous people: they are worth less than the renovation of a building. Tony Abbott shows where his loyalties lay Former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott will be appointed to the British Board of Trade which will advise Boris Johnson and trade secretary, Liz Truss, on future trade deals and will be a vital component of the UKs future post-Brexit trade strategy (Guardian UK). Many are perplexed by the choice, with David Lawrence from the Trade Justice Movement sa[ying]: Hiring Tony Abbott to one of the top jobs in UK trade policy is a baffling choice (ibid). More concerning than hiring a man who had little to do with the trade agreements during his own tenure as Prime Minister is the fact that our former leader is now working for another government! Furthermore, according to the SBS, based on figures they crunched, Abbotts pension is roughly $300,000 and is likely to increase. Thus, we will effectively be continuing to pay this man this unseemly figure as he works in the service of Johnsons government, essentially committing borderline treason. Always the staunch Monarchist, working within the British government highlights in full form where Abbotts loyalties have always laid. They have never been with the Australian people, but to the ruling class, especially that of England. While this move by Abbott is extremely unusual it is not without precedent. Former Prime Minister George Reid went on to serve in the House of Commons, and as well as former Prime Ministers Stanley Bruce and Robert Menzies who were members of Churchills cabinet all members of political parties had contempt for the working-class. Of course our current Prime Minister Scott Morrison has no issue with the appointment qualifying it as a good hire. It seems that Morrison doesnt have concerns about foreign agents interfering in the government of other governments after all so long as its one of our own. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: As many as 2,152 people have been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours in Iran, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Trend reports citing the ministry. According to Sadat Lari, 117 more people have died from the coronavirus over the past day. Sadat Lari added that the condition of 3,733 people is critical. The official said that Iran's Tehran, Mazandaran, Gilan, Qom, Isfahan, Razavi Khorasan, East Azerbaijan, Kerman, North Khorasan, Semnan, Yazd, Zanjan, and Qazvin provinces are considered 'red' zones. So far, more than 3.4 million tests have been conducted in Iran for the diagnosis of coronavirus. Iran continues to monitor the coronavirus situation in the country. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 388,800 people have been infected, and 22,410 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 335,500 have reportedly recovered from the disease. The country continues to apply strict measures to contain further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease. The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19. The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019. Por Tor, Hungry Ghost Festival underway in Phuket PHUKET: The annual Por Tor Festival, also known throughout the region as the or Hungry Ghost festival, is underway in Phuket Town, with Phuket City Municipality inviting everyone to join the festivities. The annual festival this year continues until Wednesday next week (Sept 16). cultureChinese By The Phuket News Monday 7 September 2020, 12:49PM Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew and a host of other high-ranking officials, including Phuket Town Mayor Somjai Suwansupana, joined a ceremony at Bang Neow Shrine at 5pm yesterday (Sept 6) to mark the launch of festivities. The festival usually falls on the 15th day of the seventh waxing moon according to the Chinese calendar and Thai-Chinese people believe that the spirits of ancestors are released from hell to visit their relatives during this time, explained Mayor Somjai. The Por Tor Festival is also called the Hungry Ghost Festival, as believers prepare food not only for their ancestors but also to nourish lost souls, spirits who have no living family to visit, she added. To honour the occasion, celebrants make red turtle cakes called Ang Ku, which come in various sizes and are made from flour and sugar. The turtle cakes are central to the celebrations and form an important part of the offerings made to Por Tor and hungry ghosts. The turtle represents strength and longevity, while the colour red is associated with good luck. Festival activities are centred around Por Tor Kong Shrine in Phuket Town, which is dedicated to the god Por Tor the King of Hell. The shrine features painted panels depicting some of the gruesome punishments handed down by Por Tor to those souls judged to be worthy of such suffering. During the festival participants prepare various foods, carved fruits and colourful desserts to place at altars for the spirits of their ancestors. Joining the festivities yesterday were participants at the Jor Ong Shrine in Talad Nuea. Festivities at other participating locales and shrines in Phuket Town this year are as follows: A young female bar-goer faces two years in prison after admitting to glassing a stranger who was celebrating her birthday. Kailey Marion Secomb, 22, has pleaded guilty to attacking Brooke Jeffers at the Brass Monkey Hotel in Northbridge, in Perth's inner city, on June 13. Ms Jeffers was celebrating her 22nd birthday and had only been inside the venue for ten minutes when she got into an argument with Secomb. Brooke Jeffers, 22, was the victim of a vicious glassing while on her birthday night out with friends in June Kailey Marion Secomb (pictured), 22 has pleaded guilty to attacking Brooke Jeffers at the Brass Monkey Hotel in Northbridge, in Perth's inner city, on June 13 They threw water onto each other before Secomb retaliated by throwing a glass at the birthday girl, The West Australian reported. Blood started pouring from Ms Jeffers' face and she was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment. She suffered cuts to her face and nose - some of which had to be sealed together with glue by doctors. In the days following the attack Ms Jeffers spoke out and said she came dangerously close to receiving more injuries. 'We were only in Brass Monkey for about 10 minutes before it happened - it kind of came out of nowhere and ruined the night,' the young woman told 7News at the time. 'I was full of so much adrenaline I actually didn't feel anything. There was a lot going on and so much blood.' Some of the cuts Ms Jeffers suffered during her post-lockdown celebrations had to be sealed together with glue by doctors She suffered cuts to her face and nose - some of which had to be sealed together with glue by doctors However, Ms Jeffers said she was grateful she did not have more serious injuries. 'It could have been a lot worse and a lot more serious.The glass could have got in my eyes, so I am grateful for that,' she said. Secomb was arrested two weeks later after police appealed to the public about the attack. On Monday Secomb admitted to unlawfully wounding Ms Jeffers in Perth Magistrates Court. Pubs in Western Australia were allowed to open their doors again for the first time since COVID-19 restrictions began a week before the attack on June 6. Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Monday said he has constituted a committee of vice chancellors of some universities to suggest a roadmap for the implementation of the Education Policy 2020 in the state. Mukhi, who attended the 'Governors Conference on the Role of NEP in Transforming Higher Education' earlier in the day, also said the members of the panel have already met and made some recommendations. "A 'Rajyik Shiksha' Aayog will be constituted in for implementation of all the recommendations of the new policy," he said. The state Assembly has already passed bills for setting up of two new universities, the governor said, adding that research on social issues in universities and colleges will be promoted, while bilingual and multilingual teachings in schools will be encouraged. The governor also requested the Centre to set up a Multidisciplinary Education and Research University (MERU) and an Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI) in The NEP, aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems, replaces the 34-year-old Policy on Education framed in 1986. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the conference, said that "maximum flexibility" has to be shown in implementing the policy. President Ram Nath Kovind said both Centre and states will have to increase funding in research and innovation to give impetus to a large economy like India. Adviser to state's education department Prof Mihir Kanti Choudhury, higher education department's secretary Preetam Saikia, secretary to the governor S S Meenakshi Sundaram and Gauhati University vice chancellor Prof P J Handique were also present at the meeting. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Laman Ismayilova Nothing can be compared to the excitement of choosing colorful oil painting or sculpted piece of art. If you think your home looks incomplete or bare, it may need a few art pieces. The Ministry of Culture and the State Picture Gallery invite to join a virtual art exhibition and sale on September 7. The main goal of the project is to support local artists and to enhance competitiveness in the art business. The virtual exhibition will feature works by talented artists such as paintings, graphic works, sculptures and much more. The exhibition-sale will be held on Artgift Azerbaijan at 18:00. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Vodafone Idea, one of the largest telecom operators in India, has rebranded as 'Vi' as it looks for a "fresh start" three years after the British telecom giant Vodafone Group's India business and billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla's Idea Cellular merged in the country. "As the integration of two businesses is now complete, its time for a fresh start. That's why we believe that now is the perfect time to launch Vi, one company which provides the strength of Vodafone India and Idea, Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read said at a virtual conference on Monday. Vodafone Idea, once the largest telecom operator in the country with over 400 million subscribers, has lost more than 100 million subscribers in recent years to new comer Jio Platforms in recent years. India's richest man Mukesh Ambani's telecom venture has become the largest telecom operator with nearly 400 million subscribers with its cut-rate mobile data tariffs. Jio Platforms has also attracted over $20 billion in investment from high-profile firms including Facebook and Google in recent months. The logo of Vi (Image: Vodafone Idea) "India is the second largest telecom market and the largest data consumer, globally. With 1.2 billion Indians accessing voice and data services at the world's lowest tariffs across 500,000 villages, the ubiquitous wireless network in India is unmatched for its reach and impact in people's lives," said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Idea, at the conference today.W "With our new brand -- Vi, we stand committed to partner with government to accelerate India's progression towards a digital economy, enabling millions of citizens to connect to the digital revolution and build a better tomorrow." If the brand name changes yet again! It will bem at least, the 9th iteration for both the companies Voda-Indias Previous Brand Names - Max Touch - Orange - Hutch - Vodafone Ideas Previous Brand Names - Birla AT&T - Birla Tata and AT&T - Idea Cellular Together: VODAFONE IDEA https://t.co/ovuY5M5Us4 Mangalam Maloo (@blitzkreigm) September 7, 2020 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Story continues Vodafone Idea -- or Vi, has yet to turn a profit since it joined forces. The company said it will continue to invest in 4G wireless technology, which now reaches more than 1 billion people in India, double the coverage at the time of merger announcement. Last week, the company received approval from shareholders to sell stake worth $3.4 billion by selling shares and raising debt. The company received a much needed relief in India earlier this month after nation's apex court granted Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, another giant telecom operator in India, with 10 years to pay billions they owe to the government. Prior to the court ruling, Vodafone Group had warned that Indian government's short-deadline of three months to clear the dues was not feasible for the telecom firm and it would have no choice but to exit the market. Vodafone Idea's shares, which were up 10% in morning trade, were 3.30% immediately after the announcement Monday. China has reportedly suspended full renewal of press accreditation for some journalists at US media outlets in apparent retribution for Washingtons targeting of Chinese reporters working in the United States. The moves are the latest manifestation of the deteriorating state of US-China relations that have fallen to their lowest level in decades. Atlanta-based CNN said in a story on its website that China correspondent David Culver was among those told of the new arrangement while applying to renew his foreign ministry-issued press credentials. CNN said he was given a letter authorizing him to continue reporting for the next two months instead of the usual one-year press card. He was told the move was unrelated to his reporting but was merely a reciprocal measure in response to the actions of the Trump administration toward Chinese media. There was no immediate response from Chinas foreign ministry. CNN and The New York Times reported that other US media have also been targeted. Chinas move comes after the US capped the number of Chinese citizens who could be employed by some Chinese media outlets at 100 and placed all on 90-day visas. China first responded in March by expelling reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. Those affected have been both US and non-US citizens. The US moves were fed by complaints that Chinese journalists working for state media acted more as propagandists and agents for the Communist Party than as genuine reporters. The US had already required those outlets to register as foreign entities with the US, similar to consulates and embassies. They also come against the backdrop of worsening US-China relations on a range of issues, including human rights, trade, technology, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and Chinese treatment of its Muslim minority in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. A few hundred protesters calling for defunding the police pulled down a statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canadas first prime minister, at a demonstration in Montreal Saturday, August 29. In doing so, they inadvertently decapitated the more than century-old statue. The incident, which has been trumpeted by ostensibly radical proponents of identity politics as a blow to the racist and colonial Canadian state, has provoked howls of outrage from across the political establishment. In place of the statue, protesters raised a banner that denounced Macdonald for his role in the adoption of discriminatory legislation targeting Asian Canadians and in the establishment of the residential school system. Residential schools functioned for over a century to tear indigenous children away from their families with the aim, explicitly advocated by Macdonald, of eliminating indigenous cultures and languages. In aggressive Trump-style fashion, Albertas hard-right United Conservative Party premier, Jason Kenney, railed against the protesters as roaming bands of thugs and the extreme left. He added threateningly, This vandalism of our history and heroes must stop. Francois Legault, Quebecs Quebec First premier, called the incident an attack on democracy and vowed the statue would be restored to its prominent place in downtown Montreal. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose Liberal government has touted its gender-balanced and racially diverse cabinet and feminist foreign policy as progressive cover for its right-wing policies, said he was deeply disappointed by the toppling of the statue, and denounced it as vandalism. We are, he intoned, a country of laws, and we are a country that needs to respect those laws even as we seek to improve and change them. But unlike Kenney, he made his defence of Macdonald more conditional. I believe, said Trudeau, that a country must inform itself of its past, must be conscious of positive things and negative things that any leader has done in their career. New Democrat (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, who has led Canadas social democrats in propping up the minority Liberal government as it provided a massive corporate bailout and is now orchestrating a reckless back-to-work drive amid the COVID-19 pandemic, avoided criticizing the toppling of the Macdonald statue outright. Nevertheless, he sought to distance himself from the action. Said Singh, Taking down a statue of (Macdonald) doesnt erase him from history any more than honouring him out of context erases the horrors he caused. Who was John A. Macdonald? Trudeau and Singh undoubtedly came under pressure from the most powerful sections of the ruling elite to condemn the toppling of the statue. Macdonald was, after all, the principal architect of Confederationwhich united the three largest British North American colonies in a federal state in 1867and Canadas dominant political figure in its first quarter century. By spearheading the creation of the Canadian nation-state and then its expansion, including the effective annexation of the territory that now comprises Canadas three prairie provinces and much of its three northern territories, Macdonald played a major role in laying the groundwork for the rapid development of Canadian capitalism and its emergence, at the beginning of the 20th century, as an imperialist power. It is these servicesaccomplished through deceit and violence, and in close cooperation with railway promoters, bankers, and the British Colonial Officewhich compel Canadas ruling elite and political establishment to honour him, regardless of their current political orientation. A Tory, Macdonald was a fitting representative of the emerging Canadian bourgeoisie, which rejected the US as too democratic and egalitarian, and founded the Dominion of Canada as a constitutional monarchy and an integral part of the British Empire. The Canadian capitalist elites successful consolidation of its rule over the northern tier of North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, was inseparably bound up with the dispossession and subjugation of the Native peoples, whose communal forms of property were incompatible with bourgeois private property. Nomadic indigenous communities were brutally driven off their lands, in a process described as the clearing of the Plains, to make way for the Canadian Pacific Railway, settlement, and the development of western Canada as the bread basket of the British Empire. As the head of federal Conservative governments from 1867-73 and 1878-91, Macdonald presided over the suppression of First Nation and Metis rebellions, and a policy of starving Native peoples so as to force them onto reservations. The seizure of the lands of the indigenous peoples was a key plank in a policy of national capitalist development championed by Macdonald, and codified in the Tories National Policy. It called for high tariffs to stimulate manufacture in the East, and for the development of agriculture in the West, with the aim of providing markets for Ontario and Quebec-based industry, and profits for the banks, railways and merchants who were to organize the export of Western grain and other resources to Britain. From this brief overview of Macdonalds career it is clear that there is no reason for working people to mourn the toppling of his statue. However, the racialist political perspective being advanced by those celebrating the attack on the Macdonald monument is deeply retrograde and antithetical to the struggle for socialism. These forces do not denounce Macdonald as a political leader of the Canadian bourgeoisie, but as the supposed representative of white society, thereby blaming the working class and poor immigrant farmers for the crimes of Macdonald and Canadian capitalism. Similarly, they rail against white society, not capitalism, for the continuing injustices against Native people, racism, and police violence (whose victims, while disproportionately indigenous and black, are first and foremost overwhelmingly working class.) This outlook, saturated with racialist identity politics, is well suited to these forces political agenda, which is to press for a more equitable distribution of wealth, privileges and power within the top 5 to 10 percent of society, while leaving capitalist oppression untouched. The recently-established Coalition for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour Liberation has been presented in the media as the political voice of the protesters. In a post on the statues toppling, it wrote that racist monuments dont deserve space, and demanded that all statues, plaques and emblems commemorating perpetrators of racism and slavery be taken down because they encourage white supremacist attitudes. It also appealed for the police to be defunded by 50 percent and that the funds be redistributed to black communities and small businesses. Macdonald dismissed the indigenous peoples as inferior, denounced Chinese immigrants as a threat to Canadas British and Aryan character, and subscribed to the claim that the British Empire had a civilizing mission (memorialized shortly after his death in the Rudyard Kipling poem The White Mans Burden). But to characterize Macdonald or any other leading Canadian politician of that period as a racist or white supremacist without mentioning their chief function as representatives of the Canadian bourgeoisie is to falsify history, above all by covering up the essential class content of their racism. The Canadian ruling elite required the destruction of the indigenous populations communal forms of property, including through mass murder and genocide, in order to solidify its control over the northern half of the North American continent and profitable capitalist development. Furthermore, under conditions in the last decades of the 19th century where the increasingly sizable working class was emerging as a powerful adversary, Canadas capitalist elite whipped up Anglo and anti-immigrant chauvinism as a means of diverting mounting social tensions along reactionary lines. Identity politics and settler colonialism The Coalitions failure to even mention the interrelated issues of capitalism and class oppression is in keeping with the longstanding insistence among left petty bourgeois forces that Canada is a settler colonial state, not a capitalist state. Not only does this definition whitewash the Canadian bourgeoisie for its crimes against the native population. It is also aimed at legitimizing calls for decolonizing and deracializing the Canadian state and Canadian society by promoting a supposedly more equitable capitalism. That is, by integrating privileged elites from the native population and other minorities into positions of power and privilege, from corporate boardrooms to government, through the expansion of affirmative action programs, reparations, and an enhanced role for native self-government within the Canadian capitalist state. The Trudeau government, and broad sections of the ruling class, are by no means hostile to this agenda. Since its election in 2015, the Trudeau government has sought nation to nation reconciliation with Canadas Native peoples. What this means in practice is the cultivation of a tiny First Nations elite to serve as business partners and political allies for the Canadian bourgeoisie as it intensifies its exploitation of indigenous-controlled lands and workers. Earlier this summer, tens of thousands of people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds participated in mass protests across Canada against racist police violence. The protests were motivated by the emergence of a mass, multi-racial movement in the United States, triggered by the brutal police murder of George Floyd. But they also expressed the deep anger among working people over rampant social inequality, mass unemployment, poverty, and the social crisis triggered by the pandemic. When Trump sought to suppress this movement by inciting police violence and seeking to initiate a military coup by deploying military forces on the streets of Americas major cities in defiance of the Constitution, the protests only grew bigger. Terrified by the growth of social opposition, powerful sections of the ruling elite and petty bourgeoisie felt the need to change the subject. In the United States, the Democratic Party, and its house organ, the New York Times, took the lead in injecting racialist poison into the mass protests. They insisted that police violence was not the product of the polices function as defenders of private property and arm of the capitalist state, but rather arose out of a racist white population. They also lent encouragement to the defacing and toppling of statues of the leaders of Americas two bourgeois democratic revolutionsrevolutions which, whatever their historically-rooted limitations, struck mighty blows in favour of democracy and equality, including by abolishing slaveryon the basis of their alleged racism. (See: Hands off the statues to Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Grant) This is part of a larger project to promote a racialist narrative of American history that presents racial conflict, not the class struggle, as its defining element. A similar process has developed in Canada. Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh made public statements declaring that the root cause of police violence is systemic racism for which the entire population must bear responsibility. Corporate Canada responded to the racialization of the protests with enthusiasm. Over the past two weeks, many of Canadas largest companies have made statements condemning racism after a wave of protests against police violence in the United States and Canada, gushed the Globe and Mail, the mouthpiece of Torontos financial elite, in a June article. It reported the creation of an organization called the Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism, whose leaders include the CEO of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, to support the black community by promoting black employees to leadership positions. (See: Canada s political establishment injects racialist narrative into protests against police violence) The Coalition of BIPOC Liberation may not argue so explicitly in favour of the co-opting of a tiny elite of black and indigenous people into positions of corporate power. But its perspective is entirely compatible with and promotes this pro-capitalist agenda. Its protest actions are not aimed at the political education and mobilization of the working class as an independent political force in struggle against big business and its political representatives. Rather, as in the case of the toppling of Macdonalds statue, they are designed to scandalize the ruling elite into providing greater access for professionals and business people from racialized minorities to corporate boardrooms, the top ranks of academia, and positions in the capitalist state. The BIPOC coalition and like groups seek to gain a popular base for their pro-capitalist program by misdirecting grievances arising out of the social crisis along racial rather than class lines. A prime example of this is its call to support small businesses devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, but only in black and indigenous communities. Working people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who are horrified by the historic crimes of the Canadian ruling class and want to put an end to social inequality, racist police violence, poverty and the oppression of the Native people must decisively reject all forms of identity politics and recognize that all of these social ills are the responsibility of capitalism. Overcoming them is only possible through the mass mobilization of the working class in Canada and internationally in struggle for the revolutionary transformation of society along socialist lines. The COVID-19 pandemic period has been "perhaps the most difficult to the Romanian diplomacy since 1989," Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu told the opening on Monday of the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy (RADR). "I can say without hesitation, this period has perhaps been the most difficult to the Romanian diplomacy since 1989," said the head of the Romanian diplomacy. He said that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foreign Ministry had to adjust. "It was a period in which we had to adapt from all points of view, to make efforts at a very intense pace and to solve problems that we had not faced to such an extent, from a typological point of view or in terms of quantity. It has been a period and, unfortunately, it continues that has determined the more or less acute outlining of new modes of action, challenges and trends in international affairs along with the acceleration or favouring of pre-existing ones. All this has to be carefully looked into by the Romanian diplomacy in order to extract lessons to be learned," said Aurescu. He added that he requested the drafting of a crisis response manual based on the lessons learned in the pandemic. Aurescu also spoke about the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, repatriation and consular assistance for Romanians abroad. "We have continuously managed, sometimes day and night, borderline situations, emergencies and complex cases. From the beginning of the crisis, MAE has directly contributed to the repatriation efforts of over 12,500 Romanians abroad," Aurescu said. He added that via MAE 1,800 Romanian workers on cruise or merchant ships were supported to return home, and over 11,000 Romanian nationals were extended diplomatic assistance. The Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy this year takes place virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Monday to Wednesday. Guests of the event are the Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi; Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba; Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha; Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha Gonzalez Laya; High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. Part of RADR, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana will send a video message. "This series of guests is not accidental at all. On the contrary, it fully reflects the comprehensive orientation of Romania's foreign policy, both at European level and in the neighbourhood, in extra-European spaces and on a multilateral plan," said Aurescu. ISTANBUL - Judges in the trial in Saudi Arabia for the killing in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi sentenced five defendants to 20 years in prison and three others to between seven and 10 years in prison, said the Riyadh prosecutor's office, cited by Al-Arabiya. In May, the family of the former Washington Post columnist said it had "forgiven" the killers, therefore opening the way to a revision of the death sentences imposed on five defendants in the first-instance trial. The announcement came in the final hours of the month of Ramadan, in line with the Islamic tradition that allows similar gestures of clemency, accompanied by strong controversy over prior transfers of money and other goods by Saudi Arabian authorities to Khashoggi's children. Khashoggi was killed at the Riyadh consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, and his remains have never been found. The Saudi government spoke of an unauthorised operation by intelligence services, denying any involvement by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Salman, however, was named as a suspect by the CIA and UN experts, as well as by Turkey. In July, a trial in absentia began in Istanbul against 20 Saudis, accused of having taken part in the "death squad" sent by Saudi Arabia. 'By focusing their wrath on the recent UAE-Israel accord, the Palestinian leaders missed the mark. The UAEs move to normalize in order to stop annexation is not the cause of Palestinian woes' This week, the news that all the Palestinian factions were meeting might have been a hopeful sign, since Zogby Research Service (ZRS) polling shows that what Palestinians most want from their leaders are unity and a strategy that will move them toward realization of their rights. It was, therefore, somewhat disappointing to read reports of the speeches delivered at the gathering, since they appeared to be long on denunciation and short on strategy or vision. By focusing their wrath on the recent UAE-Israel accord, the Palestinian leaders missed the mark. The UAEs move to normalize in order to stop annexation is not the cause of Palestinian woes; it is a symptom of the state of affairs that has for too long plagued the noble cause of justice for the long-oppressed Palestinian people. While a few observations are in order, first I must relate a story I have never before told. It was in the early 1990s and I was in Tunisia to meet with Palestinian leaders. I had been asked by the White House to inform them of our Builders for Peace project an effort launched by then Vice-President Al Gore to help grow the Palestinian private sector. At one point in our conversation, a senior leader began speaking of the importance of communications and power in serving the Palestinian cause. Mahmoud Darwish, a famous poet, intervened saying that vision was also needed. The leader waved his hand dismissively saying "No, it's not important." Ive often thought about this exchange because that moment was like a metaphor for what had gone wrong with the Palestinian cause and its then-visionless leadership. They had lost their spark and their way after repeated costly setbacks: Black September in Jordan, their use of horrific acts of terror against innocents, their expulsion from Beirut in 1982, and their foolish embrace of Saddam in 1990. Some of these were massive blunders on their part, while others were not exclusively of their making. In any case, the spark was gone, no longer lighting up the way forward. I have written before of how I first fell in love with Palestine in the early 1970s. I caught the spark in 1971 during my time in Lebanons and Jordans refugee camps, where I was deeply moved by the stories of the 1948 expulsion, witnessed the resilience of the people whom I met, and was captivated by their longing to return to their homes. I was further inspired by the visionary art of Ismail Shamout and Kamal Boullata, the compelling characters of Ghassan Kanafanis novels, and the fierce poetry of Mahmoud Darwish, Samih al Qassem, and Tawfiq Zayed. The vision of the Palestine of the future was filled in by conversations with and the political writings of Safiq al Hout, Nabil Shaath, and Edward Said. An entire generation of Arabs, Arab Americans, and so many others world-wide had also embraced this vision. When Yasser Arafat took center stage at the meeting of the non-aligned nations or at the General Assembly of the United Nations for that historic speech in 1974, he spoke for not only his Palestinian people but for those who supported justice for the oppressed across the world. There was a spark and a vision. And Palestinians and their supporters were inspired. That was then. Today, it is with sadness that we must acknowledge that the Palestinian movement is without a clear vision or a strategy to move forward. For all intents and purposes, the Palestine Liberation Organization has become a hollowed-out shell of its former self. Palestinian refugees are without hope and support. The Palestinian Authority has become a dependency relying on international support to pay for its bloated bureaucracy and security forces. Denied by a repressive Israel the opportunity to develop an independent economy, as in pre-Oslo times, over 100,000 Palestinians are forced to rely on day-labor employment in Israel or Israeli settlements. Meanwhile, in destitute Gaza, Hamas only strategy is survival not for the suffering people of that impoverished strip, but for their own misrule. They, too, have miserably failed to provide a vision. Instead, they have repeatedly engaged in counterproductive violence, once using terror attacks and now relying on pointless rockets and other devices that cause little damage while provoking brutal disproportionate violence from Israel. Israel has used these provocations to justify their cruel collective punishment of Gazas entire civilian population. What ZRS polling tells us is that Palestinians have lost hope. They cling to their desire for independence but dont see how their current leaders will get them there. This has had a spillover effect in the broader Arab World. Arabs still care deeply about Palestinians, but they too see no way forward and have lost respect for the Palestinian leadership. As a result, when, in 2019, ZRS asked Arabs across the region whether they thought normalization without peace was desirable, majorities said they did. When ZRS asked why, they expressed hope it might help end the killing, might give Arabs some leverage to support Palestinians, and might result in greater prosperity and peace in the Middle East. Most Arabs continue to support the Arab Peace Initiative, but acknowledge that it has borne no fruit. Neither has the Arab boycott. If these efforts had moved the needle toward realization of Palestinian rights, it might have been a different story. Alas, they did not. Majorities across the region tell ZRS they want Arab leaders to try another approach. Earlier this year, a significant crisis occurred following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus announcement that he would formally annex significant areas of Palestinian land. Israelis were not moved by the PAs hollow threats to end cooperation or Hamas display of rocket fire into the sea. These gestures were dismissed as being borne more of impotence, than displays of power. Our 2020 polling, however, did show that significant numbers of Israelis were moved to oppose annexation by the UAEs initiative and by Jordanian King Abdullahs dire warnings of the consequences of Netanyahus threat. Palestinians now fear that the UAE move may open the door to other Arab states normalizing relations with Israel. But what if these states propose conditions of their own for normalization: stopping settlements, granting more rights to Palestinians to grow their economy and gain additional freedoms? While not an end to the occupation, might these not prove advantageous? I have heard some commentators lament that the move toward normalization represents the obliteration of the Palestinian cause. That is nonsense. As long as the majority of people between the river and the sea are Palestinian Arabs; as long as this majority is denied their rights to live as full human beings with equality and justice; and as long as Palestinians are dispersed throughout the world and denied their inalienable rights to their ancestral homes and inheritance the Palestinian issue cannot and will not die. What is needed is to rekindle the dream of Palestine, a Palestinian vision for the future, and a strategy that can inspire Palestinians, Arabs, and those who support justice. If the factions leadership cant move beyond rhetoric and measures to maintain their own survival, then its time to turn to Palestinian civil society the poets, artists, and intellectuals, the entrepreneurs and educators, and the community-based organizers to reignite the vision of a Palestine that can unite and inspire this generation. This is what is needed now more than ever. *The writer is the President of the Arab American Institute Search Keywords: Short link: Son Jong-woo, who operated "Welcome to Video," one of the world's largest child porn sites, leaves the Seoul Detention Center at Uiwang in Gyeonggi Province, Monday, after the Seoul High Court rejected a extradition request for him. Yonhap The operator of "Digital Prison" has revealed the identities of Son and the judges who released him among other criminals and suspects in some of Korea's most notorious cases. Screengrab of "Digital Prison" By Jung Min-ho Longford hotels are in a battle for survival as revenues continue to plummet and 4,400 jobs are at risk in neighbouring Longford and Westmeath. The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) reveals the enormous challenges facing hotels and guesthouses in Longford and Westmeath and across the country as demand continues to plummet as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The impact on employment and peoples livelihoods is stark for an industry that supported 270,000 jobs nationally at the beginning of the year 1 in 10 of all Irish jobs. An estimated 100,000 jobs of these have been lost so far this year and a further 100,000 are now at imminent risk in the coming weeks, including 4,400 in Longford and Westmeath. With the summer season finished, Irelands hotels and guesthouses are now reporting a 70% drop in projected revenues for September compared to this time last year. Bookings for September/October have plunged with average room occupancy levels at 22% in the Midlands. This follows a very challenging July and August with average national occupancy at 49%, representing an enormous drop compared the 90% occupancy achieved during these key summer months last year. Breakdown of occupancy results for September/October 2020: National room occupancy: 24% Dublin City and County: 12% Other Cities: 24% Rest of Country (excluding cities): 30% Regional breakdown Border region: 33% Mid-West: 17% Midlands / Mid East: 22% South East: 41% South West: 31% West: 30% Dara Cruise, Chair of the Midlands branch the Irish Hotels Federation, said that the figures highlight the requirement for further sector specific measures to support Irish tourism. Our industry is operating in a quasi-lockdown. The existing supports are totally inadequate for our industry given the current restrictions. If appropriate measures are not put in place, more jobs will be lost. Prior to the COVID crisis, tourism supported 6,000 jobs in Longford and Westmeath, contributing 87m to the local economy. With a predicted revenue loss of 65m, 4,400 of these jobs are now under threat. A severely devastated tourism sector would be a major loss to the economy and society here in Clare for many years to come. This can and must be avoided. We are doing everything we can to protect public health whilst also helping to restore the economy and safeguard peoples livelihoods, but we face extraordinary challenges. These have been greatly exacerbated by the additional restrictions introduced last month, including limiting indoor gatherings to no more than six people. Businesses are, in effect, operating under close to lock-down conditions. This flies in the face of the detailed operational guidelines that are in place, endorsed by the HSE, HSA, HPSC and the FSAI as well as hotels proven track record in managing gatherings safely. It is our belief that the controlled environment provided by hotels can safely accommodate gatherings of significantly more than 6 people, which are an essential part of the fabric of Irish life. A major frustration for us continues to be the lack of meaningful consultation with our industry in advance of new restrictions being announced by Government. All areas of society negatively impacted by Covid-19 should be consulted, including businesses, when developing the Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery, which is due to be published on September 14. Public health goes hand in hand with ensuring a viable economy when this pandemic has passed. Commenting on the additional Government supports required for the tourism industry, Mr Cruise said: The measures contained in the Governments stimulus package do not go far enough to address the unique and existential challenges facing our industry. In particular, they fail to deliver adequate supports around competitiveness and liquidity in particular. The IHF is calling on the Government to implement the following measures as a matter of urgency: Review of 6-person limit hotels provide a very safe environment in which to hold indoor gatherings in a controlled manner. Urgent approval of a hotel protocol is required to enable indoor gatherings of up to 50 people based on 6 people per table and subject to strict time-limits, physical distancing and protocols around wearing PPE and sanitisation. Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) if jobs are to be retained, the EWSS rates of support must be increased to the previous TWSS levels of 350/410 per week. This would make it possible for employers to retain staff during the difficult winter/spring months ahead and to facilitate training and upskilling structures designed to allow employees get personal benefit from this challenging period and to help the industry prepare for post Covid-19 recovery opportunities. Qualification for the scheme should be based on performance from March until the end of the year with payment made on a weekly basis to assist with cashflow. The scheme should be continued until the impact of Covid-19 restrictions has fully abated. Liquidity Measures - Additional liquidity measures are required to help fund hotels during the coming months as a result of the cash flow lost out due to Covid-19 restrictions, including extension of the moratorium on bank term loans from 6 months to 12 months. Local Authority Rates Waiver - The waiver period should be extended for tourism businesses to coincide with business interruption due to Covid-19 and for a minimum of 12 months. After that, payment of local authority rates should be based on reduced levels of activity due to the crisis and until the industry has recovered. Reduction in tourism VAT to 9% permanent restoration to 9% to assist recovery and secure a viable and sustainable future for tourism. Reducing VAT will not only provide a stimulus in the Irish economy but also improve our competitiveness as an international tourism destination. Testing Regime As an island nation with an open economy, we have to restore international travel safely as soon as possible. An effective tracking, tracing and testing regime must be introduced to facilitate this and to protect the health and livelihoods of all. Mr Cruise concluded, Safeguarding public health is an absolute priority for the Irish Hotels Federation and our members, who are fully committed to supporting the Government in the task of supressing Covid-19. We also wish to be part of the process of restoring the economy and the livelihoods of the almost 270,000 people who worked in our industry last year. But we need support now so we can play our part again in the recovery. The National Economic Plan in October will come too late for many." A former Tory party activist who produced Brexit: The Movie has been convicted of lying to secure a 519,000 loan - but will only have to pay back 85.72. David Shipley was jailed for three years and nine months in February for fraudulently gaining investment by photoshopping his bank statements to inflate his earnings. Shipley had approached Dragons' Den entrepreneur James Caan's business, Resourcing Capital Ventures, for a loan of 519,000 in 2014, of which 327,600 was paid. His 'Dragons' Den style pitch' was for his corporate finance recruitment firm Spitfire Capital Advisors Ltd, which he had set up with two others. David Shipley (above) must only pay back 85.72 in compensation after photoshopping his bank statements to inflate his income and obtain a loan But Judge Martin Griffith said that he lied on his P60 form to gain the confidence of backers, with his true income standing at 19,928, not 377,000. At a hearing on Monday, Shipley agreed to benefiting 327,600 but will only have to pay 85.72 back as compensation - his total amount of available assets. Hunter Dubose, managing director of Spitfire Capital Advisors, reportedly burst out laughing when Judge Martin Griffith asked: 'The whole 85.72 or are you going to split it?' Shipley appeared at the hearing via video link from Wandsworth Prison and only spoke to confirm his name. He has 30 days to pay the 85.72 to Resourcing Capital Ventures, with a default prison sentence of seven days. Shipley was a leading voice in the campaign for Britain to pull out of the EU, and was one of the people behind the pro-Leave film, which featured Nigel Farage and David Davis. The movie came out a month before the 2016 referendum. Sentencing Shipley in February, Judge Martin Griffith said his actions were 'a blatant piece of dishonesty'. Gareth Munday, prosecuting, earlier told the court: 'Between 2011 and June 2014 Mr Shipley was employed by a firm specialising in financial recruitment. Shipley approached Dragons' Den entrepreneur James Caan's business, Resourcing Capital Ventures, for a loan of 519,000 in 2014, of which 327,600 was paid 'He worked to place people in employment within a financial institution. After leaving, he proposed a new business venture which was a recruitment and financial advice firm. 'In order to fund the start up of the business he sought funding from the company Resourcing Capital Ventures. 'It was a Dragon's Den style pitch.' Shipley was asked to prove his own income which would also be used to finance the business, as well as proving his expertise in financial recruitment. 'With his P60 he had shown his salary as 377,000 and in his bank statements, showing he had just received 540,000 into his bank account which he said was from commissions,' Mr Munday said. 'On that assurance they agreed to fund Spitfire and it was created. 'However the bank statements and the P60 were false. He later admitted that he photoshopped the documents but denied that he had done anything wrong.' Mr Munday told the court his salary was less than 60,000, describing Shipley as an underachiever. He said: 'Between the years of 2011 and 2014 the only commission he had earned was 19,928. The producer of Brexit: The Movie, featuring Nigel Farage (above), has been convicted of lying to secure a 519,000 loan - but will only have to pay back 85.72 'He had failed to turn up for his employment and when asked he said his dad had died. 'The company found out about the lie when they phoned his house to express their condolences and spoke to his father.' 'When interviewed by police Mr Shipley said he had not done anything wrong, simply photoshopped his statements, it was a white lie.' Benjamin Narain, defending, said the Tory activist showed genuine remorse. 'He felt guilt and embarrassment, he is genuinely sorry for being involved in this offence. He accepts the forged bank statements and P60 were wrong,' he said. 'However all losses from this business do not stem from that fraud. 'Losses happen because businesses fail but it did not fail solely because of Mr Shipley.' But reading a statement from a representative of RCV, Judge Martin Griffith said: 'This man said that without the bank statements we would not have touched him with a barge pole. 'They say they would not have even taken the meeting.' Mr Narain had urged the court to 'read between the lines' and consider that Shipley was in 'a lot of pain.' David Shipley (above) was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment and disqualified from being a director for seven years in February after the con 'He had an MRI on Tuesday for a bowel problem, he has seen several doctors and in his experience with the NHS they have been quick,' Mr Narain said. 'We can read between the lines here but he is in a lot of pain, using the bathroom in double figures, often needing to shower and wash himself afterwards.' Mr Narain added that Shipley's career in politics was over forever. The judge told Shipley: 'I have to deal with you gross dishonesty carried out by you in 2014. I have heard the position of Mr Dubose and I have absolutely no doubt that he regrets being involved with you. 'In 2014 a business was proposed called Spitfire and it involves you and Mr Dubose and another going into the business in which you said you were very qualified. 'Resourcing Capital Ventures was contacted to put a loan not surprisingly they asked for evidence of income. You photoshopped a P60 form showing you had an income of 377,000 and a bank statement of 540,000 which you said was for commission from your last job.' He added that the true commission had actually been 19,928.74 over three years and claimed that if he has told the RVCV the truth then the idea of a loan would not have been entertained. 'You were interviewed when the truth came out and maintained that when you photo-shopped those documents was a white lie. 'It must have been perfectly clear to you that that was a load of old rubbish. You must have known you were guilty of the offence. Shipley (above) had been asked to prove his income and lied about his salary in order to secure the loan for his company Spitfire Capital Advisors Ltd 'You pleaded guilty and that resulted in a loss of discount because your guilty plea was not entered at the first opportunity.' He added that Mr Shipley had requested that amount of money and that he would have been going into business with people that trusted him. 'You applied for a loan of 519,000 and the starting point is five years imprisonment. As far as I'm concerned medical reports show that you're perfectly well for me to sentence to custody. 'Thank heavens you haven't got a [serious medical condition] and we've found that out now. 'Your possible political career has now gone well there we are, that's what happens when you commit an offence of dishonesty.' He added that Mr Shipley had been 'blatantly dishonest'. Shipley, from Buckinghamshire, admitted one count of fraud by false representation. A further count of fraud by abuse of position was ordered to lie on file. In February, he was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment and disqualified from being a director for seven years. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alvaro Murillo (Reuters) San Jose, Costa Rica Mon, September 7, 2020 08:37 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4314433 2 World Costa-Rica,researchers,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-treatment,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free Researchers in Costa Rica are due to begin trials of an inexpensive coronavirus treatment based on antibodies taken from horses injected with the SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to scientists. Developed by University of Costa Rica's Clodomiro Picado Institute (ICP), the equine antibodies medication is to be tested on 26 patients from mid-September, Roman Macaya, president of the Social Security Fund that manages public health centers, told Reuters. Costa Rican authorities hope to be able to begin applying the treatment more widely in hospitals if the results from the phase 2 study are encouraging. There are 471 hospitalized coronavirus patients in Costa Rica. "We are proud to know that this product will save lives until the vaccine reaches the population," said Alberto Alape, a project coordinator at ICP. "We do it with our resources, without having to stand in line or compete against other countries, as can be seen with possible vaccines." Similar efforts are also underway in Argentina and Brazil, while scientists in Belgium are using llamas. Costa Rican researchers say their method for SARS-Cov-2 treatment is based on the experience of using horse antibodies to develop snake anti-venoms. They imported the virus protein from China and the United Kingdom and injected it into six of the 110 horses that the IPC uses for testing. Weeks later, when the animals developed enough antibodies, they extracted blood and used the antibodies from the plasma as raw material for the injectable serum. If it works, the researchers say they want to share the inexpensive treatment with other Central American nations, which are mostly poorer than Costa Rica. "In addition to the principle of solidarity and the fact that this has been done with anti-venom for snakebites, we know that in a pandemic, one's own well-being is related to the well-being of neighbors," Alape said. The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has come under criticism from the opposition over the distribution of 2020 model SUV KIA Sportage to members of the state House of Assembly as official vehicles. The governor had earmarked about N1.18billion in the 2020 budget for the procurement of vehicles for the House of Assembly. The cars were presented to the leadership of the house on Friday, a day to the official flag off of the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress, with the opposition alleging that the expenditure was meant to score a political point. Seven members of the house who frustrated the impeachment move against the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, missed out of the car distribution. Presenting the vehicles to the state legislators at the Government House in Akure, Mr Akeredolu said his administration had kept its promise of providing the cars despite the dwindling resources of the state. What matters to me is that when we make promises we keep them. It is not for political reasons. We have been on this car issue for a while and luckily, it came today just before the flag off. Nobody is doing it for political reason. This is an improvement on what we had last, the governor explained. Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oloyelogun, thanked the governor for being a faithful servant leader. He recalled that it was the second time Governor Akeredolu would present members of the Ondo State House of Assembly with official vehicles in three and a half years. The first time was in December 2018, when he presented official vehicles to members of the 8th assembly who were elected during the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko. But the Peoples Democratic Party described the car gifts as a waste of resources. The partys spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement said the governor was desperate to placate the state lawmakers. The PDP alleged that the government procured over 50 cars for distribution ahead of the forthcoming governorship election. At the ceremony where legislators received these Greek gifts, Akeredolu remarked that the timing for giving them these cars has no political undertone. Why did he have to wait till now that election is around the corner to donate these cars? the party queried. Last year, the Ondo State House of Assembly adjourned for more than five weeks because of a dangerous python that dropped from the ceiling of the Chambers of the Assembly during plenary session. The governor and the legislators traded accusations of neglect and welfare of members and the Assembly Complex that harboured reptiles. It is therefore suspicious for the governor to suddenly show care and attention for the legislators amongst whom he could not secure the constitutionally required number to impeach his estranged deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi. The same is true for traditional rulers that Akeredolu had shown great disrespect since he was sworn in as Governor of Ondo State. The Akeredolu-led APC government has demonstrated insensitivity to the plight of the Ondo State people by this gesture. Just twenty four hours after President Muhammadu Buhari increased the pump price of petrol from N143 to N161 per litre and a 150% increase in Electricity consumption per Kwh, the best Akeredolu could do is to use tax payers money to induce the political class to curry their favour. The move is vexatious and amounts to adding salt on injury. Also, the deputy governor, Mr Ajayi, criticised the presentation of the vehicles to the exclusion of seven members. He said the action of the governor was selective, as those excluded were among those who refused to sign the impeachment notice against him. Four of the nine members were suspended by the leadership of the house, including the deputy speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, for what the house described as unparliamentary acts. The suspended lawmakers recently secured a court order quashing their suspension by the house. Mr Ajayi who spoke through his media aide, Allen Sowore, faulted the governors action. Advertisements Presenting official vehicles to only members of the House who are loyal to the governor and leaving out those who refused to sign impeachment process of the deputy governor is the lowest political strategy, he said. One of the lawmakers left out of the car distribution, Tomide Akinribido, told PREMIUM TIMES that their exclusion was not a mistake but a deliberate act to penalise them for their refusal to sign the impeachment notice against the deputy governor. He noted that two of the nine lawmakers were given the cars to give the impression that they were not being victimised. It is not the governors personal gifts, this is statutory and the governor should not play politics with it, said Mr Akinribido. When reached for his comments, the Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo, said the House of Assembly was in a better position to react to the issue. " " A police bomb disposal expert wearing a blast-resistant bomb suit is unscathed after a test explosion at the police camp in Manila, Philippines, in October 2003. Romeo Gacad/AFP/ Getty Images At this very instant, these three scenarios may be unfolding: A suspicious package is discovered outside a federal building An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is being planted alongside a road in Iraq or Afghanistan An English farmer is about to accidentally unearth an exploded shell from World War II When bombs, unexploded ordnance (military equipment that includes artillery, cannons and other equipment) or threatening devices are found, they must be neutralized, disarmed, moved or exploded in a safe and controlled manner. Advertisement Robots can sometimes be used for these tasks, but all too often the job calls for the expertise, bravery and rock-steady hands of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician. The term "EOD" is most often used by the military; civilian and law enforcement agencies refer to these devices as unexploded ordnances, or UXO. Most people dress for work in some combination of cotton and khaki, but an EOD technician wears anything from ceramic plates to Kevlar, the material used in bulletproof vests. Various manufacturers create many different types and designs of bomb suits and other blast-resistant clothing. However, all of them share common components, such as body armor and helmets. While your typical bomb suit is too bulky, hot and expensive for even the most over-cautious civilian to wear on a trip to the grocery store, blast-resistant clothing is constantly evolving to fit the needs of the people that wear it. There are three main groups of people whose lives depend on blast-resistant clothing: Military Civilian/law enforcement Humanitarians working in war zones Soon, this clothing may incorporate anything from nanotubes to special materials that thicken as they're stretched out. But before we get much further into our discussion of what blast-resistant clothing is made of and how it protects, let's take a look at the bombs it protects against. What happens when bombs explode? How can they injure and hurt us? And how does blast-resistant clothing anticipate and protect against these injuries? Find out in the next section. A second wave of coronavirus may not hit the UK until spring 2021 with a cold winter likely to impose its own 'mini-quarantine', a scientist has warned. A cold snap could keep people indoors and get them to wear 'natural' PPE in the form of scarves and gloves, driving down transmission rates. Coronaviruses, unlike the influenza virus, are also not strictly seasonal - being more likely to peak in the spring than icy winter months. It comes as the UK recorded 2,988 cases of Covid-19 yesterday, the highest daily increase since May 23 - 15 weeks ago. Deaths remained low, however, with a further two people dying from the disease. Scientists maintain that Britain is not yet entering a second wave and that it is unlikely to ever see another one like what happened in April and May. Associate professor at the University of Reading, Ben Neuman, warned a second wave of the virus may not hit until spring 2021 The UK has recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since May after 2,988 were reported in just 24 hours ARE VIRUSES STRONGER IN THE WINTER? Although the coronavirus hasn't been around long enough for scientists to study whether it changes in the winter, looking at cold and flu viruses - which are most common in colder months - can shed some light on how viruses are more infectious in winter. Dry, cold air supports viruses For a virus that causes infection by piggy-backing on droplets of moisture coming out of someone's airways, like Covid-19, its ability to float in the air is critical for infecting people. Warmer air is more humid, meaning it has more moisture and droplets in the air bind to the droplets carrying the virus. This makes them bigger and heavier and causes them to fall to the ground faster, where they are significantly less likely to infect someone. In cold air, which is naturally drier, they can remain lighter and float for longer, meaning they're more likely to spread disease. Flu virus gets physically harder A study in 2008 found that the outer membrane, or shell, of a flu virus actually gets harder in cold weather. It turns from a more liquid blob in warm weather to a tough, rubbery coating in the winter. This means the virus is stronger and can survive for longer. There is no evidence the same thing will happen with the coronavirus, because it is a different type of organism - but it is possible. Human behaviour changes Viruses can spread more effectively in winter because people spend more time together indoors, where they are forced into closer contact than they would be in the park in summer. The closer together people are, the more likely they are to spread the virus between them. People are also more likely to get too little vitamin D in the winter, because they usually make it from exposing their skin to sunlight. Shorter daylight hours - and cold weather even when the sun is shining - mean people don't make as much of the vitamin, which is vital fuel for the immune system and helps the body to fight off viral infections. Studies have found Covid-19 patients with vitamin D deficiencies appear to be more likely to be hospitalised or die than those with enough of the vitamin. Advertisement Dr Ben Neuman, an associate professor at the University of Reading, made the predictions and said people should keep an eye out for other sources of the virus. He said: 'Instead, look for changes in behaviour that lead to mixing of people from different households, especially where masks would not be worn, as a potential source of Covid-19 - school reopenings, dinner parties and restaurants.' He added that the percentage rate of positive tests may also become an inaccurate method for measuring Britain's pandemic. 'Paradoxically, an influx of people with the flu seeking Covid-19 tests could potentially drive down the percentage of positive tests, which would then misleadingly suggest that Covid-19 was decreasing. 'That is one reason why per cent positive rates should not be taken in isolation to monitor the pandemic.' He said there would be far more data this year than any other and that drawing conclusions at this time would be speculative. Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline that the recent surge in coronavirus cases had come a bit earlier than he was expecting. 'Normally coronaviruses hit in November, December time,' he said. 'This has come back sooner than I had anticipated.' 'There was a report that went out to local authorities basically putting the peak at January. I think that's probably right. Certainly December-January for the peak (but with fewer deaths).' On the deaths, he said: 'They are still pretty much flat-lining but the way the death statistics are reported is very late - so it's difficult to be sure what's going on. 'They are showing a small increase, but are still very low. 'Looking at what happened in the States you probably don't start noticing the deaths for about a month after the case numbers have started going up. 'I think it's likely that case numbers are going to continue to increase throughout the next few months possibly to numbers of the sort that we saw in March, April - maybe even more - but it's going to be fewer deaths and fewer hospitalisations mainly because it is now in younger people.' NHS documents circulated in March suggested that the pandemic may continue until spring 2021, reports The Guardian. At the time Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said: 'A year is entirely plausible. But that figure isn't well appreciated or understood. 'I think it will dip in the summer, towards the end of June, and come back in November, in the way that seasonal flu does. I think it will be around forever, but become less severe over time, as immunity builds up.' Dr Julian Tang, honorary associate professor in respiratory sciences at the University of Leicester, said ventilation would play an important role in the spread of the disease and that people needed to continue to wear masks. 'Anything you do to mitigate Covid-19 as an individual PPE intervention may well be the only thing you can do, because increasing ventilation - opening windows - will work in some situations,' he said. 'But a lot of indoor areas, indoor buildings, cannot ramp up ventilation very well with existing systems, and some of the windows are not openable.' He said that he is part of a network of experts that indicate it may be necessary to open windows, with the heating on. Speaking about classrooms, Dr Tang said: 'What they suggest is that you have to turn on the heating with the windows open, which is a terrible waste of energy. 'But what that does is it creates convective flows that may actually enhance the ventilation in those classrooms. 'But again, if you're wearing masks, to some extent this will be helpful, but you have to remove the airborne virus that may be expelled over the hours to actually make those masks work.' Matt Hancock warned the UK's rising infection numbers were 'concerning' yesterday, and admitted there had been a real terms rise even after taking into account a raised testing capacity. 'The rise in the number of cases that we have seen today is concerning,' he said. Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the figures 'concerning', and admitted that there had been real terms rise even after taking into account the increase in testing 'The cases are predominately among younger people but as we have seen in other countries across Europe, this sort of rise in cases among younger people leads to a rise across the population as a whole.' When asked if another nationwide lockdown was still on the cards, he said: 'We will take whatever action is necessary.' The UK's coronavirus outbreak remains centred in the North West, with Pendle recording the most cases, at 268.8 per 100,000 people, followed by Oldham, with 199.6 per 100,000, and Blackburn with Darwen, at 150.4 per 100,000. File image: Rhea Chakraborty Actress Rhea Chakraborty on September 7 appeared before the NCB for questioning for the second straight day inthe drugs case linked to the death of her live-in partner and actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She was questioned for about six hours by the agency for the first time in this case on Sunday. The 28-year-old arrived at the agency's office in the Ballard Estate area around 9:30 am. She was escorted by police personnel and was seen carrying a bag. The agency has said that it wants to question Rhea and confront her with her younger brother Showik Chakraborty (24), Rajput's house manager Samuel Miranda (33) and his house staffer Dipesh Sawant to ascertain their roles in this alleged drug racket after it obtained mobile phone chat records and other electronic data that suggested some banned drugs were allegedly procured by these people. The NCB, over the last few days, has arrested these three men in this case.Officials said the actor was questioned on these lines on Sunday. She was earlier questioned by the ED and the CBI. Rhea, in interviews given to multiple TV news channels, has said that she has never consumed drugs herself. She had, however, claimed that the late actor used to consume marijuana. It is claimed that Miranda told NCB investigators that he used to procure bud or curated marijuana for the late actor's household. A total of eight people have been arrested till now by the NCB with six being directly linked to this probe while two were arrested by it when the investigation was launched under criminal sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. When the probe in the case began, the agency had arrested two men, Abbas Lakhani and Karan Arora, for alleged drug peddling and officials have claimed that through them they reached Zaid Vilatra and Abdel Basit Parihar who are allegedly linked to this drugs case as they were in touch with Miranda. Miranda, they had said, used to allegedly procure drugs from them on the purported instructions of Showik, agency officials said. Both Lakhani and Arora have been granted bail. The NCB had said it recovered 59 grams of cannabis from them. The NCB, while seeking remand of one of the accused in this case last week, had told a local court that it was looking into "the drug citadel in Mumbai, and especially Bollywood" in this probe. This case has given the NCB an "inkling" into the narcotics network and its penetration in Bollywood or Hindi movie industry, NCB Deputy Director General Mutha Ashok Jain had told reporters last week. Various angles surrounding the death of the 34-year-old actor are being probed by three federal agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The NCB initiated a drug angle probe in this case after the ED shared with it a report following the cloning of two mobile phones of Rhea. Rajput was found dead at his flat in the suburban Bandra area on June 14. Until September 2017, the end of the never-ending presidency of Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Angolas diamond industry was quite an obvious system common for such forms of government control. All decisions were taken by the family of the head of the state in the person of its most pro-active member - Isabel dos Santos, the presidents eldest daughter. By coincidence, she was also Africa's first female U.S. dollar billionaire. Formally, the diamond industry was controlled by the state corporation Endiama and its permanent leader Carlos Sumbula. Endiama owned shares in almost all diamond mining companies in the country, issued geological exploration licences, and sold all finished products - rough diamonds. To sell rough Endiama established Sodiam as its internal trading arm, whose employees carried out diamond sorting operations, conducted diamond viewings for its customers, and handled transactions. According to various estimates, Angolas rough diamond exports totals just over US$ 1 billion. Some market players said that up to 25 percent of an export contract value was a figure, which could please the organizers of these export activities. Simple calculations suggest that this kind of pleasure from Angola's second most important export item was estimated at about US$ 250 million. However, history shows that even a super controlled transfer of power from one leader to his successor does nothing good for the leaders of national business, especially if they are members of the outgoing presidents family. And when there is a threat, action is needed. The solution was simple - to impose a structural problem on the new leadership that would make the system confusing and conflicting, which in turn would make it possible to say that we had at least some semblance of order and stability... Add to this the practice of "fishing in troubled waters," an opportunity never thrown away. Just on the eve of announcing the election results and the accession of Joao Lourenco to power, the countrys outgoing president signed a decree on the withdrawal of Sodiam from the Endiama organizational structure and, thus, on the creation of an independent state-owned diamond trading company. In principle, there was nothing wrong with that. It seemed that the scheme gave its organizers the hope that they - having established connections in the market - would be able to maintain a certain control over the distribution of financial revenues from rough diamond exports, or at least, have some influence on this, through Sodiam. This could have been the case if Sodiam had acquired the exclusive right to market rough diamonds leaving the role of technical operators to diamond miners, including Endiama. As one of the popular literary heroes said, a conspiracy, the true meaning of which is known to more than one person, is doomed to failure. The country needs investments, as Angola does not have own means to independently develop its mining industry, while the countrys geological potential and cost of diamond production make it possible to take a leading position in the world. Finally, it turned out as it was expected. With no market justification for that, Catoca, Angola's key diamond producer, increased the average price per one carat of rough diamonds by nearly 25 percent within a month. After gaining the right to sell up to 60 percent of their rough, the countrys diamond producers and Endiama displayed an obvious desire to sell their goods at a higher price. But the question arises, what has Sodiam to do with this, as it should also sell in the same market and in fact to the same companies? So, either the diamond miners have to sell their rough diamonds to Sodiam a little cheaper than to their customers to allow the state trader to earn money, or the state can increase the commission for purchasing goods directly from diamond producers, rather than from their intermediary. Both sound like sheer nonsense. Formally, Sodiam has a priority right to buy from any diamond producer. What does this mean in practice? Suppose I am Company X mining diamonds in Angola and I want to sell my monthly diamond production for $100 per carat to Company Y. We made a deal. I am satisfied with the price and my counterparty is satisfied as well. Sodiam is aware of all these negotiations, since in principle I cannot conduct any transaction bypassing the state trader as one of the participants in determining the so-called base price of almost any diamond lot. Sodiam comes to my potential customer - Company Y - and says you will buy diamonds produced by Company X from me at a price of $102 per carat, since I buy them from the diamond producer on the priority right basis for $101; if you refuse, there will be no deal at all. Reluctantly, Company Y will probably find extra two dollars and buy the goods in order to have normal business relations in Angola, although in the current conditions, it may refuse. This spectacular example of a handy-dandy trick, I think, has little to do with the tasks of developing the investment attractiveness of the countrys diamond mining sector. As a rule, large companies develop relationships with rough buyers based on long-term contracts, which imply certain obligations for customers to purchase goods even in cold years - periods of declining demand. Besides, they usually talk about goods coming from more than one country, and therefore, this requires a verified pricing policy that ensures profitability for the global mining business. As for the second-tier companies, they usually prefer to sell the diamonds they produce on their own auction platforms. They do not need a pleasant surprise in the form of a state traders feudal right to buy rough first. Is it possible to invest in the diamond mining sector of Angola under these conditions, even if it is the most promising country in this region? The question is rhetorical, and the last three years have not added any confidence in getting an affirmative answer. So, what about Sodiam? Has it become an effective trader? It does not seem so, as Angolas rough diamonds are now pro-actively traded at auctions - but by a foreign diamond dealer, not by Sodiam. In principle, there is nothing wrong with that either, moreover, it is correct if a diamond dealer takes on the market risks buying rough diamonds from a miner. But once again - What has Sodiam to do with this and why is it needed in its current capacity? Rough diamonds are the countrys second most important source of income. Angola is the most promising diamond bearing area in the world and has every chance of taking a leading position in the global market. But in the current situation, it will most likely fail to establish itself as a leader due to the blast from the past - a political time bomb. The elections will come, and you can always say, You had a chance, but you just messed everything up. Antonio P. Fernandes for Rough&Polished Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:23:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A group of visitors were attracted to the booth of Ireland decorated in Irish green, where they tasted Irish whisky, at the ongoing 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing. The 2020 CIFTIS, which kicked off on Friday, is the first major international economic and trade event held both online and offline by China since the COVID-19 outbreak. Five Irish companies are attending the event offline, while seven others are going online, according to the Irish embassy in Beijing. Xia Xiaojun, manager of Greater China division of Novaerus, an Irish company providing air disinfection technology, said the COVID-19 pandemic has raised the market's awareness of air disinfection and purification to a new level. Novaerus hopes to bring its technology into China, said Xia, adding that attending the trade fair has enabled the company to find new customers, which provides opportunities for the company to better manage and develop its business. The six-day event, one of the world's largest and most comprehensive fairs for trade in services, has launched a digital platform to allow foreign delegates to tour the fair virtually and trade online. In Dublin, online exhibitors are looking for discovering more business opportunities through the fair as the pandemic has dealt a hard blow to global economy. Patrick Leonard, chief executive of Smartline, a Dublin-based startup engaged in automation of design services, said China has many large projects underway and the Chinese market is big with a large manufacturing base, which provides a good business opportunity for companies like Smartline. The fair also shows that China is willing to make globalization more open and inclusive, he said. Finbarr Cleary, vice chairman of Ireland China Science and Technology Association (ICSATA), said the cloud stand set up by his organization had already received over 300 page views as of Friday, ranking No. 12 in the overall e-stands section. As a non-profit organization registered in Ireland, ICSATA has been engaged in promoting collaboration between Ireland and China, particularly in areas of technology, trade, culture and education, Cleary said, adding that he believes the CIFTIS platform will enhance business exchanges between the two countries. Cork County Council, another virtual exhibitor, aims to promote tourism of the county. "We decided to exhibit at this particular conference because we are very aware that there is a growing market in China and many Chinese people are travelling outside China, particularly into Europe," said Sharon Corcoran, director of Economic Development and Tourism with Cork County Council. "We would be delighted to welcome Chinese visitors and we know that they wouldn't be disappointed by what they find when they come to Ireland," she added. Chinese visitors are of growing significance for the Irish tourism industry. Last year, an estimated 100,000 Chinese people visited Ireland, according to Tourism Ireland, and it expects the number to double to 200,000 in 2025. Enditem Brent crude LCOc1 was at $42.21 a barrel, down 45 cents or 1.1% by 0439 GMT, after earlier sliding to $41.51, the lowest since July 30. Oil prices dropped more than 1% on Monday after earlier hitting their lowest since July as Saudi Arabia made the deepest monthly price cuts for supply to Asia in five months while optimism about demand recovery cooled amid the coronavirus pandemic. Brent crude LCOc1 was at $42.21 a barrel, down 45 cents or 1.1% by 0439 GMT, after earlier sliding to $41.51, the lowest since July 30, as reported by Reuters. Read alsoMedvedchuk's companies sell petroleum products to U.S. circumventing sanctions mediaU.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 skidded 51 cents, or 1.3%, to $39.26 a barrel after earlier dropping to $38.55, the lowest since July 10. The world remains awash with crude and fuel despite supply cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and their allies, known as OPEC+, and government efforts to stimulate the global economy and oil demand. Refiners have reduced their fuel output as a result, causing oil producers such as Saudi Arabia to cut prices to offset the falling crude demand. Energy: other news Manager Gareth Southgate said on Monday that the Manchester City midfielder and the Manchester United forward would not be travelling from Iceland, where they made their senior England debuts on Saturday, to Denmark for Tuesdays Nations League match. Unfortunately this morning it was brought to my attention that the two boys have broken the COVID guidelines in terms of our secure bubble we had to decide they couldnt have interaction with the rest of the team, Southgate said. Gareth Southgate, who is currently speaking to the media ahead of tomorrows game, has confirmed Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood will not travel with the #ThreeLions to Denmark. England (@England) September 7, 2020 Southgate added: Nothing has happened in the areas we occupy in the hotel. We are still getting to the depths of all the information because this was only brought to my attention a couple of hours before training, so Im still getting to grips with the detail. Advertisement What is clear is there is a breach of the Covid-19 guidelines. The whole squad have really followed that to the letter. Im not going into any more details until Im aware of everything. Allegations emerged in the Icelandic media outlet DV on Monday that the pair were visited by two local girls during the trip. Though I've become inured to the depredations of the Trump administration and to the lawless trampling of democratic traditions and constitutional mandates by Attorney General William Barr I was still stunned to hear Barr denounce voting by mail as a catastrophic intrusion on the sanctity of the ballot. In a CNN interview, Barr claimed, on the basis of absolutely no evidence, that widespread vote-by-mail "is very open to fraud and coercion, is reckless and dangerous, and people are playing with fire." While every credible election official and countless analysts including a few Republicans have disputed that claim, it remains one of President Donald Trump's oft-repeated lies. Indeed, Trump is so worried about the prospect that many Americans may take advantage of the opportunity to vote safely from home during a pandemic, returning their ballots in the mail, that he casually suggested that North Carolinians vote twice, once by mail and once in person, to test election security. Perhaps the president doesn't know this, but the attorney general does: Any voter who does so will be committing a crime. Barr's disingenuous claims about mail-in ballots were his weak attempt to defend the president's advice. Trump's fixation on widespread vote-by-mail serves as yet another reminder that powerful Republicans are afraid of broad access to the ballot. For all their pretensions to defending the U.S. Constitution, the simplest and most easily understood of democratic principles the universal right to vote is one they fight hardest against. That's because a ballot is power the power to choose the politicians who represent us, the principles on which they stake their positions, the policies they carry out on our behalf. As the late, great John Lewis, who famously sacrificed life and limb for the ballot, was fond of reminding us: "The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society." There is nothing new about efforts to deny broad access to the ballot box. The political history of the United States is a long and violent struggle to win the vote for every American citizen. In the earliest days of the republic, only white men with property were allowed to cast ballots. Eventually, poor white men gained the right to vote. One hundred years ago, white women did, too. But Black Americans have been fighting for the ballot since the Civil War ended. And we must fight for it still. During Reconstruction, Radical Republicans back then the Republican Party was still the party of Lincoln insisted that Black citizens be given the right to vote, but that right was taken away quickly. As soon as federal troops were pulled out of the South, violent white mobs, including the Ku Klux Klan, rose up to threaten, to maim, to lynch Black people who attempted to vote. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. When white suffragists rallied to insist that women be given access to the ballot, Black women stood right beside them. But they were pushed aside and ignored by their white sisters, who did nothing to ensure that Black women, too, would be able to vote. It took nearly a half-century more for Black women to win that right universally, along with their Black brethren. And we are still fighting to keep it. Republicans have given up trying to appeal to Americans of color with their principles and policies. Instead, they have grown increasingly wedded to restricting the vote, with tactics ranging from burdensome voter ID laws to their current insistence on blocking widespread vote-by-mail. Never mind that the United States is still struggling with the spread of COVID-19. They want to make most voters stand in long lines to cast their ballots. At least their motives are now clear. Trump has claimed that absentee ballots, which he himself has used, are legitimate, even as he rails against other forms of mail-in ballots. They are virtually identical, each requiring proof of citizenship and registration. And Trump's own voter fraud task force disbanded after it failed to find any evidence of widespread fraud in either mail-in votes or in-person voting. If nothing else, this latest outrage ought to ensure that Americans who care about their country will vote in the next election in person, by mail, early or on Nov. 3. The ballot is pure power. Please use it. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijan continues improving power supply in the country, the countrys energy providing company Azerishig has reported. Recently, powers supply was improved in 14 villages of Astara region, and a new 10 kV line with the length of 13 kilometers was put into operation. Moreover, in order to provide consumers with uninterrupted, stable and quality electric power, the company continues extensive construction works in the service area of the Southern Regional Power Supply and Sales Department, as well as in other regions of the country. The new 10 kV line means improvement of power supply to about 5,000 residents of 14 villages. In addition, improved supply will also prevent large losses in this direction. Every year floods, heavy snow and winds cause frequent accidents on the 10 kV line, which has been in operation for over 50 years. As a result of which the population were left without electricity for hours. From now on, the 14 villages of the region will be provided with better and more stable electricity. Earlier it was reported that construction of a new distribution facility for the installation of two power transformer is underway in Baku. Furthermore, Azerishig is reconstructing electric substations located in four regions across the country. Large-scale reconstruction work is being carried out on the electrical system located on the Aran Regional Division of Energy Supply and Sales contact line. Moreover, the 35/10 kV Boyuk Behmenli substation, located on the territory of the Fizuli region electric network, is being fully reconstructed with increasing capacity. In addition, 35/10 kV Dostlug substation, located in the Beylagan power grid, is being reconstructed, the equipment is completely renewed. Likewise, reconstruction works have also begun on the 35/10 kV Khindiristan substation, located in the Agdam region electric network contact line. Moreover, the power supply system in Akhmadagali and Chiragli villages is being fully reconstructed. Additionally, the reconstruction works are being carried out at Behramtepe substation, located in Imishli region. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The culprit, now 54, pleaded guilty at the High Court to one charge of sexual assault of a minor involving oral sex and one count of attempted sexual assault of a minor involving sodomy. (Photo: Getty) SINGAPORE For five years, a technician grossly exploited the trust of his young nephew who called him father to carry out a heinous campaign of sexual abuse, a court heard on Monday (7 September). The culprit, emboldened by the victims naivete and lack of reaction, escalated in the gravity of his crimes over the years from fondling the boy to making him perform oral sex and culminating in the perpetrator sodomising the victim. These offences came to light only after the victim was caught recording an upskirt video in school in 2018 when he was 14 and referred to his school counsellor. He broke down during a counselling session and recounted his ordeal, which began when he was in kindergarten and just five years old. The victim later told a government psychiatrist that he felt anger towards his uncle. But he also felt guilt towards the latters son (the victims cousin), whom he lived with, for the distress caused by the reporting of the abuse. At the High Court on Monday, the culprit, now 54, was handed a total jail term of 22 years. He pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault of a minor involving oral sex and one count of attempted sexual assault of a minor involving sodomy. Two other charges of aggravated sexual assault involving oral sex and sodomy, along with five counts of aggravated outrage of modesty, were considered in sentencing as part of his plea bargain. In sentencing the man, Justice Valerie Thean noted, among other things, the extreme youth of the victim; the severe abuse of trust involved; the exploitation of naivete; the escalating degree of exploitation in the culprits conduct over time; and that he had chosen to plead guilty early. She agreed with the prosecutions call for a jail term of at least 22 years. This case strikes at the moral fabric of society, said Deputy Public Prosecutors Wong Kok Weng, Gregory Gan and Michelle Lu in their sentencing submissions. The sentence imposed on the accused must send out a strong message that society will not tolerate such wanton abuse of a young and vulnerable child, and that any offender who perpetrates such abuse will be met with the strongest disapprobation from the courts, they added. Story continues Abuse started with molestation The culprit cannot be named to protect the victims identity. He married the victims maternal aunt in 2006, after which he lived at the flat belonging to the victims maternal grandmother. A year after he got married, he had a son. The victim lived with his maternal grandmother as his parents divorced around the time that he was born. The victims maternal uncle also lived in the flat. The victim would address the perpetrator as Baba, a way of addressing a father in Malay. He treated the culprit like a father. The abuse started in 2010. On the first occasion, the victim and the perpetrator were alone in the kitchen when the latter touched the victims buttocks over his shorts. The victim did not know the wrongfulness of the accuseds actions and laughed as he thought the accused was being playful. Since then, the accused would touch the victims buttocks frequently when they were alone, and he would also touch the victims buttocks and penis from outside his shorts, said the prosecutors. Culprit rubbed himself on victim Sometime between 2011 and 2012, when the victim was about six to eight and in Primary 1 or 2, the culprit progressed to rubbing his penis against the victims buttocks frequently. When the victim lay on the bed in the master bedroom and played with his tablet, the perpetrator would lie down beside him and rub his penis against the victim. Sometimes, the culprit would also twist the victims nipples while doing so. The accused also told the victim that his sperm was jelly. During that period, the victim still did not know the wrongfulness of the accuseds actions and did not tell anyone about it, said the prosecutors. Culprit sodomised victim Sometime between 2013 and 2014, when they were alone in the master bedroom, the culprit closed the room door and asked the victim, who was then about 8 to 10 and in Primary 3 or 4, to follow him into the attached toilet. The perpetrator pulled his pants down, sat on the toilet bowl and instructed the victim to squat in front of him and fellate him. Afterwards, the culprit sodomised the victim. The culprit repeated the crime on another occasion around the same period. After instructing the victim to fellate him, he told the victim to stand up and face the wall of the toilet, and then bend down before trying to sodomise him. But the victim felt pain and the perpetrator stopped his actions after a few seconds. He helped the victim to wear his shorts back and told him to leave the toilet. Victim had post-traumatic stress The victim only realised the that the culprits actions towards him were wrong after attending sex education classes in 2018, when he was about 12 to 13 and in Secondary 1. After the victim broke down in front of his school counsellor in 2018, the school management called the police. A government psychiatrist found that the victim felt distressed when he was made to describe the details of the sexual abuse that he endured during investigations. He also had some post-traumatic stress symptoms which has since improved. The culprits 22-year jail term was backdated to the date of his remand on 21 August 2018. The punishment for sexual penetration of a person below 14 is a jail term of between eight and 20 years, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane. Only male offenders below 50 can be caned. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Other Singapore stories: Undergrad claims trial to rubbing bare genitals on sleeping woman in SMU study room WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (31 Aug-6 Sept) AGC to study judgment acquitting CAG chief Liew Mun Leong's maid of theft; may take further action A courtroom sketch shows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during a hearing to decide whether he should be extradited to the United States, in London, Britain, on Sept. 7, 2020. (Julia Quenzler/Reuters) UK Judge Rejects Assange Bid to Delay US Extradition Case LONDONWikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting to avoid extradition to the United States from Britain, failed on Monday in a bid to further delay hearings that resumed after a pause of months caused by the coronavirus lockdown. The U.S. authorities accuse Australian-born Assange, 49, of conspiring to hack government computers and of violating an espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011. Assange, clean-shaven and wearing a suit at Mondays hearing, formally declined to be extradited. He has been presented with a new, wider superseding indictment issued by U.S. authorities in June, which contains 18 alleged offenses of conspiring to hack government computers and espionage. The judge rejected his lawyers application for the case to be adjourned until January to allow them more time to consider new U.S. accusations. Were simply not in a position to gather the evidence necessary and respond to the case that has only emerged in the last few weeks, Assanges lawyer Mark Summers said. Assange is seen by his admirers as a champion of free speech who exposed U.S. abuses of power. His critics say that by publishing unredacted documents, he recklessly endangered the lives of intelligence sources. Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a U.S. military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. The site later published vast troves of U.S. military records and diplomatic cables. More recently, it released documents stolen from the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign. Assange denies accusations by U.S. investigators that it obtained those documents from Russian hackers, though the issue is not part of the legal proceedings. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in London, Britain, on Jan. 13, 2020. (Simon Dawson/Reuters) Political Charges The extradition hearings started in February but were then postponed for a few months before being further delayed because of a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. Assanges lawyers say he would not receive a fair trial in the United States on political charges. The first witness, Mark Feldstein, a professor of journalism at the University of Maryland, told Londons Old Bailey court that no publisher had been successfully prosecuted in the United States for publishing leaked confidential documents. Assanges legal travails in Britain date to 2010, when he began fighting an attempt to extradite him to Sweden to answer questions about allegations of sexual assault, which have since been dropped. In June 2012, he sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy. He spent seven years holed up there, fathering two children. After Ecuador revoked his asylum, he was dragged out of the embassy in April 2019 and served a short British prison sentence for violating bail terms. He remains jailed pending the outcome of the U.S. extradition request. By Estelle Shirbon and Michael Holden Mumbai: An average 67.36 per cent voter turnout was registered on Sunday for the fourth and final phase of elections to municipal councils in Nagpur and Gondia districts , according to the state election commission (SEC). The figure of 67.36 per cent voting is the primary figure and the SEC will issue the final figure after local returning officers complete their verification procedure, an official release said. The polling for the 244 seats in the 11 nagar parishads of the two districts came to an end at 5.30 PM. There were long queues in some polling stations, where booth level officers issued chits to the voters in the queue and completed the voting procedure, officials said. Nagpur district has nine nagar parishads, while Gondia has two where the voting took place. Meanwhile, violence was witnessed in Katol council in Nagpur district during polling today, following which local BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh was booked for criminal intimidation. Police said Vidarbha Maza Party leader Charansingh Thakur has filed a complaint stating that Deshmukh broke mirror of his four-wheeler at Hetipeth Budhwari, around 2 kms from Katol police station. An offence has been registered against the MLA under various sections of IPC, including criminal intimidation, mischief and the act endangering life or personal safety of others, they added. There were 3,82,060 voters in these 11 bodies of whom 1,91,791 were male and 1,90,263 female. Six transgenders were also in the voting list, a SEC spokesperson said. Counting of votes will take place on Monday at 10 AM. As many as 1,190 candidates are in the fray for the 244 seats. Like previous elections, nagar parishad chairman will also be elected directly by the voters. This is the last of the four-phase local bodies polls which began from October 17, last year. There are a total 192 nagar parishads and 20 nagar panchayats in the state. The election was not held in two local bodies. At Shirala nagar parishad in Sangli, no nomination form was filed. At Vaijapur nagar parishad in Aurangabad, the election was suspended due to a legal matter. Since, the case is in court, the Election Commission decided to wait for its directives. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Scorching temperatures continued to bake Southern California on Sunday, with a record of 121 degrees set in Los Angeles County and at least one death, a 41-year-old hiker, suspected to be related to the heat. The record 121-degree reading, in Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley, northwest of downtown Los Angeles, eclipsed a record of 119, set in July 2006, according to Dave Bruno, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Los Angeles/Oxnard forecasting office. When all is said and done, there will probably be a dozen official records today, at least daily records, and several monthly or all-time records today, Mr. Bruno said. Very, very hot day, he added. Some places never fell below 100 degrees last night, which is very unusual around here. This is quite a heat wave. Three people listening to music and drinking aboard an inflatable boat on a lake in Melbourne's west were among dozens fined on Sunday for breaching the state's coronavirus restrictions. The trio were caught floating at Caroline Springs Lake, and each fined $1652. Caroline Springs Lake in Melbourne's west. Credit:Cathy Jackson They were among 177 people fined by Victoria Police in the previous 24 hours. This included 11 infringements for people failing to wear a face covering without a valid exemption, 28 at vehicle checkpoints and 68 for curfew breaches. Lucknow: Five people died and six other got injured on Sunday after a car rammed into a night shelter in Dalibagh region of Lucknow. After the incident, people gathered at the spot and handed over the accused Ayush Rawat and Nikhil to Hazratganz police. According to police the accused was under the influence of alcohol. Three others present in the car are absconding. According to eyewitnessA a car rammed into night shelter at around 02:00 AM last night and ultimately got stopped when it hit the pole near the road. Manzil Saini, SSP ofA Lucknow said that the accused were drunk. Two of them have been arrested and theA car has also been seized. The accused were drunk. Two of them have been arrested and car has also been seized: Manzil Saini,SSP Lucknow on hit and run case pic.twitter.com/GElF5HysV2 a ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 8, 2017 A The car was allegedly being driven at a high speed when the accident happened.Four of the deceased were daily wage earners from eastern Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district. The six labourers, who are severely injured, have been admitted to the trauma centre. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. From snack foods to fresh ingredients, researchers have discovered many items are commonly stored in places that could potentially make their consumer unwell. British luxury wine and food hamper retailer Virginia Hayward, conducted a study of how 30 different foods and drinks should be properly stored and their typical expiration. They spoke to a number of nutritionists, health practitioners and food safety experts who confirmed incorrect methods of storage not only causes food to taste unpleasant but can also cause serious health issues including food poisoning and Hepatitis A. Dr Harriet Holme who is a registered nutritionist and founder of Healthy Eating Dr, said: 'Food poisoning most commonly comes from the following microorganisms: Clostridium botulinum; Escherichia coli; Campylobacter; Salmonella; Staphylococcus aureus; Vibrio Spp.; Norovirus; Listeria; and Hepatitis A. Virginia Hayward spoke to experts for advice on storing 30 food and drinks that are commonly put in the wrong place (file image) 'Foods that are particularly susceptible to contamination include raw eggs, raw shellfish, unpasteurised milk, raw meat and poultry, soft cheeses, and cooked sliced meat, pre-packed sandwiches.' Marie-Louise Farag, Group Head Nutritionist at Cellnutrition, added: 'Low risk foods are foods that tend to have a longer shelf life and if they are stored incorrectly or over the use by date will not cause great side effects for the consumer. These foods are ambient stable such as bread, biscuits, cereals, and crisps'. Virginia Hayward learned leftover shouldn't be kept for more than two days, chocolate should be stored in the cupboard and wine should be consumed within 48 hours of opening. Environmental Health Practitioner and 'Food Safety Mum' Jenna Brown explained that it's crucial to understand the differences between 'use by' and 'best before', when deciding if an item is safe to consume. She said: 'Use by' dates 'are there for your safety and shouldn't be ignored. The most important thing to be aware of here is the difference between 'Use by' and 'Best Before'. Essentially, 'Use by' dates are about safety, whereas 'Best Before' dates are about quality'. Is it safe to eat? FOOD PRODUCT Bananas Berries Apples Salad Processed meat Poultry Leftovers Open wine Plant-based milk Steak Tomatoes Bread Whole milk Reduced fat milk Garlic Potatoes Soft cheese Semi-soft cheese Eggs Mayonnaise Hard cheese Unsalted butter Salted butter Whole onions Frozen fruit Frozen vegetables Chocolate Chutneys and jams Wine Carrots TYPICAL EXPIRATION Visible quality changes Visible quality changes Visible quality changes 1-2 days 1-2 days 1-2 days 2 days (1 for rice) Consume within 2 days 3 days 3-5 days Up to 5 days 4-7 days 5-7 days 7 days 7-10 days 1-2 weeks 2 weeks Between 2-3 weeks Approx. 3 weeks A few months Between 2-4 months Up to 3 months Up to 5 months 1-6 months 6 months 12 months Between 1-2 years A couple of years A couple of years 3-5 days STORAGE Open fruit bowl In the fridge In the fridge In 'crisper' drawer In the fridge In the fridge In the fridge In the fridge In the fridge In the fridge Room temperature Cool dry place In the fridge In the fridge Cool dry dark place Cool dry dark place Fridge, container Fridge, container In the fridge, below 20C Fridge once opened Wax paper in fridge In the fridge In the fridge Cool dry dark place In the freezer In the freezer Fridge once opened Fridge once opened Fridge once opened Fridge, in a covered container filled with water Advertisement EGGS Best method of storage: Fridge Expiration: Approximately three weeks According to Virginia Hayward eggs should be stored at a constant temperature in the fridge below 20C for optimum freshness and safety. They explained the fridge door isn't the best place for them because of the constant opening and closing. They can be eaten up to a couple of days past BBE date, if fully cooked. CHEESE Best method of storage: Fridge Expiration: Differs according to moisture content 'Soft cheese can be kept in the fridge for 2 weeks after opening, semi soft for between 2-3 weeks (or frozen for 2 months), and hard cheese can be kept for between 2-4 months in the fridge (once opening this drops to about 6 weeks) or for up to 8 months in the freezer,' said researchers. BUTTER Best method of storage: Fridge Expiration: 3-5 months Virginia Hayward recommend storing butter in an airtight container placed anywhere in the fridge except the door. 'Some people prefer to store butter at room temperature to allow it to be soft and easily spreadable. Use a glass butter dish and only put a quarter of half a block out at a time, and to prevent it from going rancid at room temperature, make sure it is out of direct sunlight and properly covered to help prolong the shelf life.' MILK Best method of storage: Fridge Expiration: Approximately 5-7 days before opening, and 2-3 days once opened Researchers found whole milk can last up to seven days, however plant-based milks last just three days once opened. They said pasteurisation and ultra-heat-treated milk both prolong shelf life. 'A top tip to prolong the shelf-life of fresh milk is to throw in a pinch of normal kitchen salt too.' Virginia Hayward said it depends on the type of vegetable how long that they're safe to eat, but potatoes shouldn't be kept with fruits that give off ethylene (file image) BREAD Best method of storage: Cool dry place Expiration: Up to 7 days 'Shop bought bread mostly has preservatives and lasts approximately 5-7 days, whereas homemade bread (without preservatives) last up to 4-5 days.' Virginia Hayward said bread can be frozen and defrosted as needed to extend the shelf life as refrigeration slows down growth of bacteria. Adding: 'Wrap bread in cling film or tin foil for storage in a cupboard or in a sealed bread tin.' FRUIT Best method of storage: Varies depending on fruit Expiration: Varies depending on fruit 'Bananas should be left in an open fruit bowl on the countertop they do not do well in the fridge. 'Apples can be stored in the fruit and veg drawer of the fridge, just cut a few holes in the plastic bag they like a little humidity. 'Berries, including strawberries, tend to be more delicate and should always be kept cool and well protected in the fridge to prolong shelf life. Frozen fruits should be kept for no longer than six months.' VEGETABLES Best method of storage: Varies depending on vegetable Expiration: Varies depending on vegetable Virginia Hayward said onions, garlic, potatoes that are better stored in a cool, dry dark place Meanwhile potatoes should be kept in a cool, dry, dark environment with lots of ventilation away from fruit that give off ethylene. Store cooked potatoes in the fridge, and cook/blanch before freezing. 'Storing tomatoes at room temperature extends their shelf life. The shelf life of carrots can be extended by putting them in a container filled with water, covering them with plastic and storing them in the fridge. Salad is best in the 'crisper' drawer in the fridge.' Researchers said wine can be safe to consume for a few years if stored properly, however it begins to noticeably change within two days of being opened (file image) MEAT Best method of storage: Fridge Expiration: Raw meat should keep from between three to five days (at a push) Processed meat (such as hamburgers or sausages) between 1-2 days Poultry (pieces or whole) between 1-2 days Steak/cut of meat between 3-5 days Smaller portions can last up to 6 months if properly frozen 'Keep raw meat and cooked meat in totally separate containers to prevent any potential cross-contamination. Most raw meat should be properly sealed and placed in the coldest part of the fridge. 'Cooked meat should be stored away from raw meat but should still be stored in a fridge and tightly wrapped in an airtight container or cling film. 'Meats can be stored in a freezer; however, make sure they have been fully defrosted before use and they are only allowed to be re-frozen check the packaging.' CHOCOLATE Best method of storage: Cool dry place Expiration: Up to two years Virginia Hayward revealed chocolate, including the cacao and fats used to make it, can absorb the smells and tastes around it. It's best stored in room temperature, away from direct sunlight in a glass container to best preserve it. WINE Best method of storage: In the cupboard, fridge once opened Expiration: A couple of years 'Long term storage should be around 13C (between 0-25C), with bottles kept horizontally, protected from sunlight and vibration. 'Once opened, red wine can be stored in a dark cupboard but, like white wine, can also be stored in the fridge to help slow down the oxidation process. 'Always seal the bottle. It might not be as easy with fizz a handy tip is to place a fork, spiky side up in the neck of the bottle the metal gets colder than the glass creating a natural colder zone in the neck of the bottle to keep the fizz. 'The shelf life of wine depends partly on quality and partly on storage condition. On average a white wine will last a couple of years, with red wine lasting a bit longer 'Only approximately 1% of wines are able to be stored for extended periods of time. Once opened, wine should be consumed within two days for maximum benefit before oxidisation becomes noticeable. Placing both red and white wine in the fridge will help extend the shelf life.' CONDIMENTS Best method of storage: Cupboard, and then in the fridge after opening Expiration: Up to two years Virginia Hayward said most sauces are best placed in a dark and cool cupboard, however mayonnaise (which contains egg) and preservative free sauces should be stored in glass bottles in the fridge after being opened. If in doubt, store it in the fridge. Alex Walker who is the Marketing Manager at Virginia Hayward added : 'Improper storage, poor hygiene, and not respecting 'Use by' dates are some of the most common methods of contamination, which can lead to food poisoning. 'With our fresh food gifts, the hampers are kept at 2C and are sent for overnight delivery with icepacks to keep them cool the packaging also helps to insulate them, so they arrive at your door in the best possible condition'. Donald Trump has said his controversial appointment as US postmaster general should lose his job if allegations of campaign finance violations against him are proved. Louis DeJoy, a Trump donor and Republican party fundraiser appointed to his role in May this year, pressured employees at his former company into making donations to GOP candidates, it has been claimed. As owner of New Breed Logistics, a North Carolina-based supply chain firm sold to XPO in 2014, Mr DeJoy often asked workers and managers to make donations to the campaigns of Republicans running for office, several former employees told the Washington Post. It is alleged that staff who donated to Mr DeJoy's favoured candidates would recieve company bonuses in return, with managers at the firm also expected to participate. "Louis was a national fundraiser for the Republican party. He asked employees for money. We gave him the money, and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses," David Young, a former human resources director who previously had access to New Breed's payroll records, told the Post. According to a Post analysis of campaign finance records dating back two decades, there was a "pattern of extensive donations by New Breed employees to Republican candidates." Recommended New York and New Jersey sue Trump and Postmaster General DeJoy over postal service changes In a statement, Monty Hagler, a spokesperson for Mr DeJoy, said the postmaster general "regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason". Mr DeJoy "was never notified by the New Breed employees referenced by the Washington Post of any pressure they might have felt to make a political contribution," Mr Hagler added. He added that while running New Breed logistics, Mr DeJoy ensured that the company, and anyone affiliated with it, was fully compliant with US election contribution rules. At a news conference at the White House on Monday, Mr Trump said he did not yet know all the details, but said: Hes a very respected man, he was approved very much by both parties I guess. It was an approval that took place by both parties. Asked if he supported an investigation into Mr DeJoy he said: Sure, sure. Let the investigations go, but hes a very respected man . I think hes a very honest man but lets see." And questioned on whether the postmaster general should lose his job if an accusation of campaign finance violations can be proven, the president said: Yeah, if something can be proven that he did something wrong, always yeah. Mr DeJoy's appointment to postmaster general was criticised by many on Capitol Hill, as he had no previous experience working within the US postal service. He has personally raised millions of dollars for Republican politicians down the years. He and his wife have donated $1.6m since Trump's election in 2016, according to Business Insider. Since assuming the role in May, the GOP fundraiser has overseen a raft of changes to working practices including the removal of mail processing machines and a ban on overtime which caused severe delays to mail delivery. Democrats have accused Mr DeJoy of attempting to tilt November's election in favour of president Trump as millions of Americans cast their vote via postal services due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. At a Senate hearing last month, Mr DeJoy sought to assure Americans that widespread delays caused by cost-cutting measures would not cause their mail ballots to go uncounted. Security forces in Belarus detained scores of protesters and were filmed beating a man as he lay on the street, as the authorities launched a crackdown on mass demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko. Nearly a month after an election which Lukashenkos opponents say he rigged, tens of thousands of people marched through Minsk, many decked out in red-and-white opposition colours and shouting go away! and youre a rat!. The authorities had laid barbed wire on the streets, and deployed military vehicles, prisoner vans, water cannons, helmeted riot police and plain clothes officers with masks and truncheons to try to contain the demonstrations. At least 100 people were detained, the Russian news agency Interfax quoted the government as saying, while the human rights group Spring-96 put the figure at more than 200. Local media also showed protests and detentions in other cities. A witness said the harsh treatment of the protesters appeared to mark an escalation by the authorities after weeks of comparative restraint, although the violence was not as widespread and indiscriminate as in the protests first days. Footage from local media outlet TUT.BY showed a masked man beating a protester as he lay on the ground. Plain clothes officers could be seen smashing the glass door of a cafe to get at protesters sheltering inside. We ran into a cafe to hide from the riot police, they broke the glass, burst inside, pulled out three people, beat at least one, Evgeny, a 28-year-old protester, said while waiters cleaned up the smashed glass. Jumping into the river A witness described helmeted security forces and men in plain clothes detaining at least two dozen protesters near President Alexander Lukashenkos residence, and beating and kicking another man as he lay on the ground. Some protesters left chanting well be back. An ambulance arrived at another cafe, where another witness said a man had been beaten by men with truncheons and could only walk with difficulty. TUT.BY described people jumping into the Svislach River to escape the police in Minsk. Protests also took place outside the capital. In the city of Brest near the Polish border, video footage from TUT.BY showed women shouting shame at masked members of the security forces who dragged people away. Internal Affairs Minister Yuri Karayev defended the actions of the security forces. They talk about the brutality of the Belarusian police, and I want to say this: there are no more humane, restrained and cool-headed police anywhere in the world, he said, according to the official Belta news agency. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, denies electoral fraud. Buoyed by a show of support from traditional ally Russia, he has rejected calls for new elections. Demonstrations have carried on throughout the four weeks since the election, gaining in size on the weekends and drawing tens of thousands of people each Sunday. Western countries have had to balance sympathy with the Belarusian pro-democracy movement against a desire not to provoke Moscow. The crisis has tested European resolve at a moment when countries are also weighing how to respond to the suspected poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. In an interview published in the Financial Times on Sunday, Lithuanias foreign minister urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Belarus and counter Russias influence or risk undermining the credibility of its foreign policy. A search and rescue mission is underway for a missing USS Nimitz sailor on Sunday. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton are currently conducting search and rescue operations in the North Arabian Sea, according to a statement from the Navy. Officials said the sailor has been listed as 'duty status whereabouts unknown' on board the Nimitz since this Sunday morning. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (pictured) and guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton are currently conducting search and rescue operations in the North Arabian Sea following reports of a missing sailor, according to a statement from the Navy 'The sailor was not located upon a search on board which resulted in a man overboard being called and the activation of the search and rescue,' Cmdr Rebecca Rebarich told ABC News. Authorities said the sailors name is being held in accordance with US Navy policy. Since early June the Nimitz has been operating outside the Persian Gulf after deploying from San Diego. It was the first carrier amid the COVID-19 pandemic to implement precautions and procedures to prevent an outbreak of the virus, according to USNI. In early April, the carrier's crew of nearly 5,000 sailors were quarantined at its homeport in Bremerton, Washington. Around the same time, the USS Theodore Roosevelt was crippled by an outbreak that sickened more than 1,000 sailors and led to the controversial termination of the ship's commanding officer. Authorities said the sailors name is being held in accordance with US Navy policy. Since early June the Nimitz (pictured) has been operating outside the Persian Gulf after deploying from San Diego The Roosevelt was forced to pull into a port in Guam on March 27 amid a rapidly escalating COVID-19 outbreak. At the time, at least eight sailors had been infected, but over the weeks to come, the virus would spread to more than 1,150 crew members and kill one sailor. The vessel remained stationed in Guam for 10 weeks as the ship was sanitized and sailors were taken off to be quarantined, treated or tested. The USS Roosevelt finally returned to its homeport of San Diego in early July after six months at sea. The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) reveals the enormous challenges facing hotels and guesthouses in Laois and Offaly and across the country as demand continues to plummet as a result of the Covid crisis. The impact on employment and peoples livelihoods is stark for an industry that supported 270,000 jobs nationally at the beginning of the year 1 in 10 of all Irish jobs. An estimated 100,000 jobs of these have been lost so far this year and a further 100,000 are now at imminent risk in the coming weeks, including 3,200 in Laois and Offaly. With the summer season finished, Irelands hotels and guesthouses are now reporting a 70% drop in projected revenues for September compared to this time last year. Bookings for September/October have plunged with average room occupancy levels at 22% in the Midlands. This follows a very challenging July and August with average national occupancy at 49%, representing an enormous drop compared the 90% occupancy achieved during these key summer months last year. Commenting on the results of the survey, Dara Cruise, Chair of the Midlands branch the Irish Hotels Federation, said that the figures highlight the requirement for further sector-specific measures to support Irish tourism. Our industry is operating in a quasi-lockdown. The existing supports are totally inadequate for our industry given the current restrictions. If appropriate measures are not put in place, more jobs will be lost. Prior to the COVID crisis, tourism supported 4,400 jobs in Laois and Offaly, contributing 66m to the local economy. With a predicted revenue loss of 50m, 3,200 of these jobs are now under threat. A severely devastated tourism sector would be a major loss to the economy and society here in Clare for many years to come. This can and must be avoided. We are doing everything we can to protect public health whilst also helping to restore the economy and safeguard peoples livelihoods, but we face extraordinary challenges. These have been greatly exacerbated by the additional restrictions introduced last month, including limiting indoor gatherings to no more than six people. Businesses are, in effect, operating under close to lock-down conditions. This flies in the face of the detailed operational guidelines that are in place, endorsed by the HSE, HSA, HPSC and the FSAI as well as hotels proven track record in managing gatherings safely. It is our belief that the controlled environment provided by hotels can safely accommodate gatherings of significantly more than 6 people, which are an essential part of the fabric of Irish life. A major frustration for us continues to be the lack of meaningful consultation with our industry in advance of new restrictions being announced by Government. All areas of society negatively impacted by Covid-19 should be consulted, including businesses, when developing the Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery, which is due to be published on 14th September. Public health goes hand in hand with ensuring a viable economy when this pandemic has passed. Commenting on the additional Government supports required for the tourism industry, Mr Cruise said: The measures contained in the Governments stimulus package do not go far enough to address the unique and existential challenges facing our industry. In particular, they fail to deliver adequate supports around competitiveness and liquidity in particular. The IHF is calling on the Government to implement the following measures as a matter of urgency: - Review of 6-person limit hotels provide a very safe environment in which to hold indoor gatherings in a controlled manner. - Urgent approval of a hotel protocol is required to enable indoor gatherings of up to 50 people based on 6 people per table and subject to strict time-limits, physical distancing and protocols around wearing PPE and sanitisation. - Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) if jobs are to be retained, the EWSS rates of support must be increased to the previous TWSS levels of 350/410 per week. This would make it possible for employers to retain staff during the difficult winter/spring months ahead and to facilitate training and upskilling structures designed to allow employees get personal benefit from this challenging period and to help the industry prepare for post Covid-19 recovery opportunities. Qualification for the scheme should be based on performance from March until the end of the year with payment made on a weekly basis to assist with cashflow. The scheme should be continued until the impact of Covid-19 restrictions has fully abated. - Liquidity Measures - Additional liquidity measures are required to help fund hotels during the coming months as a result of the cash flow lost out due to Covid-19 restrictions, including extension of the moratorium on bank term loans from 6 months to 12 months. - Local Authority Rates Waiver - The waiver period should be extended for tourism businesses to coincide with business interruption due to Covid-19 and for a minimum of 12 months. After that, payment of local authority rates should be based on reduced levels of activity due to the crisis and until the industry has recovered. - Reduction in tourism VAT to 9% permanent restoration to 9% to assist recovery and secure a viable and sustainable future for tourism. Reducing VAT will not only provide a stimulus in the Irish economy but also improve our competitiveness as an international tourism destination. - Testing Regime As an island nation with an open economy, we have to restore international travel safely as soon as possible. An effective tracking, tracing and testing regime must be introduced to facilitate this and to protect the health and livelihoods of all. Safeguarding public health is an absolute priority for the Irish Hotels Federation and our members, who are fully committed to supporting the Government in the task of supressing Covid-19. We also wish to be part of the process of restoring the economy and the livelihoods of the almost 270,000 people who worked in our industry last year. But we need support now so we can play our part again in the recovery. The National Economic Plan in October will come too late for many, said Mr Cruise. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:58:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close YINCHUAN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 28th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a major global wine contest, will take place in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in May 2021, according to the municipal government. The event's organizing committee announced the decision at the closing of the 2020 edition of the competition in Czech. Yinchuan will be the second Chinese city to host the contest after a maiden event was held in Beijing in 2018. Some 400 judges from 50 countries and regions are expected to evaluate the quality of nearly 10,000 wines in the competition scheduled from May 22 to 24, 2021. The event will feature several forums, master classes, cultural tours and production area visits. "The wine industry has become such an important pillar in Ningxia that we can't wait to share our passion with the brilliant minds in the world of wine," said Yang Yujing, the mayor of Yinchuan. The eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain in Ningxia are located between the 37th and the 40th parallels of the Northern Hemisphere, which is deemed the "golden zone" for growing wine grapes. By the end of 2019, grape plantation areas in Ningxia reached 38,000 hectares with 211 wineries, generating an annual output of 130 million bottles of wines. The comprehensive industrial output value came in at about 26 billion yuan (about 3.8 billion U.S. dollars). Enditem Australian conservation groups warned on Monday that the country's World Heritage listed wildernesses were at risk of being tarnished, including the Great Barrier Reef, ancient forests of Tasmania and remote northern wetlands. In a letter to the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the group warned of "alarming moves by the Australian government to weaken legal protection for Australia's 20 World Heritage listed properties." Their concerns related to a bill being considered by the Australian parliament that would grant state leaders the power to green light developments which currently require national approval. Despite being billed as a means to spur economic activity and streamline planning, the proposed changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, were found by a review committee last month to be ineffective at protecting unique species and habitats. As a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, the Australian government has a legal responsibility to identify, protect and conserve for future generations its World Heritage sites, in addition to them being a source of national pride and Australian identity. Australian Conservation Foundation CEO, Kelly O'Shanassy explained that these areas are also home to some of Australia's most unique and treasured wildlife, including threatened species such as koalas, the cassowary and the grey-headed flying fox. "The plan to hand environmental powers to states and territories would make these species and their habitats more vulnerable than ever," O'Shanassy said. Birdlife Australia CEO Paul Sullivan added that Australia has been a world leader in conservation and helping secure World Heritage listings both at home and overseas. "But we risk losing World Heritage sites in our own backyard if state governments and greedy developers get their hands on Australia's nature law," Sullivan said. The Mamata Banerjee administration in West Bengal is enforcing the first lockdown day in September on Monday. The state administration has already declared that complete state-wide lockdown would be enforced on three days in September 7, 11 and 12. In August, the government had imposed lockdown on six days. Nearly 5,000 people were arrested for violating lockdown rules and around 2,500 people were booked for not wearing masks on these six days. A few thousand people were arrested on other days. Since the morning, the police have put up barricades on roads and naka checking was being done, vehicle owners were being checked and people on roads were being questioned. They were either sent back home or arrested if they failed to provide valid reasons. The union government in its Unlock 4 guidelines had directed the state not to impose lockdown restrictions at the local level without consulting the Centre. A senior official of the state government said: All protocols have been maintained and the Centre has been informed. Till September 6, the state has recorded 1,80,788 cases of Covid-19 with around 3,000 cases on an average being added over the last few weeks. The discharge rate is more than 85%. The number of people being discharged from hospitals every day is more than the number of new cases being registered everyday, as a result the state has been recording a decline in the number of active cases over the past few days, a health official said on Sunday. Kolkata till Sunday had recorded 43,084 cases. The district of North 24 Parganas, the second most populous district in India, comes next with around 37,711 cases. Over the past few weeks, however, the district had been recording a higher number of cases than Kolkata. A 12-year-old Colorado boy was suspended and the police were called to his home after he waved a toy gun during a virtual class. Seventh grader Isaiah Elliott, who is a student at Grand Mountain School in Colorado Springs, was attending his virtual art class on August 27, when he briefly held the toy gun in his hand. His mother, Dani Elliott, told BuzzFeed News that her son had picked up the neon green toy gun and moved it from one side of his computer screen to the other. It wasn't until after the class that Dani received an email from her son's art teacher. Isaiah Elliott (pictured), 12, of Colorado, was suspended and the police were called to his home after he waved a toy gun during a virtual class on August 27 Isaiah, who is a student at Grand Mountain School, was attending his virtual art class on August 27, when he briefly held the toy gun (pictured) in his hand Dani told BuzzFeed that the teacher said Isaiah had been 'extremely distracted' and that there had been 'a very serious issue with waving around a toy gun'. The teacher informed Dani that she had reported the incident to the school's vice principal Keri Lindaman. Lindaman then called Dani to inform her that school resource officers from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office would be visiting her home to conduct a health and wellness check. A short time later, deputies from the sheriff's office arrived to their home. During their visit, Isaiah's father, Curtis Elliott, said that their son 'was in tears when the cops came'. 'He was scared. We all were scared. I literally was scared for his life,' Curtis told KDVR Police said in a report that they advised Isaiah that if his behavior continued, he could 'potentially face criminal charges for interference with staff, faculty, or students of educational institutions'. Isaiah, who has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has learning disabilities, was left traumatized by the incident, his parents said. During their visit, Isaiah's father, Curtis Elliott, said that their son 'was in tears when the cops came' 'He was scared. We all were scared. I literally was scared for his life,' Curtis (right) said 'I definitely feel they crossed the line,' Dani (left) said. 'They were extreme with their punishment, especially sending the police out and traumatizing my son and my family' 'I definitely feel they crossed the line,' Dani told KDVR. 'They were extreme with their punishment, especially sending the police out and traumatizing my son and my family.' In the notice of suspension, which was obtained by BuzzFeed, school administrators said that Isaiah violated 'district or building policies or procedures' and was guilty of 'behavior on or off school property which is detrimental to the welfare, safety, or morals of other pupils or school personnel'. 'This could potentially impact his future... look at everything that's going on in the world today,' Dani said. 'God forbid something happens to my son down the road, people could look at this and decide he doesn't deserve justice. I know that sounds extreme... it's a very real reality for us,' she added. Isaiah's suspension ended on Friday but his parents are refusing to allow him to go back to Grand Mountain School. He is currently on a waiting list at a charter school. 'Having toys in my house is something I thought I never had to think of,' she said. 'It never crossed my mind that toys could be seen as a threat.' Grand Mountain School also gave an update about the incident last week. 'We understand there are many questions regarding an incident that took place during distance learning. There are also several inaccuracies being spread on social media. While we cannot get into details due to privacy laws, we want to clear up a few misconceptions. 'We never have or ever will condone any form of racism or discrimination. Safety will always be number one for our students and staff. We follow board policies and safety protocols consistently, whether we are in-person or distance learning,' the school's statement reads. Police said in a report that they advised Isaiah that if his behavior continued, he could 'potentially face criminal charges for interference with staff, faculty, or students of educational institutions' Struck is the new dating app that welcomes zodiac fans and skeptics alike. (Ross May / Los Angeles Times; Getty Images) In Netflixs summer hit "Indian Matchmaking," Mumbai-based matchmaker Sima Taparia consults an astrologer to assess whether a client is compatible for marriage with a potential partner. For those without an astrologer on speed dial, a new dating app can provide an assist from the cosmos by matching people according to zodiac signs. (Courtesy of Struck / Rachel Lo) Like other dating apps, the recently launched Struck requires a profile, photos and personal details. But it also asks for your birth date, birth time and birth location to create a birth chart, also called a natal chart. Users receive matches once a day based on zodiac compatibility after adjusting for location and gender preferences. And crucially, the app makes the natal charts of matched users available to each other a feature that cofounder Rachel Lo says solves for the awkward moment when astrology buffs have to ask dates for birth times to explore their chart. We caught up with Lo to ask this self-described "hardcore science girl" how she came to create this new dating app that boasts, "Skeptics welcome." Lo grew up in Southern California, studying mechanical engineering at Berkeley and eventually working at Apple and various tech startups in San Francisco before she had a "quarter-life crisis." In a quest to figure out a place in tech and the world, she began to use astrology as a way of understanding herself. "I see it as a really great tool for speaking about your emotions in a language that a lot of us weren't taught to communicate," she said. "In my life and a lot of people's lives, astrology coexists with science and they're not mutually exclusive contexts." Struck dating app (Courtesy of Struck / Rachel Lo) She saw an opportunity in an astrology-based dating app to bring together her interests in astrology and tech and to build something that slowed down the process of using a dating app. On Struck, users are limited to four matches a day with no ability to "swipe" through users as they can on Tinder. And in the midst of a pandemic that severely limits dating, the team is planning to incorporate games that users can play with each other in the app as well as a feature that includes natal charts of celebrities. Story continues Some dating apps are like a bar where you try to talk to five to 10 different people in one night and try to find someone interesting, said Jordan Banafsheha, who used to work at Tinder and has served as an advisor to various dating apps. Banafsheha gave the Struck app a test drive early on and concluded: "Struck is more of being invited to a mutual friend's place and meeting one other person or two other people. It's a different context and higher intention." Struck's astrology advisor is Nadine Head-Gordon, a former graphic designer who became a full-time astrologer with more than 250,000 followers on Instagram, where she is known by her professional name, "Nadine Jane." She said that astrology cannot promise a soul mate but rather narrow down the dating pool. The app's algorithm compares planets on the charts of users that astrologers believe indicate personality traits. "We're trying to weed out the people that immediately you would not feel familiar with, feel chemistry or feel like there's a natural spark," said Head-Gordon. "And we're trying to match you with people where your first impressions and your general temperament are pretty well-aligned." Head-Gordon said she had resisted invitations to consult on other astrology-based apps because she believed they were insincere efforts to capitalize on the popular resurgence of astrology. In Lo, however, she noted an authentic interest in astrology and a sound idea for what astrology could accomplish in the realm of dating. She was also drawn to the soul-searching that Lo and her cofounder and product engineer Alex Calkins had embarked on after leaving Apple, where they'd first met. (Courtesy of Struck / Rachel Lo) Their work history at Apple did not translate into an easy journey to get Struck published in Apple's app store. In fact, after eight months of development and thousands of dollars of personal investment, Lo and Calkins faced repeated rejections from the app review team, which suggested that the app was "spam" according to their guidelines that do not permit fortune-telling apps. After appeals and more rejections, Lo published an impassioned plea on social media. "It's just very clear that the guideline was written by someone who doesn't fully understand the world of astrology, and we felt that it was pretty culturally insensitive," Lo said. "Whether you believe in it or not, astrology has been a huge, important piece of people's lives in the majority of the world for a very long time." On Instagram, Lo made the argument that the ban negatively affected female developers because astrology is more popular among women and members of the queer community. Other than Calkins, all the people involved who have helped build Struck are women, including two women of color and a queer woman who has supported data science in the app. After Lo's public message, her friend David Farrier published a story suggesting that "Apples astrology ban disproportionately affects female-led businesses and developers." Within 24 hours, Apple reversed its decision and the app was approved to publish in its app store. Struck is available only in Los Angeles, the Bay Area and New York City, with plans for more cities in the works. Lo said they have received considerable requests for expansion in U.S. cities and as far as Australia, Brazil, Spain and the United Kingdom. For now, it's free, though they are considering a paid monthly subscription model in the future. Lo, Head-Gordon and the team encourage those who are skeptical about astrology to give it a whirl. "You don't have to take everything in the app as facts or some predetermined fate," said Head-Gordon. "My favorite phrase is take what you like and leave the rest." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. STORY LINK Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) Exchange Rate Steady as South African Economy Suffers From Strict Covid-19 Lockdowns GBP/ZAR Exchange Rate Rangebound as Analysts Expect Very Big Contraction for South African Economy Pound (GBP) Steady as Concerns Over a No-Deal Brexit Weigh on British Markets GBP/ZAR Forecast: Could Weak South African GDP Drag Down ZAR? Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate held steady today, with the pairing currently trading around R22.022.The South African Rand (ZAR) suffered today following reports that the South African economy could have contracted over 50% in the second quarter because of the severe nationwide Covid-19 lockdown.Nazmeera Moola, Head of SA Investments at Ninety One, commented:We had one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, so we would expect a very big Q2 contraction. For Q3, some indicators are quite strong at this point in time, including electricity consumption, hence the load shedding, and agriculture and mining, and some retail and home sales.Meanwhile, South African Rand (ZAR) investors have become more optimistic after South Africas Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said that the nation had passed the first wave of positive coronavirus cases. He did, however, warn citizens to remain cautious of a possible second-wave.Mr Mkhize said:The sooner we can get to level one the better. The sooner we have a normal economy the better. It is better for the country. We are hoping South Africans will understand that to get there, we have to make sure we are just as cautious in level two, so that there is no resurgence.The Pound (GBP) fell against many of its peers today following news that Downing Street was in the process of clarifying the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.As a result, Sterling traders have become worried that this could jeopardise the delicate relations between the UK and the EU and force a possible no-deal Brexit at the end of the year.Jim Reid, a research strategist at Deutsche Bank, commented:This has certainly raised the stakes at a fraught time in talks. The UK seem to be briefing hard in the media that they are quite prepared to walk away from talks if no progress is made.In UK economic news, Sterling traders will be looking ahead to this evenings release of the BRC Retail Sales report for August. Any improvement could buoy confidence in the UKs retail sector and benefit the GBP/ZAR exchange rate.South African Rand (ZAR) investors will be looking ahead to tomorrows release of the South African GDP figure for the second quarter. Any significant contraction would prove ZAR-negative.Sterling investors will be looking ahead to Wednesdays UK RICS Housing Price Balance figure for August. If this confirms forecasts and rises by 25%, then we could Sterling begin to edge higher against the South African Rand. 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 Rand Forecasts South African Rand Forecasts Mumbai, Sep 7 : Without naming her, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took a potshot at Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, virtually calling her 'ungrateful', here on Monday. "First they come here and call it 'Aamchi Mumbai', they stay and work. Some people are grateful towards the city where they live and earn their livelihood, but others are not," Thackeray said in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Paying tributes to former Sena MLA and ex-minister Anil Rathod, Thackeray recalled how he came from Rajasthan, made Maharashtra his home and was a hardcore Shiv Sainik. Several leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government from Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress slammed the Centre's move to accord Y+ category security to Ranaut, who stirred a massive political row with her recent comments on Mumbai, the city police and the state in general. A team of officials from the Shiv Sena-controlled BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation carried out a surprise visit to survey Ranaut's offices even as the actress cried foul and alleged that the civic body planned to demolish them. "This is the Manikarnika Films office in Mumbai. It took 15 years of hard work to achieve this. It was one of my dreams to have my own office if I ever got the opportunity to become a filmmaker. But now it looks like my dream is going to be destroyed," she tweeted. Reacting to the security provided to Ranaut, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh (NCP) said that "the decision to provide security to people who insult Mumbai and Maharashtra is surprising and sad". Congress Minister Vijay Wadettiwar said that by giving her security, the Centre and the BJP have "endorsed her comments against Maharashtra, which is a betrayal of the people of the state and is politically motivated". Condemning the move, Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik questioned whether the Centre would provide security to someone like (fugitive don) Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar if he talks against Mumbai or Maharashtra. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant demanded that the Narcotics Control Bureau should probe Ranaut's drug links in view of some videos which have emerged now. "Some videos have now emerged in which Kangana Ranaut has confessed that she was a drug addict. If that was so, then who was supplying her these drugs? The NCB which is probing the matter should investigate her," Sawant said. He said that some of her former associates have revealed that she was allegedly taking hash, cocaine etc., which must be investigated and the NCB must suo moto take cognizance to question her. Attacking Ranaut, Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that his party follows the ideology of great Hindutva icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharana Pratap, who have taught to respect women. "But some with malicious intent are spreading misinformation that Shiv Sena has insulted women. One should not forget the fact that those making these allegations have themselves insulted Mumbai and our deity Mumbadevi," Raut said. Burma Myanmar Hires German Firm to Oversee Bidding in Initial Phase of China-Backed New Yangon City Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attends the Invest Myanmar Summit in Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar, in January 2019. / Invest Myanmar Summit YANGONThe Myanmar government has awarded a contract to German consulting firm Roland Berger to oversee a so-called Swiss challenge tendering process for a new industrial park and related infrastructure in Myanmars commercial capital, Yangon. The tender process for the development, which is part of Chinas huge New Yangon City project, is likely to be conducted after the November general election, based on the review period cited by the company. New Yangon City is one of the local backbone projects for Chinese President Xi Jinpings vast Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to construct an international infrastructure network. Xi has pushed for the implementation of the New City project, branding it a pillar of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), a key component of the BRI. The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations (MIFER) announced on Saturday that the government had signed an agreement with Roland Berger Co. Ltd. to provide consulting services to finalize a Swiss challenge tendering process for the new industrial park and essential ancillary infrastructure. Under the Swiss challenge process, the initial development proposal put forward by Beijing-based China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC) will be made public to allow qualified firms to challenge it with better terms, on the basis that they strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of the tender assessment criteria. According to the governments regulations, CCCCs proposal will have to pass the Swiss Challenge before it can proceed. MIFER said Roland Bergers consultancy services would cover end-to-end preparation and execution of the Swiss challenge process, including support for communicating the outcome of the process to external stakeholders, and for the negotiation, preparation, revision and signing of the concession agreement. Yangon Region Minister for Planning and Finance U Ye Min Oo told The Irrawaddy that the German company would study the entire process of the project, including the CCCCs proposal, progress made by the Yangon government and the details of the agreements that have been signed between both sides. They will also analyze whether the cost [calculated by CCCC] makes sense. After that they will decide how the Swiss challenge can be carried out, U Ye Min Oo said. The review period will take at least two months. After they have finalized all of the details, we will officially call for the tender, the minister added, meaning that it would be possible only after the general election. Myanmar is set to hold a general election in November. The Yangon regional government-owned New Yangon Development Company (NYDC) signed an agreement with CCCC in 2018 to draw up a proposal for the first phase of the project, worth US$1.5 billion (about 2 trillion kyats). It includes two bridges, roads, power plants, water and wastewater treatment plants and a 10-square-kilometer industrial estate, and is expected to generate 2 million jobs. However, the project has been a source of controversy due to its flood-prone location, as well as accusations against CCCC of engaging in corruption and bribery relating to development deals in at least 10 countries in Africa and Asia. Recently, Myanmars government decided to unbundle the project, including reducing the size and cost of the industrial estate project, and looking for other potential firms to join the challenge. The decision followed criticism that the huge initial investment required under the projects original plan would deter other investors. U Ye Min Oo confirmed to The Irrawaddy that the projects initial phase would be worth $800 million. According to the MIFER, under the new terms, key projects to be developed will include an industrial park, low-cost housing estates, water supply and sanitation systems, waste management and other essential infrastructure. Union Minister for MIFER U Thaung Tun said Myanmar had decided to begin with the industrial zone to ensure the projects commercial viability. He promised that the government would open a competitive international tendering process for the construction of the project. We will focus on fairness and competitiveness [in the tender process], U Thaung Tun said. In keeping with the times and the need to create more quality jobs to mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the countrys economy, we have decided to focus first on setting up the industrial zone, U Thaung Tun said. Despite constant pressure from China to move forward with its BRI backbone infrastructure projects in the country, the Myanmar government has on several occasions subjected projects to extra scrutiny to ensure their details are in line with international standards. In particular, it has studied the commercial viability of the projects. In June, the government also revealed that it has been receiving help from a Swiss company to scrutinize a China-backed feasibility study for a railway project that would connect Mandalay with Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in southwestern China. You may also like these stories: China Seeks Myanmars Assurances on Moving BRI Projects Ahead; Offers Aid for Rakhine New City on Thai-Myanmar Border Part of BRI Despite Chinas Denials, Developer Claims LONDON, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Gastech Virtual Summit, the world's convening event for the Gas, LNG and Energy industry opens today. The event is set to deliver exclusive critical insights from Ministers, policy makers, business leaders, disrupters and innovators. For the first time Gastech will connect the Gas, LNG and Energy industry virtually with issues impacting the future of the industry; energy security of supply; affordability and sustainability; gas to power; hydrogen; the prospects for demand and investment recovery; and changes to supply in a post COVID-19 world, being top of the agenda. The Summit will feature 200+ industry leaders who will outline and share strategies and visions for confronting the new and changing energy markets and will bring together over 1,500 registered delegates, 170 exhibiting companies and media partners. Sponsors include OGCI Investments; ExxonMobil; Invest In Canada; Lloyd's Register; Sempra LNG and Venture Global LNG. Singapore's Minister for Trade & Industry, Chan Chun Sing, will officially open the Gastech Virtual Summit, which runs from 7 11 September. Hon. Seamus O'Regan, Minister for Natural Resources, Canada; Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General of International Energy Forum; Pratima Rangarajan, CEO of OGCI Climate Investments; Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman, President & CEO of Baker Hughes will all deliver Keynote Addresses, opening the conversation on the collective response needed for the energy transition, and the strategies and innovation that will shape the future of the industry. Maarten Wetselaar, Integrated Gas & New Energies Director and Member of the Executive Committee at Shell will be interviewed by Steve Sedgwick, Anchor for CNBC Squawkbox in an exclusive Interview. The Gastech Virtual Summit Strategic Conference comprising of the Ministerial & Global Business Leaders Sessions, C-Suite Dialogues and Gastech Tech Talks will deliver advanced insights into the latest commercial strategies and trends dominating the Gas, LNG and Energy industry, providing delegates with fast track information on how best to align business models for the post-pandemic landscape. Nick Ornstien, Vice President Energy for dmg events said: "With the mandate to address emissions reductions and carbon neutrality intensifying, Gastech Virtual Summit will enable our industry to connect, as we adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities created for a post COVID-19 energy landscape." Other industry leaders confirmed to speak in the virtual conference are Laurent Vivier, Senior Vice President Gas, Total; Francis Fannon, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources, United States Department of State; Shawn Tupper, Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Canada; Eugene Kaspersky, CEO, Kaspersky; Prabhat Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, Petronet LNG; Thomas Siebel, Author & Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, C3.ai; Keisuke Sadamori, Director, Energy Markets and Security, International Energy Agency; Sanjiv Lamba, Executive Vice President, APAC, Linde; Thorbjoern Fors, Executive Vice President, Industrial Applications, Siemens Energy; Hiroki Sato, Managing Executive Officer & Chief Global Partnership Officer, JERA Inc.; Jun Nishizawa, Executive Vice President, Group CEO, Natural Gas Group, Mitsubishi Corporation and Jane Liao, CEO, Natural Gas Business, CPC Corporation, Taiwan. The topics which the Gastech Virtual Summit will cover include the role of natural gas in the energy transition; the criticality of IoT and data security in the future of the energy industry; the impact of deregulation on markets and investment; opportunities and challenges to the energy sector posed by Industry 4.0; hydrogen's ability to deliver on decarbonisation commitments and what impact environmental activism will have on the emerging growth opportunities for the industry. Alongside the strategic conference, the Summit will also showcase the very latest and peer-reviewed research on new technologies and business strategies to help companies thrive in challenging times. The technical conference sessions will feature certified content delivered by industry leaders on recovery, the new post-pandemic energy landscape and how the industry can capitalise and build on reduced emissions for a sustainable and secure long-term energy future. The Gastech Virtual Summit 2020 is being held in place of the Gastech exhibition and conference. dmg events and the Gastech Governing Body, in consultation with Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board collectively took the decision to postpone that event, to 13 16 September 2021, due to concerns around the global pandemic, accessibility and the wellbeing of speakers, delegates, exhibitors and visitors. SOURCE Gastech Virtual Summit 2020 Related Links https://www.gastechevent.com On Labor Day, Joe Biden visited Harrisburg and talked to union members and leaders, vowing to make labor and American workers the cornerstone of his presidency if hes elected in November. The Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president appeared at the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO office in downtown Harrisburg. He engaged in a virtual conversation with labor leaders. Biden began talking with union members and officials just before 4:30 p.m. and spoke with them for more than 30 minutes. The AFL-CIO streamed the conversation on its Facebook page. You also can watch below: Biden, a Scranton native, is expected to take questions from union members. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka introduced Biden, whom he described as a long-time friend and ally of labor. The event wasnt open to the public. In his remarks, Biden spoke forcefully about the importance of unions. Wall Street did not build this country, Biden said. You did, the great American middle class, and the middle class was built by unions. Ive never been afraid to say the word union, Biden said. You can be sure to hear the word union plenty of times when Im in the White House. As president, Biden said hed use the power of the Oval Office to ensure all workers and schools would have the personal protective equipment they need. He pledged to protect Social Security, warning that President Trumps planned cuts would bankrupt the safety net by mid-2023. Joe Biden arrives at the Pa. office of AFL-CIO in Harrisburg as a site to have a virtual chat with union members nationwide. September 07, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com In his remarks to union workers, Biden faulted Trumps leadership in the coronavirus pandemic, saying he failed to take the necessary steps to protect Americans. He was worried if hed start talking about saving lives, the stock market would fall, Biden said. He also said hed be wary of a coronavirus vaccine touted by the Trump administration and would take it only if public health officials would assure its safe. Only if it was completely transparent, only if we knew all that went into it, Biden said, adding he cant trust Trump because so far nothing hes told us is true. Biden also grew angrier when he criticized Trump for disparaging veterans. He cited a much-publicized report from The Atlantic magazine which said Trump referred to soldiers who were killed or captured as losers and suckers. Trump has denied referring to troops in that manner but Biden said Trump has shown disdain for soldiers. Noting his late son Beaus service in Iraq, Biden said he was close to losing his temper. The simple truth is, if thats how you talk about our veterans, you have no business being the president of the United States of America, period, Biden said. Joe Biden waves from a window at the Pa. office of AFL-CIO in Harrisburg after a virtual chat with union members nationwide. September 07, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com Biden vowed to look out for teachers, noting his wife, Jill Biden, continued teaching even as he served as vice president. Wed better take care of teachers, Biden said. Earlier in the day, Biden met with a handful of union members in Lancaster; he and union officials sat outside and wore masks. Referencing his youth in Scranton, Biden said he grew up in a household that had a deep respect for unions. We knew who built the country, Biden said in Lancaster. We figured it out early on. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden arrives for an event with local union members in the backyard of a home in Lancaster, Pa., Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)AP In recent weeks, both Biden and Trump have made repeated appearances in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in the presidential election. Trump narrowly won the state in 2016, becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to win Pennsylvania in nearly 30 years. Biden is aiming to move the Keystone State to the blue column. Michael Joyce, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, said a Biden presidency would weaken the economy. Simply put, Joe Biden would be a total and complete disaster for the working man and woman of Pennsylvania, Joyce said. Biden is incapable of delivering for Pennsylvanians while President Trump is leading us through the Great American Comeback. Joe Biden arrives at the Pa. office of AFL-CIO in Harrisburg as a site to have a virtual chat with union members nationwide. September 07, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com Last week, Biden appeared in Pittsburgh, where he reiterated he would not ban fracking and assailed Trump for violence and rising tensions across the country. He doesnt want to shed light, he wants to generate heat, and hes stoking violence in our cities, Biden said last week. Trump also visited Latrobe in western Pennsylvania last Thursday and focused his message on law and order. Bidens plan is to appease the domestic terrorists and my plan is to arrest them and prosecute them, Trump said at the Latrobe rally. On Friday, both Biden and Trump are scheduled to observe the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in Shanksville, where one of the hijacked planes crashed. Polls show a generally tight contest between Biden and Trump in Pennsylvania. The RealClearPolitics website shows Biden leading Trump in Pennsylvania polls, but the average lead in the polls here shows a gap of 4.2 percentage points. In some polls, Bidens lead is within the margin or error. Biden previously visited Lancaster in June and promised to make sure all Americans have health care coverage. The Associated Press contributed to this report. More from PennLive While Biden visits Harrisburg, Harris and Pence make Labor Day trips to Wisconsin This Pa. Senate race is a rare political beauty | John Baer Hit-and-run incident sends two people to the hospital KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two people went to the hospital after a hit-and-run incident overnight. Police responded to 85th Street and Hickman Mills on a two-car crash just before 3 a.m. on Sunday. Police say a red Chevy Tahoe had run out of gas, and the driver and passenger were outside the vehicle pushing it towards the gas station. Despite the best efforts of Bike/Walk advocates to drum up their own consulting biz . . . Local streets remain dangerous for pedestrians. Here's one example of street life danger without the illusion that a bike lane would have improved the tragic situation: Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers. A dedicated BrandBucket agent will manage your domain transfer from beginning to end, ensuring a secure and easy transaction. They will manage the receipt of the domain into one of BrandBuckets secure registrar accounts and then complete the transfer to you. 1. Verification and registrar choice After we receive the payment and verify it, we will reach out via email to confirm which registrar you want the domain transferred to. We also provide a link to our tracking system, where you can communicate with us, check on the status of your transfer, view your invoice, and download your logo files. In most cases, if a domain is moved between accounts at a single registrar, the transfer is quick and usually completes within 48 hours. If a domain changes registrars (in other words, you would like to move it away from where it is currently registered), the transfer is slower. The total transfer time can then be anywhere from 48 hours to 7 days. BrandBucket has vetted and supports the following registrars: GoDaddy Namesilo Uniregistry NameCheap Google Domains Network Solutions Name.com Dynadot Amazon Route 53 123 Reg Gandi 2. We request the name from the seller. Once we know where you would like the domain transferred, BrandBucket will request the domain from the seller. All of our sellers are very responsive, making for a quick process. 3. Transfer the name into your account As soon as we receive the name from the seller, we start the transfer into your account and guide you through the whole process. 4. Verify with the buyer that the transfer is complete Once we confirm that you have received the name, we consider the escrow process to be complete. Only then do we release payment to the domain seller. [Follow our live California Wildfires coverage.] It was an old company town tucked away in the Sierra Nevada, where life revolved around shifts at the Edison hydroelectric plant. Neighbors visited at the post office and had coffee at a general store that smoked its own meats. And every wildfire season, the threat of destruction loomed like the granite rock faces towering over their town. On Monday, residents of Big Creek, Calif., population 200, began coming to grips with the reality that this time much of their tiny community in the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno had burned. We lost our home, said Nettie Carroll, 40, who taught science and has lived in the area for 16 years. It looks like everything is completely gone. As California endures one of its worst wildfire seasons ever, a new rash of fires stoked by extreme heat has destroyed homes, cloaked much of the state in smoke, forced thousands of people to evacuate and threatened another round of rolling blackouts. One of the fires, a 7,000-acre blaze in San Bernardino County erupted after a family set off a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device to announce their babys sex. SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images MOSCOWMen in civilian clothes with masks covering their faces grabbed the woman inspiring a revolution in Belarus on Monday. They pushed Maria Kolesnikova into a minivan at about 10am local time (3am ET)the opposition leader hasnt been seen since. Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus brutal leader for the past 26 years, has been cracking down on protests and threatening to arrest members of the opposition Coordination Council for an alleged attempt to seize power, but this is not simply a case of heavy-handed policing. It was a classic abduction, a technique of repression favored by the likes of the KGB and its Russian successor the FSB for generations. The Belarusian KGB has been known for making people disappear since the early years of Lukashenkos rule; for more than a quarter of a century, he has chosen to repress his opponents. His willingness to abuse power is the main reason so many Belarusians want to see him forced out of office and put on trial. Two other members of the 600-strong Coordination Council also went missing on Monday. Frantic opposition staff and their lawyers have been touring the prisons and police stations in a desperate search for their kidnapped colleagues. We still do not know where they keep Maria, Kolesnikovas aide Gleb German told The Daily Beast, six hours after his boss vanished. The authorities are openly using methods of terror, which will only cause a bigger crisis in the country. Millions of Belarusians have come to recognize the tall, broad-shouldered figure of Kolesnikova since this summers rigged presidential election, which threatens to bring down the last dictatorship in Europe even though Lukashenko fixed the result. Opposition leaders Kolesnikova and Veronika Tsepkalo united behind Svetlana Tikhanovskaya forming a powerful triumvirate of women challenging Lukashenko. The opposition say the people of Belarus chose to boot Lukashenko from power and elected Tikhanovskaya to replace him. Story continues Tikhanovskaya and Tsepkalo fled the country in the aftermath of the disputed election. Kolesnikova stayed, and during a month of subsequent rallies, protesters have emulated her trademark heart sign and repeated her slogan: Belarusians, you are amazing! There is nothing impossible for you. Dictators Gun-Toting Son, 15, Is Being Groomed as Belarus King Joffrey Kolesnikova, who is just 38 with short blond hair and a wide smile, has been continually greeted in the street by fellow citizens who simply wanted to congratulate her on her bravery. One such well-wisher was the last person to see her on Monday before she was kidnapped outside the National Museum on Lenin Avenue in Central Minsk. I heard the sound of a phone dropping on the ground and the stomp of somebodys feet, turned around and saw some men dressed in civilian clothes and face masks pushing Kolesnikova into a minibus, a woman told Tut.By, an independent news agency. One of the abductors picked up Kolesnikovas phone, she added. The secret services in both Belarus and Russia have been practicing abductions for years. In some cases, people went missing for a few hours, in others for weeks or months. The chairman of the Memorial human rights center, Alexander Cherkasov, warned that there was an increasing sense of impunity in Belarus. Thousands of Russian citizens have gone missing since the first war in Chechnya in 1994-96; as a rule, the FSB abduct a person to interrogate unofficially, before registering the arrest. We are currently urging authorities to find a man in Ingushetia, the FSB abducted him a week ago, Cherkasov told The Daily Beast. From the moment of abduction to the moment of police registration, Kolesnikova has no status, police can torture her, threaten her to get any information or confession. Out of several hundred abduction cases documented in a seven-year period in the Northern Caucasus, the Russian courts punished only four law enforcement officers for acting unlawfully, Cherkasov said. By Monday evening all of Belarus major law enforcement agencies, including police, the Investigative Committee and the KGB denied they had anything to do with Kolesnikova's disappearance. For a journalist accustomed to working in the former Soviet Union, these tactics are all too familiar. I was abducted in the disputed Donbas region of Ukraine, where armed men in masks regularly kidnapped journalists. Some of the pro-Russian militia said they were former Ukrainian military or former officers of the secret services. They would put bags over their victims heads and deny them their basic rights all while holding them outside of the rule of law. I Was Snatched at the MH17 Morgue The Kremlin has signaled its support for keeping Lukashenko in power and the Kremlins propaganda arms are accusing the Belarusian opposition of an attempted coup. President Vladimir Putin has promised to send forces to Belarus if the protests get out of control. Belarusians have reported seeing little green men in unidentified uniforms on the streets of their towns, but officially Putin says they have not intervened. Sergey Markov, a Kremlin adviser, admitted to The Daily Beast that Russians had crossed the border to assist Lukashenko. Russian advisors are already on the ground in Belarus; I dont think Russian special services are there yet but they are trained, of course, to control the situation, he said. Markov, who is a member of the Russia-Belarus Unions public chamber, said the Belarusian leader was acting within his rights. Lukashenko is going to arrest and investigate all organizers of the state coup; most of them will end up abroad in Lithuania or Poland, he said. Life has changed very fast for Kolesnikova. A year ago, she lived in Germany, where she played flute and organized cultural events. She only entered politics a few months ago when the KGB arrested her close friend, Viktor Babariko, Lukashenkos most serious opponent and a presidential candidate. She is now a revolutionary leader fighting to topple the dictator in her own right. After the disputed election, Belarusians refused to accept another election rigged in Lukashenkos favor. Women in white dresses stood in chains in Minsks squares in solidarity, actors and journalists quit working for the state, thousands of workers went on strike with red-and-white flags, the symbol of independence. Kolesnikova invited both Russian and Belarusian authorities for a dialogue. She proposed re-running the election and other members of the Coordinating Council called for peaceful reforms and changes, it was hardly an armed power-grab. This is false to say that all of us, 600 members of the Coordinating Council were going to do something, said one of the leaders Svetlana Alexievich, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2015. A Belarusian nation is being born right in front of our eyes. Nicolai Khalezin, the director of the Belarusian Free Theater, has known Kolesnikova for many years. He told The Daily Beast he was upset that she had been out walking in the street without protection. He fears the worst. Lukashenko is obviously going after every leading member of the Coordinating Council, he said. So I would not be surprised if Kolesnikova is in the KGB prison on Gorodskoi Val and that Lukashenko has ordered her to be investigated on charges of staging a coup. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Rohingya people rest after the boat carrying them landed in Lhokseumawe, Aceh province, Indonesia - AP Almost 300 Rohingya refugees believed to have been at sea for six months landed in Indonesias Aceh province early on Monday, Indonesian authorities said. Acehnese police said a wooden boat carrying the Rohingya was spotted by local fishermen several kilometres (miles) off the coast of Lhokseumawe, before landing at Ujung Blang Beach just after midnight There are 297 Rohingya according to the latest data, among them 181 women and 14 children, Iptu Irwansya, a local police chief, told reporters. Junaidi Yahya, head of the Red Cross in Lhokseumawe, said the group was currently being held in a temporary location. We hope they can be moved to the evacuation centre today, but their health, especially related to COVID-19, is our main concern, said Yahya. Among the group was one sick 13-year-old who police said was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Images of the Rohingya arrivals show lines of women in masks carrying their possessions in plastic bags, and men huddled on the floor of a thatched roof shelter. Local residents inspect the boat carrying hundreds of ethnic Rohingya people that landed on a beach in Lhokseumawe, Aceh province - AP Mondays arrival follows the arrival of another vessel in late June when Acehnese fishermen rescued more than 100 Rohingya refugees, including 79 women and children, after Indonesian authorities had initially threatened to push them back. Fleeing persecution in Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh, the Rohingya have for years boarded boats in an attempt to seek refuge in other Southeast Asian nations. Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a non-profit group focusing on the Rohingya crisis, said the passengers that arrived in Aceh on Monday had set sail from southern Bangladesh at the end of March or early April, bound for Malaysia. But both Malaysian and Thai authorities pushed them back, she said, as borders tightened due to coronavirus pandemic. Smugglers split the passengers into several boats, some of which managed to land in Malaysia and Indonesia in June, but several hundred remained at sea until Sunday night. The smugglers called their families to demand payments in the weeks before they were taken to shore, she said. The smugglers seemed to not want to try to disembark them because not everyone had paid ... They were basically keeping them hostage on the boat, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 07:52:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SAO PAULO, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazil on Sunday said it registered 447 deaths from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 126,650, while thousands headed to the beach and other recreational spots for the long Independence Day weekend. Independence Day is Monday, Sept. 7. The Ministry of Health also reported that 14,521 cases of infection were detected in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 4,137,521. In the southeast state of Sao Paulo, the worst hit by COVID-19 and the most populated in the country, less than 40 percent of residents stayed at home, the Globo TV network reported, citing government figures. Some 200,000 vehicles passed the highway that connects the state capital Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America, with state beaches such as Santos, Guaruja, Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba, according to the highway administration. Scenes of crowded beaches were also reported at Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, despite a current ban due to the pandemic. Enditem Matt Hancock today insisted coronavirus testing for arrivals in the UK will be introduced 'as soon as it is practical'. The Health Secretary said the government recognised how much strain the requirement for 14-day quarantine was putting on the travel industry. He warned that doing just one test at the airport 'doesn't work' as too many asymptomatic cases would be missed. But he confirmed that the government is working on a plan for screening incomers after around eight days, which could potentially halve the quarantine period. 'It is one of the things that we are looking to being in as soon as it is practical to do so,' Mr Hancock told an LBC radio phone-in. Ministers have been rattled by mounting Tory anger over the disastrous quarantine policy, with claims that 110,000 jobs linked to the aviation industry are at stake. The arrangements have been cast into further doubt as the UK's number of cases are now nearing the threshold at which it imposes isolation rules on other countries. The government is considering several options to open up the skies and help rescue the Covid-ravaged economy. One would see passengers given an airport test on arrival followed by a second test a few days later. Another option is for a single test after five to eight days of self-isolation. A separate plan proposed by travel industry experts would involve people taking a test 48 hours before travelling, and then being screened again after five days' quarantine in the UK. But aviation chiefs are furious at the slow pace of progress and want a firm commitment to border tests by the end of the week. During an LBC radio phone-in today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government recognised how much strain 14-day quarantine was putting on the travel industry Airport chief executives claimed testing, alongside other measures, could save 110,000 jobs industry-wide. Pictured: Arrivals at Heathrow The quarantine arrangements have been cast into further doubt as the UK's number of cases are now nearing the threshold at which it imposes isolation rules on other countries Airport bosses from Britain's largest transport hubs have warned Boris Johnson that he risks 'irreparable damage' to the economy if quarantining upon arrival is not scrapped. Pictured: Passenger wearing face covering has temperature checked Bahrain dropped second Covid test after just 0.2% were positive Bahrain dropped quarantine for arrivals who were tested at airports after discovering only a tiny proportion went on to develop coronavirus. The Gulf state originally introduced a two-test system, with passengers screened on landing and then again after 10 days of self-isolation. The system is similar to that now being considered by ministers in the UK. However, Bahrain abandoned the quarantine requirement after concluding that the risk of people developing the disease later was miniscule. Just 0.2 per cent - one in 500 people - who were negative on arrival tested positive 10 days later, according to the authorities. The second test is still carried out, but there is no need to isolate until that result. Advertisement Leaders from the likes of Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Luton have set the Prime Minister a seven-day deadline to replace mandatory self-isolation with Covid-19 testing at airports. In the letter seen by the Daily Telegraph - also addressed to Chancellor Rishi Sunak - 20 airport chief executives claimed testing, alongside other measures, could save 110,000 jobs industry-wide. Having already lost over 4billion due to reduced traffic during the pandemic, they wrote: 'We cannot currently envisage an end to this struggle, and without robust Government support there is real possibility of irreparable damage being done to our once world-beating aviation sector.' Led by Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, conservative chair of the Airport Operators' Association, the signatories stressed that testing, along with regional travel corridors, were critical to opening up travel. It is also believed scores of Tory MPs will today urge the government to back testing in airports to remove a 'barrier to travel'. TUI managing director Andrew Flintham also criticised the lack of testing at airports last night, writing in the Daily Telegraph: 'This Government wants to get people back to work - but what happens when there's no work for people to come back to.' In a boost for the Mail's campaign, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab yesterday said a testing regime was under review but would be 'no silver bullet' to end quarantine. But aviation chiefs are furious at the slow pace of progress and want a firm commitment to border tests by the end of the week. Ministers are now leaning toward the idea of a single Covid-19 test eight days after arrival to cut travel quarantine times by almost half. The single test would see travellers swabbed at an NHS testing centre or given home kits. A negative result would allow for early release from the 14-day quarantine rule. Airlines welcomed the move but warned time is fast running out. Industry leaders want ministers to commit to testing this week, with a firm timeline for implementation. They fear failure will wreck hopes of a rise in bookings over the autumn half term and lead to mass redundancies when the furlough scheme ends next month. Scores of Tory MPs and business chiefs are supporting the Daily Mail's campaign for Covid-19 tests at ports and airports and save thousands of jobs. Led by Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, conservative chair of the Airport Operators' Association, the signatories stressed that testing, along with regional travel corridors, were critical to opening up travel Bosses from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Luton set the Prime Minister a seven-day deadline to replace mandatory self-isolation with Covid-19 testing on arrival There is growing frustration at the Prime Minister's insistence that a single test on arrival would only detect 7 per cent of coronavirus cases Travellers from seven Greek islands including Crete and Mykonos have until 4am on WEDNESDAY to get back to the UK Grant Shapps today announced that seven Greek islands are being stripped of quarantine exempt status amid fears over a spike in coronavirus cases. The Transport Secretary revealed that Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos are being added to the 'red' list as of 4am on Wednesday. However, Mr Shapps told the Commons that he was stopping short of following Scotland's example by slapping restrictions on arrivals from Greece as a whole. The grim news came as the Cabinet minister revealed that the quarantine system is being overhauled to take account of the widely different risk profile presented by some islands. The Joint Biosecurity Centre will now consider islands separately from their mainland where possible. 'For the first time we have the data and the capacity to add and remove specific islands from quarantine while still providing maximum protection for the public,' he told MPs. Advertisement There is growing frustration at the Prime Minister's insistence that a single test on arrival would only detect 7 per cent of coronavirus cases. Public health experts and industry leaders have accused Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of ignoring an official Sage science advisers' report showing tests five days after arrival will detect 85 per cent of cases and 96 per cent after eight days. They also point out that the 7 per cent figure is based on a three-month-old Public Health England model that does not account for real-world data from 30 countries that have introduced airport testing regimes. Ministers have stoked further confusion by failing to clarify whether the 7 per cent figure refers only to asymptomatic carriers or to all coronavirus cases. One Tory MP said: 'There is a growing realisation that Downing Street might have got the wrong end of the stick on all this. 'It is possible the risk of airport testing is being dramatically over-estimated.' Sir David Spiegelhalter, a Cambridge University professor and one of the UK's top statisticians, yesterday described the Government's defence of 14-day quarantine as 'hopelessly wrong'. He said even if only 7 per cent of cases were picked up 'the vast majority of people will have correct negative tests'. He described a single test on arrival as a 'straw man' and called for 'proper cost-effectiveness analysis of reasonable repeat strategies'. Senior Tories, including a number of former transport ministers, are now calling on Downing Street to carry out a review of data from countries with airport testing. One former minister told the Mail: 'They keep referring to this out-dated and questionable 7 per cent figure. I'm hoping it is a fig leaf while they work out how to do a reverse ferret.' Sir Graham Brady, leader of the 1922 committee of backbenchers, said: 'The variety of tests available means that there are a number ways of having far greater confidence that passengers are not carrying infection. 'This can also be done by means of a double-test with tests taken a few days apart from each other. 'Britain's aviation industry is on its knees and this country has lagged behind all its main competitors in terms of getting an airport regime in place. 'This should be done urgently while we still have a world-leading aviation industry.' Tory MP Henry Smith, whose constituency includes Gatwick, said: 'Boris and Shapps need to start looking at other countries which have introduced airport testing. These are big economies which we compete with. If it's working for them, why not us? Official Sage science advisers' report showing tests five days after arrival will detect 85 per cent of cases and 96 per cent after eight days but Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (pictured) have been accused of ignoring this 'No system is fool-proof. That goes for testing as well as quarantine. But I would argue that airport tests are a far more fool proof then a blanket 14-day quarantine that relies almost entirely on trusting the public to comply.' Former Tory health secretary Lord Lansley told Times Radio the quarantine policy should be ditched in time for half term. As many as 40 Tory MPs are preparing to rebel against 14-day quarantine ahead of a Commons debate on aviation on Thursday.Asked if the quarantine time could be cut to eight days, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC's Andrew Maar Show: 'The direction of travel will be making sure we have the capacity and the ability for when the time is right to ease up on the self-isolation at home, and that's certainly something that we'll be looking at.' But he cautioned: 'Let's just be clear about this when we think about airports - there is no silver bullet in airports.' Airlines UK, the trade body representing British carriers, is pushing for shorter five-day quarantine. Chief executive Tim Alderslade said: 'The Government's modelling says that if you undertake a test on day five the percentage of asymptomatic carriers caught rises to 85 per cent. 'So if the Government is not happy to introduce a regime based on one test on arrival, it could introduce a regime based on a day five test, but at the same time run a trial testing both on arrival and at day 5. 'This would provide real-world data which we hope would enable the Government to move to a one test on arrival system.' A Whitehall source told the Mail: 'There is a live discussion in Government over the possibility of a two-step testing regime to replace quarantine. But it will depend on a number of other factors such as testing capacity.' Europe is taking off again... as UK remains grounded By Transport Correspondent Britain lags behind most of Europe when it comes to re-opening the skies, damning figures reveal. Passenger numbers were down by 73 per cent year-on-year in August, according to data from Airports Council International seen by the Daily Mail. This compares unfavourably to data from countries where airport testing regimes have been put in place. In France, passenger numbers were down by only 60 per cent and in Italy by 62 per cent. Most countries in eastern Europe were down by 68 per cent and in southern Europe, including Spain and Portugal, by 65 per cent. Airport bosses said the figures prove the UK is trailing behind dozens of other countries which offer or accept Covid tests at airports. In another blow to Britain's status as an aviation heavyweight, figures show Frankfurt airport and Charles de Gaulle in Paris carried more passengers over the past few months than Heathrow for the first time in history. Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, told the Mail: 'There is no surprise that, with quarantine measures constantly changing, and no sign of a testing regime, UK aviation has suffered through its worst summer in a generation. 'The Government needs to work quickly with the industry to ensure further, irreparable damage to our once world-leading aviation sector does not occur. 'A robust testing regime for international travellers is one solution which could help secure the restart of UK aviation and UK PLC.' Aviation bosses backing the Mail's Get Britain Flying campaign have warned we will lose our status as a global trading superpower unless ministers take urgent action. Writing in the Mail last week, Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye warned: 'If the Government doesn't get a grip and reopen our borders safely, Britain will fall behind. 'If EU airports thrive, while the UK's hub declines, then Brexit Britain will rely on European hubs to get their global goods to market... Britain will become a vassal state of the EU, just after we have left.' Fly Out To Help Out? Rishi could cut tax on tickets By Tom Payne, Transport Correspondent for the Daily Mail The price of plane tickets for holidaymakers could be cut by the Chancellor under plans to get Britain flying again. At least 24 Tories, including Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 committee, are pressuring Rishi Sunak to suspend air passenger duty until the end of summer next year. The tax on flights from UK airports is charged to airlines but much of the cost is passed onto holidaymakers. It can add 13 to every short-haul ticket and 78 to long-haul fares. Last night the Treasury hinted that changes could be made in the autumn Budget after the transport committee called for a six-month suspension. At least 24 Tories are pressuring Rishi Sunak (pictured) to suspend air passenger duty until the end of summer next year An official statement said: 'The Chancellor has announced that there will be a consultation on aviation tax reform. 'As part of this, the Government will consider the case for changing the air passenger duty (APD) treatment of domestic flights, such as reintroducing a return leg exemption, and for increasing the number of international distance bands.' Research by York Aviation, a research consultancy used by Ministers, found waiving the duty would generate 8billion for the economy. This is three times the amount it had been expected to bring into the Treasury's coffers in 2019-20. Tory MP Henry Smith, whose constituency includes Gatwick airport, is urging Mr Sunak to grant an APD holiday to struggling airlines. In a letter to the Chancellor, he said: 'If we maintain our levels of air passenger duty, it will become a 'tax on recovery' as flying is the only viable route for investors and business people to approach and service existing and potential new markets.' A suspension could allow airlines to entice holidaymakers with cheaper fares and save many of the 600 air routes lost as a result of the pandemic. Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK and Ireland, has warned that many companies would not survive unless flight levies were reduced immediately. He said the industry was 'on its knees', adding: 'We really need the Government to step in and help us.' Airports are also calling on the Chancellor to waive business rates to help them cope with the collapse in travel. Regional airports have been hit particularly hard. The Airport Operators Association recently warned 20,000 jobs will have to be cut without urgent relief. Airports in England have paid more than 70million in business rates since March despite a 97 per cent slump in passenger numbers. Sir Graham said yesterday: 'The UK levies the highest rate of tax in the world on air passengers. 'After months in which the Government has effectively shut down much of our aviation industry, particularly through its blunt instrument of quarantine, it is unrealistic to think the goose will continue laying golden eggs. A period of relief for APD would help the sector get back in the air.' Mr Smith said: 'In light of the way the aviation industry is struggling, we are calling for a scrapping of APD until the end of summer next year. This would be a way of encouraging people to travel. 'We need to help the industry on a range of fronts and an important part of that is getting rid of flight levies. 'Other measures include testing for passenger and an extension of the furlough scheme for the aviation industry.' A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'We acted quickly to provide the aviation industry with an unprecedented package of support to help it through this exceptionally difficult period.' This included loans, tax deferrals and the furlough scheme, he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The Department of Energy wants its own marine exploration vessel which may be used in searching for oil and gas deposits at sea, Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Monday. "The pending request that we have is to purchase an exploration vessel so that we can conduct our own exploration using that fund," the Cabinet official said when asked how the DOE is planning to tap funds and fees collected from the operations of the Malampaya natural gas facility. The DOE presented its 2.149 billion budget for 2021 before the House appropriations committee, which was trimmed from its original 2.6 billion proposal submitted to the Budget Department. A document published on the DOE website also showed a request for information regarding the construction of a new marine scientific research and exploration vessel or MSREV which ended August 31, meant to gauge the interest of industry players should the agency bid out the project. Initial specifications require the vessel to be capable of conducting scientific studies and data gathering in "tough environmental conditions at sea," including geophysical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys, meteorological, marine biology, and fishery research. In particular, the vessel should have the capacity for oil and gas exploration, including 2D and 3D seismic, gravity and magnetic surveys. This comes as the Philippines is in the middle of discussions with the Chinese government for joint oil and gas exploration at Recto Bank, also known as the Reed Bank, which is part of Manila's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. RELATED: PH, China members of joint oil exploration committee revealed "This asset will enable the DOE and the Philippine government to conduct independent research capability to explore, develop and produce additional energy resources," the agency said. The vessel should be able to carry three to five 20-foot laboratory vans, a helicopter deck, and a high bandwidth satellite communications. It should be able to host 52 cabins and 70 berths, alongside other lodging needs. It should also be capable of replenishment at sea, must be energy efficient and acoustically quiet, and should be usable under all weather conditions. The discussions also come a few years ahead of the expiring contract of the Malampaya Consortium in 2024. Once that lapses, full control and ownership of the Malampaya natural gas and facilities will be turned over to the national government. Cusi earlier said that the Malampaya reservoir is only good until 2027. READ: A D etectives have launched a murder probe after young man was stabbed to death in north-west London. A 22-year-old man was found by London Ambulance Service paramedics suffering from multiple stab injuries on Martlesham Walk in Burnt Oak on Saturday night, the Metropolitan Police said. Despite attempts by both paramedics and police to save the young man, who is yet to be named, he was pronounced dead at around 11.45pm. Specialist Crime Command detectives announced they were launching a murder probe on Monday. They are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, or who saw or heard anything suspicious, to contact the police. Chief Superintendent Roy Smith, from the North West BCU, called the death "tragic and needless". Detectives are investigating the incident / Met Police He said: This is another tragic and needless loss of a young life on the streets of London and my thoughts are with the victims family and friends. My officers responded immediately and did their very best to save this young mans life administering CPR and first aid at the scene. We will continue to use every tactic and every opportunity to bear down on violence and this will include the use of stop and search which, in the last few days alone, has removed deadly weapons from the streets of north west London. I would ask communities to support our officers as they do everything they can to stop another family suffering the pain of losing a loved one. Local safer neighbourhood officers will be out on patrol over the coming days, please do take a moment to talk to them if you have any information or concerns. Five other stabbings were reported on Saturday alone in the capital, all being investigated by police. A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) at approximately 23:05hrs on Saturday, 5 September to reports of a stabbing on Debden Close, NW9. "Officers attended and found a 22-year-old man suffering from a stab injuries on Martlesham Walk. They immediately provided first aid. "Despite their efforts and that of LAS medics to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 23:45hrs. "His next of kin have been informed. Formal identification is yet to take place. "A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course. "At this early stage, no arrests have been made. "A murder investigation has been launched, led by homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command." Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting reference number 8540/05SEP. To remain 100 per cent anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers_uk.org. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks via videoconference during a meeting of foreign ministers from the G20 at the government complex in Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap S. Korea to urge NK to return to dialogue By Kang Seung-woo This week could be a tough one for Korea as the country will attend a series of ASEAN meetings that will also be participated in by the United States and China amid their intensifying hegemonic rivalry which is likely, once again, to see them urge Seoul to pick their respective side. Korea has remained neutral in the conflict as the U.S. is its longtime ally while China is its largest trading partner. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday, Minister Kang Kyung-wha will be present at four ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings the Foreign Ministers' Meeting between Korea and ASEAN, the ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) from Wednesday to Saturday. Vietnam was supposed to host the gatherings, but all of them will be held in a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted in-person diplomacy. Even though Kang is set to stress the importance of the Korean Peninsula peace process for peace and stability in the region and ask for the participating countries' support for an early start to dialogue with North Korea, her calls may be swamped by U.S.-China disputes, including the one regarding the South China Sea. The U.S. has already ratcheted up the pressure on Korea to join its anti-China coalition. U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo said in a media interview, Sept. 1, that Korea and other allies will join U.S. efforts to tackle what he called economic and political aggression from China; while Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun also mentioned including Korea in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or QUAD, which is a strategic forum established in 2007 to counter China. In response, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui told a symposium, Sept. 2, that interference from the U.S. has been a source of risk in the South China Sea, calling on countries in the region to jointly reject such risks and safeguard peace and stability. "At ASEAN meetings, we plan to state our official position on the issue supporting freedom of navigation and the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue," a foreign ministry official said Monday. "The U.S. is expected to rally supporters by taking issue with China on matters ranging from its predatory economy to water resources and human rights, and Beijing is likely to respond by claiming the right to champion sovereignty," said Kim Yeoul-soo, chief of the Security Strategy Office at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs. Kim also said rather than remaining ambiguous between the two powerhouses, Korea needs to join a strategic forum like the European Union to have its own voice heard. Meanwhile, according to the ministry, while it still remains unclear whether North Korea will attend the ARF, chances are low that the presence of a North Korean official would create any momentum for progress in diplomacy with Pyongyang. Ri Ho-jun, a North Korean diplomat in Vietnam, appeared at the preparatory meeting for the ministerial gathering in July. I think people from these companies understand that when I say something, I mean it, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters. If the US-based platforms could not agree with Australian media businesses on pricing after three months, arbitrators would be appointed to make binding decisions. Canberra, Australia: Australias prime minister said Monday that he expected a sensible outcome to his governments plans to make digital platforms pay for journalism after Facebook threatened to block Australian publishers and individuals from sharing news stories. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had discussed his proposed laws with very senior-level executives including Googles chief executive, Sundar Pichai, last week. Facebooks managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Will Easton, warned last week that laws that would make the social network and Google compensate Australian media organisations could result in Facebook blocking Australian news content rather than pay for it. The warning was seen by some as an attempt to dissuade other countries from similarly legislating to make the digital giants pay for the news content that they siphon from commercial media. I think people from these companies understand that when I say something, I mean it and that I intend to follow through with it, Morrison told reporters. Therefore I would encourage them, very strongly, to work constructively and cooperatively with the process that is underway, he said. Im quite certain well come to a sensible outcome on this and it wont need coercion wherever it comes from. Its not something I respond very well to, he added. Australia is drafting the final version of the legislation after a consultation period ended in late August. If the US-based platforms could not agree with Australian media businesses on pricing after three months, arbitrators would be appointed to make binding decisions. Breaches of the law could attract penalties of up to 10% of a platforms annual turnover. Civilians in a remote area of western Pakistan have accused the countrys powerful army of mass arrests and torture after the Taliban claimed a bomb attack that killed and injured members of the army. Residents of Shaktoi, a rural mountainous area of South Waziristan district, say security forces imposed a curfew, arrested local men, and conducted aggressive home searches after a roadside bomb killed three soldiers and injured four others last week. Officials in the region, however, have rejected accusations of military abuses. We faced abuses and arrests after the attack, Abdul Mutalib, an eyewitness, told Radio Mashaal. They beat many people in their homes during a search operation and arrested many locals and some 100 laborers working on a road, he added. They broke the arms and legs of some of them during torture. Mutalib said some 40 soldiers conducted aggressive house searches in Anakhel, a village close to the site of the September 3 attack on the Pakistani Army. They arrested men who were at home or just walking down the street. Some of them are still being detained at a local school used by the army, he said. Shaktoi is administratively part of South Waziristan but is approached from a road in neighboring North Waziristan. Most residents of the region are members of the Mehsud, a Pashtun tribe. Nearly half a million Mehsuds were displaced for a decade after a large-scale 2008 Pakistani military operation against the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the umbrella organization of the Pakistani Taliban. Activists in Waziristan say the displacement and abuses by the Taliban and the military led to the emergence of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a movement for the protection of Pashtuns, in February 2018. Since then, the supporters of the civil rights movement have protested military abuses and Taliban attacks in their homeland. Ending aggressive searches and collective punishments is a key PTM demand. In a protest in Tank, a city adjoining South Waziristan to the east, and in the southern seaport city of Karachi, PTM members protested the alleged abuses in Shaktoi on September 7. We are demanding the immediate release of detained civilians, Alamzeb Mahsud, a PTM leader, told Radio Mashaal at the protest in Tank. We can no longer tolerate such treatment, he said. The army is still imposing collective punishment years after claiming to clear our homeland from terrorists. Hayat Preghal, another PTM activist, says civilians are helpless in the face of seemingly unending hostilities between the army and the Taliban. We feel sandwiched between these two forces, he told Radio Mashaal. Ultimately, we will have no choice but to abandon Waziristan altogether to protest against the two and protect our people from their reprisals and infighting. But Shaukat Ali, the police chief in South Waziristan, says they have received no report of abuses even though search operations are common in the region in response to a recent uptick in Taliban attacks. I find it strange that people begin protests against abuses before lodging an official complaint, he told Radio Mashaal. If they complained about innocent civilians being detained, I could have asked the army and the police to release them. In a September 3 statement, the Pakistani militarys media wing said an officer and two soldiers had been killed while four others were injured by improvised explosives while they were providing protection to a road construction crew in Waziristan. Security forces cordoned off the area, the statement said. Search operation being carried out for area clearance. The PTM plans to hold more protests against the alleged army abuses. Hours after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's first virtual rally in the run up to the upcoming Assembly election, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tejashwi Yadav dubbed the virtual rally as a "super duper flop", claiming it did not attract more than 15,000 viewers on all digital platforms. "The much-hyped virtual rally of Nitish Kumar has higher percentage of dislikes. He was not looking confident. From the first rally, it is clear that he has accepted defeat," RJD leader Tejashwi said. "I have asked him (Nitish) 10 questions and told him to reply analytically. Unfortunately, he has not given answers to a single question," Tejashwi said. "Despite his arrogance of not letting me ask questions, I want to tell him and other leaders of NDA that I will keep asking them questions for public welfare," he said. The younger Yadav scion alleged that Nitish should release the list of 10 lakh jobs created by his government for the people of Bihar. "The situation is such that appointment letters of teachers are missing, 50,000 posts in police department are vacant. The situation is such that only 77 police personnel are available for every one lakh people of Bihar. Health sector is facing massive unemployment. Overall 4.5 lakh jobs in different departments under Bihar government are vacant. Anyone in Bihar having a serious disease goes to other states for treatment. And this is happening over the years so why has Nitish Kumar not established a single multi-speciality hospital in the state?" Tejashwi asked. "Nitish Kumar said that he has given Rs 5,000 to every person who returned to the state during the corona lockdown, but why only 100 beneficiaries for Rs 5,000? CM is saying I am putting wrong information in public domain, but I want to point out that the CM has not come out of his residence for 140 days during the lockdown. He does not know the ground reality in Bihar. He was giving wrong information in public. One such statement of CM came when he asked people not to wear masks. When asked the reason, he said that the health ministry has given the information to him," Tejashwi said. Reacting to Nitish Kumar's claim of Bihar reaching the number one position on Covid tests in the country, Tejashwi alleged that he is giving data of rapid antigen tests which have scope for wrong reports and it is not a secure method to detect coronavirus. Hence, Nitish's claim of testing 1.5 lakh people is false. "Nitish Kumar described RJD's tenure as 'Jungle Raj' of 15 years. He is referring to incidents that happened 20 years ago but he is not giving any statements on incidents of one-and-a-half years ago. Has he forgotten the horrific Muzaffarpur mass rape case of minor girls where so many leaders of NDA were involved? Why is he shielding them despite some of the toughest remarks made by the Supreme Court and High Court? Srijan scam is another example where JD-U ministers are involved. During his tenure, a total of 58 scams have taken place so far," Tejashwi alleged. "I challenged him in the past and am challenging him again to come on one platform for a debate on any issue of Bihar. He should accept my challenge," he said. TDP President and former Chief Minister Of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed concern over the increasing attacks on the properties and idols of Hindu temples across Andhra Pradesh in the past 15 months of the YSRCP rule. Mr. Naidu asserted that the burning of Antarvedi temple chariot in East Godavari should not have taken place by accident. It seemed like a heinous act carried out by some anti-social and anarchic elements. In a statement here on Monday, Mr. Naidu the Telugu Desam Party has taken a serious view of the ongoing attacks on the Temples and it was already known how over 23 idols were destroyed in 6 temples in Pithapuram in the month of January. The idols of Gods were vandalised at Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Seetharamanjaneya Swamy Temple, Mutyalamma Temple, Someswaramma Temple and Kanaka Durgamma Temple. In last November, the devotees associations and the Hindu Mahasabha had condemned demolition of Kanaka Durgamma Temple opposite Market Yard in Guntur city. Mr. Naidu referred to how the chariot at Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple was burnt in Nellore district. There seemed to be no end to the atrocities of anarchic elements ever since the YSRCP came to power in the State. Attacks, harassment and violence was on the increase everywhere. The YSRCP has converted Andhra Pradesh into a State of vandals and criminals. Meanwhile, TDP senior leader and former Home Minister N. Chinarajappa has led the TDP fact-finding committee to find out the reasons for the chariot burning. He demanded a judicial enquiry to be ordered into the burning of Antarvedi Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple at Antarvedi in East Godavari district. The real facts should be known to the world and the culprits should be brought to the book. The TDP leader deplored that no deterrent action has been taken to prevent recurrence of the destruction of properties of temples in the past 15 months. As a result, the miscreants were taking liberty and carrying out their attacks without fear of the law. Attacks were increasing on the temples and idols. At least now, the Jagan Reddy regime should take steps to stop assaults on the Hindu devotees sentiments. There should be a safety audit of the temple properties. It may be recalled that the devotees were not buying the theory that the chariot fire at Antarvedi temple was a freak mishap. The mystery behind the burning of the chariot was deepening with the authorities ruling out the possibility of an electrical short circuit. There are no electrical wires on the 50-ft shed where the 40-ft tall chariot was parked. There were many challenges to unravel the mystery especially due to the fact that the CCTV cameras fixed to monitor the chariot were not working for the last one month. KIGALI, Rwanda Rwandas president says that the man portrayed as a hero in the film Hotel Rwanda will stand trial for allegedly supporting rebel violence. President Paul Kagame, appearing on national television Sunday, did not explain how Paul Rusesabagina was brought to Rwanda where he has been held in custody for more than a week. Rusesabagina is credited with saving 1,200 lives during Rwandas 1994 genocide by letting people shelter in the hotel he was managing during the mass killings. Now he is accused of supporting rebel violence in Rwanda and his family and supporters complain that they have not been able to speak to him and that he has not had access to a lawyer. Rusesabagina heads a group of terrorists that have killed Rwandans. He will have to pay for these crimes., said Kagame on a broadcast in which he was asked questions by some local and foreign journalists and viewers. Rusesabagina has the blood of Rwandans on his hands. He said Rusesabaginas trial will be held openly and conducted fairly. We are obligated to do this, said Kagame. We want to do things in a right way. Kagame did not explain how Rusesabagina, who had lived outside Rwanda since 1996 and is a citizen of Belgium and has a U.S. permanent residence permit, turned up in Rwanda last week but suggested that he came of his own accord. What if someone told you that he brought himself even if he may not have intended it? You will be surprised how he got here. He was not kidnapped or hoodwinked. His coming to Rwanda has more to do with himself than anybody else, said Kagame. Kagame suggested that Rusesabagina was told a story that fit into his expectations and ended up in Rwanda. There was no kidnap in the process of bringing Rusesabagina here. It was actually flawless! said Kagame. When the time comes he will tell the story himself but he led himself here. Kagame said others were Rusesabaginas accomplices in alleged violent activities and have already been arrested and are facing trial in Kigali, Rwandas capital. Rusesabaginas family and supporters, however, say Rwandan authorities have denied him access to a lawyer nearly a week after the outspoken government critic was paraded in handcuffs and accused of terrorism. The Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation said Rusesabagina has had no consular visits, and it rejected the Rwandan governments claim that it had talked to his sons about a potential visit as not true. Pauls wife has called the jail and has not been allowed to talk to him, it said on Saturday. The family has said they believe he was kidnapped during a visit to Dubai and that he would never knowingly have boarded a plane for Rwandas capital, Kigali. Rusesabagina was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 for helping to save lives during Rwandas genocide in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. Rwandan authorities have not publicly shared any international arrest warrant. They have referred to international cooperation but given no details. Rwandan authorities granted what they called an exclusive interview with Rusesabagina to a Kenyan newspaper, The East African, in which he said he had been treated with kindness while in custody in Rwanda but did not discuss the accusations against him or how he was apprehended. It is not clear when Rusesabagina will appear in court. Rwandan law says a suspect can be in provisional detention for 15 days, renewable for up to 90 days. The Rwandan government has said it issued an arrest warrant for Rusesabagina to answer charges of serious crimes including terrorism, arson, kidnap, and murder perpetrated against unarmed civilians. Police called him the suspected founder, leader, sponsor and member of violent, armed, extremist terror outfits including the Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change. Rwanda points to a video posted online in 2018 in which Rusesabagina says it is imperative that in 2019 we speed up the liberation struggle of the Rwandan people the time has come for us to use any means possible to bring about change in Rwanda, as all political means have been tried and failed. The MRCD has an armed wing, the National Liberation Front, that has been accused of attacks inside Rwanda in 2018 and 2019. Rwanda arrested NLF spokesman Callixte Nsabimana last year. Rusesabagina in the past has denied the charges that he financially supports Rwandan rebels, saying he is being targeted for criticizing the Kagame government over human rights abuses. Rusesabaginas detention has prompted concern among human rights activists that this was the latest example of the Rwandan government targeting critics beyond its borders. The U.S. government has said it expects the Rwandan government to provide humane treatment, adhere to the rule of law and provide a fair and transparent legal process for Rusesabagina. Actor Don Cheadle, who played Rusesabagina in the film, told the AP it is my sincere hope that Paul is being treated humanely and fairly, and that a transparent and just legal process designed to reveal the veracity of these charges is advanced in a timely manner. Kapurthala A youth died of bullet injuries, while about a dozen others were injured in Bhandaal Bet village of the Kapurthala on Sunday in a clash between two families. Police came to know about 23-year-old Vishal Thakurs death on Sunday night after which four people were booked for murder on statement of victims father Surinder Kumar. Those booked have been identified as Surti of Mehtabgarh in Kapurthala, his brother Raj, and latters friends Vicky and Vijay of Jandiala Guru in Amritsar. Superintendent of police (investigation) Sarabjit Singh said a clash occurred between families of Sikander and his sister Razia over use of land for tying cattle. The SP said before police came to know about the youths death, Surti had lodged a complaint and an FIR was registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder) and Arms Act against Razia, her seven family members and some unidentified people. We were informed by locals that a man had also died and on the statement of his father, we booked four people for murder. It is still being investigated how the man died and who opened the fire during the fight. No arrest has been made, SP said. Bloomberg 1 -- 310202,500omicron13 Australian discount chain The Reject Shop has started stocking grocery items after securing a deal with the UK's largest supermarket Tesco - and it means huge savings for shoppers. Stores across the country will now have designated grocery aisles, selling Tesco-branded pantry items including tea, biscuits, soup, rice, pasta and baby care. With 300 new grocery products being delivered in bulk, Chief Operations Officer Dani Aquilina says huge savings are here to stay. 'What we do specifically that's different is we make sure we find the best-selling products, we buy them in big volumes so we can get the best prices and then we pass those savings on to our customers,' Ms Aquilina told A Current Affair. Australian discount chain The Reject Shop will start stocking grocery items this week after securing a deal with the UK's largest supermarket Tesco With 300 new grocery products being delivered in large volumes, Chief Operations Officer Dani Aquilina says the huge savings are here to stay for customers 'It's everything from pantry staples oil, vinegar, we've got things like rice pouches, snacks and treats - then we've also brought in a great baby range, so everything from formula to baby wipes and nappies.' The discount chain, which first launched four decades ago, is eyeing off the likes of Aldi and Kmart and already employs over 5,300 workers across Australia, generating more than $800million in sales each year. The products are currently available at all stores in New South Wales, Canberra and Queensland, while Victoria will have the range at the end of the week. South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia will all have the new grocery items by the end of September. Because of Tesco's buying power, The Reject Shop has assured customers it will always be fully stocked with cheap items. For example, Tesco's Gold Instant Coffee costs just $6 compared to Nescafe at Coles or Woolies for $9. Tesco's microwave rice is $1.90 compared to $2.50 at Woolworths and an 88-pack of baby wipes is the same at both The Reject Shop and Coles, but the latter gives a smaller packet. Tick Yes Marketing expert Peter Applebaum said customers should be excited. The products are currently available at all stores in New South Wales, Canberra and Queensland, meanwhile Victoria will have the range at the end of the week Mum-of-two Carla Filipovski claims she will no longer have to go to any stores other than The Reject Shop for all her needs 'At the moment the Reject Shop in the Australian retail market is like a tinny up against a range of battleships,' Mr Applebaum said. Mr Applebaum said The Reject Shop's move was 'smart' and that it is being 'nimble' by increasing market share. 'We consumers are aching for people to give us a reason why we should buy from them now,' he said. 'In the absence of that we will go for the cheapest option so if you have great prices I'm probably more likely to shop with you than I am with someone else.' Mum-of-two Carla Filipovski claims she will no longer have to go to any stores other than The Reject Shop for all her needs. 'It's price point that drives me in and they always have things you can't find elsewhere,' Ms Filipovski said. Andre Reich, The Reject Shop's CEO, told Daily Mail Australia customers are looking for cheaper alternatives now more than ever during the coronavirus crisis As well as dry-store packaged food, Tesco will also supply The Reject Shop with a range of health and beauty products in coming months as well as other household items Andre Reich, The Reject Shop's CEO, last week told Daily Mail Australia customers are looking for cheaper alternatives now more than ever during the coronavirus crisis. 'We are very excited to utilise our 354 store buying power to bring quality and innovative Tesco products to Australia, the first of which will hit all stores in early September 2020,' he said in a statement. 'We absolutely connect with what Tesco stands for as 'a champion for customers helping them to enjoy a better quality of life and an easier way of living,' a similar mission to ours in that we are helping Australians save more money every day.' The groundbreaking supply deal was struck four months ago and comes as the variety store looks repositions itself as a bigger and more hip player on the Australian retail scene. The three-year agreement will see top-selling Tesco-branded pantry items - including tea, biscuits, soups, rice, pasta and baby care - being sold at the Reject Shop's stores nationwide The three-year agreement will see top-selling Tesco-branded pantry items - including tea, biscuits, soups, rice, pasta and baby care - being sold at the Reject Shop's stores nationwide In August, financial services firm Morgan Stanley suggested the The Reject Shop could become a $3billion stock within the next 10 years as it moves towards a younger consumer-based feeling the economic pinch from COVID-19. As well as dry-store packaged food, Tesco will also supply The Reject Shop with a range of health and beauty products in coming months as well as other household items. Although both parties admit the unusual deal may take some customers by surprise, Tesco Group Export Director Jack Brabin said it will be a major windfall for Australian consumers - along with the 1.2 million British expats living Down Under. 'We're delighted to be partnering with The Reject Shop to provide a range of fantastic Tesco products across grocery and baby care,' he said. 'As the UK's leading food retailer, we take enormous care to ensure our products are the best quality and offer great value. We look forward to sharing them with The Reject Shop's customers. While Australia's retail sector continues to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic, annual revenue for The Reject Shop was up 3.4 per cent to $820.6million in the 2019-20 financial year. Gross profit increased 0.3 per cent to $335.8million. A 1-year-old boy is receiving treatment after becoming trapped in a house fire in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the toddler's family says. Firefighters rescued Ezekiel Adkins and his 3-year-old brother, Jameson, from the flames Friday night. Jameson was treated for smoke inhalation and slight burns, but Ezekiel has burns covering 60% of his body. Their grandfather, Dave Smith, said Ezekiel has a lot of lung damage. The young boy was flown to a burn center in Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday night. "He made it through the night, which was a miracle in itself. We're seeing a light at the end of the tunnel," Smith said. Medical officials then flew Ezekiel to the University of Iowa's Children's Hospital in Iowa City early Saturday morning. Smith said in Iowa City, the Children's Hospital has a machine that can take the carbon dioxide from Ezekiel's blood. He said Ezekiel hasn't needed it yet, and that he's taken a few breaths on his own. The biggest concern right now is trying to get blood flow in the 17-month-old's legs, the boy's family says. "As with anything, we rely on God to intercede for us," Smith said. "He is a young man that has a lot of determination, even for a young child. You can see it in his eyes. You can feel it when you're around him. I think it'll become evident." The Council Bluffs Fire Department shared a post by fire Chief Justin James to their Facebook page Saturday. The fire chief wrote a message to the department and other first responder crews, saying, "Last night you were as good as it gets. You gave a second chance to the victims with seconds to spare." Smith said the crews performed "magnificently" and that it was "divine intervention" that they were ready to rescue his grandsons. He is asking the community for their prayers. KETV reached out to the fire department for more information regarding the cause of the fire. Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu had a telephone conversation on Monday with Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy, attended by the Jordanian official as a special guest, through a video-conferencing system, with security developments in the Middle East featuring on the agenda. In their conversation, the two officials decided to finalise direct political, diplomatic and sectoral contacts, as well as to develop co-operation in areas of shared interest, including by adopting a consolidated plan to deepen bilateral co-operation, according to a press statement released by Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE). The two chief diplomats also agreed to hold a bilateral visit as soon as possible, when conditions allow, in Bucharest or Amman.They also discussed security developments in the Middle East, including the Peace Process, with Aurescu sharing the main conclusions of his official visit to Israel and Palestine September 2-3. The two officials agreed that the most important actions in this case include resuming direct dialogue between the parties and promoting confidence-building measures to resume negotiations based on the two-state solution. Aurescu and his Jordanian counterpart agreed to maintain close contact on this key issue to stability in the region to which Jordan contributes through its moderating role and balanced foreign policy approaches.The 2020 edition of the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy takes place Monday to Wednesday, under the title "The impact of the pandemic on international trends and the responses of Romanian diplomacy."The proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy are led by Minister Bogdan Aurescu, and the foreign guests of this year's edition are, in addition to Jordan's Ayman Safadi: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who is expected in Bucharest on an official visit on Tuesday; Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha; Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha Gonzalez Laya, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, and NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana. The 1981 year group of the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASS) in Koforidua in the Eastern Region has constructed and handed over an ultra-modern toilet facility to their alma mater. The gesture was in response to inadequate facilities at the school for the female students. It is also to ensure that GHANASS, which has a reputation as being one of the cleanest schools in the region, continues to maintain its high standards. Speaking at the presentation, the chairman of the group called on other year groups to emulate their gesture. The senior housemistress who received the facility on behalf of the school thanked the group and said the donation will improve sanitation conditions in the school. The group also donated some toiletries and sanitation materials for the maintenance of the facility. 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 NEW DELHI : NEW DELHI: With dialogue with China to reduce tensions along their common border making no headway, India on Monday seemed to be signaling it had other options it could employ to bring pressure on Beijing. Joining those who paid homage to Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan soldier from the once-secret Special Frontier Force (SFF) unit of Tibetan soldiers operating under the command of the Indian Army in Leh on Monday was the Bharatiya Janata Partys General Secretary Ram Madhav. Besides Madhav, there were members of the Tibetan community who live in exile in India alongwith the Dalai Lama and representatives of the Indian Army. According to the Indian Army, Tenzin was killed in action last week after he stepped on a vintage landmine in Ladakh, south of the scenic Pangong Tso Lake. It was in this region that the Indian army, in a pre-emptive move on the night of 29-30 August, took vantage positions atop five mountains. These features overlook key Chinese positions across the undemarcated Line of Actual Control border. The Indian moves, the Army said came as China was gathering its troops to lay claim to these features on the south bank of the Pangong Tso lake. According to former Indian army officials, while the north bank, where Chinese troops are sitting at vantage positions at some places that India considers as its territory, was contentious, the south bank was always considered to be under Indian control. By trying to take the features on the south bank, the Chinese were aiming to open a new front in the ongoing military faceoff with India in Ladakh, they say. Madhav shared pictures of himself attending Tenzins funeral in a Twitter post that was later deleted. His presence at the funeral was seen as a strong message to China, days after the fresh flare-up between the two countries. Tensions between India and China have been running high since May when India first detected the Chinese intrusions into Indian territory in violation of all previously agreed pacts. Five rounds of talks at the level of senior commanders, four at the level of diplomats and many at the level of major general and brigadier level officers of the military have not yielded any results. On Friday, Indias defence minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart in Moscow on the sidelines of a regional conference. But there was no obvious breakthrough from the meeting. Madhavs presence at the funeral brings into the open the well kept secret of the Special Frontier Force (SFF) unit and the links to the Indian army. The SFF owe their allegiance to the Dalai Lama, the flag of Tibet and the flag of India, according to two people familiar with the matter. They are trained by the Indian army in mountain warfare and receive pay from them. The force recruits mostly from Tibetan refugees, hundreds of thousands of whom have made India their home since fleeing Tibet with the Dalai Lama following a failed uprising in 1959. Some are of the SFF are also reportedly Indian citizens though Mint could not independently confirm this. The unit was raised in the 1960s and fought in the 1971 India-Pakistan war that saw the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country. Their current strength is estimated to be about 3,500- 5,000. According to the French born Tibetologist Claude Arpi who now lives in Tamil Nadu, it was in the closing week of Indias 1962 war with China that the Indian government in conjunction with the American Central Intelligence Agency decided to recruit some Tibetans into the army. They (the SFF) have fought in the 1971 war with Pakistan in the Tripura sector. And in 1999 in the Kargil war, they were in the Turtuk sector," Arpi said. He said that last month s mission of the Indian army could be one of the few times that they have been pressed into service on the China border. We dont really know because it is so secretive but I think this is the first time yes," Arpi said by phone. Given the Tibet connection to the latest Indian army operation, the question is whether Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi will meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in Moscow this week. China is known to be very sensitive about Tibet being recognized as part of China and New Delhis latest move may be seen as New Delhi shedding its reluctance to take advantage of the Tibetans communitys presence in India vis a vis China. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics In the mid-1990s, Mr. James, who went by the nickname Swaine, started drinking heavily after his wife died, his friends said. Then he lost his job at a printing company and severed ties with his family. Several of his front teeth were knocked out when he fell on the floor while intoxicated. Yvette Stewart, 70, lived two doors down from Mr. James, and sometimes she and her family would take care of him when he showed up at her house drunk. The two became close, she said, and when her father got sick, Mr. James offered to help. But Ms. Stewart said she told him she would only agree if Mr. James quit drinking cold-turkey. And so he did. Swaine made it look easy to give up alcohol, Ms. Stewart said. Mr. James began to escort her father to church every Sunday. There, Mr. James became interested in the gospel. Ms. Stewart showed him the Book of Proverbs, Psalms and then John so that he could learn more about Christianity. (Ms. Stewart showed Mr. James Proverbs so he could see that abstaining from drinking was rooted in the bible.) Soon, Mr. James started to help around the church, throwing out the garbage and carrying groceries into the kitchen. At first, Ms. Stewart thought Mr. James was doing it for cash tips from church members. But after a certain point, he stopped accepting money, according to Ms. Stewart. Around 2000, he was hired as the official caretaker, and eight years later, he moved into the church. He was the first to greet newcomers and the one to stay late with the seniors until their rides arrived. He was known for always being on time and giving great pep talks. Anything you wanted to do in life he believed in you, his cousin, Mr. King, said. I owe a lot of my success thus far to the confidence he gave me. September 7 is Labor Day in the United States. The national holiday began more than 100 years ago to honor low-paid factory workers. Labor Day unofficially marks the end of summer. In any other year, students would be getting ready to go back to school. Many Americans would celebrate the day with an outdoor barbecue with family and friends. Others would use the long weekend to take their last vacation of the summer, before hot days turn cooler. But 2020 is not any other year. Students in many parts of the country will be going back to school online for all or part of the autumn term. Health officials in several states are advising against social gatherings ahead of the holiday weekend. And travel -- especially air travel -- has been down sharply all summer. Health officials have reason to be worried. Several parts of the country saw increases in COVID-19 cases following the other two major holidays this summer: Memorial Day and Independence Day. The increases in many places were linked to family gatherings. Labor Day history Labor Day started with a struggle. On May 1, 1889, workers demonstrated on the streets of Paris, France. International Labor Day was born. Most industrialized countries in the world -- except the United States and Canada -- celebrate Labor Day on the first of May. The first American Labor Day celebration was held on September 5, 1882, in New York City. About 10,000 workers marched through the streets to show the strength of labor organizations. For many years after that, American workers used the first Monday in September to demand better working conditions and pay. Music was a part of many of those marches. Labor songs traditionally tell stories of conflict and hopes for a better life. Here is Pete Seegers We Shall Not Be Moved. Many classic American labor songs came from workers in the coal mines of the South. Mine owners bitterly opposed workers unions. In Kentucky, company police searched for union leaders. They waited outside a workers home for several days to block him from organizing. The coal miners wife, Florence Reece, stayed inside with her children. She wrote this song, Which Side Are You On? Here is Natalie Merchant singing the song. Another American labor song is called Bread and Roses. It is based on a poem by James Oppenheim, published in December of 1911. The poem speaks about the womens labor movement. At that time, conditions in factories, where many women worked, were horrible. A fire at a clothing factory in New York killed 146 people. Most of the victims were immigrant women. A month after Oppenheims poem was published, textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts went on strike. Their protest won them higher pay and better working conditions. Oppenheims poem gained more attention. Here is Judy Collins singing "Bread and Roses." Even though Labor Day demonstrations are not as common in the U.S. today, the song reminds us to celebrate the effort and love that many people give to their work. Im Ashley Thompson. Nancy Steinbach, Mario Ritter, Jerilyn Watson and Kelly Jean Kelly contributed to this report. MIDDLETOWN State and federal legislators took aim at the worlds massive pharmaceutical industry Friday, which, they say, is violating a law in blocking poor people from securing the drugs they need to address chronic and often life-threatening conditions. So said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., as he joined fellow lawmakers state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, state Reps. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, and Quentin Phipps, D-Middletown, and community and health care advocates at the Community Health Center Knowledge and Technology Center on Grand Street. Since June, a growing number of drug companies have told federally qualified health centers and other providers that they may withhold discounts associated with 340B, the federal drug pricing program used by federally qualified health centers and other health care providers. Blumenthal gave an example of companies requesting extensive information from patients, demanding data from them (that they) dont need, as one of the unreasonable roadblocks limiting patients access. He claimed these drug manufacturers are threatening to block discounted sales of drugs because health clinics and hospitals are using contract pharmacies. The 340B-covered entities may elect to dispense 340B drugs to patients through contract pharmacy services, an arrangement in which the 340B covered entity signs a written contract with a pharmacy to provide pharmacy services, according to 340bpvp.com. Once again, we are here to talk about a community attack when we need to be taking care of one another during a most critical time, Phipps said. Corporations have made dollars we cant even imagine, and they want to do that on the backs of those that are most vulnerable. Some major drug manufacturers are threatening to block consumers from accessing affordable prescriptions, according to Blumenthal. What is happening here is one more instance of Big Pharma trying to profiteer at the expense of our most vulnerable people. Speakers demanded drug companies stop illegally erecting hurdles for patients to access affordable prescription drugs from federally qualified health care providers under the drug-pricing program. It requires drugmakers to offer discounts on all outpatient drugs to federally qualified health care providers and other safety-net providers that serve low-income patients, according to Blumenthals office. Since June, a growing number of drug companies have told providers that they may withhold 340B discounts that allow low-income residents to access prescription drugs at reasonable prices, his office said. One issue concerned popular insulin drugs, said Kara Lewis, clinical pharmacy leader at Community Health Center. Limiting access to the program would mean patients with hypertension, high cholesterol, depression, asthma, diabetes and other illnesses may be faced with a fraught choice. Theyre not going to be able to get their meds any other way, she said. Lewis fears other drugmakers will follow suit. Its like a snowball: If it starts rolling, the whole program could be dismantled, with devastating effects, she said. The National Association of Community Health Centers and other 340B organizations are among those pushing back, Lewis said. The issue has become all the more pressing during the coronavirus pandemic. During a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, this is the worst possible time to be going after someone who is trying to stay healthy, Lewis said. Americans are paying the highest drug prices in the world, Lesser said. We have to warn about a new and terrible threat to Connecticuts families and those all across the country. People otherwise would have to forego food on their table or paying their rent or clothing their children. It is a matter of economic survival, Blumenthal said. Kristen Whitman, local chapter leader of the T1 International initiative Insulin4All, talked about her experience when she couldnt pay for diabetes drugs four years ago. Her health insurance copay was so high, it exceeded what she took home. I was met with a choice when I went to the pharmacy: whether I could fill my insulin or pay rent, afford my food, if I could even afford a car to continue to go to my job, she said. Her monthly supply of insulin cost $2,400. At that time, I tried everything, and I mean everything that is available to diabetics to get insulin at an affordable cost. Whitman eventually was able to take part in the 340B program at a community health center. With the world in the midst of a pandemic, patients should not have to worry about not scrambling for prescriptions, Scanlon said. We dont need to give the people of Connecticut one more thing to worry about at a time when were already worrying about a heck of a lot of stuff. He urged pharmaceutical firms to stop putting profits over people. Why are they breaking the law to block needy people from having the drugs they need? Blumenthal asked. To make more money. Its that simple. These drugs are not a luxury or convenience. They are life-saving. The United Nations office in Ghana, on Monday disassociated itself from an award scheme purported to be associated with the United Nations and the Kofi Annan Foundation. In a public disclaimer, it stated categorically that the UN, neither in Ghana, nor anywhere else, had any affiliation with the Blueprint Global Challenge Awards, nor with the organization (Blueprint Mission), nor its personnel in any way, shape or form. The statement which was sent to the GNA in Accra by Madam Cynthia Prah, National Information Officer, Department of Global Communications, UN Information Centre, Accra, explained that all genuine UN notices followed strict rules and procedures, and were announced or published on its websites. It advised the public to access genuine information by visiting the relevant UN Agencies websites or the UN Ghana website (https://ghana.un.org/en). The UN in Ghana remained committed to working with the government of Ghana and its people to deliver on its mandate to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and to attain its development objectives, the statements said. 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 What we always try to put in perspective is, as the National Park Service says were in the forever business, Doig said. So this is going to have to stand the test of time. And so even though its taken a while, I think the long-term benefits of that will play out over the next century and beyond. A London hearing resumes on Monday to decide if WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should be extradited to the United States to face trial over the publication of secrets relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 49-year-old Australian, who is currently being held on remand at a high-security jail, faces 18 counts from US prosecutors that could see him jailed for up to 175 years. The hearing at the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, is due to last three to four weeks. It had been due to go ahead in April but was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Any ruling is almost certain" to be appealed by the losing side, according to John Rees, of the Dont Extradite Assange Campaign, raising the prospect of more time behind bars for the former hacker. Rees told AFP that Assange who has become a figurehead for press freedom and investigative journalism had a very strong defence" but was concerned the case was highly politicised". A previous hearing in February was told that US President Donald Trump had promised to pardon Assange if he denied Russia leaked emails from the campaign of Hillary Clinton, Trumps opponent in the 2016 election. Assange faces charges under the US Espionage Act for the 2010 release of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Washington claims he helped intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before recklessly exposing confidential sources around the world. At the February hearing, Assanges lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, said his client would not get a fair trial in the United States and would be a suicide risk. James Lewis, representing the US government, said WikiLeaks was responsible for one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States". Reporting or journalism is not an excuse for criminal activities or a licence to break ordinary criminal laws," he added. Frail Assanges partner and the mother of his two young sons, South African-born lawyer Stella Moris, attempted to secure his release in March, claiming he was in danger inside prison during the coronavirus lockdown. The life of my partner, Julian Assange, is at severe risk," she said, arguing that Covid-19 was spreading within (the) walls" of Belmarsh prison in south London. In an interview published in The Times newspaper on Saturday, Moris, 37, said: For Julian, extradition will be a death sentence." She said she feared he would take his own life, and that his sons, who were conceived during his asylum in Ecuadors London embassy, would grow up without a father. Assange appeared weak and confused during his February court appearance, apparently forgetting his date of birth. He also told district judge Vanessa Baraitser he had not understood what had happened in the hearing. His legal team has repeatedly warned about his health and an independent UN rights expert said in November that his continued detention was putting his life at risk. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe rights group warned that Assanges extradition would have a chilling effect" on press freedom. Other high-profile supporters of Assange include the Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson, designer Vivienne Westwood, and Greeces former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis. Long-running saga The saga began in 2010 when Assange faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he denied. He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempt to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in Ecuadors embassy in London. For seven years he lived in a small apartment in the embassy, but after a change of government in Quito, Ecuador lost patience with its guest and turned him over to British police in April 2019. Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the rape investigation, saying that despite a credible" account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed. There are days Senior Constable Gausden thinks about giving up his job and starting fresh. It is often on Friday and Saturday nights when patrolling Perth's notorious entertainment strips gets rough. But there's always something that keeps bringing him back. That something is camaraderie. Probationary Constable Wiliams, Constable Gaffney, Senior Constable Gausden, Sergeant Todd, Senior Constable Kay, Senior Constable Garner and First Class Constable Morphew. Credit: Marta Pascual Juanola "There's nothing more exhilarating than knowing you are going to a dangerous situation to back up your colleagues to make sure they are safe," he said. Senior constable Gausden is one of about a dozen specialised police bike squad officers tasked with patrolling the streets of the CBD, Northbridge, and East Perth. Advertisement A floating wedding chapel that was transformed into a luxury houseboat has been put on the market for $400,000. The unique two-bedroom property is currently docked on the Manatee River in Palmetto, Florida. The vessel was formerly a wedding venue known as Chapel On The Bay but it has since been turned into an upmarket floating home. A floating chapel that was recently transformed into a luxury two-bedroom houseboat (pictured) has been put on the market for $400,000 More than $1,300,000 has been spent on the original construction in 2004 and subsequent conversion over the years (open-plan living area pictured) The unique two-bedroom property, which is currently docked on the Manatee River in Palmetto in Florida, boasts its own spacious decking area (pictured) for al fresco dining The vessel was formerly a wedding venue known as Chapel On The Bay but it has since been turned into an upmarket floating home (shower room pictured) The 1,050 square foot home sits on an 1,800 square foot barge and weighs a colossal 33 tons (exterior of the one-of-a-kind home pictured) More than $1,300,000 has been spent on the original construction in 2004 and subsequent conversion over the years but it still retains many of its original features including a 30-feet steeple, seven stained-glass windows and 19-foot ceilings. The 1,050 square foot home sits on an 1,800 square foot barge and weighs a colossal 33 tons. The houseboat, which is currently run as an AirBnB, was listed by Brenda Thompson at specialfinds.com who said the property has been attracting interest from around the globe. The floating chapel has retained many of its original features including a 30-feet steeple, seven stained-glass windows and 19-foot ceilings (interior pictured) The houseboat is currently listed by Brenda Thompson at specialfinds.com who said the property has been attracting interest from around the globe (second bathroom pictured) The converted chapel, which now boasts two spacious double bedrooms (pictured), has recently been put on the market for $400,000 The second bedroom currently boasts a fold-away sofa bed (pictured) which is nestled into the rafters of the luxury houseboat The open-plan kitchen (pictured), which is complete with its own breakfast bar, boasts all the latest appliances as well as mesmerizing granite worktops The solid hardwood doors and floors (pictured) have been kept to retain the character of the old chapel despite the recent renovation into a floating home She said: 'The interest has been extreme. I send the owner five to seven leads per month. 'We've had interest from people all over the world - from China and Australia and just about every state in the US. 'They are currently operating it as an Airbnb so you can try it out for a night.' The one-of-a-kind property was originally put on the market for $600,000 in 2017 and again for $425,000 in 2018. The open-plan living area features wooden floors, high ceilings and stained-glass windows as well as plenty of room for sofas (left) and a dining table (right) The houseboat, which retains many of its original features including a 30-feet steeple and seven stained-glass windows, has gone on the market for $400,000 (exterior pictured) The spacious living area features two sets of double doors (pictured) leading out on to the private covered decking of the houseboat Melburnians have blasted John Farnham songs from their front yards in an extraordinary 'mini' anti-lockdown protest. Several hundred residents gathered in the CBD on Saturday to illegally protest against the city strict stage four lockdown, which sparked clashes with police. But locals in a suburban street opted to protest legally from their own homes later that night which didn't involve breaching the strict night curfew or risking a $1652 fine. One young woman uploaded a TikTok video of a note put in her letterbox on Saturday inviting the neighbourhood to take part in street protest at 8pm that night. This Melbourne woman was among the 'legal' anti-lockdown protesters on Saturday night 'Want to express you frustration? Don't want to get a fine?' the letter starts. 'Neither do we. 'At 8pm, we will standing in a front yard and playing three John Farnham tunes on full noise. 'Please join us from your front yard to belt them out.' The author selected That's Freedom, Chain Reaction and You're the Voice as the Farnsy classics to be played. 'I f*****ng love my neighbourhood,' the woman says in the video. Residents in a Melbourne neighbouhood received this invitation in their letterbox on Saturday This Melbourne woman embraced the idea of a mini anti-lockdown protest in her street The woman posted a second clip clarifying why she thought the neighbourhood protest was a great idea after her original video went viral online and was inundated with comments. 'We're all going through so many emotions at this time as lockdown is really frustarting,' she said 'But instead of being idiot and going to the city, I think it's a good idea to be a community andexpress how you feel in the right way.' 'I didn't expect it to blow up the way it did but it did.' Hours later, the woman was back getting ready to livestream the street protest. Residents were seen standing in their front yards on Saturday night blasting Farnsy classics 'I'll be disappointed if this thing doesn't turn out good,' she says while enjoying a drink. 'I'm trying to get excited.' But right on time as promised, the darkened street came to life where several neighbours can be seen standing in their driveways blasting Farnham's hit Chain Reaction. 'This is the turn out guys, It's not that bad,' the woman says. 'There's a few others down the street playing it too.' Police issued more than 160 fines at Saturday's earlier protest to those breaching lockdown measures or not wearing a mask. Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire are subject to stage four restrictions including an evening curfew and a ban on travelling beyond a five-kilometre radius of home. The woman was excited to see the planned anti-lockdown protest go ahead in her street Australian's second largest city will remain in stage four lockdown until at least September 28 after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews extended it by two weeks on Sunday. Regional Victoria remains under stage three restrictions which allows residents to leave home for essential purposes. Premier Andrews has also released road map out of lockdown as Victoria recorded 41 new cases and five deaths on Monday. H olidaymakers returning to the UK from seven Greek islands will need to self-isolate from this Wednesday, the Government has announced. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said England will take a regional response to quarantine rules by adapting restrictions in response to more localised risks. He told the Commons that "enhanced data" now enabled the UK to differentiate between islands and mainlands when enforcing measures. Under the new terms, mainland Greece will maintain its coronavirus "travel corridor" exemption. But from 4am on Wednesday arrivals from the following Greek islands will need to self-isolate for 14 days: Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos (also known as Zante). Loading.... The decision brings England partly into line with Wales, which removed six Greek islands from its quarantine-free list last week. Addressing MPs on Monday, Mr Shapps said: Our top priority has always been to keep domestic infection rates down, and today were taking the next step in our approach. Through the use of enhanced data we will now be able to pinpoint risk in some of the most popular islands, providing increased flexibility to add or remove them distinct from the mainland as infection rates change. This development will help boost the UKs travel industry while continuing to maintain maximum protection to public health, keeping the travelling public safe. The regional approach will only apply where there is a clear boundary, Grant Shapps clarified / Parliament TV The Department for Transport (DfT) said the seven Greek islands are losing their quarantine-exemptions, because data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England has indicated a significant risk to UK public health from each of them. The Welsh Government has also removed the quarantine-free status of Paros and Antiparos, but not Tinos, Serifos or Santorini. Despite the welcome delineation between islands and mainlands, Mr Shapps clarified that different restrictions could only apply where there is a "clear boundary" such as a natural border. He told the Commons: In many cases, the international data is still simply too patchy and, in all cases, there is next to nothing to prevent people from moving around within a countrys border. Mr Shapps stressed that travelling during the pandemic remains "not without risk" as he warned Britons to travel with their "eyes open". "People will need to think carefully when they travel," he said, noting that they must consider whether they would be able to quarantine for two weeks if restrictions were suddenly imposed on their destination. If not, "it might be best not to travel," he added. He told MPs that the Government was working on using airport testing to cut self-isolation times, but said the process posed significant challenges. We are working actively on the practicalities of using testing to release people from quarantine earlier than 14 days," he said. This could not be a pure test-on-arrival option it would not work," he insisted. "But my officials are working with health experts with the aim of cutting the quarantine period without adding to infection risk or infringing our overall NHS test capacity." Mr Shapps said reserving testing capacity for schools and universities should be prioritised over introducing blanket tests for returning holidaymakers. He told the Commons: Schools have gone back, universities have gone back, pressure on testing is very real at this particular moment in time. I am not sure that we should be prioritising holidaymakers returning in the testing system over, for example, children going back to school. Nevertheless, his plans for international journeys were broadly welcomed by the travel industry. A spokeswoman for travel trade organisation Abta said: Todays announcement regarding travel from specific islands to England is welcome and the industry hopes that this will in turn lead to a more targeted approach such as that adopted in Germany and the Netherlands, which would also reflect the UKs domestic strategy of localised lockdowns. It also however highlights the requirement for a more coordinated approach from the home nations to prevent avoidable confusion. Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: Regional corridors are vital to keep travel and tourism alive and well, and I hope it removes the confusion of different UK governments pursuing different approaches to individual countries. Its sad news for the Greek islands who cant yet open up, but I hope this policy provides impetus for them to get their cases under control. A spokesman for British Airways owner IAG said: It was evident back in July that islands should be treated separately. The Government is being too slow in making obvious decisions. For most families summer is now over and the damage to the industry and the economy is done. On testing, we need to get on with it. We are way behind other countries on what has to be a more nuanced approach. On a plot of land in Torontos east end stands a red-brick house with a pointed roof home, for now, to two sets of renters, one upstairs and one down. But the property may soon see an overhaul that would quintuple the number of households on the single plot, after being purchased by a developer last year. The house would be demolished, the land divided into two lots. Two fourplexes with two bedrooms per unit have been designed one per lot and out back, a pair of laneway suites with three bedrooms apiece. The sweeping plan hasnt yet been greenlit by the city; an application has been made to Torontos Committee of Adjustment for approval to lop the property in half. But, if that passes GO, its a project that developer Rolf Paloheimo and planner Sean Galbraith hope will fill a hole in Torontos housing supply known as the missing middle, falling between detached homes and soaring highrises. What we were looking for was a property that wasnt well-utilized, that we thought would have potential, to take one property and make more out of it, Paloheimo said. Its a pitch that would be impossible across much of Toronto. The majority of land zoned currently for residential use is within whats known as the yellowbelt land thats zoned, specifically, for detached and semi-detached homes. Galbraith has been an outspoken voice among a cohort of planners, advocates and experts whove been calling for more mixed housing options in those neighbourhoods. Toronto city councillors voted in late July to look at expanding housing options in the yellowbelt, with the goal of expanding missing-middle-type housing like duplexes and low-rise walk-up apartments. But for now, their plan hinged on finding a piece of land that was already zoned R a more flexible residential category that doesnt specify types like detached or townhouses. Basically, its entirely possible because the zoning allows it, Galbraith said. A developer could try to get a plot of land rezoned elsewhere in the city, alternatively, but going that route meant risking getting the rezoning pitch rejected, he said then having to toss the project aside. Theres a reason that no one does it. The house at 2165 Gerrard St. E. near Main St. fit the bill. Still, the project team primarily Paloheimos P&R Developments, planner Galbraith and architect Cheryl Atkinson has run into roadblocks as they re-envisioned how the east-end property could be used. An earlier iteration of the plan would split the land into three lots, with a trio of triplex townhouses and, again, laneway suites. But Galbraith said they changed course out of fear that building townhouses would trigger a site plan application a potential avenue for the project to fail. The fourplex plan, meanwhile, doesnt require any deviations from the zoning rules in place. One factor that aided their planning, Galbraith said, was that Torontos zoning bylaw has been amended in such a way that, for developments that include laneway suites, requirements for minimum amounts of off-street parking have been eliminated. Though Paloheimo and Galbraith laud the lack of parking in their plan, it has raised alarms for others in the neighbourhood. During early talks with neighbours about their plan, Paloheimo said they heard three main concerns about the project: where its residents would park, the fact that so many units would be contained in a single lot, and what would happen to a large oak tree out back. Karen Cummings, who lives down the street, is among neighbourhood residents who fear that a development without parking will congest nearby streets. Its already chock-a-block. People are juggling around trying to find a spot, Cummings said. While she told the Star it was sad to imagine the existing house on the lot being torn down, she said she and her neighbours understood that more housing and particularly, more rental housing was needed in the area. Their concerns included what the noise level would be with multiple units sharing one yard, she said. The project would also uproot the current tenants. Jeff Moneo, who lives in the upstairs unit with his wife and their two children, 8 and 10, told the Star the development would mean losing what had been an affordable place for his family and, unless they resettled in the same area, a change of schools for their kids. The new units wouldnt be a particularly affordable option either, Moneo argued. According to market research firm Urbanation, the average rental cost of a two-bedroom condo unit in the GTA was $2,671 in the second quarter of this year. Paloheimo says he expects theyll be able to charge $2,500 to $3,000 per month in each unit, according to an assessment of their current proposal. Thats comparable, Moneo said, to what his family is currently spending to rent the full house, minus the basement. Paloheimo hopes to sell one fourplex and laneway suite for around $3 million, and rent the other himself. All theyre going to be doing is theyre going to creating more, expensive units with less square footage, Moneo claimed in a telephone call. Asked about the affordability of the new units, Paloheimo told the Star he couldnt change property values in the area on his own. But I can take one property and turn it into 10. RELATED STORIES GTA The solution to Canadas housing crisis is right under our roofs Despite the hurdles still ahead, Galbraith says hes confident that the development project will move forward noting that their conversations with the city had been positive so far, and that their local councillor appeared to be on board with the idea. Coun. Brad Bradford, in a statement, said the project is starting the kind of conversations hes hoping will spread further across the city, and was a good example of missing middle housing. The reality is we just dont have many options outside of the million-dollar home or the small starter condo, and thats not sustainable for any city, he said. No one policy or program is going to fix housing affordability but every option like this counts. Getting more projects like this means making thoughtful but beneficial changes to the Citys planning regime. Its about adding a housing option for people who want to downsize in their community, or the folks who want a starter home but cant afford the million-dollar home and dont want to be a glass condo tower. Editors note Sept. 8, 2020: This story was edited to make clear that the land would be divided into two lots. A large cache of and ammunition, including a Pika machine gun, was recovered from a terrorist hideout in a joint operation carried out by the police and the army in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Sunday, officials said. The operation was launched after security forces received a specific input about a terrorist hideout in the area. "Based on specific input of a terrorist hideout, a joint team of the Indian Army and Police launched search operation in Chirala, Doda and recovered a cache of and ammunition including a Pika machine gun, belted ammunition and belt box. Further search operations are continuing," an army official said. --IANS zi/vd (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.) SUWON, South Korea, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- "2020 Korea Basic Income Fair," a two-day global event focusing on basic income and local currency, will take place online from September 10 to 11, 2020. Hosted by Gyeonggi Province and co-organized by Gyeonggi Research Institute, Gyeonggi-do Market Revitalization Agency, Basic Income Korean Network and KINTEX, the 2020 event will be held under the slogan "Humans Humanely" to spread the meaning of the basic income initiative to the world, which was first implemented in Korea by Gyeonggi Province. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it will be held in a contactless, online format through its official website (basicincomefair.gg.go.kr/2020_en) and YouTube channel. Gyeonggi Province and the organizing committee say the fair will become the world's largest event for international discussion about basic income and local currency, expecting more than 100,000 people to watch it. At the opening ceremony, Governor Jae-myung Lee will present the province's achievements and future vision of basic income initiatives in his opening address. A launching ceremony for a "local government basic income council" will be followed by a special "talk concert." At the launching ceremony, representatives from 40 Korean local governments promoting or preparing basic income schemes will participate either online or offline to present their visions. During the "talk concert," Governor Lee and renowned economic and social theorist Jeremy Rifkin will engage in a one-on-one discussion on "Post-COVID-19 and Basic Income." On the second day, the international conference will take place under the theme of "A Fair and Sustainable World Through Basic Income." It will be attended by 26 scholars, local government officials and heads of research institutes from more than 10 countries, including Eduardo Suplicy, a former member of the Federal Senate of Brazil; Karen Jooste, a former member of the Parliament of South Africa; and Annie Miller, co-founder of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN). Concurrently, "Basic Income and Local Currency Virtual Exhibition Hall" will staged in the form of a virtual 3D exhibition hall. Anyone can enter this exhibition hall through the official website. Those interested can visit the virtual exhibition hall and explore major exhibits prior to the official opening of the fair. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1247641/Gyeonggi_Province_Governor.jpg Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra Mon, September 7, 2020 18:06 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c433f2ac 1 Business WanaArtha-Life,securities,account,Jiwasraya,corruption,insurance,policy-holders Free Policyholders of the ailing privately-owned life insurer PT Asuransi Jiwa Adisarana Wanaartha (WanaArtha Life) have demanded the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the Central Jakarta District Court unfreeze the insurers securities account to let the company pay the customers' mature policies. About 80 policyholders from North Sumatra and Riau Islands held a peaceful protest in front of the Maimon Palace in Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday to demand the unfreezing of the account, which is worth around Rp 4 trillion (US$270.89 million). The account was frozen amid a corruption investigation into state-owned insurer PT Asuransi Jiwasraya. Our funds have no relation whatsoever to Jiwasraya. We are pleading to the judges to tell the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) to unfreeze our funds in the ruling in October, Armin, WanaArtha Life policyholder and insurance agent, told The Jakarta Post. Around Rp 1 trillion in the insurers blocked securities account belongs to policyholders from North Sumatra, he added. The AGO blocked in February WanaArtha Lifes securities account, along with hundreds of investment managers and individuals' accounts, in connection to the alleged corruption and investment mismanagement at Jiwasraya, which is currently on trial at the Central Jakarta District Court. The allegation came after Jiwasraya was unable to pay its policyholders claims worth Rp 18 trillion as it invested most of its premium revenue from its product JS Saving Plan into so-called pump-and-dump stocks. Armin said the AGOs action prevented policyholders and their heirs from claiming their mature policies and receiving cash benefits for daily necessities. One of the policyholders heirs, A Sen, said he was deeply disappointed as he was unable to claim his mothers insurance money following her death in January 2020 after being a customer since 2018. This really hurts me as I cant claim my mothers insurance money because the AGO has blocked it. My family have accused me of embezzling the money, he said. WanaArtha Life senior sales director Hendro Yuwono Salim admitted that the insurer was unable to disburse the claims demanded by the policyholders until the courts ruling on the Jiwasraya case was announced. The freezing of the account by the AGO has also disrupted the insurers operations and affected its employees. We hope the ruling will unfreeze our account so we can operate normally and pay the policyholders claims, Hendro told the Post. (ris) ALGIERS, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Algeria's new constitution, due to be put to a referendum on Nov. 1, would meet demands by a protest movement that ousted veteran president Abdelaziz Bouteflika last year, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Sunday. Tebboune also vowed to amend other laws and continue fighting against corruption to enable the state to restore confidence after investigations in 2019 revealed the involvement of several senior officials in corruption cases. The referendum will be the first test for Tebboune since his election in December last year that followed mass street protests rejecting Bouteflika's plan to seek a new term after 20 years in power, and demanding the departure of the whole ruling elite. "The draft meets the demands of the protest movement," a presidential statement quoted Tebboune as telling a cabinet meeting to discuss and approve the final draft of the constitution. The draft will be submitted next week to parliament for endorsement before the referendum. It includes mainly giving more powers to the parliament, prime minister and the judiciary as well as strengthening political freedoms. The implementation of this constitutional amendment - if approved by the people - "will require adapting a number of laws to the new stage as part of a comprehensive reform of the state and its institutions," the statement quoted him as saying, without giving details. The protests, which broke out in February last year, were followed by a series of trials in which former senior officials, including prime ministers, ministers and businessmen, were jailed over corruption charges. Demonstrations were banned by the government in March this year to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Tebboune said the number of corruption cases handled by courts showed a "trust crisis" between rulers and the people over the past years. "The end of this crisis is a condition for building a new Algeria in which no one will be protected by immunity and influence," he said. (Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed; Editing by Andrea Ricci) It just adds to the mystique of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley. It just emphasizes how important the bottom lands, the flood plain forests, the backwater sloughs and those very pristine wetlands are, Cupp said of the Ramsar designation, as he stood on a sandbar just downriver from Muscoda. What Marquette and Joliet saw and countless generations of Native Americans before them, is what we can still see today. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, in 1989, signed a bill into law that identified the winding stretch of water as a Riverway and came after hundreds of hours of public meetings, debate at the state Capitol and ultimately legislation crafted by lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. The law is intended to protect and preserve the scenic beauty and natural character of the river valley and manages the resources of the area for the long-term benefit of the citizens of the state, with the regulations designed to minimize the visual impact of an activity when viewed from the river during leaf-on conditions. For example, permits are required for the construction of new buildings, modification of existing structures, placement of mobile homes, construction of utility facilities, and timber harvests and for walkways or stairways that provide access to the river. The Greater Accra Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Moses Abor has challenged the flagbearer of the opposition NDC, John Mahama to a debate over his assurance to legalize okado business when re-elected as President. According to him, Mr. Mahama stole his vision to legalize okada business in the country. He cautioned Mr. Mahama to stop plagiarizing his (Moses Abors) ideas and tasked him to come out with his own ideas. Since we assumed office in 2016, the idea to regulate Okada business has always been my idea as a youth leader and already in consultation with stakeholders in the transport industry to legalize their operations for commercial purposes in the country. Was the ban not under NDCs regime, so why the sudden U-Tune??I am challenging him (Mr. Mahama) to a debate over the legalization of the Okada Business. Enough of the incompetent because Ghanaians are not asking for photocopy PresidentIt is not about copying someone's idea and changing it to your own. What Ghanaians are expecting from him is to come up with fresh ideas, something that has never been implemented or occurred to anybody thus a unique alternative and not an already existing initiative. Let him accept this challenge and prove Ghanaians wrong. Enough is enough, he said. 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 UNODC GMCP Seychelles hosts first maritime law enforcement courses aimed at combating crimes on board fishing vessels UNODC Seychelles, 4 September 2020 - The UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), funded by the United States Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, hosted three Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) maritime law enforcement courses aimed at strengthening Seychelles capacity to counter crimes on board fishing vessels. Fishing vessels are not only the scene of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Both ancillary and unrelated crimes are often also found on board such vessels. This includes illegal transshipment of catch, document fraud, labour exploitation, human trafficking and drug trafficking. Sub-standard fishing vessels may also violate the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The project, titled Countering Illegal Transshipments in African Small Island Developing States (SIDS), aims to combat this range of crimes by facilitating inter-agency cooperation between maritime law enforcement agencies and fishing authorities. The Seychelles Coast Guard, Anti-Narcotics Bureau and Marine Police Unit were for the first time joined by the Seychelles Fishing Authority and Seychelles Customs during the VBSS courses. The courses included a week of classroom training, which entailed practical exercises and seminars on the laws applicable at sea. The second week consisted of practical training, including real-life scenario boarding exercises. In addition to the VBSS courses, a basic seamanship course was also delivered to ensure all maritime law enforcement agencies are safe when operating at sea. The courses were presented by two UNODC GMCP instructors. Chief Instructor Stuart Melville, commented: Once it became evident that the pandemic would pose significant challenges to the training, the GMCP team in Seychelles worked in close cooperation with national counterparts to ensure the use of PPE by course participants and the adherence to social distancing recommendations. UNODC GMCP feels positive about the future in maritime law enforcement in Seychelles and looks forward to developing new initiatives to enhance the VBSS courses. Tests currently used for detecting coronavirus cannot tell if the recipient is suffering from flu - Alexander Shcherbak /TASS South Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has announced it is developing a test kit that will be able to detect both seasonal flu and Covid-19. Both diseases display similar symptoms, making it difficult for medical professionals to administer the right type of test from the beginning. "As Covid-19 and influenza share symptoms, it is very important to discern them from each other in the country's fight against the new coronavirus," KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a briefing. The KCDC says that several institutions have applied to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for kits and that the approval process is already under way. South Korea is hoping to have the new tests approved by the time the traditional flu season begins - SANJAY BAID/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock /Shutterstock Autumn signals the arrival of the traditional flu season and healthcare professionals are concerned that similar symptoms to the novel coronavirus, such as coughing, a sore throat and a fever, will make it harder to discern who is suffering from which affliction. In May, the KCDC called for 30 million Koreans to get vaccinated against the flu, with priority given to the over-60s, people with preexisting medical conditions, health care workers and other workers whose jobs involve a lot of person-to-person interactions. Dr. Ki Moran of the National Cancer Center told the Korean Herald that these shots should also be available free of charge. South Korea reported 108 locally transmitted cases and 11 imported cases on Monday. So far 21,296 cases have been reported. The social distancing policies and test and trace system in place have been effective at controlling a second wave. However, despite a decline in cases, the Ministry of Health said they were considering keeping social distancing policies in place until after the Chuseok holiday, a three-day holiday known as Koreas Thanksgiving when millions of people travel across the country to spend time with friends and family. Environment secretary George Eustice says the EU is 'in denial' about the UK's independence. (PA) A government minister has said the EU is in denial over the UKs independence as the prospect of a no-deal Brexit looms. It comes as ministers are drawing up plans that would override a key part of its withdrawal agreement with the EU. The government is preparing legislation that would eliminate the requirement for new customs arrangements in Northern Ireland designed to prevent the return of border checks. Boris Johnson has set a deadline of 15 October for Britain and the EU to agree a post-Brexit trade deal, giving negotiators five weeks before the prospect of walking away from the table. Have your say: Do you think a no-deal Brexit is a good outcome? The prime minister will say later that both sides should move on if an agreement is not reached by that date. On Monday, environment secretary George Eustice accused the EU of being in denial about the UKs independence. Watch the video below The governments move, first reported by the Financial Times, was branded an act of immense bad faith by the Labour Party, who accused the prime minister of threatening to renege on the UKs legal obligations. But Johnson is expected to say later on Monday that completing the UKs exit from the EU without a trade deal would be a good outcome. Northern Ireland deputy first minister Michelle ONeill said any threat of backtracking would be a treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday Agreement. Asked if the Brexit deal could be ripped up if a new trade agreement was not forthcoming, Eustice told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: No. We are not saying that at all. We have a withdrawal agreement, and that includes Northern Ireland protocol. And we are committed to implementing that. However, he said ongoing negotiations through a joint committee process are needed to iron out a few remaining technical details as to how the Northern Ireland protocol would work He described these as loose ends where there is a requirement for legal certainty. Story continues He added: The government may need to legislate to provide that legal clarity and certainty. Asked about the prime ministers assertion that a no-deal Brexit would be a good outcome, Eustice replied: "It will be a good outcome in that we will have regained our independence as a country and we'll be making our own laws again. Boris Johnson has issued a deadline of 15 October for a Brexit trade deal to be reached. (PA) He said the EU could have granted the UK a trade deal similar the one it has with Canada, which eliminates most tariffs on the goods they trade. "We've gone into these negotiations asking for something that's very realistic and reasonable, something the EU's already offered Canada, said Eustice. "That's an agreement the EU could have done but I think, because they are in denial about what it means to be an independent country, they've been reluctant to do it to date. "But they still got time to do it." Northeastern University says it has dismissed 11 students who gathered in a hotel room in violation of the school's coronavirus policies and will not refund their tuition, marking one of the most severe punishments college students have faced for breaking pandemic rules. University staff members found the first-year students hanging out last week in a room at a Westin Hotel in downtown Boston, which Northeastern is using as a temporary dorm for about 800 students, according to a university statement. Officials instructed them to take a coronavirus test, then leave campus within 24 hours. The students, who were part of a study-abroad program that was held in Boston this semester, will not be reimbursed for their $36,500 tuition payments, according to the university. They will be allowed back on campus in the spring. In the meantime, the university said, they can appeal the punishment in an expedited hearing. The dismissal underscores the steps that universities nationwide are taking to deter behavior that could accelerate the spread of the novel coronavirus on campuses. "Cooperation and compliance with public health guidelines is absolutely essential," Madeleine Estabrook, senior vice chancellor for student affairs at Northeastern, said in a statement Friday. "Those people who do not follow the guidelines - including wearing masks, avoiding parties and other gatherings, practicing healthy distancing, washing your hands, and getting tested - are putting everyone else at risk." But public health experts have cautioned that such actions by universities may do more harm than good. Intense punishments could create a chilling effect, discouraging students from participating in contact tracing or reporting their symptoms and making it harder to track and contain infections, said Julia Marcus, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Harvard University. "The greater the punishment, the less likely it is the students are going to comply with any public health efforts," Marcus told The Washington Post. "Using a punitive approach doesn't address the problem, which is that students have unmet needs for social contacts. That's not going to go away if you throw students off campus." Marcus cited the outdoor gathering space that the University of Notre Dame set up for students as an example of what universities could do to help students mingle in an environment in which transmission is less likely. The school converted a tract of lawn at the center of campus into an outdoor lounge, with Adirondack chairs, fire pits, a stage and an open area to play games. "I feel like what Northeastern did was extreme," Marcus said. "Universities need to be more compassionate and more creative in providing safer alternatives for students to socialize." Nearly every major university that has resumed in-person learning in recent weeks has reported coronavirus clusters among students and staff members. Some large universities, including James Madison University and North Carolina State, have pivoted to online classes after outbreaks emerged. Health experts have warned that Americans appear to be letting their guards down when it comes to protecting themselves and others from the virus. That could spell trouble going into the fall as people spend more time indoors in close quarters and cooler weather facilitates the spread of the virus. "People are exhausted," Gottlieb told CNN's "Face the Nation." "I think that people's willingness to comply with the simple things that we know can reduce spread is going to start to fray as we head into the fall and the winter, and that's another challenge, trying to keep up our vigilance at a time when we know that this can spread more aggressively." The rolling average for daily new cases in the United States dipped by a marginal 2.7% over the past week, according to The Post's analysis of state health data. Southern states hit hard by a summer surge in infections continued to report progress in controlling their outbreaks, but the virus was on the rise in several Midwestern states - particularly North Dakota and South Dakota, where new infections have more than doubled in the past month. Local officials and health experts cautioned that Labor Day weekend festivities could fuel a spike in cases similar to the wave of infections that began after Memorial Day, when large gatherings caused virus clusters to emerge nationwide. At the end of May, the country was tallying about 22,000 infections daily. The country's average daily caseload now stands at nearly twice that number, according to The Post's tracking. On Friday, the United States added more than 50,000 cases for the first time since Aug. 15. Although drug companies remain under pressure to produce an effective vaccine, some of the Trump administration's actions in recent days have fueled worry that development is being inappropriately fast-tracked so a vaccine will be ready by Election Day on Nov. 3. About two-thirds of U.S. voters think a vaccine probably would have been rushed without enough testing if it were approved this year, according to a CBS News poll released Sunday. Just over 2 in 10, 21% of voters, said they would get a vaccine as soon as possible, down from 32% in late July. Gottlieb and Moncef Slaoui, chief scientific adviser for the Trump administration's effort to accelerate vaccine production, have said that a vaccine is "extremely" unlikely to be widely available this year. Trump, however, said Friday that a vaccine probably will be available in October. Federal officials have promised not to consider political factors in vaccine production. - - - The Washington Post's Emily Guskin contributed to this report. PERILOUS BOUNTY The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It By Tom Philpott In a world where its impossible to keep up with the urgent and awful stories that seem to get worse by the week, its easy to lose track of all we worried about in before times little stuff like whether food-borne illnesses were killing hundreds of people. Is that still going on? The answer is of course: Yes. As I write, more than 900 cases of salmonella have been linked to onions. And in our time of lockdown, there has been no end to stories of fields of ripe produce being plowed under, millions of gallons of milk dumped and millions of chickens slaughtered for lack of ways to bring them to the supermarkets and food banks that need them. Weve lost track of just how badly served the planet has been by the agriculture and distribution systems that evolved in the name of efficiency and price competition. Shutting your eyes may be presidential policy, but the journalist and blogger Tom Philpott wont let us get away with it. He wants to focus our attention squarely on the environmental consequences of the global and, especially, the American way of raising food. Nothing, his new Perilous Bounty reminds us, is going in the right direction. Not the economics of farming neither the small-scale diversified farming we love to support at our local farmers market, which has nearly vanished, nor, surprisingly, the consolidated farms of the Corn Belt, where even with federal protectionism farming is a pretty awful business. Not the topsoil of those farms, one of the jewels of global agriculture formed over millenniums, depleted by monoculture and left to wash away in the increasingly uncontrollable and erratic deluges caused by climate change. Not the tap water of half a million people around Toledo, who in 2014 were told not to drink, wash or bathe in water made toxic by titanic amounts of industrially produced nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers dumped into Lake Erie. The real meaning of left sectarianism This article originally appeared in the Australian Marxist Review October, 1982. There is much Marxist literature and many practical experiences to show the real nature and content of left sectarianism. From time to time, those concerned with this issue have tended to equate left sectarianism with Party discipline and the strict adherence of policies and directives formulated by democratically elected higher Party committees. Left sectarianism can be many things, but it is not and never has been the application of discipline in respect of Party decisions. Writing in Left-Wing Communism An Infantile Disorder Lenin said: [...] the Bolsheviks could not have retained power for two and a half months [...] without the most rigorous and truly iron discipline in our Party And again, [in the same work]: victory over the bourgeoisie is impossible without a long, stubborn and desperate life and death struggle which calls for tenacity, discipline and a single and inflexible will. It is well to recall here that the highest form of working-class organisation is the Party. This is basic. The best way to prevent the Party from being diverted by leftism (or any other deviation for that matter) is to strengthen internal Party discipline in support of Marxist-Leninist positions, not to weaken it. In Left-Wing Communism Lenin not only showed the social roots of sectarianism but also gave the key to the source of the argument that Party discipline can be equated to sectarianism. What is the social base of sectarianism? [...] the petty proprietor, the small master [...] who, under capitalism always suffers oppression and very frequently a most acute and rapid deterioration in his conditions of life, and even ruin, easily goes to revolutionary extremes, but is incapable of perseverance, organisation, discipline and steadfastness. So Lenin argues, as Marx and Engels did before him, that left sectarianism springs from the petty proprietor and that this person brings with him a disdain for organisation and discipline. This is the view of other Marxist-Leninist Parties who also reject the idea that party discipline is equated to left sectarianism. Robert Steigerwald, an outstanding revolutionary and leading member of the German Communist Party wrote: Petty bourgeois radicalism is understood [...] as anti-authoritarian and generally speaking, its adherents consider themselves to be Marxist-Leninists. The whittling away of bourgeois liberties and spontaneity in the face of state monopoly control combined with these radicals negative attitude towards concrete communist organisation (and) discipline [...] leads to a fundamentally anti-institutional, semi-anarchic approach [...] it is also claimed a centralised Party under revolutionary leadership is unnecessary. Attempts to equate Party discipline with left sectarianism, bureaucracy, authoritarianism, etc. are not new. In 1903, Lenin and the Bolsheviks waged a struggle against those who wanted a looser party structure. He wrote: It is clear, I think, that the outcries against the much talked of bureaucracy are simply a screen to conceal dissatisfaction with the personnel of these centres, a fig leaf [...] You are a bureaucrat, because you were appointed by the Congress not in accordance with my wishes but in spite of them; you are a formalist, because you base yourself on the formal decisions of the Congress and not on my consent: you act in a crudely mechanical way, because your authority is the mechanical majority of the Party Congress [...]; you are an autocrat, because you do not want to deliver power into the hands of the old gang. (The old gang here referred to is that of Axelrod [...] and others, who would not submit to the decisions of the Second Congress and who accused Lenin of being a bureaucrat J.S.) So much for what left sectarianism isnt. Lenin urged the Bolsheviks to wage a tireless struggle against ultra leftism, but he was also insistent that it be properly identified. This was because it clothed itself in deceptively revolutionary garb and was frequently more difficult to recognise than right opportunism. This remains true today. Left sectarianism in Lenins day and he said the best example of this trend in the 1920s was to be found in the Russian Socialist Revolutionary Party could be identified by their attitude to three major issues. These were: The need to assess the balance of class forces, The need for class rather than individual action, and The attitude to be adopted by revolutionaries to the reformists. In the first place, the lefts in Lenins day, as now, reject out of hand the need to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the various forces in the struggle for socialism. Alternatively, they grossly over-estimate the strengths of the working class and its allies while underestimating their weaknesses giving a distorted view of the forces for and against socialism. In the former case, various Trotskyist sects go to some trouble to advertise the obvious fact that some of the objective conditions making for revolution are with us here in Australia a general crisis of capitalism, intensified exploitation of the working people, falling living standards, an advanced economic base on which to build socialism, and so on. What is not recognised is that in addition to the existence of the objective prerequisites, which the SPA* has recognised since its formation, there are also subjective factors which need to be present. It is clear in Australia that the subjective factors, while taking shape, have never been developed to the point where a revolution is imminent. The subjective factors include a willingness by the working-class to think and act as a class, to cast aside illusions about capitalism, to reject the ideology and policies of reformism and to be no longer prepared to accept rule in the old way. To try to take a short-cut to revolution by skipping over the need to develop the subjective requirements for revolution is a recipe for disaster. [...] The Trotskyists reject the need to assess the balance of class forces. [...] Georgi Dimitrov gave a similar characterisation of sectarianism to that of Lenin in his report to the 7th Congress of the Communist International in 1935. He said that sectarianism could only be overcome if communists seriously take into account the actual level of the class consciousness of the masses, the degree to which they have become revolutionised, if we soberly appraise the concrete situation, not on the basis of our wishes, but on the basis of the actual state of affairs [...] Sectarianism finds expression particularly in over-estimating the revolutionisation of the masses, in overestimating the speed at which they are abandoning the position of reformism, in attempts to leap over difficult stages and over complicate tasks of the movement. He quoted Lenin who said: This is the whole point we must not regard that which is obsolete for us as being obsolete for the class, as being obsolete for the masses. [...] Our best shield against the penetration and effects of right and left opportunism is three-fold. Firstly, it is necessary to ensure the working out of a correct political line, one firmly based on the application of Marxism-Leninism to all our task and struggles. [...] Secondly, democratic centralism must be strictly applied in working out and then putting into practice the decisions arrived at. The principles of democratic centralism apply to everyone from the newest recruit to the party leadership. It is not a question of democracy for the membership and centralism for the leadership as has been suggested. This is not democratic centralism but a distortion or it. Thirdly, an ideological struggle must he waged against the dissipating effects of right-opportunism and the isolating consequences of left sectarianism. The 4th Congress documents adopted this approach. The Political Resolution says: Revolutionary change can neither be gingered up nor achieved by watering down ideological principles, by failing to take a stand on principle or relying on the development of the spontaneous mass movement. Left and right opportunism tend to fuel one another. Leftism gains ground as right opportunism shows its bankruptcy. Right opportunism is revitalised as the futility or leftist excesses are repudiated. It is necessary to oppose both expressions or opportunism. It is not a question or a balance between these two errors but or overcoming the ideological weaknesses which give rise to both. To Left and right opportunism we oppose a proper application or Marxism-Leninism. Let us proceed to build a united party of socialism based soundly on the scientific principles of Marxist-Leninist ideology. * Socialist Party of Australia, name of the current Communist Party of Australia, prior to the adoption of its current name at the 8th National Congress. The U.S. Justice Department expanded its case against Assange in a new indictment announced in June, though it did not introduce new charges. But Assange attorney Mark Summers said it was an impossible task for the legal team to deal with the new allegations in time for Mondays court hearing, especially since they had only limited access to the imprisoned Assange. The opposition NDC has accused government of misleading Ghanaians with ghost projects. This follows the Bawumia-led results fair which highlighted projects undertaken by government: some completed, others work in progress. Sammy Gyamfi, National Communications Officer of the NDC at their weekly press conference said apart from the ghost projects, many of the few ones that existed were also started by the past Mahama government. Ladies and Gentlemen, after a painstaking investigation into the claims made by Dr. Bawumia at the Town Hall Meeting and the delivery tracker which was launched at the program, we have identified hundreds of ghost projects and thousands of stolen Mahama and private-owned projects, he stated. Sammy Gyamfi in a discussion on Neat FM shot down claims that some of the projects which has been described as non-existent were added due to misinformation from the districts. "It's so unfair for this government to say MMDCEs misled Dr Bawumia. It was Dr Bawumia who sat in his air-conditioned office to conjure projects which are non-existent," 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. Featured Video Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tatiana Kalinovskaya (Agence France-Presse) Minsk, Belarus Mon, September 7, 2020 11:15 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431f0fa 2 World Belarus,Alexander-Lukashenko,protest,politics,protest-march Free Huge crowds of Belarusian protesters on Sunday flooded the capital Minsk, urging strongman Alexander Lukashenko to quit power, defying the threat of arrest and a massive deployment of forces. More than 100,000 people are estimated to have taken to the streets of the capital Minsk over the past three weekends and AFP journalists said the crowds in Minsk might have been even larger on Sunday. Troops, water cannon, armored personnel carriers and armored reconnaissance vehicles were deployed to the city center but protesters from all walks of life -- from parents with children to students and even priests-- rallied in a show of defiance. Around 250 people were arrested nationwide including 175 in Minsk, according to the Viasna rights group. An interior ministry spokesperson refused to confirm the figures. Many protesters held red-and-white flags and placards while a band beat drums and played other instruments. "Despite rain and pressure from the authorities, despite repression, many more people turned up in Minsk than last Sunday," top opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova told reporters. "I am convinced that protests will continue until we win." Unprecedented demonstrations broke out after Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years, claimed re-election with 80 percent of the vote on August 9. Opposition rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she won the vote but Lukashenko's security forces have detained thousands of protesters, many of whom accused police of beatings and torture. Several people have died during the crackdown. Tikhanovskaya left Belarus under pressure from authorities and took shelter in EU member Lithuania. 'Honest elections' Belarusians have been demonstrating across the country for nearly a month even though the protest movement lacks a clear leader, with many activists jailed or forced out of the country. On Sunday, the protesters marched towards Lukashenko's residence at the Independence Palace where they chanted "Tribunal" and "How much are you getting paid?" One protester held a portrait of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who Germany says has been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent "Please only live," said the placard, referring to President Vladimir Putin's main political rival. Navalny has been in a coma for the past two weeks after he drank what his aides suspect was a cup of poisoned tea in Siberia. "Sasha, have some tea. It's Putin's treat," some protesters chanted, referring to Lukashenko by his diminutive name. Many say they will keep taking to the streets until Lukashenko quits. "Lukashenko must go," said Nikolai Dyatlov, a 32-year-old protester. Another protester, 40-year-old Anastasia Bazarevich, said: "Half of the village where my grandma lives comes out and protests every night." Russia has said it will respond to any Western attempts to "sway the situation" and Putin has raised the possibility of sending military support. As demonstrators gradually dispersed later Sunday, images showed hooded men in civilian clothes with batons chasing and beating demonstrators. 'Tough nut' Putin has been keen to unify Russia and Belarus, and Moscow has accompanied its recent offers of military aid with calls for tighter integration. Lukashenko has in the past ruled out outright unification and sought to play Moscow off against the West, but his options are now limited. On Thursday, Lukashenko hosted Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and said the two countries had managed to agree on issues they "could not agree earlier". The mustachioed leader said he planned to "dot all the i's" with Putin in Moscow in the next few weeks. Lukashenko made headlines this week when he claimed that his security forces had intercepted German calls showing that Navalny's poisoning had been faked. Belarusian state television broadcast the "intercept" in which a Mike in Warsaw and Nick in Berlin discuss Navalny's materials and call Lukashenko a "tough nut to crack." Lukashenko also raised eyebrows last month when he brandished an assault rifle and had his 16-year-old son Nikolai appear next to him in a bulletproof vest while also wielding a weapon. KAMPALA As part of their Safe Motherhood Initiative, Airtel Uganda has today handed over a brand new ultrasound scan to Bukwo District. The donated mobile ultrasound-scan is portable and power efficient making it possible for health workers to access patients wherever they are thus reducing risk and the transport burden on patients. According to the Airtel Uganda Human Resource Director Mrs. Flavia Ntambi, maternal health is one of the key points of focus under the health pillar of the Airtel Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. We are happy to contribute to the safe delivery statistics in Bukwo District and Uganda in general by handing over this mobile ultrasound scan today. This donation underscores Airtels commitment to the well-being of Ugandans. We remain committed to the improvement of the lives of Ugandans across the country not only through providing seamless telecommunications solutions but also through initiatives such as this, she said. To ensure sustainable usage of the equipment, the Bukwo District health officials went through an intensive training on how to use the scan and as well extend accurate information to the expectant mothers facilitated by experts from M-Scan Uganda and the head of Radiology at Mount Elgon Hospital in Mbale Dr. Elijah Wakamuke. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine thanked Airtel Uganda for the machine and noted that Airtel Uganda has always partnered with the Government of Uganda in the areas of health through their various health camps and other initiatives. We are happy to have a partner in Airtel Uganda who has committed themselves to ensuring proper health care provision across Uganda through their different initiatives. I call upon the Bukwo District health officials to use their training and this equipment to selflessly extend maternity health services to the people. Together, we can reduce complications associated to child birth, she noted. Since 2014, Airtel Uganda has conducted free medical health outreaches with Safe motherhood as part of its outreaches in areas such as Kamuli, Lamwo, Masindi, Kamuganguzi, Kisoro, Kabale and Kotido among others. In Uganda today, the inadequate utilization of antenatal care greatly contributes to the avoidable rates of maternal and neonatal mortality seeing that most expectant mothers start antenatal care late at about 5.5 months into the pregnancy with most mothers in the rural areas not even attending the 4th visit. According to the Annual Health Sector Performance report FY2018/2019, antenatal care (ANC) coverage for the fourth visit though it increased by 11% to 42% (821,104/1,941,155) in 2018/19 from 38% in FY 2017/2018 it was still below the Health Sector Development Plan (HSDP) target of 45% for FY 2018/219. The objective of the Airtel Safe Motherhood program is to mobilize expectant mothers to access antenatal care (ANC) services at the health centers in their districts. Using the scan, health workers are able to monitor pregnancies for complications and the pregnant woman will be able to know her babys growth and physical development. Related Continue Reading Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill, Suffolk, has closed after five members of staff tested positive for COVID-19. (Google) Two schools have closed after teaching staff tested positive for coronavirus within days of reopening. Last week, there were queues at the gates as schools reopened across the UK. Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill, Suffolk, closed on Monday for a deep clean after five teachers tested positive for COVID-19, while another two are waiting for their test results. And Old Buckenham High School near Attleborough, Norfolk, was also closed on Monday for a deep clean after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus. Samuel Ward Academy reopened to some pupils last Thursday and many more from other year groups were due to return on Monday. In a statement, the school said the closure was a precautionary measure and that it hoped to reopen on Tuesday. Headteacher Andy Hunter said: The safety of pupils and all those who work at the school is my biggest priority. Obviously this is a huge disappointment after working so hard to get the school back up and running. I will be looking closely at the systems we put in place to try to understand how the transmission occurred and to make sure we do everything possible to limit the chances of the same thing happening again. I am very disappointed by this disrupted start to the school term. We have taken very extensive precautions. We were delighted that term had started so well last week and were looking forward to the final two year groups starting. We are determined to do all we can to stop the further spread of the virus and agree with the precautionary action to close the school. Anyone who has been in close contact with infected staff has been contacted and asked to self-isolate for 14 days, the school said. A number of schools reopened their doors to pupils last week. (AP Photo) Further contact tracing will continue and additional pupils and staff may be asked to self-isolate. Stuart Keeble, director of public health at Suffolk County Council, said: Understandably, this news may worry parents across Suffolk, but it is important to remember that the risk of children contracting COVID-19 is still very small. Story continues Evidence suggests that children are more likely to contract COVID-19 at home. In a statement posted on its website on Sunday evening, Old Buckenham High School said: Due to a member of staff testing positive for COVID-19, Old Buckenham High School will be closed on Monday. We apologise for the late delivery of this information, however, we have only very recently become aware of the situation. The school had reopened on Friday. Headteacher Andrew Fell said: While it is regrettable to close the school on Monday, this incident has shown that systems are in place and working to quickly deal with any issues related to COVID-19. The school will be deep cleaned on Monday and decisions about reopening conveyed to parents/carers as soon as practicable. Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter Following union railway minister Piyush Goyals letter to the chief ministers of nine states seeking to remove bottlenecks which have hampered work on the 81,000 crore dedicated freight corridor project, several states have expedited land acquisition clearances and deployed police in areas where issues of law and order were holding up work. According to officials aware of the development land acquisition clearances have been provided in the past week by states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat. Following concerns raised by the Prime Ministers Office over delays in the completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC), one of the largest rail infrastructure projects, Railways cited poor progress of work by contractors and raised concerns over law and order in Uttar Pradesh and delays in construction by Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab governments, Hindustan Times reported on August 26. Railways identified delays in both the Eastern and Western dedicated freight corridors and revised the deadline for completion to June 2022 from its earlier target of December 2021. In Bihars Rohtas district, a detailed review was done by the DM (District Magistrate), and three teams have been formed to expedite payment and physical possession. Deployment of police at two road over bridge (ROBs) has been approved. Police force have also been deployed in Aurangabad, one of the officials said. On August 26, Goyal wrote to the chief ministers of nine states including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, West Bengal, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, highlighting how the dedicated freight corridor has been facing long-pending issues that remain unresolved. Goyal flagged issues such as land acquisition, pending arbitrations, demands from local residents, and the slow pace of work by state authorities. The Centre has also agreed to the Punjab governments demand for borrowing money from Railways project implementing arm the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) for construction of ROBs. DFCCIL, in an internal report reviewed by HT, cited slow progress of ROB approaches by Uttar Pradesh (total 46 ROBs out of which only 3 have been completed). It has also pointed to law and order issues in Meerut, Muzzafarnagar and Saharanpur District as an area of concern for the delay in the Eastern corridor. And it highlighted slow progress in construction of ROBs in Haryana and Punjab. In the Western Corridor, DFCCIL mentioned slow progress by the Gujarat government citing slow acquisition of land for approaches. In his letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Goyal highlighted a slew of problems including pending road over bridges, obstruction to physical possession of land in areas such as Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Saharanpur among others due to agitation, arbitration, demand for compensation and jobs by villagers, and undue demand of lease rent by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. In a letter to Bihar CM Nirish Kumar, the minister raised concerns over land acquisition in certain stretches due to long delays in the disbursal of awards. Constant weekly monitoring and meetings with all stake holders lead to acquisition of patches and sections of land which were long delayed . Railway minister Piyush Goyal held a review meeting with Chief Secretaries of State Governments to expedite the progress and resolve critical issues of Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). , the railway ministry said on Monday. Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav also wrote letters to Chief Secretaries of State Governments and General Managers of Zonal Railways to expedite the progress and resolve critical issues. Shri Yadav also held a meeting with Dedicated Freight Corridor contractors to resolve their problems and issues, the ministry added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:50:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Listed commercial banks in Kenya defied the effects of COVID-19 pandemic to post growth in deposit, loans and interest income in the first half of the year. The banks between January and June recorded an 18.5 percent growth in deposits, up from the 8.6 percent growth in H1 2019, an analysis of the sector's performance released by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) on Monday showed. The rise in deposit saw interest expenses grow faster by 10 percent compared to 5.3 percent in a similar period in 2019. Average loan growth came in at 16.1 percent, faster than the 9.8 percent recorded in H1 2019. Interest income rose by 10.4 percent, compared to a growth of 3.7 percent recorded in H1 2019. The faster growth in interest income was attributed to the 16.1 percent growth in loans and increased allocation to government securities. COVID-19 was first reported in Kenya in mid-March but the number of cases is declining. "With the economy opened up, banks will record better performance in the second half as manufacturing, floriculture, mining and tourism sectors flourish," said Ernest Manuyo, a lecturer at Pioneer Institute in Nairobi. Enditem In order to determine accurate insurance premiums, car insurance providers will analyze multiple factors. The age of the driver and the type of vehicle can significantly influence the price of insurance premiums, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. In order to drive on the public roads of the US, drivers need to have car insurance. Many of them are curious and they wonder how their insurance rates are determined. Insurance companies will analyze multiple factors before offering an insurance deal to anyone. The most important factors that can significantly influence the price of car insurance, are the following: Location. The zip code of any potential customer is very important for a car insurance provider. 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On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page There is clearly an enormous risk that the governments proposed new Brexit legislation will torpedo the current talks with the EU. I wonder how much discussions have from the UK side just served as camouflage for the governments wish for a final, decisive break with Europe? The results of leaving without a deal are almost certainly going to be calamitous. Taxes and border checks will be placed on British goods entering the EU. These will make our goods dearer and harder to sell in Europe. Border checks, as we have been frequently told, could well bring about great delays at the ports. Also, and very importantly, our vital service industries, such as banks and catering, would lose their guaranteed access to Europe. Our good faith or whatever remains of it will also come into question with the apparent government willingness to renege on the Northern Ireland agreement. All the opposition parties (and the more enlightened Conservatives) now need to unite to defeat the proposed legislation, and seek to persuade the British people that only by hanging together with our European neighbours can we avoid, in the present world crisis, hanging separately. The Rev Andrew McLuskey Address supplied Deal or no deal? The prime minister says no deal can be good for us. So why then does he not agree a no deal today (or indeed did he not agree one ages ago ) and save the country millions in money and vast amounts of time in (pretend) negotiating? Jenny Backwell Hove What did I miss? So worrying was the prospect of a no-deal scenario that parliament passed a bill to prevent such an outcome. Micheal Gove sought to reassure the public that there was only an infinitesimally small chance of leaving without a deal, which was even described as oven ready. Now, according to Boris Johnson, it seems that no deal is the best outcome for Britain. What did I miss? Geoff Forward Stirling No extension of furlough beyond October, says Rishi Sunak Rishis money trees It would appear that the money trees which form the basis of Rishi Sunak's Covid and Brexit economic plans are planted in rocky soil. Further, it now appears that their shallow roots will require inordinate amounts of expensive tax fertiliser. Matt Minshall Brittany, France Stop universities reopening The large jump in the number of new coronavirus cases in the UK underlines the point that the virus in this country is once again following the trajectory of numbers of cases in France, Italy and Spain. This may well mean that in this country we will now have several weeks of high daily cases. Armed with this foresight, should the government not postpone for several months the reopening of universities and colleges to prevent the likelihood of cases rising even higher as the result of hundreds of thousands of students moving around the country? Peter Coggins Oxford The right to offend It had been my intention to write a letter about how easy it is to offend someone these days. When I started to write the letter it dawned on me that this letter itself may cause offence, so I decided to write a different letter entirely. However, I now realised that I was offended by not being able to voice my opinion without upsetting somebody else. Why should my thoughts and opinions cause offence in a land of free speech? Surely, if I wish to say black is white, that is my business and should cause no offence in others. Whatever happened to the words of Evelyn Beatrice Hall, who wrote in her book, The Life of Voltaire: I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it? Colin Bower Nottingham Delhi Metro services came back to life at 7am sharp on Monday, more than five months after being shut down as part of anti-Covid measures. The first line to be opened for passengers in Delhi was the 48.8km Yellow Line connecting Huda City Centre in Gurugram and Samaypur Badli in north Delhi which operated in two shifts of four hours each in the morning and the evening. The line recorded a ridership of over 15,500 on Monday (till 8.30pm). Click here for full Covid-19 coverage Around 7,500 passengers used the line between 7am and 11am, and more than 8,000 between 4pm and 8.30pm. Along with this, the Rapid Metro in Gurugram, spanning 11.7km, was also reopened. Delhi Metros estimated average daily ridership on the Yellow Line, before Covid-19 forced it to shut down, was around nine lakh on weekdays. On Monday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in a tweet lauded the Delhi Metro Rail Corporations (DMRC) arrangements. I am glad that Metro services are starting from today (Monday). The [Delhi] Metro has made good arrangements. We all should not be negligent in taking precautions, Kejriwal tweeted. The Metro sputtered back to life amid a thin footfall, with teams of DMRC officials, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and civil defence volunteers stationed across stations to ensure distancing norms were followed. While crowds picked up by evening, ample space was available in stations and inside trains. To help passengers get used to the new functioning of the system, regular announcements were also made on how to go about their journey. Metro officials were also present to guide passengers through the process. We got complete cooperation from commuters, who availed the services for the first time in 169 days, said Anuj Dayal, executive director (corporate communications), DMRC. At entry gates, passengers were rationed into queues by security staff, who also made commuters sanitise their hands before allowing them to enter. Upon entering the gates of the metro stations where entry and exit have been limited to one or two gates depending on the size and footfall of the station passengers were screened for their temperatures after which they were asked to go through another round of sanitization through automated hand sanitizer machines. Further, passengers with baggage were also asked to get their luggage disinfected, before being allowed to proceed for security checks the entire process adding five to six minutes to the normal check in time for passengers during non-rush hours . While this detailed process led to queues forming outside some stations in the evening office hours, passengers ensured that there was no crowding and ample space was left between them as they waited in lines. While most stations had proper floor markings to tell people where to stand while waiting for trains, some like Guru Dronacharya, Arjangarh, Adarsh Nagar and Patel Chowk the platform area did not have positions marked on the floor for passengers. Senior DMRC officials admitted that a few stations, where passenger footfall was not high, might have been missed. They, however, assured these things would be resolved as operations picked up. Some passengers who paid using UPI methods said the payment process required a longer waiting time, which also led to crowding at counters. Top-ups for cards using debit cards were done instantly, but if a person was paying through UPI, the server was not responding immediately, said a DMRC official at the ticketing counter at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station. Rajesh Ranjan, director-general, CISF, also reviewed the operational preparedness of the Metro operations on Monday morning. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Advertisement He's currently in the midst of shooting the seventh instalment in his hugely successful Mission: Impossible franchise. And Tom Cruise was seen making the impossible look anything but on Sunday, when he shot gravity-defying scenes for the anticipated movie in Norway. The 58-year-old actor was seen flying through the air as he jumped off a huge ramp aboard a motorcycle on the top of mountain Helsetkopen, near Hellesylt. Scroll down for video Mission Possible: Tom Cruise was seen making the impossible look anything but on Sunday, when he shot gravity-defying scenes for Mission: Impossible 7 in Norway Soon after leaping into the air, the Hollywood screen star let go of the motorbike, allowing it to fall to the grown as he continued his descent in a parachute. According to eyewitnesses on the set, the awe-inspiring stunt took four takes to pull off on the steep mountainside before rolling cameras. A helicopter was seen trailing the star as all of the death-defying action took place, as production continued on the big budget production. Flying: The 58-year-old actor was seen flying through the air as he jumped off a huge ramp aboard a motorcycle on the top of mountain Helsetkopen, near Hellesylt Parachute: Soon after leaping into the air, the Hollywood screen star let go of the motorbike, allowing it to fall to the grown as he continued his descent via parachute On Saturday, he was seen not taking any chances as he prepared to film another heart-stopping scene while donning a face mask to practice his latest fight. The star was dressed in all-black as he rehearsed his latest scuffle with a stuntman atop a train in Norway, after production for the blockbuster was relocated from the UK following a five-month break amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Cruise who will reprise his role as Ethan Hunt in the spy film series was attached to a harness for the scuffle on the roof of a train, and briefly chatted to crew members as he prepared to film the scene. The scenes were filmed in the heart of the Norwegian countryside with a vintage-style train recreated as the setting, surrounded by plenty of scaffolding. Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise are taking Mission: Impossible 7 to another level pic.twitter.com/eZaa5z8s5Y zach (@ZachMacieI) September 7, 2020 Never shy to take on a challenging stunt, the scene also saw Tom running towards a helicopter as it took off into the sky. After production for Mission Impossible 7 was moved to Norway, it was reported that Cruise hired a 500,000 ship for the film's crew to avoid any coronavirus-related delays. Filming was already delayed for five months after COVID-19 spread across Italy, where production had been based in March, leading the release date to be pushed back to November 2021. Sources claimed the screen star rented the Hurtigruten watercraft for filming as he is 'determined' to avoid further set-backs on the franchise. Daredevil: The 58-year-old actor has become well known for insisting on doing most of his own elaborate stunts in his movies High-octane action: A helicopter was seen trailing the star as all of the death-defying action took place before rolling cameras 'They are terrified of further delays. Tom is determined not to see any more hold-ups. The studio believes it will keep everyone safe and get this shoot wrapped up', a source told The Sun. It was recently claimed that Tom was 'exempt from Norway's quarantine rules' as he restart filming in the Scandinavian country. The media personality revealed how 'excited' he was to start shooting the latest instalment of the franchise in a phone call with Norways Minister of Culture Abid Raja. Speaking about his return, he said: 'Its a gorgeous country, I cant wait to get back there. Im very excited, as is the whole crew, about coming back.' During the call, the minister told how Norway is 'looking forward to having [Tom] back' and insisted how the Hollywood star and crew are allowed to shoot in the country without having to quarantine at home first, Norwegian publication VG reported. However, cast and crew had to pass two tests for coronavirus within 48 hours of landing in Norway and a series of daily rigorous health checks were in place. Abid added that the film production team wouldn't not have contact with anyone that is not part of the set. The films focus on agent Ethan and will be directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who previously worked on 2015's Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation and Mission: Impossible Fallout in 2018. Mission Impossible 7 will be released on November 19, 2021. Archbishop Gervais Nyaisonga, the President of the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference, appeals for peace by all means as the nation prepares for elections on 28 October. By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ Archbishop Gervais Nyaisonga of Mbeya has highlighted the need to foster peace by all means in Tanzania, as the country prepares for its general elections in October. Our nation has always been proud of the gift of peace that we have. This gift is not hidden and it is spoken of by all people. Such a gift should be protected by all means, he said in a video message on 4 September. The Archbishop, who is also the president of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), made the call to voters, candidates, and the electoral commission, warning them that peace can be lost through negligence in this important period leading up to the elections. Peaceful elections, the desire of Tanzanians Highlighting that elections provide direction to the nation in achieving its national goals, Archbishop Nyaisonga reminded the Electoral Commission that it has been given an important responsibility to conduct the polls. The desire of Tanzanians is to see the country at peace and that the elections will be completed well if there is openness, justice, integrity and dedication from the personnel bodies, he said. The Archbishop also encouraged transparency and timely communication in the electoral process, saying that it is best for the spokespersons of the Commission to adequate information to the people because remaining silent in the face of allegations can be translated as being true. Besides, silence will also keep Tanzanians in a state of anxiety. Appeal to the candidates Addressing the candidates, Archbishop Nyaisonga urged them not to campaign platforms to utter sarcasm, insults and unsubstantiated fabrications but rather use the opportunity to tell voters about development and sell their agenda regarding what they would do if they were elected as leaders. We may be told a lot; we may be tempted to do a lot, but we are also Gods creatures and we are bound by Gods command to keep things holy, he reminded the candidates, adding that they have the power to motivate people to do what they can to be proud of or to blame themselves later. He therefore further urged them to motivate the people so that even after the elections, they can be proud to say that they conducted the voting exercise wisely, as the voters hear a lot of things and only filter them with the wisdom bestowed on us by God. Accepting bribes equals selling birthright In the same video message, Archbishop Isaac Massawe of Arusha also cautioned against bribery. Reflecting on the Biblical story of Esau who sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a meal and in the process lost what was rightly his, the Archbishop insisted that the law should be adhered to and anyone found giving or receiving a bribe must be charged. He also called on churches and mosques to preach against this vice. Anyone that offers a bribe has a hidden agenda, Archbishop Massawe said in the video message. They are hiding their weaknesses. If we accept bribes, we will be entering into a system that is full of lies. Inviting his compatriots to elect leaders who have a vision and will protect the family, he exhorted them, saying: if we do not stand for what is right, we will sell ourselves and become slaves because everyone who sells their freedom ends in slavery. Presidential elections Tanzania is due to hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on 28 October 2020. On that day, in addition to electing a president, voters will elect most of the 393-seat legislature. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has so far cleared 15 candidates to vie for the number one office in the nation. Incumbent President John Magufulis party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has governed Tanzania since its independence in 1961. Magufuli was first elected in 2015 after first being the public works minister. Next month Magufuli will face 14 other candidates as he bids to rule for a second five-year term. Campaigning began in the East African country on 28 August, two months before the scheduled elections. A senior Russian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus to hold talks with top officials, according to state media reports The Russian officials will hold talks with the Syrian side about developing and enhancing cooperation on all levels, Xinhua quoted the state-run SANA news agency as saying on Sunday. On Saturday, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper cited Syria's Ambassador to Riad Haddad as saying that the delegation's visit holds special significance considering the political and economic files that will be discussed. Haddad said that counter-terrorism, the work of the Syrian constitutional committee, as well as, the Western economic sanctions on Syria, will be discussed during the visit. Meanwhile, Today news website said that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also join the delegation on Monday. has emerged as a key ally to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. With the help of the Russian forces, the Syrian government has retrieved key areas across the country. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The SARS-CoV-2 crisis also caused "a crisis of trust" in the institutions, according to the Chairman of the Senate, Robert Cazanciuc, who sent a video message on the opening of the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy (RADR). "Until recently, the democratic societies have left the impression that they were less and less fond of the ideas of national identity, national flag and national state, while they were rather embracing a globalist approach. The crisis we are going through reminded them, though, that we do need to maintain strong states. Without strong states, without states that are capable of standing on their own feet, and without international partners that have solidarity and mutual support among their real values, we only have empty shells instead of states. Unfortunately, the health crisis triggered another crisis - a crisis of trust, which makes institutions seem less legitimate," Cazanciuc said.He addressed a few words to the Romanian diplomatic corps on this occasion."I believe that your mission is to transform the desire and cry of many of the Romanians who were asking for a "Country like abroad" into a better Romania," said the interim Chairman of the Senate.At the end of his message, he presented the model of an aircraft."Recently, I welcomed the crews that ten years ago piloted the aircraft that made the largest air bridge since World War Two, as they were bringing back home 700 Romanians from Tripoli. They gave me this Spartan, a gift that is also yours," Cazcanciuc told the staff of the Romanian consular offices.RADR takes place mostly online this year, because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, from Monday till Wednesday. The guests of the event are the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ayman, Safadi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Kang Kyung-wha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdon of Spain, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.The Deputy Secretary-General of NATO, Mircea Geoana, will also be sending a video message. Pesticide and biopesticide producers come together to make clear commitments to support EU Green Deal BRUSSELS, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe's crop protection industry (ECPA) have adopted a set of ambitious commitments to support Europe's new Green Deal, including an investment of over 14 billion in new technologies and more sustainable products by 2030. In addition to this investment, ECPA also plans to ramp up waste collection and increase the levels of training among farmers in Europe as part of its response to the EU's Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies. Geraldine Kutas, European Crop Protection Association Director General, said: "With its ambitious European Green Deal, the European Commission has fired the starting gun for the EU's run towards a more sustainable, climate-neutral future." "We are serious about contributing and aligning with the Green Deal policy initiatives which is why our companies have joined together to set our own voluntary, sector-specific, measurable goals in their support." The six commitments adopted by ECPA will guide the sector for the next decade in key areas of agricultural innovative technologies, the circular economy and better protection of people and the environment: Innovation & Investment: By supporting innovation and the deployment of digital and precision tools as well as biopesticides, we further the European Commission's ambition of a digital and green recovery . By 2030 we will be investing 10 billion euros into innovation in precision and digital technologies and 4 billion euros into innovation in biopesticides. All the investment the industry is committing to is only useful if there is the appropriate regulatory framework allowing the innovation to reach the European farmers. Circular Economy: By increasing the collection rate of the empty pesticides plastic containers to 75% and establishing a collection scheme in the EU Member States that currently have none by 2025, we will contribute to the EU's goal of a circular economy that aims at minimising waste and resources used, lessening the environmental impact of plastic packaging. Protecting People & Environment: By training farmers on the implementation of Integrated Pest Management, water protection and the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), our industry desires to further minimise exposure and reduce the risks of pesticide use, all while contributing to the overall goals of the Sustainable Use Directive and EU Farm to Fork strategies aiming at producing enough food sustainably. Geraldine Kutas added: "We all agree on the direction of travel, what's important now is making those deliberate steps to reach the end goal. "These commitments will be challenging for our companies to deliver on. However, we are committed to deliver on what we have set out for and call on the European Commission to support sustainable agriculture with appropriate regulatory framework allowing the innovation to reach the farmers. "This is just the beginning, we will be tracking our industry's progress over the decade and sharing transparently how far we have come," she concluded. Notes for editor: To learn more about ECPA membership click here https://www.ecpa.eu/about-us/our-network. To learn more about 2030 Commitments click here https://www.ecpa.eu/commitments/2030-commitments. The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) represents the pesticide and biopesticide industry at European level. Its members include all major companies and national associations across Europe. For more general information: www.ecpa.eu | facebook.com/cropprotection | twitter.com/cropprotection A taxpayer watchdog group has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeking the release of records related to taxpayer-funded experiments on cats, according to a Sept. 2 news release. White Coat Waste Project (WCW), which advocates defunding animal experiments, alleged in a recent investigation that the Los Angeles VA has spent nearly $5 million to buy live cats for sleep experiments. It then implants electrodes in their skulls, kills them and removes their brains, the group states. VA denies this, saying it has only spent less than $14K per year over the past three fiscal years "to buy live cats" for research needed to find better ways to treat sleep disorders suffered by Veterans with PTSD and other combat-related disorders. WCW said it solicited all documents and records of such experiments from the VA through a Freedom of Information Act request in January, adding that it brought the lawsuit when the department failed to respond after eight months. Read Next: Navy Fires Destroyer Commander Amid Investigation "We filed this open records lawsuit because taxpayers have a right to know how our money is being spent so we can hold the VA accountable for forcing Americans to pay for this wasteful kitten catastrophe," said Justin Goodman, vice president of advocacy and public policy at WCW. VA spokeswoman Susan Carter said the department does not comment on pending litigation, adding that WCW has "spent years falsely claiming that VA's lifesaving research with canines was not scientifically necessary." According to Carter, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has cited the necessity of using animals for medical research at the VA. "WCW's attempts to ban VA animal research are rooted in emotion rather than science," she said. The VA's fiscal 2021 funding bill, passed by the House on July 24, zeroes out funding for any experiments on dogs that cause pain or distress requiring pain medication, with narrow exceptions for service dog training programs. But a bipartisan coalition of 30 members of Congress, led by Dina Titus, D-Nev., and Army veteran Brian Mast, R-Fla., sent a letter last month to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, criticizing the cat experiments. The sleep study on cats "is taking place despite the fact that the Los Angeles VA ended sleep disorder experiments on dogs in 2017 after it was determined that the tests were unnecessary and that alternatives were available," the letter states. In a statement, Mast wrote, "The VA's continued use of taxpayer dollars to conduct painful and invasive experiments on cats is unacceptable. These tests are unnecessary, and they must come to an end. It's time we got some answers!" -- Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include additional comment from the VA addressing claims on expenditures. -- Bing Xiao can be reached at bingxiao2020@u.northwestern.edu. Related: VA Should Severely Restrict Use of Dogs for Medical Research, Scientific Panel Concludes Perth, Australia, Sep 7, 2020 - (ABN Newswire) - Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (HAM:JMI) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is pleased to advise drilling has recommenced on the Company's Tumas Project (Project), located on EPL 3496 in Namibia. See Figure 1* for project location. The Company is currently completing a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the Project. Results and samples collected in the drilling program will be key to an anticipated future Feasibility Study (FS). The drilling program will involve drilling approximately 90 RC holes for 1,800m commencing 7 September and is expected to be completed during October 2020. This work has multi-facet objectives including: - Collection of a minimum of 1,000kg RC drill chips samples for further metallurgical test work in view of the recently announced determination that RC chips were suitable for future metallurgical testing in place of the more expensive diamond core option; - In addition to the routine downhole gamma logging, also carry out downhole imagery scanning using optical borehole scanner (OPTV) technology to differentiate lithologies in particular the coarse pebble/conglomerate grain size distribution; and - Consolidation of the resource base relevant to the Tumas PFS area of influence, as shown in Figure 1*. In addition, we can advise the project manager has been appointed to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and prepare the EIA document for the Project. The environmental baseline studies are well underway with groundwater baseline information established and fauna and flora surveys completed. The radiation and air quality surveys have commenced. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/018NRAVM About Deep Yellow Limited: Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) (Namibian Stock Exchange:DYL) is a specialist differentiated uranium company implementing a new contrarian strategy to grow shareholder wealth. This strategy is founded upon growing the existing uranium resources across the Company's uranium projects in Namibia and the pursuit of accretive, counter-cyclical acquisitions to build a global, geographically diverse asset portfolio. The Company's cornerstone suite of projects in Namibia is situated within a top-ranked African mining destination in a jurisdiction that has a long, well regarded history of safely and effectively developing and regulating its considerable uranium mining industry. Contact: John Borshoff Managing Director/CEO T: +61-8-9286-6999 Email: john.borshoff@deepyellow.com.au www.deepyellow.com.au Source: Deep Yellow Limited Copyright (C) 2020 ABN Newswire. All rights reserved. New Delhi: China on Monday (September 7) brushed off concerns over the whereabouts of the five youths from a village in Arunachal Pradesh allegedly abducted by China's People's Liberation Army(PLA) and said it has never recognised the northeastern state which it claims is part of south Tibet. "China's position on the east sector of the China-India boundary, or Zangnan--the southern part of China's Xizang (Tibet), is consistent and clear," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing, adding the Chinese government has never recognized the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh". "I'm not aware of the situation you mentioned," the Chinese spokesperson said when asked about any updates about the missing Indian nationals. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has condemned the Chinese statement dubbing the state as part of "South Tibet". "The people of the state outrightly reject the dubious statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry dubbing our state as part of 'South Tibet'. We strongly condemn such statements and advise the Chinese government to refrain from such notoriety," the union said in a statement in Itanagar. The Indian Army had told its Chinese counterpart about the five civilians, who were engaged as guides and porters by the Army in the Upper Subansiri district on the Sino-India border, on Saturday. Those allegedly kidnapped have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri. The Arunachal villagers had gone for hunting in a jungle when they were allegedly kidnapped by the PLA. Two members of the group reportedly returned home and informed that they had been whisked away by the Chinese troops from Sera-7, an Army patrol zone located about 12 km further north of Nacho, which is the last administrative circle along the McMahon Line and is around 120 km from the district headquarters Daporijo. "We spoke with them on the hotline and told them that it's suspected that some people have crossed across to your side and we will be grateful if you could hand them over back, as per what we do normally," Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Wardhan Pande, an Indian Army spokesman, told news agency Reuters. "There is no earmarked line going through the forest or the mountains, so they keep moving here and there. So they might have gone there. It's a very normal thing," he said, adding they were yet to hear back from the Chinese. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter on Sunday to say the Indian army has already sent a hotline message to the PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh and that a response is awaited. The development comes at a time when the Indian army has enhanced its deployment along the 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control(LAC) in view of the tense border row between India and China in eastern Ladakh. Tezpur-based Defence spokesman Lt Col Harshvarshan Pande told PTI, "We have alerted our teams and are in constant touch with the civil administration." The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Upper Subansiri reportedly said no one has lodged any formal complaint with the police or the armed forces that guard strategic areas along the LAC. "We are trying to verify the fact and are in touch with the Army since there have been past instances of the PLA capturing locals from the LAC and releasing them," the SP added. Chennai, Sep 7 : The Tamil Nadu government has told the Centre that it is not in favour of an entrance exam by the National Testing Agency and institutional restructuring as given in the new National Education Policy 2020. State Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan said in a letter dated September 4 to Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank that such a move would impact rural students by adding to their academic burden. He said that the state government may be allowed to continue with the present model of having autonomous colleges and colleges affiliated to a university. Anbalagan said that the strategy of categorising colleges only as autonomous or constituent colleges will deprive affiliated colleges the capacity or capability of becoming autonomous degree-granting colleges. He said the affiliated colleges will not get suitable guidance from the affiliated universities. Anbalagan also pointed out that of the 587 colleges in Tamil Nadu, only 53 are autonomous while the remaining need to be nurtured to improve their standard. The Tamil Nadu Minister also said that the gross enrolment ratio (GER) in the state is 49 per cent and would touch 50 per cent this academic year. The teacher-student ratio in Tamil Nadu is 1:17 as against the national average of 1:26. However, Anbalagan welcomed the NEP proposal to convert B.Ed course into a four-year Integrated Degree Course with two major subjects. He said this would enable students to complete their course early and enter the teaching profession quickly. Credit: CC0 Public Domain In 2017, the UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Dainius Puras noted that mental healthcare services around the world were in a crisis and rightly called for a 'revolution' in mental healthcare. He identified problems of power asymmetries, an over-reliance on psychotropic drugs, and a system that revolves around profits for experts and the pharmaceutical industry. These issues have culminated in a coercive and largely biomedical approach to mental health. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier's report on the breaching of human rights in mental health facilities highlights the serious failings of this approach. Of particular concern is the use of exclusion zones for accommodating residents. Similar issues were also highlighted in "He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction" in 2018, which reiterated that the system is under pressure and unsustainable in its current form. This earlier report found the system was also less equitable for Maori, who were more likely to experience compulsory treatment and seclusion, and that the current system reinforced trauma because Maori felt culturally alienated. After nearly four decades of deinstitutionalisation, human rights violations continue in our mental health system. The issue here is that while Aotearoa New Zealand deinstitutionalised mental health, it failed to decolonise it. To begin the decolonisation process an acknowledgement of historical trauma in the mental health system needs to be incorporated. Unless this trauma is recognised, new approaches that are holistic, rights-based and kaupapa Maori-centred cannot be developed. Indigenous forms of mental health care also need to be mainstreamed rather than presented as alternative approaches. During colonial times, indigenous knowledge and treatment approaches across Britain's colonies were labelled as superstitious and local practitioners were accused of quackery. The establishment of asylums in the 19th century led to the marginalisation of local practitioners like the tohunga,and also to the spread of a narrative that indigenous approaches were superstitious. Tohunga were referred to as 'quacks' and accused of 'degenerating into tricky humbugs'. Doctors even urged the government to put an end to the tohunga. This disruption of indigenous mental health care is another form of historical trauma that eventually led to the sidelining of traditional approaches. A purely biomedical psychiatric approach excludes social and cultural narratives that are crucial in the healing process, and interdisciplinary voices are essential to further the process of decolonisation. The example of recent stories about Maori finally experiencing healing through using matauranga Maori services after years in the mental health system highlight the importance of these other voices, and should influence our research into new approaches to mental healthcare. As the world looks for a solution to a mental healthcare crisis, Aotearoa New Zealand could play a leading role in revolutionising mental health services. But the revolution must begin with decolonising the mental health system by acknowledging historical trauma so that new holistic, inclusive, and rights-based narratives of mental healthcare can be written. Explore further COVID-19 puts extra strain on wellbeing of Indigenous Australians The Samsung SM-F415 is not a budget foldable smartphone after all, it seems. This information comes from SamMobile. It says that it received that information from its sources. To give you a bit of back story about all this. The Samsung SM-F415 popped up last month, in two separate reports. Considering the letter F in its model number, many people assumed this is a foldable device. Considering that Samsung is expected to deliver a budget foldable handset soon, that led to an interesting conclusion. People immediately assumed that the Samsung SM-F415 is a budget foldable smartphone. Advertisement The Samsung SM-F415 is not a budget foldable smartphone, its a regular handset Well, if this report is to be believed, thats not the case. SamMobile claims that the Samsung SM-F415 is a regular, budget smartphone. To be more specific, this is, allegedly, the Galaxy M31. Yes, that is the very same Galaxy M31 that was announced in India last year. This was actually hinted by the Wi-Fi Alliance, as M315 was mentioned as the firmware version for the SM-F415F. It seems like the SM-F415F and M31 are the exact same smartphone. They do come with different model numbers in different regions, though, it seems. Advertisement Samsung India is developing firmware for the Galaxy M31 with SM-F415F as the model number, instead of SM-M315F. Seems confusing? Well, yes, it is. We have no idea why would Samsung India do this, as it makes no sense at all, but there you have it. This does not mean that a budget foldable is not coming from Samsung, though. The companys budget foldable could be called the Galaxy Z Fold Lite Samsung is still expected to release a foldable smartphone. That phone may be called the Galaxy Z Fold Lite, or something of the sort. It is also still expected to arrive before the end of 2020. Advertisement None of this can be confirmed, though. Samsung may even wait until 2021 to announce this smartphone, as not much info surfaced. All we have thus far are rumors, pretty much. Releasing such a phone definitely makes sense, though. Samsung is betting big on foldables, but the companys main lineup is way too expensive. A more affordable foldable handset could make such form factor more appealing to the masses, even though $900-$1,100 is still a lot of money. That is the price tag that is expected to be attached to the companys budget foldable. More information regarding all this will hopefully surface soon. 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Targeting Cookies We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website. A worker assembles the new S-Class Mercedes-Benz at the new "Factory 56" Mercedes-Benz plant on September 2, 2020 in Sindelfingen, Germany. Photo: Lennart Preiss/Getty Images Germanys mighty car industry, which has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic, is no longer the engine driving the countrys economy. For the first time in a decade, the auto industry is facing noticeable personnel adjustments and will initially fail as a growth engine for Germany, says a new study by the German Economic Institute (IW), reported exclusively by Handelsblatt. The results of the IW study are likely to hang over the meeting on Tuesday this week between the German government and the heads of the countries powerful car companies and automotive suppliers. Already before the global COVID-19 pandemic hit, the automotive industry was struggling with overcapacity, as well as the need to invest billions to switch to electrification, and get their fleet emissions down in the face of tough new EU emissions standards. READ MORE: German car industry warns of job losses due to unprecedented slump Then coronavirus brought production to a halt this Spring, and lockdowns and job insecurity caused demand to crater. All of Germanys big auto companies saw sales tank in the first half of the year. "The industry is now facing a demand shock from which it is only slowly recovering," the study notes. Hildegard Muller, president of the German Automotive Industry Association, warned in July that even Germanys furlough scheme, which sees the government pay 60% of workers salaries so employers dont have to let them go, will no be enough to mass industry layoffs. Smaller suppliers are especially vulnerable, according to the IW. While big car corporations have the power to retool and switch to the production of electric vehicles, these small companies, which make parts for internal-combustion-engine cars, dont have that option. READ MORE: German economy shrank by 9.7% in second quarter as pandemic peaked The German economic institute notes in its 45-page report that the car industry is still central to the countrys economy, representing 9.8% gross added value. It directly employs around 800.000 people, rising to a total of 936,000 if one includes supplier companies, from electrical engineering, to metal production. While the German government agreed on buyer-discounts for clean-energy cars as part of its stimulus package, it decided not to support a cash-for-clunkers scheme, or other buyer incentives for fossil-fuel engines. READ MORE: Diesel cars on the way out in their homeland Germany At least five people, including a child, are feared trapped under the debris of a one-storey building that collapsed on Chetti street here, due to heavy rains and winds on Sunday night, police said. A child and four adults were said to be inside the building when the incident took place, they said. The administration has launched an operation to rescue them, police said. District Collector K Rajamani has reached the spot and is monitoring the operation. Police said ambulances and medical teams have been kept on standby. (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 Russia broke the news of having developed the worlds first coronavirus vaccine with pomp, hope and questions shot up in equal measure among the public which has braced through 6 months of the pandemic. Now, the Russian Direct Investment Funds head Kirill Dmitriev has said that the clinical trials of the Sputnik-V Vaccine will be conducted in India this month, among other countries. The preliminary results of the Phase-III trial will be published in October-November this year. The trials will be also be conducted in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Philippines, and Brazil. Russian President Vladimir Putins daughter has also been inoculated by the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Center. While experts have continually issued caution against the vaccine which they say is yet to undergo all necessary trials and tests, Putin has assured against the same. To answer some of these questions and doubts, Russian state daily Sputnik News has issued an FAQ on the much-awaited vaccine. Read more to know: Question 1: Did you steal your vaccine? No, we did not steal it. The vaccine uses a unique two-vector human adenovirus technology which no-one else in the world currently has for COVID-19. Vectors are engineered viruses, unable to reproduce, which carry genetic material from the spike of coronavirus. Our technology employs two different human adenoviral vectors, Ad5 and Ad26, for a first and a second injection. This technology helps to overcome pre-existing immunity to adenoviruses. Russia has benefitted from modifying for COVID-19 an existing two-vector vaccine platform developed in 2015 for Ebola fever, which went through all phases of clinical trials and was used to defeat the Ebola epidemic in Africa in 2017. Admittedly, after some initial hype this question was dropped even by Russias most strident critics, because it had no grounds. But it is still important to highlight it since we saw attempts to paint the Russian vaccine in dark colors even before it was registered. Question 2: When will the Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials results be published? They were published on September 4 in The Lancet, one of the oldest and most respected medical publications in the world, after going through a thorough peer review process. This is just the beginning of a series of publications. The key points of The Lancet article are: Phase 1-2 clinical trials of Sputnik V showed no serious adverse events (SAE, Grade 3) for any of the criteria, while the incidence of serious adverse events for other candidate vaccines ranged from 1 to 25 percent. In 100 percent of participants in the clinical trials Sputnik V generated a stable humoral and cellular immune response. The level of virus-neutralizing antibodies of volunteers vaccinated with Sputnik V was 1.5 times higher than the level of antibodies of severe COVID-19 patients who had recovered from COVID-19. In contrast, British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca demonstrated the level of antibodies of its volunteers under its clinical trial at a level virtually equal to the level of antibodies of those who had recovered from coronavirus. T-cell immunity with both types of CD4+ and CD8+ special cells was formed in all volunteers participating in clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine. These special cells recognize and disrupt the cells infected by SARS-CoV-2 and form the basis for long-term immunity. Specialists from the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology managed to prove the effectiveness of the human adenoviral vectors platform, despite concerns that vaccinated people could have pre-existing immunity to human adenoviruses. The optimal safe dosage has been determined, which allows an effective immune response to be achieved in 100 percent of those vaccinated in trials, even in those who have recently had an adenovirus infection. Concern about the pre-existing immunity for adenoviral infections was the main reason for the emergence of alternative methods such as monkey adenoviral vector or mRNA platforms that have not been studied and tested over many years. The proven efficacy of Sputnik V reduces the need for hasty development of such platforms at the expense of safety. Through the use of two different vectors - based on human adenovirus serotypes Ad5 and Ad26 - in two separate shots, it is possible to achieve a more effective immune response. Whereas in the case of using the same vector for two shots, the immune system launches defense mechanisms and begins to reject the drug in the second injection. Thus, the use of two different vectors in the Sputnik V vaccine avoids a possible neutralizing effect and provides for a stronger and more durable immune reaction. Question 3: Were there too few participants in Phase 1-2 trials of Sputnik V? On the surface the Sputnik V trial with 76 participants seems smaller in size compared to 1,077 people that, for example, AstraZeneca had in its Phase 1-2 studies. However, the design of the Sputnik V trial was much more efficient and based on better assumptions. AstraZeneca ran its trial from the beginning with a one-shot model but that was a false assumption since only a two-shot model can provide a long lasting immunity as AstraZeneca conceded following the trials. As a result of wrong initial assumptions, AstraZeneca tested the two-shot model only on 10 people out of 1,077. Overall, the number of people who received two injections in the Sputnik V trial exceeded the similar number in AstraZeneca trial by 4 times. Most media missed this point. Question 4: Will there be clinical trials on more people? The post-registration studies involving more than 40,000 people started in Russia on August 26, before AstraZeneca has started its Phase 3 trial in the U.S. with 30,000 participants. Clinical trials in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Philippines, India and Brazil will begin this month. The preliminary results of the Phase 3 trial will be published in October-November 2020. Question 5: Why has the vaccine already become eligible for emergency use registration? Because of the very positive results of the Phase 1-2 trials and because the human adenoviral vector-based delivery platform has been proven the safest vaccine delivery platform over decades including through 75 international scientific publications and in more than 250 clinical trials. The scientists provided convincing data on safety of use of human adenoviral vaccines and medicines worldwide based on studies since 1953. According to records, more than 10 mln U.S. military personnel have received human adenoviral vaccines since 1971. A cancer treatment, Gendicine, based on human adenoviral vectors has been administered to more than 30,000 people in China in the course of 15 years. Clinical trials of vaccines based on human adenoviral vector technology using the same vectors as Sputnik V, have already involved more than 25,000 people worldwide. Since 2015 more than 3,000 people were administered human adenoviral vector-based vaccines against Ebola fever and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) created in the Gamaleya Center. So Russia registered the vaccine because it had a previously approved, a safe and efficient human adenovirus delivery platform for other illnesses. Since the registration of Sputnik V in Russia, other countries also announced plans to follow the Russian approach for emergency use registration of their vaccines. Sinovac Biotechs vaccine received a similar approval in China. The government of the United Kingdom and the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Stephen Hahn have signaled potential for fast-track registration for British and American vaccine makers, respectively, despite their earlier reservations. Question 6: Does anyone else use similar technology for their vaccines? Some other companies are using human adenoviral vector-based platforms for their COVID-19 vaccines. For example, Johnson & Johnson uses only Ad26 vector and Chinas CanSino only Ad5 while Sputnik V uses both of these vectors. The work of Johnson & Johnson and CanSino not only validates the Russian approach but also shows Sputnik Vs advantage as studies have demonstrated that two different vectors produce better results than one. To the Times: By most accounts Joe Biden had an excellent presidential nomination acceptance speech. He was well rehearsed and read the teleprompter script confidently, with conviction, and emotion when appropriate. With an apparent mental rejuvenation for the DNC show, its appropriate to look at the current Biden and try to reconcile it with the past versions. With that we can determine whether he can fulfill the role of a decisive, independent, American President who will represent all of us He has a very long, lackluster career as a politician; so we should be able to get a fix on the substance of the man. His core beliefs, guiding principles, and integrity. Jobs, work for those displaced by the state governors and economic shutdowns were generally touched on by Joe. His awareness of the problem is doubly significant as we had haplessly watched our jobs and productive capacity be exported to China during his administration. Joe is aware of these threats and confidently downplayed them in May 2019 by saying, cmon man theyre not competition for us Reassuring words? All the economic data and the CCP world wide Belt and Road Program shows the opposite. But Joe is an honorable man. He assures us he will be a president for all the people. He claims his undefined economic plan will create 5 million new manufacturing and technology jobs. Are we confident that those new jobs and the restaffing of the jobs lost to the shutdowns will be for all the people not just for those unions who supported Joe with their members dues? Surely he includes all unemployed workers despite his outspoken support to push for elimination of the current Right to Work laws in 27 states for Joe is an honorable man. Joe moralized in his speech that our country is for not just the privileged few at the top. That brings to mind Joes son Hunter and his directorship with Burisma Holdings, which is the largest Gas Company in the Ukraine. With no qualifications Hunter got this $50,000.00 + per month job during his fathers term as vice president. (As an aside the median 2020 yearly income in the US is $45,000.00; so Hunter made more in a month than 50% of our population makes in a year). VP Biden was assigned by President Obama to calm the political unrest and allay the rampant corruption in a country that gained its independence from Russia in 1991. When questioned about possible influence peddling and conflicts of interest, Joe wily responds, I dont know what he (Hunter) was doing, I know he was on the board. Really, were to believe that? The man was charged with the oversight of the stability of a country bordering Russia but Joe is an honorable man. How about Hunters deal with the powerful Bank of China? After his trip to China with his VP dad on Air Force 2, Rosemont Seneca, the firm in which Hunter held a 10% equity share received a commitment from the bank purported to be $1 billion the exact amount is unclear. Why is that? Privilege? Established Wall Street Investment Banks have difficulty making deals with the Bank of China, but the novice Hunter was able to accomplish it. Joe, one of the most powerful men in the world at that time stated in September 2019, I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings. We can take that statement to the bank since Joe is an honorable man. Surely, in this twilight phase of his life, Joe should have ameliorated his past racial miscues with a morally edifying dogma. Apparently not, in the debates he was unable to satisfactorily respond to either senators Kamala Harris or Cory Booker when confronted with his legislation that subjected the Black community to mass incarcerations. None of this causes any moral introspection by Joe on his long standing moral ethos; for a few months later in a radio interview he states if you dont vote for me you aint Black. How revealing, how desperate, how insulting. But dont worry, now Joe has another plan to advance racial equality in America and were to buy into it (pay for it) since Joe is an honorable man. With apologies to Shakespears Marc Antony as he eulogizes Caesar. Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene 2 Mike Finnegan, Media UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is planning new legislation to override critical parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement with the EU. According to reports in the Financial Times the British government is planning to introduce new legislation that will remove the legal force of sections of the withdrawal agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol. Brexit trade negotiations have been rumbling in the background in recent weeks with talks stalled reportedly on fishing waters access rights and state aid regulation. Reaction to the media reports was swift with Minister for Foreign Affair's Simon Coveney tweeting this evening that it would be "unwise" for Britain to proceed with the planned legislation. This would be a very unwise way to proceed. #Brexit . https://t.co/D4aod2665h Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) September 6, 2020 Sinn Fein MP for South Down Chris Hazzard said the British Government was playing a "dangerous game of chicken" with the Brexit negotiations. British government playing dangerous game of chicken over Brexit - @ChrisHazzardSF https://t.co/QhguzCcIE4 pic.twitter.com/sRn6Y8nix8 Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) September 6, 2020 Last week the European Union's (EU) Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned that the UK risked leaving the EU without a trade deal by refusing to compromise in an address to the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin. However, the UK hit back at Mr Barnier's warning by stating the EU had adopted an "unrealistic" position and that he was painting a misleading representation of the UKs post-Brexit proposals. Informal talks last week between Mr Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost failed to find a breakthrough ahead of the eighth round of formal negotiations which begin in London this week. Read More UK government hits back at Barnier over unrealistic position Withdrawal Agreement 'must be honoured' - Leo The Tanaiste has said a certain amount of saber-rattling is often seen at this stage of high stakes negotiations like the Brexit talks. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said domestic UK law can't undermine the protections for the border with Northern Ireland contained in the Withdrawal Agreement: At this point of negotiations, you see a certian level of saber-rattling and a certain level of posturing. Our response to this is going to be measured. The Withdrawal Agreement is an international treaty and it must be honored and no domestic law and trump an international treaty." Meanwhile Labour Brexit spokesperson Brendan Howlin described the British government's actions as "astonishing": Its difficult to believe the British government could expect to progress with important negotiations on a trade agreement with the EU and at the same time repudiate the most recent withdrawal agreement freely entered into by Boris Johnson and ratified by his government." One can only hope that its an extraordinary and bizarre tactic in the trade talks, and or perhaps the UK has entered the world of Trump where they will announce something one week but do something completely different later on," he added. The relationship between Hamas and Turkey has recently witnessed political and media developments, in tandem with accelerating regional events, in both the internal Palestinian arena and Turkeys regional policy. Most recently, the US State Department issued Aug. 25 a statement read by its spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, lashing out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent meeting with Hamas officials in Istanbul. The United States strongly objects to Turkish President Erdogan hosting two Hamas leaders in Istanbul on August 22, the statement said. President Erdogans continued outreach to this terrorist organization only serves to isolate Turkey from the international community. The statement also labeled the Hamas officials who visited Erdogan as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. A Hamas leadership delegation headed by the chief of its political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, met Erdogan Aug. 22 at Vahid al-Din Palace in Istanbul. The delegation briefed him on the developments related to the Palestinian cause. Haniyeh praised Turkeys role in supporting the Palestinian people. He also congratulated it on the recent discovery of a new gas field in the Black Sea, and the opening July 24 of the Hagia Sophia Mosque. The Hamas delegation included Saleh al-Arouri, the movements deputy chief; Maher Salah, Hamas' leader abroad; Izzat al-Rishq, head of Hamas' bureau for Arab and Islamic relations; and Jihad Yaghmour, Hamas representative in Turkey. The meeting was also attended by Hakan Fidan, head of the Turkish intelligence service; Fahrettin Altun, head of the presidential communication department; and Ibrahim Kalan, presidential spokesman. Hami Aksoy, spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, condemned the US State Department's statement, saying in an Aug. 25 statement, It [the US statement] crossed the line and designating Hamas representatives as terrorists would not contribute to regional peace or stability. This is because Hamas won in democratic elections in 2006. The United States is unaware of the realities of the region, as it cut ties with the Palestinian people. On the same day, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement, Washington's statements reflect the US intimidation against the countries of the region and are part of the US aggression against Palestinians and their just cause in favor of Israel. Hamas is a national liberation movement in a legitimate struggle against the terrorism of the Israeli occupation. This is the second meeting that Erdogan holds with Haniyeh in Turkey this year. The two had met before on Feb. 1, when they discussed and denounced the US peace plan for the Middle East, known locally as the "deal of the century." Turkey tops the list of Islamic countries that support the right of our people to their land. Its support is to the influential Palestinian forces, and Hamas is one of them, Hamas leader Abdul Rahman Shadid told Al-Monitor. He said, Erdogans meeting with Hamas leadership aims to confront the US deal of the century, annexation plans and normalization agreements. We need all official and popular support to face these US plans. Hamas is an integral part of the Palestinian people, and was elected as the peoples representative in the 2006 legislative elections, which it won by majority. The Hamas leadership's meetings with presidents, princes and ministers have never stopped at any stage. Since Haniyeh's arrival in Turkey from Qatar Aug. 12, he has had a busy schedule. He sought to follow up on the affairs of the movement and the Palestinian cause, and to intensify his contacts with the Turkish official, popular and media quarters. On Aug. 28, Haniyeh held an extended meeting with senior Turkish journalists in Istanbul, where he described the Emirati-Israeli normalization agreement as a stab in the back of the Palestinian people. He called for a coalition led by Turkey to limit the effects of this agreement that he believes aims to undermine Turkeys role in the region. Haniyeh affirmed Aug. 20 in a TV interview with Turkey's Arabic-language TRT Arabi channel, Hamas ties with Turkey are good and advanced and based on mutual understanding and cooperation regarding the variables of the Palestinian cause. On July 1, Haniyeh, who was still in Qatar, had assured the Turkish channel Net TV that the Palestinian people will not forget the clear, strong and bold positions taken by Erdogan and Turkish parties in support of Palestine, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Hussam al-Dajani, a political science professor at Al-Ummah University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Both Hamas and Turkey are benefiting from their bilateral relationship. The movement gets to boost its regional and international position, and gains new support for the Palestinian cause. Turkey for its part gets to strengthen its influence in the Palestinian arena. He said that Hamas rules the Gaza Strip overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, where Turkey is expanding. There are ideological commonalities between Hamas and the Justice and Development Party that rules Turkey. Both have an Islamic authority, he noted. Dajani asserted that Turkey will not forsake its relationship with Hamas. Rather, this relationship is likely to grow and last, he added. On Aug. 26, Reuters quoted Roey Gilad, the Israeli charge d'affaires in Turkey, as saying Turkey gave passports to 12 Hamas members, without revealing their names. He claimed they were financing and planning armed terror-related activity against Israel from Istanbul. Israeli quarters had alleged in 2019 that Turkey asked Hamas to reduce its military activities against Israel from its territory, following US and Israeli criticism of Hamas activities there. Bassem Naim, a former health minister in the Gaza government and a member of Hamas' international relations office, told Al-Monitor, Turkey sees Hamas as an essential component of the Palestinian political map. It refuses to isolate any Palestinian party, most notably Hamas. He explained that the movement can veto any solution it does not approve of, as it was democratically elected. Any solution [for the Palestinian] cause must include Hamas, he noted. Naim added, The relationship between Hamas and Turkey is strategic and based on mutual interests. Turkey provides the movement with political and diplomatic support because it is elected and influential. Turkey also has relief and development organizations and charitable institutions operating in the Palestinian territories. In regard to Turkeys military support to Hamas, he said, I have no knowledge of military and security support. Hamas monitors the US and Israeli pressures on Turkey as a result of its relationship with us. But we are confident that the Turkish geostrategic and regional situation is improving, which is likely to strengthen our relationship with it. Turkey may take ostensible measures to curb the US pressure, without, however, forsaking its relationship with us. Hamas is committed to its relations with Turkey, whose stances are more supportive than those of many Arab countries and align with Hamas political line. But these positions will keep Ankara under US and Israeli pressure aimed to restrict its relationship with Hamas. This worries Hamas, despite the Turks ethical and moral commitment to it. At the same time, Turkey is keen not to jeopardize its foreign relations because of its rapprochement with Hamas. This makes the Hamas-Turkey relationship dependent on mutual interests and limited to political and media support, just like the Qatar-Hamas relationship. London, Sep 7 : Even though several protest movements in different parts of the world appear to be weakened at the moment, global protest may return more aggressively once the pandemic is over, researchers have warned. A sharp increase in social instability in the aftermath of the epidemic should be expected even though incumbent governments tend to consolidate, said the study published in the journal Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy. "The social and psychological unrest arising from the epidemic tends to crowd-out the conflicts of the pre-epidemic period, but, at the same time it constitutes the fertile ground on which global protest may return more aggressively once the epidemic is over," wrote Massimo Morelli, Professor of Political Science at Bocconi University in Milan. According to a Freedom House annual report, out of the 20 protest movements active world-wide in December 2019 only two or three are still active. For example, the "Liberate Hong-Kong", the environmental activism of Greta Thunberg, the "Gilets Jaunes" in France or the "Sardine" movement in Italy appear greatly weakened since the outbreak of the epidemic. For the study, Morelli and Roberto Censolo of University of Ferrara in Italy looked at the great plagues of the past. They analyse 57 epidemic episodes between the Black Death (1346-1353) and the Spanish Flu (1919-1920). The researchers found that revolts not evidently connected with the disease are infrequent within an epidemic period, but epidemics can sow other seeds of conflict. Government conspiracy, "the filth of the poor", foreigners and immigrants have often been singled out as the cause of an epidemic. "Overall, the historical evidence shows that the epidemics display a potential disarranging effect on civil society along three dimensions," the authors wrote. "First, the policy measures tend to conflict with the interest of people, generating a dangerous friction between society and institutions. Second, to the extent that an epidemic impacts differently on society in terms of mortality and economic welfare, it may exacerbate inequality. "Third, the psychological shock can induce irrational narratives on the causes and the spread of the disease, which may result in social or racial discrimination and even xenophobia," the study authors wrote. Focusing on five cholera epidemics, Morelli and Censolo counted 39 rebellions in the 10 years preceding an epidemic and 71 rebellions in the 10 years following it. On the other hand, the authors noted that, in the short-term, the necessary restrictions of freedom during an epidemic may be strategically exploited by governments to reinforce power. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) speaks to the media following their weekly policy luncheon in Washington, on April 30, 2019. (Pete Marovich/Getty Images) Top Republican Senator Criticizes Harris/Bidens Comments About Upcoming CCP Virus Vaccine Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said Sen. Kamala Harriss (D-Calif.) recent comments about the Operation Warp Speed vaccine are irresponsible. The Republican made the comment on Fox News when asked why Harris might have said she would not trust the fast-track vaccine despite the administration going through all the correct scientific and legal steps to get it approved. This statement about the vaccine is her most irresponsible statement of all, Im a doctor. Im very encouraged by where we are with the vaccine, said Barrasso. Barrasso also criticized Harriss record on health care, saying she wants to take away health care for 60 million to 100 million people who get it through employers and has campaigned to give illegal immigrants taxpayer-funded health insurance. Harriss office did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. The Wyoming Senator expressed confidence in the thoroughness and efficacy of the vaccine being developed. This is moving forward at warp speed. Were in stage three trials. Multiple vaccines look like theyre going to work. Were working on plans to get these to the states, so that our health care workers can get them, the most vulnerable can get them, people with preexisting conditions, Barrasso said. The vaccine is the path forward for all of America, and yet what we see is, its not just Kamala Harris, 77-year-old Joe Biden said he wasnt sure if the vaccine was safe, or real. When it comes to this vaccine, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are absolutely wrong. Barrasso was referring to a comment Harris made on Saturday to a CNN reporter about the efficacy of an Operation Warp Speed vaccine. Operation Warp Speed is the code name for the administrations effort to develop and distribute a CCP virus vaccine and therapeutics as soon as safely possible. Harris told CNN on Saturday that she would not believe anything President Donald Trump says about a new COVID-19 vaccine, agreeing with concerns from media speculation, as reported by The Washington Post, that the president is looking to use the vaccine for political capital in the upcoming election. Instead, Harris said she will continue to look to health experts for information on the efficacy of a potential vaccine. If Trump were to announce that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine, she would not take his word for it and would have to look to another source of information. I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever hes talking about, she said. Trump on Thursday said a vaccine could potentially be released by the end of October. It will be delivered before the end of the year, in my opinion, before the end of the year, but it really might even be delivered before the end of October, he told reporters at the White House while talking about the all-of-government push under Operation Warp Speed to do whatever is possible to advance the creation and delivery of a suitable vaccine or therapeutic for emergency use by those who opt to do so. Melanie Sun contributed to this report. PHILIPSBURG:--- With the opening line The ongoing saga at our borders has to stop, Member of Parliament, Sarah A. Wescot-Williams through the local Government requests that Foreign Affairs Minister S. Blok, takes up his responsibility with his counterpart in Paris. MP Wescot- Williams: The ongoing saga at our borders has to stop. Today it is closed coming into Philipsburg, tomorrow it is closed going into Marigot. We have no guarantee that the announced opening date by the French authorities will stand and furthermore that the borders will not be closed again for an indefinite period of time. Accepting this for what it is can have serious repercussions for this island going forward. Foreign Affairs is one of the areas according to the Charter of 1954 that is a Kingdom Affair. While the countries have some flexibility in foreign relations, the ultimate responsibility lies with the Kingdom. The Kingdom Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been actively engaged in the Oyster Pond Border Dispute. As recently as August 31, the Minister for Foreign Affairs responding to question from Dutch Parliamentarians, assured the Second Chamber that his ministry is diligently working with the French on solving this dispute on St. Martin. If we or our local French counterparts can not get the attention of the French State for this dilemma that the island is facing, then it is time that Minster S. Blok assumes his responsibility for the conflict which clearly exists., said MP Wescot. The MP is of the opinion that If Minister Blok and Dutch MPs can be so insistent about the Oyster Pond conflict and the position of the business Cactus Tree NV in all of this, they should concern themselves even more about the fact that all borders between the two parts are opened and or closed at the discretion of the French State. It is clear in my view that the border closure by the French authorities has more to do than only with the Covid-19 pandemic. If my assumption is correct, then we need to address these issues (education, social welfare, taxes etc.). the MP continued her statement. Interesting is as well that in his responses to the Second Chamber on the matter of the St. Maarten/St.Martin borders, Minister Blok references the Treaty of Concordia and so the question begs, does this Treaty not apply when either side decides to unilaterally close the border for whatever reason? Minister Blok recently completed a treaty with the French State regarding stationing military and other personnel on St. Maarten/St. Martin. How will this work if the border situation is not worked on and if it is allowed to continue to escalate? How will a solution for Oyster Pond (Cactus Tree NV) work if that border is closed at random? The Member of Parliament of St. Maarten has requested Prime Minister Jacobs to forward aforementioned questions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the Governments representative in the Hague and requested that the Prime Minister makes a point of getting the necessary representation at that level. A playful bear was caught on camera blowing bubbles in a muddy puddle as it tried to cool off. Kim Williams, 65, was checking her trail camera in the mountains of south Montana this summer when she found footage of the 660lb black bear lying belly-down in the water. The retired postal worker said the large mammal submerged its snout beneath the water a number of times to blow the bubbles. The playful bear flops face-first into a muddy pool in south Montana in an attempt to cool off before sinking its head beneath the water In comical footage, the bear lifts its head from side-to-side as it blows the bubbles. Ms Williams said: 'I couldn't stop laughing. I've never seen a bear do anything like it. 'It looked like it was playing like a dog might with their water bowl. I found it really funny seeing an animal so big act so playfully. 'It stayed there for five minutes doing this before walking away. I suppose bears have to find different things to keep themselves entertained on a hot summer day. 'I've had a trail camera in the area for a few years now and have regularly seen bears cooling off, but never do anything like this. The large mammal lifts its head up from the cool water and enjoys the muddy water on its body 'They will come down and lie there as I think the mud helps keep the insects away, and others will just drink the water. 'I had to move the trail camera to a higher position as the bears used to paw at it and sometimes steal it. 'Even now they will climb the tree and mess with it.' Following the comical antics, viewers took to social media to share their thoughts on the carefree bear. One user wrote: 'Funniest thing I've seen all day!' Anther person said: 'Ugh I wish I could live that life.' After sharing the clip online, viewers took to social media to share their amusing thoughts Another commented: 'Funny, nothing better than a day at the spa.' While another added: 'Is this not the cutest thing?!' Black bears are solitary creatures that typically live in forests but can also be found in mountains and swamps across North America, Canada and Mexico. They feature small rounded ears, fur that can vary from blue-gray, blue-black, brown, cinnamon, or even on rare occasions white, and short non-retractable claws which aid them in climbing trees. The creatures will spend the winter months dormant in their dens and will feed on the body fat they have built up over the summer and autumn months. In the Northern hemisphere, fall and winter are associated with immunization campaigns against influenza to reduce the burden of influenza disease and to decrease ambulatory and hospital services use. Either universal or targeting high-risk groups, these campaigns will distribute either inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) containing three or four variants or live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). In a new study published on the preprint server medRxiv*, researchers from Laval University and McGill University in Canada reviewed evidence from 18 relevant studies on a possible interaction between influenza vaccines on non-influenza respiratory disease (NIRD). Study: Could seasonal influenza vaccination influence COVID-19 risk?. Image Credit: ktsdesign / Shutterstock Non-Specific Immunity from Live Attenuated Vaccines Evidence is coming in that live attenuated vaccines offer non-specific immunity other than the specific protective effects against the target pathogens. These include the BCG vaccine, measles, and oral polio vaccine. On the contrary, inactivated vaccines like the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DPT) vaccine are linked to a higher rate of sickness and death from other causes than the targeted diseases. Such off-target effects, whether beneficial or pathological, are seen in children, especially for females, and might be linked to epigenetic modification of innate immunity. This is called trained immunity and results from a change in the way these cellular pathways operate as a result of the epigenetic alterations. On the other hand, some adjuvants used in vaccines also appear to increase innate immunity and provide a broader range of protection against more than just the target microbe. With the COVID-19 pandemic still spreading, scientists fear that a second wave may occur in the fall, though seasonal flu rates are expected to diminish as already seen in Australia. In this scenario, it is vital to assess the safety of the flu shot in itself, and concerning a possible alteration in the risk of other respiratory infections because of influenza immunization. LAIV, Not IIV, May Protect Against Other Respiratory Infections The researchers looked for human studies that offered any evidence that influenza vaccination and disease risk due to other respiratory pathogens, including, of course, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). They found, from the data offered by four randomized controlled trials (RCTs), that LAIV immunization did not increase the risk of respiratory infection from other pathogens. In contrast, one prospective trial in the community did demonstrate that the recipients rapidly developed non-specific immunity against viral infection. However, with IIV, six studies showed a higher risk of other respiratory infections, whether designed as RCT, cohort studies, and several observational studies/one case-control study with a test-negative design. The estimated effectiveness of the influenza vaccines was independent of the control group. This could be because the flu vaccine modifies the risk independent of the type of pathogen, though it is more probable that no specific pathogen is inhibited. Most of the studies are worthy of inclusion in the analysis, though publication bias cannot be excluded. A protective effect of IIV against SARS-CoV-2 was apparent in one study, though significant bias was possibly present. Influenza Results in Innate and Adaptive Immunity Both innate and adaptive immune responses occur in response to the flu virus, and in animal models, this has been shown to extend to other viral infections, rapidly and durably. This involves the induction of type I interferons, TNF-, neutrophils, macrophages, and monocytes, as well as dendritic cells and NK cells. When the live attenuated influenza virus is administered intranasally, it produces the immune triggering effect of wildtype influenza virus on the innate immune system. IIV Increases Trained Immunity, LAIV Boosts Innate Immunity Overall, past research supports the safety of LAIV in the current COVID-19 scenario. However, IIV is currently designed to stimulate adaptive immunity by increasing the production of antibodies against specific viral antigens. Animal and human studies alike show this to be less protective than LAIV-induced immunity against other influenza viruses than those included in the vaccine. LAIV can enhance innate immunity via the upregulation of many interferon-related genes, but IIV elicits a gene signature that is linked to adaptive immunity, particularly related to plasma cells. In vitro studies show that seasonal IIV can reprogram myeloid and NK cells so that their ability to counter viral infection by cytokine secretion is enhanced. However, this has not been studied in vivo by translation product analysis. Implications and Future Directions The mechanistic aspect of non-specific induction of antiviral protection by IIV is unknown. An increase in trained immunity that inhibits viral replication may be responsible, since by reducing the viral load, a less intense inflammatory response occurs, limiting tissue damage. If trained immunity does not restrict viral proliferation, on the other hand, an increase in this respect could cause viral symptoms to increase or become worse, and even trigger a cytokine storm in the more advanced phase of disease. Thus, research is required to understand if this could happen in COVID-19 following influenza immunization. The study concludes that LAIV appears to be safe in the current COVID-19 scenario but not IIV, in all cases. However, with the small amount of data showing the possibility of harm with flu shots due to an increased risk of other respiratory viruses, it is not reasonable to stop the planned immunization campaigns this year. A more practical solution may be to use LAIV to protect high-risk children only if possible while carrying out studies to uncover more aspects of the interactions between influenza vaccines and COVID-19 risk or disease severity. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Five Southeast Texas Food Bank staff members have tested positive for coronavirus. According to a news release from the organization, after an initial case was identified, mandatory screening of all other staff members revealed four more cases. All the positive staff members, as well as those who haven't yet received their test results will be quarantined and not allowed to enter the workplace until they receive negative test results. >> Related: Hurricane Laura didn't stop coronavirus concerns The organization also has contacted all Food Bank volunteers who worked in the past two weeks to alert them of the news as well as offer guidance on whether they should be tested for COVID-19. The release said the Food Bank has been frequently cleaning and sanitizing common spaces, which it will continue to do. It also thorougly sanitized the whole facility after the first positive case and will do so "frequently" as an additional precaution. The Food Bank does not believe the presence of the virus among staff does not compromise the food shared with the public. Dear Editor, Another sleepless night worrying that this white supremacist president of ours will forever poison race relations in the U.S.? Not to worry: Race relations in this country have always been toxic, and politicians have always used fear and hatred to win elections. Worried that the working class will end up losing everything, as our nations richest people become kings and queens? Thats been happening for 40 years, as corporations have taken control of almost every aspect of our government. The millions that businesses and the very rich give to politicians used to be called bribery. Thanks to recent Supreme Court decisions, such gifts are now considered freedom of speech. We see that all the reforms that most working people really want are routinely rejected, like taxing the rich, universal healthcare, free college tuition, an end to wars in the Middle East, and holding Israel accountable for the occupation of Palestine. There is no real money behind any of these ideas, so even though most people favor them, they have no chance of being considered, even in the Democratic Platform. The only reason to worry about Trump is that he represents the culmination of neoliberalism, the destruction of the common good by the huge corporations that rule us. Whether our next president is this dangerously unhinged demagogue, or a sleepy corporate shill, they will both serve the same plutocracy. Yet change is happening in the streets, be it for LGBTQ, African American, or womens rights. The pressure for change always comes from below. Fred Nagel Rhinebeck, N.Y. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life) He was a pimply kid in high school. I don't remember at which point he actually came out, but when I met him he had crushes on girls, although he was an avid Mariah Carey fan and would always belt out her songs at the top of his lungs. That was the Lloyd I came to know. High school was filled with the typical drama that you would expect a bunch of hormonal teenagers, and Lloyd was always the center of attention. He was the funny guy who made fun of everything and everyone. When I joined his little clique we called ourselves The Chaka Authority because we liked to make "chismis" every chance we get, and we naturally stirred up all kinds of drama. That's how we formed this bond that stood the test of time. The seven of us were supposed to grow old together. There are friends who come and go, and there are what you'd call forever friends. These are friends I wanted to be by my side when I get married, who will be the ninangs and ninongs of my children, who guide me during my quarter-life crisis, my mid-life crisis, and all the other crises Im bound to face in my lifetime. I never wouldve guessed we would lose a member of our group before we even turn thirty. Lloyd started vlogging even before the word "vlog" had been invented. So most people know him as the funny guy with the loud laugh, but to me and his friends he was more than just the class clown. Beneath the goofy face is a person who's insecure about many things and who, just like the rest of us, just wanted to be loved. Lloyd is probably the kindest and most generous person I know. He just had so much love to give and he gave it away freely, never asking for anything in return. But more than anything in the world, he just wanted to meet someone who would accept and love him unconditionally. The Chaka Authority and friends during our senior prom. (Standing, from left) Lloyd, Martin, Kenneth, and Lobi. (Seated, from left): Danille, Richann, Cath, me, and Alehia. Photo courtesy of KAT UYTIEPO After not seeing each other for a while, we decided to meet up. Lloyd came from Tagaytay to shoot a video and when he arrived it was almost midnight. He had a long day, and even though he was tired, he still had so much energy. He sang Jaya's songs the whole night. Photo courtesy of KAT UYTIEPO Lloyd taught me a thing or two about vulnerability. Every time he tells us just how much he wanted to find love, it would always surprise me to see this sensitive side of him. It was hard to believe that even Lloyd Cadena, THE Lloyd Cadena, who has made millions of people laugh, was afraid of rejection, of getting hurt, and he was very honest about it. He certainly had his share of heartbreaks. He was repeatedly hurt by guys who couldnt accept that he was way more successful than they were, or guys who simply wanted his money and nothing else. Every time Lloyd got hurt, he would just keep making funny vlogs. That's not something his millions of followers get to see because Lloyd has always been good at hiding his feelings. Last year, he invited us to a club to celebrate. He had just bought a house, a dream he never thought he would accomplish at such a young age. Every time we go out, Lloyd would always pay the bill, no matter how much it is. Not to show off how much more successful he was than the rest of us, but just because hes a natural-born giver, and it's always his first instinct to give and share. That night, he wanted to celebrate. He quickly became emotional. All he ever wanted was to take care of his family, and now, his parents will have a decent house to spend their retirement years comfortably. I haven't seen him cry since high school, so I couldn't help but tear up as well. He cried because he was happy, because he was loved by so many fans, and because he couldn't ask for more. I told him I was very proud of him, not just because he's done so well for himself, but because despite his success he had stayed the same, modest and more down to earth than any of us. Looking back, I'm glad I went that night and shared his joy. I know he lived a full life, and I will forever remember that moment when he had tears in his eyes and said, "I'm happy." Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 13:56:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close By Xinhua sportswriters Li Linhai and Shi Yu XINING, China, Sep. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tang Jianzhong, 52, can read the river like a book. Over a decade after settling in China's first national park in northwestern Qinghai province, the old sailor claims to have found wisdom and his true self from the white waters rippling against his rafts. THE MAN AND HIS RAFTS As the song goes, summertime and the living is easy. But here in Namse, a small town on the banks of the upper reaches of the Mekong River in Qinghai's Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, summer days are written in the water as the days turn chilly when August ends. The town, lying in the heart of China's first National Park - Sanjiangyuan, namely the source of three rivers - scheduled to be established this year, is an ideal place for white water rafting. Tang has been running tides for 16 years. On his first car ride to Namse, the icy and bumpy road reminded him of "the intrepid waters filled with obstacles at every twist and turn". From June to August, the region's evanescent "summertime" is the perfect and only window of time to go on the river. Instead of having the summer to himself, Tang is always busy with explorers who make their way here to sail engineless down the river. On an eight-day expedition along the 210-kilometer waterway, Tang and his explorers spend the day rafting freely and sleep after dark under the stars by the shallow waters. Nature gives nothing but the bare truth, however cruel it might be, he said. During summer, water rises and the river runs more rapidly, making exploration much more dangerous. "It's our protocol to make sure everything is good to go before we set sail. We call it reading the water." STILL WATERS RUN DEEP If still waters run deep, then Tang is a deep man. Beneath his tough-guy exterior, Tang appears to be much humbler than he should be. Working as a mountain guide in the 1990s, Tang began rafting in 2004. With his great passion and years of experience of traversing jungles, he soon mastered the sport, becoming the only Chinese captain to successfully raft from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek at the Grand Canyon, without tipping in all the dangerous bunds. "In spite of speaking no English, Tang manages to leave every trip as everyone's favorite guide and best friend," reads the website of the rafting agency that he works for. Outside of his rafting job, Tang also casts bread upon the waters as he reaches out to local residents of the national park. Tashi is one of Tang's favorite students. Born and raised by the Mekong River, Tashi spent his childhood floating down the river on abandoned tires. "I never thought that I could turn my childhood interest into a career." After learning professional rafting skills from Tang, Tashi became his own boss by setting up his own rafting agency in Namse. "With community tourism based on sightseeing and rafting, people can learn more about the national park that we call home," he said. THE SHAPE OF WATER? "We see a different world on the water. Rafting exposes you to nothing but the wilderness," he said. On the unpopulated land that Tang passes by on every expedition, he always spots fresh footprints of rare animals, which makes him feel even closer to the wild nature. According to Plato, water takes the shape of an icosahedron, a 20-sided polyhedron. After years of battling the rapids, Tang said that water can never be defined in whatever form. But the veteran sailor does agree with the idea that water has many faces and can be enigmatic. The raft can sometimes be violently shaken and pushed to its very limits, as if the water was trying to consume it. But the raft can also suddenly be embraced by the nature of the waters, flowing in harmony. "The water is a mystery," he pondered. Though having total confidence in navigating his drafts, Tang admits that he sometimes finds it harder over time to unravel the enigma of the water under the keel. "After all the gentle splashes of paddles and the extreme currents, you always make it to land. I guess that is what life all about," he whispered. Enditem Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, right, and Gen. Stuart Peach, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, pose for photos before talks in Ankara, Turkey, on Sept. 7, 2020. (Turkish Defense Ministry / AP Photo) Greece to Boost Military Amid Tension With Neighbor Turkey ATHENSGreece will be bolstering its military with new armament programs, a boost to military personnel and the development of the countrys defense industry, the government spokesman said Monday, as a tense stand-off with neighboring Turkey has led to concerns of open conflict between the two NATO allies. Ankara is currently facing off against Greece and Cyprus over oil and gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air forces to assert their competing claims in the region. The Turkish leadership is unleashing, on a near daily basis, threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said. We respond with political, diplomatic, and operational readiness, determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a hospitals opening ceremony, in Istanbul, on Sept. 5, 2020. (Turkish Presidency / AP Photo) Petsas said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would be announcing details of plans to upgrade the countrys military during his annual state of the economy speech on Saturday. We are in contact with friendly countries in order to reinforce the equipment of our armed forces, Petsas said. Last week, Greece raised 2.5 billion euros ($2.96 billion) in a bond auction as the country seeks to increase military spending and raise funds for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Greek media have reported the purchases may include French-made Rafale fighter jets and at least one French frigate. Petsas said Mitsotakis would be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting in Corsica of European Union Mediterranean countries. Air force jets participate in a joined training drill with armed forces from Greece and the United Arab Emirates near the Greek island of Crete, on Sept. 4, 2020. (Greek Defense Ministry / AP Photo) Last Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Greece to enter talks over disputed eastern Mediterranean territorial claims or face the consequences. Theyre either going to understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or in the field with painful experiences, he said. On Monday, a senior NATO official met with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and senior military officials in Ankara, and discussed the standoff as well as a NATO initiative aimed at avoiding the risk of accidents and conflict between the two allies. A statement from Akars office said the Turkish minister conveyed to Gen. Stuart Peach, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, that Turkey backs the NATO initiative, attaches importance to dialogue and good neighborly relations for the resolution of problems but that the country was determined to protect its rights in the eastern Mediterranean. In Athens, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Turkey was the only regional country that threatens its neighbors with war when they want to exercise their legal rightsin blatant violation of the U.N. Charter. Speaking after a meeting with visiting Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo, Dendias said Greece was always ready to have dialogue with Turkey, but a dialogue based on international law, and on the only pending issue, the delimitation of the continental shelf. Turkey, he said, has a clear choice: dialogue without threats or sanctions. Greece and Turkey have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s, including once over exploration rights in the Aegean Sea. The current dispute escalated when Turkey sent seismic research vessel Oruc Reis, accompanied by warships, to prospect for oil and gas reserves in an area between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete that Athens claims as its own continental shelf. Greece sent its own warships to the area and put its armed forces on alert. By Elena Becatoros EDWARDSVILLE A judge Friday sentenced a 20-year-old man to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to an armed robbery in Granite City and a home invasion in Wood River. Brandon J. Golliday, of Madison, was one of six men who were riding in a taxi from St. Louis on Oct. 5, 2019, when the robbery occurred, according to Assistant Madison County States Attorney Jacob Harlow. WARSAW -- Five years ago, a Belarusian teenager studying film in Poland set up a YouTube channel to show videos that he made and poke fun at his country's longtime leader, Alyaksandr Lukashenka. After tangling with YouTube copyright laws, the student, Stsyapan Putsila, shifted his Nexta channel and his tactics in 2018 to Telegram, the messaging app whose encryption technologies have made it wildly popular in Russia, Iran, and other countries whose governments have suppressed independent media and communications. Fast forward two years, and Putsila's Nexta taken from the Belarusian word for "someone" and pronounced "nekhta" -- has surged in popularity, first and foremost among Belarusians seeking uncensored information in a country whose state-run media usually serve only as a mouthpiece for the government. A mix of user-submitted photos and videos, forwarded news items, biting opinion, and instructions for street protesters, the channel's Telegram subscribers now total more than 2 million -- making it one of the biggest information sources for Belarusians. And with protests against Lukashenka showing no sign of relenting a month after a deeply disputed election in which he claimed to have won a sixth term, Nexta is at the vanguard both in documenting the demonstrations and in encouraging them. 'A Bit Like Revolutionaries' "Even before the start of the Belarusian revolution, we were a nontraditional media [outlet]," Putsila, 22, said in a telephone interview with RFE/RL's Russian Service on September 3. "We did not have a centralized website on the Internet -- we are a modern information channel, mainly for young people." Since the protests began, "we have changed a little and become a bit like revolutionaries, because people want that from us," he said. "We are asked to publish plans describing what to do, because there are simply no clear leaders in Belarus, especially ones with such an audience," Putsila said. "If there had been, it is clear that they would have been immediately detained. Now we not only inform, but to some extent also coordinate people." With a team of six working out of a community center Warsaw, Putsila, who also uses the pseudonym Stepan Svetlov, pushes out dozens of items on the Telegram channel. On September 7, one day after tens of thousands of Belarusians surged into Minsk's streets for the 29th day of protests, Nexta published -- in Russian, which is spoken by nearly everybody in Belarus -- a statement of support from European Union leaders and news items about the disappearance of one of the country's leading opposition figures. Mixed in were videos of the September 6 protest in Minsk, whose numbers Belarusian authorities said totaled just 30,000 -- an estimate that Nexta and Belarusian opposition groups said was laughably low -- as well as an aerial photo with a diagram of which streets protesters could use to get around riot police blocking a key boulevard. "We do not force anyone to protest," Putsila said. "We tell people that they can go out, defend their rights. Belarusians come out on their own." A native of Minsk, Putsila went to the Polish city of Katowice to study film, and then moved to the Polish capital after graduating. He has not been in his homeland since 2018, when Belarusian authorities opened a criminal investigation accusing him of "insulting the president" on YouTube. YouTube eventually pulled down Putsila's channel after Belarusian authorities complained of copyright violations, prompting the move to Telegram. "We've received dozens of threats against us; we've even received threats that our office would be blown up," he said. His parents and his younger brother have fled to Poland, fearing for their safety. News reports say Polish police now guard the building where he has his offices; Putsila would not comment. In 2019, Nexta began publishing classified and confidential documents that purported to come from within Belarus; the channel gained new popularity after revealing that a traffic police officer whom authorities said had committed suicide was in fact the victim of a killing. "People have always been unhappy, especially in recent years, when they really became tired of him," Putsila said of Lukashenka, who came to power in 1994 and has extended his rule though elections and other votes that international observers have called undemocratic. 'A Great Example For The Rest Of The World' After the August 9 election, which opponents say was falsified to give Lukashenka more than 80 percent of the vote, "people managed to unite, and now they feel they are the masters of their own land," Putsila said. "Nevertheless, there are also the 'enforcers' -- this is how we call police and security officials, who are the foundation of Lukashenka's regime. However, he no longer has support among many officials; they don't support him, but only themselves," he said. Putsila said that Belarusians had genuine hopes in Lukashenka, but that his actions over 26 years in office have worn on them. And that the official election result and the harsh police crackdown -- the violent arrest of hundreds of people and evidence that some have been tortured -- was the last straw. "Belarusians have set a great example for the rest of the world. During the protests, people even were taking off their shoes when they climbed onto benches, they brought each other water, food, flowers. This shows a high level of self-organization," he said. "Lukashenka tells Belarusians that the state has raised them and made people out of them, and they are ungrateful," he said. "However, it is the people themselves who are teaching children in schools, who are creating jobs, and the state, as represented by Lukashenka, does not respect these people." Written by RFE/RL senior correspondent Mike Eckel based on reporting by Daria Yurieva, a contributor to RFE/RL's Russian Service. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: The value of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan amounted to $271.3 million over 1H2020, compared to $187.8 million during the same period of 2019, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Statistics Committee. The share of Afghanistan in the total value of Kazakhstans trade turnover stood at 0.8 percent during the reporting period compared to 0.4 percent during the same period of 2019. Kazakhstans export to Afghanistan amounted to $270.5 million over the period from January through June 2020, compared to $186 million during the same period of 2019. Afghanistans share in the total volume of Kazakhstans export also amounted to 1 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 0.6 percent during the same period of 2019. In turn, Kazakhstans imports from Afghanistan stood at about $749,247 over the reporting period, compared to $1.8 million during the same period of 2019. Afghanistans share in the total volume of Kazakhstans import amounted to 0.004 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 0.01 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 imports amounted to $16.5 billion ($17.5 billion in 2019). --- Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More State-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) will seek shareholders nod to hike borrowing limit to Rs 6 lakh crore in the annual general meeting later this month. Currently, the borrowing limit is Rs 4 lakh crore. According to an AGM notice by the company, considering the fund requirements of PFC over the next 3 to 4 years, the board on August 13 accorded approval for seeking shareholders nod for increasing the borrowing limit to Rs 6 lakh crore over and above aggregate paid up capital of the firm and its free reserves. As per the notice, now a special resolution has been proposed for increasing the borrowing limit in the annual general meeting (AGM) on September 29. Shareholders had approved a borrowing limit of Rs 4 lakh crore in the 30th AGM held on August 19, 2016. PFC is engaged in providing financial assistance to power utilities for meeting financing and development requirements of the power sector. In order to tap the emerging business opportunities in the changed business environment, it has sought shareholders nod to expand the object clause in its Memorandum of Association. In an interview given to the Vietnam News Agency, Eksavang said although the pandemic had affected the organisation of the AIPA 41, the holding of the event in the form of video conferencing is a timely and sound initiative of the Chairwoman and the leadership of Vietnams National Assembly (NA). He also highlighted the importance of AIPA 41s theme of Parliamentary diplomacy for a cohesive and proactive ASEAN Community, saying that countries need coordination and cooperation between legislatures and governments to realise their objectives. Parliamentary diplomacy plays a crucial role in foreign affairs in general and in people diplomacy in particular, he stressed, adding that this has contributed a voice to maintaining political stability as well as to other important matters such as the economy, culture, society, and gender equality. This shows that parliamentary diplomacy plays an important role in assisting governments to promote and realise the goals and strategic visions agreed by ASEAN countries leaders at the 36th ASEAN Summit, which was held online by Vietnam recently, he noted. Vietnams NA will host AIPA 41 in the form of a teleconference at Hanois International Convention Centre on September 8-10. It will consist of an opening ceremony, a closing ceremony, and two plenary sessions, meetings of political, economic and social committees, an AIPA women parliamentarians meeting, and an unofficial meeting of young AIPA parliamentarians. Noor bin Ladin, the niece of 9/11 terror attacks mastermind Osama bin Laden, has said that a similar attack may be around the corner if Democratic Partys Joe Biden is elected President of the United States. According to her, only current President Donald Trump can protect the country. In her first-ever interview, Noor told The Post that the ISIS expanded when Obama and Biden were in power and it allowed them to infiltrate into Europe. According to her, Trump has actively worked towards obliterating terrorism and terrorists by nipping it in the bud before the attackers got a chance to even strike. Interestingly, Noor and her family have always spelled their name differently from that of her notorious uncle. According to a report by New York Post, Noor lives in Switzerland but considers herself an American at heart. Reportedly, she even had an American flag in her room as a child. She also said that her American dream is to travel in an RV vehicle across the country. She is the daughter of Swiss author Carmen Dufour and Osama Bin Ladens elder half brother Yeslam. However, she was raised in Switzerland and says that she grew up with a deep appreciation for individual rights and freedom." She was 14 years old when her uncle carried out one of the worst terror attacks the world has seen on September 11, 2001. She also recalls being devastated because she had visited the US as a child and considered it her second home." In her interview, Noor made it clear that she is supports Trump in the upcoming US Presidential elections and that she has been backing him since he stepped into politics. She said that she has been observing from afar and that she admires Trumps resolve. In fact, Noor has always been an ardent supporter of Trump; she has publicly endorsed him on social media multiple times. Take a look: Osama Bin Laden endorsed Biden to see America fail.I endorse President Trump to see America succeed. pic.twitter.com/AtH51lEAMw Noor Bin Ladin (@NoorBinLadin) September 5, 2020 READ MORE: 9/11 Museum to Reopen on September 11 with Restrictions after Six Months of Lockdown READ MORE: Man Clicked Fleeing Smoke, Debris in Iconic 9/11 Photo Dies from Covid-19 in Florida She further added that re-electing Trump would not only be better for the country but also for the western civilisation. This comes amid reports of Trump and Biden coming almost face-to-face this week. Last week, it had been announced that both Donald Trump and Joe Biden will commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in rural Pennsylvania where one of the hijacked planes crashed in a field. It is not known if their trips will overlap, but this is the closest the two politicians will be coming to each other in months. The EU Council has rejected a Covid-inspired European Commission proposal for a 40 billion warchest to help coal-dependent regions shift to renewables, with the heads of member states instead allocating 17.5 billion. Despite the final figure being 10 billion higher than that suggested by the commission before coronavirus battered Europe, questions have been asked about how useful the program will be.In a Covid-19-free Europe, a decision by the leaders of European Union member states this summer to allocate 7.5 billion to the Just Transition Fund (JTF) for fossil fuel-dependent regions might ... 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. Women participation in equity markets has surged during COVID-19 pandemic and experts believe the growingneed to share household expenses with rampant pay cuts and lay-offs has brought them to trading, market participants said. Additionally, women are looking for alternatives to the decreasing banksfixed deposit (FD) rates, they added. Interestingly, most of such women are first time investors and a large number of them are housewives. "As retail participation has grown during the lockdown, this has been true for women as well. In line with the overall investors population, women are looking for alternatives to decreasing FD rates, said Shankar Vailaya Director, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas. "Lockdown has just been an accelerator allowing women to deepen their capital market knowledge via digital solutions, Vailaya added. Online brokerage house Upstox said it has witnessed agrowth of 32 per cent in account opening by women from April to June 2020, compared to the preceding three months. 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 Of these, 70 percent of women are first time investors. Additionally, more than 35 per cent of the brokerage houses women customers are housewives. Ravi Kumar, co-founder and CEO, Upstox said, "the increased need for sharing household expenses with rampant pay cuts and lay-offs is what seems to have brought more women into trading. "Also, factors like rising gold prices and low returns on banks fixed deposits and real-estate investments have driven the growing trend of moving savings from physical to financial assets, he said. He further said the attractive valuations since late March have also led to an increasing number of women investors participating in the equity markets. According to Upstox, around 74 per cent of female customers are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities like Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, Surat, Ranga Reddy, Nagpur, Nashik, Guntur, among others. Out of the overall number of active female customers, 55 per cent are traders, whereas 45 per cent are investors (those that invest in equity delivery). It has seen a jump in active female customers by 53 per cent from April to June 2020, as compared to preceding three months. Nikhil Kamath, who co-founded Zerodha and True Beacon, said they have added 11 lakh clients since March 1, 2020. Of these, women clients are 1.8 lakh. He further said the average age of such women is 33 years. Tejas Khoday, co-founder and CEO, of FYERS, said in the last four months thestock broking fintech startupacquired over 20,000 new customers, of which 10 per cent were women traders. Tejas Khoday, co-founder and CEO, of FYERS, said in the last four months thestock broking fintech startupacquired over 20,000 new customers, of which 10 per cent were women traders. But, the overall traffic online includes 15 20 per cent women traders. Moreover, they are more inclined to invest than trade. In terms of expectations, Khoday said women want high profits in a very short period of time without too many entry/exits. But this could also be because most of them are first-time investors. In terms of expectations, Khoday said women want high profits in a very short period of time without too many entry/exits. But this could also be because most of them are first-time investors. Prakarsh Gagdani, CEO,5paisa.com said women investors have started actively managing their money and are quite successful at it. Earlier, most of them would avoid stocks but now with simple technology and access to knowledge about markets, they are at the tipping point. "I believe in a year or two their representation in the stock market would be significant, he added. Australia expects to receive its first batches of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as the number of new daily infections in the countrys virus hotspot fell to a 10-week low. Morrison said his government has struck a deal with CSL Ltd to manufacture two vaccines - one developed by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and another developed in CSLs own labs with the University of Queensland. Morrison said Australia will in January and Feburary 2021 receive 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, in January and February last year. AstraZenecas candidate, AZD1222, is viewed as a frontrunner in a global race to deliver an effective vaccine to combat the virus. Australia had announced in August that it planned to buy AZD1222, along with an agreement of intent from CSL to manufacture it. That plan was thrown into some doubt when CSL announced shortly afterward that it would prioritise the manufacture of its own vaccine. Morrisons announcement on Monday that Australia would also purchase the CSL drug if trials proved successful appeared to be the culmination of a deal to get both vaccines across the line. The CSL vaccine is due to begin second stage clinical trials in late 2020, meaning the earliest it could hit the market would be mid-2021. By securing the production and supply agreements, Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a safe and effective vaccine, should it pass late stage testing," Morrison said in an emailed statement. Should both vaccines pass clinical trials, Australia will spend A$1.7 billion ($1.24 billion) for a total of nearly 85 million doses, Morrison said. The agreement came as Australias Victoria state said 41 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the past 24 hours, the lowest single-day rise since June 26. Australias second most populous state has been the epicentre of a second wave, and now accounts for about 75% of the countrys 26,320 cases and 90% of its 762 deaths. The southeastern state on Sunday extended a hard lockdown in its capital Melbourne until Sept. 28 as the daily infection rates had declined more slowly than hoped. JOB LOSSES The extension of the lockdown in Melbourne is expected to fuel further job losses. The national Treasury Department said the original six-week lockdown had already cost Victoria around 250,000 jobs, or half the total recorded by the state since the pandemic began. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Monday announced Australia would extend its temporary insolvency and bankruptcy protection rules until the end of this year, barring creditors cannot issue bankruptcy notices to businesses for debts below A$20,000. Having made his acting debut over four decades ago, Mammootty is a flawless performer and theres no two ways about it. With his ability to mould himself into the skin of any character effortlessly, hes delivered more memorable performances than anyone could remember. On the occasion of his 69th birthday on Monday, his colleagues like Mohanlal, Chiranjeevi and Prithviraj among others took to twitter to wish the legendary star. Mohanlal tweeted: My dear Ichakka. Wish you a Happy Birthday and many more to come. Love you always. God bless (sic). My dear Ichakka..wish you a Happy Birthday and many more to come...Love you always....God bless #HappyBirthdayMammukka pic.twitter.com/orTNCOMb7H Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) September 7, 2020 Chiranjeevi wrote: Happy Birthday dear @mammukka ! Proud to be your colleague in this wonderful industry. Your work over the years is a real treasure that movie lovers always relish & keep asking for more. May you continue to enthrall the audiences for many, many years (sic). Happy Birthday Dear @mammukka ! Proud to be your colleague in this wonderful industry.Your work over the years is a real treasure that movie lovers always relish & keep asking for more. May you continue to enthrall the audiences for many many years. ! Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) September 7, 2020 Prithviraj wrote: Happy Birthday Mammukka (sic). Nivin Pauly tweeted: Wishing the evergreen superstar @mammukka a very happy birthday! May you continue to inspire us forever (sic). Wishing the evergreen superstar @mammukka a very happy birthday! May you continue to inspire us forever! #HappyBirthdayMammookka pic.twitter.com/JdeQgEuNNl Nivin Pauly (@NivinOfficial) September 7, 2020 Also read: Sandip Ssingh says in hindsight, maybe standing with Sushant Singh Rajputs family was wrong Tovino Thomas wrote: Happy Birthday Mammukka @mammukka (sic). Mammootty was recently seen on screen in Malayalam period film, Mamangam. He had said in a media interaction that he accepted the project because he saw it as an opportunity to take history of Mamangam to audiences. His upcoming release is upcoming Malayalam drama One, in which Mammootty will be seen playing the role of a Chief Minister. Recently, the makers confirmed that they have no plans of releasing their film on any OTT platform and will wait for theatrical release. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop An 11-year-old boy from rural NSW could be forced to stay in his boarding school in Queensland until Christmas due to draconian border control measures. Justine McNally has begged Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for a border exemption so her son Henry can return home to Moree in the school holidays. Strict Queensland border controls mean Henry would be forced to self-isolate in a quarantine hotel at the family's expense before going back to class. Ms McNally said regional families are being marginalised by the border control measures, leaving students forced to miss out on spending time with their families. 'It's a big issue for NSW families,' Ms McNally told Daily Mail Australia. Justine McNally has begged Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for a border exemption to be able to see her son Henry (pictured) in the school holidays Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) has refused to change her border rules despite several dramas 'We can get our children in, but we can't get them back to Queensland without them quarantining on return if they're not in the border bubble area. 'I think there is a lack of understanding around the sacrifices country people make to give their children opportunities.' Ms McNally has not seen her son since early August and said Henry was upset he was unable to come home for the holidays. 'We were anxious to see him cause we didn't know when we would be able to see him again,' she said. Ms McNally (pictured left with her daughter Emma, son Henry and husband James Maunder) said regional families are marginalised by border control measures 'There's been no timeline given on the border closure policy and it has really increased stress for parents. 'All Henry wants to do is come home and have a couple of weeks on the farm.' She said political leaders could put themselves in her shoes and allow for travel exemptions for boarding students. 'We don't expect an open border with no paper work,' Ms McNally said. 'We think there has to be a more workable system.' ICPA QLD President Tammi Irons (pictured) said boarders and their parents alike are struggling with not being able to see each other in the upcoming holiday period Isolated Children's Parents' Association Queensland president Tammie Irons said parents and their children's mental health were suffering from the border measures. 'It's already been ten weeks, the potential is they might not see their parents until Christmas,' she told news.com.au. 'It's pretty tough.' Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young met with ICPA officials last week, who could not make an agreement for border exemptions for rural boarders. Premier Palaszczuk last week revealed her state's border wouldn't open until at least October. 'We said we would review at the end of the each month and there has been no advice from the chief health officer to change what we are doing,' she said. 'Queensland will continue to have our borders closed to keep Queenslanders safe, I'm not going to be moved on this. 'Fundamentally the health of Queenslanders is my number one concern. 'We know that people wanted to open our borders earlier. We would have seen a situation that's happening in Victoria happening in Queensland.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been outspoken in his criticism of border closures and asked state premiers to commit to having their borders open by Christmas. All states and territories except for Western Australia on Friday supported Mr Morrison's plan to create a road map out of border restrictions. Brian Austin Green's tattooed 'girlfriend' Tina Louise has gained plenty of admirers while on the arm of the former 90210 star. And the 39-year-old certainly ensured all eyes were on her yet again when she stripped down to lace lingerie for a raunchy shoot. Taking to Instagram, where she has 2.4 million followers, Tina left her fans gobsmacked as she worked the camera kneeling on a couch. Oh my! Brian Austin Green's tattooed bombshell 'girlfriend' Tina Louise, 39, (pictured) stripped down to lace lingerie in her latest raunchy shoot on Monday The beauty was holding an antique phone in the eyebrow-raising photographs. Tina looked absolutely dazzling with her glossy makeup-style while choosing to wear her cropped blonde hair slightly wavy. 'Does anyone actually still have a landline?' she wrote playfully. Glamorous: Tina looked absolutely dazzling with her glossy makeup-style while choosing to wear her cropped blonde hair slightly wavy It comes after Tina clapped back at haters who told her to cover up. During an Instagram Q&A on Wednesday, the Australian model was told to cover up, and one troll even asked: 'Why do you need to show your body that much?' Tina responded by sharing a video of herself in a racy swimsuit, which drew attention to her sensational curves and pert derriere. 'Does it offend you that I'm confident and comfortable with my sexuality?' she wrote. Tina has gone from social media star to bona fide celebrity since her fling with the Beverly Hills, 90210 actor made headlines in July. Tina was spotted with Brian on a Los Angeles beach last week, following talk the pair were no longer seeing each other. Star: Tina has gone from Instagram star to bona fide celebrity since her fling with Brian made headlines in July. She was most recently spotted with the actor at the beach in LA last week The father-of-four, who is separated from wife Megan Fox, was unable to take his eyes off the bombshell. He had reportedly split with Tina at the end of July after a month of dating, only for them to reconcile weeks later. It comes just days after Brian told his Instagram followers he would 'never say never' to getting back with Megan. Outspoken: It comes just days after Brian (pictured On February 15, 2020, in LA) told his Instagram followers he would 'never say never' to getting back with estranged wife Megan Fox 'I kinda feel like people are on paths in life and sometimes your paths are together and you travel that path together, and you see eye to eye and then sometimes those paths do different things,' he said during a livestream on Saturday. 'We shared a lot together and we really went through a lot together,' he added. 'At some point I think our paths will regulate a bit and run parallel to each other.' Meghan started dating rapper Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, less than a month after her split with Brian. Shares of (LVB) on Monday gained nearly 5 per cent in early trade after the lender said it plans to raise up to Rs 1,500 crore to fund business growth and increase foreign shareholding to up to 74 per cent. The stock jumped 4.61 per cent to Rs 20.40 on the BSE. At the NSE, it rose by 3.33 per cent to Rs 20.15. LVB said it will seek approval for the said proposals from its shareholders in the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) on September 25, that will take place through audio/visual means due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bank has been exploring various options for raising funds for augmenting the tier-I capital to support business growth as directed by the RBI, it said in the notice. "Whilst no specific instrument has been identified at this stage, in the event, the issue will be structured in such a manner that the proceeds of the same would not exceed Rs 1,000 crore," it said. The bank will also seek shareholders' approval for raising another Rs 500 crore by issuing debt securities. The lender will also seek shareholders' nod for raising the foreign shareholding to 74 per cent which has been already approved by the board. The existing aggregate holding of non-resident investors in the bank's equity share capital as of March 31, 2020, is approximately 12.35 per cent, the bank said. A broken dam holding toxic substances produced by a Chinese company operating in Omotosho forest reserve in Okitipupa, Ondo State, has claimed the lives of three persons, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed. The company, Wewood, is engaged in cassava to ethanol production in the area. Wewood is also involved in the production of plywood and tiles. The victims were Akinmusire Monday (35), Samuel Louis (45) and Ododolewa Adebowale (19). The trio went to the forest to extract timber for saw millers. Sources reported that Mr Louis, a father of four children, was a contractor who traded in wood, while Mr Monday, a father of five children, was an operator of the saw machine used in the business. Also, the 19-year-old Adebowale, was a student writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), and was serving as a helper. Members of their families raised the alarm at the Akinfosile community on Wednesday, when at dusk, the three persons failed to return home. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that members of the community were mobilised the following day to search the forest for them, only to discover their bodies washed down a flood channel in the forest reserve. The traditional ruler of the community, the Olufara of Akinfosile, Olamide Ayodele, told journalists who visited the area that he had to call the Divisional Police Officer, the Vigilante Corps and the Amotekun Corps, to inform them about the development. According to him, the combined efforts of the groups ensured the bodies were recovered. The Police Public Relations Officer, Tee Leo-Ikoro, said the deaths occurred due to the overflow of a mini dam created by the company. He told PREMIUM TIMES that the toxic waste from the dam flowed down the slope and killed the unsuspecting lumberers in the forest. The incident is basically an accident and the company and the community are in discussion to resolve the issues, said Mr Leo-Ikoro. Meanwhile, Attorneys for the families of the deceased are seeking compensation and punitive measures against the company. Messrs J. Adeyanju and Dayo Akindejoye, the lawyers, blamed the incident on reckless and irresponsible dumping of toxic, corrosive, harmful, explosive and hazardous substances by WeWood. Evidently, the Company flagrantly violated the provisions of the enabling laws with impunity which is detrimental to the host communities without adherence to Environmental Safety and International best practices, the lawyers asserted. The Environmental Impact Assessment Act, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act, and the Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provision) Act spelt out guidelines for dumping of hazardous substances which were clearly violated. The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act specifically prohibits discharges of harmful quantities of any hazardous substance into the air or upon the land and the waters of Nigeria or at the adjoining shorelines. Rather than complying, WeWood chose to honour these laws in the breach. Ever since the WeWood came on board, its activities have been a threat to life, natural resources and properties. Efforts to reach WeeWood for their response was unfruitful. A number was extracted from the companys Facebook page and the man who picked the call would neither give his name nor speak on the incident. The man, who spoke in Chinese accent, said he had travelled to Kwara State about a month ago and would not be able to speak on the incident. Advertisements He also would not help this reporter with a contact of the appropriate official who could speak on the matter. He promised to call back, but never did. Dallas megachurch pastor steps away from pulpit due to sin of pride Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment After more than 20 years at the helm, Todd Wagner, senior pastor and co-founder of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, announced Sunday that he is temporarily stepping away from his pulpit due to the sin of pride. For the first time in 20 years, Im stepping back from what I usually do so I can do the hard work of hard work. So dont be looking for some scandal. Dont even think this is scandalous. What is scandalous is when a Christian plays with, overlooks or welcomes sin, respectable or not, Wagner told his megachurch, which averages about 11,000 weekly worshipers across four campuses. I thank God I have friends to help me. Pride kills. And I would call what Ive heard my friends describing and telling me, pride. Thats the sin. And its really interesting because you know I dont think of myself or I fool myself into thinking Im not a prideful person because I never look in the mirror and clap, he explained. Wagner explained that he and his elders have been in talks about his sin since June and they have walked through a period of repentance and he was now asking church members for their forgiveness. I need to take some of your time to ask for your forgiveness for several things. First, for not being sooner and more attentive to myself especially during this season but for a while, maybe even years I have known I needed just to slow down. And Ive been encouraged to slow down, Ive even been given opportunities to slow down and yet these last months, all Ive done is speed up, he said. "It's not paid leave so I can read and write and relax as a reward for 20 years of service. What it is is a temporary rest from teaching and leading and anything else in the way of my letting the Lord strengthen me, restore me, and lead me to daily greater repentance." Wagner explained that he got to a point in ministry where he was just not listening enough to his leadership team and failed to lead with the usual grace in my relationships with my closest friends. Ive been short and irritable, Im invalidating at times, Im impatient, enough that people were noticing a difference and worse I didnt hear them when they asked me and said things like are you OK? he explained, saying that he was dismissive at times. This is enough for me to say enough, to sharpen the axe more and cut less. I have not been asked to step down. I am not by Gods grace needing to step down but I have been asked and I agree I need to step back, step away and Im glad. We all agree this is whats best for me and for you and I think for us, he said. Wagner, who is a married father and grandfather, pointed out that despite his struggle with pride, his relationship with his family remains solid and he was thankful for that. Wagner also explained that several current and former elders who have served with him will be helping him on his journey of recovery and continual repentance to keep him grounded and accountable. Beau Fournet, a church elder, said, Just want to be clear, we share in unity because we always have unity if were at the foot of the cross. Weve repented of every sin that was brought before us and thats what Todd has done and thats what we are doing with one another as often as we get together. Samyukta Hegde had earlier said she and her friends were abused and attacked by Congress leader Kavitha Reddy while they were working out in a park in Bengaluru reportedly because of the clothes they were wearing. Congress leader Kavitha Reddy who had allegedly attacked actress Samyuktha Hegde on 4 September at Bengaluru Park has issued an unconditional apology on late Sunday, 6 September. "I have always opposed moral policing. I realize that my actions were construed as such. An argument ended up in me reacting aggressively as well, it was a mistake, Reddy said in a tweet. Sharing a lettered apology, Reddy said she regretted her social media posts about the incident and hence taken them from her account. "I hope that we can put this incident behind us and work towards a safer and better future for women," she further wrote. Read her post here I have always opposed Moral Policing. I realize that my actions were construed as such. An argument ended up in me reacting aggressively as well, it was a mistake. As a responsible citizen n progressive woman, I own up to n sincerely apologise to @SamyukthaHegde n her Friends! pic.twitter.com/pM9UJkWESC Kavitha Reddy (KR) Jai Bhim! (@KavithaReddy16) September 6, 2020 Have issued a letter as agreed with @SamyukthaHegde , I hope that we can put this incident behind us and work towards a safer and better future for women. pic.twitter.com/RQ8v0uvqZY Kavitha Reddy (KR) Jai Bhim! (@KavithaReddy16) September 6, 2020 Hegde acknowledged the apology in a tweet, however, later shared that Reddy has not taken down any of posts from the event yet. Read Hegde's tweet here Apologies accepted Ms Kavitha Reddy. I hope we can all move forward from the incident and make women feel safe everywhere.#ThisIsWrongtoThisIsRight #ApologiesAccepted Thank you, Advocates Maitreyi Bhat & Arjun Rao for your support. pic.twitter.com/t6dC75lvql Samyuktha Hegde (@SamyukthaHegde) September 6, 2020 Just for public record, Ms. Kavitha Reddy hasn't taken down any of her posts about the events as quoted in her apology Its over 6 hours now Samyuktha Hegde (@SamyukthaHegde) September 6, 2020 Hegde on Saturday, 5 September, said she and her friends were abused and attacked by Congress leader Kavitha Reddy while they were working out in a park in Bengaluru reportedly because of the clothes they were wearing. A mob, which Hegde says was instigated by Reddy, accused the Comali actor of "indecency" in public for wearing workout clothes. Some also threatened to link Hegdes name along with the drug racket controversy thats currently sweeping over the Kannada film industry, reports The Hindu. According to the Bangalore Mirror, an FIR was registered against Reddy at the HSR Layout police station on Sunday. London: Britains Special Air Service (SAS) alongside US special forces are on a kill not capture mission for Islamic State (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a media report has claimed. Britains spy chiefs at MI6 and GCHQ are putting all their resources behind tracking down and killing al-Baghdadi, Daily Star reported. The mission will be led by top SAS snipers, while covert squads monitor hideouts in Iraq and Syria. The head of IS is now a priority target. That means the SAS will be using all of their experience and skill to track him down. He is a dead man walking, its just a matter of time. He is going to be killed by ground troops or taken out in an air strike or drone strike, an unnamed defence source told the newspaper. The SAS will work closely with US counterparts, Delta Force, alongside the CIA and the National Security Agency (NSA). It was a team of SAS and Delta Force soldiers who had hunted down Al Qaeda boss Al Zarqawi in Iraq in 2006. There have been some reports of Al Baghdadis death but he was reportedly spotted last month. The US government has also raised the price on his head from USD 10 million to USD 25 million. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Nitish Kumar's rally comes amid months-long tiff with the JD(U)'s fellow National Democratic Alliance constituent the Lok Janshakti Party. Kicking off the election campaign for the Bihar Assembly polls through his first virtual election rally on Monday, Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar highlighted his government's successes in the battle against the coronavirus, touted its achievements over the past 15 years compared to the previous regimes and took aim at "ignorant" critics. Kumar's rally, which began at 11.30 am via the party's digital platform jdulive.com (launched on 2 September) was earlier scheduled to be held last Sunday but was rescheduled due to the week-long mourning following the death of former president Pranab Mukherjee on 31 August. Kumar's rally comes amid months-long tiff with the JD(U)'s fellow National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituent the Lok Janshakti Party. Kumar's decision to join hands with former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Dalit leader like the Paswans, with a history of targeting the LJP, has only added fuel to the fire. Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) in a surprise move on 2 September joined the NDA after quitting the Bihar Grand Alliance on 20 August and dealing a blow to the Opposition's hopes of toppling the Kumar-led NDA. The LJP, whose face is Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, is currently holding a crucial meeting of its Bihar leaders to decide whether to fight against the JD(U) in the upcoming state Assembly polls likely in October or November. Kumar began by citing all the steps his government had taken to control the coronavirus, saying it had worked towards protecting the people of the state amid the pandemic. "In March, we decided to conduct 20,000 tests every day and today, the state government is testing over 1,50,000 samples per day," Kumar claimed. "The state is conducting 11,350 RT-PCR tests but aim to reach 20,000 tests soon. The Centre will provide 10 RT PCR machines to the state government to increase its COVID-19 testing capacity," Kumar further said. According to official records, Bihar, the country's third-most populous state, witnessed 1,797 new infections on Sunday pushing its caseload to 1,47,657 and four fresh fatalities, which took its toll to 754. Patna alone account for 15 percent of the cases total cases. Reports, however, have emerged of the state's healthcare system, overburned before the pandemic struck, being on the verge of collapse with shortages of medicine and manpower. As per a report in The Wire, a majority of government officials and politicians who have contracted COVID-19 chose AIIMS-Patna for treatment rather than any government-funded hospitals. On 24 August, the Centre announced that PM CARES would fund two dedicated COVID hospitals in Patna and Muzaffarpur, a move the Opposition decried as "too little too late". It is too little too late. At the same time, why have they not included areas like Champaran and Kosi. I would say it is a case of bad optics and poor planning, RJD MP Manoj Jha told The Print. As per The Hindu, Kumar emphasised the steps taken to aid migrant workers during the lockdown and the facilities provided during the 14-day quarantine. The government spent 5,300 on each quarantine person, Kumar claimed. Kumar also recounted welfare measures and steps taken regarding employment generation, education, health, agriculture programmes and asked the public not to forget all this, as per The Hindu. But some people keep on criticising us because they are ignorant.. if such works have been done in other places it must have got lot publicity a lot of work has been done in the state in last 15 years how much I tell you, [sic] Kumar said, as per The Hindu. Listing the government's assistance for flood victims in Bihar, Kumar said as per News18, "Farmers suffered huge losses in February, March and April. Over five lakh people were evacuated to shelter homes and public kitchens were made to support and feed them. The situation is improving now," Kumar said. A senior RJD leader, speaking to The Hindu, said, Kumar only played old records of his speeches... it was all compiled to be aired in one go about his governments achievements in the last 15 years comparing to 15 years of our RJD regime. But he shrewdly avoided mentioning where Bihar stands today in comparison to other states. People know who does what and for whom. Our government gave voice to the voiceless. The Indian Express reported that the RJD, the main Opposition in the state, has dubbed the state government's efforts an an absolute sham and questioned whether the Rs 962 crore disbursed actually even reached the public. RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav, meanwhile, has made flood-hit areas a special focus and has accused the state government of abandoning the public to face the the coronavirus, economic stress and the flood, as per the report. Bihar has seen over 83 lakh people affected by the floods in 16 districts, including 20.82 lakh in Darbhanga, 19.69 lakh in Muzaffarpur, and 4.15 lakh in Gopalganj. Twenty-seven people have lost their lives due to the calamity. The state has sought compensation of Rs 3,328 crore from the Union government. Allies at odds This virtual rally comes just a day after LJP chief Chirag Paswan in a scathing letter to the chief minister, slammed his decision to provide government jobs to the kin of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes community members who were killed, and called it "nothing but an election-related announcement". Chirag accused Kumar of not fulfilling earlier promises made to SCs and STs, including giving them three dismil of land. The LJP president said that "if the Nitish Kumar government is sincere", it should give jobs to a family member of all those from the communities who were killed during its 15-year rule. The JD(U) has also made it clear that it will not hold any seat-sharing talks with the LJP, as its ties have been traditionally with the BJP. Could history repeat itself? In 2005, the LJP fought against the RJD in the Bihar Assembly polls, even though both regional parties were part of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. The LJP put up candidates against the RJD while maintaining its ties with the Congress. This had led to the formation of a hung Assembly, ending Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD's 15-year rule and another Assembly poll held a few months later saw the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) and BJP alliance storming to power with their maiden majority. Meanwhile, the Congress on Monday has accused the BJP, of politicising the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, terming it a new low in Indian politics. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala condemned the party and said Rajput's death was being politicised to deflect attention from the problems faced by the people in Bihar. "This is a new low in the new India of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Surjewala said at a virtual press conference. He alleged that Bihar was ravaged by floods and reeling under acute misery with the government having "abdicated its responsibility". The Bihar elections are seen as a crucial test for the BJP, which has, since 2018, faced stinging losses at the state level, most notable the Jharkhand and Delhi polls in 2019 and 2020. The BJP was also unable to form the Maharashtra government despite emerging as the single-largest party and its best efforts. The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for the Bihar polls sometime this month. Polls to the 243-seat Assembly are likely to be held in October and November. With inputs from PTI TWS earphones have flooded the Indian market and can be found by almost every brand today. However, the category is still quite expensive if you want to buy a capable TWS earphone that delivers a robust sound and full functionality. Weve tested countless TWS earphones where some are great for the price while others are pure garbage. The Creative Outlier Air by Singaporean company Creative Labs is the former where the TWS earphone delivers everything you need. Solid audio, incredible battery life and great functionality are salient features of this product; all for Rs 6,999. Design The design of the Outlier Air is fairly simple where the earpieces use an in-ear design and are extremely lightweight. While the earbuds are a bit bulky, they arent really much of a bother considering how light they are. The fitting of the earpieces is quite comfortable and secure which you can achieve by using the appropriate silicone ear tip size included in the box. The earpieces themselves have a 5.6mm driver that delivers the sound output. MensXP_Akshay Bhalla In terms of controls, the earbuds have buttons that need to be pressed for certain actions. These buttons can be a bit stiff to use at first but you eventually get used to them with time. A single press on either earbud will play or pause audio while a double press on the right earbud skips the audio. Double pressing on the left earbud skips the track backwards which does take time getting used as we would have liked both skipping functions dedicated to one earbud. A simple triple tap would have been far easier to skip tracks backwards which most TWS earbuds use today. MensXP_Akshay Bhalla For volume control, you have to hold the button on the left ear to lower the gain while holding the right earbud button increases it. If you double-tap either of the buttons when no music is playing, it launches the digital assistant which was not that intuitive to use in the first place. We had to manually pause the music on our smartphone to get this feature started which really kind of defeats the purpose of a TWS earphone. The charging case of the Outlier Air is probably the most interesting bit here as it uses a slide-out tray design. The charging case is probably the most unique looking weve seen yet as it does not use any known design from other TWS brands. The charging case has a UBS-C port which does not use any fast-charging methods. The earbuds are also rated IPX5 which means they are sweat-proof and can be used while working out. However, the rating also means that the earphones can only withstand splashes and not full water exposure or pressure. Just dont wash these earphones if you get too sweaty as it may just damage the Outlier Air. We also recommend drying off the earphones with a towel after using them during a sweaty session as putting in the charging case without drying them off could damage them. Performance and Battery Life If youre a fan of music that uses a lot of low-frequencies or sub-bass, the Creative Air is probably the best for you. The earbuds pack a punch when it comes to the lower-frequencies and sound particularly great when listening to genres like Hip-Hop, Future Garage and Drum N Bass. Even when listening at high volumes, we did not notice any crackling sound or distortion which can be the case for many TWS earphones. MensXP_Akshay Bhalla However, listening to some indie-rock and electronic music gave us a fair idea of the overall sound signature of the Creative Outlier Air. These earphones sound incredible, simply because other frequencies had enough room to sound clear. Vocals had warmth while other sounds like the percussion and synths had incredibly close soundstage. We particularly liked the depth in the mid-range frequencies which is probably the most incredible factor to consider when purchasing audio products. Higher frequencies could be better as we did notice some form of audio boosting taking place. We recommend turning down the high frequencies manually from your music player so that you get a more balanced sound from the Creative Outlier Air. We didnt really use the Creative Outlier Air for voice calls, however we did test the microphones by recording a voice memo. The voice recording was clear for the most part, however there is a bit of distortion if you are in a windy environment. Additionally, the microphone does not do a great job in isolation of background noise which could lead to unclear phone calls if you are on a busy street. MensXP_Akshay Bhalla Finally, when it comes to the battery life, the Creative Outlier Free can last up to 30 hours of total playtime with the charging case. Each earbud holds about 10 hours of battery life which is at par with flagship-level TWS earphones right now. In terms of other specifications, the Creative Outlier Free uses Bluetooth 5.0, has support for Qualcomm aptX, and supports Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) for lossless audio compression. The Final Say The Creative Outlier Air is probably the only TWS earphones that offers everything you need in this category. Its great for audiophiles who want to listen to music on the move and offers great battery life that can last you up to 30 hours in all. While we would have preferred a higher quality microphone on the device, it still gets the job done if you dont intend to use it in noisy areas. For Rs 6,999, the Creative Outlier Free is probably the best alternative to TWS earphones like the Galaxy Buds and AirPods. No, you haven't been transported back to the 1970s. Roller skates are making a comeback driven by viral videos of young skaters on social media. Like gym equipment, sales of roller skates have gone through the roof in Melbourne in recent months as people look for fresh ways to stay active without breaking COVID-19 restrictions. Jessica Maddock wears her skates at St Kilda beach. Credit:Jason South One skating shop described the demand for products in recent months as "absolutely mad", with skates in pastel colours the big sellers among those looking to lace up and hit the pavement. The trend has been powered by social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram, where roller skating videos are hugely popular, drawing millions of views. The Turkish military on September 6 began its annual exercise in breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, an entity that is recognized only by Ankara. Beginning its exercise called Mediterranean storm Turkish Cypriot Security Command, Vice President Fuat Oktay asserted that the security priorities of both the areas had become indispensable amid glaring tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. "The security priorities of our country and the TRNC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] are indispensable, along with diplomatic solutions in the eastern Mediterranean," Oktay wrote on Twitter . Turkiye ve Kuzey Kbrs Turk Cumhuriyetinin katlmyla her yl planl olarak icra edilen ve 10 Eylule kadar surecek olan Sehit Yuzbas Cengiz TOPEL Akdeniz Frtnas-2020 Tatbikat basaryla devam ediyor.https://t.co/E8ILcKnMfm#MSB #TSK pic.twitter.com/EYKjODHyJb T.C. Milli Savunma Bakanlg (@tcsavunma) September 6, 2020 Cyprus, an island nation which houses roughly 12 lakh people is divided between the Greek Cypriot-run south and the Turkish Cypriot north. Following an invasion in 1974, Ankara has stationed tens of thousands of troops in the north of the island. However, Anakars 'Forceful' occupation is denounced by the European Union with the topic leading to heated debate in multiple sessions of UNSC. Read: Turkey Slams US Move To Lift Cyprus Arms Embargo, Warns Against Regional Instability Read: Turkey Expands Virus Restrictions Amid Rising Cases In the face of upcoming #military drill in Northern #Cyprus, #Turkish Air Force helis have been spotted, flying over #Kyrenia. There are currently 35.000 Turkish soldiers in northern Cyprus deployed. The Southern part belongs to the #EU | #OSINTpic.twitter.com/HT5AKWdYqt ISCResearch (@ISCResearch) September 6, 2020 Flaring tensions in Eastern Mediternean This drill comes as tensions between Greece and Turkey have flared in recent weeks. According to international media reports, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced a diplomatic move in a statement after Turkey announced that Russia plans would be conducting live-fire naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean this month. "Greece and Turkey are valued Allies, and NATO is an important platform for consultations on all issues that affect our shared security," Associated Press quoted the NATO statement. "I remain in close touch with all concerned Allies to find a solution to the tensions in the spirit of NATO solidarity. However, a Greek official speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that talk of an agreement does not correspond with reality. "In any case, we have noted the NATO Secretary-General''s intention to work to create mechanisms for de-escalation within the framework of NATO. Nevertheless, de-escalation would only be achieved with the immediate withdrawal of all Turkish ships from the Greek continental shelf", he added. As per reports, Turkey announced the Russian drills in a very short navigational notice that said they would take place Sept. 8-22 and Sept. 17-25 in the Mediterranean Sea but no immediate comment from Moscow followed. Read: NATO Chief Claims Turkey-Greece Prepared To Hold 'technical Talks' To De-escalate Tensions Read: Turkey Expands Virus Restrictions Amid Rising Cases Keiana Aldrich, a sex trafficking victim, is petitioning Gov. Gavin Newsom for clemency. (Courtesy of Maggy Krell) Keiana Aldrich has struggled to keep herself alive inside the California Institution for Women for months, anxious about the coronavirus, scared of retaliation for reporting alleged sexual abuse and fighting the urge to kill herself. "Being locked in a room 24 hours a day except to shower sucks," Aldrich wrote in an August email from the Riverside County prison. She has too much time to think, she said, "and it makes me go crazy." Last week, after being cut off from communication with the outside world for weeks, Aldrich, 25, reportedly slashed her wrists and neck with razor blades, then swallowed two of them, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. State authorities declined to give specifics about Aldrich, citing medical privacy laws. Though Aldrich did not die, those closest to her say the attempt on her own life, and the scant information they are able to glean from prison authorities, is another breakdown in a system that has continually failed Aldrich, first sexually abused at age 4, then imprisoned at age 17 for a crime related to her being trafficked for sex. They petitioned Gov. Gavin Newsom for a commutation of her sentence in July, but have heard little back. "There are so many wrongs in this case," said Peggy Fava, Aldrich's mentor and executive director of a nonprofit that helps sex trafficking victims. "And it continues to go wrong." Aldrich is one of about 30,000 inmates with mental health conditions who lawyers and advocates say are being left largely without help as prisons scramble to contain COVID-19 outbreaks. Michael Bien, a lawyer who works on prison mental health issues but is not involved in Aldrich's case, said that lockdowns have curtailed access to mental health treatment, leaving vulnerable inmates at greater risk. Before her suicide attempt, Aldrich said her access to a therapist had been cut back, leaving her with one five-minute session a week, with the counselor standing outside her metal cell door. She has been clear she wants her history, including her suicide attempts, made public. Story continues The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement that it is still providing necessary mental health treatment even at facilities with outbreaks. The agency added it understands "how vitally important it is to deliver comprehensive mental health services within our institutions at all times, but especially during these extraordinary times of heightened uncertainty." As the prison system rushes to free thousands of medically fragile and elderly inmates to reduce the risk of transmission, Bien is arguing in court that mental health should also be considered a risk factor for early release. "There were problems with mental health in the prisons before COVID," Bien said. "In the midst of the emergency, mental health concerns have been postponed." Fava said she believes Aldrich's current mental health crisis is the result of oft-repeated abuse and authorities, from police to prosecutors to prison officials, who treated her as a "throwaway." Fava first met Aldrich when the teen was brought into Sacramento's juvenile detention facility as a runaway at about age 13, she said. Aldrich's mother, Tracey Aldrich, said her daughter began escaping to the streets at about age 12 after witnessing an abusive boyfriend beat her mother for years. "It bothered her a lot," said Tracey Aldrich. "She felt like she was helpless, so she would leave." Though she is no longer in an abusive relationship, the elder Aldrich said she didn't understand her daughter's behavior at the time and they fought. Once, Tracey Aldrich said, she broke her arm trying to stop her daughter from climbing out a window. "I would be angry because I thought she was leaving to go have fun," Tracey Aldrich said. "I felt hurt." Keiana Aldrich said her relationship with her mother hurt her, too. "She would call me names, bitch and ho and slut, and she would tell me I am not good, like she hated me or something," she said. She added that her mom is "trying to work on it now" and is one of the most important people in her life. Keiana Aldrich at age 7. (Courtesy of Tracey Aldrich) Tracey Aldrich had Keiana, her second child, when she was 18. Like Keiana, Tracey Aldrich had run away from home multiple times before she was a teen, she said. She had repeated nightmares and her parents would spank her for refusing to sleep in her room, she said, "so I would run away, run away, run away because I didnt think my parents cared." At 14, Tracey Aldrich was living on the streets, "eating out of garbage cans." She met Keiana's father, a 35-year-old minister, after a cousin took her in when she was about 18, she said. When Keiana was 5, her father was convicted of sexually molesting her. Fava said Aldrich still has difficult memories of walking alone down the court hallway as a child on her way to testify against him. Aldrich said that by 12, she was being sexually exploited by people she met on the streets. Fava said between the ages of 14 and 17, Aldrich was brought into juvenile hall a half dozen times for running away. Fava saw that she needed mental health intervention, but little was provided beyond Fava's support, she said, though in intervening years, the mental health program at the facility has greatly expanded. "I distinctly remember her hitting the door and screaming for a few days straight," Fava said. "At that time, they thought, 'Oh we are not going to cave in to her. She is just trying to get attention.'" At 16, Aldrich was arrested with a 26-year-old female pimp and agreed to testify against the woman, believing that Sacramento County prosecutors would give her counseling and safe housing in exchange, she said. But that help never materialized despite testimony that led to the pimp's conviction with a sentence of nearly nine years. "She was treated like she did something wrong," Tracey Aldrich said. "They didnt offer no counseling, no nothing. Here, come testify and thats it, thats the last I ever heard of from those people." In 2012, when she was 17, Aldrich was back out on the street. A gang-related family took her in, and one of the female family members began trafficking Aldrich, she said. The woman answered an online ad to sell Aldrich to two men who wanted to make pornography. But after meeting the men, the pimp pulled a gun and robbed them, putting one in the trunk of a car to transport him to a store where, prosecutors argued in court filings, Aldrich and her exploiter forced the man to buy goods and give them money. The incident was caught on a surveillance camera. Aldrich was charged as an adult and, facing decades in prison for kidnapping and false imprisonment, took a plea deal that resulted in a sentence of nearly 10 years. Neither of the men who attempted to solicit her was charged. Two years later, California began changing laws around what had been considered willful child prostitution, ending the practice of treating exploited minors as criminals. Fava and Aldrich's lawyer say she probably wouldn't have faced charges if the incident had happened more recently. "You can't arrest a minor for their own sexual exploitation today," said Maggy Krell, a former state prosecutor who has taken Aldrich's case pro bono. "She's very much a victim but also a survivor." Aldrich said her time behind bars has also been marked by sexual exploitation. She filed complaints against three civilian staff members and one guard at the California Institute for Women who she alleges individually coerced her into sex acts or sexually molested her. One, the guard, was terminated from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation last week after an investigation, and the case was referred to the San Bernardino County district attorney, CDCR said in a statement. The department said it has a "zero tolerance" policy on sexual misconduct and "investigates each allegation thoroughly." The San Bernardino County district attorney's office would not immediately say if it had filed charges in the case. The three civilian staffers whom Aldrich reported for alleged abuse have all left state employment, according to the CDCR. Krell, Aldrich's pro bono lawyer, filed a civil suit against three of the men and CDCR officials for their handling of the incidents. In one instance detailed in the legal complaint, Aldrich claimed that a civilian supervisor brought her into a closet where he coerced her into oral sex. Afterward, Aldrich found "she had a piece of [the supervisor's] pubic hair in her mouth," which she put on a napkin and gave to prison investigators that day, the claim contends. The alleged abuse has left her feeling that she is "disgusting," she said, enough that she tried to kill herself earlier this year by ingesting pencils. Another time, she tried to hang herself. Aldrich said she believes she has been retaliated against for making the reports, including being put in "administrative segregation," which many describe as similar to solitary confinement, and losing her job in the prison hospital, where she was paid 45 cents an hour money she needed to buy personal items such as tampons and shampoo. The corrections department said in a statement it was diligent about enforcing its policies against retaliation and, like sexual abuse, finds "any instance of it completely unacceptable," adding that such complaints are "vigorously investigated and staff are held accountable." Aldrich is steadfast in her determination to tell her story as she sees it. She would like to be a peer counselor when she is released, and thinks coming forward may help other women and give a purpose to the pain she feels. "Its terrifying and it's draining because you dont know whats going to happen next to you just for opening your mouth," Aldrich said in August. "I dont want it to happen to any more women. ... It's my turn to get a light shed on it in prison. I want to be the one to get a light shed on it." A few weeks after that communication, Fava, Krell and Aldrich's mother stopped hearing from her, and have not been able to contact her for more than two weeks, they said. A spokesman for Newsom said the governor was unable to comment on specific requests for clemency, and has received an unusually high number of petitions since the coronavirus hit 50 to 80 each week. The spokesman added that "each application receives careful and individualized consideration." In June, the governor granted 34 commutations and pardons, two forms of clemency, for people who had committed crimes, including murder and arson. "I am just really scared for her," Tracey Aldrich said. "I just want people to know that my daughter is not a criminal. She is a victim who made the wrong decision in her childhood, her adolescence, and was sentenced as an adult. And she is a good kid, she is. She is a sweetheart." Aldrich had a simpler message in one of her last conversations with a reporter before reportedly slashing her throat and ingesting the blades. "I am a woman who has been through a lot of abuse in my life," she said. "And I want it to stop." The illegal narcotics trade has boomed during the coronavirus pandemic, a Europol specialist said on Tuesday. Cocaine traffic from South America to Europe has reached "record amounts," Sascha Strupp, strategic analyst for drug trafficking at the EU law enforcement agency, told dpa. "Corona did not have any influence on smuggling via sea routes," Strupp said, calling the narcotics trade a "growing market." Though it was difficult to estimate exactly how many drugs were smuggled, investigators saw an increase in the amount of confiscated drugs. In the first half of 2020, more than 25,000 kilograms of cocaine were seized in the port of Rotterdam, more than double of what was found in the same period of 2019 - a year in which the 34,000 kilograms of confiscated cocaine had already been a record. Dutch police last month found the largest cocaine laboratory ever discovered in the Netherlands, which was processing around 200 kilograms of cocaine per day in the town of Nijeveen near the German border. According to Europol, most cocaine reaches Europe via the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. Europol estimates that criminal gangs have recently switched to smuggling drugs mainly via sea routes, hiding them among other merchandise such as medical equipment, as air traffic has almost completely collapsed due to the pandemic. 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 London: Julian Assange's legal team has tried, but failed, to adjourn the extradition hearing for the WikiLeaks founder until after the US presidential election at a court hearing in London. Assange appeared at his long-delayed hearing wearing a dark suit, light-coloured business shirt and tie, he was clean-shaven and his white hair was neatly cut. He sat behind a glass pane to watch proceedings. Julian Assange transported from court in London in 2019. Credit:AP It was the first time he had been seen in a courtroom since February; his image was a stark contrast from his dishevelled, bearded appearance in April 2019, when he was dragged into a prison van after being arrested at the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge. Assange had been living there since seeking political refuge in 2012 to avoid facing sexual assault charges in Sweden. Assange is in jail at Belmarsh prison on the outskirts of London, having been denied bail in March. KYODO NEWS - Sep 7, 2020 - 18:55 | All, World Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said Monday he is thankful for the Japanese government's assistance over a major oil spill despite it not being responsible for the accident, according to Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Motegi spoke by phone with the prime minister for the first time since the oil leakage from a Japanese freighter in July. Jugnauth asked Japan for continued support to restore the Indian Ocean island nation's economy and nature following the spill, Motegi told reporters following their conversation, which was carried out at the request of the Japanese government. Telling him Japan takes a serious view of the accident, Motegi said he promised to provide long-term assistance to Mauritius, including steps to enhance safety at sea and revitalize local fishery communities. A Mauritian government document has shown it is proposing that Japan pay a total of 1.34 billion Mauritian rupees, equivalent to around 3.6 billion yen ($34 million), to assist the local fishing community affected by the spill. Motegi said a specific amount of Japanese aid to Mauritius was not discussed in the telephone talks. Separately, Mauritius is set to seek compensation over the spill from the freighter's Japanese owner Nagashiki Shipping Co. and has called for the submission of claims by those who have sustained losses or damage due to contamination. The Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Wakashio, operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., ran aground on July 25, spilling more than 1,000 tons of oil into the pristine environment. Mauritius declared a state of environmental emergency on Aug. 7, citing fears about the impact on endangered species such as birds and sea turtles. Fishing off coastal areas impacted by the spill is currently banned. Japan has so far sent three disaster relief teams to help with oil removal and assess environmental damage including in mangroves. Related coverage: Japan to provide long-term support to Mauritius after oil spill Mauritius asks Japan for 3.6 bil. yen to help fishermen after oil leak Japan proposes wiping down Mauritius mangroves by hand to remove oil 07.09.2020 LISTEN A group calling itself the Diaspora Patriots in Ghana Foundation (DPG) has condemned what it calls ethnocentric comments supposedly being promoted by former President John Mahama. It has thus called on the NDC Leader to immediately render an unqualified apology to the good and united people of Ghana. An article from the Bolgatanga Central MP, Isaac Adongo, describes elements from the New Patriotic Party as Akyem Sakawa Boys in relation to the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal. This article was shared on the Facebook page of the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, although he has not commented personally. According to the group, it does seem that the real problem Mr. Mahama has with the deal is that some people with Akyem ethnicity are involved in its setup. It adds that Yet the Agyapa Deal creates entities owned by the nation, not individuals like Mr. Mahama attempted to do with our bauxite for his brother. And, it is expected to significantly increase revenues for the state. The group said it has over the years observed a pattern of such ethnocentric behaviour by Mr. John Mahama. For instance, Mr. Mahama is on record to have taunted Hon. Kwame Prempeh on the Floor of Parliament in 1996, for interchanging R & L pronunciation, and ascribing his supposed bad command of the English language, to his ethnicity. He is also on record to have suggested that Asantes are ungrateful people, who will not show him appreciation even if he helps tar their streets with gold the group alleged. Mr. Mahama is also known to tell people in various parts of the North of the country to vote for him because he is one of them. Ghanaians are united in the pursuit of more democracy, justice, freedom and development, and should not allow any politician to use minor differences between us to divide us and sway our focus from the substantive issues of policy and performance, which really matter to our progress. The group said Ghanaians have peacefully coexisted in spite of our religious, ethnic and cultural differences. We must not take lightly the denigration of any tribe of Ghana, especially by someone aspiring to become President. So, DPG calls on well-meaning Ghanaians to ask Mr. Mahama to render an unqualified apology to all those he has been denigrating and to try to offer serious policy ideas and demonstrate the credibility to deliver them instead. We should all ask Mr. Mahama to stop his ethnocentric tendencies, which he often resorts to, in his confessed willingness to do anything for more votes the group concluded. Akufo-Addo condemns 'Akyem Sakawa' tag President Akufo-Addo has already condemned the tag. Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Catholic Bishop Conference at the Jubilee House on Friday, President Nana Akufo-Addo said he was very disturbed by the remarks. He condemned what he called ethnic branding, saying that is the kind of language we don't want in our politics. President Akufo-Addo also said he was disappointed at the lack of criticism towards those remarks from observers. Sometimes one would hope that when things come out, people will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent; Akyem Sakawa people, I have not heard any public figure in this country or anybody comment on it. If I was to get up to make a comment about northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that will be in the country, the President lamented. ----citinewsroom Coronavirus must be taken very seriously again or the UK will face 'a bumpy ride over the next few months', England's deputy chief medical officer has warned after a 'big change' in infections. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said on Monday that the public had 'relaxed too much' over the summer. He described the rising number of cases as a 'great concern', despite the Health Secretary insisting Britain's outbreak is not out of control. There were a further 2,948 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Monday, following the 2,988 reported on Sunday, which was the largest daily figure since May. However, experts are not convinced that a second wave is happening, and say increasing numbers of cases could still be a result of more testing with a small increase in infections, but not a surge worth panicking about. During March and April, when the outbreak was at its peak, rationed testing was only picking up a tiny proportion of the real number of cases because not enough tests were done. Now, however, more than 150,000 tests are done per day and they are thought to be picking up a much greater proportion of cases. So 3,000 cases per day now likely a large proportion of the true cases cannot be directly to 3,000 per day in March, when the same number was a much smaller proportion and there were considerably more unseen infections. And Office for National Statistics data, which estimates how prevalent the virus is in the population in England, shows that cases declined at the start of the summer and have 'levelled off' since a small rise in August. The ONS predicts that around 2,000 people are catching Covid-19 each day in England, a figure which has fallen dramatically during lockdown in May. In its report last week the ONS said: 'Evidence suggests that the incidence rate for England remains unchanged,' referring to similar infection rates throughout August. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said on Monday that the public had 'relaxed too much' over the summer and described the rising number of cases were of 'great concern' Office for National Statistics data: There are now an estimated 2,000 new cases each day, on average a figure that has fallen during August after a surge in July ONS DATA SHOWS INFECTIONS HAVE FALLEN OVER SUMMER Weekly data published by the Office for National Statistics suggests that coronavirus cases in England have declined over the summer. The figures, based on mass testing done in random households around the country, are estimates of how many people are catching the virus each day. The estimates started high in May, during lockdown, then fell in June and July as lockdown ended. There was a spike at the end of July but testing suggests cases have stablised. Here are the ONS's weekly estimates of new cases per day: August-25: 2,000 August-20: 2,200 August-13: 2,400 August-09: 3,800 August-02: 3,700 July-26: 4,200 July-19: 2,800 July-12: 1,700 July-05: 1,700 June-27: 3,600 June-21: 3,100 June-13: 3,800 June-07: 4,500 May-30: 5,600 May-24: 7,700 May-17: 8,700 Advertisement 'We've been able to relax a bit over the summer,' Professor Van-Tam said. 'The disease levels have been really quite low in the UK through the summer but these latest figures really show us that much as people might like to say 'oh well it's gone away' - this hasn't gone away. 'And if we're not careful, if we don't take this incredibly seriously from this point in we're going to have a bumpy ride over the next few months.' He said that the rise is 'much more marked' in the 17-21 age group, but noted there is a 'more general and creeping geographic trend' across the UK. 'People have relaxed too much,' Prof Van-Tam said. 'Now is the time for us to re-engage and realise that this is a continuing threat to us.' Although rising numbers of new cases have caused concern among the public and some scientists, experts are warning against comparing them to what happened earlier in the year. Even though case numbers are high, the percentage of people testing positive for the disease is still dramatically lower than it was at the peak of the crisis. When the disease was out of control in March and April, rationed testing meant that at times more than 40 per cent of test results were positive, but this has since plummeted to just 2.3 per cent in the community and 0.5 per cent in hospitals. As more and more people get tested, the proportion of the tests that come back positive has stayed level, showing the current strategy is successfully finding more and more people who actually have the disease but that still only a small proportion of those suspected of having Covid-19 actually do. Huge numbers of negative tests show that only small amounts of people who think they have Covid-19 actually do. Eminent statistician Sir David Spiegelhalter told MailOnline that infection rates could 'no longer give a simple answer' about the virus's trajectory. He admitted that a huge increase in testing was skewing the figures upwards, but he noted that the proportion of people testing positive was also rising very slowly, suggesting a mixture of more swabs in high risk areas and 'some increase in infection risk' was driving the case rate up. Data from Public Health England shows that more than 40 per cent of coronavirus tests done in hospitals were positive in March and April but this has now plummeted and remains below 2.5 per cent in both hospitals and the community. This shows that there remains only a small proportion of people with the symptoms of coronavirus who actually have it Scientists have previously said cases have risen over August as a result of increased testing (pictured, how testing has risen during the pandemic) The current case rate the number of people per 100,000 who test positive for Covid-19 has risen since June and July as lockdown rules have loosened but is still only a fraction of what it was during the worst days of Britain's crisis. A surge in positive tests over the weekend pushed the rate to 21.3 per 100,000 for the past week, which is above Britain's own holiday quarantine threshold. HOW DOES TESTING AFFECT CASE NUMBERS? If more people are being tested for Covid-19, this will show up in cases data, experts say. On the surface, it may look like a spike in infections, but broadly is not something to worry about because it just means more people are being diagnosed than before, when testing was limited to those in hospital. Professor Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics, The Open University, said: 'In the early stages of the pandemic, there was far less availability of testing in most countries than there now is. So one reason there are more cases is just that people have got better at looking for and finding them.' And Dr Andrew Preston, a reader in microbial pathogenesis at University of Bath, said: Test more people, you will find more positives. 'Initially, testing was restricted to those reporting symptoms, but this has eased and it's now possible for a wider range of people to request tests.' Testing capacity has rapidly increased over the course of the pandemic in order to reach more people. And this has caused a slight increase in the number of people getting a positive result - but not to levels that suggest prevalence of the virus is soaring. A significantly higher number of people are being tested since July - when diagnosed cases were at their lowest, NHS Test and Trace data shows. Some 442,392 people were tested between 13 August and 19 August - an almost 20 per cent increase on the 355,597 tested between July 9 and 15. However, the positive result rate only slightly went up, from 1.12 per cent to 1.4 per cent in the same period. This shows there no that many more people testing positive compared to negative in August than in July. Other data from Public Health England reveals a similar trend over the course of the pandemic. Testing has increased vastly from no more than 13,000 tests per day at the start of April to around 150,000 in July. During the same period, positive test results in Pillar 2 - which are those outside of hospitals and care homes - went drastically down from a peak of 5.2 per cent in May to 1.4 per cent in mid-July, showing that less people were testing positive for the coronavirus despite testing reaching thousands more people. This figure has risen slightly over this month from 1.6 per cent to 2.1 per cent in the week ending August 23. But it's a small increase when comparing with the 5 per cent seen in May. Testing has shot up to almost 200,000 per day this month. Commenting on these figures, Dr Duncan Young, a professor of intensive care medicine at University of Oxford, told MailOnline: 'It is therefore very possible that the increase in cases is mostly related to increased testing, but will a small additional effect from the increased prevalence.' Despite this, it doesn't necessarily rule out that transmission of the disease is, indeed, climbing. Scientists admit that the evident rise in cases will be driven by more transmission in the community as a result of easing lockdown restrictions. 'But the position isnt like it was back in March and April,' Professor McConway said. 'The level of cases [in the UK] remains a very long way below what it was at the peak of the pandemic here in March and April. Advertisement Once infections rise above 20 in 100,000 in other countries, the British Government begins seriously considering enforcing a quarantine period for holidaymakers returning from abroad. Scientists say it was always inevitable that more tests would yield more cases, and that there would be a rise in infections when rules were lifted. Professor Kevin McConway, a statistician at The Open University, said: 'In the early stages of the pandemic, there was far less availability of testing in most countries than there now is. So one reason there are more cases is just that people have got better at looking for and finding them.' The Office for National Statistics, in separate data, estimates around 28,000 people in England have the coronavirus at any one time and 2,000 people catch it per day. This estimate, based on random population testing, has not changed significantly for a number of weeks, suggesting surges in cases are localised. Professor Van-Tam last night urged politicians and public health officials to think how to manage the crisis not in the short term but through 'the next six months and how we get through this until the spring'. The professor added that it was 'clear' that the level of compliance with restrictions 'is very variable indeed'. Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the 'important advice' having earlier described the recent increase in cases as 'concerning'. Asked by LBC presenter Nick Ferrari if the UK had 'lost control', as suggested by some experts, Mr Hancock said: 'No, but the whole country needs to follow social distancing.' Professor John Edmunds, who is part of the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, warned that cases were 'increasing exponentially'. He said the UK has entered 'a risky period' with the average number of people an infected individual spreads the virus to, known as the reproduction number, potentially above the crucial figure of one. 'I didn't want us to relax measures so much that we couldn't open the schools safely without it tipping the reproduction number significantly above one. And we are already above one and we've opened schools,' he told ITV News. As the UK continued attempts to quell regional outbreaks, people were told they cannot enter or leave Caerphilly without a reasonable excuse when new restrictions are imposed at 6pm on Tuesday. Meetings with other people indoors will be banned and everyone over 11 will have to wear masks in shops, the first time the measure has been made mandatory in Wales. The South Wales borough has seen 133 new Covid-19 cases over the past seven days, equivalent to a rate of 55.4 cases per 100,000 population, giving it one of the highest rates in the UK. Meanwhile, restrictions on household visits across western parts of Scotland were extended for a further week and expanded to also include East Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire. The total of nearly 3,000 new cases across Britain was similar to the figure seen on Sunday, suggesting the 'concerning' high was not a one-off. Health Secretary Mr Hancock tempered fears today and said cases were not out of control, while admitting cases were 'concerning' because 'nobody wants a second wave'. He is pictured during the interview on LBC radio Britain has confirmed almost 3,000 new cases of coronavirus for the second day in a row, suggesting yesterday's 'concerning' high was not a one-off. The surge in positive tests over the weekend has pushed the UK's national infection rate to 21.3 per 100,000 for the past week. Once infections rise above 20 in 100,000 in other countries, the British Government begins seriously considering enforcing a quarantine period for holidaymakers returning from abroad. It comes as Britain is today bringing in new rules dictating that people returning, from Wednesday, from seven islands in Greece Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos (Zante) will have to self-isolate for two weeks. The surge in the past two days has also pushed the daily average to higher than 2,000 for the past week to 2,032 for the first time since May. A graph shows how the number of coronavirus cases in England has differed by age, with a growing number confirmed among younger groups Officials yesterday reported three more Covid-19 deaths, taking the total to 41,554. These are thought to all be in England, considering health agencies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each reported zero deaths themselves. The North and Midlands are seeing considerable hikes in cases, with Bolton, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester seeing infection rates reaching levels seen in April - the peak of the crisis - May and June. A group of council leaders in the North East have pleaded with people to stop having house parties because is it the 'most dangerous' thing to do amid the pandemic, while saying 'selfish and reckless' individuals were going out and meeting others before their test result had even returned. Even though case numbers are high, the percentage of people testing positive for the disease is still dramatically lower than it was at the peak of the crisis. For this reason, experts say figures should not be compared to the height of the outbreak because so many more tests are being done now in comparison. When the disease was out of control in March and April, rationed testing meant that at times more than 40 per cent of test results were positive, but this has since plummeted to just 2.3 per cent in the community and 0.5 per cent in hospitals. Still, Mr Hancock pleaded with young people specifically, who make up the majority of new cases, to adhere to social distancing to avoid spreading the coronavirus to more at-risk groups. He warned: 'Dont kill your gran by catching coronavirus and then passing it on.' Downing Street warned the 'concerning' number of cases would generally be expected to lead to a rise across the population as a whole. The evidence may already be emerging in Scotland; First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there is a 'warning' in the rise in Covid-19 hospital admissions - a possible indication cases are spreading to vulnerable people. It comes as swathes of Britons headed back to work on Monday with traffic and public transport returning to pre-Covid levels. The nepotism and discrimination debate in the Hindi film industry has intensified after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Recently, the Producers Guild of India issues a powerful statement about the increased slander against in the industry in recent times, and admitted that while it is not a perfect place by any standards, it cannot be said that talent will not find success in the industry. Actor Anil Kapoor, as an insider born to producer Surinder Kapoor, shared his perspective on the treatment of talent in the industry, and said that of everything that can make one successful, talent is a big part of it. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Anil said, "But without hard work and focus, talent can become directionless. If you want to make it in this business, you have to be ready to give it your all, to not let setbacks keep you down and to persist in the face of all odds. You need guts and grit to survive and level-headedness to thrive." When asked how it was to grow up in the industry, an emotional Anil replied, "I don't think I ever saw the film industry as anything other than home - the place I was always meant to be. I was born into it, I belong to it and I will take my last breath in it." As the lockdown has eased and film shoots have resumed, Anil shared his experience of returning to sets amid the pandemic. "I have resumed shooting so that has been keeping me busy. It feels great to be back and doing what I love. There's no denying that the way we do things has changed now, but change is exciting. We have started work with careful planning and stringent precautionary measures in place. I have been working on a couple of projects in these past weeks. Slowly and gradually, we all are getting back to work," he said. Anil will next be seen in the period drama Takht, which is being directed by Karan Johar. The film boasts of a star cast which includes Vicky Kaushal, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar and Janhvi Kapoor. ALSO READ: Anil Kapoor Transforms His Physique During Lockdown; Says He Hasn't Taken Any Supplements! ALSO READ: Anil Kapoor Committed This Crime On His Wedding Anniversary; Actor Reveals How He Is Paying For It! Students across Laois and Ireland have received their calculated grade Leaving Cert results online this Monday morning at 9am. As this year's conventional State examinations were cancelled in June, the 60,000 Leaving Cert students instead received calculated grades which have been determined from a combination of information provided by the school about a students expected performance in an examination and national data available in relation to the performance of students in examinations over a period of time. In an open letter to students who will receive their results today, Minister for Education Norma Foley said: "This is a very different day from what we had anticipated for you, and from what you had planned and dreamed for yourselves. I do appreciate what an especially difficult time you have had over the past six months, and I want to commend you for the patience, courage and resilience you have shown in that time. This has been a challenging time for students, their families and school communities. However, I do believe what has been created is the fairest possible solution given the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves as we journey together through the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, with confidence, you can look back with pride on all that you have achieved and look forward with courage to the next exciting phase of your lives. While the results will be available online through a dedicated student portal from 9am, most schools have made arrangements to facilitate those students who want to attend in person to collect their results. "Schools have been advised to provide support to students in an appropriate way through enabling students to come to the school if they wish at a scheduled time, following Covid-19 and health and safety protocols, to meet with members of the Student Support Team such as Guidance Counsellors, Year Heads, Tutors and Chaplains," said a spokesperson for the State Examinations Commission. The Leaving Certificate student helpline, at 1800 265 165, which is provided by the National Parents Council post-primary will be available from 11am for students to reach a guidance counsellor with any queries that they may have. The helpline is staffed by qualified guidance counsellors and will continue to operate until September 16. Further details can be found here. After receiving their results today, the focus of students will quickly switch and the release of the CAO offers. Students are being reminded of the current public health guidelines if considering any celebrations. Stay with the Leinster Express - online and on social media - for updates across the day. Send us your photos by emailing news@leinsterexpress.ie with leaving cert in the subject box. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on September 7, 2020 2020/09/07 The Paper: According to the New York Times and CNN, the US State Department Spokesperson said in a statement that the Chinese Foreign Ministry had recently told the US Embassy in Beijing that it was denying press card renewals to US journalists in China, which is a reciprocal response to the US administration's treatment of Chinese journalists. Can you confirm that? Will such measures further escalate the media issue between the two sides? Zhao Lijian: What the US State Department Spokesperson said has no truth in it at all and is meant to confound the public. The fact is that the press card renewals for CNN and other US media journalists are being processed. Before they get the renewal, their reporting and life in China will not be affected in any way. We've already told this fact to the US side. Over some time, the US has launched one round of political suppression after another against Chinese media, reaching a state of hysteria. Since 2018, the US has delayed and even denied visas of 30 US-based Chinese journalists, forced some Chinese media outlets to register as "foreign agents" and "foreign missions", in effect expelled 60 Chinese journalists, and limited visas for all Chinese journalists to a maximum 90-day stay. The visas of these Chinese journalists expired on August 6, and they have long ago applied for visa extension as required. But the US side hasn't granted visa extension to any of them, placing their work and life in enormous uncertainties. The relevant actions on the US side have severely disrupted Chinese media's normal reporting activities in the US, undermined their reputation and obstructed cultural and people-to-people exchange between the two sides. As a self-proclaimed champion of freedom of the press, the US has treated Chinese media in a discriminatory manner and even gone so far as to take the journalists as hostages to pressure the Chinese side. This fully reveals the hypocrisy of its so-called freedom of the press and is double-standards and hegemony at full display. Despite all this, the Chinese side always says that we are willing to resolve the issue concerning journalists on the basis of equality and mutual respect and has stayed in communication and negotiations with the US side. To show our sincerity, even though the US has indiscriminately limited the visas of US-based Chinese journalists to three months, the Chinese side remains restrained and has not yet implemented relevant countermeasures. It has all along extended visas for US journalists as usual and provided convenience for their reporting. Besides, even after the US side expelled over 60 Chinese journalists and refused to extend visas for over 20 Chinese journalists, the Chinese side hasn't expelled an equivalent number of US journalists. However, during the negotiations, the US side has been unreasonable. It refused to acknowledge the Chinese side's legitimate concerns and requests, and threatened not to extend Chinese journalists' visas. The US wants to exert extreme pressure on the Chinese side by taking Chinese journalists as "hostages". Don't expect China to swallow this. I have to point out that US resident journalists in China are aware of the above-mentioned facts and they don't agree with the US government in oppressing Chinese media for political purposes, waging a "war of media" and using media of the two countries as pawns in a game. If the US does care about its journalists, it should extend visas for Chinese journalists as soon as possible rather than hijack this issue to serve the political interests of certain politicians. We once again urge the US to meet China halfway, demonstrate sincerity and respond to the Chinese side's legitimate and reasonable requests in accordance with the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. In particular, it should extend the visas for all US-based Chinese journalists at an early date. For the Chinese side, all options are on the table, and the US side knows that very clearly. If the US is bent on moving further down the wrong path, China is compelled to make necessary and legitimate reactions to firmly safeguard its rights and interests. Bloomberg: I'm just curious if you'd explain why non-American journalists are part of this media issue between China and the US, for example, Australian citizens or British citizens. Can you expand a little bit on why this is the case? Zhao Lijian: I've made myself clear. The press card renewals of relevant journalists of the American media organizations are being processed. We will handle the matter in accordance with laws and regulations. Global Times: The US Department of State retweeted on September 5 the following from Secretary Pompeo and Under Secretary Krach: "You're seeing the entire world begin to unite around the central understanding that the Chinese Communist Party simply is going to refuse to compete in a fair, reciprocal, transparent way"; "The CCP is trying to leverage 5G-enabled technology to create and export George Orwell's version of "1984" into the 21st century...We call on all freedom-loving nations and companies to join the Clean Network." Do you have a response? Zhao Lijian: This is the latest example of a handful of US politicians resorting to diplomacy of "We lied. We cheated. We stole". By "the entire world", they are perhaps referring to the US alone. The so-called "central understanding" can only mean anything if the word "China" is changed to "some American politicians". The US has pulled out of a string of international treaties and organizations and even sanctioned staff of an international institution. It started a trade war. It wantonly suppresses foreign hi-tech companies, even clutching an unsuspecting female Chinese business executive with trumped-up charges. With intimidation, deception and coercion, it is working on the so-called "clean network". Through such programs as PRISM, Equation Group, Echelon, it has forged an empire of spying, tapping and hacking. The US is covered in mud all over and is in no position to criticize others. As facts have proven, it is exactly the US that refuses to compete in a fair, reciprocal, transparent way and leverages its advantages to create and export George Orwell's version of "1984" into the 21st century. Certain American politicians are working with concrete actions to destroy and terminate the spirit of free market, competitive neutrality, rule of law and international rules. The international community should all stand against such regressive behavior. Foreign Journalist: On the journalist issue. Chinese journalists currently based in the US - you just talked about it - are facing problems to renew their visas. So just to be very clear, if they cannot get the new visas in the US, will China expel more US journalists from China? Zhao Lijian: Like I just said, the Chinese side has exercised as much restraint as possible. But all options are on the table. What you presumed is the last thing we want to see. I just detailed the ins and outs of the whole story. I hope that you will include all these facts in your coverage and give the audience in European countries and the US an idea of what's going on with your pen and camera, so that people in the world will know what political manipulation the US government and certain US politicians are up to. Associated Press of Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an interview that Pakistan's economic future is now linked to China and the bilateral relations between Islamabad and Beijing are "better than ever before." He also said that China's growth rate was faster than any other country in the world, and Pakistan can benefit from the manner in which China has developed and has lifted its people out of poverty. He also refuted rumors about attempts to renegotiate CPEC cooperation terms with China. What's your comment? Zhao Lijian: China appreciates Prime Minister Imran Khan's positive remarks on China-Pakistan relations. As all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan always enjoy mutual trust and support. This year, after standing the test of COVID-19, China-Pakistan relations have become even stronger with greater mutual trust, cooperation and friendship. In particular, since the establishment of the CPEC Authority, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as an important pilot project of BRI cooperation and a flagship for bilateral cooperation, has registered new progress in its building. China stands ready to work together with Pakistan to advance cooperation in all sectors and forge a closer community with a shared future in a new era to bring more benefits to the two peoples. Beijing Daily: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute for South China Sea Studies jointly held a virtual international symposium themed "The South China Sea: From the Perspective of Cooperation". I wonder what kind of signal does China wish to send out by holding this event on the eve of a series of foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation? And what effect have you produced? Zhao Lijian: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute for South China Sea Studies jointly held a virtual international symposium themed "The South China Sea: From the Perspective of Cooperation". State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered opening remarks entitled "Working Together to Make the South China Sea a Sea of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation". He stated China's firm commitment to working with regional countries to safeguard stability in the South China Sea and jointly resolving challenges. Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui further elaborated on State Councilor Wang's remarks in terms of the importance and ways of cooperation, reiterated China's policies on South China Sea, ASEAN and its neighborhood, and put forward proposals for practical cooperation in the South China Sea. More than 100 former politicians, officials and experts from China, ASEAN nations and relevant countries contributed their wisdom at the symposium. They all hold that with the concerted efforts of regional countries, the situation in the South China Sea has maintained overall stability. They call upon countries in the region to unite and collaborate, rise above external disruptions, make greater strides in regional cooperation, and accelerate COC consultation to jointly uphold peace, stability and development in the South China Sea. Bloomberg: A question regarding the Chinese Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC). The US Department of Defense is working with other agencies to determine whether to take moves against SMIC, which would force US suppliers to seek a special license before shipping to the company. SMIC has said its technology is not for military use. What's the foreign ministry's comment? Zhao Lijian: China has made clear its solemn position on US unreasonable oppression of Chinese enterprises on multiple occasions. For some time, the US has been abusing national security concept and state power to impose all sorts of restrictive measures on Chinese companies without producing any solid evidence. This is stark bullying. China firmly opposes that. What the US has done shows clearly that the market economy and fair competition principle it claims to champion is nothing but a fig leaf. Such practice violates rules of international trade, disrupts global industrial, supply and value chains, and will inevitably damage America's national interests and image. We advise the US to stop the erroneous act to stretch the concept of national security to oppress foreign businesses. China Daily: President Milos Zeman of the Czech Republic said in an interview on September 6 that the supreme constitutional leaders' foreign policy meeting voted against the visit to Taiwan by Vystrcil, President of the Senate. However, Vystrcil insisted on going, which was a "boyish provocation" that might harm practical cooperation with China. President Zeman said he himself attaches importance to relations with China and hopes to attend the China-CEEC Summit to be held in China once the COVID-19 situation improves. I wonder if China has any comment on this? Zhao Lijian: China appreciates President Zeman's dedication to advancing friendship and cooperation between the Czech Republic and China and his firm position on major and sensitive issues relating to China. The sound development of bilateral relations serves the common interests of both countries and peoples. We hope to work together with the Czech Republic on the basis of mutual respect and equality to rise above disturbances and move relations forward. As to President Zeman's expressed hope of attending the China-CEEC Summit, we would like to extend our welcome. Reuters: Do you have any comment on the number of US journalists that would be affected, if China rolled out new countermeasures? Or the number of those in the country at the moment? Zhao Lijian: I have just made myself pretty clear. As for the specific numbers you asked about, I already said that the US expelled over 60 Chinese journalists and denied visas for more than 20 Chinese journalists, but the Chinese side did not do the same thing to the same number of US journalists. I can repeat that the press card renewals for CNN and other US media journalists are being processed. Before they get the renewal, their reporting and life in China will not be affected in any way. We've already told this fact to the US side. Prasar Bharati: There were reports about five missing Indian youths from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian minister for youth affairs yesterday tweeted that Indian army has sent a hotline message to the PLA about the 5 missing Indians. Could you please provide any update on it? Zhao Lijian: China's position on the east sector of the China-India boundary, or Zangnan (the southern part of China's Xizang), is consistent and clear. The Chinese government has never recognized the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" illegally established on the Chinese territory. I'm not aware of the situation you mentioned. Shenzhen TV: A Chinese vice foreign minister had a group meeting with ten ASEAN countries' diplomatic envoys to China. Can you tell us more about it? Zhao Lijian: The ASEAN Committee in Beijing (ACB), which consists of ten ASEAN countries' ambassadors to China, is an important channel for communication and cooperation between China and ASEAN. Every year, before the foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi would meet with diplomatic envoys from ASEAN to compare notes and offer China's support and coordination for the success of the meetings. This year, due to scheduling reasons, he entrusted Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui to hold a group meeting with diplomatic envoys of ten ASEAN countries to exchange ideas on China-ASEAN relations, East Asia cooperation and issues of mutual concern. The Chinese side shared its major considerations for the current East Asia cooperation and expressed readiness to work with ASEAN to enhance anti-epidemic cooperation, resume economic activities, formulate next year's work plans, and properly manage differences to make the upcoming meetings, the China-ASEAN (10+1) foreign ministers' meeting in particular, a complete success. The ASEAN diplomatic envoys congratulated China on its remarkable epidemic response, thanked China for its valuable anti-virus support for ASEAN countries, and expressed confidence in deeper friendship and cooperation between the two sides in the post-COVID era. The ASEAN side agrees with China's considerations for the series of foreign ministers' meetings and stands ready to work together with China for good results at the meetings to send out a positive signal of regional countries fighting the virus together and pursuing shared development. Bloomberg: A question about the Hong Kong police arresting hundreds of people as protests flared up, a sign that the national security law hasn't managed to allay anger over a delayed legislative election. Whats the foreign ministry's comment on yesterday's arrests of hundreds of people in Hong Kong? Zhao Lijian: This is not a diplomatic matter. I noted that the HKSAR government and the spokesperson of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR have responded to this issue. Like we said many times, Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and the LegCo election is China's sub-national election. We firmly support the HKSAR government and Hong Kong police in legally enforcing the law to uphold stability and rule of law in the Hong Kong society. Kim Jong-Un recently dismissed a particular provincial party chief while he was touring the coastal areas recently hit by a typhoon. Reports say that the cause of the dismissal was for the officials failing to follow orders which merited them to be "gravely punished." North Korea's very own state-run television called the KRT recently carried footage of the whole despot convening a recent meeting with certain officials while walking down the recent typhoon-hit area. While Kim Jong-Un surveyed the damaged area that was caused by a certain typhoon that recently battered the coastal areas just last week. This was the tenth typhoon of the current season and was seen swirling around in the East China Sea. The official report The Korean Central News Agency or otherwise known as KCNA confirmed that there were over 1,000 houses that were destroyed over the coastal areas of both the North and South Hamgyong provinces. The reports also stated that both farmlands, as well as a number of public buildings, had also been inundated. During the meeting, he actually dismissed the known chairman of the current South HAmyong provincial party committee and also proceeded to appoint a replacement chairman. North Korea's own ruling party had called for the punishment of those officials whose failures to follow certain orders led to the "dozens of casualties" that happened during the typhoons. This was reported by the country's very own official party newspaper on Saturday. In separate matters, Kim Jong-Un also sent an open letter to the party members in the whole capital noting that this current year has actually witnessed certain "uncommon difficulties" that happened due to the whole protracted worldwide crisis on public health. Read Also: Catching a Hurricane with Bubble Net Is Possible But Way Too Costly The remedy to the situation The statement also added that the known Party Central Committee also decided to dispatch a group of 12,000 party members from the known Pyongyang over to the devastated typhoon-hit areas in order for them to help the communities slowly recover. North Korea has also been putting up certain "practical measure" in order to minimize the total damage from the recent tenth typhoon of the current season by also informing people of hot-spot locations of shelters and the typhoon paths as well as a proper protocol on how to behave, according to KCNA. This isolated Asian country has actually been grappling with certain torrential rains, typhoons, and also floods in one of the wettest rainy seasons to ever happen. The Typhoon Maysak recently smashed into the North Korean peninsula on Thursday. In South Korea, however, the damage left at least 2 people dead along with about thousands temporarily without proper electricity. The Typhoon Haishen is also expected to hit South Korea's very own southern tip on Monday, according to a report by the South Korean's Meteorological Administration. Read Also: 17 Sinkholes Shockingly Found in Siberia; One Can Swallow up to 17-Storey Building This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian Buenconsejo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jose Amir da Costa Dornelles (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 10:35 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431d319 3 Opinion Brazil,bilateral-cooperation,bilateral-relations Free On the 198th anniversary of the independence of Brazil, it seems pertinent to recall the words of Brazilian president Juscelino Kubitschek to president Sukarno in May 1959, during the latters historical visit to Brasilia, the soon-to-be inaugurated capital of Brazil: [] You, Excellency, were and still are the builder of a new nationality. By force of your command and through your obstinate belief, ancient peoples have integrated themselves into a new and vigorous state, unified in its diversity, passionate about solving its internal problems and fully conscious of its future leadership role in international affairs. No other place in the world is more appropriate than here, Brasilia, President Sukarno, for me to congratulate you for your efforts toward national integration. More than six decades later, those words remain applicable, for it will soon be Indonesias turn to deal with the Herculean task of relocating the capital city, as Brazilians did in the late 1950s. In fact, the pursuit of national integration and development is one of several similarities shared by our peoples and histories. Brazil and Indonesias other shared characteristics suggest ample opportunities for further cooperation. Both countries pride themselves on being among the largest democracies in the world; both stand out in their respective regions for their territorial dimensions, demographics and economic output; and both have multiethnic and multicultural populations. Brazil and Indonesia have the most important tropical forests in the world, which harbor rich biodiversity and abundant natural resources, and share the enormous task and responsibility of which both are perfectly aware of promoting sustainable development while enforcing environmental legislation and controlling illegal logging and deforestation in large areas in the case of the Brazilian Amazonian region, of more than 5 million square kilometers. Similarities also exist between the positions adopted by Brazil and Indonesia in international fora. It should be highlighted that both countries have traditionally supported multilateralism with a focus on development and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Indeed, a 2012 statistical survey showed that the two countries had voted the same way on 91 percent of the resolutions presented to the United Nations General Assembly. Such a tradition may prove particularly useful during the present pandemic and its uncertainties. On the other hand, it definitely seems necessary to further promote and facilitate contacts between producers and exporters in both countries so that the actual competitiveness and potential of the agricultural and industrial sectors of the largest economies of MERCOSUR (South American trade bloc) and ASEAN are fairly reflected in their bilateral trade, lately of only about US$3.2 billion a year. I am, in collaboration with my dear colleague the Indonesian ambassador in Brasilia, committed to this task, having in mind mutual advantages for our countries, their businesses and consumers. As I recall once again the historic visit of the first Asian head of state to Brasilia, I cannot help sharing a tale about President Sukarnos experience in the new Brazilian capital. While on a sightseeing flight in a helicopter over the construction sites, gazing at the wilderness of the Cerrado, the typical vegetation of central-western Brazil, President Juscelino suddenly handed a large wooden stick to his Indonesian counterpart who, bewildered, asked him what it was for. Just look down carefully and choose a site for the future Embassy of Indonesia, said Juscelino. Throw the stick and, wherever it falls, there it shall be built. And so it was done (the embassy was built on plot number 20). As is the case for many tales from times long past, we cannot attest to its complete veracity, but nevertheless, we can certainly conclude that relations between Brazil and Indonesia, formally established in 1953, are all about trust and cooperation among equals. *** Brazilian ambassador to Indonesia Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Abdullah, youngest son of Egypts former president Mohamed Morsi, died a year ago months after his father. Lawyers for the family of Egypts ex-president Mohamed Morsi said they obtained information showing his youngest son was killed by a lethal substance and not a heart attack as authorities earlier claimed. Abdullah Morsi, 25, died a year ago on September 4 in a hospital in Giza, southwest of the Egyptian capital Cairo. A government report at the time said Abdullah was driving his car when he had sudden spasms, and he was immediately taken to a hospital, but doctors were unable to revive him. Several local news sites reported the death saying there was no criminal suspicion, while noting Morsis son had suffered several previous health scares, and that he was saddened by his fathers recent death. Mohamed Morsi, Egypts first democratically elected president, died on June 17, 2019, after years in prison while awaiting trial on charges that he and legal observers said were politically motivated. He was deposed in a 2013 military coup carried out by current President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi following a year in power. Morsis legal team at Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers announced on Sunday they obtained information that Abduallh had in fact been killed. Information now disclosed appears to confirm that Abdullah was transported in his car a distance of more than 20km [12 miles] to a hospital after he took his last breath, as a result of having been injected with a lethal substance and he was not transferred to nearby hospitals, intentionally, until after he had died, a statement by the London-based law firm said. It is quite clear that certain elements of the state were aware of this fact that is only now coming to light. Assassination of the martyr Toby Cadman, who heads the Guernica 37 legal team, told the Middle East Eye the circumstances surrounding the death were mysterious and Abdullah had lived in fear for his life after publicly accusing some government officials of killing his father. Over Twitter, Abdullah named several individuals including current Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfiq and Mohamed Shereen Fahmy, the judge who oversaw the Morsis trial as accomplices in the assassination of the martyr, President Morsi. Morsis legal team said the Egyptian Public Prosecution later charged a 36-year-old woman named Randa Ali Shaker Ali Asran with premeditated murder over Abdullah Morsis death. The lawyers said Asran has not faced a transparent investigation. Cadmans legal team concluded Abdullah did not die of a heart attack, but was killed outside his home on September 4, 2019. The lawyers accused certain elements of the state of being aware of the fact that Abdullah had been killed, and called for an independent investigation into the alleged murder. WHISTLER, B.C.Mounties are providing more details about a crash that sent two kids to hospital and closed the Sea to Sky highway south of Whistler for several hours on Saturday afternoon. They say a Lamborghini involved in the collision was part of a car rally raising funds for various charities and police are now investigating the driver for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Sgt. Sacha Banks says the driver of a Range Rover is also under investigation. She says police will have a clearer picture of fault once more details come to light, including analysis from the RCMPs integrated collision reconstructionist service. RCMP say an initial assessment shows the two vehicles were travelling north when they were involved in an incident that caused the Lamborghini to lose control and hit the median before veering into oncoming traffic and hitting a Toyota crossover driving south. Multiple occupants of the Toyota and Lamborghini were injured and transported to hospitals, including two children who police say are in stable condition. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the RCMP in Whistler. Read more about: The Six Nations Unity Jam held at 1492 Land Back Lane in Caledonia on Saturday was like any other outdoor concert, with one big difference everyone there was risking arrest. Thats because there is a Superior Court injunction barring Six Nations land defenders and their supporters from occupying the construction site, which is also known as McKenzie Meadows. The OPP has stepped up their enforcement of that injunction, making seven arrests early last week including Indigenous journalist Karl Dockstader and researcher Courtney Skye and another two over the weekend. Haldimand OPP Const. Rod LeClair said a 34-year-old and 31-year-old from Guelph were charged with mischief and disobeying a court order on Saturday. He did not provide details of the arrests, but reminded the public that flouting a court order means risking criminal charges. That didnt deter musicians from taking the stage in front of an audience of Land Back supporters. Spokesperson Skyler Williams said his group organized the concert to bring some light and laughter to what is generally a very tense situation. Sunday marked 50 days since the Six Nations group first moved onto the land which was on track to be a 218-unit subdivision built by a consortium led by Foxgate Developments and claimed it as unceded Haudenosaunee territory. The OPP made nine arrests on Aug. 5 while enforcing the injunction ordering the group off the land. Ten arrests have followed, but the Indigenous group remains at McKenzie Meadows, which has become the latest front in an ongoing land claims dispute between Six Nations and the Canadian government. In 1995, Six Nation Elected Council launched a lawsuit seeking a full accounting of what was promised and what was delivered by the British when awarding land along the Grand River known as the Haldimand Tract to their Indigenous allies after the American Revolutionary War. Foxgate and Haldimand County council say the occupiers are in the wrong because the land on McKenzie Road was voluntarily surrendered by Haudenosaunee chiefs in the mid-19th century and has been privately held ever since. The group currently on the site contest that view of history, saying their ancestors never willingly gave up the land and any transfers were illegitimate. Financial and moral support from allies across the country has poured in to Land Back Lane, with various fundraisers including an ongoing art auction and Chase the Ace lottery organized to help the group buy building supplies and other provisions for the camp. A GoFundMe legal fund in support of occupiers facing criminal charges had raised nearly $84,000 from more than 1,100 donors as of Monday afternoon. With the OPP seeming to favour individual arrests over a large-scale effort to evict the occupiers, Williams said the legal fund will be crucial for his group to continue their defence of the land. A lot of people are going to need it. The OPP continue to target us, he said. The criminalization of our people is a real thing for standing up for who we are as Haudenosaunee people. The recent arrests come after Haldimand Countys Police Service Board and council called on the OPP to take action. It is imperative that policing concerns related to illegal protests are addressed in a timely manner and even more critical that the OPP uphold the rule of law and maintain peace, order and stability within Haldimand County, the PSB said in a statement issued late last month. Mayor Ken Hewitt said he supported the police tactics and shared the frustration felt by some Caledonia residents at the protracted standoff. However, it is a peaceful and lasting solution that we want in the end, Hewitt said. The mayor encouraged residents to let the OPP know if they recognized someone who was contravening the court order by visiting the site. I have been in contact with members of the provincial and federal government and continue to encourage them to actively get more involved here locally with both Haldimand and Six Nations, Hewitt said. They have reassured me that no third party-owned property will ever form part of any negotiated settlement and they will not begin any valid negotiations while protesters continue to occupy a site in defiance of the court order. Williams explained that were the group to leave the former farmland and allow construction of new homes on McKenzie, that would scuttle any potential for the land neighbouring Six Nations to be added to the reserve in the future as compensation through the land claims settlement. We are planning on being here for a long, long time yet, he said. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many different government interventions, including devolving responsibility for health on to individuals chiefly, as in Sweden, to complete lockdown as in China. The combined impact of the pandemic and these non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) has taken a heavy toll on society, and this has led to much discussion as to the relative merits of these measures. A recent study published on the preprint server medRxiv* in September 2020 shows that public trust is vital for the success of any such intervention. Study: Trust and Transparency in times of Crisis: Results from an Online Survey During the First Wave (April 2020) of the COVID-19 Epidemic in the UK. Image Credit: Jessica Girvan / Shutterstock Trust is dependent on both past histories of similar measures and the way the people affected perceive the authorities behind these decisions in light of past socioeconomic, social, and historical issues. However, it is also an asset that can be built up, most notably by transparency, as shown during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa over 2014-2016. Here, the healthcare and responder team showed the effects of various attitudes and responses, such as openness, accountability and reflexivity, seen by responding to the grassroots realities with confidence-building measures. The current study by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and University College London aims to uncover the way trust levels change, as well as the factors that influence public acceptance of these interventions. This depends on the proper communication of risk and the recruitment of the community into these measures. Building trust to accept and participate in both economic and social losses by making recommended or mandated behavioral changes is thus key to managing this pandemic successfully. In the UK, following the first case on January 29, 2020, the pace of restrictions stepped up progressively until a nation-wide lockdown was declared on March 23, 2020. This was then followed in two days by the Coronavirus Act 2020, conferring specific powers to police to enforce the lockdown. The current study includes a survey over the acute phase of the lockdown, in April 2020, with rising infection and death numbers while strict measures were being implemented. What Causes Mistrust in Response Measures? Recent research has shown that in such an outbreak, trust is not an absolute measure but changes with the sociopolitical setting and the type of epidemic. The researchers in this study, therefore, examined how far people in the UK perceived the governments response to be effective, and how this was linked to their evaluation of its transparency in making accurate pandemic information available to them. They used four survey questions crafted to cover this area, as discussed below. Do you think the government is making good decisions about how to control COVID-19? Do you think that the government cares more about people and their health or the economy? Do you think the government tells you the whole truth about coronavirus and COVID-19? and Briefly describe what it is that you think the government is not being fully truthful about. Do you think that it is acceptable for governments to force some people to change their behaviors in order to control COVID-19? The Participants Over 9,000 people over 20 years of age responded to the survey, but almost 80% were female and aged 35 to 69 years. About 60% had studied at university, and over 95% were white. The Response About half the group said they thought the government was dealing well with the pandemic, but the odds were 30% lower in Scotland compared to London residents. People living in the East, South East, and the West Midlands of England all showed greater trust in the governmental measures. The higher the level of education, the lower the trust level was, as also with males and younger adults. Almost 97% said they agreed that some would rightly have to be forced to make behavioral changes to contain the virus. Concerning the second question, people in Scotland and Northern Ireland had twice the odds of negative response as to whether the government was trying to protect their health rather than the economy compared to those in London. However, people in the East Midlands, South East, and West Midlands all had a more positive response to this query than Londoners, by about 30%. People under 70 years of age were more likely to feel that the economy was the priority rather than their health, similar to more educated people vs. those who had passed their O-levels or GCSEs (30% to 50% more risk of distrust in governmental priorities). Those with one or more degrees or who had only primary education had over twice the odds of such distrust. Again, with higher income, people were likely to say that the government had a higher priority for the economy compared to health. The responses to the first two questions were strongly related, at ~60% agreement between perceiving government decisions as poor and government priorities as being economic. Only 5% of those who disagreed with government policy thought their health was the priority. A quarter thought the government had a balanced policy. Among those who approved of government decisions, a tenth perceived economic health as being the top priority of the government, a third thought the government was about peoples health, and about half thought the approach was balanced between the two. Only slightly more than a third believed the government mostly was truthful, while ~6% thought they always told the truth. Of this latter group, the odds that they approved of government pandemic measures were doubled. In contrast, those who believed the government always lied or lied most of the time typically disapproved of government decisions as well. Sub-Themes of Mistrust This type of analysis was used to evaluate responses with the most negative perception of government truthfulness and from those who were least well-disposed to government handling of the pandemic. These responses came from devolved nations, those with the lowest and highest educational attainments, and those with the lowest and highest incomes. These were then further assessed to find the differences between groups and how trust developed or was lost among them. They found five significant subthemes, namely, Justifying government opacity based on the need to hide some information, either to avoid public panic, to keep things simple and maximize public compliance with the measures, to tailor information to the level of understanding, and because of the lack of scientific consensus or assurance. Mistrust of the Government overall because of past negative assessments, especially among poorer sections who have experienced negative impacts of cost-cutting measures and of reduced National Health Service (NHS) expenditure. This was also obvious among Scotland residents, for instance, who thought their own government to be both more transparent and more competent, and among the Welsh who reacted bitterly based on past governmental wrongs. The few Northern Irish participants suggested that Brexit had distracted the government from a proper planned response. Evidence-based decisions many participants thought that decisions were not always clearly based on scientific evidence, with some suggesting that expediency and personal opinion played a role. A prominent concern was with herd immunity, with some choosing to believe that this was the government objective even at the cost of more deaths, which in turn put them off trust in the government altogether. One said, I believe they continue to follow their herd immunity strategy as they consider the public loss of life acceptable. Unclear and confused communication was another trust-eroding factor related to frequent policy changes and contradictory initiatives. Some attributed this to mixed medical opinions, others to the need for the government to present themselves in a good light, especially at press conferences, and hide their ignorance or lack of certainty. Some thought that this was acceptable as long as the communicators were open and honest, while some thought that trust-building exercises should be prioritized. Lack of transparent framing and implementation of policies especially dominated the discussion among those who thought the government had made some mistakes in intervention, such as delay in lockdown, for various reasons. Mistaken priorities, poor quality of evidence, and the need for political gain were some of the wrong factors behind such loss of transparency. Some of the key interventions targeted included the poor condition of the NHS relative to pandemic preparedness, poor planning, and lack of adequate personal protective equipment and testing. Implications and Future Directions The researchers say, Our findings offer some initial insights on the complex role that transparency plays in citizens perspectives of the governments response to COVID-19. For instance, while over half approved of government decisions, not all thought the government was being truthful all the time or even mostly. This calls into question the perceived need for transparency in building trust in good government. Secondly, the acceptance by some respondents of the need for vigorous enforcement of behavioral changes in an emergency might impact democratic values, but is mostly an us vs them picture, leading to possible discrimination against a subset of citizens. Despite the limitations of the study, including its lack of generalizability, the study throws up some important conclusions. Still, the lack of respondents belonging to some of the communities that face the most significant racism and discrimination at personal, social, and institutional level makes it important to explore the political consequences of epidemic control measures in contexts of structural inequality. Again, more research is required to understand how public trust in government changed across the course of the pandemic. It is necessary to improve this by measures such as targeted community engagement that tailor messaging and public deliberation to the realities faced by particular social groups. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Source New Delhi, Sep 7 : As the Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested Deepak Kochhar, husband of former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, in connection with the ICICI Bank loan case, the probe by the ED has shown serious money laundering and wrongdoing by the NuPower CEO. On Monday, Deepak Kochhar was arrested by the Mumbai branch of the financial probe agency. During the investigation it was revealed that loans were refinanced and new loans aggregating to Rs 1,730 crore sanctioned to Videocon Industries Ltd (VIL) and its group companies and these loans became non-performing assets (NPA) for ICICI Bank on June 30, 2017. The investigation further revealed that an amount of Rs 64 crore, out of the loan of Rs 300 crore sanctioned by a committee headed by Chanda Kochhar t o Videocon International Electronics Ltd, was transferred to Nupower Renewables Pvt Ltd (NRPL, earlier known as NuPower Renewables Ltd, a company of Deepak Kochhar) by VIL on September 8, 2009, just one day after disbursement of loan by the ICICI Bank. Further, net revenue of Rs 10.65 crore was generated by NRL from these tainted funds. Therefore, proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 74.65 crore were transferred to/generated in NRPL. The investigation also revealed that Chanda Kochhar and her family acquired an apartment in Mumbai owned by one of the Videocon group companies, by way of acquiring that company through her family trust at a nominal price by creating book entries. Accordingly, assets amounting to Rs 74.54 crore held in the name of Nupower Renewables Pvt Ltd, its subsidiaries, the flat located at Mumbai (book value of Rs 3.5 crore), and amount of Rs 10.5 lakh already seized by ED from company of Deepak Kochhar, totalling to Rs 78.15 crore being proceeds of crime have been provisionally attached by ED under PMLA. A top ED official told IANS, "Deepak Kochhar has been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after day-long questioning." The action comes almost a year after the ED filed a money laundering case last year on the basis of a complaint registered by the CBI against Videocon Director Venugopal Dhoot, his companies (Videocon International Electronics Ltd and Videocon Industries Ltd), as well as former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak. Earlier this year, the ED provisionally attached Rs 78.15 crore worth movable and immovable assets in possession of ICICI Bank's former Managing Director and CEO, her husband, and the companies owned/controlled by him. Deepak Virendra Kochhar is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NuPower Renewables which was set up in December 2008. NuPower Renewables was started as a joint venture between Videocon Group's Venugopal Dhoot family and the Kochhar and Advani families. Mahesh Advani is the brother of Chanda Kochhar. When the company was established, Chanda Kochhar was the CFO and Joint MD at ICICI Bank. Before the setting up of NuPower, Deepak was a financial services entrepreneur. He has been a Director of NuPower Renewables Pvt Ltd since December 24, 2008. He studied Masters in Finance from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Bombay University. And during his studies at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, he met Chanda Advani (Chanda Kochhar's maiden name). Deepak is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School - Graduate of the Advanced Management Program (AMP). There is not much about him in the public domain dating before 2008 other than his company Pacific Capital Services Private Limited. The Pacific Capital Services was then owned 90 per cent by Neelam Advani, wife of Mahesh Advani, and 10 per cent by Virendra Kochhar, Deepak's father. Bye, bye Portwenn Martin Clunes will hang up his stethoscope in a final 10th season of Doc Martin. Filming of the grumpy Cornish GP will begin in 2021 and air later in the year (UK). Martin Clunes and producer Philippa Braithwaite on behalf of production company, Buffalo Pictures, said in a joint statement, We have loved making nine series of Doc Martin. When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have. The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that Doc Martin has topped the ratings every time. However, after sixteen years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn. We will be making the tenth and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it. ITVs Head of Drama Polly Hill said, I just want to thank Martin and Philippa and everyone involved in Doc Martin, because its a brilliant, beautifully made series that has delighted audiences for many years. I am pleased that we are making series 10, and sad this will be the last, but respect their decision to bring it to a close. Created by screenwriter Dominic Minghella, the series airs in Australia on ABC, 7TWO and Acorn TV. The gate of an elementary school suddenly collapsed, killing three students while injuring three other children in the northern Vietnamese province of Lao Cai on Monday afternoon. A group of students were playing at the gate of Ban Phung Elementary School in Khanh Yen Thuong Commune, located in Lao Cais Van Ban District, at around 1:30 pm on Monday when the incident happened, Nguyen Thi Tram, the communes Party chief, confirmed. While the children were clinging playfully onto the school gate, it suddenly fell down onto them, Tram said. Three of the students died on the spot while three were injured and rushed to the hospital, according to Tram. The three deceased students included two first-graders and one preschooler, according to Nguyen Manh Thanh, head of the Bureau of Education and Training in Van Ban District. The health of the three injured children has stabilized, Tram said, adding that provincial and district leaders and officials had visited the school right after the incident to give directions in resolving its consequences. The leaders and officials also visited and paid condolences to the families of the deceased children, according to Tram. The case is being investigated, the commune-level Party chief said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! WHILE the Internet is a wonderful resource for many people, there are times when it can prove to be a hostile place, especially on social media websites. Now a Limerick woman has set up a safe space on one such social media site, Facebook, to allow local people to provide support to each other, and also help out some of the most marginalised in society. Entitled Lets Check in On Each Other the group was established by Pauline Casey, whose sister Louise Bubu died back in 2016. Since being established 12 months ago, some 3,200 people have joined, and check in at times seeking support or indeed wanting to help out or lend a listening ear. Pauline, who lives in St Marys Park, said: I wanted to do something in memory of my sister. I kept seeing more deaths, and increased homelessness in Limerick, more suicides. So I put a plan together and came up with the page. I didn't think it would work to be honest. But I said I'd give it a go. A few times I felt like taking it down. But it just seemed to snowball after a while. By Christmas last year, Marcella Hogan, and her partner Patrick Ryan had come on board, alongside a number of other administrators to run the site and give Pauline a bit of a break. Through a shoebox campaign on the page to help the homeless, some 500 people were helped. Other campaigns in the Facebook group saw 1,000 raised for the Haven Hub, which provides support to those in distress. And members have often donated items off their own back to help people who reach out to them directly. Marcella, who lives in Roxboro, said: There was a lady one day she got in contact with Patrick. She was in her home and struggling, she had no TV channels. So myself and Patrick brought down a streaming box and we logged her into our own Netflix account as the child was watching the same DVDs over and over. For other people, a listening ear is more than enough. We've had people contact us at two or three o'clock in the morning. We've guided them to places like the Haven Hub. People can message us and text us at any time. You'll get people who ask if there is anyone there to chat to, and we'd pick up the phone and chat away to them, calm them down, if they are having a bad day, Marcella explained. Of the seven administrators of the site who check in on each other daily three are men, and Patrick says this is important because many males might not feel comfortable going through their problems with someone of the opposite sex. Community activist Sarah Beasley is full of praise for the work being done on the page. When you go into Facebook, you'll often see people down in the dumps. They are reaching out to people and they are getting the support they need, she said. All are welcome to join the page but people using it are asked to sign up to a code of conduct, where they agree to treat one another with respect. For more information, log onto the Lets Check In On Each Other Facebook page. Some of the patients in the trial had been on a mechanical ventilator - AP Lungs can repair themselves in just three months after a serious bout of coronavirus, a new study has revealed, raising hope that patients will not be living with debilitating symptoms for years on end. Doctors said trials revealed that nearly half of patients showed no evidence of lung damage at 12 weeks. Although they confirm long-standing fears that Covid patients can suffer serious effects weeks after recovering from the virus, the results are the first to show that these tend to heal over time. Eighty-six patients from an outbreak hotspot in the Tyrolean region of Austria were hospitalised between April 29 and June 9, then followed up at six, 12 and 24 weeks after discharge. At the six-week visit, 88 per cent of patients showed evidence of lung damage, but this dropped to 56 per cent at the 12-week check-up. The results from the 24-week visits are not yet ready to be published. Meanwhile, 65 per cent of the cohort showed general symptoms of lung problems at the six-week visit, with breathlessness the most common symptom at 47 per cent followed by coughing at 15 per cent. By 12 weeks, breathlessness had improved and was present in 39 per cent of patients. The proportion of patients coughing at this stage did not improve as markedly, however, only dropping to 13 per cent. Dr Sabina Sahanic, who worked on the study at the University Clinic in Innsbruck, said: "The bad news is that people show lung impairment from Covid-19 weeks after discharge; the good news is that the impairment tends to ameliorate over time, which suggests the lungs have a mechanism for repairing themselves." The average age of the patients was 61, with 65 per cent of them being male. Nearly half were former smokers, and more than six in 10 were overweight or obese. One in five had been admitted to an intensive care unit, and roughly the same proportion were placed on a mechanical ventilator. The patients were followed up with lung function tests. Story continues Only 23 per cent performed at 80 per cent less than normal at six weeks, but the proportion did not improve significantly over time. CT scans showed the score that defines the severity of overall lung damage decreased from eight points at six weeks to four points at 12 weeks. Presented at the European Respiratory Society International Conference on Monday, the results follow months of warnings from medical experts that people who suffered badly with coronavirus can expect long-lasting effects (see panel below). In July the NHS announced plans to launch an online Covid rehabilitation service, including virtual access to physiotherapists, in recognition of long-term needs. Another study, published alongside the Innsbruck research, found that the sooner patients begin pulmonary rehabilitation after coming off a ventilator, the faster they recovered. Spending days on a ventilator can result in severe muscle loss, particularly in the muscles used for breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation, which involves physical exercises and advice on managing symptoms, including shortness of breath and post-traumatic stress disorder, is crucial for helping patients to recover fully, the researchers said. Yara Al Chikhanie, from Grenoble Alps University, said: "The sooner rehabilitation started and the longer it lasted, the faster and better was the improvement in patients' walking and breathing capacities and muscle gain. "Patients who started rehabilitation in the week after coming off their ventilators progressed faster than those who were admitted after two weeks." Presidential places Regarding Trumps fantasyland, (A22, Aug. 30): I could not agree more. Over the years, my wife and I have visited 13 of the 14 presidential libraries and museums, ranging from Herbert Hoover through George W. Bush, and every president in-between. When it opens to the public, we will visit Barack Obamas. We have also visited birthplaces, homes, burial sites and all sorts of historical places related to these presidents and at least 18 others, like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. This adventure has taken to us to at least 16 different states across the country and to Washington, D.C. Admittedly, many of these places took a positive slant in telling the history of each president, but by and large most were great leaders, many from humble beginnings who genuinely cared about America and its people. It was fascinating to learn about their contributions and about U.S. and world history during their eras. When the time comes, however, we wont be going to Donald J. Trumps fantasy museum. Our time and money will be better spent at Disneyland. Robert C. Baldwin, Cypress Slow and steady wins the race Regarding Editorial cartoon, (16, Sept. 2): Although the political cartoon was meant to ridicule former Vice President Joe Biden as a sleepy turtle who could not beat the orange hare to the finish line, I have another interpretation. The cartoon immediately reminded me of Aesops fable of The Tortoise and the Hare. As we know, the steadiness and perseverance of the tortoise defeated the over-confident, bragging hare. The moral of the tale? Slow and steady wins the race. Gerry Aitken, Stafford Practical questions Regarding Paxton should stop interfering with Harris Countys voting plan, (A3, Sept. 2): Erica Grieders commentary on Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins and his plan to send every registered voter in Harris County a mail-in ballot application raises a few practical questions concerning processing the applications and receiving/counting the mail-in ballots. First, since only adults are eligible to vote, should not the voter be expected to act like an adult, and if eligible, request his or her own mail-in ballot? Second, is the voter register roll up-to-date and accurate? Third, if 480,000 (20 percent of 2,400,000, the approximate number of registered voters of Harris County) mail-in applications are received on the last day to request a mail-in ballot how long will it take to verify and process the applications? And if 480,000 votes are receive on the last day established to receive a mail-in ballot, how long will it take to verify and count each ballot? Without satisfactory answers to these basic questions, mass mailing of mail-in voting applications is a bad idea. Walter M. Caskey, Rosenberg She said that when she got sick, she was moved immediately to another house to quarantine with other ill workers. Garcia and her colleagues drank tea, took Tylenol and kept each other company. After 10 days, she went to a church in Dorchester County and got tested again, this time coming up negative. According to a new report from market research firm Canalys, the value of North Americas wearable market remained flat year-on-year (YoY) in Q2 2020. The shipments of wearables in the region grew 10-percent annually to 8.5 million units. However, the value of that growth was negated by an 11-percent decline in the average selling price (ASP). The ASP of wearable devices dropped to $235 in the second quarter of this year. Low-cost smartwatches and activity trackers saw a strong demand amid the COVID-19 induced economic recession. Americans invested heavily in sub-US$50 trackers during the pandemic to stay accountable for the greater amount of time spent at home, Canalys Analyst Vincent Thielke said. Overall, the North American wearable market value remained flat at $2 billion. Advertisement Samsung and Fitbit falter as Apple stretches its lead Apple continued to dominate the North American wearable market with a nine percent YoY growth in Q2 2020. Apple Watch Series 5 was the best-selling smartwatch in the region. The companys Series 3 models also saw a 30-percent YoY growth in demand. A total of 3.2 million Apple Watches were sold in North America during the period between April to June 2020. The numbers account for more than one-third (37.6 percent) of overall shipments. Fitbit is still the second-most popular wearable brand in North America but its market share is declining. The company shipped 1.6 million wearable devices in Q2 2020, down 12-percent from 1.9 million units a year earlier. Perhaps, people are moving away from Fitbit following Googles acquisition of the company, which brings in data privacy concerns. Advertisement Samsung saw an even worse decline as it shipped only about 0.4 million wearable devices in North America in the second quarter. That marks a steep 48-percent drop in shipments from a year earlier. Garmin leapfrogged the South Korean company to sit third with 0.7 million shipments. Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 3 last month. It should help the company regain some of the lost ground in Q3. The company also recently launched a low-cost fitness tracker in Galaxy Fit 2, something that fits the current market situation. Devices from lesser-known brands, which are primarily available at the lower end of the price tiers, accounted for a whopping 28.1 percent of the market. Advertisement Analysts expect the wearables market to grow exponentially over the next few years, with shipments doubling by 2024. Canalys says medical-oriented devices will carve out a market of their own in 2021. The firm believes that there will be a clear separation between casual fitness trackers and advanced health tracking devices in the coming times. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie cited increased spending and support for veterans and troops Sunday as a defense against allegations President Donald Trump routinely disparaged the military and called those who fell in battle "losers" and "suckers." "Absolutely not," Wilkie said on CNN's "State of the Union" when asked if he had ever heard Trump demean the military or veterans. Read Next: Army Redesigns Leave Forms to Simplify Time-Off Requests Wilkie, a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, added that he "would be offended too if I thought it was true," referring to an incendiary article in The Atlantic citing anonymous defense sources who said Trump leveled insults at military leaders and veterans. "What I'm looking at is the Donald Trump I know. The Donald Trump who has turned around Veteran Affairs," Wilkie said. Wilkie noted that the VA's budget is now above $200 billion for the first time and dismissed Trump's repeated false claims that he enacted the veterans Choice program on private health care options as a matter of "semantics." The Choice program was put in place under the Obama administration in 2014 in response to a scandal over staggering VA appointment wait times. In June 2018, Trump signed the Mission Act, which greatly expanded the health care options at a cost that lawmakers initially estimated would be about $15 billion. Wilkie said the Mission Act "actually expands choice to all veterans," and said the Obama administration's Choice program was "designed to fail." "The proof of the pudding" on Trump's support for the VA is "what happened with veterans," Wilkie said. "There is a renaissance [at the VA] and it's all because of one man. I would also say the same for the U.S. military. I'm judging the president by what he's done as president." Trump has heatedly denied making the statements attributed to him in the recent report. Since the story was posted last Thursday, several news organizations and reporters, including Fox News Pentagon correspondent Jennifer Griffin, have corroborated parts of the Atlantic story, also citing anonymous sources. In a Twitter post Saturday, Trump said "Jennifer Griffin should be fired for this kind of reporting. Never even called us for comment. Fox News is gone!" Griffin's reporting confirmed the charge that Trump had balked at providing support for the funeral service, or the lowering of flags to half-staff at the White House and federal buildings when Sen. John McCain died of cancer in August 2018. Aboard Air Force One, and at a later White House news conference Friday, Trump acknowledged his long feud with McCain and said "I was not a fan." He did say that he had respect for the Silver Star recipient and Vietnam POW. On CNN Sunday, Wilkie said it was "politics" when Trump disparaged McCain's war record on a campaign stop in Ames, Iowa, in July 2015. "He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured," Trump said at the time. "I was a friend of John McCain" and the McCain family, Wilkie said, "but I understand politics" and the inflammatory rhetoric associated with it. However, McCain "absolutely" was a war hero, Wilkie said. Wilkie also touched briefly on the insults Trump leveled Friday at retired Marine general and former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who was instrumental in easing the concerns of veterans service organizations that the Mission Act would lead to privatization of VA health care. At a White House news conference Friday, Trump suggested that Kelly may have been a source for the Atlantic story, and said Kelly was not up to the chief of staff's job and had to be told to resign. Kelly has not responded to requests for comment from Military.com or others. On Memorial Day in 2017, Kelly escorted Trump to Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, the gravesite for many of the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the gravemarkers is for Kelly's son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. In one of the most shocking allegations in the Atlantic story, Trump allegedly said to Kelly: "I don't get it. What was in it for them?" Wilkie said he also had respect for Kelly. "I agree both men are doing the best they can," he said. Trump issued more denials Sunday that he ever disparaged veterans and the military, and also continued to charge that the Atlantic story was the result of biased reporting. "The Democrats, together with the corrupt Fake News Media, have launched a massive Disinformation Campaign the likes of which has never been seen before. They will say anything, like their recent lies about me and the Military, and hope that it sticks... But #MAGA gets it!" Trump tweeted. Later on CNN Sunday, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of the Atlantic and author of the story, said he expected new information to be reported confirming his reporting. "I would fully expect more reporting to come out about this and more confirmation and new pieces of information in the coming days and weeks," Goldberg said on CNN's "Reliable Sources.' "We have a responsibility and we're going to do it regardless of what he [Trump] says," Goldberg said. "We're not going to be intimidated by the president of the United States." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: Veterans Divided About Reports Trump Disparaged the Military Pat Tracy is an Anacondan through and through. His mother Betty (McAndrews) Tracy's father, William Anaconda McAndrews, was the first non-Native American person born in Anaconda. His father, Bob Tracy, was a boilermaker who worked for The Anaconda Copper Mining Co. until the company shut the smelter down. Pat Tracy was born in Anaconda and attended St. Peter's Elementary and Anaconda Central High School. After Tracy graduated from Anaconda Central in 1967, he and his friend Jerry Thomas, who had graduated a year earlier, decided to enter the Army on the buddy program. They went to Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Wash., for basic training, where they were in the same platoon. But then they went their separate ways. Tracy was sent to Ft. Huachuca in southern Arizona for Intelligence training, and became a reconnaissance specialist. In 1967, that skillset was in high demand in Vietnam. Tracy shipped out to the war immediately after his training at Huachuca and was assigned to D Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, which was then a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. It was attached to the 4th Infantry Division and then to the 25th Infantry Division headquartered at Cu Chi in southwestern South Vietnam an area largely controlled by the Viet Cong. Operating within four-man reconnaissance squads, often including members of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Tracy's combined intelligence and reconnaissance missions took him deep into the jungle, seeking intelligence about where Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army units were concentrated. The small squads "tried not to engage" with enemy forces, Tracy said, instead calling in for support, but sometimes, Tracy admitted, there was no alternative. He says little about those missions, keeping his intelligence work confidential after all these years. After nine months in country, he was given 30 days leave in 1968, but was quickly sent back over to continue reconnaissance and intelligence work. He was still attached to his old unit, but was sent on temporary duty to Lai Khe, just northwest of Saigon, where he worked with the First Infantry Division. He remained in Vietnam until July of 1969 nearly two years in country. He was late leaving, he says, "because I had one more mission to complete." He was anxious to get home because he and his high school sweetheart, Judy Glenn, were planning to get married which they did August 2, 1969. Last month they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. After his leave, he reported to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he spent the last 14 months of his time in the Army. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant. Tracy quietly declines to discuss his own decorations "I got some," is all he will say but it is a matter of record that the 34th Armor won a Presidential Unit Citation for its service in the Vietnam War. Upon his return to Anaconda, Tracy went to work for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company as an iron worker, and he was still working there when the company shut down the smelter in 1980. He worked for Rarus Railway after that as a diesel mechanic. He spent his last eight years before retirement working for Spring Hill Trucking. Tracy, a cancer survivor, suffers from the effects of Agent Orange, widely used in Vietnam as a jungle defoliant. In recent years he has been very active with the American Legion Post 21 in Anaconda, which he currently commands. He is a member of the post's Honor Guard, which is active at military funerals, ceremonies and parades. The Post also visits Anaconda Head Start, where they teach flag etiquette. He is a volunteer committee member and treasurer for the Anaconda Vietnam Era Veterans Memorial Association, and was on hand Saturday as a granite obelisk carrying the names of Anaconda's eight Vietnam war dead was installed at Kennedy Commons as a result of the committee's efforts. Tracy says his time in the Army taught him not to be judgmental, and to try to get to know people with different backgrounds before making judgments. He remembers being amazed when he entered the Army that many young men his age who weren't from Montana had never fired a rifle. (As with many Montana soldiers, the skills he brought to the Army allowed him to qualify as an expert marksman.) Tracy says a highlight of his time in Vietnam was a visit from his first cousin, then-Major Tim McLean. McLean, also from Anaconda, would retire as a major general. McLean, who was in the quartermaster corps (he would later be Quartermaster General of the Army), was offered lunch at the officers' mess by Tracy's commanding officer. But McLean declined, saying he would eat with his cousin at the enlisted mess. He did so, and when he returned to Saigon, Tracy said, he directed the rations for enlisted men in the field be improved. "And there was a turnaround," Tracy recalls with a smile. Love 8 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A total of 24 participants representing eight startups had joined a Virtual Innovation-Based Entrepreneurship Bootcamp that aims identify groundbreaking ideas and translate them as commercially viable business models eligible for investment, the Khalifa Innovation Centre (KIC) said. KIC is a collaborative initiative of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Tawazun, Mubadala Investment Company, and Sandooq Al Watan, a WAM report said. All the participating projects have sound technologies but they face startup challenges. Just as any startup, they require either funding, or a complete team, or a partner who can provide co-development project support, which are offered by KIC, an innovative incubation centre based at Khalifa University premises. The eight startups validated their entrepreneurship concepts during the five-day Lab-to-Market bootcamp. Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: "The intense participation and the technologies that were showcased at KICs Lab-to-Market bootcamp illustrate the extent of youth involvement in launching science and engineering startups. These transformative ideas also reflect their awareness of the latest technology trends and their enthusiasm for bringing into existence promising concepts with potential commercial applications, in line with the Innovation Strategy of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. We believe the startups chosen for further discussions would lead to the fruition of those young entrepreneurs dream projects with KICs support infrastructure and encouragement." Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, Acting CEO, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: "Since its inception, Khalifa Fund - one of the founding partners of the Khalifa Innovation Centre - has heavily contributed towards spreading the spirit of entrepreneurship and encouraging innovation in the market, with a particular emphasis on the ever-thriving technology sector. "Were delighted to example this through the From the Lab to the Market training program, which aims to enhance the capabilities and skillset of entrepreneurs and contribute to the further establishment of a strong and favourable business environment for the development and growth of emerging projects in the tech industry, as well as all other innovative sectors. We are fully prepared to continue to offer our expertise beyond From the Lab to the Market program, by providing counselling and training for entrepreneurs in the Khalifa Innovation Centre on a frequent basis." She concluded: "The ideas and participating projects reflect a tangible development in the quality and distinctiveness of advanced projects, both in terms of their economic viability and in terms of applicability of their impact in enhancing the business environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi." The bootcamp, organised at the KIC premises, was led by Dr Sami Bashir, Director, Technology Management and Innovation Office, Khalifa University, and Nouf Naser Al Jaafari, as well as KICs Mohamed Al Hashmi and Tariq Ahmed Syed. An elite panel of experts and judges who joined the final pitch sessions included Ahmed Fikri, Acting Director-General, Sandooq Al Watan, Elodie Guillerm from Gotham (Hub 71 Accelerator), Salim Bin Shabib, Chairman, Innovative Committee, Department of Economic Development-Abu Dhabi, Johan Maree from Mohamed Bin Rashid Space Center, and Qussay Abdul Wahab, Manager, from the Innovation Unit at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. The 24 participants, representing eight science/engineering startup projects in the fields of electronics, communication, energy, healthcare, water and robotics, pitched their concepts before the panelists, who provided them with additional insight on how to translate their ideas into successful products. In addition to external participants with science/engineering ideas, eight Khalifa University researchers, five faculty members and an alumnus joined the bootcamp, which aimed to develop science or engineering transformative ideas into successful startups. The event provided participants with insight and tools to help translate their ideas into successful products, using a defined commercialisation roadmap. The five-day KIC Virtual Innovation-Based Entrepreneurship Bootcamp helped participants to understand innovation aspects associated with the idea, validate the technology through execution of successful proof-of-concept and prototype projects, establish effective business models, develop robust financial framework, and be ready to pitch the technology to potential investors. Each day of the bootcamp was focused on one key area, with the first day highlighting Mindset Change and Ideas Evaluation and Scoping, which helped participants to state clearly the problem and the solution that their technology can provide. The second day introduced aspects of Intellectual Property and Market Landscape to help participants identify the knowhow resources, potential stakeholders and customers, as well as competitors related to their technologies. On the following days participants engaged in hands-on exercises to develop efficient ways to identify novel attributes related to their technologies, effective ways to build prototypes and proof-of-concepts to validate their technology, and establish more engaging and realistic business models. The concluding day on Let Us Think Startup saw teams working together in finalising a clear identity of the startup and preparing a brief presentation. -- Tradearabia News Service We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of examples of share prices declining precipitously after insiders have sold shares. So before you buy or sell African Gold Limited (ASX:A1G), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. Do Insider Transactions Matter? Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock in the company. However, such insiders must disclose their trading activities, and not trade on inside information. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year'. Check out our latest analysis for African Gold African Gold Insider Transactions Over The Last Year While there weren't any large insider transactions in the last twelve months, it's still worth looking at the trading. In the last twelve months African Gold insiders were buying shares, but not selling. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Does African Gold Boast High Insider Ownership? Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. African Gold insiders own 43% of the company, currently worth about AU$3.6m based on the recent share price. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. Story continues So What Do The African Gold Insider Transactions Indicate? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded African Gold shares in the last quarter. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, African Gold insiders feel good about the company's future. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 5 warning signs for African Gold (of which 2 are a bit concerning!) you should know about. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Vote-by-mail rejections could be of special concern to Democrats, who have seen a surge in absentee ballot applications this year Thousands of absentee ballots get rejected in every presidential election. This year, that problem could be much worse and potentially pivotal in hotly contested battleground states. With the coronavirus creating a surge in mail-in balloting and postal delays reported across the country, the number of rejected ballots in November is projected to be significantly higher than previous elections. If ballots are rejected at the same rate as during this years primaries, up to three times as many voters in November could be disenfranchised in key battleground states when compared to the last presidential election, according to an Associated Press analysis of rejected ballots. It could be even more pronounced in some urban areas where Democratic votes are concentrated and ballot rejection rates trended higher during this years primaries. Read More: Trump requests absentee ballot after attacking mail-in voting It is the number one thing that keeps me up at night the idea that voters will do everything they can to ensure their ballot is returned on time and the system will still fail them, said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Ballot rejections occur even under the best of circumstances. They go uncounted because they arrived too late in the mail, voters forgot to sign them or signatures didnt match the one on file at local election offices. Those problems could be compounded this year as millions of voters cast mail-in ballots for the first time because of election changes forced by the coronavirus. Large numbers of uncounted ballots could be used to sow doubts about the election; President Donald Trump has been claiming for months without evidence that widespread mail-in voting will lead to fraud. The sudden leap is worrisome: 22 states are going from absentee ballots comprising less than 10% of all ballots four years ago to perhaps half or more this November. Pennsylvania is among them: Nearly 51% of all votes cast during its June primary were mail-in. Story continues A polling worker carries 2020 presidential primary ballots that were dropped off at a post office and brought to a government center to be processed and counted at the Stamford Government Center on August 11, 2020 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) If voter turnout is the same as 2016 and the ballot rejection rate equals the 1.4% from this years primary, nearly 43,000 voters in Pennsylvania could be disenfranchised this fall, according to APs analysis. Thats almost the same number of votes by which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the state four years ago, when some 2,100 ballots were rejected. In Philadelphia, a far higher percentage of absentee ballots cast in June were rejected 3.9%. Most of those arrived too late to be counted, even though Gov. Tom Wolf extended the deadline by a week. Amy Campbell, a 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania medical student, had her ballot rejected for another reason: a missing signature. Campbell is upset she didnt have a chance to fix her ballot. She received an email two days after the vote count ended telling her officials couldnt obtain (her) required signature. The first communication I got from the state was basically to tell me that my ballot had been canceled, Campbell said. Philadelphia Board of Elections spokesman Nick Custodio said thats not supposed to happen, but couldnt explain why it did. Vote-by-mail rejections could be of special concern to Democrats, who have seen a surge in absentee ballot applications this year. In Pennsylvania, for example, more than twice as many Democrats as Republicans voted by mail in the June primary. Only 21 states have defined procedures for notifying voters if absentee ballots are rejected so they have a chance to fix it. For its analysis, the AP also collected absentee ballot data from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Based on the percentage of those ballots cast in each states primary this year, between 185,000 and 292,000 voters in the seven states examined could be disenfranchised if Novembers turnout matches that of four years ago and the rejection rate remains flat. That compares to nearly 87,000 ballots rejected in those states in 2016. I would urge every democrat to vote at the poles if possible. Wear a mask! Main battlegrounds including Pa., absentee ballot rejections could triple via @pittsburghpg https://t.co/8fQ1tqgDgw Lori Cardille (@LoriCardille) September 7, 2020 The ballot rejections could be pivotal in close races. In 2016, Trump won Wisconsin by roughly 23,000 votes. Reasons for rejection can vary. In a few states, a witness or notary must sign the ballot envelope for the ballot to be valid. Where ballots received after Election Day are counted, a legible postmark from that day is generally required. There could be a lot of people who are voting this way for the first time, and they tend to make the errors that lead to lost votes, said Larry Norden, an elections expert with the Brennan Center for Justice. New, young, Black and Hispanic voters who tend to favor Democratic candidates are disproportionately affected, according to research by University of Florida political scientist Daniel Smith. All have had absentee ballots rejected at higher rates than white and more experienced mail-in voters. Being able to notify voters of problems in time to fix them will be difficult enough for understaffed election offices. It doesnt help that election officials in some states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania, are not allowed to begin looking at absentee ballots until Election Day. That leaves a narrow window for identifying problems and allowing voters to fix them. Experts say voters must be diligent about requesting and returning absentee ballots well ahead of Election Day; the Postal Service advises allowing seven days for a ballot to reach an election office. Drop boxes can help. Michigan, Georgia, Colorado and Arizona are among states adding more. Colorado, which has been mailing ballots to all voters since 2013, saw a slight increase in rejections from about 1% in 2016 to 1.6% in this years primary; the rejection rate doubled in Denver but still remained below 2%. Joe Bernal, a 31-year-old tech analyst in Miami, expects to be driving to the nearest drop box to deliver his ballot ahead of Nov. 3. His ballot was rejected in Floridas March presidential primary for arriving after the deadline, even though Bernal said he mailed it at least three weeks before. Bernal, who lost an aunt to COVID-19, said he is unwilling to vote in person: Im asthmatic. I dont want to have to risk it. But drop boxes only solve one problem. The process of authenticating voter signatures on ballot envelopes an anti-fraud measure is so troublesome that lawsuits have been filed seeking to end the practice barring an adequate remedy. Read More: US Intel bulletin warns Russia is amplifying claims of mail-in voter fraud Jennifer Morrell, a former election official in Utah and Colorado, said voters need to be certain they will be given an opportunity to fix a problem. Some jurisdictions are adding software that quickly alerts voters via text or email, but Morrell said the problem is being unevenly addressed. States that are really new to this, most likely they will just be sending out a letter in the mail and hope the voter gets it in time and fills it out, she said. That wasnt the case for Tasha Young, a 43-year-old teacher in metro Atlanta who found a letter from her local election office buried in a pile of mail after Georgias primary in June. It said she had failed to sign her ballot, but by then it was too late for her to submit the required affidavit. She plans to vote in person in November. For one thing, I dont want to have to worry about a deadline or missing a signature, Young said. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! The post In battlegrounds, absentee ballot rejections could triple appeared first on TheGrio. The NSCN-IM is no longer the force it used to be. Once the 'de facto government' of Nagaland, it gradually reduced to an extortion racket. But missteps by the Centre could give it a new lease of life, reports Aditi Phadnis. IMAGE: File photo of a Naga rebel at Hebron Camp. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters In the beginning, there was the legendary leader of Naga Hill Districts, Zaphu Phizo. In 1956, he declared his federal independent sovereign government as 'de facto government'. Naturally, a war between Indian forces and Nagaland was inevitable. When leaders of the Phizo group signed the Shillong Peace Accord with the Indian government in 1975, a clash between factions broke out. At that time, two younger associates of Phizo -- Isaak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah -- were in China, buying arms. When they returned, they denounced the 'sellout' by the Phizo group. The Nagaland National Socialist Council (NSCN) was created in Myanmar (then Burma) in 1980 to fight for an independent Nagaland. The leadership of the NSCN at that time, more or less, reflected the dominant tribe mosaic of Nagaland -- S S Khaplang, belonging to the Burmese Homi tribe, was a colleague of Muivah, who was a Tangkhul from Manipur. So deep is inter-tribe animus in Nagaland that two people walking on the street won't look each other in the eye if they are from different tribes. So, suspicions persisted. In 1988, Khaplang and Muivah clashed in a gang war. This led to a split: the NSCN (Isaak-Muivah) and NSCN (Khaplang). When Khaplang died (in 2017) more factions developed. The more peaceable Naga tribes -- the Aos, the Angamis and the dominant Konyaks -- had already taken to overground politics. But their strings were pulled either by one or the other insurgent group. The Centre, especially covert agencies, saw these groups as instruments to influence events both in India and abroad. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) developed links with the Muivah group, while the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), which has assets abroad, worked on the others. By 1997, all groups had conceded that the bloodletting was leading them nowhere. The Indian government announced a ceasefire. This introduced a new dynamic. The Tangkhul Nagas -- represented by Muivah -- tried to come overground. They found politics was dominated by other tribes. Another round of bloodletting followed, including an attempt on the life of S C Jamir, an Ao and at the time CM of Nagaland, who had an interest in preventing the Tangkhul Nagas from coming overground and was thus supporting the Khaplang group. The jury is out on the effect the ceasefire has had on the two NSCN groups, and non-NSCN groups. But in the bigger towns of Nagaland -- Mokokchung, Dimapur and Kohima -- the IM group became very strong. They also became indisciplined: Extortion was nothing new, but kidnapping and molestation of women, hitherto unknown, became the order of the day. Complaints began to reach Muivah. Concerned, he visited Nagaland in 2004 and met with a hostile reception. He called a meeting of village elders (the group had warned that anyone who didn't attend would be fined Rs 35 lakh). Never afraid to speak up, the elders confronted him with lists of wrongdoing by his boys. At this closed-door meeting, he apologised. He shuffled commanders around, and significantly, took away fund collection duties from the military wing and transferred this power to the civil wing. One of the main interlocutors in this period was former Union home secretary Kantipudi Padmanabhaiah. Speaking to Business Standard, he said he was confident the issue of sovereignty had been settled in the Naga mind but warned about the fine print of the 2015 agreement. "For the NSCN, it has been a long war. But, times have changed. Younger Naga people are now more integrated with the rest of India." The NSCN-IM is no longer the force it used to be. But missteps by the Centre could give it a new lease of life. By Trend A film was shot in Turkey, dedicated to the Azerbaijani-Turkish fraternity and the Armenian provocation in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district, committed in July of 2020, Trend reports. The film contains the comments of Assistant to Azerbaijans President, Head of the Foreign Affairs Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev, other officials and of members of the public. The film also tells about large-scale projects jointly implemented by Turkey and Azerbaijan, cooperation between the two fraternal countries, the history of the Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood, and etc. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz (Natural News) Kyle Rittenhouse, the young man who protected himself and others in Kenosha, Wisc., from violent attacks by Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Antifa terrorists one of them was a convicted pedophile and sex offender, and Rittenhouse is only 17 years old is nothing more than a deranged mass shooter on par with white supremacist Dylann Storm Roof. This is according to the supposedly Christian evangelical group The Gospel Coalition (TGC), founded by American pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Manhattan. K. Edward Copeland, TGC member and pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Rockford, Ill., recently penned a preposterous editorial for TGC smearing Rittenhouse as just another armed mass shooter who takes innocent lives for sport. Copeland contends that Rittenhouse killed people in the middle of the street, further inferring that he got away with it because he has white skin. Even though the violent men who attacked Rittenhouse were also white, and were presumably trying to murder him for getting in the way of their rioting and looting, Copeland suggests that Rittenhouse was the perpetrator, and his targets innocent victims of white supremacy. When armed mass shooters (Kyle Rittenhouse, Dylan (sic) Roof, etc.) are apprehended without incident, and unarmed black people are killed out of fear that they might be armed, we have a more insidious problem than a few bad apples,' Copeland writes. This thing is cultural, pervasive, and abominable. Is The Gospel Coalition unaware that liars shall not inherit the kingdom of God? In Copelands gushing misrepresentation of the facts surrounding what actually happened, he completely and we can only assume intentionally skews the narrative to match that of the mainstream media, which is vilifying Rittenhouse for engaging in basic self-defense against domestic terrorists who were out to murder him and others for getting in their way. At no point in his racially charged work of fiction did Copeland bother to explain that Rittenhouse was being victimized at the time when he discharged his weapon for his own protection. Several of Rittenhouses aggressors also had visible semi-automatic weapon[s], as Copeland wrote about Rittenhouse, and at least one of them also had a Molotov cocktail. Good grief, why would a pastor, a man of God, express something so profoundly untrue and inflammatory, writes John Nolte for Breitbart News, noting that the only thing pervasive and abominable, here, is a man of God bearing false witness against a 17-year-old. If you are unfamiliar with either K. Edward Copeland or Tim Keller, consider the many other prominent pastoral names that are also part of TGC. These include: Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church in North Carolina Ligon Duncan, chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary Danny Akin, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta Alistair Begg, pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland Matt Carter, pastor of Sagemont Church in Houston (former pastor of Austin Stone Community Church in Austin) Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention John Piper, founder and teacher of DesiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C. Mark Dever, senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and president of 9Marks Erwin Lutzer, pastor emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago Don Carson, emeritus professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and co-founder of TGC This pastor is a false prophet, wrote one Breitbart News commenter about Copeland. The Lord will deal with him. Kyle should sue the so-called pastor,' wrote another. For more related news about the inflammatory lies now coming from so-called Christians that are fueling anti-white hatred, chaos and violence, be sure to check out Evil.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com A man was charged with murder after he allegedly ran over his ex-wife with a pickup truck early Saturday, according to the authorities. Police officers found Dominga Estrada, 33, lying on the side of Spur Valley Street unresponsive and with multiple bruises on her legs shortly after 2:30 a.m. Her ex-husband, David Estrada, 30, was attempting to render first aid, police said. Perth, Australia, Sep 7, 2020 - (ABN Newswire) - Cardinal Resources Limited (ASX:CDV) (HAM:C3L) (OTCMKTS:CRDNF) (TOR:CDV) refers to its announcement of 3 September 2020 regarding the competing takeover offers for the Company from Shandong Gold Mining (HongKong) Co., Ltd. ("Shandong Gold") and Nord Gold S.E. ("Nordgold"). Further Improved Shandong Gold Offer As noted in Cardinal's prior announcements of 2 and 3 September 2020, the matching rights provisions of the Bid Implementation Agreement provide Shandong Gold with the opportunity (but not the obligation) to provide a matching or superior proposal to the revised Nordgold on-market takeover offer for Cardinal at A$0.90 cash per share ("Nordgold Takeover Bid"). Cardinal advises that it has received a further improved offer from Shandong Gold whereby Shandong Gold has confirmed that it remains committed to acquiring 100% of the Shares in Cardinal and that it intends to increase the Offer Price of the Shandong Gold Offer to A$1.00 per share ("Further Improved Offer"). Cardinal notes while the Further Improved Offer is no longer subject to Chinese Regulatory Approvals or FIRB Approval, it remains subject to a number of conditions, including the minimum acceptance condition of 50.1%. These conditions are set out in Cardinal's announcement of the Bid Implementation Agreement announced on 18 June 2020 and varied on 29 July 2020. The Further Improved Offer from Shandong Gold is now being carefully considered in detail by the Board, together with the Special Committee and its financial and legal advisers. Cardinal will also continue to engage with Shandong Gold in respect of the Further Improved Offer. Cardinal will provide a further update to shareholders in this regard as soon as it is able to do so. Take no action In light of the Further Improved Offer, and noting the Nordgold Takeover Bid announced on the ASX on 15 July 2020 and varied on 2 September 2020, shareholders are advised to TAKE NO ACTION in relation to their shares at this time. The Company will provide an update to shareholders as soon as practicable. Advisors Cardinal's joint financial advisers are Maxit Capital LP, BMO Capital Markets, Hartleys Limited and Cannacord Genuity Corp. Cardinal's legal advisers are HopgoodGanim Lawyers (Australia) and Bennett Jones LLP (Canada). About Cardinal Resources Ltd: Cardinal Resources Ltd (ASX:CDV) (TSE:CDV) (OTCMKTS:CRDNF) is a West African gold exploration and development Company that holds interests in tenements within Ghana, West Africa. The Company is focused on the development of the Namdini Project with a gold Ore Reserve of 5.1Moz (0.4 Moz Proved and 4.7 Moz Probable) and a soon to be completed Feasibility Study. Exploration programmes are also underway at the Company's Bolgatanga (Northern Ghana) and Subranum (Southern Ghana) Projects. Cardinal confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in its announcement of the Ore Reserve of 3 April 2019. All material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning this estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed. Contact: Archie Koimtsidis CEO / MD Cardinal Resources Limited P: +61-8-6558-0573 Alec Rowlands IR / Corp Dev Cardinal Resources Limited P: +1-647-256-1922 Warrick Hazeldine Cannings Purple E: whazeldine@canningspurple.com.au P: +61-417-944-616 Source: Cardinal Resources Ltd Copyright (C) 2020 ABN Newswire. All rights reserved. BERLIN, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Germany has called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to clarify what happened to protest leader Maria Kolesnikova following reports that the opposition politician was detained by unidentified masked men in Minsk on Monday morning. Kolesnikova, a member of the opposition coordination council, is the last of three female politicians left in Belarus who joined forces before an Aug. 9 presidential election to try to challenge veteran incumbent Lukashenko. "We are very concerned about Ms. Kolesnikova. We demand clarity about the whereabouts and the release of all political prisoners in Belarus," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in comments tweeted by the foreign ministry. Germany, which currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, is working "at full speed" on a package of EU sanctions against the leaders in Belarus, Maas added. Three EU diplomats told Reuters earlier on Monday that the EU aims to impose economic sanctions on 31 senior Belarus officials, including the interior minister, by mid-September in response to the election that the West says was rigged. Almost a month into mass protests against the outcome of the contest, in which Lukashenko claimed victory to prolong his 26-year-old rule, the EU aims to punish the government crackdown and support calls for new elections. Maas said the continued arrests of and violence against opposition members and demonstrators were unacceptable. "Anyone who sees the pictures of the peaceful demonstrations from Minsk cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that people are demanding a change in politics and leadership style," Maas said. Germany and other European countries have repeatedly asked Lukashenko to start a political dialogue with the opposition, but this demand has been ignored, Maas said. "If Mr. Lukashenko does not change his course, we in the EU will react," Maas added. (Reporting by Michael Nienaber, Editing by Angus MacSwan) Maharashtra's famous Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir will resume darshan shortly after a six-month gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shrine has invited a think-tank from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to help them with the reopening and to guide and instate a mechanism to ensure safe darshan amid the pandemic. A meeting between the Shirdi Sai Mandir's managing body and members of the think-tank from TTD was held wherein the techniques of darshan to be followed during COVID-19 were discussed. TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy, Board member K Siva Kumar, EO Sri Anil Kumar Singhal, and Additional EO AV Dharma Reddy interacted with Shirdi Board secretary and CEO Kanhuraj Harischandra Bhagate and others on the arrangements and reopening of the Sai Baba shrine. As TTD has been successfully implementing public darshans since June 11, the Shirdi Board has sought TTD's guidance as they are planning to resume darshans soon. According to TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy, over 6 lakh pilgrims have attended darshan till date since June 11 and not even a single COVID-19 positive case has been reported so far. The TTD chairman and EO laid down various safety measures taken by them while resuming darshan. These include the TTD staff wearing face masks, using sanitisers, maintaining social distancing of at least two meters, thermal screening, sanitizing the rooms, and queue lines at regular intervals, according to an India Today report. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam manages the hill shrine of Lord Venkateshwara on Tirumala Tirupati located in Andhra Pradesh. Also read: Coronavirus in India: First case of reinfection reported in Bengaluru San Francisco State University Forum to Feature Palestinian Terrorist San Francisco State University (SFSU) will feature Leila Khaled, a prominent Palestinian terrorist and plane hijacker, as a speaker in an online event that focuses on gender, justice, and resistance. Leila Khaled, 76, is a veteran member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State. Khaled is most notorious for her participation in the hijacking of a passenger jet en route from Rome to Tel Aviv in 1969. A photo of her holding an AK-47 rifle while wearing a kaffiyeh became a popular icon of feminism and Palestinian militancy. The Leila Khaled mural on the Apartheid Wall at Bethlehem in central West Bank on June 16, 2013. (Ian Walton/Getty Images) Other guest speakers of the Sept. 23 discussion panel include Ronnie Kasrils, a high ranking South African Communist Party official and frequent critic of Israel; Sekou Odinga, a leading member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army who served 30 years in prison for attempted murder in a Queens shootout with six police officers; and Rula Abu Dahou, the acting director of womens studies program at Birzeit University, where Islamic extremist group Hamas maintains a strong presence. The event will be hosted by Rabab Abdulhadi, the founder and director of the SFSUs Department of Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies. Over her teaching career, Abdulhadi has built a reputation as an outspoken anti-Israel activist, particularly known for problematic remarks such as equating Jewish students who support Israel to white supremacists. In 2014, Abdulhadi reportedly met with Khaled during a SFSU-sponsored trip to Jordan and the West Bank. Several pro-Israel and Jewish organizations have called on the SFSU to reconsider the event. Given San Francisco States troubled past with antisemitism, it is incredibly problematic that Leila Khaled, a known terrorist who promotes the murder of Israelis and Zionists, has been invited to speak to students, Zev Hurwitz, American Jewish Committees director of campus affairs, told Jewish Journal. Terrorists, and those who propagate violence and extremism, should have no place in academic settings. In response, the SFSU said the decision to include Khaled as a speaker should not be construed as an endorsement of point of view. Higher education and the college experience are an opportunity to hear divergent ideas, viewpoints and accounts of life experiences, the statement reads. A university is a marketplace of ideas, and San Francisco State University supports the rights of all individuals to express their viewpoints and other speech protected by law, even when those viewpoints may be controversial. RTHK: Biden targets Trump over military, labour policy Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Monday used his Labor Day message celebrating workers to also attack President Trump over comments he reportedly made disparaging fallen soldiers, as Biden met with union workers who are military veterans. Biden's trip to Pennsylvania on Monday kicks off another flurry of travel to battleground states this week by both Biden and Trump as some opinion polls show the race tightening with less than 60 days to go until the November 3 election. Trump has faced a new controversy after The Atlantic magazine, citing four unnamed people, reported last week that he had referred to Marines buried in an American cemetery near Paris as "losers" and "suckers" and declined to visit their graves during a 2018 trip to France. Trump vehemently denied the report. Biden on Monday met with three union workers who also served in the US military at a home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Do you think most of those guys and women are suckers? Biden asked, chuckling sarcastically. With the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest over racism and police brutality gripping attention in recent months, Biden is seeking to maintain his edge by painting the Republican incumbent as an ineffectual leader who thrives on chaos and has left the working class behind. Trump has struggled to change the contours of the campaign despite highly charged rhetoric on racial polarization and "law and order" intended to motivate his base and draw new supporters in suburban parts of key swing states, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Trump held a news conference Monday at the White House, promoting it earlier in the day with a tweet saying: "Jobs number, and the Economic comeback, are looking GREAT. Happy Labor Day!" Trump plans to visit North Carolina, Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania later in the week. Biden's campaign has said that as many as 16 states could be up for grabs in November, with doubts about Trump's coronavirus response and the battered economy making states like Arizona, Texas and Georgia more competitive for Democrats. Still, polls point to the economy's being a relative area of strength for Trump with voters, even as the labor market reels from the effects of the pandemic, which has put millions out of work. Tim Murtaugh, Trump's re-election campaign communications director, said last week that Biden had begun traveling more frequently out of his home state of Delaware because he knows he is bleeding in the polls. Biden will meet on Monday with the leader of the largest federation of US labor unions, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, at the group's state headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and take questions from union workers. Bidens campaign is expected to announce the endorsements of three unions, according to a person familiar with the matter: the Laborers International Union of North America, the International Union of Elevator Constructors and the National Federation of Federal Employees. Biden and Trumka, in a jointly written op-ed essay Monday in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, criticized Trump's labour policies while touting plans to invest in green energy jobs and support workers' right to unionize. The Harrisburg event highlights the Biden campaign's strategy for Pennsylvania, where early voting starts in mid-September. Polls in Pennsylvania have consistently put Biden in the lead, but averages show that margin narrowing to roughly 4 to 5 percentage points, down from about 8 points in late June. Biden is scheduled to be back in Pennsylvania on Friday. Trump unexpectedly won the state in 2016 by less than a percentage point as part of an electoral sweep through the country's former industrial heartland, including Wisconsin and Michigan. Biden will visit Michigan midweek. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A man who had apparently been shot was found dead early Sunday in Montgomery County in what police are calling a homicide. Mark Earl Leonard Webb, 37, was found facedown about 5:45 a.m. in an apartment parking lot in the 9300 block of Willow Creek Drive in the Montgomery Village area, police said. They could not confirm an address for him. Webb appeared to have a gunshot wound and died at the scene, police said. Leh, Sep 7 : Sending mixed signals, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav, who is in Ladakh for the party's first ever state executive meeting in the newly created Union Territory, attended Subedar Nyima Tenzin, Special Frontier Force, hero's funeral but later deleted a tweet which he posted hailing him as "valiant". In his now-deleted tweet, he referred to the border as "Indo-Tibetan" as opposed to "Indo-Chinese". China considers Tibet as part of its own territory. His presence at the funeral is seen as a strong signal to China, given that Subedar Tenzi who was killed during an operation on the south bank of Pangong Lake and was laid to rest at Leh with full military honours on Monday, was a Tibetan himself. In fact, chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Jai Tibet" and "Vikas Regiment Zindabad" reverberated during the funeral procession. Amid the waving of Tibetan flags, Madhav paid his last respects to the martyred soldier. However, the concerned tweet was deleted without posting a fresh one. Madhav had tweeted, "Attended the funeral of SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting our borders in Ladakh, and laid a wreath as a tribute. Let the sacrifices of such valiant soldiers bring peace along the Indo-Tibetan border. That will be the real tribute to all martyrs." He had also posted 4 photos of himself attending the ceremony. However, after such a strongly worded tweet and an even more powerful gesture, the reason for deleting the tweet remains unknown. Tenzin sacrificed his life during the pre-emptive operation the Indian Army carried out on the southern bank of the Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh last week to foil a fresh move by the Chinese People's Liberation Army to transgress into Indian territory. During the operation, another junior soldier Tenzin Loden, 24, was critically injured in the same explosion, and is currently undergoing treatment at the military hospital in Ladakh. The injured Tenzin Loden is from the same settlement. India and China are engaged in an around four-month-long standoff at the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Despite several levels of dialogue, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues. On June 15, as many as 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops were killed in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. Special Deal 7 September 2020 A staycation is always great for a quick recharge with friends and family, especially with Hilton Singapore's two foodie staycation packages with top-rated dining experiences included. Introducing foodie 'Steak-Cation' and 'Gourmet Staycation', the stay experience will include a dinner for two at Opus Bar & Grill and il Cielo, respectively. Both restaurants are recognized as top 10 restaurants in their cuisine category on TripAdvisor Singapore. The Opus Steak-Cation package starts from $250 per night, while il Cielo Gourmet Staycation starts from $320 per night. Both are available from September 13, 2020, to January 31, 2021, including the following benefits: Stay in a Deluxe Room category for up to two adults. Children ages 16 years old and below stay for free in the same room for up to two children. Daily Hilton breakfast Complimentary premium Wi-Fi Guaranteed early check-in at noon and late check-out until 3 p.m. A dinner experience for two persons: Opus Steak-Cation guests can look forward to a premium sharing steak dinner experience for two inclusive of two-hour free flow wine with a choice of signature one-kilogram U.S. Black Angus bone-in rib eye, dry-aged, marble score four, Wagyu and lobster of 500gram Australian Wagyu sirloin and Marine Stewardship Council-certified Boston lobster or the best-seller 1.2kilogram whiskey-aged Rangers Valley Wagyu Tomahawk, 360 days grain-fed, marble score five. il Cielo Gourmet Staycation guests will experience Italian sky dining at its peak at the Michelin-platted restaurant that is tucked on the highest floor of the hotel with scenic city views. Helmed by resident Chef Yohhei Sasaki, a 5-course culinary trail of modern Italian cuisine with Japanese influences using only the freshest produce from Italy that is set to impress any gourmands. The staycation packages are not valid in conjunction with any other offers and promotions. Offer requires a minimum one-night length of stay and three days advance. Full non-refundable pre-payment is required upon booking, only limited availability on the advertised rates, unused benefits are non-transferable and cannot be cashed upon check-out. The rates quoted are in Singapore dollars, subject to ten percent service charge and prevailing government tax. To book the staycation packages, guests can visit bit.ly/hiltonsingaporefoodiestaycation. Hilton Singapore has been awarded with the SG Clean quality mark - a stamp of assurance that an establishment has committed to upholding good sanitation and hygiene practices. This quality mark is supported by Singapore's key government agencies: National Environment Agency (NEA), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Ministry of Education (MOE), Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and Ministry of Transport (MOT). The certification was awarded after an audit by an independent assessor with each government agency overseeing the certification of stakeholders within their purview. In addition, Hilton is committed to provide guests with an assurance and peace of mind through the industry-leading Hilton CleanStay program; elevated standards on cleanliness and disinfection at Hilton properties. Media can access additional information about Hilton Singapore at newsroom.hilton.com/singapore. About Hilton Singapore Hilton Singapore is an institution in Singapore's hospitality scene, being among the first international hotels to bring its trademark level of service excellence and culinary innovation to the city-state. Located in the heart of fashionable Orchard Road, the city's most popular shopping and dining district, the 423-room hotel is a superb venue for both the business and leisure clientele. The stylish, contemporary rooms and suites offer modern amenities and equipped with WiFi capabilities. The hotel also offers guests quality dining experience in its award-winning restaurants. The hotel's central location makes it an ideal choice for meetings and conferences. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 500 guests and a further 17 versatile function rooms all fully equipped with natural daylight and advanced multimedia equipment that provide options for events and meetings of any nature. Visit singapore.hilton.com for more information, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@hilton.singapore) About Opus Bar & Grill Recognised as one of the top 10 steakhouses in Singapore on TripAdvisor, meats at Opus are carefully hand-selected from Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. Opus' premium sharing cuts are dramatic, bone-in show stoppers and platters that showcase a variety of textures and flavours. Each is masterfully cooked by expert chefs over an open-flame grill using charcoals and sustainable Jarrah wood to achieve the perfect char, and smoky caramelized flavours. Besides a good selection of steaks, the modern grill has a good variety of standout dishes that highlight on simple cooking techniques partnered with the purity of charcoal grilling and pride itself as being environmentally conscious having achieved the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)'s Chain of Custody certification. Seafood dishes labeled with the eco-label in the menu are prepared with seafood sources that are sustainably caught. Visit hiltonsingaporerestaurants.com/opus for more information, and follow us on Instagram (@opusbarandgrill) About il Cielo Restaurant Located on the top floor of the 24-storey Hilton Singapore on Orchard Road, the stylish, contemporary Michelin-Plated il Cielo (which means 'the sky') restaurant is the benchmark of Italian culinary standards in the city with handcrafted homemade foods, natural and organic ingredients as well as carefully sourced seasonal produce. Italian flavors are recreated with a contemporary twist in the preparation methods for diners to enjoy the aromas and flavors of modern Italian cuisine. Take in the panoramic view of Orchard Road skylines with the interiors and surroundings of the poolside providing an urban resort experience. Il Cielo seats up to 48 persons with 32 seats indoors including a private dining room for 10 guests as well as 16 seats by the pool side. Visit hiltonsingaporerestaurants.com/ilcielo, and follow us on Instagram (@ilCieloSG). She turned 32 last week, and was surrounded by many of her friends over Labor Day Weekend to celebrate. It turns out, however, that Ridiculousness star Chanel West Coast may have broken some rules with her gathering, as the Los Angeles Police Department arrived Sunday night to shut the festivities down either as a result of noise complaints, or the prohibition against large gatherings during the time of COVID-19, or both. What's more, Chanel was caught on camera yelling at the police, and even calling them 'losers' as seen in a clip. Wild birthday girl: Chanel West Coast (lower left) may have broken some rules with her birthday gathering this weekend, as the LAPD arrived Sunday night to shut the festivities down Regardless: The star yelled at police for coming to shut down her party, at first sharing a 'tip' with them about another party down the street; seen in 2019 The Fantasy Factory's Instagram Stories reveal a large gathering with many or most of her guests not wearing face coverings. The party looks like it began at the pool in the daytime and went well into the night. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 'Individual and family gatherings or parties of any size arent allowed' at present, due to the still-high numbers of coronavirus cases that are keeping California in the red zone in regards to the ongoing pandemic. What's more: Chanel was caught on camera yelling at the police, and even calling them 'losers' as seen in a clip Talking back: 'If you guys really want to break up some chaos thats gonna cause corona, you should go to the parties that are actually with like extensive amounts of people,' Chanel is heard saying Regardless, CWC berated the cops for coming to shut down her party, at first sharing a 'tip' with them about another party down the street. 'There's another party up Laurel Canyon off of Mulholland and it has 300 people,' Chanel said, before added that she 'only ha[s] less than' a smaller unintelligible number of guests at her wild shindig. 'So if you guys really want to break up some chaos thats gonna cause corona, you should go to the parties that are actually with like extensive amounts of people,' the Alcoholic rapper continued. 'I just gave you lots of tips. Im helping you.' Not the right time: The Fantasy Factory's Instagram Stories reveal a large gathering that looks to number in the hundreds with many or most of her guests not wearing face coverings Then, when the cops tried to diffuse and say they 'appreciate' the star, she replied, 'I love you.' However, Chanel felt the need to then bring up a painful moment from her past, right there on the street. 'Also, so, my ex-boyfriend was shot and killed when he was 19. That murder is still unsolved,' she informed them, referring to her late former beau Saul Garcia who died by a gunshot wound in 2007. It's her party and she'll yell if she wants to: This was the bathing suit Chanel wore at her party and when she told off the cops Cake and confections: The starlet's party looked lavish and expensive, with many revelers 'So if you guys wanna really do something with your lives you know, you can solve murder mysteries instead of breaking up parties.' CWC then gave a fake laugh and made her way back up the stairs. She continued: 'It must feel great breaking up parties instead of solving f***ing murder mysteries that have been unsolved for f***ing 12 years.' During her rant: Chanel felt the need to then bring up a painful moment from her past, right there on the street; seen on Instagram Before turning around and going back inside, she added one final word: 'Losers.' According to TMZ, Chanel was cited for the party after 11 of her neighbors called the cops. DailyMail.com has reached out to Chanel West Coast's representatives and is waiting to hear back. Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide has dismissed allegations that government's recent visit to the Regional Houses of Chiefs across the country was to amass their support in the upcoming elections. According to him, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has no fear of losing the 2020 general elections as the performance of the Akufo-Addo government stands tall when compared with that of former President John Dramani Mahama. Reacting to the comment, Mr. Enam Hadzide in an interview with Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show said they are visiting the Regional Houses of Chiefs to discuss how best to educate Ghanaians on the fight against the new coronavirus. He added that there is a need to intensify the education about the COVID-19 pandemic even though the infection rate in the country is rapidly low due to the proper measures put in place by the government. He reiterated that education has become necessary in order to avoid the second wave of the virus. He stressed that the Ghanaian people will clearly choose President Akufo-Addo over John Mahama for the reason that Ghanaians have not forgotten the government that brought erratic power supply [Dumsor] and the government that fixed it. It is not true that we are visiting the various Regional Houses of Chiefs to plead for their support to win the upcoming elections. They have already said that they will vote for the NPP government and it is crystal clear. If every Ghanaian will look at the good work of governments and vote, they know the government that brought Dumsor and the government that fixed it and if these two governments are in the contest, I dont need rocket science to know who Ghanaians will vote for, he asserted. You could not implement the Free SHS but another government has implemented it and so it is clear which of the two governments that Ghanaians will vote for. In the midst of the COVID-19 outburst, the government has provided free water and electricity as well as a free hot meals to some Ghanaians. We were doing free testing and giving free healthcare but in the era of the NDC government, they could not give common ORS free during the outbreak of Cholera. He again mentioned that the Akufo-Addo government has given 1 billion Cedis as a stimulus package to support local businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The trick when reading the mainstream media which still carries weight with too many Americans is to look for what's missing in an article. In the case of an editorial in the New York Times about the overwhelming number of nursing home deaths from the Wuhan virus, the piece manages to avoid mentioning even once New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, the states that account for most of the nursing home deaths. The Wuhan virus would have been just a bad flu season but for the number of nursing home residents who died from it. In June, the Times acknowledged that nursing homes were Ground Zero for virus deaths: While 8 percent of the country's cases have occurred in long-term care facilities, deaths related to Covid-19 in these facilities account for more than 41 percent of the country's pandemic fatalities. The numbers get worse when you consider that, as of October 2019, before the Wuhan virus hit, at most 1.5 million people, or a half a percent of the American population, lived in nursing homes. The greatest number of nursing home deaths occurred in states that locked down their healthy citizens but mandated that nursing homes, in which the most vulnerable Americans lived, had to accept virus-infected patients. At the end of April 2020, when it was clear that the elderly were most at risk, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said of struggling nursing homes, "They don't have the right to object. That is the rule and that is the regulation and they have to comply with that." Three days later, Cuomo doubled down on the mandate. It's heartbreaking to read how desperate nursing home managers sought relief from Cuomo's deadly orders: The CEO of a hard-hit Brooklyn nursing home, where 55 patients have died from the coronavirus, told The Post last week that he'd been warning state Health Department officials for weeks he had staffing and equipment issues yet received little help. "There is no way for us to prevent the spread under these conditions,'' the head of the Cobble Hill Health Center, Donny Tuchman, wrote in an e-mail to the department on April 8. Pennsylvania's Governor Wolf, Michigan's Governor Whitmer, and New Jersey's Governor Murphy all followed the same pattern. The Department of Justice, which has opened an investigation into those states, provides the numbers for the slaughterhouses those governors created: According to the Centers for Disease Control, New York has the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States, with 32,592 victims, many of them elderly. New York's death rate by population is the second highest in the country with 1,680 deaths per million people. New Jersey's death rate by population is 1,733 deaths per million people the highest in the nation. In contrast, Texas's death rate by population is 380 deaths per million people; and Texas has just over 11,000 deaths, though its population is 50 percent larger than New York and has many more recorded cases of COVID-19 577,537 cases in Texas versus 430,885 cases in New York. Florida's COVID-19 death rate is 480 deaths per million; with total deaths of 10,325 and a population slightly larger than New York. One can quibble about whether those who died were identified correctly as Wuhan virus deaths, but for now those are the available numbers, and they are damning. Four states were responsible for almost half of the Wuhan virus deaths in America. Amazingly, the Times' editorial board managed to write a self-righteous piece about those 68,000 nursing home deaths without once mentioning New York, New Jersey, Michigan, or Pennsylvania or their governors. Instead, the article focused only on Texas, a red state that did not slaughter its elderly or, indeed, any of its population. At the same time, you will not be surprised to learn that the editorial board placed most of the blame on Trump, with some leftover blame on the nursing homes: To be clear, responsibility for the nation's disastrous coronavirus response rests largely with the federal government which left states, cities and institutions scrambling to set social distancing policies, secure equipment and effectively test and trace enough people to stop the virus from spreading. But in nursing homes, those broader failures have been compounded by several long-brewing problems of the industry's own making. Some people are pushing back against the Times' narrative. On Saturday, New York City beachgoers saw a plane fly overhead with a banner stating, "THE GOV KILLED NANA." 'The gov killed Nana' banner flies over NYC, LI beaches https://t.co/uGwTcUIZxv Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) September 6, 2020 Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." When it comes to the Times, let's hope he's right. Hat tip: Richard Baehr. Image: Older woman with a younger woman from Pxhere, CC0 public domain. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cleveland police officer took his own life, shortly after a Cleveland police officer was shot and killed while on duty, officials said. Officer Nicholas Sabo, 38, wrote several posts on Facebook late Thursday and early Friday, referencing the shooting death Det. James Skernivitz before he died in his North Ridgeville home. Sabo has been an officer with the Cleveland department since 2013, Skernivitz since 1998. Both officers were married and had children. I dont think anybody out there can really understand what the division is going through with the loss of an officer in the line of duty, especially to violence, is a terrible tragedy, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said. But two officers in one night is really bad. Williams said they are still trying to understand why Sabo committed suicide. He said the two officers knew each other but didnt know if they ever worked closely together. Cleveland Police Patrolmens Association President Jeff Follmer said he was shocked by Sabos death. Were still trying to understand it, Follmer said. Sabo worked as a police officer near Columbus before coming to work for Cleveland, Williams said. Sabo was featured in a WJW-TV story in 2016 after Sabo was part of a group that handed out candy and toys to kids in Cleveland in honor of Wayne Leon, the Cleveland officer who was shot and killed on-duty in June 2000. Sabos death came not long after Skernivitz and a 50-year-old police informant were shot to death on West 65th Street near Storer Avenue. Skernivitz was conducting an undercover investigation into the area and Scott Dingess, 50, was an informant working with Skernivitz, according to five police sources. Three people fired several shots at the duo as they sat in Skernivitzs unmarked police car. Skernivitz was shot once in the chest and Dingess was hit several times, according to the sources. Three people-- two teenagers and an adult-- were arrested in connection with the investigation. All three are in jail on unrelated warrants, Williams said. Formal charges have not been filed in that case. Jimmy was a great police officer, Williams said. He was what we call a policemans policeman. He worked hard for the city that he loved worked hard to take care of his family. And he worked hard to take care of his fellow officers. Skern, as a lot of officers called him, he was the one we want to duplicate over and over again because he did the work the way it should have been done. Read more from cleveland.com: Third person arrested in connection with fatal shooting of undercover Cleveland cop, informant, sources say Two arrested, one sought in fatal shooting of undercover Cleveland police officer, informant, sources say Cleveland police officer working undercover when fatally shot, sources say Cleveland police officer dies in shooting on citys West Side Watch live: Cleveland mayor, police chief give update on fatal shooting of undercover cop, informant Like every other state in the nation, New Mexico relies on the U.S. census to determine our political representation in national and state offices and to receive federal funding to support social, educational, health and economic programs. In other words, the federal government uses these population numbers to determine how much money and political representation each state needs and deserves. While counting every resident may seem like a simple feat, our state was dealt a tough hand to achieve a complete count in 2020. New Mexico has historically been the hardest state to count in the nation. With a high number of individuals in rural and tribal communities, who receive their mail at P.O. boxes or who have limited internet access, reaching and counting New Mexicans has been a difficult task from the onset. That count was made all the more difficult when President Trump and the U.S. Census Bureau announced they were shortening the window of opportunity to respond by an entire month. We now only have until Sept. 30 to stand up and be counted. Many will argue, and we agree, that abbreviating the timeline is a direct attempt to discourage participation and intentionally undercount places like New Mexico. Unfortunately, even the census has become political. And it has come at a significant cost. At current response rates New Mexico will leave billions of dollars on the table. Billions of dollars that would go to health care, roads and economic recovery efforts that will instead go to places like Texas, Colorado and Arizona. But in our experience, the people of New Mexico are not ones to count out, and the resiliency of New Mexicos people is not something to be questioned not ever. New Mexicans deserve to be counted. We deserve to be represented, and making the process a little shorter will only strengthen our resolve. Not suppress it. We may have a tough road ahead to obtain a fair and complete count, but remember, an accurate census has one critical factor you. The stakes have never been higher and New Mexico residents have what it takes to make sure our voice is heard. In a time of global pandemic, critical response and recovery funds will likely be allocated by census data. A person missed in the 2020 Census may mean one less vaccine, one less hospital bed, one less computer for remote learning. So count your household today. Not only because its your civic duty, but also because our states health care, schools, roads, public safety and economic well-being depend on a complete count. And if youve already completed your census, thank you. Now take a few minutes to call, text or email your family and friends and encourage them to join you in making sure New Mexico is counted not counted out. Go to 2020Census.gov, call 844-330-2020 or mail your form back in. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Adani Group had won the right to upgrade and operate six AAI-owned airports for 50 years in late 2018 AAI wants Adani Group to take control of three airports - Ahmedabad, Mangaluru and Lucknow - by November, and the remaining three in the next six months For the three airports, Adani Group has to make a total payment of about Rs 1,000 crore Adani Group won bids for all six airports by quoting highest per passenger fee Business outlook for the airport sector seems bleak due to demand slump in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) wants Adani Group to take control of three airports - Ahmedabad, Mangaluru and Lucknow - by November and the remaining three in the next six months. Speaking to BusinessToday.In, a top official said that the Ahmedabad-based business conglomerate has started depositing money towards performance guarantee and other agreed payments. "For the three airports, they have to make a total payment of about Rs 1,000 crore but security for the three airports would be about Rs 375 crore. The security amount has been given for two airports and for the third it has to be given. The deadline for this is September 12," the official said. ALSO READ: Airport foray to lead in aviation infra creation, says Gautam Adani Adani Enterprises did not respond to an email query on takeover of the airports and payments made so far in accordance with the bid terms. An industry executive said that it makes a lot of sense for Adani to take control of all the airports as it will provide them scale of operation following the deal to acquire majority stake in the Mumbai International Airport, the busiest airport in the country. He, however, warned that if the current situation continues and business outlook remains negative, the losses would be substantial. In one of the most aggressive bids in the sector, Adani Group had won the right to upgrade and operate six AAI-owned airports in late 2018 for 50 years. The six airports are Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru. The Union Cabinet had approved leasing of three airports, namely Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru in July 2019 to Adani Enterprises. The nod for the remaining three was given last month. The delay in case of three airports was attributed to court cases and issues raised by state government. ALSO READ: Why Adani Group's buyout of Mumbai Airport is surprising? Adani Enterprises had won the bids for all airports by quoting highest per passenger fee. While it signed concession agreements with AAI for taking over three airports earlier this year, the company requested the state-run airport agency to delay the transition for six months citing business uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic. "They had requested for six months time but we allowed 3 months. They will take over the three airports in November, the AAI official quoted above said. AAI had estimated to earn annual revenue of about Rs 1,300 crore from leasing out of six airports. The business environment has, however, changed significantly since then with aviation being one of the worst-affected sectors due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, AAI has firmed up terms for Rs 2,100 crore loan from Axis Bank to carry out airport development and upgrade works. "For capex we have been able to pay from past balance and reserves. For future spending we are going to raise loans of Rs 2,100 crore in the current year. It has been finalised and we are going to sign agreement with Axis Bank for the loan," the official said. ALSO READ: Adani group to acquire GVK ADL's debt; gets controlling stake in Mumbai airport Job Title: Data Analyst Organization: The Medical Concierge Group Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Operations Manager About US: The Medical Concierge Group is a solution to the increasing demand for healthcare that is personal, value-based and efficient. We do this through a 24/7 telemedicine contact centre staffed with the best Doctors to guarantee no waiting time when you need a quality consultation; through a mobile laboratory service and medicines delivered to your doorstep so you never need to leave where you are when you need care; and follow up to make sure we arrive at the best outcome, We believe that access to healthcare is a right and should be patient centred. This is the starting point for all our healthcare solutions. Job Summary: The Data Analyst will work with the business and research teams to create insights from analyzing performance and activity data to make better use of the data generated from the various telehealth services and digital platforms. This is to help generate rich, thorough and in-depth insights to guide the business growth and operations. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Work with internal teams and stakeholders to identify their needs and opportunities for organizing, displaying and leveraging data. Work with the software development team to design databases, warehouses, queries and visualisation dashboards. Develop processes and tools to monitor and analyze data accuracy and model performance. Mine and analyze data from company databases for monitoring, optimization and improvements towards strategic objectives. Constructing and effectively developing data journeys and communicating data stories using visualisation techniques and narrative storytelling in presentations. Identifying, testing and deploying new techniques in data mining, analytics and technology. Work with cross-functional teams to test hypotheses and develop evidence-based recommendations and plans. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must hold a Bachelors Degree in Information Systems, Statistics, Computer Science or related field. An advanced degree is an added advantage. Three to five years of relevant experience preferably in a data analysis role. Track record of effectively participating and leading demonstrable data projects Strong Project management experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders Possess a combination of data analysis skills. Programming abilities are an added advantage. Strong written and verbal communication skills; a skilled communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills Mathematical/statistical skills with data analysis and visualization abilities Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people Project Management Values Integrity Quality Rigour Innovation Team Work NB: This position may include work outside routine hours How to Apply: All candidates should send their cover letters and updated resumes to jobs@tmcg.co.ug Deadline: 11th September 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 The National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) has explained why it commenced an indefinite strike action barely two months after it was suspended. The strike came as different countries of the world struggle to contain the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed nearly 900,000 lives globally. The NARD president, Aliyu Sokomba, said the doctors downed tools over the failure of the government to meet some demands of the association made in June. He noted that doctors treating COVID-19 patients are not exempted from the strike action. We just resumed the suspended strike which we embarked in June this year. We suspended the strike to give the government time to assess our concerns. Unfortunately, they failed to do so, he said. Resident doctors make up a large percentage of doctors in Nigerias tertiary hospitals. The doctors had in June embark on a strike over unpaid salaries, non-payment of hazard allowance, and a dearth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hospitals, among several other reasons. The NARD president noted that their demands date back to 2017 and all efforts to use dialogue, ultimatums failed as the government has not demonstrated sufficient commitment in solving the challenges. They have not made PPE available in various institutions across the country, we dont have life insurance and our residency program has remained unfunded and worst still many governors are not paying salaries, Mr Sokomba told this newspaper. READ ALSO: The government at the time threatened to invoke the no work no pay rule if the union continued with its strike. The union described the threat as empty and the biggest joke of the century. The strike was suspended after a week following the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and other Nigerians. Mr Sokomba said the decision to suspend the strike was taken in order to give the federal and state governments time to fulfil the outstanding demands. Unfulfilled The NARD president said its members agreed to resume the strike due to the governments failure to meet their demands after a grace of 10 weeks. He said the governments failure has hugely contributed to the setback in residency training mainly due to lack of adequate funding. You will recall that the speaker of the House of Representatives publicised that he has captured residency training funding in the budget. But this has not translated to availability of the funds because our residency training programme has continued to suffer setbacks as a result of poor funding, he said. Life Insurance The Nigerian government had promised a special COVID-19 hazard and inducement allowance of 50 per cent of Consolidated Basic Salary to all health workers in Nigerian teaching hospitals, Federal Medical Centres (FMCs), and designated COVID-19 centres. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said about 5,000 frontline health workers have been given life insurance by the Nigerian insurance industry. However, Mr Sokombo said relatives of health workers, who have died in the line of duty, are yet to receive a dime of their benefits. We have the problem of life insurance procurement for our members. We have demanded in the past that the life insurance package which is already in existence as a government policy be implemented. Most of our members that have died, we want their next of kin to get their deaths in service benefit. We were told that insurance companies have been given needed funds to commence payment but not a single person has been paid, he said. EDWARDSVILLE Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is one of several state universities that does not require COVID-19 testing for its students and staff but is recommending for all to participate in screenings. While the schools population will not have a final tally until Wednesday, based on the two sets of data published by SIUE, a steady positivity rate stays above 3.5 percent. While it is a relatively low positivity rate, there will likely not be an accurate representation of cases at the university. I do serve on the Pandemic Planning Core Team, and we talked about this [mandatory testing] for quite a while and ultimately all of the decisions being made are using guidance from CDC, from Illinois Department of Public Health, from IBHE [Illinois board of higher education] and from Science, SIUE Dean of Students Kara Shustrin said. The CDC has still not suggested that wide-spread testing is recommended for higher education, they have not said that and so, we are still exploring lots of possibilities. Shustrin explained that instead of making testing mandatory for all students, the planning team decided to make voluntary screenings available and urge students to participate. Currently, only 100 tests are available each week but plans are being made to up the number to 100 per day. These screenings are not designed for anyone who is symptomatic. Shustrin said that these screenings are there for students and staff to understand their status. Staff experiencing symptoms should seek a doctor and students with symptoms should set up an appointment with Health Services. While there are 100 available each week, Shustrin said that they have yet to reach the max 100 slots. SIUE publishes its numbers each Friday afternoon and according to their data, since Aug. 28, there have been 82 tests conducted by the university and 93 total. Of the 93 total tests, there have been 3 confirmed positives. Last fall, SIUE had a total student headcount of 13,061. Currently, the only number released by SIUE is the number of students in university housing, 1,970, which includes three freshman dorms, one upper-classman dorm and Cougar Village (upper-classman housing). If someone lives on campus with us and they were to test positive, they would need to isolate, SIUE Director of University Housing, Mallory Sidarous said.In both of those cases [isolation or quarantine], people are typically separated from other folks in their living community. If we had someone who tested positive and needed to isolate, they have a couple of options. They could either choose to isolate at their permanent address, so some students choose to go home. We also offer the option to isolate on campus and we have spaces set aside for that and they can use that space to complete their recovery here on campus. Sidarous said that SIUE has planned for having isolation suites in each of the dorms available to use for anyone who needs to be isolated or quarantined. As of Friday, 95 percent of those suites were still available for use. She did not comment on how many they have total or in each dorm. Regarding any metrics that would require SIUE to go full-remote or change any housing situations, Shustrin said there are none as of yet. We do have a group that is looking at that all right now and developing, you know what are those indicators that we need to be paying attention to, when would it get to a point that we would need to evaluate if a change in operations is necessary? We are expected to complete that work, I believe, toward the end of next week [Aug. 11], Shustrin said. She added that SIUE is working with SIU-Carbondale, University of Illinois and Madison County Health Department on various different topics regarding COVID-19. A big component of not making testing mandatory, besides the CDCs lack of higher education testing requirement, was resources. The University of Illinois (U of I) is leading the way in terms of testing as they have developed the salvia-based testing. Shustrin said their partnership with U of is working to get that testing to SIUE and being able to have mass testing but said that is not possible yet. She said a meeting with U of I is soon to discuss if the university is ready to share the testing on a mass scale and possibly have mandatory testing in the future at SIUE. For now, there has been no confirmation on any new requirements for the Spring semester. Unlike the SIU system and other state universities, U of I did make testing mandatory for its in-person students. If everyone does their part to maximize the safety of our entire community, we have the ability to provide modified in-person delivery of our missions, U of I Chancellor Robert Jones said in a news release at the beginning of August. Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office did not respond to multiple requests made by the Intelligencer regarding the states stance on mandatory testing in higher education. The two accused arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which is probing the drugs angle in actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death case, have retracted their statements given to the agency, officials said. The NCB had claimed that Zaid Vilatra and Abdul Basit Parihar, residents of Bandra in Mumbai, supplied marijuana to Rajputs house manager Samuel Miranda and domestic help Dipesh Sawant. ALSO WATCH | Rhea files complaint against Sushants sister; AIIMS team conducts test The agency had arrested Showik, the brother of prime accused Rhea Chakraborty, based on the statements of these two accused. Both Vilatra and Parihar have claimed that their statements were forcefully recorded by NCB officials. The NCB had claimed that Parihar, the alleged drug peddler, had told them that he procured drugs from Vilatra and Ebrahim, on Showiks instructions. He also claimed Showik told him to give drugs to Miranda. The NCB officials had also said that Showiks phone messages include one in which he asked Miranda to pay Vilatra Rs 10,000 for 5 gm of bud, a curated form of marijuana. Meanwhile, Rhea Chakraborty was questioned again by the NCB on Monday. She reached the agencys office in South Mumbai at 9.30 am on Monday. Chakraborty was questioned for nearly six hours on Sunday. In October, Marriott workers, including chef Lekesha Wheelings (center), rallied outside the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown as they demanded the hotel company sign an agreement saying it would not interfere with the unionization process with UNITE HERE. Read more In June, a coalition of labor unions and organizations won a first-of-its-kind whistle-blower protection law that made it illegal for Philadelphia employers to fire or otherwise discipline workers for speaking out against unsafe coronavirus conditions. In July, after more than a year of organizing, Free Library of Philadelphia workers ousted the organizations director whom they said had failed Black employees. In August, after a spreadsheet listing thousands of salaries forced workers to confront inequity in their industry, workers at the 144-year-old Philadelphia Museum of Art voted to turn the storied cultural institution into a union shop. Philadelphia is still very much a labor town. But what that means has changed. Low-wage service workers, both union and nonunion, wield increasing political power. Rank-and-file workers are challenging establishment labor leaders. Highly educated workers at seemingly progressive institutions are turning to unions as a way to ensure their employers live out their values. These shifts come at what might sound like a contradictory time for the labor movement: Union membership is the lowest its ever been. Just over 10% of American workers are union members, a figure that shrinks to 6% in the private sector. In 1979, the union membership rate was 27%. READ MORE: Philly restaurant workers are organizing for higher wages and better work conditions despite the pandemic But public support for unions is high: 65% of Americans, according to a Gallup poll, the highest approval rating in nearly two decades. And nearly half of workers say they would join a union if they had the opportunity, according to a 2017 survey from MIT and Cornell. And as the pandemic made workers struggles more visible than ever, the Black Lives Matter protests caused many to link the fight for racial justice to the fight for labor rights. Theres been an awakening to the fact that these issues can be addressed by organizing and legislation, said Valerie Braman, a labor educator at Pennsylvania State University. People are seeing the power of direct action to effect change. Heres a look at some of the organizing trends that led to this point: New union efforts It wasnt just the salary spreadsheet started by museum workers around the country that sparked a union campaign at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, workers say. It was how the museum responded to it. As the spreadsheet started making the rounds, workers who previously hadnt dared to break the code of silence around money were suddenly discussing unpaid internships, the industrys reliance on contract labor, and disparities in salary across their departments. READ MORE: City workers facing layoffs say Philadelphia should tax the rich. Is that possible? Museum leadership didnt seem to have anything to say. Officials merely acknowledged the spreadsheets existence, said Nicole Cook, project coordinator for the museums academic partnerships, instead of using the moment to address inequities. They didnt take that opportunity, Cook said, so we had to do it ourselves. A spokesperson said the museum addressed the spreadsheet in an all-staff meeting, noting that art museum salary data are accessible through a number of industry surveys. Setting salaries and ensuring that the compensation that the museum offers to its employees is equitable and competitive is something we have always taken very seriously, and we continue to do so, the spokesperson said. Just more than a year later, a majority of more than 200 workers curators, fund-raisers, visitors services assistants voted to be represented by AFSCME District Council 47. It was the latest in a series of union campaigns at Philadelphia nonprofits. In other sectors, 4,000 nurses and techs in the region have joined the union PASNAP, including 800 nurses at St. Mary Medical Hospital in Bucks County last year. 32BJ SEIU organized 1,500 airport baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, and cabin cleaners and is working to unionize the citys 1,000 parking-lot workers. And a Unite Here union campaign was underway at the biggest hotel in the state, the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown, when COVID-19 hit, causing hospitality workers to be laid off en masse and throwing the future of the union campaign into uncertainty. READ MORE: Why a Google spreadsheet was the most powerful tool for labor in 2019 These campaigns have contributed to a citywide union membership rate thats well above the national average: Before COVID, 16% of Philadelphia workers were union members, according to the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. A new class of workers also has turned to unions: Theyre largely young, have higher degrees, and work at mission-driven organizations. Seventy workers at six low-income health centers run by Public Health Management Corp. (PHMC) organized last year, as did 90 media professionals at the public radio station WHYY and the citys 200 public defenders. The workers concerns are broadly the same. They hope a union will bring them the wages, benefits, and professional development to build a sustainable career. They want more of a say in how the organization is run. And they want to be able to serve their clients better. It wasnt about workers rights, said former PHMC physician assistant Katie Huynh. It was about patients. Many saw those issues as one and the same, framing their new unions as part of a broader struggle for social justice. The Defenders Union asserts that the mission of the office can only be fully realized through recognition of workers rights, in the tradition of all social justice movements, the public defenders said in a statement. These union victories are part of creating a moment in which many workers are learning how to fight, said Keon Liberato, president of the rail workers union BMWED-Teamsters Local 3012, and show that the definition of working class goes beyond educational attainment. READ MORE: Most UArts professors are adjuncts. Now, they want to unionize. At the same time, he said, much more organizing needs to be done to shift the balance of power between workers and employers, especially in sectors that could disrupt daily life, such as transportation and logistics. The reality is, in terms of structural power, which we can leverage and turn into political power, it aint there, Liberato said of the new nonprofit union efforts. Union rights for workers who cant join unions Corean Holloway, a 34-year laundry worker at the Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square, is used to fighting the boss. Over the years, the 69-year-old South Carolina native has often found herself advocating for her coworkers when management violated their union contract. But during the pandemic, the kind of union activism she and her coworkers did shifted. When the housekeepers at the Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square got called back to work during the pandemic, they quickly realized that, given the new COVID-era realities, it was impossible to clean their allotted 12 or 13 rooms a shift. So they decided they would take the time to clean the rooms right. If at the end of their shifts, they had rooms left over, management would have to deal with it. After a few months of defying orders, management listened to the housekeepers and lessened their workload. In a statement, Aimbridge Hospitality, which manages the Warwick Hotel, said it is following all cleanliness and safety guidelines and understands that workers may need more time to do their jobs during the crisis. We have always emphasized that if any staff cannot completely clean their assigned rooms, they should contact their manager, and we will work with them, spokesperson Kellie McCrory said. While the ladies at the Warwick, they not scared of the boss, Holloway knows that many workers are afraid and with good reason. Unless theyre protected by a union contract, most workers can be fired for any reason, except for matters relating to identity such as race and gender. Workers say managers retaliate in other ways, too, such as cutting work hours or threatening to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Its why her union, Unite Here, joined with two dozen other labor organizations to successfully lobby Philadelphia to pass a bill that protects all workers from retaliation during the pandemic. The law was the latest in a series of protections won by low-wage workers in recent years. These laws have become a core strategy in Philadelphia and elsewhere as organizers focus on workers who dont have access to unions because theyve been excluded from federal labor law or otherwise face major hurdles to unionizing. But the laws are effective only if theres widespread awareness and enforcement. While the number of worker complaints received by the citys Office of Benefits and Wage Compliance has steadily grown, from just 18 in 2018 to nearly 80 in the first half of 2020, those numbers pale in comparison with that of Seattle, widely considered to be a national leader in municipal labor enforcement. This dynamic flashy legislative wins hampered by a lack of education and enforcement is why some labor organizers and workers have increasingly focused on bolstering the citys Office of Labor. In June, these workers scored a win when Philadelphians voted to create a permanent Department of Labor, which means the office will survive even if a new mayor doesnt prioritize workers rights. Challenges ahead Despite all this activity, significant challenges remain. Employers spend millions to stop union campaigns. In Philadelphia, Einstein Medical Center spent $1.1 million on anti-union consultants, according to documents filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. (Its nurses joined PASNAP in 2016, regardless.) READ MORE: These Philly baristas are taking on Starbucks in a fledgling worker movement Laws to protect workers who organize dont always stop employers from firing labor activists: Last spring, Amazon fired Chris Smalls, a Staten Island warehouse worker who helped organize a work stoppage over unsafe coronavirus conditions. Leaked internal documents showed how Amazon executives sought to paint Smalls as not smart or articulate. White-collar workers face the same threat: Google fired five activists last year. And unionization seems near impossible for the 130,000 retail and fast-food workers at big-box chains in Philadelphia, as workers are siloed in small workplaces. When a job is really toxic or exhausting or overwhelming or isnt giving you the hours you need, the easy option is to quit, said a former Starbucks barista who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation at his current job. Its so much easier to quit than to organize. And yet, all summer, as signs in apartment windows across the city thanked essential workers such as those picking up the trash, even as pickup ran days late, workers in Philadelphia took their message to the streets. Anger, agitation, frustration, said Braman, the labor educator. Those are powerful feelings, but the next step is how to act on that. Under the sun and in the rain, workers called for hazard pay and personal protective equipment, for an extension of pandemic unemployment benefits, for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black people killed by police. Historically, the labor movement has been the strongest when its been most integrated with other social movements, and that remains the case, Braman said. Im seeing more organizations say racial justice is a labor issue. That work has to continue. Shaun Bailey, Conservative candidate for the Mayor of London, delivers a speech on the third day of the Conservative Party Conference at Manchester Central in Manchester, England, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) Police Not Racist Says Black Candidate Running for Mayor of London To say that all police officers are racist is a ridiculous assertion according to Shaun Bailey, a black candidate hoping to be the next Conservative Mayor of London since the UKs Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, left the post in 2016. I dont believe the police are racist, not all police officers are racist. I think that is a ridiculous assertion, Bailey said in an interview on Friday on Choppers Politics, the Telegraphs weekly political podcast. Shaun Bailey, Conservative candidate for the Mayor of London, delivers a speech on the third day of the Conservative Party Conference at Manchester Central in Manchester, England, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) Asked if he thought the police were institutionally racist, Bailey, who was a youth worker for over 20 years, said that Londons Metropolitan Police (Met) are working hard every day to repair that assertion. Is the Met perfect? Of course not, because it is made up of people. Are they doing considerably better? Absolutely, he added. Bailey said the police should be supported to improve further. What we should be doing is supporting them to do better, not always beating them over the head, because nobodyparticularly black communitiesbenefit from a police force that is too afraid to do its job, he said. Stop and Scan Tough on crime, Bailey wants to introduce new stop and scan technology as an addition to stop and search, a UK police power that that has long met with controversy over the proportionally higher numbers of black people being stopped under it compared to white people. Stop and scan, Bailey said, is a non-invasive technology that can distinguish whether someone is, for example, carrying keys or a knife. Stop and scan shows criminals that if you are armed then we will find you and lowers the hassle factor around stop and search, he said. When asked if he thought stop and search was racist, Bailey said that if a tactic is racist or not falls to the people who deliver it. Bailey said he himself had been stopped by the police tens of times and most of the time it has been fine. But the point is that it is part of keeping us safeyou cannot eradicate stop and search, he said. According to Bailey its the nature and style of the stop that matters, not the fact that it happens, and police officers need to be supported to understand the history of young black men being stopped. 99.999 percent of police officers join [the police force] for the right reasons and want to learn and want to be better, he said. Bailey is standing for Mayor of London on a platform of crime reduction, and transport and housing improvement as the most important issues for London. His London mayoral campaign highlights what he calls the current unsustainable level of crime in the city. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) at the end of last year recorded London, at 169 per 100,000 population, as having the highest rate of knife crimes in the country. Helping Others Succeed Bailey, 49, a former special adviser to former UK Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, and a current member of the London Assembly, which holds the London Mayor to account and champions issues for Londoners, was born and raised in the capital on a council estate by his single mother. He experienced homelessness and unemployment, but he worked part time to get through university and turned his life around. He said his experience of success had been inspiring to others. My journey has been useful, its been an inspiration to my children; we talk about it a lot. The community I come from are all proud of me, if theyre conservative or not, he said. Bailey said he wanted to help others in the city succeed no matter where they started. I am a Londoner. I know what its like to struggle in London. I also know what its like to succeed in London, he said. Be us black, Moroccan, Spanish, Eritrean, Irish, from Kent, the fact that were poor should not be a limiting factor to where we go; our imagination, our drive should be that and we should be proud of our Britishness, Bailey said, adding that one of his personal motivating forces is to make his mum proud. The London mayoral elections would have taken place in May but will now be held in May 2021 following a delay due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus. Thank you @ShaunBaileyUK for your support for #Uyghurs & our campaign to stop #UyghurGenocide, as well as support for #HongKong Your pledge to end the sister city relationship between London and Beijing is very welcome indeed. Let London #StandwithUyghurs and #StandwithHK https://t.co/l0VYQ50HtB Benedict Rogers (@benedictrogers) September 6, 2020 Bailey has spoken out against human rights abuses in China, tweeting on Sunday in support of a proposed independent tribunal to investigate Beijings alleged genocide against the Uyghur people. He said, London is a global, open city. We believe in human rights, and called for the de-twinning of London from Beijing. Job Title: EFSVL Assistant Organisation: Oxfam Duty Station: Uganda About US: Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. We are an international confederation of 19 organizations (affiliates) working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. In Uganda, our program is anchored on three broad themes deliberately focused on Womens Rights: Governance and Accountability, Resilient Livelihoods and Humanitarian Preparedness and Response. Job Summary: The EFSVL Assistant will be tasked with the implementation of EFSVL interventions which include but not limited to Agriculture support (crop and livestock), Business and entrepreneurial skills, Market- oriented IGAs, Cash transfer programming, vocational skills training, Business skills training, Formation and organization of livelihoods associations and VSLA. The incumbent plays a key role in the field with community mobilization, community stakeholders, beneficiaries, trainings, monitoring of and support to field activities and documentation. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate for the Oxfam EFSVL Assistant job placement must hold a Bachelors degree in agriculture, economics, business development, forestry or other relevant discipline. At least two years of experience working with agricultural development, IGAs, market and business development, vocational skills training, and cash based interventions. Previous exposure and experience in environmentally friendly and energy saving technologies for agriculture and income generating activities. Excellent communication skills and ability to write good reports. Previous experience with other local and international NGOs. Knowledge of local languages. How to Apply: All candidates are encouraged to send their applications, cover letters and CVs ONLY to the HR at oxfamuganda- jobs@oxfam.org or a hand delivery to Imvepi office. Please indicate the position name in the email subject line/on the envelop. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Deadline: 11th September, 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 A treacherous betrayal enacted by a group of Tory charlatans is how various political figures have described the Governments reported plan to rip-up the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement ahead of the next round of trade talks. In reports a Government spokesman appeared to confirm, the Financial Times said Boris Johnson was planning new legislation that would override key parts of the agreement the treaty that sealed Britains exit from the EU in January in a move that could risk collapsing the UK-EU trade talks. The Prime Minister is expected to say on Monday that collapsing the trade talks, should there be no agreement by the October 15 European Council, would still be a good outcome for the UK. The pre-briefed words from Mr Johnson arrived as the FT reported sections of the Internal Market Bill, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to eliminate the legal force of the Withdrawal Agreement in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs. Expand Close Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill has attacked the predicted moves as a treacherous betrayal (David Young/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill has attacked the predicted moves as a treacherous betrayal (David Young/PA) As part of the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the region is expected to continue to follow some EU rules after the transition period ends in 2021 to ensure there is no hard border. Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill tweeted that any threat of backtracking on the protocol would be a treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday Agreement. Ms ONeill stressed the need for the protocol to be fully implemented as soon as possible and to avoid any border in Ireland. As the Brexit negotiations between the EU and British Government enter their eighth round this week in London, any threats of a roll back on the Irish protocol would represent a treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland economy, and GFA. 1/2 Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) September 6, 2020 With clock ticking towards the end of the transition period, time is of the essence to conclude negotiations on future economic partnership & fully implement Irish protocol. Our priority is to avoid any border in Ireland & protect the peace process, GFA & all-Ireland economy 2/2 Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) September 6, 2020 Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move would constitute a repudiation by the Government of a treaty freely negotiated by it and which was described as oven ready by Mr Johnson. She tweeted this would significantly increase the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans. If true, this means repudiation by UK govt of a Treaty freely negotiated by it, & described by PM in GE as an oven ready deal. This will significantly increase likelihood of no deal, and the resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory inflicted. What charlatans. https://t.co/p0Ur3YwEnK Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 6, 2020 SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the Government would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement, risking the future of the UK and destroying its own credibility on the world stage if it proceeded with one of the most reckless acts concerning Ireland by a British government in a long long time. Its absolutely astonishing that any government who says they want to go and do trade deals around the world would just rip up an agreement that they made a few months ago with the European Union, Mr Eastwood told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour. And what they would be doing in that would be undermining the Good Friday Agreement which is an agreement voted for by the vast majority of people on the island of Ireland, theyd be risking a hard border in our country and theyd be threatening the peace and security that weve built up over decades. Expand Close Leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood (Liam McBurney) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood (Liam McBurney) It would be the most reckless act that a British government, and theyve made many reckless acts in Ireland in a long, long time and if they do this their international credibility I think would be shot to pieces. Mr Eastwood said he hoped the reported manoeuvrings by the Government were just posturing, because if they try to do this at the same time as trying to convince people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about the future of their Union, well they may as well forget about that as well, because people here will see this as a tremendous act of bad faith. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said the reported development would be a very unwise way to proceed. This would be a very unwise way to proceed. #Brexit . https://t.co/D4aod2665h Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) September 6, 2020 Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh said: It beggars belief that the Government is yet again playing a dangerous game in Northern Ireland and sacrificing our international standing at the altar of the Prime Ministers incompetence. The suggested move, along with Mr Johnsons comments about no-deal, is likely to pile the pressure on as negotiators prepare to meet on Tuesday for another round of crunch talks in London. By Azernews By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijani servicemen will not participate in the Caucasus-2020 military drills to be held in South of Russia in September, the Defence Ministry announced on September 6. However, the ministry will send two servicemen as observers to the exercises. The Caucasus 2020 strategic command and staff drills will involve 4,800 drills of various scope and more than 9,000 scheduled practical combat training exercises. Russias Southern Military District earlier announced that troops from 17 countries would take part in the Caucasus 2020 strategic command and staff drills. Earlier, Azerbaijani servicemen ranked 4th in the Tank Biathlon and also won the Sea Cup competition both held as part of the "International Army Games 2020 organized by the Russian Defence Ministry recently. The "Sea Cup" international contest was held in the territorial waters of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea from 25 August to 4 September this year. Azerbaijani Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov and the Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu inaugurated the opening of the Sea Cup competition at the Buta Naval base of Azerbaijans Naval Forces on August 25. President Ilham Aliev received Russian Minister Sergei Shoigu on August 25 and said that the Sea Cup competition held in Baku as part of the annual Russian military sports event Army Games, would serve to strengthen cooperation between the participating countries. You are the Almighty God. This is what one of the villagers of Nerkin Karmiraghbyur village of Armenias Tavush Province said as she addressed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during his visit to the village today. The villager told the Prime Minister that she would like for her house to be turned into a church instead of a guest house. I told the President about this, but I dont know if this was reported to him or not, she said, to which Pashinyan said the following: Isnt there a church in Nerkin Karmiraghbyur? Why should there only be churches? A guest house is like a church for people to come and feel good. Today, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is touring the borderline villages of Tavush Province and becoming familiar with the construction works launched after the incidents that took place in July. Australia expects to receive its first batches of a potential Covid-19 vaccine in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as the number of new daily infections in the country's virus hotspot fell to a 10-week low. Morrison said his government has struck a deal with CSL to manufacture two vaccines one developed by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and another developed in CSL's own labs with the University of Queensland. "Australia needs some hope," Morrison told reporters in Canberra. "Today, we take another significant step to protect the health of Australians against the coronavirus pandemic." Health Minister Greg Hunt said scientists leading the development of both vaccines have advised that recent evidence suggests both will offer "multi-year protection." Morrison said CSL is expected to deliver 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, in January and February next year. AstraZeneca's candidate, AZD1222, is viewed as a frontrunner in the global race to deliver an effective vaccine to combat the virus. Monday, September 7th, 2020 (11:21 am) - Score 1,865 Fibre optic UK ISP Trooli (CallFlow) has announced that their on-going deployment of a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based gigabit broadband network is set to expand outside of the Kent area and into East Sussex, with two of the first communities to benefit being Crowborough and Uckfield. The provider, which earlier this year gained a further 5m of funding via a senior facility agreement with NatWest Bank (here) and is also being supported by 30m from the Connecting Europe Broadband Fund (here), currently aims to cover more than 45,000 premises by the end of 2020, then 150,000 by 2022 and 500,000 by the end of 2024. At the last update in early June 2020 Trooli said they had succeeded in building 200km of optical fibre to cover 26,000 premises (mostly across Kent), although todays announcement confirms that theyve since expanded to reach 36,000 premises via 450km of fibre (this equates to a healthy monthly build rate of c.3,000+ premises and thats pretty good given some of the rural areas theyve tackled). Back in Kent its noted that Troolis FTTP network in Hadlow, Marden, Staplehurst, Headcorn and Romney Marsh is about to go live, and work will shortly begin on connecting Darenth, Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden. Andy Conibere, CEO for Trooli, said: Kent remains our core market but we are an ambitious, growing business and moving into East Sussex will open up new opportunities for us. Demand for the service we offer which is rated as excellent on Trust Pilot and has a network reliability of more than 99.9 per cent continues to increase as people make greater use of their home broadband, and we are maintaining our momentum in connecting new areas. Troolis broadband packages tend to cost from 50 inc. VAT per month for an unlimited 300Mbps service and this rises to 80 for 900Mbps+ (one-off installation charges range from 80 for self-install to 120 for a Trooli install). However, the ISP will still need to raise significantly more investment to achieve that ambition of 500,000 premises, but so far their progress has been good. A Hamptons socialite who spent weeks battling COVID-19 is said to have been blindsided in December when her billionaire husband filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage as the two appeared in court for their first hearing last week. Alex Kuczynski, 49, who is the daughter of Peru's former president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, received divorce papers from Charles Stevenson Jr, 73, six days before Christmas last year, according to the New York Post. Stevenson, an investor and philanthropist worth just over $1billion, dumped Alex for one of their family friends. Hamptons socialite, Alex Kuczynski, is said to have been blindsided by divorce from her billionaire husband who reportedly made her commit to not gaining more than five pounds during their marriage and having sex with him at least four times a week One of Alex's friends told the Post that 'Alex is so incredibly hurt' and that 'no one knows why he wants to get rid of her so quickly'. Stevenson was married to Alex for 18 years and sources close to them claim that Stevenson required certain conditions throughout their marriage. The Post reported that Stevenson asked Alex to commit to having sex with him at least four times a week. He also reportedly required that she not gain more than five pounds during their marriage. Representatives for Alex and Stevenson have denied those claims. Just months after receiving the divorce papers, Alex, who is a New York Times book reviewer, tested positive for COVID-19 and stayed in lockdown with their children in Idaho. Meanwhile, Stevenson is said to have hunkered down at an ecological retreat that he owns in Idaho with his new girlfriend. Alex's lawyer, Steven Silpe, called the pre-nup 'horrendous' and 'an unconscionable agreement that were looking to set aside'. Silpe also said the divorce proceedings got off to a rocky start last week at a courthouse in Central Islip. Just months after receiving the divorce papers, Alex, who is a New York Times writer, tested positive for COVID-19 and stayed with their children in Idaho. Meanwhile, Stevenson (pictured with Alex) is said to have hunkered down at an ecological retreat with his new girlfriend While it's unclear what exactly brought on the divorce filing, Alex's friend claimed that Stevenson had become frustrated with Alex trying to clear her father's name in Peru. Alex is the daughter of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (pictured in 2017) Silpe told the Post that when both parties arrived for a hearing, Stevenson, who owns numerous properties, including apartments at 740 Park Avenue in Manhattan, lied to court officers about where he had been quarantining. Stevenson claimed he was in New York quarantining but Alex reportedly outed him to the officers, prompting him to admit his actual whereabouts. 'Thats how we started the case off,' Silpe said. Silpe told the Post that 'the numbers that are in the agreement are a tiny fraction of what the parties standard of living is, and what we believe the husbands assets are'. He said the agreement does not cover child support for their two kids, aged 11 and 12. Stevenson, who served as a trustee of the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation from 1994-2019, married three times prior to his marriage to Alex. His previous marriages ended in divorce and Stevenson has six other children from those marriages. He owns and operates the Middle Fork Lodge in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area in Idaho. While it's unclear what exactly brought on the divorce filing, Alex's friend told the Post that Stevenson had become frustrated with Alex trying to clear her father's name in Peru. Her father, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who served as president of Peru between 2016 and 2018, is under investigation for corruption. He resigned after facing two impeachment votes following a corruption scandal that began in Brazil. Kuczynski has denied any wrongdoing. China's dollar-denominated exports beat expectations to rise 9.5% for the month of August from a year ago, data from the country's General Administration of Customs showed on Monday. Meanwhile, China's dollar-denominated imports in August fell 2.1% from a year ago. Economists polled by Reuters had expected exports to have climbed 7.1% in August from a year ago compared with a 7.2% rise in July, while imports were expected to climb 0.1% in August from a year ago, reversing a 1.4% decline in July. China posted a trade surplus of $58.93 billion for the month of August, beating the $50.50 billion economists had expected. China's trade surplus was $62.33 billion in July. The growth in exports was the fastest pace in one-and-a-half years, according to Reuters records. More than 100 water voles are being released into woodland in North Yorkshire as part of a scheme to help the endangered mammals. The new project, led by Yorkshire Water, will boost populations at Timble Ings Woods in Washburn Valley at the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Water voles, immortalised as Ratty in Wind in the Willows, live along slow-flowing rivers, ditches, dykes and lakes, making extensive burrows in the banks. They're known as 'ecosystem engineers', because their digging activity changes the make up of the soil, affecting what plants grow. But they've suffered steep declines in recent years as a result of being preyed on by invasive American mink, loss and degradation of their habitat and water pollution. UK conservation charity The Wildlife Trusts has called the species 'Britain's fastest declining wild mammal'. The adorable European water vole is believed to be one of the fastest declining mammals in Britain 'As Yorkshire's second largest landowner we're committed to ensuring our land protects the management of water, but also benefits the environment by delivering exceptional land for the people of Yorkshire,' said Lee Pitcher, head of partnerships at Yorkshire Water. 'One of the aims of our land strategy is to enable plants and wildlife to thrive on Yorkshire Water land. 'The work we've undertaken at Timble Ings Woods makes it a fantastic habitat for water voles and is important for the protection of this vulnerable species.' A strong swimmer, the European water vole (Arvicola amphibius) is similar-looking to the brown rat, but with a blunt nose, small ears and furry tail. Telltale signs of the presence of water voles include burrows in the riverbank, often with a nibbled 'lawn' of grass around the entrance. Water voles create burrow networks, which dries the surrounding wet soil and promotes soil microbial activity. This in turn regulates the availability of nitrogen, which is an important nutrient for plant growth. Yorkshire Water will release the water voles at Timble Ings Woods in the Washburn Valley, part of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Populations of the creature throughout the continent overall are 'stable', according to the IUCN Red List, which lists the global conservation status of different species. However, the species is believed to be one of the fastest declining mammals in Britain, losing 97 per cent of their former geographical range. As a result, the mammal population declined by 90 per cent between 1989 and 1998. 'The intensification of agriculture in the 1940s and 1950s caused the loss and degradation of habitat, but the most rapid period of decline was during the 1980s and 1990s as American mink spread,' PTES says on its website. As part of the new scheme, more than 100 water voles bred in captivity will first be placed in large release pens to let them get used to their new environment, before being released into the wild. A water vole (Arvicola terrestris) adult takes shelter in a nest hole in bank of a stream in south Norfolk BRITAIN'S ENDANGERED SPECIES Mammal species at risk of extinction in Britain are: Critically endangered: wildcat, greater mouse-eared bat. Endangered: beaver, red squirrel, water vole, grey long-eared bat. Vulnerable: hedgehog, hazel dormouse, Orkney vole, Serotine bat, Barbastelle bat. Near threatened: mountain hare, harvest mouse, lesser white-toothed shrew, Leislers bat, Nathusius pipistrelle. Extinct: European wolf. Source: Red List for British Mammals Advertisement Yorkshire Water said it had carried out work at the woods, which it owns and manages, to keep watercourses free of tree coverage and allow bankside vegetation to grow, making it ideal habitat for water voles. Visitors to Timble Ings Woods should stay on the paths and keep dogs on a lead away from ponds and watercourses to avoid disturbing water voles. Kelly Harmar, biodiversity officer at Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said recent surveys in the area had revealed 'precious few' populations of water voles in local rivers. 'This introduction is a positive step at a site chosen to maximise their chances of survival,' she said. 'We hope the new arrivals will be very happy in their new home.' A quarter of Britains native mammal species, including red squirrels, wildcats and beavers, are at risk of extinction, according to a recent assessment. The first official Red List for British Mammals, which meets international criteria used to assess threats to wildlife such as elephants and tigers, revealed that 11 of our 47 native mammals are at risk of being wiped out. Historical persecution, the use of chemicals, building developments, a loss of habitat and the introduction of non-native species are all reasons for declining species numbers. A quarter of Britain's native mammal species, including red squirrels (pictured), wildcats and beavers, are at risk of extinction, according to the first official Red List for British Mammals In particular, wildcats of which there are fewer than 20 in the wild in Scotland and greater mouse-eared bats, with just one known individual, are at the highest risk of going extinct and are classed as critically endangered. Beavers, which have been reintroduced in recent years after being hunted to extinction by the 1600s, are endangered in Britain, as are water voles, grey-long eared bats and the native red squirrel. The European wolf, which vanished from Britain in the 17th century, is classed as extinct in the assessment, which looks back as far as the year 1500. A helicopter prepares to drop water at a wildfire in Yucaipa, Calif., on Sept. 5, 2020. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo) California Governor Declares State of Emergency Over Wildfires California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 6 declared a state of emergency in five counties due to the danger posed by three wildfires that are burning in the state, prompting evacuations. Newsom said in a statement that tens of thousands of acres have already been burned by three wildfires. They are the Creek Fire, El Dorado Fire, and the Valley Fire. He said that California is working with federal officials for assistance. Governor Newsom has declared a statewide emergency due to the widespread fires and extreme weather conditions, and secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster the states emergency response to the Northern California wildfires, his office said in the statement. The counties impacted under the state of emergency are Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa due to the Creek Fire. San Bernardino County is impacted due to the El Dorado Fire, and San Diego County is impacted because of the Valley Fire. California has also secured Fire Management Assistance Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the states response to fires burning in Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Napa, Nevada, Lake, Solano, Yolo, and Monterey counties, the statement read. Those fires are located in Central or Northern California. This season, California wildfires have burned tens of thousands of acres, destroyed houses, and led to the evacuation of thousands of people. California Governor Gavin Newsom is interviewed while visiting the Hot and Cool Cafe in Los Angeles, on June 3, 2020. (Genaro Molina/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Officials with the California Independent System Operator, an electricity management agency, issued a statewide Flex Alert from Sept. 5 to 7. The agency has called on customers to conserve power in the midst of a heat wave that has hit the West Coast. Newsom also obtained a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump and assistance grants to support the battle against Northern California fires. Last month, the governor declared a statewide emergency over the wildfires. We are deploying every resource available to keep communities safe as California battles fires across the state during these extreme conditions, Newsom said at the time in August. California and its federal and local partners are working in lockstep to meet the challenge and remain vigilant in the face of continued dangerous weather conditions. Trump last month again criticized officials in California for mismanaging the states forests. I see again, the forest fires are starting, Trump said when he signed a presidential disaster declaration for the state. Theyre starting again in California. And I said, youve got to clean your floors. Youve got to clean your floors. Trump said that he has been telling them this now for three years. The Centre has upgraded the fuel standard to BS-VI to fight pollution, Union Environment Minister said on Monday and urged people to shift to Javadekar, while addressing a webinar on the first ever International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, said, "We did not have to celebrate blue skies day earlier, but with industrialisation and huge increase in population, number of vehicles, waste and dust, pollution has gone up." He also said that more public transport could lessen pollution. "We have shifted to the BS-VI fuel to curb pollution. I believe that more the public transport, lesser the pollution. I use an electric two-wheeler and we bring our household goods using that vehicle, I urge people to use more of electric vehicles," the minister said. In Delhi we also have electric three-wheelers which are of great significance. States must decide on these three things - using cleaner fuels, building good roads to ease traffic and ensuring that brick kilns use zigzag technology. It is also the states' responsibility, Javadekar said. The webinar was joined by principal secretaries of the urban development department and environment department of 28 states and eight union territories. Commissioners of 122 cities as identified in the National Clean Air Programme also participated in the webinar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address from the Red Fort on this Independence Day, had highlighted the need of Holistic Improvement in Air quality in 100 cities. The General Assembly of the United Nations on December 19 last year had adopted a resolution to observe the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on September 7 every year starting from 2020. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai: The upcoming elections to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be a trial of survival for the ruling Shiv Sena while ally BJP, which is now the dominant partner in Maharashtra, is seeing the electoral battle to take control of Asias richest civic body to create space for itself in the citys political landscape. Political observers say the election will primarily be a Shiv Sena versus BJP battle. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will take a decision on the alliance with Shiv Sena, which on its side, has maintained that it will only forge an alliance if there is a honourable pact coming their way. However, given the frosty relations between the ruling partners, the two are yet to come on a meeting ground for discussions on a possible alliance. A BJP leader said the party has invited district unit presidents to submit a list of probable candidates for the civil polls. Only those candidates who get the highest ratings in an internal survey will get party tickets. On the preparatory side, BJP, which emerged as the big brother after the 2014 assembly polls, has already put in place its organisational structure up to booth levels in all the wards. Grassroot workers are of the view that BJP should go alone and the party expects to win more than 80 seats or emerge as the single largest party in the 227-member House. Workers are of the view that the party made good gains in 2014 winning 15 MLAs and 2 MPs but the need of the hour is to consolidate on these gains. Time is ripe. If not now, then BJP will never be able to expand in Mumbai, a leader said. As per the assembly election results of 2014, BJP was ahead in over 144 wards, the BJP leader added. BJP which has been in power with the Shiv Sena in the civic body for over two decades now, does not want to share the anti-incumbency factor and is keen to unseat the Sena by highlighting alleged corruption there. Currently BJP has 33 corporators while ruling Sena has 75 members. The Congress and NCP stand at 52 and 13 each while the MNS has 28 members in the municipal body. Sena and BJP contesting separately will leave the Congress with no space in the election discourse. Congress, which is already a faction ridden unit will raise national issues and target Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will work in BJPs favour as supporters of Modi will consolidate and stand firm with the party, a BJP leader said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Migrants and refugees sit in a boat alongside the Maersk Etienne tanker off the coast of Malta, in this handout image provided 19 August, 2020. Maersk Tankers ICS, the International Chamber of Shipping, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are calling for the immediate disembarkation of 27 rescued people trapped onboard a cargo ship. The distraught group, including one child and a pregnant woman, have now been onboard the Maersk Etienne for more than one month. Governments have been refusing permission for the ships Master to disembark the migrants and refugees who fled Libya, in contravention of international law. The ships crew have been sharing food, water and blankets with those rescued. They are however not trained or able to provide medical assistance to those who need it. A commercial vessel is not a safe environment for these vulnerable people and they must be immediately brought to a safe port. In a letter to the organizations Secretary General, the International Chamber of Shipping has called on the International Maritime Organization to urgently intervene and send a clear message that States must ensure that Maritime Search and Rescue incidents are resolved in accordance with the letter and spirit of international law. International law and maritime conventions place clear obligations on ships and coastal States to ensure people in distress are rescued and promptly disembarked in a place of safety. The Maersk Etienne fulfilled its responsibilities, but now finds itself in a diplomatic game of pass the parcel. The absence of a clear, safe, and predictable disembarkation mechanism for people rescued in the Mediterranean, continues to pose avoidable risk to life, said IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino. IOM and UNHCR have long called on states to move away from the current ad hoc approach and establish a scheme whereby coastal states take equal responsibility in providing a port of safety, followed by a show of solidarity from other EU member states. The conditions are rapidly deteriorating onboard, and we can no longer sit by while governments ignore the plight of these people, said Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping. This is not the first time that this has happened, and we need governments to live up to their obligations. Time is running out and the responsibility for these peoples safety and security rests squarely with government ministers. This is not COVID related; this is a humanitarian issue pure and simple. The shipping industry takes its legal and humanitarian obligations to assist people in distress at sea extremely seriously, and has worked hard to ensure that ships are as prepared as they can be when presented with the prospect of large-scale rescues at sea. However, merchant vessels are not designed or equipped for this purpose, and States need to play their part, said Platten. Rescue at sea is a basic humanitarian imperative, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The Maersk Etienne has fulfilled its maritime obligations and prevented further death in the Mediterranean. The EU and its Member States must now do their part to complete this life saving rescue by allowing those rescued to be disembarked, and should also show some solidarity amongst states, particularly through an effective and predictable relocation mechanism. The Maersk Etienne is the third incident this year in which a merchant vessel has been stranded caring for people rescued at sea. In May, the Marina was delayed for six days with some 80 rescued people on board before being able to disembark, while in July, the Talia took four days out of its scheduled journey to care for 50 people who were finally allowed to disembark in a place of safety after 4 days. This latest incident represents a significant escalation of the situation. Notes to Editor About ICS The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world merchant fleet. Media Enquiries: ICS: Duncan Bray Tel.: +44 797 222 4445 in UK office hours or +44 (0) 208 638 8753 out of office hours Email: [email protected] About UNHCR UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We deliver life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. UNHCR media contact: in Geneva: Charlie Yaxley, [email protected] +41 79 580 8702 About IOM: The International Organization for Migration/ UN Migration is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, refugees and internally displaced people. Media Contact: in Geneva Safa Msehli, [email protected] +41794035526 The Maersk Tankers press office contact is: Kis Sgaard: [email protected] The Independent newspaper columnist who masterminded the Extinction Rebellion blockade of printworks has claimed that the British media is worse than the Nazis. More than 100 protesters targeted Newsprinters printing works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley, near Liverpool, on Friday night, blocking newspapers from leaving the depots. Donnachadh McCarthy, 61, has emerged as one of the leading figures in the group, and justified the attack on press freedom by saying: 'This is like World War Two and you guys [the newspapers] are on the other side. That is how we see it. 'It puts you on the side of the existential threat. It is a different existential threat but it is a bigger one than the Nazis.' As well as his role as a columnist for the Independent, he is a former deputy chairman of the Liberal Democrats and has appeared on the BBC. Mr McCarthy attended the protest at the printing plant in Broxbourne on Friday night, briefing journalists at the scene. In total, 77 people have been charged for the disruption at both printing sites, though Mr McCarthy insisted he was 'not in an arrestable position'. Fifty-one people have been charged after the demonstration in Hertfordshire, which began at around 10pm on Friday and ended at 11am on Saturday morning. Natalie Brecht, 45, who gave no address was remanded in custody to appear before Hatfield Magistrates Court today. 50 have been released on bail to appear at St Albans Magistrates Court on November 27. Donnachadh McCarthy, 61, attended the protest at the printing plant in Broxbourne on Friday night, briefing journalists at the scene Extinction Rebellion protestors block access of a printing house in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, leaving some newsagents' shelves empty on Saturday morning On Friday, XR activists erected platforms made from bamboo to block the road along with two vans, preventing police from clearing the site. Although he was at the scene, Mr McCarthy insisted he had nothing to do with the paper blockade. However, he outlined a proposal called 'the Great March for Truth and Blockade' last year, sending it to XR's so-called action circle. In it, he identified the Broxbourne site as 'very vulnerable to a mass blockade'. His comments have been slammed, with Tobias Ellwood, a former Army captain and chairman for the Defence select committee, telling the Times: 'It is a tasteless comparison to make. To even use such language shows their immaturity and shows they should not be taken seriously. 'If there are any sensible voices among Extinction Rebellion, they should be distancing themselves from such inflammatory language.' Critics of the blockade have called it an attack on the free press after XR prevented hundreds of newspapers from being delivered. The Home Secretary has ordered a review of the law aimed at toughening sentences for the environmental extremists after they blockaded newspaper print works in a bid to stifle free speech. Options being considered include designating the group as an organised crime gang, which would leave militants open to the threat of up to five years in jail. Writing in the Daily Mail today, Miss Patel says the activists should 'face the full force of the law' for pursuing 'guerrilla tactics... that seek to undermine and cause damage to our society'. The 51 Extinction Rebellion activists charged over the blockade of printing presses in Hertfordshire Natalie Brecht, 45, who gave no address was remanded in custody to appear before Hatfield Magistrates Court today. Sally Davidson, aged 33, from Byards Croft, London Christopher Smith, aged 43, of Blagdon Road, New Malden Will Farbrother, aged 39, of Forest Road, Walthamstow Sarah Ingram, aged 39, of Hervey Road, Kidbrooke, London Steve Tooze, aged 56, of Railton Road, London Richard Felgate, aged 28, of Forest Road, Walthamstow Rosamund Frost, aged 29, of Wyatt Park Road, London Joel Scott-Halkes, aged 28, of Thistlewaite Road, London Tim Jones, aged 37, of Wyatt Park Road, London Christine Kelly, aged 61, of Coppetts Road, London Gillian Fletcher, aged 58, of Clifton Road, Wokingham Luke Whiting, aged 24, of Grove Road, London Cleodie Rickard, aged 24, of Roman Road, London Lucy Porter, aged 45, of Craig Hill Road, Bradford Susan Hampton, aged 64, of Lincoln Court, Berkhamsted Liam Norton, aged 35, of Esplanade Gardens, Scarborough Eleanor Bujak, aged 27, of Bracey Street, London Laura Frandsen, aged 30, of Waller Road, London Emma Cooper, aged 29, of Marriott Road, Smethwick Casper Hughes, aged 49, of Commercial Road, Exeter Tristain Strange, aged 38, of Tennyson Street, Swindon Elise Yarde, aged 32, of Gainsford Road, London Amir Jones, aged 39, Fletcher Street, London Mandy Leathers, aged 53, of Springfield Avenue, Bury St Edmunds Janna Goldstein, aged 26, of Essex Street, Birmingham Gail Thomas, aged 51, of Broad Street, Stamford Craig Scudder, aged 54, of Cornwall Road, Harpenden Rebeccah Plenderleith, aged 50, of Peacocks Close, Berkhamsted Bethany Mogie, aged 38, of Kingsbury Avenue, St Albans Alice Holmes, aged 37, of Broad Street, Stamford Graham Cox, aged 58, of The Shrubbery, Hemel Hempstead James Ozden, aged 34, The Avenue, London Thomas Lee Newman, aged 29, of Swan Hill, Bradford Nicola Stickall, aged 50, of High Road, Needham, Norfolk Edward Tombes, aged 59, of Highbury New Park, Islington Eleanor McAree, aged 26, of Ongar Road, Brentwood Ben Ramos Wheeler, aged 19, of Cooks Road, Kennington Samina Bunker, aged 38, of Forest Road, Waltham Forest Ryan Simmons, aged 34, of Meliot Road, Lewisham Charlotte Kirin, aged 51, of Peckham Street, Bury St Edmunds Morgan Trowland, aged 37, of Massie Road, London Timothy Spears, aged 35, of Forest Road, Waltham Forest Hazel Steson, aged 56, of Ummars Road, Bury St Edmonds Gilbert Murrey, aged 62, of Hawthorne Avenue, Norwich Mark Fletcher, aged 45, of Alexandra House, Norwich Gabriela Ditton, aged 26, of Silver Road, Norwich Robert MacKenzie, aged 64, of Ipswich Road, Long Stratton, Norwich Christopher Ford, aged 43, of Carlton Way, Cambridge Jennifer Parkhouse, aged 68, of Vale Green, Norwich Michelle MacDonagh, aged 33, of Hazel Way, Chipstead, Coulsdon, Surrey. Advertisement Gallery of hypocrites: An Independent newspaper columnist, a tech boss, a taxman and a former Paratrooper... meet the ragtag band of eco activists who attempted to blockade free speech with printworks protest One is a former paratrooper, another a 22-year-old 'birth-striker' who vows she will never have children for the sake of the planet. They were among the ragtag and rather middle-class band of printworks rebels who attempted to blockade free speech on Friday night. Others included a failed would-be MP (who notably works for the Independent news website) and a retired taxman. All eight featured here marched on newspaper printers to impose their views and suppress all others. Extinction Rebellion's protests led to a night of chaos and 81 arrests in Knowsley, Merseyside, and Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. Almost 80 people were charged yesterday but currently none faces prison sentences of more than three months if convicted. Student activist Katie Ritchie-Moulin was among the ragtag and rather middle-class band of printworks rebels who attempted to blockade free speech by trying to halt several major national newspapers from going to print on Friday night 1. Katie Ritchie-Moulin, 21 A veteran of direct action climate protests, the student grew up in a prosperous Birmingham suburb. Her psychologist father Lawrence Moulin, 63, has overseen mental health policies across the West Midlands while her mother, Fiona Ritchie, 55, has a health and social care consultancy with experience of managing multi-million pound budgets. Miss Ritchie-Moulin was pictured chained to railings outside Leeds Civic Hall in January with a bike lock around her neck and a placard reading 'Airport expansion is ecocide!' in an Extinction Rebellion 'die-in' against plans to expand Leeds-Bradford Airport. At the time Miss Ritchie-Moulin, who is studying medical science at the University of Leeds, admitted feeling 'very cold' and agreed that chaining herself to railings could be seen as drastic. But she insisted expanding the airport would be 'pretty drastic too'. There was no one home yesterday at the family's 730,000 three-storey red brick house in the wealthy suburb of Moseley. She was charged with aggravated trespass over the blockade in Knowsley. 2. Donnachadh McCarthy, 61 Former Parliamentary candidate and Independent columnist Donnachadh McCarthy The deputy chairman of the Liberal Democrats from 2000 to 2003 stood unsuccessfully against Labour's Harriet Harman as an MP in Peckham in 2001. He attended the Broxbourne protest as a 'spokesman' for XR, and is not believed to have been among those arrested. Originally from Cork, he told the Mail he works as an eco-auditor who helps businesses be more environmentally friendly. He said: 'We wanted people to wake up on Saturday morning and go to buy their paper and ask, 'Why isn't it here?' They may be angry, but in a few weeks' time they may start paying attention to the warnings. 'We don't want to be arrested, most of the people are lovely people. The police say they love coming to our protests because there's never trouble.' Mr McCarthy was arrested during the Occupy London protests in 2014. He claims his house in Camberwell was London's first carbon-negative home, with solar hot water and electricity, a wind turbine and a rain-harvester. He is also notably a columnist for the Independent news website, where he writes about environmental issues and planning policy. 3. Lydia Dibben, 22 Student Lydia Dibben with a bike D-lock around her neck at an XR protest The student from Surrey is a self-declared 'birth-striker', saying she will never have children for the sake of the environment. She vowed at a rally last year: 'How could I bring up a child in a world that doesn't care about their future? I declare that I will not bear children, but I will continue the fight for climate justice, and hope that our actions will improve the future for all the children, of every species, that are already living on this beautiful planet.' Expressing her support for 'mass, non-violent, civil disobedience', the red-haired Leeds University zoology student said her objective was 'to wake up the passive masses that are sleep-walking towards extinction'. When she joined Extinction Rebellion, her mother Stefanie posted online: 'I can't express how proud of her I am.' Miss Dibben lives with her mother and jewellery designer father Jon, 53, in a 350,000 house in a village near Horsham. She was charged with aggravated trespass over the blockade in Knowsley. 4. Gully Bujak, 27 A self-styled 'actress, model and extra', she was seen sprawled on a blow-up mattress atop a bus during the Hertfordshire protest. When she was arrested and led away by a WPC, she gushed about her 'extraordinary' fellow protesters as if they were cast members in a hit West End show. The activist said: 'The climate emergency is an existential threat to humanity. Instead of publishing this on the front page every day as it deserves, much of our media ignores the issue and some actively sow seeds of climate denial. 'To these papers we say this: you will not come between us anymore.' 5. Robert Possnett, 58 Former Paratrooper Robert Possnett calls himself a 'literary snob and real ale lover' The former Paratrooper loves beer, good books and causing disruption. Mr Possnett describes himself as a 'literary snob and real ale lover' on social media and boasted on Twitter of joining Friday night's protest at the Broxbourne plant. He has previously been convicted over his attendance at an XR protest. Yesterday one of his sons told the Mail that he was a 'very passionate climate change protester'. The family live in a large chalet-style home in leafy Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The property is full of books with the windows used as bookshelves. One neighbour said: 'Robert's been campaigning for a long time now. He's a lovely bloke who loves his beer but I'm sure a few people round here were upset this morning when they could not get their newspapers.' 6. Jon Fuller, 62 An ex-civil servant at HM Revenue and Customs, he is a veteran campaigner who was arrested by the pink boat in Oxford Circus in last year's Extinction Rebellion protests. He stood for Parliament as a Green Party candidate in Southend in 2015, coming fifth. At Broxbourne, he told the Mail: 'We beg the media to now tell the truth. We're out of time.' 7. Donald Bell, 64 Former infantryman Donald Bell As a young infantryman in the British Army, he was hit by shrapnel from an IRA car bomb that killed two other soldiers in Stewartstown in 1974. Mr Bell completed four tours of duty with the Royal Anglican Regiment. These days, he is fighting climate change. In February, he was seen digging up the lawn at Cambridge's Trinity College and was later arrested after gluing himself to a police van, telling reporters he had been writing letters to the Government for nearly 50 years but was always ignored. He said: 'We had to be more disruptive. I just felt compelled to do something for my children and grandchildren.' 8. Richard Hallewell, 49 The father of four from Thurston, Suffolk, is the director of two tech companies including a software firm. He held the banner that blocked the road at Broxbourne, and said: 'We have tried all the nice things, we have written to our MPs, we have done all those things and nothing happens.' Tech company director and father of four Richard Hallewell Eco zealots could face FIVE YEARS in jail: Priti Patel threatens to change law to make Extinction Rebellion a criminal gang so tougher sentences can be handed out ByJason Groves Political Editor For The Daily Mail Extinction Rebellion protesters who attack our way of life should face jail, Priti Patel warns today. The Home Secretary has ordered a review of the law aimed at toughening sentences for the environmental extremists after they blockaded newspaper print works in a bid to stifle free speech. Options being considered include designating the group as an organised crime gang, which would leave militants open to the threat of up to five years in jail. Writing in the Daily Mail today, Miss Patel says the activists should 'face the full force of the law' for pursuing 'guerrilla tactics... that seek to undermine and cause damage to our society'. Around 100 protesters who targeted Newsprinters printing works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley, near Liverpool, in a bid to stifle free speech have been warned they could face jail time after a change to the law is mooted Home Secretary Priti Patel has ordered a review of the law aimed at toughening sentences for the environmental extremists One of the protesters from the bamboo lock-ons is lead away by a police officer outside the Newsprinters printing works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire She adds: 'I am committed to ensuring that the police have powers required to tackle the disruption caused by groups such as Extinction Rebellion. 'We must defend ourselves against this attack on capitalism, our way of life and ultimately our freedoms.' A Home Office source confirmed that Miss Patel wants to see harsher sentences against the ringleaders of a group whose actions seem designed to maximise economic damage and disruption. 'We want to see some people banged up instead of escaping with a fine they can pay from their trust fund,' the source said. Extinction Rebellion protestors block access of a printing house in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, leaving some newsagents' shelves empty on Saturday morning 'Friday night's blockade of print facilities in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley, Merseyside, disrupted the distribution of 1.5million newspapers, including the Daily Mail, the Sun, the Times and the Telegraph. Miss Patel's intervention came as: Ministers ordered police to ensure there was no repeat, with Boris Johnson personally ringing the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick. Sir Keir Starmer faced pressure to condemn Labour's former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, who likened the XR protesters to the suffragettes. Police chiefs faced criticism for their 'softly-softly' approach to the protests. Extinction Rebellion was forced to deny it has been infiltrated by far-Left militants such as the Socialist Workers Party. Friday night's blockades drew condemnation from across government, with the Prime Minister saying that it was 'completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public's access to news in this way'. Police and fire services outside the Newsprinters printing works at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire The blockades were the latest in a string of direct action protests that have seen the Metropolitan Police issue 20 fixed penalty notices of 10,000 each under the coronavirus regulations. Last night Government sources said Miss Patel and the PM had asked officials to conduct a rapid review of the law. Labour's Abbott compares them to suffragettes Labour's Diane Abbott sparked outrage yesterday as she defended the Extinction Rebellion activists who blockaded newspaper printing presses. Miss Abbott criticised Government plans to reclassify them as an organised crime gang, describing the protests as a 'legal tactic'. She said: 'They're not criminals, they're protesters and activists in the tradition of the suffragettes and the hunger marches of the 1930s.' The former shadow home secretary told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: 'I think it's important to remind ourselves that direct action which is what those actions were is actually legal.' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: 'I'm astounded at Diane Abbott's remarks. The idea that it is right to damage property or intervene with a free press in the name of progressive protest is, I think, perverse.' Advertisement Options include using the 2015 Serious Crime Act to designate the group as an organised crime gang potentially leaving activists open to jail terms of up to five years. Ministers are also looking at new powers under the Public Order Act to protect 'critical national infrastructure and tenets of democracy'. This could make it illegal for protesters to blockade sites such as Parliament, the courts or newspaper printing plants. Extinction Rebellion has caused widespread disruption to people and businesses in a string of direct action protests. A Government source said: 'The fact is that they do organise to commit crimes.' Richard Walton, former head of counter-terrorism at the Met, said the group was an extremist organisation whose methods needed to be 'confronted and challenged'. Mr Walton, now a senior fellow at the Policy Exchange think-tank, said there was 'ample justification' for the police to use intrusive surveillance against the group. Extinction Rebellion said it would be ridiculous to classify the group as an organised crime gang. In a statement last night, the group said: 'According to the Government's own strategy 'organised crime' is 'characterised by violence or the threat of violence and by the use of bribery and corruption'. That is hardly an accurate description of the thousands of ordinary people who take part in Extinction Rebellion's non-violent protests.' The group claimed its targeting of print works was designed to force newspapers to give more coverage to climate change. But the action led to many Sun readers missing an interview with Sir David Attenborough on the subject. Academic studies suggest newspaper coverage of climate issues has been rising in recent years. STEPHEN GLOVER: How to beat the eco warrior bullies? Apply the law! For those who remember militant trade unionists laying siege to newspaper offices in the 1980s, the scenes outside printing plants in Hertfordshire and on Merseyside on Friday night and Saturday morning brought back bad memories. Only this time it wasn't trade unions stifling a free Press by blocking the distribution of newspapers. The culprits were Extinction Rebellion activists usually middle-class types who are uninterested in debate and have no respect for democracy. How does society cope with such people? The extremists are not peaceful protesters making a point, as is their right. They are prepared to bring a great city such as London to a halt, causing inconvenience to hundreds of thousands of blameless individuals. Indeed, although any attempt to suppress newspapers is chilling because it evokes communist or fascist regimes, interference in the lives of ordinary people is probably worse because of the sheer extent of the disturbance. For those who remember militant trade unionists laying siege to newspaper offices in the 1980s, the scenes outside printing plants in Hertfordshire and on Merseyside on Friday night and Saturday morning brought back bad memories. Pictured: Mounted officers hold back striking print workers outside News International's Wapping Plant Extinction Rebellion (XR) succeeded in April 2019 and again last October in immobilising the nation's capital. Bridges and roads were blocked, public transport suspended. Other cities suffered similar upheavals, if on a smaller scale. Together the protests set back the Metropolitan Police at least 37million. Contrast its annual budget of just 15million for a violent crime taskforce operating in London. The financial burden of the disruption on businesses and shops, although impossible to calculate precisely, may have been even greater. One estimate is that just two days of malarkey cost companies in the West End 12million, with footfall and spending down a quarter. Other protest groups in the fairly recent past such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament or the women of Greenham Common seem reasonable, moderate and considerate compared to the often destructive Extinction Rebellion. Extinction Rebellion (XR) succeeded in April 2019 and again last October in immobilising the nation's capital. Bridges and roads were blocked, public transport suspended So I think the Government is correct to view this organisation, which has apparently been infiltrated by several Far Left groups, as unusually ruthless and dangerous. But it doesn't follow that XR should be reclassified as an 'organised crime group', as is reportedly one option being contemplated by the Government. The thinking is this would enable the authorities to hand out much more severe sentences. The trouble is that Extinction Rebellion can't accurately be described as an organised crime group, which is defined by the Crown Prosecution Service as having 'at its purpose, or one of its purposes, the carrying on of criminal activities'. However obnoxious some of Extinction Rebellion's activists may be, and however ready they are to break the law, the organisation as a whole is plainly not engaged in a criminal conspiracy. To reclassify it in such terms would be to risk making martyrs of its misguided leaders. More seriously still, it might be seen to create a precedent that, when the Government disapproves of people exercising their right of free speech, they can be redesignated as criminals. No, let's not treat XR in that way. There is no need to. For there are already enough existing laws in the police's armoury, if only they had the gumption to apply them. Unfortunately, on Friday night and Saturday morning the police were slow to act. At the printing plants in Hertfordshire and on Merseyside, they failed to start clearing Extinction Rebellion protesters for more than six hours. In the end, there were 80 arrests. Their relaxed attitude recalls the laid-back behaviour of the some of the police during the demonstrations in London last year. Absurdly, officers were filmed raving with protesters, while one policeman was spotted skateboarding on Waterloo Bridge. Labour's Diane Abbott defended the protest, saying direct action is a 'legal tactic' and adding that it would be 'ridiculous' for the Government to reclassify Extinction Rebellion Have ordinary police officers gone soft? Or is it just their timorous, politically correct bosses? There is a new tendency to try to make common cause with protesters, as evidenced by officers 'taking the knee' in Black Lives Matter demonstrations in June. No one could be a more enthusiastic believer than I am in the concept of policing by consent, but that does not comprise doing nothing when existing laws are clearly being broken. Isn't obstructing the Queen's highway against the law? The 1980 Highways Act states that 'if a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway, he is guilty of an offence'. What about the law of aggravated trespass? Trespassing while at the same time intentionally obstructing, disrupting or intimidating others from carrying out 'lawful activities' is a criminal offence. Not for the first time, Labour MP and former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott was mistaken when she asserted yesterday that blockading newspaper printing plants was a 'legal tactic'. In an article in today's Mail, Home Secretary Priti Patel hints at new laws. There has been speculation that these could protect judges, MPs and even journalists going about their normal business. Well, conceivably, if it proves necessary. But we should beware of laws aimed at Extinction Rebellion and certainly avoid treating it as a criminal organisation. Let's use existing legislation, which safeguards free speech on the one hand, and doesn't allow bullies to destroy livelihoods on the other. All we need then is a robust and sensible police force that is determined to enforce the law. yorkfoto/iStockBy GUY DAVIES and PATRICK REEVELL, ABC News (LONDON) -- A key opposition leader in Belarus has disappeared in the country's capital, Minsk, after another weekend of mass protests against the rule of embattled President Alexander Lukashenko. Maria Kolesnikova, the central opposition figure inside the Eastern European nation, was seen being bundled into a vehicle by men in plainclothes, according to independent Belarusian news outlet Tut.By. Kolesnikovas press representative, Gleb German, confirmed to ABC News that their team had had "no contact" with her Monday. Her whereabouts, along with that of two other leaders involved in the opposition's Coordination Council, Anton Ronenkov and Ivan Kravstov, are unknown and their lawyers are looking for them, according to German. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus said they had no information on the alleged disappearances, according to Russian news agency Interfax. With Belarus' main opposition leader, Svetlana Tikhanovskay, sheltering in neighboring Lithuania, Kolesnikova has become a highly visible figure in the ongoing protests against Lukashenko, known as "Europes last dictator," who has served as president for 26 years. The protests erupted in the wake of the country's contested election last month, in which Tikhanovskay ran against Lukashenko and the autocratic president claimed 80% of the vote. For several weekends in a row, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have taken to the streets demanding Lukashenko step down. Kolesnikova has regularly been seen out in the open during those demonstrations, talking to several media outlets in the process, including ABC News. "Till victory, we will not stop down," Kolesnikova told ABC News at a recent protest. "We are ready to go to the victory and it takes a lot of time and energy, but we are ready." Kolesnikova's disappearance raises serious concerns about the safety of opposition activists inside Belarus. Hundreds more arrests were made by Belarusian security forces over the weekend, and foreign media outlets have been banned from working in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin, an ally of Belarus' beleaguered president, has created a "reserve" force to use in the neighboring country, but for the time being has said there is no cause to intervene on behalf of Lukashenko. Russian state media journalists have already been sent to replace Belarusian workers on strike at Belarus state television service, and many of Russias top ministers met with their Belarusian counterparts this week. The disappearance of Kolesnikova comes less than a week after German doctors discovered that Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent, developed as part of a secret Soviet chemical weapons program. Navalny, one of Putin's fiercest critics, was recently removed from a medically induced coma at a Berlin hospital, after falling ill on a plane in Siberia just over two weeks ago. Belarus' security force, still known as the KGB, has stepped up its clampdown on key figures of the protest movement in recent days. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Tahlequah the killer whale is a mom again! The orca, who famously carried her dead calf with her for weeks in 2018, has now given birth to a healthy calf, according to the Center for Whale Research, which monitors killer whale populations in the Pacific Northwest. The center shared a photo on Twitter of the mom and her calf swimming side by side. We are pleased to report a NEW calf in J pod! J35's new calf appeared healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother in its second day of free-swimming life.https://t.co/6bSnvzRAju pic.twitter.com/ctxRQqPnn8 Whale Research (@CWROrcas) September 6, 2020 Hooray! Her new calf appeared healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother in its second day of free-swimming life, the center said in a press release. We know that it was not born today because its dorsal fin was upright, and we know that it takes a day or two to straighten after being bent over in the womb, so we assign its birthday as September 4, 2020. Orcas have an 18-month gestation period, and scientists estimate that Tahlequah, who is referred to by researchers as J35, had been pregnant with the calf, named J57, since February of last year. Tahlequah made headlines in 2018 when she was seen carrying her dead calf on her head for 17 days over a distance of about 1,000 miles around the Salish Sea, a network of waterways off the coast of Washington and British Columbia. Orca Mom (Courtesy Taylor Shedd) Her period of mourning, which the center called the orca moms tour of grief, struck a chord with people around the world. "It was heartbreaking," Taylor Shedd, program coordinator at the Soundwatch Boater Education Program at the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, Washington, told TODAY at the time. "I can only imagine the stress and the pain she must be going through." Story continues Tahlequahs story also resonated with some mothers who had lost a child. I think every baby-loss parent I have ever met relates to Tahlequah, one woman, Cori McKenzie, told the Seattle Times in 2018. I wish I would have had a week or more to spend with my daughter instead of a few hours. Her sadness breaks my heart. Related: 'I think every baby-loss parent I have ever met relates to Tahlequah.' The Center for Whale Research says it hopes this calf is a success story but also noted that with the whales having so much nutritional stress in recent years, a large percentage of pregnancies fail, and there is about a 40% mortality rate for young calves. So far, though, Tahlequahs new calf, whose sex has not been identified, seemed strong and healthy as it swam with its mother. And based on researchers latest sighting, Tahlequah seems to be very protective of her new little one. Tahlequah was mostly separate from the other whales and being very evasive as she crossed the border into Canada, the center said, so we ended our encounter with her after a few minutes and wished them well on their way. Ayuk Richard Mbui Facebook Ayuk Richard Mbui, a prominent Christian of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC has been laid to rest in his native Ewelle Village in Manyu Division. The junior brother of Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, jailed leader of the Ambazonia separatist movement, was buried Saturday, September 5, 2020. The interment followed two funeral services on Friday at Presbyterian Church Molyko, Buea and the second at the family compound of the diseased in Ewelle on Saturday. The President of the Christian Men Fellowship, CMF, Molyko congregation of the PCC died Friday, July 17, 2020, in Buea following an illness. Mbui was born at Ewelle on June 15, 1970 to late Ayuk Elias of Ewelle and Ojong Paulina of Kembong, Manyu Division, South West Region, Republic of Cameroon. He is survived by his wife, Henrietta Ayuk; children, Ayuk Mbui Junior (19), Claircol Ekepobasi Ayuk-Mbui (4), Makarios Ayuk-Tabe Ayuk-Mbui (1); as well as his sister, Mrs Clara Kalu; brother, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe Julius and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends. A biography of the diseased read on behalf of the family by Ayuk M. Ako, PhD, states that the late Mbui attended primary school at Government School Ekok where he obtained the FSLC in 1982. He did secondary education at GSS Eyumojock and high school at Government High School Mamfe, where he obtained the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level in 1987 and Advanced Level in 1989. Mbui graduated from the Higher Teachers Training College (Ecole Normale Superieure, ENS) Bambili with the Secondary School Teachers Diploma Grade I (DIPES I) in Mathematics (Major) and Economics (Minor) and was absorbed into the Cameroon Civil Service as Professeur des Lycees dEnseignement General (PLEG) in 1993. His public service career started at GSS Akwaya in 1993 where he taught Maths and Economics till 1995 when he moved to GSS Eyumojock to teach Maths and Microeconomics, and served as head of the Maths Department at GBHS Eyumojock from 1996-2002. He taught Maths and Computer Science at GSS Ekona (2002-2007) and was Mathematics Pedagogic Animator at GHS Ekona (2007-2012). On January 23, 2013 Mbui was appointed Deputy Controller No. 2 for Public Contracts at the Ministry of Public Contracts, Yaounde where he served briefly till May 16, 2013 when he was appointed Deputy Controller No. 2 at the South West Regional Delegation of Public Contracts, a position he held until his death. To his colleague and office mate, Etengeneng Johanes, of Public Contracts; Mr Ayuk Richard Mbui was: a brother; he was very nice, kind, jovial, God fearing and a mentor. His demise is a big lost to the entire MINMAP family in Cameroon in general and Buea in particular. Ayuk Richard Mbui was admitted into the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF) Movement of the PCC by Rev. Ajuabom George on February 16, 2003. Soon after his leadership skills were identified. He was revered in the Movement and indeed a rare gem who rose to occupy several positions within the CMF Group in Molyko, including Evangelism Secretary and President until his death. At the helm of the CMF Group, Brother John Teneng Awa, the Vice President, remembers: Brother Ayuk introduced a lot of dynamism that propelled the image of the Group to great heights with numerous Presbytery and Zonal flags won during CMF annual rallies and come-togethers. As President of CMF he championed many projects: publication of the History of CMF Molyko, celebration and publication of the 20th Anniversary Almanac in 2014, Group Secretariat, creation of five sections of CMF Molyko named after Emeritus Moderators to ease the administration of the Group, several editions of question and answer books to assist members prepare for the annual rallies and come-togethers. Brother Ayuks last project co-authored with Brother Agbor Manasseh was published in June 2020 coming from the backdrop of the COVID-19 Lockdown. His charisma endeared Zonal Officials to always appoint him MC (socio) during the auction sale of group articles. Brother Ayuk was a freethinker and his views of the CMF Movement and the PCC at large sometimes were a little bit futuristic that tickled relationship with hierarchy. Mbui was a CPDM militant holding various positions, including: Charge de Mission for CPDM Sub-divisional Campaign Team, Eyumojock for Presidential Elections (October 9, 2010); Municipal and Legislative Elections (July 30, 2007); Rapporteur CPDM Subdivisional Campaign Team Eyumojock for Presidential Elections (October 11, 2002); Municipal and Legislative Elections (June 30, 2002); Section Secretary, CPDM Manyu III, Eyumojock (1995-2002). The poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been taken out of an induced coma and is responsive, according to the German hospital treating him. Berlins Charite hospital said he was being weaned off mechanical ventilation. "It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning," it said in a statement. The hospital noted that he was responding to speech but "long-term consequences of the serious poisoning can still not be ruled out". Germanys chancellor, Angela Merkel, said Berlin has concluded Mr Navalny was poisoned with novichok, the same substance the British government said was used against Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in an attack in Salisbury in 2018. Moscow denies any involvement and has accused Germany of failing to provide any evidence about the poisoning. Mr Navalny, a staunch critic of Russias president, Vladimir Putin, was flown to Germany on 22 August, two days after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia. Over the weekend, Germanys foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said the Russian reaction could determine whether Germany changes its support for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which brings Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine. "The chancellor also believes that it's wrong to rule anything out," Ms Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told reporters after being asked about Mr Maass comments. Previously, Ms Merkel had insisted on "decoupling" Mr Navalnys case from the pipeline project, which the US strongly opposes. In August, three US Republican senators threatened sanctions against the operator of a Baltic Sea port located in Ms Merkel's parliamentary constituency for its role as a staging post for ships involved in building Nord Stream 2. Mr Seibert has said it was premature to expect Moscow to respond to the matter within a few days, but made it clear that Berlin wants answers soon. "I can't express a clear, time-limited expectation, except that we are certainly not talking about months or the end of the year," he said. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Monday issued a new appeal for Mali to make a "swift" transition to civilian rule following a military coup on August 18. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States slapped sanctions on Mali after the putsch, including closing borders and a ban on trade and financial flows, and has called for elections within 12 months. "It is our community's duty to help Malians towards the swift re-establishment of all democratic institutions. The military junta must help us to help Mali," ECOWAS' current chairman, Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou, said at the start of a summit in Niamey. "Other strategic partners of the Malian people have the same hope," he said. During an extraordinary ECOWAS summit on Mali last week, President Issoufou had indicated that the sanctions would be "lifted gradually depending on the implementation" of measures allowing a return to civilian rule. Eight heads of state including Senegalese President Macky Sall, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara and Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo were present at the opening of Monday's summit. Some of the West African leaders of the 15-nation bloc ECOWAS met in Niamey for the summit. By Boureima HAMA (AFP) Mali has long been plagued by instability, a simmering jihadist revolt, ethnic violence and endemic corruption, with widespread unrest building until a clique of rebel soldiers detained president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last month. Within hours of taking control, the military junta pledged to enact a political transition and stage elections within a "reasonable time". The junta held talks over the weekend with opposition groups on its promise to hand power back to civilians, after mounting pressure from neighbouring countries over fears of even more instability in the war-torn nation. Originally the junta proposed a three-year transition to civilian rule, before bringing that down to two years. An opposition coalition of civil and religious leaders which spearheaded months of protests that led up to Keita's fall has said it wants a transition period of 18 to 24 months. The June 5 Movement has also demanded that the junta give it a role in the transition. Meanwhile Keita, who suffered a mini-stroke last week, flew out of Mali late on Saturday for treatment in the United Arab Emirates. The junta said Keita must return to Mali in the next three months after receiving medical treatment abroad, a time limit it said it had agreed with ECOWAS. Keita was ousted two years into his second five-year term -- it was Mali's fourth coup in 60 years as an independent nation. New Delhi, Sep 7 : Addressing the first state executive meeting in Jharkhand after the announcement of a new team of state president and Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash, BJP President JP Nadda stressed on the centre's 'Vikas' and how the eastern state has benefited from it. The BJP lost the last assembly election when the JMM, Congress and RJD forged an alliance to keep the NDA out of power. Taking an apparent dig at the ruling coalition, Nadda remarked, "We have not come to gain any power in politics. We have come to change the picture and destiny of India." Citing examples he said the BJP at the Centre brought a new education policy, the demand for which had been there for long. "The BJP government left no stone unturned to bring Jharkhand into the mainstream. All the plans were implemented here," said Nadda. He added that an AIIMS had come up in the state. "After AIIMS is ready, no person from the state will have to come to Delhi for treatment, he will get better treatment right here," he remarked. He added that the Centre's push for 'vocal for local' will also help the artists of the state. Nadda projected that the BJP is 'mindful of Jharkhand inspite of being out of power in the state,' saying, "Under the Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojana, Giridih, Hazaribagh and Godda have been added by the Prime Minister. We will all have to work together to get the migrant labourers who have come home, to join the mainstream." While Nadda also highlighted the heightened testing facilities and India's 'able handling' of the coronavirus pandemic, the focus was to make a case before the people of Jharkhand that the BJP was not just worried about power, thus very subtly bringing the focus on the ruling JMM-Cong-RJD coalition that scrambled to come together to stop the BJP from attaining the numbers and forming the government in the state after the assembly election. New Delhi: Sanitation workers of East Delhi municipal Corporation on Monday held a massive protest against Delhi government and Centre over the issue of salary hike. Earlier people complained of garbage strewn on roads in Laxmi Nagar as sanitation workers continue with their strike. Lakmi Nagar is one of the busiest and congested areas of Delhi. Garbage is piling up since last week, not only is the smell a big problem but we also fear spread of diseases, said aA resident of Laxmi Nagar region of Delhi.A Delhi: Garbage strewn on roads in Laxmi Nagar as sanitation workers continue with their strike; residents complain of inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/wuOPofj8ED Lucknow, Sep 7 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has set up a three-member committee to probe the death of former legislator Nirvendra Kumar Munna in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Munna was allegedly beaten to death on Sunday in a land dispute. The committee comprises ASP Kheri, Circle Officer Sidhauli and inspector crime branch. The committee will probe the role of Circle Officer Kuldeep Kukreti and other policemen and will submit its report within three days. Kukreti has been attached to the police headquarters while a chowki in charge and two beat constables have been suspended. The action was taken late Sunday night after the opposition mounted a blistering attack on the state government over the incident. Earlier, dismissing the deceased legislator's family's allegations, Lakhimpur Kheri SSP Satendar Kumar had said that the former MLA "accidentally fell on the ground during the argument with the other party". The post-mortem report states cardiac arrest as the cause of death and has no mention of injuries. The three-term MLA was taken to the hospital but succumbed to injuries on the way. Mishra and his son, Sanjeev, were earlier charged under sections 107/116 of CrPC in the same case for "disruption of peace'". Addressing the media, Sanjeev said: "A case is pending over our ancestral land and the members of other party came along with a group of 50-60 people despite lockdown and police presence. They were ploughing the land and when we stopped them, they started thrashing me. "When my father tried to intervene, they also thrashed him. He had died on the spot. We took him to a hospital in Palia with the support of locals. Few members of the opposite party were caught by the villagers but later Circle Officer Kuldeep Kukreti arrived in the village with police force and he thrashed my wife and mother and rescued all of them." The incident soon took a political turn with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeting that "under BJP's rule, the public is not just tense about law and order, but scared too". The state's Congress unit tweeted: "Another Brahmin killed. The jungle raj in UP is getting frightening." Drinkaware, the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse in Ireland, is urging parents to speak about celebrating safely with their teenagers receiving their Leaving Certificate results. The call comes as Drinkawares Alcohol and Covid-19 Barometer found that 82% of 18-24s report drinking for social reasons including celebrating and because its fun (compared to 49% national average). The new research also revealed that 62% of under 25s report drinking to cope with feelings of stress, anxiety and loneliness, and one in four are drinking more during Covid-19. Drinkaware has shared five tips to support parents to speak openly about celebrating safely: 1. Plan ahead Plan their day with them and talk about how they can mark and celebrate this milestone before the results. Ask how they would like to do this and with whom, discussing safe ways they can keep within the public health guidelines on numbers and locations. Make sure that you are both fully informed of the plans. 2. Talk about alcohol Discuss whether alcohol will be involved and how alcohol, especially excessive drinking, might impact on their and their fellow students behaviour. Explain that alcohol is a depressant and using drink to celebrate or commiserate will often have the opposite effect than intended. 3. Check in with other parents Talk to other parents to share your rules around celebrating the results this year. Its likely that the parents of your childs friends are having the same anxieties as you about how to safely manage gatherings and providing support at this stressful time. This will help you to assess the potential impact of external influences. 4. Come up with alternatives Discuss other options to mark the occasion. Celebrating with family for example may not be the same as with friends, but research shows that many households with teens and young people, enjoyed the resurgence of family time during Covid-19. 5. Mind your own mental health This is a stressful time for you too. Stay calm and manage your own anxieties first. Being a positive role model and setting an example around alcohol is very important. When you use coping strategies that dont involve alcohol, it shows your young person how to deal with problems in a healthy way. 'A year like no other' This is a year like no other and the Leaving Cert Class of 2020 is facing unprecedented stress, anxiety and uncertainty," said Drinkaware CEO Sheena Horgan. "Drinkaware is always being asked by parents how and when they should discuss alcohol with their children and young people. Especially at this time and regarding the results, we advise parents to talk openly about how their young adults cope with the intense feelings of stress, or celebration, or peer pressure all of which can be prevalent at this milestone in their lives. And because we know alcohol is often used as a coping strategy, it is important that parents discuss how they can manage these feelings in a healthy way and without alcohol. "College offers and starting college can be a challenging experience. With the added pressures of delayed results and offers, and lots of media coverage and public discussion, there is justified concern that overwhelmed students may turn to alcohol to cope. There needs to be a sense of urgency to support our young people to develop healthy coping skills to mind mental health at this time and going forward. Our tips and other Drinkaware resources, and the signposting on our website, provide supports for parents to facilitate this. We are also encouraging parents to mind their own mental health during this time. "Its worth pointing out that Generation Z which includes this cohort of students is increasingly interested in being sober curious and health-conscious, so the desire to be alcohol-free is there and a bit of added encouragement from parents can go a long way," Ms Horgan added. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Tompkinsville traffic stop early Sunday nabbed a firearm and marijuana, police said, continuing a spate of gun-related arrests on Staten Island. Police arrested Kesean Connor-Cullins, 18, a resident of Dubois Avenue in West Brighton, after members of the NYPDs 120th Precinct pulled over his vehicle near Cebra Avenue and Victory Boulevard at approximately 1:30 a.m. for a traffic stop. Officers then found the firearm and marijuana in the 18-year-olds possession, according to police. The NYPD touted the arrest on Twitter Sunday, writing: If you carry an illegal gun in the @NYPD120Pct we will ARREST YOU! Another gun off the streets of the North Shore thanks to the great work of the @NYPDDetectives DBSI Violent Crimes Squad. If you carry an illegal gun in the @NYPD120Pct we will ARREST YOU! Another gun off the streets of the North Shore thanks to the great work of the @NYPDDetectives DBSI Violent Crimes Squad. pic.twitter.com/XRi47vYaK0 NYPD 120th Precinct (@NYPD120Pct) September 6, 2020 Connor-Cullins faces charges of second-degree criminal possession of a loaded firearm, criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana, according to online court records. Soula Platis, who is listed as Connor-Cullins attorney, said her client denies the allegations but declined to comment further at this time. The latest arrest came after the NYPD made a series of shooting busts connected to multiple incidents on Staten Island. A 19-year-old man was arrested after shooting a woman in the leg early last week, police said. On Friday, the NYPD tracked down a man in Pennsylvania in connection to the homicide of Barry Moultrie, 35, who was killed near the intersection of Castleton Avenue and Baker Street on July 22 at around 11:25 a.m., a source with knowledge of the investigation told the Advance/SILive.com. Police also arrested and charged a 16-year-old boy in connection with a shooting that took place on July 26 at approximately 3:30 p.m. outside of 225 Park Hill Ave., police said. Another teen was also arrested on Friday in connection with an August shooting in West Brighton. New relationship will combine Edisons IR capabilities with ALG's research expertise to transform the visibility of Emerging Market equities ALG is one of South Africa's leading equity research companies LONDON, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Edison Group, the leading international research and investor relations consultancy, announces it has partnered with highly-regarded South African equity research company Austin Lawrence Gidon (ALG). The partnership's mission is to transform South African corporates' access to international capital markets - and then repeat the success in neighbouring markets. ALG is backed by a team of six analysts with over 100 years of combined experience writing high-quality independent research on listed companies. The firm offers its clients increased visibility through its research, investor roadshows, thought pieces and the global distribution of research to non-holders and new entrants to EM investing. This partnership will leverage Edison's international reach to refocus investor interest onto South African stocks. The potential to increase interest in South Africa comes from attracting more EM managers to these markets. To deliver this increase, ALG and Edison agree that globally-distributed internationally-prestigious equity research is what is needed. Edison has digitalised the process of finding and introducing investors to its clients. After distributing its research reports, Edison's platform monitors the behaviours of thousands of investors using smart targeting, with algorithms identifying intent to buy particular stocks. Virtual roadshows are then arranged so that investors can hear the client equity story. This strategic partnership follows Edisons launch of an office in Amsterdam covering the Benelux region, and Edison Atlantic, a new digital offering to help European and UK companies source funding in the US. Fraser Thorne, Founder and CEO of Edison Group, said: "As a leading investment advisory and research firm, we are always looking to capitalise on opportunities to deploy our services to help boost investor interest in the businesses that we serve. Partnering with ALG is a great example of how we can adapt our market-leading IR and research capabilities to support the firm's high-quality research and help companies access the broadest pools of capital." Marius Strydom, CEO at ALG, said: "There are a wealth of successful companies in South Africa and across the Continent and our collaboration with Edison will help them secure the funding and investor focus they deserve." Edison is authorised and regulated by the FCA. SOURCE Edison Group Comes amid outcry over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny But aggressive posturing by the Russian state is risking a new Cold War Russia is risking a 'new Cold War' if it tries to push its power base beyond its border, Nato's secretary general has warned. Jens Stoltenberg said that Moscow's recent behaviour and attempt to establish a new 'sphere of influence ... requires a response from Nato'. His remarks come days after the North Atlantic Council met to discuss the attempted poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny with Novichok. 'We don't want a new Cold War, we don't want a new arms race, but at the same time we have to make sure that we are adapting as the world is changing,' Mr Stoltenberg told the Daily Telegraph. Jens Stoltenberg said that Moscow's recent behaviour and attempt to establish a new 'sphere of influence ... requires a response from Nato' Mr Stoltenberg highlighted the Moscow's aggressive actions against neighbours t o establish a 'kind of sphere of influence' as central to Nato's concerns. 'We have seen that in Georgia, in Moldova, in Ukraine, and that requires a response from Nato.' Nato, a military alliance of 30 states, is now embarking on the biggest reinforcement of collective defence 'since the end of the Cold War', with all Nato allies increasing defence spending. Mr Stoltenberg added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had 'very serious questions' to answer after it emerged Putin's political opponent Mr Navalny was poisoned with novichok the Soviet-era nerve agent used in the 2018 Salisbury attack. His remarks come days after the N orth Atlantic Council met to discuss the attempted poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny with Novichok The former Norwegian PM first learned of the probability that Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with a chemical weapon in a private briefing with Angela Merkel a week before the German Chancellor announced the findings to the world. 'This is not the first time weve seen the use of poison against people in opposition to the Russian regime. That makes it more serious,' he said. In Brussels, NATO called for an international probe into Navalny's poisoning and demanded Moscow reveal details of its Novichok nerve agent programme to the OPCW global chemical weapons watchdog. After an emergency meeting of NATO's ruling council, Mr Stoltenberg said all members were united in condemning the 'horrific' attack on Navalny. Hundreds of protestors have taken to the streets following Mr Navalny's poisoning. Pictured: A man holds up a poster with a portrait of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny reading 'Navalny was poisoned, we know who is to blame, Alexei you must live' Germany briefed the other 29 nations on the case and Stoltenberg said there was 'proof beyond doubt' Novichok was used. 'The Russian government must fully cooperate with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on an impartial international investigation,' Stoltenberg said. The Novichok attack on Skripal in 2018 led to seven Kremlin diplomats being expelled from their NATO mission. While Stoltenberg did not rule out a similar reprisal this time, he stressed that the Navalny poisoning was quite different from the Skripal attack, which happened on the soil of a NATO member. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell earlier called on Moscow to cooperate with an international probe into the poisoning and said the 27-nation bloc would not rule out sanctions. In Moscow, a court threw out a complaint by Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation over investigators' perceived inaction, the group said. Ivan Zhdanov, head of Navalny's anti-corruption group, said Thursday the opposition politician's poisoning opened a 'new chapter' in a Kremlin crackdown on dissent. 'Now the Russian state will be inventing the most absurd and crazy versions of what has happened,' he told AFP. Mr Stoltenberg added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had 'very serious questions' to answer after it emerged Putin's political opponent Mr Navalny was poisoned with novichok the Soviet-era nerve agent used in the 2018 Salisbury attack Russian authorities have appeared reluctant to investigate what caused Mr Navalny's condition, saying there had so far been no grounds for a criminal investigation. Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said a preliminary inquiry was ongoing, but added that he saw no signs of a crime in what happened to the most determined critic of president Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman has brushed off allegations the Kremlin was involved in poisoning Mr Navalny and said Germany had not provided Moscow with any evidence about the politician's condition. 'We have nothing to hide,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday, asserting that German authorities had stonewalled Russian requests for information. Mr Lavrov said the failure to provide information about Mr Navalny's poisoning could indicate a lack of evidence. 'Our Western partners allow themselves to make arrogant demands in such a tone that suggests that they have nothing but pathos to put on the table,' he said. Cough, fever, chills with autumn fast on the way, symptoms alone wont be useful in distinguishing Covid-19 from similar-looking cases of the flu. That means routinely testing for both viruses will be crucial even, perhaps, after some patients have already died. That will at least be true in New York, where officials recently announced a ramp-up in post-mortem testing for the coronavirus as well as the flu. Deaths linked to respiratory illnesses that werent confirmed before a person died are to be followed up with tests for both viruses within 48 hours, according to the new regulation. These regulations will ensure we have the most accurate death data possible as we continue to manage Covid-19 while preparing for flu season, Dr Howard Zucker, the states health commissioner, said in a statement last week. Deceased hospital patients and nursing home residents, as well as bodies in the care of funeral directors or medical examiners, will be among those targeted for follow-up testing. If experts at a local facility cant perform the test themselves, they can ask the state to run the test for them at its public health lab. Although the results of these tests will be too late to change the course of treatment for the deceased, they can still help health officials track the prevalence of both types of infections, as well as indicate whether to warn close contacts of the deceased that they may need to quarantine. People need to know who around them was sick, said Dr Valerie Fitzhugh, a pathologist at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. If someone cant be tested in life, why not test them soon after death? Putting regulations in place ahead of time will also encourage counties to bolster their testing readiness ahead of autumn and winter, when seasonal viruses like flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, tend to thrive, said Dr Mary Fowkes, a clinical pathologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. In many parts of the country, coronavirus cases are still ratcheting up every day and will become more difficult to track when similar sicknesses muddle the picture. I think that is important to prepare for, Dr Fowkes said. In the early days of the pandemic, New York, like the rest of the country, struggled to rein in the virus. Many illnesses went untested, including those of several thousand people whose deaths were later reclassified as presumed, but unconfirmed, cases of Covid-19. A lot has changed since the spring, said Gareth Rhodes, deputy superintendent and special counsel at the New York State Department of Financial Services and a member of governor Andrew Cuomos virus response team. After a sputtering start to testing in March, New York is now running about 100,000 coronavirus tests a day, with positivity rates hovering around 1 per cent or less. While hundreds remain hospitalised throughout the state, daily deaths attributable to Covid-19 have averaged in the single digits since late August. The new regulations also stipulate that living patients with flu-like symptoms or a known exposure to the coronavirus or a flu virus should be tested for both pathogens. That makes it less likely that a case will be missed in the first place. We track fatalities very closely, Mr Rhodes said. At this point, he added, New Yorks coronavirus testing regimens in medical settings are pretty consistent. You cant really be a hospital in New York right now without testing, he said. The regulation doesnt apply to all deaths just those suspected of being linked to a respiratory illness. That means the new rules on post-mortem testing probably wont change coronavirus case numbers much, if at all. Since the announcement, made last Sunday, the Wadsworth state lab has not yet received a request to process a post-mortem test, Mr Rhodes said. Still, the regulation may come in handy if, for example, a death were to occur en route to the hospital or shortly after arrival, or if an emergency prompted a temporary lab closure so that tests could not be immediately run. Others might die at home, or elsewhere outside the care of a hospital or nursing home, without easy access to tests. This is designed to catch anything that fell through the cracks, said Dr Rosemary She, a pathologist at the University of Southern Californias Keck School of Medicine. Thorough testing can also affect which bodies are autopsied at medical examiners offices, where resources and staff have been strained, said Dr Erin Brooks, a pathologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Someone whose cause of death can be confirmed by a positive test for the coronavirus, for instance, might not need to be investigated further. Recommended NYC sets up checkpoints to intercept travellers who need to quarantine A number of pathologists noted that while coronavirus testing for sick patients is just about ubiquitous in medical settings in other states, combination testing that includes the flu, including post-mortem testing, is not as common and may need to be considered. More laboratories will most likely need to invest in tests that can detect multiple types of pathogens at once. One of the tests run at Wadsworth, for instance, is a so-called respiratory panel, made by a company called BioFire, that simultaneously searches for genetic material from more than 20 types of bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus and multiple types of flu viruses. Some experts have postulated that proactive measures like continued physical distancing and vigilant mask wearing might soften the blow of this years flu season, as they appear to have done in the southern hemisphere. But its in our best interest to prepare for the worst, Dr Fitzhugh said, and hope for the best. New York Times None of this stopped Insurance Business from winning big in the following categories: 2020 Focus/Profile Article Silver - Insurance Business America: Issue 7.07 Industry Icon Excellent reporting uncovers the background and values of this industry icon, remarked the judges about this profile of Sedgwick CEO David North. Great quotes help him tell his own story. Nicely crafted. 2020 Best B2B Website - Top 3 Bronze - Insurance Business An essential read for insurance brokers globally, with practical resources to guide and inform the market, enthused the judging panel about the Insurance Business site. The audience of Insurance Business is highly engaged as is evident in the comments received on stories. Thought leadership content is well balanced with short and punchy news to help professionals stay abreast of whats happening in the industry and how to evolve to stay relevant. 2020 Editor's Column Honourable Mention - Insurance Business America: Issue 7.05 Editorial This editors column on the issues still faced by women in the industry received an honourable mention from the judges. Winning at the Tabbies is great recognition of the hard work, expertise and dedication brought to the job every day by the Insurance Business team, says Paul Lucas, Insurance Business managing editor. Im looking forward to another year of invaluable content and essential reading and scooping up more awards, this time in 2021! For more information, visit https://www.tabpi.org/ Madhav tweeted photos and paid tributes to SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, who was killed last week after he stepped on a landmine in South Pangong BJPs national general secretary Ram Madhav attended the funeral of deceased Special Frontier Force (SFF) commando Nyima Tenzin on Monday while on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh. Madhav tweeted photos and paid tributes to the slain soldier, but deleted the post later. "Attended the funeral of SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting our borders in Ladakh, and laid a wreath as a tribute. Let the sacrifices of such valiant soldiers bring peace along the Indo-Tibetan border. That will be the real tribute to all martyr," Madhav had tweeted. Tenzin was killed last week after he stepped on a landmine in South Pangong, according to a report by NDTV. Madhavs Ladakh visit began on Sunday where he addressed the first executive meeting of the newly formed state unit. On the same day, the Indian and Chinese armies held a nearly four-hour brigade commander-level interaction near Chushul which did not produce any tangible outcome, sources told PTI. Following a confrontation along the southern bank of Pangong lake area on the intervening night of 29 and 30 August, India occupied a number of strategic heights in the Chushul sector overlooking crucial bases of the Chinese military. China too has deployed additional troops, tanks and anti-tank guided missiles in the area. The two sides held extensive talks on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, each lasting over six hours, but no concrete result emerged from the negotiations. India and China are engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including Finger area, Galwan valley, Hot springs and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan valley in June. With inputs from PTI A few hundred boaters doubling as supporters of President Donald Trump crossed the channel between Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay on Sunday, honking horns, flying Keep America Great flags and waving to dozens of land-based MAGA backers. In a show of support for Trump's reelection campaign organized by Austin Detzel, a 19-year-old college sophomore who supports the Republican president, Sunday's boat parade included vessels of all sizes, including personal watercraft. Its been happening all over the country and, honestly, I thought someone in Erie would have done this by now, but nobody did, Detzel said. . With COVID, theres nothing to do anyway. This looked like fun. The Erie rally had a better ending than a similar event on Saturday in Texas, where five boats participating in a parade in support of Trumps reelection sank on Lake Travis, west of Austin. Participants prepare for a boat parade in support of President Donald Trump at Presque Isle Bay in Erie on Sept. 6, 2020. The parade started at the Presque Isle Lighthouse and ended at Dobbins Landing. Trumps supporters, who helped him narrowly carry Erie County and Pennsylvania in 2016, didnt just come by sea. They came by land, too. From the vacant West Kmart Plaza in Millcreek Township, Trump backers rode motorcycles, cars and even semi-tractors through the Erie area to Dobbins Landing. Republican Brian Shank, a member of Erie County Council, said he was proud of the turnout. "I put a little Facebook post up and now I've got tractor-trailers here and motorcycles," he said. "Ive never met these people before in my life. "They're Americans and they're tired of our country and the direction it's going," Shank said. "And they're showing people we're not the silent majority. We are the majority and we're going to make some noise. We're going to get out and vote." 'From 'dark shadows' to 'thugs' on a plane, Trump wades deeper into conspiracy theories as election nears Mark Schumacher, 67, wore a shirt bearing Trumps image underneath his denim button-down. A flag he held had the same image on it. Lorrie Schumacher, his wife, carried an American flag. Story continues "This is the most important election in my lifetime," Mark Schumacher said. "Everything is on the line. And, fortunately, through the grace of God, we have a candidate who is trying to save this country and has it headed in the right direction. He is impervious to the attacks that they throw against him from the false impeachment, the Russian hoax and now this latest thing that they're coming up with, his disparagement of professional soldiers. It's a joke. And we don't believe a word." Roger Scarlett of Edinboro greets boaters on the South Pier in Erie during a boat parade in support of President Donald Trump on Sunday. The parade started at the Presque Isle Lighthouse and ended at Dobbins Landing. With Trump supporters on the lake, two events on land attempted to call out the president. Local Democratic leaders and candidates spoke to a small crowd and helped register people to vote at an anti-hate event at nearby Liberty Park. And, at Dobbins Landing, political activist Jasmine Flores and three dozen other demonstrators held signs reading Black Lives Matter and No Trump/Pence. No KKK. No Fascist USA, among other signs. A few others carried signs in support of former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee. At one point, a small group of Trump backers stood in the median as protesters lined the sidewalk across from them. While one side chanted Four more years, the other countered with No justice, no peace. Contact Matthew Rink at mrink@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ETNrink. This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Donald Trump boat parade in Pennsylvania met ashore by protesters "Obviously, people respond to competency, and sense of having a plan, and to open and honest communication. They're all important. But I don't think anyone should be rushing to draw conclusions about where we are at the end of August politically because we are still going through the journey.'' Sir Lynton, who also ran campaigns for former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May and is dubbed 'The Wizard of Oz' by the British press, says the government "has had a lot thrown at it" and is facing other challenges like negotiating the terms of Britain's new post-Brexit trading relationship with the European Union. Australian political strategist Sir Lynton Crosby worked with Boris Johnson on several campaigns. Credit:Steve Back "People recognise and respond to Boris' ability to communicate, so he's able to connect with people still and that's an important quality," the CT Group founder says. "Boris Johnson as a leader is someone who can reach out and connect with people. Hes a front foot player so it wouldn't be natural for him to have to deal with some of these more unexpected issues not that hes not prepared to deal with them, but it's not a natural position for him." Crosby says Johnson is well-positioned to tap into emerging sentiment from voters who, having got through the first wave of the pandemic, want inspirational and innovative leaders. Loading "That's an opportunity for Boris because he can motivate and inspire people. Of course people also want the basics done there's no denying that. When you're faced with an uncertain climate, confidence comes from knowing you are working to a plan and you can see it through." Johnson has two main problems, according to Australia's former high commissioner to London Mike Rann. Rann says voters really only saw Johnson as the better of two bad options in last year's election, and believes his style is not suited to the gravity of a health and economic crisis. "People say the world of politics is divided between those who want to do and those who want to be," says Rann, a former Australian Labor premier. "Boris fits into the latter category and that has now been totally exposed. "He was a critical vehicle for them to win the election but all the things he used to be criticised for even before becoming PM that he's flaky, easily distracted and never has a real plan are really obvious problems now." Privately, some MPs believe Johnson has not fully recovered from his life-or-death brush with coronavirus in April. The 56-year-old ended up in intensive care at the height of the pandemic but returned to work only three weeks after his admission. Speculation about his health stepped up a notch when The Times ran a diary piece at the end of August quoting a woman named Anna Silverman who recounted an alleged conversation with Sir Humphry Wakefield, the father-in-law of Johnson's controversial chief adviser Dominic Cummings. Wakefield had apparently told Silverman that Johnson would resign in six months and compared the Prime Minister to an injured horse brought back to race too early. Johnson shot down the story as "absolute nonsense". "I am feeling, if anything, far better as I've lost some weight," he said. The Prime Minister has hired celebrity personal trainer Harry Jameson and has been photographed jogging around central London. The controversial Cummings narrowly kept his job in May after he and his wife drove 400 kilometres from London to Durham even though they had coronavirus and travel was curbed. Dozens of Tory MPs demanded he quit but Johnson dug in behind the polarising figure who wields huge influence in Downing Street. Loading Asked about Cummings, Sir Lynton says: "I'm not going to do running commentary on who is in an office and who is doing what. "One thing Boris has shown in the past is his ability to get good people around himself to help support him so he can use his considerable skills as a communicator to get out there and make sure hes got a team behind him who can deliver on the detail." The government is now preparing for an eventual public inquiry into its handling of the pandemic, pulling together a crucial budget that may include tax rises, and trying to fend off momentum for another referendum on Scottish independence. James Johnson, who ran polling at Downing Street for May, says focus groups had expressed sympathy for the Prime Minister's fight with COVID-19. "That tends to now have receded a bit and if it is mentioned it's more along the lines of 'he's not the sort of Boris he used to be'," the pollster says. But Johnson warns predictions of the Conservative Party's demise are premature. Polls have narrowed but the Conservatives are still ahead. For the time being, the Prime Minister's biggest problem is with his own MPs rather than the voters who handed him the keys to Downing Street on December 12. "There is a tendency to welcome this sort of change in the polls as the beginning of the end for the Conservative Party," Johnson says. "I think that is overdone." Sam Armytage has blasted the Victoria Police officers who threatened to arrest two elderly women sitting on a park bench during Melbourne's coronavirus lockdown. Dramatic footage of the heavy-handed confrontation, first obtained by Daily Mail Australia, showed five officers surrounding the frail women on Saturday. Officers ordered them to stand up, threatened to arrest them for not providing their details and then snatched one of their phones when they started filming the ordeal. A fired-up Armytage spoke about the footage on Sunrise on Tuesday morning and compared the incident - and the city's current Stage Four lockdown - to China. 'Victorians are sick to death of this': Sam Armytage blasted Daniel Andrews for extending Melbourne's lockdown and said footage of two elderly women being confronted by police reminded her of China 'What is this, China? You are getting arrested for filming things?' she said. 'Yes they were not meant to be sitting there under the rules. Who is making these rules? It is ridiculous.' Armytage was joined by Justice Party leader Derryn Hinch and journalist Sharri Markson to debate the draconian measures. Hinch said he agreed with the action taken by Victoria Police. 'I'm on the cop's side, they're doing it tough down here. We're all doing it tough down here,' he said. 'If they ask you for your name and address then you must provide it. 'I don't care if you're 17 or 70, by doing what you're doing, protesting last weekend, you're putting not only your own lives at risk, you're putting my life at risk. You're putting everybody's life at risk.' Five officers were filmed by a bystander swarming around two elderly women sitting on a park bench in the Victorian capital on Saturday Markson bit back at Hinch's comments, declaring the two women were not impacting anyone's life by sitting on a park bench. 'They are not risking your life by sitting on a park bench,' she said. 'It reminds me of those scenes in Sydney when we had the first pandemic and those two mums - one of them was breastfeeding - and the police made them move on as well. 'This is just too heavy-handed.' Armytage was then forced to interject as her two guests continued to talk over each other. The Sunrise host said she refused to call Premier Daniel Andrews' proposal out of coronavirus lockdown a 'road map'. 'Because road map suggests there is a plan and this is not necessarily a plan,' she said. 'We saw protests in Melbourne last weekend, there's going to be more this weekend. 'Victorians are sick to death of this and there is going to be civil disobedience.' Armytage was joined by Justice Party leader Derryn Hinch and journalist Sharri Markson to debate the draconian measures Pictured: Melburnians in face masks sit in the city on Monday Markson said the protests were 'irresponsible' during a pandemic and agreed the premier did not provide an adequate roadmap. Mr Andrews outlined his four-step plan for the state to return to normality on Sunday, with some restrictions to be tweaked from midnight next Sunday. But Melbourne will remain under a nightly curfew and people will be unable to leave their homes for non-essential reasons until at least October 26. The lockdown will lift on that date if the average number of new cases falls below five and there are fewer than five unknown source cases. Up to five visitors from a nominated household and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will also be allowed. Armytage said Victorians would continue to fight the extended measures. Pictured: Residents wait for a tram on Bourke Street in Melbourne on Sunday 'People are going to start breaking out. People are going to break the rules because they don't agree with what's going on and the rest of the country doesn't agree either,' she said. The TV personality added she was not blaming Victorians for their frustrations. 'We all feel desperately sorry for you and we're all understanding why people are trying to break out. 'This is your government that has absolutely stuffed this up from the beginning and we feel so desperately frustrated on your behalf that we're trying to fight the fight here.' Saturday's incident happened while a 'Freedom Day' protest took place in Melbourne Mr Andrews outlined his four-step plan for the state to return to normality on Sunday, with some restrictions to be tweaked from midnight next Sunday In the police confrontation video, one of the elderly women pulled her phone out to record the encounter. A male police officer stood behind her and snatched the device from her hand. 'Excuse me, you have no right to seize my property,' the woman yelled. Victoria Police were unable to confirm whether the woman was arrested. A police spokesman said: 'Generally speaking, it is an offence to not provide your name and details to police when they believe you have either committed or are about to commit an offence. 'As part of their powers, police have the ability to remove items from a person's possession where necessary to effect an arrest.' Pictured: A woman runs past an empty Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday Officers and Melburnians fall to the ground during dramatic arrests from the anti-lockdown protest on Saturday Saturday's incident happened while a 'Freedom Day' protest took place in the city. Police said seven people were charged with breaching COVID-19 directions after some 200 people gathered to protest near the city centre. Scuffles between demonstrators and police resulted in more than 160 fines for contravening lockdown measures or not wearing a mask. 'Despite all the warnings, it was disappointing to see individuals turn out to protest in the city, putting the lives of Victorians at risk,' a police statement said. Victoria Police charged a protester with assault after an officer suffered cuts to the head during the anti-lockdown rally. On Monday, Scott Morrison slammed Victoria's road map out of coronavirus lockdown and said he hopes it is a 'worst case scenario'. The prime minister said the state's plan to keep lockdown restrictions in place for at least six weeks was 'crushing news'. 'The plan that was outlined yesterday, I hope, is a worst-case scenario. I see it as a starting point in terms of how this issue will be managed in the weeks and months ahead in Victoria,' Mr Morrison said. Scott Morrison has said he hopes Victoria's road map out of coronavirus lockdown is a worst-case scenario Mr Andrews' extension of Melbourne's lockdown could lead to another 260,000 job losses in Victoria on top of the 432,000 already out of work, according to new modelling. Conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs, it is predicted the renewed lockdown will cost Victorians 260,000 jobs. The data based on figures used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates the number of people state-wide to have lost their job since the pandemic began in Australia in March is about 700,000. Unemployment levels - even without the further restrictions - could reach 11 per cent, according to the modelling obtained by the Herald Sun. Professor Peter Collignon (pictured) has slammed Daniel Andrews' roadmap out of lockdown Criticism of Mr Andrews' road map out of the lockdown has been growing since his Sunday announcement - with disease expert Professor Peter Collignon from the Australian National University saying opening up at five cases a day was 'unrealistic'. According to Professor Collignon, there are two main reasons why the ambitious plan to get community transmission down to zero before fully reopening is flawed. 'It's much harder than any other state has tried and secondly, a lot hinges on very good contact tracing and so far Victoria has not been able to do it as good as other States,' he told channel 9's Today show. 'They still don't have quick contact tracing and there is a lot of undefined cases where they don't know where they came from.' Australians will soon be notified. Image: Getty Nearly 200,000 Australians have been impacted by a major Service NSW hack which saw 47 staff members emails compromised. Service NSW on Monday said it is in the final stages of analysis into the cyber attack which took place earlier in the year and is now contacting affected Australians by registered Australia Post mail. The state body described the April hack as a criminal attack with NSW Police now also investigating the attack. The attack against 47 staff members saw 738GB of data and 3.8 million documents stolen, with Services NSW now confirming 186,000 Australians personal information was included in the breach. The investigation, which began in April, engaged forensic specialists to analyse 3.8 million documents in the accounts. This rigorous first step surfaced about 500,000 documents which referenced personal information, said Service NSW CEO Damon Rees. The data is made up of documents such as handwritten notes and forms, scans, and records of transaction applications. Across the last four months, some of the analysis has included manual review of tens of thousands of records to ensure our customer care teams could develop a robust and useful notification process. The agency in May said its investigation was focused on customers who had been served by one of the 47 impacted staff members. We are sorry that customers information was taken in this way, Rees said on Monday. Our focus is now on providing the best support for approximately 186,000 customers and staff weve identified with personal information in the breach. The NSW Auditor-General is currently reviewing the agencys cyber security practices, education and defences with Service NSW accelerating its cyber security plans. How do I know the Australia Post letter isnt also compromised? Customers at risk will be notified by person-to-person registered Australia Post. They will need to sign for the mail and the letter will be personalised and include information about the data accessed and where those affected can get support. Service NSW also highlighted that it will never call or email a customer out of the blue to request information about a data breach. Those who are suspicious about any contact purportedly from Service NSW were told to contact the agency directly on 13 77 88. Erika Gerdemark Kungl. Hovstaterna/The Royal Court of Sweden Princess Sofia of Sweden Princess Sofia is speaking out about her life as a royal mom and whether she would ever consider stepping away from royal duty like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In Princess Sofia: Project Playground, a new documentary that aired on September 3 on Sweden's TV4, the former reality TV star, 35 who is married to Prince Carl Philip of Sweden was asked about the so-called "Megxit" by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and her thoughts on doing the same. No. Not really. I think I have found such a fantastic balance, and I really see it as a positive that I have made it through these stormy years, she said, according to Royal Central. The mom of two Prince Alexander, 4 and Prince Gabriel, 3 added, It is such a huge advantage, in that we have the opportunity to stand a little in both worlds. Samir Hussein/WireImage Princess Sofia, Prince Carl Philip and their two children Sofia founded Project Playground with her friend Frida Vesterberg in 2010 and remained as Secretary-General until April 2015. The charity offers vulnerable children, often victims of neglect, abuse and domestic violence, a safe space to grow and develop. Since entering the royal family, Sofia has played an active role as Honorary Chair and is passionate about expanding their charitable initiative. RELATED: Relive Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Fairy Tale Royal Wedding on Their 5th Anniversary Filmed in Cape Town back in January, Sofia spoke candidly about some of the issues she has had to face since finding herself on a global stage. Since I became a princess, I have been through many identity crises. Here in South Africa I have a type of identity, and when I come home, I have something else," she said. "Here I am allowed to be who I want to be. Prior to becoming a royal, Sofia worked as a waitress, a model and a reality television personality. Her love of Africa dates back to her teenage years, when she worked as a volunteer and aid worker in South Africa, Senegal and Ghana. Story continues In June, Sofia and Carl Philip marked their fifth wedding anniversary by sharing a series of previously unreleased images from their royal wedding on Instagram, accompanied by lines from the grooms wedding speech. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Every person comes to a crucial choice; a choice that determines your future and is about who you are and above all who you want to be," Carl Philip said. "And often it takes courage. Courage not to choose the easy path just because it is easy, but courage to stay on the difficult path because it is right." Construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, should it continue, is not likely to jeopardize five endangered or threatened species of fish, bats and plants, a long-awaited federal authorization has concluded. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday issued a new biological opinion, which was essentially a rewrite of its finding in 2017. After a legal challenge was filed by Wild Virginia and six other environmental groups last August, a federal appeals court stayed the original opinion. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission then issued a stop-work order in October. Following a nearly year-long reconsideration, the Fish and Wildlife Service released a 362-page opinion that found the massive project, which has run into repeated problems with erosion from steep mountain slopes, would not jeopardize protected species. The finding applies to the Roanoke logperch, the candy darter a second kind of fish that has been added to the endangered species list since 2017 the Indiana bat, the northern long-eared bat and the Virginia spiraea, a flowering shrub native to southern Appalachia. News Greensboro, North Carolina - A North Carolina man pleaded guilty Monday to perpetrating three schemes between March and July 2020 connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, through which he defrauded consumers and the federal governments relief programs. Brandon Lewis, 34, of Greensboro, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging two counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA) before U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Eagles of the Middle District of North Carolina. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 30, 2020 before Judge Eagles. Brandon Lewis today admitted to a wide range of brazen schemes specifically designed to profit illegally from the COVID-19 pandemic by defrauding scores of frightened consumers and small business owners desperate for a financial lifeline, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. The department and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue and hold accountable those who seek to illegally exploit the ongoing national emergency for their own personal benefit at the expense of hardworking Americans and businesses. In the midst of a pandemic and as the economy suffered, this defendant lined his pockets by cheating online customers, small businesses, and, ultimately, all taxpayers. Stealing from people seeking basic health and cleaning supplies while under stay at home orders, and from entrepreneurs struggling to keep their businesses afloat, may be the nadir of fraudulent conduct, said U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin of the Middle District of North Carolina. I commend the excellent coordinated efforts of IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Small Business Administration Inspector General, and the Treasury Inspector General. We will aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who tries to profit by preying on people during this pandemic. This is another example of greed controlling ones actions. In a time of crisis and vulnerability in our country, Mr. Lewis promised assistance and help, but delivered more heartache and anxiety, said Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). I am proud of the way IRS-Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners quickly responded to these selfish criminal acts. We are committed to rooting out those seeking to defraud the hard-working citizens of this country during this pandemic. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will remain vigilant in bringing to justice anyone that seeks to defraud individuals during this pandemic, said Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Atlanta Division. These schemes highlights the importance of collaboration with our law enforcement partners to investigate and stop those seeking to take advantage of innocent victims. It is unacceptable to defraud small businesses that are struggling during these unprecedented times, said Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kupperbusch of the SBA's Office of Inspector General (OIG)s Eastern Region. Our office will relentlessly pursue fraudsters that use SBAs programs for greed and personal gain. I want to thank the Justice Department and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice. In the midst of this pandemic, anyone who attempts to engage in illegal activity will be aggressively pursued, said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Our mission at TIGTA is to protect the integrity of the nations system of tax administration. We will continue to work with the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Justice, and other law enforcement partners in this effort. As part of his guilty plea, Lewis admitted that he created the so-called COVID-19 Relief Fund, which he purportedly managed and oversaw as president and founder of Lewis Revenue Group LLC. Lewis promised desperate small business owners guaranteed funds of between $12,500 and $15,000 in exchange for an upfront reservation fee of between $995 and $1,200. Lewis falsely claimed that the fund has up to $250 million available for small businesses and provided a link for applicants to purchase a reservation now. Lewis also created the so-called American Relief Fund, offering $5,000 grants to every American affected by COVID-19. Lewis promoted these relief funds through sophisticated marketing and social media campaigns, even using the official trademarks and logos of purported corporate sponsors without their permission. In reality, Lewis never had or distributed any funds through the COVID-19 Relief Fund or American Relief Fund. Between April and May 2020, Lewis defrauded small business owners of more than $100,000 through this scheme. Lewis also admitted that, in mid-March 2020 as COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders across the United States began, he set up a website called www.homekitchengoods.com, for the online store, Home Kitchen Goods, where he claimed to sell pandemic-critical goods such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, paper towels, and toilet paper. In fact, however, during the five days between March 20 and March 24, 2020, Lewis received over 8,500 orders totaling more than $400,000, but never had or delivered any of the promised goods. Lewis further admitted that, between April 1 and June 19, 2020, he lied to the SBA by fraudulently applying for and obtaining multiple loans and advances under the SBAs EIDL program. Specifically, Lewis purchased more than 35 aged, off-the-shelf corporations, and then submitted approximately 68 fraudulent loan applications and non-refundable grant advances of up to $10,000 through the SBA-EIDL program. This case was investigated by the USPIS, IRS-CI, SBA-OIG, and TIGTA. Trial Attorney David A. Stier of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith C. Ruggles are prosecuting the case. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Budi Sutrisno (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 15:29 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4336683 1 SE Asia COVID-19,COVID-19-in-Indonesia,COVID-19-Malaysia,Malaysia,Foreign-Affairs-Ministry,travel-ban,travel-restriction,coronavirus Free Indonesians, as well as citizens of several other countries, are being denied entry to Malaysia as of Monday, the Foreign Ministry has confirmed. Foreign Ministry director for the protection of citizens and legal entities overseas Judha Nugraha said that according to the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, the travel ban was temporary. The Malaysian ambassador said this policy was temporary and would be reviewed every week, Judha said in a statement on Friday. In addition to Indonesians, Malaysia is banning the entry of citizens of the Philippines, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Bangladesh, France, Saudi Arabia and Italy, all of which are among the top 25 countries with the most confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Philippines and Indonesia have been the worst hit countries in Southeast Asia in gross terms, with 237,365 and 194,109 confirmed cases respectively as of Monday morning. We also urge all Indonesian citizens in the country not to travel abroad unless there is a very urgent need, Judha said. Malaysian Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the travel ban policy was to prevent COVID-19 cases from being imported into the country, which had confirmed 9,397 cases as of Monday morning. The special Cabinet committee is aware of the sudden spike in COVID-19 positive cases in certain countries, Ismail said in a press conference on Sept. 1, as quoted by Malaysian daily The Star. We have asked the Health Ministry to make detailed plans about how Malaysia should face threats and challenges in view of the possibility of an increase in cases during the winter. Malaysia initially planned to impose the travel ban on citizens of India, Indonesia and the Philippines, before extending the list to citizens of other countries. The restrictions will affect permanent residents, participants in the Malaysia My Second Home program, expatriates and professional visit pass holders, spouses of Malaysian citizens and students. All foreign tourists have been barred from the country since March. NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05962034/?utm_source=PRN - The demand for investment casting is majorly driven by the growing aerospace and military industry, as there are many different applications and parts of aircraft, helicopters, and jets that are produced through investment casting. These include flight critical and safety components, landing and braking components, and hydraulic fluid system components, all of which are vital to the safety of the aircraft. - There are few factors which are hindering the demand for investment casting market such as manufacturing cost, high energy consumption, etc. However, foundries are trying to overcome these challenges by making collaborations to innovate advanced casting technologies using simulations, which is likely to reduce the shop-floor time and increase the casting yield. - North America is leading the investment casting market currently. The factors attributable to North America's growth is the expansion of the manufacturing industry, medical, and aerospace & military sectors. Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecast period. China is likely to lead the region as it is one of the significant countries which majorly contribute to the growth of the investment diecasting industry in the region. Key Market Trends Sodium Silicate Process To Exhibit The Highest Growth Rate - Silica sol casting gives the investment castings better dimensional accuracy and surface finish with minimal defects. Hence the cost of the process is higher than that of the water glass casting. Silica sol zircon sand is very expensive, and the preparation needed is also higher, which is also a prime reason for the higher costs. - The silica sol process has comparatively less adoption in foundries due to its higher costs. On an average, the silica sol investment casting used in automotive or industrial component costs around 6.5 USD/kg. - Nevertheless, if the highest casting quality and the low repair rate is the main focus of the end-user, this process can be preferred. Compared to the water glass process, silica sol process can produce extra-large parts weighing 50-100kgs. Hence this process is used for producing larger and heavier parts, like water pumps, impellers, diversion shells, pump bodies, ball valve bodies, and valve plates. At the same time, this process is also widely used to produce extra small parts (2-1000g) that require high dimensional accuracy, like the ones used in ap - The Sodium Silicate Process is slowly becoming more popular in regions such as Asia-Pacific as a result of the ongoing efforts to improve the quality and dimensional accuracy of the components produced. North America Leads the Investment Casting Market North America is leading the investment casting market and is likely to continue to hold the top position followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe, respectively. The factors attributable to North America's growth is expanding the manufacturing industry, primarily industrial gas, aerospace & defense applications and the presence of significant defense aircraft and component manufacturers in the region including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman. The aerospace manufacturing is one of the major sectors in the United States, with production plants of major aircraft programs, like Boeing 737, Boeing 777, Boeing 787, and Airbus A220 located in the region. The manufacturing of military aircraft programs, like F-35, in the country is expected to generate demand for investment casting parts. According to the American Automotive Policy Council, the automotive industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the United States, with vehicles and parts exported in the last five years amounting to USD 692 billion. The country manufactured close to 10.88 million vehicles in 2019, which is about 3.7% less than the previous year, 2018. Out of the total manufactured vehicles, the country exported about 1.92 million vehicles in 2019. According to the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, in 2018, the aerospace industry accounted to CAD 31 billion in revenues, which contributed over CAD 25 billion to GDP. Airbus, Boeing, De Havilland Canada and Bombardier Inc. are some of the major aerospace manufacturers in the country. Currently, the production of aerospace companies slowed down, with 95% of companies running at partial capacity. De Havilland Canada plans to gradually begin the production of aircraft in phases. As of July 2020, the Twin Otter production line is currently on temporary ceased. However, due to COVID-19, the companies decreased their overall manufacturing production capacities. In July 2020, Boeing announced the reduction of its Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft in the coming years. This might affect the revenues of investment casting parts suppliers in the region. Competitive Landscape The investment casting market is fragmented owing to the presence of various international and regional investment casting manufacturers. The investment casting market is lead by Alcoa Corporation, ThyssenKrupp AG, Zollern GmbH and Co. KG, Georg Fischer Ltd., Signicast, Milwaukee Precision Casting, RLM Industries, among others. As the market is fragmented companies are making investment, partnerships, joint-ventures, acquisitions, etc., for being ahead in the competition. For instance, - In February 2019, Signicast has signed an agreement to acquire CIREX, a European investment casting specialist based in the Netherlands, from Amsterdam based investment companies Convent and Nedvest. This acquisition will enable Signicast to better serve its growing international customer base and in addition to Signicast's existing three facilities in the US, the combined operation will now have plants in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05962034/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links www.reportlinker.com By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - An American bishop-elect has resigned just weeks before he was due to start the job, following an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor, Catholic Church officials said on Monday. Father Michel Mulloy, 66, was appointed by Pope Francis on June 19 to be bishop of Duluth, Minnesota and was due to be formally installed in a ceremony on Oct. 1. It is almost unheard of for a bishop-elect to resign between the time of his appointment and installation. The episode pointed to the continuing impact the abuse scandal is having on the 1.3 billion-member Roman Catholic Church. It was not immediately possible to contact Mulloy or his lawyers for comment on Monday, a public holiday in the United States. A Vatican statement said Pope Francis had accepted Mulloy's resignation, but gave no more details. The diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota, where Mulloy had served as a priest, released a statement saying it had last month "received notification of an allegation against Father Mulloy of sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1980s". The diocese said that when it received the allegation, police were informed and Mulloy was instructed to refrain from public ministry while a Church investigation determined if the allegation was credible. A diocesan board made up of mostly lay members reviewed the investigation's findings and concluded that the accusation "met the standard" for further investigation, the diocese said. Mulloy submitted his resignation after he received a summary of the allegation, the diocese added. A spokesman for Rapid City's police force said there was no active investigation into the bishop-elect. Police in Duluth did not immediately respond to calls for comment. For the past two decades the Roman Catholic Church around the world has been hit by a raft of sexual abuse cases and has spent billions of dollars in settlements, expenses that in many cases have led to the closing of parishes and schools. The U.S. Church is still reeling from a Pennsylvania grand jury report that revealed that priests had abused about 1,000 people over seven decades in that state alone. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Additional reporting by Maria Caspani in New York; Editing by Andrew Heavens) The Delhi High Court Monday directed the Delhi University to issue within seven working days digital degree certificates to students who have already graduated and urgently require the document for taking admission in a foreign university or for employment. Getting a degree is an event for a student but it has really become a torture, Justice Prathiba M Singh said. The high court was unhappy that despite its earlier order, the varsity was not issuing digital degrees to pass out students and was demanding physical copy of proofs attached in the email requesting issuance of the document. The judge also observed that there was lack of coordination between the Delhi University and its lawyers who were not being given proper instructions by the varsity. Justice Singh directed the university to place before it separately, the timeline by when digital degrees will be issued on urgent and non-urgent requests. The high court said the students who have already made urgent requests for a digital degree on DUs website, shall again send an email to the varsity and attach any document stating the urgency, including admission in foreign university or employment purpose. For such students, digital degree certificates be issued within seven working days. Requirement for physical copy of the documents be removed with immediate effect, Justice Singh said. The high court was informed that till now 30,000 students have given requests on the varsitys portal for digital degree certificates. It noted that earlier it was informed by the Dean (Examinations) Professor Vinay Gupta and Joint Director of Delhi University Computer Centre (DUCC) Dr Sanjeev Singh, that all the data of students up till November 2019 was available with the varsity. However, on Monday, it was informed that the university only has data of students till 2017. This is a completely messed up situation. There is no data of 2018 and 2019, the high court remarked. Earlier on August 7, the high court had passed an order on a bunch of petitions, putting in place a proper procedure for issuance of degree certificates through an online mechanism to ensure that delay in printing of degree certificates does not become an impediment to students who need it. It had then recorded satisfaction in respect of the digital certificate that was filed by DU and noted that an online platform www.digicerti.du.ac.in was also created for enabling students to apply for issuance of such certificates. It had directed that DU shall ensure that students digital degree certificates are issued within a period of one week from registration. However, on September 2, the high court was informed by final year law student Shubham Kumar Jain that he had graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce, DU in 2017 and was seeking a digital degree for the bachelors course which has still not been issued. He submitted that despite the online submission of the application for issuance of digital degree certificate and completion of all formalities, the university was insisting on physical submission of a hard copy of the application. He said he has applied for the digital degree on August 14, but it has not been issued. On Monday, the court was informed that data of 28,000 students which constitute half of the students who graduated in 2017 have been uploaded on DigiLocker, an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). However, to access it, students date of birth is required and DU is yet to obtain it from respective colleges, the court noted. A DU official told the court that he had a meeting with the principals of all the colleges and they will give the data of students of 2018 and 2019 batches in next 4 and 10 days respectively. When DUs counsel said it was not possible to issue digital degrees to all the students in one stretch and for now, they can do it for the urgent ones, the court remarked This happens when you dont issue degrees to students on time annually. The high court listed the matter for further hearing on September 11, before which the varsity has to place on record an affidavit. It also asked the three DU officials, who were there in the hearing, to be present on the next date along with Dean (Examinations). Advocate Sarthak Maggon, representing petitioner Dhritiman Ray on whose plea the earlier order on issuance of digital degree was passed, said he has received his digital degree certificate on September 3. He said he has received calls from around 80 students who have applied for digital degrees but have not received it. The high court had earlier said the purpose of directing issuance of the certificates digitally and through an online mechanism was to dispense with the need for physical presence of students at the university during the COVID-19 pandemic and also to streamline the process for students who are not in Delhi and need the document either for employment or for further educational purposes. Roque was a former lawyer for the Laude family and just last week had denounced the court decision. But on Monday, he told the press that the president does not need to give a reason for his decision, because granting pardon and parole is not a function of the judiciary, but of the executive. Supermodel Elle Macpherson isn't called The Body for nothing. The 56-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a set of photos shared to Instagram Stories on Monday. In both photos, she posed in a skimpy khaki bikini, snapping an image of the new swimwear, with a tag still attached, in the mirror. Wow! Supermodel Elle Macpherson (pictured) isn't called The Body for nothing. The 56-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a set of photos shared to Instagram Stories on Monday She then turned to the side, showcasing her derriere and slim physique while espousing the virtues of the swimwear in her caption. The stunning model appeared makeup free, her glowing visage flawless, and her golden hair sitting around her face. Elle recently revealed the secrets to her age-defying looks in an interview with Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler, sharing her top tips and tricks for wellness. Looking good: In both photos, she posed in a skimpy khaki bikini, snapping the image of the new swimwear in the mirror The model said that she relies on water, exercise, sunshine and laughter to make her feel and look her best. Elle also revealed that she drinks 'three litres' of water a day and tries to get in '20 minutes of sunshine' to keep up her Vitamin D levels, which help support the immune system. The entrepreneur added that she also takes The Super Elixir greens supplement from her own brand WelleCo 'daily without fail'. Secrets: Elle recently revealed the secrets to her age-defying looks in an interview with Kiwi Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler, sharing her top tips and tricks for wellness Want to look like Elle? The blonde bombshell explained said she relies on water, exercise, sunshine, laughter and The Super Elixir greens supplement from her company, WelleCo After being dubbed 'The Body' by Time magazine in 1989, Elle said the secret to her slim physique is 'movement.' 'Whatever floats your boat. I love swimming, hiking, surfing and yoga,' Elle told the publication. Finally she insisted that it is important to laugh 'as much and often as possible'. Five of the eight defendants were spared the death penalty after Khashoggis sons announced in May they had forgiven their fathers killers. The Saudi justice system allows families of victims in some capital cases to grant clemency to convicted killers. Instead, the five received 20-year prison terms, according to the statement on Monday. Chandigarh: The Punjab Government on Monday (September 7, 2020) announced few coronavirus relaxations in urban areas after which the non-essential shops, hotels and restaurants have been allowed to open till 9 PM. The COVID-19 restrictions have now been eased and the non-essential shops can open from Monday to Saturday. As per the revised decision, the night curfew will now be in place in all cities and towns from 9.30 PM to 5 AM and hotels and restaurants will be allowed to remain open on all days, including Sundays, till 9 PM, after which the home delivery of food will be allowed. Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh announces certain relaxations in urban areas. Non-essential shops can open on Saturdays. Hotels & restaurants to stay open till 9 PM on all 7 days. Night curfew from 9.30 PM to 5 AM https://t.co/l4rWwMjHyI CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) September 7, 2020 Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that it has also been decided to align the opening of non-essential shops in Mohali with the rest of the tri-city (namely Chandigarh and Panchkula). The decisions were announced by the Chief Minister during his second round of virtual meeting with Punjab Congress MLAs to discuss the COVID-19 situation. Responding to complaints of shopkeepers getting inflated bills even though their shops had remained closed for a long duration, the Chief Minister directed the Electricity Department not to charge bills on the average of the previous year but to send actual bills. Captain Amarinder also announced cash compensation of Rs 1,500 for construction workers who test COVID-19 positive or whose immediate family has tested positive and they have to be quarantined. The Chief Minister also asked the MLAs to visit their constituencies and hospitals to establish better communication with the people and boost their morale. The meeting was attended by State's Health & Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Tript Singh Bajwa, Medical Education & Minister OP Soni, along with top officials. CM Singh also announced the three-month extension for all retiring doctors and specialists under the age of 60, and also asked the Chief Secretary to expedite the process of recruitment of technicians and lab assistants for coping with the exponential demand in view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases. CM @capt_amarinder Singh announced 3 months extension for all retiring doctors & specialists under 60, also asked @CsPunjab to expedite process of recruitment of technicians & lab assistants for coping with exponential demand of increasing #Covid cases https://t.co/BfbnYPyu0B CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) September 7, 2020 "As per a Cabinet decision, these doctors were earlier given extension till September 30, which has now been extended till December 31, 2020," stated the Chief Minister. Notably, Punjab has a total of 16,156 active COVID-19 infections as on September 6, with a cumulative fatality rate of 2.9% and deaths per million at 62. The average positivity for the week from August 26 to September 3 was 9.42%, Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed the meeting. New Delhi, Sep 7 : Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has announced an arrangement for hiving off its O2C (oil to chemicals) business into a wholly-owned subsidiary, which can attract investors. In a regulatory filing, RIL said the rationale of the scheme is that the nature of risk and returns in the O2C business are distinct from the other businesses of RIL and this business attracts a distinct set of investors and strategic investors. "RIL has been exploring various opportunities to bring in strategic and other investors in the O2C business. Investors have expressed interest to make an investment in the O2C business," it said. The company said that since it is listed, it cannot issue shares with differential rights, as in equity shares with interest linked only to O2C business, to the investors. "Therefore the O2C undertaking has to be transferred into a wholly-Owned subsidiary of RIL, in which the investors will invest," RIL said. According to the arrangement, RIL's oil-to-chemicals business including refining, petrochemicals, fuel retail (51 per cent in a JV with BP, and bulk wholesale marketing businesses, along with its assets and liabilities, will be transferred to the new subsidiary. RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani had announced that the company will spin off its oil-to-chemical (O2C) business into a separate subsidiary by early 2021 after receiving regulatory approvals. Ambani had said the company will approach the National Company Law Tribunal with a proposal to hive off the O2C segment to facilitate new partnership opportunities. In a letter to shareholders in RIL's annual report for 2019-20, Ambani said in the energy businesses, Reliance is working to complete the contours of a strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco. "The partnership gives our refineries access to a wide portfolio of value-accretive crude grades and enhanced feedstock security for a higher oil-to-chemicals conversion," he had said. The deal between Reliance and Aramco involves the Indian entity offering at least 20 per cent stake in the O2C business, covering refining, petrochemicals and marketing. Hungary's parliament has passed a resolution to withdraw the special powers given to right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government to tackle the coronavirus crisis. Hungary's parliament, where Orban's Fidesz party holds a comfortable majority, voted by 192 votes to none on June 16 to lift the state of emergency -- or state of danger, as it is called in Hungary -- and related special powers put in place on March 30 to deal with the pandemic which gave Orban the right to rule by decree indefinitely. The government is now expected to formally lift the state of danger later this week. However, lawmakers also approved a bill which critics say would enable the government to declare another so-called "state of medical crisis" and rule by decree in future, potentially for an indefinite period. From early last month, the government gradually ended a national lockdown as the outbreak subsided. Hungarian opposition parties and rights groups at home and abroad called the extra powers "dictatorial" and said Orban abused them to cement his rule rather than combat the virus. Some of the more than 100 government acts issued since April stripped opposition-run municipalities of power and funding. The emergency powers also included potential jail terms for "scaremongering" over the pandemic, triggering concern for press freedom. Police opened more than 100 cases of suspected scaremongering and temporarily detained several people, although no cases came to court. The European Parliament in April approved a statement saying Hungary's measures were "incompatible with European values." Hungary's population of almost 10 million has been lightly affected by the virus in comparison with other parts of Europe, so far reporting just over 4,000 infections of the new coronavirus and around 560 deaths. Based on reporting by Reuter, AFP, and hirtv.hu A man has appeared in court charged with allegedly making grossly offensive and menacing phone calls to the family of Cameron Blair (20), who was murdered in Cork earlier this year. Noel Barry, of Cherry Tree Road in Cork, was before Judge James McNulty at Cork District Court where he was charged with the offences under Section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951. Det Garda Pat Connery told the court Mr Barry (45) allegedly made four phone calls to the family of the late Cameron Blair last Friday evening. The phone calls occurred between 9.30pm and midnight. The family recorded two of the calls. During the calls, threats were made to Noel Blair, father of Cameron. His family were allegedly told to "f*** off back to England". An alleged threat to kill and harm Mrs Blair and the couple's teenage son was also made. Mr Blair indicated that during the calls he was warned that his family would "never be safe." In another phone call, Mr Blair reported that he was told to get his "loyalist friends" so they could "sort this out on the streets of Shankill Road". Det Garda Connery objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the potential of offences being committed if Mr Barry was granted his freedom. Solicitor Eddie Burke said that his client had fully co operated with gardai and had voluntarily made himself available to gardai. Judge McNulty declined to grant bail and remanded Mr Barry in custody until his next court appearance today. Extradition trial against Nirav Modi to begin today India oi-Vicky Nanjappa London, Sep 07: Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who has been lodged at a prison in London since his arrest in March last year, is set to appear via videolink for the second leg of his extradition trial at a UK court on Monday. The 49-year-old jeweller is fighting extradition charges related to the estimated $ 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case brought by the Indian government, being represented at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Interpol issues red notice against Nirav Modis wife In line with the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, District Judge Samuel Goozee has directed Modi's appearance from a room in Wandsworth Prison in south-west London with social distancing norms in place for the part-remote setting for the five-day hearing scheduled to conclude on Friday. Justice Goozee had presided over the first leg of the extradition in May, during which the CPS sought to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Modi. The upcoming hearings are ear-marked to complete those arguments after the Indian government had submitted additional "corroboratory evidence". It will then go on to deal with the additional extradition request, made by the Indian authorities and certified by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this year, which add on the charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or "criminal intimidation to cause death" against Modi. Goozee has already said that the different extradition requests are inextricably linked, and he would therefore be handing down his judgment at the end of hearing all the arguments. Additional hearings scheduled for November 3, for the judge to rule on the admissibility of the evidence that will be presented before him, and December 1, when both sides will make their final submissions, mean his ruling on whether Modi has a case to answer before the Indian courts is expected only after the final hearing in December. The charges against the diamond merchant centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds making fraudulent use of a credit facility offered by PNB, known as "letters of undertaking" (LoUs). Interpol issues red notice against Nirav Modis wife The CPS, appearing on behalf of India, had told the court that a number of PNB staff conspired with Modi to ensure LoUs were issued to his companies without ensuring they were subject to the required credit check, without recording the issuance of the LoUs and without charging the required commission upon the transactions. Modi's team has sought to counter allegations of fraud by deposing witnesses to establish the volatility of the gems trade and that the LoUs were standard practice. Modi has made repeated attempts at bail over the past year, each of which were turned down as he is deemed a flight risk. The jeweller was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard. At a case management hearing ahead of the trial last week, Modi's barrister Clare Montgomery had told the judge that she may be seeking a partial reporting ban on the proceedings following allegations of "party political bias" against one of their expert witnesses from India - retired Indian High Court judge Abhay Thipsay. "We may have to put in an application for reporting restrictions around the reporting of his [Thipsay] evidence to avoid further public commentary on it," she said. From the legal documents submitted, prison conditions in India will once again play a major part in this extradition case, as in the past with other Indian extradition cases, with Modi's severe mental health condition being a factor to be raised behind closed doors. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin David Stanway (Reuters) Wuhan, China Mon, September 7, 2020 09:14 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431802c 2 World China,wuhan,coronavirus,COVID-19,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free The Huanan seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, believed by many to be the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, is sealed behind a blue perimeter fence. A large team of security staff chases away anyone who lingers. "We are just doing our job," said a guard in black who ordered a Reuters reporter to delete footage recorded near the market's main gates. He identified himself as a worker from the city government's epidemic prevention and control team. Foreign journalists were invited on an official tour to report on Wuhan's efforts to rebuild its economy after the months-long trauma of COVID-19. The official message: the "heroic city" is back to normal and back in business, its schools and tourist sites reopened and its enterprises running at full capacity. "No other place is as safe as this," said Lin Songtian, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a state-backed group that helped organize the tour. The location of more than 80% of the country's COVID-19 deaths, the central Chinese city on the banks of the Yangtze river has reported no cases of local transmission since May, and most of the stringent controls imposed during a two-month lockdown have been relaxed. But Wuhan was accused of acting too slowly in the early stages of the outbreak amid fears of disrupting the economy or displeasing China's leadership in Beijing. Critics say media censorship and the silencing of whistleblowers gave the virus more time to spread undetected. Wuhan remains reluctant to allow light to be shed on the origins of a pathogen that has killed nearly 900,000 people worldwide. The city still restricts access to locations like the Huanan market, which was linked to the first identified cluster of infections in December. At another wholesale market in the far north of city, which is open to the public, Reuters was tailed by security staff and deterred from speaking to stallholders and traders. "If you don't allow people to visit these places, you give people the impression you have something to hide," said Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington who studies the politics behind China's health issues. Origins China rejects conspiracy theories surrounding the coronavirus, including claims without evidence that a specialist virology institute in Wuhan manufactured it. But many unanswered questions remain about the origins of COVID-19 and the role played by the trade in exotic wildlife in Wuhan. Though authorities closed the Huanan market in January, there is a growing scientific consensus that the virus did not originate there. Some studies suggest it was already in circulation by the time it reached the market, with more than one transmission route. "I agree with the general idea that the virus jumped into a human before the Wuhan market," said David Irwin, professor of medicine and pathobiology at the University of Toronto. "They may have been a trader that had been exposed either directly to the virus in a host animal or interacted with farmers or other traders outside of Wuhan." China has shown little appetite for an international enquiry into the origins of COVID-19 or for allowing more scrutiny of its efforts in the early stages of the outbreak, preferring to focus on the country's rapid economic and psychological recovery. "There is no doubt that China has been very successful in containing the virus, so why can't they be more open?" said Huang. "If you want to dispel those myths... you don't need to worry about people visiting the market or even the virus institute." Frantic producers are said to be scrambling to find a way to film the fourth season of Bachelor in Paradise amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The show usually films every November at Fiji's Mango Bay Resort - however with most interstate borders still firmly closed and international travel mostly out of the question, it seems unlikely that contestants will be able to fly out for the series. However, The Wash reports there may still be a glimmer of hope, as they claim producers have already 'approached big names' from the Bachelor franchise to star in the series, and are looking at popular tourist hotspot Noosa in QLD as a potential back-up location. Uncertain: Frantic producers are said to be scrambling to find a way to film for the fourth season of Bachelor in Paradise despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic [Pictured is Ciarran Stott] According to the publication, the idyllic resort town 'has been discussed as a potential location, depending on what happens with Queensland's border and if they can get the cast and crew there.' Some of the franchise's 'key alumni' have reportedly been promised that if this season goes ahead, then they will definitely be on the show. However, stars from this year's The Bachelor and the yet-to-be aired The Bachelorette have not been approached for the next season of Bachelor In Paradise as of yet. Dilemma: The show usually films every November at Fiji 's Mango Bay Resort - however with most interstate borders still firmly closed and international travel mostly out of the question, it seems unlikely that contestants will be able to fly out for the series. Pictured is Abbie Chatfield Glimmer of hope: However, The Wash reports producers have already 'approached big names' from the Bachelor franchise to star in the series and are looking into Noosa as a potential back-up location. Pictured Mary Viturino Weighing up the options of the show's future, the source admitted: 'It's good news that Channel 10 and producers want the show to go ahead and are doing everything in their power to make this happen. 'But then it's bad news that there's so much uncertainty right now, and if they get the green light, it'll likely be a very different show.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Ten representatives for further comment. 'It'll likely be a very different show': Weighing up the options of the show's future, the source admitted: 'It's good news that Channel 10 and producers want the show to go ahead and are doing everything in their power to make this happen' This year, the third season of Bachelor In Paradise premiered on Wednesday, July 15 after being pushed back three months. The show was filmed at the Mango Bay Resort in Fiji in November and December, meaning production was not affected by the coronavirus pandemic. However, Channel 10 decided to hold the series until later in the year to prioritise its news coverage of the global health crisis. Bachelor in Paradise follows ex-contestants from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette as they compete for a second chance at love. WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange, who is fighting to avoid extradition to the United States from Britain, failed on September 7 in a bid to further delay hearings that resumed after a pause of months caused by the coronavirus lockdown. The US authorities accuse Australian-born Assange, 49, of conspiring to hack government computers and of violating an espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011. Assange, clean-shaven and wearing a suit at Monday's hearing, formally declined to be extradited. He has been presented with a new, wider superseding indictment issued by US authorities in June, which contains 18 alleged offences of conspiring to hack government computers and espionage. The judge rejected his lawyers' application for the case to be adjourned until January to allow them more time to consider new US accusations. "We're simply not in a position to gather the evidence necessary and respond to the case that has only emerged in the last few weeks," Assange's lawyer Mark Summers said. Assange is seen by his admirers as a champion of free speech who exposed US abuses of power. His critics say that by publishing unredacted documents, he recklessly endangered the lives of intelligence sources. Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. The site later published vast troves of US military records and diplomatic cables. More recently, it released documents stolen from the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 US presidential election campaign. Assange denies accusations by US investigators that it obtained those documents from Russian hackers, though the issue is not part of the legal proceedings. "POLITICAL" CHARGES The extradition hearings started in February but were then postponed for a few months before being further delayed because of a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. Assange's lawyers say he would not receive a fair trial in the United States on political charges. In court papers, they wrote that the pursuit of Assange was part of President Donald Trump's "effective declaration of war on leakers and journalists". The first witness, Mark Feldstein, a professor of journalism at the University of Maryland, told London's Old Bailey court that no publisher had been successfully prosecuted in the United States for publishing leaked confidential documents. Assange's legal travails in Britain date to 2010, when he began fighting an attempt to extradite him to Sweden to answer questions about allegations of sexual assault, which have since been dropped. In June 2012, he sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy. He spent seven years holed up there, fathering two children. After Ecuador revoked his asylum, he was dragged out of the embassy in April 2019 and served a short British prison sentence for violating bail terms. He remains jailed pending the outcome of the US extradition request. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:13:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, Sept. 7 (XInhua) -- Kuwaiti and UN officials held on Monday a webinar to discuss challenges to education amid the coronavirus outbreak. The webinar was held by the Kuwait's Ministry of Education, UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Kuwait, UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, and UNICEF Gulf Area Office in Kuwait. Tareq Al-Sheikh, the UN secretary general's representative and resident coordinator to Kuwait, in his opening speech said that education during COVID-19 era requires serious attention and protection. "Education is a key component of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. The webinar coincided with the first celebration of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, scheduled on Sept. 9," he noted, praising the collaboration with Kuwait to identify challenges and build on opportunities for constructive dialogue and progress. Ousama Al-Sultan, the Kuwait's Ministry of Education's assistant undersecretary for public education, said that in light of what is happening from the spread of COVID-19, the ministry in Kuwait sought to maintain the continuity of education and developed a distance learning plan to keep pace with the modern era's developments. The webinar also highlighted the disruption to education caused by COVID-19 and its impact on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged learners. Enditem The retired police inspector who rammed his vehicle into a puncture shop in Balewadi on Sunday afternoon killing one, was remanded to one day in police custody. He is in police custody for one day. How he got the alcohol, where was he heading, are among things which will be investigated, said Pankaj Deshmukh, deputy commissioner of police, Zone-4. The retired police inspector had opted for voluntary retirement in 2019. He had served in the social security cell of Pune police in the past. He was driving a white Volkswagen Polo car that was registered in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Whether he owned the car or not is being investigated. The deceased man has been identified as Santosh Bansi Rathod (35), a resident of Kalewadi. The five people who were injured are undergoing treatment for various injuries. The owner of the puncture shop was among the five injured. The four others were people who had come to the shop to get repair work done. While one was an auto-rickshaw driver, another was a tempo driver, and the third was a two-wheeler rider. A case under Sections 271 (disobedience to quarantine rule), 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Indian Penal Code along with Sections 184 (rash driving), 185 (drunk driving), and 119/177 of the Motor Vehicles Act has been registered at the Chatuhshrungi police station against Nikam. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Chinese military on Monday accused the Indian Army of crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the southern bank of Pangong Lake, the focus of the latest faceoff between the two sides on the disputed border. There was no immediate response by Indian officials to the claim by the Chinese side. The Indian side has insisted that its troops have not violated the LAC and that it was the Chinese side that had triggered the latest faceoff with its provocative military actions near Pangong Lake. Also read: Amid border row, Army seeks to upgrade night-blind infantry combat vehicles Indian Army again illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control in Shenpao mountain near the south bank of Pangong Tso Lake on Monday, the Twitter handle of state-run Global Times tabloid quoted the Peoples Liberation Armys (PLA) western theater command spokesperson as saying. Chinese border defense troops were forced to take countermeasures to stabilize the situation after the Indian troops outrageously fired warning shots to PLA border patrol soldiers who were about to negotiate, the spokesperson was cited as saying in a second tweet from Global Times. No other details were immediately available. The Chinese claim came days before an expected meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries on the margins of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers in Moscow on September 10. Missionary Sean Feucht slams Seattle for shuttering park ahead of Labor Day prayer rally Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Missionary and political activist Sean Feucht has slammed officials in Seattle for their hypocrisy in shuttering a local park to prevent him from hosting a prayer rally on Labor Day while allowing protesters to engage in "looting" and "riots." Feucht, who has helped local pastors host 19 prayer rallies in defiance of coronavirus guidelines in 19 cities over the last eight weeks, reacted to the closure of the Gas Works Park by Seattle Parks and Recreation after officials announced the park would be closed all day Monday due to anticipated crowding that could impact the public health of residents. This is the height of hypocrisy for the city of Seattle to turn a blind eye to riots, looting, and AntiFa, while refusing to let Christians gather in a public park to sing and worship, Feucht said in a statement. First the government shuts down churches. Now its shutting down parks to stop us from worshipping. Time to stand up church! Park officials explained in a statement Friday that the decision was taken to shutter the park because they anticipate people would attend the event and flout social distancing protocol. Previous attendees at Feuchts rallies reportedly did not wear masks or practice social distancing. Out of concerns for the safety of all those who visit Gas Works Park we have opted to close the entire park for the day, park officials said. Seattle Parks and Recreation has been committed to keeping parks open during this pandemic as they provide critical physical and mental health supports to our community. However, we are also committed to ensuring that parks do not become spaces where COVID-19 is transmitted. Prolonged close contact with a large group, without the use of a mask, is the type of behavior that public health experts have determined to hold a high risk for transmission of COVID-19, they continued. The closure will begin at 8 pm on Sunday, September 6 and will end at 6:00 am on Tuesday, September 8. The City of Seattle is not issuing permits to any events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Feucht, who previously ran an unsuccessful congressional campaign, is connected to Bethel Church in Redding, California, but the church has sought to distance itself from him. The leadership is having ongoing conversations and discussions about this event, different events, also some things that were said from the podium, a communications director for Bethel Church told a local TV news channel after a similar event in Redding. We value peoples freedom to express themselves but we also really value the safety of our region and thats why weve limited activities at church, social distancing, not having services and thats what weve been doing as a church at this time. In his response to the park closure, Feucht said that despite acknowledging that parks provide critical physical and mental health supports to our community, and their support of First Amendment gatherings, park officials still chose to temporarily shut down the entire park rather than risk Christians gathering for an open-air worship service. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 Trend: The Embassy of Iran in Azerbaijan has commented on the disseminated information about the supply of weapons from Russia to Armenia through Iran. In response to the information spread by some media about the alleged delivery of weapons and military equipment from Russia to Armenia through the Iranian Norduz border point, the Iranian embassy told Trend that the information was completely false. This information was disseminated in order to disrupt the growing friendship and cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan, said the embassy. On average, about three in four participants (75pc) complete the programme and are offered a place on an undergraduate course at TU Dublin. Stock Image No points are required for a programme at TU Dublin, which comes with the guarantee of a place on a course of choice at the university next year for school-leavers - and others - who complete it. Applications are open until September 18 for school-leavers from disadvantaged communities, who may not have received a CAO offer and are wondering about what higher education choices they now have. Called the Access Foundation Programme (AFP), it offers a gentle start in higher education, allowing students to build up skills while also exploring what is the best degree option for them. There are about 150 places on the course, about half of which now go to school-leavers, with the remainder taken up by adults returning to education. When it started 10 years ago, it was aimed at adults, but in 2015 it opened to school-leavers and their numbers have been growing since. As Leaving Cert results are released, there's about 25 places still available for school-leavers. To be eligible for the course, applicants have to meet a number of the standard criteria used to measure socio-economic disadvantage, such as family income, attendance at a DEIS school and whether their parents went to college. Normally, eligibility is based on meeting three of six criteria, but, due to Covid, TU Dublin has relaxed the rules and it is sufficient to tick two of the six boxes. This is partly because of the difficulties people may have in obtaining official documentation to support their application. There is no minimum Leaving Cert requirement and AFP Co-ordinator Johanna King says applicants go through an informal interview. "It is about being ready and being suitable for the course," she says. Students take six compulsory modules and two optional modules each semester. Optional modules are chosen from areas of Science, Engineering, Business, Social Science, Art and Computing, depending on the student's areas of interest. Students also learn how to research and write academic work, and improve their communication and information technology. To pass the programme, participants need to pass all of the individual modules. On average, about three in four participants (75pc) complete the programme and are offered a place on an undergraduate course at TU Dublin. The array of choice includes Biomedical Science, Engineering, Law, Marketing, Business, Culinary Arts, Interior Design, Photography, Early Childhood Education and Construction Management. Students receive guidance on course options and have the opportunity to apply for at least three Level 8 and three Level 7 programmes from the wide variety available at TU Dublin. According to Ms King, most of the students get their first choice, and usually the one deemed most appropriate for them. Since 2010, 500 AFP graduates have taken up undergraduate courses across the breadth of TU disciplines with many going on to complete postgraduate and PhD programmes. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:09:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VALLETTA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malta's state hospital witnessed an unexpected birth of a boy on Monday, hours after an airplane made an emergency landing because the mother had gone into labor. A Turkish Airlines Boeing 737 plane landed in Malta after the pregnant woman, who was in her eighth month, ruptured her waters and started the process to give birth. The boy was born in Mater Dei Hospital, Malta's only state hospital, around three hours after the emergency landing. The plane left Turkey and was destined for Mali. Hospital sources said the woman was traveling alone. She was flying to Mali to join her husband after spending at least seven hours at the airport in Turkey. Two doctors who happened to be on board recommended to the pilot to land as soon as possible. Enditem The Regional Transportation Authority is adjusting to the pandemic in order to complete its draft plans that could shape transportation infrastructure for decades to come if Pima County voters approve. Its 35-person Citizens Advisory Committee is moving toward drafting the second plan called RTA Next, which would build on the organizations past 15 years of work. Voters approved the $2.1 billion, one-half-cent sales tax plan in 2006. It will continue until June 2026. Its more challenging for a committee of 30-plus folks to communicate, receive information and have robust conversations, debates and clarification of the information when were only meeting virtually, but I will say that were certainly getting better, said Tom McGovern, who chairs the citizens advisory committee, about the ongoing pandemic. The committee is incorporating suggestions for improvements from all the jurisdictions represented in the nine-person board: the cities of South Tucson, Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Tohono Oodham Nation, Pima County and a Pima County representative that sits on the Arizona State Transportation Board. The Ministry on Monday said have sanctioned loans of about Rs 1,61,017 crore under the Rs 3-lakh crore Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for the MSME sector reeling under the slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, disbursements against this stood at Rs 1,13,713 lakh crore till September 3. The scheme is the biggest fiscal component of the Rs 20-lakh crore Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package announced by Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May to mitigate the distress caused by lockdown due to COVID-19 by providing credit to different sectors, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The latest numbers on ECLGS, as released by the ministry, comprise disbursements by all 12 public sector (PSBs), 24 private sector and 31 non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). "As of 3 Sept 2020, the total amount sanctioned under the 100% Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme by #PSBs and private banks stands at Rs 1,61,017.68 crore, of which Rs 1,13,713.15 crore has already been disbursed," the finance minister said in a tweet. The loan amounts sanctioned by PSBs increased to Rs 78,067.21 crore, of which Rs 62,025.79 crore has been disbursed as of September 3, she said. At the same time, private sector banks have sanctioned Rs 82,950 crore of loans and disbursed Rs 51,687 crore. "Compared to 24 Aug 2020, there is an increase of Rs 5,022.06 crore in the cumulative amount of loans sanctioned & an increase of Rs 7,786.16 crore in the cumulative amount of loans disbursed by both #PSBs and private sector banks combined as on 03 Sept 2020," Sitharaman said. Market leader SBI has sanctioned Rs 24,388 crore of loans and disbursed Rs 18,971 crore. It is followed by Punjab National Bank, which has sanctioned Rs 10,511 crore. However, its disbursements stood at Rs 8,264 crore as of September 3. On May 20, the Cabinet approved additional funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore at a concessional rate of 9.25 per cent through ECLGS for MSME sector. Under the scheme, 100 per cent guarantee coverage will be provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) for additional funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore to eligible and interested Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) borrowers in the form of a guaranteed emergency credit line (GECL) facility. For this purpose, a corpus of Rs 41,600 crore was set up by the government, spread over the current and next three financial years. The scheme will be applicable to all loans sanctioned under GECL facility during the period from the date of announcement of the scheme to October 31 or till the amount of Rs 3 lakh crore is sanctioned under GECL, whichever is earlier. (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.) Op-Ed September 06, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has all but accused the Russian government of attempted murder in the strange case of Alexei Navalny, the dissident figure who reportedly remains comatose in a Berlin hospital. Merkel spoke after a German military laboratory announced earlier this week it had unequivocal proof that Navalny had been poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-era military-grade nerve agent. It raises serious questions that only the Russian government can and must answer, Merkel told media reporters. The chancellors assertions were immediately reinforced by the United States, Britain and the head of NATO, each demanding Moscow to be held to account. The Russian government rejected the accusations, saying they were being made improperly. It noted that the German authorities did not inform Moscow of its claims directly, but rather communicated first with its Western allies. There is more than a suggestion that the Western response is being coordinated to railroad accusations against Russia without Moscow being afforded due process. There is a presumption of guilt which violates due process and diplomatic protocol. And, of course, this is not for the first time when it comes to Western contemptuous relations with Russia. Contrary to Western assertions about Russia having to answer questions about the Navalny case, the onus is very much on the German authorities to explain their findings and to back them up with verifiable evidence. Otherwise it amounts to hearsay and innuendo. First of all, the Germans say they have unequivocal proof that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok, reportedly from tests carried out on his blood samples. But the German military laboratory and doctors in Berlin have not provided any biomaterials to Russia for the latter to independently verify the alleged detection of Novichok. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Secondly, the Russian doctors who first treated Navalny after he suddenly fell ill on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow on August 20 have affirmed that they carried out comprehensive toxicology tests on his biological fluids and organs, and they detected no traces of toxins. Specifically no traces of organophosphate nerve agents. The Russian medics concluded that Navalny may have become ill from a metabolic disorder, such as extremely low blood sugar. The Russian doctors who treated Navalny, and possibly saved his life by their quick intervention, said they detected the presence of cholinesterase inhibitors which affect the nervous system, but such substances can be caused by a wide range of clinical pharmaceuticals, including those used for the treatment of diabetes which Navalny reportedly suffers from. However, the crucial point is this: the Russian toxicology tests found no presence of Novichok or any other such nerve poison in Navalnys body. The Russian medics reportedly still possess the original body samples taken when Navalny was being treated in Russia. It is the Germans who are claiming they have detected Novichok, but so far they have not provided verifiable proof. It is their word for it, thats all. There are more questions needing answers. Navalny was airlifted from Russia to Berlin on August 22 under heavy pressure from Germany and other Western states for Moscow to permit his relocation. Why the urgency to do so? Why did Moscow relent in allowing this strange foreign intervention in its internal affairs? If, for argument sake, the Kremlin had in some way plotted to cause Navalny harm with Novichok or some other poison, why would Moscow permit his relocation to Berlin where toxicology tests would uncover the purported plot? That scenario is illogical. Navalnys aides immediately claimed he was poisoned when he fell ill. They said he may have been poisoned from drinking tea at Tomsk airport before his flight. But CCTV footage shows Navalny being handed the drink by an aide. So, if anyone intended Navalnys intoxication from the beverage, they wouldnt have known he was to be the person who received the drink. Furthermore, the Russian scientists who invented Novichok have stated categorically that if the nerve agent was somehow involved in the Navalny case, then he would most likely be dead by now and not in a coma. Also, they say, his aides and those who treated Navalny onboard the flight from Tomsk, would inevitably have been contaminated and sickened, so deadly is this chemical weapon. Lets recap. Navalny did not have toxins in his body and specifically not organophosphate nerve agents of the Novichok type, according to the Russian toxicologists. Lets give them benefit of doubt. The poison was only detected allegedly by the German military laboratory five days after Navalny was received at the Berlin hospital last weekend. Yet the Germans and this is crucial are not sharing their bio-evidence with Russia. They have instead rushed to make grave accusations against Moscow, along with their Western allies. Without a chain of verifiable evidence, this is a travesty of due process. What this all relies on is presumption of guilt, as well as large prejudice stemming from Russophobia, and the invocation of dubious past unproven cases such as the 2018 alleged poisoning of British double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury. The whereabouts of Skripal and his daughter Yulia, a Russian citizen, remains a mystery which only the British authorities can reveal, yet their strange case is thrown at Moscow to answer for, just like the current Navalny case. The timing of the Navalny case is also significant. There are several current geopolitical factors at play. First there is the isolation of Washington at the United Nations in its attempt to force the reimposition of sanctions on Iran over the nuclear accord. This week saw Russian, Chinese, British, French and German diplomats meeting in Vienna in a bid to save the international nuclear deal in spite of American sabotage efforts. The Navalny case poisons diplomatic unity to defend the nuclear accord. Another geopolitical factor is the political upheaval in Belarus. Washington and the European Union appear to be exploiting the unrest to destabilize relations between Russia and its neighbor. The Navalny case fits an agenda of undermining Moscow and impeding its relations with Minsk. A third factor and this may be the most significant is the Nord Stream 2 gas supply project from Russia to Germany. The $11 billion, 1,200-kilometer pipeline has been targeted intensely by the Trump administration for derailment. There are also pro-Washington politicians in the ruling German Christian Democrat party who have been persistent in their opposition to the ambitious boost to energy trade between Russia and Europe. The New York Times headlined on September 3: Navalny Poisoning Raises Pressure on Merkel to Cancel Russian Pipeline. Last week, Merkel was insisting that the Navalny case did not impinge on the Nord Stream 2 projects completion. This week, German military intelligence is claiming that Novichok was used to poison Navalny, and now Merkel is under intensified pressure to abandon the Nord Stream 2 project. As ever, the old criminologist question of who gains should be foremost here. Indeed, there are several serious questions to answer in the Navalny case. But it is Germany and its Western allies who are best placed to provide answers, not Russia. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 18:41 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c433fab0 1 World National-Police,dki-jakarta,Padang,Bogor-city,ventilator,crime-syndicate,COVID-19,embezzlement,fraud-cases,Scam,scammers,Bareskrim Free The National Polices Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has arrested three members of an international crime syndicate for the alleged theft of Rp 58 billion (US$3.93 million) intended for the purchase of medical equipment, including ventilators for COVID-19 patients. Bareskrim head Comr. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo told the press on Monday that the syndicate had stolen money transferred under a contract of sale between two foreign healthcare technology firms: Althea Group from Italy and Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics from China. An individual who was posing as a general manager of the Italian firm said there had been a change in bank accounts [], which resulted in the money being redirected to an Indonesian bank account, Listyo said. Interpol Italy had tipped Interpol Indonesia off about the crime, he said. The information was later passed on to Bareskrim. According to a preliminary police investigation, a Nigerian-Indonesian crime syndicate had used the so-called business email compromise method to con the firms out of the funds. A total of 3.67 million euro ($4.34 million) was sent to the Indonesian account in three separate bank transfers, Listyo said. Read also: American wanted by FBI arrested in Indonesia for suspected child sex crimes The police have arrested three suspects and have seized a portion of the recovered money as evidence. Thanks to the cooperation between Interpol Italy, Interpol Indonesia, Bareskrim and colleagues from the PPATK [Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center], we have managed to arrest three of the perpetrators in Jakarta, Padang [West Sumatra] and Bogor [West Java], Listyo said. We have seized the funds stored in a sharia bank account, totaling Rp 56 billion. He added that the police were pursuing a fourth suspect, a foreign citizen identified as DM, who remained at large. The police have also retrieved two cars, a private plot of land and a number of company documents. The suspects were charged under Article 378 of the Criminal Code, Article 85 of Law No. 3/2011 on bank transfers and Article 10 of Law No. 8/2010 on money laundering. Wahab Shittu, the counsel to the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has written another letter to the Ayo Salami-led investigative panel, demanding that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, appear before the panel and provide evidence regarding his allegations against his client. The lawyer, in a letter dated September 4 and addressed to the committee chairman, said the appearance of the AGF before the tribunal of Inquiry is to ensure a fair hearing. Citing Sections 5(c) and 6 of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act 2004, Mr Shittu said the tribunal has the power to summon any person in Nigeria to attend any meeting of the tribunal to give evidence or produce any document or other thing in his possession and to examine him as a witness or require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession, subject to all just exceptions. He added that the request is in compliance with Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution. In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Malami, whose complaint led to the suspension of Mr Magu as acting EFCC chairman, and his current investigation before the presidential panel headed by Ayo Salami, a former president of the appeal court, accused the suspended EFCC boss of corruption and insubordination. Mr Buhari had in July approved the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004), for the investigation of the activities of the EFCC from May 2015 to May 2020. Mr Magu has repeatedly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless. Based on the foregoing, we humbly request that the Honourable Attorney General who is the main accuser in these proceedings be graciously invited to give evidence in connection with the subject matter of this inquiry with specific reference to our client in the interest of FAIR HEARING, Mr Shittu wrote. Abubakar Malami [Source Abubakar Malami on facebook] Our client is entitled to be confronted with copies of allegations against him as well as the opportunity to confront his main accuser (in this case, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation) to enable our client raise issues concerning the allegations and cross-examine the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation on the substance and credibility of his allegations against our client. Mr Shittu also requested that his client participate in the entirety of the proceedings and afforded the opportunity to cross-examine all witnesses in these proceedings. The latest letter is one of many letters written by the lawyer to the panel; demanding fair hearing and provision of copies of relevant exhibits against his client from the proceedings of the committee. The lawyer has also accused the panel of violating his clients constitutional right to a fair hearing, describing it as a violation of President Buharis letter setting up the panel. The Army recently rolled out a major update to leave regulations that includes changes ranging from more user-friendly leave forms to clearer descriptions of the service's parental leave policy. The June 3 revision of Army Regulation 600-8-10, which covers leaves and passes, is part of the largest update to Army military leave policy in more than a decade, Larry Lock, chief of Compensation and Entitlements for the Army's G-1 office, said in an Army news release. Read Next: The Marines Are Pumping Millions into a High-Tech Wargaming Center. Here's Why "We're an all-volunteer force since 1973, and to sustain our force we want to take care of our people," Lock said in the release. "One way to do that is to streamline the process for requesting leave and enhance morale by encouraging soldiers to take time off." Based on input from soldiers, the service improved the Department of Army Form 31, or Request and Authority for Leave, which has not been updated since 1993, Lock said. "To be a more usable form ... the Army updated the DA Form 31 to make sure commanders and soldiers clearly understand what type of leave was chargeable and what type was non-chargeable," he said. "Soldiers, Army leaders and commanders need to keep track of leave, for personnel reasons and for audit purposes." Soldier feedback resulted in larger fields for leave address, remarks and organizational address. While it is not required by regulation, soldiers can now enter three or more addresses where they expect to stay while on leave, the release added. The revised regulation also updates DA Form 4179, or Leave Log, to help personnel officials track the absences requested, approved or disapproved for soldiers in their organizations, according to the release. Both the new DA Form 31 and the new DA Form 4179 are available on the Army Publishing Division website. The revised policy includes more explanation of the military parental leave policy (MPLP) the service launched last year. "The leave policy associated with childbirth can be somewhat confusing, and the revised regulation helps soldiers navigate through the different leaves," Lock said in the release. The MPLP applies to active-service soldiers, Reserve component soldiers performing active Guard and Reserve duty or full-time National Guard duty for a period in excess of 12 months, and Reserve Component soldiers performing duty under a call or order to active service in excess of 12 months, according to the policy regulation. There are three different types of leave associated with the birth of a child: maternity convalescent leave, primary caregiver leave and secondary caregiver leave. New mothers are authorized 42 days of non-chargeable maternity convalescent leave upon release from the hospital or birthing center. If two soldiers are married, only one member of each couple may be designated the primary caregiver and one designated the secondary caregiver, according to the regulation. The primary caregiver is authorized 42 days of non-chargeable primary caregiver leave that must be taken within 12 months of qualifying birth events, but it does not all have to be taken in a continuous block, according to the release. The secondary caregiver is authorized 21 days of non-chargeable secondary caregiver leave, which also needs to be used within 12 months of the qualifying birth and is not required to be taken in a continuous block. Previously, a parental leave of only 10 non-chargeable days was available for non-birth parents and had to be used within 45 days after the birth. While much of the MPLP policy has not changed, "the Army is striving to help troops better understand their benefits, especially the young soldiers who make up the majority of new Army parents," Lock said. Soldiers earn 30 days of paid leave per year, beginning with their first year on the job. "Every month, soldiers have the personal responsibility to verify the accuracy of their leave and earnings statements, which shows their balance, the amount of leave they used during the current fiscal year, and the number of leave days they will lose if they don't take it before the end of the fiscal year," Lock said. Soldiers may request a non-chargeable absence to volunteer in a semi-official capacity at major events for organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, the release states. This was previously authorized by AR 600-8-10, but it now falls under an umbrella category of "Administrative Absences," Army officials said. While scouting events are not named in the regulation, volunteering for such an activity "would be considered a non-chargeable absence from duty, which may be granted ... to perform a semi-official activity benefiting the service and the soldier," according to the regulation. The Remarks section, beginning on Oct. 31, will state the maximum leave soldiers can carry over at the end of the fiscal year, and when the ability to carry more than 60 days will expire, the release states. One of the biggest leave problems, Lock said, is getting soldiers to take their leave. "Soldiers are very dedicated to their jobs, to the point that they are reluctant to take leave," he said. "It is good to know that they are really dedicated, but they also need to make their own well-being and their families a priority. "It is a commander's role to grant time off, when possible, but it is still the responsibility of every soldier to manage their own leave." -- Matthew Cox can be released at matthew.cox@military.com. Related: Army Doubles Parental Leave for Secondary Caregivers It isn't a secret that Google has been under investigation by the Department of Justice for over a year. Google even confirmed as much earlier this year, in a statement to The Wall Street Journal. This week it became clear that a case is likely to be brought sooner rather than later. Specifically, The New York Times is reporting that it could come in the next few weeks despite the objections of some of the investigators involved. Let's set aside the politics of rushing to get a case filed before an election. It would be tempting to think it's a good thing for the government to rein in big tech companies, especially those with such an outsize impact over our daily lives, right? Sure, to some extent that's true, but the reality is that the government, and especially the courts, are usually ill-equipped to grapple with the complex business models of most tech companies. You don't have to look any further than the government's case against Microsoft in 1998, which ended up with prosecutors abandoning their pursuit of a breakup, and instead settling for relatively minor penalties in 2001. The final result of all that effort is that Microsoft ceded the browser war (now dominated by Google's Chrome). Microsoft is now worth $1.5 trillion. Seems like a fair trade, though not the one the DOJ intended. So, it's worth considering what might result from an antitrust case against Google. Bloomberg is reporting that the DOJ's primary interest is in the way the company ties services together, encouraging its customers to use only its advertising products. Tying isn't necessarily illegal unless a company does it in a way that uses a monopoly position to force companies that have no other alternative. In Google's case, the argument is that it dominates the software used to sell ads on websites, the market where advertisers purchase ad inventory, and the technology that connects the two. Unraveling that is not only complicated, but it could also dramatically change the way everyone uses the internet on a daily basis. Specifically, there are three areas that any outcome might affect both users and businesses. Search Search is by far the biggest piece of Google's $160 billion in revenue. Specifically, the ads Google sells that appear at the top of search results. One of the main proposals is that Google should be split up. To be clear, I don't think this will happen. Without those ads, there is no search--at least not the way we're grown to expect. (Meaning, free.) On the other hand, an antitrust case could mean a change in the way ads are displayed and the amount of them at the top of search results. That would be very good for users, but bad for advertisers. The reason Google search is the world's largest ad platform is that they work. Fewer ads mean fewer opportunities for advertisers to reach their customers. Advertising The bigger area of concern for the government (and for publishers as well) is the control Google has over the ads on third-party sites, meaning outside of search or other Google properties. This is probably the area of greatest vulnerability for Google, though it's honestly a relatively small portion of its revenue (less than 15 percent). The fact that Google controls most of the technology associated with both the demand and supply of ads means that it has the ability to influence pricing. If you're an advertiser, that's bad. A settlement that separates out Google's ad network technology might change that, but it could also mean that advertisers would no longer benefit from the economies of scale that currently exist. There's an irony in that the biggest competitors in this space are Amazon and Facebook, so it will be interesting to see how much the government thinks it can do to level the playing field when the most logical beneficiaries have antitrust problems of their own. Maps This is where it starts to get interesting. For a lot of people, Google Maps is the default way to get directions or look up a local business. More than that, however, Google Maps isn't just a search engine for directions to a restaurant in a new city. It's also where you can make a reservation for a table, hail a ride, or--if you're staying in--order food to be delivered to your door. One of the arguments has been that all of those interactions give Google so much information about users that it has an unfair advantage when it comes to targeted advertising. As a result, those critics suggest it should be spun off on its own. I think that misses the point. Splitting off Google Maps might prevent Google from gathering information about users, but it would also disable most of the features that make it actually useful. Google Maps benefits from tight integration with Google Search--local search results often take you directly to Maps. A man has been hospitalised following a "brutal" attack during an aggravated burglary in Limavady. Police received a report shortly after 10pm on Saturday that three masked men had forced their way into a flat on Irish Green Street and assaulted a man inside. Detective Inspector McKenna said: "Our officers responded and, when they arrived at the flat, they located an injured man inside. One of our officers administered first aid to the victim until the NI Ambulance Service arrived, who then transported the man to hospital. The victim sustained a head injury as well as injuries to his arms and a leg. "This was a brutal attack on the victim and we are working to establish a motive for what occurred. I want to appeal to anyone who was in the area and saw what happened, or has information which could assist our investigation, to call our detectives in Coleraine on 101, and quote reference number 2091 of 06/09/20." A report can also be submitted online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ Norway is relaunching an effort to farm cod in the North Atlantic. An earlier effort to set up cod farms resulted with fish escaping and their failure to thrive in the cold icy waters. Norway hoped to become the first country to try large-scale breeding of a species that was decreasing in the wild. A small group of companies raising Atlantic cod in Norwegian waters say they have learned from the success of the countrys salmon business. They also say they have learned from the failure of earlier efforts to farm cod. Wild Atlantic cod are having an uneven recovery. The number of cod living near Iceland and in the Barents Sea are considered sustainable. But those off Canada, the United States, Ireland and Britain are low. So are cod stocks in the Baltic Sea and other parts of the North Sea. Norcod is the biggest of the new cod farms. It is raising 1.8 million fish along the Norwegian seacoast. The company plans to begin sales in 2021. We are targeting northern and western Europe first, said Christian Riber, Norcods commercial director. He added that the company has also seen interest in their product from U.S. buyers. Norcod aims to produce 6,500 tons in 2021, rising to 25,000 tons in 2025. That would be greater than the high reported in official records in 2010 before the industry collapsed. There were many problems with Norways earlier efforts to farm cod. They used wild fish for breeding and the cod was escaping by biting into the nets, said Oeyvind Hansen. He heads the national cod breeding program at Nofima, the only research center that works with the selective breeding of cod. Around half of all the fish raised in a pen died, Hansen noted. Growth rates were slow and the financial crisis of 2008 starved companies of credit. By 2015, the country produced no farmed cod at all. What changed since the recent past? But Nofima continued the research into cod breeding thanks to public spending from the Norwegian ministry of fisheries. The company has now bred five generations of farmed cod. Through selective breeding, the fish has adapted to farm life, said Hansen. We have learned a lot about the biology and we have selected the fish best suited for fish farming. Loss rates in the pens are down to about 15 percent. The fish do not eat each other as much, they grow faster and no longer try to escape, Hansen said. Norcod said its loss rates were much lower. Norcods Riber said the business is growing thanks to improvements in equipment from the salmon industry. Salmon farming has grown in 20 years into a $8-billion industry that exports 1.1 million tons of fish. Salmon fishing is now Norways third-largest export after crude oil and natural gas. Not everyone is pleased about the restart of cod farming. We have sustainable cod stocks in the wild in many areas in Norway that are thriving, said Arnold Haapnes. He heads the biodiversity program at environmental group Friends of the Earth Norway. So why should we use (public) money to compete with the wild cod? Farmed salmon often escape during storms and mate with the wild salmon, he said. This causes introgression: the mixing of genes between wild fish and farm fish. Introgression lowers the amount of genes available in the wild population, he said. It also increases the effects of disease and environmental changes on the fish. Norcod said it was able to prevent escapes, including in bad weather, by using the right equipment and with inspections of the nets to make sure there are no holes. Fishing rights are a major issue within the European Union. Norway is not an EU member, however. The country negotiates limits and other issues with the group each year. It is also negotiating a trade deal with Britain its biggest trading partner. The Norwegian Seafood Council, a trade body, said Norway exported nearly 200,000 tons of cod, valued at $1.1 billion in 2018. The largest markets were Portugal, Britain and France. We need to produce more healthy seafood, said Fisheries Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, And farmed cod can provide a regular source. Im Mario Ritter, Jr. Gwladys Fouche reported this story for Reuters. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story thrive v. to grow and develop successfully breed v. to care for animals or plants as part of efforts to produce more of them species n. (pl.) a group of animals or plants that can reproduce sustainable adj. able to be used without being completely used up commercial adj. concerned with or related to trade or business pen n. an enclosed space used for holding farmed animals adapted adj. to change in order to live in a place more easily suited adj. having the right qualities for something We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. NEW DELHI : With COVID-19 still dominating major developments globally, the world economy is not likely to re-attain pre-pandemic output levels before 2022, says a report. According to Dun & Bradstreet Country Risk and the Global Outlook, "nothing about the pandemic can be classified as over, despite recoveries in activity levels in some economies in Q3, as evident in PMIs (Purchasing Managers Indices), Google Mobility data and monthly economic data". Unemployment will keep rising above the pre-pandemic baseline as government programmes are phased out and cease to protect workers, while the pace of what recovery there is may yet weaken in Q4, said Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet. Singh further said "we do not expect the world economy to re-attain pre-pandemic output levels before 2022. The biggest question mark is not over the depth of the recent shock but over its persistence." According to Singh, "In India, the pace of economic revival will depend on how quickly the health concerns abate as India is yet to witness a peak, economic activity restarts with 'Unlock 4' and importantly the psychological impact of the COVID-19 ebbs away." The steady rise in case-loads, even as India demonstrates one of the highest recovery rates, and the spillover effects of the strict lockdown measures undermines the growth impulses in Q2 and Q3 of the fiscal year, he added. India's economy suffered its worst slump on record in April-June, with the gross domestic product (GDP) contracting by 23.9% as the coronavirus-related lockdowns weighed on the already-declining consumer demand and investment. On the employment front, all countries that Dun & Bradstreet covers (with the exception of Serbia) are showing year-on-year declines, the report said. "Indeed, we believe that the road ahead will be one of further spikes and troughs in economic activity, with considerable regional variations. Even if all jobs were to be saved, the decline in 2020 corporate profits in most OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) economies would be at least 5 per cent," it said. On Asia Pacific, the report said "optimism that leading Asia-Pacific economies' early containment of the virus could lead an exceptional GDP performance is receding, with South Korea on the brink of lockdown in August, Japan suffering case numbers comparable to those in western European countries, and even virus-free Taiwan region's economy shrinking year-on-year in Q2". Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. NORWALK Tuesday marks the first day of school for the citys public schools. By now, most families have decided whether to send their children back into the classrooms or keep them home for virtual learning. They know the rules around masks, washing their hands and being in the classroom while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Norwalk Public Schools has also initiated some of these new protocols and programs to help ease families back to school, many returning to the building for the first time since March. 1. Parent help desk Chief of Digital Learning and Development Ralph Valensizi told the Board of Education last week that the district plans to launch a help desk for parents with questions about the technology their students are using. Theres going to be a lot of questions that are going to come up, so we came up with a very robust help site, he said. The district also launched Norwalk Parent University, which offers informational sessions on technology and activities used by students. Valensizi said more than 700 parents attended some of the live, virtual sessions last month. 2. Community pods for virtual learning Superintendent Alexandra Estrella said the Norwalk Public Library and the Carver Center will offer support for middle and high school students on their virtual learning days. Each pod will contain up to 12 students who will be part of the group for the entire semester. A paraeducator will be assigned to each pod. For more information, see the districts Reopening Handbook for Parents. 3. Isolation rooms Part of the districts reopening plan includes an isolation room at each school for students who might begin to show symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day. It can also be used for students who refuse to wear a mask even after being corrected by staff. Paraeducators trained by the districts coordinator of health services, Joann Malinowski, will supervise each isolation room, which is equipped with personal protective equipment. Patient dividers are also supposed to be installed in each of the isolation rooms. 4. Spare masks on buses According to the district, there will be a box of spare personal protective equipment on each bus for students who may lose or break a mask. The district also hired 58 bus monitors to make sure students socially distance on the bus and enter and exit the vehicle properly. 5. Free meals still available Families with children between the ages of 2 and 18 can pick up free meals around the city through the end of 2020, thanks to the USDA extending its Summer Food Service Program. The district began meal pickup when school buildings closed due to COVID-19 in March. Its available to all children in the city, not just those with Norwalk Public Schools. For pickup times and locations, visit the Norwalk Public Schools website. Minsk: Germany, Britain and Lithuania have called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to explain what happened to protest leader Maria Kolesnikova following reports the opposition politician was detained by unidentified masked men in Minsk. Kolesnikova was driven away in a van on Monday morning, Minsk time, and two of her allies also disappeared later, the opposition movement said. Maria Kolesnikova speaks at a news conference in Minsk, Belarus in August. Credit:AP On Tuesday, a Belarusian border official said Kolesnikova had been detained while trying to enter Ukraine in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The circumstances of her attempted journey to Ukraine were not immediately clear, with some media reports initially suggesting she had made it across the border, something border guards on both sides later denied. In Sudan, the intense flooding has killed over 100 people and damaged tens of thousands of houses over the past days The Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources reassured citizens on Saturday about the potential impact of the Nile flood, after it said last month that the flood is expected to be higher than average this year, but noted that it is still too early to determine the extent of the flooding. In Sudan, the intense flooding has killed over 100 people and damaged tens of thousands of houses over the past days. Ministry spokesman Mohamed Al-Sebaie told Al-Hekaya program on MBC Masr that the excess water will be collected in the Lake Nasser reservoir in Upper Egypts Aswan, and that it will be utilised to meet the countrys water needs, especially in times of drought. The extent of the flooding, which has started in Egypt since August, can only be determined in late September, he added. The annual Nile flood, which takes place in August, September and October, is caused by heavy rain in the Ethiopian highlands. In an August meeting of the committee for regulating the flow of the Nile, Minister of Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Aty ordered officials to continue removing illegal structures along waterways, especially those on the Nile. He warned that such encroachments limit the ability of water networks to contain excess water in times of emergency and flooding. Ministry spokesman Al-Sebaie said that since the launch of the national campaign to save the Nile River in 2015, over 276,000 illegal structures along waterways, including the river, have been demolished. He added that this number includes more than 57,000 illegal structures on the Nile. Search Keywords: Short link: In the 15 years she has taught in her native Galveston ISD, Diana Mitchell distinguished herself as one of the islands best educators but never saw her salary rise much until this week. Mitchell, Galvestons Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2017-18, learned she would receive a life-changing pay increase of $27,250 under a new initiative aimed at rewarding Texas highest-rated educators. The extra money will bring her compensation up to nearly $90,000, helping her family of seven afford a down payment on their forever home after living in rentals for the past few years. I get chills just thinking about it, said Mitchell, a fourth-grade bilingual reading teacher at Morgan Elementary Magnet School. Im still kind of almost like, Is this real? Thousands of Texas teachers across 26 public school districts including five in the Houston area will see some of the biggest raises of their careers this year, as the state begins rolling out a landmark program designed to keep the best educators in the classroom. Texas education officials announced the districts will receive a combined $39.2 million in extra state funding this year. The vast majority of the money will go to nearly 3,650 teachers who scored the best on district-created and state-approved evaluation systems. About 5 percent to 10 percent of teachers in four Houston-area districts Galveston ISD, Harmony Science Academy, Harmony School of Science-Houston and YES Prep Public Schools will see pay increases from the initiative. Klein ISD, which is piloting the program at one school this year, will reward four teachers. We know that retaining highly-effective teachers is whats best for our learning community and our students, said Harmony Public Schools CEO Fatih Ay. We hate to see them leave the classroom so they can get the salary they deserve. The initiative aims to identify the states top teachers often using a combination of administrator evaluations, student growth measures and other metrics and give them annual bonuses. Each highly-rated teacher generates $3,000 to $32,000 for their district, depending on their rating and income level in the neighborhood surrounding their school, annually for five consecutive years. Under state law, districts must spend at least 90 percent of the funds on teacher pay at the campus where the high-scoring educator works. Many districts are choosing to give 90 to 100 percent of the money generated directly to the highly-rated teacher. On HoustonChronicle.com: Merit pay still years away for most Houston teachers Nearly all of the Houston areas largest districts have signaled their interest in participating in the Teacher Incentive Allotment, though most would not receive approval and begin paying out bonuses until 2023-24 at the earliest. State legislators built the pay-for-performance increases into their 2019 overhaul of Texas school finance system, which also provided across-the-board teacher raises that generally ranged from 3 percent to 8 percent. Supporters of the incentive system argue it will increase interest in teaching, modernize education compensation and allow educators to remain in the classroom longer. Public school districts generally tie salary to years of experience, with relatively meager differences in pay. In the Houston areas largest districts, new teachers generally earned base salaries of about $55,000 in 2019-20, while educators with 10 years of experience made about $60,000 and those with 20 years of experience notched about $65,000. After maybe my third year of teaching, of putting in a lot of time and effort, I definitely felt like I deserved something that reflected the work I was putting in, said Jannah Morales, who will earn an extra $22,800 headed into her fifth year at Harmony School of Science-Houston, raising her pay to about $75,000. Im definitely happy to see hard-working teachers being recognized. While the 2019 school finance reform legislation unanimously passed the Texas House and Senate, pay-for-performance systems historically have drawn criticism, often from teachers unions. Opponents argue that teacher evaluation tools can produce unfair and invalid results, while also encouraging educators to teach to the test. Districts participating in the Teacher Incentive Allotment must use student growth as part of their evaluation system, which can be measured by state standardized tests, known as STAAR, or other state-approved assessments. Information released by TEA officials last month offers the first window into how the Teacher Incentive Allotment may work in the coming years. Most of the participating districts relied on observation-based evaluations, such as district administrators watching teachers in action, and student growth measures to grade their teachers. In Galveston, half of a teachers rating was based on scores from T-TESS, a commonly-used observational rubric, and half was tied to student improvement on district-administered tests. Many districts will see a small fraction of their teachers honored this year, generally 2 percent to 10 percent. However, about a quarter of the teachers will generate incentive funds in Dallas ISD, where the district has employed an evaluation and incentive pay model for the past six years. On HoustonChronicle.com: Dallas turnaround school made big gains until the money went away Grace Wu, director of strategic compensation for the Texas Education Agency, said state officials built an internal model using STAAR scores that helps them review whether a districts evaluation model is overly generous to its teachers. The purpose of the data validation piece is to ensure the teachers you put forth arent just the best in your district, but also the best in the state, Wu said. The long-term outlook on the Teacher Incentive Allotment remains cloudy, giving administrators and teachers pause. State education leaders speak glowingly about the initiative, but COVID-19 and the downturn in oil prices threaten to bruise the states budget in 2021 and beyond. As more districts receive approval, the Teacher Incentive Allotment price tag could balloon into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Mitchell said she plans to enjoy her pay bump for as long as it lasts, aware of the possibility that it could be temporary. Im going to take it year-by-year, Mitchell said. And if its there, what a blessing. jacob.carpenter@chron.com NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Casper Sleep Inc. ("Casper" or the "Company") (NYSE: CSPR). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Casper and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On or around February 7, 2020, Casper conducted its initial public offering (the "IPO" or "Offering"), selling 8.35 million shares of common stock priced at $12.00 per share. In the lead-up to the IPO, Casper claimed to have significantly improved its profit margins, placing it on a path to profitability. Shortly after the IPO, however, Casper announced downward gross margin trends and substantially impaired operations as a result of an increasingly dire cash flow situation. On April 21, 2020, Casper announced that it was taking significant actions to improve its cash position and business model, notwithstanding the fact that the Company had raised more than $100 million in gross offering proceeds from the IPO less than three months previously. The Company stated that it was reducing the size of its global operations and sales team and completely winding down its European operations, leading to the loss of 21% of its entire corporate workforce globally. These drastic measures were necessitated by the Company's ballooning losses and deteriorating cash position. Casper also announced the resignation of Gregory Macfarlane, the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. On May 12, 2020, Casper issued a release providing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, disclosing that it had suffered a net loss of $34.5 million, representing a 98% increase year over year, and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $22.9 million, representing a 60% increase year over year. In addition, Casper stated that its gross margin had actually fallen during the quarter by 190 basis points. Also on May 12, 2020, Casper filed its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in which the Company disclosed that its cash and cash equivalents had only increased $48.5 million during the quarter, despite the fact that the Company received over $88 million in net cash proceeds from the IPO. The Form 10-Q stated that during the quarter Casper had suffered over $40 million in negative cash flows from operating and investing activities. On June 19, 2020, Casper's stock price closed at $8.78 per share, representing a decline of nearly 27% from the Offering price. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com. CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 888-476-6529 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP Related Links http://www.pomerantzlaw.com That's a reference to late July, when top Democrats, worried about a possible Senate investigation into Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and business ties to Ukraine, asked for "a full congressional briefing before the August recess." They said they were "gravely concerned, in particular, that Congress appears to be the target of a concerted foreign interference campaign." When they got the briefing, the leaks quickly began, so much so that the intelligence community released a public statement to clarify what had been told to Congress -- that China, Russia and Iran are all seeking to influence the results of the 2020 U.S. election. (China and Iran were said to prefer a Biden victory, while Russia prefers Trump.) Ratcliffe and other intelligence officials were appalled by the wholesale leaking. In an interview with Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo, Ratcliffe explained why he acted. "We're not going to do a repeat of what happened a month ago, when I did more than what was required, at the request of Congress, to brief not just the oversight committees, but every member of Congress," Ratcliffe said. "When I did that, I said my only condition is that you treat this information with the respect that it deserves, and you keep it private. And yet, within minutes of one of those briefings ending, a number of members of Congress went to a number of different publications and leaked classified information, again, for political purposes, to create a narrative that simply isn't true, that somehow Russia is a greater national security threat than China." Salma Hayek feels 'invigorated' by the way directors are approaching her in her 50s. The 54-year-old movie star started her career trying to get the attention of filmmakers and convince them to cast her in their movies, but after 32 years in the industry, she is delighted they are finally approaching her for roles. 'It really invigorated me that they are finding me. I always found them. But they didn't want me. And that now they're coming to me, that's what's been really invigorating,' the beauty told OK! magazine. Better now: Salma Hayek feels 'invigorated' by the way directors are approaching her in her 50s. The 54-year-old movie star started her career trying to get the attention of filmmakers and convince them to cast her in their movies, but after 32 years in the industry, she is delighted they are finally approaching her for roles 'It's difficult to make sense of it, you know? But that's what's been really strange. And you know what? Strange things happen to strange people.' In the past few years the actress has starred in Drunk Parents, Like A Boss and The Roads Not Taken. Next she will be seen in The Eternals, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard and Bliss. Hayek rose to fame in the Mexican telenovela Teresa before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a big screen career. However, when the Hollywood actress first started out in 1988 she had no idea how things would end up. She believes any struggles over the years have given her the possibility to choose the right path, having dubbed her life 'completely unimaginable'. The cover girl explained: 'The things that have happened in my life are completely unimaginable. Even in my greatest ideas of my most extraordinary destiny, I never imagined how I feel right now. Looking caliente! Hayek shared a new swimsuit photo to Instagram on Tuesday as she said the image was not a flashback. And the wife of billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault added that the next day she would be turning 54-years-old 'At some point in your life you just settle for doing the right thing and the best you can, instead of think about what you want and what you can didn't get get or what you're not getting or how someone's getting it and you're not getting it. 'It gives you the possibility to take roads that you never wanted to take, and you have the adventurous spirit to go and discover instead of planning so much. You may end up on roads that are much better than in your imagination.' The wife of billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault has proved with several bikini shots this year that she looks as good as ever. She is looking ahead: Over the weekend, the star shared this close-up photo on Instagra, Last week the siren had on a halter black swimsuit with a wrap around her waist as she added sunglasses and a hat. 'Guess who's turning 54 tomorrow? By the way, this is not a Throwback Thursday! Thank you Marjo for turning into a photographer during the vacation!' said the Wild West actress in her caption as she noted she is a Virgo. Her longtime friend Penelope Cruz hit 'like.' Last month the Like A Boss star was seen in a skimpy two piece in black as she sipped coffee al fresco by a tiled wall in Greece. Salma styled her brunette locks into a sweptback relaxed bun and went makeup-free as she displayed her radiant complexion. She loves the sun: The Fools Rush In actress wore a coverup over her red bikini in Greece The actress, who wore a pair of black sunglasses, playfully posed with a cup of coffee for the snap. It comes after Salma posted a loved-up snap with her husband Francois-Henri, 58, to Instagram. In the photo, the couple shared a cheeky kiss while both fully masked up amid the Covid-19 crisis. 'Love in the time of corona El amor en los tiempos de corona. #love,' the 53-year-old star wrote alongside the picture of herself and her husband. Salma and her French businessman husband have been married since 2009, after tying the knot in a lavish Paris ceremony on Valentine's Day. Their nuptials are said to have cost an eye-watering $3.5 million. Their big day took place in the famous Venice opera house Teatro La Fenice, and the lovers were joined by an A-List group of well wishers, including Penelope Cruz, Woody Harrelson and Bono. Last year, it was reported that Francois-Henri is worth an estimated $33.2billion. (He is the chairman and CEO of Kering since 2005, and president of Groupe Artemis since 2003.) 'Love in the time of corona': It comes after the actress, 53, posted a loved-up snap with her billionaire husband Francois-Henri, 58, to Instagram on Wednesday The Oscar-nominated actress remains tight-lipped about their relationship, but last year she did address trolls who apparently criticized the union. 'A lot of people are very shocked that I married who I married,' she said in an interview with Town & Country. 'And some people are even intimidated now by me. But it's another way of showing racism. They can't believe this Mexican ended up in the life that she has, and they're uncomfortable around me.' Salma added: '[Pinault] is the best husband in the world. I get to be who I am with him, and I don't feel that somebody tries to limit me.' A man wearing a face mask walks past a mural in Chinatown in Singapore on April 1, 2020. Roslan Rahman | AFP | Getty Images SINGAPORE Singapore's economy is expected to shrink by 7.6% in the third quarter compared to a year ago, with the coronavirus pandemic remaining the top economic threat, according to a central bank survey of economists and analysts. That would be the Southeast Asian economy's third consecutive quarter of year-over-year contraction. But it will still be an improvement from the second quarter's 13.2% decline versus a year ago which is the country's worst quarterly contraction on record, data by the Singapore Department of Statistics showed. The quarterly survey was sent out last month to 28 economists and analysts who closely monitor the country's economy. The Monetary Authority of Singapore received replies from 26 of them. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Here are survey respondents' forecast for the different sectors in the third quarter: Accommodation and food services would shrink by 30% in the July-to-September quarter compared to a year ago; Construction, one of the sectors most reliant on migrant workers, is projected to contract by 25% year over year; Wholesale and retail trade, as well as manufacturing, are forecast to contract by 6% and 0.6% on-year, respectively; Finance and insurance appears to be a bright spot, with economists expecting the sector to expand by 4.7% in the third quarter from the prior year. For the full year, the survey respondents expect Singapore's gross domestic product to fall by 6%, said the MAS. That's in line with the government's forecast for a contraction of between 5% and 7% Recovery on the cards Singapore was one of the earliest countries outside China to be hit by the virus. As of Sunday, the country confirmed more than 57,000 cumulative infections over 90% of those involved migrant workers living in cramped dormitories, data by the health ministry showed. More than 56,000 of the total cases have recovered, while 27 died, said the health ministry. Joe Exotics team will hand deliver a request for Donald Trump to pardon the Tiger King star this week, reports have claimed. Exotic, who rose to fame after starring in the popular Netflix documentary series, is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence on charges of animal abuse and murder for hire. However, his legal representatives claim that he was wrongly convicted. Following the shows success, Trump was asked during a coronavirus briefing in April whether he had considered pardoning Exotic. The president replied that he hadnt seen the show but would take a look into the former zoo owners case. Now, Exotics team are reportedly ramping up the campaign again with the hope of getting Trump to pardon him. A source told TMZ that the attorneys and advocates representing Exotic would be flying to Washington this Wednesday (9 September) to hand deliver an official pardon request to an unnamed White House contact. Exotic starred in Netflixs Tiger King' (Netflix) Exotics campaigners have previously attempted to lobby the president in May by driving a bus to Washington emblazoned with the words: Present Trump, please pardon Joe Exotic along with a picture of a tiger and the reality TV star. Exotics private zoo, the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, was being managed by Jeff Lowe during his time in jail, but in August closed its doors for good. Meanwhile, Carole Baskin, the animal rights activist Exotic is accused of trying to have murdered, will appear on the forthcoming series of US reality competition show Dancing with the Stars. Senegalese President Macky Sall has activated an emergency aid plan after a seven-hour downpour caused widespread floods. Water Minister Serigne Mbaye Thiam told national television that Saturday had seen more rain fall in a single day than the country usually sees in three months of rainy season. This is an exceptional rainfall. We registered 124 millimetres of rain. This is the cumulative rain we get during the whole rainy season from July to September, Thiam said. Senegals private radio station RFM said three children died in the floods, two in the southern Casamance region and one in the northern Kanel region. In the Guediawaye district near the capital, Dakar, volunteers raced to remove flood water and debris from a heavily flooded health centre. More than five communities use this health centre and we are desperate and we dont know what to say and ask for help. We have seen no mayor, no councillor, no firefighters. We have seen no one, resident Momodou Baye Fall told Reuters news agency. Heavy rains have been recorded in the Sahel regions of West and Central Africa in the past week, including in Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon, leading to devastating floods that have killed dozens and displaced thousands of people. In Nigers capital, Niamey, a levee on the right bank of the Niger River burst on Sunday following heavy rains, forcing families in several neighbourhoods to evacuate. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:37:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ANKARA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar Monday met visiting Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Stuart Peach for talks to ease tension in the Eastern Mediterranean. Akar told Peach that Turkey welcomes NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's call for dialogue, stressing that Ankara wants to see the riparian states of the Eastern Mediterranean to protect their rights in accordance with international law, according to a written statement made by the Turkish defense ministry. Turkey attaches importance to international law, bilateral agreements, dialogue and good neighborly relations regarding the solution of the problems, Akar said, according to the statement. The visit of Peach came after Stoltenberg on Sept. 3 said that Ankara and Athens agreed to launch technical talks at NATO to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the Eastern Mediterranean, which the Greek government denied later on. The talks aimed at reducing the risk of conflict or accidents amid military tensions between the allies over offshore energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, Stoltenberg said. Enditem Three of the Belarusian oppositions top organizers were reported missing Monday, the day after tens of thousands joined protests in the countrys capital that kept up pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko to hold new elections. Peaceful actions all across Belarus since Aug. 9 and representing the view of the majority of people are so massive that authorities have begun actively to use methods of terror in order to suppress them, the united oppositions coordinating council said on its website Monday. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Shocking footage has captured the moment a 12-year-old girl was violently pushed to the ground and pinned down by riot police in Hong Kong as protests returned to the city over the weekend. The child was seen in the video circulated online trying to run away from a group of officers who then tackled the young girl to the ground while onlookers shouted in anger. The girl was out buying art supplies before she was tackled down by the police, her mother told reporters. Hong Kong police confirmed the rough arrest of the 12-year-old, claiming officers used 'minimum necessary force' to detain her after seeing the child 'running in a suspicious manner' at the protest. Shocking footage has captured the moment a 12-year-old girl was violently pushed to the ground and pinned down by riot police in Hong Kong as protests returned to the city In the footage widely shared on social media, the police officers appeared to be seeking to corral a group of people including the 12-year-old girl. Police later confirmed the arrest The girl was out buying art supplies before she was suddenly tackled down by the police, her mother told reporters. The picture shows the moment the 12-year-old was pinned down As she ducked aside and tried to run away, an officer ran after the girl and wrestled her to the ground while several others followed and pinned her down. The girl was later arrested It comes as anti-government protests have flared up on the streets of Hong Kong again after weeks of relative calm since the enactment of a national security law. On Sunday, more than 280 people were arrested at protests against the government's decision to postpone elections for Hong Kong's legislature. The elections were to have taken place on Sunday but Chief Executive Carrie Lam on July 31 postponed them for one year. Ms Lam blamed an upsurge in coronavirus cases, but critics said her government was worried the opposition would gain seats if voting went ahead on schedule. In the footage widely shared on social media, the police officers appeared to be seeking to corral a group of people including the 12-year-old girl. As she ducked aside and tried to run away, an officer ran after the girl and wrestled her to the ground while several others followed and pinned her down. Anti-government protests have flared up on the streets of Hong Kong again after weeks of relative calm since the implementation of a sweeping security law. Police detain people as they patrol the area after protesters called for a rally in Hong Kong on September 6 Riot police arrest a man during an anti-government protest on September 6 in Hong Kong Riot police put up an warning flag during an anti-government protest on September 6, 2020 in Hong Kong. Nearly 300 people were arrested during the protest against the government's decision to postpone the legislative council election and the new national security law Police detain protesters during a rally against the postponement of the Legislative Council Elections in Hong Kong. On Sunday, more than 280 people were arrested at protests against the government's decision to postpone elections for Hong Kong's legislature Hong Kong police later confirmed the rough arrest of the young girl in a statement, claiming that she had run 'in a suspicious manner' and officers had used 'minimum necessary force' to apprehend her. It read: 'Police were concerned about youngsters participating in prohibited group gathering. Their presence at the chaotic protest scenes also endangers their own personal safety.' The girl's mother told reporters that her son and daughter, who was bruised and scratched following the incident - had been out to buy art supplies. Police detain protesters during a rally against the postponement of the Legislative Council Elections in Hong Kong. Riot police disperse pro-democracy protesters during a demonstration in Hong Kong Sunday The parent is planning to sue and lodge a formal complaint, according to Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily. Police said that 289 people had been arrested, mostly for unlawful assembly. One woman was arrested in the Kowloon district of Yau Ma Tei on charges of assault and spreading pro-independence slogans, the police department said on its Facebook page. It said such slogans are illegal under a newly enacted national security law. Anti-government protests erupted last year over a proposed extradition law and spread to include demands for greater democracy and criticism of Beijing's efforts to tighten control over the former British colony. A man wearing a Voting Is A Right costume stand off with riot police during an anti-government protest on September 6. Police said that 289 people had been arrested yesterday Coronavirus and the tough new security law have diminished the demonstrations this year, but smaller groups still take to the streets from time to time. The ruling Communist Party's decision to impose the law in May prompted complaints it was violating the autonomy promised to the territory when it was returned to China in 1997. Washington withdrew trading privileges granted to Hong Kong and other governments suspended extradition and other agreements on the grounds that the territory of seven million people is no longer autonomous. Also on Sunday, police fired pepper balls at protesters in Kowloon's Mongkok neighbourhood, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported. In the nearby Jordan neighbourhood, protesters raised a banner criticising the election delay, the Post said. 'I want my right to vote!' activist Leung Kwok-hung, popularly known as Long Hair, was quoted as saying. The newspaper said Leung was later arrested. Former foes Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on a historic pact to normalize economic relations, US President Donald Trump announced Friday at the White House. "A truly historic day," Trump said, with Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic sitting beside him in the Oval Office. "Serbia and Kosovo have announced economic cooperation on a broad range of issues." Serbia and its former territory, which declared independence in 2008, remain bitter over a bloody war fought two decades ago. The European Union failed for nearly a decade to broker a thaw in relations. The US effort focused on business and commerce, however, with Serbian negotiators insisting they would not go as far as recognizing Kosovo as a fully-fledged state. "It took decades because you didn't have anybody trying to get it done," Trump said of the deal. "There was a lot of fighting and now there's a lot of love." Vucic said Trump had done a "great job" and praised the US president's commitment to the region, inviting him to visit Serbia. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Prime Minister Ludovic Orban on Monday told the representatives of the Romanian diplomatic offices to take measures to ensure the best conditions for the Romanians in the diaspora to be able to vote in the parliamentary elections of December 6 and to maintain "an active and permanent connection" with the Romanians abroad. "Romania is the country with the largest number, as a percentage, of citizens working abroad, (...) estimates showing 4 million people left the country in search of a better living abroad. My request to you is to maintain an active and permanent connection with the Romanians in the diaspora and to do everything in your power to keep them as part of our Romanian nation, to make them feel supported, represented, helped, while not losing touch with Romania, because this is the attitude that we have at the government level and at the level of every other structure and I have even discussed in person with very many ambassadors in countries where thousands of Romanian live, and they actually do all these," Orban said at the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy. The PM told the Romanian ambassadors that their mission is to ensure the best conditions for the Romanians abroad to be able to exercise their right to vote. He also mentioned the economic relations, saying that Romania needs to become attractive to investors. This year's edition of the Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy (RADR) started on Monday focusing "The impact of the pandemic on international trends and the response of the Romanian diplomacy." The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it will end on September 9, with this year's edition being the first that takes places online, through videoconference. A landslide site caused by Typhoon Haishen where local media say four people are missing is seen in Shiiba Town, Miyazaki prefecture, southwestern Japan September 7, 2020, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS (Photo : Reuters Connect ) Typhoon Haishen has now made landfall in Ulsan, South Korea, after leaving hundreds of thousands of homes powerless. Haishen, which me//ans "sea god" in Chinese, had sustained winds of 100 miles per hour after sweeping Okinawa and southern Kyushu islands of Amami Oshima early Sunday. The typhoon was equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane and had a broad reach, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Gusts of more than 200 kilometers per hour swept through Nomozaki in Nagasaki Prefecture. Some evacuation centers had to turn people away to prevent the spread of COVID-19. READ: The Sudan Floods: State of Emergency Declared; 99 People Dead, Over 100,000 Homes Damaged Effect of Typhoon Haishen in Japan Initial assessment of Japan indicate that the Haishen left less damage than fear, Haishen still caused a loss of power across hundreds of thousands of homes in Japan, injured 32 people including four people who sustained cuts when the glass window of an evacuation center broke. In preparation for the storm, approximately eight million people located in the storm's path were asked to evacuate. Japan recorded hundreds of millimeters over the 48 hours to Monday, and more rains are expected in the next 24 hours. Fierce winds and rains blew off rooftops and left homes without power. Almost 430,000 homes in the Kyushu region had no power as of Monday, 3:00 local time. People were issued warnings in advance for residents to be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water. NHK TV said that more than 50,000 people were given evacuation orders in Okinawa and Kyushu, including Kagoshima and Nagasaki prefectures. In western Japan, this caused the closure of factories, schools, and businesses, while train services and flights were canceled. All Nippon Airways flights were canceled and will continue to be grounded until Monday for flights to southern Japan such as Yamaguchi, Kochi, and Fukuoka. Meanwhile, Japan's coast guard suspended its search for missing sailors from a cargo ship that sank during Typhoon Maysak. The cargo ship Gulf Livestock 1 had 43 crew members and 6,000 cows when it went missing on Wednesday. Japan's coast guard was able to rescue three crew members, but one of them later died. An aircraft was able to continue the search for four hours on Monday. No injuries in Okinawa were reported, but four people were reported missing after a landslide swept away the building where they were staying in Miyazaki. READ ALSO: Korean Peninsula on Heightened Alert for Two Typhoons This Week Haishen in South Korea After Hitting Japan Haishen is the second typhoon to hit Korea this week after Typhoon Maysak killed two people and left thousands of homes powerless. As of Monday morning, the storm system was 110 kilometers north of Tsushima as it headed to South Korea at 40 kph. This morning, around 5,000 households had no power in the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, including Jeju Island, which had more than 473 millimeters of rain since Saturday. Around 1000 people had to be evacuated, and more than 300 flights have been canceled. Typhoon Haishen is expected to hit Chongjin, North Korea, where the agriculture sector is vulnerable to severe weather. READ NEXT: Real Estate Website Provides Flood-Risk Score for Every American Home Check out for more news and information on Hurricanes on Nature World News. A defamation case brought against three newspapers by decorated former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith will go to trial in June next year and is expected to last up to eight weeks, the Federal Court has heard. Mr Roberts-Smith, 41, is suing The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times over a series of stories published in 2018 which he says are defamatory because they portray him as someone who "broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement" and committed murder. Ben Roberts-Smith pictured in 2017. Credit:Darrian Traynor Mr Roberts-Smith argues the articles carry the defamatory imputation that he disgraced his country and the Australian Army through his conduct overseas. He was deployed to Afghanistan six times between 2006 and 2012 as a soldier in the SAS. The articles also portray him as a "hypocrite" who "abused a woman", Mr Roberts-Smith says, by detailing allegations that he punched a woman with whom he was having an affair. LANSING, MI - Vandals painted anti-police messages on the walls of the Michigan Republican Party headquarters on Labor Day weekend, according to a party release. State GOP employees arrived around 8 a.m. on Monday, Sep. 7 at the Lansing offices to find F--- Police, F--- ICE and F--- You graffiti across the exterior of the building, said Michigan Republican Party Communications Director Tony Zammit. A police report was filed with the Lansing Police Department, according to the release. A message was left with police for comment and further information. Party officials believe the vandalism is inspired by the Michigan Republican Partys continued support for law enforcement, as well as MIGOP Chair Laura Coxs 13 years of experience as a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Detroit. The Michigan Republican Party is proud to stand by the men and women of law enforcement, and I am incredibly proud of my service with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, said Cox in the release. This vandalism is emblematic of the chaos sweeping through our nations Democrat-run cities, as the radical left uses criminal tactics to try and extort weak politicians into defunding the men and woman who keep us safe. Republicans will not be intimidated. This was the third instance of vandalism at the Michigan GOP headquarters since June 2019. The two other instances occurred the same week in late June last year, and officers never apprehended any suspects, Zammit said. Read more: Michigan Republican Party headquarters vandalized again with anti-ICE graffiti Michigan Republican Party headquarters vandalized: F*** ICE Both 2019 incidents appeared to be inspired by deportation raids announced by President Donald Trump at the time. Trump threatened to unleash big deportation if Democrats in Congress didnt agree to changes in asylum law. Cox confirmed the state partys support for Trump on Monday, saying it will continue to work hard to ensure (he) is re-elected. Sunday night our building was vandalized with radical anti-police statements. We will not be intimidated, and we will continue to work hard to ensure President @realDonaldTrump is re-elected!#LeadRight #MITV20 pic.twitter.com/r56biu3oWj Michigan GOP (@MIGOP) September 7, 2020 Read more from MLive: Be prepared for Election Week, not Election Day, says Michigan Secretary of State Michigan law enforcement leaders condemn Trump statement on sending sheriffs to polls To infinity and...Sterling Heights? Lawmakers want Space Force to establish headquarters in Michigan Michigan lawmakers seek changes to nursing home policies amid coronavirus pandemic Why former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is supporting Joe Biden for president Info from Kudat MP - deputy minister who accused Veveonah of lying Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin, who had accused a YouTuber of lying after she made a video of herself climbing up a tree for an online examination due to poor internet connectivity, said he got his information from Kudat MP Abdul Rahim Bakri. Zahidi said Abdul Rahim had, in turn, got his information from a lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Therefore, Zahidi said, he had no reason to believe they were lying when he conveyed the information in the Dewan Negara. "We got the information when we referred to the Kudat MP. The MP for the area is the deputy finance minister. "We were informed that Veveonah had no exam on that day. The information the MP got was from her lecturer, who is a professor. "So, in the issue, even we wanted to verify. The question is, why would the MP lie? We just believed in the information provided," Zahidi told a press conference at Parliament today. Abdul Rahim, who is from Bersatu, is deputy finance minister I. Zahidi, who previously apologised for accusing Veveonah, said the issue may have been due to a misunderstanding. As such, Zahidi said he would go to Veveonah's university to get to the bottom of the matter. "I will go to UMS to meet with the lecturer, staff and Veveonah for the facts. We need to check two to three more times. "If we find that the information was wrong, we apologise - the lecturer should not have given incorrect information. "But if it is the opposite, then perhaps it is a misunderstanding... so the issue should not be politicised," said the Padang Besar MP from Umno. Veveonah (photo), who hails from the rural village of Kampung Sapatalang, Pitas, had on June 13 uploaded a video of her having to climb up a tree to get an internet connection. It was during a time when university students were required to take classes and examinations remotely, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When the issue was raised in the Dewan Negara on Sept 3, Zahidi claimed Veveonah did not have any examination on that day and claimed she made the video for fame. Story continues However, Veveonah denied this and shared her examination schedule, which showed she had sat for exams between June 9 and June 12. Malaysiakini is contacting Abdul Rahim for his response. 'DAP has politicised issue' Zahidi, at the press conference today, accused the DAP of politicising the issue. "The issue has been politicised by the DAP. I've seen comments from the DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, the 'Red Bean Army', DAP sympathisers and stooges. "They are bankrupt of ideas and are trying to distract from the issues for political mileage. It is ineffective during this election period because the DAP and Lim Kit Siang have all kinds of corruption issues," he said. Zahidi said as he is someone who had come from a family of farmers, he is committed to helping rural communities. "In this struggle, I have tapped rubber before and became a farmer. Many MPs are from families of farmers. So rural areas are our priority," he said. He thanked Veveonah for highlighting the plight of her people. Zahidi said the government has upgraded internet services in her area and added that he is cognisant of other people facing similar issues as Veveonah. "We know this issue does not only affect Veveonah, but there are also schools where people have to climb up a hill and students who have to sit by the river for a signal. "But we ask that they do not climb trees as we are worried they would fall. "Go to a nearby location with signal or the local internet centre," he said. Zahidi said his ministry will do its best to solve internet connectivity problems in rural areas. However, he added, there were challenges as communication towers could not be arbitrarily built. "If it involves (building communication towers on) native land and there are native laws involved. Sometimes there is no electricity. "It's not only the mountainous terrain. There are also cases of generators being stolen," he said. The government will also consider satellite internet for such areas, even though it is costly, Zahidi added. EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. The East Greenbush Central School Districts school tax bills will be mailed to district residents on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. The tax collection period is Sept. 15, 2020 to Oct. 15, 2020, without payment of a penalty. School tax bill calculations are based on property assessed value, equalization rate, and the towns share of the overall tax levy. It should be noted that the town assessors have responsibility for the assessed values; the NYS Tax Departments State Board of Real Property Tax Services has responsibility for equalization rates. In some cases, changes in equalization rates may impact how much individual towns share proportionately in the school tax levy. This year, the combined district-wide tax levy increased, for all towns, by 1.50%. This is the same as the districts projection in the 2020-21 budget. The actual tax rate for specific towns varies due to state determined equalization rates and overall assessed valuation. Residents of the Towns of East Greenbush, North Greenbush, Nassau, Sand Lake, and Chatham should mail payments to: Tax Collector, East Greenbush Central School District, P.O. Box 588 Albany, New York 12201-0588. No in-person payments will be allowed this year. Town of Schodack residents should mail payments to: Shawn Masters, Receiver of Taxes, P.O. Box 436, East Schodack, NY 12063. Taxpayer questions regarding town equalization rates and individual property assessments should be addressed directly to your town assessor. The town assessors offices, within the East Greenbush Central School District, may be reached at: Ethiopian authorities order evangelical church to shut down, Christians forced to leave Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An evangelical church in central Ethiopia has been ordered to vacate its building, 10 years after it started meeting there, and churches elsewhere in the region say pressure is increasing on them too. The Mekane Yesus Evangelical Church in the town of Robe in Bale zone, about 400km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, was ordered by the Oromia Regional State Authorities to leave its premises within 30 days. Church meetings with local officials so far have not changed their mind. The eviction letter, dated 15 May and signed by the mayor, Birhanu Dadi Tafesse, said the churchs neighbours had complained of noise. They claimed the Christians attending the meeting were not from the area, and that the building was not suitable for worship services. Based on the consensus we have reached in the committee formed, you have to look for another place and leave the current place within 30 days, the letter said. This is really a surprising move, a source, unnamed for security reasons, told World Watch Monitor. If noise is the problem, Protestant churches cannot be the first to be accused of sound pollution. Other religious institutions use much more powerful sound systems all over the country. Noise from mosques and Ethiopian Orthodox churches can be heard throughout the day and even at night. This decision is nothing other than a display of animosity towards Protestant churches in the region. The source said the congregation secured the building from a private owner 10 years ago, and had been using it without incident. Similar tensions There is concern that these measures are part of a concerted effort to discourage Christian activity in Oromia state, the birthplace of President Abiye Ahmed. Leaders say they also fear that if these government actions are successful, it might encourage Muslims in other communities in Oromia to initiate similar complaints. As of the 2007 census, the state was about 51 percent Christian (17.7% protestant, 30.4 orthodox) and 47.6% Muslim. There have been tensions in the region before. In June last year, 20 Christians were killed in the city of Goba. Although some observers blamed sympathisers of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, an armed liberation movement, a local source said it took place after Christians opposed the installation of a monument for a prominent Muslim leader in the area. And some locals pinned the blame on the government, saying it was warning Christians against opposing similar moves in future. Similar tensions are bubbling under the surface in other parts of Oromia, the source said. We have even heard of places where Muslims had asked Christians to vacate the area. And though this call is veiled as ethnic rivalry by some media and observers, it is at its very core a religious matter. Crosses Its not only the states Protestant churches that face problems. Some Ethiopian Orthodox churches have reported an increase in difficulties, World Watch Monitor was told. In Woliso, 120km southwest of Addis Ababa, authorities are reported to have confiscated church land and handed it to followers of the increasingly powerful Wakefeta African Traditional Religion. Ethiopia law promises freedom of religion, but the country is 28th on the Open Doors 2019 World Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. Protestant communities in the country face challenges from fanatical elements in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and, where ethnicity and Islam are interconnected, Christians can experience hostility from family and community. This article was originally published at World Watch Monitor. The first edition of the Saudi festival was supposed to take place this year, but was postponed due to the coronavirus Acclaimed Egyptian film director Yousry Nasrallah has been named in the jury presiding over the 12 projects of the inaugural Red Sea Lodge Residency, alongside Russian film producer Nadia Turincev and producer and writer Meinolf Zurhorst. "The jury will award two production grants worth $500,000 each in an online ceremony that will take place on September 25," said the Red Sea International Film Festival. "It is with great pleasure that I accept the responsibility to be part of the jury of the Red Sea Film Lodge. I sincerely hope that this generous production grant will help Arab filmmakers and Arab cinema reach new heights," said Nasrallah. In collaboration with the TorinoFilmLab, the Red Sea Lodge Residency resumes as a digital event on 19 October where 12 projects, six from Saudi and six from the Arab world, are taking part in events leading up to the granting of the two production awards on 25 September. The final phase of the Lodge and the awarding of the grants was due to take place at the Red Sea International Film Festival in March, but was postponed due to the coronavirus. Born in 1952, the jury member of many of the most prestigious festivals in the Arab world Yousry Nasrallah, a writer and director who began his career as assistant to renowned Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine, is known for many films including El Medina (1999), After the Battle (2012) and Genenet El Asmak (2008) and many others. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: BEREA, Ohio -- Despite driving rain and thunderstorms, special banners installed along the Front Street bridge in Berea waved in honor of 65 hometown veterans who gave their lives in service to their country. Dedication of the Boulevard of Heroes took place Monday (Sept. 7) inside the Berea Recreation Center due to the inclement weather. Many residents, city officials and first responders attended the event, along with numerous others who watched it live online. The flags were sponsored and funded through private donations. Heroes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and backgrounds, Mayor Cyril Kleem said, mentioning the military veterans, but also medical professionals, store clerks, custodians and first responders, calling them everyday heroes for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The heroes we honor today are a special type of hero, because they made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, he said. As we look around the country, and all the yelling and shouting and burning and killing and fighting, it seems like theres still a lot of work to do (to fulfill the legacy those heroes left behind), he added. I have to believe these 65 heroes did not die for a country that would be at war with itself. They wanted to create a world where there was more peace, not less. Kleem encouraged everyone to look within themselves and decide how they can fulfill the mission of peace these individuals, and countless others, died for. World War II U.S. Navy veteran Tom Goebel, 95, read aloud the names of the Bereans -- 63 men and one woman -- who died while serving in various wars. One additional honoree was former Air Force veteran and NASA astronaut Charles Bassett, who died in a 1966 plane crash while training for Gemini IX. I knew so many of these people, Goebel said after reciting the last name. I miss them to this day. Alex Dettmer played "Taps" to end the dedication ceremony for Berea's Boulevard of Heroes. (Beth Mlady, special to cleveland.com) Other participants in the ceremony included the Veterans Outreach Security Honor Guard Team, Vietnam veteran and Berea Chaplain Willie Springer, Guitars for Veterans, retired Air Force Brigadier General and NASA Plum Brook Station Director David Stringer, State Rep. Tom Patton (R), Marine Corps veteran Consolina Templeman, and State Sen. Matt Dolan (R). Berea-Midpark High School student Alex Dettmer ended the ceremony by playing Taps on trumpet. Read more stories from the News Sun. According to GreatHorns new report just over half of cybersecurity and IT pros say theyve seen an increase in phishing attacks since the beginning of the pandemic. This is likely no surprise because when businesses shut down physical stores they didnt fully close workers simply went home to work. While at home, these workers have used less secured devices to connect with employers. Researchers say that on average businesses are dealing with more than 1,000 phishing attacks per month, whats more most (62%) say that those targeted and falling for these attacks cross typical demographic lines. This means it isnt only younger or older works who are fooled into clicking nefarious links, which raises the risk bar significantly for most businesses. With such a substantial portion of these attacks yielding success, the time lost on remediation can have a detrimental impact on productivity and profitability. Right now, its more important than ever that companies provide their employees with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize and fend off phishing attacks, said Kevin OBrien, CEO & Co-Founder, GreatHorn. Other interesting findings from the report include: a 76% of security pros say their business offers cybersecurity training but only about one-third of employees attend/train quarterly a 30% say phishing attacks are more successful now than pre-COVID a 56% say the most-targeted employees are mid-level managers More data from GreatHorns 2020 Phishing Attack Landscape report can be accessed here. Meanwhile, DataVisors Q2 State of Mobile Fraud report indicates that mobile app fraud is considerably less than web fraud, although both remain an issue for businesses and consumers alike. Across the globe, there are 3.5B smartphone usersnearly half the worlds population. Those users combined to download more than 200B apps. These numbers serve to make clear the ongoing rise to dominance of the mobile channel. For fraud teams for whom risks and threats associated with web channels are better understood (having been around for more than a decade), mobile apps unquestionably present a whole new threat landscape, write the report authors. According to researchers only about 1% of mobile app events are considered fraudulent while more than one-quarter of mobile web and desktop web events are considered fraudulent. 'Your achievements are many, Nitish babu, but it needs a sustained campaign to remind us, the good people of Bihar, what we may have forgotten,' points out Asmita Bihari. IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pays floral tribute to Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on the occasion of the former President's 132nd birth anniversary and Teacher's Day in Patna, September 5, 2020. Photograph: PTI Photo Nitish Kumar, who has led Bihar for 15 years, has finally realised the importance of digital campaigning and the power of social media. More so now, when there is little chance of conducting large election rallies at Patna's Gandhi Maidan and at other rally grounds around the state. However, he will have to do better than just conduct a virtual rally. As a Bihari myself and like many, many, migrant Biharis across the country and the world, -- an ever increasing population due to non-existent opportunities within our state -- I follow the chief minister on Twitter. Where his presence is as good as dead. Apart from announcements of some random meeting he held at his 1, Anne Marg residence cum office, there is nothing that would interest the voting public. The silence is astonishing in the current scenario of over the top shrieking and shouting about genuine and false accomplishments. The necessity to promote self and party through truth and fake claims on social media with the backing of a troll army disseminating information and destroying the Opposition. The absence of Prashant Kishore, who was instrumental in Nitish Kumar's 2015 assembly election victory -- and someone who would have managed the digital and social media platforms for the Janata Dal-United and the chief minister -- has left the JD-U with a massive handicap compared to the other political parties in the fray. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is part of the ruling coalition in Bihar, is, of course, the master of playing the SM game. The Rashtriya Janata Dal, led by Tejaswi Yadav, is now upping its game. Owing to the lack of any accomplishments of his own or of his party, Tejaswi's tweets and messages are restricted to rants against the Nitish Kumar government. The RJD Web site launched on Saturday, September 5, for unemployed Bihari youth to register for employment may appear a sharp move on the cusp of the assembly election, but as any educated Bihari will tell you, just registering on a job portal does not fetch you employment. The RJD should explain in detail how it plans to usher in employment with the absence or even a sign of any new industry or investment coming in to the state. At his virtual rally on Monday, September 7, Nitish Kumar mentioned that he wants to communicate the comparative touch points between the past and present government to the new generation. As they may be unaware of the realities of Bihar under the Lalu Prasad/Rabri Devi rule in the 1990s. The status of law and order, condition of roads, electricity and schools in the years preceding his tenure to that of today. They would have been children then and might not know that grim reality and may be gullible enough to get swayed by the false narrative being spread by the RJD. Valid point there, but who will put these points across to these young people, many of whom might be first time voters this time around. And more important, how. Nitish Kumar listed his various accomplishments and its effects at Monday's virtual rally. The list was long, but voter memory is limited. It is essential that you keep harping on your deeds and bombard them day in and day out. It may be a good idea to take a leaf from your ally's media management plan. When I say media management, I only refer to the BJP's dominance of social media platforms, and not what you may be tempted to conclude. The media in Bihar has still not been managed yet. Perhaps, because not many of those shrieking television channels have bureaus in Patna. But now that assembly elections are near, their hordes will descend on Bihar with their jingo journalism. Crime. Corruption. Communalism. Nitish Kumar tried to sum up his tenure under those three 'Cs'. Any resident Bihari would accept that these are accomplishments to highlight in bold. If these are your government's main achievements, Nitish babu, it is time to own it and run with it. Use your party and your own social media accounts to highlight your achievements and successes many times a day. Get your MLAs to do the same in their constituencies. It needs to be a two way street, where there is interaction, not just force feeding of information. Refute the charges levelled by the Opposition. Call out their false narratives. Don't under-estimate the numbers using the Internet. The evidence lies in the massive search numbers for a particular Hindi word during the lockdown. If you need domestic inspiration, follow the PM. If you prefer international inspiration, there is another leader who faces an election in November. The need of the hour, if not already thought of and implemented, is the employment of an effective digital campaign. Your achievements are many, Nitish babu, but it needs a sustained campaign to remind us, the good people of Bihar, what we may have forgotten. We may ultimately vote based on our caste and religion. But we are also Biharis, smart enough to gauge the direction of who the winner will be and hence will not waste our vote. The Bihari is selfish enough to judge and decide what is best for him or her. So just refresh our memory and up your game. Asmita Bihari is a non resident Bihari. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria enjoins the clergy and faithful to foster values of trustworthiness and generosity in their service to the Church. By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, urged the clergy, religious and lay faithful to be trustworthy, transparent, selfless and generous stewards in the discharge of their duties in the Church, following the way of Jesus. Archbishop Filipazzi made this call during the opening ceremony of the maiden General Assembly of the Abuja Archdiocese, which was held on Friday at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki, according to a report shared with Vatican News by the National Director of Social Communications of the Nigerian Bishops' Conference (CBCN), Fr. Mike Umoh. The General Assembly, with the theme Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja: Together in Evangelization, saw Bishops, priests, religious men and women, and the laity gathered together to discuss means of strengthening the faith of Gods people amid the ongoing Covid-19 health crisis. True administrators of mercy Addressing the participants, Archbishop Filipazzi said that an administrator is neither a master nor a slave who cannot decide anything, but one who is given a responsibility by the Master. In this light, the faithful are called to be true administrators of divine mystery entrusted to them by Our Lord, according to their varying roles in the Church. The Apostolic Nuncio also said differences must not lead to division, as everyone, though different, must strive for unity since there is no room for divisions in the body of Christ. Archbishop Filipazzi, speaking on the upsurge in violence in northern Nigeria in a Vatican News interview on 29 August, had also called for shunning divisions along religious and ethnic lines. Rather, he appealed for general respect of the law and general intervention of the government in the violent attacks which have claimed many lives and caused massive material damage. Concluding his speech, the Nuncio brought to the fore the important significance the Archdiocese bears by encompassing the nations Federal Capital Territory, stressing that Abuja has the grave responsibility of showing good example and portraying a good image of the Catholic Church in Nigeria. The Archbishop also prayed that the assembly would foster this goal and wished the participants success in their deliberations. General Assembly Giving the homily at the Mass during the same occasion, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Abuja expressed his hope that the General Assembly would help to examine how the Archdiocese had metamorphosed into its current state from its humble beginnings, as well as how it can continue to contribute to the overall development, welfare and progress of our Church, and the nation. He also hoped that with the cooperation of all, the pastoral areas in the Archdiocese would grow to quasi-parishes and then to parishes. Amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the Archbishop highlighted the channels of communication at the disposal of the faithful and encouraged their usage. In our Archdiocese, we have the Catholic Television and Good Shepherd newspapers which are essential to supporting and sustaining our faith and spirituality, he said. We need to use these more effectively at these challenging times, especially with our newly-created 30 pastoral areas and expanded 11 Archdiocesan commissions. In addition, he called for the annual celebration of Childrens Day in schools and parishes as well as the establishment of the Holy Childhood Association to teach children how to share with others and to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. Likewise, he appealed for the activities of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) to be taken more seriously. Appeal to government Reflecting on the recent upward review in the pump price of petrol in the West African country, Archbishop Kaigama appealed to the government to prioritize poverty alleviation and improving the livelihoods of Nigerians, adding that the latest increase will make life intolerable at this very difficult time. I can only beg on behalf of the poor and the needy that the government should have mercy on us, appealed the Archbishop. We are at the grassroots and I meet people who are really poor and in need and with all these increases it makes life more intolerable. As a priest, the Archbishop continued, I can only pray that God will do something for the poor and needy but God does not operate in a vacuum, he uses our leaders; the President, the governors, local government chairmen. I know they can do something. Further appealing to the government, Archbishop Kaigama urged the political leaders to look at the poor with the eyes of mercy and strategize to find a solution to their plight because the government is their father, the government is their leader. Chinese intelligence hackers were intent on stealing coronavirus vaccine data, so they looked for what they believed would be an easy target. Instead of simply going after pharmaceutical companies, they conducted digital reconnaissance on the University of North Carolina and other schools doing cutting-edge research. They were not the only spies at work. Russias premier intelligence service, the S.V.R., targeted vaccine research networks in the United States, Canada and Britain, espionage efforts that were first detected by a British spy agency monitoring international fiber optic cables. Iran, too, has drastically stepped up its attempts to steal information about vaccine research, and the United States has increased its own efforts to track the espionage of its adversaries and shore up its defenses. In short, every major spy service around the globe is trying to find out what everyone else is up to. The coronavirus pandemic has prompted one of the fastest peacetime mission shifts in recent times for the worlds intelligence agencies, pitting them against one another in a new grand game of spy versus spy, according to interviews with current and former intelligence officials and others tracking the espionage efforts. We have very little shade out there, so on a hot day, its really hard to escape the sun, Maguire said. ...When the Morton Arboretum came and let us know that this would be free for the school district, we were very excited and jumped all over it. Former Jewish refugee donates 8000 books to Shanghai By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-09-04 17:36 A batch of 8000 books, donated by a former Jewish refugee in Shanghai during World War II, has arrived in the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, the only museum in China that pays homage to the living nightmare the Jews were put through as well as highlights the role Shanghai played in offering Jews some kind of sanctuary. (Jewish themed books collected by Kurt) Kurt Wick, an 82-year-old man, collected almost 10,000 books themed on Jewish history, culture and politics since he moved from Shanghai to London with his family members after WWII. When he visited the museum in 2019 and learned from the museum director Chen Jian that a library was to be built, he promised to donate these books. (Kurt and his books) Kurts story with Shanghai began when he was one and a half years old. In 1939, he reached Shanghai together with his older brother and parents to escape the Nazi persecution. They made a living in the city by opening a store producing handbags on Dongdaming Road with a sewing machine they had brought along. (Kurt and his parents and brother in Shanghai in April of 1947) Last year Kurt and his wife, daughter and son-in-law especially came to Shanghai during their Asia visit. Kurt was extremely excited to see his family members names on a survivor name list wall in the museum. (Kurt finds his name on the wall) Accompanied by Yang Meng, a volunteer from the museum, he went to see the original site of his primary school and childhood home. The landscape was reminiscent of his poor but happy childhood. Kurt remembered clearly the position of his house and even the interior decor. He told the volunteer that he still keeps a bamboo stick that was used as money to buy hot water at that time. (The bamboo stick Kurt keeps) To get more information from Kurt about Shanghais rescue of desperate Jews, Chen Jian, invited the Kurt and his family members to have lunch. Kurt was quite moved by Chens sincerity and thus made his decision to donate all his Jewish books as a return for Shanghais kindness. Due to the complex book-importing procedure and the coronavirus pandemic, the books were finally moved to the Bonded Warehouse in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in April this year and transported to the museum in September. When Kurt spoke on the telephone on the day the books entered the museum, he was quite moved,Its sad that my parents cant see this. If they knew that I have given these books to Shanghai, they would be happy. Thank you, Shanghai. Thank you for saving us. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Russia has a case to answer over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny given its track record, and called for the Kremlins cooperation with an international investigation. Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Raab said that while its too early to attribute blame, its very difficult to come up with a plausible alternative explanation other than Russias involvement. The use of chemical weapons in this kind of context is pure gangsterism and Russia does have responsibility never to use it as a government, and second of all to make sure no-one else can use it within its territory, Raab said, calling for a probe via the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Russia needs to cooperate fully. Raab pledged to work with allies including Germany on a response to the poisoning, which has special resonance in the U.K. because military-grade novichok -- which Germany has said unequivocally was used on Navalny -- is the same nerve agent that was deployed in the attempted murder in 2018 of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil. That was the first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II and triggered a diplomatic showdown when the U.K. pointed the finger directly at Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering the attack, which inadvertently killed a British woman. Warning Raabs comments come after his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, warned Russia that Germanys support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was at risk if the Kremlin doesnt assist in clarifying Navalnys poisoning. Sanctions could be imposed on Russia unless it provides clarification in the next few days, he told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. But the British foreign secretary said for now, the U.K.s focus is on an investigation because the use of chemical weapons is a violation of international law. Russia cant just say this is a domestic issue, it is just our internal affairs, Raab said. Speaking earlier to the BBC, Navalnys chief of staff urged Western countries to respond by targeting Russian financial assets. The only way to make it painful for them is of course to start taking measures against their assets, Leonid Volkov said. They have enormous assets in the west. (Updates with Volkov comment in penultimate paragraph) For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2020 Bloomberg L.P. High-dose, once-daily Enerzair Breezhaler [IND/GLY/MF] reduced asthma exacerbation rates by 21% (moderate or severe) and 31% (severe) versus medium-dose, over 52 weeks1 Once-daily Enerzair Breezhaler, which includes an optional digital companion (sensor and app), is the first LABA/LAMA/ICS* fixed-dose combination approved for patients whose asthma is uncontrolled with a LABA/ICS 2 Post hoc analysis complements findings from pivotal Phase III IRIDIUM study recently published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine3 Basel, September 7, 2020 - Novartis today announced that high-dose, once-daily Enerzair Breezhaler (indacaterol acetate, glycopyrronium bromide and mometasone furoate [IND/GLY/MF]) significantly reduces both moderate-or-severe and severe asthma exacerbation rates in patients whose asthma is uncontrolled on medium- or high-dose long-acting beta 2 -agonist (LABA)/inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), when compared with a once-daily medium-dose of the same treatment. The post hoc analysis from the pivotal Phase III IRIDIUM study-presented virtually at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2020- also showed the safety profile for high-dose Enerzair Breezhaler was in line with previous studies in the Phase III/IIIb PLATINUM clinical development program. "This post hoc analysis supports the potential of high-dose IND/GLY/MF as an effective step-up treatment option to further reduce asthma exacerbations in patients with uncontrolled asthma," said Kenneth Chapman, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto. "These findings also complement the efficacy and safety data from the pivotal IRIDIUM study, which indicated the potential of high-dose IND/GLY/MF to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations compared with salmeterol xinafoate/fluticasone propionate (Sal/Flu), a LABA/ICS* standard-of-care." The analysis showed high-dose Enerzair Breezhaler (150/50/160 g) significantly reduced the annualized rate of moderate-or-severe asthma exacerbations by 21% (p=0.026) and severe exacerbations by 31% (p=0.003) in asthma patients not adequately controlled on current inhaled therapies, compared with medium-dose (150/50/80 g) over 52 weeks. High-dose Enerzair Breezhaler also reduced the annualized rate of all exacerbations (mild, moderate and severe) by 14% (p=0.132) compared with medium-dose, but this finding was not statistically significant. Both doses tested presented with a favorable safety and tolerability profile. *LABA; long-acting beta 2 -agonist, LAMA; long-acting muscarinic antagonist, ICS; inhaled corticosteroid. About Uncontrolled Asthma Asthma affects an estimated 358 million people worldwide and can cause a significant personal, health and financial burden when not adequately controlled4,5. Despite current therapy, over 40% of patients with asthma at Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Step 3, and over 45% at GINA Steps 4 and 5 remain uncontrolled6,7. Patients with uncontrolled asthma may downplay or underestimate the severity of their disease and are at a higher risk of exacerbation, hospitalization or death8-10. Barriers, such as less than optimal adherence, incorrect inhaler technique, treatment mismatch, safety issues with oral corticosteroids and ineligibility for biologics, have created an unmet medical need in asthma11-14. About Enerzair Breezhaler in the EU On July 7, 2020, Novartis announced European Commission (EC) approval of Enerzair Breezhaler (QVM149; indacaterol acetate, glycopyrronium bromide and mometasone furoate [IND/GLY/MF]) 150/50/160 g once-daily as a maintenance treatment of asthma in adult patients not adequately controlled with a maintenance combination of a long-acting beta 2 -agonist (LABA) and a high-dose of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) who experienced one or more asthma exacerbations in the previous year2. This formulation combines the bronchodilation of indacaterol acetate (a LABA) and glycopyrronium bromide (a LAMA) with mometasone furoate (ICS) in a precise once-daily formulation, delivered via the dose-confirming Breezhaler device. Glycopyrronium bromide certain use and formulation intellectual property were exclusively licensed to Novartis in April 2005 by Sosei Heptares and Vectura. Mometasone furoate is exclusively licensed to Novartis from a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA, for use in IND/GLY/MF (worldwide excluding the US). IND/GLY/MF will be administered via the dose-confirming Breezhaler device, which enables once-daily inhalation using a single inhaler. IND/GLY/MF is the first asthma treatment in the EU that can be prescribed together with a digital companion; the Propeller Health app and sensor custom-built for the Breezhaler device. The digital companion will provide patients with inhalation confirmation, medication reminders and access to objective data that can be shared with their physician in order to help them make better therapeutic decisions. The sensor for the Breezhaler device was developed by Propeller Health and is a CE marked medical device, designed and licensed to Novartis for use with the Breezhaler inhaler worldwide. The sensor includes a microchip, a microphone, Bluetooth capabilities, an antenna and a battery. The sensor does not alter the drug delivery characteristics of the Breezhaler inhaler itself but produces a recording of each administered dose. Based on the patient's recorded medication usage, personalized content is presented within the app to help the patient better self-manage their asthma. In keeping with the Novartis commitment to reduce the environmental impact of our asthma combinations, IND/GLY/MF will be available in the hydrofluoroalkane/chlorofluorocarbon (HFA/CFC)-free Breezhaler device. Novartis aims to drive sustainability and has set ambitious targets to minimize its impact on climate, waste and water, including targets to become carbon neutral in company operations by 2025. About the IRIDIUM Study3 IRIDIUM was a Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, designed to compare the efficacy and safety of IND/GLY/MF with IND/MF in patients with asthma. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different doses of IND/GLY/MF (high: 150/50/160 g and medium: 150/50/80 g), versus two corresponding IND/MF doses (high: 150/320 g and medium: 150/160 g) in patients with uncontrolled asthma, as determined by pulmonary function testing and effects on asthma control. All patients were required to be symptomatic at screening and to have one or more exacerbations in the previous year, despite being on treatment with medium- or high-stable doses of LABA/ICS. Approximately 3,092 male and female adult patients with asthma were randomized 1:1:1:1:1 (approximately 618 patients in each of the treatment groups) to receive one of the following treatments: IND/GLY/MF 150/50/80 g (once-daily) IND/GLY/MF 150/50/160 g (once-daily) IND/MF 150/160 g (once-daily) IND/MF 150/320 g (once-daily) Sal/Flu 50/500 g (twice-daily) The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate superiority of both high-dose IND/GLY/MF versus high-dose IND/MF and medium-dose IND/GLY/MF versus medium-dose IND/MF, all delivered once-daily, in improving trough FEV 1 (volume of air that can be forced out in the first second of expiration approximately 24 hours post-administration of study drug) after 26 weeks of treatment in patients with asthma. The key secondary objective was to demonstrate the superiority of both doses of IND/GLY/MF versus respective doses of IND/MF, in improving Asthma Control Questionnaire score after 26 weeks of treatment in patients with asthma. Other secondary analyses included reduction of exacerbation rate, comparing high-dose IND/GLY/MF with high-dose IND/MF and medium-dose IND/GLY/MF with medium-dose IND/MF. Secondary analyses also included efficacy comparisons for both doses of IND/GLY/MF compared with Sal/Flu (50/500 g). Disclaimer This media update contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "seek," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this media update, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this media update will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. 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Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews (https://twitter.com/novartisnews) For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library (https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library) For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) References 1. Chapman KR, Kostikas K, Kerstjens H, et al. Reduction in asthma exacerbations with indacaterol/ glycopyrronium/ mometasone high-dose versus medium-dose: a post hoc analysis from the IRIDIUM study. e-Poster presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Virtual Congress; 2020 Sept 7-9. 2. European Medicines Agency. Enerzair Breezhaler. Available from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/summaries-opinion/enerzair-breezhaler [Last accessed: August 2020]. 3. Kerstjens HAM, Maspero J, Chapman KR, et al. Once-daily, single-inhaler mometasone-indacaterol-glycopyrronium-mometasone versus indacaterol-mometasone or twice-daily fluticasone-salmeterol in patients with inadequately controlled asthma (IRIDIUM): a randomised, double-blind, controlled Phase III study. Lancet Resp Med 2020. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30190-9. 4. GBD Chronic Respiratory Disease Collaborators. Global, regional, and national deaths, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years, and years lived with disability for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet Resp Med 2017;5(9):691-706. 5. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. My Life With Asthma Survey Overview. Available from: https://www.aafa.org/media/1684/my-life-with-asthma-in-2017-survey-findings-report.pdf [Last accessed: August 2020]. 6. Chung KF, Wenzel SE, Brozek JL, et al. International ERS/ATS guidelines on definition, evaluation and treatment of severe asthma. Eur Respir J 2014;43(2):343-373. 7. Fang J, Busse WW, Marvel J, et al. Demographic, Clinical Characteristics and Control Status of Pediatric, Adolescent, and Adult Asthma Patients by GINA Step in a US Longitudinal Cohort. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2018;197:A1903. 8. Peters SP, Ferguson G, Deniz Y, Reisner C. Uncontrolled asthma: a review of the prevalence, disease burden and options for treatment. Respir Med 2006;100(7):1139-1151. 9. Katsaounou P, Odemyr M, Spranger O, et al. Still Fighting for Breath: a patient survey of the challenges and impact of severe asthma. ERJ Open Res 2018;4(4):00076-2018. 10. Price D, Fletcher M, van der Molen T. Asthma control and management in 8,000 European patients: the REcognise Asthma and LInk to Symptoms and Experience (REALISE) survey. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med 2014;24:14009. 11. Price DB, Trudo F, Voorham J, et al. Adverse outcomes from initiation of systemic corticosteroids for asthma: long-term observational study. J Asthma Allergy 2018;11:193-204. 12. Albers FC, Mullerova H, Gunsoy NB, et al. Biologic treatment eligibility for real-world patients with severe asthma: The IDEAL study. J Asthma 2018;55(2):152-160. 13. Bourdin A, Halimi L, Vachier I, et al. Adherence in Severe Asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2012;42(11):1566-1574. 14. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). 2020 GINA pocket guide for asthma management and prevention. Available from: https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Main-pocket-guide_2020_04_03-final-wms.pdf (https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Main-pocket-guide_2020_04_03-final-wms.pdf) [Last accessed: August 2020]. # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) Peter Zuest Novartis External Communications +41 79 899 9812 (mobile) peter.zuest@novartis.com (mailto:peter.zuest@novartis.com) Eric Althoff Novartis US External Communications +1 646 438 4335 eric.althoff@novartis.com (mailto:eric.althoff@novartis.com) Phil McNamara Global Head, Respiratory Communications +41 79 510 8756 (mobile) phil.mcnamara@novartis.com (mailto:phil.mcnamara@novartis.com) Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com (mailto:investor.relations@novartis.com) Central North America Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Sloan Simpson +1 862 778 5052 Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he was "uncomfortable" with a remark made by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the IRA during a clash with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Sir Lindsay said Mr Johnson had gotten "carried away" when he made the remarks during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. Mr Johnson accused Sir Keir of having supported an IRA-condoning politician by serving in former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns frontbench team. Speaking to Times Radio, Sir Lindsay said he believed the exchange had become personal. "To accuse somebody of supporting the IRA as somebody who has actually prosecuted the IRA, I think was touching a nerve of something I didn't quite like. I wasn't comfortable with it," he said. But he denied losing his temper with Mr Johnson, saying he was "trying to use a bit of authority" and ensure there was order in the chamber. I"t was becoming very personal. I didn't think that was the right way to take the house on Wednesday - far from it," he said, speaking on Sunday. "To make accusations of people is not a good way forward. When we're talking about education, to make end up where we did is not the place where we should have been. "I want to make parliament to work and make it a nicer more friendly place. I have the same respect for everybody so I expect that respect to me extended right across the house," he said. Read More Labour leader Sir Keir called on Mr Johnson to have the decency to withdraw the remark after it was made on Wednesday. It's after Mr Johnson told the Commons: This is a leader of the opposition who supported an IRA-condoning politician who wanted to get out of Nato and now says absolutely nothing. Mr Johnsons comments were cut off by Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Sir Keir said: I worked in Northern Ireland for five years with the Police Service of Northern Ireland bringing peace. I prosecuted, as director of public prosecutions, serious terrorists for five years working with the intelligence and security forces and with the police in Northern Ireland. I ask the Prime Minister to have the decency to withdraw that comment. A Number 10 spokesman later said: I think the point the PM was making in PMQs was that Sir Keir Starmer was willing to serve in Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet despite the then-Labour leaders appalling record of sympathising for the IRA. Mr Corbyn, who has supported Irish republicanism, said in a 2017 interview with Sky News: I condemn all the bombing by both the loyalists and the IRA. Every day brings a new revelation in Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case. Here's a timeline of all the events transpired in the case since 14 June Rhea Chakraborty on Monday, 7 Septemeber, appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau of India for questioning for the second consecutive day in the drugs case linked to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. This case has given the NCB an "inkling" into the narcotics network and its penetration in Bollywood or Hindi movie industry, NCB Deputy Director General Mutha Ashok Jain had told reporters last week. Moreover, various angles surrounding the death of the 34-year-old actor are being probed by three federal agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). (Also read of Firstpost: Reading Rhea Chakraborty's public vilification as a modern-day witch hunt: Actress' harassment has historic roots) Heres a timeline to track how the case changed since Rajputs death. 14 June Bollywood actor Rajput found dead in his Mumbai apartment. His team in a press release confirmed his death, "It pains us to share that Sushant Singh Rajput is no longer with us. We request his fans to keep him in their thoughts and celebrate his life, and his work as they have done so far. We request the media to help us maintain privacy at this moment of grief." 15 June Kangana Ranaut accused a section of film industry professionals of not acknowledging Rajput, debunked the theory of the actor committing suicide. Ranaut pointed out that Rajput was a rank holder and asked how he could have a weak mind. Taking reference from a post of the late actor pleading with people to watch his movies as he didnt have a godfather in the industry that had gone viral, she also said that despite his great lineup of films, he didnt receive any acknowledgement or awards, unlike the other star-kids of the industry. #KanganaRanaut exposes the propaganda by industry arnd #SushantSinghRajput's tragic death &how the narrative is spun to hide how their actions pushed #Sushant to the edge.Why its imp to give talent their due &when celebs struggle with personal issues media to practice restraint pic.twitter.com/PI70xJgUVL Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) June 15, 2020 16 June Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh cited various media reports claiming that Rajput battled clinical depression induced by professional rivalry, an angle which Mumbai Police will focus while investigating the case. Deshmukh took to Twitter and said though the postmortem report has confirmed he died by suicide, the depression angle will be probed too. The provisional postmortem report of Rajput has revealed that the provisional cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhishek Trimukhe. 17 June Casting director Mukesh Chhabra recorded his statement with Mumbai Police. The police were trying to understand the reasons behind Rajput's depression, DCP Abhishek Trimukhe told media. 17 June A case was filed in Bihar's Muzaffarpur against Bollywood celebrities Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Ekta Kapoor in connection with the suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput. 18 June Mumbai Police summoned actress Rhea Chakraborty to Bandra police station to record her statement in connection to Rajput's death case Meanwhile, investigating officers had recorded statements of more than 10 people, including Rajput's family members. 24 June Mumbai Police received the final postmortem report signed by a team of five doctors. "No struggle marks or external injuries" were found in the actor's body, suggests his postmortem report. 27 June Mumbai Police on Saturday questioned casting director Shanoo Sharma. The officials also sought details of actor's contracts from the Yash Raj Films production house. The interrogation session of the casting director of Yash Raj Films (YRF) took place at Bandra Police Station. 4 July As part of the probe into Rajput's death case, Mumbai Police sent the cloth, allegedly used in the suicide, to a forensic lab for "tensile strength" analysis to determine whether it can bear the weight similar to that of the late actor, an official said. "The test will help determine if there was any foul play," he said. "Besides the viscera from the actor's body, the police also sent the gown for chemical and forensic analysis at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in suburban Kalina," the official said. "It will take at least three more days to get the final forensic report," the official said. "To ascertain the exact cause of death, forensic experts will check the pattern of ligature marks around the actor's neck, and also determine the strength of the gown with the help of 'tensile strength' analysis. 7 July Sanjay Leela Bhansali questioned by the police. Director reveals he had offered Rajput four films but the actor could not be a part of any of the films due to unavailability of his dates. 18 July Filmmaker and Yash Raj Films (YRF) chairman Aditya Chopra recorded his statement with the Mumbai Police. 21 July Rajeev Masand, noted film critic and journalist, was summoned by the Mumbai Police to record his statement. 28 July Rajput's father KK Singh lodged a complaint at a police station in Patna against Chakraborty, her family, and a few others alleging they abetted his son's suicide In the complaint, KK Singh accused the actress of extorting money from Rajput under the pretext of love. A case was registered against her under various sections that included abetment of suicide. 28 July Dharma Productions CEO Apoorva Mehta was summoned by Mumbai police to record a statement with regard to Rajput's death investigation. An officer said Mehta was asked to carry the contract papers signed by Rajput and the production house. 29 July Chakraborty moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of an FIR lodged against her in Patna to Mumbai, where probe in the death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput is going on. In her plea, Chakraborty also sought a stay on the probe by Bihar Police on the FIR lodged by Rajput's father till disposal of her plea in the top court, her lawyer Satish Maneshinde said. Actress Rhea Chakraborty moves SC, seeks transfer of Patna FIR to Mumbai where probe is on in Sushant Singh Rajput death case Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 29, 2020 30 July The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a money laundering case against Rhea and others on the basis of Sushants fathers FIR in Patna. Officials said the central probe agency has written to the Bihar police in this context as it is looking into the case for a possible investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). 31 July Days after the accusations, Chakraborty broke her silence through a video. I have immense faith in God and judiciary. I believe that I will get justice, the actress said in a video statement. She further said that a lot of horrible things have been said about her in the electronic media but she has been refraining from commenting on the advice of her lawyers since the matter is sub judice. 31 July The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a PIL seeking transfer of probe into Rajput's death case from Mumbai Police to the CBI. A bench comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said that Mumbai police be allowed to do the job and if there is something, then a plea be filed before the Bombay High Court. 4 August Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab said the Bihar government's move to recommend a CBI probe into actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case was politically motivated. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray too had slammed the demands for a CBI probe by the Opposition and some Bollywood personalities. 5 August The Centre issued a notification asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate Sushants death, a day after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar demanded a probe. 7 August Chakraborty, her chartered accountant Ritesh Shah and her former manager Shruti Modi appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai in connection with the money laundering case lodged by it. 11 August Chakraborty told the Supreme Court the Sushant Singh Rajput death case has been blown out of proportion as elections are due in Bihar and claimed she was being subjected to media trial due to "constant sensationalisation" causing her "extreme trauma". Chakraborty, 28, also submitted in an additional affidavit filed in the apex court saying she should not be made "scapegoat of political agendas" in the case and alleged that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is "reported to be responsible for the registration of the FIR in Patna against her. 15 August ED questioned Rajput's personal staff, including his domestic help, in connection with a money laundering case. 18 August On the day of Supreme Court's verdict, Chakraborty submitted a statement to India Today via her lawyer. In her statement, Rhea mentions that she does not have any objection to a CBI probe into Rajput's death, but objects to the Bihar Police's jurisdiction to demand such a probe. 19 August The Supreme Court ordered CBI inquiry into Rajput's death case. The apex court said that the FIR registered at Patna was legitimate and that the state of Maharashtra chose not to challenge the order. The court also asked the Mumbai Police to hand over all evidence collected by them so far in the case to the CBI. 22 August The central agency team, along with forensic experts, reached Rajput's residence to conduct an investigation. "Rajput's cook Neeraj and his flatmate Siddharth Pithani also accompanied the CBI team," the official said. 24 August The CBI team visited the Cooper Hospital, where Rajput's autopsy was done, to question the concerned doctors. 25 August Rajput's flatmate Pithani, cook Neeraj Singh and domestic help Deepesh Sawant were again called for questioning by the CBI. 27 August The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) filed a criminal case against Chakraborty and others to probe their alleged dealings in banned drugs, an instance emerging from an investigation being conducted into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, officials said. The ED, which is probing a money-laundering angle into the death of Rajput, obtained "deleted WhatsApp messages" after a forensic examination of her phone. The deleted messages, they said, allegedly indicate dealings in banned drugs and chats about the procurement and consumption of these drugs that include cannabis. NCB Director General (NCB) Rakesh Asthana held two rounds of meetings and after going through the evidence available and obtaining a legal opinion, he directed his officials to file a case. 28 August Chakraborty appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation for the first time. 29 August Based on the request made by the CBI, the Mumbai Police provided security to Chakraborty. The actress had earlier claimed that there was a threat to her and her family's life. 30 August CBI called Rhea for the third consecutive day for questioning. Her brother Showik Chakraborty was summoned for the fourth day in a row for questioning in the case, an official said. Rajput's manager Samual Miranda and domestic help Keshav also reached the guest house in the morning. 1 September Chakraborty's parents arrived at the DRDO guest house, Mumbai, for questioning by the CBI. 2 September Chakraborty's father, Indrajit, was questioned by the CBI for the second consecutive day in connection with the death case. He was interrogated for around 10 hours by the central agency team. 5 September A Mumbai court on Saturday remanded Showik and Miranda, arrested in connection with the drugs probe linked to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, to the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) till 9 September. According to a tweet by CNN News18, Kaizan Ibrahim, the alleged drug peddler, has been sent to a 14-day judicial custody. #Alert - Showik Chakraborty, Samuel Miranda Sent to NCB Custody Till September 9. @Herman_Gomes reports from outside NCB office Join the broadcast with @AnushaSoni23. pic.twitter.com/5oLJMiO6wQ CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) September 5, 2020 5 September The NCB arrested Dipesh Sawant, a member of Sushant Singh Rajput's personal staff, in connection with a drugs probe linked to the actor's death. The officials said with the latest action, the total number of arrested in this "ongoing investigation" has risen to seven. 6 September Chakrabortys father Indrajit Chakraborty has issued a statement condemning the arrest of his son, Showik, in connection with drug abuse allegations surrounding actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death. "Congratulations India, you have arrested my son, I'm sure next on the line is my daughter and I don't know who is next thereafter. You have effectively demolished a middle-class family. But of course, for the sake of justice, everything is justified. Jai Hind," the statement from Lt Col Indrajit Chakraborty (Retd), who has also been questioned by the CBI, read. Meanwhile, NCB also issued summons to Rhea for joining the probe on Sunday, 6 September. The agency has said it also wants to confront Rhea with Showik, Miranda and Sawant in order to ascertain their individual roles in this alleged drug racket after it obtained mobile phone chat records and other electronic data that suggested some banned drugs were allegedly being procured by these people. 6 September Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer Satish Maneshinde has called the investigation of Rajput's death case a "witch hunt." He added that the actor is prepared for an arrest and has not applied for anticipatory bail. Advocate Maneshinde, who represents Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik, said in a statement, Rhea Chakraborty is ready for arrest as this is a witch hunt and if loving someone is a crime she will face the consequences of her love. Being innocent, she has not approached any court for Anticipatory Bail in all the cases foisted by Bihar Police now with CBI, ED and NCB." #NewsAlert NCB starts questioning Rhea on the drugs angle. @Herman_Gomes reports from outside the NCB Office. Join the broadcast with @vandanaseb. #RheaDrugsLink pic.twitter.com/5xRsMujrjh CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) September 6, 2020 (With inputs from agencies) * A collection of Suicide prevention helpline numbers are available here. Please reach out if you or anyone you know is in need of support. The All-India helpline number is: 022 2754 6669 Officials have found the body of a New Jersey man missing for a week inside his SUV in a grocery store parking lot over the weekend, a lawyer said. (GoFundMe) Missing New Jersey Man With Learning Disability Found Dead: Family Officials have found the body of a New Jersey man missing for a week inside his SUV in a grocery store parking lot over the weekend, a lawyer said. Mauri Mendez, 29, called his mother on Aug. 27, saying he would visit his sister in Toms River, located near their home in Lakewood, according to officials. He was not seen or heard from again, his family said. The family is devastated as this was not the outcome that anyone expected. As no one plans to bury their 29-year-old son, said family lawyer Jef Henninger in a statement to NJ.com. Police found Mendez on Sunday morning in the parking lot of a Shoprite in Wall Township in a 2000 Chevy Blazer. Mendez had borrowed the vehicle from his sisters boyfriend, Henninger said. The Monmouth County Prosecutors Office told NJ 101.5 on Sunday evening that the death did not appear to be suspicious. The cause and manner of death are under investigation. Lakewood Police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith confirmed that a deceased person was found inside the vehicle. They, however, did not confirm the identity of the person, the report said, citing Henninger. We ask that you keep the Mendez family in your thoughts during this difficult time, Staffordsmith said in an email. The family set up a GoFundMe for funeral expenses. His sister, Sabrina Loehwing, said he suffered from a learning disability and was very trusting of people, according to the report. My brother has a learning disability. Hes 29 but his mind is like a 15-year-old, Loehwing said. Hes vulnerable. Hes very trusting in people. Hes just a loving person. He thinks everyone he meets is his friend. I dont know if he was talking to someone and that person wasnt a good person. Anything is possible. Mairead McGuinness is red-hot favourite to fill the post vacated by Phil Hogan as interviews will be held in Brussels today by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Louth farmer and Fine Gael councillor Colm Markey could find himself propelled into a new career on the Continent if MEP Ms McGuinness is picked for the job. Ms Von der Leyen will also run the rule over Andrew McDowell, who has plentiful experience as a former Fine Gael chief strategist and vice-president of the European Investment Bank. Read More However, Ms McGuinness remains favourite amid reports that Ms Von der Leyen made it quite clear to Irish officials that she expected her to be nominated. If, as expected, she succeeds Maire Geoghegan-Quinn to become Ireland's second only female commissioner, it will also catapult an obscure councillor into Brussels. Mr Markey will walk into an MEP job in Brussels as her replacement, as he is the ranking substitute named in her original election papers. The Ardee farmer would then be in receipt of an annual salary of 107,194 plus a monthly allowance of 4,563 in 'general expenditure' for representation at home (54,756 annually). He would also receive full travel expenses, generous mileage and a flat-rate 323 a day in subsistence for European Parliament sittings, once he signs in. Mr Markey runs the family farm in Togher, Co Louth. He was first elected to Louth County Council in 2009. He is a former national president of Macra na Feirme. "I am first on the list, and I would certainly be prepared to pick up the responsibility in place to Mairead, but I don't want to be premature about it," he told the Irish Independent. "I won't comment further on it, if you don't mind, because nothing is decided or guaranteed." In a tweet on Friday, Mr Markey said he was "delighted" that Ms McGuinness was one of the two nominees put forward by Government, adding: "I've always believed she would make an exceptional commissioner." Meanwhile, sitting MEP Frances Fitzgerald is refusing to dignify complaints by some Fine Gael backbenchers that she has now been "let down twice" by Tanaiste Leo Varadkar. Ms Fitzgerald, who was forced out of office as Tanaiste and Justice Minister under Fianna Fail in the last Government, is staying uninvolved in the debate. When she was ousted, Mr Varadkar predicted she would be vindicated and also vowed that it would not be long before she was restored to high office. One backbencher claimed there was also disappointment among colleagues that a promise to restore her to high office had not been met. It would have been a popular move within the party, he said. Another said Ms Fitzgerald had been left disappointed, but added: "That's politics. And politics is tough." Former Justice Minister Ms Fitzgerald confined herself to a statement congratulating the others whose names have gone forward. "This is a critical and important time for Ireland and the EU given the imminent challenges of Brexit and Covid-19," Ms Fitzgerald said. "I am first on the list, and I would certainly be prepared to pick up the responsibility." In a Twitter discussion back in July, Portland mayor Ted Wheeler (D) was all too eager to jump on the police reform bandwagon with his promise to address all of the "systematic inequities that exist in our societies." "And they are massive. And they are prevalent. And they're in every institution that we know." He egged the protests on and perpetuated the police brutality myth. Meanwhile, businesses, some of them black-owned, burned as anarchy was overlooked, and what before was viewed as "peaceful protests" by Wheeler are now seriously violent situations that he must escape from. That explains why he decided last week to hightail it out of his apartment/condo building complex and permanently relocate. Steering clear of the incensed mobs outside his condo, busy lighting fires and breaking windows, was top priority. President Trump's offer to send federal assistance was met not only with Wheeler's vehemently arrogant refusal, but with his ludicrous suggestion that the violence is treasured by Trump as his "only ticket to re-election" through the fear it evokes. Portland's floundering mayor is not the only one of the elites who does not understand the meaning of safety, security, or how to go about enshrining the property rights of the general public. Other leftist leaders hypocritically chose to shield their own skins when the going got tough, including St. Louis mayor Lyda Krewson (D), who temporarily vacated her home last week, and Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot (D), who, when faced with threats, ordered police to lock down her block and to stop even peaceful protesters from entering. To protect one's own property is understandably instinctual. The problem is that the only way to truly uphold this ideal is to protect everyone else's property rights as well. Across the burning plain from Minneapolis to Kenosha, property demolition became widely acceptable, while leaders have been all talk but no action when it came to sustaining law and order. The Democratic mayors' main goal was to mollify the mobs, and so millions in property damage was the result. The devastated owner of a Kenosha office furniture business that was burned to the ground by the latest anarchist crusade sobbed, "I don't think it's justifiable for anyone to destroy anybody else's property." If only her innocent certainty could be confirmed by the left-wing consensus. A most disconcerting NPR interview of the author of the book In Defense of Looting (no, it's not a satire), published last week, is a rude awakening into a terrifying reality not that far from actualizing itself. In the words of the writer, Vicky Osterweil, the rash looting of the past months is an inspirational indicator of what is to come: It also attacks the very way in which food and things are distributed. It attacks the idea of property, and it attacks the idea that in order for someone to have a roof over their head or have a meal ticket, they have to work for a boss, in order to buy things that people just like them somewhere else in the world had to make under the same conditions. It points to the way in which that's unjust. And the reason that the world is organized that way, obviously, is for the profit of the people who own the stores and the factories. So you get to the heart of that property relation, and demonstrate that without police and without state oppression, we can have things for free[.] ... Looting strikes at the heart of property, of whiteness and of the police. It gets to the very root of the way those three things are interconnected. And also it provides people with an imaginative sense of freedom and pleasure and helps them imagine a world that could be. And I think that's a part of it that doesn't really get talked about that riots and looting are experienced as sort of joyous and liberatory. As this writer profits from the privileges that enabled her to spread this copyrighted, Marxist manifesto through a publishing company, black-owned businesses are going up in flames. Private property rights are the bedrock of the economic freedom that bears fruit to all Americans willing to put in the effort. Yes, the concept of private property is actually a systemic one in the execution of capitalism, believe it or not. Accordingly, the knowledge that a police force is the necessary ingredient to protect our God-given property rights is what infuriates the left-wing mob to the point of insanity. The thin blue line really is what stands between them and the total annihilation of this most basic of civil liberties. Image credit: Twitter screen shot, processed with FotoSketcher. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:16:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Kremlin on Monday denied any involvement of Russian authorities in the suspected poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. "Attempts to somehow associate Russia or the Russian leadership with what happened are unacceptable to us. They are absurd in essence," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a daily briefing. According to Peskov, the Kremlin is waiting for information from Germany on the Navalny case. "We hope that, given the resonance of this issue, information will be provided in the coming days. We are looking forward to it," Peskov said. Navalny, a harsh critic of the Kremlin, felt unwell on the flight from the Russian city of Tomsk to Moscow on Aug. 20 and the plane had to make an emergency landing in the city of Omsk. Navalny fell into a coma after being hospitalized in Omsk with suspected poisoning symptoms and was later transferred to Germany for treatment. Last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Navalny, who was in intensive care in a Berlin hospital, was poisoned with a Soviet-style nerve agent, the same type that was used in 2018 to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Enditem Please log in to keep reading. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. President Donald Trump did not believe Nelson Mandela was deserving of respect according to his former lawyer Nelson Mandela is a world renowned public figure and activist, but President Donald Trump branded the former South African president as no leader and denigrated the country as a toilet, according to a new book by his one-time lawyer, Michael Cohen. The revelations were made in the book, Disloyal, A Memoir, which is set to be released Tuesday, according to The Washington Post. Trumps self-professed fixer claimed that his former boss looked down upon the late South African leader and favored the Apartheid rule of racial discrimination. (Credit: Getty Images) Read More: Trump staffer dragged for mocking Joe Biden as he visits familys graves Mandela fed the whole country up. Now its a shole. F Mandela. He was no leader, Trump allegedly said upon the passing of Mandela in 2013. Trump further declared that he didnt believe Mandela was a real leader not the kind he respected. The Washington Post received an advanced copy of the book by Trumps former lawyer. He was convicted of tax evasion and lying to Congress in 2018. Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison, but is currently serving his remaining time under house arrest due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The White House used his conviction to push back against the allegations made in Disloyal, A Memoir. Michael Cohen is a disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer, who lied to Congress. He has lost all credibility, and its unsurprising to see his latest attempt to profit off of lies, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement over the weekend. Read More: Trump wants to pull funding from schools that use 1619 Project curriculum WASHINGTON, DC SEPTEMBER 04: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference the White House on September 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. President Trump took questions on a variety of topics, including a recent magazine article in The Atlantic accusing him of making disparaging remarks about American soldiers. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Despite McEnany casting doubt on Cohens credibility, Trump took to social media in 2013 and called South Africa a crime-ridden mess ready to explode. His derision continued in 2015 when he insisted South Africa is a total and very dangerous mess. Just watch the evening news (when not talking weather). Story continues I really like Nelson Mandela but South Africa is a crime ridden mess that is just waiting to explode-not a good situation for the people! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2013 As I have long been saying, South Africa is a total and very dangerous mess. Just watch the evening news (when not talking weather). Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2015 Cohen has accused the White House of attempting to interfere with his freedom of speech and the publication of Disloyal, A Memoir. In July, he was returned to federal custody after being photographed eating at a restaurant. Cohens counsel claimed retaliation over the book as the lawyer had shared days before that his book was almost done. Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered his release and claimed Cohen being returned to jail was retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book and to discuss anything about the book or anything else he wants on social media and with others. Mandela is not the only world leader that Trump disparaged according to Cohen. As theGrio previously reported, Cohen wrote that Trump hired a Barack Obama look-alike. Trump ritualistically belittled the first Black president and then fired him. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! The post Trump said Fk Mandela. He was no leader, Cohen claims in book appeared first on TheGrio. Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty was questioned for over six hours on Sunday (September 6) by the National Control Bureau (NCB) at its Mumbai office in connection with the drug probe related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death. The NCB has summoned Rhea to appear for questioning again on Monday (September 7) and it is learnt that Rhea will have to appear before the NCB by 10 AM on Monday. The NCB is also probing whether Rhea and her brother Showik Chakraborty, who is also under arrest, were also invoved in selling drugs. When Rhea will appear for questioning on Monday, it is likely that the NCB would question her in front of Showik (24), Sushant's house manager Samuel Miranda (33) and the late actor's personal staff Dipesh Sawant. It is to be noted that Miranda and Dipesh are also under arrest in connection with this case. Significantly, the NCB had unearthed some phone chat records and other electronic data, which suggests that some of the banned drugs were allegedly purchased by these individuals. NCB Deputy Director General (South-West Region) M Ashok Jain said on Sunday that agency had also conducted fresh raids in this case against a person named Anuj Keshwani, whose name came up during questioning of Kaizan Ibrahim. It may be recalled that Ibrahim was arrested few days ago in connection with this case. "We have seized 590 grams of hashish, 0.64 grams of LSD sheets, 304 grams of morijuana including imported marijuana joints and capsules, Rs. 1,85,200 in cash and 5,000 Indonesian rupiahs during raids against Keshwani," Jain said. Anuj was directly in touch with Ibrahim, who was involved in procuring drugs from Anuj and then giving it Miranda and some other staff of Sushant. The NCB is now looking for the person who was supplying drugs to Anuj Keswani. The NCB is also expected to summon some more friends and staff of Sushant for questioning in this case. Stickers and masks bearing photos of Sushant Singh Rajput can be seen in various places in Bihar, where the BJP has launched a campaign seeing justice for the late actor. Stickers and masks bearing photos of Sushant Singh Rajput can be seen in various places in Bihar, where the BJP has launched a campaign seeing justice for the late actor. The BJPs cultural cell- Kala Sanskriti Manch- has released stickers and masks with the photo of Rajput and the message Na bhoole hain, na bhulne denge (we have neither forgotten nor will we let anyone forget) The actor was found dead at his residence on June 14 this year. Varun Kumar Singh, State coordinator, BJP Kala Sanskriti Manch said that have so far printed 30,000 stickers and posters and 30,000 face masks. Singh said that they had been using these as a sign of a movement to seek justice for the late actor who died in Mumbai. With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, there have been allegations that the Party has been attempting to give the matter a political angle. Also read: India overtakes Brazil to become the serving worst Covid hit nation, 90k cases reported in a day Also read: As Indias Covid tally crosses grim 42 lakh mark, metro services resume pan-India today Varun Kumar Singh said that it was not a political issue but a matter close to his heart. He said that earlier, they demanded a CBI inquiry to probe the matter (Sushant Singh Rajputs death). He said that he had even sent letters to Ministers demanding justice for him (Sushant). Singh said that they started this movement on June 16, being a part of BJP Kala Sanskriti Manch, he supported him. He said that he was an artist and so is he. On being asked why BJP leaders are using the stickers and masks, Singh said, It started at BJP office so we were the first ones to put it on our vehicles. Bihar BJP spokesperson, Nikhil Anand said that the BJP Kala Sanskriti Manch had been working for the welfare of the artists, they were paying tribute to Sushant Singh Rajput and they wanted justice. Anand said that it was never a political step but was a feeling of solidarity. Rajeev Ranjan of JDU said that since the election dates had not been disclosed, one cannot connect the actors (Sushant) death with the upcoming election in Bihar. Ranjan said that instigating someone to commit suicide was the matter of concern. He added that the Maharashtra government was controlling the state police in the matter. Actor Rhea Chakraborty was summoned by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Sunday morning to join the investigation of the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. On August 19, the Supreme Court had asked the CBI to investigate the case related to the actors death, while holding that the FIR registered in Patna was legitimate. The agency has registered an FIR against Chakraborty and others in connection with the actors death after the Centre accepted the Bihar governments recommendation to transfer the probe in the matter from Patna. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had on July 31 registered an Enforcement Case Information Report in the late actors death case after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Rajputs father KK Singh against Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28. Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case LIVE news updates: Centre extends Y+ level security to Kangana Ranaut A massive government data breach means more than 186,000 Australian driver's licences could now be in the hands of foreign hackers. The New South Wales government's customer service agency revealed on Monday that 3.8million documents, amounting to 738GB of private data, was stolen earlier this year. Service NSW said 47 staff email accounts were compromised in April, with security experts saying the public's identification documents were the 'golden ticket' for online scammers. More than 186,000 Australian driver's licences could be in the hands of foreign hackers after a massive data breach (stock image) Service NSW said on Monday nearely 50 of their staff were targeted in the theft of customer documents after their email accounts were compromised Such personal information is used by hackers to potentially drain bank accounts, purchase items on credit or apply for loans, according to ITNEws. 'The investigation has taken four months and required a highly technical approach to identify the exact amount of customer information in the 3.8 million documents stolen from the email accounts,' Service NSW said on Monday. The agency said about half a million of the documents included personal information. 'We are now able to focus on providing the best advice for approximately 186,000 customers we've identified with data in the breach.' Customers who have been affected will receive a personalised letter which they will have to show ID to collect and which will include exact details of the data about them which has been stolen. The letters will give instructions to resolve the security breach and complex cases will be assigned a case manager to guide customers through repairing the issues. Service NSW labelled the cyber attack 'criminal' and said they had referred the matter to police who have launched an investigation. The shocking revelation follows the discovery of more than 50,000 Australian driver's licences leaked online in August. Ukrainian security consultant Bob Diachenko stumbled upon the folder of PDF and JPG files containing 108,535 scanned images of over 54,000 NSW licences. He also discovered another folder containing Roads and Maritime Services toll notice statutory declarations. The data was stored on an Amazon cloud storage service and contained phone numbers, addresses and birth dates all of which were available for public view. 'More than 50K scanned driver licenses (front+back) and toll notices exposed in a misconfigured S3 bucket,' Mr Diachenko tweeted along with a screenshot of a list of files dated back to 2018. 'Most likely - part of NSW RMS infrastructure (Road and Maritime, New South Wales, Australia). Secured now.' Whether the files are the same documents involved in the Service NSW email data breach has not been confirmed. Ukrainian security consultant Bob Diachenko stumbled upon the folder of PDF and JPG files containing 108,535 scanned images of more than 50,000 driver's licences Mr Diachenko labelled the mysterious data leak a 'dangerous exposure,' and said the files had most likely been seen by 'malicious actors' who could have made a copy of already. 'A malicious actor can impersonate somebody and apply for credit, or do something on behalf of that person,' he said. 'For example, you take one licence and connect the dots with one owner of this licence, with his or her emails exposed in another data breach and you've got more information on that person.' IDcare security counsellor Christine Jackson said such personal information is regularly used as false verification of identities with Centrelink, phone companies and banks. 'So often that will be telephone accounts, mobile phones are purchased, they might purchase iPads, tablets and things like that as well - so it can rack up to a lot of money,' she told the ABC. 'They'll also apply for credit cards, personal loans and they'll just keep going until your credit history is in a mess and they can't go any further. 'And then they'll lay low for a while, wait for you to clean it up when you find out what's gone on, and then they'll reinvest in that compromised document.' Ms Jackson said brazen criminals even steal licences from victims' letterboxes after being sent to their homes from Roads and Maritime Services. Scams reported to the ACCC involving identity theft or the loss of personal or banking information cost Australians at least $16 million last year. Four in 10 Scamwatch reports in 2019 involved attempts to gain information or the actual loss of victims' information. Some of the ways scammers obtain personal or banking information are through direct requests for scans of driver's licenses or passports, often in dating and romance scams. Fraudsters can empty victims' bank accounts, take out thousands of dollars in bank loans under victims' names, and even purchase furniture or electronics under 'no-repayments for 12 months' schemes Fraudsters can empty victims' bank accounts, take out thousands of dollars in bank loans under victims' names, and even purchase furniture or electronics under 'no-repayments for 12 months' schemes. Security researcher Troy Hunt believes the source of the leak could be a fleet or toll road operator. 'The presence of toll notices [in the leak] is probably a bit of a clue and suggests it's more likely that it's a toll operator, or a fleet operator,' he told Car Advice. Mr Hunt said the nature of the breach would be 'trivial' for anyone with a solid amount of technological knowledge to uncover. 'You don't have to be at Bob's level, but if you're someone who likes to crawl around the internet looking for this stuff [it would be possible] I'm concerned about someone who makes a concerted effort to find it,' he said. 'It was open to public view which was obviously the concerning thing and it's unclear how long it was open for public view.' The source of the uploaded files remains unknown, but it's understood those affected by the breach are yet to be contacted. Transport for NSW said in a statement they do not retain or collect tolling data, and said it is working with Cyber Security NSW to investigate. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Service NSW for comment. CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday pledged to donate his eyes, the government said. He also launched a dedicated portal of the state Health and Family Welfare Department to help eye donors. "Chief minister Edapadi K Palaniswami pledged to donate his eyes and was presented with the certificate (for this purpose) by Principal Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan," an official release here said. He also launched the website www.Hmis.Tn.Gov.In/eye- donor, which would be helpful to people interested in eye donation. Since many prospective donors were not aware how to go about vis-a-vis eye donation, this website will help create a registry of such persons and also spread awareness on the subject, the release said. They can register in the portal by sharing their personal details including mobile phone number and e-mail and pledge to donate their eyes following which an e-certificate would be sent to them. This initiative will be helpful in using a donor's eyes at the right time as they will be handed over to the eye bank, the release added. Beonstone veneers have been named in Professional Remodelers Top 100 Products for 2020. "Beonstone was designed to complement popular materials and add the distinctive warm appeal of stone to any structure." -- Dave Jackson, Senior Brand Manager Oldcastle APG. Oldcastle APG, a CRH company, announces Beonstone veneers have been named in Professional Remodelers Top 100 Products for 2020. Awarded in the Surfaces Category covering walls, floors and counters, the Beonstone collection of attached stone veneers present a cost-effective solution to attaining a high-end stone finish. Professional Remodelers annual Top 100 Products list reflects readers engagement with building materials, tools, fixtures and fittings showcased in the magazine over the past 12 months. Were very pleased to have Beonstone acknowledged in Pro Remodelers Top 100 Products, said Dave Jackson, Senior Brand Manager Oldcastle APG. Beonstone was designed to complement popular materials and add the distinctive warm appeal of stone to any structure. Designed for enhancing indoor and outdoor applications, versatile Beonstone panels deliver a natural stone look to elevate any walls aesthetic. Offered with the same thickness and rich color of natural stone, the panels are available in four natural stone looks and six colors. Oldcastles Beonstone system eliminates the cost and specialized labor required for mortar and grout application, and is lighter and easier to handle and cut than natural stone. The panels are simply set and screwed into place and are self-aligning for easy installation. Beonstone allows contractors to add a fresh new look over any wall structure in just a few hours. Beonstone also features an integrated D.RAIN drainage system for ventilation and prevention of excess humidity and mildew accumulation to protect the structure from water infiltration. To learn more about Beonstone, visit http://beonstone.com/us. To see the Professional Remodelers 2020 Top 100, visit https://www.proremodeler.com/top-100-products-2020-surfaces. About Echelon Masonry Echelon Masonry is North Americas largest manufacturer of the highest-quality masonry products for the architectural and masonry industries. As the consolidated masonry brand for Oldcastle APG, a CRH Company, Echelon offers the widest masonry portfolio in the industry, from trusted brands like Trenwyth to innovative product solutions like the InsulTech System, as well as the localized, one-on-one support needed to bring the most ambitious projects to life. Since 2015, Echelon Masonry has been committed to supporting the time-honored tradition of masonry and advancing the craft for the 21st century and beyond. http://www.EchelonMasonry.com Australia's big banks will this month be demanding 450,000 borrowers prove they can't repay their mortgage even though Melbourne remains in lockdown indefinitely. In March, 900,000 home and business borrowers were given six-month mortgage repayment holidays as COVID-19 trading restrictions kicked in. In rare cases, the banks have indicated they are prepared to extend those repayment reprieves until March 2021 with Australia now in recession for the first time in 29 years. Scroll down for video Australia's big banks will this month be demanding 450,000 borrowers prove they can't repay their mortgage even though Melbourne remains in lockdown indefinitely. Pictured are walkers on the Yarra River on September 6, 2020 The Australian Banking Association, however, has confirmed 450,000 borrowers from September will be assessed to determine whether they deserved another break from servicing their mortgage. Australian Banking Association chief executive Anna Bligh said borrowers who could service their mortgages had a duty to do so That tally included 260,000 home borrowers, broken down into 80,000 who will be assessed this month and another 180,000 by the end of October. Another 105,000 borrowers are small business owners who are being audited in September and October. ABA chief executive Anna Bligh, a former Labor premier of Queensland, said borrowers who could service their mortgages had a duty to do so. 'As customers who are able to begin their repayments again, it allows banks to focus their support on those who really need it,' she said. The banks are demanding the restart of repayments even though Melbourne, Australia's second biggest city, remains in a strict, Stage 4 lockdown. The Australian Banking Association has confirmed 450,000 borrowers in September will be assessed to determine whether they deserved another break from servicing their mortgage. Pictured is a terrace on the market at Carlton North Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated the lockdowns, affecting a quarter of the Australian economy, will continue until the state has less than five new daily cases for 14 days. New South Wales and Queensland haven't met that benchmark in recent weeks. As of July only 13 per cent, or 109,000 borrowers on repayment holidays, had resumed servicing their loans. National Australia Bank chief executive Ross McEwan last month suggested home borrowers who couldn't repay their loans should consider selling their house. On Sunday, the boss of Australia's biggest business lender cautiously called for Victorian businesses to be allowed to reopen as the state government released a road map. National Australia Bank chief executive Ross McEwan last month suggested home borrowers who couldn't repay their loans should consider selling their house. On Sunday, the boss of Australia's biggest business lender cautiously called for Victorian businesses to be allowed to reopen as the state government released a road map 'We need to get Victoria and in particular Melbourne open for business as quickly as possible but we need to do it safely and cautiously,' he said. 'There is no playbook for responding to this crisis. Governments need to be flexible and act on the latest health advice and their continued support of businesses and households is vital.' The Reserve Bank of Australia last month predicted a 40 per cent plunge in house prices was plausible. A research paper feared the real estate would be twice as bad as the aftermath of the last recession in 1991. The big banks aren't rewarding savers either with Westpac this month reducing interest rates on savings accounts by 0.15 percentage points. Canstar group executive Steve Mickenbecker said savers were missing out. 'Westpac's cuts to savings interest rates continues the long run of bad news for savers, coming just 15 days after rate cuts from Commonwealth Bank,' he said. 'Savers can no longer sit back and let the interest roll in.' Electricians work at the construction site of the Lhasa-Nyingchi section of the Sichuan-Tibet railway on July 6, 2020 in Shannan, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. China is planning a more than 1 trillion yuan ($146 billion) push to accelerate infrastructure investment in Tibet, including new and previously announced projects, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The renewed push to step-up development of the remote and impoverished southwestern region signals Beijing's intent to bolster frontier security amid heightened border tensions with India in recent months, two of the sources said. Last week, during a senior Communist Party meeting on Tibet's future governance, President Xi Jinping lauded achievements and praised frontline officials but said more efforts were needed to enrich, rejuvenate and strengthen unity in the region. He said a number of major infrastructure projects and public facilities would be completed, including the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, according to remarks published by the official Xinhua news agency. The construction plans include completion of the challenging middle section of a high-elevation Sichuan-Tibet railway link, a railway line between Nepal and Tibet that has remained in the planning stages, and a newly planned dry port in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the sources said. The sources declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak with media. It was not immediately clear how much of the targeted spending is new, or over how many years it would be invested. China's State Council Information Office and the Tibet regional government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Construction on the most difficult section of the Sichuan-Tibet railway linking Chengdu with Lhasa will begin in coming weeks, said two of the sources. The 270 billion yuan section of the railway has been known for construction challenges posed by rough terrain and complex geology, notably the segment linking Sichuan's Ya'an city with Nyingchi in southeastern Tibet near the border with India. Beijing also wants to push ahead with the Tibet-Nepal Railway linking Kathmandu with Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, which was among a number of bilateral deals signed in 2018 between Nepal and China, but has yet to gain much traction. Nepal is a buffer between China and India and is considered by New Delhi as its natural ally, but China has made inroads by pouring aid and infrastructure investment into what is one of the world's poorest countries. A June clash in the western part of the China-India border was the worst violence between the Asian giants in decades, and there is little sign of easing tension, with more military action in the past week. Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo met with senior EU leaders in Brussels on September 7 on the heels of a U.S.-brokered deal last week to normalize the two Balkan neighbors' economic relations. EU officials hope momentum from the economic breakthrough carries over into political progress between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, whose country still is not recognized by Serbia, Russia, and a handful of EU countries. EU special envoy for the recently rekindled Serbian-Kosovar dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said the sides discussed in Brussels the issues of non-majority communities and the settlement of mutual financial claims on property. A joint statement ahead of the talks in Brussels said the Serbian and Kosovar leaders confirmed "they attach the highest priority to EU integration and to continuing the work on the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue which is a key element of their respective EU paths." The statement, issued by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, said Vucic and Hoti were "committed to redoubling" their efforts at EU alignment. Serbia is a candidate for EU membership and Kosovo is a potential candidate. Serbia and its former province agreed on September 4 to cooperate on a raft of economic issues to spur their economies and job growth after two days of intensive meetings with U.S. officials in Washington, the first concrete progress since a tariffs war broke out nearly two years ago. They have so far resisted a deal on recognition for Kosovo and a normalization of diplomatic relations, which are at the center of a decade of EU mediation efforts. The parallel U.S. diplomatic effort, although focused on economic development, has not been fully embraced by some EU officials. The pre-meeting statement on September 7 said the Washington agreement was "building on previous dialogue-related commitments undertaken by the two parties, [and] could provide a useful contribution to reaching a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on normalization of relations." U.S. President Donald Trump announced on September 4 that Serbia and Kosovo had agreed to "a truly historic commitment" on economic normalization as part of U.S.-brokered talks that included Belgrade moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and mutual recognition between Israel and Kosovo. Hoti said moving ahead with economic normalization was a huge step forward" and cited rail links and other vital infrastructure projects. Serbia agreed to a one-year pause of any campaign against Kosovo's efforts for membership into international organizations and new recognition from other countries. Casting a shadow over the Brussels talks, the European Commission on September 7 voiced "serious concern" over Belgrade's commitment to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. There is no EU member state with an embassy in Jerusalem, spokesman Peter Stano said. Any diplomatic steps that could call into question the EUs common position on Jerusalem are a matter of serious concern and regret. In Belgrade, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said the final decision would have to be discussed by the government and will depend on a number of factors, including future development of ties with Israel. In all, a total of four countries now recognize contested Jerusalem as Israels capital, including the United States and Guatemala. Turkey on September 6 said it was "disappointing" to see "even the thought by Kosovar officials of taking such a step" as the recognition of Israel and the setting up of Pristina's mission in Jerusalem. Mostly Sunni Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize predominantly Muslim Kosovo's independence in 2008 and is a vocal advocate of the Palestinian cause. Most Western nations have recognized Kosovos independence, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China have not. Kosovos parliament declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after NATO conducted a 78-day airstrike campaign against Serbia to stop a bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP reported 1,537 new COVID- 19 cases on Sunday, pushing the tally to 1,25,459, Health Minister said. Eight more patients died in the state, following which the death toll rose to 360, he said. Total 1,763 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, outnumbering the new cases, which was recorded after a gap of nine days. The state at present has 28,273 active cases, Sarma said. Most of the new cases were reported from the Kamrup Metropolitan district where 382 people tested positive, followed by Hojai where 125 cases were detected and 108 in Dibrugarh, Sarma said. has reported total 1,25,459 cases of COVID-19 so far, and of them, 32,287 were detected in Guwahati alone. Among the persons who died during the day were two women. Sivasagar and Kamrup Metropolitan reported two deaths each, while one person each died in Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Kokrajhar and Jorhat districts, Sarma said. Total 96,823 people have so far recovered from the disease in the state. The Police said that 4,053 of its personnel have tested positive so far. Of them, 3,573 have recovered and 16 died. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The country's capital region, which accounts for more than half of the national tally of COVID-19 cases, has recorded a decline in new infections over the past two weeks, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. In an Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Duque said all 16 cities and the lone municipality in Metro Manila logged a fewer number of new cases in the last 14 days. Comparing data from Aug. 10 to Aug. 23 with that from Aug. 24 to Sept. 6, Duque noted that the region logged a 30-percent decline in newly detected infections. "Bumaba po siya ng 10,523 (It went down by 10,523), the difference between 35,040 cases (from Aug. 10 to Aug. 23) and 24,517 (from Aug. 24 to Sept. 6)," he explained. The Health Secretary attributed the downward trend to the President's decision to tighten the region's lockdown restrictions during the first half of August. Duterte earlier decided to revert Metro Manila, along with four nearby provinces, to a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 4 to 18, as he heeded the call of the medical community for a "timeout." "Ako po ay nagpapasalamat dahil kung hindi po sa inyong MECQ ay baka hindi po natin nakamit itong malaking porsyento ng pagbaba ng kaso sa mga naturang lugar ng NCR (National Capital Region)," Duque told the President. [Translation: I would like to thank you because if it weren't for your decision to impose an MECQ, we might not have been able to achieve this significant decline in cases in NCR.] Based on the Department of Health data, the coronavirus has infected a total of 132,350 Metro Manila residents. Of this number, 25,498 or 19 percent are active cases or currently ill patients, after the region logged 104,943 recoveries and 1,909 deaths. With Metro Manila showing improvement, the IATF is now focusing its attention on other areas which are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. These include Bacolod City, Iloilo City, and General Santos City, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. In his address, Duterte also said he plans to purchase from any international company which will offer cheaper COVID-19 vaccine, noting that all vaccines which will be developed by other nations would have the same effect. "Kung sino ang mauna na magbigay sa atin ng mura, doon tayo pupunta (Whichever comes to us first with a cheap offer, that's where we will go)," he said, adding that there is "no such thing" as a vaccine of inferior quality. Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said the Philippine government will continue to negotiate with vaccine manufacturers from around the globe, including US-based firms Pfizer and Moderna, as well as the Australian company CSL Limited. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also previously confirmed the country will join the Phase 3 of the Sputnik V, which will be fully funded by Russia. Around 1,000 people will be randomly selected from areas with high COVID-19 transmission to join the medical experiment. As of September 7, the national case count has breached 228,000, with nearly 50,000 active cases or patients currently undergoing treatment. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The country's power grids are running on excess capacity since lockdowns due to the pandemic began, the Department of Energy said. "There was a reduction in demand during the period of March to June, somewhere between 20-30 percent. Our surplus reserve capacity we had during the pandemic ranges also from around 20-25 percent," Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi told the House of Representatives on Monday. "The loss was experienced by the gencos (generation companies)," he added, referring to the decline in sales and profit. The slowdown in economic activity due to strict stay-at-home rules which also pushed the economy into recession is to blame for this "artificial" oversupply, Cusi added. In previous years, the Luzon grid which supplies electricity to homes and business hubs in Metro Manila and nearby provinces would often hit warning levels especially during summer, when demand usually peaks. Still, Cusi said planned power generation projects and approved power plants will proceed with construction as scheduled, in anticipation of future demand as the economy bounces back from this slump. Meanwhile, the DOE clarified that the agency's 2.149 billion proposed budget for 2021 does not provide for funds to build a new nuclear power facility or upgrade the abandoned Bataan plant, even after President Rodrigo Duterte revived the push in tapping this controversial energy source. RELATED: DOE says call for nuclear energy in PH not dependent on possible revival of Bataan nuclear plant A July executive order created the DOE-led Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee, which will review the legal framework, study the viability of nuclear energy, and recommend steps in the utilization of nuclear energy as well as existing facilities such as but not limited to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Cusi said a nuclear power plant won't push through without Congress approving a new law and without public acceptance. Nuclear power is said to be cost-efficient but also carries huge risks, as seen in the 1986 Chernobyl explosion which exposed residents to damaging radiation. Cusi said the Philippines has adopted a technology-neutral energy mix, which meant tapping all available sources of power to meet local demand. The Cabinet official also hoped that with the possible entry of nuclear power providers, the cost of power may drop in the country. The Philippines was earlier in talks with Russia for floating nuclear power barges, eyed to electrify remote island barangays. The controversial appointment of a new presidential medical adviser has put a national spotlight on a radical disease management concept to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Its benign name _ naturally acquired "herd immunity" _ belies the cruelty at the heart of this approach. A better descriptor would be "do nothing and let the virus kill off the weak" plan. Eventually, COVID-19 would stop spreading because there would be enough survivors of the infection (the herd), and they presumably would have some immune system protection against the pathogen. But this could come at an unacceptable cost: potentially millions of deaths in those with underlying health conditions that make them susceptible to severe infection. This week, the new White House medical adviser, Dr. Scott Atlas, forcefully pushed back on reports that he is advocating policies rooted in this approach. The neuroradiologist said this is "an overt lie" during a Tuesday CNN interview. That rejection is welcome. While other countries have considered variations of this strategy or even pursued it unsuccessfully, letting the virus run its course is a deeply flawed approach. It should not be taken seriously by the nation's policymakers, especially with the rapid strides underway in vaccine development. A safe, effective vaccine would provide population-wide protection. Experts are hopeful one could be widely available in 2021. But if there are setbacks, herd immunity should not be considered a fallback approach. While herd immunity persists as a social media talking point and was recently mentioned by President Donald Trump in an interview, leading infectious disease doctors in Minnesota and elsewhere do not support the naturally acquired herd immunity approach. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the venerable director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Politico this week that neither he nor White House adviser Dr. Deborah Birx back this strategy. The Infectious Diseases Society of America, or IDSA, which represents over 12,000 physicians and scientists, told an editorial writer this week that "IDSA is not supportive of the herd immunity approach to addressing this pandemic." Experts at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota are critical. One fundamental concern, said Mayo's Dr. Pritish Tosh, is that it's not clear how long immune protection lasts in people who have been infected with COVID. Protection from other viruses in the same family isn't long-lasting, he said, yet assuming otherwise for COVID-19 is at the heart of the naturally acquired herd immunity strategy. "And that's an assumption I don't think we can make," he said. The University of Minnesota's Dr. Tim Schacker called naturally acquired herd immunity a "terrible strategy," noting the potentially "huge cost" to human life for an approach that "may or may not work." Schacker also rejected one rationale for herd immunity that the vulnerable could simply isolate. High blood pressure, obesity and other underlying health concerns that increase the risk of severe COVID are common. Putting an indefinite bubble around everyone with these conditions, along with the elderly, isn't doable. Both Tosh and Schacker also noted that those who are infected and recover from COVID may have serious long-term complications. One concern: heart damage. The case against naturally acquired herd immunity is strong. There are those who still may embrace it because they believe it would bolster the economy. But the evidence for this is weak. Sweden, which relied on a voluntary COVID containment with the aim of developing herd immunity, has fared better economically than some European Union countries but has the highest unemployment rate among Nordic nations. Sweden also came in eighth in a recent global ranking of mortality rates per million, further evidence of the high and unacceptable price tag inherent in this herd immunity approach. This editorial appeared at the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. South Africa: NSFAS receives over 160 000 student applications The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received more than 160 536 applications from students seeking funding for 2021, since the opening date for funding applications on 3 August 2020. NSFAS Administrator, Dr Randall Carolissen, said that during the first month on average NSFAS has been receiving more than 5 000 applications a day, with the number going as high as 6 000 during the last days of August. To date, over 188 733 applications have been submitted, Carolissen said in a statement on Monday. Carolissen said NSFAS anticipates a high volume in applications leading up to the closing date due to the recent economic strain due to COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are opened for Grade 9 to12 learners and out of school youth who wish to further their studies at any public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college or universities across the country. NSFAS urged prospective applicants to apply on time before the closing date on 30 November 2020. Applications are submitted online via a smartphone, personal computer, or by utilising applications centres of NSFAS partners. Carolissen said NSFAS continuously provides easy access, reachability, and free access to information by forging and retaining relationships with stakeholder partnerships. He said these partnerships provide customised links between an applicant and NSFAS during the application cycle and beyond. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) continues to be instrumental in assisting applicants to use their facilities as application centres, free of charge. The NYDA has centres across nine provinces, offering a variety of services to students, and out of school youth. Carolissen said the NYDA centres will be fully operational and accessible as NSFAS applications centres from 14 September 2020, Mondays to Fridays, during office hours. NSFAS has strengthened its partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to further increase NSFAS footprint and reachability, specifically for learners in Grade 10 to 12. DBE will link NSFAS with provinces and district offices and provide database of National Teachers Centres which will assist with applications. Applications are submitted online via myNSFAS portal. New applicants need a copy of their ID document or birth certificate to register and create a profile on the myNSFAS portal. Applicants with existing accounts need to log into their accounts, youre only allowed to create one profile, the Administrator explained. Required supporting documents: Applicants ID document/card or birth certificate; ID of parents/ guardian/ spouse (or death certificate where applicable); Applicants proof of income (if applicable and should not be older than 3 months); Parents/ guardian/ spouse pay advice/ letter of employment/ pension advice stating income (if applicable and should not be older than 3 months; Vulnerable children must provide a completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration Form; and Applicants with a disability must provide a Disability Annexure A Form (Downloadable on the website). South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) slips are not required, and SASSA should not be included as a household income. Applicants are also encouraged to simultaneously apply for NSFAS and admission at universities or TVET colleges for 2021. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Huntsville police say a man has been arrested after he brandished a gun at protesters near Courthouse Square. Officers were called to the square at 7 p.m. on a report of a man harassing protesters. Lt. Michael Johnson said Scott Christopher Davis, 51, has been charged with public intoxication and possession of a firearm at a demonstration. Mongolian students protest for the right to be educated in Mongolian language in Inner Mongolia, China, in August 2020. (Screenshot) Inner Mongolia Authorities Ordered to Suppress Protests as Locals Oppose Mandarin-Only Lessons A new policy in Inner Mongolia to mandate Mandarin Chinese-only teaching for some school grades and the phasing out of Mongolian as the language of instruction has sparked angry protests across the region in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of students walked out of class and refused to return, while adults staged outdoor protests. As authorities began making arrests of protesters, Inner Mongolia government documents revealed that local officials were being asked to suppress protests, while monitoring students and pressuring parents into forcing them to return to class. Mongolian students protest for the right to be educated in the Mongolian language in Inner Mongolia, China, in August 2020. (Screenshot) At least four local Mongolians committed suicide in protest of the policy, according to media reports. Meanwhile, Radio Free Asia obtained leaked documents showing that all staff at Inner Mongolia government offices or schools were required to send their children to school before Sept. 7. Otherwise, authorities would stop paying these staff their salaries and allowance. The non-compliant staff would also have to self-review their faults. On Sept. 5, the government of Plain Blue Banner (also known as Shuluun Huh Banner) in Xilingol Leagueone of the 12 administrative regions of Inner Mongoliaannounced that they suspended two officials who didnt support the mandatory Chinese-language policy. The post was quickly removed, but netizens saved the screenshot and shared it online. Wanted Lists Inner Mongolia is located in north-central China, with a 25.34 million population as of the end of 2018, according to the government statistics. 19.12 percent of them (about 4.8 million) are ethnic Mongolian. Mandarin is the official dialect and language spoken by Chinas majority Han ethnicity, while Mongols have their own spoken language and script. The new language policy sparked local fears that Mongols unique cultural identities would gradually be wiped out. On Aug. 26, Inner Mongolias education department issued regulations requiring the regions first-grade students in primary and middle schools to use standardized Chinese-language textbooks beginning Sept. 1. Soon, protests broke out. Local police issued wanted lists, seeking information on people who participated in local protests. Horqin district police in Tongliao city, for example, said it would reward informants with up to 1,000 yuan ($146). And on Sept. 6, Linhe district police in Bayannur city announced that it detained five Mongolians who encouraged students to protest the policy on WeChat, a popular Chinese social media platform. Mongolians protest at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, against Chinas plan to introduce Mandarin-only classes at schools in the neighboring Chinese province of Inner Mongolia on Aug. 31, 2020. (BYAMBASUREN BYAMBA-OCHIR/AFP via Getty Images) Nomin, a U.S.-based Mongolian activist, told Radio Free Asia that over 200 were arrested from Tongliao and Ordos. Staff at a local state-run, Mongolian-language media outlet also protested the policy. A viral video showed staff at the Inner Mongolia Radio and Television signing their names and stamping their fingerprints along the outline of a circlea popular way to avoid singling out any leaders. In the room, they hung up, a calligraphy painting that read, [Communist] Party media bear the surname of the Party. Leaked Documents The documents that The Epoch Times recently obtained were issued by the Xiangshan township government in Jarud Banner, Tongliao from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3. They were daily reports on local ethnic Mongolian students, detailing how many Mongol students live in each village, whether they study at a primarily Mongolian-language school, how many students local teachers visited that day, and so on. One document dated Aug. 26 said that officials should maintain public security [a euphemism for suppressing dissent], maintain and control the education system, control public opinion [online and in society], and promote propaganda about the language policy. Should a protest occur, police must go there as soon as possible, the document stated. If protesters number more than 100, the government must dispatch forces from the urban management and law enforcement departments. Teachers from related schools should support the police, while organizers of the protests should be detained. An Aug. 27 document stated that one official from the township government would be assigned to each of the 25 villages in town, and tasked with convincing students to return to school. Government officials, school teachers, and community officials must talk to all Mongolian families in the village one by one and report their attitudes toward Chinese-language education, the document stated. Also, officials must monitor villagers conversations about the protests on social media platforms, such as WeChat, Weibo, and so on. You must tightly control the public opinion, and must report immediately once you find anything wrong, read the document. Though ethnic Mongols make up a sizable portion of the local population, only a small percentage of school instructors are able to speak or understand the Mongolian language. In a document dated Aug. 27, township authorities stated that at one local middle school, only 28 out of 48 teachers were Mongolians, with only five who can speak Mongolian. At one local primary school, 33 out of 131 teachers were Mongolians, with only one who can understand and speak Mongolian. She's the staunch anti-vaxxer who made headlines last month for her involvement in a Zoom chat with COVID-19 conspiracy theorists. And amid the flurry of negative media attention, actress Isabel Lucas, 35, looked frazzled while visiting a cafe in Byron Bay on Sunday. The former Home And Away star appeared tense as she drank from a wine glass and vented to a female companion across the table. Is everything OK? Actress Isabel Lucas, 35, appeared frazzled as she drank from a wine glass while venting to a friend in Byron Bay over lunch at the weekend Furrowing her brow and massaging her temples in apparent frustration, Isabel looked to be in the midst of a very serious discussion. After their meal, the women left the cafe and continued their conversation on a nearby sidewalk. The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen star swathed her very slender frame in a red floral maxi-dress and a white shawl, which she draped around her shoulders. Feeling stressed? The former Home And Away star looked tense as she drank from a wine glass and vented to a female companion across the table Need some time out? Furrowing her brow and massaging her temples in apparent frustration, Isabel looked to be in the midst of a very serious discussion Intense discussion: After their meal, the women left the cafe and continued their conversation on a nearby sidewalk She completed her look with a pair of flat leather sandals, a black backpack, and a grey felted fedora hat. The sighting comes just three weeks after Isabel went to great lengths to stay anonymous during a Zoom call with COVID-19 conspiracy theorists and lockdown critics. Covering her face with a black hoodie and mask and using the alias 'X', the anti-vaxxer told her co-panellists that she needed 'to be careful about being outspoken' because she was a famous Australian film and television actress. Byron Bay chic: The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen star swathed her very slender frame in a red floral maxi-dress and a white shawl Bohemian look: The star elegantly draped a white shawl around her shoulders 'I'm here, and I don't want to be anonymous, but I am about to start filming a film, and I do need to be careful about being outspoken because you can get dropped from charities, you can lose campaigns with car companies,' Isabel said. 'It has happened to me in recent times for speaking out. I feel careful, and I don't want to elicit any aggressive, threatening responses. Isabel said she felt '100 per cent called to shine a light on the reality of what's really going on' in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown directives. Understated accessories: She completed her look with a pair of flat leather sandals, a black backpack and a grey felted fedora hat Pondering: Isabel at times looked concerned during the outing Feeling tense too? The actress' friend also seemed slightly frustrated 'There's a certain level of agenda and darkness that has had authority ... and that has had a lot of people believing lies,' she said in the Zoom chat with other well-known figures in the anti-lockdown and anti-mask community. She also claimed that she met several doctors while living in California who dropped out of the medical field due to 'corruption'. 'All of what they were speaking about is what we're facing right now. When we are in a fear state, we just follow what we're told'. COVID-19 controversy: The sighting comes just three weeks after Isabel went to great lengths to stay anonymous during a Zoom call with COVID-19 conspiracy theorists and lockdown critics Incognito: Covering her face with a black hoodie and mask and using the alias 'X', the anti-vaxxer told her co-panellists that she needed 'to be careful about being outspoken' because she was a famous Australian film and television actress Isabel said that at the beginning of the pandemic in March she was asked by her local council to film a video calling on locals to stay at home to stop the spread of the virus. After signing on for the campaign, Isabel revealed that she regretted appearing in the clip during the Zoom chat. 'I saw that there was all these other great people doing it and it's that sort of thing where you can get looped in without realising you're being looped in,' she said. 'But those with a strong conscience and strong integrity won't as easily sell out.' 'There's a certain level of agenda and darkness that has had authority': Isabel said she felt '100 per cent called to shine a light on the reality of what's really going on' in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown directives An observer standing on Mars would see the planets moon Phobos cross the sky from west to east every five hours. Its orbit passes between the sun and any given point on Mars about once each Earth year. Each time it does so, it causes from one to seven solar eclipses within the space of three days. One place where this happens is the site of NASAs InSight lander, stationed in the Elysium Planitia region since November 2018. In other words, the phenomenon occurs much more frequently than on Earth, when our moon crosses in front of the sun. However, the eclipses on Mars are shorter they last just 30 seconds and are never total eclipses, explains Simon Stahler, a seismologist at ETH Zurichs Institute of Geophysics. Photos taken by NASAs two Mars rovers, Opportunity and Curiosity, also show a sharp-edged lump against the backdrop of the sun. Photographs are not the only way to observe these transits. When Earth experiences a solar eclipse, instruments can detect a decline in temperature and rapid gusts of wind, as the atmosphere cools in one particular place and air rushes away from that spot, Stahler explains. An analysis of the data from InSight should indicate whether similar effects are also detectable on Mars. Waiting for 24 April 2020 In April 2019, the first series of solar eclipses were visible from InSights landing site, but only some of the data it recorded was saved. Initial indications from that data prompted Stahler and an international research team to prepare excitedly for the next series of eclipses, due on 24 April 2020. They published the findings from their observations in August in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. As expected, InSights solar cells registered the transits. When Phobos is in front of the sun, less sunlight reaches the solar cells, and these in turn produce less electricity, Stahler explains. The decline in light exposure caused by Phoboss shadow can be measured. Indeed, the amount of sunlight dipped during an eclipse by 30 percent. However, InSights weather instruments indicated no atmospheric changes, and the winds did not change as expected. Other instruments; however, delivered a surprise: both the seismometer and the magnetometer registered an effect. Unusual signal from the seismometer The signal from the magnetometer is most likely due to the decline in the solar cells electricity, as Anna Mittelholz, a recent addition to ETH Zurichs Mars team, was able to show. But we didnt expect this seismometer reading; its an unusual signal, Stahler says. Normally, the instrument equipped with electronics built at ETH would indicate quakes on the planet. So far the Marsquake Service, led by John Clinton and Domenico Giardini at ETH, has recorded about 40 conventional quakes, the strongest of which registered a magnitude of 3.8, as well as several hundred regional, shallow quakes. What was surprising during the solar eclipse was that the seismometer tilted slightly in a particular direction. This tilt is incredibly small, Stahler notes. Imagine a 5-franc coin; now, push two silver atoms under one edge. Thats the incline were talking about: 10-8. As slight as this effect was, it was still unmistakable. The most obvious explanation would be Phoboss gravity, similar to how Earths moon causes the tides, Stahler says, but we quickly ruled this out. If that were the explanation, then the seismometer signal would be present for a longer period of time and every five hours when Phobos makes its pass, not only during eclipses. Researchers determined the most likely cause of the tilt: During an eclipse, the ground cools. It deforms unevenly, which tilts the instrument, says Martin van Driel from the Seismology and Wave Physics research group. Nearly two years after a merger, telecom majors Vodafone and Idea on September 7 announced a new identity rebranding Vodafone Idea as Vi (read as We). Vodafone Plc's Indian arm had merged with Idea Cellular in August 2018 but the telcos had since maintained two separate brands. "The integration of two brands is a culmination of the largest telecom integration in the world," CEO Ravinder Takkar said as he announced the rebranded entity. "It's time for a fresh start," he said. The board of Vodafone Idea had approved fundraising up to Rs 25,000 crore on September 4. Through the unified brand and a bigger bet on digital, Vodafone Idea hopes to attract fresh subscribers. The company's customer base has dropped sharply to around 280 million at June end from 408 million at the time of its merger with Idea. Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel had lost around 47 lakh wireless subscribers each in May 2020, according to TRAI data released in August. Also read: Vodafone Idea shares surge 10% ahead of strategic announcement Shares of Vodafone Idea surged 10 percent in morning trade before the announcement. Vodafone Idea is making efforts to keep its business running in India, after the Supreme Court (SC) gave telecom companies 10 years to pay adjusted gross revenue dues (AGR) dues. Vodafone Idea owes slightly over Rs 50,000 crore to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as AGR-related dues. The SC asked telecom companies to make an upfront payment of 10 percent of the balance AGR dues by March 31, 2021. Also read: Vodafone Idea's board approves fundraising up to Rs 25,000 crore Got an idea of what was to come, former Pak envoy on meeting Ram Madhav A strong message to China? Ram Madhav attends Tibetan soldiers funeral in Ladakh India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Sep 07: BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav attended the funeral of deceased Special Frontier Force (SFF) commando Nyima Tenzin on Monday while on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh. Taking to Twitter, Madhav wrote,"Attended the funeral of SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting our borders in Ladakh, and laid a wreath as a tribute. Let the sacrifices of such valiant soldiers bring peace along the Indo-Tibetan border. That will be the real tribute to all martyr.'' However, the tweet was later deleted. The funeral of Tenzin, who belongs to the Choglamsar Tibetan refugee settlement outside Leh, was held on Monday morning. #WATCH People raise 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' chants at the funeral of Special Frontier Force Commando Nyima Tenzin in Devachan, Leh today. He had lost his life in an anti-personnel mine blast near the Line of Actual Control in the last week of August pic.twitter.com/K37bvawvdw ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020 Special Frontier Force (SFF) company leader Nyima Tenzin lost his life on August 31 when he stepped on a landmine laid in 1962 in Gurung Hill in Chushul, according to a report. The presence of Madhav was seen by many commentators as a strong message by New Delhi to Beijing, at a time the Indian and Chinese forces are engaged in a four and a half month stand-off along the LAC in Ladakh. India has traditionally recognised the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) as a part of China, and although it is home to Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama and more than a lakh of Tibetan refugees, maintains that they do not organise or engage in any political activity. India and China are engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including Finger area, Galwan valley, Hot springs and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan valley in June. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, September 7, 2020, 14:52 [IST] Eight men took advantage of an unconscious 16-year old girl. Her mother found a video of the group sexually assaulting sensitive parts of her daughter. In Providence, Rhode Island, eight men were sentenced for taking advantage of a young girl at a party. The girl got drunk with a mixture of drinks and other party favors. The men took the chance to live out a real-life porn movie. One of the guys decided to post the video on Facebook. However, the victim's mother saw it on Facebook. Using the video as evidence, police charged the suspects for the sexual assault, reported Meaww. Gang-rape Based on the records in the possession of the police and court, the gang rape was committed on December 19, 2019. The victim spoke to Providence Investigators that she got up the next day, December 20, with discomfort on her feminine parts, and her thighs had cuts too. She told the police that she cannot remember what happened at the party and was totally unaware of the incident, noted Boston Globe. One memory recall is getting naked in a shower stall with 15 men who laughed at her unclothed. She added that one of them must have taken pictures of her nakedness, before leading to her to the bedroom, cited The New York Post. Reports mentioned that the victim went to the police the next day to report her gangrape, the names of her tormentors weren't given. The only thing she can give were first names, especially her two companions who brought her there. Not having the right information made it difficult for the police to identify the suspects. Also read: Hartford Man Decapitates Roommate With Samurai Sword Over Heated Argument Last June, one of them posted an explicit video on Facebook. It had parts where the victim poked and stoked as they had their way with the knockout teen. This group took turns watching and assaulting her sexually. But it was enough to see who were the suspects of the gang-rape. Investigators found it disconcerting but got the job done as they arrest the suspects. The gang rapists Warrants for the eight suspects were obtained by the police. One is 19-year-old Carlos Vasquez, Richard Tarell Chester, 20, Luis Cabrera, 19; Jose Vargas, 19; Erving Keith Colon, 25; Malcom Baptista, 19; and Luis N Luna, 19, and Carlos Chicon, 20, all were arrested on charges related to the gang-rape. Lapatin added that the video allowed momentum in the case to arrest the suspects on charges of sexual assault in the first degree while taking advantage of a mentally incapable person and conspiration with accomplices, confirmed Daily News. One of the suspects Chester, is seen raping the victim. He is in custody with no bond. The majority of suspects reside in Rhode Island. All are indicted, but no one made a plea. But Vargas, Luna, and Cabrera have attorneys to represent them. While the others have none, but Chester will have a public defender to represent him. The victim is sequestered in a safe place according to Lapatin, after getting sexually assaulted by eight men. 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. SHOTLIST TEL AVIV, ISRAELSEPTEMBER 7, 2020SOURCE: AFPTV 1. Aerial shot chairs installed at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square to symbolise the 1,000 coronavirus deaths in Israel2. High angle shot chairs installed at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square to symbolise the 1,000 coronavirus deaths in Israel 3. SOUNDBITE 1 - Doron Aroch , one of the organisers of the initiative (female, English, 20 sec): "Basically what we are saying is that we do not want to add anymore chairs to this image. This images is large enough, more than 1000 who lost their life is a dramatic number, therefore we are calling to establish an investigative committee immediately, this crisis must be stopped today." 4. Mid shot chairs installed at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square to symbolise the 1,000 coronavirus deaths in Israel5. High angle shot chairs installed at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square to symbolise the 1,000 coronavirus deaths in Israel ///-----------------------------------------------------------AFP TEXT STORY: FOCUS-newseriesAfter early virus success, Israel heads for partial lockdown By Guillaume Lavallee =(Picture+Video)= ATTENTION - ADDS lockdown approved, Netanyahu quote, UPDATES number of 'red' cities ///Jerusalem, Sept 6, 2020 (AFP) - Once a role model in the fight against Covid-19, Israel decided Sunday to partially lock down several cities to slow the fast-spreading contagion as the government faces harsh criticism over the crisis.The government's ministerial committee on coronavirus decided to impose "a nightly closure" on 40 cities and towns with the highest infection rates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.He said "educational institutions" would be closed with the exception of special education centres, and gatherings limited to 10 people in closed spaces and 20 outdoors."I know these limitations are not easy, but in the current situation, there's no way to avoid them," Netanyahu said of the restrictions set to begin on Monday. Israel passed the milestone of 1,000 novel coronavirus deaths this weekend after the toll tripled over the summer, fuelling regular protests against Netanyahu's management of the health crisis and associated economic downturn.The dead were commemorated by Yediot Aharonot, Israel's top-selling daily newspaper, which covered its front page with the names of the victims and called out the "shameful failure of the management of the crisis since May".According to data collected by AFP, the Jewish state has risen to be ranked fifth in the world for the number of infections per capita over the past two weeks, ahead of hard-hit countries Brazil and the United States.On Wednesday, the country with a population of under nine million confirmed a record 3,141 new infections in a single day.The ballooning cases stood in contrast to the low number of infections recorded in the early stages of the pandemic. - 'In the red' - When the first virus cases emerged in March, the government took swift action, cancelling almost all international flights, shutting down non-essential businesses and placing the country under lockdown for weeks.By mid-May, after zero cases were recorded for two consecutive days, the government moved to expedite the reopening of schools, bars, eateries and places of worship, as well as allowing weddings under limitations.Infection numbers began rising within days of loosening restrictions and since July the number of cases have risen to more than 130,000.Some said the increase was due to lifting measures too quickly, coupled with insufficient economic assistance that pushed people back into work. Others blamed disorganisation in the healthcare system. As part of efforts to control the public health crisis, the government divided the country's cities and towns into four colour-coded categories -- green, yellow, orange and red -- based on infection rates. The 40 cities and towns subject to the closure were the "red" ones."If the closure is in our interest and to not spread the disease further among people, then there is no problem, even if there is suffering due to the closure", said Imad, a resident of the Muslim quarter in Jerusalem's Old City.Israel's army will deploy 7,000 reserve troops to bolster police forces in "red" cities."We must put an end to indifference and disregard" for protocols, said Ronni Gamzu, chief doctor in the Covid-19 fight.Gamzu highlighted a need in particular for vigilance in ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities, where case numbers have been notably high and adherence to health protocols patchy.Mayors of four major ultra-Orthodox cities expressed outrage over the intention to lock down their cities in a harshly-worded letter to Netanyahu, saying they will not cooperate with authorities.In an attempt to assuage their anger, Netanyahu denied discriminating against their cities."A 'red' city is not designated as such out of malice or arbitrarily, it's designated based on scientific data -- the number of sick people, the infection rate," he said in a video."Currently the focus is in Arab and ultra-Orthodox locales."Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called on Sunday for sweeping lockdown measures, saying on public radio that "with 3,000 cases a day, there are no 'green' cities"."There is no choice but to close everything, it is better to lock down the whole country for two weeks and become a 'green' country again than to stay in the red for months," he added.But other key figures in Netanyahu's unity government fear the economic repercussions of locking down the whole country.On top of that, the government could face pressure not to impose nationwide restrictions from the ultra-Orthodox community.It is opposed to measures that would close places of worship ahead of the Jewish festivals of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur later in September. gl/as-jjm/hkb ------------------------------------------------------------- Future plc has upped its profit forecast for the year after it saw a considerable rise in online traffic to its titles in the UK and USA last month. The media company, whose magazine titles include Country Life, Horse & Hound and Total Film, said its organic visitor numbers jumped by a quarter in the UK last month and by 40 per cent in the United States. It also reported that its recently-acquired T.I. Media subsidiary had a 'better than expected performance' during the second half of the year. Future plc recently acquired TI Media, the publisher of Country Life magazine Future formally acquired the publisher in April after the UK's competition body, the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA), gave the green light to the 140million takeover. The deal brought famous brands such as Marie Claire UK, Woman's Own and T.V. Times under their proprietorship and the number of magazine titles it owned to over 220. Like the broader media industry, Future has benefited enormously from the growing number of consumers reading their publications online. Last week, it revealed that its online audience numbers in the UK jumped by 45 per cent to 33 million and that it was the top publisher in the country for the Homes and Technology markets. Full-year operating profits are now predicted by the firm to be 'materially ahead of current market expectations,' at between 78.2million and 83.2million, which is around 50 per cent higher last year. Shares in the company surpassed their January height this morning after their value soared by 18.4 per cent to 17.22. TED Conference head Chris Anderson (above) founded Future plc in 1985 'We are delighted the strong Group performance has continued, putting Future on track to deliver full-year results materially ahead of expectations,' said chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne. She added: 'Whilst macro uncertainty remains in light of the pandemic, we are well-positioned to benefit from the continued shift to digital media as we grow our global audiences.' Under her leadership, the business has undertaken a major expansion of its portfolio and experienced a twentyfold increase in its share price, which was 83p in April 2014 when she took charge. It has been the second-best performing company on the FTSE 250 over the last 12 months. That stock market price took a minor hit in November though after it was revealed she could make over 18million in performance-related bonuses. Future formally acquired TI Media - publisher of Marie Claire magazine - in April Earlier in the year, about a third of investors at the 2019 annual meeting expressed opposition to her 4.8million earnings by either voting against or not endorsing the company's remuneration report. She was previously the chief financial officer of Future before she became its CEO. Byng-Thorne has also held both roles at the automotive advertising business Trader Media Group, whose founder was Reading F.C. chairman Sir John Madejski. Future was founded by the TED Conferences curator Chris Anderson in Somerset in 1985. He launched the company with a loan of 15,000 and Amstrad Action as its only magazine. He later sold Future to education publisher Pearson before reacquiring it four years later and taking it public during the dotcom bubble. A year later however, the bubble burst, and the company's share price crashed by more than 90 per cent. Anderson left in 2001, and Future's shares did not undergo a momentous recovery until Ms Byng-Thorne became the firm's boss. ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday during a speech in his presidential palace once again affirmed Ankara's position in the dispute over sovereignty in the Eastern Mediterranean. "As always, those who don't manage to defeat Turkey on a diplomatic or military plane turn towards an economic one," Erdogan said. "We are determined not to abandon Turkey's wealth and resources to those who feed themselves on crises and chaos," he said. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusu Akar will meet Monday in Ankara with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Stuart Peach. The meeting will focus on the escalation in tensions with Greece in the dispute on sovereignty in the Eastern Mediterranean, following the latest disputed Turkish maritime prospecting. Last week, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the start of technical talks between the two member countries to try to avoid further accidents. He clarified, however, that a deal had not yet been reached. The talks currently don't involve the dispute, but only ways to prevent further accidents after the collision last month between two frigates off the coast of the Greek island of Rhodes. Kabul, Sep 7 : At least 25 militants were killed and eight others injured after Afghan security forces repelled a Taliban attack in Laghman province, a government spokesman said on Monday. "The militants stormed security forces' position in Jaibon locality in the north of provincial capital Mehtarlam at midnight. The ground forces called in an air support, and the Afghan Air Force struck the militants," the spokesman Assadullah Dawlatzai told Xinhua. The victims included five of the Taliban's Red Unit fighters, he said. The attackers came from nearby mountains, and the security forces found weapon and ammunition after the clashes. The militant group is yet to comment on the development. NCB has arrested one more person ,Anuj Keswani for alleged drug peddling in connection with the probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.Keswani was arrested after the interrogation of Kaizen Ibrahim, also an alleged drug peddler who was arrested last week.Keswani is set to be produced in the court today. Ibrahim had disclosed that Keshwani was his supplier for the contrabands. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested one more person Anuj Keswani for alleged drug peddling in connection with the probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Keswani was arrested after the interrogation of Kaizen Ibrahim, also an alleged drug peddler who was arrested last week. Keswani is set to be produced in the court today. Ibrahim had disclosed that Keshwani was his supplier for the contrabands. The Mumbai Zonal Unit, NCB had yesterday conducted a raid in which drugs including 590 grams of hashish, 0.64 grams of LSD sheets, 304 grams of marijuana, along with foreign currency were seized. Keshwani was under examination by the NCB during the raid. Meanwhile, Rhea Chakraborty, Sushants girlfriend appeared before the NCB here again a day after she was grilled by the agency for over six hours in connection with the actors death case. Earlier this month the Esplanade Court had sent actor Rhea Chakrabortys brother Showik and her associate Samuel Miranda, who were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in a case related to actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death, to the NCB custody till September 9. ALSO READ: Ahead of Bihar Elections, BJP paints city with Sushant Singh Rajput posters and masks, says Na bhoole hain, na bhulne denge The court also sent Kaizen Ibrahim, who was arrested in the same case to 14-day judicial custody. NCB deputy director KPS Malhotra on Friday said that Showik and Miranda have been arrested under sections 20 B, 27 A, 28, and 29 of the NDPS Act.Zaid Vilatra, an alleged drug peddler was arrested after NCB uncovered his linkages with Abbas Lakhani, who was apprehended after a raid in which bud (curated marijuana) was seized from him.In the Esplanade Court on September 3, the NCB argued that Vilatra was arrested in connection with the actors death. Meanwhile, a session court in Mumbai today adjourned hearing in bail applications of Zaid Vilatra and Abdul Basit till September 9.Parihar was arrested based on Vilatras statement. Later, Ibrahim was nabbed after Parihars statement.Zaid, Samuel Miranda and Showik Chakraborty were taken by the NCB for medical tests today.The NCB launched an investigation after it received official communication from Enforcement Directorate (ED), in which there were various chats related to drug consumption, procurement, usage, and transportation in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput case. NCB subsequently had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by NCB deputy director KPS Malhotra, to probe the drug case in connection with the Sushant death case. The agency had said that linkages of Parihar with the earlier registered i.e., based on the preliminary enquiry on the details submitted by ED, were found. The ED had on July 31 registered an Enforcement Case Information Report in the late actors death case after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Rajputs father KK Singh against Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28.Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. ALSO READ: SSR death probe: Sandeep Ssingh breaks silence on drug peddling charges, demands evidence India recorded more than 90,000 covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total tally to 4,253,618 on Monday. With this, India marched past Brazil (4,137,521 cases) in covid-19 cases to take the second spot in terms of coronavirus caseload and is now only behind the US among the worst-hit countries, according to Johns Hopkins Universitys live dashboard of the disease. India has already been recording more fresh cases than Brazil for the past few days. With regard to deaths caused by covid-19, India is at third spot after the US and Brazil with a total of 72,357 people succumbing to the disease. India overtaking Brazil is not a surprise. As the infection is making inroads into areas where testing for covid-19 and accessing healthcare both would be challenging, the disease is likely to move faster than what we have seen," said Lalit Kant, a scientist and former head of epidemiology and communicable diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Modellers predict that India might overtake the US in 8-10 weeks if the rate of increase of cases continues. The increase in positivity rate is also an ominous sign. Prevention of covid-19 needs a behaviour change," said Kant. Five states account for 60% of total cases, with Maharashtra at the top with 21.6%, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.8%), Tamil Nadu (11.0%), Karnataka (9.5%) and Uttar Pradesh (6.3%), according to Union health ministry data. Maharashtra contributed 26.76% of active cases, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.30%), Karnataka (11.25%), Uttar Pradesh (6.98%) and Tamil Nadu (5.83%). The number of cases is set to increase with the country under Unlock 4.0, public health experts said. Delhi Metro also restarted operations on Monday and this has raised the risk of the virus spreading in the national capital, they said. Public health experts and epidemiologists have said the surge in cases is either because of failure in containment and adoption of covid appropriate behaviour or the easing of restrictions. The number of cases is coming down remarkably in some regions of the world by changing personal and social behaviour and government interventions. However, in India it is difficult. The seropositivity rate in India is one of the highest in the world," said Dr Jayaprakash Muliyil, a noted epidemiologist and chairman of the scientific advisory committee of the National Institute of Epidemiology, ICMR, and former principal of Christian Medical College, Vellore. The government has tried isolation methods, quarantining people and containment exercises, which have not worked. If we think that with these measures the pandemic will go down, it will not," said Muliyil. India has followed the test and treat strategy to contain the virus and has cumulatively done 49,551,507 covid-19 tests, with 720,362 tests being conducted in the past 24 hours. The countrys total recovered cases crossed 3,301,068, with 69,564 patients being discharged in the past 24 hours. This has pushed the recovery rate to 77.31%. Indias case fatality rate stands at 1.70%. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics South Africa: Mthethwa speaks against racism, xenophobia and GBVF Racism cannot be tolerated in South Africa and must be fought with vigour every time it raises its ugly head, says Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa. Mthethwa was speaking during the launch of Heritage Month, under the theme Celebrating South Africas Living Human Treasures, at Ditsong Cultural Museum in Pretoria on Monday. The department also unveiled three books in honour of Katrina Esau, a linguist from Upington, Northern Cape; Madosini Latonzi, a musician from Cape Town, Western Cape; and Dr Esther Mahlangu, a painter from KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga for putting the country on the map with their artistry. Mthethwa said Heritage Day was one of the strategic levers through which to foster social cohesion and nation building. We also have to challenge the stubborn presence of the divisive past, this week, for instance, theres a big issue about Clicks and what is happening there. Clicks came under the spotlight on Friday after a campaign by TRESemme was posted on their website where an image of African hair was labelled as dry and damaged, while white hair is described as fine and flat. We have to confront those things and challenge them. It cant be allowed, Mthethwa stressed. If theres something that South Africa must be intolerant of, its the intolerances like racism. He said racism was not just prejudice, but a very deep pernicious and toxic ideology. It has to be uprooted whenever it rears its ugly head. So, our heritage is who we are and our identity, he explained. If somebody decides to challenge you with the shape of your face, nose, the texture of your hair and so on its something we need to liberate those who have white superiority that theres no such place in this country and we must put all the necessary pressure whenever such intolerances manifest themselves. He said colonialism and apartheid created racialised social structures where the heritage and culture of some groups were celebrated, while other groups existence and their culture was denigrated. Mthethwa said there must be a difference between the populists who want to rid of everything white and those who want to build a coherent nation. The struggle for freedom in this country was not a struggle against white but white superiority and against the system itself, he added. Besides, he said, the country was not going to deny its history. In this country, there was a [Hendrik] Verwoerd; we must tell the world and ourselves that there was a [John] Vorster, proponents of apartheid. He said it is, for this reason, there is going to be a theme park where apartheid leaders will be housed. This is where theyre going to be and anyone who wants to see them must see them openly so, under a very clear adage, lest we forget because we must educate the youth today and posterity about our society. The Minister also spoke against xenophobia, sexism and chauvinism. All intolerances must be fought with similar vigour. "If youre from Africa, youll never be a foreigner in any country in Africa, he said The Minister highlighted gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), describing it as a threat to social stability. GBVF remains a challenge that needs urgent interventions and as part of raising consciousness across society, the department will continue to open platforms wherein dialogues where GBVF can be pursued relentlessly. Mthethwa said South Africa also needs to deal with the stereotypes and socialisation of the family. A boy and a girl child are given different chores. Thats where you start because youre instilling a particular understanding of these children and that there are not the same. Weve got to deal with this myth that the man is the head of the family and that cannot be changed there are myths we must bust to build a non-sexist society and gender-equal society, he added. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:11:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CHINGOLA, Zambia, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Andrew Mwewa, a 23-year-old Zambian youth, had a dream to become a teacher after completing his secondary education, unluckily his dream has not came true because of lack of finances. However, Mwewa had seized a golden opportunity to get trained in rearing village chickens by the Chinese experts who have partnered with the Zambia Cooperative Union. "My dream was to become a teacher, but I could not, I now thank God I got some information from Zambia Co-operative Union coordinator Thomas Banda that there were Chinese who were training youths in village chicken rearing, so that is how I become interested," said Mwewa. He said after training for three weeks, he started rearing his own chickens in Luanshya's Walale Compound, a highly densely populated area in the mining district. Training of youths and women in village chicken is going to economically empower farmers not only in Luanshya district but the entire Copperbelt province and Zambia as a whole. "I am rearing over a thousand chickens, and I mostly sell my Chickens to Chinese nationals, I have customers from China Non-Ferrous Metal mining Luanshya Mine, the Chinese enjoy village chickens very much," said Mwewa, adding that the training in poultry farming by the Chinese experts has greatly helped him to improve his living standards economically and make the ends meet for his family. "From my chicken rearing business I have been able to buy a plot and soon I will start building my own poultry house, I am copying the Chinese way of doing things," he said with a smile on his face. Mwewa said that he is also training four of his peers in village chicken rearing as one way of empowering them economically. "I am helping my fellow youths on how to keep village chickens so that they can improve their lives economically, all these is because of the training I got from Zambia Co-operative Union which partnered with Jilin University of China to train us in Village Chicken rearing," he said. According to Mwewa, in a month he makes about 160 U.S. dollars, about Kwacha three thousand local currency, from the sale of his birds. Further, he has encouraged his fellow youths who were complaining about lack of jobs to get involved in projects like village chicken rearing which he said was lucrative and could better their lives economically. "As youths, let us change our mindsets, and let us emulate the Chinese way of doing things if we are to develop our nation," he said. Alfred Daka aged 22, a friend of Mwewa also a Luanshya resident says he has learnt a lot from his friend who was trained by the Chinese in village chicken rearing. "It is my wish that I could have this opportunity to be trained in village chicken rearing," said Daka. Meanwhile, Thomas Banda who is the Luanshya district coordinator of Zambia Co-operative Union, is impressed with the Chinese assistance towards the training of youths in village chicken rearing in the district solely dependent on mining. "New small scale projects in village chicken rearing will definitely help alleviate poverty levels in our district," Banda said. According to Banda, over 300 youths have been trained so far in village chicken rearing by the Chinese and a good number of the trained youths will become employers for their fellow youths thereby reducing of unemployment levels in the district. And Luanshya District Commissioner Patrick Maipambe commended the Chinese for their commitment towards training youths in the district in rearing village chickens. "I would commend the Chinese for goodwill in training our youths in the village chicken project," Maipambe concluded. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:03:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League (TDSL) held a symposium in Beijing on Monday, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Su Hui, chairperson of the TDSL Central Committee, called on Taiwan compatriots to carry forward the spirit of resisting aggression fostered during the war and to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait. Speaking at the symposium, members of the TDSL reminisced the legacy of Taiwan compatriots' contributions to resisting foreign aggression and safeguarding national unity. Founded in 1947 by Taiwan compatriots living on the mainland, the TDSL is one of the eight non-Communist political parties on the Chinese mainland. Enditem The World Trade Organization (WTO) will kick off the selection process for its new leader this week, with South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee locking horns with candidates from seven other countries. During the first round of the process that will run through Sept. 16, representatives from 164 member states will provide a maximum of four preferences, after which three candidates will be removed from the race. In the second round, another batch of three runners will be eliminated as well, with the members picking the new leader between the two remaining candidates in the last round. The final result is widely anticipated to be delivered in early November. Yoo, who departed to Geneva for her campaign on Aug. 31, plans to meet representatives from the member states and ask for their support there through mid-September. She is competing with candidates from seven countries Mexico, Nigeria, Egypt, Moldova, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Britain. Yoo was appointed as South Korea's trade minister in February last year, becoming the first woman to be named to the top-ranking position in the 70-year history of the trade ministry. The candidate has been campaigning on the promise that she can rebuild trust in the multilateral trading system by making it more relevant, resilient and responsive. The ministry also said the WTO needs to normalize its role in handling negotiations and settling disputes under a multilateral regime. (Yonhap) Charles Wilson (left) has stepped down as the boss of Tescos Booker wholesale business, months after Tesco chief Dave Lewis (right) announced his own exit (Stephen Lock/PA) Tesco has said that Charles Wilson, the boss of its Booker wholesale business, is to leave the retail giant following its two top executives out the door. Earlier this year, chief executive officer Dave Lewis and finance chief Alan Stewart said they would depart the supermarket group. Mr Wilson has said he will now step down from the group himself, after 15 years leading the Booker business, which Tesco then acquired in a 3.7 billion deal in 2018. He was heavily tipped to take over from Mr Lewis as chief of Tesco before being diagnosed with throat cancer in July 2018. The company said the disease remains in remission, but he decided that now is the time to step back and take it a little easier. In 1998, Mr Wilson became an executive director at Booker before taking the top job in 2005 and driving growth at the business to help it become the UKs largest wholesaler. He will be succeeded in the role by Andrew Yaxley, who is currently chief product officer at Tesco, immediately. Mr Lewis said: Charles reputation in the UK food business is unparalleled and for very good reason. The transformation of Booker over the last 15 years is one of the most remarkable business case studies in recent history. Since the merger with Tesco he has been a superb member of the executive team and a brilliant colleague. Whilst we are very sad to see him retire, we completely understand and wish Charles and his family all the very best for the future. Mr Wilson said he will not be selling any Tesco shares in the next few years and will remain a committed supporter of the business. He said: It has been a privilege serving our retail and catering customers and a pleasure working with a great team at Tesco and Booker. Andrew will be a great leader of Booker within the Tesco Group. Andrew and I will ensure a smooth handover to maintain business as usual. It has been a huge privilege to be part of Booker and Tesco, and I look forward to seeing the group flourish in the years ahead. Her romance with Dino Hira was a disaster on Married At First Sight last year. But Melissa Lucarelli didn't mind being the third wheel as Elizabeth Sobinoff and Seb Guilhaus posed for a newlywed photo shoot in Sydney on Thursday. After packing on the PDA with personal trainer Seb, former jewellery store manager Lizzie swapped her high heels for a pair of comfortable Ugg boots. Three's a crowd! Mel Lucarelli (right) didn't mind being the third wheel as Elizabeth Sobinoff (left) and Seb Guilhaus (centre) took part in a bridal photo shoot in Sydney on Thursday Lizzie, 29, wowed in her form-fitting white satin gown, which boasted draped detailing across her chest. The brunette tied her locks into a loose bun, and framed her striking features with a pair of dangling silver earrings. Meanwhile, Seb put on a dapper display in a crisp white shirt and black suit. Sealed with a kiss! Former jewellery store manager Lizzie, 29, packed on the PDA with her personal trainer boyfriend, 31 The pair met while starring on the seventh season of Married At First Sight in 2020. They reunited in June after being forced to spend months apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, Elizabeth spoke about living with her boyfriend of seven months while appearing on the podcast Fashion Avenue. Here comes the bride: Lizzie wowed in her form-fitting white satin gown, which boasted draped detailing across her chest 'I mean, it's just normal to get frustrated with everyone,' she said, before adding that she was 'loving' being with Seb in Sydney. She continued: 'I'm actually in such a great place in my life at the moment. He's just amazing! And it's that bonding.' Lizzie explained she'd been staying with Seb, 31, at his home in Adelaide before the state borders closed and she was forced to return to NSW for work. She said they ultimately ended up spending three months apart, but stayed connected through 'constant texting'. A fresh tremor measuring 3.5 magnitude on the Richter scale was recorded at around 8:07 am on Monday near Dhundalwadi at Dahanu in Maharashtras Palghar district, said Vivekanand Kadam, chief, disaster management cell, Palghar. However, no casualty of human lives or damage to properties was reported. Last Friday, four tremors, measuring 2.8, 4.0, 3.6 and 2.7 magnitude on the Richter scale, respectively, were recorded in villages in Dahanu. A few houses developed cracks because of the tremor. Mondays tremor was also recorded by the National Centre for Seismology, Noida, in Uttar Pradesh, which comes under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, said Kadam. In the intervening night of September 4 and 5 September, the residents of Aaina, Dapcheri,Talasari, Dongripada, Amboli, Dhanivare, Osarvira, Kasa, Bordi, Dhundalwadi, Shisne villages had ran out of their homes in panic and spent the night in the open following the successive tremors. Talasari police station authorities had urged the villagers not to panic. On 23 August, at 11:39 am a mild tremor, measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale, was recorded at Aaina village in Dahanu. Since November 2018, villages around Dhundalwadi and other areas of Dahanu have been reporting mild tremors at regular intervals. In July 2019, Rishya Meghwali (55), a resident of Vasavalpada village in Dahanu, had died after a portion of the roof came crashing down on him, when a tremor had rocked the area. Meghwalis wife had suffered minor injuries. Another tremor was recorded in February 2019, when Vaibhavi Bhuyal (2) of Haladwadi, Talasari, had died in a similar accident. Mumbai, Sep 7 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said that it has broadly accepted the recommendations of the K.V. Kamath-led Expert Committee on Resolution Framework for Covid-19-related stress. The expert committee has recommended financial parameters including aspects related to leverage, liquidity and debt serviceability. It has suggested financial ratios for 26 sectors, which can be factored by lenders while finalising a resolution plan for a certain borrower. The sectors identified by the panel include auto components, auto manufacturing, aviation, cement, construction, pharma manufacturing, power, real estate, consumer durables, hotels, restaurants and tourism among others. The committee selected five parameters based on their relevance while considering the resolution plan. These include ratios such as "Total Outside Liability/Adjusted Tangible Net Worth (TOL/Adjusted TNW), Total Debt/EBIDTA, Current Ratio, Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) and Average Debt Service Coverage Ratio (ADSCR)". The lenders can also consider other financial parameters in addition to five mandatory parameters and may, at their discretion, adopt a graded approach depending on the severity of the impact on the borrowers, as per the report. In respect of sectors where ratios have not been specified, lenders can make their own assessment towards the resolution plan. The panel has recommended that the resolution framework should be invoked by December 31, 2020. As per the recommendations, the resolution process should be treated as invoked once lenders representing 75 per cent by value and 60 per cent of lenders agree to do so. The residual tenor of the loan may be extended by maximum two years, with or without payment moratorium. The moratorium period, if granted, shall come into force immediately upon implementation of the resolution plan. The asset classification may be maintained as standard or upgraded to standard subject to the resolution panel being implemented as per the framework, said the report of the panel. My favourite place to party is a bar and music venue in Harris Street, Ultimo. I haven't been for months. I have also avoided my favourite restaurant in Potts Point like the plague. Because we have the plague. When I go to the supermarket, I wear a mask. I try to avoid public transport or PD (Petri Dish). As Etta James sang, I "don't get around much anymore". The more people die because of COVID-19, the greater the hit to the economy, or as Alan Kohler put it last week in a tweet accompanying some Deloitte research: "The more deaths, the worse your economy." Here is why. As Chris Richardson of Deloitte Access Economics and architect of the graph Kohler circulated, says: "The more scared you are, the less you go out." That is me. I was terrified of contracting COVID when my sainted mother-in-law was still alive. I couldn't risk her health or mine. Which is why the endless urgings from various business types are so misguided. The Business Council of Australia's chief executive Jennifer Westacott, also on the board of Wesfarmers, which owns Bunnings, spruiking for the Great Reopening on David Speers's Insiders, claims the road map for Victoria means more job losses. Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. The arrest of Mahmoud Ezzat, acting supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, delivered the toughest blow the Islamist organisation has received in the past five years. It will have a profound impact on the organizsation, and raises several questions. Why did Ezzat not flee abroad like other Brotherhood leaders? Who will succeed him as the acting supreme guide? How will the succession process affect the structure and organisation of operations? Under the Brotherhoods bylaws only a member residing in Egypt can assume command, which theoretically eliminates the option of flight for the person who fills the post. The rule, however, is likely to be tempered by the conditions the group has faced. The fall of the Muslim Brotherhood regime in July 2013 sent fissures through its organisation. Factions arose that opposed the old guard led by Ezzat and blamed the fall of the Brotherhood regime on members such as Ezzat, Khairat Shater and Mohamed Badie. One product of the divisions was Mohamed Kamals creation of the Higher Administrative Committee in 2015 as an alternative to Ezzats command, providing at least one factor that compelled Ezzat to remain in Egypt: he needed to contain the opposition and the splintering in order to control the organisation. Further incentive to remain came from a group of imprisoned Muslim Brotherhood youth who initiated reconciliation initiatives that involved ideological revisions. Many of them also blamed the old guard, particularly the wing led by Shater, Badie and Ezzat, for the popular discontent the Muslim Brotherhood regime generated, and for the violence that followed its fall in 2013. The repent initiatives, as they were called in the media, shook the Muslim Brotherhood just as Egypts reassertion of control over its territory and tightening border security made it almost impossible for Ezzat to flee. In the end, he was left with no other option but to go into hiding. Meanwhile, the wing led by Mohamed Kamal issued a manifesto called the Peoples Revolutionary Movement which sanctioned the use of arms against the state and led to the formation of a number of breakaway terrorist organisations such as Hasm and the Revolution Brigade. Most of the members of these terrorist organisations have since been eliminated and their activities have ceased. Their last attack, which targeted the Cancer Institute, was a year ago. Mohamed Kamal and his companions were subsequently arrested, weakening their influence within the organisation and enabling Mohamed Ezzat to reassert his control. Ezzats leadership has been virtually uncontested since 2018, meaning his recent arrest will plunge the organisation into what will most likely be its biggest crisis since the 2013 arrest of its first tier leaders, the dissolution of its political party and designation of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. His detention will precipitate a wave of factional rivalries and schisms, exacerbating the conflict between the old guard which includes, in addition to Badie, Ezzat and Shater, Ibrahim Mounir and Mohamed Hussein, the only two members of the Guidance Bureau who have now not been arrested, and the Brotherhood wing, mostly based in Turkey, that is closer to the jihadist Salafis such as the Salafist Watan organisation and some Islamic Jihad members such as Tarek Al-Zomor and Assem Abdel-Meguid. This is the wing that backed the Higher Administrative Committee that was formed in 2015, advocated the use of violence and supported the rise of terrorist organisations such as Hasm and the Revolution Brigade. Although the contest between these two wings subsided with Kamals death, it is certain to resurface in the wake of Ezzats arrest. The contest over Ezzats successor will be a catalyst for further schism and exacerbate generational divides within the Brotherhoods rank and file. Of the two Guidance Bureau members, Ibrahim Mounir and Mahmoud Hussein, who remain out of prison, it is the former who is technically most qualified to succeed Ezzat under the Brotherhoods bylaws. Mounir is the deputy supreme guide and the secretary-general of the Brotherhoods international organisation. But there are problems. He is not in Egypt, which conflicts with the provision requiring that the person who assumes command be resident in the country. Any attempt to modify, reinterpret or merely overlook this provision could trigger disputes between Brotherhood members in Egypt and those based abroad. Mounir is also a divisive figure, and not very well liked, particularly among the groups younger members. Hussein, like Mounir, is also living in Turkey. He is rumoured to be weak, lacking the leadership qualities needed to rally members behind him and cement rifts. So what is the likelihood of an alternative candidate emerging to take over the organisation? Following Ezzats arrest there are three possible scenarios. First, that a member of the old guard, either Mounir or Hussein, does manage to take over. Second, that a candidate is elected by the groups Shura Council, though this will require a consensus being built between Brothers in Egypt and those abroad. The logistical challenges to this are forbidding: how can the necessary communication between Brotherhood leaders in prison and those abroad be accomplished? The third possibility is that the High Administrative Committee is reconstituted to include, in addition to Mounir and Hussein, middle tier officers as well as some younger brothers. The last scenario appears the most possible, though it could easily be derailed by the return of an old problem. For some time now Muslim Brotherhood chapters across the region, particularly in Kuwait, Jordan and Tunisia, have argued that supreme guide candidates should not be limited to figures residing in Egypt. They are likely to see Ezzats arrest as an opportune time to press their demand, and will be doing so at a time when the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhoods influence on Muslim Brothers abroad is at an all-time low. Historians of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamist movement in general must be asking themselves a number of questions at this point. Could Badie be the last Egyptian supreme guide? And will Egyptian Muslim Brothers consider the option of a local comptroller-general serving under a supreme guide of a different nationality? What is certain is that with Ezzats arrest the Muslim Brotherhood is looking at a period of profound upheaval. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 September, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: After graduating from BITS Pilani, one of India's premier tech institutes, Krishnan Menon did not follow his batchmates to the United States or local tech hub Bengaluru. Instead, he bought a flight ticket to Jakarta. But this was not to be a vacation. Instead, Menon decided to seek his fortune with one of the fastest growing ecommerce ventures in the far East, the Lazada Group. A couple of gigs later, he decided to settle down in the island-nation to fuel his startup dreams. He began with Fabelio, an online furniture retailing startup, exited the company in 2019, and then started Bukukas with an aim to create a one-stop online shop for Indo as he fondly refers to his current home. Menon went to Indonesia in 2013, at a time when the rapidly growing Asian economy was at the cusp of the startup revolution, and seized on the opportunity to build tech-based service solutions for the country. Listen | Business has recovered fast to pre-COVID levels: Urban Company Co-founder Abhiraj Bhal If Fabelio was trying to help middle-income Indonesians buy furniture online, Bukukas - which means cash ledger (Buku in the local lingo means book, and Kas is cash) - seeks to solve accounting problems for micro merchants. "There are 60 million micro merchants in Indonesia, while almost all of them use WhatsApp for social commerce, their businesses are still run manually, " said Menon, speaking with Moneycontrol over the phone from Jakarta. I sensed an opportunity where all these small businesses could be digitised and prepared to sell online, that is how Bukukas was born, he said. What Menon is trying to do in Indonesia, is being attempted by multiple startups in India too. For instance, players like Khatabook, OkCredit are trying to digitise micro retail businesses, Bengaluru-based Open is trying to become a neo-banking platform for small businesses and JioMart is trying to leverage WhatsApp to enable local kiranas to accept orders digitally and deliver them at the doorstep of consumers. Menon, however, does not sweat about the competition as much. Indonesia is not a hyper-competitive market like India. Indonesia gets a clear winner and a runner-up in every sector, said Menon. Since the economy is concentrated around the capital Jakarta, most of the technology startups chase a specific consumer base and it is easy to select a winner, he said. A Digitised South East Asia The first wave of tech disruptions came to Indonesia through successful startups like GoJek, Tokopedia, Bukalapak, Traveloka. Now is the time for the next generation of disruptions in the economy. Players like GoJek and Grab might have together digitised a million merchants, mostly in the food and beverages space, but Menon believes they will have to bring in digital solutions for the next 59 million merchants. Bukukas has close to a million merchants registered on the platform, with 250,000 daily active users. It helps them track their sales digitally through the app, know their profits, track their dues and manage inventory. All these will help a merchant digitise his or her stocks, and eventually start selling online. Bukukas could also go the neo-banking route for these businesses, creating bank accounts for them and enabling digital payments. That's the long-term plan. We get compared to Khatabook a lot, but for Bukukas we are tracking all sales for the customer and not only udhaar like few of my peers in India, said Menon. Bukukas has raised $12 million over two rounds, since its inception in December 2019 with fundding from Russian investment fund S7Ventures and SpeedInvest, an European venture fund. This year it also got into the accelerator programme, Sequoia Surge. Menons Journey After landing up in Indonesia seven years ago, Menon worked with the Lazada Group for a year. He then joined Freecharge and helped expand its operations in this region, working closely with founders Kunal Shah and Sandeep Tandon on this project. After Freecharge was acquired by Snapdeal, Menon moved on and founded Fabelio with three others. I still have my family in Bengaluru and I keep travelling there for work as well as to spend some time with my mother and sister, he said. Menon was born and raised in Kerala, but now calls Jakarta 'home'. His years and experiences in Indonesia have taught him a lot about the market and the system there. The country's middle-class is massive, and the per capita GDP is very high which drives consumption there, Menon said. Fabelio was a learning experience, and during his time there he interacted with a lot of local furniture makers, and realised the huge amount of manual processes involved in these businesses . He saw that there was a massive opportunity in digitising these small businesses. Menon is building Bukukas with Lorenzo Peracchione, his ex-boss from Lazada. Peracchione was the regional ecommerce director for South East Asia and Australia New Zealand at French personal and beauty chain Sephora. We are yin and yang with very different personalities, said Menon, describing his cofounder. Bukukas has its entire technology team in India. The startup has around 15 people in Bengaluru and another 20 in Indonesia and few other countries. For the core tech and product he relies on engineering skills of Indians, and has people from multiple nationalities across his other teams. Way Ahead Unlike India, only 30 percent of people in Indonesia have a bank account. The economy is largely cash-driven, and so the country presents a massive digitisation opportunity. Further, the ongoing COVID pandemic has affected the amount of walk-in customers a typical Indonesian store would be getting daily. Businesses never shut down here due to the pandemic and the economy is still growing, albeit at a slow pace, Menon said. This forced a lot of businesses to look for options online. That is where players like Bukukas have an advantage - and are also seeing demand. They were adding 15,000 businesses on the platform in March 2020 which jumped to 100,000 in July, Menon said. But the slowdown could be felt as the average transaction value per merchant did not grow at the same pace. While they have started with a digital ledger, Menon said there could be a lot of solutions that can be built on top of it. Once the merchant starts tracking his or her profits, post that there could be savings, lending, payments all built on top. Bukukas wants to be poised at the right place where they can leverage the data on merchants to emerge as the digital banking platform for these businesses, he said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Stay the course. Thats the advice of medical experts as New York City residents prepare to send their children back to school for the first time amid the continuing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Anxiety about childrens potential exposure is unwarranted and unhelpful, said Dr. Philip Otterbeck, chief medical officer at Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. What is helpful, he said, is the continued meticulous caution that has worked so well to bring infections down in New York City. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Global bench-top dental autoclaves market is expected to reach USD 64.35 million by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing incidence rates of dental disorder and rising patient awareness levels pertaining to sterilization are some major growth impacting drivers of this market. With remote and mobile healthcare access becoming the need of the hour, bench-top dental autoclaves are expected to witness a surge in demand over the next six years. In addition, growing number of initiatives aimed at curbing hospital acquired healthcare infections related expenditure via sterilization is expected to enhance market demand during the forecast period. Automatic bench-top autoclaves are the most lucrative segment of this market and are expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6.5% during the forecast period. Growing demand for automatic bench-top dental autoclaves, on account of its ability to render error free and faster results is one of the major factors accounting for the segments rapid growth. Additionally, North American and European countries pursuing device automation, is expected to positively impact market growth over the next six years. Further key findings from the study suggest: l Pre and post vacuum bench-top autoclaves were the leading product segment in 2013. High market penetration rates and cost effectiveness associated with these products are some factors accounting for its large share. l North America was the most revenue generating region, accounting for over 40.0% of the market in 2013. Major factors attributing to its large share include the presence of relatively higher healthcare expenditure and patient awareness levels and large dental procedure volumes. Extensive presence of government initiatives monitoring and implementing medical device sterilization in the region is also expected to drive market growth. l Asia Pacific is expected to present this market with lucrative future growth opportunities. Large prevalence of dental diseases and rising patient awareness levels coupled with improving healthcare framework in the emerging markets of India and China are expected to result in a surge in product demand during the forecast period. Increasing number of dental procedures and a heightened need for safe medical practices owing to quickly rising demand for dental tourism in these markets are also expected improve device usage rates. l Some key players of the bench-top dental autoclaves market include Tuttnauer, FONA Dental, W&H Dentalwerk International, Melag, Midmark and Antonio Matachana. l Development of technologically advanced and cost effective products via rigorous R&D investments is a key growth strategy adopted by these players. These companies also enter into strategic alliances with dentists and focus on enhancing brand awareness through community activities. Grand View Research has segmented the global bench-top dental autoclaves market on the basis of product and region: Global Bench-top Dental Autoclaves Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020) Pre and Post Vacuum Semi Automatic Automatic Bench-top Dental Autoclaves Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2012 - 2020) North America Europe Asia Pacific RoW Browse Details of Report @ Chinese and Pakistani peacekeepers conduct exchanges. Photo by Wan Duanwu. By Li Hui AL FASHIR, SUDAN, Sept. 7 -- After the completion of mission handover of China's 16th peacekeeping engineer contingent to Darfur, Sudan, several service members of the Pakistani peacekeeping infantry battalion, led by its deputy commander, visited the Chinese barrack in Al Fashir recently. The two sides discussed the current severe epidemic prevention and regional security situation in the mission area and exchanged ideas on how to carry out the epidemic prevention and defense missions in the future. It is reported that the Chinese peacekeeping engineer detachment and the Pakistani infantry battalion are neighbors in the Al Fashir Super Camp. The Pakistani commander said that it is a great honor to be able to maintain peace in Sudan shoulder to shoulder with Chinese peacekeepers and they are willing to contribute to the friendship between China and Pakistan for generations. Missouri, Kansas lawmakers talk about local control a lot. But do they walk the walk? Missouri Rep. LaKeySha Bosley was in the midst of a blistering indictment last month during debate over a measure to stop St. Louis from requiring its police officers to live within the city. "We talk about local control so often in this building," said Bosley, a Democrat who represents St. McClatchy content with help from the AP but still worth a peek as political reality never seems to live up to expectations and hype . . . Read more: Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) shareholders might be concerned after seeing the share price drop 10% in the last quarter. But the silver lining is the stock is up over five years. Unfortunately its return of 19% is below the market return of 90%. Unfortunately not all shareholders will have held it for the long term, so spare a thought for those caught in the 14% decline over the last twelve months. See our latest analysis for Duke Energy While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, Duke Energy actually saw its EPS drop 3.4% per year. Since EPS is down a bit, and the share price is up, it's probably that the market previously had some concerns about the company, but the reality has been better than feared. In the long term, though, it will be hard for the share price rises to continue without improving EPS. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). Dive deeper into Duke Energy's key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Duke Energy's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Duke Energy's TSR for the last 5 years was 47%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Duke Energy shareholders are down 9.8% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 19%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 8.1% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Duke Energy (at least 1 which doesn't sit too well with us) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. We will like Duke Energy better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. It's such a simple pleasure, but Peta Koopmans is looking forward to sitting down over a meal and having a good chat, in person, with a friend. The single mother, 46, of Kilsyth, said she was excited at the state government announcement allowing singles and single parents to visit a chosen person, or be visited at home, during the COVID-19 lockdown. Single mother Peta Koopmans is happy she can invite a friend around. Credit:Eddie Jim Ms Koopmans, who lives with her teenage son, is keen to catch up with a friend, 40, who lives alone in Brunswick, and whom she hasnt seen in three months. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? remains the most well-known and oft-quoted line in the fairy tale of Snow White. And despite the fact that there are a raft of examples of dusky and black beauties abounding in the world, most people (women and men alike) aspire to be fair skinned. This article by Advocate Aazmeen Kasad is part of a series of articles on Misleading Advertising. Part 7 covers the aspect of the need to make Fair claims by skin-care product manufacturers. There is a common belief amongst people that being fair-skinned is more beautiful and attractive. Perceptions also exist that fair skinned people get better opportunities and are more successful and consequently, happy. Conversely, dark/ dusky toned people face rejection, discrimination and difficulty in landing the job of their choice or a good life-partner. Such beliefs and perceptions lead to individuals feeling insecure when their skin is not fair or it tans, gets pigmentation, spots, etc. In 2017, the Indian fairness cream market was worth $450 million (Source: www.Statista.com). Per theIndia Fairness Cream & Bleach Market Overview, 2018-2023 report, the womens fairness cream category is anticipated to achieve market revenues of more than Rs 5,000 crore by the year 2023. Unilever, Procter & Gamble, LOreal and Johnson & Johnson some of the worlds biggest advertisers, sell beauty products that advocate lighter, whiter skin through popular celebrities. A number of the products in the market assure skin colour transformation. Such products are available in the form of creams, powders, bleaches, etc. Interestingly, the wish to have fair skin is not confined to women alone. Emami launched Fair And Handsome in 2005, when market studies disclosed that a sizeable percentage of users of womens fairness creams were men. A host of other brands also entered this newly formed segment. Advertisers invariably resort to a before-and-after form of comparative advertising to show the efficacy claims of their products. While making an efficacy claim for its product, advertisers should ensure that the same is substantiable in the form of research reports or laboratory studies, etc., in support of its claim. Where a product manufacturer claims that usage of its product can lighten ones skin tone by 7 shades without any substantiation, it is considered to be a misleading by exaggeration claim. Similarly, not disclosing important information in an advertisement is also misleading a consumers trust. For instance, ingredients like turmeric or oranges or sandalwood powder or aloe vera are known to brighten and soften the skin. In the advertisement, the claim made is that turmeric or oranges or sandalwood powder helps brighten skin without actually specifying that the product contains the said ingredients. The product in reality will not have the said ingredients (or if it does, it will be in extremely negligible quantity). Instead, the product will have a bleaching ingredient to lighten the skin. On hearing or reading the claims made in the advertisement, the mind does not pay specific attention to the actual words in the advertisement. A mix of the visuals and the implied sentences leads the consumer to believe that the said ingredients are part of the product and hence, it will brighten the skin. This is misleading the consumer by implication. Fairness products ads play on the aspirations and insecurities of the target consumer. They are misleading if they claim to be able to change ones skin colour by several tones, within a specified number of uses, and consequently ensure a successful and happy life, personally and professionally. This naturally ultimately leads to disappointment in the mind of the consumer. The recently amended Consumer Protection Act, 2019, (the Act) has included provisions which impose liabilities on celebrity endorsers for misleading advertisements. Per Section 2(1) of the Act, an advertisement means any audio or visual publicity, representation, endorsement or pronouncement made by means of light, sound, smoke, gas, print, electronic media, Internet or website and includes any notice, circular, label, wrapper, invoice or such other documents. Therefore, this includes advertisements not only on the traditional media such as print, radio or television advertisements, but also includes packaging, point of sale material, etc. Advertisements on the Internet, including social media such as ads posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., also fall within the purview of the Act, as do advertisements on websites, which includes the advertisers own website(s). As per the Act, a misleading advertisement in relation to any product or service means an advertisement, which (i) falsely describes such product or service; or (ii) gives a false guarantee to, or is likely to mislead the consumers as to the nature, substance, quantity or quality of such product or service; or (iii) conveys an express or implied representation which, if made by the manufacturer or seller or service provider thereof, would constitute an unfair trade practice; or (iv) deliberately conceals important information. Per section 2(47) of the Act, an unfair trade practice means a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or deceptive practice, including any of the following practices, namely (i) making any statement, whether orally or in writing or by visible representation, including by means of electronic record, which (a) falsely represents that the goods are of a particular standard, quality, quantity, grade, composition, style or model; (d) represents that the goods have sponsorship, approval,performance, characteristics, accessories, uses or benefits which such goods do not have; (f) makes a false or misleading representation concerning the needfor, or the usefulness of, any goods. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has tabled the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) (Amendment) Bill, 2020 under which the draft amendment bans advertisements of products, inter alia, fairness creams. The Bill proposes imprisonment of up to two years and fine up to Rs 10 lakh for the first conviction and imprisonment extendable to five years with a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh for subsequent offences. While the ban and the penalties will only be effective once the Bill is passed and becomes an Act, it is imperative for manufacturers, marketeers, endorsers and publishers of advertisements of fairness cream and skin-lightening products to exercise caution in the claims that are made through their advertisements. Ahead of the ban on advertising fairness products, which may follow on the heel of the passing of the Bill, and on the back of the recent worldwide campaign against racism (#BlackLivesMatter), one has already witnessed some major changes by dominant players within the market segment. Unilever has changed the name of its product Fair and Lovely, which enjoys the majority market share, to Glow and Lovely. Fair and Handsome is now Glow & Handsome a move which has spurred a trademark battle with Emami who markets its fairness product with the same brand. Johnson & Johnson recently announced it would no longer produce or sell two of its creams, Clean & Clear and Neutrogena, in India. In the latest development, LOreal has announced that it will discontinue the usage of words such as white/ whitening, fair/ fairness, light/ lightening from all its skincare products. Shaadi.com withdrew the skin tone filter on its matrimonial site. In light of the newly introduced provisions under the Act which came into force from July 20, 2020, it is advisable for not only the advertisers and the endorsers, but also the publishers of the advertisements to exercise caution on the claims that form part of the advertisement of the goods/ services. Under the Act, any advertiser, trader, publisher and endorser found to be guilty of a false or misleading advertisement, may receive an order from the Central Consumer Protection Authority, with directions to the concerned trader or manufacturer or endorser or advertiser or publisher, as the case may be, to discontinue such advertisement or to modify the same in such manner and within such time as may be specified in that order. If the Central Authority is of the opinion that it is necessary to impose a penalty in respect of such false or misleading advertisement, by a manufacturer or an endorser, it may, by order, impose on manufacturer or celebrity endorser a penalty which may extend to Rs 10 lakh in the first instance and for every subsequent contravention by a manufacturer or endorser, a penalty, which may extend to Rs 50 lakh may be imposed. Additionally, where the Central Authority deems it necessary, it may, by order, prohibit the celebrity endorser of a false or misleading advertisement from making endorsement of any product or service for a period which may extend to one year in the first instance, which may extend to three years for every subsequent contravention. Any person found to publish, or is a party to the publication of a misleading advertisement, except in the ordinary course of his business, may be penalisedwith a fine which may extend to Rs 10 lakh. The defence that the false or misleading advertisement was published in the ordinary course of business shall not be available to such person if he had previous knowledge of the order passed by the Central Authority for withdrawal or modification of such advertisement. Honest advertising can empower consumers into making better buying decisions; while for advertisers, it can garner goodwill, trust, brand loyalty, higher sales which translates into higher revenues and profits. On the other hand, deceptive or misleading advertising can hurt the brand, expose the advertiser to legal risks and fines and also loss of consumer trust and in the long run, consumers. The ensuing Parts of the series will pertain to various other aspects of what constitutes Misleading Advertising and key judicial precedents on the same. (Advocate Aazmeen Kasad is a practicing corporate advocate with over 20 years of experience, with a focus on the Media, Technology and Telecom industries. She is also a professor of law since 13 years. She is a member of the Consumer Complaints Council of the Advertising Standards Council of India. She is a speaker at several forums.) Delegates from Libya's rival administrations met for talks Sunday in Morocco, more than two weeks after the two sides announced a surprise ceasefire. The meeting, held at the initiative of Morocco which hosted peace talks in 2015 that led to the creation of a United Nations-recognised government for Libya, kicked off in the coastal town of Bouznika, south of Rabat. Dubbed "Libyan Dialogue", the talks brought together five members of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and five from a parliament headquartered in the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, in remarks before the meeting got underway, said his country was offering the Libyans "space" to discuss points of contention dividing them. "The kingdom is ready to provide Libyans with a space to discuss (issues), according to their will, and will applaud them regardless of the outcome," Bourita said. "Morocco has no agenda or initiative to submit" to the two sides, Bourita added. A solution to Libya's crisis must be decided by the Libyans themselves under the auspices of the UN, he said, before delegates met behind closed doors. Libya has endured almost a decade of violent chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The crisis worsened last year when military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who backs the Tobruk parliament and is supported by Egypt, the UAE and Russia, launched an offensive to seize the capital Tripoli from the GNA. Haftar was beaten back earlier this year by Turkish-backed GNA forces and fighting has now stalled around the Mediterranean city of Sirte, the gateway to Libya's eastern oil fields and export terminals. On August 22, the rival administrations announced separately that they would cease all hostilities and hold nationwide elections, drawing praise from world powers. At a January summit in Berlin, the main countries involved in the Libyan conflict agreed to respect an arms embargo and to stop interfering in Libya's domestic affairs. But on Wednesday, the interim UN envoy for Libya, Stephanie Williams, denounced what she called "blatant" ongoing violations of the arms embargo in the North African country. According to an interim report from UN experts, "the arms embargo remains totally ineffective" and violations are "extensive, blatant and with complete disregard for the sanctions". Williams said the UN mission UNSMIL was also receiving reports of the "large-scale presence of foreign mercenaries and operatives" in Libya, adding that this complicates chances of a future settlement. Sunday's meeting in Morocco coincided with talks in Istanbul between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj, the Turkish presidency said, without elaborating. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijan Tourism Board will hold its largest travel trade event in October, Travel Daily news portal has reported. The online event tited Travel Business Azerbaijan Online will be held on October 14 and bring together local and international tourism professionals to establish partnerships and sign profitable business deals. It will be attended by 300 participants from China and South-East Asia, Russia and CIS countries, India and South Asia, Europe and Gulf countries, in order to establish direct communication. In addition, the platform will demonstrate the tourism potential of Azerbaijan. Tourist service providers will be divided into a target markets and products through artificial intelligence-based partner search tools that will offer potential customers to participants. It should be noted that Azerbaijan Tourism Board has prepared a four-stage recovery plan to ensure a smooth transition to the post-pandemic period. Thus, as part of the actions taken in the first phase of recovery, Azerbaijan Tourism Board is exploring new ways to overcome existing obstacles, finding innovative solutions, focusing on virtual communication and online tools to promote the countrys tourism sector. Executive Director of Azerbaijan Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid noted that this event will be beneficial for both local entrepreneurs and representatives of the main source markets to connect with the local tourism and hospitality industry, and build fruitful partnerships. Additionally, Travel Business Azerbaijan Online will host webinars organized by regional managers, representatives of the Destination Marketing Organization and service providers. Azerbaijan Tourism Board is the national promotion body designed to support the growth of Azerbaijans tourism industry. The event is organized by Azerbaijan Tourism Board with the support of the State Tourism Agency. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz There has been a surge in Covid cases in NI in recent weeks (Andrew Milligan/PA) Craigavon Area Hospital where no visitors will be allowed on the wards of as it tries to get to grips with clusters of Coronavirus. Picture Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Health Minister Robin Swann has informed the Northern Ireland Assembly that a Level Three Serious Adverse Incident investigation will be undertaken over the Covid-19 outbreaks at Craigavon Area Hospital. The Minister made the announcement after chairing discussions about the latest situation at the hospital. The meeting involved senior officials from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, the Public Health Agency and the Department of Health. The Southern Trust has confirmed that a fourth patient who was treated on the Haematology Ward at Craigavon Hospital, and who had tested positive for Covid-19, sadly passed away on Monday morning. Mr Swann stated: I said on Friday that a thorough investigation is required and that patients and bereaved families are entitled to answers. I can now confirm that a Level Three Serious Adverse Incident review will be initiated. This will be independently chaired and I expect its findings to be made public. I also want to again express my deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those who have passed away. I am deeply sorry that families have been plunged into grief in such disturbing circumstances. The Minister said the Southern Trusts immediate priorities are to care for affected patients and staff and prevent further spread of the virus. Read More The announcement comes as the Department of Health also confirmed that a further person died from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland at the weekend, while 141 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours. The death of man, aged between 60-79, occurred on Saturday at Mid and East Antrim Hospital. It brings the official death toll from the virus in the province to 565. Read More In the past 24 hours 6,992 tests have been carried out on 4,652 people. The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 7,868 since the pandemic began. Over the past seven days 639 people have tested positive for Covid-19. In the past week the Belfast council area has seen 212 new cases, while Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon has seen 80. There are currently 12 Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland's hospitals with two in intensive care units. Hospital bed occupancy is at 85%, while 13 intensive care unit beds remain free. A total of 1,574 people have been released from hospital after recovering from Covid-19. There are currently 19 ongoing outbreaks of the virus in care homes across Northern Ireland. It comes after Hospitality Ulster called for "urgent" action to reopen bars in Northern Ireland that don't serve food. The call came as representatives of the industry body are set to meet ministers at Stormont later on Monday as the Executive reconvenes from summer break. Chief Executive Colin Neil said establishments unable to reopen are losing "thousands of pounds weekly", and may never reopen if action isn't taken soon. "What we need to see are regulations that apply to everybody in the hospitality sector regardless of business type or licence type," Mr Neil told the BBC. "Let everyone open and anyone who is irresponsible, shut them. "Let's get all our pubs open and then it's about enforcing the regulations on anyone that ignores them." Read More Follow our live updates as they happened: Key domestic indices ended with minor gains after volatile session on Monday. As per provisional closing data, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 60.05 points or 0.16% at 38,417.23. The Nifty 50 index added 39.95 points or 0.35% at 11,373.80. After hitting a low of 11,251.70 in early trade, the Nifty regained 11,300 mark in morning trade. However, gains were capped amid weak Asian cues triggered by rising tech tensions between Washington and Beijing. In the broader market back home, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.78% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index slipped 0.20%. The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1230 shares rose and 1485 shares fell. A total of 198 shares were unchanged. COVID-19 Update : Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 27,105,151 with 883,342 deaths. India reported 8,82,542 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 71,642 deaths while 32,50,429 patients have been discharged, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Buzzing Index: The Nifty IT index rose 0.63% to 18,187.75, outperforming other sectoral indices on the NSE. The index fell 1.50% on Friday. HCL Technologies (up 1.16%), Wipro (up 1.01%), MindTree (up 0.98%) and Infosys (up 0.86%) were the top index gainers while Larsen & Toubro Infotech (down 2.53%) and Tech Mahindra (down 0.26%) were the top index laggards. Earnings Today: CG Power (down 1.81%), Info Edge (down 1.03%), General Insurance Corporation (up 0.69%) and Parag Milk Foods (up 1.08%) are some of the companies that will announce their quarterly earnings today. Earnings Impact: Goodyear India slumped 7.18% to Rs 947.95. The tyre maker posted a net loss of Rs 4.49 crore in Q1 June 2020 as against a net profit of Rs 26.25 crore posted in Q1 June 2019. Net sales declined 53.7% to Rs 226.93 crore in Q1 FY21 over Q1 FY20. Jubilant Life Sciences tumbled 6.13% to Rs 778.75 after the company's consolidated net profit declined 52.4% to Rs 88 crore on 14% slide in net sales to Rs 1845.24 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. EBITDA margin declined to 16.4% as on 30 June 2020 from 20.4% as on 30 June 2019. NLC India rose 1.24% to Rs 52.90 after the company's consolidated net profit jumped 21% to Rs 343.41 crore on 29.6% increase in net sales to Rs 2,699 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. During the quarter, the group has recognised as an exceptional item, the one-time rebate of Rs 85.43 crore to DISCOMs on account of COVID-19 pandemic based on guidelines issued by Ministry of Power, Government of India. Repco Home Finance hit an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 181.90 after the company's consolidated net profit rose 2.6% to Rs 64 crore on 4.1% increase in total income to Rs 341.92 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. The overall loan book rose 6% to Rs 11,979.50 crore at the end of June 2020 on comparison to Rs 11,342.10 crore at the end of June 2019. The capital adequacy ratio stood provisionally at 26.2% comprising entirely of Tier-1 capital. The minimum capital adequacy ratio prescribed by the National Housing Bank is 12.0%. Stocks in Spotlight: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) fell 1.26% to Rs 931. The construction major said its power transmission & distribution business secured large contracts. As per the L&T's classification, the valuation of the 'large' order stands between Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. Vodafone Idea gained 3% to Rs 12.37. Rebranding itself, the company said that joint venture between Britain's Vodafone and India's Idea Idea Cellular will go by the brand name "Vi". "Vi is built to be strong, ever-dependable, agile, intuitive, and a brand in tune with the needs of the customers, in these ever-changing times. It is designed to help customers move ahead in life, for a better today and a brighter tomorrow," the company said in a release. Meanwhile, Ravinder Takkar, MD & CEO, Vodafone Idea, was quoted by the media as saying that telecom tariffs in India should go up and the telco is ready to take the first step. He added that the sector regulator also needs to look into tariff charts. The telecom operator's board on Friday (4 September) approved plans to raise funds upto Rs 25,000 crore via combination of equity and debt issue. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) rose 1.61% to Rs 2326.65. TCS announced partnership with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in South Africa, part of Transnet SOC, a state-owned freight transport and handling company, to help the latter develop an integrated online marketplace platform by bringing together cargo owners, shipping lines, clearing and forwarding agents, and road/rail haulers. IRCTC gained 3.84% to Rs 1418. IRCTC on Monday announced that Ministry of Railways has conveyed the decision to operate 40 pairs of Special Trains services to start from 12 September 2020 on specific routes. IRCTC further added that these services shall be in addition to the Shramik specials and the special trains, which are already under operation. Global Markets: The US Dow Futures were up 23.5 points, indicating a mildly positive start on Wall Street today. European markets edged higher while most Asian stocks ended lower on Monday as markets recover from steep losses fueled by the tech sector last week. Hong Kong-listed shares of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China's largest chip manufacturer, plunged on Monday following reports Trump's administration is considering imposing export restrictions on SMIC. US stocks closed lower on Friday though well above its session low as selling eased late in the day after investors dumped heavyweight technology stocks due to concerns about high valuations. US employment growth slowed further in August and permanent job losses increased as money from the government started running out. Nearly a fifth of the job gains reported by the Labor Department on Friday were from the government's temporary hiring for the 2020 Census. While the unemployment rate fell below 10%, it was biased down by a continuing misclassification problem. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Close Trump denies calling war dead 'losers' and 'suckers' Donald Trump once more boasted about the United States handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Monday, claiming the country was starting to get VERY high marks when compared to other nations. The US president, who added that a coronavirus vaccine was coming, and fast, made those remarks despite rises in the number of infections across 22 US states, according to Reuters analysis., and the wolrds largest death toll. Elsewhere on Monday, vice president Mike Pence and his would-be successor, Kamala Harris, are making separate visits to Wisconsin, a crucial swing state that was largely neglected by the 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, as the 2020 campaign enters the homestretch. Twitter has dismissed a complaint against EFF leader Julius Malema for a comment which said: @Clicks_SA see you tomorrow. Fellow fighters and ground forces; ATTACK!!. On Sunday, the EFF called for the closure of all Clicks stores in South Africa in light of their unrepentant and perverse racism. It said Clicks participated in the public dehumanising of black people through an advert which presented the hair of black women as damaged in comparison to the hair of white women which was described as normal, fine, and flat. The implications of this are that black identity exists as inferior to the identity of white people, the EFF said. It is an assertion that white standards of beauty are to be aspired to and the features of black people represent damage, decay, and abnormality. This characterisation is the founding stone of anti-black racism, and the EFF will not tolerate it. The EFF said it has written to Clicks with direct demands to remedy their racist act and given them a 24-hour deadline to respond. Their response to our letter was nothing short of condescending and revealed a lack of remorse for their attack on the dignity of black people, the party said. The EFF subsequently called on all Clicks branches to close, stating that they must only reopen on Saturday 12 September. This is because we are of the view that they are not genuine with their apology and the only way to make capitalists apologise and feel genuine remorse is for them to lose money, it said. If Clicks does not close, our members in all the branches will shut down all 880 Clicks outlets across the country from Monday 7 September 2020 to Friday 11 September 2020. Twitter complaint On Sunday, Malema called on EFF members to mobilise against Clicks to ensure stores are closed. Two of his messages, listed below, resulted in complaints against his Twitter account. @Clicks_SA see you tomorrow. Fellow fighters and ground forces; ATTACK!! If they want war give it to them including any land lord of any mall who refuses you entrance. No one must disrespect black people after 2013 without any consequences, if it means death so be it. We are ready for the ultimate sacrifice in defense of black people. #EFFMustRise Twitter, however, dismissed this complaint and has therefore not taken action against Malema. We have investigated the reported content and could not identify any violations of the Twitter rules or German law, the company said. Julius Malema complaint ruling Now read: Twitter explains how it was hacked Stormont Assembly members have clashed over the prospect of the UK Government overriding elements of the Brexit withdrawal deal. The issue was the first item of business in Parliament Buildings in Belfast as the Assembly returned from summer recess. The debate came in response to a Financial Times report that the Government will seek to introduce domestic legislation to supersede parts of the Northern Ireland protocol governing state aid and customs arrangements. Under the protocol negotiated in the withdrawal deal, Northern Ireland continues to follow single market rules for goods and administers the EUs customs code at its ports. It was designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland but unionists have been vehemently opposed to it, insisting it instead creates an economic border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Matthew OToole said the Government has treated Northern Ireland with contempt (Peter Morrison/PA) The protocol will require extra regulatory checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, with the expansion of infrastructure to screen animals and food products. The Government has insisted there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland, but additional administrative processes on good crossing the Irish Sea are set to be required. The issue was raised in the Assembly as a matter of the day by the SDLP. The partys South Belfast MLA Matthew OToole was highly critical of the Government. That the UK government would seek to use what looks like legislation in the House of Commons to undermine core tenets of the protocol is deeply worrying and disappointing, but perhaps not surprising, he said. Its attitude to Northern Ireland and our institutions throughout this process has been little better I am afraid than contemptuous, certainly since Boris Johnson became prime minister. The protocol is no ones ideal situation for Northern Ireland, the protocol is not something any of us five years ago, before the Brexit process, would have asked for. Story continues However, it is now lodged in the United Nations in international law. It is there to protect our society and our island from a hardening of the border on this island. Its necessary, its essential, it becomes all the more essential when the UK government signals that it wants to strike the hardest possible Brexit Christopher Stalford said he hoped speculation about the NI protocol proved correct (Rebecca Black/PA) The DUPs Christopher Stalford struck a very different note. He said he hoped the speculation proved correct and the protocol was overridden. We will be doing all we can to act in the interests of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom and its precisely because we are acting in the interests of Northern Ireland that we, as a party, are opposed to this protocol, he said. It will damage our economy, because it hives us off from our largest market, the GB market. As a sovereign and now thankfully independent country, the United Kingdom has the right to legislate upon the regulation of its own internal market. It is to be hoped that this is what is about to be undertaken this week by the Government. The South Belfast member added: For the sake of our country, our small businesses and our economy as a whole, I hope that the speculation is correct. (Alliance News) - Sylvania Platinum Ltd on Monday posted an annual revenue and profit rise and would have reported an output jump too, were it not for Covid-19 disrupting production. In the year ended June 30, revenue climbed 62% to USD114.1 million from USD70.5 million, with pretax profit more than doubling to USD55.9 million from USD24.4 million. "As we look back at the past year and especially the extremely challenging last quarter with its unprecedented nature and circumstances under which the operations had to perform, Sylvania's respective management teams and employees have to be commended for achieving excellent full year results despite the significant challenges," Chief Executive Officer Jaco Prinsloo said. The company was hurt as Covid-19 containment measures in South Africa meant non-essential mining operations were forced to be placed on care and maintenance. Sylvania said it lost about 10,000 ounces of 4E PGM as a result. Annual output slipped 4% to 69,026 ounces from 72,090 ounces, a company record, achieved in financial 2019. Sylvania doubled its payout to 2.00 cents from 1.00 cents. Shares in the company were 2.4% lower at 64.00 pence each in London on Monday morning. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. MUMBAI/NEW DELHI : India is set to maintain sugar export subsidies for a third year in a row in a bid to reduce surplus stocks and ensure domestic prices don't fall below a government benchmark, three sources involved in policy making told Reuters. The subsidies are designed to boost exports from the world's second biggest sugar producer though increased shipments could put further pressure on global prices, which have already fallen more than 10% so far this year. "Sugar export incentives for 6 million tonnes could be announced before the end of this month," said a government official involved in policy making who declined to be named. India approved an export subsidy of 10,448 ($142.20) per tonne in the 2019/20 season which ends on Sept. 30 in a move that helped sugar mills export a record 5.5 million tonnes. The official said the size of the subsidy for the 2020/21 marketing year starting in October would be finalised at a cabinet meeting after seeking views from the ministry of finance and the ministry of consumer affairs and food. "Most likely we'll replicate the kind of support that the government extended to facilitate exports in the current year," said a second government official, who also declined to be named as he's not authorised to talk to media. The ministry of commerce and industry, which would set any subsidy, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. India needs to export more than 5 million tonnes of sugar to ensure domestic prices don't fall below a benchmark price set by the government, as a crash in local prices would make it harder for mills to pay cane growers on time, the officials said. Exporting sugar in the coming marketing year would be more challenging for India as top producer Brazil has been flooding the global market with its surplus sugar, Prakash Naiknavare, managing director of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd, said. India, which is expected to start the new marketing year with carry forward stocks of 11.5 million tonnes, could produce 31 million tonnes of sugar next season, well above expected domestic demand of about 26 million tonnes, Naiknavare said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The government is drawing flak for filling the Manila baywalk with synthetic "white sand." In her weekly radio show, Vice President Leni Robredo called the move "insensitive" for focusing on the beautification of the area amid the pandemic. The Vice President says the almost 400 million pesos reportedly allocated for the project could have fed 80 thousand hungry families. Several groups are also saying the funds can be well spent on other programs to rehabilitate the Manila bay. Speaking to CNN Philippines, Geologist and UP Professor Mahar Lagmay warns against wasting resources in what he calls 'costly' Manila bay project. He says natural alternatives should have been used instead. The Environment Department, however, says the project is beneficial for everyone. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also expresses his support for the project for now. He says the DENR knows better to protect our environment. India and Bangladesh are expected to hold a virtual meeting of their Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) later this month to review the bilateral relationship, people familiar with developments said on Monday. The matter figured in a phone conversation between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen. Jaishankar tweeted the two sides had agreed to hold the JCC meeting very soon but there were no details from the external affairs ministry. Warm conversation with FM Dr AK Abdul Momen of Bangladesh. Agreed to hold our Joint Consultative Commission very soon. Will continue to work closely to reach the ambitious goals set by our leaders, Jaishankar tweeted. The people cited above said on condition of anonymity that the two sides are expected to hold the JCC meeting via video conference in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The two leaders also discussed recent initiatives to improve connectivity between the two countries, including the operationalisation of the Daukandi-Sonamura inland waterway route on September 5, with the trial run of a vessel carrying cement from the Bangladeshi side to the northeastern state of Tripura, the people said. The last JCC meeting was held in New Delhi in February last year, when Momen and his then Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj led their respective sides. Momen told the BSS news agency in Dhaka that he and Jaishankar agreed in principle during their conversation to hold the JCC meeting virtually. BSS reported Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud bin Momen is unlikely to visit New Delhi ahead of the JCC meeting. At the last JCC meeting, the two sides had signed four MoUs to strengthen multifaceted cooperation. These MoUs covered the mid-career training of 1,800 Bangladeshi government employees, cooperation between AYUSH and the Bangladesh health ministry in the field of medicinal plants, cooperation between the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and cooperation with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority to facilitate investments in an Indian economic zone in Mongla. A crew member on the set of Geechee in the Dominican Republic has been shot multiple times by police. Police opened fire on a convoy of cars containing crew, according to Deadline, with one unidentified international crew member being shot several times. They suffered minor injuries and have now left hospital and been flown home, reports the publication. The incident is reported to have taken place on Wednesday evening (2 September) at the Lantica Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios, in what appears to have been a case of mistaken identity involving undercover local drug enforcement agents. Crew members were on a location recce when they were pursued by police and held at gunpoint, until they were eventually confirmed to be innocent bystanders. Production has been fully shutdown while an investigation takes place. No decisions have been made on whether the film will continue to shoot in the country or if production will relocate. Lantica Media, the production that operates the Pinewood site, told Deadline: Lantica Media has requested a thorough investigation from the national authorities. The authorities have been cooperative and are working to ensure that a similar incident does not happen again in the future. For Lantica Media, the top priority is to guarantee the safety and well-being of its productions, this being the first time that an event of this nature has occurred in any of the 50 plus productions serviced by Lantica since its inception. Geechee is a thriller co-produced by Jamie Foxx that stars Andrea Riseborough as a scientist who leaves her New York home to start a new life in the Sea Islands. The Independent has contacted Foxxs representatives for comment. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. A screaming baby was among the migrants rescued from another boat attempting to cross the channel. Pictures taken in Dover this morning showed Border Force officials hoisting up a baby from a boat to safety after the RNLI picked up another group of migrants in the Channel. Two men were seen standing over a railing in Dover, preparing to lift the child to safety from a boat brought in from the Channel. Another Border Force official dressed in PPE and a protective vest clutched the child in his arms before lifting it up to his colleagues. A Border Force official holds a screaming baby in his arms, as his colleagues stood over a railing above him, prepare to hoist the child to safety 14 migrants were picked up in the Channel this morning and brought back to Dover. The RNLI transported the people using three separate boats 14 migrants were found in a boat in another attempted crossing of the English Channel. They were brought ashore in three separate boats by Border Force officials. The inflatable boat used by the migrants was also brought into the harbour from the Channel by the Hunter vessel. This comes after 21 migrants made the journey across the Channel to the UK over the weekend in two separate crossings. Sunday's arrivals meant that at least 5,600 refugees had made the journey this year, with six more having to be rescued from an inflatable boat near Calais after suffering engine failure. Five men and one woman were picked up by coastal maritime surveillance cruiser Escaut and returned to border police at Boulogne-sur-Mer at 2.50pm on Sunday. A Border Force officer is seen carrying a baby at the port of Dover this morning after a group of migrants were rescued from the Channel No successful crossings were recorded on Saturday as far-right protesters clashed with police in Dover in reaction to a pro-migrant demonstration being held in the Kent town. Six men have been charged following anti-migration protests in Dover on Saturday, Kent Police said. All six, aged between 28 and 51, have been bailed to appear at court on a later date, which the force did not state. Chief superintendent Nigel Brookes said: 'We made it very clear from the start that Kent Police would have officers in Dover and would not tolerate violence or disorder. 'Whilst the majority of people demonstrated their views peacefully, there was a minority who did not. Thankfully our experienced officers intervened quickly when offences were committed, sought to keep the transport routes moving and balance the rights of those taking part in the protests.' 21 migrants made the journey across the Channel to the UK over the weekend in two separate crossings An exhausted migrant, one of eight to have landed in Deal, Kent, today, shivers as he lies on the beach wrapped in a blanket Eight migrants were found to have landed on the beach in Deal earlier today and were cared for by the Coastguard The rival protests took place in the Kent town just days after a record 416 migrants made it to the UK after crossing the English Channel. Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O'Mahoney said: 'These crossings are facilitated by criminals willing to risk people's lives for money. France is a safe country with a fully functioning asylum system those seeking refuge can and should claim asylum there. 'I am working with my counterparts in France daily to make this route totally unviable, with more migrants prevented from leaving the French coastline today. 'We continue to return those who do not have a legitimate asylum claim despite barriers to removals under the Dublin Regulations and legal challenges.' Following days of bad weather, a flurry of migrant boats managed to cross the busy shipping lanes of the Dover strait to the UK on Wednesday, last week. At least 416 migrants packed onto two dozen boats for the crossing, a new single-day record. On Thursday, senior Home Office and immigration figures appeared before the Home Affairs Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into migrant crossings. Chairwoman Yvette Cooper pressed them for answers on whether the Home Office will have any legal authority to return migrants to countries like France after December 31. Another child is carried ashore from a boat by a Border Force official after being rescued in the English Channel No successful crossings were recorded on Saturday as far-right protesters clashed with police in Dover in reaction to a pro-migrant demonstration being held in the Kent town However she did not receive a full answer to the question, which she said she was 'really surprised' about. Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, asked Mr O'Mahoney about suggestions made by a French politician that migrants come to the UK because it is easier to work illegally and 'live undercover'. Mr Loughton said: 'It would appear that French members of parliament are party to putting around these misconceptions about how they are actually going to be looked after if they do make it to the UK. 'That's part of the problem, isn't it, that people are coming here on a false premise?' Mr O'Mahoney replied: 'I think that's absolutely correct.' Later the same day, Home Secretary Priti Patel used Twitter to hail the deportation of 11 Syrian nationals to Spain. One of the eight migrants that arrived in Deal today shivers as he crouches on the beach wrapped in blanket An inflatable boat rests on the beach after washing up in Deal today with eight migrants aboard. The engine has fallen off and lies on the stones She also continued her attacks on 'activist lawyers' which she says are frustrating the removal of migrants. Amanda Pinto QC, chair of the Bar Council, said that lawyers should not be political targets for simply doing their jobs. Concerns were raised over the deportation of the 11 Syrians when it emerged that they had been left 'confused and distressed' when they ended up alone on the streets of Madrid. When their UK Government-chartered flight touched down in Spain authorities declined responsibility for them, and they were left alone until an aid group picked them up. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on March 21, two days after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide "stay at home" order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. (Los Angeles Times) Weve endured overwhelming death, job dislocation and societal shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic, so now let us lament another casualty functioning state courts. The courts, a cornerstone of our democracy since the republics founding, are experiencing a pandemic meltdown in California. Our concrete and brick bulwarks of justice have become a fundamentally broken mess. The blame cannot be laid solely on COVID-19. Leadership has been lacking at many levels that would help us adapt to our new viral reality. In Los Angeles County, all civil jury trials have been postponed until 2021. Given a growing backlog of thousands of criminal trials, which take precedence under state law, a mountain of civil cases is piling up that promises to take years to excavate. Its no better elsewhere around the state. Superior Courts in the Bay Area are shortening hours and putting off civil jury trials until at least late this year. In San Diego, criminal trials wont happen until at least the fall, and judges are telling lawyers that civil trials wont occur until next year. The number of COVID-era civil trials in California can be counted on a few fingers and thats in a state that saw more than 665,000 civil cases filed during fiscal 2017-18 in state Superior Courts. In many jurisdictions even the most perfunctory legal hearings are being scuttled by a mix of intransigent court administrators and technological myopia. That legal logjam is giving new meaning to an old adage: Justice delayed is justice denied. The impact is being felt among the powerful and the powerless, from mighty corporations to everyday people simply trying to right a wrong. Civil rights cases have been left hanging. Tenants forced onto the streets by extrajudicial evictions have little hope of getting a court date. Without the looming threat of a trial, an injured motorist facing mounting medical bills after a horrific car crash wont have much chance of a fair insurance settlement. Story continues Its a race against the clock in the case of Barbara Franklin, 90, of Los Angeles. Terminally ill with mesothelioma from years of corporate asbestos exposure, Franklin saw her March trial date for her personal injury case canceled by the COVID shutdown. Shes now in hospice care. If she dies before trial, her case will die with her. Throughout my career, I have represented victims of sexual abuse and assault many of them children, many of them with special needs. They often have limited resources, both financial and emotional. Unable to finance therapy, some turn to drugs and alcohol to cope. Others cant afford the psychotropic mediations that make life manageable. The current lack of access to justice is devastating for most everyone. Their cases are left to fallow as our courts grapple with such issues as not receiving filings from the county clerks office and an inability to hear emergency matters in a timely manner. Most of the rest of the world is able to work remotely and take precautions against indoor viral risk. Why cant the courts? The problem dates to 1849, when Californias first Constitution gave the states far-flung counties autonomy that included operation of the local courthouse. Day-to-day governance still largely remains with each local legal fiefdom. What made political sense then has caused a catastrophic civil justice crisis now as COVID-19 exposes the weakness of our states incohesive system. Instead of pulling together in a uniform response, each county adopted a haphazard and disparate set of rules while largely resisting a shift to online proceedings to move justice along. Meanwhile, the top state court administrators, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and the Judicial Council, have proven reluctant to step in with bold and creative solutions. Theres no statewide uniformity in the time of COVID for conducting safe jury trials, remote hearings, and triage and rescheduling of cases. For our democracy to survive, we must do better. Its not a moonshot. In Wisconsin, court leaders saw the coming impact of the pandemic and responded by boosting webcast access for courts to hold proceedings online and training staffers in using the technology. The state had a remote court system up and running three weeks after its governor issued a stay-home order. Texas, meanwhile, just held what is believed to be the nations first criminal trial conducted entirely via Zoom. There are a few examples of excellent coronavirus-era coping in California courts. For instance, Yolo County Presiding Judge Samuel McAdam recently finished a multi-week civil trial where jurors were socially distanced, everyone wore face coverings and the courtroom was sanitized regularly. It was a success, attorneys reported, both in terms of the administration of justice and virological deterrence. But that and a handful of other trials are too few and far between. The California courts need to display more of that can-do gumption. An investment in uniform web video equipment for hearings and trials would be a good start. So would an order from on high to stop putting civil cases at the back of the line. More than anything, court leaders need to come together and coordinate a thoughtful response to operating during the pandemic so all 58 counties in the state can act in unison. Then our courts can get back to business and not a moment too soon. Micha Star Liberty is an Oakland-based attorney and president of the Consumer Attorneys of California. Actor Scarlett Johansson, who has been playing superhero Natasha Romanoff AKA Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame talked about how she found out about her death in Avengers. The actor said that Kevin Feige told her about the plot before shooting Infinity War. Talking to Empire Magazine, Scarlett said, It was before shooting Infinity War that I was made aware of what was going to happen in Endgame. Kevin called me and said, Look, obviously were at a place where theres going to be big sacrifices and big losses. We had all anticipated that. So it didnt seem out of character. It kind of made sense to me, I guess, even though I was sad about it. But after I hung up the phone I remember I thought, Okay, I guess its me. And it took me a minute to process it. It was bittersweet, but it was not a shock." Scarlett Johansson first played Black Widow in Iron Man 2. She has appeared in 7 Marvel Cinematic Universe films yet. She will be starring in her characters stand-alone film Black Widow. The film, directed by Cate Shortland, will take place between the events between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. It will also introduce new characters such as Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, Red Guardian played by David Harbour and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff. That aside, these carbon credits also do nothing for the atmosphere. At worst, using them beyond 2020 could be considered illegal and only opens the back door for other countries to also do less by following Morrison's lead. This will come to a head at the next UN climate talks in Glasgow next year. While Australia has thus far been able to dig in against objections by most of the rest of the world, a Biden victory would only strengthen the hand of the UK hosts to simply ride over the top of any further Australian intransigence. Morrison would be foolhardy to believe that Boris Johnson's government will burn its political capital at home and abroad to defend the indefensible Australian position. Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit: Second, unlike 114 countries around the world, Morrison remains hell-bent on ignoring the central promise of Paris: that all governments increase their 2030 targets by the time they get to Glasgow. That's because even if all those commitments were fully implemented, it would only give the planet one-third of what is necessary to keep average temperature increases within 1.5 degrees by 2100, as the Paris Agreement requires. This is why governments agreed to increase their ambition every five years as technologies improved, costs lowered and political momentum built. In 2014, the Liberal government explained our existing Paris target on the basis that it was the same as what the Americans were doing. In reality, the Obama administration planned to achieve the same cut of 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 emissions by 2025 not 2030 as we pledged and sought to disguise. So based on the logic that what America does is this government's benchmark for its global climate change commitments, if the US is prepared to increase it's Paris target (as it will under Biden), so too should we. Biden himself has not just committed the US to the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, but has undertaken to embed it in legislation as countries such as Britain and New Zealand have done, and rally others to do the same. Unsurprisingly, despite the decisions of 121 countries around the world, Morrison also refuses to even identify a timeline for achieving the Paris Agreement's long-term goal to reach net zero emissions. As the science tells us, this needs to be by 2050 to have any shot of protecting the world's most vulnerable populations including in the Pacific and saving Australia from a rolling apocalypse of weather-related disasters that will wreak havoc on our economy. Democratic presidential nominee former vice-president Joe Biden will ramp up US climate change policy if he wins in November. Credit:Bloomberg For our part, the government insists that it won't "set a target without a plan". But governments exist to do the hard work. And politically, it goes against the myriad of support domestically for a net zero by 2050 goal, including from the peak business, industry and union groups, the top bodies for energy and agriculture (two sectors that together account for almost half of our emissions), as well as our national airline, two largest mining companies, every state and territory government, and even a majority of conservative voters. As Tuvalu's recent prime minister Enele Sopoaga reminded us recently, the fact that Morrison himself looked Pacific island leaders in the eye last year and promised to develop such a long-term plan a promise he reiterated at the G20 also shows we risk being a country that does not do what we say. For those in the Pacific, this just rubs salt into the wound of Morrison's decision to blindly follow Trump's lead in halting payments to the Green Climate Fund (something Biden would also reverse), requiring them to navigate a bureaucratic maze of individual aid programs as a result. Loading Finally, Biden has undertaken to also align trade and climate policy by imposing carbon tariffs against those countries that fail to do their fair share in global greenhouse gas reductions. The EU is in the process of embracing the same approach. So if Morrison doesn't act, he's going to put our entire export sector at risk of punitive tariffs because the Liberals have so consistently failed to take climate change seriously. Under Trump, Morrison has been able to get one giant leave pass for doing nothing on climate. But under Biden, he'll be seen as nothing more than the climate change free-loader that he is. As he will by the rest of the world. And our economy will be punished as a result. Kevin Rudd is a former prime minister and is president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. Peter Hartcher is on leave. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain French authorities have placed seven more departments covering major cities such as Lille, Strasbourg and Dijon on high alert as increases in COVID-19 infections accelerate, the government said Sunday. Of France's 101 mainland and overseas departments, 28 are now considered "red zones" where authorities will be able to impose exceptional measures to slow the number of new coronavirus cases. The move comes as France reported a record of nearly 9,000 daily cases on Friday, and a further 8,550 cases in the past 24 hours on Saturday, when the nationwide test positivity rate increased to 4.7 percent. Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone department encompassing the southeastern city of Lyon were the first to be placed on high alert by the government on August 14 after infection rates began to climb. That prompted local officials to require face masks in all public spaces to slow the virus's spread, in hope of avoiding a spike in cases that could again overwhelm hospitals as autumn approaches. The Sante Publique France health agency, which has warned of "exponential" caseload increases, said Saturday that 53 new outbreak clusters had been discovered in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number under investigation to 484. Twelve more COVID-19 deaths were reported, for an overall toll of 30,698 since the pandemic flared last March. Concerns over infection risks have already prompted officials to close 22 schools after cases were detected just days after students returned from the summer break last week, and dozens of individual classes have also been suspended. And in the southwest region of Aveyron, officials announced that a care home for the elderly 43 residents and 11 members of staff had tested positive for the virus, with two elderly people being hospitalised. The Council of State, France's highest administrative court, meanwhile slightly modified orders requiring the wearing of masks in several cities in the eastern Bas-Rhine region, including Strasbourg, and in the southeast Rhone region covering Lyon. It accepted health ministry arguments that citywide orders imposing the wearing of masks were reasonable, but ordered less restrictive measures in less built-up areas in Bas-Rhinand in Rhone, changes to the orders to allow for the practice of sports. On Sunday, the government said pre-school teachers as well as those with deaf students would soon be given transparent masks to facilitate comprehension at a crucial education stage for young children. "More than 100,000 of these masks will be produced by the end of this month," the state secretary in charge of people with disabilities, Sophie Cluzel, told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2020 AFP Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:58:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- With their own concrete actions, individual politicians in the United States are destroying and ending the free market, competitive neutrality, the rule of law, and international rules that the U.S. has always flaunted, a Chinese spokesperson said on Monday. Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing in response to remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Under Secretary of State Keith Krach, who attempt to discredit the Communist Party of China and call on countries and companies to join the so-called "Clean Network" program. Noting that the U.S. frequently withdrew from international agreements, sanctioned staff of international organizations, launched trade wars, brutally suppressed foreign high-tech companies, and arrested Chinese corporate executives with no sound excuses, Zhao said the remarks by the above-mentioned U.S. officials further proves the U.S. "diplomacy of lies, cheating, and theft." Zhao said that the U.S. used "coercive and deceptive" tactics in its effort to create the so-called "Clean Network." He said that through projects such as PRISM, the Equation Group, and ECHELON, the U.S. has built an empire of spying, wiretapping, and hacking. "The U.S. has been notorious for various misdeeds in these respects. It has no right to point fingers at other countries," Zhao said. "It is the United States that refuses to compete in a fair, equal, and transparent manner," Zhao said, calling on the international community to resist perverse actions of the United States. Enditem In an exclusive conversation with NewsX for its special segment NewsX A-list, Aditya Narang, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Safehouse Technologies, spoke about cyber-security in India and how can be amped up. Aditya Narang, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Safehouse Technologies, recently sat down with NewsX for exclusive interview. Aditya says Safehouse Techologies is a military grade cybersecurity platform, based on a cloud system. Were mobile first, was what we said. Our latest product, Bodyguard, protects mobile phones, the users mobile gets added to the cloud, and then we are able to secure it. Mobile is just the beginning of our journey though, we will soon be able to protect any internet connected device. Bodyguard is Safehouses flagship product. As soon as a user clicks on the button in the Bodyguard app, you are completely secure. You dont need a scan, or any update, youre protected in real time. We provide a military grade encryption. Even if youre using a public internet, your still completely safe. Even on a passive level, if you arent using the device, and someone tries to hack in, with Bodyguard, youll be safe. He breaks down the cyber-security sector in India, and explains to us how cyber-security companies fall into 3 categories, Theres three main users- enterprises, government, and consumers. Consumer space is where there are very well known companies like Norton, QuickHeal etc. The government has certain companies already from whom they procure their needs, and the enterprise space is difficult for any new start-up to break into, as they have contracts lasting 3-5 years. Also Read: Jake Lush McCrum, COO of Rajasthan Royals, on playing the IPL amidst a pandemic Also Read: Produce consciously, limit waste, keep market trends in mind: Amit Aggarwal, Founder & Creative Director, advices brands Indias new digital revolution played a big part in Safehouses decision to focus on the mobile security sector, according to Aditya. With over 300 million net users due to mobile phone in the last few years, and over 80% of the website traffic being from mobile phones. At the same time, we dont really have any good protection or technologies present in India at the moment, leaving us completely vulnerable. Cyber threats are increasingly being targeted toward mobile, for example last years Agent Smith attack. He feels that new telecom providers and services entering the Indian market has helped to raise awareness about the importance of and need for mobile security. When I started this journey, in 2016, awareness was still very low. Its a lot better now, with the advent of new providers of telecom and other services. India went from being ranked as number 16th, to no. 1, in a very short time, and that really put things into perspectives. Our reliance on mobile phone has been increasing year on year. The awareness is growing, but it is still a long way. He says India is extremely vulnerable on the cyber-security front, and calls on both the public and private sector to cooperate in order to fix this problem. What happened in India was that people first got exposed to internet through their mobile phones. In western countries, this first happened through PCs and laptops, and so they were aware of things like anti-viruses and malware etc. But in India, where awareness came through only the mobile side of things, people are still not in the know about these things, and thats why awareness is still very low. Aditya also lauded the Prime Ministers efforts on this front, calling him extremely progressive on the matter. Weve got a new policy coming from the government, which will really help. At the same time, weve also recently banned many Chinese apps, which is really a very good message being sent by our government. It is the message by them that they will not tolerate these kinds of intrusions from hostile nations. Also Read: The world is adopting what India is making, says Jitin Bhatia, entrepreneur and founder of Explurger The Newcomers Health and Well-Being Program has been designed with cultural considerations and preventive care in mind. New program offers full range of mental health services for immigrants The Newcomers Health and Well-Being Program has been designed with cultural considerations and preventive care in mind. New program offers full range of mental health services for immigrants The Newcomers Health and Well-Being Program has been designed with cultural considerations and preventive care in mind. New program offers full range of mental health services for immigrants The Newcomers Health and Well-Being Program has been designed with cultural considerations and preventive care in mind. Alexandra Miekus Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A An Ontario-based organization places holistic mental health services at the heart of the settlement process for newcomers to Canada. Called the Newcomers Health and Well-Being Program and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to the tune of $2.2 million, this new initiative is designed to meet the needs of each newcomer in a personalized and comprehensive manner. The Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region & South Simcoe (CMHA-YRSS) a branch of a national non-profit organization serving the York Region in the Greater Toronto Area is behind the new initiative focused on improving mental health and well-being outcomes for immigrants and refugees aged 12 years and older. Much of the current research on the mental health of new immigrants indicates that they are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. According to a recent study published by Statistics Canada and the IRCC, when they arrive in Canada, immigrants are healthier than the Canadian-born population a phenomenon called the healthy immigrant effect. However, due to the stresses and strains of cultural differences, language barriers and the process of integrating into a new society, this initial health advantage often disappears. Some of the mental health concerns seen by the newcomer population include PTSD from experiences in their home country, acculturative stress, grief and loss, Jun Maranan, CMHA-YRSS Newcomers Health and Well-being Director of Services, told CIC News. Studies also show that the refugee and immigrant population have a significant increase in the incidents of mental distress, depression, anxiety and impacts of trauma. Settlement agencies and local mental health care providers offer support services that are accessible to newcomers facing these challenges, but most of the existing resources are not designed with the specific and unique realities of immigrant populations in mind. Some newcomers may also be unaware of the many services available to them, while others may be reluctant to ask for help. Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs The new CMHA-YRSS program aims to address all these gaps. Launched this past August, the program includes a broad range of mental health and outreach activities. Among them are mental and physical health assessment, counselling and psychotherapy, health and wellness promotion and training, family counselling, as well as trauma-specific services. An important part of the program is to create safe and welcoming spaces for the delivery of mental health care services. Interpretation will be used to ensure services are provided in the clients preferred language, the screening tool being used is one specifically designed for immigrants and refugees. The services will be provided in a space that they are familiar with. Maranan explained. There will also be considerations for the various ways to describe experiences of mental health and to ensure that the clients spiritual and religious needs are met. The new CMHA-YRSS program was developed with the understanding that immigrants are a diverse group, and that each of them has very different ways of coping with stress and adversity in their lives. This makes it important to provide care for each person in a way that considers the specificity of their journey. For this reason, culturally appropriate mental health awareness will play a key role in how the settlement agencies and community care providers involved in the new program will be encouraged to engage in the care delivery process. This [means] working to ensure that those within the community know what to look for when working with newcomers and the ways in which they may explain that they are in mental distress without specifically discussing mental health. It will also take into consideration the experiences of the newcomers and various experiences which may be causing them mental distress, said Maranan. The CMHA-YRSS received three years of funding for the project with the possibility of a two-year extension. Part of the program will, therefore, focus on building the communitys capacity to respond to the needs of newcomers and ensure that they continue to be supported beyond the duration of the program. With the current Canadian population of 7.5 million immigrants expected to almost double by 2036, understanding and supporting the physical and mental health of all newcomers is becoming increasingly important. The introduction of the Newcomers Health and Well-Being Program shows that governments and local community organizations are committed to ensuring that all people living in Canada have access to equitable, quality mental health services to help them lead full, meaningful, and successful lives. Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved Hanoi local authorities are seeking to strengthen management over the construction, investment and trade of condotels, officetels and resort villas. In Binh Dinh, the licensing the projects of these kinds of property projects has stopped. The Hanoi People's Committee has asked the districts authorities to continue to strictly observe the Prime Minister's Directive No 05 dated January 2019 on enhancing the reorganization of construction planning and urban development management. The Department of Construction has been assigned to control and manage construction works, examine basic designs, construction designs and construction activities to ensure that the functions of the works and other criteria fit the approved plans. The department will be responsible for discovering, preventing and resolving any violations during project implementation. The Department of Planning and Investment is in charge of supervising investors compliance with the laws, and strictly control the projects proposed to be converted from non-housing to housing projects in the city. The Department of Planning and Architecture has to control the use of land and the capability to meet social and technical infrastructure needs. The Binh Dinh provincial authorities have asked the Construction Department to implement state management over condotels, resort villas and officetel projects in the locality. In Q2 alone, 158 new products from two projects were launched into the market (from Thua Thien-Hue to Phu Quoc), but only 20 percent were sold, just 1 percent of the figure in the same period last year. Prior to that, in a document to the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Public Security proposed not to develop more condotel and resort villa projects in the immediate time, and not to legalize the shift of officetel, condotel and resort villa projects to housing projects. The ministry pointed out that some cities and provinces such as Da Nang and Ba Ria Vung Tau are changing the purposes of land use and granting certificates on ownership of condotels to buyers, which in effect gradually legalizes condotels and resort villas as housing projects. According to the ministry, some ministries and branches believe that the legal framework is sufficient to manage condotels, officetels and resort villas. But in fact, the investment, construction and management of these types of real estate are still facing many problems which cannot be solved by existing legal documents. The purchase and sale of these types of real estate go beyond the local authorities management capability. Many investors have been found selling the products though they cannot meet the requirements, thus posing risks for buyers. In many cases, the developers cannot implement the commitments they made to buyers, which has led to disputes. According to the Ministry of Construction, 92 resort tourism projects with 6,300 condotels, 197 resort villas and 46 officetels were licensed in Q2. In the three months of Q2, 91 resort tourism projects with 19,878 condotels and 8,407 resort villas were under construction, while 12 projects with 70 condotels, 256 resort villas and one officetel were completed. According to DKRA, a market analysis firm, in Q2 alone, 158 new products from two projects were launched into the market (from Thua Thien-Hue to Phu Quoc), but only 20 percent were sold, just 1 percent of the figure in the same period last year. The primary sales in Q1 were 454 products, the lowest level in the past five years. Twenty out of 30 projects from Thua Thien Hue to Phu Quoc did not see any transactions in the quarter, with more than 3,300 products in stock. This shows that the purchasing power in the condotel market is low. Bao An Vietnam should not allow foreigners to own condotels: HOREA With warnings from the Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Public Security, the HCM City Real Estate Association (HOREA) believes that it is not the right time to allow foreigners to owns condotels and tourist villas. BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- As the strenuous global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic recession is well underway, China has managed to place the pandemic under full control domestically and continued to buoy up the world with its robust recovery, consistent overseas assistance and global cooperation. CHINA'S RESILIENCE BOOSTS GLOBAL RECOVERY The ongoing 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) highlights China's success in the combat against COVID-19, said World Trade Organization (WTO) Deputy Director-General Yi Xiaozhun in his online speech for the event's opening on Friday. China is a driving force of world economy and increasingly plays an important role as supply-demand hub in services trade, Yi said, adding that China can positively influence and significantly contribute to international cooperation by supporting and advancing the services agenda of the WTO. The country's success in controlling COVID-19 has allowed its economy to revive steadily, as shown by a slew of upbeat data recently. For instance, in the first seven months of the year, China's pilot free trade zones (FTZs) attracted robust foreign investment and trade despite downcast sentiment in the global market, data of the country's Ministry of Commerce showed. The six pilot FTZs in the regions of Shandong, Jiangsu, Guangxi, Hebei, Yunnan and Heilongjiang, as well as Shanghai's Lingang Area, a newly launched section of the Shanghai FTZ, attracted 13.11 billion yuan (about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars) of foreign investment during the January-July period. Foreign trade in those FTZs came in at 660.76 billion yuan (about 90.5 billion dollars) in the seven-month period, accounting for 10.8 percent of the total foreign trade in the regions. On the other hand, the Belt and Road, serving as an international platform for cooperation, has played a vital role in assisting the global anti-pandemic fight and stabilizing global supply and industrial chains. In recent years, thanks to the joint construction of the Belt and Road, China's service trade with Eurasian countries has developed rapidly, noted Liu Huaqin, director and researcher of the Eurasian Institute of the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute under the Ministry of Commerce. In the first half of 2020, China-Europe freight trips rose 36 percent year-on-year to 5,122, transporting 3.67 million pieces and 27,000 tons of anti-pandemic materials to European countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Hungary. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to push for global economic recovery in his speech at the ongoing services trade fair, which analysts said has injected momentum into the world economy amid COVID-19. It (the fair) shows China's willingness to join hands with all of you in this trying time and work together to enable global trade in services to thrive and the world economy to recover at an early date, Xi said. Noting that Xi has reiterated China's commitment to further opening up, Piotr Gadzinowski, editor-in-chief of Polish newspaper Trybuna, said that "I believe that China will fulfill its promises, contribute in the efforts to bring the globe back to normal soon." "It serves the benefit of people all over the world," Gadzinowski added. OVERSEAS ASSISTANCE AGAINST COVID-19 Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has launched the largest medical assistance operation since the founding of the People's Republic of China to support the COVID-19 fight in the virus-hit Hubei Province, sounding early alarms and winning the world a critical window period for the prevention of the disease. From Jan 24 to March 8, China rallied 346 national medical teams, consisting of 42,600 medical workers and more than 900 public health professionals to the immediate aid of Hubei, according to an official white paper on China's battle against COVID-19. At a very early stage of the spread of disease, Chinese researchers shared the gene sequence of the novel coronavirus and insightful observations globally. From Jan 3, on a regular basis, China began to update the World Health Organization, relevant countries and regional organizations on the development of the disease. Overseas, China has offered help to 150 countries, including dispatching 29 medical expert teams to 27 countries as of May 31, and four international organizations to fight COVID-19. It has also provided two batches of cash support totaling 50 million dollars to the World Health Organization, and exported protective materials to 200 countries and regions from March 1 to May 31. Officials and experts worldwide have also commended China's efforts and rich experience in containing COVID-19. "Basically the Chinese have shown the way in how to deal with the epidemic," Namibian Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shalunga told Xinhua in an exclusive interview recently. The country has received numerous test kits, masks and equipment from the Chinese government, as well as donations from Chinese enterprises and organizations. "The response of China was hailed because it was within a reasonable period of time that they were able to bring the pandemic under control, and it was also from there that many countries have taken experience from," he said. Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa also praised the significant role played by China in bolstering her country's fight against COVID-19. "COVID-19 has wreaked havoc among our people, especially the economy, and we know our economy mostly is SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). The lockdown has caused a lot of problems, but I must say as a country, with the help of our best friends like China and many others, we have managed to contain this virus," she said. The Kremlin does not currently see any risks that Germany can block the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday, TASS reports. "No," he said when asked whether the Kremlin sees the risks of blocking this project. When asked to comment on the statements by a number of German politicians calling to suspend the implementation of the project, Peskov noted that the Kremlin is watching these statements. "Now, we see that for each such new statement, two statements appear, which speak about the absurdity of such proposals," the spokesman for the Russian leader said. An executive producer who spent the past three decades at Channel Ten is now suing the ViacomCBS-owned network for almost $400,000. Maria Michael worked on shows like Bondi Rescue, The Living Room, Family Feud and Pointless until staff cuts made her position redundant in May. According to her lawyers, Ten paid out the producer for 12 weeks pay but claim Ms Michael was owed 90 weeks. Maria Michael is pictured at Australian television's night of nights, the Logie awards An executive producer who spent the past three decades at channel Ten is now suing the ViacomCBS-owned TV network for almost $400,000. Pictured: the cast of Bondi Rescue Maria Michael worked on shows like Bondi Rescue, The Living Room, Family Feud and Pointless until staff cuts made her position redundant in May. Pictured: The cast of The Living Room The 78-week discrepancy amounts to $393,371.10, documents lodged to the Federal Court on 31 August show. Ms Michael is also claiming Ten reduced her long-service redundancy by five weeks or $25,216.10 after she 'complained' or 'inquired' about the decision, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. But according to media industry website Mumbrella, Ten believes the case has 'no merit' and the organisaion plans to defend fully defend the legal challenge. 'As the claim is to be decided by the court, we have no comment to make,' a spokesperson Ten said. The executive producer is pictured with the Host of Ten's Family Feud Grant Denyer Ms Michael's lawyers said Ten paid out the producer for 12 weeks when she was owed 90 weeks. Pictured: Host of Family Feud Grant Denyer The 78-week discrepancy amounts to $393,371.10, documents lodged to the Federal Court on 31 August show. Pictured: The cast of Pointless The star producer was just one of a litany of on- and off-air talent booted from the network as media revenues collapsed in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Head of comedy Paul Leadon was axed along with the boss of sport Matt White. Popular presenters Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Tim Bailey and Natasha Belling were also given the chop. In total, about 30 staff were axed from the network's TV operations. Before that, the entire news and lifestyle website 10 Daily was also scrapped in May. Despite the timing, Ten's new boss Beverley McGarvey who took over as CEO in March, said the cuts are not linked the coronavirus crisis. 'The recent impact of COVID-19 on the media industry has reinforced the need to continue to align our business with our evolving customer needs and global business model, but I want to stress that the changes are part of our broader strategy, not a reaction to recent events,' McGarvey said in an email to staff. September 07 : The number of Corona positive cases are splurging up in the country. India now stands at number two position in the world with the most affected Covid-19 cases. Yesterday, actor Arjun Kapoor informed through his social media that he has been tested positive for Covid-19, post which his beau Malaika Arora was also tested positive for the same. On Sunday, the 'Panipat' actor Arjun Kapoor took to his social media to announce the news of him being tested positive for Covid-19. He informed that he is asymptomatic and is keeping okay. He also informed that he will keep himself home quarantine as per the advice of doctors and authorities. Soon, after his message, his fans and colleagues from the industry started sending him good wishes for speedy recovery. In a couple of hours, news came in that Malaika Arora has also tested positive for Covid-19 and she will also be keeping herself home quarantine. Post the lockdown, when the shooting resumed, Malaika was shooting for dance reality show 'India's Best Dancer'. Earlier, 7-8 people from the crew were tested positive and the shoot was stalled immediately. Prior to Arjun and Malaika, many celebrities have tested positive for Coronavirus ;Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Genelia Deshmukh, Himansh Kohli, Director SS Rajamouli, TV actors Parth Samthaan, Shrenu Parikh are amongst the few. While most of them have recovered, actor Himansh Kohli is still to recover and is under home quarantine. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Days ahead of an expected meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Monday that the standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) cannot be delinked from the overall bilateral relationship. Jaishankar, who is set to meet Wang on the margins of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers meeting in Moscow on September 10, said the failure to observe several understandings on border management dating back to 1993 raises very important questions about the status of ties with China. If peace and tranquillity on the border is not a given, then it cannot be that the rest of the relationship continues on the same basis, because clearly peace and tranquillity is the basis for the relationship, he said while participating in an online interaction organised by The Indian Express newspaper to mark the release of his book The India Way. Jaishankar declined to go into details of exactly what he would discuss with his Chinese counterpart but said his position would be built around certain broad principles, including how peace and tranquillity on the border over the past 30 years had allowed the rest of the relationship to progress. During this period, China had emerged as Indias second largest trade partner despite the existence of some differences and problems, he noted. He emphasised that the state of the border cannot be delinked from the state of the relationship, and the standoff had brought into focus a number of understandings with China on border management which go back to 1993, he said. These understandings stipulate that both countries will keep forces at a minimum level at the border and also shape the behaviour of the troops and restraints on them, he added. If these [understandings] are not observed, then it raises very, very important questions, Jaishankar said. The very serious situation at the LAC since the beginning of May calls for very deep conversations between the two sides at a political level, he added. Jaishankar will meet Wang less than a week after a meeting between the defence ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the SCO defence ministers meet in Moscow. That meeting was unable to take the troubled disengagement process forward, and several rounds of political and diplomatic talks too havent produced results. Acknowledging the existing problems, competition and difficult recent history between India and China, Jaishankar dismissed the contention that New Delhi had misread Beijings intentions. He pointed to the two informal summits that were held after an understanding was reached in June 2017 and said these meetings had focused on issues of sovereignty, security, connectivity and economy after the leaders felt the need to engage directly. These conversations had also focused on how to find accommodation, he said. Jaishankar also acknowledged that both sides will now maintain their positions and the key issue is to reach an understanding on disengagement. I have a very practical issue right now, which is an issue of disengagement and de-escalation, he said. He said he had left the issue of the future relationship with China open-ended in his book. India and China must try to find mutual accommodation because their ability to do that will determine [whether this is an] Asian century or not, he said. Jaishankar also spoke on other issues such as Brexit, the Covid-19 crisis and the stalled relationship with Pakistan, saying this wasnt a question of zero diplomacy. Given Pakistans attachment to cross-border terrorism, it would be wrong for New Delhi to allow Islamabad to set the agenda and pace for talks, he said. If youre someone who loves going on road trips, then you know the value a good playlist adds to the whole experience. Business tycoon, Anand Mahindra seems to be the same and is thus asking tweeple to help him design the perfect road trip playlist for when he hits the highway again. This tweet was shared from Mahindras official Twitter account on September 6. Compiling a playlist of road songs for when I finally get my new #Thar & head out on the highway, reads a line of the text. The Chairman of Mahindra Group then shared some of his prefered tracks for long car journeys and asked netizens to offer suggestions of their own. Check out the tweet conveying the same here: Compiling a playlist of road songs for when I finally get my new #Thar & head out on the highway. The 1st two I loaded are Musafir hoon yaaron & Born to be Wild. But this should be a national playlist. Songs from all languages. Suggestions please. Will share the final list... anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 6, 2020 Since being shared on the micro-blogging application, this post has received nearly 18,500 likes and 1,000 retweets. Here are some of the songs that tweeple suggested. One person said, Roadhouse Blues by The Doors. Another individual wrote, Doore Doore song from malayalam movie. 1. Yun hi chala chal rahi (Swades) 2. Country Roads take me home (John Denver) 3. Old town road 4. Riders on the Storm (The Doors) read one comment on the thread. Somebody responded positively to this suggestion by writing, Four classics for that wholesome experience... en route. A Twitter user said, Get Up Stand Up by Bob Marley-great to even drive by the Fjords of Norway. Here are some other suggestions from the thread: Mere sapno ki raani kab aayegi tu pic.twitter.com/j3gZ8DGSnt dixarth (@dixarth) September 6, 2020 1. Tanha dil - Shans album 2. Rubarooo -Rang de basanti 3. Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya 4. Dil dhadkane do 5. Jugaani- highway Yes iPragati (@iPragS) September 6, 2020 Yuhin chala chal rahi (Swades) Take me home, country roads (john Denver) Champagne supernova (oasis) Lazarus (porcupine tree) Lost! (Coldplay) Walk On ( U2) Gin soaked boy (divine comedy) Hotel California (eagles) A.J (@athangjain) September 6, 2020 What are your thoughts on the share? Did any of your favourite songs feature on the thread? Additionally, any that you would personally like to suggest? Also Read | Anand Mahindras perfect Sunday gear tweet may make you giggle SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 08:30 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431361c 1 Editorial Munir,human-rights,human-rights-abuse,kamisan,Indonesia Free Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck early in March, for 13 successive years, without any break, a number of people rallied outside the State Palace every Thursday to demand justice for their sons, friends and other victims of human rights violations plaguing the countrys history. The protest, called Aksi Kamisan, has since shifted online in compliance with the protocols to prevent COVID-10 transmission. For so many years, they have tirelessly fought for their cause, despite the fact that their rallying cry has fallen on deaf ears. However little the prospects of the movement to bear fruit, it will keep the nations memory of numerous crimes against humanity that the state has been reluctant to settle, if not recognize. The uncertainty surrounding the investigation into the arsenic poisoning of human rights defender Munir Said Thalib 16 years ago today exemplifies the governments denial to take responsibility and ensure justice is served. At least two governments have now failed not only Munirs family but also the nation, because impunity has been preserved for perpetrators of human rights. Munir died aboard a Garuda flight on Sept. 7, 2004, before he reached the Netherlands for studies. A number of people have stood trial in connection with the murder, but nobody has legally been held responsible for the crime. Garuda pilot Polycarpus Budihari Priyanto was found guilty of committing the poisoning, but later the Supreme Court only convicted him of document forgery. Read also: Long road to see justice over Munirs murder In fact, the Munir case is politically complicated for former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his successor President Joko Jokowi Widodo, as higherups in the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) were named in the case though the allegations were unproven in court. But with the perpetrators of the murder still around, neither Yudhoyono nor Jokowi has made serious efforts to unveil the truth. The states failure to settle high profile cases like the Munir killing comes as no surprise. As Aksi Kamisan has shown, all past gross human rights violations have not been resolved. Post-reform Indonesia drew praise for showing commitment to human rights by enacting the Human Right Law in 1999 and Human Rights Court Law in the following year. The ad hoc Human Rights Court has heard the 1999 mayhem in then-East Timor, the 1984 killings in Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta and the 2001 atrocities in Wasior, West Papua, but the masterminds of the incidents have remained at large. Both the government and the House of Representatives have resisted demands for such a mechanism to solve other serious human rights violations, apparently because many individuals implicated in the cases are connected with the ruling elite. An alternative instrument, like a truth and reconciliation commission, has been considered but there have been no signs of its realization. The Indonesian government, like other governments, seems to maintain its denial of a long list of crimes against humanity ironically at a time when it has a seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2020-2022. When the government does not act what it preaches, a moral force like the activists of Aksi Kamisan is needed, lest we forget our checkered past. The 15-year-old boy shot on his way to school today was blasted in the jaw by a fellow pupil he'd fallen out with, according to claims made to MailOnline. The two boys were said to have been friendly but had a disagreement in recent weeks. This morning's confrontation took place about quarter of a mile from Kesgrave High School, near Ipswich, where both teens were returning to year 11 for the first day of school since lockdown was imposed over coronavirus. Police have confirmed a teenager was arrested by armed police in Ipswich on suspicion of attempted murder. He was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre where he currently remains for questioning. Witnesses claim the arrested teenager - who witnesses say hid in a back garden behind an animal enclosure just moments after the attack - had been driving his father's car when stopped by police outside an address five miles from the school. The suspect was pictured being hauled into a police car in handcuffs. Forensic officers were seen going into the detached property which was sealed off from other houses by blue tape. A school source told MailOnline that teachers at the school had gone around classes to inform them about the shooting. A teenager (pictured) has been arrested by police after a 15-year-old boy was shot on his way to school in front of terrified pupils near Ipswich today The suspect - who witnesses say hid in a back garden behind an animal enclosure just moments after the attack - was pictured being hauled into a police car in handcuffs less than six miles from the shooting in Kesgrave. Pictured: Police outside a property close to the scene of the shooting A witness said the boy was not perturbed by the armed officers who rushed to his car - which he was seen driving moments before - to arrest him. Pictured: Police stopping a convertible car. It is unclear if this car is connected to the shooting Police were seen stopping a convertible car. It is unclear if this car is connected to the shooting Witnesses claim the arrested teenager - who witnesses say hid in a back garden behind an animal enclosure just moments after the attack - had been driving his father's car when stopped by police outside an address five miles from the school. Pictured: Police outside a property in Ipswich 'Students were not told there was a shooting but just that there had been in an incident. 'Word quickly spread through the school that it was a shooting and we heard the victim had been shot in the jaw. 'Most people were aware that the shooting had taken place.' The source added: 'All we know is that there was a fight between them. We don't know what it was over, but I doubt that it was a girl. They were not the type to get into an argument over a girl.' Police this afternoon maintained a visible presence outside the high school, which is about four miles from Ipswich town centre, with four uniformed officers standing at the main gates. Police this afternoon maintained a visible presence outside the high school (pictured), which is about four miles from Ipswich town centre, with four uniformed officers standing at the main gates Police officers and teachers outside Kesgrave High School, the school attended by a 15-year-old boy who was shot Anxious parents queued up outside the school to meet students from year 9 and year 11 who were attending on the first day. One mother, picking up her 13-year-old-daughter, said: 'It was worrying enough with them going back on the first day, but then we heard about the shooting. 'We all got an email from the school and were reassured that no one was in danger, but it is still worrying and I just want my daughter home with me.' Another parents, who identified herself as Anne, 44, added: 'This sort of thing doesn't happen round here. Kesgrave is a very nice area and it is unheard of for there to be a shooting. 'All I have been doing is following the news to see what has happened. We were reassured that it was an isolated incident.' Forensic teams were seen going into a detached close to where the suspect. Armed police swarmed the scene following reports of a gunshot this morning. The Year 11 pupil sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital at around 8.40am. The victim was found at Friends Walk, which is less than half a mile from Kesgrave High School, where the pupil attends. Suffolk Police confirmed that shortly before 1.00pm a teenage boy, whose age has not been confirmed, was arrested and is currently being questioned. Pictured: Police in Kesgrave Police in Kesgrave - near Ipswich, Suffolk - where a fifteen year old student was shot and wounded as he walked to school Police talk to passers by in Kesgrave this morning after a 15-year-old boy was shot on his way to school Suffolk Police confirmed that shortly before 1.00pm a teenage boy was arrested and is currently being questioned. A witness said the boy was not perturbed by the armed officers who rushed to his car to arrest him, The Sun reports. The owner of an animal shelter in Kesgrave said a man believed to be the suspect in the shooting had been hiding in his back garden, but escaped before armed police officers arrived. The resident, who asked not to be named, said the man appeared to be in his mid-20s and 'looked like he hadn't had a haircut for a while'. Police at the scene of the incident in Grange Farm, Kesgrave, which is to the east of Ipswich Suffolk Police officers stand near a tent on Friends Walk, Kesgrave, Suffolk Police officers conduct a search on Friends Walk, Kesgrave, Suffolk, where a 15-year-old student from Kesgrave High School was shot 'I got woken up because my dogs were going absolutely ballistic at the back of the house. 'When I went to the back window to have a look there was a gentleman who looked like he was carrying something, at first I thought it was a bat or pole or something, and he went down behind my exotic animal enclosures. Did you see what happened? Email joe.middleton@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement He added that the man had a hooded top over his arm concealing whatever he was carrying. 'I've got no neighbours directly and I've got a woodland at the side... I didn't see where he went.' Addressing the shooting in the House of Commons today, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: 'I think we're all shocked and saddened to learn about the incident in which a young person was seriously hurt on their way to school in Suffolk today. 'Our thoughts are very much with the young person, their family and the whole school community at this very difficult time.' Phil Bennett, 38, of East Bergholt said his father lives near to the scene in Kesgrave and heard a gunshot. Mr Bennett said he drove to check on his parents at their home in Lyon Close after seeing vague details of the incident on Facebook and becoming concerned. 'My dad heard a gunshot,' he said. 'He's a retired paramedic - he's heard a lot of gunshots in his time so he stayed indoors. 'The next thing he knew there were police piling in, then it's a scene of crime. 'It's hard to believe this has happened 100 metres from my mum's front door, that someone's been shot. 'It's terrible what's going on.' A concerned mother posted on Facebook this morning something 'major' has happened and that 'lots of people were screaming' with one lady saying 'run, someone has been shot.' In a Twitter post the school confirmed there had been a 'serious incident' involving one of their pupils. For many pupils today was the first day back at school at Kesgrave High School. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Jones, from Suffolk Police, said: 'Following this serious incident our priority is to keep everyone safe. 'We have now made an arrest as part of the investigation and are working with our partners in Suffolk and our schools to ensure that everyone feels safe when they are collecting their children from school this afternoon. 'There will be more police officers on patrol and to provide reassurance in the area and I would ask for anyone with information about this incident to come forward.' Friends Walk and Through Jollys are completely closed off by police at present and there is a partial closure on Ropes Drive. Members of the public are asked to avoid these areas. Local pub landlady and councillor Debbie McCallum said: 'This is dreadful news - someone's child has been shot on the way to school. It's unimaginable and everyone will be affected in some way. 'The initial reactions are complete shock, horror and surprise that something like this could happen here.' Debbie, who runs the Bell pub in Kesgrave for 20 years. said: 'There are parts of the town that have problems but not Kesgrave. This is a caring community where people look after each other. The incident reportedly involves a Year 11 pupil who was on their way to school at the time 'I feel for the people involved - there would have been children walking to school who saw this terrible thing happen. All our sympathies are with the family of the boy who was shot.' According to the Ipswich Star, the headteacher of Kesgrave High School, Julia Upton, sent an email confirming the incident involved one of its Year 11 pupils 'on their way to school'. The message said: 'We have been made aware by the police that there has been a serious incident involving one of our Year 11 students on their way to school. 'Students in school are safe and we are managing the situation in constant close communication with the police. 'Students are to remain in school, and will be kept safe in liaison with police. 'Police will be present in the area and around the school throughout the school day. 'At the present time we are expecting students to be dismissed at the end of the school, day at 3.20pm as normal.' An Essex and Herts Air Ambulance landed on a grass area and took off just before 10am. A land ambulance is also at the scene, along with a number of police cars. **Did you see what happened? Email joe.middleton@mailonline.co.uk** By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh on Monday became the second state in India to record more than five lakh Covid-19 cases. It is only behind Maharashtra, which has reported 9.07 lakh cases.The first case in Andhra Pradesh was recorded on March 12, when a youngster who returned to Nellore from Europe tested positive for coronavirus. WATCH: World must be better prepared for next pandemic, says WHO The number of cases rose to one lakh in about four months (by July 27), touched the two lakh mark within the next 11 days (August 7), and the three lakh mark in the subsequent 11 days (August 18). The tally touched four lakh by August 28, and took 10 more days to reach five lakh. The state has a positivity rate of 12.16 per cent the third-highest in the country. Maharashtra has the highest (19.49 per cent), followed by Chhattisgarh (16.33 per cent). Andhra Pradesh has conducted 41 lakh tests the fourth-highest in the country. The top three spots are occupied by Uttar Pradesh (65 lakh), Tamil Nadu (52 lakh) and Maharashtra (46 lakh). Recovery rate in AP over 79 per cent Meanwhile, the State, which had been reporting more than 10,000 cases daily for more than 10 days, recorded 8,368 in the 24 hours ending Monday 9 am. In the same period, 58,187 samples were tested, according to a media bulletin released by the State Command Control Room. The total number of cases reported in the state is 5,06,493. East Godavari, which recorded more than 1,000 cases again, stands at the top of the chart with 68,260 cases, followed by Kurnool (48,702) and Anantapur (45,884). The sudden surge of cases in the districts of East and West Godavari, Anantapur, Chittoor and Nellore significantly contributed to the increase in positive cases in the State in the past month. Districts like Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool, which were hotbeds of Covid-19, are witnessing a decline in the number of new cases. In the 24 hours ending 9 am Monday, more than 10,000 Covid-19 patients in AP recovered, taking the total number of recoveries to more than four lakh, and containing the number of active cases at 97,932. Meanwhile, as many as 70 more people succumbed to the virus, taking the toll in the State to 4,487. Nellore district has reported the most casualties in the state (481), followed by East Godavari district (430).Andhra Pradesh has a recovery rate of 79.78 per cent, while the mortality rate is 0.89 per cent. Australia's Prime Minister has warned Facebook and Google he 'doesn't respond well' to threats after the tech companies lashed out at a new law to make them pay for news content. Canberra's legislation, drafted by the competition regulator, demands that the multi-billion dollar Silicon Valley giants negotiate fees with news companies whose stories appear on their websites. In response Google threatened that it would charge Australians for using its search engine and Facebook warned it would block users from sharing news stories. Speaking on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: 'I'm quite certain we'll come to a sensible outcome on this and it won't need coercion wherever it comes from. It's not something I respond very well to.' The battle with Big Tech will be watched keenly by governments across the world, not least in London and Washington, which have raised concerns over the 'advertising duopoly' operated by Google and Facebook. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaking at a press conference on Monday Google's CEO Sundar Pichai (left) and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg (right) In the United Kingdom, 36.7 per cent of all online advertising revenue is earned by Google and 28 per cent by Facebook. The online advertising market was worth 13.5billion in the UK last year. Morrison said he had discussed his proposed laws with 'very senior-level executives' including Google's chief executive, Sundar Pichai, last week. 'I think people from these companies understand that when I say something, I mean it and that I intend to follow through with it,' Morrison told reporters. 'Therefore I would encourage them, very strongly, to work constructively and cooperatively with the process that is underway,' he said. Australia's crackdown is targeting stories that appear in Google searches, Facebook's news feed and on Instagram without any money going to the news businesses which actually produce them. Google's managing director in Australia Mel Silva last month threatened that the law jeopardised the 'free services' its users enjoy Australia says this is a 'fundamental bargaining power imbalance' which means that news websites are unfairly deprived of advertising revenue siphoned off by Google and Facebook. Facebook Australia was paid A$674million (370million) by local advertisers in 2019. Regulators say that Facebook and Google not only benefit financially from showing the news stories, but also boost their status as news providers in Australia and collect user data which is used to improve their services. Facebook also profits from the 'like' and 'share' buttons on other websites which allow its servers to track people's activity and send them tailored ads. In addition to payment for content, the measures would also force transparency around the closely guarded algorithms that tech firms use to rank content. The code will require Google and Facebook to give publishers 28 days notice of any algorithm changes that are likely to have a significant impact on their traffic. Facebook last week said it would 'stop allowing publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram' if the proposal becomes law. In a statement, Facebook's Australia and New Zealand managing director Will Easton said the proposed overhaul 'misunderstands the dynamics of the internet'. 'Most perplexing, it would force Facebook to pay news organisations for content that the publishers voluntarily place on our platforms and at a price that ignores the financial value we bring publishers,' he said. Anyone using Google last month was confronted with a yellow exclamation mark with a link to an open letter to Australians' from the company's managing director in Australia Mel Silva 'Assuming this draft code becomes law, we will reluctantly stop allowing publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram. 'This is not our first choice - it is our last. But it is the only way to protect against an outcome that defies logic and will hurt, not help, the long-term vibrancy of Australias news and media sector.' Easton also accused Australian regulators of having 'ignored important facts' during a lengthy consultation process that ended on Monday. The regulator 'presumes that Facebook benefits most in its relationship with publishers, when in fact the reverse is true,' he said. 'News represents a fraction of what people see in their news feed and is not a significant source of revenue for us.' Easton said Facebook sent 2.3billion clicks to Australian websites in the first five months of 2020 at an estimated value of A$200 million (110million). It had also been preparing to bring Facebook News to Australia, he said - a feature launched in the US last year where the tech giant pays publishers for news. 'Instead, we are left with a choice of either removing news entirely or accepting a system that lets publishers charge us for as much content as they want at a price with no clear limits,' he added. 'Unfortunately, no business can operate that way.' Lat month, Google greeted its users in Australia with a strongly-worded letter from its managing director in Australia Mel Silva. 'We need to let you know about new government regulation that will hurt how Australians use Google Search and YouTube,' Ms Silva's letter said. 'A proposed law, the News Media Bargaining Code, would force us to provide you with a dramatically worse Google Search and YouTube, could lead to your data being handed over to big news businesses, and would put the free services you use at risk in Australia.' Facebook and Google have strongly opposed any move forcing them to share advertising revenue A day after suggesting they could stop offering free searches, Google backtracked and said it would not be charging users. 'We did not say that the proposed law would require us to charge Australians for Search and YouTube - we do not intend to charge users for our free services,' a spokesman in Australia said. 'What we did say is that Search and YouTube, both of which are free services, are at risk in Australia.' Australia's Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the proposed laws would 'create a more sustainable media landscape and see payment for original content.' 'Australia makes laws that advance our national interest. We don't respond to coercion or heavy handed threats wherever they come from,' Frydenberg said. Rod Sims, head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said Facebook's threat was 'ill-timed and misconceived'. The new law would simply ensure that embattled news firms 'can get a seat at the table for negotiations with Facebook and Google', Sims said. 'Facebook already pays some media for news content,' he said. 'The code simply aims to bring fairness and transparency.' The legislation, due to be passed into law this year, will initially focus on Facebook and Google but could eventually apply to any digital platform. A 2019 study estimated about 3,000 journalism jobs have been lost in Australia in the past 10 years, as traditional media companies bled advertising revenue to Google and Facebook which paid little or nothing for news content. The crisis has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with dozens of Australian newspapers closed and hundreds of journalists laid off in recent months. 'Mark Zuckerberg is happy to let Facebook be a tool to spread misinformation and fake news, but is apparently fine with Facebook dropping real news altogether,' John Stanton, co-founder of the Save Journalism Project, said in a statement. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission haccused Google of releasing a letter that 'contains misinformation' 'Regulators need to rein in the tech giants' total domination of the online marketplace before it's too late.' The draft law, which aims to succeed where other countries have failed in forcing the tech giants to compensate media firms , was unveiled in July. Unlike other countries' efforts to make Facebook and Google pay under copyright regulations, the Australian initiative uses competition law to tackle what it calls an 'acute bargaining power imbalance'. News Corp Australia, one of the country's largest media conglomerates, declined to comment on Facebook's statement. The firm's executive chairman Michael Miller previously called the law a 'watershed moment' and declared that the 'platforms' days of free-riding are ending'. There are few catchphrases more closely associated with the Bachelor franchise than 'can I steal you for a minute?' But it seems Locky Gilbert grew tired of the constant interruptions at the cocktail parties, and eventually had to excuse himself to calm down. According to New Idea, the 31-year-old thrill seeker asked producers for a breather after spending hours being pulled in different directions by the women. It ain't easy being the Bachelor: Locky Gilbert reportedly walked out during one of the cocktail parties after the women kept interrupting him While Locky understood the whole point of the cocktail parties was for the women to get his attention, he still found the experience stressful. He didn't enjoy having a string of women 'jumping in to have a chat' and reportedly told his producer he 'couldn't handle it', a source said. The former Australian Survivor star apparently requested a time-out after one of the women interrupted his private time with rumoured winner Irena Srbinovska. Centre of attention: According to New Idea, the 31-year-old thrill seeker asked producers for a breather after spending hours being pulled in different directions by the women Leading lady: The former Australian Survivor star apparently requested a time-out after one of the women interrupted his private time with rumoured winner Irena Srbinovska (pictured) He excused himself from the cocktail party to 'calm down', then returned an hour later and 'acted as if nothing had happened'. There is no suggestion that Locky was rude to the contestants, just that he needed time out to cool down after a stressful evening. Daily Mail Australia understands that many of the women did actually want to give Locky space, but were encouraged to interrupt him by the producers. Under pressure? Daily Mail Australia understands that many of the women did actually want to give Locky space, but were encouraged to interrupt him by the producers According to the latest Sportsbet odds, Irena is the favourite to win Locky's heart at $1.55, while Bella Varelis is tipped for runner-up at $2.75. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment. The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 Typhoon Haishen battered Japans southern mainland with powerful winds and drenching rain, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes and prompting authorities to call for some 1.8 million people to evacuate. Haishen was drawing closer to the main southern island of Kyushu. At 12:45 a.m. (1545 GMT on Sunday) on Monday its centre was in the East China Sea, about 110 km (68 miles) southeast of the Goto Islands, west of Nagasaki, according to Japans meteorological agency. This typhoon is headed toward and may potentially make landfall in Kyushu, bringing record rains, winds, waves and high tides, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a meeting with cabinet ministers earlier. I am asking that people exercise the utmost caution. The storm was forecast to carry top sustained winds of up to 216 km per hour (134 mph) by Monday, the meteorological agency said. Authorities urged evacuations for people in areas across seven prefectures in southern Japan, public broadcaster NHK said, an effort that was complicated by social distancing that meant evacuation centres could take fewer people than normal. Trees on Yakushima, an island 100 km (60 miles) south of Kagoshima city, could be seen shaking violently in strong winds and driving rain, in a post on Twitter. Elderly citizens wearing face masks due to the coronavirus outbreak were gathering at evacuation centres in Kagoshima and other parts of southern Japan, footage on NHK showed. The typhoon has cut power to some 180,000 homes, NHK said adding that public transport services were all stopped in the affected prefectures. Japans Fire and Disaster Management Agency said two injuries had been reported. Heading for Korean Peninsula The typhoon was headed north by northwest at 30 kph, the meteorological agency said, forecast to approach the Goto Islands west of Nagasaki around 3 a.m. on Monday (1800 GMT on Sunday) and then move to the Korean peninsula. One evacuation centre in Miyazaki reached capacity and stopped accepting evacuees as a precaution against the coronavirus, according to NHK. Airlines have cancelled more than 500 flights departing from Okinawa and southern Japan, NHK said. Bullet train service in southern and western Japan was suspended, it said. Japans coastguard on Saturday suspended for a second day its search for crew missing from a ship that capsized in the East China Sea last week with a cargo of cattle. Typhoon Haishen follows Typhoon Maysak, which smashed into the Korean peninsula on Thursday, leaving at least two dead and thousands temporarily without power. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A large Cape Town survey of pregnant women attending public antental clinics, as well as people with HIV, suggests many people in the city have already been infected with the virus that causes Covid-19. It may help explain why, at least for now, the epidemic is waning in the city. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 (round blue objects), emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. Image by the US NIAID (CC BY 2.0) Nearly 40% of pregnant women using public clinics have been infected Epidemic in decline for now On Thursday 3 September, in a digital press conference hosted by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo, provincial public health officials and experts presented the results of the survey. They also presented a health surveillance strategy designed to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.Professor Mary-Ann Davies of UCT and Dr Keith Cloete, head of the provincial health department, presented the provinces latest Covid-19 data, and revealed the results of the Western Cape Provincial Health Departments first survey, using serology tests, of the prevalence of Covid-19 in Cape Town.Serology testing is used to indicate whether a person has antibodies of a particular virus in their blood. Serology testing has only recently been approved in South Africa for limited uses (including research). The tests have shortcomings: they produce more than the occasional false negative (indicating that a person hasnt had the virus, when they have) and somewhat less occasionally false positives (showing that a person has had the virus when they have not). But they have been used to good effect in some parts of the world, like Spain, to understand the spread of the virus.A total of 3,700 blood samples were tested from the end of July to the beginning of August from women attending public antenatal clinics and people with HIV attending their public clinics. These blood samples were anonymised leftovers from patients who had used blood samples taken as a matter of routine. Nearly all the samples were drawn from health sub districts in the Cape Town metropole.The researchers found that in this sample 37% of people had Covid-19 antibodies present, indicating that they had probably been infected at some point. While the share of those with Covid-19 antibodies was consistently high across subdistricts, the more densely populated areas of Cape Town had slightly higher rates.Its important to understand that this is not a representative sample of Capetonians. The city-wide prevalence is likely much lower. These are, after all, mostly young to middle-age adults who have attended health facilities where the odds of contracting the virus may be higher.Nevertheless, according to Davies, the results were surprisingly high. The survey results are also consistent with whats being seen in the Western Cape: a reduction of new infections despite easing lockdown restrictions. Its likely that some degree of immunity is contributing to that, Davies said. The data from the serology tests suggest that in the short term that we are unlikely to see explosive outbreaks in our high-density, most vulnerable communities.Further serological studies are being planned that will provide researchers with a more representative sample of the Western Cape or Cape Town population.Beginning in July and throughout August, all measures of Covid-19 infection in the Western Cape have shown a steady decline in new infections. The epidemic hit hard: The Medical Research Council estimates that there have been over 5,000 excess natural deaths in the province between 6 May and 25 August, and nearly 4,000 in Cape Town.Davies showed graphs of deaths due to other diseases (except diabetes) declining during this time, suggesting that nearly all the excess deaths are Covid-related. Cloete supported this saying that the disruption of Covid has not seemingly impacted significantly on other care.As cases decline and society resumes much of its normal function, there is the possibility of another wave of infections, as seen in many European countries. To detect this early the department has three interventions planned.One of these is a representative population survey discussed above.The second, and according to Davies most important, is to rapidly establish where new infections are occurring and the rate at which they are occurring. One way to do this is to test wastewater for the virus. This can signal when a particular area is experiencing a new outbreak.Thirdly, new individual cases need to be identified by continuing to test symptomatic people, so that they can be isolated or quarantined, and their contacts can be traced to stop further spread. The launch of the national governments contact tracing app will likely be part of this strategy.Cloete finished the presentation by highlighting the success of the provinces medication delivery service, which has ramped up its operations during the pandemic. Since February 2020, over 100,000 new people have been registered with the provinces chronic dispensing unit.Cloete said, We have started scaling up comprehensive health services in a balanced manner, building on the innovations from the last five months Its essential to ensure that we have a very strong focus on surveillance and containment for the next 1824 months until we have a vaccine.Apparently similar surveys will be carried out in other provinces. The president spoke on the 28th anniversary of GUR's founding. President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's military intelligence has contributed to Ukraine receiving the status of a NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partner. Speaking at the celebrations on the occasion of Day of Military Intelligence of Ukraine, the President noted that the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense has significantly increased human intelligence capabilities, enhanced information and analytical efforts, as well as the potential of signals intelligence, air and space imagery intelligence. Military intelligence "reinforces Ukraine's national security system, its power, and independence," the president said, adding that today it is "at an important stage of development." "Among other things, the efforts of our intelligence agencies helped Ukraine gain the status of a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner," Volodymyr Zelensky said. At the same time, according to the president, the Main Intelligence Directorate still has many tasks ahead. "The present and the future require new methods, forms and means of both armed struggle and reconnaissance," Volodymyr Zelensky stressed. One of the key factors in the success of intelligence, according to the president, is the formation of strict personnel policy, because "random people have no place here." Read alsoZelensky orders to develop new National Intelligence Program"For the seventh year already, we are confronting an enemy whose actions are difficult to predict. That is why the information you have obtained is so important. Timely and, most importantly, reliable information. It determines important political decision-making, as well as the viability of the entire state mechanism. Without you, our state, I say frankly, is blind, deaf, and almost powerless," the head of state noted. Military intelligence: latest On August 5, 2020, Zelensky appointed Kyrylo Budanov chief of military intelligence. He replaced Vasyl Burba, who had been in office since 2016. Budanov has spoken of the growing influence on Ukraine of hybrid warfare and global disinformation. The new intel chief said he set before himself the task of raising intelligence officers' professional level, introducing new technologies, and enhancing analytical work to predict looming risks and commence special missions. Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police / State police said troopers have responded to more than 5,000 calls for service over the Labor Day weekend as of Monday morning. From midnight Friday through Monday morning, state police said there were 5,159 calls for service. Douglas Ross has said "doomed" legislation should be abandoned - WPA Pool/Getty An attempt to force the SNP to ditch its controversial hate crime law is set to be thwarted this week by pro-independence MSPs. Douglas Ross, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has said that his party will bring forward a motion at Holyrood aimed at forcing SNP ministers to withdraw the legislation, which he described as a blatant attack on free speech. However, it is understood that the Scottish Greens will refuse to back the Tory motion, meaning the bid to force an early defeat for the proposals is destined to fail. It is understood that the Greens will instead focus on attempting to amend legislation as it progresses through parliament to address the concerns. While recognising concerns around Hate Crime Bill, there are many sections of society - often minorities - who are targets of hatred, verbal & physical. Parliament should listen to their voices Correct approach is to debate & amend Bill where necessary, not silence those voices https://t.co/Rnyu8SnuC0 Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) September 7, 2020 The law is intended to streamline and toughen existing laws against hate crime, but there are fears that the introduction of a new offence of stirring up hatred against certain groups will stifle free speech by criminalising statements others see as controversial. BBC Scotland, senior lawyers, the Scottish Newspaper Society, police officers and the Catholic Church are among those to express serious misgivings about the Bill. Mr Ross said the legislation must not progress any further and urged SNP ministers to go back to the drawing board. He said: Everyone agrees on the need for legislation to tackle hate crime in Scotland. But by trying to fix a doomed Bill that clearly needs to be reworked, we're wasting time that the Parliament needs to hold the SNP Government to account on care home deaths and their domestic record." Story continues The BBC, senior judges, sheriffs and police warn SNP's hate crime Bill compromises freedom of speechhttps://t.co/edIWC3ukSE Simon Johnson (@simon_telegraph) September 5, 2020 Humza Yousaf, the SNP Justice Secretary, has said he is open to making changes to the legislation, which is currently being scrutinised by the parliaments justice committee, but rejected calls to abandon it. He said: "I have made clear that we will listen, engage and find common ground with those who want people to be protected from the scourge of hate crime while respecting freedom of expression. As Parliament considers the details of the Bill, we will work to find common ground and compromise where necessary. This is an issue around which the Parliament can and must come together and Parliamentarians have a duty to work together to ensure we do our utmost to protect those who are most vulnerable and targeted by hate so they can live their lives free from harm or fear. Any attempt to have the Bill withdrawn before it has gone through the Parliamentary process should be resisted as that would silence the voices of those most affected by hate crime. Team Schulz, made up of over 85 local volunteers organized by democratic candidate for State Representative Sarah Schulz, announces theyve fulfilled a request by Meridian Public Schools to provide a handmade free face mask to each of the students and many of the teachers and paraprofessionals in the district. In an effort to help keep the 98th House district safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, Team Schulz has provided over 11,000 face masks free of charge for the community since March. As word spread of Team Schulzs work, many community organizations reached out to request the masks they needed. Meridian Public Schools reached out to request the teams largest order to date: almost 1,700 masks for the upcoming school year. Mayor Lovely Warren announced at a news conference on Sunday that the crisis intervention team and its budget would move from the police department to the citys department of youth and recreation services. Ms Warren did not provide specifics, but said the move would be part of a series of reforms planned for the coming weeks, months and years. We had a human being in a need of help, in need of compassion. In that moment we had an opportunity to protect him, to keep him warm, to bring him to safety, to begin the process of healing him and lifting him up, Ms Warren said. We had a human being in a need of help, in need of compassion We have to own the fact that in the moment we did not do that. Police chief LaRon Singletary said he supports the need for reform in his department and is working with experts and clinicians in getting outpatient services for people with mental health issues that bring them into repeated police contact. Advertisement Ms Warren suspended the seven officers involved in Prudes death last week after his family released police video from the March night when he was restrained on a city street. The video shows the officers covering Prudes head with a spit hood designed to protect police from bodily fluids, after he complied with being handcuffed, then pressing his face into the pavement for two minutes. He died a week later after he was taken off life support. The police union head said the officers were following their training. Protests have followed each day since the family released the video on Wednesday, sometimes spawning confrontations with demonstrators and the police. Three officers were treated at hospitals for injuries they suffered when projectiles and incendiary devices were hurled at them during Saturday nights protests, lieutenant Greg Bello of the Rochester police said in a news release. Nine protesters were arrested. The Democrat and Chronicle reported that some protesters were hit by projectiles as well as thousands marched through the streets of New Yorks third-largest city. No information about injuries to protesters was provided by police. The marches took place as New Yorks attorney general announced Saturday that a grand jury would investigate Prudes death. A police internal affairs investigation cleared the officers involved of any wrongdoing, concluding in April that their actions and conduct displayed when dealing with Prude appear to be appropriate and consistent with their training. The seven officers were suspended on Thursday. Protesters have called on Ms Warren and Mr Singletary to step down over the delay in releasing details of Prudes death. They have also demanded police accountability and legislation to change how authorities respond to mental health emergencies. The mayor and police chief said on Sunday they had no plans to resign. Ms Warren did not provide specifics about how the crisis intervention teams move would change the policing of a person going through a mental health crisis. But she said the city will double the availability of mental health professionals and work with Rochesters Commission on Racial and Structural Equity to re-envision the police department and how it responds to mental health crises. The chief and I, we love our city. We were born and raised here, she said. We are committed to making the necessary changes to make sure this community moves forward. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In an effort to more efficiently monitor, respond to, and contain the coronavirus (COVID-19), Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Chancellor Jim Malatra announced Sunday the launch of a State University of New York (SUNY) system-wide coronavirus case tracker dashboard. The centralized dashboard will provide real-time, up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases, testing, and quarantine and isolation space availability across SUNYs 64 colleges and universities. New York State is taking immediate action to address the spread of COVID at SUNY colleges and universities, and this new dashboard will help students, parents and faculty stay informed with the latest data, Cuomo said in a news release. I urge our SUNY community to stay vigilant as the virus continues to be a national and global crisis - wear masks, socially distance and be smart. The dashboard will provide a case count for SUNY overall and for individual campuses. The data will be reported by campuses every 24 hours and added to the dashboard daily. It also includes vital information on the different types of tests administered, daily and weekly test data, overall positivity rates, available quarantine and isolation space, and hospitalizations. *** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK *** As coronavirus cases spring up on our college campuses, we are reviewing real-time case data around the clock, said Malatras. This data is crucial to helping SUNY make quick, smart decisions that contain COVID-19 and protect our campus communities. With the launching of this new COVID-19 Case Tracker dashboard, everyone can now access that same data. Controlling this virus is a team effort. As we ask everyone to rise to the challenge and act responsibly, we owe students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities transparent, easily-accessible, up-to-date case information. If we are all informed and resolve to work together to make data-driven decisions in the interest of public safety, we can keep COVID-19 cases down and have a successful semester, Malatras said. The tracker is developing and will be updated as new categories of data become available, according to the governors office. Related stories: 2020-2021 school year in NYC: What you need to know What will reopening look like in largest U.S. school districts? Coronavirus: Reopening plans for Staten Island charter schools 2020-2021 school year in NYC: Guidelines on gym, music and more 2020-2021 academic year: Instruction, grading guidelines for NYC schools Blended learning: What will instruction look like in NYC public schools? Coronavirus: How NYC plans to safely reopen schools in fall 2020-2021 academic year: Reopening plans for schools across Staten Island NYC schools reopening: State guidelines for special education The Catholic elementary school reopening plan: Face masks, temperature checks and more NYC schools reopening: Transportation plan for students remains unclear FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. NEW DELHI : The entire sum of compensation owed to states on account of shortfall in collections of Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be honoured", the union government said on Monday. Part of it, 97,000 crore, would be paid out immediately and the balance over a deferred period to be mutually decided by the GST Council, the apex body guiding the implementation of the indirect tax said. The clarification by the union government just ahead of the GST Council meeting on 19 September, could potentially defuse the ugly face off witnessed in the last meeting between the centre and the states. Hundred percent (will be paid out)," a senior government official said. The person who did not wish to be identified also referred to the previous interview granted to Mint by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in which she has made this explicit. As long as that law (GST (Compensation to states) Act, 2017) exists, I have to honour it," the finance minister had said in the interview published on 20 May. The same official said the union government had convened a meeting of the states finance secretaries last week to clarify the position. In the nearly three hour long meeting, the union government fleshed out the options shared with the states in the last meeting. The person said the union government would prefer the states to borrow to fund the payout. If the centre borrows then it will drive up yields and impact the cost of borrowing for everyone. Not the right thing to do when we are looking to revive the economy and encouraging companies to invest." To make it easier for states, the union government has initiated a conversation with the Reserve Bank of India to open a special window wherein all the states would access loans at the same rate. Further, these borrowings will be linked to the collections under cessso repayments will be settled through the receipts of cess and thereby not pressure the budgets of the state governments. The clarification by the union government comes after the differences in the last meeting of the Council had begun to threaten the GST compactwhich had been held up as the new template of cooperative federalism. Things turned ugly after the Council split along political lines with the opposition raising its ante. Delhi, along with Punjab, Kerala, Telangana and West Bengal, had rejected the two options proposed by the Centre at the GST Council meeting last month to fund their GST revenue gap. It will have to be seen whether the olive branch proffered by the union government will mollify the states and bring them back to the negotiating table. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Kangana Ranaut has been given Y-plus category security and will be protected by about 10 armed commandos, the Union Home Ministry announced on Monday, propelling the actor to the centre of a heated political row with Maharashtra's ruling Shiv Sena and its coalition partners criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre for the decision. Photograph: ANI Photo Ranaut, who had said she feared Mumbai Police after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and likened the Maharashtra capital to Pakistan occupied Kashmir, thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and declared that no one could crush a patriot. The decision to provide 24X7 security comes two days before Ranaut, who is in her home state Himachal Pradesh, plans to visit Mumbai on September 9. Her comments, including on drug use in the section of the film industry, led to a bitter row with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, and many more joining in with their views. She is the first Bollywood actor who will be guarded by Central Reserve Police Force commandos, an official privy to the development said. It is immediately not known whether she will have to pay the government for the security. Y-plus category central cover entails the deployment of about 10 armed commandos who will work in shifts around the clock, an official explained. Describing the Queen star as a daughter of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur issued a video statement welcoming the decision. He said the central and the state governments are providing security to the actor and would do whatever necessary for her security. "I have got information that an 11-member commando team of the CRPF has been provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs for her security yesterday. I welcome this decision and also express my gratitude to union home minister... her security is important for us," he said. He said the state police would provide security at the actor's Manali residence and he had directed the director general of police to assess the security threat. Ranaut, a National Award winning actor often in the headlines for her provocative comments, went on Twitter to express gratitude for the security being provided to her. 'This shows that no one can crush a patriot in the country. I am thankful to Home Minister Amit Shah,' she said. 'Had he (Amit Shah) wanted, he would have told me to visit Mumbai later but he respected India's daughter and acknowledged my self-respect. Jai Hind,' Ranaut added. In Mumbai, a political storm raged. The actor took to Twitter to share videos of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials at her office premises here and alleged that they may demolish the property on Tuesday. 'They have forcefully taken over my office measuring everything, also harassing my neighbors,' she tweeted. The lines between Bollywood and the world of politics blurring once again, the issue of the Centre providing security to the star led to the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, the three parties that form the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, lashing out at the BJP. The state's Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar termed the Centre's decision 'politically motivated' and accused Ranaut of being the BJP's 'parrot'. "By giving security to Kangana, the Centre and the BJP have endorsed her comments against Mumbai police and Maharashtra. This is betrayal of the people of the state," he said. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh added that Ranaut's comments should be condemned by everybody and the state belongs to all, including the BJP. "The Centre's move to provide security to people who insult Mumbai and Maharashtra is surprising and also sad," he said. In an apparent jibe at Ranaut, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said some people don't have gratitude for the city in which they earn their livelihood. Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik also demanded a unanimous resolution in the Maharashtra Assembly for legal action against Ranaut, who he said has 'maligned' the image of Maharashtra and Mumbai through her tweets. The ripples were felt in the national capital too with Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accusing Ranaut of carrying forward the BJP's political agenda. He claimed the nation's ruling party had provided her with security cover to enable her to openly defame Maharashtra and criticise its coalition government. "Despite a particular film actress carrying on the agenda of Modi Ji and BJP, we will ensure adequate protection for her," he said at a virtual press conference. "However, to describe the business capital of the country as Pakistan occupied Kashmir is naive, incorrect, political opportunism and reprehensible which no reasonable person will accept," he said. Former Maharashtra chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Ranaut had made a wrong statement, but it is the government's responsibility to protect her. "... though we are not supporting what Kangana Ranaut said, and nobody will support it, still it is the responsibility of the government (to protect her). "Because we are not living in a banana republic," the leader of opposition in the assembly told reporters outside the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai. BJP leader Ram Kadam had recently asked the state government to provide police protection to Ranaut since 'she wanted to expose the Bollywood drug nexus'. Responding to Kadam's tweet, the actor said she feared Mumbai Police more than the 'movie mafia', and would prefer security either from Himachal Pradesh or the Centre. Reacting strongly to her comment, Shiv Sena leader Raut purportedly said, "We kindly request her not to come to Mumbai. This is nothing but an insult to Mumbai Police." Hitting back, Ranaut tweeted, "Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir?" The actor also tagged a September 1 news report on Raut asking her not to return to Mumbai if she was afraid of the city police. Raut had on Friday urged the Maharashtra government to take action against people defaming the city police. He also asked Ranaut to tour PoK to see the situation there. In a tweet stating that she would be returning to Mumbai on September 9, Ranaut had dared anyone to stop her. Sena MLA Saranik hit back with a slap threat and said she should be arrested for sedition. Ranaut also asked Raut to apologise for his remarks against her. Raut on Sunday said he would consider doing so only if she apologises for her 'insulting' remarks against Mumbai and Maharashtra. The CRPF, the country's largest paramilitary force, has been providing security to about 60 dignitaries and high-profile persons, including Amit Shah, Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi as well as her children Rahul and Priyanka. Mumbai, Sep 7 : Actress Radhika Madan has shared what she wittily describes as a dirty picture on social media. Before fans get a wrong idea, Radhika's new Instagram post has the actress covered in mud. She wears a black spaghetti top paired grey pants in the image. "The Dirty Picture," she captioned the snapshot. Radhika always gives a quirky twist to all her social media posts. Be it lines from film songs, dialogues, film titles or just viral memes -- the actress adds a dash of all of that and more to make her pictures and posts entertaining. On the acting front, Radhika was last seen in "Angrezi Medium" and will next be seen in Kunal Deshmukh's "Shiddat", co-starring Mohit Raina, Diana Penty and Sunny Kaushal. NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has sought to upgrade its infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) with night-fighting capability to fill a critical operational void in its mechanised infantry fleet at a time of heightened military tensions between Indian and China in the Ladakh sector, officials familiar with the development said on Monday. The army on September 4 invited expression of interest (EoI) from Indian vendors for developing prototype and subsequent procurement of upgraded armament for its BMP-2/2K ICVs inducted almost 35 years ago. The terrain along our borders lends itself to conduct large-scale mechanised operations and the belligerence of our adversaries on the borders, necessitate that our capabilities are adequately built up to match the threat, the EOI said. The army has deployed its ICVs along with tanks and artillery pieces in the Ladakh sector, where the two nuclear powers have been locked in a border row for more than four months. The army said the armament system on BMP-2/2K --- the mainstay of the mechanised infantry --- is night blind as on date and needs to be upgraded with modern sights to fill capability gaps. Former army vice chief Lieutenant General AS Lamba (retd) said, The BMP-2/2k is an excellent combat platform armed with advanced weapons. But its critical to equip the fleet with night-fighting capability to optimize its impact in the battlefield. According to the army, the current armament sighting system on the ICVs is based on image intensifier technology which is not fit for modern day warfare due to its vast limitations. The present system is also deficient of modernised fire control system and automatic target tracker which adversely affects the capability of BMP-2/2K to fight both during day and night. All these aspects are critical requirements for mechanised infantry to operate in armour intensive battlefield, the EOI said. The army is planning to upgrade 811 ICVs with third-generation thermal imager-based gunner sight, modern thermal imager-based commander sight, modernised fire control system and automatic target tracker. Vendors have been asked to submit their responses to the EOI in six weeks. If the multi-stage process progresses smoothly, user trials could take place in two years. In June, the defence ministry placed an order with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for 156 BMP 2/2k ICVs for the armys mechanised forces. The ICVs will be manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak in Telangana at an estimated cost of Rs 1,094 crore. The induction of the ICVs will be completed by 2023 and the existing deficiency in the mechanised infantry battalions will be mitigated, the ministry had then said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New AI-based test uses X-rays to detect Covid in a few minutes Hospitalisations in Delhi during third Covid wave significantly lower than second COVID-19 vaccine: Russia talks to India on different levels of cooperation India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: Russian Ambassador, Nikolay Kudashev has said that they are in talks with India on different levels about cooperation that could include supplies, co-development and co-production of Sputnik V, the first anti-COVID-19 vaccine in the world. The vaccine according to Lancet studies has found in initial trials was causing no serious side effects. This would be discussed when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visits Russia this week. Kudashev also said though Russia hoped to work with India for a just and multipolar world order at a time when some countries are playing geopolitical games despite the pandemic and creating close door exclusive blocks. Delhi Metro resumes after 169 days Unfortunately we have to admit that inspite of the pandemic some countries keep playing geopolitical games and unilateral extraterritorial sanctions and trying to create close door exclusive blocks, politicise international institutions including the UN, OPCW, WHO and others. Such policy is obviously increasing mistrust, instability and uncertainty taking us from the vital solutions, he also told a conference. "We hope to further expanding our cooperation with India and other friendly countries to prevent such scenarios and move towards just and equal multipolar world order, democratisation of global governance, collective solutions to global and regional problems and close coordination for this purpose at various multilateral institution, he further added. BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - Almost 300 Rohingya Muslims were found on a beach in Indonesias Aceh province on Monday after months at sea, officials said. The group arrived at Ujong Blang beach from one boat and were reported by local residents. Officials arrived and found that the Rohingya had dispersed into three groups after landing, Banda Sakti Subdistrict Military Commander Roni Mahendra said. We persuaded them and asked the local residents to help until they gathered again, Mahendra said. The 181 women, 100 men and 14 children were given shelter and received help from local residents, police, military and health providers. Now we are still waiting for further instruction from our supervisors, Mahendra said. Indrika Ratwatte, the director for Asia and the Pacific for UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, said the Rohingya had survived about seven months at sea in desperate conditions, with some needing medical treatment. About 330 Rohingya are understood to have embarked on the journey in Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh in February, he said. Over 30 are estimated to have died en route, Ratwatte said. The group tried repeatedly to disembark over more than 200 days at sea but were not permitted to land, he said. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar due to a military crackdown, and many live in densely crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh. Rights activists fear large numbers of Rohingya have gone to sea, fleeing ongoing persecution in Myanmar and hardship in the camps in Bangladesh, where traffickers may promise them a better life abroad. Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said Rohingya refugees are still willing to risk everything in search of safety. It is appalling that the Indonesian authorities are waiting for local fishermen to take the initiative in carrying out these rescues. The government, not private individuals, should have saved these lives, Hamid said. The central government of Indonesia must now ensure those disembarked get the protection they are entitled to, including food, shelter, and essential health services - including protection from COVID-19. They should assist the local government in handling the refugees, Hamid said. Hamid also urged Indonesian authorities to co-ordinate with other countries in the region to search for and rescue Rohingya at sea. In June, Indonesian fishermen discovered 94 hungry, weak Rohingya on a wooden boat adrift off Aceh, Indonesias westernmost province. Read more about: Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has hit back at critics of the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal. The controversies surrounding the deal started when the Minority in Parliament staged a walkout while the agreement was being passed on August 14, 2020. John Jinapor, MP for Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency speaking on the floor of Parliament said a future NDC government will not honour the agreement. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the deal as secretive, lacked diligence and transparency. They have raised issues with the fact that Agyapa Royalties Limited is an offshore company which will be in Channels Island of Jersey in the UK, a tax haven coupled with the fact that it was to be listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Mahama factor Former President and flagbearer of the NDC has also stated that he won't respect the Agyapa Mineral Royalties agreement when he becomes President. We will do everything legitimately in our power to oppose the agreement and make sure it doesnt happen, he told the Chiefs and people of Kaleo, as part of his tour of the Upper West Region. Ofori-Atta fires Ken Ofori-Atta speaking in an interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' bemoaned the fact that the former President was focused on his ambition of coming back to power instead of national interest. "As a former Head of State you know how the market responds; I think there is a certain measure of the republic versus ambition," he opined. Togbe Afede joins the fray The President of the National House of Chiefs and Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV has also reportedly criticized the deal. He doesn't understand why government decided to set up the deal in a tax haven of Jersey. However, in a quick rebuttal, the Finance Minister said: "Sometimes its painful; you hear people who should know much better make such comments. This is a period of a lot of wisdom as you look at what is good for the republic . . . Nothing could be so wrong in anything; it might be new here but its nothing that Togbe can't understand. So what we would expect is to say twig this or that but to categorically say that its bad is a level of disingenuity." Meanwhile, the National House of Chiefs has asked the general public to disregard publications that seek to draw Togbe Afede XIV into the Agyapa deal brouhaha.The House wants to state without equivocation that neither the President nor the leadership of the House has issued such a statement or press release.It is, therefore, preposterous for any person or group of persons to attempt to draw the President and the National House of Chiefs into the controversial Agyapa/Asaase royalties transaction, Public Relations Officer of the National House of Chiefs, Stephen Owusu indicated. 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 San Antonio officials Sunday added 85 deaths from COVID-19 to the citys death toll, the vast majority of which occurred over the past several months, as they worked to reconcile a reporting backlog. Six of the deaths occurred in the last two weeks, including four residents of nursing homes or assisted living centers who were in their 70s, 80s, 90s and 100s. Two were residents of Arden Courts of San Antonio, and the other two resided at Retama Manor Nursing Center-San Antonio West and Hunters Pond Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. There were 79 previously unreported deaths from as long ago as April 14 and as recently as Aug. 22. Thirty occurred from May 16 to Aug. 22 in congregate settings, which include nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The new deaths brought San Antonios toll since the start of the pandemic to 978. Local health officials are investigating an additional 181 coronavirus deaths reported for Bexar County by the Texas Department of State Health Services, which has been tracking pandemic fatalities through death certificates. Sunday marked the first day that the Metropolitan Health District began reporting backlogged coronavirus cases and deaths on a weekly basis. On Friday, the health department announced that its daily counts would include only new cases and deaths from the last 14 days, while backlogs would be reported in aggregate each Sunday night. On ExpressNews.com: What if we pull the plug too early?: In the age of COVID-19, decisions about death are fraught. The change was intended to give a clearer picture of the outbreaks current severity, city officials said. The public relies on our daily updates to understand the current extent of the COVID-19 pandemic in our community, and the inclusion of past cases and deaths confuses this, Colleen Bridger, assistant city manager and interim Metro Health director, said in a statement Friday. We want to make sure the public gets up-to-date information from these daily reports so they can best determine how to reduce their risk. On Sunday, the city also recorded 228 more coronavirus cases, bringing the areas cumulative infections since the beginning of the pandemic to 47,543. Local officials have repeatedly cautioned residents to practice measures to reduce the virus spread over the holiday weekend, in an effort to maintain the areas declining transmission rates, after a dramatic surge of cases over the summer. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 continued a steady, weeks-long decline. On Sunday, there were 306 coronavirus patients being treated at area hospitals, down 11 from the previous day. Of those patients, 141 were receiving intensive care and 83 were breathing with the support of a ventilator. The new numbers were reported ahead of partial school reopenings scheduled to happen across Bexar County after the Labor Day holiday. This week, some public districts, including the citys three largest Northside, North East and San Antonio ISDs will begin in-person instruction for a fraction of their overall student populations, in combination with virtual learning. Those districts plan to increase in-person attendance in phases. Other area districts will continue with remote-only learning for several more weeks. On ExpressNews.com: With Labor Day weekend in full swing, San Antonios Metro Health reports 20 more verified COVID-19 deaths In early August, Dr. Junda Woo, medical director of Metro Health and the countys health authority for the pandemic, recommended that in-person school instruction be suspended until key measures of San Antonios coronavirus transmission improve. The recommendations are nonbinding but were released to help guide school reopenings. As of last week, the San Antonio area had met several of the criteria. The doubling time, or time for the areas cumulative cases to double, is now 65 days, a favorable number. As of Aug. 31, the positivity rate, or percent of tests returning positive, remained at 7.8 percent, still above the target of 5 percent or lower. That figure and other epidemiological measures will be next updated Tuesday. Coronavirus reporting for San Antonio will be suspended Monday in observance of the holiday. The coronavirus continues to have an effect on the cities and counties surrounding San Antonio. Boerne officials announced Sunday that City Hall would undergo cleaning Monday, after an employee in the customer service and billing department tested positive for the virus. Building operations will be limited until tracing of the employees recent interactions is complete, officials said in a news release. All employees are required to wear masks and use glass partitions to interact with the public, so the risk of exposure is believed to be low, the release said. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Lauren, become a subscriber. lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba The aid includes a large quantity of food and medical supplies as well as rain-resistant tents Egypt sent a new batch of humanitarian aid to Sudan on Sunday to help the country amid the heavy flooding that has killed at least 100 people and destroyed 100,000 homes. According to a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces, two military cargo planes carrying humanitarian aid took off on Sunday from East Cairo as per President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis orders. The aid includes a large quantity of food and medical supplies as well as rain-resistant tents, the statement read. The statement added that Sudanese officials have expressed their appreciation to the Egyptian people for their support of the Sudanese people during this crisis. Search Keywords: Short link: BRUNSWICK HILLS TOWNSHIP, Ohio Animal complaint: Pearl Road Police investigated a case of alleged animal abuse at 1:21 p.m. Aug. 24. The caller said the suspect was abusing horses on her property, selling horse meat, raising and breeding dogs and not claiming income on her taxes. Police visited the residence and found several horses that appeared to be malnourished. Police spoke with the homeowner and confirmed with township officials that she is up to date on her taxes. The incident was still under investigation by police and the Medina County SPCA at the time of the report. Harassing communication: Pearl Road A woman called police at 9:48 a.m. Aug. 25 and reported receiving several harassing text messages from another woman, each coming from several different phone numbers. The caller told police that she believes the suspect called Medina County Job and Family Services on her and reported that she was abusing her children. The incident was still under investigation by police and MCJFS at the time of the report. Driving under suspension: Helen Avenue A driver was pulled over for speeding at 7:11 p.m. Aug. 26 and was found to have a suspended license. A crystal substance was also reportedly found during the stop. The driver was cited and taken home by police. Read more news from the Brunswick Sun. MANILA President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has pardoned an American Marine convicted of killing a transgender woman, just days after his office blocked a court order to free the service member, the Philippine foreign secretary said on Monday. The decision to release the Marine, Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, angered both Philippine nationalist groups that oppose the countrys military agreements with the United States and advocates for gay and transgender rights who said Mr. Duterte had shown leniency toward a hate crime. Lance Corporal Pemberton, then 20, was convicted of homicide in 2015 for the killing of Jennifer Laude, 26. He was sentenced to six to 12 years in prison a term that was later reduced to 10 years and has since been held at Camp Aguinaldo, the Philippine military headquarters in metropolitan Manila. The foreign minister, Teodoro Locsin Jr., said on Twitter that to do justice, Mr. Duterte had granted an absolute pardon, effectively reducing the Marines sentence to time served. Former President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to Ghanaians to vote the Party back to power for sustainable growth and prosperity for all. Speaking ahead of the Party's Manifesto launch on Monday, September 7, in Accra, Mr Mahama said: "Let me take this opportunity to offer some personal reflections on the political substance of this manifesto. "You offered me the humbling chance to serve you from the highest offices in Ghana first as Vice-President, for four years, and then as President for another four years. "For this, I will forever be grateful, and I will fight for your wellbeing, for your hopes and for your rights with all my strength for the rest of my life. "But since I have already been there, why run again? I know many of you ask this question sometimes openly, sometimes in silence. Why run again? It is a fair question, and it deserves a fair, personal answer," he said. Mr Mahama said the manifesto would provide the answer, coming from all NDC members and supporters, and men and women, who participated in its formulation. "In all honesty, I didn't take the decision to run for a second term as President neither easily, nor quickly. I didn't jump into it. I did it out of a sense of urgency, after I began to contemplate more and more thoroughly about our vulnerabilities as a nation," he said. Mr Mahama said a sustainable and an ever-growing prosperity required the building of a robust social and economic infrastructure, one that supported creativity, innovation and the production of high value-added products and services. "This is precisely why, during my Presidency, I took aggressive steps to develop and consolidate our healthcare infrastructure, our educational infrastructure, our transport infrastructure and our digital infrastructure," he said. Mr Mahama said that was the only way to build a resilient nation and that without creating and consolidating a developed infrastructure, no nation could resist global shocks. He said unfortunately, the current government had allegedly refused to continue on that path. "Let me give you just one example, access to electricity in 2012 was 69.2 per cent of Ghanaians. "In 2016, when I left office after my first term as President, 79.3 per cent of Ghanaians had access to electricity. A 10 percentage points increase in four years. When I left the office, I was confident that a new government will deliver 90 per cent, if not 100 per cent access to electricity in the next four years." Mr Mahama said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government allegedly increased overall access to electricity from 79.3 per cent to only 82.3 per cent, a mere three percentage points increase. He said it was the NDC's mission to turn Ghana into an advanced nation as soon as possible, stating that "It is our moral obligation to be bold and to aim for greatness!" Good enough is no longer good enough! To prosper and thrive, we need fundamental change. We need to set our standards and expectations far higher than good enough. If we settle for good enough, we settle for a slow death of our very soul and of our pride." Mr Mahama said: "I run for President because I want to leave a legacy, a solid infrastructure, with 100 per cent access for all. With this legacy, we will build a truly developed Ghana, at par with the advanced nations". "I know how to do it, part of it I've already accomplished, and since I know how to do it and the current government doesn't, I feel I have the moral duty to ask for a second term. This is not about me, it's about Ghana and Ghanaians," the former President said. ---GNA Kaye Banez cried with relief after learning that her eight-year-old son Lazarus, who is on the autism spectrum, can enrol at his school remotely this fall. The mother in Richmond, B.C., said school staff told her earlier that Lazarus would need to return to his Grade 3 classes in person by mid-November or face removal from the independent school. The risk is too high for Lazarus to go back at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic, said Banez, since he relies on touch to sense the world around him and struggles with physical distancing. Were also trying to keep everybody around him safe, added Banez, noting she has diabetes and her kids grandparents on both sides of the family have compromised immune systems. Banez said it was agonizing as her family worried they would be forced to register Lazarus and his six-year-old sister for home schooling. That would mean Lazarus would lose access to supports, such as speech and occupational therapies, that are paid for through funding that depends on enrolment in school or a distributed learning program many of which are at capacity, she said. After meeting with staff from her kids school and the Ministry of Educations inclusive education division on Friday, Banez learned about provincial guidelines that stipulate school districts are required to make so-called homebound educational services available to students absent from the classroom because of medical and psychiatric reasons. The expectation that schools work with families who need access to the homebound program is included in the provinces document guiding the response to the pandemic for students in kindergarten to Grade 12. However, Banez said she is in touch with another mother on Vancouver Island whose child is on the autism spectrum and who hasnt yet secured a remote learning option through their school. Shes done everything that Ive done and the answer is still no. So, shes doing now another step of saying shes aware of this operational guideline, said Banez, who serves as the vice president of the board of directors for AutismBC. Its still very inconsistent. Even though the process that parents take to advocate for these accommodations is the same, theres still children being left behind. It shouldnt be up to parents to explicitly invoke their rights in order to ensure their kids can access the educational instruction and other supports they need, said Banez. Thats especially true for parents who are newcomers to Canada and may struggle navigating back-to-school resources that are available primarily in English, she added. How could they possibly be calling government officials, school boards, principals, media, writing letters, reading operational guidelines (and) documents pages and pages long? she asked. The founder and chair of BCEdAccess, a volunteer-run organization that advocates for equitable access to education for complex learners and kids with diverse abilities, echoed Banez. Tracy Humphreys said shed like to see schools and districts reaching out to families directly to build educational plans that address their unique needs. The public system has had months now to be aware that theres a pandemic and that September was coming and that they needed a better plan. It does feel like families, like children with disabilities, have been left out of that plan, said Humphreys. In an email, Ministry of Education representatives confirmed their expectation that school districts will be flexible and work with families on a case-by-case basis, including helping families of children with disabilities who arent comfortable sending their kids back to the classroom this fall. But with school starting in a matter of days, Humphreys said shes waiting for flexible options that meet provincial requirements and expectations to be fully implemented across the province. Were seeing, you know, 60 school districts, plus independent schools, who are under the same direction from the Ministry of Education, responding in very different ways, she said. As for Lazarus, Banez said hes excited to start what they call mommy school on Sept. 21. Read more about: Pandemic has revealed weaknesses in Church culture, Francis Chan says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The coronavirus pandemic has revealed weaknesses in western Church culture that can be addressed by using restrictions as an opportunity to go deeper with God, says Francis Chan, the founder of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, who now lives in Hong Kong. Speaking at a Q Session where several high profile evangelical leaders such as John MacArthur, Samuel Rodriguez and Tim Keller shared their thoughts on the pandemic and how the Church should respond to issues such as restrictions and the ongoing debate on religious liberty, Chan said he believes God is using the crisis to wake up Christians. I love this season we are in and I think every true believer does because we look at kind of the status quo and were just hoping for a time when we were forced into action. Its almost like youre training, training, training, for something and here it is. Are we prepared or not? And its a time where I look at it like the time when the Israelites were in the desert, Chan told Gabe Lyons, moderator and founder of Q Ideas, a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society. There are those who are like, Ah let me just get back to Egypt, you know? Back to the way it was when I knew what was gonna happen tomorrow. Im going, Oh man, youre missing out. Youre being led by a ball of fire. Never in history has that happened. Never will it happen again. Dont miss this, he said. Chan explained that while he believes the ongoing debate about religious freedom and whether churches should be allowed to gather as they have traditionally done before the pandemic, he questioned how effective the Church has been with religious freedom when compared to places like China where the Church is persecuted. When you look at the places where there is religious freedom and you compare those places to where there is not religious freedom, what have we done with the freedom? Its just weakened the Church, he said. Im not saying dont fight for it, especially if thats something God has called you to. Im grateful for the people who fight for religious freedom. Im grateful to have it. At the same time, Im not really afraid of losing it because I look at how the church is flourishing and how it actually looks like the Church of Scripture where there is persecution. And again, Im not saying Im wanting that or desiring that. But what I am wanting is to see a pure Church where people are devoted, theyre serious and they understand what it means to really follow Jesus. Then we can really be a light to the world, Chan explained. The Cornerstone Church founder said he believes God has given the Church an opportunity in the pandemic to grow and become deeply intimate with Him. God does not put us in a situation where we cant be deeply, deeply, intimate with him and growing with one another. Man dont miss this, he said, noting that it's a great opportunity for parents to become more hands one with the spiritual development of their children. I think about parents. I hear in a lot of churches theyve got to meet together again because of our kids. And Im going, 'Man, God should wake you up right there. Parents are supposed to be teaching their kids.' Its a great opportunity for you, dads, to step up and believe the Spirit of the living God is inside of your body and you can lead that family. And if theyre not equipped, then figure it out and man up. Parents, youre supposed to lead your kids, he said. Weve weakened all these gifted godly people because we do everything for them. Well teach your kids and so now its just kind of chaotic. What do we do? No one is teaching my kid, he said, pointing to the complaints he has been hearing. I say, No. Take advantage of this time. I really believe this is of God. This is a time where we realized we were not ready for this. So if we get another little break, lets do everything we can to equip and prepare people for times like this because I really dont believe this is the end of it, he added. In an innovative attempt to mitigate the mental health issues of COVID-19 patients, the Yatharth hospital in Noida Extension has come up with a robot to help in counselling of patients. The robot named Mitra connects the infected patients, who have been under treatment at the hospital away from their families, with their loved ones on video calls. The calls are made using the screen on the body of the robot, The Times of India reported. Dr Sunil Kumar, medical superintendent at Yatharth Hospital, was quoted by TOI saying, Mental health is an important aspect of the COVID-19 treatment and so we decided to start the service. There is a screen on the robot and through this, psychiatrists speak to patients and answer their queries. As most Covid hospitals do not allow phones inside the ICU, the robot can also make video calls and connect patients with their families. Mitra, designed and developed by Bengaluru-based start-up Invento Robotics, is stationed at the Yatharth hospitals entrance. The robot also helps in the initial process of symptom-checking. It asks visitors about symptoms and screens their temperature. In cases when all relevant statistics are normal, it prints an entry pass with the screening result, name and picture of the visitor. The hospital procured two Mitra robots for Rs 10 lakh each and deployed one at its Noida Extension branch and the second at the Sector 110 facility. The latter has now been shifted to the Sector Omicron 1 hospital to screen about 500 OPD patients and relatives of IPD patients on the daily. The hospitals non-Covid branches in Sector 110, Noida, and Sector Omicron 1, Greater Noida, have a similar robot, which is used to screen patients for influenza-like illnesses (ILI), the report added. Earlier, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), too, had brought in robots in the Covid-19 facilities in Delhi and Jhajjar. The robots were being used for contactless monitoring of patients. NEW YORK, Sept. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Airbus SE (Airbus or the Company)(OTCMKTS: EADSY; EADSF) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and indexed under 20-cv-10084, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise, acquired Airbus securities in the U.S. between February 24, 2016, and July 30, 2020, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are a shareholder who purchased Airbus securities during the class period, you have until October 5, 2020 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Airbus was founded in 2000 and is based in Leiden, the Netherlands. The Company is a multinational aerospace corporation, operating through its Commercial Aircraft, Defense and Space, and Helicopters divisions. The Companys American Depository Receipts (ADRs) trade in the U.S. on the over-the-counter market (the OTC) under the ticker symbol EADSY, and the Companys foreign ordinary shares (foreign ordinaries) trade in the U.S. on the OTC under the ticker symbol EADSF. In August 2012, the United Kingdom (U.K.) Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced that it had opened a formal criminal investigation into one of Airbuss subsidiaries, GPT Special Project Management Ltd. (GPT), which Airbus acquired in 2007. The allegations called into question a service contract entered into by GPT prior to its acquisition by Airbus, relating to activities conducted by GPT in Saudi Arabia. Unbeknownst to investors and the public, however, Airbus was at an increased and foreseeable risk of facing significant potential liabilities for other alleged illegal activities that would later be investigated by governmental authorities around the world. These activities, combined with the investigation into GPT, implicated all three of Airbuss divisions, calling into question the sustainability of the Companys reported earnings during the Class Period. The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (i) that Airbuss policies and protocols were insufficient to ensure the Companys compliance with relevant anti-corruption laws and regulations; (ii) that, consequently, Airbus engaged in bribery, corruption, and fraud in order to enhance its business with respect to its commercial aircraft, helicopter, and defense deals; (iii) that, as a result, Airbuss earnings were derived in part from unlawful conduct and therefore unsustainable; (iv) the full scope and severity of Airbuss misconduct; (v) that resolution of government investigations of Airbus would foreseeably cost Airbus billions of dollars in settlements and legal fees and subject the Company to significant continuing government investigation and oversight; and (vi) that, as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On August 8, 2016, Reuters reported that the U.K. had opened a corruption probe into Airbus. Specifically, the SFO announced that it had opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery, and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus, which relate to irregularities concerning third party consultants. The investigation followed Airbuss flagging of misstatements and omissions involving outside contractors in certain export financing applications to U.K. regulators and the European Export Credit Agencies earlier in the year, which the Company had found through an internal probe. On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $0.21 per share, or 1.49%, to close at $13.86 per share on August 8, 2016, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $0.82 per share, or 1.45%, to close at $55.58 per share on August 8, 2016. France and the U.S. later opened their investigations into the subject of the SFOs allegations in 2017 and 2018, respectively. On January 31, 2020, media outlets reported that Airbus had agreed to a deal with U.S., U.K., and French prosecutors to settle bribery and export-control violations against the Company for 3.6 billion ($4 billion). Pursuant to the settlement, Airbus also agreed to appoint an external compliance officer for at least two years to monitor the Companys handling of its defense-related sales and disclosures. On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $0.72 per share, or 1.93%, to close at $36.68 per share on January 31, 2020, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $2.21 per share, or 1.48%, to close at $147.00 per share on January 31, 2020. Then, on March 15, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that Airbus executives had previously raised red flags about fees paid to a number of middlemen working with its helicopter division, led at the time by the Companys current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Defendant Guillaume M.J.D. Faury (Faury), that may have violated global bribery and corruption rules, according to internal documents related to Airbuss $4 billion bribery settlement, which were not previously made public and/or reported. On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $3.44 per share, or 15.71%, to close at $18.46 per share on March 16, 2020, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $7.97 per share, or 9.3%, to close at $77.75 per share on March 16, 2020. Finally, on July 30, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that the SFO had charged GPT and three individuals with corruption in connection with a defense contract the U.K. had arranged with Saudi Arabia. These charges were the culmination of the investigations initiated by the SFO back in August 2012. On this news, Airbus ADRs fell $0.67 per share, or 3.56%, to close at $18.13 per share on July 31, 2020, and Airbus foreign ordinaries fell $2.85 per share, or 3.8%, to close at $72.10 per share on July 31, 2020. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com . CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP rswilloughby@pomlaw.com Caida de exportaciones se desacelera en julio a 13.6%: si tendencia sigue ano cerrara con retroceso de 20% https://t.co/Fq13gJl3Ek a traves de @Gestionpe Wondering how Dr Owusu Fordjour, popularly known as Dr UN funded the UN-Kofi Annan awards? Well, this probably will put your worries to rest as he has finally revealed details of how much went into the entire project. In the latest video sighted by GhanaWeb, he indicated that he spent over 10,000 dollars on the UN-Kofi Annan awards where top Ghanaian celebrities including Sarkodie, D Black, Nathaniel Attoh, Berla Mundi among others were honored. Dr. UNs comments are aimed at debunking claims that he extorted money from people, including the celebrities to organise the event. According to Dr. UN, the organisation of the Awards at the Alisa Hotel in Accra last week was just one of his projects as hes been able to send many people abroad to study to acquire knowledge and help develop the country. In the video, he stressed that The funds never came from any entity. I used more than 10,000 or 5,000 dollars to invest in this award. People talking this way dont respect people who can invest in our development. He also refuted claims that the awards given out were fake as he has over 100 workers who research on the personalities before the titles are conferred on the awardees. They only know me but I have more than 100 workers who make me know that this person should be awarded, he added. Watch below his video. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video WASHINGTON The federal government's main effort to rescue small businesses during the pandemic tended to benefit wealthier neighborhoods far more than predominantly Black parts of metro Buffalo, according to a new study by a group that researches federal policy and its implications nationwide. The study found that the ZIP code with the largest Black population in Buffalo, on the city's East Side, received the smallest number of loans. Meanwhile, the most loans locally went to the 14221 ZIP code, which includes Williamsville and parts of Amherst and Clarence. The group that did the research, called Accountable US Action, said Buffalo was by no means the only place where PPP loans tended to go to white neighborhoods more so than Black neighborhoods. "What we see nationally is an unfortunate trend," said Derek Martin, director of allied programs at Accountable US Action. "There are disparities between which communities had access to this program and which did not namely, that a lot of Black communities and Black-owned businesses, for a variety of reasons, did not actually obtain access to this program." Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said that England is to start applying a regional approach to its coronavirus quarantine policy for international arrivals. The PA news agency looks at what this means for travellers. What is the so-called islands policy that has been announced? In a statement to the Commons on Monday, Mr Shapps said islands can now be individually added to or removed from Englands quarantine-free list. This means they will be treated separately from their mainland countries. Why has the approach to international travel changed? The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) has been commissioned to assess the most popular island destinations for British tourists. Through the use of enhanced data we will now be able to pinpoint risk in some of the most popular islands, providing increased flexibility to add or remove them distinct from the mainland as infection rates change, Mr Shapps said. Using our newly acquired JBC data and systems, we are now in a position to remove only the Greek islands where holidaymakers are at risk of spreading new infection back home and not the mainland 2/3 Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 7, 2020 This development will help boost the UKs travel industry while continuing to maintain maximum protection to public health, keeping the travelling public safe. How has this changed the quarantine-free list? From 4am on Wednesday, arrivals from seven Greek islands will need to self-isolate for 14 days but mainland Greece will maintain its quarantine-exemption. These are the islands of Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos, also known as Zante. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Can regions within a countrys mainland be added and removed? The Department for Transport said it is not safe to implement a fully regional system for international travel corridors, as there is too much movement between regions within countries. However, it said that when a region has natural boundaries like an island the risks reduce, so changes will only apply to land that has a clear border and robust, reliable and internationally comparable data is available. The island must also have direct flights to the UK, or transport must have taken place through exempt territories. How is this different to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland? This decision brings England partly into line with Wales, which removed six Greek islands from its quarantine-free list last week. 8. Data has also told us in recent days that weve had a number of positive cases amongst people returning from Greece - thats why weve had to add Greece to quarantine list. Given uncertainties of situation, my advice remains to avoid non essential foreign travel for now Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 2, 2020 Scotland reintroduced quarantine measures for those returning from the whole of Greece last Thursday, while Northern Ireland has so far resisted tightening the travel guidance for the Mediterranean country. Have restrictions changed on islands in other countries? Madrid urged the UK to exclude the Canaries and Balearics which include popular tourist resorts on Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca when its quarantine requirements were imposed at the end of July. But Mr Shapps told the Commons on Monday that cases currently remain too high in these areas. How has the tourism industry reacted to the news? Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, which represents UK carriers, said it was a step in the right direction that gave further choice and clarity for travellers. But he added: That said, a comprehensive testing regime is urgently required to enable connectivity to and from countries like the US, one of our most vital trading and strategic partners. This was echoed by Airport Operators Association (AOA) chief executive Karen Dee, who urged the Government to decide on a testing regime to be put in place as soon as possible. The mobile operator Kyivstar has launched LTE-communication (4G) in the 900 MHz band in 102 settlements of Vinnytsia region. According to a statement of the operator, thanks to the building of a 4G network at GSM-900 frequencies, Kyivstar has improved communication in the territory where 56,000 people live. For this, the operator has installed 25 new towers operating at 900 MHz. As a result, the total number of Kyivstar towers operating in the 4G band in Vinnytsia region has increased to 580. According to the operator, today this is the largest LTE network in the region. Among the settlements that have gained access to 4G communication, there are very small ones with a population of several hundred people, such as the villages of Pylypy, Rudne, Krasne, as well as larger villages where several thousand people live Horodok, Ternivka, Myronivka, Kyvachivka, Cherniatyn, Demivka, Yaruha, Udych, Kozhukhiv, and other villages. "The development of high-speed mobile Internet opens up new opportunities for residents of small settlements for private business, education, remote medical consultations, access to administrative services, and other things," the operator said. Kyivstar also continues expanding its 4G coverage at the expense of other bands 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands. Since the beginning of 2020, the operator has connected almost 6,000 settlements to high-speed mobile Internet using LTE technology. And over the two years of development of the new communication technology, access to high-speed mobile Internet from Kyivstar appeared in 15,000 settlements. The company plans to provide access to 4G for 90% of the Ukrainian population in two years. New Delhi, Sep 7 : India has successfully flight tested hypersonic technology that will pave the way towards development of missiles travelling at six times the speed of sound. with this successful demonstration, the country enters an elite club to become a member of the hypersonic regime. This is a step towards manufacture of advanced Hypersonic Vehicles. India became the fourth country after the United States, Russia and China to get this technology. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated the Hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) at 11:03 am on Monday from the APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has appreciated the DRDO for achieving this milestone. "The Hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor, which took it to an altitude of 30 km, where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated at hypersonic Mach number," said the DRDO in a statement. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned. The hypersonic combustion sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound. Critical functions such as fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet have demonstrated technological maturity. The scramjet engine performed in a textbook manner. The parameters of launch and cruise vehicle, including scramjet engine, were monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and Telemetry Stations. The scramjet engine worked at high dynamic pressure and at very high temperature. A ship was also deployed in the Bay of Bengal to monitor the performance during the cruise phase of hypersonic vehicle. All the performance parameters have indicated a resounding success of the mission. With this successful demonstration, many critical technologies such as aerodynamic configuration for Hypersonic manoeuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials and separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities can be achieved. A virtual event will see the first ever open-auction sale of elite Irish Moiled cattle to be held online in accordance with the Covid-19 guidelines. With a reputation for quality and distinction, this native cattle breed has increasingly gained interest from all over the globe during the last few years. The Irish Moiled Cattle Society will work with Harrison & Hetherington (H&H) to deliver this first time public sale, with an entry of a 38 head - 26 females and 12 males. The virtual timed auction will start on Thursday 24 September at midday and will end 48 hours later, on Saturday 26 September. Brian OKane, Chairman of the Society, said the auction would be an 'elite sale with some of the best Irish Moiled Cattle in the world'. It is a niche market that is currently growing," he said, "People are going back to native breeds which are easy to look after, easier to calve and are milkier animals. "This is because the breed remains true to its native traits, and so has many big selling points such as being naturally polled and being a great mother." One of just a few surviving native breeds to the island of Ireland, the Irish Moiled is gaining attention beyond Britains shores. They are a hardy, medium-sized breed with a dual-purpose for both milk and beef. They also boast a long life which sees them calve well into their teens. Worldwide, the premium beef is in high demand for its marbling and flavour. The Irish Moiled cattle society has been at the forefront in protecting the unique genetics of the breed. It has a certification scheme which verifies the cattle as 100% Irish Mollied pure bred, including DNA parent profiling. Mr O'Kane said: "With the current emphasis on the environmental impact of farming this breed can offer a fantastic opportunity for environmentally conscious farmers to thrive in the industry. "It's ability to out winter and fatten on a grass-based system coupled with its highly marketable appearance make it an attractive opportunity." The United Nations Ghana, has spoken on the Dr. Kwame Fordjour matter and the award scheme In a press release, the outfit issued a disclaimer and distanced itself from the awards and its convener Dr. Fordjour made the headlines in Ghana after it was discovered that an award scheme he introduced was fake Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in The Ghana chapter of the United Nations (UN) has issued an official press release and disclaimed any knowledge of Dr. Kwame Fordjour or his United Nations-themed awards. In the disclaimer sighted by YEN.com.gh and fast going viral on social media, the reputable outfit indicated that its attention had been drawn to an award scheme purporting to be linked to the organisation and the Kofi Annan Foundation. The disclaimer stated categorically that it did not have anything to do with Dr Kwame Fordjour or his "Blueprint Global Challenge Awards". Dr Fordjour. Source: Instagram (modified by author) Source: Twitter READ ALSO: Pamela Watara shows off her real boyfriend for the 1st time; chops love in new video They went on to add that if they were to organize any such thing, it would not be rushed and that it would follow strict rules and then be published on their official website. Adding to its disclaimer, the international outfit went on to add that whenever anyone was in doubt about a scheme or programme affiliated to the UN, a check from their official website and agencies would clear all doubts. The disclaimer has finally brought the whole controversy surrounding Dr. Fordjour's awards to rest. He appeared in many videos vouching for the authenticity of the awards scheme and claiming that he was indeed a representative of the UN. The press release, however, has spelt out clearly that the UN has absolutely nothing to do with Dr Kwame Fordjour. READ ALSO: Kuami Eugene's mum gives him huge surprise as she speaks on radio for the 1st time (video) He made headlines after he awarded top personalities in Ghana with citations and plaques for their immense contributions to society. Among the awardees were Sarkodie, Berla Mundi, D-Black, Chairman Wontumi, Johnnie Hughes and Nathaniel Attoh. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that a video of Dr. Kwame Fordjour bragging about his recent escapades with his fake award scheme had surfaced online and was fast going viral. In the video, Dr. Kwame Fordjour now referred to as Dr. UN, was seen in what looked like a small eatery with some people and was speaking about the UN award scheme. READ ALSO: Dr. UN's award is bigger than VGMAs - Yaw Dabo defends celebs who received awards (video) Among many other things, he indicated that he was the one who could make people stars but people like him had been relegated to the background. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 03:03:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Dr. Michael Ryan(L), executive director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Program, addresses a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 18, 2020. (Photo by Chen Junxia/Xinhua) Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, attributed China's success to a "huge partnership between communities, scientific institutions, public health institutions in the government" and "a lot of cooperation, very sustained commitment to getting the job done." GENEVA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Senior World Health Organization (WHO) officials on Monday congratulated the front-line health workers and the people in China for having reached a successful outcome in fighting COVID-19. "Our deepest congratulations go to the front-line health workers in China and the population who worked together tirelessly to bring the disease to this very low level," said Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, at a routine WHO press briefing. He was responding to questions about the fact that China has had no local COVID-19 infections for more than two weeks, as all new cases have been imported from abroad but quarantined right after detection. Ryan attributed to China's success to a "huge partnership between communities, scientific institutions, public health institutions in the government" and "a lot of cooperation, very sustained commitment to getting the job done." "So we congratulate the front-line workers and the communities in China for having reached such a successful outcome," he said. "But as we've learned in other countries... it's not over anywhere until it's over everywhere," Ryan said, adding that "there's no room for complacency" as China continues to have imported cases from outside. "As normal life returns in many countries and especially in China, there's always the risk that the disease can flare up again," he said. Technical lead for the WHO's Health Emergencies Program Maria van Kerkhove (R) speaks during a daily briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia) Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for the WHO's Health Emergencies Program and also a member of the international team that visited China in February, said she was impressed then by the public health infrastructure, the systems in place and the strong workforce in China to deal with infectious diseases and COVID-19, which is being activated in many other countries. "Let's celebrate the successes where we can, (and) not become complacent because it's not over, but be at the ready ... So we look forward to more celebrations of success in the sharing of knowledge across the world," she said. Bruce Aylward, an epidemiologist who led an advance team from the World Health Organization (WHO), speaks during a press conference of the China-WHO joint expert team in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Dr. Bruce Aylward, senior advisor to the WHO director-general and lead of the COVID-19 international experts' mission in China, said China is passing a "milestone" since it reported no local COVID-19 infections, though 20 days without local transmission doesn't mean it doesn't have the virus. "But it provides an opportunity to reflect a little bit on what we saw when we were in China," Aylward said. China's success today, he said, can be attributed to three aspects -- namely investment at the state level in the public health infrastructure, the sense of individual responsibility among the Chinese people, and the incredible effort to build additional capacity and preparedness even when infection was heading down. "I think all of those things are part of the reason that we're seeing today the very low levels of transmission that hopefully can be maintained," he added. Photo taken with a mobile phone on Feb. 23, 2020 shows medical workers checking a patient's CT image with a movable CT machine at a makeshift hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. (Photo by Gao Xiang/Xinhua) This story was published in partnership with The 19th, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is ramping up his outreach to women by releasing a blueprint outlining how his campaign believes President Donald Trump has failed them and marshaling high-profile women, including some Republicans, to help make the case. Bidens campaign will also mark Womens Equality Day on Wednesday the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment with vice presidential pick U.S. Senator Kamala Harris launch of a nationwide Sister to Sister voter engagement program for Black women. Republican women such as Christine Todd Whitman, a former governor of New Jersey who served in the George W. Bush administration, and Susan Molinari, a former U.S. House of Representatives member from New York, are also on board to make the case to more conservative women. Both said they were prepared to help in any way that they could. President Donald Trump's supporters remain committed, though former Vice President Joe Biden leads in several polls. In the blueprint, titled Trump has failed American women, Biden slams Trump for disbanding the White House Council on Women and Girls. Valerie Jarrett, who co-chaired the council during the Obama administration, will play a role in Bidens outreach. It ensured that every department and agency in the federal government looked at their policies, programs and initiatives through the gender lens and asked themselves the question: are the policies, programs and initiatives supportive of women and girls? Jarrett said in an interview, adding that it came to an abrupt halt when Trump took office. Biden has pledged to create a new White House Council on Gender Equity if elected in November. Jarrett said the new council would allow the White House to resume that important work. Bidens campaign also says Trumps efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act have endangered women with pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy; criticizes the Trump administration for continuing to collect pay disparity data from medium and large employers only under court order; and denounced Trumps Department of Education for rolling back Obama-era policies intended to ensure more rigorous investigations of campus sexual assault. Story continues The blueprint is the latest in a series that Bidens campaign is releasing evaluating Trump administration policies and their effects on specific constituencies. A report earlier in the week examined the Trump presidencys impact on young Americans. He has failed women in so many ways, Whitman said of Trump. The fact that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are emphasizing what they would do, I think, shows the huge gap between the two campaigns. In addition to creating the White House Council on Gender Equity, Biden pledges in the document to provide universal preschool education and improve womens economic security by working with Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would punish employers for retaliating against workers who share salary information and allow workers to sue for punitive damages in wage discrimination cases, among other provisions. The Biden and Trump campaigns both know that womens support is critical to their chances for success. In 2016, Trump split the vote of White women nearly evenly with Democrat Hillary Clinton, who won women overall by roughly a 15-point margin. Polls show that women are more likely than men to reconsider their support for Trump and that a potentially historic gender gap is opening ahead of November. Molinari said Trumps focus on wooing suburban housewives with law-and-order rhetoric is a patent diminution of who we are and what we are concerned about. We know that women may be the deciding vote in some key states, Molinari said. And all we want to do is say to Republicans and independents who have concerns about voting for a Democrat for the first time: its okay, it will work out. This is a man who has always treated individuals with kindness, respect and courage. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden ramps up election outreach to women ahead of November The Durham Catholic District School Board is hosting a public prayer after a teacher and two of his children who attended school there died in a shooting at an Oshawa home on Friday. The prayer will be held online on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and will open with a statement from Tracy Barill, the boards director of education. It can be accessed at https://dcdsb.ca/liturgy. Chris Traynor, 50, was a beloved teacher at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School. His son Joey, 11, was a student at Sir Albert Love Catholic School and his daughter Adelaide, 15, was a student at the high school at which he taught. His son Bradley, 20, attended the University of Guelph. His wife, Loretta Traynor, who is a teacher at St. Theresa Catholic School, was wounded in Fridays shooting. Lorettas brother Mitchell Lapa, 48, has been identified as the shooter by Durham police. He drove his pickup truck from Winnipeg to the family home on Parklane Avenue before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot, they said. As a Catholic community, in the midst of our despair, we are called to turn to our faith for comfort and hope, the school board said in a statement Monday. We recognize that this unthinkable loss has directly or indirectly impacted many members of the DCDSB community and beyond, they said. We believe in the power of prayer, no matter where it is offered and hope that many will choose to join us at that time from their own homes. The school board is offering counselling to students and parents who need it through a helpline at 905-576-6150, extension 21021. As of Monday, over $116,000 had been raised on Go Fund Me for the familys funeral services, with donations from over 1,800. Miriam Lafontaine is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @mirilafontaine International travel during the coronavirus pandemic is a far cry from the pre-COVID days of busy terminals, bustling crowds and excited passengers. Duty free stores normally teeming with eager customers have been fenced off, ticket counters are shut and even the baggage carousals have stopped. The normally packed waiting areas, usually filled with scores of travellers, are now just row after row of empty seats. Australian filmmaker Roderick MacKay gave some insight after filming the deserted international terminal at the Perth Airport while flying from Western Australia to Italy. 'As you can see it's all pretty dystopian and empty,' Mr Mackay said. 'Well, so far this is even stranger a start than I anticipated.' Aussie filmmaker Roderick MacKay (pictured in grey) shared footage of the deserted international terminal at the Perth Airport where duty free stores and ticket counters were all closed Australia's international travel ban was extended by six months in September with no one allowed to leave the country unless they're granted an exemption. Mr MacKay flew to Venice as the only Australian with a film at the 2020 festival, Reuters reported. The overseas travel ban has been in place since March 18 and was due to end on September 17 before the three-month extension. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the decision to extend the ban was based on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. 'AHPPC has advised that the international and domestic COVID-19 situation continues to pose an unacceptable public health risk,' he announced on Thursday. 'The extension of the emergency period is an appropriate response to that risk. Since the start of the pandemic airlines have experienced a 98 per cent drop in passengers. After seeing the fenced off duty free stores Mr Mackay (pictured left) described the feeling in the airport as 'dystopian' and said travelling international was 'strange' In the footage Mr MacKay showed empty ticket counters (pictured), deserted rows of seats and even fenced off duty free stores as airports experience a 98 per cent drop in passengers Meanwhile 80 per cent of international air freight was transported in the belly of passenger planes before the pandemic. Despite the government providing about $1.5 billion in assistance to the aviation industry, there have been calls for a broader package. Australian Airports Association chief James Goodwin said airports were losing $300 million a month, with operating costs the same if there's one flight or 100. He said airports were doing a great deal of work to comply with government mandated coronavirus requirements, but haven't been given any support. A third of Australians who apply are granted a travel ban exemption. Between March 25 to July 31 the Australian Border Force has approved 22,640 out of 91,950 requests overall, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The record number of top grades today will bring joy to the Leaving Cert Class of 2020 but anxiety to CAO applicants from previous years who fear they will miss out on college places next month. At least 10,000 of this year's 78,000 CAO applicants had sat the Leaving under normal circumstances last year and thousands of others are relying on results from previous years or further education qualifications. Some of those who took the Leaving last year took time out from their studies but fortunately had accepted their CAO offers last August and deferred their place. They must be thanking their lucky stars they did so. But the others will be competing against this year's crop with their higher grades and inevitably higher college entry points. The Government is hoping the 1,250 extra places in higher education will go some way towards heading off any backlash. The Higher Education Authority has allocated these places in the past few days and is in touch with the representative bodies of the universities and institutes of technology about any issues that arise. In addition, a further 1,415 places are being created under the Human Capital Initiative in areas such as ICT, science and engineering. Read More The new secretary general of the Department of Further and Higher Education Jim Breslin said several factors were at work determining enrolment including the expected decrease in overseas students. But he agreed this might be offset by the reluctance of some Irish students to enrol abroad because of Covid. In pre-Covid times there were as many as 11,000 students from Ireland in the UK at any one time on undergraduate and postgraduate courses. There has also been increasing traffic to countries such as the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Germany where it is easier to get into courses, conducted through English, in areas such as medicine, physiotherapy and dentistry. Several officials gave a two-and-a-half hour briefing yesterday in the Department of Education to explain the process of arriving at today's grades. Statisticians will have a field day poring over the wealth of data being released. The officials studiously avoided using the dreaded word "algorithm", which is defined as a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer. This was wise given how the word became tainted in the UK when almost 40pc of estimated teacher grades were downgraded by a computer, particularly affecting disadvantaged schools. The ensuing furore forced a U-turn which resulted in Boris Johnson's administration declaring teachers' estimated grades would be accepted instead. This is causing chaos for university admissions officers. Irish officials instead talked about a model - computerised, of course - which was tweaked umpteen times to come up with the results. Education Minister Norma Foley had insisted they take out historic school-by-school data, lest she be accused of deciding results by school postal code. The final model gives even more emphasis on school predicted marks and rankings. It reined in somewhat the very generous predictions many schools had for their high-flying students. Over the past three years 5.6pc of all higher level subjects warranted H1 level results. The schools estimated this year 13.4pc would do so but the model decided on a figure of 8.9pc. Generous as today's results are, there would have been even more top grades if we relied entirely on school predictions. It's clear teachers overestimated the likely results their "better" students were entitled to. Just over half of the higher level grades - 147,896 were reduced by 1-5 percentage marks, 27,239 by 6-10 marks and 1,761 by more than 10. Even with these reductions the model used still resulted in higher percentages of grades for all subjects at H1 level. Some of the percentage gains may stretch credulity at times. For instance, over the past three years 4pc of higher level economics grades were at H1 level; the schools projected the figure would increase to 16pc this year but the computer decided on 10.4pc. This is still a substantial rise. Read More H1s in higher level art jumped from 2.4pc during the past three years to 8.5pc this year. The schools had estimated a figure of 11.9pc. Officials have clearly been working day and night to get the model's allocation of grades as fair as possible to this year's cohort of students. But it seems the model has worked out "fairer" for some, such as those taking art and economics, than others. Ms Foley believes her officials have done enough to avoid a repeat of the UK catastrophe here. The students who have been downgraded and the CAO candidates who feel cheated of a college place this year may feel otherwise. Their reaction and that of opposition parties will dictate if the Government has failed or come through this year's Leaving Cert with honours. NAIROBI, Kenya Three Somali military officers were killed and two others injured along with an American service member in a bombing in southern Somalia on Monday, the authorities said, the latest example of a deadly insurgency that has continued to wreak havoc in the Horn of Africa nation. Officials in Jubaland State said an explosives-laden pickup truck exploded around 8 a.m. at a military outpost in the Jana Abdalle area in the Lower Juba region of southern Somalia. The attack came just days after Somali forces, with the support of American military personnel, reclaimed the area from the Somali terrorist group Al Shabab. The authorities said the area, about 37 miles from the port city of Kismayo, had been used by the group as a hub to raise funds by taxing and extorting civilians moving across the region. In recent years, the Shabab, who are a branch of Al Qaedas terrorist network and seek to overthrow Somalias Western-backed government, have lost many of the cities and villages they once controlled. Despite facing a record number of drone strikes, the group has morphed into a more nimble and lethal outfit, carrying out massive attacks against civilian and military targets across Somalia and neighboring countries. Art can be an outlet for healing for both the creator and the observer. With this in mind, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has te President Donald Trump makes his way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Sept. 3, 2020, heading to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for a campaign stop. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) The Associated Press checks out some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. This one is bogus, even though it was shared widely on social media. Here are the facts: CLAIM: Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed using her power to remove the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial in the wake of George Floyds death. THE FACTS: Bowser did not call for the removal of the Washington Monument or Lincoln Memorial. The monuments are on federal land outside the mayors jurisdiction. Social media posts making the claim misrepresented a report released Tuesday by the District of Columbia Facilities and Commemorative Expressions task force. The task force was formed by Bowser over the summer in response to nationwide protests over police brutality. The task force recommended renaming, relocating and adding context to monuments, schools, parks and buildings. The Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial were named in the report. The Lincoln Memorial was not mentioned, as posts suggested. The mayor has not called for the changes or endorsed them, according to a spokesperson in her office. Mayor Bowser has asked the DC FACES Working Group to clarify and refine their recommendations to focus on local DC, so no one attempts to confuse the Working Groups focus on contextualizing not removing important monuments and memorials in DC, LaToya Foster, director of communications for the mayor, said in an email. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that many of the monuments and statues in the nations capital are on federal land, which would be outside the local governments control. The false posts online received hundreds of thousands of shares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The posts suggested that the mayor was attempting to erase or rewrite history for the city. Following the backlash, a page reviewing statues and memorials was removed from the report. The White House responded to the task forces report saying that the president would not allow the recommendations to move forward. As long as President Trump is in the White House, the mayors irresponsible recommendations will go absolutely nowhere, and as the mayor of our Nations capital city a city that belongs to the American people she ought to be ashamed for even suggesting them for consideration, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement Tuesday. The mayors office told the AP that it was interesting that the White House was commenting on an intragovernmental report about how to recognize all sides of our history. Beatrice Dupuy/ Ashraf Khalil contributed to this report Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck On August 29, 2020, Canadas minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, tweeted, Our government is extending the existing restrictions on international travel to Canada by one month until September 30, 2020 to limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in our communities. The tweet is another disheartening news for Air Canada (TSX:AC), which has been pleading the government to lift travel restrictions and ease quarantine requirements. However, the spread of COVID-19 remains the primary concern of the Trudeau administration. Also, it dampens all efforts of the airline company to ensure public safety. 1,000 flights with COVID-positive passengers Based on data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, about 1,000 flights in the country have carried at least one COVID-positive passenger since February 2020. According to flight figures, more than 370 domestic flights recorded at least one passenger who tested positive for COVID-19. Between February 4 and August 24 this year, there are coronavirus carriers on 973 flights that flew into or within Canada. Transport Minister Marc Garneau reiterates the government is taking a very serious and layered approach to minimize the risk of passengers bringing COVID-19 into the country. Among the measures travellers from abroad must comply with are screening questions, temperature measurements, and wearing masks. All of these measures aim to minimize the chances of spreading COVID-19 if an infected passenger has transmitted the virus while in flight. However, the most stringent measure thats hurting Air Canada is the 14-day quarantine period. The penalty is stiff for anyone entering Canada, either by air or land, that dont isolate within the period. Violators will pay fines of up to $750,000 and possible jail time. Dr. Jim Chung, Air Canadas chief medical officer, said the requirement is the largest impediment to the business. Voluntary COVID-19 test trial Story continues The border closure extension will further block Air Canadas desire to restart and generate revenues. It has been going to great lengths to convince the government to reconsider its decision. Management is pushing for an evidence-based approach and looking for creative alternatives or solutions. After the Labour Day holiday on September 7, 2020, Air Canada will set up testing booths at Torontos Pearson Airport. Dr. Chung hopes the company could gather enough data and evidence to present to the government so that they can look at alternatives in a safe and evidence-based manner to the 14-day quarantine. Huge investor losses Air Canada expects to bleed millions of dollars daily in the third quarter of 2020. The company is in a dilemma following quarterly losses of $1.05 billion (Q1) and $1.75 billion (Q2). Management obtained fresh funding in the first quarter to offset the losses. As of June 30, 2020, it has over $9 billion in liquidity to help weather the COVID-19 crisis. Canadas flag carrier might cut more regional routes to save costs. Some shareholders might approve of this move of Air Canada if the suspensions can limit financial losses. Investors are losing nearly 63% year to date from the airline stock. The outlook is not looking good for the rest of 2020, as the government is unlikely to bend from its position. The post Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock: International Travel Restriction Extended appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020 His concerts are sometimes schmaltzy spectacles where the audiences appear as entirely lost in the moment of absolute joy as the smiling man creating it all - the King of Waltz himself, Andre Rieu. With a repertoire that includes Edelweiss, The Blue Danube and I Could Have Danced All Night, crowd-pleasers are his stock-in-trade. One night in New York, at a venue beloved of Frank Sinatra, he had the crowd singing along to My Way. Another night in Australia, he played the theme song to Neighbours. It is a style of classical music that, according to Donald Clarke in the Irish Times, makes "Richard Clayderman seem like Karlheinz Stockhausen". That said, Rieu has an inner sadness that you'd never imagine from listening to his music or attending one of his instantly sold-out shows. The biggest-selling classical musician in the world is talking proudly about how his father, Andries Antonie Rieu, was a conductor "in the classical sense with his face to the orchestra, while I have my face to the audience most of the time". Expand Close Andre and his wife Marjorie / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Andre and his wife Marjorie He adds that his father once dressed up the orchestra in period costumes when they were playing Mozart music. "I remember that evening very well. I was a small boy. There were candles on the music stand. It was so romantic, really beautiful. I think that sort of theatre thing in my shows I inherited from my father. He had the soloist for that concert picked up in a Mozart carriage. So I got the theatre gift from my father." It is all very upbeat fare, but then I casually ask what gift did his mother give him. There is a short pause followed by a bittersweet symphony dedicated, unhappily, to Alice Christina Maria Kleijntjens. "That is a good question," he begins. "My mother and me were not so good together. She was a cold person. And I'm a very warm person. I have not so very good memories of my mother." Did he reconcile with his mother before she died? "No, no" he says, haltingly. "It wasn't [reconciled]. We had a very cold relationship. She did not believe very much in me. The moment I blossomed was the moment that I met my wife," Andre says of Marjorie Kochmann, whom he married in 1975. They have two sons, Marc and Pierre. "She believed in me. She made possible what I am now. Without her, I would lie in the gutter, with a bottle of Irish whiskey." Expand Close Andre and his wife Marjorie whom he married in 1975 and had two sons, Marc and Pierre / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Andre and his wife Marjorie whom he married in 1975 and had two sons, Marc and Pierre Video of the Day Did his parents get to see their son become famous across the world? "My father just saw the beginning and then he passed away," he says, "and my mother saw everything because she passed away last year." And what did she say to him? "She never said anything to me. She never said that she was proud of me. She never said, 'We made a mistake when you were young, not believing in you, because now see what you have achieved'. She never said that to me. She never spoke to me." That must have been very hurtful? "Yeah," he says. "It was very hard. It cost me several years in therapy to get loose of that terrible thing, because of course I would have liked to have had a lovely mother who believed in me, who loved me, but that was not the case." You have turned out pretty well, Andre, I say. "I worked very hard for it," he says. "I worked on it, to solve that. Perhaps it is my energy. I am not a person sitting down and crying, saying, 'Argggh!' I go forward. There are worse things. Some people don't have a mother at all. Or their mother or father beat them. There are worse things than happened to me." The musical superstar and Marjorie live in Maastricht, Holland, in a 16th-century castle once owned by Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan - who was killed at the siege of Maastricht in 1673 and inspired Alexandre Dumas's romping fictionalised swashbuckler in The Three Musketeers. Apropos of chateaus, Rieu's 2008 world stadium tour had an actual-size replica of Schonbrunn Palace, in Vienna, that left Andre in financial ruin to the not very classical tune of $36 million. "That was a hard time of course because I was thinking too big," he says of his imperial error of judgment. "After that, I was bankrupt really. The bank said to me, go out and do concerts because that is the only way we get back our money. I promised Marjorie never to do that again. The palace is still there. It is in a warehouse." He says he had never heard the music of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones until he met Marjorie in the early 1970s. "My education was very severe and very classical," says Andre, who played the violin from the age of five, and attended the Music Academy in Brussels. Marjorie too was steeped in the classical music tradition, but "when I met her we listened to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones together." Rieu would like to work with Bruce Springsteen one day. He is modest enough to admit, however: "I don't know if Bruce Springsteen even knows my name. He is a big example for me. I have great respect for him, his music. The energy he has on stage is fantastic." Where does his own seemingly inexhaustible onstage energy come from? "I was born like that," says Rieu, who was born on October 1, 1949 in Maastricht. "Marjorie always says to me, 'You are four horses and I am pulling them back.' That's true. I can only run or sleep all my life." Because of Covid-19, the grand master has had no choice but to slow down. "Because we were travelling the world giving 100 concerts a year with my 'second family', it is s**t, terrible," he says. "Sometimes I think, 'How should the end come? What would be the last concert? An accident or an illness? But nobody thought of this situation in the world," he says of the pandemic. How does that affect his creativity? "It is still there. I'm a person who cannot sit still." On March 14, he was in America "to do a concert when Trump said to the nation, 'Please don't go to concerts any more because it's dangerous'. We flew home immediately. And since then I'm baking cakes at home. I'm a cook but I have never baked so many cakes. The whole house smells nice. I don't eat them all but it gives me a lot of joy. "Of course we have a lot of material from all the concerts to lift the world up. We make compilations for the cinema," he says referring to his latest release, Andre Rieu's Magical Maastricht - Together In Music. "I am a positive person. I am sure things are going to be good again and we can jump up on stage and play for the people. It is a great feeling that my audiences across the world are waiting for me." What goes through his mind when he is conducting his orchestra in front of a giant audience? "My brain is 100pc turning. I have a sort of radar with the audience. I can feel every second with the audience when they are with me. That's why I travel the world doing concerts, because the audience is really with me. I'm not playing for empty chairs. I'm playing for lovely, warm-hearted people. And that's why we are in a packed hall, because they want this warm feeling. I see everything. That is a gift I have. The people feel that I play for them - because I do." "I have a lot of energy," he goes on, "and I use a lot of humour in life because I think humour is a fantastic tool to solve problems before they even come. Humour is a very good tool." To test him, I throw a quote at him that he said almost 20 years ago: "I'm nothing more than an old, ugly man of 52 with an egg-shaped head which I try to hide under my long hair." "I'm 70 now," he laughs. "And nothing has changed." Andre Rieu's Magical Maastricht - Together In Music is in cinemas for two weeks only from September 18. Check out www.andreincinemas.com for participating cinemas Champ: How Andre helped Ajax beat mighty Bayern Expand Close Patrick Kluivert / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patrick Kluivert The evening of April 19, 1995 was literally a game-changer for Andre Rieu. He performed at half-time in the Champions League semi-final second leg between Ajax and Bayern Munich at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. It was more than a performance. It was a rallying call: 40,000 fans waved flags as Rieu played The Second Waltz by Shostakovich. Ajax were 3-1 up against the mighty Germans. Then, as Ajax star Ronald de Boer said, "when we came back to the field, Rieu still had a swing in the stadium. And that helped. I think Jari Litmanen made it 4-1 within two minutes. The final blow." Ajax went on to win 5-1 and get to the final in Vienna, where they beat AC Milan, with 18-year-old Patrick Kluivert (pictured) coming off the bench to score the winner. "That performance at half-time in Amsterdam changed my career - and my life," Rieu says. And if Ajax had lost to Bayern? "My life would have been totally different." Ajax manager Louis van Gaal, Rieu says, "came to one of my concerts. He said he was very jealous of the way I coped with my orchestra. 'I am going to do this with my crew because it is so important to make a team of them.'" Another hugely important performance for Rieu was at the Ground Zero site in New York four weeks after the September 11 attacks. "I performed Lost Heroes for the fire-fighters. It was so emotional. Oh my God, it was terrible to see all the rubble." The first day of WCOOP-25-H: $25,000 [8-Max Super High Roller Sunday Slam] $2.5m Gtd has come to an end after reaching the money here on level 21. Day 1 of this event saw 106 entry slips sold and when the dust had settled only 13 runners were left to battle it out, with none other than Fedor "CrownUpGuy" Holz leading the way. Holz is one of the most well-known poker players in the world, sitting eighth on the all-time money list with a resume that can do nothing but impress anyone who takes a look. He was already having an astounding day after shipping a tournament earlier in the evening for his second WSOP gold bracelet, along with a cool $1,077,025 cash prize, bringing his total career well over the $33 million mark. The German pro continued his run-good right here in the biggest buy-in WCOOP of the series, spinning up a stack of 4,399,094 which is good for a healthy chip lead headed into the final day. Closest behind the chipleader is Luke "Bit2Easy" Reeves with 3,549,130 after landing a few pots late to climb near the top. Day 1 ended once the money bubble had popped and it was suiting that Holz was the one to do so. "Horfven" pushed all-in for their remaining stack from the button with king-queen and unfortunately for them, ran into the ace-queen of Holz in the big blind. The board ran out clean, sending "Horfven" out of the tournament as well as ending the day. End of Day Chip Counts Place Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 Fedor "CrownUpGuy" Holz Germany 4,399,094 88 2 Luke "Bit2Easy" Reeves United Kingdom 3,549,130 71 3 tzuzteutezu Austria 3,109,644 62 4 Kahle "ROFLshove" Burns Australia 2,571,212 51 5 Pauli "Fiilismies" Ayras Finland 2,240,696 45 6 Wiktor "limitless" Malinowski Russia 2,143,354 43 7 Adrian "Amadi_017" Mateos Spain 1,765,835 35 8 Vyacheslav "VbV1990" Buldygin Russia 1,524,605 30 9 Laszlo "omaha4rollz" Bujtas Hungary 1,411,125 28 10 Chris "Big Huni" Hunichen Costa Rica 1,136,021 23 11 Geokarak Greece 972,084 19 12 Artur "mararthur1" Martirosian Russia 843,017 17 13 Daris "DEX888" Pedes Germany 834,183 17 Many notable players showed up to take a shot at a WCOOP title with many failing to find enough traction to roll into Day 2. Some of which to try include Justin "ZeeJustin" Bonomo, Michael "imluckbox" Addamo, Stephen "stevie444" Chidwick, Timothy "Tim0thee" Adams, David "dpeters17" Peters, and Sam "Str8$$$Homey" Greenwood. A total of 106 entries were sold, creating a prize pool of $2,599,650 with the remaining 13 all finding a payday of at least $55,113 with the eventual champion taking down a WCOOP title, along with a six-figure payday worth $599,050. Day 2 will start Monday, Sept 7 at 1:05 ET, and will have a live stream following all of the action. The blinds will remain at 20 minutes in length, with all players getting a five-minute break 55 minutes past every hour. The day will not end until a winner has been crowned, taking down the title and all of that cold hard cash. The PokerNews live reporting team will be bringing you all of the action as the remainder of the tournament unfolds, so tune in tomorrow! Sushant Singh Rajput Death Anniversary: A Timeline of the of events that have transpired so far At least 6 members of Sushant Singh Rajputs family killed in road accident in Bihar Rhea Chakraborty files complaint against Sushant's sister Priyanka for forging prescription India oi-Deepika S Mumbai, Sep 07: Actress Rhea Chakraborty has filed a police complaint against the actor's sister Priyanka Singh on Monday over a "bogus medical prescription" allegedly to enable the actor to access anxiety medication that cannot be prescribed electronically. In her complaint sent to the Bandra police here on Sunday, Chakraborty sought that Priyanka Singh and Dr Tarun Kumar, working with Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, be booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for forgery, the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. The 28-year-old actress in her complaint said Rajput was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was undergoing treatment for various other mental health issues. However, Rajput was not disciplined in following the treatment and would often abruptly stop his medications, she further said in the complaint. "On June 8, 2020, Rajput showed me the messages he and his sister Priyanka had exchanged in which Priyanka sent him a list of medicines to take. I explained to Rajput that he has already been prescribed medicines by doctors who are treating him," Chakraborty said in her complaint. "He (Rajput), however, disagreed with me and insisted that he would only take the medicine his sister was prescribing," she said. On the same day, Rajput asked Chakraborty to leave the house as his sister Meetu Singh was coming to stay with him for a few days, according to the complaint. "It has now come to light that Rajput on June 8 told his sister Priyanka that he would not be able to obtain the said medicines without a prescription. His sister Priyanka subsequently on the same day sent him a prescription signed by one Dr Tarun Kumar, working with the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi," the complaint said. "Prima facie, the prescription appeared to be fabricated. The medicines prescribed by the doctor are prohibited from being prescribed electronically without consultation with the patient," Chakraborty said in the complaint. "Rajput died just a few days after he obtained the prescription, wherein he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances at the behest of his sister Priyanka and the doctor Tarun Kumar," she said. Rajput, 34, was found hanging in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14 following which the Mumbai Police had lodged an Accidental Death Report (ADR). On July 25, Rajputs father K K Singh lodged a complaint with Patna police against Rhea Chakraborty, her parents Indrajit and Sandhya Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, the late actor's former manager Shruti Modi and his house manager Samuel Miranda. He accused them of cheating and abetting his son's suicide. He also claimed that the accused persons had siphoned off Rs 15 crore from his son's bank accounts. Based on this allegation, the Enforcement Directorate is probing money laundering charges. The FIR lodged by Patna police was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is probing drugs angle in the case. Ukraine regards two shelling in Donbas as differing cases with aim of provocation, urges Russia to influence illegal armed formations to keep ceasefire President's Office Ukraine has learned about the recent shellings in Donbas and regards them as two separate incidents committed with a provocative purpose, Ukraine's President's Office has said. "We demand that Russia intervene in the situation and influence the provocative behavior of illegal armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in order to keep the ceasefire," the presidential press service told Interfax-Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine does not intend to retreat from the implementation of the ceasefire agreements in Donbas, but the Ukrainian military is ready to respond promptly and decisively to enemy activity. "The president is extremely concerned about the provocative shelling and tensions in Donbas. During the 41 days of the comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire, there was not a single combat loss among the Ukrainian military. This truce has shown that it is the right step towards achieving peace in Donbas," the President's Office said. The president said once again that Ukraine does not retreat from the position of achieving peace and fulfills all the agreements reached on July 22 on the ceasefire regime, which has been proven by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission. However, if necessary, the Ukrainian military will defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and lives of Ukrainian citizens, responding promptly and decisively to the enemy's activity. According to the results of a special meeting the day before, the president issued relevant decrees in connection with the shelling of the Ukrainian military by the "LPR" and "DPR" terrorist organizations. In particular, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ukraine also took urgent measures provided for by the Agreement of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) of July 22 on the introduction of a package of additional measures to support the ceasefire regime from July 27, namely, it immediately activated a coordination mechanism to respond to ceasefire violations with the assistance of the Joint Control and Coordination Center, and also informed the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine about the incident. The President's Office recalled that before the TCG representatives held an extraordinary meeting on the situation. The TCG representatives will meet on September 7 as well. The CalPERS board would do well to heed two folk sayings as CalPERS staff is scrambling to put itself in charge of a board campaign, led by State Controller Betty Yee, to reassert the boards authority over staff. One is A politician is someone who tries to get in front of a mob and call it a parade. In this case, CalPERS staff is trying to vitiate this board initiative by putting itself in charge of not just the agenda for discussion, but even the content of proposals. Since when does it make any sense to put the problem, which in this case is CalPERS executives who have operated for years as if they are accountable to no one, in charge of coming up with solutions? And CalPERS staff is still insubordinate. As well see below, the staff agendized fundamental governance issues, that Controller Betty Yee asked to be scheduled for the whole board to discuss on September 16 in the Board of Administration meeting. Staff instead has put Yees items on the agenda for September 15, for a board committee that Yee does not sit on. As we recounted, CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost was so brazen as to claim at a retiree roundtable that the concerns that Controller Betty had stated in the press and at the start of the August 17 special board meeting had been addressed in that closed session. Putting aside the problem that Frosts statement was tantamount to saying that CalPERS had yet again violated the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act,1 it would have been impossible to have satisfied Yee in the August 17 secret meeting. In her attempt to intervene then, before Board President Henry Jones cut her off and ended the open part of the meeting, Yee had asked when her items would be put on the agenda for a public discussion. It should have been no surprise that Yee fired back, the very same day, with a letter to Jones requesting that the board have an open discussion about the governance and oversight of CalPERS at its September 16 meeting including: the delegation of the CEO, reporting structure of the CIO to the Board, and an expanded meeting calendar and composition of the Investment Committee to ensure appropriate Board oversight. Board member Margaret Brown sent in her own letter to Jones the next day, reiterating Yees requests and adding one more: Delegation of Investment Authority. Weve been pointing out for years that the board has put itself in a dangerous position by ceding authority to staff and not engaging in even basic oversight.2 Let us not forget that important beneficiary groups are also in revolt. One of the biggest retiree groups, Retired Public Employees Association of California, has called for Henry Jones resignation. Well discuss the gauntlet thrown by the influential California State University Emeritus and Retired Faculty and Staff Association tomorrow. So what has CalPERS done? Rather than risk Yee going into an Elizabeth Warren level plenty of blood and teeth left on the floor response at the September board meeting, CalPERS has rapidly backtracked from Marcie Frosts attempt at Nothing to see here, move along. CalPERS told Pension & Investments on Friday September 5 that the items requested by Ms. Yee will be added to the open session agenda sometime next week. Since the board agenda and supporting materials are normally uploaded to the CalPERS site ten days before a board session, and made available to the board a day or so before that, CalPERS admitted it was improvising. But even the rougher than usual agenda shows that CalPERS staff intends to retain control by presenting documents at the meeting. As anyone who has been in a transactional business knows, He who controls the documents controls the deal. From the agenda for the Board Governance Committee for September 15 (and recall that Henry Jones has chosen not to make Yee a member of that committee): Notice that the CalPERS staff does have its ducks in a row on the first item, Reporting Investigations to the Board. Thats an admission that the board impermissibly discussed this topic in the August closed session and that Frost believed that giving the board this bone would placate Yee. Whoops. However, as we indicated at the top, unless the board firmly asserts its authority, the staff is certain to maneuver what little discussion there is towards cosmetic changes. They are already laying the groundwork to have no debate at all by classifying all of these items as Information Agenda which means CalPERS intends to have a one-way communication. Even Information Consent requires a vote, but the format is to have no vote and no follow up action. If there were to be a vote, there would have to be public comments on every item, and you can see it is set only at the end, for the great unwashed public to vent to no avail. You can see the scheme to concede only minimal changes with the one document the CalPERS staff has published, on reporting investigations to the board. Staff believes there is no reason to notify the board if the Managing Investment Director of Private Equity were being under review for misconduct. And with two of Frosts Three Stooges, Henry Jones and Rob Feckner, on the seven-member Board Governance Committee, the staff already has a leg up. At a minimum, the board needs to take control of the policy reforms, even if it would take more time to gather information, such as looking at the governance regimes of better functioning public pension funds, like CalSTRS and the better Canadian public pensions. CalPERS board members should know better by now than to trust staff. The other fitting folk story is the fable of the frog and the scorpion: A scorpion asks a frog to ferry him across a river. The frog fears that the scorpion will sting him. The scorpion reasons that if it did so, both would drown. The frog decides to carry the scorpion. Partway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog, insuring that both of them die. The frog cries out, Why did you sting me? The scorpion replies, Because it is my nature. The history of troubled organizations is that turnaround efforts usually fail until enough new key executives take the helm to steer a new course. The odds that CalPERS top staffers are willing to, let alone capable of, making fundamental changes in how they operate is vanishingly small. _______ 1 First, CalPERS had not agendized the issues that Yee wanted discussed. Second, even if CalPERS had, these topics could not legally be relegated to a secret deliberation. 2 Recall that not only are CalPERS board members jointly and severally liable, but CalPERS liability self-insurance for them established a criminal conflict of interest. As reader David in Santa Cruz explained: (Global Times) As Washington steps up its crackdown on China, so does its efforts to drive Confucius Institutes out of the US. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that "The Confucius Centers are a propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party they are not cultural centers." As China narrows the gap with the US in terms of national strength, these same politicians from Washington exaggerate this purported "China threat" for political purposes. Given that the ghost of McCarthyism still haunts the US, it is no surprise to see Confucius Institutes become their latest target. The establishment of Confucius Institutes in the US is the result of bilateral choices. This cooperation has allowed for the teaching and promotion of Putonghua - which has been evaluated and approved by US universities. However, despite academic achievements, US politicians like Pompeo have maliciously tarnished this sound cooperation at every turn. Under current US government, all Confucius Institutes in the US would possibly be shut down. But it is hard to see right now what the future holds. Anyone forecasting what might happen with current China-US relations needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Confucius Institutes have boosted Americans' understanding of China, which is becoming increasingly important worldwide. In addition, the institutes have substantially benefited American students with higher education quality and even job opportunities. The establishment of Confucius Institutes has simply been about linguistic and cultural exchanges. But now the Trump administration has pointed the gun at the institutes. The complete closure of Confucius Institutes in the US will narrow the channels for cultural exchanges between China and the US. But the door for Americans to learn Chinese will remain open. In terms of US national interests, it is unwise to close all Confucius Institutes in the US. Long before China and the US established diplomatic ties, some Americans had already started learning Chinese language. This suited US national interests - after all, people who understand Chinese culture are needed and language training is indispensable for activities, such as gathering intelligence. After China's reform and opening-up, more and more Americans came to the Chinese mainland to learn Putonghua. Confucius Institutes have expanded access to Chinese culture with remarkable and applaudable achievements. It is a pity that the bad political situation in the US will force Confucius Institutes to close down. The US government is accountable for such antics. Even so, the American people are unlikely to stop learning Chinese. The loss of these intellectual fountains of Chinese thought in the US is invisible but tangible. It not only damages the image of US universities but it also weakens the teaching strength of the US education system. However, the growing number of Confucius Institutes globally is undoubtedly seen as a dangerous signal by McCarthyist politicians in the US - any disturbances in China-US relations might put Confucius Institutes under extraordinary risks for their existence. For purely political purposes, shifting the blame for US domestic problems to China is the endgame of Trump's reelection hopes. The wily Trump administration's hysterical movements have gone after personal gain to assault China. Pompeo used to be a "marginalized" political figure before Trump's presidency. And his role as the decision-maker in Trump's team is consistent with current US administration's "anti-China" foreign policy. Shutting down Confucius Institutes is actually a trick from a conspiracy minded cabal who exaggerate the "China threat" theory. They deliberately exaggerate Confucius Institutes as organizations that are infiltrating and cultivating spies for their political purposes. Despite this, now might be an opportune diplomatic moment for Confucius Institutes as well as other Chinese culture and language training bodies to adjust themselves with new global outreach and learning paradigms. Three Court of Appeal justices have rejected a bid by former criminal barrister Lloyd Rayney to have them step down from hearing his multi-million dollar damages appeal. In September, the lawyer for Mr Rayney asked the three justices to remove themselves from hearing whether or not Mr Rayney deserves more money than the $2.62 million awarded to him after being cleared over the murder of his wife. Lloyd Rayney continues to seek compensation for the damages he suffered over his wife's murder trial. Credit:Nine News Perth Mr Rayney's lawyer argued there were concerns over what the average person may perceive as bias from the justices in the case. Court of Appeal president Michael Buss and justices Graeme Murphy and Michael Corboy, among others on the Supreme Court's full bench, upheld a State Administrative Tribunal decision that Mr Rayney engaged in professional misconduct. Advertisement Black Lives Matter protesters screamed in the face of white elderly outdoor diners during protests in Pittsburgh on Saturday, disturbing new video shows. Cellphone footage shows the crowd taking over the outdoor dining space with one person even approaching the older couple's table before drinking their beer in front of them; another smashed a glass from a table. One protester tells the diners: 'F**k the white people that built the system.' He adds: 'F*** 12'; a reference to police. Others eating at the restaurant pick up their belonging and leave after demonstrators call them an 'embarrassment'. The demonstrations are in response to several black Americans who have died in police custody, with the recently shared footage of the death of Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York in March, sparking the new wave of outrage. Similar scenes have played out across the county with a diner in Washington D.C. last week cornered by a group of anti-racism protesters outside a restaurant. In another incident, diners in Rochester were also confronted by a large group of demonstrators. 'We're shutting your party down,' one woman was seen shouting in the face of a New York diner as demonstrators smashed the customer's glasses in front of their faces, broke plates, overturned chairs and chanted at them to get out. A second video taken in Pittsburgh over the weekend shows a demonstrator speaking with a megaphone while walking next to a cyclist. It's unclear what is said, but the demonstrator nudges the cyclist with his megaphone. The cyclist swats the demonstrator in response, but a second protester hits the man from behind. Police in Pittsburgh are said to have launched an investigation into both clips; there were no arrests during Saturday's protest. Black Lives Matter protesters screamed in the face of white elderly outdoor diners during protests in Pittsburgh on Saturday, disturbing new video shows When demonstrators entered the outdoor dining space, one person took a couples' drink and drank it herself before leaving Similar scenes have played out across the county with a diner in Washington D.C. last week being cornered by a group of anti-racism protesters outside a restaurant A large group of demonstrators caused diners to flee when they surrounded a New York restaurant during a protest over the death of Daniel Prude in New York The footage of the diners in Pittsburgh being approached sparked outrage online. One Twitter user, Michele Lippert, wrote: 'I am so sick of this!!!' Another, Ricardo Dinero, said: 'These terrorists have no place in Pittsburgh or anywhere in America. They dont care about black lives, they care about chaos.' Bob Billen wrote: 'I just don't understand what the endgame is for this insult, smash and dash style of "protesting". Who is sympathetic to it?' In Rochester a man attending a demonstration was struck by a car on Sunday. Shared by Carolyn Delvecchio Hoffman, footage shows a group of demonstrators standing in an intersection during the city's third night of protest. Protesters watch a vehicle turning right out of the intersection with a screech, but a few voices suddenly scream out in warning. Seconds later, a red vehicle accelerates into the crowd and the driver unleashes a wave of yellow spray paint at protesters. One demonstrator and a cyclist get into a brief slapping match as others watch the exchange from restaurants and businesses (pictured) Authorities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are investigating after social media footage showed demonstrators and civilians clashing on Saturday Meanwhile, the unidentified man was crouching down on the concrete and did not see the vehicle coming in time. The man manages to jump in the air, but is still hit by the vehicle and thrown to the ground. The group of witnesses then call for volunteer medics as the man remains on the ground. Hoffman said: 'The driver was not arrested at the scene. Volunteer medics responded to the injured protesters.' She added that over the course of the night she was shot with rubber bullets and pepper spray during confrontations with the Rochester Police Department. A man attending a demonstration in Rochester, New York, was struck by a car on Sunday The driver of the vehicle was spraying yellow paint at demonstrators as he drove through the crowd and hit the unidentified man on Friday night in Rochester, New York Demonstrators take part in a protest over the death of a Black man, Daniel Prude, after police put a spit hood over his head during an arrest in March, in Rochester, New York A demonstrator wear protective glasses, a hoodies and holds a trash can top as a makeshift shield as he takes part in a demonstration on Sunday in Rochester On Saturday, police used batons, pepper balls and tear gas to push back about 2,000 protesters who marched toward the Public Safety Building on Saturday night, chanting 'Black Lives Matter' and 'Daniel Prude.' The Rochester Police Department said in a statement that protesters had ignored their orders to disperse, and that some hurled bottles, rocks and fireworks at officers. A group of local 'elders' arrived early to the protest to act as a human barricade between demonstrators and the Rochester Police Department, according to The Democrat & Chronicle. The mayor of Rochester on Monday promised reforms are coming to the citys police department. The demonstration held in Rochester, New York, on Sunday night was the fourth consecutive protest in the city over the death of Daniel Prude Demonstrators hold signs reading 'Black Lives Matter' while standing outside in the streets of Rochester on Sunday to continue to protest the death of Daniel Prude Sunday's protest ended peacefully with demonstrators playing music and dancing outside the Public Safety Building in Rochester Two demonstrators hold up signs reading 'Defund The Police' on Sunday after protests sparked in Rochester, New York, this week People look at a makeshift memorial during a protest over the death of a Black man, Daniel Prude, after police put a spit hood over his head during an arrest and died from 'complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint' By 8pm on Sunday, a rally had begun on Jefferson Avenue, the street where Prude was restrained by officers and suffocated to death, and continued to the Public Safety Building. Once at the Public Safety Building, protesters made calls for police reform and an end to inequality. The night ended with music and dancing in front of the Public Safety Building. On Friday night, the Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was confronted over his city's policies and law enforcement at his home by upset residents. Around 100 people met in the East Liberty neighborhood for 'Civil Saturdays,' the name given to their continued protests, they traveled through downtown. The Post-Gazette reports that Saturday's demonstration was meant to disrupt restaurant diners and residents with a call for Black Lives Matter. 'Out of the bars and into the streets,' the group chanted. The eventually rounded to the home of Mayor Bill Peduto after criminal charges were filed against four protest leaders. Once outside Peduto's home, demonstrators were met with a half-dozen Pittsburgh police officers standing in front of the mayor's door. After standing there for a short time, Post-Gazette reports that officers began putting on their riot helmets. 'I don't see a riot here why are you in riot gear?' protesters chanted in response. The group eventually left Peduto's home and the demonstration peacefully dispersed just after 10pm. Mayor Peduto's home was surrounded by a line of Pittsburgh police officers who stood guard at the front door (pictured) A crowd of demonstrators hold their fists in the air in solidarity on Sunday night as they protest the death of Daniel Prude and other black Americans who died in police custody Pictured: a protester wearing protective gear and holding a makeshift shield stands among a crowd of other demonstrators in Rochester In Portland, Oregon, officials revealed that 59 people had been arrested on the 101st night of protests in the city - a new record. The majority of arrests were over low-level misdemeanors that Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said he will dismiss, Oregon Live reports. Oregon State Police was responsible for 16 of the 59 arrests, and they have not yet released the identities. A rally and march at Alberta Park was scheduled to take place on Sunday, but authorities later received word that protesters were outside the North Precinct blocking traffic. KOIN reports that a fire was started on NE MLK Boulevard, and fire emergency crews put out the flames without further incident. The night before, hundreds of protesters continued to clash with law enforcement as nearly 30 people were arrested, a swarm of fireworks were launched into the air and one person caught on fire from a deployed Molotov cocktail. In one video, officers implore residents to disperse from the area as Molotov cocktails crash against the pavement and fire erupts. 'This has been declared an unlawful assembly,' officers say. 'All persons immediately leave the area. Failure to adhere to this order may subject you too arrest, citation or the use of crowd control agents including but not limited to tear gas and, or impact weapons.' During the 100th night of protest in Portland, a man's shoes caught on fire after some people launched Molotov cocktails into roadways Seconds later, a Molotov cocktail is thrown but drops dangerously close to a protester standing in the roadway. A wave a gasps are heard as a man rushes out of the inferno with both his feet on fire. The man desperately tries to kick the fire away but needs assistance from other demonstrators. 'Stop, drop and roll!' one person shouts. The man on fire rolls across the ground but is forced to take his shoes off as the fire continues to burn the fabric. After the riot was declared, a BLM 'snack van' that hands out food to protesters pulled up to an intersection blocked by police and faced officers in a tense standoff. When a line of riot police charged the BLM demonstrators they scattered, and officers were filmed sprinting after the fleeing protesters down normally quiet streets lined with family homes, pinning them to the ground and cuffing them while others shouted insults and taunts. Neighbors blocked their roads with traffic cones and barrels to prevent protesters parking and joining the demonstration that devolved into a riot. A local standing outside his home told DailyMail.com that at one point a line of hundreds of marchers trooping down East Burnside Street by Ventura Park stretched almost twenty city blocks. A protester holds a megaphone as he takes part in a protest outside the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct on the 101th consecutive night of protests against police violence and racial inequality in Portland Protesters gather outside the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct on the 101th consecutive night of protests against police violence and racial inequality EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier NurPhoto | NurPhoto | Getty Images Sterling has weakened against the U.S. dollar on Monday morning as escalating tensions between the U.K. and the EU are threatening any chances of a post-Brexit trade deal in the coming months. Sterling dropped about 0.5% against the USD in early European trading hours ahead of another round of trade talks between the U.K. and EU Monday and increasingly acrimonious relations. There are two main issues threatening to derail the entire process: differences over state aid and fisheries. The prospects for a deal were dealt another blow overnight after news that the U.K. government is preparing to override previous agreements with the EU. If we can't agree by (mid-October), then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us. Boris Johnson U.K. Prime Minister In a statement Sunday night, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on 15 October if it's going to be in force by the end of the year." "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," the prime minister said. The possibility that both sides will not reach a deal is a problem for many exporters and could ultimately shake financial markets. "It is very difficult at the moment to see how the gridlock, the deadlock can actually be broken," Rebecca Harding, CEO of Coriolis Technologies, a trade analysis firm, told CNBC's Squawk Box Europe. She explained that without a deal with the European Union, "it is going to be very difficult for the U.K. to keep those supply chains running." The U.K. stopped being a full member of the European Union in January, after voting in 2016 to leave the political bloc and after about three years of intense negotiations over the departure. Back then, the U.K. and the EU agreed to give themselves some more time to develop new trade arrangements and avoid a sudden shock at their borders. The deadline to do that ends in December. The EU had previously said that October was the key moment to achieve new trade arrangements, so there would be time for the necessary legislative processes before implementation on January 1, 2021. However, over the last months, U.K. and European negotiators have complained about the lack of progress in their negotiations. "We are worried about the state of play of the negotiations with UK," Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, said after the last round of talks. The biggest stumbling blocks are state aid and fishing rules. "From the very beginning we have been clear about what we can accept in these areas, which are fundamental to our status as an independent country," David Frost, the U.K.'s negotiator, said Friday ahead of a new round this week. "We will negotiate constructively but the EU's stance may, realistically, limit the progress we can make next week," he added. There are only two final rounds of trade talks scheduled before October 15. 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 Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye 07.09.2020 LISTEN Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has justified the $150 Covid-19 test for passengers arriving at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). He indicated that six positive covid-19 cases have been recorded at the KIA with the help of the $150 Covid-19 test instituted by government. He says the cases were recorded following the reopening of KIA on September 1. Speaking to the media, he stated that the first case was recorded on Friday, with two others on Saturday and the other three on Sunday. He says the passengers carrying the virus had reported with a negative PCR test from their countries of origin. Dr. Okoe Boye said the cases were detected because of the $150 Covid-19 test government insisted on for travellers. All our troubles in Ghana started with just about four or five cases. So, really those who are talking about $150, if we had gone for a compromised technology and those with negative PCR tests had slipped in, all we need is one gentleman who is positive with a viral load, that is huge, he said. ---with files from Daily Guide A year after a "big exchange" that brought 24 Ukrainian sailors and 11 Kremlin prisoners home, the number of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russian prisons has increased, but the "case" against Ukrainian sailors has not yet been closed in Russia, lawyer Nikolai Polozov has written on his Facebook page. "Unfortunately, the number of Ukrainian political prisoners has increased over the past year. After a 'big exchange' in September 2019, 113 people were held in Russian prisons and in the occupied Crimea. Today, their number is 135. A hundred of them are Crimean Tatars. Even by Russian standards, mass searches and detentions in Crimea are unusual," Polozov said. According to him, proceedings against the freed Kremlin hostages have not been closed. "A separate issue is 'legal cleansing.' For example, after Edem Bekirov's release, Russian law enforcement officers and a court placed him on the wanted list, pretending to know nothing about his release as part of the exchange. The case of Ukrainian sailors has not been closed too. It has only been suspended, and they are also under the sword of Damocles of activity and interests of the Investigative Department of the FSB of Russia," the lawyer said. At the same time, he stressed that "the dynamics of the capture of new hostages and the trumping up of such cases is disappointing." "They will continue to apprehend people, torture them in pretrial detention centers and colonies, especially in the occupied Crimea," Polozov said. "Without a clear strategy to protect the rights [Ukrainian] its citizens from the aggression of Russian law enforcement agencies, these seizures will repeat constantly in a closed cycle. It will be possible to release Ukrainian political prisoners only by breaking this vicious circle," the lawyer said. On September 7, 2019, Ukraine and Russia held a large-scale detainee exchange in the "35 for 35" format. Twenty-four Ukrainian sailors, illegally captured by Russian security forces in the Kerch Strait in November 2018, were released as part of the exchange. Eleven Kremlin prisoners were also freed. Among them were Ukrinform journalist Roman Sushchenko, director, screenwriter Oleg Sentsov, Crimean Tatar Edem Bekirov, illegally detained by Russian border guards, Pavlo Hryb, abducted in Belarus, as well as Oleksandr Kolchenko, Volodymyr Balukh, Mykola Karpiuk, Stanislav Klykh, Yevhen Panov, Artur Panov, and Oleksiy Syzonovych. op The Bombay High Court (HC) last Friday granted anticipatory bail to a civic engineer booked in connection with the death of four persons, as a fully loaded truck got stuck in a manhole and toppled on them at Park Site in Vikhroli, Mumbai, in April 2019. Justice Sarang Kotwal granted pre-arrest bail to Ashish Amare, a sub-engineer employed with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), because he was shown as the accused in the case 10 months after the incident had occurred and also his custodial interrogation was not required. The first information report (FIR) was filed in April 2019, but until February this year the investigating agency did not name the present applicant as the accused, said the judge. If the applicant is arrested, he would lose his job besides facing the trauma of arrest. Four persons were killed after a truck transporting foodgrains fell on them at Surya Nagar, near Vikhrolis Park Site, late in the evening on April 18, 2019. A culvert failed to hold the weight of the fully-loaded truck, which toppled after the driver accelerated the engine to move the vehicle out of the manhole, and crushed five people. Four of them had died on the accident spot, while the fifth person survived after being severely injured. Experts from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay investigated the accident and came to the conclusion that the newly laid concrete around the manhole cover had poor quality with very low strength and weak structural integrity. Due to heavy tyre load the concrete around the manhole failed in shear causing the collapse of the manhole cover and overturning of the truck. The report cited that the failure of the concrete could have been because of patchwork at the damaged location, as bonding between old and new concrete was not achieved adequately. The culvert should have been cast in a single pour, experts suggested. Though the experts blamed poor quality of construction work for the accident, the HC noted that the sub-engineer was appointed as the contractor because he had undertaken the emergency work of the stormwater drain manhole following persistent requests from a local councillor. Besides, the public did not allow the concrete to settle properly. They drove away an employee of the contractor who was watering the concrete, and opened the patch of the road for traffic without letting the concrete settle. In this backdrop, justice Kotwal said if the sub-engineer is guilty of any offence, as alleged by the prosecution, he would be convicted and sentenced after trial, but his custodial interrogation at this stage is not required. UArts teachers gather on the steps of the UArts building at Broad and Pine Streets in Philadelphia to launch a bid to unionize. Read more Professors at University of the Arts, most of whom are adjuncts with no job security, announced on Labor Day that they want to unionize with United Academics of Philadelphia. A majority of the more than 500 eligible faculty members have signed union cards, said Daniel Piezckolon, an adjunct professor and president of UAP, a union formed in 2014 to focus on what Piezckolon called the adjunctification of higher education. UArts faculty, who held a rally Monday morning outside the schools Hamilton Hall on South Broad Street, are asking the administration to voluntarily recognize their union. UArts did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The faculty at UArts join a movement of thousands of contingent higher-education instructors across the country who have turned to unions to fight for job security, better pay, and a voice in university decisions. In the Philadelphia area, the nearly 200 adjunct professors at Arcadia University, including Piezckolon, joined UAP in 2017. At Temple, 1,400 adjuncts joined the universitys staff union in 2015. The movement comes as higher education increasingly relies on contingent labor, including adjuncts, non-tenure-track faculty, and graduate students. In 2018, they made up nearly three-quarters of teaching staff in higher education in the United States, according to federal data. Part-time teachers made up 40% of that workforce, up from 24% in 1975. In the fall of 2018 at UArts, that number was even higher: 76% of instructors were adjuncts, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These are the gig workers of higher ed, those who cobble together multiple teaching jobs at different universities to make ends meet, all while waiting to see if theyll get their contract renewed each semester and struggling to get access to affordable health care through their jobs. Many have debt from their higher degrees. Imani Roach got hired at UArts in 2016 after Black students successfully campaigned for an African art class. The following year, Roach, a Harvard University doctoral candidate in African and African American studies, found out right before the semester began that the class had been canceled and had to scramble to find a job. She came back in 2018 and has been teaching two to three classes at the school per semester ever since. Shes also taught at Moore, PAFA, Temple, Penn pretty much all of the schools in the area, she said. This semester, shell be teaching five courses across several schools, almost twice the normal course load. In her experience, the pay at schools with unions, such as Temple, or those with resources, such as Penn, is often more than double what adjuncts get paid at other schools, sometimes triple. Roach, 37, said shes invested in UArts, as shes an artist herself and its the school that gave Roach her first shot. But she doesnt feel as if she can really put her all into the school mentor students, get involved with student-led efforts to combat anti-blackness at the university if she has no job security and is teaching at three other schools. Its really important to support [the students] and the changes they want to see, she said. Its important to develop long-standing relationships with them. I think it doesnt serve them to have people who are in and out, to have people who are overworked teaching their classes. Matt Curtius, an illustration professor and one of the few full-time faculty members, said he was concerned that the union drive would send the message to students that their teachers dont care about them. (That teachers who want to unionize are out for their own interests at the expense of students is a commonly used talking point by opponents of faculty unions and one that teachers have sought to correct.) Its the opposite, he said. Were doing this because we care about them, said Curtius, 46. We think this is the best way to give them the best education. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday slammed the Centre negative GDP growth and said "Modinomics" has fallen flat and "jingoism cannot be a remedy to revive the economy." Chowdhury, who is a member of Congress Working Committee (CWC) as well, suggested that Modi should "listen patiently to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to revive the economy. "Modi govt has eminently proved itself as a govt which has been infected by political as well as economic bankruptcy. While China is registering a growth of 3.8 percent of its economy, India has contracted by 23.9 percent, he tweeted. #Modinomics has been fallen flat, for the survival of economics #Jingoism can not be a remedy, Sh @narendramodi Ji, you should talk to former PM Sh Manmohan Singh Ji and listen to him patiently (2/2) Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) September 7, 2020 "#Modinomics has been fallen flat, for the survival of economics #Jingoism cannot be a remedy, Sh @narendramodi Ji, you should talk to former PM Sh Manmohan Singh Ji and listen to him patiently, the five-term MP said. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show The countrys economy suffered its worst slump on record in April-June period with the gross domestic product (GDP) contracting by 23.9 percent as the coronavirus-related lockdowns weighed on the already-declining consumer demand and investment. The Congress had earlier attacked the government over a sharp decline in the GDP numbers and alleged that the NDA dispensation ignored its warnings and took no preventive steps to cushion the fall. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Deepak Kochhar, husband of former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, in connection with a money laundering case. Kochhar was arrested by the agency in Mumbai under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The couple has been questioned by the central probe agency in a case of alleged irregularities and money laundering in giving bank loans to the Videocon group. The ED, early in 2020, also attached assets worth Rs 78 crore "in possession of" Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar and the companies owned and controlled by him. Earlier in the day, ED had called Deepak Kochhar for questioning to its Delhi office. The case pertains to the alleged misappropriation cited in loans given by the ICICI Bank to Videocon. In January 2019, the agency had provisionally attached movable and immovable assets consisting of flat, land, seized cash, plant and machinery, located in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, totalling Rs 78.15 crore in possession of former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and the companies owned or controlled by him. The assets were attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in ICICI Bank loan case. ED initiated an investigation after registering a case under PMLA on the basis of FIR for illegal sanctioning loans amounting to Rs 1,875 crore to Videocon Group of companies. "The investigation revealed that Rs 64 crore, out of loan of Rs 300 crore sanctioned by a committee headed by Chanda Kochhar to Videocon International Electronics Limited, was transferred to Nupower Renewables Pvt Ltd (NRPL, earlier known as NuPower Renewables Limited, a company of Deepak Kochhar, husband of Chanda Kochhar) by VIL on September 8, 2009, just one day after disbursement of loan by ICICI Bank. Further, net revenue of Rs 10.65 crore was generated by NRL from these tainted funds. Therefore, proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 74.65 crore were transferred to/generated in NRPL," ED had said. Ronneby, September 7: A two-metre-long sturgeon was found in the pantry of a Danish royal shipwreck in the Baltic Sea by archaeologists. The Danish royal shipwreck is 500-year-old. Researchers consider it a unique discovery. "During archaeological excavations in 2019, a wooden barrel submerged inside the shipwreck revealed the almost complete and well-preserved remains of a sturgeon fish," reported news agency AFP quoting excerpts from the Journal of Archeological Science written by archaeologists from Lund University in Sweden. 800 Kg Fish Found in India? Rare Fish Chilshankar Weighing Almost A Ton Caught in West Bengals Digha Auctioned for Rs 20 Lakh (Watch Video). According to the report by the news agency, the wreck is in good condition due to strange Baltic environment. Researchers discovered that low salinity in the sea is unsuited for shipworm. Notably, shipworms, eat the wood in the ocean system. Brendan Foley of Lund University told AFP that the seafloor is a fine clay, ideal for preserving organic material, and low dissolved oxygen levels further contribute to the preservation of organics. Fish With Human Face and Sharp Teeth Found in Malaysia Will Freak You Out! Know More About This Species of Triggerfish (View Pics and Video). In 1495, King Hans of Denmark sailed for Sweden on his best vessel the Gribshunden. It was one of its era's most imposing warships. King Hans set sail for Sweden with the aim of restoring the Kalmar Union under Danish rule between the three Scandinavian countries. However, the ship sank off the coast of Ronneby. At that time, Ronneby was part of Denmark, but now it belonged to Sweden. Thought, the Kalmar Union survived the blow, but it was dissolved almost a century later after Sweden seceded in 1523. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2020 03:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Dave Burd, known to many by his stage name, Lil Dicky, is a rapper, actor, and viral sensation. Find out how much Lil Dicky is worth. Lil Dicky | Noam Galai/Getty Images Lil Dicky is from Pennsylvania Burd was born in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania on March 15, 1988. He studied accounting at the University of Richmond, where he developed the skills necessary to work for advertising companies like Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. Before making it big in the music industry, Burd was using his ability to write and rap lyrics in the advertising business. He once made a presentation in the form of a rap video. Burds employers found his presentation so enticing, they moved him to the accounting team to the creative department, where he worked on ads for the NBA. Lil Dicky went viral and became a successful rapper Eventually, Burd started uploading his work on YouTube. In April 2013, Burds song Ex-Boyfriend went viral. Much to his parents disappointment, Burd used the $6,000 from his bar mitzvah to fund the music video. I think it was a little jarring for them, he told Jimmy Kimmel.[But] what am I gonna do? Buy a couch when Im 28 years old? Why wouldnt I pursue my dreams? After Ex-Boyfriend went viral, Burds rap career took off. To date, he has several singles, including the song Earth, which features countless artists, and Freaky Friday featuring Chris Brown. Lil Dicky also put out the EP Im Brain, mixtapes So Hard and Hump Days, and the 2015 album Professional Rapper. Lil Dicky has a semi-autobiographical series on FXX called Dave Burd has a show on the FXX network, Dave, which is produced by Kevin Hart another Pennsylvania native. Dave examines Burds life before he became a famous rapper. Throughout season 1, Burd talked about growing up in Pennsylvania, achieving viral success, and his journey of signing a deal with a record label. Season 1 also showcased Burds relationships with his friends, family, manager, and girlfriend. In the series, Burds character dated Ally (Taylor Misiak). Many fans believe Ally is based on Burds real-life ex-girlfriend, Molly. According to Genius.com, he and his ex broke up because he wanted to relocate to California for his music career, but she didnt want to uproot her life. In one of the final episodes of season 1, Dave and Ally end their relationship in a similar way. Lil Dicky is also an activist In 2019, Burds song Earth begged listeners to pay attention to climate change. Its all about saving the Earth, Burd told Ellen Degeneres. The environmental crisis and Leonardo DiCaprios foundation inspired him to write the song. RELATED: Why Kourtney Kardashian Did a Cameo On Lil Dickys FXX Series Dave When I started making this song, I didnt really know the details, Burd explained. We have 12 years to completely change the way we do so many things on Earth or the damage is irreversible. [Leonardos] going to consult with me his foundation [is] going to explain where they think the money is best-served because theyre in this philanthropic space. Dave Burd AKA Lil Dickys net worth Burd has had a successful career in the rap industry. He has also experienced success with his FXX series, Dave, which got picked up for another season. As such, the rapping actor is worth $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. There are no cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Laois this Monday, September 7. The county is thankfully clear of new cases in today's daily report from the Department of Health. Laois now has a total of 396 cases. There have also been no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today, so the total remains at 1,777 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland, the same now for about a fortnight. However there are 102 new cases across Ireland, as of midnight Sunday 6th September, the HPSC has been notified. There is now a total of 29,774 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. Again over half of them are in the capital city with the biggest population. 56 are in Dublin, 11 in Leitrim, 6 in Galway, and 29 cases are located in Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wexford. Of the cases notified today; 45 are men / 57 are women, 75% are under 45 years of age. 48% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case. 19 cases have been identified as community transmission which means their origin has not been traced. The most recent figures (based on Saturday night) puts Laois at 396 cases, up by four in a day. Offaly: 644 up 3 in a day. Kildare: 2,320 up by 9. Carlow: 255 up by one. Tipperary: 728 up by two. Kilkenny: 416 up by three. Dublin: 13,812 up by 68 in a day. Limerick and Dublin are now being seen as the biggest risks for restrictions. Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; We are monitoring with growing concern the number of cases nationally, particularly in Limerick and Dublin. The next seven days are vital; everyone needs to reduce their contacts and assume any person you do meet may be carrying the virus. Professor Pete Lunn, founder and head of the ESRIs Behavioural Research Unit, said; Now is the time to plan for the winter months ahead. Take control of your own environment by ensuring your household is up to date on, and actioning, the public health advice. Make it a habit to get outside, to socialise and exercise safely and automatically physically distance from others. Adapt to covid-responsible behaviours in and out of the home. Plan for the milestones; such as Halloween, Christmas and New Years Eve within a COVID-19 environment. Be innovative in how you can celebrate safely with loved ones. This year will bring added challenges so prioritise your mental and physical health, know how you will invest in them each week. Choose your close network of social visitors this winter and prioritise members of your family or friends who may be more isolated. Dr. Abigail Collins, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE, said; In order to keep our schools open, we must be vigilant in our own homes be prepared for the choices and actions every individual in your household will have to take over the coming months. If we can take control of our homes and ensure they are COVID-compliant over the winter period, we will maximally protect our communities. In this pandemic, actions on a small scale have the greatest impact. Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health, said; It is important that we remain alert to COVID-19. We know how to act, now it is time to refocus our efforts. Know how to wear a face covering appropriately and how to safely remove and dispose of it. Incorrect use of a face covering can increase your risk of infection. I would urge all families and households to watch the how-to-guide on face coverings and practice safe use. The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Download the Covid-19 tracker app here. By Trend President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Public Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company. "Dear Igor Ivanovich, Accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the remarkable occasion of your 60th anniversary. Under your leadership Rosneft Oil Company has made great strides to become one of the world leaders in the field of oil and gas. Cooperation between Rosneft and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is an important component of Azerbaijan-Russia collaboration in the energy sector, which contributes significantly to the strengthening of friendly relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. I wish you long life, the best of health, happiness and success," the letter said. Hppwd.gov.in scored 41 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 15 Jun 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the hppwd homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if hppwd has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the hppwd homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the hppwd homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the hppwd homepage on Twitter + the total number of hppwd followers (if hppwd has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the hppwd homepage on Delicious. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS department, himachal pradesh, the department, himachal, pradesh, public, works The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English (United States) WINDOWS-1252English (United States) DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Microsoft-IIS/7.0 (ASP.NET) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Character set and language of the site. The language of hppwd.gov.in as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for hppwd.gov.in by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The URL of the found Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The Bahamas Prepares for Phase 3 of Tourism Readiness & Recovery Plan on October 15 NASSAU, Bahamas, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a national address today, Monday, September 7, Minister of Tourism & Aviation Dionisio D'Aguilar announced additional details of the forward-looking recovery and reopening plan for The Islands of The Bahamas. D'Aguilar reiterated The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's commitment to revitalizing the country's tourism industry while emphasizing that the health and wellbeing of citizens, residents and visitors of The Bahamas remain paramount. Beginning October 15, The Bahamas will enter Phase 3 of the Tourism Readiness & Recovery Plan ahead of the busy holiday season, which will include the reopening of beaches and major hotels. Since 1950, tourism has played an integral role in The Bahamas' economy, accounting for more than 50% of the country's GDP and 60% of national employment. The COVID-19 Pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on global tourism and The Bahamas' economy has felt the impact, particularly following 2019's record-breaking tourism numbers, where the country welcomed 7.2 million visitors. The country's in-depth Tourism Readiness and Recovery Plan outlines a strategic, phased reopening strategy to ensure a comfort level that The Bahamas is a safe and healthy destination for both visitors and residents to enjoy. PHASED REOPENING As part of Phase 3, beaches and major hotels will reopen on all islands. Minister of Tourism & Aviation Dionisio D'Aguilar announced that all hotel guests must abide by a 14-day Vacation-In-Place (VIP), which will allow guests access to all amenities, including hotel spas, gyms, bars and more. Additionally, Phase 3 will also see the reopening of attractions, excursions and tours on November 1. Ahead of the reopening, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is working with airline partners to secure direct airlift from key markets where the curve has been flattened. Additionally, the Ministry's communication team is prepared to commence an agile marketing campaign, complete with authentic storytelling and aggressive PR and sales strategies, leaning into current travel trends, such as the preference for vacations closer to home, as well as options that afford seclusion and outdoor pursuits. Following the safe move into Phase 3, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation along with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies will recommend an appropriate date to enter Phase 4, which pertains to the reopening of vendors, select attractions, casinos, cruises and ferries. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS The top priority of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation remains the health and safety of its citizens, residents and visitors. In an effort to curb the spread of the virus, the Ministry continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health to establish and evaluate protocols and timelines with respect to the RT-PCR testing in advance of travel. Effective, September 1, 2020, the Bahamian government announced new entry requirements, including: Approved Bahamas Health Visa available at travel.gov.bs Proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than five (5) days prior to arrival The only applicants who are not required to provide a COVID-19 test are: Children under the age of ten (10) Pilots and crew who remain overnight in The Bahamas . . Mandatory 14-day Vacation-In-Place (VIP) Experience at a hotel, private club or rented accommodations (like Airbnb), as well as on a private boat. It is recommended that all travellers interested in visiting The Bahamas review requirements applicable to each member of their party at Bahamas.com/travelupdates before booking a trip, to determine what steps need to be taken to be granted entry. More details on the Minister's address and the Tourism Readiness & Recovery Plan may also be found at Bahamas.com/travelupdates. PRESS INQUIRIES Anita Johnson-Patty General Manager, Global Communications Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation By PTI LONDON: Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who has been lodged at a prison in London since his arrest in March last year, is set to appear via videolink for the second leg of his extradition trial at a UK court on Monday. The 49-year-old jeweller is fighting extradition charges related to the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case brought by the Indian government, being represented at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In line with the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, District Judge Samuel Goozee has directed Modi's appearance from a room in Wandsworth Prison in south-west London with social distancing norms in place for the part-remote setting for the five-day hearing scheduled to conclude on Friday. Justice Goozee had presided over the first leg of the extradition in May, during which the CPS sought to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Modi. The upcoming hearings are ear-marked to complete those arguments after the Indian government had submitted additional "corroboratory evidence". It will then go on to deal with the additional extradition request, made by the Indian authorities and certified by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this year, which add on the charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or "criminal intimidation to cause death" against Modi. ALSO READ | PNB recovers Rs 24 crore by liquidating Nirav Modi's US assets Goozee has already said that the different extradition requests are inextricably linked, and he would therefore be handing down his judgment at the end of hearing all the arguments. Additional hearings scheduled for November 3, for the judge to rule on the admissibility of the evidence that will be presented before him, and December 1, when both sides will make their final submissions, mean his ruling on whether Modi has a case to answer before the Indian courts is expected only after the final hearing in December. The charges against the diamond merchant centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds making fraudulent use of a credit facility offered by PNB, known as letters of undertaking (LoUs). The CPS, appearing on behalf of India, had told the court that a number of PNB staff conspired with Modi to ensure LoUs were issued to his companies without ensuring they were subject to the required credit check, without recording the issuance of the LoUs and without charging the required commission upon the transactions. Modi's team has sought to counter allegations of fraud by deposing witnesses to establish the volatility of the gems trade and that the LoUs were standard practice. ALSO READ | PNB scam case: Interpol issues global arrest warrant against Nirav Modi's wife Ami Modi has made repeated attempts at bail over the past year, each of which were turned down as he is deemed a flight risk. The jeweller was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard. At a case management hearing ahead of the trial last week, Modi's barrister Clare Montgomery had told the judge that she may be seeking a partial reporting ban on the proceedings following allegations of "party political bias" against one of their expert witnesses from India, retired Indian High Court judge Abhay Thipsay. "We may have to put in an application for reporting restrictions around the reporting of his [Thipsay] evidence to avoid further public commentary on it," she said. From the legal documents submitted, prison conditions in India will once again play a major part in this extradition case, as in the past with other Indian extradition cases, with Modi's severe mental health condition being a factor to be raised behind closed doors. President Akufo-Addo has questioned the silence of senior citizens over what he says is a disturbing ethnocentric comment made by former President Mahama about the people of Akyem. Nana-Addo says politicians who make distasteful comments must be called to order irrespective of social status or political affiliation. A post by the Bolgatanga Central MP, Isaac Adongo, describes elements from the New Patriotic Party as Akyem Sakawa Boys in relation to the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal. The article was shared on the Facebook page of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama. But at a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference on politics of insults which is gradually creeping into the country's body politic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo said those who matter in Ghanas political space should condemn the comments made by the (NDC) flagbearer. I am very disturbed about this remark made by the former President Mahama about Akyem people. I have not heard any senior citizen of this country lay, religious or civil society organization reprimand him for that thing. What can be the basis of such a remark? This is the kind of language we dont want in our politics. Nana Addo used the occasion to remind Ghanaians and leaders in politics that a goal of political discourses in the country is to obtain a sanitized public space where debates and national issues dominate and shape public life. For me, if a president opens his mouth to say something that is unacceptable, he should be reprimanded and in the same way, if opposition politicians should conduct themselves in their utterances in an unacceptable manner, they should be reprimanded, Nana Addo said. President Akufo-Addo also said he was disappointed at the lack of criticism towards those remarks from observers. Sometimes one would hope that when things come out, people will comment on them. The comment made by my opponent; Akyem Sakawa people, I have not heard any public figure in this country or anybody comment on it. If I was to get up to make a comment about northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that will be in the country, the President lamented. He also noted that the government had become a punching bag on matters of free speech. If you criticize the government, no matter what you say, it is legitimate. If the government is to respond, that is somehow illegitimate. President Akufo-Addo thus stressed the need for a zero-tolerance approach to comments deemed unsavoury. ---citinewsroom Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:32:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A woman visits a local exhibition called "Control of Weeds" in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sept. 1, 2020. A total of 33 Palestinian painters and visual artists have succeeded in reviving dozens of various Palestinian plants' history, which were eliminated during the British colonization of Palestine. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) by Sanaa Kamal RAMALLAH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A total of 33 Palestinian painters and visual artists have succeeded in reviving dozens of various Palestinian plants' history, which were eliminated during the British colonization of Palestine. During a local exhibition called "Control of Weeds" organized by Abdul Muhsin al-Qattan Foundation in Ramallah city, each artist showed his or her own visual art or painting about one kind of the heritage plants. "Those plants have been eradicated by the British mandate when it colonized our Palestinian lands, which was harmful to the cultivation," said Yazid Anany, the exhibition's director. Among those plants were camphor flower, prostrate knotweed, orobanche, anemone coronaria, in addition to dozens of other plants. Anany said he and his team found official documents proving Britain's involvement in ending the wild plants in Palestine in order to serve the colonial interest of its country. Based on the documents, researcher shared statistics and field experiments on methadone and other chemicals to curb crop weeds and control their growth and propagation. "The British army urged the Palestinian farmers, who did not know the negative effects of their actions, to eradicate different kinds of wild plants, in order to expand the agricultural lands to cultivate wheat crops," he added. Meanwhile, Palestinian archaeological studies confirmed that the agriculture activity in the area dates back more than 10,000 years. The diversity of plants in Palestine is an essential part of its successive civilizations that used to depend on many plants and crops and hybridize several different types, noted Anany. According to those studies, the Palestinian residents were able to preserve their botanical civilization through archaeological inscriptions that were carved on the walls and floors of churches, mosques and homes, in addition to some archaeological palaces. Ola Zeitoun, a 29-year-old visual artists who participated in the exhibition by producing a camphor flower model, told Xinhua that the plants are an essential part of Palestinian heritage and folklore, especially as they are still used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases. "Every plant has a value for the population, but the British colonialism attempted to erase these plants from our memory and conceal their importance," she explained. "I am proud of participating in such a national exhibition, which revives the history of wild plants," she said, adding that "the occupation does not determine our relationship with plants, but rather we determine that relationship." Moamen Badana, a visitor from Ramallah city, told Xinhua that this exhibition had succeeded in bringing him back to the Palestinian civilization. "It is necessary to organize more heritage exhibitions of this sort to keep people remember the lost Palestinian heritage due to the succession of occupation governments in Palestine," the young man said. Enditem HOHHOT, China, Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. (also known as Yili) ranked among the top five dairy producers worldwide in the Rabobank 2020 Global Top 20 Dairy Report released on Aug 31, setting a new record for Asian dairy companies. Published annually, the Rabobank Global Top 20 Dairy Report is a survey of the world's largest dairy companies. It is recognized as one of the most authoritative and influential rankings in the dairy industry. In 2020, Rabobank reported that Yili is one of the Asian companies making major moves on the list, with Yili moving into the top five on the back of year-on-year growth of nearly 20 percent. Yili reported a total operating income of 47.53 billion yuan ($6.963 billion) in the first half of 2020, year-on-year growth of 5.45 percent. After deducting non-recurring gains and losses during this period, its net profit was 3.77 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.02 percent. The latest figures capped off a consistently strong run by the company, with Yili ranking first in the Asia dairy industry in terms of total operating income, net profit, market share and total asset turnover. Recent data show that Yili's current production and sales have now fully recovered in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak -- revealing a rapid rebound far exceeding its industry and underscoring the company's ability to ride out challenging situations. To provide consumers with better products, Yili has continuously deepened its internationalization strategy in recent years and is actively deployed overseas to further expand its global supply chain. Yili established one of the world's largest integrated dairy production bases - Yili Oceania Production Base - in New Zealand. In 2019, Yili acquired Westland, New Zealand's second-largest dairy cooperative, and Chomthana, the largest domestic ice cream company in Thailand. Also, Yili successfully launched its yogurt product Ambrosial in the Southeast Asian market. SOURCE Yili Group With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 6.7x BlackWall Limited (ASX:BWF) may be sending very bullish signals at the moment, given that almost half of all companies in Australia have P/E ratios greater than 20x and even P/E's higher than 39x are not unusual. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the highly reduced P/E. Earnings have risen firmly for BlackWall recently, which is pleasing to see. It might be that many expect the respectable earnings performance to degrade substantially, which has repressed the P/E. If you like the company, you'd be hoping this isn't the case so that you could potentially pick up some stock while it's out of favour. Check out our latest analysis for BlackWall pe Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on BlackWall will help you shine a light on its historical performance. Does Growth Match The Low P/E? BlackWall's P/E ratio would be typical for a company that's expected to deliver very poor growth or even falling earnings, and importantly, perform much worse than the market. If we review the last year of earnings growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 18%. EPS has also lifted 7.1% in aggregate from three years ago, mostly thanks to the last 12 months of growth. So we can start by confirming that the company has actually done a good job of growing earnings over that time. This is in contrast to the rest of the market, which is expected to grow by 21% over the next year, materially higher than the company's recent medium-term annualised growth rates. In light of this, it's understandable that BlackWall's P/E sits below the majority of other companies. It seems most investors are expecting to see the recent limited growth rates continue into the future and are only willing to pay a reduced amount for the stock. What We Can Learn From BlackWall's P/E? Story continues While the price-to-earnings ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of earnings expectations. As we suspected, our examination of BlackWall revealed its three-year earnings trends are contributing to its low P/E, given they look worse than current market expectations. Right now shareholders are accepting the low P/E as they concede future earnings probably won't provide any pleasant surprises. Unless the recent medium-term conditions improve, they will continue to form a barrier for the share price around these levels. You always need to take note of risks, for example - BlackWall has 3 warning signs we think you should be aware of. It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20x). This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:57:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday that his government maintains flexibility in dealing with the political process to the country's prolonged war, state news agency SANA reported. Assad made the remarks during his meeting with the visiting Russian delegation in Damascus, which includes Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov. Assad stressed that Syria is maintaining flexibility on the political track in tandem with working on countering terrorism to achieve security and stability in the country. The two sides also discussed the signed economic agreements and ways to reach new deals in order to ease the negative repercussion of the Western sanctions on Syria. Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in the capital Damascus, marking his first visit to the country since 2012. The Russian delegations are headed by Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, who arrived in the country to hold talks with top Syrian officials. Russia has emerged as a key international ally to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. With the help of the Russian forces, the Syrian government has retrieved key areas across the country. Enditem OVW RETURNING TO THE DAVIS ARENA, 1100th TV EPISODE THIS WEEK AND MORE OVW NEWS & NOTES Ohio Valley Wrestling will return to its home at the Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday 9/15. This Tuesday will be the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic manifested that the promotion has returned to its home. The promotion will air episode 1100 this week, featuring OVW Champion "Shotgun" Tony Gunn vs. Brian Pillman Jr. headlining. Former WWE star Sinn Bodhi, the former Kizarny, is coming in to face Gunn at tomorrow's TV taping in Jefferson, Indiana. Bodhi returned with a promo on last week's TV taping. Big Zo vs. Dustin Jackson, Gustavo vs. Dimes is also set for the taping. Madison Rayne appeared on the most recent OVW TV, cutting a promo from her home, reacting to having been stripped of the OVW Women's title and promising she would return for revenge. There are plans to spotlight Luscious Lawrence going forward. He has been paired with Dillon McQueen as a manager. Jay Bradley and Dimes have been put together with the idea they will be pushed as a team that doesn't get along, similar to something the promotion did years back with Gene Snitsky and Mike Mondo. There is another TV deal in place that will see OVW soon airing in Puerto Rico and other areas in the Caribbean. Rocky Mountain Pro of Denver, Colorado and Devotion Pro of Salt Lake City, Utah are now OVW-affiliated schools and promotions. If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here! (Photo : IBM) Brett Phaneuf (Photo : IBM) Mayflower Autonomous Ship (Photo : IBM) Mayflower Autonomous Ship A new captain will don the Mayflower Autonomous Ship and take it across the Plymouth Sound to go on a Transatlantic voyage for an estimated two to six weeks at the open waters. The ship's new leader is the all-powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) who will control the self-sufficient ship throughout the entire trip. Sea Captains are temporarily hanging their ship wheels and captain's hat to give way for the new seafarer in town, the Artificial Intelligence. September 16 will mark the vessel's first swim into the open sea and set sail for its estimated two to six weeks at the world's open body of water to traverse and create history. Britain's first robot ship is embodied by the Mayflower Autonomous Ship that will be the first unmanned transatlantic voyage powered by AI and the sun's power with solar technology. According to the Telegraph, the ship is a 15-meter long trimaran made up of steel body and components. Promare, a marine research organization, leads the ship's innovation and first sail in the Atlantic. In the event of an accident or unfortunate problems, there will be no human life casualties. The 3,220-mile trip will emulate the first Transatlantic voyage of the original Mayflower ship that first set sailed on 1620. Four hundred years ago, the Mayflower carried aboard 130 pilgrims to the "new world" known as its own country and continent, the United States of America. ALSO READ: Bill Gates Looks Down on Elon Musk's Tesla Semi and Electric Airplanes Despite Being Known to Drive a Model X Autonomous Ship-The Future Joining Drones and Driverless Cars The Mayflower Autonomous Ship is a bold technology pioneered by Promare that aims to revolutionize the voyage through the seas. This 'captainless' vessel is set to elevate shipping and being sustainable in the process. The vessel is made alongside IBM and M Subs, a submarine manufacturer, that believes in the ship's potential in its nearing voyage. The Artificial Intelligence of the ship uses algorithms and computer vision to navigate the course that will ensure the entire ship's safety. Promoting Marine Research and Exploration or Promare partners with IBM to create an AI capable of navigating the sea and learning more about the world's water bodies. The Mayflower Autonomous Ship is claimed to be cost-effective and more flexible compared to human-crewed research vessels. Investments from various multi-million companies such as Rolls Royce, Honeywell, ABB, and Wartsila flood the robot ship's project funding. Allied Market Research even sees the growth in the market value of the Mayflower to be at $135 billion by 2030. Brett Phaneuf: How the Mayflower Autonomous Ship is born The co-founder of Promare Marine Research, Brett Phaneuf, grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, who has a rich history with the first Mayflower to see the new world in its landing in Cape Cod. The founder became interested in robotics and autonomy that will revolutionize sea travel. According to Phaneuf, he and his friend, Fredrik Sreide, thought of a way to explore more the world's oceans that are known to cover 71 percent of the planet's surface. Scientists have explored only five percent of the world's water bodies due to threats and risks that await marine researchers. The Mayflower Autonomous Ship is conceived to open the world more on marine life and knowledge that will be readily accessible to the entire planet. ALSO READ: [Spotted] SpaceX Ships Raptor Vacuum Engine for Starship to Texas from California: The Testing Continues? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Alonzo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Amazon said that it needs to hire 100,000 people across the U.S. to keep up with a crush of orders as the coronavirus spreads and keeps more people at home, shopping online.Todd McInturf/Detroit News via AP Australia's confectionery brand Allen's has given its iconic Snakes Alive lollies a sour makeover that's set to tantalise taste buds. The new snakes will be soft, juicy and stretchy just like the original lolly - but will have a 'sensational sour twist'. The classic fruity flavours of zesty lemon, strawberry, blackberry, pineapple and apricot will remain, but have been transformed with a sour coating. Australia's confectionery brand Allen's has given its iconic Snakes Alive lollies a sour makeover that's set to tantalise taste buds 'Snakes Alive are a long-time favourite with lolly fans, so we have combined this with the power of sour to blow Aussies away with these tasty new lollies,' Nestle head of marketing confectionery Joyce Tan said. We can't wait to see lolly lovers nationwide pull their best sour face when they try the new Sourz Snakes Alive we're sure they're going to be a huge hit.' The new product will join the range of iconic lollies including Snakes Alive, Red Frogs, Strawberries & Cream and Party mix bags. The Allen's Sourz Snakes Alive are available exclusively at Woolworths nationwide for $2.95 a pack. The sweet treats are made at Nestle-owned Allen's Lollies factory in Broadford in central Victoria, about 73km north of Melbourne. In early 2017, it was revealed a whopping 240 million snakes are made in one year or 3,000 tonnes of the lollies. WATERLOO A staff member at Edna Staebler Public School has tested positive for COVID-19. The person was last in the building on Thursday. School staff have been back in schools since last week, preparing for reopening. Region of Waterloo Public Health confirmed the case and the school board was informed on Sunday, said Alana Russell, spokesperson with the Waterloo Region District School Board. Access to the school has been restricted as the school is being cleaned and the school is expected to reopen on Tuesday. Edna Staebler is a kindergarten to Grade 8 public school. Students arent expected in the school until this Thursday, when those with special needs and students in the English Language Learners ABLE program return. Orientation for junior kindergarten students also starts Thursday, but the other students dont start until the following week. While Public Health cannot comment on the specifics of the case, they confirmed that they have investigated and determined that there are no high-risk contacts within the school during the cases period of communicability, the board said in a news release. Public Health has also noted that exposure risk to others in the school is low given the layers of infection prevention protocols and measures in place at the school observed by the individual and by school staff. These measures include the wearing of masks, physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and the use of hand sanitizer. The identity of the staff member is not being released. It is protected by privacy legislation, the school board said. In following Ministry of Education guidelines, the school board is posting case information on its website. Were committed to being transparent with this important information, said Russell. We have disclosed it immediately despite the fact that its low risk and despite the fact that public health has not identified it as a risk to public safety. Last week Waterloo Regions medical officer of heath, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, said as soon as there is a case, public health takes action immediately. For an outbreak to be declared, there must be two or more cases that can be linked in a 14-day period where at least one could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school. This includes school transportation and before- or after-school care. The Ministry of Finance is preparing an appeal against the decision of the Kyiv Pechersky District Court on the full satisfaction of the statement of the companies of the Surkis brothers in a dispute with state-controlled PrivatBank (Kyiv) for $347 million. An informed source told Interfax-Ukraine that the Ministry of Finance plans to file an appeal by September 9. Late in the evening on September 2, the Kyiv Pechersky District Court fully satisfied the statement of the companies of the Surkis brothers on the procedure for executing the court decision of 2017 on the obligation of PrivatBank to service their deposits placed before the bank's nationalization on its accounts in the Cypriot branch. The total amount of claims against the bank, determined by the court, is $347.374 million (of which about $102 million is interest calculated at a rate of 13% per annum). According to the position of PrivatBank, the relevant agreements of the Surkis' offshore companies are considered fulfilled today, since in 2016, during the nationalization, they were exchanged for additionally issued shares. Japans government needs to reform its health ministry after the coronavirus pandemic settles down, Chief Cabinet Secretary and prime minister hopeful Yoshihide Suga said in a newspaper interview published on Monday. Suga, who is widely seen as the top contender to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, told the Yomiuri newspaper the "the coronavirus pandemic is a huge problem that could not be handled by the health ministry alone." The sprawling Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which accounts for the largest budget of all the ministries, is responsible for the countrys coronavirus pandemic measures. Suga also told the Yomiuri it was essential to streamline the governments digital strategies, managed separately by each respective ministry. The remarks indicate the longtime Abe aide is eager to go his own way and push for structural changes within the government, even as he pledges to carry on with the outgoing premiers "Abenomics" economic initiatives. "As working from home has become more common in the times of the coronavirus pandemic, I think its evident that the government and private sector need to digitise, he told a news briefing on Monday. The remarks echo ideas floated by Heizo Takenaka, a former economy minister with close ties to Suga, who has said the government should focus on its recent goal of promoting digitalisation in Japan. "I really hope Suga would push forward digitisation and environmental sustainability, which together would eventually lead to regional revitalisation, Takenaka told Reuters. "It would be good to see something like a digital agency being set up, even if its only temporarily, he added. Suga is widely expected to win the Liberal Democratic Partys (LDP) leadership election on September 14, a date set after Abes decision to step down. The winner is virtually assured of becoming premier because of the LDPs parliamentary majority. Amazon has banned the sale of foreign seeds to its customers in the United States, a move that comes after thousands of U.S. residents received unsolicited packages of seeds over the summer, most of them postmarked from China. The company updated its policy on Wednesday, advising its foreign sellers that it would no longer allow the import into the U.S. of plant or seed products. Amazon prohibits the sale of products the U.S. Department of Agriculture labels noxious and those that are subject to government quarantine or can be fatal when touched or consumed. Moving forward, we are only permitting the sale of seeds by sellers who are based in the U.S., an Amazon spokeswoman said in a statement. Sellers who do not follow the guidelines risk the loss of their accounts, the company said. For sellers who use Amazon to fulfill orders and store items in the companys warehouses, the updated policy will go into effect on Sept. 30. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Former Speaker of Parliament Ara Babloyan is on trial on charges of abuse of power and official falsifications. Arsen Babayan, the ex-Deputy Chief of Staff of the Parliament, is also a defendant in the case charged with similar accusations. The trial began today, presided by Judge Harutyun Manukyan of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction. Babloyan and Babayan are both in the court room. Investigators say Babloyan and Babayan committed the crimes when both were in office in 2018. They are suspected in falsifying official documents to remove obstacles and install Hrayr Tovmasyan as Constitutional Court President in 2018. They deny wrongdoing. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images PARISIn the first week of the Charlie Hebdo terror trial, its hard to find solace for any party involved. The terrorist attackers themselves are dead. The survivors and families of the victims-living in fear and agony ever sincewill sit through 10 weeks of details and denials of the twisted terror plots. These suspects have already been found guilty in the court of public opinionand yet most of them are just minions and losers, whose chance of a fair trial is questionable. One by one the handcuffed suspects were ushered into the unforgiving setting of the main courtroom here in central Paris. They were brought to their seats in two glass boxes with steel frames that look awkwardly similar to those seen in Russias show trials. With them in the box, is a cluster of police officers from the terror squad, wearing flak jackets and balaclavas. Each suspect is seated slightly apart from the next, a police officer standing right behind them. The suspects, who are also masked due to the coronavirus pandemic, are mainly young and most are from Paris banlieues, the poor, demoralized suburbs of the capital, or the desperate northern French town of Charleville-Mezieres, or Gilly in Belgium, where unemployment is rife and petty crime is commonplace. Calmly, resignedly, they await their turn to be heard. Are the Terrorists Winning a Year After Charlie Hebdo? The facts in the cases are well-known; on the morning of Jan. 7, 2015, the Kouachi brothers, Cherif and Said, forced their way into the Parisian offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had printed a series of cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad. They rushed past the front desk and embarked on an horrific killing spree, murdering 12 people and leaving 11 wounded. Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed the attack two weeks later and added that it had been planned for years, by Anwar-al-Awlaki the infamous al Qaeda figurehead killed by a CIA drone strike in 2011. Story continues One day after the attack on Charlie Hebdo, a man called Amedy Coulibaly executed his own murderous plot, killing a female police officer in Montrouge, a Parisian suburb. An unprecedented third day of violence, which had the world glued to 24-hour news channels, erupted when the brothers were engaged in a shoot-out with cops and Coulibaly began a siege in HyperCacher, a kosher supermarket where he murdered another four men. Coulibaly pledged alliance to the so-called Islamic State. The Kouachi brothers and Coulibaly were killed on Jan. 9, 2015. Five years later, the men now on trial are said to be their facilitators. They allegedly arranged their safe houses and vests, their rocket launchers, tasers, Kalashnikovs and knives. Because both cases are linked, the trials are taking place together. In France, the spotlight is intense. The wounds of this attackand the coordinated attacks on Paris including the Bataclan theater later in the same yearhave yet to heal, and the issues are still bitterly contested. When lawyers for one of the victims linked a suspects Muslim faith to jihadism, his lawyer leapt in. France is a secular country, she said, We shouldn't be arguing his religion. The legal team representing the victims could not control themselves. How dare you? one defense lawyer shouted, clearly upset. With the victims here, present in this room! The defense lawyer in question was Isabelle Coutant-Peyre, she is infamous in her own right; best known for defending Carlos the Jackal and then marrying him. Carlos the Jackal, whose real name is Ilich Ramirez-Sanchez, committed several terrorist attacks in the 70s and 80s for the militant wing of the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). He was convicted of 16 murders and linked to many more. Coutant-Peyre embraces an almost anarchist stance, claiming there is never a fair trial for those charged with terrorist offenses. There is no doubt that the array of terrorist attacks unleashed in France since January 2015, which killed 258 people, has caused a collective trauma and left deep scars. Many agree that a fair trial for the 13 men and one woman on trial over the coming weeks is almost impossible. Giving terror suspects a just trial is a true test of the judicial system. Elpiniki Kolokatsi, a criminal lawyer attending the trial, told The Daily Beast. Kolokatsi is part of the legal team representing Dutch women in Syrian refugee camps who want to return to Europe after traveling to the Islamic State. Kolokatsi said the fairness of the trial had been damaged well in advance when files were leaked to the press. Its objectionable and incomprehensible, she said. To leak investigation files is illegal and clearly against the interests of the suspects and their right to presumption of innocence. The ramifications of the case continue to be felt all over the world. Iran condemned Charlie Hebdo last week for republishing of the Mohammed cartoons on the day the trial began. This new issue features a weeping prophet on the cover. It's hard to be loved by assholes, he says. All this for that, it reads in big bold yellow letters, all that bloodshed for a few cartoons. The formal architecture of the Paris Tribunala stack of four giant glass rectangles by Renzo Pianobetrays little of the drama that is unfolding inside, although there are rows of dark blue police vans filled with anti-terror police lining the side streets. Center stage, like a flock of crows, are the 94 lawyers involved in the process, in their black robes and white bands. All are masked. Lifted slightly above the crowd are the chairs of the five judges. The presiding judge, Regis de Jorna, dressed in bright red velvet robes trimmed with black and white fur, sits in the center. The air in the courthouse is filled with anticipationbut there is also the occasional whiff of disinfectant. The coronavirus looms heavy over the court proceedings. The mandatory masks hide most feelings, including those of the accused. Only the eyes can betray emotions, all other detail gets lost behind the pieces of cloth. After a lengthy debate the first two days of the trial, the judges have allowed people testifying to drop their masks. The main suspect being tried in person is Ali Riza Polat, who is facing a life sentence for his alleged role in supporting both the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo staff, as well as the terror plot on the kosher HyperCacher supermarket. The other 10 suspects present are charged with crimes varying from weapon sales to logistical support. Allegedly, they traded illicit goods for arms used in the attacks; arranged for safe houses; aided; and abetted. Hayat Boumedienne, the widow of Coulibaly, is the only female suspect on trial, she is being tried in absentia for financial complicity in the attack on Charlie Hebdo and the HyperCacher supermarket. The two others being tried in absentia, Mohamed and Mehdi Belhoucine, are both presumed dead, killed on the battlefields of Syria and Iraq. All three left to join the Islamic State, but Boumedienne is the only one still believed to be alive in Syria. Her sister Kaltoum Boumedienne, who testified on Friday afternoon, last received a telephone call from her sister in October 2019. Since then, all contact has been cut off. The supposed mastermind, Peter Cherif, aka Abu Hamza, is not part of the line-up. He was apprehended in Djibouti in December 2018, handed over to French authorities and remains in custody awaiting a separate trial. Of all the charges that have been brought against the 14 on trial, the heaviest are against Mohamed Belhoucine and Ali Riza Polat, a man of Turkish-Kurdish descent who was an important player behind both attacks, according to the French public prosecutor. His charge sheet reads complicity to terrorist murder, a crime punishable by life without parole in France. The others stand trial for the lesser charge of complicity to criminal terrorism and are facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Only one suspect, Willy Prevost, risks a minor 10 year sentence. When Polat stood up to speak on Fridaya shaven-headed, chubby 35-year-old in a white shirt and sand-colored trousershe said: This has gone too far, they lie, they surprised me, but I will explain myself. During questioning he never took off his mask. Defiant, arms crossed, he stood behind his microphone. How France Let the Charlie Hebdo Killers Go Free This part of the trial is reserved for something called personality questioning. The judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers can question the suspects, but only to find out more about their backgrounds. I started dealing cannabis when I was 17, Polat told the judge. In 2009 he was jailed for the first time; In prison there were people who had lots of money, and were hardly doing any time. I thought I want more, thats what Ive learned in prison: I want to die rich, not poor. As his criminal career advanced, Polat started shipping heroin from Lebanon and Turkey, earning him $120,000 per kilo. That was one business, the other was his arms trade. He claimed he's simply a criminal opportunist, driven by money, nothing more. One of the victims lawyers said: In 2015, you told a female prison guard: You know Charlie Hebdo? I'll do the same to you. Polat sharply denied it. Lies, he said. Sure, he knew Coulibaly, but he knew nothing of any terror plans. Next week, the plight of the victims and the families of the deceased will be heard. Many will testify, but how much satisfaction can they derive from the trial? I don't expect much, Maryse Wolinksi told France 24. Her husband, George Wolinski, was one of the founders of Charlie Hebdo and died in the attack. It's the intermediaries who will be judged here. It's their trial, not the trial of the attack We will not find out why the attack took place. An article in Charlie Hebdo published after the first days of the trial asked a fundamental question: Are we being taken for a ride, or are we giving our time, our ear, to little lost bandits that have nothing to do with the horror in our heads? It could be that this kind of terror trial is about something else entirely, as author Yannick Haenel suggests: The big thing may be... to get the chance to question. That is what is called justice. And it is unfolding in front of us. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. By PTI MUMBAI: Actress Rhea Chakraborty on Monday appeared before the NCB for questioning for the second straight day in the drugs case linked to the death of her live-in partner and actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She was questioned for about six hours by the agency for the first time in this case on Sunday. The 28-year-old arrived at the agency's office in the Ballard Estate area around 9:30 am. She was escorted by police personnel and was seen carrying a bag. The agency has said that it wants to question Rhea and confront her with her younger brother Showik Chakraborty (24), Rajput's house manager Samuel Miranda (33) and his house staffer Dipesh Sawant to ascertain their roles in this alleged drug racket after it obtained mobile phone chat records and other electronic data that suggested some banned drugs were allegedly procured by these people. ALSO READ | Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB gets five-day custody of Showik Chakraborty, Samuel Miranda The NCB, over the last few days, has arrested these three men in this case. Officials said the actor was questioned on these lines on Sunday. She was earlier questioned by the ED and the CBI. Rhea, in interviews given to multiple TV news channels, has said that she has never consumed drugs herself. She had, however, claimed that the late actor used to consume marijuana. It is claimed that Miranda told NCB investigators that he used to procure bud or curated marijuana for the late actor's household. A total of eight people have been arrested till now by the NCB with six being directly linked to this probe while two were arrested by it when the investigation was launched under criminal sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. When the probe in the case began, the agency had arrested two men, Abbas Lakhani and Karan Arora, for alleged drug peddling and officials have claimed that through them they reached Zaid Vilatra and Abdel Basit Parihar who are allegedly linked to this drugs case as they were in touch with Miranda. Miranda, they had said, used to allegedly procure drugs from them on the purported instructions of Showik, agency officials said. Both Lakhani and Arora have been granted bail. The NCB had said it recovered 59 grams of cannabis from them. The NCB, while seeking remand of one of the accused in this case last week, had told a local court that it was looking into "the drug citadel in Mumbai, and especially Bollywood" in this probe. This case has given the NCB an "inkling" into the narcotics network and its penetration in Bollywood or Hindi movie industry, NCB Deputy Director General Mutha Ashok Jain had told reporters last week. Various angles surrounding the death of the 34-year-old actor are being probed by three federal agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The NCB initiated a drug angle probe in this case after the ED shared with it a report following the cloning of two mobile phones of Rhea. Rajput was found dead at his flat in the suburban Bandra area on June 14. KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A nightclub set to host an event Sunday during the Labor Day weekend was forced to cancel it because of a Jackson County judge. A temporary restraining order is nailed to entrances of the 9ine Ultra Lounge and a neighboring gym Do Work Factory 2.0, both owned by former Kansas City Chiefs player Alphonso Hodge. Flash An initiative was proposed by China's health departments and international health organizations on Sunday in Beijing for fighting against global disease threats with shared anti-epidemic experience and practices. "The coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19 has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the most severe public health emergency the organization has ever faced. The pandemic has posed tremendous risks to human health and safety as well as to the world economy, proving to be a serious challenge to the global public health governance system and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," the Beijing Initiative stated. The initiative was jointly proposed by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, the International Health Exchange and Cooperation Center of China's National Health Commission, the WHO Representative Office in China, the UNAIDS Representative Office in China, the United Nations Population Fund Representative Office in China and the Serbian Embassy in China. "We call on all parties concerned to jointly fight against global disease threats by sharing your experience and practices in epidemic prevention and control on the principles of openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and respect, mutual benefits for a win-win situation, and equality and transparency," the initiative appealed. It continued, "We call on all parties concerned to cement win-win partnerships through consultation, innovation and cooperation. Let us jointly overcome current difficulties for safeguarding global public health and achieving common prosperity." The initiative reaffirmed that "it is our shared responsibility to promote peace, mutual aid and cooperation; it is our common goal to improve human health and build a bridge for global cooperation on public health; and it is our collective aspiration to build a global community of health for all." According to the Beijing Initiative, health is the core of and the prerequisite for human development. "In face of a serious global threat to human health, no country is immune. Worldwide cooperation on public health is vital for maintaining the world order and boosting the global economy," the Beijing Initiative stressed. The Beijing Initiative was issued while many health representatives and experts were attending the Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation during the ongoing 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing. During the conference, the WHO Representative in China Dr. Gauden Galea hailed China's efforts and experience in containing the COVID-19 outbreak. Chinese researchers publicly shared the gene sequence of the novel coronavirus at a very early stage, and contributed many key scientific insights in published papers related to COVID-19, he said. These efforts offered essential preliminary knowledge of the epidemic and information about clinical features and containment measures, he added. Speaking of global engagement, he pointed out that China is now one of the leaders in the rapid progress of vaccine research internationally. "There is not one country alone that can handle the epidemic," Dr. Galea said, calling for more cooperation, global communication and building solidarity in the fight against the epidemic. He also highlighted the importance of removing health system barriers. Besides Dr. Galea, Xu Jianguo, an academic of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Liu Qingquan, head of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, affiliated with Capital Medical University, Itamar Grotto, deputy director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Health, Liu Duo, head of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, and other domestic and foreign experts and scholars also shared their experiences, observations, thoughts, insights and visions on the global combat against the pandemic. A 22-year-old man was arrested by the Kurla police for allegedly murdering his aunt in Kurla on Sunday night. The accused fled the spot with her jewellery after the murder. The accused, Irfan Nisaar Shaikh, is a resident of Chirag Nagar, Ghatkopar (West). According to the police, the victim 60-year-old Zarina Anwar Shaikh lived alone at Varsha Society in Jagriti Nagar, Kurla (East). Her daughter Rihana Yasim Shaikh, 32, lives in the nearby area, while son works in Gujarat. On Sunday night, Rihana called her mother, but the latter did not respond to her calls. Rihana then went to Zarinas home and found the door locked. Rihana opened the door with a spare key and found her mother lying in a pool of blood. She then informed her neighbours and they rushed Zarina to a hospital, where the latter she was declared dead. After the police were informed, they began the investigations. The killer managed to hide his face from the buildings CCTV camera. But the other CCTV cameras near the building captured some of his movements. After probing the victims relatives and based on details given by our informers, we discovered that Shaikh was behind the crime and arrested him from Ghatkopar within 15 hours after the crime, said senior inspector Vilas Shinde of Nehru Nagar police. The accused visited his aunts home on Sunday night and locked the door from inside. He then switched on the television and turned the volume high and attacked his aunt with a knife, the police said. Multiple injuries on the victims hand indicate that the duo had a scuffle for sometime, following which Shaikh slashed her wrist. She bled profusely and likely died of excessive bleeding, said Shinde. The accused then took gold ornaments of around 221 grams of gold jewellery from her wardrobe and escaped from the window after locking the room from outside. He was in dire need of money and decided to target his aunt as it was easy. We suspect that he has some addiction and must be needing money for the same, Shinde said. Shaikh is booked under sections the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. He will be produced in the court on Tuesday. The police are in the process of recovering robbed valuables from him. The knife used in the crime was also seized by the police from the crime scene. UAE-based Drake & Scull, a regional leader in engineering and construction services, has announced a top-level executive shake-up appointing Munir Mansour as its new chief executive officer and Peter Lalor as the chief financial officer. The move comes as the embattled Dubai firm faces incurring losses and a debt restructuring plan. Like many construction firms, Drake & Scull had been hit by a slump in the regional building industry over the past few years. It attributed the losses mainly to cost overruns in secondary markets such as Oman, Qatar and Jordan, as well as rising debt servicing costs. The company which has reported losses in eight of the past 10 quarters in 2018 had engaged advisers on a new restructuring and business plan. In a statement to the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) on Monday, the Emirati firm said it had been in search of a strong executive team to lead the company at this crucial juncture. Mansour is a highly seasoned leader with more than four decades of experience in the industrial and contracting industry in the UAE. He had previously served as managing director of Tarimanas Group for over 15 years and prior to that as general manager of Emirates Glass. He had also served as a board member in Emirates Glass and Emirates Aluminum, a Dubai Investment Group subsidiary, said the company in its statement. The new CFO, Lalor has been in the Middle East for the last 14 years and boasts significant experience in corporate strategy, finance, legal and commercial management in a variety of sectors, including infrastructure, construction, engineering and manufacturing. Previously, he was the CFO for Al Naboodah's International businesses. Lauding the appointments, Drake & Scull Board Chairman Shafiq Abdul Hamid said: "They join us at a critical time as we proceed with finalising the organisational and financial reorganisation plan." "We are confident that their extensive experience and highly relevant skillsets will enable us to re-establish DSI as a leading MEP contractor in the region,," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Ludovic Orban told an electoral event organized on Sunday evening in the historic center of the northeastern Bistrita city that the political "red will disappear from Transylvania" after the ballot on September 27 and called on the people of Bistrita to vote Liberal. "After these local elections, the red color will disappear from Transylvania, and don't let Bistrita remain red, because if this happens people will say that Bistrita is no longer in Transylvania. As such, I trust you that we will give Bistrita a new beginning and the chance for an authentic development to be felt in the improvement of the everybody's life," Orban said. He told the meeting that he guarantees for the Liberal candidates for Bistrita mayor and for president of the Bistrita-Nasaud County Council, Ioan Turc (leader of the PNL Bistrita-Nasaud local branch), and Stelian Dolha, respectively. Referring to the fact that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) is running in the local elections in Bistrita-Nasaud together with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE), Pro Romania and the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) under new electoral colors and logo, the PNL Chairman said that the Social Democrats behave like "a chameleon". "I am glad that we are together [with the USR-PLUS Alliance] in this effort to defeat a chameleon that is able to take any color and any shape in order to trick the people once again. I tell the PSD voters: if you see three roses and the PSD on the ballot paper, you can vote with them. But they are hiding, they are no longer there, the PSD is gone. Therefore, having no one to vote with, you can stay at home, but still better, vote with PNL because you will be much better off with us," Ludovic Orban said. AMMAN, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday met visiting Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Saeb Erekat over the latest developments of the Palestinian cause. During the meeting, they discussed the efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. They also underlined the necessity of stopping all Israeli illegal measures, notably the annexation of land and the expansion of settlements that undermine the two-state solution and all peace opportunities. Erekat also lauded King Abdullah II of Jordan's support for the Palestinians' legitimate rights, mainly freedom and statehood on their national land. Germany has warned Russia that it could halt a gas pipeline project over the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, an opponent of Vladimir Putin, is in a coma in a Berlin hospital after falling ill on a flight in Siberia. Tests showed he was poisoned with novichok the nerve agent used in the Salisbury attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in 2018. German chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Navalny's poisoning was an attempt to silence one of President Putin's fiercest critics. Germany has warned Russia that it could halt a gas pipeline project over the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny (pictured at a rally in Moscow last year) She at first rejected linking the case to the giant Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which will deliver Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea. But yesterday her foreign minister Heiko Maas called for Moscow to co-operate with the investigation into the incident, saying: 'I hope the Russians won't force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. 'If there won't be any contributions from the Russian side... we will have to consult with our partners.' He did not rule out sanctions against the Putin regime, which has denied involvement in the attack on Mr Navalny, 44. German chancellor Angela Merkel (left) said Mr Navalny's poisoning was an attempt to silence one of President Putin's (right) fiercest critics He told the paper that 'if we think about sanctions, they should be pinpointed effectively'. However, Mr Maas also admitted that halting the building of the nearly completed gas pipeline would harm German and European companies. He said: 'Whoever demands this has to be aware of the consequences. 'More than 100 companies from 12 European countries are involved (in the construction), about half of them from Germany.' The German government has come under growing pressure to use the joint German-Russian pipeline project as leverage in getting Russia to provide answers on Mr Navalny. The Nord Stream 2 project would deliver Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea when completed, bypassing Ukraine. Mr Navalny, a Kremlin critic and corruption investigator, fell ill on a flight to Moscow last month and was taken to a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk. He has been in an induced coma in a Berlin hospital since he was flown to Germany for treatment on August 22. German authorities have said that tests showed he had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group. British authorities previously identified the nerve agent, developed during the Soviet era, as the poison used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 2018. Mr Maas said: 'We have high expectations from the Russians to bring light into this severe crime. If they have nothing to do with this attack then it's in their own interest to put the facts on the table.' Mr Navalny is regarded as the most popular and prominent opponent of President Vladimir Putin (pictured in Moscow on Saturday) President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has brushed off allegations that the Kremlin was involved in poisoning Mr Navalny and said last week that Germany had not provided Moscow with any evidence about the politician's condition. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Navalny's poisoning was an attempted murder that aimed to silence one of Mr Putin's fiercest critics, and called for a full investigation. Mrs Merkel personally offered the country's assistance in treating Mr Navalny. He is now in a stable condition at Berlin's Charite hospital, but doctors expect a long recovery and have not ruled out that the 44-year-old could face long-term effects to his health. Mrs Merkel has previously rejected the idea that the Navalny case should be linked to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Navalny is the most popular and prominent opponent of President Vladimir Putin, and the German announcement this week that he was poisoned by a nerve agent has raised the possibility of further Western sanctions against Moscow. Alexei Navalny, pictured with his wife Yulia, has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for years The US has long opposed the project, which has been increasingly a source of friction between Berlin and Washington. In early August, three Republican senators threatened sanctions against an operator of a Baltic Sea port located in Mrs Merkel's parliamentary constituency over its part in Nord Stream 2. The Mukran port is a key staging post for ships involved in its construction. The US argues that the project will endanger European security by making Germany overly dependent on Russian gas. It is also opposed by the Ukraine and Poland, which will be bypassed by the pipeline under the Baltic, as well as some other European nations. In addition to the security concerns, the US also wants to sell more of its own liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to Europe. KEY FACTS 10:26 a.m.: Police intervene at two Quebec bars. 6 a.m. : Indias increasing coronavirus caseload made the country the worlds second-worst-hit country. 4 a.m.: Toronto considering new homelessness plan. The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world Monday. This file will be updated throughout the day. Web links to longer stories if available. 5:25 p.m.: Prince Edward Island is reporting four new cases of COVID-19, all of them related to international travel. Two of the cases are essential workers who arrived in the province following international travel and the two other cases are young children under the age of 10 from the same family. They arrived on the Island in late August and have been in self isolation. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison didnt indicate what the workers jobs are, other than that to state they arent health workers. Morrison says the new cases bring the current total on the Island to seven. Prince Edward Island has had a total of 51 positive cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, and all cases to date have been travel-related. 4:09 p.m.: Fuelled by a sharp surge of coronavirus contagion just as the school year opens, Spain has now officially more than half a million confirmed coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The health ministry on Monday reported 26,560 new infections since its last report on Friday, or an average of 8,800 daily, bringing the total since February to 525,549. Most new cases show new symptoms and the spike is so far not overwhelming hospitals. During the same period, 29,516 people have died in Spain with the new coronavirus, although the real death toll is believed to be much higher given insufficient testing in March and April. 1:44 p.m.: Canadas chief public health doctor says a slow but steady increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 is a cause for concern. Dr. Theresa Tam says today the average daily number of people testing positive over the last week is 545 a 25 per cent increase over the previous week, which saw a daily average of 435, and 390 a week before that. That number increased every day over the last week prompting Tam to remind Canadians not to get complacent about their risk of contracting the novel coronavirus. Overall, in the last week, 3,955 people tested positive across Canada, and 28 people died of COVID-19. That compares to 3,044 positive tests and 44 deaths in the week prior. Tam says most Canadians are following public health advice and that has allowed Canada to keep the COVID-19 pandemic under manageable control but says she is concerned about the uptick in positive cases. This is a concern and a reminder that we all need to maintain public health measures to keep COVID-19 on the slow-burn path that we need, she said in a statement. 1:06 p.m.: A new case of COVID-19 has been identified in central Nova Scotia, bringing the provinces current total to four active cases. The case was identified on Sunday by public health officials, without a specific location of where it occurred in an area that encompasses Halifax, the eastern shore and West Hants. To date, Nova Scotia has had 1,086 cases of COVID-19 and 65 deaths. 11:55 a.m.: Quebecs public health authorities say 216 new COVID-19 cases have been counted in the last 24 hours, bringing the number since the pandemic began to 63,713. One additional death was reported, bringing the total to 5,770. 11:15 a.m.: Education officials in Pakistan say authorities will start reopening schools from Sept. 15 amid a steady decline in coronavirus deaths and infections. Schools were closed in March when the government enforced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. Authorities lifted curbs on most of the businesses in May, but schools remained closed across the country. Officials said schools will reopen in Punjab and Sindh provinces from Sept. 15 and a formal announcement about opening of schools elsewhere was expected later Monday. On Sunday, Pakistan reported three new deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, one of the lowest number of daily fatalities in more five months. Pakistan has reported 298,903 infections and 6,345 deaths since the pandemic began. 10:26 a.m.: Police in Sherbrooke, Que., say they had to intervene this weekend at two local bars where patrons were not respecting regulations meant to stem the spread of COVID-19. Sherbrooke police say they went to a bar which was hosting a karaoke night from Friday to Saturday and found customers were not following public health guidelines. Police say they went to another venue on Sunday where patrons were not maintaining physical distancing. They say people at the second bar were dancing close to each other and not wearing masks when moving inside the establishment. Police spokesperson Martin Carrier says the two bars are owned by the same person, who may face fines for violating public health guidelines. The Quebec government has urged people to be extra vigilant and follow public health guidelines after a recent karaoke night at a Quebec City bar was linked to dozens of COVID-19 infections. Read the full story here. 6 a.m.: Indias increasing coronavirus caseload made the country the worlds second-worst-hit country behind the United States on Monday, as its efforts to head off economic disaster from the pandemic gain urgency. The 90,802 cases added in the past 24 hours pushed Indias total past Brazil with more than 4.2 million cases. India is now behind only the United States, where more than 6.2 million people have been infected, according to Johns Hopkins University. 4 a.m.: Toronto is considering an ambitious new plan to combat homelessness as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate the issue. In a draft report developed by the Shelter, Support and Housing Administration in conjunction with United Way, city officials have put forward a number of potential strategies to get people off the street and keep them housed. Read the full story here. 4 a.m.: The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 4:00 a.m. EDT on Sept. 7, 2020: There are 131,894 confirmed cases in Canada. _ Quebec: 63,497 confirmed (including 5,769 deaths, 55,871 resolved) _ Ontario: 43,161 confirmed (including 2,813 deaths, 38,958 resolved) _ Alberta: 14,474 confirmed (including 242 deaths, 12,799 resolved) _ British Columbia: 6,162 confirmed (including 211 deaths, 4,706 resolved) _ Saskatchewan: 1,651 confirmed (including 24 deaths, 1,579 resolved) _ Manitoba: 1,323 confirmed (including 16 deaths, 898 resolved) _ Nova Scotia: 1,085 confirmed (including 65 deaths, 1,015 resolved) _ Newfoundland and Labrador: 269 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 265 resolved) _ New Brunswick: 192 confirmed (including 2 deaths, 186 resolved) _ Prince Edward Island: 47 confirmed (including 44 resolved) _ Yukon: 15 confirmed (including 15 resolved) _ Repatriated Canadians: 13 confirmed (including 13 resolved) _ Northwest Territories: 5 confirmed (including 5 resolved) _ Nunavut: No confirmed cases _ Total: 131,894 (0 presumptive, 131,894 confirmed including 9,145 deaths, 116,354 resolved) Read Sundays rolling file. Agra, Sep 7 : The state government-run hospitals and the medical infrastructure, newly created to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, have come under tremendous strain as the number of fresh cases in the past 10 days has continued to surge alarmingly. The Covid ward at the S.N. Medical College is already full. The authorities are now gearing up to open up a new ward. Doctors at the medical college hospital have been complaining of a short supply of Oxygen. The private nursing homes are also feeling the pinch of Oxygen supply. As testing of Covid-19 has gone up in the district from just a few hundred to over 2,500 daily, the number of cases also have shown an alarming upward trend. In the past 24 hours, Agra reported 85 new cases. The total active cases are now 615 and the recovery rate has fallen to 78.55 per cent. So far, 2,652 have been discharged after recovery. The number of samples tested so far is 1,32,684. Mathura reported the highest number in the area with 96 cases and one death in the last 24 hours. Firozabad reported 79, Mainpuri 48, Kasganj 21 and Etah 18 cases. The Sunday lockdown saw Agra markets closed and traffic heavily curtailed. The three-day Sero-survey concluded on Sunday with 320 more samples. The antibody tests will help determine the extent of infection. The blood samples were being sent to the ICMR for analysis. Meanwhile, the Lady Loyal women's hospital was sealed for two days after a 40-year-old staff nurse succumbed to Covid-19. Two senior doctors of the medical college also tested positive. A number of health workers have been quarantined after they tested positive on Sunday. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text 22:13 Hours after actor Rhea Chakraborty filed a complaint against Sushant Singh's sister requesting the Mumbai police to register an FIR, Vikas Singh, lawyer of the family of Sushant Singh Rajput on Monday said that if the police accept Rhea's complaint, the matter will be taken to the Supreme Court. "I have been given a complaint filed by Rhea Chakraborty in Bandra police station. It is an effort to keep jurisdiction of Mumbai police in this matter when SC said complaints with regard to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput will be investigated by CBI. "So this is clear attempt to somehow keep the Mumbai Police active in this matter so that they can do some mischief and ensure that the family of Sushant does not get justice in this matter," Singh told a press conference. "This is a clear attempt to divert the mind of the people and derail the probe. The family was not aware of this intensive drug angle. If Bandra Police accepts the complaint, it will be a violation of the order of Supreme Court and hence a contempt of the court. "If Bandra Police proceeds with it, we will take the matter to the Supreme Court under contempt of court," he added. Commenting upon the requests of Rhea Chakraborty to Mumbai police to register FIR under Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, Singh said, "The Telecommunication guidelines are of Medical Council of India (MCI) and there is no police jurisdiction in such a matter. "MCI guidelines are not under the jurisdiction of the Police. Filing such a complaint and asking police to carry out an illegal probe too is a punishable offence under IPC. "As far as the prescription is concerned, we are only dealing with the complaint but if this prescription comes at the stage of the trial, then we will see." Singh said that Rhea should be arrested as soon as possible as 'it would unearth a lot more things'. Actor Rhea Chakraborty has filed a complaint before Mumbai Police requesting that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered against Sushant Singh Rajput's sister Priyanka Singh, Dr Tarun Kumar of RML Hospital, Delhi and others under IPC, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. -- ANI Stone forests--pointed rock formations resembling trees that populate regions of China, Madagascar, and many other locations worldwide--are as majestic as they are mysterious, created by uncertain forces that give them their shape. A team of scientists has now shed new light on how these natural structures are created. Its research, reported in the latest issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), also offers promise for the manufacturing of sharp-tipped structures, such as the micro-needles and probes needed for scientific research and medical procedures. "This work reveals a mechanism that explains how these sharply pointed rock spires, a source of wonder for centuries, come to be," says Leif Ristroph, an associate professor at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and one of the paper's co-authors. "Through a series of simulations and experiments, we show how flowing water carves ultra-sharp spikes in landforms." The researchers, who included Michael Shelley, a professor at the Courant Institute, note that the study also illuminates a mechanism that explains the prevalence of sharply pointed rock spires in karst--a topography formed by the dissolution of rocks, such as limestone. In their study, the scientists simulated the formation of these pinnacles over time through a mathematical model and computer simulations that took into account how dissolving produces flows and how these flows also affect dissolving and thus reshaping of a formation. To confirm the validity of their simulations, the researchers conducted a series of experiments in NYU's Applied Mathematics Lab. Here, the scientists replicated the formation of these natural structures by creating sugar-based pinnacles, mimicking soluble rocks that compose karst and similar topographies, and submerging them in tanks of water. Interestingly, no flows had to be imposed, since the dissolving process itself created the flow patterns needed to carve spikes. The experimental results reflected those of the simulations, thereby supporting the accuracy of the researchers' model (see "Video2ExperimentSimulation" in the below drive). The authors speculate that these same events happen--albeit far more slowly--when minerals are submerged under water, which later recedes to reveal stone pinnacles and stone forests. ### The paper's other co-authors included Jinzi Mac Huang, an NYU doctoral student at the time of the research, and Joshua Tong, an NYU undergraduate at the time of the study. Download videos and images of the study here (credit: NYU's Applied Mathematics Lab): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cND93QyG0IB0xiq9C-IXSOQjl3WGvklN?usp=sharing The research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (CBET-1805506). Imperial Valley News Center Tax Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Obstructing the IRS Columbus, Ohio - A Columbus, attorney was sentenced to 18 months in prison Wednesday, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Departments Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David DeVillers for the Southern District of Ohio. According to documents and information provided to the court, Marcus Marc Dunn was a licensed attorney in Ohio. From 2007 until his client Dr. Kevin Lake died, Dunn advised and assisted Dr. Lake in legal matters relating to the operation of his clinics, including Columbus Southern Medical Clinic in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, Dunn specialized in tax law. Around 2010, the IRS audited Dr. Lakes entities. In response to an IRS revenue officers request for documentation supporting the entities claimed clinical equipment depreciation deductions, Dunn provided false bills of sale purporting to support the deductions, but which in fact falsely inflated the value of the equipment. At the same time that Dunn provided these inflated values to the IRS, he provided contradictory valuation information to third parties. In 2011, Dunn filed petitions in U.S. Tax Court challenging the IRSs determination that some of the audited entities owed additional taxes. The case was ultimately settled with an agreement that approximately $608,583 was due. When the IRS revenue officer attempted to collect the settlement amount in 2014, Dunn frustrated the IRSs collection efforts by falsely representing that the relevant entities were defunct with no assets. In all, Dunn caused a tax loss of $513,960 to the United States. On Nov. 26, 2018, Dunn pleaded guilty to corruptly endeavoring to impede and obstruct the IRS and the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended Dunns license to practice law in March 2019. In January 2017, Dr. Lake pleaded guilty to drug, tax, and fraud charges, but died before sentencing in that case. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson ordered Dunn to serve 3 years of supervised release. Restitution to the government has already been paid using funds seized from Dr. Lake. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney DeVillers commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Richard M. Rolwing and Carl F. Brooker of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. Learning that the US government is about to charge your company with breaking monopoly laws would not normally come as good news. But in Google's case, it might just be met with a sigh of relief. For more than a year, antitrust regulators at America's Department of Justice have been circling the internet search giant, and this summer they have been gradually closing in. Google has long been in the crosshairs of the US government, Credit:AP Although three other big US tech companies - Apple, Amazon and Facebook - are in Washington's crosshairs, Google has long stood out as the most likely candidate for monopoly charges. The groundwork for building a case against the company has already been laid. Rivals such as Yelp have been griping about Google's control over its search engine and the internet's advertising infrastructure for years. The contracts with the fighters involve serving 18 continuous months in Libya, in exchange for exemption from compulsory military service in their home country and a salary of $1,200, Sowt Al-Asima says At the beginning of September, Russian forces began preparing the contracts for the second batch of people from the city of Douma in eastern Ghouta to be sent to Libya to fight alongside the forces of Khalifa Haftar. Private sources told Sowt al-Asima that the Russian forces have processed contracts for about 65 young men from the city over the past week, noting that the contract duration is five months, without announcing the date of the launch of operations. The sources confirmed that the process of preparing contracts takes place in the building of the Baath Party in Lattakia, where the Russian forces are stationed, indicating that some young men went to sign contracts individually, while others went collectively in coordination with Rateb al-Durra, who hails from the same city. The new combat contracts included paying each of the fighters a monthly amount of $1,200, provided that $500 would be paid before departure, and the remaining amount upon return to Syria, according to the sources. The sources also revealed that a Russian offer was made to the second batch of Douma residents to serve 18 continuous months in Libya, in exchange for exemption from compulsory military service in their home country. The Russian forces had sent a group of 25 fighters from Douma to Benghazi through the Damascus International Airport in early February 2020, on a three-month combat mission in exchange for a one-month vacation in their city. Each fighter was paid 800 dollars per month and was issued a pass from the Hmeimim military base under the category Russias Friends Pass, which protects its holder from any security questioning or arrest for any purpose whatsoever. Earlier this month, Russian forces began preparing to send 300 young men from towns south of Damascus to Libya, as a fourth batch, two weeks following the return of one of the groups to Syria after the end of their contracts. Priority is given to former fighters wishing to renew their contracts. 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. President Trump told reporters at a Labor Day briefing on Monday that he is "taking the high road" by not meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats to negotiate the next coronavirus stimulus package. Why it matters: Unemployment benefits have expired for millions of Americans, but House Democrats and the White House are no closer to a deal while nearly one in eight households are struggling to get enough to eat. What he's saying: "I don't need to meet with them to be turned down," Trump told reporters. "They don't want to make a deal because they think if the country does as badly as possible ... that's good for the Democrats." "I am taking the high road. I'm taking the high road by not seeing them," he added. Of note: Trump said that the damaging article from The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, which reported that the president "has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members," was a "totally made-up story" and that "only an animal would say a thing like that." Citizens are holding a protest demanding the resignation of Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan in front of the building of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. One of the protesters stated that the aim of the protest is to preserve national values and is devoted to a number of fatal issues facing the Armenian people that are in need of urgent solutions. Several members of the government who are inexperienced or are serving foreign interests and who came to power with many promises, started introducing foreign morals right after they came to power, and the super minister of education, science, culture and sport Arayik Harutyunyan stood out from the rest. The major decisions related to education are trusted to a person who doesnt have any experience in delivering ordinary lectures and has only stood out as a person who doesnt have anything to do with the education sector and isnt sparing efforts to destroy the national values that represent the national identity of the Armenian people, the protester said. Another protester urged the minister to resign for the sake of the children of Armenia. IAS Nitishwar Kumar has been appointed as the Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had approved the proposal of DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training) for inter-cadre deputation of Nitishwar Kumar (IAS, 1996 batch) from Uttar Pradesh cadre to the Union Territory of for a period of one year, as per a letter dated September 5. Soon after this, the General Administration Department of issued an order posting Nitishwar Kumar as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, replacing Bipul Pathak. Further, Jammu and Kashmir (1992 batch) cadre IAS officer Bipul Pathak, who was serving as the Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Information Technology Department, through an order issued on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor. Pathak will, however, continue to hold the additional charge of Principal Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology Department, CEO, Jammu and Kashmir e-Governance Agency, and CEO, Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency as per the order. (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.) U.S. lawyer Jerry Skinner is representing the interests of relatives of the victims of Flight MH17 at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). They filed a lawsuit against Russia in the ECHR in 2016. For about forty years, Jerry Skinner has specialized in plane crashes. Among his many cases was the terrible tragedy over the Scottish town of Lockerbie on December 21, 1988, when Pan Am Flight 103, a Boeing 747 en route to New York City from London, exploded. All 259 people on board were killed, and 11 individuals on the ground also died. I first met Jerry Skinner in the Netherlands on March 9, 2020, when the court hearing in the MH17 trial began at the Schiphol Judicial Complex. On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over conflict-hit Donbas. There were 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board. All of them died. After nearly six years of investigation, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) reported that the plane had been shot down from a Buk missile system that belongs to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Kursk. Our meeting with the lawyer took place near the Schiphol Judicial Complex and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where the same flight MH17 departed from six years ago. PLANE EXPLOSION OVER LOCKERBIE AND MH17 - Mr. Skinner, please tell us why you decided to specialize in plane crashes? What influenced your choice? - My father fought in the Second World War. He helped liberate Dachau. I was inspired to work in an area where people needed help, even though what they really need was to late to provide. That pretty much describes air crash litigation. Plus the opportunity and the idea came together in 1983 right after I started law practice and an Air Canda flight landed at my home airport with a fire on board. The two factors just worked out - You made a name for yourself in the Lockerbie trial. The investigation lasted three years, and charges were subsequently brought against two Libyan intelligence agents. At first, Libya refused to extradite the suspects. However, after the UN Security Council imposed international sanctions against the country, Libya agreed to extradite the suspects for a trial in the Netherlands in accordance with the laws of Scotland. After nine months of the trial, one of the defendants was found guilty. You submitted a lawsuit filed by the relatives of the victims. Compensations were paid in exchange for lifting the sanctions. What payments are we talking about? - There were two cases regarding Pan Am Flight 103. I did not work on the domestic case brought in the USDC for the Eastern District of NY against Pan American and Alert Security Services. The flight was bombed by an altitude sensitive pressure detonator armed bomb loaded in a musical Boom Box placed in luggage by agents of the Libyan government's security service. The case against Libya was based upon their role as a state sponsor of terror and their acts against 270 innocent civilians. Settlement was ultimately made for $2.7 B in non-compensatory damages. - In what other cases did you participate? Were there any cases not related to aviation? - Aviation: Northwest Airlines Flight 255, Pam Am Flight 103, TWA 800, Swiss Air 111, Egypt Air 990, Comair 3272, USAIR Flight 427, USAIR Flight 405, the Royal Jordanian Airlines hand grenade case; dozens of commuter, general aviation and helicopter incidents; the Cessna Caravan 208B multi-district litigation cases and numerous parachute jump crash cases. Non-aviation: the 1978 Beverly Hills Supper Club fire, MGM Grand Hotel fire, Holiday Inn Cambridge fire, drug products liability in multiple counties, antitrust lawsuits, and numerous other tort actions. - After the downing of MH17, the relatives of the victims filed two lawsuits with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), accusing the Russian Federation of human rights violations. In one of these claims, you represent the interests of the relatives of the victims. What is their position? - The position of the relatives is that Russia is responsible for a deliberate act of murder and must be held accountable and pay damages as a means of at least demonstrating justice. - What was the reaction of Russia to the lawsuit? - We applied to the European Court of Human Rights in 2016. It took a lot of effort to collect the necessary package of documents, most of which were in electronic form, to create a sufficient base of accusations against Russia. After that, little happened until September, when Russia was asked to provide an answer and it did it. It was about all the same conspiracy theories that were already mentioned earlier, all the same accusations against Ukraine ... In my opinion, the evidence of Russia's involvement is very convincing: they were seen, recorded, photographed and filmed; conversations were also recorded. It was a Russian weapon, it was found at the scene of the crime: the wreckage collected at the crash site and taken from the bodies of the dead corresponds to the elements of the warhead of the very Buk missile system that is in service with the Russian Federation. The ECHR Case is filed to recover just satisfaction from the Russian Federation for using a military weapon to advance their state political causes against Ukraine, against a civilian airliner killing 298 souls. It is for the loss of the right to live. Damages are almost not quantifiable, but are very large. We filed, Russia has opposed, and our reply is due in December 2020. We do not know yet whether the Court will rule on the paper or hold evidentiary hearings in a year or so. The problem is that the ECHR has a huge number of cases pending. You are waiting in line, and this waiting is sometimes replaced by a period of serious activity: collecting information, preparing documents. At the moment, we still have a pause related to the coronavirus; the court will open only in the fall. - The tragedy of MH17 is a unique case. Is there a risk that the ECHR will not consider the case on the merits? Or it will say that first it was necessary to go to Russia, because according to the procedure, when you are suing a country, you must first go through judicial procedures in that country. - MH 17 is not unique. Russia has shot down airliners in Georgia, Chechnya, Eastern Russian border territories and in other places. Russia appears to use airliners as targets of opportunity in conflicts with the former Eastern bloc states. We are certain that the procedural obligation to exhaust domestic remedies imposed by ECHR Article 2 will mean that Russia's failure to investigate, lies, abuses of evidence and denial of cooperation will relieve the families of any obligation to sue Russia in Russia. RUSSIA WAS PREPARING FOR DOWNING A PLANE - In your opinion, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down by mistake? - This was a deliberate act with specific intent to shoot down an airliner and kill innocent persons. Why else would Russia drive 100s of kilometers to a separatist held area where the commercial aviation corridor brought targets to them. They used a weapon known for its 99% kill rate. It initiated an invasion which was also preceded by the slow infiltration of Russian military personnel "on vacation". Arms control groups monitored heavy weapons in this area for months before the attack. It was an act of preplanned murder. If you look at what kind of weapons the Russian Federation sent to Ukraine, it becomes clear they were preparing for this. We are talking about a full-fledged military campaign with the participation of the Russian army. They transported tanks, multiple launch rocket systems, equipment and people. It seems to me that the purpose of the Russian Federation was to blame Ukraine for the downing of the plane and to use this as an excuse to send its troops. It was a provocation; they deliberately shot down the plane. - Russia denies all accusations and turns blame on Ukraine. How do you assess the role of Ukraine in this tragedy? - Ukraine, based upon the history of Russian attacks upon lower flying military targets from the end of May up to the date of the attack upon MH 17, closed its airspace up to FL 300. Ukraine was the ultimate victim in this event. They did all that Russian aggression called for. They are not even reasonably involved in the acts Russia chose to perform to kill an airliner. - What new facts of the tragedy have become known? - I cannot talk about a lot of the "new facts". They are involved in the criminal case and it is not wise to talk about them while that is pending. However, the evidence grows as witnesses, documents, recordings and physical evidence continues to be discovered and used. This event was a large plan, with many players and left an extensive trail of evidence of all kinds. THE NETHERLANDS IS A POWERFUL ALLY IN THE ECHR - A week before the sixth anniversary of the MH17 tragedy, the Dutch state also announced a lawsuit against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). What is your assessment of this move by the Netherlands? - We are very pleased about the move by the Dutch state to join formally in proceeding at the ECHR. It gives our families a strong state ally. The country that suffered the most believes in our cause. If the Russian Federation thinks it can soften this issue because it is strong and great, then they are wrong. - How many lawyers are involved in the MH17 case? - There are 5-8 Dutch lawyers involved. Lawyers from Australia, Malaysia, Germany, the UK, Canada and the US are also involved. In the ECHR, there are probably 16 legal counsel involved. - How did you become a lawyer for relatives in the MH17 case at the ECHR? - This is a particularly brutal act, a large number of innocent deaths and a very depraved act of Russian aggression. Justice must be pursued. I was working at a Sydney law firm and as the families in Australia searched for help and answers they began to call and meet with me. - What difficulties have you encountered in this case? - The biggest difficulty has been Russia's obstruction, lies, disinformation, restrictions on access to evidence, false evidence and general uncooperative conduct. - In Amsterdam, you met with lawyers in the MH17 case. What was this meeting about? - I met with a group of the Dutch lawyers who are working to represent all the families. I am part of that group. We gave the assembled family members our summary of the criminal case and the ECHR progress. It was a status report. RUSSIAN WINDOW IN CRIMINAL CASE - What do you think about the trial at the Schiphol Judicial Complex? How many years it can last? - The criminal case is necessary. The evidence collected by the Dutch JIT led investigation is strong and very extensive. But it is not a case which is prosecuting the real defendant. The defendant is the Russian Federation. The ECHR case will ultimately have a greater impact upon justice. The criminal case could last another two years. - At the Schiphol Judicial Complex, a criminal case is being considered against three accused Russians and one Ukrainian, but there are many more people involved in the downing of MH17. Who else can be held accountable? - Putin and his chief advisors are ultimately responsible for this act. He will not be tried under present circumstances. If his own people finally force him to resign, that might change. Some advisors and particularly the leaders of Russia's offensive in Donbas may be tried for criminal offenses. - One of the four accused, Oleg Pulatov, lieutenant colonel of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, expressed his desire to join the trial. He is represented by two Dutch lawyers. What do you think about the position of the defense and why, in your opinion, Pulatov decided to join? - Mr. Pulatov is a Russian window into the case and an opportunity for Russia to disrupt the entire criminal case. His legal team causes delays. He did not decide to be involved in the case. That decision was made far over his head and he did not voluntarily agree to hire counsel. Mr. Pulatov is being used. At least in name, Pulatov and the other two Russians are being "thrown under the bus, to distract public attention from the Russian state. - Who, in your opinion, is guilty of the delivery of the Buk missile system to Ukraine? - Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is guilty. - In what court could Putin be tried? - Currently, there is no court where Putin could be tried. The UN could convene a war crimes tribunal to address Crimea, Donbas and MH17. That is a long way off. - In your opinion, are the Netherlands and the international community exerting enough pressure on Russia? - No. Not nearly enough. Not Netherland, not Australia, not Malaysia who never will, and not the United States which is failing miserably to leverage and use the evidence which they hold. - What are your predictions on how many years the MH17case might last? - The Pan Am Flight 103 case lasted 15 years. In the ECHR I expect 10. - What will happen if Russia does not recognize the court ruling? How can you put pressure on Russia? - Russia has property everywhere. Governments must cooperate in taking and liquidating property. I also think that Russia should lose aviation landing rights in the countries of the victims the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Canada etc. Cripple their trade until they act responsibly. - What compensation has already been paid to the relatives and who did it? - Malaysia Airlines paid compensatory damages to most families pursuant to the Montreal Agreement of 1999. We do not know the amounts, they were very small. - Who are your clients? - Forty Australians, Malaysians and Dutch citizens are my individual family claimants. - What does it mean to you to be a lawyer for the relatives of those killed aboard MH17? - I am honored to represent my clients. They are great families. I want justice for all the families, most of all I want justice for the 80 children. I want to end 40 years of aviation legal practice by accomplishing something good for these people. Iryna Drabok, The Hague Photo credit: Iryna Drabok The word has changed a lot since January 2020 when first tremors of the coronavirus infection were felt. The viral infection has since blown out into a pandemic, race for vaccine has intensified with major breakthroughs attained, economies have slumped, cases are spiking with a second wave. There has been a rollercoaster of hope and despair over the last six months now. However, what has remained constant in all this is the bizarre statements from politicians. From the President of Ameirca Donald Trump suggesting to inject disinfectants to Indian politicians recommending paapads as immunity booster to fight the infection, the list is long. The latest on the list is Madhya Pradesh minister Imarti Devi who believes that she is immune to the infection owing to the fact that she is born in gobar (cow dung) and mitti (mud). I am born in mud and cow dung. Corona cannot come to me," Imarti Devi, Minister of Women and Force Development of the state, said angrily while talking to the media amid rumours that she had tested positive for the virus infection. Pointing towards her mask, which was hanging by her chin, the minister even said that she was wearing it forcefully. A video of the incident is going viral on social media. Imarti Devis brief confrontation with the media is believed to have happened on September 3 when she had gone to meet BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia at his residence. Earlier, Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, and Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, MP for the Bharatiya Janata Party, endorsed a papad that would fight the novel coronavirus. Meghwal, the BJP MP, said a papad brand named Bhabhiji Papad" may help produce the antibodies required to counter coronavirus. However, few weeks later, the minister had tested positive for the virus. In August, BJP MP from Rajasthan Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria said that mud pack and blowing a conch shell can help fight the coronavirus infection. Jaunapuria, lawmaker from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency, said that sitting in mud and blowing conch shell boosts immunity and helps the body to fight Covid-19 infection. Read all the Latest News and Breaking News here Loss of strength and muscle wastage is currently an unavoidable part of getting older and has a significant impact on health and quality of life. Sarcopenia, as its known medically, is responsible for a large number of health problems and body function disorders, and is brought about by aging, stroke, trauma and degenerative diseases. Current treatments are predominantly based on external devices such as orthoses and rigid exoskeletons, but these can cause tissue damage and are limited in use. emPOWER is a visionary project, led by Jonathan Rossiter, Professor of Robotics at the University of Bristol, in partnership with Imperial College, UCL and the NIHR Devices for Dignity MedTech Co-operative, hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust. The project will explore how artificial muscles could radically transform treatment options in the future and effectively turn back the body clock. We are working on the principle that implanting robotic, artificial muscles to replace or work alongside our own muscles, can restore natural body function and help us all to live longer, more comfortable and active lives. emPOWER implantable muscles must work seamlessly with the body. They must be biocompatible, integrate smoothly and strongly with natural bone and tissue, and coordinate intelligently with the patients own movements and muscle actions. Jonathan Rossiter, Professor of Robotics, University of Bristol To deliver this level of sophistication, the emPOWER project is a multi-disciplinary team of 30 researchers across the fields of soft robotics, materials science, bioengineering, chemistry, ethics, healthcare regulation and medicine. Together the emPOWER team will deliver a system of implantable muscles that receive their energy from outside the body, for example from a small power pack, and which communicate directly with the nervous system for control and sensing. This is truly a project for 2050 and beyond, taking an adventurous approach that leap-frogs current state-of-the-art research. There is considerable work to be done but we confidently expect to see emPOWER artificial muscles in clinical use before 2050. The project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through its Transformative Healthcare Technologies for 2050. In the first quarter of 2020, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) investigating the human rights violations of former Gambian ruler Yahya Jammeh announced it would conclude its public hearings in October. That plan is now out of the door. The TRRC announced its first suspension of public hearings on March 18, three days after the first case of Covid-19 was found in the small West African country. In July, the Commission resumed with institutional hearings on prisons. But on August 4 when it was expected to continue after a one-week break, the Commission announced another suspension of its public hearings. While the Commission is very keen on completing its work and submitting its final report and recommendations in good time, we are conscious of the fact that continuing our public hearings may put the lives of everybody concerned at risk of Covid-19 infection, said Commissions chair Dr Lamin Sise. No date has since been set for the resumption of public hearings. As of September 5, 3,150 cases of Covid-19 have been registered in The Gambia, and 99 deaths. The global pandemic is having a prolonged effect on the countrys transitional justice process. Activities outside public hearings Although the TRRC has already lost over a month of public hearings, the Commissions executive secretary Dr Baba Galleh Jallow insists that the TRRC has kept working, including on collecting witness statements and writing its final report, and that it is only the public hearings that have been suspended. On August 31, the Truth Commission endorsed the policy that is to guide its issuance of reparations to victims. The policy was validated with the participation of victims and civil society organisations. However it avoided the complex issue of what amount to pay for victimization, as well as what would become of perpetrators-turned victims and whether they should be paid reparations or not. The Commission does not have a fixed amount of money to dish out. The policy is just a framework that can guide their work. So, in terms of managing the reparation process, I think they have done the first step designing a policy, said Sait Matty Jaw, a Gambian researcher and academic who lectures at the University of the Gambia. The TRRC has simultaneously started issuing interim reparations in the forms of school fees to children of victims and medical treatment of direct victims. Through the support of a United Nations Development Programme, the Commission has also started preparing a list of victims who are to have a Covid-19 food relief in the coming days. But the time loss is of concern to Sheriff Kijera, the chairperson of the Victims Centre, a civil society organization that stands for the rights of the victims under Jammeh. The pause has created a lot of uncertainty, said Kijera who suggests the TRRC should look at alternatives to complete suspension. They could still maintain the social and physical distancing and put some restriction on people coming to the hearings. We are losing more time and resources. The pending programme Sait Jaw said the suspension didnt only affect the hearing process but also some of the ongoing initiatives by the various communities that could have informed the final report. The Truth Commission does a number of community outreach programmes to encourage mass involvement in their process. However, with a ban on large gatherings, the TRRC has had to rely more on community radios for its outreach activities, explained the Commissions director of communications, Essa Jallow. We certainly will need an extension beyond the two years mandate that started in January 2019, Baba Galleh Jallow told Justice Info. For how long, we cant determine yet. Since it began public hearings on January 7, 2019, 219 witnesses have testified before the TRRC, including 54 women, 40 perpetrators, alleged perpetrators and adversely mentioned persons, 25 Gambians from the diaspora, and a few expert witnesses. At the time of the latest suspension of its public hearings, the Commission was probing the fake alternative treatment program that Gambias former eccentric ruler claimed could cure Aids, asthma, and infertility, among others. Some key alleged perpetrators, mostly doctors who helped Jammeh in his propaganda, are still expected to appear before the Commission. Thirteen themes have so far been covered, including the activities of Jammehs hitmen called the Junglers. According to the Commission, the Junglers should be called back to talk about killings. Also expected are probes into enforced disappearances, the case of 44 Ghanaians and other West African migrants who were killed in The Gambia in July 2005, and the April 2016 incidents involving the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) which resulted in the death in custody of opposition party UDP member Solo Sandeng. Institutional hearings on the NIA, the judiciary, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are also part of the workplan. Moving into a turbulent political climate For the issue of budgetary implications [of the delay], if there is need to extend the work of the TRRC because of the impact of Covid-19, it will be considered, Gambias Communications minister, Ebrima Sillah, told Justice Info. But money may not be the only issue. With an extension of the Commissions mandate, its activities or its final report would come up in a very turbulent political climate. This September 14, lawmakers will debate on a draft constitution. If it gets a pass, it goes into a referendum in June. Presidential elections are to be held in December 2021. For Minister Sillah, there is a strong commitment from the Executive to see that TRRC continues to function effectively. But for Sait Jaw, things could go badly. The commission is existing on an already fragile political landscape characterized by growing partisanship, the scholar said. So, the delay may further find the Commission and its activity into a political climate that has little meaning to the reasons why the commission was established in the first place. In other words, politicians may have a different agenda than the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission. I am not seeing the Commission or its recommendations being a priority as all political leaders will likely focus on election, said Jaw. In the Gambia, the TRRC has enjoyed sustained public interest since it began public hearings in January 2019. For Kijera, that momentum is not lost. On September 4, the new minister of Justice Dawda Jallow, his adviser Hussein Thomasi and Solicitor General Cherno Marenah visited the Victim Center. It was Jallows first sit-down with the victims since he succeeded to the charismatic and influential Aboubacar Tambadou, who had been a staunch supporter of the TRRC. [Dauda Jallow] came to assure us that there will be continuity from where his predecessor had left and that he will work closely with the victims, Kijera told Justice Info. Democrats have made implicit promises to the radicals whose active support they need that they will back aggressive compulsory brainwashing sessions demonizing Caucasians and the American founding as fundamentally and inherently racist. A memorandum from OMB director Russell Vought three days ago began the pushback and laid a trap for them: The President has directed me to ensure that Federal agencies cease and desist from using taxpayer dollars to fund these divisive, un-American propaganda training sessions. Accordingly, to that end, the Office of Management and Budget will shortly issue more detailed guidance on implementing the President's directive. In the meantime, all agencies are directed to begin to identify all contracts or other agency spending related to any training on "critical race theory/ "white privilege," or any other training or propaganda effort that teaches or suggests either (1) that the United States is an inherently racist or evil country or (2) that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist or evil. In addition, all agencies should begin to identify all available avenues within the law to cancel any such contracts and/or to divert Federal dollars away from these un American propaganda training sessions. These trainings are deeply unpopular. See, for instance, this tweet (hat tip: Taylor Day): This is Critical Race Theory in a single image. pic.twitter.com/8ZhljbXlvp James Lindsay, relevant white dude (@ConceptualJames) September 6, 2020 Yesterday, President Trump upped the ante by taking on California's adoption of the inaccurate 1619 Project curriculum designed to instill hatred and resentment of the country on the phony contention that the founding was instituted to defend slavery: Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded! https://t.co/dHsw6Y6Y3M Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020 The Department of Education has enormous power over local curricula through the denial of federal funds based on criteria of its own devising. Under Democrat administrations and the day-to-day rule of the bureaucrats, this power has been used to favor leftists. But it is also available to the Trump administration at least until the Department of Education is abolished, as it ought to be. By upping the stakes and taking on California, which regularly litigates against the federal government under Republican policies, Trump is goading Dems into the trap of defending racist, anti-white brainwashing. Go ahead, make my day. Graphic credit: Twitter screen grab. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 01:56:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIYADH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stressed on Monday the keenness to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia. In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he expressed satisfaction over increasing trade exchange between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. During the call, the two leaders discussed the work of the G20 presided over by the kingdom this year, the efforts made within its meetings to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and the return to normal life. For his part, Putin praised the kingdom's efforts during its presidency of the G20. He expressed happiness with the development of relations between the two countries and the fruitful cooperation in the field of energy. Meanwhile, the Saudi king stressed the constructive role of Russia in the OPEC+ to achieve stability and balance of the oil market. Saudi Arabia and Russia have been cooperating to promote global efforts to reduce oil production to stabilize the international oil markets. Enditem Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband Brad Falchuk have been spending a lot of their quarantine at her Hamptons property. While the 49-year-old TV producer was spotted catching a flight out of town on Saturday, his wife continued her long weekend in the prestigious, north-eastern beach town of Long Island in New York. One day after dropping off Falchuk at the airport, the Oscar-winning actress, 47, was spotted enjoying a walk to the beach with a female pal. Fresh air: After dropping off her husband Brad Falchuk at the airport on Saturday, Gwyneth Paltrow enjoyed a walk with a female pal in the Hamptons Staying active: As she maintained her slender figure, the mother-of-two sported a pair of black biker shorts and a slinky, white tank top, which put her incredibly toned arms on display As she maintained her slender figure, the mother-of-two sported a pair of black biker shorts and a white tank top, which put her incredibly toned arms on display. She accessorized her look with a Fitbit, some bangles around her wrist and aviator sunglasses. While the star mostly just kept a white facial covering under her chin, she attempted to cover her mouth and nose around other bypassers. Risky behavior: Her friend also seemed lax about wearing her face mask, as her black bandanna mask respectively hung around her neck Her friend also seemed lax about wearing her face mask, as her black bandana mask respectively hung around her neck. However, the pair did walk with some distance between them, as they chatted. Ahead of the his flight out of New York, the 49-year-old TV producer went for a fun-filled surfing lesson. Catching waves: Ahead of the his flight out of New York, the 49-year-old TV producer went for a surfing lesson (seen on Friday) While Brad practiced getting on his board and catching waves, he looked thrilled. According to onlookers, he wasn't too successful at standing up, but did manage to get close serval times. While in the ocean, he sported a black wetsuit and paddled out on a white and aqua board. Making the effort: According to onlookers, he wasn't too successful at standing up, but did manage to get close serval times So close! While Brad practiced getting on his board and catching waves, he looked thrilled Just last summer, Gwyneth caused a stir when she admitted to The Sunday Times that the couple - though married - were not living together. The pair typically spend four days a week cohabitating with Brad returning to his Los Angeles property for the rest of the week. 'All my married friends say that the way we live sounds ideal and we shouldnt change a thing' the blonde beauty said, less than a year before taking the plunge. The couple both have sets of kids with their exes. Gwyneth shares Apple, 16, and Moses, 14, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Brad has Isabella and Brody with his ex-wife Suzanne Falchuk. Happy together: The couple both have sets of kids with their exes. Gwyneth shares Apple, 16, and Moses, 14, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Brad has Isabella and Brody with his ex-wife Suzanne Falchuk It appears as if the blended family of six has been quarantining together as Gwyneth revealed in a Goop video that 'its pretty close quarters.' The pair seemed to have been splitting time between the east and the west coast with Brad likely heading back home to Los Angeles as Hollywood productions slowly start to open up safely amid COVID restrictions. Most recently, the producer and writer created a part for his wife in the Netflix smash hit The Politician. The Politician: Brad created the part of Georgina Hobart in the Netflix smash hit The Politician for Gwyneth. Though she originally said no she ended up caving after production told the Goop CEO they could work around her schedule Co-created with his right hand man Ryan Murphy, Falchuk wrote the role of Georgina Hobart for Paltrow, a Montecito mom to protagonist Ben Platt's character Payton. Speaking about her husband's persistence to get her to play the part he had written, Paltrow revealed that she originally said 'no.' The actress who has recently pulled back from Hollywood amid her success from her lifestyle brand Goop, told her persistent husband that there was 'no way she could do it.' Goop: Gwyneth first launched the company in 2008 from her kitchen as a newsletter. Since then the company has exploded and was valued at $250 million in 2018 In an interview with Elle magazine, Falchuk added, 'Shed show me a giant chunk of her dialogue and be like, I have a [Goop] board meeting in two days. Please dont make me do this' he said. Production eventually agreed to work around her schedule and the Hollywood power couple were back on set together for the first time since they met on the set of Glee in 2014. Gwyneth had a recurring role in the show and Falchuk co-created the show with Murphy. Since her hiatus from acting, Gwyneth's lifestyle company Goop has exploded. The company was valued at $250 million in 2018 and seems to only be getting bigger. She first launched the company as a newsletter in 2008 and now the brand is a full lifestyle website with skincare products and wellness tips among other things. On Friday, the Trump administration stopped federal agencies from using taxpayer dollars to force employees to attend anti-white critical race theory seminars. He's now eying even bigger fish: Trump has promised that the Department of Education is looking into schools that have integrated the 1619 Project into their curricula so he can withhold federal funds from those schools. "Looking into" is not the same as doing something, but it's a good start. The New York Times' Nikole Hannah-Jones came up with the idea of the 1619 Project, which seeks to "reframe" American history to mark the year 1619 as the "true founding" rather than 1776 (the Declaration of Independence) or 1783 (when Britain surrendered to the Americans). Her choice of year is based upon the fact that the first Africans were brought to America as slaves in the year 1619. Thus, the 1619 Project has as its purpose cementing slavery as America's original sin. Hannah-Jones has admitted that the project has nothing to do with actual history but is, instead, a form of "journalism" to change "the national narrative: Ive always said that the 1619 Project is not a history. It is a work of journalism that explicitly seeks to challenge the national narrative and, therefore, the national memory. The project has always been as much about the present as it is the past. Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) July 27, 2020 Even the meanest intellect can understand the message that the Times and its fellow travelers are pushing: Americans cannot hide behind the Constitution to claim that they are a society founded on a great and colorblind idea (albeit one that was imperfectly implemented for a long time). Instead, from the moment Europeans set foot on America's shores, they brought with them an evil so great that America is irredeemably corrupt. And of course, the Democrats know the only way to purge that corruption: America must be destroyed and rebuilt in a socialist mold. That's not even an exaggeration. Hannah-Jones explicitly has as a goal destroying the idea of American exceptionalism. She wants that goal to be realized by incorporating her factually erroneous project into multiple school curricula (English, history, social studies) throughout America: The fight here is about who gets to control the national narrative, and therefore, the nations shared memory of itself. One group has monopolized this for too long in order to create this myth of exceptionalism. If their version is true, what do they have to fear of 1619? Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) July 27, 2020 The project was specifically set up to fit into schools, and schools have embraced it: The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that is unaffiliated with the Pulitzer Prizes, released lesson plans and reading guides aimed at bringing The 1619 Project into classrooms. One of the two lesson plans the Pulitzer Center issued during the six months after the project was published focused on the magazine essay by Hannah-Jones. Schools or school districts in Chicago; Newark, N.J.; Buffalo, N.Y., and Washington, D.C. all announced 1619 Project-related events. The Pulitzer Center's annual report says more than 3,500 classrooms used the materials. Nikole Hannah-Jones spoke at the Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, at Weequahic High School in Newark, at R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and at Washington D.C.'s Dunbar High School. She's a regular presence on college campuses, with appearances in 2020 at Williams College, Morehouse College, Harvard Business School, Stanford, the University of Virginia, and the University of Michigan. Again: Schools across America, from elementary to college, almost all of which rely on federal funds, have incorporated into their programs a "narrative" intended to destroy students' belief that their country is exceptional. On Sunday, President Trump put out a tweet that may promise the end of making taxpayers pay for education programs that indoctrinate children to hate their country: Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded! https://t.co/dHsw6Y6Y3M Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020 The Department of Education hasn't yet responded to Trump's tweet. It's also not clear whether Trump promises the same outcome as Arkansas senator Tom Cotton's proposed legislation, which would ban funding for any program that teaches the 1619 Project. That's not as helpful as it sounds. Money is fungible, and withholding a little bit here or there from schools won't deter them from sneaking the 1619 Project into their lessons. The only way to address this is punitively: if you, the school, are going to teach an anti-American curriculum, you will forfeit all monies from American taxpayers. Anything else is just window dressing. Image: The Spirit of 1776 by A.M. Willard, from a lithograph at the Library of Congress. No known restrictions on publication. From 2009 to 2019, there was an increase in exposure to phenibut, with 1,320 exposures reported, according to research published in the Sept. 4 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Janessa M. Graves, Ph.D., from Washington State University in Spokane, and colleagues extracted data on human exposure calls to U.S. poison centers during January 2009 to December 2019 to characterize the frequency of phenibut-related exposures in the United States. The researchers found that U.S. poison centers reported calls for 1,320 phenibut exposures from all 50 states and the District of Columbia during 2009 to 2019. Most exposures occurred among adults aged 18 to 34 years (58.4 percent) and were in men (75.5 percent). During the study period, there was a sharp increase in the number of cases, especially since 2015. Among persons aged <18 years, unintentional exposures were more common (21.9 percent). Among children aged <10 years, 93.3 percent of exposures were unintentional compared with 6.3 percent among adults. Drowsiness or lethargy, agitation, tachycardia, and confusion were commonly reported adverse events (29.0, 30.4, 21.9, and 21.3 percent, respectively); 6.2 percent of cases reported coma. Exposure resulted in moderate effects in 49.6 percent of cases and major effects in 12.6 percent; three deaths were reported. "Educational efforts to increase awareness among the public and clinicians regarding the emerging popularity and dangers of phenibut might help prevent adverse health effects and outcomes, including death," the authors write. Explore further CDC: increase in tianeptine exposures from 2014 to 2017 More information: Janessa M. Graves et al. Notes from the Field: Phenibut Exposures Reported to Poison CentersUnited States, 20092019, MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2020). Journal information: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Janessa M. Graves et al. Notes from the Field: Phenibut Exposures Reported to Poison CentersUnited States, 20092019,(2020). DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6935a5 Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Imperial Valley News Center Vice Presidents Briefing with Higher Education Leaders and State and Local Officials on Campus COVID-19 Considerations Washington, DC - Vice President Mike Pence Friday led a discussion with college presidents, state and local leaders, the Secretary of Education, and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force to brief them on the principles contained in the recently released Recommendations for College Students. These principles are intended to keep schools open while mitigating community spread. The Vice President highlighted a number of states and institutions that have taken innovative and collaborative approaches to return students to their campuses. For example: Colorado State University is using surveillance testing to monitor the potential spread of COVID-19 and the University of Notre Dame quickly and efficiently dealt with an outbreak on campus. The Vice President also emphasized the importance of keeping our schools open and students on or near campus, and praised the efforts of all essential workers who have made school reopening possible, including teachers. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos provided remarks on the importance of keeping schools open, with the safety of students being the utmost priority. CDC Director Redfield reaffirmed the Federal governments recommendations for preventing the spread of the virus, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and avoiding crowded indoor gatherings. Dr. Scott Atlas and Ambassador Debbie Birx outlined the Administrations recommendations for college students in order to keep schools open safely. Along with following CDC mitigation protocols, students were encouraged to stay on or near campus as much as possible, to minimize exposure to higher risk individuals. Ambassador Birx led a discussion with Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, and Father John Jenkins, President of the University of Notre Dame, to highlight the best practices they have implemented. She also discussed trends and examples that she has seen across the nation from her recent visits to 26 states. Participants from the White House Coronavirus Task Force: The Vice President Secretary Betsy DeVos, Department of Education Director Robert Redfield, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), HHS Ambassador Deborah Birx, M.D., White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Scott Atlas, M.D., Special Advisor to the President Since January 2020, the Trump Administration has led over 345 briefings with over 159,000 State, local, and Tribal participants. The resumed services with curtailed operation of the Yellow Line on Monday after being closed for over five months due to the novel pandemic. The Yellow Line connects Samaypur Badli in Delhi to the HUDA City Centre in Gurgaon. The Home Ministry had recently issued guidelines allowing metro services in the country to resume operations in a graded manner, following which the Rail Corporation (DMRC) said it would be done in three stages from September 7-12. Under stage one, Yellow Line or Line 2 and Rapid Metro were made operational with restricted service hours, a DMRC official said. Trains will operate in batches of four-hour each from 7-11 am in the morning and 4-8 pm in the evening in the first stage, officials said. Metro services in the Capital Region was closed since March 22 due to the pandemic. The DMRC has appealed to people to use the rapid transport only if urgently needed. Haryana: Rail Corporation will resume services from 7 am today on Yellow and Rapid Metro lines; visuals from Huda City Centre metro station in Gurugram. A commuter says, "I feel good that metro services are going to start again." pic.twitter.com/N85cgzjK1R ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020 Delhi Metro to resume services from 7 am today after being shut for 169 days due to COVID-19. Visuals from outside Rajiv Chowk metro station. In phase 1, metro services will be resumed on Yellow Line connecting Samaypur Badli to Huda City Centre & Rapid Metro in Gurugram. pic.twitter.com/NTe9t65sXc ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020 The DMRC had said that the carrying of Smart Card (with online recharge) was a must as tokens would not be available and all cash transactions would not be permitted, adding that it will not be providing services to stations that in containment zones for any given day in any of the states. Rescue workers at the site of the collapsed building - NABIL MOUNZER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A three-day rescue operation to save a potential survivor of the Beirut explosion - originally suspected to be a small child - from beneath the rubble of a building was called off on Saturday night. A month after the deadly explosion ripped apart Beirut, many were pinning their hopes on a miracle after a Chilean rescue team and their border collie rescue dog detected signs of life in the destroyed building. However, Francisco Lermanta, the head of volunteer group Topos Chile, told reporters on Saturday night that they had combed through 95 per cent of the building over the past three days and that there was no longer any sign of life. It appears that initial signs were a false alarm. At least we dont have another name to add to that horrible list of the dead, said Melissa Fathallah, an activist who helped organise the rescue effort. We were already beyond angry with our so-called government, she added. Earlier this week, the Chilean rescue team's equipment was detecting breaths from what appeared to be a small body that could be seen with thermal imagery. At various points over the three days, crowds were asked to be silent and to turn their phones off while the breaths were measured - 18 per minute, 7 per minute, 2 per minute. Hope was fading. Then it hit 18 again. Lebanon was gripped. Joint Lebanese and Chilean rescue teams delicately pulled apart the rubble, sometimes with bare hands, to get to the area where the thermal imagery appeared to show two bodies: one larger that was thought to be dead, covering one smaller that was showing signs of life. But nothing was found. The breaths that were being detected, it turned out, were from rescuers trying to get to that area of the building, unintentionally picked up by the machine, according to Mr Lermanta. Youre dealing with a community that has been through so much trauma in the past 11 months. Psychologically were all messed up. Some part of me wishes they didnt give us any piece of hope, because its something we were desperately clinging on to, said Ms Fathallah. The team is continuing to search for any remains as they clear out the rubble, although it is believed to be highly unlikely that anything will be found. Non-Verbal 3-Year-Old Vanishes After Fall From a Window, FBI Offers Reward The FBIs office in Cleveland is offering a reward for information leading to the whereabouts of a missing three-year-old boy who disappeared last week. Braylen Noble, the boy, disappeared from the 3400 block of Gibraltar Heights Drive in Toledo, Ohio, on Sept. 4, said officials. A Toledo Police Department spokesperson, Kellie Lenhardt, told the Toledo Blade that the mother of Braylen, Dajnae Cox, called 911 and said the child fell from an apartment window. She said the child has autism and is non-verbal. The child was wearing a red and white Mickey Mouse T-shirt when he disappeared, according to the Toledo Police Department. The office said police, fire officials, and park officers are conducting searches at surrounding buildings, dumpsters, under vehicles, and more. Family members over the weekend held a vigil for the boy. Were out here for this prayer vigil to bring him safe and sound back home, or let us know where hes at. Please. Whoever knows where hes at, please return him or put him in a safe place where we can get him. There will be no problem, just please return my grandson, said Jeffery Holloway, Braylens grandfather. Other family members said that people should stop spreading rumors on social media. Been so much negativity on Facebook about the mom. We dont care about that. We just care about the little baby. We dont care about whats going on. We just want to come in together and pray and lift her up. We dont know what the situation is, we just want to keep her in prayer, said Joy Goings, Braylens great aunt. The FBI Cleveland office is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to Braylen, according to News5. Those with information should call 419-255-1111 or 911. The World Free Zones Organization (World FZO), a global not-for-profit organization, will stage a unique online tentpole event from September 15 to 17 titled "New World Model the Future of Industry" (NWM). The NWM will host C-suite executives, global decision-makers, and acclaimed industry experts across discussion panels, live webinars, networking vectors, and a virtual exhibition space, reported Emirates News Agency WAM. Together, they will explore new business models free zone stakeholders can deploy to survive and thrive in the new post-pandemic environment. Dr Mohamed Alzarooni, Chairman of the World FZO, said: "While many similar webinars and online discussions are already taking place, the NWM is the only interactive event focused on free zone stakeholders and their role in the global recovering economy." The NWM will feature 10 curated industry panels focused on key sectors most affected by the pandemic crisis, including aviation, automotive, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. These panels will examine in detail the major lessons drawn from the crisis, the different solutions available to free zone stakeholders going forward, and the broad strategies most likely to succeed in the post-pandemic landscape of each sector. A series of live webinars will complement these panels with audience interaction around topics focused on operational essentials, efficient finance, clean trade, digital infrastructure, and customs border management. Networking tools will allow registered attendees to meet and connect with each other, while a dedicated virtual exhibition space will enable companies to showcase their credentials to visitors. Dr Alzarooni defined the NWM as "the perfect balance of curated expert interviews, live webinar interactions, and virtual interactive space. This holistic digital experience will deliver significant actionable knowledge to steer free zone operators, authorities, and companies through this crisis and into a different, more sustainable business model." The UAE, where the World FZO has been headquartered since 2014, has led the way in their management of the pandemic spread with clear guidelines and solid resources management. "This digital event experience is our contribution to the worlds economic recovery so that as many private and public sector entities can benefit from the expertise of leaders in their field as they work to build new operational dynamics into their business affairs and new resilience into their business models," Dr Alzarooni stated. That brings us to the end of our live coronavirus coverage today. Thanks very much for reading along, commenting and supporting our work. What made COVID-19 news today? Melbourne's 14-day average hit 78.6 - the city must reach 30-50 cases by September 28 to ease restrictions to step two. There are 85 fewer active cases of coronavirus in Victoria today than there were yesterday, bringing the total down to 1696. Half of those are linked to aged care. of coronavirus in Victoria today than there were yesterday, bringing the total down to 1696. Half of those are linked to aged care. New COVID Suburban Response Units will be rolled out across Melbourne amid further efforts to boost contact tracing; It comes as a Silicon Valley tech company gives Victoria's contact tracing system a much-needed digital revamp. The inquiry into Victorias COVID-19 quarantine hotels scandal has heard poor cleaning efforts and lack of infection-control training increased the risk of the virus escaping into the community. One hundred Sydney students have been placed into quarantine after being identified as close contacts of a COVID-19 positive student at an eastern Sydney school. It comes as NSW recorded a total on nine new cases today. Payroll jobs and wages are recovering everywhere across the country except Victoria, according to Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released today. Lady Pamela passengers and crew who travelled from Melbourne to the Gold Coast on the luxury yacht last month have left their Queensland hotel quarantine and will be allowed to remain in the state. And a quick reminder - particularly for our Victorian readers - It's 'R U OK?' Day this Thursday. In 2020, the sentiment carries more weight than past years. It's truly been a year like no other, and we want to know how you're feeling. If you're up for sharing, please send through a short video clip (no longer than 20 seconds in landscape mode) using the form below answering the simple question 'How are you?' and we will publish some of the responses. If you're struggling, please reach out to one of the following organisations who can help: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au/forums Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) This is Rachael Dexter signing off. As always, if you appreciate our COVID-19 coverage and are an avid reader of the blog, please consider taking out a subscription to The Age or The Sydney Morning Herald to support what we do. Stay safe, look after one another and goodnight. DGAP-News: Kariya Energy / Key word(s): Agreement North American Kariya Energy set to acquire oil and gas assets in various African jurisdictions, targeting producing assets and developing small-scale LNG 07.09.2020 / 10:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. North American Kariya Energy set to acquire oil and gas assets in various African jurisdictions, targeting producing assets and developing small-scale LNG HOUSTON, September 07, 2020 Kariya Energy announced today that it will enter into various definitive agreement to acquire upstream and midstream oil and gas assets in African countries. Kariya Energy's technical and financial strength puts it in a position to bring Canadian and American ingenuity into the growing oil and natural gas market in Africa. Kariya Energy and its management team's engagements and experience with various deep and shallow water projects in Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Congo DRC, Congo Republic and Gabon makes these countries great investment possibilities. After spending 16 months reviewing data from various IOC's, Kariya Energy will be pursuing acquisitions of various exploration and development plays either through Farm-in deals or operatorship through risk service contracts, or direct negotiations with sovereign governments. Kariya Energy will continue with its current and ongoing support by providing technical, financial, and operational support for oil and gas companies currently operating in Nigeria, Congo and Gabon. Kariya Energy's strategy has focused on the innovation and evaluation of new opportunities for resource extraction with great technology that has produced results. Kariya Energy will pursue profitable small-scale LNG projects across Africa, a niche that its leadership has been skilful in building and making it profitable and scalable, boasting significant potential across the African market. With its technology, Kariya can turn around African small-scale LNG and work with partners in addressing off-grid power generation for industrial and residential needs in remote locations and deal with issues around energy poverty. About Kariya Energy Kariya Energy is an energy firm focused on upstream and midstream petroleum industry operations and investment. operations@kariyaenergy.com 07.09.2020 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Actress Rhea Chakraborty, who is accused of abetting the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has filed a complaint with Mumbai Police, accusing Rajput's sister Priyanka Singh and a Delhi-based doctor of forgery and preparing a 'fake' prescription of medicines for anxiety. IMAGE: Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty leaves Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) office after being summoned for questioning in connection with the death by suicide case of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, in Mumbai, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo In her complaint sent to the Bandra police in Mumbai on Sunday, Chakraborty sought that Priyanka Singh and Dr Tarun Kumar, working with Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, be booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for forgery, the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. The 28-year-old actress in her complaint said Rajput was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was undergoing treatment for various other mental health issues. However, Rajput was not disciplined in following the treatment and would often abruptly stop his medications, she further said in the complaint. 'On June 8, 2020, Rajput showed me the messages he and his sister Priyanka had exchanged in which Priyanka sent him a list of medicines to take. I explained to Rajput that he has already been prescribed medicines by doctors who are treating him,' Chakraborty said in her complaint. 'He (Rajput), however, disagreed with me and insisted that he would only take the medicine his sister was prescribing,' she said. On the same day, Rajput asked Chakraborty to leave the house as his sister Meetu Singh was coming to stay with him for a few days, according to the complaint. 'It has now come to light that Rajput on June 8 told his sister Priyanka that he would not be able to obtain the said medicines without a prescription. 'His sister Priyanka subsequently on the same day sent him a prescription signed by one Dr Tarun Kumar, working with the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi,' the complaint said. 'Prima facie, the prescription appeared to be fabricated. The medicines prescribed by the doctor are prohibited from being prescribed electronically without consultation with the patient,' Chakraborty said in the complaint. 'Rajput died just a few days after he obtained the prescription, wherein he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances at the behest of his sister Priyanka and the doctor Tarun Kumar,' she said. Rajput, 34, was found hanging in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14 following which the Mumbai Police had lodged an Accidental Death Report (ADR). On July 25, Rajputs father K K Singh lodged a complaint with Patna police against Rhea Chakraborty, her parents Indrajit and Sandhya Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, the late actor's former manager Shruti Modi and his house manager Samuel Miranda. He accused them of cheating and abetting his sons suicide. He also claimed that the accused persons had siphoned off Rs 15 crore from his sons bank accounts. Based on this allegation, the Enforcement Directorate is probing money laundering charges. The FIR lodged by Patna police was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is probing drugs angle in the case. A teenager who allegedly left his housemate clinging to life after a frenzied knife attack told police 'I hope the c**t dies', a court has heard. Codey Eig, 19, of the Brisbane suburb of Darra, allegedly stabbed his housemate in the stomach and neck during an altercation in a rental home on Scotts Road at about 4.30pm on Sunday. The 18-year-old alleged victim was taken to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition, police said on Monday. Codey Eig, 19, (pictured) has been denied bail after allegedly stabbing his housemate in the neck and stomach on Sunday afternoon. His lawyer told the court it was in self-defence Police allege Codey Eig (pictured) stabbed his housemate so hard the knife broke. The court case continues on November 9 On Monday afternoon his condition was listed as critical but stable. Eig appeared to hobble in Richlands Magistrates Court on Monday, where the court heard he had stabbed his housemate so savagely that the knife broke. The court heard allegations that Eig told police 'I hope the c**t dies'. He also allegedly said: 'I shanked the s**t out of him', the court heard. Eig had lived in the share house with his 15-year-old girlfriend, the alleged victim and three other girls for about four months, according to a neighbour. Defence lawyer Rhys Foster told the court Eig had acted in self defence and asked for bail with the teen to wear an ankle bracelet. Police set up a crime scene late on Sunday afternoon at the house on the corner of Scotts Road and Lee Road, Darra, where the alleged stabbing occurred Clothes on the ground outside the house on Scotts Rd where the altercation happened Queensland police at the crime scene on Sunday. Police said Codey Eig told them: 'I hope the c**t dies' and 'I shanked the s**t out of him'. The court case continues The alleged stabbing happened in a rental house opposite the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School (pictured) on Scotts Rd, Darra, Brisbane on Sunday Mr Foster said the teen had been asleep with his girlfriend, aged 15, when he opened his bedroom door and was confronted by several people. He told the court that Eig had 'resisted instinctually' after being backed into a corner when the victim 'came at him' with a knife, and then ran across the road to ask a neighbour to call for an ambulance. Magistrate Stuart Shearer denied the teen bail, saying Eig was a flight risk and had a recent criminal record. 'He is not getting bail. You don't stab someone in the abdomen and the neck so hard you break off the knife handle inside them if you're acting in self defence,' Magistrate Shearer said, as quoted in the Courier Mail. 'Shanking the s**t out of someone and hoping they die even if everything else he said is true is not proportionate to the threat.' Magistrate Shearer said Eig was an unacceptable risk of reoffending and remanded him in custody. Eig, who was charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, is to reappear in Richlands Magistrates Court on November 9. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates A Saudi court issued final verdicts on Monday in the case of slain Washington Post columnist and Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi after his son, who still resides in the kingdom, announced pardons that spared five of the convicted individuals from execution. While the trial draws to its conclusion in Saudi Arabia, the case continues to cast a shadow over the international standing of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose associates have been sanctioned by the U.S. and the U.K. for their alleged involvement in the brutal killing, which took place inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The Riyadh Criminal Courts final verdicts were announced by Saudi Arabias state television, which aired few details about the eight Saudi nationals and did not name them. The court ordered a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the five. Another individual received a 10-year sentence, and two others were ordered to serve seven years in prison. A team of 15 Saudi agents had flown to Turkey to meet Khashoggi inside the consulate for his appointment on Oct. 2, 2018 to pick up documents that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiance, who waited outside. The team included a forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers, and individuals who worked directly for the crown princes office, according to Agnes Callamard, who investigated the killing for the United Nations. Turkish officials allege Khashoggi was killed and then dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate. His body has not been found. Turkey apparently had the consulate bugged and shared audio of the killing with the C.I.A., among others. Western intelligence agencies, as well as the U.S. Congress, have said the crown prince bears ultimate responsibility for the killing and that an operation of this magnitude could not have happened without his knowledge. The 35-year-old prince denies any knowledge of the operation and has condemned the killing. He continues to have the support of his father, King Salman, and remains popular among Saudi youth at home. He also maintains the support of President Donald Trump, who has defended U.S.-Saudi ties in the face of the international outcry over the slaying. Saudi Arabias trial of the suspects has been widely criticized by rights groups and observers, who note that no senior officials nor anyone suspected of ordering the killing has been found guilty. The independence of the Riyadh Criminal Court has also been questioned. Callamard, the U.N. special rapporteur who investigated Khashoggis killing, told The Associated Press in a statement that the crown prince has remained well protected against any kind of meaningful scrutiny in his country and the high-level officials who organized the killing have walked free from the start. These verdicts cannot be allowed to whitewash what happened, she said, calling on U.S. intelligence services to publicly release their assessments of the crown princes responsibility. While formal justice in Saudi Arabia cannot be achieved, truth telling can. A small number of diplomats, including from Turkey, as well as members of Khashoggis family, were allowed to attend the initial trial. Independent media and the public were barred. Yasin Aktay, a senior member of Turkeys ruling party and a friend of Khashoggi, criticized the final court rulings, saying those who ordered the killing remain free while several questions concerning the journalists death remain unanswered. He also said there were questions as to whether those convicted in the killing are imprisoned. According to what we have heard, those who were convicted are roaming freely and living in luxury, he said. The truth of the matter is this case should be tried in Turkey, not in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has tried 11 people in total, sentencing five to death in December and ordering three others to prison for covering up the crime. The crown princes senior advisors at the time of the killing, namely Saud al-Qahtani and intelligence officer Ahmed al-Asiri, were not found guilty. The trial also concluded the killing was not premeditated. That paved the way for Salah Khashoggi, one of the slain writers sons, to months later announce that the family had forgiven the killers, which essentially allowed the five to be pardoned from execution in accordance with Islamic law. Salah Khashoggi lives in Saudi Arabia and has received financial compensation from the royal court for his fathers killing. Saudi Arabia initially offered shifting accounts about Khashoggis disappearance, including claiming to have surveillance video showing him walking out of the consulate alive. As international pressure mounted because of Turkish leaks, the kingdom eventually settled on the explanation that he was killed by rogue officials in a brawl inside the consulate. Prior to his killing, Khashoggi had been writing critically of Prince Mohammed in columns for the Washington Post at a time when the young heir to the throne was being widely hailed in the U.S. for pushing through social reforms and curtailing the power of religious conservatives. Dozens of perceived critics of the prince remain in prison, including womens rights activists, and face trial on national security charges. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia for the U.S. just as Prince Mohammed was beginning to detain writers and critics in late 2017. Other critics of the crown prince have said their security has been threatened following Khashoggis killing. In one instance, a former senior intelligence official who now resides in Canada claims in a U.S. lawsuit that Prince Mohammed sent a similar hit squad to track him down and kill him, but that they were stopped by Canadian border guards. ___ Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey contributed. If you fancy a staycation with your family pet, or even just a day out, then a Belfast dog lover has come up with the perfect solutions in a new publication. A Dog's Guide to Northern Ireland by Jo Crossley is set to get tails wagging across the country, as the 48-page booklet reveals our dog-friendliest locations. It provides a host of venues to stay where the whole family, dog included, will be welcomed with open arms, particularly with so many opting to stay at home this year. "Travelling abroad at the moment is no longer a viable option for many people, so choosing to stay at home and enjoy all that Northern Ireland has to offer is a great alternative," said Jo. "These Dog Friendly Staycations are the perfect solution, with more businesses now opening their doors to our four-legged friends." Jo previously co-produced the Dog Friendly Map of Northern Ireland a couple of years ago and wanted to create a more comprehensive publication. The new Dogs Guide to Northern Ireland is a handy guide providing dog owners with a variety of options for eating out and staying overnight across the country. "Dog friendliness has developed further over the past few years, and as a result many businesses can see the benefit of embracing the extended family. "Dog owners can now book accommodation and plan dog friendly activities, such as the Belfast City Sightseeing Tour bus, and end their day dining in a dog friendly venue," said Jo. "Being a dog friendly business requires careful consideration, and I am delighted to see some new properties coming on board. Hotels such as the AC Marriott in Belfast city centre and The Marine Hotel, Ballycastle, are great examples of what a dog friendly hotel means. "The Marine Hotel in particular achieved a Gold PAW Grading Program Award earlier this year and are inundated with dog friendly room enquiries. "But there are more and more venues now seeing the benefits of having a dog friendly environment. "Places like the Hillside in Hillsborough are really welcoming, as is Lusty Beg for a getaway in Co Fermanagh. "In east Belfast the Lamppost Cafe really knows how to welcome your dog, they're super dog friendly. "I think venues are now catching on to the growing market for people who want to bring their pets with them when hey go out, or away for a weekend, and that's great to see." To coincide with the launch of the new Dogs Guide, the website has been revamped to meet the needs of dog owners both locally and from the UK and Ireland who are planning to visit NI with their dog. "We have a new Dog Friendly Staycation section has seen a high volume of visits in the past two weeks, with locally featured accommodation providers listing offers," said Jo. "The new guides are available free of charge at venues across Northern Ireland with a list available on the website. "It's pleasing to see the interest from people and now pleasing to see so many venues willing to invite the whole family along together, including the dog. The free-to-pick-up guide also includes an extensive walks section, printed by County and Belfast City, and lists dog friendly venues nearby for having a post walk bite to eat or drink. For more information visit dogfriendlyguru.com A Sept. 2017 file photo of a banner erected by the Indian Army near the Pangong Tso lake on the India-China Line of Actual Control border in Ladakh. India and China have been locked in a protracted standoff since mid-May. (AP) New Delhi: Following specific intelligence that China could use Pakistan to trigger large-scale incursions, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Army have been put on high alert along the international border and the Line of Control (LoC). We have specific inputs that Pakistan could try and foment trouble along the border. But we have taken adequate preventive measures and substantially increased our security presence along the Indo-Pak border, a senior BSF official said. India and China have been engaged in a tense military standoff in the Ladakh sector since May. Tensions between the two armies flared up again last week after India, in a preemptive move, occupied around two dozen peaks on the southern banks of the Pangong Tso and Spanggur Gap. Given the tense situation along the India-China border, intelligence inputs were received that in an attempt to divert the attention of Indian security forces, China could use Pakistan to start an armed offensive along the border and LoC by violating the ceasefire line. Earlier, the Union Home Ministry had increased the presence of forces along some parts of the India-China border, particularly in Sikkim and Uttarakhand. Close to 100 companies or 10,000 personnel of paramilitary forces have been rushed to the border area. Most of the additional security companies that have been deployed along the Chinese frontier are those that were pulled out of Jammu & Kashmir a couple of weeks back. Both ITBP and SSB have beefed up security deployment in the Doklam region in Sikkim and Kalapani region in Uttarakhand following increased Chinese activity noticed in these sectors. Chief of defence staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat had on Thursday said that Pakistan could try to take advantage of any threat developing along Indias northern borders but warned that the Pakistani Army would suffer heavy losses if it attempted any misadventure. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (File image: Reuters) Private sector banks are finally catching up with state-run banks in participating in the governments emergency credit line guarantee scheme (ECLGS). According to the latest data tweeted by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, private sector banks have so far disbursed Rs 51,687 crore as on September 3, compared with Rs 62,025 crore by public sector banks. If one looks at the sanction figures, private banks have sanctioned Rs 82,950 crore so far as against Rs 786067 crore by state-run banks. The government launched the MSME loan scheme as part of the COVID-19 economic package. As per this, MSMEs can borrow up to 20 percent of their outstanding loan amount as on February 29. State-run banks have been aggressively pushing the scheme from the beginning while private banks joined later. According to data, the countrys largest lender State Bank of India is the biggest contributor to the scheme. The bank has disbursed Rs 18,971 crore and sanctioned over Rs 24,000 crore. This is followed by Punjab National Bank which has disbursed Rs 8,264 crore so far. COVId-19 has impacted small businesses most, impacting their cash flows and repayment capacity to lenders. The government has offered a full guarantee to the loans given under this scheme to lenders. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 12:05 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4323393 1 Lifestyle entrepreneurship,pandemic,food-and-beverage,Food-and-beverage-promotion,small-business,startup,creative-economy Free While stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, getting food delivered to your doorstep has never been this easy. Many people nowadays have jumped into the food business to earn a living or to get extra income after being laid off from their day jobs. Film journalist Shandy Gasella is one of them. When the film industry was brought to a standstill in mid-March when COVID-19 spread across the world, Shandy and his wife Dewina, together with his mother-in-law Uun Unasih, started to sell food online. Family recipes: Shandy Gasella shows the main dishes of his family's online food business: fried rice with wagyu beef (left) and the Cirebonese 'empal gentong' (curry beef stew). Shandy and his wife Dewina expanded the menu of the restaurant belonging to his mother-in-law Uun Unasih when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in March. (Shandy Gasella/-) The couple added Korean dishes to the menu of the restaurant run by Uun located in Andara, South Jakarta, which specialized in Cirebon-style empal gentong (curry beef stew) and nasi goreng. The business has gone well, at one time we got 20 orders in a day, Shandy told The Jakarta Post on Thursday in a phone interview. The secret is we have to be keen-sighted in creating our own market. For example, we offered competitive prices, much lower than established restaurants with the same menu, to attract customers. The family has thought of expanding the business by opening another restaurant in a more strategic location as soon as the pandemic is over. To realize the plan, Shandy spent a week taking part in the small-enterprises incubation program organized by the Manpower Ministry in Lembang, West Java. There were 250 small businesses from various fields in his batch alone and they received a Rp 10 million grant from the government to upscale their businesses. I hoped I could get more knowledge about the food business, he said. Since 2016, the government has organized Food Startup Indonesia as a platform to help businesses in the culinary sector upscale, after the sector was identified as one of the creative industries with the most potential, in addition to film and fashion. During the pilot year, the program, which was run by the Creative Economy Agency and FoodLab Indonesia, and netted 719 applicants. This year, now managed under the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, 6,499 nano- and micro-businesses applied during the registration period from April 20 to May 31. About one-fifth of the applicants were in food manufacturing, while the rest were in the food service business. The great enthusiasm and increasing number of applicants every year proves that the food sector has a high level of resilience, especially because the industry caters to primary needs, the ministrys director of financial access, Hanifah Makarim, told the Post in a video interview. By nature, the food business requires practicality, which includes the packaging and how it is delivered to the customers. This is where technology comes into play and the program encourages those in the culinary business to shift to startups, she added. Her office, which is in charge of Food Startup Indonesia (FSI) MMXX, announced on Aug. 21 that 1,000 applicants from all over the country had been selected to join the program that focuses on the application of technology to develop businesses. The participants will receive access to online learning materials about the culinary business as well as access to cashier and accounting mobile applications. They are also eligible to be selected for the next round, in which 100 participants will be curated through an online pitch forum and invited to attend Demoday to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, in October. Although product presentation is not the main component of the assessment, it is better to hold Demoday live for the judges and the tutors to taste the products, said Hanifah. The winners will join the 281 entrepreneurs selected through the program as of 2019, which have pooled Rp 30 billion (US$2 million) in investment. Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio said that culinary business players had become a national asset during the pandemic. "The challenges for Food Startups Indonesia are huge at the moment. We must always be innovative in accelerating, growing and sustaining businesses so that they can become more resilient in the future, he said in a statement. The global pandemic, according to Hanifah, had affected some of the program alumni, especially those focused on tourism. However, she added, those producing healthy food and beverages such as jamu (traditional herbal drinks), had been the least affected. These small businesses have even recruited more employees during the pandemic. And even large businesses, such as chain fast-food restaurants have been able to survive by quickly adapting to the situation, such as by offering easy-to-prepare frozen food to the customers, said Hanifah. The ability to identify market opportunities and being technology-savvy are the keys. Shandy said that although his family business had adopted technology to market and distribute their products, they still used a traditional accounting system. We only prepare the food when we get orders and we receive the payment from [fintech companies] GoFood and GrabFood the next day, But we have not allocated revenue for the business, as we use most it for household necessities and replenishing the ingredients, he said. While expressing appreciation for the mushrooming of home-based industries that promote their food products through flyers, mobile chat groups and various social media platforms, Hanifah said such entrepreneurs needed to remain professional. They have to keep in mind that the customers finances have also been affected by the pandemic. Either people are buying because they are acquainted with the sellers and want to help them financially or because they actually need the product, they have to maintain the quality of the products and customer service. She said the government needed to monitor the quality of food products. A pack of frozen food that is promoted as lasting more than seven days, for example, requires approval from the Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). Unfortunately, the online marketplaces where home-based sellers promote their products have yet to require sellers to have the quality of their products checked by the agency, said Hanifah. There are principles in business that home-based sellers must be aware of and they should not become complacent in upgrading their business skills, regardless of the size of the business, she added. And this pandemic is the right time to do so because there are webinars and online workshops that sellers can join to learn about business models or how to make a financial report while at home cooking. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 19:17:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday promised not to let women down as gender-based violence claimed more lives of women in the country. In his weekly presidential address, Ramaphosa acknowledged that many survivors of gender-based violence have lost faith in the country's criminal justice system. Factors that have contributed to an environment of cynicism and mistrust include difficulties in obtaining protection orders, lax bail condition for suspects, police not taking domestic violence complaints seriously, and inappropriate sentences imposed on offenders, Ramaphosa said. South Africa has long been haunted by gender-based violence, particularly in recent months, during which dozens of women were killed by men as the country was fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising gender-based violence has led to protests in the country amid growing discontent with the government for its failure to curb the scourge. Women's organizations have demanded that the laws governing the granting of bail should be tightened and long sentences enforced for offenders. "As I received their clearly articulated demands, it was clear to me that we needed to act urgently and with determination," Ramaphosa said. The government, he said, has taken a series of steps to combat gender-based violence, including a 1.6-billion-rand (about 96 million U.S. dollars) Emergency Response Action Plan that was put in place last year. Public spending in various government departments was reprioritized to support interventions in providing care and support for survivors, raise awareness through prevention campaigns, improve laws and policies, and strengthen the criminal justice system, according to Ramaphosa. He said three key bills designed to fill the gaps that allow some perpetrators of gender-based violence to evade justice and to give full effect to the rights of the country's women and children have been introduced in parliament. These bills, once finalized, will help restore the confidence of women that the law is indeed there to protect them, Ramaphosa said. The bills will impose new obligations on law-enforcement officials and on the courts, he said. Prosecutors who do not oppose bail in cases of gender-based violence now have to place their reasons on record, while a person accused of gender-based violence must provide exceptional circumstances as to why they should be released on bail, Ramaphosa explained. "Failing this the court must order their detention until the criminal proceedings are concluded," he said. When it comes to parole, a complainant or a relative of a deceased victim must be able to make representation to the parole board, Ramaphosa added. A bill on domestic violence is now defined to cover those in engagements, dating, in customary relationships, and actual or perceived romantic, intimate or sexual relationships of any duration, according to Ramaphosa. The bill also extends the definition of "domestic violence" to include the protection of older persons against abuse by family members, he said. Failure by a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to comply with their obligations will be regarded as misconduct and must be reported to the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, the president said. "These proposed amendments are an appropriate response to a groundswell of dissatisfaction at the way survivors of gender-based violence have been treated by the criminal justice system in the past," Ramaphosa said. Enditem (Newser) A Brooklyn couple refused to wear masks on a New York City ferry Saturday night and ended up kicked off the boat and cited for disorderly conduct. Gothamist has a number of videos of the incident, in which the husband and wife, on their way home after an evening in Manhattan, stood on the top deck of the ferry for more than an hour refusing to follow the captain's orders to disembark. They said they had medical conditions exempting them from the requirement to wear facial coverings, that their constitutional rights were being violated, that they were being "shamed" and "discriminated against" for their inability to wear masks, that they were targeted because they're white, and that police should focus on "homeless drug addicts and looters." story continues below "If we were f------ Black, I can guarantee you that guy would never come out and tell us put a mask on," the woman told a Gothamist reporter. "Right, because Black Lives Matter," her husband chimed in. Police ultimately arrived about 45 minutes into the incident and asked for evidence of their medical exemption; they wouldn't give any. The other passengers started yelling for the couple to be removed so everyone else could get home, and after police determined the captain was within his rights to kick them off, the couple was ultimately removed in handcuffs after refusing a last chance to disembark willingly. The couple, who say they're already suing the MTA after a similar incident on a bus, say they may now also sue the ferry company. (Read more coronavirus stories.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Galih Gumelar (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7 2020 The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is so unpopular in West Sumatra that even an effort to reach out to voters in the region has been swiftly met with a backlash. In a normal setting, the speech from senior PDI-P politician Puan Maharani could be considered tame, if not normative. "We hope that West Sumatra can indeed be a province that will support a Pancasila state," Puan said in his closing remark in a virtual meeting on Wednesday to announce the ticket of Mulyadi and Ali Mukhni to run in this year's gubernatorial election. The leadership of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in West Sumatra quickly condemned the statement, saying that Puan not only insulted West Sumatran natives but also all members of its diaspora community in the country. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login 24 Shares Share We see examples of personal branding every day on TV and social media. Sometimes these catch our attention, and sometimes they annoy us. Thats the thing about personal branding: it can be trustworthy or cringe-worthy. While personal branding may look many ways, it can broaden the impact of your mission and purpose when done well. Approaching personal branding through a mission-driven lens spotlights ideas over egos and purpose over promotion. By personally teaching others or adding to a broader conversation, you draw people in and create connections. Why personal branding? Branding is the image your name creates in the minds of your audience. For example, when you hear Harvard Medical School or Dr. Fauci, an image comes to mind. Now, Most physicians dont think of themselves as a brand. In fact, many assume thats self-serving. But in the long run, physicians can make a more significant impact and increase their reach by focusing on their personal, not institutional, brand. Why? The first thing potential patients or media do when they come across a name is to look it up online. Having a strong personal brand accelerates audiences speed of trust and differentiates you from others. You can share your mission in your way, distinct from your institution. Ultimately, that also makes it a great onramp back to your institution or practice, with you as the entry point. Start generating an image in peoples minds with these four steps. See what Google says about you If a patient is referred to you, if an institution is considering hiring you, or if a journalist is looking for an expert to interview, the first thing they will do is Google your name. When physicians Google their name, its common to find two types of top results. The first is their current institutions website. Thats not bad, but the second typical result is online review websites. This isnt ideal. A lack of reviews, or even one negative review, can damage a physicians reputation. Google yourself. Does anything about you show up in the top five search results? That is what we call discoverable. Your goal is to have media you control, like a personal website, social media channels, or thought leadership, in those top five links. If you are discoverable, congratulations! Now, assess that first impression. Does it align with the reputation you want? If not, well talk about improving that in the next section. If you are not discoverable, we have a problem. This often stems from one of two things. First, you might have a common name. For example, John Anderson has 5.8 million search results playing in that field will be hard. If thats the case, consider adding a middle initial or middle name to distinguish you. Secondly, some people simply dont have an online presence yet. That means you have to start, so keep reading. Discoverability is the first step to building a personal brand, but how do you control what people discover? Own your first impressions online You want to make an intentional first impression. If your results only trace back to your institution, thats not bad, but its not yours, and review websites commodify you. To take ownership of your first impressions, optimize your personal website or your social media networks. Remember, your goal is for sites you own or control to be the top search results. Build a personal brand website. It doesnt have to be robust even a landing page works. We recommend using your name and credentials as the URL. For example, a good URL is www.JohnStewartAndersonMD.com or www.JohnStewertAndersonPhD.com. This will help you show up in direct search results and will leave a specific impression with whoever is searching. If you cant build a website, optimize your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a top-ranked site within Googles algorithms, so it shows up in top search results. Plus, your profile has enough content to validate your authority and credentials. Now, extend yourself beyond your immediate network and develop new connections. Build authority through micromedia High-value press is the quickest way to build credibility and authority. But, high-value press is more than just mass media. In todays landscape, micromedia reigns. Micromedia includes online-only publications, podcasts, email newsletters, and blogs. These channels build authority quickly because they have loyal followings with high trust. With mass media, people have to invest a lot of time (scrolling, watching commercials, etc.) to get a fraction of what they want. Micromedia gives its audience exactly what they want. Make Google your publicist. Set up Google Alerts for 3 to 5 keywords in your topic area, and each morning Google will email you search results. Review the stories from micromedia outlets and consider how you can add to the discussion. Share the article on Twitter, adding your perspective and tagging the author, or write a blog post or LinkedIn articles and use the keywords important to your work. Use social media to start meaningful conversations When it comes to social media, embrace a micromedia mindset. That means sharing entertaining, informative content that provides value. Think of yourself as the editor of your newspaper. Newspapers include various content: current events, interviews, information and research, op-eds, and more. Some of these are news-driven like current events and information and research. Some are relationship-driven like interviews. And some are self-driven like op-eds. Jump into social media by sharing content in thirds. Aim for 1/3 news, 1/3 relationships, and 1/3 you. Dont start building your personal brand with too much focus on you. If you fill your feeds with op-eds, that will be hard for you to sustain, and it will ultimately turn audiences away. An important outcome of creating a personal brand is that its yours. It will go wherever you go. If youre building a new practice, applying for a new job, jumping into the industry from medical school, or establishing your legacy, your personal brand is the path to take. Paige Velasquez Budde is CEO, Zilker Media and can be reached on Twitter @PaigeVelasquez. Learn more about The Personal Brand Bootcamp for Healthcare Professionals. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 A recent market study published by FMI on the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market includes the global industry analysis of 2015-2019 & opportunity assessment for 2020-2030, and delivers a comprehensive assessment of the most important market dynamics. Our analysts have conducted thorough research on the historical as well as current growth parameters of the market to obtain growth prospects with maximum precision. Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market: Segmentation Equipment Type Cryotherapy Hydrotherapy Electrotherapy Continuous Passive Motion Units Multi-exercise Therapy Unit Heat Therapy Ultrasound Physiotherapy Other Therapy Types Sample of Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-12409 Application Neurological Musculoskeletal Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Others End-user Hospitals Rehabilitation Centers/Clinics Homecare Settings Region North America Latin America Europe Middle East & Africa (MEA) East Asia South Asia Oceania Report Chapters Chapter 01- Executive Summary The report gives a brief with the executive summary of the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, which includes a summary of the key findings and statistics of the market. It also includes the demand & supply-side trends pertaining to the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market. Chapter 02 Market Overview In this chapter, readers can find the definition and a detailed taxonomy of the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, which will help them understand the basic information about the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market. Along with this, comprehensive information about Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment is provided in this section. This section also highlights the inclusions and exclusions, which help readers understand the scope of the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market report. Chapter 03 Key Market Trends This section includes key trends impacting the market as well as the major development trends associated with equipment type innovation. Chapter 04- Key Success Factors This section includes key successful factors and strategies adopted by key market participants. Chapter 05 Pricing Analysis Pricing analysis of the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market at the regional level has been provided in this section. Chapter 06 Global Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Demand (in Volume or in Units) Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This section explains the global market value analysis and forecast for the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market for the forecast period of 2020-2030, in volume terms. This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the historical Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with an opportunity analysis for the future. Readers can also find the absolute $ opportunity for the current year (2019), and incremental $ opportunity for the forecast period. Chapter 07- Global Physiotherapy Market Demand (in Value or Size in US$ Mn) Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This section explains the global market value analysis and forecast for the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market for the forecast period of 2020-2030, in value terms. This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the historical Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with an opportunity analysis for the future. Readers can also find the absolute $ opportunity for the current year (2019), and incremental $ opportunity for the forecast period. Chapter 08- Market Background This chapter explains key macroeconomic factors that are expected to influence the growth of the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market over the forecast period. Along with the macroeconomic factors, this section also highlights supply chain, forecast factors, and value chain analysis for the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market. Moreover, in-depth information about the market dynamics and their impact analysis on the market have been provided in the successive section. Chapter 09- COVID-19 Crisis Analysis This chapter explores the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on future growth projections. It incorporates the current statistics and the probable future impact, current GDP projections and its probable impact, and a comparison of the incumbent scenario with the 2008 financial crisis. Furthermore, this section also incorporates the impact of the pandemic on each of the segments covered in the report. Chapter 10- Global Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 and Forecast 2020-2030, by Equipment Type This chapter provides details about the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market based on type and has been classified into Cryotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Electrotherapy, Continuous Passive Motion Units, Multi-exercise Therapy Unit, Heat Therapy, Ultrasound Physiotherapy and Other Therapy Types. Chapter 11 Global Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 by Application This chapter provides details about the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market based on application and has been classified into Neurological, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary and Others. Chapter 12- Global Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 by End-User This chapter provides details about the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market based on end-user and has been classified into Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers/Clinics and Homecare Settings. Chapter 13- Global Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 by Region This chapter provides details about the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market based on region and has been classified into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa (MEA), East Asia, South Asia and Oceania. Chapter 14- North America Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the North America Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes the U.S and Canada. Readers can also find the pricing analysis, regional trends, and market growth based on material and countries in North America. Chapter 15- Latin America Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the Latin America Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Rest of Latin America. Chapter 16- Europe Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the European Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes Germany, Italy, France, the U.K, Spain, BENELUX, Russia and Rest of Europe. Chapter 17- South Asia Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the South Asian Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Rest of South Asia. Chapter 18- East Asia Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the East Asian Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes China, Japan and South Korea. Chapter 19- Oceania Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the Oceania Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes Australia and New Zealand. Chapter 20- Middle East & Africa Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 2015-2019 & Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030 This chapter provides details about the growth of the Middle East & Africa Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market, along with a country-wide assessment which includes GCC countries, South Africa and rest of MEA. Chapter 21- Key Countries Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment Market Analysis 20152019 and Forecast 20202030 This chapter provides the growth scenario of the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market of 20 key countries by type, and form. Additionally, COVID-19 impact in the said market in all respective countries has been included. Chapter 22- Market Structure Analysis In this chapter, readers can find detailed information about the tier analysis and market concentration of key players in the physiology equipment market, along with their market presence analysis by region and product portfolio. To Buy This Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/12409 Chapter 23- Competition Analysis In this chapter, readers can find a comprehensive list of all the prominent stakeholders in the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment 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 DJO Global, Enraf-Nonius, Kindred Healthcare, Inc., Select Medical, Concentra Operating Corporation, BTL Industries, U.S Physical Therapy, Inc., Isokinetic, Inc., EMS Physio Ltd and Zynex Medical Inc. Chapter 24- Assumptions & Acronyms Used This chapter includes a list of acronyms and assumptions that provides a base to the information and statistics included in the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market report. Chapter 25- Research Methodology This chapter help readers understand the research methodology followed to obtain various conclusions as well as important qualitative and quantitative information about the Cryotherapy Physiotherapy Equipment market. ABOUT US: Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India. FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. CONTACT US: Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com It has since expanded to cover dozens of disease and treatment areas in more than 100 countries around the globe. OSU Center for Health Sciences began its own Project ECHO program in 2017, which now includes nearly a dozen health care lines focusing on everything from substance abuse, mental health, to HIV and high-risk pregnancies. A couple of years ago, OSU added the ECHO Education program to educate rural school administrators about the possibilities of virtual learning. We thought if this works in medicine, it could certainly work in education, Johnson said. We adopted the protocol and the infrastructure for education and focused on district leaders. If the leaders buy into it, that will trickle down to other educators. At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister quickly engaged the ECHO Education program to help get information that school leaders and teachers were desperate for and to get their questions answered. All three education teleconferencing lines one for a general audience, one for educators of special needs students and one for education leadership switched their focus to provide pandemic response guidance. Pfizer Inc. (New York, NY, USA) should know by October if its COVID-19 vaccine candidate currently under trial works, based on which it plans to immediately seek Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Speaking at an online press briefing organized by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, Pfizers Chief Executive Albert Bourla said that the company would submit the candidate for approval immediately if the vaccine, developed in partnership with Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech Mainz, Germany), proved to be safe and effective in the studies.Pfizers recruitment for the trial is currently progressing ahead of its original plans and 23,000 patients have been enrolled until now. According to Bourla, the availability of the vaccines study data would be determined by the speed at which its scientists work and the severity of COVID-19 infection at its study locations in the US, Argentina and Brazil."Based on our calculations, we are expecting that to be in October," said Bourla. The first complete dinosaur skeleton was found in southern England in 1858. The bones belonged to a creature called Scelidosaurus. The early British paleontologist Richard Owen incompletely described its body in papers that were published in 1861 and 1863. But for years, scientists did not pay much attention to Scelidosaurus. That has now changed. Scientists have recently finished several careful studies of the dinosaurs remains. The findings suggest the creature had an unusual build. University of Cambridge paleontologist David Norman recently published his fourth study on the Scelidosaurus. It appeared in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society of London. Norman wrote that this animal was discovered at a crucial time in the history of dinosaur research. He added that until the discovery, dinosaurs had only been known from scraps of bone and some teeth. Scelidosaurus lived about 193 million years ago. It was an early member of the evolutionary family that led to the dinosaur group called ankylosaurs. Ankylosaurs were armored dinosaurs. Their bodies were so strong that they are sometimes called the tank dinosaurs. Scelidosaurus was about 4-meters-long. It had four legs and ate plants. It was covered in bony plates with hard, pointy spikes. The one that died near what is now West Dorset, England was probably the victim of a flood. It probably drowned in the sea, with its body becoming buried in sand and dirt. It has lain in the collection of the Natural History Museum in London - researchers knew of it by name but it was not at all well understood, Norman said. Im John Russell. Will Dunham reported on this story for Reuters news agency. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story dinosaur n. one of many creatures that lived on Earth millions of years ago crucial adj. extremely important scrap n. a small piece of something that is left after you have used the main part; a very small amount evolutionary adj. relating to the process by which organisms are believed to have developed from earlier forms We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. Puducherry: Chief Minister of Puducherry V Narayanasamy on Monday told the Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi not to write any more open letters to him as he said the letter was full of untrue contents and misinformation. He was reacting to the letter the former IPS officer had written to him on Sunday asking him to clarify on the delay in grants to privately managed aided schools to pay salaries of the teachers. Addressing a virtual press conference here, the Chief Minister asked Bedi to stop writing to the Centre too on the handling of the Covid-19 situation by the territorial government. He said, Kiran Bedi has been remaining in Raj Bhavan without meeting the public to know of the ground realities in the context of current pandemic situation. Narayanasamy said she was writing to the Centre on the handling of the coronavirus although the Puducherry ministerial team, legislators and officers have been working hard to contain the spread of the virus. He said, We also implement in letter and spirit the guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Centre to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The Chief Minister asked Bedi to understand the real situation and not find fault with the government or interfere in its functioning. He referred to an incident in which the doctors and health staff were up in arms against Bedi for reprimanding a senior gazetted officer in the Health Department and said he had to tender an apology on her behalf. Overall, the AMMD is very satisfied with the health crisis management in Luxembourg, but some problems have become rather acute and need urgent attention. The vice president of the association of doctors and dentists in Luxembourg (AMMD), Dr. Philippe Wilmes, said Luxembourg mastered the health crisis relatively well, but that there are critical points that need to be attended to. Depending on their specialisation, doctors were either out of work during confinement or working overtime. Most dentists were forced into technical unemployment, for example, as their work was to dangerous to carry out. Dr. Wilmes explained: "The number of pneumologists, including lung doctors, emergency doctors and anaesthetists, is quite limited. If these professionals have to work around the clock such as was the case during Covid, then things become a big challenge quickly." The deficit of doctors in Luxembourg is not a new problem, but has been intensified through the crisis and is now more severe than before. "We definitely need more doctors. We need more doctors in primary care, so more GPs, and we need many specialists too." The AMMD hopes that Minister of Health Paulette Lenert is stepping up to solve the problems soon. Furthermore, Dr. Wilmes criticised the nomenclature, the list outlining which medical services are reimbursed at what level by the CNS, as it requires urgent updating. Teleconsultations, for example, are not yet included, something doctors had to do a lot during the first wave of the virus. But the main stakeholders were again not consulted, according to the vice-president of the AMMD, who said he regrets that two Grand-Ducal regulations have really "fallen on them" without warning. According to Dr. Wilmes, the government must continue an efficient communication strategy to reach those that do not follow the main media channels, preventing other diseases from worsening. The AMMD recommends that more people get the flu shot this year. The association of doctors and dentists in Luxembourg remains convinced that a central hospital for coronavirus treatments would be the best solution to improve care and reduce the number of staff required in different places. This is one solution to combat the shortage of medical and nursing staff. Overall, the AMMD is very satisfied with the health crisis management in Luxembourg, but wants to raise certain crucial points to be on the table soon. A gender reveal party gone awry sparked a California wildfire that has ravaged more than 7,000 acres, according to Cal Fire officials on Sunday night. The El Dorado Fire one of three major wildfires impacting the state right now was sparked by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device on Saturday, according to state officials. The fire started in El Dorado Ranch Park and soon spread to Yucaipa Ridge, a ridge in San Bernardino County separating Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the city of Yucaipa. As of Monday morning, the fire was 5% contained, according to Cal Fire. No charges have been filed yet. Cal Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesnt take much to start a wildfire, Cal Fire said in a press release. Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible. Also Read: Newsom Orders Movie Theaters, Bars, Indoor Restaurants Closed Statewide The following communities were ordered to evacuate this weekend, according to ABC 7: Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Oak Glen and North Bench Yucaipa. More than 500 firefighters and rescue personnel have responded to the El Dorado Fire. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County due to the blaze. The state of emergency also applies to Fresno, Madera and Mariposa counties, where the Creek Fire is burning, as well as San Diego County, which is being impacted by the El Dorado Fire and Valley Fire. The Creek Fire, primarily impacting the Sierra Nevada Mountains, has burned more than 45,000 acres and is 0% contained as of Monday morning, per Cal Fire; the fire started near Shaver Lake on Friday night. About 10,000 acres have been hit by the Valley Fire, which is 1% contained as of Monday morning, according to Cal Fire. Check out some video of the fire from the Yucaipa Police Department from Sunday afternoon below: Story continues Updated Evacuation Order. North of Yucaipa Blvd. and east of Bryant. Please use caution and leave the area. #ElDoradoFire @CALFIREBDU pic.twitter.com/DOSKq4vS30 Yucaipa Police (@YucaipaPD) September 6, 2020 For more information on the El Dorado Fire, click here. Read original story Gender Reveal Party Pyrotechnic Sparked Massive Fire Still Raging in Southern California At TheWrap Whats Chris Jacobs doing to fix his mistake? Hes the only New York State representative to vote no to support the United States Postal Service saying it was an unfortunate mistake. Constituents need the five removed sorting machines from main post office, William Street, Buffalo, put back. Jacobs has been mysteriously silent on this. If hes truly a yes, wheres his positive action to get those machines back in place insuring timely ballot processing for the November election? Jacobs no mistake vote is either a lie in plain sight or gross negligence, incompetence. Its unlikely even some of the New York State representatives, all of whom voted Yes, didnt counsel Jacobs on the floor in real time to say hes making a mistake. A phone call to Brian Higgins, a Democrat? Why? Why didnt he call Republicans Tom Reed or Elise Stefanik, both of whom would have voted after Jacobs (alphabetical order) on the floor, and who voted yes. Industry body IATOon Monday urged the government to provide immediate relief to the tourism sector, which has been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the tour operators have been forced to lay off their staff, many have sent staff on furlough and those who are remaining are getting less than 30 per cent salary, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said in a statement. In light of this, IATO has sought various relief measures from the government. This includes one-time financial grant of the gross salaries amount paid to the staff of tour operators on the basis of the balance sheet of fiscal year 2018-19 which is submitted with the government authorities,IATO said. The industry body has also requested, "the government to raiseduty drawback under the SEIS ( Service Export India Scheme ) from 7 per cent to 10 per cent.Such a measure would go a long way in alleviating the liquidity problem as the sector currently has zero billing and this would help tour operators to survive",it added. It has also soughtamendment in rules regarding granting of loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises(MSMEs) as presently only those who have established relationships with banks are being offered loans, IATO said. The tourism industry is in dire straits and needs urgent relief from the government...The measures we have sought do not involve huge outgo from the government but if these relief can be given now, these can go a long way in providing succor to the stressed sectorfailing which many tour operators would shut down," IATO PresidentPronab Sarkar 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.) Pro-democracy protest graffiti aimed at Chinese President Xi Jinping has been blurred out on Googles updated version of Street View Map, according to Hong Kong media. Screenshots show one of the slogans, which read Xi Jinping must die for the sake of the world, spray-painted on a main road before being blurred on the search engines website. A spokesperson for Google said that the blurred-out graffiti was caused by an algorithm error, according to Hong Kong Free Press. Pro-democracy protest graffiti aimed at Chinese President Xi Jinping has been blurred out on Googles updated version of Street View Map, according to a report by Hong Kong media Screenshots show one of the slogans, which read Xi Jinping must die for the sake of the world, spray-painted on a main road before being blurred on the search engines website Google updated its Street View Map to include images of the citys streets taken last October when Hong Kong was gripped by months of anti-government demonstrations. The movement carried on as a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing to gain full control of the city spurred new waves of protests. A picture released by Hong Kong Free Press shows the graffiti aimed at President Xi spray-painted on a line of plant pots separating traffic lanes on Nathan Road, where major rallies erupted during the demonstrations last year. It said: Anti-communist. Xi Jinping must die for the sake of the world. But the slogan was blurred out in another screenshot of the updated Google Street View. The graffiti is revealed only when it is viewed from a distance further down the Kowloon thoroughfare, the report said. Another slogan saying liberate Hong Kong; the revolution of our times painted on the same road was also covered by blur. A spokesperson for Google said that the blurred-out graffiti was caused by an algorithm error, according to independent news outlet Hong Kong Free Press Google updated its Street View Map to include images of the citys streets taken last October when Hong Kong was gripped by months of anti-government demonstrations. This file picture shows a masked protester sits near graffiti during a protest in Hong Kong on October 4, 2019 Another slogan saying liberate Hong Kong; the revolution of our times painted on the same road was also covered by blur. A representative for the search engine giant claimed that the incident was caused by technical difficulties. In a response to the Hong Kong news outlet, they said: Our automatic blurring technology aims to blur faces and license plates so they cant be identified, but it looks like we didnt get it right in this instance. MailOnline has contacted Google for further comments. This photo taken on October 7, 2019 shows a man pushing a cart past a wall covered in anti-government graffiti in Hong Kong. A representative for the search engine giant claimed that the incident was caused by technical difficulties, according to Hong Kong Free Press The news comes as anti-government protests have flared up on the streets of Hong Kong again over the weekend after weeks of relative calm since the enactment of a national security law The news comes as anti-government protests have flared up on the streets of Hong Kong again over the weekend after weeks of relative calm since the enactment of a national security law. In a video widely shared online, a 12-year-old was violently pushed to the ground and pinned down by riot police in Hong Kong on Sunday as protests returned to the city. The child was seen in the video circulated online trying to run away from a group of officers who then tackled the young girl to the ground while onlookers shouted in anger. The girl was out buying art supplies before she was tackled down by the police, her mother told reporters. A Washington, DC-based PR firm linked to the US government and Democratic Party, CLS Strategies, ran a fake news network on Facebook and Instagram, spreading propaganda for Bolivias coup regime and the right-wing opposition in Venezuela and Mexico. By Ben Norton A major US PR firm located just a few blocks from the White House has been caught running an industrial grade propaganda operation on social media. The information warfare blitzkreig relied on fake accounts and pages to spread disinformation on behalf of right-wing, US-backed governments in Latin America, while deploying covert propaganda to destabilize the leftist governments targeted by the US in Venezuela and Mexico. The company behind the campaign, CLS Strategies, signed a contract to represent Bolivias far-right junta and provide strategic communications counsel in the lead-up to that countrys ostensible election. After coming to power through a US-backed military coup in November 2019, the Bolivian regime has delayed the election numerous times on specious grounds. CLS Strategies also used its network of fake accounts and pages to push propaganda on behalf of Venezuelas right-wing opposition and the US-backed parallel coup regime of Juan Guaido. Some of the CLS-run Facebook and Instagram profiles even posed as disgruntled Venezuelan soldiers, and called on members of the armed forces to rebel against the socialist government. Other pages claimed to be run by disaffected former supporters of leftist leaders like Venezuelas Hugo Chavez and Bolivias Evo Morales. The DC-based company similarly filled social media with disinformation demonizing Mexicos left-wing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) and his party Morena, who have been under increasing attack by right-wing oligarch forces. On Facebook, the PR firm spent a staggering $3.6 million on ads to promote this propaganda. CLS Strategies has close links to the US government. The firm employs former government officials like Mark Feierstein, who oversaw Latin America policy for the Obama White House. Feierstein also served as coordinator of Latin America activities for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a regime-change arm that has been used as a front for covert CIA operations and spearheaded the Trump administrations coup attempts in Venezuela. Another CLS senior advisor, David Romley, worked as a Pentagon spokesman, press attache to the secretary of defense, and public affairs officer for the US Marine Corps. Before moving to CLS, Romley also served as vice president for communications at the German Marshall Fund, a prominent Cold War-era think tank funded by the US government and NATO that has been integral in pushing the new cold war on Russia and China. A co-founder of CLS, Peter Schechter, was also the founding director of the Latin America center at the major Washington think tank the Atlantic Council, which is funded by the US and UK governments and European Union and acts as a de facto organ of the NATO military alliance. Grayzone contributor Alex Rubinstein exposed Schechters unsavory career as a Washington insider, revealing how CLS Strategies has worked on behalf of numerous right-wing Latin America leaders whose neoliberal policies spawned migration crises. As Rubinstein reported, Schechter opened a progressive Resistance-themed restaurant in downtown Washington, DC called Immigrant Food, forging partnerships with immigrant rights NGOs. Schechters former clients at CLS include the Colombian ex-President Alvaro Uribe, who oversaw death squad massacres and is being investigated by his countrys supreme court for crimes against humanity, along with Mexicos ex-President Enrique Pena Nieto, who is connected to drug cartels and major corruption scandals. A decade before it was hired by Bolivias coup regime, CLS Strategies signed a contract to represent another conservative dictatorial regime, this time in Honduras, after it took power in a US government-backed military coup in 2009. On its website, CLS boasts of having lobbied for more than a dozen foreign governments and having managed campaigns and advised public officials on six continents. According to the PR firms own public listings, as well as Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings reviewed by The Grayzone, CLS Strategies has worked for right-wing political forces from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, and Venezuela, as well as the World Bank and large corporations. Another CLS Strategies partner, Juan Cortinas, boasted on the firms website that he has represented top right-wing leaders and major corporations in Latin America, including the Venezuelan opposition. Since the fake news ring was exposed, however, CLS Strategies has edited its website to scrub some of these compromising materials, removing the bios of associates like Feierstein and Cortinas. This controversy underscores how US PR firms, elite Washington insiders, and foreign opposition groups work in tandem to promote right-wing regimes in Latin America while astroturfing opposition to democratically elected left-wing governments. Given the extensive links CLS has to the Democratic Party, this scheme also highlights the bipartisan consensus around regime change and support for corrupt neoliberal leaders linked to death squads and drug trafficking. Further, the scandal shows how foreign policy apparatchiks in Washington do exactly what they accuse Russia of doing: meddle in foreign elections to try to install their preferred candidates in power. Facebook deletes CLS Strategies fake news ring The Grayzone has reported on social media corporations US government-backed censorship of independent media outlets and voices critical of US foreign policy. Virtually all of Facebooks purges of alleged fake accounts have targeted foreign governments and firms in other countries. The CLS Strategies fake news ring is apparently the first time Facebook has ever taken down a US-based operation. Facebook published a press release on September 1 acknowledging that it had removed a network of 55 fake accounts and 42 pages, along with 36 Instagram profiles, for violating our policy against foreign interference, which is coordinated inauthentic behavior on behalf of a foreign entity. An accompanying report (PDF) released by Facebook acknowledged that these fake accounts portrayed themselves as independent news entities, civic organizations and political fan Pages, while some posed as locals in countries they targeted and impersonated political parties. The social media giant said the network posted content in support of the political opposition in Venezuela and the interim government in Bolivia, and criticism of Morena, a political party in Mexico. It identified the network as being connected to the PR firm CLS Strategies. Facebook shared the information about this fake news ring with Stanford Universitys Internet Observatory, which analyzed the materials and published a report on September 4 (PDF), showing how CLS Strategies created 17 Facebook pages to promote the Venezuelan opposition, along with 11 for the Bolivian coup regime. A total of 509,000 unique accounts followed one or more of these propaganda pages on Facebook. Some pages were huge, with as many as 163,000 followers, while others had very few subscribers. The Bolivia pages spread Spanish-language propaganda promoting coup leader Jeanine Anez, a right-wing extremist from a fringe party that got just 4 percent of the vote in the November election but who was recognized by the United States as the countrys supposed interim president. The Stanford report noted that the Venezuela-focused assets supported and promoted Venezuelan opposition leaders but changed in tone in 2020, reflecting factional divides in the opposition and a turn away from opposition president Juan Guaido. Most of these propaganda pages were run out of the United States, although some operatives in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru were involved. US infowarriors pose as Venezuelan soldiers and call for rebellion The majority of the Facebook pages in this CLS Strategies-led fake news ring published boilerplate conservative propaganda, with names like Undone with Socialism and Die Oppression Free Venezuela. But some of the accounts were more sophisticated disinformation operations, targeting disaffected leftists and even falsely posing as Venezuelan soldiers. One CLS-run page, titled Chavista FAN, posed as a member of the Venezuelan military who had supported late socialist President Hugo Chavez but lost faith in current President Nicolas Maduro. This was echoed by another Facebook page, Liberatory Soldiers, which falsely claimed to consist of members of the armed forces seeking to oust Maduro. The Chavista FAN page included a profile photo of an anonymous soldier proudly identifying as a supporter of Venezuelas leftist Chavista movement. FAN is a play of words using the English word fan, which is common in Spanish, while also referencing Venezuelas military, the Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, or FANB (but by removing the B, which references the left-wing nationalist Bolivarian movement popularized by Chavez). In one particularly insidious post disclosed by Facebook, the CLS Strategies-run account clearly claims to be operated by members of the Venezuelan armed forces. While making no mention of the suffocating US sanctions and embargo that have devastated Venezuelas health sector and economy and prevented the government from buying medical equipment and medicine, the Chavista FAN page wrote, After years of looting, the health sector is in shambles. Are we in the FANB (Venezuelan military) going to continue protecting the lie at the expense of the public? The use of vamos in the post (are we going to) expressly includes the publisher in the collective we, as a putative member of the Venezuelan armed forces. A post from a CLS Strategies-run Facebook account falsely posing as a member of Venezuelas military Chavista FAN was targeted at patriotic leftist Venezuelans, but simultaneously spread disinformation on behalf of US-recognized coup leader Juan Guaido. Another post released in the report showed that the page pressured Venezuelan soldiers to rise up against their government, by reassuring them that Guaido had offered amnesty. The post also implored soldiers to stop blocking the entrance of supposed humanitarian aid that Washington was using as a weapon in its coup attempt. Venezuelan opposition propaganda on a CLS Strategies-run Facebook page A similar Facebook page overseen by the DC-based PR firm was devoted specifically to supporting Venezuelas US government-funded far-right opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a close ally of neoconservative Senator Marco Rubio who has openly, repeatedly called for the US military to invade her country. DC PR firm spreads right-wing propaganda by posing as disgruntled leftists CLS Strategies Bolivia propaganda was similar to its disinformation campaign against Venezuela. The firm created Facebook pages promoting the coup leader Jeanine Anez with titles like Everyone with Anez. The PR firm also set up a page called Camacho Lovers Santa Cruz, devoted to the far-right goon squad leader, Luis Fernando Camacho, a businessman from Bolivias wealthiest city who started his political career in a neo-fascist Christian paramilitary group founded by former Nazi collaborators. Another page targeted Bolivian women specifically. With the name Free Bolivian Women, this Facebook profile posted propaganda attempting to link elected former President Evo Morales and his allies to organized crime, a common yet baseless talking point of the right-wing opposition. CLS Strategies propaganda targeting Bolivian women on Facebook Some of the CLS Strategies propaganda relied on more devious techniques. A Facebook page the company oversaw was called MAS for Bolivia, and sought to drive a wedge in between Bolivians who had previously voted for the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party and the former President Evo Morales, who was overthrown in the 2019 coup. On Instagram, the CLS disinformation campaign was similarly duplicitous. In addition to running parallel accounts with some of the same names as the Facebook pages, CLS created profiles posing as disenchanted supporters of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro. One Instagram account was titled Maduro Style, and included as its bio, Maduro, motherland, and death. Another Instagram profile was named A True Madurista, or a true supporter of Maduro. (Madurista is however not a term used by actual leftists in Venezuela; it is mostly an insult used by the opposition to attack President Maduro and his supporters.) An even more dishonest Instagram account overseen by the US PR firm was called VTV Journalists. This page posed as former insiders from Venezuelas state broadcaster VTV, falsely claiming to be an account of journalists fired from VTV in a humiliating way, but with good contacts inside. These pages show how Washington-based CLS infowarriors posed as Venezuelan critical Chavistas and disgruntled Bolivian leftists to attract progressives who had supported Chavez, Maduro, and Morales, but to mislead them and warp their views by exposing them to opposition disinformation. Conservatives already supported these right-wing opposition forces in Venezuela and Bolivia, so the PR firm was clearly seeking to mislead and propagandize left-wing sympathizers. CLS Strategies signs PR contract with Bolivias coup regime After overthrowing Bolivias democratically elected President Evo Morales in a US-backed military coup on November 10, 2019, the new junta immediately sought out public relations flacks in Washington help whitewash its image. Almost exactly a month later, on December 11, 2019, CLS Strategies registered under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) as a lobbyist for the Bolivian coup regime. The firm signed a 90-day contract, at a neat $90,000, agreeing to provide strategic communications counsel, which included creating and distributing communications materials, interfacing with the media, and providing communications services as directed by the Plurinational State of Bolivia. This contract did not include CLS Strategies work on behalf of the Venezuelan opposition. It is not clear where the firm got the $3.6 million it spent on Facebook ads. The FARA registration confirming CLS Strategies registered to represent the Bolivian coup regime in December 2019 As part of its contract with the Bolivian coup regime, CLS Strategies also helped coordinate meetings between top US government officials and the Bolivian juntas far-right minister of government, Arturo Murillo, according to another FARA document. Murillo is an extremist who pledged to hunt left-wing leaders from Evo Morales MAS party like animals, and even went so far as to falsely claim that indigenous protesters massacred by the coup regime had actually shot themselves and then blamed it on the junta. When he visited Washington in December 2019, CLS Strategies organized in-person meetings between Murillo and Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Rick Scott, along with staffers from the National Security Council, State Department, USAID, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and House Foreign Affairs Committee. Encuentro con Senador @marcorubio evaluamos toda la region. Sus desafios y sus victorias. Saludamos compromiso con la democracia boliviana y del hemisferio, compromiso de avanzar juntos contra amenazas a Libertades pic.twitter.com/CXj9HNN4z8 Arturo Murillo (@ArturoMurilloS) December 19, 2019 Agradecido con el Senador Rick Scott @SenRickScott de la Florida, quien expreso su apoyo al restablecimiento de la democracia en Bolivia y compromiso con un proceso electoral limpio, justo y transparente en nuestro pais pic.twitter.com/SSZpRRu5nE Arturo Murillo (@ArturoMurilloS) December 18, 2019 CLS also successfully scheduled meetings between the extremist Bolivian minister and Luis Almagro, the hardline right-wing leader of the Organization of American States (OAS), which played a key role in the coup, as well as with the head of the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Me reuni con el @MindeGobierno de #Bolivia, @ArturoMurilloS. Dialogamos sobre el proceso de transicion en su pais, en especial acerca del cronograma electoral que normalizara definitivamente el pais. pic.twitter.com/C7HKyBJpMa Luis Almagro (@Almagro_OEA2015) December 17, 2019 The PR firm then helped plan an event with Murillo at the corporate lobby group the Council of the Americas / Americas Society. CLS Strategies also coordinated interviews with Murillo for CNN en Espanol and the major Spanish news agency EFE. On behalf of the coup regime, CLS likewise contacted the offices of Senator Tim Kaine and House Representatives Eliot Engel, Albio Sires, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Francis Rooney, along with the the prominent DC think tank the Inter-American Dialogue, which hosted an event with Bolivian fascist coup leader Luis Fernando Camacho. Meetings with top US government officials in Washington, DC that CLS Strategies organized on behalf of the Bolivian coup regime The agreement that CLS Strategies signed with the Bolivian was personally signed by partner Brian Berry, who boasts of having worked for an array of large corporate clients. At the same time, CLS Strategies Managing Director William Moore also registered with FARA to represent the Bolivian coup regime. FARA requires registrants to disclose if they have made any political contributions in the past 60 days. Moore revealed that he had donated to Joe Bidens presidential campaign exactly one week before. (This was months before the start of the Democratic presidential primaries.) CLS Strategies Managing Director William Moore, who helped run the fake news campaign on social media William Moore was identified in the Stanford Internet Observatory report as one of the CLS employees who operated the fake news campaign on Facebook. CLS Strategies removed William Moores bio from its website, apparently in response to the revelation of its involvement in the Facebook fake news scandal. Moore also took down his LinkedIn profile. But a cached version of William Moores CLS page is available, indicating that it was only recently scrubbed. There, Moore boasts that he applies his professional experience in Latin America to serve private and public sector clients across the region and in the practice areas of public affairs, crisis communications, and political strategy. Moores bio adds, Prior to joining CLS, William cut his teeth at a strategic communications and public affairs agency in Bogota, through which he worked with a government ministry. He also represented numerous multinational corporations, helping them as they expanded operations in Colombia. The FARA registration filed by CLS Strategies Managing Director William Moore to represent the Bolivian coup regime in December 2019 When CLS Strategies Managing Director William Moore and partner Brian Berry registered to lobby on behalf of the Bolivian coup regime, they were joined by another colleague: Juan Cortinas Garcia. As with Moores profile, Cortinas bio was removed from the CLS Strategies website, as the firm has apparently tried to scrub its involvement in the scandal. Corinas also took down his LinkedIn profile, which he had linked to in his CLS bio. But in its report on the CLS fake news ring, Stanford University linked to an archived version of Juan Cortinas professional profile. In this bio, he boasts of having worked with some of the leading political leaders in Latin America such as former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Argentine Congressman Sergio Massa and the Venezuelan opposition, helping with political communications, campaign strategy and developing digital-based campaigns. Cortinas added that he has counseled some of the largest companies in Latin America, and boasted of helping a Fortune 500 company overcome a reputational crisis that spread across the front pages of newspapers in Mexico. The FARA registration filed by CLS Strategies partner Juan Cortinas to represent the Bolivian coup regime in December 2019 FARA registration files reviewed by The Grayzone show that Juan Cortinas has registered to work on behalf of numerous foreign governments, including Aruba, Bolivia, the right-wing administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico, and the coup regime in Honduras. CLS Strategies signs PR contract with Honduras coup regime Ten years before the United States backed a right-wing military coup in Bolivia, Washington did the same in the Central American nation of Honduras. On June 28, 2009, the Honduran military overthrew the countrys democratically elected left-leaning president, Manuel Zelaya, and physically removed him from the country. Zelaya told The Grayzone in Honduras, in an interview on the 10th anniversary of the coup, that the US government had threatened him because of his close political and economic relations with socialist President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. In the wake of the putsch, the new unelected right-wing regime in Honduras searched for publicists in DC. It found a loyal ally in a firm called Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, which would go on to rebrand as CLS Strategies in 2014. In September 2009, Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates filed FARA paperwork acknowledging that it had signed a four-month contract for the Honduran coup regime, at the cost of $292,000, not including tens of thousands more in additional expenses. The FARA registration Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates (now CLS Strategies) signed with the Honduran coup regime in September 2009 At the time, the senior vice president of Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates was Juan Cortinas Garcia, who would go on to represent the Bolivian coup regime a decade later. Cortinas said in his FARA registration that his job was to provide public relations counsel and services to the government of Honduras in their efforts to communicate with policy markers or opinion leaders, their staff, the news media and other related third parties. In the years following the coup, Honduras became the murder capital of the planet, with some of the highest levels of inequality of any country. The violence and widespread corruption fueled a massive refugee crisis on the southern US border. The subsequent dictatorial leader of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, or JOH, is intimately linked to the drug trade; his brother Tony Hernandez was convicted of trafficking nearly 200,000 kilograms (440,000 pounds) of cocaine and machine guns. A US district court even stated that infamous Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzman gave JOH a $1 million bribe to help him rig Honduras 2013 elections. CLS Strategies signs PR contract with corrupt Colombian President Uribe The Honduran coup regime is by no means the only connection between CLS Strategies and corrupt, drug-linked Latin American leaders. The shadowy PR firm has also worked with a notorious demagogue who may have the dubious honor of being the most corrupt and violent president in modern Colombian history. On its website, CLS boasts of having represented both the government of Colombia and the presidential campaign of far-right former leader Alvaro Uribe. Uribe is infamous for working closely with drug cartels and death squads. In August, Colombias Supreme Court put Uribe under house arrest, accusing him of crimes against humanity and bribery, and began officially investigating his involvement in paramilitary massacres of human rights activists. CLS Strategies worked for Colombia and far-right President Alvaro Uribe, who is linked to drug cartels and death squads The US government has long known that Uribe is deeply involved with Colombian drug cartels and far-right paramilitary groups. Declassified cables from the 1990s show that the US State Department was well aware of his criminal ties, but Washington still strongly supported his rise to power. A ranch owned by Uribe and his family members was used as the base of a death squad. But this has not stopped the Trump administration from pressuring the Colombian justice system to release Uribe and end its investigation into his crimes. CLS Strategies signs PR contract with corrupt Mexican President Pena Nieto In addition to representing the drug-linked Honduran coup regime and death squad aficionado Alvaro Uribe, Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates also worked for the transition team of Mexicos notoriously corrupt President Enrique Pena Nieto. Pena Nieto allegedly won the presidential election on July 1, 2012. Just five days later, on July 6, he signed a contract with Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates. The PR firm agreed, for a monthly fee of $50,000, to provide communications counsel and assistance to the transition team including dissemination of news/announcements from the transition team. Once again, CLS consultant Juan Cortinas Garcia registered with FARA to represent Pena Nieto, pledging to work on Public relations, communications and media relations related to election/presidential transition and Potential distribution of materials or information to U.S. media, policymakers or third parties. CLS Strategies involvement with Pena Nieto during this transition period is especially controversial, because he was credibly accused of rigging the 2012 election. It appears the firm was hired to try to deal with these very serious, substantiated accusations. Then-presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who came in second place (and now serves as the president of Mexico), immediately cast doubt on the 2012 election results. Lopez Obrador gathered evidence showing how how Pena Nietos neoliberal party PRI bribed voters, buying huge sums of votes. In 2016, these accusations were confirmed by a prominent Colombian hacker named Andres Sepulveda. Sepulveda, who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for spying on Colombian officials, told Bloomberg that he was given a budget of $600,000 to assemble a team of hackers to rig the 2012 Mexican presidential election. Bloomberg reported that he and his fellow hackers stole campaign strategies, manipulated social media to create false waves of enthusiasm and derision, and installed spyware in opposition offices, all to help Pena Nieto, a right-of-center candidate, eke out a victory. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Budi Sutrisno (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 19:11 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c43406af 1 City COVID-19,COVID-19-Jakarta,COVID-19-death-toll,burial,cemetery,Pondok-Ranggon,Jakarta-administration,coronavirus,COVID-19-in-Indonesia Free Jakarta has buried 5,083 bodies under COVID-19 protocols since the virus was detected in Indonesia in March, the city administration has reported. The city now averages between 26 and 27 COVID-19 burials a day, with a significant uptick since the beginning of August. At least 847 bodies have been interred under virus protocols in the past three weeks, with a daily record of 60 burials on Wednesday. The government requires both suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients to be buried under the protocols. The number of burials is much higher than the official COVID-19 death toll reported by the Health Ministry which stands at 1,296 for Jakarta as of Monday because the government excludes the deaths of suspected patients from the official count despite the World Health Organizations recommendations to the contrary. As a result of limited testing capacity, many suspected patients have died while waiting to be tested or waiting to receive test results. While the number of deaths continues to rise, cemeteries designated for COVID-19 burials are becoming overwhelmed. Many gravediggers are reportedly working around the clock, and some have no personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear. Pondok Ranggon cemetery in East Jakarta is expected to run out of space for COVID-19 burials in October. By the end of August, space remained for only 1,100 more burials in the cemeterys 7,000 square meter southern area. The capacity is likely to be critical in mid-October, Nadi, the cemeterys management officer, said recently, as quoted by kompas.com. An average of 180 bodies were buried at Pondok Ranggon cemetery per week 700 to 720 per month Nadi said. As of Monday, Jakarta, the hardest-hit province in the country, had reported 47,379 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Labour leader has been criticised for failing to denounce the group's actions earlier - Jacob King/PA Wire/Jacob King/PA Wire Sir Keir Starmer's response to the blockading of national newspapers' printing plants by environmental protestors was "sadly and shamefully slow", Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said. Mr Dowden, whose role in Government is to champion the press, said the delay in responding allowed left-wing Labour MPs to express support for the activists despite widespread criticism over the implications for the freedom of the press. The Labour leader put out a statement on Sunday morning condemning the actions, 36 hours after nearly 200 Extinction Rebellion activists used vehicles and bamboo structures to block roads outside major printing works in Hertfordshire and Liverpool. The presses print The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, along with The Sun and The Times. Deliveries to readers on Saturday morning were severely affected as a result. In his brief word statement just after 11.30am, which was not posted on his Twitter account, Sir Keir said: "The free press is the cornerstone of democracy and we must do all we can to protect it. "Denying people the chance to read what they choose is wrong and does nothing to tackle climate change." It's been reported Extinction Rebellion may be reclassified as an organised crime group after blocking newspaper presses. "That would be ridiculous" says @HackneyAbbott and she says @ExtinctionR are protesters "in the tradition of the suffragettes".#Ridge pic.twitter.com/KUMIZS3I50 Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) September 6, 2020 Labour sources said Sir Keir did not comment on Saturday because he was on a visit to north Wales and was happy to let his shadow culture secretary, Jo Stevens, lead the partys response. Story continues Sir Keir's statement was almost identical to Ms Stevens'. However, hours before Sir Keir issued his statement, former Labour home secretary Diane Abbott compared the activists action to that of the Suffragettes and said it would be ridiculous to legislate against them. She told Sky News: They're not criminals, they're protesters and activists in the tradition of the Suffragettes and the hunger marches of the 1930s. That came 24 hours after fellow Labour MP Dawn Butler described Friday night's blockade, which affected the distribution of several national newspapers, as excellent work in a since-deleted message on Twitter. In his Telegraph article, Mr Dowden wrote: "As ever for the modern Left, the facts take second place to virtue signalling and platform denying. "I would have hoped for better from Sir Keir Starmer, but sadly and shamefully he was slow to condemn the protesters' actions, whilst Labour MPs offered their support for the protestors." Other Conservatives were heavily critical of Sir Keir. Amanda Milling, the Tory party's co-chairman who attends Cabinet, added: "A free press is a vital part of our democracy. "Sir Keir's 36-hour silence on condemning this attack on our free press has been deafening. It shows him up for the opportunist he is, only caring about his own interest, not the national interest. He now needs to stand up to his own party and say clearly: this attack on jobs and freedom is not acceptable. Peterborough MP Paul Bristow added: Anyone with any sense is appalled by what Extinction Rebellion have done. A free press is essential for democracy. After 36 hours, Sir Keir Starmer finally said something but still ignores his own MPs like Diane Abbott and Dawn Butler, who were applauding XR. Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said that the protesters were now displaying eco-facism by silencing news outlets and those they dont agree with. He said: There is no place for it in society. This should be an opportunity for Keir to show that his Labour Party always takes the line of free speech. He should take control and make clear that the words of his backbenchers do not stand for the Labour Party." Photo: 3.bp.blogspot.com/ The cow moose raced across the open meadow toward us. Her hackles were raised and her ears flat as she trumpeted and roared, the primal bellow echoing across the Alberta foothills. A steaming locomotive on steroids was headed our way and about to mow us over. Those gangly legs wobbled like a contortionist and it would have been funny had she not been terrifying. A moose can out run a horse, especially when the horse is carrying a rider. Death by moose seemed imminent, so we dismounted and said our prayers or rather I did. Although it had been many years, I suddenly recalled my Catholic upbringing and made the sign of the cross. My knees knocked in sync with the horses. Nonchalantly, my then husband pulled out a camera and snapped blurry photos. "This is not a Kodak moment," I shrieked. At the last second, our dogs went after the cow. They leapt, snapping and snarling, baring those large, white canine teeth. The moose did an about face and ran toward the forest. As it turned out, she was protecting her new-born calf. The cow led the dogs away from her baby, which was hidden behind a log. Once our Akitas were satisfied momma moose had changed her mind about killing us, they came strutting back with tongues hanging out, wagging their tails. Unscathed, mother and infant moose would reunite after we left. It felt even more surreal as we leapt onto our horses and galloped down a steep, rocky embankment as a minor rock slide flew out from beneath their hooves. Moose are formidable, especially when it comes to protecting their young. Forget mother bear instincts, mother moose has her trumped. They kill more people than any other wild animal, except the hippopotamus. When a moose rears on her hind legs, she strikes with her front ones and those sharp-pointed hooves slice open the target of her fury. She throws her weight into the blows, all 360 kilograms 800 pounds trampling her opponent. Those pounding hooves deliver 1,000 pounds of force and the resulting injury wont be minor. Incredibly though, most moose attacks arent lethal. My former husband and I were in the middle of nowhere in the rugged foothills where even an insignificant injury could have been life threatening. Help was a long way off, providing we could have made it back to the truck. To make matters worse, after fleeing from the moose, we came to a dead end, with downed trees blocking the only exit. Gripped by the icy fingers of despair, I thought the situation hopeless. To turn back would have been to face her wrath once more and it would not have ended well. Fishing through our saddle bags, we retrieved hunting and pocket knives and used rocks to hammer on the handle, driving the blade through the trees. The recently blown down trees were about four or five inches in girth, hard to penetrate. It took several hours of intense labour in the blazing sun while looking over our shoulders. Slowly, but surely, we chiselled our way, crudely bush whacking a path just wide enough to lead the horses through a dry creek bed to freedom. I could have kissed the ground once we finally made it back to camp long after dark. Before our next trip west, we bought hand saws designed for bush clearing. The tools were compact and folded up for safe storage in the saddlebags. No more Flintstone MacGyvering for us. Those backpacking saws got us out of many a pickle for many years as we explored the remote, dangerous and heavily forested wilderness of the Alberta foothills, trail blazing all the way. The Riverdale ensemble cast - including KJ Apa and Lili Reinhart - just reunited in Vancouver where they must complete a 14-day quarantine before filming the fifth season, which shoots September 14-May 1. The 23-year-old Kiwi - who heads up The CW teen soap as Archie Andrews - peeled off his mandatory face mask in order to enjoy a cigarette and Starbucks coffee to-go on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Ohio-born 23-year-old - who co-stars as Betty Cooper - peeled off her mandatory face mask in order to talk on the phone while walking her rescue dog Milo. The Riverdale ensemble cast - including KJ Apa (L) and Lili Reinhart (R) - just reunited in Vancouver where they must complete a 14-day quarantine before filming the fifth season, which shoots September 14-May 1 'I'm incredibly grateful to have a job,' Lili tweeted last Thursday. 'I'm sad that I can't see my family for months on end due to travel restrictions.' Also spotted walking precious pooches on a coffee run were Camila Mendes and Madeline Petsch, who play Veronica Lodge and Cheryl Blossom in the Archie Comics-inspired show. As of Sunday, there have reportedly been 132K confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada (6,162 of which are in British Columbia) leading to 9,145 deaths. Oral fixation: The 23-year-old Kiwi - who heads up The CW teen soap as Archie Andrews - peeled off his mandatory face mask in order to enjoy a cigarette and Starbucks coffee 'I'm incredibly grateful to have a job': The Ohio-born 23-year-old - who co-stars as Betty Cooper - peeled off her mandatory face mask in order to talk on the phone while walking her rescue dog Milo Real-life gal pals: Also spotted walking precious pooches on a coffee run were Camila Mendes (M) who wore a Wilfred for Aritzia jacket and Madeline Petsch (R), who play Veronica Lodge and Cheryl Blossom in the Archie Comics-inspired show Pandemic: As of Sunday, there have reportedly been 132K confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada (6,162 of which are in British Columbia) leading to 9,145 deaths Madeline Instastoried a video of herself and co-star Casey Cott where she informed Camila that she was never getting her pink bucket hat back because it 'covers my pimple too well.' Also happy to see Casey - who plays openly gay Kevin Keller - was Lili, who Instastoried that she 'missed him' after production shut down on March 12 due to the fast-spreading virus. Later that night, KJ posted a funny video of Reinhart's ex-boyfriend Cole Sprouse - who plays Forsythe 'Jughead' Jones III - improvising some dance moves beside a squeaking elevator on the 40th floor. Even the 28-year-old former child star's onscreen father Skeet Ulrich was amused by him grooving to the malfunctioning doors opening and shutting, and he commented: 'Or beat the drop?' Selfie time: Madeline Instastoried a video of herself and co-star Casey Cott (R) where she informed Camila that she was never getting her pink bucket hat back because it 'covers my pimple too well' Reunited: Also happy to see Casey - who plays openly gay Kevin Keller - was Lili (L), who Instastoried that she 'missed him' after production shut down on March 12 due to the fast-spreading virus 'Drop the beat!' Later that night, KJ posted a funny video of Reinhart's ex-boyfriend Cole Sprouse - who plays Forsythe 'Jughead' Jones III - improvising some dance moves beside a squeaking elevator on the 40th floor 'Or beat the drop?' Even the 28-year-old former child star's onscreen father Skeet Ulrich was amused by him grooving to the malfunctioning doors opening and shutting On Saturday, Madchen Amick - who plays newspaper editor Alice Cooper - shared a snap of one of the cast's many virtual table script readings via Zoom. 'Grateful and excited to be back,' the 49-year-old Twin Peaks alum gushed. 'Can't wait to squeeze these faces in person!' Last week, Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa unveiled titles of the first four episodes of season five, which premieres in January. 'Can't wait to squeeze these faces in person!' On Saturday, Madchen Amick - who plays newspaper editor Alice Cooper - shared a snap of one of the cast's many virtual table script readings via Zoom 'Back to the town with pep we go!' Last week, Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa unveiled titles of the first four episodes of season five, which premieres in January 'Even on Zoom and in quarantine, so grateful to be able to continue telling these stories with this incredible group of people,' the 47-year-old showrunner tweeted last Wednesday. 'Back to the town with pep we go!' On August 18, Roberto teased a sneak peek at Vanessa Morgan and Madeline's sparkly prom dresses since they were filming episode #77 titled 'Climax' when they were forced to go on hiatus. It's unclear how they'll handle her character Toni Topaz in the fifth season now that Vanessa is expecting her first child with estranged husband, Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech. Prom queens: On August 18, the 47-year-old showrunner teased a sneak peek at Vanessa Morgan (L) and Madeline's (R) sparkly prom dresses since they were filming episode #77 titled 'Climax' when they were forced to go on hiatus This is the heart-stopping moment a rollercoaster malfunction left 20 tourists stranded while hanging face down in mid-air at an amusement park in eastern China. Social media footage shows the rollercoaster carriage packed with riders being stuck on the rail on Saturday at Rongchuang Amusement Park in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. The visitors were reportedly dangling upside down for over an hour before they were rescued by the facility staff. This is the heart-stopping moment a rollercoaster malfunction left 20 tourists stranded while hanging face down in mid-air at an amusement park in Wuxi, eastern Chinese province Jiangsu No one was injured while the cause of the incident is being investigated, the outdoor park said. It was brought to light after footage and pictures of the incident were widely shared on Twitter-like Weibo on September 5. A social media user who claimed to have been a park visitor, wrote: Something happened at Wuxi Rongchuang Amusement Park. I almost got on the red rollercoaster that went wrong. So terrifying, [theyve] hanging in mid-air for over an hour. A video shows the rollercoaster, named 'Steam Flying Car', carrying the riders suspended on the rail while the tourists were left hanging upside down. Two men, believed to be staff members at the facility, can be seen running towards the tracks. The Wuxi park released a statement on Saturday, saying that all 20 tourists were unhurt from the incident. A video shows the rollercoaster carrying the riders suspended on the rail while the tourists were left hanging. No one was injured while the cause of the incident is being investigated The Wuxi park released a statement on Saturday, saying that all 20 tourists were unhurt from the incident. The park in eastern China has been closed and offered refunds for visitors The on-site staff immediately activated the emergency plan and organised the stranded tourists to leave the facility area in a safe and orderly manner, it read. [We] communicated with each visitor and checked their physical condition. The tourists are currently in good health and no one was injured. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. The park has been closed and offered refunds for visitors who have purchased tickets in advance. A similar incident occurred at the same amusement site last year, reported Chinese media. A roller coaster in the park also became stuck in the air, leaving a full carriage of tourists trapped, according to Global Times. A park employee said at the time that a foreign object, possibly a bird, had interfered with the rollercoaster's sensor and triggered the machines safety mechanism, causing it to stop. An environmental group has since August 15 removed around 200 kg trash every Sunday from mangrove forests in Navi Mumbai, which was last month ranked Indias third cleanest city in the 2020 Swachh Survekshan rankings. It removed over 1,000 pieces of shoes, slippers, sandals, as well as, bulbs, plastic waste, construction debris, and thermocol from the forests last Sunday. Also read: Water from artificial immersion sites, Plaster of Paris idols dumped directly into Thane creek by civic body The marine litter gets stuck in tall breathing roots of mangrove as it makes its way from the sea or creeks. We are following a systematic clean-up process wherein the entire waste collected is segregated into different categories. While some of the footwear can be reused, others can be sent back to the rubber industry. Segregated plastic waste and thermocol can be recycled separately by the civic body, said Environment Life founder Dharmesh Barai. He added maximum waste consists of thermocol or thermocol-based products. Barai said Environment Life will continue its drive every Sunday and would like to spread awareness among Navi Mumbai citizens to join them. Some of these areas may not be accessible but those that are, if cleaned properly, can be turned into tourism spots where mangrove boardwalks or nurseries can be set up, he said. Mumbais mangrove forests (6,600 hectares) are estimated to have around 50,000 tons of plastic waste strewn due to improper waste treatment. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) In July directed the Maharashtra government to come up with an action plan to reduce waste choking mangrove forests and coastal wetlands in Mumbai. We are working with local municipal corporations and the mangrove cell to submit the draft action plan to the NGT by October 7, the next date of hearing, said a Maharashtra Pollution Control Board official, who did not want to be named. Baltic Fleet signal units have held a tactical/special exercise at training ranges in the Kaliningrad Region in west Russia, the Defense Ministrys press office said. Baltic Fleet signal units have held a tactical/special exercise at training ranges in the Kaliningrad Region in west Russia, the Defense Ministrys press office said. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Representation picture of the corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov from Russias Baltic Fleet. (Picture source: Vitaly Nevar/TASS) "During the tactical/special exercise, the signalmen practiced deploying, tearing down and displacing mobile stations based on command vehicles and laying cable and wireless communication links," the press office said. The main task of the maneuvers was to practice establishing and maintaining stable communications between ships and naval aircraft. The exercise involved more than 300 signalmen and about 50 items of military and special hardware. During the active stage of the exercise, the signalmen sharpened skills in establishing communication with the use of various satellite communication channels in an active electronic countermeasures environment. Copyright 2020 TASS Navy Recognition. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Representative Image Reiterating its claims over the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, amid tensions along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, China, on September 7, refused to provide any details on the 'five missing Indians'. The five youths from Arunachal Pradesh had gone missing from an area near the McMahon Line in the first week of September and the Indian Army had sought information on them from the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). While the Chinese Army is yet to revert with an update on the whereabouts of the five missing men, who were allegedly abducted by China, Chinese state-run media publication tweeted on September 7 that Beijing questioned the very nationality of the Arunachali youths. China has never recognized so-called "Arunachal Pradesh," which is China's south Tibet region, and we have no details to release yet about question on Indian army sending a message to PLA about five missing Indians in the region: Chinese FM spokesperson Zhao Lijian pic.twitter.com/PqFdV5zp60 Global Times (@globaltimesnews) September 7, 2020 They quoted Chinese FM spokesperson Zhao Lijian as saying:The news of the missing youths from Arunachal grabbed headlines after Congress MLA Ninong Ering, who represents 37-Pasighat West Assembly Constituency, took to social media to highlight the issue. How far off is BCE Inc. (TSE:BCE) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for BCE Crunching the numbers We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Levered FCF (CA$, Millions) CA$3.94b CA$4.34b CA$4.35b CA$4.39b CA$4.43b CA$4.49b CA$4.55b CA$4.61b CA$4.68b CA$4.75b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x10 Analyst x3 Est @ 0.37% Est @ 0.76% Est @ 1.03% Est @ 1.22% Est @ 1.35% Est @ 1.44% Est @ 1.51% Est @ 1.55% Present Value (CA$, Millions) Discounted @ 6.5% CA$3.7k CA$3.8k CA$3.6k CA$3.4k CA$3.2k CA$3.1k CA$2.9k CA$2.8k CA$2.7k CA$2.5k ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CA$32b Story continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.7%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.5%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2030 (1 + g) (r g) = CA$4.8b (1 + 1.7%) (6.5% 1.7%) = CA$101b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CA$101b ( 1 + 6.5%)10= CA$54b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is CA$86b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$55.8, the company appears quite undervalued at a 41% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at BCE as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For BCE, we've put together three fundamental factors you should consider: Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for BCE (1 is significant!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does BCE's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Canadian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. A car breakdown in a small rural US town called Twisp more than two decades ago was the unlikely catalyst for the return to New Zealand of an almost 150-year-old taonga. Its a story that starts in a small, dusty somewhat junky antique shop in the small town population 958 in Washington state. Two decades ago, Sherri and Stephen Hunter wandered into the shop while waiting for their car to be fixed, and saw the wahaika a traditional Maori hand weapon. My husband and I argue about which of us actually caught sight of it, but I believe the wahaika was with other miscellaneous decorative wood carved objects on a cluttered shelf, Sherri says. She believed it caught her attention first, as she had some experience as a wood carver and was also interested in cultural objects. Her husband, an art reviewer and historian, immediately judged the piece as quite old and exotic. Sherri could not remember how much they paid for the wahaika, only that we did not pay very much at all for it. The couple initially believed they had acquired a work made by an indigenous carver from the northwest of the United States, largely because of the fact of its presence in rural Pacific Northwest Washington. I certainly recognised the talent and aesthetic sophistication of its creator, she said. I also did not relate to it as a war club. That changed in 1993 after the couple travelled to New Zealand, visiting again in the late 1990s. At some point as I looked at it in Denver, where it hung on the wall of my dining room [and] it dawned on me that the carved motifs were highly reminiscent of Maori artefacts we had seen at the War Memorial Museum in Auckland and possibly at Rotorua, she says. The couple got in touch with the museum in 2001. Their photo of the wahaika landed on the desk of Dr Roger Neich, the then curator of ethnology. Roger believed it was carved by a man of Te Arawa tribe who lived near Rotorua, probably in about the 1880s. He said earlier wahaika usually had plain, uncarved blades but theirs, carved all over, was in a later fashion starting around the 1880s. Intriguingly too, Roger said he was familiar with the carving style. I recognise the work of this individual carver in other clubs and walking sticks, but have not put a name to him, Roger said at the time. Roger told the Hunters his ongoing research into linking known individual carvers with surviving works meant he hoped one day to be able to name the man who made their wahaika. Roger died in 2010 and due to the Auckland lockdown, the museum has been unable to access his archive to ascertain if the carver was identified in the intervening years. I am still hopeful that I will be able to put a name to this carver one day, Neich told the Hunters. Apart from my personal research interest, this is a very fine club that any museum would be pleased to hold and display. That museum was set to be Rotorua Museum, which was in talks with the Hunters about the wahaikas repatriation. Sherri says her and her husband are beyond the long trip back to New Zealand themselves, but clearly now is the time to make an effort to rejoin this wahaika to its ancestral home. For 22 years we have so enjoyed this piece and have honoured it with care and prominence in our home, she says. Though I have no idea where this wahaika has been in the previous years before it found me, I do believe that everyone who kept it gave it similar respect, because it remains in very good condition. Lets try to continue to preserve it, so that generations to come may know if their legacy, learn, be grateful and take pride in it. -Stuff By Nick Parker parkerni2@grinnell.edu Drake Community Library was still technically closed when it opened its doors to provide electricity and air conditioning to those affected by the derecho. But after two weeks of helping the community recover, the library staff have decided to resume in-person services, albeit within social distancing guidelines. When a long-line windstorm, called a derecho, hit Iowa on Aug. 10, Drake Library was already working on plans to reopen. After closing in mid-March and switching entirely to curbside delivery, staff at the library were waiting to see how the new school year would affect case numbers before making a decision on reopening. Wed been preparing for it, said Marilyn Kennett, Drake Community Librarys director, The derecho just pushed our timeline forward. The derecho tore down trees and damaged houses and businesses across Grinnell. Although the library only sustained minor damage in the storm, including to the roof and to its iconic Library sculpture, it was left without power for almost five days. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, emergency services personnel created a charging station for community members to charge their phones and computers at Grinnells Public Services building. As power returned to the library, its staff relieved firefighters and police officers at the charging station by taking over some of those responsibilities. We started a charging and cooling station at the library, said Kennett. [We also offered] internet, which was the main thing. And without power for their air conditioning, the cooling station aspect was very important. Keri Beemer, who owns and operates a small religious flag-making business, Flags for Faith, from her home, said that Drake Librarys free wireless internet was critical in helping her business weather the storm. I didnt have any internet connection or power at my residence, said Beemer, which is where I run my business. I couldnt get a hold of anybody, I couldnt check my orders, and I couldnt move money around. Even after Beemer got her power back, she still didnt have an internet connection at her home for multiple days. She turned to the library, where she was able to access their free Wi-Fi from the parking lot without leaving her car. I was able to connect to their internet, and it was fast speed internet, said Beemer, I was able to continue to post my products and advertise my products, and most importantly communicate with my customers It was like an internet cafe outside. With people both inside and out of the library, staff didnt see much reason to stay closed. Once people were in the building for those purposes, they were also allowed to browse the collections and check out books, said Kennett. Instead of going back to shutting down and not allowing the public into the building, the public was allowed to [stay] in the building. Now that the librarys doors are open to the general public, new social distancing and PPE requirements have been put into place to maintain safety. Seating at computer spaces has been spaced out, while a reduced capacity occupancy model has been adopted for the entire building. Everyone who enters the library is now required to wear a mask and hand sanitizer is readily available. Returned materials are also isolated based on the CDCs latest guidelines. To ensure that everyone has access to the librarys collection, the existing curbside delivery program will remain, meaning that customers can still check out books without having to do so in person. But even as the library returns to some semblance of normalcy, the services it provided in the aftermath of the derecho remain critical. Four weeks after the storm, some residents are still without access to the internet. For them, the library offers a chance to get work done, study or just surf the web. Just today [Sept. 2], said Kennett, there was someone at the desk saying they didnt have internet at home. It is a critical service. Lok Janshakti Party The Lok Janshakti Party is holding a crucial meeting of its Bihar leaders on Monday to decide whether to fight against the JD(U) in the upcoming state assembly polls amid worsening ties between the two members of the ruling NDA. The LJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-headed JD(U) have been sniping at each other for months. Kumars decision to join hands with former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Dalit leader like the Paswans with a history of targeting the LJP, has further soured their ties. While aiming at Kumar, Chirag Paswan has refrained from attacking the BJP and has even been lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One of the options that Union minister Ram Vilas Paswans party, now headed by his son Chirag Paswan, may consider is to remain a part of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre but to fight outside its fold in the state, while not contesting against the saffron party, sources said. It may be noted that the LJP had in February 2005 fought against the RJD in the Bihar assembly polls, even though both regional parties were part of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. The LJP put up candidates against the RJD while maintaining its ties with the Congress. This had led to the formation of a hung assembly in the state, ending Lalu Prasad Yadavs RJDs 15-year rule, and another assembly poll held a few months later saw the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) and BJP alliance storming to power with their maiden majority. While BJP leaders, including its national president J P Nadda, have been insisting that all three NDA parties will fight the upcoming polls together, sources said a sense of unease has crept in, with Kumar working to strengthen his position by actively wooing leaders from the RJD and tying up with Manjhi. The JD(U) has also made it clear that it will not hold any seat-sharing talks with the LJP, as its ties have been traditionally with the BJP. The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for the Bihar polls sometime this month. Polls to the 243-seat assembly are likely to be held in October-November. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday received threat calls, a day after similar calls were received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The phone calls were made to the residences of both the political leaders. The calls threatening Pawar and Deshmukh were allegedly made from outside the country. An investigation has been started in the matter. An unidentified man allegedly called up Maharashtra CM Thackeray's personal residence 'Matoshree' in Bandra, saying that he was calling from Dubai on behalf of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, a police official told news agency PTI on September 6. The caller rang up twice around 10.30 pm on Saturday, following which the police beefed up security at Thackeray's bungalow located in Kalanagar Colony, the official had said. "Someone called up on 'Matoshree' phone number two times on Saturday night and said Dawood Ibrahim wanted to talk to CM Uddhav Thackeray. However, the telephone operator did not transfer the call to the CM," the official said. "The caller did not reveal his identity, but only said that he was calling from Dubai on behalf of Dawood Ibrahim. Both the calls were received around 10.30 pm," he added. The local police were later informed about the calls, following which extra security force was deployed outside the bungalow, the official had said. According to him, no case was registered in this connection. Talking to PTI, a top police official said, "We are trying to verify whether the calls received were from Dubai or some other place. Investigation is on." Meanwhile, Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab dismissed reports that the caller gave a threat to blow up the chief minister's residence. "There was no threat to blow up 'Matoshree'," he said. "Police have been informed about the calls and a probe is on," the Shiv Sena leader had said. Donald Trump; 2020 US Census Donald Trump | 2020 Census form Getty Images/Salon Civil rights organizations and local governments in California late Friday filed a request in a San Jose federal court for an emergency nationwide injunction against the Trump administration's effort to end 2020 Census counting prematurelya move critics warn is a blatant effort by the president and his Republican allies to "sabotage" the once-in-a-decade count for long-term political advantage. "Trump seeks to sabotage the #2020Census by TERMINATING critical door knocking operations and other efforts one month early," declared Kristen Clark, president and executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, in a Friday night tweet. "Given the pandemic, this will undermine efforts to secure a full and fair count, especially of communities of color. We are in court TONIGHT fighting back!" The groups behind the injunction requestwhich included the Lawyers Committee, the National Urban League, the League of Women Voters, and local governments including San Jose and Los Angelesmobilized this week to prevent a truncated count by the Census Bureau after the release of an internal document (pdf) warned that a rushed censusitself would be a statutory violationcould create "serious errors" in the crucial data that helps determine allocation of federal resources and the drawing of legislative districts over the next ten years. "For months, advocates have been sounding the alarm that an accurate census in every state is on the line," said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, in a statement earlier this week. "Census Bureau experts have been clear: rushing the 2020 Census will force the bureau to cut corners while counting people, processing data, and doing quality checksforcing undercounts in communities across the country and skewing census data for a decade. There's no reason not to give the Census Bureau the time and flexibility it requested to navigate COVID-19 and complete a high-quality census. An accurate 2020 Census is in Congress' hands, and lawmakers have to act fast." Story continues During court proceedings carried out virtually Friday night, the attorney representing the various groups in California, Melissa Sherry, told U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh that an injunction was the only way to prevent the irreparable the Trump administration is on the verge of causing by ending door-to-door Census counting and other crucial operations. "We need them to keep sending people out to houses, especially during the pandemic," Sherry said to the judge. "Every day we lose, we're not going to be able to get back." According to Bob Egelko at the The San Francisco Chronicle, "Koh expressed concern about the government's changing explanations for its actions, but did not announce a decision at the end of the hearing" and "asked both sides to return to court on Tuesday." In a filing on behalf of the Trump administration, Justice Department attorney Alexander Sverdlov argued to the court that the injunction was "not warranted" and that the Trump administration's decision-making around how it conducts the count amount to "unreviewable political questions." As Egelko reports: The population count is crucial for states' U.S. House representation and the distribution of $800 billion in federal aid each year. Separately, President Trump is seeking to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census, an action challenged by California and other states in multiple lawsuits. The Census Bureau announced Aug. 3 that it would end the nationwide survey on Sept. 30, a month ahead of the previous schedule, in order to meet a Dec. 31 deadline for submitting the data. The announcement brought protests and lawsuits from civil rights groups and local governments that fear short-counting in areas with large numbers of poor people, minorities and immigrants. Named in the injunction is Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, charged with overseeing the Census Bureau. In addition to the civil rights groups and local governments, nearly two dozen state attorneys general are backing the effort to make sure the Trump administration does not curtail or harm the count in any way. "The Trump administration continues to show a blatant disregard for the federal government's obligations under the Constitution, which includes properly compiling our nation's population via the Census count," said Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel, part of that state AG coalition, said Friday. "Fighting a pandemic is already a high hurdle to clear in obtaining an accurate count. It's outrageous that we must also fight against an administration seeking to skew our population numbers." Related Articles English French OTTAWA, Sept. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To mark Labour Day, Canadas unions are calling on all levels of government to focus on investments and community supports to help restart our economies and protect Canadians. Forward Together: A Canadian Plan is a new campaign centred on ensuring that Canada is ready to disaster-proof our nation so that no one is left behind when crisis hits. The campaign will roll out digitally on various social media platforms and will encourage Canadians to engage with their elected representatives on key issues. There are important lessons to be learned from this pandemic and we have a real opportunity to strengthen our communities and to better protect one another, said Hassan Yussuff, CLC President. We have been able to withstand this pandemic by supporting each other, and that is the only way to move forward. Learning from the chaos seen in the United States, Canadas unions will be pushing for a plan that focuses on: Replacing lost jobs with better ones Strengthening Canadian public health care Disaster-proofing our social safety net We need the government to reject calls for austerity and make real investments in our future. The only way to fix whats broken is to invest, said Yussuff. Workers are key to the recovery. The federal government can help alleviate a lot of anxiety by investing in jobs, making long-term care part of public health care, supporting a child care strategy, and implementing national pharmacare. Canadas unions are looking for targeted investments in green infrastructure, education and training, and care work. A strong economy is inextricably linked with strong social services that support workers and their families through bad times, said Yussuff. The United States is showing us what happens when we act like everyone is in it for themselves. We can and must do better. To learn more about Forward Together: A Canadian Plan click here . To view our new campaign ad click here. The wife of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, who is currently in a medically induced coma in Berlin after being diagnosed with poisoning, has slammed a leading Russian physician as being little more than a stooge for President Vladimir Putin after he suggested creating a joint German-Russian expert group to assess the state of her husband's health. Yulia Navalnaya wrote on Instagram on September 6 that medical institutions in Russia consider patients their "property," falsifying information they make public via the media while "deceiving relatives, not letting them see the patient and inventing rules at their own discretion, literally turning the hospital into an analogue of a Russian prison." The sharp rebuke comes after 87-year-old physician Leonid Roshal, who in recent years has publicly supported Putin and his policies, said on September 5 that Russia's National Medical Chamber had called on Germany's Physicians Chamber (Aerztekammer) to create a joint group to evaluate Navalny's health. German doctors and Navalny's relatives believe that the 44-yar-old politician was poisoned with the Soviet-style military-grade nerve agent known as Novichok while on a trip in Siberia, and that authorities most likely were behind the poisoning, which the Kremlin vehemently denies. "Dr. Roshal, I would like to say that my husband is not your property. You did not have, do not have, and will not have anything to do with his treatment. All your pubic activities in recent years give me no reason to trust and respect you. You are not acting as a doctor, but as the voice of the state, and you do not want to help a patient whom you do not care about, but to find out information and curry favor for your boss. Do not take sin on your soul, especially at such a respectable age," Navalnaya wrote. Navalny was brought to Berlin's Charite clinic from Siberia after he fell ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow in late August. Germany has signaled that Berlin would push for new sanctions against Russia if Moscow fails to explain the poisoning of the Kremlin critic, including a possible shift in German policy regarding the nearly complete Baltic Sea pipeline known as Nord Stream 2, which would bring gas from Russia to Germany. Merkel has been under pressure from the United States and other Western countries to scrap the plan. Asked on September 7 whether Chancellor Angela Merkel would protect the multibillion-euro pipeline if Germany were to seek sanctions over the Navalny case, her spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The chancellor believes it would be wrong to rule anything out from the start." Navalny's close associate Lyubov Sobol told RFE/RL on September 4 that she believes Navalny was poisoned either by Russia's Federal Security Service or by the Kremlin-connected powerful businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. "Neither special services, nor Yevgeny Prigozhin could organize this poisoning without the direct order by [Russian President] Vladimir Putin," Sobol said, though she did not provide any concrete evidence of a connection. Sobol believes the Kremlin would want to poison Navalny because of his Smart Voting campaign, which supports independent and opposition candidates in municipal elections scheduled for later this month. She added that a wave of instability sparked by protests stretching from Belarus, on Russia's western border, to the Far Eastern region of the Khabarovsk Krai, has also unsettled Russia's leadership. The National Union of Graduate Students (NUGS) has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia for her unflinching support for them. Secretary for Women Development of NUGS, Miss Georgina Buabeng Boateng thanked Mrs. Samira Bawumia and her Samira Empowerment Foundation for providing financial support and organizing training programs for female student entrepreneurs on various campuses across the country. According to a statement by the NUGS and copied to Peacefmonline.com, Miss Buabeng said I am very glad to report back to you with the new development with regards to the project. Our finalists in the southern sector have received their financing today, 20th August, 2020...Our utmost gratitude goes out to the second lady Her Excellency Samira Bawumia for her tremendous support for the youth agenda, the Minister for Business Development and NEIP. Read full statement below: About a month ago, we launched an initiative in partnership with the Samira Empowerment Foundation* to provide financial support and Training to our Female Student Entrepreneurs on various campuses across the country. I am very glad to report back to you with the new development with regards to the project. Our finalists in the southern sector have received their financing today, 20th August, 2020. Once done with the southern segment, Ashanti region and the northern sector will commence its training as soon as possible, selected applicants will receive telephones calls, text messages or emails to inform them about the date and venue for the training. Our utmost gratitude goes out to the second lady Her Excellency Samira Bawumia for her tremendous support for the youth agenda, the Minister for Business Development and NEIP. Thanks to all who believed and supported this initiative. Let us continue to strive towards greatness for successful stories for our entrepreneurial journey. God bless Mother Ghana!!! Y3 DA W'ASE! Georgina Buabeng Boateng Secretary for Women Development (NUGS) 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 LAJAS BLANCAS, Panama (AP) Duperat Laurette fled Haiti after her country's massive 2010 earthquake, making her way first to the Dominican Republic, then Chile and five years later to Panama, all with the dream of reaching the U.S. and finding a job to help support 14 siblings left behind in Haiti. The coronavirus finally stopped her. Panama, the slender bottleneck between the North and South American coninents, is a transit point for virtually every migrant heading from South America to the United States by land and it closed its borders on March 16 to halt the spread of COVID-19. The closure left nearly 2,000 migrants from Haiti and a handful of African and Asian countries stuck in camps in the jungle along Panama's northern and southern borders. They are among hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of migrants stranded in countries around the world because of virus-related border closures. Thousands of temporary workers from around Asia were stuck outside New Zealand when that country closed its borders. Other Asian workers got stranded in Moscow airports. Migrants have also been left in makeshift conditions in the Sahara Desert after being expelled without warning from detention centers in Algeria and Libya. The migrants in Panama say they know the United States has effectively suspended its asylum process at the southern border, but they want to keep heading there anyway, in the hope that they can somehow get in. Laurette, 45, and her husband arrived at the Panamanian border with Colombia seven months ago and have advanced no farther. There are no opportunities for work in the jungle, and she and her husband have exhausted their money. When she was in another camp, Laurette was taken to the hospital for what doctors said was a fibroid tumor that gave her belly pains and caused her to lose weight. They brought me to the hospital to operate, but they never did, she said. They said there was no space for the operation, the hospital is full with cases of COVID-19. Story continues Still, the couple have rejected Panamas offers of free flights home. Many of the migrants left their native countries years ago and cannot imagine returning worse off than they were before. Im still sick. I dont know what Im going to do, Laurette said in her native Kreyol. Tensions have been rising here in Lajas Blancas where about 200 migrants wait, as well as in nearby Penitas, where some of nearly 1,100 migrants were accused last month by police of setting fire to tents holding medical supplies at another camp. Eight migrants have been jailed in that incident and could face deportation. Jean Bernadeau hoisted a young girl up and pointed to the welts mosquito bites have left on her legs. We know there is a strong illness out there, he said. We cant stay here forever. The problem here is always that we have a lot of children, pregnant women, said Bernadeau, another Haitian who arrived from Chile. He had lived there for five years and saved $4,000 to continue his journey, but that money is gone now. Here we live like prisoners in a jail. The flow of migrants through the dense and dangerous Darien jungle has been going strong for more than a decade. This is the first time authorities have stopped it for an international health emergency. In 2015 and 2016, a huge influx of Cuban migrants tried to make it to the U.S. border before the end of a U.S. policy that favored them. That situation forced Central American nations to fly migrants along portions of their route. Panama saw a wave of migrants in early 2019 that led to agreements with neighboring Costa Rica to allow their free passage. Most of those stuck in Panama fled Haiti after the earthquake that left the country in ruins. Many spent years working in Brazil and Chile, saving money to continue north. In Lajas Blancas, the migrants live in a grassy field under tarps on wooden platforms packed tight between a dirt road and the brown waters of a river. A row of portable toilets sit across the road, and jungle surrounds them. They prepare their food over wood fires. Border police guard the entrance to the camp. Jean Edoly, a 30-year-old Haitian, is there with his wife and two children, ages 2 and 1, who were born in Chile. They dont feed us well. Were fed like dogs, he said. Panamas government says it is providing migrants with humanitarian support. It has built, along with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, a new camp with better shelter on the outskirts of Meteti, where it hopes to soon move 400 migrants, especially families with young children. The Panamanian government asks them to remain calm. Weve already made it six months. What remains is little. Light can be seen at the end of the tunnel, Public Security Minister Juan Pino said during a recent visit to the area. Panama has reported more than 92,000 infections and 2,000 deaths from COVID-19. In recent weeks, infections have been stabilizing and deaths declining. The government recently announced a plan to allow the reopening of more economic activity and a lifting of travel restrictions beginning Sept. 7. In Lajas Blancas, the migrants did not wear masks or practice social distancing, but Pino said there have been no more than 10 infections among them. Panama proposed the flights back to Haiti in early August with support from the International Organization for Migration. But most migrants were not interested, Pino said. Edoly dismissed that option as impossible. We have a destiny. We have a dream to realize, he said, reciting a list of the countries migrants had traveled through. "We want to give our children a better life. War: Women and children evacuated from the IS holdout of Baghouz arrive at a screening area held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor, in March 2019. Photo: Getty British female Islamic State (IS) suspects have been smuggled out of detention camps in north-east Syria, with some raising funds online to pay for further escapes, according to jihadist social media activity. At least one British woman is among numerous European IS supporters who have broken out of Al-Hol camp to reach rebel-held Idlib, where they can freely recruit for the terrorist group. In a recent video published to Telegram channels and Facebook pages devoted to crowdfunding for IS supporters detained by Syrian Kurdish forces, a woman identified as Maryam Al Britaniya "from UK" exhorts followers to donate money. The video was filmed in Harim city near the Turkish border in Idlib, according to Bellingcat senior investigator Nick Waters. Recaptured The woman describes being smuggled out of a camp where she was detained for over a year after surrendering to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in fighting that killed her children. The western-backed group recaptured the last IS territory in March last year. "Being sent out from the Islamic State to the camps was by far one of the worst moments of my life," she says, her face obscured by a black niqab. Since then, the Kurdish-led SDF has been left guarding prisons holding roughly 10,000 IS-affiliated men and nearly 70,000 women and children in the sprawling Al-Hol camp, with about 2,000 in the smaller Roj camp. "It's obligatory on you to free them," the woman in the video says, wagging a gloved finger. "Help them and donate every month to help smuggle them out." Many western governments have ignored calls by the SDF and the United States to repatriate their citizens, leaving women and children in deteriorating conditions in which hundreds have died from malnutrition and disease. With increasing numbers paying to be smuggled to Idlib, where some eventually plan to cross into Turkey, counter-terrorism experts warn that leaving them in limbo is a dangerous long-term strategy. After Kurdish authorities recently started moving high profile European women and their children to a higher security extension to Roj camp, those remaining in Al-Hol have increased escape attempts and fundraising efforts. "This is another sister from Al-Hol Camp," reads a recent Facebook post in English by a female IS supporter. "If she doesn't leave soon, they will catch them and send them to the humiliation camp - Roj where it's impossible to escape." With traffickers charging roughly 13,500 to smuggle a family out, a decentralised network of social media accounts is soliciting donations via PayPal or the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Among those caught trying to escape were twins from Manchester Zahra and Salma Halane, whom The Telegraph located recently in the new high-security extension to Roj camp. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that despite White House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stating she refuses to begin negotiations with Republicans on a coronavirus relief package unless they are willing to spend at least $2.5 trillion. However, she has agreed to avoid a potential government shutdown with a continuing resolution. Continuous Resolution During an interview, Secretary Mnuchin said that they would be making a Continuous Resolution (CR) and while he was not confident how long it would last, noted that it would most likely go through until early December. According to Fox News, Mnuchin expressed his hopeful perspective that the progress of the CR will be made before the end of next week. He added that the CR is a separate matter from discussions of a new proposal similar to the CARES Act. Mnuchin said that while Pelosi wanted a much larger package, the situation has called for a narrower perspective. The secretary noted that the house speaker has refused to continue discussions about a new coronavirus relief package unless they are willing to release funds around the $2.5 trillion range. He said that while the government released a $3 trillion bill previously, current events have seen the economy's revival, suggesting a targeted proposal would give the best results. Also Read: Are the $1,200 Stimulus Checks Coming? Deal Could be Reached Within 5 Days When Congress Returns However, Mnuchin noted that if they were to pass a smaller coronavirus relief package and find out in 30 days that it was insufficient, they would be willing to distribute more assistance. On Tuesday, Pelosi spoke with Mnuchin but disagreed on a new proposal for the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, the house speaker said the phone call made it clear the two sides of the government had critical differences in the challenges that working American families face amid the global health crisis, as reported by CNBC. Differing perspectives Pelosi noted that her talk with the secretary revealed massive differences between the two sides on how much money they are willing to put out for the American people. Democrats first proposed a bill that included $3 trillion but later said they are eager to agree on a $2.2 trillion package. On the other hand, Trump's administration said it would only agree on a maximum of $1.3 trillion. The stalled talks risk the lives of sof Americans across the nation as people scavenge for what little they have left to pay for rent and purchase necessities amid continued lockdown protocols. The delayed passing of a bill also hampers the country's increased employment rate that has started to turn to a positive note in the last three months. According to MassLive, Mnuchin said that Republicans are looking into a much narrower relief bill that would include around $500 billion. However, Democrats called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's previous plan insufficient while Republicans said it was going overboard. Mnuchin said that he and United States President Donald Trump want to give more stimulus to American citizens. The secretary revealed the administration is working on giving more than seven million people their jobs back amid the coronavirus pandemic's economic devastation. Related Article: Salon Gate: Hair Salon Owner Gets $120 K in One Day After Getting Accused by Dems Nancy Pelosi @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As the far right weaponises the pandemic to advance an anti-migrant agenda, migrants are returned once again to the sea. Lampedusa, Italy It is Saturday morning and Ahmed is squeezed onto a small Italian coastguard boat docked at one of Lampedusas ports. There are about 30 other refugees and migrants on board. Officers, covered head to toe in white protective gear, are on the ground, buzzing around the boat to prepare it for the next stop a few miles away the Rhapsody ferry. There, almost 800 refugees and migrants will enter a 14-day quarantine period. Like Ahmed, they have been removed from the overcrowded reception centre in Lampedusa due to a lack of space, and now must undergo the two-week quarantine on board the ferry. Of course I am happy, the 23-year-old told Al Jazeera by text message. Its always better than staying inside the centre. Saturday would have been his seventeenth day inside Lampedusas only reception centre, in Imbriacola district. A so-called hotspot, the centre has been the focus of a heated debate between the far right, governing political leaders and civil society. It was built to house no more than 192 people, but last week there were as many as 1,500 as the number of migrants and refugees landing on the islands shores rose during summer. They treat us like animals, I would say worse than animals, said Ahmed, who arrived on August 19 on a dinghy from the Tunisian town of Sfax. Each night, he and others used to sneak out just to get something to eat. Often there is no water or electricity, you sleep on the floor or on a dirty mattress, if you get one. There are no words to describe it Some of them [staff] keep insulting us. I feel treated as we were terrorists, he said. What will happen to Ahmed once the ferry quarantine period ends? Most Tunisians are considered economic migrants, and therefore are either returned to Tunisia the Italian government established two charters for a total of 80 repatriations a week so far or handed a seven to 30-day window period to return home by their own means. Often, once they arrive, they attempt to leave Italy in any way possible and reach northern Europe. I dont care if they will send me back, Ill come back again, and again, and again, said Ahmed. For me [it] is a question to either die or arrive. He is among 7,885 Tunisians who arrived in Sicily this year up to August 31 a number almost six times higher than the same period last year. As the coronavirus pandemic forced governments to shut their borders and halt activities, Tunisia is also paying a heavy price with its economy expected to shrink more than 4 percent this year, and the unemployment rate currently standing at 16 percent. With Lampedusas hotspot overflowing and the threat of tourists being discouraged by the number of asylum seekers, far-right politicians are weaponising the pandemic in an attempt to advance anti-migrant policies. On August 31, as more than 360 people were rescued at sea and brought to Lampedusa, a group of protesters coordinated by a member of Matteo Salvinis far-right party, the League took to the port to stop their landing. The previous week, Salvini praised Sicilys Governor Nello Musumeci for ordering the closure of the regions reception centres. Despite being immediately blocked by a court, the move greatly boosted the governors popularity. In 2011, more than 50,000 Tunisians reached Lampedusa as they fled unrest in their country during the so-called Arab Spring [Antonio Parrinello/Reuters] Lampedusas islanders are used to refugees and migrants landing on their shores. A southern tip of Europe, the island has for decades been the first point of entry to those crossing the Mediterranean. In 2011, more than 50,000 Tunisians arrived. We welcomed them bringing warm food and helping setting tents across town, recalled former fisherman Calogero Partinico, 63, sitting on a bench watching tourists, many walking around with no masks. Like many others, Partinico has drawn a link between the rising number of refugees and migrants and the coronavirus pandemic, despite refugees making up 3-5 percent of COVID-19 cases in the country, compared with 25 percent detected among tourists, according to Italys National Health Institute. Islanders live with an ancestral fear over sickness given the isolation and lack of hospitals on the island and over the potential loss of the summer season, said Marta Bernardini, an aid worker from Mediterranean Hope, a project of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy based in Lampedusa. The coronavirus combined the two, fomenting a more hostile attitude towards migrants. There are also growing concerns over the use of ferry boats to quarantine migrants an operation which has so far cost the government at least six million euros ($7.1m) for the rent of five vessels. No one wants them, Lampedusa Mayor Toto Martello told Al Jazeera, pointing to some regional governors refusal to take in refugees and migrants. Because since there is the COVID-19, there has been a media campaign against migrants saying that they are those bringing the virus. Further deepening Italys refugee crisis, the countrys receptions capacity has recently been halved, said Sami Aidoudi, legal adviser and cultural mediator for the Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration (ASGI). Salvinis security decrees cut funds, hence most services had been reduced, he said, referring to the former prime ministers 2018 anti-migrant policies. Prior to those rulings, as an example, social services used to receive about 35 euros ($41) a day per migrant an amount which has dropped to about 19 euros ($22). With the changes, some cooperatives were forced to close, while the quality of services fell at others. Despite pledging for a substantial U-turn from Salvinis hardline policy over migration, the current government has made few changes. They are starting to establish floating reception centres the dream of the Italian right wing, said Aidoudi. Confining migrants to the sea, away from residents sight, means absence of information for civil society, for those that can offer legal counselling and finally for migrants themselves, he said. We cant assist them. One day, speleotherapy will take place here. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Domica Cave near Roznava measures 8,127 metres in length, according to the newest findings of speleologists. The whole cave system Domica-Baradla exceeds 30 kilometres. Domica was mapped with a scanner, thanks to which it was possible to spot all the details from the tiny dripstones to the connection of the cave with the surface. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement 8,127 metres in length is not a record, but when we discovered that Baradla is 22 kilometres long on the Hungarian side, we counted it, and the international cave exceeded 30 kilometres, which is an interesting number, said speleologist Zdenko Hochmuth, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Troops of the Border Security Force on Monday rescued 25 cattle from smugglers and apprehended one Bangladeshi national in Malda district of West Bengal, an official said here. Border guards stationed at Nimtita area, on observing movement of cattle in the early hours of Monday, laid ambush in their speed boat near the Indo-Bangladesh international boundary, the BSF official said. One smuggler, who was in possession of two bovines, was arrested, he said. He has been identified as Salim Rezaan of Bangladeshs Chapinawabganj district, who claimed to have stayed for three days at the house of his Indian accomplice Sagar Sheikh in Dhuliyan in Malda district, the official said. In another incident, the BSF troops in the South Bengal sector succeeded in foiling attempts of smugglers and rescued 23 cattle, he said. The BSF personnel also seized a total of 567 bottles of phensedyl cough syrup and one kg of ganja in Malda district. The apprehended smuggler, along with the cattle, were handed over to Shamsherganj police station in Malda, he said. "During 2020, BSF troops of South Bengal Frontier have so far rescued 4,154 cattle and seized 1,91,518 bottles of phensedyl and 1,601 kg ganja when these were being smuggled to Bangladesh," the official added. National Education Policy 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join a conference with President Ram Nath Kovind, Governors and Vice-Chancellors of universities on the National Education Policy 2020 and its transformational impact. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, At 10:30 AM tomorrow, 7th September, I will join a conference with Rashtrapati Ji, Governors and VCs of universities on the National Education Policy 2020 and its transformational impact. Deliberations from this conference will strengthen our efforts to make India a knowledge hub. The conference titled Role of NEP-2020 in Transforming Higher Education has been organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The new National Education Policy strives for making India into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society. It envisions an India-centred education system that contributes directly to transforming India into a Global Superpower. The Governors Conference is also being attended by Education Ministers of all States, Vice-Chancellors of State Universities and other senior officials. (Natural News) The New York Times has removed references to Michael Reinoehl being a member of Antifa and has painted him as a family man. Reinoehl, who called himself 100 percent Antifa, shot and killed Trump supporter Aaron Danielson on Aug. 29 amid clashes between Black Lives Matter protesters and pro-Trump rallyists in Portland. Days later, U.S. Marshals shot and killed Reinoehl on Sep. 3 while attempting to apprehend him for Danielsons killing. In the aforementioned article, the leftist killer was depicted as a family man concerned about the well-being of his 17-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter. Reinoehl talked with his friend Tiffanie Wickwire over the telephone one hour before encountering law enforcement officers, as she was helping him set up a GoFundMe page. Reinoehls role as a security team member during demonstrations included intercepting potential agitators and defusing serious situations. People interviewed by the New York Times for the piece on Reinoehl called him as a guardian angel who wanted change so badly. Protester Randal McCorke spoke about Reinoehl breaking up fights nightly, adding that his death would likely galvanize others to continue fighting for police reform. Reese Monson, a local protest leader who also helps in security duties, lauded Reinoehls excellence in deescalating potentially volatile situations. Teal Lindseth, one of the main Portland protest organizers, described him as someone who would protect you no matter what. Reinoehls sister paints a different picture Michael Reinoehls sister, however, depicted her brother differently. They have been estranged from each other for a number of years. She told The Daily Mail in an interview that her brothers eventual death did not come as a surprise but she did not expect him to die at the hands of law enforcement. I expected it to be the people who had a contract out for him people who were out for blood. Reinoehls sister added that she would not be surprised if he reacted badly to a situation just like how he did so during the Portland riots citing his history of letting the worst emotions guide his actions and trying to rationalize those actions afterwards. She had been telling people that Reinoehl will get himself killed if he doesnt turn himself in. Even though Reinoehls sister knew that there was nothing she could do to steer the Antifa murderer away from the path he eventually took, she hoped that Reinoehl would take responsibility for what happened with dignity despite screwing up. He was not a monster, but what he did was still wrong. She lamented that his death will bring about more pain and with it, more violence and anger. Antifa shooter feared arrest During his call with Wickwire before meeting his end at the hands of U.S. marshals sent to arrest him, Reinoehl expressed his worry for his two children and his family. Setting up a GoFundMe page was among the plans they talked about to help his family in case he was gone. Video footage captured at the scene showed Reinoehl firing two shots after someone shouted Weve got a Trumper right here! walking away afterward. VICE Media reported Reinoehl went into hiding after the incident, and evacuated his children to a safe place. Reinoehl had no plans of turning himself in as he believed law enforcement officers colluded with right-wing rallyists and would not protect his family from any reprisals. At the same time, he feared that other right-wing individuals would be declaring open season and hunting him down. Whatever initial fears Reinoehl had seem to have faded days later, as he now remarked in the same VICE Media article that he did not regret his decision of firing at Danielson. He added that any good human being would do as he did if the life of anybody they cared about was in danger. This instance served as solid proof of Reinoehls history of impulsive behavior as mentioned by his sister. He shot and killed Danielson while fueled by his worst emotion of anger, eventually rationalizing his actions afterward under the guise of necessary self-defense. Aside from Michael Reinoehls murder of Aaron Danielson, there are other cases of Antifa violence in Portlands Black Lives Matter protests. Marquise Love was captured on video kicking civilian Adam Haner during an Aug. 16 Black Lives Matter protest downtown, leaving Haner with multiple injuries. A week after Loves assault, a mob of Antifa and BLM protesters tried to burn down the Portland Police Bureaus North Precinct on Aug. 23 to chants of burn baby, burn. Police officers managed to extinguish the flames and disperse the mobs. Find out more news about violence caused by antifa at AntifaWatch.news. Sources include: BigLeaguePolitics.com TheOlympian.com NYTimes.com 1 DailyMail.co.uk NYTimes.com 2 Twitter.com VICE.com A Saudi court has issued final verdicts in the case of killed Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi after his son announced pardons that spared five of the convicted individuals from execution. While the trial draws to its conclusion in Saudi Arabia, the case continues to cast a shadow over the international standing of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His associates have been sanctioned by the US and the UK for their alleged involvement in the brutal killing, which took place inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The Riyadh Criminal Courts final verdicts were announced by Saudi Arabias state television, which aired few details about the eight Saudi nationals and did not name them. The court ordered a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the five. Expand Close A picture of Jamal Khashoggi near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A picture of Jamal Khashoggi near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Another individual received a 10-year sentence, and two others were ordered to serve seven years in prison. A team of 15 Saudi agents had flown to Turkey to meet Mr Khashoggi inside the consulate for his appointment on October 2 2018 to pick up documents that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiancee, who waited outside. The team included a forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers, and individuals who worked directly for the crown princes office, according to Agnes Callamard, who investigated the killing for the United Nations. Turkish officials allege Mr Khashoggi was killed and then dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate. His body has not been found. Turkey apparently had the consulate bugged and shared audio of the killing with the CIA, among others. Western intelligence agencies, as well as the US Congress, have said the crown prince bears ultimate responsibility for the killing and that an operation of this magnitude could not have happened without his knowledge. The 35-year-old prince denies any knowledge of the operation and has condemned the killing. While formal justice in Saudi Arabia cannot be achieved, truth telling can Agnes Callamard, UN He continues to have the support of his father, King Salman, and remains popular among Saudi youth at home. He also maintains the support of President Donald Trump, who has defended US-Saudi ties in the face of the international outcry over the killing. Saudi Arabias trial of the suspects has been widely criticised by rights groups and observers, who note that no senior officials nor anyone suspected of ordering the killing has been found guilty. The independence of the Riyadh Criminal Court has also been questioned. Ms Callamard told the Associated Press in a statement that the crown prince has remained well protected against any kind of meaningful scrutiny in his country and the high-level officials who organised the killing have walked free from the start. These verdicts cannot be allowed to whitewash what happened, she said, calling on US intelligence services to publicly release their assessments of the crown princes responsibility. While formal justice in Saudi Arabia cannot be achieved, truth telling can. A small number of diplomats, including from Turkey, as well as members of Mr Khashoggis family, were allowed to attend the initial trial. Independent media and the public were barred. Yasin Aktay, a senior member of Turkeys ruling party and a friend of Mr Khashoggi, criticised the final court rulings, saying those who ordered the killing remain free while several questions concerning the journalists death remain unanswered. According to what we have heard, those who were convicted are roaming freely and living in luxury Yasin Aktay, member of Turkeys ruling party He also said there were questions as to whether those convicted in the killing are imprisoned. According to what we have heard, those who were convicted are roaming freely and living in luxury, he said. The truth of the matter is this case should be tried in Turkey, not in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has tried 11 people in total, sentencing five to death in December and ordering three others to prison for covering up the crime. The crown princes senior advisers at the time of the killing, namely Saud al-Qahtani and intelligence officer Ahmed al-Asiri, were not found guilty. The trial also concluded the killing was not premeditated. That paved the way for Salah Khashoggi, one of the killed writers sons, to months later announce that the family had forgiven the killers, which essentially allowed the five to be pardoned from execution in accordance with Islamic law. Salah Khashoggi lives in Saudi Arabia and has received financial compensation from the royal court for his fathers killing. Saudi Arabia initially offered shifting accounts about Mr Khashoggis disappearance, including claiming to have surveillance video showing him walking out of the consulate alive. As international pressure mounted because of Turkish leaks, the kingdom eventually settled on the explanation that he was killed by rogue officials in a brawl inside the consulate. Prior to his killing, Mr Khashoggi had been writing critically of Prince Mohammed in columns for The Washington Post at a time when the young heir to the throne was being widely hailed in the US for pushing through social reforms and curtailing the power of religious conservatives. Dozens of perceived critics of the prince remain in prison, including womens rights activists, and face trial on national security charges. Mr Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia for the US just as Prince Mohammed was beginning to detain writers and critics in late 2017. Other critics of the crown prince have said their security has been threatened following Mr Khashoggis killing. In one instance, a former senior intelligence official who now resides in Canada claims in a US lawsuit that Prince Mohammed sent a similar hit squad to track him down and kill him, but that they were stopped by Canadian border guards. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg told CNBC in July last year that Verizon does not use any Huawei equipment. Verizon had already been a Samsung customer before the order. Samsung's global prospects for its network business have improved following U.S. sanctions on its bigger rival Huawei, analysts said. Samsung Electronics said on Monday it had won a $6.64 billion order to provide wireless communication solutions to Verizon in the United States, a major win for the South Korean firm in the next-generation 5G network market. Verizon is believed to be Nokia's biggest customer, JP Morgan research said in a July note. "Samsung winning the order from Verizon would help the company expand its telecom equipment business abroad, potentially giving leverage to negotiate with other countries," said Park Sung-soon, an analyst at Cape Investment and Securities. The order is for network equipment, a Samsung spokesman said. The company declined to comment on detailed terms the contract such as the portion of 5G-capable equipment included. "With this latest long-term strategic contract, we will continue to push the boundaries of 5G innovation to enhance mobile experiences for Verizon's customers," Samsung said in a statement. Samsung said in a regulatory filing the period of the contract, which Samsung's U.S. unit signed with Verizon Sourcing LLC, is from June 30, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2025. Samsung had a 3% market share of the global total telecom equipment market in 2019, behind No. 1 Huawei with 28%, Nokia's 16%, Ericsson's 14%, ZTE's 10% and Cisco's 7%, according to market research firm Dell'Oro Group. The Trump administration last month unveiled plans to auction off spectrum previously dedicated to military purposes for commercial use starting in mid-2022, to ramp up fifth-generation network coverage in the United States. The next-generation 5G wireless network is expected eventually to connect and enable high-speed video transmissions and self-driving cars, among other uses. Britain in July ordered Huawei equipment to be purged completely from its 5G network by the end of 2027, adding it needs to bring in new suppliers like Samsung Electronics and Japan's NEC. Samsung Electronics shares rose 2% compared to the wider Kospi's 0.5% climb. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Born with cerebral palsy and diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia, Stephanie Debes, 25, thought she would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. But the Pleasant Plains resident took her first steps like an abled-bodied person on Aug. 20 with the help of a robotic walker. Bitter division in the NSW Coalition over planning policy related to koalas is threatening to split the government, with Deputy Premier John Barilaro asking Premier Gladys Berejiklian to call an emergency cabinet meeting over the issue. Mr Barilaro wrote to his Nationals MPs asking them to sign a letter urging the Premier to hold the cabinet meeting on September 14 as three Nationals MPs threaten to move to the crossbench. Deputy Premier John Barilaro has asked Premier Gladys Berejiklian to call an emergency cabinet meeting. Credit:Kate Geraghty, Dylan Coker Nationals MPs are demanding that cabinet changes the guidelines that form part of a State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) that seeks to protect koala habitat. A spokesman for the Premier said the "issue would be considered by cabinet in due course". New Delhi: A man was murdered in Sadar Bazaar area of Delhi in a very bizarre manner. On Jan 7, late in the evening he was injected with poison while walking on road, owing to which he succumbed to death within 24 hours. The man has been identified as Ravi, who is cashier in a bank by profession. The police has arrested the culprit. The motive behind the murder is still unknown. In another incident on Sunday, a dismissed Merchant Navy stabbed his father to death, and injured a neighbour and a security guard, before setting another neighbour's house on fire, which left 10 cops critically hurt. A pupil was sent home from school by teachers because his father dyed his hair pink during lockdown. Billy Chapman was eager to get stuck into this schoolwork after months off but teachers sent him packing within an hour of starting the new term. The 14-year-old student's mother Emma defended him. saying teachers at Writhlington School in Radstock. Somerset have got their priorities wrong and is 'livid' that all they can worry about is the colour of a child''s hair. Billy Chapman was eager to start the term but his teachers sent him home packing for having pink hair Her husband Chad, an NHS key worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, dyed Billy's hair as a 'lockdown pick-me-up' back in May. Mrs Chapman said 'We just allowed it as a bit of fun this summer - our youngest girl also had her hair dip-dyed. 'They couldn't go to festivals or see friends so we did this to cheer them up. 'And now, instead of being in school learning, which is the most important thing, he's at home.' The anxious mother-of-three of Coleford, watched Billy nervously head off to school last Friday (September 4). But less than an hour later she got a phone call from the school asking her to come in for a meeting to discuss Billy's hairstyle because it broke the rules. She said 'Surely in these times, his hair should not be the focus. It's just good that he managed to go in - he had been feeling really anxious and has barely left the house over lockdown. 'I took him home with me after the meeting because it went so badly.' She said she had already taken Billy to a hairdresser who cut off most of the pink hair. The headteacher at Writhlington School in Radstock has offered to pay for treatment to remove the pink hue from Billy's hair But the pink in Billy's fringe has not faded as quickly as she thought it would. 'The problem is that he likes his fringe, I'm not going to allow it to be chopped off. 'I was just so shocked at the meeting yesterday morning with the deputy head and the head of year. 'I just felt it could have been handled so much better. Surely this out of any year is the year for some kindness. 'We are livid about it. These children have been through enough. We are devastated and at a stalemate with the school.' She said dying her son's naturally blond hair a brown colour would make him look odder than having dull pink. Rules are rules: Headteacher Alun Williams says the school is following government guidance which states pupils should be in uniform Alun Williams, the headteacher, said Billy can come back to school and has asked for another meeting. Billy had not been formally excluded and yesterday's meeting was to 'address his hair'. The school offered to pay for hair dye or treatment to remove the pink hue he said. 'We are just trying to maintain standards of our 1,200 pupils. We have to have rules for everyone and we did offer to pay for any treatment. 'I want students focused on their education, not on the colour of their classmate's hair.' SHELBYVILLE The Shelby County Health Department on Sunday reported 41 active COVID cases, putting the total number of cases in the county at 259. There have been three deaths, 215 are out of isolation and 3,025 tests came back as negative, the department said. The Illinois Department of Public Health also Monday reported 1,381 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in eight confirmed deaths. The latest reported fatalities bring the statewide death toll due to the virus to 8,179 since the start of the pandemic. There have been 250,961 confirmed coronavirus cases during the same period. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 28,975 tests of specimens for a total of 4,447,347 tests conducted in Illinois. That brings the seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases as a percent of total tests to 4.2%. Heading into the Labor Day weekend National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci said Illinois and a half-dozen other states with increasing COVID-19 numbers are at risk for a surge in cases over the holiday. As of late Sunday, 1,484 people in Illinois were reported hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those, 352 patients were in intensive care units and 137 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The Associated Press contributed to this report. PHOTOS: Have you seen these missing children? Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Your browser does not support the audio element. A teenage duo in southern Vietnam has adopted machine learning to create a computer system that monitors people who litter on the street in an initiative to raise public awareness of environment upkeep. Upon hearing about artificial intelligence and computer vision in my IT class, I started to ask: instead of constantly reminding students to dispose of trash correctly, why dont we utilize technology? said Dao Thien Long, an 18-year-old recent graduate of Hoang Le Kha High School in the southern province of Tay Ninh, 100 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. Long took no time to put his thoughts into action. In 2019, he recruited the then-freshman Nguyen Thi Huong Giang from his school to kickstart a project, working toward a system to identify irresponsible littering behaviors and raise environmental protection awareness among students. Their project made it into the 2020 shortlist of an education program for young intellects, which was organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, the Ministry of Education and Training, Thien Long Group, and Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Long and Huongs initiative replaces hours spent rewatching surveillance footage to spot the litterer by offering automatic footage filtering, which instantly returns images of violators upon query. The identification process is designed for permanent operation with or without an Internet connection, as long as there are a functioning camera and computer. To build the referencing database for the project, the tech duo persuaded students in their school to record themselves littering and submit the video file, Giang said. It took them one month to process a whopping 4,000 files with littering deeds recorded at various angles. Subsequently, certain details of each video were identified as either human or trash and classified into corresponding layers. The processed database was then fed to a machine learning system as training material. As Giang recalled, during the first phases, the system was not capable of tasks such as identifying small pieces of candy wrap or catching the rapid movements of garbage pieces. To tackle this problem, the duo came up with three algorithms: a static debris filter, which helps distinguish between existing trash pieces in the environment and the person holding trash; an extraneous debris filter, which identifies trash pieces that are either too big, too far away, too high, too low or coming from an external source rather than a litterer in sight; and a littering behavior detector. They also integrated the pre-existing tool YoloV3 which helps to identify the litterer and the trash pieces, as well as the OpenPose system which sketches out a stick figure of the litterer. The littering behavior detector is the most important since it strings together all the algorithms to return the most accurate results on the identity of the litterers, Giang explained. It checks whether the trash pieces have fallen from a persons hands. For example, if the distance from the trash piece and the hand grows progressively further, the machine will call it a littering behavior." Only able to learn about Pascal and C++ two programming languages considered to be on the dated side at school with the help of their homeroom teacher, the students decided to teach themselves the coding language Python to create a system that can identify images with high precision. We grappled to approach this new coding language at first. Everything was strange, just like learning a foreign language. Yet the thought of protecting the environment with information technology is truly appealing. We gradually got more excited as we continued learning, Long said. The workload required for this project is intimidating for any student who has their own share of duties at home and school. However, with a shared penchant for environmental protection, Giang had no hesitation when Long asked her to jump on board. I was down for the project the moment he pitched the idea to me. Since most schools are equipped with surveillance cameras at the moment, the awareness among students will gradually be regimented, which leads to less trash dumped to the environment, Giang explained. For the time being, the initiative is being piloted within Hoang Le Kha High School. In the long term, the duo wishes to scale up by launching their model at public areas, residential blocks, and office buildings to optimize management procedures and advocate for a greener living environment. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The revelation that the rate of Covid-19 cases being diagnosed in Northern Ireland is over twice the figure for England should make us all stop and think. The statistics for Saturday from Public Health England (PHE) show that the confirmed cases in England per 100,000 of the population was 2.6, but the figure in Northern Ireland for the same period was 6.2. On Saturday also the PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne took to the streets of Belfast personally to close a bar that was flouting the pandemic guidelines. Overall, 224 people tested positive for the virus in Northern Ireland over the weekend, namely 118 cases on Saturday and 106 yesterday. Significantly, these are the highest daily figures here since April. In one sense, the higher figures are evidence of the necessity for, and effectiveness of, testing and tracing. This is operating at a far higher tempo than in April. However these figures are also a stark reminder that Covid-19, and its frequently asymptomatic carriers, are still at large in the community, with possible deposits on door handles and petrol pumps, as well as in shops, pubs and restaurants. There is better news, however, with Northern Ireland's mortality rate from Covid-19 at 29.8 per 100,000 of the population being markedly lower than that in England with 65.5 per 100,000. However the reality also is that Belfast, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council areas still retain some of the highest pandemic infection rates in the UK. The daily announcements of statistics by the Government, and the confusing requirements around quarantine-depending where in the UK you live- is encouraging the pandemic deniers who cherry-pick the figures to suit their dangerous theories. However, no sane person disputes that the microscopic virus, 500 times smaller than the full stop at the end of this sentence, can still cause appalling loss of life. The Health Minister Robin Swann, for one, has made clear his belief that the pandemic is far from over. Clearly, once lockdown was eased and people interacted with others outside their immediate families, infections were bound to rise. How could they not? In the early stages, lockdown was the most-effective counter-measure, but it is a blunt tool. Now that we are at the stage of what might be called "living with the virus", at least until a vaccine is ready, it is all the more important that each of us takes personal responsibility both for our own safety and for the safety of others. A source close to Mr Edmonds denied he had fled the country or was in hiding, and disputed him being liable for the sum - Jonathan Brady/PA Arron Banks has allegedly become embroiled in a row with TV presenter Noel Edmonds over claims that he is owed 1.3 million, and has reportedly deployed satellites and private investigators to locate the TV personality. Mr Edmonds who is best known as the presenter of the Channel 4 game show Deal or No Deal is accused by Mr Banks of moving to New Zealand to avoid paying. Mr Banks, who bankrolled Nigel Farages Brexit campaign and co-founded Leave.EU campaign in 2015, is reportedly fuming, claiming that the presenter owes him the money as a result of his high-profile battle to recover millions of pounds from Lloyds Banking Group lost as part of an unrelated fraud. The Mail on Sunday reported that Mr Banks has used private investigators and satellite technology to track down Mr Edmonds to a "hideout" in New Zealand, where he plans to serve legal papers to recover a total of 1,344,000. Mr Edmonds covered his legal costs by taking out an insurance policy from the Legal Protection Group wholly owned by Mr Banks. A fee for the policy was allegedly due when he reached a settlement with the bank. The newspaper quoted Mr Banks as saying: I'm fuming. Mr Edmonds has run off to a lush part of New Zealand with my money... Mcc0065112 The Daily Telegraph UKIP backer and NO supporter Businessman Aaron Banks at the start of the UKIP 2015 Conference at Doncaster Racecourse Fri 25/09/15 - JULIAN SIMMONDS/ JULIAN SIMMONDS We backed him when no one else would in his fight with the banks, he won and then he headed for New Zealand without even acknowledging his debt to me and my company. No deal is not an option cough up, or I will drag you back to the UK to face the music. However, it also quoted a source close to Mr Edmonds who denied he had fled the country or was in hiding, and disputed him being liable for the sum. Investigators working for Mr Banks are reported to have tracked down Mr Edmonds by comparing images in the backdrop of a local TV interview given by him, with those from a satellite. Their dossier on "Noel Ernest Edmonds", which the newspaper claims to have seen, describes obtaining the breakthrough in their search by focusing on the positioning of the swimming pool in relation to the main dwelling house, the spacing of the box hedging visible in the background of the pool shot, and the roofline and relationship between the dwelling house and outbuildings. Story continues Land covenants taken out at the time of Mr Edmonds' move to New Zealand also pointed to it being his property, the dossier is reported to say. Mr Edmonds was reported to have come to a financial agreement worth a reported 5 million with Lloyds after corrupt financiers from the bank's Reading branch were imprisoned in 2017 for a loans scam equating to 245 million. The scam destroyed a number of businesses including Mr Edmonds' Unique Group while criminals spent the proceeds on prostitutes and luxury holidays. Mr Edmonds received an apology from the group for the distress he suffered. However, it has been reported that a final legal settlement had not been reached with the bank. The 71-year-old lives on the outskirts of Auckland with his wife Liz and her 16-year-old son. Mr Edmonds has set up a "positivity" radio network which includes a station playing music designed for houseplants. A representative for Mr Edmonds has been contacted for comment. Press Release 7 September 2020 Singapore to Launch Green Lane for Essential Travel to South Korea and Brunei Advertisements The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore has announced that a fast lane for residents of Singapore and South Korea will open on 4 September 2020 for those who need to make essential business or official trips between both countries. Likewise, Singapore and Brunei have also agreed to establish a fast lane to facilitate essential business and official travel between both countries. This comes after Singapore announced last month that it would ease border restrictions to allow general travel to and from Brunei and New Zealand from 1 September 2020. Eligible travellers will have to abide by the mutually agreed terms and public health measures in the respective countries. These include precautions in the form of pre-departure and post-arrival testing, and the need to adhere to a controlled itinerary for the first 14 days in the receiving country. For applicants travelling from Singapore to Brunei, and vice versa, the receiving enterprise or government agency in either country need to apply for a travel pass - SafeTravel Pass for Singapore, and Entry Travel Pass for Brunei - on their behalf to obtain an approval letter to enter their host country. Vietnam to Resume Flights from Six Asian Destinations for Business Travel The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam ("CAAV") is proposing resuming flights to and from six Asian cities from 15 September as Vietnam moves to ease business travel restrictions. The cities include Guangzhou, Seoul, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Taipei and Tokyo. This will translate into approximately 5,000 travellers arriving each week. CAAV is proposing that travellers arriving in Vietnam must have been in these Asian destinations for at least 30 days prior to boarding the flight and transit passengers will not be allowed in. Upon arrival, it is mandatory to undergo two weeks of quarantine, according to health ministry requirements, unless the duration of their visit is under 14 days. However, Vietnam has not reopened to tourists. Indonesia Trade Bodies to Spearhead Tourism Recovery The Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association ("IHRA") and Indonesia Air Carriers Association ("INACA") have agreed to conceptualise attractive travel packages in a bid to boost domestic consumption. The memorandum of understanding ("MoU") was signed in Bali by the chairmen of both associations. Similarly, earlier in Jakarta, Indonesia AirAsia CEO, Veranita Sinaga, alongside Denon and airport authority dignitaries, launched the Waktunya Terbang (Time to Fly) campaign at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Both events were part of the INACA-IHRA Safe Travel Campaign series to boost travel confidence and stimulate domestic travel. The campaign series was launched on 6 August in Bali, followed by Medan and Yogyakarta, before returning to Bali again. Each edition sees INACA and IHRA partnering with a different airline. Haryadi, chairman of IHRA, shared that the cooperation will focus on two components to lift plane load factors and boost hotel occupancy - bolster travellers' confidence to fly again and provide affordable travel packages. To provide affordable travel, both associations plan to create flight and hotel bundle packages for both solo and group travellers, which would be accessible through the websites of all participating airlines and hotels. Japan to Gradually Ease Some Travel Border Restrictions The Japanese government has permitted foreign visa holders to re-enter Japan starting from 1 September 2020. More than 2.6 million foreign residents of Japan who hold valid visas will be able to leave and re-enter the country with compliance to health measures. Entrants must serve a mandatory two-week quarantine in their home or at a designated hotel. Foreign residents in this group include permanent residents, spouses, family members of Japanese citizens and exchange students, professionals, and foreign workers. Foreign national visa-holder who leaves after 1 September with the intention of re-entry will be required to provide an immigration receipt at the time of departure. The receipt, once verified, will allow re-entry within a specific time. This measure came after Japan has reached bilateral agreements with several countries to permit business travel. These countries include Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. From 8 September, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar are set to resume travel for long-term residents with Japan, with precautionary measures, including a 14-day self-isolation period upon arrival. Dating back to 22 August, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Japan had also announced that those holding valid visas to reside in China could apply for renewal starting 1 September. Actor Hrithik Roshan, ex-wife Sussanne Khan, their sons Hridhaan and Hrehaan along with other members of their family came together to celebrate the birthday of Hrithiks father, Rakesh Roshan. The pictures were shared by Pinkie, Hrithiks mother. Sharing one post, Pinkie wrote: #happybirthdayMrRoshan#wemakeit with love and memories. The post showed Rakesh cutting his birthday cake with the family gathered around him. In the picture, we can see Hrithik, Sussanne, their sons, Hrithiks sister Sunaina, mother Pinkie, and Rakeshs musician brother Rajesh Roshan. Pinkie also shared a picture of the birthday cake and wrote: #Best cake ever# @suranikashealthykitchen #suranika, we are blessed with you in our lives for the young lady you turned out to be#god bless you my granddaughter you are our joy and pride. Hrithiks dad has seen major ups and downs in his career and life. The most recent challenge has been battling cancer in 2018. Speaking about it, the veteran filmmaker had told Spotboye in an interview: It all began with a blister which refused to go despite using several applications of prescriptions from my family doctor. It was a small one - no pain, no itching. One day, I had gone to meet a friend of mine in Hinduja Hospital. While walking out, I just saw a board of an ENT surgeon outside his cabin. I met him impromptu and he advised me biopsy. I dont know why but I had a gut (feeling) right from the beginning that I have contracted cancer. I was at Hrithiks place when I got a call that I had tested positive in biopsy. It was December 15 (2018), I clearly remember. Talking about how Hrithik had reacted, Rakesh had continued, As I said, these things are not new for us. So, we address these issues and go all out to rectify them. Never get into a depression. Live life. Cancer is just a big name. Also read: Dalip Tahil: Before Kangana Ranaut passes personal judgement on her colleagues, she should also get a drug test done In April, this year, Hrithik had posted a video of his dad in the gym and had written: Damn ! Thats My Dad. .N.E.V.E.R. G.I.V.E.S. U.P. .This is the kind of Resolve and Determination we all need to have to fight in times like these!. Ps: Hel be 71 this year and works out 2 hours a day. O and he just survived cancer last year. I think the virus should be afraid of him . Very very afraid ... @rakesh_roshan9 . #nevergiveup #stayhome #stayfit #legday #lockdownworkout #dad #nevertooold #foreveryoung. Follow @htshowbiz for more For living among nature it doesnt get much better than a prime property with conservation area views By Elsa Court Biosphere reserves are areas designated by Unesco as test beds for sustainable development. There are more than 700 such reserves in 124 countries, each recognised for their efforts to conserve biodiversity. They range from wetlands to savannahs, mountains to marine areas. Here are five of the best homes for sale in some of these biodiverse areas. For waterscapes The Tofino district of Vancouver Island, home to this oceanfront property, is part of Clayoquot Sound, an area designated as a biosphere reserve in 2000 for the diversity of its natural landscape, which comprises lakes, coastal inlets and ancient rainforests. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by a forest, the four-bedroom main house and an adjoining two-bedroom guesthouse are available for C$14m ($10.5m). For Mediterranean flora The Mont Ventoux reserve in south-east France is known for its Alpine and Mediterranean flora. This five-bedroom villa near Carpentras, in the Vaucluse region, is located inside the mountainous biosphere reserve. It could be yours for 1.17m. For beach days Situated a 20-minute drive from the Caribbean coastal town of Tulum in Mexico, this beachfront property sits within the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve, known for its tropical forests, mangroves, marine reefs and lagoons. The five-bedroom home runs on a combination of solar and wind energy, although there is a back-up generator. It is on the market for $3.75m. For natural views This Portuguese property, which includes a four-bedroom main house and two-bedroom guest house, is in the Peneda-Geres National Park. The park is part of the Geres-Xures Transboundary biosphere reserve, which spreads across the border into north-west Spain and comprises forests and two major peaks, Nevosa and Fontefria. The 3.5m property has an outdoor swimming pool from which to enjoy the view over the Cavado River. For Alpine air This 14th-century castle, located in the medieval Italian village of Saluzzo, lies within the Mont-Viso transboundary Unesco biosphere reserve, which spreads across the Alpine regions of Italy and France. The 12-bedroom property, which comes with a 600 square metre terraced garden and 12 hectares of land, is available for 2.5m. Photographs: Sothebys International Realty; Knight Frank, Christies International Real Estate; IB International New inland waterway receives first cement consignment 07 September 2020 The first export consignment of cement from Bangladesh to Tripura, in India, through the inland waterways has been completed. A Bangladeshi barge carrying 50t of cement reached Sonamura in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura two days after setting sail from Daudkandi. The vessel, MV Premier, reached Sonamura after travelling 93km along the Meghna-Gomati river route. The Protocol for Inland Water Trade and Transit (PIWTT) was signed between India and Bangladesh in 1972 to provide inland waterways connectivity between the two countries, particularly with the northeastern region of India and also to enhance bilateral trade. The scope of PIWTT was expanded by the signing of the second Addendum to PIWTT, in May 2020, with the inclusion of additional routes and ports of calls. The inclusion of 93km Sonamura-Daudkhandi stretch of Gomati river as a new route in the protocol is expected to improve the connectivity of Tripura and the adjoining northeast Indian states with Indian and Bangladeshi economic centres. The Tripura chief minister said, "A new horizon opened for us today which is a historic day for Tripura because the state was for the first time connected with Bangladesh through a waterway." Published under US President Donald Trump yesterday again defended his support for American troops while others in his administration rallied around him after reports he had disparaged fallen US soldiers in Europe and declined to visit an American cemetery during a 2018 trip to France. The Atlantic magazine reported on Thursday that Mr Trump referred to marines buried in an American cemetery near Paris as "losers" and declined to visit their graves in November 2018 because of concern the rain that day would mess up his hair, an account the president yesterday said was false. Bloomberg reported that Mr Trump subsequently spent the free time selecting artwork to remove from the US ambassador's residence and send back to the White House. Representatives for the White House had no immediate comment on the Bloomberg report, which cited several people familiar with the episode. Mr Trump, a Republican who is seeking re-election in part on his vocal support of the US military, blasted Democrats and the news media yesterday, tweeting: "They will say anything, like their recent lies about me and the military, and hope that it sticks... But 'MAGA gets it!'," referring to his supporters who back his 'Make America Great Again' slogan. Democratic former vice president Joe Biden, who is challenging Trump in the November 3 presidential election, called Mr Trump's comments about the fallen soldiers, "a disgrace" if true. US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie yesterday echoed remarks last week by US Defence Secretary Mark Esper telling CNN's State of the Union that Mr Trump respected the troops and that he had never heard the president disparage US military members or veterans. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also backed Mr Trump's support of the military. "The president has always been 100pc supportive of the military," Mr Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. Meanwhile, protesters in Portland threw rocks and fire bombs at police who in turn made over 50 arrests and used tear gas on Saturday night on the 100th day of demonstrations in the Oregon city against racism and police brutality. Police described what they called "tumultuous and violent conduct" by protesters on the city's Southeast Stark Street. One of the fire bombs caught a community member on fire and he was taken to hospital, Portland police said in a statement, adding that a sergeant was also struck by a commercial-grade firework that injured his hand. "Fire bombs were thrown at officers, injuring at least one community member," police said on Twitter while re-tweeting a video posted by a New York Times reporter showing fire bombs being thrown and a protester running with his legs on fire. Police said officers used tear gas among other crowd-control measures to disperse the gathering, which The Oregonian newspaper had estimated to be around 400. Portland has seen nightly protests for over three months that have at times turned into violent clashes between demonstrators and officers, as well as between right- and left-wing groups. Elsewhere on Saturday, armed police supporters and anti-racism demonstrators clashed in Louisville before the Kentucky Derby horse race, while Rochester police also used tear gas to disperse protesters. Demonstrations erupted around the US following the death in May of George Floyd, a black man, after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Elsewhere, Iran has broadcast the televised confession of a wrestler facing the death penalty after a tweet from Mr Trump criticising the case. The case of Navid Afkari (27) has drawn the attention of a social media campaign that portrays him and his brothers as victims targeted over participating in protests in 2018. Authorities accuse Mr Afkari of stabbing a water company employee in the city of Shiraz amid the unrest. His case has drawn the attention of an online campaign that has included a video statement from Dana White, the president of UFC martial arts organisation. Mr White said he spoke to Mr Trump, who had earlier tweeted his own concern about Mr Afkari's case. Hearing loss has been shown to be linked to dementia in epidemiological studies and may be responsible for a tenth of the 47 million cases worldwide. Now, published in the journal Neuron, a team at Newcastle University provide a new theory to explain how a disorder of the ear can lead to Alzheimers disease a concept never looked at before. It is hoped that this new understanding may be a significant step towards advancing research into Alzheimers disease and how to prevent the illness for future generations. Key considerations Newcastle experts considered three key aspects; a common underlying cause for hearing loss and dementia; lack of sound-related input leading to brain shrinking; and cognitive impairment resulting in people having to engage more brain resources to compensate for hearing loss, which then become unavailable for other tasks. The team propose a new angle which focuses on the memory centres deep in the temporal lobe. Their recent work indicates that this part of the brain, typically associated with long-term memory for places and events, is also involved in short-term storage and manipulation of auditory information. They consider explanations for how changes in brain activity due to hearing loss might directly promote the presence of abnormal proteins that cause Alzheimers disease, therefore triggering the disease. Professor Tim Griffiths, from Newcastle Universitys Faculty of Medical Sciences, said: The challenge has been to explain how a disorder of the ear can lead to a degenerative problem in the brain. We suggest a new theory based on how we use what is generally considered to be the memory system in the brain when we have difficulty listening in real-world environments. Collaborative research Work on mechanisms for difficult listening is a central theme for the research group, including members in Newcastle, UCL and Iowa University, that has been supported by a Medical Research Council programme grant. Dr Will Sedley, from Newcastle Universitys Faculty of Medical Sciences, said: This memory system engaged in difficult listening is the most common site for the onset of Alzheimers disease. We propose that altered activity in the memory system caused by hearing loss and the Alzheimers disease process trigger each other. Researchers now need to examine this mechanism in models of the pathological process to test if this new theory is right. The experts developed the theory of this important link with hearing loss by bringing together findings from a variety of human studies and animal models. Future work will continue to look at this area. Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more Contract disputes do arise from time to time. Whether the issue is early termination, delay of deliverables, breach of performance, or the like, it is best to plan for the worst and hope for the best. When there is a dispute, whether the contract contemplates this or not, either party should consider a legal process called mediation to avoid the time and cost of fighting in court (litigation) or in arbitration, both of which are the subject of Part 6 of the series, so we will keep those topics to a minimum here. What is Mediation? Mediation is a process where parties to a dispute meet face-to-face (these days, on Zoom) along with a neutral third party called a Mediator to try to resolve the dispute on their own and avoid prolonged and costly litigation or arbitration. The mediation process varies around the U.S., but generally the Mediator and the parties work together to figure ways to end the dispute by reaching a written settlement agreement. As a general rule and by state laws, the Mediator is not allowed to testify in court or at an arbitration about the mediation since everything related to the mediation process is confidential, unless the parties agree otherwise. Often times the Mediator will have private telephone conversations with the parties and their attorneys to discuss the details of the dispute, which generally leads to a face-to-face or Zoom mediation conference. However, before there is a face-to-face mediation conference the parties and their lawyers often submit confidential mediation statements (that is, position papers), or exchange non-confidential mediation statements so that they tell the opposing party what they think. When the parties and their lawyers attend the mediation conference, they generally they are separated in different rooms (or Zoom rooms) to avoid conflict and encourage the parties to share the confidential details about the dispute with the mediator. In these separate meetings, referred to as caucuses, the Mediator discusses the issues in dispute with the intention of being honest and candid about the issues. Also, the Mediator also discusses the likelihood of success in litigation or arbitration since if there is no settlement, the parties may end up spend lots of money and time fighting in litigation or arbitration. What if the Contract Requires Mediation? If the parties agree by contract to a mediation, most courts and arbitrators will require that the parties actually complete a mediation before moving forward to litigation or arbitration. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Regardless, the parties can always agree to mediate if a conflict develops even if there is no contractual requirement. Sometimes contracts require the use of third party services such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or JAMS shall manage the mediation as part of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. Notwithstanding the AAA and JAMS, there are thousands of professional mediators around the U.S. who make themselves available to help resolve disputes, so you should be able to find a mediator in your location. How is a Mediator Selected? Mediations tend to be more successful if the parties and their lawyers have trust and confidence in the mediator. Normally there is a vetting process where the AAA or JAMS recommends a list of local mediators and then the parties conduct their own research to find the right person to serve as the mediator. Part of the vetting process is to make sure that the mediator is not biased one way or the other, so it is important to ask the right questions find the right mediator. Notwithstanding anything else about the mediation process, if a party and their lawyer make settlement offers during the mediation process that does not mean that the offers can be used as evidence in a subsequent lawsuit or arbitration because of Rule 408 of the Rules of Evidence: Rule 408. Compromise Offers and Negotiations (a) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of the following is not admissible on behalf of any party either to prove or disprove the validity or amount of a disputed claim or to impeach by a prior inconsistent statement or a contradiction: (1)furnishing, promising, or offering or accepting, promising to accept, or offering to accept a valuable consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise the claim; and (2) conduct or a statement made during compromise negotiations about the claim except when offered in a criminal case and when the negotiations related to a claim by a public office in the exercise of its regulatory, investigative, or enforcement authority. A D V E R T I S E M E N T (b) Exceptions. The court may admit this evidence for another purpose, such as proving a witnesss bias or prejudice, negating a contention of undue delay, or proving an effort to obstruct a criminal investigation or prosecution. Rule 408 encourages parties to make settlement offers since those offers cannot be used in litigation or arbitration, so it is essential that lawyers clearly mark all settlement offers under Rule 408 to protect the offer. Conclusion If the parties can resolve their disputes in a mediation and avoid the cost and time in litigation or arbitration, that can be a win-win, not to mention to allow the parties to get on with business. The next part in this series which will describe litigation and arbitration if the mediation is not part of the contract, or the parties are unable to settle their disputes in the mediation. Read Part 6: Lawsuit or Arbitration? The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has created a new driving force for Vietnams logistics, but the industry needs to take further action to unlock its full potential. Logistics groups in Vietnam will have to up their game to meet EU demands, photo Le Toan Tran Viet Huy, managing director of Tracimexco - Supply Chains and Agency Services JSC (TRA-SAS), told VIR that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will open up doors for all players in the logistics market as trading and investment will increase remarkably. However, more competition will be created for Vietnams third-party logistics players to tap into the potential of the EVFTA. In particular, local players will need to transform themselves to meet the sophisticated demands of European counterparts. To avail the opportunity, TRA-SAS is doubling investment into logistics facilities in some potential segments this year. The company has recognised that any investment plan should be based on high-skilled workforce, an area which is becoming more and more competitive, Huy said. In particular, EU companies are in an advanced position in attracting high-skilled manpower. However, increasing investment is the only way for Vietnamese third-party logistics players to not be left behind. Nicolas Audier, chairman of EuroCham, said that Vietnams logistics sector and its maritime trade will see significant benefits from the EVFTA. This historic free trade agreement will boost trade with the EU, but this increased flow of goods cannot happen without supporting industries such as transport networks, supply chains, and logistics infrastructure, he said. Nor can it happen without the companies who facilitate these essential commercial activities. From the perspective of individual companies, the elimination of tariffs should help to reduce operational costs and fees for enterprises. This capital can then be re-invested into business development and growth. However, barriers remain. While Vietnams import-export and customs procedures have seen significant modernisation in recent times, logistics costs remain high, processes are often manual, and transport networks can be congested and remote from ports and manufacturing centres. If these issues can be addressed, it would streamline Vietnams infrastructure and, in turn, help to increase the flow of trade with the EU, Audier added. On top of these structural improvements, he recommended that the government and business communities on both sides continue to share information and know-how through networking opportunities and events. Last month, EuroCham signed an MoU with Vietnam Maritime Administration. The agreement, and the spirit of partnership it represents, will be one of the most important factors in unlocking the full potential of the EVFTA, according to EuroCham. After just over a year of implementation, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has contributed more than $3.9 billion to Vietnams trade surplus. Along with the newly-introduced EVFTA, these are major economic achievements requiring important reform. Yet, according to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), up to 77 per cent of enterprises in Vietnam do not know of, or have only just heard about, the CPTPP and the EVFTA. Clearly, the VCCI said, there is a need for greater understanding of the benefits that FTAs can bring to businesses and trade. Under the terms of the EVFTA, 70 per cent of Vietnamese exports will enter the EUs member states duty free, while remaining tariff lines will be reduced gradually within seven years. Russell Reed, managing director of UPS Vietnam and Thailand, noted that business owners should keep up to date on the prevailing tariffs applicable to their business to take advantage of savings and competitive pricing. The agreement also simplifies entry of goods procedures including customs clearance into the EU, but businesses should also be aware of the FTAs customs requirements such as product origin, food safety and technical standards, and the continued applicability of import and sales VAT. UPS have launched some initiatives aiming to help Vietnamese-based businesses optimise supply chains and respond more quickly in a continually-evolving trade environment. With more FTAs in the region being negotiated, and an EU-ASEAN FTA potentially on the cards, the most successful companies will be those that seize competitive advantages offered by the deals to unlock new cross-border trade prospects. However, Jeffrey Tan, group head of Corporate Development and Network & Connectivity at YCH Group, told VIR there are still challenges for foreign logistics firms to expand their business in Vietnam, including lengthy administrative procedures and delays in customs clearance. The establishment of new companies is also subject to conditions on ownership and services, with services being clearly segmented into 16 types. This will lengthen the paperwork for companies like YCH Group, explained Tan, which primarily focuses on being an integrated end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions provider. VIR Thanh Van EVFTA, Covid-19 change the face of VN logistics industry Vietnams logistics market has great opportunities to improve as the EVFTA has been inked and the country is receiving investment inflow from Europe. Security forces averted a militant attack by detecting an improvised explosive device (IED) in Jammu and Kashmir's district on Monday morning, police said. A joint patrolling party of the forces detected the IED concealed in a sand bag on the Sopore- road in the Drugmulla area, a police official said. The IED was apparently planted by militants to target security personnel who frequently use the road, he said. A bomb disposal squad was rushed to the spot which destroyed the IED workout causing any damage, the official added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Belarus opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova was today bundled into a minibus by masked men in Minsk. The 38-year-old was 'kidnapped by unknown people' and driven off in a vehicle marked 'Communications', her campaign team said. Kolesnikova's team said her phone has been turned off and there was no comment from Minsk police. Kolesnikova is the only member of the three women who have joined forces to fight against President Alexander Lukashenko's dubious August 9 election to have remained in the country. It comes as Lukashenko prepares to fly to Moscow for talks 'in the coming days,' the Kremlin said on Monday. Maria Kolesnikova, a coordinator of Viktor Babaryko's campaign headquarters, makes a heart sign with her hands outside the headquarters of Belarus' Central Electoral Commission in Minsk on July 14 President Alexander Lukashenko holding an automatic rifle and wearing body armour as he arrives on August 23 at his residence in Minsk amid protests An opposition supporter holds a former Belarusian flag in front of riot police officers blocking Independence Avenue during the March of Unity on Sunday Belarusian police officers detain an opposition supporter during yesterday's protest The old Soviet overlords are able to offer counsel on stamping out rebellion and themselves stand accused by the EU of poisoning thorny opposition leader Alexei Navalny last month. The opposition's Coordination Council accused Lukashenko of 'openly using methods of terror.' Belarusian authorities yesterday cracked down heavily on protesters, bundling them into vans and beating them with batons, as 100,000 defied Lukashenko with another rally in the capital. Police and army troops blocked off the centre of Minsk but demonstrators marched to the outskirts of the Palace of Independence, the president's working residence, two miles away from the city centre. The palace grounds were blocked off by riot police armed with shields and water cannons. Kolesnikova said: 'This sea of people cannot be stopped by military equipment, water cannons, propaganda and arrests. 'Most Belarusians want a peaceful change of power and we will not get tired of demanding this.' Several members of the Coordination Council which is calling for a peaceful transfer of power have already been jailed and others questioned including Kolesnikova in a probe into an alleged attempt to seize power. Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched during an opposition rally calling for the President to resign Protesters marched towards Mr Lukashenko's residence which is three kilometres outside Minsk The palace grounds were blocked off by riot police armed with shields and water cannons A protestor wears a mask with the colours of the national flag at the rally to reject the election results A protester stands in front of barbed wire wearing a poncho to keep dry from the rain during the demonstration Demonstrators stand in front of the police blockade waving an old Belarusian national flag and a LGBT rainbow flag One of them, Olga Kovalova, was expelled from the country over the weekend, driven to Poland by police. Kolesnikova is the only one of the trio of women who fronted Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya's campaign to remain in Belarus, as the growing opposition movement holds huge demonstrations despite an intimidating show of force from Lukashenko, who insists on his legitimacy and has called on Russia for help. Tikhanovskaya has taken shelter in neighbouring Lithuania and her other campaign partner, Veronika Tsepkalo, is now in Ukraine. Kolesnikova, a trained flautist and music teacher, got into politics through running the campaign of another opposition politician, ex-banker Viktor Babaryko, who attempted to stand for president against Lukashenko but was jailed and barred from running. When Tikhanovskaya, an English teacher and translator with no political experience was unexpectedly allowed to run for president, Kolesnikova and Tsepkalo backed her and spoke with her at rallies. Police cracked down on demonstrators in the first days of the protests, arresting some 7,000 people Demonstrators place flowers in barbed wire as they protested against the presidential vote they say was rigged The protests, unprecedented in Belarus for their size and duration, began after the August 9 presidential vote The army and security forces have blockaded Minsk city centre as protesters marched to the presidential residence More than 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Minsk, Belarus, to demand the President quit over 'rigged' election victory The women came up with signature gestures: for Tikhanovskaya a raised fist, for Kolesnikova a heart formed with her fingers and for Tsepkalo a victory sign. Kolesnikova and other members of Babaryko's campaign team last month announced the creation of a new opposition party called Together. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius likened what had happened to Kolesnikova to something that the Stalin-era secret police in the Soviet Union would have done. 'Instead of talking to the people of Belarus, the outgoing leadership is trying cynically (to) eliminate (them) one by one,' he wrote on Twitter. 'The kidnapping...is a disgrace. Stalinist NKVD methods are being applied in 21st century Europe. She must be released immediately'. Rebecca Judd has divided Victorians after taking a stand against Premier Daniel Andrews over his draconian lockdown laws. The footy WAG, 37, had criticised Andrews on Friday in a sponsored Instagram post for a children's toy company, which she later deleted. She wrote: '@the_little_cardboard_co perfect for iso and upcoming school holidays as it seems Dictator Dan will be locking Victorians in our homes even longer.' While many Victorians agree that Andrews is crippling the economy with his heavy-handed approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebecca faced backlash for daring to express her opinion from her palatial $7.3million mansion in Melbourne's south-east. Critics: Rebecca Judd has divided Victorians after taking a stand against Premier Daniel Andrews over his draconian lockdown laws Poll Do you agree with Bec Judd? Yes No Do you agree with Bec Judd? Yes 205 votes No 405 votes Now share your opinion Several trolls described her as the new 'Karen from Brighton' - referring to Melbourne woman Jodi Grollo, who achieved viral fame in July for complaining during a TV interview about having to walk the same streets in Brighton during her daily walks. But many others said she was entitled to her opinion, arguing that an individual's personal wealth doesn't make their views any less valid. One critic tweeted: 'Thoughts and prayers to Bec Judd who's holed up in a $7million shoebox in Brighton. Let her out, Dictator Dan. One can only spend so much time in their MagnaPool and spa.' Another wrote: 'Bec Judd is a privileged idiot! How terrible that she has to be in lockdown in her $7million mansion. She needs to get perspective quickly.' Speaking out: The footy WAG, 37, had criticised Andrews (pictured) on Friday in a sponsored Instagram post for a children's toy company, which she later deleted Subtle swipe: '@the_little_cardboard_co perfect for iso and upcoming school holidays as it seems Dictator Dan will be locking Victorians in our homes even longer,' she wrote Another former fan revealed they had 'proudly unfollowed Bec Judd last night'. 'Referring to Dan Andrews as "Dictator Dan" from her mansion is offensive when he has worked so hard to reduce Covid numbers and shows up everyday to face the music i.e. press. Unkind and unfollowed,' they tweeted. But Rebecca also had plenty of support, with many fans saying she was justified in her criticism of the stage-four lockdown. Upset: While many Victorians agree that Andrews is crippling the economy with his heavy-handed approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebecca faced backlash for daring to express her opinion from her palatial $7.3million mansion in Brighton Separated at birth? Several trolls described her as the new 'Karen from Brighton' - referring to Melbourne woman Jodi Grollo (pictured) who achieved viral fame in July for complaining during a TV interview about having to walk the same streets in Brighton during her daily walks One frustrated Victorian tweeted: 'Great to see you aren't a fan of #DictatorDan Bec Judd. Clapping hands sign #IStandWithBecJudd.' Another wrote: 'Just reading the most honest statement said by #BecJudd. I absolutely agree with her getting cabin fever, she was shot down by the news and silenced by them.' Summing up the views of many, one Facebook user asked: 'So because she has money she can't voice her complaints like everybody else can? Self-isolating in style! The TV presenter and her husband, retired AFL star Chris Judd, have spent the past few months in lockdown with their four children, son Oscar, nine, daughter Billie, six, and three-year-old twins Tom and Darcy, who are all being homeschooled Not happy: Some critics said they were unfollowing Rebecca over her stance on 'Dictator Dan' 'Can anybody please tell me the income cut-off for not being able to voice your opinion? Imagine what a better world it would be if there wasn't this crass obsession of talking about other people's money.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Rebecca Judd's management for comment. The TV presenter and her husband, retired AFL star Chris Judd, have spent the past few months in lockdown with their four children, son Oscar, nine, daughter Billie, six, and three-year-old twins Tom and Darcy, who are all being homeschooled. 'Honest': Rebecca also had plenty of support, with many fans saying she was justified in her criticism of the stage-four lockdown She has a point! Rebecca's supporters said she was entitled to her opinion, arguing that an individual's personal wealth doesn't make their views any less valid It was announced on Sunday that Melbourne will remain under coronavirus lockdown until at least October 26, but some restrictions will be eased from midnight next Sunday. From September 14, the nightly curfew will start an hour later at 9pm and run until 5am. People living alone can nominate a friend or family member who can visit them and two hours of daily exercise will be allowed, including 'social interactions' such as having a picnic at a local park or reading a book at the beach. Further restrictions could be eased from September 28 and the government will consider lifting the curfew entirely from October 26, depending on case numbers. 'We can't run out of lockdown. We have to take steady and safe steps out of lockdown to find that COVID normal,' Andrews said on Sunday. Under Andrews' road map out of lockdown, residents will have to wait until November 23 for all retail stores to reopen. The much-awaited blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) potentially Indias biggest evercould turn out to be much bigger than expected. A proposal to sell up to 25 percent stake in the state-run insurer Indias biggest in one or more tranches is on the cards, said top sources in the government. Retail investors have plenty to cheer because the government is planning a bonus and discount for them, said these sources. The Department of Financial Services under the finance ministry has floated a draft Cabinet note for stake sale in LIC to the ministries concerned, SEBI, IRDA and NITI, said one of the persons cited above. Dilution of government shareholding from 100 percent to 75 percent in LIC in one or more tranches has been proposed, said one of the persons familiar with the matter. All the people contacted for this article spoke on the condition of anonymity. Big-Ticket Share Sale The Narendra Modi government is hoping LIC IPO will help plug a burgeoning Budget gap, which has further widened because of the coronavirus lockdown. The government is keen on market borrowings to arrest the sharp slump in revenues due to the nationwide lockdown that has ravaged businesses. The LIC stake sale is expected to play a starring role in this strategy. Earlier, there was talk that only 10 percent of the insurer would be offloaded. Now it appears that in the initial phase, the government will press ahead with a 10 percent stake sale and the remaining stake sale will be done in more than one tranches. That is because the guidelines of capital markets regulator SEBI require that within three years of listing, the minimum public shareholding should be at least 25 percent, the persons cited above said. During the stake sale, the government is likely to incentivise the participation of retail investors by providing up to 10 percent discount. This discount may be offered to the employees of LIC, too. For both retail investors and employees up to 5 percent shares may be reserved. However, the final decision on reservation of shares and discount will be taken by Alternate Mechanism (a group of Ministers) that will be formed after cabinet approval. Another vital part of the stake sale could be a proposal by the government to offer bonus shares in the initial days. As the paid-up capital of LIC is only Rs 100 crore an inconsequential amount restructuring of the equity is needed by capitalising the reserves partially. The government could, therefore, push a draft cabinet note that proposes the capitalisation of reserves by issuing the bonus shares. Government officials also believe that bonus shares will also attract retails investors. Amendments Needed The same draft Cabinet proposal will also propose amendments in LIC Act 1956 before moving ahead with the stake sale. LIC is not a company under the Companies Act, but a statutory body incorporated under LIC Act 1956. According to the current provision of the Act, LIC is unable to provide authorised capital, issued capital etc. The management and board also will have to be restructured. For all these purposes, a total six amendments have been proposed in the Act. If the Cabinet approves the proposal, the government may bring the amendments in LIC Act in the upcoming Parliament session. These amendments should be easily passed because the government is planning to bring this bill as a money bill, for which effectively only Lok Sabha's approval is required. The government has a brute majority in the lower house. RTHK: Brexit showdown as UK threatens to undermine treaty Brexit trade talks plunged into crisis on Monday after Britain warned the European Union that it could effectively override the divorce deal it signed unless the bloc agrees to a free trade deal by October 15. In one of the most startling turns of the four-year Brexit saga, Britain is reportedly planning new legislation that will override key parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement a step that, if implemented, could jeopardise a treaty signed in January and stoke tension in Northern Ireland. Sections of the internal market bill, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to "eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement" in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs, the Financial Times said, citing three people familiar with the plans. Britain has set a deadline of October 15 to strike a free-trade deal with the European Union, and if none is agreed both sides should "accept that and move on," Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say on Monday. Johnson will say there is no sense in thinking about timelines beyond October 15. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," he will say, according to comments released by his office. Britain left the EU on January 31 but talks aimed at clinching a new trade deal before the end of a status-quo transition arrangement in December have so far snagged on state aid rules and fishing. Without a deal, nearly US$1 trillion in trade between Britain and the EU could be thrown into uncertainty, including rules over everything from car parts and medicines to fruit and data. The reported plan to undermine the Withdrawal Agreement disclosed on the eve of a new round of talks in London was condemned by parties on both sides of the Irish border and elicited surprise in Brussels. "If the UK chose not to respect its international obligations, it would undermine its international standing," said one EU diplomat. "Who would want to agree trade deals with a country that doesn't implement international treaties? It would be a desperate and ultimately self-defeating strategy." Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who played a key role in negotiating the withdrawal agreement and Northern Ireland protocol, said on Twitter that the reported move "would be a very unwise way to proceed." (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Whether or not that proves to be the case, it is clear that the virtual office will endure even after the coronavirus has been conquered. Long-standing practices in areas like recruiting are changing, too, with candidates no longer having to start at headquarters and get to know co-workers of color through a nod or a wave. Actress Kriti Sanon on Monday penned her mantra on Instagram, and urged people not to consider it a cryptic post. My mantra. P.S.: This is not a cryptic post! It isnt for or against anyone! Sometimes things are just that simple. Sometimes there is actually NOTHING between the lines! I write because I like penning my thoughts or poetic ideas. What you interpret actually depends on you, and not me," she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon) on Sep 7, 2020 at 2:53am PDT You can never please anyone, So dont even try. As long as you know your truth, As long as your heart is in sync with your conscience, As long as you still like the person you wake up as, And you understand the one you see in the mirror, Youll find the peace in any storm," Kritis mantra read. Kriti has been sharing her thoughts on social media for a while now. Recently, people treated one of her posts as cryptic" and linked it with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14. SINN Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on Taoiseach Micheal Martin to contact Boris Johnson to tell him directly that any "bad faith" over Brexit agreements already reached would be "completely unacceptable". Ms McDonald said she would be "alarmed" if the the Government has not yet contacted 10 Downing Street over a report today suggesting that the British Government is planning legislation that would override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Read More The Financial Times reported that this could include issues relating to post-Brexit customs arrangements for Northern Ireland. Ms McDonald said the Withdrawal Agreement and protocols relating to Ireland are "binding". She added: "I want to sound a very strong note of concern that at this stage, very late in the day in terms of the negotiations, that Ireland would be used as a pawn by the British Government. That is completely unacceptable." She has it had been agreed that there would be no damage to the Good Friday Agreement and no hardening of the border in Ireland and that it's important the Irish Government and EU negotiators make that "very clear" too. Ms McDonald said Sinn Fein deputy first minister in the North Michelle O'Neill as well as SDLP leader Colm Eastwood, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, and the Green Party's Claire Bailey have written to EU negotiator Michel Barnier and Mr Johnson to express their "deep disquiet" at the reports. She said she herself has sought to speak to Mr Johnson. And she said the Government here "must make it very clear directly to Boris Johnson and his Government that any suggestion or any move of bad faith in respect of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Irish protocol is completely unacceptable." She argued that this wouldn't interfere with Mr Barnier's ongoing negotiations with the British Government on trade as the Withdrawal Agreement and Irish protocols have already been agreed. She said: "The Government ought to be in contact and if they havent been in contact with Number I0 I would be a bit alarmed if thats the case. "I have been in contact with Number 10 looking to speak to the British Prime Minister so I would expect that that the head of Government here similarly has done so." A senior Government source said that concerns have been conveyed bilaterally to the British Government "through diplomatic and official channels". They added that the matter would be kept "under close attention" in consultation with the EU's Brexit taskforce. The source said that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been clear that the Withdrawal Agreement and Irish protocols must be fully implemented as a precondition of any future deal. They pointed out that they are a binding international treaty and added that the EU task force will "seek clarification and assurances" from the UK on the detail of any proposed legislation. National Investigation Agency (NIA) has served notices on two sons-in-law of outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), or CPI (Maoists), ideologue and poet Pendyala Varavara Rao (81) asking them to appear before the probe agency authorities on Wednesday (September 9) in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. Raos second son-in-law K V Kurmanath, a senior journalist with a national business daily, and the youngest son-in-law K Satyanarayana, a professor of English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in Hyderabad, received notices under Sections 160 and 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to appear before the NIA authorities in Mumbai at 10 am on Wednesday. Rao has been in jail for over 18 months after being arrested by Maharashtra Police on charges of links with the outlawed CPI-Maoist. Also Read: Varavara Rao released from hospital after Covid treatment; back in jail In August 2018, Pune Police had raided my flat and that of Satyanarayana and seized the hard discs of our computers, pen drives, books and some other materials apparently in a bid to collect alleged incriminating evidence against my father-in-law. May be, the NIA authorities want to question us in connection with the same case, Kurmanath told HT. Satyanarayana described NIAs notice as distressing. The NIA notice adds to our family distress at a time when my father-in-laws (Raos) health condition is not good and the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic is spreading at a rapid pace in Mumbai. I am summoned to Mumbai amid these terrible times, he said. He stated that the Pune Police had raided his flat in August 2018 on the pretext of collecting evidence against Rao. I had stated then that I was in no way connected to the Bhima Koregaon case. The fact that Rao is my father-in-law was the only reason to raid my house and cause mental agony. Rao, the revolutionary poet, was arrested by the Maharashtra Police on August 28, 2018, in connection with the Bhima Koregaon clashes in January that year. Though he was released on bail later following a Supreme Court (SC) order, he was arrested by the Pune Police again in November on the charge of being a part of an alleged Maoist conspiracy to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rao and his family members have denied the allegation. Initially, Rao was lodged in Yerawada jail and later shifted to Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai. In July, Rao had shown signs of loss of memory, hallucination and gave incoherent replies to his wife during his telephonic conversation from the jail. Also Read: P Varavara Raos neurological status unstable: Medical report Later, on July 15, he had tested Covid-19 positive and was taken to Nanavati Hospital for treatment. His family members were permitted to interact with him through video call. Later, we were told he was discharged from hospital and taken back to the jail, his family members said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON His reign at the BBC began with a headline-grabbing decision to overturn the ludicrous ban on singing Rule, Britannia at the Last Night Of The Proms that had the metropolitan luvvies who make up the Beeb hierarchy spluttering into their soya milk lattes last week. Tim Davie, the new director-general, is also targeting unfunny Leftie woke comedians who get too much air time, and BBC staff who fail the impartiality test in their reporting and presenting. Now it looks as if Davie's next big move is a management reshuffle and I hear that a demotion for James Purnell, a former Cabinet minister under Gordon Brown turned BBC apparatchik, is on the cards. Tim Davie (pictured) the new director-general, is also targeting unfunny Leftie woke comedians who get too much air time, and BBC staff who fail the impartiality test in their reporting and presenting Purnell, who as Director, Radio & Education, is paid an astonishing 315,000, is not sympathetic to Davie, insiders say. Is it just a coincidence then, that his radio responsibilities have been handed to new Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore? In truth, it's yet another humiliation for Purnell. When his name was floated as a contender for director-general, Downing Street in the form of Boris Johnson's top aide Dominic Cummings let it be known that such an appointment would not be welcome. If Purnell were to decide that his future with Auntie was somewhat limited and depart, Davie, who unusually for a BBC executive stood to be a Tory councillor in the 1990s, would shed few tears. Purnell, who as Director, Radio & Education, is paid an astonishing 315,000, is not sympathetic to Davie, insiders say Kneeling at the feet of Mr Neil Davie sees Andrew Neil, a forensic political interviewer and scourge of the woke, as key Andrew Neil, whose headline-making, self-titled political show on BBC2 was dropped by bosses this year, recalls a previous defenestration by the Corporation. 'The moment somebody called Bob Shennan took over Radio 5 he called me to say he didn't want that sort of probing stuff on a Sunday morning and was canning my breakfast show. First and last time I ever heard from him. I think he's naturally gone on to greater things at the BBC,' Neil observes acidly. Indeed. Shennan now pockets a 276,000 salary as BBC Group Managing Director. No doubt he'll be delighted to hear that Tim Davie is desperately trying to woo back Neil as part of his campaign to see off Auntie's Left-wing bias. Davie sees Neil, a forensic political interviewer and scourge of the woke, as key. Embattled Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is proud of the fact that he's one of the few Cabinet ministers to have been educated at a comprehensive. Peter Ashton, who taught Williamson at the school in Scarborough, was asked by LBC's Nick Ferrari what grades he'd give his most notorious pupil now? 'I'd give him a high grade for effort,' he said diplomatically. 'As for attainment, that's always the difficult one . . .' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps conducted a series of media interviews last week on the need for people to get back to work in their offices. Where did he do the interviews? From home! Former Tory Cabinet minister Esther McVey, due to marry fellow Tory MP Philip Davies this month, is having to scale down celebrations because of Covid. 'You wait 52 years to get married and along comes coronavirus and knocks you off course,' she says on social media. 'I say to Philip, 'Maybe the big guy in the sky is trying to tell us something.' I also say, 'Maybe it's my lucky escape.' But I'm afraid Philip doesn't always appreciate my dark humour.' BBC London presenter Riz Lateef Why is Boris Johnson so keen that lead BBC London presenter Riz Lateef, right, fronts the Government's planned televised daily press briefings? 'Boris used to flirt with Riz when he was interviewed as London Mayor,' says a pal. 'She was professional but acted as if she was flattered.' Maybe the PM's fiancee, Carrie Symonds, will have some thoughts about that. Rory Bremner is not convinced by Boris Johnson's ringing declaration of support last week for the HS2 high-speed rail link. 'In line with current Government policies, HS2 will now run as far as Leamington Spa before making a U-turn and returning to London Euston,' he says. The hotel assets of Dalata, the Irish listed company behind the Maldron and Clayton hotel brands, has been hit by a revaluation decrease of 161m (144m). The new figure has emerged as the hotel sector continues to cope with the impacts of the pandemic. Dalata owns four hotels in Northern Ireland - the Maldron in Belfast city centre, Londonderry and at Belfast International Airport, and a Clayton Hotel in Belfast. The hotel company confirmed the downward revaluation in its recently published half-year results for 2020. It said the company's property, plant and equipment assets were valued at 1.2bn (1bn) in June of this year, with valuation losses on property of 161m, a 12% fall since December 2019. Pat McCann, chief executive of Dalata, said he felt the valuations were conservative. "The problem with valuations is that they rise and they fall," he said. "Because it is a non-cash item, it is not as big an issue in that sense. Would I like them to remain where they were? Absolutely." Mr McCann said the valuation, which was carried out by Savills, a real estate agency, is about looking at forward-looking cash flows, potential cash flows as well as any transactions that had occurred in the market. He said valuations are typically used as leverage for bank debt. The Dalata CEO added that most hotel valuations would fall due to Covid-19. "By in large, anyone valuing hotel assets at this point in time would have to take into account where they are with Covid. "That would be Ireland, UK or Europe or where it is - all hotel assets would fall in line with expected cash flows. "Some will be different, it depends on the outlook for whatever hotel organisation it is. Some will be a lot more, some will be in or around where we are." Tom Barrett, director of hotels at Savills, said that valuations typically look at trade - including historical, current and future - comparable evidence of sales, the price per bedroom, alternative use and transactions. It can also vary between regions and the kind of product on offer. "It's a wide range of metrics that are looked at in terms of valuations," he said. "Sometimes these vary. Sometimes you have a busy transaction market, sometimes, you don't." Mr Barrett said that there had been a limited number of transactions in the hotel market, which can affect valuations, and that sentiment was driving things. The new National Geographic special "Bin Laden's Hard Drive" analyzes the porn collection found in the Abottabad compound of slain terrorist Osama Bin Laden. BIN LADEN'S HARD DRIVE premieres on National Geographic on Thursday, September 10, at 9/8C. Peter Bergen, who famously interviewed Bin Laden, is the correspondent and host of the special. More in the press release. The documentary presents am interesting theory about the XXX stash, writes Nick Schager at The Daily Beast could Bin Laden have been using the pornography content to send encoded messages, rather than for purely prurient purposes? Excerpt: The revelation that bin Laden had a lot of smutty videos and images on his hard drives isn't new; it was first reported by Reuters back in 2011, and has since been described by officials as "fairly extensive." Bin Laden's Hard Drive host Peter Bergena CNN national security analyst who, in 1997, was the first Western journalist to interview bin Laden on TVsays that "a significant amount of pornography" was retrieved by the Navy SEAL squad. Alas, his hour-long TV special (airing Sept. 10) doesn't provide any more details about precisely what kinky craziness bin Laden was watchingor, for that matter, whether he was watching it at all. Although porn was definitely on his drives, the actual consumer of this X-rated stash remains something of a mystery. And the fact that many of bin Laden's computers had been previously owned by others leaves some doubt as to whether or not he was even the one who compiled it in the first place. More interesting is Bin Laden's Hard Drive's suggestion that maybe the terrorist leader's sex videos (whose origins are unknown, since he didn't have an internet connection) were canny tools used to communicate with acolytes. According to his letters, bin Laden feared using email as a means of spreading his message, because encryption couldn't be trusted; this is why most of his interaction with the outside world occurred via couriers. However, the idea is raised by Bergen's show (directed by Aaron Kunkel) that the al Qaeda bigwig might have been hiding encrypting instructions in his pornographic filesa devious means of avoiding detection by marrying murderous commands to the very sort of sinful content he purportedly decried. Then again, as forensic psychologist and CIA consultant Reid Meloy states, it could have just been that, for all his outward claims of humble, righteous piousness, bin Laden was a normal guy who occasionally wanted to get his rocks off, since "biology trumps ideology." More at The Daily Beast: Was Osama bin Laden Sending Coded Messages in Porn? As nearly 90,000 New Mexicans are trying to make ends meet with diminished jobless benefits and only about half the 22 million jobs lost nationally to COVID-19 having been recovered so far, there should be little cause for celebration in Washington, D.C., this somber Labor Day. National leaders have let Americans down, deadlocked for weeks on the size and scope of a new coronavirus relief bill. Meanwhile, more than 4,100 New Mexicans filed new unemployment claims in the week ending Aug. 22. Congress approved a $600 per-week bonus pandemic jobless benefit in late March that kept millions of people from falling into poverty, but the enhanced benefit expired in July. The House and Senate have been deadlocked since then on a bill that would temporarily restore some amount of federal enhancement of unemployment benefits. Roughly 29 million Americans are receiving state unemployment benefits but are no longer drawing the extra $600 a week. As Congress struggles, the Trump administration has set up a program to provide some of the unemployed with $300 a week, but the new rules make many people ineligible and result in greatly diminished relief for everyone else. New Mexico was cleared for the $300 federal unemployment booster program, but the temporary program left out about 2,000 New Mexicans who were ineligible for the extra federal money because their normal weekly unemployment benefit wasnt at least $100. The Department of Workforce Solutions is applying for additional weeks of funding to maximize benefits for New Mexicans. The Democrat-controlled U.S. House passed the $3.45 trillion HEROES Act in May, but Republicans who control the Senate want something closer to a $1 trillion package focused on unemployment benefits with language giving businesses limited liability protection. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has agreed to lower her proposal for state and local governments by almost $1 trillion, but President Donald Trump remains opposed to what he calls bailing out local and state governments he says have been mismanaged by Democrats for generations. Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package that would extend child care assistance and include additional funding for food stamps, renters and homeowners, and state and local governments. CNN reported last month that Trump and Pelosi have not spoken since a White House meeting last October during which Pelosi stood up and walked out. Since then, top Trump administration officials have negotiated directly with Pelosi, but with little effect on a fifth COVID-19 response bill. Trump and Pelosis inability to work together is appalling. Yes, theres sufficient blame for both sides, but letting so many unemployed people hang in the balance is dismaying. U.S. Rep Deb Haaland told the Journal Editorial Board last week that Democrats want other measures in a relief package besides unemployment enhancement, such as funding for the U.S. Postal Service and protection from evictions. But when pressed on whether she would support a bill that only addresses unemployment, the Albuquerque Democrat said shes willing to do whatever is necessary to help the people in her district. That was encouraging. As members of Congress barbecue today, out-of-work New Mexicans worry about how they are going to pay their bills. Members of Congress and the president all need to put aside their differences and focus on restoring a federal unemployment benefit and the other issues that most directly effect the many Americans harmed economically by the pandemic. Even if done in parts, action is needed to protect everyday people, and our leaders in Washington need to do it quickly which means compromise, as dirty as that word seems in politics today. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Russia Nord Stream 2 vs. Poisoning of Alexei Navalny By Peter Koenig September 07, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Wednesday, 2 September all German TV channels mainstream media were focused unilaterally on the alleged Novichok poisoning of Russian opposition critique, Alexei Navalny. This breaking-news poison discovery was made in Germany two weeks after he has been flown from Tomsk in Siberia to Moscow, when he fell ill on the plane and the airliner had to return to Tomsk for an emergency landing. Navalny was hospitalized in Tomsk, put in an artificial coma and closely observed. His family wanted him immediately to be flown out of Russia to Berlin, Germany, to get western attention and western treatment. So, the story goes. At first the medical staff at Tomsk hospital said that Navalnys health was not stable enough for a transport of this kind. A few days later they gave the green light for flying him to Germany. Berlin sent a hospital plane at German taxpayers cost to fly the poisoned political patient to Berlin, where during the last 14 days he has been in an artificial coma in Berlins University Hospital Charite. At least thats what the government reports. After 11 days, finally scientists supposedly military toxicologists, have discovered that Navalny was poisoned with military grade nerve gas Novichok. Military grade! It reminds vividly of the other bizarre Novichok case Sergei and Yulia Skripal, father and daughter, who were found on March 12, 2018 on a park bench in Salisbury, Britain, unconscious. The location was about 12 km down the road from the British top-secret P-4 security military lab Porton Down in Wiltshire, one of the few labs in the world that still are capable to produce Novichok. The immediate reaction of Britain and the world was then, like today: Putin did it! Sergei Skripal was a Russian double agent, who was released from Russia more than a decade earlier and lived peacefully in England. What interest would Mr. Putin have to poison him? However, the UK and Big Brother Washington had all the interest in the world to invent yet another reason to bash and slander Russia and President Putin. The same as today with Alexei Navalny. Isnt it strange that the Skripals as well as Navalny survived? And that after having been poisoned with what military experts claim to be the deadliest nerve agent ever? Although nobody has seen the Skripals after they were hospitalized 2 years ago, it seems they are still alive. Were they perhaps given US-British shelter under the guise of the so-called US-witness protection program a full new identity, hiding in plain view? No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter The immediate question was then and is today, why would Mr. Putin poison his adversaries? That would be the most unwise thing to do. Everybody knows much too well that Mr. Putin is the worlds foremost perceptive, incisive and diplomatic statesman. Alexei Navalny wasnt even a serious contender. His popularity was less than 5%. Compare this with Mr. Putins close to 80% approval rating by the Russian population. Navalny is known as a rightwing activist and troublemaker. Anybody who suggests such an absurdity, that the Kremlin would poison Navalny, is outright crazy. If there would have been a plot to get rid of Navalny why would he be poisoned with the deadliest nerve gas there is and, as he survives, being allowed to be flown out to the west- literally into the belly of the beast? That would be even more nonsensical. Yet the mainstream media keep hammering it down without mercy, without even allowing for the slightest doubt down into the brains of the suspected brainwashed Germans and world populations. But the German population is the least brainwashed of all Europe. In fact, Germans are the most awaken of the globes wester populace. It clearly shows when they resist their governments (and the 193 nations governments around the world) covid tyranny with a peaceful Berlin protest of 1 August of 1.3 million people in the streets and a similar one on 29 August. Nevertheless, Madame Merkels reaction was so ferocious on September 2 on TV and with the media, as well as talking to leaders from around the world on how to react to this latest Russian atrocity and how to punish and sanction President Putin, that even conservative politicians and some mainstream journalist started wondering whats going on? Its a debateless accusation of Russia. There is no shred of evidence and there are no alternatives being considered. The simplest and most immediate question one ought to ask in such circumstances is cui bono who benefits? But no. The answer to this question would clearly show that President Putin and Russia do not benefit from this alleged poisoning at all. So, who does? The evolving situation is so absurd that not a single word coming out of the German Government can be believed. It all sounds like a flagrant lie; like an evil act of smearing Russia without a reason, and that exactly at the time when Europe, led by Germany was about to improve relations with Russia. The gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 is a vivid testimony for closer relations between Germany, and by association Europe with Russia or is it? One of Joseph Goebbels (Hitlers propaganda Minister) famous sayings was, when a lie is repeated enough it becomes the truth. Peculiarly enough, and without any transit-thought, the German rightwing, the CDU-party in particular, came immediately forward with recommending no, demanding an immediate halt of the Nord Stream 2 project canceling the contract with Russia. The biggest punishment for Putin. It will hurt Russia deep in their already miserable down-trodden economy, were some comments. Those were angry anti-Russian voices. Another lie. The Russian economy is doing well, very well, as compared to most western economies, despite covid. What do Russian health and toxicology authorities say, especially those who treated Mr. Navalny in the hospital of Tomsk? RT reports, according to Alexander Sabaev, the chief toxicologist who cared for him in Siberia, if Alexey Navalnys condition were caused by a substance from the Novichok group, the people accompanying him should also be suffering from the fallout. Instead, Dr. Sabaev believes that Navalnys condition was caused by an internal trigger mechanism. Novichok is an organophosphorus compound, and, due to its high toxicity, it is not possible to poison just one person. He explained, As a rule, other accompanying people will also be affected. Doctors in the Tomsk Emergency Hospital, where activist Navalny lay in a coma for almost two days, found no traces of toxic substances in his kidneys, liver, or lungs, Alexander Sabaev, leading the investigation, concluded that Navalny was not poisoned. So why was Dr. Alexander Sabaev not interviewed on German TV or by the western mainstream media? Neither were members of other German parties interviewed, for example Die Linke (the Left), or the SPD the Social Democratic Party. None. None of the medical doctors or scientists who were treating Alexei Navalny at Charite, and who allegedly discovered the deadly poison (but not deadly enough) in Navalnys body, were interviewed. Nor was the former Chancellor, Gerhard Schroder (Ms. Merkels predecessor, 1998-2005) interviewed about his opinion. Schroeder, a member of the SPD, is one of the master minds of Nord Stream 2 and is currently the chairman of the board of Nord Stream AG and of Rosneft. Would he think that Mr. Putin was as foolish as to kill this German-Russia unifying project by poisoning a right-wing activist, a non-adversary? Of course not. Therefore, who benefits? The United States has for years been objecting vividly and voraciously against this pipeline. Trump: Why should we pay for NATO to defend Germany, when Germany buys gas from Russia and makes herself dependent on Russia? He added, We offer Germany and Europe all the gas and energy they need. Yes, the US is offering fracking gas at much higher cost than the Russian gas. There are countries in Europe whose Constitution would not allow buying fracking gas, due to the environmentally damaging fracking process. Is it possible that this was another one of those brilliant acts of the CIA or other US intelligence agencies? Or a combination of CIA and the German Bundesnachrichtendienst (German Federal Intelligence Service) or an EU-NATO trick? By now its no longer a secret that NATO runs Brussels, or at least calls the shots on issues of US interests concerning the European Union or its member states. Is it possible that Angela Merkel was chosen by the deep-deep state to combat President Putin and Russia? This time by bashing and smearing them with lies lies as gross as poisoning an opposition activist? To kill the pipeline? What will it be next time? Today, the first time, official Germany through Mr. Heiko Haas, Foreign Minister, has questioned and threatened the Nord Stream 2 German-Russian joint venture if Moscow does not collaborate. Mr. Haas knows very well, there is nothing to collaborate, as Russia was not involved. It is the same argument, if Moscow does not collaborate (in the case of the Skripals) that was used by Theresa May, then British PM, to punish Russia with further sanctions. Indeed, all is possible in todays world, where the Washington empire is faltering by the day and the Powers that Be are desperate that their international fraud base the US-dollar may be disappearing. Because, not only are Nord Stream 1 and 2 delivering Russian gas to Germany and Europe, but the gas is traded in euros and rubles and not in US-dollars. Think about it. Killing (or so far poisoning) a Russian opposition leader to demolish the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 project? This is certainly a crime within the realm and competence of the US Government and its western allies. What do Russian health and toxicology authorities say, especially those who treated Mr. Navalny in the hospital of Tomsk? RT reports, according to Alexander Sabaev, the chief toxicologist who cared for him in Siberia, if Alexey Navalnys condition were caused by a substance from the Novichok group, the people accompanying him should also be suffering from the fallout. Instead, Dr. Sabaev believes that Navalnys condition was caused by an internal trigger mechanism. Novichok is an organophosphorus compound, and, due to its high toxicity, it is not possible to poison just one person. He explained, As a rule, other accompanying people will also be affected. Doctors in the Tomsk Emergency Hospital, where activist Navalny lay in a coma for almost two days, found no traces of toxic substances in his kidneys, liver, or lungs, Alexander Sabaev, leading the investigation, concluded that Navalny was not poisoned. So why was Dr. Alexander Sabaev not interviewed on German TV or by the western mainstream media? Neither were members of other German parties interviewed, for example Die Linke (the Left), or the SPD the Social Democratic Party. None. None of the medical doctors or scientists who were treating Alexei Navalny at Charite, and who allegedly discovered the deadly poison (but not deadly enough) in Navalnys body, were interviewed. Nor was the former Chancellor, Gerhard Schroder (Ms. Merkels predecessor, 1998-2005) interviewed about his opinion. Schroeder, a member of the SPD, is one of the master minds of Nord Stream 2 and is currently the chairman of the board of Nord Stream AG and of Rosneft. Would he think that Mr. Putin was as foolish as to kill this German-Russia unifying project by poisoning a right-wing activist, a non-adversary? Of course not. Therefore, who benefits? The United States has for years been objecting vividly and voraciously against this pipeline. Trump: Why should we pay for NATO to defend Germany, when Germany buys gas from Russia and makes herself dependent on Russia? He added, We offer Germany and Europe all the gas and energy they need. Yes, the US is offering fracking gas at much higher cost than the Russian gas. There are countries in Europe whose Constitution would not allow buying fracking gas, due to the environmentally damaging fracking process. Is it possible that this was another one of those brilliant acts of the CIA or other US intelligence agencies? Or a combination of CIA and the German Bundesnachrichtendienst (German Federal Intelligence Service) or an EU-NATO trick? By now its no longer a secret that NATO runs Brussels, or at least calls the shots on issues of US interests concerning the European Union or its member states. Is it possible that Angela Merkel was chosen by the deep-deep state to combat President Putin and Russia? This time by bashing and smearing them with lies lies as gross as poisoning an opposition activist? To kill the pipeline? What will it be next time? Today, the first time, official Germany through Mr. Heiko Haas, Foreign Minister, has questioned and threatened the Nord Stream 2 German-Russian joint venture if Moscow does not collaborate. Mr. Haas knows very well, there is nothing to collaborate, as Russia was not involved. It is the same argument, if Moscow does not collaborate (in the case of the Skripals) that was used by Theresa May, then British PM, to punish Russia with further sanctions. Indeed, all is possible in todays world, where the Washington empire is faltering by the day and the Powers that Be are desperate that their international fraud base the US-dollar may be disappearing. Because, not only are Nord Stream 1 and 2 delivering Russian gas to Germany and Europe, but the gas is traded in euros and rubles and not in US-dollars. Think about it. Killing (or so far poisoning) a Russian opposition leader to demolish the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 project? This is certainly a crime within the realm and competence of the US Government and its western allies. Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a water resources and environmental specialist. He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He writes regularly for Global Research; ICH; New Eastern Outlook (NEO); RT; Countercurrents, Sputnik; PressTV; The 21st Century; Greanville Post; Defend Democracy Press; The Saker Blog, the and other internet sites. He is the author of Implosion An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe. He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution! - Essays from the Resistance. Peter Koenig is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization. UPSC NDA, NA 2020: As many as 485 candidates from different parts of the Kashmir Valley appeared in NDA and Naval examinations held here on Sunday amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an official spokesman said. He said the examination was conducted by the UPSC and held at Amar Singh College and SP Higher Secondary School examination centres in Srinagar. Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary visited both the centres to take stock of the arrangements made for the candidates, the spokesman said. The examination was conducted in compliance with all UPSC guidelines and with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol, he said. The administration under the supervision of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole had made fool-proof arrangements for the smooth and fair conduct of the examination, the spokesman said. The arrangements included seating facility at good distance, fumigation and sanitisation of examination centres, deployment of magistrates at both the centres, security and other related arrangements, the spokesman said. Besides, two special examination trains were run between Banihal and Baramulla to ensure hassle-free to and fro transportation for the candidates who appeared in the examination in Srinagar during morning as well as evening shifts, he said. Two years ago, the world watched a mother orca carrying her stillborn calf aloft in the water through the Salish Sea off British Columbia for 17 days. The endangered killer whale named Tahlequah has given birth to a healthy baby. Tahlequah, known to scientists as J35, gave birth likely on Friday after it was spotted in the Haro Strait, northwest of Seattle, earlier in the week, the Center for Whale Research in the state of Washington said in a statement. Hooray! Her new calf appeared healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother in its second day of free-swimming life," the center said. The center did not release the gender of the new calf. It said that when Tahlequah was spotted she was mostly separate from the other whales and very evasive as she crossed the border into Canada. So we ended our encounter with her after a few minutes and wished them well on their way," the center said. READ: Orca Who Grieved for 17 Days Carrying Her Dead Calf is Pregnant Again Tahlequah made headlines for her Tour of Grief in the summer of 2018 when she carried her dead calf on her head for 17 days while she swam about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) around the Salish Sea. Nutritional stress in recent years is to blame for a large percentage of whale pregnancies failing and a 40% mortality rate for young calves, the center said. Recently, SR3, a non-profit dedicated to improving marine wildlife health and welfare, while announcing the pregnancy of Tahlequah also revealed through drone photos that several pregnant killer whales that have been identified by researchers since early July. According to SR3, the orca population is a broad blended family consisting of three social classes, or pods, with orcas come from each pod. Nonetheless, it is uncertain exactly how many. Due to their endangered status, the pregnancy boom among this population may seem like a hopeful prospect. But scientists at SR3 say it is nothing unusual and noted that many southern resident pregnancies have resulted in unsuccessful births due to poor nutrition linked to a lack of prey. Studies by our colleagues at the University of Washington have shown that these reproductive failures are linked to nutrition and access to their Chinook salmon prey," the online release by SR3 said. So, we hope folks on the water can give the Southern Residents plenty of space to forage at this important time." SR3 shared photos online of J35 and L72, another pregnant orca. The aerial images of both orcas show their body sizes in September, when they were several months into their pregnancies, and recently in July, with an increased width mid-body, revealing that theyre in their final stages. We hope this calf is a success story," the note further read. All of us are hoping for the same. With inputs from Reuters On Thursday iwonder premieres A Good American, a docu-thriller from Executive Producer Oliver Stone about a ground-breaking surveillance program, the mastermind behind it and how a perfect alternative to mass surveillance was killed by NSA-management for money three weeks prior to 9/11. iwonder Head of Content, Alexandra Fox-Hughes, says of the film: In contrast to conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11 that have bubbled beneath the surface for years, A Good American instead asks the more troubling question, what if the US had the power to prevent it all along? A disturbing reminder of the sinister forces at work in the world, the film explores what it takes to stay on top of terrorism and how history can be defined by our attitudes to intelligence. A brilliant cryptologist and long-time National Security Agency (NSA) analyst, Bill Binney developed a sophisticated program named ThinThread, able to gather data capable of providing clues, in real-time, of potential terrorist threats. Built-in safeguards would have prevented the massive surveillance methods later exposed by Edward Snowden, so why was the programme killed off and who was behind the decision to do so? Eye-opening and disturbing in equal measure, A Good American tells the complete story of Bill Binney and ThinThread, including chilling accounts from those willing to go on the record to expose the truth and what happened to them as a result. At the heart of the documentary sits the question: could ThinThread have prevented 9/11? While a test-run suggests the answer to be very likely, the results remain classified to this day. Thursday September 10 on iwonder. The serviceman died in an intensive care where medics had been trying to resuscitate him since Sunday. One of the two Ukrainian troops with the Joint Forces who were severely injured in a tanker truck blown up on a mine on September 6, died in a local hospital. That's according to the evening update by the Joint Forces Operation Command. Read alsoFM Kuleba comments on escalation in Donbas"On September 6, an unidentified explosive device set off, blowing up an ARS-14 tank truck near the settlement of Novhorodske. As a result of the explosion, two servicemen sustained injuries of varying severity. It is with great sadness that we report the death of one of the wounded soldiers. Despite resuscitation efforts, he died of the burns sustained," the statement says. Escalation in Donbas: latest For the year 2020, the Royal Family has been hit by back-to-back controversies brought by Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. As the royal drama continues to unfold, Queen Elizabeth II's better half seems not pleased with the scandal these "black sheeps" brought the British monarchy. According to the new biography dedicated to Prince Philip, royal author Ingrid Seward claims that the 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh is having a hard time understanding the younger generation of royals take on their duty and responsibilities. Through "Prince Philip Revealed," Seward revealed that the retired royal is frustrated that most of the younger royals could not share the value of fully accepting duties, the same way that he did when he married Queen Elizabeth II. As the spouse of the most powerful woman in the United Kingdom, Prince Philp's role is always two steps behind, supporting Her Majesty. While he was given specific duties, the Duke of Edinburgh humbled himself in representing the Queen even if he could not be called the King. Speaking to Mirror, a behavioral psychologist and royal body language expert, Dr. Peter Collectt said: "The Duke of Edinburgh is an alpha male playing a beta role. But he accepts that as it's his duty". Seward said that due to his sacrifices for the Royal Family, Prince Philip finds it hard to understand why the royals beneath him could not keep up and continuously spread dirt that could ruin The Firm. Seward's new biography, set to release on October 6, 2020, suggests that Prince Philip is now furious with the royal black sheep, a.k.a Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. Prince Harry According to Seward, Edinburgh's Duke finds it hard to believe why his 35-year-old Duke grandson neglected his royal duties. The senior royal can's understand what made Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle's life, so "unbearable," leading them to step down as senior royals earlier this year. Prince Philip felt that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have the finest things in life, such as their beautiful Frogmore Cottage, a healthy one-year-old son, Archie, and a huge opportunity to make a global impact with their charity works. Prince Andrew Meanwhile, the royal biographer claims that Prince Andrew was particularly disappointed by his son's behavior, especially with his association with the late-pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. According to Seward, the Duke of York's connection to the Epstein sex trafficking scandal is not the first time that Prince Philip was troubled with his second son. The patriarch was also troubled with Prince Andrew's failed marriage to Sarah Ferguson and his unsuccessful career as the UK's special envoy for overseas trade. Prince Philip said to believe that if only the 60-year-old royal listened to his warnings on the dangers of being used by seedy billionaires looking for pet royal to elevate their own status, this scandal would not have happened. For the Duke of Edinburgh, Andrew's failure of judgment was a tragedy. READ MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Netflix Project Could Ignite Rift With Prince William Japans economy wont return to its pre-pandemic size without structural reforms needed to boost productivity and counter the impact of a shrinking population, according to Bloomberg Economics. The Covid crisis is extending the delay in implementing reforms and that means the economys slow recovery from its record contraction is likely to peak in 2028 with real gross domestic product still below its 2019 level, according to Bloomberg economist Yuki Masujima. The growth trend will then switch to a steady decline with the economy ending up 16% smaller than it was in 2019 by 2050. These dismal projections underline the importance of finding new ways to squeeze more output out of resources at hand, Masujima said in a note. For this reason, one of the biggest risks to long term growth is a failure to push through structural reforms. The report comes with Japans ruling party in a leadership contest to decide who will take over from outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after nearly eight years of his growth strategy. Abenomics had aimed to push nominal GDP up to 600 trillion yen ($5.65 trillion) through its so-called three arrows: monetary easing, fiscal stimulus and regulatory reforms. Yoshihide Suga, the leading candidate to succeed Abe, has said he will keep up and try to advance Abenomics and has signaled his interest in shaking up some industries and the bureaucracy. Still, the immediate challenge of Abes replacement will be to contain the spread of infections while reviving economy activity. The pandemic is likely to further delay several critical reforms from labor market changes to fiscal consolidation, Masujima says. Reducing trade barriers, attracting more foreign direct investment and increasing labor market flexibility are among the reforms Japan needs, according to Masujima. He also cites the need to develop intellectual property and open up more to immigration. Italian health officials have announced plans to test every passenger departing from Rome airport for Covid-19. The move follows optimistic results from a pilot trial in which 25,000 visitors arriving from countries with high infection rates were swabbed. Passengers from Spain, Malta, Greece and Croatia have been tested since mid-August after Italian residents returning from these countries tested positive for the virus, triggering a rise in new cases in Italy. Under the plan, travellers visiting Italy who test positive before flying home would be denied boarding and made to remain in Rome and quarantine, with accommodation provided. A spokesperson for the health authority in Lazio, the home region of the Italian capital, told The Times: They would be quarantined until they test negative. Before flying, people will stop off at our airport drive-in test centre and get a result in 30 minutes. So, instead of arriving an hour before a flight, you come two hours before, they said. Our ambition is that everyone flies out with a ticket and negative result in their pocket. If you are negative you fly, if you are positive you dont, they said. Tests on departing passengers will begin this month on flights from Rome to Milan. Italy has seen a steep increase in the number of coronavirus cases, with 1,695 new cases reported on Saturday. Five passengers arriving from Spain on Friday tested positive for the virus, taking the number of new infections at Romes Fiumicino and Ciampino airports to 203. Recommended Rome bans souvenir stands at popular tourist sights Those who had tested positive were placed in quarantine facilities. Closer to home, the shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, has called for a robust testing regime in airports in a bid to eradicate the need for two-week quarantines for those returning from green list countries. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said on Sunday that testing policies for incoming travellers to the UK was under review, and that testing was no silver bullet and could not reduce the need to quarantine completely. Speaking on BBC Ones Andrew Marr Show, Mr Raab said: the idea that one test in an airport could resolve the quarantine issueswe couldn't safely do that. We're not going to let up on a measure which is crucial for keeping the virus under control. Tests on travellers to the UK eight days after arrival are currently being considered. Hundreds of pupils across the UK were self-isolating yesterday after a string of Covid-19 outbreaks in schools. Some schools were forced to close entirely but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson insisted the Government is very much in control of the safe return of students. Dozens of schools across England and Wales reported cases of the virus, resulting in children and staff being sent home. At least three shut completely while others delayed their openings or told dozens of youngsters to stay away from lessons. However, outbreaks have only happened in a small proportion of the UKs more than 30,000 schools. A school visited by Boris Johnson on August 26 (pictured) Castle Rock High School in Coalville, Leicestershire put a number of pupil groups into self-isolation as a precaution after a staff member tested positive Cases emerged yesterday after primaries and secondaries began reopening to all year groups last week for the first time since March, with the remainder due to open this week. A school visited by Boris Johnson on August 26 Castle Rock High School in Coalville, Leicestershire put a number of pupil groups into self-isolation as a precaution after a staff member tested positive. During his visit, Mr Johnson had said that continuing to be out of school was the biggest risk to children. Yesterday in a House of Commons session with Mr Williamson, Labour MP Matt Western said: Just in the last week, weve had 46 cases in schools across the UK. In Scotland, there were 86 cases, a total of 158 schools already have cases. In a Suffolk school, five teachers, I think its in Health Secretary [Matt Hancocks] own constituency, five teachers and the school has had to close. He asked: Is [Mr Williamson] confident the Government really has this under control? The Education Secretary responded very much so and told MPs schools will only be shut as an absolute last resort. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said yesterday it was impossible to eliminate the risks of transmission in school or the wider community. He added: It is therefore likely that disruption will continue over the coming weeks and months. A Department for Education spokesman said: The very small number of schools asking some or all of their pupils to remain at home are following our clear published process following a positive case being confirmed. The Suffolk school referred to by Mr Western the Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill closed yesterday but said it hoped to reopen today. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson (pictured) insisted the Government is very much in control of the safe return of students As many as 200 pupils across eight Liverpool schools are self-isolating for 14 days after confirmed coronavirus cases. Old Buckenham High School in Norfolk closed after a member of staff tested positive, according to the BBC education website. It will reopen after a deep clean. In Middlesbrough, Hemlington Hall Academy was closed to reception and nursery children yesterday after a member of staff went home with suspected symptoms on Friday. The affected classes will not be allowed to return until September 21. Cases have also been confirmed at three schools in the surrounding area. The city was added to the official Covid-19 watchlist as an area of concern on Friday. Six schools in Sunderland announced partial closures while a seventh in the area shut fully. The JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire, shut on Friday after a pupil tested positive and around 100 students are self-isolating. Schools in East Sussex, South London, Leeds and Nottingham have also closed to some year groups or delayed reopening, forcing pupils into self-isolation, after teachers tested positive. Year One pupils at Newsham Primary School, Blyth, Northumberland, have been asked to self-isolate after a child tested positive. The school had only reopened last Wednesday. In Wales, at least eight schools were believed to have been affected by coronavirus since reopening. Schools in Scotland have been open since mid-August. A survey of students today reveals 70 per cent fear catching coronavirus when they return to campuses from this month. Many also complain of a lack of support and up-to-date advice from their universities. Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) plans to raise up to Rs 1,500 crore to fund business growth and increase foreign shareholding to up to 74 per cent, the private lender said in a notice. LVB said it will seek approval for the proposals from its shareholders in the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) on September 25 which will take place through audio/visual means due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bank has been exploring various options for raising funds for augmenting the tier-I capital to support business growth as directed by the RBI, it said in the notice. The Chennai-based lender said the board of directors in its meeting on August 26 accorded its approval for raising of funds, including by way of issue of equity shares, GDRs, ADRs foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCGs), preference shares convertible into equity shares among others in one or more tranches by way of one or more public and/or private offerings. "Whilst no specific instrument has been identified at this stage, in the event, the issue will be structured in such a manner that the proceeds of the same would not exceed Rs 1,000 crore," it said. "Since the proposed fund raising activities may result in the issue of equity shares to investors who may or may not be members of the bank, consent of the members is being sought...The proposed issue of securities is in the best interest of the bank and your directors recommend the resolution for your approval," the bank said. The bank will also seek shareholders' approval for raising another Rs 500 crore by issuing debt securities. The bank has been borrowing funds for augmenting capital funds to support business growth as directed by RBI within the limits approved by members of the bank by way of issuance of various debt securities, it said in the notice. Also read: Banks may restructure loans worth over Rs 10 lakh crore "The board of directors have proposed to obtain the consent of the members of the bank for borrowing/raising funds in Indian /foreign currency by issue of debt securities pursuant to the relevant provisions of the applicable circulars or guidelines issued by RBI, up to Rs 500 crore in aggregate, for additional Tier I and/or Tier II capital, in one or more tranches in domestic and/or overseas market," it said. To meet its capital requirements, LVB had sought the RBI's approval to amalgamate Indiabulls Housing Finance and Indiabulls Commercial Credit Ltd into itself in May 2019. It, however, could not get a regulatory nod for the amalgamation plan. The lender in June 2020 inked a non-binding agreement with Clix Capital Services Private Limited (Clix Capital) and Clix Finance India Private Limited (Clix Finance) (collectively the Clix Group) for the proposed amalgamation of Clix Group with the bank for an estimated value of Rs 1,900 crore. Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Lakshmi Vilas Bank a strategic opportunity, due diligence process on, says CLIX Capital "Under the non-binding LoI (letter of intent), the proposed amalgamation is subject to completion of mutual due-diligence in exclusive window within September 15th, 2020, and will be subject to regulatory and other customary approvals. "In the event the discussions between the contracting parties in relation to the proposed transaction is successful and definitive agreements are executed, we will make appropriate disclosures as required under the provisions of applicable law," LVB said in annual report for FY2020. The independent auditor in the annual report noted, "The bank has been incurring losses for the past 10 quarters and the Reserve Bank of India has initiated Prompt Corrective Action in September 2019, which prescribes the bank to bring in additional capital, restrict further lending to corporates, reduce NPAs and improve the Provision Coverage Ratio to 70 per cent. Also read: Lakshmi Vilas Bank in talks for capital infusion; expects to mop up Rs 1,000 crore The auditors report said, "there has been a steady decline in the bank's deposit base since September 2019 and increase in the NPA ratios. The bank's Tier 1 capital ratio has turned negative, at -0.88 per cent, as compared to the minimum requirement of 8.875 per cent. "This requires the bank to take effective steps to augment its capital base in the year 2020-21. We were informed that the bank routinely evaluates capital raising options." LVB posted a net loss of Rs 836.04 crore during the year ended March 31, 2020. The lender will also seek shareholders' nod for raising the foreign shareholding to 74 per cent which has been already approved by the board. The lender will also seek shareholders' nod for raising the foreign shareholding to 74 per cent which has been already approved by the board. The existing aggregate holding of non-resident investors in the bank's equity share capital as of March 31, 2020, is approximately 12.35 per cent, the bank said. The previous limit approved by the shareholders at the 87th AGM held in September 2014 was 49 per cent of the equity share capital of the Bank within which the aggregate NRI holding cannot exceed 24 per cent. Also read: Tata Steel back to 100 per cent productivity: CEO TV Narendran Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ardila Syakriah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 08:17 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c43125bf 1 National COVID-19,Indonesia,Greater-Jakarta,COVID-19-industrial-cluster,Bekasi,Tangerang,LG,Hitachi,Unilever-Indonesia,Suzuki Free Six months into the pandemic, Indonesian workers are not only at risk of massive layoffs but also of infections at their workplaces, as virus clusters have emerged in factories, prompting calls for tighter government supervision and better compliance of health protocols from companies. The countrys most populous province, West Java, has seen at least three big clusters with a total of 541 cases emerging from its industrial areas in Bekasi regency, located at the periphery of the capital, within the last weeks of August. The regency's health agency head, Sri Enny Mainarti, declined to disclose the names of the three factories but said each had 250, 220 and 71 cases, respectively. Another factory had earlier seen dozens of cases in July and another one in May. They were LG Electronics, motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki and automotive spare part manufacturer PT Nippon Oilseal Kogyu, while previous clusters were also reported from Unilever Indonesia and Japanese industrial conglomerate Hitachi Ltd. In total, Enny said 22 factories in the regency had reported COVID-19 cases among their workers since the beginning of the pandemic. In Tangerang, Banten, Mayor Arief Wismansyah told the Post that the administration had traced a total of 43 cases in a cluster emerging from a factory producing daily products from July to August. He also declined to disclose the company names. Local administration officials have said that the affected factory workers did not only live in the areas where the industrial zones were located but also commuted from areas in Greater Jakarta. Central Java and East Java have also reported clusters among their workers, amounting to some 300 cases in at least three companies in July for the former and more than 100 cases in two cigarette factories in April and May. Read also: Sampoerna factory closes after two COVID-19 deaths COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Committee Erick Thohir said during a press briefing last week that factory owners must help curb transmission by following health protocols instead of relying solely on the government, which he said had provided assistance by wage subsidies, tests and health protocol campaigns. "If [factory owners] don't protect their workers, [choosing to apply] one shift [in a day] instead of two just to pursue [more] income, then [companies must] be ready for the consequences. It's not impossible for the factories to be closed," he said. Inter-Factory Laborers Federation (FBLP) chairwoman Jumisih said there were still companies that did not provide the necessary facilities for workers to follow health protocols, especially in terms of social distancing. Hence, it was inevitable that thousands or hundreds of workers would come across each other when entering or exiting their workplaces, or during break time. Some factories had yet to divide shifts and even then, workers were concerned that if they did, their companies would cut their pay according to their working hours, she said, adding that her federation was collecting data on workers who failed to pay their rent due to the pay cuts. Jumisih urged for tighter monitoring from manpower agencies. "There are workers who only receive half or a third of their income. Who can survive with that money? We need the government's intervention in this. Workers who are afraid of coming to work are afraid of being laid off and can't bring food to the table, but those who come and are at risk of infection also face pay cuts and can't provide for themselves and their families," she said. West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil visited an industrial area in Cikarang, Bekasi, on Friday, urging companies to facilitate workers to follow protocols, such as by providing good air ventilation. He said that if a local cluster emerged, factories must let their employees in exposed locations work from home. Every factory worker is required to fill out a journal every morning detailing their activities outside of the factory, as well as a list of everywhere they go outside of the factory, Ridwan said. Enny of Bekasi's health agency said transmissions could occur at smoking area or food stalls outside factory complexes after working hours. Read also: Indonesias factory activity in deepest-ever contraction as pandemic disrupts supply, demand Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) property and economic zone head Sanny Iskandar said companies had followed health protocols and regulations, with some carrying out massive testing using rapid antibody tests, which should be seen positively. Given that most cities and regencies have relaxed lockdown restrictions, companies would have no idea where workers could spend after-work hours, he said, emphasizing that it took everyone to work together in improving the country's economy and maintaining safe workplaces. "Factories [affected] are large companies that have the money to test their workers. They provide food in canteens. But factories outside these [industrial] areas, their workers eat outside. So, I'm not sure with these companies; maybe it's just because they don't test so they don't find any cases," he said. "There must be monitoring because it's better to prevent rather than take reactive actions after workers are infected. India on Monday took the first steps towards developing a new class of ultra-modern weapons that can travel six times faster than the speed of sound (Mach 6) and penetrate any missile defence, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carrying out a successful flight test of the hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) for the first time from a launch facility off the Odisha coast, the government said in a statement. Only the United States, Russia and China have developed technologies to field fast-maneuvering hypersonic missiles that fly at lower altitudes and are extremely hard to track and intercept. India could develop hypersonic cruise missiles powered by air-breathing scramjet engines in about four years, a top government officer said on the condition of anonymity. Mach 6 translates into a speed of 7,408 kmph. IN PICS:| DRDO successfully test fires hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle The DRDO has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of HSTDV at 1103 hours from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam launch complex at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha on Monday, the defence ministry statement said. An improvement over the ramjet technology, the scramjet engine operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds in excess of Mach 5. The hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor that took it to an altitude of 30 km where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated at a hypersonic Mach number, the statement said. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned. The hypersonic combustion sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound or nearly 2 km/second for more than 20 seconds, the statement said. The first test of the HSTDV in June 2019 failed to meet mission parameters. Developing hypersonic missiles will require the cruise vehicle to travel at speeds above Mach 6 for a few 100 seconds for the weapon to strike its target, said a second official, requesting anonymity. Critical events like fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet demonstrated technological maturity. The scramjet engine performed in a text book manner, the statement said. The parameters of launch and cruise vehicle, including the scramjet engine, were monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and telemetry stations, with the engine working efficiently at high dynamic pressure and very high temperature, it added. A warship was deployed in the Bay of Bengal to monitor the performance during the cruise phase of hypersonic vehicle. All the performance parameters indicated a resounding success of the mission, the statement said. This marks a technological breakthrough for the country. The successful mission will enable us to develop many more critical technologies and pave the way for hypersonic vehicle development, DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy told Hindustan Times. The flight test has proven a raft of critical technologies including aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic maneuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials and separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities, the defence ministry said. With hypersonic vehicles being the key to defeating missile defences, the successful flight of the technology demonstrator vehicle is an important milestone, said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. This has been some time in the making and the challenge now is to make a time-bound transition to the prototype testing phase. China is quite ahead in hypersonics and India cannot afford to lag behind, Bahadur said. The dual-use hypersonic technology has non-military applications too --- it can be used for launching satellites and developing commercial planes, experts said. Defence minister Rajnath, who spoke with scientists associated with the critical project, congratulated the DRDO on the landmark achievement towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The DRDO has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase, defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote on Twitter. Reddy congratulated the scientists, researchers and other personnel associated with the mission for their resolute and unwavering efforts towards strengthening the countrys defence capabilities. Why is the successful flight test of the hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) significant? It paves the way for India to develop hypersonic weapons that can travel six times faster than the speed of sound (Mach 6). The weapon will be integrated into the hypersonic vehicle. Which other countries have developed hypersonic technology? Only the US, Russia and China have developed technologies to field hypersonic weapons that fly at lower altitudes and are extremely hard to track and intercept. India could develop hypersonic missiles in four years. What will the development of hypersonic missiles entail? In Mondays test, the cruise vehicle continued on its flight path at Mach 6 speeds or nearly 2 km/second for more than 20 seconds. The next challenge for India will be ensure the cruise vehicle can travel at those speeds for a few 100 seconds for the weapon to strike its target. What are the main challenges for hypersonic flights? Extremely high temperatures and aerodynamic forces make hypersonic flights tricky. The successful flight test proved several critical technologies including aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic maneuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and separation mechanism at speeds in excess of Mach 6. Why are hypersonic vehicles powered by scramjet engines? An improvement over the ramjet technology, the scramjet engine operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion. Ramjet engines are efficient at supersonic speeds of around Mach 3 but their performance drops when the vehicle hits hypersonic speeds. A 105-year-old survivor is the lead plaintiff seeking recompense for the public nuisance the racist massacre created. A lawsuit filed in the US state of Oklahoma seeks justice for the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, among the largest racially motivated mass killings in US history. The suit, filed on behalf of descendants of the carnage and a survivor, 105-year-old Lessie Benningfield Randle, is seeking reparations for the destruction of the citys previously thriving Black district, Greenwood, that was burned to the ground by an angry white mob. The area was so financially successful it was known as the Black Wall Street in its day. It is estimated that up to 300 people were killed during the massacre Tulsa lawyer Damario Solomon-Simmons, who filed the lawsuit along with other members of the Justice for Greenwood Advocates, a team of civil and human rights lawyers, told reporters at a news conference last week that no one to this day, has been held accountable someone said recently that the folks that committed the massacre almost got away with it. Well, they did get away with it. Until today. The massacre, which left hundreds of Black residents dead and thousands homeless, has received renewed attention in recent months. Part of this renewed interest came after a popular television programme, The Watchmen, used the events as major plot point. A group of people looking at smoke in the distance coming from damaged properties following the Tulsa Race Massacre [Oklahoma Historical Society/Getty Images] Next year will mark the tragic events 100th anniversary. President Donald Trump recently moved the date of his June rally in Tulsa to avoid coinciding with a Juneteenth celebration in the citys Greenwood District, following criticism from Black leaders. The lawsuit seeks repairs in and restoration of Tulsas predominantly Black north side and claims the event has a lasting impact on Black residents of the city to this day. A Red Cross report six months after the incident stated the consensus opinion about the underlying causes of the rioting places the blame upon the lack of law enforcement'. Thirty-five city blocks were looted systematically, then burned to a cinder, the report stated, and the twelve thousand population thereof scattered like chaff before the wind. The lawsuit names seven defendants said to have contributed to the public nuisance and unjustly enriched themselves at the expense of the Black citizens of Tulsa and the survivors and descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The complaint was filed under the states public nuisance law, which the state attorney general used last year to force opioid drug maker Johnson & Johnson to pay the state $465m in damages. The plaintiffs want the defendants to abate the public nuisance of racial disparities, economic inequalities, insecurity, and trauma their unlawful actions and omissions caused in 1921 and continue to cause 99 years after the massacre. The aftermath of the Tulsa Race Massacre, during which mobs of white residents attacked black residents and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, US, June 1921 [Bettmann Archive/Getty Images] The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount sought by the plaintiffs but asks the court to declare that a public nuisance created by the defendants is capable of being abated through the expenditure of money and labor. The suit also seeks a detailed accounting of the property and wealth lost or stolen in the massacre, the construction of a hospital in north Tulsa and the creation of a Tulsa Massacre Victims Compensation Fund, among other things. It also seeks immunity from all city and county taxes and utility expenses for the next 99 years for descendants of those who were killed, injured or lost property in the massacre. The Red Cross report said the property losses including household goods will easily reach the four million [dollar] mark. Other defendants include the Tulsa Regional Chamber, Board of County Commissioners, Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, Tulsa County Sheriff and a branch of the Oklahoma Military Department, which is the agency that administers the states National Guard. The graves of Reuben Everett, left, and Eddie Lockard, right, believed to be victims of the massacre, are seen at Oaklawn Cemetery in Tulsa [Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo] There are widely varying accounts of the role played by the National Guard during the events of late May and early June 1921 in the Greenwood District. However, the historical record shows that a handful of Guardsmen protected the Tulsa armory and the weapons inside from more than 300 rioters, The Oklahoma National Guards Office of Public Affairs said in a statement following the lawsuit. The actions of these Guardsmen substantially reduced the number of deaths in the Greenwood District. In the days following the riots, Oklahoma Guardsmen restored order to the area and prevented further attacks by both black and white Tulsans. Due to pending litigation, the Oklahoma National Guard will offer no further comment on this subject. The CDC issued a stern warning before the weekend: "Although COVID-19 cases in many states declined over the last 7 days, daily cases are now increasing in some states, particularly in the upper Great Plains, Midwest, and South." Read on to see which states had the most cases over that seven day perioddark red being the worst, dark orange being second worstand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Illinois Status: Dark Red "Illinois public health officials announced 1,403 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday along with 5 additional deaths," reports ABC 7. "The 5,368 new coronavirus cases announced Friday was the largest in Illinois since the pandemic began. The previous record was 4,014 on May 12. Recent numbers have shown home gatherings including backyard cookouts with family and friends are now a main driver of an increase in COVID 19 numbers." 2 California People line up at a mobile Coronavirus testing site at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital Status: Dark Red "Experts said the challenge facing society is to get beyond the lockdown conditions of spring while still avoiding gatherings that can spread the virus," reports the Los Angeles Times. "Many agencies are urging people to stay home through the weekend, but that might be hard for some to do in the waning days of summerespecially with a heat wave bearing down." "People should not just hunker down and stay home. We're normal social creatures, and we have to find ways of socializing in a safe way," Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of UC San Francisco's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, told the paper. 3 Texas Cars line up at city COVID-19 drive-through testing center Status: Dark Red "The Rev. Tom Wood, 83, who ministered at First United Methodist Church in the tiny town of Itasca (population 1,726) for 17 yearsdied July 29 of complications related to COVID-19." "He would say and it came from such an authentic place that his hope was in Christ and resurrection," the Rev. Jaime McGlothlin of Valley Mills First United Methodist Church in Texas told NBC News. "He said, 'I know, at my age, this virus will probably take my life if I get it.' He was sober about that early on. He was not anxious. He was grounded." Story continues 4 Florida Pompano Beach Coronavirus (COVID-19) Drive-thru testing spot. Broward Health staff testing (pre screening) people on COVID-19 Status: Dark Red "More than 12,000 people have died in the state of Florida due to coronavirus-related causes, according to the latest figures released by the state's Department of Health," reports NBC 6. "Florida added 2,564 new coronavirus cases Sunday, bringing its total to 646,431." RELATED: COVID Mistakes You Should Never Make 5 Georgia Status: Dark Orange "Labor Day weekend saw Georgia pass yet another grim milestone in the coronavirus pandemic, when the state passed 6,000 COVID-related deaths," reports AJC. "According to figures released Sunday afternoon by the state Department of Public Health, 6,037 coronavirus-related deaths have now occurred in Georgia. A total of 283,199 cases have been reported." 6 South Carolina Status: Dark Orange "It has now been six months since those first cases were announced. In that time, South Carolina has seen its case count rise to more than 120,000, with more than 2,700 deaths related to the novel coronavirus," reports the State. "The global pandemic has hit the Palmetto State hard, closing schools and businesses and putting many out of work." 7 North Carolina Status: Dark Orange "North Carolina's reported coronavirus total rose by more than 1,000 cases Sunday, bringing the number of cases statewide to 176,901," reports the News Observer. "North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services reported 2,890 deaths from COVID-19 in North Carolina Sunday, just one more than on Saturday. The state's positive COVID-19 testing rate, last updated Friday, was 6.1%." 8 Virginia Richmond, Virginia, USA downtown skyline on the James River. Status: Dark Orange "The Labor Day holiday weekend is underway, but with that comes a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases at Virginia Tech," reports WDBJ. "Campus cases have more than doubled since Sunday. According to Friday's update on the COVID-19 Dashboard, the school is reporting 238 new cases with 416 positive tests since Aug. 16." RELATED: I'm a Doctor and Here's When You Can Safely Keep Your Mask Off 9 Tennessee Vehicles lined up to get tested for covid-19 at the Community Assessment Center. Status: Dark Orange "The Tennessee Department of Health reported 1,764 additional COVID-19 cases Sunday, along with 3 new deaths," reports News Channel 5. "This brings the state's total count to 164,126 cases so far and 1,865 deaths. The state reported 976 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, for a total of 145,359 since the pandemic began. There are 819 current hospitalizations." 10 Alabama Welcome to Sweet Home Alabama Road Sign along Interstate 10 in Robertsdale, Alabama USA, near the State Border with Florida Status: Dark Orange "It seemed like Billy Joe Driver, 84, was always around in this Alabama city"of Clanton "after 36 years as mayor," reports the AP. "All that visibility meant people noticed when Driver disappeared from public in June, and friends bowed in prayer when word got out he was sick with what many had assumed was a big-city disease, COVID-19. Driver died of the illness in July, forcing a reckoning that's still rippling through the community." 11 Ohio Bronze sculpture Old Man and His Dog by Glenna Goodacre seen here in Lincoln Park with PPE masks during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of mandate of social responsibility Status: Dark Orange "The Ohio Department of Health reported 1,341 more coronavirus infections on Saturday, pushing the statewide tally to 129,785," reports Lima Ohio. "Saturday's numbers topped the three-week average of 1,053 COVID-19 cases per day. Officials have been urging Ohioans to take care and to practice safety precautions during the Labor Day weekend in hopes the state can avoid a post-holiday surge, as occurred during July." 12 North Dakota State Capitol of North Dakota, Bismarck Status: Yellow "A Sioux County man with COVID-19 has died, and the state has set an active case record three days in a row, according to data the North Dakota Department of Health reported Sunday," according to the Bismarck Tribune. 13 South Dakota South Dakota Welcome sign Status: Yellow Says Deseret News: "South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has discouraged schools from requiring masks and promoted hand-washing instead. She also has campaigned against 'elite class of so-called experts,' who, she said, impact liberty." 14 Missouri St. Louis, Missouri, USA downtown cityscape on the river at dusk. Status: Dark Orange "Monday, September 7, marks six months since the first COVID-19 case was announced in St. Louis County. Since then, Missouri has reported more than 94,000 coronavirus cases," reports KMOV. "Life has undoubtedly changed for everybody in the past six months. Thousands of people ended up in hospitals and over 1,600 people lost their lives due to complications caused by the virus. Hospitals neared capacity and the entire health care system had to adapt to perhaps an inevitable outbreak. Half a million Missourians lost their jobs and thousands of people had less food on the table." 15 Oklahoma Status: Dark Orange "The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Sunday reported 420 new coronavirus cases across the state, bringing the total cumulative number of the state's positive cases to 63,607." 16 How to Avoid COVID-19 Where You Are girl wear medical face mask on sunny city street Says the CDC in their warning: "Wear a mask. Stay 6 ft from others. Wash your hands." As for yourself: To get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID. Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut has been making headlines almost every other day for several reasons including pointing fingers at the apparent consumption of drugs in the Bollywood industry, nepotism, bullying of newcomers and rivalries in Bollywood- which she believes had a role in Sushant Singh Rajput's death. Kangana Ranaut/Twitter Her latest headline-making news came after she called Mumbai Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir which didnt go down well with many people on social media including her colleagues from the industry. And now, the Queen actress has been granted Y-plus category security by the Union Home Ministry ahead of her Mumbai visit on September 9 amid an escalating war of words between the actor and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut. Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut given Y+ category security by central agencies: officials Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 7, 2020 Here are 5 things to know about this latest development: 1. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been asked to take over Kangana Ranauts security. Officials said the decision was taken after a threat perception was carried out, and the Himachal Pradesh government also approached the ministry, reports state. 2. Under the Y-plus category, the 33-year-old actor will have 10 to 11 armed commandos guarding her in three shifts, with two or three Personnel Security Officers (PSOs) accompanying her round the clock and one security personnel deployed at her residence. 3. The verbal feud between the actor and Shiv Sena leader started after her Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir comment last Thursday, which didnt go down well with many people on social media as well as her industry colleagues. In fact, Kangana had also said that she feared the Mumbai Police more than what she has dubbed as movie mafia. Kangana Ranaut/Twitter 4. In the wake of this ongoing feud, Raut had hit back in Senas mouthpiece Saamana, asking Kangana not to return to Mumbai for criticising Mumbai Police. He had written in his editorial, This issue concerns the pride of Maharashtra and there will be no compromise on this front. Ranaut needs to apologise for her PoK remarks or she will face the music from our womens wing. 5. However, refusing to back down, Kangana said she will return to Mumbai on September 9 and further said that Raut is not Maharashtra. Your people are threatening me, still, Ill come to Mumbai on September 9, she said in a video message on Sunday. Instagram/ Kangana Ranaut Mr Sanjay Raut, you called me haramkhor ladki. You know how many girls are raped every day in the country, how many of them are tortured and killed - sometimes by their own husbands. And you know who is responsible for all this? It is this mindset which you very shamelessly displayed in front of the entire country. The daughters of this country will never forgive you, the actor had said. People on social media had mixed reactions to this: Bravo India, taking good care of the girl child. An RS seat is forthcoming I guess. Subbarao Chavali (@CSRao73) September 7, 2020 Dolly bindra, Rakhi Sawant, and others to stage a protest against this decision. They think they deserve it more than kangana. They were the original drama queen long before kangana stoop to that level. ~From pliable sources Mr.Fixit (@yippeekiyay_dk) September 7, 2020 Dar Amir ko lag raha hai Security Kangana ko de rahe hai. Fascist Modi. Karan Singh (@singhkaran29) September 7, 2020 Congratulations all taxpayers . This is how your hard earned money is wasted. But Govt doesnt have money for building education and healthcare infra in India. #Economist (@_AamEconomist) September 7, 2020 What a good use of the taxpayers money! mac@roon (@dr_madras) September 7, 2020 She compared Mumbai with POK...ab kyu aa rahi hai POK me Parag_013 (@parag_sugaonkar) September 7, 2020 Shame on Maharashtra k_s_umesh (@ksumesh954) September 7, 2020 Meanwhile, the actress has thanked Home Minister Amit Shah for the security being provided to her. Currently, Kangana is at her family home in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. On Sunday, the actors father had written to the Himachal Pradesh government, requesting security for her owing to the current tense scenario. "Kangana Ranaut's father has given in writing asking for police protection. I also spoke to her sister yesterday. The Director-General of Police has been directed in this regard and she will be provided security here. We are discussing what can be done to provide security to her outside the state as she is leaving for Mumbai on September 9," Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had said. (with inputs from PTI) President Trump has had three defense secretaries during his tenure, and he may soon have his fourth. NBC News reports White House officials are in talks with Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie about stepping in as defense secretary should Trump fire existing Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Wilkie's role on the White House's COVID-19 task force apparently raised his profile with the president. Trump has reportedly long been displeased with Esper, who has been in the role for about a year. He recently broke with Trump on a handful of issues including renaming military bases that are named for Confederate leaders (Esper said yes, Trump said no) and invoking the Insurrection Act to send federal troops to cities experiencing protests (Esper said no, Trump said maybe). Now, tensions are especially high between Trump and Esper, NBC News reports, as the president faces backlash for allegedly calling U.S. veterans "losers" and "suckers." Shaking up the top job at the Pentagon might give Trump his fall guy, but allies are reportedly concerned it could also "create turmoil in his administration during the closing weeks of the campaign." NBC reports that "the option of naming Wilkie as acting Pentagon chief would give Trump the flexibility to remove Esper immediately after the November election, if not before." Officials told NBC News "there are no plans to replace Secretary Esper." Last month, though, when asked about the issue, Trump said: "I consider firing everybody. At some point, at some point, that's what happens." Read more at NBC News. More stories from theweek.com Senate Republicans are apparently struggling to find 51 GOP votes for a COVID-19 relief bill Cohen: Trump 'doesn't have a sense of humor,' isn't joking about being POTUS for '12 more years' Are the troops turning on Trump? While IBM, Microsoft, and Google have made major commitments and investments in quantum computing, Amazon has, until recently, been fairly quiet about the field. That changed with the introduction of Amazon Braket. Amazon still isnt trying to build its own quantum computers, but with Braket it is making other companies quantum computers available to cloud users via AWS. Braket currently supports three quantum computing services, from D-Wave, IonQ, and Rigetti. D-Wave makes superconducting quantum annealers, which are usually programmed using D-Wave Ocean software, although there is also an annealing module in the Braket SDK. IonQ makes trapped ion quantum processors, and Rigetti makes superconducting quantum processors. In Braket, you can program both IonQ and Rigetti processors using the Braket Python SDK circuits module. The same code also runs on local and hosted quantum simulators. The name Braket is kind of an in-joke for physicists. Bra-ket notation is the Dirac formulation of quantum mechanics, which is an easier way of expressing Schrodingers equation than partial differential equations. In Dirac notation, a bra is a column vector. Writing a bra next to a ket implies matrix multiplication. Amazon Braket and the Braket Python SDK compete with IBM Q and Qiskit, Azure Quantum and Microsoft Q#, and Google Cirq. IBM already has its own quantum computers and simulators available to the public online. Microsofts simulator is generally available, but its quantum offerings are currently in limited preview for early adopters, including access to quantum computers from Honeywell, IonQ, and Quantum Circuits, and optimization solutions from 1QBit. Microsoft hasnt announced when its own topological superconducting quantum computers will become available, nor has Google announced when it will make its quantum computers or Sycamore chips available to the public. Amazon Braket overview Amazon Braket is a fully managed service that helps you get started with quantum computing. It has three modules, Build, Test, and Run. The Build module centers around managed Jupyter notebooks pre-configured with sample algorithms, resources, and developer tools, including the Amazon Braket SDK. The Test module provides access to managed, high-performance, quantum circuit simulators. The Run module provides secure, on-demand access to different types of quantum computers (QPUs): gate-based quantum computers from IonQ and Rigetti, and a quantum annealer from D-Wave. Tasks may not run immediately on the QPU. The QPUs only execute tasks during execution windows. Amazon Braket SDK API The Braket Python SDK defines all of the operations you need to build, test, and run quantum circuits and annealers. It is organized into five packages: braket.annealing, braket.aws, braket.circuits, braket.devices, and braket.tasks. The braket.annealing package allows you to define two kinds of binary quadratic models (BQMs): Ising (a mathematical model of ferromagnetism in statistical mechanics, using magnetic dipole moments of atomic spins) and QUBO (Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization) problems, to solve on a quantum annealer, such as a D-Wave unit. The braket.circuits package lets you define quantum circuits based on a set of gates, to solve on gate-based quantum computers, such as ones from IonQ and Rigetti. The other three packages control the running of your problem. The braket.aws package allows you to select quantum devices, load problems into tasks, and connect tasks to AWS sessions. The braket.devices package lets you run tasks on quantum devices and simulators. The braket.tasks package lets you manage, track, cancel, and get results from quantum tasks. Amazon Braket circuits and gates Circuits in a quantum computer such as the ones from IonQ or Rigetti (or IBM or Honeywell, for that matter) are built from a standard set of gates (see figure below), although not every QPU may have an implementation of every kind of gate. In the Braket SDK you define a circuit using the Circuit() method from the braket.circuits package, qualified by the gates in the circuit and their parameters. For example, this Braket code (from Amazons Deep_dive_into_the_anatomy_of_quantum_circuits example) defines a circuit that initializes four qubits to a Hadamard (equal probability of 1 and 0) state, then entangles qubit 2 with qubit 0 and qubit 3 with qubit 1 using Controlled Not operations. # define circuit with 4 qubits my_circuit = Circuit().h(range(4)).cnot(control=0, target=2).cnot(control=1, target=3) The Braket SDK seems to have a nearly full set of quantum logic gates, as shown in this enumeration of the Gate class. I dont see a Deutsch gate listed, but as far as I know it hasnt yet been implemented on a real QPU. # print all available gates currently available within SDK gate_set = [attr for attr in dir(Gate) if attr[0] in string.ascii_uppercase] print(gate_set) ['CCNot', 'CNot', 'CPhaseShift', 'CPhaseShift00', 'CPhaseShift01', 'CPhaseShift10', 'CSwap', 'CY', 'CZ', 'H', 'I', 'ISwap', 'PSwap', 'PhaseShift', 'Rx', 'Ry', 'Rz', 'S', 'Si', 'Swap', 'T', 'Ti', 'Unitary', 'V', 'Vi', 'X', 'XX', 'XY', 'Y', 'YY', 'Z', 'ZZ'] D-Wave Ocean Ocean is the native Python-based software stack for D-Wave quantum annealers. For use via Braket, you can combine the Ocean software with the Amazon Braket Ocean plug-in, which translates between Ocean and Braket formats. Quantum annealers function quite differently than gate-based QPUs. Essentially, you formulate your problem as a binary quadratic model (BQM) that has a global minimum at the solution you want to find. Then you use the annealer to sample the function many times (since the annealer isnt perfect) to find the minimum. You can create the BQM for a given problem mathematically or generate the BQM using Ocean software. The code that follows, from Amazons D-Wave_Anatomy example, uses the Braket Ocean plug-in to solve a BQM on a D-Wave device. # set parameters num_reads = 1000 # define BQM bqm = dimod.BinaryQuadraticModel(linear, quadratic, offset, vartype) # run BQM: solve with D-Wave device sampler = BraketDWaveSampler(s3_folder,'arn:aws:braket:::device/qpu/d-wave/DW_2000Q_6') sampler = EmbeddingComposite(sampler) sampleset = sampler.sample(bqm, num_reads=num_reads) # aggregate solution: sampleset = sampleset.aggregate() D-Wave Systems To use a quantum annealer, you need to formulate your problem as a quadratic objective function, or BQM (binary quadratic model). Then you sample the solution space to find the global minimum of the BQM. Enabling Amazon Braket and using notebooks Before you can use Braket, you need to enable it in your AWS account. IDG The Anatomy of Quantum Circuits example, one of the simpler tutorials, demonstrates running circuits on a simulator and controlling tasks. Then you need to create a notebook instance. Notebooks use Amazon SageMaker (read my review). IDG Creating a Braket notebook instance is a matter of naming the notebook, picking an instance type, and either creating or reusing an IAM role with the correct permissions. Using an encryption key and VPC are both optional. When you open a notebook, you can enter new code or use one of Amazons examples. IDG The Braket examples supplied by Amazon are divided into four categories: simple circuits, advanced circuits, hybrid, and annealing. You need to check the status of the QPU devices, as they arent always available. IDG The Devices screen shows you the current status of each quantum processing unit. An hour after this screenshot, the D-Wave annealer was online and available, but the Rigetti QPU had a two-hour queue. While you can run them yourself, the Braket example notebooks have been saved with results from a previous run. IDG The Anatomy of Quantum Circuits example, one of the simpler Braket tutorials, demonstrates running circuits on a simulator and controlling tasks. There are examples for both gate-based QPUs, as above, and quantum annealers, as below. IDG The D-Wave anatomy example demonstrates how to perform quantum annealing, both with a simulator and with a D-Wave device. Block 20 in the example uses the D-Wave device, takes 1,000 samples, and performs an aggregate operation to simplify the output. Learn today, useful tomorrow Amazon Braket is a reasonable way to get your feet wet with quantum computers and simulators. Since were still in the NISQ (Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum) phase of quantum computing, you cant really expect useful results from Braket. Well need more qubits, less noise, and longer coherence times, all of which are being actively researched. Brakets current QPU offerings are modest. The 2048-qubit D-Wave annealer is mostly useful for optimization problems; its about half the size of D-Waves latest-generation annealer. The 11-qubit IonQ QPU, which has relatively long coherence times, is way too small to implement the algorithms for quantum computers that should exhibit useful quantum supremacy, such as Grovers algorithm for finding the inverse of a function and Shors algorithm for finding the prime factors of an integer. The 30-qubit Rigetti Aspen-8 is also too small. Braket is not free, although it is relatively cheap to use. By comparison, IBM Q is completely free, although the publicly available IBM QPUs are very small: they range from a 1 qubit QPU in Armonk to a 15-qubit QPU in Melbourne. IBM also offers a paid premium QPU service. IBM also rates its QPUs by their quantum volume (QV), a measure that combines the number of qubits with their error rate and coherence time. There are five-qubit IBM QPUs ranging from QV8 to QV64: higher is better. Honeywell has also announced achieving QV64. What Braket is currently good for is learning about quantum computing and developing NISQ-regime quantum algorithms. Stay tuned, though. As QPUs improve and are plugged into AWS, Braket will become more and more useful. Cost: Managed notebooks: $0.04 to $34.27 per instance-hour; quantum simulator: $4.50 per hour; quantum computers: $0.30 per task plus $0.00019 to $0.01 per shot (repetition of a circuit). Platform: AWS; installing the Braket SDK locally requires Python 3.7.2 or greater, and Git. The California Supreme Court is as diverse in its composition politically, racially and sexually as the U.S. Supreme Court. But one attribute the state justices have that their national counterparts apparently lack is an ability to reach consensus this year, almost 90% of their rulings have been unanimous. When the state court upheld Scott Petersons convictions for murdering his pregnant wife and their 8-month-old fetus on Aug. 24 but overturned his death sentence, both by 7-0 votes, it was the courts 30th unanimous ruling in 33 criminal cases this year. In civil cases, 28 of 32 decisions in 2020 have been unanimous. Last years unanimity rates were a little lower 85% in civil cases, 75% in criminal cases but the 7-0 rulings included a hotly contested case in November that allowed President Trump to appear on the states primary ballot, despite a state law that would have excluded him for refusing to release his tax returns. The court has issued unanimous rulings in 75% to 80% of its cases for most of the past decade. One reason is a set of rules that encourage the justices to confer with one another at early stages of each case. The justices also appear to have decided, in most cases, that bipartisan agreements enhance their credibility with the public. When a court can speak with one voice, it speaks in a far more authoritative way, and there is far greater likelihood of acceptance of its rulings, former California Chief Justice Ronald George said in one of his oral history interviews for the 2013 book Chief: The Quest for Justice in California. George noted the strenuous, and successful, efforts by Chief Justice Earl Warren to persuade his eight U.S. Supreme Court colleagues to sign onto the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling in 1954 and increase public acceptance for an end to school segregation. In 1974, the justices reached across political lines to unanimously order President Richard Nixon to release tapes related to the Watergate break-in, a ruling that led to Nixons resignation 16 days later. Its hard to imagine such a ruling now from the nations ideologically splintered high court. California Supreme Court rulings Some unanimous rulings: The court upheld the murder convictions of Scott Peterson for killing his wife and their 8-month-old fetus, but overturned his death sentence because jurors who were willing to consider a death verdict were improperly dismissed. Opinion by Justice Leondra Kruger. Upheld a state law preventing public employees from increasing their pensions by increasing work hours in their final years, but also upheld a rule entitling public employees to the pensions that were in effect during their careers. Opinion by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. Allowed President Trump to appear on this year's California primary ballot, overturning a state law that would have disqualified candidates who refuse to release their tax returns. Opinion by Cantil-Sakauye. Some nonunanimous rulings: The court voted 5-2 to limit damages against nursing homes to $500 for violating state safety standards, rather than $500 for each violation. Opinion by Justice Ming Chin. Dissent by Justices Mariano-Florentino Cuellar and Goodwin Liu. Voted 4-3 in 2019 to bar police from searching a car without a warrant after the driver has failed to produce a valid license. Opinion by Kruger. Dissent by Chin, Cantil-Sakauye and Justice Carol Corrigan. Voted 4-3 in 2008 to overturn state laws that banned same-sex marriage. Opinion by Chief Justice Ronald George. Dissents by Justices Marvin Baxter, Chin and Corrigan. See More Collapse In its just-completed 2019-20 term, the court decided about 36% of its cases unanimously, compared to 38% in the previous term and 32% in the term before that, according to Adam Feldman, a University of Southern California political scientist and author of the Empirical Scotus blog. But none of those rulings came in controversial or hotly contested cases. The court actually was more bipartisan than usual in its latest term. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the courts more liberal justices in 5-4 rulings preserving, for now, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for young undocumented immigrants and keeping abortion clinics open in Louisiana. Neil Gorsuch, an appointee of President Trump, wrote the 6-3 ruling protecting LGBTQ workers under employment discrimination laws, and was joined by fellow Trump appointee Brett Kavanaugh in a 7-2 decision allowing New York prosecutors to seek Trumps tax returns. Californias Supreme Court has not always been a chamber of harmony. Georges 4-3 ruling in 2008, overturning the states ban on same-sex marriage, was itself overturned by the voters, then restored by a series of federal court rulings that took nearly five years. In 1997, a state law requiring parental consent for minors abortions, upheld a year earlier in a decision that never became final, was struck down in a 4-3 ruling by George, with the recently appointed Justice Ming Chin casting the deciding vote. And in 1986, years of conservative furor over the courts reversals of death sentences culminated in a first-ever decision by the states voters to deny new 12-year terms to Chief Justice Rose Bird and Justices Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin. Their replacements, chosen by Gov. George Deukmejian, gave the court a majority of Republican appointees that endured until Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar retired in 2017 and was succeeded by Groban, an appointee of Gov. Jerry Brown. The postelection court, with a conservative majority, overturned a number of its predecessors rulings in the late 1980s, but began moving toward the center with the appointments of moderate Republicans like Joyce Kennard, a Deukmejian appointee, joined later by George and Werdegar, both named by Gov. Pete Wilson. Another moderate, Tani Cantil-Sakauye, a former prosecutor and a state court judge for 20 years, was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010 to succeed the retiring George as chief justice. Chin, the courts longest-serving justice and generally one of its most conservative members, retired Aug. 31, a vacancy to be filled by Gov. Gavin Newsoms first appointee. His departure still leaves the court as one of the nations most diverse judicial bodies: The six current justices, four of them Brown appointees, include three women, one African American, one Latino, two Asian Americans, and only one white male, Groban. The court is no longer a political flash point the last attempt to deny new terms to any of its justices, a campaign against George and Chin for their 1997 abortion votes, fell far short in the 1998 election. But it still hears hotly disputed cases, including automatic appeals of all death sentences, and has managed to find common ground on some contentious issues. Facing conflicting claims by state officials and public employee unions of an impending pension crisis, the court issued a 7-0 ruling July 30 that was clearly a compromise: upholding legislative restrictions on employees preretirement maneuvers to increase their pensions, but leaving intact the California Rule, which entitles public employees to the pensions that were in effect during their careers. Some of its rulings have unanimously reversed lower-court decisions in noteworthy cases. In May, for example, the court allowed reporters and others to obtain government electronic records without paying the sometimes-substantial costs of removing confidential material. Its 2017 ruling allowed taxpayers to sue state and local governments for wasting public funds, and a 2016 ruling reinstated a state ban on potentially polluting suction dredge-mining for gold. The 7-0 rulings cant be attributed to an absence of contested issues, said Kirk Jenkins, an attorney who studies and reports regularly on the state justices voting records. He said the California court receives more friend-of-the-court briefs filings from outside groups seeking to influence the outcome of a case than any other states court hes aware of, evidence that its decisions have a wide impact. Achieving unanimity across party lines sends a positive message to the public, Jenkins said, that the law isnt supposed to change because of the shifting political winds. It also reflects the courts decision-making procedures. The chief justice assigns each newly accepted case to one of her colleagues or herself to draft a tentative ruling, which is then circulated to the other justices for comments and revisions. Since state law requires a ruling within 90 days of oral arguments, the court schedules a hearing only after at least four justices agree on the outcome. The justices then hold an internal conference and exchange memos before issuing their decision. At that point, what differences remain among the justices regarding how a case should be resolved are usually ironed out through collaboration and compromise, Cantil-Sakauye said in a February article in the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review. The occasional dissents, she said, show that even extended and respectful discourse will not always yield a consensus. By contrast, when the U.S. Supreme Court accepts a case for review, each justice reviews the case individually. Compromises can still be worked out, as Roberts showed in the recent DACA ruling, but the process can also produce multiple opinions on each side of a case sometimes making it nearly impossible to discern the courts reasoning, said George, who argued cases in that court before his appointment to Californias high court. But could legitimate voices of dissent be stifled by a judicial culture of consensus? As legal historians have noted, when rulings on topics like racial discrimination and denial of voting rights are later discredited, todays dissenters can become tomorrows prophets. A dissent tells the losing side they were heard, Werdegar, who spent 23 years on the California court, said by email. It forces the majority to address points they may have preferred to ignore, or brings to light points they failed to address, and may speak to the future when attitudes may have changed or new perspectives emerged. But differences of opinion can often be resolved without sacrificing principles, she said. In recent years there has been a notable increase in collegiality and mutual respect among the justices, even when opinions differ, Werdegar said. Although friendliness would not lead a judge to change his or her considered view, it could lead a judge to listen to colleagues with a more open mind. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko The Saudi-led coalition forces fighting in Yemen late on Sunday intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone fired by Iran-aligned Houthis targeting Saudi Arabias southern region, Saudi state news agency (SPA) said, Trend reports citing Reuters. The coalition had said earlier that it intercepted and destroyed another explosive-laden drone over Yemeni airspace that Houthis fired towards Saudi Arabia, (SPA) reported. A Houthi military spokesman said on Sunday it launched an attack with drones on Saudi Abha International Airport. It aimed at military sites and sensitive targets, which were accurately hit, spokesman Yahya Sarea said. The coalition has not mentioned an attack on Abha International airport. Cardi B and Candace Owens engaged in a war of words over social media on Sunday after the conservative commentator called the Grammy-winning rapper illiterate and an embarrassment to black people. The feud began on Sunday evening when Owens, 31, shared a clip of her appearance on The Ben Shapiro Show, in which she said slammed Democratic nominee Joe Biden for taking part in an interview with Cardi B - real name Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar for Elle last month. Owens said it was one of the biggest insults to black voters that Biden decided to do the interview with an illiterate rapper, rather than someone who could ask the tough questions. The Republican went on to say that the former Vice President thinks black people are stupid and likened his interview with Cardi B to Donald Trump being interviewed by Justin Bieber. Scroll down for video Cardi B (right) and Candace Owens (left) engaged in a series of harsh exchanges on social media on Sunday after the conservative commentator called the Grammy-winning rapper illiterate and an embarrassment to black people. Owens slammed Democratic nominee Joe Biden for taking part in an interview with Cardi B - real name Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar for Elle last month, what she called the 'biggest insult' to black voters Since most black people didnt have the spine to admit that @benshapiro was 100% correct about @iamcardib and how her music and platform contributes to the disintegration of black culture and values...here you go. #WAP #SundaySpecial pic.twitter.com/q5QxxX9G4e Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) September 6, 2020 Cardi, 27, caught wind of Owens comments and hit back at her in a video on Instagram, in which she insisted Biden decided to sit down with her because of her wide-ranging influence. It's not a secret I use my platform to encourage people to vote, Cardi, who previously endorsed Bernie Sanders said during the video. I have millions of followers. I pay millions in taxes. I have the Number One song in this country, I have the Number One song in the United Kingdom, I have the Number One song in Australia, I have the Number One song in New Zealand. Just like I can make millions of people pop their p****y, she said of her hit-single WAP, I can make millions of people go out and vote. Cardi went on to condemn Owens for being a cheerleader for Trump, and slammed the pundit for getting pimped out by white men. I dont know what Black man broke your heart that you hate your kind so much, Cardi said. 'I honestly just feel sorry for you,' she said in a separate message. In the caption to the video, Cardi B wrote: @realcandaceowens here I hope these followers that you wanted from me sooo bad make you happy ...Now leave me alone....love yourself that one thing for me ! Owens later responded with an Instagram video of her own, in which she claimed that Cardi is hurting black America. You continually keep saying you have a Number One songit means s***," Owens said. Nobody cares about a song about your 'Wet A** P****'. That has nothing to do with Black America, and whether you're helping or hurting. Right now, you're hurting Black America. Owens said it was one of the biggest insults to black voters that Biden decided to do the interview with an illiterate rapper, rather than someone who could ask the tough questions Cardi, 27, caught wind of Owens comments and hit back at her in a video on Instagram, in which she insisted Biden decided to sit down with her because of her wide-ranging influence. Owens later responded with an Instagram video of her own, in which she claimed that Cardi is hurting black America. The 31-year-old then suggested to Cardi B that statistically, her husband, Offset, is more likely to kill her than a police officer. The back-and-forth also spilled out onto Twitter and continued into Monday morning. Owens accused Cardi of encouraging million to go vote for the man that locked up entire generations of black men. Maybe go Google: JOE BIDEN AND 1994 CRIME BILL, she suggested, before adding, Joe Biden used you. Bernie Sanders used you. Neither one of them like or know your music. They think youre dumb. The hitmaker responded by insisting that Owens, meanwhile, is encouraging millions to vote for a man who laugh Everytime a black men [sic] gets killed by a cop and tell millions of Americans to drink bleach, an apparent allusion to when the president asked that the White House coronavirus task force investigate whether a disinfectant could be injected as a treatment for coronavirus back in April. Trump didnt even have you talking at the Republican convention, Cardi continued. He thinks youre dumb. MASA did you dirty but you mad at me? Cardi also referenced her sister Hennessy Carolina and her sisters girlfriend getting into a verbal altercation with what she called racist MAGA supporters; during a recent beach trip to the Hamptons as an example of the lingering prevalence of racism in the US. Parodying her hit-single, Cardi also tweeted Owens, who is six months pregnant, writing: Your baby singing wap wap wap this some dry ass p****. Owens rebutted the comment, writing: Attacking an unborn child. How very DEMOCRAT of you. While I have youdid you know your party has supported the slaughter of over 18 million black babies since 1973? Did you know the most unsafe place for a black child is in its mothers womb because of YOUR party? she continued. Owens accused Cardi of encouraging million to go vote for the man that locked up entire generations of black men. The hitmaker responded by insisting that Owens, meanwhile, is encouraging millions to vote for a man who laugh Everytime a black men gets killed by a cop' While the pair ceased messaging one another directly, each continued to speak about the feud in a number of tweets and interactions with their followers on Monday. In one such post, Owens slammed Cardi B for what she perceived to be hypocrisy over the rappers calls to defund the police and critique of the US generally. Never listen to a person that has private security but wants the public police defunded. Never listen to a multimillionaire that made it here in America, but trashes our country, she tweeted Monday. These Hollywood idols are frauds, leading sheep down paths they never took when they discovered success. Cardi B has not yet directly referenced Owens latest tweet. She did however retweet a message of support from New York Congressional candidate Ritchie Torres, who wrote: Thank you Cardi B for exposing [Candace Owens] for the fraud that she is. You make the Bronx proud. Cardi B is currently at number one on the music charts in multiple countries with her controversial single WAP, which features Megan Thee Stallion. During her in-depth chat with Joe Biden last month, the rapper questioned the Presidential hopeful on policy issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, college affordability, and healthcare. I have a whole list of things that I want our next president to do for us, she told Biden. But first, I just want Trump out. Authorities in Belarus launched a tough crackdown on protests over the weekend. Scores of people were detained after tens of thousands took to the steets calling for President Alexander Lukashenko to step down. They were met by security forces who laid barbed wire on the streets, while military vehicles, water cannons and plain clothes officers in masks were deployed to try and contain the demonstrations. Protests have carried on for four weeks, since Lukashenko's re-election, which his opponents say was rigged. Students draped in red and white flags staged seveal protests on Saturday chanting, "new election" and later in the afternoon thousands of women held a separate march, carrying signs and shouting "hands off the children." Then on Sunday (September 6) local news posted several brutal videos showing police detaining protesters and men in plain clothes beating protesters and even breaking glass of a cafe where protesters were sheltering and dragging people out. At least 100 people were detained, according to the Russian news agency Interfax, while other rights groups put the figure at more than 200. Meanwhile, Lukashenko who has been in power since 1994,still denies electoral fraud, and buoyed by a show of support from traditional ally Russia, he has rejected calls for new elections. San Francisco's mayor has condemned a crowd of revellers who defied Covid-19 social distancing guidelines to attend a beach party over the weekend to celebrate the cancelled Burning Man festival, saying the gathering "put people's lives at risk". This was absolutely reckless & selfish, mayor Breed wrote in a statement published on Twitter on Sunday evening. You are not celebrating. You are putting our progress at risk. No one is immune from spreading the virus, the Democrat politician added. Video and images posted to social media on Saturday showed large groups of party-goers gathered at Ocean Beach to celebrate what would have been the 34th year of Burning Man, a festival usually held in the Nevada desert close to Labor Day. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has so far claimed 189,000 US lives, this year's festival was cancelled. But a crowd of around 1,000 people were determined to have a party regardless, with revellers seen desecending on the popular beach throughout the evening. Images showed party-goers dancing and drinking on the beach, while gathered close together in large groups. Many of those in attendance did not appear to be wearing face coverings. According to San Franciso public health guidance, residents are encouraged to stay home as much as possible, wear face coverings and avoid gatherings. When public gatherings do take place, they should be attended by no more than 12 people, the guidance adds. California is one of the hardest-hit states with coronavirus in the US. Officials have reported some 740,000 cases and recorded more than 13,000 deaths, according to official figures. San Francisco county has had 9,839 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 86 deaths. Ms Breed said she had ordered authorities to close car parking spaces at the beach on Sunday to deter people from gathering for a second night. She also said police would patrol the area, which is located about seven miles northwest Downtown San Diego. "We know people love Burning Man & people want to get together this weekend. But we all need to do our part. Stay home, stay safe." Ms Breed added. Burning Man is a festival that has been held each year in the US since its inception in 1986 and was celebrated online this year due to the pandemic. The event normally takes place at Black Rock Desert, near Nevada, but the first ever gathering is recorded as having taken place at San Francisco's Baker beach, when the artist Larry Harvey and his friend Jerry James burned an effigy as crowds gathered to watch. Posts on social media appeared to show a much smaller party at that beach on Saturday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 09:35:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LA PAZ, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) on Sunday announced measures to guarantee the voting process for Bolivians living in 30 countries with diplomatic ties with the country, ahead of the Oct. 18 presidential elections. President of the TSE, Salvador Romero, told journalists that in compliance with the constitutional law, Bolivians living abroad can vote in the elections. "The registration of new voters was carried out through permanent registration in the five countries where the TSE has this scheme: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain and the United States," said Romero. "In the other countries, we are working with the electoral roll of people who registered in 2019," Romero said. According to Romero, a comprehensive "cleanup" of the biometric electoral roll was carried out, which includes voter registrations both within the country and abroad. "In countries where there are a large number of registrants, voting cannot take place in embassies or consulates, so the support of the hosts is needed to provide venues or schools to set up voting tables," he said. Romero said precautionary safety measures have also been taken to protect those voting abroad, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 09:37:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a deal to acquire more than 84 million doses of potential coronavirus vaccines. Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt, and Karen Andrews, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, on Monday announced vaccine deals with the University of Queensland and Australian biotechnology company CSL, and also with the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. Under the deals, which are worth a combined 1.7 billion Australian dollars (1.2 billion U.S. dollars), Australia will receive the first doses of candidate vaccines being developed by the universities if trials prove successful. "Australians will gain free access to a COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 if trials prove successful," Morrison said in a statement on Monday. "By securing the production and supply agreements, Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a safe and effective vaccine, should it pass late-stage testing. "There are no guarantees that these vaccines will prove successful, however, the agreement puts Australia at the top of the queue if our medical experts give the vaccines the green light." Under the agreement, more than 84.8 million vaccine doses will be provided for the Australian population, with early access to 3.8 million doses of the University of Oxford vaccine in January and February 2021. According to the statement, the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine "is world leading," having entered Phase three trials. And the University of Queensland (UQ) has recently announced that pre-clinical testing showed the vaccine is promising and already effective in animal models. Morrison, who has previously expressed optimism that a vaccine could be available early 2021, in August said that a vaccine would be made "as mandatory as you can possibly make it" but later walked back from that suggestion. "It's not going to be compulsory to have the vaccine," he said. "There are no mechanisms for 'compulsory'. We can't hold someone down and make them take it." Enditem Former prime minister on Monday said the UPA government under him was very selective in allowing projects that impacted the wilderness and wildlife habitat, and was criticised for being "too restrictive". At the same time, he said, his government believed in maintaining a proper balance between development and ecology. He was speaking at a virtual award event of Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 which was conferred on British broadcaster David Attenborough. Singh said his government was conscious of its duty to accelerate economic development and raise the standard of living of people, especially those in poverty, which he said, is the first priority of any government. " we were very selective in allowing projects that impacted the wilderness or the habitat of wild life. Indeed, we were criticised by industrialists and those who thought we were being too restrictive. But I believe that if a proper balance is not firmly held, the results are deleterious and self-defeating," he said at the event. He said India was an active voice in international forums and discussions on issues concerning the environment and it made positive contributions to protection of the planet. The UPA dispensation was accused by many in the industry and outside of being slow' in granting clearances to projects that affected the environment. Singh also paid tributes to former president Pranab Mukherjee, who chaired the jury for the award for three years. Mukherjee passed away last month. "It was under his guidance that last November, the prize was awarded to Sir David. We are very sorry to miss him on this occasion," Singh said. The senior Congress leader said there can be no more deserving recipient of the award at this time when the world is gripped by growing anxiety over the state of our environment and planet. He said David for over seven decades has been the human voice of nature. In recent times, Sir David has become one of the most vocal and effective advocates of environmental protection, raising his voice against the wanton destruction of the natural world in the name of progress and the seemingly insatiable needs of the human race, Singh noted. "How acute the situation is cannot be clearer than from the pandemic that has gripped the earth, coincidentally almost exactly one century after the great influenza epidemic. To some, this is nature's way of telling humankind to loosen its tightening grip on the resources of the earth, to be less exploitative, to respect the needs of the natural world, especially the animal kingdom, more and slow down the pace of environmental destruction. "But it does not need an epidemic to tell us that we are not in good shape. Climate change, the assault on the oceans, pollution of atmosphere, junk floating about in space, reduction of forest cover, extinction of life in rivers, reduction of natural habitat for any life other than humans - all this is evident to anyone who has eyes to see," the former prime minister added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China, Pak planning against us: DG BSF India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: Director General of the Border Security Force, Rakesh Asthana has urged the force on alert as both China and Pakistan have been planning against India. On the last leg of his three day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Asthana took stock of the situation. An official spokesperson said on Sunday, the third day of his visit, Director General of Border Security Force, Rakesh Asthana visited various forward defence locations in Poonch and Rajouri sector and took stock of the situation. He was accompanied by SS Panwar, ADG (WC) and NS Jamwal, IG BSF, Jammu Frontier. 'Hotline message sent to PLA': Minister on abduction of 5 Arunachal locals amid tension with China Asthana emphasised on the challenges and said that the forces will have deal with the situation more effectively. He also asked them to maintain high standards of discipline and professionalism. This is a very crucial time for all, as both our neighbouring countries are planning against us. So, our role has become more important now as we are the first line of Indian defence, Asthana also said. He was briefed by I D Singh, DIG, Rajouri and the field commanders on the operational preparedness along the Line of Control. The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama believes Ghanaians are increasingly losing faith in the country's democratic efforts under the Akufo-Addo administration. According to him, this is due to the numerous unfulfilled campaign promises churned out by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the run-up to the 2016 general elections. He has therefore charged Ghanaians to vote massively against the NPP to serve as a warning to leaders who engage in lofty campaign promises to amass votes. Speaking at separate rallies to end his four-day campaign tour of the Upper West Region, the former president said in 2016, all kinds of promises were made by the NPP. One District one factory, one million dollars per constituency, one village, one dam, one child, one chocolate, and many other lofty ones. These sounded too sweet to hear. These promises turned out to diminish the faith of our people in our democracy because they [NPP] have not been able to achieve them. He said the time had come for Ghanaians to critically examine all the flagship programmes of the Nana Akufo-Addo led government and show them the exit in the upcoming polls. The length of a frog is known after its death. The NPP's frog is dead. So we can now measure it before deciding who should lead this country. The NDC flagbearer opined that Ghana's development has stagnated under the NPP administration, hence the need to bring back the NDC to provide the needed development in the country. He said the NDC will not make promises it cannot fulfil, adding that he will win the upcoming presidential election if Ghanaians compare his record with that of President Akufo-Addo. Some of the communities the former President visited on the last day of his tour of the Upper West region include Erimon, Zambo, Babili, Lawra, Brifo, Daffiama, and Issa before rounding up his campaign with a meeting with the Zongo community in Wa. The leadership of the various communities took the opportunity to outline their development challenges to the former president and appealed to him to address them if elected in the December polls. Key among the challenges were bad roads, abandoned projects, inadequate health facilities, and youth unemployment. ---citinewsroom Six Madrid cops have been filmed forcing a woman into a police car and hitting her head off the vehicle during an arrest for not wearing a mask. The unidentified woman was seized in the Spanish capital on Saturday during protests by hundreds of coronavirus deniers. It is not clear if the woman was participating in the demonstrations but those watching could be heard shouting, 'Libertad!' The onlookers could be heard groaning when officers rammed the woman headlong into the vehicle as she put up staunch resistance. The unidentified woman was detained in the Spanish capital on Saturday during protests by hundreds of coronavirus deniers (pictured: struggling with officers before being shoved into the back of the police car) 'I am not going to put on the face mask,' the woman yelled at the officers at the beginning of the encounter. After showing no signs of compliance, officers led the screaming woman into their patrol car, but were unable to place her inside and she yelled to the onlookers, 'Film them!' After officers were forced to wrestle with the suspect for about a minute, some witnesses can be heard criticising them for being too rough. Several cops were seen placing their hands on top of the woman's head to try to put her in the car while she shouted for help. The police were eventually able to place her inside the vehicle after picking her up and sliding her in horizontally. Several witnesses then start chanting 'Freedom' after she was finally placed inside the vehicle and officers quickly closed the door after her. It is unclear if there is an open investigation on the incident. Authorities report around 500 people attended the COVID-19 conspiracy march which they organised via social media and did not notify the government. The woman provided staunch resistance to the officers who resorted to forcefully shoving her head into the side of their vehicle Police claim they identified 110 people who were not wearing masks. The protest resulted in 13 detentions, however, it is unclear if the woman's arrest was included in this number. The people arrested for not wearing their masks face a fine between 260 and 535. Spain has recorded the second highest number of cases of the disease in Europe with 498,989 and the fourth most deaths, with 29,418 fatalities. Jun Kwang-hoon, center, a pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, is escorted by the police as the Seoul Central District Court canceled his bail, Monday. Yonhap By Bahk Eun-ji Populist conservative pastor Jun Kwang-hoon, who is at the center of recent resurgence of COVID-19 infections, was jailed again Monday after the Seoul Central District Court revoked his bail. The court accepted the revocation request from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and also confiscated a 30 million won ($25,284) bail bond. The pastor of the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul, a hotbed of the recent new resurgence of the coronavirus, was accused by prosecutors last month of violating his bail conditions by participating in a mass anti-government demonstration in Seoul, Aug. 15. The decision comes 140 days after Jun was released on bail during an investigation into charges he violated the Election Law ahead of the April 15 general election. He was also charged with libel against President Moon Jae-in. Jun's conditions for bail included a ban on attending all illegal rallies or protests, or those related to the investigation. Prosecutors plan to execute an arrest warrant for Jun in the morning and send him back to a detention facility. The pastor tested positive for COVID-19 two days after he took part in the Aug. 15 rally. He was subsequently hospitalized and later discharged Sept. 2. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 119 new COVID-19 infections for Sunday, including 108 local ones, raising the total caseload to 21,296. Among the 119 local cases, the majority came from the greater Seoul area, including 47 in the capital, 30 in Gyeonggi Province, and one in Incheon, west of Seoul. Two more deaths were reported, raising the death toll to 336, and the fatality rate to 1.58 percent. Although the day's additional cases marked the fifth consecutive one of less than 200, and the fewest since Aug. 27, when daily new cases reached a peak of 441, the health authorities remain alert over continued sporadic infection clusters across the country. Cases tied to the Sarang Jeil Church, reached 1,162 as of noon Sunday. The church-tied cases marked the largest cluster in the country following the more than 5,000 infections traced to the minor religious Shincheonji sect reported in Daegu in the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in late February and early March. Some 527 patients have been reported in relation to the anti-government rally in the capital. Nine cases were detected in the southeastern port city of Busan and the southwestern city of Gwangju reported seven new infections. "Today's statistics alone cannot conclude that the spread has subsided yet, so we can't let our guard down in containing the highly contagious virus," KCDC Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said in a regular briefing. "The positive signs in the virus fight are mainly due to the public's effort to comply with stricter social distancing rules." The government extended its tougher social distancing measures by another week in the greater Seoul area from Monday. Under what has been dubbed Level 2.5 curbs, eating at restaurants and small eateries is only allowed until 9 p.m., while franchise coffee chains, bakeries and ice cream parlors are permitted to offer only takeout and delivery services. People who lived hundreds of years ago during the 'Wild West' era have been called inquisitive, restless, dominant and inventive and a new study reveals remnants of this pioneer personality still exists today. Using an algorithm, researchers at the University of Cambridge found those living in mountainous areas have distinct blend of traits that fits with 'frontier settlement theory'. These individuals tend to be less trusting and forgiving, traits known to benefit territorial, self-focused survival strategies that helped early settlers survive the unknown and rugged terrain. Although living in mountainous regions is a meaningful predictor of this personality type, researchers found those living to the east along the Appalachian Mountains were more agreeable and outgoing compared to their western counterparts. The findings suggest that the stories, attitudes and education in the former 'Wild West' are most powerful in shaping mountainous personality. Scroll down for video Using an algorithm, the team found those living in mountainous areas were associated with distinct blend of traits that fits with 'frontier settlement theory'. Pictured is Dodge City, Kansas Peace Commissioners (L to R): Charles Bassett, W. H. Harris, Wyatt Earp, Luke Short, L. McLean, Bat Masterson, Neal Brown History holds a number of stories about famous figures that lived during the Wild West era that began in the early 17th century and lasted to the early 1900s in the US. Calamity Jane was a prostitute who turned into gun shooting, tobacco chewing and whiskey drinking cowboy. Another famous man made headlines around the same time Billy the Kid. Born as Henry McCarty, he is said to have been born in New York City and made his way out west where he became one of the most famous outlaws in the US. These individuals tended to be less trusting and forgiving, traits known to benefit territorial, self-focused survival strategies that helped early settlers survive the unknown and rugged terrain. Pictured is the famous Calamity Jane who lived during the Wild West era Although they died hundreds of years ago, the study conducted by the University of Cambridge suggests their personality traits still live on in today's US population. And the team used an algorithm to investigate how landscape influences psychology. They collected personality tests from more than 3.3 million Americans living in 37,227 zip codes across the US. The results show that those living in higher elevations had their own unique traits that fits the 'frontier settlement theory.' This idea, created by Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893, suggests Americans living during the Wild West era and in western mountain ranges developed a unique way of living, along with specific personality traits to help them survive. Friedrich Gotz, from Cambridge's Department of Psychology, said: 'The harsh and remote environment of mountainous frontier regions historically attracted nonconformist settlers strongly motivated by a sense of freedom. 'Such rugged terrain likely favored those who closely guarded their resources and distrusted strangers, as well as those who engaged in risky explorations to secure food and territory.' 'These traits may have distilled over time into an individualism characterized by toughness and self-reliance that lies at the heart of the American frontier ethos.' Gotz and his team used the 'Big Five' personality model with online tests to collect the personality traits of Americans. They found that those who call the western mountains home have the toughness and self-reliance of the frontier mentality. These mountain residents showed low levels of agreeableness, which suggests they are less trusting and forgiving traits needed to survive the unknown. They also scored lower on extraversion, suggesting they thrive in secluded areas, along with low conscientiousness- because they tend to be rebels. They collected anonymized personality tests from more than 3.3 million Americans living in 37,227 zip codes across the US. The results show that those living in higher elevations had their own unique traits that fits the 'frontier settlement theory,' which included traits observed in the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid (pictured) The team found this group is much more open to experiences, which is pronounced trait in mountain dwellers. 'Openness is a strong predictor of residential mobility,' said Gotz. 'A willingness to move your life in pursuit of goals such as economic affluence and personal freedom drove many original North American frontier settlers. 'Taken together, this psychological fingerprint for mountainous areas may be an echo of the personality types that sought new lives in unknown territories.' A second part of the study investigated individuals who were born and raised in the western mountain region, but had moved away. Those who left their early mountain home are still consistently less agreeable, conscientious and extrovert. The scientists also divided the country at the edge of St. Louis, which is deemed 'gateway to the West,' to see if the frontier settlement theory stretched across to those living in and eastern ranges, like the Appalachians. While mountains continue to be a 'meaningful predictor' of personality type on both sides of this divide, key differences emerged. Those in the east are more agreeable and outgoing, while western ranges are a closer fit for frontier settlement theory. In fact, the mountainous effect on high levels of 'openness to experience' is ten times as strong in residents of the old western frontier as in those of the eastern ranges. The findings suggest that, while ecological effects are important, it is the lingering sociocultural effectsthe stories, attitudes and educationin the former 'Wild West' that are most powerful in shaping mountainous personality, according to scientists. The mountainous effect on high levels of 'openness to experience' is ten times as strong in residents of the old western frontier, such as the Colorado Rocky Mountains, as in those of the eastern ranges They describe the effect of mountain areas on personality as 'small but robust', but argue that complex psychological phenomena are influenced by many hundreds of factors, so small effects are to be expected. 'Small effects can make a big difference at scale,' said Gotz. 'An increase of one standard deviation in mountainousness is associated with a change of around 1% in personality.' 'Over hundreds of thousands of people, such an increase would translate into highly consequential political, economic, social and health outcomes.' Opposition parties accuse BJP of using tragedy to woo voters BJP poster campaign seeking justice for Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has created a flutter in a poll-bound Bihar. Opposition parties are of the view that posters and pamphlets have been released to influence voters ahead of assembly elections scheduled in October November this year. Talking to reporters in Patna RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said, Tejashwi Yadav was the first to demand a CBI probe into the case but never used it for political reasons. Its tragic to see BJP doing politics over someones body. Dismissing the Oppositions allegations BJP leaders in Patna said that the posters were released by the art and culture wing of the party and has nothing to do with politics. According to BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand, Sushant is the son of the soil who represented Bihar in Bollywood. His untimely death has been a shock to all of us which is visible not only in the Bihar but globally. Bihar BJP has stood by the demand of justice for the late Bollywood actor. Sources said that posters and pamphlets with the slogan Justice for Sushant and Naa Bhoole hain naa bhooleny dengey ( we have neither forgotten not let anyone forget) have been distributed all across the state especially among the youths. The party is also planning to release a video on the life and struggle of Sushant Singh Rajput on the social media soon. The art and culture wing of our party is a forum of artists belonging to all streams and have found their way to express solidarity and love for Sushant Singh Rajput. Not only they are paying tribute but have plans to keep the memory of Sushant alive through different activities. There should be no political interpretation to the genuine concern expressed by any forum of Bihar BJP, Nikhil Anand said. Sushant Singh Rajput who hailed from Patna was found hanging at his apartment in Mumbais Bandra June 14. The case was handed over to CBI after a tussle between Maharashtra and Bihar police. The state government had recommended CBI probe into the case after Sushant Singh Rajputs father KK Singh filed an FIR against actress Rhea Chakraborty, her family and six others for abetment of suicide of his son and fraud. The chord change had to go ahead, he said. Its in the score. Cage first wrote the piece, for piano, in 1985; the tempo instruction was, As slow as possible. He then reworked it for the organ in 1987, and it became known as Organ/ASLSP. But that raised questions. On piano, the sound fades after a key is hit; on the organ, notes can be held indefinitely. Or can they? What about when the organist needs to eat, or go to the bathroom? Or dies? Those questions occupied a group of composers, organists, musicologists and philosophers, some of whom had worked with Cage, at a conference in the town of Trossingen, in southern Germany, in 1998. They developed the idea of a performance calibrated to the life expectancy of an organ. The first modern keyboard organ is thought to have been built in Halberstadt in 1361, 639 years before the turn of the 21st century so they decided the performance would last for 639 years. Dennis Amachree, a retired Assistant Director of the State Security Service, SSS, has called for further investigations into the widely circulated memo about infiltration of new locations in North-Central parts of the country by Boko Haram terrorists. The supposed internal memo purportedly signed by the Comptroller, Enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters, H.A Sabo, suggests the terrorists are regrouping around communities in Abuja, Kogi and Nasarawa states. For over three years, the insurgents have launched various attacks in the North-east, mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, killing many residents and displacing thousands from their homes. Before 2016, Boko Haram attacks were rampant in Abuja and Nasarawa with buildings such as the police headquarters and the UN building in Abuja, attacked. The attacks have continued in the North-east, mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, despite efforts of the military. In the last four years, many citizens have been killed and thousands displaced from their homes. The military, in its response on Sunday, allayed the fears of residents of the mentioned communities with the assurance that all armed forces have been on red alert. Nevertheless, the NCS has said it is investigating the source of the memo but failed to outrightly deny its authenticity. Mr Amachree, who appeared on Channels TVs Sunrise daily programme, said although the source of the memo is yet to be ascertained, it is of a very serious value and that relevant agencies should not ignore it. The former operative of the secret police faulted the memo because it was not properly addressed and classified. But when you look at the letter itself, there are a lot of things wrong there, you know, it was not addressed to those it was supposed to. If it was meant for internal circulation the list of people to be circulated to should be there or maybe on the next page. I dont know but well, its not there. So, number one; the heading is different from the body. There is intelligence or National Security National Intelligence. And thats not how intelligence reports are addressed or disseminated. Yes, it might be an information but you know, we have to differentiate between information and intelligence. Intelligence is processed information. But this particular one has a little intelligence report on National Security at the same time you say that it is information, which is contradictory. Usually, memos are classified in security circles as confidential, restricted, Secrets or top secret, Mr Amachree added. He noted that the relations of places indicated in the memo shows that it was not processed as the mention of the areas should be confidential information. Mr Amachree also spoke on the need for synergy between all security agencies perhaps such information is true. If they received information like this, they have to take it to the appropriate quarters because I learned the enforcement and intelligence unit of the customs is well-equipped. You need to know how to write on national security. Mr Amachree stated that such information should have been sent to the SSS for processing. Thats why we are saying that these security agencies should synergise. They should have sent it to the SSS. The SSS will know how to process it appropriately. Speaking further, he canvassed for the review of the process of circulating intelligence information within the armed forces by the National Security Adviser, who is supposed to be the Clearing house, for intelligence. Also, Mr Amachree advised the NCS to start hunting for the mole in its office if investigations reveal that the memo was leaked. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that he feels "quite all right" after taking coronavirus vaccine and had experienced no side-effects. This was reported by news agency TASS. "I have neither run a high temperature nor experienced any other side effects. I advise everyone to undergo vaccination," he told a television channel, according to the news agency. On Friday, it was reported that the Russian defence minister had been inoculated with coronavirus vaccine, developed by Moscow's Gamaleya research institute for epidemiology and microbiology in coordination with the Russian defence ministry. The minister said he got coronavirus jab to "dispel the rest of doubts" and to prove that "it is safe, that it is effective and makes life much easier." The Russian vaccine uses a cold-causing adenovirus, which is then modified and combined with a part of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Russia last month approved the coronavirus vaccine, even before final trials. It has been named "Sputnik V" after the Soviet-era satellite that was the first launched into space in 1957. This raised concerns among some scientists over a lack of safety data, The "Sputnik-V" vaccine produced an antibody response in all participants in early-stage trials, according to results published on Friday by The Lancet medical journal. The results of the two trials, conducted in June-July this year and involving 76 participants, showed 100% of participants developing antibodies to the new coronavirus and no serious side effects, The Lancet said. Some top Russian leaders have got themselves inoculated with the covid vaccine. They include Trade Minister Denis Manturov and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky, according to news reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin had claimed that one of his daughters had been inoculated with the vaccine. (With Agency Inputs) Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. ~Persons in need can visit the foundation for immediate assistance~ PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation has extended its emergency food package distribution by one week to make it possible for more persons in the community, who are in need of immediate assistance to obtain much-needed food items to help tide them through these tough times. The distribution will continue until Sunday, September 13, 2020. Persons who are in need of an emergency food package can contact the St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation located opposite Cake House Supermarket on the L.B. Scott Road between the hours of 12:00pm and 3:00pm during the course of this week and sign up to receive a food package on the spot. One package will be given per family in need. Persons who have already received food packages are urged to not sign up again as the remaining emergency packages are for families who have not yet received. The packages contain items such as a 10lb bag of rice, 5lb bag of flour, cooking oil, brown sugar, salt, lentils peas, red beans, baking powder, toilet paper and Clorox. Tzu Chi has stepped up its efforts to assist the needy in the community with emergency food packages since March during the start of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, which left many persons jobless and many others with reduced income. For the first emergency food package distribution at the start of the pandemic, a total of 3,826 food packages were distributed to persons in need benefitting some 9,315 family members. This was done with the assistance of 264 volunteers. Additionally, 16,394 loaves of bread were also distributed around the island with the assistance of 816 volunteers. It is estimated that 21,512 family members benefited from this initiative between April 11 and May 28. In an effort to continue assisting the needy, Tzu ChiI began providing short term relief for three months for 200 families. Due to the restriction associated with COVID-19, Tzu Chi volunteers have been executing the food package distribution exercises according to regulations set by authorities. To avoid large crowds, recipients are given specific dates and time to collect their food packages, taking into consideration social distancing and sanitization guidelines and face mask requirements. Hand sanitizers and, if needed, masks, are provided, for safety. Provisions are made for persons who are not in Tzu Chis system but need immediate assistance to receive food packages immediately. More recently, between August 31 and September 1, the foundation distributed a total of 1,726 food packages to families. The massive effort was possible thanks to the assistance of some 864 volunteers. The foundation estimates that a total of 5,327 family members have benefited from the items donated. The food distribution has been extended by a week where a total of 3,500 packages are expected to be distributed amongst families that are in need. One grateful recipient recently expressed his appreciation for what he had received. Things are very hard right now. Each day, we dont know what is going to happen, especially not having a job I was fortunate to find (Tzu Chi) that is giving donation and I really appreciate it. It will do very well for me. Another recipient said many persons in the community are in need of assistance due to uncertainty with employment and he thanked Tzu Chi for stepping up to the plate to offer assistance. Tzu Chi Foundation Commissioner Sandra Cheung said the distribution would not have been possible without the generous efforts of the volunteers who sacrifice their time to assist with the initiative. The distribution efforts are possible in part due to the continuous donation containers of rice from Tzu Chis head office in Taiwan. Containers of rice are being sent to assist the community of St. Maarten since after Hurricane Irma in 2017. The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation received the tenth container of rice on August 4. Tzu Chi St. Maarten volunteers are deeply thankful to Tzu Chi Founder Master Cheng Yen for her support, deep compassion and love, which makes it possible for local volunteers to create blessings by helping others. While many have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, we receive a great joyful feeling by helping others, one grateful volunteer said. Cheung quoted the words of Tzu Chi Founder Master Cheng Yen, who said: With good intentions come blessings. With the will comes the strength. Cyprus said Monday it will send a team to Lebanon to help authorities stop boats with migrants including from war-torn Syria heading for the Mediterranean island after several recent attempts. Officials from various services will visit Lebanon "to deal in the best and most effective way with this phenomenon," Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said. Cyprus, just 160 kilometres (100 miles) from Lebanon's coast, is so close that the deadly explosion that devastated Beirut on August 4 was heard on the island. Syria is even nearer. Cyprus is on alert after at least five boats carrying over 150 migrants were spotted off the coast of the tourist island by authorities in recent days, and the interior ministry held an emergency meeting on the situation on Monday. Many of those on board were Syrians, as well as Lebanese. Some were permitted to disembark, but others were sent back. Cypriot authorities chartered a boat to take a group back to Lebanon with an escort. Lebanon, which hosts a million Syrian refugees, was already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades before the cataclysmic explosion in the port of Beirut. Nearby Nicosia fears becoming a magnet for those fleeing a political and economic crisis. European Union member Cyprus and Lebanon have a "send back" agreement to discourage migrants. Cyprus has long complained it is on the frontline of the Mediterranean migration route, with the EU's highest number of first-time asylum seekers per capita of population. "We are no longer able to receive additional numbers of economic migrants simply because" reception facilities are full, Nouris said. Nouris last week praised parliament's approval to cut the time that migrants can appeal rejected asylum applications from 75 to 15 days. Since the migrant "Balkans route" from Turkey to central Europe was blocked in 2015, asylum applications in Cyprus have soared -- from 2,253 that year, to 13,648 in 2019 -- the interior ministry says. A spokesperson for the UN refugee agency in Cyprus told AFP: "Any person on a boat who seeks asylum should be admitted at least on a temporary basis to examine the claim". Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi: Malaika Arora on Monday confirmed she has tested positive for the coronavirus. In an Instagram post, Malaika said she is asymptomatic and will be quarantined at home. Earlier on Sunday, her actor boyfriend Arjun Kapoor revealed that he is COVID-19 positive. "Today I have tested positive for coronavirus but I want to inform you all that I am feeling fine. I am asymptomatic and following all the required protocols and will be quarantined at home as instructed by my doctor and authorities. I request all of you to stay calm and safe. Thank you for all your support. Much love," Malaika posted on Instagram. Hours after Arjun opened up about his coronavirus diagnosis, it was reported that Malaika has also testes positive for the virus. However, she confirmed the news only on Monday. In his social media post, Arjun wrote, "It is my duty to inform all of you that I have tested positive for coronavirus. I'm feeling ok and I'm asymptomatic. I have isolated myself at home under the advice of doctors and authorities and will be under home quarantine. I thank you all in advance for your support and I will keep you all updated about my health in the days to come. These are extraordinary and unprecedented times and I have faith that all of humanity will overcome this virus." On the work front, both Arjun and Malaika had resumed their respective shoots. While Arjun was shooting for his forthcoming film with Rakul Preet Singh, Malaika returned to the sets of 'India's Best Dancer' as a judge. Beginning Monday, more than 40 states across the United States will start distributing an extra $300 weekly unemployment benefit, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The additional financial support will be given to qualifying individuals and is palced on top of any other benefits they are currently receiving. Weekly $300 unemployment benefit On Friday, the FEMA announced that more than 40 states across the country revealed they would be distributing additional weekly $300 to those qualified who are already receiving state benefits. The sending of payments will start on September 7 and is issued on top of what people are currently getting. The new financial benefits' eligibility requirement obligates an individual to already be getting at least $100 in state benefits to be qualified for the new $300 federal aid. According to The Sun, the distribution of the federal benefits will last until December 27. The US government has set aside $44 billion to fund the new weekly unemployment benefit. However, there is little to no guarantee that the initial investment will last until the end of the year after the surge of unemployment applications in recent weeks. In the US, nearly 30 million citizens are receiving unemployment benefits, and some 1.4 million people have filed for unemployment in July amid the devastating economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Trump Overrides Defense Department's Directive Shutting Down 'Stars and Stripes' Newspaper FEMA said that the unemployment benefit's initial distribution would pool a three-week total between August 1 to August 22. After the first three weeks, the agency said that future benefits would be given out at a weekly rate, as reported by Investopedia. Each state or territory will decide to decide how to distribute the payment to individual claimants. Residents may get one amount every week, including both regular and Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) funds, or they could be given separately in two payments. Stimulus checks On Friday, United States President Donald Trump said that the federal government had allotted $300 billion worth of funding to support the next round of stimulus checks. The Republican leader added that Democrats have been blocking the cash from being given out to Americans. During a press briefing at the White House, Trump announced that the funds for the next stimulus bill are ready to go and help millions of citizens across the nation. The president added that he wanted to use the funds immediately but noted that Congress would not allow him. Trump stated that his administration was willing to spend the stimulus funding and get approval from Congress, arguing there were claims that he could distribute the stimulus without consent. Since then, he has chosen to follow protocols and wait for Congress to approve payments. Currently, Congress is away on its summer recess and will return on September 8, where it is possible that a deal could be made or agreed on regarding the next coronavirus relief package and how best to mitigate the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 virus on the nation and its people. Related Article: Are the $1,200 Stimulus Checks Coming? Deal Could be Reached Within 5 days When Congress Returns @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. WABetaInfo has detailed how certain messages are being circulated that will cause WhatsApp to freeze even if you exit and re-enter the app. The user then needs to delete and reinstall WhatsApp, which can result in them losing their chat history. These messages, which WABetaInfo has called scary messages, comprise a variety of weird characters which seemingly make no sense. However, these strange characters are not only confusing to you WhatsApp either interprets the message incorrectly or is unable to render the message completely. The combination of these characters create a situation where WhatsApp isnt able to process the message, determining an infinite crash, said WABetaInfo. Many of these messages are reportedly in the form of VCards, where if you open the VCard, the contacts have long and strange names which are actually crash codes. These VCards can also contain payloads to cause further problems for affected users. There are reportedly many secret WhatsApp groups where users share these codes with the purpose of crashing WhatsApp for users on specific platforms. How to protect yourself WABetaInfo said that there isnt an effective and general fix to this issue. The best way to protect yourself if you receive a message that appears to be one of these scary messages is to block the contact on WhatsApp Web. However, if WhatsApp Web isnt able to reach your device because the app is crashing you will need to reinstall WhatsApp, which will result in you losing your chat history. Therefore, WABetaInfo also recommends backing up your chat history at least once a week. Additionally, WABetaInfo suggests that you set your group privacy setting to My Contacts so that unknown contacts cant add you to groups with these crash codes. It noted that the issue appears to be particularly prevalent in Brazil based on the users that have discussed the issue with WABetaInfo on social media. However, the nature of the Internet is such that anyone using WhatsApp is at risk. GUANGZHOU, China China has successfully launched and landed an experimental reusable spacecraft, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency which lauded the achievement as an "important breakthrough." The spacecraft was launched on a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan launch center located in Inner Mongolia on Friday. It spent two days in orbit and and returned to the scheduled landing site on Sunday, Xinhua said. There are very few details on the project which appeared to be shrouded in secrecy. There are no official images of the spacecraft. Xinhua called the event an "important breakthrough" in research of reusable spacecraft technology in China which can provide a "more convenient and cheap" way to travel back and forth from space for "peaceful" purposes. Reusable spacecraft are seen as way of reducing the cost of space travel. The U.S. has an unmanned reusable spacecraft called the X-37B which has already completed a handful of missions. China has been pushing for the development of its space program and has had some notable successes. The country completed its Beidou satellite system in June which is seen as a rival to the U.S. government-owned Global Positioning System (GPS). And in July, China launched its first solo mission to Mars. Last year, China became the first nation to land a spacecraft on the so-called dark side of the moon. The countries have finally started lifting the nationwide lockdowns amid COVID-19 pandemic to boost the tourism industry and the latest to join the bandwagon is Cuba as it now welcomes travellers. Rolling out its red carpet for tourists post the COVID-19 lockdown, the news came as a ray of hope not just for travel enthusiasts but also for several laid-off leisure industry employees residing in the Communist-run island. Similar to the rest of the world, Cuba had too closed its airports in March courtesy COVID-19 and decided to open from September 4. On Friday, an Air Canada plane arrived at the Cayo-Coco airport on the northcentral coast and is now expected to fly weekly to Cuba and biweekly from next month. While the decades-old trade embargo makes the United States ban residents from making tourist trips to Cuba, they can still travel to the import-dependent country for purposes including education. On the other hand, Canada has long been the Caribbean islands most important tourist provider. A report in the Reuters revealed that Canada accounted for 1.1 million of the 4.2 million arrivals in Cuba last year, as per the government and the industry revenues were $2.6 billion in 2019. So far Cuba has reported 4,298 cases of coronavirus till date with 2,345 recovery cases and 100 deaths from COVID-19. Though schools have opened elsewhere in Cuba, the alarming increase in coronavirus cases in Havana has pushed the city into a fortnight lockdown. The authorities are seeking to stamp out the surge in spread of the novel coronavirus in the capital while aggressive anti-virus measures like closing down air travel have almost eliminated COVID-19 in other Cuban cities. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Legendary fund manager Li Lu (who Charlie Munger backed) once said, 'The biggest investment risk is not the volatility of prices, but whether you will suffer a permanent loss of capital.' So it might be obvious that you need to consider debt, when you think about how risky any given stock is, because too much debt can sink a company. We note that La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE:LZB) does have debt on its balance sheet. But should shareholders be worried about its use of debt? When Is Debt Dangerous? Generally speaking, debt only becomes a real problem when a company can't easily pay it off, either by raising capital or with its own cash flow. Part and parcel of capitalism is the process of 'creative destruction' where failed businesses are mercilessly liquidated by their bankers. However, a more frequent (but still costly) occurrence is where a company must issue shares at bargain-basement prices, permanently diluting shareholders, just to shore up its balance sheet. Of course, debt can be an important tool in businesses, particularly capital heavy businesses. When we examine debt levels, we first consider both cash and debt levels, together. View our latest analysis for La-Z-Boy What Is La-Z-Boy's Debt? As you can see below, at the end of July 2020, La-Z-Boy had US$50.0m of debt, up from none a year ago. Click the image for more detail. But on the other hand it also has US$346.0m in cash, leading to a US$296.0m net cash position. How Healthy Is La-Z-Boy's Balance Sheet? Zooming in on the latest balance sheet data, we can see that La-Z-Boy had liabilities of US$424.5m due within 12 months and liabilities of US$364.2m due beyond that. Offsetting this, it had US$346.0m in cash and US$137.1m in receivables that were due within 12 months. So its liabilities total US$305.7m more than the combination of its cash and short-term receivables. This deficit isn't so bad because La-Z-Boy is worth US$1.45b, and thus could probably raise enough capital to shore up its balance sheet, if the need arose. However, it is still worthwhile taking a close look at its ability to pay off debt. While it does have liabilities worth noting, La-Z-Boy also has more cash than debt, so we're pretty confident it can manage its debt safely. Story continues Also good is that La-Z-Boy grew its EBIT at 19% over the last year, further increasing its ability to manage debt. When analysing debt levels, the balance sheet is the obvious place to start. But ultimately the future profitability of the business will decide if La-Z-Boy can strengthen its balance sheet over time. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting. Finally, while the tax-man may adore accounting profits, lenders only accept cold hard cash. While La-Z-Boy has net cash on its balance sheet, it's still worth taking a look at its ability to convert earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, to help us understand how quickly it is building (or eroding) that cash balance. During the last three years, La-Z-Boy generated free cash flow amounting to a very robust 95% of its EBIT, more than we'd expect. That positions it well to pay down debt if desirable to do so. Summing up While La-Z-Boy does have more liabilities than liquid assets, it also has net cash of US$296.0m. And it impressed us with free cash flow of US$208m, being 95% of its EBIT. So we don't think La-Z-Boy's use of debt is risky. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for La-Z-Boy you should know about. At the end of the day, it's often better to focus on companies that are free from net debt. You can access our special list of such companies (all with a track record of profit growth). It's free. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Top administration officials on Sunday said theyve never heard President Donald Trump make disparaging remarks about veterans or the military, a subtle attempt to dispute a report in The Atlantic. But the presidents top defender was the president himself. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, reported last week that Trump in November 2018 told senior staff that the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris was filled with losers and that in a separate conversation he called the 1,800 Marines who died at Belleau Wood suckers for getting killed. Trump was also furious when the White House lowered flags to half-staff following Arizona Sen. John McCains death, Goldberg reported, and the president told senior staff that they wouldnt support that losers funeral, adding that the war hero was a f--king loser. Goldberg reported that Trump made similar comments about President George H.W. Bush, whose plane was shot down during World War II. The Associated Press, Washington Post, New York Times, CNN and Fox News all confirmed some elements of The Atlantics 1,500-word report, but Trump and his allies have denied since Thursday that he made such comments. On Sunday, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie credited Trump for what he called a renaissance at the VA and grouped the allegations with past stories citing unnamed officials that the president has dismissed as fake news and hoaxes. I think anonymous are the same people that brought you fake heart attacks, fake strokes, Russian collusion, Wilkie told CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union. I see the proof in the pudding, he added. The proof in the pudding is our military is stronger, and our Veterans Affairs Department is in a place that it has never been. This is the renaissance, and its all because of one man. Wilkie downplayed Trumps past comments toward McCain, whom the president in 2015 said was not a war hero, as politics in the heat of a campaign. Trump, however, was running for president while McCain was seeking reelection in the Senate. Story continues White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (left) and his wife Karen, along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford (right) with his wife Ellyn, visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near the Belleau Wood battleground in France on Nov. 10, 2018. President Donald Trump opted not to attend the ceremony. And the VA chief declined to get into a he said, she said with the president and the former chief of staff when asked whether he agreed with Trumps assessment that Gen. John Kelly didnt do a good job in that position. Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that Kelly had no temperament, petered out, got eaten alive and was unable to handle the pressure of his job. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Bret Baier on Fox News Sunday that Trump supports the military in an unbelievable way. Mnuchin said hes been with the president at Arlington National Cemetery, the World War II Memorial and the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. I think this president has enormous respect for the military and for the generals, Mnuchin said. This president respects and supports the U.S. military. Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel described Trumps reported comments as beneath the dignity of any commander in chief, if true. Hagel, a veteran of the Vietnam War, encouraged the anonymous sources to come forward if they feel so strongly. But he also suggested that Trumps own words and actions make the story believable, including his comments about McCain, former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, former national security adviser H.R. McMaster and Kelly, who also led the Department of Homeland Security before joining and leaving the White House. Hes on the record with saying things himself over the past few years, Hagel told Martha Raddatz on ABCs This Week. And that makes the credibility of this article and those anonymous comments more and more credible. Trump was in France in November 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, but opted to cancel a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, citing forecasts of bad weather. In place of Trump, Kelly and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the ceremony. In addition, other world leaders went on with their scheduled events, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trumps defense of himself Sunday was to go on the attack. The president accused news organizations of partnering with the Democratic Party on a massive Disinformation Campaign and urged his 85 million Twitter followers to let the magazines owner know how you feel!!! The Democrats, together with the corrupt Fake News Media, have launched a massive Disinformation Campaign the likes of which has never been seen before, Trump tweeted Sunday morning. They will say anything, like their recent lies about me and the Military, and hope that it sticks... But #MAGA gets it! Nearly three hours earlier, before 7 a.m., the president amplified a tweet from Charlie Kirk, head of Turning Point USA, who said Laurene Powell Jobs has donated at least $500,000 to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Bidens campaign and noted that she owns a majority stake in the news magazine. Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her on a failing Radical Left Magazine that is run by a con man (Goldberg) and spews FAKE NEWS & HATE, Trump said. Call her, write her, let her know how you feel!!! Speaking in defense of his article, Goldberg told CNNs Brian Stelter on Reliable Sources that he felt comfortable publishing the story because he spoke to multiple people with firsthand knowledge of the presidents views and comments. Thats the only reason to publish anything, he said. And I felt it was important to publish because, in my experience and in our collective experience, I dont think weve had a president who has contempt for American soldiers, wounded veterans, people whove been killed in action. So its incredibly novel. Its one of these things thats in the category of shocking yet not surprising. Goldberg said he also expects more confirmation, reporting and new nuggets of information to emerge in the coming days and weeks. Defense Attache Col. Naveed Ahmed Abbassi, front row fifth from right, at the Pakistani Embassy in Seoul, poses with other dignitaries during a reception to mark Pakistan's Defence Day at the Army Club of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, in September 2019. Pakistan skipped this year's celebration in Korea because of COVID-19 and social distancing measures. / Courtesy of Embassy of Pakistan By Yi Whan-woo Pakistan's defense cooperation with Korea dates back to the 1950-53 Korean War when the former assisted the latter with $378,000 and plenty of wheat. The amount, according to Defense Attache Col. Naveed Ahmed Abbassi at the Pakistani Embassy in Seoul, was the third-biggest financial contribution during the war. This little-known fact is addressed on Pakistan's Defence Day observed every Sept. 6, which highlights Pakistan accordingly as one of the 63 countries that helped Korea. Among the 63 countries, 39 including Pakistan provided relief aid. Sixteen other countries including the United States sent combat forces, while another five Denmark, India, Italy, Norway and Sweden offered medical support. The remaining three Bolivia, Brazil and Nicaragua declared intent of support, although this did not result in action. "We hope the relations of the defense wing of Pakistan in Republic of Korea with the Korean armed forces, defense industries and organizations and all other institutions will further grow by leaps and bounds," Abbassi said last week. He pointed out Pakistan-Korea defense cooperation has improved after it formally started in the 1980s. They range from training exchanges to participation in joint exercises, seminars and exhibitions, defense industries collaboration and exchange of intelligence. "We hope that this relationship will further grow with increased and regular interactions between the armed forces and defense institutions of both countries," Abbassi added. Pakistan skipped this year's Defence Day celebration in Seoul because of COVID-19. Defence Day pays tribute to Pakistani soldiers who defended the frontiers of Pakistan during the 1965 war against India. Defence Day also has been an occasion to address the country's tradition of armed forces, counterterrorism efforts, international peacekeeping operations and the disputed Kashmir region. The Pakistani military has been "imperiled" with different kinds of conflicts, such as insurgencies and hybrids wars, since its 1947 independence from British India. Abbassi viewed the Pakistani armed forces "thwarted all these threats and challenges courageously." On counterterrorism, more than 80,000 Pakistani military personnel lost their lives over the past 19 years with a financial loss amounting to $130 billion. Pakistan has been a part of U.N. peacekeeping missions since 1960 when its first contingent was sent to Congo. Up till now more than 184,000 Pakistani soldiers including 450 women have served as peacekeepers in 26 countries. Among them, 157 soldiers and 24 officers have died during these missions. Regarding the dispute with India over the Kashmir region, Abbassi argued that India has been besieging and illegally occupying Jammu and Kashmir and that people there are "living in an open jail and suffering from the worst ever human rights crises." "Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and wants to promote mutual cooperation with the entire world, including our neighbors, on the basis of equality Toward this end, it will partner with all in this common cause and objective," Abbassi said. ROSEAU, Dominica, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Commonwealth of Dominica ranked first in the CBI Index - the most prestigious study into all active citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes in the world. On September 7th, Professional Wealth Management magazine - a publication from the Financial Times - released the new edition of the CBI Index, comparing 14 programmes against nine so-called 'pillars'. Dominica came first in the CBI Index yet again, scoring maximum points in six pillars, including the new ones added this year, measuring family appeal, and the programme's certainty. Other pillars Dominica scored top marks in include strong due diligence, ease of processing, lack of mandatory travel or residence, and affordable minimum investment outlay. "Emerging for the fourth consecutive year as the world's best CBI programme, Dominica balances an excellent reputation for meeting the needs of investors with strong due diligence, a low minimum investment outlay, efficient processing, and a renewed focus on family reunification," the report reads. Researcher James McKay makes good note of the recent changes to the definition of 'dependant' and post-citizenship additions under Dominica's CBI Programme. He observes that Dominica offers one of the most sibling-friendly programme, which makes provisions for a wider age eligibility. Similarly, those who have already obtained Dominican citizenship via CBI can now add more dependants after the initial application, such as new-borns, new spouses, and pre-existing dependants. Ambassador Emmanuel Nanthan, the Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) in Dominica, comments: "We are honoured to be crowned once again the world's best country for citizenship by investment. CBI plays a major role in our economy and daily lives, and we work hard to maintain high standards of integrity, efficiency, and, importantly, a tangible impact on our population." As regards how 'certain' Dominica's CBI Programme is, the researcher notes that, having been established in 1993, it has "stood the test of time". The report concludes that Dominica is "a highly reputable destination for second citizenship." Moreover, the report notes the island's welcoming environment: "countries like Dominica offer verdant nature, sunshine, clean air, and year-round access to lush fruit and vegetables." Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said: "For us, foreign investors who become our citizens through CBI are truly valuable partners. We are proud to call them our own and to offer them a truly spectacular place to call home." Individuals and families wishing to obtain Dominica's citizenship must first pass a series of due diligence checks. Once successful, they can either make a minimum contribution of US$100,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund or invest at least US$200,000 in pre-approved real estate. Applications can only be submitted through an Authorised Agent. Processing takes three months on average. In light of Covid-19, the CBIU has temporarily allowed Authorised Agents to submit applications online, with the original documentation required at a later stage. www.cbiu.gov.dm cbiusecretary@dominica.gov.dm Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1249824/CBI_Index_Dominica_Infographic.jpg A major tragedy was averted on Monday (September 7) after a joint team of police and Army found some explosive and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a sand bag under a bridge on Sopore-Kupwara road near Arampora in Jammu and Kashmir. A Bomb Disposal Squad was immediately called to spot and they defused the IED safely, thus averting a major tragedy. It is to be noted that Sopore-Kupwara road is mostly used for the movement of conveys of army and other security forces. Government sources said that IED was planted to target the vehicles carrying security forces. Few days ago, security forces had recovered an IED near Tujan village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. The IED was planted beneath a bridge. The timely action by the alert security forces helped in averting a major tragedy as the road connects Pulwama district with Budgam and the road is often used by security forces to move from one place to another. Post-Brexit trade negotiations have stalled as the UK insists on autonomy over state aid and fishing rights. The United Kingdom has set a deadline of October 15 to strike a free-trade deal with the European Union, and if none is agreed, both sides should accept that and move on, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say on Monday. The UK left the EU on January 31, but there has been little progress on a new trade deal after a status-quo transition arrangement ends in December. Failure to reach a deal could result in the imposition of trade tariffs and customs controls for goods moving between the UK and EU. Talks, which have stalled because of the UKs insistence that it has full autonomy over state aid and fishing, are due to resume in London on Tuesday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said an agreement on trade needed to be reached urgently and he blamed the deadlock on the UKs attitude. Johnson will say there is no sense in thinking about timelines beyond October 15. If we cant agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on, he will say, according to comments released by his office. If no deal is agreed, the UK would have a trading relationship with the bloc like Australias, which would be a good outcome, Johnson will say. The EU has been negotiating a trade agreement with Australia since 2018 but has yet to conclude a deal. Full control As a government we are preparing, at our borders and at our ports, to be ready for it, Johnson will say. We will have full control over our laws, our rules and our fishing waters. In that case, the UK would be ready to find sensible accommodation with the bloc on practical issues such as flights, truck transport or scientific cooperation, according to the excerpts. The Financial Times newspaper reported that the British government is planning legislation that will override key parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, risking the collapse of trade negotiations with Brussels. Sections of the internal market bill, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs, the newspaper said, citing three people familiar with the plans. A source told the newspaper that the move could clearly and consciously undermine the agreement on Northern Ireland a part of the UK that Johnson signed last October to avoid a return to a hard border with the neighbouring Republic of Ireland. The EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday that negotiations on future relations were difficult and declined to comment on the FTs report. We demand quite simply, and calmly, and until the end, that the political commitments in the text agreed by Boris Johnson be legally translated into this treaty, Barnier told France Inter radio. The UKs Brexit negotiator David Frost said on Sunday that the British government was not scared of a no-deal exit at the end of the year. Johnson will say there is still a deal to be had based on a standard free trade agreement if the EU is ready to rethink its current position. But we cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country to get it, he will say. BGR Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, up to and including the present day, shoppers have encountered the effects of everything from supply chain disruptions to pandemic-related labor constraints which have unfortunately led to grocery store shortages. Just as the effects of the pandemic are not evenly distributed around the country, though, neither are these kinds of products The post 5 popular grocery shortages that are making shoppers so angry right now appeared first on BGR. New Delhi: The Rashtravadi Janata Party (RJD) on Monday (September 7) filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking direction for the Election Commission to postpone the Bihar Legislative Assembly election, scheduled to be held in the month of October- November, amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country. The plea also sought direction for the Election Commission to hold the state Assembly polls in March 2021. Earlier, a similar petition was filed in the apex court but was dismissed. Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the leaders of the opposition were making false statements to mislead people without knowing the ground realities. In the run-up to the Bihar assembly elections, Nitish Kumar replied to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav`s allegations about lawlessness in Bihar in his first-ever virtual rally on Monday. The Bihar CM said, "When they were in power, people could not step outside from their homes after 6 pm. There were no arrests, no trial of criminals. With the blessings of the government, criminals used to wave rifles from their vehicles." "Now, a majority of criminals have been put behind the bars. They`ve undergone speedy trials. We have carried out special drives to nab absconding criminals. Now, the situation has improved with people stepping out with their families in the evening without any fear," he was quoted by IANS as saying. During his virtual address, Nitish Kumar presented a report card of the last 15 years, in which he touched upon law and order, the economy, creation of road infrastructure, and flood relief measures undertaken during the time he has been serving as CM. Kumar compared it with the Lalu-Rabri regime of 1990-2005. He also referred to 2018 NCRB data and said that with a crime rate at an average of 222.1 per lakh population, Bihar ranked 23rd in the country in incidents of crime. The national average is above 300 per lakh population. In Bihar, 60 percent of was crime was happening owing to land disputes between family members. Besides, in crimes against women, Bihar`s ranking is 29th in the country, 33rd in rapes, 23rd in the kidnapping, and 11th in murders, he added. On opposition parties' allegations on non-creation of jobs in the state, Nitish Kumar said that more than 10 lakh people had been given jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi Rashtriya Rojgaar Guarantee Yojna and other schemes including to 2.9 lakh migrants who returned home owing to Covid-19. He further said that 164153 people are registered in the employment exchange, adding that the country is undergoing an economic crisis, still, Bihar has done better, added the CM. The virtual rally, named "Nischay Samvad", was broadcast live through newly launched digital platform jdulive.Com from Karpoori Thakur Sabhagar (conference hall) at the party office in Patna. Notably, the rally was also available on Facebook, Twitter, and TV channels. Sky drama Brassic has started filming for a brand new third series. Cast and crew were seen on location in Lancashire - with those on set donning face masks and protective plastic visors before cameras started rolling. Notably absent was Michelle Keegan, one of the stars of the show, who didn't appear to be needed for the scenes shot on Monday morning. Brassic's back: Sky drama Brassic has started filming for a brand new third series [pictured co-creator and star Joe Gilgun] A new addition to the cast was spotted, in the form of a cute French bulldog, who was seen peeking out of actor and co-creator Joe Gilgun's backpack. He was seen with a face mask on - albeit not around his face - as he got his make-up touched-up before shooting the new scenes. Tom Hanson was spotted sheltering under a blue umbrella, looking jovial, despite having a large plastic visor attached to his head. Aaron Heffernan was taking no chances, sporting a visor as well as a mask - designed in the colours of an Irish flag. Geared up: Cast and crew were seen on location in Lancashire - with those on set donning face masks and protective plastic visors before cameras started rolling [pictured actor Tom Hanson] Puppy love: A new addition to the cast was spotted, in the form of a cute French bulldog, who was seen peeking out of actor and co-creator Joe Gilgun's backpack Notably absent: Michelle Keegan was not to be seen. Apparently not needed for the scenes shot on Monday morning [pictured behind-the-scenes of season 2 with Aaron Heffernan] Reading for action: Joe was seen with a face mask on - albeit not around his face - as he got his make-up touched-up before shooting the new scenes Using protection: Tom Hanson was spotted sheltering under a blue umbrella, looking jovial, despite having a large plastic visor attached to his head The third season was confirmed in June, when Michelle - who plays Erin - took to Instagram to celebrate the series two finale. Shooting had not been able to start on the third run of episodes, due to the COVID-19 lockdown this summer. Michelle, 33, shared snaps from behind-the-scenes of the Sky show, larking around with her castmates. She posed with the likes of co-stars Ryan Sampson, Parth Thakerar, Damien Molony and Joanna Higson. Doubled up: Aaron Heffernan was taking no chances, sporting a visor as well as a mask - designed in the colours of an Irish flag Postponed: Shooting had not been able to start on the third run of episodes, due to the COVID-19 lockdown Recommissioned: The third season was confirmed in June, when Michelle - who plays Erin - took to Instagram to celebrate the series two finale Man's best friend: The pooch looked quite comfortable in Joe's bag Stars: The cast shielded from the rain as well as the threat of COVID-19 Pals:Michelle posed with the likes of co-stars Ryan Sampson, Parth Thakerar, Damien Molony and Joanna Higson in throwback snaps at the end of season 2 Captioning her montage of images, Michelle wrote: 'Its the series finale tonight of Brassic on @skytv 10pm! 'Thank you all so much for your positive feedback and support. The gang will be back with you very soon for Series 3!' It's not known whether the coronavirus pandemic has been written into the storyline, or whether the PPE was merely for off-camera. The series 3 airdate has also not been divulged - but it is thought to be 2021. Belying promises of five years of investments via exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have yielded the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) negative returns, with implications for employee payout. While the overall cumulative return is almost -8.3% as of 31 March for its 1.03 trillion equity investments, its return on investments in government-backed Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) ETF has given it a -24.36% return. Similarly, in the government-backed Bharat 22 ETF, EPFOs return on investments is //minus// 19.73%. The other two ETFs run by SBI Asset Management Co. and UTI Asset Management Co. have yielded -6.19% and -10.06% for the retirement fund manager, according to official documents reviewed by Mint. The issue is likely to be discussed in the central board meeting of the EPFO later this week. EPFO invests 85% of its annual deposits in debt instruments and the remaining 15% in equity invested via ETFs. Though equity investments have inherent risks, in 2020-21 when debt investments are expected to earn less, its equity returns may not offer a cushion to EPFO, potentially impacting the rate of interest for millions of its subscribers. The problem also highlights its choice of some ETFs that are yielding very //low// returns -- a potential ethical concern for a pension fund that manages statutory retirement savings for millions of low-wage workers. A board member of EPFO, who declined to be named, said, Investments to achieve goals of the government have their shortcomings. The retirement fund body needs to realize that there is a difference between educated investors investing by choice, and uninformed workers money getting invested by default through avoidable ETFs. EPFOs investment in CPSE and Bharat ETFs as investment vehicles of a pension fund has been in the spotlight as they are seen as thematic investments with stocks of very few state-run companies. They were launched to help the government raise money from the market, and their performance too is often linked to government decisions. EPFO started investments via ETFs in equity on 5 August 2015 and as of 31 March 2020, its total equity exposure was Rs 1.05 trillion. Of this, it redeemed Rs.2,686 crore in 2018, leaving it with a total exposure of 1.03 trillion. In March, EPFO had announced an 8.5% payout for 2019-20 financial year, but it is yet to be credited to subscribers as a formal approval from the finance ministry is awaited. EPFO is looking at a tough 2020-21, with a sizable amount of EPF withdrawals prompted by the pandemic and job losses, said the board member cited above, adding, We expect the investments to be well thought through. Debt investments like 10-year government bond yields are at least 1.2 percentage points less than a year back, and equity could have helped the body stand on better ground. ETF as a concept and investment vehicle is not bad for a pension fund like EPFO. But this Nifty 50 centricity needs to change. Maybe, they should broad-base it and look at Nifty 100 and Nifty 500 indices for diversification, and a fair representation of the economy, said Shyam Sekhar, a financial planner and founder ithought, a financial consulting and advisory firm. CPSE ETF or Bharat 22 ETF may not be good vehicles for a pension fund for the way it is managed. There is a structural problem in them, and it was not thought through enough to create value for its shareholders while achieving some disinvestment targets, added Sekhar. EPFO investments give negative returns SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Boy, they sure love to say the quiet part out loud, huh? A two-page document released late Friday by Office of Management and Budget Director Russel Vought effectively bans all federal agencies from using taxpayer dollars on racial sensitivity or other diversity and inclusion initiatives for workers. "These types of 'trainings,'" the memo claims, "not only run counter to the fundamental beliefs for which our Nation has stood since its inception, but they also engender division and resentment within the Federal workplace." And then it gets worse from there: The President has directed me to ensure that Federal agencies cease and desist from using taxpayer dollars to fund these divisive, un-American propaganda training sessions. [] All agencies are directed to begin to identify all contracts or other agency spending related to any training on "critical race theory," "white privilege," or any other training or propaganda effort that teaches or suggests either (1) that the United States is an inherently racist or evil country or (2) that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist or evil. [] The divisive, false, and demeaning propaganda of the critical race theory movement is contrary to all we stand for as Americans and should have no place in the Federal government. This is, uhh, pretty unabashedly Draconian, to say the least. Regardless of one's feelings on critical race theory or white privilege, the idea of a government ban preventing workers from even encountering these perspectives runs counter to the First Amendment. There might be an argument to be made if, say, there were any demonstrable evidence that Critical Race Theory was actively harmful to a significant swath of Americans an argument that could be made about Nazism, for example, and thus might justify a ban on spending Federal funds on Nazi workshops. The only evidence they cite is this: According to press reports, employees across the Executive Branch have been required to attend trainings where they are told that "virtually all White people contribute to racism" or where they are required to say that they "benefit from racism." According to press reports, in some cases these trainings have further claimed that there is racism embedded in the belief that America is the land of opportunity or the belief that the most qualified person should receive a job. This is actually where they give themselves away. First: what "press reports?" That's about as meaningful as when Donald Trump claims "people are saying" even if it were true, it would still be logically less comprehensive than anecdotal evidence! Second: the motivation here is clearly to protect the feelings of White people, as evidenced by the fact that they cite exactly that as their examples for why racial sensitivity training is harmful. The lack of self-awareness here is truly astounding. They're openly saying that they don't care how a Black person feels when, say, an employer asks to touch their hair, or criticizes their natural hair for being "unprofessional." But! Making a white person feel bad about asking something with painful racist implications? Even if they didn't realize it, and genuinely want to do better? That is simply unacceptable! In fact, it's propaganda! And that's exactly the fucking attitude that reinforces the idea that "whiteness" is some kind of default position. That white people are inherently "normal" and objective, and everyone who isn't white is thus "other" and their existence must be defined by their relationship to a vague notion of status quo white normalcy. Third: "these trainings have further claimed that there is racism embedded in [] the belief that the most qualified person should receive a job." This is literally fucking true. A meta-analysis of job applications by researchers at Northwestern University, Harvard, and the Institute for Social Research in Norway found that, "Since 1989, whites receive on average 36% more callbacks than African Americans, and 24% more callbacks than Latinos." They've demonstrated this by submitting identical applications with different-sounding names, or using different accents on the phone to relay identical information. Unconscious bias in hiring practices is an absolutely real phenomenon. And these monsters are saying that it is "un-American propaganda" to acknowledge that fact? But facts don't care about your feelings. And all this letter from the Office of Management and Budget does is reinforce the idea that Americans who are not descended from Europe will be begrudgingly accepted only if they shut up and assimilate. The truth is: a lot of racial sensitivity workshops and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion workshops don't go far enough. I've gone to many of these trainings, and they are more often than not designed to touch on feel-good neoliberalism that doesn't actually make anyone reflect on their behaviors. In high school, I was an Education Officer for my school's Human Relations Club, overseeing an after school program where we went around to elementary schools to teach diversity workshops; looking back, I'm embarrassed to admit that I probably contributed to some of that nonsense! And I can recognize that, despite my good intentions and my whiteness, I may have been complicit in reinforcing a system of diversity pandering that was largely designed to make white people feel good. So you can imagine my surprise when I read this passage, in a BBC article about this new OMB policy: It was not clear which reports Mr Vought was referring to or what prompted the memo. But such training sessions have been highlighted by the Discovery Institute, a conservative non-profit think tank based in Seattle. Chris Rufo, one of its research fellows, told Fox News this week that the US Department of Treasury is among federal agencies that have hired such trainers. Mr Rufo says his public records requests show these sessions have included teaching employees that white people uphold America's system of racism, and sending white male executives to mandatory training in which they write letters of apology to minorities. I have never seen any evidence that such workshop exists. Maybe it does! I'd want to know where you found the person in charge, and who it is, because this sounds like a terrible strategy for getting people to actually change their minds and behaviors about anything. I can absolutely see that backfiring and filling a white male executive with even more resentment. But again: you want to get rid of all DEI programs, because one bad one made one incredibly wealthy white guy feel bad? Get over it, snowflakes. The fact that the OMB made this move at a time when our country is embroiled in a very serious conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to policing is particularly egregious. I literally went to a DEI workshop designed for police just last week; it was led by a Black psychologist and minister, and actually made me more empathetic to police. The idea that consciously caring about diversity is "un-American propaganda" is yet another blatant reinforcement of white supremacy by the Trump Administration. Training in the Federal Government [Office of Management and Budget / White House] Image: Public Domain An orca that once spent 17 days carrying her dead calf a dramatic saga of apparent mourning has become a mother once again. The orca, identified by researchers as J35 and also known as Tahlequah, became a symbol in 2018 of the plight of the Southern Resident whales, which were 88 in number when they were listed as endangered in 2005 and have dwindled further since then. The birth of the new orca, which was seen for the first time by researchers on Saturday, brings the population to 73. Its a bit of a nail-biter right now, said Dr. Deborah Giles, a whale researcher at the University of Washingtons Center for Conservation Biology. I cant help but be thrilled that she had this baby and this baby didnt die right away. Everybody is worried and on pins and needles, wondering if this calf is going to make it. The Southern Resident population of orcas, which are also known as killer whales, includes three pods that largely stay near Washington State and British Columbia. The whales have been struggling to endure a variety of troubles a scarcity of high-quality prey to eat, noise pollution from ships and boats in their habitat, and toxic pollutants that make their way up the food chain to them. Many of the populations pregnancies fail, and about 40 percent of the calves who are born die in their first year. A study by the Oxford Universitys Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (Oxford, England) suggests that the current COVID-19 diagnostic tests could be too sensitive and may be detecting dead coronavirus cells, leading to overestimated infections.According to the researchers, the tests used to diagnose COVID-19 are so sensitive that they may be indicating people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 even when they had the virus 70 days ago. Prof Carl Heneghan, director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, believes that eight days after contracting COVID-19, the chances of an infected person passing on the virus to others become zero if there are no symptoms. However, fragments of the coronavirus can still remain in the body for several weeks afterwards.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests currently used to detect SARS-CoV-2 have technical limitations as they cannot distinguish whether the virus in the patient is alive or dead. The researchers analyzed 25 studies on PCR tests and found that such tests can suggest people are infected even after their bodies immune system has already fought off the coronavirus because these tests only provide a yes or no as to whether the virus material is in the body. This means such people would test positive even though the coronavirus in their bodies may be harmless and non-infectious."After about day eight, you can still find the RNA fragments," Prof Heneghan told BBC Radio 4's Today program. "Some studies have reported up to 70 days that you intermittently shed. You can understand the importance of this, because what you want to do is find those with active infection and not those with the RNA fragments."Evidence is mounting that a good proportion of new mild cases and people re-testing positive after quarantine or discharge from hospital are not infectious, but are simply clearing harmless virus particles which their immune system has efficiently dealt with, added Prof Heneghan.Earlier, a team of South Korean researchers had revealed that reports of recovered coronavirus patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection a second time round were most likely due to dead-virus fragments. They found that 260 people who had recovered and were declared virus-free tested positive again in South Korea but had little or no contagiousness at all. This meant that they were incapable of transmitting the virus to others, based on virus culture cells that all failed to find live viruses in the recovered patients.PCR testing that amplifies genetics of the virus is used in Korea to test COVID-19, and relapse cases are due to technical limits of the PCR testing. The respiratory epithelial cell has a half-life of up to three months, and RNA virus in the cell can be detected with PCR testing one to two months after the elimination of the cell, said Oh Myoung-don, who spearheads the central clinical committee for emerging disease control in South Korea. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called on Sunday for the North Carolina attorney general to probe allegations published in the Washington Post that U.S Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's former company reimbursed employees for political donations. 'These are very serious allegations that must be investigated immediately,' Schumer wrote in reference to the Post story on Sunday about New Breed Logistics, a North Carolina-based company that DeJoy led from 1983 to 2014 when it was acquired by XPO Logistics. A spokesman for DeJoy said he sought and received expert legal advice 'to ensure that he, New Breed Logistics and any person affiliated with New Breed fully complied with any and all laws.' The Washington Post published allegations that U.S Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's former company reimbursed employees for political donations DeJoy, a donor to President Donald Trump, has been in the political spotlight after ordering operational changes and a clampdown on overtime in a bid to fix the financially troubled U.S. Postal Service. Democrats have accused him of deliberately disrupting the Postal Service just as millions of Americans consider whether to cast their ballots by mail in the November 3 presidential election. The Post reported that five former New Breed employees, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they were urged by DeJoys aides or by the chief executive himself to write checks and attend fundraisers at his mansion. They told the newspaper that DeJoy later reimbursed them through bonuses. 'Louis was a national fundraiser for the Republican Party. He asked employees for money. We gave him the money, and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses,' said David Young, the company's longtime director of human resources, who is now retired but had access to payroll records at New Breed from the late 1990s to 2013, according to the Post report. Directly or indirectly reimbursing employee campaign contributions violates federal election laws. The arrangement is sometimes used to evade limits on campaign contributions. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called on Sunday for the North Carolina attorney general to probe the allegations DeJoy 'was never notified by the New Breed employees referenced by the Washington Post of any pressure they might have felt to make a political contribution, and he regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason,' his spokesman said. Josh Stein, the North Carolina attorney general, said in a statement on Sunday that he could not comment on specific cases but that 'any credible allegations of such actions merit investigation by the appropriate state and federal authorities.' A spokesman for XPO Logistics said that the company 'stays out of politics' and that staff have the same 'right as anyone else to support candidates of their choosing in their free time,' according to the Post. After three months of dodging spoilers and hearing international critics laud I May Destroy You as one of the best shows of the year, Australians have finally been able to catch up. The BBC and HBO 12-part comedy-drama, which swelled into a cultural sensation after it premiered in the UK and US in June, landed on streaming service Binge on Wednesday. It's a show that musician Janelle Monae told Variety gave "me and so many the bravery to walk in our [truth]", while singer Adele wrote she'd "never felt so many emotions at once", and actor Seth Rogen declared, "holy s--t it's good". I May Destroy You was almost destined to capture the zeitgeist, seamlessly blending together the knotty themes of sexual assault, consent, race, youth culture, friendship, career and social media, with careful nuance and somehow razor-sharp humour. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Monday issued a new appeal for Mali to make a "swift" transition to civilian rule following a military coup on August 18. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States slapped sanctions on Mali after the putsch, including closing borders and a ban on trade and financial flows, and has called for elections within 12 months. "It is our community's duty to help Malians towards the swift re-establishment of all democratic institutions. The military junta must help us to help Mali," ECOWAS' current chairman, Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou, said at the start of a summit in Niamey. "Other strategic partners of the Malian people have the same hope," he said. During an extraordinary ECOWAS summit on Mali last week, President Issoufou had indicated that the sanctions would be "lifted gradually depending on the implementation" of measures allowing a return to civilian rule. Eight heads of state including Senegalese President Macky Sall, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara and Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo were present at the opening of Monday's summit. Mali has long been plagued by instability, a simmering jihadist revolt, ethnic violence and endemic corruption, with widespread unrest building until a clique of rebel soldiers detained president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last month. Within hours of taking control, the military junta pledged to enact a political transition and stage elections within a "reasonable time". The junta held talks over the weekend with opposition groups on its promise to hand power back to civilians, after mounting pressure from neighbouring countries over fears of even more instability in the war-torn nation. Originally the junta proposed a three-year transition to civilian rule, before bringing that down to two years. An opposition coalition of civil and religious leaders which spearheaded months of protests that led up to Keita's fall has said it wants a transition period of 18 to 24 months. The June 5 Movement has also demanded that the junta give it a role in the transition. Meanwhile Keita, who suffered a mini-stroke last week, flew out of Mali late on Saturday for treatment in the United Arab Emirates. The junta said Keita must return to Mali in the next three months after receiving medical treatment abroad, a time limit it said it had agreed with ECOWAS. Keita was ousted two years into his second five-year term -- it was Mali's fourth coup in 60 years as an independent nation. Search Keywords: Short link: Two agribusinesses in Washington state will distribute $325,000 among 105 Thai farm workers to settle a federal national origin and race discrimination lawsuit. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said the settlement with defendants Green Acre Farms Inc. and Valley Fruit Orchards LLC, both based in Wapato, Washington, encompasses monetary relief and injunctive relief remedies. The EEOC initially filed the Title VII lawsuit in April 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington (EEOC v. Global Horizons, Inc. d/b/a Global Horizons Manpower, Inc., Green Acre Farms, Inc., Valley Fruit Orchards, LLC., et al). A default judgment was previously awarded against Global Horizons, the company that provided farm labor services and supplied H-2A guest workers from Thailand to Green Acre and Valley Fruit. The two farms Green Acre and Valley Fruit remained as the only defendants left in the case. The EEOCs claims against the Green Acre and Valley Fruit farms were initially dismissed on summary judgment by the District Court, which also awarded both farms their fees and costs of litigation. The EEOC appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit overturned the award of fees and costs and reversed and remanded the case back to the District Court. On remand, the District Court again dismissed the EEOCs claims on summary judgment, and the Court granted the farm defendants second motion for fees. The EEOC again appealed to the Ninth Circuit. The case resolved for a total payment of $325,000.00 which will be distributed among 105 Thai farm workers who were placed at the two farms by Global Horizons, the farm labor contractor. Additionally, Green Acre and Valley Fruit agreed to implement injunctive relief including accountability measures over farm labor contractors, training, review of policies and procedures, and reporting, according to the EEOC. The farms have denied liability at all times during the action. Topics Lawsuits Washington Agribusiness Education Minister Partha Chatterjee on Monday said that the new Education Policy (NEP)-2020 is against the federal structure of the country and that the state has decided not to implement it for now. It would not be implemented for the time being as more discussions need to be held on the NEP-2020, he said while objecting to the Centre's decision to exclude Bengali from the list of classical languages. "The NEP-2020 is against the federal structure, and undermines the role of states. We are against the move. It is an effort to centralise the education system and curb the jurisdiction of states," Chatterjee said, soon after attending a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on NEP-2020. Earlier, the Mamata Banerjee-led government had constituted a six-member expert committee to give its views and suggestions on the NEP-2020 and formally respond to the Centre on the issue. The committee had submitted its observations to the government in the last week of August. "This new education policy does not have the required flexibility to reach out to the maximum number of students in a country like ours, which is so diverse in nature in terms of linguistic differences. Rather, it will destroy the federal structure envisioned within the constitutional framework," the Minister said, adding that the government does not support the new policy. Earlier in the day, Modi had addressed the Governors' Conference on the 'Role of NEP in Transforming Higher Education', wherein he said that "maximum flexibility" would be shown in implementing the NEP-2020. The Union Cabinet had approved the new NEP in July, replacing the 34-year-old Policy on Education framed in 1986. The Centre says the new education policy aims to pave the way for transformational reforms in both school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower. --IANS sbn/tsb/bg (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LONDON One by one, they stepped forward to tell their stories. Children suddenly forced to travel two hours each way to school. Pensioners whose weekly doctors appointments have turned into arduous, half-day treks. Shopkeepers whose businesses have been crippled by the disappearance of commuters. All because Hammersmith Bridge, a majestic but badly corroded 19th-century suspension bridge that connects the district of Barnes with much of London, was closed last month for safety reasons. Now, I need to wake up at quarter past 6, every day, six days a week, said Aston Jenkins, 10, drawing sympathetic groans from the frustrated, if exceedingly polite, crowd protesting recently at the bridge. I cant cope with that. While Hammersmith Bridges structural problems are particularly dire, it is far from the only London bridge that is crumbling. Two major crossings in the city center, Vauxhall Bridge and London Bridge, are closed to car traffic while they receive urgent repairs. Tower Bridge, the very symbol of London, was closed for two days last month after a mechanical glitch jammed its drawbridge open. BEIJING, Sep. 7 -- When being asked by the press about his comments on an article titled The Pentagon Is Prepared for China, written by US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and recently published in the Wall Street Journal titled, Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson of China s Ministry of National Defense, reiterated that Chinas military is the peoples military, which serves the people wholeheartedly and makes due contributions to building a better world of enduring peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness. According to the article mentioned above, Mark Esper thinks that the PLA is not a military that serves the nation or the constitution, but belongs to the Chinese Communist Party (CPC); that the US must have a force that is able to compete, deter and win across all domains in the long-term competition with China; and that as the PLA continues its aggressive behavior toward its neighbors in the region, American forces will continue to strengthen the longstanding partnership with allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region. As for such an expression which is brimming with Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices, Snr. Col. Ren named it as groundless nonsense that outrageously distorts the PLA and flames up the so-called military threats from China. If not based on political bias against objective facts, the article at least reveals an appalling ignorance of basic common sense, he pointed out. The Chinese side is strongly opposed to it. Just as the Constitution of the People's Republic of China provides, the socialist system is the basic system of the People's Republic of China. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The armed forces of the People's Republic of China belong to the people. The goal of the CPC is to serve the people wholeheartedly. As an armed force created and led by the CPC, the goal of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, as always, has also been to serve the people wholeheartedly. Every Chinese knows the PLA is the peoples military. It has made tremendous sacrifices in fighting for national independence and peoples liberation, as well as outstanding contributions to developing the economy, coping with serious natural disasters, and protecting peoples life and property. Facts have proved that any attempt to split the close ties between the Chinese military and the Chinese people is doomed to fail. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China also states that China is committed to the path of peaceful development and continues to pursue an opening up strategy of mutual benefit in developing diplomatic relations, economic and cultural exchanges with other countries, as well as promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Since the Peoples Republic of China was founded 70 years ago, it has never waged a war or infringed upon a single inch of a foreign land. The enhancement of the Chinese armed forces contributes to the increase of forces safeguarding world peace. Chinese military has taken an active part in the UNs peacekeeping operations, escort missions at the Gulf of Aden, and humanitarian aid missions, sparing no effort in providing the world with more public security products. China and its military have won international acclaims for their great contributions to safeguarding world peace and prosperity. We have friends in every corner of the world, said Ren. The American sides trick of hyping up regional tensions and driving a wedge between China and its regional neighbors is nothing but a pipe dream, Ren continued, after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the PLA has worked courageously and tirelessly under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core and the direct command of the Central Military Commission. They have faithfully practiced the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, earnestly fulfilled the international responsibilities of a major countrys armed force, and actively carried out international anti-epidemic cooperation in jointly defending international health security and building a global community of health for all. Ren stressed in the end that the Chinese military will continue to make due contributions to building a better world that is clean and beautiful and characterized by enduring peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness. Rumor mill: Nvidia is enjoying its time in the spotlight following the reveal of its Ampere cards, but it seems AMD wants to spoil the party. Team Red has dropped an Easter egg into Fortnite teasing the upcoming arrival of the Radeon RX 6000 series, and weve heard rumors that a 16GB version of Big Navi will be priced to undercut the $699 RTX 3080. Streamer GinaDarling discovered the Fortnite Easter egg in AMDs Battle Arena. Upon entering a phone booth, she was teleported to a secret AMD Radeon room that contains a special console. After entering the passcode 6000 into a terminal, the words something big is coming to the AMD battle arena appeared. One of the people to congratulate GinaDarling was AMDs Scott Herkelman CVP & GM at Radeon. While the Easter egg doesnt reveal too much, this appears to be AMDs first step in embedding Big Navi in the publics consciousness. Elsewhere, tech analysis YouTube channel coreteks tweeted that AMD wants to release a 16GB version of the RDNA 2-based card at $599, but following the Ampere announcement, that price will likely drop to $549. Correction, there's no 8GB model (afaik). This was lost in translation as we were also discussing how AMD will probably promote Big Navi having 16GB versus the 3070's 8GBs. Sorry for the confusion! - btw source also said an HBM version for consumer is not planned :( https://t.co/Umm9Ns8nZW coreteks (@coreteks) September 4, 2020 This isnt the first time weve heard such a rumor; back in July, it was reported that Big Navi wouldnt be the Ampere killer first thought, offering around just 15 percent better performance than the RTX 2080 Ti, which would put it slightly above the $499 RTX 3070. If the 16GB rumor is true, it would mean the Big Navi card features double the memory of the RTX 3070 and 6GB more than the RTX 3080. Weve heard previous claims that there will be two Navi 21-based cards with 12GB and 16GB of GDDR6 RAM, rather than the GDDR6X used in the RTX 3080/3090. Coreteks adds that there will not be a consumer version with HBM. The rumor should be taken with a pinch of salt, of course; coretexs source is an unnamed AMD partner, though parts of it do line up with some previous claims. AMD boss Lisa Su has repeatedly said that both Big Navi and Zen 3 are arriving this year. The company also confirmed that the former would be here before the November launch of the next-gen consoles, which use RDNA 2 GPUs, meaning an October releasepossibly the 7thseems likely. How they stack up against Ampere remains to be seen, especially as an RTX 3070 Ti is already rumored to be in the works, and the RTX 3080 can allegedly reach 100+ fps in many AAA games in 4K at max settings with RTX on. Oxford University's coronavirus vaccine will most likely be rolled out in the 'first few months' of next year, according to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The jab was expected at the end of 2020 but its creators have tempered expectations and pushed it back to next year. Mr Hancock said today he still had some optimism the most vulnerable people will get their hands on the vaccine in the coming months in a 'best-case scenario'. But he admitted the more likely outcome would be a 2021 roll out of the jab, known as AZD1222, which was created by Oxford and owned by UK drug giant AstraZeneca. The Health Secretary revealed manufacturing was already underway in the UK for 30million doses, enough to vaccinate half the population. He said that having them on standby meant they could be dished out to those most in need as soon as the vaccine is given the green light by regulators. Oxford University's coronavirus vaccine will most likely be rolled out in the 'first few months' of next year, according to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock The jab was expected at the end of 2020 but its creators have had to temper expectations after community transmission began to fizzle out in Britain and stall crucial trials needed to seal its approval Speaking on LBC radio today, Mr Hancock said: 'We have got 30 million doses already contracted with AstraZeneca. 'In fact they are starting to manufacture those doses already, ahead of approval, so that should approval come through - and it's still not certain but it is looking up - should that approval come through then we are ready to roll out. 'The best-case scenario is that happens this year. I think more likely is the early part of next year - in the first few months of next year is the most likely. 'But we've also bought vaccine ahead of it getting approved from a whole different series of international vaccines as well.' It has not yet been proven that Oxford's vaccine works but early trials have heralded promising results, with tests showing the vaccine is safe to use in humans and appears to provoke an immune response. But data that proves it protects people is not expected until later this year. More than 50,000 people worldwide are taking part in 'phase 3' studies to see whether the Oxford jab can actually prevent people getting infected with Covid-19. In these tests the vaccine is being given to tens of thousands of people in real-world environments to see if it stops them from catching Covid-19 in the community. Scientists behind the jab had to move their studies abroad over the summer to South Africa, Brazil and the US - where Covid-19 is still rife, to speed up the trials. There are not enough people catching the virus in the UK anymore to be able to reliably test whether the jab is working. WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE ORDERED OXFORD'S VACCINE ALREADY? UK The UK is the host of research and development efforts of the vaccine, which has been developed by researchers in Oxford and will be manufactured by AstraZeneca, a company based in Cambridge. The British Government has ordered 100million doses of the jab and has already started manufacturing them so they're ready to go if and when clinical trials are successful. The price paid has not been disclosed. US The US Government has ordered 100million doses of the vaccine and contributed $1.2billion (910m) to the research and development of the jab. European Union (EU) The European Commission has agreed a deal for 300million doses of the vaccine if its clinical trials work, with the option to buy a further 100million. The deal has been made on behalf of countries in the EU. The amount of money spent is unknown. Australia Australia has confirmed it ordered enough doses of the vaccine to give one to its entire population of 25million people. It is not clear how many doses the nation has ordered. The UK - with a population of 66m but an order of 100m - ordered more than it needs. China One company in China has agreed a deal with AstraZeneca to make at least 100million doses of the vaccine. Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products, based in the city of Shenzhen, will increase capacity to 200m per year by the end of 2021. Russia A Russian company, R-Pharm, also has a deal to produce and distribute the vaccine, but it is unclear how many it will make or what it will pay to AstraZeneca. Brazil Brazilian officials have set aside $360million (274m) for at least 100million doses of the vaccine. Brazil is currently in one of the worst Covid-19 crises in the world with more than 3.6million official cases so far and 114,000 deaths. Advertisement Oxford's Professor Sarah Gilbert, the brains behind the jab, said preliminary data from trials in these countries could be expected in the coming weeks. She is still confident the jab could be ready for the most vulnerable people in society by the of the year, but she doesn't expected it to reach the masses until 2021. Mr Hancock has already created a pecking order for the vaccine, with frontline health and care workers, and those at an increased risk of serious disease, including elderly care homes residents, first in line to get access Over-50s and those with heart and kidney disease will be next, according to Mr Hancock. The UK's vaccine tsar, Kate Bingham, has been saying for months that it's more likely the average person will get their hands on a Covid-19 sometime in early 2021. Mass-manufacturing is already under way, however, so that the vaccine can be produced as quickly as possible. AstraZeneca claims it can manufacture two billion doses by summer 2021. The US has already ordered 300million doses and the UK has pre-purchased 100million. Some 30million doses of the order are already being manufactured, Mr Hancock revealed today. British gene and cell therapy firm Oxford Biomedica has already started making vials to be shipped to hospitals, chemists and care homes as soon as the Oxford vaccine is given the green light. Oxford Biomedica will be the sole manufacturer of the vaccine in Britain for 18 months, following a deal with AstraZeneca last week. Meanwhile, it emerged last month that Number 10 is drawing up emergency plans now in case of a scientific breakthrough before Christmas,. The new rules being drafted will not shortcut the path a vaccine must take before it is approved for human use, and rigorous clinical trials must still be completed. It is intended, instead, to speed up the approval process by giving the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) the power to issue a 'temporary authorisation' without waiting for the jab to be fully licensed by Europe. Rules during the Brexit transition period - which doesn't end until 2021 - mean any new medicine for coronavirus must be licensed by the European Medicines Agency. But the new rule - for which officials are holding a three-week consultation - would mean that if scientists prove their vaccine works and is safe, the MHRA could approve it and get it used in Britain before it's licensed by the European Union. This will not cut short safety trials or any of the scientific work but will mean less paperwork has to be done before the jab can be used. The rules are being drafted now in case a working vaccine is found before the end of the year, while the Brexit transition period is still going. Drug manufacturers are so hopeful that their jabs will work that they are already manufacturing millions of them without knowing whether they will be used. As well as speeding up the process of getting it from labs to patients, the British Government is planning to speed up the vaccination programme once it starts. It will do this by training huge numbers of staff to give out the vaccines so there can be a constant flow of jabs being administered. Russia to offer its Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V to volunteers this week Russian health minister Mikhail Murashko announced that the vaccine would be offered to volunteers Russia will begin offering its coronavirus vaccine to volunteers this week, amid warnings that it has not been properly tested in human trials. The Sputnik V, which is based on the vaccine for adenovirus or the common cold, has been fast-tracked to production after less than two months of human testing. Health minister Mikhail Murashko announced today that it would be made available to the population, according to the TASS news agency. President Vladimir Putin has previously claimed it is safe and that he tested it on his own daughter. 'I know it works quite effectively, forms strong immunity, and, I repeat, it has passed all the needed checks,' he said at a government meeting on state television last month. But scientists in Russia and elsewhere have questioned the speed of its development, and warned it could have side-effects if offered to the public too early. 'We have no idea that the claims that are being made about the safety and immune response of this virus are true or not,' Peter Drobac, infectious disease medic at Oxford University, told Al Jazeera. Russia has claimed the virus can provide immunity for SARS-CoV-2 for up to two years, but has failed to publish the results from limited trials on humans. There are more than 100 potential vaccines being developed around the world, with Oxford University's tipped to be a front-runner. Advertisement More doctors and nurses will be given the relevant training and health workers in other parts of the NHS may also be trained up. Student doctors and nurses, and staff such as midwives, paramedics and physiotherapists could be among the newly trained staff. There are around 1.1million people working in the NHS and officials say 'no options are off the table' in who they could train up. Everyone who is included in the programme will go through a 'robust training programme', the Department of Health said. Ministers are also reported to be considering drive-through vaccine clinics which work in a similar way to the regional coronavirus testing centres. People could be able to drive to centres specially set up - possibly in GP surgery car parks, for example - and get the vaccine without having to go into a clinic or hospital. This could make the process faster and make social distancing easier. The car park plan was drawn up for flu vaccinations in the coming months, The Times reported, but it's possible that it could be used for a Covid-19 jab in future. Michigan saw 1,156 newly-confirmed coronavirus cases between Sunday and Monday, along with four deaths. New statewide data is updated Monday through Saturday, so the new report on Sep. 7 combines the last two days worth of statistics. The new figures bring the cumulative count of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 107,371 across the state, with 6,538 deaths. (The above chart shows Michigans 7-day rolling average of new confirmed coronavirus cases. You can put your cursor over a bar to see the number. You also can click on the option just below the headline to see the actual number of new cases reported by day.) On Saturday, 838 new cases were registered, an uptick after a consistent downward trend at the start of the month. Health officials warned the holiday weekend could lead to the kind of congregating that encourages viral spread. Of all cases to date, 80,678 are marked as recovered. That includes survivors who contracted the virus on or before Aug. 5. The categorization does not necessarily mean a person has recovered from all symptoms or illness. (The above chart shows Michigans 7-day rolling average of deaths involving confirmed coronavirus cases. You can put your cursor over a bar to see the number. You also can click on the option just below the headline to see the actual number of new deaths reported by day.) There are 61 different outbreaks of coronavirus in the state as of Monday. This includes 15 different long-term care facilities, seven different college or university campuses and six different social gatherings, according to state health officials. For more statewide data, visit MLives coronavirus data page, here. To find a testing site near you, check out the states online test finder, here, send an email to COVID19@michigan.gov, or call 888-535-6136 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. 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 from MLive: Monday, Sept. 7: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan Michigan, State theaters still in limbo on opening, have lost more than $1M due to coronavirus University of Michigans graduate student union to strike against in-person classes The number of coronavirus cases in Russia grew by 5,185 in the past 24 hours, the total number of infected people has reached 1,030,690, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Monday, TASS reports. According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate does not exceed 0.5% for 23 days in a row. The lowest daily growth rates were recorded in the Chukotka autonomous region (0%), Chechnya, the Moscow and Smolensk regions (0.2% each), Moscow, the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district, the Kamchatka region, the Nenets autonomous district, the Tula and Kursk regions (0.3% each). Another 690 cases were confirmed in Moscow, 196 in St. Petersburg, 166 in the Moscow region, while the Rostov and Nizhny Novgorod regions reported 151 cases each. Kurt Geiger has launched a new campaign featuring models who have previously been underrepresented in the fashion industry, with amputee and cancer survivor Barnadette Hagans as its first face. The campaign, named People Empowered, will feature 15 activists and organisation leaders. Hagans appeared on Kurt Geigers Instagram and website this week to tell her story. The model was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma a rare and aggressive form of cancer and told she would need to have her leg amputated to save her life in 2018. In an interview with Kurt Geiger, Hagans said she feels lucky to have survived her cancer. I got to experience life with two legs and now I get to experience it with one. And yes I got cancer, but I was being given a chance to live. Some people just get told theyre terminal. I just kept trying to remember how lucky I am and I think thats what got me through it, says the 24-year-old. Hagans, who now has a modelling contract with Zebedee Management, a specialist talent agency representing individuals with disabilities and alternative appearances, did the shoot from her home via FaceTime at her home. In the campaign imagery, the Belfast native models her edit of Kurt Geiger products, from a neon pink quilted bag to platform trainers, while wearing a black hoodie. Hagans has praised the accessories label for picking angles which allow her to show off her prosthetic leg, which she wears wrapped in bright coloured covers. I loved the photoshoot because we were modelling the product whilst also showing my leg as a part of it," she said. We were showing that this can be fashionable, and I love that. (Kurt Geiger) Hagans, who raises awareness for synovial sarcoma as an ambassador for the CLIC Sargent charity, said she has new-found confidence since wearing a prosthetic. After the amputation I really wanted to help raise awareness," she explained. "Since then, Ive had a lot of people reaching out to me for advice, or saying that me showing my leg is helping them show their scars. Its been amazing. Even when I get those thoughts about missing my old life I just remind myself that this leg has helped me help other people." Annie and Agnes of Black Minds Matter, Emma Picton Jones, Andy Hider MBE, Danielle Sams, Jeremiah Emmanuel, and Kyle Stanger of Boys Get Sad Too will also share their stories and feature in campaign imagery for Kurt Geigers People Empowered series. Around 15-20 per cent of the UKs population have a visible or non-visible disability, totalling 14 million people. However, data shows that disabled people make up just 0.01 per cent of those featured in fashion and beauty advertising. Piers Morgan has been a presenter of several shows, but having him on "Britain's Got Talent" could have caused the show to lose one of its important judges. Over the weekend, BGT made its comeback after a long hiatus due to COVID-19. The show also faced another conflict recently after its head judge, Simon Cowell, suffered from a back injury. Before it completed the judging panel, the creators of the ITV talent show saw Morgan as a temporary replacement for Cowell. He is no longer new to judging since the "Good Morning Britain" presenter used to be a judge on BGT until 2010 and on "American's Got Talent" for six series. However, his comeback would have caused more headaches, as BGT judge David Walliams warned to quit if he would share the stage with Morgan. In a report published by The Mail on Sunday, a source revealed that Walliams was ready to walk off the BGT stage if it happened. "I heard that David threw his toys out of the pram," the insider said. "Imagine David and Piers sitting on either end of that judging panel - what great TV it would have been." Even the 55-year-old himself confirmed that he was contacted by the producers about his possible return to the show. On his weekly column on Daily Mail, Morgan penned how concerned he was after hearing the music mogul's accident and the fact that the slot for the head judge on BGT was open and available. "Amusingly, I was quickly sounded out to see if I was potentially available but had to explain that if I was confined to the same close quarters as that insufferable twerp David Walliams, it wouldn't end well," Morgan wrote. The 49-year-old judge indeed has mutual feelings toward him, especially since they had a feud earlier this 2020. What Happened Between Piers Morgan, David Walliams? The exchange of jabs started when Morgan noticed that the "Little Britain" star liked critical tweets about him. Since then, the two had a falling out. In January 2020, Morgan launched more criticisms toward Walliams, who was the NTAs 2020 host at that time. During the NTAs 2020, gasps and boos were heard from the audience at the O2 Arena after Joel Dommett handed out the award for Serial Drama to Emmerdale. "Nice to see Caroline Flack back on TV," the BGT host made the shocking dig. Of course, Morgan stood up for Flack and joined the netizens in slamming Walliams. "Walliams' nasty little dig at Caroline Flack went down like a lead balloon. A bit like his entire hosting performance tonight," Morgan wrote. "Well, the NTA awards were as predictable as I...predicted, and the host was as awful as I...predicted." Morgan then told Susanna Reid how his former BGT co-star "makes his skin crawl." Walliams famously acrimonious relationship with Morgan could have affected BGT. It is a good thing that the ITV talent show's creators chose someone else instead. READ MORE: Simon Cowell OUT! 'BGT' Finds New Top Judge After Simon's Tragic Accident My hometown Abetifi in Ghana is one of the most beautiful and richest towns in Ghana with an attractive moderate all-year climate. It is sad and a disgrace to see the Abetifi enstoolment of a Chinese as Chief simply because he had built a school building for some village out of his successful business. For a very small price reported as less than $5,000, the Chief has granted unlimited rights for logging the trees and taking massive amounts of land for mining and other business as the Chinese deems fit! This is very serious! In response to criticism the Chief gave an audio explanation that was posted on an Abetifi Global Forum we created. Now that this news has been published on Ghanaweb and gone global, as a senior member and leader, I hereby edit the response I posted yesterday on the forum. I have listened to the Abetifi Chiefs explanation and understand the reason, and that this has been done in other parts of Ghana. However, no educated man should accept that! We as Africans were fooled in the 13th to 19th centuries to sell our own people as slaves and eventually dominated by Europeans who colonized our people and took our mineral and other reserves for free in exchange for bottles of Schnapps and Whiskey! Today we say Enough is enough!! We are no more naive! No! Our Land and Natural resources on the land and underneath the land have value! Our corrupt Presidents and their families are merely waiting for the anger of the people. When our own people overseas ship goods and cars home, the Government charges duties and taxes, sometimes as high as 50-150% of the stated value of the cars. How much of that comes to Abetifi or Kwahu? The Kwahus think they are rich and vote massively for one Party as favorite; but is the Development in Kwahu proportionate to their wealth? No! Ghanaian towns and districts need Laws in writing just like Central Government has laws. These laws should include taxation laws on land and real property on land- meaning residential and commercial buildings. The Kwahus have educated Lawyers also. Lets put them to work! Being custodians of land does not imply the Chiefs own the lands. No! After 63 years of Independence and sending our children overseas to learn, there should be some knowledge about how other nations manage their resources, towns and nations we can adopt for our own survival. Today most of these Chiefs are well educated, some even Lawyers. There is no excuse for selling our lands to foreigners in exchange for small gifts to the Chiefs! No! Africa is poor because we have not been able to value our land and resources and greedy and selfish educated elected and non-elected Chiefs seem to think only of themslves and their families. It is time for change! It is time to learn that the land belongs to all the people! God did not assign any powers or individuals to lands save by mans brute force or patapaa. Modern reasoning should reign. If a man builds a factory or business on say 2 Acres of land (about 16 plots), simple laws could imply: 1. The land by itself attracts a sales price and taxes. That in Ghana goes to the Chiefs alone. However, 2. There is an annual tax on the building- called Property Tax. - For Residential - this could be say 1% of the value of the building per year. A typical building may attract say 4,000 per year or 333 per month - same as some water rate in places like East Legon in Accra. - For Commercial rates this could be calculated as cedis per usable building area per year (See article by J. Bishop-Henchman ): In Fiscal Year 2010, state and local governments (in the USA) collected $441.6 billion in property taxes, comprising 23.5 percent of state and local own-source revenue. ,, By heavily taxing commercial and industrial property to benefit residential property, state and local governments are doing precisely that. (J. Bishop-Henchman ) That is the formula modern nations use. This idea of making foreigners Chiefs of Progress or Nkosoo smells more like giving them power and respect for taxes that we should be collecting instead of a gift from them. No! If a school building costs Ghs 300,000 to build, perhaps the taxes on his timber logging, factory output or residential/commerical building would be far more than that. It is time our educated Chiefs learned a few modern tricks of the global game of nations and peoples survival. Local Government: I have published many articles over the years about the need for local Town /District and Regional Governments with elected democratic powers to collect taxes and responsibilities for the needs of the local people. For selfish reasons all leaders in the 4th Republic- from Jerry Rawlings to JA Kufuor, Atta Mills, John Mahama to Nana Akufo Addo have preferred to ignore the need to formalise and elect local leaders. They have all failed to define the role of Chiefs also. It is time to do that. Every modern Democratic nation does that! Great Britian saw the wisdom after the Glorious Revolution of 1498 and allowed an elected Parliament as they have today. It is time that Ghana learned to do that. The procedures and formula I posted on the forum is simply this: How To Create a TOWN COUNCIL: (the beginning of Democracy) In the research and work I did, leading to a presentation I made at a meeting in Adabraka in 2007, we as a people 1. Have to announce a meeting and discuss the merits of the Town Council. 2. Have an Interim Chair or Committe take nominations of candidates for the Council and write a short Constitution and Charter. The Charter and Constitution empowers the Council to find ways to generate revenue for projects and needs of the town. Their powers and limits, salaries and managerial requirement for accounts, etc can all be spelled out. (Some of us with knowledge of American or UK land and real estate laws can help do this). 3. On the day of the meeting conduct the vote and announce who the Council Members are and the Mayor is. 4. Publish this in the National Gazette. In Conclusion I can say that Ghanas lands in every community may be worth billions of dollars. It is left to us as a people to use the knowledge we have accumulated in the post-Independence era, especially public knowledge and experience of our oeople who have lived overseas, and learn to create wealth in our own lands! Let us stop expecting wealth to come from outside as our Presidents and local Chiefs seem to be doing by selling our lands cheap. Dr. Kwaku A. Danso President & Co-Founder- Ghana Leadership Union (GLU). Books by the Writer: Leadership Concepts and the Role of Government in Africa: The Case of Ghana (2007, XLibris) LIFE IS WAR: A Letter to Nephews and Nieces and Loved Ones Behind on How to Succeed Using Your Mind (Page Publishing, 2017) TAIPEI (dpa-AFX) - Taiwan's trade surplus increased in August as both exports and imports rose strongly, figures from the Ministry of Finance showed on Monday. The trade surplus increased to US$6.466 billion in August from US$6.012 billion last year. Economists had expected a surplus of $5.80 billion. In July, the trade surplus was $5.369 billion. Exports rose 8.3 percent year-on-year in August, following a 0.4 percent rise in July. Economists had expected a rose 1.6 percent. Imports grew 8.5 percent annually in August, after a 6.8 decrease in the preceding month. Economists had forecast a rise of 0.7 percent. Exports of parts of electronic products, information, communication and audio-video products grew in August, while those of base metals and related products, machinery, plastics and rubber, and related articles declined. Imports of parts of electronic product, machinery, chemicals, information, communication and audio-video products gained in August, while those of mineral products decreased. Exports to Mainland China and Hong Kong and U.S.A. increased, while shipments to ASEAN, Japan and Europe declined in July. In the January to August period, exports rose 1.5 percent, while imports fell 0.1 percent from a year ago. 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. Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The Tunisian authorities on Monday announced the arrest of seven people suspected of involvement in Sunday's attack on a security patrol in Sousse, a seaside resort 150 km southeast of Tunis, which killed one security guard and injured another Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN As officers continue to investigate a deadly Sunday crash, investigators on Monday released the names of the victims. Capt. Anthony Duff said the victims, both city residents, have been identified as 23-year-old Edwin Deida and 21-year-old Julisa M. Myers. The State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday said that the 'On Tap VRS' scheme proposed by it had been incorrectly interpreted as a cost-cutting measure and the banks intent to reduce workforce. An SBI spokesperson said that bank was employee-friendly, was expanding its operations and required people, as evidenced by the fact that it was planning to recruit more than 14,000 employees this year. The spokesperson further said SBI had an existing workforce of around 250,000 and the bank had been at the forefront of serving employee needs and designing ways and means for ... Bobby Clifton never thought of his mother as someone who lived through a pandemic. Even as the novel coronavirus brought the world to a halt - as it became clear that he, like Annie Donahoe Clifton, would witness a globally catastrophic outbreak of disease - he failed to draw the parallel. It took an emailed suggestion from his niece before Clifton, 75, entered his bedroom, opened the cedar chest at the foot of his bed and paged through the faded letters, exchanged in 1918 between his mother and her brother, then fighting overseas in World War I. Preserved in paper, he found a teenager troubled by the shutdown of movie theaters, businesses and schools. "Brother, Norfolk is some dull now," wrote 16-year-old Annie Clifton on Oct. 21, 1918. "All of the moving pictures and theatres are closed on account of the Spanish flu. ... I'm not working now (and) school ... had to close, too." Bobby Clifton was struck by the similarities. It was late March, and schools, restaurants and shops were just starting to shut down all around his home in Virginia Beach, where he'd been spending a quiet retirement with his wife, Linda Clifton, until the virus hit. Everything had become so uncertain - and now, standing in his bedroom, he gripped the letter a little bit harder. He hadn't known society shut down in 1918. He hadn't ever thought about it. And he'd never asked his mother, who died of dementia in 1986 without once broaching the pandemic with her son. Annie-of-the-letter spoke to Bobby Clifton in a much younger voice, not the matriarch he knew. But it felt, he said, like his mother was guiding him through the crisis. "It makes you think, 'OK, we're not the only ones,'" said Valerie Fisher, the niece who recommended he look for the letters. Americans throughout the country are making identical discoveries. They are climbing attic stairs, descending into dusty basements and flipping through folders in old filing cabinets to seek words of everyday wisdom from ancestors who have suffered through something like this before. For "My Great Aunt Vi ... the biggest - and happiest - news of the day was that schools were closing," wrote a woman in Seattle who unearthed a relative's 1918 diary entries. "I'm sure Aunt Becky would be flabbergasted to know people are still interested in her letters," concluded an Iowa woman who spoke to a local newspaper about her family's collection of correspondence from the time. "I discovered a letter inside the family Bible," wrote a man in Texas. "The historic world-wide pandemic now seems personal to me." A hidden trove of documents like these await discovery throughout the nation, historians said. The global flu pandemic of 1918 killed 675,000 Americans and infected at least a quarter of the population, including President Woodrow Wilson (just as he was trying to negotiate an end to World War I). If you weren't sick yourself, said University of Puget Sound history professor Nancy Bristow, you knew someone who was. And everyone in America, Bristol said, was writing letters: "There was no other way to be in touch." Many family records have lain untouched for a century, Bristol said, or were fobbed off on local historical societies or museums decades ago. She learned how poorly collated these letters and diary entries can be when she crisscrossed the country conducting research for her 2012 book, "American Pandemic: The Lost Worlds of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic." Inspired by gaps in her family lore - Bristow's working-class great grandparents died of the flu in Philadelphia, leaving behind only their names and a photo - she hoped to construct an experiential account of the pandemic built around the voices of ordinary people as preserved in their private scribblings. It was good for me, she said, that "families hold on to stuff." The 1918 outbreak killed 50 million people worldwide but was overshadowed by World War I and World War II. The first comprehensive account of the disease, published in 1976, dubbed it "America's Forgotten Pandemic." E. Thomas Ewing, a professor of history at Virginia Tech, is glad it's forgotten no longer. When Ewing taught his classes in the world before the coronavirus, he always skipped the pandemic. "After World War I and the peace treaty and the Russian Revolution and decolonization and women's suffrage, there just wasn't time," he said. Now he has published several articles about the illness (including some in this paper), with more in the works. He recently embarked on a personal search, too, seeking documents about the pandemic privations of his great-grandfather, who was a student at Princeton in 1918. "Now that families are finding these materials, I think it will really help," Ewing said. "Reading them, you empathize with what people were going through in 1918, and that helps you empathize with what others are going through now." That was why Valerie Fisher decided to email her Uncle Bobby and remind him of Annie Clifton's 1918 letter. Fisher was extremely close with Annie Clifton, the grandmother whom she called "Gammy." When Annie Clifton got sick with dementia just after Fisher graduated high school, she spent the early years of adulthood nursing her grandmother through a slow decline. After Annie Clifton died, her carefully preserved collection of family mementos - including the letters between her and her brother - passed to Bobby Clifton, ultimately destined for the bedroom cedar chest where he keeps everything important. By that time, Fisher had already read every letter several times. The Oct. 21 message lingered in her memory. She knew the letter reached Annie Clifton's brother, Arthur M. Donahoe, roughly a week after he died in battle. It was returned to Annie Clifton unopened. When she found a copy in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, an umpteenth rereading brought different emotions: for one thing, a bit of comic relief. Fisher, who is 66, had never thought of her grandmother as a teenager. But 16-year-old Annie Clifton burst forth, gossipy and irrepressible: "Do you know Mildred Jones?" Annie asked her brother in the letter. "She is 14 years old and she was married last Friday to Johnnie Montgomery I mean it is some couple too every body is laughing at them." Some portions of the letter were less lighthearted. Annie Clifton told her brother that "Papa" had the flu - he recovered, according to Bobby Clifton - and that it sometimes felt like "nearly everybody had got the flu over here." She hoped Arthur wasn't sick, Annie Clifton continued, and she hoped conditions in Norfolk would improve soon. She might be able to return to her job at a knitting mill as early as next week, she reported. She closed by telling Arthur Donahoe she loved him and asked him to write back soon. Instead she would mourn his death. After emailing Bobby Clifton to ask him to search for the original, Fisher also sent copies to her son, her daughter, her three granddaughters and a long list of friends. She thought it might help. It reminds her of Ecclesiastes 1:9: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." It reminds her of her Gammy's kindness. It reminds her of what lies ahead. Or as her grandmother wrote 102 years ago: "It is getting better now. Anyway I hope so." LifeStyle The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand. A man has been arrested over a string of horse mutilations and killings across France. The suspect was arrested in the Haut-Rhin department in the east of the country, according to French media. More than 20 horses have been found with their ears cut off, eyes gouged out and genitals mutilated since the start of the year. On Saturday night, police launched a major search operation in Cote-dOr region of eastern France after a farmer spotted two people on his land. The suspects got away before officers reached the scene. This photo released by Veronique de la Brelie shows her horse Cimona lying injured in a ditch after it has been attacked in northwestern France / FAMILY HANDOUT/AFP via Getty Ima But on Monday, a man was detained after a e-fit image was circulated of a suspect, a police source said. Authorities in the central region of Yonne constructed computer-generated image thanks to the help of Nicolas Demajean, a stable manager whose premises were attacked in August, the Guardian reported. Mr Demajean was injured after attempting to confront two attackers, who cut two ponies and mutilated a horse. Detectives are still working to identify motives for the attacks, with theories ranging from satanic rituals, macabre trophy hunts or internet challenges, "For now there are no clues," a police spokesman said. Remy Marehcal, a farrier who shoes horses in the northern town of Preux-au-Bois, described discovering one pony with its eye gouged out in July, and two horses injured in August. "At first, I thought it was accidental. I told myself, in a small village like this, it cannot be possible," Mr Marechal said. Investigations continue. A female p-plater was left trapped in her mangled car with serious leg injuries after a car veered onto the wrong side of the road in a head-on smash. The 17-year-old girl was driving on the Princes Highway near Blakehurst, in Sydney, at about 11.10pm when a Mercedes 4WD AMG allegedly crashed into her Toyota Corolla. She suffered leg and internal injuries and was left trapped inside the car before rescue crews cut her free. A 17-year-old girl suffered serious leg and internal injuries after a Mercedes 4WD allegedly veered into oncoming traffic and smashed head on into her Toyota Corolla near Blakehurst, south of Sydney, on Saturday night (scene of the crash pictured) The P-plater was rushed to the St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition. The Mercedes driver, a 24-year-old man, was arrested and taken to hospital, where he remained under police guard. His passenger, a 22-year-old man, was also taken to hospital. Two other cars were damaged in the incident, a Mitsubishi SUV and a Land Rover SUV, but none of the occupants were injured. The Crash Investigation Unit and officers from St George Police Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Inquiries are continuing. A Florida deputy has been put on leave after police footage showed him grabbing a 17-year-old boy by the neck before throwing the teen to the ground. Terrance Devon Reed III was taken to hospital after Sarasota County Deputy Neil Pizzo was filmed hitting him in the face at the Sarasota County Juvenile Assessment Center last Tuesday. This footage shows the deputy pinning Reed to the floor for around a minute before bringing him to his feet with the help of additional deputies. Reed is said to have become uncooperative while being held on charges of contempt of court, probation violations, possession of cocaine and selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church. He suffered cuts to his head during the altercation. Scroll down for video Terrance Devon Reed III was taken to hospital after deputy Neil Pizzo was filmed hitting him at the Sarasota County Juvenile Assessment Center last Tuesday The clip, which is without sound, begins before Pizzo grabs Reed by the neck He then slams him against the wall before appearing to repeatedly slap the teen The clip, which is without sound, begins with Reed sat on a bench in the corner of the room. Pizzo appears left of the screen, pointing and seemingly communicating with Reed before walking towards him as the teen stands up. Pizzo then grabs Reed by the neck, slamming him against the wall before appearing to repeatedly slap the boy. A second deputy, Earl Matthews, then arrives for back up before Pizzo pulls Reed to the floor, continuing to slap him as he handcuffs him. Reed is then kept in that position for around a minute before three more deputies arrive to help lift him to his feet. Reed is seen being led from the room in the handcuffs. Pizzo is now on administrative leave pending an investigation, The Herald Tribune reports. Reed is said to have become uncooperative while being held on charges of contempt of court, probation violations and selling cocaine According to Pizzo's report Reed jumped from the bench with a 'look in his eyes' According to Pizzo's report Reed was asked to remove his hands from his pants when he jumped from the bench with a 'look in his eyes'. Pizzo wrote: 'I walked over to Mr. Reed, and he stated, (expletive) you, Im (cold). Im not going to do it cracker, Id blow your top off.' Sheriff Tom Knight said: 'I feel disappointment. I feel that I am disappointed in what I saw. In an abundance of caution I put him (Pizzo) on administrative duty. 'We are responsible for de-escalating the situation. Was the de-escalation practice put into play there? ... If a deputy is trying to de-escalate and you go hands on and you have a confrontation, what did he attempt to do prior to the physical confrontation to prevent it from happening?' Demonstrations across the United States started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Since then protests against racial inequality and police brutality have continued in response to several black Americans who have died in police custody. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:01:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LAGOS, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian government planned to airdrop food and non-food items to vulnerable people in areas inaccessible due to floods and insecurity in Borno state, northeast of the country. Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq was in Maiduguri at the weekend to deliver relief materials to Borno state. She told reporters the airdrop relief operation is being carried out by her ministry in collaboration with the Nigerian air force, so as to reach many locals in various communities not accessible in Borno. "There have been issue of inaccessibility in some areas where humanitarian workers can not reach due to recent floods and insecurity," Farouq said. She said, vulnerable persons, especially the internally displaced people, may require further support in terms of basic necessities, including food, from the federal government at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is compounding their sufferings. She said government would identify inaccessible communities and equally know the kind of intervention needed. "We will identify such locations and know the number of people in those locations," she said. While responding to question on the possibility of Boko Haram hijacking the airdrop aid, the minister assured that air surveillance would also be done to ensure the exercise do not go awry. Enditem Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a deal to acquire more than 84 million doses of potential coronavirus vaccines. Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt, and Karen Andrews, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, on Monday announced vaccine deals with the University of Queensland and Australian biotechnology company CSL, and also with the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. Under the deals, which are worth a combined 1.7 billion Australian dollars (1.2 billion US dollars), Australia will receive the first doses of candidate vaccines being developed by the universities if trials prove successful. "Australians will gain free access to a COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 if trials prove successful," Morrison said in a statement on Monday. "By securing the production and supply agreements, Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a safe and effective vaccine, should it pass late-stage testing. "There are no guarantees that these vaccines will prove successful, however, the agreement puts Australia at the top of the queue if our medical experts give the vaccines the green light." Under the agreement, more than 84.8 million vaccine doses will be provided for the Australian population, with early access to 3.8 million doses of the University of Oxford vaccine in January and February 2021. According to the statement, the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine "is world leading," having entered Phase three trials. And the University of Queensland (UQ) has recently announced that pre-clinical testing showed the vaccine is promising and already effective in animal models. Morrison, who has previously expressed optimism that a vaccine could be available early 2021, in August said that a vaccine would be made "as mandatory as you can possibly make it" but later walked back from that suggestion. "It's not going to be compulsory to have the vaccine," he said. "There are no mechanisms for 'compulsory'. We can't hold someone down and make them take it." Search Keywords: Short link: Despite the still-worsening global COVID-19 pandemic, and continuing outbreaks in Australia, the bipartisan national cabinet has outlined a plan to almost completely reopen the economy within three months. Worldwide, the number of reported cases is nearing 27 million, with almost 900,000 deaths. This includes more than 26,000 infections and over 750 fatalities in Australia. Yet, the leaders of the federal, state and territory governmentsLiberal-National and Labor Party alikeagreed last Friday to resurrect the three-step reopening agenda that was accelerated disastrously in May and June, leading to a deadly second wave of the virus. This reckless agenda is driven solely by the rapacious demands of big business for the lifting of all restrictions on profit-making, regardless of the concerns and opposition of working class households, particularly those of health and aged care workers, and school teachers, who are on the front line of the return to work offensive. The revived blueprint includes the key industrial state of Victoria, currently the epicentre of the pandemics resurgence in Australia, accounting for 675 of the countrys 762 deaths, as of today. Infections are still erupting elsewhere too, particularly in Sydney and Brisbane, where outbreaks are being reported virtually daily in schools. Victorias state Labor Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday announced a parallel reopening road map, which includes partially lifting lockdowns as early as next week and herding about 100,000 more workers back into workplaces by September 28. Andrews was at pains to meet the demands of the corporate elite and keep in sync with the national cabinet timetable. Like the rest of the political establishment, he spoke in terms of reviving the economy, not concern for working class health and lives. I want all of us to stay the course so that we can all have something approaching a normal Christmas, he said. I want to get the place open and I want to keep it open, and unless this is done safely and steadily that simply wont happen. Working closely with the trade unions, the state Labor government has already kept major industries substantially open, with limited safety restrictions, during the past five weeks of a Stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne, the state capital. This includes mining, construction, manufacturing and warehousing. Now the Labor government intends to start reopening schools and childcare facilities by September 28, risking the lives of teachers and students and their families, in order to push more workers back onto work sites. There will be a staged return to face-to-face teaching, starting with the youngest and oldest students, in Melbourne, and an even faster schedule in regional areas of the state. The Andrews government released Melbourne University modelling showing a 60 percent risk of a third wave lockdown if the economy is reopened before cases are below 25 a day. New cases in the state are still averaging around 70 each day, after exceeding 500 before last months lockdown measures. But the potential delay of some workplace reopenings, such as offices, until November provoked fury in the corporate media and business establishment. One main employer organisation, the Australian Industry Group, predicted catastrophic economic, health and social damage caused by the continued lockdown. Andrews has been accused of pursuing a de facto virus eradication strategy rather than the officially-imposed suppression plan. Suppression is based on allowing the coronavirus to continue to spread, while asserting it can be mostly contained by testing, tracing and quarantininga claim belied by the ongoing emergence of COVID-19 hotspots in the states of New South Wales and Queensland. The ferocious business criticism highlights the demand of the capitalist class for the subordination of lives to the generation of profits and the accumulation of private wealth. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealed the homicidal logic of this agenda in a speech in London last week. He branded any measures to tackle the spread of COVID-19 as a health dictatorship and called for the elderly to be left to die from the virus. While neither the current Liberal-National leader, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, nor his Labor Party counterparts are stating their calculations so blatantly, this is their outlook as well. Most of Australias COVID-19 deaths have occurred in chronically under-funded and under-staffed aged care homes in working class areas, the result of decades of bipartisan indifference. However, the Andrews government and the union leaders are anxiously seeking to keep suppressing the resistance of workers. That includes the over-worked health and aged care workers who have been forced to care for pandemic victims without adequate masks and other personal protection equipment, and the teachers who eventually forced the closure of schools in June due to the well-proven danger of infections in classrooms and school yards. Reflecting that nervousness, todays Australian Financial Review editorial denounced the Andrews governments aggressive suppression policy but concluded that if Victoria follows the road map, the state would be pulled back into line with the national cabinets reopening plan by December. Likewise, while Morrison echoed the corporate frustration with the hard and crushing situation in Victoria, he avoided open criticism of Andrews. Both Morrison and Andrews are carefully retaining the unity of the de facto coalition government established with the formation of the unprecedented national cabinet in March. As it did in May-June, the national cabinet is already lifting restrictions long before any of its three stages has had a chance to be assessed. Fridays announcements featured a National Agricultural Workers Code to allow backpackers and other low-paid workers to be moved across state borders to pick crops. Also announced was a hotspot definition to require the lifting of state border restrictions when an area records less than 30 cases in three consecutive days. By that rule, border controls would be scrapped across the country, except, for now, for Melbourne residents. The close partnership between employers and the unions in pushing workers back into unsafe sites was underscored by a joint statement issued by the Victorian Master Builders Association and the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU). It welcomed the Andrews governments vote of confidence in our industry by shifting its activities from heavily restricted to restricted on September 28, claiming to be already adhering to such measures. Last Fridays national cabinet decisions further demonstrated the sidelining of parliamentary democracy. Federal parliament had just sat for two weeks, after not meeting fully since March. It will not reconvene until the delayed federal budget is handed down on October 6. The main bill rushed through both houses of parliament last week by Morrisons government, with Labors backing, was to slash the already poverty-line rates of JobKeeper wage subsidies and JobSeeker unemployment benefits from late this month. This reduction is designed to give about five million jobless or under-employed workers no choice but to return to workplaces, regardless of the threat to health and lives. Tom Cruise has given many remarkable performances in his career. But if there is one film that defines him globally, it's the Mission Impossible franchise. The actor had started shooting for the seventh part of the film before the pandemic. But due to the lockdown, the shooting was stalled. View this post on Instagram Action... #MI7 Day 1 A post shared by Christopher McQuarrie (@christophermcquarrie) on Sep 6, 2020 at 9:14am PDT Now we hear that Tom Cruise has resumed shooting for the franchise. And he's begun by shooting some high-voltage action sequences. Tom Cruise has been spotted on location wearing a mask and beating the bad-men in his style. The action sequence saw stuntmen tied to the harness with a helicopter hovering around. The shoot resumed in Norway and the news has got all Tom Cruise fans excited.The director of the film, Christopher McQuairre shared some scenic pics from Norway. And fans are going crazy about these posts. The shoot clearly is on in full-swing.Its said that after production of the film was moved to Norway, Tom Cruise hired a 500,000 ship for the film's crew to avoid any coronavirus-related delays. The actor is said to be excited about resuming shooting for his favourite film. According to reports, the film will have a November 2021 release. Incidentally, Mission Impossible 4 (2011) also starred Anil Kapoor in a special role. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 14:45 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c43319de 1 National Jokowi,cabinet-meeting,COVID-19-mitigation,economic-recovery,health-ministry,Home-Ministry,COVID-19,pandemic Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo has reminded his aides to prioritize health and COVID-19 mitigation to ensure the survival of all facets of the nations development, including the countrys economy, which has been battered by the global pandemic. Health is key to economic recovery, Jokowi said. Good health will lead to a good economy, the President said during a meeting with his Cabinet members. Our number one focus is health and COVID-19 mitigation. He called on the national COVID-19 and economic recovery committee, as well as other related authorities, to put pandemic mitigation above all else, saying that economic recovery could only begin once public health has been restored. The President also warned about the possibility of the upcoming regional elections set to take place on Dec. 9 creating new COVID-19 infection clusters, urging the Home Ministry to take the necessary precautions to anticipate and prevent health hazards during the major political event. Furthermore, Jokowi called on the Health Ministry to devise a comprehensive testing plan so that every region across the archipelago could gain access to equal testing. Lets not restart the economy before we have properly handled this COVID-19 issue, Jokowi added. Read also: Medics dying, infections soaring its still the economy? The Presidents statement came as an about-face following a number of government policies that sought to expedite the reopening of the countrys business sector and other public activities despite lingering virus fears. In May, for instance, the Transportation Ministry caught flak for allowing public transportation services to resume even as the Idul Fitri mudik (exodus) ban remained in effect due to COVID-19 concerns. Last month, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry decided to postpone its initial plans to reopen several top tourist destinations in the country, including Bali, as the pandemic continued unabated. Meanwhile, in Jakarta, the number of COVID-19 cases has continued to soar following its decision to ease previously imposed restrictions as the capital, Indonesia's financial hub and an engine of growth for the economy, gradually reopened the economy and businesses under health protocols beginning early June. The Health Ministry announced 3,444 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 194,109. The latest daily figures continue the upward COVID-19 trend in the archipelago, which began spiking in early August with health authorities confirming thousands of new cases every day. According to data released by the ministry on Sunday, 85 more people have died of the disease, bringing the death toll to 8,025. Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has announced the approval for the proposed merger between QSuper and Sunsuper on March 15 2020. (Jono Searle/Getty Images) Queensland Government to Open Books Ahead of State Election The Queensland government will reveal just how damaging the COVID-19 has been to its finances as miners demand certainty on royalties just eight weeks out from the state election. Treasurer Cameron Dick will deliver a mini-budget on Sept. 7 before hes questioned about it by the parliaments economics and governance committee on Sept. 11. It will be the last chance for voters to assess Labors economic credentials before the Oct. 31 election. The government cancelled its 2020/21 budget but Dick has already indicated the books are in bad shape due to the pandemic. The treasurer revealed in July that net debt would surpass $100 billion by June 2021, a jump of almost $17 billion over the forward estimates in December, which is the same amount the federal government spent on its March stimulus plan. Despite a predicted 20 percent surge in debt, the government is spending $6 billion in health and economic initiatives to weather the pandemic. The 20 percent surge in net debt was expected to come with a $6.5 billion fall in revenue planned over 2019/20 and 2020/21, driven by shrinking GST allocations and mining royalties. Before the mini-budget Sept. 7, mining companies were putting pressure on the government to offer them 10 years of royalty stability. Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane says that certainty will attract new investors, get large-scale projects off the ground, create jobs and secure billions more in royalties. This is an opportunity for the government to secure Queenslands future post-COVID, he said. Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said on Friday she was looking for the Labor government to deliver a budget this year because it was the only state that had not. If you dont have a budget you dont have a plan and if you dont have a plan youve got no recovery out of COVID, she said. Julian Assange speaks to the media from the balcony of the Embassy of Ecuador in London on May 19, 2017. (Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Assange in Dock at UK Extradition Hearing Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has appeared in the dock at Londons Old Bailey court as he fights his extradition to the United States. The 49-year-old Australian appeared in court on Sept. 7 clean shaven with spectacles perched in his short cropped hair. He wore a smart dark suit, maroon tie and white shirt. Assange spoke to confirm his name and date of birth at the start of the hearing. He formally said he did not consent to extradition, following a fresh indictment lodged in the U.S. Assange has been in high-security Belmarsh Prison for 16 months and is wanted in the U.S. over the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011. He is facing 18 chargesincluding plotting to hack computers and conspiring to obtain and disclose national defence information. The allegations include that Assange conspired with army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to crack a scrambled password, known as a hash, to a classified U.S. Department of Defence computer. If convicted, he faces a maximum possible penalty of 175 years in jail. Assanges supporters have accused the U.S. administration of targeting Assange for political reasons after WikiLeaks exposed alleged war crimes and human rights abuses. Dozens of supporters, including his father, John Shipton, gathered outside the Old Bailey on Sept. 7, where a small stage has been erected for a planned protest. Demonstrators roared in applause as speeches demanded the British government free Assange. Earlier on Sept. 7 Assanges partner Stella Moris arrived at Downing Street in a bid to deliver a Reporters Without Borders petition against the extradition, which has been signed by around 80,000 people. Last month, she launched a Crowdjustice campaign to help fund his defence which has now topped STG100,000 ($A182,000). Speaking on Sept. 6, Moris, who has two young sons with Assange, described the possible impact on their family. To the boys, Julian has become a voice on the telephone, not their father whom they can see and hug. It is heartbreaking to think that if Julian is extradited and put in a US super-max prison, the boys will never get to know their father and he will never see them grow up. Julians case has huge repercussions for freedom of expression and freedom of the press. This is an attack on journalism. It is expected dozens of witnesses will be called over four weeks. Assange has been held on remand in Belmarsh since last September after serving a 50-week jail sentence for breaching his bail conditions while he was in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for almost seven years. By Emily Pennink, Henry Vaughan and Taz Ali But thats not what happened to a real-life group of shipwrecked kids in 1965. Unlike the fictional Lord of the Flies characters, they developed a game plan for survival that was cooperative, fun, and peaceful, resulting in lifelong friendships. In other words, the boys didnt turn into devils when left on their ownfar from it! Dutch historian Rutger Bregman recounts this story in his new book Humankind, arguing against the Lord of the Flies unreasonably dim picture of humanity. The key message in Bregmans book is that humans are basically good, when left to their own devices. Thats not to say there arent characters who will act badly, especially if encouraged (or manipulated) to do so or put under duress. But the vast majority of us are happy to work together cooperatively. This, he writes, is the only possible conclusion to make from the scientific and historical evidence. And, he argues, its something we desperately need to understand if we want to work together toward creating a better society for all. How We Get It Wrong Some of the most famous evidence for our pessimistic view of human nature comes from the Stanford Prison Experiment done by Philip Zimbardo in the early 1970s. In this experiment, Zimbardo brought students into a lab and had them act out roles as prisoners and guards. Soon the experiment turned sour, as guards began acting too harshly toward prisoners, and it had to be shut down. The experimenters concluded that people are sadistic underneath veneers of normalcy and can easily be manipulated to do harm. But Bregman points out that the results came about because the guards were encouraged from the start to be harsh toward prisoners. By enacting their roles, they thought they were contributing to sciencea kind and helpful intent. Also, one student prisoner in the experiment, who supposedly broke down and had to be removed, confessed to faking his hysteria in order to get back to studying. The whole study and its conclusions were misrepresented. Whats fascinating is that most guards in the Stanford Prison Experiment remained hesitant to apply tough tactics at all, even under mounting pressure, writes Bregman. In fact, a later prison experiment mounted by the BBC, where guards werent told what to do, had very different results. The guards soon became reluctant to take on their authoritarian roles and became friendly with prisoners instead. Actually, research suggests that people are quite unwilling to harm otherseven in war situationswithout strong coercion, which explains why leaving people to their own devices would produce different results. Bregman takes readers through many experiments and events that seem to point to our flawed natures, and debunks them one by one. For example, we learn that the famous story about Kitty Genovesea woman who was brutally raped and murdered in Queens, New York, while neighbors supposedly did nothing to helpis largely fiction, perpetuated by The New York Times coverage of her death. It turns out that the NY Times claim about 37 heartless bystanders was false, and people did come to her aid, including a neighbor who held her while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Still, this story of unconcerned bystanders is retold over and over as proof of human indifference and, like the Stanford Prison Experiment, graces many social psychology textbooks. Therein lies the problem. Why Does It Matter? The danger in continuing to repeat false conclusions from flawed research is that it feeds a narrative that doesnt serve us. People hearing these findings start to believe that sadists lurk among us and they cant trust others, when most of the time they can. It also supports the idea that only through strict social control from on highdictatorships or police states, for examplecan we stop our communities from devolving into chaos. According to Bregman, its important to understand that our true nature is (mostly) good, because it can encourage us to create institutions with less hierarchical structures and less stifling leadership. And these ways of organizing ourselves can have better outcomes. For example, he highlights the home nursing program Buurtzorg, created first in the Netherlands, in which nurses cut out the management and created a cooperative that has been cost-effective and provides better patient care. He mentions city governments in Brazil that enacted public budgeting processeswhere citizens had more say in how city funds were spentthat resulted in more health care spending, fewer infant deaths, and more civic engagement. And, he writes, schools that are less punitive and more cooperative, and allow students to be more in charge of their education, help improve students intrinsic motivationone of the most important factors for learning. The tragedy of the commonsthe idea that public resources shared by many (such as air, water, and land) can be depleted if people use them in a self-interested wayhas long been an influential idea in economics. But Bregman points to the work of Elinor Ostrom, the Nobel Prizewinning economist, who studied how people around the world actually manage the commons when left to their own devices. Her research paved the way for understanding that once certain elements are present, people act cooperatively and dont require social controla finding that resonates with many economists today. The book is full of other fascinating examples of places and programs being remade based on human goodness and trust. Bregmans take-home message is that our better nature will win out, if we can only recognize its ubiquity. That means recognizing the potential for goodness in everyone, even groups of people who look, think, or act differently from us whom we might be prejudiced against. One way to do so, research suggests, is to work on building positive contact across groupssuch as friendships and cooperative work relationshipsthat will increase our trust for others. Bregman lists several other tips at the end of his book that people can use to see the goodness in humanitythings such as When in doubt, trust first, Temper your empathy, train your compassion, and Avoid the news. If we take the view that we are born to be good, we can make a society that is fairer and freer for all, he says. That doesnt take optimism; it just takes paying attention to science and experience. To believe that people are hardwired to be kind isnt sentimental or naive. On the contrary, its courageous and realistic to believe in peace and forgiveness, he writes. Jill Suttie, Psy.D., is Greater Goods book review editor and a frequent contributor to the magazine. This article was originally published by the Greater Good online magazine. As 2022 election date gets closer, the race has a new and formidable candidate. On Sunday, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua officially joined the presidential race. He made the announcement in a colorful ceremony held at the Alfred Mutua 2022 Campaign Logistics Centre in Athi Business Park, Machakos in front of supporters and TV cameras. I have agonized about the pain and the political circus going in our country. I have listened to the voices of Kenyans who have met me and prayed to God for a way to bring back hope to you and all Kenyans, he said. I, therefore, declare that in the General Election of 2022, I will vie to be the next President of the Republic of Kenya to return Kenya to the railway tracks of where we were meant to be after Independence. Mutua slogan of The Fresh Movement promises to prioritize fighting corruption. Kenya is a great country and God loves us, but our style of politics and the way we choose leaders have made us continue to suffer. We have become a country of a few billionaires and millions of poor, struggling, unemployed and desperate people. We need a country where we do not borrow to steal, he added. Other than fighting graft, Mutua also made job creation a pillar of his candidature. He promised to create 5 million jobs, citing his success as government spokesman and governor as reason why he is best suited to deliver on this. At independence, our parents, our freedom fighters, wept with joy as they watched our flag rise and that of the colonialists lowered. We were hopeful. We told ourselves, we will be rich, we will be developed, we will be happy. If we dont (get a fresh start), 50 years from today we will be asking the same questions we are asking today while languishing in poverty as the rest of the world leaves us way behind. Mutuas bid will not be welcomed with open arms by all. He is after all in the home ground of former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who may still be interested in high office. The governor knows it will not be easy to wrestle the Kamba vote from Kalonzo, and appeared ready for a fight. The old is gone and the new has come, he declared in what was seen as a salvo on the former VP. Mutua will also have to contend with fellow Ukambani governor Kivutha Kibwana, who has also declared intention to vie for the high office. Having already established a presidential campaign centre, Mutua is upbeat about his chances, but confessed about the financial burden required to pull this off. He told his supporters that his campaign will require an estimated Sh1.6 billion. Campaigns are very expensive. We will have over 35,000 polling stations and for you to have at least two agents per station on election day, then we need Sh600 million on that day alone and Sh1 billion to do campaigns, he said. We have done the math and it is adding up. The vast amount of this will be spent on his travels across the country. I will travel across the country on LISTENING tours to enrich my bold VISION and to hear your ideas as I find out what you want me to do for you when by Gods Grace and your Vote, I will be the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya. From the forests of Kakamega to the plains of Ijaara, from the village home of Mzee Mokaya and his wife Kwamboka in Kisii, to my birth place of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui is that Kenya can be better than it is today and can be very very very rich but needs a FRESH MOVEMENT, he revealed. (Global Times) Right after Indian troops once again illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control, New Delhi on Wednesday imposed a new ban on a swath of Chinese apps, showing reckless intention to further decouple with China economically. The move is a double-edged sword which will cause losses to both China and India, while offering a perfect opportunity for the US to take over the market. Another 118 Chinese apps were banned by Indian authorities under the disguise of "national security threat", including Baidu, AliPay, WeChat Work and popular mobile game PUBG, bringing total number of banned Chinese apps in India to 224, after 59 were banned in June and 47 in July. With years of investment, Chinese mobile applications had enjoyed great popularity in the Indian market. For instance, Chinese video platform TikTok had been downloaded more than 2 billion times globally in which Indians had downloaded the app 611 million times, per data from an industry analysis platform Sensor Tower in April. Among the latest ban list, the mobile game PUBG had nearly 33 million active players in India, making it one of the most popular apps downloaded in the country, according to local news outlet Hindustan Times. Alongside repeated moves to undermine the peace and stability on the China-India border area in the recent months, India has been recklessly taking measures to confront China in economic areas, such as banning Chinese apps, prolonging clearance procedure of containers shipped from China, and restricting foreign companies from participating in public procurement bids which has been regarded as targeting Chinese firms. Blocking Chinese apps has been one of its major moves that have drawn huge attention. Earlier reports said that India has drawn up a list of 275 Chinese apps that it will examine for any violation of national security and user privacy. Actual reasons lurking behind the highly symbolic move are New Delhi's intention to antagonize China and cause losses to Chinese investors. It is true that related Chinese firms will bare huge losses, however, the ban is a double-edged sword for India. Although India has a relatively high potential in software development and other fields, its IT industries lack of sufficient capital support to grow independently since start-up IT firms normally need massive capital facilitation. China and the US have been two major investors in India's IT sectors. With ample accumulation of capital, technology and experience in emerging markets, Chinese investors have built advantages over American investors in India. A cooperative approach with Chinese capital is in line with the development of India's IT industries in the long run. In the wake of the comprehensive ban of Chinese apps, American capital which had lost advantage in the market will embrace the rosy opportunity to squeeze in and take over Chinese investors' market share. For instance, Alibaba's mobile payment platform Alipay has been banned, while Facebook's WhatsApp has been reportedly trialing a payment service in India. You are here: Business A freight train on Saturday left Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, for Dourges in France, marking the launch of a new rail cargo service between Hefei and Europe. The train, carrying refrigerators and freezers worth 630,000 U.S. dollars, is expected to arrive in the French port city after a journey of 16 days. The goods will be distributed from Dourges to other European cities. Anhui operates 24 China-Europe freight train routes. In the first eight months of this year, Hefei saw a total of 309 inbound and outbound China-Europe freight trains, a year-on-year increase of 8 percent. Mastercard Inc. MA in partnership with Samsung Electronics and Samsung Card has launched Samsung Pay Card in South Korea. It is the companys co-branded card that will enable customers to avail of enhanced digital payment facilities in the country. Mastercard will get a ready customer base in South Korea by virtue of Samsung Pays leading market position in the East Asian nation with about 19 million users as of August 2020 and payments collected worth of 80 trillion ($67.5 billion) since the service started in August 2015. Mobile wallets, such as Samsung Pay facilitates contactless payments as it enables money transfer by just tapping on phone (or watch) without any need to swipe physical credit or debit card. Other similar contactless payment options are Apple Pay from Apple Inc. AAPL and Google Pay from Alphabet Inc. GOOGL. It is important to note that Mastercard had already started providing Samsung Pay services in South Korea since 2015 by utilizing its MasterCard Digital Enablement Service (MDES). Samsungs mobile payment service is most popular in the country, proven by the fact that Samsung Pay surpassed $33.7 million worth transactions in April 2019. The latest Samsung Pay Card allows foreign merchants to accept cards registered for overseas payments on the Samsung Pay app. The card can be used globally at all Mastercard merchants equipped with NFC readers. It offers a 5% discount on the payments made via the Samsung Pay app. Mastercards expansion in the Korean market is driven by a strong uptake of digitalization embraced by the regions economy, which will propel growth for contactless transactions, thereby providing an attractive business opportunity. Last month, Mastercard co-branded Samsung Pay card was launched in the UK in partnership with the London-based fintech company Curve. Another company in the same space, Visa Inc. V, also provides payment services via Samsung Pay, which is supported by its technology, Visa Token Service. Story continues Year to date, the stock has rallied 12.2% compared with its industrys growth of 4.4%. Mastercard currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). 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Zacks Investment Research Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 09:04:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai reported four imported COVID-19 cases and no increase in domestically-transmitted cases on Sunday, the municipal health commission said Monday. The four cases are all Chinese nationals returning from work or visit abroad. They arrived at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport from Ecuador, the United States, the Philippines and Singapore last week. All the cases have been transferred to the designated medical institution for treatment, and 150 close contacts have been put under quarantine. As of Sunday, Shanghai had reported 580 confirmed imported cases and 342 locally transmitted cases. Enditem Modi is subject to two sets of criminal proceedings, the first brought by the CBI relating to a large-scale fraud said to have been committed upon PNB and the ED case, relating to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud. The UK court hearing the extradition case of Nirav Modi on Monday reviewed a recently-shot video of Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail where the fugitive diamantaire is to be held if he is extradited to face the fraud and money laundering charges brought by the Indian government. The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian authorities in the estimated $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, played the video alongside providing some information on the coronavirus testing and facial covering measures in place to protect the inmates and staff at the jail. The video was similar to the one shot back in 2018 in relation to the extradition case against former Kingfisher Airlines boss Vijay Mallya, who is also to be held in Barrack 12 which - according to the government of India's video - is used for lodging high-profile offenders. Mallya, meanwhile, remains on bail in the UK after his final court appeal against extradition to India was rejected in May, with the UK Home Office indicating some pending issues in the ongoing legal case. Barrister Helen Malcolm told Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Monday that the video proves that the prison conditions pose no risk of breaching the UK's Article 3 obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, relating to inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. It was thought appropriate to present a more up-to-date video of Barrack 12, which proves there is no risk of a breach of Article 3, she told Justice Samuel Goozee. The video, with a voice-over confirming that it was shot without any artificial light sources, gave a tour of the jail and specifically Barrack 12. The adequate amenities and infrastructure listed included light and ventilation as well as ample space for strolls and a backyard for daily exercise. An attached bathroom with a curtain for privacy, three ceiling fans and six tubelights and an LED TV were also highlighted among the facilities available to inmates of the barrack. The said the barrack remains unoccupied at present but even if it were to be occupied by other inmates, it would still be infinitely spacious. Modi's defence team has indicated that it intends to challenge the prison conditions in the course of its arguments this week to try and establish it as inadequate to meet the UK's human rights requirements. The first day of a five-day trial set to conclude on Friday focussed on the elaborating the government of India's arguments to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against the 49-year-old diamond merchant, who observed the proceedings remotely from Wandsworth Prison in London where he has been lodged since March last year. Modi is subject to two sets of criminal proceedings, the first brought by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) relating to a large-scale fraud said to have been committed upon PNB and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, relating to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud. A further extradition request was made in February this year, certified by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, of two additional offences relating to allegations that Modi interfered with the CBI investigation by causing the disappearance of evidence and intimidating a witness. They must establish a prima facie case against Modi to allow the judge to rule that he has a case to answer before the Indian courts. If the judge finds a prima facie case against Modi, it will go back to Patel to formally certify his extradition to India to stand trial. A ruling in the case is expected at the end of this year after a final hearing scheduled for December 1. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:22:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government has been urging the public to reduce wasted food for years as the country wastes a staggering amount of food every year despite its low level of food self-sufficiency rate. In the long-time search for a solution to the problem, the Japanese society has come up with some clever methods. Japan produces about 27.59 million tons of food waste each year, according to estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment. Apart from the food waste that can be reused as feed, 6.43 million tons of edible food is thrown away, equivalent to about 51 kg of waste per person every year. More than half of the wasted food comes from related enterprises, mainly from substandard food, returned food, food leftovers from unsold products and in restaurants. The rest come from household leftovers, food thrown away before being eaten, and food that is over-processed and wasted during cooking. In recent years, smartphones have played a major role in cutting down on wasted food. In 2018, a mobile App called TABETE, which means "Please eat" in Japanese, was launched in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, aiming to use digital technology to "save" food that might go to waste. The App is now available in more than 500 stores and has more than 200,000 registered members. People can download the App and log in for free to become a member. The App allows stores to post pictures and prices of foods that need to be "saved," while consumers can search for nearby stores, place an online order, pay for them and then pick them up at an agreed time. These foods are usually sold at a discount and at an attractive price. Due to the influence of TABETE, some local administrations in Japan have also taken the initiative to cooperate and use the platform to promote the reduction of wasted food. They also mobilized local shops to become TABETE members, showing food materials they might waste and appealing to the public to "save" them. In March this year, people in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture reduced dining out due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Many hotel and restaurant reservations in Hamamatsu were cancelled, and a large amount of food prepared by restaurants was about to be wasted. Relative organizations there appealed through TABETE to people to buy the food. The problem of wasted food is very complex, which may be caused in a large amount during production, processing, storage, transportation, selling and final consumption. While TABETE is targeting waste during selling, the nonprofit organization Mottainai Food Center is trying to curb waste caused by shelf life issues. Food purchased in Japanese stores is usually packaged in containers with "consumption period" or "savory period." According to Japanese authorities, the "consumption period" refers to the period during which food is safe to eat, while the "savory period" is the best time for fresh tastes. In short, food that passes the "savory period" may not taste as good, but is still safe to eat, a difference not known by many people, leading to unnecessary waste. In light of this phenomenon, Mottainai Food Center collects these foods through purchase or donations, and sell them through its operating chain "ecoeat" at lower prices to aid welfare facilities, charities and people with difficulties, reducing waste and helping those in need at the same time. "I shop in ecoeat a lot. It has a huge variety of products that are super cheap.... The idea that they are contributing to curbing wasted food is also fantastic. By shopping here, I feel I'm also contributing to environmental protection," a Japanese netizen said online. Enditem Shiv Sena activists on Friday held protests against Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut over her recent remarks targeted at Mumbai, its police and her Taliban jibe at the state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. The womens wing of the Dindoshi Vidhan Sabha constituency protested by beating Kangana Ranauts effigy and posters with shoes and slippers and shouting Kangana Ranaut haye haye" and Kangana Ranaut hosh mein aao." Sharing the video of the same, actress Shilpa Shinde slammed the protestors by calling it a shameful act." Widespread protests took place across Maharashtra after Kangana Ranaut made several remarks targeted at Mumbai city comparing it with PoK, called the Mumbai Police a sham in the name of Police force" and took a jibe at the politicians using the word Taliban". Ranaut, 33, is currently staying in Himachal Pradeshs Manali. The controversy erupted after the actor targeted the Mumbai police several times over investigation in Sushant Singh Rajputs death case. Eastar Jet / Korea Times file Embattled Eastar Jet Co. said Monday it will reduce its workforce by more than half as part of efforts to find a new investor after Jeju Air Co. scrapped its plan to acquire the smaller budget carrier amid the coronavirus pandemic. Eastar plans to lay off 640 workers, or 53 percent, of its 1,216 employees on Oct. 14 before it begins the process of finding a new investor, Eastar Senior Vice President Kim You-sang said over the phone. "Our lead managers and two private equity funds (that have an interest in investing in Eastar) want the company to reduce our fleet and workforce, among other things," he said. The company plans to maintain 576 employees, including cabin crew members basically required to fly six planes, the executive said. Eastar currently has 18 planes, including two 737 MAX aircraft, and plans to reduce the fleet to five to seven planes. Last month, Eastar selected Deloitte Anjin LLC, Yulchon LLC and Heungkuk Securities Co. as lead managers to resume a bid to sell a controlling stake of 51.17 percent. The company is looking for a strategic investor, or a company, that has an interest in the majority stake in Eastar, the executive said. "Ten companies, including PEFs, have expressed their intention to acquire Eastar. We are targeting to select a preferred negotiating partner by the end of this month," he said. Eastar, which has suspended all flights since March, faces bankruptcy after Jeju Air scrapped the deal in late July due to the COVID-19 pandemic's growing impact on the airline industry. In March, Jeju Air signed a deal to acquire the controlling stake in Eastar Jet from Eastar Holdings for 54.5 billion won (US$45.53 million) as part of its expansion strategy despite the pandemic. On July 1, Jeju Air sent an ultimatum demanding Eastar Jet pay off all of its debts, estimated at up to 170 billion won, including unpaid wages to its employees, delayed payments to subcontractors and office operating expenses, by July 15. But Eastar failed to meet the demands. The company said the debt payment was not part of the deal and that it was not Eastar's duty to do so but Jeju Air's. On July 23, the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea said they will withdraw their plan to extend loans worth 170 billion won to Jeju Air following the deal's collapse. (Yonhap) DUBLIN, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "IoT Chip In Healthcare Market - Forecasts from 2020 to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The IoT chip in healthcare market was valued at US$1,507.165 million for the year 2019. Rising healthcare expenditure is boosting the adoption of digital technologies including Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), and 3D printing among others. In the healthcare sector, digital technology is helping in developing sustainable healthcare systems and providing cheaper and more effective solutions for various diseases. As such, the IoT chip in healthcare market is flourishing worldwide. The Internet of Things (IoT) has opened up a wide range of opportunities in the healthcare industry. The growing adoption of connected devices across this sector has significantly boosted the demand for this technology. The emerging popularity of remote healthcare solutions is another major driver of IoT chip in healthcare market. The growing global aging population, especially in developed countries, has augmented the demand for home healthcare solutions. According to the World Bank Data, the population ages 65 and above of the total population have increased from 7.49% in 2008 to 8.87% in 2018. Moreover, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases is also leading patients to shift to remote healthcare solutions and services in order to reduce spending on regular hospital visits. As the use of cellular technology is maturing, people are opting for innovative mobile health services which is positively impacting the growth of IoT chip in healthcare market. Increasing investments in R&D to develop innovative remote health solutions is further contributing to the market growth. For example, in 2018, researchers at Griffith University in Australia collaborated with Huawei and Tonwo Health Clinic Technology to develop wearable devices that will help patients to manage chronic conditions. Companies are actively involved in growth strategies in order to expand their global market share which is also fuelling the growth of IoT chip in healthcare market. Recently in April 2020, Sony has entered into a collaborative partnership with Norwegian telecommunications firm Telenor, and Ericsson to build Internet of Things (IoT) devices for the healthcare market. Under this partnership, Sony will provide sensors using its Visilion advanced tracking solution, Telenor will supply the SIM cards and networking tools which work globally, and Ericsson will provide its IoT Accelerator Platform which enables businesses to connect and manage billions of devices. Mexican Biotix Labs has also partnered with Spanish health tech Fixme to combine IoT technology and physiotherapy in Mexico. Physiotherapists will be using a device for measuring the range of movement of the patient's limbs to better understand the healing process. The recent COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has further impacted the growth of the IoT chip in healthcare market. With clinicians and researchers focusing on treatment breakthroughs, IoT and related technologies have become mainstream applications. With the mandatory quarantine of patients with symptoms of COVID-19, healthcare workers are using IoT devices to remotely monitor patients' vitals in an isolation ward. With the rapid and global spread of this virus, it has become more vital than ever for healthcare organizations to reap the advantage of advanced technologies available such as IoT in order to combat this disease. A sudden surge in the demand for telemedicine is further driving the market growth. Companies, as well as academic institutions, are conducting various research in order to come up with effective use of IoT to combat this global pandemic. For example, the University of Hong Kong has been successful in using a commercial AI and IoT platform from Biofourmis for monitoring COVID-19 positive patients. Australia's largest running LoRaAN network operator, the National Narrowband Network Co (NNNCo), has recently partnered with Belgian Applications and Solutions Provider, WMW, to bring IoT solutions to the country, including those that can assist in the battle against coronavirus spread. Competitive Insights Prominent key players in the IoT chip in healthcare market include Intel Corporation, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Texas Instruments Incorporated, Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, and NXP Semiconductors among others. These companies hold a noteworthy share in the market on account of their good brand image and product offerings. Major players in the IoT chip in healthcare market have been covered along with their relative competitive position and strategies. The report also mentions recent deals and investments of different market players over the last two years. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 1.1. Market Definition 1.2. Market Segmentation 2. Research Methodology 2.1. Research Data 2.2. Assumptions 3. Executive Summary 3.1. Research Highlights 4. Market Dynamics 4.1. Market Drivers 4.2. Market Restraints 4.3. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers 4.3.3. Threat of New Entrants 4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes 4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry 4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis 5. IoT chip in healthcare market Analysis, By Connectivity 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Cellular 5.3. Wi-Fi 5.4. Bluetooth 5.5. ZigBee 5.6. NFC 5.7. MQQT 5.8. Others 6. IoT chip in healthcare market Analysis, By Geography 6.1. Introduction 6.2. North America 6.2.1. USA 6.2.2. Canada 6.2.3. Mexico 6.3. South America 6.3.1. Brazil 6.3.2. Argentina 6.3.3. Others 6.4. Europe 6.4.1. Germany 6.4.2. France 6.4.3. United Kingdom 6.4.4. Spain 6.4.5. Others 6.5. Middle East and Africa 6.5.1. Saudi Arabia 6.5.2. Israel 6.5.3. Others 6.6. Asia Pacific 6.6.1. China 6.6.2. Japan 6.6.3. South Korea 6.6.4. India 6.6.5. Others 7. Competitive Environment and Analysis 7.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis 7.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness 7.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations 7.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix 8. Company Profiles 8.1. Intel Corporation 8.2. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. 8.3. Texas Instruments Incorporated 8.4. Cypress Semiconductor Corporation 8.5. NXP Semiconductors 8.6. Silicon Laboratories Inc. 8.7. Analog Devices, Inc. 8.8. STMicroelectronics 8.9. Renesas Electronics Corporation 8.10. Nordic Semiconductor For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f8a08m Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com (Natural News) On the show Life, Liberty & Levin, host Mark Levin talked to Dr. Harvey A. Risch, a professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, about hydroxychloroquine, a drug that can be used to prevent and treat coronavirus (COVID-19). The pair also discussed why the government and mainstream media are trying to hinder developments concerning the use of the drug to fight the pandemic. What is hydroxychloroquine? Several months ago, people have never heard of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Now, HCQ is the most controversial drug on the planet. Mainstream media claims its worse than heroin, opioids, or other drugs. On August 4, Steve Hatfill, a veteran neurologist said that there are 53 studies that show positive results of hydroxychloroquine in COVID infections. There are 14 global studies that show neutral or negative results and 10 of them were of patients in very late stages of COVID-19, where no antiviral drug can be expected to have much effect. Of the remaining four studies, two came from the same University of Minnesota author. The other two are from the faulty Brazil paper, which should be retracted and the fake Lancet paper, which was. Levin exclaimed that the report was unusual, and he discussed another article from Risch, the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. In the article, which was published on July 23, Risch revealed that he is usually accustomed to advocating for positions within the mainstream of medicine. The professor was shocked that, during the coronavirus pandemic, he is fighting for a treatment that the data fully supports but which, for reasons having nothing to do with a correct understanding of the science, has been pushed to the sidelines. As a result, tens of thousands of patients with COVID-19 are dying unnecessarily. Fortunately, the situation can be reversed easily and quickly. When asked about his stance on the studies he reviewed and the use of HCQ for COVID-19, Risch reiterated that the evidence is overwhelming. However, Risch mentioned a massive disinformation campaign about HCQ from the government to mainstream media that either suppresses the truth or covers it up with a false message. While Risch has yet to determine why HCQ is being discredited as a potential cure for COVID-19, he said that as an expert on the science behind it, the one-sided science that supports this result is stronger than anything he has studied in his career, particularly for high-risk patients that are treated early as outpatients. Levin noted that most of the studies cited by government scientists and the media dont treat patients early after being diagnosed with coronavirus. Risch agreed, saying that either these studies cite hospitalized patients or they cite the studies from Minnesota wherein low-risk patients, who are younger than 60 and dont have chronic conditions are treated with HCQ. These low-risk patients can often recover on their own even without any treatment. Risch emphasized that HCQ is best used on elderly high-risk patients with chronic conditions like diabetes since they have a greater chance of being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19. Studies on high-risk patients have shown that HCQ offers benefits for high-risk groups compared to low-risk groups. Fauci, the FDA and HCQ Levin also brought up Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has been in the government for 52 years and has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984, has also dismissed the benefits of HCQ. When asked if Fauci has talked to Risch about HCQ, the latter said that Fauci has never contacted him. Back when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was considering a petition for early use authorization of HCQ in outpatients submitted by Henry Ford Hospital doctors, Risch filed a brief to the FDA to demonstrate both the evidence that supports usage and the complete lack of harm and systematic data that the FDA claims on their website about HCQ. Fauci then thanked Risch by email, which was the only contact the two have ever had. None of the heads of various government entities consulted Risch. Levin also brought up the fact that whenever Risch goes on different programs, such as CNN, to discuss HCQ treatments for COVID-19, hosts often interrupt the professor whenever he tries to discuss the benefits of HCQ. Levin also mentioned up a May 5 headline from The Washington Post: Drug promoted by Trump as coronavirus game-changer increasingly linked to deaths. (Related: How a false hydroxychloroquine narrative was created.) Risch clarified that the article on the alleged dangers of hydroxychloroquine did not say which patients the drug was used on. If HCQ was used on very sick hospitalized patients as a last-ditch effort since no other treatments worked, he agreed that there may be a link. But if HCQ was used on healthy outpatients, like the 10 billion patients who have already received the drug, then there is no relationship at all. Risch concluded that its important to clarify who youre talking about when making statements like the headline on The Washington Post article. While Levin admitted that hes not an expert like Risch, it was shocking to hear that there was an effort to fight an affordable drug, which has been safely used for half a century, in the middle of a global pandemic. More disheartening still is the lengths mainstream media will go through to discredit those who suggest that HCQ can be used to treat COVID-19 in its early stages. Risch agreed with Levin, saying that its the wrong time to let politics overrule science. He posited that he is often interrupted on various programs because the hosts know that the treatments works, yet they are afraid that HCQ will be tested and proven to be safe for use. Risch also encouraged American citizens to get in touch with their congressmen and senators. A bureaucracy in bed with other forces causing them to make decisions not based in science, that are killing Americans, is not acceptable, warned Risch. Watch: Sources include: TheBurningPlatform.com Newsweek.com WASHINGTON He was the FBI agent so central to the Trump-Russia investigation that he came up with the code name: Crossfire Hurricane, from the lyrics of a Rolling Stones song that happened to be in his head. And he was the same FBI agent whose anti-Trump texts on a government phone exchanged in "intimate" conversations with an FBI lawyer who wasn't his wife gave President Donald Trump and his allies powerful ammunition they used in their efforts to discredit the investigation. Now Peter Strzok, a decorated counterintelligence agent who was fired by the bureau he loved, is telling his story in a new book, "Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump." Despite the cinematic title, Strzok reveals no new evidence that the president acted as a tool of Russia. But his insider account provides a detailed refutation of the notion that a group of anti-Trump denizens of the deep state cooked up the Russia "hoax," as Trump likes to call it, to take down a president they didn't support. To the contrary, as he tells it, career public servants inside the FBI and the Justice Department were gobsmacked in 2016 by what they uncovered about a presidential campaign that seemed to find unlimited time to meet with Russians, practically inviting exploitation by a foreign adversary. IMAGE: Elijah Cummings (Joshua Roberts / Reuters file) "I was skeptical that all the different threads amounted to anything more than bumbling incompetence, a confederacy of dunces who were too dumb to collude," Strzok writes, summing up his view of the case for a Trump campaign conspiracy with Russia before he was removed from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation in July 2017 over his biased texts. "In my view, they were most likely a collection of grifters pursuing individual personal interests: their own money- and power-driven agendas." But he also believed, he wrote, that even if Trump didn't formally conspire with the Russian election interference operation, the president was badly compromised. He was compromised, Strzok writes, because of his questionable business dealings, the hush money paid on his behalf to silence women, shady transactions at his charity and, most importantly, "his lies about his Russia dealings," including his secret 2015 effort to build a Trump Tower in Moscow even as he told the world that he had no business with Russia. Story continues "Putin knew he had lied. And Trump knew that Putin knew a shared understanding that provided the framework for a potentially coercive relationship between the president of the United States and the leader of one of our greatest adversaries," writes Strzok, who was deputy assistant director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "This simple fact could explain something that made no sense otherwise: why Trump repeatedly ... (chose) the course of action that made little sense in the context of U.S. national security but that clearly benefitted Russia," he writes. In a statement to NBC News, White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern called Strzok's account "utter nonsense" and argued that neither Mueller nor Congress "have found any wrongdoing by the President." He added: "Strzok is a joke, and his book isn't worth the paper it's printed on. " Counterintelligence agents are tasked with rooting out foreign influence, and any such agent worth his or her salt would have been incompetent not to investigate whether Russia had leverage over a new president, Strzok writes. That's why Strzok and his FBI colleagues took the historic step of opening a counterintelligence investigation into Trump after he fired FBI Director James Comey in May 2017 an investigation Strzok says he earlier had opposed. Comey's firing also led to the appointment of Mueller, a former director of the FBI, as special counsel. Strzok, who had also played a key role in the investigation of Hillary Clinton's emails, joined his team. "If there was one person in the country who could determine whether I was right to be concerned, it was Robert S. Mueller III," he writes. But Mueller never did answer the question of whether Trump was "compromised" by Russia he never even tried to, according to the massive report he issued describing his findings. Mueller conducted what was purely a criminal investigation designed to determine whether crimes were committed as part of Russia's election interference operation and to prosecute any other crimes he uncovered. Prosecute he did: 37 indictments or guilty pleas resulted from his investigation. Of the four original subjects of Crossfire Hurricane former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign aide George Papadopoulos and former campaign adviser Carter Page two, Manafort and Papadopoulos, went to prison, and a third, Flynn, pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing amid a legal dispute over whether his case should be dismissed. But none of them and no other American was accused of conspiring with Russia. In his report, Mueller said he couldn't find enough evidence to bring criminal charges alleging such a conspiracy, even as he punted on the question of whether Trump obstructed justice. Whether crimes were committed is a different question from whether Russia had a hold over the president, however. Who was supposed to answer that counterintelligence question? Who would look at whether Trump had, in fact, benefited from massive investments by Russians, as his son once said he did? Or whether there was any reason to think Putin could blackmail him? Strzok, 50, an Army veteran who worked most of his two-decade FBI career chasing Russian spies, says it was the job of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. But Strzok writes that at the time he left the investigation in 2017, "we were still looking for the right way to investigate those counterintelligence concerns." A recent assessment by the House Intelligence Committee, which has sought classified briefings on the matter, says the FBI "has not investigated counterintelligence risks arising from President Trump's foreign financial ties." Strzok said in an interview published Friday in The Atlantic that he believed the FBI's counterintelligence inquiries into Trump "largely died on the vine," which two people familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News. It's doubtful, current and former U.S. officials say, that anyone at the FBI ever saw Trump's tax returns or looked into whether he borrowed money from Russian oligarchs something many Americans assumed was happening during the Mueller probe. IMAGE: 'Compromised' by Peter Strzok. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Was that a failure? Mueller is a revered figure among the FBI agents he once led as director, and Strzok doesn't have a cross word to say about him. He doesn't speak to the issue of whether Mueller, 76, a Vietnam combat veteran, was in full command of the massive investigation, a question that arose when Mueller testified before Congress and didn't appear to be conversant with significant elements of his report. Strzok argues that what Mueller laid out in his indictments and his report a president who was eager and willing to accept help from the Russians, even if he didn't conspire with them to get it was enough to establish that Trump was compromised. But even if that's true, it wasn't compelling enough for House Democrats to bring impeachment charges. Trump ultimately was impeached based on his actions with regard to Ukraine, with no mention of Russia. A bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report issued last month was widely seen as far more damning and detailed than the Mueller report on the question of the Trump campaign's interactions with Russians. It also examined the counterintelligence implications of some of Trump's relationships, delving into a possible blackmail concern around allegations that Trump strayed from his second marriage, to Marla Maples, while on a trip to Moscow in 1996. Strzok doesn't delve much into the limits of the Mueller report, perhaps because by the time that was playing out, his life had been turned upside down. Many of the 40,000 texts he exchanged on government phones with FBI lawyer Lisa Page, now an MSNBC legal analyst, were made public. In a court document, an FBI lawyer later highlighted that Strzok had called Trump a "disaster" in 2016 and suggested that "[w]e'll stop" him from taking office. The FBI fired Strzok in August 2018 after the deputy director decided that his conduct had inflicted "long term damage" on the FBI's reputation. Trump quickly moved to make him the bogeyman of the "Russia hoax," and Strzok writes with outrage about what it's like to be personally attacked more than 100 times on Twitter by the president. At one point, Trump accused him of treason, and FBI agents had to warn Strzok that he had been on a list of targets kept by Cesar Sayoc, a Trump supporter from Florida who was arrested after he sent 14 pipe bombs to perceived political enemies. Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics The conspiracy theory put forth by Trump and his allies that a group of rogue law enforcement officials set out to frame him is refuted in the book by Strzok's methodical explanations of the FBI's decisions in the face of disturbing evidence. And Strzok writes that the conspiracy theorists have never convincingly explained why, if he and his cohorts had wanted to take Trump down at all costs, they didn't leak the fact that the FBI was investigating through much of the 2016 election whether Trump and his aides were under the sway of a foreign adversary. Instead, the FBI took pains to make sure that that never emerged during the campaign, even as the media closely covered the Clinton email scandal. Voters went to the polls not knowing. As for his own conduct, Strzok spends only a few lines of the book reflecting on it. He doesn't mention Lisa Page by name, opting not to delve into his personal life. He says he regrets having sent the texts and acknowledges having made "some terrible personal decisions" that hurt his family and the FBI. But he also believes his firing was politically motivated and unjustified, and he is suing over it. He points out that FBI employees frequently use their government phones for personal messages and are allowed to have private political opinions. The Justice Department's inspector general ultimately found no evidence that political bias infected the Russia investigation, Strzok notes. The wild conspiracy theories about some of his texts were found to be baseless. All true, but it fails to account for the damage done to the FBI's credibility, said NBC News national security contributor Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI counterintelligence chief. "Strzok saw a confirmed threat and moved to investigate it," said Figliuzzi, a vocal Trump critic. "Sadly, his valid actions have been usurped by his personal conduct and judgment, which caused some to perceive the bureau as political. "He was fired for the damage he did to the FBI's reputation, and rightly so." BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis offers one of the best citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes in the world. This is according to a new report issued by Professional Wealth Management magazine, a publication from the Financial Times. St Kitts and Nevis remains the country with the fastest citizenship timeline, providing one of the most certain and family-appealing CBI programmes, particularly in light of its new limited-time offer. In the 2020 CBI Index, the Federation's CBI Programme ranked number one or joint-first for offering fast and straightforward processing, reliable due diligence, and certainty, with an unrivalled experience of 36 years. It also obtained top marks for not requiring applicants to travel and reside for any minimum period. The CBI Index discussed St Kitts and Nevis'limited-time offer which allows vetted families of up to four to obtain citizenship for US$150,000 instead of US$195,000 through the fund option. The report recognises the growing importance to investors to be able to obtain citizenship for their families too. St Kitts and Nevis allows future generations of successful applicants to inherit citizenship. Prime Minister Dr the Hon. Timothy Harris commented: "St Kitts and Nevis is not only a place for investors to thrive in, but also a welcoming home for their children and grandchildren. We have made our streets safer and our rule of law - stronger. We keep investing in education and healthcare. Our economy is resilient even when faced with external shocks like a global pandemic." Les Khan, the CEO of the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), said: "We continue to focus on what matters to investors most, while ensuring that we maintain our 'Platinum Standard' brand. Our limited-time offer comes at a time when investors value family safety and security more than ever. That is why we have decided to temporarily allow them to add up to three members of their family for the same amount of contribution as for a single applicant." Under the Accelerated Application Process feature, investors can obtain citizenship - and their passport, a separate process to CBI - within 60 days. Applicants must first undergo a multi-tiered due diligence process. The CIU introduced a temporary provision, instituted in the context of Covid-19, whereby Authorised Persons - who are mandatory to apply through - may submit applications online. However, the CIU will not issue an approval without receipt of the physical application at a later date. Once successful, economic citizens earn the right to live, work, and study in St Kitts and Nevis. They can also travel visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival to almost 160 countries and territories, and enjoy all the economic and social benefits as native citizens. To find out more about St Kitts and Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Programme, please visit the CIU website. ciuunitskn@gmail.com, www.ciu.gov.kn Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1249823/St_Kitts_and_Nevis__2020_CBI_Index.jpg Robert De Niro gave fans a first look of his performance as a disheveled producer in the trailer of his upcoming action-comedy, The Comeback Trail, on Friday. And just one day later, the 76-year-old Oscar winner opted for a casual look on a solo outing around the Tribeca area of New York City. As the celebrated actor slipped back into his SUV, he could be sporting an olive green polo shirt, knee-length khaki shorts and a charcoal grey cap. Masked up: Robert De Niro looked casual on a trip to New York City, one day after the trailer of his upcoming action-comedy, The Comeback Trail, was released on Friday The celebrated actor appeared to be enjoying a leisurely afternoon, as he carried a medium-sized black bag and a folded newspaper. The father-of-six diligently kept his mouth and nose covered under a white CDC-recommended face mask, as he took a break from quarantining at his upstate New York compound in the village of Gardiner. At the end of July, he stepped out in an identical outfit, down to a blue pen in his polo's pocket and his black sneakers. Back in the city: The celebrated actor appeared to be enjoying a leisurely afternoon, as he carried a medium-sized black bag and a folded newspaper That sighting of him marked his first public appearance since disclosing details of his annual income, amid an ongoing court battle with estranged wife Grace Hightower. He alleged the coronavirus pandemic has diminished his multi-million-dollar earnings and successfully had Hightower's $100,000-a-month credit limit credit card allowance cut in half. The pair confirmed their separation in November 2018 after 21 years together. Managing his funds: His recent sighting is one of few after disclosing details of his annual income, amid an ongoing court battle with estranged wife Grace Hightower; seen in 2014 Caroline Krauss, De Niro's attorney, told the judge that De Niro had to reduce her allowance because his businesses and career had suffered since the pandemic hit. She said his Nobu restaurant and hotel empire - founded in 1994, now with 41 restaurants and 18 hotels in North and South America, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia - lost $3 million in April and another $1.87 million in May. At the time, it also emerged the chain took 14 loans from the U.S. small business relief program for as much as $28 million, according to government filings. Hard times: He alleged the coronavirus pandemic has diminished his multi-million-dollar earnings and successfully had Hightower's $100,000-a-month credit limit credit card allowance cut in half. Seen in 2018 Additionally, he owns The Greenwich hotel, which has been largely empty due to the pandemic. Krauss said he also had to pay investors $500,000 on a capital call, which he borrowed money from his business partners to make, 'because he doesn't have the cash,' she said, according to The New York Post. She explained that under the terms of their 2004 prenuptial agreement De Niro is required to pay Hightower $1 million a year as long as he's making $15 million or more in income, and if his income declines, so do his payments to her. 'His accounts and business manager says that the best case for Mr De Niro, if everything starts to turn around this year, he is going to be lucky if he makes $7.5 million this year,' Krauss said. His hit film: Here he is seen in the Martin Scorsese movie The Irishman with Al Pacino; the film is based on the book, I Heard You Paint Houses She said that proceeds from De Niro's latest film - Netflix's The Irishman, nominated for 10 Oscars - have mostly already been paid out and he is likely to get just $2.5 million in 2020 and 2021. And a movie project that De Niro was scheduled to begin filming this summer in Oklahoma has been put on hold, Krauss explained. She said that 'these people' - seemingly a reference to Hightower and their children - placed great financial demands on De Niro, preventing him from retiring. 'These people, in spite of his robust earnings, have always spent more than he has earned,' Krauss said, according to the paper.'This 76-year-old robust man couldn't retire even if he wanted to because he can't afford to keep up with his lifestyle.' Meanwhile, Hightower's lawyer, Kevin McDonough, said it was laughable to suggest that De Niro had fallen on hard times, as he 'has an admitted worth of $500 million and makes $30 million a year.' By Ayya Lmahamad Lithuania might launch direct regular air traffic to Azerbaijan. The countrys Ministry of Transport and Communications of Lithuania has told Trend that opening direct flights to Azerbaijan is one of the priority issues for the ministry. "We are aware of the interest of the Azerbaijani side to continue the process of coordinating the draft agreement between the government of Azerbaijan and the government of Lithuania on air communication. We are also interested in the course of negotiations on Azerbaijan's accession to the EU Common Airspace," the ministry stated. According to the report, Lithuanian transport regulatory authorities are ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan in achieving the goals and obligations related to the association agreement with the European Union and other strategic documents. Lithuanian minster also expressed his countrys readiness to cooperate in bilateral projects such as TAIEX, Twinning and other. Additionally, it was noted that it is possible to expand cooperation in accordance with the needs of transport and logistics authorities of Azerbaijan, as Lithuania has a group of highly qualified specialist in the sectors of road, rail and sea transport. It should be noted that due to the coronavirus pandemic Azerbaijan first introduced special quarantine regime on March 24 and closed its borders with all countries. So far, only charter flights to some countries are operating. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Maria Kolesnikova (C), a representative of Viktor Barbarikos presidential campaign, walks outside the Directorate of Internal Affairs (RUVD) for Oktyabrsky District, where detained journalists covering an unauthorised protest are kept. Unidentified masked men detained prominent Belarusian protest leader Maria Kolesnikova in central Minsk on Monday morning and drove her off in a minivan, the Belarusian Tut.By media outlet cited a witness as saying. Kolesnikova, a member of the opposition coordination council, is the last of three female politicians left inside Belarus who joined forces before an Aug. 9 presidential election to try to challenge veteran incumbent Alexander Lukashenko. A vocal critic of Lukashenko, she has played an important role in weeks of mass demonstrations and strikes by protesters who accuse Lukashenko of rigging his re-election. He denies that allegation and has accused foreign powers of trying to topple him in a revolution. Three European Union diplomats told Reuters that the EU is preparing to impose economic sanctions on 31 senior Belarus officials, including the interior minister, later this month in response to the election and subsequent crackdown. Facing the deepest crisis of his 26-year rule, Lukashenko retains the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has promised to send in police to support him if needed. Kolesnikova's abduction, if confirmed, comes as Belarusian authorities appear to be stepping up their efforts to try to halt the protests and obstruct the work of the opposition's coordination council which they have accused of plotting to overthrow Lukashenko. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated across the country demanding Lukashenko step down. Security forces detained 633 protesters, Belarusian authorities said. A blazing sun silhouettes power lines in North Long Beach ahead of the Labor Day weekend's historic heat wave. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) An epic Southern California heat wave crested Sunday with numerous all-time high temperature records set, including a 121-degree reading in Woodland Hills that marked a historic milestone for Los Angeles County. The broiling temperatures put extreme pressure on the power grid, with malfunctions leaving thousands without power and officials warning that rolling blackouts could affect millions of customers, although that threat eventually was averted. It also fueled a series of fast-moving brush fires across the region, including one in Angeles National Forest near Duarte that broke out Sunday afternoon and forced Labor Day weekend visitors to flee. In San Bernardino County, the El Dorado fire near Yucaipa had burned more than 3,000 acres and forced evacuations in some communities. To the south in San Diego County, the Valley fire in the backcountry had burned 5,300 acres and destroyed at least 10 structures. The Woodland Hills reading of 121 degrees broke the county's old record of 119 degrees set in July 2006 and was one of several records to fall Sunday. Escondido achieved an all-time high of 115 degrees, shattering a record set in 1909. Paso Robles also hit an all-time high at 117, as did Idyllwild (104) and Chino (121). Woodland Hills is one of the hottest parts of Los Angeles and often records extreme temperatures. But Sunday's conditions measured at a station at Pierce College marked the highest temperature from an official National Weather Service station in not only L.A. County but also Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The weather service said Riverside hit its highest temperature ever for September at 117 degrees; Santa Ana hit a record high for the day at 106. Officials have warned people to avoid outdoor activities even as temperatures cool slightly Monday. A woman in her late 40s was hiking on a trail in the Santa Monica Mountains in Calabasas when she began to feel sick and collapsed at 2 p.m. Saturday, said L.A. County Sheriffs Deputy Juanita Navarro. Story continues She was pronounced dead at the scene. The official cause of death is still unknown, Navarro said. Because of the dangerous heat wave, all trails in the Santa Monica Mountains are closed through Labor Day, Malibu Search and Rescue said in a tweet. In Angeles National Forest, the Sheriff's Department search and rescue team performed an air rescue Saturday on a semiconscious hiker suffering from heat exhaustion on the popular Strawberry Peak trail, where temperatures often soar because it has minimal shade in the afternoon. The California Independent System Operator, which operates much of the state's electrical system, had feared blackouts would be necessary during peak evening hours, but later Sunday night announced it had staved off the threat. The California ISO warned consumers they would be asked to limit electrical use Monday from 3 to 9 p.m. The organization had declared a statewide emergency after a transmission line carrying power from Oregon to California and another in-state power plant went offline unexpectedly. The cause of the outages was unknown as of Sunday evening. As of Sunday afternoon, much of Southern California Edison's 18,000-plus reported outages were in Los Angeles County, where more than 10,000 customers were without power. The largest outages as of 2:30 p.m. Sunday included 1,203 in Inglewood and 1,126 in Paramount. The outages were heat- or non-fire-related, said Edison spokesman Reggie Kumar, but overall, the electricity distribution system was performing well. As of Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power had enough power supplies and did not anticipate the need to implement rolling blackouts, a DWP spokesman said. The utility did experience some small power outages in West Adams, Reseda, Sun Valley and Pacoima, among other places. As of Sunday morning, about 7,000 customers were without power, and crews had worked around the clock to restore power to 37,000 after temperatures and energy demand soared, according to the utility. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. warned that the Diablo wind event set to hit Monday evening through midday Wednesday may require public safety power shutoffs for about 103,000 customers in the Sierra foothills, North Bay and East Bay. PG&E provides electricity across Northern and Central California. The hot weather has hampered firefighting and heat-related rescue efforts across the state. In the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno, the 45,500-acre Creek fire trapped more than 200 hikers in the Mammoth Pool recreation area when it crossed the San Joaquin River on Saturday afternoon, prompting a massive rescue effort by the California National Guard. In Los Angeles County, the Bobcat fire started Sunday afternoon and quickly grew to 1,000 acres near the popular West Fork Picnic Area, a usually peaceful, wooded area where many residents fish and swim in the cool San Gabriel River. Updated Evacuation Order. North of Yucaipa Blvd. and east of Bryant. Please use caution and leave the area. #ElDoradoFire @CALFIREBDU pic.twitter.com/DOSKq4vS30 Yucaipa Police (@YucaipaPD) September 6, 2020 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials said Sunday evening that the El Dorado fire had a rather bizarre cause: a smoke-emitting device that was part of a gender-reveal party in a Yucaipa park. Such devices typically shoo off blue or pink smoke to signal the gender of an expected child. "Cal Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire," the agency said in a statement. Hoist Rescue, hiker with heat exhaustion, Strawberry Peak Trail, Angeles Forest. #LASD Air Rescue 5 inserts LASD SEB Tactical Medics to rescue semi-conscious hiker. Airlifted to hospital. Very high temperatures today. Please do not hike without ample water supply. pic.twitter.com/ovfBhiRrKj SEB (@SEBLASD) September 5, 2020 Times staff writers Thomas Curwen in Los Angeles and Rong-Gong Lin II in San Francisco contributed to this report. China has claimed that Indian army illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Shenpao Mountain near the south bank of Pangong Lake in Ladakh on Monday. Chinese authorities further stated that troops on their side opened fire in retaliation. No statement has been issued from the Indian side yet. Spokesperson of China's Western Theatre Command, Colonel Zhang Shuili claimed at a press briefing that Chinese border defence forces took countermeasures after Indian troops crossed the LAC. He alleged that India's actions have violated agreements between India and China. Colonel Shuili claimed that Indian troops fired warning shots at Chinese border guards. He further stated that India should "immediately stop dangerous actions, immediately withdraw cross-line personnel, strictly restrain front-line troops, and strictly investigate and punish personnel who fired shots to ensure that similar incidents do not occur again". Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a stand-off at Pangong Lake in Ladakh. Last Sunday, Indian and Chinese militaries held another round of talks in eastern Ladakh to calm tensions even as the situation remained "delicate" with both sides further rushing in additional troops and weapons following last week's confrontations. The nearly four-hour brigade commander-level interaction near Chushul could not produce any tangible outcome, reports said. The overall situation in the region continued to be delicate. Tension escalated in the region after Indian troops foiled attempts by Chinese military to occupy Indian territories in the southern bank of Pangong lake area on the intervening night of August 29 and 30. Chinese border defense troops were forced to take countermeasures to stabilize the situation after the #Indian troops outrageously fired warning shots to PLA border patrol soldiers who were about to negotiate, said the spokesperson. https://t.co/wwZPA6BMDA Global Times (@globaltimesnews) September 7, 2020 ALSO READ: China's aggressive behaviour at LAC in violation of bilateral agreements: Rajnath Singh ALSO READ: India-China Standoff Live Updates: Warning shots fired after Chinese troops came too close, say army sources ALSO READ: Defence minister Rajnath Singh meets Chinese counterpart in Moscow amid border tension in Ladakh ALSO READ: India-China border row: Situation tough, but can be resolved via talks, says Army Chief A kayaker from out of town who had to be rescued from the Welland Canal weir in Port Colborne Sunday had no idea he was headed somewhere he shouldnt be, according to fire Chief Tom Cartwright. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., the fire department received a call about a person in distress in the canal. Crews checked on two other areas before the man was spotted in the weir, at Main Street between Canal Bank Road and King Street. A weir is a large gate used to drain and remove excess water from canals. Cartwright said water rescues at this specific spot are something hes not seen in his nearly 20 years at the head of the fire department. Its very dangerous. Youre not allowed to be on the side of the canal, certainly in the weir, he said. Cartwright spoke with the man, who also had a small dog with him that was rescued unharmed. He ended up in the off-limits area after accessing the canal from Lake Erie, Cartwright said. Niagara Regional Police responded to the scene. Cartwright said he will face charges for entering a prohibited area. There are large containers the man would have passed on his way to the rescue scene that say where he was headed is restricted, said Cartwright. Rescuers were able to cut through a gate and fence to get to the canal edge and assist the man up a ladder. St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. was contacted to shut down the area. RELATED STORIES Niagara Region Ships collide on Welland Canal; investigation underway says Seaway official That stopped the water from going through the weir as fast as it normally does, said Cartwright. After the man and dog were pulled to safety, firefighters were able to retrieve his kayak and equipment, said Cartwright. The man and dog did not suffer any injuries in the ordeal. Survey: Crona Clohisey says there is an air of negativity from businesses A lack of customs expertise among firms on the island of Ireland is adding to concerns over the prospects of a no-deal Brexit, according to a report today. As negotiations between the UK and EU resume in London today, respondents from industries across the island have said they are concerned about the prospects of a no-deal Brexit. Only one in five expect that a deal would be reached before the end of the year. The survey by Chartered Accountants Ireland also said that the attention of firms in manufacturing, retail, wholesale and other sectors had been diverted away from Brexit as they deal with Covid-19. Fewer than one in 10 firms said they are fully prepared for Brexit and just over one in 10 understand the changes that it will bring to their sector. And there was a gap in knowledge about the customers paperwork which will be required on both sides of the border regardless of whether a trade agreement is reached. Nearly half of those surveyed by Chartered Accountants Ireland said that they do not fully understand the customs declarations that will be required to trade goods between Ireland and the UK from January 1. Crona Clohisey, public policy lead with Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: "As the parties return to the negotiating table, there is an overall air of negativity from officials and from the businesses that we have surveyed. "One thing that is certain is that businesses are going to have to deal with customs administration. "For many years, the EU has been a safe haven for Irish and UK businesses trading with each other, meaning little need for customs paperwork and declarations. "As a result, much of the customs expertise on the island of Ireland has effectively disappeared. "Customs administration is going to cost businesses. "This cost emerged as a significant concern for the businesses we surveyed, ranking second behind staff costs and ahead of customs duties, as the biggest challenge in managing business costs in the next six months." She said that firms had been facing "unprecedented challenges" due to Covid-19. One in four firms said their focus had been diverted from Brexit as a result. Just over a third had progressed as far as hiring a customs agent or formally invested in building their own customs knowledge, leaving over six in 10 as yet unprepared for these new administrative requirements. Ms Clohisey added: "The businesses that will have to deal with customs administration are the same businesses struggling with the effects of Covid-19. "It is critical for the survival of these businesses that goods get to where they need to go and on time. To do this, there is an urgent need for companies and businesses to invest in the people needed to prepare and file customs returns. "That work needs to begin immediately so that businesses are ready to trade when the Brexit transition period ends." Chartered Accountants Ireland has launched a Certificate in Customs and Trade to train traders and advisers to deal with the new customs regime. Programme lead Tony Buckley said the end of transition will mean trading relationships will need to be renegotiated and supply chains critically re-appraised. The automatic data capture (ADC) market size is expected to grow by USD 10.25 billion 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/20200907005062/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automatic Data Capture (ADC) 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 increasing application of RFID is one of the key factors driving the ADC market growth. RFID helps users record and recognize the database of the product with better precision. RFID tags are used in mining equipment, machinery, logistics, and for tracking laborers. The RFID tags used are predominantly battery-assisted tags that create a self-reliant mesh network for connected devices. In addition, RFID tags are embedded in casino chips, which helps to prevent counterfeiting and fraud. The lost chips can be immediately tracked and deactivated, making them unredeemable for cash value at the checkout counter. The opportunities for RFID applications are also high in the healthcare sector. RFID can be used in machinery or equipment, which helps in the effective identification of a location and improves the use and efficiency of expensive and unique machinery or equipment. The integration of RFID technology in construction can help in tracking or locating tolls and equipment, tracking laborers and wages, managing building materials, and logistics. Such increasing applications of RFID will fuel the demand for automatic data capture. 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=IRTNTR44745 As per Technavio, the growing adoption of 2D barcodes 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. Automatic Data Capture (ADC) Market: Growing Adoption of 2D Barcodes 2D barcodes such as QR, Data Matrix, and PDF417 are increasingly being used in various industries, including retail, healthcare, and transportation and logistics. QR codes are the most popular 2D barcodes. PDF417 is used primarily in the transportation and logistics, retail, and healthcare industries. Data Matrix barcodes are generally used to mark small items. They are used in retail and warehousing industries. 2D barcodes are compact and can store more information compared to 1D barcodes. The 2D codes, along with innovative identification methods, can provide protection against counterfeiting which is one of the critical issues faced by big companies. In addition, these 2D codes are linked to a database that can be updated as and when required without altering the tags on any object. All these benefits provided by 2D barcodes have increased their application among end-user industries, which will provide high growth opportunities for vendors in the market. "Other factors such as the rising demand for effective inventory management systems, and the increase in investment in smart factories and the emergence of Industry 4.0 will have a significant impact on the growth of the automatic data capture market value during the forecast period," says a senior analyst at Technavio. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Automatic Data Capture (ADC) Market: Segmentation Analysis This market research report segments the automatic data capture (ADC) market by product (RFID, barcode scanners, barcode printers, and wearable scanners) and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). The North America region led the automatic data capture (ADC) market share in 2019, followed by APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA respectively. However, during the forecast period, the APAC region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to factors such as the increased popularity of smart industries and the increase in investments in the transportation and logistics industry. Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200907005062/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ She was seen putting on a stylish display as she stepped out for the premiere of her movie, The World To Come, at the 77th Venice Film Festival on Sunday. And Katherine Waterston turned heads once again on Monday, whens she was seen putting on a risque display as she posed on a Venice beach for a photoshoot. The 40-year-old actress went braless under a lemon yellow dress which boasted a large cutout feature stretching from the sides of her torso to her entire back. Turning heads: Katherine Waterston turned heads on Monday, whens she was seen putting on a risque display as she posed on a Venice beach for a photoshoot Her gown of choice also featured a high neckline and broad collar, while the full-length flowing skirt included a knee-high slit. With her chestnut brown tresses falling beyond her shoulders in bold waves, the screen star highlighted her good looks with a light palette of makeup. A day earlier, the UK-born, US-raised actress put on a glamorous display as she joined her co-star Vanessa Kirby for the premiere of their film The World To Come. Risque: The 40-year-old actress went braless under a lemon yellow dress which boasted a large cutout feature stretching from the sides of her torso to her entire back Breathtaking: Her gown of choice also featured a high neckline and broad collar, while the full-length flowing skirt included a knee-high slit Snapshots: A photographer was seen catching all of her best angles as she posed up a storm With the crew: Crew members were seen accompanying the star to the picturesque location She caught the eye in a fringed black dress, which highlighted her sensational figure and included daring thigh-high slits. Her appearance at the corresponding photocall earlier contrasted her evening wear, as she stepped out in an all-white ensemble. The Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them star teamed a subtly pleated A-line skirt with a zip-up collared shirt. She wore her raven locks in an understated half-up, half-down 'do and shielded her mouth and nose with a stark white face mask. Katherine and Vanessa were joined by Norwegian director Mona Fastvold, American producer Christine Vachon and actor Christopher Abbott, 34, for a group shot. Tress-ed to impress: With her chestnut brown tresses falling beyond her shoulders in bold waves, the screen star highlighted her good looks with a light palette of makeup Upcoming film: Katherine is at the festival to promote her upcoming movie The World To Come Causing a stir: Back in 2018, Katherine caused a stir when she revealed her pregnancy at the London premiere of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald No public announcements: It is also not publicly known when she gave birth to her child, whose gender and name have also been kept under wraps The World To Come is set on the American East Coast in the mid-19th century, where two neighboring couples battle hardship and isolation, and is based upon Jim Shepard's novel of the same name. Back in 2018, Katherine caused a stir when she revealed her pregnancy at the London premiere of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. In lieu of making a verbal announcement, she cradled her baby bump as she posed for pictures on the star-studded red carpet. The actress, who was previously in a six-year relationship with American playwright and director Adam Rapp, never publicly revealed the identity of the child's father. It is also not publicly known when she gave birth to her child, whose gender and name have also been kept under wraps. Catching the eye: The night before, Katherine, 40, turned heads in a fringed black dress, which highlighted her sensational figure, as she attended the premiere of The World To Come Co-stars: She was pictured alongside her co-stars such as Christopher Abbott (far left) Vanessa Kirby (second right), Alberto Barbera (far right) and director Mona Fastvold (centre) The man was arrested following a large-scale police manhunt. He has been held on the suspicion of murder and seven counts of attempted murder London: British police arrested a 27-year-old man early on Monday on suspicion of murder and seven counts of attempted murder following a string of stabbings in a busy nightlife district in the central England city of Birmingham over the weekend. West Midlands Police said the suspect remains in custody after being arrested at around 4 am. The arrest follows a large-scale police manhunt in the wake of the stabbings in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police released CCTV footage of the man they said was wanted on suspicion of murder. A 23-year-old man was killed in the attacks and a man and a woman, ages 19 and 32, remain critically ill in hospital after suffering serious stab wounds. Following the arrest, Birmingham Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, said one line of inquiry ultimately led us to an address in the Selly Oak area this morning where a man was arrested. Clearly this is a crucial development but our investigation continues," he added. Local police have faced criticism of their response to the attacks, notably how the attacker was able to wander the city during his 90-minute rampage. The victims appeared to have been chosen at random. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has urged people to avoid speculating over any motives behind the attacks and to remain calm but vigilant. The stabbings took place at a time when nightlife is gradually resuming across city centers in the UK following the national coronavirus lockdown. Official statistics show knife crime is on the rise in the UK, where most guns are outlawed, although the number of homicides with blades fell in 2019 from the year before. Britain also has seen several recent extremist knife attacks, including a stabbing rampage in a city park in Reading, near London, in June that killed three people. A Libyan man has been charged. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2 Trend: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs statement that "the decision of the Armenian side to revive the old border checkpoint located 15 kilometers from the Azerbaijani export pipelines launched a flywheel of confrontation on the border of Azerbaijan and Armenia with the most unpredictable consequences" is the direct accusation of the Armenian government as the initiator of the conflict escalation in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district. Immediately after this serious accusation, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arranged an award ceremony for the servicemen and commanders who committed a provocation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border and, under the pretext of holding a meeting at the headquarters of the occupation army, went to the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In fact, the visit of the head of the government to the occupied Azerbaijani territories was caused by a political situation as a result of a provocation organized by the Armenian Defense Ministry on a section of the state border near Tovuz district. Pashinyan realizes that having little control over the Armenian Defense Ministry in Yerevan, he is practically on the verge of losing control over the Armenian Armed Forces deployed in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the puppet "regime" created in Khankendi. Yerevan is well aware that currently the main challenge and source of threat to the rule of Pashinyan in Armenia is the puppet Karabakh regime, whose leadership has close ties and patrons in Moscow. The publication of the press-secretary of the so-called "President of Karabakh" Poghosyan on Facebook, where he directly addresses the natives of Nagorno-Karabakh region living in Russia, or rather to the odious "Karabakh clan", hostile to Pashinyan and his entourage, is remarkable. Contrary to the policy of Pashinyan's "Soross Men" team in Armenia, the puppet regime in Nagorno-Karabakh regime is in favor of expanding the ties with Russia, in particular, by increasing the TV and radio airtime in Russian language. It is planned to increase the number of hours devoted to learning the Russian language at schools, as well as to increase the number of signs in this language in the occupied zone. At present, two figures of the puppet "administration" are ruling in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. These are so-called President Arayik Harutyunyan and so-called Secretary of the National Security Council, criminal element Samvel Babayan. Both belong to the Moscow-oriented "Karabakh clan". Babayan's statement that the Nagorno-Karabakh region should be transferred under the Russias mandate is known to everybody. Thus, we are witnessing two antagonistic tendencies - "Rusification" in the Nagorno-Karabakh region amid the closure of the Russian TV channels in Armenia and language pressure on Russia in Yerevan. The power that is oriented towards Russia has actually formed in the occupied territories in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, while Armenia is moving step by step in the western direction. Despite the "allied" relations, assurances of "eternal friendship of the Armenians towards Russians", an unprecedented quantity of the Russian weapons which are supplied to Armenia for dirt cheap, the fact is that the Western influence begins to prevail over the Russian influence in this country. In response, Moscow, with the assistance of the "Karabakh clan" and its people in Khankendi city, is trying to strengthen its influence in the region. The activity of the puppet administration in the occupied territories actually runs counter to Yerevans policy. So, Pashinyan's visit to the Nagorno-Karabakh region under the pretext of a meeting at the headquarters of the occupying army is a poorly hidden attempt to keep the situation under Yerevan's control. However, the powerful pressure of the "Karabakh clan" during the unsettled conflict with Azerbaijan determines the fact that Armenia is on the verge of losing influence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Elkhan Alasgarov, PhD, Head of the Expert Council of the Baku Network Join us on the official website http://bakunetwork.com Join us also on Twitter and Facebook https://twitter.com/BakuNetwork andhttps://www.facebook.com/BakuNetwork YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp5ic7mhc6rZF6w0TQWqtmg Publicans who serve alcohol only have pleaded with the Government for clearance to reopen their bars and for a chance to prove they can run them in line with public health guidelines. Dozens of members of the Cork branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), who run so-called wet pubs, staged simultaneous protests at the constituency offices of senior Cabinet members, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, and Public Expenditure Minister, Michael McGrath, in Carrigaline, Co. Cork, this morning to highlight their plight. They said the publication over the weekend of draft guidelines to facilitate a possible reopening of the sector is no good without a reopening date and they warned that up to 2,000 jobs are at risk if the sector remains closed. As a group, we are at breaking point and a resolution where pubs can reopen must be found in a matter of days, VFI Cork branch chairman Michael ODonovan said. The publicans said they supported the closure of pubs last March at a time when little was known about social distancing or about the impact of the virus. Mr ODonovan said, thankfully, the lockdown helped bring the virus under control to a point where the hospitality sector was allowed to reopen under strict guidelines. But, he said, the so-called 'wet pubs' were omitted from this process - a decision he described as foolhardy. The VFI protest at constituency offices of Simon Coveney TD, on main street Carrigaline, Co. Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan The so-called support offered to our sector falls woefully short of what is required to save our businesses, he said. We have been forced to close for such a lengthy duration, the 40% top-up of the business restart grant equates to about 64 per week for publicans in license band A who have been shut for 25 weeks. Does the government really believe that this will help us restart our businesses? Publicans pointed out that Ireland is the only country in Europe where the pubs remain shut. Read More Parents seek information on Covid-19 case at Douglas primary school Indeed evidence has emerged from other European countries and the UK that pubs can successfully open as society learns to live alongside the virus, Mr ODonovan said. Our message is simple - allow us to open under social distancing guidelines so we can prove our businesses are responsibly run with the health of our staff and our customers the number one priority. Pubs are at the very heart of their local communities. Our reopening is long overdue. Rodney Pidgeon, whose family runs The Baker St in Gurranabraher on the northside of Cork city, said his income, and that of his wife and son, has been taken away completely. We didnt think it was going to go on as long as it has done and we had hoped the longer it went on we wouldve got more support. Hopefully, something will be done to make our lives a little bit easier, he said. You can see some of our regulars walking by, asking when are we going to open? and we cant answer that. Read More Woman who lost partner to Covid pleads with public to be vigilant If we havent been allowed open by Christmas then we will have to sit down and have a very good look at it and see where its going to go from there. His bar manager, Noel Maguire, said he understands the concerns of public health experts about mixing alcohol and social distancing requirements. But we are well able to manage that. This is what we do for a living. They seem to think that because alcohol is involved, that everybody goes mad. We have been managing people with alcohol for all our life so thats not a bother - just let us open, he said. Cork Vintners protest over pub closures to Min Simon Coveneys offices in Carrigaline, Co. Cork Mr Coveney, who spoke to the group outside his office, paid tribute to those who work in the sector. This has been an incredibly frustrating summer for them, and more than that, it has been hugely costly financially as well, he said. The publicans here today just want to reopen. They want to do it in a responsible way. They want to protect their customers and they want to comply with public health guidelines. What we are trying to do in government is to try to listen to public health doctors that are giving us advice, as we always do in relation to every decision on Covid-19, while at the same time try to find a way of allowing pubs to reopen, to ensure that the many, many thousands of viable businesses across the country are allowed to function and to provide a service to their customers. But he said he cant give them an opening date yet. Thank you to Minister @simoncoveney for coming out to talk to the Publicans of Cork this morning but still more questions than answers @VFIpubs @CorkVFI pic.twitter.com/MfxxKFv4bu Michael O'Donovan (@michaelodono99) September 7, 2020 He said Government will publish its medium-term Living with Covid-19 strategy next Monday and the reopening of pubs will be part of that. There isnt any politician that wants to keep pubs closed. At the moment, we are engaging with NPHET to try to put a plan in place that can facilitate the opening of businesses while at the same time protecting public health and that always has to be the balance of government, he said. We are not in government to make popular decisions at the moment. We are in government to protect the public, particularly vulnerable members of the public. Publicans said they will stage similar protests again next week unless there is significant progress. How far off is Codemasters Group Holdings Plc (LON:CDM) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Codemasters Group Holdings Step by step through the calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK20.7m UK16.4m UK23.4m UK28.4m UK32.7m UK36.4m UK39.3m UK41.7m UK43.7m UK45.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x8 Analyst x8 Analyst x5 Est @ 21.45% Est @ 15.38% Est @ 11.13% Est @ 8.16% Est @ 6.08% Est @ 4.62% Est @ 3.6% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 7.9% UK19.2 UK14.1 UK18.6 UK20.9 UK22.4 UK23.0 UK23.1 UK22.7 UK22.0 UK21.1 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK207m Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.9%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2030 (1 + g) (r g) = UK45m (1 + 1.2%) (7.9% 1.2%) = UK684m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK684m ( 1 + 7.9%)10= UK320m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK527m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK3.7, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf The assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Codemasters Group Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.967. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Looking Ahead: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Codemasters Group Holdings, we've put together three pertinent factors you should assess: Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Codemasters Group Holdings that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does CDM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the AIM every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Suntec City convention and exhibition centre. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP via Getty Images) SINGAPORE Organisers of exhibitions and conferences of up to 250 attendees will be able to apply for approval to hold their events from 1 October. In a statement on Monday (7 September), the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said that in line with the safe and gradual resumption of economic activities in Singapore, it will start accepting applications for organisers to pilot these Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) events. This excludes work-related events such as conferences, seminars, corporate retreats, Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) targeted at internal audience including employees. STB and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will review all MICE event proposals, and event organisers may proceed only upon obtaining MTIs approval, the STB said. Already, there are pilot events slated to take place under this arrangement, the STB revealed the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) Conference will be held in October. Organisers who apply to pilot events with up to 250 attendees must demonstrate their ability to implement Safe Management Measures to meet a set of health and safety outcomes. More details will be released at a later stage, the STB said. Examples of some outcomes to be achieved, the STB shared, include implementing infection control measures for pre and post event; limiting overall density of attendees, especially in enclosed places; and limiting opportunities and number of close contacts between individuals. The MICE industry is an important for Singapore. According to a MICE Economic Impact Assessment commissioned by STB in 2019, the industry supported more than 34,000 jobs with an economic value-add of $3.8 billion, or nearly one percent of Singapores GDP. Business travellers also spend almost double that of leisure travellers, making them high-yield visitors, the agency said. The gradual resumption of business events will help maintain Singapores position as a leading MICE hub and retain critical capabilities, while safeguarding jobs and livelihoods in the industry and other related sectors. Story continues The STB added that the decision to accept applications to pilot MICE events with a maximum of 250 participants comes on the back of STBs Safe Business Events Framework for business events of up to 50 attendees, which was first announced in July. Two pilots had been organised one concluded successfully, the STB said, in August and another set to take place in late September. The agency will study the data and insights obtained from these events and work together with the MICE industry to adapt and adjust the protocols. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Other Singapore stories MOM had issued caution to CAG chair Liew Mun Leong's wife for illegal deployment of maid COVID-19: Restaurants at Jewel Changi Airport, Raffles Holland V visited by community cases Leonard Brown speaks during a Labor Day rally at Philadelphia City Hall. Philadelphia workers were rallying for PPE and hazard pay and against cuts and layoffs. Read more Holding their fists high in solidarity, more than 100 frontline workers gathered at Philadelphia City Hall on Monday, on a day off for many, to rally for pandemic protections as the coronavirus continues to add strain and safety concerns to their jobs. The Labor Day crowd ranged in profession from sanitation workers to mail delivery people, nurses, librarians, university faculty, and city educators, but they had one message: Workers in Philadelphia need PPE, hazard pay, and an end to layoffs and cuts to city services. This Labor Day, this 2020, should remind us that its not a day to sit home, to have a cookout with family, but it is a day for struggle, said Keon Liberato of Teamsters Local 3012, which represents workers who build and repair railroads. And 2020 has told us more than ever that we need to come together for struggle. The rally came on a holiday when the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the inequities faced by essential workers, unemployment stands at 8.4%, and many employees in public-facing positions in Philadelphia and beyond say they are frustrated with their workplace conditions. They want to call us heroes, but what they really meant was martyrs, said Marty Harrison, a nurse at Temple University Hospital and member of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP). Speaking to the crowd, Harrison recounted the struggle of the medical staff to find adequate protective equipment while battling the worst of the citys coronavirus outbreak in April. Because when all it would take to save our lives is the proper PPE, thats not being a hero, thats being a martyr, and its not what any of us signed up for, she said. Members of Temple Universitys faculty union, meanwhile, expressed frustration with the schools choice to open for in-person learning, only to reverse course two weeks later and move to virtual classes after the coronavirus swept through campus, infecting more than 300 students and at least one employee. Max Avener, who teaches math at Temple, called the decision crystal clear, adding that it was not about prioritizing learning or about prioritizing students, it was about prioritizing money. READ MORE: Amid virus outbreak, Temple moves most instruction online for the rest of the semester Employee protections are about respect, or lack of respect, said Frank Halbherr of AFSCME Local 1637, which represents city workers. Day after day, we feel like were walking through mud but our legs are strong, our shoulders are broad, and well keep fighting for the respect the working class deserves. Through his Eagles face mask, Terrill Haigler a city sanitation worker known on social media as Ya Fav Trashman cheered with the crowd as a garbage truck rumbled past the demonstration, blasting its horn in solidarity. READ MORE: Ya Fav Trashman raised $32,000 for PPE for his Philly sanitation colleagues, and his work is gaining national attention Last month, he conducted a social media campaign that received national attention, selling T-shirts to raise $32,000 for PPE and cleaning supplies for the citys sanitation department amid shortages of such items and trash pickup delays. Eyeing the group at City Hall on Monday, Haigler said he found hope in the number of people who showed their support for the citys frontline workers. This lets me know that were fighting a really good fight, he said. And the more people we get involved, the more people that we can mobilize, and the closer we get to our demands. PARIS Swiss watch labels Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux will be shedding 100 jobs by the end the month, around a quarter of employees, as the Kering-owned labels scale down production in a bid to secure their long-term survival. While the brands enjoy healthy momentum with retailers and watch fans, the watch industry has been dealt a blow by the coronavirus crisis, and effects are likely to continue over the next several years, predicted Patrick Pruniaux, chief executive officer of both labels, in a statement. The labels merged resources a year ago, in a process that entailed a major manufacturing investment, but the pandemic-induced downturn and the watch sectors timid recovery has prompted the need to downsize, according to the watchmakers. The brands said they plan to preserve research and development activities, the haute horlogerie workshops, the enamel dial manufacturing, the apprentice program and after-sales services as well as production of a number of elements including escapements, gear trains and balances with the aim of maintaining the ability to innovate. The Swiss watch industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, with exports down 32.4 percent between January and July, compared to the same period last year, with steep drops in exports to some of its largest markets, like Hong Kong, the U.S. and Japan, according to statistics from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux were among a small group of labels that banded together to meet with the press, clients and retailers in various spots around Geneva last month, holding one of only a few events of the industry this year. Traditional fairs Watches & Wonders Geneva went online earlier this year while Baselworld was cancelled and the show ended altogether. Pruniaux, who introduced Ulysse Nardins new Blast watch, a skeleton model with an automatic tourbillon, has said he is convinced that Swiss watchmaking will maintain its relevance, particularly in the high range watches in the lower range, under 1,000 euros or even more, are notably suffering from competition from the Apple Watch. Pruniaux, a former Apple executive, took the helm of Ulysse Nardin in 2018, and Girard-Perregaux a year later. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Ukraine views shelling attacks by Russian-backed forces in Donbas on September 6 as two separate cases and demands that Russia intervene and influence the provocative behavior of illegal armed groups in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the President's Office has told Ukrinform. "Ukraine has carefully studied both shelling attacks and views them as two separate cases committed for a provocative purpose. We demand that Russia intervene and influence the provocative behavior of illegal armed groups in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in order to maintain the ceasefire regime," the report reads. The President's Office said that on September 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a special meeting on shelling attacks conducted by the terrorist organizations "LPR" and "DPR," in which one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another one was wounded. According to the report, the president is "extremely concerned about provocative shelling attacks and tension in Donbas." The President's Office recalled that there were no combat losses among the Ukrainian military within 41 days of a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire. "The president reiterates that Ukraine does not back down on the position of achieving peace and is fulfilling all agreements reached on July 22 regarding the ceasefire regime, as proved by the OSCE SMM. However, if necessary, the Ukrainian military will protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and lives of Ukrainian citizens, timely and resolutely reacting to the activity of the enemy," the President's Office said. According to the report, respective orders were given following a meeting at the President's Office. In particular, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ukraine also took urgent measures envisaged in the agreement reached by the Trilateral Contact Group on July 22, 2020 on the introduction of a package of additional measures to support the ceasefire from July 27, 2020. In particular, it immediately used a coordination mechanism to respond to ceasefire violations with the assistance of the Joint Control and Coordination Center and also informed the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine about the incident. The President's Office noted that representatives of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) held an urgent meeting on the current situation on September 6. "Representatives of the TCG will also meet today," the President's Office added. On Sunday, September 6, Russian occupation forces fired from an automatic machine grenade launcher at a Ukrainian Joint Forces unit near Krasnohorivka, wounding a Ukrainian serviceman. Subsequently, Russian-backed forces violated the ceasefire for the second time and opened fire with small arms on Ukrainian positions near Prychepylivka in the Luhansk region, killing a Ukrainian serviceman. op Hemant Soren govt steeped in corruption: JP Nadda India pti-Madhuri Adnal Ranchi, Sep 7: BJP president J P Nadda launched a blistering attack on the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand, alleging it was "steeped in corruption". Addressing the state BJP executive committee meeting digitally from New Delhi, he said the previous BJP government led by Raghubar Das had "almost eliminated" naxlism, which has been resurrected under the Soren dispensation. He said the BJP lost the assembly elections in the mineral-rich state due to "political arithmetic" despite garnering the highest number of votes. "The Hemant Soren government is steeped in corruption. No development is taking place under its watch. Corruption, naxalism and crime are flourishing unbridled. This reflects the politics of appeasement," he alleged. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi ushed in positive changes in the country as a result of which the "lotus" (BJP's election symbol) found its place in the hearts of the people. Nadda lauded his party and the Modi government for tackling COVID-19. "Only the BJP showed dynamism when opposition parties stood stock-still during COVID-19 outbreak," he asserted. Kim Kardashian West and husband Kanye West are continuing to work on their marriage despite his unlikely bid for presidency causing friction, according to a new report. The famous couple have weathered quite the storm over the past few months, stemming from his erratic behavior following his chaotic presidential rally debut in South Carolina, in July. It was recently reported that Kanye, 43, has spent a staggering $6 million of his own money on his presidential campaign since launching it only two months ago. Making it work: Kim Kardashian remaining 'incredibly patient' over husband Kanye West's unlikely bid for presidency (the pair pictured above in October 2019) However, Kim, 39, and Kanye are said to be now 'doing well' following all the drama, and that the rapper has found himself to be in a 'better mental state.' 'Kim and Kanye are doing well. Kanye is in a better mental state. Their marriage still needs work, but Kim is getting across to him. He is not shutting her out and wants to be with his family,' an insider claims to PEOPLE Magazine. The source adds: 'Kim continues to be incredibly patient and understanding about Kanye's desire to run for president.' 'She just wants to get through the next few months peacefully. She is kind of standing back while Kanye does whatever makes him happy.' Difficult: The famous couple have weathered quite the storm over the past few months, stemming from his erratic behavior following his chaotic presidential rally debut in South Carolina, in July (pictured above) Sultry: On Monday, Kim shared this new shot from her latest SKIMS campaign Business as usual: The reality star has been hard at work on her SKIMS line in LA DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for the reality star for comment. There had been recent rumors of unrest between the pair due to the fact Kanye appears to be based in Wyoming, while Kim remains in Los Angeles - however, the couple do seem to be making the effort to spend time with each other at weekends. 'Kimye' married in Florence six years ago and share four children - North, seven, Saint, four, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one. Happy families: 'Kimye' married in Florence six years ago and share four children - North, seven, Saint, four, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one.(pictured above Christmas Eve 2019) The family returned to Los Angeles last month after a Caribbean trip that was reportedly booked to save their marriage amid his alleged bipolar struggle. Meanwhile a PEOPLE insider previously claimed Kanye had been self-isolating at his Wyoming property away from his wife and children before the Caribbean trip and 'wants to live' there. However a DailyMail.com source clarified that Kanye, who is running for President Of The United States this year, was 'never living apart' from Kim. The bulk of the money West's campaign has spent has been on consultants and legal fees while trying to get onto state ballots This insider explained: 'He does a lot of work in Wyoming and she works in LA. They're focused on their family now and rarely talk politics.' 'They had a good family week in the Dominican Republic,' an insider dished to People after the family returned to America. '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.' Kanye praised Kim's mother Kris Jenner on Twitter after his return to America, 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.' 'It is astonishing that such a serious issue be handled in so casual and cavalier a fashion, but this has become what is expected of this government,' observes Aakar Patel. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS leaders's informal gathering on the sidelines of the G20 meet in Hamburg, July 7, 2017. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter India does not have a national security policy. To the extent that it can be understood from the BJP's manifesto, the policy is 'India First' (a line used in 2014) and '/Nation First', used in the manifesto of 2019. But what these words mean is not explained. In the manifesto, then BJP president Amit Anilchandra Shah wrote: 'Friends, this election is not merely to elect a government, it is an election to ensure the country's national security.' Under 'National Security' the manifesto lists two items: Purchase of modern weapons to strengthen strike capability and local production of defence equipment. There is no reference to any security threat. India has under Modi focussed on counter-insurgency, particularly in Kashmir, as being the core problem of India's national security. This has been articulated by National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval in his talks. His thesis is terrorism from Pakistan is a strategic threat and has to be countered by offensive measures. This is what the surgical strikes of September 28-29 2016 and the airstrikes of February 26, 2019 were about. They came after attacks on the Indian army camps and a suicide bomb attack on the CRPF. According to Doval's theory of deterrence, the two Indian attacks would work to stop and possibly end Pakistan's support to the insurgency in Kashmir. The numbers show that this has in fact not happened. Total fatalities in militancy-related violence in Kashmir were 265 in 2016, rising to 357 in 2017 and 452 in 2018. Doval's national security doctrine needs to be looked at closer, but this has not happened internally in any formal sense. Both the chief of the Indian Army General Manoj Mukund Naravane and the chief of the defence staff General Bipin Rawat are counter-insurgency experts. The threat from China has not for this reason been fully appreciated by India. There is another problem and that is the political leadership's refusal to own the national security policy. The army has suggested it is ready for a two-front war. Is that India's national security policy? We must assume that is so because there is no BJP policy on this. Is India's national security threatened by Pakistan? The answer appears to be yes, though the threat is clearly at the moment on the other side. In 2012, Manmohan Singh's national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon asked a group of people to draw up a foreign and strategic policy for India. The group included historian Sunil Khilnani, Lieutenant General Prakash Menon, military scholar Srinath Raghavan, diplomat Shyam Saran and Nandan Nilekani. The document they drew up was called Nonalignment 2.0 and issues including border management, cyber security, the defence industry, how to engage neighbours and so on. In a chapter on a potential conflict with China, the document says, 'China could assert its territorial claims (especially in the Arunachal sector or Ladakh) by the use of force. There is the possibility that China might resort to territorial grabs. The most likely areas for such bite-sized operations are those parts of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) where both sides have different notions of where the LAC actually runs. These places are known.' The document then looks at the current military thinking on this issue and says that 'the better way of responding to limited land grabs by China is for us to undertake similar action across the LAC: A strategy of quid pro quo.' 'There are several areas where the local tactical and operational advantage rests with us. These areas should be identified and earmarked for limited offensive operations on our part.' A quick capture of Chinese land is what is being suggested here, which will add to diplomatic pressure on them to return our land. The operative word here is 'quick'. IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets with Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of the joint meeting of fefence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Commonwealth of Independent States and Collective Security Treaty Organisation in Moscow, September 4, 2020. Photograph: Kind courtesy RMO India/Twitter It has been over three months now since the intrusion has happened. We have not acted, and thus have ignored the previous national security strategy of the Manmohan Singh government. And not only do we not have any strategy of response, we have not even acknowledged the problem. This has led to the absurd situation where our defence minister is talking to China's over a problem that the prime minister says does not exist. Analyst and former soldier Sushant Singh said in an interview with Karan Thapar that Modi should have owned the problem by picking up the phone and speaking to Xi. Instead, what has happened is that the government has said the army has been given 'a free hand' in executing operations. The muddle is clear. The government has denied there is a problem, but given the army a free hand to solve it. It is astonishing that such a serious issue be handled in so casual and cavalier a fashion, but this has become what is expected of this government. It hides behind vague and meaningless phrases and slogans like 'nation first' and 'India first' and refuses to lead when we are in the middle of a real national security crisis. Aakar Patel is a columnist and writer. You can read Aakar's columns here. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a program of censorship measures on Thursday that the social media platform will take to help secure the integrity of the US elections before, during and after November 3. In a lengthy post to his own Facebook account, Zuckerberg said that he is concerned about the challenges people could face when voting and worried that with our nation so divided and election results potentially taking days or even weeks to be finalized, there could be an increased risk of civil unrest across the country. In motivating his proposed censorship actions, Zuckerberg claims that they are needed to protect our democracy by helping people register and vote, clearing up confusion about the elections and taking steps to reduce the chances of violence and unrest. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies remotely during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on antitrust on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP) Zuckerberg also says that Facebooks leadership has learned from our elections work over the past four years and the conversations weve had with voting rights experts and our civil rights auditors. In other words, taking direction from the US governmentand the intelligence agencies in particularthe social media giant has spent the last four years developing political censorship techniques aimed at ensuring that the content and dialogue on Facebook do not find a path outside of the narrow confines of the capitalist two-party system. Among the measures that Facebook will take are refusing to accept any new political advertising in the last week before the election, removing posts that claim people will get COVID-19 by voting in person and placing an informational label on content that seeks to delegitimize the election outcome or any candidate or campaign that seeks to declare victory before the official results are published by Reuters and the National Election Pool, a consortium composed of ABC News, CBS News, CNN, and NBC News. That the fundamental purpose of Zuckerbergs announcement is aimed at defending the bourgeois political setup dominated by the Democrats and Republicans and especially at blocking socialist and left-wing politics from entering the public discourse prior to the elections is revealed in the last of the proposed measures. Zuckerberg says that Facebook has already strengthened our enforcement against militias, conspiracy networks like QAnon, and other groups that could be used to organize violence or civil unrest in the period after the elections. Although he does not name them, the other groups that Zuckerberg is talking about are those on the left that have been labeled extremists and amalgamated with the violence carried out by right-wing organizations and individuals against protesters as well as other crimes motivated by anti-Semitism, racism and fascism. Zuckerberg continues, We have already removed thousands of these groups and removed even more from being included in our recommendations and search results. We will continue to ramp up enforcement against these groups over the coming weeks. Making it clear that Facebook is fully collaborating with US state intelligence, Zuckerberg concludes his unprecedented statement with references to coordinated online efforts by foreign governments and individuals to interfere in our elections. Saying this threat has not gone away, Zuckerberg boasts without providing details, Just this week, we took down a network of 13 accounts and 2 pages that were trying to mislead Americans and amplify division. Although Zuckerberg does not go into it, Facebook worked with its security consultant Graphika and US intelligence in an elaborate investigation and report that claimed the 13 accounts and 2 pages were affiliated with a website called PeaceData that was purportedly set up by the Internet Research Agency and tied to Russian state intelligence. Significantly, among the articles republished by PeaceDatawhich has denied any connection with Russian intelligenceare those of the World Socialist Web Site . As the WSWS analyzed on Friday, the US intelligence agencies are once again instigating anti-Russian propaganda on the basis of entirely unsubstantiated claims that Moscow is intervening in the 2020 elections and Zuckerberg and Facebook are fully collaborating in this campaign along with the corporate media. The connection between Facebooks attention to election security and the anti-Russian propaganda of the entire ruling establishment can be traced directly to a series of meetings held between the tech monopolies and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security since the 2016 elections. The most recent of these meetings was held on August 12 and included representatives from nine Silicon Valley firmsincluding the social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, YouTube (Google) and LinkedIn (Microsoft). No details have been published about the content of these discussions other than a brief joint industry statement that says the platforms regularly meet with the government agencies to discuss trends with those who are tasked with protecting the integrity of the election. Based on the measures outlined by Zuckerberg, it is clear that Facebook and its handlers within US intelligence are anticipating that the 2020 elections will be accompanied by a significant social and political crisis. Such concerns are well-founded. The impact of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the protests against police violence across the US for the past three months, the open incitement to violence against this movement by the White House and the moves by President Trump toward a personalist dictatorship all point to the development of an unprecedented crisis for American capitalism. At the same time, the recent announcement by Facebook that it was changing its Terms of Service on October 1 illustrate the ongoing efforts of the social media corporation to prove itself a loyal collaborator with the state apparatus in every country. While Zuckerberg was publishing his election security post, Facebook sent all 2.7 billion users a brief notice on Friday that said, Effective October 1, 2020, section 3.2 of our Terms of Service will be updated to include: We also can remove or restrict access to your content, services or information if we determine that doing so is reasonably necessary to avoid or mitigate adverse legal or regulatory impacts to Facebook. Clearly, Facebook is moving aggressively to control content in order to avoid government antitrust regulation or lawsuits that it is not policing its platform adequately. On the one hand, the social media giant is facing a threat by the Australian government to ban all news sharing on its platform unless Facebook paid publishers like Rupert Murdochs News Corp Australia for its content. According to Facebook, the Australian government offered two choices: removing news entirely or accepting a system that lets publishers charge us for as much content as they want at a price with no clear limits. On the other hand, Facebook and the other social media platforms have been threatened by the US Justice Department to have its Section 230 exemptions removedthe law that protects online services from legal liability for the content published by its usersif the company took actions deemed censorship by the Trump administration. Tania Maduro and Syngin Colchester are really going through it on the fifth season of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?. The personal differences between them have driven a major wedge in their relationship and have caused it to deteriorate it to the point where its hard to tell if their marriage will make it. Tania has been vocal about her issues with Syngin and seems to think they would be better off if he just could get it together. But some fans are blaming her for the way things are going, saying she ignored the signs and should have accepted Syngin the way he is. Tania Maduro and Syngin Colchester | syngin_colchester via Instagram Tania Maduro and Syngin Colchesters relationship is going downhill on 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? Tania and Syngin have weathered many ups and downs in their relationship. But things are especially tense in the latest season of the show. The tension boiled over in a recent episode when the couple traveled to Syngins native South Africa to visit his brother. Sitting down for a dinner, Syngin opened up about being homesick and feeling like he was missing out living in America. He has had trouble finding a job and has been really stressed about it since Tania cant work due to a foot injury. Meanwhile, his wife vented about her own frustrations in their relationship, including Syngins lack of direction and conflicting life goals. The conversation continued to get more and more heated until Tania finally walked away from the table, without ever reaching a resolution with Syngin. Syngin Colchesters friends later called out Tania Maduro for ignoring the red flags In the Sept. 6 episode of the show, the couple met up with Syngins friends Andrew and James. Once their relationship got brought up, Tania began to complain about her partner and the things she said she noticed early on. There were so many flags back then, she said. Like all these flags that come up now, I think why did I even stay? But it was not a big deal at the time. Andrew said in a confessional that Tanias comments proved she was in denial. You saw it but you just chose not to believe it, he told the camera. [Syngin] was completely honest and blatant with everything. You sold yourself. Some fans agree and have blamed Tania for whats happening in her relationship As the episode played out, many fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Tania and Syngin. A lot of people agreed that she had been in denial and accused her of falling in love with the idea of Syngin instead of him as a person. As I have been saying about Tania. Syngin has been the same from the beginning, and Tania knew that. She chose to ignore it because SHE had a timeline, and she expected Syngin to conform. This is why I dont feel sorry for her. #90DayFianceHappilyEver #90DayFiance, read one tweet. Tania tried to build her dream man without accepting Syngin for who he isnow she is in this situation and wanting to control everything #90DayFiance #90DayFianceHappilyEverAfter, read a second tweet. A third person chimed in with similar comments, tweeting: TANIA IS SELFISH!! None of these issues were a problem when she was ignoring Syngin and living it up in Costa Rica!! KARMA B*TCH!! But at the same time, there are still some viewers who love the couple and are hoping to see them go the distance. Tune in to TLC at 8 p.m. on Sundays to see what happens with them from here. ABC NewsBy JACK ARNHOLZ, ABC News (WASHINGTON) -- The Republican governor from Ohio and a Democratic congresswoman from Florida called for peaceful demonstrations Sunday after recent violent clashes between protesters. "We want to respect protestors, but we don't want to tolerate violence. And that's always the line. We want to support our police," Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told ABC's This Week Co-Anchor Martha Raddatz, touting a bipartisan bill in the state legislature to that end. Its been well thought out," DeWine said of the bill, saying that it also "calls for some very significant police reform." "The foundation of every great community really is the opportunity to live in a safe community," Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., said in a separate interview on This Week. "We also need to understand what truly makes America the great wonderful country that it is. And that's an individual's right to protest, so our job is to make sure that peaceful protesters are able to exercise their right guaranteed under the First Amendment, but we also have to make sure that those who break the law ... be held accountable," she added. DeWine and Demings spoke to Raddatz about the ongoing nationwide protests following the recently released video of a deadly arrest of an unarmed Black man in Rochester, New York, and the killing of a pro-Trump demonstrator in Portland, Oregon. President Donald Trump and his administration have blamed the violence, in part, on state and local officials who either did not or were slow to accept assistance from the federal government. When pressed by Raddatz about whether his Oregon and Wisconsin counterparts should have embraced federal support, the Ohio governor said, "I don't know that. They have to deal with the problem. They're the ones who are on the ground." "We've had a number of protests in Ohio. We worked very closely with our mayors. We've given them support whenever they ask for it with the National Guard," DeWine added. Both Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden visited Kenosha, Wisconsin, this week, following the protests there in the wake of police shooting Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man. While a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll showed that 55% of voters think Trump's rhetoric on the protests is making the unrest worse, 49% think Biden's response "doesn't have much of an effect one way or the other." "President Donald John Trump is the commander in chief. And so the buck stops with him," said Demings, who was reportedly on Biden's vice presidential short list. "While America was going through civil unrest in all 50 states -- quite frankly, America was on fire -- we had a president, a commander in chief, who was walking around with a gasoline can, not trying to sow peace and calm, but actually throwing fire on an already volatile situation." "I believe that Vice President Biden is on the right track. You've heard him talk about peaceful protest, but he also talked about accountability," she added. With the presidential election entering its final two months, both Demings' Florida and DeWine's Ohio represent key battlegrounds in the 2020 race. In an earlier segment on This Week, Raddatz spoke with voters in Ohio about their thoughts on the race with 58 days until Election Day. Many voters referred to the president's rhetoric on law and order. "(Trump's) not speaking to me and he's not speaking for me," Elisia Triggs, a voter in the Cincinnati suburbs, told Raddatz. Other Ohioans conveyed more supportive sentiments toward the president, including Lynn Kinkaid, a resident of Hamilton, Ohio, who said, "I think (Trump) almost walks on water." DeWine expressed confidence about the president's chances in his home state, telling Raddatz, "It's going to be a close race in Ohio. I think the president will win Ohio. But Ohio's always going to be a battleground state." Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. A Safe Haven for Orange Countys Troubled Women Tucked between businesses on North Broadway and 15th Street in Santa Ana, California, is WISEPlacea place for women in need of housing support and help on the path toward self-reliance. Our phone is, unfortunately, ringing off the hook, WISEPlace CEO Brateil Aghasi told The Epoch Times. Theres probably, unfortunately, no end in sight with unemployment, with people losing health careour services are going to be needed now more than ever. Many who come to WISEPlace are escaping domestic abuse. The data is probably under-reporting domestic violence right now, because its very hard to flee, Aghasi said. Theres less of an ability to escape and talk to a co-worker or talk to a friend. WISEPlace offers wraparound services including shelter, counseling, laundry services, employment assistance, addiction recovery, and housing assistance. Since the start of stay-at-home orders in March, Aghasi said theyve served more than 100 women daily. About 40 percent of them are over the age of 60. The percentage of elderly among the homeless population in California and nationwide has been increasing in recent years. Nationwide, the number sheltered elderly individuals age 62 or older increased by 68.5 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In Los Angeles, people older than 62 saw an increase in homelessness of 22 percent in 2018 alone, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Social Distance and Additional Services With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations in mind, Aghasi made sure hundreds of women in the shelters could maintain physical distance from each other. Aghasi said its because they took this action right away that they didnt have a COVID-19 outbreak. So the challenge for us was how to acquire more shelter sites, because I think the biggest thing in keeping people safe and protectedespecially older women, especially women with compromised health, which we serve such a high percentageis how to find them their own space, make sure that theyre physically distanced, Aghasi said. Aghasi has connected some women with Project Roomkey, the state-funded initiative that has provided homeless with shelter in hotels. WISEPlace used to help women in the transitional program with breakfast and snacks throughout the day. But it has expanded in recent months to also include full lunches and dinners. Because its the right thing to do, to not put the burden on women who are losing their jobs and make sure that they dont feel panicked because they dont have money to provide food. We started to buy everybodys breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snacks, everything, Aghasi said. So, as you can imagine, that more than tripled our budget overnight, and weve been doing that since March. The shelter also increased cleaning protocols and hired a telemedic. Aghasi thanks donors, who in April gave nearly $200,000. This really made the community realize that, I could lose my job,' Aghasi said. Its helped people better understand what its like to get into a difficult situation and need help, and thats a bit of light in a dark situation. WISEPlace has helped more than 8,000 women since it started operating almost a century ago, in 1924. Around 100,000 Irish tourism jobs have been lost in the coronavirus pandemic with a similar number at risk in the weeks ahead, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has warned. The Federation said the latest survey of its members had highlighted the enormous challenges the sector continues to face amid plummeting demand. With the summer season finished, the IHF said hotels and guesthouses were reporting a 70pc drop in projected revenues for September compared with last year. It said bookings for September and October indicated an average room occupancy level of 24pc across the country, compared with 86pc for the same period last year. Our industry is operating in a quasi-lockdown Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Irish Hotels Federation In July and August the occupancy rate was 49pc, compared with 90pc last year. The IHF has called for additional Government stimulus measures to aid the industry and a relaxation of coronavirus regulations to enable larger indoor gatherings within hotels. Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, its president, said: Our industry is operating in a quasi-lockdown. The existing supports are totally inadequate for our industry given the current restrictions. If appropriate measures are not put in place, more jobs will be lost. A severely devastated Irish tourism sector would be a major loss to Irelands economy and society for many years to come. This can and must be avoided. We are doing everything we can to protect public health whilst also helping to restore the economy and safeguard peoples livelihoods, but we face extraordinary challenges. These have been greatly exacerbated by the additional restrictions introduced last month, including limiting indoor gatherings to no more than six people. Businesses are, in effect, operating under close to lockdown conditions. She added: It is our belief that the controlled environment provided by hotels can safely accommodate gatherings of significantly more than six people, which are an essential part of the fabric of Irish life. All areas of society negatively impacted by Covid-19 should be consulted, including businesses, when developing the Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, IHF A major frustration for us continues to be the lack of meaningful consultation with our industry in advance of new restrictions being announced by Government. All areas of society negatively impacted by Covid-19 should be consulted, including businesses, when developing the Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery, which is due to be published on September 14. Public health goes hand in hand with ensuring a viable economy when this pandemic has passed. Sign up for our free travel newsletter! Like what you're reading? Subscribe to 'Travel Insider', our free travel newsletter written by award-winning Travel Editor, Pol O Conghaile. Despite classes looking differently this year due to COVID-19 precautions, Stoddard Elementary School in Beatrice is still showing unity through continuing their "One Book One School" book club project. Each semester, every student at the third through fifth grade school, in addition to all teachers and staff members, read the same book and discuss its themes. This years book is Front Desk by Kelly Yang, which is based on the authors real-life experiences as a Chinese immigrant managing the front desk of her familys motels in southern California. The sequel, Three Keys, is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Susan Wait, a fourth grade teacher at Stoddard and coordinator of the One Book One School program, said the goal is to not only help with reading comprehension, but to give everyone at the school something in common. The first thing that I hope [students] take away from it is the love of reading, Wait said. Were seeing that from our kids. They beg to read the book every day. They make comments that they are loving it. We always talk about things and make predictions. Wait said this book was chosen because its themes of bullying, poverty, racism and classism. With things that are going on in our world right now, we just thought it was very relevant for the times, Wait said. It was a great way for me to teach those things that are going on in the news. When it comes up in the book, its a great time to take that teachable moment with the kids and talk about it. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many schools across the country, authors and publishers have found ways to make their books more available to students. Wait said she reached out to Yang about answering some of the students questions, an opportunity that they might not have had in a typical school year. On Friday afternoon Stoddard had an online meeting in each classroom to follow COVID safety guidelines, and watched Yangs video response. Yang talked about going to college at UC Berkeley at age 13, Harvard Law School at age 17, and why she ultimately decided to become a childrens author. What I really loved about it is that I could say what I wanted, I could control everything in my story, Yang said. I loved that I could control the story, because I couldnt always control what was happening in my real life. Yang said growing up, she noticed that authors often didnt look like her. She said she originally wrote Front Desk for her eight-year-old son, and that he was the one who encouraged her to publish it. I didnt know if it was possible to be a writer and an Asian American," Yang said. "Of course, the answer is yes, it is possible, and I am proof of that. But you just have to dream big and go for your dreams. And just because you cant see something doesnt mean that you cant be it. The "One Book One School" program is funded by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, and each student gets to keep a copy of the book to potentially share with their friends and family. Previous books Stoddard students have read for this program are Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco and How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The mayor of Rochester promised reforms are coming to the citys police department as community elders sought to bring calmer minds to a fifth night of demonstrations Sunday over the March death of Daniel Prude, who lost consciousness after police held him down with a hood over his head. Mayor Lovely Warren announced at a news conference Sunday that the crisis intervention team and its budget would move from the police department to the citys department of youth and recreation services. Warren did not provide specifics, but said the move would be part of a series of reforms planned for the coming weeks, months and years. We had a human being in a need of help, in need of compassion. In that moment we had an opportunity to protect him, to keep him warm, to bring him to safety, to begin the process of healing him and lifting him up, Warren said. We have to own the fact that in the moment we did not do that. Police Chief LaRon Singletary, who joined Warren at the news conference, said he supports the need for reform in his department and is working with experts and clinicians in getting outpatient services for people with mental health issues that bring them into repeated police contact. Warren suspended the seven officers involved in Prudes death last week after his family released police video from the March night when he was restrained on a city street. The video shows the officers covering Prudes head with a spit hood designed to protect police from bodily fluids, after he complied with being handcuffed, then pressing his face into the pavement for two minutes. Prude, 41, was naked at the time of his arrest on the light-snowy day in March. He died a week later after he was taken off life support. The police union head said the officers were following their training. Protests have followed each day since the family released the video on Wednesday, sometimes spawning confrontations with demonstrators and the police. On Sunday night, police said more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in downtown Rochester as people chanting We are elders, and we support our youth and say his name, Daniel Prude, led a march to the Public Safety Building that houses police headquarters. Protest organizers had speeches scheduled, uniting the crowd early on in the night. I came out tonight as a born and raised rochesterian who loves her city, said Kera Turner, a protester. Turner said she threw up when she first saw the footage of Prude from March. Its just unacceptable, she added. The protest appeared to be peaceful late into Sunday night. Three officers were treated at hospitals for injuries they suffered when projectiles and incendiary devices were hurled at them during Saturday nights protests over Prudes death, Lt. Greg Bello of the Rochester police said in a news release. Nine protesters were arrested. The Democrat and Chronicle reported that some protesters were hit by projectiles as well as thousands marched through the streets of New Yorks third-largest city. No information about injuries to protesters was provided by police. The Rev. Myra Brown called for about 50 church elders to gather at Spiritus Christi Church in downtown Rochester on Sunday evening to serve as a buffer so protesters are free to express themselves without police interference. We elders have volunteered to put our bodies on the line to make sure that happens, Brown said at the news conference with the mayor and police chief Sunday. The New York Civil Liberties Union criticized the police use of military tactics, including sound cannons, flash bangs, tear gas, and pepper balls against the demonstrators. People speaking out are not enemy combatants, and to fire flash bangs, tear gas, and pepper balls at demonstrations against police violence only proves the point, NYCLU Genesee Valley chapter director Iman Abid said in a statement Sunday. The mayor and RPD must stop these warfare tactics now. The marches took place as New Yorks attorney general announced Saturday that a grand jury would investigate Prudes death. The Prude family and the Rochester community have been through great pain and anguish, Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement Saturday. She said the grand jury would be part of an exhaustive investigation. Prudes death came after his brother, Joe Prude, had called 911 seeking help for his erratic behaviour. Prude had run away from his brothers home late in the night, about eight hours after officers had already taken him into custody for a mental health evaluation because of suicidal thoughts. Prude spent a few hours in the hospital for the evaluation and then was released, Joe Prude told officers. The Monroe County medical examiner listed the manner of death as homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint. The report cited excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or PCP, as contributing factors. A police internal affairs investigation cleared the officers involved of any wrongdoing, concluding in April that their actions and conduct displayed when dealing with Prude appear to be appropriate and consistent with their training. The seven officers were suspended Thursday. Protesters have called on Warren and Singletary to step down over the delay in releasing details of Prudes death. Theyve also demanded police accountability and legislation to change how authorities respond to mental health emergencies. The mayor and police chief said Sunday they had no plans to resign. Warren did not provide specifics Sunday about how the crisis intervention teams move would change the policing of a person going through a mental health crisis. But she said the city will double the availability of mental health professionals and work with Rochesters Commission on Racial and Structural Equity, or RASE, to re-envision the police department and how it responds to mental health crises. The chief and I, we love our city. We were born and raised here, she said Sunday. We are committed to making the necessary changes to make sure this community moves forward. The Duke of Sussex has paid back the 2.4 million of taxpayers money used to renovate Frogmore Cottage. A spokesman for Harry confirmed the duke had paid the bill in full by making a contribution to the Sovereign Grant. The payment was made possible thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs new multi-million pound Netflix deal, a source said. Harrys spokesman said: A contribution has been made to the Sovereign Grant by the Duke of Sussex. This contribution as originally offered by Prince Harry has fully covered the necessary renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage, a property of Her Majesty The Queen, and will remain the UK residence of the duke and his family. Last years royal accounts showed the cost of the renovations paid for from taxpayers money was 2.4 million. Harry and Meghan agreed to pay back the money and start paying commercial rent as part of the plans drawn up when they quit as senior working royals in March. The couple faced a public backlash when the cost of refurbishing the Grade-II listed property close to Windsor Castle fell to the taxpayer. The home, which is owned by the Crown Estate, was a gift from Harrys grandmother the Queen. Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, heavily criticised the amount spent at the time, and said following news of Harrys payment that he should have paid the bill from the start. Graham Smith of Republic said: Harry should have paid this bill from the outset, rather than expecting the taxpayer to stump up the cash. Theyve now paid for the refurbishment while continuing to use the home whenever they stay in the UK. Their statement claims the cottage is the Queens property, which is untrue. It belongs to the Crown Estate, which is there to raise revenue for the Treasury, so we have a right to know what rent they are paying for the place. He added: Harry and Meghan have ended their active involvement in royal duties and now live in the US, yet still expect the British taxpayer to provide them with luxury accommodation, always available for whenever they choose to visit. Perhaps they should get a loyalty card with Travelodge and save the taxpayer more wasted money. The major building project at Frogmore Cottage involved turning five properties back into a single mansion. All fixtures and fittings were paid for privately by the duke and duchess. Work on the property in Berkshire overran and it was reported that Harry and Meghan made constant design changes, meaning the builders fell behind schedule. The 2.4 million bill included structural work, rewiring and flooring, among other costs. A source said the couple will still base themselves there with their son Archie when visiting the UK. Its still the plan for Frogmore Cottage to be their main family home in the UK, the source said. They added that the couple would have been back to visit had it not been for the coronavirus outbreak. Harry and former Suits actress Meghan, who have recently bought an 11 million house in Montecito, Santa Barbara, are now based in the US as they pursue a life of personal and financial freedom away from the monarchy. The couples new Netflix deal to produce a range of films and series for the streaming service is reported to be worth 100 million dollars (76 million). Jonathan Shalit, chairman of the talent agency InterTalent, has predicted it could even be worth up to 250 million dollars (190 million) through bonuses. Monsoonal rain continues across parts of India this week, having residents wondering how long they must wait for the monsoonal moisture to retreat. Monsoon moisture will be responsible for producing multiple areas of heavy rainfall into the end of the week. "A weak monsoon low over the Arabian Sea, near Karnataka, will help to bring waves of heavy rain and thunderstorms this week," said AccuWeather Lead International Forecaster Jason Nicholls. On Wednesday, Belgaum, located in northwestern Karnataka, reported 158 mm (6.20 inches) of rainfall in just 3 hours. Another area of increased moisture in northeastern India will help to bring locally heavy rainfall to parts of West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Over several days, widespread rainfall amounts of 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) of rain are expected in these regions. However, through the course of the entire week, an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 200 mm (8 inches) is possible. This much rainfall, even spread out over a few days, will increase the risk for flooding in these areas, including the major hubs of Kolkata and Mumbai. Floodwaters could build up in metropolitan areas or wash out roadways surrounding the cities, resulting in remote villages being left stranded. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Thunderstorms are also likely to accompany any of the heavier downpours. This presents an additional danger of lightning throughout the week. Almost 200 people were killed in northern India back in June when lightning strikes swept the region. Across India as a whole, monsoon rainfall is 7 percent above normal thus far according to the India Meteorological Department, though central and southern India are respectively running 16 and 21 percent above normal. With the monsoon slow to withdraw, these amounts may climb higher. More than 200,000 people were displaced by flooding in mid-June in Bangladesh, and more than 750 mm (30 inches) of rain fell in Mumbai in about one week in early August. Story continues Residents in these areas, and elsewhere, are looking forward to relief from the relentless rain and flooding risks for the remainder of the year. The monsoon typically begins to retreat from the northwestern parts of India during the first week of September. "The withdrawal of the Southwest (India) monsoon from northwestern India is already delayed and is not anticipated until later in the week of Sept. 13," said Nicholls. With the slower withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon, the Northeast monsoon onset in southern India may be delayed until late October. "Onset of the Northeast monsoon in Chennai, India, can be delayed a week or perhaps more from its average Oct. 20 start date," Nicholls said. For the remainder of the year, AccuWeather meteorologists disclosed in the Asia autumn forecast that more than the normal amount of rainfall is expected from coast to coast across central India. Far southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India, as well as Sri Lanka, can be drier than average due partially to the late onset of the monsoon. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ljubomir Milasin and Angelina Boulesteix in Paris (Agence France-Presse) Rome Mon, September 7, 2020 13:05 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c432850f 2 News costa-cruise,cruise-ship,travel,tourism Free Italian cruise ship Costa Deliziosa returned to service on Sunday, setting sail from the Adriatic port of Trieste after a coronavirus furlough of more than five months. Carrying only Italian residents as part of its precautions against COVID-19 contagion, its weeklong outing will follow an all-Italy itinerary of Adriatic and Mediterranean ports. Following a strict protocol, passengers had their temperatures taken, were tested for COVID-19 and completed a health questionnaire before being allowed on board. The crew had been tested for the virus and spent 14 days in quarantine before the departure. Social distancing rules were in place that entailed the elimination of the traditional dinner buffet. The use of restaurants, bars and swimming pools will be carefully scheduled to limit numbers. The coronavirus pandemic visited an unprecedented crisis on the cruise ship industry, which had been enjoying robust growth since 2018. Not only were operators forced to ground their ships but they faced accusations of botching the handling of the epidemic in its early stages. Cruise lines are hoping that tighter protocols will allow them to control the still-lingering threat of coronavirus aboard their ships while still offering travelers a worthwhile cruise experience. Several of Costa's rivals have already returned to sea, notably Italian operator MSC Cruises. The MSC Grandiosa was the first big cruise ship to venture out, leaving the northwest port of Genoa on August 17, also for a weeklong cruise. Italy represents the bulk of Europe's cruise industry, reaping 14.5 billion euros of revenue per year ($17 billion) and supporting nearly 53,000 jobs, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The group said that the worldwide financial losses linked to the shutdown and timid resumption would total some $50 billion, with 334,000 jobs lost. The industry faces rough waters as it tries to lure back punters who tend to be older, and thus more vulnerable to COVID-19. Costa Cruises in particular faces a public relations nightmare, with 180 complaints lodged against the company by French passengers including for manslaughter from the families of three who died of COVID-19. Archaeologists working on top of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh have uncovered the remains of an ancient hillfort thought to date back up to 3,000 years ago. The prehistoric walls atop the extinct volcano were built by the Votadini an Iron-Age Celtic tribe who once lived in south-east Scotland and north-east England. The Votadini were also responsible for the burial site at Traprain Law in East Lothian which was thought to have been their capital. Finds from Traprain Law which include Roman coins from the continent suggest the Votadini were ultimately Romanized and assimilated into early Scottish culture. Archaeologists working on top of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh have uncovered the remains of an ancient hillfort, pictured, thought to date back up to 3,000 years ago The excavation work on Arthur's Seat's north face which presently comprises three trenches is being conducted by CFA Archaeology in collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland. 'More results from Arthur's Seat! The wall line of what we think is the fort's rampart is still surviving despite erosion,' CFA Archaeology tweeted last week. 'Hard work to get our tools up the hill, but worth it for the view!' they added. Previous digs on the 820ft-high (250m) summit had revealed 18ft-thick (5.4m) stone walls, which reached four feet (1.2 metres) in height and blocked off one side of the peak while sheer cliffs protected the other. Archaeologists have also discovered evidence that the Votadini used part of the land within the hilltop settlement for farming. The now-barren site overlooking the Firth of Forth would have once been bustling with farmers and traders. 'This was programmed work to evaluate the condition of archaeological remains within the park, which had initially begun in March but was postponed following the outbreak of coronavirus,' Historic Environment Scotland told Edinburgh Live. 'As an ancient monument which has seen thousands of years of activity, the park is rich in archaeological remains, which provide an indication of those who lived here before,' they continued. 'We have a team currently working who have opened up three trial trenches aimed at locating and identifying the nature and extent of archaeological features on a plateau near the summit of Arthurs Seat. 'Initial findings are still being assessed but will help build a fuller picture of how the park was used and developed over the centuries, and inform the future management of this amazing place.' Previous digs on the 820ft summit of Arthur's Seat, pictured, revealed 18ft-thick stone walls, reaching around four feet tall, that blocked off one side of the peak while sheer cliffs protected the other The prehistoric walls on the extinct volcano, pictured, were built by the Votadini an Iron-Age Celtic tribe who once lived in southeast Scotland and northeast England Arthur's Seat is no stranger to mystery and legends. The peak takes its name from the folktale suggesting that the mythical King Arthur is buried, asleep, in a glass coffin at the heart of the volcanic hill. In the summer of 1836, a collection of 17 curious 'Lilliputian coffins' containing tiny, dressed dolls were found in a recess in the rocks of the northeast side hill by a group of young boys who had been out rabbiting. Archaeologists working on top of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, pictured, have uncovered the remains of an ancient hillfort thought to date back up to 3,000 years ALBANY A month after New York closed its rental assistance program, tenants who have struggled to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic continue to wait for funds to be released. The state Division of Homes and Community Renewal, which is responsible for administering the COVID-19 rent relief program, received over 90,000 applications for assistance but it remains unclear if any of the $100 million designated for the program have gone out the door. Our overriding concern is to make sure that the applications are going to get processed, people get notified, and the money starts to flow, Manhattan Democratic Sen. Brian Kavanagh said. We have no indication yet on how that is going. A Homes and Community Renewal spokesperson said staff is "working diligently" to process the applications, and are also following up with some applicants who may have errors or missing information. "We want to ensure that residents arent disqualified from consideration due to a minor mistake on their paperwork that may include inadequately verifying primary residence; providing proper ID; demonstrating proof of loss of income, or typos in addresses and/or ZIP codes," the spokesperson said. "We also ask landlords to be on the look out for emails and phone calls from our staff who may need further information for verification before any assistance can be paid." In order to qualify, an applicants household income must be below 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for household size. A household must also be paying more than 30 percent of their gross monthly income towards rent, and have less monthly income in any month between April and July than they did before March 1 due to the pandemic. For months, housing experts and advocates have warned of a looming housing crisis without fiscal relief for tenants and homeowners who are unable to make rent or mortgage payments during the public health crisis. New York has an eviction moratorium in place through September, which prevents eviction proceedings for unpaid rent during the height of the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recently announced an eviction moratorium through Dec. 31 nationwide however, its more restricted than the states moratorium. While the state Legislature in June approved $100 million for rental assistance, many lawmakers recognized it would not be enough to meet the need. But New York may not be able to provide additional assistance unless the federal government provides more stimulus money. Were anxious to see the result of this process. I think we will be very interested about who was eligible and who wasnt and also the geographic spread of who is receiving aid, Kavanagh said. Its important that people in all parts of the state have access to this. State officials who are familiar with the program, but were not authorized to speak on it publicly, said the largest portion of the funding is likely to go downstate where the rent burden is greatest. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The Times Union has submitted a Freedom of Information Law request for more detailed information on the disbursement of funds. Where the funds go and who ultimately benefits from them is part of the data state legislators are seeking to understand the efficacy of the program and fine tune it going forward, Kavanagh said. Beyond more money to keep New Yorkers in their homes, Kavanagh said the Legislature also needs to address the states eviction moratorium sunsetting in October. The senator has proposed a bill that would extend the moratorium to Jan. 20. The states rent relief program only covered April through July, so we obviously have additional rent since then, he said. The governor and legislature should address that for these applicants, and obviously there are many more tenants out there who wouldnt qualify for this program that also need relief. A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bono Region, Mr. Yaw Dabie Appiah-Mensah has commended the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo for the excellent manner she has supported the President in finding solutions to problems associated with maternal healthcare in the country. He observed that the First Lady's efforts in championing maternal, adolescence, and pediatric healthcare had earned her many admirers in the country and beyond. Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr. Appiah-Mensah mentioned the construction of a Mother and Child facility at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi among other projects in other regions as legacies that would stand the test of time. Maternal healthcare Mr. Appiah-Mensah, who was also an organiser of the NPP in the erstwhile Brong-Ahafo Region said "Your commitment in championing the general wellbeing of women, adolescents and children will engrain your name in the annals of the country's healthcare delivery ". He stated that the excellent relationship and combination of efforts of the First Lady and the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Samira Bawumia had helped them to support their husbands to implement policies and programmes to improve the lots of Ghanaians. 'We need to recognise and applaud the selfless devotion to duty by Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia. You have through your exceptional leadership saved a lot of lives in the country". Mr. Appiah-Mensah expressed the hope that future wives of leaders of the country would emulate such a selfless commitment to the wellbeing of women and children. He encouraged Mrs. Akufo-Addo, Samira Bawumia, and the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Frema Osei-Opare, and other women in leadership positions to serve as conduits for many more women to assume leadership positions in the future. "You have been an example of how women can use their positions to effect changes in the lives of ordinary people and posterity will never forget your inspirational leadership". Source: Graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nripendra Misra, the chairman of Ram Mandir construction committee, will visit Ayodhya on Monday to review preparations for the construction of the shrine. Misra along with the members of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust will inspect the Ram Janmabhoomi campus and will meet engineers of the Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the construction company that has been awarded the contract of the project. Also read: Heavy casagrande machine reaches Ayodhya for Ram Mandir construction During his two-day visit, Misra will also discuss the temples layout plan with architects Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura the sons of Chandrakant Sompura, the main architect of the Ram Mandir. The Sompuras are expected to reach Ayodhya from Ahmedabad on Tuesday. If the Sompuras cannot reach Ayodhya on Tuesday, then a virtual meeting is likely to be held to discuss the modalities about the construction of the temple. The Trust is set to start the construction of the Ram Mandir after the ongoing 16-day pitra paksha ends on September 17. Hindus express gratitude to their ancestors during this period, especially through food offerings. L&T is preparing to lay the foundation of the Ram Mandir, which is spread across 12,879 square metres, in the Ram Janmabhoomi campus. Around 1,200 pillars will be laid at around 100 feet (ft) below the surface for the temples foundation as first layer. The pillars are made of stone and no iron will be used. There will be another layer of foundation after the stone pillars. Construction work of the Ram Mandir will start after pitra paksha, said Champat Rai, general secretary of the Trust. Around 100 labourers will be engaged to lay the foundation of the shrine. The labourers will undergo coronavirus disease (Covid-19) tests and thermal scanning before they are allowed entry to the Ram Janmabhoomi campus. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) approved the layouts of the Ram Mandir and the Ram Janmabhoomi campus last week. The ADA handed over the layouts to the members of the Trust on September 4 after the latter deposited a fee of Rs 2.11 crore in its bank account. The Ram Mandir will be 360 ft long, 235 ft wide and 161 ft high. The shrine will have five domes. State-of-the-art technology will be used to lay the temples foundation in a bid to preserve it for over 1,500 years and the structure for another 1,000 years. Experts from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras have been roped in to make the temples foundation strong and ensure that it can withstand earthquakes and other natural calamities. On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court (SC) had ruled in favour of construction of the Ram Mandir that ended decades-old Ayodhya title suit dispute. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jeff had been in Kathys neighborhood monitoring diamondback terrapin nests, so a week later she called him to ask his advice. In heavy rain, a temporary pond forms at the back of her yard. It was still there but getting smaller. And it was filled with the inevitable result of that night of toad passion: thousands upon thousands of tadpoles. All of the expensive technology that goes into a fighter jet, attack helicopter or bomber wouldn't be much use on the battlefield without any ordnance. While they're not as expensive or complex as the military vehicles that carry them, guns, missiles and bombs are the end technology that finally gets the job done in combat. And most of today's missiles and bombs are pretty impressive aircraft in their own right. Smart weapons don't just sail through the air; they actually find their own way to the target. Sidewinder Image Gallery Advertisement In this article, we'll look at one of the oldest and most successful smart weapons in the U.S. arsenal, the legendary AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. As we'll see, the small and simple Sidewinder is a highly effective combination of electronics and explosive power, brought together with incredible technical ingenuity. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Janice S. Litvin 415.518.2202 Janice@JaniceLitvin.com Janice Litvin Wellness Expert to Speak about Outdoor Meetings Meetings Today Webinar "Natural Settings Improve Meetings Performance" Sponsored by The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel VCB September 9, 2020 (San Francisco, CA) Janice Litvin, Bay Area workplace wellness speaker and author, founder of Bay Area Wellness Association, is invited to present a Zoom webinar on behalf of Meetings Today and sponsored by The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel VCB on September 9th 10:00 am PDT. All are welcome, free of charge. During Covid-19 the one place you can go is outside. In this one-hour program Litvin will give scientific evidence, laced with stories to prove that meetings can proceed safely. Research shows that spending time outdoors enhances many mind-body functions including mood, productivity, and alertness, not to mention the immune system. During these difficult times of the Covid-19 era the meetings industry has taken a hit. Now, The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel VCB has created socially-distanced meetings by taking advantage of the year round Florida sun. Like many businesses, the meetings industry has had to pivot. Some have created smaller meetings while others have combined the best of two worlds. This means they have designed a hybrid meeting format, where there is a combination of in-person and virtual presentations. In order to uphold CDC standards of social distancing, meals and meetings are being held outdoors. On top of that spending time outdoors enhances meetings by creating a more productive, yet happy and more relaxed atmosphere. According to the Community Research and Development Information Service of the EU, sunlight causes our brains to produce serotonin, a hormone that can improve mood by alleviating pain, providing energy and making us feel happy and well-rested. Sunlight also produces endorphins, otherwise known as the "feel-good hormone." Janice Litvin works with leaders and teams to banish burnout in their organizations. Her new book, Banish Burnout Toolkit due out September 21st, teaches people how to remove the tangles from their past to create a healthier, happier, more productive lifestyle today. All are welcome free of charge to this important webinar, and meeting industry attendees will receive one Continuing Education Unit from the Events Industry Council's Site Management Design Domain of the CMP or CMP-HC Standards. Register here: https://www.meetingstoday.com/news-events/event-details/itemid/4243. More information about The Beaches at Fort Myers and Sanibel can be found at: https://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com. To learn more Janice Litvin's Workplace Wellness and Stress Management programs visit https://www.JaniceLitvin.com, and her book, Banish Burnout Toolkit visit https://www.JaniceLitvin.com/book. # # # China on Monday adopted a decidedly unfriendly posture to the Indian Armys question asking if five civilians who went missing from Arunachal Pradesh days ago were in the custody of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). China has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh, which is Chinas south Tibet region, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a news briefing on Monday in response to a question about the missing Indians. We have no details to release yet about question on Indian Army sending a message to PLA about the five missing Indians in the region, he added, denying knowledge of the abduction. The response came after Union Minister from Arunachal Pradesh Kiren Rijiju wrote on Twitter, The Indian Army has already sent hotline message to the counterpart PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh. Response is awaited." The Indian Army had told its Chinese counterpart about the five civilians, who were engaged as guides and porters by the Army in the Upper Subansiri district on the Sino-Indian border, on Saturday. Those allegedly kidnapped have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri. They had gone for hunting in a jungle when they were allegedly kidnapped by the PLA. Two members of the group returned home and informed the families of the other five that they had been whisked away by the Chinese troops from Sera-7, an Army patrol zone located about 12 km further north of Nacho. Nacho is the last administrative circle along the McMahon line and is around 120 km from the district headquarters Daporijo. Police officers in Arunachal Pradesh said that a hunt was on for the missing youngsters and contact is being established at the local level by Indian Army with their Chinese counterpart. The families have not registered a complaint with us. Yet district police of Upper Subansiri is scouting the jungle for some clue about the whereabouts of the missing youth," a senior police officer in Arunachal told News18, adding the suspicion was the boys who often did porter duty for the Indian Army could have gone for hunting and unknowingly crossed the perceived the LAC. Indian government sources said the matter has not been escalated to a diplomatic level yet. The discussion is only between our border post and theirs. We will have to wait to get more clarity," an officer said on the condition of anonymity. A senior Union minister told News18, We will have to wait to get more clarity about what really happened to these youngsters." Relations between India and China have hit a multi-decade low since clashes in Ladakh in June that killed 20 Indian soldiers. Both sides have since stepped up monitoring of their largely unsettled 3,488 km border. We spoke with them on the hotline and told them that its suspected that some people have crossed across to your side and we will be grateful if you could hand them over back, as per what we do normally," Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Wardhan Pande, an Indian Army spokesman, told news agency Reuters. There is no earmarked line going through the forest or the mountains, so they keep moving here and there. So they might have gone there. Its a very normal thing," he said, adding they were yet to hear back from the Chinese. Authorities in Arunachal Pardesh say it is not uncommon for people to unknowingly cross the LAC. They are returned but it takes time. The last time such an incident happened it took 40 days and then things were relatively peaceful," an official said. Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Union minister Ninong Erring hit out at China for questioning Arunachal Pradeshs association with India. He tweeted to say Arunachal will always be an integral part of India. (With inputs from Arunima) The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is to examine the impact of Brexit on cross-border crime (Brian Lawless/PA) The impact of Brexit on cross-border crime on the island of Ireland is to be investigated by MPs. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry which will examine the effect the UKs departure from the EU will have on co-operation on police, security and criminal justice matters. It will assess the implications for such co-operation in the event of a no-deal. When the transition period ends on December 31, the UK is set to lose access to EU agreements and processes that have underpinned cross-border co-operation for years. Expand Close Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (right) and PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne will need to find new ways to co-operate post-Brexit (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (right) and PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne will need to find new ways to co-operate post-Brexit (Brian Lawless/PA) These include use of the European Arrest Warrant and access to EU data and information-sharing. The probe will examine potential replacements for these tools. Committee chairman Simon Hoare said no-one wants to see an increase in cross-border criminal activity as a result of Brexit. Allowing this to happen would harm the people of Northern Ireland, of the Republic of Ireland and of the whole of the UK, he said. Cross-border co-operation on policing, security and criminal justice has heavily relied for years on agreements and arrangements made at the EU level. The outcome of negotiations between the UK and the EU on these issues remains uncertain. With such little time left, it is essential that we examine what will replace the European Arrest Warrant and the UKs access to information-sharing services such as the European Criminal Records Information System from January. Expand Close There are concerns that criminals will try to exploit Brexit for their own ends (Niall Carson/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp There are concerns that criminals will try to exploit Brexit for their own ends (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Hoare added: Our inquiry will seek to identify the challenges posed by the potential loss of access to such arrangements and how those arrangements can be replaced to ensure effective cross-border co-operation. We will also consider how the different likely scenarios might affect cross-border criminal activity. Criminals must not be able to find refuge in intelligence and policing blackspots caused by jurisdictions no longer speaking to each other. Co-operation and communication are key to bringing such criminals to justice. The committee is inviting interested parties to make written submissions to its inquiry. They will be received up until October 2. India overtook Brazil on Monday as the country with the second highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases, even as key metro train lines re-opened as part of efforts to boost the South Asian nation's battered economy. India has emerged in recent weeks as the new global pandemic hotspot, although cases continue to soar across the globe with reported infections worldwide nearing 27 million and deaths surpassing 880,000. France, Israel and Australia were among the nations forced in recent days to extend travel restrictions or impose new ones to try and contain fresh surges. India, home to some of the world's most densely populated cities, has been reporting the highest single-day rises in the world and on Monday it confirmed a new record of nearly 91,000 new cases. India's cases have now risen above 4.2 million, surpassing Brazil's total and making it the second-highest tally behind the United States' 6.25 million. However, with India's economy imploding following months of travel restrictions, authorities pressed on with risky reignition plans. The metro in the capital of New Delhi began reopening on Monday after a five-month shutdown and 12 other cities began restarting subway services. Authorities imposed strict rules on passengers, with masks, social distancing and temperature checks mandatory. During peak hour in New Delhi on Monday morning, carriages were sparsely filled as people followed guidelines dictating that only alternate seats could be occupied. For total deaths worldwide, the United States has the most with more than 188,000, followed by Brazil with 126,000. India is next with about 71,000 fatalities. New European spikes Britain is battling another spike, with the number of daily cases hitting nearly 3,000 on Sunday, a level not seen since late May, according to health ministry figures. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the latest sufferers were predominantly young people. "It's important that people don't allow this illness to infect their grandparents and to lead to the sort of problems that we saw earlier in the year," he said. Story continues The British government said it would tighten local restrictions in areas showing sharp rises in cases rather than impose a second national lockdown for fear of its effect on the economy. In neighbouring France authorities placed seven more regions covering major cities including Lille, Strasbourg and Dijon on high alert Sunday as increases in infections accelerate. Of the country's 101 "departments", 28 are now considered "red zones" where authorities will be able to impose exceptional measures to slow the virus if necessary. The curbs come after France reported a record of nearly 9,000 daily cases on Friday, In Paris masks are now mandatory in all public spaces. Lockdowns have also been imposed or extended in Israel and Australia in recent days. Israel decided Sunday to begin "a nightly closure" of 40 cities and towns with the highest infection rates. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "educational institutions" would be closed and gatherings limited from Monday. "I know these limitations are not easy, but in the current situation, there's no way to avoid them," Netanyahu said. According to data collected by AFP, Israel has risen to fifth in the world for the number of infections per capita, ahead of Brazil and the United States. In Spain, the government is trying to restart schools even as it records the highest number of new infections on the European continent. Some Spanish parents are refusing to send their children back to class for the new school year despite the threat of sanctions from authorities. "You have your whole life to learn, but if you lose your health, that's it," said Aroa Miranda, a 37-year-old mother-of-two in the coastal town of Castellon de la Plana. "Going back to school is being treated like an experiment, we're like guinea pigs... for my eight-year-old, I will pretend he's ill so I don't have to send him to school." (AFP) Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who is in a middle of a verbal duel with Shiv Senas Sanjay Raut, has been granted Y category security by the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA), officials said on Monday. The decision has come after the actor compared Mumbai to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Senas Raut hit back at her in the partys mouthpiece Saamana, asking her not to return to Mumbai for criticising Mumbai Police. She has said she will reach Mumbai on September 9. Individuals are given such security on the basis of threat assessment done by central security agencies and is subject to periodic review. High-risk individuals are provided with security by the police and local government. The category is divided into four tiers -- Z+ (highest level); Z; Y and X -- depending on the threat perception to the person. Individuals under the security blanket include cabinet ministers, chief ministers, high court and Supreme Court judges, leading politicians, and senior bureaucrats. Also Watch l Thank Amit Shah: Kangana Ranaut on getting Y-plus category security Here is what Z+, Z, Y and X categories of security mean: Categories SPG: It is a classified security detail and given exclusively to the Prime Minister Z+: 55 personnel Z: 22 personnel Y: 11 personnel X: 2 personnel * The Special Protection Group (SPG), National Security Guards (NSG), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are the agencies responsible for providing securities to VVIPs/VIPs/politicians/high-profile celebrities and sportspersons. * NSG is used extensively to guard VIPs and VVIPs, especially those in the Z+ category. Many NSG personnel are seconded to SPG, which guards the Prime Minister. * SPG commandos cater to the PM, former PMs and their immediate family members as part of the Z+ category of security cover. * The Z category entails security cover by the Delhi Police or the ITBF or CRPF personnel and one escort car. * The Y category encompasses two personal security officers (PSOs) and the X category, one PSO. In typical fashion amid the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini from District 21 kicked off her reelection campaign virtually. The senator launched her reelection campaign as this time she is facing an opponent in the race for the seat she has kept since 1987. Although her opponent Frank Pomeroy a pastor by profession is a newcomer to the political arena, Zaffirini said it is important for people to rally up despite being social distant, to vote early and also to voice their opinions when needed as she showed videos of various people from her district explaining why she was the best choice for the job. The event brought together more than 200 individuals including members of her campaign staff, family members and local political leaders. Her son Carlos Zaffirini Jr. presented her in an emotional speech that discussed how along with running against an opponent for the first time in eight years, she is also running for the first time as a grandmother. Zaffirini said she can now be called Grandma Z. This evening we come together to celebrate our families, as evidence by each of the different families of the 18 counties that represent the district, she said. When I was elected as the first Mexican-American senator in the legislature, there was only one other woman. Today, we have done so much such as passing legislation that changes life and providing opportunities for many women to get equal rights, and the work must go on. During her speech, she did not just lay out what she has accomplished over the years as state senator but also pointed out what she wants to achieve if elected for four more years in office. She said the current pandemic is one of the most pressing issues she wishes to work on in the next legislative sessions. Our vision for the next 10 years is with dealing with the pandemic at hand and also making sure there is enough security for everybody, especially our children, and doing everything possible to keep each other healthy and safe, Zaffirini said. Taking productive and responsible steps to make a better tomorrow, and the key to the success is to work with other generations. Both new and familiar faces offered a look into how the senator has and will work over the coming years with various generations in efforts to make sure legislative victories are achieved in the state. One of the main individuals to endorse and congratulate her for her work was State Representative Richard Raymond Pena who said there is no more hard-working legislative leader in the state than her. Once I was introducing Senator Zaffirini during an event, and I said that she was one of the most hard-working senators in the legislature, and I felt that there was something wrong in what I said, Pena said. I was wrong, because I could not think about any other who would work harder than her. Various other individuals and organizations were also present during the reelection kickoff and voiced their support for the senator. Christian Ochoa, leader of the Texas A&M International University College Democrats, voiced his support for the senator and his hopes of working with her on any future projects for the plight of the youth in the Laredo area and beyond in the state. The TAMIU College Democrats fully support the hard work and commitment the senator has exhibited over the years, Ochoa said. She has directly impacted many lives and mine through the work shes done in the legislature. I am confident once she is elected in November, she will be renewing her commitment to her district. Very inspiring human being and an even greater role model. Im excited to work with her during the campaign. Beyond that, assisting her and bringing attention to issues my fellow college students would like addressed. Go Z! Laredo Red Wing Uniteds Alex Martinez also showed support for the senator. Towards the end of the event various supporters said they will celebrate her victory with a virtual party. As for Pomeroy, his campaign announced his election kickoff campaign event was held last November when he made it clear that he was running and he is going to talk to as many people as possible around the district to know what they want, feel and need. This campaign stands for returning our state government to align more with the will of the people, the majority of whose values are conservative in nature: believing in the sanctity of life, expecting our rights of religious liberty, the second amendment, equal opportunity and personal liberty to be respected, Pomeroy said. We have been working hard since last September to visit all 18 counties in the district and listen to the people and their concerns that they have shared with me. I feel that we have learned a lot by this point, and we realize that the biggest need is for the people to know that their representatives do not turn a deaf ear to those south of Interstate 10. We feel very confident that we have won over the hearts and minds of people by standing on what has made the state great: family, faith and freedom. One thing for sure we have found that is very meaningful to the people in our district is that we reject and so do they anyones vote being taken for granted based on their skin color or heritage. Instead, we respect each person for their own views and beliefs based on their personal convictions. We look forward to November to see the heart of the people make a stand. Zaffirini made it clear to not mention her 2020 opponent by name during her event but stated she hopes her supporters do not get involved in name-calling and offensive slandering in social media as she wants to show that her base is more respectful than the attacks she has received. She said she wishes to debate him when the time is right rather than get people to become emotional in an already volatile time due to political differences. Elections are more than just about politics as they are about bringing good and ensuring that the public is served, Zaffirini said. jorge.vela@lmtonline.com China has chosen several countries, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar to set up Military Logistics Facilities to support naval, air, and ground forces projection according to an annual report issued by the US Department of Defense. In its annual report Military and Security Developments Involving the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) 2020 submitted to the US Congress last week, the PRC is seeking to establish robust logistic facilities overseas to allow the Chinese PLA (army) to project and sustain military power at greater distances. These will be built in addition to the Chinese military base in Djibouti. Beyond its current base in Djibouti, the PRC is very likely already considering and planning for additional overseas military logistics facilities to support naval, air and ground forces. The PRC has likely considered locations for PLA military logistics facilities in Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Angola and Tajikistan," the Pentagon said in the report. The Defense Department further said that Beijing aims to use the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) projects in Pakistan linked with pipelines and port construction to decrease Chinas reliance on transporting energy resources through strategic trade routes, such as the Strait of Malacca. China seeks to strengthen its territorial integrity, increasing its energy security and expanding its international influence through achieving its a range of goals through OBOR. Given the Party views the PRCs security and development interests as complementary, the PRC leverages OBOR to invest in projects along Chinas western and southern periphery to improve stability and diminish threats along its borders. Similarly, OBOR projects associated with pipelines and port construction in Pakistan intend to decrease Chinas reliance on transporting energy resources through strategic chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca," the department said. The report also notes that Chinas Strategic Support Force (SSF) runs tracking, telemetry and command stations in Namibia, Pakistan and Argentina. Beijing has also increased multilateral engagements with foreign militaries, Russia, Pakistan, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in bid to aid PLAs (Peoples Liberation Army) strategic corporations with foreign forces. The PRC uses multilateral forums and international organizations to generate new opportunities to expand its influence, strengthen its political influence, promotes strategic messaging that portrays it as a responsible global actor, advance its development interests and limit outside interference in and criticism of its initiatives," the Pentagon said. China has embraced multilateral organisations such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Forums and initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the 17+1" initiative between China and 17 Central and Eastern European countries, and the Belt and Road Forum are also included as part of PLAs approach. Jobs, jobs, jobs Whats the solution to unemployment? Jobs. Whats the solution to the failing economy? Jobs. Whats the solution to the health crisis? Unionised jobs. In #1929, our article Unemployment disaster reported that while we have over one million unemployed people, the reality is much worse. The total number of underutilised workers is more than 2.5 million people, which represents twenty per cent of the labour force. Multiple actions are being taken in defence of underutilised workers. There is the campaign to Raise the Rate for Good by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS); the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU) is pushing its demands to Keep the Rate and for a Jobs Guarantee program; the Living Income for Everyone (LIFE) has launched to coordinate campaigns around JobSeeker and JobKeeper; and unions have also been campaigning hard for a functioning social security safety net such as United Workers Unions JobKeeper for All campaign. But will an increase to social security be enough or do we need more? From dole bludger to job snob This rhetoric of job snobs that the bourgeois politicians and mainstream media have been obsessed with has its explicit purpose. We should ask ourselves why have we moved from dole bludger to job snob? Job snob has a specific function, separate to dole bludger. While dole bludger paints an image of someone preferring to live the oh-so-luxurious lifestyle of skipping meals and not making rent, job snob paints underutilised workers as too arrogant to accept work! This rhetoric ties hand in hand with the governments policy of withdrawing all social security payments if an unemployed person refuses a job offer. This forces people to accept jobs that might be harmful to their health, forces them to relocate, or jobs with illegal wages in fear of losing their JobSeeker payments if they refuse. As mentioned in #1925: How hard is it to just keep Social Security above the poverty line? the job snob rhetoric has no basis in reality. The amount of jobs advertised on Seek could only provide jobs for roughly ten per cent of people on JobSeeker. The combination of a lack of available jobs and the cutting of social security creates a perfect situation for workers to pay for the health crisis. This reserve army of labour can be hired as scab labour to break strikes, betray fellow workers, and shackle trade unions. The capitalists are in a situation where they can pit employed and unemployed workers against each other. To overcome this, its imperative that unemployed workers are as organised as employed workers. Disabled workers One group that slips by unnoticed are disabled workers. Disabled workers have been battling this situation ever since the emergence of industrial capitalism and the standardisation of the workers body. Disabled workers have always made up a significant proportion of the reserve army of labour. While some organisations are campaigning for a rise to the Disability Support Pension (DSP), which was left out of the Coronavirus Supplement extended to JobSeeker and Youth Allowance, there has been little attention on other areas of underpaid and underutilised disabled workers. Schemes that are adopted to employ disabled workers are exploitative and drive down wages for able-bodied workers. One such scheme is the Supportive Wage System (SWS), which ties a workers productivity to their wage and can pay as little as 12.5 per cent of award rates or $2.44 per hour. Subsidising disability employment in the not-for-profit and private sector does not solve the issue of unemployment. Rather, unemployment rates stay the same as businesses will lay off able-bodied workers in favour of a cheaper source of labour. By rorting the system, businesses can effectively employ casualised labour with a bonus. Disability Employment Services (DES) (the disability equivalent of Job Service Providers) will file disabled JobSeekers into streams of severity of disability and supply these workers to businesses who the government gives up to $6,000 over 26 weeks as an incentive to employ. A similar story can be found for mature workers where businesses can receive up to $10,000 over twenty-six weeks for hiring mature workers through wage subsidy schemes. When job contracts include a probationary period of twenty-six weeks, these workers are simply laid off and replaced with a new, subsidised worker. Expand the public sector To provide good, unionised jobs that will not exploit the current pool of underutilised workers, we need an immediate expansion of the public sector. This would include expanding Centrelink, the public health sector, and public education; investing in infrastructure development and affordable public housing; nationalising the airlines; ending privatisation; and equal pay and job creation for disabled workers including mature workers in the public sector. Unfortunately, the government will not hand us a safety net and will do its best to make workers pay for the crisis. We must take things into our own hands by rallying around: A Jobs Guarantee program that provides JobSeekers with full-time, minimum wage work Abolition of Job Service Providers, work for the dole, mutual obligations, and exploitative disability employment schemes No cuts to JobSeeker or JobKeeper Expansion of JobSeeker and JobKeeper to cover all workers including migrants Paid pandemic leave Immediate expansion of the public sector Or simply put: workers demand jobs, jobs, jobs! Vodafone Idea chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has said tariffs in the telecom sector are very low despite the hike in 2019, and pricing revival is critical for the growth of the industry. In a letter to shareholders in the annual report of Vodafone Idea released today, Birla said through FY20, the operating environment continued to remain challenging due to unsustainable pricing and hyper competition. The telecom industry also witnessed the first round of tariff hike by all operators in December 2019. However, tariffs are still very low and therefore pricing revival is critical for the long-term growth of the sector," he said. Birla's statement was in sync with Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal's message to shareholders in the Airtel annual report stating that India still has some of the lowest data tariffs globally and the industry is barely able to cover the cost of capital. The verdict on the long pending industry issue of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) also added to the financial woes of telecom operators, Birla said. The Department of Telecom (DoT) has intervened to restore the financial health of all operators by way of a two-year moratorium on spectrum payments, he added. Your Company continues to focus on driving 4G penetration to increase Average revenue per user (Arpu). Further, your Company remains focused on strengthening its position on enterprise services, especially the new and fast-growing segment of IoT and cloud services. All these initiatives will improve revenue and profitability and subsequently strengthen your Companys overall competitive position in the market," he told shareholders. After the top court allowed telcos to pay adjusted gross revenues-related dues across 10 years, the Vodafone Idea board on Friday approved raising up to 25,000 crore via equity and debt, with a limit of 15,000 crore through either route. The proposed fundraising is subject to regulatory and shareholders approvals. Vodafone Idea will take up the proposal at its annual general meeting on 30 September. If the firm raises 15,000 crore via equity, it would be about 44% of its market value of 34,511 croreleading to a stake dilution for UKs Vodafone Group Plc, which holds around 43%, and the Aditya Birla group, which holds 29%. The Vodafone Idea annual report reiterated the telco's focus on the rural and new-to-internet population. The overall tele-density in India stood at 85.87% as of March, suggesting there is still a proportion of population that is yet to start using mobility services. This holds true especially for rural areas where tele-density is still low at 58.5%. If we consider the active subscriber base of 989.1 Million (March 2020), the penetration is still around 73.4% indicating a large population base which is yet to adopt mobile telephony services, a clear long term opportunity for the mobile operators," said the report. The company said, as part of its strategic Smartphone for All programme, it has partnered with NBFC, Home Credit India Ltd, for a handset & telco recharge which is made available as an integrated bundle on loan an industry first. This proposition was primarily based on identification of the new to credit customers within their own base, with the help of big data analytics, to target the customers. Customer walking into over 25,000 retail offline stores across the country could buy a 4G smartphone on EMI along with a six-month unlimited prepaid plan. The operator has also partnered with device manufacturers like Samsung and Vivo for the launch of their flagship products with joint advertising, with the objective of gaining a higher share of incremental high end customers. The telco has also deepened its partnerships with popular digital wallets PayTM, PhonePe and Amazon Pay for cashback offers, making its plans more affordable and convenient to recharge, the report said. Vodafone Idea Ltd on Monday launched an integrated brand called VI, two years after the completion of Vodafone India Ltd and Idea Cellular Ltd merger. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics This time, say many, many well-meaning Americans, it will be different. It feels different, they say. It looks different, they say. We have seen it with our own eyes by which they mostly mean through the lenses of other peoples phone cameras. They say different people are taking part, not only black people are marching, but white people are turning out in solidarity. And protests are happening in different places: they are not confined to predominantly black areas of cities; protesters have thronged to prominent public spaces, such as Lafayette Square in front of the White House in Washington DC. All this is true, and it is the hopeful, never-again, response of many white Americans to the agonising, slow-motion killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May. The white policemans knee pressing on a black mans neck, the tortured cry of I cant breathe, have reanimated the Black Lives Matter movement, and not just in the United States. A pledge of support for racial justice has become a set-piece of practically every public occasion, every officials statement, since. The attack on Jacob Blake last month in Kenosha in Wisconsin, where police shot a hail of bullets into his back, has given the protests new impetus all over the US. And feeding into what seems to be a growing climate of anger is the disproportionate number of deaths of black people as a result of coronavirus. From Washington DC in the east to the Pacific city of Portland, via some hitherto quiescent cities in the Midwest, we are seeing a pre-election US with its troubled urban areas yet again in flames. But this time, there is a hopeful consensus. The watershed has been reached. From now on, race relations in the US will be different. Move seen as reciprocal measure in response to Washingtons treatment of Chinese journalists in the US, reports say. China has not renewed the expiring press credentials for some journalists working for several US media outlets, the latest move in an escalating standoff between the worlds top two economies over reporting in each others countries. The development on Monday comes as Chinese journalists in the US wait for their lapsed work visas to be renewed. The Chinese journalists have reportedly been allowed to stay in the country for a 90-day grace period that expires in early November. The Wall Street Journal and CNN reported that their respective journalists Jeremy Page, a Briton, and David Culver, a US citizen were issued letters allowing them to continue working in China with their expired press credentials. Culver was told the arrangement had nothing to do with his reporting but was a reciprocal measure in response to the Trump administrations treatment of Chinese journalists, CNN reported. The Wall Street Journal reported that authorities had indicated the renewal of the press passes would depend on what happened with Chinese journalists in the US. The Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCC), said Bloomberg and another unnamed outled had also been targeted, adding that more foreign journalists are expected to receive similar treatment. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday on Twitter that we would be glad to continue our excellent cooperation with the US journalists here if Chinese journalists are treated fairly in the US. CNN journalist and a few other US journalists visa extension applications are being processed, during which they can continue to live and work here with no problems at all, she added. We would be glad to continue our excellent cooperation with the #US journalists here if the Chinese journalists are treated fairly in the US. Hua Chunying (@SpokespersonCHN) September 7, 2020 Visas allowing foreign journalists to live in China are linked to their press credentials. The affected journalists could apply to renew their visas with the letter, but the new visa would only be valid for two months, CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported shorter than the usual one year. A CNN spokeswoman confirmed that one of its Beijing-based journalists was recently issued a visa valid for two months. However, our presence on the ground in China remains unchanged, and we are continuing to work with local authorities to ensure that continues, she was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. Beijing and Washington, whose relations have deteriorated sharply over a range of issues, have exchanged several tit-for-tat actions involving journalists. In March, the US slashed the number of Chinese nationals allowed to work at the US offices of Chinese state-owned media from 160 to 100. China then expelled about a dozen American journalists working for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. 1/ The Foreign Correspondents Club of China is very alarmed that Chinese authorities have stopped renewing press credentials for journalists working at US news organizations. Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (@fccchina) September 7, 2020 In a series of Twitter posts, the FCCC expressed deep alarm at the Chinese governments latest move. These coercive practices have again turned accredited foreign journalists in China into pawns in a wider diplomatic conflict. The FCCC calls on the Chinese government to halt this cycle of tit-for-tat reprisals in what is quickly becoming the darkest year yet for media freedoms, it said. The fate of the fly remains a mystery - F. Muijres/University of Washington /PA A man in his 80s in France took out much more than a fly he was attempting to swat this weekend, partially destroying his home and rendering it uninhabitable. The unidentified individual was reportedly eating dinner at about 7.45pm on Friday when he became irritated by the sound of a fly buzzing round and decided to take action. Grabbing an electric fly swatter shaped like a racquet, he swung at the small insect, but was unaware of the fact that a gas cylinder in his home was leaking. Fly swatters are a common household appliance, designed to emit pulses of electricity that stun or kill an insect as soon as there is contact with the device. A reaction occurred between the electricity from the racquet and the flammable gas in his home, causing a large explosion, which destroyed part of his kitchen and brought down a section of the ceiling. The octogenarian, from the village of Parcoul-Chenaud in Dordogne, remarkably managed to escape with only a burn to his hand. He was taken to Libourne hospital for checks. A local investigator told the Daily Mail: On this occasion, gas was leaking into the man's house. The very hot zapper ignited the gas, causing a sudden explosion. The man was lucky to get away with a burned hand after diving on the floor, but the kitchen was destroyed along with part of the roof. He has since checked in to a local campsite while his family conduct the necessary repairs to his home, local news outlet Sud Ouest reported. Electric fly swatters are usually harmless to humans, sending out only a small shock, but there are documented incidents of people suffering burns. The fly's fate remains unknown. by Paul Wang More than 2,000 police in riot gear blocked journalists, dispersed demonstrators, attacked groups, fired bullets and pepper spray. Three members of the League of Social Democrats were also arrested: Leung Kwok-hung, Raphael Wong and Figo Chan. The government is accused of using the pandemic as a pretext to keep people from voting and avoiding a defeat. Solidarity with Thai and Belarusian youth. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Hong Kong police have arrested 289 people in the Mong Kong and Yaumatei areas, who were demonstrating against the government's decision to postpone the legislative elections that should have been held yesterday. Thousands of riot police in different areas of the city blocked reporters, dispersed demonstrators, attacked groups, fired bullets and pepper spray. Thanks to the new security law and anti-Covid directives that prohibit gatherings of more than two people, the police have arrested a woman who shouted pro-independence slogans; 270 for illegal gathering and others for assaulting the police or for violating anti-Covid rules. The League of Social Democrats said three of its most prominent members - Leung Kwok-hung, Raphael Wong and Figo Chan - were arrested by police near the Eaton Hotel in the Jordan neighbourhood. Leung Kwok-hung, with other demonstrators shouted slogans such as: I want my right to vote! Shame [on the government] for postponing the elections. Many groups critical of the government accuse it of using the pandemic as a pretext to stop people from voting to avoid a defeat. The opposition expected to obtain a large majority in the Legco (the Hong Kong parliament), given that many citizens are furious at Beijing, which has imposed a security law that restricts and stifles freedoms in the territory. In the district elections a few months ago, Democratic groups won over 17 out of 18 districts. The demonstrations were organised via social media alerts, which led to thousands of policemen deploying along many streets in the centre. The participation of 50 thousand people was expected but the turnout was far lower. Interviewed by Hkfp, a young man said that this year it is more difficult to hold demonstrations, due to the law on national security; "The police and the government are suppressing people more and more, so I think the protest will change shape, like going online." Hong Kong's young people feel close to young people from other nations, who are also engaged in a struggle for freedom against an oppressive power. Here and there were signs reading "Support Hong Kong, Thailand and Belarus". A young man commented: We are victims of oppression ... I often think that when Thais and Belarusians see this sign, they will know that we want to support them and be with them." A government spokesman denounced the demonstrators' actions, accusing them of being outlaws and selfish because they promote the independence of the territory and violate anti-Covid rules, putting the city at risk of infection. The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) reveals the enormous challenges facing hotels and guesthouses across Ireland as demand continues to plummet as a result of the Covid crisis. The impact on employment and peoples livelihoods is stark for an industry that supported 270,000 jobs nationally at the beginning of the year one in 10 of all Irish jobs. An estimated 100,000 jobs of these have been lost so far this year and a further 100,000 are now at imminent risk in the coming weeks. With the summer season finished, Irelands hotels and guesthouses are now reporting a 70% drop in projected revenues for September compared to this time last year. This follows a very challenging July and August with average national occupancy at 49%, representing an enormous drop compared the 90% occupancy achieved during these key summer months last year. Breakdown of occupancy results for September/October 2020 National room occupancy: 24% Dublin City and County: 12% Other cities: 24% Rest of country (excluding cities): 30% Regional breakdown Border region: 33% Mid-West: 17% Midlands / Mid East: 22% South East: 41% South West: 31% West: 30% Commenting on the results, chair of the South East branch the Irish Hotels Federation, Colm Neville, said that the figures highlight the requirement for further sector specific measures to support Irish tourism. Our industry is operating in a quasi-lockdown. The existing supports are totally inadequate for our industry given the current restrictions. If appropriate measures are not put in place, more jobs will be lost. "Prior to the Covid crisis, tourism supported 6,200 jobs in Carlow and Kilkenny, contributing 163 million to the local economy. With a predicted revenue loss of 120 million, 4,600 of these jobs are now under threat. A severely devastated tourism sector would be a major loss to the economy and society for many years to come. This can and must be avoided. We are doing everything we can to protect public health whilst also helping to restore the economy and safeguard peoples livelihoods, but we face extraordinary challenges. These have been greatly exacerbated by the additional restrictions introduced last month, including limiting indoor gatherings to no more than six people. Businesses are, in effect, operating under close to lockdown conditions. This flies in the face of the detailed operational guidelines that are in place, endorsed by the HSE, HSA, HPSC and the FSAI as well as hotels proven track record in managing gatherings safely. It is our belief that the controlled environment provided by hotels can safely accommodate gatherings of significantly more than six people, which are an essential part of the fabric of Irish life. A major frustration for us continues to be the lack of meaningful consultation with our industry in advance of new restrictions being announced by Government. All areas of society negatively impacted by Covid-19 should be consulted, including businesses, when developing the Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery, which is due to be published on September 14. Public health goes hand in hand with ensuring a viable economy when this pandemic has passed. Commenting on the additional Government supports required for the tourism industry, Mr Neville said: The measures contained in the Governments stimulus package do not go far enough to address the unique and existential challenges facing our industry. In particular, they fail to deliver adequate supports around competitiveness and liquidity in particular. The IHF is calling on the Government to implement the following measures as a matter of urgency: Review of 6-person limit: Hotels provide a very safe environment in which to hold indoor gatherings in a controlled manner. Urgent approval of a hotel protocol is required to enable indoor gatherings of up to 50 people based on six people per table and subject to strict time-limits, physical distancing and protocols around wearing PPE and sanitisation. Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS): If jobs are to be retained, the EWSS rates of support must be increased to the previous TWSS levels of 350/410 per week. This would make it possible for employers to retain staff during the difficult winter/spring months ahead and to facilitate training and upskilling structures designed to allow employees get personal benefit from this challenging period and to help the industry prepare for post Covid-19 recovery opportunities. Qualification for the scheme should be based on performance from March until the end of the year with payment made on a weekly basis to assist with cashflow. The scheme should be continued until the impact of Covid-19 restrictions has fully abated. Liquidity measures: Additional liquidity measures are required to help fund hotels during the coming months as a result of the cash flow lost out due to Covid-19 restrictions, including extension of the moratorium on bank term loans from six months to 12 months. Local authority rates waiver: The waiver period should be extended for tourism businesses to coincide with business interruption due to Covid-19 and for a minimum of 12 months. After that, payment of local authority rates should be based on reduced levels of activity due to the crisis and until the industry has recovered. Reduction in tourism VAT to 9%: Permanent restoration to 9% to assist recovery and secure a viable and sustainable future for tourism. Reducing VAT will not only provide a stimulus in the Irish economy but also improve our competitiveness as an international tourism destination. Testing regime: As an island nation with an open economy, we have to restore international travel safely as soon as possible. An effective tracking, tracing and testing regime must be introduced to facilitate this and to protect the health and livelihoods of all. Safeguarding public health is an absolute priority for the Irish Hotels Federation and our members, who are fully committed to supporting the Government in the task of supressing Covid-19. We also wish to be part of the process of restoring the economy and the livelihoods of the almost 270,000 people who worked in our industry last year. But we need support now so we can play our part again in the recovery. The National Economic Plan in October will come too late for many, said Mr Neville. Two suspected members of the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International have been arrested following a brief exchange of fire in northwest Delhi, police said on Monday. IMAGE: The duo has been identified as Bhupender alias Dilawar Singh and Kulwant Singh. Photograph: ANI The duo were planning targeted killings in various north Indian states on the directions of Khalistan movement leaders sponsored by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, they said. Seven pistols with 45 cartridges were recovered from their possession. The police have also recovered two Android phones containing incriminating videos and photographs related to Khalistan movement and their propagators, police said. The accused have been identified as Bhupender alias Dilawar Singh, 41, and Kulwant Singh, 39, both residents of Ludhiana, the police said, adding that they were also wanted in some cases in Punjab. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said, "The arrested duo are hardcore supporters of Khalistan movement and were planning to execute targeted killings in various states of northern India on the directions of Pakistan ISI sponsored Khalistani leaders." The officer said Bhupender is a member of two pro-Pakistan related public groups -- 'Pakistan Zindabad Khalistan Zindabad' and 'Defenders of Pakistan'. Two letters of Babbar Khalsa International, remembering and praising Dilawar Singh Babbar, who assassinated former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, have also been recovered from his mobile phone. The officer added that Bhupender is very active on Facebook and shared high radical contents and videos related to Khalistan movement and Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal (SYL) issue on his social media account. According to the senior officer, the special cell of Delhi Police nabbed Bhupender and his associate Kulwant on Saturday night after they received information that the duo had come to Delhi in a car to receive a huge cache of arms and ammunition. "Our teams laid a trap near an underpass on Burari-Majlis Park road. "On Saturday, around 11 pm, when the duo were spotted in their vehicle, they were overpowered after a brief exchange of fire," he said. "During interrogation, Bhupinder told police that in 2016, he went to Saudi Arabia to work as a driver but after nearly eight months, when he did not find any job, he started spending more time on Facebook where he came in contact with several Khalistani activists and later joined their movement," he said. The senior officer said through Facebook, Bhupinder came in contact with Harbinder Singh, Amritpal Kaur, Randeep Singh and Jarnail Singh, who were arrested by Punjab Police in 2017 for being members of Babbar Khalsa International, and were allegedly being financed by Khalistan movement sympathizers in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. They had formed a group 'Khalistan Zindabad' and were planning to raise a new militant outfit -- 'Jatha Veer Khalsa' -- on the anniversary of 'Operation Bluestar', he said. They planned to kill senior leaders who were involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, he said. "He further said his original name is Bhupinder Singh but since he was inspired by Dilawar Singh Babbar, he adopted an alias -- Dilawar Singh. "He revealed that he has strong feeling for the 'Kaum' (community) and has dislike for people speaking against Sikh gurus and religion. "He told the police that he also has strong objection against SYL and is ready to take the lives of engineers working on the project. Recently, he along with his associate Kulwant Singh, hoisted saffron flag (with Insignia) on a water tank and office of a Tehsil in Raikot," the DCP said. The officer said Bhupinder has confessed having relations with all factions of Khalistan extremists. Initially, when in Saudi Arabia, he came in contact with BKI's Wadhawa Singh Babbar and was arrested by Punjab Police and slapped with the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after he got deported to India. After his release from jail, he came in contact with Dhanna Singh of Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF), who was based in the UK and Jagdish Bhoora of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), based in Belgium, the officer said. "He disclosed that Jagdish Bhoora had asked him to identify the targets and also assured him that weapons will be provided to him. Bhoora gave him the contact of a person who was to deliver him weapons in Delhi. Payment for the arms was also made by Bhoora," he said. Investigation revealed that Kulwant Singh had met Bhupinder Singh about five-six years ago in Raikot and they had become friends. When Bhupinder went to Saudi Arabia, they remained in contact through phone and social media. When Bhupinder came out from jail, he met Kulwant and the duo discussed plans to eliminate people who made derogatory remarks against Sikhs, the DCP said. Later, Kulwant joined Bhupinder. When his feeling for the Khalistan movement became stronger, he also got in touch with Khalistan supporters in Pakistan. He joined 'Pakistan Zindabad Khalistan Zindabad' group on Facebook which is being operated by one Pervez Akhtar from Pakistan, the officer said. He is in contact with certain people in Pakistan on Whatsapp, whose identity and linkage with ISI is being verified, he said. Efforts are being made to identify other members of their network, including those based across the border and in foreign countries, police said. You are not supposed to pay attention to anything published on the website QAnon. Avert your eyes! Democrat politicians and their media allies are sharpening their attacks against Q to make sure as few people as possible read what is published there. Joe Biden, a man fond of touching little girls, recently opined that Q-followers should seek counseling for their mental health. The House introduced a resolution condemning Q as a fringe political conspiracy theory, while the Daily News and USA Today splashed big articles on their front pages decrying Q as an insidious dark force, radicalizing Americans. Maybe Q is all wrong. But when the combined forces of the mainstream media and Democrats tell us to avert our eyes, absolute obedience may be a mistake. A common theme of the attacks on Q is that it promotes a crackpot belief that powerful people abuse and traffic children. "Billing itself as methodically rooting out a secret nationwide cabal of Democratic leaders who traffic in children for sexual purposes an accusation with no basis in reality Q appeals to many ordinary Americans, including people on the political left and right, in a polarized age in which people often see those on the other side politically as despicable human beings," wrote USA Today. Q responded to USA Today with a scathing accusation: "Corrupt. Controlled. Enemies of the Republic." (Note: If you are new to Q, please read my article "An Introduction to Q" and my other Q articles here.) To prove his point, Q then asked, "How is blackmail used?" and proceeded to list almost 100 politicians both Democrats and Republicans already charged with sex crimes against children. Here is a small sample of Q's list: Democratic Illinois State Representative Keith Farnham has resigned and was charged with possession of child pornography and has been accused of bragging at an online site about sexually molesting a 6-year-old girl. Democratic Radnor Township Board of Commissioners member, Philip Ahr, resigned from his position after being charged with possession of child pornography and abusing children between 2 and 6 years old. Democratic activist and BLM organizer, Charles Wade, was arrested and charged with human trafficking and underage prostitution. Democratic Former Mayor of Hubbard, Ohio, Richard Keenan was given a life sentence in jail for raping a 4-year-old girl. Democratic Former Mayor of Stockton, California, Anthony Silva, was charged with providing alcohol to young adults during a game of strip poker that included a 16-year-old boy at a camp for underprivileged children run by the mayor. Republican state Senator Ralph Shortey was indicted on four counts of human trafficking and child pornography. In November 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of child sex trafficking in exchange for the dropping of the other charges. Republican Senator Strom Thurmond, a notable racist, had sex with a 15-year-old-black girl which produced a child. Republican Committee Chairman Jeffrey Patti was arrested for distributing a video clip of a 5-year-old girl being raped. Republican Councilman and former Marine Jack W. Garner was convicted of molesting a 13-year-old girl. Democratic New York Congressman, Anthony Weiner, plead guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor as part of a plea agreement for sext[ing] and sending Twitter DMs to underage girls as young as 15. Clearly, even this brief excerpt of Q's list shows that plenty of politicians have lots to hide. And, as Q suggested, powerful people who assault children are vulnerable to blackmail and may be extorted into a wide range of criminal activities, including treason. There's still so much we don't know about Jeffrey Epstein and his blackmail activities. All those kingpins in politics, business, media, and academia who flocked to his residences were captured on hidden surveillance cameras. What services did they perform to keep their criminal actions secret? What conspiracies did they hatch to expand their access to children and foil efforts to bring them to justice? To even ask these questions is to invite the scorn of the mainstream media, the Democratic presidential candidate, and many other well established people. But Q encourages his followers to investigate evidence hidden by entrenched global crime syndicates in order to find the truth. Many Q-followers have noticed that since the arrest of Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, there's been a quick succession of raids that freed missing children. Did Maxwell give up the information that enabled the recent rescue of 25 missing children in Ohio, 8 children in North Carolina, and 39 children in Georgia? The media have ignored these sensational stories, but the facts may eventually come out. Find Q at qmap.pub and qanon.pub and make up your own mind. Photo credits: YouTube screen grab (cropped) Marc Nozell, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. In a scathing attack on Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut on Sunday (September 6) told Raut that he is not 'Maharashtra' and he has no right to demand an apology from her. "Sanjay-ji I condemn you, you are not Maharashtra," she said in a video statement tweeted on Sunday. Kangana claimed that Raut's has an "anti-women" mindset and asked why he made abusive remark against her but not against actors Aamir Khan or Naseeruddin Shah, who had also said that they were afraid to live in Mumbai. Kangana defended her remarks about the Mumbai police, saying it was "freedom of expression." "Mr Sanjay Raut, you called me har******r ladki. You are a public servant. You know how many girls are raped every day in the country, how many of them are tortured and killed sometimes by their own husbands. And you know who is responsible for all this? It is this mindset you have very shamelessly displayed. You have empowered those exploiters. The daughters of this country will never forgive you, Kangana said. Asked he would apologise for her derogatory remark about Kangana, Raut said on Sunday that he would "think about it" if Kangana apologises to the people of Maharashtra. "If that girl (Kangana) will apologise to Maharashtra then I will think about apologising.""She has called Mumbai mini Pakistan. Does she have the courage to say the same about Ahmedabad?" asked Raut. Earlier on Thursday, the actress took to Twitter claiming, "Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai. After Aazadi graffitis in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan occupied Kashmir?" It is to be noted that Kangana has been targeting several big Bollywood celebrities for fanning nepotism and recently in the drug conspiracy related to Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput case. A trans person was shot dead in Delhis GTB Enclave on Saturday evening by unknown assailants. Police officers said theyre trying to identify and arrest the suspects. The reason behind the murder is not known yet, senior police officers said. According to the police, the incident took place around 9pm when the trans person, locally known as Joshi, got off a car and was entering his house in GTB Enclave. Local residents and witnesses told police that some unknown men approached Joshi and opened fire. He was shot thrice and left for dead. A police team that reached the spot rushed him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination is being done and a case of murder has been registered, said a police officer who did not wish to be named. Deputy commissioner of police, Shahdara, Amit Sharma said CCTV camera footage has been checked and his teams are close to nabbing the suspects. Were raiding the hideouts of the suspects and all possible angles are being probed, Sharma said. His family members are being questioned to know more, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hyderabad, Sep 7 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Monday clarified that there is no proposal for now to float a national party. Addressing Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) legislators, he made the clarification amid reports in a section of media that he will form a national party. Rao, however, did not rule out such a proposal. According to party sources, he told the legislators that a decision would be taken at the right time after discussion. The meeting of the TRS Legislature Party was held to discuss the party's strategy in the state legislature session which began on Monday. KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known, slammed both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, saying they destroyed the country and reiterated that there is a need for an alternative. It was in 2018 that KCR had floated the idea of a front of like-minded parties as an alternative to both the BJP and the Congress, and intensified the efforts after retaining power in Telangana in December 2018 elections. He had held talks with West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik, Janata Dal-Secular leader and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and DMK chief M.K. Stalin. KCR's son and TRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao had also held talks early last year with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. However, the front did not take shape before the 2019 elections as leaders of some regional parties showed reluctance in joining the anti-Congress alliance. The TRS chief, who was looking for an active role in national politics, was hopeful that a post-poll alliance of anti-BJP and anti-Congress parties would come to power. With the BJP retaining power at the Centre with a massive majority, KCR had dumped the idea of a front and confined himself to the state. Meanwhile, opposition Congress leader in Telangana, Jagga Reddy said if KCR floats a national party, it will become a laughing stock. "A national party can't be run by sitting under four walls," he said. Jagga Reddy said leaders like Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar failed to form a national party. He also remarked that several regional parties will not join hands with KCR. Trump Promises to Defund Abortion Industry President Donald Trump is often called the most pro-life president in U-S history. Yesterday, he made another historic promise to the pro-life community. The President promised that he would work to fully defund the abortion industry, including Planned Parenthood, of taxpayer dollars if re-elected. Wuhan, the COVID-19 outbreak epicenter, is regaining vitality, the city's vice mayor said Saturday at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing. "Due to the COVID-19 outbreak early this year, Wuhan's tourism industry was halted and slipped into dormancy for a long period," Chen Honghui, vice mayor of Wuhan, said at the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2020 organized by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF). "But now, the industry has revived, jumping from ice-cold market to warm and now to hot. Wuhan has come back alive with full power." To continue supporting this positive trend and to inject confidence into industrial growth, the Wuhan government initiated a campaign to make entry into 23 of the city's most popular scenic spots free for all domestic visitors between August and December of this year. Tourism has been a major feature of the city, renowned for its abundant and lush landscapes as well as its strong cultural traditions. As such, Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, has over the years become a top tourist destination in China. Chen cited official government statistics that demonstrated a 34% increase in the number of tourists who visited the city's scenic spots in recent months compared with the number in the same period of the last year -- that is, when Wuhan had not yet been struck by the novel coronavirus. Of those visitors, 44.9% came from outside the city. In addition, he said that as a sign of gratitude to fellow countrymen, the people of Wuhan try not to flock to local sights during weekends and holidays, leaving more opportunities for tourists from outside the city to enjoy them. Chen believes that Wuhan's tourism recovery is highly compatible with the world tourism conference's theme of "Rebuilding World Tourism for Prosperity," one of the four summit forums of the CIFTIS. He added that Wuhan also provides an amazing example for recovery and development of the world's tourism industry amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. A key feature of this recovery has been large-scale nucleic acid testing: in May of this year, Wuhan tested every single citizen, more than 10 million people in total, in the city. No single confirmed case was found. Over 130,000 samples from the public environment were also tested, with all results returning negative. As such, the vice mayor assured everyone that the city is a very safe destination. Later that day, another Hubei Theme Day conference was held during the CIFTIS at the China National Convention Center, to promote businesses from Wuhan city and Hubei province. Norwegian Ambassador to China Signe Brudeset attended the meeting, stating, "I think Hubei is the most dynamic province in China," during a speech. Brudeset added that it is an incredible achievement for the province's people to walk out of the shadow of the pandemic. Saeki Takehiko, chief of the Japan External Trade Organization's Wuhan office, said that Wuhan has been a leader in upholding China's opening-up policy. According to him, Wuhan and Hubei have even more development potential, with 86% of Japanese enterprises in Wuhan having resumed work and 95% planning to expand their investment in Wuhan. A total of 26 projects were signed at the Hubei Theme Day conference in areas of software development, cross-border e-commerce, digital animation, blockchain cooperation, biomedical development, and the environment and food safety testing. In recent years, the scale of the service trade sector in Hubei has continued to expand. In 2019, the volume of the service trade reached 77.59 billion yuan, accounting for 19.69% of all goods traded -- 2 percentage points higher than the national average. The 2020 CIFTIS runs from Sept. 4-9 in Beijing. It is the first major international economic and trade event held both online and offline by China since the COVID-19 outbreak. French health authorities reported 7,071 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday, down from Saturday's 8,550 and also below Friday's peak of 8,975. Friday's figure had set a new all-time high of daily additional infections for the country. The number of people hospitalised for the disease over the last seven days reached 1,704, of which 288 were in intensive care units. The number of people in France who have died from Covid-19 increased by 3 to 30,701, and the cumulative number of cases now totals 324,777. France must stay vigilant as more people will be hospitalised in intensive care units in the next two weeks, reflecting a flare-up in Covid-19 infections in recent days, Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Saturday. The record figure on Friday came as the French education ministry said 22 schools were closed across France and its overseas territories due to Covid-19 outbreaks, just days after some 12 million children returned to school earlier this week. The French labour ministry recommends working from home for those who can do so, while Paris and other cities have started requiring face masks in all public areas, including for children above 11. But residents in some cities have been pushing back, seeking eased mask rules in public, for example at night or in areas where crowds do not generally gather. On Friday, a court in the southeastern city of Lyon ordered the authorities to soften the rules to take "local circumstances" into account, though for now the strict requirement remains in effect. In France, anyone can access a Covid-19 test for free and usually without an appointment. However testing sites in Paris have been dogged with long waiting times this week, with holidaymakers returning home after summer vacations in July and August. >> Fears of spillover to vulnerable in Europe as Covid-19 surges among young (FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP) By Yueqi Yang Bloomberg News (TNS) The former business of U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for years reimbursed workers who made political contributions to Republican candidates, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing former employees. North Carolinas attorney general called for an investigation into the company, New Breed Logistics, based in High Point, North Carolina. DeJoy sold the business in 2014. Although the payments by New Breed Logistics didnt usually correlate exactly with the amount of the political contributions, the amounts were large enough to account for both performance bonuses and donations, the newspaper reported, citing two people with knowledge of the companys finances. DeJoy was a national fundraiser for the Republican Party and went on to become a major donor to the President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign. His tenure at the Postal Service has come under scrutiny amid a growing clash between Democrats and Trump over mail-in ballots for the upcoming election, and over a drop in service that started within weeks of his arrival. Big bonuses David Young, a former director of human resources at New Breed who had access to payroll records from the late 1990s to 2013, told the newspaper that DeJoy asked employees to make donations and then reciprocated by giving big bonuses. Monty Hagler, a spokesperson for DeJoy, told the Post that the former New Breed chief executive officer wasnt aware that any employees felt pressured. DeJoy had sought legal advice to ensure he, New Breed, and any person affiliated with the company fully complied with laws, Hagley said. Mr. DeJoy was never notified by the New Breed employees referenced by the Washington Post of any pressure they might have felt to make a political contribution, he said. He regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, said in a statement that an investigation was warranted. It is against the law to directly or indirectly reimburse someone for a political contribution, Stein said in the statement. Any credible allegations of such actions merit investigation by the appropriate state and federal authorities. The Democratic Attorneys General Association also raised the alarm about what co-chairs Maura Healey and Ellen Rosenblum, of Massachusetts and Oregon, respectively, called an extensive scheme to violate federal and state campaign finance laws and a pattern of potentially criminal conduct. PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, "Automotive Tire Market by Season Type (Summer, Winter, and All-Season), Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Commercial Vehicle, and Electric Vehicle), Rim Size(Less than 15Inch, 15 to 20 Inch, and More than 20Inch), and Distribution Channel (OEM and Aftermarket): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027". According to the report, the global automotive tire industry garnered $112.16 billion in 2019, and is projected to hit $154.40 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 4.1% from 2020 to 2027. Download Report Sample at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/924 Advent of advanced technology in the manufacturing process, surge in automotive production & sales across different vehicle segments, and increase in competition among tire manufacturers have boosted the growth of the global automotive tire market. On the contrary, growing market of retreading tires and volatile price of raw materials hinder the market. However, rapid improvements in technology and fuel efficiency and safety concerns would open new opportunities for the market players. COVID-19 scenario: The emergence of COVID-19 has hugely affected the global automotive tire industry. According to the COVID-19 impact assessment presented by LMC Automotive Limited, around 78% of companies lack enough staff to run full production lines. As the majority of the auto supply chain is connected to China , it would impact negatively on the sale of the forklift market. , it would impact negatively on the sale of the forklift market. However, government relief funds are expected to minimize the overall impact on market growth. Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Automotive Tire Market Request Here! All season segment dominated the market By type, the all-season segment held the lion's share in 2019, contributing to more than 90% of the global automotive tire market, as these tires have stable cornering and strong traction in both wet and dry conditions. However, the winter segment would manifest the fastest CAGR of 6.0% during the study period, owing to the latest innovation & development in winter tire fabrication and manufacturing process and rise in the sale of the winter tires across the globe. Electric vehicle segment to portray the highest CAGR through 2027 By vehicle type, the electric vehicle segment is projected to portray the highest CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. This is owing to rise in urbanization and increase in attractive offers on electric vehicles from various governments. However, the passenger car segment held the largest share in 2019, contributing to nearly three-fourths of the global automotive tire market, owing to rise in disposable income in countries such as India and China and higher sales across the globe. Interested to Procure The Data? Inquire here at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/924 North America, followed by Europe and North America, held the largest share The global automotive tire market across Asia-Pacific held the largest share in 2019, accounting for more than two-fifths of the market. Moreover, the region is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period, owing to ongoing increased demand for radial tires due to improved road infrastructure in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The market across North America is expected to register a CAGR of 3.9% through 2027. Major market players Bridgestone Corporation Continental corporation MICHELIN Pirelli Tyre C. S.p.A. (China National Chemical Corporation) The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Toyo Tire Corporation Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd. NokianTyresplcare Schedule a Call with Our Analysts/Industry Experts to Find Solution for Your Business at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/924 Similar Reports We Have on Tire Industry: ATV-UTV Tire Market: The global ATV and UTV tire market size was valued at $385.8 million in 2018, and is projected to reach $698.1 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 7.5%. Advanced Tires Market: the global advanced tires market size is anticipated to value at $248.7 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $1,349.7 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 18.4% from 2020 to 2030. Pneumatic Tire Market: Global Pneumatic Tire Market would garner revenue of $287.5 billion by 2020, registering a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period of 2015 - 2020. Automotive Airless Tire Market: Airless tires or non-pneumatic tires (NPT) operate without an inner tube & air pressure, and the composite spokes make a flexible ring that is connected to a solid inner hub to hold its shape. Tire Reinforcement Material Market: This report projects the trends and opportunities of the global tire reinforcement material market. It includes a qualitative and quantitative analysis with comprehensive research methodologies and reliable projections to understand the present overview and predict the market behaviour during the forecast period. Green Tire Market: Green tires are manufactured from renewable materials such as nylon rubber through a process that does not require an excessive amount of energy. Conventional tires are made from rubber, but with increasing energy concerns, tires are now also made from renewable raw materials such as plasticizers and resins. Racing Tires Market: The racing tires market is segmented on the basis of product application, end usage, and tire type. By product application, it is bifurcated into auto racing tires and motorcycle racing tires. Automotive Winter Tire Market: The global winter tire market is segmented based on rim size, presence of stud, sales channel, and vehicle type. Aircraft Tires Market: The aircraft tires market is segmented on the basis of type, supplier, end-user, and region. About Allied Market Research Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP, based in Portland, Oregon. AMR provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): 1-800-792-5285, 1-503-894-6022, 1-503-446-1141 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | SOURCE Allied Market Research As state Sen. Norm Needleman sees it, Connecticut blinked first in a game of chicken last year with the owner of the Millstone nuclear power plant unlike the state of Massachusetts in a similar showdown outside Boston. Needleman, D-Essex, is not sure whether the higher price you are now paying for electricity could have been avoided in the end. Either way, he believes it was a bluffing game that need not have happened at all. Needleman said the ISO New England nonprofit that oversees the grid is not set up to be accountable to the states it is supposed to benefit and needs to be more effective in dealing with market disruptions like Dominion Energys threat to close Millstone with severe consequences for electric reliability and costs. Needleman and fellow Connecticut legislators grilled ISO New England and Dominion managers last week, as well as Katie Dykes, commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Dykes went into more detail during that hearing about how Lamont and his predecessor Dannel P. Malloy acceded to a new power purchase agreement for electricity generated by Millstone that has forced Connecticut customers to pick up the full cost, despite states typically sharing the cost of electricity from generating stations on the grid. This was probably one of the toughest issues or situations that Ive been involved in, in my professional career, she told legislators. The steps that we put in place when we heard this was a concern pushing on the ISO to come up with a regional solution that would properly and fairly allocate these costs went nowhere, while they issued (a) report in 2017 saying rolling blackouts will occur potentially if (Millstone) goes away. They had no solutions to address it. Dykes drew a comparison between Dominions threat to close Millstone and that of the smaller Mystic Generating Station outside Boston powered by natural gas, with ISO New England intervening in that instance with an emergency, $484 million contract to keep the Exelon plant operating another two years, on grounds the region could not afford to lose it so soon without a ready replacement. This meant Connecticut ratepayers are now shouldering the full cost of keeping Millstone open, but are also contributing to the regions cost of keeping the Mystic Generating Station open. Lack of transparency As the regions independent system operator, ISO New England is tasked with aligning the electricity needs of the region with the companies that chase profits by building and running the facilities that generate that power. Dykes said the contrasting outcomes suggest elements of the ISO New England model are broken, resulting in an inability to address crises like Millstone and criticizing its status as a privately run nonprofit, allowing it to shield some aspects of its board deliberations. When Eversource wants to raise their rates, they hold public hearings, there is press coverage, we hear from constituents consumers have a voice, Dykes said during the hearing. There are billions of dollars that are being allocated through this ISO New England market, and we have no voice. It is so ... critical, if we are going to make a change, that we really take a hard look at whether it continues to make sense to rely on this market design, and the lack of transparency of the people who are running it. In an email response to Hearst Connecticut Media, an ISO New England spokesman stated it has a history of working collaboratively with states and defended itself against claims of not being transparent. We provide a high level openness and transparency for consumers and others interested in the New England power system, said ISO New England spokesman Matt Kakley. Our website hosts a wealth of information, both real-time and historic, on the wholesale markets, system operations and system planning. We have a mobile app that allows anyone interest to see up-to-the-minute information on wholesale energy prices and system conditions. Do states lack power? Eric Johnson, an ISO New England external relations manager who also chairs the Connecticut Power and Energy Society professional trade group, said in last weeks hearing that Dominion never approached ISO New England with a formal retirement notification, as was the case with Exelon. That left the matter in the hands of the Lamont administration, which negotiated the new power purchase agreement on fears of rolling blackouts during the winter months when natural gas supplies dwindle due to competing demand by customers that use the fuel to heat homes and commercial buildings. The agreement runs through 2029. The only time we get into a negotiation is when there is a reliability issue and we have very limited ability to do that and its only for a short period of time, Johnson said. [Dominion] never came to the ISO to apply to us to retire that never happened. But at the same time the Mystic plant in the Boston area did take that step. If a question of procedure, Needleman said it never should have come to that in the first place, noting ISO New Englands responsibilities to maintain a reliable grid; and that officials had been made aware of the Millstone problem years in advance. It wasnt only us that stood to lose from this it was Massachusetts, New Hampshire it was the whole grid in New England, Needleman told Johnson and fellow ISO New England manager Anne George. Were a grid, and if there are assets that are shared, they are shared... You exist for the benefit of all the states. George defended the process by which ISO New England works to promote a reliable flow of electricity from power plant operators like Dominion which are chasing profits. ISO New England sponsors auctions through which companies can bid to build plants, while overseeing spot markets for the sale of electricity as the regions needs dictate day to day. You have to remember that there are many private entities that have invested billions of dollars into the wholesale markets, and theyre expecting the markets to operate in a certain way, George said. We dont have the luxury of just selecting proactively individual power plants to support, in a special way. We have to find a market design that fits that. Alongside with his Energy and Technology Committee co-chair Rep. David Arconti, D-Danbury, Needleman is now readying legislation to propose fixes for an array of problems they and fellow committee members see with the electric grid, and how to ensure states can better influence ISO New England priorities, to the extent of wielding the heft of a direct vote in major decisions. That conversation is actually happening right now, Johnson said. The states came to us a year ago and said, ISO, we want you to ... spend some time in revisiting this question of the market design so we can think about ways to integrate the states policies. That process has begun, and I expect it to be underway in earnest through the end of the year and ... probably through much of 2021. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman General Electric International has been selected as the successful bidder for the 6,500 megawatt (MW) Hsinta and Taichung combined cycle power plants initiated by Taiwan Power Company (TPC). GE will be working together with its local consortium partner, CTCI Corporation, to engineer, manufacture, and commission the combined cycle blocks which are planned to begin commercial operation in phases from 2024. GE has been awarded to deploy its latest gas turbine technology, the 7HA.03, with its matching steam turbine, generators and HRSG at both sites. The 7HA.03 is the best evaluated technology striking the optimal balance for power output, efficiency and maintainability. GE will supply 10 7HA.03 gas turbines, 5 steam turbines, 15 generators, 10 heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), and additional balance of plant equipment as part of the project scope. The award will become an order for GE following contract closure and payment which is expected within six months. Building on a proven track record of delivering and commissioning projects in Taiwan, GE is proud to support Taiwan Power Company in their energy transition programme to increase electricity production capacity with more efficient technologies, and bring fast, flexible power to Taiwan, said Ramesh Singaram, President and CEO of GE Gas Power Asia. The new generating units will commence operations in phases from 2024, gradually replacing coal-fired power generating units, in line with Taiwans Renewable Energy Development Act (REDA) energy policy that seeks to increase the gas-fired power ratio to 50% by year 2025. -- Tradearabia News Service Chief Secretary Rajeeva Swarup on Monday directed senior state officials to opt for virtual meetings in view of rising cases of coronavirus, according to a release. Taking the initiative, the chief secretary himself held a video conference with officials to review the status of silicosis cases in the state. Official meetings at the state secretariat here are generally held in the conference hall or committee room. On Monday, officials of various departments joined the virtual review meeting with Swarup. He reviewed the certification of silicosis patients and other related matters. The chief secretary directed officials to ensure that no victim is deprived of government assistance. He asked them to conduct a survey for certification of the victims across the state and timely payment of assistance amount to them, a release said. Reviewing the pendency of cases, he directed the officials to release assistance amounts in all certified cases within 10 days. The chief secretary took a feedback from officials about the new arrangement. The officers welcomed the move, saying it will save time. After this, the chief secretary directed all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries to hold video conferences as much as possible, the release said. The secretary of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Gayatri Rathore, was present at the chief secretary's officer while Additional Chief Secretary (Mines) Subodh Agarwal; Additional chief Secretary (Finance) Niranjan Arya, Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Akhil Arora; Labour Secretary Neeraj K Pawan joined the meeting from their offices. (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 school teacher has been arraigned in a Kwara State family court in Ilorin, the state capital, for alleged s.e.x.ual molestation of his seven-year-old pupil. Akorede Hammed was said to have taken the minor to a toilet where he allegedly undressed her and fondled her private part, according to Police First Information Report. The information was contained in the girls fathers letter to Area Command Metro, Ilorin. In the letter, the girl said Hammed took her to a toilet and locked her up to conceal the crime from passersby. Hammed would later open the door for the girl to go after she vehemently resisted his immoral plan. Police said Hammed, who taught the girl Yoruba, fled, but was later apprehended by detectives. The state governors wife Mrs. Folake AbdulRazaq has indicated interest in the matter, and was represented in court. Magistrate Shade Lawal in her short ruling, adjourned the matter till September 16, 2020 for hearing. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates 25 years ago: International Workers Bulletin available on internet for the first time The IWB On September 11, 1995, the International Workers Bulletinthe US predecessor of the World Socialist Web Sitewas made available in its entirety on the internet for the first time. A statement in the IWB read: At a time when the official mass media is attempting to chloroform American and international public opinion with misinformation and conformist propaganda, the internet has a great progressive role to play. The global pervasion of online technology is not some passing trend, but a new and immutable feature of daily life. We aim to take advantage of the opportunities provided by this rapidly growing technology to expand the influence of socialist ideas. By making the IWB available online, we intend to provide a worldwide audience with a Marxist analysis of political, economic, social and cultural developments. As we gain experience and expertise in this medium, and the following of an active and critical audience of socialist-minded workers and intellectuals, it is our hope that The IWB Online will contribute to the resurgence of a powerful anti-capitalist movement of the working class. Because of the expansion of internet access providers, most people in the US could access the world wide web via a local phone call by 1995. This overcame many previously existing limitations on online communications. In 1995, the internet had a worldwide user base of less than 40 million. Just five years later, by 2000, there were 361 million users internationally. The IWB was launched in April 1993 to spearhead the struggle for the international unity of the working class. Using the most advanced publishing technology available, the IWB broadened its appeal and deepened its coverage of social and cultural issues. Making the IWB available online was an enormous step forward in the development of a world socialist publication, transcending national borders to provide workers with an international perspective. 50 years ago: Palestinian guerrillas hijack airplanes to Jordan One of the hijacked planes, photographed in July 1970 On September 9, 1970, members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) hijacked the last of four planes seized and taken to Dawsons Field, a remote airstrip outside of Zarqa, Jordan. One additional hijacking was attempted but had failed. The Palestinian guerrillas sought to use the passengers taken hostage to bargain for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners who were being held by Israel. The passengers on the plane included citizens from the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, and various other European countries. By September 13, 257 of the 312 hostages had been released, with the remaining, who were all Israeli citizens, continuing to be held as they were considered to be more valuable in negotiations. There was a mix of responses to the hijackings from different imperialist countries. US President Richard Nixon considered ordering a military bombardment of PFLP positions in Jordan and put nearby forces on alert. British Prime Minister Edward Heath opened negotiations with the PFLP and agreed to release Leila Khaled, who was involved in the failed hijacking, in exchange for the UK hostages. Ultimately, the imperialist nations would leave it to the Arab bourgeois regimes to crush the Palestinians on their behalf. The hijackings were only a short-term disruption to the political aspirations of the ruling stratum in the Middle East, like King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan, who hoped to come to a peace agreement with the United States and Israel by undermining the struggle of Palestinians for national self-determination. Hussein determined he could no longer permit the existence of armed Palestinian nationalists in his territory after they had been forced out of the West Bank by Israel. Hussein ordered the military to begin attacking Palestinian refugee camps and cities where the Palestine Liberation Organization was known to operate. The hijackings, and Husseins crackdown, known as Black September, ignited a brief war between Jordan, on one side, and the Palestine Liberation Organization and Syria on the other. Syria launched an invasion of Jordan to assist the Palestinians. By the end of September, the Syrian forces had suffered a major defeat and retreated from Jordans territory, while the majority of PLO-aligned forces were forced to flee to Lebanon. Though the majority of the fighting was concluded with the retreat of the Syrians on September 27, smaller groups of Palestinian fighters attempted to hold Jordanian cities where they had a strong presence. The holdouts were finally surrounded and captured by the Jordanian army in July of 1971. 75 years ago: Chinese Communist Party wins victories in renewed civil war Chiang, left, and Mao This week in September 1945, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) secured several military victories over the countrys right-wing nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) government, even as negotiations continued for a truce between the leaders of the two organizations, Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek. On September 8, CCP partisans took Taixing in central Jiangsu province from nationalist forces who had functioned as puppets of the Japanese during World War II, but who had quickly realigned with the KMT following Tokyos surrender in August. Some 4,000 right-wing fighters were captured along with substantial artillery. Days later, CCP forces ousted nationalist troops from Dazhongji, also in Jiangsu. A host of similar small-scale battles took place in the weeks preceding and afterwards. The CCP and KMT had previously been in an uneasy military alliance against the Japanese, whose attempt to subjugate China lasted from 1937 to 1945. The struggle against Japanese imperialism mobilized millions of peasants and workers and was part of a wave of struggles against colonialism during the course of the global conflict. The CCPs alignment with the KMT, with which it had previously been at war, reflected the Stalinist partys perspective of seeking an alliance with sections of the national bourgeoisie. It reprised the CCPs backing of the KMT during the first Chinese Revolution of 1925-27, which resulted in a catastrophe in which a disarmed working class was drowned in blood by the nationalists. The CCPs efforts to maintain the partnership with the KMT was also in line with the alliance of the Stalinist bureaucracy with the Allied imperialist powers after the Nazi invasion of Russia in 1941. The KMT was heavily backed by the US. Clashes between the KMT and CCP forces nevertheless continued during the Japanese occupation, reflecting to a great extent the class forces that gravitated to eachbehind the KMT, the landlords and capitalists, and behind the CCP, the poor peasantry and workers. These clashes rapidly escalated at the conclusion of the global conflagration, as the question of which force would rule the country was sharply posed. The US insisted that Japan surrender to the KMT. Chiang and Mao held peace talks in Chongqing from 28 August to 10 October 1945. They produced a document calling for a peaceful reconstruction, which left the details hazy. Over the following years, as battles took place between the KMT and the CCPs peasant armies, Mao and his colleagues would continue to seek to come to an accommodation with Chiang, a warlord with close ties to the imperialist powers and a vicious opponent of the social and democratic strivings of the Chinese masses. This proved impossible as the US dispensed with its previous World War II alignment with the Soviet Union and launched the Cold War. 100 years: Communist Party of Turkey founded Communist Party of Turkey founder Mustafa Suphi, (right), and general secretary Ethem Nejat On September 10, 1920, the Communist Party of Turkey was founded in Baku, the capital of the recently established Soviet Azerbaijan, as the Turkish section of the Communist International. There were 74 delegates, comprised of former members of the Turkish Workers and Peasants Socialist Party, the Green Armya leftist element of the national liberation struggle against British and French imperialismas well as a group of former Turkish POWs in Soviet Russia. In 1920, Turkey was in the throes of a struggle to repulse British, French, and Greek armies from its territory and abolish the centuries-old rule of the Ottoman regime, which had participated in World War I on the side of Germany, and laid its empire open to despoilment by the victorious Allied powers. This War of Independence was led by a section of the Turkish bourgeoisie, whose most prominent figure was Kemal Ataturk. The communist congress elected Mustafa Suphi as its first chairman and Ethem Nejat as its first general secretary. Suphi had joined the Bolshevik party in 1915 as an imprisoned foreign national in the Urals and Nejat had joined the 1918 German Revolution while he was living in Germany and associated himself with the German Spartakusbund of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg. After the congress, party members, including Suphi and Nejat, returned to Turkey but were unable to speak publicly. As they returned from Turkey by boat to Baku, Suphi, Nejat and 13 other Communists were murdered, most likely at the orders of the government in Ankara headed by Ataturk. T heatres arent staging pantos this Christmas so we wont get to see a fairy godmother on stage waving her wand and wishing all the ills of the world away. But we might see one in real life, if the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, turns out to be right. Hes just predicted that a vaccine for coronavirus will work and be available for use soon. He says the best-case scenario is that one could come this year. Its more likely, he adds, that it could arrive in the first few months of 2021. This is a massive piece of good news. Its also a tribute to the brilliant work of scientists from all over the world, many of them based in Britain, who have carried out their research and testing at a speed never before seen. If a vaccine can be found that is safe, simple to use and has a real effect in limiting infection, then the world might be about to put the horror of this year behind it and this country will take a lot of the credit. Its not the first time the Government has promised a solution to manage Covid is in sight remember the app? only for hopes to be dashed. We havent heard from scientists yet. We dont know how effective a vaccine might be. Would it last only for a short time? Would it stop some infection, or all of it? Would it work with people of all ages? Might some of us still be at risk? Of course even a vaccine that was only partly effective could, along with new treatments for patients, reduce Covid to just another nasty disease that we have to live with like flu. And that would allow normal life to begin again. That makes the next steps even more important. What matters is not just that a vaccine works but that people trust it and use it when or if one comes. Vaccine-deniers do not need to be given excuses for resisting one. Managing information and expectations is vital. Thats why we need to hear next from medical experts who are developing vaccines and will oversee their use. A promise is one thing. We must wait and see if it can be made real. Boriss Brexit gamble Apparently a man in France managed to blow up his house at the weekend, while attempting to swat a fly that was annoying him. When he started he never expected to leave the place in ruins. Nor, of course, did the Prime Minister when he campaigned for Brexit four years ago, and won an election last December promising that a Brexit deal was oven-ready. Now hes got to make the gamble of his life. Does he load a no-deal Brexit on top of the Covid catastrophe? Or does he settle with the European Union on terms hes made clear he doesnt want? That gamble is what lies behind todays reports that the Government will rip up its own exit deal with the EU, by abandoning promises it made about Northern Ireland. If things turn nasty this winter, it wont just be the country which suffers. It will be Mr Johnson in the firing line. If a second wave of coronavirus strains the countrys creaking civil contingencies capability to the limit, how will it cope if lorries get stuck at ports and shops run short of food? Loading.... When you are Prime Minister you have got to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do you Mr Johnson? On Sept. 4, the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) was presented on the Internet as part of the online activity "Walk in Free Trade Zone" hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China. At the online meeting, the achievements of the Shandong Pilot FTZ were highlighted in numbers. The China (Shandong) Pilot FTZ was inaugurated on Aug. 30, 2019. Covering a total area of 119.98 square kilometers, it consists of three areas, including Jinan, the provincial capital, and the coastal cities of Qingdao and Yantai. Over the past year, it has advanced its institutional reforms and innovations, promoted investment liberalization and trade facilitation, developed its marine economy, and deepened China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) cooperation at the sub-national level, thus playing an important role in the development of the Bohai Economic Rim. Jinan Area The Jinan Area, of 37.99 square kilometers, prioritizes five major sectors of information technology, artificial intelligence, industrial finance, healthcare and care of the elderly, as well as the cultural sector. With a more favorable business environment, by the end of August 2020, the Jinan Area had registered more than 12,500 new enterprises with registered capital of over 180 billion yuan, driving the total number of enterprises in this region to more than 52,000. Companies can be established in as short as 35 minutes, with the time needed for submitting documents dropping by an average of 61%. The main business revenue of the information technology and high-end equipment industries have both exceeded 300 billion yuan. Both the biomedicine and health care industries have reached 100 billion yuan in terms of industrial scale. In the first seven months of 2020, the total import and export volume of the area amounted to 38.24 billion yuan. In terms of science and technology, the Shandong Institute of Industrial Technology gained more than 300 patents for inventions, transformed the achievements of over 200 cutting-edge industrial technologies and incubated 77 high-tech enterprises, leading to a total social investment of more than 20 billion yuan. Qingdao Area Qingdao Area, covering 52 square kilometers, prioritizes the five major fields of modern marine industries, foreign trade, shipping logistics, modern finance and advanced manufacturing. It's committed to becoming an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia, a major innovation center in China's eastern coastal areas and a demonstration area for marine economic development. As of July 16, Qingdao Area had added 22,154 new market entities, among which 133 were foreign-funded with registered capital of US$4.085 billion. By virtue of its proximity to Japan and the ROK, Qingdao has furthered its AEO mutual recognition with the two countries. At present, it is home to nine advanced certified enterprises and 22 general certified enterprises. The Qingdao-Japan International Business Club, inaugurated on June 19 and striving to become a bridgehead for Japanese enterprises to enter the Chinese market, has witnessed contract signings for 20 projects, involving banking, legal consulting, medical care and intelligent testing equipment, among others. As for cross-border e-commerce development, in the first half of 2020, the import and export value of cross-border e-commerce retail in Qingdao Qianwan Free Trade Port Zone and Qingdao West Coast Bonded Area of Qingdao Area reached 640 million yuan, 11 times that of the same period last year. The Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal is an important transit base for iron ore, crude oil, rubber, cotton and other bulk commodities into China, with the cargo throughput and container throughput ranking sixth and seventh respectively in the world. Yantai Area Located in Yantai Economic & Technological Development Area (YEDA) and covering a 29.99-square-kilometer district, it consists of two State-level industrial parks, namely Sino-Korea (Yantai) Industrial Park and the western district of the Yantai Bonded Port Zone. This area prioritizes high-end equipment manufacturing, new materials, new generations of information technology, energy conservation and environmental protection, biomedicine as well as production-supporting service industry. It aims to become a pilot area of China-ROK trade and investment cooperation, an intelligent manufacturing base of marine equipment and a demonstration area of domestic and international technology transfer. Yantai Area has more than 50,000 market entities, of which four are valued at more than 10 billion yuan and 30 more than one billion yuan. It's also home to 124 financial institutions of various types and 180 funds with a total scale of 140 billion yuan. For the Yantai Area, being closest to South Korea among all China's free trade zones, deepened China-ROK cooperation is a major focus. At present, the number of new ROK-funded projects in this area has more than doubled year-on-year. Over 540 ROK-invested enterprises and 20 projects funded by Korean enterprises on the Fortune Global 500 list have settled in YEDA. In order to strengthen the cooperation with Japan, Yantai Area initiated the building of the 12.7-square-kilometer Sino-Japan industrial park in 2019. China set up its first pilot FTZ--China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in 2013. Since then, the country has seen the emergence of 18 FTZs in the municipalities of Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing as well as provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hainan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Hebei, Yunnan, Guangxi and Heilongjiang. The coastal provinces all have the FTZ settled. According to projections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of new cancer cases in the United States between 2010 and the end of 2020 will have gone up about 24% in men and about 21% in women. That shakes out to about 1 million new cancer cases per year for men and 900,000 for women. The CDC goes on to say that, while rates for many cancers are decreasing or stabilizing, the number of new cancer cases and deaths is anticipated to continue to increase. While such a reminder would normally be of great concern, it is obscured by more pressing concerns of the moment. As outlined in a recent Time magazine report, in Bostons Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about 1,000 new patients came in for treatment consultations each week before the pandemic hit. When the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed in Massachusetts, the number of consultations quickly decreased. As restrictions have been lifted, the hospital is said to be back to about 800 consultations per week, using a mixture of telemedicine and in-person appointments. That still leaves about 200 folks who are not getting the important screenings they would during prepandemic times. And fewer screenings translates to fewer cancer diagnoses. OP-ED: The end of this road Im sure that, like many people, Ive been trying to consciously unpick my reaction to this pandemics complete upheaval of the society in which I live. How can anyone come out of this shock to the entire economic and value system of their world believing that nothing should change? Ive begun to question the way I have always protested about the things I believe wrong in our society: the marches to Aldermaston in the fifties, the burning of bras (not literally) in the sixties, along with my fury at the Vietnam war; Thatchers bedroom tax; the endless May Day rallies; the Iraq lies: over seventy years, what has my protesting achieved? As Arundhati Roy (what a woman!) remarked after the 2003 Iraq war protests: You do not stop a war with a weekend protest [...] You need to literally stop the companies that profit from war. Here we are in 2020, not looking at a brave new world, but looking at a decidedly sick one. Protesting at the behaviour of the one per cent at the top of the pile has got us nowhere and now COVID-19 forces even those who felt relatively comfortable living in this capitalist system to start doubting it. When this scourge has ended, where will those at the bottom of the pile and a lot of those currently in the middle of the pile, be? What are we hearing after this pandemic? That the rich have become even richer, while the poor die in their thousands. These are not the values I want to live by in this increasingly authoritarian world. Im sick of hearing that I live in a democracy. If that were so then those I elect to represent me would be doing just that but, increasingly, they are doing the opposite. Like the other eighty-four per cent of the electorate, I want them to tackle climate change. Their lack of action is destroying our world and this pandemic is also a case in point. We now learn that, as early as 1990, a young virologist, Stephen Morse, coined the term emerging viruses and spoke about potentially devastating pathogens emerging because our urbanisation was causing the proximity of humans to forest animals that serve as viral reservoirs: warnings about the worldwide spread of microbes accelerated by war, the global economy, and international air travel. Who was listening? Certainly not those profiting from raping the planet. Joshua Lederberg, then president of Rockefeller University stated that the single biggest threat to mans continued dominance on the planet is the virus. Realising how powerful people can be en masse, governments of all colours have brought in restrictive legislation especially for unions preventing strikes with prohibitive fines. When the fury of the people erupts, as after yet another killing of a Black American, George Floyd, by white police, they are faced with a police force equipped like an army. So, if peaceful protests prove ineffective what is left? Weve tried being peaceful in the case of global warming: hundreds of scientists signed letters, people gather regularly outside parliaments: yet nothing changes. What do we learn from this? After a lifetime, Ive learnt that peaceful protests are not working, and that other avenues should be explored. And finally, this is beginning to happen hopefully not too late with movements being mobilised to deal directly with a problem. Now were seeing lawyers becoming involved to challenge companies involved in destroying the planet. And, if this increasingly authoritarian society keeps making protest marches and strikes illegal, the next step is civil disobedience. While we continue to obey laws made to keep us quiet, continue to bend our backs producing and consuming their goods as workers in factories, companies, and universities we feed the status quo. The current system neoliberalism has alienated us and divided our sense of community, but this pandemic has given us the opportunity to imagine a new, much fairer, society: to mend our communities and join together in achieving the world we want. The power of civil disobedience and strikes are far more powerful than protests and appeals, though a strategy involving all four would be phenomenal! To achieve social change, we need a constructive and organised resistance. All the presently divided groups on the left of the spectrum need to come together and organise. The amazing deployment of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement which has become one of the largest protest movements in US history has affected the US psyche like a tsunami and is already having political repercussions: defunding of police, new laws to effect charging racist police, and end police militarisation. Once again professional groups are involved as in civil rights lawyers. But what I consider amazing is the return of community action: theres strength in numbers. Another powerful ripple in the US, revealing of a peoples revolt is the Peoples Strike [www.peoplesstrike.org], which sees people co-ordinating online, combining worker strikes in exploitative corporations such as Walmart, Amazon, and Wholefoods, united under the slogan that Capitalism is the Virus. I never thought to see this form of constructive resistance in America. Perhaps Americans are realising theyre not so free after all. Stellan Vinthagen, a professor of resistance studies at University of Massachusetts, and an activist in War Resisters International, is a keen advocate of constructive resistance, believing it enacts alternatives in a form of resistance combining the affirmatives and negatives in the struggle for social change. He advocates that it avoids the co-option trap that hunts the construction of alternatives which risks them becoming just another alternative in the capitalist market while simultaneously avoiding the repression and marginalisation trap that hunts radical resistance movements. Building this resistance involves dignity, resources, empowerment and hopeful alternatives to existing problems, while mass mobilisations of resistance tear down and obstruct the power systems of dominant elites to exploit, repress and destroy people, nature and the planet we live on. It will be a busy time during this pandemic for us to re-orient, develop strategies, and form alliances and, perhaps, find another way to organise ourselves. Unless we do this we will have lost an opportunity to emerge from COVID-19 prepared to deal with the capitalist system that threatens us, our way of life and the planet. To quote my favourite author, Arundhati Roy, again: Our strategy should be not only to confront empire, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones were being brainwashed to believe. She also added The corporate revolution will collapse if we refuse to buy what they are selling their ideas, their version of history, their wars, their weapons, their notion of inevitability. People must realise that united we can have a better world. We are in the majority and those who subjugate us are few: they need us more than we need them. Our poor, suffering earth certainly does not need them. He is known for his liberal use of the F-bomb. And Gordon Ramsay has reportedly used the profanity a whopping 212 times in his new series, Uncharted. The celebrity chef, 53, serves up a generous side order of expletives- using 302 in total- as he explores cuisine across the world in the new National Geographic series which hits small screens on Wednesday 16 September. Four-letter word: Gordon Ramsay has reportedly used the F-bomb a whopping 212 times in his new series, Uncharted, which hits small screens on Wednesday 16 September According to The Sun, within just 30 seconds of the opening scene which takes place in Tasmania, Gordon has already sworn four times. The profanity-laden show takes the chef on a journey across the globe as he immerses himself in different cultures and competes against local cooks. The new series features seven 44 minute episodes, which equates to a swearword per minute for Gordon. No filter! The Celebrity chef, 53, served up a generous side order of expletives and used 302 in total as he explores cuisine across the world in the new National Geographic series Even the man himself acknowledged that he was throwing out curse words like hot cakes. During a fishing trip in the United States on the show, he joked: 'Im in the marshes in South Louisiana where were collecting crawfish traps and so far the haul is as bad as my language.' The father-of-five, told Perth Now earlier this year that his youngest child, Oscar, one, is following in his footsteps which includes the use of expletives. In an episode on the new show he said: 'Im in the marshes in South Louisiana where were collecting crawfish traps and so far the haul is as bad as my language' Like father like son: The father-of-five, told Perth Now earlier this year that his youngest child, Oscar, one, has taken after his dad and his excessive use of the four-letter word In fact, the chef joked that the tot spoke his first words during a recent meal - and they were colourful indeed. He told the publication: 'He did his first solids, but he spat them out within three seconds. 'It was butternut squash puree. And you can sort of lip read, and Tana my wife was cooking. 'And I think the words that came out of his mouth was "f***ing disgusting!"' He said: 'He did his first solids, but he spat them out within three seconds and you can sort of lip read...And I think the words that came out of his mouth was "f***ing disgusting!' Gordon has been spending lockdown with his family in Cornwall, but he has grand plans for the next five years. The Michelin-star chef has his sights set on opening 200 new restaurants in Asia to expand his empire across the world by 2025. He began reopening the first of his 35 restaurants in July after the business struggled during the coronavirus pandemic. But now the businessman has unveiled new plans to extend his range of restaurants in contrast to industry competitors, including opening a further 50 sites in the UK as he revealed his plans in financial reports filed to Companies House last week. Asked about the move following the meeting in Brussels, Vucic said that Serbia has not opened that chapter yet, but we are doing our best to align with EU declarations, EU resolutions as much as it is possible. But he underlined that Serbia will take care of our own interests for the benefit and for the sake of our people. T he Duxford Battle of Britain Proms and the 80th anniversary edition of the Battle of Britain Airshow has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The events were due to take place this week at the Imperial War Museum's site in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, from September 18-20. The hotly-anticipated spectacles had promised to offer visitors the chance to "step back in time" and remember the efforts of the pilots who defended the nation during the decisive World War Two battle. But eager fans who had tickets for Fridays new proms event and the awe-inspiring aerobatic displays staged over the weekend have been left disappointed. The famout Battle of Britain planes were set to wow onlookers / Getty Images Why has the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show been cancelled? Imperial War Museum (IWM) said it had been "working tirelessly" with Public Health England and South Cambridgeshire District Council to ensure the event could go ahead safely. However, in a new statement days before the events were scheduled to take place, organisers said they felt "it would be irresponsible to continue with the event in this rapidly-changing climate". While IWM did not specify exactly what prompted the change, it coincided with Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing the "rule of six" ban on social gatherings of larger than six people. Airshows and outdoor events are not listed in the Government's list of 14 exemptions to the rule, which is being enforced with hefty fines and potential arrest. "We are devastated to have to take this decision, and want to thank our visitors, supporters, partners neighbours and staff members for their incredible support over the past few days and weeks," IWM said. The events were designed to pay homage to World War Two fighters / Getty Images "IWM, like many other museums across the country, is under significant financial pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic so it is a huge blow to have to cancel one of our biggest events less than a week before it takes place. "We are confident that our visitors, partners and supporters understand we would not have taken lightly a decision of this magnitude." The latest seven-day rolling average for Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in South Cambridgeshire remains low, at 11.3 - up from 9.4 last week - with 18 new cases recorded. What was the schedule for this year's Air Show? Events scheduled for this year's show included the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and other flights involving a Spitfire Balbo, the RAFs Red Arrows, and the Blades, as well as a unique appearance from the NHS Spitfire. To mark 80 years since the RAF defeated the Luftwaffe in the 1940 aerial campaign, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was billed to be showcasing a new Dowden formation with an Avro Lancaster, a Hawker Hurricane and three Supermarine Spitfires. On Friday, the AeroSuperBatics wingwalkers was scheduled to showcase mid-air acrobatics and flying synchronisation, while the Fireflies Aerobatic Display team offered up wingtip pyrotechnics and coloured LED lighting. PA On the ground, meanwhile, visitors were set to be transported back to the 1940s with vintage fairground activities and market stalls, military vehicle displays, bunting workshops, flight line walks and plenty of music and dancing. The Duxford Battle of Britain Proms was also due to host concerts by The D-Day Darlings and The FlyBoys. Will the Air Show be rearranged? IWM made no suggestion that the event will be rearranged. Instead, it will return next year. It said in a statement: "We are hugely sorry about the disruption that this cancellation will cause for everyone." Organisers added: "We promise to return with a packed programme for our next Air Show season and will release details about our 2021 programme in due course." They said they will contact everyone who has purchased as ticket to offer a refund or options to donate the ticket to IWM, or consider membership opportunities including free entry to IWM sites for a year. Mumbai, Sep 7 : Actress Kangana Ranaut has thanked Home Minister Amit Shah for providing her with Y-plus category security, following her recent spat with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut who has asked her to stay away from Mumbai. "This shows that no one can crush a patriot in the country. I am thankful to Home Minister Amit Shah. Had he wanted, he would have told me to visit Mumbai later amid the ongoing tension but he respected India's daughter and acknowledged my self-respect. Jai Hind," Kangana wrote on her verified Twitter account. On Monday, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) granted 'Y' category security to Kangana ahead of her return to Mumbai from her hometown in Himachal Pradesh, in light of her recent spat with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. A Home Ministry official, requesting anonymity, told IANS that Ranaut will be given round the clock security cover by a specialised security wing of one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). However, the official said, it was not yet confirmed if the security will be provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) or Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Kangana courted controversy when she recently compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering angry reactions from the Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena leaders. Her reaction came after Sanjay Raut had warned her against returning to Mumbai from Himachal Pradesh. Many people are asking the actress to apologise for her comments, but she has shared the video to assert that she has complete freedom of expression. ANN ARBOR, MI The racial slurs hurled at her were traumatizing, Jaleesa Rosario Turner said. But instead of beating her down, they have sparked her to start a solidarity project through social media. In early June, Turner passed the Farmers Market in Kerrytown while on a scenic walk, with the sunset in the background on Detroit Street. When she passed a group of men in a red pickup truck and gray compact SUV, she said a racist attack ensued. According to the economist Seth Stephens-Davidowitz (doing what sounded a bit like a back-of-the-envelope estimation in 2015), the son of a governor has about 6,000 times better chance of becoming a governor than the average American. The son of a senator has about an 8,500 times higher chance of becoming a senator. Sure, sometimes a governors son or daughter is the best person for the job. But I dont think we want to be a country where power is passed so routinely from generation to generation within the same family just because they seem safe or familiar or because we recognize the name. (For the record, the longest-existing dynasty in the world today is the Yamoto family, which has been the imperial family of Japan for at least 1,500 years.) And speaking of dynasties, was I the only one who got a cold chill watching Donald Jr. and Ivanka at last weeks Republican convention? Maybe Im wrong, but I saw something in their demeanors that screamed out: You havent seen the last of us. She relocated to Los Angeles as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, putting the country on a nationwide lockdown. But Elsa Hosk was back in New York and accompanied by boyfriend of five years Tom Daly on Sunday as the couple ventured out for a stroll. The Swedish model, 31, looked typically stylish in an oversized blazer while walking alongside Danish entrepreneur Tom following their return to the east coast. Here they come: Elsa Hosk was back in New York and accompanied by boyfriend Tom Daly on Sunday as the couple ventured out for a stroll With her toned legs on full display, Elsa caught the eye as they made their way across the sidewalk during a trip to the city's trendy SoHo district. She added to her look with a pair of casual running shoes, while heavily tinted sunglasses rounded things off. In accordance with current safety guidelines, the model concealed her naturally pretty features beneath a protective face covering, as did Tom. On trend: The Swedish model, 31, looked typically stylish in an oversized blazer while walking alongside Tom following their return to the east coast Hard to miss: With her toned legs on full display, Elsa caught the eye as they made their way across the sidewalk during a trip to the city's trendy SoHo district Elsa and Tom are back in New York after spending lockdown in southern California as the coronavirus crisis worsened. Speaking out during quarantine, Elsa told Instagram followers that although she lives in New York, she was very excited to be spending time in LA as she hopes to make it her permanent home one day. In her two new informal Instagram series', 'Cooking with Elsa' and 'Ask Elsa' the model shows cooking recipes and also answers questions for her 6.2M fans. LA baby: Elsa is back in New York after spending lockdown in southern California as the coronavirus crisis worsened Through these channels Elsa has also been open about her approach to eating and how she finds balance when it comes to keeping her top model figure but also indulging in things she likes. 'I eat pretty healthy but I also eat a lot of s*** like pizza, burgers. I love Shake Shack. Its like my favorite thing to eat. I love pasta, but I also like salads and I also like really healthy foods,' she said. During lockdown Elsa also scored a new contract with Creative Artists Agency and enjoyed a holiday to Jamaica before she and Tom decamped to California. A former soldier injured in a 1974 IRA bomb attack in Co Tyrone in which two of his colleagues were killed took part in the Extinction Rebellion newspaper protests, it has been claimed. Donald Bell is believed to have joined the organisation last week as it targeted two printing presses in England as it accused the media of failing to "report on the climate and ecological emergency". More than 100 protesters used vehicles and bamboo structures to block roads outside the facilities, which print News UK titles including the Sun, Times, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and the London Evening Standard. Mr Bell (64), who is from Cambridge, was one of seven soldiers hurt in a booby-trap landmine explosion at an electricity sub-station outside Stewartstown during the Troubles. Two other soldiers, 30-year-old father-of-two Vernon Rose and 35-year-old John Charles, a father-of-four, were killed in the explosion, while a policeman lost an eye. Mr Bell has previously spoken of his service in Northern Ireland when explaining his support for Extinction Rebellion. "I have been blown up in Northern Ireland and suffered an injury, and here I am still defending the people," he said. The activist said he was prompted to support Extinction Rebellion after writing letters to the Government for nearly 50 years but was always ignored. He said: "We had to be more disruptive. "I just felt compelled to do something for my children and grandchildren." Earlier this year, Mr Bell was injured while taking part in another Extinction Rebellion protest. At the time, he said he was facing possible surgery after he was struck by a car during an Extinction Rebellion protest in Cambridge. Mr Bell, who described the incident as a "deliberate attack", said he suffered lasting injuries as a result of the collision. The former soldier completed four tours of Northern Ireland. According to a newspaper report from the time of the 1974 explosion, the two soldiers were killed instantly while an investigation was ongoing into an earlier bomb attack at the sub-station. At first, it was thought that three soldiers had died such was the devastation caused by the explosion. A man who was first at the scene said: "It was horrific, the worst I have ever seen. Blood and limbs were everywhere. "One of the injured soldiers had half his face blown off." Two civilians were also injured in the blast. Meanwhile, Extinction Rebellion's protests led to a night of chaos and 81 arrests in Knowsley, Merseyside, and Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, while Boris Johnston has condemned the protest as "completely unacceptable". In Away, the thrills of space travel are side-lined in favour of This Is Us-flavoured family melodrama. Language: English Matthew McConaughey did it in Interstellar. Ryan Gosling in First Man. Brad Pitt more recently in Ad Astra. Now, Hilary Swank ventures into space leaving her loved ones behind in Netflix's space weepie, Away. Emma Green (Swank) has been waiting for this moment all her life: she has been chosen to lead the first manned mission to Mars. She couldn't be more thrilled. Yet at the same time, she couldn't be more distressed. Being a part of this historic mission means she will be away from her teenage daughter Alexis (Talitha Bateman) and her husband Matt (Josh Charles) for three years. And it's a mission where returning home isn't a guarantee. Once the rocket lifts off, reconciling work and long-distance family life turns out to be a bigger challenge than Emma had foreseen. Out in deep space, accompanying her on the journey to Mars are some of the world's most qualified scientists: there's Ram (Ray Panthaki), her Indian co-pilot and a surgeon; Kwesi (Ato Essandoh), the British botanist full of neuroses; Lu (Vivian Wu), the reticent Chinese chemist; and Misha (Mark Ivanir), the grumpy Russian engineer and occasional comic relief. Her traveling companions may be highly qualified scientists, but they lack a chief qualification required to make this mission a success: teamwork. For such a momentous chapter in history, you would think these nations would have assembled a crew who would get along, or at least resolved their differences before they got on the ship. But no. Interpersonal conflicts keep flaring up, and Emma, as commander, must put out these fires, reminding them they're working towards a common goal. Each episode, the show introduces a new life-threatening complication that comes with space travel to put their conflicts aside and work together. As not every crew member has unwavering faith in her ability as a leader, Emma's test also becomes one where she must convince them her decisions won't cost them their lives. So, she must lead from the front, always, under the watchful eyes of the NASA mission control centre and the whole world watching on TV. Though Away shoots for Mars, it gets stuck somewhere in Earth's orbit. In addition to the sacrifices required of the astronauts, the show also focuses on those of their families anxiously waiting for them at home, living each day with the fear of never being able to embrace them again. Her husband Matt was himself an astronaut who could have been part of the Mars mission alongside her, if not for an underlying genetic disorder which took him out of the running. When he suffers a stroke, Emma feels guilty for not being by his side. It's a work-family dilemma still faced by many women in a society which deems it incompatible. But Matt never questions her priorities or guilt-trips her on the weight of her absence. In fact, he urges her not to abandon the mission even as he lies sick and barely conscious in the hospital. Yet, it is Emma who torments herself with guilt, owing to the preconditioned sense of familial responsibility society has hammered into its women. Exploring space travel through a maternal lens, Away shows a mother remotely managing the life of her teenage daughter through a screen. Alexis deals with her mother's absence in the most teenage way: finding a dicey outlet for her angst. In her case, it's dropping grades, daredevil boys and dirt bikes, and as you would expect, it's not the most parent-friendly combination. So, drama ensues. Only, in a story where astronauts are embarking on a most perilous mission towards the final frontier, teen melodrama should take the back seat but annoyingly keeps jumping up to the front. It's not all about Emma and her family though. We are also treated to the backstories of the other crew members through formative memories shown in flashbacks. These clue us in on their Earthly lives. Ram became estranged from his family after the death of his brother, and the ghosts of guilt still haunt him. Yu is not as heartless as she lets on: she is in love with a woman unbeknownst to her husband and son, and fears it may be used against her by the Chinese government. Misha's contentious nature comes partly from his seniority, but mostly his remorse over abandoning his young daughter to serve his Matushka Rossiya (Russian motherland). Kwesi was born in Ghana where he lost both his parents, before being adopted by a British Jewish family. He brings in the faith element to this grand science experiment. In critical moments of the mission, the crew turn to him for prayer, for hope, and for miracle in a journey full of obstacles. He eventually becomes the glue that holds the team together, making them realise they're now a family who must rely on each other to survive. Away doesn't really indulge in the inherent special-effects exhibition that outer space-set dramas tend to offer. Aside from two EVAs (spacewalk) undertaken on repair missions, the thrills of space travel are side-lined in favour of This Is Us-flavoured family melodrama. Philosophical reflections on man's place in the universe make way for cosmic doses of sentimentality. The show would have got lost in space's zero gravity if not for Swank, who grounds the show in an emotional reality. The restlessness of a mother who may never see her daughter again, the helplessness of a wife who can't help her hospitalised husband, and the constant distress of a leader whose mistakes can lead to large-scale disaster all feel strangely familiar, doesn't it? Away somehow captures the anxiety of those forced to keep away from their loved ones, and those forced to confine themselves in a small space without the possibility of going outside, in the middle of a pandemic. Judging Away in a vacuum however, for a show about mankind's greatest adventure, it is narratively unadventurous. Just like Lost in Space, Another Life and Space Force. Netflix, we have a problem. Advertisement Kejriwal requested people to drain the stagnant water and replace it, saying, "I hope and believe that the people of Delhi will again engage and save Delhi from dengue just like they did the last time".The Delhi government had started the campaign in September 2019 as nearly 15,867 dengue cases, and 60 deaths were reported in Delhi in 2015.Kejriwal also appealed to every citizen to begin the mega-campaign from their own homes and spend at least 10 minutes every Sunday to make sure there is no stagnant water in their homes and surroundings.The campaign also encouraged the residents to pick up the phone and call 10 of their friends or relatives and advise them on the good practices of preventing dengue.Source: Medindia Brussels: The European Union warned Serbia and Kosovo on Monday that they could undermine their EU membership hopes by moving their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem, as US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement about the change left officials in Belgrade and Pristina scrambling to limit the political fallout. In an unexpected move last week, Trump said that Serbia and Kosovo had agreed to normalize economic ties as part of U.S.-brokered talks that include Belgrade moving its embassy to Jerusalem, and mutual recognition between Israel and Kosovo. It surprised the Europeans, who are leading complex talks between Serbia and its former territory of Kosovo on improving their long-strained relations, while Serbian officials appeared to be watering down their commitment to Trump, and Kosovo sought to allay concerns among Muslim countries. The 27-nation EU's long-held policy is that Jerusalem's status should be worked out between Israel and the Palestinians as part of broader peace negotiations, and that Serbia ? as a candidate to join the bloc should respect that. "There is no EU member state with an embassy in Jerusalem," European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said. "Any diplomatic steps that could call into question the EU's common position on Jerusalem are a matter of serious concern and regret." Praising what he said was ?a major breakthrough? and ?a truly historic commitment,? Trump ? deep into campaigning ahead of November's presidential election ? announced Friday that ?Serbia and Kosovo have each committed to economic normalisation." Trump also said that Serbia has committed to open a commercial office in Jerusalem this month and move its embassy there in July. The Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in late 2017 and moved the U.S. Embassy there in May 2018. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Serbia's president and confirmed that Israel and Kosovo, a predominantly Muslim country, will establish diplomatic relations. He said Pristina also will open its embassy in Jerusalem. Stano, speaking as Serbian President Aleksander Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minster Avdullah Hoti were holding a new round of talks in Brussels on normalizing their relations, said the EU was told in advance only about the economic aspects of the White House event, not about movements in Jerusalem. In Belgrade, Serbian officials appeared to be stepping back from the embassy pledge, with Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic saying the final decision will still have to be discussed by the government and will depend on ?a number of factors? including future development of ties with Israel. Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci, meanwhile, was on the phone with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, trying to assuage fears about the decision to recognize Israel expressed by Turkey and the Arab League group of countries. "Such a recognition will not violate under any circumstances the strategic, friendly and fraternal partnership with Turkey," Thaci said after the conversation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the deal that establishes diplomatic relations with Kosovo, and would have both Kosovo and Serbia open embassies in Jerusalem. They would join the U.S. And Guatemala as the only countries with embassies in the contested city, whose eastern sector is claimed by the Palestinians as the capital of a future state. Shoppers on Regent Street - Dominic Lipinski /PA Matt Hancock has appealed to young people not to infect their grandparents, as nearly 3,000 new cases were announced on Sunday, the highest daily total since May. Describing Sundays toll of 2,988 as concerning, the health and social care secretary said the rise in cases among young people risked a spike across the population as a whole. It follows 1,175 announced on Saturday. Public Health England (PHE) said there had been broad increases across the whole of England in recent days and that no single area accounts for the surge. However, Birmingham, which has teetered on the edge of being returned to lockdown for more than a fortnight, saw the largest increase in overnight cases, while the majority of new infections were in the north of England. Scotland recorded 208 new cases on Sunday, the highest daily increase for more than 17 weeks. The cases are predominantly among younger people, but we've seen in other countries across the world and in Europe, this sort of rise in the cases amongst younger people leading to a rise across the population as a whole, said Mr Hancock. It's so important that people don't allow this illness to infect their grandparents, and to lead to the sorts of problems that we saw earlier in the year. Professor Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, UEA, said: Todays reported number of cases is the largest new cases reported in a single day since May. This is especially concerning for a Sunday when report numbers are generally lower than most other days of the week." He added: Some of that increase may be because of catch up from delayed tests over the past few days due to the widely reported difficulties the UK testing service has faced dealing with the number of tests being requested. Nevertheless this represents a marked increase in the 7 day rolling average of 1812 cases/day compared to 1244 a week ago and 1040 a week before that. Matt Hancock - John Sibley/Reuters Fortunately, the daily reported numbers of deaths due to Covid-19 remain very low with a 7 day rolling average of just 7 deaths/day. However, with the new approach to recording deaths it is difficult to be confident that there are timely statistics. It will be another two or even more weeks before we can really expect to see any impact on mortality figures." Story continues The spike comes as a leaked PHE analysis of cases in the north revealed officials have questioned the point of local lockdowns on the basis that the virus has become endemic in parts of England. An analysis of Covid levels in parts of the North found that even the national lockdown had failed to bring transmission down to near zero, as it had in most of the country. The authors ask: If these areas were not able to attain near-zero Covid status during full lockdown, how realistic is it that we can expect current restriction escalations to work? Leaked to the Observer, the analysis points to a tension between epidemiologists at PHE and government policy, which is to impose local lockdowns in response to case numbers rising. Leeds was added to an official watchlist of areas of concern on Friday, with the city council pointing to young people attending house parties as a significant cause of the rise in cases. The latest figures suggest that the five worst-hit areas are all currently in the north-west. Bolton had 98.1 cases per 100,000 people over the last seven days, with 63.2 in Bradford, 56.8 in Blackburn and Darwen, 53.6 in Oldham and 46.7 in Salford. This is compared to 5.2 across Kent, 3.2 in Southampton and 5.9 in Milton Keynes. The document draws strong associations between stubbornly high infection rates and deprivation, poor housing and large BAME communities. The overall analysis suggests Bolton, Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale never really left the epidemic phase and that nine of the 10 boroughs [of Greater Manchester] are currently experiencing an epidemic phase, the document states. It continues: Each region has experienced its own epidemic journey with the north peaking later and the NW [north-west], Y&H [Yorkshire and Humber] and EM [East Midlands] failing to return to a near-zero Covid status even during lockdown, unlike the other regions which have been able to return to a near pre-Covid state. The Philippines government announced over a dozen new tower companies registered interest in opening operations in the country, due to early measures introduced to simplify building shared telecom infrastructure. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said in a statement, it received letters of intent from 13 additional tower companies, adding to the departments list of mostly foreign-owned 24 firms. DICT, the Anti-Red Tape Authority and other government arms signed a memorandum in July to: streamline the process of applications for the requirements, permits, licenses, clearances, certificates, and other necessary documents. This was to enable independent tower companies to construct shared passive telecommunications infrastructure. DICT unveiled the new direction and overhauled the rules in June, stating the country requires around 50,000 extra towers to achieve optimal coverage. The department stated the Covid-19 (coronavirus) underlined the need for improved communications infrastructure, and is one of the major concerns of the government due to rising demand from citizens. These inter-agency efforts are initiated with the recognition that ICT infrastructure improvements need to begin with the reduction of bureaucratic red tape that has long interfered with our mission of improving Internet connection in the country, said Gregorio B. Honasan II, DICT secretary. With everyone stepping up, we hope to fast-track the build-up of telecommunication towers in support of President Dutertes directives to fully address the Filipinos connectivity needs, he added. MILWAUKEE - The Latest on Election 2020 (all times local): 7 p.m. President Donald Trump said Monday that top Defence Department leaders want to keep waging wars in order to keep defence contractors happy. Trump continues to fight allegations that he made offensive comments about fallen U.S. service-members, including calling World War I dead at an American military cemetery in France losers and suckers in 2018. The Atlantic first reported on the anonymously sourced allegations. At a White House news conference Monday, Trump repeated his claim that the story was a hoax and said: Im not saying the militarys in love with me. The soldiers are. However, he added, The top people in the Pentagon probably arent because they want to do nothing but fight wars so all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy. __ 4:20 p.m. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is continuing his broadsides against Trump during a virtual town hall with AFL-CIO union members. Biden called the presidents alleged remarks about fallen soldiers being losers and suckers un-American. And he said Trump would never understand why Americans serve. Hell never understand you, hell never understand us, hell never understand our cops, our firefighters, because hes not made of the same stuff, Biden said. He told the union members: You live by a code, an American code. It sounds corny but its real: honour, duty, country, something bigger than yourselves. He lives by a code of lies, greed and selfishness. Biden marked Labor Day with a visit with union leaders at the AFL-CIOs Pennsylvania headquarters in Harrisburg. __ 2:30 p.m. An attorney representing the family of Jacob Blake says Sen. Kamala Harris visit with the family Monday was inspirational and uplifting. Attorney Ben Crump says Blake joined in the conversation by phone from his hospital bed. Blake remains hospitalized after being shot in the back seven times by a white Kenosha police officer while authorities were trying to arrest him on Aug. 23. He remains paralyzed. Crump says Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, spoke individually with each family member about how they were handling the shooting and urged them to take care of their physical and mental health. Crump says Blake told Harris he was proud of her, and Harris told Blake that she was also proud of him and the way he was working through his pain. Jacob Jr. assured her that he was not going to give up on life for the sake of his children, Crump said. Crump says Harris also talked about policy changes she and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will seek, and encouraged family members to continue to use their voices to help end systemic racism. __ 1:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says hes expecting a strong rebound in the third quarter, with a good economic report coming out just in time for the November election. He held a Labor Day news conference to talk up the economys recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and to run down his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. Trump claims Bidens policies would destroy the economy. The U.S. economy has been steadily rebounding from its epic collapse in the spring as many businesses have reopened and rehired some laid-off employees. Yet the recovery is far from complete. Only about half the 22 million jobs that vanished in the pandemic have been recovered. ___ 12:50 p.m. Vice-President Mike Pence says the Trump administration stands with law enforcement, and there is no excuse for the violent unrest that has been seen in many American cities. During a Monday speech in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Pence talked about jobs, the economy and efforts to manufacture a safe vaccine for the coronavirus. He also spoke about protests that have been happening in Kenosha, after a police officer shot Jacob Blake, leaving him paralyzed. Pence did not mention Blake by name. He said police use of excessive force would be investigated, but there is no excuse for rioting. He said violence against citizens and property must stop now, and that a Trump administration would never defund police departments. Pence also spoke about the race to create an effective vaccine for the coronavirus. He said that while Biden has said there is no miracle, America is in the miracle business and he said there would be a safe, effective vaccine for COVID-19 before the end of the year. ___ 12:30 p.m. Joe Biden is willing to take a coronavirus vaccine as long as scientists say its OK. Speaking to reporters after a campaign stop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Biden said first hed want to see what the scientists said about any potential vaccine. But he said he would like to see a vaccine tomorrow, even if if would cost him the election by helping President Donald Trump. Biden also called for full transparency on the vaccine, warning that Trumps repeated misstatements and falsehoods with respect to the virus are undermining public confidence. He said hes worried that if we do have a really good vaccine people are going to be reluctant to take it. New Delhi: Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (September 7) lauded the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for successfully flight testing the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. India's successfully testing HSTDV vehicle is being considered as a big step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Singh said that with this successful testing conducted by DRDO, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase. Taking to microblogging site Twitter, Singh said, ''The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demontrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase. The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demontrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 7, 2020 Singh also spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on the achievement. He said, ''I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them.'' Indonesian epidemiologists have warned the national government is too focused on pursuing a vaccine to defeat COVID-19 and is neglecting the public health system, while tougher enforcement of mask-wearing and better contact tracing is also needed. Joko Widodo and his cabinet ministers frequently talk up the prospect of a vaccine, with the President recently suggesting the country hoped to roll out the domestically produced merah putih (red and white, the colours of the Indonesian flag) by mid-2021. Indonesia's state-owned Bio Farma has also struck a deal with China's Sinovac Biotech to supply a vaccine to Indonesia, with stage three trials beginning on 1600 volunteers in Indonesia. Virus awareness billboards in Jakarta feature President Joko Widodo. Although not the hardest hit, Indonesia is still struggling to contain the spread. Credit:AP Co-ordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said after cabinet on Monday the government would launch fresh campaigns to promote mask wearing and hand washing before claiming BioFarma-Sinovac could supply 290 million doses of the vaccine. More than 2,000 students across Limerick are set to receive their Leaving Cert results today - nearly six months after schools closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Department of Education, a total of 1,213 male and 1,304 female students from Limerick city and county will receive their results when they are released. As this year's conventional State examinations were cancelled in June, students in Limerick and across the country will, instead, receive calculated grades which have been determined from a combination of information provided by the school about a students expected performance in an examination and national data available in relation to the performance of students in examinations over a period of time. In an open letter to students who will receive their results today, Minister for Education Norma Foley said: "This is a very different day from what we had anticipated for you, and from what you had planned and dreamed for yourselves. I do appreciate what an especially difficult time you have had over the past six months, and I want to commend you for the patience, courage and resilience you have shown in that time. This has been a challenging time for students, their families and school communities. However, I do believe what has been created is the fairest possible solution given the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves as we journey together through the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, with confidence, you can look back with pride on all that you have achieved and look forward with courage to the next exciting phase of your lives. While the results will be available online through a dedicated student portal from 9am, most schools have made arrangements to facilitate those students who want to attend in person to collect their results. "Schools have been advised to provide support to students in an appropriate way through enabling students to come to the school if they wish at a scheduled time, following Covid-19 and health and safety protocols, to meet with members of the Student Support Team such as Guidance Counsellors, Year Heads, Tutors and Chaplains," said a spokesperson for the State Examinations Commission. The Leaving Certificate student helpline, at 1800 265 165, which is provided by the National Parents Council post-primary will be available from 11am for students to reach a guidance counsellor with any queries that they may have. The helpline is staffed by qualified guidance counsellors and will continue to operate until September 16. Further details can be found here. After receiving their results today, the focus of students will quickly switch and the release of the CAO offers. Students are being reminded of the current public health guidelines if considering any celebrations. Stay with the Limerick Leader - online and on social media - for updates across the day. Send us your photos by emailing news@limerickleader.ie or by WhatsApp at 0860266470 The 15-nation regional bloc ECOWAS has been pressuring new military leaders to hand over power to civilian rule. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS called on Malis new military government that seized power last month to appoint a civilian to head a transition government by September 15. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) slapped sanctions on Mali after the August 18 coup, including closing borders and banning trade, and has called for elections within 12 months. The military government has proposed a years-long, military-led transition back to civilian rule, but ECOWAS commission chief Jean-Claude Kassi Brou has insisted it be led by a civilian president and prime minister for a 12-month period. In the final statement of an ECOWAS summit in Nigers capital Niamey on Monday, Brou said Malis civilian transition president and prime minister must be appointed no later than September 15. It will be difficult for the Malian authorities to reach an agreement that is acceptable to ECOWAS in the next few days to set up a transitional government, but if both sides make substantial concessions some kind of an agreement can be reached, Al Jazeeras Ahmed Idris, reporting from Abuja, said. However, it remains to be seen whether they will meet the tough conditions set by ECOWAS. It was unclear what kind of leverage ECOWAS has over the military rulers to force the September 15 deadline, but the grouping could keep sanctions in place while tracking the consultations between the military government and various Malian factions. Help us to help Mali ECOWAS earlier issued a new call for a swift transition to civilian rule. It is our communitys duty to help Malians towards the swift re-establishment of all democratic institutions. The military junta [government] must help us to help Mali, ECOWASs outgoing chairman, Nigers President Mahamadou Issoufou, said at the start of a summit. During an extraordinary ECOWAS summit on Mali last week, Issoufou indicated sanctions would be lifted gradually depending on the implementation of measures allowing a return to civilian rule. Eight heads of state including Senegalese President Macky Sall, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, and Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo attended Mondays summit. 200819085012741 Mali has long been plagued by instability, armed conflict, ethnic violence and endemic corruption with widespread unrest building until a clique of rebel soldiers detained overthrown President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last month. Within hours of taking control, the soldiers pledged to enact a political transition and stage elections within a reasonable time. The military government held talks over the weekend with opposition groups on its promise to hand power back to civilians, after mounting pressure from neighbouring countries over fears of even more instability in the war-torn nation. International powers fear continued political turmoil will further destabilise Mali and undermine a joint fight against armed groups in the wider Sahel region. India on Monday touched the grim distinction of recording the second most higest number of covid-19 cases globally. India surpassed Brazil with 42,04,614 cases and is now behind the USA which has recorded 6.29 million covid-19 cases. Brazil has registered 4.14 million case. India's covid-19 death toll breached the 71,000 mark as 1016 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday. The number of deaths due to the infection has reached 71,642. The country registered a hike of more than 90,000 cases for the second time in a single day as 90,802 new cases covid-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, taking India's total coronavirus cases to 42,04,614. The total covid-19 case tally stands at 42,04,614 at including 8,82,542 active cases, 32,50,429 cured/discharged/migrate and 71,642 deaths according to the data provided by the Ministry of Health. India has already been recording more number of fresh cases than Brazil for the last few days. Brazil recorded 14,521 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, as well as 447 deaths from the disease, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. In terms of deaths caused by covid-19, too, India is currently at the third spot after the US and Brazil with a total of 71,642 people succumbing to the highly infectious disease. Brazil has registered 4.14 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 126,650, according to ministry data. The United States has recorded the highest number of deaths followed by Brazil India,Mexico and Britain. are 8,82,542 active cases of the infection in the country which comprises 20.99 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and it went past 40 lakh on September 5. According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 4,95,51,507 samples have been tested up to September 6 with 7,20,362 samples being tested on Sunday. The only comforting factor for India is that the covid-19 Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has dropped below 2% and is on a continuous decline, according to data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The data published by the Union Ministry shows that the CFR was 2.15 per cent on August 1 and stands at 1.72 per cent on September 6. The data further shows that the average weekly CFR was 1.97 per cent for the week of August 10 to August 16. The average weekly CFR has dropped to 1.75 per cent for the week of August 31 to September 6. In cumulative terms, five states account for more than 60% of the total active cases in the country. Maharashtra contributes most to the active caseload, ,followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which stands at 6.10%. f the 1,016 fresh deaths, 328 are from Maharashtra, 95 from Karnataka, 88 from Tamil Nadu, 77 from Uttar Pradesh, 70 from Andhra Pradesh, 54 from Punjab, 52 from West Bengal, 29 each from Delhi and Madhya Pradesh, 25 from Haryana, 24 from Chhattisgarh and 16 from Puducherry. Fifteen fatalities have been reported each from Bihar and Rajasthan, 14 each from Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir, 10 from Kerala, 11 from Uttarakhand, nine from Telangana, eight each from Assam and Odisha, seven each from Jharkhand and Goa, five from Tripura, two each from Chandigarh and Manipur, one each from Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Of the total 71,642 deaths, Maharashtra has reported the maximum at 26,604 followed by 7,836 in Tamil Nadu, 6,393 in Karnataka, 4,567 in Delhi, 4,417 in Andhra Pradesh, 3,920 in Uttar Pradesh, 3,562 in West Bengal, 3,105 in Gujarat and 1,862 in Punjab. So far, 1,572 people have died of COVID-19 in Madhya Pradesh, 1,137 in Rajasthan, 895 in Telangana, 806 in Haryana, 784 in Jammu and Kashmir, 750 in Bihar, 546 in Odisha, 469 in Jharkhand, 380 in Chhattisgarh, 360 in Assam, 347 in Kerala and 341 in Uttarakhand. Puducherry has registered 314 fatalities, Goa 236, Tripura 149, Chandigarh 71, Himachal Pradesh 55, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 50, Manipur 38, Ladakh 35, Meghalaya 16, Nagaland 10, Arunachal Pradesh eight, Sikkim five and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu two. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. *With inputs from agencies Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Rapper Guru is known for his bluntness when it comes to issues concerning the music industry; he and other players in the industry have for years talked about a lack of unity which is impeding their progress. And now he is talking about how unhelpful and hypocritical his colleagues are. According to him, every artiste claimed he/she didnt have it easy at the start of his/her career but not many of them went back to their roots to help others who were struggling. In Ghana when you make it, it is just about you and your efforts because most of us dont really care about the next person. We pretend we love each other when there is an issue but truth be told, we are not. When a musician wins an award or lands a big collaboration, we only send congratulatory messages but most of them dont even come deep from our hearts. We are just hypocrites pretending to love one another, he told Graphic Showbiz recently. Guru, sharing a sentiment expressed by other artistes, said Nigerians were always good at helping their brothers and that was the reason why they always went higher. Check how many unground artistes get featured by these big musicians. If you are not popular or no one knows you, forget about a collaboration with a bigger musician in Ghana. It is only when that big musician needs something from a smaller artiste that he/she will consider doing something with him/her, he said. Speaking on what he had been up to musically, Guru, who has been off the scene for a while now, said he was planning something big. There comes a time when you need to go back to the drawing board and do your homework and come back strong. When you do one particular thing over the years, Ghanaians automatically become fed up with you so a musician has to be innovative, he said. In spite of the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic across the world, Ghana included, Guru said there was some good in it as it had made artistes very creative. To every bad thing there is a positive side. I never knew artistes could be this creative and organise their own virtual concerts which all became successful. I have come to respect all the artistes who put up successful shows, he explained. Guru, real name Maradona Yeboah Adjei, came to public attention he featured on Obrafour's song Kasiebo. Since then he has released hit songs such as Lapaz Toyota, Amen, Azonto Boys, Abena, Nkwada Nkwada and Alkayida (Boys Abre). Despite receiving several nominations at various awards schemes including the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Guru, who is respected as a good lyricist, has never won an award and he has over the years castigated the organisers, Charterhouse. In 2017, Guru pulled out of the VGMA but rescinded his decision after thrashing things out with Charterhouse. Last weekend, after Kuami Eugene was crowned the Artiste of the Year at the 21st edition of the VGMA, Guru tweeted that the awards scheme will only be credible the day he wins Artiste of the Year. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Cardi B and Candace Owens went at it on Twitter, Sunday night, after Owens criticized Cardi B's lyrics and her recent hit song "WAP." Frazer Harrison / Getty Images "Since most black people didnt have the spine to admit that @benshapiro was 100% correct about @iamcardib and how her music and platform contributes to the disintegration of black culture and values," she wrote on Twitter, with a video of her discussing the topic. "You wanna know why Joe gotta talk to me Candice," Cardi responded on Twitter. "Cause I have the #1 song & yet my sister cant go to the beach in the Hamptons wit out trump supporters harassing cause they were by themselves & Santa Claus was harassing my sis GF all because they are a Afro/Hispanic gay couple" From there the two went back and forth, taking shots at each other on the personal level and policy level. "To clarifyJoe Biden 'gotta talk' to you because you have the number 1 song and Santa Claus was harassing your sister?" Owens said. "Um. K. Thanks for clearing that one up." "Yes you are right I have the number 1 song & I have a huge platform and I can make millions go vote to get the MAN THAT USED YOU. I dont want to argue with you Candace I really dont have the time. I honestly just feel sorry for you," Cardi responded. "Lastly, asking racist Joe Biden to lower your taxes in the same breath that you asked for free universal healthcare is about as thick as it gets. When you stick to music, you can get left alone. When you dabble in politics, you will get called out for platforming ignorance," Owens said. Check out more from the Twitter duel below. LIMERICK travel agents have joined a national campaign in a desperate plea to save 3,000 jobs in the industry. Linda McNamara of Newcastle West firm Ace Travel, is urging the public to get behind an online petition, saying that her sector has not been supported by government through the Covid-19 lockdown. So far, almost 5,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging the government to change tack. We were the first hit and worst hit business in the pandemic, Ms McNamara said, Our pleas for help to the Government have been ignored so far. The supports they have announced to date are inappropriate for a business that has been handing out cash refunds to customers for the past six months and are likely to be doing so for another nine months, she said. All this comes as travel to the majority of countries from Ireland remains advised against, with only a limited number on a green list. Its meant refunds to customers have been a fact of life for the industry. Our companies' retained reserves have been almost wiped out in keeping it operating and servicing the refunds for our clients, pending some meaningful assistance coming from our government, Ms McNamara added. As of this week, the change in the wage subsidy support from 350 down to 203 will effectively put 3,000 people nationwide out of work. We need to have the wage subsidy retained and to get a grant for our industry to help us to keep our doors open and save jobs. The supports announced to date are not effective nor suitable for an industry going through such devastation. We feel the government just do not understand what a micro-business is and have therefore designed supports for an entirely different type of business, she said. Ms McNamara argues small business owners in the small business sector are despondent and are pleading with the public to get behind their cause. Our experience to date is that the Government will not listen and do not understand the effect their non-essential travel ban has had on our businesses as it has effectively stopped us trading. Young Irish people, with mortgages, creche fees, utility bills are being made redundant in their hundreds already. Soon to be thousands. Many are jobs in small towns and villages that will be impossible to replace. We have good forward business but need to get to Easter of next year but without tailored supports from the Government this will not be possible, she concluded. The online petition can be viewed here New Delhi: Demonetisation will have a very significant adverse effect on the nations GDP and also emerge as an issue in the upcoming assembly elections in five states, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday. You will see there will be a very significant adverse effect on the countrys GDP, Singh said, after releasing the Congress manifesto for Punjab polls. Recalling his statement in Parliament that demonetisation will have a very adverse impact on the GDP of the country Singh said subsequent developments have proved him right. Also Read: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh releases Congress manifesto for Punjab polls In this context, he referred to the recent projection by the National Income Unit of the Central Statistical Organisation that the GDP in 2016-17 will slow down to 7.1 per cent from 7.6 per cent in 2016. This, he said, had not accounted for demonetisation, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an unusual address to the nation on the night of November 8. Also Read: Demonetisation: PMO refuses to answer RTI queries, says no info on officials who were consulted Asked whether elections would be fought on the issue of demonetisation, he said, It will be an issue in the assembly elections in five states. Manmohan Singh has been highly critical of the demonetisation decision and has predicted a 2 per cent drop in the countrys GDP due to it. Speaking in Rajya Sabha during a debate on the issue, Singh had castigated the government and the Prime Minister over the note ban, saying its implementation was a monumental management failure and a case of organised loot and legalised plunder. Also Read: Demonetisation: PAC can call PM if not satisfied by RBI Guv's reply, says KV Thomas Singh, who spoke in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha, said the decision will result in decline of GDP by 2 per cent, it being an under-estimate. These measures convinced me that the way the scheme has been implemented, its a monumental management failure. And in fact, it is a case of organised loot and legalised plunder, he had said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. File photo dated 06/01/15 of money in a piggy bank. Pension providers are having to stand by and watch as customers transfer their life savings to potential scammers, a report claims. Over half of UK workers have reported worrying about money on a weekly basis, with women and young people among those most likely to have increased financial anxiety. According to new research from financial wellbeing platform, nudge, poor financial literacy is causing rising debt and money worries as three quarters of British workers dont feel completely confident about their money management skills. The data shows four in 10 brits who lack money management skills are in more debt now than they were six months ago, and over half (53%) of them are more anxious about money than they were six months ago. More than one in five 16-24 year-olds admitted to either having no idea how to manage their money or had an idea but often got it wrong. These figures show a concerning future ahead for those without competent money management skills as the UK heads into recession due to the coronavirus pandemic. Poor financial literacy is a ticking time bomb which will only exacerbate the problems people are facing right now whether thats related to health, relationships or mental wellbeing, said co-founder of nudge, Tim Perkins. A really worrying number of people dont feel confident in their skills and knowledge when it comes to managing their money. This knowledge is especially critical in tougher times. More than a quarter of young people said they feel pressure to continuously save money, and one in five said they feel social pressure to spend beyond their means. According to a Manchester University study, there was a 33% increase in clinically significant levels of psychological distress in women and a 37% increase in young people in April compared to before the pandemic. A recent TUC poll found that two in five working mothers with children under the age of 10 cannot get, or are unsure whether they can get, adequate childcare to enable them go back to work this month, causing concern about the longer-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic on women and their employment prospects. Susanne Jacobs, founder of workplace wellness organisation, The Seven, said: Having the right skills and knowledge to manage our money grants us a sense of agency and allows us greater autonomy in how we live our lives. Without these, we can be trapped by our circumstances with little ability to carve out our chosen path and this depletes our energy, motivation and performance, to the detriment of every aspect of our lives. Some 2,700 troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, France, and host Georgia have begun major military exercises in the South Caucasus nation. The Noble Partner 2020 multinational military exercises in Georgia kicked off on September 7 and are expected to last until September 18. The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi said in a statement on September 7 that the exercises, the fifth of the series, are "designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment." "Participants will conduct situational training exercises, live-fire exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers. Exercises like Noble Partner 20 continue to demonstrate U.S. commitment to stability and security in the region and show that NATO allies and partners stand stronger together," the embassy's statement said. U.S. officials in the past have spoken favorably toward Georgian hopes of eventually joining the Western military alliance, a move Russia vehemently opposes. At a 2008 summit in Bucharest, NATO leaders made a formal pledge that Georgia "will become a NATO member," but alliance leaders have moved warily toward that goal in the face of Moscows opposition. In August the same year, Moscow recognized Georgia's breakaway areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries after fighting a five-day war against Tbilisi. Russia maintains thousands of troops in the two regions. With reporting by agenda.ge New Delhi: In a joint search and rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships and aircraft rescued 24 distressed fishermen amidst adverse weather conditions off the Kerala coast. The operation was conducted by the ICG, Marine Enforcement Wing and Coastal Security Police in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre Kochi. Due to the inclement weather off the Kerala coast since Sunday, 14 fishing boats with 55 fishermen were reported to be in distress. The Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft were pressed into Search and Rescue (SAR) mission despite rough weather conditions. Timely action in alerting the fishing boats in vicinity resulted in the rescue of 24 fishermen and a lookout is on for the remaining 31 fishermen. @IndiaCoastGuard Maritime Rescue coord Sub Centre Kochi coordinated rescue of 24 fishermen reported to be in distress along Kerala coast due adverse weather conditions. Search efforts for 31 missing fishermen in progress by #ICG #MEW #CSP and local fishermen @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/b2vsfZ6BMz Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) September 7, 2020 The missing fishing boats are from Ponnani, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha, Munambam and Azhikode harbours of Kerala. The Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft and Chetak Helicopter along with Coast Guard ship ICGS Samar, ICGS Vikram, ICGS Aryaman and interceptor boat C-144 are undertaking extensive sea-air coordinated search at sea. Further, electronic surveillance of area is being maintained through Coastal Surveillance Network to shepherd fishing boats in the area to safer locations and regular weather advisory is also being transmitted. Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (Mumbai) has also alerted all ships in vicinity to maintain a lookout and render assistance to the distressed fishing boats. New USD 1.5 million Law Enforcement Project to Counter Trafficking in Persons in Ethiopia UNODC Nairobi (Kenya), 7 September 2020 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons recently concluded an agreement which will see UNODC implement a new four-year, USD 1.5 million law enforcement project on countering trafficking in persons (TIP) in Ethiopia. The aim of the new project on Enhancing Effective and Victim-Centered Criminal Justice Responses to Trafficking in Persons in Ethiopia, is two-fold: First, to strengthen and enhance the protection of victims of TIP as witnesses, and secondly, to enhance specialized law enforcement responses to detect, investigate and prevent TIP, especially trafficking of children. Every year, thousands of men, women, and children are exploited and trafficked. Trafficking in Persons is a serious crime, a grave violation of human rights, and is affecting every region in the world. This is no different in Ethiopia where domestic and foreign victims are exposed to labour and sexual exploitation, and victims from Ethiopia are being exploited abroad. In recent years, with Eastern Africa becoming a hub for new trafficking routes, UNODC has been emphasizing that to effectively counter TIP, strengthening of regional cooperation among member states, as well as enhancing national legislation criminal justice capacity, is vital. As guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its supplementary Protocols, in particular, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children and Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, UNODC has been assisting Ethiopia to enhance its legislation in compliance with the UNTOC and Protocol. UNODC has also previously provided capacity building assistance to the Federal Police Commission, and Office of the Attorney General. Starting 1 July 2020, UNODC will be supporting the Office of the Attorney General and Federal Police Commission to respectively strengthen the capacity of the Witness Protection Directorate (WPD) to effectively assist and protect victims of TIP as witnesses, and to enhance the Specialised Crime Investigation Unit, including its Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Unit and TIP Department, at both federal and regional level. Activities will include embedded expert mentoring, specialised training and the procurement of specialised equipment and software to support witness protection and investigations. The new law enforcement project will be implemented as part of the UNODC regional Countering Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Programme for Eastern Africa, within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016-2021) and UNODC Ethiopia National Plan of Action (2019-2021). Director Operations, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), AK Garg on Monday expressed happiness over the resumption of metro services in the national capital and seeing passengers traveling confidently amid the Covid-19 crisis. I travelled from Malviya Nagar to Rajiv Chowk, today. I am happy to see that the passengers are confident about travelling in Delhi Metro. We have made all arrangements to make travel safe for the commuters, said Garg. I interacted with the passengers and they are fully satisfied with our arrangements. Thermal screening is being conducted at the stations, sanitisers are available as well, we are also ensuring social distancing. We have also deployed our officers and supervisors for crowd management. CISF and Delhi Police, Haryana Police, Uttar Pradesh Police are also assisting us, he added. Tokens are not allowed for metro travel for the safety of the commuters, only Smart Cards will be allowed for the same, Garg stated. Smart cards can only be recharged via electronic mode, he added. Delhi Metro resumed services from 7 am on Monday as the part of unlock 4, after being shut for 169 days due to Covid-19. In phase 1, metro services will be resumed on Yellow Line connecting Samaypur Badli to Huda City Centre and Rapid Metro in Gurugram. The Home Ministry, in its Unlock 4 guidelines, gave nod to the resumption of metro services from September 7 in a graded manner. The guidelines gave more relaxations in the restrictions enforced to contain the spread of Covid-19. The metro services were suspended in March due to Covid-19. The DMRC had said that the carrying of Smart Card (with online recharge) was a must as tokens would not be available and all cash transactions would not be permitted, adding that it will not be providing services to stations that in containment zones for any given day in any of the states. In 1957, the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik I prompted Americans to call for increased investment in science and technology. AFP PHOTO / HO (Photo credit should read OFF/AFP/Getty Images) Read more The world is grappling with a deadly threat, though its seriousness has been downplayed by the president and proposed solutions are rejected by those who insist that the economy will suffer. Yet more and more people say they accept the science underlying the threat. The coronavirus? No, climate change. Public understanding of science may seem weak these days, with social media full of unproven claims about various COVID-19 treatments, and bizarre ideas such as the pandemic being linked to 5G radiation from cellphone towers. But from their experience with other politicized scientific topics such as climate change, experts in science communication and the psychology of persuasion say it is possible to make inroads with those who resist evidence and expertise. Difficult, but possible. The solution includes careful, patient explanations, delivered respectfully. Thats crucial, whether youre talking to a family member or presiding over a news conference. An attitude of just trust us, were the experts is no good. Invite the audience to share in the act of looking at the evidence, said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Polls indicate most Americans now accept that human activity has caused an increase in average global temperatures, a process that has unfolded over decades. Shouldnt it be easier to build public appreciation for science during a pandemic that is striking down people in just days? Many have called for a Sputnik moment type of urgency, evoking the Soviet satellite launch in 1957 that galvanized U.S. investment in research and education. And there is no question that scientists have responded, studying the biology and possible treatments at a head-spinning pace. The Russians have even named their vaccine after the satellite. But for a variety of reasons, the public-appreciation part of the equation has not gone so well, and that has stood in the way of what everyone wants: to get back to normal. The remedy, science educators say, might need to start as early as elementary school. When science is wrong On July 16, four months after President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency, Anthony Fauci made an admission that the general public does not normally associate with scientists. He said he was wrong. The topic was masks. The U.S. governments initial advice was not to bother with the face coverings, because the real risk of airborne transmission was believed to be in hospitals, not out in the world, explained Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and a pioneer in studying HIV. But evidence emerged that infected people who had no symptoms were spreading the virus, just by singing, shouting, even ordinary conversation. So cloth masks made sense for everyday use, Fauci said in an NBC interview with Facebook chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg. As the information changes, then you have to be flexible enough and humble enough to be able to change how you think about things, he said. Thats how science works: When new evidence emerges, new conclusions may follow. But the unfortunate takeaway by some was that Fauci was not to be trusted, said Penns Jamieson. We shouldnt be saying, Scientists, you were wrong, she said. We should be saying, Im glad the scientists have new knowledge. Whats different with COVID-19 is that the process is happening in an unusually public and accelerated fashion, said Ann Reid, executive director of the National Center for Science Education. In her previous job at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Reid helped decipher the genetic code of a virus that caused a different pandemic: the 1918 flu. It took seven years. With modern technology, the genome of the coronavirus was pieced together within days. The rest of the discovery process has been compressed, too: the publication of results, the reviews by academic societies, the transition from basic research to the development of treatments. It is bound to seem messy. Schools must teach students to weigh the body of evidence, rather than throwing up their hands and declaring they dont know what to do with conflicting studies. I dont really care that students remember the details of Linnaean classification, she said, referring to how living things are sorted into species. I want them to be able to think like a scientist. Why it worked with climate change Jamieson attributes the success in communicating the climate-change message to more Americans Gallup finds nearly 70% agreement that human activity is causing temperature rise to three factors: The evidence has become clearer. The communication has become more effective. And people have experienced events in their lives that they attribute to climate change, she said. That suggests this isnt a hopeless task. Jon A. Krosnick, director of the Political Psychology Research at Stanford University, is not so sure. In his own surveys, conducted with the think tank Resources for the Future, public acceptance of climate-change science, though high, has not changed in years. Whats changed is that more people say they know something about the issue and have become more sure of their opinions. And according to decades of psychology research, people who are paying close attention to a topic can be harder to persuade, he said. Intelligence has little to do with it. People may cling to an unscientific view because it is tied up with their very identity, leading them to dismiss contrary evidence. For years, the medical establishment held on to the idea that ulcers and stomach inflammation were caused by stress, rejecting a theory from two Australian scientists that a type of bacterium was the culprit. One even drank a culture of the bacterium, soon suffering the telltale symptoms. In 2005, they won the Nobel Prize. Even if persuasion seems unlikely, the stakes are too high to quit, Jamieson said. Working with Bruce W. Hardy, a Temple University assistant professor of communication, she has developed four commonsense best practices for persuading those who reject science: Leveraging. Cite credible sources that the audience trusts. Climate-change information from NASA, for example, might carry weight with an older Republican listener because of the agencys success in the space race, she said. Involving. Invite the audience to look at the data, rather than simply expecting them to accept conclusions at face value. Visualizing. Use computer animations to portray a trend say, a map showing the loss of sea ice. Using analogies. Just as a recent slide in the stock market does not negate the markets historic climb, one cold spell, for instance, does not negate the fact of global warming. The real Sputnik In 1958, a famous Life magazine cover blared Crisis in Education, with side-by-side photos of the archetypal easygoing U.S. teenager and his grim-faced Russian counterpart. As the American enjoyed extracurricular activities, the Russian studied physics, chemistry, astronomy, machinery, and something called electrical technique six days a week. It was a sham, said Matthew Hersch, a Harvard University science historian who specializes in the Cold War era. In fact, the United States was well ahead of the Russians in many respects, and the schools were fine. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy both had misgivings about the cost of a space race. Yet amid congressional and public pressure, Eisenhower signed a law establishing NASA. The Advanced Placement curriculum was created in high schools. Congress would eventually spend $250 billion in todays dollars on Project Apollo, landing men on the moon in 1969. Science was king. Could COVID-19 inspire that kind of support? Hersch has his doubts. The space race was viewed through the lens of freedom vs. communism: a matter of national security and pride. READ MORE: A guide to making sense of coronavirus studies These days, the division is internal. Science is increasingly politicized, where even the motives of a pioneering researcher such as Fauci are called into question. Effective public-health communication depends on clear, uniform messaging, yet too often, Americans get the opposite. The Trump factor President Trump has called for less COVID-19 testing, when global authorities insist that more is needed. He has been dismissive of masks. Without any evidence, he claimed that one potential treatment was being delayed by people at the Food and Drug Administration who didnt want him to be reelected Nov. 3. Trump has vowed that a vaccine will be produced before the end of the year, or maybe even sooner. Everyone wants a vaccine quickly if it is safe and effective. But vaccines normally are tested for years, and even optimistic scientists say 2021 is a likelier timetable. The Trump administration has told states to be ready for distributing a vaccine by Nov. 1 two days before the election. The rush, critics warn, may only fan the flames of another kind of science doubt in the United States: distrust of vaccines. And if the rushed vaccines dont work, or worse yet, prove harmful, public confidence in the most successful medical intervention in human history could be at risk. Instead of a Sputnik moment, that would be a crash landing. KYODO NEWS - Sep 7, 2020 - 23:57 | All, Japan A powerful typhoon left two persons dead, four missing and more than 100 injured Monday as it battered almost the whole of Japan's southwestern main island of Kyushu, causing massive blackouts, and disrupting transportation and some mobile networks. A woman in her 70s in Kagoshima Prefecture died in a hospital after falling in a street gutter Sunday during evacuation, and a man in Saga Prefecture died after falling while reinforcing the second-floor windows of his house, according to local authorities. Those injured were not only in Kyushu but also in the Kinki and Chugoku regions in western Japan. About 23,000 people in 11 prefectures were taking shelter at one point on Monday afternoon, and some 475,000 houses suffered temporary blackouts in Kyushu. Even as Typhoon Haishen headed for the Korean Peninsula, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of torrential rain, strong winds and tidal surges in some areas, urging people across a wide area to remain vigilant. In the village of Shiiba, Miyazaki Prefecture, where rainfall of over 400 millimeters was recorded on Sunday, police officers were searching for a woman in her 60s, her son in his 30s and two Vietnamese male interns who were reported missing after a mudslide struck a construction firm office, which was also used as a residence. The woman's husband in his 70s, who runs the company, suffered broken ribs, according to police. Elsewhere in the region, a man in his 40s fractured his skull after falling from the roof of a garage in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, while four people suffered slight injuries at an evacuation center in Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture, after a window shattered, according to authorities. Major mobile carriers NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp. and SoftBank Corp. said their networks were disrupted in areas of Kyushu, as well as the western regions of Shikoku and Chugoku. Kyushu Railway Co., which canceled its shinkansen and other train services, is planning to restart them Tuesday in areas where it has been confirmed that they can operate safely. West Japan Railway Co. also halted its Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train services between Hiroshima and Hakata, while a number of flights were canceled. Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended as well due to heavy rain, according to Central Japan Railway Co. Many department stores, supermarkets and shops in Kyushu were closed temporarily. Many people spent the night at evacuation shelters and hotels across Kyushu and the southern Japan islands of Okinawa Prefecture as they waited for the typhoon to pass. "I had to hurry because I was told that (this evacuation center) would only accept 10 more people," said Kazuko Hamada, 67, who had stayed in the shelter set up at a building near JR Kumamoto Station. She initially went to another evacuation facility but was turned away because it was full. "I hope my house is all right," she added as she prepared to head home. A 46-year-old businessman who stayed at a hotel in the city of Fukuoka said, "Nobody will be in the office so I stayed at a hotel to respond to emergencies. It seems like there wasn't severe damage, so I'm relieved." The weather agency said that the strongest gusts on record were observed at more than 30 locations as the typhoon passed. In the Nomozaki district of the city of Nagasaki gusts reaching a record 213.84 kilometers per hour were registered in the early hours of Monday. On Fukue Island in the prefecture, rainfall of up to 88 mm per hour was recorded. In the 24 hours to 6 p.m. Tuesday, rainfall of up to 150 mm was forecast for the Tokai region of central Japan, and 100 mm for the Kanto-Koshin region including Tokyo. Related coverage: Powerful typhoon approaches southwestern Japan, 8 mil. urged to evacuate IN PHOTOS: Scars of Typhoon Haishen 13 hurt after M5.0 quake hits central Japan North Korean leader inspects typhoon-hit areas In an unpublicized memo, the Pentagon delivered an order to shut down the publication of "Stars and Stripes", a U.S. military newspaper that has been a voice for American troops since the Civil War. The memo orders the publisher of the newspaper to present a plan that dissolves the Stars and Stripes by September 15, including a timeline for vacating government-owned or leased space worldwide. The history of Stars and Stripes The first edition of "Stars and Stripes" was published on November 9, 1861, in Bloomfield, Missouri when forces headed by Ulysses Grant overran the town on the way to Cape Girardeau. Grant's troops who had been pressmen before the war set up shop at a local newspaper office that was abandoned by its Confederate sympathizer publisher, as reported by BBC. Since then, the newspaper has launched the careers of famous journalists such as T.V. commentator Andy Rooney and cartoonist Bill Mauldin. Also Read: Are the $1,200 Stimulus Checks Coming? Deal Could be Reached Within 5 days When Congress Returns The newspaper is independent and the distinguished military leaders, including Dwight Eisenhower, made sure that the newspaper delivers every news story accurately. Today, the newspaper is printed at sites around the world and delivered to troops on a daily basis, even those on the front lines, where the internet can't be accessed or is spotty. As the newspaper for the military, "Stars and Stripes" provides intensive and critical coverage of issues that are important to members of the U.S. armed services and it "cuts through political and military brass B.S. talking points" Marine veteran Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz told Military.com. Pushing back to keep Stars and Stripes The Trump administration has been attacking the press since 2016, and Pentagon's rush to shutter "Stars and Stripes" also raises constitutional questions. The memo ordering the dissolution of the publication states that the Pentagon has the authority to make this move under the president's fiscal year 2021 defence department budget request. It zeroes out the $15.5 million annual subsidies for "Stars and Stripes." However, Congress has not yet approved the president's request. Congress, under the Constitution, has the power to make decisions about how the public's money is spent. The version of the House approved earlier this year overruled the decision to shit down "Stars and Stripes", restoring funding for the newspaper, according to The Guardian. The Senate has not acted yet, but in a letter that was released this week, 15 members of the chamber including combat veteran Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat, and four Republicans, called on Defense Secretary Mark Esper to take steps to preserve the funding prerogatives of Congress before shutting down the newspaper. In another letter, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham makes a similar request. He wrote that he knows the value of "Stars and Stripes" since he is a veteran himself and has served overseas. He added that shutting down the newspaper before the Senate acts would be premature. Numerous politicians and the public deemed the move unusual since when Congress has failed to approve a budget for an agency at the end of a fiscal year, a continuing resolution maintains funding at the past year's levels until the lawmaker's act. However, the Pentagon memo to "Stars and Stripes" still demands a plan for dissolution and states that the last date of the paper will be determined. President Trump vowed to stop the Pentagon from shutting down the paper, but no update has been made. Related Article: Trump Overrides Defense Department's Directive Shutting Down 'Stars and Stripes' Newspaper' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. His overly rosy projection of the COVID death toll led to reopening the country prematurely, despite warnings from Americas top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, of needless suffering and death. It was amazing to see the modeling at the Republican National Convention, the packed crowds with no masks. And given President Trumps general untrustworthiness, and intense pressuring of federal health agencies not up to the task of standing up to his political vandalism, how much confidence do you think Americans will have in the vaccine for COVID-19, when it finally comes? Coincidentally, that will be right before Election Day, Trump has now declared despite the fact that no drug company has completed clinical trials. New Jersey Assemblyman Herb Conaway, a doctor fighting to improve our flu vaccination rate to ward off a twindemic of COVID and flu this fall, knows exactly what will happen if we shortcut this. People in the anti-vaxxer movement are currently lying about vaccines we use year after year, to great effect, he says. Can you imagine if theres any sense that this vaccine is rushed onto the stage for political purposes, in light of the upcoming election? Not only would it set us back on persuading even the most reasonable Americans to get vaccinated against COVID, to save lives and our economy, he says: It will have an over-wash effect on all the other vaccines we need to protect us from a myriad number of diseases. When people dont trust government advice on vaccines, it puts all our children at risk, not to mention the most vulnerable. Whats needed is absolute fair play, to enhance public confidence. Yet what were getting from Trump is exactly the opposite. Four former chiefs of the Centers on Disease Control have condemned his undermining of their agency, saying it puts lives at risk. Trumps disavowing of the CDCs school reopening guidelines as very tough & expensive led Director Robert Redfield to soften them, a serious blow to its credibility with the public. Then the CDC changed its guidelines to say that asymptomatic people dont need to be tested for COVID, despite clear evidence that they can be super-spreaders reportedly because Trump doesnt want the case count to keep going up. It doesnt inspire confidence. Neither does Trumps hyping of unproven treatments for the virus, and repeated attempts to arm-twist his Food and Drug Administration chief, Steve Hahn. He did an emergency approval for hydroxychloroquine, then revoked it after reports that the drug was associated with serious heart problems. Hahn also decided to grant an emergency use authorization for COVID-19 convalescent plasma on the eve of the Republican National Convention, despite the weak evidence for its effectiveness. Now Trump is suggesting, with zero evidence, that the FDA is part of a deep state plot to slow-walk a vaccines release, in order to hurt his election prospects and calling Hahn out by name. What could possibly go wrong? As Conaway notes, unscrupulous people lie about vaccines and their effectiveness all the time, something that medical experts must fight every day. But now, we are seeing it in the highest reaches of our government, he laments. To stop this virus, we need to rebuild the fragile trust in public health agencies, not further erode it, and put science first. If the FDA rushes this just to meet the presidents demands, will even his most devoted supporters step up for the injection? It can be easy to tune out Trumps sabotage of the truth, endlessly catalogued by dutiful fact-checkers. But when it comes to his corruption of the science, its your own skin on the line and that of your kids, and elderly parents. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share. 07.09.2020 LISTEN Politics among political parties can be simply understood as "competition of ideas, policies and programs for the electorates to decide and make informed decisions based on which political party they believe has feasible policies and most important policies that serve their best interest." Since 1992 (can even be traced beyond 1992), our political democratic landscape has always been about policies of the respective political parties and the shortcomings of their opponents. However, as the years go by, politics in Ghana has been characterized by "subtle jabs" and intemperate language. A group of people recruited by these political parties called party communicators are used as the machinery to propagate this act. For instance, when these party communicators are invited to radio and tv stations, instead of objectively debating issues respectably, all they do is to engage in "intellectual dishonesty" and cast innuendos. Very often, they do not either defend policies and programs of their parties objectively or engage in intellectual discourse. They rather use insults, unhealthy sentences and use their own coined jargons and phrases to denigrate their opponents. Sadly, political relevance nowadays is gained by those who can slander and cast aspersions best as opposed to those who intellectually and objectively debate on ideas, policies and programs. This act of maligning has been perfected and used by political parties to either justify the incompetence of a political administration or justify policies and programs inimical to the nation. The president and the flagbearer of the NPP, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, cautioned his campaign team to desist from politics of insult and speak on records (infrastructure, policies and programs) initiated by his government and what they intend to do if the mandate is placed in their court again. He made this known when he hosted his campaign team on a virtual platform (meeting). Also, the former president and the flagbearer of the opposition NDC, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on August 12, 2020, when he formally presented his running mate to the leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana, stated in his speech that "the unprovoked attacks and insults have already started, but I can assure you and all Ghanaians that Prof. Naana Jane and myself will never engage in insults and name-calling of opponents. Children are watching, listening and copying and it is important we serve as good role models " The two flagbearers of the main political parties who are every now and then engaged in mudslinging have agreed to undertake a record-based campaign for this year's election. The decision of the bigwigs of the political parties should be ligated on all their supporters to abstain from politics inundated with any form of derogatory remarks or character assassination. But it seems the unambiguous message from the flagbearers did not penetrate down through the hierarchy of the two parties especially their "foot soldiers" on Facebook and Twitter who are every now and then engaged in naive politics deluged with foul language. Usually, politicians by this time will be on the campaign trail. However, this year's election amid COVID-19 pandemic has constrained political parties to shift attention to social networks, radio and television stations in order to obey the laid down COVID-19 protocols. This has necessitated the recruitment of some young people who are always on these platforms to campaign and "defend" their party. These apparatchiks are allegedly sponsored by their political parties in the form of data packages and airtime. Surprisingly, the behaviour of these so-called young politicians on social media (especially Facebook and Twitter) is a clear indication that they did not hear and/or overlook the decision made by the two major flagbearers in the imminent election. Unlike the radio and television stations where hosts of programs may interject any abusive and intemperate language from callers and panellist and may be asked to retract and apologize, the story is different on Facebook and Twitter, no one is held answerable to their comments or posts. Some go the extra mile of insulting the first gentleman of the land(the president) under his posts instead of intellectually disagreeing with him. Ministers of state, MPs, media houses, bloggers and users of social media are also not let off the hook, they are equally lambasted for having opinions unparallel with theirs. Fanatics of the two main political parties also trade insults and attack one other at the least opportunity. Hyping these insults in the name of free speech thereby, creating deeper emotional sentiments and sensation which may soon explode if not managed. They ignorantly peddle falsehoods just to score cheap "political points". The true identities of these "social media politicians" is a pertinent question worth asking. These people feel safe uttering anything to anyone because their personal profile (name, picture, location etc.) on social media is completely different from their actual profile. To some extent, the youth cannot be solely blamed. Most of these people are unemployed and so wouldn't mind undertaking political activities for a token. These youth are micromanaged by politicians to suit their parochial interest under the guise of training them into mainstream politics. As indicated earlier, these politicians use these young people under the guise of grooming them into mainstream politics in the future. Would our democracy be safe if we have the future leaders engage in such questionable behaviour? To the extent of finding it "ok" to use unprintable words against the current leaders? If we do not collectively eradicate this canker then Ghana has a long way to go as far as our democracy is concerned. Authored by Dennis Danso Nana Apeadu Acheampong President Volodymyr Zelensky has assured that Ukraine is fighting to ensure that each of its citizens returns home. He wrote about this on his Facebook page on the occasion of the anniversary of a prisoner exchange. "A year ago, our captured sailors and political prisoners returned home. The whole country was fighting for them. We were waiting for them all over the country. And we all were crying with happiness when they returned," the head of state said. He stressed that everyone then felt incredibly strong. "After all, only a strong country fights for each of its citizens and brings him home," Zelensky said. According to him, the same thing happened during the following exchanges, returns and evacuations. "It was, is and always will be. Because Ukraine does not abandon its people!" the President stressed. As reported, on September 7, 2019, Ukraine and Russia held a mutual exchange of detainees. Eleven Ukrainians illegally convicted in Russia and 24 sailors detained near the Kerch Strait in late November 2018 returned home. ish About 80 disgruntled supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kwesimintsim Zongo have defected to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). The defectors announced their move to the NPP at a press conference on September 5. They said their decision was based on the potential they see in the NPP's parliamentary candidate for the Kwesimintsim Constituency, Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, who was born in Kwesimintsim Zongo and grew up with some of them. Theophilus Fiagbe, the convener for the defectors, said their defection was largely due to their disappointment in the NDC. Dr. Prince Hamid Armah-NPP Kwesimintsim Parliamentary Candidate In life, we believe that when you are on a path and you realise that there is a better way to do things, you must change course. In politics especially, which is about the well-being of people, we must constantly assess our position in order to ensure that we are in line with our aspirations. We were members of the National Democratic Congress. We have worked in various ways and toiled for the party throughout its years in government and in opposition. When we joined, we were assured that this was a party that had the interests of the common person at heart. We were led to believe that the party would work on behalf of people like us and not just the few who have the privilege of being close to the people at the top. When in power, the NDC only serves as a vehicle for a privileged few to enrich themselves while life gets tougher for the common people like us whom the party claims to be working for. Instead of social interventions to cushion the lives of the underprivileged, we have dubious schemes that only go further into the nests of the already-rich while the poor taxpayer picks up the bill. As we approach the December elections, we have waited patiently to hear the plans that the party has for the people of Ghana. That wait has been in vain. Neither the presidential candidate, former President Mahama or the parliamentary candidate here in Kwesimintsim, Mr Philip Buckman has demonstrated that they have an understanding of our plight or the ideas that will make our lives better. Sadly, records show that this has not been the case. Despite our disappointment and unhappiness, we remained in the party because we were unsure where else to find a political home. That, however, is no longer the case. The defectors, however, added that the emergence of Dr. Prince Hamid Armah as the New Patriotic Party's Kwesimintsim candidate and also one of their own inspired them to seriously reconsider their membership with the NDC. Dr. Armah's inspiring life story, his demonstrable competence, his empathy for those in need and his focus on politics that is about uniting and uplifting people has been a breath of fresh air in Kwesimintsim politics. Born right here in Sofon Zongo to a Muslim father and Christian mother, his rise to the top of academic and professional fields is proof of what hard work and dedication can do, even for someone born in the same difficult circumstances as ourselves. What is even more heart-warming is the fact that he has not forgotten his roots. Despite the opportunity to live and work abroad, he chose to come home to Ghana and contribute to national development. He could have chosen a life of comfort living off the profits of his toil, but he has chosen to serve the people of Kwesimintsim, including us. We have followed keenly as Dr. Armah has shared his vision for Kwesimintsim. We have listened to him in person and through his media interactions, and we see someone who truly cares, has the right ideas and is demonstrably capable of seeing his vision through. He is indeed the right man for Kwesimintsim at this time. In light of this, we are announcing today, to the whole world, that we are renouncing our membership with the National Democratic Congress with immediate effect and joining the New Patriotic Party. We are leaving the party of John Mahama and Philip Buckman for the party of President Akufo-Addo and Dr Prince Hamid Armah. Dr. Prince Hamid Armah who is currently the Executive Director for NACCa in a Citi News interview welcomed the decision by the NDC defectors. It is a piece of welcome news for these known NDC members to denounce their membership to join me their brother and my party to get a second chance to form a government and support the people of Kwesimintsim and Ghana. It is very encouraging and I want to make this commitment to you that I will never turn my back on you for the love and kindness you have shown by defecting from a party you have worked and toiled for to start a new political life. It is a courageous position you have taken and I can assure you that you will not be left out in the benefit that the NPP offers to its members. From now on, see yourselves as NPP members and we are going to work together. We are going to have a second chance for Nana Akufo-Addo and we are going to make sure that we demolish NDC in all the Zongo communities in Kwesimintsim. Let us go and convince more people that we have seen the light and the NPP is the only party that can bring development to Kwesimintsim and improve the welfare of our people. Dr. Prince Hamid Armah-NPP Kwesimintsim Parliamentary Candidate. The Western Regional Deputy Secretary for the NPP, Rex Jonfiah who was there to welcome the defectors said it means more votes for the party. ---citinewsroom Previously banned school formals will go ahead in New South Wales after outrage from students and parents. But the next term's end of school year celebrations will be different from previous events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed on Monday that formals will go ahead with specific guidelines to be provided to schools later in the week. NSW recorded just four new coronavirus cases on Monday. Year 12 NSW students will be allowed to celebrate at formals in a COVID safe way (stock) The Premier assured every school will be allowed to hold school formals. 'It may not be the same exactly as has happened in previous years,' Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Monday. '[But] you will have something to look forward to after the HSC.' Dancing and group singing are expected to be banned at this year's school formals when more details are announced this Friday. 'Because they're a one-off event, NSW Health will provide specific advice that is less stretched than advice normally for events of that nature,' Ms Berejiklian added. 'Until this point in time, there has been initial advice provided to school communities and we're awaiting their feedback. 'Then NSW Health will be able to confirm to what extent schools can hold those events.' Specific guidelines about school formals will be given to schools later in the week 'But I want to confirm, every school community across the state will be able to have a formal. 'It may not be the same exactly what happens in previous years but I want yesr 12 students and their families and teachers to know they'll be able to have those key milestone events.' Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell added: 'Last week I made it clear that I wanted to find a way to allow students to celebrate the end of their schooling and I'm thrilled that this is now a reality.' 'Schools will be able to use the guidance provided by Health to develop a COVID-19 safe plan for their celebrations. 'I know that students will be excited to have their formals as something they can look forward to after their exams.' The Premier hinted last week the celebrations would go ahead, as the state remained largely on top of the virus. The NSW government will also provide COVID safe guidance to students wanting to participate in Schoolies celebrations under the current restrictions and health advice. This year's Schoolies celebrations in Queensland have alredy been cancelled. Of the four new NSW cases on Monday, three were hospital workers while the other was a returned traveller. The region will remember the brave men and women who lost their lives 19 years ago on 9/11 in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. as terrorists attacked the United States. American Legion Post No. 574 in Hudson Falls will be hosting a 9/11 Commemorative Service at 10 a.m. Friday in front of the American Legion building at 72 Pearl St. The event has been planned by legion member Larry Montello, an Army veteran and Fort Edward native, who has been holding similar ceremonies in the Buffalo area since 2005. He has invited area rescue, fire and police departments to attend. During the event, a commemorative stone will be unveiled in front of the legion building. The guest speaker will be Maj. Sean Hood, who served in New York City after the terrorist attacks in 2001. Were going to do a service and keep it going every year, Montello said. The public is welcome to attend. Free masks and hand sanitizer will be available, and people are asked to stay six feet apart. The legion auxiliary will be offering refreshments. In Saratoga Springs, a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will be held starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Tempered by Memory sculpture in High Rock Park. Attendees are asked to arrive by 8:15 a.m. Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly will lead the ceremony and will be joined by Aaron Gladd, vice chancellor and chief of staff of SUNY, a color guard from the Saratoga Springs Police Department and Saratoga Springs Fire Department. The national anthem will be sung by Natalie Perkins, and other music will be provided by Rick and Sharon Bolton. The keynote speech will be delivered by U.S. Army Ret. Col. James D. McDonough Jr., the executive director of Headstrong, a leading mental health treatment practice for military connected individuals. A moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. will symbolize when the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Reporter Gretta Hochsprung and Digital Editor Adam Colver contributed to this report. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 How many Victorians is Morrison prepared to let die a lonely, painful death in order to prematurely open borders and the economy? Ignoring the fact that suppressing the virus in Victoria is in the interests of all Australians, the Prime Minister is sniping from the sidelines, fuelling division and community angst. We are again reminded of his failure of leadership during the bushfires that devastated the east coast of Australia in January. During the bushfires the Morrison government ignored warnings from Emergency Management Australia and former fire chiefs about the pending disaster, and at the height of the crisis, as Australian citizens huddled on beaches to escape the furnace, played blame-game politics with the NSW government. Sound familiar? Near the conclusion of her Quarterly Essay on Morrisons leadership through the pandemic, written before Premier Andrews announced Victorias COVID-normal road map, Katharine Murphy queried if the Prime Minister will have the capacity to hold a country together through a crisis on this scale? Loading She wrote, Will his guiding light be the pragmatism that has been largely on show during the pandemic a spirit of building and fortifying in the national interest or will he revert to old, tribal habits if the level of adversity deepens? Sadly, the answer is the latter. The Prime Minister has demonstrated he is done with national unity and national leadership. Tribal politics rules. Premier Dan Andrews is leading Victoria through a social and economic crisis of epic proportions. Lockdown two is working. The infection numbers are trending down. This is good news for all Australians. Yet the Prime Minister continues to undermine Andrews efforts. In a media conference on Monday, Morrison claimed that under Victorias road map infection thresholds Sydney would be under curfew now, ignoring the fact, as Victorias Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton pointed out, that Victoria requires harsher rules because we have higher community transmission rates. Morrison is not the leader for our times. He praises the virus response of the Coalition government in NSW and attacks Labor states. He has shirked responsibility for the devastating impact of COVID-19 in aged care. The Commonwealth is 100 per cent responsible for the funding and regulation of aged care and despite the horror of what we saw in Italy and the US this year the Morrison government had no rapid response plan for the sector. From the beginning of this crisis, the Prime Minister has been slow to react and to lead by example. When Premier Andrews made the dramatic decision to cancel the grand prix in March, Morrison was sending mixed messages banning non-essential gatherings of 500 plus people and then announcing he was going to the rugby on the weekend before the ban kicked in. Loading Now hes lamenting the hit to the federal budget, calling for state borders to be opened and cutting Victoria loose. Perhaps he would have more empathy if he lived in Melbourne. It is tough here. We are living with restrictions unimaginable this time last year. Curfews, masks, working from home if you are one of the lucky ones who still has a job. Frontline workers daily putting their lives, and those of their loved ones, at risk. Everyones lives have been disrupted. School socials, sport, family celebrations, weddings put on hold. Farewelling loved ones in online funerals part of the new normal. By Mark Leonard BERLIN With November approaching, I am becoming ever more nervous about the U.S. presidential election. While my American friends focus on Joe Biden's lead over current president Donald Trump in opinion polls, believing deeply in U.S. democracy's capacity for self-renewal, my own perspective as a British citizen and think-tank director has me worried. As a Briton, I can remember watching a 20-point polling lead for "Remain" become a victory for "Leave" in the Brexit referendum four years ago. And as a think-tank director, I work closely with scholars who study how authoritarian leaders manipulate democratic systems to stay in power, as has happened in Turkey, Russia, Hungary, and Poland. In fact, it often seems as though Trump has studied the tactics pioneered by other aspiring strongmen more closely than anyone. Based on recent conversations with experts on each of these countries, I have compiled the following catalogue of dirty tricks that Trump seems to borrowing. The first is the weaponization of history. Populist leaders promote their political platforms through polarization and social division. They do not mind alienating and insulting some voters if doing so will energize their own base. By posturing as the champions of national greatness, they want to determine who counts as authentic citizens and who does not. This practice inevitably brings history to the fore. Whether it is Russian President Vladimir Putin invoking the Soviet victory in World War II, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an harking back to the Ottoman Empire, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban fixating on the Treaty of Trianon, or British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looking back to Pax Britannica, each leader has advanced a highly partisan historical narrative. Another, related approach is what might be called post-truth politics. These leaders prefer direct communication with voters through professional propaganda videos and social media, because this allows them to dismiss inconvenient facts offered by experts. In this media ecosystem, fact-checking has little purchase, because the people who need to hear it are not listening, or refuse to believe anything the "liberal" media says. In many democracies, fake news is now most common at the local level, where political operatives have filled the vacuum left by the decline of traditional city and regional outlets. A third tactic is to run against one's own government. The term "deep state" is said to have originated in Turkey in the 1990s, but now features prominently in the lexicon for Trump, Orban, Erdo?an, Johnson, and Poland's de facto ruler, Jarosaw Kaczy?ski. By blaming nameless shadowy, faceless characters behind the curtain and shadowy cabals, all these leaders have a ready excuse for all of their own failures. A fourth element in the playbook is voter suppression. Like Erdo?an's constant attempts to disempower Kurdish voters, Trump and the Republican Party are desperate to disenfranchise African-Americans. For an incumbent would-be strongman, the need to tip the electoral scales opens the door to all kinds of attacks on democratic processes. Hence, before Poland's general election in May, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party tried to limit all voting to mail-in ballots, effectively transferring control of the election from the independent National Electoral Commission to the PiS-controlled postal service. Though this plan ultimately ran into resistance, it showed that there are countless ways for authoritarians to meddle in or subvert the process. Not surprisingly, mail-in voting and the politicization of the U.S. Postal Service have become major issues in the U.S. election, too. Another related device is "political technology," a term for the dirty tricks commonly associated with post-Soviet politics. Such methods include Russia's covert backing of third-party candidates like Jill Stein in the 2016 U.S. presidential election; Kompromat, or compromising material (epitomized by the search for dirt on Biden in Ukraine); and simply declaring victory before the votes are counted. In the case of the United States, if Trump declares victory before all postal mail-in ballots have arrived, Republican-controlled legislatures in key states could end the counting early to lock in that outcome. An incumbent authoritarian can also engage in various forms of "lawfare," using law enforcement or compliant courts to facilitate gerrymandering, voter suppression, cover-ups, and other violations of the democratic process. Here, one of the biggest advantages is the ability to control the timing of events or the release of politically damaging information. Many people still believe that then-FBI Director James Comey's announcement of a new probe into Hillary Clinton just days before the 2016 election tipped the outcome in Trump's favor. Now, the Department of Justice is run by Attorney General William Barr, a man who has shown no compunction about politicizing independent law-enforcement agencies on Trump's behalf. Another common authoritarian tactic is to play the "law-and-order" card. By tarring the Black Lives Matter protests as an outpouring of violent "urban" hooliganism, Trump is reprising the racial politics used by former Republican presidents since Richard Nixon, but by Erdo?an more recently, during the Gezi Park protests in 2013. The problem for the Democrats in the U.S., and democrats everywhere, is that all these techniques tend to become more effective the more they are called out. Fact-checking fake news can inadvertently spread misinformation more widely. Warnings about voter suppression can become self-fulfilling prophecies if enough people conclude that the process is rigged and not worth participating in. Challenging violations through the courts creates the impression of an end run around democracy. To avoid these effects, the project of corrupting democracy needs to be clearly identified, named, and analyzed through a new lens. There is a world of difference between the political subterfuge outlined above and the outright falsification of election results, as happened last month in in Belarus. Nicu Popescu, a former Moldovan foreign minister who is now at the European Council on Foreign Relations, contends that autocracy is not the right term to describe the phenomenon. Rather, "it is the "degradation, corrosion, and deconsolidation of democracy." In any case, if Trump were Moldova's president, one assumes that the European Union would be calling him out for his dirty tricks. Any such criticism from abroad would almost certainly be counterproductive. But it may help to put the current American experience in a wider context, so that democratic forces can see Trump more clearly. Ultimately, the only way to defeat Trump is through politics. The task for the Democrats is to remind Americans what democracy is for and, one hopes, to counter Trump's tactics effectively. Mark Leonard is director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). Donald Trump has said his Department of Education will defund public schools that include the 1619 Project in their teaching reviving his claim that children are taught in school to hate our country. However, his ability to cancel funding is strictly limited, and previous efforts on the part of Republicans to keep children from studying the project have so far come to nothing. Mr Trump made his threat to the programme, which teaches the history of American slavery, while quoting a right-wing Twitter account, @Ocitman that claims that california has implemented the 1619 project into the public schools. soon you wont (sic) recognize america. Department of Education is looking at this, wrote Mr Trump. If so, they will not be funded! The threat to the use of the 1619 Project came after a barrage of tweets directed at critical race theory, a body of thought that Mr Trump called a sickness that cannot be allowed to continue. Please report any sightings so we can quickly extinguish! he tweeted. The White House has issued a directive to all federal agencies to identify and cancel any contracts or programmes in which the subject is taught, calling it propaganda that is contrary to all we stand for as Americans. The 1619 Projects principal author and Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones pointed out the contradiction in Mr Trumps threat to cancel the project and racial awareness training while he and many others are persistently railing against so-called cancel culture that supposedly sees their views ruthlessly eliminated from public life. She also retweeted civil rights lawyer Dan Greenspahn pointing out that the Department of Education has been barred since its founding from exerting any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum, program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational institution, school, or school system. Mr Trump is far from alone in his animosity toward the 1619 Project, which presents a programme of American history beginning with the year the first enslaved people were brought to the shores of the continent by Europeans. Many Republicans have vocally turned against the project in the name of safeguarding their preferred renderings of Americas national historical narrative. Most notorious of all is Arkansas senator Tom Cotton, who introduced a bill in the US Senate the Saving American History Act that would prevent any federal money from going into teaching the programme. At the time he introduced the bill, which is not expected to pass, Mr Cotton told an Arkansas newspaper that slavery was the necessary evil upon which the union was built and called the project left-wing propaganda. Jaipur, Sep 8 : The Rajasthan High Court on Monday asked schools in the state to charge only 70 per cent of their total fees during the Covid period when they are closed and are running classes online. The ruling by a single-judge bench of Justice S.P. Sharma came on three pleas filed by around 200 schools challenging the state government's decision directing schools to defer collection of fees till the time they re-open. The court also ruled that the parents need to pay the school fees in three instalments till January 31, and also fixed the dates for this. While the first instalment needs to be paid by September 30, the second should be paid by November 30 and the third by January 31. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana (The Jakarta Post) Bangkok Mon, September 7, 2020 12:20 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4324b42 3 Opinion economic,COVID-19-reopening,pandemic,economic-cost Free As the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the length and breadth of Asia and the Pacific, finance ministries are continuing their relentless efforts to inject trillions of dollars for emergency health responses and fiscal packages. With continued lockdown measures and restricted borders, economic rebound seems uncertain. Compared to 2019s economic situation, over the past six months, countries in Asia and the Pacific have been experiencing sharp drops in foreign exchange inflows due to declines in export earnings, remittances, tourism and FDI. This is worrying as policymakers are tackling difficult choices over how to prioritize development spending, while continuing to expand their squeezed fiscal space. The United Nations is contributing through a global initiative on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond, co-convened by Canada and Jamaica, to articulate a comprehensive financing strategy to safeguard the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Governments are united together to ensure that adequate financial resources are available to steer an inclusive, sustainable and resilient post-COVID recovery. In the Asia-Pacific region, several countries have already adopted financing plans in three key areas. They aim to address the challenge of diminished fiscal space and debt vulnerability; to ensure sustainable recovery, consistent with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda; and to harness the potential of regional cooperation in support of financing for development. The development arm of the United Nations in our region, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), has recently launched its first-ever Regional Conversation Series on Building Back Better. We are joining forces with ministers, decision makers, private sectors and heads of international agencies to share collective insights in sharing pathways to resilient recovery from ongoing health pandemic and economic collapse. To improve the fiscal space and manage high levels of debt distress, a growing call for extending the debt moratorium under global initiatives like the Debt Service Suspension initiative (DSSI) is timely. Central Banks can continue to keep the balance right of supporting the economy and maintaining financial stability. This further involves enhancing tax reforms and improving debt management capacities, while using limited fiscal space to invest in priority sectors. Exploring sustainability-oriented bonds and innovative financing instruments options such as debt swaps for SDG investment should be explored further. In addition to economic considerations, the policy paradigm and financing architecture for recovery plans must mainstream affordable, accessible and green infrastructure standards, while promoting social equality and environmental sustainability principles as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. As we scale up the use of digital technology and innovative applications, the financing support of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) must go hand in hand with these national job-rich recovery strategies. The Regional Conversation on Financing for Development highlighted that no country could take this agenda forward alone. Regionally coordinated financing policies can restart trade, reorganize supply chains and revitalize sustainable tourism in a safe manner. Thankfully, several countries in the region have valuable experiences to share. Across Asia and the Pacific, governments must pool financial resources to create regional investment funds in areas such liquidity funds for sustainability, funds for resilience and travel funds to relaunch our economies. Strengthening regional cooperation platforms to ensure that all countries receive an equitable number of doses of the vaccine on short notice to everyone everywhere is particularly essential. Without an end to the pandemic, the economic and social costs cant be contained. Through ESCAP, we can scale these efforts across the region, working closely with our member states, the private sector and innovators to build a collective financing response to mobilize the necessary additional resources. Together, we can chart financing strategies of Asia and the Pacific which can enhance societal well-being and economic resilience to future pandemics and crises. *** The writer is United Nations under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. The Delhi High Court (HC) on Monday sought the response of the Centre and Netflix, an over the top (OTT) media services provider, on a plea by Mehul Choksi challenging the dismissal of his petition, where he had sought pre-release viewing of the docuseries Bad Boy Billionaires. Choksi, a fugitive Indian-born fugitive businessman, who has taken the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean islands, is a key accused in the Rs13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case along with his nephew Nirav Modi. Bad Boy Billionaires focuses on the fraud committed by many high-profile business tycoons in the country. The poster released by Netflix shows Modi; Subrata Roy, the managing worker and chairman of Sahara India Pariwar; Vijay Mallya, the chairman of United Breweries (UB) Group; and Ramalinga Raju, the former chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Satyam Computer Services. A two-member HC bench, comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan, issued notice to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and Netflix on the appeal filed through advocate Vijay Aggarwal after Choksi was denied relief by a single judge, who had asked him to file a civil suit and dismissed the plea. Also Read: Theres no relief for the bad boy, Mehul Choksi On August 28, Justice Navin Chawla had dismissed a plea by Choksi, the uncle of diamantaire Modi, seeking a pre-release screening of Bad Boy Billionaires to be aired on Netflix on September 2 while stating that Choksi may file a civil suit seeking relief. Justice Chawla had said that the alleged infringement by him is a private right and cannot be granted by the court. The judge had also said that there are no regulations to control the content on the OTT. On Monday, Choksis counsel contended that his petition was dismissed on the ground that it is a private right and the matter is not maintainable even though it is his constitutional right. He said that Choksi is facing trial and in some of the cases where he is a co-accused, a charge sheet has been filed. He contended that Choksis case and trial would be prejudiced if the docuseries is aired. He said that Choksi is under investigation and has a right to fair trial and investigation. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, who appeared for Netflix, opposed the plea stating that the single judge has dismissed the plea stating that a civil suit. He said that the plea is not maintainable as no party can come to the court in a bid to satisfy him. The court issued notice to the respondents seeking to know their stand and posted the matter for the next hearing on September 23. The petition said that Choksi got to know of the documentarys release on August 24 when he saw the trailer following which he was flooded with phone calls from across the world. The callers, including from Delhi, asked Choksi whether he was part of the documentary and to solicit his comments. The petition stated that Choksi feared that his name could be used in connection with Modi in the documentary even though his relation to the fugitive diamantaire is only that of an uncle and a nephew. The petition also stated the series might have an episode on Choksi, which could lead to a media trial. It cited that the petitioner has the right to free and fair trial and such a documentary would cause serious prejudice to his case. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:53:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. - - - - MINSK -- Belarus reported 172 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking its total to 73,031, according to the country's health ministry. There have been 19 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 71,883, the ministry added. So far, 716 people have died of the disease in the country, including five over the past 24 hours, it said. - - - - HANOI -- Vietnam reported no new cases of COVID-19 infection on Monday, with its total confirmed cases standing at 1,049 and 35 deaths from the disease so far, according to its Ministry of Health. As many as 38 more COVID-19 patients have been given all-clear, raising the total cured cases in the country to 853 as of Monday, the ministry said. - - - - DHAKA -- Bangladesh reported 2,202 new COVID-19 cases and 37 new deaths on Monday, making the tally at 327,359 and death toll at 4,516, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. The official data showed that 15,412 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh. - - - - TEHRAN -- A total of 388,810 positive cases of COVID-19 among Iranians was reported on Monday including 2,152 new patients overnight, according to Iran's Health Ministry. During the past 24 hours, a total of 1,116 Iranians were hospitalized due to complications from COVID-19, Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said at her daily briefing. - - - - TRIPOLI -- The National Center for Disease Control of Libya on Monday reported 1,085 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily rate of infection in the country so far. The center said in a statement it received a total of 4,297 suspected samples, of which 1,085 were tested positive, adding that 81 patients have recovered and 11 died. - - - - TAIPEI -- Taiwan has recorded new COVID-19 cases for four consecutive days, raising the total number to 494, according to the island's epidemic monitoring agency on Monday. One Taiwan resident, a man in his 20s, tested positive for the virus on Monday after returning from Nepal on Sept. 3, the agency said in a press release. - - - - KUWAIT CITY -- Kuwait on Monday reported 805 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 90,387 and the death toll to 546, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Currently, 8,804 patients are receiving treatment, including 90 in ICU, according to the statement. Enditem WEST CHESTER The experiment in Chester Countys Court of Common Pleas to resume criminal and civil jury trials with COVID-19 safety precautions and social distancing appears to have been successful, those associated with the proceedings say. On Wednesday, Sept. 2, a jury sitting before Judge Jacqueline Carroll Cody returned with a verdict of guilty on most charges against a Coatesville man accused of stabbing another man in the chest, nearly killing him, during a street side encounter in the city in 2018. The jury deliberated about 21/2 hours before returning with guilty verdicts on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and possession of an instrument of crime against 36-year-old Pablo Colon. It was the second criminal jury trial held in the county and the third such trial overall since President Judge John Hall ordered the proceedings to begin again after having shut the jury trials down as the coronavirus pandemic swept into the county in late March and early April. The feedback has generally been positive, said Hall in a brief interview in his chambers in the county Justice Center Friday. We have now had multiple jury trials, both civil and criminal, all of August, all with COVID safety prevention measures in place. In the proceedings, the jury panels are chosen in one of the countys three largest courtrooms, with panelists sitting several feet from one another and all wearing masks as are the attorneys, courtroom staff, deputy sheriffs and the presiding judge. The trial itself is then held on one of two courtrooms: Courtroom Two in the Justice Center, with its gallery of portraits of the countys judges from its earliest beginnings to the present and the iconic Justice in Chester County mural on display, and the ornately furnished Courtroom One in the countys Historic Courthouse on North High Street. In the two trials that Cody has presided over for criminal defendants in August, jury members sat at a distance from one another and largely outside the bounds of the jury box, all wearing plastic face shields. Witnesses testified from behind a plexiglass shield, and wearing a face mask, while the attorneys sat several feet across the courtroom to maintain the proper social distancing recommended by the countys Health Department to lessen concerns about the possible spread of COVID-19. The attorneys conducted their questioning of witnesses and their arguments to the jury from behind a lectern several feet across the courtroom from both. When sworn in before their testimony, witnesses did not touch the pages of the courtroom Bible, only being asked whether they promised to tell the truth Hall said that even though the panels of potential jurors had been asked about any worries they had about the virus that might keep them from hearing the cases fairly, few, if any, of those called had asked to opt out of the proceedings for that reason. This has been a tribute to the jurors who have served, Hall said. They, as well as the rest of us, have stepped up in this time of a pandemic to insure that justice is being served in the county. And its been a magnificent job by the county Court Administration staff an the rest of those involved. Chester County is among a few of the counties in the region that have resumed jury trials since March. No juries have been called in neighboring Delaware and Montgomery counties, although other court proceedings have restarted. There have been a few jury trials in Berks and Bucks counties, and none at all in Philadelphia since March. The court in West Chester has scheduled a series of potential jury trials before select judges each week for the remainder of the year, Hall said. They range from homicides to drug possession cases. Hall said the number of such trials would be limited until he and the county Court Administration staff receive a recommendations form the county Health Department that the risk of COVID-19 spread has sufficiently diminished. But there is little agreement as to when that might be, and fears of a resurgence of coronavirus cases in the remains on the horizon. In the case of Commonwealth vs. Colon, the accused was charged with pulling a knife on a 23-year-old man, Khalil Knight, during an encounter on Nov. 3, 2018, in the 700 block of east Lincoln Highway. A video tape taken from security cameras in the vicinity allowed the jurors to get a first-hand look at what happened. The attorney for Colon, Stuart Crichton of the law firm of Donatoni & Crichton, argued that his client had acted in self defense after Knight displayed what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun during the confrontation. The weapon, retrieved by Coatesville police officers who witnessed the stabbing, turned out to be a realistic looking BB-gun, but Colon had no way of knowing that when he sought to protect himself, Crichton said in his closing argument. The gun was flashed, he said. (Knight) challenged my client because he had something to show him,. He had something for him. Colon did not know Knight before the encounter, and had no reason to attack him other than self-defense. He did not have the intent to kill Khalil. Colon, who testified in his own behalf, said that Knight had tried to sell him drugs on the street while he was walking with family members, leading to the confrontation. Assistant District Attorney Myles Matteson, who prosecuted the case along with Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Friedman, argued that Colon had gone after Knight because he was angry with him and meant to hurt him. Life is a game of inches, Matteson recounted a doctor who treated Knight saying, and the knife Colon admitted wielding came within inch of (Knights) heart. Now the defendant wants to get away with it, and has invented this story blaming the victim. It is a lie. The jurys verdict showed they rejected Colons contention of acting in self-defense, but also that the prosecution had not proven he intended to kill Knight. In the end, however, Colon will face the same possible maximum sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison for the first degree felony of aggravated assault. To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has started a Covid-19 bill complaint centre in the city through which residents can lodge their complaints against the private hospitals in case of inflated bills. The civic body has asked residents to call on 27567389 or send bill copies on email id cbcc@nmmconline.com or on WhatsApp number 7208490010. NMMC had earlier constituted a an audit committee to go into the complaints by the residents. Municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, We have set up the complaint centre on the ground floor of the civic headquarters from Monday. It will be open from 8am to 8pm. He added, Residents can call on the given numbers and our personnel will take all the requisite details from them with respect to the hospital admission, treatment and the bill charged. A token number will be issued to the complainant for follow up. Bangar added, The complaint will be investigated within 24 hours and the requisite action will be taken accordingly. The complainant will be informed of the action taken. We appeal to the residents to make use of the numbers issues to lodge their complaints. We have made it very easy for them to do so now and they do not have to go to any office for it. Tension is mounting in the Western Region, specifically Bia East constituency ahead of the December 7, polls. The NPP Communication Directorate of the area in a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com is worried about the recent attacks on its members by a vigilante group allegedly to be linked with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to the statement, the group was formed, inaugurated and sponsored by the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Bia East, Hon. Richard Acheampong despite directives from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that all such groups should be disbanned. The statement claims the group has been terrorizing communication members of the NPP. Read below details of the statement A member of the NPP Communication Team in the Bia East Constituency, Mr. Kwabena Nyarko has been attacked by members of THE EYE, a vigilante group formed, inaugurated, and sponsored by the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Bia East, Hon. Richard Acheampong. The incident happened at about 3:00 pm last Friday in front of the Bia East District Assembly Administration block at Sefwi Adabokrom. BACKGROUND On 02/09/2020, Mr. Kwabena Nyarko issued a statement to advice and caution Hon. Richard Acheampong (MP) against the dangers of forming vigilante groups. He advised the MP that his actions were in contravention of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019. He told Richard Acheampong to channel his energies lobbying for jobs for the youth in the district. This advice follows the distribution of 500 T-Shirts donation of about GHS10,000 to the group and charging them. THE EYE was formed from the Wee Smoking - Ghettos in the constituency. The group is bankrolled by Hon. Richard Acheampong MP, allegedly receives tons of drugs from the MP, through the NDC Constituency Youth Organizer, Mr. Theophilius Donkor. THE INCIDENT At about 2:30 pm, whilst at work, Mr. Kwabena Nyarko received an anonymous phone call from a person claiming to be an NPP person from Camp 15 Junction. The person claimed he had formed an NPP group for Hon. Nicholas Nibre (NPP PC) and so wanted Kwabena Nyarko to inaugurate the group. Mr. Nyarko asked the person of his name, the said person refused but said they were in front of his workplace to meet him. When Mr. Nyarko came out from his office to meet them, he noticed three guys from the Hon. Richard Acheampongs THE EYE group. He interacted with them and they claimed they were the people who called him on the phone. Before he could say jack the three guys descended on him. But for the timely intervention of the workers of the Assembly, the Police and Military patrol, his life could have been ended. The three guys are currently in police custody at Sefwi Debiso. CONDEMNATION The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bia West Constituency strongly condemn such a barbaric act and call on the police to arrest all the miscreants parading themselves as the THE EYE. We also call on Hon. Richard Acheampong to disband this vigilante group for the sake of peace in the constituency and in-line with the Vigilante and Related Offences Act, 2019. SIGNED: Bia East NPPCommunication Directorate. Tel:0249542229 0244569787 0242182796 Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas and Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 The House of Representatives' proposal to bring back banking supervision to Bank Indonesia (BI) has drawn criticism as experts warn of possible moral hazard and regulatory uncertainty. In a draft revision of the 1999 and 2004 BI laws, the House's Legislative Body (Baleg) proposed that the central bank take over the job of supervising banks from the Financial Services Authority (OJK). The gradual takeover process is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2023, at the latest. The OJK was established in 2011 to oversee the financial industry and it was modeled on the financial services regulatory structure that prevailed in the United Kingdom. It assumed the role of regulator and supervisor of banks in 2013, taking the responsibility from the central bank. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Child Rights International has called for the immediate reopening of schools. According to the NGO, the partial reopening of schools for Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School final year students has proven that it will be safer for students to be in school than stay at home. The Director of Child Rights International, Bright Appiah argued in an interview with Citi News that scientific data indicates that the presence of children in school will not pose a threat. The analysis we have done so far shows that the school system will be safer for children than they being at home looking at the data of students who are allowed to go to school at the SHS level and Junior High level. If you pick the data for the SHS, over 270,000 plus students were in school and out of that we had less than 600 people getting COVID. It means that with clear management and observation of the protocol, children can go to school and not be affected by the condition of the virus. Then again children are among the classes that show a low transmission of COVID. Their presence will not pose a threat to anyone. All nursery, kindergarten, primary, Junior High School (JHS) 1 and Senior High School (SHS) 1 students have had the rest of their 2019/2020 academic year postponed till January 2021. This was announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday, August 31, 2020 during his 16th COVID-19 update to Ghanaians. He said, per consultations with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the resumption of the next academic year in January 2021 will be made with appropriate adjustments to the curriculum to ensure that nothing is lost from the previous year. The Ghana Education Service, after further consultations, has decided to postpone the remainder of the academic year for all nursery, kindergarten, primary, JHS 1 and SHS 1 students., Nana Addo disclosed. Schools in the country were shut down in March 2020 after Ghana recorded its first two cases of Coronavirus infection. Final year students were later allowed to return to schools to enable them to sit for their exit exams; the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for JHS students and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for SHS students. After five months of closure, however, many have called on the government to reopen the schools to make up for lost academic contact hours. In furtherance, the President also assured the relevant dispositions will also be made so that the presence, at the same time, in the school of all streams of students, can occur in safety. citinewsroom Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 19:53:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait on Monday reported 805 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 90,387 and the death toll to 546, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Currently, 8,804 patients are receiving treatment, including 90 in ICU, according to the statement. The ministry also announced the recovery of 516 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 81,037. On Aug. 30, the Kuwaiti government lifted a nationwide partial curfew, while activities, including celebrations, parties, weddings, gatherings, banquets and funerals, will remain restricted to curb the spread of the coronavirus. On Aug. 18, Kuwait moved into the fourth phase of its five-phase plan to return to normal life, during which, salons, gyms, barbershops, and spas reopened and restaurants can offer more services. Kuwait and China have been supporting each other and cooperating closely in combating the COVID-19. Kuwait donated medical supplies worth 3 million U.S. dollars to China at the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, while China has been facilitating the procurement of medical supplies by Kuwait. On April 27, a team of Chinese medical experts visited Kuwait to assist the Gulf country's anti-coronavirus fight, through sharing with Kuwaiti counterparts their experience and expertise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Enditem It can be difficult to give a subtle hint when you're feeling frustrated, as proven by these hilarious viral photos. Diply rounded up a selection of photographs from around the world that show people being brutally blunt in a series of scenarios. Among the amusing snaps was a single mother who advertised for a new partner via a sign on the back window of her car. Elsewhere, an angry customer blasted a restaurant employee for getting their order wrong by writing a message on their plate using onions. Diply picked out a selection of hilarious scenarios where people around the world have given not so subtle hints, including a panhandler believed to be in the US who promised to use any money donated for taking revenge That told them! A diner who requested no onion in their dish made their annoyance known by spelling out a message using the unwanted ingredient The look of guilt! The driver of a white van in an unknown location vented their frustration over the stereotype that the vehicles are always involved in something dodgy Bathroom battleground! One person who had enough of cleaning up after others in their household, used the hair from the plughole to leave a message Is this the worst tattoo ever? A man inked a large note on his back admitting that he's made a number of bad decisions Who needs Tinder? One singleton illustrated their desperate need for a partner with a family of stick people on their rear car window Death by towel! A housekeeper left a stern warning about staining the white towels with makeup Honesty is the best policy! Students at a school believed to be in the US gave very detailed explanations for their emotions A father made the realisation that he needs to lose weight after seeing how his child sketched him with a large stomach The listing talks up the view rich farmland, snaking river and distant picturesque mountains but avoids mention of the busy road. The house is vacant now with only a few remnants of the last tenants. This unremarkable facade of a 1950s Cape Cod, and one that was never a beauty, clings to a road that spews an endless tide of traffic, shaking the windows and depositing grime onto the sills. For months the owner has been trying to sell, but only when the price dropped dramatically did I pass it along to one of my investor clients. Its just business, I told myself. It would have been remiss not to tell them about a good deal. I have trod the slanted steps and assessed the sagging roofs of sadder houses. After a while all the decrepitude blurs all those cock-eyed porches, the smell of closed rooms and moldy basements. I have been in houses where the bodies were just removed and ones where the owners left with pots still on the stove and plates in the sink. There were others where in the frenzy of leaving, school books, prescriptions, and wedding portraits fell to the wayside. It is part of the business of real estate to enter properties where things have gone awry. Selling a house may represent a step up or the loss of a dream. And you can diagnose the dying dreams through a kind of forensic analysis: too much money spent on that granite countertop and not enough on securing the roof. Prescription bottles, bills piled high, beer cans under the sink, one side of the closet emptied while the other half still bursts with clothing. You can keep these things at a distance, unless you happen to know the story more intimately. Most house showings are impromptu performances where you venture into a new space and put the pieces together, but I know this place and its story isnt an unfamiliar narrative. Having made the appointment, I suddenly became tired the kind of tired that is too heavy and too sudden to really be about fatigue. And in the hours between making the plan and arriving at the door, I run through all the times I have driven by this house in the last two years and how each time it bothered me to see those empty windows and the blank vinyl visage. How I saw that dumpster outside for weeks packed full of possessions that no one cared to sort through. And how the rain rained on it all. And then the snow blanketed it, until one day the dumpster was gone. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] This is the house where Rat lived. One day three summers ago, Rat swaggered out from behind a tree as I sat with my dog watching the ripples of the river. He introduced himself to me as Nick, but in time I learned that his relatives and the authorities called him by his given name, Nacom, which designates the Mayan priests of blood sacrifice. I suspect his parents did not know that when they named him. I called him a sweeter name because he made me think of the book The Wind in the Willows, and like Rat and Mole, we were river friends. He was a river rat and I was a more homebound creature. Im a pirate, he boasted that first day. And with his unsteady gait that made one feel like the sea was moving under him and his dark skin and swashbuckling air, it did seem possible he could climb a mast with a dagger between his teeth. Im retired, he said later, popping open another Coors. But it was clear that things might be a bit more precarious than that: pirates dont get 401(k)s, and our river is pretty far from the sea. In truth, he was fighting his second DWI charge. Entrapment, he insisted. He did not want to cop a plea to a felony, but most of all, he did not want to go to jail. So he had a summer of limbo to watch the river as he listened to songs about not growing up to be cowboys and turning 21 in prison, all the while rolling cigarettes and running up his credit card bills as the slow wheels of justice decided his fate. When we first met, we talked for three days straight. Rats charms and quick wit could only be appreciated if you did not take him seriously. He wanted to find out my weakness and he wanted to play with it. His method was to ask lots of pointed questions and then to look for the holes in the story or to take pieces of your narrative and misconstrue them. It wasnt meanness on his part, although enough liquor could make it so, like when he told me he hated me, but loved my dogs. Mostly he looked at people as if he were an alien trying to figure out how the parts fit together. And having lived through a thousand years of therapy to render me immune to questions and living in a new place with not that many friends, I had no problem providing him with puzzle pieces to play with. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] At the time when I am scheduled, I pull into the driveway in front of the house. Most of the time I spent at Rats place was spent waiting for him right here. I would pick him up and drop him off, but mostly he stayed at my house. First he occupied my guest room, and later my much less comfortable unfinished attic. Retreating gradually from being a part of the main business of my life, he seemed to have realised that by making his footprint smaller he would be able to stay longer. Once I dropped him here after running out of patience and he said, Your shift is done. The trees Rat planted between the house and the road during our second summer as friends, the summer of his sobriety, are gone now. During that first spate of energy after giving up the demon alcohol, he also installed some motion sensor lights that he claimed the bats were deliberately tripping. He made me watch with him. I wasnt certain the bats had figured out that the lights would draw insects, but he believed they had, and he delighted in watching them trick the system. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] You cant really talk about Rat without talking about the drinking, even though for the second half of our friendship he didnt drink at all. But during that first summer that we spent by the river, not the slow dying river near his house but a quicker cleaner one near my mine, he drank prodigiously. He would bike a few miles from his house on the busy road and stop off at the Citgo where he would engage in cheerful jousting with store owners (usually accusing them of having shorted him on beer the day before). He had a particular method for packing many tallboy Coors beers (12) into one normal-sized backpack, after which he would bike up another hill on the winding road that traces the curves of my river on one side and on the other passes by the defunct cement mines with their gaping mouths all open and black, their breath always the same temperature a chill in summer and a warm spot in winter. As I enter that living room, I can see no evidence left of the enormous pile of shoes and boots. Rat liked stuff. He liked climbing equipment and hiking equipment, kayaks, cameras, knives, guns, and all manner of tools of unknown purpose. But none of that has remained not even the coffee table on which sat his suicide notes (there were two because he made mistakes in the first draft and so rewrote it). I realise that I never saw any living going on in this room. It was more like a drab waiting room, stocked only with conspiracy magazines and tool catalogues. And I was the only person who ever waited there. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] It has been 18 months since I set foot in this house. I hadnt spoken to Rat since the beginning of December, and at the end of January, his sister called to ask me if I knew where he was. It was just darkening on a cold night and I drove straight to this place. The heat was off and there was a chill deep in every room that I walked through to get to his room. I didnt see the envelope that had already been lying untouched on the coffee table for six weeks. And once I got upstairs I found a room colder still than the rest of the house. Like the centre of a tomb. Nestled behind the living room is the room that had he rented out to students until his father got kicked out of the nursing home for some crazy misdeed, and Rat let him take that space. The carpets are pulled up now and there are empty paint cans and half-used construction materials as if someone tried to make it comfortable and just gave up. After his father came, replete with his turquoise jewellery and faux Native American belt buckles like he shopped at the cut-rate version of Visionary Wannabes R Us the other two bedrooms stayed empty. I cant subject anyone to him, Rat said. His father didnt notice Rat was gone until he woke up one morning to find the oil was gone. It was the police who found the notes and the detailed instructions on how to take care of the utility bills and money to pay them. Rats mistake was thinking that his absence would be noticed and that his words would be read. He was sitting here in this room when he made that last call. Maybe he was smoking a cigarette on the deck and looking out towards the river. The leaves were off the trees by then and perhaps he could have glimpsed the setting sun reflecting on the dirty river. Maybe he saw that as he told me about how the mandatory drugs test, a condition of probation, had come back dirty. Maybe he already knew what he was going to do when I told him he had to fight it. But he didnt want to fight anymore; he had resigned himself to the ending he had probably expected all along. I would say hed fought the law and the law won, but he had stopped fighting. He was just trying to comply. Freaking out when they came with their hands on their guns to check up on him. Afraid that sesame seeds in Chinese food might trigger a false positive. The law had come to occupy every room of his brain. It was more like the law fought him and the law won. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] Outside, on the back patio, is where he put the guns. He wasnt supposed to have guns and some of them he told me werent legal anyway. I watched him swaddle them carefully and place them in a locked container that is still right here. He gave me the only ones I could take the .22 rifles and air guns and retained the AR-15s and other heavy artillery. He was a country boy and he owned many, many guns. His brother made guns. He had mocked me for not knowing about firearms and had taken me north to the farm his mother had owned before she died. There, he taught me how to hit a target with a small rifle. It is a mystery now what happened to those guns because other than the empty case for the handgun he took, there is no trace of any others. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] The river he might have looked out over when we last spoke is a dirty river known for its dirtiness. That is why he always came to my cleaner river. Rivers are by nature always a little suspect; they travel through the country picking up impurities along the way. Agricultural waste or chemicals or sewage runoff his river had it all and so we rarely went there. One of the times we did was when I was angry about something he had done (I believe it was the time he drunkenly and outrageously insulted a friend of mine from college and her boyfriend). To distract me from my anger or because he didnt really understand it or care, he pronounced, I would have been a great dad. This being one of the most absurd things he had ever said, I disagreed and while he went into a soliloquy about his hypothetical parenting skills, I drifted off into river-induced reverie. I saw, in my minds eye, a deer skull. As he spoke, I dropped my gaze to the dirt at my feet and glimpsed a little patch of white showing through the dirt. When I touched it and the dirt fell away, it was a deer skull. Just like the one I had been thinking of, dirty Wallkill running lazily by. Periodically I, being the one who reported him missing, am summoned by the police. There have been three detectives so far assigned to the case and the manila folders they diligently fill with their evidence grow fatter each time I go to that little room to discuss developments. There are no developments and still no body. As one detective said, You are the only one who seems to know anything. I have told them that I am positive that Rat walked from his house to the caves behind mine. My neighbour saw him that last day with a backpack and a crazy smile. These cavernous and disused borings from mines havent operated in decades, but there are hundreds of acres of them like an enormous ant farm, with about 25 percent of them now underwater. I believe that is where he was headed with his gun. And I believe he achieved something next to impossible for the less crafty he managed to pass into death without witnesses to any of it. The cops ask me questions. Did he have enemies? they ask. Were there people who might want to cause him harm? They show me their enormous pile of manila folders, and they seem desperate for a lead. But there arent any. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] As I drive away, I think I will probably never be here again. And I go home to my comfortable house perched over the other less toxic river. It has been nearly two years and I can go sit and watch the ripples now without feeling each eddy as a loss. And I can go past the caverns without thinking of his body in their depths. Sadness, like rivers, takes an ever-changing path. Five young medical workers have been found safe and well after going missing for close to 48 hours in a remote and inaccessible part of the Outback. Gabrielle Freedman, 29, Shaygun Narula, 27, Haydn Dodds, 29, Renae Walker, 31 and Jessica Kolic, 29, left Alice Springs in a white 2012 Toyota Hilux about 3pm on Saturday. The group failed to meet up with friends at a campground at Ruby Gap, 150 kilometres east of Alice Springs, on Saturday night. The remote desert camp ground can only be reached using the 4WD-only Binns Track. A police aerial search of Binns Track and both the Ross and Stuart Highways began at first light on Monday. The group were found walking on the Ruby Gap Park road at about midday on Monday, 45 hours after they were last seen. It's understood the group accidentally travelled five kilometres along the dry river bed of Hale River after taking a wrong turn before their Hilux got bogged. Northern Territory police confirmed three of the group members were flown by helicopter to Alice Springs while the other two stayed to drive the car back. Five young medical workers have been found safe and well after going missing from Ruby Campground, a remote desert campsite with rugged terrain, east of Alice Springs Nurse Renae Walker (left), 31, and Shaqun Narula, 27, (right) were spotted walking along a remote road close to 48 hours after vanishing in Australia's Outback Gabrielle Freedman (left), 29, graduated at Monash University in Melbourne, while Haydn Dodds (right) is a medical intern at Alice Springs Hospital The doctors were travelling in a white Hilux kitted out with a canopy, nudge bar, two spotlights and a sun visor shade across the windscreen. Alice Springs Watch Commander Darrell Kerr said their disappearance was 'completely out of character'. 'The people they were supposed to camp with are very concerned,' Senior Sergeant Kerr said, the ABC reports. 'We've had a number calls from family saying it's out of character.' The five medical workers were due to return from their trip away on Sunday. They are all believed to be based at Alice Springs Hospital, with some due to return to work on Monday. Social media accounts indicate Ms Kolic has been employed at the facility as a physiotherapist since January, while Mr Dodds has been there as a medical intern since March this year. Ms Walker, originally from Perth, graduated with a degree in nursing from the University of Notre Dame in 2018 before moving to the Northern Territory. One of Ms Narula's loved ones issued a plea via social media for anyone with information to contact police, before confirming the five had been found safe. The group failed to meet friends at Ruby Gap Nature Park, 150 kilometres east of Alice Springs Jessica Kolic, 29, is understood to have worked at Alice Springs Hospital as a physiotherapist since January "Digital Prison," a website run by an anonymous operator, discloses photos and personal information of alleged sex offenders. / Screen capture from Digital Prison website By Lee Hyo-jin Debate over "Digital Prison," a website which discloses the personal identities of alleged sex offenders, is heating up after a college student whose identity had been revealed recently was found dead. His death provoked questions over the website's 'name-and-shame' system, such as whether it should be seen as vigilantism or as a 'kangaroo court' capable of victimizing people through false accusations. The operator of the website uploaded personal information about a student at Korea University in July, based on allegations he committed an online sex crime. According to the post, he used a female student's photo to create pornographic images and distributed them online. Screen captures of Telegram messages and a voice recording of him admitting to the act were attached as evidence. Parents and students had a few extra items on their back-to-school shopping lists this year. Into the cart beside pens, notebooks and the latest electronic gadgets went face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Such is the reality of trying to study during a pandemic. Save for a quick visit to empty their lockers or clear out their desks, students in Hamilton and Haldimand-Norfolk havent seen the inside of their schools since March, when what was initially a three-week shutdown turned into a cobbled-together online conclusion to the year. This week some return to class, with fears of COVID-19 joining the usual September jitters. Were a little anxious, but I feel its the right thing to do, said Port Dover parent Julie MacLeod, whose two children are physically going back to school. All the precautions that can be done to lower the risk have been done, other than reducing class sizes, she said. MacLeod had a talk with her children, ages 10 and 14, about how different school would be this year and asked whether they wanted to return to the classroom. It was a hands-down yes, MacLeod said, adding that proactive communication from her childrens principals about COVID-19 precautions helped her make a better-informed decision. Not everyone shares that enthusiasm, with Ontarios teachers unions filing a complaint with the labour board alleging that the Ford governments back-to-school plan falls short on safety. That wont delay the return for students in Hamilton, where public school students will be divided into two groups and return to class on alternating days between Thursday and next Tuesday. Hamiltons Catholic students will return in waves between Wednesday and next Monday. All Hamilton students who have chosen in-class learning will be in school as of Sept. 16, while those whove opted for remote learning will be placed in virtual classes with daily live access to teachers. Grand Erie opens virtual academy Elementary and high school students in Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk will return to class in shifts starting on Thursday. The staggered return planned by the Grand Erie public board will see 50 per cent of elementary school students return on Thursday and the other half on Friday, with full classes resuming Sept. 16. Grade 9 students will have the hallways to themselves when Grand Erie high schools open on Thursday. Students in all grades whose last names start with M to Z return on Friday, with the remainder starting the following Monday. By Tuesday, if all goes well, every student who has opted for in-person learning will be in class together. Those who have chosen to learn from home 17 per cent of Grand Eries roughly 26,000 students, according to the board will attend a virtual academy where teachers will provide online instruction from kindergarten to Grade 12. Students will spend part of each day receiving live instruction and the rest of the time working independently or in online groups. Director of education JoAnna Roberto said the virtual classroom will be more structured and hands-on than the emergency learning at home that took place last spring, after schools were shuttered and teachers scrambled to provide online learning. Boards will evaluate COVID-19 protocols The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board has also planned a staggered return to classes. Depending on their grade, high school students will return starting on Tuesday, with all students who have chosen in-person learning to be back by Sept. 16. Elementary schools will stagger their return by alphabetical order, keeping families together to streamline transportation and child care. Remote learning will start on Sept. 16. At both boards, students with special education needs will be able to return full-time on Tuesday. Students will transition back into a very different school than they left, said Catholic board chair Rick Petrella. We are always committed to regularly evaluating and adjusting protocols and scenarios as developments occur. Our board has made the proper investments and adjustments to ensure we are providing the best and safest environment for our students under these challenging times. MacLeod said the onus is on everyone to keep children safe by limiting the spread of COVID-19 in the community, which will keep the virus out of schools. All even if you dont have kids in school have a responsibility to not have it come into our little community, she said. Researchers have developed a statistical model that uses genomic data to predict the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. It often develops from a condition called Barrett's oesophagus. Existing monitoring and treatment methods are very intrusive, and many patients have to undergo burdensome procedures to ensure that no cancer is missed. Researchers have now developed a statistical model that uses genomic data to accurately predict whether a patient with Barrett's oesophagus has a high or low risk of developing cancer. Genomics and statistics come together Researchers at the University of Cambridge, EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), and collaborators sequenced genomes from biopsies routinely collected from patients with Barrett's oesophagus. These patients are monitored for early signs of oesophageal cancer. The researchers used the data to look for differences between patients who were ultimately diagnosed with cancer and those who were not. The data were used to develop a statistical model measuring each patient's individual risk. The research was published in Nature Medicine. Other recent cancer studies have shown that genomic mutations leading to cancer may occur many years before a patient is diagnosed with the disease. Being able to identify these mutations could provide a new route to early diagnosis and treatment. Using genomic data from 88 patients with Barrett's oesophagus, the researchers identified half of the patients who were diagnosed with oesophageal cancer as 'high risk' more than eight years before diagnosis. The numbers went up to 70% two years before diagnosis. Equally important, the model also accurately predicted patients who were at a very low risk of developing cancer. "One of the unique things about this study was the richness of the data provided by colleagues at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge," explains Moritz Gerstung, Group Leader at EMBL-EBI. "These patients have been in surveillance for over 15 years, so overall we had over 800 samples, taken over time and from different areas of the oesophagus. This allowed us to measure in great detail what type of genomic changes occur and how these trajectories differ between patients with and without cancer. Without such thorough surveillance programmes, this study wouldn't have been possible." The benefit of early detection Although people with Barrett's oesophagus are at considerably higher risk of developing oesophageal cancer than the general population, only 1 patient in 300 will be diagnosed with cancer per year. Nevertheless, they all have to go through intrusive monitoring procedures every two years. This surveillance can be uncomfortable, stressful, and time-consuming for the patients, and it places an additional burden on the healthcare system. "The benefit of our method is twofold," explains Sarah Killcoyne, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow at EMBL-EBI. "The patients who have high-risk Barrett's, which is likely to become cancerous, can receive treatment earlier. And individuals who have something that looks genetically stable, and unlikely to develop into the disease, do not need to undergo such intense surveillance. The hope is that our method can help improve early detection and treatment, and decrease unnecessary treatment for low-risk patients, without compromising patient safety." These results mean that patients at greatest risk can be treated immediately, rather than conducting repeated biopsies until early signs of cancer are found. Conversely, patients with low risk and stable disease can be monitored less frequently. Overall, the authors estimate that monitoring can be reduced for 50% of patients with Barrett's oesophagus. "This is an exciting example of how a collaboration between computational biologists and clinician scientists can bring new insights into an important clinical problem," says Rebecca Fitzgerald, Professor of Cancer Prevention and MRC Programme Leader at the University of Cambridge. "Oesophageal cancer is devastating when it is diagnosed late, but early intervention can be performed endoscopically and spare patients unnecessary chemotherapy and removal of their oesophagus. Similar approaches could be extended to other cancer types in the future." According to the authors, the next steps are to refine the method, ideally by analysing data from more patients. It is also important to bring in clinical information and improve the model's accuracy. Eventually, this will lead to clinical trials to show that this model is useful in clinical practice for patients currently in surveillance. ### Source article KILLCOYNE, S., et al. (2020). Genomic copy number predicts oesophageal cancer years before transformation. Nature Medicine. Published online 07 09; DOI: 10.1038/s41591-020-1033-y European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) The European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is a global leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We help scientists realise the potential of 'big data' by enhancing their ability to exploit complex information to make discoveries that benefit humankind. We are at the forefront of computational biology research, with work spanning sequence analysis methods, multi-dimensional statistical analysis and data-driven biological discovery, from plant biology to mammalian development and disease. We are part of EMBL and are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, one of the world's largest concentrations of scientific and technical expertise in genomics. http://www.ebi.ac.uk University of Cambridge The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. To date, 109 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize. Founded in 1209, the University comprises 31 autonomous Colleges and 150 departments, faculties and institutions. Cambridge is a global university. Its 19,000 student body includes 3,700 international students from 120 countries. Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and the University has established larger-scale partnerships in Asia, Africa and America. The University sits at the heart of the 'Cambridge cluster', which employs more than 61,000 people and has in excess of 15 billion in turnover generated annually by the 5,000 knowledge-intensive firms in and around the city. The city publishes 316 patents per 100,000 residents. http://www.cam.ac.uk National Institute for Health Research The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation's largest funder of health and care research. The NIHR: - Funds, supports and delivers high quality research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care - Engages and involves patients, carers and the public in order to improve the reach, quality and impact of research - Attracts, trains and supports the best researchers to tackle the complex health and care challenges of the future - Invests in world-class infrastructure and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services - Partners with other public funders, charities and industry to maximise the value of research to patients and the economy The NIHR was established in 2006 to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research, and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. In addition to its national role, the NIHR supports applied health research for the direct and primary benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries, using UK aid from the UK government. This work uses data provided by patients and collected by the NHS as part of their care and support and would not have been possible without access to this data. The NIHR recognises and values the role of patient data, securely accessed and stored, both in underpinning and leading to improvements in research and care. http://www.nihr.ac.uk/patientdata Mumbai, Sep 7 : Adding a new dimension to the ongoing probe into the nexus between narcotics and Bollywood, the Maharashtra Congress on Monday demanded a probe into what it alleged "drug links" of actress Kangana Ranaut. "Some videos have now emerged in which Kangana Ranaut has confessed that she was a drug addict. If that was so, then who was supplying her these drugs? The Narcotics Control Bureau which is probing the matter, should go and investigate her," State Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant said. He said that some of Kangana's former associates have revealed that she was allegedly taking hash, cocaine, etc, which must be investigated and the NCB must suo moto take cognisance to go and question her. On the issue of the Y-Security cover extended to Ranaut, Sawant said: "The BJP knows very well how to take care of persons who push forward its agenda" of harassing Opposition governments." Attacking Ranaut, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that his party follows the ideology of the great Hindutva icons such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Great Maharana Pratap, who propagated respect for women. "But, some with malicious intent are spreading misinformation that Shiv Sena has insulted women. But one should not forget the fact that those making these allegations have themselves insulted Mumbai and our deity Mumbadevi," Raut said sharply. Nevertheless, the Shiv Sena will continue to fight for the pride of women as taught by the party's founder-supremo, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, referring to demands in some quarters seeking an apology from the Sena. The statements came shortly after Ranaut was given a security cover ahead of her planned return to Mumbai on September 9, amid apprehensions it could create a law-and-order situation in view of the actress' recent utterances on Mumbai, Mumbai Police and state government. Hyderabad, Sep 7 : Popular Telugu actor Prabhas has come forward to adopt 1,650 acres of reserve forest on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The actor of 'Baahubali' fame on Monday handed over a Rs 2 crore cheque to forest officials for the development of Khazipally reserve forest at Outer Ring Road near Dundigal. Prabhas along with Telangana Forest Minister Allola Indra Karan Reddy and Rajya Sabha MP Joginapally Santosh Kumar laid the foundation stone for an urban forest park. They observed the reserve forest from a temporary watch tower and later planted few saplings in the reserve forest region. The 'Rebel' star, as Prabhas is popularly called, took up the initiative under the Green India challenge promoted by Santosh Kumar. The forest department will convert a small portion of the reserve forest into an urban forest park while the rest of the forest will be a conservation zone. Khazipally reserve forest is known for its medicinal plants and it is extended in three compartments. The forest department is going to fence the entire 1,650 acres and immediately start developing an eco park. A park gate, see-through wall, walking track, view point, gazebo and medicinal plant centre would be constructed in the first phase. Prabhas stated that he was inspired by his friend Santosh Kumar to adopt Khazipally forest area and would donate more, depending on the progress of the work. He requested the forest department to develop the reserve forest so that it would create an additional lung space in Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits and develop an eco park. Santosh Kumar had last year adopted Keesara reserved forest region and laid foundation stone for rejuvenation of reserved forest and eco park. He had stated that he would motivate and request his friends to take part in adoption of reserved forests. The MP said very soon many industrialists would come forward to adopt reserve forest blocks. Lok Janshakti Partys (LJP) Chirag Paswan has been on a warpath against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar ahead of the assembly polls, which is slated to be held on schedule in October and November, despite the raging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak. Also read: The centrality of the Bihar election Paswan, whose father Ram Vilas Paswan is a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet of Union ministers, has barely stopped short of positioning himself as the next chief ministerial candidate. After his father gave him the reins of the party last year, Paswan has asserted that the LJPs loyalties lie with the ruling BJP and not Kumars Janata Dal (United), or the JD(U). He has constantly attacked Kumar on the Bihar governments failure to address a raft of issues ranging from corruption, law and order, economic development and handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The LJP chief has also pointed out that Kumars bid to seek re-election for a fourth consecutive term was deeply flawed. Ahead of a crucial meeting to take a call on whether or not LJP will fight the polls in alliance with the JDU, here are a few salvos that Paswan has fired at the CM. Manjhis alliance with JD(U) Dalit identity politics is at the centre stage in poll-bound Bihar and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appears to be in a quandary to decide which party holds sway over the community that is considered a formidable vote bank in the state. The LJP came out with a full-page advertisement on Friday, with a stinging tagline, Wo lad rahe hain hum par raaj karne ke liye, aur hum lad rahe hain Bihar par naaz karne ke liye (They are fighting to rule us, we are fighting for Bihars pride). Paswans call to action is Aao Banayein naya Bihar, yuva Bihar; chalo chalen Yuva Bihari ke saath (Lets build a new Bihar, a young Bihar; lets move with the young Bihar). He identifies himself as a Yuva Bihari, and his Twitter account also carries the name Yuva Bihari Chirag Paswan. The slogans, deemed to be an attack on CM Kumar, were repulsed by JD(U)s newfound ally in local Dalit icon and former CM, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM-S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, who said his party was ready to take on the LJP head on if it chose to field candidates against the JD (U). Promises made to Bihar not kept In an interview with HT on August 22, Paswan had said that promises made to Bihar have not been kept. There is a lot of disagreement between the LJP and the JD (U). The basis of my disagreement is that a lot of promises were made to Bihar that were not delivered. Consider the present scenario. Bihar is facing dual challenges of the unprecedented Covid-19 outbreak and the annual flood fury that have affected a lot of people. It is a matter of grave concern the way the state machinery is working. I expected my CM and my government to perform better and to deliver more, but he (Kumar) disappointed us all, he had said. The day the migrant worker crisis started I expected the stte government to help them and not leave them to die on highways. I expected that buses would be sent to ferry them back home, as was done by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. I dont know if any direct benefit transfer was done because a lot of people whom I met dont seem to have received any. But the biggest issue right now is the way our government is playing with the lives of the Biharis, he had added. Loyalty to PM Modi and the BJP Paswan has voiced his discontentment against the state government at various party meetings. On August 16, PTI had reported that Paswan had hinted at a withdrawal of support to the JD (U). He had also defended his attacks on the Bihar government on issues ranging from corruption, law and order, economic development and the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. He pointed out that Kumar was trying to equate Lalu Prasads Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD) with lawlessness and bad governance while not taking into account the fact that he was sharing power with the latter until not more than three years ago. He also asserted that unlike the LJP, which had joined the NDA in 2014 expressing full faith in the leadership of PM Modi, Kumar had thrown a fit when his then Gujarat counterpart had emerged as a potential prime ministerial candidate and had snapped years-old ties with the BJP and had gravitated towards the opposition camp. Paswan iterated that it was beyond doubt that Bihar lagged behind most states on development parametres notwithstanding Kumars claim that the state has turned the corner in 15 years of his rule. He asked the LJP rank and file to continue going to the public with the truth --- no matter how harsh it may be -- and claimed that economic advancement experienced by Bihar in the last few years was due to PM Modis bounty. The latest stage in the decade-long persecution of Julian Assange begins today, with the final three weeks of British court hearings for the extradition of the WikiLeaks publisher to the US, where he faces 175 years in prison for exposing American war crimes, human rights violations, coups and meddling operations around the world. Whatever the court decides will likely be subject to years of legal appeal, but the scenario that Assange has warned of for the past ten yearsthat he risks being hauled before a secret US court, prosecuted for lawful publishing activities and thrown into a hellhole run by his CIA persecutorsis all too real. The innumerable pundits and media commentators who derided these warnings as a conspiracy theory and promoted the slanders used to undermine public support for Assange have fallen silent. The legal travesty underway in the land of the Magna Carta either goes unmentioned in the official press, or is discreetly buried in brief columns halfway through the papers. The hearings are only proceeding because the attempt of the British state to kill Assange by exposing him to the danger of coronavirus infection has so far failed. Throughout the pandemic, Assange has been held in the maximum-security Belmarsh Prison, where he has been denied a mask or any other protection, even as dozens of inmates and staff have contracted COVID-19. A bail application has been contemptuously dismissed, despite the fact that Assange has been convicted of no crime, as have warnings that his health continues to deteriorate. Assange, facing the most consequential legal proceedings of his life, has been unable to meet with his lawyers for the past six months. Weeks before the resumption of the trial, US prosecutors filed a superseding indictment, based on the lies and slanders of FBI informants, over a year after they were required to submit their final charge sheet. The transparent purpose was to inundate Assanges legal team with tens of thousands of documents, after they had finished preparing their case, to prevent even the possibility of a defence. As a matter of law, the US extradition request should have been thrown out as soon as it was submitted. It violates innumerable treaties, laws and international conventions, including a ban on extraditions from Britain to the US for political offenses, prohibitions on the refoulement of those who have secured asylum to their persecutors and an absolute proscription on subjecting anyone to the likelihood of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, which Assange would unquestionably face in the US. The WikiLeaks founders defence is expected to submit detailed evidence establishing that the CIA illegally surveilled Assange when he was a political refugee in Ecuadors London embassy. His legal meetings were intercepted, in a flagrant breach of attorney-client privilege, and his infant child was spied upon, in a violation of fundamental human rights. Despite the lawlessness, the hearings proceed, with the backing of the entire British political, media and legal establishment. The case is overseen by a judge whose husband has the closest ties to the intelligence agencies and the military. The Conservative government and the Labour opposition explicitly support the show-trial. The unions and the pseudo-left are opposed to any defence of Assange. The line-up is proof that the only viable political strategy to fight for Assanges freedom is one based upon the independent mobilisation of the working class against all of the official parties and the profit system that they defend. Assanges dire plight cannot be understood in isolation. It is one of the sharpest expressions of a turn to authoritarianism and censorship by governments around the world, amid a breakdown of capitalism, an escalation of imperialist militarism and the emergence of major class struggles. The very governments persecuting Assange are at war with the population. In Britain, the US and Australia they have pursued a homicidal response to the pandemic, based on exposing millions of workers to a deadly virus so that capitalist production and corporate profits can continue. Ordinary people are being made to pay for the economic crisis accelerated by the pandemic. Mass unemployment, the gutting of welfare and jobless payments and a stepped-up assault on wages and conditions goes hand in hand with government handouts of trillions of dollars to the banks, financial speculators and oligarchs. The class war at home is accompanied by escalating war abroad, exemplified by continuous US provocations and threats against China and Russia, which risk a global nuclear conflagration. None of this is compatible with democratic norms. Well aware that their criminal policies are inflaming mass social and political opposition from below, the ruling elites are responding with the blunt instruments of repression. The US authorities, who want to destroy Assange, have, for the past three months, overseen state violence against mass protests in opposition to police killings. The turn to dictatorial methods is epitomised by Trumps threats to illegally deploy the military against domestic opposition and his attempts to cultivate a fascistic movement. His nominal opponent, Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden, is rallying support from war criminals and the intelligence agencies. Bidens program is internet censorship, military confrontation with Russia and China and trillions more for Wall Street. The unanimity of the ruling elite in the assault on democratic rights is summed-up by the fact that the two official candidates in Novembers US presidential election, Biden and Trump, both support the prosecution of Assange, which is a frontal assault on the press freedom enshrined in the US Constitution by the American Revolution. A similar bipartisanship is evident in every other country. Desperate illusions that a section of the political establishment would come to Assanges aid now take on the character of hopeless delusions. Former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who occasionally claimed to be a socialist, refused to defend Assange and has handed over control of the party to the Blairites. Bernie Sanders, who said that he was waging a political revolution through the big business Democratic Party, but would not even mention Assanges name, is Bidens most enthusiastic supporter. The promotion of such bankrupt figures, including by organisations like the official Dont Extradite Assange campaign group, has only served to demobilise and disorient the latent mass support for the WikiLeaks founder, and direct it behind the very forces responsible for Assanges persecution. Experience has shown that the social force that can and must take forward the fight for his freedom is the international working class. All over the world, teachers, auto workers, medical staff and many others are entering into struggle against the governments and corporate elites that have imperilled their lives during the pandemic, and attacked their social and democratic rights. The persecution of Assange is not only aimed at silencing forever a courageous journalist and publisher who has exposed historic war crimes. It is an attempt to intimidate this emerging movement and establish a precedent for far broader victimisations and frame-ups. But just as the working class will not accept the turn towards dictatorship, so it must defend Assange. The World Socialist Web Site appeals to workers, students and young people to become active in the fight to block Assanges extradition and secure his unconditional release. The fight for his freedom is your fight! It is inseparable from your struggles against inequality, the corporate onslaught on social conditions and the capitalist system that is responsible for the global crisis. We encourage the broadest meetings and discussions in neighbourhoods, schools, universities and workplaces, along with public protests and rallies, where it is safe for them to be held. Resolutions should be adopted at workplaces, demanding an end to the persecution of Assange and calling on other sections of the working class to join this struggle. Sign up to the WSWS Assange newsletter. Become active in the fight for press freedom, democratic rights, an end to imperialist war, and for socialism. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 03:24:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HELSINKI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Finland's exports and imports both declined by more than 13 percent in July 2020 year-on-year, the Finnish Customs said in a press release on Monday. In July, Finland's exports were worth almost 4.4 billion euros (5.2 billion U.S. dollars), and its imports were valued at 4.8 billion euros. The exports registered a 13.8-percent year-on-year decline, and imports down by 13.6 percent compared to July 2019. Between January and July, the year-on-year decline in the value of the country's exports was 16.8 percent, and the respective figure for imports was 12.3 percent. Finland's trade deficit in January-July amounted to 2.1 billion euros, while in the same period of 2019 it was 507 million euros. Exports to the European Union (EU) member countries decreased by 9.8 percent and to non-EU countries fell by 18.0 percent in July year-on-year. Imports from EU member countries declined by 12.2 percent and from non-EU countries fell by 15.3 percent in July, said the agency. In July, Finland's exports to the U.S. were down by 38.3 percent, while the decline in Finnish imports from the U.S. was 8.8 percent in July, year-on-year. The figures for Germany were minus 16.1 percent (exports) and minus 19.5 percent (imports). The country's exports to China in July were worth 240.2 million euros, down by 21.9 percent year-on-year, while imports from China were worth 470.2 million euros, a 0.5 percent decrease from July 2019. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollar) Enditem Hyloris announces approval of Maxigesic IV in eight European countries Commercialization of Hyloris' second marketed product to start in early 2021 Liege, Belgium - 7 September 2020 - Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA (Euronext Brussels: HYL), an innovative specialty pharmaceutical company focused on adding value to the healthcare system by reformulating well-known pharmaceuticals, today announces the approval of Maxigesic IV in eight European countries. Maxigesic IV1 is Hyloris' second product to reach the market, after Sotalol IV. Maxigesic IV is the result of a co-development partnership with AFT Pharmaceuticals ("AFT") of New Zealand, who will launch the product through several distribution and licensing partners. Through a series of decentralized procedures, which allows a product to be approved in more than one EU member state in parallel, the product is now being rolled out over Europe. The decentralized procedures which in total included 18 countries was concluded positively on the 29th April 2020 and was followed by national license applications. To date, AFT has obtained national Marketing Authorizations in Belgium, Sweden, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta, while the remaining Marketing Authorizations are expected in the upcoming period. The commercialization in these territories is expected to start in early 2021. Additional procedures have been initiated to obtain approval in further countries within the EU. Earlier this year, AFT signed an exclusive agreement with two European distributors, Ever Pharma for Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Medochemie for Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. Maxigesic IV was launched earlier this year in Australia, New Zealand and the UAE. Hyloris will receive a part of the margin generated in all countries were Maxigesic IV will be commercialized except Australia and New Zealand. Stijn Van Rompay, Chief Executive Officer of Hyloris, commented: "I'm delighted that AFT has already obtained approval in eight of the first wave of 18 European countries we have targeted for Maxigesic IV. This milestone is a good foundation as we look to launch commercial activity early next year, and file with the FDA in due course. We are hopeful that Maxigesic IV might be able to help a wide range of patients, both for the relief of mild to moderate pain, or as a better alternative to opioids for moderate to severe pain." In July 2020, AFT completed the enrolment of the open-label, multiple-dose, single arm exposure clinical Phase III trial of Maxigesic IV in 232 patients with acute pain following orthopedic, general or plastic surgery. The NDA filing of Maxigesic IV in the US is expected to occur by the end of 2020. -Ends- For more information, please contact: Hyloris Pharmaceuticals Stijn Van Rompay, CEO +32 (0)4 346 02 07 contact@hyloris.com Consilium Strategic Communications Amber Fennell, Chris Welsh, Taiana De Ruyck Soares +44 20 3709 5700 hyloris@consilium-comms.com About Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA Based in Liege, Belgium, Hyloris is an early-stage innovative specialty pharmaceutical company focused on adding value to the healthcare system by reformulating well-known pharmaceuticals. Hyloris develops proprietary products it believes offer significant advantages compared to currently available alternatives, with the aim to address the underserved medical needs of patients, hospitals, physicians, payors and other stakeholders in the healthcare system. Hyloris' portfolio spans three areas of focus: IV Cardiovascular, Other Reformulations and Established Market (high-barrier generics). Hyloris currently has two early commercial-stage products, Sotalol IV for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, commercialized through its partner AltaThera, and Maxigesic IV, a non-opioid analgesic product for the treatment of pain, developed with the Company's partner, AFT Pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Hyloris has 12 product candidates in various stages of development across the Company's wider portfolio. Read more at www.hyloris.com . Hyloris stands for "high yield, lower risk" and relates to the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway for product approval on which the Issuer focuses, but in no way relates or applies to an investment in the Shares. 1 Maxigesic IV is a novel combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen in an intravenous form Attachment A formal induction ceremony of the five high-profile Rafale fighter aircraft into the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 'Golden Arrows' Squadron will be held at the Ambala airbase in Haryana on September 10. Earlier, sources had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is most likely to attend the ceremony. French Defence Minister Florence Parly will take part in the induction ceremony and during the visit, other than having a bilateral with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, she will also meet National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. The first batch of five Rafale jets, which arrived at the Ambala airbase on July 29, have already proven their mettle with successful weapons firing at a test range after arrival. When the first batch of Rafales arrived at Ambala, the IAF had said that efforts are focused on operationalisation of the aircraft at the earliest. After the ceremony, the French side is also likely to raise the possibility of a larger order for the Rafale fighter jets under the 'Make in India' initiative, sources had said. The first batch of five incoming Rafale fighter jets landed at the Ambala Air Force base around 3.14 PM on July 29, 2020, amid a ceremonial welcome and unprecedented security. The squadron of Rafale jets has been stationed at the Ambala airbase in Haryana. The fleet of five jets comprises three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft. The jets will be inducted into the IAF as part of its No. 17 Squadron, also known as the 'Golden Arrows'. Nearly four years ago, India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to purchase 36 Rafale jets under a Rs 59,000-crore deal to boost the IAF's combat capabilities. The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA's Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets. Of the 36 jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. The trainer jets will be twin-seater and they will have almost all the features of the fighter jets. The IAF has undertaken major infrastructure upgrades at the Ambala base for the deployment of the first Rafale squadron. Built in 1948, the airbase is located on the east side of Ambala and is used for military and government flights. The airbase has two squadrons of the Jaguar combat aircraft and one squadron of the MIG-21 'Bison'. Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh was the first commander of the base. The Mirage fighters that were used for the airstrike in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack had taken off from Ambala. The Rafale aircraft will give India a strategic advantage in case of any aerial combat with China in the mountainous Tibet region as the fleet will be able to use the terrain to its advantage, destroy enemy air defence and incapacitate the surface-to-air missiles, former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal (retd) BS Dhanoa had said to news agency PTI in August. Dhanoa, known as the architect of the Balakot strikes, had said the Rafale jets along with S-400 missile systems will give the Indian Air Force a major combat edge in the entire region and that India's adversaries will think twice before starting a war with it. In case of Pakistan, he had said the purpose of the S-400 and Rafale is to hit Pakistani aircraft inside Pakistani air space and not when they come inside Indian territory, adding the neighbouring country would not have responded on February 27, 2019, to the Balakot air strikes if India had the French-manufactured jets then. In an interview to PTI, Dhanoa had said the Rafale, with its fantastic electronic warfare suite and manoeuvrability, will be able to use mountainous terrain in Tibet to its advantage and blind the enemy before India's strike aircraft penetrate hostile airspace to carry out their missions. By Express News Service KOCHI: The proposal submitted by the Kerala government for phase II of the Kochi Metro from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to Kakkanad via Infopark is under the active consideration of the Union government and approval for it will be given soon, Union Minister for civil aviation and housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri indicated on Monday. The Union Minister said this while delivering the presidential address during the inaugural function of the Thykkoodam-Petta stretch of Kochi Metro via video conferencing. He hinted that the green signal for the 11.2 km stretch of Phase II will be given at the earliest. With the commissioning of the 1.2 km stretch, Kochi Metro also marked the completion of its first phase between Aluva and Petta. There are 22 stations in the first phase. With the services now extended to 25 km, we are expecting an increase in daily ridership of the Kochi Metro. The existing ridership of 65,000 daily passengers is likely to cross one lakh per day with the extension of services up to Petta, said Puri. Inaugurating the final stretch of Kochi Metro's first phase, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the focus of the government will now be on the completion of the 3.2 km Metro stretch from Petta to Tripunithura, comprising three stations. Work on the Rs 1066 crore extension as Phase I (a) of Kochi Metro has already been launched. The initial section up to SN Junction is likely to be commissioned in October next year. The Union Minister has hinted that the nod for the second phase will be given soon, which is happy news for us. The preparatory works along the Kakkanad stretch have already been launched, he added. The Chief Minister later flagged off the first journey of the Kochi Metro train from Petta to Thykoodam via video conference from Thiruvananthapuram. MLAs M Swaraj, P T Thomas, Hiby Eden, Ernakulam MP, Kochi Corporation mayor Soumini Jain and other senior officers took the first journey. A Whitfield County deputy was shot late Sunday night while checking out a stolen utility trailer on I-75. The shooter is on the loose. At 11:40 p.m., deputies from the Whitfield County Patrol Division were alerted to a white Chevrolet Tahoe pulling a stolen utility trailer. Deputies located the vehicle on I-75 traveling southbound. A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle and the driver brandished a firearm, shooting and wounding the deputy. The driver fled the scene in the Tahoe. The Tahoe was found after a brief pursuit on I-75 in the southbound lanes near the West Nance Springs Road overpass. Dalton Lee Potter, of Leaky, Tex., has been identified as the vehicle's sole occupant and shooter. Anyone with any information regarding Potters whereabouts is asked to call the Whitfield County E911 Center. The Sheriff's Office said, "Potter is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach or attempt to apprehend." The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been contacted and will be conducting an independent investigation of the incident. Representative image Hyderabad Metro Rail services resumed operations on the Miyapur-LB Nagar route on Monday after a gap of over five months following the COVID-19 guidelines. Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) and L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited authorities said train services between Corridor 1 (Miyapur to LB Nagar) has started while metro operations will be resumed in graded manner on other routes. "We are happy that we were permitted to resume the metro rail services. We are taking all precautions and are strictly following the COVID-19 guidelines to prevent spreading of the virus in Metro travel, HMRL Managing Director NVS Reddy told PTI. Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic Ordinary people were facing a lot of problems in reaching their places of work or destination in the absence of reaching their places of work or destination in the absence of public transport, Reddy 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 Services are being operated from 7 am to noon and 4 pm to 9 pm, he said. Wearing of a face mask is mandatory for all passengers and staff. Metro Rail has made arrangements for supply of masks on payment basis to people arriving without mask. Suitable penalty as per regulation shall be imposed for any violation, the officials said. Smart Card and Mobile QR tickets with cashless/online transactions were encouraged for the safety of passengers. In order to ensure social distancing, suitable markings at stations and inside trains were done for passengers to stand, the officials said. Only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to travel after thermal screening at entry into the stations. Proper PPE kits and sanitisers have been provided to employees/ security personnel. Considering the potential of coronavirus to spread quickly, security personnel/ private guards have been instructed to ensure adequate safety while frisking commuters without diluting security drills, they said. In Phase-II, from September 8 onwards services will commence on Corridor 3 (Nagole to Raidurg) while in Phase-III from September 9 onwards all the three Corridors (C1, C2 andC3) would be made operational, the officials said. Frequency of trains will be around five minutes and it will be increased or decreased based on passenger traffic to avoid crowding, they said adding stations in containment zones have been closed. The total operational length of the elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail project is 69 km. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here The role of the Border Security Force has become more important as "our neighbouring countries" are planning against India, BSF Director General Rakesh Asthana said on Sunday, in an apparent reference to Sino-India border situation in Ladakh and frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Asthana, who arrived in Jammu on Friday, concluded his three-day tour with a visit to Forward Defence Locations (FDLs) along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch where he took stock of the prevailing situation, a BSF release said tonight. Without naming China and Pakistan, the BSF chief in his address to 'Sainik Sammellan' at the force's Paloura camp here said, "This is a very crucial time for all, as both our neighbouring countries are planning against us." "Our role has become more important now as we are the first line of Indian defence," Asthana added. On the third day of his maiden tour, the release said, the DG was briefed by Deputy Inspector General, sector headquarters, Rajouri, I D Singh and field commanders on the LoC regarding the operational preparedness and the present situation. He was accompanied by Additional Director General (WC) S S Panwar and Inspector General of BSF, Jammu frontier, N S Jamwal. Appreciative of the measures adopted by the troops while maintaining domination along the LoC, Asthana emphasised on meeting the security challenges more effectively. He lauded the excellent synergy amongst all the security forces and exhorted all ranks to maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism. He was very appreciative of the vigilant BSF jawans who guard the nation's border round the clock defying all hostile conditions, the release said. Asthana, who took over as the chief of the border-guarding force recently, visited forward areas along the International Border including Samba where the BSF detected an underground tunnel last month and frustrated Pakistan's design to facilitate infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of narcotics. Photo credit: Eden Rock From Town & Country Americans, as citizens of the worlds military, economic, and cultural superpower, have long been scrutinized and stereotyped. We are either brash and bossy, or easy, informal, and with an alluring singing in the rain optimism. But there is universal agreement on one national trait: We take the worlds shortest vacations. Europeans have that month-plus summer shutdown; Americans worship at the altar of the summer Friday. Others may snigger, but its no wonder: The United States, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, is the only advanced economy that does not guarantee its workers any paid vacation time or paid national holidays; what days off we do get are entirely at employers discretion, and so are taken with at least a subliminal sense of anxiety, as if we werent in compliance with our countrys red-blooded capitalism. Going away for a week is okay. Two consecutive weeks? Acceptable if a tad guilt inducing. Anything morethree, four, five weeks away, even if youre entitled to themfeels like youre on the lam. Photo credit: Eden Rock No longer. In fact, rising phoenix-like from the ash heap of closed borders, no-sail orders, fear of flying, and quarantines is a whole new way to travel. Untethered from office and school, digital nomadscollege students, families, friendsare packing up their bags and moving elsewhere for a while. We just closed on a five-month stay in a villa in Mexico, travel adviser Zachary Rabinor, of Journey Mexico, told me in late August. We had to layer on home tutors, a surf camp, and a technology upgrade package to ensure superfast internet connection. Rabinor cant say which villa and where: We signed an NDA. But I am comfortable saying that we had several similar bookings recently in Los Cabos, Punta de Mita, and Costa Careyes. All the villas are beach-front, with infinity pools and full staffing. The guests are families and range from 12 to 18 people, including children. All are from the US. Story continues Photo credit: Colin Miller Mexico, of course, never closed it air travel borders to Americans. Ireland didnt either, but does require a 14-day quarantine, which, if youre staying a few months, hardly matters. Dromoland and Ashford castles now have special extended stay programsat steep discountsthrough April 1, 2021, and you can split your stay between them. The new stay-in-place travelers are popping up everywhere. Weve been booking three to four weeks at the Amanyara Turks & Caicos, says Becca Clark of Epperly Travel, which specializes in the Caribbean. Its ideal for social distancing, and people are loving the villas. Photo credit: Amanyara Goldeneye in Jamaica, Island Records impresario Chris Blackwells property, is giving 30 percent off sojourns of 30 days or more at its Ian Fleming Villa, where the maestro wrote all 14 Bond books. (Heres a WFH project for you: hole up and write your own tome, taking breaks on your own private beach.) In the Maldivesyou and yours on a palm-fringed speck in an aqua seaSoneva Fushi is finding takers for stays of 14 nights and longer, and at One & Only Reethi Rah its not unusual for people to ask for 28 days, says Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International. Photo credit: Brie Williams The high-end travel agency Embark Beyond has launched its Embark Longer program specifically to meet the demand. They have partnered with about 75 properties worldwide (from the Carlyle in New York to the Ritz-Carlton Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, Borgo Egnazia in Italy, Las Ventanas in Mexico, and Four Seasons Costa Rica), with whom they have negotiated favorable extended-stay rates and take care of all logistics, whether youre contemplating a one, two, or three month mini lease, or longer. We just booked a couple into one of the villas at Eden Rock St. Barths for two months, says founder Jack Ezon. They had one criterium: a lap pool overlooking the sea. The feeling is, there is no reason to be at homeso why not go? This kind of travel is slower, calmer, more exploratory, and more sustainable. Even if you fly to get where youre going, points out Neil Jacobs, CEO of the environmentally conscious, wellness focused Six Senses resorts and spas, these trips involve fewer hotels, fewer activities, and a deeper involvement with one destination. Its the travel rainbow coming out of this nastiness. And a new kind of Grand Tour. You Might Also Like PARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he had enjoyed a "very good exchange" with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on various topics including Brexit. "Very good exchange with @BorisJohnson," tweeted Macron. "We are going to strengthen our co-operation against migrant traffickers. We also discussed the consequences from the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, the situation in Lebanon and the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom." Earlier on Monday, Johnson's office said the two leaders had agreed that talks on a Brexit deal needed to make progress this month and reach a conclusion quickly. (Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta Editing by Gareth Jones) If you were hit by job loss during the pandemic, or are coming off a parental or medical leave or possibly a temporary layoff, and are now back to work, or soon to be, this is a solid financial checklist to follow. Before you start, get clear about your scope of work and hours So much has changed in workplaces across Canada that youll need to understand exactly what will be required of you from a skills and time perspective. Are you going to be full-time, part-time, permanent, contract, hourly? Has your job arrangement changed? Has that change impacted your pay or benefits? Be clear so that you can plan your budget and time accordingly. Review your payroll information before your first paycheque This is a straight-up review of what has been input into your HR system and it shouldnt take more than 30 minutes. Double confirm that your SIN, annual salary and/or hourly rate are showing correctly. Determine your allocation for CPP, EI and tax deductions. If you have benefits or retirement savings that you pay into, ensure those items are baked in there and get clear on what theyre costing you per pay? Have union dues been accounted for or will you be paying out of pocket? All of this is to get you as close to an understanding of your net pay as possible, before payday, so that there arent any surprises. You can also take this net pay information and work it into your revised monthly budget, now that you are back to work. Be aware of payday dates Note the payroll dates in your own personal calendar so that you get reminded about paydays on your mobile device. Do you need to make changes to the timing of your payments for things like your utilities, when you buy groceries or contribute to your TFSA, for example? The goal is to time your financial commitments to match payday, which should alleviate having everything due all at once (insert the stressed out emoji here). Sign up for your employers benefit program, if you need it In the majority of cases, signing up for benefits means you will pay a portion (or all) of the costs. Dental, paramedical and prescription coverage is pretty standard with employer benefits. But some companies allow for mix-and-match solutions so that you can choose from the benefits that matter most to you. Review your needs (eye coverage, life insurance or psychotherapy, for example) and their offerings very carefully, as some employers only allow you to make a change to your benefits once per year. If youre part of a double income household, you may need to look at both of your benefit plans to see if you need the full suite of options from each package or can you dial one back and save that money instead? Also, investigate whether your plans allow you to co-ordinate your benefits; meaning you can use both to cover off eligible costs. Note that as organizations are recovering from the initial financial shocks of the pandemic, you may see some reductions in whats included in your plan (if you have any plan at all). So saving for emergencies becomes even more important if you are without good benefits through work. You can also apply for private coverage if you need it. Just work this into your monthly budget. Factor in costs your employer makes you pay for Do you need to pay for a uniform, a hard hat, boots, PPE equipment, a monitor, internet or a desk if youre working from home? Investigate who will pay for what equipment and how it gets paid for, if its up to you (e.g. a payroll deduction). Maximize any matching plans for retirement savings Does your employer offer any kind of automatic retirement savings plans; pension (defined contribution or defined benefit), group RRSPs, TFSAs? Do they match your contributions? The ideal situation is to contribute the amount of money that gets you the maximum match because that is the easiest return on investment youll ever make: free money. You may not be eligible right away to participate in these plans and thats OK. Just diarize the date that you are eligible so that you dont forget to sign up. And note that when these savings programs kick in, they can reduce the size of your paycheque. Sign up for overtime pools and extra shifts Depending on your profession, you may need to formally join a list of people who are interested in and/or eligible for extra work. If you want to be included dont forget to sign up. Access work perks if you have them Some organizations have discounts and privileges with different kinds of vendors like telecoms, car rental companies, grocery stores, clothing outlets, gym memberships (if youre planning to go back to the gym) and such. If you need to purchase something once youre back to work, check the perks available to save money. Finances aside, stay healthy and follow health best practices as you return to work. Your health is your most valuable asset right now. LS Lesley-Anne Scorgie is a Toronto-based personal finance columnist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @lesleyscorgie Typhoon Haishen became the latest in a series of punishing typhoons to batter eastern Asia when it pummeled both Japan and the Korean Peninsula over the weekend and into early this week. Already reeling from Typhoon Maysak's damaging impacts last week, both North and South Korea, as well as Japan, are now left to deal with more destruction from the even stronger Haishen. The one-two punch of both Maysak and Haishen brought heavy rainfall, flooding and damaging winds. However, Haishen became the first super typhoon of the season in the western Pacific Ocean, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Haishen made landfall near Ulsan, just north of Busan in South Korea, on Monday morning, local time, according to The Korea Herald. At landfall, the typhoon had the equivalent strength of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale in the Atlantic or East Pacific basins. Haishen continued to lose intensity after making landfall and, as of Monday evening, was a strong tropical storm according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency. Additionally, Haishen became a record breaker for South Korea. A satellite view of Typhoon Haishen bearing down on Japan during Saturday afternoon, local time. (CIRA/RAMMB) Haishen became the fifth named tropical system to make landfall in the country this far in 2020. Typhoon Haishen's landfall in South Korea broke the previous record for the number of named storms to make landfall in a single year. Haishen is also the fourth tropical system to impact the Korean Peninsula in the past 30 days, with each system stronger than the last. As of Monday evening, rainfall totals of 100-150 mm (4-6 inches) were common for coastal areas along the eastern portion of the peninsula, while rainfall totals were generally in the 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) range for inland and western areas. Significant travel disruptions ensued from the deluge of water, including flooded and blocked roadways, according to Busan's Metropolitan City Traffic Information Service Center on Twitter. Story continues 2020-09-07 08:39 < > -, pic.twitter.com/DKkU3z5yAu (@BusanTIC) September 6, 2020 The Korea Herald reported that Haishen also caused power cuts and tree damage across the region. Work was shut down at the Hyundai Motors factory in Ulsan after the power was knocked out, and the company said it may take some time for the factory to become fully operational. According to the Associated Press, more than 100 homes were destroyed or flooded, and at least 80 fishing boats were sunk as Haishen battered the area on Monday. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Before Haishen left its mark on the Korean Peninsula, the typhoon had first swept through southern Japan over the weekend. Late last week, Japanese officials told residents to brace for impacts from the typhoon, urging many to evacuate their homes. By Sunday morning, local time, more than 810,000 people across four prefectures in southwestern Japan were ordered to evacuate. A landslide site caused by Typhoon Haishen where local media say four people are missing is seen in Shiiba Town, Miyazaki prefecture, southwestern Japan on September 7, 2020 (Photo:Kyodo/via REUTERS). Minamidaitojima, a small island in southern Japan, spent much of Saturday and Saturday night in the eye wall of Haishen and reported a wind gust of 185 km/h (115 mph). Rainfall totals ranged from 100-150 mm (4-6 inches) across southwestern Japan. As of Monday night, Miyakonojo in southern Kyushu had received 255 mm (10.04 inches) of rain from the storm. This much rainfall in a short amount of time contributed to several landslides across the country. According to the Associated Press, Japanese disaster management officials in Kagoshima confirmed a woman in her 70s died of a head injury after falling into a roadside ditch while evacuating from a coastal town over the weekend. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said at least 38 other people were injured as a result of Haishen, five of them seriously. According to the Kyushu Electric Power Co., at least 107,540 households were still without power across the Kyushu region as of Monday night. The Japanese Coast Guard is set to resume the search and rescue mission for missing sailors in the East China Sea on Tuesday. Dozens of sailors have been missing since the middle of last week after a cargo ship carrying cattle capsized in the rough surf from Typhoon Maysak. The mission was temporarily suspended as Haishen moved through the area. Because of these impacts, Haishen was a 4 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Tropical Cyclones in Japan and a 3 in South Korea. The RealImpact Scale is a 6-point scale with ratings of less-than-1 and 1 to 5. In comparison to the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale, which has been used by meteorologists for decades and classifies storms by wind speed only, the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale is based on a broad range of important factors. The scale covers not only wind speed, but also flooding rain, storm surge and economic damage and loss. This communicates a more comprehensive representation of the potential impact of a storm to lives and livelihoods. There are no immediate new tropical threats in the Western Pacific in the wake of Haishen, but South Korea and Japan could receive more rain this week thanks to several approaching cold fronts, AccuWeather forecasters said. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. S even more major cities in France have been placed on high alert as the country recorded a sharp surge in cases. French authorities announced that cities such as Lille, Strasbourg and Dijon are now considered "red zones" as exceptional measures can now be introduced in the cities to slow the spread of Covid-19. It brings the total number of high risk areas in France to 28. The Sante Publique France health agency said over the weekend that 53 new outbreaks of Covid-19 clusters had been discovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of investigations to 484. Fridays case peak of 8,975 set a new all-time high of daily additional infections. But, at the same time, the number of people who have died from Covid-19 increased by just three to 30,701. The cumulative number of cases now totals 309,156. The number entering hospital over the last seven days reached 1,704, of which 288 were in intensive care units. Despite the sharp rise in cases, daily deaths and hospital figures are relatively stable, said a health ministry spokesman. This is primarily because young people, who are less vulnerable to the disease, make up most of the new infections, he added. Wide-scale testing and tracing, compulsory mask wearing and people being encouraged to work from home are among the measures being used to combat Covid-19 in France. 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 It began easing its eight-week lockdown in May. The increased number of coronavirus cases among young people came as some 12 million school pupils returned to class last week. Since then, the education ministry has closed 22 schools in mainland France and its overseas territories due to outbreaks. In another sign of the worsening situation, a retirement home in the southern Aveyron department announced yesterday that 43 residents and 11 staff were infected. Compulsory testing for those arriving from high-risk countries has been in operation at Frances international airports since August 1. The list of countries includes the US, Israel and Serbia, but not the UK. This is despite Britain imposing a 14-day quarantine period on anyone arriving from France. A substantial amount of crops were flattened by Storms Ellen and Francis but the foul weather also affected the quality of some grains to the extent that they have been given the thumbs-down by the premium drinks industry. Tillage farmers all over the country face a long, difficult winter due to the recent appalling weather which, as tillage specialist Ciaran Collins explains, affected not only the size of the harvest but also the quality of some of the grains. There are about 10,000 tillage farmers around Ireland, 5,000 of whom specialise in tillage and because the industry is worth an eye-watering 1.3bn per annum (and supports some 11,000 jobs) to the Irish economy, any downturn in the sector will hit not just the exchequer, but local economies throughout the country. The financial implications of the recent storms for the sector are quite serious, he said. Tillage farmers have one annual payday which is the harvest and now it has been seriously affected by the weather, he said. The Teagasc tillage expert, who is based at Moorepark, Fermoy, explained that farmers tend to schedule repayments on high-cost agricultural machines around this time of year, using the proceeds from the harvest, but now cash flow has been reduced. On top of the fact that fewer tonnes of grain have been produced this autumn, the sector is also getting a lower price for its products, as the storms have also had a negative effect on farmers access to the highly lucrative drinks industry. Every year, Irish farms produce in or around 300,000 tonnes of cereals for the whiskey and beer industry. This is a premium market, and what has happened this year, as a result of the weather, is that some of the grain has not reached industry standards, Mr Collins said. This is a second knock for farmers they have not only lost some of the harvest to the weather, but also thanks to the weather, some of their crop has been deemed to not meet the required standards of quality for the drinks sector. They would normally get a higher price for these grains than they would get for the grain that is used for animal feed, he said, adding that the problems being experienced by some growers in reaching drinks-industry standards this year was significantly higher than normal. As a result, beer and spirits producers will have to import grain from other parts of Europe. A study carried out by Teagasc in late August showed that the high winds and heavy rains caused by the two storms resulted in damage to crops with many falling over in some cases it was estimated that yield losses reached more than 20%. Less than half of the spring barley crop had been harvested while only about 30% of winter wheat had been harvested. The south of the country experienced exceptional yields of spring barley but here too, the storms had had a strongly negative impact. As a result of all of this, Mr Collins predicted, cash flow would be a problem for many farmers this year, and Teagasc was strongly encouraging producers to seek help from their local advisers on everything from financial analysis to budgeting. Ghana our Motherland once had all that was required to move in the direction and path to uncovering the great Industrialization goal. With the government changing and with a period of military rule, some of these industries folded up, driving the Industrialization path further away. Within this fourth Republic, President Kuffour revived some industries and established new ones that renewed the path to Industrialization. Evident through Metro Mass Transit, Vodafone among others. Going forward, it was thus expected that the Industrialization agenda would deepen. However, such expectations were trashed under subsequent regimes. Existing industries slowed to a halt with many companies collapsing as a result of domestic challenges like power outages and the unprecedented Dumsor. This took a toll even on state enterprises like Akosombo Textiles Limited, GTP etc. The Ghanaian media landscape was not spared these problems as many print houses and radio stations closing down due to indadequate power supply and high costs of alternative sources of power to run their operations leading to high records of retrenchment. Dumsor, which became a synonym for power outages gripped the Ghanaian economy. The administration of then President John Mahama blamed it on Ghanaians having too many Mobile phones, a narrative which was later changed to say the power outages were a result of a ship anchor hitting the West African Gas pipeline which was providing Gas to the thermal plants. When in fact, the problems resulted mainly from narrow financing and a lack of innovation in infrastructural management. Leading up to election 2016, Candidate Akuffo-Addo now President promised to end Dumsor to revamp Ghana's industrial drive. A promise which led to One District One Factory and other enterprises like the bauxite and iron ore industries. In 2017, the people of the Central Region had their first share of the government flagship programme under 1district 1factory initiative with the sod-cutting for the construction of the Ekumfi Juice Factory. This was a bold step by the NPP Government. Even with a rich history, good schools and a major tourist attractions in Ghana, the Central Region is still one of the poorest regions. Therefore the siting of a factory in that region directly increased productivity and employment by engaging thousands of idle youth in the region. In addition , Casa de Ropa which is a company under the 1district1factory initiative has expanded operations to the Central Region, making some 21 products including Bread and potatoes, the company has this further added to creating more jobs for the youth and women in that area. Many factories are being revived and new ones are being established like the Brompton Portfolio which is located in the Nsawam Prison to assist in reforms to provide jobs for the prisoners and equip them with essential skills that will make them useful to society after serving their sentences. An action that directly keeps them off the streets and out of the prison system. In 2021 and beyond, when given the mandate by the good people of Ghana, the NPP government is looking forward to making industrialization a key to driving the economy forward. Made in Ghana products are prominent in this agenda with the hope of providing more jobs for the Ghanaian people. This will also cut down importation of foreign products to save the country forex reserves and stabilize the cedi. A clear example is the facilitation and establishment of the Volkswagen (VW) assembly plant in Ghana to provide the VW cars that are imported from Germany locally. There are similar assembly plants planned for the near future including Toyota, Nissan, Sinotrucks and our own and local assembly plants to by indigenous car makers like Kantanka Automobile. With this initiative, the NPP intends to create more skilled jobs in the market with good productivity outcomes. This will also give the government a chance to expand and deepen the 1D1F initiative and roll it out across the entire country. It is important to note that that as part of government's committment to Industrialization and infrastructural development, in 2018, the NPP government went on a bater trade with the Chinese government with a percentage of Ghana's bauxite deposit in exchange for 2 billion United States Dollars. This deal was an agreement that was sighted by our colleagues in the NDC as a loan when clearly its stated as a bater trade with them writing letters to IMF and other institutions to stop the deal because they realised it was a good deal and was going to hinder their political fortunes in the coming in the near future but the President Akuffo-Addo was keen on making our Country Ghana a beneficiary of its resources and not to the benefits of a particular family or group of friends. Ghanaians chose a leader who understands the plight of its citizens and the how to improve upon their wellbeing with policies and Innovations like this. The bater trade with the Chinese has actually led toassive Infrastructural projects like roads, hospitals,market constructions and other projects that has led to the benefits of Ghanaians. In the Manifesto of 2020, the NPP led by the President Akuffo-Addo has decided to take the mantle a step further with more focus on implementing the integrated bauxite and aluminum Industry as well as the iron and steel industry, a promise that will revive the likes of VALCO which has been defunct for a long time and has led to a lot of job losses. Since 1960,Ghana has been evaluating the prospects of having a integrated bauxite and aluminum Industry as part of it's industrial development by utilising it's 960 million metric tonnes estimated bauxite reserves(second largest reserves of bauxite deposit in Africa aside Guinea), so for it to be explored and implemented at this stage by the NPP party led by President Akuffo-Addo is a great step in the right direction on creating more jobs and also creating more opportunities for the people to explore and learn about the bauxite industry and it's gains for Ghana. For a country to make it's mark depends on a leader who know the fortunes and gains of a vibrant and well determined structured Industry played down for the Good of its citizens. The NPP has done what other thought will not see the light of day but with the Battle still the Lord's everything and anything is possible with the God being our helper. Source: Chineseman, Osei and GuyGee (COG) 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 Tens of thousands of people across Pakistan protested against French magazine Charlie Hebdo reprinting cartoons that mock the Prophet Mohammad. The cartoons were first published in 2005 and triggered outrage and unrest among Muslims around the world. Earlier this week, Charlie Hebdo - a satirical weekly - revived the cartoons to mark the start of the trial of suspected accomplices in an Islamist militant attack on its Paris office back in 2015. The protests in Pakistan were organized by the hardline Islamist TLP party and held across the country. Rallies paralyzed traffic in Karachi - the country's financial and business capital. Pakistan's government also condemned the reprinting of the cartoons. Its Foreign Minister said the South Asian country believed in freedom of expression but such liberty does not mean a license to offend religious sentiment. Charlie Hebdo has long tested the limits of what society will accept in the name of free speech. The magazine's editor Riss Sourisseau wrote quote, "we will never lie down. We will never give up," as he explained the decision to re-publish the cartoons. Google has pulled out of talks to lease the Sorting Office, a seven-storey office building under construction in Dublins docklands. The news will send a chill through the Irish commercial property sector which had been bracing for the impact of an anticipated shift to higher numbers of people working from home even after the Covid pandemic abates. Read More "After much deliberation, Google has decided not to proceed with leasing the Sorting Office," said a statement from a Google spokesperson. The spokesperson thanked property developers Mapletree Investments, which bought the offices last year. "We are grateful to Mapletree for all their work with us, and wish them well in the successful letting of this excellent office building. We are committed to Ireland and continue to invest in our Irish operations." The decision not to add to Googles Dublin office space is likely to reflect the belief among business leaders that more staff are set to work from home well into the future as a result of the experience during the Covid lockdown. Ulster Bank paused its search for a new Dublin headquarters over the summer in order to reassess what it believes are new post-Covid space requirements. In July Google CEO Sundar Pichai told employees that the bulk of its 200,000-strong global workforce will have the option to work from home until the end of June 2021. Any retreat from the traditional office will be a major blow to the commercial property sector, much of it backed by pension funds, which shifted radically over the past decade to focus on construction of super high-spec, large scale and centrally located offices targeted at the needs of foreign direct investment and large scale digital economy firms in particular. Google itself helped kick-start that shift with its 2011 deal to buy the Montevetro building at Grand Canal in Dublin for 99.9m. The Sorting Office on the site of An Posts former Cardiff Lane sorting office is a high-end, 18,766 square metre property big enough to accommodate 2,000 staff. It is located close to the Montevetro building as well as to Facebooks headquarters and the Bord Gais Theatre in Dublins docklands. Marlet Property Group sold the Sorting Office to Singaporean real-estate investment trust Mapletree Investments for 240m in June 2019. Google had been in talks to lease the offices since at least October, which are close to its existing campus on Barrow Street where the technology giant had around 8,000 staff working at the start of the pandemic in offices that feature work spaces, canteens and leisure facilities including an onsite swimming pool and gym. FALLS TOWNSHIP >> In an effort to be fiscally responsible while ridding Falls Township Community Park of Canada geese, the Falls Township Supervisors approved a multi-faceted, year-long geese mitigation plan at a one percent savings over 2021. Stepped up geese management efforts began in 2015 and have significantly reduced the number of geese at the park, Falls Township Parks and Recreation... By Express News Service JEYPORE: Even as COVID-19 situation in the district is showing no signs of slowing down, the administration has more than halved the number of tests per day. The district administration used to collect over 1,800 samples a day and had also decided to raise the limit up to 3,500. But since the start of September, it has limited the tests to less that 1,000 per day. Health teams are collecting only around 800 swabs per day across 14 blocks and four civic body areas. While the move to reduce tests in the face of surging cases, which have crossed 4,044, has raised questions, the administration stated that it was acting on the orders of the State Government. The State Government has directed the district to limit tests and supply of antigen kits have also been cut short, sources said. Chief district medical officer Makarananda Behura said, We are doing the tests as per Government instructions from time to time, which may include either enhancement or reduction of testing in the district. Along with low testing, contact tracing activities have also gone for a toss in the district. There is no effort to trace contacts of positive persons nor any monitoring of even the close contacts of patients. Residents stated that earlier, health teams used to keep a tab on close family contacts of infected persons in containment zones apart from giving them advisory and preventive medicines. But this has stopped. I had to take my pregnant daughter-in-law to the COVID hospital to get her tested, after three days of my sons detection. None of the authorities responded on time, rued a Jeypore resident who said that he was forced to breach the containment as there was no other way out According to reports, COIVD-19 cases crossed 1,000 mark in Jeypore town which has become a hotspot. Jeypore sub-collector Hema Kanta Say said that all symptomatic cases and contacts of COVID positive patients are being tested. The health team has also been providing a medicine kit to those infected. Doctors are advising family members of patients to take necessary medication, he stated. Five legislators and 40 Vidhan Bhavan and Mantralaya employees have tested positive for coronavirus, said officials as the two-day monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly begins Monday. There will be no question hour, calling attention motion or debates in the session. As per the guidelines, only those who test negative will be allowed to participate or enter the Vidhan Bhavan complex. As per the final report, five legislators have tested positive in tests conducted in Mumbai. Besides them, 40 staffers have also tested positive. They will not be allowed inside the Vidhan Bhavan as per the decision taken, said a senior state legislature official requesting anonymity. He added that legislators could get themselves tested in their district headquarters as well. However, their reports have not been compiled by the Vidhan Bhavan. Those [legislators] who test positive in a test done in their districts, will not come for the session. There is no separate maintenance for that here, he said. Over the weekend, 2,200 Covid tests were carried out in the city for the MLAs, MLCs, the staff of the legislators and ministers and of Vidhan Bhavan and Mantralaya employees. Three days ahead of the session, Vidhan Sabha speaker Nana Patole tested positive for coronavirus. Deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal is expected to conduct the proceedings in the Lower House. State legislature has put elaborate safety measures, including UV light inside Vidhan Bhavan. Upon entering, legislators will be given a safety kit which would include a face shield, mask, hand gloves. They are expected to wear it inside the complex. As a safety measure, each legislator will be given a safety kit. The kit will include items such as face shields, masks, hand gloves, sanitisers, etc, the official added. The legislators personal assistants (PAs) will not be allowed into the House. The officials have made changes in the seating arrangements in the House keeping social distancing in mind. Out of the 288 MLAs, only 228 MLAs will be allowed inside the Assembly hall of the Vidhan Sabha, remaining 60 will be accommodated in the visitors and students gallery. Similar changes would be made for legislators of the Upper House. The brief session will take up supplementary demands and seven bills and an appropriation bill. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:48:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Monday denied that it transfers Russian weapons to Armenia through its land border, official IRNA news agency reported. In a statement, the Iranian Embassy in Baku dismissed as "unfounded" foreign media reports which alleged that Iran transfers Russian arms to Armenia through Nurduz border crossing in the northwest of the country. The claims have been made by "hostile and opposition groups" which are antagonistic about close ties between Iran and Azerbaijan, the statement said. Such media reports are aimed at disturbing cooperation and friendly relations between Tehran and Baku, it added. Over the past months, the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia have witnessed deadly clashes between the two countries' security forces. Enditem A full-size 'twin' of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover just moved into its home at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Optimism, a vehicle system test bed rover (VSTB), passed its first driving test in JPL's massive assembly room with flying colors. Engineers will soon take it for a spin in the Mars Yard, a field of red dirt studded with rocks and other obstacles simulating the Red Planet's harsh surface. Though it won't be traveling to the Red Planet, Optimism will help NASA engineers anticipate and correct software and hardware issues in Perseverance before it lands in February. Scroll down for video OPTIMISM is an acronym for Operational Perseverance Twin for Integration of Mechanisms and Instruments Sent to Mars. Perseverance won't have a human mechanic when it lands, so NASA built Optimism to predict the effects of the harsh terrain and environment before the agency starts beaming up commands OPTIMISM is an acronym for Operational Perseverance Twin for Integration of Mechanisms and Instruments Sent to Mars. NASA scientists say the name is also a nod to the spirit of the team that spent two years designing and building it, especially during the pandemic. 'This is the test robot that comes closest to simulating the actual mission operations Perseverance will experience on Mars - with wheels, eyes, and brains all together - so this rover is going to be especially fun to work with,' said Anais Zarifian, mobility test bed engineer at JPL. When Perseverance completes its 314-million-mile journey, it won't have a human mechanic to make adjustments. Like Perseverance, Optimism is about the size of an SUV. Unlike the Mars rover, which has a heating system to endure the Red Planet's frigid environment, Optimism has a cooling system to keep it working under the harsh Southern California sun On September 1, Optimism, a duplicate of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover was brought to NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California. After a test drive last week in the JPL assembly room it's being taken to the Mars Yard, to face conditions similar to the Red Planet's harsh terrain So NASA built Optimism to model how Perseverance will operate in Mars' harsh terrain and environment before they start beaming up commands. About the size of an SUV, Optimism will be especially helpful with software tests, NASA says, allowing scientists to send up patches while Perseverance is en route to or already on Mars. 'The Mars 2020 Perseverance test bed team's motto is "No optimism allowed,'' said team leader Matt Stumbo. 'So we named the test rover OPTIMISM to remind us of the work we have to do to fully test the system.' Stumbo says their job is to find and fix problems, 'not just hope activities will work.' Perseverance's mission includes searching for signs of ancient microbial life and analyzing Mars' climate and geology. An artist's rendering of the Perseverance rover on Mars. It's mission is to scan for evidence of microbial life and store rock and dust samples to eventually be brought back to Earth for study Only Eight NASA missions have successfully descended to the surface of Mars. The first were Viking 1 and Viking 2, which landed in 1976 to look for signs of life. If Perseverance is able to make a successful landing, it will travel to Jezero Crater, which scientists speculate was home to a lake 3.5 billion years ago. It's mission will mark the first time rock and dust samples have been be gathered on Mars, with plans for them to be collected and returned to Earth in 2026. Optimism matches Perseverance's size (10' x 9' by 7') and speed (.094 mph) and, eventually, will have the same instruments, cameras, and computer brain. But while Perseverance is powered by a nuclear battery, Optimism has an 'umbilical cord' that can be plugged in to provide electric power and an ethernet connection. And while Perseverance has a heating system to keep it warm in Mars' ice-cold atmosphere, Optimism relies on a cooling system to handle the scorching Southern California sun. Perseverance isn't the only rover to get a 'twin.' NASA's Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in 2012, has an earthbound double named MAGGIE (Mars Automated Giant Gizmo for Integrated Engineering). Also housed at JPL, Maggie helps NASA scientists figure out how to drill into and drive across the planet's challenging terrain. The Mars 2020 mission is part of a larger plan to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024 and eventually begin human exploration of Mars. The Perseverance rover launched July 30 from Cape Canaveral aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. It is scheduled to arrive on the Red Planet on February 18, 2021, accompanied by a helicopter named Ingenuity, the first aerial craft to fly on another planet. 'We're doing transformative science,' Matt Wallace, the Mars 2020 missions deputy project manager at JPL, said in July. Really, for the first time, were looking for signs of life on another planet, and for the first time were going to collect samples that we hope will be part of the first sample return from another planet. Macfrut Digital is an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to have meet with hundreds of the worlds leading suppliers of fresh, safe, and quality fruits from Italy and Europe Macfrut Digital, a digital trade show for fruit and vegetable supply chains, will offer business opportunities through the Natlive online platform, aiming to attract buyers from all over the world and open a new international market for this potential sector. Such a creative project has turned Macfrut into the first digital trade show for the worlds fruit and vegetable sector. Macfrut Digital 2020 has attracted the participation of over 600 professional exhibitors from 30 countries to introduce more than 400 safe and quality product lines in the world. Like 37 Macfrut events organised before, Macfrut Digital 2020 will be a trade show linking the supply chains of the agricultural cultivation and production sector. This online meeting will be a venue for the vegetable and fruit sector in production, trading, machinery, and planting, packaging, agricultural machines, greenhouses, and irrigation systems, nursery and seeds, fertilisers and bio-stimulants, logistics and storage, as well as bodies and services, among others. It is noteworthy that fruits account for 66 per cent of the total products displayed by international exhibitors to seek importers and buyers. According to the organising board, the participation of quite a few exhibitors of fruits from Italy and other countries around the world is a good chance for Vietnamese enterprises, distributors and importers to learn and look for business cooperation in the context that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been effective since August 1, with many preferential tariffs. Regarding Italy, which completed negotiations with Vietnam over food hygiene and safety in 2019, the country has started exporting apples to Vietnam. In the near future, the nation will export more fruits such as kiwi, grapes, strawberries, and pears to Vietnam, a market with a population of nearly 100 million people. On the other hand, through this digital trade show, Vietnamese businesses operating in the field of agro-products and fruits can explore the market and learn of the taste of nearly 500 million people thanks to the preferential tariffs on agro-products imported to the EU under the EVFTA. According to European experts, the export of Vietnamese agro-products to the EU is of great potential. To date, many Vietnamese companies product quality has been proven to meet the demand of the EU as well as the taste of the blocs consumers. Vietnamese agro-products such as cashew, coffee, vegetables, dragon fruit, lychee, coconut, fig, pineapple, avocado, guava, mango and mangosteen are favoured in the EU. Some of Vietnams organic products have entered this meticulous market as they have met exclusive criteria for high-quality agro-products like Organic certification, Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade certification, among others. Farm produce import accounts for 8.4 per cent of the total imports of the EU. Britain will walk out of Brexit talks if there is no deal agreed by the middle of October, Boris Johnson has announced raising the chance that the UK will crash out of the single market with nothing to replace it. Speaking ahead of yet another round of negotiations in London, the prime minister said there was no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond a planned EU summit on 15 October because any further delay would mean an agreement was not in place by the end of the year. If we cant agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on, Mr Johnson said in his first major Brexit intervention since the start of negotiations in the spring. It comes after The Independent reported that the European Parliament does not believe talks can continue past October because of the need for the rest of the year to ratify a deal. Mr Johnsons chief negotiator David Frost, who was recently promoted to Lord Frost, said at the weekend that he believed that EU's stance may, realistically, limit the progress we can make next week. EU sources have also expressed pessimism and said the UK needs to move if there is to be a deal. Irelands foreign minister Simon Coveney also warned this weekend that the UKs emotional nationalism, which he said was guiding the British strategy, could lead to a no-deal. After next weeks round, talks are expected to continue in Brussels on the week beginning 28 September October, with a possible further round in October before the planned European Council summit in Brussels. Mr Johnson claimed that a no-deal would be a good outcome for the UK and said the government was preparing, at our borders and at our ports, to be ready for it despite a warning from the freight industry that the UK risked border chaos. But he raised the prospect of so-called "side deals that could potentially smooth over some of the worst immediate economic consequences of a no-deal. We will of course always be ready to talk to our EU friends even in these circumstances, he said. We will be ready to find sensible accommodations on practical issues such as flights, lorry transport, or scientific cooperation, if the EU wants to do that. Our door will never be closed and we will trade as friends and partners but without a free trade agreement. There is still an agreement to be had. We will continue to work hard in September to achieve it. It is one based on our reasonable proposal for a standard free trade agreement like the one the EU has agreed with Canada and so many others. Even at this late stage, if the EU are ready to rethink their current positions and agree this I will be delighted. But we cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country to get it. Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Show all 66 1 /66 Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A message projected onto the White Cliffs of Dover Sky News/AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Big Ben, shows the hands at eleven o'clock at night AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Nigel Farage speaks to pro-Brexit supporters PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit demonstrators celebrate on Parliament Square REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The Union flag is taken down outside the European Parliament in Brussels PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter jumps on an EU flag in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU EU Council staff removed the Union Jack-British flag from the European Council in Brussels, Belgium EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter pours beer onto an EU flag PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pedestrians pass in front of the Ministry of Defence Building on Whitehall, illuminated by red, white and blue lights in central London AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supporter shouts during a rally in London AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners take part in a 'Missing EU Already' rally outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A large pro-EU banner is projected onto Ramsgate cliff in Kent PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU supporters light candles in Smith Square in Westminster PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man waves Union flags from a small car as he drives past Brexit supporters gathering in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The five-year old Elisa Saemann, left, and her seven-year old sister Katie hold a placard during a rally by anti-Brexit protesters outside the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Europe supporters gather on Brexit day near the British embassy in Berlin, Germany EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit protester hugs a man while holding a placard REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A decorated, old fashioned fire pump in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit Elvis impersonator performs at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexiteers stands with his dog in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Paddy from Bournemouth wears Union colours as he sits next to an EU flag decorated bag in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-EU activist plays a guitar decorated with the EU flag during a protest organised by civil rights group New Europeans outside Europe House, central London AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Pro Brexit supporter has a Union Jack painted onto his face at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Men hold placards celebrating Britain leaving the EU REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters dance in the street draped with Union Jack flags at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexit demonstrator spreads his wings during a gathering near Downing Street AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters display a banner ' Here to Stay, Here to Fight, Migrants In, Tories Out' from Westminster bridge EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit supporters burn European Union flags at Parliament Square Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses for a picture on Parliament Square in a 'Brexit Day' t-shirt Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man wears a pro-Brexit t-shirt Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators visit Europe House to give flowers to the staff on Brexit day Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporter wears a novelty Union Jack top hat outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Customers Scott Jones and Laura Jones at the Sawmill Bar in South Elmsall, Yorkshire, where a Brexit party is being held throughout the day PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU activists protest Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit demonstrator burns a European Union flag AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supports holds a sign in Parliament Square AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man carries an EU themed wreath Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Ann Widdecombe reacts with other members of the Brexit party as they leave en masse from the European Parliament PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters let off flares from Westminster Bridge Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British MEPs Jonathan Bullock, holding the Union Jack flag and Jake Pugh leave the European Parliament, in Brussels on the Brexit day AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Newspapers and other souvenirs at a store, near Parliament Square Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Brexit supporters hold signs in Parliament Square AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU French newspapers PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald with a Border Communities Against Brexit poster before its unveiling in Carrickcarnon on the Irish border PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU National growers organisation British Apples & Pears has renamed a British apple to EOS, the Greek goddess of dawn, to commemorate Brexit day AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Britain's departure from the European Union was set in law on January 29, amid emotional scenes, as the bloc's parliament voted to ratify the divorce papers. After half a century of membership and three years of tense withdrawal talks, the UK will leave the EU at midnight Brussels time (23.00 GMT) on January 31 Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses with paintings on Parliament Square Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People sporting Union Flags gather in Parliament Square Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man walks with a St. George's flag at Westminster bridge on Brexit day Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A British bulldog toy and other souvenirs at a souvenir store Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British pro-brexit Members of the European Parliament leave the EU Parliament for the last time Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Jonathan Bullock waves the Union Jack as he leaves the European Parliament EPA Very little actual progress has been made since negotiations on trade kicked off in the spring. Officials on both sides say the coronavirus crisis has deflected political attention elsewhere and made it more difficult to make the major political calls needed to come to a compromise. Major sticking points remaining include the issue of EU fishing fleet access to UK waters, the extent of UK alignment to EU standards and regulations, and the overall legal governance of the deal. But it is specifically the issue of whether Britain will follow EU state aid rules that has proved the most contentious, amid reports that Boris Johnson wants to the UK to be able to support its own national champion industries. Rod Stewart will make another attempt at a summer tour with Cheap Trick in 2021. This seasons touring plans were put on hold due to COVID-19, so the veteran rocker will give it a go next summer and include a couple of local stops. The tour will hit Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on July 8 and the Xfinity Centre in Mansfield on July 30. Tickets purchased for the original dates will be honored. Tickets are available for the rescheduled dates as well with Mohegan Sun tickets available through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com and by phone at (800) 745-3000) and tickets for the Mansfield show are available through Live Nation at livenation.com. Stewart, a two-time inductee of the Rock Hall of Fame, has sold more than 250 million records worldwide and is best known for the hits The Killing of Georgie, Tonights the Night, Youre In My Heart (The Final Acclaim), Da Ya Think Im Sexy? Young Turks, Forever Young, Hot Legs, Infatuation and Maggie May. Shop for concert tickets here: StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster. The case spotlights how some criminals use loopholes in Chinas prison system to abscond from jail until their release dates, a phenomenon known as serving on-paper sentences. Authorities in North China have launched an investigation into a high-profile corruption case involving a convicted murderer who never served out his jail sentence and went on to steal tens of thousands of dollars worth of government funds while working as a village chief. Batumenghe, 45, of Chen Barag Banner in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars in 1993 for killing his former childhood schoolmate in an altercation following a mahjong game. But he was soon granted medical parole and returned to his home village without going to prison. He later joined the Communist Party and represented his local county-level jurisdiction at Chinas highest legislature before his recapture in 2017. The case spotlights how some criminals use loopholes in Chinas prison system to abscond from jail until their release dates, a phenomenon known as serving on-paper sentences. In May 1992, Batumenghe, an ethnic Mongolian who goes by a single name, stabbed 19-year-old Bai Yongchun during an argument sparked while playing the Chinese tile-based game. Bai later died from his wounds. The following June, an intermediary court in Hulunbuir sentenced Batumenghe to 15 years imprisonment with a two-year suspension of his political rights. Soon after the verdict, Batumenghe was admitted to hospital, complaining of fluid retention and blood in the urine, according to reports last week by China Comment, a twice-monthly magazine published by state news agency Xinhua. During his hospitalization, Batumenghes mother who worked as a cadre in the local government family-planning office and uncle secured his parole on medical grounds. Multiple people with knowledge of the matter recalled that his parole form bore the signatures of several influential government and judicial officials, China Comment reported. Batumenghe did not go to jail after his treatment, but instead returned to his home village and lived a normal life, according to the magazine. Over the following two decades, Han Jie, Bais mother, repeatedly reported Batumenghes whereabouts to the local authorities, but her sons killer remained at liberty. The situation was hard for her family to understand, she told Caixin, adding: I cant say for sure whether his relatives and others called in personal favors or engaged in dereliction of duty. When Batumenghes sentence ended in May 2007, he and his mother returned to his former detention center and obtained a stamped document stating that he had served out his time, China Comment reported. As a free man, he reportedly worked a brief stint as an accountant before joining the Communist Party in January 2009 without disclosing his criminal past. His political career began later that year when he was elected as the head of a village near the China-Russia border. He spent eight years in the role, also serving as the National Peoples Congress deputy for Chen Barag in 2012. But his rise to prominence did not dissuade Han from seeking justice for her son. In 2016, her pleas reached the ears of a police officer involved in the murder case. A subsequent probe found Batumenghe had violated the terms of his medical parole by failing to return to jail within a year, the officer said in an interview with state broadcaster China National Radio (CNR) last week. In April 2017, prosecutors in Chen Barag demanded Batumenghe be arrested. A court subsequently convicted him of absconding while on bail and ordered him to serve a further 13 years and seven months behind bars, CNR reported. But the story didnt end there. Local livestock herders later claimed Batumenghe had committed occupational crimes, a byword for corrupt dealings, during his time as village chief. An internal Communist Party investigation found he had embezzled 282,000 yuan ($41,289) from government environmental conservation funds during his time in office, China Comment reported. Batumenghe was expelled from the Party in January 2018 for serious legal and disciplinary violations and was turned over to Chinas judicial system. A court found him guilty of corruption in June that year, and a judge extended his sentence to 15 years, handed down a 200,000-yuan fine and ordered a further two-year suspension of his political rights. Han, Bais mother, now plans to take the fight to Batumenghes enablers. Why wasnt he put in prison for murdering someone in the first place? Who let him go? she said to CNR. The law should snatch up the people who formed Batumenghes protection ring. Multiple calls by Caixin to the procuratorate of Hulunbuir the city which administers Chen Barag and to the Chen Barag publicity department went unanswered. Inner Mongolia authorities said in a statement posted Sunday on an official WeChat account that an investigation had been launched into the case and it would strictly punish any further violations in accordance with (Party) discipline and the law. Contact reporter Matthew Walsh (matthewwalsh@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Students move out of dorm rooms on Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on March 12, 2020. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Universities, Colleges to Isolate Students Who Test Positive for CCP Virus Universities and colleges are working to secure isolated environments for students who have tested positive for the CCP virus amid increased cases ahead of schools opening, according to Medical XPress. It follows a suggestion from Deborah Birx, one of the White House Coronavirus Task Force members, who warned schools on Aug. 31 to not send their COVID-19-positive students home to avoid further spread. It was further echoed by Anthony Fauci, who said that sending students who test positive home is the worst decision that a school could make. Some schools have designated dorms for this purpose or have located buildings to use as isolation environments, while some have resorted to using motel-like suites for their students after running out of space in their dorms. Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, had to transform a guest house that was formerly a headquarters for General Electric into a dorm-style living space for some of its students. North Carolina State University (NCSU) prepared both quarantine and isolation areas for students who either tested positive for the CCP virus or had been in contact with someone who has, placing students who test positive in isolation dorms. As for students who are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 but believe that they have been in contact with a COVID-19-positive individual, they will also be placed in quarantine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that should positive cases should be found on a school campus, the person who tested positive will possibly be moved to temporary housing locations to self-isolate and monitor for worsening symptoms according to the guidance of local health officials. The CDC stated that the individual should stay isolated for at least 10 days. However, individuals are allowed to end their isolation if they no longer exhibit any symptoms 10 days after they first appear and if patients have not had a fever in the last 24 hours without the use of any fever-breaking medication. What About Students? It is the schools job to make the situation as comfortable as possible if students are to be staying in these dorms for an extended amount of time. However, not all students might agree, considering some have chosen to come to school to escape the pandemic but end up being trapped again. This could be the case with individuals coming out of high school and entering university for the first time. For one student at Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, being quarantined in college dorms was not what she envisioned, especially since she had not been able to attend school in the last part of her senior year of high school, she told CNN. Furthermore, the quarantine will make it hard for students to interact with one another, which is one of the key aspects of college life, especially after being unable to do so during the pandemic. Is It the Best Choice? Medical XPress reported that there was some debate over whether it was safer to send the students back home, especially since there would eventually be some problems regulating students and making sure they are truly safe. According to Joseph Gerald, associate professor of public health policy and management at the University of Arizona, who believes that although there are steps to keep the students isolated such as with contact tracing and quarantine, its not foolproof. One of the things were struggling with here at the University of Arizona is what to do with multi-story buildings, where kids need to get to their rooms, but we have one or two elevators. Its not really possible to make an elevator safe, Gerald said. There is only so much a school can do to make the school as safe as possible, but it wont mitigate all the risks. Our weekly roundup of books that should be on your radar. We love stories, and even in the age of Netflix-and-chill, there's nothing like a good book that promises a couple of hours of absorption whether curled up in bed, in your favourite coffeehouse, or that long (and tiresome) commute to work. Every Sunday, we'll have a succinct pick of books, across diverse genres, that have been newly made available for your reading pleasure. Get them wherever you get your books the friendly neighbourhood bookseller, e-retail website, chain store and in whatever form you prefer. Happy reading! For more of our weekly book recommendations, click here. *** FICTION Those Delicious Letters By Sandeepa Datta Mukherjee HarperCollins India | Rs 299 | 296 pages Blogger and bestselling author Sandeepa Datta Mukherjees novel tells the story of Shubha, who soon after her 40th birthday, starts receiving letters with traditional Bengali recipes from a mysterious lady who claims to be her grandmother. The recipes impress everyone except her husband Sameer. As shes drawn into this world of forgotten food and tries to find the letter-writer, her own life starts to unravel. Read more about the book here. The Silence of the Hyena: Stories & A Novella By Syed Muhammad Ashraf; translated by M Asaduddin and Musharraf Ali Farooqi Aleph Book Company | Rs 599 | 224 pages Award-winning Urdu short story writer Syed Muhammad Ashrafs collection of stories is translated by award-winning author M Asaduddin and Harvard University Fellow Musharraf Ali Farooqi. Among the stories are Rogue, in which three men set out to hunt a rogue elephant, but in the shadowy night, shapes start to appear in the mist; and Death of an Antelope, in which the old leader of a blackbuck herd is challenged by a young buck. Read more about the book here. MEMOIRS and BIOGRAPHIES The House of Jaipur: The Inside Story of Indias Most Glamorous Royal Family By John Zubrzycki Juggernaut | Available for free because of COVID-19 | 376 pages In his book, journalist and author John Zubrzycki reveals untold stories about life behind palace doors of the House of Jaipur. Spanning the final decades of the British Raj to the present day, the book also talks about how feudal traditions were challenged when princely states were abolished and discusses how the Jaipur family has sought ways to stay relevant in a 21st-century democratic India. Read more about the book here. Manmatha Nath Dutt: Translator Extraordinaire By Bibek Debroy Rupa Publications | Rs 395 | 168 pages Scholar and translator Bibek Debroy presents a portrait of the translator Manmatha Nath Dutt and of 19th-century Calcutta. Debroy was intrigued when he saw Dutts name attached to the translations of almost all the ancient texts he also wanted to translate from Sanskrit into English. It led him on a trail to discover more about the translator who has remained largely ignored thus far. Read more about the book here. NON-FICTION Sex and the Supreme Court: How the Law Is Upholding the Dignity of the Indian Citizen By Saurabh Kirpal Hachette India | Rs 699 | 352 pages Edited by advocate Saurabh Kirpal, the book is a collection of writings about Supreme Court decisions that have championed an individuals right to identity and dignity. Essays are from Justice MB Lokur who writes about the transgender community and Justice BD Ahmed who discusses Muslim law in the modern context, among others like Arundhati Katju, Menaka Guruswamy, Madhavi Divan, and more. Read more about the book here. Stoned, Shamed, Depressed: An Explosive Account of the Secret Lives of India's Teens By Jyotsna Mohan Bhargava HarperCollins India | Rs 399 | 272 pages Journalist Jyotsna Mohan Bhargavas book investigates the secret lives of Indias urban teenagers, several of whom struggle with addiction to harmful substances, social media, and gaming. Others are dealing with peer pressure, bullying, body shaming, and resultant health issues. Through speaking with teens, parents, teachers, and child psychologists, the book chronicles the journey from teenage to adulthood, finding the path full of temptations with easily blurred boundaries. Read more about the book here. YOUNG READERS Unearthed: The Environmental History of Independent India By Meghaa Gupta Penguin Random House India | Rs 299 | 232 pages Writer Meghaa Guptas book covers Indias historic movements and green missions since 1947. It discusses the relationship India has shared with the environment, from protesting against dams to protecting tigers and hugging trees, and from battling waste and pollution to coping with rising temperatures. Read more about the book here. Take A Look At The Documents Filmibeat has a copy of the official complaint by Rhea Chakraborty. Take a look. Rhea Is Being Questioned By The Narcotics Control Bureau Rhea is currently being quizzed by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials on the WhatApp chat between her brother Showik Chakraborty and the actress on procurement of drugs for Sushant Singh Rajput. The actress has maintained that the drugs were bought on the behest of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was her boyfriend then. Rhea Chakraborty has also alleged that Sushant used to take drugs from 2016, before they began dating each other. Her Brother Showik Has Been Taken Into Custody Showik Chakraborty was taken into custody by the NCB on September 4, 2020, along with Sushant Singh Rajput's manager Samuel Miranda. The duo was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The NCB has been talking to Rhea Chakraborty every day since Showik's arrest. Sushant's Case Is Being Investigated By CBI, ED And NCB Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his apartment in Mumbai on June 14, 2020. The Mumbai Police had declared it a case of death by suicide. However, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation upon the request of Sushant Singh Rajput's father Krishna Kishore Singh, who had appealed to the Bihar government. Before the CBI took over to investigate the Bollywood actor's mysterious death, the Enforcement Directorate and the NCB began a parallel investigation into accusations of money-laundering and drug abuse. Watch this space for more on the case. Congress on Sunday announced seven separate committees manifesto committee, outreach committee, membership committee, programme implementation committee, training committee, panchayat election committee and media committee for Uttar Pradesh. The names of leaders like Jitin Prasad and Raj Babbar are missing in these committees. In fact, Jitin and Raj Babbar were among 23 senior leaders who wrote a letter to party interim President Sonia Gandhi on the issue of reforms in the Congress. Interestingly, while Jitin and Babbar, who wrote the letter, are not named, the leaders seeking action on Ghulam Nabi Azad, the leader of this letter group, have found a place in the committees. Part of these committees are leaders like Pramod Tiwari, Salman Khurshid, PL Punia. Speculation is rife that both have suffered the brunt of joining the Chitti faction. However, senior leaders like RPN Singh and Rajiv Shukla are not even named in these committees. Also read: Rajnath Singh meets Iranian counterpart to discuss regional security Also read: Historic GDP decline is due to Gabbar Singh tax of Centre: Rahul Gandhi But these leaders have kept themselves away from Uttar Pradesh politics. Raj Babbar is also not active in Uttar Pradesh. However, Jitin Prasad has been besieging the Uttar Pradesh government on the issue of Brahmins for the past several months. Despite this, his absence from Uttar Pradeshs committees is a matter of discussion. However, according to a source associated with the Uttar Pradesh Congress, it would not be right to look at the committees from this perspective and Jitin Prasad will definitely get a proper place in the Committees which will be announced soon as many important Committees are yet to be formed for the Assembly Polls. Jitin Prasad, who was a Minister of State in the Manmohan Singh government, is a special invitee member of the Congress Working Committee. But in Uttar Pradesh Congress politics, he is seemingly facing neglect. It is interesting that former State President Nirmal Khatri, who demanded action on the leader of the letter group led by Ghulam Nabi Azad, has been placed in the training committee, and Naseeb Pathan is named in the programme implementation committee. In the manifesto committee, Salman Khurshid, PL Punia, Aradhana Mishra, Supriya Shrinate, Vivek Bansal, Amitabh Dubey have got a place. A year and a half before the Assembly elections, the Declaration Committees announcement shows the partys seriousness for the polls. According to the Uttar Pradesh Congress sources, the party will prepare the manifesto after taking the public opinion and it will be released a few months ahead of the elections. An outreach committee has been formed to include the leaders of the other parties in Congress. It has six leaders including Pramod Tiwari, Pradeep Jain Aditya, Nasimuddin Siddiqui and Imran Masood. Sources claim that many leaders of these other parties will join Congress in the coming days. Senior leader Rashid Alvi has been placed in the Media Advisory Committee. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case: Rhea Chakraborty questioned by NCB; Actors lawyer alleges witch hunt, says ready for arrest Panaji: AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday assured rehabilitation fund of Rs 400 crore for the victims of iron ore mining ban in place till 2014 in Goa. Those who became the victims of the mining ban, for them we would create Rs 400 crore separate funds for rehabilitation, Kejriwal told a public meeting at Sakhalim constituency located in the ore rich mining belt. Goa is going to polls on February 4. During his speech, he accused both the Congress and the BJP of causing miseries to people living in mining belt. Between 2007-2012, Congress did so much corruption in the mining sector that Centre had to bring in (Justice M B) Shah Commission. The commission said there is Rs 36,000 crore scam in the mining sector, the CM said. Kejriwal said, during 2012 election, (Manohar) Parrikar went door to door telling people that he will punish those involved in illegal mining, he said, adding after coming to power the BJP threw the Shah Commission report in dust bin. No one was sent to jail. On the contrary what he (Parrikar as then CM) did was to shut down mining, leaving lakhs of people dependent on the business jobless, Kejriwal alleged. He said AAP will work for full fledged resumption of mining if voted to power. Mining should be done with honesty, he said, adding the country cannot run without mining industry. In its order in 2014, the Supreme Court had allowed an annual cap of 20 million tonnes of iron ore to be extracted in Goa which was banned by it for nearly one-and-a-half years. The transportation and export of iron ore in Goa was stopped in October 2013 following a report of irregularities by the Justice Shah Commission. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A fifth of carbon dioxide emissions come from multinational companies' global supply chains, according to a new study led by UCL and Tianjin University A fifth of carbon dioxide emissions come from multinational companies' global supply chains, according to a new study led by UCL and Tianjin University that shows the scope of multinationals' influence on climate change. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, maps the emissions generated by multinationals' assets and suppliers abroad, finding that the flow of investment is typically from developed countries to developing ones - meaning that emissions are in effect outsourced to poorer parts of the world. The research shows the impact that multinationals can have by encouraging greater energy efficiency among suppliers or by choosing suppliers that are more carbon efficient. The authors proposed that emissions be assigned to countries where the investment comes from, rather than countries where the emissions are generated. Professor Dabo Guan (UCL Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management) said: "Multinational companies have enormous influence stretching far beyond national borders. If the world's leading companies exercised leadership on climate change - for instance, by requiring energy efficiency in their supply chains - they could have a transformative effect on global efforts to reduce emissions. "However, companies' climate change policies often have little effect when it comes to big investment decisions such as where to build supply chains. "Assigning emissions to the investor country means multinationals are more accountable for the emissions they generate as a result of these decisions." The study found that carbon emissions from multinationals' foreign investment fell from a peak of 22% of all emissions in 2011 to 18.7% in 2016. Researchers said this was a result of a trend of "de-globalisation", with the volume of foreign direct investment shrinking, as well as new technologies and processes making industries more carbon efficient. Mapping the global flow of investment, researchers found steady increases in investment from developed to developing countries. For instance, between 2011 and 2016 emissions generated through investment from the US to India increased by nearly half (from 48.3 million tons to 70.7 million tons), while in the same years emissions generated through investment from China to south-east Asia increased tenfold (from 0.7 million tons to 8.2 million tons). Lead author Dr Zengkai Zhang, of Tianjin University, said: "Multinationals are increasingly transferring investment from developed to developing countries. This has the effect of reducing developed countries' emissions while placing a greater emissions burden on poorer countries. At the same time it is likely to create higher emissions overall, as investment is moved to more 'carbon intense' regions." The study also examined the emissions that the world's largest companies generated through foreign investment. For instance, Total S.A.'s foreign affiliates generated more than a tenth of the total emissions of France. BP, meanwhile, generated more emissions through its foreign affiliates than the foreign-owned oil industry in any country except for the United States; Walmart, meanwhile, generated more emissions abroad than the whole of Germany's foreign-owned retail sector, while Coca-Cola's emissions around the world were equivalent to the whole of the foreign-owned food and drink industry hosted by China. ### The study was carried out with academics at the Beijing-based University of International Business and Economics and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Researchers received funding from the National Key R&D Programme of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the British Academy. No, were not talking necessarily about the DMc DeLorean, but about a marketing project back in the 1930s until the late 1960s, which saw the Ford Motor company collaborate with Allegheny Metal Co. (now ATI) on a number of exquisite-looking stainless steel-bodied vehicles.Back in April we told you about three of such vehicles that were preparing to go on auction with no reserve as a single consignment, in an auction called the Historic Stainless Steel Trifecta.Well, the auction took place this weekend and the $950,000 auction price might seem like a bargain for whomever had the winning bid.We are really pleased that these unique vehicles are in the hands of an experienced collector who will maintain them well into the future, ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said after the auction. As you know, ATI is not in the business of maintaining classic automobiles, and their value was deteriorating in our possession.The trio comprises a 1936 Ford Tudor Deluxe Touring Sedan, a 1960 Ford Thunderbird and a 1967 Lincoln Continental, each of them rare cars in their own right, but made even rarer by the unpainted stainless steel bodies that theyre sporting.The Ford Tudor is one of six cars bodied by Allegheny Ludlum for Ford Motor Company as a technology demonstrator of stainless steels durability back in the 1930s and one of only four such examples to remain in existence today.Much rarer is the 1960 Ford Thunderbird, since its only one of two and it also represents the very first automotive application of stainless steel for exhaust systems.The gorgeous 1967 Lincoln Continental four-door convertible is one of just three such examples and it was hand-assembled in a special are of Ford Motor companys Wixom facilities in Michigan.Considering their historical significance and the fact that the trio was sold together with no reserve, lets just say that whoever bought them got a pretty sweet deal according to some. South Africa: Serving with pride Given the chance to rewrite a life partly spent in exile and returning to home soil to rise through the public service ranks is something retired Secretary of Defence Dr Sam Gulube would politely decline. If you [tell my] 22 year-old [self] today and say that the apartheid system is here, would I do anything different? Probably not, I would still do it. I have no regrets on the path that I took, says Dr Gulube. As South Africa commemorates Public Service Month in September, newly retired Gulube reflected on life prior to South Africa attaining democracy and on his illustrious career in the public service. A trained medical doctor, Gulubes medical career seemed but a mere dream when he was smuggled out of South Africa through Swaziland to Angola at the age of 22. His journey to exile was necessitated by the warrant of arrest issued for his involvement in the 1976 student uprising at the then University of Natal. It was this first brush with the law of the apartheid regime that set the wheels in motion for the makings of his life. I left South Africa in 1976 towards December through Swaziland. Our stalwart, John Nkadimeng who just passed away recently, was the one who took me from Mbabane, Swaziland through the border of Mozambique. While in Swaziland, Gulube was hosted by the likes of Stanley Mabizela and Bishop Mandlenkosi Zwane. With Angola set as the final destination Gulube was among a group of several student activists, including the likes of Solomon Mahlangu, who were escorted to join the African National Congress (ANC) military wing uMkhonto we Sizwe. In Angola, the aspirant medical doctor who had left behind his dream of becoming a general surgeon in search for freedom participated in the opening of a number of military camps. He received military training and specialised in heavy artillery. In 1980, he was deployed out of Angola through Zambia to the United Nations (UN) in New York. At the time, the ANC was not in government and thus their mission to the UN was not a permanent mission but rather an ANC observer mission to the UN. Upon arrival in the United States (US), Gulube worked with struggle stalwart Johnny Makhathini who he describes as one of the best diplomats produced by South Africa. I was his deputy at the United Nations representing the ANC to the UN and the US. My formal title at the time was administrative secretary of the ANC mission to the UN and US, says Gulube in an interview with SAnews. It was during his time under the leadership of Makhatini that the formidable pair mobilised the international community against the apartheid regime. Their efforts culminated in the imposition of sanctions against South Africa, which played a major role in defeating the apartheid system and bringing about democracy. With South Africa on the cusp of freedom in 1986, the then 32 year-old Gulube turned his focus back to his dream of becoming a doctor. He recalls how the then President of the ANC Oliver Tambo encouraged him to go back to school. I indicated to President Tambo that if I go back to school at the age of 32, I will have to start my medicine [qualification] from scratch and I will need 12 years because I would like to specialise. I always wanted to be a general surgeon. President Tambo said you have 12 years, go back to school, Gulube says. It was with the support of the late former Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, that Gulube obtained a scholarship from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to further his medical studies in America. Gulube completed his studies after 12 years, realising his dream of specialising in general surgery. On his return to South Africa in 1998, the newly qualified surgeon was integrated into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as a doctor at the 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. From his work at 1 Military Hospital, Gulube went on to work in other roles at the South African Medical Research Council, South African National Blood Service and then as advisor to the Minister of State Security before being appointed Secretary for Defence in 2011. The Secretary for Defence is the principal advisor to the Minister of Defence on matters regarding defence policy and matters which may be investigated by the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, among other things. It was this appointment as Secretary for Defence, that saw Gulube merge his skills obtained as a military veteran, administrator and medical doctor. As co-chairperson of the Justice Crime, Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster and SecDef, as he is popularly known, Gulube together with his esteemed colleagues crafted an operational model that lifted the work of the cluster to new heights. The contribution that we have made was to be able to bring into the leadership of the JCPS cluster the experience and exposure that we have had as we have journeyed up to now. For the last three years in the US, I was the chief resident of general surgery at Tampa Hospital in Florida. I also did my rotation at the veterans administration in Tampa so I had that exposure too, looking at how the Americans would look after their veterans administration. I also visited a number of military institutions in the US, both for research and development. It was this experience and approach of doctors doing their hospitals rounds known as SOAP an acronym for subjective, objective, assessment and plan that Gulube weaved into creating a seamless strategy for JCPS operations. In the context of the JCPS cluster, the strategy entailed providing background, analysis and a multidisciplinary approach to all the operational plans carried out by the cluster. At the conceptualisation of this operational model in 2015, a new wave of violence against foreign nationals hit KwaZulu-Natal after the initial outbreak in May 2008. It was this crisis that birthed the JCPS operational model and strategy. I sort of brought that operational model into the JCPS. We then developed an operational model, [of] which I drove the process. I said first, our operational plan that we need to give to the Minister must have background and analysis, that was my collection of information and then it must be an interdisciplinary approach. This approach must have a regulatory, communications, economic, social pillar and after that it must then have an action plan which is now the operational plan and it must be driven by the Natjoints [National Operational and Intelligence Structure], says Gulube. To date, the operational model developed, still rouses applause in government circles says a proud Gulube. That model has served the JCPS cluster well. Sometimes even when we got to present in Cabinet, they would be highly appreciated and praised by government, saying that they are good reports because of the scientific inputs and scientific basis on which we were basing our reports, he says. It was this very model that mapped out the plan for the repatriation of South Africans in Lagos, Nigeria following the Synagogue Church of All Nations building collapse in 2014. The model was also used in the repatriation of South Africans from Wuhan, China after the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Recently, the strategy took on a new form that has become the Coronavirus Risk-Adjusted Strategy. At Natjoints we developed the Risk Adjusted Strategy for the National Coronavirus Command Council to combat COVID-19 as part of our national plan. The Natjoints has been a coordinating mechanism for the COVID-19 National Command Council and we have used that kind of a scientific approach in developing our reports, explains Gulube. Gulube - who retired at the end of August 2020 as SecDef - has seen much and contributed much to the public service. He urges his successor to build on the strides made. The advice I would give to the Secretary of Defence is to continue to use the scientific approach to our processes, continue to engage to look at the continuous improvement of our public system. I am the first person to say if it is not broken please dont fix it. But at the same time you must never be satisfied with the systems that you have - you must always think about how to continuously improve the system, he says. Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced Gladys Sonto Kudjoes appointment as South Africas new SecDef in July 2020. Gulubes last assignment was to develop the Risk-Adjusted Strategy to combat COVID-19. On what he plans to do with his time in retirement, the 66-year-old says he will still be involved in the health sector while also setting his eyes on agriculture. I think one way or another I will be in the field of health giving advisory services in the field of security. I would still like to do that but more importantly, supporting security. I am talking now about food security. So farming is on the horizon, he says. Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke of the importance of an efficient public service. A streamlined, efficient and well-integrated civil service is the hallmark of a capable State. Likewise, an unproductive, inefficient and cumbersome civil service can frustrate the implementation of even the best policies, said the President. In addition, the President emphasised that being a public servant is an honour and privilege that demands dedication, selflessness, professionalism, commitment and the utmost faithfulness to the principles of Batho Pele - putting the people first. He highlighted that at a time when South Africa is confronted with incidents of corruption, Public Service Month should be an opportunity for the men and women tasked with this weighty responsibility to set themselves apart. Public servants should rededicate themselves to their calling and to fully comprehend what it truly means to be a servant of the people. With his retirement arriving on the doorstep of Public Service Month, Gulube who has served in the public service for 44-years is urging public servants to remember to serve. My message is that we are in the public service to render service to others. Like in any other sector, you will always have few individuals who will tarnish the image of the public service. The public service are the unsung heroes of our democracy because the majority of public servants are really committed, dedicated and are aware that their salaries and working condition might not be as good as they might be in the private sector, but they are in the public service to serve other people, says Gulube. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. New Delhi In just one month, the number of confirmed coronavirus infections in India has doubled from 2 million to more than 4 million. That puts the Asian giant right behind the United States as the second worst affected country in the world, now beating out Brazil for the dubious distinction. The Indian government reported 90,802 new cases on Monday, pushing the total number to 4,204,613. The rate of the virus' spread in India, the world's second most populous nation, has increased sharply over the last month. In the first week of August, India was recording only about 55,000 new cases daily. A month later, the daily numbers have spiked to 90,000. That's currently the highest confirmed new daily caseload in the world. But some experts believe, in terms of the actual number of infections, India may already have surpassed the U.S. "It's only a matter of time before India crosses U.S. We are talking about reported infections, and given the low levels of testing, it is certainly possible that actual infections in India have already exceeded those in the U.S.," Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan, a public health researcher and director of the Washington-based Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP), told CBS News. Laxminarayan said "seroprevelance" screening of blood samples, to detect COVID-19 infections among people with few or no symptoms, "indicate that anywhere between 20% and 30% of Indians have already been infected - this would translate to at least 100 million infections." Despite the sharp rise in India's numbers, the government has continued lifting restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. The measures started easing weeks ago, when the government lifted a strict nationwide lockdown that had been in place for months, with a devastating impact on the economy. Data released by the Indian government last week showed the country's GDP for the first quarter shrank 23.9% on the year - the worst downturn in four decades and the worst performance among all major global economies amid the pandemic. Story continues India has blamed 71,642 deaths on the virus thus far, the third-highest toll in the world. Over the last week, about 1,000 deaths have been tallied every day. But those fatality statistics are relatively low, given the huge number of positive tests in the country. A health worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) suit stands as a body of a man, who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen inside an ambulance at a crematorium in New Delhi, India September 7, 2020. / Credit: ADNAN ABIDI/REUTERS The Indian government has repeatedly pointed to the low death rate as proof of a successful anti-virus strategy, and it continues to do so despite the soaring number of new infections as more restrictions are eased. "India's comprehensive and calibrated actions within the umbrella strategy of 'test, track, treat,' have resulted in a low mortality rate," India's Health Ministry said in a tweet Monday morning. "Sustained efforts through early diagnosis, & timely and effective treatment continue to steadily push the CFR (Case Fatality Rate) down," it said. India has allowed most businesses to reopen. Markets in cities and towns across the nation are about as jam-packed as they were pre-pandemic. People shop at an open-air vegetable and fruit market amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Ahmedabad, India, September 7, 2020. / Credit: AMIT DAVE/REUTERS On Monday, after 169 days, Delhi's municipal government allowed subway trains to resume service. Passengers must now go through thermal screening at stations, maintain social distance on trains, use a contact tracing app and they're urged to "talk less," to prevent spreading the virus. Subway services in more than 10 other Indian cities also resumed Monday. But while the government has been keen to get the economy going again, life isn't returning to normal for all Indians. No plan to reopen schools All schools across India have been closed since March, but as children across the world venture tentatively back into classrooms, India's students are still stuck at home. Many private schools switched to online learning during the lockdown, but millions of children in the country where a huge proportion of the population lives below the poverty line have no access to smartphones or the internet, and they've been left out. Government Primary School students follow the e-education classes telecast on the T-SAT Network and Doordharshan TV network channels as their mum watches, at their home in Nagireddypally village of Siddipet District, near Hyderabad, September 1, 2020. / Credit: NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty There has been no clarity on when schools might reopen. The federal government has left it to states to decide when schools can open their doors, ostensibly in consultation with parents. "I won't send my daughter if the government decides to reopen the schools, even next month," Delhi resident Shivani Arora told CBS News. "Infections are rising, my priority would be the health of my kid." "When the online classes are going on fine, what's the rush of reopening schools?" asked Sanjeev Singh, another parent whose son studies at a high school in Mumbai. But some parents feel online classes can't go on forever. "My son is at such a crucial stage of his career that online classes alone won't help," Kalpana Mukherjee, whose son is in 11th grade at a school in Kolkata, told CBS News. She believes schools "should reopen, with maximum possible precautions being observed." A survey by the government in Haryana state found that parents of about 85% of students in 10th and 12th grade want schools to reopen, The Indian Express reported. Laxminarayan, who also teaches public health at Princeton University, told CBS News that given India's current numbers and particular circumstances, "it would make sense to keep schools closed" for now. "We have not yet assessed the risk that transmission among children may pose to the elderly," he said. "Given that people live in multigenerational households, school transmission could directly impact the elderly." Prominent veterans demand apology from Trump after allegations of insulting remarks Oregon governor calls for end to Portland protests as they continue for 100th day Officials plead for caution ahead of Labor Day weekend The sight of construction workers using jackhammers on the stone walls of the medieval Galata Tower, a hallmark of Istanbuls ancient silhouette, sparked nationwide outrage in Turkey last month, but it was only the latest on a list of restoration blunders that has grown alarmingly long in recent years. The footage of workers drilling down a section of the towers inner walls was posted on social media in mid-August by the cultural heritage director of the Istanbul municipality, which the main opposition Republican Peoples Party wrested from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) last year. The municipality assigned experts to inspect the restoration at the tower, but they were denied entry by the construction firm, commissioned by the central governments Culture and Tourism Ministry. The work continued behind locked doors even though such projects are required to undergo local inspections. Built by a Genovese colony in the 14th century, the Galata Tower has survived fires, storms and many repairs over the centuries. Few tourists return from Istanbul without a picture of the cylindrical icon overlooking the Golden Horn. Mahir Polat, the municipality official who disseminated the footage, said the work at the tower hardly qualified as restoration. Rather, it amounted to demolition, he told a Turkish news site, stressing that jackhammers were wildly inappropriate for the job. Botched restorations have become frequent in Turkey, whose vital tourism sector relies heavily on the countrys rich historical heritage, mainly because the government has hired inexperienced construction firms for the projects and failed to impose strict oversight, according to sources versed in the matter. The field of restoration is treated as an extension of the construction sector, which has seen a heyday under the AKP, with massive bridges, airports, shopping malls and residential complexes sprouting up across the country. Ertugrul Gunay, who served as culture minister under the AKP before quitting the party in 2013, also blames nepotism. Inexperienced constructors enter the field of restoration very easily if they have certain connections. The Galata Tower is not a singular case, Gunay told Al-Monitor. Damaging a historical site or artifact carries heavy penalties under Turkish law. Even privately owned properties that qualify as historical structures are off limits to renovation without official permission. Yet, according to Gunay, When contractors damage the sites, the penalty system halts at the prosecution phase and a lot of irreversible wrongs go unpunished. Precious Roman-era murals in the southern city of Hatay, for instance, were badly distorted during restoration in 2015, but the contractor got away without paying any real penalty. In another incident the previous year, restorers poured concrete into the ground of the Antiphellos amphitheater near the Mediterranean tourist hub of Antalya, built by ancient Greeks in the fourth century BC. Zeynep Ahunbay, a prominent academic who has overseen the restoration of many cultural monuments, including the Hagia Sophia, told Al-Monitor that many newcomers to the field have neither the necessary experience nor the will to carry out those works with utmost care. She added, When we go to historical sites as advisers, we see inexperienced staff and contractors who have no respect for the authenticity of the building in question. In many restoration projects, wrong methods and cheap materials are knowingly used. Islamic monuments such as mosques, tombs and social complexes built in the Ottoman and Seljuk eras have also fallen prey to inept restorers. A conservation expert who requested anonymity told Al-Monitor that even monuments built by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan have suffered damage during restoration. Referring to the imperial Suleymaniye Mosque, the second largest mosque in Istanbul, which was commissioned by Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century, the expert said, Sinans Suleymaniye Mosque lost its acoustic quality after restoration work from 2007 to 2010 damaged elements designed by Sinan. And soon after the reopening, the massive central chandelier hanging from the mosques awe-inspiring dome fell down, taking with it a section of the dome. There have been laudable conservation projects such as the Zeugma mosaics museum in Gaziantep and the Aspendos amphitheater in Antalya. But many historical monuments in Turkey have suffered either neglect or problematic work to maintain them over the years. Other botched restorations over the past decade include Sinans Valide Atik Complex and the Suheyl Bey Mosque in Istanbul, left unrecognizable with the addition of glass facades, and the Battal Gazi Tomb in Eskisehir, which emerged equipped with a modern kitchen. Walls in the harem of the Topkapi Palace, the seat of Ottoman sultans for centuries, were damaged earlier this year. The work at the Galata Tower began without approval from the local board of monuments. A formal application for permission came a day after the video went viral, according to documents shared by municipality officials. Following the backlash, the Culture and Tourism Ministry said the section of the wall demolished by the workers was not a part of the original structure, a claim that the municipality and experts dispute. According to Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the original wall had been covered with concrete that had to be removed. In an interview with NTV, the minister defended the procedure, while conceding that the wrong tools were used. He said the company would be fined and pledged to introduce a certification program for restoration contractors. Nearly 86,000 artifacts have been restored in Turkey in the past seven years, according to the state-run network TRT. But experts doubt that decent work can be managed on such a scale so quickly. It's no wonder so many efforts have made Turkish restoration a laughingstock. By SA Commercial Prop News Marius Muller has been elected and appointed President of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) which now has over 2,000 members across the retail sector in South Africa. Image gallery With his enthusiasm for retail, immense experience and keen collaborative values, Marius Muller has been elected and appointed President of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC). The reputable Chief Executive Officer of Pareto Ltd, Muller has been in the property industry for 20 years. He is a professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and holds both a B.Sc. (Q.S.) and M.B.A. degree. The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) was launched in 1991 to advance the retail and retail property sectors of South Africa. This active official umbrella body of shopping centres in South Africa enjoyed membership growth of over 38% over the last year. SACSC promotes the interests of the sector both in South Africa and internationally. It addresses issues and meets challenges within the industry, and engages with associated sectors and other stakeholders for its members. The council highlights the role of our shopping centres as a major resource for all communities in South Africa. This vibrant organisation also makes an important contribution to education in the retail property sector. Over the past year it awarded nine bursaries for the three SACSC University of Pretoria courses. This forms part of its education programme which also includes basic skills workshops. Muller says: SACSC is committed to nurturing South Africas retail network on all levels networking, education, research and wherever there is a need to connect, communicate and collaborate. Retail is a dynamic and exciting sector which calls for constant innovation and adaptation to stay on trend. SACSC actively seeks to be at the forefront of industry advancement, to be relevant and significant to its members. With a passion for the retail property sector, Muller has gained experience in various roles spanning leasing, financing, project management, development management and asset management. Before joining Pareto, Muller was involved in listing Resilient Property Income Fund on the JSE. During his association with the Resilient Group, he served as an Executive Director of listed property companies Resilient, Diversified, Pangbourne and i-Four, and was also Managing Director at i-Four. Steadfast in the high value he places on partnerships, Muller has served on many industry bodies including SACSC, SA Property Owners Association, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, SA Institute of Black Property Practitioners, Association of SA Quantity Surveyors, SA Institute of Building and Property Loan Stock Assocation. The positive influence SACSC has on its industry reflects in the widespread active participation of its members. Its 2012 annual conference attracted over 1,300 delegates, resulting in sold-out property tours and events. South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) Board of Directors : 2012/13 Public health officials will meet to discuss reducing the self-isolation period from 14 days to 10, according to The Irish Times. The discussions are not said to include the mandatory self-isolation period for passengers arriving into Ireland from a country not named on the green list. Currently, people who test positive for Covid-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days to help curb the further spread of the virus. The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) discussed the measures last week, but will continue to consider international evidence on the matter this week. NPHET is due to meet on Thursday when the possibility of reducing the quarantine period will be debated. This comes as a an infectious diseases expert says the number of Covid-19 cases in Kildare, Limerick and Tipperary are potentially more concerning than those in Dublin. Advertisement Yesterday, 138 new infections of the virus were confirmed, but there no new deaths reported. The number of cases recorded in the capital was 68, followed by Limerick with 13 and Kildare with nine. Professor Sam McConkey from the Royal College of Surgeons says that when the population of each county is accounted for, some have higher rates of the virus than Dublin. "While Dublin looks big, unfortunately Carlow is actually quiet high and Kildare is actually higher per head of population still. "It's actually spread widely through almost 24 of our 26 counties," said Prof McConkey. A protester wears a mask of Julian Assange's face outside Belmarsh prison prior to the extradition hearing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, on February 24, 2020 in London, England. Julian Assange resumes his battle in a London court on Monday to avoid extradition to the United States to face criminal charges over the activities of his WikiLeaks website, after months of delay due to the coronavirus lockdown. The U.S. authorities accuse Australian-born Assange, 49, of conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011. Assange is seen by his admirers as a champion of free speech who exposed U.S. abuses of power. His critics say that by publishing unredacted documents, he recklessly endangered the lives of intelligence sources in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. He has also attracted more recent criticism over the release by WikiLeaks during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign of documents stolen from the Democratic National Committee, damaging nominee Hillary Clinton. He denies accusations by U.S. investigators that WikiLeaks obtained those documents from Russian hackers. The issue is not part of the legal proceedings. Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a U.S. military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. The site later published vast troves of U.S. military records and diplomatic cables. Apples have been an integral part of America for centuries. By 1775, one in every 10 farms in New England owned and operated a cider mill. One report indicates in Massachusetts alone, about 35 gallons of cider were consumed annually per person. Usually, the very best ground next to the homesteads were reserved for fruit trees, with apples making up most of the orchards. There are a number of old varieties that have stood the test of time. And some that havent shown commercial value for various reasons, are also exceptional. Among the very best of the older varieties are the following: HolsteinThe Ward Family owns Forgotten Ciders Orchard and have more than 1,000 varieties of apples. It is perhaps the largest gene pool of apples in Michigan. One of the apples they rate highly is Holstein. Holstein was discovered in Germany in 1918. It is excellent for cooking, a great keeper, and rates highly in apple tasting. Jonathan Discovered in 1826, it has been popular for almost two centuries. It is a prolific bearer and excellent for cider. Every year, the Michigan Apple Committee has a cider contest and every year, about 25 major orchards compete for bragging rights and first prize. Almost every year, at least 20% of the winning cider is made from Jonathans. One year the winning cider was made totally from Jonathans. McIntosh The national apple of Canada, it was discovered there in 1811. It is somewhat tart, but has a good flavor. Its major drawback is it cooks down to mush so should be added to other varieties such as Cortland to give the apple dish some body. People seem to really like McIntosh, or they dont there dont appear to be many who arent at either of these extremes. For years, it was the third most popular apple in the United States. Northern Spy This originated in New York in 1800. It is a favorite for baking because it holds its shape and has good flavor when cooked. The reason most growers dont plant it is because it takes 10 to 16 years to bear fruit. Opalescent Discovered in Michigan in 1880, this is often called the showiest apple in the orchard because of its stunning attractiveness. It is very large with a deep red waxy skin. Great for baking, or any apple dish, and should be grown more than it is. Pitmaston Pineapple Discovered in the early 1800s, this is a small golden-yellow apple with some russeting. It is a great dessert apple. The employee of a local orchard who has access to more than 100 varieties of apples asks that the Pitmaston Pineapples be reserved for her each year. Spitzenburg Discovered in the early 1700s, this was said to be a favorite of Thomas Jefferson who grew it at Monticello. Used primarily as a dessert apple, it is a medium size apple and has a distinct, pleasant flavor. Twenty Ounce Discovered in 1840, this apple is outstanding for baking. They look like grapefruit hanging on the tree when they are ripe, and are larger than a softball. Its rough skin is perhaps the reason it is not sold commercially. If you are baking a whole apple that has been peeled and cored, it is almost impossible to do better than a Twenty Ounce. It is also a superior apple for applesauce. Wagener Sometimes called Wagner, is a beautiful large deep red apple for baking. It was one of Herbert Henry Dows favorites and one he recommended be grown in the Great Lakes Bay Region. There is some speculation Wagener is a parent of Northern Spy. For those interested in learning more about antique apples and seeing some beautiful illustrations and photos there are two books worth purchasing. They are "Apples of North America by Tom Burford, and Apples of Uncommon Character-123 Heirlooms, Modern Classics and little-Known Wonders, by Rowen Jacobsen. Apple ripening guide for the Great Lakes Bay Region Ripening in September: McIntosh, Paula Red, Honeycrisp, Gala and Wolf River Ripening the first half of October: Cortland, Empire, Evercrisp. Holstein, Jonathan, Kindercrisp, Opalescent, Snow Sweet, and Twenty Ounce Ripening the second half of October: Golden Delicious, Granny Smith. Ida Red, Jonagold, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Pitmaston Pineapple, Red Delicious, SpiGold, Spitzenburg, Wagener and Winesap Terry Moore owns Moore Orchards, Midland. He began planting apple trees in 1984 and most were planted in the 1990s. The orchard now has 2,500 apple trees and more than 100 varieties on 22 acres of trees. Moore Orchards is closed for the 2020 season. It is important to understand the performance of Telangana in education. PTI Photo A lot has been deliberated on the transformative potential of the recently issued National Education Policy (NEP). The policy that has stood out for introducing sweeping changes in school and higher education is a boon for Telangana where it will improve learning outcomes, especially for socially and economically vulnerable students. It is important to understand the performance of Telangana in education. The performance grading index used by the ministry of education ranks Telangana at 17 out of the 37 states and Union territories in 2018-19. The broad-based metrics included learning outcomes and quality, access, equity, infrastructure and facilities, and governance processes. Telangana was ranked 30th in infrastructure and facilities and 20th in access. It also performed below-par in two other parameters learning outcomes and quality, and access to education. The National Achievement Survey, conducted by NCERT, too, revealed that the performance of Telangana students from classes five to eight as poorer in comparison to students from other southern states. Even the Comptroller and Auditor General in its audit report in 2018 pulled up Telangana, where 14-26 per cent of primary school students and 21-47 per cent of upper primary school students scored less than 40 per cent between 2014 and 2017. It is thus imperative for Telangana, which is financially well endowed, to implement the NEP. The NEP understands the critical importance of good quality childhood care and education (ECCE). Experts believe that over 85 per cent of a childs cumulative brain development occurs prior to the age of six. By bringing ECCE to the centre of education with an explicit focus on building foundational and numerical skills for every child by end of Grade 3, a quantum improvement in learning outcomes is expected. The NEP also aims for a holistic, comprehensive education as it breaks down prevailing insularity by introducing the 5+3+4+4 system of school education. The NEP further strikes the right chord in terms of equity and access. Schools are often regarded as the second home in a childs life and this will thus, in turn, build an inclusive and empathetic society. In both domains of school and higher education, the NEP has opted for restructuring of the system in terms of curriculum, pedagogy and recreational opportunities to prevent any form of exclusion or isolation of disadvantaged communities. The NEP aims to provide food and nutrition in terms of breakfast and midday meals in government schools. This will encourage parents of children, who often have to make their child work for their next meal, to send them to school. Another striking example to improve equity is the attempt to include the mother tongue as the medium of both educational and vocational education. By including regional languages, in this case Telugu, as a medium of instruction, NEP 2020 strives to focus the childs energies on learning concepts rather than a new language. The NEP also acknowledges special mechanisms required to ensure that children belonging to tribal communities receive the benefits of these interventions. The decision to promote tribal languages will contribute to their educational empowerment. Telangana has at least 10 districts with scheduled areas and children belonging to Lambada, Koya, Gond, Yerukala, Chenchu and other communities will stand to benefit. One of the reasons for poor infrastructure and facilities of schools is lack of funds with states. The NEP stipulates the Centre and states work together to increase public investment in the education sector to six per cent of GDP. The Telangana state governments budget allocations to education for the 2020-21 fiscal saw a reduction from previous allocations. This is of major concern given that data recorded by the 2011 census shows Telanganas literacy rate as 66.4 per cent, much below the national average of 74.4 per cent. Lastly, the NEP has proposed sea changes in higher education that will better align with the needs of a changing employment market. Telangana has a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 36.2 per cent. The NEP issues a bold call for enhancing GER in higher education including vocational education to 50 per cent by 2035. It also aims to enhance access by establishing more high-quality higher education institutes (HEI) in aspirational districts and special education zones containing larger numbers of social and economically disadvantaged groups. By 2030, the NEP aims to have at least one large multidisciplinary HEI in/near every district. Aspirational districts in Telangana such as Jayashankar Bhoopalpally, Kumarambheem Asifabad and Khammam will benefit. Education is a concurrent subject and this stipulates the collaboration of both the Centre and the state to enact proposed reforms. State governments will also now need to act in a manner in which we can truly usher in the vision of India as a knowledge powerhouse as envisaged by the Prime Minister. This is an opportunity that the state of Telangana cannot afford to miss at any cost. KANAZAWA, Japan, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at Kanazawa University report in Nature Communications the discovery that in the developing fly brain, neurons stemming from the same parent cell experience repulsion. This lineage-dependent repulsion is regulated by a protein known as Dscam1. The brain's structure has columnar features, which are hypothesized to arise from nerve cells (neurons) stemming from the same parent cell, initially forming radial units. How exactly this process unfolds at the molecular level remains unexplained, however. Now, an important insight comes from Makoto Sato and colleagues from Kanazawa University who show how, in the fly brain, a gene known as Dscam regulates how neurons from one lineage repel each other, and project their axons to different columns. (Axons or nerve fibers are long protrusions of nerve cells, the function of which is to conduct electrical signals). This finding corroborates the 'radial unit hypothesis', with the mechanism at play being lineage-dependent repulsion between sister neurons. The researchers first looked at the evolution of neuron growth in the medulla, a part of the fly's visual system featuring a columnar structure. Its development is similar to that of the cerebral cortex in the brain of mammals; it involves neuroblasts (neural stem-like cells) that produce radially oriented and clonally related groups of neurons. Sato and colleagues recorded the distances between sister neurons (i.e., neurons stemming from the same neuroblast and forming a radial unit) and between axon pairs. From the obtained distance data, the scientists were able to conclude that the sister neurons often repel each other this observation is consistent with the formation of columns. Sato and colleagues call this process 'lineage-dependent repulsion'. The mechanism that enables lineage-dependent repulsion must lie in daughter neurons derived from the same neuroblast 'remembering' the identity of their common mother neuroblast. Sato and colleagues put forward the explanation that the protein Dscam1 is involved. Dscam1 can develop nearly 20,000 variants, but when two identical Dscam1 molecules bind, they lead to a repulsive signal known to control self-avoidance in certain dendritic processes dendrites are branch-like extensions of nerve cells. The reasoning then is that daughter neurons stemming from the same neuroblast produce the same Dscam1 variant, and so repel each other, whereas neurons of different lineages express different Dscam1 variants that don't repel each other and can project to the same column. The scientists were able to support their argumentation by a series of experiments confirming the relation between Dscam1 and lineage-dependent repulsion. Sato and colleagues note that "the mechanism that we propose is very simple", and add that it will be "interesting to determine whether similar mechanisms exist in other biological systems including column formation in mammalian brains." Background Radial unit hypothesis The radial unit hypothesis is a theory describing the development of the cerebral cortex. (The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of neural tissue of the largest part of the human brain. It plays an important role in brain functions like perception, thought, memory, language, and consciousness.) The hypothesis asserts that in the early stages of development, the cerebral cortex forms as an assembly of interacting 'columns', or 'radial units', with each unit originating from a stem cell layer containing neural stem cells. Makoto Sato and colleagues from Kanazawa University now present results showing that, in the fly brain, neurons from one lineage project their axons to different columns, and that this mechanism is regulated by the gene Dscam (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule). Dscam1 The fly Drosophila Dscam1 gene encodes more than 19,000 variants ('isoforms'). Binding of Dscam1 with identical isoforms results in a repulsive signal, which is important for certain self-avoidance mechanisms within cells. Sato and colleagues showed that in fly larvae, Dscam1 is expressed in neuroblasts, and therefore inherited by neurons having the same lineage. This results in lineage-dependent repulsion between neurons in radial units, which then plays an important role in the development of the columnar structure of the fly's medulla. Reference Chuyan Liu, Olena Trush, Xujun Han, Miaoxing Wang, Rie Takayama, Tetsuo Yasugi, Takashi Hayashi, and Makoto Sato. Dscam1 establishes the columnar units through lineage-dependent repulsion between sister neurons in the fly brain, Nature Communications 11, 4067 (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17931-w URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17931-w Link to Fig.1 https://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/200902_Figure0-300x230.jpg Caption: Dscam regulates lineage-dependent repulsion. Neurons of the same lineage repel each other and project to different columns under the control of Dscam. Link to Fig.2 https://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/200902_Figure2.jpg Caption: Neurons of the same lineage are labeled by the same Dscam variant and project to different columns. Neurons that derive from the same neuroblast repel each other due to the expression of the same Dscam variant (labeled in the same color), and project to different columns. Link to Fig.3 https://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/200902_Figure3.jpg Caption: Neurons of the same lineage project to the same column in Dscam mutant brains. Neurons of the same lineage do not repel each other in the absence of Dscam function, and project to the same column. As a result, the columns show abnormal shape. About Institute for Frontier Science Initiative (InFiniti) https://infiniti.adm.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/ Institute for Frontier Science Initiative (InFiniti) was established in April 2015 for the purpose of creating innovative research results and opening new fields of scientific inquiry. The Institute enhances the academic advantages of Kanazawa University, promotes interdisciplinary research, and accelerates international circulation of talented researchers. It also cultivates young researchers' interdisciplinarity, comprehensiveness, and internationality on the basis of its research results. About Kanazawa University http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/e/ As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities. The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas. Contact details Research Promotion Affairs Division Kanazawa University Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan Email: [email protected] Tel: +81-(0) 76-264-5296 SOURCE Kanazawa University In COVID-19 times when several corporates are looking out for cost-effective locations or scaling down operations and team-size, turnkey office interior and architecture solutions provider Studiokon Ventures (SKV) has decided to venture into serviced and managed office space with its offering called Happy Monday. It has committed an initial investment of around $5 million for the next five years for the expansion of the brand. The company has already taken up 50,000 square feet space in Gurugram for Happy Monday. Next plan is to launch the services in Bengaluru, followed by Pune. SKV vision is to reach 1.5 million sq ft of service office space in top seven metro cities over the next five years, the company said in a statement. This business model is a one-stop solution for corporates looking to set up best-in-class offices, without committing to huge capex. Happy Monday will lease Grade A commercial properties in Indias most thriving business districts, from leading developers, giving them a value advantage with lower churn and well-maintained office spaces. Occupiers will have the advantage of flexibility and cost optimisation, with sustainable interiors. The offering will include fully serviced offices where the clients can choose cost-efficient modular interiors, furniture and accessories, with an established delivery time of 45-60 days, without worrying about the waste of furniture and fittings when they move out to a new location. Happy Monday will also take care of office space operations services and amenities, for a hassle-free work environment for every occupier. Companies today need flexible, lower capex and hassle-free options, to keep costs in check, manage COVID-19s balance-sheet impact and boost productivity. Happy Monday is a perfect solution. Its a subscription model, where you can subscribe to the best offices, furniture, interiors and managed spaces, said Tushar Mittal, Managing Director, SKV. Besides best office space at the right location and with the world-class interior, tenants will have options to subscribe for custom made furniture, hospitality services and technology support according to their requirement, he added. The Happy Monday solution helps all the stakeholders, including developers and occupiers, lower our collective carbon footprint. We re-use most of the furniture and fit-outs even when the client moves out, minimizing waste and taking a step towards sustainability and circular economy, said Mittal. SKV is currently working with leading MNC and Fortune 500 companies like Global Logic, Honeywell and KPMG and has Samsung, PepsiCo, Renew Power, Macquarie and DCM Shriram, in the past SKV has its presence in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru, with a footprint of clients across several cities like Jaipur, Indore, Kolkata, Pune and Chandigarh. It has a state-of-the-art factory spread over 80,000 square feet in Manesar, Haryana, which helps it to do off-site production and meet the exact requirements of the clients. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 18:09:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A medical worker takes a sample from a man for COVID-19 test in the central Israel city of Rishon Letsiyon on Sept. 6, 2020. The death toll in Israel over the COVID-19 surpassed 1,000 on the weekend, and the country also has one of the highest daily infection rates per capita in the world. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) by Keren Setton JERUSALEM, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in Israel over the COVID-19 surpassed 1,000 on the weekend, and the country also has one of the highest daily infection rates per capita in the world. On Sunday, Israel's coronavirus cabinet decided that a list of forty cities with high infection rates will be under a uniform night curfew starting Monday night. Schools will be closed and only small gatherings are permitted in those cities. The localized curfews are part of the "traffic light" plan adopted by the cabinet, which is intended to curb the spread of the virus with a differential approach that allows areas with a lower infection rate to live with fewer restrictions. "Red cities" will be the first to have strict measures enforced upon them. There were only tens of daily cases in May. The government was praised for its handling of the health crisis in the spring, and the botched economic response led to public pressure to re-open the economy. Israel re-opened with virtually no restrictions and the number of cases began to rise rapidly. The battle against the virus has hit a lot of obstacles along the way. One of the biggest challenges is the political in-fighting which has marred the decision-making process. The contentious localized quarantines will see mainly in Jewish ultra-orthodox and Arab cities under curfew, raising calls of discrimination. The ultra-orthodox Jewish parties, which are part of the coalition government, have consistently voted against measures that target only their communities, demanding similar treatment for other populations. There are increasing calls for a nation-wide quarantine, while leading government and health officials say they are taking all the steps in order to avoid this. When the pandemic broke out in March, the government was quick to shut down borders and impose stringent lockdown measures. The policy was lauded as a success. However, as the economic ramifications emerged and unemployment sky-rocketed, there was pressure to lift all measures. "In the first wave, we were very decisive. In the second wave, we caved into public pressure," said Yuval Steinitz, Israel's Energy Minister, in a radio interview early Sunday. The experts in the country are divided. Some believe the localized approach is no longer a relevant tool as the spread of the virus spans all over the country. Only about a third of newly diagnosed cases come from so called "red cities," meaning the majority of new cases are fanned out, making it difficult to reign in the virus. "I do not see how the numbers will be reduced, it is highly likely Israel will go into lockdown," said Cyrille Cohen, vice dean of the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University. "The 'traffic light' plan will not be fruitful in a timely manner, it will just serve as a Band-Aid." The mortality rate in Israel has remained relatively low for various reasons, but this piece of good news has also had a negative effect on public attitude which is largely lax. Large gatherings are held despite forbidden regulations and many people do not wear masks as the law mandates. This also has several experts still championing the localized approach. "We need to find local solutions on how to live with the virus while reducing morbidity," said Prof. Hagai Levine, an epidemiologist from the Hebrew University and chairman of the Israel Association of Public Health Physicians. "Lockdown is only a temporary measure ... but if you don't change public behavior, you will end up back at the same point after the closure," Levine told Xinhua. Another major challenge Israel is facing is that the leadership has failed to rally the public in face of the pandemic, due to the inconsistent policies and lack of personal example. "The public needs to be told the meaning of not imposing a lockdown at this point," said Cohen, adding "the people have already been hurt from the first lockdown." "We are not seeing a change in public behavior because of the lack of the trust, and this is why we are missing the mark," said Levine, "We still have not made the changes necessary to deal with this pandemic, and we still have time to fix this." Enditem The official has elaborated on the free treatment package paid for by the state. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has updated the protocol for patients with suspected coronavirus. The ministry's press service has posted on Facebook an infographic with a step-by-step mechanism for providing assistance to patients with suspected COVID-19. What to do if you think you have coronavirus Call your family doctor. Your family doctor will provide a consultation and decide whether hospitalization is necessary. Also, if required, the physician will visit the patient at home. An ambulance is called to collect samples for a coronavirus test. Then the samples are delivered to the laboratory. After test results return, if coronavirus is confirmed, the infected person is entitled to medical treatment. The patient is recommended to self-isolate from the moment of contacting a family doctor until a diagnosis is confirmed or dismissed. Read alsoUkraine reports three new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Sept 7"If you have COVID-19 symptoms, first of all you remotely contact your family doctor. If have not signed a declaration, you can still contact a local polyclinic, in the area where you live or resided previously. Also, you can call the territorial health department's hotline, where you will get all the necessary information about medical assistance," Deputy Minister of Health Iryna Mykychak told a briefing. The patient shall not search for the ambulance on their own. Ambulance shall be deployed by a family doctor. Their work is paid work for by the National Health Service of Ukraine. What to do if you have no family doctor In cases where a patient has not signed with a family doctor (hasn't signed a declaration with a relevant physician), you can ask for help by calling the regional coronavirus hotline. There are hotlines in every region. Its dispatcher will call up an ambulance for the person. "If the course of the disease is mild, you can receive treatment from home. If the course of the disease requires hospitalization, the family doctor must organize such hospitalization: the doctor calls an ambulance and the patient is taken to a hospital with the relevant COVID-19 hospital," explained Mykychak. She clarified that critical conditions are high fever and shortness of breath. In case patients have that, they should call 103 medical emergency hotline. "The ambulance team will assess your condition and, if necessary, take you to the relevant hospital. The patient does not organize hospitalization on their own. There are coordinators in each area who must ensure such efforts." The free package of medical services for COVID-19 patients includes: COVID-19 testing; Laboratory and instrumental research; Medical assistance in accordance with industry standards; Oxygen support; Intensive care including mechanical ventilation; Drug therapy and pain relief; and Doctors' consultation in all necessary specialties. Cost of all medications provided for by the National COVID-19 Protocol are covered by the NHSU. "Treatment is free of charge for patients," Mykychak says. Coronavirus in Ukraine: latest Ukraine said 2,174 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September 7, 2020. Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov says 8,941 children and 12,069 healthcare workers have contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19) since the start of the pandemic. At the same time, the latest poll says some 24% of Ukrainians consider the coronavirus epidemic in the country "non-threatening," while 14% of respondents think opposite. Dominic Raab today ramped up the diplomatic pressure on Russia by summoning its ambassador to protest about the 'unacceptable' poisoning of Alexei Navalny. The Foreign Secretary voiced relief at news that the Vladimir Putin opponent was showing an improvement in his condition. But the government called in Moscow's envoy to London, Alexei Kelin, to demand a 'full, transparent investigation' into the apparent targeting of Mr Navalny with Novichok. The UK has been pushing for a tough international response to the episode - which has echoes of the 2018 Salisbury attack on a former Russian spy. Mr Navalny, the most popular and prominent opponent of President Putin, is being treated in Germany, where the authorities have confirmed he was targeted with the banned nerve agent. The 44-year-old's spokesman confirmed today that he had come out of an induced coma and was responsive. The Kremlin has dismissed allegations it was involved, complaining that no evidence has been supplied by Germany. Dominic Raab today ramped up the diplomatic pressure on Russia by summoning its ambassador to protest about the 'unacceptable' poisoning of Alexei Navalny Moscow's envoy to London, Alexei Kelin, did not speak to Mr Raab but was called in to be told there must be a 'full, transparent investigation' into the apparent targeting of Mr Navalny with Novichok Mr Navalny, the most popular and prominent opponent of President Putin, is being treated in Germany , where the authorities have confirmed he was targeted with the banned nerve agent Mr Raab, who did not speak to the ambassador personally, tweeted: 'Today the UK summoned Russia's Ambassador to the UK to register deep concern about the poisoning of Alexey @navalny. What is Novichok and how does it kill? The Novichok family of nerve agents were secretly developed over two decades at a research facility 50 miles outside the Russian capital. Many times more potent than other better known chemical weapons, Novichok agents can render gas masks and protective equipment useless. Sometimes described as 'gases' they are in fact liquid, intended to be delivered as a fine spray. A series of poisons, known as Novichok 5, 7, 8 and 9 to identify them, were produced amid conditions of complete secrecy. They all kill the same way. By inhibiting enzymes that control nerve receptors in the brain. One expert said victims simply 'forget to breathe'. A tiny drop, almost undetectable, placed on the skin or inhaled can cause death within minutes. Advertisement 'It's completely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used and Russia must hold a full, transparent investigation. 'Relieved to hear that Alexei Navalny has been taken out of the medically induced coma. I hope his condition continues to improve.' Corruption investigator Mr Navalny fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on August 20 before being transferred to Berlin. Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show yesterday, Mr Raab hit out at Russian 'gangsterism' as he said it was 'difficult to believe' the state was not involved in the poisoning. 'I think it's very difficult to come up with a plausible alternative explanation based on Russia's track record ... of using it - Salisbury - based on the difficulty of getting hold of, let alone deploying Novichok as it's such a dangerous substance,' he said. 'The use of chemical weapons in this kind of context is pure gangsterism and Russia does have responsibility never to use it as a government, and second of all to make sure no-one else can use it within its territory.' Last week German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Navalny was the victim of 'attempted murder by poisoning' with Novichok and added that the aim was to 'silence' an opponent of Mr Putin. However, Donald Trump hinted the US might take a softer line over the past few days, suggesting more evidence was needed. 'It's tragic. It's terrible, it shouldn't happen. We haven't had any proof yet, but I will take a look,' he said. The UK has long accused Russian operatives of using the Soviet-era poison on Sergei Skripal, the former double agent targeted in the 2018 attack in Salisbury, Wiltshire. As foreign secretary, Boris Johnson helped organise a wave of expulsions of Russian diplomats across the EU and US after Britain told 23 envoys to leave. Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia were two of five people exposed to the substance in Wiltshire, both spending weeks in hospital recovering. But Dawn Sturgess, 44, of Amesbury, Wiltshire, died in July that year after coming into contact with a perfume bottle thought to originally contain the poison, while her partner, Charlie Rowley, spent nearly three weeks in hospital. Voluntary retirement scheme not intended at cutting workforce, clarifies SBI India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: The State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday issued a clarification over reports that a VRS scheme has been launched to cut costs, saying the scheme was launched to help the employees in their career decisions and not as a measure to reduce workforce or cut costs. Issuing a statement the bank said, there have been media reports about the 'On Tap VRS' scheme proposed to be introduced by SBI. The reports have been interpreted as a cost-cutting measure and the bank's intent to reduce workforce. "It was thought to provide a congenial solution to employees who expressed desire for making strategic shift in their vocations, either due to professional growth limitations, mobility issues, physical health conditions or family situations," said the bank in a statement. SBI has been employee friendly and is expanding its operations and requires people, which is evidenced by the fact that the bank has plans of recruiting more than 14,000 employees this year, it said. SBI has an existing workforce of around 2.50 lakh and has been in the forefront of serving employee needs and designing ways and means for engaging and assisting employees in their life journey. "While our commitment towards our valued employees remains unshakable, we are deeply desirous of skilling the unemployed youth of the country, as is evidenced by the fact that we are the only bank in the country which has onboarded Apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Scheme of Govt of India," SBI said. Earlier reports said, a draft scheme for VRS has been prepared by the SBI and board approval is awaited. The proposed scheme -- 'Second Innings Tap VRS-2020' -- is aimed at optimising human resources and costs of the bank. Besides, the draft scheme, seen by PTI, said it will provide an option and a respectable exit route to employees who have reached a level of saturation in their career, may not be at the peak of their performance, have some personal issue or want to pursue their professional or personal life outside the bank. The scheme will be opened to all permanent officers and staff who have put in 25 years of service or have completed 55 years of age on the cut-off date. The scheme will open on December 1 and will remain open till the end of February, it said, adding that applications for VRS will be accepted during this period only. As per the proposed eligibility criteria, a total of 11,565 officers and 18,625 staff members will be eligible for the scheme. The total net savings for the bank would be Rs 1,662.86 crore if 30 per cent of eligible employees opt for retirement under the scheme, as per estimates based on July 2020 salary, it said. Fall in GDP alarming; time for bureaucracy to take meaningful action: Raghuram Rajan "The staff member whose request for retirement under VRS is accepted will be paid an ex-gratia amounting 50 per cent of salary for the residual period of service (up to the date of superannuation), subject to a maximum of 18 months' last drawn salary," it said. Other benefits like gratuity, pension, provident and medical benefits will be given to employees seeking VRS. A staff member retired under the scheme will be eligible for engagement or re-employment in the bank after a cooling-off period of two years from the date of retirement. Ahead of amalgamation of SBI's five associates with it in 2017, the merging subsidiaries had announced VRS for their employees. In 2001 also the bank had announced VRS with the objective to optimise human resources. However, the proposed VRS scheme is not finding favour with bank unions. Such a move at a time when the country is in the grip of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic reflects anti-worker attitude of management, National Organisation of Bank Workers Vice President Ashwani Rana said. (With agency inputs) A woman holds a flag reading "Peace" at a funeral for men killed by an armed group (AFP or licensors) As parts of Colombia continue to suffer from a low-intensity conflict, the local Church celebrates its national Peace Week in hopes of bettering the lives of all Colombians. By Devin Watkins Bishops in Colombia are inviting Catholics to pray and work for peace, as parts of the country continue to deal with conflicts between various drug cartels, armed rebel groups, and security forces. The local Catholic Church is marking its 33rd National Week of Peace, 6-13 September. In a communique, the Bishops of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cali reminded the people that peace is a universal good which should be the heritage of all. Long-running internal conflict The Bishops referred specifically to an historic accord between Colombias government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which was signed in 2016 in Cubas capital of Havana. Three years of difficult negotiations led to the agreement that officially ended 52 years of violent conflict. Over 220,000 people died in the unrest, and more than 5 million civilians were forced to flee from their homes. According to one study, nearly 17 percent of Colombias population has suffered directly from the war. The Havana Accord laid out a path toward de-escalation and saw the FARC become a political party. In 2019, some members of the FARC declared their intention to take up arms once more, saying the government had failed to implement the 2016 deal. Listen to our report Safeguarding human rights In their statement, Colombias Bishops urged the leaders of newly-militant FARC factions to sign an accord of continuity with the government. We exhort all parties of the conflict to put down their weapons, said the Bishops, and we invite them along with the government to change this path of death and destruction by engaging in dialogue and protecting the credibility of the Havana Agreement. They went on to say the national Peace Week presents an opportunity to reflect on the shameful violation of human rights, which they lament continues to the present. Protecting the young and minorities The Bishops in Calis metropolitan area appealed especially for the protection of Afro-Colombians and young people, who are massacred in our lands, prisons, and cities. The cry for respect for life and for the care and protection of Colombias youth, said the Bishops, requires formation and opportunities to achieve a more balanced and inclusive nation. This dream, they added, can be best realized through a collective pact between all elements of the Church and social society. UNICEF is leading efforts to procure and supply COVID-19 vaccines in what could possibly be the worlds largest- and fastest-ever procurement and supply of vaccines, as part of the global vaccine plan of the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility) led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. With several vaccine candidates showing promise, UNICEF, in collaboration with the PAHO Revolving Fund, will lead efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Facility for 92 low- and lower middle-income countries whose vaccine purchases will be supported by the mechanism through the Gavi COVAX AMC as well as a buffer stockpile for humanitarian emergencies, the UN agency said in a press release on Monday. In addition, UNICEF will also serve as a procurement coordinator to support procurement by 80 higher-income economies, which have expressed their intent to participate in the COVAX Facility and would finance the vaccines from their own public finance budgets. UNICEF will undertake these efforts in close collaboration with WHO, Gavi, CEPI, PAHO, World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other partners. The COVAX Facility is open to all countries to ensure that no country is left without access to a future COVID-19 vaccine. This is an all-hands on deck partnership between governments, manufacturers, and multilateral partners to continue the high-stakes fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF executive director. In our collective pursuit of a vaccine, UNICEF is leveraging its unique strengths in vaccine supply to make sure that all countries have safe, fast, and equitable access to the initial doses when they are available. According to UNICEF Vietnam representative Rana Flowers, Vietnam has expressed interest in the COVAX Facility, and the country is eligible to apply for participation in the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC). UNICEF, together with WHO and relevant development partners, will continue to support Vietnam in this critical preparatory work from cold chain inventories to delivery logistics plans for vaccine readiness of the country. UNICEF is the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, procuring more than two billion doses of vaccines annually for routine immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. It is the main procurement partner of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which over the last 20 years has reached more than 760 million children with life-saving vaccines, preventing above 13 million deaths. UNICEF will use its market shaping and procurement expertise to coordinate the procurement and supply of COVID-19 vaccines for the COVAX Facility. This could potentially double the agencys overall vaccine procurement throughput volume in 2021 alone. In response to an expression of interest that UNICEF issued in June on behalf of the COVAX Facility, 28 manufacturers with production facilities in 10 countries shared their annual production plans for COVID-19 vaccines through 2023. According to the timelines the manufacturers indicated, the span from development to production could be one of the fastest scientific and manufacturing leaps in history. A UNICEF market assessment, developed by compiling information submitted by vaccine manufacturers along with publicly available data, revealed that manufacturers are willing to collectively produce unprecedented quantities of vaccines over the coming 1-2 years. However, manufacturers signaled that investments to support such large-scale production of doses would be highly dependent on, among other things, whether clinical trials are successful, advance purchase agreements are put in place, funding is confirmed, and regulatory and registration pathways are streamlined. This assessment also illustrates, among other things, manufacturers responsiveness to the COVAX Facilitys design and objectives a key pillar of the ACT-Accelerator initiative, which is a new, groundbreaking global collaboration to accelerate the development and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to address the COVID-19 pandemic across countries of all income levels. A key next step will be ensuring self-financing economies sign up for the COVAX Facility by September 18, which will allow COVAX to support early, at-risk investments in increasing manufacturing capacity on a broad scale, through advance purchase agreements. Currently under development by WHO, the COVAX allocation framework will guide how and where UNICEF, PAHO, and other procurers working on behalf of participating countries supply COVID-19 vaccines that are secured by the facility. Initial dose allocations are expected to be scaled to enable countries to vaccinate health and social workers, followed by subsequent tranches of vaccine doses that would enable participating countries to vaccinate populations at higher risk of critical COVID-19 disease. UNICEF has been a critical partner in the alliances success over the last two decades helping us reach more than half the worlds population with life-saving vaccines, said Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi. This expertise and experience will be important in ensuring that COVAX as a global effort to procure and deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, on an accelerated timeframe, and at an unprecedented scale can protect the most at-risk, wherever they may be in the world. Together we can work to end the acute stage of this pandemic, including its devastating impact on individuals, communities, and economies. San Antonio personal-injury lawyer Thomas J. Henrys longtime partner Azteca Henry wants a court to sanction him for disclosing personal information about her in their divorce case. Thomas Henry included 12 years of Azteca Henrys tax returns which werent redacted and exposed her and their two childrens Social Security numbers as exhibits attached to his Aug. 7 motion seeking to seal court records and to close the divorce proceedings to the public. Thomas, 58, disclosed the sensitive information purely for spiteful purposes and exposes the hypocrisy of his effort to censor information about his own misbehavior, Azteca, 43, said in a court document. The release of the personal info shows Thomas apparently is motivated to coerce an agreement to seal the file, Azteca added in the filing. Neither his lawyer, Jeffrey Anderson, nor hers, Jo Chris Lopez, responded to a request for comment. Azteca filed for divorce Nov. 21 in state District Court in San Antonio. Although she has said she opposes Thomas desire for secrecy, she used their initials but in reverse rather than their names in the divorce petition. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio lawyer Thomas J. Henrys divorce case hinges on whether hes even married The two wed in 1999 but divorced in 2005. Azteca, however, said they continued to live together from the time of the divorce until last summer when he moved out of the Boerne home they shared. Azteca said he left the household because of a public extramarital relationship. Thomas has chronicled his relationship with new flame Evelin Crossland, 30, on social media. Crosslands estranged husband has alleged Thomas is bankrolling a lawsuit she has against an oil field services company the Crosslands own. Azteca and Thomas consented to being married without the formality of obtaining a marriage license what is known as a common law or informal marriage after their 2005 divorce, she has said. Texas is one of eight states that allow common law marriages. Thomas has disputed the existence of a common law marriage. A judge granted his motion for a separate trial on the issue of an informal marriage before the matter of the divorce is addressed, according to Thomas Aug. 7 motion. Thomas has argued that closing the divorce proceedings to the public is necessary to protect him and his business interests as a result of Aztecas purported illegal conduct. He has accused her of taking documents from his law firm, where she has been employed. Any open proceedings in this cause will result in a serious and imminent damage to him, his reputation and his businesses, his court papers stated. On ExpressNews.com: How Thomas J. Henrys mixed up in fight over San Antonio oil field services company In his latest motion, Thomas elaborated on the need for secrecy. He said he can demonstrate that he will lose the confidentiality of his marketing strategies and trial strategies, and his confidential communications with his staff and his clients if the records in this case are not sealed, a confidentiality order is not entered, and the proceedings in this case are not sealed. Thomas law firm is known for its ubiquitous advertisements through television, radio, print and billboards touting huge awards obtained for clients. The online news site San Antonio Report has opposed the requests to seal records and close the court proceedings. Thomas countered he has a constitutionally protected zone of privacy in certain matters such as marital relationships and family relationships. There is no logical nexus between the private facts of this case and any general matter of public concern, he added in a response. In her Aug. 26 court filing, Azteca alleged that disclosure of the Social Security numbers violated court rules. The rules generally require that sensitive data not be filed with the court unless the information is redacted. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox Azteca also objected to Thomas providing in his motion the details of a criminal case involving her father, Mark Crawford. Thomas firm defended Crawford. She said disclosing the details was done solely to attempt to embarrass (her) and retaliate for her opposition to (Thomas) motion to maintain the secrecy of these proceedings. Thomas own actions, which violate the principles he proclaims in support of his motion to seal and close proceedings, disqualifies him from receiving the relief he requests, because he has demonstrated an utter disregard for the law upon which he professes to rely, Azteca said in her motion for sanctions. Thomas should be required to redact the sensitive information, she added. He also should be admonished for not complying with redaction guidelines. 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 MUMBAI: Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd, the electric vehicle (EV) arm of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, is in talks with at least five to six global vehicle manufacturers for supply of components and integrated powertrain as it looks to sharpen focus on the EV components business. Mahindra Electric, which achieved Ebitda breakeven in FY20 for the first time in a decade, expects its EV component business to help it achieve scale and profitability in the near to mid term. The company is looking to supply EV components both to domestic and foreign manufacturers, including M&Ms strategic partner Ford Motor Company and subsidiary SsangYong Motor Company (SYMC). The move to focus on EV parts comes at a time when Mahindra Electric has been struggling with vehicles sales. The company had sold 14,500 EVs, across three-wheelers and cars in FY20, making under 10% of M&Ms total vehicle sales. Mahesh Babu, managing director and chief executive officer at Mahindra Electric Mobility, said the company is looking to supply EV powertrain--electric motor, battery packs, power electronics and other critical parts--to vehicle manufacturers in North America, Europe, Japan, and Korea. "We will de-risk our India business by supplying EV technology globally. This is in line with making India the global hub for the EV supply chain ecosystem," Babu said. "We are actively looking at various customers. We were talking to a European customer even before covid-19 struck. They had placed an order for EV components..." M&M has invested 1,700 crore in its EV business so far and an additional 500 crore is earmarked for an upcoming research and development (R&D) centre in Bengaluru. EVs are a developing ecosystem and we want to share our technological know-how with multiple OEMs, said Babu. "As part of that we have started supplying EV powertrain kits to SYMC (South Korea). We plan to supply our EV components and the customers can either build top hats (vehicles) on the same or we can electrify their existing platforms quickly," he said. Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, had recently said that Mahindra Electric is one of the 10 subsidiaries that have the potential to become a $1 billion company. Mahindra Electric had showcased Mesma 350, a scalable and modular architecture with a 350 Volt powertrain, at the Auto Expo earlier this year. Built from ground up, the platform can accommodate electric vehicles of different types--passenger to commercial--to help bring economies of scale and keep development costs down. Mahindra Electrics Mesma platforms are part of its discussions with several players globally. The company has three product launches lined up for this fiscal. eKUV, which was first unveiled at the Auto Expo with a price tag of 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom), and Treo Zor, an electric three-wheeler with cargo applications, will be launched in this festive season. It also plans to launch Atom, an electric quadricycle, aiming for first and last mile passenger applications. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics China is delaying the renewal of press cards for at least five journalists working at four US media outlets, an organisation of foreign correspondents said on Monday, making them vulnerable to expulsion in apparent retribution for Washingtons targeting of Chinese reporters working in the United States. Chinas foreign ministry responded by saying applications for renewal were being processed and those reporters involved would not have their lives in China affected in any way. However, ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian also accused the US of being arrogant and unreasonable in talks about the matter and not addressing Chinas normal and reasonable concerns and demands at all. If the U.S. government truly cares about American journalists, it should extend visas for all Chinese journalists as soon as possible, instead of taking journalists from the two countries as hostages for the certain politicians political interests, Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. Atlanta-based CNN said its China correspondent was among those given a letter authorizing him to continue reporting for the next two months instead of the usual one-year press card. He was told the move was unrelated to his reporting but was merely a reciprocal measure in response to the actions of the Trump administration toward Chinese media, making it the latest manifestation of the deteriorating state of US-China relations that have fallen to their lowest level in decades. The Foreign Correspondents Club of China, or FCCC, said The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg have also been targeted. It did not name the fourth outlet, but said more foreign journalists are expected to receive similar treatment. While the targeted outlets are all American, the journalists involved are of various nationalities. Zhao did not say what future actions China might take, but said all the options are on the table, and the US side knows that very well. If the US insists on going down the wrong path and continuously making mistakes, China will have to make the necessary and legitimate responses to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights, he said. Chinas move comes after the US capped the number of Chinese citizens who could be employed by Chinese media outlets and placed them on 90-day visas. China first responded in March by expelling reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. Those affected have been both US and non-US citizens. Official press cards are used to obtain residency permits usually good for one year, while the letters issued by the Chinese foreign ministry could be revoked at any time, thus putting (the journalists) at constant threat of expulsion, the FCCC said in a statement. The US moves were fed by complaints that Chinese journalists working for state media acted more as propagandists and agents for the Communist Party than as genuine reporters. The US had already required those outlets to register as foreign entities with the US, similar to consulates and embassies. They also come against the backdrop of worsening US-China relations on a range of issues, including human rights, trade, technology, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and Chinese treatment of its Muslim minority in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. Relations hit a new low in July when the US ordered China to close its consulate in Houston and China demanded the shuttering of the US mission in the southwestern city of Chengdu. Beijings latest actions have turned accredited foreign journalists in China into pawns in a wider diplomatic conflict, the FCCC statement said, calling on Beijing to halt this cycle of tit-for-tat reprisals in what is quickly becoming the darkest year yet for media freedoms. A record 17 foreign journalists were expelled from China in the first half of this year alone by having their press credentials withdrawn, while others have had their residency permits shortened to as little as one month, the club said. The FCCC has also documented increasing harassment and surveillance of foreign journalists in China, including physical assault and cyberattacks. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 15:53:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam imported over 4.3 million tons of plastic worth roughly 5.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first eight months of this year, posting a year-on-year rise of 4 percent in volume and decrease of 12.3 percent in value, according to its Ministry of Industry and Trade on Monday. Between January and August, the country spent nearly 4.5 billion U.S. dollars importing plastic products, up 6.5 percent from the same period last year, according to the ministry. Its largest suppliers of plastic and plastics products included China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and the United States, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. In 2019, Vietnam imported nearly 6.4 million tons of plastic totaling more than 9 billion U.S. dollars, up 14 percent and down 0.8 percent respectively from the previous year. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:59:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson has slammed as unfounded a recent article by U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper against the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The article was full of Cold War mentality and ideological bias, groundlessly misrepresented the PLA, and hyped up the so-called "Chinese military threat," Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said Sunday. Published in late August, the article titled "The Pentagon Is Prepared for China" claimed that the PLA "is not a military that serves the nation," but belongs to and serves the Communist Party of China (CPC). Voicing firm opposition to the article, Ren said facts have proved that any attempt to sever the close ties between the Chinese military and the people is doomed to fail. China's Constitution has made it clear that the Chinese armed forces belong to the people. Led by the CPC, the PLA shares the purpose of the Party, which is to wholeheartedly serve the people, Ren said. The armed forces have made huge sacrifices for national independence and the people's liberation, and made outstanding contributions to economic growth, disaster relief and safeguarding lives and property, he added. Since its founding in 1949, the People's Republic of China has never started a war or occupied an inch of others' land. The development of China's military force contributes to the growth of world's peaceful forces, Ren said. Calling the U.S. attempt to play up regional tensions and sow discord between China and other countries in the region a pipe dream, Ren said the Chinese armed forces will continue to play their due role in building a world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. Enditem Theres huge speculation around the release date of Akshay Kumar starrer Laxmmi Bomb. While some reports had claimed that the film was initially supposed to release on an OTT platform on September 9 to coincide with Akshays birthday, recent news suggest it has been postponed to Diwali 2020. Other reports suggest that the makers have put a stop to the digital release of the film altogether, and will wait for theatres to reopen. While the film was supposed to hit theatres in May on the occasion of Eid, the lockdown paused that plan. Disney+ Hotstar announced in the end of June that Laxmmi Bomb would be releasing on the platform, though an official release date was not revealed. Now Pinkvilla has quoted a source saying that Laxmmi Bomb will be premiered online on Diwali 2020. The date that has been decided tentatively is November 13, 2020. The source also said that a bit of post-production work is remaining which also includes some patchwork. So once Akshay returns from London after shooting Bell Bottom, the team of Laxmmi Bomb will wrap those portions. While rumours were rife that the delay in release date is to avoid backlash on social media and suffer the brunt of the nepotism debate raging in the country right now, Bollywood Hungama has claimed that director Raghava Lawerence and his team felt the need to shoot for some patchwork scenes for continuity purposes. Following Akshays approval, they decided to shoot at a studio this month. It is just a brief two day shoot with some character actors for the post-climax scenes, which is more on the humourous side. Akshay wont be a part of the patch-work," a source said. Meanwhile, theres a strong buzz on social media that the film will not be going the digital route after all. Many claimed that the makers do not want a repeat of the Sadak 2 debacle, which was brutally trolled as a product of nepotism. While we wit for a confirmation from the makers, some fans of Akshay are rejoicing that the film will be screened in theatres. So here comes the good news#LaxmmiBomb may not release on OTT..Get ready to witness it in the theatres@akshaykumar pic.twitter.com/1qUBhy3KcX Delightful_Anubhav (@Delightfulstar1) September 7, 2020 After Knowing #LaxmmiBomb Pulled Out Of OTT Platform..Me And Akkians Be Like - pic.twitter.com/Qb2tL3iCgN Jethiyaa(New Id) #AK53 (@Lal_Jethiya2) September 7, 2020 The horror comedy, starring Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani is directed by Raghava Lawrence and produced by Cape of Good Films, Tusshar Kapoor, Shabinaa Khan and Fox Star Studios. Following his threat to have the Department of Education defund public schools that include the 1619 Project in their classes, president Donald Trump doubled down on his dislike of the educational resource that teaches the history of slavery in America. During a White House press conference on Monday, when asked about the use of the project as part of the curriculum in schools, and whether he wanted the subject of slavery taught, Mr Trump responded that he did want the subject taught, but decried what he called revisionist history. I want everybody to know everything they can about our history. I am not a believer in cancel culture, the good or the bad, if you dont study the bad it could happen again. So I do want that subject studied very carefully and accurately, he said. But, we grew up with a certain history and now theyre trying to change our history. Revisionist history, Thats why they want to take down our monuments, take down our statues, he added, referencing efforts to tear down or remove Confederate monuments following the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. The 1619 Project was launched in August 2019 by The New York Times to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the English colonies and to acknowledge the legacy of slavery and contributions of Black Americans to the nation. Oprah Winfrey and Lionsgate are partnering with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, director of the project, to adapt it for film and television. A series of books is also planned. The presidents ability to cancel funding to schools via the Department of Education is strictly limited, and previous efforts on the part of Republicans to keep children from studying the project have so far come to nothing. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton introduced a bill to ban the teaching of the 1619 Project, but it is not expected to pass. He was widely condemned for referring to slavery as a "necessary evil upon which the union was built. He also called the project left-wing propaganda. Sensex, Nifty Highlights on September 7: Sensex and Nifty closed marginally higher on Monday, tracking mixed cues from global equities. Sensex ended 60 points higher at 38,417and Nifty gained 27 points to 11,325. On Friday, Sensex and Nifty closed 1.6% lower each, tracking losses in the global markets. Sensex ended 633 points lower at 38,357 and Nifty closed 193 points down at 11,333. Over the last week, Sensex and Nifty declined 1,110 points (2.81%) and 313 points (2.69%), respectively. Here's a look at the updates of the market action on BSE and NSE today 3. 55 PM: Closing session Sensex and Nifty closed marginally higher on Monday, tracking mixed cues from global equities. Sensex ended 60 points higher at 38,417and Nifty gained 27 points to 11,325. 3. 24 PM: Market outlook S Ranganathan, Head of Research at LKP Securities said,"On a day when markets remained flat and range bound for most part of the day we witnessed smart buying across select stocks in the broader market in diverse sectors like MNC Pharma, Chemicals & Speciality Chemicals". 3.13 PM:Market outlook Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said,"Indian markets traded with volatility and finally ended the day with a positive bias. Virus infections continued to rise unabated and this fear combined with a sell off seen in the US markets, in the previous trading session, served to bring in doubts regarding the continuation of the momentum seen in recent times in the market. Investors would do well to stay nimble, watch global sentiments and trade cautiously" 2. 59 PM: Earnings today CG Power, InfoEdge, Parag Milk foods are among the top companies that will report April- June quarter earnings today 2. 34 PM: Vodafone Idea share rises 10% Vodafone Idea share rose 10% today after the telco's board approved a fund-raising plan to secure Rs 25,000 crore. Share price of Vodafone Idea gained 9.99% to Rs 13.21 against the previous close of Rs 12.01 on BSE. Vodafone Idea share is trading higher than 5 day, 20 day, 50 day, 100 day and 200 day moving averages. Later, the share closed 26.74% higher at Rs 12.56 on BSE. Vodafone Idea share rises 10% after board clears plan to raise Rs 25,000 crore 2. 19 PM: Global oil prices tumble more than $1 per barrel Oil prices dropped more than $1 a barrel on Monday, hitting their lowest since July, after Saudi Arabia made the deepest monthly price cuts for supply to Asia in five months as optimism about demand recovery cooled amid the coronavirus pandemic. Brent crude was at $41.75 a barrel, down 91 cents or 2.1% by 0000 GMT, after it earlier slid to $41.51, its lowest since July 30. COVID-19 impact: Global oil prices tumble more than $1 per barrel after Saudi price cuts 1. 43 PM: Lakshmi Vilas Bank shares gain 5% Shares of Lakshmi Vilas Bank gained almost 5% in Monday's trade after the lender said it plans to raise up to Rs 1,500 crore to fund business growth and increase foreign shareholding to up to 74%. Lakshmi Vilas Bank stock opened 4.6% higher and touched an intraday high of Rs 20, as against the last closing of Rs 19.50, also its intraday low. Market capitalisation of the micro-cap stock stood at Rs 663.33 crore as of today's session. Lakshmi Vilas Bank shares gain 5% on fundraising plan 1. 32 PM: Oil prices today Oil price traded lower as concerns over slow recovery from the pandemic added worries regarding oil demand. Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.94 per cent lower at USD 42.26 per barrel. 1. 25 PM: Real estate sector update Speaking on outlook for real estate sector, Amit Jain, Managing Director, Mahagun Group said, "The pandemic has made developers rethink and rework upon the possibilities real estate sector can offer its investors and end-users. Business plans have become more sustainable and flexible. While the demand for better homes always remains in the market, the present times do require government's aid and push to translate this demand into sales. This will have a rippling effect on several medium and small enterprises associated with the realty sector, for better." 1. 12 PM: Happiest Minds Technologies update On Happiest Minds Technologies IPO, Geojit Fianncial Services in its note said,"At the upper price band of Rs.166, HMTL is available at P/E of 34x FY20 which is at a premium when compared to its large and midcap peers. However, post annualizing Q1FY21 numbers we arrive at a P/E of 12xFY21 which seems attractive. With strong management pedigree and growth potential in a post Covid-19 scenario, we recommend 'SUBSCRIBE' rating for this IPO with a long-term perspective." 1.06 PM: Global markets Asian markets were trading mixed amid the tech tensions between China and US. News that Trump administration might propose import restriction on SMIC raised concerns. Wall Street closed lower but staged a sharp recovery from morning levels. European markets had closed lower on Friday as sell-off in the technology sector pulled down markets. EU planning fresh sanctions on Russia also raised concerns. 12. 56 PM: Market outlook Geojit Financial Services in its note said," While upside attempts were turned lower earlier than expected on Friday, the downside objective of 11,300, on discussion all through last week was fully achieved. This will slow down the bearish momentum for now, but 10800 could continue to attract prices lower. Volatility is favoured over directional downsides today, but a rise above 11400 could revive upside hopes." 12. 40 PM:Rupee slips 4 paise to 73.18per dollar Indian rupee, the domestic currency benchmark, slipped 4 paise to 73.18 per US dollar on Monday's opening trade as strengthening dollar and muted opening in domestic equities weighed on the local currency. The rupee was trading in a narrow range at the interbank forex market today. It opened at 73.17 per dollar, lost further ground and was trading at 73.18, down 4 paise from its previous close of 73.14 per dollar on Friday. Rupee slips 4 paise to 73.18 amid strong dollar, weak equities 12. 32 PM: Market turns muted Sensex and Nifty turned bearish for the third consecutive session on Monday, after a heavy decline on Friday, on back of mixed global equities. Sensex traded at 38,325, down 25 points and Nifty fell 8 points to 11.325. Earlier at opening bell, Sensex was trading 100 points lower at 38,256 and Nifty was 67 points down at 11,265. 12. 20 PM: Nifty outlook Commenting on markets' trend, Sameet Chavan (Chief Analyst-Technical and Derivatives, Angel Broking said," Now looking at the technical set up, we can see a formation of 'Bearish Engulfing' pattern on weekly chart. It is generally considered a reversal pattern and a breach of 11300 would result into a confirmation of the same. In this case, we may see immediate decline towards 11150-11000-10870 in near term. However, it is important to take a note that since the larger degree trend is strongly up, we would consider any decline as a corrective move within the up trend and hence, it will nowhere be closer or similar to March's mayhem. In fact, it would certainly provide better opportunities to accumulate quality propositions for a longer run. In case, if market witnesses some bounce back, 11500-11650 remains to be a stiff hurdle. Also, it would now be very difficult for Nifty to surpass 11800 soon. " 12. 12 PM:Happiest Mind Technologies IPO quote Commenting on Happiest Mind Technologies IPO, Yash Gupta, Equity Research Associate, Angel Broking said, "At upper price band it is offered at 23.6x FY2020 EPS. Considering the very high exposure to digital services and strong promoter background we expect that the company will continue to grow at a faster pace as compared to similar sized companies and therefore should command a premium valuation to the peer group. We would therefore recommend investors to SUBSCRIBE to the IPO." 12.09 PM: Happiest Minds IPO opens today IT services firm Happiest Minds Technologies will open its initial public offer (IPO) on September 7. Price band for the IPO has been fixed at Rs 165-Rs 166 per equity share. The share sale will end on September 9. The firm will issue fresh shares aggregating up to Rs 110 crore, and an offer for sale of up to 3.56 crore equity shares. Happiest Minds IPO opens today; should you subscribe to the share sale? 11. 45 AM: CreditAccess Grameen Fund Raising On CreditAccess Grameen Fund Raising, Jaikishan Parmar, Sr. Equity Research Analyst, Angel Broking said, "Creditaccess Grameen (CAGL) share price jumped 9% during the trading session and closed 3% up, on news of fundraising and improvement in collection efficiency. The Board of Credit Access Grameen approves fundraising up to Rs 1000 cr via equity issue. This fundraising will help CAGL in two ways a) help them to meet the regulatory requirement of promoter holding of 75% which is currently at 79.71%. b) I uncertain time fundraising will help them to shore up capital and support the future growth of the business. CAG share price throughout the day saw buying interest today as the company has given a business update which is positive. Credit access currently trades at 3.7x on TTM book value, which is premium compared to listed peers Satin credit and Spandana Sphoorty. MNC parentage and market leadership position will support premium valuation." 11. 31 AM: Goodyear India Q1 results Commenting on on 1QFY21 results of Goodyear India, Amarjeet Maurya, AVP - Mid Caps, Angel Broking said," "For 1QFY21, Goodyear India (GIL)'s top-line declined by 54% yoy to Rs227cr. Top-line was negatively impacted mainly due COVID-19 lockdown. On the operating front, the company reported margin contraction (down 517bp YoY to 3.5%), due to negative impact of operating leverage. On the bottom-line front, GIL reported loss of Rs5cr (against profit of Rs26cr in 1QFY20) due to lower sales. Going forward, we expect the recovery in sales on back of revival in the auto industry." 11. 24 AM: Nifty outlook Commenting on markets' outlook, Ajit Mishra, VP Research, Religare Broking said," Markets are facing headwinds from both domestic and global front and indications are pointing towards further slide ahead. The next major support exists at 11,050 in Nifty and it would face stiff resistance around 11,600 levels in case of any rebound. Since the broader indices are trading largely in tandem with the benchmark, we may see further profit-taking in midcap and smallcap space as well. We thus advise traders to align their trades accordingly. Investors, on the other hand, should utilise this phase to accumulate quality stocks on dips. " 11.07 AM: Gold outlook Anuj Gupta, DVP- Commodities and Currencies Research, Angel Broking, "Last week Gold prices have corrected by 1.50% and closed at Rs 50,678 levels. Silver prices also corrected sharply by 2.28% and closed at 67,226 levels. In international market Spot, gold is trading at $1935 per ounce and silver is trading at $26.99 per ounce levels. The losses for the yellow metal were limited as US Federal Reserve's officials signalled towards a prolonged lower interest environment and more stimulus measures in the coming months to help the economy get back on track." 10. 53 AM: Market update Equities globally fell on the back of weak US job data, raising fears of slower global economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic. Investors were bearish on equities as coronavirus case numbers rose in the United States and some other countries, re-imposing anti-disease controls that disrupt businesses. 10. 38 AM: Gold MCX On the Multi-Commodity Exchange platform, gold traded a tad higher tracking international commodity markets. Gold October Futures gained Rs 68 at Rs 50,746, after hitting an intraday high of Rs 50,823 against the previous close of Rs 50,678 per 10 gm. MCX gold futures currently trade over Rs 5,300 lower than the lifetime high of Rs 56,191 per 10 gm, hit on August 7. On MCX, the yellow metal has risen 41.5% to life-time high since the beginning of the year. Gold price rises for third day; silver rates at Rs 68,100 10. 24 AM: Global markets Domestic as well as international equity markets were trading majorly lower today, amid weak stance by investors due to heightened tensions of slower recovery from virus pandemic. Asian stock markets were mixed on Monday, tracking losses in Wall Street that registered its biggest weekly decline in more than two months on Friday. Benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong retreated while Seoul and Sydney gained. 10. 11 AM: Coronavirus toll Traders said investors rushed to the safe-haven asset amid weakness in equity markets due to the rising cases of coronavirus, on a global scale. Worldwide, there were 272 lakh confirmed cases and 8.87 lakh deaths from COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, India's death toll from COVID-19 infections rose to 71,687 and total coronavirus cases to 42.04 lakh as of Monday. 9. 50 AM: Marker turns bearish Sensex and Nifty turned bearish for the third consecutive session on Monday, after a heavy decline on Friday, on back of mixed global equities. Sensex was trading 100 points lower at 38,256 and Nifty was 67 points down at 11,265. 9. 43 AM: Nifty outlook Reliance Securities said in its note,"NSE-NIFTY witnessed sharp decline post sideways movement and tested its low of bullish harami cross pattern (placed at 11,326 level). Weakness across the globe dragged the index below its 20-day EMA for the first time since 4th August, 2020 (on closing basis). Due to such a sharp decline in the index, its key technical indicators on the near-term timeframe chart turned in favour of bears. Any convincing move below its 11,326 level will accelerate undergoing negative momentum and will drag the index towards 11,111 and 10,809 levels, which coincides with its recent swing low and its 200-day SMA, respectively. On the higher side, the index will face hurdle around its high of bullish harami cross pattern, which is placed at 11,794 mark. As for the day, support is placed at around 11,274 and then at 11,215 levels, while resistance is observed at 11,423 and then at 11,512 levels." 9. 36 AM: Stocks to watch today on September 7 SBI, Lakshmi Vilas Bank, RIL, Maruti Suzuki, Vodafone Idea among others are the top stocks to watch out for in Monday's trading session Stocks in news: SBI, Lakshmi Vilas Bank, RIL, Maruti Suzuki, Vodafone Idea 9. 28 AM:Global markets Asian stocks are trading higher on Monday, despite rising tech tensions between Washington and Beijing. As per reports, the Trump administration is considering imposing export restrictions on Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China's largest manufacturer of semiconductors. In US, stocks closed lower on Friday though well above its session low as selling eased late in the day after investors dumped heavyweight technology stocks due to concerns about high valuations. Asian stocks trade mixed after Wall Street slides 9. 20 AM: Opening session Sensex and Nifty opened volatile on Monday, after a heavy decline on Friday, on back of mixed global equities. Sensex was trading 47 points lower at 38,310 and Nifty was 23 points higher at 11,357. 9. 10 AM: FII action Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 1,888.78 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 456.88 crore in the Indian equity market on 4 September, provisional data showed. 8. 50 AM: Technical Insights Technically, Nifty held above 11300 on a closing basis. "Wide-ranging days like the one witnessed on Monday have more often than not been turning points for the markets," said Nirali Shah, Senior Research Analyst, Samco Securities. She added,"Once the immediate support of 11100 is broken on the downside, Nifty50 might head to test the lower end of the channel which is placed at 10700 levels. Immediate resistance is now placed at 11600." On market closing today, Manish Hathiramani, proprietary index trader and technical analyst, Deen Dayal Investments said, "We managed to stick above the 11300 level which is a saving grace for the bulls until markets reopen on Monday. If we breach this level on a closing basis, we could enter into a short term bear phase. On the upside, we need to get past 11600 for the markets to continue its upward momentum." 8. 40 AM: Rupee Closing Indian rupee, on the currency front, snapped from its two-day losing streak and ended stronger on Friday. The local unit witnessed high volatility and later closed at 73.14 against the US currency, registering a gain of 33 paise over its previous close of 73.47 per dollar. 8. 30 AM: Market Closing Sensex and Nifty closed 1.6% lower each on Friday, tracking losses in the global markets. Sensex ended 633 points lower at 38,357 and Nifty closed 193 points down at 11,333. Over the last week, Sensex and Nifty declined 1,110 points (2.81%) and 313 points (2.69%), respectively. In a series of Instagram posts, film producer Sandip Ssingh broke his silence after being accused by many during the ongoing Sushant Singh Rajput death case. The producer made his private chats with the late actor public. Sandip also released a statement regarding June 14 (the day Sushant died). Sharing his exchanges with Sushant dated from November 2016 to June 21, 2018, Sandip wrote, Sorry bhai, my silence has broken 20 years of my image and family into pieces. I was unaware that friendship requires a certificate in todays time. Today I am making our personal chats public, as this is the last resort which proves our equation." In another post, Sandip Ssingh explained his presence at Sushants residence immediately after the actors death and why he was in touch with the driver of the ambulance in which Sushant Singh Rajputs mortal remains were taken to Cooper Hospital. He also shared screenshots of his chats with Sushants sister Mitu Singh as well as a brother-in-law of the late actor. He wrote, On 14th June when I heard about you I was unable to stop myself and I rushed to your house in grief but was shocked to see no one present except Mittu Didi. I am still thinking about whether I was wrong to stand by your sister in that critical time or I should have waited for your other friends to come." Everyone is saying that your family does not know me. Yes, its correct, I never met your family. Is it my fault to help a grieving sister alone in this city to complete the final rites of a brother?" He also shared a certificate to clear the air that a case against him was pending in Mauritius. Earlier, Vikas Singh, the lawyer representing Sushants family in the case, said that Sandip was unknown to them. He told Pinkvilla, Meetu (Sushants sister) was devastated after seeing Sushants body so she went and she was lying down in the room so he just saw an opportunity and he took charge. Nobody in the family knows him, how did he come there. Suddenly how did he start taking charge? Since nobody from the family was there, there was an opening for him. I guess it should have been Pithani (Siddharth, Sushants flatmate) who should have been there and not Sandip. Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Telegram. Ashley James has revealed she was rushed to hospital after suffering mystery pains in her side. The DJ, who is five months pregnant with her first child, shared selfies from the maternity ward on Instagram on Saturday night after being admitted as a precaution. Assuring her followers that everything was well with her baby and herself, the 33-year-old model went on to thank her boyfriend Tom Andrews for waiting outside the hospital for 10 hours. Scary times: Ashley James has revealed her boyfriend Tom Andrews rushed with her to hospital after she suffered mystery pains in her side on Saturday night Tom, 30, had been forced to wait outside as hospitals reduce the number of people allowed on wards amid the coronavirus pandemic. Keeping her fans in the loop, Ashley shared a snap in her hospital bed as she penned: 'Eventful night to mark 23 weeks. Suffered the worst pain down my left side. 'A call to 111 resulted in an ambulance and now I'm in the maternity ward of mu hospital. Lucky baby is ok and I've heard his little heart. 'Tommy's not allowed in due to Covid but has waited outside all evening. I'm doing much better but just awaiting tests results [sic]. Very very grateful to the NHS, especially my amazing ambulance duo. Mother-to-be: The DJ is five months pregnant with her first child. Last month, she discovered she is expecting a baby boy, which is due in January 2021 The former Made In Chelsea star went on to reveal how 'excited' she is to meet her little boy when he arrives, musing, 'always got to see the positives and things to be grateful for'. Revealing that Tom had been allowed in to bring some snacks and to help her leave the building after she'd been discharged, Ashley then shared a sweet selfie of the pair. She penned: 'And I'm out of hospital. Thank you for all for the love, everything is well. I'm ok and most importantly baby's ok, I've just got to rest now. The NHS were just amazing. 'Also shout out to this guy [Tom] who waited 10 hours outside of the hospital despite me telling him to go home and sleep.' All is well: Ashley shared selfies from the maternity ward on Instagram on Saturday night after being admitted as a precaution Positive: The former Made In Chelsea star went on to reveal how 'excited' she is to meet her little boy when he arrives, musing, 'always got to see the positives' Cute couple: Revealing that Tom had been allowed in to bring some snacks and to help her leave the building after she'd been discharged, Ashley then shared a sweet selfie of the pair After spending the night in hospital, Ashley was allowed home in the early hours of Sunday morning and revealed she was resting and recuperating with her pets. She explained: 'I've got really strong painkillers, not exactly sure what it was, but at least all the tests are fine. 'I'm just gutted because we were meant to be going to Whitstable for the day. Obviously there are more important things and I'm just happy that the baby's ok... Thank you all for the love.' On the mend: After spending the night in hospital, Ashley was allowed home in the early hours of Sunday morning and revealed she was resting and recuperating with her pets On the mend: Ashley explained, 'I've got really strong painkillers, not exactly sure what it was, but at least all the tests are fine' The influencer went on to praise her boyfriend Tom for all his help during the crisis, admitting that she struggled to wrap her head around having him there because she is so used to being single. She mused: 'Having a boyfriend is still a novelty, I was single for six years. It's just such an alien concept or a novelty that someone would wait outside of a hospital for so long... 'I definitely do not take for granted him. But I'm also very proud of myself for all the work that I did to get to a stage to have a healthy relationship, so long may it last.' Thankful: The influencer went on to praise her boyfriend Tom for all his help, admitting that she struggled to wrap her head around having him there because she is so used to being single Ashley, who famously championed single life, started dating tech professional Tom in October 2019 when they reconnected after meeting a decade earlier at work. Six months later, the couple discovered they were having their first baby, after Tom moved into Ashley's London home amid the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, the couple discovered they are expecting a baby boy, which is due in January 2021. The Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon killed almost 200 people, injured thousands, caused US$10 billion to US$15 billion in damage and displaced 300,000 people. Despite the strong show of social solidarity and humanitarian aid, these humanitarian actions remain fragmented and unequal: they did not equally reach affected individuals and neighbourhoods. They remain fragmented based mainly on citizenship and class status. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/9/2020 (500 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon killed almost 200 people, injured thousands, caused US$10 billion to US$15 billion in damage and displaced 300,000 people. Despite the strong show of social solidarity and humanitarian aid, these humanitarian actions remain fragmented and unequal: they did not equally reach affected individuals and neighbourhoods. They remain fragmented based mainly on citizenship and class status. There are different groups providing support on the ground: Lebanese government agencies, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foreign governments, religious groups, international emergency field hospitals and hundreds of Lebanese and non-Lebanese residents. Beirut, like other major cities, is incredibly diverse among those killed, 46 were Syrian refugees and more than a dozen were migrant workers. The losses affected Lebanese, Syrians, Palestinians and migrant workers such as Bangladeshis, Ethiopians, Sri Lankans, Kurds and Ghanaians. As a researcher whose primary work is related to sustained solidarity, I offer my critical insights based on the observations that I and other volunteers have witnessed in the field in Beirut. Complicating crises The blast occurred at a time when Lebanon is facing multiple overlapping crises: financial, fiscal, political and health. These ongoing challenges have pushed an estimated 55 per cent of Lebanese citizens into poverty. In the absence of functional government support, citizens and residents have taken on some of the post-disaster recovery, including cleaning the streets of debris, cooking and distributing food to displaced people and volunteers, surveying damaged buildings, helping locate missing individuals and pets and donating material goods. As millions of dollars are being donated and as thousands of volunteers take on post-disaster recovery, it is essential to consider how different solidarity actions reproduce inequality in Lebanese society. Beiruts urban history Beirut neighbourhoods are shaped by a long history of forced displacements, civil and regional wars and post-war reconstructions. For instance, Karantina, one of the neighbourhoods in the vicinity of Beirut port, is a low-income working-class and multi-ethnic neighbourhood, historically inhabited by forced displaced groups, such as Armenians, Palestinians, Bedouins and Lebanese from rural areas. In recent years, Karantina became a destination for Syrian refugees and other migrant workers. Similarly, Khandaq al-Ghamiq, at the west end of the Beirut port, is inhabited by Lebanese from rural areas who moved to Beirut in the 1960s to work at the port. On the other hand, Ashrafieh, historically a middle-class neighbourhood, has undergone gentrification during the post-war reconstruction to become a neighbourhood for wealthy individuals and businesses. Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhayel were similarly reconstructed to become the hub of small businesses, trendy nightclubs and bars at the expense of affordable living. Class privilege Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world, the vast majority originating from Syria, then Palestine, Iraq and Sudan. Widad (a pseudonym), a Syrian refugee in her 40s, lives in a working-class neighbourhood in Beirut. I met Widad while volunteering; she showed me the wounds on her body from the explosion and told me: "All my family was injured. My apartment is destroyed and the whole building is about to collapse. My husband is still hospitalized. There is no one to help us because we are poor Syrians. A group of well-intentioned people visited us the first few days, offering us sandwiches. But what would a sandwich do? We have nothing. We do not have drinking water nor a toothbrush. I have not showered in days. There is no soap, no shampoo, not even clean water. We are still waiting for these associations that collect money on our behalf. I am unable to go anywhere with my injuries. I cannot leave my daughters alone at home." Various volunteers, including myself, remarked that in the first week after the explosion, post-disaster recovery was concentrated in middle- and high-class neighbourhoods such as Geitawi, Mar Mikhael and Ashrafieh, where residents are mainly Lebanese middle-high income class. Simultaneously, there has been a deliberate neglect for the immediate relief of other equally affected and historically marginalized neighbourhoods, such as Karantina and Khandaq al-Ghamiq. Beiruts neighbourhoods are clearly identifiable based on many factors, mainly differences in class and citizenship. Racist responses Reports from the field documented many incidents of racism towards non-Lebanese, accusing Syrian and Palestinian refugees or Sri Lankan, Bengali and Ethiopian migrant workers, for instance, of exploiting the humanitarian aid relief and denying them certain donations. A worker at an international aid organization clearly identified in a televised interview broadcast on France24 that their organization received funding to help "Christian families in Achrafieh, Beirut." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A visit to the marginalized neighbourhoods of Karantina and Khandaq al-Ghamiq show the relatively low presence of local and international NGO solidarity tents, and the prevalence of unorganized and sporadic small groups of volunteers. One week after the explosion, another international NGO helping refugees in Lebanon has established a hotline to collect data about the immediate needs of people. The hotline was operating for only eight hours a day. Simultaneously, it sent its employees to survey in the middle-class neighbourhoods, while most of the refugees live in the working-class area of Karantina. Aid values Privileging certain groups (Lebanese, middle- and upper-class) above others (refugees, migrant workers, working class) further exacerbates the already-existing social divisions in Lebanese society. It further deepens poverty and marginalization and aggravates the racist attitudes toward refugees and migrant workers. The humanitarian aid following the Beirut explosion is necessary and ongoing. It is still surveying and distributing immediate relief to affected communities. But this response is unequally distributed and reproduces racism and inequality. At this critical time, it is imperative to build genuine and egalitarian humanitarism. Rana Sukarieh is a Ph.D candidate in sociology at York University. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. Northern Trust, a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing and management services, has announced two strategic appointments - Areej Al-Mokbel and Effat Badeeb - to its Middle East and Africa senior management team based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These appointments underscore Northern Trusts commitment to its clients by recruiting local talent to support the continued growth of its asset servicing and asset management business across the region. Areej Al Mokbel has been appointed as chief operating officer for the Middle East and Africa, responsible for overseeing business operations for Northern Trusts offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi (UAE). She has been tasked with the day-to-day and strategic management of Northern Trusts administrative and operational capabilities as it supports the evolving requirements of clients across the MEA region. Al Mokbel has more than 20 years of experience working in the financial services industry. She has spent over 12 years working in asset management and asset servicing, holding senior management and business leadership positions with HSBC Saudi Arabia. Prior to that, she held a number of technology management positions with SABB, formerly known as the Saudi British Bank. Badeeb has been appointed deputy country manager at The Northern Trust Company of Saudi Arabia, overseeing the day-to-day management of Northern Trusts business. Her responsibilities include business management, talent development and exercising financial and regulatory oversight of business activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She will also lead strategic initiatives to deepen relationships with regulators and key stakeholders, and support the alignment of Northern Trusts business with the Kingdoms Vision 2030 strategic framework for the diversification and development of its economy. Badeeb has 14 years experience in the financial industry, having previously held senior positions with HSBC Saudi Arabia and BNP Paribas Investment Company. Prior to her current role, she was Nrthern Trusts chief compliance officer for the Middle East. Both Al-Mokbel and Badeeb will report to Michael Slater, head of Middle East and Africa at Northern Trust. "Financial services continue to develop in sophistication across the Middle East and Africa, and against this backdrop the addition of Areej and Effat further strengthens our management team with local industry leadership and expertise," remarked Slater. "Their appointment supports our clients evolving requirements for asset servicing and asset management solutions that help them meet the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities of future technological and industry change," he stated. Northern Trust began servicing clients in the Middle East in 1987 and has seen significant growth across its regional business. Northern Trust has 29 staff in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and has more than doubled this team over three years. The team provides a comprehensive range of solutions to a broad base of clients that include many of the largest sovereign wealth funds, central banks, inter-governmental/governmental organizations, asset managers and family offices in the region. India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Sep 07: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the inaugural session of the Governors' Conference on the National Education Policy (NEP) through video conference. PM Modi said that the work for NEP 2020 started around five years ago and suggestions of more than two lakh people have been incorporated to formulate the new policy. The prime minister expressed confidence that NEP 2020 will give direction to country's goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and help India become more self-reliant in future. Stay tuned for all the LIVE updates: Newest First Oldest First The success of the National Education Policy will depend on the effective contribution of both the Center and the State. Education is the subject of the concurrent list under the Indian Constitution. Therefore, it requires joint and coordinated action by the Center and the States: President A National Research Foundation will be established to inspire quality academic research in all fields. To strengthen the culture of research, all universities and higher educational institutions will have to work with the National Research Foundation: Kovind Indian languages, art and culture have been given priority in NEP2020, it will develop creative potential in students, strengthen Indian languages and maintain unity of India: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses Governors Conference on NEP 2020 With the use and integration of technology, learning process will be accelerated yielding better results, for this, National Educational TechnologyForum (NETF) will be established: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses Governors Conference on NEP 2020 Indian languages, art and culture have been given priority in #NEP2020, it will develop creative potential in students, strengthen Indian languages and maintain unity of India: President As foreign policy, defence policy are of the country, not govt, so is education policy. It belongs to everyone: Modi NEP2020 will be helpful in fulfilling the needs and aspirations of youngsters in India, it will be implemented as per the requirements of 21st century: Kovind NEP2020 will be helpful in fulfilling the needs and aspirations of youngsters in India: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses Governors Conference on NEP 2020 The world is extensively discussing changing nature of work, says Modi In this policy, more emphasis is given on Passion, Practicality and Performance than Process: PM The new education policy focuses on Learning rather than Studying and goes beyond Curriculum and emphasizes Critical Thinking, says PM Modi Work on National Education Policy had started over 4-5 years ago. Millions of people - both rural, urban and people associated to the education sector had given their suggestions for the NEP. Over 2 lakh people had sent in their suggestions: PM The policy will give a new direction to social and economic life of 21st century India, says PM True knowledge liberates minds. With the new NEP 2020, youth can study subjects as per their interest: PM The pressure on students for specific streams have been removed. Our youth will now be able to learn according to their interests. Earlier, students used to pick a stream beyond their aptitude and they realised it much later. Such problems have been done away with in the NEP: PM With vocational exposure right from early age, our youth will get better prepared for life. Our youth's participation in the global job market and employ-ability in India will increase with practical learning: PM Under the NEP, we've opened the pathway to open campuses of best international institutes in India for our students. When top campuses will open in India, our students will get more competitive and will not have to go abroad for quality education: PM The NEP has opened the way for the establishment of the best international institutions' campus in India to tackle brain drain & also for youth from ordinary families: PM Employability of our country's youth will increase with a practical learning approach which has been stated under this policy, says PM The new policy lays emphasis on practicality, performance, critical analysis and assessment: PM Modi True knowledge liberates minds. With the new NEP 2020, youth can study subjects as per their interest, says PM Education Policy important for fulfilling national aspirations: PM NEP2020 will give direction to country's goal of #AatmanirbharBharat and help India become more self-reliant: PM "Suggestions of more than two lakh people have been incorporated in NEP. NEP 2020 is a work of 4-5 years": PM "This event is very important in the context of the National Education Policy. Hundreds of people in the Education world are gathered here today. I greet everyone": PM NEP2020 will help India achieve 50% GER by 2035: Union Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank while addressing Governors Conference on NEP2020 PM Narendra Modi's address has begun Addressing the Conference of Governors on National Education Policy 2020. https://t.co/S2CWEfFRYt Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 7, 2020 Modi addressing the Conference of Governors on National Education Policy 2020. Governors Conference on NEP 2020 begins, President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi to address the conference PM addresses inaugural session of Governors' Conference on National Education Policy Ministry of Education is organizing a conference of Governors and Vice-Chancellors of all universities of India titled Role of NEP -2020 in transforming higher education. It would also be attended by all education ministers of states and various other senior officials. The programme would begin at 10 am today and can be watched live here and on DD News. Ram Nath Kovind and Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session of the Governors' Conference on the National Education Policy (NEP) at 10.30 am via video conferencing. The Governors' Conference titled 'Role of NEP-2020 in Transforming Higher Education' has been organised by the Ministry of Education. The Prime Ministers Office noted in a statement that various webinars, virtual conferences and conclaves on various aspects of NEP 2020 are being organised across the country. PM addresses inaugural session of Governors' Conference on National Education Policy Governors Conference on NEP 2020 begins, President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi to address the conference Addressing the Conference of Governors on National Education Policy 2020. https://t.co/S2CWEfFRYt Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 7, 2020 Modi addressing the Conference of Governors on National Education Policy 2020. PM Narendra Modi's address has begun NEP2020 will help India achieve 50% GER by 2035: Union Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank while addressing Governors Conference on NEP2020 "This event is very important in the context of the National Education Policy. Hundreds of people in the Education world are gathered here today. I greet everyone": PM "Suggestions of more than two lakh people have been incorporated in NEP. NEP 2020 is a work of 4-5 years": PM NEP2020 will give direction to country's goal of #AatmanirbharBharat and help India become more self-reliant: PM Education Policy important for fulfilling national aspirations: PM True knowledge liberates minds. With the new NEP 2020, youth can study subjects as per their interest, says PM The new policy lays emphasis on practicality, performance, critical analysis and assessment: PM Modi Employability of our country's youth will increase with a practical learning approach which has been stated under this policy, says PM The NEP has opened the way for the establishment of the best international institutions' campus in India to tackle brain drain & also for youth from ordinary families: PM Under the NEP, we've opened the pathway to open campuses of best international institutes in India for our students. When top campuses will open in India, our students will get more competitive and will not have to go abroad for quality education: PM With vocational exposure right from early age, our youth will get better prepared for life. Our youth's participation in the global job market and employ-ability in India will increase with practical learning: PM The pressure on students for specific streams have been removed. Our youth will now be able to learn according to their interests. Earlier, students used to pick a stream beyond their aptitude and they realised it much later. Such problems have been done away with in the NEP: PM True knowledge liberates minds. With the new NEP 2020, youth can study subjects as per their interest: PM The policy will give a new direction to social and economic life of 21st century India, says PM Work on National Education Policy had started over 4-5 years ago. Millions of people - both rural, urban and people associated to the education sector had given their suggestions for the NEP. Over 2 lakh people had sent in their suggestions: PM The new education policy focuses on Learning rather than Studying and goes beyond Curriculum and emphasizes Critical Thinking, says PM Modi In this policy, more emphasis is given on Passion, Practicality and Performance than Process: PM The world is extensively discussing changing nature of work, says Modi NEP2020 will be helpful in fulfilling the needs and aspirations of youngsters in India: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses Governors Conference on NEP 2020 NEP2020 will be helpful in fulfilling the needs and aspirations of youngsters in India, it will be implemented as per the requirements of 21st century: Kovind As foreign policy, defence policy are of the country, not govt, so is education policy. It belongs to everyone: Modi Indian languages, art and culture have been given priority in #NEP2020, it will develop creative potential in students, strengthen Indian languages and maintain unity of India: President According a report, practical exams will commence from 15 September, while theory exams will be held between 1 and 17 October Mumbai University has decided to conduct the final year examinations, including the ATKT tests, online. The duration of each exam will be an hour and will carry 50 marks. The paper will be in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) format. The practical and viva voce examinations will also be conducted online, either by phone calls or a digital platform. The decision of holding the exam in online mode has been taken after multiple meetings that took place on Saturday. Students will have to appear for the exam from their homes. To make students acquainted with the new mode, the University will hold one round of mock test before the commencement of the exams. Colleges have been asked to map their students and get the information about the gadgets that they have to take the exam. Those who will not be able to take the upcoming online exam, will be allowed to appear for a second round which will be conducted later. The examination schedule is yet to be released by the varsity, but as per a report by Times Now, the practical exams will commence from 15 September. Exams for backlog papers for final-year students will be conducted from 25 to 30 September. Theory exams will be held between 1 and 17 October. The examination for commerce stream students is expected to begin first. The decision of holding exams online comes within days after Maharashtra higher and technical education minister Uday Samant said that that the universities are trying to ensure that students do not have to step out for exams and can appear in the final year tests from their home. A helicopter and fixed-wing pilot who served most of his New York Army National Guard duty with Latham-based units was honored after his final flight in a C-12 fixed-wing aircraft following 40 years of military service. Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Sauer, an aviator with more than 6,100 hours in the air, capped his active Army and Guard duty with a traditional military "final flight." He was greeted on return with a salute from airport fire trucks and a line of well-wishers, including his family, at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester Airport. Sauer, of Churchville, Monroe County, a veteran of the Afghanistan War, will officially retire in January. During his last flight, Sauer was assigned to Detachment 5, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment as a pilot of C-12 fixed-wing aircraft. He began his military career in 1979 as an armored crewman on an M60A1 main battle tank as a loader/driver. After completing his initial training at Fort Knox, Ky., he served in Schwabach, Germany, where he regularly rotated to the Czechoslovakian border for border security missions. Sauer graduated from Warrant Officer Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 1987. After graduation as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot, he served in South Korea until 1989 as a medical evacuation pilot. Sauer completed more than 110 medevac missions, including shipboard transfers and field site pickups. Sauer then served at Fort Drum from 1989 to 1993 as an assault helicopter pilot with the 10th Mountain Division, conducting field training exercises and multi-ship operations in day, night, and night vision goggle conditions. He deployed for counter-drug operations along the U.S. Southwest border and deployed in 1993 to Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope. He left active duty in 1993 and entered the New York Army National Guard in 1995, serving as an assault helicopter pilot with the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment in Latham. He participated in countless aviation training events focused on the newly fielded UH-60 aircraft. After he completed a fixed-wing aircraft transition course in 2000, he was reassigned to a C-12 detachment in Latham and conducted flight missions in support of operations that included missions in Central and South America. Sauer deployed with the detachment in 2009 to Afghanistan as part of Task Force ODIN to provide persistent observance of enemy and friendly-force ground movements. In 2010, he completed the instructor pilot course and returned to perform duties as a unit instructor pilot. Sauer deployed again in 2014, supporting missions on the Horn of Africa in Djibouti. His missions included movement of personnel and cargo transport to numerous locations on the African continent. As a civilian, he is a State Police pilot assigned to their Aviation Unit in Rochester. Prior to joining the State Police, he served approximately nine years with the Rochester Police Department as a patrolman. New staff sergeants Kristopher Del Ra of Altamont and Steven Smith of Delmar were promoted to staff sergeant during a ceremony at New York Army National Guard Headquarters in Latham. Del Ra, who joined the Army in 2012 and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, currently serves as full-time human resources noncommissioned officer in the Military Personnel Office. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Del Ra, who graduated from Canajoharie Central School in 2011, initially served with the 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery at Fort Drum, and served in Afghanistan war with that unit. He served with the 2nd Battalion 12th Field Artillery at Fort Carson, Colo., prior to leaving the active Army in 2017, when he joined the New York Army National Guard. He has earned an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, and a Combat Action Badge. Smith, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2010, is assigned to the Military Personnel Office's Education Branch. His previous assignments included working in logistics for the Headquarters and Service Company of the 42nd Infantry Division, for the 206th Military Police Company, and in Joint Force Headquarters. He was part of the National Guard responses to Hurricanes Irene and Lee in 2011. Smith, a 2006 graduate of Schoharie High School, earned an associate's degree in web development and graphic design from the University at Cobleskill. He is also certified as an Army Combat Fitness Test instructor and is an emergency medical technician. He has earned an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, and a New York Human Service Medal. News of your troops and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or brownt@timesunion.com. Australia's iconic ice-cream brand Streets has launched a brand new range of koala-shaped choc-caramel flavoured Paddle Pops. The brand has teamed up with wildlife rescue organisation WIRES at the new Sydney Zoo to help rebuild the koala population following the devastating bushfire season that saw a 71 per cent decline for the animals. And so Streets has unveiled the new Koala Paddle Pop - complete with a combination of chocolate and caramel, made with Australian dairy. Streets has launched a new range of koala-shaped choc-caramel flavoured Paddle Pops The brand has teamed up with wildlife rescue organisation WIRES to help rebuild the koala population after the devastating bushfire season that saw a 71 per cent decline for the species 'We're a local brand, who want to ensure we're doing our part for our local heroes,' Annie Lucchitti, Paddle Pop brand manager, said. 'This is why we're proud to partner with an organisation who actively strives to support our Aussie wildlife like WIRES do. 'We wanted to create our new Koala Paddle Pop to help raise awareness of koala conservation among Aussie families - and what better way to support these cuddly creatures than with an ice cream in your hand.' WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said the koala populations have seen a dramatic decline over the last five to ten years. WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said the koala populations have seen a dramatic decline over the last five to ten years so raising awareness is 'now more crucial than ever' 'Raising awareness for koala conservation is now more crucial than ever. We're thrilled to have the support of Paddle Pop to help drive conversation and educate more Australian families of this important cause,' she said. 'Paddle Pop's support is a great combination of long-term initiatives, education and practical planning for the upcoming summer season and rebuilding koala populations into the future.' The two-year commitment will see Paddle Pop support three WIRES projects such as Koala Rehabilitation Facilities, Koala Health Hub and the Water Drinkers Project. The new Koala Paddle Pop is available from Monday, September 7 in convenience and petrol stores across Australia and in Coles and IGA from the end of the month. The ice creams cost $2.50 for a single stick or a pack of four for $7. Success in developing a vaccine is one thing, but giving it to everyone in need is a completely different matter. To achieve global immunity, we need at least 60% of the world's population to be vaccinated, and thus governments must realize that the fight against Covid-19 can only be successful by ensuring equal access to the vaccine. Giving priority to selling vaccines to countries that pay the highest price is not the right approach. Usually, it takes years, or even decades, to develop a vaccine, but with Covid-19, an effective vaccine does not seem too far-fetched. More than 200 vaccines are under development, of which at least 24 have been tested in humans and six are now in phase 3 of clinical research - the final step before approval for distribution in the market. A safe, effective vaccine is widely believed to be the best medicine to bring the world back to the way it was. Russia's vaccine on trial When we look at the incredibly fast spread of the coronavirus from China to almost every country on Earth, we know that this virus has no borders in its global infection crusade. Today's phenomenal globalization requires a vaccine strategy that adapts to that reality - a global strategy of scope, and one that can guarantee inclusiveness: all who need a vaccine should have a vaccine. One sensible strategy would be one in which health-care workers, people at higher risk of catching the virus, and people in areas where the virus is rapidly spreading, should be given priority to be injected with the first doses. However, such an approach continues to be looked down upon in a world dominated by money and national interests. Instead of working together to formulate and implement this global strategy, more and more countries, including the United States, have chosen the "my country first" approach to grow and secure large numbers of potential vaccine candidates. This vaccine nationalism is not only morally objectionable; it is also the wrong strategy to reduce viral spread globally. With a virus capable of spreading rapidly from country to country, vaccinating each country will only exacerbate and prolong the pandemic. It could also lead to a spike in vaccine prices, and if a country with a large number of infections, such as India, is left behind in vaccination and other forms of treatment, the virus will continue to disrupt global supply chains, and as a result continue to disrupt economies around the world. Concerns increase As health professionals sound the alarm, wealthy nations have invested heavily in ensuring that their citizens are vaccinated first. In the US, the Trump administration has launched the Warp Speed campaign - a billion-dollar government-funded effort to speed vaccine development, production and ensure the delivery of the vaccine for the American people. The US has pledged billions of dollars to pharmaceutical companies and nearly $ 10 billion has been allocated by the US Congress to produce more than 300 million doses of medicine exclusively for US citizens by January 2021. This is a similar strategy to an earlier government policy that bought 500,000 doses of remdesivir - one of the only drugs certified as an effective treatment against corona virus - equivalent to almost all output of the manufacturer in July, August and September. Meanwhile, there is the Inclusive Vaccine Alliance between France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands in Europe, where the four countries have joint discussions with several pharmaceutical companies to secure promising vaccine initiatives. They have ordered 400 million doses of the vaccine from AstraZeneca, which is being co-developed with Oxford University. The UK also reached an agreement with AstraZeneca and hired India-based pharmaceutical company Wockhardt to help secure and distribute 30 million doses of the vaccine by September and will eventually push for 100 million doses by the end of the year 2021. When an Indian pharmaceutical company is responsible for vaccine delivery in the UK, rather than within its own country, we know something wrong is going on. Vaccine research in Vietnam Can vaccine nationalists fully secure the # 1 spot for their population on the global vaccine waiting list? What could be more important once we have an effective vaccine rather than the country that has bought it all and where the vaccine is made? Pharmaceutical companies have prepared for the possibility that governments of countries where these companies have manufacturing plants will require sufficient doses for their populations before allowing exports. Similar restrictions have been put in place worldwide - more than 90 countries have restricted drug exports, including between countries within the European Union, to ensure this resource is for themselves. So it wouldn't be surprising if this approach is applied to vaccines. Global division Unequal access to vaccines will create cracks between countries with higher immunization rates and those with lower rates. People of the lower classes, and the poorer, less developed countries may be denied entry and may face additional stigma from the global community. This happened to Chinese citizens in the early stages of the pandemic, or similar to Europeans with the US-enacted travel ban - all before the world reached a standstill. This is not unprecedented, as the same thing happened during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak to the people from African countries. From here it may not be difficult to imagine the potential emergence of a global two-class system: the clean people, those who are immune and non-infectious, and those who are not immune, who are infectious and are still feared as a source of infection. The inequality of rights and freedoms will inevitably stem from such a system, where unvaccinated people can lose their privacy and are subject to constant government supervision and subject to travel restrictions, and restriction to access to public areas and health care facilities. Career opportunities, particularly international employment opportunities, may also be closed to people from not vaccinated countries, as employers can prioritize hiring people from countries certified as immune or who can demonstrate evidence of immunity to Covid-19. Such an injustice system sounds far-fetched, but it can, and has happened before: a striking example is people living with HIV/AIDS. If governments in poorer countries do not have equal access to an effective vaccine, the economic and social disadvantages of not being vaccinated will ultimately motivate everyone to try and obtain vaccines, or obtain immunity through illegal means. Then one can expect a surge in the black market for fake vaccines, which could have serious long-term consequences for public health. Pham Vu Thieu Quang (Leiden University, the Netherlands) To be continued.... Vietnam on track to make Covid-19 vaccine Vietnam is one of 42 countries capable of producing a Covid-19 vaccine. Over the past few weeks, a Harvard scientist has made headlines for a bold idea to curb the spread of the coronavirus: rolling out so-called antigen tests, a decades-old underdog in testing technology, to tens of millions of Americans for near-daily, at-home use. These tests arent very good at picking up low-level infections. But they are cheap, convenient and fast, returning results in minutes. Real-time information, argued Dr. Michael Mina, would be a lot better than the long delays clogging the testing pipeline. The fast-and-frequent approach to testing has captured the attention of scientists and journalists around the world, as well as top officials at the Department of Health and Human Services. Deployed often enough and widely enough, speedy tests could really squash the virus, Mina said. I think its crazy not to get behind this. But more than a dozen experts said that near-ubiquitous antigen testing, while intriguing in theory, might not fly in practice and is unlikely to be a pandemic panacea. In addition to posing herculean logistical hurdles, they said, the plan hinges on broad buy-in and compliance from a country full of people who have grown increasingly disillusioned with testing for the virus. And that is assuming that rapid tests can achieve their intended purpose at all. 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 We are open to thinking outside the box and coming up with new ways to handle this pandemic, said Esther Babady, director of the clinical microbiology service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. But antigen tests that could work at home have yet to enter the market, she said. And no one has yet done a rigorous study to show that fast-and-frequent trumps sensitive-but-slow in the real world, she said. The data for that is whats missing, she said. Although fast-and-frequent testing could work, whats been put forth so far about the approach has been largely aspirational, and we need to check it against reality, said Dr. Alexander McAdam, director of the infectious diseases diagnostic laboratory at Boston Childrens Hospital, who recently co-authored an article on pandemic testing strategies in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Most of the coronavirus tests run so far rely on a laboratory technique called PCR, long considered the gold standard of infectious disease diagnostics because it can pick up even very small amounts of genetic material from germs like the coronavirus. But sputtering supply chains have compromised efforts to collect, ship and process samples for PCR, driving delays in turnaround times. The longer the wait, the less useful the result. PCR also isnt cheap or user-friendly, making it an unlikely candidate for widespread home use. The at-home arena is where antigen tests could shine, Mina said. At their simplest, they might function much like a pregnancy test, analyzing bodily fluid and spitting out a result within a few minutes, no health workers or fancy machines necessary. As Mina sees it, these tests could be crafted from materials as cheap as cardboard and be shipped like rations to communities around the country. They would act as bouncers at the entrances to schools or workplaces, and allow Americans to check themselves at home for the coronavirus several times a week, perhaps even daily. But achieving that reality would require an antigen test that is not yet approved for widespread use, and the infrastructure to manufacture it en masse. Only four antigen tests so far have received emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration and are intended to be used by health care workers on people who recently showed symptoms. All of them also rely on swabs to collect test samples, and three require somewhat bulky and expensive machines to read out results. We just dont have tests ready to occupy this space right now, McAdam said. Several companies have other rapid tests in development. But there is no guarantee that newcomers will meet FDA standards. And the past few months have clearly demonstrated that no test is impervious to shortages. Theres no reason to believe that the supply chain issues weve encountered with all other coronavirus testing will not still be an issue here, too, said April Abbott, microbiology director at Deaconess Health System in Indiana. We cant build new product lines overnight. Experts also noted that antigen tests arent great at sussing out small amounts of the coronavirus, which means they are far more likely to miss a case that a technique like PCR would catch. Some antigen tests catch only half the infections they look for. And while some new products perform better in the lab, advertised accuracy rates will almost certainly drop when used at home, said Linoj Samuel, a medical microbiologist at Henry Ford Health System in Michigan. (Some have argued that PCR may actually be too sensitive in some settings, picking up on scraps of innocuous coronavirus genetic material in patients who are no longer sick; antigen testing could circumvent this.) Mina argues that dips in quality could be overcome with quantity: Near-daily tests would be able to identify infections on the cusp faster than the backlogged PCR pipeline could, helping people self-isolate in the nick of time. From a public health perspective, what matters most is finding people at the peak of infection something that even antigen tests should be able to do with high levels of accuracy, he said. But researchers dont yet know how much virus someone has to have in their body to be contagious the amount almost certainly varies from person to person. And there will inevitably be exceptions to the more virus, more transmission trend. We just dont have any proof that a negative test result means youre not infectious, said Susan Butler-Wu, a clinical microbiologist at the University of Southern Californias Keck School of Medicine. Some antigen tests miss up to 18% of cases shown by PCR to involve high levels of the coronavirus. The opposite issue, false positives, are rarer with antigen tests, but they do happen. In July, dozens of positive antigen tests that had officials in Manchester, Vermont, bracing for an outbreak turned out to be errors. And in August, Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio tested positive for the coronavirus by an antigen test, only to test negative thrice in a row by PCR. In regions where the virus has infected only a few people, the number of false positives could end up dwarfing the number of true positives. McAdam said that widely deploying a test with imperfect specificity to a region where the virus is scarce is a bad idea, and Ill die on that hill. High rates of inaccurate results, coupled with continued confusion about the deluge of new coronaviruses tests, could fuel public skepticism of science at a particularly precarious time, said Amanda Harrington, director of the clinical microbiology laboratory at Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois. In the past six months alone, coronavirus tests have been alternately billed as game-changers and national embarrassments, seeding a sense of perpetual whiplash among testing experts. My own family is telling me theyre not sure what to believe, Harrington said. Youre eroding confidence to the point where people dont trust it. And a nation of people wary of tests will probably be less likely to take them regularly, even if they are available at home. Uma Karmarkar, a human behavior expert at the University of California, San Diego, said it is possible that compliance would be low for the fast-and-frequent approach. She pointed to the example of daily medications, like birth control pills, as well as spotty use of masks. Even when theres a vested interest, theres slippage, she said. With near-daily testing, even cheap products could add up to big bills, further disincentivizing use. (Mina said the federal government should foot the bill to avoid that issue.) A subset of people might still adopt the fast-and-frequent approach with enthusiasm, Karmarkar said. But that could be a skewed sector of the population, such as those who are already more inclined to trust the medical system, and could exacerbate the pandemics health inequities. Until more data is gathered to support the fast-and-frequent approach, Samuel proposed a tentative middle ground. Schools, universities and workplaces may be good candidates for regular antigen testing, for example, whereas hospitals and other medical care settings would still prioritize PCR. The whole idea is to use the right test for the right patient at the right time, Babady said. Mina agreed, noting that PCR remains crucial for diagnosing sick patients a situation that calls for the most sensitive test, so the right treatments can be administered. Still, he remains optimistic that the fast-and-frequent strategy could make a major dent in the nations coronavirus catastrophe. That should be incentive enough, he said. I truly believe people will want to use these tests, he said. c.2020 The New York Times Company She has recently returned from a sun-soaked holiday in Turkey. And Ashley Roberts showed off her bronzed tan as she left work at Heart Radio Breakfast in London on Monday. The Pussycat Dolls star, 38, put on a leggy display in a stylish monochrome shirt dress as she left Global Studios. Leggy: Ashley Roberts showed off her bronzed tan as she left work at Heart Radio Breakfast in London on Monday The dress featured puff-ball sleeves and a black bandeau corseted waist, while the skirt came complete with a thick black trim. She accentuated her toned legs with black stilettos and accessorised her outfit with cat-eye sunglasses, a pearl necklace and a leather handbag. Ashley wore her blonde locks back in a low ponytail and amped up the glamour with a polished make-up look. Catching the eye: The Pussycat Dolls star, 38, put on a leggy display in a stylish monochrome shirt dress Stepping out in style: The dress featured puff-ball sleeves and a black bandeau corseted waist while the skirt came complete with a thick black trim Monochrome: The dress featured puff-ball sleeves and a black bandeau corseted waist, while the skirt came complete with a thick black trim The When I Grow Up hitmaker appeared in high spirits as she strutted into Global Studios. Ashley reunited with Amanda Holden last week after taking a break in Turkey. Ahead of her return to work, the American dancer took to Instagram to share a scenic bikini-clad snap by the sea. All in the details: She accentuated her toned legs with black stilettos and accessorised her outfit with cat-eye sunglasses, a pearl necklace and a leather handbag The Don't Cha hitmaker looked phenomenal in a barely-there red bikini. She added a caption: 'She holy hunni. How beautiful?! Heres to looking and hoping for a brighter rest of 2020 #wecanhope #adventure #motherearth #grateful'. Ashley revealed last month she is open to the idea of adopting a child in the future. Speaking in an interview with Fabulous magazine, she said: 'I'm definitely open to the idea of adoption. Gorgeous: Ashley wore her blonde locks back in a low ponytail and amped up the glamour with a polished make-up look 'You just never know what the future is going to bring and the most important thing is to be happy and, whether my body naturally has kids or not, we'll see what life brings. I'm definitely open to that.' Ashley also reflected on dating following her split from Italian Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice, 29. The couple called time on their year-long romance in January after meeting during Ashley's stint on the BBC One dance competition in late 2018. She said: 'I'm good on my own, though. I'm pretty independent. It's nice to have that connection with someone, but at the moment lockdown is still [effectively] here, so "me" is where it is.' She said about dating in lockdown: 'You can get to know someone a bit more before other "things" can happen perhaps that's something that's positive. We'll see.' Even as a kid going to Grant and Roosevelt Elementary in Mason City, Iowa, Dr. Deborah Turner had a civic bent and political interest. After school, Turner would tag along with her mother, Maybelle, to go door to door and drop off various types of campaign literature. When they weren't door knocking, Turner would attend local meetings with her mom. It wasn't out of the norm for Turner to sit in on the latest happenings of the planning and zoning committee. "(She) ingrained that in us," Turner said. And though the Mason City native has spent a good deal of her life in the medical profession, that sense of civic engagement from a young age crystallized when Turner was recently elected the national president of the board of directors for the League of Women Voters. "Looking at where Ive come from and where I am now, the foundation I got in Mason City got me to where I am now," Turner said. Turner said she first got interested in the 100-year-old organization because it spoke to her values. The League of Women Voters runs programs that cover a wide variety of political topics and Turner said she was taken by the organization when she went to a meeting where elected officials discussed civil discourse in politics. Once the event wrapped, it didn't take her any time at all to sign up. "I went to the website and it listed all the things the league was engaged in and I said this is the organization I was waiting to be involved with," Turner said. Before being elected president in late June, Turner spent nearly a decade with the League of Women Voters. Over the past several years, she chaired the organization's "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee." When Turner spoke at the virtual convention where she was elected she tried to affirm the vitality of all that work. "I see my role as president as a tremendous honor, an important opportunity, and a great responsibility," she told a virtual crowd of at least 2,000 members. "The League is at the intersection of democracy, social justice, and civil rights and it is through that lens that we seek to advance voting rights in this country." The way that Turner sees it, the state of voting rights is good in the basic sense that the U.S. operates as a democracy but there are clear challenges. COVID-19 has changed the way millions of citizens will have to vote this year and it's a responsibility of an organization such as the League of Women Voters to keep informed on what's happening. There are other issues that they are focused on. "We also have forms of voter suppression and for one reason or another, we see forms of it happening, particularly in communities that are economically challenged," Turner said. "And we make sure they get equal access to the ballot." That's not the only work Turner's tried to do in disenfranchised and marginalized communities. For years now, the gynecologic oncologist has taken trips to Tanzania to help facilitate medical, educational, and nutritional support with The Outreach Program based in Des Moines and Union. According to Turner, the beginning of that work had a degree of happenstance to it. "I was then in Des Moines working at Mercy Medical and I had a friend who stopped by and said, 'How would you like to go to Tanzania?' and I said sure," Turner recounted. It turned out that friend had been working with an organization that had been doing medical missions and they wanted a female doctor for gynecology. Once she finally made it to the east African nation, Turner said that there was a bit of an adjustment period. Trips from one town to another, by car, could take awhile because of the conditions of the infrastructure. Power outages weren't uncommon and cell reception was out of the question. All of that added up to altering the way that Turner had to operate. "The first thing was acknowledging that all of the things we have to practice medicine we didnt have there and all the good things you can do without that," Turner said. Like with the civic engagement, Turner developed her medical inclinations as a kid in Mason City as well. Turner's oldest sister was a nurse and would occasionally take Turner to work so she learned a lot about medicine at an early age. When she got to junior high, Turner scientific interests only grew. Which was fully encouraged by her parents. "Mom and Dad were always the kind of folks that said you can be whatever you want to be so I turned my idea toward being a physician," she said. When Turner eventually graduated from Mason City High School and headed off to Ames, she did it to study medicine. The transition there wasn't seamless, but Turner said she was helped a lot by her brother who was already enrolled at the school. "Back in the day, Mason City was multi-ethnic and we were all here together, but when I got to college people would look at me differently because they didnt understand the background I came from," Turner said. Turner's never run from that background. She tries to make it back to Mason City whenever she can, though it's difficult now with the pandemic and her living in Omaha. But she plans to make it back in the fall and see the town she still calls vibrant and beautiful. "Its a different place than it was when I was growing up, but there is still the same basic community feeling." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Last week, the Union government rolled out what most of us believe to be the long overdue reform of the Indian bureaucracy. Dubbed Mission Karmayogi" (and knowing this governments penchant for names, inclusion of the word mission" must be deliberate), it aims to transform" capacity-building in the bureaucracy through institutional and process reforms. Yes, it has all the trappings of officialese. Yet, I would hazard, it is more than just the usual headline grabbing announcement. There is a plan. It has been in the making for months and was tested as a pilot in developing the capacity of medical workers to battle the covid-19 pandemic. As a result, this time the government has shed the normal practice of making an announcement and then scrambling to plan the implementation. On the face of it, the idea is to kill red tape. But that would be very simplistic. Instead the idea is to develop domain knowledge besides administrative capacity in the bureaucracy; the plan is to begin right at the recruitment level and then invest in building more capacity through the rest of their career. Simultaneously the new system will try and match the job to a bureaucrats competence; formalizing the process to find the right person for the right job. Simple but rarely implemented; forget the government, the story is the same even in the private sector. The underlying reasoning is easy to comprehend. As the Indian economy grows, it will get more complex to govern; the governance capacities will have to be enhanced proportionately. The present constellation of circumstances improve the chances of such a makeover actually being implemented. To its credit, this government has already been tinkering with the architecture of the bureaucracy, presumably testing waters. Most impressive was how it ended the hegemony of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the apex bureaucratic cadre, with respect to appointments at the level of joint secretary (JS)functionally, it is probably the most important post in the government. Instead, appointments to posts have been drawn from other cadres like the Indian Revenue Service, Indian Accounts and Audit Service and the Indian Economic Service. It is estimated that now one in two JS level officers are drawn from cadres other than the IAS. Similarly, the Union government has also encouraged lateral induction of personnel from the private sectorsimilar to the practice followed in the USseeding the idea of a revolving door. At the same time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has in its last six years worked with the bureaucracy; making them part of the solution and not the problemas opposed to how many of us see it looking inside from the outside. And this despite the bureaucracy dropping the ball at key moments; one unforgivable one being their failure to red flag the flawed assumption about black money (that it is largely held in cash) and the loopholes for laundering which together scuppered the ambitious plan to demonetize high-value currency notes. Given this working relationship, the bureaucracy is unlikely to be openly hostile. The challenge will be in untangling the bureaucratic knots in the governance of the Indian Railways, making the reform of the rest of the bureaucracy appear like low-hanging fruit. Bibek Debroy, chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council, had famously described it as an alphabet soup of servicesmade up of technical and non-technical cadres. Something that will work at cross purposes and inhibit radical change. While this may be the case, it is also a fact that bureaucratic sloth is only one side of the coin. Equally culpable is the political interferencemost manifest in transfers; ask Ashok Khemka, the IAS officer from Haryana, who has been transferred 52 times so far in his career. Clearly, the reform process is not going to be easy. But there is no gain saying that this is as good a moment to start. In conclusion, I would like to share with the readers a quote attributed to John Maynard Keynes, the economist, which captures the magnitude of the challenge: The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones." Anil Padmanabhan is managing editor of Mint and writes every week on the intersection of politics and economics. Comments are welcome at anil.p@livemint.com Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics The final ruling came after Khashoggi's sons in May said they'd 'pardoned' the killers, a move condemned by a UN expert Riyadh: A Saudi court Monday overturned five death sentences over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder in a final ruling that jailed eight defendants to between seven and 20 years, state media reported. "Five of the convicts were given 20 years in prison and another three were jailed for 7-10 years," the official Saudi Press Agency said, citing a spokesman for the public prosecutor. None of the defendants were named in what was described as the final court ruling on the killing which had sparked an international outcry. The verdict came after Khashoggi's sons said in May they had "pardoned" the killers, a move condemned as a "parody of justice" by a UN expert. The family's pardon spared the lives of five unnamed people sentenced to death over the 2018 murder in a December court ruling, which was lambasted by human rights groups after two top aides to the crown prince were exonerated. Khashoggi a royal family insider turned critic was killed and dismembered at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, in a case that tarnished the reputation of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Khashoggi, a 59-year-old critic of the crown prince, was strangled and his body cut into pieces by a 15-man Saudi squad inside the consulate, according to Turkish officials. His remains have not been found. Riyadh has described the murder as a "rogue" operation, but both the CIA and a United Nations special envoy have directly linked Prince Mohammed to the killing, a charge the Kingdom vehemently denies. Asia Pacific will have 467 million SVOD subscriptions by 2025, up from 267 million in 2019, according a study from Digital TV Research. The Asia Pacific SVOD Forecasts report calculates that China will contribute 279 million total SVOD subscriptions in 2025, representing three-fifths of the regions overall number. India will supply a further 66 million, which would be triple its 2019 total.Looking at SVOD additions between 2019 and 2025, of the 200 million new customers, China is set to supply 80 million, Japan 22 million and India 45 million. China is forecast to add 27 million SVOD subscribers in 2020 alone.Yet while China clearly dominates the region, The Asia Pacific SVOD Forecasts report noted that there will be plenty of growth elsewhere. For example, Netflix is forecast to have 44.4 million subscribers by 2025; closely followed by Disney+ , including Hotstar, with 43.6 million. Photo taken on May 28, 2020 shows the European Parliament Liaison Office in the United Kingdom in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Han Yan) Frost made the remarks as the trade talks are to resume on Tuesday in London with both sides still having differences on issues such as fishing and the level of taxpayer support Britain will be able to provide for businesses, also referred to as state aid rules. LONDON, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The British government's chief Brexit negotiator David Frost has said that his government is unafraid to walk away from the post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union (EU) if the regional bloc does not compromise on major issues, including fisheries and state aid rules. "This time, we won't blink," Frost told the Mail newspaper on Sunday. "We came in after a government and negotiating team that had blinked and had its bluff called at critical moments and the EU had learned not to take our words seriously... So a lot of what we are trying to do this year is to get them to realize that we mean what we say and they should take our position seriously," he said. "We are not going to be a client state," he said. "We are not going to compromise on the fundamentals of having control over our own laws." "We are not going to accept level playing field provisions that lock us in to the way the EU do things," he said. Britain ended its EU membership on Jan. 31 but is still following EU rules during the transition period until Dec. 31 to enable a permanent future trade deal to be reached. During this period, Britain would have to pay into EU funds but have no say in laws imposed by Brussels. "We want to get back the powers to control our borders and that is the most important thing," he said. People are seen in front of buildings in the City of London, London, Britain, on Feb. 1, 2020. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua) Frost made the remarks as the trade talks are to resume on Tuesday in London with both sides still having differences on issues such as fishing and the level of taxpayer support Britain will be able to provide for businesses, also referred to as state aid rules. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the week ahead was "a wake-up call for the EU," adding that "the EU's best moment to strike a deal is now." Both sides want a deal agreed next month in order to have it signed off by politicians on both sides of the Channel by the end of the transition period on Dec. 31. The upcoming talks in London are expected to mark the final phase of the negotiations, with Frost's team calling for "more realism" from the EU side to break the deadlock. "The EU must also realize that we are serious about leaving with an Australian-style trading relationship and reclaiming our independence as a sovereign nation if we cannot find acceptable terms," he said. The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Wednesday in Dublin that he was "worried and disappointed" after Frost made no concessions to end the impasse during their informal talks in London a day earlier. There will be no post-Brexit trade deal without UK-EU agreement on fisheries, Barnier said. He warned Britain against using the issue as a "bargaining chip" in stalled talks. If Britain and the EU fail to secure a trade deal before the transitional period expires, both sides will trade under the World Trade Organization terms, under which new border controls and tariffs will mean extra cost for their trade. Here are five things to think about before you retire, how chocolate can become part of a healthy diet, and more videos to improve your life. South Africa: Criminal charges considered for shoddily built Gauteng school The Gauteng Legislature is considering laying criminal charges against the provincial Department of Infrastructure Development and Property Management (IDPM) officials and a contractor involved in the construction of a school in a waterlogged area in Tembisa. The decision was unanimously agreed upon during a joint meeting of the legislatures Portfolio Committees on Infrastructure Development and Property Management and Education on Thursday. The committee is currently in the process of consulting the legislatures legal team to ascertain the legalities of such a move, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Infrastructure Development, Mpho Modise, said in a statement. Both committees further agreed that a letter should be written to Premier David Makhura to request that he institute an investigation that will lead to disciplinary action against officials, who were responsible for overseeing the construction of the school. During a recent oversight visit to Mayibuye Primary School, the committee assessed the standard and quality of work done by contractors in infrastructure development projects in the province. The multimillion rand school - which was supposed to be occupied in 2017 - stands as a white elephant after the department failed to obtain an occupancy certificate due to the dangerous conditions in which the school was built, Modise said. The department has to date spent R82 000 000 on the school. The committee established that the school was constructed in contravention of the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act 103, 1977, as amended. In its assessment of the school, the committee came to the conclusion that the occupancy of the school might be a death trap to learners and educators, as the wetland has the possibility to weaken the building structure, which might collapse on those occupying it. This might leave government with only two options of spending more millions remedying the situation or demolishing the building, as it is deemed dangerous for occupation, and to avoid the building being used as a haven for criminals or illegal land invaders. This would mean that the millions of rands invested in the construction of the school has gone to waste, Modise said. On entering the school, Modise said the committee was greeted by flowing raw sewerage with an unbearable smell, which has also become a health hazard for passers-by and the surrounding community. The school structure continues to deteriorate, with many defects such as collapsing ceilings, cracking tiles and walls, as well as flooding water around the school, which has remained unoccupied and neglected for over three years. The committee is of the view that appropriate action must be taken against those who were involved in the wastage caused by building a school on a waterlogged site. Failure for appropriate action to be taken will signal the wrong message about the lack of accountability and consequence management in the province. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Pastor Tony Evans talks Kingdom voting,' says Church has become bad example of who God is Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Pastor Tony Evans, the longtime pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Texas, launched a new sermon series, titled Kingdom Voting, on Sunday, preaching on what God has to say to Christians about how to vote. The pastor began his sermon acknowledging that a conversation on voting can easily become toxic, as people take sides and remain dedicated to their positions. Theres divisiveness not only in the culture but also in the Church that has facilitated disharmony, disunity and conflict in the broader society, he said months ahead of the presidential election. And that is due to a lack of proper Kingdom perspective when it comes to Gods activity in society," the Dallas pastor noted. This is why the Church has become as bad as, or worse than, the world, allowing ourselves to be a poor example of who God is and how God functions with regards to government. So how should a Christian vote? Until the Church gets it right, the culture cant get it right, he emphasized. The Kingdom perspective is in the Bible but the problem, he said, is that people who profess to be Christians often change books, or take part of the book, when it comes to their political positioning. We cant ignore the whole counsel of God, he warned. Kingdom voting is the opportunity and responsibility of committed Christians to partner with God by expanding His rule in society through civil government, Evans explained. Its only to the degree that you include Gods person and Gods policies in society through civil government as He defines it, not as you prefer it that we can begin to see healing in the Church so that it can be modeled in the culture. The further God is removed from the life of an individual, from the life and definition of a family, form the life and definition of the Church, from the life and definition of the citizenry of a society, the more chaotic those entities become. He quoted Joshua 5:13: While Joshua was near Jericho, he raised his eyes and saw one who stood facing him, drawn sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, Are you one of us or one of our enemies? Some can interpret that to mean, in the context of voting, that conservative candidates are on Christians side because they too are conservatives, and that Democrats are against us as they are against conservatives, the pastor told the congregants. Reading the next verse, Evans underlined that the commander of the army of the Lord said hes on the side of neither. Gods political position" is that He is a Kingdom independent. God is not on our side just because we are Christians, he emphasized. You may decide to vote for a Republican or a Democratic or a libertarian candidate, he said, but every Christian should be a Kingdom independent. God does not want to take sides, Evans added. He is there to take over because He rules the nations. She's been soaking up the sun in Marbella while celebrating her birthday. And Chloe Ferry looked sensational as she flaunted her pert derriere in a sizzling clip shared to Instagram on Sunday. The Geordie Shore star, 25, exuded confidence as she slipped into a skimpy leopard print bikini which emphasised her surgically enhanced assets. Work it! Chloe Ferry looked sensational as she displayed her toned frame and pert derriere in a leopard print bikini during her Marbella trip Chloe could be seen strutting around her hotel in the clip before spinning around to show her taut midriff off to the camera. Her tiny leopard print two-piece barely contained her ample assets, with the bikini top emphasising her cleavage. The blonde beauty wore her long locks down and let her tresses cascade over her shoulders as she flaunted her curves. Not forgetting to accessorise, Chloe also donned a pair of stylish large sunglasses and a gold watch to complete her holiday look. Sizzling: The Geordie Shore star made sure to work all her angles as she strutted around her hotel in the high-cut thong bottoms and tiny bikini top Glam gal: Chloe wore her long blonde locks down and let them cascade over her shoulders as she flaunted her assets Chloe's clip appears to have been filmed on Thursday while she was enjoying a day by the pool with her MTV co-star Bethan Kershaw. The two beauties have been sharing regular updates from their Marbella getaway on Instagram, treating their fans to regular swimwear snaps. On Saturday Chloe posted a stunning picture of the pair flaunting their figures in skimpy swimwear as they soaked up the sun at their resort. While Bethan left little to the imagination in a barely-there black two-piece, Chloe highlighted her curves in a plunging white belted swimsuit. Beach babe: Chloe's high-leg bottoms emphasised her tiny trim waist Back in May, Chloe cried 'tears of happiness' as she thanked her followers for their support during her weight loss journey in an emotional Instagram clip. Despite her transformation, the beautician recently admitted she still doesn't 'feel great' about her figure. Chloe said the trolls have got 'inside my head' after being inundated with cruel taunts calling her 'fat and ugly every day'. The reality star's girly getaway comes after she ignored speculation she had faked a trip to Ibiza and had instead secretly joined her ex Sam Gowland, 25, in Dubai. Beach babes: Earlier in the day, the girls flaunted their figures in skimpy swimwear as they soaked up the sun at their resort It had been reported that the star had back together with her co-star ex - despite being in the throes of filming Celebs Go Dating. A source told The Sun the former-couple were said to be 'reconnecting'; but fans also connected the dots. An insider said: 'Chloe's taking it really slowly and she's keen to keep it quiet as her friends will all be furious after all the drama. It's a chance for them to reconnect.' MailOnline contacted Chloe and Sam's representatives for comment at the time. China has reacted angrily to successful Indian military action along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) caught napping when Indian troops moved to occupy hilltop features near Lake Spanguur on the night of August 29-30. This anger allegedly ascends all the way to the top of China's military hierarchy, Chairman Xi Jinping. Predictably, China has reacted angrily to successful Indian military action along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) caught napping when Indian troops moved to occupy hilltop features near Lake Spanguur on the night of August 29-30. This anger allegedly ascends all the way to the top of Chinas military hierarchy, Chairman Xi Jinping. China has for a long time relied on India behaving reactively rather than preemptively, as it manufactured seizures of territory along the troublesome un-demarcated border. This time the PLA has been on the receiving end, and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership is not happy. Some media alleged that the CCP leadership was enraged that a PLA commander withdrew forces to avoid physical conflict at Spanguur, though evidence to substantiate this is yet to emerge. This latest embarrassment came on top of the bloody fracas in the Galwan Valley on 15 June, which occurred on none other than the auspicious occasion of Xis 67th birthday. Losing casualties, with Chinese numbers still a state secret, represented a severe loss of face to Xi on his birthday. Dissatisfied with their level of CCP and personal loyalty, it is also rumoured Xi is on the brink of a brutal purge of the PLA and regular law enforcement agencies. Chinas authoritarian leader has always sought to consolidate military power, something his immediate predecessors could not achieve, and he is becoming even more paranoid about political loyalty and social unrest within China. Also Read: Indias strong message to China, Ram Madhav attends slain Tibetan soldiers funeral This explains why, on August 26, the Chinese police apparatus (including the Ministries of Public Security and State Security) swore fealty to the CCP and was removed from the State Councils chain of command. A ceremony saw Xi pompously conferring a new flag on the police, one bearing the red colour of the party. Xi ordered the police to be loyal to the party, serve the people and be impartial in law enforcement and strict in discipline. Law enforcement forces have now followed suit as the Peoples Armed Police (PAP), which Xi placed under his immediate leadership in the Central Military Commission (CMC) in January 2018. In any popular uprising such as the one that happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989, the PAP would be called upon to put down any unrest. Xi has repeatedly called for personal loyalty, and issued warnings about two-faced people, a phrase referring to someone who pledges obedience but actually secretly resists. Xi wants to get rid of all such people from positions of influence. Furthermore, a political study campaign is being prosecuted across political and legal forces to promote a spirit of rectification, which harks back to Maos destructive purges. Three deputy minister-level public security officials have already been detained in 2020, and Xis paranoia seems to be rising to hysterical levels. Xi has always been a hands-on leader, probably because he is distrustful of anyone outside his handpicked inner circle. It is believed he personally encouraged the launch of four ballistic missiles into the South China Sea on August 26, another provocative action sent as a warning to the USA. A dramatic purge of the law enforcement system seems set to occur and, with Xi disappointed about how land grabs along the Himalaya border are going, further refinement of the PLA could occur. Of course, every time he implements such a purge, the PLA becomes a more politically astute organization and less military-focused as leaders seek to consolidate their own positions and think less of the overall benefit of the PLA. Also Read: After abducting 5 Arunachali youth, China provokes again says never recognised so called Arunachal Pradesh With ongoing border tensions, the mood on Chinese social media platforms like Sina Weibo reflects concern, anger and deprecation of India as well. For example, one netizen quoted Chinese professor Zhang Weiwei as saying: Indias expert advice is for Modi not to provoke China. Otherwise, India will receive five times the humiliation it had in 1962. An unusually muted post by Hu Xijing, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, received nearly 20,000 likes: Both India and China are great powers and capable of mobilizing their national strength to solve a military border conflict. Yet, at this very moment, both sides have to calm down. Another poster put the tensions with India in perspective: The Sino-Indian border conflict is a matter of time. In the coming winter, both sides have to withdraw their troops. Hence, whether China can get back Taiwan is the utmost important problem to China! However, hubris remains a common sentiment. One Chinese netizen, who is infamous for his bullheadedness, posted to popular acclaim, Two months ago, India just suffered what it deserved. The Indian leader army officers ran away and abandoned their colleagues when the PLA struck them hard, leading to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and officers. How dare they come back now? There was pride in the PLA too among many citizens. The Sino-India border is having conflicts once again. Soldiers of the PLA have left their suicide notes and loaded bullets into their [rifle] chambers. This harked back to an earlier post doing the rounds online, supposedly written by a PLA soldier to his wife, If I cant come back, I will give you a pension; if Im disabled, Ill give you a divorce certificate; if I come back, give yourself to me. Interestingly, however, Weibo began censoring the hashtag #China-India border conflict in order to tamp down the issue. When this topic is searched, a message appears saying, According to the relevant laws, regulations and policies, the page is not found. Also Read: Brexit: Boris Johnson sets October 15 as deadline for UK-EU to negotiate trade deal A survey of 2,000 Chinese citizens by the Global Times and China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations concluded that 70 per cent believed India was too hostile towards China, and nearly 90 per cent supported strong government retaliation. Referring to the aforementioned and latest confrontation, in late August India took pre-emptive action after Chinese tanks were reported near the PLAs Moldo Post on the night of August 29, presumably an attempt to strengthen its tactical posture south of Lake Pangong by encroaching into hitherto unoccupied territory. Yet, elsewhere in the Ladakh sector, PLA forces remain inside Indias perceived border in the Galwan Valley, Gogra and the north bank of Pangong Lake. The Chinese have encamped, with every indication they intend to winter over in these new positions. This Ladakh standoff has now lasted far longer than the one at Doklam in 2017, with no sign of the deadlock being broken. It is interesting that official Chinese denunciations are similar no matter whether it is the PLA or Indian armed forces initiating the action. Counselor Ji Rong, the Chinese Embassy spokesperson in India, stated, On August 31st, Indian troops violated the consensus reached in previous multi-level engagements and negotiations between China and India, illegally trespassed the Line of Actual Control again at the southern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake and near the Reqin Pass in the western sector of China-India border, and conducted flagrant provocations, which again stirred tension in the border areas. Illegally crossed simply means what China considers to be the LAC in that particular area. Ji continued, The Indian sides actions seriously violated Chinas territorial sovereignty, seriously violated the relevant agreements and important consensus of the two countries, and severely damaged the peace and tranquillity of the border area. Chinese troops have acted aggressively and amassed large numbers, making such flowery words meaningless. This kind of language is identical to Beijings official line throughout the whole standoff, as PLA troops unilaterally altered the status quo. China has shown minimal or no interest in resolving the situation on the ground or in high-level negotiations, so its words simply amplify Chinese hypocrisy. In the meantime, China regularly shows footage and images of Chinese troops as they practice for war on the Tibetan Plateau. Also Read: Hong Kong protests: 289 people arrested for violating security law It is thus important that Delhi maintain a consistent position calling out China for its falsehoods. Indeed, this firm action by India was well overdue, and it will give the PLA and Chinas leadership much to think about as they consider their next move. Delhi is demonstrating it will stand up to bullying and that it will assertively counter Chinese moves. At the same time, however, the risk of escalation increases, something that China will now have to input into its calculus of how hard it can push in the future. A serious problem for Xi is that he has perpetrated a cycle of territorial provocations so that it is now difficult for him to pull back without appearing weak. Again, this indicates miscalculation on the part of the all-seeing and all-wise Xi, who controls every aspect of the Chinese party-state. He totally underestimated the incensed reaction of India to bloodshed along the border, and the resulting anti-China sentiment is affecting Chinese businesses, further compounding the nations economic woes. Yet such miscalculations and kneejerk retaliation has become a pattern of Chinese foreign relations. For instance, Foreign Minister Wang Yis five-nation tour of Europe created as much tension as it did peacemaking. By going on the offensive so quickly, China is narrowing its options and making enemies. China has long pursued a policy of slow and gradual encroachment of land and maritime territory, as has occurred in the South China Sea. Yet Xi appears to have overextended himself, as Chinas leaders battle numerous and serious issues simultaneously. As one example, Chinese troops mobilized in Inner Mongolia to suppress protests last week after Beijing enacted a policy that will sideline the local language and culture. These actions near Lake Spanguur could reflect a more assertive Indian policy, which has often ceded territory after being taken by surprise by PLA incursions, and then been stymied by Chinas refusal to make any concessions during senior military-to-military negotiations. China also holds the view that India is being used as a pawn to contain its own rise, primarily by the US. Yet Beijing seems not to realize that it is its own actions that are in fact pushing Delhi closer to Washington. India is becoming more pragmatic in aligning itself with other nations, something Beijing can take credit for. Indian officials will meet as part of the Quad grouping comprising Australia, India, Japan and the US later this month. One item on their agenda could be an intelligence-sharing arrangement. Whatever happens next, the heady days of the Wuhan spirit have all but evaporated thanks to Xis intransigence. (ANI) Also Read: Uyghur activist approaches Islamic community against Chinese oppression MONTCALM COUNTY, MI A man killed in a Tuesday, Sept. 1, rollover crash has been identified, according to the Michigan State Police. Trey Lambert, 27, of Trufant, Michigan, was killed in the single-vehicle crash that happened about 10 p.m. on Briggs Road near Bailey Road in Montcalm Countys Maple Valley Township, police said. A preliminary investigation showed that the man was driving west on Briggs when he lost control of the vehicle. It left the road and rolled over. He died at the scene, police said at the time. Lambert had four children, according to his obituary. His wife, Wanda Lambert, said he was a wonderful man. He was raised in Springfield, Louisiana, and later moved to Trufant, according to his obituary. A funeral was held Saturday, Sept. 5, at Brigham Funeral Chapel in Lakeview, according to the obituary. Read more: Man killed in Montcalm County crash Teen presumed drowned in Lake Michigan; South Haven beach closed Whitmer repeats call for Trump to fully fund Michigan National Guard Pedestrian killed crossing M-37 in Newaygo County Tamil Nadu woke up to a heated, intense Twitter debate on Sunday. Hindi theriyaadhu, poda!, which roughly translates to Get lost, we dont know Hindi, was trending on the social media platform. It had overtaken all the other primetime news playing out on television channels. With elections drawing closer, the ever-simmering pot of Hindi imposition is being rekindled, for the political returns can be bountiful depending on the way its churned. It is, hence, not surprising that Hindi imposition remains the rallying cry of the DMK. The party has the unique advantage of being the champion of the cause. Its job has been made easy by the larger political environment in the country that has supplied ample fodder. The release of the National Education Policy that contains a three-language learning formula came at a favourable time for the DMK, which turned it into a campaign issue. Even before the matter could abate, senior DMK leader M Kanimozhi was allegedly asked Are you an Indian? by a CISF personnel at an airport for saying that she does not know Hindi. The icing on the cake came in the form of an advertisement banner put up by a public sector bank, quoting eminent personalities, including Mahatma Gandhi, calling for Hindi to be made the common language. If the DMK is successful in its campaign, poll pundits feel this chain of events is likely to impact the BJPs political prospects in the state. In fact, reasons to believe the current campaign was an orchestrated effort, instead of being an organic one, are manythe involvement of celebrities, pre-designed clothes and accessories, and the fact that it hit a crescendo on a Sunday morning. While a large group believes the issue is not just relevant politically but also socially, there is concern that it could drown out other major issues that need focusincluding the state of the economy and public healthcare systems that are in the doldrums due to the pandemic. If this trend continues, populism will be the central theme of yet another election in Tamil Nadu. Shibu BS By Express News Service KOCHI: With the commissioning of the Thykkoodam-Petta-stretch on Monday, the first phase of Kochi Metro will successfully come to a close. One among the most capital intensive projects implemented in the state, the history of Kochi Metro began more than two decades ago. It was in July 1999 that then Chief Minister E K Nayanar announced the government would entrust RITES Ltd, an engineering consultancy company, to conduct a feasibility study on the Kochi Metro project. The report was completed in August 2000. However, in February 2003, the A K Antony government proposed scrapping the metro project and introducing the Skybus in Kochi. But the Oommen Chandy government, in 2005, revived the metro project, following which the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) made a presentation before the state cabinet and a `2,239-crore project was proposed again. DMRC opened its office in Kochi in March 2009. In 2010, the V S Achuthanandan-led government made a budgetary allocation of `158.6 crore for launching the preparatory works of Kochi Metro. In August 2011, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) was formed. The Union cabinet approved the `5,126-crore Kochi Metro project in July 2012 and construction began on June 7, 2013. On June 17, 2017, the service from Aluva to Palarivattom got commissioned and in the same year, the service was extended to Maharajas College, stretching a total of 18km. In September 2019, the service was further extended to Thykkoodam, which saw the ridership shooting up to 68,000 passengers per day on weekends. Though the last 1.2km was completed early this year, service had to be halted due to the pandemic. CM, Union min to flag off extended trip Metro will resume service on Monday and will cover 22 stations, stretching 25km. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Secretary Viswas Mehta, KMRL managing director Alkesh Kumar Sharma and Union Minister Hardip Singh Puri will flag off the extension of the service till Petta via vidoeconferencing. They will also unveil the plaques announcing the commencement of the work to extend service from SN Junction to Tripunithura. Following the practice of assigning a theme that reflects the states culture to each station, KMRL has opted fishing as the theme of Petta station. KMRL expects to wrap up the stretch from Petta to Tripunithura by March 2022. Leh, Sep 7 : Subedar Nyima Tenzin, the Special Frontier Force (SFF) officer killed in a military operation on the south bank of Pangong Lake, was laid to rest at Leh with full honours on Monday. The Tibetan-origin officer sacrificed his life during a pre-emptive operation the Indian Army carried out on the southern bank of the Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh last week to foil a fresh move by the Chinese People's Liberation Army to transgress into Indian territory. The moment an army truck with Tenzin's mortal remains left his home in the Tibetan settlement of Choglamsar, close to Ladakh's capital Leh, people joined the funeral procession on their bikes and vehicles. Many chose to walk beside the truck waving the Indian tricolour as well the Tibetan flag. Chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai", "Jai Tibet" and "Vikas Regiment Zindabad" reverberated during the funeral procession. Posters with the slogan - "He lived for the love of Tibet and died for the love of India" - were seen in the hands of youngsters who said that he was not a hero just to the Tibetans but all of India. The coffin was draped in both the tricolour and the Tibetan flag. A guard of honour was given and officials from the army and civil administration laid wreaths. When the last rites were performed, locals started singing the national anthem and Tibetan nationalist songs. Following the protocol for those killed in action, Indian Army troops folded the two flags and handed them over to Tenzin's wife. Tenzin had 33 years of service in the SFF. He leaves behind his wife and three children. This is the first time a Tibetan's sacrifice is known to all of India. Tenzin Yangkey, a student, said that they came to the funeral to pay tributes to a man who sacrificed his life for India. "We are all proud of him," Yangkey said. During the operation, another junior soldier Tenzin Loden, 24, was critically injured in the same explosion, and is currently undergoing treatment at the military hospital in Ladakh. The injured Tenzin Loden is from the same settlement. India and China are currently locked in a four-month-long military standoff at the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Despite several rounds of dialogue, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues. On June 15, as many as 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops were killed in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. (Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at sumit.k@ians.in) Councillors of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by senior leader Durgesh Pathak, on Monday joined employees of the three municipal corporations (MCDs) outside Civic Centre building to protest against non-payment of pending salaries. Pathak, who is AAPs MCD in-charge, along with a bunch of other party members and councillors, was later detained by Delhi Police. We demand that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) release the salaries of MCD workers within the next week. If you (the BJP) cannot run the MCD, then please resign and hand it over to the AAP. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party will run it better in the same budget. It has been about six months that the employees of the corporation have not got their salaries, Pathak said. He further said that the AAP will continue to protest until the BJP-ruled MCDs settle the salaries of all its employees. The BJP, however, denied AAPs allegations and said the Kejriwal led party was making baseless claims to garner support from the people of Delhi ahead of municipal elections. MCD elections are scheduled some time in April, 2022. The BJP had managed to win a majority in all the three civic bodies during the last polls held in April 2017. Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta said the AAP government had not given MCD its dues till now. As per the Delhi municipal corporation act, 2012, the Delhi government is bound to release annual municipal funds by June 30 every year. But till date, the AAP government has not even released 26% of the allocated funds for 2020-21, he said. SANJAY SINGH DETAINED TO SUPPRESS AAPS VOICE AAP chief spokesperson and Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj on Monday said the Uttar Pradesh government detained AAP Raya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday, when he went to meet the family of former UP MLA Nirvendra Mishra, who died after allegedly being beaten up in the presence of police officers. The YogiAdityanath government has registered 13 different FIRs against Sanjay Singh to terrorise him and yesterday (Sunday) they detained him. This is just to terrorise him and to stop his voice, because he is talking about the rights of Dalits and Brahmins in UP, Bhardwaj said. Vodafone has written off nearly $12 billion, in various phases, on account of its Indian investments, both in Vodafone India and after its merger with Aditya Birla-owned Idea Cellular. That is even higher than what the UK telecom giant paid to acquire Hutchison Essar back in 2007 as it began its tryst with India. And while it has invested over $16.4 billion in the country, it has hardly made any returns for its UK shareholders. They are livid. That is why, on Friday, Vodafone Group Plc made it clear once again that it will not put any more money into Vodafone Idea. The statement ... The National Youth Organizer of the biggest opposition party in Ghana National Democratic Congress NDC, George Opare Addo has described their manifesto titled Jobs, Prosperity, and more [The people's Manifesto] as what the people are waiting for. The Manifesto launch which was supposed to take place on 1st September 2020 was postponed to today Monday, 7th September 2020 which is Today. The time for the launch is 5:00 pm Ghana time. Speaking on Nhyira FM'S morning show in the Ashanti region on 7th September 2020 ahead of how the program will go, Mr. George Opare Addo revealed it will be a virtual program with not less than 200 people in the auditorium due to the coronavirus pandemic. He stated some of the things that Ghanaians should expect from the manifesto are the aspect of job creation so those who have challenges in jobs will get their share today, Also he mentioned ICT which the details will be out today. He also mentioned student loans and the legalization of Okada in the country, Health care, etc. Mr. Opare Addo continued that the Manifesto will also talk about how the NDC will abolish the double-track system and put in place good structures. He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to stay tuned to their TV sets and catch a glimpse of all the goodies in the manifesto. Health and beauty retailer Clicks is facing significant public backlash after a TRESemme marketing campaign that appeared on the Clicks website was accused of promoting racist stereotypes about hair. Not only is this disrespectful to black lives, it is also evidence of an absence of representation and diversity within the organization. And we are talking about a South Africa with a population of about 80% black people (stand to be corrected). No ways @Clicks_SA https://t.co/HWtfH40HCY Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) September 4, 2020 We have made a mistake and sincerely apologise for letting you down. We recognise we have a role to play in creating a more diverse and inclusive S.A, starting with our website content. We know we need to do better, and commit to ensuring our content better reflects this value. Clicks (@Clicks_SA) September 4, 2020 EFF shutdown @Clicks_SA see you tomorrow. Fellow fighters and ground forces; ATTACK!!! Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) September 6, 2020 Deputy Secretary-General @mailola_poppy is outside Clicks at Highveld Mall, Emalahleni. We are shutting down all 880 Clicks outlets across the country from Monday 7 September 2020 to Friday 11 September 2020.#ClicksMustFall pic.twitter.com/D4aM1i4okY Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 7, 2020 Clicks Witbank petrol bombed. pic.twitter.com/XF07POyMET Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 7, 2020 The images used in the campaign labelled the hair belonging to Black women as 'dry and damaged' and 'frizzy and dull', while a white woman's straight blonde hair was labelled 'normal hair'. The images were widely shared and criticised on social media, with 'Clicks' trending on Twitter since Friday.With an expanding range of haircare brands targeted at natural African hair, Clicks has become a go-to retailer for curly- and kinky-haired consumers shopping for suitable haircare products. The retailer has also hosted Clicks Curls expos with the purpose of celebrating natural hair and showcasing its extensive product offering.Both Clicks and TRESemme, who supplied the images for the campaign, have since issued apologies. The TRESemme statement on the Unilever website reads, "We are very sorry that images used in a TRESemme South Africa marketing campaign on the Clicks website promote racist stereotypes about hair. The campaign set out to celebrate the beauty of all hair types and the range of solutions that TRESemme offers, but we got it wrong. The images are not in line with the values of our brand, or of Clicks."TRESemme South Africa apologises for the offence these images have caused. We also apologise to the Clicks group. We are looking into how this happened and why it wasnt picked up, and we will take all necessary steps to make sure it doesnt happen again."In an apology posted on Twitter, Clicks said, "We would like to issue an unequivocal apology. We have removed the images which go against everything we believe in. We do not condone racism and we are strong advocates of natural hair. We are deeply sorry and will put in place stricter measures on our website."We have made a mistake and sincerely apologise for letting you down. We recognise we have a role to play in creating a more diverse and inclusive S.A, starting with our website content. We know we need to do better, and commit to ensuring our content better reflects this value."Despite the apologies, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has mobilised its members to forcibly shut down all Clicks stores across the country, saying that the campaign should be regarded as a human rights violation and a perpetuation of the violence of colonialism and racism. "Fellow fighters and ground forces; ATTACK!!!" said Juilus Malema in a tweet on Sunday afternoon.The EFF also demanded the following: That Clicks Publicly list the names of all the Clicks directors and employees who were involved in the commissioning of the said advert. That all people who were involved in the commissioning of the advert in question, whether they be employees of Clicks or independent contractors be dismissed with immediate effect. Publicly list the name of service providers or contractors who commissioned the advert in question. Publicly list the names of all directors of the company that commissioned the advert. That the contracted company which commissioned the advert must have its contract terminated with immediate effect.Pictures posted by the EFFs official social media accounts show members protesting inside and outside Clicks stores across the country today. A Clicks at Saveways Centre in Emalahleni (Witbank) was also petrol-bombed on Monday morning, however no injuries or serious damage has been reported.Another image posted on Twitter shows smashed windows at the Clicks Alberton store. The laboratory has already started associating closely with leading Indian vaccine manufacturing companies National Immunogenicity & Biologics Evaluation Center (NIBEC) in Pune for assessing clinical Immunogenicity of viral vaccines is established jointly by Bharati Vidyapeeth University through its constituent unit Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA) and BIRAC-DBT, Government of India through National Biopharma Mission. The facility was inaugurated virtually by Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, Government of India in an e-inauguration ceremony presided by Dr Vishwajeet Kadam, Minister of State; Government of Maharashtra. NIBEC, having a dedicated area of about 10,000 sq ft, was established in a record time of just a year. It has state of the art one BSL-3+, 4 BSL-2 and 10 BSL-1 laboratories. Key immunogenicity evaluation tests like Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT), Microneutralization assay, IgM and IgG ELISA have been developed, standardized and validated for Dengue, Chikungunya and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The laboratory has already started associating closely with leading Indian vaccine manufacturing companies and National and International institutes engaged in vaccine developments. Inaugurating the facility via video conference, Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, said that she has very high expectations from NIBEC with regards to clinical immunogenicity testing of vaccine candidates specially with the COVID 19 vaccine pipeline in the country. She further elaborated that having domestic capabilities maintaining international standards in this space, will accelerate and fast track development of indigenous vaccines in the country. A suspected migrant was found hiding in a tourist's roof box this morning when drivers heard thumping sounds at a Kent service station. The shocked driver was parked at Maidstone Services, after travelling back from Calais through the Eurotunnel, when a group of concerned motorists gathered after hearing a 'thumping sound' coming from the car's roof box. A police spokesman said: 'Kent Police was called at around 10.05am on Monday, September 7, 2020, following reports of a suspected migrant inside the roof box of a car at the M20 services near Maidstone. The shocked driver was parked at Maidstone Services, after driving back from Calais through the Eurotunnel, when a group of concerned motorists gathered after hearing a 'thumping sound' coming from the car's roof box A police spokesman said: 'Kent Police was called at around 10.05am on Monday, September 7, 2020, following reports of a suspected migrant inside the roof box' 'Patrols attended the scene where the person was detained and enquiries commenced with Home Office immigration officers.' The driver of the car, who wanted to remain anonymous, had travelled to the UK from Calais through the Eurotunnel. He told the BBC: 'When I got there, the security checked over the car. They had the dogs, the dog came in the car, they had the radar thing and everything, and they said, ''you're ok to go''. 'They let me through. So, how didn't it detect anything?' He said he felt sorry for the 'plight of refugees' and that he was 'shocked more than anything'. The driver of the car, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he felt sorry for the 'plight of refugees' and that he was 'shocked more than anything' The driver added: 'You'd never believe it, in a roof box on a car.' It comes after a screaming baby was among migrants rescued from another boat attempting to cross the channel this morning. Pictures taken in Dover showed Border Force officials hoisting up a baby from a boat to safety after the RNLI picked up another group of migrants in the Channel. Two men were seen standing over a railing in Dover, preparing to lift the child to safety from a boat brought in from the Channel. Another Border Force official dressed in PPE and a protective vest clutched the child in his arms before lifting it up to his colleagues. A Border Force official holds a screaming baby in his arms, as his colleagues stood over a railing above him, prepare to hoist the child to safety 14 migrants were picked up in the Channel this morning and brought back to Dover. The RNLI transported the people using three separate boats Another 14 migrants were found in a boat in another attempted crossing of the English Channel. They were brought ashore in three separate boats by Border Force officials. The inflatable boat used by the migrants was also brought into the harbour from the Channel by the Hunter vessel. This comes after 21 migrants made the journey across the Channel to the UK over the weekend in two separate crossings. Sunday's arrivals meant that at least 5,600 refugees had made the journey this year, with six more having to be rescued from an inflatable boat near Calais after suffering engine failure. Five men and one woman were picked up by coastal maritime surveillance cruiser Escaut and returned to border police at Boulogne-sur-Mer at 2.50pm on Sunday. A Border Force officer is seen carrying a baby at the port of Dover this morning after a group of migrants were rescued from the Channel No successful crossings were recorded on Saturday as far-right protesters clashed with police in Dover in reaction to a pro-migrant demonstration being held in the Kent town. Six men have been charged following anti-migration protests in Dover on Saturday, Kent Police said. All six, aged between 28 and 51, have been bailed to appear at court on a later date, which the force did not state. Chief superintendent Nigel Brookes said: 'We made it very clear from the start that Kent Police would have officers in Dover and would not tolerate violence or disorder. 'Whilst the majority of people demonstrated their views peacefully, there was a minority who did not. Thankfully our experienced officers intervened quickly when offences were committed, sought to keep the transport routes moving and balance the rights of those taking part in the protests.' 21 migrants made the journey across the Channel to the UK over the weekend in two separate crossings An exhausted migrant, one of eight to have landed in Deal, Kent, today, shivers as he lies on the beach wrapped in a blanket Eight migrants were found to have landed on the beach in Deal earlier today and were cared for by the Coastguard The rival protests took place in the Kent town just days after a record 416 migrants made it to the UK after crossing the English Channel. Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O'Mahoney said: 'These crossings are facilitated by criminals willing to risk people's lives for money. France is a safe country with a fully functioning asylum system those seeking refuge can and should claim asylum there. 'I am working with my counterparts in France daily to make this route totally unviable, with more migrants prevented from leaving the French coastline today. 'We continue to return those who do not have a legitimate asylum claim despite barriers to removals under the Dublin Regulations and legal challenges.' Following days of bad weather, a flurry of migrant boats managed to cross the busy shipping lanes of the Dover strait to the UK on Wednesday, last week. At least 416 migrants packed onto two dozen boats for the crossing, a new single-day record. On Thursday, senior Home Office and immigration figures appeared before the Home Affairs Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into migrant crossings. Chairwoman Yvette Cooper pressed them for answers on whether the Home Office will have any legal authority to return migrants to countries like France after December 31. Another child is carried ashore from a boat by a Border Force official after being rescued in the English Channel No successful crossings were recorded on Saturday as far-right protesters clashed with police in Dover in reaction to a pro-migrant demonstration being held in the Kent town However she did not receive a full answer to the question, which she said she was 'really surprised' about. Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, asked Mr O'Mahoney about suggestions made by a French politician that migrants come to the UK because it is easier to work illegally and 'live undercover'. Mr Loughton said: 'It would appear that French members of parliament are party to putting around these misconceptions about how they are actually going to be looked after if they do make it to the UK. 'That's part of the problem, isn't it, that people are coming here on a false premise?' Mr O'Mahoney replied: 'I think that's absolutely correct.' Later the same day, Home Secretary Priti Patel used Twitter to hail the deportation of 11 Syrian nationals to Spain. One of the eight migrants that arrived in Deal today shivers as he crouches on the beach wrapped in blanket An inflatable boat rests on the beach after washing up in Deal today with eight migrants aboard. The engine has fallen off and lies on the stones She also continued her attacks on 'activist lawyers' which she says are frustrating the removal of migrants. Amanda Pinto QC, chair of the Bar Council, said that lawyers should not be political targets for simply doing their jobs. Concerns were raised over the deportation of the 11 Syrians when it emerged that they had been left 'confused and distressed' when they ended up alone on the streets of Madrid. When their UK Government-chartered flight touched down in Spain authorities declined responsibility for them, and they were left alone until an aid group picked them up. Moscow: Security forces in Belarus detained scores of protesters and were filmed beating a man as he lay on the street, as the authorities launched a crackdown on mass demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko. Nearly a month after an election which Lukashenko's opponents say he rigged, tens of thousands of people marched through Minsk, many decked out in red-and-white opposition colours and shouting "go away!" and "you're a rat!". A woman covers herself by an old Belarusian national flag reacts as opposition supporters gather in front of police line toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus. Credit:AP The authorities had laid barbed wire on the streets, and deployed military vehicles, prisoner vans, water cannons, helmeted riot police and plain clothes officers with masks and truncheons to try to contain the demonstrations. At least 100 people were detained, the Russian news agency Interfax quoted the government as saying, while the human rights group Spring-96 put the figure at more than 200. Local media also showed protests and detentions in other cities. (Natural News) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seized control over Americas rental housing stock, decreeing that landlords can no longer evict tenants who are unable to pay their rent. At least through the end of the year, landlords will have to allow their unpaying tenants to remain in place due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which, if Democrats get their way, will more than likely never end. Not only are landlords no longer allowed to evict unpaying tenants, but if they try then there will be federal criminal penalties levied against them for ignoring tenant declarations made using CDC forms. It is unclear, to put it mildly, exactly how this jurisdiction over private contracts and state/local courts flows even to Congress, much less an administrative agency acting on its own, writes Jeff Deist for the Mises Institute. One federal official justifies the bizarre and legally dubious action based on the CDCs broad charter to stop the spread of communicable diseases a charter at which theyve failed miserably with covid. What we know is that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the CDC, has been granted broad powers by Congress that allow for reasonable efforts to combat the spread of communicable diseases. This apparently now means controlling private housing. The CDCs rationale is that if tenants get kicked out of their rental homes then they will either become homeless or congregate at overcrowded living facilities or homeless shelters. This, the agency claims, is a potential recipe for a big spread of COVID-19. This is all part of the Democrats plan to escalate more chaos following the Nov. 3 election, by the way check out The Health Ranger Report below to learn more: CDC now acting by administrative degree, no congressional input necessary In making this decision, the CDC relied only on itself with no input from Congress or any other entity or agency. In other words, the CDC is now its own de facto government, which is truly unprecedented. Keep in mind that earlier eviction moratoriums came with limits, typically applying only to federally backed rentals and mortgages. This new CDC eviction moratorium appears to be across the board, applying to all private residential leases across America. The fallout from suspending rental contracts will be deep and long lasting, Deist adds. Many landlords will find their situations untenable and stop making mortgage and property tax payments. New rental housing stock will be depressed, as owners worry about the next suspension of rent payments now that the precedent has been set. After all, why wouldnt moratoriums happen again when the next pandemic or financial crisis hits? Rental housing units will drop in price as more landlords abandon the business setting the stage for commercial and private equity buyers to grab units on the cheap from individuals and small owners. In the end, the big guys will end up owning more property and assets than they already do, and millions more Americans will be plunged into poverty and servitude. This is little more than a permanent consolidation of the renter class, it turns out, and it has only just begun. Do not forget that the CDC is actually a private corporation no different than Amazon or Apple. What this means is that a large multinational is now calling the shots in lieu of our actual government, meaning we are now under a total private dictatorship. The effects of this moratorium undoubtedly will spill over in unforeseen ways as Americans get used to the idea that their financial obligations can be erased by state edict, Deist warns. More of the latest news about the collapse of America due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) plandemic is available at Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: Mises.org NaturalNews.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 01:49:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIYADH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's Public Prosecution issued on Monday the final verdicts against eight convicts in the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing. The prosecution said in a statement on the Saudi Press Agency that five were sentenced to 20 years in jail, and three sentenced to seven to 10 years in jail. The verdicts were made after authorities checked Khashoggi's family over their right to pardon, the statement said, adding that the verdicts are final and must be enforced. Khashoggi's sons said in May in a statement that they had "pardoned" killers, giving a legal reprieve to the five who had been sentenced to death and sparing their capital punishment. In Saudi Arabia, the family of the victim has the right to pardon the perpetrator. Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey in October 2018, and a number of top Saudi officials were arrested in connection with the case. In December 2019, Saudi Public Prosecution announced that five had been sentenced to death over the killing of Khashoggi, and three others were given jail terms. Enditem HealthyYOU Vending Supports Healthy Foods in Schools In 2010, the U.S. took an important step to help end childhood obesity by observing the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month for the first time. While the annual observance has brought awareness to this preventable epidemic, more can be done. By 2020, roughly 19% of children in the U.S. will have obesity. The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented. Communities, organizations, families and health professionals can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and be more active. Healthy YOU Vending honors National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and is committed to doing its part to end childhood obesity by offering equipment especially suited for healthy vending in schools and elsewhere. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems typically found in adults, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition to these serious health conditions, childhood obesity can lead to other repercussions. Obese children are more likely to have obesity as adults. This can lead to lifelong health problems. Additionally, children who have obesity often face other physical and societal challenges in their young lives. Its a fitting month to raise awareness of childhood obesity, as most children return to school en masse in late August and early September (even in 2020). On average, kids in the U.S. spend about six hours per day in school. Thus, much of their daily calorie consumption comes from within these institutions. To help offset a troubling historical trend of unhealthy snacking in schools, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) set standards for snacks and drinks sold during school hours. Established in 2014, Smart Snacks in School aims to ensure kids have access to healthier options than the confectionaries, fat-filled baked goods, sugary drinks or greasy potato chips common in school vending machines before the standard took effect. To meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, snack foods sold during school hours are required to have: Less than 200 calories Less than 35% of sugar Less than 200 mg of sodium Zero grams of trans fat Nutritional value instead of empty calories Healthy YOU Vending helps provide snacks and drinks in school vending machines that meet or exceed the Smart Snacks in School standards. Working together, states, communities, organizations, schools, childcare providers and parents can make healthier options an easier choice for children in order to help curb childhood obesity. Healthy YOU Vending is the world leader in the healthy vending industry. With corporate offices in Kaysville, Utah, the Healthy YOU Vending team is dedicated to making healthier snacks, drinks and food products more accessible to people across North America. All company vending equipment is privately manufactured in the United States at a state-of-the-art facility. Owner/Operator opportunities for serious-minded and health-conscious entrepreneurs are currently available in most states. Gwinnett County police in Georgia are crediting a 23-year-old mother for jumping from a fast-moving car with her 1-year-old child to escape from a kidnapper. Police are looking for the suspect they describe as a 35 to 40 year old black male approximately 60 in height and 200 pounds with a thin build. She did what she had to do to save her life and the life of her 1-year-old child, Officer Colin Flynn said of the victim, who suffered only minor injuries escaping from the car, WAGA reported. The incident took place at an Exxon Gas Station in Lawrenceville, where she lives, on the night of Aug. 18. The woman was eating outside beside her car, and her 1-year-old was inside sleeping when the suspect approached. The Exxon gas station in Lawrenceville, Ga., where the kidnapping took place. (Screenshot/Google Maps) The male reached for what the victim believed was a gun and punched her in the face multiple times, a Gwinnett County statement explained. The male told the victim to get in the backseat of the car with her baby while he got in the drivers seat. Footage from the gas stations security cameras shows the man recklessly driving out of the parking lot with two doors still open. The suspect told the victim that he wanted money from her, and he also said he would choke her to death and kill her, Flynn explained. The victim at that point and time decided the best course would be to jump from the car. They were traveling at about 50 miles per hour at the time. Removing the car seat with her baby still bucked in, the mother was able to exit the moving vehicle with her child. Thankfully, neither mother nor child was seriously injured in the escape. Had the victim not jumped from the vehicle in this case, we may be investigating this as a homicide, said Flynn. According to the police report, the vehicle was found abandoned the next day within the city limits of Duluth, Georgia, about 6 miles from the gas station where the kidnapping took place. Having escaped the incredible ordeal unharmed with her child, the woman still fears that the suspect will find her and is suffering from trauma over the incident, Flynn said. Gwinnett County Police is seeking help from the public and has released footage from the Exxon gas station in the hopes of finding out more information about the suspect. Authorities believe the crime was not premeditated but rather an opportunistic attempt. The victim had never met the suspect before and he appeared to target her randomly, they wrote. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc President Donald Trump has floated the idea of redirecting unused coronavirus funds to provide a second round of stimulus payments to Americans. But with Congress still undecided on how - or when - to proceed, the prospect of another payment remains uncertain. Last week, Trump suggested using $300 billion in remaining COVID-19 relief funds to provide direct payments to those who qualify. The president didnt go into details about how much the payments could be but said he would prefer that Congress approve the idea before he acts. We have $300 billion ready to go, all Congress has to do is say, Use it. Id like to use it without their permission but I guess Im not allowed, Trump said, according to a report in the New York Post. Were willing to spend it, Id like to get approval from Congress. Theres a theory that I dont have to do that, but Id rather be up front and Id like to get approval from Congress, he added. The comments come as Congress has failed to reach an agreement on a funding relief package, an impasse that has left additional payments in limbo. The last round of stimulus payments provided $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000 and $2,400 for married couples filing jointly who earn up to $150,000. Recipients who earned more than those amounts saw their payments reduced by $5 for each $100 above the income threshold. Single filers who earned more than $99,000 and joint filers who earned more than $198,000 were not eligible. The stimulus also provided $500 for each qualifying child. You can go here to see who might qualify for another round of stimulus payments. The most anticipated Disney movie is now released, but the excitement has dwindled, and some are calling for the boycott of the movie. The controversy Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists are calling for people to boycott the Disney film, and now activists in Taiwan and Thailand have joined in, according to The Washington Post. The calls started last year when the lead actress of the film, Liu Yifei, expressed her support for Hong Kong police, who anti-government demonstrators accuse of using excessive force to quell unrest. Prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong tweeted on September 4 that Disney is tied to Beijing and Liu Yifei openly and proudly endorses police brutality in Hong Kong. Wong added that he urge everyone who believes in human rights to boycott the film. Also Read: Senate Bill Sanctioning Chinese Officials Involved in Law Targeting Hong Kong's Autonomy Awaits Trump's Signature Liu Yifei, a Chinese-born US citizen, talked about the protest in Hong Kong last year, which began as a peaceful demonstration and eventually changed into frequent clashes between protesters and police. In August 2019, the actress wrote on Weibo "I support the Hong Kong police. You can all attack me now. What a shame for Hong Kong." Yifei's post immediately garnered attention and received 78,000 likes in less than a day and was retweeted more than 70,000 times, as reported by NBC News. Calls to boycott "Mulan" followed immediately after she posted the comment and #BoycottMulan was trending on Twitter, a social media app that is banned in China. Meanwhile, comments on Yifei's post on Weibo, which is the dominant social platform in China, echoed her support for Beijing and Hong Kong police. The movie's international audience The movie's initial release date was March 27, 2020, but it was moved due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Mulan" is now out on Disney+ in the United States and is set to hit theatres soon. International audiences, especially in China, are a key part of the film's theatrical strategy. However, tensions are still high in Hong Kong after Beijing imposed a controversial and inhumane national security law on the city in June. Hong Kong has 7 million residents and is overshadowed by China's 1.4 billion residents. However, those pushing for the boycott of the movie could gain support from other countries, especially those who are sympathetic to the pro-democracy movement. The calls to boycott "Mulan" has now spread to other activists, particularly in Thailand and Taiwan, propelled in large part by the #MilkTeaAlliance, which is an online movement uniting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand with concerns about China's influence in the region. In the past few weeks, Thailand has also been demonstrating, with thousands of people calling for reforms of Thailand's monarchy. Thousands of protesters in Hong Kong have expressed support for the movement, while protesters in Thailand and Taiwan are standing with those in Hong Kong who are calling to boycott the movie. Thai student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal tweeted, "I invite everyone to #boycottMulan #banMulan to make Disney and the Chinese government know that state violence against the people is unacceptable," according to The Guardian. However, in China, where people were supportive of Yifei's comments, "Mulan" is expected to be a massive hit with audiences. The film is set to open in theatres in China on September 11. Related Article:President Trump Says Americans Will Have to Learn Chinese If Biden Wins @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chinese President Xi Jinpings recent remarks at the seventh Central Symposium on Tibet Work indicate that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is doubling down on its hardline approach in the region, which evolved gradually after the 2008 protests. The strategy for the next few years that Xi outlined entails a mix of persuasion, development, connectivity, indoctrination and coercion. This will not only have serious implications for ordinary Tibetans but will also impinge on the Sino-Indian boundary question, particularly in the context of Chinas claims on Arunachal Pradesh. Before discussing Xis plan, it is worth mentioning that the seventh symposium was held following back-to-back visits by three high-level Chinese officials to Tibet. In July, Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Yang travelled to the region, focusing on ethnic solidarity, separatism, and management of religious affairs. A few weeks later, Vice Premier Hu Chunhua discussed poverty alleviation during a visit. It is important to note that as per local party officials, poverty alleviation work in Tibet has achieved a decisive victory with no counties or districts falling in the category of being poverty-stricken. Finally, foreign minister and state councillor Wang Yi made a rare visit to Tibet in mid-August, focusing on security and border infrastructure. These visits would have undoubtedly provided feedback for the central leadership, and speak of the multifaceted approach thats being adopted. In his speech on the subject, Xi spoke about the need to forge the consciousness of the Chinese nation as a community and enhance the quality of development and national security and long-term stability in order to build a new socialist modern Tibet. More importantly, he suggested that the CCP must adhere to strategic thinking to govern the borders and stabilise Tibet before governing. This indicates enduring concern about local pushback against the party. Beijing still has serious concerns about stability in Tibet. These are likely to be heightened given the contestation that one can expect over the appointment of the next Dalai Lama. Consequently, the strategy that Xi outlined comprises the following elements. First, he highlighted the need to adhere to the direction of Sinicisation of religion. This implies a continuation of existing policy. For instance, starting from 2011, CCP cadres have been stationed in monasteries around the region. The objective is to ensure that religion does not challenge the bottom line of the legitimacy of party rule. Second, Xi demanded that ideological education be stepped up, with the aim being to plant the seeds of loving China in the depths of the hearts of every youth. Third, he stressed that the party must dig out, sort out and publicise historical facts that link Tibet to PRC. Fourth, he spoke about border defence and the need to create an impregnable fortress. One should think of this not just from a physical border defence perspective, but also a broader sense of surveillance and information security. Fifth, the party leadership in Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Qinghai has been ordered to build physical and developmental linkages with Tibet. And finally, Xi talked about economic development, ecological protection and addressing livelihood issues. In this, Xi appears to be invoking Hu Jintaos argument that functioning markets, water, electricity, heat: These are as much part of counter-insurgency as police work and brute force. Based on these, one can expect a continued and potentially intensified crackdown on communications and freedom of expression, speech and movement in Tibet. Starting from 2012, the CCP has developed, strengthened and securitised its grid policing and surveillance systems in Tibet. The region already accounts for a large chunk of Chinas domestic security expenditure. If threats escalate, it is not inconceivable that Beijing could seek to replicate its model in Xinjiang, which CCP sees as a success, in Tibet to pre-empt instability. From an Indian perspective, Xis comments on border security along with those about digging up historical facts will impact the boundary dispute. The former will have an impact at a tactical level the latter implies that Beijing will engage in greater public opinion and legal warfare, leveraging selective history to strengthen its claims on Arunachal Pradesh. In the long-term, this will likely undermine the possibility of arriving at any resolution to the boundary dispute based on the current status quo on the ground. Manoj Kewalramani is fellow, China Studies, The Takshashila Institution The views expressed are personal Is Trump a turning point in world politics? By Joseph S. Nye, Jr., exclusively for the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka View(s): View(s): CAMBRIDGE As the United States enters the home stretch of the 2020 presidential election campaign, and with neither partys nominating convention featuring much discussion of foreign policy, the contest between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden apparently will be waged mainly on the battleground of domestic issues. In the long run, however, historians will ask whether Trumps presidency was a major turning point in Americas role in the world, or just a minor historical accident. At this stage, the answer is unknowable, because we do not know if Trump will be re-elected. My book Do Morals Matter? rates the 14 presidents since 1945 and gives Trump a formal grade of incomplete, but for now he ranks in the bottom quartile. Top-quartile presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt saw the mistakes of Americas isolationism in the 1930s and created a liberal international order after 1945. A turning point was Harry S. Trumans post-war decisions that led to permanent alliances that have lasted to this day. The US invested heavily in the Marshall Plan in 1948, created NATO in 1949, and led a United Nations coalition that fought in Korea in 1950. In 1960, during the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the US signed a new security treaty with Japan. Over the years, Americans have had bitter divisions among themselves and with other countries over military intervention in developing countries like Vietnam and Iraq. But the liberal institutional order continued to enjoy broad support until the 2016 election, when Trump became the first nominee of a major party to attack it. Trump was also a sceptic about foreign intervention, and while he has increased the defence budget, he has used force relatively sparingly. Trumps anti-interventionism is relatively popular, but his narrow, transactional definition of US interests, and his skepticism about alliances and multilateral institutions, is not reflective of majority opinion. Since 1974, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has asked the public whether America should take an active part or stay out of world affairs. Roughly a third of the American public has been consistently isolationist, reaching a high point of 41% in 2014. Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, 64% favored active involvement by the time of the 2016 election, and that number rose to a high of 70% by 2018. Trumps election and his populist appeal rested on the economic dislocations that were accentuated by the 2008 Great Recession, but even more on polarising cultural changes related to race, the role of women, and gender identity. While he didnt win the popular vote in 2016, Trump successfully linked white resentment over the increasing visibility and influence of racial and ethnic minorities to foreign policy by blaming economic insecurity and wage stagnation on bad trade deals and immigration. As president, however, according to former national security adviser John Bolton, Trump had little strategy, and his foreign policy was driven primarily by domestic politics and personal interests. Just before Trump took office, Martin Wolf of The Financial Times described the moment as the end of both an economic period that of Western led globalisation and a geopolitical one, the post-cold war unipolar moment of a US-led global order. In that case, Trump may prove to be a turning point in American and world history, particularly if he is re-elected. His electoral appeal may turn on domestic politics, but his effect on world politics could be transformational. The current debate over Trump revives a longstanding question: Are major historical outcomes the product of political leaders choices, or are they largely the result of social and economic forces beyond anyones control? Sometimes, history seems like a rushing river whose course is shaped by precipitation and topography, and leaders are simply ants clinging to a log in the current. In my view, they are more like white-water rafters trying to steer and fend off rocks, occasionally overturning and sometimes succeeding in steering to a desired destination. For example, Roosevelt was unable to bring the US into World War II until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, but his moral framing of the threat posed by Hitler, and his preparations to confront that threat, proved crucial. After World War II, the US response to Soviet ambitions might have been very different had Henry Wallace (who was replaced as vice president on the Roosevelt ticket for the 1944 election), not Truman, been president. After the 1952 election, an isolationist Robert Taft administration or an assertive Douglas MacArthur presidency might have disrupted the relatively smooth consolidation of Trumans containment strategy, over which Eisenhower presided. John F. Kennedy was crucial in averting a nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis and then signing the first nuclear arms control agreement. But he and Lyndon B. Johnson mired the country in the unnecessary fiasco of the Vietnam War. In the centurys last decades, economic forces caused the erosion of the Soviet Union and Mikhail Gorbachevs actions accelerated the Soviet blocs collapse. But Ronald Reagans defence buildup and negotiating skill, and George H.W. Bushs skill in managing crises, played a significant role in bringing about a peaceful end to the Cold War, with a reunified Germany in NATO. In other words, leaders and their skills matter which also means that Trump cannot be easily dismissed. More important than his tweets are his weakening of institutions, alliances, and Americas soft power of attraction, which polls show has declined since 2016. Machiavellian and organisational skills are essential for successful US presidents, but so is emotional intelligence, which leads to self-awareness, self-control, and contextual insight, none of which is evident with Trump. His successor, whether in 2021 or 2025, will confront a changed world, partly because of Trumps idiosyncratic personality and policies. How great that change will be depends on whether Trump is a one-term or two-term president. We will know after November 3 whether we are at a historical turning point or at the end of an historical accident. Joseph S. Nye, Jr. is a professor at Harvard University and author, most recently, of Do Morals Matter? Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2020. www.project-syndicate.org It may well be, if inflicted on a companys or government agencys employees. In July, the City of Seattle required employees to attend training on Internalized Racial Superiority for White People. Last week, U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Peter Kirsanow wrote a letter to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, which is embedded below. Kirsanow questioned the legality of the Citys training program under federal civil rights law: This training likely violated Title VIIs prohibition against segregating employees by race. As a refresher, Title VII states: It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer . . . to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individuals race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Theres no exception in Title VII that says, unless you have good intentions. Rather, it provides that you may not segregate an individual by race in any way which would tend to adversely affect that persons status as an employee. I know. I had to check twice myself. Segregation is still prohibited in 2020. Amazing. You should read the whole letter. One gets the impression that Peter has about had it with liberal racism. More: Lets take a look at the training materials from this session. One of the first training documents defines Four Types of Racism. One of the four types of racism is internalized racism, defined as The internalization of the racist stereotypes, values, images and ideologies perpetuated by the white dominant society about ones racial group. And what qualities constitute internalized racism? Well, according to the next slide, here are characteristics of Internalized Racial Superiority: Perfectionism, individualism, imposition, arrogance, paternalism, silence, intellectualization, control, violence, comfort, appropriation, cognitive dissonance, objectivity, anti-blackness, feeling oneself to be the true victim, either/or and categorical thinking (separating, seeing distinctions and not connections). Its tough to win if you are white. If you are violent, you are racist. On the other hand, if you are comfortable or intellectual, that is racist too. Anti-blackness is racist (fair enough), but so is appropriation, which means liking black things and making them your own. And there is no escape. If you do nothingsilencethat is also racist. Peter comments: What is Seattle doing here? Playing Mad-Libs? There is no way that separating white employees from other employees and telling them that this grab-bag of characteristics are inherent to white people and are bad (and therefore, that they have these characteristics and are bad) does not adversely affect their status in the eyes of their coworkers. There is much more; see the letter embedded below. At last word, Seattles Mayor had not responded. Dont hold your breath. Anti-white training is all the rage in corporate America as well as in government. This image, as James Lindsay says, aptly sums up Critical Race Theory: This is Critical Race Theory in a single image. pic.twitter.com/8ZhljbXlvp James Lindsay, relevant white dude (@ConceptualJames) September 6, 2020 I love how this particular scammer denounces capitalism, alleges that all white people are racist, and immediately moves on to PayPal me. Apparently there are people in the world dumb enough to fall for this bulls**t. PAUL ADDS: The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, under Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband, has sent a letter to the Seattle City Attorney inquiring about the training program for white employees that Kirsanow describes, as well as a parallel program for black employees. The letter states: [Seattles training] may be in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race. We have not reached any conclusions. However, there is certain information [note: nine categories of it] that we request in order to determine whether the City has violated Title VII by conducting separate training based on race that may affect the terms and conditions of employment for both white employees and employees who identify as black or persons of color. STEVE adds: Heres a 60 second clip of this seminar, which actually occurred three years ago: Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris spoke with Kenosha shooting victim Jacob Blake by phone Monday, while she was meeting with familly members in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Biden campaign confirmed that Harris sat down with Jacob Blake Sr., the victim's father and his sisters Zietha Blake and Letetra Widman, as soon as she touched down in Milwaukee Also present on the phone were Blake's mother, Julia Jackson, and attorney Ben Crump. Afterward, Harris called the meeting 'really wonderful.' 'I mean theyre an incredible family and what theyve endured and they do it with such dignity and grace. And you know, they're carrying the weight of a lot of voices on their shoulders,' she said. Vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris is photographed arriving in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Monday. The first thing she did was meet with members of Jacob Blake's family and call the shooting victim and his mother by phone Harris, a California senator, is photographed walking inot a meeting with members of the Blake family. Reporters weren't allowed inside the meeting or the one with Democratic nominee Joe Biden After her meeting with the Blake family, Harris toured an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Jacob Blake is photographed in his hospital bed. He spoke to Joe Biden by phone on Thursday and Kamala Harris by phone on Monday She said the message she took into the meeting was to 'express concern for their well-being and of course, for their brother and their son's well being and to let them know that they have support,' Harris said of meeting the family. Blake's two other lawyers, BIvory LaMarr and Patrick Salvi, Jr., were also present. It was essentially the same group that Democratic nominee Joe Biden had spoken with when he touched down in Milwaukee on Thursday. Reporters weren't allowed in either meeting. 'I had the opportunity to spend some time with Jacob on the phone. He's out of ICU. We spoke for about 15 minutes,' Biden said at the Grace Lutheren Church in Kenosha last week. 'He talked about how nothing was going to defeat him. Whether he walked again or not, he was not going to give up.' Biden and his wife Jill made a two-city trip to Wisconsin Thursday, a key swing state, first stopping in Milwaukee for a meeting with Blake's family members and then motorcading to Kenosha for a conversation with community stakeholders. The Biden visit marked the first time a Democratic presidential candidate visited Wisconsin since the 2012 cycle. Harris will spend the day in Milwaukee and tour an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers facility, to mark the Labor Day holiday. She will then meet with Black Milwaukee business owners as part of the Biden-Harris' 'Build Back Better' agenda, according to the campaign. WESTFIELD The state Department of Labor Relations recently determined there is probable cause the city violated labor laws by engaging in coercive behavior when the municipality terminated three firefighters in December. The DLR ordered a hearing, expected to convene in January, to adjudicate the matter. This will occur before an administrative law judge. Based on the evidence presented during the investigation, I find probable cause to believe that violations have occurred, the DLR investigator, Attorney Kendrah Davis wrote Aug. 17 in the charging document. The Republican reviewed a copy of the charging document Friday. By terminating Westfield Fire Captain Rebecca Boutin and Firefighters David Kennedy and Kyle Miltimore, the City has derivatively interfered with, restrained, and coerced its employees in the exercise of their rights, Davis wrote. The three allege their firing was retaliation for cooperating with a state police investigation involving sexual harassment allegations against then-Deputy Chief Patrick Egloff. There have been no criminal charges filed against Egloff, who has since been promoted to chief They were fired by the city Dec. 19, 2019. The trio filed the unfair labor practice charges in January 2020 against the city. The union representing Westfield firefighters, Local 1111 of International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, also filed unfair labor practice charges against the city in January. Asked about these allegations, Albert Masciadrelli, chairman of Westfield Fire Commission, declined to comment. The WFC is appointing authority for the fire department, exercising legal control of it, according to a number of acts approved by state legislature going back to the 1920s. In addition, Boutin, Kennedy and Miltimore appealed their terminations by the WFC to the state civil service commission. At this time it is not known if the parties might reach a negotiated settlement, or if the civil service commission will decide the matter and issue a determination. The commission has held numerous hearings over the summer spanning many hours. The firefighters also filed lawsuits against the city and its fire commissioners in February. A Hampden County Superior Court judge in June ordered the city to reinstate the terminated Fire Capt. Boutins injured-on-duty benefits until further Order of this Court, saying Westfields actions ran contrary to law. This court case is still pending. This complaint describes an incident during a training exercise in which other firefighters yanked an ice rescue sled out from underneath Kennedy, causing him to break his tailbone and fall on top of Miltimore. Named defendants in this lawsuits are the city, three current members of the Westfield Fire Commission, Masciadrelli, C. Lee Bennett and Jeffrey Siegel, and former commissioners Patrick Olearcek and Carlo Bonavita. Related: AIPA Secretary-General Nguyen Tuong Van (Photo: VNA) Talking to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the event, to be held virtually from September 8 to 10, Van held that amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnamese NA took the initiative in changing the form of the event from offline to online, which she said has reflected its flexibility, sense of responsibility and resolve to fulfill its role in AIPA Chairmanship. This is the third time the parliament of Vietnam has served as AIPA Chair and hosted an AIPA General Assembly, but the first time an event of this kind takes place in the form of a teleconference. The theme of AIPA 41, Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community, matches the theme of Vietnams 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, which is Cohesive and Responsive, aiming to create high consensus among member countries and inherit the outcomes of the 36th ASEAN Summit in June, especially the initiatives suggested by Vietnam and supported by other nations, according to Secretary-General Van. She went on to say that upholding its chairmanship, Vietnam has suggested the establishment of the mechanism of young parliamentarians meetings to promote the youths role, while boosting links between AIPA activities and those of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in association with the implementation of the UNs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development The country has also proposed themes for meetings of women parliamentarians and the AIPA committees on political matters, economic matters and social matters and received other members support, she added. There are two highly important principles in the ASEAN Charter and AIPA regulations, consensus and non-intervention in one anothers internal affairs, which have helped maintain the blocs solidarity and unity. However, Van added, ASEAN and AIPA members havent been always shared common voices on certain regional issues in recent years. During Vietnams AIPA Chairmanship, politics security remains one of the key areas, aside from sensitive issues among ASEAN countries as well as between the bloc and partners. Therefore, it requires the host countrys sharpness, particularly in terms of negotiation skills, so as to seek similarities among partners who sometimes have very different interests and concerns, she noted. As host of AIPA 41, the Vietnamese NA has coordinated with the Foreign Ministry to negotiate with other member parliaments to deal with some issues in the Political Affairs Committees agenda, Van said. She emphasised that Vietnam concurrently serving as ASEAN Chair, AIPA 41 Chair and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2020 holds great significance, creating conditions for the country to continue affirming its growing position and role in the region and the world. The COVID-19 and the new and complex developments in the region will pose challenges and pressure, requiring high sense of responsibility from host Vietnam. Therefore, the Secretary-General said, Vietnams flexibility, proactiveness and sense of responsibility during the preparation for AIPA 41 as seen recently have been highly valued by other countries. According to her, the practical and effective contributions by the Vietnamese NA during the AIPA Chairmanship Year in this special context are critical to the reinforcement of the countrys friendship and multifaceted cooperation with other ASEAN members, which in turn will provide the foundation for it to push ahead with and assert its stature during international integration./. Nollywood star, Funke Akindele, is currently shooting the second instalment of her 2010 hit movie, Omo Ghetto, at different locations in Lagos. Its a star-studded film that features cast like Yemi Alade, Naira Marley, Slimcase and AY comedian. The original version told the story of a set of twins who were separated at birth and are living completely different lives. One was a ghetto kid and leader of a notorious female gang, while the other was raised in affluence and had anger issues. The very popular ghetto twin was daring and ridiculously uncouth in her manners while the rich kids temper almost results in the death of her fiance. This incident made her go into hiding for fear of being jailed. The ghetto twin, alongside her gang, are apprehended on their way to unleash terror on an unsuspecting victim. The movie launched the acting career of Eniola Badmus, who turned 44 on Monday. It was also the movie that defined Akindeles career and shot her to super-stardom. The second, which is tagged Omo Ghetto: The Saga will parade a rich cast of Nollywood and Yoruba movie actors like Chioma Akpotha (as Chummy Choko), Eniola Badmus (as Busty), Bimbo Thomas (as Nikky), Akah Nnani (as Mario) and Alex Ekubo (Obi Wire). READ ALSO: Others are Zubby Michael (as Aza Man), Deyemi Okanlawon (as Stone), Timini Egbuson, Nancy Isime, Paschaline Alex, Mercy Aigbe among others. The first version had the likes of Rachel Oniga, Taiwo Hassan, Yinka Quadri, Eniola Badmus, Ronke Ojo playing lead roles. The film will be released later in the year. Check out behind-the-scenes photos from the movie set below. ALL PHOTOS FROM Funke Akindele Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Scenes from Omo Ghetto [Photo: Funke Akindele] Vodafone Idea surged 7.99% to Rs 12.97 after the telecom operator's board on Friday (4 September) approved plans to raise funds upto Rs 25,000 crore via combination of equity and debt issue. In a BSE filing made post market hours on 4 September 2020, the company said that its board approved raising upto Rs 15,000 crore via issue of equity shares or securities convertible into equity shares. The board also approved raising upto Rs 15,000 crore through unsecured/secured non-convertible debentures via public offering or private placement basis or otherwise, in one or more tranches. "However, the total raising of funds shall not exceed Rs 25,000 crore," Vodafone Idea added. The fund raising proposals will be taken-up at the annual general meeting scheduled on 30 September 2020. Meanwhile, the UK-based Vodafone Group has reportedly maintained its stance that it will not invest any fresh equity into Vodafone Idea. Vodafone Idea is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is India's leading telecom service provider. The Company provides pan India Voice and Data services across 2G, 3G and 4G platform. The telco reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 25,460 crore in Q1 FY21, higher than net loss of Rs 4,873.90 crore in Q1 FY20. Gross revenue in Q1 June 2020 stood at Rs 10,659.30 crore, down by 5.4% from Rs 11,269.90 crore in Q1 June 2019. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service MUMBAI: Actress Rhea Chakraborty has filed a police complaint against Priyanka Singh, sister of her late boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput, including others for sharing bogus medical prescription for the late actor. In her complaint with Mumbai police against Priyanka Singh and Dr. Tarun Kumar of Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Rhea Chakraborty said, "Sushant died merely five days after obtaining the prescription in which he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances. It is imperative that the actions of Priyanka Singh, Dr. Tarun Kumar, and others be investigated and that it be determined as to how they came to provide the deceased with such a bogus and unlawful prescription," she stated. She alleged that the forged prescription depicted Sushant Singh Rajput as being at a Delhi Out Patient Department when in fact he was in Mumbai. ALSO READ | Rhea's complaint with Mumbai Police ploy to derail CBI probe: Sushant Singh Rajput's family lawyer The statement further read: "When he was in Mumbai on 8th June 2020 prescribing schedule drugs, which are listed in Schedule of NDPS Act listed at items 36 and 37 as Psychotropic Substances and Tele Medicines Practice Guidelines 3.7.4 dealing with Prohibited List, which prohibits prescribing of any Narcotic or Psychotropic Substance listed in the NDPS Act. It is a misconduct under 3.7.1.4 of the Tele Medicine Practice Guidelines." She says she tried to dissuade him from taking medication as it not prescribed by his doctors. But Sushant Singh Rajput "insisted" on taking medicines "his sister was prescribing him". The complaint of Rhea Chakraborty is based on WhatsApp texts between the actor and his sister from June 8, six days before he was found dead in his Mumbai apartment. Rhea Chakraborty, who left Sushant Singh Rajput's apartment the same day, claims the actor showed her the messages. Earlier in the day, Rhea appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for the second consecutive day in connection with the ongoing probe into a possible drug connection in Sushant's death. (With IANS inputs) US President Donald Trump personally wrote to Bashar al-Assad about the case of journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in war-ravaged Syria since 2012, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday. "The US government has repeatedly attempted to engage Syrian officials to seek Austin's release," Pompeo said in a statement on the eighth anniversary of Tice's disappearance. President Trump wrote to Bashar al-Assad in March to propose direct dialogue." Trump then issued his own statement, confirming his pleas on Tice's behalf and reiterating calls for his release. "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. Tice was a freelance photojournalist working for Agence France-Presse, McClatchy News, The Washington Post, CBS and other news organizations when he disappeared after being detained at a checkpoint near Damascus on August 14, 2012. 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. In March, Trump said the United States had written a letter to authorities in Damascus, without specifying that he himself had written personally to Assad, who Washington wants out of power. At that time, Trump said he did not know if Tice was still alive, but on Friday, he demanded answers from Damascus. "There is no higher priority in my administration than the recovery and return of Americans missing abroad," Trump said. "The Tice family deserves answers. We stand with the Tice family and will not rest until we bring Austin home." Pompeo said he and Trump hoped there would be "no need for another statement like this a year from now." 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. In 2018, US authorities announced a $1 million reward for information that would lead to his recovery. Elsa Hosk has been craving a tropical getaway amid the Southern California heatwave and the global COVID-19 pandemic. And the Swedish model made the most of her quarantine, which she spent with boyfriend Tom Daly in Los Angeles. She pulled together a casual chic look in double denim as she teased her taut midriff and made a coffee run before returning to New York. Double denim: Elsa Hosk pulled together a casual chic look in double denim as she teased her taut midriff and made a coffee run in Los Angeles during a break from isolation The 31-year-old wore an oversized denim western shirt, buttoned only once in the middle, and paired with some faded straight leg jeans. She finished the look with a pair of tortoiseshell cat-eye sunglasses and some chunky white New Balance sneakers. Hosk told Harper's Bazaar back in July of the method to her fashion aesthetic: 'I think a piece of clothing itself inspires me to put together an outfit a certain way. 'I like to look and feel like myself and dress to lift whatever mood I'm in. Inspiration can come from anywheremovies, pictures, a destination, where I'm at in lifeit's always a feeling I want to create. How I dress is an expression of my personality.' Dad vibes: The 31-year-old wore an oversized denim western shirt, buttoned only once in the middle, and paired with some faded straight leg jeans Fashion inspo: Hosk told Harper's Bazaar back in July of the method to her fashion aesthetic: 'I think a piece of clothing itself inspires me to put together an outfit a certain way' She shared some throwback bikini photos Sunday to her Instagram Story, writing: 'Thinking about where to go when I can travel again ...' The Victoria's Secret Angel sported a mint green strapless one-piece with knots tied across the bare midriff, while posing in Sicily. She sizzled in a sexy black and white leopard-print two-piece string bikini, as she stepped out of the water in Jamaica. Summer vibes: She shared some throwback bikini photos Sunday to her Instagram Story, writing: 'Thinking about where to go when I can travel again ...' Sizzling in Sicily: The Victoria's Secret Angel sported a mint green strapless one-piece with knots tied across the bare midriff, while posing in Sicily Bikini babe: She sizzled in a sexy black and white leopard-print two-piece string bikini, as she stepped out of the water in Jamaica. She served Bond girl vibes in a red and white houndstooth two-piece, as she enjoyed a drink on the beaches of the Bahamas Lady in red: Hosk also put her tight physique on display in a strapless red two-piece with '90s black oval sunglasses, while soaking in a pool in Cannes Hosk also put her tight physique on display in a strapless red two-piece with '90s black oval sunglasses, while soaking in a pool in Cannes. She served Bond girl vibes in a red and white houndstooth two-piece, as she enjoyed a drink on the beaches of the Bahamas. The blonde beauty is sure to have plenty more beautiful travels, after signing with CAA back in July, announcing the news on her Instagram Story: 'Hiii got some news. I joined CAA, so excited for this new chapter!' Victorian hotel owners have slammed Daniel Andrews' road map to recovery from coronavirus restrictions. The Accommodation Association fears thousands of businesses will go under because lockdown is being relaxed too slowly. Under the premier's plan, released on Sunday, lockdown will only end when there are an average of five cases per day, which is not expected until October 26. Victorian hotel owners have slammed Daniel Andrews' road map to recovery from coronavirus restrictions. Pictured: Melbourne on Sunday Until then, a curfew will be in place from 9pm to 5am and residents can only leave home for exercise, shopping, school and work, and caregiving. 'This so-called road to recovery is actually a road to business closures and economic ruin,' said Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long. 'With apologies to AC/DC, the Victorian Government is in fact providing Victoria's accommodation providers with a highway to hell.' The body represents close to 3,500 hotels with 100,000 employees around Australia, including 500 hotels in Victoria. Before coronavirus, the accommodation sector was worth $17 billion to the Australian economy and $1.5 billion to the Victorian economy. The group is demanding hotels be paid $1,000 per room per month to stay alive as lockdown is extended. Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long Mr Long said: 'The Victorian Government has a moral responsibility to support accommodation businesses with a $1,000 per room monthly payment to help offset fixed costs such as electricity, water, insurance while they continue to enforce a close down on our sector. 'We look forward to being part of a more consultative process with the Victorian Government to refine the roadmap moving forward.' The road map has also come under fire from Opposition MPs show believe. New South Wales has managed to remove lockdown and keep its economy going while suppressing cases to an average of less than 10 this month. Tim Smith MP said; This isn't a recovery plan, this is the Andrews Labor govt's death warrant for Victoria. 'The curfew won't end until there are 5 cases a day... 'NSW has averaged nine cases a day for the last two weeks so under Dan's plan Sydney would have a 9pm curfew and hospitality would be closed.' Victoria has announced nine more deaths from coronavirus, taking the state toll to 675 and the national figure to 762. But there was some good news for the state, with new case numbers dropping significantly on Monday to 41. It is Victoria's lowest daily case number since June 26. Monday's figures come as Victorian small business rails against the government's roadmap out of lockdown restrictions, with Melbourne under stage-four measures for another fortnight. A broader state-wide reopening is still months away, but Victorian deputy premier James Merlino said the government is doing all it can to have the economy moving again in a COVID-safe way. Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said owners are struggling under the weight of costs, including rent, equipment leases, loans and an accumulation of worker entitlements. 'What small businesses are telling us is that they are giving up,' she told Nine's Today program on Monday. 'For many of them, they are not going to be open until the end of November.' The Accommodation Association fears thousands of businesses will go under because lockdown is being relaxed too slowly. Pictured: Premier Dan Andrews Mr Merlino said the worst thing the government could do for business was open up and then a few weeks later reimpose restrictions because of a third wave. 'You've got to get the (infection) numbers down ... and once we do that then we can have a much broader reopening of our economy,' he told ABC radio. Mr Merlino believes the state's voters are behind the government's suppression strategy. 'People are with us and they don't want to be put at risk,' he said. 'People understand that we need to ease restrictions safely and steadily.' Chandigarh, Sep 7 : Tightening the noose around those spreading false propaganda about Covid-19, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to crackdown on all rumour-mongers and web channels spreading misinformation about the pandemic. Amarinder Singh also asked DGP Dinkar Gupta to monitor the statements being issued by 'anti-India' operators working from abroad and to register cases against all such people, wherever they might be located, who are found spreading rumours on social media and web channels. The Chief Minister directed the DGP to initiate the process of getting such entities banned in India. The directives came even as Punjab Police continued to register cases against rumour-mongers across the state. The DGP informed the virtual meeting held to review the Covid-19 situation, which was chaired by the Chief Minister, that eight FIRs have been registered in the past 10 days against those spreading rumours and circulating false and misleading videos that are hampering the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and also preventing people from availing of proper medical treatment at public and private health facilities. The DGP said criminal cases have also been registered in Ludhiana and Phagwara against people holding parties despite the government's prohibitory orders against all such gatherings. So far, 54 people, including the owner of a resort, have been arrested for holding a pool party in Ludhiana and 17 people have been arrested in Phagwara, including the owner of a restaurant. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Aug 29 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin used a birthday phone call on Sunday to invite Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to visit Moscow, a Kremlin show of support as thousands of protesters streamed into central Minsk demanding Lukashenko step down. President Lukashenko, who turned 66 on Sunday, is struggling to contain three weeks of protests and strikes since winning an Aug. 9 election that his opponents say was rigged. He denies electoral fraud and has said the protests are backed from abroad. "It was agreed to hold a meeting in Moscow in the coming weeks," the Kremlin said in a statement after the leaders' call. Belarus is Russia's closest ex-Soviet ally and its territory is an integral part of Moscow's European defence strategy. Nevertheless, Lukashenko is seen in Moscow as a prickly ally. In the biggest sign yet of Russia's willingness to intervene to prop up Lukashenko, Putin said on Thursday the Kremlin had set up a "reserve police force" at Lukashenko's request, although it would be deployed only if necessary. Thousands of people, many waving red-and-white opposition flags and chanting "long live Belarus", marched towards Minsk's Independence Square, which was cordoned off by police in anticipation of the protest. Passing cars honked their horns in solidarity with the protesters. Police detained at least a dozen people, an eyewitness said. Other protesters were seen resisting arrest by what appeared to be plain-clothes officers. Earlier on Sunday, women dressed in traditional dress laid several pumpkins in front of the main government building, a folk custom intended to signal the rejection of a suitor. The European Union is gearing up to impose new sanctions on Belarus. Lukashenko, in office for 26 years, threatened on Friday to cut off European transit routes across his country in retaliation. (Additional reporting by Maria Kiselyova in Moscow Writing by Matthias Williams Editing by Frances Kerry) Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:24:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Germany's already weakened automotive industry particularly hard with "tremendous force," according to a study published by the German Economic Institute (IW) on Monday. Global supply chains were interrupted and automobile production in Germany almost came to a complete standstill in April, the study said. Following the "supply shock," Germany's automotive industry was "facing a demand shock from which it is only slowly recovering," the study's authors, Thomas Puls and Manuel Fritsch, noted. However, Germany's car industry was "not a monolithic block," Puls told Xinhua on Monday, adding that manufacturers as well as large and small suppliers were in "very different positions and were differently affected by the crisis." Last week, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) warned that vehicle production and exports in August were still around a third below the previous year's level. The country's largest car manufacturers, Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler, have recently all reported heavy losses due to COVID-19. Volkswagen's earnings before tax suffered a loss of 1.4 billion euros (1.65 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2020, Germany's largest carmaker said at the end of July. In the same period last year, the company had achieved a profit of 9.6 billion euros. According to the IW study, almost 60 percent of employees in Germany's automotive industry had been on short-time work and significant job cuts were expected. "The impact of the pandemic is rather huge due to the fact that the automotive sector was already occupied with a transformation process which made it more vulnerable to external shocks," the authors noted. The German automotive industry could "look back on a golden decade" because companies "reached numerous record peaks in sales" between 2008 and 2018, the IW noted. The main driver was the strong growth of the Chinese market, from which both the German car manufacturers and the suppliers were able to profit. In 2019, the global automotive market began to shrink. When the COVID-19 crisis hit, the German car industry was already facing high overcapacity and the technological shift towards electrical powertrain was also impacting business results, according to the study. "As a result, the automotive industry is facing noticeable personnel adjustments for the first time in a decade and will initially fail as a growth locomotive for Germany as a business location," the authors wrote. China is currently regarded as the "source of hope" for the German automotive industry, the IW noted. China is now the biggest market for German car manufacturers, which generated between 25 percent and 40 percent of their sales last year, according to the IW study. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollars) Enditem The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made a passionate plea to the people of Ghana to give them the nod in the forthcoming general elections. National Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, at the official launch of the partys manifesto on Monday, September 7, 2020, said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, are leading the country into massive retrogression. According to Mr. Ampofo, the 2020 poll will be a critical decision-making point for Ghanaians to hand over power to the NDC to help salvage the receding socio-economic development of the country. He added that it will take a new NDC government to restore the gains lost under the NPP administration. He thus urged voters to give the NDC their mandate and subject them to strict accountability. We the people of this noble country, are now at this critical juncture. We cannot sink any further than we have. We are at rock-bottom. The incumbent party is not only confused and exhausted, President Akufo-Addo is digging an even deeper hole which if not stopped, we compel all of us to be buried alive. I, therefore, call on all our countrymen and women and every citizen, to go to the poll in December and with one big push rescue Ghana and Ghanaians from this affliction. Enough is enough, give us your mandate and hold us to account for things that you find in this manifesto. Vote for President Mahama and let us together move Ghana in the right direction because indeed Ghana must work again, he said. Touching on highlights from the manifesto, the NDC National Chairman disclosed that the policy document dubbed The Peoples Manifesto takes into cognizance the needs of the ordinary Ghanaians and the progress of the country for better lives. It is a social contract the NDC is presenting to this country. In this manifesto, the NDC has laid out an extensive plan that will take the country forward to a better position not only to restore what we have lost but more importantly, to raise the living standards of every Ghanaian. This peoples manifesto has been prepared with the ordinary man and woman on the street in mind. The policy proposal is so simple that everybody will relate. citinewsroom Middle class memes have made a comeback on Twitter after Rhea Chakraborty's father Indrajit Chakraborty released a statement on his son being arrested. Netizens have been using the hashtag #IAmSoMiddleClass to call out Rhea's family, for calling themselves a 'middle class family'. The trend first became famous on Twitter because of Maya Sarabhai's character, who often told off her daughter-in-law Monisha for being 'so middle class'. Indrajit yesterday (September 6) released a statement in which he congratulated India for his son's arrest and stated that Rhea is next in line. "Congratulations India, you have arrested my son, I'm sure next on the line is my daughter and I don't know who is next thereafter. You have effectively demolished a middle class family. But of course, for the sake of justice everything is justified. Jai hind." The statement became fodder for memes and the hashtag #IAmSoMiddleClass soon began trending on Twitter. Netizens recalled pieces of Rhea's previous statements, her bank loan, the cars she uses, her two companies with Sushant, and Mumbai police and Maharashtra government's support. Take a look at the memes: #IamSoMiddleClass #RheaChakraborty I dont have enough money to pay Rs17000/-emi for 50 lakh loan but i run 2 companies & hire India's one the most expensive criminal lawyer. pic.twitter.com/K9kOeRXgCt Shreya (@Shreya85618306) September 6, 2020 #IamSoMiddleClass that in the first picture its sushants sister no one spoke for her although she never gets any security all the time but when for once a planned PR is made from everyone jumps the gun the Rheality is the second picture #SatyagrahForSSR #ShameOnAajTak pic.twitter.com/saXHAC4wjH (@Unknown64012796) September 6, 2020 #IamSoMiddleClass That I have to drive jeep compass... And also have to take care this helpless old man...#SSRiansVsDrugMafia pic.twitter.com/mVRixBekCH Rohit Srivastava (@ROHITCNF) September 6, 2020 #IamSoMiddleClass that i can only afford plain white salwar kameez! pic.twitter.com/edwTi8Dboj The Nikamme Larki (@AditiRo76219777) September 6, 2020 #IamSoMiddleClass I've never used a hashtag about being middle class. Vir Das (@thevirdas) September 6, 2020 #IamSoMiddleClass that I pay New Channels for doing my interview. I lie on social media and national television. I buy and sell drugs along with my brother. I hire one of the most expensive lawyers. I used SSR 's money for properties, holidays, companies & much more. pic.twitter.com/VVfWGSUusP Moumita G (@mou_g07) September 6, 2020 #IamSoMiddleClass that I've hired one of the costliest lawyers of the country. #IamSoMiddleClass that the whole Maha government is protecting me. pic.twitter.com/soqMrYYApB Prathyusha (@Prathyou) September 6, 2020 Rhea's brother Showik was recently arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau on the account of procuring drugs, he claimed to have bought for his sister from Samuel Miranda, who was also arrested. Rhea then was summoned by NCB and was questioned for six hours. She has also been summoned again on Monday, September 7 in the drug conspiracy case related to Sushant's death. Rhea Chakraborty's Father Issues Public Statement: You've Demolished A Middle-Class Family Rhea Chakraborty Ready For Arrest, No Anticipatory Bail, Says Lawyer Donald Trump has written to pro-life campaigners to seek their support ahead of the November presidential elections. Trump said he had "proudly governed as the most pro-life president in our nation's history," and that he wanted this to continue by being re-elected. In the letter to Pro-Life Voices for Trump, the President said that if he wins another four years in the White House, he will work to ban terminations after 20 weeks, and introduce protections for babies born alive during botched abortions. He also committed to "fully defund the big abortion industry" and organizations like Planned Parenthood. The President said Joe Biden had "doubled down" on pro-abortion positions by choosing "abortion extremist" Kamala Harris as his running mate. "As I seek re-election this November, I need your help in contrasting my bold pro-life leadership with Joe Biden's abortion extremism," he said. "The Democratic Party unequivocally supports abortion on-demand, up until the moment of birth, and even infanticide leaving babies to die after failed abortions. "Joe Biden's embrace of this extreme position is most evidenced by his support for taxpayer funding of abortion on-demand. Forcing taxpayers to pay for abortions is an abhorrent position that must be defeated at the ballot box." He added, "With your help, I will win re-election, ensuring we have another four years to fight in the trenches for unborn children and their mothers." Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has lashed out at his predecessor Tony Abbott over his views on women and mocked his appointment to a UK trade advisory role as a 'beat up'. Mr Abbott was last week appointed to the unpaid role of trade envoy - a move sparking controversy in Britain with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling him a 'misogynist' and 'sexist'. Mr Turnbull on Monday said his long-term Liberal rival 'has got to live with' comments he has made in the past about women. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott pictured in 2013 with his daughters Bridget, Louise and Frances (from right) and wife Margaret (second from left). He has been appointed to the unpaid role of trade envoy by the UK government Mr Abbott's successor as Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull pictured with his wife Lucy in January in Sydney. He said Mr Abbott 'has got to live with' comments he has made in the past about women 'We dont need to go through them - we all know what his publicly stated views are. He was probably the most vocal opponent of marriage equality,' Mr Turnbull told ABC TV. 'Tony has got very what would I say? Reactionary views, I think, on womens role in the world.' He added Mr Abbott would be more at home in the UK because of his 'view of the Anglosphere'. Mr Turnbull dumped Mr Abbott's controversial policy of naming Knights and Dames after ousting him as prime minister in 2015, calling the concept 'out of date'. Mr Turnbull also slammed his Liberal rival's treatment of Labor leader and former prime minister Julia Gillard. In 2011, Mr Abbott memorably stood in front of a sign reading 'ditch the witch' at an anti-carbon tax rally - prompting Ms Gillard's famous takedown of her political opponent in parliament. 'He has got to live with the incredibly effective framing of him by Julia Gillard in that speech in the house which I was there for,' Mr Turnbull said. Tony Abbott pictured with UK leader Boris Johnson. Mr Turnbull said the idea of appointing a former Australian prime minister to the role was 'awkward to say the least' The former Liberal leader - who was ousted by Scott Morrison as Australian prime minister in 2018 - said the idea Mr Abbott would be negotiating trade deals in his new role with the UK government was a 'beat up'. 'Im not sure who was responsible for the beat up, whether it was Tony or the government or someone else,' Mr Turnbull said. 'Boris Johnson has appointed him to an unpaid advisory role to their board of trade, which is essentially the trade minister and a couple of other senior ministers. 'He is not going to be negotiating trade deals. Obviously a former Australian Prime Minister, if he was representing another country, that would be awkward to say the least.' Mr Abbott has received widespread criticism from British politicians and commentators following his newly appointed role as a trade envoy for the United Kingdom The Scottish first minister meanwhile had said if she had anything to do with the hiring process, then she would not have Mr Abbott as the UK's trade envoy. 'The idea that anyone could take that view is deeply offensive and wrong,' she told Sky News UK. 'But Tony Abbott, even before these comments, is a misogynist, he's a sexist, he's a climate change denier. 'In my view he's not the kind of person who should be a trade envoy or any kind of envoy for the United Kingdom'. The former Australian prime minister was branded a 'misogynist' and 'sexist' by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on British television Mr Abbott released a statement on Twitter about his new role, in which he said he was 'only too keen' to help the UK. 'A UK-Australia trade deal, maximising the movement of goods, services and people is clearly in the best interests of both our countries,' he said. 'It's important for the wider world that Britain make the most of its post-Brexit opportunities and I am proud to be playing a part. 'My government finalised trade deals between Australia and China, Japan and Korea. I'm looking forward to bringing that expertise to bear as Britain works towards mutually beneficial improvements with its major trading partners.' Kangana Ranaut has been given Y-plus category security and will be protected by 10 armed commandos, the Union home ministry said on Monday, prompting the Bollywood actor to thank home minister Amit Shah and declare that no one could crush a patriot. The decision to provide 24x7 security comes two days before Ranaut, who is in her home state of Himachal Pradesh and had likened Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, plans to return to Mumbai. Ranaut, whose comments led to a spat with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut over social media last week, said she felt unsafe in Mumbai after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and also spoke of drug use in a section of the film industry. SHES A DAUGHTER OF HIMACHAL, SAYS CM Describing the Queen star as a daughter of Himachal Pradesh, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur issued a video statement on Monday, welcoming the decision to provide her with CRPF security. He said the central and the state governments are providing security to the actor and would do whatever necessary for her security. I have got information that an 11-member commando team of the CRPF has been provided by the ministry of home affairs for her security. I welcome this decision and also express my gratitude to the Union home minister. Her security is important for us, he said. A Union home ministry official explained that Y-plus category central cover entails the deployment of about 10 armed commandos who will work in shifts around the clock, he said. Ranaut, often in the eye of the storm for her provocative comments, took to Twitter to express her gratitude for the security being provided to her. This shows that no one can crush a patriot in the country. I am thankful to home minister Amit Shah, she said. In his statement, the Himachal Pradesh chief minister said that the state police would provide security at the actors Manali residence and he had directed director general of police Sanjay Kundu to assess the security threat. If it is necessary, Himachal Pradesh is ready to provide her security during her tours, he said. On Sunday, he said his government had decided to provide the actor security after her father and sister sought protection for her. Kundu said that on the chief ministers direction, an assessment of the threat perception to the actor was carried out. We submitted our report to the home department. The ministry of home affairs has decided to provide the CRPF security to Kangana. The states intelligence agencies will be assessing the threat perception to her from time to time. Though Kangana belongs to Bhambla village in the states Mandi district, she has constructed a house in the scenic tourist town of Manali, where she is staying with her family at present. She will be returning to Mumbai on September 9. WHAT TRIGGERED THE FACEOFF BJP leader Ram Kadam recently asked the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government to provide police protection to Ranaut since she wanted to expose the Bollywood drug nexus. Responding to Kadams tweet, the actor said she feared Mumbai Police more than the movie mafia, and would prefer security either from Himachal Pradesh or the Centre. Reacting strongly to her comment, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut purportedly said, We kindly request her not to come to Mumbai. This is nothing but an insult to Mumbai Police. Hitting back, Ranaut tweeted, Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir? The actor also tagged a September 1 news report on Raut asking her not to return to Mumbai if she was afraid of the city police. Raut had on Friday urged the Maharashtra government to take action against people defaming the city police. He also asked Ranaut to tour PoK first to see the situation prevailing there. In a tweet stating that she would be returning to Mumbai on September 9, Ranaut had dared anyone to stop her. Sena MLA Pratap Saranik hit back with a slap threat and said she should be arrested for sedition. Ranaut also asked Raut to apologise for his remarks against her. Raut on Sunday said he would consider doing so only if she apologises for her insulting remarks against Mumbai and Maharashtra. SHANTA KUMAR WRITES TO UDDHAV Meanwhile, senior BJP leader from Himachal Pradesh and former Union minister Shanta Kumar has written to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray that the brave daughter of Himachal is the only actor who has been promoting nationalism in Bollywood. She recently wrote that her agenda was nationalism only. In the political sphere, the Shiv Sena is the only nationalist party after the BJP, Shanta wrote, adding, So, I expect the Shiv Sena to support Kangana. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Numerous actions can cause havoc on a plane. From passengers showing off their guns mid flight to screaming hysterically because their nuts were served in a packet rather than on a plate (true story), you might have thought youd seen it all. Were here to tell you thats not the case: one Ukrainian womans actions have just propelled her to the top of this absurd category of aviation literature (and seen her banned from all future UIA flights in the future). Apparently frustrated by her Boeing 737s tarmac wait time, the woman did what we all fantasise about doing when faced with a lengthy technical glitch or traffic controller stuff up hop out the emergency exit to take some sun on the wing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@boryspilchany) on Aug 31, 2020 at 11:23am PDT CNN Travel reports, A minute-long video has emerged of the woman, dressed in a white top and light pink trousers, hanging out on the wing in front of stunned onlookers at Boryspil International Airport in Kiev, before being summoned back on board by the airplanes crew. The unidentified passenger, who was traveling on a Ukraine International Airlines flight from Antalya, Turkey to the Ukranian capital with her husband and children, was reportedly overheard saying she was too hot and needed to cool down. Unfortunately, her desires werent quite in line with UIAs health, safety and security regulations, and the woman has been banned from all future UIA flights (the incident took place on August the 31st). In a statement, UIA said airport security, police and doctors attended the scene, and it was determined the woman was not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The statement also criticised the woman for setting an inadequate parental example, and stated she may be subject to an exceptionally high financial penalty in the form of a fine. Read Next Election 2020 Myanmars Suu Kyi Cancels First Campaign Trip as Health Minister Intervenes Over COVID-19 Concerns Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of Myanmars ruling National League for Democracy, attends the party's flag-hoisting ceremony at the NLDs Naypyitaw headquarters. / Thiha Lwin / The Irrawaddy YANGONDaw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars State Counselor and chairperson of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), on Monday canceled her first campaign visit to her parliamentary constituency in Yangons Kawhmu Township scheduled for Tuesday, as the countrys health minister vetoed the trip after a house attendant and another man at her Yangon residence tested positive for COVID-19. Tuesday is the first day of the official campaign period ahead of Novembers general election. A man who watches over Daw Aung San Suu Kyis residence in Yangon and another from Kawhmu Township who has regular access to the residences compound have tested positive for COVID-19. The State Counselor said Monday she canceled the visit on the advice of the health minister. Originally, I planned to travel to Yangons Kawhmu constituency this evening. I also planned to carry out some executive work in Seikgyikanaungto Township. But our health minister did not agree [with my plans] to travel, she said during a livestreamed videoconference to discuss COVID-19 control measures in Yangon. At this time, the most powerful authority in our country is the Ministry of Health. We need to strictly follow the directives of the ministry, she added. During the online conference she said she felt guilty that a person at her residence had tested positive, and requested that Yangon residents continue to observe COVID-19 preventive measures to limit infections. The 60-day election campaign period officially begins at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and ends at 12 p.m. on Nov. 6, according to the Union Election Commission (UEC). With the campaign period getting under way, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that election campaign gatherings are restricted to a maximum of 50 people, who are required to practice social distancing and other preventive measures. Conditions on the ground are expected to pose a challenge to political parties as they look to begin campaigning, with COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders in place in virus hotspots around the country. Illustrating the difficulties some parties are facing in getting their messages out, U Sai Leik of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) told The Irrawaddy on Monday the party was finding it hard to access state-owned radio and television stations to record election broadcasts, as this would require traveling to Yangon or Naypyitaw, meaning a party official would have to undergo 21 days of quarantine in the capital and another 14 days upon returning home. The party asked that the rule requiring that such broadcasts be recorded at state-owned stations be changed so that it could submit a recorded video introducing the partys policies and election promises, but the request was denied. The partys candidates are also finding it hard to campaign while adhering to the Health Ministrys travel restrictions, especially in places where stay-at-home orders or quarantines are in effect. For now, we will try to distribute party stickers in some places and introduce candidates profiles online, he said, adding that the party is placing a greater emphasis on online campaigning. The cancellation of the State Counselors visit to Kawhmu has also forced the ruling NLD to alter its original plan to kick off its election campaign in the township with a party flag-hoisting ceremony attended by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Instead, the party will hold the event at its headquarters in Naypyitaw on Tuesday. Through the NLD chairpersons social media page, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also called on the public to display NLD party flags at their homes or on their vehicles from Tuesday. On the eve of the start of the official campaign period, NLD party flags were nearly sold out at Yangons fabric printing shops, as supporters bought them to display. Meanwhile, the Peoples Party formed by 88 Generation Students group leaders based in Yangon said it would launch its pre-election activities by hitting the campaign trail in Kamayut Township on Tuesday morning. The UEC on Monday released a list of preventive guidelines for political parties and candidates to follow during campaigning. It also stated that election support committees, including health officials and medics, had been formed across the country at the central, state/regional, district and township levels to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the pre-election period, on election day and in the post-election period. Myanmar will hold a general election on Nov. 8. According to the election commissions preliminary voter lists, over 37 million people are eligible to vote in the poll. A total of 6,969 candidates representing 92 parties and including nearly 300 independent candidates are contesting the election. You may also like these stories: NLD Vows to Veto USDP and Militarys Bid to Impeach Speaker Suu Kyi Says No Discrimination Based on Faith, Ethnicity in Fight Against COVID-19 in Myanmar Election 2020: The Week in Review File image The US has two systems of justice for Black and White Americans, Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris has said, as the Indian-orign Senator rebuked President Donald Trump and his Attorney General for denying there is systemic racism in the country''s justice system. The strong criticism from Harris, the first Black and Indian-American woman on a major party vice presidential ticket came less than two months before the US presidential election. Democratic Party''s presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Harris are challenging incumbent President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence of the Republican Party in the November 3 election. Harris, 55, strongly criticised President Trump and Attorney General William Barr for denying there is systemic racism in the US justice system, saying they are "spending full time in a different reality." "The reality of America today is what we have seen over generations and, frankly, since our inception, which is, we do have two systems of justice in America," Harris told CNN in an interview. But she said she was optimistic that as a nation, Americans hold dear to an ideal that is inscribed in marble on the Supreme Court, which is that ideal of equal justice under law. "And so, while we have two systems of justice, we also fight for equal justice under law. And that means doing what Joe Biden and I are proposing, which is having a criminal justice system that, yes, bans choke holds and carotid holds, make sure that we''re going to require accountability for police officers who break the rules and break the law." Harris said their administration would invest in communities and the economic strength of those communities, but doing it all recognising that there are huge disparities in the country based on race. "And it does us no good if we want to solve those disparities to pretend they don''t exist," she said. Harris also suggested that President Trump was not a "real leader" on racial justice and was trying to "pretend that he has been a leader" on the coronavirus pandemic. "I don''t think that most reasonable people who are paying attention to the facts would dispute that there are racial disparities and a system that has engaged in racism in terms of how the laws have been enforced," said Harris, a California senator and former state attorney general. "It does us no good to deny that. Let''s just deal with it. Let''s be honest. These might be difficult conversations for some, but they''re not difficult conversations for leaders, not for real leaders." Barr, America''s top law enforcement official, dismissed the idea of "two justice systems" told CNN on Wednesday. "I think we have to be a little careful about throwing the idea of racism around," he said. "I don''t think it is as common as people suggest." Asked specifically about systemic racism during his visit to Kenosha, Wisconsin, last week, Trump refused to acknowledge it, saying, "Well, you know, you just keep getting back to the opposite subject. We should talk about the kind of violence we''ve seen in Portland and here and other places." Protests against racial injustice, particularly in law enforcement, have swept across America as police violence against Black Americans -- including George Floyd in Minneapolis, Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York -- has dominated headlines in recent months. "I''m very clear that we have got to in America re-imagine how we are accomplishing public safety," Harris - the child of immigrants from India and Jamaica - said. "If we want to create safe communities, one of the smartest ways we can do that is invest in the health of those communities, because healthy communities are safe communities," Harris said. "There is no vaccine for racism," she had said in her acceptance speech last month and criticised Trump for turing "our tragedies into political weapons," she said. "Donald Trump''s failure has cost lives and livelihoods," Harris had said, referring to the racing tensions and the coronavirus pandemic that has severely hit the country. CNN, quoting a July ABC News/Washington Post poll, reported that nearly nine in 10 Black Americans said they are not confident police treat Black and White Americans equally, while a majority of White Americans said they are confident they are treated equally. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: A mob of angry villagers on Monday caught hold of a murder suspect and thrashed him to death in Kushinagar district in eastern UP. The assailant was trying to flee the spot after committing the crime. The incident took place in Rampur Bangra area of the Taryasujan police station area after a man, who worked as a teacher, was shot dead by the assailant at his residence. After shooting at the teacher, the accused climbed the roof of the house of the deceased and started firing in the air. As the police arrived on the spot to take the murder-accused into custody, the news of the teachers murder spread like wildfire leading to outrage among the villagers. They gathered and cornered the assailant and lynched him in front of policemen. As per the eyewitness account, the attacker tried to surrender when he saw the police but was soon attacked by the mob. Angry villagers thrashed the miscreant with sticks in the presence of the cops. The police team, led by CO Tamkuhiraj, tried to intervene many times but failed to save the man. Panic gripped the village after the horrific incident and the situation continued to remain tense. SP Vinod Kumar Mishra said that the case was being investigated and strict action would be taken against the culprits. On Monday morning, a person opened fire at a family. While he was trying to escape, the locals caught him and thrashed him. Till police could rescue him, he was dead. His weapon has been seized and further investigation is underway, said the SP. The teacher, identified as Sudhir Singh, was the son of one Mohar Singh. According to the villagers, Singh was shot thrice by the attacker while he was asleep and died on the spot. Some villagers alleged that despite the information being conveyed to the police, they reached the spot over an hour after the incident. Boris Johnson has told the EU that a free trade deal must be done by 15 October, otherwise the UK will "move on," Sky News reported. The prime minister said Britain was entering the "final phase" of negotiations, which resume on Tuesday. "There is no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond that point," he said. "The EU have been very clear about the timetable. I am too. There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on 15 October if it's going to be in force by the end of the year. "So there is no sense in thinking about timelines that go beyond that point. If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on. Johnson continued: "We will of course always be ready to talk to our EU friends even in these circumstances. We will be ready to find sensible accommodations on practical issues such as flights, lorry transport, or scientific cooperation, if the EU wants to do that. "Our door will never be closed and we will trade as friends and partners - but without a free trade agreement." The prime minister said if a deal cannot be struck they would trade in a similar way to that of Australia, which does not have a comprehensive trade agreement with the EU. If a deal can be struck, it would be based on a standard free trade agreement like the one the EU has agreed with Canada, Boris Johnson said. "Even at this late stage, if the EU are ready to rethink their current positions and agree this I will be delighted. But we cannot and will not compromise on the fundamentals of what it means to be an independent country to get it." Question: More than 400,000 American soldiers are buried in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., including more than 6,000 from Illinois and hundreds from Central Illinois. Coincidentally, what did that cemeterys land used to be? Answer: Arlington National Cemetery is 624 acres that originally was the farm land of Robert E. Lee who became the famous Confederate general these days being largely banished from the historic scene. Lee gave up the land to the U.S. government when he became the Confederate general to fight the American Civil War. 18 presidents who have been to Central Illinois Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) on Monday has called for a detailed report from Cooper hospital and Mumbai police in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death. This comes after MSHRC has sent a notice to Cooper Hospital and Mumbai Police for allowing actor Rhea Chakraborty to enter the hospital's mortuary and seek details of the regulation following which she was allowed. Sources said that Mumbai Police officials didnt appear before the commission last time because they were Covid positive. The Dean of Cooper hospital went with a lawyer and denied that he gave entry to Rhea at the mortuary. However, the commission is not satisfied with the answers from the hospital and asked for a detailed report. Around 12 police officials and staff of Cooper hospital will be visiting the State Human Rights Commission office later in the day, sources said. CBI to grill Cooper Hospital doctors Meanwhile, on Sunday, top sources informed that Cooper Hospital doctors involved in Sushant Singh Rajput's autopsy will be grilled by the Central Bureau of Intelligence as well. The CBI will question the doctors over the 'marks' on Sushant's body, and over the nature of the 'cloth' found at the crime scene, to understand if that can cause such aberrations. Sources suggest that the AIIMS team would also be present during the interrogation. Furthermore, the CBI team along with AIIMS forensic experts visited Sushant's residence to recreate June 14 scene and returned with a strong line of questioning for prime witness Sandip Ssingh. According to the sources, the CBI is in its stage 3 of the investigation in solving the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. Sandip Ssingh on his 'thumbs-up gesture' Sushant Singh Rajput's self-proclaimed 'close friend' Sandip Ssingh, whose active role in orchestrating the events immediately after the late actor's death had raised suspicions on Monday, defended his claim on why he did not meet Sushant for the past one year. Sandip, who emerged after a significant period of time to speak quite copiously to the media, said Sushant was busy with Chhichhore and other projects whereas he was busy with Modi biopic and its promotion. "What's the logic that I was not in contact with him?" he asked while speaking to news agency ANI. READ | Sushant case: CBI to grill Cooper hospital doctors over 'marks', 'cloth', say sources READ | In Sushant case, Sandip Ssingh disputes Rhea Chakraborty's drugs claim; denies knowing her Sandeep Singh also clarified about his "thumbs-up gesture" he was seen giving a policeman outside the hospital where Sushant Singh's body was taken, leading to allegations of foul play against him from several quarters. "When I reached Cooper Hospital with Meetu didi (Sushant's sister), a constable asked - who is Sandip Ssingh? To which, instead of shouting or removing my mask, I showed thumbs up to tell him that I was the person. What wrong did I do? Should I have cared about my gesture while supporting a family?" he said. READ | Sushant's 'friend' Sandip Ssingh breaks silence post CBI grilling; gives June 14 version READ | Sushant Death Probe LIVE Updates: Rhea reaches NCB office, Sandip Ssingh breaks silence (With ANI inputs) Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. In a push for Atmanirbhar Bharat, India on September 7 successfully tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), saying this "landmark achievement" is a step towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Confirming the development, the DRDO said, "In a historic mission today, India successfully flight-tested HSTDV, a giant leap in indigenous defence technologies and a significant milestone towards a Sashakt Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat." The DRDO with this mission has demonstrated capabilities for highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for NextGen Hypersonic vehicles in partnership with industry. HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic speed flight. It can cruise at a speed of Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound, and rise up to an altitude of 32.5km in 20 seconds, as per a Hindustan Times report. Among its multiple civilian applications, it can be as energy-efficient, low cost and reusable satellite-launch vehicle and long-range cruise missile, the report said. With this successful demonstration, many critical technologies such as aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvers, use of scramjet propulsion for ignition and sustained combustion at hypersonic flow, thermo-structural characterisation of high-temperature materials, separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities etc. were proven, DRDO said in a statement. DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated scientists, researchers and other personnel related with HSTDV mission for their "resolute and unwavering efforts towards strengthening India's defence capabilities". The defence minister said on Twitter that with this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase. I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 7, 2020 this indigenous technology is a significant milestone towards PM Modi's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulations @DRDO_India for flight testing of Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle. Strengthening Indias defence capabilities under RM @RajnathSingh ji, this indigenous technology is a significant milestone towards PM @NarendraModi ji's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 7, 2020 "I congratulate DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them," Singh tweeted.Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said The resumption of Julian Assange's extradition hearing due to begin this morning. He faces a sentence of 175 years if extradited to the US - for publishing information in the public interest... By Jonathan Cook Court hearings in Britain over the US administrations extradition case against Julian Assange begin in earnest next week. The decade-long saga that brought us to this point should appall anyone who cares about our increasingly fragile freedoms. A journalist and publisher has been deprived of his liberty for 10 years. According to UN experts, he has been arbitrarily detained and tortured for much of that time through intense physical confinement and endless psychological pressure. He has been bugged and spied on by the CIA during his time in political asylum, in Ecuadors London embassy, in ways that violated his most fundamental legal rights. The judge overseeing his hearings has a serious conflict of interest with her family embedded in the UK security services that she did not declare and which should have required her to recuse herself from the case. Today one year ago we visited #Assange in prison. He showed clear signs of prolonged psychological #Torture. First I was shocked that mature democracies could produce such an accident. Then I found out it was no accident. Now, I am scared to find out about our democracies pic.twitter.com/enElUmA1fK Nils Melzer (@NilsMelzer) May 9, 2020 All indications are that Assange will be extradited to the US to face a rigged grand jury trial meant to ensure he sees out his days in a maximum-security prison, serving a sentence of up to 175 years. None of this happened in some Third-World, tinpot dictatorship. It happened right under our noses, in a major western capital, and in a state that claims to protect the rights of a free press. It happened not in the blink of an eye but in slow motion day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. And once we strip out a sophisticated campaign of character assassination against Assange by western governments and a compliant media, the sole justification for this relentless attack on press freedom is that a 49-year-old man published documents exposing US war crimes. That is the reason and the only reason that the US is seeking his extradition and why he has been languishing in what amounts to solitary confinement in Belmarsh high-security prison during the Covid-19 pandemic. His lawyers appeals for bail have been refused. Severed head on a pike While the press corps abandoned Assange a decade ago, echoing official talking points that pilloried him over toilet hygiene and his treatment of his cat, Assange is today exactly where he originally predicted he would be if western governments got their way. What awaits him is rendition to the US so he can be locked out of sight for the rest of his life. There were two goals the US and UK set out to achieve through the visible persecution, confinement and torture of Assange. First, he and Wikileaks, the transparency organisation he co-founded, needed to be disabled. Engaging with Wikileaks had to be made too risky to contemplate for potential whistleblowers. That is why Chelsea Manning the US soldier who passed on documents relating to US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan for which Assange now faces extradition was similarly subjected to harsh imprisonment. She later faced punitive daily fines while in jail to pressure her into testifying against Assange. The aim has been to discredit Wikileaks and similar organisations and stop them from publishing additional revelatory documents of the kind that show western governments are not the good guys managing world affairs for the benefit of mankind, but are in fact highly militarised, global bullies advancing the same ruthless colonial policies of war, destruction and pillage they always pursued. And second, Assange had to be made to suffer horribly and in public to be made an example of to deter other journalists from ever following in his footsteps. He is the modern equivalent of a severed head on a pike displayed at the city gates. The very obvious fact confirmed by the media coverage of his case is that this strategy, advanced chiefly by the US and UK (with Sweden playing a lesser role), has been wildly successful. Most corporate media journalists are still enthusiastically colluding in the vilification of Assange mainly at this stage by ignoring his awful plight. Story hiding in plain sight When he hurried into Ecuadors embassy back in 2012, seeking political asylum, journalists from every corporate media outlet ridiculed his claim now, of course, fully vindicated that he was evading US efforts to extradite him and lock him away for good. The media continued with their mockery even as evidence mounted that a grand jury had been secretly convened to draw up espionage charges against him and that it was located in the eastern district of Virginia, where the major US security and intelligence services are headquartered. Any jury there is dominated by US security personnel and their families. His hope of a fair trial was non-existent. Instead we have endured eight years of misdirection by the corporate media and its willing complicity in his character assassination, which has laid the ground for the current public indifference to Assanges extradition and widespread ignorance of its horrendous implications. Corporate journalists have accepted, entirely at face value, a series of rationalisations for why the interests of justice have been served by locking Assange away indefinitely even before his extradition and trampling his most basic legal rights. The other side of the story Assanges, the story hiding in plain sight has invariably been missing from the coverage, whether it has been CNN, the New York Times, the BBC or the Guardian. From Sweden to Clinton First, it was claimed that Assange had fled questioning over sexual assault allegations in Sweden, even though it was the Swedish authorities who allowed him to leave; even though the original Swedish prosecutor, Eva Finne, dismissed the investigation against him, saying There is no suspicion of any crime whatsoever, before it was picked up by a different prosecutor for barely concealed, politicised reasons; and even though Assange later invited Swedish prosectors to question him where he was (in the embassy), an option they regularly agreed to in other cases but resolutely refused in his. It was not just that none of these points was ever provided as context for the Sweden story by the corporate media. Or that much else in Assanges favour was simply ignored, such as tampered evidence in the case of one of the two women who alleged sexual assault and the refusal of the other to sign the rape statement drawn up for her by police. The story was also grossly and continuously misreported as relating to rape charges when Assange was wanted simply for questioning. No charges were ever laid against him because the second Swedish prosecutor, Marianne Ny and her British counterparts, including Sir Keir Starmer, then head of the prosecution service and now leader of the Labour party seemingly wished to avoid testing the credibility of their allegations by actually questioning Assange. Leaving him to rot in a small room in the embassy served their purposes much better. When the Sweden case fizzled out when it became clear that the original prosecutor had been right to conclude that there was no evidence to justify further questioning, let alone charges the political and media class shifted tack. Suddenly Assanges confinement was implicitly justified for entirely different, political reasons because he had supposedly aided Donald Trumps presidential election campaign in 2016 by publishing emails, allegedly hacked by Russia, from the Democratic partys servers. The content of those emails, obscured in the coverage at the time and largely forgotten now, revealed corruption by Hillary Clintons camp and efforts to sabotage the partys primaries to undermine her rival for the presidential nomination, Bernie Sanders. Guardian fabricates a smear Those on the authoritarian right have shown little concern over Assanges lengthy confinement in the embassy, and later jailing in Belmarsh, for his exposure of US war crimes, which is why little effort has been expended on winning them over. The demonisation campaign against Assange has focused instead on issues that are likely to trigger liberals and the left, who might otherwise have qualms about jettisoning the First Amendment and locking people up for doing journalism. The Guardian: Fake news and hostility toward Assange in 44 headlines. #DumpTheGuardian https://t.co/jwl5ZbEOL7 FiveFilters.org (@fivefilters) April 19, 2019 Just as the Swedish allegations, despite their non-investigation, tapped into the worst kind of kneejerk identity politics on the left, the hacked emails story was designed to alienate the Democratic party base. Extraordinarily, the claim of Russian hacking persists even though years later and after a major Russiagate inquiry by Robert Mueller it still cannot be stood up with any actual evidence. In fact, some of those closest to the matter, such as former UK ambassador Craig Murray, have insisted all along that the emails were not hacked by Russia but were leaked by a disenchanted Democratic party insider. An even more important point, however, is that a transparency organisation like Wikileaks had no choice, after it was handed those documents, but to expose abuses by the Democratic party whoever was the source. The reason that Assange and Wikileaks became entwined in the Russiagate fiasco which wasted the energies of Democratic party supporters on a campaign against Trump that actually strengthened rather than weakened him was because of the credulous coverage, once again, of the issue by almost the entire corporate media. Liberal outlets like the Guardian newspaper even went so far as to openly fabricate a story in which it falsely reported that a Trump aide, Paul Manafort, and unnamed Russians secretly visited Assange in the embassy without repercussion or retraction. Assanges torture ignored All of this made possible what has happened since. After the Swedish case evaporated and there were no reasonable grounds left for not letting Assange walk free from the embassy, the media suddenly decided in chorus that a technical bail violation was grounds enough for his continuing confinement in the embassy or, better still, his arrest and jailing. That breach of bail, of course, related to Assanges decision to seek asylum in the embassy, based on a correct assessment that the US planned to demand his extradition and imprisonment. None of these well-paid journalists seemed to remember that, in British law, failure to meet bail conditions is permitted if there is reasonable cause and fleeing political persecution is very obviously just such a reasonable cause. The 'Breach of Bail' Allegation Against Assangehttps://t.co/XYkRmHn1cB Defend Assange Campaign (@DefendAssange) April 7, 2019 Similarly, the media wilfully ignored the conclusions of a report by Nils Melzer, a Swiss scholar of international law and the United Nations expert on torture, that the UK, US and Sweden had not only denied Assange his basic legal rights but had colluded in subjecting him to years of psychological torture a form of torture, Melzer has pointed out, that was refined by the Nazis because it was found to be crueller and more effective at breaking victims than physical torture. Assange has been blighted by deteriorating health and cognitive decline as a result, and has lost significant weight. None of that has been deemed worthy by the corporate media of more than a passing mention specifically when Assanges poor health made him incapable of attending a court hearing. Instead Melzers repeated warnings about the abusive treatment of Assange and its effects on him have fallen on deaf ears. The media has simply ignored Melzers findings, as though they were never published, that Assange has been, and is being, tortured. We need only pause and imagine how much coverage Melzers report would have received had it concerned the treatment of a dissident in an official enemy state like Russia or China. In the past two years, in the entire mainstream UK press: Number of Editorials, Op-Eds mentioning "Nils Melzer": 0. Number of Editorials, Op-Eds mentioning "Assange" and "torture": 0. (Factiva database search, 29 August 2020) JamieSW (@jsternweiner) August 29, 2020 A power-worshipping media Last year British police, in coordination with an Ecuador now led by a president, Lenin Moreno, who craved closer ties with Washington, stormed the embassy to drag Assange out and lock him up in Belmarsh prison. In their coverage of these events, journalists again played dumb. They had spent years first professing the need to believe women in the Assange case, even if it meant ignoring evidence, and then proclaiming the sanctity of bail conditions, even if they were used simply as a pretext for political persecution. Now that was all swept aside in an instant. Suddenly Assanges nine years of confinement over a non-existent sexual assault investigation and a minor bail infraction were narratively replaced by an espionage case. And the media lined up against him once again. A few years ago the idea that Assange could be extradited to the US and locked up for the rest of his life, his journalism recast as espionage, was mocked as so improbable, so outrageously unlawful that no mainstream journalist was prepared to countenance it as the genuine reason for his seeking asylum in the embassy. It was derided as a figment of the fevered, paranoid imaginations of Assange and his supporters, and as a self-serving cover for him to avoid facing the investigation in Sweden. But when British police invaded the embassy in April last year and arrested him for extradition to the US on precisely the espionage charges Assange had always warned were going to be used against him, journalists reported these developments as though they were oblivious to this backstory. The media erased this context not least because it would have made them look like willing dupes of US propaganda, like apologists for US exceptionalism and lawlessness, and because it would have proved Assange right once more. It would have demonstrated that he is the real journalist, in contrast to their pacified, complacent, power-worshipping corporate journalism. The death of journalism Right now every journalist in the world ought to be up in arms, protesting at the abuses Assange is suffering, and has suffered, and the fate he will endure if extradition is approved. They should be protesting on front pages and in TV news shows against the endless and blatant abuses of legal process at Assanges hearings in the British courts, including the gross conflict of interest of Lady Emma Arbuthnot, the judge overseeing his case. They should be in uproar at the surveillance the CIA illegally arranged inside the Ecuadorian embassy while Assange was confined there, nullifying the already dishonest US case against him by violating his client-lawyer privilege. They should be expressing outrage at Washingtons manoeuvres, accorded a thin veneer of due process by the British courts, designed to extradite him on espionage charges for doing work that lies at the very heart of what journalism claims to be holding the powerful to account. Journalists do not need to care about Assange or like him. They have to speak out in protest because approval of his extradition will mark the official death of journalism. It will mean that any journalist in the world who unearths embarrassing truths about the US, who discovers its darkest secrets, will need to keep quiet or risk being jailed for the rest of their lives. That ought to terrify every journalist. But it has had no such effect. Careers and status, not truth The vast majority of western journalists, of course, never uncover one significant secret from the centres of power in their entire professional careers even those ostensibly monitoring those power centres. These journalists repackage press releases and lobby briefings, they tap sources inside government who use them as a conduit to the large audiences they command, and they relay gossip and sniping from inside the corridors of power. That is the reality of access journalism that constitutes 99 per cent of what we call political news. Nonetheless, Assanges abandonment by journalists the complete lack of solidarity as one of their number is persecuted as flagrantly as dissidents once sent to the gulags should depress us. It means not only that journalists have abandoned any pretence that they do real journalism, but that they have also renounced the aspiration that it be done by anyone at all. It means that corporate journalists are ready to be viewed with even greater disdain by their audiences than is already the case. Because through their complicity and silence, they have sided with governments to ensure that anyone who truly holds power to account, like Assange, will end up behind bars. Their own freedom brands them as a captured elite irrefutable evidence that they serve power, they do not confront it. The only conclusion to be drawn is that corporate journalists care less about the truth than they do about their careers, their salaries, their status, and their access to the rich and powerful. As Ed Herman and Noam Chomsky explained long ago in their book Manufacturing Consent, journalists join a media class after lengthy education and training processes designed to weed out those not reliably in sympathy with the ideological interests of their corporate employers. A sacrificial offering Briefly, Assange raised the stakes for all journalists by renouncing their god access and their modus operandi of revealing occasional glimpses of very partial truths offered up by friendly, and invariably anonymous, sources who use the media to settle scores with rivals in the centres of power. Instead, through whistleblowers, Assange rooted out the unguarded, unvarnished, full-spectrum truth whose exposure helped no one in power only us, the public, as we tried to understand what was being done, and had been done, in our names. For the first time, we could see just how ugly, and often criminal, the behaviour of our leaders was. Assange did not just expose the political class, he exposed the media class too for their feebleness, for their hypocrisy, for their dependence on the centres of power, for their inability to criticise a corporate system in which they were embedded. Few of them can forgive Assange that crime. Which is why they will be there cheering on his extradition, if only through their silence. A few liberal writers will wait till it is too late for Assange, till he has been packaged up for rendition, to voice half-hearted, mealy-mouthed or agonised columns arguing that, unpleasant as Assange supposedly is, he did not deserve the treatment the US has in store for him. But that will be far too little, far too late. Assange needed solidarity from journalists and their media organisations long ago, as well as full-throated denunciations of his oppressors. He and Wikileaks were on the front line of a war to remake journalism, to rebuild it as a true check on the runaway power of our governments. Journalists had a chance to join him in that struggle. Instead they fled the battlefield, leaving him as a sacrificial offering to their corporate masters. LONDON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - A senior British minister on Monday played down planned legislation that could override the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, saying the goal posts were not being changed but that some ambiguities needed to be tidied up. Asked about a report in the Financial Times, Environment Secretary George Eustice said there moght be some minor legal ambiguities that need to be tidied up over the Northern Irish protocol. He said the UK was committed to the Northern Ireland protocol and that London was not moving the goal posts. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Paul Sandle Editing by William Schomberg) Haiti - News : Zapping... Moise wants lower prices of essential products Sunday at the National Palace, as part of the 6 th edition of the "Community Dialogue", President Jovenel Moise pleads in favor of lower consumer prices for basic necessities given the appreciation of the Gourde which exchanged to 106.52 Gourdes for one US dollar on Friday against 117.70 last August 27 (source BRH). The Head of State invited Prime Minister Jouthe to take drastic measures to stem the rise in prices that worries familieq... Destruction of contraband clothing from Haiti On Friday, the Specialized Corps for Land Border Security (CESFRONT) burned down a large quantity of contraband clothing from Haiti via the Massacre River. The clothes had been seized during several operations carried out by CESFRONT in recent days. General Jose Manuel Duran Infante indicated that these operations would continue in order to fight against illegal activities at the border. Saint-Marc : The CLAC is open again On Saturday September 5, the Center for Reading and Cultural Animation (CLAC) of Saint-Marc officially resumed its activities, in the presence of young people from the town who were able to participate, among other things, in poetic writing and slam. The National Book Directorate (DNL) took the opportunity to invite the young people of Saint-Marc who have not yet done so, to register at the CLAC library during opening hours from Tuesday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. 12:00 am and between 3:00 am-8:00pm and every Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Agriculture : Did you know ? Did you know ? With the support of the American Agency for International Development (USAID - Haiti), the Haitian Foundation for Sustainable Agricultural Development (FONHDAD) has set up a phytosanitary laboratory at the Rural Center for Sustainable Development (CRDD) in Bas Boen, in East of Croix-des-Bouquets. Phytopathology specialists make regular visits to farmers' plots and assess the risks of pest and disease infestation. Plant samples are analyzed in the laboratory to provide scientific recommendations to farmers to better manage their crops. Delmas clears the road Piste from rubbish The rubbish that gathered on the Piste road in Delmas and made traffic impassable was cleared on Friday September 4th. These sanitation works were carried out thanks to the Roads Department of the commune of Delmas, with the objective of cleaning up the Commune. HL/ HaitiLibre We kind of lost track of how many companies are trying to take people to space. Thats because most of them came and went, or got lost along the way, and only three managed to stay afloat and advance their plans: SpaceX, Blue Origin , and Virgin Galactic.Virgin is the perhaps the most tourist-oriented of the bunch. Richard Bransons company was founded with space tourism in mind, unlike what the brainchildren of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are doing. And its very close to actual commercial space flight, too.Back in July, Virgin unveiled the interior of the SpaceShipTwo , or VSS Unity, as its also called. Eight people in all (including the pilot and co-pilot) will be able to get on board and travel to the edge of space for the ultimate thrills. But how does one get on board?First and foremost, you should know that at this time theres no clear date when Virgin Galactic will begin flying paying customers beyond Earths borders. The company is hard at work flight testing the spaceship, but an official announcement on when civilians would be allowed on board has yet to be made.With that out of the way, the first thing you should do is start saving up. Although an official price for a ticket to space and back is not known, Branson himself repeatedly said it will be above $250,000, including flight training. A range of prices, depending on unknow criteria, is however in the works. Virgins website is accepting entries from those serious about becoming an astronaut. And the only people considered serious in our world are those willing to pay upfront. So, a $1,000 refundable deposit (called registration fee, but thats semantics) has to be paid before moving any further. That, and a registration form that needs to be filled out.Once these two steps are completed, youre in the club, sort of speak. Virgin promises to put you to the front of the line for new seats when they become available. Only when that happens, youll be contacted to confirm your desire to travel to space.The reservation fee step was only recently introduced by Virgin as a result of unprecedented reservation interest. The company says there are now many thousands of reservations - 600 of them taken before the ships first test flight in space in late 2018.To be able to register for a flight to space, you must be over 18. Only payments in US dollars are accepted.As for the training program tourist astronauts will have to go through, Virgin announced that in 2019, without providing any specifics, apart from the fact that it will be far less demanding than those developed by NASA and the likes. Also, no mention as to the medical requirements of a wannabe-astronaut has been made.As for the ship that would be used, Unity is the second in the SpaceShipTwo line. The first one, VSS Enterprise, was destroyed during a deadly crash in 2014. Two years later, the Unity was unveiled.Were talking a horizontal take-off plane-like ship that launches at 50,000 feet (15 km) from the underbelly of a two-bodied carrier aircraft. This allows it to avoid having to beat the pull of Earths gravity, saving fuel and money, but also avoids placing tons of explosive substances right under the bottoms of the paying customers.In December 2018, Unity reached an altitude of 51.4 miles (82.7 km), crossing the border into space while carrying three people. That flight was the first human spaceflight to be launched from American soil since the final Space Shuttle mission in 2011. The leadership that Ghana deserves is one of a 'level 5' leader. A 'level 5' leader, according to Jim Collins' 'Good To Great' book, displays a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will. They are incredibly ambitious, but their ambition is first and foremost for the cause, for their organisation they lead, their country and its purpose, not themselves. Harry S. Truman once said, You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit. A 'level 5' leader is a disciplined person, disciplined in thought and disciplined in action. Ghana in her 63rd year going on to her 64th year onwards to her 70th by 2027 deserves a robust leadership style accredited as a 'level 5' leader. Such leadership asks questions of this nature; First whothen whatconfronting the brutal facts, hedgehog in concept, culturally disciplined (respects ethnic perspectives and balances) and technology accelerator. John C. Maxwell describes a 'level 5' leader as one who reaches the pinnacle. He explains it as the highest level of leadership and also the most challenging to attain. It requires longevity as well as intentionality. You simply can't reach 'level 5' unless you are willing to invest your life into the lives of others for the long haul. But if you stick with it, if you continually focus on both growing yourself at every level, and developing leaders who are willing and able to develop other leaders, you may find yourself at the pinnacle. The commitment to becoming a pinnacle leader is sizeable, but so are the payoffs. 'Level 5' leaders develop 'level 5' countries. They create opportunities other leaders don't. They create a legacy in what they do. People follow them because of who they are and what they represent. In other words, their leadership gains a positive reputation. As a result, 'level 5' leaders often transcend their position, their country, and sometimes their industry or organisations. There's so much more I'd love to tell you, but let me leave you with this. Leadership is about growth for yourself, your relationships, your productivity, and your people. To lead well, you must embrace your need for continual improvement, and the '5 Levels' provide a leadership GPS to help you with your journey. You must know where you are, to know where you're going. Otherwise, as the Cheshire Cat told Alice, when you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there. Ghana has more than seventy ethnic groups. Major ethnic groups in Ghana include the Akan at 47.5% of the population, the Mole-Dagbon at 16.6%, the Ewe at 13.9%, the Ga-Dangme at 7.4%, the Gurma at 5.7%, the Guang at 3.7%, the Grusi at 2.5%, the Kusaasi at 1.2%, and the Bikpakpaam a.k.a. Konkomba people at 3.5%. These seventy ethnic groups are what make Ghana Ghana. This is our identity and this identity has not divided us since independence. Ghana has had minimal or almost no record a national chaos of ethnic battles and we believe that each of us from the various ethnic groups believe in the Ubuntu nature of one broom coming together with 1000s of broom strands to be a big broom to use for the development of the country. 'Sakawa' is a Ghanaian term for illegal practices which combine modern Internet-based fraud with African traditionalist rituals. The rituals, which are mostly in the form of sacrifices, are intended to spiritually manipulate victims so that the scammers fraud is successful. The leadership of Kandifo Institute is taken aback by the comment made by the candidate for the 2020 presidential elections of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Dramani Mahama, in bad taste to the entire polity of democracy. No citizen in this country, nor ethnic group must be described in the manner in which Mr. Mahama, a candidate seeking votes from citizens and should understand leadership at the highest level to describe the good people of Akyem Abuakwa as sakawa. One would ask? Have we reduced our politicking to ethnic sentiments? Have we lowered the bar that low to move the conversations of issues to tribal commentary? Are we endorsing acts of 'sakawa' which have swallowed some young people in this country, Ghana? Is 'sakawa' now a term and word which should be accommodated by leaders who have represented Ghana at the highest level some years past? Is the awareness of 'sakawa' by leaders one that should be encouraged or utterly eradicated from the vocabulary of national leaders? The 1994 Rwanda genocide which claimed many lives, destroyed many properties and brought to a standstill the economy of Rwanda started on tribal lines. As a leadership think tank, Kandifo Institute expects that Mr. John Mahama would desist from such ethnic sentiments in his bid to be at the pinnacle of leadership in this country, as that would not be a good foundation for the good people of Ghana. Rwanda has recovered from the 1994 genocide and is today Africa's example of modern infrastructural economy. Ghana is not ready to have tribal wars and we should not have our language seasoned to welcome such. The people of Akyem Abuakwa and the rest of the ethnic groups in Ghana condemn the statement of Mr. John Mahama. It is interesting to note that Nana Sir Ofori-Atta I (1881-1943), the Okyehene or paramount chief of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, was a nationalist, educator, second African member of the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly and a founding member of Achimota School. He was part of Circa 1928, one of the largest and wealthiest kingdoms of the then Gold Coast colony (now Ghana). He was one of the star politicians of the Gold Coast after his knighthood by Queen Elizabeth. Circa 1927 is from the ethnic group which Mr. Mahama describes in this unpleasant way. Leadership is about service and service is about people. Let us build up Ghana and break through our developments. The writer is the executive director at Kandifo Institute By Palgrave Boakye-Danquah A record-breaking burnt acreage total has only been further fueled by record-breaking temperatures with parched conditions, rendering the Golden State a near-desert state. And even though temperatures will be slashed, a new weather factor could give firefighters an even more troublesome time. Intensely burning wildfires have ravaged much of the state in recent months and recently ignited blazes have accelerated fears. According to AccuWeather meteorologists, heavy winds gusting this week will only complicate the firefighting efforts. Along with the wildfires that have now burned more state acreage than any other year on record, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, a holiday weekend full of record-breaking temperatures has Golden State residents hoping for cooler days. That should arrive soon, experts say. "The record-breaking heat has waned as the dome of high pressure that brought the incredible temperatures has weakened," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said. "But that recent heatwave has helped further dry out fuels." While cooler days may be en route, they will likely come with the aforementioned strong winds that should only make firefighting conditions harder for crews. Gusty winds from an area of higher pressure situation farther east will ramp up the fire risk through Wednesday, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Spamer. Spamer added that the most troublesome wind conditions are likely to gust on Tuesday night through Wednesday evening. "Additionally, strong, dry winds from northeast in and around the mountains of of the San Francisco Bay area, and also a rare early season Santa Ana wind event in Southern California can lead to explosive growth of existing fires and any ones that develop," Houk said. "The whipping winds, which can be erratic and enhanced by the fires themselves, will exacerbate the highly dangerous fire-fighting conditions." Story continues Those enhanced fire risks led electric company Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to shut off power to over 170,000 customers in the Sierra Foothills, North Bay and East Bay areas, according to a company statement. A Pacific Gas and Electric worker looks up at the advancing Creek Fire along Highway 168 Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, near Alder Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) The company said its Public Safety Power Shutoff program is designed to reduce the threat of wildfire that could be sparked by lines brought down in gusting winds, according to KCRA. As of Tuesday afternoon, 10 different current wildfires in the state have consumed over 10,000 acres. Many beaches and areas are closed until further notice due to unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions. The most recent blaze, the El Dorado which is in San Bernardino County, was ignited over the weekend when a pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party ignited in El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, according to Cal Fire. As of Tuesday evening, the fire, now dubbed the El Dorado Fire, has grown to nearly 10,600 acres and is 16% contained. Over the weekend, wildfires in the state surpassed 2 million burnt acres, setting a new California record for a state that has grown accustomed to fiery blazes. But this season has been unlike any other. Both the LNU and SCU Complex fires continue burning in the central regions of the state, totaling nearly 775,000 acres between the two fire systems, both of which were ignited by lightning. More than 200 residents were airlifted to safety in the state's Sierra National Forest as a fast-moving blaze known as Creek Fire ignited. As the fire erupted late Saturday, officials told visitors at the Mammoth Pool Reservoir about 90 miles northeast of Fresno to shelter and blaze and jump in the water if necessary as the fire grew late Saturday. Military helicopters were used to rescue those trapped by the flames and transfer them to hospitals in Fresno. The Fresno Fire Department stated that out of 63 people who had been rescued on Saturday night, 12 patients suffered severe to moderate injuries. The remaining 51 patients had minor or no injuries. As of Tuesday evening, the Creek Fire was over 143,000 acres and zero percent contained. According to the California National Coast Guard, almost 100 people were stranded and in need of emergency evacuation on Tuesday morning, requiring the assistance of dozens of helicopters, NBC reported. As of 11 a.m., local time, 65 people still were stranded, officials said, mostly near Chinese Peak and Lake Edison. The weekend temperatures largely baked the southwestern portion of the state, as multiple towns and cities recorded temperature readings of at least 115 degrees Fahrenheit. At Pierce College in Woodland Hills, a reading of 121 F on Sunday set a new high temperature record for Los Angeles County. The 121 F day set not only a daily record but also an all-time record for the densely populated county. The previous all-time high came in 2006 during July. A group sits inside a circle designed to encourage social distancing at Dolores Park during the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Other record-high temperatures fell in the areas of San Louis Obispo, which reached 117 F, along with Alpine, El Cajon and Idyllwild. According to the New York Times, rescue efforts were required for a group of hikers in Malibu Creek State Park were needed on Sunday afternoon. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department search and rescue team was called to the aid of a woman who had started hiking in the morning but suffered a seizure and died as responders were unable to resuscitate her. The official cause of her death is pending, but Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Morgan Arteaga told CNN that the death was likely heat-related. Some beach parking lots were reportedly closed in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties due to capacity being reached, The Associated Press reported. "Very busy conditions. The beaches are packed wall to wall," Orange County Lifeguards Capt. Brad Herzog said, according to The AP. People escape the California heat wave at the beach, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in Huntington Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa) On top of the intense heat, AccuWeather Meteorologist Randy Adkins said conditions have remained particularly dry, which has done no favors to the overwhelmed firefighting crews. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. Political correctness at American colleges and universities is so over the top that it's moved beyond parody. At the University of Southern California, a professor at the Marshall School of Business was explaining to students that different countries have different filler words that is, meaningless words that, um, people use in their speech when, uh, they're stuck. The Chinese filler word sounded so much like the word that shall not be named that it drove the black MBA students to paroxysms of grief major enough that the professor had to be put on leave. This video shows Professor Greg Patton's crime: Did you catch that? In China, said Patton, when they need a filler word, they say something that sounds like "nay-geh" (or, in the phonetic alphabet, "nei ge"). Thus, in China, my sample sentence in the first paragraph might read: "That is, meaningless words that, nei ge, people use in their speech when, nei ge, they're stuck." It turns out that the professor might have mispronounced the word. It doesn't matter, though, because the black students were now victims, and they were rolling with it. National Review was able to obtain a copy of the email that "Black MBA Candidates c/o 2022" send to the USC administration: "It was confirmed that the pronunciation of this word is much different than what Professor Patton described in class," the students wrote. "The word is most commonly used with a pause in between both syllables. In addition, we have lived abroad in China and have taken Chinese language courses at several colleges and this phrase, clearly and precisely before instruction is always identified as a phonetic homonym and a racial derogatory term, and should be carefully used, especially in the context of speaking Chinese within the social context of the United States." The students accused the professor of displaying "negligence and disregard" in using the word and said he "conveniently stop[ped] the zoom recording right before saying the word," calling his actions calculated. "Our mental health has been affected," the group continued. "It is an uneasy feeling allowing him to have the power over our grades. We would rather not take his course than to endure the emotional exhaustion of carrying on with an instructor that disregards cultural diversity and sensitivities and by extension creates an unwelcome environment for us Black students." The students added that the incident "has impacted our ability to focus adequately on our studies." "No matter what way you look at this, the word was said multiple times today in three different instances and has deeply affected us. In light of the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the recent and continued collective protests and social awakening across the nation, we cannot let this stand," the group concluded, before calling for an immediate remedy to the situation. For normal people, it would take a heart of stone or a communist's sense of humor not to fall on the floor screaming with laughter after reading that missive. At USC, though, the administration is in thrall to political correctness and the paranoia that has now infected all campus administrators who are afraid of being the next people to be called out by the Red Guard. Rather than pointing these emotionally handicapped students to the nearest exit, Dean Geoff Garrett humbly apologized to the students, acknowledging their "great pain and upset" and confessing that he was "deeply saddened by this disturbing episode that has caused such anguish and trauma." His administration immediately tossed the professor out of the classroom. Almost worse than Garrett's groveling was what Professor Patton did. Patton should have told these losers to auto-fornicate. Instead, he too groveled, confessing his sins. He's now about to undergo re-education. When I was at law school, in my first-year torts class, the professor called upon an incredibly shy young man and put him on the spot about a torts case involving a hysterectomy gone wrong. The man tried to avoid technical words for the female anatomy or mumbled them softly. The professor called him out, not meanly, but firmly: "You're an adult now, and you're training to become a lawyer in the real world, with real cases. You must be prepared to deal with the facts of the cases that come to you. This is not the place for embarrassment." And that was that. The young man, incidentally, went on to become a wildly successful defender of gun rights and other American principles. Whatever it is that USC's MBA students are being trained for, it's not the real world. Thomas Lifson adds: This is just plain wrong about conversational Chinese: The word is most commonly used with a pause in between both syllables. In addition, we have lived abroad in China and have taken Chinese language courses at several colleges If you look it up in a dictionary, yes, there is a pause between syllables. But in conversational usage, as a filler, there is no pause. I know this because I have heard it used a lot that way for decades, and early on, I noticed the homonym nature of its usage. Image: USC professor Greg Patton. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:43:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ABUJA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian military on Monday confirmed five militants were killed in the latest operation against the Boko Haram group in the country's northeast region. Seven people earlier taken into hostage by the Boko Haram group were also rescued during the operation on Sunday at the Hamdaga Makaranta town in Gwoza local government area of the northern state of Borno, said John Enenche, the spokesman for the military, in a statement. Enenche said the bombardment of the terror group's location at the Hamdaga Makaranta area of the restive northern state followed credible intelligence on the activities of the terrorists in the area. Several other Boko Haram militants escaped with gunshot wounds, as troops went on to clear nine identified isolated structures and farmlands suspected to belong to the criminals in the area, he added. Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamist state in northeastern Nigeria since 2009, extending its attacks to countries in the Lake Chad Basin. Enditem As the United States braces itself for a likely "second wave" of COVID-19 this fall, many experts are anticipating a spike in cases -- but some say that may not translate into an equally dramatic spike in deaths. A lot has changed since the pandemic first hit the U.S. earlier this year, when the nation's hospitals were overwhelmed with patients suffering a new, mysterious illness. Fast forward to September, and the pandemic is still surging out of control in many parts of the country, but relatively speaking, fewer patients are dying from the virus. Now, experts are pointing to several factors to explain why COVID-19 has become, in effect, a slightly less deadly illness: still far deadlier than the flu, but not as lethal as it was in those early days. MORE: A 'second wave' of coronavirus cases? Not yet, experts say Six months into the pandemic, doctors now have more success treating patients with the novel coronavirus -- especially those with severe symptoms -- than they did at the beginning of the year. Adults that are older and more vulnerable to illness are staying home, as the virus is now infecting a greater number of younger people who are less likely to succumb to illness. "In terms of absolute numbers, we are learning much more about how to treat patients with serious complications compared to at the start of the pandemic," said Dr. John Brownstein, a Harvard Medical School professor and ABC News contributor. "Now that we know more effective protocols and treatments, the number of deaths will likely go down." Related: U.S. coronavirus cases surpass 6 million There are various techniques and treatments coming into the scene that are helping medical teams move forward. Dexamethasone, a steroid treatment mainly used to cure lung inflammation, is seeing positive results in COVID-19 patients, especially when used early on. The Food and Drug Administration has broadened emergency use authorization for an antiviral drug called remdesivir. Studies show the antiviral therapy used to treat hospitalized patients with the virus decreases mortality rates. Story continues MORE: Remdesivir could be promising drug candidate to treat coronavirus In addition to the use of new drugs, doctors also have learned practical tips that can help patients survive. A tactic called "proning" -- simply flipping a patient on their stomach -- lets oxygen run more effectively through the body. Also, doctors have learned to hold off on placing patients on ventilators right away because they've found less invasive ways to help patients with labored breathing get enough air, according to experts, who also said doctors are now working to assess patients earlier to try to make interventions sooner. And as doctors continue learning how to save patients in the hospital, public health experts continue learning more effective habits to avoid the spread of COVID-19, especially in vulnerable populations. "When it comes to infections, there are prevention techniques we know work, including physical distancing, social distancing, mask wearing and mindful hygiene/hand washing," said Dr. Jay Bhatt, an ABC News contributor and former chief medical officer of the American Hospital Association. "With wider availability of PPE and acceptance of the new normal, we now have supplies to protect people," said Bhatt. "The work by health care deliveries and health systems is key, with strategies and protocols put in place for our health and safety. These behaviors, in turn, help drive down the numbers of deaths." PHOTO: Ryan Schmutz looks from his dorm at Utah State University Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, in Logan, Utah, where he was one of about 300 students quarantined to their rooms this week. (Rick Bowmer/AP) The change in seasons will be important to pay attention to as we keep an eye on infections with people staying indoors come the fall and winter. "Outdoors there is lower risk for transmission from the greater air movement. The odds of getting sick are lower when you are outside compared to confined spaces like elevators and living in close proximity," said Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease physician at South Shore Health in Massachusetts. "Being in crowded spaces, you are much more likely to spread the virus." Doctors encourage low-risk people to enjoy the outdoors, while still paying attention to standard protocols and social distancing. "As the fall approaches, you have drier conditions. More people are spending more time indoors, so generally the virus is more efficient," explained Brownstein. The average age of those infected with coronavirus has declined over the last several months. We are seeing spikes with younger and less vulnerable populations. Furthermore, special attention has been paid to older populations by sealing off high-risk settings where we see people more susceptible to illness -- like nursing homes. "Early on, we really focused on the elderly 65+ years of age with underlying conditions," said Wildes. "As we reopen, we see a lot of young people getting the virus. Most young people do not have underlying conditions, so they do a lot better than the older, more susceptible populations." Again, the time of year plays a role in this shift. "Percentage wise, a rise in cases is being triggered amongst the younger population, because upon returning to school, they are not practicing the same level of social distancing and mask wearing," said Brownstein. MORE: Coronavirus 'second wave' debate 'misses the whole point,' experts say Younger, healthy people are venturing out and are less likely to die from the virus. But for many public health experts, the relatively lower death rate moving into the fall is the only bright spot in an otherwise gloomy forecast. The Centers for Disease Control is now predicting that within the next four weeks, the virus will have killed between 3,300 and 7,500 Americans, and infected 150,000 to 360,000 others. This trend is already playing out in North Carolina, where college campuses reopened last month with in-person classes, and at least 3,000 students have tested positive for COVID-19. UNC at Chapel Hill, NC State University and East Carolina University are three schools in particular that have experienced overwhelming spikes. MORE: Getting COVID-19 and the flu at the same time: What are the risks? A major goal from a medical standpoint is to minimize deaths, and as we approach the fall, a big concern coming into play is the intersection between coronavirus and the flu. Wildes stressed that doctors are encouraging everyone to get the flu vaccine to boost their chances of staying healthy this winter. Experts are also encouraging everyone to continue following social distancing measures to prevent as many COVID-19 infections as possible. As Americans brace for 2nd wave of COVID-19, here's why experts predict more infections but fewer deaths originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Jeff Goldblum teased that he was rather 'star-struck' when he met Cate Blanchett on the set of Marvel's 2017 superhero sequel Thor: Ragnarok. Golblum played The Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, with Blanchett portraying the nefarious Hela. The 67-year-old actor was talking about his experience on set in an interview with People's Couch Surfing, where he spoke about his experiences with Blanchett. Star-struck: Jeff Goldblum teased that he was rather 'star-struck' when he met Cate Blanchett on the set of Marvel's 2017 superhero sequel Thor: Ragnarok Grandmaster: Golblum played The Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, with Blanchett portraying the nefarious Hela 'Cate Blanchett plays Hela, that powerfully cosmically powerful witchy woman. She's so good. I'm deeply star-struck with her. She's spectacular,' Goldblum said. He also had wonderful things to say about Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi, who he called a 'brilliant man, an enjoyable comedic force.' 'Working on this was fantastic. We improvised a lot, he fools around, I fool around, we did a lot of fun things on it,' Goldblum added. Comedic force: He also had wonderful things to say about Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi, who he called a 'brilliant man, an enjoyable comedic force' When asked about his career, and what makes him say 'yes' to certain projects, Goldblum admits he's been 'lucky' for catching the acting bug. 'I know when I was a kid I was possessed by some kind of seed of passion or crazy inflammation of some kind that made me write on my steamy shower door when I was in high school every day 'Please, God, I want to be an actor,' and then I would erase it because it had to be a secret,' Goldblum said. 'I was deeply yearning for this life in acting, whatever I thought it was, and maybe that drew opportunity to me, or I was just plain lucky,' Goldblum added. Saying yes: When asked about his career, and what makes him say 'yes' to certain projects, Goldblum admits he's been 'lucky' for catching the acting bug He noted that he doesn't have a 'strategy' and he just 'goes with my instincts and what appeals to me,' when it comes to choosing projects. Now that he has a wife and kids at home, a project has to be 'very worthwhile' to leave them and go make a movie. 'It's really the same seeds of why I ever did it, which is kind of an adventure of passion and romance,' he added. Strategy: He noted that he doesn't have a 'strategy' and he just 'goes with my instincts and what appeals to me,' when it comes to choosing projects He added he's still 'hot on the trail' of a full creative life, and he feels like he's, 'on the brink' of doing some of his best work ever. Goldblum is said to reprise his role as The Grandmaster in the new Marvel TV series What If...? which is expected to debut on the Disney Plus streaming service in 2021. The actor will also return to the Jurassic Park franchise as Ian Malcolm in the sequel Jurassic World: Dominion, which recently resumed production. Craigavon Area Hospital where no visitors will be allowed on the wards of as it tries to get to grips with clusters of Coronavirus. Picture Matt Mackey / Press Eye. The rate of people in Northern Ireland diagnosed with Covid-19 on Saturday was more than two times higher than in England, according to official figures. Statistics from Public Health England (PHE) show the number of confirmed cases in England per 100,000 of the population was 2.6. However, in Northern Ireland, the figure stood at 6.2 over the same 24-hour period. In addition, the PHE statistics have revealed that Northern Ireland holds the unenviable position of the highest number of newly diagnosed Covid-19 cases per 100,000 in the UK over the past three days. According to the figures, Wales had the lowest rate of newly diagnosed Covid-19 cases between Friday and Sunday, standing at 7.2 per 100,000 people. Read More This was followed by Scotland, with 9.4 per 100,000 people and England with 10.2 per 100,000 of the population. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland recorded 15 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 of the population between Friday and Sunday. The figures have added weight to growing concerns over the number of people falling ill with the deadly virus in Northern Ireland. It comes just days after a top medic warned that both Belfast and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council areas are among the worst affected areas in the UK. Dr Maria O'Kane, medical director of the Southern Trust - which is currently at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak - has said further outbreaks at Craigavon Area Hospital are possible given the high levels of virus in the locality. Read More Health Minister Robin Swann and his top officials have also been vocal in appealing to the public across Northern Ireland to adhere to social distancing measures amid the growing number of cases. The Department of Health here reported 106 new cases yesterday, 118 on Saturday and 61 on Friday. Meanwhile, the PHE figures have suggested that, to date, Northern Ireland has the lowest Covid-19 death rate in the UK - although they stress that the figures do not provide a definitive comparison due to the different reporting methods used for each UK country. And Queen's University virologist Dr Connor Bamford has urged caution against complacency. Expand Close Warning: Dr Connor Bamford says we must not become complacent / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Warning: Dr Connor Bamford says we must not become complacent "We're still not halfway through this pandemic and winter is coming," he said. "It's very difficult to predict how things are going to pan out, it's important that we look out for a second wave because we don't want what happened in March and April to happen again. "At the moment, it is more younger people who are getting infected and they tend not to get as sick. "At the same time, we are getting better at actually treating people who do become seriously unwell. "Social distancing measures are also playing a part because people aren't being exposed to as high levels of the virus. "There is also an idea that the virus is mutating and is less dangerous, certainly there is some evidence in small studies to suggest that maybe this is happening in some isolated cases. "It's important to remember that while it's younger people who are catching the virus, they can spread it to older people and it is very easy for it to spread to vulnerable people. "We are in a better position than we were in March, but we must not become complacent." Dr Bamford also said he would like to see a widespread self-testing programme rolled out across Northern Ireland. He said this would enable people across Northern Ireland to ascertain whether they are contagious on a day-today basis. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 01:29:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- UN staff Ziad Ayoubi has launched an initiative aiming at providing 40 types of basic items at the cost price to the most vulnerable people in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. Ayoubi told Xinhua that the initiative "Dekkeneh," or "mini-market," allows walk-in people to buy products by paying a little higher than the cost price but lower than that offered by regular supermarkets. He said that the most vulnerable people will be given a support card which allows them to buy products at the cost price. "These people are referred to us by civil associations ... we give these people a card or send them a barcode to be used when they buy products from Dekkeneh by paying the cost price," Ayoubi said. Ayoubi also noted that those who are willing to support the initiative can have an access to a card or a barcode that allows them to buy products at prices that are higher than the cost price which would be considered their contribution to Dekkeneh. This initiative is important given the economic crisis in Lebanon in parallel with the high unemployment and poverty rates as well as the steep increase in the prices of the basic needs due to the shortage of U.S. currency in the country. "I wanted a sustainable model that can finance itself; this is how the idea came up," the young man said. Ayoubi added that Dekkeneh, which kicked off on Sept. 1, is a crowd project financed by around 100 expatriates for 12,000 U.S. dollars. Tripoli is considered among the poorest cities on the Mediterranean coast, according to the World Bank. Economists, have on many occasions, urged local authorities to launch development projects to create job opportunities and improve living conditions of the people in the city. Enditem Director-General, Border Security Force (BSF), Rakesh Asthana visited border outposts in Samba sector on Saturday (Sept. 06) and reviewed security arrangements and also praised troops for displaying alertness in detecting the tunnel. (Image: Special Arrangement) (@ChaudhryMAli88) BEIJING, Sep 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Sep, 2020 ) :China on Monday said that it had never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally occupied on the Chinese territory. "We have never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh, illegally established on the Chinese territory," Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during his regular briefing. He said, China's position on the eastern section of the China and India boundary and China's Southern Tibet was consistent and clear. Responding to a question about five civilians who went missing from Arunachal Pradesh days ago, he said, "Regarding the specifics, you mentioned I am not aware of it now. " The Chinese and Indian soldiers recently engaged in the most serious border clashes since they fought a war in 1962, leaving as many as 20 Indian soldiers dead during the fight. China blamed India for the incidents, calling the actions by Indian border troops "infringing and provocative." The disputed border covers nearly 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) of frontier that the two countries call the Line of Actual Control and that stretches from Ladakh in the north to the Indian state of Sikkim in the northeast. The two countries have been trying to settle their border dispute since the early 1990s without success. This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. The Foster's Brewing Company decided not to use Hogan in its new $US10 million promotion. PAUL Hogan was dropped yesterday from TV commercials for Foster's beer in the US. First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on September 9, 1990 Hogan had been a popular spokesman for the company since 1985. "We decided not to use Hogan because we wanted to de-emphasise Foster's Australian heritage," said John Barnett, president and chief executive of Molson Breweries USA, which formed a marketing alliance with Foster's last year. "We want people to buy Foster's because they like the taste - not just because it is an import." Taking Hogan's place in the "Break the mould with Foster's" campaign that begins next month is a group of futuristic-looking beer drinkers featured in a series of TV commercials that pokes fun at more traditional beer advertising. One commercial, set in a bar that could be on Mars, features a line of blue-haired men wearing clothes of the future. Their faces are encased in lifelike plastic masks. Indian army has alerted China of claims that five men were abducted by the PLA from the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Army says it has asked its Chinese counterpart if five Indian civilians who went missing from an eastern border state days ago were in their custody, as tension simmered on the western frontier between the rivals. Relations between the nuclear-armed Asian giants have hit a multi-decade low since clashes at their western Himalayan border in June that killed 20 Indian soldiers. Both sides have since stepped up monitoring their largely unsettled 3,488km (2,167-mile) border. The five missing men are from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically important area also claimed by China, which calls it South Tibet, and the Indian Army said it told Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) about them on Saturday. We spoke with them on the hotline and told them that its suspected that some people have crossed across to your side and we will be grateful if you could hand them over back, as per what we do normally, Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Wardhan Pande, Indian defence ministry spokesman, told Reuters news agency. There is no earmarked line going through the forest or the mountains, so they keep moving here and there. So they might have gone there, its a very normal thing. He said the Indian side had yet to hear back from China. The PLA did not respond to requests for comment from various news organisations. Police in the northeastern Indian state told local media they were investigating claims made on Facebook by a purported relative of one of the men that the PLA had kidnapped them. The Arunachal Times reported on Saturday that the men were hunting when they were allegedly abducted. It was not immediately clear when they might have gone missing. Decades-old border tensions The alleged incident comes amid talks between Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of an international meeting in Moscow. Singh said they had had frank discussions late on Friday over their disputed Himalayan border and the strained relations between the worlds two most populous countries. The pair released rival statements accusing each other of inflaming the showdown. India and China went to war in 1962 over Arunachal Pradesh, with Chinese troops temporarily capturing part of the Himalayan territory. Senior leader could be signalling major shift in Government policy: acknowledgement of SFF, of Tibetans fighting alongside our soldiers, reference to border as Indo-Tibet, not India-China. https://t.co/RhRR3PBzso Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) September 7, 2020 The dispute remains unresolved. China stakes a claim to about 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 square miles) of the area nearly all of what constitutes Arunachal Pradesh. Separately, a Tibetan member of an Indian special forces unit who died days ago in a mine blast near the site of a border flare-up with Chinese troops was cremated on Monday. His death has provided a rare glimpse into the Special Frontier Forces (SFF) a little-known group of elite, high-altitude warriors drawn mainly from Tibetan refugees living in India. Ram Madhav, a senior leader from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was among those attending the funeral. In a tweet that has since been deleted, Madhav acknowledged the participation of the covert Tibetan group in the border skirmish and dubbed the India-China border as the India-Tibet border, possibly indicating what many foreign policy experts say would be a major shift in Indias foreign policy on China. The public inquiry in NSW into the operations of Crown Resorts is testing the reputation of one of Australia's top 100 listed companies and its licence to operate in Sydney's Barangaroo as a high-roller casino. But while Crowns management has come under the most intense scrutiny so far at the NSW gaming commission's probe, some of the actions of the company's star-studded board are now under question. The scrutiny relate to the board's decision on July 31, 2019 to place a full-page advertisement in News Corp newspapers that sought to deny a series of stories in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes. Crown's Sydney development at Barangaroo. Credit:Rhett Wyman Those reports revealed how Crowns lax controls of its high-roller casino operations enabled and facilitated organised crime and money laundering, which in turn empowered the drug and sex traffickers associated with some of those high-roller operations or "junkets". The company's advertisement claimed that the stories were full of unsubstantiated allegations ... and outright falsehoods. The board's message was also filed with the ASX, which requires it to be accurate under continuous disclosure requirements. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment If I told you I had an exodontia appointment today, during which my bicuspid would be extracted from my alveolar bone, you may not know what Im talking about. In fact Im not sure I even pronounced those words correctly. If, however, I said Im having a tooth pulled at the dentist, you would. We use language to soften reality all the time. We might say that someone passed away instead of died to come across as more sensitive and caring. We might use the phrase let go rather than fired for the same reason. Euphemism and jargon can be useful in certain situations, but we should never use language to hide evil, especially when it comes to something as important as abortion. For years, advocates within the abortion industry have obscured and misled, dodging the consequences of their actions by both euphemism and deception. Now, thanks to a new round of videos released by pro-life activist David Dalieden and the Center for Medical Progress, at least a handful of abortionists have been forced into brutal honesty. In 2015, Dalieden first released a series of videos, taken undercover, of multiple Planned Parenthood executives bragging about how lucrative the practice of selling body parts from aborted babies was. One executive, Mary Gatter, famously said, on camera, that she hoped to sell enough body parts to buy a Lamborghini. The videos released last week add yet another dimension, showing these same Planned Parenthood executives forced, under oath, to watch the incriminating footage of themselves from 2015 and answer for what they said. It was an exercise in linguistic gymnastics. Back in 2015, Tram Nguyn, the vice president of abortion access for Planned Parenthood of Gulf Coast, told Daleiden that aborted babies were, at times, delivered from their mother a little too intact. Because partial birth abortion is a federal crime, such an admission would create quite a problem for Planned Parenthood. On the other hand, to make enough money for a Lamborghini, they need to deliver body parts as intact as possible. During deposition, when asked to clarify this comment, Nguyen admitted that sometimes aborted babies were, in fact, delivered with limbs still attached to the torso. Sometimes, she said, the fetuses may even be delivered with the calvarium attached. Calvarium is Latin for head. What she is describing is partial-birth abortion. Even that, however, is a euphemism for what is, really, a live dissection. Tram Nguyen can use all the Latin she wants, but she still admitted under oath that Planned Parenthood partially delivered babies and then killed them to sell their body parts. Believe it or not, thats not the only legal question created by this sworn testimony. Planned Parenthood execs also seem to admit violating a portion of its own patient protocol, the part in which the patients are promised that abortionists will never alter the procedures in order to obtain sellable parts. Under oath, however, Dr. Deborah Nucatola admitted that sometimes abortionists turn babies around to be delivered feet-first, in order to keep as much of their little bodies in-tact as possible. Also in the video, Lamborghini enthusiast Dr. Mary Gatter makes a heroic but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to use a language distinction to obscure how serious a violation of patients rights this is. After confirming that changing procedure to harvest body parts would violate policy and ethics, she assures us they didnt actually change the procedure, only the technique used during the procedure. Why do abortionists and those who profit from abortions so often hide behind euphemism? Why the secrecy and sleight-of-hand? Even before Roe v. Wade right up until now, people and politicians have hidden behind jargon like fetus and products of conception and calvarium. Now, even words like procedure and technique are used as if they have no real meaning. Everything good and right and true exists in the light, according to Ephesians 5. Evil tries to hide itself, and hidden evil flourishes. Everything this industry tries to hide, including the humanity of the fetus and the reality that this procedure kills, and just how brutal it is, we must expose. 4:56 We will continue talking about abortion here on BreakPoint in plain language, until we dont have to anymore. And we will do our best to train every Christian to make the case for life, including through our next 4-week Short Course, Champion Life: How to Oppose Abortion and Protect the Unborn, which begins this coming Tuesday. Come to BreakPoint.org to register, and tell your friends and family about it. I do believe there are signs that the tide is turning on abortion in the United States. And I believe the light shines on the darkness, the better off we will be in defending the unborn. Even though many Americans still support legal abortion, a wide majority now favor certain safety measures: such as requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, and stipulating that a doctor must first conduct and show mothers an ultrasound before performing an abortion. We must not grow weary. Each day that exposes abortion for what it is, is better than the day before. And remember, sign up for our short course, Champion Life at BreakPoint.org Originally posted at breakpoint.org AVON, Ohio -- Judy Kean, a stained glass artist and owner of studio/gallery Creative Space Avon (home of The Glass Studio), is calling for artists from all over Northern Ohio to apply for her juried art show, which runs Nov. 6 through Dec. 3. Up until now, she said, shows have been open to Ohio residents. Now I want to feature artists 50 miles west to Port Clinton and 50 miles south to Ashland from Avon. All media for fine art and fine craft from men and women older than 18 can be submitted for the jury to review, she said. I am looking for wood, metal, glass, drawings, pottery, painters, mixed media, photographers, fiber and sculptors to jury. This show also has no theme, so it is artists choice. This year, noted Kean, a special category will be awarded for Best Lorain Theme. In addition, awards will be presented with a cash incentive this year from COVID-19 stimulus money from the Lorain Chamber of Commerce. According to the rules for the show, artists can submit up to three entries. In addition to applying online, they can also request a welcome letter and application by email. Art can be submitted for call until 5 p.m. Oct. 21. There will be an opening reception and a closing reception, and videos will be part of a new experience at this time, Kean said. Many artists are repeat exhibitors to Creative Space Avon, she said, because of positive exposure for their art to the public and for networking, awards and sales. Last year, she noted, Creative Space Avon was one of three nominees for Best Art Gallery in Lorain County in Lorain Countys Pulse Magazine. To apply for the juried show, email Kean at judy@creativespaceavon.com or visit Creativespaceavon.com/events on the web. For questions or more information, Kean can also be reached at 440-823-7406. Read more from the Sun Sentinel. Health Secretary Matt Hancock today told young people 'Don't kill your gran' as he warned coronavirus cases are surging among teenagers and people in their 20s. Speaking to young people's news programme Newsbeat on Radio 1 today, Mr Hancock tried to push the message that young people may not get seriously ill from the coronavirus but they can pass it on to their elderly relatives. Yesterday the UK recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since May after 2,988 were reported in just 24 hours. The last time the UK's caseload was this high was May 23 - 15 weeks ago - when 2,959 people tested positive. Mr Hancock said on Radio 1: 'The question is, how much are you willing to risk the lives of yourself and others by breaking the social distancing rules? 'Don't kill your gran by catching coronavirus and then passing it on. And you can pass it on before you have had any symptoms at all.' Mr Hancock said most cases were being driven by under 25s in 'affluent areas', while pleading with them to continue social distancing to avoid passing the virus onto their grandparents. Downing Street warned the 'concerning' number of cases would generally be expected to lead to a rise across the population as a whole. Labour's Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth called the spike in cases 'deeply concerning and worrying' and suggests there is a real increase in the prevalence of the coronavirus. He also demanded Mr Hancock give an urgent statement to the House of Commons to explain the testing 'fiasco' in which some people are still being told by the NHS test booking site to drive hundreds of miles to get a test. Scientists have previously said cases have risen over August as a result of increased testing in hotspots. The more testing is done, the more cases are found. But the data suggests more people are actually catching the coronavirus, and it's not just due to more testing. The number of people who receive a 'positive' result after getting tested has gone up by 50 per cent in six weeks - from 1.4 per cent in mid-July to 2.3 per cent now - proving the prevalence is on an upward trend. However on a positive note, a larger proportion of cases are being detected now compared to March and April - when testing was just limited to hospitals and the very sick and millions went untested. A daily 3,000 cases is less of a concern now compared to the height of the pandemic, when it was clear diagnosed cases were only the tip of the iceberg. Health Secretary Mr Hancock tempered fears today and said cases were not out of control, while admitting cases were 'concerning' because 'nobody wants a second wave'. He is pictured during the interview today on LBC radio The UK recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since May after 2,988 were reported in just 24 hours Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the uptick in cases in the past few days have been in younger people under 25, 'especially 17 to 21 year olds'. Pictured is the raw data for new cases in each age bracket over August, showing females aged 20 to 30 make up the majority of cases The escalating Covid-19 cases in the UK follows the same trends in France and Spain, and the releasing of several lockdown restrictions. Speaking on LBC radio this morning, Mr Hancock said: 'This rise in case we have seen in the last few days is concerning, and it's concerning because we have seen a rise in cases in France, Spain and some other countries in Europe. 'Nobody wants to see a second wave here. It just reinforces the point that people must follow the social distancing rules, they are so important.' Asked by presenter Nick Ferrari if the UK had 'lost control', as suggested by some experts, Mr Hancock said: 'No, but the whole country needs to follow social distancing. 'We certainly see cases where they are not, then we take action. 'For example in Bolton where numbers are the highest, we traced a lot of those cases back to an individual pub and we have taken action on those pub. The pub needed to close and sort the problem out.' HOW DOES TESTING AFFECT CASE NUMBERS? If more people are being tested for Covid-19, this will show up in cases data, experts say. On the surface, it may look like a spike in infections, but broadly is not something to worry about because it just means more people are being diagnosed than before, when testing was limited to those in hospital. Professor Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics, The Open University, said: 'In the early stages of the pandemic, there was far less availability of testing in most countries than there now is. So one reason there are more cases is just that people have got better at looking for and finding them.' And Dr Andrew Preston, a reader in microbial pathogenesis at University of Bath, said: Test more people, you will find more positives. 'Initially, testing was restricted to those reporting symptoms, but this has eased and it's now possible for a wider range of people to request tests.' Testing capacity has rapidly increased over the course of the pandemic in order to reach more people. And this has caused a slight increase in the number of people getting a positive result - but not to levels that suggest prevalence of the virus is soaring. A significantly higher number of people are being tested since July - when diagnosed cases were at their lowest, NHS Test and Trace data shows. Some 442,392 people were tested between 13 August and 19 August - an almost 20 per cent increase on the 355,597 tested between July 9 and 15. However, the positive result rate only slightly went up, from 1.12 per cent to 1.4 per cent in the same period. This shows there no that many more people testing positive compared to negative in August than in July. Other data from Public Health England reveals a similar trend over the course of the pandemic. Testing has increased vastly from no more than 13,000 tests per day at the start of April to around 150,000 in July. During the same period, positive test results in Pillar 2 - which are those outside of hospitals and care homes - went drastically down from a peak of 5.2 per cent in May to 1.4 per cent in mid-July, showing that less people were testing positive for the coronavirus despite testing reaching thousands more people. This figure has risen slightly over this month from 1.6 per cent to 2.1 per cent in the week ending August 23. But it's a small increase when comparing with the 5 per cent seen in May. Testing has shot up to almost 200,000 per day this month. Commenting on these figures, Dr Duncan Young, a professor of intensive care medicine at University of Oxford, told MailOnline: 'It is therefore very possible that the increase in cases is mostly related to increased testing, but will a small additional effect from the increased prevalence.' Despite this, it doesn't necessarily rule out that transmission of the disease is, indeed, climbing. Scientists admit that the evident rise in cases will be driven by more transmission in the community as a result of easing lockdown restrictions. 'But the position isn't like it was back in March and April,' Professor McConway said. 'The level of cases [in the UK] remains a very long way below what it was at the peak of the pandemic here in March and April. Advertisement Mr Hancock said the most important point to get across was that the uptick in cases in the past few days have been in younger people under 25, 'especially 17 to 21 year olds'. Data from Public Health England shows 21.9 people per 100,000 aged 15 to 44 got diagnosed with Covid-19 in the week to August 30. It's more than four times the rate in those aged between 65 and 85 years old. It's a vastly different picture compared to mid-April, when some 200 over 85s per 100,000 had were diagnosed with the virus compared to less than 50 in the 15-44 age group. Some scientists say the rise in cases among the young is not something to be concerned about, and was inevitable given that people of working age are returning to work and are allowed to socialise again. But Mr Hancock remains concerned infections will soon begin spilling into the older generations - even if the data at the moment does not suggest this is happening. Mr Hancock said: 'The message to all your younger listeners [on LBC] and everybody is that even though you are at a lower risk of dying from the coronavirus, if you're that age, if you're under 25, you can still have really serious symptoms and consequences. 'And Long Covid, where people six months on are still ill, is prevalent among that population. Also, you can infect other people. 'And this argument that some people come out with, saying 'you don't need to worry about a rise in cases because it's younger people and they don't die'. 'Firstly, they can get very very ill. And secondly, inevitably it leads to older people catching it from them. So don't infect your grandparents.' The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The rise in the number of cases is concerning and it is predominantly among young people. 'Generally a rise in cases among younger people leads to a rise across the population as a whole. 'That's why it is so important that people maintain social distancing and don't allow this illness to infect older generations.' And medical director at Public Health England, Yvonne Doyle, added: 'What we don't want to see is a continuing increase of cases in this age group because it could lead to them infecting their parents and grandparents who are much more at risk of poor outcomes from the virus. 'It is vital that they follow social distancing rules, wash their hands regularly and wear a face covering in enclosed spaces.' There has been speculation that most new cases are found among poorer communities, where there is overcrowding in housing and people in key worker jobs, for example. Professor Gabriel Scally, a former NHS regional director of public health for the South West, claimed the virus is now 'endemic in our poorest communities'. While Labour's shadow health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said many of England's hotspot areas 'tend to be poorer areas, where there is overcrowded, multigenerational housing, probably low paid jobs perhaps in food factories'. However, Mr Hancock said it was currently more frequent in 'affluent areas', after various health chiefs have noted spread is predominantly happening when people socially mix in other people's homes. He said: 'Over the summer we had particular problems in some of the areas that are most deprived. Actually, the recent increase we've seen over the last few days is more broadly spread and is not concentrated in poorer areas. 'It's actually amongst more affluent younger people especially that we've seen the rise. 'And that is where people really need to hear this message and abide by it - which is that everybody has a responsibility for social distancing to keep themselves safe and to keep others safe.' Scientists have previously said cases have risen over August as a result of increased testing (pictured, how testing has risen during the pandemic) Dr Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, warned of using young people as 'scapegoats'. He told MailOnline: 'While data do indicate that infections are occurring mainly in a young age demographic, I know of no evidence to suggest that large numbers of younger people are breaking any rules and they shouldn't be used as easy scapegoats. 'It's just as possible that the current control regulations are insufficient or inappropriate for the way younger people lead their lives. 'Greater clarity is needed here before blame is laid or fingers pointed.' Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of prestigious medical journal The Lancet, said it was clear a new strategy was needed. He wrote on Twitter today: 'The UK now stands on the edge of a COVID-19 precipice. Aside from the need to rethink testing strategies, clear, more frequent, and firmer messaging about behaviours to reduce risks of community transmission is urgently needed. Communication is key, but is failing spectacularly.' It comes after Professor Gabriel Scally, a former NHS regional director of public health for the south-west, said the government had 'lost control of the virus'. He told The Guardian: 'They've lost control of the virus. It's no longer small outbreaks they can stamp on. 'It's become endemic in our poorest communities and this is the result. It's extraordinarily worrying when schools are opening and universities are going to be going back.' Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said he feared the outbreak was a 'return to exponential growth', and if so 'we can expect further increases over coming weeks.' He said yesterday: 'Today's reported number of cases is the largest new cases reported in a single day since May. This is especially concerning for a Sunday when report numbers are generally lower than most other days of the week. 'Some of that increase may be because of catch up from delayed tests over the past few days due to the widely reported difficulties the UK testing service has faced dealing with the number of tests being requested. 'Nevertheless this represents a marked increase in the seven-day rolling average of 1,812 case per day compared to 1,244 a week ago and 1,040 a week before that.' A slew of scientists have suggested the rising cases come down to more testing in England's hardest hit locations, particularly in the north-west. They said last week that if more people are tested, there will inevitably be more infections detected, which on the surface suggests the coronavirus is spreading more, even if that is not the case. The vast majority of cases were missed at the height of the UK outbreak because testing was limited to hospitals, whereas now anyone is able to get a test. But Dr Clarke warned this was a dangerous way to look at that figures as it risks undermining the spread of the virus. He told MailOnline: 'It's quite wrong to simply write off the increased number of coronavirus infections as a function of increased numbers of tests, that would be a false comparison. 'As things stand, the important Test & Trace system seems to be focused on areas with high numbers of diagnoses, but if the virus spreads across the country, this will need to change and it remains to be seen how well it will cope with that.' Data now suggests a higher number of people are, in fact, getting infected. Of those people being tested, a higher proportion are getting a positive result - called the test positivity rate. In the week to August 30, 2.3 per cent of people under Pillar 2, which is anywhere outside hospitals and care homes, who had a coronavirus test got a positive result - the highest since June 21 and a 0.2 per cent increase on the week prior. IS SOCIAL DISTANCING MAKING THE VIRUS WEAKER? Experts believe coronavirus spreading in lower doses is keeping death tolls and hospital admissions low but daily case totals high. Social distancing measures mean an infected person would only be able to pass on traces of Covid-19 to another person, therefore the virus's 'infectious dose' is lower. Because the newly-infected person would have a smaller amount of the virus, their symptoms would not be as serious - in a similar manner to chicken pox. While this would explain why a rise in cases has not lead to a rise in deaths, doctors have stressed that not enough is known about Covid-19 to determine whether it is dose-dependent. But other viruses, including SARS and MERS - the coronaviruses behind two previous pandemic outbreaks - follow this pattern. Cases of Covid-19 have been slowly creeping up in the UK since early July. This may seem alarming, but it has not corresponded with an increase in the number of people dying from the virus. Dr Elisabetta Groppelli, a virologist at St George's University of London, said: 'If you are exposed to a smaller amount of virus, fewer cells in your body get infected, so there's time for your immune system to mount a response. 'If you get lots of cells infected at once, you are already starting on the back foot. 'There is not particularly solid data for Covid-19 at the moment, but it's logical.' Many comparisons have been drawn between Covid-19 and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. A dose-dependent theory would offer an explanation for what happened then, too. A 2010 analysis showed the second wave hit poorer communities living in more crowded conditions. They got bigger infectious doses, and many thousands died. Dr Groppelli added: 'Age and other illnesses play a huge role. But if I had to be infected with this coronavirus, I'd like the smallest dose possible because that would mean a higher chance of my body getting the infection under control.' Professor Wendy Barclay, who's head of the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London, added: 'It's all about the size of the armies on each side of the battle,' she says. 'A very large virus army is difficult for our immune system's army to fight off. 'So standing further away from someone when they breathe or cough likely means fewer virus particles reach you, and then you get infected with a lower dose and get less ill.' Advertisement It hit a record low in the week to July 19, when 1.4 per cent tested positive, and has been rising steadily since. It's nowhere near the 5.2 per cent reported in May - when records of 'test positivity' began - but represents an increase of 50 per cent in six weeks. The data, from Public Health England, also shows test positivity has increased under Pillar 1, which is hospitals and care homes. It went up from a low of 0.4 per cent on August 2 to 0.6 per cent in the week to August 30. The highest was in the week to April 5, when 44 per cent of patients tested got a positive result back. Asked whether the record numbers of cases were due to testing, Mr Hancock said: 'There is a degree of that. 'But we also check what we call the test positivity - so both the number of cases we find, but also the proportion of people who test positive. That is going up as well.' Figures show those aged 15 to 44 have the highest positivity rate of all ages. Three per cent of men and 2.5 per cent of women tested in the community (Pillar 2) get a positive result back, compared to 1.6 and 1.3 per cent, respectively, in the 75 to 84 year olds. The older generations aren't even testing positive more often in hospitals (Pillar 1), with a similar positivity rate across all ages. Professor Hunter told MailOnline that the recent surge in coronavirus cases had come a bit earlier than he was expecting. 'Normally coronaviruses hit in November, December time,' he said. 'This has come back sooner than I had anticipated.' 'There was a report that went out to local authorities basically putting the peak at January. I think that's probably right. Certainly December-January for the peak (but with fewer deaths).' Labour's shadow health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said yesterday's caseload was 'deeply concerning' and 'deeply worrying'. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, he said: 'It's one days' worth of data so we will have to see what the trend is. But that days' worth of data is alarming, there is no question about it. It does suggest there is an increase in the virus.' Mr Ashworth has called on Mr Hancock to go to parliament today to explain the testing 'fiasco' that has emerged in recent days. People with coronavirus symptoms who try to book a test online have reported being told to drive three hours to reach their 'nearest' centre. And some of them have had to drive past closer testing centres on their way to the farther ones because of a flaw in the Government's booking system. Test and trace boss Dido Harding installed a 75-mile limit on travelling to appointments on Friday after it was revealed some patients were being asked to drive almost 300 miles. It's been suggested fixing this flaw is the reason behind the surge in cases, as more people are now being told they can access a test nearby. Mr Ashworth said: 'I think the key ask of the government is, what is happening with testing? 'Because we've had all these stories in recent days of people trying to book a test, people who are ill, they are sick, they think they've got symptoms of Covid, and they've been told to travel miles and miles, sometimes over 100 miles to get to a testing centre. That is clearly unacceptable. 'So we are asking the Government, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, to come to the commons quickly. Tell us what they think is happening with the infection rate today, and tell us what he is going to do to fix the fiasco in testing in recent days.' The surge in cases has not been evident in hospitalisations or deaths in the UK, further evidence the coronavirus is mostly affecting the younger generations. On May 23, the last time daily new cases were as high as they are now, 220 people died from Covid-19. But yesterday's death toll was significantly smaller. A further two people died after testing positive for the bug in the 28 days prior. Professor Hunter said: 'Fortunately, the daily reported numbers of deaths due to Covid-19 remain very low with a seven day rolling average of just seven deaths per day. A further two people died after testing positive for the bug today, bringing the UK's total death toll to 41,551 'However, with the new approach to recording deaths it is difficult to be confident that there are timely statistics. It with be another two or even more weeks before we can really expect to see any impact on mortality figures.' One scientist believes a rise in hospitalisations will be expected, but deaths will not follow due to better treatments. Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We have better treatments and doctors have better clinical ways of managing patients and have learned how to improve survival. 'The good news is I think deaths will continue to fall but I think hospitalisations will continue to be challenging if these numbers continue and restrictions aren't brought in place to try to bring it under control.' Other data suggests Britain's coronavirus crisis is not getting worse, with the Office for National Statistics reassuring on Friday that the number of people catching coronavirus in England per day remains stable. Surveillance swabbing suggests 2,000 per day are getting - down 200 from the previous Friday, when the prediction sat at 2,200. Some 27,100 people in England are thought to be infected at any one time - 0.05 per cent of the population or one in every 2,000 people. This total is a decrease of four per cent from the 28,200 estimate last week. Statisticians at ONS said: 'Evidence suggests that the incidence rate for England remains unchanged.' Mr Hancock said the ONS figures prove the NHS Test and Trace system is working, despite it being constantly criticised for failing to reach targets. The scheme tracks down close contacts of Covid-19 cases and tells them to self isolate in order to stop transmission. He said: 'Today's ONS data shows NHS Test and Trace and our local restrictions approach, in partnership with local areas, is working to contain the virus and is supporting the country to safely return to normal.' Meanwhile, Government experts said Friday they think the UK's growth rate - how the number of new cases is changing day-by-day - is between -1% and +2%. But the number of people who receive a 'positive' result after getting tested under Pillar 2 has increased in recent weeks (blue line) to 2.3 per cent. It's also increased under Pillar 2 (red line), but is nowhere near the levels seen at the height of the pandemic The graph shows how new Covid-19 cases are rising in the UK, but the 'positivity rate' is dramatically lower now compared to the height of the pandemic, when it was more than 20 per cent overall Like the R rate, the growth rate is a tool to keep track of the virus. If it is greater than zero, and therefore positive, then the disease will grow, and if the growth rate is less than zero, then the disease will shrink. The value is shown as a range. Because it is +2%, it suggests that a small increasing rate of cases is slightly more likely than a slow fall. Will Covid 'day pass' help reopen theatres? A 24-HOUR Covid 'pass' could be introduced to reopen theatres and sports stadiums, the Health Secretary has said. Matt Hancock said it would be introduced as part of a mass-testing scheme to show that someone is not infectious for at least 24 hours. Theatres and sporting venues have found it hardest to reopen because of social distancing. Mr Hancock was replying to a question on LBC about getting audiences back for pantomimes. He said: 'That is the hope, that we can get things going even if there isn't a vaccine, that we can use mass testing so people can check whether they have the virus today.' If they were negative then they could 'go and do things, even if it means being in close confinement'. But Mr Hancock added the 'next design of tests' was needed to get quicker results. Advertisement Last week's growth rate interval was from -2% to +1% per day, so the interval has moved up by a small amount in the direction of increasing cases, rather than decreasing. But the estimates have a high degree of uncertainty. The R - the average number of people each virus patient infects - needs to stay below one or the outbreak could start to grow exponentially. But SAGE estimates it is still hovering between 0.9 and 1.1, having remained unchanged from last week. However, the UK's low infection rate means small outbreaks can skew the estimate upwards. Mr Hancock's previous warnings that the UK was on the same path as France and Spain to a 'second wave' was met with disagreement from scientists. The Health Secretary on Tuesday warned that the UK 'must do everything in our power' to stop a second surge of people going into hospital with the coronavirus, which he said was starting to happen in Europe. But experts told MailOnline Mr Hancock's comments were 'alarmist' and that there is currently 'no sign' of a second wave coming over the horizon. The data shows hospital cases are also not rising by much in Europe, contrary to the Health Secretary's claim, and the reason hospital admissions have not risen in the UK with diagnosed cases 'simply reflects increased testing'. Scientists say it is younger people driving up infections and they are less likely to get seriously ill and end up in hospital. For that reason, hospital cases and deaths will not necessarily follow higher cases, and there may not be a deadly wave like the first. Professor Carl Heneghan, a medicine expert at the University of Oxford, said: 'There is currently no second wave. What we are seeing is a sharp rise in the number of healthy people who are carrying the virus, but exhibiting no symptoms. Almost all of them are young. They are being spotted because finally a comprehensive system of national test and trace is in place.' By Pepe Escobar September 06, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - There was a time when New Delhi was proudly selling the notion of establishing its own New Silk Road from the Gulf of Oman to the intersection of Central and South Asia to compete with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Now it looks like the Indians have stabbed themselves in the back. In 2016, Tehran and New Delhi signed a deal to build a 628-km rail line from strategic Chabahar port to Zahedan, very close to the Afghan border, with a crucial extension to Zaranj, in Afghanistan, and beyond. The negotiations involved Iranian Railways and Indian Railway Constructions Ltd. But in the end nothing happened because of Indian foot-dragging. So Tehran has decided to build the railway anyway, with its own funds $400 million and completion scheduled for March 2022. The railway was supposed to be the key transportation corridor linked to substantial Indian investments in Chabahar, its port of entry from the Gulf of Oman for an alternative New Silk Road to Afghanistan and Central Asia. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Upgrading rail/road infrastructure from Afghanistan to its neighbors Tajikistan and Uzbekistan would be the next step. The whole operation was inscribed in a trilateral India-Iran-Afghanistan deal signed in 2016 in Tehran by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The unofficial New Delhi excuse revolves around fears that the project would be slammed with US sanctions. New Delhi actually did get a Trump administration sanctions waiver for Chabahar and the rail line to Zahedan. The problem was to convince an array of investment partners, all of them terrified of being sanctioned. In fact, the whole saga has more to do with Modis wishful thinking of expecting to get preferential treatment under the Trump administrations Indo-Pacific strategy, which relies on a de facto Quad (US, India, Australia, Japan) containment of China. That was the rationale behind New Delhi deciding to cut off all its oil imports from Iran. So far all practical purposes, India threw Iran under the bus. No wonder Tehran decided to move on its own, especially now with the $400 billion, 25-year Comprehensive Plan for Cooperation between Iran and China, a deal that seals a strategic partnership between China and Iran. In this case, China may end up exercising control over two strategic pearls in the Arabian Sea/Gulf of Oman only 80 km away from each other: Gwadar, in Pakistan, a key node of the $61 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and Chabahar. Tehran, so far, has denied that Chabahar port will be offered on a lease to Beijing. But what is a real possibility, apart from Chinese investments in an oil refinery near Chabahar, and even, in the long run, in the port itself, is an operational link between Gwadar and Chabahar. That will be complemented by the Chinese operating the port of Bandar-e-Jask in the Gulf of Oman, 350 km to the west of Chabahar and very close to the hyper-strategic Strait of Hormuz. How corridors attract Not even a Hindu deity on hangover could possibly imagine a more counter-productive strategy for Indian interests in case New Delhi backs off from its cooperation with Tehran. Lets look at the essentials. What Tehran and Beijing will be working on is a de facto massive expansion of CPEC, with Gwadar linked to Chabahar and further onwards to Central Asia and the Caspian via Iranian railways, as well as connected to Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean (via Iraq and Syria), all the way to the EU. This game-changing progress will be at the heart of the whole Eurasian integration process uniting China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and of course Russia, which is linked to Iran via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). For the moment, for all its hefty reverberations in multiple areas upgrade of energy infrastructure, refurbishing of ports and refineries, construction of a connectivity corridor, investments in manufacturing, and a steady supply of Iranian oil and gas, a matter of national security for China theres no question that the Iran-China deal is being effectively downplayed by both sides. The reasons are self-evident: not to raise the Trump administrations ire to even more incandescent levels, considering both actors are considered existential threats. Still, Mahmoud Vezi, chief of staff for President Rouhani, guarantees the final Iran-China deal with be signed by March 2021. CPEC, meanwhile, is on a roll. What Chabahar was supposed to do for India is already in effect at Gwadar as transit trade to Afghanistan started only a few days ago, with bulk cargo arriving from the UAE. Gwadar is already establishing itself as a key transit hub to Afghanistan way ahead of Chabahar. For Kabul, the strategic factor is essential. Afghanistan essentially depends on overland routes from Pakistan some can be extremely unreliable as well as Karachi and Port Qasim. Especially for southern Afghanistan, the overland link from Gwadar, through Balochistan, is much shorter and safer. For Beijing, the strategic factor is even more essential. For China, Chabahar would not be a priority, because access to Afghanistan is easier, for instance, via Tajikistan. But Gwadar is a completely different story. Its being configured, slowly but surely, as the key Maritime Silk Road hub connecting China with the Arabian Sea, the Middle East and Africa, with Islamabad collecting hefty transit funds. Win-win in a nutshell but always taking into consideration that protests and challenges from Balochistan simply wont disappear, and require very careful management by Beijing-Islamabad. Chabahar-Zahedan was not the only recent setback for India. Indias External Affairs Ministry has recently admitted that Iran will develop the massive Farzad-B gas field in the Persian Gulf on its own and India might join appropriately at a later stage. The same at a later stage spin was applied by New Delhi for Chabahar-Zahedan. The exploration and production rights for Farzad B were already granted years ago for Indias state company ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL). But then, again, nothing happened due to the proverbial specter of sanctions. Sanctions, by the way, had been in effect already under Obama. Yet at the time, India and Iran at least traded goods for oil. Farzad B was scheduled to be back on track after the signing of the JCPOA in 2015. But then Trumps sanctions iced it again. It doesnt take a PhD in political science to ascertain who may eventually take over Farzad B: China, especially after the signing of the 25-year partnership next year. India, against its own energy and geostrategic interests, has in fact been reduced to the status of hostage of the Trump administration. The real target of applying Divide and Rule to India-Iran is to prevent them from trading in their own currencies, bypassing the US dollar, especially when it comes to energy. The Big Picture though is always about New Silk Road progress across Eurasia. With increasing evidence of closer and closer integration between China, Iran and Pakistan, whats clear is that India remains integrated only with its own inconsistencies. President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday spoke on a number of issues bordering from the political crisis in Mali, West African States single currency and the constitutional limit on tenures. Below is the full statement of the president at the 57th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Niamey, the Niger Republic as released by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity. It is important that as leaders of our individual Member-States of ECOWAS, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits. This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region. As it is, the challenges facing the sub-region are enormous; from socio-economic matters to security issues, the ECOWAS sub-region cannot, therefore, afford another political crisis, in the guise of tenure elongation. I urge us all to resist the temptation of seeking to perpetuate ourselves in power beyond the constitutional provisions. I commend those in our midst that have resisted such temptations, for they will be deemed exceptional role models in their respective countries and the sub-region as a whole. Related to this call for restraint is the need to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. This must be the bedrock for democracy to be sustained in our sub-region, just as the need for adherence to the rule of law. On the political situation in Mali, President Buhari said it is of serious concern to ECOWAS, and commended President Mahamadou Issoufou of the Niger Republic and out-going Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, as well as the Chief Mediator, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, for effectively demonstrating commitment in handling the political situation in that country. He declared that Nigeria remains resolutely committed to ECOWAS decision for a civilian-led Transition Government not exceeding 12 months. This is important because of the circumstances surrounding Mali where violent non-state actors and other negative tendencies reside and who can take advantage of the unstable political situation to overrun the country, thereby plunging it into greater danger that will affect the political stability of the whole sub-region. While Nigeria understands the current political realities in Mali, the sub-regions commitment to the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance must never be compromised. An early return to democratic governance which is transparent and civilian-led will commend itself for Nigerias support for progressive relaxation of sanctions against Mali. On security, the Nigerian leader noted that Terrorism continues to be the greatest security threat in our sub-region, complicating other national security challenges. As a sub-region, we need to collaborate more by working hand in hand with each other, to combat the root causes of the different security-related manifestations in our countries. He said, Nigeria is concerned with the rapidity at which terrorist groups in the Sahel and West Africa are working together against all of us, adding that, We must urgently review these ugly developments to guarantee the safety and survival of our sub-region. Our national security apparatus and the relevant Units of ECOWAS must urgently be seized with these unfolding events across our sub-region and act decisively on the emergence of early warning signs, he said. Dwelling on the long-standing single currency issue for the sub-region, the President said, Nigeria remains committed to the implementation of the action plan towards the actualization of the monetary union and single currency programme of ECOWAS, and called on Member States to show support to the resolution of the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS on this matter. Cognisant of the likelihood that many ECOWAS member states may not meet the convergence criteria over the next few years due to the impact of COVID-19 on our economies and which as a consequence, will affect the take-off date of the single currency, he said. Notwithstanding this envisaged delay, we must remain collectively focused and resolute in working to achieve the objectives of the ECOWAS monetary union as a project for the sub-region. Insisting that the premature adoption of the ECO has unnecessarily heightened disaffection and mistrust among members of the emerging monetary union, President Buhari encouraged UEMOA (French acronym for the West African Economic and Monetary Union) to return to the roadmap on the common currency in the sub-region. He also urged all stakeholders to bear in mind that those economic convergence criteria must be based on sound and sustainable macroeconomic fundamentals. Noting that some key unresolved issues still remained such as delinking the CFA franc of the UEMOA from the Euro; whether the UEMOA countries join as a bloc or individual countries; design of the exchange rate mechanism; Stabilization Fund; policy harmonization and exit strategy and reserve pooling among others, the Nigerian President called on his colleagues to provide African solutions to African problems. According to him, Foreign interference and so-called advice may not be in our best sub-regional interest, as he stressed the need for UEMOA to return to the agreed roadmap of the ECOWAS Single Currency by complying with the established framework under the roadmap and cooperate with other member countries in achieving the objectives of the programme. Observing that the Summit was held under a very complex health pandemic, whose impact on the global health and economy has so far been devastating,. President Buhari said, like the rest of the world, our sub-region is witnessing economic downturn with negative growth that is headed towards deep recession and the outlook continues to be uncertain. He, therefore, charged his colleagues on the need to continue to work in concert with each other on several fronts to ease the negative effects of the pandemic, adding that, We need to demonstrate our collective resolve to harness the opportunities that come with COVID-19, despite its overwhelming negative impact on lives and livelihoods. I admit that the outlook for our sub-region with COVID-19 hovering over us is gloomy indeed. He, however, expressed confidence that where there are challenges, opportunities are also available to be seized upon through greater collaboration with each other. We must pool our resources together in unity to save our generation and generations to come from multiple challenges, including COVID-19 and related health issues. We need to redouble our efforts in preparing our national economies to withstand impending shocks against prospective multi-sector challenges that await us in the sub-region, he declared. Acknowledging that it is no easy task, President Buhari appealed to fellow leaders to embrace our collective vision for the future with greater determination and innovative thinking and creativity. Of all existing 14 programmes worldwide, the report found that the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis top the 2020 CBI Index ranking. Dominica succeeded at balancing straightforward processing and wider eligibility of dependants with reliable due diligence and an excellent overall reputation. Meanwhile, St Kitts and Nevis remains unchallenged as regards speedy processing times and longevity, with a focus on appealing more to families. Its new limited-time offer whereby a family of up to four can obtain citizenship for US$150,000 via the fund option addresses investors' need for more family-friendly solutions. Similar to last year, fellow Caribbean nations Grenada, St Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda join Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis in occupying the top five positions of the 2020 CBI Index. Vanuatu, Malta, Cyprus, Montenegro, Turkey, Bulgaria, Austria, Cambodia, and Jordan complete the ranking. The 2020 CBI Index introduces two new pillars Family and Certainty of Product to the previous seven, and integrates settlement rights into the Freedom of Movement pillar. The family pillar considers how easy it is to include immediate and extended family members in a primary application. Certainty of product looks at the Programme's stability in five key areas: longevity, popularity and renown, stability, reputation and adaptability. These major adjustments reflect the shifts in the investor immigration industry towards more family inclusiveness and the need for trustworthy programmes. The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of borders made many investors prioritise health, safety, a pleasant environment, and welcoming communities over global mobility. "By blocking international travel, the Covid-19 pandemic has had the effect of reminding investors and the wider world of the fundamental importance of 'home'," the researcher explains. "Home and citizenship are closely intertwined, as only citizenship can give certainty that a person will be able to settle somewhere indefinitely. [] And, as the CBI Index highlights, there are few options for citizenship that are as expeditious and straightforward as citizenship by investment." "The current global crisis has led investors to explore alternative citizenship and residence options with a focus on healthcare and standard of living," comments Micha-Rose Emmett, CEO of CS Global Partners a leading industry firm and government advisory headquartered in London. The co-head of global wealth planning at UBS, Anna Brugnoli, echoes Ms Emmett's assessment. She adds that high-net-worth individuals seeking relocation evaluate how effectively a country responded to the health and economic crises which the Caribbean excelled at. "What we see is the question of 'do I have the right citizenship?'," Ms Brugnoli told PWM. Yuri Bender, PWM Editor-in-Chief, comments: "Covid-19 has proved the catalyst for many trends which private banking teams witness in daily practice. One of these is the use of Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes to help global families manage both their structures and expectations." Click here to download the full report. About the CBI Index Released yearly by Professional Wealth Management, a publication from the Financial Times, the CBI Index is the only independent study that comprehensively evaluates and compares all active citizenship by investment programmes in the world. Created in 2017 by independent researcher James McKay, founder of McKay Research, the CBI Index aims to bring value to the investor immigration industry, and provide a practical, decision-making guide to individuals and families considering citizenship by investment. Infographic - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1249388/CBI_Index_Infographic.jpg [email protected] www.cbiindex.com SOURCE CBI Index Related Links https://csglobalpartners.com (Natural News) Generally speaking, Republican presidents, especially in the World War II post-war era, have been extremely pro-military, and Donald J. Trump is no exception. In fact, you could legitimately say that Trump is more pro-military than even George W. Bush who did love the military because Trump is the first president in a generation not to start a war. Not only is the president constantly bragging about the military, hes pushed for (and gotten) funding to replenish a force worn out by decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan; hes gotten the military raises; he has dramatically improved the Veterans Administration healthcare system (against all odds, by the way); and hes strengthened the reputation of the American military around the world. So with all of these things in mind, a story published by The Atlantic last week claiming that President Trump said some truly awful things about American soldiers and Marines who died in World War I made no sense whatsoever. The story, written by editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, claimed, among other things, that Trump intentionally skipped a visit to the fabled Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France during a visit in 2018, absurdly claiming that he didnt want to get his hair wet. The story claimed that Trump refused to go because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead. Goldberg who cited four anonymous sources also said that the president called the soldiers and Marines who died in nearby Belleau Wood suckers and losers. Like we said, absurd stuff. Almost immediately, current and former members of the Trump administration who were actually in France with the president at the time called out The Atlantic and Goldberg for disgraceful fabrications. For one, Twitter personality Techno Fog reposted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents clearly showing that the reason why the president did not go to the cemetery that day was because it was canceled due to inclement weather. Here is the @JasonLeopold tweet from 2019 about these Navy FOIA records he obtained. Today @JeffreyGoldberg described how the Atlantic was extra careful on this story. Also seems inaccurate. Documents got by Leopold prove them wrong. Great job Jason!https://t.co/JUMWtKRuXg Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) September 4, 2020 Well, couldnt Trump have just motorcaded to the site? No; the military and his national security staff thought that trip, which was some 90-100 minutes one way, was fraught with too much risk. But again, the story was being debunked almost immediately, and in a few cases by people who are no fan of the president like his former national security adviser, John Bolton. He said he believed that canceling the visit, which was entirely a weather-related decision was the proper thing to do at the time. I didnt hear those comments or even anything resembling them, Bolton told Fox News. I was there at that point in time in the morning. He went on to say that the decision was made by then-Chief of Staff John Kelly. (Related: Media malfeasance: Rasmussen report creates hideously biased image of Trump for new poll.) And if Goldbergs claim was true, then Bolton again, no fan of Trump missed a great opportunity to verify and confirm it in his recently released book. But he didnt. Bolton, no fan of Trumps, on the decision for Trump to skip Belleau Woods pic.twitter.com/OG4hGFwIfQ Meridith McGraw (@meridithmcgraw) September 4, 2020 Also almost immediately, people began calling on Goldberg to reveal his sources, and that included frequent Trump critic and one of CNNs chief screechers, Brian Stelter. I'm confident I have better sources within this White House than @JeffreyGoldberg, and I expect that upon investigation his anonymously sourced story will live up to the quality we can expect from The Atlantic under his leadership. Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) September 4, 2020 Thats the thing about this normally the denials from the president and his aides would carry some weight, but for three and a half years the White House has squandered its credibility to the point where its words are essentially worthless, and the denials mean very little, Stelter said, dissing the president at first like he always does by claiming that Trump, and not his own network, is the serial fibber. But after praising Goldberg as a respected journalist with sources at high levels of government, Stelter added: But it is also incumbent on the sources, on the people that are talking to Goldberg, on the people that are talking to other outlets the presidents denying it explicitly, so its put up or shut up time. Others were equally critical of Goldberg and his fabrications. The Venn diagram of journos who bought and peddled the Iraq WMD hoax, the Rolling Stone UVA rape hoax, the Russian collusion hoax, the Covington hoax, the Kavanaugh hoax, the Ukraine hoax, and the latest Atlantic hoax is a single circle. Take note of whos inside it, The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis tweeted. The fact is, in the age of Trump, there really isnt a trustworthy mainstream media outlet anymore. The editors, writers, columnists, journalists and executives who run Americas legacy newsrooms and online outlets have completely lost all credibility after years of allowing their Trump Derangement Syndrome to guide their editorial decisions. From the Russian collusion hoax to lying about Spygate to covering up for leakers who put the countrys national security at risk, the mainstream media has become one of the least-trusted institutions in our country. And now, The Atlantic has joined those ranks. Sources include: BizPacReview.com ZeroHedge.com NewsFakes.com An investment banker allegedly working with the family of the then Labor MP Eddie Obeid turned up unannounced at a mining company to discuss a potential coal deal, the NSW Supreme Court has heard. Obeid, 76, his middle son Moses, 51, and former NSW Labor mining minister Ian Macdonald, 71, are standing trial on charges of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office relating to the 2009 grant of a lucrative coal exploration licence over the Obeid family's farm at Mount Penny in the Bylong Valley in NSW. Eddie Obeid's farm Cherrydale Park, in the Bylong Valley, was where a controversial coal exploration licence was granted. The Crown alleges Mr Macdonald leaked confidential information to the Obeid family about a state government tender for the licence. The men have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Justice Elizabeth Fullerton is presiding over the lengthy trial, which started in February before pausing during the coronavirus pandemic. A verdict is not expected until next year. 07.09.2020 LISTEN Though Somalia is coveted for its strategic location and huge marine resources, it remains one of the largely unstable and underdeveloped countries in Africa. With its longest coastline, bordering Ethiopia to the west, Kenya to the southwest and the Gulf of Eden, it has attracted many foreign countries to the region. Over the years, Somalia has been in quest of political stability, peaceful investment environment and sustainable development. There have been attempts to help the country establish its political institutions and structure political power. In 1991, for instance, a multi-phased international conference on Somalia was held in neighbouring Djibouti. The Djibouti conference was followed by two abortive agreements for national reconciliation and disarmament, which were signed by 15 political stakeholders: an agreement to hold an Informal Preparatory Meeting on National Reconciliation and the 1993 Addis Ababa Agreement made at the Conference on National Reconciliation. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was the internationally recognized government of Somalia until August 20, 2012, when its tenure officially ended. As part of the official "Roadmap for the End of Transition", a political process that provided clear benchmarks leading toward the formation of permanent democratic institutions in Somalia. The end of the interim mandate of the Transitional Federal Government was followed by the inauguration of the Federal Government of Somalia. By 2014, Somalia was no longer at the top of the fragile states index, dropping to second place behind South Sudan. That said, Somalia with an estimated population of around 15 million inhabitants in 2018, still has a long way towards establishing solid institutions, address current challenges and engage in sustainable development. In an email interview with IDN, Abukar Arman, who served as Somalia's Special Envoy to the United States and writes on geopolitics of the region, talks about the current challenges and the way forward. Here are the excerpts: IDN: What do you consider as the main challenges facing Somalia today? Abukar Arman (AA): Contrary to the common perception, it is neither al-Shabaab nor insecurity as these are symptoms. The real challenge facing Somalia today is lack of visionary leaders with a strategy that does not put the cart before the horse; leaders who understand that political legitimacy does not come from a foreign endorsement, but from genuine reconciliation. There is also a lack of checks and balances as the federal parliament is virtually coopted and a constitutional court (supreme court). In addition to all these, there is the rampancy of corruption and the threat of insecurity. As if all these are not enough, there is also those foreign elements that are getting more emboldened as Somalia continues on current helplessly exposed trajectory. IDN: Why there are rising criticisms about its failure to maintain good relations with it neighbours in the Horn of Africa? AA: I assume you are referring to Ethiopia and Kenya since Somalia never had an issue with Djibouti before. In the initial phase of the civil war, Ethiopia and Kenya have helped settle fleeing Somalis as refugees in their respective countries, but, as Somalias conflict remained protracted, these initially good Samaritans have turned into exploiters. They played a key role in keeping Somalia in systemic disarray and, in due course, evolve into clan-based federalism or 'clanistans' that dont trust one another. They continue to periodically stir the domestic affairs pot. A good example is the Federal Government of Somalias recent deadly clashes with Jubbaland where many lives were lost and much destruction occurred. Ethiopia was backing the federal government and Kenya was backing Jubbaland. Good relation is a two-way street. IDN: What are the narratives and the reasons for underdevelopment in the country? What official policies there are focusing at addressing these sustainable development goals? AA: Eight years after emerging out of the transitional period, the country is yet to have a national currency and collect taxes. Under such circumstances, it is impossible to build nationally economy and to emerge out the dependency condition. As a result, Somalia still remains under the tutelage of foreign donors who fund mostly symbolic or unsustainable projects. To this day, there are no policies to put said priorities in place. Meanwhile, the US dollar remains the official currency in a country where the average household makes three or so dollars per day. IDN: Do you envisage women playing roles in forging peace and contributing to development in Somalia? How are these women empowered in the country? AA: Somali women are the most underused potential when it comes to advancing genuine reconciliation and sustainable peace. They and the Somali children are the segment of the population who has been suffering the most under the status quo. Though the Somali tradition does not grant space to women in peace-making processes, it constitutionally secures them a significant space in the political space. A glaring irony is due to the funders demands. IDN: Are rising Islamic attacks and human rights violations becoming thorny issues in Somalia? AA: I am not sure what you mean by rising Islamic attacks. If you are referring to al-Shabaab and other actors of various motives that have been committing terrorist acts, they have a negative impact on the national security, economy, politics and they have been making the government more dependent on foreign troops. More Somalis have been victims of terrorism under the current government than all the previous ones combined. And the way things are going, there is no solution in sight. The government has been heavily relying on US drone attacks that have been making things worse . IDN: What external countries are showing keen interest or are already active in Somalia, as it is strategically located and has huge marine resources? AA: In addition to Ethiopia and Kenya, there are countries such as U.S., UK, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Norway and a host of other countries. The list continues to grow as Somalia remains the epicentre of global geopolitical and geo-economic competition. Some of the major ones are in a cut-throat competition that further complicates the Somalia conundrum. IDN: What are the government's expectations from external actors and investors? AA: The current government has the right rhetoric to attract foreign investors, but I am not sure if the investors they have been attracting are the kind that generates jobs for the roughly 70% of the adult population who are unemployed or if they are the kind that would generate significant revenues for the government. Most of them are purveyors of corruption who show up for one type of exploitation or another. By Kester Kenn Klomegah The author writes frequently about Russia, Africa and BRICS. This interview was first and originally published by IndepthNews. Fifty-three Vietnamese babies were brought to Vietnam from South Korea on Sunday, unaccompanied by their parents due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The 53 babies, together with 350 other Vietnamese citizens, boarded flight VN409 that landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Due to challenges posed by the pandemic, the babies parents, who are working in South Korea, could not travel home with them but the children were accompanied by acquaintances on the flight. Most of the babies are under one year old, according to Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper. Upon their arrival, the babies were brought to a centralized facility in Bau Bang District in the southern province of Binh Duong, around 65 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. Forty-one people who are family members of the babies in Vietnam have registered to be quaratined with them as their guardians. People are sampled for COVID-19 testing at a centralized quarantine facility in Bau Bang District, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, September 6, 2020. Photo: H.M.C. / Tuoi Tre This is the first time the facility has received such a large number of little returnees at a time. Vietnam has documented 1,049 COVID-19 cases, including 691 domestic infections, since the pandemic first hit in January. The country has recorded 815 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths as of Monday morning, according to Ministry of Health statistics. A total of 551 local cases, mostly linked to Da Nang, have been registered since July 25, when the beach city reported the first domestic transmission after the nation had gone 99 days without any community-based infection. South Koreas COVID-19 tally was 21,177, with 334 deaths, on Sunday, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The COVID-19 pandemic, with its tragic human toll, will have a meaningful and lasting impact on our lives and businesses, said Aspen CEO Mark Cloutier. From the very onset of the pandemic, our team at Aspen were committed to doing our part to help ease the burden on those most affected by the pandemic, and we will steadfastly maintain that commitment through to what will hopefully be an end to this terrible event. I am very proud of the commitment our people have shown to supporting those less fortunate and/or deeply impacted by the pandemic, and equally proud of how our people have responded to the sudden change in business practices, pivoting quickly to new ways of working and demonstrating exceptional professionalism, commitment and customer service, all while continuing to live our shared values and principles. Cloutier said that despite the challenges Aspen faced in the first half of 2020, including the US$187.3 million COVID-19 reserve, he was pleased with the progress the company had made. Underlying key performance ratios illustrate clearly the progress we are making, with our accident year ex-cat combined ratio and accident year ex-cat loss ratio of 90.7% and 54.7%, respectively, comparing very favorably to prior year at 102.4% and 58.7%, respectively, he said. Our efforts to simplify and gain efficiencies in the business are also showing results, with our operating expense ratio at 15.7% versus prior year of 19.4%. We have also seen growth in gross written premium, notwithstanding having exited several non- or underperforming lines of business. This performance is a testament to Aspens strong brand and ability to grow in those classes of business we have focused upon as core to our success. Cloutier said that market conditions were definitely improving although some lines of business still had some distance to achieve adequacy. However, he said that Aspen has seen strong risk-adjusted rate change across both our insurance and reinsurance segments. Looking ahead, I believe that we have the right combination of entrepreneurialism, talent and discipline to build our business and position Aspen as a leading specialty international reinsurer, he said. Our ambition is underpinned by a determination to build a culture that embraces and advocates for greater diversity, inclusion and corporate responsibility and recognises their importance as pillars of future success. Libya's central and southern regions experienced a major power outage on Thursday, the state General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) said on Friday, while Libya's oil terminals remain blocked for exports. The most recent blackout comes after a series of power outages in Libya this summer, Libya Herald reports. Last month, Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) said that the closure of oil ports in the Gulf of Sirte was the main reason for the power outages in eastern Libya. "By closing the ports in the Gulf of Sirte, the condensate reservoirs at the export ports will be filled within days, and thus the production of the gas associated with the condensate, which feeds Zueitina power stations and north of Benghazi, will come to a halt," NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla said, as carried by The Libya Observer. Sanalla had warned earlier that oil tanks full to the brink at Libya's oil export terminals are posing a risk to local communities and the facilities themselves. Meanwhile, Libya's oil terminals remain out of service, and the country is not exporting oil. Currently, oil production in Libya is just 100,000 bpddown from 1.2 million bpd at the start of the year, just before paramilitary formations affiliated with the Libyan National Army (LNA) of eastern Libyan strongman General Khalifa Haftar occupied Libya's oil export terminals and oilfields. Libya's conflict continues, preventing oil production and exports from the African OPEC member. Last week, Haftar's forces rejected the ceasefire announced two days earlier by the UN-backed government of Libya and the east-based rival administration, dismissing the proposal for truce as a "marketing" stunt. Earlier this week, NOC's Sanalla met with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to discuss the effects of blockades on the Libyan economy. "NOC chairman also stressed that the ongoing conflict in Libya has nothing to do with the distribution of oil revenues; it is rather a conflict between parties that want to control the wealth of the Libyan people," the company said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A man thought he was pulling a funny prank when he pretended to be his wife's celebrity crush online and started messaging her but it became a lot less funny when the messages grew more and more sexual. The 36-year-old man shared the awkward situation on Reddit, explaining that his 37-year-old wife's celebrity 'hall pass' is The League star Jason Mantzoukas, 47. For reasons he did not explain, the husband went on to test this by posing as Jason online, finding a credible way to connect his wife who was only too eager to flirt with the actor, trading incredibly sexual messages that are now making the husband 'incredibly sad.' Celeb crush: A man on Reddit said that after his wife admitted a big crush on comedian Jason Mantzoukas, he pretended to be the star and catfished her The husband posted the story in Reddit's relationships section seeking advice, admitting that he 'catfished' his wife and now doesn't know how to proceed. 'My wife and I were joking about our celebrity crushes and hall pass celebrities,' he explained. 'Mine was Beyonce, who Im obviously never going to meet, hers was Jason Mantzoukas. I was like, thats weird I would expect a Hemsworth or something but okay!' His wife then explained that she and Jason both went to Middlebury College in Vermont, so they have that connection between them. 'She said that whenever events open up again she might go to a reunion event to meet Jason Mantzoukas,' the husband went on. 'I couldnt tell if she was kidding and this was starting to feel a little too real.' Consequences: Now his wife is sending nude photos to who she thinks is Jason, but is really her husband That's when the husband did something inexplicable: He created a fake Middlebury alumni email address and emailed his wife 'about a new program for Middlebury alums to mentor each other'. 'I told her she was assigned to Jason Mantzoukas,' he said. 'She was thrilled and so Ive been exchanging emails with her from Jason Mantzoukas. I was incredibly sad to see that it got flirtatious fast.' The husband went on to say that lust 'got the better' of him since his wife 'isn't really very sexually active' with him, so he started 'sending her headless nudes of some hairy looking guy I found on google and shes been sending nudes back'. 'So shes kind of having an affair,' he said. 'I know this sounds insane but I kind of want to go with it as this is the most sexual Ive been with my wife in a while. Its a bit soul crushing though because I am pretending to be Jason Mantzoukas,' he added. Hilarious: The bizarre post has since been shared on Twitter, where it has gone viral The bizarre post has since been shared on Twitter, where it has gone viral. 'This is, not going to lie here, one of the funniest posts I've seen on this board. I'm imagining Mantzoukas sexting exactly like he talks on the Good Place and that is NOT helping,' wrote one commenter. 'I'm sorry but she HAD to know it was her husband. They talk about the guy and then right after she gets paired up with him? And how do you create a fake alum address, like middleburyalum@gmail.com or something? I'm struggling to see how this would be very convincing,' wrote another. 'Next time you're unhappy in your relationship, talk to your partner, don't pretend to be comedic actor, writer, and podcaster Jason Mantzoukas,' said a third. 'You've betrayed both your wife and national treasure Jason Mantzoukas,' yet another commenter chastised. Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz wrote in an opinion piece to LMT last week saying to fight against the border wall and razor wire along the river was futile. However, several city councilmembers seem to think differently. All Laredo councilmembers were asked for their opinion on the mayors letter and their thoughts about fighting for something that city residents also see as divisive. Although I respect Mayor Pete Saenzs opinion, I must say I wholeheartedly disagree with his reasoning on this issue, Mayor Pro-Tem and City Councilmember of District IV Alberto Torres said. The City Council has time after time voted unanimously to fight the border wall and we have voiced that effort to our team of lawyers who have been at the helm of this issue. It is important and crucial we continue to fight the good fight against the border wall as its construction will hinder our relationship with Mexico, subsequently hurting our local economy and tourism. Torres said he is against illegal entry into the U.S. but that a border wall is not the answer to this threat. He said Saenzs letter was a surprise to him after he has noted that the City Council and even the mayor himself have called for no construction of the border wall. READ MORE: Laredoans are hyped for the election even amid pandemic Although Mayor Saenz made it very clear his letter was an editorial opinion piece, I must admit it caught me by surprise, Torres said. The City Council has numerous times voted together to continue the fight against the border wall, that seeing the mayor go against the consensus of the entire council was shocking. I respect his opinion, however I would have hoped he would have stood with the council and the majority of the people we represent as elected officials. Other councilmembers, however, said they understand that the mayors comments referred more to what is possible within city authority rather than what he would prefer if he had such authority. As councilmembers, we must balance our relationship with state and federal partners along with the wishes of the people we represent, District VI Councilmember Dr. Marte Martinez said. The mayors points are wise and very well taken. Regardless of the likely inevitable outcome, this council represents the wishes of its citizens and ultimately our goal must be to navigate the best outcome possible for the city as a whole. District VIII Councilmember Roberto Balli also notes that collaboration between both city and federal government is needed. But Laredoans have needs to be met, and local leaders are the ones who know what is best for the city despite federal government plans, he said. It was not until recently that the federal government has worked without genuine collaboration on only a few issues the tent court, the border wall and razor wire, Balli said. I support law enforcement, the mission of Border Patrol and the continued cooperation and coordination between federal and local law enforcement. The fact remains that the building of a border wall at water and sewer plants threatens our drinking water and sewage and hundreds of millions of dollars of local taxpayer investment. The border wall also threatens the rivers water flow causing flooding concerns. The proposed border wall will also destroy several local parks along the rivers edge as well as river access to local land owners. Torres notes his constituents dont all have the same views on any matter, but he tries to side with the majority. Overall, the people of Laredo are concerned by the construction of the border wall and we must do and act accordingly to ensure we are our peoples voice on this matter, he said. The mayor pro tempore also believes this is fundamentally a national political issue. Since elected, President Trump has talked about a border wall, and it is no coincidence that now that his re-election is coming up he is pushing it more than ever, Torres said. On the other hand, at our local level, this issue is not political but rather concerning. Peoples lives along the border will be affected, not to mention agriculture and commercial property owners. For locals its about our future, not politics. Martinez said that politics should be put aside when it comes to what the people of Laredo really want, and the only ones in the middle of the fight between the city and federal government are the people who will be affected directly. READ MORE: LISD holding curbside voter registration drive for students We do not have the luxury of being political. We must be Laredoans first, Martinez said. The protection of our natural resources while doing our part to secure our border is possible. There is a middle ground here, but people must be willing to listen to each other and have an open dialogue. Balli argued that with the concertina wire issue, the federal government is not taking into consideration the people who live along the river or visit riverside parks. The governments recent request for razor wire is highly concerning, Balli said. The proposed locations include several city parks, fishing spots and recreational areas. The government will provide no support in keeping local children away from the razor wire, even though they propose to place the wire a few feet from playgrounds. We cannot have this. It is due to this that Torres believes that Laredos border area is something worth fighting for, even if it is a fight they might lose in the end. We have invested a lot to fight this nonsense proposal from the current federal administration for us to simply lay down and step aside, Torres said. We must continue fighting against the construction of the border wall for our citys future. City Councilmembers Rudy Gonzalez, Vidal Rodriguez, Nelly Vielma and George Algelt were also asked about the mayors opinion letter but did not provide a comment on the story. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:20:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Soldiers take part in the Noble Partner 2020 multinational military exercise at Vaziani base near Tbilisi, Georgia, Sept. 7, 2020. Georgia Monday kicked off the Noble Partner 2020 multinational military exercise at the Vaziani military base near its capital Tbilisi. (Photo by Kulumbegashvili Tamuna/Xinhua) TBILISI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Georgia Monday kicked off the Noble Partner 2020 multinational military exercise at the Vaziani military base near its capital Tbilisi. Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the exercise, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia praised the role of the Noble Partner 2020 as "the most important component" of the Georgian army that will help the country achieve Euro-Atlantic integration. "Such exercises are a guarantee of peace for every citizen of Georgia and the state of our country," said Gakharia, adding that the exercise is not targeted against any other country. According to the Defense Ministry of Georgia, the joint drill, which will last till Sept. 18, will involve over 2,700 servicemen from Georgia, the United States, Britain, France and Poland. The exercises will include situational training, live-fire drills, and combined mechanised maneuvers at Georgia's Vaziani military base. Initiated in 2015, "Noble Partner" was originally aimed to train Georgian soldiers and improve Georgian troops' interoperability with NATO units. Enditem The Duchess of Cornwall appeared in high spirits today as she made her first visit to The Rifles headquarters following her new appointment as Colonel-in-Chief. Camilla, 73, donned a stunning forest green dress during the occasion and beamed as she arrived at Beachley Barracks in Chepstow Wales earlier this morning. Prince Philip, who retired in 2017, transferred the historic military title of Colonel-in-Chief of the infantry regiment The Rifles to the Duchess of Cornwall in July. The Duke has been closely associated with The Rifles and its earlier regiments for almost 70 years, but he has now handed over his role to Camilla. The Duchess of Cornwall, 73, appeared in high spirits today as she made her first visit to The Rifles headquarters following her new appointment as Colonel-in-Chief During todays visit Camilla opted for a green coat dress and complemented the look with a matching handbag by DeMellier. Her blonde bob was styled in an impeccable blow-dry, and she sported a dash of blush for a healthy glow. She beamed as she arrived and greeted soldiers at the barracks earlier this morning in Chepstow. The occasion marks her first visit since she was bestowed the title of Colonel-in-Chief. Camilla, who donned a stunning forest green dress for the occasion in Wales today, beamed as she met with soldiers on the base The occasion marked the royal's first visit to the headquarters since she was bestowed the role of Colonel-in-Chief in July Amid extreme social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, she and Prince Philip took part in separate ceremonies hundreds of miles from one another. The Duke was Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles from its formation in 2007 but his connection stretches back further, because he has served as Colonel-in-Chief of successive Regiments which now make up The Rifles since 1953. Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007 and continues to hold that position. She supported the battalion during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, writing to next of kin, sending letters to the injured, and meeting families - as well as the traditional medals parades The Duchess smiled broadly as she spoke with soldiers during the visit to the barracks earlier today The royal spoke wit Riflemen who are currently undertaking further training, during her first visit to the 1st Battalion Camilla went on to join soldiers at a reception during the visit, where she met with family members including one tiny tot Most recently, Camilla visited New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot in May last year to present service medals and meet members of the battalion and their families. The Duchess also has personal links to military organisations connected to her father, Major Bruce Shand, who was awarded two Military Crosses. Two battalions of The Rifles today form part of the celebrated 7th Infantry Brigade, otherwise known as the Desert Rats, with whom Major Shand served, and the duchess is patron of The Desert Rats Association. Philip - who is a patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations - has been officially retired since 2017, although he appeared on the balcony at the Cenotaph remembrance event in November that year. The Duchess, who appeared in high spirits throughout the visit, was also shown the Roll of Honour, at Beachley Barracks, earlier today She beamed as she spoke with those currently undergoing training at the barracks in Wales during her visit But a palace spokesman said he had been asked by The Rifles if they could pay tribute to his service with a ceremonial event and, as he was at Windsor Castle, he was happy to facilitate it. The Rifles were formed in February 2007, following the merger of four celebrated infantry Regiments - The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry; The Light Infantry; The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry; and The Royal Green Jackets. Forged during the campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan, they are now the largest infantry regiment in the British Army. Their motto is: 'Swift and Bold.' The visit comes after the Duchess joined Prince Charles for a summer holiday at the Queen's Balmoral estate in August. Prince Charles and Camilla apparently kicked off their break at their Scottish residence of Birkhall at the beginning of last month, Hello! reported. The Duchess appeared in high spirits as she arrived for the visit at Beachley Barracks earlier today The Duchess opted for a classic green coat dress for the occasion, which she paired with delicate jewellery and a silver brooch It is unknown if the couple were there at the same time as Prince William, Kate and their three children, who arrived in Balmoral at the end of the month. According to The Sun almost exactly five months after the Queen told Britons 'We will meet again' in a now historic address to the nation, she had her first socially distanced meeting with all five of the Cambridges. It was the first face-to-face meeting involving the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis since lockdown began in March. According to the Sun, sources say the Queen spent time with her great-grandchildren while outside on the royal estate. Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007 and continues to hold that position The Duchess continued to respect social distancing guidelines during the visit to the barracks earlier today The royal appeared in high spirits and beamed as she arrived for the momentous occasion today Prince Edward, Sophie of Wessex and Princess Anne also reportedly visited the 50,000-acre estate. The source told The Sun: 'Like every family, they've been desperate to get back together and over the moon it was possible this weekend. 'They've all been up there for a few days and although there are very strict procedures with social distancing, they've been able to find ways of seeing each other outside. 'It's obviously been a difficult year for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh seeing the country dealing with the pandemic, so they were all keen to go there to show their support.' We seem to be hopelessly out of joints to wriggle out of the mess created by our colonial rulers responsible for having to bequeath a legacy of skulduggery that keeps us claiming each others territories. It was no other than a tidy-minded British cartographer Captain Henry McMahon of the Indian Army who first mapped the Indo-China frontier, a piece of cartography starting in 1893, following which the India-China border was known as the McMahon Line. That seems to be the beginning of the cartographic war that has enveloped the Indian sub-continent, with nations India, China, Pakistan and Nepal making overlapping claims. To put things in perspective, the McMahon Line that forms the northern boundary of Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas administered by India but claimed by China was the area of focus in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan recently issued a map that shows the Indian Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh as well as territory in Gujarat as part of Pakistan, a move that is in response to a map that India issued in October last year that showed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan as well as Aksai Chin as Indian territory. Nepal recently rejigged the countrys political map by incorporating three strategically important areas the Lipulekh pass, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura in western Nepal by amending its constitution, a move that has strained the bilateral relations with India. Both Nepal and China have clearly been piqued by the new map of the border region issued by New Delhi, after it divided Indian-administered Kashmir into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The map incorporated some of the territories disputed with Nepal inside India's borders. Neville Maxwell, a pro-China propagandist, says that McMahon's map, which was presented to the Tibetan delegation to the Shimla Conference at a meeting held in Delhi, was done without the participation or knowledge of the Chinese conferees. The Tibetan delegation conditionally agreed to the alignment drawn by McMahon in red ink on a two-sheet map of a scale appropriate to the purpose. That alignment purported to shift the external border of (British) India some 60 miles to the north of where the Chinese claimed (and until that point the British had accepted) it lay, at the foot of the hills rising from the Brahmaputra valley. Their action was immediately repudiated by their masters in Lhasa. According to him, the McMahon alignment has no legal validity as a Sino-Indian boundary but smacked of an imperial expansionism. Observers like Srinath Raghavan think that the reason for China not accepting the McMahon Line is because once it does so, it can no longer claim Tibet to be an inalienable part of China and that it had enjoyed de facto independence at the time of the Shimla conference. Besides, there would be domestic trouble because this would make China veer away from their stated assumption that the McMahon Line is a relic of imperialism. Between 1956, 1960 and 1962, as the Chinese forces captured new territory across the Kuen Lun, the Aksai Chin plateau and the Karakoram ranges, Chinese maps showed three distinct and advancing LACs, especially in the Ladakh sector. Though the LAC established after the 1962 war has remained more or less stable, it has not been demarcated. With a context as fraught as this, we get to see China coming up with newer maps in consistent but sporadic intervals. Not to be undone, we now see Nepal and Pakistan following suits. It is interesting to note that Pakistans new map extends Islamabads territorial claim north-eastward up to the Chinese-held Karakoram Pass. Aksai Chin Curiously, in April 2019, the map used for unveiling of the BRI plan not only showed Aksai Chin as part of India, but entire Jammu and Kashmir (now Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh) and Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territories. About Nepal, New Delhi published a new map that showed Kalapani within its borders, much to the protestation by Kathmandu which, it claimed belonged to it as per the Sugauli Treaty of 1816. Differing perceptions, even if they existed, did not come to the surface as long as Indias relationship with Nepal did not nosedive which, many say, are happening because of Chinas manipulations. And as for Pakistans claims, just two things could be cited. The August 13, 1948 UN resolution on J&K had implicitly recognised the Indian sovereignty over the J&K territories, acknowledging that Pakistan had occupied illegally urging it to vacate the occupation, a pre-condition to conduct a plebiscite then, while Junagadh that served as a bargaining counter to secure J&K, with a Hindu maharaja and a majority Muslim population held a referendum on February 20, 1948 with 91% of the electorate voting for accession to India. The arbitrary, rigid, and perpetually contested borders on South Asias political maps might point to the expediency of mapping South Asia afresh to prevent the regions geographically contiguous nations from making contentious and overlapping claims. The irony is that while China considers McMahon Line as an instance of imperial expansionism, the Communist Party of China uses cartography as an important tool for Chinese expansionism. Age of expansionism is over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pompously declared in a stern message to China. But grandstanding apart, it is about time we mapped out a strategy to deal with such preposterous irredentist claims and new-fangled maps designed to obfuscate narratives. External affairs minister described the situation in eastern Ladakh as 'very serious' and said it calls for very very deep conversation New Delhi: Ahead of his expected talks with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Moscow, external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday said the state of the border with China cannot be de-linked from the state of the overall relationship with the neighbouring country. The external affairs minister also described the situation in eastern Ladakh as "very serious" which he said calls for "very very deep conversation" between the two sides at a political level. Jaishankar was speaking at an interactive session by the Indian Express. "The state of the border cannot be de-linked from the state of the relationship. I wrote it before that unfortunate incident happened in Galwan," Jaishankar said referring to his newly published book ''The India Way''. Tensions escalated manifold along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh after the Galwan Valley clashes on 15 June in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details. According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35. If peace and tranquility on the border is not a given, then it cannot be that the rest of the relationship continues on the same basis, because clearly peace and tranquility is the basis for the relationship, Jaishankar said. Jaishankar is set to meet Wang on 10 September in Moscow on the sidelines of the meeting of the foreign ministers of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). "Exactly what I will tell him, obviously I am not going to tell you," Jaishankar said when asked what message he will deliver to his Chinese counterpart. He, however, said the broad principle around which his position would be constructed would be about the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility along the border for the overall development of ties which has been reflected in the last 30 years of the relationship. The minister also talked about the number of pacts between the two countries on the border management since 1993, saying they clearly stipulate keeping forces at a minimum level along the border and largely shaped the behaviour of the armed forces. "If these are not observed, then it raises very very important questions... I note that this very serious situation has been going on since the beginning of May, this calls for very very deep conversation between the two sides at a political level," he added. Jaishankar said there were problems left over from history as well. "We have problems left over from history which continue to be an overhang on the relationship," he said, calling the current standoff as of "a very different order". Australian school teachers and staff recently spoke to the Committee for Public Education (CFPE) to voice their support for teachers, school workers, parents, students and others across the United States of America who are taking the initiative to form an Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee there. The purpose of rank-and-file committees is to unite educators with young people, parents and the entire working class to oppose the reopening of schools amidst the expanding coronavirus pandemic. Any return to in-person learning threatens the health and lives of entire school communities, along with their friends and members of their families. It has already produced catastrophic consequences in spreading the COVID-19 pandemic, which is raging out of control throughout the world, and especially in the US. Penelope, a secondary teacher from Melbourne, Victoria, explained: During the onset of the coronavirus pandemic here in Australia, teachers struggled to convince our employers and the union to support us as we attempted to keep ourselves, our students and our families safe. We are aware, however, that you [in the United States] have faced far more serious threats. Penelope also spoke about the Trump administrations recent announcement that teachers were deemed part of critical infrastructure and were being forced to suppress positive COVID tests. She said, This concealment puts teachers, students and communities at risk and is possibly illegal. We are shocked and appalled at this. Your communities need to be aware of the risk teachers are being forced to take in terms of their health, their careers and their freedoms. They have the right to know that parents, other workers and the wider community face the same risks. Suppression of information of these risks is undemocratic. Indicating her support for the demands being advanced by the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee in the US, Penelope said, Schools should not be opened if it puts people at risk. Teachers must not be compelled to work in unsafe conditions. We support your efforts to refuse to open schools until they are safe and we share your belief that every child has the right to a safe, free education of the highest standard, and wish you every success in maintaining your stand. David, a secondary teacher from rural NSW, voiced his concerns at the lies being used to justify the reopening of schools. He said, The fairy tale that young people do not transmit COVID-19 is not based on science; rather, it is based on the push to reopen the economy in the interests of profit. Governments all over the world have based their reactions to this pandemic on anti-scientific lies that have caused death and suffering at unprecedented rates. David Teachers and students have borne the brunt of this cruel and anti-scientific experiment with the premature reopening of schools leading to the further spread of the virus through major outbreaks in schools in Sydney and Melbourne. Continuing under this current strategy, we can only expect the death and suffering caused by this virus to be prolonged. In the midst of the greatest health crisis in at least the last 100 years governments have revealed their ruthless indifference to human suffering. In addressing the formation of rank-and-file committees, David said, Workers must unite to form the strongest possible resistance against being forced into these dangerous conditions. We must form safety committees and oppose this criminally negligent response to the pandemic by demanding that face-to-face learning cease immediately, and not be resumed until community transmission has been defeated. If these demands are not met, then general strike action of US educators should be undertaken with the full support of the members of the CFPE, and of the Socialist Equality Party internationally. A Queensland public school teacher said, It is with horror that I continue to look on from abroad and witness the re-opening of schools in the USA by the Trump administration. We know that children are not immune to the deadly effects of COVID-19. How dare the future generation be put into direct mortal danger! Educators know that schools can act as a catalyst for the spread of COVID-19. How dare they make us endanger our family and friends! I pledge my support to the teachers of the USA and around the world who stand against the re-opening of schools where active community transmission of COVID-19 is evident. Form rank-and-file safety committees, protect yourself, your students and the greater community! Julianne, an education support staff member in Melbourne, also commented on the dangers posed by the reopening of schools. The evidence speaks for itself, having over 180,000 students from March contracting COVID-19, and 90 children dying from COVID in the US, she said. Teachers and education support staff are at risk too, as children do spread the virus as well. All that governments are worried about is the profits that they wont make if schools dont open. They are not concerned about peoples welfare. Speaking in support of the rank and file committees, Julianne said, I support the teachers in the US demanding that all schools close immediately and all students have adequate internet access for their learning. Schools should not reopen until they are proven to be safe. Campbell, a secondary teacher in regional Victoria, said, Teachers, who are on the front lines of re-opening the economy, face the sharpest and most acute decisions in the coming period. Their concerns over the health and safety of their students, their communities and themselves, needs a political response. Campbell continued, The call for a national strike is the only way forward for teachers and other workers. To drive this agenda, teachers need to remove any belief that their union leaders will lead a path forward. Teachers need to take that decision-making out of the hands of the union bureaucrats, and set the agenda themselves by setting up independent rank and file committees. Campbell Comparing the situation in Australia to that facing teachers in the US, Campbell said, We have witnessed in Australia that, with schools forced to re-open, there has been a dramatic increase in community cases. There is now a clear and established risk that has been identified with the re-opening of schools and transmissions in the community. Speaking of the necessity of forming independent rank and file committees Campbell said, The unions role is to fragment action and try to localise and defray the energies and anger of workers into dead-ends. They only act on behalf of their political masters. The drive to expand teachers actions to the level of a national strike is a first step. As an Australian teacher, I fully support your growing actions in ensuring your safety, and the safety of the communities you work in. Lily, a Melbourne primary school teacher, expressed her anger at the program of reopening schools. She said, What an outrage to send teachers back in the USit is nothing short of criminal. Teachers, parents and students have been fed so many lies about this virus from the get-go; that schools are safe, children only have mild cases and do not spread the disease. They have been proven wrong time and time again. I am in full support of a national general strike. The governments across the world, particularly in the US, have proved time and time again that they do not care for workers, only profits. They are scared of workers being united because of the power we havewe need to rally together and stand up for safe working conditions! This pandemic has showed the weakness of the capitalist system, of the unions and their pro-business and pro-profit agendas. Without rank and file safety committees we have no advocates for our safety or conditions. I offer my full support to the US educators and the Florida rank and file safety committee and hope for a change to the flawed system that puts the lives of educators at risk. We need a global solution and I hope my fellow educators around the world do the same. BEIRUT A search operation of a building that collapsed during last months deadly blast in Beirut stopped on Sunday after rescue workers said they did not find any survivors. The operation in the historic Mar Mikhail district had gripped Lebanon since Thursday, sparking hope that a survivor might be found under the rubble a month after the blast on Aug. 4 that killed 191 people and wounded nearly 6,500. Seven people remain missing. The devastating explosion of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate at the port of Beirut caused widespread damage to several neighborhoods. The Lebanese capital is still reeling from the blast, with a quarter of a million people made homeless by the impact of the explosion on apartment buildings. The latest rescue operation began Thursday when a dog used by a Chilean search-and-rescue team signaled the detection of a possible human pulse under the rubble of a collapsed building during a tour of streets in the area. Rescue workers used cranes, shovels and their bare hands in a meticulous search after a pulsing signal was then detected by a device. The black-and-white 5-year-old dog named Flash inspected the building several times a day as aid workers removed debris. Photos of Flash, in red shoes to protect its paws, circulated on social media and the dog became a hero to many Lebanese. The head of the Chilean team, Francisco Lermanda, told journalists at the scene late Saturday they had not found any bodies amid the rubble. Lermanda said the pulsing signals heard might have come from of a member of the rescue team. In past days, the Chilean team had urged people on the streets, including journalists, to turn off their mobile phones and remain quiet for several minutes at a time to avoid interfering with their instruments. Lermanda said they will search a sidewalk after which they will declare the operation over. It was not clear if a search for bodies would continue. Two days after the explosion, a French rescue team and Lebanese civil defense volunteers had searched the same building, which had a bar on the ground floor. At the time, they had no reason to believe anyone was still at the site. New Delhi, Sep 8 : The Maharashtra Police has informed the Supreme Court it has punished the delinquent policemen in connection with the lynching of three people, including two sadhus, in the state's Palghar district earlier this year. The affidavit, filed by the state's Assistant Inspector General of Police, said 18 policemen have been given varied punishments and some of them have also been dismissed from service or made to retire compulsorily. In the affidavit, the Maharashtra Police said after completion of departmental inquiry against the policemen, the Special Inspector General of Police, Konkan range, issued show cause notices dated July 27, to these police personnel. "The police personnel have replied to the show cause notices. After considering their replies to the show cause notice and after hearing them, the Special Inspector General of Police, Konakan range has issued final orders on August 21 imposing punishment upon the delinquent police personnel...," it said. On August 6, the apex court had directed the Maharashtra Police to inform it on the action taken against the police personnel involved in the case. The Maharashtra Police have also sought dismissal of petitions against it in the top court with costs, citing that two charge sheets have been filed in the matter so far. On August 6, the Maharashtra government, through an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, opposed the PILs for transferring the Palghar lynching case investigation to the CBI or a court-monitored probe. The government informed the top court that enough has been done, as 300 accused have been charge sheeted and 6 police officials suspended already. In the affidavit, the state police said that considering the seriousness of the Palghar lynching case and large number of accused involved, and in "order to maintain the complete fairness, independence and the transparency in the investigation, (the police) transferred the said case to the specialised unit of state criminal investigation department (CID), Pune with effect from April 20." A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and R. Subhash Reddy had asked the Maharashtra government about the action taken against the erring police officials as months have passed after the lynching incident. The top court asked for inquiry reports, details of investigation and asked the police to submit a charge sheet in the case before it for scrutiny. The top court's order came on the PIL filed by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha. This is the comical moment a dog attempts to strike a friendship with a curious gopher as it emerges from its hole in the ground. The footage filmed in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California, shows the two-year-old golden retriever named Fiona stare at the burrowing rodent as it pokes its head from beneath the ground and looks back at its new admirer. The gopher then sinks into the burrow before emerging once more and looking at the gentle canine. The two-year-old golden retriever Fiona stares at the gopher as it emerges from its hole in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California During the clip, which was shot on May 31 but has only just been shared, the curious dog watches with fascination as the gopher emerges from its hole, but does not try to pounce on it. The rodent quickly dips back underground before poking its head up and fearlessly staring down the canine. Fiona draws closer and tries to sniff her new friend before the gopher again bobs into the hole and re-emerges and the two animals eyeball each other. After sharing the clip online, Fiona's owner told Viral Hog: 'Fiona is almost two-years-old and walks the streets and parks of San Francisco daily. 'Her favorite activity, on this day, back in May at Golden Gate Park, was making friends with gophers. 'In the end, they share special moments that show everyone can get along if they are just patient and kind. Fiona watches with curiosity as the gopher sinks into the ground (left) and then comes back to the surface once again (right) Fiona tries to sniff her new friend as the rodent emerges from the ground and looks at the canine 'It's often hard to get her leave and since she's such a big girl, so we spend quite a lot of time hanging out around the many gopher holes. Many have come to say ''hi'' to the sweet lady Fiona.' Following the comical antics, viewers took to social media to share their praise of the heartwarming clip. One user wrote: 'Such a sweet and gentle dog.' While another added: 'So so cute. Just love these dogs.' Social media users have since praised the heartwarming clip, with one claiming it 'made their day' Another commented: 'Now that made my day.' Gophers are fossorial rodents that are larger than mice but smaller than rats and typically grow between five to 14 inches. They are commonly found across North America and Central America and will make their homes by burrowing holes into the ground. She is one of two dozen women vying for the attention of Locky Gilbert on The Bachelor this year. But nine years before Juliette Herrera signed up to reality television to find love, the 34-year-old stylist was in a 'secret relationship' with actor Joel Edgerton. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, a close friend of the reality star revealed that the couple dated for four months from September 2011. REVEALED: The Bachelor's Juliette Herrera, 34, (pictured) was in a 'secret relationship' with actor Joel Edgerton between September 2011 and January 2012. 'Juliette was working as a stylist for [Cosmopolitan magazine] at the time and he was about to start filming Gatsby, so they kept their relationship low-key,' the source revealed. 'They've kept in touch and been really cool about their break up, and Juliette has been respectful of his romance with Christine (Centenera).' In fact, Juliette attended a screening of his 2018 film Boy Erased in Los Angeles. Who knew? Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, a close friend of the reality star revealed Juliette and Joel dated for four months from September 2011 until January 2012 Following their failed romance, Joel met and dated model Alexis 'Lexi' Blake in 2012 for two years after they met while holidaying in Bali. However, they decided to call it quits so Joel could pursue filmmaking. Joel has since been dating Christine Centenera after they 'debuted their romance' at GQ Australia's Man of the Year awards in Sydney on November 14, 2018. 'Juliette was working as a stylist for [Cosmopolitan magazine] at the time and he was about to start filming The Great Gatsby, so they kept their relationship low-key,' the source revealed. Pictured in 2013 They first sparked romance rumours a month earlier, when they were pictured in an intimate embrace in Sydney. Joel previously told The Daily Telegraph that he plans to spend more time in his native Australia in the future. 'My focus next is about what I can make at home so that I can celebrate two of my favourite things: being at home and making stuff so that I am not always away,' he said. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Juliette and Joel for comment. (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Telecom Co. is in discussions to reduce its non-binding $2.39 billion offer for a stake in Vodafone Egypt, two people with direct knowledge of the talks said. The discussions come as a deadline nears for STC to move ahead with the non-binding offer first made in January. The Saudi company in July extended the memorandum of understanding for 60 days due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The cash offer is for Vodafones 55% stake in Vodafone Egypt, the remaining part of which is held by state-owned Telecom Egypt. STC had said that the offer gives the Egyptian business an enterprise value of $4.35 billion. The two people, who include an Egyptian official, didnt provide additional details and requested anonymity because they werent authorized to comment on the talks. STCs spokesperson couldnt be reached for comment. Spokesmen for Vodafone Group Plc and Vodafone Egypt declined to commentEgyptian market regulations would require Saudi Telecom to submit a mandatory tender offer for all of Vodafone Egypt, including the stake held by Telecom Egypt 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. Digital technologies have changed the way people live, work and interact. Currently, South Africa has embarked on a digitalisation journey which aims to see the country harness the power of emerging digital technologies to propel economic growth and empower its people. To reap the full benefits of digitilisation requires building a truly digital society through connectivity and accessibility that will allow for the transformation of millions of lives in the country. A study by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) found that expanding mobile broadband penetration by just 10% in Africa would equate to an increase of 2.5% in GDP per capita. Creating a digital society is one of Vodacoms three key purpose pillars with the objective of connecting people to a better future by bridging the digital divide across all our markets. To demonstrate commitment, Vodacom articulated its purpose to improve the next 100 million lives and halve their environmental impact by 2025. Vodacoms Sustainability Report for the year ending March 2020 demonstrates that the telco has made significant progress in enabling a digital society through its commitment to promoting digital inclusion and democratising data. With emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, mobile financial service, we are leveraging innovation to address poor health care and education, financial exclusion and the digital divide, so as to improve the lives of every citizen and help them achieve more, said Vodacom South Africa Chief Officer for External Affairs, Taki Netshitenzhe. As digital becomes an essential part of our daily lives and enabling economic development and growth, it has never been more important to ensure that all people are able to not only participate in the digital economy, but receive the benefits of it as well. A study by Accenture on unlocking digital value for business and society revealed that over 51% or R2.9 trillion of value can be created for society through digitalisation within key industry sectors and governments services. By connecting millions of customers to affordable voice and digital products and services, the extension of network coverage and quality, and breaking down barriers to access to the digital world, Vodacom continues to make strides in enabling a digital society. Digital inclusion enables participation A digital society cannot exist if citizens are excluded from fully accessing digital technologies as it requires people, communities and things to be connected to the internet. Vodacoms 3G network coverage in South Africa is now available to 99.7% of the population, with 4G covering 95.4%. Vodacoms rural coverage acceleration programme has enabled the development of 377 rural network sites, with 137 new connections in the year ending March 2020. Rural coverage provided by Vodacom now sits at 82.9% connecting communities that had previously not been connected to the internet. To drive digital inclusion through device penetration, Vodacom introduced the most affordable 4G smartphone, the Vibe which retails at R299. The telco saw a 3.9% increase in smartphones with 20.1 million smart devices on its network while the number of 4G devices increased by 34.5% to 12.9 million. This year also saw Vodacom introducing prepaid device financing to make smartphones more accessible. The settlement with the Competition Commission SA Vodacom put R2.7bn into the pockets of consumers through reduced cost of data bundles up to 40% and zero rating of several government platforms that are consolidated under the ConnectU platform. Through the platform, customers are able to access free online resources such as job portals to find employment, educational content through Vodacom e-School, health and wellness information through Mum & Baby which provides parents with reliable health information through pregnancy to a childs early years, as well as access to select government sites such as Home Affairs, ambulance services, education sites, and government communication services. Accessibility of digital solutions can improve lives Vodacoms mobile platform, developed with Mezzanine, to enhance medicine stock visibility for health facilities reducing stock outs and expanding access to essential medicines is now used in over 4,000 health facilities in South Africa, Zambia and Nigeria. Through its Connected Farmers platform, Vodacom has been able to support more than 1,644 small scale farmers in South Africa to improve productivity and enhance job creation in the agriculture sector. Vodacom aims to be a leading digital company that puts people and the betterment of all first. Technologys good is found in its capabilities to empower and transform and we will continue to leverage that power to create a connected, digital society, added Netshitenzhe. Vodacoms financial services portfolio continues to grow from strength to strength in South Africa building up on the success of M-Pesa that has revolutionized financial services in international markets. In South Africa, Vodacom introduced an SME financing solution, Vodalend Business Advance, which provides SMEs with quick and easy access to business funding. This digital solution ensures that SMEs have access to funding needed for business growth and job creation. In addition to the short-term finance, qualifying SMEs also receive business legal assistance through Vodalend, at no further cost. Most recently, Vodacom announced plans to create a super app in partnership with digital payment provider Alipay, part of Chinas Alibaba group, to allow consumers in South Africa to shop online, pay bills and send money to family. The App will link merchants, big and small suppliers, and consumers. Enabling a digital society in a sustainable manner To alleviate environmental impacts, Vodacom invests in climate-smart, energy-efficient networks and solutions, developing water-wise practices for their operations, and minimising waste across its value chain. In anticipation of the increasing demand for digital services, which directly increases Vodacoms energy consumption, Vodacom has implemented an energy management strategy aimed at reducing their energy usage and carbon emissions by progressively decarbonising their energy mix. Vodacom has deployed intelligent controls to more than 3,700 base stations in South Africa through a partnership with their subsidiary IoT.nxt. To drive a sustainable network, Vodacom has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an Independent Power Producer that generates power from renewables which covers 36 base station sites in South Africa and also has more than 950 solar-powered networks across all its markets. Through their water conservation efforts, Vodacom has steadily decreased its water consumption in South Africa by 63% since 2015. To reduce e-waste, Vodacom has extended the useful life of 308 tons of redundant network equipment for reuse within their network, responsibly destroying 1,189 tons of batteries and recycled 977 tons of e-waste across all markets. In addition to minimising their own impacts, Vodacom has created product and service offerings to enable customers to optimise their environmental performance, including smart-metering and other IoT-enabled devices that help to reduce energy and water consumption, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, enabling customers to reduce 224,004 mtCO2e of carbon emissions. FP Trending The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), on 30 July, launched its fifth Mars mission, the Perseverance Mars rover to bring the first Martian rock samples back to Earth to be analysed for evidence of ancient life. As NASA's Mars rover Perseverance continues on its journey towards the Red Planet, the space administration conducted a driving test full-scale engineering version of the six-wheeler's twin on Earth. Called Optimism, Perseverance's twin's test took place in a warehouse at Jet Propulsion Laboratory on 1 September. Engineers now expect to take it out to the Mars Yard a field of red dirt studded with rocks and other obstacles that stimulate the Red Planet's surface. According to Anais Zarifian, the mobility testbed engineer at JPL, Optimism is the test robot that comes closest to simulating the actual mission operations Perseverance will experience on Mars. Since Perseverance is not flying to Mars with a mechanic, the team needs to see how Earth-bound vehicle system testbed (VSTB) functions to figure out how hardware and software will perform before they transmit commands to the rover on Mars. Optimism is an acronym for Operational Perseverance Twin for Integration of Mechanisms and Instruments Sent to Mars. Optimism will share space in the Mars Yard with Maggie (Mars automated giant gizmo for integrated engineering), the engineering model that stands in for NASA's Curiosity rover. NASA's Matt Stumbo, the lead for the VSTB rover on the testbed team added, "The Curiosity mission has learned lessons from Maggie that were impossible to learn any other way. According to Stumbo, since now they have Optimism, it will be easier for them to know everything they need to succeed with the Perseverance mission on Mars. As per NASA, the Mars 2020 mission is part of a larger programme that includes missions to the Moon as a way of preparing human exploration of Mars. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:50:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The food safety authority of China's Hong Kong decided on Monday to suspend the import of poultry products from Tyumenskaya Oblast in Russia due to the bird flu outbreaks there. The Center for Food Safety (CFS) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said that in view of notifications from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Tyumenskaya Oblast in Russia, the CFS has instructed to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from the above area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong. A CFS spokesman said that China's Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Russia for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR government, Hong Kong imported about 140 tons of frozen poultry meat from Russia in the first six months of this year. "The CFS has contacted the Russian authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said. Enditem The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on Monday announced the reduction of fixed charges by 50% on unused sanctioned load for non-domestic consumers in the Capital. The order, a temporary relief valid for two months, will benefit over 1 million industrial and commercial consumers in Delhi. The power regulators order means that those industries, shops and offices which were completely shut during the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in April and May will now be charged only 50% of the fixed charge for the two months. The DERC directed the private distribution companies to adjust the refund value for the two months in the upcoming next two bills of beneficiaries. The order comes just three days after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on September 4 assured representatives of trade and industry associations that his government would provide relief on the fixed power charges that commercial and industrial units are obliged to pay despite economic losses due to Covid-19. Responding to the DERCs order on Monday, Kejriwal tweeted: The Delhi government stands with the people of Delhi in this hour of crisis. This relief in fixed charges will help lakhs of people to face the hardships caused by Corona. A senior DERC official explained that the benefit will not be limited to just those who consumed zero units in April and May. The Commission has divided the cost into two parts. The first part is the maximum demand indicator (MDI) which the consumer will be charged at the prescribed rates. The second part is the sanctioned load, the cost of which will be charged at 50% - Rs 125/kVA/month instead of Rs 250/kVA/month, the official said on condition of anonymity. This means if a factory has a sanctioned load of 100 kVA and it consumed only 5 kVA in April during the lockdown, then it will be charged Rs 13,125 for that month instead of Rs 25,000. Delhis power minister Satyendar Jain said the impact of the fixed charge waiver is expected to be around Rs 160 crore. This will benefit around 44,000 industrial consumers and around 10 lakh non-domestic/commercial consumers. The total un-utilised power capacity in Delhi during the lockdown months was 80%, out of which 84% pertained to non-domestic consumers and 75% for industrial consumers, Jain said. Of the three power discoms, maximum industrial units fall under the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) which supplies power to 35,000 industries. Trade and industry associations welcome the move, even as residents welfare associations (RWAs) rued that some relief should have been granted to domestic consumers as well. Sandeep Khandelwal, chairman, Delhi hotels and restaurants owners association (DHROA), said the decision will provide relief to 3,000 budget hotels in the city, which recently got permission to resume business. Waiving off fixed charges in electricity bills was our main demand during our meeting with the chief minister. We are glad that the DERC and the Delhi government have been receptive to our problems, Khandelwal said. Saurabh Gandhi, secretary of United Residents of Delhi, an umbrella body of RWAs which is active in matters related to power in the city, said fixed charges should be subsidised for domestic consumers as well for the lockdown months. Instead, the DERC and the Delhi government increased the burden on domestic consumers by increasing the pension surcharge from 3.8% to 5% in the latest power tariff order. Ideally, the government should bear the cost of payment to the Delhi Vidyut Board pensioners. Nowhere else does it happen that citizens directly pay for the pension of a company. This is unfair. Also, the DERC did not pay heed to our request of reducing fixed charges, he said. Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta questioned the independence and autonomy of the DERC. DERC is a quasi-judicial and autonomous body. The Arvind Kejriwal government is trying to distract the people of Delhi to derail the agitation of domestic consumers against the fixed charges. With this order, the Kejriwal government and the DERC have taken care of the interests of power companies. Fixed charges should be waived off even for domestic consumers and for a period till June at least, since in Delhi, the lockdown continued till then, Gupta said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Algiers, 7 September 2020 (SPS) - Head of the Algerian diplomacy, Sabri Boukadoum, reiterated Algeria's consistent position regarding the inalienable right of Sahrawi people to self-determination in accordance with international legitimacy. In an interview given to the People's National Army magazine, El-Djeich, Boukadoum reiterated the position of Algeria which "strongly supports the right of Sahrawi People to self-determination in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the African Union." In view of the current impasse in the Western Sahara issue, Algeria has called on several occasions, "the need to appoint a personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, with the aim of relaunching direct negotiations, in good faith and without preconditions, between the two parties to the conflict, Morocco and the Polisario Front, to put end the conflict that has lasted too long, and allow the people of Western Sahara to freely express their will." (SPS) 062/SPS/APS Fran Ruchalski, The Enterprise / The Enterprise Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to ease some statewide coronavirus restrictions this week, and hospitalization rates have declined recently. But the virus remains a serious threat in Texas and most other states, so any reopening plans must be thought out carefully. The goal here is to bring us closer to full reopening, whenever that may be, not plunge us back to the dire conditions that caused the near-lockdowns. Abbott said the drop in hospitalizations indicate some progress in this battle, and he is correct. But the hospitalization rate is still more than double the number of people hospitalized through April and May when Abbott first began his gradual reopening of Texas. The rate of positive tests is also still above 10%, and that must be a key benchmark in any decisions like this. The World Health Organization even recommends against reopenings until the positive test rate falls below 5%. The Union of Journalists of Armenia has issued a statement against the legislative initiative of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan to increase the fines for insults and defamation. The statement reads as follows: "Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan has introduced a legislative initaitive by which he proposes to increase the amount of compensation for insult and defamation published on social networks and in the media, that is, AMD 1,000,000 instead of the previous AMD 5,000,000 for insult, and AMD 10,000,000 instead of the previous AMD 2,000,000 for defamation. This initiative is yet another tool of the incumbent authorities that is aimed at restricting free speech in general and freedom of press in particular. On October 4, 2007, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted Resolution N 1577(2007) Towards Decriminalisation of Defamation, which clearly stipulates that it is necessary to set reasonable and proportionate maxima for awards for damages and interest in defamation cases so that the viability of a defendant media organ is not placed at risk, as well as provide appropriate legal guarantees against awards for damages and interest that are disproportionate to the actual injury. The right to freedom of expression includes the freedom to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers, as prescribed by Article 10 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and any similar legislative initiative not only undermines the steadfast fulfillment of the international commitments that are assumed, but also causes great harm to the principles of democracy. The Union of Journalists of Armenia, taking into consideration the pivotal role that the media plays in disseminating information regarding issues of public concern in a democratic society, condemns any such initiative, including the bill on making an amendment to the relevant Article of the Civil Code that was proposed by Alen Simonyan today, and urges not to include the bill in the agenda of the National Assembly." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alan Baldwin (Reuters) Mon, September 7, 2020 07:00 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c430be62 2 Sports Formula-1,Formula-One,Pierre-Gasly,car-race Free Pierre Gasly thanked his lucky angel for a first Formula One victory nobody could have predicted at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. The 24-year-old AlphaTauri driver, the first French race winner since Olivier Panis in 1996, also declared himself lost for words although his joy suggested otherwise. In a race full or surprises, with the top teams all tripping up, Gasly was in the right place at the right time and reaped the rewards to give his Italy-based team their second home success to celebrate after Sebastian Vettel in 2008. Vettel was a rising talent then, fast-tracked to the Red Bull senior team, but Gasly -- the 2016 GP2 champion -- has travelled in the other direction. His greatest successes have come after being demoted by Red Bull last year back to the former Toro Rosso outfit he started with in 2017. Second place in Brazil last year was something special but Sunday, at the temple of Italian motorsport and Ferrari's home track, was in another dimension -- even if there were no spectators to witness it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's amazing... it's unbelievable. I've been through so many things in the last 18 months and it's better than anything I expected," said Gasly, who has gone from strength to strength this year. "Day by day, race by race, improving and getting stronger. They gave me my first podium in F1 last year in Brazil, today they gave me my first win in F1, in Italy, in Monza. I don't know what to say." Gasly said he had given everything to stay ahead. "I pushed so hard at the beginning of the stint to open the gap and not give the other guys the slipstream behind. The last five laps were so difficult I almost shunted maybe 10 times because I was pushing so hard and my tires were gone. "I wanted that win so much and now we've done it, it still feels weird to say that." The key move was to pit just before the safety car was deployed, what seemed a bad move turning out to be extremely fortunate after leader Lewis Hamilton was handed a time penalty. "There was no way we could have planned this," said Gasly. "I think today we had a little star with us, a little angel taking care of us. We get really lucky with that one." Ottawa police say a second suspect in last month's shooting death of Jonathan Wite has been arrested, Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Buckley was arrested in Toronto, police announced Monday morning via Twitter. They had issued a Canada-wide warrant for Buckley's arrest on Friday, the same day they announced that a first-degree murder charge would be laid against 35-year-old Dwayne Young, who had turned himself in to Toronto police. Wite, 23, was found shot to death in a Britannia-area apartment on Richmond Road on Aug. 21. MEDINA, Ohio -- Residents and visitors hoping to find a lunch-hour parking space on West Liberty Street just south of the square have long had to circle the block a few times as they jockey for a spot on the street or in the small municipal parking lot next to Sullys Irish Pub. All that changed last week with the opening of the citys new two-story parking deck in the 100 block of West Liberty, immediately south of Medina City Hall. The deck is accessible from both West Liberty and Elmwood Avenue, and offers easy access to City Hall, Medina Municipal Court, and stores and restaurants on West Liberty Street, Public Square and North Court Street. While the city also boasts a parking deck just a few blocks east, behind the Medina County Courthouse, the new deck is a welcome amenity for those doing business west of the square. Around noon on Friday, (Sept. 4), 50 cars were parked in the new deck at least two were owned by city workers, one by a detective from the police department, and one by Medina County Probate Court Judge Kevin Dunn, who was running errands that took him to City Hall and the Municipal Court. Ali Burmeister, manager of Sullys Irish Pub at 117 W. Liberty St. -- the establishment closest to the parking deck -- said extra parking is going to be very beneficial for all of us. She commented that in the past, cars often pulled into the parking lot beside the restaurant and found it to be full. In that case, they left the lot and drove to another parking area -- and likely patronized a different restaurant, costing Sullys valuable business. Mayor Dennis Hanwell has hopes that the parking deck will spur further economic development on the citys near-west side. The facility was deliberately set back from West Liberty Street, leaving room for commercial development that would bring in tax revenue in the future. Hanwell envisions a large building along the street that will hold retail shops and restaurants on the first floor and apartments on its upper stories. A similar retail/housing building the Raymond Building exists at North Court Street and Elmwood, just a block north of the square. The new parking deck offers 210 free spaces, including seven handicapped spots. Hanwell anticipates that 50 to 60 spaces will be used daily by City Hall workers, alleviating parking problems on nearby residential streets and overcrowding at the Municipal Court lot. During crowded weekend events on the square, like Art in the Park and the Candlelight Walk, he expects the deck to be filled to capacity. Dan Gladish, Medinas chief building official, explained that the parking deck is designed to save every dollar we can, with an energy-efficient computerized lighting system that dims overhead lights during the day and brightens them at night. He pointed out four emergency phones that connect directly to 911 with the push of a button, as well as 29 security cameras. A water system offers easy access for the city service department to wash the deck if needed and for the fire department to attach their hoses in case of a fire. Vehicles parked on the lower deck are protected from the elements. Read more from the Medina Sun. Maya Hawke says she was once expelled from school as a child for being unable to read due to dyslexia. The Stranger Things star opened up about the topic during an interview with NPR, which marked the release of her debut music album Blush. I have read that your - that you suffer from dyslexia, interviewer Scott Simon asked. Hawke responded that she wouldnt use the word suffer to describe her experience, and referred to her dyslexia as one of the great blessings of my life in a lot of ways. But I did get, like, kicked out of school for not being able to read when I was a kid, she said. And I went to a special school for kids with learning disabilities. And it took me a long time to learn how to read, and I still am limited. Maya Hawke in season three of 'Stranger things'. (Courtesy of Netflix) Hawke, however, added that there's something about having had a limitation in regards to my ability to produce and take in stories that made me even more determined to love them and understand them and grow in them. She credited her parents, Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, with doing a wonderful job nurturing her creativity. Hawke has starred in Netflixs hit series Stranger Things, as well as Quentin Tarantinos movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Her album, Blush, came out on 21 August. Anaparthi Nagaraju, best known for his key role Lava in 1963 mythological film Lava Kusa breathed his last today at his residence in Hyderabad. The actor reportedly died after complaining of respiratory complications. He was 71. Talking more about the 1963 film, Nagaraju essayed the role of Lava, the elder son of Lord Ram, which was played by the late legendary actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao aka NTR. The pivotal role played by him along with Viyyuri Subrahmanyam (Kusa) was highly appreciated by the audiences then. Earlier during a media interaction, the actor had recalled that the makers of the film used to get small tables for the duo to hug NTR in demanding sequences. Being a bilingual project, the Telugu version was directed by CS Rao, whereas Nagaraju's father C Pullaiah had helmed the Tamil version. The film that also featured Anjali Devi, Chittoor V Nagaiah and Kanta Rao won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu in the year 1963. RGV Releases First Look Poster Of His Next Film Disha Encounter Based On Hyderabad Gang Rape Case RRR: SS Rajamouli To Resume Filming After Dussehra In Hyderabad? A Perth man who stabbed his wife to death in 2019 was allegedly suffering a psychotic episode and cheating on her with multiple men, a court has been told. Darshika Nilmini Kudaligama Withana, 44, died on February 3 inside her Balga home after Mr Ihalahewa attacked her from behind after declining her offer for a head massage. Upendra Ihalahewa has been charged with murdering his wife Darshika Nilmini Kudaligama Withana. Credit:Facebook Upendra Ihalahewa, 46, claimed he and Ms Withana had an arranged marriage in Sri Lanka in 2015 before moving into his Perth unit in 2017. He migrated to Australia in 2002 but returned to Sri Lanka for two years between 2015 and 2017 after suffering his first psychotic episode while completing an enrolled nurse placement at the Frankland Centre in 2014. A 12-year-old died on Sunday dawn after falling from the last floor of a three-storey apartment complex at Ayikoo Ayikoo in Cape Coast. The boy, an eye witness said was heard crying, jumped to the ground from the building due to incessant beatings from his father, but unfortunately landed with his head. The incident, according to eyewitnesses occurred around 0530 hours on Sunday. The GNA visited the scene the boy where he was rushed to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Hospital, but later learnt he was pronounced dead. A large crowd with shock on their faces were at the scene discussing the issue in groups. GNA noticed thick blood stains on the spot. I saw the boy jump from the top. It will be a miracle for him to survive", an eyewitness stated while indicating that the father started beating the boy around 0300 hours. The father of the boy, only identified as Lukman, a worker at the UCC Hospital according to neighbours beat his son almost everyday. 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 Jamacho (right) is challenged by Highly Prized at the final flight of the Class 2 Pardys Dairies Fresh Milk Deliveries Handicap Hurdle, the feature race of Stratfords meeting on Saturday. Photo: Steve Davies / www.sdphotos.co.uk HORSE RACING JAMACHO made it four wins in a row for owners Stratford Racecourse Syndicate and Robert Aplin when landing Stratfords feature Class 2 Pardys Dairies Fresh Milk Deliveries Handicap Hurdle on Saturday, writes David Hucker. The only ride of the afternoon for champion jockey Brian Hughes, Jamacho kept close tabs on leader Hallings Comet before jumping to the front at the penultimate flight. Top-weight Highly Prized laid down a challenge turning for home, but Jamacho battled on well to score by a neck. This completed a double for owner Aplin and trainer Charlie Longsdon after the earlier success of Dariya in the Watch on Racing TV Conditional Jockeys Selling Handicap Hurdle. Dariya had shortened from 11-4 to 9-4 before the off, sharing favouritism with Chef de Troupe, and her backers would have been counting their winnings as Dariya and Tom Buckley went clear before the final flight, pulling right away for a 20 length success. Due to be sold for a minimum price of 3,200 at the post-race auction, surprisingly there were no bids and Dariya returned to Longsdon's Over Norton stable. Shantou Express was well supported to make a winning debut over jumps in the opening Raceday Staff Past And Present Novices Hurdle, topping the betting market ahead of dual hurdles winner For Pleasure, who had scored by 22 lengths in handicap company over the course in July. It was For Pleasure who again made the running, jumping well in front for Harry Bannister, and he brought up his hat-trick in some style, beating Shantou Express by five lengths, with One True King and the rest well strung out down the home straight. Next up was the Grundon Waste Management Novices' Chase in which Seddon, disappointing on his chase debut over the course in July before scoring at Cartmel, was sent off the 7-4 favourite. Darling Maltaix flies over a fence on his way to victory. Photo: Steve Davies / www.sdphotos.co.uk He made a few mistakes along the way, unlike Darling Maltaix, pulled up after being badly hampered in a Class 2 race at the course last month, who jumped well in the lead for Harry Cobden, running on strongly from the final fence to score by a neck. Always in the firing line, Princeton Royale and Bryony Frost went clear around the home turn and held the challenge of Young Wolf from the last fence to land the Get Involved Join A Syndicate Handicap Chase over two and three-quarter miles at 20-1. Princeton Royale (left) leads a tightly-packed field over the first fence. Photo: Steve Davies / www.sdphotos.co.uk Bbold stepped up on his last run to finish third and joint top-weight Fidux ran his usual sound race, but couldn't find an extra gear when needed. Tikkinthebox defied top weight under Bryan Carver in the Keogh & Hows Handicap Chase, leading on the approach to home and thwarting Atlantic Storm in his bid to win the race for the second year running. Atlantic Storm looked to be coming with a winning run on his favoured good ground, but his effort petered out as Tikkinthebox chalked up his sixth win over fences for Dulverton trainer Jeremy Scott. Tikkinthebox on his way to victory. Photo: Steve Davies / www.sdphotos.co.uk With two horses withdrawn at the start, the closing Andy Townsend Memorial Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race was reduced to a field of seven and it was hot favourite Hooper who came out on top for champion trainer Nicky Henderson, beating debutant Luttrell Lad, who ran on well under Richard Johnson in the home straight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced overnight curfews on some 40 cities and towns hit hard by the coronavirus. He backed away from reported calls for full lockdowns after an uproar by powerful religious leaders who accused the government of unfairly targeting ultra-Orthodox communities. The measures were announced late Sunday after hours of consultations with decision-makers. Benny Gantz (right), Israel's Alternate Prime Minister and Defence Minister, gives a statement outside the city hall of Bnei Barak regarding a lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, on Sunday The move comes following an outcry from ultra-Orthodox Jews who claimed their communities were being disproportionately targeted. They have accused largely secular health officials of fostering anti-Semitism by focusing their attention on mostly religious areas, according to a report in The Hour. Mayors of four major ultra-Orthodox cities expressed outrage over the intention to lock down their cities in a harshly-worded letter to Netanyahu, saying they will not cooperate with authorities. In particular Ronni Gamzu, who was appointed National Coronavirus Project Coordinator, came under fire after he highlighted a need for vigilance in ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities, where he said case numbers have been notably high. Gamzu also clashed with religious leaders over his attempts to block a yearly mass pilgrimage to the grave of a Hasidic rabbi in Ukraine over concerns it could further spread the virus. In an attempt to assuage the anger of the religious leaders, Netanyahu denied discriminating against their cities, saying they had been singled out entirely based on scientific data. 'A "red" city is not designated as such out of malice or arbitrarily, it's designated based on scientific data - the number of sick people, the infection rate,' he said in a video. 'Currently the focus is in Arab and ultra-Orthodox locales.' As part of efforts to control the public health crisis, the government divided the country's cities and towns into four colour-coded categories - green, yellow, orange and red - based on infection rates. Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called on Sunday for sweeping lockdown measures, saying on public radio that 'with 3,000 cases a day, there are no 'green' cities'. 'I know these limitations are not easy, but in the current situation, there's no way to avoid them,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said of the restrictions set to begin on Monday (File image) 'There is no choice but to close everything, it is better to lock down the whole country for two weeks and become a 'green' country again than to stay in the red for months,' he added. The government has been forced to introduce the new curfew after failing to contain an outbreak. The country passed the milestone of 1,000 novel coronavirus deaths this weekend after the toll tripled over the summer, fuelling regular protests against Netanyahu's management of the health crisis and associated economic downturn. Israel's hospitals are being overwhelmed by the increasing number of Covid-19 patients in a serious condition, according to national media reports. There are fears the healthcare system will become further strained if the pandemic continues to escalate into the winter months. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children wear face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic as they gather in Bnei Brak, Israel, on Sunday The curfews will go into effect Monday at 7pm and will be in effect until 5am. It was not known how long they will remain in place. The government's ministerial committee on coronavirus decided to impose 'a nightly closure' on 40 cities and towns with the highest infection rates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. He said 'educational institutions' would be closed with the exception of special education centres, and gatherings limited to 10 people in closed spaces and 20 outdoors. 'I know these limitations are not easy, but in the current situation, there's no way to avoid them,' Netanyahu said of the restrictions set to begin on Monday. Other key figures in Netanyahu's unity government fear the economic repercussions of locking down the whole country. On top of that, the government could face pressure not to impose nationwide restrictions from the ultra-Orthodox community. It is opposed to measures that would close places of worship ahead of the Jewish festivals of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur later in September. Chairs installed at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square to symbolise the 1,000 coronavirus deaths in Israel One thousand of chairs symbolizing those who died from the coronavirus were placed at the Rabin Square in Tel Aviv on Monday A woman takes a picture of the chairs installed at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square. The dead were also commemorated by Yediot Aharonot, Israel's top-selling daily newspaper, which covered its front page with the names of the victims Israel passed the milestone of 1,000 novel coronavirus deaths at the weekend after the toll tripled over the summer. Coronavirus has now claimed the lives of 1,000 people in the country. The dead were commemorated by Yediot Aharonot, Israel's top-selling daily newspaper, which covered its front page with the names of the victims and called out the 'shameful failure of the management of the crisis since May'. One thousand of chairs symbolizing those who died from the coronavirus were placed at the Rabin Square in Tel Aviv on Monday. During his weekly address in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic church encouraged Catholics and the faithful around the world to "offer silence and prayer" instead of spreading gossip, Sunday. The Vatican sovereign dubbed gossiping as a plague worse than the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has invaded and crippled the whole world. The Pope went off-script and complained about how the practice of gossiping can be used as a weapon to divide the Roman Catholic Church. In his statement, the pope pleaded the followers of the church to make an effort to stop gossip. He also stated that gossiping is an activity of the devil since it is him who always says bad things through his lies in an attempt to split the church. This is not the first time that the pontiff has talked against gossiping. In fact, he has regularly issued caution on the negative effects of gossip along with his opinion against trolls on the internet. According to Mirror, the 83-year-old pope stated that in times that someone makes a mistake, people should stay silent and offer a prayer for their brother or sister who had done wrong but should never gossip about it. Read also: China Forces Traditional Medicine on Xinjiang Residents Amid Strict Coronavirus Lockdown Procedures COVID-19 Toppled Pillars of Economy Ruled by the Rich On the other hand, the pope also talked about the pandemic last Friday. He stated that the pandemic has tested and toppled over the "shaky pillars" of the world's economy which was built on the domination of the powerful and rich, and the idolatry of money. Moreover, he spoke to those who participated in the annual European House-Ambrosetti Workshop, asking them to build new economic models which would reduce the inequality in the society and is more inclusive. The workshop was graced by around 200 top economists, managers, and politicians across the globe. In addition, in a plea to reduce wasteful consumption and save the environment, the urged the participants to start "an ecological retooling." Pope Francis also stated that the pandemic has tipped the scale which puts money and power on top of anything else in the world. He stated that it has crippled the support of a certain model of development which was made to favor the rich and powerful. He also added that the pandemic has opened the eyes of the people to the inequalities of society. On top of this, the pope emphasized that economics should serve as the expression of a society that does not sacrifice the dignity of humanity to the idols of finance. One that uses money and finance to serve rather than to dominate. The pontiff also stressed that once a vaccine is developed, it should not be hoarded by rich countries but should be distributed fairly. In a report by The Guardian, it stated that Pope Francis is believed to be in the midst of preparing the highest form of papal writing - an encyclical letter, on the kind of the post-pandemic world that he believes, should exist after all this. The said event that the pope has graced is usually held every September in Cernobbio, however, due to the pandemic this year, most of it was done virtually. Related article: Maine Wedding Dubbed as COVID 'Super-Spreader' Records 3 Deaths, 144 Cases @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey-EU relations in a phone call with European Union Council President Charles Michel, as he urged European leaders to adopt a neutral stance on regional tensions, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah. Erdogan told Michel that the EU needed to take steps to prevent Greece and certain EU member states from escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean seas. He also highlighted that provocative statements and steps taken by European politicians would not contribute to a resolution in the region, saying the blocs stance regarding the Eastern Mediterranean would be a test of sincerity for regional peace. Erdogan also called on EU institutions and member states to embrace a fair, objective and impartial stance on all regional problems, including the Eastern Mediterranean. Rescuers in military helicopters airlifted 207 people to safety over the weekend after an explosive wildfire trapped them in a popular camping area in Californias Sierra National Forest, one of dozens of fires burning amid record-breaking temperatures that strained the state's electrical grid and for a time threatened power outages for millions. Wildfires have burned more than 2 million acres in California this year, setting a state record even as crews battled dozens of growing blazes in sweltering temperatures Monday that strained the electrical grid and threatened power outages for millions. Meanwhile in other states: Montana remained in a state of fire emergency due to extremely hazardous wildland fire conditions throughout Montana. Gov. Steve Bullock issued an executive order Thursday. A cold front is expected to bring temporary relief with freezing temperatures and a chance of rain and snow in some parts of the state Monday night. In Washington state, fire crews have made progress battling a wildfire near Yakima but officials are worried about high winds forecast throughout the weekend. SALEM, Ore. - Hundreds of people gathered Monday afternoon in a small town south of Portland for a pro-President Donald Trump vehicle rally just over a week after member of a far-right group was fatally shot after a Trump caravan went through Oregons largest city. Later, pro-Trump supporters and counter-protesters clashed in Oregons Capitol city of Salem. Vehicles waving flags for Trump, the QAnon conspiracy theory and in support of police gathered at about noon at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City. The rallys organizers said they would drive to toward Salem and most left the caravan before that. A smaller group of members of the right-wing group the Proud Boys went on to Salem, where a crowd of several dozen pro-Trump supporters had gathered. At one point Monday afternoon, the right-wing crowd rushed a smaller group of Black Lives Matters counter-demonstrators, firing paint-gun pellets at them. Videos on social media showed right-wing protesters chasing, tackling and assaulting left-wing protestors with weapons, their fists and with pepper spray, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Paintballs were also fired between the two groups. After unfolding a large American flag on the steps of the Capitol, right-wing protesters charged counter-protesters, leaving several of them injured, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Right-wing protesters made a second rush later, tackling and beating at least one person, leading to two arrests, the media outlet said. Organizers of the earlier vehicle rally in Oregon City said they did not plan to enter Multnomah County, where Portland is located. Oregon City is about 20 miles (32 kilometres) south of Portland. In Portland on Monday, Black Lives Matter supporters rallied in a city park and demonstrated peacefully, KOIN TV reported. Teacher unions are part of the labour movement, and I feel like its really important for people who are members of a union to step up and say, Our labour supports Black Lives Matter and we are ready to organize in support of systemic change, educator Joanne Shepard told the TV station. On Aug. 29 Aaron Jay Danielson, a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, was killed in Portland after a pro-Trump caravan went downtown. Trump supporters fired paint ball canisters at counter-demonstrators, who tried to block their way. Danielsons suspected killer, Michael Forest Reinoehl, was fatally shot by police Thursday. Reinoehl was a supporter of antifa shorthand for anti-fascists and an umbrella description for far-left-leaning militant groups. Demonstrations in Portland started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and have continued for more than 100 days. A fire started outside a police precinct on Portlands north side resulted in about 15 arrests during protests Sunday night into Monday morning, police said. Demonstrators protesting police brutality began marching about 9 p.m. Sunday and stopped at the North Precinct Community Policing Center, the site of several volatile protests in recent months. Officials warned demonstrators against entering the precinct property, saying they would be trespassing and subject to arrest. Shortly after arriving, the crowd began chanting, among other things, burn it down, police said. Some in the group lit a mattress on fire. Most of those arrested were from Portland. Others were from San Francisco; Sacramento, California; Mesa, Arizona; and two from Vancouver, Washington. Charges included interfering with an officer, resisting arrest, reckless burning and possession of a destructive device. The Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold Ghana (CACM) have called on the government to include them in the bailout package set up to pay locked up funds of depositors of collapsed financial companies. In a statement signed by both the Chairman of the Coalition, Mr. Isaac Nyarko, and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Frederick Forson, and addressed to the Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Reverend Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh, they noted that the collapse of Menzgold Ghana Limited in 2018 has brought suffering and unbearable hardship to them. We write on behalf of members of the Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold to request that customers of Menzgold Company Limited be part of the beneficiaries of the bailout fund for depositors of collapsed institutions by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The collapse of Menzgold by SEC in 2018, given the securities Industry Act 929 which mandated them to shut Menzgold, has brought unbearable hardships on Menzgold customers resulting in the deaths of over 67 people and leaving many others with various mental health issues, strokes, heart attacks, whiles many others are bedridden, it said. They, therefore, urged SEC to pay them from the bailout funds saying that they fall under companies SEC admits it has jurisdiction over. Governments bailout SEC at the weekend announced that clients of collapsed fund management companies will start receiving their locked up funds before the end of the year. The decision according to the industry regulator followed a relief granted the Official Liquidator, the Registrar General, to liquidate 22 fund management companies (FMCs) whose licenses the SEC revoked in November last year. The 22 are part of the 50 FMCs whose licences were revoked due to their inability to return clients funds, totaling GH8 billion, and significant breaches of applicable rules that created risks to financial stability, according to the SEC. According to SEC, the securities market regulator, said as of last Wednesday, August 26, 98,820 claims, valued at GH10.83 billion, had been received against 47 of the companies, with the remaining three having no claims against them. The SEC said it had validated claims against 40 FMCs to whose records it had full access, adding that the commission only had partial access to one company and no access at all to the remaining six companies. Read the statement below: Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold 2nd September 2020 The Director General Security and Exchange Commission Accra Dear Sir /Madam REQUEST FOR INCLUSION OF AFFECTED CUSTOMERS OF MENZGOLD IN BAILOUT FUND FOR DEPOSITORS We write on behalf of members of the Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold to request that customers of Menzgold Company Limited be made part of the beneficiaries of the bailout fund for depositors of collapsed institutions by Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The collapse of Menzgold by SEC in 2018 has brought unbearable hardships on Menzgold customers resulting in the deaths of over 67 people and leaving many others with various mental health issues, strokes, heart attacks, whilst many others are bed ridden. We urge SEC to pay us from the bailout funds since we duly fall under companies SEC admits it has jurisdiction over. We hope our request will be favourably considered. Please kindly acknowledge receipt Accra, Kumasi and Tarkwa ....................... ......................... Isaac Nyarko Frederick Forson Chairman (0208338654) PRO (0502133763) Samuel Odaetey (024 378 6322), Francis Owusu(055 936 0457),Samuel Agyarko(024 554 4161) Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - The African Development Bank (AfDB) returns as a top-tier partner of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Africas largest agriculture conference to be held online for the first time from 8-11 September 2020, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic The 10th annual AGRF will be headlined by African Heads of State and Government, and will bring together delegates from governments, civil society, the private sector and research communities However, official contacts between the two countries have been "put on pause." Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus, Ihor Kyzym, has returned to Minsk following consultations at the Foreign Ministry in Kyiv. That's according to Radio Liberty, referring to information obtained at the Ukrainian Embassy in Minsk. When asked by journalists how relations between Kyiv and Minsk will be further developing, Kyzym replied that it depends on a variety of factors. "As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has already noted, official contacts between our countries have for now been put on pause. At the same time, further development of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations will depend on many factors, in particular, the development of the situation in Belarus itself, as well as integration processes within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia," the Ambassador noted. Ukraine-Belarus ties: background Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:27:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (L) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept. 7, 2020. (Xinhua) KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe here Monday and the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Muhyiddin extended his congratulations on China's success in containing the COVID-19 outbreak. With the tremendous support from China, Malaysia has become one of the first countries in the world to contain the outbreak, he said, expressing appreciation and the hope that the two countries would continue cooperation against the COVID-19. Malaysia is willing to work with China to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields including defense, economy and trade, and education, among others, Muhyiddin said. For his part, Wei said the friendship between China and Malaysia has a long history, and bilateral relationship has always enjoyed healthy and stable development. China and Malaysia have rendered assistance to each other during the COVID-19 outbreak, and have taken the lead to push for economic and social recovery while advancing pragmatic cooperation in all fields, Wei said. China is committed to strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries, and constantly advance military to military ties to achieve fresh results, he said. Wei pointed out that safeguarding the stability in the South China Sea is a shared responsibility of China and Malaysia. As the overall situation in the South China Sea has remained stable, China is willing to work with countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) including Malaysia, to meet each other halfway so as to keep the peace and tranquility of the South China Sea, he said. Also on Monday, Wei had an official meeting with Malaysian Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, during which the two sides exchanged views on issues including international and regional situation, the relations between the two militaries as well as the South China Sea. Ismail Sabri held a welcome ceremony for Wei ahead of the meeting, during which Wei inspected the guards of honor of the Malaysian military. Enditem The billboard prompted me to realize that many of the social ills Ive written about through the years can be traced back to ACEs. We tend to forget, without forgiveness, that troubled adults typically had troubled childhoods. Although most children may appear to overcome such hardships through youthful hope or idealism, their ACEs seem to follow them into adulthood like a dark shadow. Its a question that has been on the minds of thousands of Ontario parents, students and teachers for some time now: just how safe is it to return to the classroom in the age of COVID-19? School boards across the GTA have put forward plans with a variety of measures intended to keep students safe, such as asking students and staff to stay two metres apart, lowering class sizes, blocking off water fountains and requiring students in Grade 4 to 12 to wear masks. But only once students and teachers are back in the classrooms will we truly know how effective these plans are. Outbreaks will likely occur. Difficult decisions might have to be made. Premier Doug Ford has said there will likely be bumps in the road when school starts up again and that he will not hesitate for a second to close schools down if necessary. The Star asked experts ranging from people who do pandemic modelling to doctors for their science-based perspectives about measures school boards are taking to keep the spread of COVID-19 at bay. Some common themes emerged. There was agreement that the smaller the class size, the better. Most agreed that running school buses at capacity was a bad idea. And while physical fitness is important, gym class should be held outside as much as possible. There was some disagreement over whether it was realistic for parents to keep their kids home for two weeks at the slightest symptom of illness. And not all believe we will be able to make it through a full school year in classrooms. Here then is our panel of experts with their thoughts to help guide us in the coming weeks. The questions and answers have been edited for clarity and space. Kenyon Wallace is a Toronto-based investigative reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @KenyonWallace or reach him via email: kwallace@thestar.ca Kris Rushowy answers your back-to-school questions WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus has called on countries to invest in public health and to be ready for future pandemics. WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says pandemics are a fact of life and that the world must be better prepared to deal with future ones. Indias health ministry reported another daily record of 90,802 cases on Monday, bringing the total to over 4.2 million and overtaking Brazil to become the second-hardest-hit country. The worlds coronavirus cases have hit 27.1 million, more than 18.1 million people have recovered and more than 883,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. At least 200 UN staff have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Syria, according to a leaked document, as the organisation steps up efforts to contain the spread of the disease in the war-torn country. Here are the latest updates: Monday, September 7 20:30 GMT WHO says India in talks to join COVAX vaccine scheme The World Health Organization is in talks with India about joining the COVAX global vaccine allocation plan, a senior WHO adviser said. India is certainly eligible, like all countries in the world, to be part of the COVAX facility and discussions are ongoing in that regard, Bruce Aylward told a briefing in Geneva. We would welcome Indian participation. The WHO and the GAVI vaccine alliance are leading the COVAX facility, aimed at helping buy and distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus fairly around the world. But some countries that have secured their own supplies through bilateral deals, including the United States, have said they will not join COVAX. 20:00 GMT Football: PSG star Kylian Mbappe contracts COVID-19 French forward Kylian Mbappe, 21, has withdrawn from the national team after testing positive for coronavirus. Kylian Mbappe will miss the game against Croatia. His COVID-19 test carried out by UEFA this morning was positive, and he was isolated from the rest of the squad, said the French national team in a statement. France will face Croatia for the Nations League game on Tuesday. 19:30 GMT Iraq to reopen borders for trade, bring back sports and dining Iraq is reopening its land border crossings, restaurants, hotels, and will bring back sporting events without spectators, the prime minister said, three days after it recorded its highest daily increase in coronavirus infections. Land crossings would be open for trade only so as to secure local market needs, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said in a statement. Restaurants and five-star hotels must adhere to public health guidelines, he added. Sporting events would resume as of September 12. Government agencies can now bring back to work up to 50 percent of their employees, he said. 18:10 GMT Turkey announces strict new measures announced to fight virus Turkey has announced strict new measures to fight the novel coronavirus, as the daily infection numbers in the country recently crossed 1,000 and beyond. In all provinces, no standing passengers in public transportation will be allowed, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. Cafes and restaurants will also be subject to stricter inspections, he added. On the new school year, Erdogan said: We will continue education with a system where we will do both face-to-face and remote education, taking into account the conditions of the epidemic. 17:35 GMT French COVID cases and death toll creeps up The number of new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in France has risen by 4,203 compared with the previous day to stand at a total of 328,980, the French health ministry said on Monday. The number of deaths also rose by 25 over the last 24 hours to stand at 30,726. France has the seventh-highest COVID-19 death toll in the world. 17:00 GMT WHO warns against politics in COVID-19 response The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization says governments that provide politically motivated information about the coronavirus pandemic could face a political backlash. Dr Michael Ryan said trying to present oversimplified, simplistic solutions for people is not a long-term strategy that wins. He told reporters in Geneva that transparency, consistency, honesty and admitting errors can build trust. Ryan went on to say coronavirus-related messages sometimes come with political overtones and he alluded to a saying that trust takes years to build but seconds to lose. 16:30 GMT Spain passes 500,000 coronavirus cases in Western European first Spains health ministry reported 3,022 new coronavirus infections and 19 deaths in the past 24 hours [File: Anadolu] Spain has become the first country in Western Europe to register 500,000 coronavirus infections, after a second surge in cases that coincided with schools reopening. Health ministry data showed a total of 525,549 cases, up from 498,989 on Friday, and 2,440 infections registered in the last 24 hours. Spain updates its data retroactively, so the latest numbers could be revised. Recent infections have been more common among younger people who often develop no symptoms thanks to their stronger immune systems, and the death rate remains far below the March-April peak when daily fatalities routinely exceeded 800. 15:48 GMT UK records 2,948 daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 The United Kingdom has recorded 2,948 daily confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to government data published on Monday, down slightly from 2,988 a day earlier. Daily case numbers had been rising at about 1,000 a day for most of August, but have started to increase in recent days. Britains testing capacity has also increased since the peak of the first wave earlier this year. 15:20 GMT Libya reports highest virus cases for single day Libya has reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections, the highest tally for a single day since the conflict-ravaged country announced its first cases in late March. Of the 4,291 tests performed on Sunday, 1,080 were positive, said the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a Tripoli-based government agency. The figure brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the North African country to 18,834, including 16,376 who required hospitalisation, 2,162 patients who recovered and 296 deaths. 14:45 GMT World must be better prepared for next pandemic, says WHO boss World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the world must be better prepared for the next pandemic, as he called on countries to invest in public health. More than 27.1 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and more than 888,300 have died since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019. This will not be the last pandemic, Tedros told a news briefing in Geneva. History teaches us that outbreaks and pandemics are a fact of life. But when the next pandemic comes, the world must be ready more ready than it was this time. 14:25 GMT Greece reports nine coronavirus cases in Moria migrant camp Greece has registered at least nine cases of coronavirus in the overcrowded migrant camp of Moria on the island of Lesbos so far, a migration ministry official said. Last week, the facility was placed under quarantine after authorities confirmed that a 40-year-old asylum-seeker had tested positive for coronavirus. So far, there are nine cases in the camp in Moria. The number might increase, the ministry official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. 13:30 GMT Oman to restart international flights on October 1 Oman will restart international flights on October 1, state news agency ONA said on Twitter, after they were suspended in March as part of coronavirus precautions. Flights will be scheduled according to health data for specific destinations and according to bilateral agreements with other airlines, ONA said. Hello, this is Linah Alsaafin taking over the blog from my colleague Usaid Siddiqui. 12:54 GMT Denmark to limit public gatherings in Copenhagen after virus spike The limit on public gatherings will be lowered to 50 people from 100 in Denmarks capital Copenhagen and in Odense, after a recent spike in number of COVID-19 infections, the countrys health minister said. 12:33 GMT Pakistan announces reopening schools in phases Pakistan on Monday announced that all the schools across the country will reopen from Sept. 15, ending a six-month closure propelled by the coronavirus pandemic. Announcing the decision after a meeting of the provincial education ministers in the capital Islamabad, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said that some 300,000 schools, colleges, and universities will reopen in phases starting from September 15, in an attempt to avoid another wave of the virus. 12:05 GMT Etihad to provide COVID-19 insurance to passengers to boost travel confidence Abu Dhabis Etihad Airways said it would cover medical and quarantine costs for passengers if they contract the new coronavirus after travelling on one of its flights. Medical costs of up to 150,000 euros ($177,000) and quarantine costs of up to 100 euro a day for 14 days will be covered by Etihad for its passengers who contract the disease within 31 days of first travel. 11:32 GMT Malaysia reports sharpest spike in new coronavirus cases in 3 months Malaysias health authorities reported 62 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the sharpest spike since early June, just as the government began barring long-term immigration pass holders from countries with high infection numbers. From Monday, Southeast Asias third-largest economy imposed a ban on pass holders from 23 countries that have reported more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases, in a bid to clamp down on imported cases. Countries on the ban list include the United States, Britain and France. Malaysia has reported more than 9,000 infections and 128 deaths [File: Samsul Said/Bloomberg] 10:55 GMT HK study finds COVID-19 stool tests may be more effective for infants Stool tests may be more effective than respiratory tests in identifying COVID-19 infections in children and infants since they carry a higher viral load in their stool than adults, researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) said. Stool samples carry the virus even after it has cleared from a patients respiratory tract and that could lead to better identification of asymptomatic cases, particularly in infants and others who have difficulty providing nasal or throat swabs, CUHK researchers said in a press release. 10:20 GMT Nigerian doctors begin strike over pay, facilities Nigerian doctors in state-run hospitals began an indefinite strike to demand a pay rise, better welfare and adequate facilities, union leaders said. The industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which represents some 40 percent of doctors, is the latest in a string of stoppages by medics to hit Africas most populous nation as it struggles to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Nigeria has over 55,000 infections and 1,057 reported deaths [File: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters] 09:54 GMT Partial return for New Delhi urban trains as virus surges Delhi Metro trains resumed operations after five months as Indias coronavirus cases surged to 4.2 million, the second-highest confirmed total in the world. Only asymptomatic people were allowed to board the trains, with masks, social distancing and temperature checks mandatory. The capitals metro train network is Indias largest rapid transport system. 09:24 GMT Man Citys Mahrez, Laporte test positive for COVID-19 Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez and defender Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League club announced. City said in a statement that both players did not display any symptoms and are currently self-isolating in line with protocols established by the Premier League and the British government. Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City is replaced with Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley FC at Etihad Stadium on June 22, 2020 [File: Michael Regan/Getty Images] 08:53 GMT Philippines sees 1,383 new coronavirus cases, lowest in nearly 8 weeks The Philippines health ministry on Monday reported 1,383 new coronavirus infections, its lowest number of new daily cases in nearly eight weeks. The ministry said there were 15 new deaths, taking total COVID-19 fatalities to 3,890. The Philippines has the most coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia, with 238,727 confirmed cases. 08:20 GMT Indonesia reports 2,880 new coronavirus cases, 105 deaths Indonesia reported 2,880 new coronavirus infections and 105 more coronavirus-related deaths, data issued by the countrys COVID-19 task force showed. It was the lowest rise in daily infections in six days and brought the Southeast Asian countrys total cases to 196,989, while fatalities rose to 8,130. Health officials bring a resident to a cemetery with a stretcher after he was caught without a mask in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia on September 6, 2020. The Bogor Regency Government has implemented this sanction for residents who violate health protocols amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic [Eko Siswono Toyudho/Anadolu] 07:56 GMT Russia reports over 5,000 new cases Russia reported 5,185 new coronavirus cases on Monday, pushing its national tally to 1,030,690, the fourth largest in the world. Authorities confirmed 51 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 17,871. 07:15 GMT Malaysia fears new COVID-19 cluster A new cluster of novel coronavirus cases is feared to have emerged in a Malaysian town after a football referee tested positive for the disease, local media reported. According to local media outlet The Star, health official G. Navindran said those who were involved in a football competition at the Tawau Prison field and Tawau Municipal Council stadium recently, including spectators, should immediately get tested for COVID-19. Passengers wearing protective masks wait in line to board a bus at a bus station, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia August 11, 2020. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng 06:45 GMT Russia to complete early-stage trials on second COVID-19 vaccine on Sept 30 Russia will complete early-stage trials on a second potential COVID-19 vaccine produced by the Vector Institute on Sept. 30, the RIA news agency cited Russias consumer health safety watchdog as saying. 06:10 GMT Germanys confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 814 to 250,799 The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 814 to 250,799, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed. With no new deaths reported, the death toll stayed at 9,325, the tally showed. People, wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus as they line up to enter the partially ruined Burchardi Church after a chord change of the organ of the John Cage in Halberstadt, Germany [Markus Schreiber/AP] Hello, this is Usaid Siddiqui in Doha taking over from my colleague Ted Regencia. 05:18 GMT Australia approves funding for two potential vaccines Australia announced on Monday it had struck agreements with pharmaceutical companies worth 1.7 billion Australian dollars ($1.2 billion) for two potential COVID-19 vaccines, the Associated Press agency reported. Britains University of Oxford in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Australias University of Queensland working with CSL will provide more than 84.8 million vaccine doses for 26 million Australians, almost all made in Melbourne, Australia, a government statement said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said both vaccines would need to be proven safe and effective and meet all necessary regulatory requirements before being made available to the public. Any vaccine would be free to all Australians. 04:40 GMT India overtakes Brazil as country second-worst-hit by coronavirus For the fifth day in a row on Monday, India reported over 1,000 daily fatalities [Bikas Das/AP] Indias health ministry reported another daily record of 90,802 coronavirus cases on Monday, raising the total nationwide to over 4.2 million and overtaking Brazil to become the second-hardest-hit country. Brazil is now behind India in the total number of cases by almost 70,000; the US remains at the top with more than 6.2 million cases. Indias health ministry also reported 1,016 new fatalities, raising the total to 71,642. For the fifth day in a row, India has reported more than 1,000 deaths. Read more here. 04:25 GMT Germanys cases rise to 250,799 Germanys infectious disease agency has reported 814 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number to 250,799. The Robert Koch Institute also announced on Monday that there were no new COVID-19 deaths, keeping the death toll at 9,325. According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 224,000 coronavirus patients in Germany have recovered, about 87 percent of the total. 04:00 GMT South Korea reports 119 new COVID-19 cases South Koreas Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 119 new coronavirus cases, most of which are local, according to Yonhap news agency. Eleven of the new cases were imported, including three from the Philippines and three from India. The total number of infections in the country has reached 21,296 as of Monday, while more than 16,200 have recovered. Two more deaths were reported, raising the death toll to 336. The country has carried out 2,051,297 coronavirus tests since January 3. 03:33 GMT Honduran finance minister tests positive for COVID-19 Marco Midence, the finance minister of Honduras, has revealed on social media that he tested positive for coronavirus. The Harvard-educated lawyer was appointed finance minister on August 20. He wrote in Spanish that he will work from home and remain in isolation while recovering from the mild symptoms of the disease. 03:10 GMT Spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines slowing down study The Philippines has recorded more than 237,000 cases the highest in the Asia-Pacific region [Rolex dela Pena/EPA] Dr Guido David said in an interview that an interdisciplinary group of researchers from the University of the Philippines found the rate of spread has gone down from 0.99 percent to .94 percent in the most recent week. The average daily number of cases in mid- to late-August also went down, from 4,000 to 3,000. The government had reimposed a lockdown during that period. The Philippines recorded more than 237,000 cases the highest in the Asia-Pacific region as well as more than 184,000 recoveries and 3,800 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. 02:40 GMT China reports 12 new cases The National Health Commission in China has reported 12 new coronavirus cases in the country, all of which are imported. While the commission said that it has not recorded new positive cases locally, 17 people were declared asymptomatic which China does not count as confirmed cases. As of Monday, the cumulative number of infections in China stands at 85,134. There were no new deaths reported, keeping the death toll at 4,634, according to the government. 02:08 GMT Mexico reports more than 4,600 cases, 232 deaths The Mexican health ministry has reported 4,614 new cases and 232 deaths from COVID-19, pushing the total to 634,023 cases and 67,558 deaths. The government says the real number of infections could be significantly higher, and the health ministry said on Saturday that it has recorded more than 122,000 excess deaths during the pandemic. 01:40 GMT Chinese drug company staff, families given COVID-19 vaccine Chinese drug firm Sinovacs spokesman Liu Peicheng was quoted by the South China Morning Post as saying that some 3,000 employees and their families have been offered the companys vaccine. The CoronaVac, developed by Sinovac Biotech, is currently undergoing phase three clinical trials the last phase before mass production. Zhang Yinan, a senior manager at China National Biotec Group (CNBG), which is developing its own vaccine, said she had been given her companys vaccine. The CNBG vaccine is being tested among 35,000 residents in the United Arab Emirates. 01:10 GMT Brazil reports 14,521 coronavirus cases, 447 deaths Brazil ranks second in the number of cases and deaths, but also highest in the number of recoveries at more than 3.5 million [Pilar Olivares/Reuters] Brazils health ministry has reported at least 14,521 additional coronavirus infections and 447 deaths, raising the total number of cases to at least 4.14 million and death toll to over 126,600. Brazil ranks second in the number of cases and deaths, but also highest in the number of recoveries at more than 3.5 million. In terms of number of cases, the country could soon be overtaken by India, which reported 4.11 million infections as of Sunday. 00:35 GMT Over a million Hong Kong residents sign up for COVID-19 testing Hong Kongs mass testing programme for COVID-19 began on September 1 [Anthony Kwan/EPA] An estimated 1.13 million of 7.5 million Hong Kong residents have signed up for a free coronavirus testing programme, which pro-democracy activists have called for a boycott of, citing privacy concerns as medics from mainland China helped in the testing. In a statement, the Hong Kong government urged more residents to participate and said that, as of Sunday night, at least 675,000 samples had been collected and an additional 180,000 people signed up for tests. More than 4,800 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Hong Kong, and at least 94 have died. More than 4,500 have recovered. 00:10 GMT Australias Victoria state reports 41 new cases, nine deaths Australias Victoria state has reported 41 new cases and nine new deaths from the coronavirus, lower than the previous days 63 infections, but with fatalities almost doubling from Sundays five. On Sunday, the state premier ordered an extension of a hard lockdown in the capital Melbourne until September 28. Australias second-most-populous state accounts for most of the cases and deaths in the country. The country has reported some 26,200 cases, and more than 760 deaths. 00:05 GMT Over 200 UN staff in Syria have coronavirus According to Johns Hopkins University, Syria has over 3,100 coronavirus cases and 134 deaths as of Sunday [Youssef Badawi/EPA] A United Nations official says more than 200 of its staff in Syria have contracted coronavirus. In a letter leaked to Reuters news agency, Imran Riza, UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Syria, informed UN heads of agencies that the international organisation is trying to secure a medical facility to treat the remaining patients, as three had been medically evacuated. The news comes as Syria is reportedly experiencing a tenfold increase in cases in the last two months, with more than 3,100 cases and 134 deaths according to Johns Hopkins University. 00:01 GMT COVID-19 cases rise in 22 US states A Reuters analysis has looked at the increase in cases in 22 US states, comparing cases for the two-week period of August 8-22 with the past two weeks. Three weeks ago, cases were increasing in three states: Hawaii, Illinois and South Dakota, while now cases are rising in 22 states in less-populated parts of the Midwest and South. Many state officials have issued precautionary measures for residents, but thousands across the US, including the state of California, congregated in public areas without observing proper distancing and protective rules as the country celebrated the end-of-summer Labor Day weekend. _______________________________________________________________ Hello and welcome to Al Jazeeras continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Im Ted Regencia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read all the developments from yesterday (September 6) here. New Delhi: Microsoft has announced to end support for Adobe Flash Player on Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11 at the end of 2020. As previously announced in July 2017, Adobe will stop updating and distributing Flash Player after December 31, 2020 due to the diminished usage of the technology and the availability of better, more secure options such as HTML5, WebGL and WebAssembly. "In the new Microsoft Edge, Adobe Flash Player will be removed by January 2021. After December 2020, you will no longer receive Security Update for Adobe Flash Player' from Microsoft that applies to Microsoft Edge Legacy and Internet Explorer 11," Microsoft programme manager Suchithra Gopinath said in a statement. Microsoft will continue providing security updates to Adobe Flash Player and maintain OS and browser compatibility through the end of 2020. Beginning in January 2021, Adobe Flash Player will be disabled by default and all versions older than the one released in June 2020 will be blocked. In a separate blog post, Adobe said that some enterprise customers may still require Flash Player commercial support and licensing beyond 2020 to run internal business systems. "For these instances, enterprise customers should contact our official distribution licensing partner HARMAN," Adobe said, adding it will continue issuing regular Flash Player security patches while maintaining operating system and browser compatibility through the end of 2020. "The end users will be prompted on their machines to uninstall Adobe Flash Player later this year". Microsoft is planning to release an update called "Update for Removal of Adobe Flash Player" for users that will permanently kill Flash Player on Windows. After a surge to start September, the rate of new coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania has leveled off at least temporarily over Labor Day weekend. With 547 new cases and 20 deaths reported Monday, the statewide COVID-19 case count now totals 139,863 with a death toll of 7,780, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Locally, the Lehigh Valley is approaching 9,500 coronavirus cases between its two counties. (Cant see the map? Click here.) As of Monday, Pennsylvania averaged 834 new cases and 15 deaths a day over the previous seven days. That case rate, a seven-day average of daily case reports, rose sharply over the last week, from 650 cases a day on Aug. 31, but has slowed over the last three days. (At the peak of the pandemic, Pennsylvanias case rate was as high as 1,600.) (Cant see the chart? Click here.) Similarly, the seven-day positivity rate the percentage of positive tests per individuals tested daily over a week saw a steep rise, from 4.8% on Aug. 31 to 6.5% on Monday, but held steady the last three days. The rate of testing has also declined recently. The state averaged 12,860 tests a day over the last week, compared to 13,626 a week ago. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) The positivity rate is a way to measure how effective testing is. A high positivity rate means only the most seriously ill people are getting tested; the lower the rate, the more likely that testing is capturing the full spread of the virus in a community. Pennsylvanias positivity rate reached above 25% in the first few months of the pandemic when testing was not as available. The World Health Organization recommends a rate of 5% or less when considering economic reopening. Statewide rates of hospitalizations and deaths have remained steady over the last several weeks. The health department estimates that 82% of Pennsylvanias coronavirus patients have recovered so far. In the Lehigh Valley, at least 9,481 cases of COVID-19 and 646 deaths from the virus have been reported between Lehigh and Northampton counties. That includes 30 new cases in the states report on Monday; there were no local deaths listed. (Cant see the county table? Click here.) More coronavirus news on lehighvalleylive.com: Tracking COVID-19: Interactive charts on Pa. cases, hospitalizations, deaths and more Projection shows Pa. COVID-19 deaths doubling by years end, with masks sharply cutting new toll Lehigh Valley business owners describe their hell during COVID-19 pandemic Parkland High School reports first COVID-19 case Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/7-Jewish-Expressions-to-Start-Using-Today.html These Hebrew phrases convey timeless Jewish principles. The way we speak says much about our values and way of looking at the world. These seven Jewish expressions convey Jewish principles and subtly insert Jewish thoughts and nuances to our speech. Consider incorporating some of these into your conversation. Baruch Hashem Blessed is God Baruch Hashem is one of the most common Jewish expressions, and it reminds us that everything in our lives both the good and the seemingly bad comes from the Divine. The first person on record to say Baruch Hashem is Noah. After the flood he said, "Blessed is the Lord God of Shem." The second person was Eliezer. He came to Mesopotamia searching for a wife for Isaac. Once he found Rivkah he said "Baruch Hashem Elokei Adoni Avraham Blessed is the Lord God of my master Avraham." The third person to say Baruch Hashem in the Torah was Yitro, Moses father-in-law. When the two were reunited after the exodus from Egypt, Yitro declared Baruch Hashem who has saved you from the hand of Egypt." All three were non-Jews who recognized the good God had done. King Solomon advised us to always acknowledge God in our lives: In all your ways know Him (Proverbs 3:6). The expression Baruch Hashem, which Jews use from thanking God for their health to finding the brand of corn flakes in the store, helps us remember that everything ultimately comes from the Divine. Gam Zu LTovah This, too, is for the good. The saying was coined by Rabbi Nachum, a rabbi who lived in northern Israel in the First Century of the Common Era, and is mentioned in the Talmud as a teacher of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Nachum was determined to see the hand of God in everything that befell him; even seemingly bad or challenging obstacles could be used for spiritual growth. He used to say Gam zu ltovah, this too is for the good, so often that he was known as Nachum Ish Gamzu. Rabbi Nachum was once entrusted with an important mission to bring a valuable gift of gold and diamonds to the Roman Caesar in Rome, to persuade him to treat the Jews better in the Holy Land. On his way, Rabbi Nachum stopped at an inn for the night. Unbeknownst to him, the innkeeper stole Rabbi Nachman's treasure and filled his box with soil and rocks instead. The next morning, Rabbi Nachum continued on his way. When he finally reached Rome, he presented the treasure chest he carried to the ruler and when Caesar opened it, he was outraged and had Rabbi Nachum thrown into prison. Recognizing that everything God sends us is for a higher purpose, Rabbi Nachum said Gam zu ltovah this too is for the good. At Rabbi Nachum's trial, the Prophet Elijah appeared disguised as one of Caesar's advisors. Elijah told the Caesar that since Nachum had brought this gift from the Jews in the Holy Land, perhaps there was something powerful about it, even though it appeared to be ordinary soil and rocks. The Jewish patriarch Abraham was said to have defeated his enemy King Chedorlaomer by throwing sand and rocks at him (Genesis 14). Perhaps the earth and stones in Rabbi Nachum's treasure chest contained similar magical powers? Caesar decided to give it a try and had his soldiers hurl the soil at their enemies in battle. After doing so, they were able to conquer a province they'd never been able to capture before. Caesar freed Rabbi Nachum and granted the Jews' request that they receive more lenient treatment from Rome. Rabbi Nachum's gift might not have been quite what he planned originally, but he realized it truly had been for the good (Talmud Taanit 21a). BEzrat Hashem with the help of God BEzrat Hashem is a common Jewish expression that reminds us of Gods presence in the world. It is often said when exercising our free will, directing our abilities and talents towards specific goals, reminding us that while the effort is in our hands, the ultimate outcome is in God's. Baruch Dayan HaEmet Blessed is the True Judge Baruch Dayan HeEmet is the timeless Jewish response to hearing of someone's death. It comes from the blessing thats traditionally recited by Jewish mourners at the funeral of a loved one: Blessed are You, the Lord, our God, King of the universe, the True Judge. At times of tragedy, this Jewish saying reminds us that while our comprehension of the world is limited, we trust that there is a larger Divine plan. The Sages of the Talmud taught that just as a Jew praises God for events that befall him that seem fortunate and good, so too should we acknowledge Gods loving presence in our lives even when terrible events befall us (Berachot 60b). As the True Judge, only God can fully understand the trajectory of our lives and the true meaning of the tragedies that we face. BHatzlacha with success! In Hebrew, B'Hatzlacha is a common way of wishing people luck. Is your friend on her way to a job interview? Wish her B'Hatzlacha! Your son is facing a tough test in school today? BHatzlacha! This phrase teaches us a lot about Jewish values. The Torah warns you shall not believe in lucky times (Leviticus 19:26). Instead of being ruled by capricious luck, Judaism teaches that our lives have a purpose and that each of us is charged with a unique mission in life and given the exact tools and circumstances that we require to fulfill our God-given potential. Instead of wishing others luck in their endeavors, we hope that they achieve success in their goals. Yasher Koach This expression is a common way of congratulating people after a job well done. You finished the project? Yasher Koach! Got a promotion at work? Yasher Koach! The phrase comes from yishar koach, which means may your strength (koach) be straightened (yishar). A loose translation may be: more power to you! The phrase comes from a curious statement in the Talmud (Shabbat 87a) by Jewish sage Resh Lakish in his comments on one of the most dramatic moments in the Torah. When Moses first ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, many Jews waiting for him down below at the foot of the mountain began to doubt that he was ever coming back. Thinking that Moses abandoned them, they built an idol in the shape of a golden calf to worship instead. As Moses came down the mountain holding the heavy stones that bore the text of the Torah, he could scarcely believe the sight that awaited him (Exodus 32:19). When Moses witnessed the Jews worshipping the golden calf, he lost the strength in his arms and dropped the heavy stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Moses threw down the tablets, smashing them to pieces. (He later ascended the mountain again and brought down the second tablets to the Jewish people.) Resh Lakish notes that God Himself approved the actions of Moses, saying "Yishar kochecha sheshibarta all strength to you for breaking them!" Bli Neder without promising This common Jewish expression is deployed before making a promise or commitment: Bli neder Ill be able to come to your party next week, or Bli neder Ill remember to send a check to the charity you just told me about. It means that you promised something without (bli) making an official vow (neder). In Judaism, making a formal commitment to do something is a very serious undertaking. The Torah explains: This is the thing that God has commanded if a man will take a vow (neder) to God or swear an oath he shall not desecrate his word; according to whatever comes from his mouth shall he do (Numbers 30:3). In Jewish thought, promising to do something obligates you to fulfil it. That's why Jews say "bli neder" not because you are not good to your word, rather in recognition that oftentimes things happen out of your control and in the end you are not able to do exactly as you said. "Bli neder" ensures that your commitment is not a technical vow, and reinforces the Jewish idea that what we say matters and we need to be careful in making lasting promises. So the next time you tell your child you'll take them to the zoo, remember to say "bli neder". In this Oct. 2, 2019 photo, a picture of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi, is displayed during a ceremony near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, marking the one-year anniversary of his death. Read more DUBAI, United Arab Emirates A Saudi court issued final verdicts on Monday in the case of slain Washington Post columnist and Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi after his son, who still resides in the kingdom, announced pardons that spared five of the convicted individuals from execution. While the trial draws to its conclusion in Saudi Arabia, the case continues to cast a shadow over the international standing of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose associates have been sanctioned by the U.S. and the U.K. for their alleged involvement in the brutal killing, which took place inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The Riyadh Criminal Courts final verdicts were announced by Saudi Arabias state television, which aired few details about the eight Saudi nationals and did not name them. The court ordered a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the five. Another individual received a 10-year sentence, and two others were ordered to serve seven years in prison. A team of 15 Saudi agents had flown to Turkey to meet Khashoggi inside the consulate for his appointment on Oct. 2, 2018 to pick up documents that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiance, who waited outside. The team included a forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers, and individuals who worked directly for the crown princes office, according to Agnes Callamard, who investigated the killing for the United Nations. Turkish officials allege Khashoggi was killed and then dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate. His body has not been found. Turkey apparently had the consulate bugged and shared audio of the killing with the C.I.A., among others. Western intelligence agencies, as well as the U.S. Congress, have said the crown prince bears ultimate responsibility for the killing and that an operation of this magnitude could not have happened without his knowledge. The 35-year-old prince denies any knowledge of the operation and has condemned the killing. He continues to have the support of his father, King Salman, and remains popular among Saudi youth at home. He also maintains the support of President Donald Trump, who has defended U.S.-Saudi ties in the face of the international outcry over the slaying. Saudi Arabias trial of the suspects has been widely criticized by rights groups and observers, who note that no senior officials nor anyone suspected of ordering the killing has been found guilty. The independence of the Riyadh Criminal Court has also been questioned. Callamard, the U.N. special rapporteur who investigated Khashoggis killing, told The Associated Press in a statement that the crown prince has remained well protected against any kind of meaningful scrutiny in his country and the high-level officials who organized the killing have walked free from the start. These verdicts cannot be allowed to whitewash what happened, she said, calling on U.S. intelligence services to publicly release their assessments of the crown princes responsibility. While formal justice in Saudi Arabia cannot be achieved, truth telling can. A small number of diplomats, including from Turkey, as well as members of Khashoggis family, were allowed to attend the initial trial. Independent media and the public were barred. Yasin Aktay, a senior member of Turkeys ruling party and a friend of Khashoggi, criticized the final court rulings, saying those who ordered the killing remain free while several questions concerning the journalists death remain unanswered. He also said there were questions as to whether those convicted in the killing are imprisoned. According to what we have heard, those who were convicted are roaming freely and living in luxury, he said. The truth of the matter is this case should be tried in Turkey, not in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has tried 11 people in total, sentencing five to death in December and ordering three others to prison for covering up the crime. The crown princes senior advisors at the time of the killing, namely Saud al-Qahtani and intelligence officer Ahmed al-Asiri, were not found guilty. The trial also concluded the killing was not premeditated. That paved the way for Salah Khashoggi, one of the slain writers sons, to months later announce that the family had forgiven the killers, which essentially allowed the five to be pardoned from execution in accordance with Islamic law. Salah Khashoggi lives in Saudi Arabia and has received financial compensation from the royal court for his fathers killing. Saudi Arabia initially offered shifting accounts about Khashoggis disappearance, including claiming to have surveillance video showing him walking out of the consulate alive. As international pressure mounted because of Turkish leaks, the kingdom eventually settled on the explanation that he was killed by rogue officials in a brawl inside the consulate. Prior to his killing, Khashoggi had been writing critically of Prince Mohammed in columns for the Washington Post at a time when the young heir to the throne was being widely hailed in the U.S. for pushing through social reforms and curtailing the power of religious conservatives. Dozens of perceived critics of the prince remain in prison, including womens rights activists, and face trial on national security charges. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia for the U.S. just as Prince Mohammed was beginning to detain writers and critics in late 2017. Other critics of the crown prince have said their security has been threatened following Khashoggis killing. In one instance, a former senior intelligence official who now resides in Canada claims in a U.S. lawsuit that Prince Mohammed sent a similar hit squad to track him down and kill him, but that they were stopped by Canadian border guards. ______ Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey contributed to this report. By PTI MUMBAI: The two-day monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly began on Monday with Deputy Speaker Narhari Zhirwal asking members to observe physical distancing and wear face masks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the physical distancing protocols, Zhirwal asked members not to sit on chairs having a 'cross' sign. Only one member was seated in the seating area for two. Members were also seated in the students and visitors gallery to ensure physical distancing among them. The deputy speaker also asked members to keep their masks on while speaking in the House. He presided over the House proceedings since Speaker Nana Patole is indisposed as he tested positive for coronavirus last week. After the session began, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tabled ordinances related to amendments to GST and contingency fund. Ordinances pertaining to rural development and urban development departments for postponement of elections to local bodies and mayoral posts due to the pandemic were also tabled along with other bills and papers. Pawar tabled the supplementary demands for 2020-21. ALSO READ | Maharashtra, Andhra, Karnataka told to focus on aggressive measures to check mortality rate, COVID-19 spread The debate on these demands will be taken up on Tuesday before their passage. Zhirwal also announced the panel of presiding officers for two days - Balaji Kinikar (Shiv Sena), Daulat Daroda (NCP), Sangram Thopte (Congress) and Kalidas Kolambkar (BJP). The state government has put in place a slew of measures to ensure members do not contract COVID-19 and House proceedings go on without any hindrance. Compulsory antigen tests for legislators, distribution of COVID-19 kits and new seating arrangements to ensure physical distancing among members are some of the measures undertaken for the two-day session, Vidhan Bhavan officials earlier said. The shortest-ever monsoon session in the history of the Maharashtra legislature is taking place in the backdrop of a raging COVID-19 pandemic which has already infected more than nine lakh people in the state. There will be no question hour, calling attention and debates during the session, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anil Parab said last week. This is also the first monsoon session of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government which assumed office in November last year. Chaotic scenes were witnessed in the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan premises on Monday before the commencement of the monsoon session of the state legislature as several MLAs were not allowed inside since their coronavirus test reportswere not available. The two-day monsoon session of the state legislature began amid the shadow of COVID-19. Former speaker Haribhau Bagade and other legislators, who were not able to enter the Vidhan Bhavan, complained to state Deputy Chief minister Ajit Pawar when he arrived there. Pawar called legislature secretary Rajendra Bhagwat and asked him to ensure that all legislators whose test reports are negative be allowed inside at the earliest. He also summoned the local deputy commissioner of police and asked him to clear the crowd gathered at the Vidhan Bhavan's main gate. "Check the badges of members and their test reports first. Many members have got their tests done privately, allow them in if their reports are negative," Pawar told the legislature staff. According to Vidhan Bhavan sources, as many as 2,115 samples for coronavirus tests were collected from legislators, ministers, bureaucrats,legislature staff members and journalists over the weekend. So far, 58 samples have tested positive, the sources said. Meanwhile, some opposition MLAs staged a protest on the stairs of the Vidhan Bhavan building, demanding scrapping of the regional reservation for medical admissions. State officials have put in place a slew of measures to ensure members of the legislature do not contract COVID-19 and House proceedings go on without any hindrance. Compulsory antigen tests for legislators, distribution of COVID-19 kits and a new seating arrangement to ensure physical distancing among members are some of the measures undertaken for the two-day session, Vidhan Bhavan officials earlier said. The shortest-ever monsoon session in the history of the Maharashtra legislature is taking place in the backdrop of a raging COVID-19 pandemic which has already infected more than nine lakh people in the state. The brief session will take up supplementary demands and certain bills, among other legislature work. The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the dates for the Uttar Pradesh bypolls, which are to be conducted to fill the eight vacant seats of the state Assembly, on Monday There are apprehensions that the bypolls could be conducted along with the Bihar Assembly Elections. Out of the eight assembly seats, six were being represented by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, while two had MLAs from the Samajwadi Party. Even as the results of the bypolls are not likely to affect the majority in the UP assembly, however, it will send out a political message for the upcoming assembly elections as bye-elections are often touted as the semifinal to the assembly elections. The Tundla seat of Firozabad got vacant after the resignation of BJPs SP Baghel after being elected as MP. Abdullah Azam, son of Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan, won from Swar seat of Rampur, but his membership was cancelled by the High Court after the dispute related to his date of birth. Meanwhile, BJPs Kuldeep Singh Sengars seat Bangarmau of Unnao has been vacant since his membership was cancelled after he was sentenced to life imprisonment in rape case. Apart from this, due to the demise of Parasnath Yadav of Samajwadi Party, the Malhani assembly seat of Jaunpur fell vacant. The seats of BJPs Janmejaya Singh from Deoria Sadar and Virender Sirohi from Bulandshahar are also vacant due to the demise, while Ghatampur seat of Kanpur has been vacant since the death of BJPs Kamal Rani Varun who recently died after being tested positive for COVID19 infection. The Naagwaman seat in Amroha went vacant after BJPs Chetan Chauhan died due to coronavirus infection. The protesters want the retail chain shut for five days Protests forced more than 400 stores of South Africa's biggest pharmacy chain to close on Monday after a controversial "racist" hair advertisement provoked widespread outrage. Dozens of activists from South Africa's radical leftwing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party picketed outside Clicks Pharmacy stores across the country, forcing them to shut over the adverts posted on the company's website which described black hair as "dull" and white hair as "normal". South Africa's leading pharmacy, health and beauty retailer, which boasts more than 500 branches across the country, has apologised and pulled down the advertisements. Clicks said that protests were reported at 425 of its stores, some of which were vandalised, and it was "unable to estimate the total damage to stores given the ongoing protest action." The federal government said in a statement that while it was disturbed by the "crude racist display" by the advertisement, it called on all South Africans "to resist the temptation to take the law into their own hands." The advertisements sparked an uproar online, with black women posting images of their afros on Twitter using the hashtags #RacismMustFall and #BlackHairIsNormal. The South African Human Rights Commission launched an investigation on Monday into the Clicks advert, which it said had "elicited strong emotions and protests from the general public." - 'Justice, not apology'- The EFF said it wants the retail chain shut for five days. "They must lose revenue, they must lose profits because of their racism," said EFF vice president Floyd Shivambu, speaking in front of one of the largest stores in Johannesburg's upmarket Sandton business and shopping district -- considered Africa's richest square mile. He was accompanied by around two dozen chanting supporters. Further north in Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo province, EFF leader Julius Malema led a group of more than 100 supporters who chanted in front of a shuttered store. Story continues "We are here to say peacefully that racism is violence," said Malema, addressing his supporters at the Mall of the North, the largest in the city. "We need justice, not apology," said Malema. "Who calls black people ugly?" he asked, calling on the advertising agent to be fired. "White people insult us and they apologise, they think that is the end," he said. "We have been projected as ugly people for a very long time by white people. It has got to come to an end at some point and it starts total with Clicks, we are tired." The EFF condemned all violence, vandalism at its stores and the intimidation of staff and its customers. The group staged protests in 2018 trashing outlets of Swedish clothing giant Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) in Johannesburg over a controversial advertisement of a black child. A photo on H&M's website of a black boy wearing a green hoodie with the inscription "coolest monkey in the jungle" triggered outrage on social media. bur-sn-mgu/dl New Delhi: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi`s five-day extradition trial began at the Westminster Magistrate`s Court in London on Monday (September 7). Nirav Modi joined in the trial through a video link from Wandsworth prison in South London. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate team is reportedly present in the London court. Earlier in May, the trial of Modi has been adjourned until September after a week of extraordinary drama at the Westminster Magistrate`s Court in Central London. Nirav Modi (49), wanted in India on the charges of fraud and money-laundering, was arrested in March 2019 in London and charged with money laundering and defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of more than Rs 11,000 crore. Nirav Modi has been declared a fugitive economic offender by a Mumbai court early this year, and the court had also ordered the confiscation of his assets. The ED has already confiscated about Rs 329 crore of his linked properties. Similar Interpol notices have been earlier been issued against Nirav Modi's younger brother Nehal Modi and sister Purvi Modi. Last month, an Interpol global arrest warrant was issued against Ami Modi, wife of Nirav Modi, on charges of money laundering. The 'red notice' has been issued by the global police body on the request of the ED. Ami Modi is stated to have left the country soon after the bank fraud case came into light in 2018. Once such a notice issued against a fugitive, the Interpol asks its 192-member countries to arrest or detain the person if spotted in their countries after which extradition or deportation proceedings can begin. (With AGency Inputs) Sept. 7 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Headlines UK plan to undermine withdrawal treaty puts Brexit talks at risk https://on.ft.com/3jKFGjw Production of Nissan's UK flagship vehicle delayed further https://on.ft.com/3i5IDdP US regulator examines Rio Tinto whistleblower claims over Oyu Tolgoi https://on.ft.com/35g2CD9 Overview Britain is planning a new legislation that will override parts of the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, risking the collapse of trade negotiations with the European Union. Nissan Motor Co Ltd has pushed back UK production of its flagship new Qashqai model until the middle of next year, a change that is largely due to the pandemic but will allow the company to work out how it will adapt to Britain's post-Brexit trading rules. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is examining claims from a whistleblower that Rio Tinto was aware of problems at a $6.8 billion copper development in Mongolia's Gobi Desert months before it revealed the project was running late and over budget. (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom) A group of Canadian law firms have teamed up to propose a class action lawsuit against Google. As reported IT World Canada, this actually takes the form of three lawsuits across Canada. All of which claim that Google unlawfully collects and profits from personal information without their consent. It will not surprise anyone to read that this is not the first time Google has found itself in such a dispute. Back in June it was reported the company faced legal action over unlawfully tracking users in incognito mode. More recently, Google has faced challenges over its 30% transaction fee in the Google Play store. Like any of these court cases, this will have a long way to run before any concrete action can be taken. However, the bad press alone can be significantly damaging to Google. Advertisement Google faces another lawsuit this time in Canada The Canadian lawsuit against Google claims that the company turns Canadians electronics into tracking devices. This means that the company can build profiles on almost every Internet user in Canada. All of which occurs without their consent according to these law firms. The claim boils down to the idea that Google misrepresents its privacy and data practices. One lawyer pointed out that a key point in the case is likely to be whether Google tells online users about personal information its collects. Most worryingly Google can collect information even if it does not have a relationship with you. Even if a user does not use Chrome or Gmail sites can collect information through Google Ads or Analytics. Advertisement It is as yet unclear as to whether the three suits lodged across Canada will be merged into one. They are very similar in nature so Google may well move for this to happen. The three law firms have and continue to work together on some aspects of the cases. There are some legal differences in different provinces of Canada which may make it difficult to merge the cases. Google yet to respond to lawsuit allegations Google has been approached for comment on this matter but as yet they have not made a response to the allegations. The lawsuit is seeking both exemplary and punitive damages against Google but a number has not been determined. Advertisement In terms of what happens next, there are quite a few stages before we get to a trial and a decision. First, a class action lawsuit has to be approved by a judge. No date has been set for a hearing of this nature just yet. This is unlikely to be the last time Google finds itself embroiled in a privacy scandal over the way it uses its users data. There does appear to be more pushback to the way in which Google handles individuals data. Perhaps as time goes on the pressure will become too great and big changes will be made. However, right now that appears somewhat unlikely as Google seems happy to fight these suits for now. Advertisement A California wildfire which has so far destroyed 7,050 acres of land 40 miles northeast of Palm Springs was started by gender reveal party, it has emerged - leaving the family that hosted the party at risk of prison time and multi-million dollar fines. Amid a record-breaking heatwave, with record temperatures of 121 degrees turning the state into a tinder box, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Sunday night that a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device caused the fire. The devices are sometimes used to release blue or pink smoke to announce the gender of an expected baby. The fire started on Saturday at 10:23am, they said, and 527 people from 10 fire crews are currently trying to halt the fire's progress. It spread from the El Dorado Ranch Park north, onto the Yucaipa Ridge. The ridge separates Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the City of Yucaipa. Bennet Milloy, spokesman for the department, told DailyMail.com that the people hosting the party were still on the scene when the firefighters arrived. 'We know how it started because they were still there,' he said. 'That, and the fact that there were surveillance cameras in the park.' Milloy said that it was a relatively small family gathering, and that the relatives had gathered for a photo opportunity. The El Dorado wildfire (pictured), which broke out on Saturday morning, was started by a gender reveal party, it has been confirmed Cal Fire firefighters protect a structure near Montiel Truck Trail during the Valley Fire, in San Diego County on Sunday The wildfire (pictured), which has so far destroyed 7,050 acres of land 40 miles northeast of Palm Springs, was started by gender reveal party Firefighter Ricardo Gomez, of a San Benito Monterey Cal Fire crew, sets a controlled burn while fighting the Creek Fire The fire started on Saturday at 10:23am, they said, and 527 people from 10 fire crews are currently trying to halt the fire's progress The fire spread from the El Dorado Ranch Park north, onto the Yucaipa Ridge and into the San Bernardino National Forest He did not know if they were local people, but he said they were potentially both civilly and criminally responsible for the fire - facing jail time and a massive fine. The family could be held responsible for the entire cost of putting the fire out, amounting to many millions of dollars, he said. The civil costs were deemed 'suppression costs' - the charges associated with hundreds of fire fighters, engines, helicopters and planes. The criminal charges could fall under 'a variety of charges', he said - which would be more severe if homes were destroyed. The family could be hit with violations of public resources codes and even arson, under California's penal code section 452. Arson convictions can result in a sentence of up to nine years. Asked if the family realized the seriousness of their predicament, he said: 'They understood the seriousness of the fire.' Milloy continued: 'They genuinely believed it was an accident. 'But I think now they understand the gravity of the situation.' He did not have their names, but said they would be released if charges were pressed. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Sunday night a gender reveal party had sparked the fire The wildfire is pictured moving up the hillsides of San Bernardino National Forest on Sunday Amid a record-breaking heatwave, with record temperatures of 121 degrees turning the state into a tinder box, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Sunday night that a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device caused the fire (pictured) Firefighters walk through the site near Shaver Lake as they continue to battle against the Creek Fire which started on Friday afternoon before spreading across 73,278 acres Some outdoor shelters in the area were engulfed with flames (pictured) as authorities ordered people to evacuate The fire spread rapidly north from where it started at the El Dorado Ranch Park north, onto the Yucaipa Ridge Evacuation orders are in place for the communities of Oak Glen, Yucaipa Ridge, Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls No injuries have been reported. An outbuilding was destroyed on Saturday, Desert Sun reported, but no other damage was reported as of Sunday afternoon. The paper said about 30 homes were threatened by the fire. Evacuation orders are in place for the communities of Oak Glen, Yucaipa Ridge, Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls. An Evacuation Warning is now in effect for the Yucaipa bench area, the fire service said. Residents are being told that they may evacuate to Yucaipa Community Center as a temporary evacuation facility. Fire fighters are using 60 fire engines and four helicopters to douse the blaze with water. 'CAL FIRE reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire,' the press release stated. 'Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially responsible and criminally responsible.' One firefighter looked on at the blaze as the authorities continued their efforts to extinguish the flames that had been sparked during a gender reveal party Dozens of trees were brought down as a result of the blaze which has so far torn through more than 73,278 acres The blaze was first sparked on Friday afternoon during a gender reveal party with fire crews continuing to work on extinguishing the flames Satellite images on Saturday gave a sense of the scale of the El Dorado fire, which was started by a gender reveal party The El Dorado Fire blazed up into the San Bernardino National Forest, near Oak Glen, wiping out more than 7,000 acres Helicopters, planes, and more than 60 fire trucks were being used by 527 fire fighters to try and contain the blaze A fire fighting plane is seen dousing the area with specially-formulated fire retardants designed to suffocate the sparks Helicopters were also used, pouring gallons of water onto the fire in an effort to contain the flames Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as a series of wildfires ravage his state The fire could be seen raging through the hills from the carriageway as a thick orange smoke descended over the area Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, on Sunday declared a state of emergency in five counties, including San Bernardino County due to the El Dorado Fire which continues to be 'extremely active' due to dry vegetation, steep terrain and sweltering hot weather across the region. Officials are asking that residents heed evacuation warnings and travelers stay clear of the fire area. 'We need to keep the firefighters we do have focused on firefighting and not on managing people,' fire officials said in a joint press release issued on Sunday. The El Dorado Fire is currently burning two miles from where the Apple Fire destroyed 33,000 acres last month. Fire officials said that it could be helpful, because the El Dorado Fire could enter the 'burn scar' and peter out. The Apple Fire, which had been 95 per cent contained for weeks, was ignited on July 31 by a diesel-fueled vehicle 'emitting burning carbon from the exhaust system,' investigators said. Area temperatures are expected to surpass 110 degrees near Yucaipa as Southern California is engulfed in a heatwave. On Saturday, temperatures peaked at 122 degrees in Palm Springs and similar conditions were expected on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The Creek Fire raged as it tore through the Sierra National Forest on Sunday after being sparked by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic used at a gender reveal party The fire engulfed the site with more than 527 people from 10 fire crews are currently trying to halt the progress of the blaze The fire service said that 527 people were working to stop the fire, which has benefited from tinder-dry conditions The National Weather Service has warned of a 'deadly heat wave' which will hit swathes of California during Labor Day Across the whole of California, firefighters are currently battling 23 wildfires, which have so far destroyed 1.6 million acres. Almost 15,000 firefighters were working to douse the flames, and battling against record temperatures in the state. Fire fighters fear the situation will only get worse. 'The National Weather Service has issued multiple Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings for this weekend and into next week due to potential critical fire weather including strong gusty wind and low humidity,' the fire service said in a statement. They said that a Red Flag Warning is in effect across much of the Inland Empire down through San Diego through Sunday. A Red Flag Warning also went into effect on Sunday evening across the mountains of Santa Barbara to Los Angeles County. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Modoc County starting Monday. A Fire Weather Watch across much of Northern California including the Bay Area, and the Eastern Sierra to the Mojave Desert will start on Monday. A view of the site of the Creek Fire which started Friday afternoon, blew up and grew to 73,278 acres by Sunday Firefighters stage near a Southern California Edison power station to protect it from the advancing Creek Fire on Sunday Two firefighters from the Kern Valley Hot Shots rest after a night battling the Creek fire Gabe Huck, a member of a San Benito Monterey Cal Fire crew, stands along state Highway 168 San Miguel County Firefighters battle a brush fire along Japatul Road during the Valley Fire in Jamul, California Shaver Lake is covered in ash and smoke as the Creek Fire burns on Sunday San Diego Sheriffs and CDF firefighters stage on Lyons Valley Road during the Valley Fire Power lines lie in the path of an approaching brush fire along Japatul Road during the Valley Fire in Jamul, California Records for temperatures were broken across the state, with Paso Robles having the hottest day in the city's history, as the mercury hit 112 degrees on Saturday. The Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles also had its hottest day ever, with temperatures reaching 117 degrees. The wildfire warning for the Santa Barbara area was upgraded to a red flag. On Saturday night the National Weather Service warned southern Californians that the conditions were likely to continue. 'Expect a similar hot day tomorrow, with inland temperatures peaking between 110-120 degrees, hottest likely in the valleys,' they tweeted. 'There will be some cooling on Monday, but still well above normal for inland areas. Best cooling across the coast. Stay hydrated and cool!' Beaches across the state were packed with people on Saturday, soaking up the sun on the last official weekend of summer. In Los Angeles, Santa Monica beach was crowded with families and friends seeking an escape from the heat. Around 43 million Americans are under heat watch and have been told to stay indoors All along Santa Monica beach, people packed onto the sand with their friends and families Santa Monica beach was busy with sun-worshipers, surfers and swimmers on Saturday amid the Labor Day holiday Fall in GDP alarming; time for bureaucracy to take meaningful action: Raghuram Rajan India pti-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Sep 7: Terming the 23.9 per cent fall in economic growth in June quarter alarming, former Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan has said bureaucracy should come out of complacency and take meaningful action. The current crisis requires a more thoughtful and active government, he said, adding unfortunately, after an initial burst of activity, it seems to have retreated into a shell. "The sharp decline in economic growth should alarm us all. The 23.9 per cent contraction in India (and the numbers will probably be worse when we get estimates of the damage in the informal sector) compares with a drop of 12.4 per cent in Italy and 9.5 per cent in the United States, two of the most COVID-19-affected advanced countries,"Rajan wrote in a post on his LinkedIn page. RBI expands priority sector lending categories; includes start-ups He further said the bureaucracy needs to be frightened out of their complacency and into meaningful activity. If there is a silver lining in the awful GDP numbers, hopefully it is that''. Rajan, currently a professor at the University of Chicago, said the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging in India, so discretionary spending, especially on high-contact services like restaurants, and the associated employment, will stay low until the virus is contained. The eminent economist pointed out that the government's reluctance to do more today seems partly because it wants to conserve resources for a possible future stimulus. "This strategy is self-defeating," he opined. Citing an example, Rajan said if one thinks of the economy as a patient, relief is the sustenance the patient needs while on the sickbed and fighting the disease. "Without relief, households skip meals, pull their children out of school and send them to work or beg, pledge their gold to borrow, let EMIs and rent arrears pile up Essentially, the patient atrophies, so by the time the disease is contained, the patient has become a shell of herself," he noted. The former RBI Governor further said now think of economic stimulus as a tonic. "When the disease is vanquished, it can help the patient get out of her sickbed faster. But if the patient has atrophied, stimulus will have little effect," he said. Rajan stressed that the recent pick-up in sectors like auto is not an evidence of the much awaited V-shaped recovery. "It reflects pent-up demand, which will fade as we go down to the true level of demand in the damaged, partially-functioning, economy," he noted. Rajan pointed out that because of the pre-pandemic growth slowdown and the government's strained fiscal condition, officials believe it cannot spend on both relief and stimulus. "This mindset is too pessimistic, but the government will have to expand the resource envelope in every way possible, and spend as cleverly as possible," he said adding it also has to take every action that can move the economy forward without additional spending. "All this requires a more thoughtful and active government. Unfortunately, after an initial burst of activity, it seems to have retreated into a shell," the former RBI Governor added. Noting that India needs strong growth, not just to satisfy the aspirations of country's youth but to keep its unfriendly neighbours at bay, Rajan said temporary half-baked reforms, such as the recent suspension of labour protection laws in a number of states, will do little to enthuse industry or workers, and give reforms a bad name. He also suggested that reforms can be a form of stimulus, and even if not carried out immediately, a timeline to undertake them can boost current investor sentiment. "The world will recover earlier than India, so exports can be a way for India to grow," he said. The government in May announced nearly Rs 21 lakh crore stimulus package to help the nation tide over the economic crisis induced by the coronavirus and subsequent lockdown. India's economy suffered its worst slump on record in April-June, with the gross domestic product (GDP) contracting by 23.9 per cent as the coronavirus-related lockdowns weighed on the already-declining consumer demand and investment. The GDP contraction in the world's fifth-largest economy is compared with 3.1 per cent growth in the preceding March quarter and 5.2 per cent expansion in the same period a year back. This is the sharpest contraction since quarterly figures started getting published in 1996 and worse than what was expected by most analysts. The Indian economy was in a troubled state when the pandemic hit the world. Before the crisis hit India, the economy was already decelerating, real GDP growth had moderated from 7 per cent in 2017-18 to 6.1 per cent in 2018-19 and 4.2 per cent in 2019-20. Infectious disease experts are investigating whether the COVID-19 cluster linked to two Sydney hospital emergency departments could have been spread through contact with infected computer screens, pens or paper. On Monday morning four further cases were linked to the emergency departments at Liverpool and Concord hospitals, after an emergency department doctor, who worked across both hospitals, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the weekend. More than 100 staff from both Liverpool and Concord hospitals were in isolation as the cluster grows. Credit:Kate Geraghty All the healthcare staff had worn personal protective equipment while working. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said staff and patients might need to be interviewed "many times" to get a full picture of how the virus had spread. "There is nothing clear-cut here," she said. Press Release September 7, 2020 Hontiveros: Provide assistance and benefits to families of crew members of 'Gulf Livestock 1' "While we earnestly pray that there are more survivors, I urge the government to continuously extend its assistance and support to the families of the Filipino crew members of Gulf Livestock 1." This was the statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros as she urged government to better ensure that assistance is readily available to families of survivors and missing Filipino seafarers aboard the Gulf Livestock 1 that sank off the coast of Japan last Wednesday. Hontiveros said that relevant agencies like Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) must work closely together and coordinate with the manning agency of the 39 Filipino seafarers and the ship owner of the ill-fated cargo vessel to make sure that contractual obligations are fulfilled. "My heart goes out to the on board seafarers, especially their families who are anxiously waiting for the return of their loved ones. Sigurado akong mga breadwinner sila ng kanilang mga pamilya," she added. "Kailangang nakaantabay ang DOLE, OWWA at POEA mula sa day-to-day updates ng rescue operations, hanggang sa pagbibigay ng employer ng mga benepisyong dapat na matanggap ng pamilya." The Senator also stated that a more comprehensive 'Magna Carta for Seafarers' must be passed into law to institutionalize reforms for the better protection of seafarers and their families especially during maritime accidents like this that either result to injury or loss of life of Filipino seafarers. "While we welcome government's initiative to provide aid to the families of our seafarers, moving forward, wala na dapat kakaba-kabang seafarer o pamilya kada sasampa ng barko at maglalayag ang ating mga marino," she said. "Mas maganda kung ma-institutionalize ang agarang pagbibigay ng benepisyo at mas maayos na ugnayan ng mga marino at tripulante at ng kanilang ahensya o employer." According to Hontiveros, who has been pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 357 or 'Marino Bill', health insurance systems should be strengthened as well as the capacity to negotiate with insurance companies and ship owners to ensure seafarers get the best in terms of disability or death compensation claims. "Sa ilalim ng employment contract na aprubado ng POEA, nakakatanggap ng $50,000 and an additional amount of $7,000 to each child under 21 years old. Kaya inilagay natin ang probisyon sa karapatang mag-organisa dahil mas mataas ang coverage if the death is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement," she said. "Hindi man mapapalitan ng kahit anong halaga ang buhay ng ating kababayan, pero sa napakalaking panganib na laging kinakaharap ng ating mga marino, mabuti na ang protektado at may sandalan kapag nangyari ang hindi inaasahan," she concluded. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:17:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 cases in Philippines have surged to 238,727 with 1,383 new cases reported on Monday, the lowest since July 14 when the number of the country's daily infections was record at 634. This also marks the third consecutive day in which less than 3,000 new cases were reported. The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of recoveries have surged to 184,906 after it reported 230 more patients had survived the disease. The DOH added that 15 more patients had died from the disease, bringing the death toll to 3,890. Metro Manila topped the five regions or provinces with the highest number of daily confirmed cases reported on Monday at 525. The DOH said it had tested over 2.65 million people so far. A team of experts from the University of the Philippines (U.P.) said the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines was starting to decrease. Guido David, a U.P. professor and member of the U.P. OCTA research team, said that in Metro Manila, the epicenter of the outbreak, the transmission or the reproduction rate had dropped to below one at 0.95. "In (Metro Manila) for the first time, we are having two successive weeks of decline in the number of new cases. That's the first sign. The reproduction number is less than 1 and the positivity rate is going down. It means (the curve) is flattening," he told a television interview on Monday. However, David urged the people to be vigilant, saying that what the country is experiencing now is just the start of the descent. "It does not mean that we can relax now because we are still getting more than 1,000 cases per day in Metro Manila," he added, stressing the need to "sustain the trend until we get the number of cases down to a very manageable level," he added. David said that the goal is to reduce the number of transmissions so that quarantine restrictions can be further relaxed and further open up the economy. "But until then the fight is not over so we still have to work together," he added. "At least we're now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel." Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a media forum on Monday that the DOH is closely monitoring 1,742 virus clusters in the country, including 1,480 clusters in the communities, 89 in hospitals and healthcare facilities, and 32 in jails. Indeed, Vergeire said that there are indications that the country's COVID-19 situation is improving. "We can say that all the strategies that we are implementing are working although it is not immediate. With these indicators, we can see that somehow our situation is improving. But we always say that nothing is certain at this point," she said. "We continue to do our strategies so that we can further decrease the number of cases and we can further decrease the transmission rate and the other indicators," she added. Enditem Offering access to over 100 channels in Spanish, English and Italian, the platform will be launched on 1 October 2020 and provides an end-to-end live linear TV, premium network content, VOD and SVOD channels, and online betting gaming content to mobile, tablet and PC subscribers. As part of the deal, A1 Telekom Austria Group a provider of end-to-end technical services such as playout, satellite distribution and contribution services to TV channels and operators over different satellites in Europe and Asia will deliver premium quality European TV channels to the Boss TV Platform via IP delivery solution (SRT) from its Aflenz Teleport in Europe to the USA. SRT is an open source video transport protocol that is designed to optimise streaming performance across networks with secure streams and support the playout of high quality live video content. Partnering with Boss TV on the US market is a reflection of our innovative and professional approach towards our customers, commented Elena Petrova, head of wholesale broadcasting at A1 Telekom Austria Group. We are happy to enable the ambitious market entry strategy of European TV channels in the US market while supporting our strategic partner Boss TV with professional technical delivery of the best quality content. Boss TV chief technology officer Diego Cardona added: It is a pleasure to start this important partnership with A1 Telekom Austria Group in order to ensure the expansion of our portfolio and the diversity of content that we would like to offer to our customers via the Boss TV platform. We are very much looking forward to working with such a strong partner as A1 Telekom Austria Group. A woman journalist and social worker has been shot dead allegedly by her husband in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, media reports on Sunday. The incident took place in Turbat, the headquarters of Kech district, on Saturday. According to a police statement, husband Mehrab Gichki took Shaheena Shaheen Baloch's body to a hospital in a car, but fled soon afterwards. By that time, the woman had died from bullet wounds. Police visited a house in the PTCL Colony, Turbat, where the shooting allegedly took place. Police found blood, an empty bullet shell and a bullet at the scene, the Dawn newspaper reported. Police quoted some sources as saying that Baloch was the wife of Gichki. However, a relative of the deceased disputed this. A case has been registered and investigation is underway, a senior police official said, adding that Gichki is still absconding. He said the incident seemed to be a case of domestic violence. An FIR has been registered against Gichki, who allegedly killed his wife Baloch by firing at her using his 9mm pistol in a house in Turbat, the report said. She was editor of a Balochi language magazine, Dazgohar. She also hosted a programme on PTV Bolan. Baloch was also involved in efforts aimed at empowering women, something that was reflected in her journalism. Pakistan is considered to be one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Despite concerns ranging from health risks to espionage, the fifth-generation technology for mobile connectivity (5G) has prompted a global adoption race and theres no going back. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/9/2020 (500 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Despite concerns ranging from health risks to espionage, the fifth-generation technology for mobile connectivity (5G) has prompted a global adoption race and theres no going back. Contrary to conspiracy theories, its a necessary and positive step toward a fully digital economy. In Canada, the three biggest telecom companies have joined the race and announced 5G deployment in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. What Luddites need to understand is that 5G is not just about faster internet on smartphones. Like its predecessor 4G, which made possible the rise of the app economy with billion-dollar startups, 5G could enable US$13.2 trillion annually worth of goods and services by 2035. It has the potential to leapfrog societies into more sophisticated business models and multiply jobs. If 4G made Uber possible, unseating a deeply-rooted monopoly, 5G will take technological disruption to the next level. Endless possibilities This technology is needed to handle growing global data traffic. Its the result of more than a decade of multi-party investment and efforts in research and development. A key motivation was to solve the "last-mile" problem: the delivery of signal from service providers to users. Wiring being too expensive for competing firms, transmission had to be wireless. Qualcomm, one of the firms behind 5Gs development, estimates the 5G economy will support around 22 million jobs and produce US$3.6 trillion value added in 2035. That year, Qualcomm expects 5Gs total contribution to real gross domestic product growth to be US$2.1 trillion, the equivalent of Italys economy. Connection speeds will jump a hundredfold , bringing a seven-minute download with 4G down to just 10 seconds with 5G. Latency the time a signal takes to go from its source to the network and back will drop to almost zero. That means flawless high-definition concerts, sports, conferences and gaming streaming. Moreover, 5Gs superior energy efficiency means less battery consumption and not just in phones. Since we will be able to connect to a myriad of machines such as appliances, wearables, cars and medical devices. This will be a boon for Internet of Things ( IoT ) industries. As the internet frontier expands, more IoT applications will bring smart homes, cities and schools within the reach of common citizens, not just the wealthy. The 68 billion IoT devices estimated to exist by 2026 will require manufacturers, technicians, developers and customer-service jobs. Privacy, not health, the pressing concern Online, suspicions about 5G seem to be spreading faster than COVID-19, leading to offline consequences. In May, two cell towers were set on fire in Montreal , bringing the total to four in Quebec . Similar vandalism is happening across the world , giving telecoms and cities pause about rolling out the technology. The 5G infrastructure is complex and requires a costly transition. Carriers are updating their equipment and installing tons of cell sites about the size of a pizza box in closer proximity to one another. Politicians and celebrities who should know better are peddling the unsupported claims that 5G is bad for human health and is somehow linked to COVID-19. Neither is true. As Atlantic staff writer Kaitlyn Tiffany summarized in her overview of the scientific evidence: "We have been placing antennae on our bodies and next to our heads almost 24 hours a day for two decades, and the world has not seen an epidemic of brain cancer." That these fears persist in the face of readily-available information suggests investment should go into improving communication with the wider public and engaging with critics. However, a legitimate concern has to do with privacy . With 5G, governments and companies could access far more information from citizens and consumers as their daily lives become inextricably tied to 5G devices. The fact that Huawei, a firm with ties to the Chinese communist regime, is the worlds leading provider of 5G equipment has also fuelled fears of industrial and political espionage. Canada, the United States, and the European Union, to name a few, have either barred or limited Huaweis role in 5G upgrading. Telecoms in other countries should follow the lead of Bell, Telus and Rogers. They have instead contracted Finnish equipment suppliers Ericsson and Nokia to deploy 5G in Canada. Forgetting the forest for the trees We cant let fear stop progress when the benefits so outweigh the risks. Road accidents kill thousands every year, yet we keep driving cars. They are much safer now thanks to research and development efforts that lead to life-saving technology. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Now, 5G is on the path to making automated vehicles a reality. Cars will be able to receive information from nearby vehicles, cameras, traffic lights and sensors to prevent road collisions. The potential is so great we can envision just a fraction of all the applications. Remote surgeries and therapies will likely drive down costs and connect patients with the best specialists. In the public sector, municipalities will be able to respond more efficiently with sensors providing real-time information about weather, energy, floods and traffic. Technology has been one of the most powerful forces in history. We often forget that a pocket device, in a handful of years, has brought people, money and ideas together like nothing before. Let us be vigilant, but let us not lose sight of the immense prosperity ahead of us. Paz Gomez is a research associate with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy Troy Media Not joining any party; I'm a doctor, would like to remain so: Kafeel Khan India pti-Madhuri Adnal Lucknow, Sep 7: Putting an end to speculation about him joining the Congress after being released from jail recently, Dr Kafeel Khan said that he is a doctor and would like to remain so. He was recently released from Mathura jail after the Allahabad High Court quashed his detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). The court had ordered his immediate release, asserting that his speech at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) didn't promote hatred or violence, rather gave a call for national integrity. Dr Khan, who is presently in Rajasthan, told PTI over phone that he will "not join any political party". Dr. Kafeel Khan released at midnight "I am a doctor and would like to remain the same," he said and expressed a desire to visit flood-hit areas of Bihar and help the victims. He said that when his release was delayed after the Allahabad High Court order on September 1, it was feared that the Uttar Pradesh government was preparing to implicate him again in a case. "Because of the apprehension that I could be implicated in any other case by the Uttar Pradesh government, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had helped me on humanitarian grounds," he said but made it clear that it should not be construed as he is going to join the Congress. Dr Khan said there has been no discussion regarding politics with Priyanka Gandhi, nor has he got any indication as such from the Congress leader. "As there is a Congress government in Rajasthan and the distance from Mathura to Bharatpur is of just 20 minutes, Priyanka Gandhi offered me to come to Bharatpur". He thanked the Congress general secretary saying it was due to her he got "security" in Rajasthan. Dr Kafeel said that he has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urging him to reinstate him to his post at Gorakhpur Medical College so that he can serve the people. Khan, who worked as a paediatrician at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, first hit headlines in 2017 after several children died at the hospital due to the lack of oxygen cylinders. Initially, he was hailed as a saviour for the children for arranging emergency oxygen cylinders. However, later, he faced action along with nine other doctors and staff members of the hospital, all of whom were released on bail. A state government probe had cleared Khan of all major charges, prompting him to seek an apology from the Yogi Adityanath government. The doctor had alleged that an institutional failure had led to the deaths of the children. Khan was again arrested in January this year on the charge of delivering a provocative speech at the AMU during the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests. After the Allahabad High Court ordered his release on September 1, he walked out of Mathura jail late in the night. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked ministries, agencies and stakeholders to complete legal frameworks and adopt new models and new technologies to ensure sufficient clean water. Free clean water was provided to people in Linh Dam Urban Area in Hanoi last October as water supplied to the area by Da River Clean Water Joint Stocks Company was found to be contaminated. VNA/VNS Photo Trong Dat In a directive issued on August 28, PM Phuc emphasised the importance of clean water and urged ministries, agencies, organisations and individuals to improve awareness and take actions to protect water resources and supply works. Besides legal framework improvement, he also called for research, new investment models and new technologies to manage, operate and monitor water production and supply. He assigned the Ministry of Construction to develop a bill on clean water management next year. The ministry was also asked to develop a project on State water management with the private sector offering more opportunities to invest in the water sector. The participation of private investors in water production and supply projects is expected to solve the monopolies of water supply in some areas. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was asked to supervise clean water supply in rural areas and the safety of dams and reservoirs. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was told to review the implementation of Decree 43/2015/N-CP on establishing and managing water resource protection corridors. The environment ministry was told to work with other ministries and agencies to tighten inspections to find and punish those that harm resources that are used to produce clean water. Water resource data will be collected and shared among ministries and agencies and information on water quality will also be shared to clean water production and supply companies. According to the International Water Resources Associations, Vietnam is now in the group of countries that face a shortage of water with low average domestic water amount per head only 3,840 cu.m per person per year while the global rate is 4,000 cu.m per person per year. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment estimates Vietnams average domestic water amount will half by 2025. Statistics from the environment ministry and health ministry show about 9,000 people in Vietnam die yearly because of poor hygiene and water resources and about 200,000 people have cancer relating to water pollution. According to a study by the World Health Organization, lack of clean water and an unhygienic environment caused 44 per cent of Vietnamese children to get worm infections and 27 per cent of children under five years old to suffer from malnutrition. About 21 per cent of the countrys population uses arsenic-contaminated water. Due to these figures, the WHO rated Vietnam as a country with alarming water resource security, especially in rural areas. Population pressure, poor public awareness on the importance of using clean water, insufficient policies for water resource security as well as ineffective co-operation among agencies in managing and monitoring the water quality are blamed for the situation. VNS Hanoi to subsidise clean water prices for residents The Hanoi Peoples Committee has agreed to allocate nearly VND200 billion (US$8.7 million) from the municipal budget to subsidise clean water prices for residents. Pipeline 7 September 2020 Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk will open its doors in October this year. Located in Dubai's Oud Metha, the five-star property was initially slated to open in late 2019. Once open, there will be 498 rooms and 97 serviced apartments. It will have the Sofitel SPA with L'OCCITANE, a comprehensive gymnasium, an outdoor pool, private cabanas and a kids club. Business travellers will have access to 10 meeting rooms in addition to a 1,115 square metre ballroom. Inside there will be a handful of culinary hotspots. Brassiere Boulud has been designed by famed chef Daniel Boulud, known for his double Michelin-starred restaurant in New York. There will also be Taiko - sister restaurant to the award-winning venue in Amsterdamby Chef Schilo Van Coevorden. The Nine will serve British gastropub classics while Bijou Patisserie will serve baked goods. The property features a striking exterior - an obelisk shape harking to the hotel's French and Egyptian inspiration. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk will be connected to Wafi Mall and sit next door to Raffles Dubai. The properties will share some facilities on a cluster level. A public inquiry that will examine alleged failures to prevent the Manchester Arena bombing will begin today. Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured almost 1,000 more on 22 May 2017, when he blew himself up as Ariana Grande fans left a concert at the stadium. Isis claimed responsibility for the blast, which was the deadliest of four lethal terror attacks that struck the UK that year. A review of MI5 intelligence later revealed that security services drew the wrong conclusions from two key pieces of information in the run-up to the bombing. Abedi had already been put under active investigation over terrorist links twice, but no alert was triggered when he travelled back to the UK from Libya just four days before the attack. Families of the victims and survivors were also critical of the emergency response to the blast, which was affected by safety procedures and communication difficulties. In total, 22 victims were killed, 264 people were injured and 710 survivors have reported suffering from psychological trauma. The inquiry is expected to hear evidence until next spring, including on the preparations for the attack and Abedis radicalisation. It will hear evidence on what was or what ought to have been known about the threat posed by Salman Abedi and the actions of the security services, although some information may be restricted to closed sessions following applications by the Home Office and police. The treatment of each deceased victim will also be examined, as well as the adequacy of the wider emergency response. The inquiry was delayed by the prosecution of the bombers brother, Hashem Abedi, who was jailed for life last month for his role in the plot. Inquests were originally due to be held into the 22 victims deaths, but Priti Patel made the decision to mount a public inquiry last October following recommendations by chair Sir John Saunders. Sir John will open proceedings with a minutes silence for the victims on Monday, before the main issues are summarised and commemorative hearings are held for families to pay tribute to loved ones. MI5 admit failing to track Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi Evidence is not expected to begin until 1 October, following opening statements by core participants including bereaved families and Greater Manchester Police. A spokesperson for the Manchester Arena Inquiry said: The inquiry will investigate the circumstances of how the 22 people killed in the Arena attack died. It will also examine evidence about the arena complex and security arrangements; the planning and preparation for the attack, the events of 22 to 23 May 2017, the emergency response, the detonation and its effect, the experience of each of the 22 deceased, the background and radicalisation of Abedi and the preventability of the attack. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, members of the public are not currently permitted to attend inquiry hearings at Manchester Magistrates Court but can watch a live video feed and read transcripts. By AFP HONG KONG: Hong Kong's plan to test every resident for the coronavirus is being hobbled by limited take-up as a wary public steer clear of the China-backed health scheme. The free voluntary tests are part of an attempt to stamp out a third wave of infections that began in late June and saw the densely populated city reimpose economically painful social distancing measures. But the involvement of mainland Chinese testing firms has deterred many in a politically divided city convulsing with resentment towards Beijing's rule. On Monday morning, civil service chief Patrick Nip said 1.15 million people had signed up since mass testing began last Tuesday out of a city population of some 7.5 million. ALSO READ | Hong Kong police arrest at least 90 people at protests over election delay That figure is well below the 4-5 million leading health experts said would be needed for a mass testing scheme to be effective at finding and stopping hidden transmission chains. Nip said the tests would be extended for a further seven days to encourage more people to sign up. "Please take the opportunity to help Hong Kong end the epidemic's third wave so that people's lives and economic activities can gradually return," he wrote on Facebook. The tepid enthusiasm is a blow for the city's pro-Beijing leadership, which suffers from low approval ratings. They had called on residents to embrace the scheme, billing it as a benevolent public health initiative made possible with Chinese help. But the involvement of teams and labs from the mainland has sent the rumour mills into overdrive and compounded fears of Beijing's surveillance state, which uses biometric data to monitor its citizens. A group of pro-democracy politicians and lawmakers, as well as a medical union critical of Beijing, called on the public to boycott the test. Some prominent Hong Kong health experts also questioned the efficacy of a mass testing programme, arguing that more targeted monitoring of at-risk and vulnerable communities would be a better use of resources. They raised concerns that the act of testing so many people might itself help spread the virus in a city where emergency rules currently forbid more than two people from gathering in public. On Sunday, police arrested nearly 300 people protesting against the government's decision to suspend local elections for a year because of the virus. Both Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have accused those opposed to the testing as being politically motivated and "anti-China". Lam said no DNA or other biometric data would be harvested from the samples, which would not be tested on the mainland. At the height of the third wave in late July, Hong Kong was recording about 150 new cases a day. Over the last two weeks, that number has hovered between 10-20 a day, even with the mass testing scheme underway. Since the pandemic began, Hong Kong has registered nearly 4,900 infections and 98 deaths from the coronavirus. Mumbai: Retail investors in mutual funds continued to book profits in equity-linked funds in August just as they did in July. Against the backdrop of job losses and salary cuts in the economy, there was a tendency to keep the gains being made in the stock markets. Equity mutual funds saw almost daily redemptions in August barring a few days of net buying as per monthly data now available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). As per data released by custodians to Sebi, August saw an aggregate redemption of Rs 8,358.68 crore from equity mutual funds, a bit lower than Rs the 9,195.04 crore reported in July 2020. There were net redemptions on all but four trading days during August. Only on August 31, when the equity market fell sharply due to the Sino-Indian border standoff. That day, equity mutual funds turned net buyers by a sizable amount of Rs 891.58 crore, clocking up the highest single-day investment in the month. The redemption trend remained similar to what was seen in July. The first day of September also saw redemption worth Rs 263.68 crore. The monthly data to be released by Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) later during the week, will throw much more light on equity mutual fund trends in August. At the same time, fixed income/debt mutual funds saw investments worth Rs 24,293.21 crore in August as against Rs 31,897.85 crore In July, indicating that investors are moving away from equity mutual funds but are not getting back to debt mutual funds. Debt mutual fund investments turned negative in April (Rs 9797.50 crore) after the Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund closed six funds abruptly on April 23, 2020. 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Just one-in-100 elephant births result in twins making the arrival of these calfs -- one male and one female -- a moment of nerves and celebration. Conservation group Save the Elephants said the twins were born to a mother named Bora and were first spotted by lucky tourists on a safari drive at the weekend in Samburu reserve. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro on the Independence Day, the PMs Office told Armenpress. I address my warmest congratulations and best wishes to you and the good people of Brazil on the occasion of the national day of Brazil the Independence Day. Armenia and Brazil have established close partnering relations based on mutual respect and trust. I am full of hope that with joint efforts we will manage to push forward the agenda of our bilateral cooperation, enriching it with new projects and initiatives. We highly value the key role of Brazil in regional and global matters. I am sure that your beautiful and attractive country will soon overcome the coronavirus challenge and will continue its course on the development path, reads the Armenian PMs letter. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan The chiefs, Elders and people of Osenase and the surrounding communities have called for the completion of the E-Block started by the previous Mahama government to enable the area to have access to a secondary school. The people argued that despite the fact that the area is the second most populated area in the West Akyem Municipality with rising population, yet it lacked a secondary school. This came to light at a social auditing organized by the West Akyem Municipal Secretariat of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Osenase in the Eastern Region. The community also called for expansion of the existing water facility to meet the growing demand of the population, expansion of their lorry station and the reconstruction of their public toilet facility. The people questioned why over 80 per cent of the development projects implemented by the Municipal Assembly from 2017 to 2020 were concentrated in the Asamankese area. The West Akyem Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Seth Oduro-Boadu, assured that the issues raised by the community would be addressed by the Municipal Assembly. He, however explained that the current policy of government is to encourage landlords to provide toilets in their houses. Ms Modesta Annie Sapaty, West Akyem Municipal Director of the NCCE, encouraged the chiefs and people of Osenase to demand accountability from duty bearers, since that is one of the surest ways of curbing corruption in public life. Ms Sapaty explained that social auditing also helped to promote community ownership of developmental projects and increased awareness of the people on operations of the local government in their area. She said the social auditing project was part of the Accountability, Rule of law and Anti-corruption Programme (ARAP), which sought to promote good governance in Ghana by reducing and improving accountability in compliance with the rule of law. Nana Agyenim Boateng, Kyiridomhene of Osenase who chaired the programme, expressed appreciation for the platform created for citizens to express their concerns in the presence of the duty bearers and urged the office holders to do well to address the concerns raised by the people. ---GNA Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:40:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia and the World Bank have signed two agreements totaling 21 million U.S. dollars to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and society and protect medical workers from the virus, Mongolian Finance Minister Chimed Khurelbaatar said Monday. The agreements were signed by Khurelbaatar and Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank country manager for Mongolia, here on Monday. Of the total amount of the financing, 20 million dollars are a soft loan to provide temporary relief to eligible workers and employers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and help provide the country's jobseekers and micro-entrepreneurs with improved access to labor market opportunities, Khurelbaatar said. The remaining non-refundable aid of 1 million dollars will be spent on protecting Mongolian health care workers who are working on the front line against the novel coronavirus, he added. The Asian country has confirmed 310 COVID-19 cases so far, with no local transmissions or deaths. Enditem Russian opposition figure is responding to verbal stimuli and his condition has improved, German hospital says. Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who Germany says was poisoned by a weapons-grade Novichok nerve agent, is now out of a medically induced coma and being weaned off mechanical ventilation. The 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner and one of President Vladimir Putins fiercest critics, fell ill on a domestic flight last month and was treated in a Siberian hospital before being evacuated to Berlin. He is responding to verbal stimuli, Charite hospital, where he is being treated in Berlin, said in a statement on Monday, adding that the 44-year olds condition has improved. However, the hospital said it was too early to determine the long-term effect of the poisoning. Germany said last week toxicology tests conducted by its armed forces found unequivocal evidence that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok the substance used in a 2018 attack on a former Russian double agent and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas then summoned Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev in protest and called for a full and transparent investigation. Navalnys associates say the use of Novichok, a Soviet-era military-grade nerve agent, shows only the Russian state could be responsible, but the Kremlin fiercely denies any involvement. Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd, Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday. Russian officials have accused Germany of being slow to share the findings of its investigation, despite a request from prosecutors. We expect information [from Germany] to be provided in the coming days, Peskov said. We are looking forward to it. Western leaders have expressed concern at what Navalnys allies say is the first known use of chemical weapons against a high-profile opposition leader on Russian soil. The United Kingdoms foreign office summoned the Russian ambassador on Monday, a spokesperson said in a statement. The foreign secretary has made it clear that it is absolutely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used, and that violence has again been directed against a leading Russian opposition figure, it said. There is a case here for Russia to answer. This took place on Russian soil, against a Russian citizen. They have international obligations to uphold. This is nothing short of an attack against the rules based international system which keeps our societies safe. Russia needs to conduct a full, transparent criminal investigation into Mr Navalnys poisoning. We will work with our partners to hold the perpetrators to account. Pipeline in crosshairs Germany has warned a failure by Moscow to thoroughly investigate the incident could have serious consequences. Maas said on Sunday Germany, which holds the rotating EU presidency, will discuss possible sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin does not soon provide an explanation for what happened to Navalny. Otherwise, Germany will be compelled to discuss a response with our allies including targeted sanctions, Maas said. He did not rule out action relating to Nord Stream 2, a 10 billion euro ($11bn) Russian-German gas pipeline nearing completion. German Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman said on Monday she was in agreement with Maas, who is a member of the junior coalition partner Social Democrats. She too would not rule out consequences for the pipeline beneath the Baltic Sea, which is set to double Russian natural gas shipments to Germany, Europes largest economy. The Navalny poisoning is the latest in a long series of assassination attempts against Kremlin critics. Navalnys aides have said they suspect he drank a cup of spiked tea at the airport. The charismatic Yale-educated lawyer was initially treated at a Russian hospital, where doctors said they were unable to find any toxic substances in his blood, before he was flown to Berlin for specialised treatment on August 22. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:38:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close COLOMBO, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The fire onboard the MT New Diamond oil tanker which was doused on Monday morning, has reignited again as the vessel remains 40 nautical miles away from Sri Lanka's eastern coast, the navy said. The vessel is carrying 270,000 metric tonnes of crude oil and was heading to the Paradip Port in India from Kuwait when a fire broke out in its engine room on Thursday, threatening to cause a massive oil spill in the Indian Ocean. The navy said in a statement that due to high winds triggered by prevailing adverse weather conditions in the sea area where the distressed vessel had been positioned, the fire which had already been doused, had re-ignited from the effects of extreme temperature and sparks onboard. Presently, several tug boats, ships from the Sri Lanka Navy and Indian Navy and Coast Guard were involved in fire fighting operations. Navy Spokesman Captain Indika de Silva told local media that the fire had not reached the crude oil tanks and extensive fire fighting operations were ongoing in unfavorable weather conditions. The Sri Lanka Navy said it will continue to provide assistance to the distressed ship until it leaves Sri Lanka's Maritime Search and Rescue Region. Enditem NY Times Praises Ilhan Omars Book While Glossing Over Her Antisemitism | Main August 24, 2020 Readers Digest Misleads About Americas Founding Fathers While ignoring Americas Judeo-Christian heritage, RD magazine provided this misleading item in the Facts Left Out of History column in the September 2020 issue: The Founding Fathers embraced Islam George Washington invited Muslims to work at his home. John Adams praised Muhammad as one of historys greatest inquirers after truth, alongside Socrates and Confucius. Thomas Jefferson taught himself Arabic using a Koran and even hosted an iftar dinner at the White House during Ramadan. Why was there such openness to Islam in the early United States? One reason: Moroccos Sultan Muhammad III was the first head of state to formally recognize the 13 colonies independence from Great Britain, in December 1777. Following the Revolutionary War, Jefferson, Adams, and the sultan signed the U.S.Morocco Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786. After more than 230 years of conflicts and crises, it remains the longest unbroken treaty in U.S. history. However, this potpourri of unsupported claims and twisted information is misleading. The reality is that the Founding Fathers were interested in Islam because they wanted to understand why the Barbary Pirates were attacking U.S. ships and taking Americans as hostages and slaves. After they learned a bit about Islam they sent the U.S. Marines to explain to the Muslims why they needed to stop. And once again contrary to the Reader's Digest, the United States fought against the Sultanate of Morocco in the first Barbary War, 1801-1805. Legend has it that Marines are called "Leathernecks" because they wore heavy leather collars to protect their necks from attackers, especially Muslim attackers, who following the Koran liked to use swords to strike the necks of their opponents. Bruce Kelley, Editor-in-Chief of Reader's Digest magazine, has failed to respond to a letter asking for a clarification. RD will be monitored for repeats of such irresponsible journalism. Posted by MK at August 24, 2020 11:27 AM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment A judge has refused to strike out a case against a Norwegian businessman accused of taking a bin lorry on a drink-fuelled rampage in Dublin city centre. Rune Skinnarland (56) was on a business trip when he allegedly took the truck, drove it into the door of a shop and apartment building and later woke up naked on a street with no memory of the events. His defence asked for the case to be struck out, saying video footage and statements had not been provided by gardai despite a court order. Judge Bryan Smyth gave the prosecution a month to comply with the order but said he would strike out the charges if the material is not furnished without a "very good reason". Damage Mr Skinnarland is charged with unauthorised use of a truck belonging to a waste company on September 4 last year, drink driving in it and causing criminal damage to it. He is charged with three other counts of criminal damage; to a pedestrian gate at an apartment block, the door of a Dealz shop, and a steel bollard. The accused has not yet entered a plea and when the case came back before Dublin District Court, defence barrister John Griffin said he had not received full disclosure, ordered last November. Mr Griffin said CCTV had been mentioned in Garda documents but the defence had not yet received it. A garda sergeant said there was no direct video of the incident but mobile phone footage was taken by a witness, who heard a bang and recorded someone running from a scene. A still was taken from this footage. CCTV from Jury's Inn hotel on Parnell Street purported to show the accused leaving by a back door, the court heard. Gardai had not believed that either the phone still or the CCTV was of evidential value. Identity Mr Griffin said while it was not of evidential value to the prosecution, it might be to the defence and there "may very well be identity issues". He said it was difficult to take instructions from his client in Norway when disclosure was coming in "piecemeal fashion". The sergeant said the prosecuting garda had been having difficulty contacting one of the witnesses regarding the truck. The other statement was about the phone recording and again, the garda did not think this was of evidential value. The court heard the value of damage caused was "considerable"; estimated at over 4,000. Previously, the court heard the accused would say he was out consuming alcohol on the night, went back to his hotel and "next thing he wakes up naked on the street". Mr Skinnarland thought "his drink may have been spiked" and was "shocked at what's alleged", Mr Griffin said. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. San Francisco, 7 Sep 2020: The Report Molecular Biology Enzymes And Kits & Reagents Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Kits and Reagents, Enzymes), By Application (PCR, Sequencing, Cloning, Epigenetics), By End User, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025 The global molecular biology enzymes and kits & reagents market size is expected to reach USD 26.7 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Expanding the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in emerging nations is expected to offer significant growth opportunities to the molecular biology enzymes, kits, and reagents market. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of personalized medicine is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market. Technological advancements aimed at the development of advanced products and increasing R&D investments by leading manufacturers are some of the key factors contributing to increasing demand for these enzymes, kits, and reagents. In addition, increasing the adoption of molecular diagnostics is expected to serve this industry as a potential growth driver. Molecular biology enzymes, kits, and reagents are majorly used in genomics-related application areas. Increased funding for research in the field of genomics and sequencing are expected to augment growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, these products are used in the drug discovery and development stages in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies contribute to the largest share of the end users of molecular biology enzymes, kits, and reagents. This dominant share can be attributed to increasing investments in R&D, expanding biopharmaceutical & biotechnology industry in the Asia Pacific region, and government initiatives in various countries to develop the biotechnology & pharmaceutical industry. Access Research Report of Molecular Biology Enzymes And Kits & Reagents Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/molecular-biology-enzymes-kits-reagents-market Further Key Findings From the Study Suggest: Kits and reagents held the dominant share of the market, by product, as of 2016 owing to their low costs and incessant product launches Rising number of research activities in molecular biology application areas amongst the end users is one of the key contributing factors responsible for the dominance of this product The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) segment is expected to witness lucrative growth in the near future owing to the benefits associated with its use in molecular diagnostics PCR is used in the detection and identification of genetic disorders. Rising geriatric population across the globe is also expected to drive this market owing to the use of PCR in detecting and diagnosing geriatric disorders. Rising demand for personalized medicine fosters the demand for sequencing, which further increases the demand for these enzymes, kits, and reagents Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment held a dominant share in 2016. Rising investments in R&D, expanding pharmaceutical & biotechnology industry, and increasing venture capital investments are some of the major factors contributing to the growth of this segment Browse more reports of this category by Grand View Research at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry/biotechnology Grand View Research has segmented the molecular biology enzymes and kits & reagents market on the basis of the product, application, end user, and region: Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Kits and Reagents Enzymes Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) PCR Sequencing Cloning Epigenetics Restriction Digestion Synthetic Biology Other Applications Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies Academic and Research Institutes Hospitals and Diagnostic Centers Other End Users Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America MEA Access Press Release of Molecular Biology Enzymes And Kits & Reagents Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-molecular-biology-enzymes-kits-reagents-market About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. For More Information:www.grandviewresearch.com Manu Atelier is launching on WeChat with KOLs like Savis Look and Mia Kong starring in a new campaign. The cult favorite accessories label loved by Bella and Gigi Hadid and even Kate Middleton is debuting its store on the Chinese platform this week. This coincides with the activation of the Istanbul based labels pre fall 20 campaign, Sculpting Manu, on social platforms worldwide, WeChat included. We already have a very strong following in China and a loyal customer base, said Beste Manastir, co-founder of Manu Atelier with sister Merve. Prior to the pandemic, many Chinese clients would visit their Istanbul showroom to make purchases a common additional sales channel operated by contemporary brands in the city. Now their new official presence within China itself will allow them to tell their brand story directly to customers in an authentic way, she said. Western sites are often hard to access in China so consumers tend to prefer using WeChat as it offers them a better e-commerce experience. It also gives them confidence that they are purchasing the real thing. Manastir noted that a validated account on an official channel will help the brand control the issue with replica products prevalent in the region. The Manu Atelier global pre fall 20 campaign features a mix of international creatives including Key Opinion Leasers (KOLs) such as Dazed China style director Mia Kong, Hong Kong Vogue fashion editor Cherry Muii, fashion designer Licheng Ling, stylist Justin Lee, DJ Louise Chan and Beijing based influencer Savis Look who is popular with brands including Chanel and Stella McCartney. Although a global phenomenon, Influencers or KOLs hold particular resonance within the Chinese market. They can often be more effective in driving sales than those in other parts of the world as rates of conversion can be greater, Manastir observed. On the one hand, its down to reach but thats not the whole story. Story continues China is very region specific when it comes to consumers. Working with an influencer popular in a particular city, she explained, makes it much easier for a brand to target a very specific demographic. Trust is another possible factor in play with people relying on trusted sources to check the legitimacy of a certain shop or site. That trust makes a difference because of the issues with copies, she added. The Sculpting Manu campaign was conceived with the help of Declan Chan, style director for Hong Kong monthly Mens Uno. Each contributor was asked to create a tableau, or sculpture, of their personal picks from Manu Ateliers pre fall 20 collection together with personal items from their own homes. Mia Kong, for instance, styled the brands ruched cylinder bag and lace sandals with ingredients from her favorite cocktail and a bottle of Guerlains Aqua Allegoria scent in Coconut Fizz. We wanted to do something different so we asked them to to create a different form of expression of their personal style rather than just an outfit, Manastir said. manuatelier.com More from Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tens of thousands marched in Montenegro's capital, Podgorica, to protest the use of Serbian national symbols by opposition parties that claimed victory in parliamentary elections. During the September 6 rally, protesters chanted, "This is not Serbia" and, "We will not give Montenegro away." CNN Philippines (Metro Manila, September 7) Long-term pass holders who are citizens of the Philippines, India, and Indonesia are barred from entering Malaysia due to coronavirus-related concerns effective Monday, September 7, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday. The DFA said the travel restrictions stemmed from the Malaysian governments "serious concerns over the recent increase in the number of confirmed, imported COVID-19 cases detected at the international points of entry of Malaysia among travelers proceeding" from the Philippines, India and Indonesia. The restrictions affect students, expatriates, professional visit pass holders, permanent resident pass holders, Malaysia My Second Home pass holders, and spouse visa holders, including their children. Meanwhile, diplomats and their dependents are allowed to go to Malaysia as long as they obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Department of Malaysia before their trip, the agency pointed out. The Philippines has the most number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, with 237,365. It is followed by Indonesia with 194,109 infections. Indias coronavirus infections have exceeded 4 million, according to the Johns Hopkins Universitys COVID-19 tracker. To date, Malaysia has 9,397 COVID-19 cases, data from the same tracker showed. German officials are increasing pressure on the Kremlin to cooperate in the investigation into the suspected poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, with one lawmaker noting this weekend that Berlin could rethink its joint massive gas pipeline project with Moscow. On Sunday, Germany's foreign minister warned Russia that if it does not contribute to an investigation then it could "force" it to rethink Nord Stream 2, its joint gas pipeline project with Russia. "I hope the Russians won't force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2" pipeline, Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "If there won't be any contributions from the Russian side regarding the investigation in the coming days, we will have to consult with our partners," Maas added. Maas acknowledged the possibility of sanctions on Russia for the poisoning, but told the newspaper Sunday that such measures should be "pinpointed effectively." He also conceded that stopping the building of Nord Stream 2, which is almost completed anyway, would hurt not only Russia but German and European firms. Germany appeared to distance itself further from the possibility of sanctions Monday, with a government spokesman stating that it is "too early" to make a decision on Russia sanctions, Reuters reported. The spokesman added that the Nord Stream 2 project is "not a German project" and that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was "in line" with her foreign minister and his comments on the pipeline. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline goes under the Baltic Sea and will send gas to Germany and the rest of Europe, bypassing Ukraine. It has already come under pressure from the U.S., which sees it as a threat to Europe's energy security, and a competitor to its own liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Europe. The U.S. passed sanctions against the pipeline in late 2019, saying it would target pipe-laying vessels involved in the project, prompting Russia to acquire its own vessels to try to circumvent the measures. Boris Johnson is 'resisting' calls to publish a report into allegations of bullying by Priti Patel, it was claimed today. The report was commissioned back in March and Downing Street has faced repeated questions for months over when the findings will be released. Officials are now said to be pushing for Simon Case, who replaces Sir Mark Sedwill as Cabinet Secretary as of this morning, to publish the report. But the Prime Minister is said to be reluctant to make the findings public amid claims the report did find evidence of bullying 'but the judgement is that it is not enough to sack' Ms Patel. The Home Secretary and her allies have always vehemently denied all of the allegations made against her. Boris Johnson is said to be resisting calls to publish a report into allegations of bullying by Priti Patel. The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary are pictured together during a visit to a police headquarters in North Yorkshire in July The Financial Times today reported that the report recommends Ms Patel should apologise. One Whitehall source told the FT: 'The report has evidence of bullying, but the judgment is that it is not enough to sack. 'That would be a tough one to publish and an apology is being resisted by her [Ms Patel].' Another source said the report 'calls on Priti to apologise' but the Home Secretary and Downing Street 'are resisting, hence why it hasnt been released'. It was claimed in July the report had been completed 'weeks ago' but Downing Street was delaying publication because of fears the findings would be politically embarrassing. The investigation was launched back in March after the Home Office's most senior civil servant, Sir Philip Rutnam, resigned. Sir Philip claimed he had been the 'target of a vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign' and suggested Ms Patel was involved. The Home Secretary had also faced allegations of bullying civil servants relating to her time at other Whitehall departments. Ms Patel and her allies have always rejected all of the allegations made against her. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a virtual-reality video that trains people to give overdose victims naloxone, the lifesaving opioid-reversal medicine. And a study the researchers conducted shows the virtual training works as effectively as an in-person session. Especially during the pandemic, its hard to hold in-person training sessions. Plus, drug use remains highly stigmatized. So the studys authors hope the virtual training can be a more accessible way for people to learn how to reverse overdoses they might observe on a city sidewalk, on the bus, or anywhere else, for a friend or a stranger. The VR training doesnt require a high-end VR headset such as the Oculus just a smartphone and a cardboard headset equipped with special lenses that can be purchased online for less than $10. (The training can also simply be watched, without a headset, on YouTube.) In the video, a woman slumps to the ground in a cafeteria on Penns campus, and onlookers rush to help her. One woman in the cafeteria has naloxone in her purse, and explains the steps of trying to revive someone from an overdose from CPR-like rescue breaths to ultimately administering a dose of naloxone before paramedics arrive to treat the woman (and offer more information to viewers). The video was developed by researchers at several departments at the university, including the School of Nursing and the Annenberg School for Communication, and is geared toward laypeople, not health-care professionals. It was tested at nine libraries around Philadelphia during naloxone giveaway days in 2019 and early 2020. According to the study, published this month in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 94 people participated in either a virtual training or an in-person training; those who took the virtual training improved their knowledge on reversing overdoses as much as those who took the in-person training. [The VR] training stands alongside getting the in-person training what we really needed to know was that this wouldnt be performing worse, said Natalie Herbert, the lead author on the study, who earned a Ph.D. at Penns Annenberg School this year and is now a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University. Herbert and her coauthors had been inspired by the virtual-reality training sessions that Penn uses with its nursing students. Because opioid overdoses often happen outside of clinical settings, on the street or in a private home, the researchers brainstormed ways to use VR to educate the wider public. Theres definitely that mentality of virtual reality not being a common asset for people, but in reality, even with the most basic equipment, this can be really impactful, said Nick Giordano, a former lecturer at the Penn School of Nursing and an assistant professor at Emory University. The researchers have received a grant from Independence Blue Cross to disseminate the training, which is free and available online. Theyre hoping to continue to partner with city libraries to train more people to use naloxone. Further down the road, Giordano said, were hoping that people can request [VR] headsets from us, and well be able to disseminate this through the mail. He said he had been struck by the trainings potential and recalled a woman at a naloxone giveaway event near Penns campus last winter who asked whether she could take the VR training. She said, I just lost my daughter to an overdose, and I really, really wish I knew what I could have done better, Giordano said. She just lost someone, and the only thing she could think about was Did I do enough? It said so much to us about where we could go with this work. Naloxone is available at any pharmacy and does not require a prescription; most insurance covers it with a co-pay of $20 to $40. Doses of naloxone are also available for people who use drugs and those directly connected to them, through a mailing program run by the addiction outreach and activism group SOL Collective and Next Naloxone. Visit naloxoneforall.org/philly, watch a short training video, and enter your address to receive a dose. When it finally emerges from stage four restrictions, Melbourne will have experienced one of the worlds longest and strictest lockdowns. Melburnians have already endured about four months in total under some form of stay-at-home restrictions: eight weeks from late March to early June, when the rest of Australia was also locked down, then another eight weeks on our own since July 8. Should Victorias lockdown continue to September 28 as forecast, Melburnians will have done about five months under lockdown. But while ours has been tough, it has nothing on some other lockdowns, either for length or severity. CASPER, Wyo. An unseasonably strong storm system for September is expected to impact much of the U.S. Rocky Mountains this week. Snow was falling at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park in Montana on Monday, and was expected move into Wyoming later in the day. Areas of Utah and Colorado were due to see snow by Tuesday morning. Wind gusts up to 75 miles per hour were forecast in some areas of eastern Utah. The Oil City News reports in Natrona County, Wyoming a winter storm warning will be in effect staring at 6 p.m. Monday until noon Tuesday, with heavy snow forecast. Natrona could see snow accumulations of 5-8 inches (12 to 20 centimeters), according to the NWS in Riverton. Wind gusts up to 45 mph (72 kph) are also in the forecast. Travel may become difficult due to slick and slushy roads, and low visibility in falling snow, the winter storm warning states. Damage may occur to trees and power lines, possibly leading to power outages. Snow is expected to mix with rain by 7 p.m. with a change over to snow by 9 p.m., the NWS in Riverton says. Wind chills are expected to be as low as the teens. In Colorado, forecasters expect a powerful cold front to move in Monday into Tuesday. ABC News reports its not out of the question to see 6 inches of snow in the highest elevations, however places like Denver and Boulder, Colorado, wont see more than a trace of slushy snow before it gets washed away by rain. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 7 By Fidan Babayeva Trend: Japan plans to invest $40 million in the Azerbaijani tobacco industry, Trend reports on Sept. 7 referring to the Azerbaijani National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations. According to the source, a meeting between the representatives of the National Confederation and Vice-President of Japan's Tet International Development company, Munechika Tanio, was held at the National Confederation. Tanio said that the company brings together over 1,000 investors. "The Japanese launched their activity in Azerbaijan last year and the initial investments were made in the tobacco industry, vice-president added. The Japanese intend to invest $40 million only in the tobacco industry." At the same time, Tanio stressed that 100 Japanese investors are expected to visit Azerbaijan during the next month. During these visits, investors will travel to some districts of the country and receive the detailed information on the most profitable sectors for making investments, the vice-president said. A Japanese investor invested $2.2 million in a project in the Azerbaijani Oguz district. Currently, 150 people work in Oguz Agro Industry Ltd. permanently and more than 300 workers temporarily. --- Follow the author on Twitter: Fidan_Babaeva Siddhanta Mishra By Express News Service NEW DELHI: While many have been demanding the reopening of Metro services in the city some are sceptical about using the public transport facility from Monday. Daily Metro users say they might wait at least a week or 10 days before considering the metro as a viable option for transportation. For Vandana Dabas, a South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) official, the Delhi Metro was a lifeline before the pandemic. But Dabas expressed her reservations about availing metro services immediately. Currently I avail a cab to travel to my workplace. It is good that the government has taken the step to re-open the Metro but I will not opt for it just yet. Given that the number of cases in the national capital is on the rise yet again, I will wait and watch how the situation plays out in the days to come, said Dabas who resides in the outskirts of Delhis Kanjhawala area. Under Unlock 4 the Central government gave the green light to resuming metro services across the country. The city government welcomed the decision as the Delhi Metro is an important mode of transport for the citizens of the national capital who faced several issues due to its closure in March. It is a good idea to restart Metro services and Im hoping that robust and feasible arrangements have been made to ensure everyones safety. "Having said that, I look forward to travelling by Metro once again, but would wait for a few days to check for last-mile travel services and the response of the public to the resumption of metro services, said Prakhar Srivastava, a law student residing in Mayur Vihar. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) claims that it has made multiple arrangements to ensure that travelling by metro is safe for its passengers. Some residents also feel that the Metro services should not be opened to all citizens and that its entry should be restricted. Re-opening the metro is the right decision by the government, but DMRC should keep a strict vigil on passengers to ensure that no one is flouting the guidelines issued to prevent the spread of the virus. Offenders should be fined a hefty fee. I also feel that the metro should only be opened for people providing essential services and for those in emergency cases, said Nekhita Talwar, a government employee. One Tree Hill actor James Lafferty has proposed to The Royals actress Alexandra Park, and in his words, the answer was, 'yeah.' James, 35, casually revealed the news on his Instagram on Monday, simply saying 'She said yeah' alongside a cozy picture of the pair embracing, as well as some hands-up emojis. Australian actress Alexandra, 31, has yet to share the news on her Instagram account, however she did post a snap in Palm Springs, California which is where they are currently on a romantic getaway. Engaged! One Tree Hill actor James Lafferty has proposed to The Royals actress Alexandra Park, and in his words, the answer was, 'yeah.' The happy couple have been an item since 2018, however, the duo have remained private about their relationship. Alexandra portrayed princess Eleanor 'Len' Henstridge on all four seasons of the E! soap opera The Royals, which was created by One Tree Hill showrunner Mark Schwahn. It appears that is where the pair first got friendly, as James directed an episode of the second season in 2015, and then returned to direct a few more episodes during season three. Keeping it casual: The happy couple have been an item since 2018, however, the duo have remained private about their relationship. Alexandra first found fame playing Claudia Hammond in the Australian soap Home & Away before finding success in the States. Meanwhile James best known for his portrayal of Nathan Scott on The CW teen drama television series One Tree Hill from 2003 to 2012. The engaged couple currently reside in Los Angeles together. Armed group says its fighters behind Sundays attack in the resort town of Sousse that killed a security officer. The ISIL (ISIS) armed group claimed responsibility on Monday for a knife attack in Tunisia that killed one National Guard officer and wounded another as security forces rounded up more suspects. The attack on Sunday in a tourist district of the coastal city of Sousse saw a group of assailants ram a patrol of the National Guard with a vehicle before stabbing the officers. They were chased by security forces before three attackers were shot dead in an ensuing gun battle, the Guard said, describing it as a terrorist act. The armed group said its fighters carried out the attack in a brief statement by its propaganda arm Amaq on the Telegram messenger service. Photos show that one of the attackers was wearing a T-shirt with a specific inscription to Daesh [ISIL], said Mokhtar Ben Nasr, former head of the National Counter-Terrorism Commission, stressing it was difficult to establish precise links between the group and its supporters. Tunisia, since its 2011 revolution, has been hit by a string of attacks that have killed dozens of security personnel, civilians, and foreign tourists. Sundays incident took place close to the site of the deadliest attack when 38 people most of them British tourists were killed in a 2015 beachside shooting rampage. Family arrested Tunisian authorities on Monday said they had arrested seven people over the attack. The wounded officer was in a stable condition, the interior ministry spokesman said. National Guard officer Sami Mrabet, a 38-year-old father of two, was buried on Monday in his hometown of Moknine south of Sousse, in the presence of more than 1,000 people, including several government officials. Since Sunday, 43 people have been questioned and seven arrested, Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebabli told private station Radio Shems. They included the wife of one of the assailants, who described her husband as a martyr during the interrogation, he said. Two brothers of one of the attackers and a person suspected of recruiting them were also arrested, he added. 181107131554903 He said the attackers were twin brothers and a third man from the marginalised northwestern region of Siliana. He did not confirm or deny reports of a fourth assailant. Jebabli said the twins had visited Facebook pages dealing with explosive and armed attacks, but had stayed under the radar of the authorities. Tunisias President Kais Saied on a visit on Sunday to the scene of the knife attack said police were investigating whether it was planned by individuals or an organisation. Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi promised to eradicate terrorists as soon as possible. Mechichi, in a statement from his office, urged Tunisians not to be afraid of assailants, whom he described as microbes. Sundays attack was the first since March when a suicide operation against security forces protecting the US embassy in Tunis killed a Tunisian police officer and left several others wounded. WHA IZ 1 Nghe An is creating more jobs for local people The wave of foreign groups shifting investment has created the opportunity of a lifetime, as Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said at a recent online conference on planning and investment. However, if Vietnam does not prepare accordingly, the chance might just slip through its fingers. The minister said that the prospects are quite clear; however if industrial infrastructure does not meet the increasingly high standards of foreign investors, they will bypass the country for others who are also striving to draw them in, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Vietnam will be looking to the foreign direct investment (FDI) mainstays of Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea to consolidate their presence in the country this year. In a quick survey of nearly 2,000 Japanese companies in Vietnam by the Japan External Trade Organization, 1 per cent of respondents had already moved their activities to Vietnam from China, while 5 per cent are still considering. Meanwhile, 4 per cent are mulling over an investment shift to Vietnam from other countries. Meanwhile, electronics, medical devices, aeronautics, and high-tech park infrastructure are just some of the areas South Korean expertise could be looking to penetrate, both this year and beyond. The increasing investment inflows have made the industrial real estate market lively, with profuse supply. The development of industrial real estate in large cities and provinces like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bac Ninh is essentially a given in these circumstances. In addition, satellite provinces, including the central province of Nghe An, are also emerging as a target to develop industrial zones thanks to their convenient geographical location, diverse labour force, and synchronised infrastructure. WHA Industrial Development Plc. is one of these investors. Located in Dong Nam Economic Zone, a key economic centre of Nghe An, WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An is a major driver of the provinces ambition to create a breakthrough for industrial real estate to attract strategic foreign investors. David Nardone, group executive of Industrial and International at WHA Industrial Development Plc. said, After two years of construction, our industrial zone has finished 143.5 of the 498-hectare first phase. The land plots come in all shapes and sizes (from 5,000-100,000 square metres), fitting the requirements of any investor. Offering the facilities and standards of a high-tech industrial zone, including international-standard infrastructure for industrial investors, we are ready to welcome investors from the wave of investment shifting from China, as well as enterprises looking to invest in Vietnam to take advantage of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, Nardone said. At the same time, WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An will create jobs for local residents as WHA has signed agreements with universities and colleges in Nghe Ans Vinh city to recruit personnel. In addition, WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An provides developed land of various sizes and ready-built factories for rent in Dong Nam Economic Zone, which offers special tax privileges to welcome investors in target industries. Parallel with accelerating the construction, the managing board of WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An implemented numerous investment promotion programmes, including online events to attract investors. In July, the group joined a conference on cooperation and development between Nghe An and South Korea, which was part of a wider Meet Korea 2020 event organised in Hanoi. After the event, numerous investors contacted us to organise site visits to our industrial zone to do field work for their new investment. Many businesses were interested in selecting WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An as the place for their expansion in Vietnam, Nardone added. The COVID-19 pandemic has also created a barrier for foreign investors arriving to Vietnam to uncover investment opportunities, thus, the group has doubled down on online investment promotion. WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An had already built its own hub, which is an online tool with an e-library, e-business matching, and e-planning systems. Furthermore, it is also completing an e-service tool to help existing business partners register to use our supporting services and evaluate the service quality at workshops, Nardone said. Although this method will not fully replace traditional venues in industrial real estate, WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An will maintain and upgrade this model as it is an inevitable trend in the digital transformation era. Trump halts critical race theory training at federal agencies; Christians respond Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Critical race theory was trending on Twitter after President Donald Trump tweeted his plan to halt funding for federal agencies that promote it. Trump Orders Purge of Critical Race Theory from Federal Agencies https://t.co/ygXcTXRHsQ via @BreitbartNews This is a sickness that cannot be allowed to continue. Please report any sightings so we can quickly extinguish! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2020 The theory is a controversial ideological framework that some legal scholars argue interrogates the relationship between race, law, and power. Trump directed federal agencies to stop teaching government workers about it and other concepts like white privilege because they are divisive, anti-American propaganda, as described by a White House memorandum. Alberta Civil Liberties Research Center defines white privilege, a component of CRT, as the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed upon people solely because they are white. The memorandum was sent to heads of executive departments and agencies on Friday by Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Vought explained that millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on teaching the controversial theory. Vought further noted that the training teaches employees that virtually all white people contribute to racism or are required to say that they benefit from racism. According to press reports, in some cases these training have further claimed that there is racism embedded in the belief that America is the land of opportunity or the belief that the most qualified person should receive a job, Voughts memorandum read. We can be proud that as an employer, the Federal government has employees of all races, ethnicities, and religions. We can be proud that Americans from all over the country seek to join our workforce and dedicate themselves to public service. We can be proud of our continued efforts to welcome all individuals who seek to serve their fellow Americans as Federal employees. However, we cannot accept our employees receiving training that seeks to undercut our core values as Americans and drive division within our workforce, Vought said. The President has directed me to ensure that Federal agencies cease and desist from using taxpayer dollars to fund these divisive, un-American propaganda training sessions. Vought further explained that his office will soon issue more detailed guidance on how to implement the presidents directive. In the interim, all agencies have been directed to identify spending covering critical race theory, white privilege, or any other training or propaganda effort that teaches or suggests either (1) that the United States is an inherently racist or evil country or (2) that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist or evil. All federal agencies have also been directed to identify all available avenues within the law to cancel any such contracts and/or to divert Federal dollars away from these un-American propaganda training sessions. Filmmaker, writer, and policy researcher Christopher F. Rufo noted in a post on his website Saturday that it was his research, conducted over the last several months, that inspired President Trumps decision to abolish critical race theory training at the federal agencies. Among the training sessions cited by Rufo is one conducted last year at Sandia National Laboratories where, according to Rufo, whistleblowers reported that a three-day reeducation camp was conducted for white males which taught them "how to deconstruct their white male culture" and forced them to "write letters of apology to women and people of color. Concepts like CRT and white privilege have been points of contention in evangelical circles in recent years. The tension has garnered even more mainstream attention since the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Last June, Pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta was forced to apologize after he was accused of trying to make racism more palatable when he suggested to rapper Lecrae Moore, popularly known as Lecrae, that the term white privilege be renamed white blessing because it triggers some white people. We understand the curse that was slavery, white people do. And we say that was bad but we miss the blessing of slavery that it actually built up the framework for the world that white people live in and so a lot of people call this white privilege and when you say those two words it just is like a fuse goes off for a lot of white people because they dont want somebody telling them to check their privilege, Giglio told Lecrae in a discussion with Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy on how Christians should respond to racism. The incident highlighted some of the challenges that even Christians have in finding the right language to address issues of race and inequality. Many conservatives such as Ken Ham, president of the Kentucky-based Answers in Genesis, praised Trumps ban on critical race theory in federal agencies as a good decision. Good decision. Ultimately, the only way to deal with race issues is to proclaim to the truth of God's Word & the gospel beginning in Genesis. Until people believe God's Word revealing the true history of the human race, what our problem is (sin), and what the solution is in Jesus Christ, race issues will never be dealt with as they need to be, Ham said in a series of tweets Sunday. Good decision. Ultimately, the only way to deal with race issues is to proclaim to the truth of God's Word & the gospel beginning in Genesis. Until people believe God's Word revealing the true history of the human race, what our problem is (sin), and... https://t.co/eGQhf8hg0j Ken Ham (@aigkenham) September 6, 2020 Fact is all humans belong to one race (Adam's race), we are all one family, and all are sinners in need of salvation. We need to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12: 30-31) & we need to be reminded of how Jesus taught us as Christians to pray And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors Matthew 6:12, he said. Pastor David W. Swanson of New Community Covenant Church in Logan Square, Chicago, who is also the author of Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity, disagreed with the response to critical race theory. White people are expert in using stuff we dont really understand as an excuse to oppose racial justice. Critical race theory is just the latest in a looooong list of excuses, he tweeted. White people are expert in using stuff we dont really understand as an excuse to oppose racial justice. Critical race theory is just the latest in a looooong list of excuses. David W. Swanson (@davidswanson) September 6, 2020 When asked by commenters if critics of the theory could push back against parts of it while learning more about racial injustice, he said: Oh for sure! I hope that's exactly what we'd see, rather than reaching for the latest bogeyman which seems to be our instinct. Jemar Tisby, president of The Witness, argued that critical race theory has been used unfairly by some fundamentalist Christians to demonize racial justice advocates in recent years. We watched almost in slow motion over the last few years as some fundamentalist Christians turned Critical Race Theory into the latest label to libel racial justice advocates. Now were seeing it become a kind of Red Scare in the federal government, he tweeted on Saturday. We watched almost in slow motion over the last few years as some fundamentalist Christians turned Critical Race Theory into the latest label to libel racial justice advocates. Now were seeing it become a kind of Red Scare in the federal government. Jemar Tisby (@JemarTisby) September 5, 2020 The effectiveness of diversity training is mixed at best. So revising those programs may be necessary. But eliminating them altogether without proposing revisions or alternatives means it's not about making positive change but maintaining the status quo, he argued. Actress Rhea Chakraborty has filed police complaint against Priyanka Singh, sister of her late boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput, for allegedly getting a bogus prescription for the actor to help him with his anxiety issue. In her six- page long complaint, the actress shared that Sushant passed away five days after he obtained a prescription wherein "he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances at the behest of his sister Priyanka". In the complaint, Rhea starts off by stating that she knew Sushant for many years, going on to share that they got close after attending a party in April 2019. "We officially moved in together in December 2019 at our residence in Mount Blanc, Bandra, Mumbai, and I resided there to the 8th of June 2020," the complaint read. "Rhea Chakraborty has filed a police complaint before the Mumbai Police against Priyanka Singh, Dr Tarun Kumar of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and others for offences of forgery, NDPS Act and Tele Medicine Practice Guidelines 2020, for having sent a bogus medical prescription depicting SSR as an Out Patient Department person," revealed her lawyer on Monday. The complaint has been filed on the basis of WhatsApp exchanges between the actor and his sister, as the complaint said Sushant was shown as an Out Patient Department patient at the RML hospital when he was actually in Mumbai on June 8. As per the chats, three medicines were prescribed for Sushant. "I say that it is also surprising that Dr Tarun Kumar being a cardiologist sought first to prescribe a person he didn't not know and had never met with psychotropic substances. I say that the deceased died merely 5 days after he obtained the said prescription wherein he was unlawfully prescribed psychotropic substances at the behest of his sister Priyanka and the said Dr Kumar," the document read. "Given the death of the deceased and the investigation surrounding the circumstances of his death, it is imperative that the action of Priyanka Singh and said Dr Kumar and other known and unknown persons who conspired to prescribe the deceased, such controlled substance ought to be investigated well," the complaint added. Rhea stated that it is imperative that the actions of Priyanka and others be investigated and that "it be determined as to how they came to provide to the deceased with such a bogus and unlawful prescription". "It is also required to be investigated as to whether the deceased then proceeded to take the medicines thus prescribed, which may have contributed to his death and/or further deteriorated his mental health," read the complaint. She said she tried to dissuade him from taking medication not prescribed by his doctors, but Sushant "insisted" on taking medicines "his sister was prescribing him". "The deceased then proceeded to ask me to leave the house as his other sister Meethu Singh was coming to live with him and would take care of him. It was thus that I came to leave our residence and this was also the last time I saw the deceased alive," Rhea said in the complaint. Earlier in the day, Rhea appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for the second consecutive day in connection with the ongoing probe into a possible drugs connection in Sushant's death. On Sunday, she appeared before the NCB for the first time and was subjected to a six-hour grilling amid speculations that the actress would be arrested as investigators went hammer and tongs after drugs-related allegations emerged in the death case._ _SHOW_MID_AD__ New Delhi, Sep 7 : ITC Chairman Sanjiv Puri said on Monday that the company is scaling up operations in 24 crop value chain clusters where it expects to empower almost a million farmers. Addressing a press conference, Puri said that ITC expects to support nearly 3,000 FPOs with more than a million farmers across 24 crop value chain clusters in 21 states, shaping competitive agri value-chains and enhancing farmers' incomes. This will include upgrading quality and water security, besides providing a competitive advantage for the food business of ITC, Puri said. These value chains will be anchored by ITC's large investments in food processing, brands as well as exports. Some of these value chains will include wheat, potato, chili and fruits and vegetables through a crop value chain cluster model to connect small farmers to markets. ITC's agri-business lends distinctive competitive advantage to its branded packaged food businesses with superior agri-sourcing that focuses on identity preservation, traceability and certification, as well as lower transaction costs. ITC is one of India's largest integrated agri business enterprises with a segment revenue of over Rs 10,200 crore. It is also a significant exporter of value-added agro-products and the largest procurer of wheat in the private sector. Puri said ITC sources over 3 million tonnes of agri-products from 225 districts in 22 states, adding that agriculture is a very important area for ITC and is especially important for sustaining livelihoods. Puri further said that going digital will be a major thrust area for ITC. He said ITC is now ready to implement e-Choupal 4.0 and bring the benefits of the digital revolution to empower farmers even more effectively. This digital platform, designed as a crop agnostic integrated solution framework, will synergistically aggregate technologies like remote sensing, precision farming, drone-based services, quality assaying, e-marketplace and many others. "It will empower 10 million farmers in India multiplying livelihoods that will benefit over 50 million people," Puri said. Puri also clarified that there are no major restructuring proposals as of now. He said that for hotels, ITC will examine alternative structures and even that is an exploratory exercise. ITC will go with an asset-right strategy for the hotel business. He clarified that tools like buybacks are available and will depend on opportune timing and opportunity. He said the board decision will be to create enduring value for all the stakeholders. As the pandemic situation is still evolving, ITC believes that it is important to conserve cash at this point in time. The lifestyle retail business already has few stores that are open and may shrink further as it has not scaled up as per expectations, Puri said. He added that there will be some trends that will sustain or ebb in the 'new normal' now and the 'next normal' after the pandemic is over. 'If somebody compares Mumbai with the Taliban and PoK, then that person is anti-national.' IMAGE: Photograph: Kind courtesy @KanganaTeam/Twitter Pratap Sarnaik, the Shiv Sena's firebrand MLA from Thane, wants Kangana Ranaut to apologise to the people of Mumbai. Sarnaik believes that political opponents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state (read the Bharatiya Janata Party) are prodding Kangana to create trouble. "Just because you are a woman, you are not entitled to extraordinary rights. Won't it pain you if someone uses foul language against your mother? Won't it anger you?" Sarnaik asks Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com. Why have you demanded action against Kangana Ranaut? Kangana Ranaut had no business comparing Mumbai with POK. There were other ways she could have expressed herself. But if somebody compares Mumbai with the Taliban and PoK, then that person is anti-national. We demand that she be booked for treason against India. I have demanded that she be declared anti-national and have requested the Speaker's (since Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Nana Patole is stricken with COVID-19, Deputy Speaker Narhari Zhirwal presided over the curtailed two-day monsoon session that began on Monday, September 7) office to take action against her. Accordingly, the deputy speaker has asked the Maharashtra home minister (Anil Deshmukh) to get the Mumbai police to table its report in the assembly within 24 hours. Do you think it is fair for Shiv Sena workers to protest against Kangana by slapping her posters with slippers? You come to Maharashtra, you come to Mumbai, earn money and fame for yourself, and after you are successful, compare the same place to the Taliban and PoK. How fair is that? If someone comes to Mumbai and heaps disrespect on the city we love like our mother, do you think our workers will tolerate such behaviour? Does that justify Shiv Sena workers beating posters of a woman with slippers? Just because one happens to be a woman, can she be allowed to do anything? Just because you are a woman you are not entitled to extraordinary rights. Won't it pain you if someone uses foul language against your mother? Won't it anger you? She can't play dirty politics at somebody's behest and compare Mumbai with PoK. Are you saying that your political opponents are making Kangana defame Mumbai? What else? Can't you see that? Isn't it crystal clear who is prodding her? Do you think she has been bestowed with Y+ security just like that? Instead of securing our nation's borders and hundreds of other citizens who really need such security this (Narendra Damodardas Modi's) government has all the money to provide Y+ security to Kangana Ranaut. They don't have the money to pay states's lost GST revenues, but will spend crores on security to a person just because they want to play mischief with the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. This government will not even think twice before giving Y+ security to Dawood Ibrahim if the Shiv Sena says something against him just because they want to play mischief in the state. That's their hate for the Maharashtra government. Do you justify the acts of Shiv Sainiks beating Kangana's posters with slippers? According to me, Kangana Ranaut has committed an unpardonable crime and she must apologise to the people of Maharashtra, the Marathi people and mainly to the people of Mumbai. On Aug. 31, in Pittsburgh, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., his partys presidential nominee, shattered the known human records for political deceit and depravity. Reading prepared remarks concerning the widespread left-wing domestic terrorism in Democrat-run cities, Biden said, This president [Donald Trump] long ago forfeited any moral leadership in this country. He cant stop the violence because for years he has fomented it Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected? In other words, Biden said the urban rioting, arson, vandalism and looting being conducted by lawless Democrat-allied, anti-Trump radicals in Democrat-run jurisdictions are the presidents fault and, unless America elects Joe Biden, the violence will continue. Anyone who isnt repulsed by the soulless mendacity of Bidens statement and its implied threat is comatose, in the tank, or is the same special kind of stupid Joe Biden is the kind Democrats and their faithful lapdog media clearly imagine everyone else to be. Rational Democrats will squirm with embarrassment and revulsion over Bidens loathsome slander and threat. Biden blamed President Trump, white nationalists and white supremacists, rather than the Antifa and Black Lives Matter radicals that committed most of the carnage in Americas cities and who are now eyeing the suburbs. All Biden may fairly accuse the president of fomenting is Trump Derangement Syndrome, a mental disorder identified after Donald Trump won the 2016 Republican nomination and defeated a Democrat who was so inevitable that Democrats never developed a backup option better than the mentally-challenged Jurassic hack theyre running now. Too unfit to mount a vigorous public campaign, Bidens barely-discernible energy level began infecting and demoralizing the party, so Democrats looked for an energy infusion. The Washington Examiner explained where Democrats thought they found it: When violence first broke out in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, and other cities across the United States in late May, Democratic leaders said very little. It was obvious why: Democrats hoped the wave of energy that drove massive protests would last until November, and they didnt want to risk losing that momentum even if that meant finding ways to excuse the rioters and looters who were using the protests for their own gain. And excuse it Democrats did. Elected Democrats and corporate media first contextualized the violence. Early on, Democrats and left-wing media insisted that demonstrations were justifiable responses to systemic racism and the only way to force social change. Complicit media assured viewers, with flames visible in the background, that demonstrations were mostly peaceful, and, while sidestepping swag-burdened looters, claimed nobody was breaking the law. But, now, after denial and whitewashing lost credibility, Biden and Democrats claim riots are being instigated by white supremacists. Logicians call that trying to have it both ways. By failing to condemn it for months, Democrats didnt just tacitly support domestic terrorism. Elected municipal Democrats actively encouraged them by reining in police to allow space to protest. Corrupt prosecutors immediately released rioters without pressing serious charges. Weak mayors, all Democrats, ignored the presence of well-organized left-wing agitators, and that many local activists were career criminals. Local lives and many thousands of livelihoods have been lost. Elected Democrats have blood on their hands. There is concrete evidence that Bidens campaign supported the rioters, including financially. In June, while mostly peaceful protesters were burning Minneapolis, Bidens VP pick, Kamala Harris tweeted, If youre able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota. At about the same time, thirteen Biden campaign staff members made and solicited donations to the @MNFreedomFund. Among felons bailed out by the @MNFreedomFund were a man charged with attempted murder for targeting a SWAT team, a woman charged with second-degree murder, and a twice-convicted rapist facing charges in two other cases. Those are merely the tip of the nationwide rioters felony iceberg. Riots went unmentioned at their nominating convention, though, because Democrats were still in whitewash mode. Republicans made left-wing urban chaos a centerpiece of theirs. It was only when post-convention polls revealed their political risk that Democrats ordered Joe Biden, a barely-visible but recognizable, easily-controlled moral moron, out of his basement to make a desperate, grossly-cynical, disingenuous, depraved attempt to deflect blame for their own partys criminal elements onto the man they hope to beat in November. It wont work. American voters are too smart to buy it, and almost everyone a majority, certainly is smarter than Joe Biden not to mention more honest. Contact columnist Jerry Shenk at jshenk2010@gmail.com Al-Shabaab terroritst march with their weapons during military exercises on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia, on Feb. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Mohamed Sheikh Nor) Al-Shabaab Carries Out Attack in Somalia, US Service Member Injured: AFRICOM A U.S. service member was injured in Somalia on Monday morning by the terrorist group al-Shabaab, according to a statement from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Air Force Col. Col Christopher Karns, a spokesman, said that the soldier is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The attack occurred near Jana Cabdalle, Somalia, where U.S. forces were accompanying Somali troops on a mission, said Karns in a statement. The U.S. service member is in stable condition and receiving treatment for injuries that are not assessed to be life-threatening, Karns said. It is also assessed at least one Al Shabaab fighter was killed during the attack. The U.S. regularly conducts advise and assist missions with Somali partner forces, Karns continued. The collective efforts of the U.S. and Somalia place pressure on al-Shabaab, limiting their ability to extend their reach and movement. Al Shabaab remains a dangerous enemy. Continued pressure is being placed on this al-Qaeda-affiliated threat to limit its ability to expand and export violence, terrorism, and crime more broadly. Three Somali government forces soldiers were killed in the attack, a government spokesperson told Reuters. Two soldiers of Danab (special) forces died and two others were wounded. A U.S. officer was seriously wounded, Mohamed Ahmed Sabriye told Reuters. Karns told the Military Times that a U.S. service member was not killed in the attack. He said that is a false rumor concocted by al-Shabaab. There are several false reports claiming the death of a US soldier, he told the Military Times. False claims consistently continue to be part of al-Shababs playbook as they seek to weaponize information and employ traditional tools of the tradecraft of terror, to include truck, car, and roadside bombs. They are ambitious and look to expand their hate and violence in Somalia and beyond. In January, a U.S. soldier and two Pentagon contractors were killed in an attack in Kenya. Last month, AFRICOM said it killed six al-Shabaab terrorists in an airstrike in Somalia after the group attacked Somali forces. Al-Shabaab is a dangerous enemy, said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering at the time. It is a danger to Africa and the United States. We will continue to place pressure on the network and impact their ability to plan and execute these acts. So far, there have been more than 40 airstrikes carried out against al-Shabaab in 2020. We have placed considerable pressure on the network, and have permanently removed several of their key leaders, Karns told the news outlet. The U.S. presence and activity is helping to contain the threat and prevent its spread across borders. Al-Shabaab has clearly communicated its desire to strike America but does not have the capability to do so due to the pressure placed on them Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ardila Syakriah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 21:28 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c434343e 1 National #COVID19,COVID-19,medical-workers,#medical-residents,deaths,health-worker Free The pandemics grip has forced death a topic many would rather avoid to the forefront of the countrys consciousness. Virus statistics creep ever upward on screens, stoking debates and blame games for some and stigma for others. But it is grief including for the bereaved families and friends of medical workers that stings the most. In a broken voice and tear-brimming eyes, pediatrician Retno Ayu Adhisti recalled that while she was growing up, her late fathers calling meant he was barely home. Day and night, she said, he helped women deliver babies, in Tuban, East Java, and the demands of his profession made her reluctant to follow in his footsteps. Even as some of his colleagues suspended their practices because of the pandemic, Retnos father, 70-year-old Riyanto, a senior obstetrician-gynecologist in a town where such a specialization was in short supply, continued to help expecting mothers. Retno said her fathers "love for his patients", cultivated over 20 years in the profession, was behind his devotion to his work. Riyantos family always prepared personal protective equipment (PPE) for him, knowing very well that he was at high risk of contracting COVID-19, but in late August, he succumbed to the virus. "Once papa was gone, I came to realize his big impact. He loved to teach, she said. Now that hes gone, everyone in the family has had to self-isolate, but there are many people praying on their own to remember his service. Many have also let us know through WhatsApp how good he was. What Retno regretted most was that her father had to spend his last days in isolation. "We couldn't accompany him during his last moments. There wasn't any proper farewell," Retno said during the recent launch of a digital memorial for medical workers who died of COVID-19 initiated by the LaporCOVID (Report COVID-19) community. Indonesia is losing its precious medical workers to the pandemic. According to the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), 107 doctors had died of COVID-19 as of Monday, alongside eight dentists and 70 nurses as of early September. Thousands more are thought to have caught the virus. Read also: Patients crowd hospitals as Indonesia loses 183 'priceless' medical workers The disease is not just hitting older doctors but also ones who were just beginning their careers with a lifetime of dreams. Berkatnu, a 28-year-old general practitioner at the Soewandhi COVID-19 referral hospital in Surabaya, died in April of the illness after 22 days of treatment in the hospital he once worked in. Berkatnu's mother, Inriawaty Karaheni, could not hold back her tears as she remembered her son's commitment to serving people with care. Berkatnu lived separately from the rest of his family, who live in Kalimantan. His father died of COVID-19 two months after Berkatnus death. "Mama is proud of you. Mama loves you, but God loves you more. Thank you for showing us your devotion as a doctor, even though it's been very short, but you've achieved your childhood dream to serve people," she said. The deaths of medical workers have been a loss not only to their families and friends, but also to the country. Read also: Doctors association pleads for accessible health care for frontline medical workers Medical specialists, too, have died of the virus, raising concerns that the country is losing not only precious lives but decades of valuable medical knowledge, which could impede the training of Indonesias future doctors. Even doctors in their residencies have had to face the risks of the disease. At least two final-year residents have died of the virus. Indonesia, with some 271 million people, has 0.13 specialist doctors per 1,000 people, less than half the government's target of 0.28 per 1,000 people as part of its health reform program, according to National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) data cited by the IDI. The figure for general practitioners is 0.52 per 1,000 people, less than half the ideal target of 1.12. Earlier in the pandemic, the lack of PPE hit medical workers hard, and now, six months in, doctors and nurses face an increasing number of patients and a limited capacity for testing and treatment. Read also: COVID-19: Concerns mount as medical workers suffer pandemic burnout The deaths of medical workers showed that "their rights to live and to health were certainly neglected", Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid said recently, urging the government to protect medical workers' rights to safe working conditions. Amnesty's analysis showed that Indonesia had among the highest death rates for medical workers of any country in the world, having reached at least 7,000 fatalities. Even though the United States and Mexico recorded a higher number of medical worker deaths, their ratios to total COVID-19 deaths are lower than that of Indonesia at 2.3 percent. China's restrictions on US journalists is the latest move in the escalating tensions between the two superpowers - Aly Song /Reuters China has refused to renew press credentials for foreign journalists working at US news organisations, the latest salvo in a fast-escalating diplomatic spat with Washington. The Chinese government has instead issued letters rather than processing press cards in a move that Beijing explicitly said is reciprocal to how the US government is handling visas for Chinese journalists, many of whom work for state media. So far, five journalists with four US news outlets have been impacted, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Bloomberg and Getty Images. Those affected include American and European journalists based in China, including at least one British citizen Jeremy Page of the WSJ, who previously reported for the Times of London. Beijing and Washington have sparred over a wide range of issues, including trade, coronavirus, human rights and espionage. The two countries have also been at loggerheads over access and treatment of journalists. China has expelled 17 foreign journalists this year, including as punishment for those outlets coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. The journalists forced out of China worked for the WSJ, New York Times and Washington Post. Though primarily American citizens, Australian and Singaporean nationals working for those outlets have also had their press credentials revoked. The US has also taken a series of actions this year, including mandating Chinese state media outlets to register as foreign agents. In response to Beijing issuing punitive short-term visas to American journalists in China in recent years, Washington in May began limiting visas for Chinese state media employees to 90 days. The initial period expired in August, though has been reportedly extended for an additional 90 days. 1/ The Foreign Correspondents Club of China is very alarmed that Chinese authorities have stopped renewing press credentials for journalists working at US news organizations. Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (@fccchina) September 7, 2020 China on Monday again threatened Washington, with a foreign ministry spokeswoman posting on Twitter that if the US keeps moving down the wrong path, China has no choice but to take justifiable and necessary countermeasures. Story continues The Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) said that the letters issued by the Chinese government put foreign journalists in a precarious temporary status[and] at constant threat of expulsion. These coercive practices have again turned accredited foreign journalists in China into pawns in a wider diplomatic conflict, the FCCC said in a statement. The FCCC has in the past condemned Beijing for weaponising visas to pressure and punish foreign news organisations reporting that it dislikes. Harassment and intimidation of foreign journalists in China has escalated significantly. Last week, a Beijing-based correspondent for the Los Angeles Times was grabbed by the throat by a security official and pushed into a cell at a police station, where she was detained for four hours. In recent years, the Telegraph has been physically assaulted by plainclothes and uniformed officers, had devices and passports confiscated and thus been barred from making phone calls while detained. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 04:26:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of the European Council Charles Michel discussed the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean over the phone on Sunday, Turkey's Directorate of Communications said. Erdogan told Michel that the alliance should fulfil its obligation to prevent Greece and some EU member states from escalating the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean, the Directorate said in a statement. The Turkish leader also stated that the attitude of the EU in the Eastern Mediterranean issue would be "a test of sincerity" for international law and regional peace, saying provocative steps and statements of some European politicians would not serve a solution, according to the statement. "The president asked EU institutions and member states to be fair, impartial and objective and to act responsibly on regional issues, especially the Eastern Mediterranean," the statement noted. Turkey and its NATO ally Greece have long been at odds over the energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean as Ankara has been opposing the drilling efforts of several countries without its involvement. Turkey earlier dispatched its seismic survey vessel Oruc Reis, escorted by Turkish warships, to the region after Greece and Egypt signed a maritime border agreement. Enditem WASHINGTON President Donald Trump used a Labor Day press conference to continue to push back on allegations he disparaged members of the military and to attack his Democratic opponents over the timing of a potential coronavirus vaccine. Speaking from the North Portico of the White House, Trump echoed many of the same themes he has raised on the campaign trail repeatedly criticizing Democratic nominee Joe Biden and defending his record on the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump, at one point, demanded Democrats "immediately apologize for the reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric that they are talking right now." The argument follows remarks by Biden's running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, that she would not trust an announcement from Trump about a vaccine without a "credible" source corroborating his statements. "I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he's talking about," Harris told CNN's State of the Union. "I will not take his word for it." The back and forth over the vaccine underscored the huge impact it could have in the November election. Trump acknowledges he wants a vaccine quickly he has said his motivation is not political and continued to suggest one could be ready by October. Two-thirds of U.S. voters say they won't try to get a coronavirus vaccine as soon as it becomes available, and one in four say they don't want to ever get it, according to a new USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll released the same week that the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 6 million. Poll: Two-thirds of Americans say they won't get COVID-19 vaccine when it's first available Asked if he would take a vaccine before the election if one was available, Biden said he "would want to see what the scientists said" and argued that Trump's past misstatements have undermined public confidence in public health officials. Story continues Biden then said he would take a vaccine if one were available: "If i can get a vaccine tomorrow, I'd do it. If it cost me the election, I'd do it." Trump also continued to defend himself against explosive allegations reported last week in the Atlantic that he decried members of the military and America's war dead as "losers" and "suckers." Trump repeatedly pointed to a statement over the weekend from former White House deputy chief of staff Zach Fuentes that he "did not hear POTUS call anyone losers when I told him about the weather." "Only an animal would say a thing like that," Trump said of the underlying allegations. Several news outlets, including the Associated Press and Fox News, have confirmed many of the statements the Atlantic piece reported were made by Trump. Trump acknowledged he might be less popular with military leaders than with rank-and-file troops. Trump claimed that was because senior officials at the Pentagon want to "do nothing but fight wars." Trump hit on several other topics during the news conference: He said that negotiations over another economic stimulus to address the impact from coronavirus were at a standstill because congressional Democrats did not want a deal. Asked why he wasn't personally seeking to start negotiations, Trump asserted: "Im taking the high road by not seeing them. Thats the high road." Trump said he would support an investigation into Postmaster General Louis DeJoy following a report in the Washington Post over the weekend that created an environment at his former company that pressured employees to donate to Republican candidates. "Sure, sure," the president said when asked if he supports an investigation. "But he's a very respected man." Trump spoke angrily about Biden and others in connection with the Russia investigation that consumed much of his first term, and he refused to say whether he wants to see his political opponents indicted for what he has claimed, without evidence, are crimes that were committed against his campaign during the 2016 election. President Donald Trump speaks during a news briefing at the White House, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump attacks Biden on vaccines in Labor Day news conference Varun Singh, a representative of lawyer Vikas Singh, has responded to Rhea Chakrabortys lawyer Satish Maneshindes recent comments that the fact she loved Sushant Singh Rajput is being seen as a crime. Vikas Singh is the lawyer of Sushants father KK Singh in his case against Rhea, who has been accused of abetting Sushants suicide, and misappropriating his funds. Varun Singh told Republic, If she may not be able to answer properly during the confrontation then she may be arrested soon. Its a strange argument that how stating love can protect her from a court of law. I dont understand how the love angle can help her. If she thinks so she should go to court and speak all this. Cant say anything on the drugs angle until and unless it is proved in court, but yes if there is anything such then its going to help us. Rhea was questioned by the Narcotics Control Bureau about her involvement in the procurement of drugs for Sushanton Sunday. Rhea had previously said in an interview that Sushant used to smoke marijuana. The NCB has arrested several people involved in the case, including Rheas brother, Showik Chakraborty. Also read: Sandip Ssingh says in hindsight, maybe standing with Sushant Singh Rajputs family was wrong Her lawyer had said that Rhea is prepared to be arrested. She is ready for arrest as its witch-hunt. If loving someone is a crime shell face consequences of her love. Being innocent she hasnt approached any court for an anticipatory bail in all cases foisted by Bihar Police with CBI, ED & NCB, he said in a statement. After questioning Rhea for six hours on Sunday, she was summoned by the NCB for further questioning on Monday. Separate investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate are also being carried out. Sushant died on June 14, at the age of 34. The Mumbai Police in its initial investigation concluded that he died by suicide, and was suffering from depression. Sushants family has so far hesitated to accept that the actor could have had a mental illness. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.: Bulked-up, mutant mighty mice held onto their muscle during a monthlong stay at the International Space Station, returning to Earth with ripped bodybuilder physiques, scientists reported Monday. The findings hold promise for preventing muscle and bone loss in astronauts on prolonged space trips like Mars missions, as well as people on Earth who are confined to bed or need wheelchairs. A research team led by Dr. Se-Jin Lee of the Jackson Laboratory in Connecticut sent 40 young female black mice to the space station in December, launching aboard a SpaceX rocket. In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Lee said the 24 regular untreated mice lost considerable muscle and bone mass in weightlessness as expected up to 18%. But the eight genetically engineered mighty mice launched with double the muscle maintained their bulk. Their muscles appeared to be comparable to similar mighty mice that stayed behind at NASAs Kennedy Space Center. In addition, eight normal mice that received mighty mouse treatment in space returned to Earth with dramatically bigger muscles. The treatment involves blocking a pair of proteins that typically limit muscle mass. A SpaceX capsule brought all 40 mice back in good condition, parachuting into the Pacific off the California coast in January. Some of the ordinary mice were injected with the mighty mice drug after returning and quickly built up more muscle than their untreated companions, Lee said. The scientists completed the experiment just as the coronavirus was hitting the U.S. The only silver lining of COVID is that we had time to write it up very intensively" and submit the results for publication, said Dr. Emily Germain-Lee of Connecticut Childrens Medical Center, Lees wife who also took part in the study. Both are affiliated with the University of Connecticut. While encouraged by their findings, the couple said much more work needs to be done before testing the drug on people to build up muscle and bone, without serious side effects. Were years away. But thats how everything is when you go from mouse to human studies, Germain-Lee said. Lee said the experiment pointed out other molecules and signaling pathways worth investigating an embarrassment of riches so many things wed like to pursue." His next step: possibly sending more mighty mice to the space station for an even longer stay. Three NASA astronauts looked after the space mice, performing body scans and injections: Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, who performed the first all-female spacewalk last fall, and Andrew Morgan. They are listed as co-authors. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. The Huawei 5G Microwave Asia-Pacific Conference was held online recently, bringing together more than 130 guests to share insights into 5G microwave applications and to discuss how microwave solutions contribute to accelerating 5G development in the Asia-Pacific region. At the conference, Huawei proposed an innovative solution to solve transmission capacity and distance bottlenecks that traditional microwave solutions encounter in the parts of the Asia-Pacific region that experience heavy rain. Huaweis 5G microwave solutions have simplified architecture and support ultra-high bandwidth and low latency. The solutions allow carriers to quickly launch networks, helping them acquire subscribers from high-end markets, as demonstrated in the first wave of 5G construction in the Middle East. As they feature a shorter time to market and return on investment period, microwave solutions are hailed as the optimal transport solution to scale up 5G development. Huaweis leading 20 Gbps E-band microwave solution has played a crucial role in ensuring the transport capacity for large-scale 5G commercial networks. However, the E-band spectrum is prone to high rain attenuation, limiting the coverage distance in heavy-rain regions. Large-diameter antennas are featured with small beam angles, placing high requirements on tower stability. Chairing the conference, Mr. Renato Lombardi, Huawei Fellow and Chairman of the ETSI Industry Study Group mWT, proposed an innovative solution based on intelligent beam tracing (IBT) antenna for long-reach E-band and super dual band(SDB) approaches to increase the coverage distance and simplify deployment. The combination aims to significantly increase the coverage distance of microwave solutions in heavy-rain regions. Increasing antenna diameter is the most effective approach to increasing the coverage distance of microwave signals. However, a larger diameter leads to a smaller beam angle and requires greater tower stability. Therefore, for current E-band deployments, 0.3 m antennas are mostly adopted for ultra-short-distance links. In contrast, the 0.6 m antenna applications are limited due to demanding deployment requirements. Earlier in 2020, Huawei released the industrys first 0.6 m IBT antenna. Detecting that signal towers shake or shift within a certain degree due to environmental factors, the antenna will enable beams to automatically maintain their orientation, addressing strict requirements placed on tower stability. The antennas support on-pole deployment, providing an extra advantage to promote scaled deployment. Compared with 0.3 m antenna, the 0.6 m IBT antenna increases the coverage distance by up to 40%. While this new solution is now beginning to see scaled deployment, an IBT antenna with an even larger diameter is being planned to further increase the coverage distance of E-band microwave solutions. If the long-reach E-band solution cannot meet the coverage distance requirement in high-capacity use cases, Mr. Lombardi recommended the SDB solution. This solution combines the long transmission distance of traditional bands with E-bands high capacity, offering an optimal solution to achieve a transmission distance of 35 km in heavy-rain areas. Combined with 0.6 m IBT antennas, the SDB solution provides a multifold transmission distance as compared to the E-band solution, while also easing site deployment. Chris Meng, the director of Asia Pacific Carrier Wireless Network solutions of Huawei, pointed out that 5G microwave is crucial to the speed and cost control of 5G deployment. Resolving the backhaul bottleneck helps promote the prosperity of 5G in the Asia Pacific region. Perry Yang, President of Huaweis Microwave Product Line, said, Huawei will continue innovating on microwave products and solutions to help customers fulfill backhaul requirements for different regions in line with spectrum and rain region-specific characteristics. Islamabad, Sep 7 : Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has sent out an open warning to India, claiming that his country would win the "fifth generation or hybrid war". Addressing a ceremony marking Defence Day and Martyrs' Day at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Sunday, Bajwa said Pakistan is facing multiple challenges aimed at discrediting the country and its armed forces. "We are facing the challenge that has been imposed on us in the form of the fifth generation or hybrid war. Its purpose is to discredit the country and its armed foces and spread chaos", he said. "We are well aware of this danger. We will surely succeed in winning this war with the cooperation of the nation." Giving out an open and clear warning without naming India, Bajwa said that Pakistan will give a befitting response to every aggression if a war is imposed. "I want to send a message to my nation and the world that Pakistan is a peace-loving country. But if war is imposed on us, we will befittingly response to every aggression. "We are always ready to defeat nefarious intentions of the enemy," he said. Hitting out at India, Bajwa said that in 1965, Pakistan had defeated India, an enemy he said many times greater in might than it. He also reminded Pakistan's response to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes by India, insisting that there should be no doubt on the country's readiness to respond. "Pakistan had again demonstrated this in response to the failed airstrikes at Balakot and the enemy should have no doubt about it. "We want peace in the whole world and especially in our region. Pakistan's key role in peace efforts in Afghanistan is a testament to that, but our neighbour India has, as always, taken an irresponsible stance," Bajwa added. Mentioning the longstanding dispute of Kashmir between the two countries, the COAS said: "India, by illegally abrogating the special status of illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir had once again threatened peace in the region. "There is no doubt that Kashmir is a recognized dispute and Pakistan did not accept any unilateral decision in this regard. "Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had declared Kashmir the jugular vein of Pakistan. This is part of our faith. We will not show any flexibility in this regard." Bajwa reiterated that time has tried the capability of Pakistan many times, highlighting that the country has come our successful every time. "Pakistan is a living reality. Our blood, our passion and our actions will bear witness to this on every front," he asserted. Harish Murali By Express News Service CHENNAI: Censuring the TNPSC for failing to furnish information under the RTI Act, the Madras High Court observed that government officials are experts in evading such questions and should be shown the door. The court also directed the Tamil Nadu government to issue a circular to all its departments, public sector units and corporations warning about the legal consequences of not furnishing information under the Act. Dismissing the plea by the TNPSC challenging the orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Information Commission, Justice S Vaidyanathan ordered it to furnish the details sought within one month. The retired deputy collector P Muthian of Tiruchy sought information under the RTI Act in 2008 to the Public Information Officer on the total number of vacancies for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008, number of seats allocated to the backward community and also the seats to the Muthuraja, Muthriyar, Ambalakarar and Vanniya Kula Shatriar sub-castes. As the TNPSC did not give the information, the petitioner moved the State Information Commission. The information commission had also in 2009 ordered the TNPSC to give the details to the RTI applicant. The TNPSC challenged the information commission's order in the high court. The TNPSC's counsel argued that the details sought for by the RTI applicant are not at all warranted and that it would amount to an invasion of privacy and cannot be accepted, especially when the selection itself is based on caste wise quota. The court quoting several Supreme Court judgements also observed in its order, "Even the apex court clearly held that the office of Chief Justice will come under the purview of Right to Information (RTI), by observing that transparency does not undermine judicial freedom." Justice Vaidyanathan said, "Nowadays, officials adopt the tactic of answering mechanically that the information sought is exempted in the light of Section 8(1)(d) of the Act, without actually ascertaining whether the information sought falls within the ambit of the said provision." "Such officers must be taught a lesson and in my view, they are unfit to hold the post of Public Information Officer...... and they should be shown the door, so that it will be a lesson for other officers to act in accordance with the terms of the Act, failing which they may also face similar or more serious consequences," he emphasized. Ordering the TNPSC to furnish the information sought by the petitioner, the court also directed it to file a compliance report with the names of officials who had failed to discharge their duties under the RTI Act, 2005. Russia has shared comprehensive data pertaining to its COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V with India. Russia has shared details of the vaccine's safety and efficacy. India had earlier sought the information from Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, The Indian Express reported, quoting senior officials. Also Read: Russia's Sputnik-V produced anti-body response, no serious adverse effects: The Lancet "We are now deeply engaged with Russia on the vaccine front," a source told the newspaper. India also has the option of conducting a separate Phase 3 clinical trial in the country after getting the necessary approvals, the report said. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. 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 Track this LIVE blog for all the latest updates on coronavirus pandemic Results of a study published in The Lancet medical journal revealed that Sputnik V produces an antibody response in all participants in early-stage trials. The two trials were conducted in June-July, according to Reuters, and involved 76 participants. According to the report, it showed that 100 percent of the participants developed anti-bodies, with no serious side-effects. "Russia's potential COVID-19 vaccine produced an antibody response, no serious adverse effects in early-stage trials," the study said. Explainer: Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V, how safe is it, and why India needs to be cautious India is one of the 20 countries that have expressed interest to be part of Sputnik Vs Phase-3 clinical trials. Earlier, the Russian government had reached out to India seeking collaboration for manufacturing Sputnik V' and conducting its phase III clinical trial. On August 11, Russia registered what it claims is the first coronavirus vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine has been jointly developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute and Russias Defence Ministry and will be the first vaccine candidate against the novel coronavirus to get registered. It said that mass production of the vaccine will begin in September. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 4, during his visit to Moscow for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet, said that the coronavirus vaccine being developed by Russia will be effective. Expressing confidence in the efficacy of Russias Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, the Defence Minister touted the long-running partnership between the two nations. Like you, we're also tracking when and which vaccine will reach us first. Check out our Coronavirus vaccine tracker here The family of a Hong Kong student arrested at sea by mainland Chinese officers while trying to flee to Taiwan had no prior knowledge of his plan to abscond from criminal proceedings linked to last years social unrest, a court has heard. Open University student Cheung Chun-fu, 22, and two other defendants, both 21, were among 12 Hongkongers apprehended on August 23 by Chinas coastguard while heading to Taiwan, prosecutors told Eastern Court on Monday. The mainland authorities announced the arrest of the 12 three days later, with the group remanded in Shenzhens Yantian district, where they were reportedly denied their right to meet lawyers. The trio were among nine men charged in five separate cases over an alleged bomb plot to kill police officers during an anti-government rally on December 8. The bail conditions of the three included an order not to leave Hong Kong and surrendering all travel documents to the court. The court ordered the arrest of the three absconders. Photo: Nora Tam Public prosecutor Stella Lo said: The Hong Kong Police Force received information from mainland authorities that [the three defendants] were arrested on a vessel outside Hong Kong waters, in Chinese territory. At Mondays hearing, Cheungs lawyer Douglas Kwok King-hin said his clients younger brother, who stood the surety for Cheung, reported his disappearance to police two days after he was caught by the coastguard. The younger Cheung did not monitor his brothers whereabouts because he was very busy, Kwok added. The whole family had no prior knowledge of the [defendant going] missing, the lawyer told Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai. Lawyers for the two 21-year-old absconders transport worker Cheung Ming-yu and vocational college student Yim Man-him said they had received no instructions from their clients in relation to Mondays hearing. Chainrai granted the defence lawyers applications to stop representing the three in future proceedings. She also ordered their arrest, while Cheungs brother had to forfeit the HK$30,000 (US$3,846) surety on the grounds he failed to make sure Cheung complied with his bail conditions. Story continues The three absconders and six others Wong Chun-keung, 21, Ng Chi-hung, 24, David Su, 19, Eddie Pang Kwan-ho, 33, Choi Hoi-ming, 20, and Lai Chun-pong, 29 were accused of plotting to slaughter police officers during the December 8 procession by stationing a gunman at a strategic site and setting off two bombs planted along the protest route. They faced one joint count of conspiracy to wound with intent. Three of them Ng, Cheung Chun-fu and Choi were separately charged with additional offences, including possession of firearms, possession of offensive weapons and possession of child pornography. All defendants except Choi were charged in Eastern Court, while Choi, who did not appear at Monday's hearing, was charged in Kwun Tong Court. All but the three absconders were remanded in custody. The cases involving the eight will be heard again in Eastern Court on December 7, pending legal advice. Chois case will be heard in Kwun Tong Court on September 14. Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China. This article Hong Kong protests: family of bomb plot suspect caught by Chinas coastguard unaware of plan to abscond, court hears first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military. Ukraine has reported enemy provocations on Sunday, September 6, as Russia's hybrid military forces violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. "On September 6, Russian Federation's armed formations violated ceasefire agreements reached on July 22," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Command reported in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on September 7, 2020. In particular, the enemy opened fire from an automatic grenade launcher near the town of Krasnohorivka, resulting in one Ukrainian soldier was wounded. Read alsoUkraine Army reports on fate of two soldiers gone missing amid wildfiresAlso, the enemy used rifles to shell the Ukrainian positions near the village of Prychepylivka in Luhansk region. One Ukrainian soldier was killed as a result of the shelling. Moreover, the Russian occupation forces fired two provocative shots from an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Shumy. The Joint Forces are abiding by the ceasefire, being ready to adequately respond to possible attacks by the adversary, it said. Since Monday 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. Donbas ceasefire: background Watch the ceremony By the time you read this, the final selection of watches for the 2020 edition of the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve (GPHG) will have been confirmed. From late May until the beginning of June, the GPHG Academy was able to nominate the watches that they felt were deserving of recognition in the various categories of the competition. Brands were then invited to formally enter the watches that had been nominated by the Academy. In addition to this, brands were also able to submit their own creations for consideration, in much the same way as they did in previous years. When the nominations were all in and vetted for eligibility, they constituted a total of 226 watches over 12 categories. These watches come from 122 brands, with some brands both established and new ones participating for the first time. All 354 active members of the Academy will have voted according to their preferences, selecting six watches per category to make up a pool of 84 finalists. Some categories, such as Ladies Complication and Calendar & Astronomy, are quite straightforward, with only seven watches in contention. As difficult as some may find it to knock out even one nominee, other categories (such as the Mens and Challenge categories, with over 30 nominees each) may require intense scrutiny and some research. As a watch journalist, Im lucky to be surrounded by new releases and updates all the time, but you can imagine that Academy members who have less daily contact with watches will be dedicating at least a few days each to discovering and evaluating the competing watches. Not only do we have to select our final six choices in each category, we have to order our choices, with our first choice receiving six points, our second choice receiving five points, our third choice receiving four points, and so on and so forth. Determining the finalists is not simply a matter of seeing which six watches received the most votes there is a points system in place that provides a more nuanced view of what the Academy thinks, as a whole. The final round of voting will come in November, with the majority weight of the decision made by a Jury to be selected by the GPHG committee, but the Academy still has a role to play. The remaining Academy members, who are not on the Jury, will vote on a secure digital platform, with their votes counting for a lighter proportion of the final award decision. This ensures that all 354 Academy members will have contributed to the winners of the 2020 edition of the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve. "This is the 20th edition of the GPHG, so I feel a certain closeness to it as GMT celebrates its 20th anniversary this year," says Brice Lechevalier (Executive Director of GMT Publishing, member of the GPHG Academy). "The GPHG has undertaken an important development in its history by creating the GPHG Academy, which takes into account the interests and remarks of the entire watchmaking industry, an initiative that is to be welcomed. In this very special year, the watch industry needs more than ever to come together around high points and to send a cohesive image to the public. The GPHG is part of these unifying values that put watches first and it is a duty as well as a pleasure to support it in this approach as a member of the jury of the GPHG Academy, and to select 6 watches in the 12 categories. The choices are sometimes Cornelian, even to give the highest mark between two candidate watches which both seem exceptional to me." Keep an eye out for the finalists, to be announced on 15 September. Have you made your choice? By Trend A film was shot in Turkey, dedicated to the Azerbaijani-Turkish fraternity and the Armenian provocation in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district, committed in July of 2020, Trend reports. The film contains the comments of Assistant to Azerbaijans President, Head of the Foreign Affairs Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev, other officials and of members of the public. The film also tells about large-scale projects jointly implemented by Turkey and Azerbaijan, cooperation between the two fraternal countries, the history of the Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood, and etc. Russian man arrested in Phuket drug raid PHUKET: A Russian man has been arrested at a house in Rawai after officers found him in possession of 2.82 grammes of marijuana and a bamboo bong. crimedrugsRussian By Eakkapop Thongtub Monday 7 September 2020, 12:28PM The woman was charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell. Photo: Phuket Centre for Drug Prevention and Suppression The Russian man and the woman were arrested at a house in Rawai late Saturday night, early Sunday morning. Photo: Phuket Centre for Drug Prevention and Suppression The Russian man now faces drug charges over possession of 2.82 grammes of marijuana. Photo: Phuket Centre for Drug Prevention and Suppression The Russian man and the woman were arrested at a house in Rawai late Saturday night, early Sunday morning. Photo: Phuket Centre for Drug Prevention and Suppression The Russian man and the woman were arrested at a house in Rawai late Saturday night, early Sunday morning. Photo: Phuket Centre for Drug Prevention and Suppression The arrest came as soon after officers from the Phuket Centre for Drug Prevention and Suppression arrested a Thai woman on Saturday night, explained a report from the centre made available today (Sept 7). According to the report, leading the team of officers that made the two arrests was Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief (Palad) Wikrom Jaktee, accompanied by Civil Defense Volunteers (OrSor) and other law-enforcement officers. Acting on information from undercover sources, the officers arrested the woman at 11:30pm. The report did not name the woman or identify where she was arrested, other than at a house. The report said that the woman was found with 950mg of crystal meth (ya ice), two pills of methamphetamine (ya bah) and a set of drug-taking equipment. Officers also seized as evidence a digital scale, a mobile phone, and a Yamaha Mio 125i motorbike, the report noted. Only 45 minutes later, the officers arrested the Russian man, who was found with 2.82g of marijuana and a bamboo bong. Again, no other details of the mans arrest have been made available, other than he was arrested at a house. However, according to photos provided at the scene of the arrest, the Russian man and the woman were arrested at the same house. Both the woman and the Russian man were taken to Chalong Police Station, where the woman was charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell, while the man was charged with possession of a Category 5 drug. Press Release September 7, 2020 Imee: Water shortage looms, long-term solution urgent Senator Imee Marcos has renewed her call on the government to solve the impasse in negotiations with tribal communities affected by the Kaliwa Dam project, as ongoing water supply disruptions revived concern over the long-term water security of Metro Manila and neighboring cities. Marcos noted that despite the rains in recent months, Angat Dam's water supply has continued to dip below its minimum operating level of 180 meters since Thursday, far from its highest level of 204.5 meters recorded in January. Without more rain, Marcos warned that Angat Dam's water supply may drop to its critical level of 160 meters by November, if the present rate of decrease continues. "Once and for all, let's buckle down and solve Metro Manila's perennial water problem, short- and long-term," Marcos said, addressing the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). "The translation of project documents that the Dumagats had requested so long ago will lend transparency to the negotiations in acquiring their free, prior and informed consent according to law," Marcos added, citing that the request was made in August 2019 during a hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities that she chairs. Marcos said that 32 indigenous communities in the municipalities of General Nakar and Infanta in Quezon province, led by tribal leader Marcelino Tena, complained over the weekend that the NCIP had left them out of the distribution of the translated documents. Tena also told Marcos's office that police escorts were guarding Chinese workers of the project contractor, China Energy Engineering Co. (CEEC) Ltd., who continued building access roads to the Kaliwa Dam site despite lacking the required government permits. The government had resumed building access roads in May amid the Covid-19 lockdown, reneging on a promise the MWSS made in February during the last hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities. Tena's group, Samahan ng Katutubong Agta/Dumagat-Remontado na Binabaka at Ipinagtatanggol ang Lupang Ninuno, opposes the Kaliwa Dam project that will inevitably submerge ancestral domain and displace their people. If the Kaliwa Dam project pushes through, its timeline for completion shows Metro Manila's growing population of almost 13 million may face a lack of water security in at least the next five years, Marcos said. For now, Marcos said water supply can be increased if Maynilad "used its billions in profit" to further reduce its non-revenue water, or water lost to leakages and illegal connections, which the MWSS placed at more than 30% of the private concessionaire's total water distribution. "Reducing non-revenue water will also help lower the price of water, since consumers will no longer have to cover for all that huge 30% wastage," Marcos said. "Manila Water has identified Laguna Lake as an alternative water source, but siltation makes its water quality more difficult and thus more expensive to filter, which means higher costs will be passed on to the consumer," Marcos added. The government can also explore the rehabilitation of other dams and the construction of rainwater harvesting facilities, Marcos also said. Marcos noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the need for water, with more frequent handwashing, bathing, laundering, and cleaning of surfaces. "As responsible citizens, let's do our share in mitigating the effects of a looming water shortage. Keep water from gushing when doing the dishes or the laundry, shorten shower time or use a 'tabo' or dipper when taking a bath. Let's prepare our drums and buckets to catch and collect rainwater when we can," Marcos said. Face masks should be worn on Dublin's streets as the latest figures show almost half of new cases of Covid-19 are in the capital, a consultant has said. Dr Jack Lambert, a consultant in infectious diseases at the Mater Hospital, said mask wearing in congregated areas outdoors is a decision that "must be taken now". But he predicted the Government would not make this move for at least four weeks. "It's not clear who's in charge in terms of Covid-19," Dr Lambert told the Irish Independent. Last night's Covid-19 figures showed there were 138 new cases, 68 of which were in Dublin. The remainder were spread across the country, with Limerick reporting the second highest cases at 13, and Galway and Kildare having nine new cases each. The latest cases were announced after the Sunday Independent reported Beaumont Hospital in Dublin had been struck by outbreaks of Covid-19, with three patients and two staff testing positive. Read More Three wards were closed and more than 10 staff deemed to be close contacts were asked to self-isolate at home. Dr Lambert claimed there had been a number of outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes in recent days. He said it was his belief that masks need to be worn throughout hospitals, including in cafes and offices, by medical staff. "You need a mask in every situation and we are letting our guards down," he said, adding the use of masks is still not widespread enough. With Dublin's figures at a high level for a number of weeks, it is time to wear masks inside and outside on busier streets, he said. "I was walking around Henry Street and Grafton Street and there were crowds but no one was wearing a mask," Dr Lambert said. "If I was in government, it is the first thing I would bring in - masks in busier outside areas, that the public wear a mask in all urban situations. Obviously we need to do more than we are currently doing. "There's such a fear, we are paralysed by it. "We have to do something to improve best practice - that is, masks and social distancing because we need the economy to recover and mental health is suffering. "We need to travel, to welcome visitors safely. "We should open all the pubs and yes, we run a risk but we need to live safely with the virus." Dr Laura Durcan, consultant rheumatologist at Beaumont Hospital, told Brendan O'Connor on RTE 1 she was "not alarmed at all" by the outbreaks at the hospital. "Beaumont and James's are the only hospitals in the country, as far as I'm aware, who are testing everyone who comes in for an overnight stay," she said. "If you come into our emergency department or are admitted for an operation, we will stick an unpleasant swab up your nose and make sure that you are not going to be a risk to staff and other people around you. "I would call this a success story. We hunt down a case and when we find it, we shut down the wards where the contacts are and we chase it out of the hospital. "I think nationally, we need to start looking at if we need serial testing for our healthcare workers. "We are doing it in nursing homes. Do we need to look at people who work in hospitals, who are working with vulnerable patients? "We have masks on all the time but it does make me wonder, given the number of asymptomatic [cases] we pick up, whether we need to test more." Beaumont Hospital was asked for a comment but had not answered at the time of going to print. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering inspections that could cover hundreds of Boeing Cos (BA.N) 787 Dreamliners after production issues at one plant, according to reports. Boeing last month said that some airlines operating its 787 Dreamliners have removed eight jets from service after the planemaker identified two distinct manufacturing issues in the fuselage section. The FAA may mandate enhanced or accelerated inspections that could cover hundreds of jets in potential lapses stretching back a decade, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing an internal government memo and people familiar with the matter. In the memo dated August 31, Boeing told FAA that it had manufactured some parts at its South Carolina facilities that failed to meet its standards, according to the paper. The company found manufacturing defects on some of its 787 long-range airliners in areas where parts of the fuselage are joined together, the latest setback for the aircraft maker whose 737 Max is still grounded after two deadly crashes. Such a safety directive could cover as many as 900 Dreamliners delivered since 2011, according to the report. The final language of the directive depends on ongoing reviews by Boeing and the FAA. The FAA and Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment by Reuters. Being 787-8 Dreamliner airplanes of Singapore low-cost carrier Scoot Tigerair, grounded due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, are parked at the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage facility in Alice Springs, Australia at the end of last month The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is said to be considering inspections that could cover hundreds of Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliners after production issues at one plant The company had said that eight planes must be inspected and repaired before they are allowed to fly, and it contacted the airlines, which removed those planes from service. Boeing declined to identify the airlines involved, but United Airlines, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines confirmed that each has one plane grounded for inspection. Boeing Co. said that it discovered 'two distinct manufacturing issues' toward the rear of certain 787s that means the planes dont meet design standards. The company said it notified the Federal Aviation Administration and is trying to determine the cause of the problem. It is understood the issue stems from checks on the material that fills gaps between sections of the jets main body section, known as shims. The issue was first reported by The Air Current, which said it was the first known instance of a structural problem with the planes mostly carbon-fiber fuselage causing Boeing to tell airlines to ground 787s. The 787, which Boeing calls the Dreamliner, entered service at many airlines in 2011 and became popular with airlines for longer routes because of size and fuel efficiency. Boeing has delivered nearly 1,000 of them. In 2013, when there were about 50 787s in service, the planes were grounded worldwide for three months after battery packs on two of them overheated, including a Japan Airlines 787 that was parked at Bostons Logan Airport. Regulators allowed 787s to resume flying after Boeing redesigned the housing around lithium-ion batteries used for auxiliary power systems including the electrical system in the cockpit. Ethiopian Federal policemen stand at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash in March 2019 Indonesian people examining debris of the ill-fated Lion Air flight JT 610 in Jakarta in 2018 Last year, Singapore Airlines grounded two of its 787s after finding that fan blades on some Rolls Royce engines deteriorated faster than expected. The Boeing 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide since March 13, 2019, following an Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed 157 people. That catastrophe came just a few months after a Lion Air MAX crash that killed 189 people. The FAA has said it will only permit the jet to fly again when it is satisfied the model has met all safety concerns. The agency completed test flights on the plane on July 1. By Ayya Lmahamad SOCAR Georgia Gas, the Georgian branch of Azerbaijan State Oil Company, exported about 812 million cubic meters of natural gas to Georgia during the first six months of 2020, Ibrahim Ahmadov, Deputy Head of SOCARs Public Relations department has told Trend. However, gas supply to Georgias high mountain regions of have been temporarily frozen in the reporting period due to the halt of tourism projects in mountainous regions amid COVID-19. The parties to the negotiations are hotel developers in the mountainous, hard-to-reach regions of Georgia. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some projects in the tourism industry have temporarily suspended their investment activity, Ahmadov said. Moreover, he emphasized that this year there are no plans to build or launch new facilities in Georgia. It should be noted that SOCAR is the main supplier for natural gas, oil and petroleum products to Georgia. Azerbaijan produced 22.3 million cubic meters of gas during the first seven months of 2020. Georgia accounted to 1.4 billion cubic meters of gas exports from Azerbaijan. Moreover, Azerbaijan is Georgias largest exporter of bitumen. Azerbaijan accounted for 59.3 percent of neighboring Georgias exports of bitumen in the period between January-July 2020. Thus, the country exported 33,900 tons of bitumen to Georgia in the reporting period. Azerbaijan also accounted for 18.7 percent, or 114,000 tons of total volume of fuel exported to neighboring Georgia in January-July in 2020, becoming second largest fuel supplier to Georgia after Russia. The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic is involved in exploring oil and gas fields, producing, processing, and transporting oil, gas, and gas condensate, marketing petroleum and petrochemical products in domestic and international markets, and supplying natural gas to industry and the public in Azerbaijan. The company owns two refineries in Azerbaijan, one in Turkey, as well as networks of petrol stations in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Romania and Switzerland. Main directions of SOCAR Georgia Gas LLC activity comprise exports to the Georgian market and sale of natural gas, as well as construction and rehabilitation of gas pipelines. Additionally, SOCAR Georgia Petroleum LLC was established in 2006, and at present, there are over 70 filling stations at the subordinate of the company. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Jacob Blake, the Black man who was shot multiple times in the back by a white police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin last month, spoke publicly about how he is doing for the first time, releasing a video from his hospital bed. In a video posted by one of his attorneys, Ben Crump, late on Saturday, Blake, who was dressed in a hospital gown, described how he is in constant pain from the shooting that doctors say could leave him paralyzed from the waist down. I got staples in my back, staples in my damn stomach, the 29-year-old says in the video. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side to side, it hurts to eat. Advertisement #JacobBlake released this powerful video message from his hospital bed today, reminding everyone just how precious life is. #JusticeForJacobBlake pic.twitter.com/87CYlgPDBj Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 6, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 57-second video, Blake said theres a lot more life to live and warned that everyone needs to realize how quickly things can change. Your life and not only just your life, your legs something that you need to move around and move forward in life could be taken from you like this, Blake said while snapping his fingers. That realization should push people to change how they live their lives. Please, Im telling you: Change yall lives out there, he said. We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man. Because so much time has been wasted. The video marked the second-ever public appearance for Blake, whose shooting sparked widespread protests. Blake made his first public appearance on Friday when he appeared in court from his hospital bed. He was charged in July with third-degree sexual assault, which is a felony, as well as criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, which are misdemeanors. His attorney entered not guilty pleas on the three charges. Blake spoke briefly with the judge during the appearance on the charges that are unrelated to the August 23 shooting. By Tong Kim With the continuing nuclear and missile development by China and North Korea, amid a prolonged stalemate on nuclear talks with the North, the existential risk of a nuclear conflict either between China and the U.S. or between North Korea and the U.S. is lingering, if not rising, in Northeast Asia. For a quarter of a century, the United States has tried and failed different forms and approaches to denuclearizing North Korea. It failed with the 1994 Agreed Framework, the 2004 joint statement of the 6-party talks, the 2012 Leap Day agreement, and the 2018 Singapore summit agreement. Did neither the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which Pyongyang joined in 1986 and withdrew from it in 2003, nor well-intended arms reduction treaties help prevent North Korea's breakout as a de facto nuclear state? The NPT has three goals: non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Under the NPT, non-nuclear-weapon states pledge not to acquire or manufacture nuclear weapons, and the five recognized nuclear states the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, and France agree not to transfer nuclear weapons to or assist non-nuclear states in developing a nuclear weapon. The treaty also encourages good faith negotiations for total nuclear disarmament. However, no such negotiations have ever been held. Interestingly, President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for making a political statement in Prague in 2009 that he would work to build a world free of nuclear weapons. On the other hand, the termination of arms control treaties can have a negative impact. Yet, the U.S. withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) in 2002, and from the Intermediate Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty in February 2019, which banned all land-based mid and short-range missiles of 1,000 to 5,500 kilometers in range, and their missile launchers. The New START that limits deployed nuclear weapons to 1,550 will probably be terminated by expiration next February. Both parties the U.S. and Russia appear to have little interest in renegotiating an extension of the treaty. Without a new arms control mechanism in place, it appears that China, Russia, North Korea and the U.S. will be heading for an accelerated nuclear arms race. The Trump administration has revealed some alarming signals in its 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR). Under the NPR, the U.S., while reserving the option of first-use of nuclear weapons, will modernize and enhance its nuclear capabilities. It will develop a low-yield nuclear warhead as a deterrent to a limited nuclear conflict. It also will sustain and replace the TRIAD a three-leg delivery system of land-based ICBMs, heavy bombers, and submarine launchers with new advanced systems. The U.S. believes that its nuclear arsenal serves as a deterrence to nuclear and other types of war. It also believes its extended nuclear deterrence to its allies and partners has a non-proliferation effect, since their reliance on U.S. commitment should preempt the development of their own nuclear weapons. While the U.S. says it will support non-proliferation and arms reduction efforts, it will not ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is not yet in force due to the rejection by some states including the U.S., China, and North Korea. However, the U.S. will keep a moratorium on testing and asks others to do the same. Currently, North Korea is believed to possess 20 to 60 warheads and demonstrated delivery systems for short to long ranges. China's arsenal ranges from 200 to 300 nuclear weapons according to varying assessments. China has announced a no-first-use policy, with its credibility in question. Nevertheless, if the U.S. also declares a no-first-use policy, it will contribute to stabilizing the turbulent security environment in the region. Will this undermine the deterrent effect of the U.S. nuclear arsenal? A denuclearized Korean Peninsula can serve as a buffer between the U.S. and China, minimizing the chance for an apocalyptic nuclear clash in Northeast Asia, if it is incorporated in the framework of a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (NWFZ) that will include the two Koreas and Japan. A key to a successful NWFZ is a protocol that legally assures the security of the Zone by the recognized nuclear weapons states against external nuclear threats. In the 1980's, the North proposed establishment of an NWFZ on and around the peninsula. A new denuclearization approach can borrow a positive input from the concept of an NWFZ, in addition to pursuing a familiar approach to three tasks: normalization; a peace regime; and a phased, reciprocal process to complete denuclearization with the conditions of lifting sanctions, with snap-back measures. It is time to try something different. Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a visiting professor with the University of North Korean Studies, a visiting scholar with Korea University, a fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, and a columnist for The Korea Times. Once a role model in the fight against Covid-19, Israel decided Sunday to partially lock down several cities to slow the fast-spreading contagion as the government faces harsh criticism over the crisis. The governments ministerial committee on coronavirus decided to impose a nightly closure" on 40 cities and towns with the highest infection rates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. He said educational institutions" would be closed with the exception of special education centres, and gatherings limited to 10 people in closed spaces and 20 outdoors. I know these limitations are not easy, but in the current situation, theres no way to avoid them," Netanyahu said of the restrictions set to begin on Monday. Israel passed the milestone of 1,000 novel coronavirus deaths this weekend after the toll tripled over the summer, fuelling regular protests against Netanyahus management of the health crisis and associated economic downturn. The dead were commemorated by Yediot Aharonot, Israels top-selling daily newspaper, which covered its front page with the names of the victims and called out the shameful failure of the management of the crisis since May". According to data collected by AFP, the Jewish state has risen to be ranked fifth in the world for the number of infections per capita over the past two weeks, ahead of hard-hit countries Brazil and the United States. On Wednesday, the country with a population of under nine million confirmed a record 3,141 new infections in a single day. The ballooning cases stood in contrast to the low number of infections recorded in the early stages of the pandemic. When the first virus cases emerged in March, the government took swift action, cancelling almost all international flights, shutting down non-essential businesses and placing the country under lockdown for weeks. By mid-May, after zero cases were recorded for two consecutive days, the government moved to expedite the reopening of schools, bars, eateries and places of worship, as well as allowing weddings under limitations. Infection numbers began rising within days of loosening restrictions and since July the number of cases have risen to more than 130,000. Some said the increase was due to lifting measures too quickly, coupled with insufficient economic assistance that pushed people back into work. Others blamed disorganisation in the healthcare system. As part of efforts to control the public health crisis, the government divided the countrys cities and towns into four colour-coded categories green, yellow, orange and red based on infection rates. The 40 cities and towns subject to the closure were the red" ones. If the closure is in our interest and to not spread the disease further among people, then there is no problem, even if there is suffering due to the closure", said Imad, a resident of the Muslim quarter in Jerusalems Old City. Israels army will deploy 7,000 reserve troops to bolster police forces in red" cities. We must put an end to indifference and disregard" for protocols, said Ronni Gamzu, chief doctor in the Covid-19 fight. Gamzu highlighted a need in particular for vigilance in ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities, where case numbers have been notably high and adherence to health protocols patchy. Mayors of four major ultra-Orthodox cities expressed outrage over the intention to lock down their cities in a harshly-worded letter to Netanyahu, saying they will not cooperate with authorities. In an attempt to assuage their anger, Netanyahu denied discriminating against their cities. A red city is not designated as such out of malice or arbitrarily, its designated based on scientific data the number of sick people, the infection rate," he said in a video. Currently the focus is in Arab and ultra-Orthodox locales." Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called on Sunday for sweeping lockdown measures, saying on public radio that with 3,000 cases a day, there are no green cities". There is no choice but to close everything, it is better to lock down the whole country for two weeks and become a green country again than to stay in the red for months," he added. But other key figures in Netanyahus unity government fear the economic repercussions of locking down the whole country. On top of that, the government could face pressure not to impose nationwide restrictions from the ultra-Orthodox community. It is opposed to measures that would close places of worship ahead of the Jewish festivals of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur later in September. Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Telegram. Gardai in the Kildare Division were proud to stand in solidarity with emergency service and frontline colleagues on National Services Day 2020 on Saturday. A parade is usually held through Dublin but this wasn't possible this year due to to Covid-19 guidelines. Officers in the Kildare Division are pictured at garda stations in Naas, Clane and Athy. The day honours all frontline and emergency services including gardai, the fire service, the Coast Guard and RNLI. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee laid a wreath at Collins Barracks in Dublin to remember all those from the emergency and frontline services who have lost their lives. The Air Corps carried out a flyover over Dublin and organisers invited motorists to beep their car horns at 3pm. They also encouraged people to come out and clap their hands at their nearest garda station, fire station or RNLI station in a show of solidarity with frontline workers. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "Today we say thank you to all of our emergency frontline workers on National Services Day "Every day these women and men support and protect communities right across our country. "Their vital contribution to society enables us to continue the fight against #Covid-19." Former Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria is fighting the urge to just put her feet up during quarantine. In fact, even on Labor Day she refused to give herself a day off from the grind of looking great. The 45-year-old actress showed off her fit form on Monday, amid a punishing gym session, which she caught on Instagram saying: 'Doing some hard labor on this Labor Day!' Desperate for a workout! Eva Longoria, 45, shows off her fit form as she does 'hard labor' in the gym on Labor Day The busy mother is often sharing intimate snaps of her son, Santiago Enrique Baston, who she welcomed in 2018 with husband Jose Baston. In April this year, Eva also shared an honest moment, revealing her grey roots which she had been struggling to conceal in lockdown, telling fans: 'Hi guys! Look at all this grey. This is crazy!' The actress continued: 'If you've been following me, you know that I've been going grey.' No rest for the wicked: Eva has a killer shape and it's not hard to see why Pushing through the paid: The actress said she was putting in some 'hard labor' during her set Muscles: Showing off her strength, the L'Oreal spokesperson impressed with her gym mobes She then whipped out a root spray by L'Oreal Paris, for whom she serves as an ambassador, which she used to blend her locks back to their raven hue in seconds. Eva has been keeping herself busy amid the coronavirus pandemic, sharing footage of herself working out, and also appearing in a Desperate Housewives reunion. Texas native Eva returned home to quarantine earlier this in March, after travelling to Italy, the centre of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Keeping fit in lockdown: Eva has been sharing workout snaps to Instagram lately Multitasking: She has also been working out with her young son Santiago in tow On February 20, Eva flew from Los Angeles to Rome to shoot a short film amid the coronavirus outbreak that has since put all of Italy under lockdown. She was staying in Castel Gandolfo, a medieval town 25 kilometres away from the capital, and was pictured running through the woods while shooting a scene. Near the end of February, she assured her Instagram followers that she was all right since she was not in northern Italy, where the virus first became a major concern. Keeping it real: However, the former Desperate Housewives star also shared this honest moment with fans in April, showing off her grey hairs 'Hi everybody. I am shooting in this small town in Italy. I am nowhere near the North, thank you for your concerns,' she said. 'Everyone was calling and texting me about the coronavirus in the north of Italy. It's really sad, but we're further away.' Covid-19 testing at Exxaro operations. Photo: Exxaro Testing Communities The industry realised early on that its testing approach was going to be risk-based and more rigorous than many other industries, said Tebello Chabana, Minerals Council senior executive: public affairs and transformation. A very important driver of our approach was to ensure that companies were able to access testing capacity where and when they needed it. To this end, the Minerals Council engaged with a wide range of testing laboratories to establish capacity and ensure access to expanded capacity.We are very confident that this approach has made a very substantial difference, not only in ensuring greater testing capacity for mining employees but more broadly in South Africa, he said.He also spoke of the importance of collaboration between mining companies, and between the companies and others, in these circumstances.Thabo Masike, Seriti Resources chief people officer, whose company has established a joint Covid-19 testing initiative with Exxaro because of the proximity of a number of their respective operations, explained that Seriti was anxious that the companys 5,500 employees should not lack testing facilities when the pandemic peaked.That goal was achieved. Some 23% of Seriti employees have been tested at this point. In addition, the company engaged with regional Department of Health offices so that the companys testing capacity could be used in high incidence areas near its Mpumalanga operations.Dr Joseph Matjila, Exxaro group manager: health and safety, outlined the two sets of testing facilities his group has established, the one in Mpumalanga with Seriti, and the other a joint venture with Eskom in Limpopo province.Matjila said the two testing facilities are capable of providing test results within three hours of receiving the swabs to be tested. He believes this has had a major impact on reducing the incidence of Covid-19 at Exxaro operations and surrounding communities, by enabling rapid implementation of contact tracing whenever a positive case is diagnosed, and isolation measures wherever required.Gerrit Lotz, vice president: people and organisational effectiveness at Gold Fields South Deep Mine said South Deep had resolved early on that all employees should be tested on their return to work. These employees formed one of four categories of individuals tested as part of their ongoing protocols, with the others being those at risk, such as essential service workers; those selected through risk-based sampling; and persons under investigation due to, for example, having self-declared symptoms.In addition to enabling rapid contact tracing and isolation measures, he said South Deep had used experts to analyse the test results and use the information for predicting which employees were most likely at risk of infection and to provide intensive, targeted education. It also enabled the mine to predict absenteeism trends and bring in replacement employees timeously.Conroy van der Westhuizen, Glencore Alloys general manager, explained how the company had approached the testing imperative by partnering with the Groblersdal-based Ndlovu healthcare group.Glencore Alloys funded equipment for Ndlovu capable of carrying out 600-800 tests a day for employees and communities. The equipment, much of which is suited for managing other diseases, such as HIV, has been donated to Ndlovu which will continue using it to carry out its public health work. A man walks by a burning pile of debris in the street in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 5, 2020. (Allison Dinner/AFP via Getty Images) 15 Arrested During Unrest in Portland Fifteen people were arrested in Portland overnight Sunday after a crowd lit fires in the street, violating the countys burn ban issued because of extremely dry conditions. Unrest has continued in Oregons largest city since May 28 with no signs of stopping. After a riot led to over 50 arrests the night before, a crowd gathered in north Portland and marched to the Portland Police Bureaus precinct there. Rioters have tried burning down the building with people inside, something Mayor and Police Commissioner Ted Wheeler described last month as attempted murder. Marchers were blocked from directly accessing the building. They dragged a mattress onto a nearby street and lit it on fire. Another mattress was added, along with some yard debris. The fire began to send lit embers into the air. Because the fire violated the burn ban and firefighters expressed concern about the danger the fire posed to the residential area, police officers told the crowd that the fire would be extinguished. A woman and a man are detained by police officers during rioting in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 5, 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) In a rare show of cooperation, most of the crowd moved back and allowed firefighters to put out the fire. Later in the night, the crowd blocked an entire street outside the precinct. While the crowd blocked the street, drivers in two separate cars trying to proceed were caught by surprise and were stuck in the middle of the crowd, the bureau said in an incident summary. A female black driver driving one of the cars shouted at the crowd, telling them: Get out of the way. Because you killed my brother, move! The crowd, which appeared to be mostly white, refused to move. This is a protest. Youre getting violent with us, one said. Youre setting fires in the streets? No, thats violence. Thats violent. Get out of my way, the woman said. The crowd ultimately let the woman through after several minutes of shouting. The demonstration fizzled out by around 1 a.m. People chanted burn it down during the demonstration. One speaker said: We are nonviolent. We are civilly disobedient, we going [to] burn, we going do whatever we have to do to make sure that they understand that black lives matter. Adam Layee (L) and Camillo Masagli were arrested for reckless burning in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 6, 2020. (Multnomah County Sheriffs Office) Fifteen people were arrested, including Adam Layee, 36, for reckless burning and possession of a destructive device. Another person arrested had a stun gun and a baton, while two had ballistic vests, including one marked with the word press. Four of those arrested came from outside the state: one from Mesa, Arizona, one from Utah, and one from Vancouver, Washington. During the night, Antifa social media accounts faced backlash from supporters. Antifa is a far-left, anarcho-communist group. The PNW Youth Liberation Front told people to be water, a reference to being fluid during demonstrations and riots. Instead of marching straight to the riot line, head-first into clouds of tear gas and violent arrests, lets move AWAY from the cops. Lets flow, like water, on the path of least resistance, the group said. Another group, PNW Resistance, added, Enough of the slow in the front, protect the back stuff, if you cant keep up, dont show up. People got upset, calling the tweet ableist and exclusionary. PNW Resistance took it down, saying its moderator was taking a break for the night and the group would write a statement about the post. Mayor and Police Commissioner Ted Wheeler said in a statement on Sunday night that the riots on Saturday evening arent safe for anyone involved, and dont move reform forward. I restricted the use of CS to life safety situations, and the incident commander determined that its use was necessary last night at least in part because of the fires being set in the neighborhood. I welcome an open and frank discussion about what tools officers should use, which they should not, and where to draw the lines, he added. Footage from Sept. 5: The statement came after a resident in southeast Portland said his home filled with tear gas, also known as CS gas, while police were dispersing rioters from a police precinct. Elijah Warren, the resident, said he went outside and was speaking to a police officer when another officer hit him, giving him a concussion. He was actually listening to me. He was taking the time to listen, like, oh okay, this is a neighbor, Warren told KOIN. And the other one just hit me. In an interview with The Oregonian on Friday, Wheeler said violence from police officers is as much of a concern as violence from rioters. We need to make sure on one hand that those who are engaged in this violence and criminal activity are arrested and that they are held accountable for those actions. And on the other hand, the public needs to know that Ive heard them, that I understand their calls for police reform, that they want a different way of thinking about what public safety looks like in this community, he said. And we also create a police bureau that is deescalated, that is demilitarized, and is really focused on engaging in a meaningful, honest way with the community and rebuilding the trust thats been lost. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler speaks to the media at City Hall in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 30, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Wheeler said he understands people who want the National Guard sent to Portland to quell the unrest. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, has rejected his requests to send in the National Guard. Brown asked law enforcement agencies from nearby counties to send personnel instead, but the heads of those agencies declined, partly because of the recent decision from Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt to not pursue some charges against those arrested during unrest. Increasing law enforcement resources in Portland will not solve the nightly violence and now, murder. The only way to make Portland safe again, is to support a policy that holds offenders accountable for their destruction and violence, Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts said. That will require the DA to charge offenders appropriately and a decision by the Multnomah County Presiding Judge not to allow offenders released on their own recognizance, and instead require bail with conditions. The same offenders are arrested night after night, only to be released by the court and not charged with a crime by the DAs office. The next night they are back at it, endangering the lives of law enforcement and the community all over again. Wheeler said Schmidt is getting a bit of a bad rap here. I think its a little early to judge our new district attorney. And as I say, the conversations Ive had with him have given me every reason to believe that he is serious about prosecuting those who are engaged of acts of serious violence and criminal destruction. Ive heard nothing to the contrary, he said. President Donald Trump weighed in on Monday morning, writing on Twitter: Rochester N.Y., Brooklyn N.Y., Portland All had bad nights, all weakly run by Radical Left Democrat Governors and Mayors! Get the picture? JERSEYVILLE A six-county Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy hopes to attract logistics and intermodal operations similar to those already seen in St. Louis and the Metro East. About 50 representatives from Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Christian and Montgomery counties have partnered to complete the Western Illinois River Valley Economic Development Strategy CEDS. They were joined in the work by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville; state Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield; and state Reps. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, and Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville. The planning was directed by Shari Albrecht, executive director of the Jerseyville Economic Development Council, and Jennifer Russell, Zach Kennedy and Will Andresen of the University of Illinois Extension. By completing this process and having our plan now in place, we are eligible for federal funding opportunities, said Albrecht. Each local government has to be part of a regional economic development initiative to be eligible for federal grant funds, she said. Having this plan, this strategy, in place now lays out ways for us to pursue funding that was not an option before it. This is a big deal for our area, as each of the six counties involved are interrelated, she said. We are all part of a bigger picture. The CEDS is a regional economic development tool that serves as a roadmap, according to Litchfield City Administrator and Economic Development Director Tonya Flannery. The plan gives specific details on projects that are identified within the region and serves as comprehensive plan for grant applications, she said. It can guide decision making on resources to leverage the greatest benefits on projects included in the plan. Participants in the process included three representatives from each of the six counties. Each county provided $1,900 for the effort, with an in-kind grant from University of Illinois valued at $45,000. Further effort toward a final document came from a 30-member CEDS Innovation Team comprised of representatives from each of the counties who came together to provide additional input on the regions economic development strengths and weaknesses and further define the plan. The resulting document articulates a detailed demographic profile of the area with an analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as the potential for growth and an action plan for sustaining and growing the regions economy. One of the strongest aspects of the CEDS planning work has been recognition that the real work begins after the plan is completed, said Gillespie City Treasurer Dan Fisher who also is president of the Grow Gillespie initiative. The CEDS recognizes that attitudes are as much a part of a communitys infrastructure as its brick and mortar structures, he said. The plan is a real team effort and its a solid representation of the aspects and aspirations of our diverse region. The plan states the six counties are primed for regional logstics and intermodal operations as seen in St. Louis and the Metro East. Two such projects are already under way in Jersey and Montgomery counties, connected by Illinois 16. Jerseyville is in the initial stages of developing a rail facility and logistics park the Mid-American International Gateway (MAIG) industrial park along with Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railroad and the Stonemont Financial Group development firm based in Georgia. Expanding KCS rail service within Jersey and Greene counties would bolster the new U.S. 67 corridor, planners state, aided by the proximity to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers and KCS established lines in the counties. With the recent addition of an Enterprise Zone, and with other economic development tools in place, Stonemont continues its commitment to the construction of the rail-served, inland logistics industrial park in Jerseyville, the plans states. The economic ripple effect of Jerseyvilles MAIG development is expected to affect the entire region. Anticipated tenants include warehouse facilities, light manufacturing, assembly operations and other possibilities, creating 1,000 jobs. Targeted industries include automotive manufacturers and suppliers, business support services, trade and logistics, plastics manufacturers, agri-business and related sectors. Litchfield has developed two industrial parks and nearly 200 acres that has provided jobs for thousands over the past 40 years with a workforce of 700 employees currently, according to the plan. With limited space available in Litchfields current parks, development is under way of the Interstate 55 Commerce Center at the intersection of I-55 and Illinois 16. The city bought 130 acres adjacent to the Litchfield interchange for the industrial park, with an additional 120 acres under option. It is designed to include 20-25 lots, with city officials anticipating about 20 new businesses and the potential of adding 600 to 1,000 jobs. The project also includes extending utilities across I-55 on the west and servicing bulk water supply to regional water districts. It calls for improving Illinois 16 with an additional lane in each direction approaching the industrial park for truck-turn capacity and additional traffic. The main benefit of having a completed regional economic development strategy is that it provides a framework upon which to design and implement economic development projects, said University of Illinois Extension Community and Economic Development Specialist Zach Kennedy. While economic development can and does occur in piecemeal fashion, the establishment of common regional goals affords the opportunity to work toward regional success in a more organized and systematic fashion. A secondary benefit, which should not be undervalued, is that having a regional strategy that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) recognizes makes the region eligible to apply for EDA assistance under its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, Kennedy said. This funding could be crucial for local communities to implement their identified projects, and subsequently move the region forward. Pat Pinkston, who works with the Carrollton Square redevelopment initiative, said access to federal funds is critical for the projects and efforts, especially in light of the pandemic. We are actively developing strategies and projects informed by the CEDS document that will qualify for the funding from the EDA and other federal and state agencies, Pinkston said. Getting this document in place lays a key cornerstone to the future for the region. I believe that rural America is at a turning point, said Pinkston, and COVID-19 can accelerate a change. Rural areas offer the lifestyle that many of us are seeking relational, safe, affordable, etcetera but rural America has not transformed to provide the amenities and services that people require like high speed broadband, modern day care, modern restaurants, coffee shops, and other amenities and activities that people have come to expect in more urban areas. If we can provide those kinds of services and amenities on top of the foundational characteristics of rural communities, many will choose to return or seek these towns, Pinkston said. Those that can demonstrate that those services and amenities are present, or are on the future roadmap, will have opportunities for growth and prosperity. JEDC Partners in Progress lists as its mission to increase the economic vitality of the Jersey, Greene and northern Madison County region. For more information, contact Albrecht at sharialbrecht@jedc-il.us or 618/639-5332, or visit jedc-il.us. Schools in Cambodia reopened on Monday after a six-month closure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron said in an earlier statement that schools must strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health to curb the virus spread. He said teachers and students must wear face masks, have their body temperature checked, regularly wash hands with soap or alcohol and gel-based sanitisers and keep social distancing of 1.5 metres in classrooms. The Minister said that anyone whose body temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius will not be allowed to enter the school. "The number of students in a classroom must not be more than 20 to 25," Chuon Naron said, adding that the schools can arrange students to attend school two or three days a week and to do the rest of their learning at home. Cambodia has seen success in controlling the spread of COVID-19. The Southeast Asian country has recorded a total of 274 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, said a Ministry of Health's statement on Monday, adding that none have died and 272 have recovered. Al-Shabab suicide bomber kills at least three Somali troops and injures American military adviser in base attack. At least three Somali special forces soldiers were killed and an American officer was wounded in a car bombing and mortar attack outside a military base in Somalias south on Monday. The al-Qaeda-linked armed group al-Shabab said it was behind the attack and put the number of dead at 20. A Somali soldier was also wounded in the attack in Janay Abdalla village, some 60km (37 miles) from the port city of Kismayu, which is also Jubbaland states administrative capital. Two soldiers of Danab [special] forces died and two others were wounded. A US officer was seriously wounded, Mohamed Ahmed Sabriye, Jubbalands director of communications, told the Reuters news agency. He later said one of the wounded Somali soldiers died. Ismail Mukhtar Oronjo, a Somali government spokesman, told Anadolu news agency it was a suicide car bomb that exploded outside the special forces base. A car bomb blast targeted a military base in Janay Abdalla earlier on Monday, Oronjo said. Mohamed Abdulle, a local security official, told the AFP news agency the vehicle was fired upon but unable to be stopped. Mortar fire Al-Shabab has been fighting for control of the Horn of Africa country for years. Somalias government is supported by the US military, which launches regular air raids against the group. One US service member was injured in an attack by al-Shabab this morning, said a spokesman for the US Africa Command. US and Somali forces were conducting an advise, assist and accompany mission when al-Shabab attacked using a vehicle employed as an improvised explosive device and mortar fire. The American service member was in stable condition, the US military spokesman added. Al-Shabab said it killed American military personnel during the assault. We attacked US and Somali forces called Danab in Janay Abdalla village with a suicide car bomb. We killed four US officers and 16 Somali forces which they trained, Abdiasis Abu Musab, its military operations spokesman, said in a statement. We also wounded 12 Somali soldiers. We also destroyed three US armoured vehicles. Attacks continue Somalia has faced near-continuous conflict for almost 30 years, while the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu has been fighting al-Shabab since 2008. In August, 10 civilians and a police officer were killed in a gun-and-bomb attack by al-Shabab on an upscale beachfront hotel in the capital. That same month, four al-Shabab fighters held in Mogadishus central prison were killed in an intense shoot-out with security forces after they somehow managed to get their hands on weapons within the facility. At least seven people were killed in a separate attack in August when a car bomb exploded at an army base in Mogadishu where members of the Somali National Army (SNA) were stationed. Labor Day marks the traditional start of the election season for Donald Trump, Joe Biden and their running mates. President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden took rhetorical swipes at each other on Monday as the presidential campaign entered its traditional homestretch on the US Labor Day holiday. Trump described Biden, whom he trails in national polls, as a threat to the economy and stupid, while Biden took aim at Trumps reported disparaging of fallen troops. At a White House news conference, Trump said: Biden and his very liberal running mate (Kamala Harris), the most liberal person in Congress by the way is not a competent person in my opinion, would destroy this country and would destroy this economy. He also called Biden stupid. Trump has frequently referred to the former vice president as Sleepy Joe. Trump pushed back again against a report in The Atlantic that he had referred to fallen U.S. soldiers as suckers and losers, calling it a hoax. The story has dominated news coverage for days and threatens Trumps support among veterans and military members, a key voting bloc. Theres nobody that has more respect for not only our military, but for people that gave their lives in the military, Trump said. Biden cited the reported remarks while campaigning in the electoral battleground state of Pennsylvania. Referring to his son Beau Biden, who served in Iraq as a member of the Delaware National Guard and died of brain cancer in 2015, he said: Beau was wasnt a loser or a sucker. He served with heroes. Bidens visit to Pennsylvania on Monday kicked off a flurry of travel to battleground states this week by both Biden and Trump as some opinion polls show the race tightening with less than 60 days to go until the November 3 election. With the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest over racism and police brutality commanding attention in recent months, Biden is seeking to maintain his edge by painting the Republican president as an ineffectual leader who thrives on chaos and has left the working class behind. Trump has struggled to change the contours of the campaign despite highly charged rhetoric on racial polarisation and law and order intended to motivate his base and draw new supporters in suburban parts of key swing states, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Biden meets labour leaders Biden, meanwhile, was collecting a trio of endorsements from organised labour as he headed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for an AFL-CIO virtual town hall with union President Richard Trumka. Meeting first with local labour leaders in the back yard of a supporters home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Biden spoke about trade, the coronavirus and the economy as he criticised Trump for refusing to deal with the problems that affect ordinary people and called for strengthening unions. Biden promised to be the strongest labour president in the history of the country, vowing to hold executives legally accountable if they interfere with union organizing, and to raise the minimum wage and strengthen the National Labor Relations Board. Folks have figured out that its not the financial wizards of Wall Street that make this country run. Its you, the essential workers, Biden said during the virtual event with Trumka. Earlier on Monday, Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris met the family of a Wisconsin man shot by police last month to kick off her Labor Day visit to a critical swing state. Harris gathered with Jacob Blakes father, two sisters and members of his legal team at the airport in Milwaukee while Blakes mother and lawyer Ben Crump joined by phone. Blake also joined the conversation by phone. Biden met the family last week in Milwaukee before visiting Kenosha, the city where police shot Blake seven times in the back, leaving him paralysed from the waist down. Trumps narrow win in Wisconsin in 2016 helped to send him to the White House. The states importance in the 2020 elections was underscored by all four candidates campaigning there over the past week. The Biden campaign believes its labour support could help get out the vote in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Whether your child has returned to the classroom or is learning virtually from home, this school year is daunting for many parents. Our children have lived through a pandemic, and we need to meet them where they are and not get them anxious about where they arent, said Elizabeth Birr Moje, dean of the University of Michigans School of Education. Related: See first day of school photos of Michigan students amid pandemic Moje and other education experts know this school year is unlike any before it because of the novel coronavirus, but they have tips for parents on how to help their children succeed. Parents should prepare a specific learning space in the house to keep school work separate from home life, and they should encourage breaks from the screen to keep children from burning out. A routine and consistent schedule is also important for a childs success, but ultimately parents and students will have to be flexible to get through this school year, the experts say. 1. Create a school zone at home Setting up a quiet space in the home for a child to learn remotely will help keep school and home life separate, said Andrea Smith, a professor in Western Michigan Universitys College of Education and Human Development. One child could work in the living room, while another works from a desk in the dining room, she said. The location can be flexible, but its important for children to have a separate space designated specifically for their school work. Parents also working from home, and on frequent calls or video conferences, will be disruptive to a childs learning, but Moje recognizes that not every family will have the space to spread out among multiple rooms. Much like a typical school day, younger students wont have the full attention of their teacher and wont have undivided attention from mom or dad who are working from home, Smith said. She recommends those parents use a signal to help kids know when theyre busy and cant help. For example, a working parent can designate a certain hat or scarf to wear when on an important work call that tells the children not to interrupt, Smith said. I think parents need to feel encouraged not to feel guilty about not always being able to be 100% responsive, Smith said. Thats not realistic, and its OK. Another innovative idea Moje said shes seen is to put up colored lights around the parents office door -- red means the child cant interrupt while green says they are welcome to come in. Parents should come and go in small time increments to check on their childs progress -- much like a teacher who floats from one student to the next in the classroom, said Owen Bondono, a ninth-grade English teacher at Oak Park High School in Oakland County. Parents shouldnt sit down next to their child for the entirety of the assignment, said Bondono, Michigans Teacher of the Year for 2020-21. Working parents of older children home alone, should check in with texts, he said. For example, a child in this situation might have to text his or her parents twice a day a picture of what theyre working on or give a quick update on what theyve completed so far and what they plan to do before the next check in time. This makes the child accountable to do the work they said they would complete, he said. 2. Build in consistency and structure Children -- especially younger ones -- need routines and consistency to succeed in school, and wont have that automatically built into their days this year while learning from home. Families typical schedules have been completely disrupted by the pandemic, but its important for parents to try and reestablish routines, Moje said. The structure varies for every family, but children should do all the same things they would to prepare for going to school -- going to bed at a consistent time and getting up at the same time and brushing their teeth, getting dressed and eating breakfast, the experts say. Students should be part of the decision-making process to create the schedule and routine, Bondono said. Ask children what their ideal work-from-home school day looks like and write it out and display that schedule near their work space, he said. If its not working consistently, sit down with them and ask whats not working, what can we change, because the more that the student is involved in having some control over their day, the less you will have to have a battle of wills for them to do their work, Bondono said. Related: Put your kids on a news diet and other tips to coping with anxiety during a pandemic Parents should check in on their children and help them keep a structured routine, but they also need to give kids leeway to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes, Bondono said, adding students arent micromanaged in the classroom and should be left to learn on their own at home too. Parents of an older child should remember they are ultimately responsible for their own education, experts say. Micromanaging in a home setting may feel like the thing youre supposed to do to make sure kids are getting all their assignments done, but part of the learning that happens in high school is learning how to manage your own time and effort and attention, they say. The struggle is part of learning, Bondono said. Your goal as a parent should not be to remove all struggle from your childs education. It should be to help them cope with struggling. 3. Mix up approaches to learning When learning remotely from home, students shouldnt be in front of the computer screen all day, Smith said. Kids need active learning where they are physically manipulating materials and objects to develop their fine motor skills, Smith said. Practicing their spelling words with a pen and paper rather than only on a tablet or keyboard, for example, can help students step away from the technology but stay engaged, she said. Making sure theyre painting and coloring, theyre using clay, Smith said. Because having kids work off the screen for hours a day isnt in their best interest. Kids can do team-based learning activities virtually, too, she said. One example is spending virtual time with a friend to build LEGO structures. For older students, parents can use current events and news articles to teach their students about ethics, history and government, Smith said. She also recommends students help cook meals, shop for ingredients and budget for food as learning opportunities. Baking bread is a wonderful science experiment, Smith said. Reading a book is a great option to get away from the screens while also staying engaged, Bondono said. Students can also practice their writing skills by keeping a journal. This is important for students who may be experiencing emotional turmoil due to the pandemic, he said. 4. Take breaks Like adults, children need breaks from work and time to rest throughout the day, Smith said. We need to make sure that theres breaks built into their school days, and that at a certain time, school is done, Smith said. Breaks throughout the day help students be more productive, Smith said, recommending that parents try her power surge technique where a student works hard for a set amount of time on one task before taking a short break. If kids know theres an endpoint there, theyre going to work a little bit harder, Smith said. Older students may wish to spend their breaks on social media, but parents should be sure all their time isnt spent on Instagram or TikTok instead of doing their school work, Bondono said. Parents can use apps to monitor the amount of time students spend on each social media platform and set certain times during the day when cell phones arent allowed, he said. 5. Be flexible The best way to get through this school year is to be flexible and give each other grace, Smith said. Its OK that not every day is going to be a home run kind of a day, Smith said. Smith recommended that parents find a support system of other parents experiencing the same struggles, and if parents or children need professional help, Smith said now is the time to reach out. Nobodys done it this way before, Smith said. Theres no road map to follow. Parents should also look for humor in the craziness that is this school year, Smith said. If your child shows up dressed for preschool in mismatched pajamas, its like OK, it is what it is, Smith said. Finding the humor and positivity in it is going to go a long way. Parents also should remember that teachers know how to meet their students where they are, Bondono said. If your student is struggling, reach out to your teacher, he said. If you come up with a solution that works well for you and your students, share it with your teacher because there could be other kids struggling the same way. If your student is struggling, please know that its not going to be the end of the world. If they enter next year maybe a little bit behind where they should have been, next years teacher is going to know how to meet them where they are and help them catch up. 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. Also on MLive: Why one Michigan school district is allowing online learning on campus What needs to happen for each Michigan high school sport to play this fall? Michigan reports 8 coronavirus outbreaks at K-12 schools and 6 on college campuses As classes begin, faculty still pressing University of Michigan to switch to virtual fall semester The new Revenue Bill is to be passed in the coming session of the Telangana Assemby. Hyderabad: In a significant move towards enacting a new Revenue Act, the Telangana state government Monday ordered a holiday for all land registrations across the state. It also directed village revenue officers to hand over land records to tahsildars. Ahead of the new Revenue Bill, an order issued by chief secretary Somesh Kumar on Monday said all but a few registration-related activities will be suspended from September 8 until further instructions. The government is poised to introduce the revenue bill in the ongoing Assembly session to replace the existing one. "Accordingly, as per the powers vested under Rule 5 of the Telangana Registration Rules under the Registration Act 1908, holidays are declared with effect from September 8 until further orders for all registrar and sub-registrar offices in the state in respect of all registration services under the Registration Act, 1908," the order said. However, registration of will deeds, administration of marriages and franking services will continue as usual. The government of chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is aiming to bring in a new revenue model in the state, the key feature of which is instant transfer of ownership. While tehsildars will be made in charge of registration of agricultural lands, sub-registrars will handle non-agricultural lands. The Dharani website becomes crucial and entries already made in it will be given sanctity. The sudden move to stop registrations shocked people across the state. A few people staged protests near sub-registrar offices in Nizamabad district while closure of land transactions went off peacefully in the old Adilabad district. At some places village revenue officers expressed anger against the decision to remove them. Ghaziabad: Seven station house officers (SHOs) have been transferred in Ghaziabad city, according to an official order. The transfer order came late Sunday night. Inspector GT Road Kotwali of the city, Vishnu Kaushik, has been posted to Sahibabad. He has replaced Anil Kumar Shahi, who has been transferred to the Crime Branch, the order said. Khoda SHO Sandip Kumar will be taking the charge of Kotwali, Senior Superintendent of Police Kalanidhi Naithani told PTI. According to the order, Additional Inspector of Crime Branch Raghvendra Singh has been shifted to Masuri town. He replaced Umesh Panwar, who has been posted to the Crime Branch. Mohammad Aslam is the new SHO of Khoda. He has been sent from Kavi Nagar. Additional Inspector of Crime Branch Nagendra Chaubey has taken the charge as SHO Kavi Nagar police station, the SSP said. A California mom and lawmaker, Buffy Wicks, brought her baby to work because the Assembly's leader did not allow her to vote by proxy. She just gave birth to Elly five weeks ago. The bill came up while she was feeding her newborn On Monday night, the 43-year-old mom stood on the California Assembly floor before her colleagues to do what she wants done. While her weeks-old baby squirmed up in her arms, Wicks advocated a new bill up for a vote. She told the Assembly that she was in the middle of feeding her daughter when the bill came up. She strongly believes that they need to pass the bill, so she ran down the floor while carrying her little one. Elly made out a quick cry, which made Wicks laugh. She believed that her baby agreed with her too. Clearly, Wicks showed a mom juggling childcare with work. The Assembly's leader received criticisms after not letting Wicks vote by proxy. Later, he apologized for his actions. See also: Alabama Mom Makes Eczema Soap to Successfully Treat Son's Skin Condition No choice but to bring her baby Because of not being allowed to do remote voting, Wicks told PEOPLE that she had no choice but to bring her newborn to the state capitol late in the evening with her. Five weeks after giving birth via cesarean section, Wicks was recovering at home on maternity leave earlier this week. During her leave, the legislative session had its final votes of the session. Knowing that some bills could go either way, she wanted to vote because she believes her voice could make a difference. Wicks asked to vote by proxy from her home in Oakland, but Anthony Rendon, California Assembly Speaker, did not allow it. Speaker Rendon noted that only those high risks are qualified to do so, and the California mom is not one. See also: Florida Mom Reunited with 2-Year-Old Baby After Being Separated for 5 Months Due to Lockdown Since she could not sit out nor leave her baby, Wicks woke up early Monday morning and brought her baby and everything she needed to the capitol. For more than one hour, she commuted to the Capitol in Sacramento. She did it for the day-and-night deliberations because it would be the last of the session. She pleaded the Assembly to pass the housing bill that would help alleviate the local crunch. While it passed the Assembly, it did not make it to a Senate vote before the midnight deadline. Later, Wicks tweeted that she was "absolutely devastated," but she promised that she would always show up for housing. California Assemblymember @buffywicks was told that having recently given birth wasnt sufficient excuse to cast a vote remotely. So she brought her newborn daughter to the floor to weigh in on an important housing bill. https://t.co/elofHmIcxl pic.twitter.com/ZQf9F10qKE Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 1, 2020 However, she was able to vote on another bill to expand family medical leave, which was close to the deadline. It would become law by January 1 if the governor signs it. See also: Portland Mom Worried About Kids [Saw Signs of Depression Due to Lockdown] On Tuesday, Wicks drove home past midnight and did not sleep a wink until three in the morning. The video of her speaking on the Assembly floor with her newborn was spreading. Many moms could relate to her, juggling everything from work, to child care, to taking care of the home. Wicks explained that even her first-born Jojo, who is now 3 , was just five months old when she began campaigning for her job. She explained that she wants her children to see women make the change since it is already 2020. Steve Ashmore became the CEO of HSS Hire Group plc (LON:HSS) in 2017, and we think it's a good time to look at the executive's compensation against the backdrop of overall company performance. This analysis will also evaluate the appropriateness of CEO compensation when taking into account the earnings and shareholder returns of the company. See our latest analysis for HSS Hire Group How Does Total Compensation For Steve Ashmore Compare With Other Companies In The Industry? At the time of writing, our data shows that HSS Hire Group plc has a market capitalization of UK44m, and reported total annual CEO compensation of UK551k for the year to December 2019. Notably, that's a decrease of 19% over the year before. Notably, the salary which is UK368.0k, represents most of the total compensation being paid. In comparison with other companies in the industry with market capitalizations under UK151m, the reported median total CEO compensation was UK219k. This suggests that Steve Ashmore is paid more than the median for the industry. Furthermore, Steve Ashmore directly owns UK82k worth of shares in the company. Component 2019 2018 Proportion (2019) Salary UK368k UK363k 67% Other UK183k UK315k 33% Total Compensation UK551k UK678k 100% Talking in terms of the industry, salary represented approximately 52% of total compensation out of all the companies we analyzed, while other remuneration made up 48% of the pie. According to our research, HSS Hire Group has allocated a higher percentage of pay to salary in comparison to the wider industry. If total compensation veers towards salary, it suggests that the variable portion - which is generally tied to performance, is lower. A Look at HSS Hire Group plc's Growth Numbers Over the past three years, HSS Hire Group plc has seen its earnings per share (EPS) grow by 48% per year. Its revenue is up 1.7% over the last year. Shareholders would be glad to know that the company has improved itself over the last few years. It's also good to see modest revenue growth, suggesting the underlying business is healthy. Moving away from current form for a second, it could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future. Story continues Has HSS Hire Group plc Been A Good Investment? With a three year total loss of 34% for the shareholders, HSS Hire Group plc would certainly have some dissatisfied shareholders. So shareholders would probably want the company to be lessto generous with CEO compensation. To Conclude... As previously discussed, Steve is compensated more than what is normal for CEOs of companies of similar size, and which belong to the same industry. However, we must not forget that the EPS growth has been very strong, but it's disappointing to see negative shareholder returns over the same period. Although we'd stop short of calling it inappropriate, we think Steve is earning a very handsome sum. CEO pay is simply one of the many factors that need to be considered while examining business performance. We did our research and identified 2 warning signs (and 1 which can't be ignored) in HSS Hire Group we think you should know about. Important note: HSS Hire Group is an exciting stock, but we understand investors may be looking for an unencumbered balance sheet and blockbuster returns. You might find something better in this list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Jon Gosselin's son Collin sounded upbeat as he updated his Instagram followers about his living situation with his father over the weekend. The 16-year-old former reality TV star posted a closeup selfie showing off his new haircut on Sunday, along with a short message. 'Got a new cut and Im doing better than ever,' he wrote. 'Life is too great to not enjoy! #livelikeitsyourlastday.' Feeling good: Collin Gosselin, 16, updated his followers on Sunday with a selfie of his new haircut and said he was 'better than ever' after his father Jon Gosselin took him out of a boarding school he found abusive Collin has been living with his father ever since he was pulled out of the Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute. In an interview with DailyMailTV from September 2019, Jon claimed that his ex-wife Kate mentally tortured Collin and his sister Hannah. Collin managed to smuggle out a letter written in smudged crayon that asked for his father's help in rescuing him from the school via his older roommate. 'I told Mom I want to live with you, she said no. But right? She cant choose for me. Im old enough now, Im YOUR son, not hers,' he wrote. 'She was abusive to me after I left your house. Im sorry. Take this to court because youre my dad, my savior. Im counting on you to get me out of here. Daddy, I love you. Save me. Please come FAST. I love you. Help me. BYE.' Free and clear: Collin has been living with his father ever since he was pulled out of the Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute, where his mother placed him Two for the road: Collin and his sister Hannah now live with Jon in Pennsylvania, while the other four sextuplets and their older twin siblings live with Kate Jon took the matter to court, and he was award sole legal and physical custody of his son after his ex and her attorney didn't show up. Kate previously had been awarded full legal custody over their sextuplets, and she and Jon initially shared physical custody. Back in February, Jon revealed on the First Class Fatherhood podcast that Kate had had 'no contact' with Collin since he moved in with his dad. 'Right now, its very tumultuous pretty much because theres no contact between Collin and his other siblings,' the former reality star said. 'Theres contact between Hannah and the other siblings, [but not with Collin].' Hannah and Collin now both live with Jon, though their siblings Aaden, Alexis, Joel and Leah all live with Kate, as do the older twins Cara and Maddy, 19. Cut off: Back in February, Jon revealed on the First Class Fatherhood podcast that Kate had had 'no contact' with Collin since he moved in with his dad; shown in June 2019 Ouch: Collin shared a moving tribute to his father's girlfriend Collen Conrad for Mother's Day that seemed to shade his mother Kate Gosselin by leaving her out completely Collin's negative feelings toward his mother were put on display (by omission) in a Mother's Day post in which he praised his father's girlfriend Colleen for being an 'awesome mother figure' and one of his 'best friends,' while not even mentioning his own mother. Jon previously lambasted Kate for sending Collin away to a special needs institution when he didn't suffer from anything more serious than common ADHD. The reality star claimed Kate was 'narcissistic and selfish' in his interview with DailyMailTV last year. 'She always speaks for the children. They say this, they want to do this unicorns, rainbows and look, flying pigs. It's all lies. They all have voices.' Jon claimed that while Collin was 'caged' for three years at the institution, his mother only visited him three times for less than two hours total, all while refusing to tell Jon where Collin was being kept. Early Morning Smoke over New Melones View Photo The Mariposa County and Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control Districts have issued an Air Quality Alert for both Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, due to the smoke impacts from surrounding wildfires. The Air Quality Alert will likely remain in effect until the fires are extinguished. Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravated lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections. Residents are advised to use caution as conditions warrant, People with heart and lung diseases should follow their doctor`s advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality. Additionally, older adults and children should avoid prolonged exposure, strenuous activities or heavy exertion, as conditions dictate. Rumours suggest that the U.S. may add another Chinese technology company to its entity list. As reported by CNBC, the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), which is the largest Chinese chipmaker, may find itself on that list. This would mean the company would be unable to receive U.S. made good in the future. Tensions have continued to rise between China and the Trump administration for a while now. Moves such as the creation of Trumps entity list and the list of clean mobile carriers have not helped this situation. All of this pressure from the U.S. and Trump has put a lot of pressure on the Chinese technology industry. As a result, one report suggests a worst case scenario would see Huawei exit the global smartphone market. Advertisement This pressure is currently showing no signs of abating as Trump considers more Chinese companies to add to his entity list. This will pile more pressure on China but also raise the tensions between the two countries significantly. Trump may add another Chinese tech company to entity list By adding another Chinese company to its entity list the U.S. demonstrates that it will not slow down in its efforts to disrupt China. The list currently has over 300 Chinese-based companies on it restricting their ability to interact with U.S. companies. The Department of Defense is now discussing whether they should add SMIC to the list. Defense Department spokesperson made a statement on the topic. Advertisement They said, that the department is working to determine if SMICs actions warrant adding them to the Department of Commerces Entity List. This move comes after Virginia-based defense contractor, claimed SMIC had ties to Chinas defense sector. It also claimed that Chinese military researchers have disclosed that they use SMIC technology to manufacture chips. SMIC vehemently denied such claims. In a statement is said that the company was in complete shock and perplexity to the news. Imposing these sorts of export controls on SMIC would have a big impact on U.S. companies that sell chip-making technology to China manufacturers. Advertisement This all also ties in with recent restrictions on Huawei purchasing obtaining semiconductors. Companies now require approval from the U.S. government. SMIC is one of Huaweis manufactures. The tensions and restrictions between the U.S. and China are clearly far from over. With the former pressuring other governments to take similar sanctions this has the potential to a global problem very soon. Unless something changes soon we could be looking at serious ramifications worldwide. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:22:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Though the global financial sector is facing challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China has continued to accelerate the opening up of its financial sector. "If a Chinese company sells its products abroad, it needs a legal channel to receive the payment. What we offer is such a cross-border payment tool," said Cheng Fei, cross-border business director of Lakala Payment Co., Ltd., at the ongoing financial services thematic exhibition of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). Thanks to cross-border trade, the company's cross-border transactions hit nearly 10 billion yuan (about 1.46 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of this year, up 40 percent year-on-year. Nearly 150 international and domestic financial institutions are participating in the financial services thematic exhibition online and offline at the CIFTIS, including 43 foreign financial institutions from 18 countries and regions. "We are very pleased that UBS Group has participated in CIFTIS, featuring our three major businesses, namely wealth management, investment banking and asset management," said David Chin, investment bank, Asia Pacific and China country head at UBS. "China has always been an important market for UBS and the continued opening of China's financial market presents key opportunities for UBS," he said. "We believe that China's economy is expected to maintain relatively fast growth and the size and development potential of its domestic consumer market is huge. With the continuous upgrading of technology, accelerated digitalization and continued reform and opening up, China's booming economy will be noticeable to international investors," he added. Since 2018, Chinese authorities have given approval to foreign banks and insurers to set up nearly 100 institutions in China, said Zhou Liang, vice chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) at a forum during the CIFTIS. Zhou underscored that China has always kept its promise to open up its financial sector, while pledging to provide a consistent, open and transparent policy environment for foreign financial institutions. The CBIRC will also help Chinese lenders and insurers explore overseas markets, participate in global financial governance and strengthen international financial cooperation, Zhou said. "The business environment in China is getting better and better, and China's opening-up measures in the financial sector have provided us with great opportunities to enter the Chinese market," said Wang Ren, chief representative of the Beijing Representative Office of Banque Internationale a Luxembourg. "We want to fully demonstrate Luxembourg's financial services characteristics and our potential in serving Chinese customers in private banking and corporate business at the CIFTIS," Wang said. China's financial sector did not stop opening up amid the epidemic. For example, Oaktree Capital Management, a global asset management firm focused on alternative markets, established a wholly owned subsidiary in Beijing in February. China's central bank also approved an application from Mastercard's Chinese joint venture to conduct bank card clearing business in the country. More foreign financial institutions are expected to be established and cooperation projects landed in China in the second half of this year. The Chinese economy has shown strong resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Leo Yin, manager of Deutsche Bank China Beijing Branch. Enditem Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide says the meeting with the Alliance of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) was meant to show the transparency of the Akufo-Addo government in the Agyapa Royalties deal. According to him, the Akufo-Addo government is not obstinate to close its ears to divergent views about the deal. He added that government has always aimed at making people understand its operations in order to arouse their support. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Pius Enam Hadzide insisted that the Finance Ministers meeting with the Civil Society Organizations paved the way for better and further understanding of the Agyapa Royalty deal as there were earlier misconception and misunderstanding about the deal. Akufo-Addo government is not obstinate to close its ears to other views. We always want people to have a better understanding of issues. We want transparency in everything we do so that the ordinary ones can also understand and participate as well as to support us and from time to time, we want to meet with CSOs, institutions, or organization, he indicated. We are not like those who refuse to give a listening ear to other views. We are not like the dead goat syndrome that does not welcome other views, he stressed. He said the Agyapa Royalty deal generated a debate after the Parliamentary approval among some Civil Society Organizations; hence, some CSOs met with the Finance Minister for explanation and clarification about the deal. We did that because we have nothing to hide in the deal, he indicated. The Deputy Information Minister again said the government will continue to engage and provide clarity to anyone and institutions or organizations that may so desire. He posited that even as the government engages people and institutions to clarify the Agyapa Royalties deal, the Akufo-Addo government shall continue to work in the best interest of the Ghanaian people; thus, the government will use our nation's resource to leverage our assets for tomorrow. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Brazil authorities have stripped off the diplomatic status of 29 Venezuelan officials in the country, calling them representatives of an "illegitimate" regime. The Brazilian government has declared the Venezuelan diplomats "personae non-gratae", a legal term which means the foreign official representative is no longer welcome in the State concern. However, the Jair Bolsonaro-led government has not asked the officials to leave the country but stated that the envoys will lose all diplomatic privileges, including the immunity of being exempted from becoming subject to Brazilian law enforcement. This means that the 29 Venezuelan officials, who are believed to be President Nicolas Maduro's loyal aides, will be treated as ordinary foreign nationals and hence, will have to stop carrying out diplomatic duties or introducing themselves as such. Read: Venezuela President Maduro Pardons Dozens Of Political Opponents Ahead Of Elections Read: Venezuela President Maduro Takes A Jib At Columbia For Suggesting Missile Deal With Iran The move is a bid to push Maduro loyalists out of Brazil and Bolsonaro's show of support for Juan Guaido, Maduro's opponent, whom the Brazilian President had recognised as the legitimate leader of Venezuela last year, giving Guaido's envoy a full ambassador status. Bolsonaro had withdrawn his officials and diplomats from Caracus earlier this year and set a deadline of May for Maduro to withdraw his officials from Brasilia. State of Affairs in Venezuela Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who is currently facing severe sanctions by several nations including the United States, last week pardoned over 100 opposition leaders ahead of the crucial December poll in a bid to portray the election as fair and free. Maduro has pushed his country into Latin America's biggest economic crisis as the oil-rich country is struggling to put even basic goods in the market with prices skyrocketing and people fleeing to neighbouring nations for a better life. Read: Venezuela's Maduro Says Buying Missiles From Iran Will Be A 'good Idea' Read: Colombia Accuses Venezuela's Maduro Administration Of Trying To Acquire Missiles From Iran Seven people wearing face masks stood in front of a small window to get their names listed to undergo a rapid antigen test for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at a government-run clinic in south-east Delhis Sarai Kale Khan. At a walking distance from the Nizamuddin railway station and the inter-state bus terminus in Sarai Kale Khan, the centre has ramped up testing to perform up to 150 tests a day. Apart from people visiting the centre to get tested this includes not only the people from the neighbourhood but also people travelling from other states -- staff at the clinic encourages all visitors, including companions of patients, to get tested. Click here for full Covid-19 coverage As the number of Covid-19 cases rise in the city, the Delhi government is ramping up testing. As on Sunday, with 3,256 cases Delhi saw the highest single day increase in the number of new cases since June end. The number of daily tests has gone from an average of 15,719 tests a day in mid-August to 30,202 tests on average during the past week. Among the people who got tested on Friday was a 42-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, who had accompanied her neighbour to get her baby immunised. I accompanied my friend who was coming here to get her baby immunised. The doctor asked us to get tested for corona and I turned out to be positive. I do not have any fever or cough. I havent stepped out of my house in days. I dont know how I got the infection, said the woman. After receiving her report, she was asked by the staff to call her husband and all three of her children to the clinic to get tested. If there is a doubt about the result thrown up by a rapid antigen test , all government-run clinics where samples are collected also have the viral transport media and sample collection kit needed for performing a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test thats considered the most accurate method of diagnosing Covid-19. We are linked to GB Pant Polyclinic or the Nehru homeopathy hospital nearby where the samples can be tested. If we have a strong suspicion that a person has the infection and still tests negative, we collect an RT-PCR sample, said a doctor on duty, requesting anonymity. We also have several DTC bus drivers who come to get tested from time to time. Each day, we get about 10-15 people who get tested for the want of a certificate for joining back at work or travelling. The number of tests goes up on the days that we do immunisation because we ask the family members who accompany the children to get tested, said the doctor at the clinic quoted above. The dispensary extends monetary incentives to accredited social health activists and Anganwadi workers for motivating people to get themselves tested. Not enough people Not all dispensaries have as many takers for testing as the clinic at Sarai Kale Khan. A dispensary in Garhi village, near Greater Kailash, conducts only about 70 to 80 tests a day. We have the capacity, but almost everyone living around the dispensary has been tested, those who are willing to get tested anyway. It is very difficult to increase the testing further but we are trying, said a lab technician working at the dispensary. At Shahid Hemu Kalani school in Lajpat Nagar, the sample collection team has to wait till 5pm on some days to complete their target of a 100 tests a day. The timing is actually till 2 o clock, but we do not leave till we have completed collecting all 100 samples. Yesterday, we were here till 5pm. Usually, it is the people from Lajpat Nagar, Jangpura, and Ashram. Most people come here after hearing announcements made by the district authorities, referred by the nearby MCD {Municipal Corporation of Delhi} hospital, or through word of mouth, the doctor issuing the reports said, requesting anonymity. The centre is only equipped to do rapid antigen tests. A guard sits at the gate with a sanitiser, directing people to a tent that has been set up with a few chairs outside the school building for those who come to get tested. They are called in one by one and taken to a classroom for sample collection. Motivating people and addressing their concerns are some of the ways in which the government is trying to increase testing. We have a population of 50 to 60 lakh people in our district, we have done 1 or 2 lakh tests so far. So, it is not like we have covered the entire population. There are still people that we need to test and we have to motivate them, said an official from north district., requesting anonymity Another official, from east district, said, also on condition of anonymity: The problem is that many people either do not know where the tests are happening or they are scared to come to the testing centre. The fear for most is that they have to wait for a long time and they might get exposed at the dispensary itself. To address these fears, we have started giving numbers to people and ask them to come to the centre only at the specified time. And, then their sample can be collected within 10 to 15 minutes. They do not have to wait. Camps and special drives Apart from the 300 fixed centres, the government has also been carrying our special drives and holding camps to reach out to more people, especially the special surveillance groups such as migrant workers, auto-rickshaw drivers and vegetable vendors. For us, the passengers coming to the station are the special surveillance group and we keep going to the station and testing them from time to time, apart from those who come to the dispensary, said the doctor from the Sarai Kale Khan dispensary. At a dispensary in Sriniwaspuri, where the testing facility is unavailable, people are referred to Okhla Mandi nearby for testing. A camp is held there every morning from 6 to 10 am. We refer those who come to us to get tested there, said a nurse at the clinic. A Delhi government spokesperson did not respond to text messages and calls requesting comment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two vacant lots on South Side Easton are set to give rise to 12 apartments in three new buildings. The citys planning commission on Wednesday gave unanimous approval to the proposal from Designblendz Architecture, based in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. Its the fifth project the company has developed on South Side since 2014, with the most recent finished in January in the 100 block of West Cooper Street, said Designblendz CEO Brian Corcodilos and the firms development coordinator, Cortland Shankweiler. The new one calls for three new buildings, each with two upstairs and two downstairs two-bedroom apartments. The location is 1150 Centre St., at the intersection with Glendale Street. Plans also include 18 off-street parking spaces, accessed by a common driveway. The plan does not need to go before the citys zoning hearing board, and also includes nine red maple, six American basswood and five Eastern hemlock trees, along with 67 shrubs and eight street trees four serviceberry and four dwarf chestnut oak. The design offers a modern flair, while being respectful to the surroundings, Corcodilos told the planners. Rents and a timetable for construction were not immediately available. Community Bike Works' new Easton location, 921-29 Spruce St. in the West Ward, is seen in a rendering from the city's planning and zoning department.Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com In other business Wednesday, the planning commission backed Allentown-based Community Bike Works plan to expand its youth program into Easton, at 921-29 Spruce St. The cornerstone of the program is its Earn a Bike program, where youths work with a mentor for 12 weeks to learn how to fix every part of a bicycle, said Kim Schaffer, executive director of the nonprofit. Community Bike Works operates two locations in Allentown, and its expansion to Easton is in collaboration with the Greater Easton Development Partnership and supported by a $100,000 donation from the Air Products Foundation. The organization has staff lined up to work in Easton once the new building is ready and will also be looking for volunteers, Schaffer said. The commissions vote was unanimous to recommend approval from the zoning hearing board for a special exception and use variance that are needed to comply with city rules. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said he had "fruitful" talks in Iran on Monday regarding "peace, economic development and human rights". The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles US interests in Iran, since ties were cut in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Switzerland has also played a major role in prisoner swaps between Tehran and Washington. Iran-US tensions have escalated since 2018, after President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear agreement and reimposed tough sanctions on the Islamic republic. Cassis held talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif before later meeting with President Hassan Rouhani. The Swiss top diplomat held the meetings as part of a three-day visit to Tehran celebrating a century of diplomatic relations between the two countries. "Peace, economic development and human rights -- fruitful discussion with my counterpart," Cassis wrote on Twitter after the talks. Zarif called the talks "excellent" on Twitter and said "while appreciating Swiss efforts to mitigate US sabotage, a return to normal trade is global priority". Pleased to host Swiss FM @ignaziocassis on centennial of diplomatic relationsties that endure based on mutual respect. Excellent talks on bilateral, regional & global issues. While appreciating Swiss efforts to mitigate US sabotage, a return to normal trade is global priority. pic.twitter.com/7Xg6yEXrQK Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 7, 2020 Rouhani reiterated that Iran was "open" to the United States to reverse its "mistakes", repair "its illegal actions" and rejoin the nuclear agreement, said state news agency IRNA. According to the US Department of State, Secretary Mike Pompeo had a phone call with Cassis before his Tehran visit, raising speculation the visit involved talks on Tehran-Washington relations. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh denied the "speculations" on Monday, saying it was a planned visit delayed over the novel coronavirus outbreak and "not related to Iran and the US". "I'm glad we could establish together the Swiss Humanitarian Channel for the transfer of food and medical supplies to the people of Iran," Cassis said on Twitter. The Swiss channel is a payment mechanism aimed at enabling food, medicine and other humanitarian aid to be sent to Iran without breaking US sanctions. Humanitarian goods are theoretically exempt from sanctions, but international purchases of such supplies are almost impossible since banks are wary of falling foul of the US over doing business with Iran. The channel -- known by its acronym SHTA -- was established and conducted its first transaction earlier this year. Search Keywords: Short link: Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a stopover in Tehran and meet his Iranian counterpart, on his way back to India from Russia. Rajnath Singh had gone to Moscow to participate in a joint meeting of Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. Just before leaving Moscow, he said: Leaving Moscow for Tehran. I shall be meeting the Defence Minister of Iran, Brigadier General Amir Hatami." In Moscow, the Defence Minister met his Chinese counterpart, General Wei Fenghe, and held discussions on the border dispute between the two countries in eastern Ladakh. Singh met Fenghe on September 4 in Moscow on the sidelines of the SCO meeting. During the meeting, Rajnath Singh said that the Chinese troops had attempted to unilaterally alter the status quo in eastern Ladakh in violation of the bilateral agreements. He also pointed out that the two sides should focus on the overall situation of the India-China relations and work together to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible, and maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas The two Ministers had frank and in-depth discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on the bilateral relations. Both countries are engaged in a four-month-long stand-off on the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Despite dialogues at several levels, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues. Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) troops had made fresh incursion attempts into India territories. On June 15, as many as 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops were killed in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. The Chinese aggression began to increase along the LAC, more particularly in the Galwan Valley, from May 5. The Chinese transgressed in the areas of Kugrang Nala, Gogra and northern bank of Pangong Tso lake on May 17 and May 18. S audi Arabia has convicted eight people over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, after his family announced pardons that spared five from execution. The Washington Post columnist was drugged and dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate in 2018. On Monday the Riyadh Criminal Court issued final verdicts against eight people. Five of those convicted have each received 20 year sentences, while one was given a ten year sentence and the remaining two were handed seven year sentences. Their names were not made public and Saudi Arabias state television aired few details about the final verdicts. Ms Cengiz outside the court in Istanbul after the trial's opening / AFP via Getty Images Mr Khashoggi's fiance, Hatice Cengiz, had previously asked a Turkish court that all persons responsible for his killing to be brought to justice. The trial was widely criticised by rights groups and an independent UN investigator, who noted that no senior officials nor anyone suspected of ordering the killing were found guilty. The independence of the court was also brought into question. Mr Khashoggi, who was a United States resident, had walked into his countrys consulate on October 2 2018, for an appointment to pick up documents that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiance. He never walked out. He was called to that consulate with great betrayal and deception, the private DHA news agency quoted Ms Cengiz as telling the court during her evidence. A team of 15 Saudi agents had flown to Turkey to meet Khashoggi inside the consulate. They included a forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers and individuals who worked for the crown princes office. Turkish officials allege Mr Khashoggi was killed and then dismembered with a bone saw. Turkey, a rival of Saudi Arabia, apparently had the Saudi Consulate bugged and has shared audio of the killing with the CIA, among others. Prior to his killing, Mr Khashoggi had written critically of Saudi Arabias crown prince in columns for the Washington Post. Saudi Arabia had initially offered shifting accounts about Mr Khashoggis disappearance. The crown prince has denied any knowledge of the operation. Additional reporting by Associated Press. A Labour MP has hit out after her constituents struggled to get COVID tests. (PA) A Labour MP has branded test and trace a shambles after saying her constituents were having difficulty accessing coronavirus tests. Helen Hayes, who represents Dulwich and West Norwood, said on Twitter that people were reportedly struggling to access both test appointments and home test kits, and called for constituents to contact her to help build up a picture of extent of issues locally. Her comments came after she was tweeted by a Twitter user who said the government website was saying no home tests were available. Read more: Concern as coronavirus tests 'rationed' to focus on local lockdown areas Many reports from constituents of difficulty accessing test appointments & home testing kits. If this is your experience please email me so I can build up a picture of extent of issues locally. As schools & universities return & Covid cases increase, test & trace is a shambles https://t.co/XHICEGhxpZ Helen Hayes (@helenhayes_) September 7, 2020 It is not clear if the issues experienced in the area are affecting other places too. The Department of Health and Social Care told Yahoo News UK it had not run out of tests but that it could pause the booking portal for short periods during periods of high demand. Test and trace is seen as key to keeping coronavirus cases under control, allowing officials to understand where problematic areas are and get affected people to isolate at home. Really useful - UK Government appears to have run out of home testing kits and no drive in or walk in tests. What a joke. @helenhayes_ What else can I do? pic.twitter.com/5nxa82o9bQ Amelia Torode (@Amelia_Torode) September 7, 2020 Twitter user Amelia Torode posted screenshots of the governments testing website including one saying there are no more home tests available and to try again later. Story continues Another screenshot shows a message saying no drive-through test sites or walk-in sites were available either. Tottenham MP David Lammy said a pupil in his constituency had been directed to get a drive-through test in Inverness, which he described as bonkers. A constituent has just got in touch upset that the nearest drive-through COVID test a pupil in Tottenham has been offered is in Inverness. The result is they are being kept home from school. This is bonkers. The government needs to quickly explain and fix its approach to testing. David Lammy (@DavidLammy) September 7, 2020 A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Hundreds of thousands of people are being tested every day and new booking slots and home testing kits are being made available daily. There is a high demand for tests and to help stop the spread of the virus we are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, as well as prioritising at-risk groups. Read more: Schools close after teachers test positive for coronavirus days after reopening We have the capacity to test for coronavirus at an unprecedented scale. We are expanding capacity to 500,000 tests a day by the end of October, increasing the number of testing sites and bringing in new technology to process results faster. In a statement, the spokesperson added: We have not run out of tests. For home testing when theres high demand we pause the booking portal for short periods. Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter Everybody needs someone to look up to in life. And thats certainly the case for little Mr Dinky here. The two-day-old is a rare miniature Mediterranean donkey while his six-year-old friend Benji belongs to the worlds largest breed. The American mammoth jackstock towers above at 16 hands (64in) while Mr Dinky may only grow up to 36in in his lifetime. The two-day-old is a rare miniature Mediterranean donkey while his six-year-old friend Benji belongs to the worlds largest breed Everybody needs someone to look up to in life. And thats certainly the case for little Mr Dinky here Heartwarming pictures show the pair galloping together on the farm and even showing each other affection in the backdrop of the stunning Devon coastline. Dinky Donks, a farm near Combe Martin, a village in Exmoor National Park, is home to several of Mr Dinkys breed. Now extinct in their native islands of Sardinia and Sicily, they are still sold as pets in both Britain and the US after historically being used to turn grinding stones inside peasant houses. Despite Benjis breed being common across the Atlantic, there are just a handful of American mammoth jackstocks in the UK. Steve Mnuchin, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, appeared on a news outlet on Sunday and gave a positive message about the new stimulus bill. Millions of heavily impacted Americans are still waiting for the second round of stimulus aid. After the first coronavirus relief aid expired in July, many still doubt the possibility of another relief bill. As the days progressed, it seems that there are now some developments. The U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin appeared on a news outlet on Sunday and gave a positive message about the new stimulus bill that the Republican-led Senate will discuss this Tuesday. During an interview with one of the segment shows of FOX News, he said, "The president and I couldn't be more pleased with the way the economic plan is working." He also shared after a series of rejection that the Republican lawmakers and the White House received from Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, she finally agreed on a continuing resolution. This means the second bill is now becoming possible. Mnuchin did not describe the new stimulus bill as a "skinny-bill" or "slimmed-down bill," but he called it a "targeted bill." hen asked why Mnuchin said that the new stimulus bill includes aids where the Republicans and the Democrats have common ground. The Treasury Secretary went on and explained that Pres. Trump wants to do more stimulus and, at the same time, putting millions of Americans back to work. It can be remembered that part of the Republican-led HEALS Act was to give an additional bonus to those who will go back to their work. President also wants to help businesses in the country by continuing the PPP loans. Through this, employees will be retained and will still be included in the payroll. Additionally, employees will enjoy more their salary after Trump suspended the collection of some taxes in payroll until the end of this year. As to the targeted bill, Mnuchin said, "As you know, we put $3 trillion into the economy when the economy was completely shut down, and we've now reopened the economy. Let's do a more targeted bill now, and if we need to do more in 30 days, we'll continue to do more, but let's not hold up the American workers and the American businesses that need more support." Moreover, Mnuchin also confirmed the continuing resolution that nth parties agreed. Trump's administration does not want millions of Americans to suffer the global pandemic as the government operations near to shut down. He also clarified that the continuing resolution is separate from the CARES Act resolution. Pres. Trump and Steve Mnuchin are hoping that they can move forward after this week, which, if not all, most Americans are looking forward to. Even though they have not yet agreed on the details, they will ensure that the benefit will be until the end of this year. Check these out! Today, this for historical purposes only, is when the Summer Shooting Season ends in Chicago. At least thats what the cops call it. It begins in late May, always just before June 1, this for statistical purposes only, and ends on Labor Day weekend. Everybody figured last years season might always stand as the record: 172 homicides and 890 shot and wounded, but fat chance! With COVID-19, record unemployment, and the intense Black Lives Matter competition between Democrat-controlled cities, get a load of the newest numbers, which, of course, are unofficial with the holiday weekend still in full swing. As a matter of fact, nobody actually knows the tentative numbers. This is due to the ever-changing scenery where every two hours and five minutes that can be measured on infamous Mayor Lori Lightfoots wristwatch somebody gets shot within the city limits. The shot clock on murders (homicides) is 11:14, which, by purely mathematically average, that is over two human beings' lives in any given 24-hour period. Wait! This doesnt always work: On Sunday alone (as in yesterday) there were three persons killed between midnight and noon. Hey, and that includes a four-hour rain delay from a 5:35 a.m. shooting of a 50-year-old male on 4900 South Loomis St. until a 9:35 a.m. murder of a 32-year-old female at 4735 North Milwaukee Ave. And that doesnt include another 32-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed Sunday morning while she worked at Walgreens, 1372 North Milwaukee. So, best guess on the 2020 summer shooting season? According to the news site HeyJackass! which laughingly purports itself to Illustrate Chicagos Values, this year there have been 336 homicides, plus nearly 1,600 shot and wounded since Friday, May 22. Sure, go back to my first paragraph and compare; you will see thats 164 more murders than last years season and over 700 more shootings. The question of the day? How can it be the shooting season is over? In stark reality, it never stops nor, in Chicago, did it ever actually begin. Look at these 2020 figures, as compiled by HeyJackass!: YEAR TO DATE: (As of noon, Sept. 6, 2020) * -- Shot and Killed: 491 * -- Shot and Wounded: 2,391 * -- Total Shot: 2,882 * -- Total Homicides: 536 (includes non-gun related murders) - - - SEPTEMBER TO DATE (As of noon, Sept. 6, 2020) * -- Shot and Killed: 15 * -- Shot and Wounded: 57 * -- Total Shot: 72 * -- Total Homicides: 17 - - - LAST WEEKS TOTALS NOTE: This is from midnight, Aug. 30, through midnight, Sept. 5, 2020. The disparities between the weekly figures and the monthly figures are due to the fact the weeks numbers include Aug. 30 and Aug. 31) * -- Shot and Killed: 19 * -- Shot and Wounded: 92 * -- Total Shot last week: 111 * -- Total Homicides: 20 * * * SOME FURTHER ENLIGHTENMENT FROM HEYJACKASS! Labor Day weekend in Chicago: 2020 Labor Day weekend: 6 killed, 24 wounded (Note: This is just through noon on Sunday, the day before 2020 Labor Day) 2019 Labor Day weekend: 11 killed, 38 wounded 2018 Labor Day weekend: 11 killed, 21 wounded 2017 Labor Day weekend: 7 killed, 40 wounded 2016 Labor Day weekend: 13 killed, 53 wounded 2015 Labor Day weekend: 10 killed, 46 wounded 2014 Labor Day weekend: 7 killed, 38 wounded 2013 Labor Day weekend: 12 killed, 27 wounded - - - * -- Chicago Homicide Trend: Year Homicides Wounded 2020 536 2,882 2019 406 1,760 2018 445 1,942 2017 540 2,375 2016 581 2,749 2015 403 1,967 2014 342 1,688 (Previous year data is reflective of the year-to-date total through the end of September.) - - - * -- 2020 Race of Victim/Assailant Race Victim Assailant Black 406 33 Hispanic 82 7 White/Other 22 3 Police - 3 Self Defense - 6 Unknown 4 46 - - - * -- 2020 COST OF STUPIDITY Costs assume the following: $55,000: Average gunshot victim ER and hospital expenses. $1,000: Average CFD ambulance ride, only applicable to 80 percent of victims, rest self-transport. $800: Homicide-related autopsies. Note: This doesnt include hospice care or ongoing rehabilitation. COST ESTIMATES: provided by Chicago Killings: Cost $2.5 billion and the bill for treating a gunshot wound? $21,000 for the first 35 minutes. - - - * -- Corona Comorbidities Currently, 90.7 percent of all COVID-19 related deaths in Cook County have at least one underlying condition. 71.1 percent have at least two or more. Comorbidity Cases %* Hypertension 1,681 49.1% Heart Disease 1,417 41.4% Diabetes 1,411 41.2% COPD 582 17.0% Kidney Disease 543 15.9% Dementia 445 13.0% Obesity 312 9.1% Atrial fibrillation 309 9.0% Hyperlipidemia 291 8.5% Cancer 150 4.4% All Others 833 25.8% Thru 5/28/20 *Percentages relate to number of deaths with listed condition. Confirmed COVID-19 deaths and related comorbidities data can be found at the Cook County Department of Health. * * * FROM FORBES MAGAZINE * -- The Chicago Police Department released data reporting 505 homicides as of Sunday night, which puts the city on track to beat the total homicide rate for 2016, when nearly 780 were killed, the most recorded since 1996. * -- Chicago, like many U.S. cities, has seen homicides spike over the past few months, though the murder rate is still low compared to previous decades and the number of homicides in August was lower than in July. * -- Murders are up 26 percent from 2019 in 25 of the countrys largest cities, according to data compiled by crime analyst Jeff Asher, with 19 of the 25 reporting higher murder rates than last year. royexum@aol.com On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there... There have been 32.50 recoveries too taking the national recovery rate to 77.31 per cent as active cases remain at 8.82 lakh A record 90,802 persons were found to be infected with novel coronavirus on Monday, taking Indias overall COVID-19 tally past 42 lakh. India is now in second position, behind the United States of America in terms of total numbers of cases. The cases are expected to rise further as India opened its Metro Rail services in several cities on Monday. Health ministry said five states are contributing 60% of total cases with Maharashtra at the top with 21.6%, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.8%), Tamil Nadu (11.0%), Karnataka (9.5%) and Uttar Pradesh at 6.3%. Maharashtra also contributed 26.76% of the active cases in the country, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.30%), Karnataka (11.25%), Uttar Pradesh (6.98%) and Tamil Nadu (5.83%). These 5 states presently contribute 62% of total active cases and 70% of total fatality reported in India, officials said. In the last 24 hours, Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest recoveries with 11,915 newly recovered cases. Karnataka and Maharashtra saw 9575 and 7826 recoveries while Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh witnessed 5820 and 4779 new recoveries, respectively. These 5 States together contributed 57% of the recoveries in the last 24 hours. With 1, 016 new deaths, the country's total fatalities due to the deadly virus was 71, 711. There have been 32.50 recoveries too taking the national recovery rate to 77.31 per cent as active cases remain at 8.82 lakh -- which comprises 20.99 per cent of the total caseload. According to the union health ministry, case fatality rate is 1.70 per cent. Meanwhile, the Congress accused the central government of failing to control the spread of the virus and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi answer the nation on the way forward. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said despite warnings by experts and the Congress party, the pandemic was not controlled by adhering to the policy of 'Test-Trace-Isolate-Treat'. "Prime Minister Modi must answer the nation on the strategy going forward. Will Modi ji answer for his failed leadership? How will the government stop the alarming rise in corona infection?" Surjewala said adding the coronavirus infection is now spreading to smaller cities, towns and villages across the country, yet the Modi government carries on in a state of "ignorance and indifference". Surjewala said most experts have predicted that India is going through a second wave of infections, while some have opined that community transmission has begun, but the Modi government remains either unaware or refuses to even acknowledge . Surjewala said experts have feared that the deaths due to the pandemic could reach as high as 1,75,000. Sumit Ghosh, the co-founder of Chingari app, recently joined NewsX for its special segment NewsX A-list and divulged details about the success of his app. Chingari app recently won the 'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Contest' and found a mention in PM's Mann Ki Baat. Sumit Ghosh, the co-founder of Chingari app, an app that has proved to be a big success in India, joined NewsX for an exclusive chat where he talks about the success of the app and many other things. Its an ecstatic feeling, I am happy and proud of the whole thing. It was a very proud moment for the whole team when the app won the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Contest and the Prime Minister spoke about it. Giving insights into the downloads of Chingari, Sumit said, The overall downloads have crossed 28 million over the last two and a half months and yesterday, after the PMs Mann Ki Baat session, which was streamed throughout the country, we saw a million downloads while the weekly download rate is one million. Chingari is being used by some really influential celebrities and people. So, a lot of people from Bollywood, popular chefs and ex-TikTok stars have moved to Chingari. People, and not only celebrities, others from Tier-2, 3 and 4 cities also made a living from TikTok and have now moved to Chingari. We are creating an ecosystem for creators and brands to work together. Also Read: Fashion in times of a pandemic, ace designer Tarun Tahiliani on the future of fashion industry post Covid Also Read: India must work cyber-security: Aditya Narang Ghosh spoke about the response of people as Chingari was targeted towards Tier-2, 3 and 4 cities. He said, This app ecosystem has really changed the way talent is being discovered now. So earlier, people had to come to metro (travel long distances) to give auditions to various studios to show their talent, but now they just have to come on Chingari, upload a couple of videos, if they are good then people share it and you suddenly become a star. So, the way talent is getting discovered digitally has changed now and to do that on the national level. We started this Chingari contest and people are registering for that in hundreds of thousands. Chingari app hosts a contest as well which is really popular among the users, whichever person wins it becomes famous and a crorepati by merely winning it. Once we declare a winner for the contest over a period of 2 months and whoever wins is going to be a national celebrity who came out of nowhere and won a crore rupees. Talking about the new add-ons that their app is getting, Sumit said that they were rolling out some amazing AR filters which would be exclusive to Chingari as no other short video app in the market has it. We are also getting utilised tools for the app and chat. So, a lot of exciting new features are coming up. As the unlock process is still underway and people are stuck at home, so to make these coronavirus times a little lighter and interesting Chingari app hosts some challenges. According to Sumit, For every festival that happens, we have a challenge out. Recently, we also partnered with Times Music and there was this Ganpati challenge where we were giving away 10,000 rupees to the best creator every day for creating videos on the particular hashtag Har Har Ganpati. Now, we have the Onam challenge running. So, we have a new challenge running every month. Chingari app also promotes Indian culture. Sumit said that its an app made for Bharat users. Here, even regional festivals are really, really big and we want these creators to make videos around their own festivals. This way, we are also able to attract more users from these specific places where regional festivals are celebrated, who can then showcase these festivals on Chingari and especially now, that people cant go out and celebrate. On a lot of apps, people have to do a lot of cross-grinding and that is how the community-based money comes. But with Chingari the app shares 30% of the revenue it gets from ads with its creators and influencers. So, lets say Brand X wants to do a UGC contest on a specific hashtag with us and we charge the brand Y rupees and then the creators come in and make videos and we give the 30% to them. This creates a platform economy. As after the Chinese app ban and anti-China movement, Chingari seems to be going forward and constantly growing. Addressing this, Sumit said, So, this Chinese app ban has left behind a whole world of 200 million users and we gave them a new home in the form of Chingari and its obviously a huge country and when the next generation of people come online and we hope that they get on board of Chingari. Sumit Ghosh shared a piece of advice for app developers for developing a viral app, he said, Due to this pandemic, a lot of opportunities have been created for making a successful app for the country. So, my advice would be to just look around and find a gap in the market and fill it. Also Read: Jake Lush McCrum, COO of Rajasthan Royals, on playing the IPL amidst a pandemic Clea Gaultier runs a trendy art gallery in Paris (all the canvases are solid black). She uses it as a means to find men to fuck. She sees Rico Simmons and wastes no time. She is a woman who knows how to get what she wants. She gives him a long, loving blowjob and reacts erotically to the way he eats her. She loves it even more when he fucks her in mish. Meanwhile her friend, artist Ricky Mancini, is having a pleasant three-way with Anissa Kate and Tiffany Leiddi, with the lovely Anissa taking most of the pussy-pounding. After a ride with cab driver Luke Hardy, she traces the hunky Brit via social media to his favorite bar. But hes meeting up with girlfriend Tiffany Tatum, who is all ramped up for sex. He pounds her in several positions as she moans and fucks him back. Very high energy sex. Clea brings Rico and two of his friends back to her gallery. She blows Rico while Kristof goes into her ass. They d.p. her while she blows the third guy (Anto Toro). Strong d.p. followed by a cum bath. After Clea manages to get rid of Tiffany (spoiler alert!) she shacks up with Luke, whose big dick is now all hers. They have a very erotic scene, thanks to the ever-sensual Clea. Afterwards, though, she wonders if shes beginning to get bored with him... A hiker came across a surprising sight in a remote area of the Italian Alps - the preserved remains of a 400-year-old goat. With only half of its body sticking out of the ice, Hermann Oberlechner said the animal's skin 'looked like leather, completely hairless.' Oberlechner had hiked six hours into the mountains, so an army helicopter had to airlift the carcass out in a specially designed case. Scientists will now examine the creature, known as a chamois, in hopes of improving conservation techniques for other so-called 'ice mummies,' including Otzi, the famous 5,300-year-old 'Iceman' found by hikers in the Italian Alps in 1991. Hermann Oberlechner discovered the 400-year-old remains of a chamois while hiking in South Tyrol. He said the animal's skin 'looked like leather, completely hairless' Oberlechner, a champion skier, was hiking in Ahrntal in South Tyrol near the Italian-Austrian border when he spied the remains. At first he thought it was just another animal carcass, a not-uncommon sight for the veteran outdoorsman. Upon closer inspection, he realized he'd stumbled across something extraordinary. 'Only half of the animal's body was exposed from the snow,' Oberlechner said in a statement. Hermann Oberlechner found the carcass 10,500 feet above sea level in a section of the Alps that's inaccessible to road vehicles. So researchers build a custom case and had it helicoptered out by the Alpine Army Corp 'The skin looked like leather, completely hairless. I had never seen anything like it.' He quickly notified a park ranger and they contacted the Department of Cultural Heritage. But Oberlechner was 10,500 feet above sea level in a section of the Alps that's inaccessible to road vehicles. So the department called the Alpine Army Corps, who sent in a helicopter flown by a pilot trained to operate at high altitude. The specimen was placed inside a custom-made case and hooked to the copter before being taken to Eurac Research's conservation lab in Bolzano, Italy. While they are encased in a glacier, these 'ice mummies' are perfectly preserved. But as the temperature drops their DNA begins to degrade quickly. Experts say more specimens will be discovered as global warming continues The chamois' remarkable state of preservation will allow researchers to improve conservation techniques for ice mummies, which can offer a wealth of scientific information. It is being stored at Eurac Research's conservation lab at 23 degrees Fahrenheit To ensure it's preserved, the carcass is being stored in a refrigerated cell at 23 degrees Fahrenheit. While they are encased in a glacier, these 'ice mummies' are perfectly preserved, but as the temperature drops their DNA begins to degrade quickly. The chamois' remarkable state of preservation will allow researchers to improve conservation techniques for ice mummies, which can offer a wealth of scientific information. At first Hermann Oberlechner (pictured) thought he was just looking at the recent remains of a wild animal 'This is the first time an animal mummy has been used in this way,' said Albert Zink, director of Eurac's Institute for Mummy Studies. In 1991, the 5,300-year-old body of Otzi, the famed 'Iceman,' was discovered by German tourists in Fineilspitze, about 110 miles away from Ahrntal. The chamois is an agile herbivore with short, hooked horns that is still found in mountainous areas of Europe and Western Asia. Typically less than four-and-half-feet long, they have rich brown fur that turns light grey in winter. It's not clear if the remains found by Oberlechner are of a male or female. While males are usually solitary, females and their young live in herds of up to 30. Chamois were once hunted by lynxes and wolves, but their main predator today is humans. The chamois isagile herbivore with short hooked horns still found in mountains of Europe and Western Asia. Its brown fur turns light gray in winter They're no easy prey, though: Chamois can run faster than 30mph and leap 6.6 feet straight in the air. It's not clear how this chamois died - it had been preserved for centuries and only recently became visible as the ice receded. Experts say such finds will become increasingly common if climate change continues unabated. A nurse working in a civic hospital in Malad lost Rs 17.5 lakh to a cyber fraud group who befriended her on Facebook with one of them posing as a doctor from London. The alleged doctor lured the victim under the pretext of sending her expensive gifts and jewellery worth Rs 49 lakh, and made her pay Rs 17.5 lakh for clearance of the gift parcel at the airport thus defrauding her, said the police. According to the Malad police, in March the complainant received a friend request on Facebook from Alex Wilfred, whose profile portrayed him as a doctor from London. The complainant accepted the request and started chatting with him after he shared his phone number. Since August 15, the two started chatting frequently. On August 17, Wilfred called her and informed her that he had sent her a surprise gift. After an hour, she received a call from a female, posing as a cargo official, named Anjali Sharma who said she is posted at the Delhis Indira Gandhi international airport. Sharma told the complainant that a parcel has come in her name and it contains Rs 35 lakh cash and gold jewellery worth Rs 14 lakh. But, to get the parcel cleared she will have to pay Rs 30,000 courier charges. She then shared bank account details with the complainant. The complainant transferred the money and next day Sharma again called her and told her that she will have to pay an additional Rs 1.10 lakh as a penalty as the parcel contains excess amount of cash. Thereafter, Sharma called her on multiple occasions and made her pay money for getting the Anti-Money laundering certificate, GST certificate and Income tax on the parcel, states the complaint. On August 27, the fraudster sent her an email showing it to be from the RBI and made her pay more money under the name of some code which is mandatory to claim the parcel coming from abroad. After the complainant paid the money, she again received another email supposedly from RBI which again requested her to make another payment to get mandatory tax code, the complaint states. This time the complainant didnt make any payment as she had exhausted all her savings. She had also borrowed money from friends and relatives. She yelled at Wilfred and told her to return whatever money she has spent. Wilfred told her not to worry as he would be coming to India with money on August 31 and will return all her money. He also sent her photos of his air tickets and photos of himself sitting in the flight, a police officer said. On August 31, the complainant received a WhatsApp call from Wilfred informing her that he has been arrested at the Delhi international airport as he was carrying a huge quantity of cash. He requested her to help him get released by paying a penalty charge of Rs 5.40 lakh. The complainant sensed something was amiss and made a video call to him. But he didnt receive the video calls. The complainant realised that she was duped by fraudsters after Wilfred cut all his contacts with her. But by then the complainant had already lost Rs 17.5 lakh, said the police officer. On Friday, she registered a complaint against the fraudster at the Malad police station. The Malad police have registered an FIR against Wilfred, Sharma and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and section 66c and 66d of the Information Technology Act. The fraudsters used multiple bank accounts in New Delhi, Mizoram, Darjeeling and West Bengal, and it clearly indicates the involvement of a highly professional gang whose members are spread all over the country. The modus-operandi points out the involvement of Nigerian cyber fraud gangs who involve Indians in their teams offering them hefty money, said the officer. Details of fraudsters phone numbers, bank accounts are being analysed to find the whereabouts of the fraudster, added the officer. Life changer: For anyone leaving school, they should consider NLN, its brilliant, says Chloe Daly. It has changed my life. Higher Education CAO Available Places It is still possible to make a CAO application through the Available Places facility on the CAO website, cao.ie. These are college places that have not yet been filled and are available both to new applicants to the CAO as well as those who are already in the system. The list is added to and updated as offers are accepted and declined, so check back regularly. The facility is currently closed for updating and will re-open for applications from Monday, September 14. New applicants can apply for any listed course that interests them by making a CAO application for a fee of 45. Applicants who are already in the CAO system can add Available Place courses to their list of preferences for no fee. Remember to ensure you add them in order of preference and leave in place any courses you still wish to be considered for. Private Colleges and direct entry courses There are approximately 75 direct entry courses available across private colleges as well as publicly-funded universities and institutes of technology in the 'direct entry' section of careersportal.ie. Many of these courses are continuing to accept applications. Private colleges are the main providers of direct entry courses but they also have a large offering on the CAO, many of which will be listed on CAO Available Places, on cao.ie. These courses include psychology, business, acting, psychology, law and computing. Griffith College, with campuses in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, and Dublin Business School (DBS) are two long-established private colleges with courses across a wide spectrum. If students are interested in pursuing study via direct entry course at a private college they should contact the college. Fees are approximately 5,000 a year, however tax relief is available at 20pc. Given that the Student Contribution in publicly-funded colleges is 3,000, the private sector may be a realistic option for some families, particularly if it allows a student to stay at home, rather than incurring accommodation costs. Unfortunately, many of these courses do not qualify for the Susi grant, although some do. UCAS If you are willing to travel, you can still consider colleges in the UK, including Northern Ireland. If you have not already applied to UCAS - the UK applications agency - and wish to do so, you can go through a process called clearing. Clearing has opened as students in the UK received their results some weeks ago. It will remain open until October 20. This is where unfilled places are available. Search ucas.com for more information. EU Some universities in the EU are still accepting applications, and they do not select on the basis of Leaving Cert points. These include Italy's University of Bologna and University of Padua, and Poland's University of Wroclawa. Places are available in areas such as Law, Business, Medicine. Physiotherapy, Psychology, Politics, Science and Veterinary Medicine. There are also programmes in a wide range of areas that have a second start date in February, in The Netherlands, Finland, Denmark and Germany, with application deadlines in November/December. EUNICAS, a support service for university applications to EU countries, provides updates on its website. Further Education and Training Further education and training (FET) covers a broad choice of post-school avenues, including post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses and other routes to valuable qualifications and skills development, such as traineeships and apprenticeships. PLCs Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses can be an end in themselves, in that they may lead directly to a job across a vast array of occupational areas, from accounting, to childcare, to fashion, to music, to sales, to veterinary. They can also act as a stepping stone to higher education, without worrying about Leaving Cert points. If a student completes a PLC programme with good results, they have a great chance of securing a reserved place on a third-level course. Along with more general courses, some have a very specific focus, such as Pre-University Science and Pre-University Law. Colleges of further education, which operate under the umbrella of education and training boards (ETBs) all over the country, are the main providers, although about 25 second-level schools also offer some. They are generally of one year's duration, but some extend to two years. The minimum entry requirement is five Leaving Cert 'passes' and colleges will continue to accept applications and interview applicants until courses are filled. The important role a PLC plays in acting as a bridge between school and higher education is acknowledged, and those who go on to college tend to have good outcomes. A report a few years ago highlighted how the estimated retention rate of college students with a foundation in PLC was around 70-75pc. While there is no direct comparison with completion rates of those who go straight to college, another recent study suggested that 50pc of those with 300 Leaving Cert points completed their degree. Anyone interested in pursuing a PLC, should contact their local further education college to enquire about availability. Apprenticeships An apprenticeship offers the opportunity to study for a qualification while also working in the relevant field. They are a great option for those who like a hands-on approach to building knowledge, and getting paid to do it. The variety is increasing all the time, with 56 different types available, and more being developed. Starting salaries vary, but they tend to be in the region of 20,000. As well as long-standing apprenticeships in areas such as construction, engineering, motor and electrical, there are new options constantly being rolled out. One recent announcement was the degree-level Recruitment Executive apprenticeship, a three-year honours programme with the National College of Ireland in Dublin's IFSC as the education partner. Other sectors where apprenticeships have emerged include biopharma, finance, hospitality, butchery, software developer, cybersecurity, logistics, auctioneering, See www.solas.ie. All apprenticeships lead to qualifications from NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) Levels 6-9, or equivalent. Apprentices are employed by an employer approved by the State further education and training agency, Solas, for the duration of the programme, generally two to four years. Traineeships A traineeship is a bit like an apprenticeship in that it combines classroom-based learning and work experience, but is of shorter duration - ranging from six to 20 months. Also, while apprentices are employees, trainees are students and access to a programme is via an education and training board (ETB), of which there are 16 in the country. All traineeships are structured around career pathways and participants have the opportunity to develop cutting-edge skills and knowledge on the job, making them more employable. There are more than 75 programmes available nationally in a range of industries, with new ones being developed on an ongoing basis by ETBs. The ETBs work in partnership with industry representatives and employers to identify skills gaps and future skills needs in the local workforce. To give an idea of the scale, currently there are about 1,500 participating companies. At least 30pc of the learning is on the job and opportunities are available in areas as diverse as construction, ICT, logistics, fashion, engineering, business and finance. They lead to awards at Levels 4-6, Level 6 being the equivalent of having done two years on a post-Leaving Cert course (PLC). National Learning Network For young people who have just finished school and may be struggling with anxiety levels, the National Learning Network, the education and training division of the Rehab Group, offers an alternative pathway to further and higher education and jobs. Suzanne Allen, who is Principal Psychologist with the Rehab Group, says Covid has exacerbated anxiety levels in those who are prone to feeling anxious and is also causing greater social isolation and loneliness. "Many people who struggled to socialise before Covid-19, for example people with Autism, are finding they have regressed and require a lot of support in order to regain lost skills. Also, some people who never had issues with socialising have now found they require support to re-engage." NLN has 50 centres around the country, catering for 16 to 65-year-olds, offering nationally recognised and accredited programmes from Level 1-Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Level 5 is the same level as a post-Leaving Cert (PLC) course. Programmes will be delivered this year through a mixture of on-site and remote learning. Rehab's Director of Learning Lucianne Bird says some people come to NLN with previous qualifications, and others don't any, perhaps because school didn't suit them. "It's not important to us what a person had before NLN, it's important to us where the person would like to get to. That's the starting point." As an example, she says people can achieve a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification with NLN and apply for an apprenticeship. One student to benefit from NLN's supportive environment is Chloe Daly, 22, from Limerick. Chloe felt a little lost after she finished school and was unsure where to turn. "I honestly didn't believe I would ever be able to get a job and I didn't know what I wanted to do. Then I did a trial week at NLN," she says. As part of an Employer-Based Training programme Chloe undertook at NLN Raheen, she sampled a number of work experience options until she found her niche - childcare. Now she has set her sights on becoming a Special Needs Assistant. "It's thanks to NLN that I got interested in a career in childcare, during work experience something just clicked. "I would like to move on and become a Special Needs Assistant and there is a Level 6 programme that I have set my sights on, so I'll stick with NLN until I'm ready to move to further education. "For anyone leaving school, they should consider NLN, it's brilliant. And for anyone who didn't finish school, I would tell them to try NLN, there's always a second chance. NLN has changed my life," says Chloe. "Before I left school, I had a certain kind of attitude but the instructors have changed that for me and I now believe I will get a job." Key indices are trading lower in early trade on selling pressure in index pivotals. At 9:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 145.61 points or 0.38% at 38,211.57. The Nifty 50 index was down 16.55 points or 0.15% at 11,317.30. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was down 0.51%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was down 0.45%. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, is negative. On the BSE, 878 shares rose and 925 shares fell. A total of 118 shares were unchanged. Stocks in news: Bharti Airtel fell 0.87%. The company announced the launch of its new Airtel Xstream Bundle. The Airtel Xstream Bundle combines the power of Airtel Xstream Fiber with speeds upto 1 Gbps, Unlimited Data, the first of its kind Airtel Xstream Android 4K TV Box and access to all OTT content. The Airtel Xstream bundle is available to customers starting September 7, 2020. Vodafone Idea surged 6.41%. Reportedly the company will make a strategic announcement today through a virtual platform. The company's board has approved fund raising of upto Rs 25,000 crore through various modes. HDFC fell 0.33%. The company has disbursed subsidy to over 2,00,000 homebuyers under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) becoming the first lender to do so. This is the flagship housing scheme of the government. The Corporation has approved over Rs 47000 crore of home loans under CLSS to homebuyers belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG) and Middle Income Groups (MIG). Subsidy under PMAY amounting to over Rs 4700 crore has been passed on to these 200000 homebuyers. Jubilant Industries surged 4.57% after the company said the board of directors of the company has approved sale of the land and building of the manufacturing unit situated at Village Nimbut, Rly. Station, Nira, Dist. Pune (Undertaking) for a consideration of Rs 12.35 crore and the plant and machinery of the Undertaking for a consideration of Rs 95 lakh to Jubilant Life Sciences. Great Eastern Shipping Company (GE Shipping) fell 1.78%. The company has contracted to sell its 1996 built Very Large Gas Carrier Jag Vidhi of about 78,503 cbm. The vessel will be delivered to the new buyer in Q3 FY 2020-2021. Sterling and Wilson Solar rose 2.7% after the company announced that it has signed (along with its branch and Australian subsidiary) orders worth AUD 300 million (~INR 1,600 crore) in Australia. The company said it has bagged two large scale solar projects in the country which will have an installed capacity of over 300 MW. Ratnamani Metals & Tubes rose 1.01% after the company received two domestic orders aggregating to Rs 190 crore in Carbon Steel Division of the company for the supply of coated CS Pipes for Oil & Gas Sector to be completed between December, 2020 to June, 2021. Global Markets: Overseas, Asian stocks are trading higher on Monday, despite rising tech tensions between Washington and Beijing. As per reports, the Trump administration is considering imposing export restrictions on Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China's largest manufacturer of semiconductors. In US, stocks closed lower on Friday though well above its session low as selling eased late in the day after investors dumped heavyweight technology stocks due to concerns about high valuations. US employment growth slowed further in August and permanent job losses increased as money from the government started running out. Nearly a fifth of the job gains reported by the Labor Department on Friday were from the government's temporary hiring for the 2020 Census. While the unemployment rate fell below 10%, it was biased down by a continuing misclassification problem. Back home, key equity indices ended with steep losses on Friday as rising COVID-19 cases and ongoing geo-political tensions between India-China weighed on the sentiment. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 633.76 points or 1.63% at 38,357.18. The Nifty 50 index slipped 193.60 points or 1.68% at 11,333.85. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 1,888.78 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 456.88 crore in the Indian equity market on 4 September, provisional data showed. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cameras are now rolling again on Mission: Impossible 7, and to celebrate, Tom Cruise has driven a motorbike off the edge of a cliff. We all recall Cruise hanging from a mountain by his fingernails and clinging on to the side of a plane in past movies. Read more: Tom Cruise could earn 50m from space movie But this giant ramp, built on the edge of the Helsetkopen mountain in Stranda, Norway, is something new and uniquely terrifying, even for those with a head for heights. (Credit: Geir Olsen / NTB scanpix via AP) Norwegian news site NRK has nabbed actual video footage of Cruise performing the stunt, speeding off the ramp, while a plane and helicopter fly overhead. As the motorbike hurtles towards the ground, Cruise deploys a parachute to bring him safely to the ground. Tom Cruise during a parachute jump down the mountain Helsetkopen near to Hellesylt, Norway (Credit: Geir Olsen / NTB scanpix via AP) Locals watched the stunt take place from the valley floor, with Cruise waving to the spectators as he landed safely. Read more: Tom Cruises craziest stunts According to reports, the production had to wait for several days for the weather conditions to be just right for the stunt. Earlier this year, McQuarrie revealed that there are three 'obscene' stunts being planned for the movie, with this surely being one of them. Read more: Simon Pegg wants to work with Cruise in space He told the Empire podcast: Weve figured out three obscene things that hes doing that Im terrified of, that make the (Mission: Impossible - Fallout) helicopter chase look like tinker toys. (Credit: Geir Olsen / NTB scanpix via AP) The movie had to close down production in Venice in late February, one of the first major movies to do so, following the outbreak of coronavirus. Currently, the movie is slated for release on 19 November, 2021, having been shunted back from 23 July. 1 of 2 Kangana Ranaut granted Y category security ahead of Mumbai visit Kangana Ranaut has been granted Y category security by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Kangana Ranaut has been at the forefront of the fight seeking justice for Sushant Singh Rajput. From demanding #JusticeForSSR to talking about drug abuse happening in Bollywood to claiming that 99 per cent of actors consume drugs, Kangana Ranaut has been making headlines. In the latest, when Kangana Ranaut tweeted comparing Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena leaders lashed out at the actress so much so that Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, in a derogatory statement, abused Kangana Ranaut and threatened to insult her father. Thereafter, Kangana recorded a video and expressed concern after Rauts disrespectful remark calling her haramkhor ladki. Kangana Ranaut is scheduled to land in Mumbai on September 9 amid the ongoing tussle with Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.Sources have said, amid the ongoing confrontation with Shiv Sena leaders, Kangana Ranaut will be given Y category security. VIPs who enjoy Y category security in India have a security detail consisting 11 personnel, including commandos. Read More... The actor and comedian John Leguizamo is among a growing list of entertainers who wants transgender roles in films and television to be played by trans actors at least for the foreseeable future. We have to make amends. Anybody can play anything, but the playing field is not fair that way, Leguizamo, 56, told NBC News. Not everybody is allowed to play everything, so until we get to that place, it is important for trans actors to get a chance to act. Leguizamo made the remarks ahead of the 25th anniversary of the drag queen cult classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. In the 1995 comedy, Leguizamo plays Chi-Chi Rodriguez, one of three drag queens embarking on a cross-country road trip until their car breaks down in the fictional town of Snydersville, Nebraska. While never fully articulated in the film, Chi-Chi has widely been perceived as transgender by longtime fans of the film and Leguizamo himself. If the films casting were today, though, Leguizamo would want a transgender Latina playing the down-and-out drag ingenue. Latin people should be playing Latin people no more brown face, he said. Enough of that, and the same thing in the LGBTQ community, same thing. There are actors out there who are out that should be playing those roles. With LGBTQ representation in mainstream media a rarity in the 90s, To Wong Foo and the character of Chi-Chi in particular made an indelible mark. It was a powerful thing. I get lots of fan mail from LGBTQ teens telling me how my character helped them come out to their parents, Leguizamo said. They didn't feel like they were seen, so that was a beautiful gift from the movie. The transgender actress Candis Cayne who played a pageant contestant in the films last scene and was the drag mentor of the top-billed star, Patrick Swayze reflected on that significance. Chi-Chi was a trans icon, but she also showed us that gay men and trans women can both perform and work in drag side by side, and that those relationships are symbiotic, she explained. Story continues Image: Candis Cayne hosts the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Marriott Hotel in San Francisco. (Steve Jennings / WireImage file) As for the film more broadly, Cayne, who was trying to make it big in New York City as a drag queen when she was asked to audition for To Wong Foo, said, It was really the first time that queendom had been profiled by mainstream Hollywood. Caynes role in the film earned her admission into the actors union, paving the way for her groundbreaking role in the ABC drama Dirty Sexy Money, making her the first transgender actress to play a recurring transgender character in primetime television. Were not equal until were all equal Leguizamo said the message at the heart of To Wong Foo which shows that big city liberals and middle-America conservatives can not only coexist but also learn from each other is one that still resonates today. America is better when we're all united, he said. It's called the United States of America, right? You see that in this movie. You see that when we get along, we're stronger than when we're divided. Leguizamo, who has embraced his role as an LGBTQ ally, is now writing a musical about transgender immigrants at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention camps along the U.S.-Mexico border. I realized with my voice and number of followers, I can give voice to the vulnerable, he said. I enjoy using my voice to make the world a better place for everybody, cause we're not equal until we're all equal. And in his forthcoming musical, he said he is making sure that the person playing trans is a trans person, so we can make it legit, make it real. That just needs to be done right now, he added. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram Home Search ICH Iron wall and Villa in the jungle Israels colonialism has many names September 07, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has chalked up more victories in his normalization efforts Serbia and Kosovo will be opening embassies in Jerusalem, going against UNSC resolutions, since Israel unilaterally annexed East Jerusalem in flagrant violation of international law. They follow in the footsteps of USA and Guatemala. For Kosovo, which had only declared independence in 2008, this is a first recognition of Israel, and it is jumping head-first into the Jerusalem pool. Netanyahu made it a central point that Kosovo is a Muslim majority state: Kosovo will be the first country with a Muslim majority to open an embassy in Jerusalem. As Ive said in recent days the circle of peace and recognition of Israel is expanding and more countries are expected to join. The deal, which both involves reciprocal recognition of Kosovo by Israel as well as economic normalization between rivals Serbia and Kosovo (Serbia does not recognize Kosovo), was brokered by the United States. Of course it comes on the heels of another normalization deal the one involving formalizing ties between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. For Israel, peace has always meant avoiding Palestinian statehood and marginalizing Palestinians. When Netanyahu says circle of peace, what it really means is a colonialist cabal of war against Palestinians. Netanyahu has always seen such peace agreements as a means of increasing nationalist strength and further marginalizing adversaries to the colonialist designs. Two years ago, speaking at a ceremony in the Dimona nuclear plant, Netanyahu said: The weak crumble, are slaughtered and are erased from history while the strong, for good or for ill, survive. The strong are respected, and alliances are made with the strong, and in the end peace is made with the strong This Hitlerite, fascistic worldview has its trajectory from Zeev Jabotinsky, founder of the Zionist Revisionist movement Jabotinsky had ties, cooperation and ideological affinity with Mussolini through Menahem Begins Herut party, which morphed into Likud. And remember that Netanyahus late father had been personal secretary of Jabotinsky himself. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Jabotinskys doctrine is called the Iron wall. The Iron wall versus the villa in the jungle Michael J. Koplow of Israel Policy Forum recently wrote about the Iron Wall notion in relation to the recent UAE-Israel deal: Zeev Jabotinsky, in writing about the Yishuvs [Zionist Jewish polity in Palestine] challenges with Palestinians living in Mandatory Palestine, argued that Zionists had to construct a figurative iron wall, demonstrating to the Palestinians that it could not be breached and that the Zionists would not be defeated or driven out. Only once Arabs in Palestine and in neighboring countries grasped that the Jews were there to stay and that the situation could not be changed through fighting and violence would they, according to Jabotinskys theory, moderate their views and demands and negotiate peace agreements with Zionist leaders. The basic concept at work here is peace through demonstrations of strength, which over time force the other side into acceptance and moderation, and it is a theory that has been wholeheartedly embraced by Prime Minister Netanyahu for decades. Koplows piece, titled The Iron Wall Versus the Villa in the Jungle, juxtaposes this doctrine against former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Baraks idea of a villa in the jungle. Koplow: Ehud Barak has used a different metaphor over the years when discussing Israels security, describing Israel as a villa in the jungle. This posits that Israel is an island of safety and stability amidst a region where norms and rules do not apply the law of the jungle, in other words and thus Israel will always have to vigilantly stand guard in order to prevent being overrun by the chaos beyond its borders. Koplow is at pains to describe the difference between the two metaphors: As with Jabotinskys iron wall, Israel does this by projecting strength and ensuring that there is no scenario in which it cannot defend itself from the threats surrounding it. But unlike the iron wall theory, where projection of strength is a means to an end of acceptance and eventually negotiated arrangements with Israels foes, the villa in the jungle is a snapshot in time that will not necessarily abate. Barak has never ruled out the possibility that Arab states will view Israels strength, change their attitudes, and negotiate peace agreements with Israel, but the villa in the jungle metaphor does not contemplate this as the likely next step in the same way that Jabotinsky spelled out with his iron wall. It may happen and it may not happen, but Israel needs to assume that the jungle will never be cleared to make room for townhouses and upscale grocery stores. What is ironic here is not merely that Koplow fails to see that this is the same colonialist, orientalist jungle in whatever Zionist jargon it is expressed no, the irony is that it is in fact the Barak view that tends to be more rejectionist than the Jabotinsky view, since it continues to view with suspicion any agreement that is made with the jungle. It is worth remembering, that Ehud Baraks solution was also a wall not only of iron, but of concrete and tower-posts, 8 meters high and trailing through the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to protect that Jewish majority. Koplow uses this supposedly crucial difference to address a bone of contention regarding the UAE-Israel deal the sale of the advanced F-35 fighter jets to UAE, which Israel is concerned might end up compromising its qualitative military edge (or QME, a principle of the special relationship between Israel and the U.S.). Koplow suggests that this is a consideration directly connected to the wall/villa duality: How one views the answer to this question is colored by two of the most famous Israeli metaphors about its security challenges and posture in the Middle East, which seem similar at first glance but are actually philosophically different. This is real intellectual vanity. The Netanyahu suspicion, definitely shared by his centrist governing partner Benny Gantz, is precisely a fear of the jungle. Neither does Netanyahus Iron wall mean that suspicion of the jungle is reduced, nor that the sword is let down. In 2015 Netanyahu said that we will forever live by the sword. Netanyahu hopes to fortify that Iron Wall through international deals which he calls the circle of peace. Such actions weaken diplomatic strength for the Palestinians, as has clearly been the case with the UAE deal it officially broke the Arab consensus on offering normalization after Israeli withdraws to 1967 lines and a just solution for the Palestinian refugee question is arrived at. Netanyahu has long contended that peace could be arrived at without these preconditions present. The jungle and the wall are two aspects of Zionist thinking which have informed it since its inception: an advance post of civilization against barbarism, as Zionist founder Theodore Herzl wrote in his book Der Judenstaadt (The Jewish State). The wall is a protection of the Zionist villa against the jungle. The wall and the jungle are two sides of the same racist, colonialist coin. Its not more complicated than that. - " Source " - Post your comment below See also The Iron Wall: Zionism Must Go Forward: By Vladimir Jabotinsky : Originally published in Russian under the title O Zheleznoi Stene in Rassvyet, 4 November 1923 The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Nicola Sturgeon today warned Scotland must 'step up' its efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus if it is to avoid another nationwide economic shutdown. The First Minister said Scotland was at a 'key moment' in the battle against the disease after a recent surge in case numbers. She said 'as we have released ourselves from lockdown we have also released the virus from lockdown' and that could force her to 'put the brakes on' plans to further ease restrictions. Ms Sturgeon also said the increase in cases was largely being driven by younger people 'interacting more' as she cautioned if such behaviour continues the virus 'will eventually seep into older and more vulnerable groups'. No new coronavirus deaths have been reported in Scotland in the last 24 hours but 146 new cases have been recorded. A total of 2,496 patients have now died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus. Nicola Sturgeon today said Scotland needs to 'step up' its efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus if it is to avoid a second economic shutdown Matt Hancock says coronavirus vaccine most likely to come in 'first few months' of 2021 Oxford University's coronavirus vaccine will most likely be rolled out in the 'first few months' of next year, according to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The jab was expected at the end of 2020 but its creators have tempered expectations and pushed it back to next year. Mr Hancock said today he still had some optimism the most vulnerable people will get their hands on the vaccine in the coming months in a 'best-case scenario'. But he admitted the more likely outcome would be a 2021 roll out of the jab, known as AZD1222, which was created by Oxford and owned by UK drug giant AstraZeneca. The Health Secretary revealed manufacturing was already underway in the UK for 30million doses, enough to vaccinate half the population. He said that having them on standby meant they could be dished out to those most in need as soon as the vaccine is given the green light by regulators. Speaking on LBC radio today, Mr Hancock said: 'We have got 30 million doses already contracted with AstraZeneca. 'In fact they are starting to manufacture those doses already, ahead of approval, so that should approval come through - and it's still not certain but it is looking up - should that approval come through then we are ready to roll out. 'The best-case scenario is that happens this year. I think more likely is the early part of next year - in the first few months of next year is the most likely. 'But we've also bought vaccine ahead of it getting approved from a whole different series of international vaccines as well.' It has not yet been proven that Oxford's vaccine works but early trials have heralded promising results, with tests showing the vaccine is safe to use in humans and appears to provoke an immune response. But data that proves it protects people is not expected until later this year. More than 50,000 people worldwide are taking part in 'phase 3' studies to see whether the Oxford jab can actually prevent people getting infected with Covid-19. In these tests the vaccine is being given to tens of thousands of people in real-world environments to see if it stops them from catching Covid-19 in the community. Scientists behind the jab had to move their studies abroad over the summer to South Africa, Brazil and the US - where Covid-19 is still rife, to speed up the trials. There are not enough people catching the virus in the UK anymore to be able to reliably test whether the jab is working. Advertisement Speaking during the Scottish Government's daily coronavirus briefing, the First Minister said 21,543 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland. Of the new cases, 78 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 19 in Lanarkshire and 13 in Lothian. Scotland's latest review of lockdown restrictions is due to take place on Thursday but Ms Sturgeon said 'it may be that we have to put the brakes on some further changes'. 'We must take this trend seriously and if we want to avoid having to close parts of our economy down again, and I think we all want to avoid that, we must step up our other ways of keeping Covid under control,' she said. 'This really is a key moment, and I want therefore to be pretty frank with you in my assessment today.' Sunday's figures showed 208 positive cases were recorded in the previous 24 hours in Scotland. Ms Sturgeon said the last time more than 200 cases were reported in a single day was May 8 but she said there were 'important differences' between the situation now and then. She said a lower proportion of those being tested were now confirmed as having coronavirus, adding that earlier in the year the daily case numbers were 'probably more of an under-estimate' than they are now, with more people now being tested. She added that on May 8 there were 75 people in intensive care with coronavirus and over 1,000 people in hospital with the disease significantly higher than the totals now. However, she warned: 'We have a very definite trend at the moment. In some ways it shouldn't surprise us, in recent weeks we have opened up most of our economy. 'But as we have released ourselves from lockdown we have also released the virus from lockdown.' Ms Sturgeon said younger people currently make up a higher percentage of positive cases. She stressed 'we really must take this very seriously' and that even for younger people Covid-19 could be a 'really nasty disease'. Ms Sturgeon added: 'If transmission takes hold again, even if it starts in the younger, healthier part of the population, which it appears to be doing, because younger people are interacting more, it won't necessarily stay in that part of the population. 'It will eventually seep into older and more vulnerable groups. To be blunt some young people will go on to infect their older friends or relatives. 'And it is at that point we could see again more deaths and serious illnesses happen.' Ms Sturgeon conceded that following public health advice was 'tedious' and 'inconvenient'. But she added: 'The virus is spreading again. 'It is not an option simply to do nothing about that. 'Or if we were to do nothing we risk in the weeks ahead going back to a mounting toll of illness and death. 'Let's not take that risk.' Masked men detained Belarusian protest leader Maria Kolesnikova in central Minsk on Monday morning and drove her away in a van and two of her allies also disappeared later, the opposition movement said. Kolesnikova, a member of the opposition coordination council, is the last of three female politicians left in Belarus who joined forces before an Aug. 9 presidential election to try to challenge veteran incumbent Alexander Lukashenko. A vocal critic of Lukashenko, she has played an important role in weeks of mass demonstrations and strikes by protesters who accuse Lukashenko of rigging his re-election. Lukashenko, who has been in power for the last 26 years, denies that allegation and has accused foreign powers of trying to topple him in a revolution. He has responded with a crackdown which some those detained say includes torture and beatings. Three European Union diplomats told Reuters that the EU is now preparing to impose economic sanctions on 31 senior Belarus officials, including the interior minister, in response to the election and subsequent crackdown. Facing his deepest crisis yet, Lukashenko retains the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has promised to send in police to support him if needed. Kolesnikovas abduction, if confirmed, comes as Belarusian authorities appear to be stepping up their efforts to try to halt the protests and obstruct the work of the opposition council, which they have accused of plotting to overthrow Lukashenko. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated across the country demanding Lukashenko step down. Security forces detained 633 protesters, Belarusian authorities said. MASKED MEN Police in Minsk were cited by Russias Interfax news agency as saying they had not detained Kolesnikova. A witness, Anastasia, was cited by the Tut.By media outlet as saying she had seen Kolesnikova pushed into a dark-coloured van by masked men in plain clothes in central Minsk. She said Kolesnikovas mobile phone had dropped to the ground during the tussle and that one of the masked men detaining her had picked it up before the van sped off. The opposition council said two other activists, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov, disappeared soon afterwards and said the authorities appeared to be systematically targeting its members. Its obvious that these methods are illegal and cannot lead to anything else apart from an escalation in the situation in the country, deepening the crisis and fuelling protests," it said in a statement. We see that the authorities have openly begun to use terror tactics in recent days," it added, calling the actions crimes against humanity. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius likened what had happened to Kolesnikova to something that the Stalin-era secret police in the Soviet Union would have done. Instead of talking to the people of Belarus, the outgoing leadership is trying cynically (to) eliminate (them) one by one," he wrote on Twitter. The kidnappingis a disgrace. Stalinist NKVD methods are being applied in 21st century Europe. She must be released immediately". Before the election, Kolesnikova had joined forces with opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who later fled to Lithuania, and with Veronika Tsepkalo, who has since left for Poland. Another leading activist, Olga Kovalkova, arrived in Poland on Saturday, saying she had been told she would face arrest if she stayed in Belarus. The crisis is hitting the Belarus economy. Central bank figures published on Monday showed the former Soviet republic had burned through nearly a sixth of its gold and foreign exchange reserves, or $1.4 billion, in August, as it fought to prop up its rouble currency during the wave of unrest. 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 He was seen at the end of August for the first time in months looking completely unrecognisable as he deals with his health issues. And Ozzy Osbourne was seen out and about once again on Monday as he stepped out for a stroll in Santa Barbara, California, amid his Parkinson's battle. The Black Sabbath frontman, 71, looked frail as he walked towards his car with his head down while holding a cane. Outing: Ozzy Osbourne lookrf frail as he used a cane during walk in Santa Barbara on Monday, amid his battle with Parkinson's disease Ozzy dressed for LA's heatwave in a black t-shirt with grey shorts, while he shielded his eyes with one of his signature pair of shades. The Prince Of Darkness is know for his long mane of dark brown hair, but -as seen in the end of August- he's currently grey-haired and tied his hair back in a ponytail. Ozzy went public this January with his Parkinson's battle, after being diagnosed with the disease in February 2019. He announced in February that he was canceling the North American leg of his No More Tours II concert gigs, owing to an excruciating neck injury. Relaxed look: Ozzy dressed for LA's heatwave in a black t-shirt with grey shorts New look: The Prince Of Darkness is know for his long mane of dark brown hair, but -as seen in the end of August- he's currently grey-haired and tied his hair back in a ponytail What's more, he suffered a fall last year and required spinal surgery, ultimately scrapping his tour dates for 2019. Ozzy was meant to hit the road again this year, but scrapped the North American leg of his tour so that he could seek treatment in Switzerland - only for the coronavirus lockdowns to leave him confined to his home and unable to travel to Europe. Although Ozzy has not been seen out in public in months, he did appear with his family on Celebrity Watch Party with a finale that aired July 23rd. The reality show is a take-off of the UK show Gogglebox and offers a glimpse at celebrities in their homes watching and reacting to TV. Style: Ozzy shielded his eyes with one of his signature pair of shades Prior to that, he was seen in January, looking a little more like his old self, when he attended the Grammys with a walking cane alongside his daughter Kelly. Despite his recent health crises and reduced mobility, the father-of-six and former reality star has repeatedly declared that he will never abandon showbusiness or rock and roll. 'You know the time when I will retire? When I can hear them nail a lid on my box. And then I'll f***ing do an encore. I'm the Prince of Darkness,' he said this week. The Black Sabbath rocker admitted this week that he has found it tough staying at home throughout the coronavirus pandemic, as he opened up about his mental health. Candid: Ozzy went public this January with his Parkinson's battle, after being diagnosed with the disease in February 2019 Speaking on The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, he said: 'When I am in a room on my own, it is a bad f****** place. Our heads are our worst enemies in times like this because people are locked up and worried about this pandemic.' They need to unload because if you do not unload, you'll get depressed. My therapist suggested that I start meditating again. I am on this new antidepressant which is working wonders.' As for his Parkinson's diagnosis, the rocker shared that he is making progress, explaining: 'I'm feeling better every day. It's so slow. I go in the swimming pool for an hour every day. I work out every day ... It catches up with you in the end'. 'I've got no complaints. I've had a great career. I had a great time. And I ain't done yet ... As soon as I get back on my feet I'll go out. I can't wait. Pandemic or not, I can't wait ... I will be happy as well. If my life ended on a stage, so be it. That's the place I belong.' Neil Buchanan has responded to rumours circulating on social media that claimed he is mysterious street artist Banksy. The 58-year-old British TV personality who is best known for hosting children's programme Art Attack from 1990-2007, was speculated to be the elusive artist after a Twitter user's post about the conspiracy theory went viral. Racking up over 2,000 re-tweets, the user wrote: 'Just heard that it's rumoured Neil Buchanan is Banksy. If true, it's the funniest s*** ever. Aintree's finest. 'He's a musician and art has followed in the cities of shows he's done allegedly. This is straight in the "believe without question" category.' Neil Buchanan (pictured) is best known for presenting children's programme Art Attack, has denied rumours that he could be Banksy A representative for Neil revealed they had been inundated with queries about the possibility of the TV personality being the artist because of a social media conspiracy theory A representative for Neil penned a statement on his website revealing they had been inundated with enquiries from people attempting to fact check the rumour. Denying the suggestion, they wrote: 'Unfortunately this website does not have the infrastructure to answer all these enquiries individually, however we can confirm that there is no truth in the rumour whatsoever. 'Neil spent lockdown with vulnerable members of his family and is now preparing to launch his new art collection in 2021. Thank you and please stay safe.' Bristol native Banksy, has gained a reputation for his large art pieces in public spaces while managing to conceal his identity. Various attempts to unmask Bansky whose most famous work includes Balloon Girl, Follow Your Dreams and London Underground Rats have been unsuccessful, with Robin Gunningham being the most commonly cited individual who could be the street artist. Neil (pictured) inspired many children to embrace their creativity with his experiemental art work from 1990-2007 Sparking the conspiracy theory, a Twitter user claimed Neil has often been in the same cities as Banksy's artwork This sneezing and coughing rat was at the centre of a Banksy artwork on the Tube earlier this year, carried out as the train passed through central London The artwork was filmed being made and at one point Banksy ushered away a commuter from the part of the carriage he wanted to paint Who is Neil Buchanan? Neil Buchanan who is best known for creating popular children's programme Art Attack, which he hosted between 1990 -2007, has a legacy as an award-winning artist including two BAFTAS. Born in Aintree, United Kingdom, Neil joined heavy metal band Marseille in 1976. When the band came to an end he applied for a job advertised in the newspaper and captured the attention of TV producers by sending a photo from his childhood with a monkey on his knee instead of a publicity shot of himself. He soon found success with presenting TV shows including Finders Keepers, it's a Mystery and ZZZap!. Neil came up with the ideas for more than 500 episodes of Art Attack, which have been now aired in over 30 countries. The hit CITV show became one of ITV's longest running programmes and attracted over six million viewers each week. One of the most memorable episodes of Art Attack saw the artist create a huge portrait of the Queen using half a million pounds worth of real money. He has revealed that as a child he was inspired by cartoons and comics including Beano. Neil is currently an ambassador for the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts. He spends most of his time painting and exhibiting his artwork, having achieved his lifelong ambition to create a cartoon character for Disney when they acquired the rights to his Art Attack format. The 58-year-old is set to release his new art collection in 2021. Sources: neilbuchanan.co.uk , celebritynetworth.com Advertisement Social media users recalled Neil creating large outdoor pieces on Art Attack as one of the reasons why they believe the conspiracy and admitted they will believe the rumour even if there isn't any direct evidence. One person wrote: 'Heard the rumour that Banksy is Neil Buchanan and I need no evidence or proof or substance to it, it's absolutely the only thing I'm choosing to believe this year.' 'The rumour that 90s/00s icon Neil Buhanan is Banksy is simultaenously the best and weirdest thing to happen in 2020. And I've never wanted a conspiracy theory to be truer,' wrote another. A third added: 'Neil Buchanan saying he's not Banksy seems an awful lot like something Banksy would say' Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 05:09:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A medical worker collects a swab from a woman for a COVID-19 test in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sept. 4, 2020. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) With worsening COVID-19 pandemic, Israel decided to impose a night closure on 40 cities and towns with high morbidity starting Monday. JERUSALEM, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli special ministerial committee has decided to impose a night closure on 40 cities and towns with high COVID-19 morbidity starting Monday, according to a Sunday government statement. The night closure will run from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time, said the joint statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Health. During these hours, it will be only allowed to move within 500 meters from home, and only essential businesses allowed to open. In these cities and towns, gatherings of more than 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors will be banned, and schools and kindergartens closed. The 40 cities and towns were announced "red" as part of a government "traffic light" program, which has classified all cities and towns in Israel into four colors of red, orange, yellow and green according to morbidity level. Boston police identified 44-year-old Cirilo Aldana-Peraedes as the suspect who stabbed a mans forearm with a pair of scissors. Aldana-Peraedes, a Boston resident, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Police responded to a call of a stabbing around 9:05 p.m. Sunday near Dartmouth and Boylston streets in Bostons South End neighborhood. Officers found a man was stabbed in the left forearm. The stabbing victim told police he had several interactions with a man, who police say was Aldana-Peraedes, and that he asked the man to leave him alone. Police say Aldana-Peraedes started stabbing the passenger side window of the mans van, scratching the glass. The door was still open so the man tried to close it when he was stabbed in the forearm, police said. He eventually closed the door. After police arrived, he was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injury, which was deemed not life-threatening. Aldana-Peraedes ran down Boylston Street toward the Prudential Center, where he was later apprehended by other officers, according to a news release. For more than four decades, SSL (Solid State Logic) mixing consoles have powered legendary recordings, from Rushs Moving Pictures to Tupac Shakurs All Eyez On Me. More platinum albums have been recorded on SSL equipment than on all other mixing consoles combined, and they can be found at world-famous facilities like Hit Factory and Abbey Road Studios. We spoke to James Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix, to find out how the company keeps an eye on SSL's incredible past, while always looking to the future. For music lovers who are not gear-heads, can you explain how one recording console is different from another? For an audio engineer, their mixing console is their instrument. It is how they manage and control the musicians individual instruments and ultimately balance what the listener hears. This connection with the engineer means how the console sounds, combined with the accuracy and feel of the controls, is critical to the end result. This interaction and the physical layout of the console become part of your muscle memory and engineers instinctively know where to reach to get the result and sound they are looking for. This means engineers are very connected to their preferred brand and its physical layout. Related: These $55 Wireless Earbuds Play Longer Than AirPods As CEO of Audiotonix, how do you balance the legacy of a brand like SSL while continuing to change and innovate? Part of the legacy of SSL is innovation, so in fact, it is in the DNA of the R&D team to constantly look for new ways of doing things or adding to what is possible. The hardest job is prioritizing the ideas they have and turning them into real products. We recently had this with the SSL 2 and SSL 2+ USB interfaces, where we were aiming to introduce the brand to the next generation of musicians and engineers. The team wanted to hold their audio values and give the true SSL experience, all of which had to be engineered to the right price point. They did an amazing job and we now have a rapidly growing number of people experiencing what it means to have that quality at the start of creating their music. What is the process for new product development? We spend a lot of time with our clients, listening to their challenges or aspirations drives much of our development. We then have a comprehensive think tank process where all the technical leaders in Audiotonix come together to evaluate the development challenges and commercial viability. It sounds a pretty intensive process, but I think all the design teams would say the products always get refined for the better. The brands in the group are very focused on their specific core market and the customer base they are working with are therefore very close to the sales and product teams. This unrivaled connection and single focus on the market and products means we are able to react and often drive the next trend. Related: Pharrell and Jay-Z Drop Single Celebrating Black Entrepreneurship How do you see music recording changing in the coming years? What are the trends you see musicians embracing? There seems to be a collaboration trend now returning to music, where musicians want to work closer together to create. This is more of a classic approach and I think this trend will contribute to the success of ORIGIN, as it is a console you can sit around and create together. Covid-19 has also played its part as musicians are starting to collaborate through online platforms, which has really boosted the acceptance our ACP (Audio Creation Products) like SSL2 and SSL2+. Related: If the Black Crowes Adapted to Ecommerce During the Pandemic, So Can You How is the music community coping during these difficult times? As a company we are trying to support our complete supply chain in the best way we can, this is both our clients and suppliers, some of whom are having very challenging times. We are actively involved in a number of campaigns worldwide to highlight the challenge for our industry and the magnitude of freelancers that work in it and are in a frightening number of cases falling through the gaps. If readers would like some awareness on this, please look at the work being done by #WeMakeEvents and #LetTheMusicPlay. There are many others, but these highlight the challenges and the reason we are trying to get local governments to consider extended support. Related: What do Tupac and Dave Matthews Have in Common? Become a Digital Artist for Just $35 Using Only Your Mac Lights, Camera, Disinfectant! Creating Great Content With Kevin Hart, Demi Lovato and Blake Griffin in the Age of Covid-19. Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A 23-year-old man was stabbed to death on Saturday in north-east Delhis Welcome allegedly by four men to avenge the humiliation they faced when he slapped one of them in public, the police said. All four alleged attackers were arrested and two knives used for killing the man, Noor Hassan alias Armaan, were seized on Sunday, deputy commissioner of police (north-east) Ved Prakash Surya said. The arrested men were identified as Asif Khan aka Danny, Rehaan, Kasif, and Feroz Khan, all residents of Welcome and Seelampur in north-east Delhi. All four knew Hassan and Asif and Kasif were his neighbours. Around a fortnight ago, Hassan had slapped Asif in public. Asif felt humiliated and decided to take revenge. He included his three friends who also bore grudges against Hassan allegedly because he had assaulted them several times in the past, DCP Surya said. On Saturday, the police received a call regarding a body in Janta Mazdoor Colony in Welcome and were told that it was taken to a hospital. They found Hassans body with three to four stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. A case of murder was registered and investigation was taken up. The investigating team activated their informants network and through them they came to know about Hassans enmity with Asif and the other three men and also about the public slapping incident. Police went to look for the suspects and found that they were missing from their homes. We collected information about their whereabouts and caught them from north-east Delhi. They admitted to killing Hassan to settle scores with him. Their interrogation led to the recovery of the two knives used in the crime, the DCP said. Key indices pared losses in mid-morning trade. At 11:27 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 35.47 points or 0.09% at 38,321.71. The Nifty 50 index added 1.95 points or 0.02% at 11,335.80. After hitting a low of 11,251.70 in early trade, the Nifty regained 11,300 mark in morning trade. However, weak global cues amid souring US-Sino relations continued to weigh on sentiment. In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.57% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index slipped 0.27%. The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1077 shares rose and 1304 shares fell. A total of 163 shares were unchanged. Coronavirus Update : Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 27,105,151 with 883,342 deaths. India reported 8,82,542 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 71,642 deaths while 32,50,429 patients have been discharged, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Buzzing Index: The Nifty Auto index slipped 0.75% to 7,936.55, extending losses for second day. The index has skid 1.4% in two sessions. Among the index constituents, Mahindra & Mahindra (down 3.56%), Ashok Leyland (down 0.79%) and Eicher Motors (down 0.70%) were the top index losers while Tata Motors (up 0.88%), TVS Motor Company (up 0.58%) and Bharat Forge (up 0.46%) were the top index gainers. Stocks in Spotlight: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) fell 1.37% to Rs 930. The construction major said its power transmission & distribution business secured large contracts. As per the L&T's classification, the valuation of the 'large' order stands between Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. Vodafone Idea surged 6.83% to Rs 12.83 after the telecom operator's board on Friday (4 September) approved plans to raise funds upto Rs 25,000 crore via combination of equity and debt issue. Ratnamani Metals & Tubes rose 1.57% to Rs 1,192.60. The company announced that it has received two orders aggregating to Rs 190 crore in carbon steel division for the supply of coated CS pipes for oil and gas sector. The order is to be completed between December 2020 to June 2021. Global Markets: Asian stocks were trading lower on Monday amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing. The Trump administration is reportedly considering imposing export restrictions on Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China's largest manufacturer of semiconductors. US stocks closed lower on Friday though well above its session low as selling eased late in the day after investors dumped heavyweight technology stocks due to concerns about high valuations. US employment growth slowed further in August and permanent job losses increased as money from the government started running out. Nearly a fifth of the job gains reported by the Labor Department on Friday were from the government's temporary hiring for the 2020 Census. While the unemployment rate fell below 10%, it was biased down by a continuing misclassification problem. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) INTRODUCTION If the recent Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics have taught us anything at all, it is that technology can help Africa prepare better and transform how health care is delivered. Easier access to health information data is instrumental in the delivery of better outcomes by health care professionals and in development planning by policymakers. BACKGROUND In 2019, the WHO introduced the triple billion targets for global health, i.e. universal healthcare, health emergency protections, and overall better health outcomes for one billion people across the world. Technology can help achieve these goals by increasing access, improving quality and reducing costs. Planning and designing of a holistic health care system are imperative to avoid the current phenomenon of health data silos which greatly affects the access, cost and delivery of quality health. The prospects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in African healthcare delivery will be a facade if we are not able to provide quality and a significant amount of data for training AI models. The fragmented data currently available is a huge bottleneck for researchers and developers in building AI technologies especially in health-tech where the stakes are much higher. There is a dire need for both governments and the private sector to work towards a health data standardization in Africa. The European Union (EU), for instance, passed the comprehensive data protection law, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in 2018. The GDPR explicitly defines data that is particularly important to the healthcare industry with regulations on how it should be processed. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the US provides the national standard on how health information is collected, processed and managed. Most African countries are still in their infancy with regards to these types of health data policies or regulations. In Ghana, the Data Protection Act 2012 (DPA) covers general data compliance issues. It does not have specific guidelines for the collection and management of health data. Given these fewer policy barriers with increasing mobile penetration, there is a huge opportunity for designing and implementing an even more robust and economically viable national health information systems. The Ghanaian Healthcare ecosystem The Ghana Health Service (GHS) Fact + Figures(2018) reports that there are over 2,500 government hospitals and clinics across the country. Private facilities account for as much as half (43%) of all hospital beds. These facilities are aided by numerous community pharmacies and diagnostic centres(private laboratories and imaging centres) Patient record folders have been regarded as the property of the hospitals even though the data belongs to the patient. This has been the general policy of health facilities to safely manage patient records. Transfer of patient information is done through reports and referrals and while this is a good policy, it has limited implementation as the receiving physician might require some information not documented on the note and hence fall back on patients powers of recall, and this is greatly unreliable. Government hospitals such as The 37 Military Hospital, The Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have made great strides in digitizing their health records, thousands of other public health facilities are still struggling to even manage their paper folders due to economic, infrastructural requirements and other institutional barriers. Private facilities have been on a similar trajectory with a few of them having electronic health records. These digital record systems, however, like their physical folder counterparts, remain embedded within the facilities in which they operate. The patient data is not transferable and therefore can not be accessed by other facilities, creating an even more fragmented health data ecosystem. THE MEDTRACK SOLUTION MedTrack is a homegrown health-tech solution that provides a unified health record system for patients and healthcare providers in Ghana. This cloud-based solution simply allows doctors irrespective of their location to properly record patient information and connects to other providers such as community pharmacies and diagnostic centres. The patient is engaged through web and SMS channels. How the MedTrack Network operates A universal record system that allows access to patient information at every potential venue of care while still providing security and autonomy of patient information throughout the nation represents a huge step forward in health care reform. The adoption of universal structures, however, thrives on trust, ubiquity and value to the general population. MedTrack achieves this by connecting every citizens electronic health record to a single national system; the Ghana Card. The Ghana Card is currently the single most accessible and acceptable form of identification in Ghana. The card is especially strategic because it is poised to consolidate all other forms of identification such as the National Health Insurances Card, Social Security Numbers, Drivers License and even as a biometric travel document within the West African sub-region. It is widely available for free and issued to every citizen irrespective of their age, location or social status. MedTrack Registration and Login with Ghana Card By connecting citizens, data and systems, MedTrack creates a network that allows health data to flow seamlessly across care providers, locations and systems. The value MedTrack delivers lies in its adaptive design that takes cognisance of the dynamics in the local healthcare system; healthcare accessibility, interrelations between primary healthcare facilities and ancillary services, baseline technologies, emerging healthcare trends and various ethnographic influences. MedTrack provides a secured internet-based system that any institution, regardless of its current technology infrastructure can access, manage and collaborate on patient information. It delivers a standard Electronic Health Records (EHR) structure online that allows for participation by all institutions even at a rudimentary level. Technological considerations The main goal of developing a universal record system is secured accessed, not by caregivers alone but by patients as well. Although each patients medical record is managed by physicians, patient information needs to be portable and accessible to appropriate caregivers in other health care settings, while ensuring privacy and security to patients. Thus, an internet-based, password-protected records system is most likely the best option. But, how do we empower patients to take charge and engage in the management of their digital records? Integrate baseline technologies. Medtrack adopts the same technologies that stimulated the scale and success of Mobile Money in Africa: SMS and USSD integrations. These two channels provide critical functionalities including password authentication for access and various SMS notifications on the most basic mobile phone device. Emerging Trends The Ghanaian industry has been experiencing an emergence of new patient interactions such as; walk-ins into pharmacies and diagnostic centres for primary health care rather than the clinics or hospitals. This is a vital part of our health ecosystem, this interaction is however not documented and the information is not transferred to other facilities except through patient recall. The incorporation of community pharmacies and diagnostic centres within the MedTrack network does not only facilitate patient safety in terms of documentation and referral for on-going treatment, but it also enables real-time communication between doctors and pharmacists/diagnostic centres. Patient accessing their Medication through MedTrack at AddPharma Pharmacy in Accra There are also new trends in care delivery such as concierge and homecare. Physicians practising privately or providing homecare services will typically save the information of their numerous patients in paper diaries or other digital notes alternatives on their mobile phones. It is not uncommon for doctors to save their private patient names along with their primary conditions in their phone contacts e.g. Kofi Asthma. MedTrack is positioned to become the goto universal patient management tool for private doctors via their mobile devices. Medtrack allows physicians to access their concierge clients information in real-time while also giving direct access to communicate with allied institutions in health care, thus community pharmacies and diagnostic centres( laboratories and imaging centres). Patient information is kept documented, safe and can be transferred to the next level health care centre with explicit permission from the patient. With telemedicine solutions gradually becoming a staple within the healthcare delivery chain in the COVID-19 era, MedTrack is making available developer APIs that can easily be integrated into these solutions to securely connect to the patient information. Physicians on different telemedicine platforms are therefore able to collaborate and provide on-going care using common patient data. CONCLUSION The health ecosystem is making strides at digitization, this, however, is fragmented with herein challenges of integration. The solutions currently only tackle the problems of documentation of patient information. Medtrack, through the use of the Ghana card, seeks to be a universal solution to the documentation of both formal and informal health sector interactions and to allows for access to this information at all secondary levels. The solution is available to patients and healthcare facilities across Ghana, and targeted to onboard over 10% (300,000) of the population by the first quarter of 2021 To read more, visit medtrack.io or sign up as a patient.Caregivers and service providers can also request for a free set-up. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 15:18 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c43359c9 1 National Komnas-HAM,Munir,Human-Rights-Day,Amnesty-International-Indonesia,munir-said-thalib,Munir-fact-finding-team-TPF,Munir-TPF-report,Suciwati-Munir Free The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has proposed Sept. 7 to be designated as national human rights defenders day, coinciding with the date of the assassination of prominent human rights activist Munir Said Thalib. Dedicating Sept. 7 as national human rights defenders day could further promote the idea of providing support and protection for human rights activists in the country, Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam said in a statement on Monday. Human rights activists have persistently faced violence, harassment and criminalization to date, Choirul said. Munir himself was a person who pioneered protection of human rights defenders in Indonesia." Munir, the cofounder of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), was murdered with arsenic on Sept. 7, 2004, aboard a Garuda Indonesia plane on his way to the Netherlands to pursue a masters degree in international law and human rights. His death apparently followed a series of threats made against his life. A bomb exploded outside his home in Jakarta in 2003 and the Kontras office was previously attacked by mobs who destroyed equipment and took away files containing information about ongoing human rights investigations. Read also: Long road to see justice over Munirs murder Sixteen years after his death, nobody has legally been held responsible for the crime. Garuda pilot Polycarpus Budihari Priyanto was found guilty of carrying out the poisoning, but later the Supreme Court only convicted him of document forgery. Pressures have been mounting for years from the public and rights activists for law enforcement to prosecute the murder's mastermind, who remains unknown to this date. Amnesty International Indonesia said Munirs murder was indicative of the wider culture of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of attacks against human rights defenders in the country. The lack of full accountability and the political will to resolve the case contributes to an ongoing climate of fear among human rights defenders, said Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid. We call on President Joko Widodo, who has made a public pledge to resolve the case, to take decisive and concrete action. This process can be started by conducting a review of past criminal proceedings into Munirs murder, including alleged violations of international human rights standards, Usman said. In September 2016, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo made a public pledge to resolve the case of Munirs murder. But the Indonesian authorities have yet to publish the report into the investigation, in violation of Presidential Decree No. 111/2004 on the establishment of the fact-finding team on Munirs killing, which obligates the government to make the report public. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 13:02:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KIGALI, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Sunday denied reported allegations that Paul Rusesabagina, portrayed as a humanitarian in the controversial Oscar-nominated film "Hotel Rwanda," was kidnapped to Rwanda. "There was no kidnapping and wrongdoing in the process of getting him here. It was actually flawless. Rusesabagina will testify to that," Kagame told national broadcaster Rwanda Television in a live interview, referring to the allegations made by Rusesabagina's family. Kagame hoped media would report "facts" about Rusesabagina, adding that there are recordings of Rusesabagina bragging about his attacks against the central African nation. His case has attracted "so much unnecessary attention" and Rwanda knows how to deal with it, which will be done in open, said the president. The 66-year-old was made famous by the film "Hotel Rwanda," where he saved over 1,000 ethnic Tutsis during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, but survivors and experts disputed the story. The Rwanda Investigation Bureau last Monday said that Rusesabagina was arrested for being suspected of founding and sponsoring "terror outfits ... operating out of various places in the region and abroad." He is suspected to be the founder, leader, sponsor and member of "violent, armed, extremist terror groups" including the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change and the Party for Democracy, according to the bureau. It said Rusesabagina was arrested through "international cooperation," but did not give more details on how he was arrested. Enditem There are four new cases of COVID-19 to report in New Zealand today. Two are imported cases detected in MIQ facilities. The first is a male child and the second is a woman in her 20s - both arrived from India on August 23 and they are each a close contact of separate previously reported confirmed cases. There are two new cases in the community both linked to the Auckland August cluster. The first is a close contact of an existing confirmed case that has been epidemiologically linked to the cluster. The second is a household contact of a confirmed case linked to the Mt Roskill Evangelical Church sub-cluster. Both were already in isolation. "Since August 11, our contact tracing team has identified 3224 close contacts of cases, of which 3199 have been contacted and are self-isolating, and we are in the process of contacting the rest," says a statement from the Ministry of Health. "There are 70 people linked to the community cluster who remain in the Auckland quarantine facility, which includes 52 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their household contacts." Today, there are four people in hospital with COVID-19 three are stable and in isolation on a ward - one in Middlemore and two in North Shore hospital. The fourth person is in Waikato Hospital in ICU. There are two previously reported cases who are considered to have recovered today both community cases. "With todays four new cases, our total number of active cases is 118. Of those, 41 are imported cases in MIQ facilities, and 77 are community cases. "Our total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is now 1425, which is the number we report to the World Health Organization. "Yesterday, our laboratories processed 3,991 tests for COVID-19, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 818,629." Border testing New rules for testing certain higher-risk workers at the border and in managed isolation and quarantine facilities are now in force, shifting surveillance testing at the border to a more routine pattern. Workers at Managed Quarantine Facilities and workers who transport people required to be in quarantine to and from the facility will be tested once every seven days. Workers at Managed Isolation Facilities and workers who transport people required to be in isolation to and from the facility will be tested once every 14 days. Workers in certain higher-risk occupations at the Ports of Auckland and the Port of Tauranga will be tested once every 14 days. Workers in certain higher-risk occupations at Auckland International Airport will be tested once every 14 days. Testing is complementary to strict infection prevention and control measures including physical distancing and the use of PPE, and daily health checks. NZ COVID Tracer NZ COVID Tracer app registrations continue to increase and there are now 2,139,000 registered users. There have been 359,393 posters created. The app has recorded 43,433,462 poster scans, and 2,477,964 manual diary entries. Kolkata, Sep 7 : A major fire broke out at a slum located in Kolkata's Narkeldanga Canal east road area on Monday morning destroying more than 100 shanties. At least 10 fire tenders were pressed into action to douse the flames with fire fighters finally taking control over the situation after nearly two hours. According to West Bengal fire brigade sources, the fire took place at Chagolpatty due to a transformer short circuit which soon engulfed the entire area in the morning. State Fire Minister Sujit Bose also visited the spot and said nearly 25 shanties were gutted in the flames. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text An 11-year-old black girl was hospitalized in Kansas late last month after a 12-year-old white boy allegedly hurled racist insults at her and struck her with a metal pole. Nevaeh Thomas says she was playing with friends at the Park 67 Apartments in Shawnee on August 28 when the boy, who lives in the complex, allegedly began yelling out racial slurs at the girls, all of whom were black. Nevaeh, who says she had never met the boy before, allegedly responded to his sickening taunts by saying, my black is beautiful, which angered him further. The boy then left the scene and returned moments later with a knife and began threatening Nevaeh and her friends, her family say. He then left once again and returned with a steel pole, swinging it at Nevaeh and striking her in the head. The blow knocked her unconscious for three minutes and left her bleeding from deep lacerations on her face. Scroll down for video Nevaeh Thomas was hospitalized in Kansas late last month after she was reportedly attacked and knocked unconscious by a 12-year-old white boy who hurled racist insults at her before striking her with a metal pole Nevaeh Thomas says she was playing with friends at the Park 67 Apartments in Shawnee on August 28 when the boy, who lives in the complex, allegedly began yelling out racial slurs The Thomas family say it took two hours and numerous pleas to get the Shawnee police department to take the boy into custody. The boy, who has not been named in police reports because hes a minor, has since been charged with one felony count of aggravated battery and has been placed on house arrest. Nevaeh, meanwhile, spent the night in the hospital and received eight stitches to her cheek. She also lost a tooth and was still recovering from a concussion as of late last week. Just days after the purported racially motivated attack, the brave girl held a press conference calling for society to bring a stop to hate racism. Its wrong and its wrong to hurt people with words and weapons, Nevaeh said Thursday at the Empowerment Temple in Kansas City. Its OK to be different or have a difference of opinions but its not OK to hate and judge each other on their color and their skin. I think we should start talking about these things before another kid gets hurt because they have they have the wrong skin color,' she said. Nevaehs familys lawyer, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, added that the Thomas family not only wants to see justice for Nevaeh but wants to bring about change in society. Its time to start talking about racism, she said. Our kids should be able to play, play in a park without being attacked because of the color of their skin. Nevaeh spent the night in the hospital and received eight stitches to her cheek. She also lost a tooth and was still recovering from a concussion as of late last week. Just days after the purported racially motivated attack, the brave girl held a press conference calling for society to bring a stop to hate racism In addition to calling for justice for her daughter, Brandi Stewart (seen with Nevaeh left and right) said she hopes the system does all it can to rehabilitate the boy so he learns that hate and violence is not healthy Nevaehs mother, Brandi Stewart, and grandparents Kendra Dean and Malcom X Martin, said they wanted the boy to receive the same treatment as an adult. The family also demands that the boys father be held accountable for what happened. Stewart said that finding out her daughter was injured in an assault was hard enough to confront, but when she learned of her attacker yelling racial slurs she was left even more devastated. As a mom, my biggest worry had been that Nevaeh might be kidnapped when she went an played outside, Stewart said. I dont think I ever would have imagined that I ever would have had to worry about her being a victim of a racially motivated attack. In addition to calling for justice for her daughter, Stewart said she hopes the system does all it can to rehabilitate the boy so he learns that hate and violence is not healthy. Hes only 12 years old. I want to believe that there is hope and that if he does get good help that he can learn from this incident, Stewart said. We need to tell [our children] how expressions of hate can make others feel and how they can leave scars that last a lifetime, she continued. We need to make sure our children have healthy ways to resolve conflict, and we need to model these behaviors for them as best we can. Its wrong and its wrong to hurt people with words and weapons, Nevaeh said Thursday at the Empowerment Temple in Kansas City. Its OK to be different or have a difference of opinions but its not OK to hate and judge each other on their color and their skin' Navaeh says she is now organizing a walk for children to demonstrate love, anti-racism and community. The date and location of which will be announced at a later date LIVE: Victim?s family speaks The family of an 11-year-old girl they say was the target of a racially-motivated attack in Shawnee is speaking out. Posted by KSHB 41 on Thursday, September 3, 2020 Nevaeh's grandfather, Malcom X Martin, also voiced his sadness that theres still 12-year-old racists. When you think its over, it aint over, he said. And if theyre 12-year-old racists, theyre learning it from somewhere. Youre not born with it, youre taught it. I feel like as adults, we should be able to control our anger, control our hate, in front of our children so that we can save our children so that they can save the fight for when they get older. The familys pastor, Rev. Terry Bradshaw, also spoke during the conference. He said he has been heartbroken ever since receiving word of the heinous attack against Nevaeh. When asked what Nevaeh did to cause the boy to attack her, Bradshaw responded: She stood up and refused to be bullied because of the color of her skin. The only thing Nevaeh is guilty of is being black and beautiful. A police investigation into the matter continues. So far, they dont share the familys view that it was racially motivated, KFVS reported. Navaeh, meanwhile, says she is now organizing a walk for children to demonstrate love, anti-racism and community. The date and location of which will be announced at a later date. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies may discuss this month countries which have lagged in reducing their oil output under a global oil cut deal, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was quoted as saying on Monday. Saudi Arabia, which chairs a ministerial panel that monitors adherence with the oil cuts, has been heading efforts to press laggards such as Iraq, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Angola to improve compliance with the reductions and compensate for their overproduction in July-September. Asked if the laggards have requested to extend the period for improving their compliance, RIA news agency quoted Novak as saying: "I have no information on that." "We have a planned meeting of the JMMC on (Sept.) 17. I think, we will discuss all those issues," he said. Last week, Iraq sent contradictory statements about its position on the deal to reduce oil production. It has said it remained fully committed to the OPEC+ oil supply cut agreement, denying an earlier media report that it was seeking an exemption from the reduction pact during the first quarter of 2021. The OPEC and allies, a grouping known as OPEC+, are currently cutting output by 7.7 million barrels per day (bpd) until December to support prices as the coronavirus crisis hammers demand. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi King Salman spoke by phone on Monday and said they were satisfied with how the deal between OPEC and non-OPEC producers to limit oil output was being implemented, according to the Kremlin. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Olesya Astakhova; editing by Jason Neely and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Home Search ICH The Stalinist trial of Julian Assange; whose side are you on? By John Pilger September 07, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Having reported the long, epic ordeal of Julian Assange, John Pilger gave this address outside the Central Criminal Court in London on September 7 as the WikiLeaks editors extradition hearing entered its final stage. When I first met Julian Assange more than 10 years ago, I asked him why he had started WikiLeaks. He replied: Transparency and accountability are moral issues that must be the essence of public life and journalism. I had never heard a publisher or an editor invoke morality in this way. Assange believes that journalists are the agents of people, not power: that we, the people, have a right to know about the darkest secrets of those who claim to act in our name. If the powerful lie to us, we have the right to know. If they say one thing in private and the opposite in public, we have the right to know. If they conspire against us, as Bush and Blair did over Iraq, then pretend to be democrats, we have the right to know. It is this morality of purpose that so threatens the collusion of powers that want to plunge much of the world into war and want to bury Julian alive in Trumps fascist America. In 2008, a top-secret US Department of Defense report described in detail how the United States would combat this new moral threat. A secretly-directed personal smear campaign against Julian Assange would lead to exposure [and] criminal prosecution. The aim was to silence and criminalize WikiLeaks and its founder. Page after page revealed a coming war on a single human being and on the very principle of freedom of speech and freedom of thought, and democracy. The imperial shock troops would be those who called themselves journalists: the big hitters of the so-called mainstream, especially the liberals who mark and patrol the perimeters of dissent. And that is what happened. I have been a reporter for more than 50 years and I have never known a smear campaign like it: the fabricated character assassination of a man who refused to join the club; who believed journalism was a service to the public, never to those above. Assange shamed his persecutors. He produced scoop after scoop. He exposed the fraudulence of wars promoted by the media and the homicidal nature of Americas wars, the corruption of dictators, the evils of Guantanamo. He forced us in the West to look in the mirror. He exposed the official truth-tellers in the media as collaborators: those I would call Vichy journalists. None of these imposters believed Assange when he warned that his life was in danger: that the sex scandal in Sweden was a set up and an American hellhole was the ultimate destination. And he was right, and repeatedly right. The extradition hearing in London this week is the final act of an Anglo-American campaign to bury Julian Assange. It is not due process. It is due revenge. The American indictment is clearly rigged, a demonstrable sham. So far, the hearings have been reminiscent of their Stalinist equivalents during the Cold War. Today, the land that gave us Magna Carta, Great Britain, is distinguished by the abandonment of its own sovereignty in allowing a malign foreign power to manipulate justice and by the vicious psychological torture of Julian a form of torture, as Nils Melzer, the UN expert has pointed out, that was refined by the Nazis because it was most effective in breaking its victims. Every time I have visited Assange in Belmarsh Prison, I have seen the effects of this torture. When I last saw him, he had lost more than 10kg in weight; his arms had no muscle. Incredibly, his wicked sense of humor was intact. As for Assanges homeland, Australia has displayed only a cringing cowardice as its government has secretly conspired against its own citizen who ought to be celebrated as a national hero. Not for nothing did George W. Bush anoint the Australian prime minister his deputy sheriff. It is said that whatever happens to Julian Assange in the next three weeks will diminish if not destroy freedom of the press in the West. But which press? The Guardian? The BBC, the New York Times, the Jeff Bezos Washington Post? No, the journalists in these organizations can breathe freely. The Judases on the Guardian who flirted with Julian, exploited his landmark work, made their pile then betrayed him, have nothing to fear. They are safe because they are needed. Freedom of the press now rests with the honorable few: the exceptions, the dissidents on the internet who belong to no club, who are neither rich nor laden with Pulitzers, but produce fine, disobedient, moral journalism those like Julian Assange. Meanwhile, it is our responsibility to stand by a true journalist whose sheer courage ought to be inspiration to all of us who still believe that freedom is possible. I salute him. Follow John Pilger on twitter @johnpilger - " Source " - Post your comment below See also Sham trial continues: Julian Assange arrested over 18 new allegations as he appears in court to fight US regime extradition Sham trial continues: UK judge rejects bid to delay Assange extradition hearing UK blacklists site over Yemen coverage : Censorship concerns are mounting in Britain after the Council of Europe issued a level-two press freedom alert Op-Ed: Glenn Greenwald: Journalisms New Propaganda Tool: Using Confirmed to Mean Its Opposite Assange extradition hearing resumes: the future of a free press on trial The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. by Kamel Abderrahmani * The controversial satirical newspaper republished the cartoons about Muhammad at the origin of the 2015 massacre. The publication provokes a wave of indignant reactions throughout the Islamic world, which instead remains silent over murder in the name of Allah. Paris (AsiaNews) Wednesday last the most controversial satirical newspaper in France, Charlie Hebdo, decided to issue a special edition republishing some cartoons of the Prophet of Islam Mohammed (Muhammad in Arabic) at the start of the trial over the terror attack during which eight members of the editorial team were killed on January 7, 2015. This special issue was a great success, 200 thousand copies have been sold and another 200 thousand will be reprinted. The editorial staff of the newspaper explained in an article published in the same issue: Since January 2015 we have been asked several times to produce more caricatures of Mohammed. We have always refused to do so, not because it is forbidden, the law allows it, but because such an act requires a good reason, a reason that makes sense and that contributes something to the wider debate". Indeed, this decision to republish the cartoons of the Prophet of Islam is very courageous. Given the context, it underlines the importance of this event and that of freedom of expression, strongly supported in France. In other words, it is a sign that demonstrates the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience and the place they occupy in French and Western society in general. Something that the Muslim world and Western Muslims - sadly influenced by anachronistic interpretations of Islam - find difficult to understand or appropriate. The special edition of Charlie Hebdo entitled "Tout ca pour ca" did not go unnoticed in the Muslim world. Indeed, the University of Al Azhar, one of the references of the Sunni world - which had refused to excommunicate the Daesh terrorists - denounced without hesitation "an unjustified provocation", "a criminal act" against "almost two billion Muslims worldwide." Iranian Shiism as well as Erdogan condemned the move. In Pakistan, the Islamist party" Tehreek-e-Laibak Pakistan "organized a large demonstration to protest against the cartoons, and also to dream of beheading the "blasphemers"! In this country, blasphemy is punishable by death. In other words, you should know that this country is still in the reckless worship of a warring and bloodthirsty Allah. The condemnation from the Muslim world was almost unanimous. And this shows that the leaders of Islam know how to make themselves heard when so desire. However, when Islamic terrorists carry out attacks killing innocent people whatever their faith, when they blow up churches in Egypt, killing and injuring hundreds of faithful, these same voices are silent, then they are not heard! In France, the French Council of Muslims (CFCM), through the voice of its president, urged people to think of the victims of terrorism, "ignoring" the cartoons that were republished. "The cartoons, we have learned to ignore them and we urge you to observe the same attitude in all circumstances". Chems-eddine Hafiz, the rector of the Paris mosque, in an excellent article published this Saturday on the Figaro website, (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/religion/le-recteur-de-la-grande- mosquee-de-paris-que-charlie-hebdo-continue-d-echo-de-dessiner-d-user-de-son-art-et-surtout-de-vivre-20200904 ) writes: "that Charlie Hebdo continues to write, to draw, to use its art and above all to exist. May the drama that befell this publication, the police officers and our Jewish compatriots serve as a lesson to the national community, but also to those who claim to be of Islam, to those who call themselves 'friends of Muslims' and who do not clearly condemn these terrorist crimes: how did the murder of cartoonists advance the cause of Muslims? And how can destruction and barbarism serve the image of Islam? " It should be remembered that no Koranic text prohibits the representation of the Prophet. The Koran, the main text of Islam and sacred collection of divine revelation transmitted to Muhammad, condemns only idolatry: this means associating other deities represented by idols with the One God. In other words, it is "hard to argue that the alleged rejection of image representation in Islam falls under divine law!" If we look at the history of Muslim art, the Prophet Muhammad was regularly represented in Persia, India, Afghanistan, Turkey, in diverse variations; Muhammad receives the Koran from Gabriel. From Jami 'al-Tawarikh (History of the world) by Rashid al-Din, Tabriz, Persia, 1307; Portrait of Mohammed, taken from the General History of Religion of the Turks of Michel Baudier. Paris (1625); 16th century illustration Siyer-i Nebi. Muslims who feel offended, insulted and hurt by this type of caricature need to understand that you neutralize idead with other ideas, caricatures with other caricatures, and that nothing justifies the violence and terrorist acts that Charlie Hebdo has suffered. In other words, we must draw inspiration from the Italians who were able to respond with art and intelligence to the famous cartoon by Charlie Hebdo about the earthquake that hit the upper Tronto valley! Indeed, the freedom of expression of the press is one of the greatest achievements of democracy in the West; in other words, it is an asset to be protected, to be defended from free spirits, to go beyond the archaic conceptions of religion and return to the essential: the spirit of faith. * Young Muslim scholar in Paris Shell service station operator Viva Energy's chief executive Scott Wyatt said the company may be forced to permanently shut its Geelong refinery if the road map targets are not hit by November, putting 700 jobs at risk. "They've provided a road map, but it's a long road map, and there are some high hurdles that we have to clear to get there," he said. "We all need a pathway out of this that we can be confident in and that seems realistic and achievable. And I'm not sure that hit the mark [with the road map]." Daniel Andrews announced the path out of lockdown on Sunday. Credit:Stephen Kiprillis Small business Ombudsman Kate Carnell said the state government's targets for reducing restrictions seemed unrealistic and may give some small business owners no other choice but to shut up shop. In those situations, Ms Carnell said the Andrews government should "pick up the tab" for the costs of breaking leases on property or assets such as cash registers. "It's totally unconscionable for the state government to make these decisions and then not pick up the tab for the costs that this is going to impart on on small retailers," she said. Loading Premier Daniel Andrews said he knew there were a lot of businesses that did not get the news they wanted in the state government's plan. "If we could have provided a different series of steps, more things opened faster and done that safely, then, of course, that's what we would have done," he said. "But there's no other option and I think that's well understood by every member of the government and well understood, I think, by the vast majority of Victorians." Lord mayor Sally Capp called on the state government to urgently provide immediate additional financial assistance for businesses prevented from operating due to the restrictions. She also called for a more flexible approach which allowed businesses to reopen sooner in a COVID-responsible way. "I am also calling for consistency," Cr Capp said. "If the national definition for hotspots is 10 cases per day for three days, why not use this benchmark for reopening businesses and industries such as retail and hospitality?" Mr Andrews said the government would continue to this week consult with a wide range of businesses about the type of assistance they believed would be of greatest benefit before announcing a rescue package. "We'll be as quick as we can be, but we have to give businesses ... that very direct opportunity to feed in about the types of assistance they want. Because it may vary one sector to the other. We'll do that as quickly as we can," he said. Mr Andrews would not comment on whether he would ask the Prime Minister to extend JobKeeper payments, saying he did not believe it was proper to lobby the government from the podium. Sia Psicharis, who operates a beauty salon in St Kilda East, said she was preparing for more bad news ahead of Sundays announcement, however, she was still shocked at how "incomplete and inconclusive" the state governments plans were. "Weve been closed since March and we were really waiting for something positive, but to be given this and having it all left open-ended, it was devastating," she said. The Melbourne small business owner estimates shes lost tens of thousands in revenue since lockdowns began in March, and is pushing for beauty salons to be permitted to open with a COVIDSafe plan once stage three restrictions are re-introduced. Under the state governments current plans, only hairdressers will be permitted to reopen on October 26 when restrictions ease back to stage three, with the rest of the beauty industry forced to wait another month to November 23. "We lost Mothers Day trade, we lost Fathers Day trade, and we were relying on the Christmas trade in November and December to roll us through our quiet time in January and February," Ms Psicharis said. "Weve always been known as the hair and beauty industry, and suddenly weve been left behind when the hair industry has been allowed to function." Chief executive of the Australian Retailers Association Paul Zahra had been calling for a staged reopening to begin next week and said the "incomprehensible" new restrictions would be a "death sentence" for many Melbourne retailers. "If you took an evidence-based approach, for retailers who comply with COVIDSafe plans shopping is one of the safest activities in the COVID world," he said. Close If you're shopping for a bed tailored to your individual sleeping needs, an adjustable bed may be the perfect solution for those sleepers struggling to find a mattress that checks off their wishlist. With an adjustable bed like My UpBed, you can improve digestion and circulation, lessen swelling, and simultaneously relieve back pain. Along with its circulation-improving and insomnia-curing benefits, an adjustable bed allows you the freedom to lower or raise your head and feet to the desired incline, promoting healing and pain relief. With the click of a few buttons, you can adjust the upper half of your mattress into an upright position, perfect for enjoying a night of watching TV or reading in bed. Initially, you could only find these adjustable beds in hospitals, as these beds catered to the needs of physically-disabled patients, those experiencing severe or chronic pain, and those unable to hold their heads for eating, drinking, etc. Today, anyone can buy one for their own home, meaning you can experience the same health benefits characteristic of hospital beds from the comfort of your bedroom. If you need some convincing before purchase, here are the main health benefits of an adjustable bed. It lessens back pain Those seeking back pain reduction should explore the world of adjustable beds. With a standard mattress, your tossing and turning may cause your spine to misalign. Some parts of your body may be absorbing too much pressure, causing inconveniencing back pain. As a solution, some sleepers opt to tuck a pillow in between their legs, which isn't always successful in realigning your spine or reducing those occasional backaches. When you purchase an adjustable mattress, you can simply press a button and raise your bed and upper body with minimal exerted effort. By adjusting to an upright position, you can reduce the compression that usually occurs on the lower back. You can also raise the bottom portion of your bed to relieve the pressure typically exerted in the middle of the spine. How you adjust your mattress will depend on where you're experiencing pain. With the help of beds like My UpBed, you can adjust your mattress until your pain disappears. Alleviates breathing problems Sleeping experts believe that those who complain of breathing issues, sleep apnea, and other sleeping disorders exhibit a less-than-ideal sleeping position. Doctors recommend that you elevate your head when sleeping to avoid indigestion that blocks your airway. Some sleepers will try to ease the pain by propping their head on a stack of pillows, but this can cause a tremendous amount of daily discomfort if your upper body lies flat on the bed while lumpy pillows strain your neck. With an adjustable bed, you can incline the entire upper half of your body, allowing you to sleep comfortably and soundly. When you elevate your head correctly, your airway stays open, promoting better breathing and a good night's sleep. Besides sleeping comfortably, an adjustable bed also relieves asthma-related symptoms while reducing potentially disruptive snoring, as it positions your airway in a way that's conducive to optimal airflow. Helps reduce arthritis pain Sleeping on a standard mattress can exert too much pressure on delicate body structures. Now, imagine that you have arthritis or chronic pain. With an overly-soft or unsupportive mattress, these feelings of discomfort will worsen when you sleep. However, if you own an adjustable bed, you can toggle the mattress up and down to your liking and can cuddle into a comfortable sleeping position when it's time to retire to bed. If you sleep comfortably and undisturbed at night, you'll glow during your pain-free days and pain-free nights. To relieve your chronic pain, you should lower your lower body in the morning to encourage better blood flow stimulation. Prevent or reduce leg swelling Most pregnant women suffer from swollen legs, especially in the third trimester. An adjustable bed can help reduce swelling by elevating your lower body while you sleep. Along with fulfilling the needs of pregnant sleepers, these adjustable beds are also ideal for those who suffered an injury or those working long hours performing manual labor. If you were to lie your lower body flat on the bed, it might exacerbate already-existing swelling, leading to debilitating pain. For those sleepers looking for a quick, cheap fix, you could tuck pillows under your legs, but they're prone to shift around throughout the night. Achieve optimal results by purchasing an adjustable bed. Improved digestion Experts believe an adjustable bed can improve digestion, even in a deep slumber. When your upper body remains elevated, your stomach remains above the intestines, helping the digestive tract to continue operating smoothly. When you sleep flat on your bed, it can slow or inhibit digestion cycles and allow discomfort-causing acid to collect. To reduce morning neck pain and headaches Do you wake up with a stiff neck and headache almost every day? Several factors could contribute to this pain, but this discomfort's primary explanation is a strained neck. With an adjustable bed, your neck won't contort into uncomfortable positions. Simply elevate your upper body, and it will release that pressure you exert on your neck every night. Conclusion If you're contemplating buying an adjustable bed, you are on the right track of prioritizing your physical health. With optimal comfort a few clicks away, there's no reason you shouldn't enjoy these innumerable health benefits. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 12:31:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A student walks through a disinfectant-sprayer at the Bak Touk High School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 7, 2020. Schools in Cambodia reopened on Monday after a six-month closure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Schools in Cambodia reopened on Monday after a six-month closure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron said in an earlier statement that schools must strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health to curb the virus spread. He said teachers and students must wear face masks, have their body temperature checked, regularly wash hands with soap or alcohol- and gel- based sanitizers, and keep social distancing of 1.5 meters in classrooms. The minister said that anyone whose body temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius is not allowed to enter the school. "The number of students in a classroom must not be more than 20 to 25," Chuon Naron said, adding that the schools can arrange students to attend school two or three days a week and to do the rest of their learning at home. Cambodia has seen success in controlling the spread of COVID-19. The Southeast Asian country has recorded a total of 274 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, said a Ministry of Health's statement on Monday, adding that none have died and 272 have recovered. Enditem Almere, The Netherlands September 7, 2020, 5:45 p.m. CET ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) reports the following transactions, conducted under ASMI's current share buyback program. Date Repurchased shares Average price Repurchased value August 31, 2020 9,100 126.17 1,148,180 September 1, 2020 3,000 127.32 381,950 September 2, 2020 - - - September 3, 2020 40,000 128.44 5,137,769 September 4, 2020 20,000 118.06 2,361,171 Total 72,100 125.23 9,029,070 These repurchases were made as part of the 100 million share buyback program announced on June 2, 2020. Of the total program, 26.3% has been repurchased. For further details including individual transaction information please visit: www.asm.com/investors/share-information/share-buyback . About ASM International ASM International NV, headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, its subsidiaries and participations design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International, its subsidiaries and participations provide production solutions for wafer processing. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability,changes in import/export regulations, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company's reports and financial statements. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances. This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. CONTACT Investor and media contact: Victor Bareno T: +31 88 100 8500 E: victor.bareno@asm.com Attachment Posters have been put up in Patna by the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) HAM(S) in which all the leaders of the NDA alliance can be seen with the exception of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan. Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi-led HAM(S) recently joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after leaving the Mahagathbandhan. HAM(S) spokesperson Danish Rizwan said, We have put pictures of all the leaders of NDA in the poster. The way Chirag Paswan said that he is not with the Bihar government and is constantly attacking the state government, it seems that he is intent on joining the opposition. Bihar has 243 Assembly constituencies and elections in the state are due in October-November as the tenure of the current Assembly is scheduled to end on November 29. The Election Commission has not yet taken a final call on poll dates in Bihar due to the coronavirus pandemic. (ANI) King Salman told Trump he appreciated US efforts to support peace and that Saudi Arabia wanted to see a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue based on the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by the kingdom in 2002 Saudi Arabia's King Salman told U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Sunday that the kingdom was eager to achieve a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue, which he said was the main starting point of the kingdom's proposed Arab Peace Initiative, the state news agency reported. The leaders spoke by phone following a historic U.S. brokered accord last month under which the United Arab Emirates agreed to become the third Arab state to make peace deal with Israel after Egypt and Jordan. King Salman told Trump he appreciated U.S. efforts to support peace and that Saudi Arabia wanted to see a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue based on the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by the kingdom in 2002. Under the proposal, Arab nations have offered Israel normalised ties in return for a statehood deal with the Palestinians and full Israeli withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and site of its holiest shrines, does not recognise Israel. However, this month the kingdom said it would allow flights between UAE and Israel, including by Israeli airliners, to use its airspace. White House adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner has said he hopes another Arab country normalizes ties with within months. No other Arab state has said so far it is considering a peace deal with Israel. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Kushner discussed the need for the Palestinians and the Israelis to resume negotiations and reach a lasting peace after Kushner visited the UAE last month. The UAE-Israel deal was met by overwhelming Palestinian opposition. Search Keywords: Short link: Lessons from the pandemic for tourism and hospitality businesses Around 90 per cent of tourism firms in Ho Chi Minh City had suspended operations due to the pandemics impact on their revenues. An estimated 20,000 tourism employees, or 70 per cent of the total, will remain off work without payment until the disease is contained. COVID-19 has proven that there is no certainty in business and there are unknown factors or events that could affect your operations at any time when matters move beyond your control. Therefore, you need to focus on what you can control. Forecasting and budgeting are excellent business processes to assist in identifying your cost drivers, and thus know how and where you should act to reduce costs quickly. Businesses with good budgeting and forecasting in place prior to the pandemic were able to respond faster and in a more focused manner. The sudden absence of cash flow was an immediate effect of the shutdown. Businesses with stable cash flow in place generally had higher reserves available to draw on in the first place and were able to stem the bleeding much better. The ability to adapt is a key factor. Businesses that can adapt by generating alternative sources of income or continuing to operate in a different manner will have a much better chance of survival. There are multiple examples of firms who changed their normal mode of operations in response to the pandemic. How effective these alternatives were for those businesses is still an unknown, as there was no doubt both hits and misses, but it is certain that some businesses will not go back to their pre-pandemic ways. Staff is a major cost for most tourism and hospitality businesses, so paying multiple people their full entitlements upon termination was going to result in a major cash flow shock and potentially unsustainable. The lump sum payouts of annual and long service leave were not part of the normal business planning process. Whilst the accrued hours were recorded in the payroll system, the accounting management reports, or annual financial statements did not show a cash value liability. Staff entitlements are a real cost to business and need to be managed from when the staff is first employed. Every business should record the future cost in their financial accounts and most importantly, maintain cash reserves for any accrued employee entitlements that is to be paid upon termination. This transparency also allows the business owner to ensure their employees take regular leave to manage the total amount of the liability for the business. The human element became more apparent during these stressful times, and your staff will always look up to you for leadership. Be prepared to spend time on these relationships, and most importantly, do not forget to take care of yourself. Rhode Island police have arrested seven men and are searching for another in connection to the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl, a video of which was reportedly posted on social media. The girl was allegedly lured to a party in December 2019 and plied with alcohol and drugs before they forced themselves on her, said Providence Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr. in a news conference Wednesday. Keith Erving Colon, 24; Jose Vargas, 18; Carlos Chacon, 19; Richard Tarell Chester, 19; Malcolm Baptista, 18; Luis A. Cabrera, 18; and Luis Luna, 19, were arrested, officials said. They were charged with intent to commit sexual assault and conspiracy. Police are searching for another suspect, Carlos Vasquez. Weve had some real difficult cases over the years, but this is right up there, Clements said, according to Providence Journal. The incident was horrifying, devastating, disturbing on so many levels to this young girl, to her family and to this community, he said. Shortly after the alleged incident took place, a video was posted on Facebook showing what happened, he said. The video was more than enough to see the crime and identify the culprits, Providence Police Major David Lapatin told the Boston Globe. It is sickening to see it. It was tough on the investigators. They did a really good job. Clements said the suspects could face up to 20 years in prison. He said that the men who were arrested are known to police for their involvement in other criminal activities. We always urge people to come forward, but thats a personal choice, and I commend her, I commend her family, he added. Individuals who do this should be held accountable. From The Epoch Times Moscow court to hear prosecutors $430 mln claim against ex-minister Abyzov Moskva city news agency, Alexander Avilov 15:41 07/09/2020 MOSCOW, September 7 (RAPSI) A prosecutors claim to forfeit assets worth 32.5 billion rubles (about $430 million at the current exchange rate) from ex-Minister for Open Government affairs Mikhail Abyzov charged with embezzlement to the state is scheduled for September 24, the Moscow Gagarinsky District Courts press service told RAPSI on Monday. Other defendants in the claim are several foreign companies under Abyzovs control. Prosecutors claim that between May 2012 and May 2018 when working in the government he also was engaged in business and derived income from companies under his control. To conceal his involvement in the business he registered the firms to false names, the statement reads. According to case papers, in 2018, Abyzov using his job position and ministers authority was personally involved in the Sibeko companys share sale. In February 2018, two contracts were signed resulting in the transfer of 32.5 billion rubles to Abyzovs companies received in violation of anticorruption law and regulations. In mid-August, investigation into an embezzlement case against the former official was completed. 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 state of the Indian economy is pretty terrible right now and things look quite out of control, TBH. Many people are out of their jobs right now. Most of us would do anything for a well-paying job and even if we arent enjoying our jobs right now, wed not dare to quit it. BCCL However, a man in Karnataka left his job in the United States and Dubai as he was finding it very monotonous. He decided to leave his well paying job to come back to his village and start farming in the Kalaburagi district. The astonishing part is that Satish Kumar who was working as a software engineer was earning USD 1,00,000 per annum which is approximately Rs 73 lakhs per annum. Exactly, he gave up his job to do farming in his village! BCCL Satish Kumar told ANI in an interview, "I was a software engineer working in Los Angeles, United States and Dubai. In the US, I was getting USD 1,00,000 per annum. However, I was doing a monotonous job. "There were not many challenges and I was not able to concentrate on my personal life. So I decided to move back to my village and started farming two years back. Last month, I sold corn cultivated on 2-acre land for Rs 2.5 lakhs," Kumar added. BCCL However, a lot of us are not earning that much and still cannot maintain a healthy work-life balance but Satish Kumar gave up a lot of money as that wasnt something he was enjoying, and also he was unable to give time to his family. Would you ever give up a job for the same reason? Let us know in the comments section below. Most read of the week - The memorial for Hollywood star, Chadwick Boseman, recently took place on September 5 - Boseman's wife Taylor Simone Ledward and his Black Panther's co-stars were in attendance - This comes barely two weeks after the iconic movie star died of colon cancer after a 4-year battle Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana Following the tragic passing of Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman, his family and friends held a private memorial on Saturday, September 5. The memorial took place in Malibu, California, where his close relatives and friends gathered to remember the brave actors life and say their final goodbyes. Chadwick Bosemans wife, Black Panther co-stars attended the private memorial. Photo credit: @chadwickboseman Source: UGC In photos published by The Sun, Lupita Nyongo, Michael B. Jordan, and Winston Duke attended an outdoor memorial for their Black Panther co-star, along with Bosemans wife, Taylor Simone Ledward. Boseman died in late August following a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43 years old. A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much, his rep said in a statement. Boseman left the world shell shocked when he passed away from colon cancer recently. The Black Panther star had not disclosed his ailing health to the public. Reports are now suggesting that the 43-year-old was determined to recover and complete the filming of the sequel to Black Panther. The publication reports that even one week before his death, the Wakandan prince was still feeling optimistic. It has been a couple of days since the news of Boseman broke on social media yet fans of the Black Panther star are still paying tributes to him. Just recently, a Nigerian lady identified as Jane Richard on Twitter joined millions of fans who have come out to pay their respects to the deceased actor. However, Richard left members of the internet community completely stunned with the work of art which was dedicated to Boseman. The lady who seems to be a makeup artist transformed her face into that of the late Black Panther actor. 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 The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 15:20:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIYADH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and United States President Donald Trump discussed the efforts of the Group of 20 (G20) to combat COVID-19 over a phone call, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The two leaders reviewed the work of the G20 chaired by Saudi Arabia this year, and the efforts made within its meetings to protect lives and livelihoods to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. They also reviewed the most prominent policies that have been agreed upon to reduce the negative aspects of the pandemic on peoples and the global economy. Salman stressed that Saudi will continue to support and coordinate the group to confront the effects of COVID-19 on the human and economic levels. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the G20 countries have been holding regular meetings to deal with impacts of the deadly virus in various sectors. During a summit in March, the G20 leaders vowed to pump more than 5 trillion U.S. dollars into the international economy. The Saudi king also appreciated the efforts made by the U.S. to promote regional peace, affirming the kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and just solution to the Palestinian cause through the Arab Peace Initiative. Enditem Hairdresser Olivia Inquanti says she is heartbroken her Essendon salon must stay shut for another seven weeks. The owner of Organic Strands was one of many hair and beauty business operators left disappointed after finding out her salon could not open before October 26 under the state's plan to lift stage-four restrictions. Olivia Inquanti, the owner of Organic Strands in Essendon, is disappointed about being closed for another seven weeks and has been busy rescheduling appointments. Credit:Simon Schluter "It was quite heartbreaking today," Ms Inquanti said. "Its quite challenging as a business owner not being able to move forward." There is a handful of menswear shops in London that I recommend regularly to friends visiting from abroad. They include Trunk, Connolly, Drake's and Anderson & Sheppard Haberdashery. All boutiques, all founded in the past decade. The most recent addition to that list is Clutch Cafe, the shop in Fitzrovia founded by the Japanese magazine of the same name. It's just around the corner from my office at Mortimer House, and I've whiled away many a happy hour browsing the dozens of Japanese and other brands, with a coffee in-hand from the cafe upstairs. But Clutch has one issue, and that is that there is just too much in there. Too many brands, too many qualities, too many styles, for anyone to easily get their head around. On more than one occasion I've seen a friend wearing a cool piece, asked where they got it, and been told it was from Clutch - even though I'd never seen it before. To a certain extent, this is a natural result of why the shop was set up. It was intended as a foreign home for all the brands featured in Clutch magazine, and magazines cover far more brands than any normal shop would stock. So there are 15 brands offering T-shirts. Priced from 45 to 230. And most significantly, there is a variety of styles - from very classic and wearable, to much more unusual and period. One of the purposes of this piece, therefore, is to provide a guide to the brands worth looking out for. The gems that offer great quality, are easy to wear, and which you can't find anywhere else in the UK - often, anywhere outside Japan. There are, perhaps, a few different categories here. The first is brands that are regularly featured on Permanent Style and other classic-menswear sites, and which at least some readers will be familiar with. For those brands, Clutch is an opportunity to find different models or designs, or maybe just access them more easily. They include Alden, Coherence, Paraboot, Red Rabbit and The Real McCoy's. There are models of Alden not available at Trunk - such as the snuff suede boot shown above - and Paraboot is sold few places anymore, particularly now Drake's does its own shoes. The Real McCoy's have been headquartered in the basement of Clutch until recently, as they were between stores. The new one should be open soon. But even when that's up and running, Clutch will have a selection of The Real McCoy's products. I'm a particular fan of the knitwear, but actually the one thing you can always count on with McCoy's is that the quality will be top notch. (And you can count on the price being high...) Another way to categorise the brands is by quality level, and The Real McCoy's is a good example of one that belongs in the very top tier. Also in that category is Buzz Rickson, which like McCoy's does faithful recreations of old garments - but usually in wearable cuts and styles. A favourite Buzz Rickson piece of mine is their duffle coat, which I wore for a shoot with Clutch last year. If someone told me the wool was literally bulletproof I wouldn't have been surprised. Other brands at that level include Himel Bros, the Canadian horsehide specialists. I bought their horsehide suede jacket (pictured above) from Clutch as a birthday present to myself this year. And of course, Coherence, popularised by The Armoury and available at Clutch as of Spring/Summer 2020. The image of Coherence above is a good illustration of the importance of a third category - style. Many Japanese brands aim to recreate styles from the past. But some bring back wearable styles and cuts, while others delight in ones that are obviously 'period' and verge on costume. In the image above, the polo shirt falls into the latter category, and I wouldn't wear the bucket hat either. But on top of them sits a Coherence jacket (the Vernon II) that is really nice. It's navy, unusual only its details (like those deep breast pockets) and like most Coherence designs, is elevated mostly by its material - in this case an exclusive wool/linen/mohair. A PS visitor to Clutch Cafe could easily browse last this mannequin without taking full stock of the Coherence design. Hence the need for explication and categorisation. There are a few other brands I would recommend as very wearable - good-quality classics that can be woven into any modern wardrobe. They include Cushman for its loopback knitwear (above), which is comparable to Merz b Schwanen but often comes in a greater range of colours and washes. There's Warehouse, which has a lot of different products but I personally like the plain T-shirts. They're circular knitted (no side seam) in heavier, tougher cottons like most vintage-inspired tees. But not too short or square. A friend recently asked what T-shirts I would recommend that were tougher than Sunspel, and might stand up better to life with small children. Most of these (plain) Japanese tees would be good there. Jelado is similar to Warehouse in selling across a few different areas, though I'd particularly recommend the shirts - they do have some fairly unusual things in there. PRAS makes vulcanised canvas trainers, similar to someone like Doek but a little chunkier and more casual. And if you like rayon shirts - arguably a little period, but becoming more mainstream - then it's worth checking out Muller & Bros. The last category is brands selling more esoteric designs, and often too vintage-looking for me. But there are some diamonds in there. They include Stevenson Overall, from whom I have a really nice thermal, Belafonte, and Soundman. There's also Chamula, which works with artisans in Mexico, and Monitaly. Readers might be familiar with them from No Man Walks Alone. Epperson Mountaineering and Rocky Mountain Featherbed both make climbing-inspired gear, as you can guess from the name. But they're a little synthetic for me to wear casually. Allevol have some great hand-knitted knitwear (pictured below). Haekels make nice, natural-feeling perfume. First Arrows makes silver jewellery. And I don't think I've even mentioned half the brands yet. I love Clutch. It's full of treasures. But it's taken me six months to get a sense of everything. Hopefully this piece is a small help in narrowing down your search: a way into browsing online, or focusing a trip to the store. Oh, and there is of course an amazing range of magazines. Which you can sit on a bench and read, right next to the cafe stall. I do occasional styling work for Clutch, putting together outfits that are photographed for their Instagram account - and for which I am paid. However, as with everything else on PS, no payment for content is possible. More on our policy on that, here. Right-wing activists and supporters of President Donald Trump caravanned down highways around the Portland area in support of the president and police, and in opposition to protests in Portland this summer. Later, part of the group broke off to join a Trump rally at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem in the afternoon, which quickly spun off into violence and led to two arrests. The Cruise Rally in support of President Trump began in the parking lot of Clackamas Community College in Oregon City on Monday morning. Several hundred people gathered, many dressed in red, white and blue, wearing make America great again caps and carrying signs bearing Trumps likeness. The event was organized by Oregon For Trump 2020, a Facebook page for supporters of President Trumps candidacy. Speakers at the morning rally staked out their opposition to weeks of protests against police violence and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement since the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department in May. Many invoked Christianity in their political stances and their support for President Trump. Organizers said they did not plan on entering Multnomah County. Mondays caravan officially ended after 3 p.m. when participants either continued to Salem or turned around at the Woodburn exit on Interstate 5. READ MORE: 100 Days of Protest in Portland More than 100 people attended the rally in Salem, including some members of right-wing group the Proud Boys, while a small group of counter-protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement stood nearby. Some in the right-wing group carried guns, baseball bats, sticks and pipes. The Salem Police Department, supported by Oregon State Police, made multiple arrests after rally goers attacked some of the counter-protestors. Videos on social media show right-wing protesters chasing, tackling and assaulting left-wing protestors with weapons, fists and pepper spray. Paintballs were also fired between the two groups. After unfolding a large American flag on the steps of the Capitol, right-wing protesters charged counter-protesters, leaving several injured. Right-wing protestors made a second rush later, tackling and beating at least one person, leading to two arrests. Ty Parker, 53, of Durango, Colorado, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and first-degree intimidation, an Oregon State Police spokesman said. Trenton Wolfskill, 37, of Eugene, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault. Both were released, police said. Proud boy chases down another BLM supporter, beats them down. Police make arrests pic.twitter.com/J9YlhpoRnO Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) September 7, 2020 Videos posted on social media Monday showed speakers at the rally invoking more religious language. One such speaker went on invoke conspiracy theories. He accused elected officials of pushing a pedophilia agenda and suggested that Democratic leaders be shot dead in the street. Video showed the line was met with applause. Participants of both rallies Monday included members of Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys, right-wing groups that have frequently fought with left-wing activists in downtown Portland, including those who identify as anti-fascist. The downtown clash between those groups on Aug. 29 ended with a fatality. Jay Danielson, a supporter of local right-wing group Patriot Prayer, was shot and killed as he walked through Portland streets holding a can of mace and a collapsable baton. His suspected killer, Michael Reinoehl, was killed by police as they attempted to take him into custody. Danielson had attended another car caravan in support of President Trump earlier in the day, and a pro-police demonstration the day before. Friends say Danielson liked to attend the events, but usually preferred to watch instead of getting involved in fights. The Proud Boys are planning to hold another rally in downtown Portland on Sept. 26. --Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB This post has been updated to reflect the following correction: The Proud Boys are planning to hold a rally in downtown Portland on Sept. 26. An earlier version of this story misstated which organization is organizing the event. As visceral as possible." Lucy Prebble's words ring in my ears as I watch Suzie (played by Billie Piper) sitting on the toilet, trying to calm herself down after it has been revealed that pictures of her giving oral sex to a man who is not her husband have been leaked all over the internet. Outside the door a make-up artist is clamouring to get her ready for a photo shoot. Suzie scrolls through her phone and the full horror of the violation becomes clear. She understands that in a few moments her husband will see her sucking what he later describes as "not my c**k". And then there is a sound effect perhaps never before heard on network television as terror-induced diarrhoea falls out of the star. "That scene was important because we wanted to make the actual emotional impact as real as possible," explains Prebble, the show's writer and Piper's close friend. "I was fascinated by the fact that you never hear what's going to happen next when a celebrity's photos are leaked. There's stuff in there to do with privacy and shame and the consequences, both personal and professional. "I have a very strong moral stance on someone stealing those images, which is deeply wrong and reflects more poorly on them. The person who leaks the photos is the arsehole." It's impossible to ignore the similarities between Suzie and Billie. Both are thirty-something former child stars who became fan favourites after starring in a cult sci-fi series. "I wouldn't be so insincere as to say it was all a coincidence. Because I know Billie very well; I also know the public perception of her. I grew up listening to people like her and Lily Allen, Charlotte Church and Britney Spears and I wanted to show a situation that the audience would quickly understand but it wasn't a reference to Billie's real life. In fact, there's more of me in there than her." Prebble is the woman of the moment in television. I Hate Suzie has been a sensation, and Succession, the other show on which she is a writer and executive producer, has been described as "era-defining" and "the best television of the last decade". It tells the story of a family whose patriarch is the biggest media mogul in the world. One of his sons sketches out the difference between traditional media and the rising tide of tech. "People don't want news," he says, "they want morsels. Juicy morsels." Given that little could be juicer than Suzie's nude photos, I wonder if Prebble sees the new media of viral infamy as more violating than the lurid headlines of Fleet Street's tabloid heyday. "I find it difficult to be nostalgic for a time when a billionaire with a political agenda and enough media power could define everything that a country thinks and has prime ministers under their thumb," Prebble responds. "Tech, particularly Twitter, has also been instrumental in producing a kind of authoritarian president in America and so it's galling that it's produced a similar reality. I don't think that we've come to terms with the horrors of everyone expressing their own reality in this short form but, as bad as it is, I think it's better than what came before." The tone of both shows hints at Prebble's background in theatre, her understanding of nostalgia and her feel for bleak humour. As a child growing up in Surrey, Prebble was obsessed with TV dialogue. Video of the Day "I used to steal a tape recorder that my dad had and put it by the TV. I used to record Star Trek and American sitcoms like Cheers and The Golden Girls and then I'd listen to them in bed, which I found very comforting. The punchline comes and it breaks over you like a wave, like music." She got into theatre while reading English at Sheffield University; she won the Most Promising Playwright award at the National Student Drama Festival in 2002, and an internship at London's Bush Theatre. "I never thought I could make a go of being a playwright," she recalls. "At university, I really wanted to get in with the cool kids. They were looking for new plays and so that was my opening. It was a bid for attention, I suppose. It wasn't until I was doing secretarial work at the National Theatre and there were plays lying around the place Most art that you're exposed to is finished or at a very late stage. This showed me that when things start out they're often quite shit." She wrote her first play, The Sugar Syndrome, about paedophile chat rooms, in 2004. There followed Secret Diary of a Call Girl, an adaptation of a blog - her first collaboration with Piper. The show was not received with quite the same raptures as Suzie, but she followed it up with ENRON, a hit play based on the financial scandal and collapse of the American energy corporation. It won her an Olivier award. Still, she was plagued by self-doubt and says she underwent therapy, which helped. "One of the things that it taught me was that writing was a way for me to be seen and heard - but only in the most controlled way - and that went back to my childhood." Her success this year and last has perhaps cast away any lingering self-doubt. There will, she says, be a third season of Succession and possibly a second one of Suzie, depending on conversations with Piper. More than anything it's humour that connects the two series. "I find bleak things very funny. I Hate Suzie doesn't have the same grand reach of Succession but it has a depth of feeling to it which is familiar from Greek tragedy - a woman destroyed beating her chest." All episodes of I Hate Suzie are available On Demand on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV Film producer Sandeep Ssingh has asked people who are accusing him of being involved in drug peddling to produce evidence. He also said that he had already spoken to the CBI and will readily go to talk with the NCB if he is called in by the agency. I challenge all those who are accusing me of being a drug peddler to produce a single piece of evidence, said film producer Sandeep Ssingh in connection with allegations levelled against him after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The film producer also said that he had already spoken to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and will readily go to talk with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) if he is called in by the agency. Ssingh said to ANI that he never smoked a cigarette in his life, had not even tasted a drop of alcohol, but people declared him a drug peddler. He said that let them produce a single proof of it. He challenged people who are accusing him to produce evidence against him. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case LIVE news updates: Centre extends Y+ level security to Kangana Ranaut Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case: Rhea Chakraborty questioned by NCB; Actors lawyer alleges witch hunt, says ready for arrest He added that he was available and was willing to go to any agency for questioning in connection with the case. The film producer further cleared the rumours surrounding allegations that he was in connected to underworld don and Indias most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim in any manner. Ssingh said that in 2012, he was shooting Ram Lila, they were at an iftaar party and beside him was seated production designer Wasik Khan. He added that in a photo of that gathering, he was declared as Dawood Ibrahim. Sandeep Ssingh said that he has even clarified that he was not Dawood Ibrahim and just a simple production designer. The producer said that he had full faith in the investigative agencies probing the case and urged everyone to be patient so that truth can be revealed. He said in a message to those on a social media platform that the CBI team (investigating Sushant Singh Rajputs death case) called him and asked about sequence of events on June 14 and 15. He said that he told them everything he knew, everyone wanted a CBI inquiry, which happened, now people want to decide who was accused. He added that we should have a little patience. The film producer said he was disheartened by the media trials and people on social media platforms targeting his family. The media has been camping outside my residence for 20 days? Why? Am I an accused? People in my residential society are asking me to leave, Ssingh said. BJP MLA Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, Rajputs cousin had in August demanded that Sandeep and Sidharth Pithani be interrogated by the CBI. The Congress party too had used Sandeep Ssinghs name to target the ruling BJP and had questioned the motive behind pushing for a CBI inquiry instead of letting Mumbai police handle the investigation. Meanwhile, Rhea Chakraborty, Sushants girlfriend was summoned by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Sunday morning to join the investigation of the death case of the late actor. On August 19, the Supreme Court had asked the CBI to investigate the case related to the actors death, while holding that the FIR registered in Patna was legitimate. The agency has registered an FIR against Chakraborty and others in connection with the actors death after the Centre accepted the Bihar governments recommendation to transfer the probe in the matter from Patna. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also registered an Enforcement Case Information Report in the late actors death case after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Rajputs father KK Singh against Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28. Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. Also read: With spike of over 90k cases, Indias Covid-19 tally crosses 42L mark The Irish Moiled cattle society has been at the forefront in protecting the unique Genetics of the breed and a certification scheme which verifies the cattle as 100% Irish Mollied pure bred, thus includes DNA parent profiling . This assures sale confidence in buyers, wholesalers and bidders as all animals offered for sale will have full registration status or pending for young calves. Being trusted to facilitate the online auction speaks yet again to Harrison & Hetheringtons unrivalled expertise and knowledge in the livestock trading sector. Their tradition as pioneering industry leaders continues with the holding of this first-ever virtual open-auction for one of the UKs most rare and distinctive breeds. Brain continues: It is a niche market that is currently growing. People are going back to native breeds which are easy to look after, easier to calve and are milkier animals. This is because the breed remains true to its native traits, and so has many big selling points such as being naturally polled and being a great mother. With the current emphasis on the environmental impact of farming this breed can offer a fantastic opportunity for environmentally conscious farmers to thrive in the industry. It's ability to out winter and fatten on a grass-based system coupled with its highly marketable appearance make it an attractive opportunity, happy bidding" The sale will be an exciting event for the autumn calendar for breeders looking to build up their herd. In another first, last month saw Irish Moilie semen exported out to New Zealand and Australia, which is further evidence of the expanding demand and of these unique genetics being sought-after all over the world. The top-class quality and traditional pedigree of the cattle means H&H is delighted to be offering their 150 years of experience to hold the sale on behalf of the breed society. Heather Pritchard, Pedigree Sales & Marketing Manager at H&H said: Were really looking forward to this auction. At H&H we are proud of our ability to consistently deliver firsts in our field, whether its the first time bringing a full pedigree breed to public auction or its implementing new technological solutions to the industry. As much as being there in person is a big part of the atmosphere and process of pedigree livestock trading, were actually able to reach more potential bidders with this format of a virtual sale. Weve worked really hard to make sure that we are offering the best possible platform to provide the breeders, society, vendors and auctioneers with the confidence to take part, and to achieve successful sales of the cattle. By PTI BAHRAICH: The stringent National Security Act has been invoked against a man accused of being involved in cow slaughter, a senior police official said here on Monday. "Israel was arrested in July in Ramgaav police station area after a huge quantity of beef was recovered from him. Following the incidents of cow slaughter, the law and order situation in the area remained sensitive. The NSA was invoked against him on Sunday," said Additional Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar. Under the NSA, one can be detained without a charge for up to 12 months if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to the national security or law and order. After Israel's arrest, the Gangster Act was also invoked against him. Till August 19 so far this year, the Uttar Pradesh Police has invoked the NSA against 76 persons accused of being involved in cow slaughter, an official had said earlier. This is more than half of the total 139 people who have been booked under the NSA this year, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi had said earlier in a statement. "Of the 139 people booked under the NSA, 76 are accused of cow slaughter, six are involved in crimes against girls, 37 in various other heinous crimes and 20 in other offences," Awasthi said. "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that the NSA be slapped in case of crimes which may affect public order so that there is a feeling of fear among criminals and a feeling of safety among the public," he had said. An official had said in June that the police had arrested 3,867 people, involved in either cow slaughter or smuggling or both, from January till June 8. New Delhi, Sep 7 : The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) on Monday filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against the Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) after a girl student committed suicide in Tamil Nadu after being unable to get her admit card to appear for NEET. The complaint against the DG was submitted at the Parliament police station here by NSUI General Secretary Nagesh Kariyappa. In his complaint, Kariyappa alleged that a 17-year old girl from Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai district committed suicide after she did not get the admit card to appear for NEET. Kariyappa in his complaint also said that the NSUI has been demanding postponement of NEET and JEE in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country. He said students are under huge mental pressure because of the decision taken by the government to conduct the exams amid the ongoing pandemic. The NSUI also demanded the resignation of the NTA Director General and Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'. The NSUI also cited the flood situation in several states like Bihar and Assam, where students are facing difficulty to reach their examination centres. Noting that it was his government that had recommended a CBI probe into the actor's death, Kumar said the incident saddened both the state and the country. IMAGE: Bihar CM and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar addresses a virtual rally ahead of Bihar Assembly elections. Photograph: @jduonline/Twitter Fashioning his campaign for the assembly elections around 15 years of his rule versus a decade-and-half of Lalu-Rabri government, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asked Janata Dal-United leaders and workers to reach out to voters, particularly the new generation, explaining them about the difference between the two. Kumar, also the JD-U president, spoke for 176 minutes, dwelling at length on the new era of development he ushered in during the last 15 years, as he kicked off his campaign for a fourth straight term in office with a virtual rally. He pulled no punches while assailing jailed Rashtriya Janata Dal boss Lalu Prasad, politically and personally. The 'pati-patni sarkar' (husband-wife rule) was the focus of his all-out assault against challenger RJD, as he chose to keep a discreet silence over the truculence of another major National Democratic Alliance constituent Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, whose president Chirag Paswan has been targeting his government with unsparing regularity. Kumar, who has already been declared the NDA's chief ministerial candidate by its powerful ally the BJP, left nobody in doubt that '15 years of my rule and 15 years of yours' will dominate the narrative at the hustings. Addressing party leaders and workers remotely over giant TV screens put up across the state, Kumar enumerated measures taken for the uplift of the state after the exit of 'jungle raj' under the Lalu-Rabri dispensation. He also waded into the personal domain as he spoke about the matrimonial discord between Lalu's MLA son Tej Pratap and his wife Aishwarya, who are fighting a legal battle for divorce. Kumar also raked up the issue of the mysterious death of film actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and asserted justice will be done to him. Rajput's death has, surprisingly, become part of the political discourse in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections that are likely in October-November. Noting that it was his government which had recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the actor's death, Kumar said the incident saddened both the state and the country. A sizeable number of Rajput voters had remained loyal to Lalu, despite his pro-backward political stance when he was in power, while all other upper castes backed the BJP or the Congress. "The death of the young actor had caused grief not only to his family, but also to millions of his fans who reside in Bihar and elsewhere. "His father lodged an FIR in Patna when he found that an appropriate investigation was not taking place (in Mumbai)," said Kumar in a veiled attack on the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. "Finally, when the bereaved father sought a CBI inquiry, we wasted no time in recommending it and the Centre, thankfully, gave its assent in good time. Now, we can hope that justice will be done in the matter," said the JD-U chief. Kumar also talked about alleged maltreatment of Jai Vardhan Yadav, an RJD MLA and grandson of former Union minister Ramlakhan Singh Yadav. Both Aishwarya's MLA father Chandrika Rai and Jai Vardhan Yadav recently quit the RJD and walked over to the JD-U. The Yadavas form the bedrock of the RJD's support base and the two leaders belong to the caste which constitutes around 15-16 per cent of the electorate. "I want to know what happened to former CM Daroga Prasad Rai's son Chandrika Rai and his daughter Aishwarya Rai. What kind of treatment was meted out to Aishwarya Rai? "It is sad that an educated girl was treated in such a manner. She is the granddaughter of Daroga Babu...How Ram Lakhan Babu's grandson Jai Vardhan was treated? Did they forget Daroga Babu and Ram Lakhan Babu? "Tell me whether parivarwad (nepotism and dynastic politics) is everything? There is no respect for those who helped you," Kumar added. Training his guns on leader of opposition in the assembly and RJD's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, Kumar referred to the seven sins enumerated by Mahatma Gandhi. The chief minister, whose decision to align with Lalu Prasad's RJD had raised many eyebrows in 2015 as did his equally controversial move to dump it less than two years later, said he took the step because of his adherence to the Gandhian principle of ensuring morality in politics. The JD-U leader said 'politics without principle' and 'money without work' were among those sins. "I asked him (Tejashwi) to explain to people from where the money (that he had) came, but he was not in a position to do that. So I decided to part ways (with RJD)," the Bihar chief minister said explaining why he broke up with the grand alliance and returned to the NDA fold in 2017. Tejashwi Yadav was then the deputy chief minister. Lalu, his wife Rabri devi, Tejashwi Yadav and some other members of the family are accused in the alleged 'Hotels for Land' scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Lalu and his family members allegedly received prime land in the state capital, when the RJD chief was the railway minister, in return for contracts to run two hotels owned by the IRCTC, a subsidiary of the Indian Railways. He made references to the Bhagalpur riots of 1989, when the state was ruled by the Congress and over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed, and taunted Lalu, who enjoys tremendous clout among the minorities, for his 'failure' to ensure justice to the victims. The JD-U chief, who must ensure that his party gets a sizeable chunk of Muslim votes lest it gets eclipsed by the Bharatiya Janata Party its rapidly growing alliance partner also dwelt at length on schemes run by his government to improve the lot of the minority community. He cited the central government data of 2018 to show that law and order situation in Bihar was much better than many states. Kumar also defended his decision to impose prohibition, and asserted the ban on liquor will continue as long as he is in power. The JD-U leader claimed that while only 33,499 jobs were created during the 15 years of Lalu-Rabri government, 95,734 people got government employment under his dispensation. In 2005, when the RJD was defeated in the assembly polls, immunisation stood at a dismal 18 per cent and has now shot up to an impressive 86 per cent, he said. The number of power consumers has swelled from 24 lakh to 1.61 crore, he said, adding instead of repeated outages, people are drawing over 22 hours of electric supply a day, marking an end to the 'lantern age'. Lantern is RJD's election symbol. Soon after Kumar's rally got over, Tejashwi Yadav mounted a counteroffensive against the chief minister. 'We will not allow Nitish Kumar to deflect the peoples attention from the actual with his virtual antics, Yadav sarcastically told a press conference. 'He also lashed out at the chief minister for raking up the jungle raj remark by the high court and accused Nitish Kumar of conveniently forgetting searing indictment' of his government by the Supreme Court in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. JAZZ NOTES Abdullah Ibrahim was an adult before he learned his father had been murdered when he, Abdullah, was only four. He'd grown up believing his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his sister. Perhaps that's why his life has always seemed a search for truth; why his greatest album is called The Journey. The South African pianist/composer thinks musicians are miscast as entertainers, being more akin to healers. Certainly in concert, whether solo or with a band, Ibrahim casts a potently hypnotic spell. "You're blessed," Duke Ellington told him, "because you come from the source." To Ibrahim's ears, jazz as diverse as Count Basie and Thelonious Monk merely echoed the local grooves he'd heard in childhood, and he became the first non-American after Django Reinhardt to expand the music's language in a major way. It was the astute, magnanimous Ellington who exposed both artists to US audiences. Born in 1934 in Cape Town, Ibrahim was baptised Adolph Brand, and from the age of seven was driven to play piano, despite this being considered effeminate in the prevailing culture. In fact once he started gigging (at 15) he was so bullied that he took up karate and became a black belt. Cape Town was a melting-pot and Ibrahim a sponge, soaking up its music whether the church's, the indigenous Khoi-san tradition, classical, Indian, swing, bebop or the avant-garde and melding them into something uniquely South African. His Jazz Epistles (with trumpeter Hugh Masekela) recorded the country's first jazz album in 1959, just before the 1960 Sharpeville massacre triggered increasingly draconian laws that prohibited mixed-race bands and audiences. She recently returned to social media just a week after announcing she was taking a break to recover from surgery on her two broken feet. And Katie Price, 42, was seen getting a helping hand from her beau Carl Woods, 31, on Monday, as she went to London's Chelsea & Westminster hospital for a checkup. The former glamour model looked happy and relaxed as she was pushed out of the main building in a wheelchair, before her boyfriend lifted her into their car. Checkup: Katie Price was seen getting a helping hand from her beau Carl Woods on Monday, as she went to London's Chelsea & Westminster hospital for a checkup on her broken feet Wearing a plain black top with matching patent bottoms, Katie boosted her golden locks with extra-long extensions, which fell beyond her shoulders. Highlighting her famous looks with a rich palette of makeup, the TV personality accessorised with a pair of gold pendant necklaces. With a face mask resting around her wrist, the star sat with her two feet elevated in casts as she prepared to make her way home from the hospital. Getting a lift: The former glamour model looked happy and relaxed as she was pushed out of the main building in a wheelchair, before her boyfriend lifted her into their car Ensemble: Wearing a plain black top with matching patent bottoms, Katie boosted her golden locks with extra-long extensions, which fell beyond her shoulders Golden girl: Highlighting her famous looks with a rich palette of makeup, the TV personality accessorised with a pair of gold pendant necklaces For his part, hunky Carl looked casually cool in a white T-shirt, which he teamed with a pair of distressed jeans and running shoes. Her outing comes after she took to Instagram to share a snap from her wheelchair as she reflected on her 'tough journey' and reassured fans she's 'feeling stronger and determined' on Saturday. One week earlier, Katie announced that she was taking a break from social media to heal after breaking both her feet and ankles in a horror accident. Katie shared a recent snap of her sat in her wheelchair with her booted feet, and wrote: 'Happy Saturday. Im back online and just want to thank everyone for all the love and support! Glamour: Looking as glam as ever despite her injury, the star sat with her feet elevated in casts Nailed it! She sported the perfect manicure as she was pushed through the hospital grounds 'Its a tough journey, but Im feeling stronger and determined to get through this with all the support of my family, friends, followers and my amazing man @carljwoods. 'Carl and I will be posting a lot more content together on our joint page @adventuresofkatieandcarl and look out for our new YouTube travel channel coming very soon.' Mere hours later Katie went onto share a loved-up snap with her beau Carl and penned the caption: 'Saturday Vibes with my prince @carljwoods.' It comes after Katie revealed she feared that her horrific foot injury would leave her 'paralysed,' after she plummeted 25ft off a wall at a theme park in Turkey and landed on her feet. Tough journey: Her outing comes after she took to Instagram to share a snap from her wheelchair as she reflected on her 'tough journey' Casually cool: For his part, hunky Carl looked casually cool in a white T-shirt, which he teamed with a pair of distressed jeans and running shoes Right by your side: Carl has remained former glamour model Katie's side throughout her ordeal Katie explained how her feet are 'destroyed' following the incident, and admitted she has returned to The Priory to learn to 'walk again.' The star, who was on holiday with her boyfriend Carl and her children Princess, 13, and Junior, 15, at the time, said doctors told her they have amputated legs with injuries similar to hers. Speaking to The Sun, she said: 'The doctors said I'm lucky I'm not dead. I could have hit my head and I could have been paralysed, I am actually lucky I landed on my feet.' She added: 'I thought, "I'm never going to walk again". The doctors said they've cut off legs before after seeing injuries like mine.' Katie underwent an eight-hour operation to rebuild her feet after she was 'mucking about' following a few drinks and jumped off what she thought was a 'small wall' at the Land of Legends theme park. Driver: Shielding his eyes with a pair of stylish sunglasses, Carl drove them to the appointment Loved up: The pair looked as loved up as ever as they stepped out for the latest hospital visit The model revealed how she has returned to The Priory because her 'mental health' has been 'badly affected' by her injuries. She last visited The Priory in September 2018 and spent 28 days in the facility after her family urged her to seek help following wild partying antics in Mallorca. It comes as the star revealed how 'everything' has hit her 'so hard' and she feels 'humiliated' at the prospect of having to learn to 'walk again'. She spoke of how everyday tasks are 'impossible' including going to the toilet, cooking, reaching for the cupboards and taking a bath where she could 'drown'. Katie, who is also mother to Harvey, 18, Jett, seven, and Bunny, six, explained how she is 'embarrassed' of having to be pushed around and told how people treat her 'differently'. She's back! Katie returned to social media on Saturday, just a week after announcing she was taking a break to recover from surgery on her broken feet Back to business: The former glamour model reflected on her 'tough journey' and reassured fans she's 'feeling stronger and determined' in her first post after returning to the platform She explained how she 'feels sorry' for boyfriend Carl who has doted on her since the accident and said that it is 'demoralising' seeing him push her in the wheelchair. But the CBB star described how she would be 'lost' without her beau and revealed how she can still 'keep Carl happy in the bedroom' with him having 'no complaints'. However Katie also vowed that she is 'never drinking again' following the traumatising accident and plans to cover up her 'mangled' feet with tattoos. It comes as Katie recently revealed she was stepping out of the spotlight on Thursday on medical advice as she has been told to 'rest in order to heal'. Amid the social media hiatus, Katie appeared in a promotional fake tan video shared on her Instagram on Sunday evening - with her representatives confirming this was a pre-scheduled post. Exciting: Katie also announced her plans to launch a travel YouTube channel with beau Carol as she recovers from her injury Nasty: It comes after Katie revealed she feared that her horrific foot injury would leave her 'paralysed,' after she plummeted 25ft off a wall at a theme park in Turkey They said: 'I can confirm that Katie has not returned to social media. Katie's team posted the Instagram and this was not posted by Katie herself. It was filmed prior to her hiatus.' The star posted a statement to Instagram Stories last month which read: 'Katie is taking some time out of the media spotlight. 'Her family and Dr's have told Katie that she must rest in order to heal. Katie wants to thank everyone for their ongoing support and will be back when she feels ready.' Katie's representative told MailOnline: 'Katie is taking a much needed break. Katie has found the past few weeks terribly draining, both mentally and physically challenging and in order to bounce back is convalescing.' Take a break: The-mother-of-five announced the week before that she was following doctor's orders and taking a break from social media to heal following the horrific injuries Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:29:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Border guard forces of Vietnam's central Quang Tri province have cracked down on transnational drug trafficking ring, arresting eight Lao people and seizing 10 kg of crystal methamphetamine, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday. The province's border guard forces coordinated with Laos' authority to catch eight people who were trafficking 10 kg crystal methamphetamine from Laos to Vietnam on Sunday night, the news agency reported. The authorities had discovered the ring which transported drugs from big cities of Laos to the border between the two countries before bringing it to Vietnam and other countries for consumption. The case is under further investigation, the news agency said. According to Vietnamese law, those convicted of smuggling over 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine are punishable by death. Making or trading 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal drugs also faces death penalty. Enditem Two Melbourne brothels have been shut down by police for allegedly operating illegally - with two people arrested and five women fined for breaking coronavirus restrictions. Victoria Police searched the properties in the southeastern suburbs of Ormond and Clayton on September 4. 'The warrants were executed as part of an investigation into contraventions of the Sex Work Act,' Victoria Police said in a statement. Victoria Police searched the Ormond and Clayton, both in Melbourne's south-east, at 10.45am on September 4. Pictured: Arrests at one of the properties A 41-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested during the raids. They had since been released from custody but were expected to be charged by summons with operating unlicensed brothels from residential properties. Three women were also found at the Ormond property, while another two were at the Clayton home. Two of the women were found hiding in closets. Each of the women were fined $1,652 for being in breach of Chief Health Officer's coronavirus restrictions. A 41-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested during the raids, and the pair are expected to be charged with operating illegal brothels at residential homes THE RULES FOR BROTHELS IN VICTORIA Under the current COVID-19 regulations in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, which are under stage-four restrictions, a person who owns, controls or operates a brothel must not operate. Melburnians are only allowed to leave their home for four essential reasons - work and study, to procure items such as groceries, exercise or care - and must stay within 5km of their home. Brothels are legal in Victoria, however they must be a registered business with the Business Licensing Authority. Advertisement Mobile phones and computers were also seized from the two addresses. Police have been targeting the operation of illegal brothels at residential homes since August 28. There have been 14 fines issued in that time. Under the current COVID-19 regulations in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, which are under stage-four restrictions, a person who owns, controls or operates a brothel must not operate. Melburnians are only allowed to leave their home for four essential reasons - work and study, to procure items such as groceries, exercise or care - and must stay within 5km of their home. Brothels are legal in Victoria, however they must be a registered business with the Business Licensing Authority. Consumer Affairs Victoria, Victoria Police and local councils are in charge of enforcing licensing awarded by the BLA. The Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police also enforce the law in brothels, looking into issues such as sexual assault and sexual slavery. Appointment 7 September 2020 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has appointed long-time employee Tamara Salha as general manager of Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina. s general manager, Salha will oversee the daily operations of the hotel - described as the Crowne Plaza brand's flagship property in the area. Prior to her move to Dubai, Salha was the cluster hotel manager at Crowne Plaza & Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi Yas Island, a post she held since the start of this year. In the past, she has also been part of the leadership team at voco Dubai, again as hotel manager. Her first stint with IHG started two decades ago when she climbed the ladder in the sales & marketing divisions at InterContiental Phoenicia Beirut. Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina swung open its doors at the start of 2020 after years of work. The five-star hotel features 273 hotel rooms, including 61 club rooms and 32 suites. The hotel offers facilities for MICE travellers such as meeting and conference rooms, all fitted with audio-visual technology. WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) Democratic candidate Joe Biden is collecting a trio of Labor Day endorsements from organized labor, while running mate Kamala Harris and Republican Vice President Mike Pence are set to campaign in Wisconsin as the 2020 presidential race, disrupted for months by the pandemic, enters its final phase. Biden was heading Monday to Harrisburg, Pa., for an AFL-CIO virtual town hall with union President Richard Trumka. President Donald Trump had no public events on his holiday calendar. Both campaigns see Wisconsin as a prize that could be pivotal. Harris will meet IBEW union workers and Black business owners in Milwaukee, while Pence will tour an energy facility in La Crosse. Trumps narrow win in Wisconsin in 2016 helped to send him to the White House. Vice President Mike Pence looks out at supporters, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, during a rally for him and President Donald Trump at Kuharchik Construction Inc., in Exeter, Pa. (Dave Scherbenco/The Citizens' Voice via AP)AP According to details shared first with The Associated Press, the Biden campaign will announce three union endorsements: the Laborers International Union of North America, the International Union of Elevator Constructors and the National Federation of Federal Employees, collectively representing hundreds of thousands of union workers nationwide who can be mobilized to support the campaign. The Biden campaign believes its labor support could help get out the vote in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Labor Day typically marks the unofficial start to the fall campaign season as candidates accelerate their activity for the final sprint to Election Day. But Mondays events are playing out this year against the backdrop of a pandemic that has upended campaigning, forcing much of the candidates traditional activity online. Indeed, this marks Harris first solo foray out on the campaign trail for in-person events since she was announced as Bidens running mate nearly a month ago. But Biden himself has stepped up his campaigning over the past week, traveling to Pittsburgh and Kenosha, Wisconsin, and holding two news conferences. Aides say to expect both Biden and Harris to increase their campaigning for the remaining weeks. While the presidential campaign was roiled this past week by multiple reports recounting comments Trump allegedly made disparaging fallen soldiers, as well as the police shooting and violent protests in Kenosha, the focus on Labor Day is likely to return to the issue that polls consistently find at the top of voters minds: the economy. A strong economy that was Trumps biggest asset for reelection has now become a potential liability, brought down by the coronavirus. The Biden campaign has emphasized the economic damage wrought by what Biden argues was an inadequate response to the pandemic that resulted in more loss of life and jobs than necessary. Its a line both Biden and Harris are likely to push while speaking to union voters. The U.S. economy has been steadily rebounding from its epic collapse in the spring as many businesses have reopened and rehired some laid-off employees. Yet the recovery is far from complete. Only about half the 22 million jobs that vanished in the pandemic have been recovered. Economic inequalities also appear to have widened, with lower-income and minority workers suffering disproportionately, while affluent Americans have lost fewer jobs and even benefited from rising stock and home prices. By ALEXANDRA JAFFE and KATHLEEN RONAYNE, The Associated Press More: Women of color connect with Kamala Harris, see her VP nomination as turning point Mike Pence visits Luzerne County, stumps in area he calls Trump Country now Trump campaign cant intervene against election lawsuit Pa. Democrats filed, state Supreme Court rules SOLNECHNOGORSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th September, 2020) Russia and Belarus will discuss Minsk's plan to reroute oil traffic from Lithuania this month, Russia has necessary capacity to handle this amount, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Monday. "We are discussing at the moment how to make the economy of this beneficial to all: ports, transport companies, railroads, the producers themselves. The work has started, it is ongoing and will be completed within the next few weeks, I think," Novak told reporters. When asked if the matter would be decided in September, Novak said "yes, there was a request to do this fast." According to the minister, the Russian infrastructure was ready to handle the additional traffic, which could be estimated at 3-4 million tonnes. "We estimate it to be 3-4 million tonnes, but there may be some other numbers," the minister said. Renowned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough to be presented with Indira Gandhi peace prize India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Sep 07: Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust is all set to present the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 to renowned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough on Monday. Attenborough was named the recipient of the award in November 2019. His name was selected by an international jury chaired by former President Pranab Mukherjee, who died last week. The virtual award ceremony will be attended by Congress president and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. Dissenters Raj Babbar, Jitin Prasada left out of 7 UP poll panels formed by Congress Announcing his name, the Trust, last year said, "Few individuals have come to be as identified with the well being of our planet, of all living creatures, and their relationship with human beings, as Sir David." "The prize is awarded to him for a lifetime of doing more to reveal the wonders of the natural world than perhaps any other individual," it added. "In a lifetime of communicating effectively and evocatively about the natural world, he has become a powerful and persuasive voice on the need to heed warnings of looming ecological disaster, to maintain the Earth's delicate balance, and to cherish and preserve the natural world," the Trust said. 'Rise above affinity for family: Expelled UP Congress leaders urge Sonia Gandhi to revive party The secretary of the Trust, Suman Dubey had said Sir David had tirelessly worked to "awaken humankind to the need to preserve and protect the biodiversity on our planet, to live in a sustainable and harmonious way with all life, and to stop being what he has called: 'a plague on earth'." Last year, Sonia Gandhi had presented the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2018 to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based environment think-tank, for its work in environmental education and protection. COLOMBO : The fire on board an oil tanker off Sri Lanka's eastern waters has been completely extinguished, nearly 79 hours after the incident was reported, the Navy said on Sunday. The ship was carrying 270,000 metric tonnes of crude oil from Kuwait to India and caught fire on Thursday. The Sri Lankan Navy on Friday confirmed that a Filipino sailor died in the boiler explosion in the engine room of the Panama registered tanker MT New Diamond. Indian ships supported the Lankan Navy to douse the flames on the tanker off the coast of Sangamankanda in the eastern district of Ampara. "Nearly 79 hours after the distress was reported, the Sri Lanka Navy and other stakeholders were able to bring the fire under control at around 3.00 pm Sunday," the Navy said in a statement. The ship was sailing 38 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point when it caught fire with an explosion in a boiler in the ship's main engine room. The Navy said the Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) sacks tested by the Sri Lanka Air Force delivered successful results to smother the raging flames onboard. However, the Navy warned that although the fire has now been completely extinguished, there is a possibility of a recurrence of the fire due to the high temperature inside the ship and environmental influences. A team of 10 British and Netherlands experts, including salvage operations experts, assessors and a legal adviser arrived in Sri Lanka Sunday morning under the facilitation of the company that works as the commercial and technical operator of the tanker. The Sri Lanka Navy said the commercial owners of the tanker had appointed an international Singapore-based company as its salvage expert. The team of experts will make an assessment of the damage caused to the ship. Accordingly, the proceedings regarding the ship will be decided on their recommendations. Some 5 ships of Indian coast guard and one Indian Navy ship engaged in fire fighting, the Navy said. Further, the Sri Lanka Navy will continue to provide assistance to the distressed ship until it leaves the Sri Lankas Maritime Search and Rescue Region. The tanker had 23 crew members - 18 Filipinos and five Greeks. Twenty-two of the 23 member crew had been safely rescued off the tanker. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics New York: US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that his son-in-law Jared Kushner, a property developer and publisher, will serve as senior White House advisor, flouting myriad legal and ethical concerns. The incoming Republican, who has never previously held elected office, said Kushner, who also has no political experience outside his father-in-laws campaign, would serve as senior advisor to the president. Kushner, whom Forbes estimates is worth USD 1.8 billion together with his parents and adult brother, will forego his salary while serving in the administration, said a statement from the transition team. The 35-year-old will work closely with White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon to execute Trumps agenda, it added. Jared has been a tremendous asset and trusted advisor throughout the campaign and transition and I am proud to have him in a key leadership role in my administration, Trump announced on Monday. He has been incredibly successful, in both business and now politics. He will be an invaluable member of my team as I set and execute an ambitious agenda, putting the American people first, he added. Priebus called Kushner a visionary with a rare ability to communicate with and assemble broad coalitions of support and said his open mind, adaptability and keen intellect would be a great asset to the team. Kushner welcomed the appointment as an honor and said he was humbled by the opportunity to serve. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has disclosed that Ghana was once fined $36 million by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the Jerry John Rawlings-led government misreported the state of the countrys economy to the Bretton Woods institutions. According to Mr Kufuor, this was part of the many challenges his government faced that forced him to take the decision of letting Ghana join the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). From day one into office when we discovered that our economy was overladen with indebtedness, immediately we saw that we have been hit, we couldnt even get crude oil to get for TOR to refine for petrol stations and all. How would we last? In fact, one of the opponents had even said they were waiting to see if the government will last for three months. It was like we were forced into some trap, and looking ahead we saw an abyss that unless we did some very fast work we may have problems. We tried talking our way around within the donor partners to see if they would trust that we had come in with a different outlook and ideology and philosophy and that we would do things differently from the outgone administration but they wouldnt listen to us, Mr Kufuor said in an interview on Accra-based Asaase Radio on Sunday, 6 September 2020. The multilateral, the IMF, they told us the previous regime had misreported to them about the state of the economy and Ghana was fined $36 million. They said unless we settled that fine, they wont trade with us. Our sister nation, Nigeria, wouldnt continue to give us crude oil. Why? Because the previous regime hadnt paid for the supplies and there were long queues at filling stations. The cedi was weak, the former President recounted. This was why after trying very hard to find a solution, we went to HIPC initiative. That was the alternative so we had to go to the IMF and say we were sorry about Ghanas economy. This was debasing but it was the bullet we had to bite, a very difficult [one], the former President stated. ---classfmonline SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) One person died and two others were injured in a shooting early Monday in San Francisco's Excelsior District, police said. Officers responding about 12:15 a.m. to a sideshow in the area of Russia Avenue and Paris Street found the three victims with gunshot wounds nearby, at Mission Street and Persia Avenue. All three were taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and one has since died, San Francisco police Officer Robert Rueca said. Police haven't confirmed whether the shooting is connected to the sideshow, and said it is part of the investigation. No suspects have been arrested in the shooting, Rueca said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text at tip to TIP411 and start the message with SFPD. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. President Trump Proclamation For Labor Day, 2020 On Labor Day, we recognize and celebrate the workers of our great Nation. The American workforce is the best in the world and, since day one of my Administration, I have been standing up for the American worker. As recent global challenges have tested our mettle, the dedication of our workforce has once again proven that Americans resolve will never be overcome. Today, we celebrate all workers, across every sector of our economy, whose efforts have never been more appreciated than in recent months. Since the founding of our Nation, American workers have deployed their talents to build beautiful cities, develop new technologies, and shape the global economy. Now, our country depends on these hardworking patriots as we continue to aggressively fight the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, we celebrate every American who has worked tirelessly to ensure we maintain our way of life in this unprecedented time. These vital workers include medical professionals, grocery store and pharmacy clerks, farmers, meatpackers, truckers, factory workers, and the many employees who are important to the supply chain that makes essential goods and medications accessible to all Americans. Essential workers and volunteers like these and others have enabled my Administration to respond swiftly to the coronavirus pandemic and have safeguarded the prospects of countless American businesses and the lives and personal health of millions of people. From my first day in office, my Administration has acted to foster an environment for growth, jobs, and prosperity. Having built the greatest economy the world has ever seen, my Administration will do it again. We will not rest until American workers are safely back at work. In March, I signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which established the Paycheck Protection Program that gave small businesses the resources to keep their employees on payroll during the pandemic. I also issued an Executive Order continuing the work of the National Council for the American Worker, which coordinates resources across our Federal Government to ensure our Nations workers have the skills necessary for the jobs of the future. In addition, my Administrations Fiscal Year 2021 Budget includes $200 million for apprenticeship programs up $25 million from current funding levels and more than double from when I first took office to further support and expand a highly skilled workforce that is essential for global competitiveness. Even in the face of tremendous adversity, we have set record numbers in job growth along with record low unemployment a trend that will continue with the help of millions of hardworking Americans across our country. On this Labor Day, we express our deep gratitude to workers of every generation who helped create the greatest economy in the world and the workers whose tireless efforts will ensure our country and workforce bounce back with full force as we defeat the virus. Together, we will continue the great American comeback. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 7, 2020, as Labor Day. I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the contributions and resilience of working Americans. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth. DONALD J. TRUMP When you look around at the relatively empty streets of New York and Londons business districts right now, youd be forgiven for thinking this shift will be seismic. But one mustnt underestimate the resilience of business as usual in boardroom thinking. Speaking to some of the worlds biggest banks, one gets the impression that the new way of working might not be so different to the old way. The BJP on Sunday accused Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut of defaming Gujarat by calling Ahmedabad a mini Pakistan and demanded that he apologise to the people of Gujarat and Ahmedabad. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai earlier in the day, Raut asked whether actress Kangana Ranaut had the courage to compare Ahmedabad to mini Pakistan the way she equated Mumbai with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Raut and Ranaut have been locked in a bitter war of words since the actress termed Mumbai unsafe after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. If that girl apologises to Mumbai and Maharashtra for calling Mumbai a mini Pakistan, then I will think about it. Does she have the courage to say the same about Ahmedabad? the Sena MP had asked. Taking umbrage at Rauts remarks, Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said the Sena leader insulted the state by calling Ahmedabad a mini Pakistan. He should apologise to Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Amdavadis, he stated. Pandya said the Sena should stop using any opportunity to defame Gujarat, Gujaratis and leaders from Gujarat by targeting them out of jealousy, hatred and malice. This is the Gujarat of Gandhiji and Sardar Patel. Sardar Patel has strengthened the unity and integrity of India by uniting 562 kingdoms. Junagadh and Hyderabad were prevented from going to Pakistan and made to stay in India due to his guts and strength, he said. Pandya added that Patels dream of making Kashmir an integral part of India by revoking Article 370 has been fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah who are from Gujarat. Therefore, Gujarats contribution to Indias unity and integrity in the past and present should be remembered, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 05:18:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIYADH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed on Monday the efforts of Group of 20 (G20) countries to support global economies. Both sides also discussed over a phone call the role of G20 in backing health systems to combat the implications of COVID-19, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The French president hailed the cooperation between the two countries and the efforts of the Saudi G20 presidency. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the G20 countries have been holding regular meetings to deal with various impacts of the virus on various sectors to overcome them. The G20 leaders during a summit held in March vowed to pump more than 5 trillion U.S. dollars into the international economy. The phone call also discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and the latest regional issues and efforts to tackle them. Enditem UPDATE: The 59-year-old resident described fleeing from the flames with her barefoot grandchildren. Click here for the update. ---- STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Three people were hurt in a fire at a Princes Bay home early Monday morning. One injury sustained by a civilian was deemed as serious, while two firefighters also sustained minor injuries, according to an FDNY spokesperson. Firefighters responded to the fire at about 2:05 a.m. on Monday morning at 497 Seguine Ave., the FDNY spokesman said. The blaze prompted an all-hands response, which usually calls for about 12 units and 60 firefighters. The fire was brought under control at 2:37 a.m. All three people injured by the blaze were transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Princes Bay. The incident marks the second time in a matter of days that civilians were seriously injured in fires on Staten Island. On Saturday morning, a Midland Beach blaze left a civilian critically injured and another civilian and a firefighter with minor injuries. The brand logo of Nissan Motor Corp. is seen at the front nose section of the company's new Ariya all-battery SUV during a press preview in Yokohama TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese government has guaranteed most of a loan to Nissan Motor Co <7201.T> from the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ), a source said, taking its guarantee to more than 40% of 713 billion yen ($6.7 billion) in finance for Japan's No.2 automaker. The hefty government guarantee suggests financial firms are cautious about helping to fund the automaker as it seeks to return to profitability and stop bleeding cash. The government has guaranteed 104 billion yen of the 180 billion in loans from the DBJ, said the source with direct knowledge of the matter who declined to be identified as the information is not public. DBJ and Nissan declined to comment. The Ministry of Finance could not immediately be reached for comment. Three other sources told Reuters in May the government would guarantee part of a loan from Mizuho Financial Group Inc <8411.T>, aimed at helping Nissan ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. The two guarantees, if confirmed, would put the government on the hook to the tune of 304 billion yen, or 43% of the total loans Nissan has secured from its main lenders to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters calculations show. Nissan has also secured 120 billion yen from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group <8306.T> and 50 billion yen from Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group <8316.T>, the sources previously told Reuters. The government has not guaranteed any portion of these loans, the sources said. Nissan had pledged to slice 300 billion yen from annual fixed costs and become a smaller, more efficient company after the pandemic exacerbated a slide in profitability that culminated in its first annual loss since fiscal 2008 in the year ended March. (Reporting by Takashi Umekawa; Editing by Stephen Coates) Shoukry reiterated Egypt's firm support for the efforts to reach a consensual political solution that maintains Libya's sovereignty and unity Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita have discussed over the phone the latest developments in the crisis in Libya and the push for a political settlement in the war-torn country, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Monday. The phone call comes amid ongoing talks hosted by the Moroccan coastal town of Bouznika and attended by the two warring parties in Libya the eastern-based Libyan Parliament and the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) for the second day in a row with the target of reaching a political settlement. Shoukry voiced his appreciation to his Moroccan counterpart for his keenness to continue coordination to end the crisis, the statement said, reiterating Egypt's firm support for the efforts to reach a consensual political solution that maintains Libya's sovereignty and unity. The solution should achieve the Libyan people's aspirations for security and stability, maintain the country's capabilities and resources, and contribute to confronting all forms of terrorism and extremism and putting an end to "destructive" foreign interference as stipulated in the Cairo Declaration. Egypt announced an initiative, dubbed the Cairo Declaration, earlier this summer which mandates a Libyan-Libyan resolution as a basis for resolving the countrys conflict, drawing on earlier international efforts, including the Berlin conference. The two officials also discussed endeavours to stabilise the ceasefire resolution and move forward to reach a comprehensive political settlement. They also agreed to continue consultations and intensify communications with the UN and African and Arab partners to solve the crisis. The current talks mediated by Morocco come a few weeks after the two rival parties in the oil-rich country declared a ceasefire and agreed to hold new elections. The oil-rich country has been split since 2014 between two rival administrations in the east and west with parallel institutions. The eastern government is represented by the Tobruk-based House of Representatives allied with the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Commander Khalifa Haftar, while the west is represented by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). Egypt, France, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates back the LNAwhich is allied to the Tobruk-based House of Representativeswhile the GNA is backed by Qatar, Turkish troops, and thousands of Syrian mercenaries. Search Keywords: Short link: Niagara has remained an island of low daily COVID-19 numbers for weeks, but rising cases across Canada remain a public health concern, as do the continual presence of maskless, densely packed crowds in Niagara Falls tourist district. However, Niagaras acting medical officer of health said a full second wave of novel coronavirus infections in the region is not a sure thing if residents hold the line against COVID-19 with physical distancing, hand hygiene and face coverings. I dont think it is inevitable that COVID-19 gets out of control here, Dr. Mustafa Hirji said. Weve seen in Ottawa where they had a surge and they got it under control. Not that long ago, we saw that here and we brought our cases down. But we have seen instances of infections that come from the GTA, and as cases rise there, it is likely we will see a rise in cases here. Hirji is closely watching the situation in British Columbia, once regarded having the best pandemic response in the country but now grappling with a true second wave of COVID-19 infections worse than the start of the global outbreak. Hirji said it is worth noting that Niagara is not doing anything radically different than communities in that province. The new wave of cases is being brought on by complacency to infection controls backyard parties and a reduction in physical distancing have played a key role in the renewed spread of the virus and the provinces good fortune just running out. Niagaras new daily case count remains low the region posted seven new cases over the Labour Day weekend but Hirji said the B.C. example shows how quickly the novel coronavirus can reassert itself. Hirji said while it is likely local cases will rise with increased activity such as the start of school this week and more people returning to work, a true second wave in Niagara is not an inevitability. While cases are rising in Ontario, they are not climbing at the same rate as other provinces like Quebec or Alberta, reducing the likelihood of an outbreak being triggered by a visitor to Niagara. But pandemic fatigue combined with ignorance and even conspiracy theories continues to threaten to undermine the progress that as been made. Over the weekend, a group called Mothers Against Distancing hosted a dance party at a Toronto beach in protest of physical distancing and masks. The groups organizer has held anti-mask protests and distributed misinformation about face coverings. Hirji said those kinds of events concern him, because they are perfect environments for the novel coronavirus to spread. That is why Hirji warned Niagara residents about end of summer parties where people may not stay two metres apart or wear masks. He said Mothers Against Distancing is a fringe group that does not represent where most Canadians are at, regarding the pandemic. Hirji said six months of having their lives upended by the pandemic from job losses to drastic changes in their social lives have exhausted many people. The risk, I think, comes from people being fatigued and maybe getting comfortable and lax as they try to find ways to return to activities they did before the pandemic, he said. While the Toronto anti-mask group is not influential in Niagara, it doesnt mean the region is not without its own potential risk areas. The tourist district of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls has repeatedly drawn tightly packed, maskless crowds to wax museums and haunted houses. Several photos and videos, including another post reported Monday by CKTB 610 AM, showed crowds continuing to gather despite claims by Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati that such videos are misleading. The video, posted to YouTube Sunday by Amusement Insiders showed Clifton Hill sidewalks thick with shoulder to shoulder visitors Saturday night. Last week, after another video showing the grounds surfaced, Hirji said the tourist district remains a public health concern, prompting Diodati to attack the regions top public health official for being very negative about the city. Hirji said while no large outbreaks have yet been connected to the area, he did say there have been cases linked to activity on Clifton Hill and that the local case count might not show cases linked to the area if someone who gets infected is not from Niagara. Diodati has pointed to Niagara Falls case count, the second-highest in the region behind St. Catharines, as evidence the virus is not spreading in the area. The local public health unit only tracks cases involving Niagara residents. If someone from out of Niagara visited Clifton Hill and later tested positive for COVID-19, that case would be recorded by their areas health unit. NEW YORK Gold Medal International is sitting on millions of dollars worth of socks at its North Carolina warehouse that it cant ship to stores. The reason? The 66-year-old family-owned sock maker cant get enough credit insurance to cover potential losses if the stores cant pay for the goods theyve ordered. Without that insurance, Gold Medal and thousands of other suppliers facing a similar dilemma would be on the hook for unpaid bills. But not shipping the goods to retailers means losing sales and big write-downs on inventory. The problem will only get worse if retailers cant stock their shelves and shoppers cant find what they want heading into the critical holiday season. I got the goods, I made them. I dont have a liquidity problem, said Paul Rotstein, whos been president of New York-based Gold Medal for 30 years. But if I cant ship $12 million worth of orders, guess what? I have a big liquidity problem. Before COVID-19, suppliers routinely relied on so-called trade credit insurance to get the reassurance they needed to design products, receive orders, and ship to retailers. Now, with the pandemic creating so much economic uncertainty, many retailers are struggling and credit insurers are unwilling to take on the risk. In fact, many insurers will only provide protection on orders to big box stores and others that have been able to withstand the pandemic, leaving in the lurch a huge swath of non-essential small and medium retailers that are still trying to claw their way out of months of lockdowns that decimated their businesses. Trade credit insurance provides a financial backstop for at least $600 billion in annual U.S. sales, according to Robert Litan, an economist and attorney, who published a report in early July on the issue for Econ One, an economic consulting firm. That doesnt include the estimated $50 billion loss in orders that suppliers will be too reluctant to ship, Litan estimates. Without the safety net, these suppliers 60% of which have revenues of $20 million or less, according to Litan are starting to make hard choices about whether to maintain their current production level or cut back on orders to minimize the risk, experts say. Rotstein says his credit insurer hasnt pulled back coverage on his accounts with big retailers like Amazon or Dollar General but its cut back or eliminated coverage for mom-and-pop stores and many non-essential chains he declined to name. Credit insurance lubricates small businessesit is the lifeblood, Litan said, noting that credit insurance is a prerequisite for companies to maintain credit lines with banks in order to continue operations and avoid further disruption in their supply networks. Linda Wolff, owner of CPW, a womens clothing store that has been in business for 30 years on Manhattans Upper West Side, said her fashion suppliers want her and other store clients to prepay or pay with a certified check, instead of paying them upon receiving her orders. With business down more than 60% since she reopened her store in June, she is worried that she wont be able to keep up with payments and also stock her store with enough merchandise. You have to hope that you are making some money to be able to pay for them, said Wolff, who is worried about the survival of her business. She said that shes only received a few fall items and is waiting to see what shipments will come over the next few weeks. James Daly, CEO of credit insurer Euler Hermes North American, said his company has had to scale back coverage across all industries by 15%, including retail. He noted the retail industry is in the eye of the storm, though he wouldnt name companies hes declined coverage. He says his company will stay cautious for at least six to nine months. Litan estimates the U.S.-based trade credit insurers already have cut back their coverage by almost 14% across all types of industries this year, based on his report. That figure could increase this fall due to the increasing uncertainty stemming from the recent spiking of COVID-19 infection rates. Industry executives say that the squeeze on trade credit is far more acute than what happened during the Great Recession. It was an economic downturn but it wasnt a downturn that had the same levels of uncertainty and triggered this trade (credit) crisis, said Steve Lamar, CEO and president of the trade group American Apparel & Footwear Association Lamar said that he had heard rumblings in May from members that credit insurers were pulling back, prompting the trade group, along with several other industry trade organizations, to send a series of letters to the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve to advocate for a backstop for the credit insurance companies. Thats similar to what several European countries like the United Kingdom and Germany have done. In the meantime, suppliers are left to fend for themselves. Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, a toy maker in Boca Raton, Florida, says that he has $1.5 million in unpaid bills from retailers that his credit insurer wont cover. Many bills are 90 to 100 days late. Thats about 1% of his annual sales. The company, known for Uncle Milton toys and Care Bears, has been doing well during the pandemic, allowing Foreman to bring back 14 of the 22 workers who were furloughed. He also plans to restore the salaries of his employees whose pay was cut as much as 25%. But now, the pullback in credit insurance is thwarting his growth. Before the pandemic, hed been diversifying his store clients, but now he will likely focus on the big players. Christa Pitts, founder and co-CEO of The Lumistella Company, which produces toys, books and other products under the Elf on the Shelf and Elf Pets brands, says her retail orders were covered 100% before the pandemic. Now, only 50% are covered, forcing her to rethink who she will sell to. How much can I spread around to enough retailers across the board, mixing in what I know is somewhat of a sure thing, and recognizing not everyone is going to make it? she said. We are putting our economy in terms of retail in a losing situation. _______________ Follow Anne DInnocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 7 : Stung by the criticism of the CPI-M that blamed the Congress party for political murders of two of their cadres, two-time former Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy claimed that it was the CPI-M which was responsible for the murders in Kannur district, which is traditionally known as the bastion of the red party. Quoting the figures which he said he got through RTI, Chandy alleged that starting from 1984 to 2018, in Kannur district there were 125 political murders. "In 78 of these murders CPI-M workers are accused, BJP for 39 other parties 7, while the Congress is accused in just one case. However the maximum killings are attributed to BJP at 52, CPI-M at 46, Congress 19 and others 7," said Chandy. Chandy also pointed out there is no proper and authentic data about this topic for the past five decades. "During 1996-2001, when the Left ruled, Kannur district witnessed 30 murders and it came down to 10 when the UDF ruled from 2001-06. Likewise it rose to 30 during 2006-11, when the Left returned to power, only to see the numbers again coming down to 11 when the UDF was in office from 2011-16," said Chandy and added that only the UDF can maintain proper law and order in the state. Chandy also said that at the moment five political murders in Kannur district are being probed by the CBI. Britain's Got Talent returned with a twist over the weekend as the semi-finals saw contestants perform with a socially-distanced format. And bosses have reportedly banned the show's new virtual audience from boozing at home in a bid to avoid offensive pranks. According to insiders, the observers have been ordered to be on their best behaviour while watching the exciting episodes unfold online. Booze ban: Britain's Got Talent bosses have reportedly banned the show's virtual audience from drinking to avoid offensive pranks (hosts Ant and Dec pictured on Saturday's episode) A source told The Sun: 'The bosses want to minimise the risk of anyone having too many drinks and doing something naughty on national TV. 'Another rule is that they can only be seen on screen from the waist up.' MailOnline has contacted Britain's Got Talent representatives for further comment. On Saturday, fans compared the new set-up to an episode of Black Mirror titled Fifteen Million Merits, which famously spoofed the talent show format by featuring character taking part in the show Hot Shot. On strict rules: According to insiders, the observers have been ordered to be on their best behaviour while watching the exciting episodes unfold online Adjusting to the new normal: Fans compared the new set-up to an episode of Black Mirror, which spoofed the talent show format by featuring character taking part in the show Hot Shot Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are hosting the weekly episodes, while Amanda Holden, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Ashley Banjo - who is filling in for Simon Cowell as he recovers from his back injury - take to the panel. Dancer Ashley, 31, has hit back at 'hateful' trolls after being bombarded with messages following Diversity's Black Lives Matter-inspired routine at the first semi-finals. The series received more than 1,000 complaints from viewers after the popular dance troupe took to the stage with a routine in support of the movement. Starry line-up: David Walliams, Alesha Dixon,Amanda Holden and Ashley Banjo - who is filling in for Simon Cowell as he recovers from his back injury - take to the panel for the semi-finals Choreographer Ashley took to Twitter to insist that trolls 'highlighted exactly what needed to change' after his set left fans claiming the show was 'making a political statement.' The media personality also thanked supporters for their praise and supportive messages following the raw production. He tweeted: 'So much to say... But Ill Just let the performance talk. Thousands of messages of Love and support - Thank you. 'For the thousands of messages of hate and ignorance - Thank you. You highlight exactly what needs to change. Sending nothing but love to you all.' U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping participate in a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Nov. 9, 2017. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) China Imposes New Visa Restrictions Targeting US Media In the latest round of tit-for-tat between Beijing and Washington targeting each others media outlets, Chinese authorities have imposed new visa restrictions on foreign journalists working for U.S. news organizations in China. In the past week, during the routine renewal of their press credentialswhich are normally valid for a yearseveral journalists were handed a letter that said their applications were being processed, instead of a new press card. They were advised to carry the letter along with their expired press cards as proof of journalistic identity. Since their Chinese visas are tied to their press cards, these journalists were issued a new visa valid for only about two months, much shorter than the usual one year. Chinese authorities have made clear that the temporary press credentialsand the visas linked to themcan be revoked anytime, leaving affected journalists in a limbo without knowing for sure how long they would be able to remain in China. CNN correspondent David Culver, who is American, is among those impacted by Beijings latest move. CNN has learned that reporters being targeted include both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens from several major U.S. media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal. Culver was told by Chinese officials that the new restriction had nothing to do with his reporting but was a reciprocal measure in response to the Trump administrations treatment of Chinese journalists in the United States. A CNN spokesperson on Sunday confirmed Culvers new shortened visa. One of our Beijing-based journalists was recently issued a visa valid for two months, instead of the usual twelve, the spokesperson said. However, our presence on the ground in China remains unchanged and we are continuing to work with local authorities to ensure that continues. In May, Washington limited the duration of stay for most U.S.-based Chinese journalists to 90 days. Beijing claims none of its journalists has heard back from U.S. authorities on the status of their latest applications for visa extension, which they say has seriously disrupted their work and life. If no approval is granted, the Chinese journalists will have to leave the United States by early November, exactly when Culvers new Chinese visa is set to expire. Earlier this year, Beijing effectively expelled about a dozen journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal after the Trump administration capped the number of Chinese nationals allowed to work in the U.S. offices of Chinas state-run media, resulting in major staff cuts in these operations. Since then, Washington has designated a growing number of U.S. offices of Chinas state-run news organizations as foreign missions, requiring them to file paperwork with U.S. authorities on their finances and personnel. Beijing has hit back by demanding the same of multiple U.S. outlets in China. David Stilwell, the U.S. State Departments Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, has said the Chinese outlets were given the designation because the U.S. government views them as propaganda outlets effectively controlled by the (ruling) Chinese Communist Party rather than independent news organizations. In a press conference in Washington on Wednesday, Stilwell said Beijings reciprocal moves against U.S. media were retaliations grossly out of proportion to our simple desire to balance this relationship. Theres 150 or more Chinese diplomats hereChinese state media folks who work for the ministry of propaganda here in the U.S. operating without restriction, and theres only a handful of American journalists left in China right now, he said. Lets paint that picture so everybody understands what were talking about. The CNN Wire contributed to this report As many as 1,316 new COVID-19 cases were reported from in the last 24 hours, the union territory government informed on Sunday. A total of 668 cases were reported from the Jammu division and 648 were from the Kashmir division taking the number of cases in the UT to 42,557, including 10,446 active cases and 32,327 recoveries. So far, 784 lives have been claimed by the infectious virus in the UT. Meanwhile, with a record spike of 90,633, India became the second-most COVID-affected country in the world. With 1,065 more deaths in the last 24 hours, the cumulative toll reached 70,626. The total case tally stands at 41,13,812 including 8,62,320 active cases, 31,80,866 cured/discharged/migrated. (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.) Vodafone Idea's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ravinder Takkar has said that tariffs should go up and the telco is ready to take the first step. Speaking to the media on September 7, Takkar said "everyone is selling below cost and the telco is not shy to take the first step". He also added that the telecom regulator would also have to reconsider tariff charts, The Economic Times reported. Increased tariff rates will help the telco improve its average revenue per user (ARPU) which is presently at Rs 114, compared to Airtels Rs 157 and Jios Rs 140, he added. The telecom company on September 7 announced it is re-branding as Vi (read as We) in a move aimed at attracting digital customers. Vodafone Plc's Indian arm had merged with Idea Cellular in August 2018, but the telcos had since maintained two separate brands. Also read: Vodafone Idea shares surge 10% ahead of strategic announcement "The integration of two brands is a culmination of the largest telecom integration in the world," Takkar said as he announced the rebranded entity. "It's time for a fresh start," he said. The board of Vodafone Idea had approved fundraising up to Rs 25,000 crore on September 4. Through the unified brand and a bigger bet on digital, Vodafone Idea hopes to attract fresh subscribers. The company's customer base dropped sharply to around 280 million at the end of June from 408 million at the time of its merger with Idea. Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel had lost around 47 lakh wireless subscribers each in May 2020, according to the Telecom Authority of India data released in August. Modelled habitat (in red) versus current distribution according to IUCN (schraffiert) of the nine potential reservoir hosts of Zaire ebolavirus a) Epomops franqueti, b) Hypsignathus monstrosus, c) Myonycteris torquata, d) Eidolon helvum, e) Epomophorus gambianus, f) Lissonycteris angolensis, g) Micropteropus pusillus, h) Mops condylurus, i) Rousettus aegyptiacus. Credit: Koch, L.K. et al. The Ebola virus is considered one of the world's most dangerous pathogens. During the most severe outbreak to date in West Africa, over 11,000 deaths were documented between 2014 and 2016. Single cases are repeatedly reported from Europe as well, which are connected to previous travels to affected regions. An important source of infection are so-called reservoir hosts that carry the virus without being affected by it. For the various types of the Ebola virus, the most likely involve reservoir hosts are various species of bats and fruit bats. For the first time, scientists investigated where nine of such bat and fruit bat species may encounter suitable habitats and climatic conditions in Africa. "Zaire ebolavirus is one of the most dangerous Ebola viruses. It kills up to 88 percent of those infected with it. To prevent or curb outbreaks of this virus, it is essential to know exactly where potential hotspots of infection may lurk," explains parasitologist Prof. Dr. Sven Klimpel of the Goethe University in Frankfurt and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center. Based on ecological niche modeling, his team was able to show that the respective bat and fruit bat species are able to thrive in West and East Africa, including large parts of Central Africa. A wide belt of potential habitats extends from Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia in the west across the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Sudan andUganda in the East. A few of the studied bats and fruit bats may even occur in the eastern part of South Africa. In a second step, the researchers compared the potential habitats with range maps of the bat and fruit bat species that were generated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the basis of observations of these animals. In addition, the team considered where a Zaireebolavirus endemic has broken out in the past. The results were surprising: "The modeled habitats of the Zaire ebolavirus hosts are larger than their previously known ranges. It is possible that the bats and fruit bats have not yet been able to reach habitats beyond these ranges due to the presence of certain barriers," says Klimpel. "Another, more worrying explanation could be that science has hitherto underestimated the range of Ebola-transmitting bat and fruit bat species. In this case, the models would provide a more realistic picture," explains Dr. Lisa Koch, the study's lead author from Goethe University. Regions affected by Ebola outbreaks often suffer not only from health effects, but also from economic and social effects of the epidemic. The study's findings suggest to keep a closer eye on diseases that occur in the modeled ranges of the reservoir hosts and to inform the public about potential Ebola infections, ultimately alleviating the consequences of an epidemic. With regard to Europe, Klimpel states: "Ebola viruses, just like the SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus), are viruses from the animal kingdom that can be transmitted to humans. It can be expected that diseases of this type will occur more frequently in the future, since humans have increasing contact with wild animals, and globalization facilitates the spread of viruses around the world. In Europe, with its overall efficient health system, Ebola infections are certainly going to remain isolated incidents in the future. Nonetheless, in view of these trends it would be beneficial to intensively train and further educate physicians and nursing personnel in the treatment of tropical infectious diseases in our latitudes as well." More information: Lisa K. Koch et al. Bats as putative Zaire ebolavirus reservoir hosts and their habitat suitability in Africa, Scientific Reports (2020). Journal information: Scientific Reports Lisa K. Koch et al. Bats as putative Zaire ebolavirus reservoir hosts and their habitat suitability in Africa,(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71226-0 Digital lending is uniquely positioned to fix credit access barriers and fostering the growth of small and medium enterprises. SMEs play a significant role in Kenyas economic growth and are the major contributors to employment opportunities and income that helps in poverty reduction and boosting national wealth and development. PAY ATTENTION: Click 'See First' under 'Follow' Tab to see Tuko.co.ke news on your FB Feed Access to credit from platforms such as Tala, Zenka, Branch and others is just by a click of a phone. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: 10 movies to be on your playlist ahead of the weekend The significant role of SMEs is recognised not only in the country but also across the globe. World Bank data shows that SMEs represent approximately 90% of trades and over 50% of employment globally. In developing economies like Kenya, formal SMEs account for more than 50% of the national income (GDP). The number is considerably higher where the informal sectors of SMEs are included. Despite the strategic role it plays in the economy, the SME sectors growth has for a long time been faced with a lack of access to trade capital and growth financing. Inaccessibility to credit has been identified as the second most obstacle encompassing SMEs to develop their trades in evolving markets and developing countries. READ ALSO: Watu 102 zaidi wakutwa na COVID-19, 2 wafariki dunia Financial needs of these small traders have for a long time now not been met promptly and efficiently by traditional financial players due partly to manual, paper-intensive processes that do not match the evolving needs of SMEs. Traditional banking and financial institutions are accustomed to moving big money over secure, thoroughly checked and verified credit backgrounds. Photo: UGC. Source: Twitter Traditional banking and financial institutions are accustomed to moving big money over secure, thoroughly checked and verified credit backgrounds. SMEs cannot enjoy the same privileges because their credit history is still on the mend and getting its legs. Gaps in accessing traditional financing for traders and SMEs include the requirement of collateral to get a loan, the necessity of credit history and information and customary data that are used to assess creditworthiness. Traditional forms of lending account for approximately 80% of financing for world trade. Nevertheless, due to stringent collateral demands and credit history supervision, financial lenders decline 50% of financing application for SMEs. Consequently, this can be linked to woes affecting this critical sector that the 2016 National MSME Survey revealed more than 400,000 small businesses die annually. READ ALSO: Father of daughters: MP Alfred Keter shows off his beautiful family The survey revealed that lack of access to the market, infrastructure and credit pushed up their operating costs leading to losses incurred from their business and closure of 2.2 million MSMEs in a span of five years. We have seen digital lending liberating and solving the biggest financing barrier for SMEs. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC The ground has shifted significantly over the last five years, with the emergence of digital lending in the market slowly returning operators to profitability and sustainability. SMEs are now able to access and manage daily cash flow needs because they experience cash flow every hour every day. Provision of money on the fly to offer solutions and meeting such demands is the complementary advantage that digital lending has brought to SMEs. When compared to processes used traditionally, paperless processes in digital lending has made it easier to for SMEs to acquire business credit growth when they need it. Over the last few years, we have seen digital lending liberating and solving the biggest financing barrier for SMEs. READ ALSO: Work with Ruto or pack and go, MP Ng'eno tells Uhuru In terms of length credit underwriting by means of the traditional model, digital lending has replaced old templates with new era analytics, social media behaviour and other active factors that assist digital and peer-to-peer financiers scrutinise and initiate more loans within a short period. The influence of fintech on monetary services goes past retail and consumer-facing requests and services to comprise of all fundamentals of the financial services production procedure. While banks rely on security and guarantee, physical assets and collateral, digital lending in part rely on AI-powered credit processes and social behaviour metrics thus allowing lenders to offer unsecured loans with basic documentation. Zenka is one of the digital lending platforms available in Kenya. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC The impact on the SME world is that they now make smart money choices and develop financial discipline which in turn improves their credit scores. Cloud integration has also enabled the system being used to synchronise information and data from credit bureaus, credit scorecards, risk services and assessments. Machine learning and artificial intelligence is the new tech kid on the block that is applied to determine the applicants credit scores and later establish whether the loan application is at an acceptable risk. The amalgamation of AI-powered machine learning and algorithms present refined underwriting proficiency compared to human judgement. Through these platforms, SMEs are able to apply for loans that get disbursed in 5 10 minutes since no collateral or guarantor is required. No collateral is required when applying for most digital loans. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC SMEs have warmed up to this transformative lending revolution due to immense benefits that are helping to keep their business afloat especially during times of emergencies. A study from a majority of SMEs in Kenya has attested to this point. Access to credit from platforms such as Tala, Zenka, Branch and others is just by a click of a phone. READ ALSO: Nguo Yetu: New Kenyan textile company takes on big boys in manufacture of PPEs, designer outfits A 2019 Geopol survey on behalf of DLAK (Digital Lenders Association of Kenya) showed that the top 3 most important features of mobile or web-based loans are being able to get the loan any time of day, getting loan approval without paperwork and quick access to money. The report also indicated an 83 % satisfaction on levels of services amongst those that had taken a loan from digital lenders. When surveyed on the particular use of the loans, 50% of the respondents indicated they used proceeds from the loans for business, most citing the purchase of goods stood. Half of the respondents were female business owners with an average age of 36 years. Digital lending, therefore, is a remarkable sector, not just due to its potential of an investment, or the ability to disrupt traditional financial institutions but it is due to the capacity to revolutionise the manner in which business is done and altering peoples way of life in a positive way. Article written by Duncan Motanya - Zenka Finance CEO The views expressed in this opinion piece are his and do not necessarily represent the position of TUKO Media Ltd in any way. We welcome writers, bloggers, photographers and all sorts of noise makers to become a part of our Blog network. Send your opinion, story or both to news@tuko.co.ke. My five children and I have nowhere to go - Jane Muthoni | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7 By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend: The United Nations (UN) and its agencies support Turkmenistan in its measures to prepare and response to infectious diseases, Trend reports with reference to Turkmenistans State News Agency. This was said during an online meeting, held to discuss progress in the implementation of Turkmenistans plan to ensure readiness to counteract and respond to acute infectious diseases in the country, which was attended by state representatives of Turkmenistan and UN agencies accredited in the country. During the meeting, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Elena Panova, stressed that the national plan for ensuring readiness to counteract and respond to acute infectious diseases of Turkmenistan meets common international standards. Also, director of the country office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Turkmenistan, Paulina Karwowska noted that holding such a meeting allows to mobilize available resources for further implementation of the above-mentioned plan. Earlier, Turkmenistan and the United Nations (UN) have considered joint actions to combat the pandemic and its economic impact during a videoconference. Earlier, Turkmenistan proposed to consider the possibility of creating new international legal mechanisms within the UN aimed at ensuring the stable functioning of international transport and transit corridors during emergencies. So far, Turkmenistan has reported no COVID-19 cases, but has introduced the necessary measures to prevent the penetration of the virus into the country. Thus, the country introduced the mandatory wearing of masks in public places, as well as the need to provide COVID-19 absence certificate, when there's a need to use flights. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @JeilaAliyeva Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his New Zealand counterpart held the 7th meeting of the Joint Commission on Politico-Economic Cooperation via videoconference on Monday, Trend reports citing IRNA. During the meeting, both sides discussed various topics, including bilateral political and economic issues, sanctions, latest developments about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), sharing experiences in tackling the coronavirus pandemic, and the viewpoints of the two countries on regional and international issues. Araghchi praised the New Zealand government for supporting the 2015 nuclear deal and welcomed its membership in the International Atomic Energy Agencys Board of Governors. The Iranian deputy foreign minister also stated Tehran's readiness to maintain and bolster trade ties with Wellington on new mechanisms under the pressure of sanctions and the coronavirus outbreak. You must really be a Mariotti, then! Youre not a Mariotti if you dont know how to properly ride a horse. So, this is how I made my debut in society with Philippe Daverio, one afternoon many years ago, during a memorable walk that he was hosting. He welcomed me as if I were family, making me flush from the emotion. After that afternoon spent horseback riding and listening to the many details and anecdotes of that extremely original personality, every time I called Daverio he would answer, invite me over and talk to me as Flaubert did with his guests: making them feel on his level, even though it wasn't true. After all, to Daverio, knowing how to ride a horse was as important as rejecting all monochromatic outfits, being multilingual he spoke many dead and living languages and knowing how to behave in society. Because for him, just like for Goethe, Loos and Lacan, ethics came after aesthetics. And only by rectifying the latter, was it possible to hope to improve the former and also improve civilized living. Particularly in what for him was still his wonderland Italy. He was eccentric, yet immune to the temptation of the apocalypse, universally recognized yet not really integrated with anyone. Daverio had two constants in his life, two polar stars: personal freedom and social art, both understood in a way that Italy was not really used to. Although he had passed all the exams at Bocconi university, he never wanted to graduate. Even though he was neither an antique dealer nor an art dealer, he decided to open a gallery in the mid-seventies, a period in which if you wanted to talk about paintings, you knew you were risking your life. And even though he was not a Lega Nord party supporter, he had accepted to be Milans Councillor for Culture with mayor Marco Formentini. Even though he was not a left-wing parties supporter, he ran for the elections with Filippo Penati, and even though he was not a radical, he supported Emma Bonino's Europeanism. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 17:45:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TAIYUAN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- China launched a new optical remote-sensing satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province on Monday. The Gaofen-11 02 satellite was launched by a Long March-4B rocket at 1:57 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to the center. It was the 345th flight mission by a Long March carrier rocket. Gaofen-11 02 has a resolution up to the sub-meter level. It will be mainly used for land surveys, city planning, land rights confirmation, road network design, crop yield estimation and disaster prevention and mitigation. The newly launched satellite will also offer information support for the Belt and Road construction. Together with the Gaofen-11 01 satellite, which was launched in 2018, Gaofen-11 02 will form an in-orbit network to improve the country's satellite observation efficiency. The Long March-4B is a three-stage liquid-fueled rocket developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, affiliated to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It has the ability to launch single and multiple satellites with different orbital requirements. Monday's launch is the third mission of the Long March-4 series of carrier rockets this year. According to the rocket developer, 2020 will see several launches of the rocket model. Enditem Bus company Metroline is forcing drivers at a London garage to report for duty despite their colleague being diagnosed with COVID-19. Several drivers were handed contact tracing letters at Cricklewood garage on Thursday, stating, We are contacting you to inform you that an employee with confirmed Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) may have come into contact with you within the last 14 days. The infected driver reportedly drove the 112 bus route that travels from North Finchley to Ealing Broadway, via Brentcross shopping centre. The letter from Metrolines Head of Human Resources Darren Hill stated, If you are well, there is no action for you to take. Metroline letter from Cricklewood garage It continued, If you develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately stay indoors and avoid contact with other people and call NHS 111 to inform them that you are a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19. As of Friday, neither Metroline nor Unite had issued any statement to alert more than 500 drivers at Cricklewood about the reappearance of COVID-19. After 33 bus workers were killed by coronavirus between March and Mayincluding the death of Cricklewood driver Ishrat AliUnites suppression of information is criminal. According to eyewitnesses, one driver who received the letter on Thursday immediately reported feeling unwell. He was told to book his own test and sat for more than three hours in the output area where drivers sign on, potentially infecting dozens more people. He had already completed part of his duty. He subsequently tested negative. The Unite rep at the garage met with management but took no steps to protect workers health and safety. The union issued no demand that drivers be sent home with immediate access to COVID-19 tests, in keeping with their corporatist collusion with Transport for London (TfL) and the bus companies. The driver took the correct decision to go home, a driver from Cricklewood told the WSWS, but he was put under enormous pressure by management and also by the union to stay and finish his duty. He stood his ground and quite rightly so. If its happening at Cricklewood it could be happening at other garages, not just Metroline. Weve already lost Ali, we cant let this happen again. The outbreak at Cricklewood raises urgent issues. Once again drivers are being infected with COVID-19 and once again their colleagues are being kept in the dark. On Friday, WSWS contacted TfL and Metroline asking that they confirm the number of new COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations among London transport workers. They refused to provide this information. Last week, Andy Byford, TfLs new transport commissioner, told the Evening Standard, I believe passionately that the system is safe to use. Byfords assurances are worthless. As subway chief in New York City he presided over carnage, with at least 146 transit workers dead from COVID-19. Refusing to answer questions from WSWS about the latest workplace infection, Metroline issued the following statement, We have introduced extensive and comprehensive measures to ensure a COVID-19 secure workplace in accordance with Government Guidance, working closely with Unite the Union and utilising NHS Test and Trace to protect our employees and keep them safe. The extent of Unites collaboration with the bus companies was revealed in July by Londons Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan. In a response during Mayors Question Time, he explained that TfL was not conducting any on-site safety inspections because any significant concerns can be raised at regular network conference calls or separately between Unite the union and TfL. Such meetings took place on a day-to-day basis. Metrolines extensive and comprehensive measures in collusion with Unite were a death sentence for workers. The company accounted for 38 percent of COVID-19 deaths among London bus drivers between March and May. The contact trace letters they distributed last week told drivers, Please follow this advice until 27th August, even if your symptoms are minorbut the letters were handed out on September 3! Metroline refused to disclose what criteria they used to determine the risk of transmission to other employees. They have reportedly only contacted drivers on route 112, yet all drivers clock on from the same output area and use the same rest and toilet break facilities. The risk of widespread workplace transmission among transport workers and passengers cannot be overstated. As with workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 among warehouse and food processing workers, the NHS Track and Trace system has proven to be dysfunctionaland this is deliberate. Employers are effectively handed unlimited discretion over who will be informed and when. The sole concern of TfL and the transport companies is to ramp up revenue and profit. The Johnson governments reopening of the economy, and its entire herd immunity strategy, is forcing millions into unsafe workplaces, public transport and schools to protect the obscene wealth of the financial oligarchy. The response to the pandemic must be taken out of the hands of the ruling class. Workers must elect rank-and-file safety committees in all garages and take immediate measures to protect health, safety and lives. We urge all drivers who want to discuss this fight to contact the International Transport Workers Newsletter . Working from home is now so commonplace that it has become an acronym. Many people have found their work lives changed overnight. There wasn't much choice, or planning. It was just get on with it. Almost six months in, we are learning a bit more about the pluses and minuses of WFH. It is not so long ago since we were all belly-aching about work-life balance. With the onset of the digital world, people thought nothing about sending an email at all hours and in all time zones. It was just as likely to pop up whether you were working at your laptop or watching Normal People. And guess what? The sender expected a response. Immediately. How many of us have had fraught conversations with friends and lovers who tell us to put the phone away, only to reply that it had to be dealt with because it was 'work'? That trumped all other arguments. A security officer stands outside a building of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) during its grand opening in Shanghai, China, on Nov. 22, 2001. (Reuters) Shares of Chinese Chipmaker SMIC Plunge as Possibility of US Ban Looms Shares of SMIC, Chinas biggest contract chipmaker, plunged more than 20 percent on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Sept. 7, after the Pentagon said it was considering an export ban on the Chinese company. Shares tumbled almost 23 percent to HK$18.24 ($2.35), wiping about HK$28 billion (about $3.6 billion) off its market value. SMICs shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange fell about 11 percent, closing at 58.8 yuan ($8.61) per share. On Sept. 4, Reuters reported that the Pentagon might blacklist SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.), preventing U.S. companies from doing business with the chipmaker unless they obtain special government-issued licenses. Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough told The Washington Post on Sept. 5 in an email that actions against SMIC were being considered. Such an action would ensure that all exports to SMIC would undergo a more comprehensive review, Gough said. Semiconductor chips are used in everything from computers and cellphones to missiles and fighter jets. China still heavily relies on foreign chips for its tech manufacturing, although Beijing aims to domestically produce 70 percent of its semiconductor needs by 2025, under its industrial policy of Made in China 2025. A ban on SMIC would likely affect Chinas tech ambitions. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian, at a daily briefing on Sept. 7, accused the United States of abusing its power to impose restrictions on Chinese companies, when asked about the possible U.S. ban on SMIC. A day earlier, Chinas hawkish state-run media Global Times cited a Chinese telecom analyst who said the ban would deal some blows to the company as well as Chinas semiconductor industry. An export ban would affect whether SMIC could purchase key chipmaking equipment from U.S. companies such as Applied Materials, Lam Research, and KLA. The ban could also impact Chinese tech giant Huawei, one of SMICs customers. Taiwan-based TSMC, the worlds leading contract chipmaker, said that it would stop shipping chips to Huawei after Sept. 14, in response to U.S. restrictions announced in May to block Huawei from obtaining chips from global firms that are made with U.S. technology. SMIC is a state-backed semiconductor foundry headquartered in Shanghai. According to its website, two of SMICs biggest shareholders as of April 2018 were Chinas state-run Datang Telecom Technology and the state-backed China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund with about a 16 percent share and a roughly 15 percent stake, respectively. Beijing set up the investment fund in 2014 to boost its semiconductor industry. A 2018 report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, citing SMICs own website, said the company received $400 million from the fund in 2015. SMIC is technologically several generations behind TSMC and has a small market share. SMIC is the fifth-largest contract chipmaker in the world, with a market share of almost 5 percent as of the second quarter of this year, lagging TSMCs almost 54 percent, according to data from Taiwan-based research firm Topology Research Institute. If SMIC is blacklisted by the U.S. government, TSMCs technological lead over SMIC would only widen further, Taiwans government-run Central News Agency reported, citing a local analyst. Any export ban against SMIC would benefit both TSMC and South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics, Doh Hyun-woo, an analyst with South Korean securities firm NH Investment & Securities, wrote in an article published Sept. 7 on the Business Korea news portal. Doh said that it would become all but impossible for SMIC to secure equipment from U.S. semiconductor equipment companies. In the long term, Doh added that Chinese semiconductor companies, including SMIC, would likely face delays in securing technology to manufacture advanced chips. Meanwhile, TSMC is making inroads in the U.S. market; in May, it announced plans to build a $12 billion factory in Arizona. BANGALORE, India, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Key factors driving the Energy Harvesting System Market size include the demand for safe, power-efficient, and reliable systems requiring minimal or no maintenance; widespread implementation of IoT in automation and energy harvesting technology in building and home automation; the trend in green energy and government-friendly initiatives; and the adoption of wireless sensor networks equipment. The Global Energy Harvesting System Market size is expected to grow from USD 312.85 Million in 2019 to USD 615.94 Million by 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.95%. Get Detailed Analysis of COVID-19 Impact on Energy Harvesting System Market: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/360I-Auto-4C194/The_Global_Energy_Harvesting_System TRENDS INFLUENCING THE ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM MARKET Factors such as the extensive use of IoT devices in automation, the proliferation of urban populations, the demand for healthy, power-efficient, and sustainable systems, the trend for green energy, the penetration of energy harvesting technology in construction and home automation, and favorable government initiatives are expected to drive the energy harvesting market size. A growing number of government operations for energy harvesting around the globe for the building and home automation application to minimize CO2 emissions from buildings is expected to increase the growth of energy harvesting market size during the forecast period. Besides, the advent of tire pressure management systems (TPMS) in automobiles has highlighted the need for energy harvesting systems as they can be used to power up the small electrical components such as sensors inside. Electric vehicles are expected to develop in the future, fueling the energy harvesting systems market size. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/360I-Auto-4C194/the-global-energy-harvesting-system Energy Harvesting System MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS Based on technology, the Vibration Energy Harvesting segment is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. Based on Component, the Power Management Integrated Circuit segment is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. North America is expected to hold the largest energy harvesting market share based on the region during the forecast period. North America's dominance is attributed to increased use of renewable energy sources to power small electronic devices, increased penetration of building automation into new construction sites, and increased usage of the region's wireless sensor networks. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The market in these regions is driven primarily by increased demand from the industrial sector for energy-efficient components and peripherals; development of advanced energy harvesting systems, particularly in developing countries such as India and China. Based on Geography, the Energy Harvesting System Market studied across Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East Africa . Inquire for Regional Data: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/360I-Auto-4C194/The_Global_Energy_Harvesting_System ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM MARKET SEGMENTATION Based on Technology, the Energy Harvesting System Market studied across Light Energy Harvesting RF Energy Harvesting Thermal Energy Harvesting Vibration Energy Harvesting. Based on Component, the Energy Harvesting System Market studied across Power Management Integrated Circuit Storage System Transducer. Based on Application, the Energy Harvesting System Market studied across Building & Home Automation Consumer Electronics Industrial Transportation. Key Companies ABB Limited Cymbet Corporation EnOcean GmbH Fujitsu Limited G24 Innovations General Electric Honeywell International Inc Infinite Power Solutions Microchip Technology Inc Microgen Systems Powercast Corporation Qorvo Inc Schneider Electric SE Siemens AG STMicroelectronics NV Texas Instruments Incorporated. Buy Now for Single User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=360I-Auto-4C194&lic=single-user Buy Now for Enterprise User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=360I-Auto-4C194&lic=enterprise-user SIMILAR REPORTS Vibration Energy Harvesting System Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-35V897/global-vibration-energy-harvesting-systems Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Market Report The major factors driving the piezoelectric energy harvesting market size include the highest reliability, performance, and power production per size and cost provided by the harvesters of piezoelectric energy devices against alternative energy harvesting technologies. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-17H3236/global-piezoelectric-energy-harvesting Thermal Energy Storage Market Report The Global Thermal Energy Storage Market Size is expected to grow from USD 4,185.19 Million in 2019 to USD 7,912.12 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.19%. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/360I-Auto-8T302/the-global-thermal-energy-storage Ambient Energy Harvester Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-1H346/global-ambient-energy-harvester ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains detail research methodology employed to generate the report, Please also reach to our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources CONTACT US: Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp : +91 9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Linkedin - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports SOURCE Valuates Reports Vodafone Idea is relaunching its brand with a completely new identity and communication around it. The telco is also likely to unveil its new logo and signage that will be put up at several of its service centres and stores once the announcement is made, media reports suggest, adding that the company may launch a new advertising campaign as well. In the new logo of Vodafone Idea, the inverted 'I" of Idea has been unified with the 'V' of Vodafone, where the red colour of the company's previous logo has been retained. The entire leadership of the telco, which was born out of the merger of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India in August 2018, is expected to unveil the renewed brand positioning, reason being the tough business scenario it is currently facing in India where parent Vodafone Group has disinclined to commit any additional funds. The reason for the launch of the new brand is to convey premium quality of calls and top tier service around it, reports suggest. With this, the telco aims to draw a new set of subscribers while promising them assured quality under the new brand and stop further user erosion. Last Friday, Vodafone Idea announced that it is considering raising funds of up to Rs 25,000 crore through a mix of equity and debt instruments in tranches to meet its payment obligations towards Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues, and invest in its network operations. Daniel Andrews has said he will speed up Victoria's road map out of lockdown if coronavirus case numbers fall faster than expected. Under the premier's plan, released on Sunday, lockdown will only end when there are an average of five cases per day, which is not expected until October 26. Until then, a curfew will be in place from 9pm to 5am and residents can only leave home for exercise, shopping, school and work, and caregiving. Daniel Andrews has said he will speed up Victoria's road map out of lockdown if coronavirus case numbers fall faster than expected Police are seen along Elizabeth Street on Sunday as Premier Andrews released his roadmap Mr Andrews has been slammed by businesses and opposition politicians who say such low numbers as a threshold for easing restrictions was unrealistic. On Monday morning, the premier said he is open to changing the plan. 'If we saw things change dramatically then we would obviously remodel the whole thing,' he told Melbourne radio station 3AW. 'If the data was to fundamentally change then we would be standing up making different announcements.' Mr Andrews also said he was not trying to eliminate the virus but suppress it enough that contact tracing teams can identify and isolate the contacts of every case. He said after lockdown is lifted there will be cases but they would not necessarily mean a return to harsh restrictions, saying the state was not pursuing unrealistic eradication but controllable numbers. 'A strategy where you're trying to eradicate it would mean that if you had one case you would go back into lockdown. That's the difference,' he said. 'This thing, it moves so fast, so silently, that it can get away from you so fast. 'You've got to beat it first then you can find that new normal.' On Monday Victoria announced nine more deaths from coronavirus, taking the state toll to 675 and the national figure to 762. But there was some good news for the state, with new case numbers dropping significantly on Monday to 41. It is Victoria's lowest daily case number since June 26. Monday's figures come as Victorian small business rails against the government's roadmap out of lockdown restrictions, with Melbourne under stage-four measures for another fortnight. A broader state-wide reopening is still months away, but Victorian deputy premier James Merlino said the government is doing all it can to have the economy moving again in a COVID-safe way. Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said owners are struggling under the weight of costs, including rent, equipment leases, loans and an accumulation of worker entitlements. 'What small businesses are telling us is that they are giving up,' she told Nine's Today program on Monday. 'For many of them, they are not going to be open until the end of November.' Mr Andrews (pictured) said after lockdown is lifted there will be cases but they would not necessarily mean a return to harsh restrictions Mr Merlino said the worst thing the government could do for business was open up and then a few weeks later reimpose restrictions because of a third wave. 'You've got to get the (infection) numbers down ... and once we do that then we can have a much broader reopening of our economy,' he told ABC radio. Mr Merlino believes the state's voters are behind the government's suppression strategy. 'People are with us and they don't want to be put at risk,' he said. 'People understand that we need to ease restrictions safely and steadily.' China early on Tuesday said its border troops took countermeasures after the Indian army crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and fired warning shots near the Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh. Border troops of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) were forced to take countermeasures after Indian army soldiers fired at them near the Shenpao mountain region near the south bank of Pangong Tso lake, a statement issued by Chinas western theatre command (WAC) said in a statement issued early on Tuesday. The Chinese statement, however, did not explain what the countermeasures were. ALSO READ | Chinas PLA in race to reach the green line in Ladakh The statement from the PLAs WAC would mean that shots were fired at the disputed Sino-India border for the first time in four decades. India has squarely blamed China for the tensions along the LAC in Ladakh over the past four months and said the only way forward was through negotiations reflecting the impasse created by Beijings fresh attempts to alter the status quo along the disputed border. In a statement issued in Mandarin, and tweeted by state media, WAC spokesperson Colonel Zhang Shuili said Chinese border defence troops were forced to take countermeasures to stabilise the situation after Indian soldiers troops outrageously fired warning shots to PLA border patrol soldiers who were about to negotiate. ALSO READ | India calls Chinas bluff in Chushul During the operation, the Indian army blatantly shot and threatened the patrol personnel of the Chinese border defence forces who had made representations before, and the Chinese border defence forces were forced to take countermeasures to stabilise the situation on the ground, Zhang said in the statement. The Indian sides move seriously violated related agreements reached by both sides, stirred up tensions in the region, and would easily cause misunderstandings and misjudgments, which is a serious military provocation and is very vile in nature, the spokesperson said. We demand the Indian side to immediately stop dangerous moves, withdraw personnel who crossed the LAC at once, strictly control frontline troops, seriously investigate and punish the personnel who fired the provocative shot and ensure similar incidents wont take place again, Zhang added. The PLA WAC troops will firmly fulfill duties and missions and resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty, Zhang said. The last time shots were fired at the LAC was in the Tulung La area of Arunachal Pradesh in 1975. Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a bitter standoff in multiple places in eastern Ladakh. Tensions flared up again in the region after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in the southern bank of Pangong Tso lake last week when the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the border row. The tension between the two sides escalated after violent clashes in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15 in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details. The rise in the border tension comes days ahead of an expected meeting between external affairs minister, S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the margins of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers meeting in Moscow on September 10, On Monday, Jaishankar, said the failure to observe several understandings on border management dating back to 1993 raises very important questions about the status of ties with China. If peace and tranquillity on the border is not a given, then it cannot be that the rest of the relationship continues on the same basis, because clearly peace and tranquillity is the basis for the relationship, he said while participating in an online interaction organised by The Indian Express newspaper to mark the release of his book The India Way. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 18:19:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two militants died in clashes with rangers and soldiers in Thailand's southern province of Songkhla, according to Thai media on Monday. The clashes between militants and Thai forces occurred on Sunday night in which four rangers were injured. One of the militants, according to Thai media, was wanted by Thai authorities for a string of robberies, including last year's gold shop heist in which they stole more than 60 million baht (1.9 million U.S. dollars) in gold ornaments. He was also alleged to have been involved in the attack on an outpost in Pattani province in July last year, in which four Thai defense volunteers were shot dead. The other militant was suspected of being involved in a bomb attack near a school in the Thailand's restive southern province of Pattani back in 2013. He was also a suspect involved in a bomb explosion on a road in Songkhla Province in February this year, in which 10 people were injured. The Thai Army did not reveal the details of clashes, however, stated that security forces are still hunting for other militants involved, many of whom escaped after the clashes on Sunday. Thailand's southern insurgency has been prevalent for 15 years. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:35:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced on Monday a grant of 1.651 million Hong Kong dollars (about 213,025 U.S. dollars) for providing relief to flood victims in Jiangxi Province in Chinese mainland. As the flooding had affected more than 63 million people in the mainland, the HKSAR government accepted the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, and approved the grant from the Disaster Relief Fund to Amity Foundation, a spokesman of the HKSAR government said. The grant will be used to provide rice and cooking oil to benefit around 25,900 victims, the spokesman said, adding that the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee hoped the grant would facilitate the provision of timely relief to the victims and help them restore their normal living. The grant, together with those approved earlier for this flooding in the mainland, will take the accumulative value of grants and number of beneficiaries to 12.707 million Hong Kong dollars and 100,100 respectively. As the targeted localities of relief agencies are different, there will be no overlapping of resources, the spokesman said. "To ensure that the money is used for the designated purposes, Amity Foundation, Hong Kong will be asked to submit an evaluation report and an audited account on the use of the grant after the relief project has been completed," the spokesman said. (1 U.S. dollar equals 7.75 HK dollars) Enditem Moscow: Almost a month after President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has successfully registered a coronavirus vaccine, the Sputnik-V vaccine will likely be made available to the general public from this week. The vaccine which was launched by President Putin on August 11 will be released for wider use after permission from Russia's Healthcare Ministry. The Russian Healthcare Ministry has given regulatory approval to the world's first coronavirus vaccine. Its effectiveness and safety were confirmed in clinical trials pic.twitter.com/t9CTOnoHml Government of Russia (@GovernmentRF) August 11, 2020 It was developed by the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, alongside the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and was reportedly the first coronavirus vaccine candidate across the world. The associate member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Denis Logunov was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency TASS, "Its examination is to begin within days. Also, within days we are to obtain permission. There is a certain procedure of authorizing a batch for civilian use. It must pass the quality check of the medical watchdog Roszdravnadzor." "Within days, between September 10 and 13, we are to obtain permission to release a batch of the vaccine for civilian use. Respectively, from that moment on the population will begin to be vaccinated," added Logunov. "The vaccines registration allows for vaccinating the whole population, but the high-risk groups will come first. There are no restrictions as far as others are concerned, but the Health Ministry has set a task of protecting the risk groups in the first place," said Logunov. According to the results published by The Lancet Medical Journal, Sputnik-V has recorded another progress recently. The vaccine has been successful in generating antibody responses in all participants in early-stage trials. The Lancet reported that the results of the two trials, conducted in June-July this year that involved 76 participants, showed 100% of participants developing antibodies to COVID-19 and no serious side effects. "The two 42-day trials including 38 healthy adults each did not find any serious adverse effects among participants, and confirmed that the vaccine candidates elicit an antibody response," The Lancet said. "Large, long-term trials including a placebo comparison and further monitoring are needed to establish the long-term safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for preventing COVID-19 infection," it said. Earlier on August 11, President Putin had revealed that one of his daughters had been vaccinated against the coronavirus. Sputnik quoted Putin as saying, "In this sense, she took part in the experiment. After the first vaccination, she had a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, while the following day it was slightly over 37 degrees Celsius, that's it. After the second injection, the second vaccination, her temperature also rose a little, and then everything cleared up, she feels good and the [antibody] titers are high." Notably, the vaccine Sputnik-V is named after Russia's first satellite Sputnik, which was launched in 1957. Meanwhile, Russia's COVID-19 tally has increased to 10,27,334, as per the Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Center on Monday (September 7, 2020). The Secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops Conference Reverend Father Lazarus Anondee has called on Ghanaians to reject politicians or political parties that engage in name-calling and politics of insults. It comes after the controversy following NDC flagbearer John Mahamas sharing of article by Bolga Central MP Isaac Adongo on Facebook in which he labelled some individuals in government as Sakawa-Akyem boys. President Akufo-Addo in response to the labelling complained to Catholic Bishops at a meeting at the Jubilee House. The president said: It is completely unacceptable. If I were to get up to make comments about Northerners or Gonjas, you can imagine the uproar that would be in the country. A comment the opposition also referred to as tribalistic against Northerners. However, speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Monday, Reverend Father Lazarus said both parties are guilty of the name-calling and politics of insults saying Ghanaians should vote based on issues. I think that both parties are guilty of it. its not just the candidates, its the parties. You dont need to vilify anybody in order to win votes, you rather have to win the other person with superior arguments. That is what we need in Ghana. Everybodys contribution matters so we should respect each other. There must be genuine respect when we are playing politics, he said Commenting on the presidents tone during the meeting, he noted we are not surprised and I think that maybe what he has said should ginger all of us to soberly reflect on the kind of language we are hearing every now and then on the political landscape. And Im saying that anybody that will use dirty language in politics, we should reject that person, that person has nothing to offer. But anyone who argues on issues and brings out strategies that will help make Ghana a better place, they are the people that we should look up to. And they are the people that we should push forward and let them lead us. I think that somehow because we reward people who practice the politics of insult. If we begin to rubbish these who use the foul language. people would sit up. They are not the type of people we need in public, he added. ---starrrfmonline Pakistan Air Force cadets take part in a ceremony at the mausoleum of the country's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah to mark the country's Defense Day in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Sept. 6, 2020. Pakistan celebrated the country's 55th Defense Day on Sunday to pay homage to the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the war with India in 1965. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan celebrated the country's 55th Defense Day on Sunday to pay homage to the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the war with India in 1965. The defense day was celebrated amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India over the latter's decision to revoke the Indian-controlled Kashmir's special status in August last year. The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital Islamabad and 21-gun salute at provincial capitals, while special prayers were offered for the soldiers and civilians in the war. On the occasion, Pakistani President Arif Alvi issued a message, saying that Pakistan has achieved self-reliance in the defense field and the armed forces are playing an active role in internal security as well as nation building while safeguarding the frontiers. "We have thwarted external aggression. We have successfully defeated terrorism and extremism, and now we are on the path towards economic prosperity. Lastly, I would once again pay homage to our great heroes who sacrificed their lives for the motherland," the president said. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in his separate message said Pakistan is for peace but this must not be misconstrued as the country's weakness. "The world understands that our desire for peace is for economic wellbeing and prosperity of the people of this region," Khan said. The Pakistani leaders mentioned India's decision to revoke the Indian-controlled Kashmir's special status last year and said that the move of India has violated the United Nations Charter. The Leader of the Opposition in Pakistan's National Assembly or the lower house of the parliament Shahbaz Sharif said in his message that freedom is a precious asset that can be defended by building unity and working together in the pursuit of national objectives. The main ceremony in connection with the Defense Day was held at the General Headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. On the occasion, Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa laid floral wreath at the memorial of martyrs and paid homage to them. In the southern port city of Karachi, a change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of the country's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in connection with the Defense Day. V ivienne Westwood and Julian Assange's father were among protesters who gathered outside the Old Bailey ahead of the WikiLeaks founder's extradition hearing. Assange, who has been in high-security Belmarsh Prison for 16 months, is expected to appear in court in person on Monday for the first time in months. He is wanted for alleged espionage over the leak of around 250,000 confidential security cables relating to the Iraq and Afghan wars, but has insisted it is a politically-motivated prosecution of a journalist. The 49-year-old faces a total of 18 charges, including plotting to hack computers and conspiring to obtain and disclose national defence information. Demonstrators protest outside of the Old Bailey court / AFP via Getty Images If convicted, he faces a maximum possible penalty of 175 years in jail. Assanges supporters have accused the US administration of targeting the Australian national for political reasons after WikiLeaks exposed alleged war crimes and human rights abuses. Protesters, including his father, John Shipton, gathered outside the Old Bailey on Monday, where a small stage has been erected for a planned protest. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's father, John Shipton, speaking outside the Old Bailey / PA Demonstrators applauded as speeches demanded the Government free Assange, while some banged drums and carried banners. A mobile billboard van drove past featuring a Dont extradite Assange. Journalism is not a crime slogan and a picture of his face. Supporter Lise Brand, 56, from Surrey, said: He is looking at 175 years in American prison, I dont hold any hope. The UK government and justice system has treated him so badly. Vivienne Westwood spoke outside the Old Bailey in support of Assange / PA Fashion designer Dame Vivienne joined the protest wearing a yellow and black striped shirt. Earlier this year she staged her own protest by sitting in a birdcage outside the Old Bailey. Dame Vivienne wore a yellow trouser suit for the protest, said to evoke the canary in a cage used to test for poisonous gases in a coal mine as well as be a representation of Assange's plight. Flanked by guards, Assange spoke to confirm his name and date of birth before District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said that Assange had this morning been arrested on the fresh US indictment. Completing the formal process, his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald confirmed that Assange had been served with the new extradition request. 'Don't Extradite Assange' protesters outside the Old Bailey / PA I have just seen the defendant for the first time in person in six months, and am content to confirm he has seen the material, he told the court. He said Assanges legal team have been totally unable to speak to him in person during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Assanges partner Stella Moris arrived at Downing Street in a bid to deliver a Reporters Without Borders petition against the extradition, which has been signed by around 80,000 people. Last month, she launched a Crowdjustice campaign to help fund his defence which has now topped 100,000. Stella Moris (centre) arrives at Downing Street, in Westminster, London / PA Speaking on Sunday, Ms Moris, who has two young sons with Assange, described the possible impact on their family.She said: To the boys, Julian has become a voice on the telephone, not their father whom they can see and hug. It is heartbreaking to think that if Julian is extradited and put in a US super-max prison, the boys will never get to know their father and he will never see them grow up. That is what is at stake for us as a family. But there are also much bigger issues that we are fighting for. Julians case has huge repercussions for freedom of expression and freedom of the press. This is an attack on journalism. Julian Assange - In pictures 1 /30 Julian Assange - In pictures 2019 Julian Assange on his arrival at Westminster Magistrates court on April 11 Jack Taylor/Getty Images 2019 Julian Assange made a defiant gesture with his fist as he arrived at court AFP/Getty Images 2017 Julian Assange puts his fist in the air as he steps out to speak to the media from the balcony of the Embassy Of Ecuador Getty Images 2012 Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying Getty Images 2012 Masked supporters of Julian Assange outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge Dominic Lipinski/PA 2010 Photographers hold cameras to the windows of a Serco prison van believed to be carrying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Reuters 2016 ulian Assange's cat, is adorned with a tie and collar inside the window of the Ecuadorian Embassy PA 2016 Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Julian Assange at Embassy of Ecuador Getty Images 2010 Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is pictured through the heavily tinted windows of a police vehicle as he arrives at Westminster magistrates court in London AFP/Getty Images 2010 Jemima Kahn leaves the City of Westminster Magistrates Court after offering to stand as surety for Julian Assange Getty Images 2010 Julian Assange of the WikiLeaks website speaks to reporters in front of a Don McCullin Vietnam war photograph at The Front Line Club in London Getty Images 2010 Wikileaks founder Julian Assange gestures inside a prison van with red windows as he arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice Getty Images 2011 WikiLeaks website founder Julian Assange arrives at The High Court Getty Images 2011 Julian Assange, founder of the WikiLeaks website, shakes the hand of a supporter as he leaves Trafalgar Square after addressing the crowd during the 'Antiwar Mass Assembly' organised by the Stop the War Coalition Getty Images 2011 Journalist John Pilger and Julian Assange, founder of the WikiLeaks website, chat before addressing the crowd during the 'Antiwar Mass Assembly' organised by the Stop the War Coalition at Trafalgar Square Getty Images 2012 Placards are left by supporters of Julian Assange, the founder of the WikiLeaks whistle-blowing website, outside the Ecuadorian Embassy Getty Images 2015 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with Reverend Jesse Jackson outside the Embassy of Ecuador in London PA 2016 People attend a video conference of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the International Center for Advanced Communication Studies for Latin America (CIESPAL) auditorium in Quito AFP/Getty Images 2016 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds up his new kitten at the Ecuadorian Embassy in central London WikiLeaks 2017 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during a press conference from inside the Ecuadorian embassy AP 2018 Supporters of Julian Assange outside Westminster Magistrates Court, London where a court decision is due on whether a UK arrest warrant against the WikiLeaks founder is still valid PA 2018 British hacker Lauri Love and his girlfriend Sylvia Mann are surrounded by media after visiting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London on 6th February 2018 AFP/Getty Images 2018 A cat named 'James' wearing a collar and tie yawns by the window of the Ecuadorian Embassy where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been for over five years on 6th February 2018 AFP/Getty Images If he is extradited to the US for publishing inconvenient truths about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan then it will set a precedent and any British journalist or publisher could also be extradited in the future. The extradition case, which was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, is being heard by District Judge Vanessa Baraitser at the Old Bailey. Concerns had been raised about Assange's health, but the judge ordered the WikiLeaks founder to appear at his next court hearing unless he could provide medical evidence. It is expected that dozens of witnesses will be called to give evidence over four weeks, with the judgment likely to be delivered at a later date. Assanges legal team is being spearheaded by Edward Fitzgerald QC, with James Lewis QC acting for the US authorities. No journalists are allowed in court for the hearing because of Covid-19 restrictions, with some observing by videolink from another room in the building and others provided with a remote link. Nicholas Hunter, one of the trial attorney for the US Department of Justice, is among the people listening in. Assange has been held on remand in Belmarsh prison since last September after serving a 50-week jail sentence for breaching his bail conditions while he was in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for almost seven years. Additional reporting by PA Media. Russian interference could theoretically cost Democrats the presidential elections, party's vice-presidential candidate Indian-American Senator Kamala Harris said. Harris, 55, is a Senator from California. She is the first ever black, African American and a person of Indian descent to be nominated as a vice presidential nominee by a major political party in the United States. "I am clear that Russia interfered in the election of president of the United States in 2016, Harris told CNN in an interview. "I serve on the Senate Intelligence Committee. We have published detailed reports about exactly what we believe happened. And I do believe that there will be foreign interference in the 2020 election, and that Russia will be at the front of the line, she said responding to a question on the allegations of Russian interference in the presidential elections. "Could it cost you the White House? she was asked. Theoretically, of course, yes, Harris said. The US presidential election is scheduled for November 3, wherein Democratic party's presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden along with Harris are challenging Trump and Vice President Mike Pence from the Republican Party. Responding to another question, Harris alleged that there are classic voter suppression at play in this election coming up, where, after the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act with Shelby v. Holder in 2013, dozens of states passed laws that were designed to suppress the black vote, to suppress students from voting, to suppress indigenous people from voting, so much so that, in North Carolina, a court of appeals said the law was passed with surgical precision to get in the way of black voters from voting. "So, we have classic voter suppression. We have what happened in 2016, which is foreign interference. We have a president who is trying to convince the American people not to believe in the integrity of our election system and compromise their belief that their vote might actually count, Harris said. "These things are all at play. I am very realistic. Joe is realistic about the fact that, until we can win and get in and put some teeth back in the Voting Rights Act, and bring back the public's confidence in the system, that there will be many obstacles that people are intentionally placing in front of Americans' ability to vote, she said. But we will surpass and surmount and get around those obstacles, Harris said in response to the question. After years of painfully watching on as her colleagues mounted the podium and collected trophies at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Gospel artiste Celestine Donkor had despaired of ever winning anything. In 2009, she had high expectations but was left very disappointed when she and colleague Philipa Baafi's song Go High failed to win an award including Best Collaboration of the Year and since then she had been measured when it comes to the VGMA. However, this year, there was a certain buzz around her and some hope that this time turned into reality as she picked up two awards, Best Female Vocal Performance and Gospel Song of the Year with her song Agbebolo (Bread of Life) at the 21st edition of the VGMA held on August 28 and 29 at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre. Speaking with Graphic Showbiz recently after breaking her VGMA jinx, Celestine said it had been 10-year long wait to win at the most prestigious scheme for players in the music industry. "It's been exactly 10 years since I got my first nomination and a decade on I'm wininng these awards. I predicted that I would win because I knew I had worked hard and God was going to crown my efforts so I'm not surprised at all. "I'm very excited about the support given to my brand all these years and I want to assure that there will be more and better works from me," she stated. Apart from the Gospel Song of the Year, Celestine had also been tipped to win the Gospel Artiste of the Year which Diana Hamilton won but she said she was satisfied with the outcome. "That is the view of people who think I worked very hard in the year under review and I cannot begrudge them for that. However, I think that every nominee in the category could have won it so I don't have any issue with that," she said. It has been a long road for Celestine Donkor, who started out as a backing vocalist and has gradually built herself into a strong force in the Gospel music sector. Her current success didn't however come on a silver platter as she disclosed that her management had to restrageise to get her brand to where it is now. The year 2020 has definitely been good to Celestine who also grabbed the Best Gospel Artiste at both the National Gospel Music Awards and 3Music Awards held earlier in the year. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This Labor Day is unlike any other. We recognize that tens of millions of essential workers continue to risk their lives every day to fight this pandemic feeding our families, caring for the sick and keeping our communities running. But properly honoring their contributions and their sacrifices will require more than one day of recognition; this moment requires action. Immediately, frontline workers deserve a greater role in charting our economic recovery, since theyre the ones risking it all. Looking forward, we need a broad economic transformation that will fix the pain and inequality facing essential workers, the majority of whom are people of color. Recent uprisings over systemic racism have made it clear that the current system is untenable. American businesses should be part of the solution by coming to the table with government and essential workers to ensure a recovery that benefits everybody. The example of McDonalds Corp. the worlds second-largest private-sector employer underscores why: Business and reputation suffer when workers voices are undermined and ignored. Here in the Bay Area, an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Telegraph Ave. McDonalds in Oakland infected dozens throughout the Bay Area, including worker Yamile Osoy and her 10-month-old son. Osoy and her co-workers, who are Latino and Black, were told by managers to come into work sick, despite a raging pandemic. They were also told to use coffee filters in lieu of actual personal protective equipment. While forcing frontline employees like Osoy to make the impossible choice between risking contracting the virus and losing their livelihoods, McDonalds used its tremendous resources toward public relations stunts and dividend payments for shareholders. Osoy and other frontline employees had no option but to strike for basic protective equipment and a two-week paid quarantine period, forcing the Oakland store to shut down. This is all, quite literally, bad news for the McDonalds brand: headline after headline connected the Golden Arches to doggie diapers, a rash of illnesses and a recent court order enforcing 11 new health and safety procedures. Across California, there has been non-stop media coverage of McDonalds fry cooks forced to go without PPE, managers illegally denying paid sick leave, worker-driven health complaints, and ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in stores up and down the state. Business leaders should take note and be part of the solution, together with workers and elected officials. Immediately, we recommend forming official councils that bring together government, private employers and frontline workers to chart a path for recovery that incorporates the experiences and sacrifices of those doing the work. This is already happening in Los Angeles County, where the Board of Supervisors passed a motion creating several public health councils. Bay Area counties should follow suit, which would be a big step toward preventing super-spreader events, like the ones weve seen at local McDonalds restaurants. But we shouldnt stop there: In counties up and down the state, employers, government, and workers can come together in each industry to create a plan that keeps workers and customers safe during this pandemic and on the path to recovery. And if business leaders are not convinced by pleas for moral leadership or public health arguments, it should be clear by now that an economy that works for the benefit of only the richest is one incapable of withstanding shocks like this pandemic. Before COVID-19, 64 million Americans making less than $15 an were on the edge of survival. Millions of workers lacked quality health care coverage, paid sick days, or the ability to advocate collectively through a union for better wages and benefits. The dangerous, incompetent response by major corporations like McDonalds in partnership with President Trump and the Republican Party failed to prioritize essential workers. As a result, we are engulfed in needless death while economic hardship has only increased: 40 million Americans are without jobs and at risk of losing their homes. While the pandemic has been anything but an equalizer, it has shown the places of common ground between us all: the desire to be healthy, the wish to have economic security and a yearning to secure a better future for our children. We can have a fighting chance to achieve these goals if business leaders in the Bay Area and across California step up and begin investing in their workers and the communities they come from and model leadership for the rest of the country in these unprecedented times. Joseph Bryant is president of SEIU Local 1021. By Express News Service KARIMNAGAR: The families of Telangana natives who are stuck in the Gulf amid the pandemic wrote a letter to IT Minister KT Rama Rao on Sunday, urging him to bring them home. Activist Shaik Chand Pasha, who co-wrote the letter, said that the workers had migrated to the Gulf in search of employment, and were stranded without income. They also requested the Minister to streamline the NRI cell for the welfare of Gulf migrants. Pasha said that due to the lack of a livelihood, some of the workers were resorting to extreme measures like suicide. In the recent past, a man named Regunta Gangaram from Jagtial district had set himself on fire in Kuwait, unable to bear the mounting pressure of the pandemic, Pasha added. Vietnam on Monday logged zero local COVID-19 cases and announced the largest number of recoveries in a single day since the re-emergence of the virus late last month, according to the Ministry of Health. This is the fifth successive day that Vietnam has reported no new domestic infections, the health ministry said. The ministry announced 38 recoveries on Monday, including 19 in Quang Nam Province, 13 in Da Nang, five in Hai Duong Province, and one in Ho Chi Minh City. Monday saw the largest daily number of recovered patients since the resurgence of the coronavirus in Da Nang on July 25, when the beach city detected the first community transmission after Vietnam had gone 99 days without documenting a single domestic case. Sixty-six patients have tested negative for the pathogen one to three times, ready to exit hospitals. Vietnam has confirmed 1,049 coronavirus cases, including 691 local infections, since the virus first hit in January, with 853 patients having recovered and 35 having died as of Monday night. The health ministry did not count three casualties in the death toll because they died after having tested negative for the virus at leat three times. A total of 551 domestic cases have been registered since July 25, most traced back to Da Nang. The coastal city has recorded no locally-transmitted infections for a week, evidence that the virus has been kept at bay in the beach city thanks to aggressive contact tracing for over a month. Social distancing was eased in Da Nang on Saturday, as the Ministry of Transport has restored the full operations of domestic flights, trains, passenger buses, and boats to and from the tourist hub. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has proposed a plan to reopen commercial international air routes to China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Laos in the middle of this month. Vietnam began barring entry to foreign nationals on March 22 and suspended international flights from March 25 in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. Since then, charter flights to the country have only been arranged to bring in experts, skilled workers, and diplomats, and to repatriate Vietnamese citizens stranded in other nations and territories due to the pandemic. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! India on Monday successfully flight tested the hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) for the first time from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, officials said, calling it a significant leap in indigenous defence technologies. With this mission, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has demonstrated capabilities for developing highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for next generation hypersonic weapons that can travel at six times the speed of sound, the officials said. The first flight test of the HSTDV last June was unsuccessful. DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy congratulated all the scientists, researchers and other personnel associated with the mission for their resolute and unwavering efforts towards strengthening the countrys defence capabilities. The DRDO has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase, defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote on Twitter. The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demontrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 7, 2020 The development comes at a time when self-reliance in the defence sector is a top priority for the government. I congratulate DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PMs vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them, Singh said in another tweet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The strong, decisive and dynamic leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revived the hope that multi-party democracy in Ghana will gain firm roots and thrive. Mr Prince Appiah Debrah, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Korle Klottey, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Saturday, said the path for total development embarked on by the President should not be truncated on December 7. Rather, Ghanaians should empower the Government to do more, he said, adding: Ghana cannot go back, the President, the Vice President, and the leadership of the Majority in Parliament as well as performance across the public sector confirm that leadership is a key factor in development. The NPP-led Government has demonstrated good leadership. Mr Debrah expressed the commitment and determination to transform the Korle Klottey Constituency and make education accessible to all because no society could achieve meaningful development without quality education. My people cannot be seating near the river and be thirsty. Access to education is a fundamental human right and I pledged to do everything humanly possible to implement measures to improve the quality of basic and high school education in the Constituency, he said. Korle Klottey cannot be left behind. We deserve better and Im here to mobilise our people for the transformation of the Constituency. I was encouraged by party members and the people of my constituency to contest the primaries and unseat the current NDC MP who has failed to develop the area and I will not relent on my efforts to win the seat for the NPP. Mr Debrah said empowering the youth was another major priority on his calendar and that he would support needy but brilliant students to access higher education and provide vocational skills training for those interested to improve their standard of living. The people of Korle Klottey know me very well and I can say very confidently that the spirit of Osu is behind me. We are winning the seat massively. He said the party had put structures in place to prevent incidents that led to NPP losing the seat in 2016, adding: Now all signs and statistics point to a massive win for the NPP both in the Presidential and Parliamentary polls come December 7. 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 Samsung has announced Galaxy S20 series recently, now the images and detailed specifications of the S20 Fan Edition has surfaced. It reveals a 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O Displays with 120Hz refresh rate, powered by Snapdragon 865 (5G) / Exynos 990 (4G) SoC depending on the market and up 6GB RAM. It is said to feature in-display Fingerprint Scanner, run Android 10 with OneUI and feature Glasstic back instead of glass in the S20 Ultra. The phone is said to feature a 12-megapixel primary sensor with OIS, 12-megapixel Ultra Wide Lens with a 123-degree field of view and 12-megapixel Telephoto lens with OIS with 3X optical zoom and a 32-megapixel front-facing camera. It is expected to come with IP68 water and dust resistance and a 4500mAh battery with support for fast charging. Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition rumoured specifications 6.5-inch Full HD+ (2400 1080 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity-O Display, 407 PPI, 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 7nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 650 GPU / Octa-Core Samsung Exynos 990 7nm EUV processor with ARM Mali-G77MP11 GPU 6GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB storage (UFS 3.1) Android 10 with OneUI 2 12MP rear camera with LED Flash, f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, OIS, 12MP Telephoto lens with 33 FoV, f/2.0 aperture, PDAF, OIS, 3X Optic Zoom, 12MP 123 Ultra Wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture 32MP front-facing camera with 81 wide-angle lens, f/2.0 aperture Water and dust resistant (IP68) Stereo speakers tuned by AKG Fingerprint Sensor Dimensions: 74.5 x 159.8 x 8.4 mm; Weight: 190g 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5, GPS with GLONASS, USB 3.1, NFC, MST 4500mAh (typical) with 15W fast charging The Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition is expected to come in White, Blue, Orange, Lavender, Green and Red colours. It is aid to be introduced in late September or early October. Source With a few COVID-19 vaccines already in phase 3 and final trials, and several more nearing the final phase, the race for a vaccine is becoming heated. Though the researchers have not even shared an ETA yet, concerns about potential rejection from anti-vaxxers have already been raised in the past months. According to a 2019 article published in The Lancet, vaccine hesitancy, which is the refusal of vaccines or delay in accepting vaccines, has been around since the first vaccine was developed. However, with the advent of social media, anti-vaccination messages are spreading more quickly than ever before. The article suggested that a lot of people have difficulty accepting a vaccine because of their concerns about vaccine safety, general distrust and the many conspiracy theories doing the rounds. Here are five common myths associated with vaccines and the truth behind them. Myth 1: There is no proof that vaccines are safe. Truth: Most vaccines go through several levels of testing, both for their safety and immunogenicity before they are made available to the masses. The studies and their results are available in various journals and government websites. An article published on the website of Rush University Medical Center suggests that one of the best ways to notice the efficacy and safety of vaccines is the gradual reduction in the number of cases of a particular disease soon after a vaccine became available against it. Myth 2: Proper sanitation and hygiene can eliminate disease Truth: As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), previous incidences have shown that if we avoid or, worse, stop vaccination, certain diseases would come back and may cause outbreaks. The most recent example is from the UK, which the WHO no longer considers to be free of measles due to reduction in MMR vaccination and an increase in measles cases. It is also worth noting that it is difficult to ensure hygiene and sanitation. COVID-19 cases have been increasing in the past eight months despite widespread information about the importance of handwashing, masks and hygiene maintenance. In fact, there have been conspiracy theories around precautionary measures like mask use, even while research studies have shown that masks may be effective in reducing the spread of the disease. Myth 3: Not getting vaccinated will only affect me Truth: It is apparent from the recent measles outbreaks that this is not really true. To prevent an outbreak, a certain number of people have to be immunised in an area to reach what is called herd immunity. The more people reject vaccines, the higher are the chances of a new outbreak of a disease. Myth 4: A lot of people get the disease they were vaccinated against. Truth: Vaccines are made from a weaker, inactivated or killed version of a pathogen or a part of it. Upon exposure to a vaccine, your body will develop immunity against the disease the vaccine targeted, without you ever developing the disease. This is because a vaccine makes your immune system believe that you have been exposed to the disease. However, there is a catch: not all vaccines are 100 percent effective. So if a vaccine is 99 percent effective, 1onepercent of people will not develop immunity to it even after getting vaccinated. Such people are susceptible to the disease and may get it. However, this does not mean that the vaccine wasnt effective. The WHO explains this with an example of a class of 1,000 students where all but five are unvaccinated against a disease and the vaccine is more than 99 percent effective. In case the class is exposed to a pathogen, all five unvaccinated will get the disease and out of the rest 995, less than 1 percent (say 7) get the disease too. The total number of cases would be 12 instead of 1000. Myth 5: Vaccines contain ingredients harmful to the body Truth: Experts suggest that any ingredient is harmful when taken in large amounts. Vaccines do contain certain ingredients like formaldehyde, and aluminium, but they are in highly minute amounts and are needed to make the vaccines safer. In fact, we are exposed to much higher amounts of these chemicals in everyday life. For example, humans consume about 30 to 50 mg of aluminium in food and drinking water every day, while vaccines have no more than 0.125 to 0.625 mg of aluminium in a single dose. Similarly, formaldehyde in vaccines is much lower than what we are exposed to through cosmetics, paint, automobile exhaust, and furnishings like carpets and upholstery. For more information, read our article on How vaccines are made. Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, Indias first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said that the government is committed to reducing the air pollution level in 122 most polluted cities. Speaking at a webinar on the first-ever International Day of Clean Air For Blue Skies, Javadekar underscored the problem of air pollution and said that in 2014, the government launched the Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring and currently the pollution levels are being tracked on eight parameters. The minister also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing the issue of air pollution in his Independence Day speech and putting across the goal of Holistic improvement in air quality in 100 cities. Prime Minister himself is determined to bring this change, said the union Environment Minister. Javadekar along with Minister of State Babul Supriyo and Secretary, Ministry of Environment, R P Gupta launched a brochure on Integrated Measures to Combat Air Pollution under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The Minister said that with the country now having migrated to BS-VI standards, quality petrol and diesel is provided in the country, which is an important initiative to fight against pollution. He said that in the last few years, roads and highways are being constructed by the government at a record pace and due to this less pollution is taking place in comparison to previous times. Stressing that states must now work with city-specific plans, as every city has a different source of pollution the Environment Minister said that the use of the electric vehicle must be encouraged. He said brick kilns in various states should adopt zig-zag technology to reduce pollution emerging out of them. The Union Minister said that people participation is must to clean the air. Car-pooling and use of public transport must be promoted. In January 2019, the Environment Ministry had launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to tackle the problem of air pollution in a comprehensive manner with a target to achieve 20 to 30 per cent reduction in PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year. The plan identified earlier 102 non-attainment cities, across 23 States and Union Territories. 20 more non-attainment cities have been included under NCAP based on latest data trend on air quality. The webinar which was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the occasion of first-ever International Day of Clean Air For Blue Skies was attended by Principal Secretaries of the Urban Development Department and Environment Department of 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Commissioner of 122 cities as identified in NCAP programme also participated and put forth their experiences and best practices. The General Assembly of United Nations on December 19, 2019, adopted a resolution to observe the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on September 07 every year starting from 2020. Advertisement While much of Hollywood appears to still be in lockdown mode, actress Zoe Saldana is making sure to enjoy a well-deserved break. On Sunday - over a sizzling hot Labor Day Weekend in Los Angeles - Zoe, 42, was pictured splashing around with her husband-of-seven-years Marco Perego Saldana, 41, who famously took his wife's last name when they tied the knot in 2013. An unprecedented heat wave has swept Southern California this weekend, with a record 121 degrees forcing much of the pubic to hit the beach, including celebrities like Zoe. The married couple have been spotted in Malibu, California, over the last few days spending time at the ocean with their three children, five-year-old twin sons Bowie Ezio and Cy Aridio, and another son Zen, three. Mellow yellow! Zoe Saldana, 42, looked sensational as she splashed around a beach in Malibu, California on Sunday, as she enjoyed Labor Day Weekend with her husband Marco Last week, the Guardians of the Galaxy star shared a rare snap of herself with her brood, as they all appeared to be dressed in wet suits ahead of some fun in the ocean. She wrote alongside the snap: 'Nothing brings me more joy than loving on my boys all day long. To ensure I can protect my kids' future, I am taking a stand against climate change and making a pinky promise to 'vote like a madre.' Zoe added: 'All the madre's out there, will you join me?' Wow: Zoe Saldana is sizzling hot as she shows off her stunning figure in bright yellow swimsuit for a day at the beach with husband Marco in Malibu Bliss: Zoe was pictured splashing around with her husband-of-seven-years Marco Perego Saldana, 41, who famously took his wife's name when they married in 2013 Capturing precious moments: The Avatar star took a moment to take in the view of the ocean with a snap on her iPhone Still going strong: The loved-up pair were seen holding hands as they battled through strong waves together The married couple have been spotted in Malibu, California, over the last few days spending time at the ocean with their three children, five-year-old twin sons Bowie Ezio and Cy Aridio, and another son Zen, three. Union: The Blood Ties actress and beau Marco secretly tied the knot in London in June 2013 in front of just family and friends Last year, the Avatar star explained how she and her husband Marco have been raising their children in a gender-neutral environment, shying away from making their sons only play with toys that are aimed at boys. 'We have a very gender-neutral environment where my husband participates in a lot of tasks that were normally given to women and vice versa,' she said in an interview with UsWeekly. 'I get to do a lot of male things, which is, I don't know, put the TV together, fix things that break. We're sort of a very gender-fluid household. I think it's important to raise boys in that environment, and girls as well.' True love: The married couple looked like honeymooners as they gazed at one another while on the beach Meanwhile, despite lockdown, Zoe is still as busy and in-demand as ever, currently filming not one but two sequels of the hit sci-fi epic Avatar. Even though the first film - Avatar 2 - won't hit cinemas until December 2021, Zoe has been hard at work reprising her role of Neytiri alongside cast members Sam Worthington, Kate Winslet and Cliff Curtis. In May, the official Avatar account shared a snap of Zoe, Sam, Kate and Cliff on an underwater set, where they were filming performance capture work. Group fun: The pair also appeared to be joined by another family member on their day out Last days of summer: Zoe, Marco, and their pals, all appear to have been spending the last few weeks in Malibu together Cute family: Zoe has been spending time at the ocean with their three children, five-year-old twin sons Bowie Ezio and Cy Aridio, and another son Zen, three (pictured above last week) 'From the set of the sequels: Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Kate Winslet, and Cliff Curtis taking a break from underwater performance capture for a quick photo," the official Avatar movie account tweeted. 'Fun fact: Much of the performance capture took place in this 900,000 gallon tank, built specifically for the sequels.' It's been a long ride for Zoe and the cast, as the production on the two movies shut down in March due to the coronavirus. However, they were able to start back up in New Zealand, where the country as a whole has handled the pandemic a lot better than the US, thanks to female prime minister Jacinda Aldern. It's a very cold and hollow Leaving Cert results day in comparison with previous years as students forego the celebratory hugs and handshakes with teachers and classmates as they share the results of the most intense exams of their school careers. Results were available online from 9am this morning, and students were required to log on to view them, rather than take the traditional trip to school where they could open those brown envelops with friends, parents or teachers. But that hasn't stopped Lanesboro Community College from ensuring students have that outlet to discuss their results with teachers. In fact, this year's Leaving Cert class at LCC have been able to make appointments to see their teachers and to discuss their results, with solid support available from the chaplain and all staff at the school should they need it. "The results are in line with the expectations we've had. They're very, very good," said Deputy Principal, Michael Lyons, who spoke to the Leader this morning. "They're on a trajectory with the results the school has had over the last few years. There are students with A1s, A2s, some with five A1s. And there are students that would've come in with difficulties who have performed really well. "The results this year are as good as any other year. But what'll tell the tale will be the CAO and the points required for different courses," he hastened to add. "I would envision the vast majority of our students will have the points for their chosen course but we're ready to help and support anybody that needs it." This day every year calls into question the potential reformation of the Leaving Certificate Examinations, with many students and teachers of the past speaking up on the need for change to the system. But now that students have had to go without that milestone rite of passage, Mr Lyons believes that a total reformation would not go down well. "Most students would say they want the exams. They want that rite of passage. Most kids like the opportunity to show what they've learned and to show what they can do," he explained. "And I think in years to come, a lot of them might look back and say they would have liked that opportunity." Read also: Wait finally over for Longford students as Leaving Cert results are due to be released It was certainly a very different year for students but no less stressful as so many of them struggled with at-home learning, without face-to-face interaction with teachers, and with the stress of waiting to hear whether they would have to sit exams during Covid-19 or not. But could this new system be something that is woven into the traditional learning system to create a new structure for students in their senior cycle? "I wonder if you had a system with continuous assessment and the exams, are you putting more pressure on people?" Mr Lyons mused. "Are you just adding the extra bit of work to keep you on your toes? There's already an element of continuous assessment built in at the moment, with projects and oral exams. I wonder what would you do if you deprived people of the chance to sit exams. "It's a rite of passage. It's a chance for them to say 'I can do that'. I've been involved in the Leaving Cert for many years now and it's hard for the first day or so, but they get into it. And they spent two years preparing for it. This is something they work towards for longer than two years and then suddenly they don't get to do it. "Students are preparing and working hard for this. So whatever happens in the future, there should be more opportunity for practical elements and an element of learning to be tested, but you can't really replace the Leaving Cert." Today should have been a day that the school was buzzing with activity but, with Covid-19 restrictions in place and all students back to school under new regulations, it couldn't quite work out that way. "It's a good day for the school; it's a good day for the teachers and it's a good day for the students. And the students are coming in to see us themselves. They could make appointments to chat to their teachers," said Mr Lyons. "We missed them and we missed the graduation, so hopefully if things settle down, we can celebrate this wonderful achievement of such a great class. "We're going to have to find other ways of celebrating and being together because we can't let go of those moments, otherwise what do we have left? It's very hollow." Read also: Leaving Certificate Helpline 2020 will deliver one to one advice Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 30, 2020. (Sean Davey/Getty Images) Home-Grown Sovereign Vaccines Bring Hope for Australia: Prime Minister The Australian government has ordered 84.8 million doses of two CCP virus vaccine candidates developed by the University of Queensland and Oxford University. Most of the vaccine units will be manufactured in Australia and available for release from mid-2021. About 3.8 million vaccine units will be imported and available in early 2021. A home-grown sovereign plan for vaccines is the hope I bring Australia today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Monday, going on to say that Victoria, in particular, needed some hope. Morrison said a sovereign vaccine plan gives Australia the capacity to produce the vaccine in the country. That is giving us a sovereign capacity to get Australians what they will need, should both of those vaccines prove a success as they go through those trials, Morrison said. Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters the early phase results show strong antibody responses and strong T-cell responses to the vaccines in trials. He went on to say the vaccine will be voluntary and is about ensuring Australians can return to the lifestyles they love. The deal was signed between the global biotech company CSL and Australia. A separate deal was signed between CSL and AstraZeneca for approximately 30 million doses of an Oxford University-developed vaccine candidate, AZD1222, for supply to Australia in early 2021, following successful clinical trials. The total number of vaccines ordered by the government is based on a two-dose per person regime and will cost $1.7 billion. CSL CEO & Managing Director Paul Perreault said on Sept. 6: The social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a high level of urgency to the task of developing a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and to manufacture a successful vaccine at high quality and in sufficient quantities. CSL said it had been working fast to develop the vaccines together with partners including the University of Queensland and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI). The deal is between CSLs influenza vaccines company, Seqirus, who will hold regulatory responsibility as the marketing authorisation holder, and the Australian government. Production of the vaccine to support late-stage clinical trials has commenced at CSLs biotech manufacturing facilities in Broadmeadows, Melbourne. Congress minister slams Kangana Ranaut over her comments on Gandhi; calls her 'dancer girl' During Mumbai visit, Himachal govt may extend Kanganas security India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to provide security to Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut in the state and is also considering extending it during her upcoming visit to Mumbai, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said here on Sunday. The Chief Minister disclosed it while talking to reporters after a BJP legislature party meet here. This is our duty to provide her security as she is a daughter of Himachal Pradesh and a celebrity, he added. Responding to reporters' queries, Thakur said that both Kangana Ranaut's sister and her father have approached the government seeking security for the actor. "Her sister telephoned me yesterday and talked to me. Her father too had written to the state police seeking security. So I have asked DGP to give her security in the state," said Thakur. The actor has also a programme to visit Mumbai on September 9 for which the government is considering to provide her security during the visit also, he added. The chief minister, however, refused to say anything on Kangana Ranaut's recent remarks on actor Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide case, stating that the matter is being investigated. He also avoided answering questions on the alleged threats given by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut to the actor. Witnessed our lowest: Bollywood lashes out at media for mobbing Rhea Chakraborty at NCB office Earlier on Sunday, Raut demanded that the actor Ranaut apologise for her comments against Mumbai and Maharashtra. Ranaut in a tweet recently had compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). "Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir?" Ranaut had asked recently in a tweet, tagging with it a September 1 news report where Raut purportedly had said she should not come back to Mumbai if she was afraid of the city police. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, September 7, 2020, 11:57 [IST] - Lionel Messi earlier told Barcelona new manager Ronald Koeman he was leaving - The Argentine handed the club his transfer request, but made a dramatic transfer U-turn - Messi arrived Barcelona training two days after agreeing to stay at the club PAY ATTENTION: Click 'See First' under 'Follow' Tab to see Tuko.co.ke news on your FB Feed Lionel Messi has returned to join his team-mates in Barcelona after he resumed training with the squad on Monday, September 7, following his dramatic transfer u-turn. The six-time Ballon dOr winner stunned the world when he handed the Catalans his transfer request, with further reports indicating he already agreed personal terms with Manchester City. READ ALSO: Mason Greenwood, Foden sanctioned after they were caught bringing girls to England camp READ ALSO: Man City's Riyad Mahrez, Laporte test positive for coronavirus However, the Argentine was seen driving into the clubs training ground on Monday for the first time after the debacle - and will be training under new boss Ronald Koeman ahead of the new season. And this is coming barely two weeks after the 33-year-old told new Barcelona handler Koeman that he no longer saw his future at the Nou Camp after the side's failings last term. READ ALSO: Chelsea news: Ziyech, Chilwell and James doubts for Brighton opener Last season, Barcelona had their worst campaign ever in a term in which the Catalans failed to win any trophy for the first time in 12 years. They suffered an embarrassing defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal in a result that saw Quique Setien fired as manager. After being appointed as the new manager at Barcelona, Koeman decided to meet his wards to discuss how they will succeed as from next season with Messi telling him he is leaving. Lionel Messi arrive Barcelona training. Photo Credit: Getty Images Source: Getty Images READ ALSO: PSG director Leonardo claims Neymar, Mbappe are world's best players The Argentine has, however, agreed to finish his remaining one year contract at Barcelona as the club insisted their star man has a 629million buyout clause - and should he attempt to leave, the said amount must be paid. The players father Jorge also waded into the whole saga, personally flying into Barcelona, to talk to the club chiefs including president Josep Bartomeu. Inter Milan, Man United and a few other clubs had reportedly showed interest in the Argentine who has now decided to commit another season to the Catalan club. Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Tuko news. Women are all over me, my wife should be saved and respectful -Stivo Simpleboy | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Representative image Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has confirmed that the phase III clinical trials of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine will begin in India from September. The third phase of the clinical trials of the Russian coronavirus vaccine will also be conducted in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Philippines, and Brazil, reported News 18. Dmitriev also informed that the preliminary results of the Phase III Sputnik V trials will be published by October-November 2020. For live updates on coronavirus, click here The development comes as Russia had expressly shown interest in partnering with India to produce the COVID-19 vaccine. Besides, India was among the 20 nations that were interested in being part of Sputnik Vs phase-III trials. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show After Russia registered Sputnik V as the worlds first COVID-19 vaccine on August 11 jointly developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed confidence in the efficacy of the vaccine even in the face of reasonable doubt. Track all COVID-19 vaccine development news here. During his visit to Moscow for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, Singh had said he is confident the Russian coronavirus vaccine will be effective. However, last week, the Lancet journal came out with a paper confirming that Sputnik V has passed early tests and also produced an antibody response in all 76 participants, without any serious adverse effect. Follow our coverage of the coronavirus crisis here A filmmaker has captured the first images of White Island since the New Zealand volcano erupted and killed 21 people on Dec. 9 last year. Geoff Mackley went out to the island, 70 kilometres off the North Island coast, and sent up a drone to capture 'eerie' images of how the volcanic island looks now, ten months on from the disaster. Forty-seven people were on the island when its volcano erupted, and only 26 people made it out alive, many with lifelong disfiguring and painful scarring. Mackley said it was unnerving being out at the island, saying he 'thought about what went on out there and how terrible it would have been.' A filmmaker has captured the first images of White Island less than a year after its volcano erupted and killed 21 people Geoff Mackley stopped his boat near the shoreline of the death trap that sits just 70 kilometres off New Zealand's North Island Although Mackley kept a safe distance away, he could still smell the sulphur emanating from the island The few man-made structures on the island were obliterated by the eruption, with an abandoned helicopter the only physical reminder of the island's former status as a tourist drawcard. Trips out to the island once brought in more than $4million a year but it is now deserted, with the layers of ash a reminder of the disaster. 'It's not like it was before, where there was clearly defined tracks,' Mackley said. 'They've been totally obliterated. It's like no-one has ever been there. So yeah, it's pretty eerie.' It was now deemed too dangerous for tourists to return, and Mackley himself kept a safe distance. 'I know that it can blow up without warning at any time,' he told Stuff. 'It's Russian roulette. 'Somethings not highly likely to happen today, but if you were going out there every day, something will happen eventually.' The eruption trapped tourists on the island, many unable to outrun the plumes of acidic gas and ash that surrounded them. Some saw their entire families wiped out, others suffered excruciating burns to nearly all of their bodies and many have undergone dozens of surgeries or been placed into long comas. Among the list of victims was Melbourne father Paul Browitt and his 21-year-old daughter Krystal. His 23-year-old daughter Stephanie received third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body and lost a number of her fingers. She was one of the few survivors who was airlifted off the island by a rescue helicopter. What was once a tourism hotspot that brought in more than $4million a year, was now a deserted and burned up wasteland The burned skeletal remains of tourism buildings stand alone and look ready to tumble at any moment A damaged helicopter with a broken blade is one of the few things that remains standing on the island The eruption trapped tourists on the island, many unable to outrun the plumes of acidic gas and ash that surrounded them Photographs showed only one, damaged helicopter remains on the island. The force of the eruption had lifted the vehicle off its landing pad and badly bent one of its main rotor blades. The burned remains of a building are one of the few things still standing on the abandoned island Authorities have stopped anyone from visiting the island since its eruption in December 2019 Mackley lamented the fact there were plenty of hours in the day when the island was deserted and the volcano could have erupted Considering the barriers to online learning, which included technology, engagement and economic stress, Hairston said she was happy that the graduation rate did not plummet. "I was very nervous about the climate that children were being asked to navigate in, but our students, in my opinion, overcame tremendous obstacles." In 2008, the district set a goal of having 90% of its students graduate in four years by 2018. It got as high as 86.5% in 2017 but moving the needle into the high-80s has been difficult. When that goal was set, the district's four-year graduation rate was 70.8%, and there was steady progress each year until 2015 when the rate began to hover between 84 to 86%. Hairston said she would like to see the district reach the 90% goal in the next year or two, but she said it will take engaging students as soon as they enter high school. "Cohort graduation rate actually begins in ninth grade," she said. "Schools and districts must have a plan at every level, where they see that a student is not engaging." The Queensland government will pass laws this week that will force priests to report sex abuse, introduce jail time for employers who rip off their workers, and allow the government to carve out a $3 billion election war chest. Treasurer Cameron Dick will introduce appropriation bills to allow the government to borrow $4 billion over the forward estimates, of which $3 billion was expected to be used to announce major projects in the lead-up to the state election on October 31. Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick delivers an economic update ahead of the state election. Mr Dick said the $4 billion would used for coronavirus economic recovery measures. In the coming weeks and up until the election, we plan to make allocations from that additional $4 billion in stimulus, Mr Dick said. Donald Trump claims his description of correspondence with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as love letters was sarcasm, though the president has previously called them beautiful letters and claimed they fell in love as the two men developed a relationship that officials have warned against. The president lashed out at former national security chief John Bolton, whose book about his experience at the White House the administration sought to block from publication. Just heard that Wacko John Bolton was talking of the fact that I discussed love letters from Kim Jong Un as though I viewed them as just that," he wrote on Twitter. "Obviously, was just being sarcastic. Bolton was such a jerk! The president has frequently touted his good relationship with North Koreas supreme leader, whose diplomatic dispatches White House officials have reportedly referred to as love letters" as the president bragged about their contents to supporters. But their correspondence, as the administration argued for North Koreas denuclearisation and North Korea sought influence and legitimacy on a global stage, appeared to undermine human rights abuses under the regime, while their relationship has been exploited in propaganda. At a campaign rally in West Virginia in September 2018, the president said: I was really being tough, and so was he. And we would go back and forth. And then we fell in love, OK? No, really. He wrote me beautiful letters, and theyre great letters. We fell in love. He then claimed that the press would report that Donald Trump said they fell in love. A few months earlier, the men had met in Singapore, after which the president declared that North Korea was no longer a nuclear threat. They held a second meeting in February 2019. Their relationship has reportedly soured into a dark nightmare over the following years as North Korea vowed in 2020 to expand its nuclear programme, the countys foreign minister announced earlier this year. The president has frequently dismissed criticisms and concerns about his rhetoric by deploying sarcasm as an excuse, often to sow distrust among his supporters against critics holding him accountable for his statements. Over Labor Day weekend, the president also claimed that Democrats, media outlets and social media platforms have launched a massive disinformation campaign creating false stories to undermine him, following the publication of a story in The Atlantic and corroborated by reporting from several other news outlets, including Fox News, revealing that the president had repeatedly disparaged the military and veterans. He previously claimed that his suggestion that disinfectant and ultraviolet or just very powerful light could be used to treat coronavirus patients was a very sarcastic question and was spitballing ideas. The president also said his repeated claims that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton founded" Isis was sarcasm, though he told supporters in 2016 that his remarks were not that sarcastic, to be honest with you. In a string of now-deleted posts on Twitter in April, he said that reporters who earn a "Noble" prize for investigations into Russian interference in US elections (there is no such prize for journalism) should be sued, and that the prizes should be returned "to the REAL REPORTERS & JOURNALISTS who got it right." He later claimed that he misspelled Nobel to make a point, pointing to the definition of noble as having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals." "Does sarcasm ever work?" he said. Scommerce: Going the distance The company, better known in Vietnam by its two main brands of GHN and AhaMove, had to be nimble in recent months. As governments and companies scrambled to contain the outbreak and introduce safe management processes, Scommerce and other logistics companies have seen the rising demand for their services. The first week of the outbreak was a bit of a fire drill for us all but we quickly adapted our operations to meet new government requirements, said Hang. Despite these challenges, Scommerce considers itself lucky that it operates in an essential sector that is less impacted by COVID-19. We have tried our best to keep everyone on the payroll while fighting in a very competitive market, she added. Forging partnerships We started working with Standard Chartered when we didnt have much money. So I give the bank a lot of credit for believing in us. Hang also credits the management teams foresight and the right partnerships for Scommerces rapid growth. Founded in 2012, Scommerce offers its logistics services to millions of Vietnamese merchants and consumers today. The logistics industry is growing rapidly and we managed to get a headstart just as e-commerce companies were finding their footing in Vietnam, she explained. An early-mover advantage may have played a part in helping Scommerce establish its footing, but the teams vision of itself as more of a technology business rather than just a logistics player, is also one of its main strengths. We must be one of the very few players, if not the only one, where none of our founders had any experience in logistics, Hang said. We built the company from scratch by responding to what customers wanted. We are in an industry that is growing very fast and as our customers become more sophisticated over time, we have had to build the technology and operational infrastructure to meet their fast-evolving needs. Through the early years of Scommerce, Hang remembers one partner that has stood by her company. Standard Chartered, which is present across all 10 ASEAN member states including Vietnam, partnered with Scommerce when the latter was looking for a strategic banking partner. Hang credits the financial and advisory support provided by the bank as an important catalyst for the companys growth. We started working with Standard Chartered when we didnt have much money. We were a fast-growing logistics company but we didnt make any profit and we had little capital. So I give the bank a lot of credit for believing in us, said Hang. About 85 per cent of our e-commerce transactions in Vietnam are cash-on-delivery (COD), so the amount of money we handle can come up to a few million dollars a day. All of this money is in change, or in VND, all over Vietnam. To improve these processes, we wanted a bank who could provide us with more seamless trade-related financing solutions and we eventually found that with Standard Chartered, she added. The bank is also the first in Vietnam to implement virtual accounts; other banks in the country have since followed suit and started to offer similar services. Nirukt Sapru, CEO for Standard Chartered in Vietnam, ASEAN, and South Asia Cluster Markets shared, We offer instant FAST Pay 24/7 and our banks own payment gateway (Straight2Bank) to facilitate Scommerces merchants, clients, and operators so that they can process their orders in a timely, real-time manner by cooperating with local fintechs like NAPAS and VNPay. While Scommerce is now an established player, it had to grow quickly and having someone to hold your hand through that process has been helpful. Standard Chartered has been one step ahead of anticipating our needs. We didnt know what its like to run a huge business so having that level of support was very assuring and something I think growing companies need, Hang said. We constantly invest in our capabilities to ensure that we offer clients the right solutions they need for their development and success and the bank has continued to introduce solutions around the clients working capital cycle and provide financial institutions access to funding, Sapru explained. The bank has also expanded its mobile wallet capabilities to both payment and collections and implemented electronic tax payment services to help clients pay taxes and custom duties with ease and convenience. And, as an indication of their strong working relationship, Scommerce chose Standard Chartered to help them execute a number of significant mergers and acquisitions one of the 10 largest deals in Vietnam in 2019. Keeping ahead of the curve Meanwhile, the logistics landscape in Vietnam has become more challenging in recent years, with regional players, including NinjaVan, J&T, and Best Inc. moving in. E-commerce platforms have also started establishing their own in-house logistics. According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, the countrys $40 billion logistics industry comprises around 30,000 logistics companies, including 4,000 international players. However, Hang of Scommerce said that the company sees its independence as a selling point. Being an independent company allows us to work with different types of customers and really forces us to keep optimising on both costs and operations to stay competitive. We must prove to our customers that we are as good as, if not better than, their in-house services, she said. To remain at the cutting edge, Scommerce has started to invest in its automation facility to further develop its existing infrastructure and optimise delivery costs for merchants. It counts, among its partners, Vietnams four largest e-commerce platforms Shopee, Tiki, Sendo, and Lazada as well as over 100,000 small- and medium-sized online merchants. These investments have paid off in the current climate. Hang said the COVID-19 pandemic helped the organisation refocus on its business fundamentals: customers, operations, technology, and costs. We have spent the past six months improving our customer touchpoints, both online via our customer portal and apps, as well as offline via our delivery fleet. This is on top of ensuring a top-of-market performance measured by lead-time and reliability metrics, she said. Technology constantly evolves to adapt with operational and customer demands. SME sellers in Vietnam are quite tech-savvy, and demand transparency and usability across our tech products. Obviously, the COVID-19 context also urges the management team to examine cost efficiency more thoroughly, Hang said. When we started, we wanted to be like a technology business so we built everything from scratch. That gave us a huge advantage because our customer base is made up largely of e-commerce customers. Standard Chartered is also supporting Scommerces future growth trajectory. They recently approved the request for a short-term credit facility to support their business operations amid the still-evolving COVID-19 situation. What constantly impresses us is the resilience and entrepreneurial mindset and spirit of the Vietnamese people, and our merchants are working very hard to grow their online businesses, Hang concluded. Our goal is to continue to provide the most reliable service to online merchants and omnichannel businesses. We aim to stay at the top of the market and the top of mind for customers with logistics needs. Textron Inc.s TXT Bell segment recently clinched a contract for manufacturing eight UH-1Y and four AH-1Z helicopters. The majority of the work related to the deal is scheduled to be completed in Fort Worth, TX. Valued at $272.2 million, the contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD. Post completion, these helicopters will be delivered to the government of the Czech Republic. Textron is expected to complete the deal by November 2023. Growing Helicopter Demand & Textron A rapid increase in terror attacks has compelled nations to strengthen their arsenal and bump up defense budget. With the United States being the largest exporter of defense equipment across the world, the nation enjoys a steady flow of contracts for its combat-proven weaponries from both Pentagon and its foreign allies. With military jets and helicopters constituting a major portion of a nations armaments, there is a steady flow of contracts for these weaponries. With Bell copters capturing a major share of the military helicopter space, thanks to their advanced mission capabilities, the AH-1Z and UH-1Y models enjoy a decent demand drive across the globe. Notably, Bell AH-1Zs Target Sight System provides the longest range and highest accuracy of any helicopter sight in the world. On the other hand, sharing 85% commonality with the AH-1Z, the Bell UH-1Y is the only utility helicopter built to simplify maintenance, training, and supply efforts. The unique features of these helicopters have made them all the more desirable in the combat helicopter market. How Will the Deal Aid Textron? Textron's Bell segment is one of the leading suppliers of advanced military helicopters to the U.S. government and military customers outside the United States and secures pivotal contracts like the latest one. Apart from supplying helicopters, the segment also provides invaluable support to offshore petroleum exploration and development, emergency medical helicopter operators, and foreign governments. Story continues Impressively, amid the coronavirus-led uncertainty, Bell segments revenues recorded solid 6.6% year-over-year growth in the second quarter of 2020. This indicates that its products still enjoy solid demand in the defense space and will continue to boost its growth trajectory. The latest contract win is yet another testament to that. Looking Ahead Per a Morder Intelligence report, the global attack helicopter market is expected to witness CAGR of more than 4% during 2020-2025 time period. Such growth can be attributed to the rise in global threats, geopolitical instabilities and increased spending on defense. These projections should continue to boost growth for major combat helicopter producers like Textron, Boeing BA and Lockheed Martin LMT. Price Performance In a years time, Textron has lost 18.8% compared with the industrys decline of 29.6%. Zacks Rank & Key Picks Textron currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked company in the same sector is Teledyne Technologies TDY, which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Teledyne delivered four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 earnings has moved up 4.8% to $9.75 in the past 90 days. Just Released: Zacks 7 Best Stocks for Today Experts extracted 7 stocks from the list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys that has beaten the market more than 2X over with a stunning average gain of +24.3% per year. These 7 were selected because of their superior potential for immediate breakout. See these time-sensitive tickers now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Boeing Company (BA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Textron Inc. (TXT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (TDY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Stevo Pendarovski, President of the Republic of North Macedonia. "Dear Mr. President, I cordially congratulate you and your people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the countrys national holiday the Independence Day. I believe that the development of friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia will further serve the interests of our peoples. On this festive day, I convey my best wishes to you, and wish everlasting prosperity to your friendly people," the letter said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Earlier this year, the organizers of one of San Antonios largest annual conferences still were hopeful that at least part of the event could be held in person. The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium draws thousands of physicians, researchers and academics from across the globe to the Convention Center each December for discussions and presentations on the specialtys most cutting-edge research. This year, its 8,000-plus attendees were projected to book 21,100 hotel room nights and generate an estimated $14.1 million in economic revenue, according to Visit San Antonio. But this summer, as the coronavirus surged across San Antonio, sickening tens of thousands of people, it became increasingly clear that there was no safe way to host a multiday indoor event with thousands of people. It would be the perfect environment for the virus to spread, and many of the physicians who would normally attend were restricted by their institutions from traveling because of the pandemic. So, for the first time in its 43-year history, SABCS will go completely virtual. On ExpressNews.com: I belong here: Advocate works to raise profile of black women with breast cancer This is going to be an interesting year, said Dr. Virginia Kaklamani, SABCS co-director and head of the breast disease program at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, one of the symposiums main sponsors. SABCS, which is scheduled for Dec. 8-12, typically holds a combination of lectures, educational sessions, workshops, research presentations and career development opportunities across the Convention Center. In moving all that programming online, the challenge will be making the events as interactive as possible, Kaklamani said, something other major medical conferences have struggled to do. Out of necessity, many of the talks will be prerecorded to ensure the event is not bogged down with technical glitches. However, organizers are focusing much of their efforts on enabling some version of the questions, discussions and debates that normally are a feature of SABCS. Sessions will occur in multiple channels, and moderators will sort through submitted questions, said Dr. Ruben Mesa, director of the Mays Cancer Center. The sessions will be archived and uploaded online. Some of the programming will focus on the intersection between cancer and COVID-19, which poses a heightened risk to current and future cancer patients. Early research indicates that COVID increases mortality rates in active cancer patients, Mesa said, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy. On ExpressNews.com: He was embarrassed by his breast cancer diagnosis. Now, he wants others to know that men are at risk, too. The pandemic also has disrupted screenings and other types of preventative care that can identify cancers at earlier stages. Cancer diagnoses are down this year, Mesa said, a worrisome trend. Some cancers, including those that form in the breast, can be so aggressive that even a delay of weeks makes a difference. Its a huge concern that were going to really see many more individuals pass away from cancer, from potentially curable cancers that were caught late because of fear of COVID, he said. Based on other medical conferences that have taken place this year, Mesa and Kaklamani are hopeful that attendance at this years SABCS could be higher, perhaps significantly so, as it will be accessible to more people online than it would be in person. It also will be more cost effective registration fees have been reduced by 75 percent. This years conference ultimately could be more difficult to plan than a live event, Kaklamani said. Still, there was no scenario in which it would be canceled altogether. It is the largest and most impactful breast cancer-focused conference in the world, Mesa said. Doctors attend this and hear updates from it that impact the care that theyre delivering to their patients that very week. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Lauren, become a subscriber. lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba By PTI BURDWAN: Wonders will never cease found out a man who lost his smartphone in a shop and was returned it a few days later by the person who stole it as he could not operate the device. Police said on Monday that the man left his mobile phone worth Rs 45,000 by mistake at a sweet shop at Jamalpur in East Burdwan district on September 4. The phone was soon stolen from the shop counter where it was lying by a 22-year- old person. The phone owner had lodged a complaint with the police as the phone could not be traced at the sweet shop, a police official said. He had tried to make a call in his number from another phone but found it switched off, the police said. But the situation looked up on Sunday when he repeated the attempt and the man who had stolen the phone answered the call and told him that he wanted to return the phone as he did not know how to operate it. "I was surprised when the man took the call and said he wanted to return my phone. I collected the cell phone that very day from his residence with police help," he said. "He even expressed remorse for his act," the phone owner said when asked of the man's demeanour. The police did not take any action against the man on the request of the complainant as he had returned the phone, the official added. A simple plea: save the CNE. I dont just mean giving the end-of-summer event the financial bailout it needs, though duh there shouldnt be even a tiny bit of hesitation about doing that. Last week, the Stars Francine Kopun got the scoop that the Ex is in some dire financial straits after being forced to cancel for the first time since the Second World War, but governments can and should help. Organizers are reporting about $6 million in operating losses this year, and are wondering if they can get a break on the $9 million in leasing and licensing fees they shell out to city hall each year. If a solution isnt found, CNE Executive Director Darrell Brown said, the event could be cancelled forever the Ex could be an ex-event. But that would be ridiculous. Sure, $6 million sounds like a lot, but its a rounding error when stacked up against the billions governments have been spending to stabilize other institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal, provincial and city governments can make a big show, as Premier Doug Ford suggested last week, of coming together to support the CNE, or one government could just shake out the amount needed from the COVID piggy bank and spare us the drama. But my plea isnt just about government cash. When I say save the CNE, I mean they should also preserve it. Dont change it. Back in May, when word came that the CNE would not happen this summer, Mayor John Tory floated the idea of modernizing the event. Its great fun to have the double waffle, double patty, bacon-jam-cognac-maple syrup burger, but at the end of the day, were much more than that, the mayor told reporters. There is no reason we cant put on a globally admired and wonderful attraction of the calibre of the Film Festival at the CNE. At the time, I appreciated the mayors elaborate burger description and saw his point. But as weve drifted further away from remembering what normalcy even felt like, Ive become a traditionalist. I dont want some newfangled CNE with artisanal appetizers, virtual reality games and Instagram backdrops. I want the old CNE. The same basic Ex my parents went to. The one my grandparents went to. I want the rickety rides. I want the rip-off carnival games. I want the food developed by the kind of person who looks at a recipe that combines fried chicken, doughnuts and maple syrup and doesnt ask why? but instead asks, could we add chocolate sauce? I dont think Im alone in my melancholy nostalgia for the 142-year-old Ex. Id bet, after the pandemic finally passes and the medical experts tell us gatherings are safe again, the first CNE out of the gate will attract a larger crowd than the 1.46 million who visited in 2019. No modernization needed. Where there is an opportunity for change is on the Exhibition Place grounds during the 50 weeks a year when the CNE isnt happening. The Exhibition grounds are a 78-hectare piece of waterfront land. Of that, more than nine hectares are windswept and desolate surface parking lots. Outside of the CNE and a few headliner events, the grounds are quiet for too many days. Modernization can come from changing that by creating a non-stop atmosphere that draws people in for events, activities or just hanging out in every season. Planning on this has already started. In June, the Exhibition Place Board of Governors reviewed a report detailing the first phase of a process for transforming the site by adding more park space, improving transit access and connecting to whatever new plan comes for Ontario Place. In addition to bailing out the CNE organizers, all three governments should show their support for this plan too. But dont mess with the Ex. Its a throwback to another time, but thats the whole point after a pandemic era where Torontos future feels precarious and too much has been lost, the return of the old school CNE will be a sure sign were back. Stocks to watch today: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus in Monday's trading session based on latest developments. Share Market News Live: Sensex up 50 points, Nifty at 11,330; SBI, Eicher Motors, Hero MotoCorp top gainers Automobile stocks: The much-awaited vehicle scrappage policy is in its final stages of approval and will be rolled out within a month, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday. PSU Banks stocks: Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the long-term local and foreign currency deposit ratings of Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank and Union Bank of India to Ba1 from Baa3. IL&FS: Company proposed to initiate bankruptcy proceedings for two of its offshore firms - ITNL Infrastructure Developers LLC (IIDL) and ITNL International DMCC (IIDMCC) - in courts of the UAE. Lakshmi Vilas Bank: The bank plans to raise up to Rs 1,500 crore to fund business growth and increase foreign shareholding to up to 74%. Reliance Industries: The company released a detailed plan of scheme of arrangement on Sunday that lays out the details of the proposed move to spin off its entire oil-to-chemicals assets into a separate unit. Maruti Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corp has deferred plans to sell at least 5 million cars a year in India by 2030 in a grim admission that the recovery in the domestic automotive is far away. SBI: The bank has planned a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) under which about 30,190 employees are eligible. Vodafone Idea: Telecom regulator Trai has granted additional time, till September 8, to Vodafone Idea to reply to its show-cause notice on priority plan, after the company sought more time to respond.The telco has also approved plan to raise up to Rs 25,000 crore through a combination of equity and debt instruments to keep the company afloat. HDFC: The mortgage lender said it will raise up to Rs 5,000 crore by issuing bonds on a private placement basis. South Indian Bank: Bank said its board has approved raising up to Rs 1,250 crore through a mix of equity and debt instruments. If you ignore the requirement to wear a mask on a commercial flight, you could join the more than 700 passengers who have been banned from flying on the nations largest airlines. Delta Air Lines leads all carriers, having placed 270 passengers on its no fly list for flouting its mask policy. Its followed by United Airlines, with 150; Spirit Airlines, 128; Frontier Airlines, 106; Alaska Airlines, 78; and Hawaiian Airlines, six. There might be some overlap. Airline representatives said the carriers are not sharing the names of passengers with one another, making it likely that a passenger banned from one airline can continue to fly on others. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines declined to disclose how many passengers they have banned for violating the face-covering rule. We expect our customers to comply with our policies when they choose to travel with us, and we take action when that is not the case, American Airlines spokesman Curtis Blessing said. In addition to the bans it has doled out, Seattle-based Alaska Airlines has issued 92 warnings, or yellow cards, to passengers who had to be admonished more than once on a flight for ignoring the mask policy. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all major carriers in the U.S. require that passengers over the age of 2 wear face coverings during flights except when drinking, eating or taking medicine. Airlines cannot fine violators, because federal regulators, including those in the Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Human Services, have rebuffed requests from airline workers, lawmakers and others to adopt a federal mask mandate. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has urged fliers to wear masks but has said it should be up to the airlines to enforce their own mask rules. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents nearly 50,000 flight attendants at 19 airlines, said she is glad airlines are banning passengers who ignore the mask rule but noted that flight attendants have repeatedly called for a federal mandate. Flight attendants want a federal mandate, and so do lawmakers, she said. Just like anyone smoking on a plane faces federal charges and fines, so too should people understand the serious consequences of putting the health of others at risk by refusing to wear a mask. How long a passenger remains banned from an airline depends on the airline and the behavior of the passenger during the flight when the violation took place, according to airline representatives. A Delta representative said a flier who ignores the rule can be banned for as long as the carrier requires passengers to wear masks, at a minimum. But a passenger can be barred permanently depending on his or her behavior in response to being asked to wear a mask, the Delta representative said. Hawaiian Airlines said the six passengers who were banned for flouting the mask rule wont be allowed to board one of its planes for a year. A Kano based group has urged Nigerian politicians to campaign on issues to ensure a peaceful electoral process in the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Kano. The group, Kano Youth Support Group, which claims to be a non-partisan, also said in a statement it was alarmed over clandestine social media attacks on some prominent indigenes of the state over their perceived political aspirations. Although the group did not identify any group or institution behind such activities, its chairman, Balarabe Jeje, named a prominent indigene of the state and Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Shipping, Inuwa Waya, as one of the victims of the sponsored campaigns. Although Mr Jeje said Mr Waya has not indicated any interest to vie in the race to succeed the incumbent state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, come 2023, he said some unknown persons apparently threatened by his rising political profile are suspected to be behind the character assassination campaign. It is sad to observe that some politicians riled by the bourgeoning popularity and personal goodwill of Waya among locals and elites in Kano, are taking surreptitious steps to eliminate perceived threats to their ambitions via sponsorship of phantom stories in social media against them, Mr Jeje said. The group described the alleged attacks by the unnamed groups as part of a grand plan to intimidate, harass and totally browbeat the NNPC chieftain out of contention. They know that Waya is a good material for the governorship of the state. They know that he has what it takes to perform and lift the people of the state out poverty based on his track record in the public service. Rather than wasting their energy to wage a campaign of calumny and character assassination, our advice to the sponsors is for them to dedicate and focus same on the promotion of issues of development that would guarantee the welfare of the people of the state and the electoral process, Mr Jeje stated. READ ALSO: He implored Kano indigenes and residents, particularly politicians, to desist from character assassination and allow every Nigerian who has met the requirements to exercise their rights to participate in the electoral process. During the week, the social media was abuzz with reports that Mr Waya, a former Managing Director of Duke Oil, the oil trading subsidiary of the NNPC, plans to use the monies he made through the handling of NNPCs crude oil exporting and refined products importation programme to buy his way into the Kano Government House. The reports also said Mr Waya plans to peddle his alleged closeness to both the late former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, and the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, to influence the electorate in the state. But, Mr Waya told PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday in a telephone interview that such negative rumours were the handiwork of idle political adversaries. He did not, however, confirm or deny any ambition to be the Kano governor. We will continue to deal with Chinese PLA in firm, resolute manner: Army chief India-China standoff: Focus shifts to Sep 10 meeting of Jaishankar-Wang Yi India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: The meeting between External Affairs minister, S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi has been confirmed for September 10. Jaishankar will arrive in Moscow tomorrow, while Yi is scheduled to reach on Wednesday. The meeting of the two leaders is a much anticipated one as it is expected that the over 100 day deadlock and tense standoff between the two sides could be broken. On September 5, Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh met with his Chinese counterpart Gen Wei Fenghe. Both sides stated their formal positions, but the talks did not yield results. Sources tell OneIndia that during the meeting, Jaishankar would tell Yi to the bilateral agreements. He would also demand the restoration of status quo ante. Delhi is closely watching the next steps being taken by Beijing. While Beijing says that the responsibility is entirely with Delhi, India maintains that China has violated all pacts and this has led to the face-off along the Line of Actual Control. Tensions flared in eastern Ladakh after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in the Southern Bank of Pangong lake four days back when the two sides were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the festering border row. India occupied a number of strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong lake and strengthened its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in the region to thwart any Chinese actions. China has strongly objected to India's move. Sixth round of Indo-China Brigade Commander level talks remain inconclusive India has also rushed in additional troops and weapons to the sensitive region following the Chinese attempts. India had last week said the border tension in Ladakh over the past four months is a "direct result" of Chinese actions aimed at effecting unilateral change in the status quo of the region, and asserted that the only way forward to resolve it was through negotiations. The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) that squarely put the blame on China for the prolonged border standoff came even as Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) Gen. Bipin Rawat asserted that India's armed forces are capable of handling aggressive Chinese actions in "best suitable ways". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, September 7, 2020, 15:38 [IST] Phuket struggles to attract domestic tourists PHUKET: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office Director Napasorn Kakai has revealed that some 15,000 tourists came to Phuket to enjoy the four-day long weekend (Sept 4-7), altogether spending an estimated B80 million over the holidays. tourismeconomics By The Phuket News Monday 7 September 2020, 02:46PM Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has his temperature checked at Phuket International Airport yesterday, during a weekend that saw low numbers of tourists visit Phuket for a holiday, as expected. Photo: AoT Phuket Ms Napasorn said that the 125 hotels on the island currently open, providing some 8,000 rooms for guests, had recorded an overall occupancy rate of around 30%. Of the 15,000 tourists who came to Phuket, 98% were Thai and 2% were foreigners, she said. The average expenditure per person, including travel costs, was estimated at around B5,500 per person per day, Ms Napasorn said, noting that altogether tourists travelling to Phuket had generated some B80mn for the economy. Ms Napasorn pointed out that there are currently 34 flights traveling to Phuket every day, comprising 30 flights from Bangkok as well as flights from other major destinations in Thailand such as Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Udon Thani. Most of the flights were enjoying around 80% occupancy, bringing some 5,000 passengers per day to Phuket, she added. Ms Napasorn rated the success of the long weekend in attracting tourists to Phuket as low, but added that it was expected. When comparing the actual number of tourists who came to Phuket with the number of tourists expected to come, there is no difference. Some tourists went north to Khao Lak in Phang Nga, as a lot of five-star hotels there have given big discounts, which can be even cheaper with the discounts offered through the We Travel Together campaign, she said. The reason we have not had large numbers of tourists might be because of the image that visiting Phuket is expensive, even though we have been trying to create a new good image, Ms Napasorn said. When comparing the cost of a holiday in Phuket, it is much cheaper [for people in Bangkok] to travel to a province nearby. They do not have to spend money on flight tickets, which are currently quite expensive, or take a long time to drive to their destination, she added. Of note, popular tourist destinations within driving distance of Bangkok have reported spikes in tourist numbers over the long weekend. To help boost travel to Phuket since the beginning of the month, the TAT Phuket office is offering any person from outside Phuket who books at least one guest accommodation room in Phuket for at least one night anytime from Sept 2-9 a B500 voucher to be spent at local restaurants or other local businesses taking part in the campaign. To claim the voucher, tourists only need to present to TAT Phuket officers evidence of their room booking, Ms Napasorn explained. The TAT Phuket office this month also will hold a domestic tourism roadshow to other provinces in southern Thailand, including Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Hat Yai in Songkhla, and stage a domestic tourism event in Bangkok on Sept 11-13 to present tour packages to expats working in Bangkok, Ms Napasorn said. TAT Phuket is also working with the travel Facebook page Sneak out , which has more than 2 million followers, to create content about Phuket tourist attractions and feature budget travel options like B4,000 for a three-day trip, she added. Meanwhile, the TAT Phuket campaign Phuket Great Time continues, providing a free online booking platform for all tourism-related businesses in Phuket to offer discount packages to prospective tourists. We hope that all campaigns we have conducted will stimulate the economy and attract more Thais to Phuket, Ms Napasorn said. FILE PHOTO: The company logo for pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is displayed on a screen on the floor at the NYSE in New York By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia expects to receive its first batches of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as the number of new daily infections in the country's virus hotspot fell to a 10-week low. Morrison said his government has struck a deal with CSL Ltd to manufacture two vaccines - one developed by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and another developed in CSL's own labs with the University of Queensland. "Australia needs some hope," Morrison told reporters in Canberra. "Today, we take another significant step to protect the health of Australians against the coronavirus pandemic." Health Minister Greg Hunt said scientists leading the development of both vaccines have advised that recent evidence suggests both will offer "multi-year protection". Morrison said CSL is expected to deliver 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, in January and February next year. AstraZeneca's candidate, AZD1222, is viewed as a frontrunner in the global race to deliver an effective vaccine to combat the virus. Australia had announced in August that it planned to buy AZD1222, along with an agreement of intent from CSL to manufacture it. That plan was thrown into some doubt when CSL announced shortly afterward that it would prioritise the manufacture of its own vaccine. Morrison's announcement on Monday that Australia would also purchase the CSL drug if trials proved successful appeared to be the culmination of a deal to get both vaccines across the line. The CSL vaccine is due to begin second stage clinical trials in late 2020, meaning the earliest it could hit the market would be mid-2021. Should both vaccines pass clinical trials, Australia will spend A$1.7 billion ($1.24 billion) for a total of nearly 85 million doses, Morrison said. Story continues The agreement came as Australia reported its lowest one-day rise in new COVID-19 cases since June 26, with 45 infections in the past 24 hours, 41 of which were recorded in Victoria state. Australia's second most populous state has been the epicentre of a second wave, and now accounts for about 75% of the country's 26,320 cases and 90% of its 762 deaths. The southeastern state on Sunday extended a hard lockdown in its capital Melbourne until Sept. 28 as the daily infection rates had declined more slowly than hoped. JOB LOSSES The extension of the lockdown in Melbourne is expected to fuel further job losses. The national Treasury Department said the original six-week lockdown had already cost Victoria around 250,000 jobs, or half the total recorded by the state since the pandemic began. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Monday announced Australia would extend its temporary insolvency and bankruptcy protection rules until the end of this year, barring creditors cannot issue bankruptcy notices to businesses for debts below A$20,000. ($1 = 1.3725 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Colin Packham in Sydney; Additional reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall, Stephen Coates and Jane Wardell) Since the first recorded Covid-19 death from Karnataka in early March, in the past six months, India has recorded 71,642 fatalities associated with the disease. But while the pandemic has claimed lives in all states and union territoriesMizoram in the countrys northeast has been an exception. The small state with a population of 10.91 lakh (2011 census), which recorded 1,114 Covid-19 positive cases till Sunday, is yet to witness any death due to the disease. Fortunately, we have had not Covid-19 deaths in our state yet. One reason for that could be the fact that most of the cases we have had till now have been of young people and very few above the age of 50, said Dr. Eric Zomawia, mission director of National Health Mission (NHM) Mizoram. We have noticed that most patients in Mizoram have had no co-morbidity and been largely asymptomatic. Due to proper care at the hospitals and Covid-19 centres, they have been recovering well, he added. Mizoram recorded its first Covid-19 case on March 24, when a 50-year-old pastor who had returned from a trip to Netherlands, tested positive. After spending over a month in hospital he was found negative on April 27. The state didnt record any positive case after the first case for over two months when 12 new cases were recorded on June 2 nearly a month after the ban on inter-state movement was lifted on May 4. We have been lucky that most patients have been asymptomatic. As on Monday, we have 382 active cases, but none of them are admitted in intensive care unit (ICU), said Mizoram health secretary H Lalengmawia. When the Covid-19 pandemic started in the country, Mizoram didnt have a testing laboratory and had to rely on labs in neighbouring states for tests. Now the state has one RT-PCR lab and another where True-Nat tests are conducted. Till Sunday, 45,073 tests had been conducted across the state. The positivity rate in the state is just 2.47%. The state has conducted nearly 41,000 tests per million population, till Sunday. We were one of the first states to start screening at airports and also sealed the states international border points with Bangladesh and Myanmar very early preventing movement of people from those countries, said Lalengmawia. The Mizo society is a very disciplined one and all guidelines issued by the state government regarding restrictions and safety have been scrupulously followed by the general public. That has helped us in containing the pandemic to manageable proportions, he added. Unlike most other states, civil society groups and the church (Mizoram has a Christian population of around 87%) have actively joined hands with the government in ensuring compliance of Covid-19-related guidelines and helping in tackling the disease. We have been working with close coordination with Young Mizo Association (YMA), the largest organization in the state, which is helping us in manning the borders as well as implementation of lockdown guidelines across the state through its units, said Lalengmawia. As Mizoram is a largely Christian community, the church is also playing a crucial role allowing us to set up quarantine centres in churches and schools run by them, he added. President of YMA Vanlalruata told HT that their organization, which has around 4.6 lakh members within and outside the state, has been actively involved since March in implementing governments guidelines on Covid-19 both at the states borders and across the state. We have more 1,000 churches across Mizoram and several of them are being used as quarantine centres, said Rev. K Lalrinmawia, executive secretary of Mizoram Presbyterian Church (MPC), the largest church body in the state. South Africa: Home Affairs to oppose Masanges release Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has welcomed the arrest of the Mpumalanga Human Settlements Head of Department, Keboni Masange, while also announcing that the department will oppose his release. Motsoaledi welcomed Masanges arrest last week following a probe to verify his status in the country. Masange, 51, was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) and Home Affairs immigration officials last week. He contravened the law by acquiring three ID documents through misrepresentation. He appeared in court on Thursday and was released on a warning. In a statement on Friday, the department said it will file papers opposing Masanges release. The matter is scheduled to be heard on 2 November 2020. The department will place all the relevant facts before the court and is confident of the prospects of success. An in-depth investigation by the department revealed that Masange first entered South Africa on 19 October 1995, using a Zimbabwean passport, which he used until 1998. In June 1996, a few months after entering South Africa, Masange applied for an identity document through misrepresenting certain material facts. In November 1996, he submitted an application for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) exemption, and his application was approved. He was issued with a certificate in May 1997 and this approval, according to the department, was irregular because Masange did not meet the qualifying criteria for the exemption. A few days before being issued with the certificate of exemption, Masange applied for a second South African identity document and again, he misrepresented certain material facts. After receiving the exemption certificate, Masange again applied for the third and current identity document as an exempted foreigner from Zimbabwe. The department has revoked all enabling documents issued to him and as such, he is a prohibited person in terms of the immigration laws, the department said. Motsoaledi has also launched an immediate investigation into the granting of exemption to Masange and the issuing of the multiple IDs. Any official of the Department of Home Affairs involved in wrong-doing related to this matter will be brought to book, Motsoaledi warned. Rand West City Municipality manager arrested The Minister has also welcomed the arrest of Zivanai Katikiti, a manager for financial control and reporting at the Rand West City Municipality in Gauteng. Katikiti was arrested by Home Affairs immigration officials last week Thursday for contravening immigration laws in several respects. According to Home Affairs records, Katikiti entered South Africa in May 2015. However, there is no record of him having applied for a work or residence permit in the departments database. Katikiti was investigated after the Department of Home Affairs received a media query from The Sowetan newspaper. Motsoaledi has launched an investigation into the origins of the documents. The investigation will also cover Katikitis employment with the Rand West City Municipality. Motsoaledi has expressed the departments appreciation to the members of the public and the media for the information received. This enhances the work we are doing to root out maladministration and corruption within the department. A partnership between the State and citizens is one of the most efficient tools we have to fight corruption and wrong-doing, the Minister said. Motsoaledi said the internal investigation needs to be completed urgently to ensure that rogue elements within the Department of Home Affairs are dealt with, and made to account. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-09-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This is not about tree hugging or walking barefoot through the leaves, says Alex Gesse, the co-author along with Gorka Altuna of Forest bathing. 50 Routes to Feel Nature. Instead, what Gesse is advocating are walks in nature to improve mental health and general wellbeing while steering clear of any mystical undercurrents. A forest bath is nothing more than a contemplative experience that connects us to the natural environment through our emotions and the five senses, says Gesse, who is one of Europes most eminent experts in shinrin-yoku, which literally means absorbing the atmosphere of the forest in Japanese. Shinrin-yoku is a technique that Japan successfully incorporated into its public healthcare system in the 1980s to reduce the populations high stress levels, taking advantage of the fact that three-quarters of its territory is covered by trees. In a world where everything goes too fast, forest baths involve walking slowly, feeling the path, touching the trees, the water, hearing the birds sing, the wind howl, the dew drops fall, explains Gesse in the foreword. It doesnt necessarily have to be in a forest; a city park next to your house will also do, or any green area that you particularly connect with Alex Gesse, forest immersion expert Having grown up playing in the Mediterranean forests of the Emporda in Catalonia, Gesse has worked on issues related to nature and health for many years, but it was in 2016 that he founded the Instituto Banos de Bosque (or Forest Baths Institute) and three years later, together with Irish ecologist Shirley Gleeson, he created the Forest Therapy Institute, with the aim of ultimately incorporating these walks into Spains public healthcare system. Gesse believes that despite the fact that a growing number of city councils in Spain are including this type of initiative among their public services, Spanish doctors are still some way off giving patients what he terms the green prescription, something which is already a trend in other countries around us, such as Scotland and more recently Germany, where the doctor can prescribe, in addition to medication, a therapy in the forest as a practical complement to treatment. Based on his own experience of organizing hundreds of therapeutic walks and using what he learned from the teachings of Chinese immunologist Qing Li, the worlds foremost authority on forest medicine and father of the shinrin-yoku movement, Gesse believes that getting lost in nature strengthens the immune system, reduces stress and lowers blood pressure and heart rate. And he points out an important fact: It doesnt necessarily have to be in a forest; a city park next to your house will also do, or any green area that you particularly connect with. Forests already act as health infrastructures via the ecosystem services they provide such as filtering rain, purifying the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, adds his colleague Gorka Altuna. And it seems to be true that forest therapies aimed at certain disadvantaged groups have an almost immediate positive effect. One of my first projects was with children at risk of social exclusion, says Gesse. At the end of the walks one of them told me, The forest calms my bad thoughts. Equally positive results were obtained when forays into nature were organized for schizophrenia patients and victims of violence against women. Short walks on remote trails It might seem obvious that a walk in the countryside needs no particular preparation, but many people require a helping hand to reconnect with nature in a natural way. The aim of a forest immersion is not to do physical exercise, and Gesse recommends that first-timers be accompanied by a qualified professional. He himself has instructed around 200 environmental educators who perform forest immersion and therapies in natural parks and green spaces in both Europe and the Americas. The task of these instructors is, above all, to create a favorable environment in which the participants feel safe and comfortable, both physically and psychologically. Forest bathing usually lasts less than two hours, takes place on little frequented trails, and is divided into three phases. The first leg of the journey is meant to awaken the senses and get in harmony with the rhythms of nature. The second involves multiple activities, from feeling the texture of a flower to sitting in silence to listen to the sound of the earth. Forests already act as health infrastructures via the ecosystem services they provide such as filtering rain, purifying the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen Gorka Altuna, forest immersion expert The activities in the second leg vary according to the participants. As Gesse points out, It is not the same to go for a walk with managers of multinationals who seek to strengthen creativity and communication as it is to go with a group of 80-year-old grandparents. The last phase of the therapy includes a feedback session during which it is common to hear remarks such as I have lost track of time, or I felt like a kid, or I am more relaxed than ever. Ultimately, the aim is to be aware of having experienced something different before returning to the city. There is no right or wrong way to communicate with the forest, says Gesse. Each person connects differently. You just have to let yourself go. Many of the routes described in the book are frequented by hikers, but unlike a hike, the important thing is not to arrive at a destination, but to enjoy the experience of living with the forest and its inhabitants, whatever their shape and size. Gesse has chosen five of these 50 routes for EL PAIS travel section El Viajero. Each of them comes with information on organic compounds called monoterpenes that protect trees from predators and parasites as well as the ionization levels in the air on each stretch of the route. Scientific studies suggest that both these natural elements could have a direct beneficial effect on peoples immune systems. 1. Guenzelai trail in Urkiola natural park (Basque Country) A forest of beech inside Urkiola natural park. Getty Images The natural park of Urkiola lies between the Basque provinces of Biscay and Alava and is home to an enormous range of fauna and flora. Covering an area of 5,958 hectares, the park encompasses three mountain ranges the Aramotz-Eskubaratz, the Duranguesado and the Arangio. Coming to Urkiola to enjoy a forest immersion means walking through the diverse landscapes that hide this spectacle of nature green pastures, leafy and colorful forests and steep limestone peaks that shelter the valleys with their protective mantle, says Johanna Maluenda, the creator of this route. The trail takes visitors through the Astxiki beech forest and the Guenzelai forest, which is home to ancient beech trees. Also in evidence are pine and birch trees, the latter giving Urkiola its name in Basque the land of birches. The route is little more than a kilometer long but it offers participants the chance to enhance their sense of touch, laying our hands on the greyish trunks of the beech trees and moving our fingers to experience their dampness and roughness. There is also the opportunity to become aware of the firm but soft soil and the cottony roots of the beech trees under foot. The tour ends in the Guenzelai pastures where you will feel the urge to sit on the soft and velvety grass that colors the entire place an intense green. 2. Lagunas Glaciares de Neila natural park (Burgos) The Lagunas glaciares de Neila natural park in Burgos. The Collado de Neila trail, which is a kilometer and a half long but reasonably easy, is located in the Lagunas Glaciares de Neila natural park, in the Demanda mountain range in Burgos province. The trail follows two streams and takes visitors into forests of wild pine mixed with beech, birch and holly trees. The creator of this route, Noemi Hortiguela, talks about pastures that are alive with the sound of cow bells. Along with horses, the cows graze in the same meadows that once welcomed shepherds returning from pastures further south in Extremadura at the start of each summer. According to Hortiguela, a spring excursion means enjoying the velvety texture and the aroma of wild rose petals while strolling among poplars, willows and ash trees. When the first beech trees appear, we will be able to enjoy contemplating the komorebi, a Japanese word that means the light of the sun filtering through the leaves of the trees. While many trees offer this possibility, the superimposed branches of the beech tree give it a special warmth. 3. Brana la Campa. Somiedo natural park (Asturias) Somiedo natural park in Asturias. Of the four great valleys that lie within Somiedo natural park, in Spains small northern Asturias region, the therapist Raquel de la Insua chose Saliencia as the setting for her forest immersion among oaks, ashes, maples and lime trees. Besides being the wildest of the four valleys, Saliencia also has the largest number of teitos traditional stone constructions with roofs made from broom branches, which were used to shelter people and livestock in days gone by and which now give the area the air of a medieval village. An instructor from the Forest Baths Institute, Insua describes a simple 1.5-kilometer journey in which she was able to immerse herself in the beauty of this landscape. Humid and green all year round, the soft fresh breeze is ever present, caressing the face of the walker, whose view of the sky is obscured by the budding branches of beech trees in spring that turn red and gold in the fall, in Insuas own description. 4. Retamar Bridge over the River Guadarrama (Madrid) This trail in the Madrid region shows how nature is healing from the wounds of urban development. Alex Gesse Along its entire length, the Guadarrama River creates a natural riverside environment that, despite intense human activity, still has areas of great ecological value where you can find places to lose yourself and enjoy a unique environment, says Paco Garcia, an expert in forest immersion. Taking as a starting point the recreational area of the Retamar Bridge in the municipality of Las Rozas, northwest of the Spanish capital, Garcia recommends a flat, circular route two kilometers long which brings visitors to a riverside forest in the process of recovery. The forest itself allows one to admire how nature opens up a path across the scars of human activity in the area. A grove of poplars and ash trees serves as a natural corridor for the fauna as well as for walkers. The route also passes through an area of herbs, an ideal place to smell and explore not only the textures with our hands, but also the smells and how they impregnate our fingers. Built during the reign of Philip II in the 16th century, the Retamar Bridge itself allows us to experience the sensations generated by the temperature of the granite on our skin. The sound of the River Guadarrama, audible if the walker pays attention provides a relaxing background sound while its transparency most of the year and shallowness will perhaps allow us to see some fish and, with luck, some water birds, says Garcia. 5. Les Estunes, Lake Banyoles natural space (Girona) Lake Banyoles is located near the forest trail recommended in the book. Carme Baque / EyeEm (Getty Images) The forest of Les Estunes is very close to Lake Banyoles, the largest natural pond in Catalonia. Marta Ayats, the monitor in charge of this 850-meter-long route, recommends doing it on weekdays to avoid the crowds. The immersion for our senses starts with the view of a powerful oak tree, which acts as a gateway to a magical domain that has inspired legends about mythical creatures such as the goges, the peculiar water nymphs that spent the night spinning near the lake to then take refuge in the large cracks in the travertine rock formed in previous geological eras and on top of which abundant vegetation and a forest of oaks has grown, explains Ayats. Travertine is highly valued by sculptors and craftsmen and is formed by layers of lime deposited by the groundwater of the rivers Llierca and Borro. Calmly, step by step, we breathe, stop from time to time and focus on the breeze that moves the leaves in the branches, the ivy that climbs to envelop trees 15 to 20 meters high, and the moss and ferns that share this humid habitat, writes Ayats. This space, as small as it is majestic, reflects how nature disinterestedly offers up its richness and diversity for our senses to enjoy and to make us feel part of it. English version by Heather Galloway. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Sandalwood actress Ragini Dwivedi, who was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police in connection with the contraband drugs case in Sandalwood, was said to be tight-lipped during the police inquiry. Dwivedi, who was arrested on Friday, was questioned for more than four hours on Sunday. Two police inspectors, who had prepared a questionnaire with 50 questions, grilled her. It is learnt that she did not answer most of the questions, while to some she replied that she had already answered them on Friday. Speaking to TNIE, CCB sources said that in her statement, she said her friend Ravishankar allegedly forced her to take drugs whenever she attended parties. She claimed that he also introduced her to some prominent people who were already into drug abuse. She denied revealing more information, stating she had told them whatever she knew. She claims she is just a consumer and had no clue that her friends, Ravishankar and Rahul Shetty, were drug peddlers, the source said, adding that the actress was refusing to answer their questions stating that she had a severe back pain. It is also learnt that she complained to the officers that the facility where she was kept lacked basic amenities. The police also turned down her mothers request to meet her on Sunday and asked her to get the courts permission to do so. Meanwhile, CCB sleuths continued questioning Viren Khanna, a drug dealer arrested from New Delhi, about how he established his network in Bengaluru and other cities in Karnataka. It is learnt that two women, who are said to be his associates and aided his illegal business in the city, were picked up for questioning and were let off later after directing them not to leave the city and to appear before the police when summoned. A man was killed at the weekend after crashing an electric scooter into a pole in Logan. The 40-year-old, who was a Sunshine Coast resident, was riding south along High Street in Waterford on Sunday afternoon when he lost control and slammed into the pole. Police said he suffered significant injuries as a result of the impact and died at the scene. The police service's forensic crash unit is investigating. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7 By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend: Up to 5 new deals may be signed between European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Turkmenistan before the end of 2020, the representative of EBRD Anton Usov told Trend. Usov noted, that situation is fluid now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they still plan to implement these projects. Since the beginning of 2020, EBRD has signed 3 projects with Turkmenistan, in particular, with Turkmenistans Datly Sherbet, Ak Hunji, Safa companies. Collectively all these 3 projects were worth $19.3 million. As earlier Usov told Trend, since the start of its operations in Turkmenistan, EBRD has invested 272 million euros through 70 projects in countrys economic sectors. In particular, these investments enabled more than 200 small and medium-sized enterprises in the country to access business advice, Usov earlier added. Also, earlier Usov added that EBRD plans to continue supporting private sector development, both directly and indirectly via local partner banks including provision of funds to privately-owned companies focusing on food processing and distribution, logistics, transport services, packaging, furniture, and hospitality. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development pays special attention to expanding private sector activities in Turkmenistans corporate and financial sectors, he noted. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @JeilaAliyeva Dispur : , Sep 7 (IANS) A joint team of the Sashastra Seema Bal, the Assam Police and the Forest Department on Monday apprehended three poachers in the state's border Baksa district and seized animal parts from them, officials said. The poachers, identified as Lankeswar Basumatari, Binod Basumatari and Madan Gayari, were held from Hapasara-Korebari area and two elephant tusks weighing 3.75 kg, a deer horn, a country-made gun, ammunition and other items recovered from theme. The operation was conducted in the Baksa near the India-Bhutan border following a tip-off about the poachers' activities in the area. The SSB said that the three poachers were involved in poaching of an elephant at Jamguri forest two weeks ago and had cut off its tusks. As per details provided by the officials, the poachers kept the elephant tusks at home to sell them later. All the poachers are being interrogated at the Simla police station and investigators suspect they were involved in earlier poaching cases too. Pharmaceutical company CSL Ltd said on Monday it had agreed to manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University if trials prove successful, with doses for Australia expected by early 2021. The company also said it had agreed with the Australian government to manufacture an alternative potential vaccine it is developing with the University of Queensland (UQ), with first doses of that vaccine expected by mid-2021. The supply deals come as Australia grapples with a second wave of infections in Victoria state. Australia has recorded more than 26,000 infections and 753 deaths. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to announce the governments agreements for the supply of both vaccine candidates with the respective companies later Monday. CSL expects to manufacture about 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia, backed by government funding, it said in a statement. AstraZenecas candidate is seen as a frontrunner in a global race to deliver an effective coronavirus vaccine. Under its agreement with the government, CSL expects to supply 51 million doses of the UQ vaccine by mid-2021 if trials are successful. The potential vaccine is currently in the Phase 1 stage of clinical trials. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Dog lovers have descended on the New Forest this weekend for a socially-distanced festival celebrating all things canine. The popular Dogstival event was postponed in March due to lockdown and rescheduled for yesterday and today, with 7,000 owners and their pooches expected to attend over the two days. Pampered pets have been enjoying a range of activities, displays and stalls including fly ball and agility practices, pup paddleboarding, food and drink and live music. A leonburger called George meets Teddy the long-haired chihuahua at Dogstival which took place this weekend in Burley Park, New Forest Derrick Cornelius and Jingha the five-year-old Afghan hound attend the event where pets enjoy a range of activities Afghan hound Jingha stands with its front paws on the picnic bench Organisers Domine and Richard Nowell launched the event last year and welcomed 9,000 visitors. This year they moved the event to a larger site at Burley Park and limited numbers to ensure social distancing would be possible. They implemented a number of measures to make sure the event could go ahead within Covid guidelines including an on-site cleaning team, hand sanitiser stations throughout the site, queue management and asking owners to bring their own dog water bowls. Organisers Domine and Richard Nowell implemented measures to make sure it was within Covid guidelines. Martha Westwood, four, is pictured with King Charles spaniel Oswin One dog owner carries her dog around the park, which has a swimming pool, dog bar, sausage stand, training tips and rescue dogs Echo the Samoyed sticks its tongue out and it is carried by owner Adam Ricketts Two dog owners wearing face coverings walk through the park with their pooches Mrs Nowell said: 'The sun is shining and we have dogs of every different size and breed enjoying the day. 'We have a swimming pool, a dog bar, sausage stand, fly ball, talks, training tips, rescue dogs and even the medical detection dog team who are leading the fight against Covid. 'I think people are absolutely delighted to have something nice outside to go to. Everyone is just being very sensible and it's nice to have a fun socially-distanced day out in the fresh air. 'We've got a full safety advisory group with New Forest District Council and we've put lots of safety measures in place - hand sanitiser stations throughout, signage asking people to stay 2m apart, card payment. 'It's quite easy to socially distance as the park is huge and everyone has the dogs on leads so it's easy to stay two metres apart. It's easier to distance here than it is on the high street.' Two dogs wear 'L plates' as they walk through the park in New Forest this weekend A group of dog owners stand in Burley Park during Dogstival where 7,000 people were expected to attend RAMALLAH, West Bank Suha Arafat, the widow of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, has become a part of the mounting crisis between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the United Arab Emirates after Abu Dhabi reached an agreement to normalize ties with Israel. The deal resulted in the first official Israeli flight landing in the UAE on Aug. 31. After the UAE announced Aug. 13 it was establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel, marchers denouncing the deal roamed the streets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where photos of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan, who resides in the UAE, were set on fire. On Aug. 21, Suha Arafat posted an apology to the UAE on Instagram, triggering a crisis with the PA. On behalf of the honourables among the Palestinian people, she apologized for the burning and defamation of the UAE flag in Jerusalem and Palestine and insults of the UAE symbols. Her remarks came although she has no official capacity neither at the PA nor Fatah movement. Suha Arafat also attached a photo of her husband with UAE ruler Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (both died in November 2004) to her Instagram post, adding that such practices do not reflect Palestinian morals, customs and traditions, and that disagreements should not ruin amicability. She called on the Palestinian generations to read history well to learn how the UAE has always and continues to support the Palestinian people and cause. Egyptian TV host Wael al-Abrashi hosted Suha Arafat on Aug. 25 on his show al-Tasia where she recounted that she was subject to a harassment campaign by some Fatah leaders whom she did not name and troll-like accounts accusing her of treason for supporting the UAE-Israeli deal. Arafat stressed that President Mahmoud Abbas has been an exception. Arafat told Abrashi that the UAE is an independent state and has its own interests, and said talk that Dahlan, who serves as adviser to the Abu Dhabi crown prince, stands behind the deal with Israel is ridiculous. Arafat further escalated the tone against the PA on Aug. 27 when she appeared again with Abrashi. She said the PA drove her brother, Palestinian ambassador to Cyprus Jubran Taweel, into retirement because of her remarks. She also told the Israeli state-owned TV channel Kan that day that she has been threatened by PA officials who harassed her family members, including her brother for refusing to organize activities hostile to the UAE at the embassy campus in Cyprus. Arafat threatened to open the gates of hell on PA officials if they continued to target her by making public what her husband wrote about them in his diaries. Publishing just a little bit of what I know would be enough to burn them in front of the Palestinians, she added in her statement to Kan. She further warned the PA against withholding her financial allocations, which amount to 10,000 euros ($11,830) per month. Arafat accused Intisar Abu Amara, the head of Abbas office, of being responsible for the campaign launched against her. The PA and Fatah remained out of the media fuss and refrained from issuing any official media remarks on the dispute with Arafat, save a brief release by Fatah on Aug. 28 calling on Arafat not to delve into policy details. Several Fatah affiliates lashed out at Arafat on social media, perceiving that her position is in line with that of Dahlan and his Democratic Reform Current. They republished old photos of her and Dahlan when he had hosted her along with her daughter, Zahwa, at his residence in the UAE. Muwaffaq Matar, a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, told Al-Monitor that even though she is Yasser Arafats wife, she is not entitled under the PA Basic Law and PLO regulations to speak or give any statements on behalf of the Palestinian people. He added that the one who is entitled to do so is Abbas by virtue of being elected by the people and being the PLO president. Matar added, Suha had to show respect to the Palestinian leaderships position and Palestinian national consensus, as all factions that are and are not represented in the PLO have affirmed that the UAE-Israel deal is a stab in the Palestinian causes back. He said, We believe that Suha is free to express her own opinion, but she is not free to apologize to the UAE on behalf of the Palestinians, just to win Mohammed bin Zayed over. Commenting on the UAE leaders, Matar said, They betrayed the Islamic and Christian sanctities and Palestinian cause. Should they want to normalize with Israel, [so be it], but they do not have the right to ride the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian people have a leadership that speaks on their behalf and takes the decisions. Matar also said, We believe that Suhas remarks on the normalization are more like propaganda and directives by Dahlan, who is wanted by the Palestinian judiciary and dismissed from Fatah. Matar further stated that Suha Arafat has committed a crime under the law by speaking to an Israeli media outlet and threatening officials of publishing [official] documents. She is not allowed to keep and use official documents against people, as a late presidents wife and former official secretary of his. Such remarks are part of the campaign that started a month ago against the Palestinian leadership and climaxed with the [UAE-Israel] deal, Matar said. Commenting on Suha Arafat's threat to publish excerpts from her husbands diaries, Matar said, I know well that President Arafat did not write any diaries. Rather, he had someone to document his national duties and meetings for him. Suha Arafat wanted to please Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed with her remarks. Shaheen,state-owned Pakistan Television morning show host and the editor of a local language magazine Dazgohar was fatally shot, allegedly by her husband of six months, Nawabzada Mahrab. Her family members have suggested that it may have been an honour killing. The Turbat police registered the case as a murder and have begun an investigation with her husband being the chief suspect. Officials reported that Mahrab along with another man left Shaheens body at the local hospital before fleeing the scene. Police are still searching for Mahrab. Shaheen was well-known as being a strong supporter of gender equality in Balochistan and had previously been warned by the Baloch militants to leave her job. Shaheen is the second female Pakistani journalist killed by their husband in the past 10 months. On November 25, 2019, female journalist Urooj Iqbal was shot and killed by her husband for reportedly not agreeing to quit her job. Violence against women, including women journalists, is severe in Pakistan. It is ranked 164th out of 167 countries on the Women, Peace and Security Index. It is only above Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen. Gender-based violence is a severe threat to female journalists who should be able to do their jobs without fear. Permanently silencing the voices of female journalists is a significant blow to Pakistans free press and democracy. The PFUJ Secretary General Rana Muhammad Azeem said: The PFUJ leadership condemns this brutal murder. We urge the government to investigate the murder and put the killer behind bars and to provide compensation to the family of the deceased. The IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:" The IFJ is saddened by the tragic killing of female journalist and gender equality advocate Shaheena Shaheen. Her murder , allegedly by her husband, highlights the complex, multi layered challenges faced by women in media in Pakistan-where they are too often not safe on the street or in their place of work, but also at home. This is a tragedy for the struggle for gender equity and the all too evident greater struggle against gender -based violence Our thoughts go to her grieving family at this time." The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has downplayed fears, that ongoing public opposition to the Agyapa Royalties deal could scare aware potential investors. The agreement has for the past weeks sparked controversy among different groups in the country, with some Civil Society groups in the extractives sector describing the Special Purpose Vehicle that has been created as part of the deal, as one which is not transparent and must be suspended. But Mr. Ofori-Atta speaking in a yet-to-be aired interview on Citi TV's Point of View, explained that investors are savvy enough to appreciate the importance of constructive debate on a deal as important as the Agyapa Royalties Deal. For me, I don't look at the criticism as noises. I feel that the market is sophisticated enough outside to understand that there will be deferring opinions. The vibrancy of democracy for people to challenge what you want to do, gives you an opinion you may not have been aware of, but still being clear on where you want to go, is something that strengthens our democracy. It also potentially sends a signal out there that Ghana's good governance issues are good. The Agyapa Deal Parliament passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act 2018, which establishes the Fund to manage the equity interests of Ghana in mining companies and receive royalties on behalf of the government. The Fund is to manage and invest these royalties and revenue from equities for higher returns for the benefit of the country. The government then, through the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), set up Agyapa Royalties Limited to monetise Ghana's gold royalties. This was after Parliament on August 14, approved the Agyapa Mineral Royalty Limited agreement with the government of Ghana despite the walkout by the Minority. In exchange, the company plans to raise between $500 million and $750 million for the Government on the Ghana and London Stock exchanges to invest in developmental projects. ---citinewsroom Most school district assessment systems are neither comprehensive nor balanced. The National Panel on the Future of Assessment Practices, a group of forward-thinking educational leaders, is touting several comprehensive principles for school districts to adapt and ensure a balanced grading system including how to manage the process during COVID-19. In a newly published policy paper, four of the worlds top assessment experts evoke guiding tenets for disrupting the status quo in school grading and the best way to fairly assess students when a pandemic disrupts their learning. A summary of the paper appears in the September issue of Educational Leadership magazine, and the full paper is available for free at Learning Sciences Internationals Dylan Wiliam Center website (https://www.dylanwiliamcenter.com/whitepapers/grading-policy-paper/). || QUICK FACTS || Principles School Districts Can Use to Improve Assessments for Students WHO: National Panel on the Future of Assessment Practices WHAT: Grading Improvement Tenets WHEN: Free Download WHERE: https://www.dylanwiliamcenter.com/whitepapers/grading-policy-paper/ WHY: School districts implementing a comprehensive & balanced assessment system especially during a pandemic. Susan Brookhart, Jay McTighe, Rick Stiggins and Dylan Wiliam collectively state that, most school district assessment systems are neither comprehensive nor balanced. To rectify that baseline belief, they want district leaders to first, reflect on why they have grading systems, second fully understand what the current state of grading practices looks like and third decide whether to reform or completely replace policies for the future. Read the essential principles to improve grading by downloading the highly-acclaimed policy paper below. In the Free, on-demand downloadable policy paper Grading in a Comprehensive and Balanced Assessment System, authors Brookhart, McTighe, Stiggins and Wiliam some who are scheduled as speakers at the virtual Formative Assessment International Conference December 8-9, 2020 (https://www.dylanwiliamcenter.com/conference/), challenge superintendents, assistant superintendents and education leaders to take a closer look at the way assessment currently is being handled in their school districts. A thorough review might reveal what the National Panel on the Future of Assessment Practices already knows that assessment systems in most American schools are doing students a disservice. Current practices are likely even hindering student progress by failing to provide meaningful, relevant, sufficient information to learners and their teachers. These grading practices are preventing educators from eliciting, gathering and interpreting the real-time evidence they need to make minute-to-minute instructional decisions that, research shows, are key to improving learning. The policy paper has been newly amended to include insight for grading during COVID-19 and distance learning. It outlines how school districts have a good opportunity to reflect on and improve grading methodologies during virtual instruction, but they need to be careful about panic-driven choices that threaten to set grading back further. Download the policy paper free: https://www.dylanwiliamcenter.com/whitepapers/grading-policy-paper/ Register for the 7th annual Formative Assessment International Conference. For a limited time, tickets are BOGO buy one get one free: https://www.dylanwiliamcenter.com/conference/ ABOUT LEARNING SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL Since its founding in 2002, LSI has empowered thousands of K-12 educators to empower their students by developing every students' capacity to take on greater responsibilities for their own learning and function at the highest levels possible. We do this through the guiding principles of LSI's Applied Research Center with approaches that are always measurable, replicable and reliable. Every activity, strategy and intervention has attained or is in the process of attaining criteria for evidence-based practices under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) at Levels II or III. This is why our school and district partners regularly achieve sustainable and long-lasting results. LSIs Work: https://www.learningsciences.com/rigor/proven-results LSIs Distinguished Research Partners: https://www.learningsciences.com/our-partners/ You are here: Business The Beijing Municipal Intellectual Property Office has pledged to safeguard intellectual property (IP) rights of global representatives attending the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services. The bureau said the fair has required exhibitors to sign a letter of commitment for IP protection. An intellectual property protection office has also been set up on site to handle IP rights disputes. The official website of the fair has launched an online complaint channel to deal with disputes of IP rights infringement. The fair opened in Beijing on Friday. It is the first major international economic and trade event held both online and offline by China since the COVID-19 outbreak. The DUP has cautiously welcomed reports that the Government could abandon commitments it made to Brussels on Northern Ireland in its Brexit deal. The leaders of Stormont's four pro-Remain parties have said that abandoning elements of the Northern Ireland protocol would seriously undermine the Good Friday Agreement. Michelle O'Neill, Colum Eastwood, Naomi Long and Clare Bailey were speaking after Downing Street said that new Brexit legislation was needed to protect the peace process in case Britain can't secure a free trade deal with the EU. Expand Close Michelle ONeill / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michelle ONeill But on Monday night the DUP said that while it awaited details of the proposed legislation, it appeared to be a positive move. Read More In a statement not attributed personally to any MLA or MP, the party said: "We note the speculation that the Government will pursue fall-back measures under the internal market bill to protect Northern Ireland's interests should a deal not be agreed that mitigates the threat of the Northern Ireland protocol. We will want to see the finer details and clauses relating to this and will study them carefully. "We welcome them in broad terms in so far as they go, but the Government must continue to work to remove any disadvantages to Northern Ireland brought about by its signing up to the protocol." Read More Senior figures in Brussels reacted with dismay after it was reported that the Government will table new legislation that could override key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement which sealed the UK's departure from the EU in January. Boris Johnson has set a five-week deadline for talks on a free trade deal to reach an agreement, or for both sides to accept there will be no deal when the current transition period ends in December. Northern Ireland pro-Remain parties voiced grave concern at the prospect of the Prime Minister introducing domestic legislation to supersede parts of the protocol governing state aid and customs arrangements. They said: "It is entirely unacceptable to the Northern Ireland parties that the UK Government would seek to abandon these safeguards and mitigations, which we believe would amount to a serious betrayal of an existing international treaty. The economic and political impact on the island of Ireland, on the UK, and above all on the people whom we represent, would be devastating and long-lasting. "It would represent a shocking act of bad faith that would critically undermine the Good Friday Agreement political framework and peace process and the UK's ability to secure other crucial deals to protect the Northern Ireland economy." The parties called on the Government to "honour its commitments" and ensure that the protocol is implemented rigorously. Under the protocol, Northern Ireland will continue to follow single market rules for goods and administer the EU's customs code at its ports. It was designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, but unionists oppose it, arguing that it creates an economic border between Northern Ireland and Britain. UUP leader Steve Aiken said: "Nobody should be in any doubt that the Northern Ireland protocol is the worst of both worlds economically and constitutionally for Northern Ireland. It attacks the very foundations of the Belfast Agreement and should be amended. "If there is any chance to change it, it should be changed." Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said: "I am deeply concerned that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would step away from an international obligation like this. To do so would show total disregard for the lives and concerns of the people of Ireland. Throughout the sorry saga of Brexit, Sinn Fein have been very clear that Ireland cannot become collateral damage to the posturing of the British Government in this Tory Brexit." The Irish Government has conveyed its concerns to London. Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said if the UK introduced domestic legislation that undermined commitments made in the Withdrawal Agreement it would be a very serious breach of trust. However, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said the Government was proposing only "limited clarifications" to the law to ensure ministers can preserve the gains of the Good Friday Agreement in the event of no deal. The Internal Market Bill, to be tabled on Wednesday, will ensure goods from Northern Ireland continue to have unfettered access to the UK market while making clear EU state aid rules - which will continue to apply in Northern Ireland - will not apply in the rest of the UK. The Overlord of Kpembe Traditional Area, Kpembe Wura Daari Haruna Bismark says the people of Savannah Region cannot thank President Akufo-Addo enough for making their dreams of having a region a reality. The Kpembe Traditional Area falls within the Savannah Region, one of six newly created regions by President Akufo-Addo falls. Addressing a durbur in honour of Vice President Bawumia on Sunday September 7, 2020, the Kpembe Wura expressed delight and gratitude to the NPP government for fulfilling that dream, as well as bringing numerous development in the area. "Your Excellency, it is my singukar honour to, on behalf of the traditional authority of Kpembe, express our thanks and gratitude for the numerous development projects that the area is benefitting from. Principal among them is the creation of of the Savvana Region," said the Kpembe Wura. "Others include market projects, over 15 public toilet facilities, school projects such as the one currently under construction in Kpembe, a community centre at Kuwani, the construction of Salaga town roads, the construction of a rice milling factory, among other." The traditional ruler also expressed special gratitude to the government for the water project in the area to solve their perennial water problem. "Your Excellency, another project worthy of particular mention is the Salaga urban water project which is almost completed. This project solves a long-standing jistorical problem, notably referred to as "nchu ma worta'." While thanking the Akufo-Addo government for its commitment to the area, the Paramount Chief also lamented the poor state of facilities in other areas within the community as a result of neglect by previous regimes. He appealed to the Akufo-Addo governemnt to give them more development, especially the construction of more roads for some deprived communities in rhe area and uplifting of infrastructure for the Nursing and Midwifery Training School in the area. In his address, vice President Bawumia assured the Kpembe Wura and his community of the Akufo-Addo government's commitment to evenly spread development to all parts of the country, including the Kpembe Traditional area. He said President Akufo-Addo has demonstrated his commitment to this by the level of development he has brought to the area in his first term, as acknowledged by the Kpembewura. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Advertisement An Icelandic beauty queen and her cousin have revealed how they met England stars Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden online before hooking up with them in the team's quarantined hotel room. Model Nadia Sif Lindal Gunnarsdottir, 20, told MailOnline how she had been chatting with young Manchester United star Greenwood, 18, for a 'couple of days' before he and fellow England starlet Foden visited Iceland for a Nations League game in Reykjavik. They were among at least four local women who flirted with the players and discussed going to their hotel, though not all of the women did so. The Three Lions pair, who both made their England debut in the game against Iceland on Saturday, sneaked Nadia and her cousin Lara Clausen, a 19-year-old law student, into the team hotel. The beauty queen claimed the pair had never even heard of Foden, 20, before the trip but that the four of them spent the evening getting to know each other and enjoyed a 'good night' together. When asked how close they came to the stars during the evening, Nadia declined to comment and would only say they were perfect gentlemen. She told MailOnline: 'We met online. I was talking to Mason for a couple of days before they came to Iceland.' And she added: 'They did not book the rooms. We did, and paid for them ourselves.' One of the girls uploaded pictures of Mason Greenwood (pictured left) and Phil Foden (pictured right) to social media The Icelandic girls met up with the stars who sneaked them into the hotel Nadia brought friend and cousin Lara Clausen (pictured) to meet the two England stars. Nadia is a 19-year-old law student from Iceland The two girls (Nadia pictured right and her cousin and friend Lara left) pictured on the night they went to the England team's hotel to meet the young stars, who both made their debuts for the national team against Iceland on Saturday It comes after videos revealed how the England stars had engaged in suggestive chat with at least four Icelandic girls, discussing the idea of them joining the footballers in their hotel. One of the girls, Anita Gunnarsdottir, admitted being filmed flirting with the players with a friend, but insisted that she had decided not to go to their hotel. 'I didn't meet them. I'm not one of the girls who went to the hotel,' she said. The footage emerged hours after England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed the pair had been kicked out of the squad after they were filmed meeting with girls in the team hotel in Iceland - breaking strict coronavirus quarantine rules. This is the moment England stars Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden engage in a flighty chat with Icelandic girls Video shows Icelandic girls receiving a photograph message from Phil Foden (pictured left), and expressing their excitement, right The young stars, who made their debut for England against Iceland on Saturday, will not travel with their team-mates to Denmark today after footage emerged of the pair in a hotel room with the girls. The conversation between the two girls and the England stars Foden: 'Say that again, what was you saying?' Girl: 'What's the plan?' Foden: 'What's the plan?' Girl: 'Mhmm' Foden: '(To Mason) Mason what's the plan?' Mason: 'Depends what you want' Foden: 'He says depends what do you want?' Girl: 'We can come to the hotel but I don't know how you're going to sneak us in' Foden: 'What you coming to the hotel for?' Mason: 'What do you think?' Foden: What does she want?' Girl: 'Yeah, what do you think bro?' Girl:(Speaks In Icelandic to her friend) Mason and Foden: Discussing. Hard to tell what they are saying. Foden: 'Have you got a mate?' Girl: What? Foden: 'Your friend?' Girl: Yeah Advertisement The pair will instead fly home separately from the rest of the England team, back to Manchester. Today, Nadia apologised for her part in the incident, saying she felt 'really really bad'. She told MailOnline: 'I feel really sorry for them and I never wanted to put them in that position. But we didn't know any better, and we didn't know that they were quarantining, or else we wouldn't have gone to meet them. 'We didn't even know who Phil was. I asked Phil who he was. I'm not that much into football. I don't watch football at all. 'We didn't even know that Mason played for Man United.' She added: 'We haven't spoken to them since. We don't want to interrupt them because they are of course going through a lot right now. They haven't contacted us. 'It was a good night that we had, of course. We were all the four of us spending time together and getting to know each other. They were really nice guys.' Lara added: 'They were just young. We were all young and stupid and we all make mistakes. They treated us really well. They were such gentlemen. Really nice guys.' Reports of the hotel meeting came after Greenwood and Foden both made their debuts in England's 1-0 away win against Iceland in the Nations League on Saturday. Today, England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed the pair will travel home separately from the rest of the team. The national team arrived in Iceland having been given an exemption from the country's quarantine rules, which mean all foreign travellers have to quarantine for 14 days - regardless of how long their stay in the country is. Instead, Gareth Southgate's men were banned from meeting anyone outside of their bubble and were only allowed to go to their training facilities and the match while in the country. A Snapchat clip released by DV appears to show England youngsters Phil Foden (pictured) and Mason Greenwood in a hotel room with female company The meeting took place at the Radisson Blu hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland, where the England team were staying. The FA say the incident did not take part in any of the hotel rooms which the team were staying in The four star rated hotel costs around 100-a-night and is around a 15 minute drive, or around 5km away from Iceland's national stadium Phil Foden (left) and Mason Greenwood are both heading home after breaking quarantine rules, Gareth Southgate has confirmed today Foden and Greenwood (pictured with Gareth Southgate) made their senior debuts this week. Southgate said the pair would fly home separately from the rest of the squad Foden, above with Man City boss Pep Guardiola, has a one-year-old son and a girlfriend who he has been in a long term relationship with ICELAND'S COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS Iceland has strict rules on quarantines for incoming travellers. As of August 19, all travellers from risk areas to Iceland that enter the country are obligated to go into a 14 day quarantine. This is regardless of duration of the intended stay in Iceland or purpose of the visit. It can be shortened by undergoing testing for COVID-19 on arrival and again on day five of the quarantine. But the England team struck up a deal with Icelandic authorities so the team could play their Nations League clash with Iceland on Saturday. As part of the rules, the England team were told to isolate in the hotel, only leaving to go to training and matches. Advertisement The pair's conduct in bringing girls back has also contravened the FA's behavioural rules for players whilst on international duty. In the short clip, Foden and Greenwood appear to be wearing their new England training wear and the players are now in hot water with management. In an interview with DV, one of the girls in the Snapchat video allegedly filmed in the hotel room said: 'We had no idea about these [Covid-19] rules, they never said we could not take pictures.' Another girl claimed to have notified the England stars that the pictures were in circulation with a Snapchat message, but 'they have not opened it'. She also claimed to have been talking 'with one of the boys for a few days'. She said: 'The only thing I can say is that I had been talking to one of them for a few days. I'm not going to say where.' Foden has a two-year-old son and a long-term girlfriend, while United star Greenwood broke up with his model girlfriend back in May. Manchester City midfielder Foden started for Gareth Southgate's side against Iceland on Saturday night, making his senior international debut. Meanwhile, Greenwood, who starred for Manchester United at the end of the recent Premier League season, came off the bench to achieve the same accolade. While the pair would have been looking ahead to England's next fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen on Tuesday night, they will now leave Iceland and return home. United's Mason Greenwood broke up with his model girlfriend Harriet Robson back in May. The pair are pictured here together City star Foden, who is thought of as a hot prospect for the future, regularly posts pictures with his young son, who turned one back in January Greenwood, who is also a highly regarded youngster at his club Manchester United, is pictured in training on Sunday, will head back to Manchester United on Monday Foden was all smiles on Sunday but is now leaving the camp under a dark cloud this week following the revelation of the quarantine breach England's senior stars trained on Monday morning, but Foden and Greenwood were absent. The team are set to face Denmark in their next match The likes of James Ward-Prowse (centre) and Jack Grealish (left) were in high spirits on Monday, ahead of the Denmark game The pair were both absent from England training on Monday and it was then confirmed that they would leave the camp and travel home before the team's second and final match. England boss Gareth Southgate today faced the media for a press conference where he discussed the issue. He said: 'Two of the boys have broken the Covid-19 guidelines, in terms of our secure bubble. 'We had to decide very quickly that they couldn't have any interaction with the rest of the team and wouldn't be able to train. 'Obviously they have been naive. We have dealt with it appropriately. I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic. 'Now they will have to travel back to England separately.' He added: 'Nothing has happened in the areas we occupy in the hotel.' It has been reported by news outlet DV that the girls did not go into the players' room, but instead two other rooms had been booked where the could meet the woman, who both reportedly from Iceland. The news outlet reports that, at first, only one of the woman was going to meet Greenwood, before a friend of hers decided to go with her. A spokesperson for Greenwood's club, Manchester United, said they were 'disappointed'. Greenwood (pictured left) is a rising star at Manchester United. The club have called his actions 'disappointing'. Foden (pictured right) is also highly rated by Manchester City. The club says the player's actions were 'totally inappropriate' The spokesperson said: 'Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation.' A statement from City read: 'It is clear that Phil's actions were totally inappropriate. 'His behaviour not only directly contravenes strict guidelines related to Covid-19, but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international.' A spokesperson for the England national team tonight added: 'Whilst in Iceland, both Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood spent time outside of our private team area, which was a breach of our COVID-19 rules. 'While they did not leave the team hotel, it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol. They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement. 'The FA will be launching a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to this breach. 'We have spoken to the Iceland FA to offer our apologies for this incident and to ensure them that we are taking the appropriate steps. 'We have also assured the Danish FA that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period. 'Our immediate priority now is preparing the team for the match against Denmark tomorrow.' Last week, 10 October was World Mental Health Day, but just how mentally well are we? While New Zealand is the eighth happiest country in the world, its an indictment on our society that we have the highest suicide rate for 15- to 24-year-olds, five times that of Britain and twice that of Australia. In fact, our suicide rates are persistently high overall. In August, the Chief Coroner released provisional suicide statistics that reported suicide deaths had risen for three years in a row to 606 in the year ending 30 June, the worst since records began eight years ago. The highest age group was 20- to 24-year-olds, with 70 deaths, followed by 64 in the 25- to 29-year-old and 40- to 44-year-old groups. Maori suicides were steady, but Maori still have the highest rate of all ethnic groups. Behind these statistics are family and friends rocked with grief and left with unanswered questions and regrets. And while we may toss the word closure around, anyone who has lost someone knows closure is over-rated at best. The bereaved are forever haunted by the terrible absence of someone gone too soon. These absences were starkly illustrated by the Shoe Project, an initiative of the YesWeCare health coalition, which was driven by the Public Service Association, New Zealands union for people working in mental health. Five hundred and seventy-nine pairs of shoes, a pair for every person who died from June 2015 to 2016, made their way around the country from the end of August before being displayed at Parliament last month. There were shoes for eight children aged 10 to 14, 51 teenagers, 419 adults, and 101 older adults over 60. Farmers and farm workers were represented by 17 gumboots. Seventy per cent of shoes were mens shoes. It matters (campaign) In another awareness-raising campaign ahead of the election, a number of organisations came together for the It Matters! campaign (www.itmatters.org.nz). The organisations made the point that mental health challenges affect people across New Zealand, from the student studying away from home, to the mother with post-natal depression, to the farmer experiencing tough times. All political parties were asked to explain how they would address the countrys significant mental health and addictions challenges, with the two areas often closely related. The organisations behind It Matters! were motivated by stories of many people who said when they needed help, it either wasnt there, or the right type of help wasnt available, or people werent yet bad enough to qualify for it. Marion Blake, CEO of Platform Trust (which aims to inform, shape and influence the community-based mental health and addictions service sector), was heartened that all parties unanimously agreed New Zealand was not doing enough, with most wanting to do something. But she said, The fact is that there is no simple fix or one size fits all approach. And while there was a lot to like about some policies, it still felt like picking from like a lolly scramble of solutions that wont address system-wide issues. As coalition talks continue and regardless of who forms our next government, we need all politiciansas a priorityto agree to come together and work with those at the coal face to address New Zealands mental health crisis. Britain's IT sector is on a hiring drive, figures suggest. Photo: PA Vacancies in Britains tech sector have jumped 36% in the past two months, according to analysis by entrepreneur network Tech Nation. UK digital minister Oliver Dowden dubbed the IT industry an engine of job creation, with more vacancies than any other bar healthcare on jobs site Adzuna in August. Recruitment in IT declined as lockdown hit earlier this year. It remains well below the 150,000 jobs a week seen in the first three months of the year, but rose by more than a third between June and early August to around 90,000. Analysis by Tech Nation to mark London Tech Week found front-end developers were among the five most-advertised roles in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cambridge. They are also among the nine cities that now have more than a fifth of their workforces in tech roles. READ MORE: UK vacancies up by 53% since May, soaring past half a million Cambridge and Belfast have the highest proportion of digital tech jobs, with more than one in four adverts for a role in the sector. Tech Nation claims Britain remains the undisputed leader for tech in Europe. It found Britain had more unicorns than Germany, France and the Netherlands combined, and that UK startups have received 7.5bn ($9.87bn) in venture capital investment this year. The research also highlighted considerable evidence of tech firms like Amazon (AMZN) recruiting for non-tech roles, as well as non-tech firms like Tesco (TSCO.L) hiring tech staff. READ MORE: Cambridge, UK tech and the dangers of poorly managed growth Amazon recently announced plans to take on another 7,000 new workers at three new UK warehouses this year, within its existing delivery network, and at its UK head office, in roles varying from engineering to HR. The e-commerce giants UK country manager Doug Gurr said in a statement that tech played a key role in keeping the country connected and driving the economy more than ever before. Cindy Rose, UK CEO of Microsoft, also welcomed the hiring recovery in a statement, but added: At the same time, it highlights the critical need for everyone industry and government to find ways to address the digital skills gap that existed before COVID but has only worsened since. Separate figures published by Adzuna on Monday showed Cambridge and Guildford both had more job adverts than jobseekers in a study last month. IT is the sector with most vacancies in both locations. Recruitment has been picking up overall across the UK since lockdown restrictions have eased. Adzuna data also shows vacancies at the end of August were up 53% since May, though they remain 40% below pre-lockdown levels. Passengers and crew on board the luxury yacht Lady Pamela will be permitted to stay in Queensland when they complete two weeks of mandatory quarantine, despite Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk saying she was "disgusted" by their alleged conduct. Sources at Queensland Police and Queensland Health confirmed that Melbourne construction magnate Mark Simonds and his family would remain in the state after allegedly breaching conditions of their exemption in NSW, where they disembarked from the vessel. Hannah Fox, eldest daughter of Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox, will be reunited with her family on the Gold Coast after her father convinced Queensland authorities that he drives trucks, which entitles him to an exemption from the state's ban on Victorian visitors. The travellers, who left Melbourne on August 9 during stage four lockdown, are expected to complete their quarantine at the QT hotel in Surfers Paradise on Tuesday. If you thought tjos summer was hot and dry across Prince Edward Island, CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin says there are statistics to show just how bad it was. Simpkin shared the statistics from Environment Canada about the hot conditions across the Island that set some records with Island Morning host Mitch Cormier Monday. "Summerside, it was the second hottest summer on record with nine days over 30 C." Simpkin said Charlottetown tied for sixth place with five days over 30 C. The hottest summer on record was in 1944 when both Island cities recorded 10 days in the 30 C-plus zone. But Simpkin said when it comes to dry conditions, the Island's capital city did set a record. "It was the driest summer Charlottetown had ever seen and it was the third driest summer Summerside had ever seen." With warm temperatures in the forecast for the rest of the week, those dry conditions will continue. Simpkin said P.E.I. won't see any rain until Wednesday at the earliest this week. More from CBC P.E.I. The AAP on Monday claimed the partys senior leader Sanjay Singh was detained by the Uttar Pradesh police for a few hours on Sunday when he was returning from a visit to Lakhimpur Kheri district. The party said Singh had gone to meet the family of former MLA Nirvendra Mishra, who died on Sunday after an altercation with a group of people over a land dispute. Aam Aadmi Party chief spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj said Singh was detained by the UP police at a guest house in Atariya Sitapur for a few hours on Sunday while he was returning from Lakhimpur Kheri. He said the police did not have any reason to detain the Rajya Sabha MP. In Uttar Pradesh people are so terrorised that nobody has the courage to ask the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Uttar Pradesh government any question. Sanjay Singh is the only leader who comes from the Thakur community but at the same time, he is asking the Yogi government questions," Bhardwaj told reporters. The Yogi government has registered 13 different FIRs against Sanjay Singh to terrorise him and yesterday they detained him," he said. This is just to terrorise him and to muzzle his voice because he is talking about the rights of Dalits and Brahmins. The Aam Aadmi Party is very clear and on behalf of the party, I want to tell Ajay Mohan Bisht (Yogi Adityanath) that the Aam Aadmi Party will not be terrorised," he added. Mishra, 75, died after he fell on the ground during the altercation. No apparent injury was found on his body, according to police. However, the former MLAs son Sanjiv alleged that dozens of people beat his father with heavy sticks which led to his death. Mishra had represented the Nighasan Assembly constituency, before delimitation, twice as an Independent in 1989 and 1991, and on a Samajwadi Party ticket in 1993. . Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal (PPBM) staged a protest against the policies of the state government here on Monday. Addressing the protestors, mandals state general secretary Sunil Mehra and leaders Rakesh Vohra, Ramesh Mahajan, and Vijay Kapoor said the traders were facing acute recession due to the faulty policies of the Punjab government. They said that they regretted that the weekend lockdown had broken the backbone of the traders community and that if liquor vends, restaurants, hotels, etc are permitted to open then why are other shops not allowed to. They said, It seems as if traders are being ignored by Capt Amarinder Singh government even when it is they who give maximum revenue in the form of taxes to the government. The lockdown has been lifted everywhere including Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi but Punjab government is yet to take a decision in this regard. The mandal leaders warned that if the Punjab government failed to withdraw the weekend lockdown, the traders will protest by wearing black badges. Against a backdrop of American flags, manufacturing equipment and workers in hardhats, Vice President Mike Pence spoke in La Crosse on Monday to a crowd of supporters and workers of Dairyland Power Cooperative. The vice presidents remarks were largely on-message for his party, touching on immigration, gun rights, abortion, law enforcement, the economy, religion and the military, but he used the Labor Day holiday to hit home that the Trump administration was proud of its work on job growth, especially during the pandemic. On this Labor Day, American workers have a real champion in Donald Trump, Pence said to a crowd outside at the Dairyland Power campus. It was the vice presidents second trip to the La Crosse area in about a month and a half, and comes on the tail of President Donald Trumps recent visit to Kenosha, as Wisconsin shapes up to be a battleground state in the November election. Wisconsins Republican Sen. Ron Johnson spoke prior to Pence, saying that the vice president and the president were almost honorary Badgers given their frequent stops to the state. When I told him this morning when I was heading to La Crosse, I think he sounded just a little bit jealous, Pence said of Trump, calling him the best friend American workers have ever had. Brent Ridge, CEO of Dairyland Power Cooperative; Kurt Bauer, CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce; and U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia also spoke leading up to Pences remarks, sending the message home that the Republicans are running a campaign focused on jobs, jobs, jobs, a phrase Pence used several times in his speech Monday. Pence, to a crowd partially made up of Dairyland Power employees, which provides electricity to communities across the Midwest, called manufacturing workers the forgotten men and women of America, praising Dairyland Power workers for their efforts during the pandemic to keep the lights on. The vice president laid down an optimistic tone on jobs and the economy, especially in Wisconsin, noting such achievements as the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement, unemployment at its lowest mark before the pandemic, and 500,000 new manufacturing jobs created in the first three years of Trumps presidency. But much of that progress has been unraveled because of the pandemic. In Wisconsin alone, unemployment jumped from 3.1% to 13.6% in April when the virus first struck. This year began so well for American workers, Scalia said during his remarks. But he noted that he was pleased with the August jobs report, calling it very strong, with 1.4 million new jobs created, 10.6 million added back since May, and the national unemployment rate dropping almost two full points to 8.4%. Pence said to this positive news: the American comeback has begun. But its still a somewhat rosy painting of the state of employment in the country. Scalia himself noted that unemployment was still too high for his liking. As the pandemic continues its unknown course and the world awaits a vaccine, health officials have warned that the fall and winter months could be even worse for the spread of the virus, making the potential for job growth less certain. In Wisconsin, the unemployment rate has dropped since the spring, but 7% of Wisconsinites are still claiming unemployment, with roughly 13,000 new unemployment claims filed in the state last week. I think his optimism is well founded, based on the history of what theyve just been able to do and what they did for three years, Dan Kapanke of La Crosse, Republican candidate for state Senate, said. Were going to get back there, thats what hes saying. Stay faithful, keep looking. There are going to be new jobs opening up soon, Kapanke said as a message to those still struggling with work. This is not blind optimism, said Derrick Van Orden, Republican candidate for Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District. The event at Dairyland Power was outdoors, and guests had their temperatures checked and masks were required upon entering the event, but most took them off once inside, and though chairs were spaced out, little social distancing was done. Groups of protesters and Trump supporters gathered outside of the event and along the motorcade route on Monday, and protesters could occasionally be heard chanting behind Pences remarks. On the opponents Pence did not let it go unnoticed that Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris was also in Wisconsin Monday, visiting with the family of Jacob Blake and Black business owners in Milwaukee. He specifically called out her record of voting against the USMCA as a senator earlier this year. The dairy farmers in Wisconsin deserve to know that Sen. Kamala Harris is one of only 10 senators to vote against the USMCA. She said it didnt go far enough on climate change, Pence said. And here at Dairyland Power, you deserve to know. Sen. Harris put their radical environmental agenda ahead of Wisconsin dairy and ahead of Wisconsin power, he said. Pence also repeated some remarks that have been found to be exaggerated or false, including that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wants to defund the police and that Trump deployed National Guard troops to Kenosha after destructive protests. 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. (Natural News) Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert stated that the attack on her office building was planned and led by the radical leftist group Antifas local chapter in the city. There is no question that there was a planned attack on our office, said Schubert during an appearance on Fox News The Ingraham Angle on Wednesday, September 2. And now that we have more intelligence, we understand that much of it was led by Antifa. There was that particular night, there were two separate organizations. The first one was a peaceful protest, which we all support, but the second we now know was organized and planned by Antifa, which is an organization that their whole endgame is the destruction of democracy, and theyre going to do that by violence and intimidation and coercion. Schubert further said that, given the buildings that were targeted by Antifa her district attorneys office building and the nearby sheriffs department it was clear that their purpose was to destroy institutions that promote public safety and inevitably bring on capitalism and the downfall of the country. If Californias own capital city isnt safe from Antifa, then theres little hope left for the solid blue state. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger as he talks about the recent wave of wildfires gripping central and northern California, which were caused by a series of thunderstorms, and how they may be the wrath of God come down to Earth to punish the state for its left-wing evil. (Related: The rule of law is dead in California: Contra Costa DA will allow looters to steal anything they need.) Attack on DAs office carried out by Sacramento chapter of Antifa On August 27, before 9 p.m., a group of around 150 people all wearing dark clothing, helmets and body armor congregated at Cesar Chavez Plaza in Downtown Sacramento, several blocks to the south of the district attorneys office right after that days peaceful protest against police brutality ended. The protest, and the subsequent riot, were organized as a demonstration in solidarity with the Antifa and Black Lives Matters who were rioting in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Once the mob assembled, they headed north to the district attorneys office building, where they immediately became very destructive. One group tried to start a fire in the offices lobby, but police officers were able to respond quickly and put out the fire. The police department also reported several instances of vandalism on the office building. They also harassed innocent people nearby. As they left Cesar Chavez Plaza, the mob had a heated confrontation with a biker. When they got to the Sacramento City Hall, they fought with several members of a Mexican-American veterans group who were paying their respects at a memorial. An ABC10 news crew was blocked from documenting part of the evenings events by a group of demonstrators who tried to obscure the visions of the cameras using umbrellas and strobe lights. One man even threatened a reporter. Im going to break your [expletive] camera in a minute if you dont back off, said the man. The mob also damaged several other nearby buildings, including the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department. The next day, Schubert released a statement saying that the attack on her office was planned and led by the Sacramento chapter of Antifa, which she described as a domestic terrorist and anarchist organization. Contrary to the peaceful protest held earlier in the evening, Sacramento Antifa, along with outside Antifa groups, wreaked havoc on the Sacramento community, threatening media reporters and others, damaging many buildings and trying to set a fire in the lobby of the District Attorneys office, said Schubert in her statement. She further warned that Sacramento Antifa was threatening to stage more attacks against the community in the coming days, and that her office will be prosecuting anyone who participated in the previous attack and will punish anybody who joins any future riots and demonstrations. During her interview on Fox, Schubert announced her commitment to making sure that her office and their partners in law enforcement will do everything they can using all of the resources at their disposal to make sure that the criminals who attacked her office and the buildings near it. She spent some time pointing out that, while the Sacramento Police Department spent much of the night of the riot letting the mob conduct their violence and trying to prevent the situation from escalating further, they were also collecting evidence. Anybody that understands our abilities, were going to do everything we can [to identify the rioters], said Schubert. If you left your DNA behind, were going to find it and figure out who you are. Were not going to be terrorized, Schubert continued, warning of future threats of Antifa attacks. They tried to post where they think I live on their own social media. This theme of intimidating by showing up to peoples homes has to end. Local Antifa organizations around the country are cooperating more extensively. Learn more about their latest well planned and organized attacks by subscribing and reading the articles at AntifaWatch.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com FoxNews.com ABC10.com SacDA.org His gut reaction is to legislate; hes been a legislator, said Leon Panetta, who worked with Biden as Barack Obamas defense secretary. Hes going to try to build or test bipartisanship to see if he can rebuild that in the Congress and see whether that takes him anywhere. He added, A lot of presidents walk into that office with all kinds of ideas about the great things they are going to accomplish, only to run into the wall of reality. On the last leg of his three-day visit to Jammu region, director general of Border Security Force Rakesh Asthana visited Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch sector underscoring the force being the first line of defence on the border, urging it to be wary as both China and Pakistan are planning against us. Though the Army has the operational command of the 744-km long LoC, the BSF has also been deployed to assist the former. On Sunday, the third day of his visit, Director General of Border Security Force, Rakesh Asthana visited various forward defence locations in Poonch and Rajouri sector and took stock of the situation. He was accompanied by SS Panwar, ADG (WC) and NS Jamwal, IG BSF, Jammu Frontier, said an official spokesperson. The DG was briefed by ID Singh, DIG Rajouri and field commanders on the LoC regarding the operational preparedness and situation. Appreciating the measures adopted by the troops while maintaining domination, the DG emphasised on meeting the security challenges more effectively. Lauding the excellent synergy amongst all the security forces, the DG exhorted all ranks to maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism. He also addressed Sainik Sammelan in the BSF Paloura Camp Jammu and said that since Pakistan and China were planning against India, the BSFs role became more important in guarding the borders. This is a very crucial time for all, as both our neighbouring countries are planning against us. So, our role has become more important now as we are the first line of Indian defence, the spokesperson quoted the DG as saying. He was very appreciative of the vigilant BSF jawans who guard the nations border 24x7 defying all hostile conditions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 12:39 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4326815 1 Business small-business,stimulus-package,social-assistance-funds,teten-masduki,COVID-19 Free The government is seeking to expand its business assistance program to around 3 million more small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak by reallocating funds from other programs within the governments stimulus plan. Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki said on Sept. 4 that the ministry planned to increase the initial target of 12 million micro and small businesses to 15 million by mid-December. Were confident that we will reach this target given the high level of interest among micro businesses, he said during a live-streamed webinar. Through the assistance program, eligible small businesses can receive a grant of Rp 2.4 million (US$163) to help them survive the economic impacts of the health crisis. Read also: Fintech firms offer to help disburse govt COVID-19 funds With the expansion, the government plans to increase the budget allocation for the program from Rp 22 trillion to Rp 36 trillion. The additional funds will be sourced from other programs managed under the governments Rp 695.2 trillion stimulus program, according to Teten. Indonesias economy relies heavily on small businesses, which account for more than 60 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and employ a majority of the labor force. The assistance comes as many small businesses struggle to survive the pandemic, as the economy shrank 5.32 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the second quarter this year. According to a survey of 1,165 businesses conducted between April and May by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 91.8 percent of small businesses said they needed loans without interest or collateral, and 89.5 percent wanted cash assistance or grants. The government has allocated Rp 123.47 trillion in the state budget for small businesses as part of its stimulus program. President Joko Jokowi Widodo launched the small business assistance program on Aug. 25, providing aid to 1 million small businesses across the country. As of Sept. 2, the government had disbursed Rp 13 trillion, or about 61 percent of its initial budget of Rp 22 trillion. The funding was disbursed to 9.1 million micro businesses that had yet to receive any form of government assistance, including interest-rate subsidies or debt restructuring. Read also: Government disburses $163m for micro businesses The program was especially aimed at micro businesses that had trouble getting bank loans or that did not have bank accounts at all, Teten previously stated. Although he acknowledged that some aid recipients might use some of the funds for non-business expenses, Teten believed it had been disbursed to the right targets. Weve gone through a rigorous validation process with the help of state-owned banks to make sure that the aid is disbursed to those who really need it, he said. Given that the aid is disbursed through banks, Teten said it was hoped the program would help micro businesses to become more bankable, giving them access to funding they can use to scale up their businesses. The head of the countrys economic recovery task force, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, meanwhile, added that his team would likely fund the additional small business assistance with excess from the Rp 35.28 trillion allocated for the interest-rate subsidy program. Read also: Govt partners with Mastercard, NGO to launch business, cybersecurity mentoring for MSMEs We dont really need as much money as we initially estimated, so we can channel the excess to other uses, like this program, he said. Budi said the team had estimated there would be more than Rp 21 trillion in excess from the subsidy rate program, as it was likely to only require Rp 14 trillion. As of August, only 7.2 percent, or about Rp 3 trillion, of the funds allocated for the interest-rate subsidy budget program had been utilized. The funds were used to subsidize Rp 322 trillion in loans for around 7.8 million MSMEs. KYODO NEWS - Sep 7, 2020 - 23:00 | All, Japan All Nippon Airways Co. will resume flights from Japan to Hawaii in October after suspending its service to the popular U.S. destination about six months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic, sources familiar with the plan said Monday. The Japanese carrier has decided to operate two round trips in the month between Narita, east of Tokyo, and Honolulu, mainly targeting people who wish to travel for business or to study abroad, the sources said. The flights using a Boeing 787 passenger jet will depart Japan on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, but the service between the two cities is set to remain suspended on other days. The company, which suspended the service in late March, will consider its plan for November and thereafter depending on the demand. ANA is currently suspending about 90 percent of its international flights due to travel regulations and reduced demand for air travel amid the global health crisis. A popular destination among Japanese tourists, flights to Hawaii had passengers fill up more than 90 percent of capacity annually. ANA launched Japan's first service employing an Airbus S.A.S. A380 plane, a huge double-decker passenger plane, last year to accommodate more customers. A teenage girl in China has suffered a severe infection inside her brain after she popped a pimple on her nose with her hands. The 19-year-old, known by her surname Yang, felt a persistent pain under the skin around her right eye soon after she squeezed the red spot on the tip of her nose. She was rushed to a hospital in eastern Chinese province Zhejiang a few days later when she developed a fever while her right eye became extremely swollen, reported local media. A teenage girl in China has suffered a severe infection inside her brain after she popped a pimple on her nose with her hands. The file picture shows a woman applying acne cream The incident was brought to light when Ms Yangs family recently took her to seek medical attention at the Second Hospital of Ningbo in the city of Ninghai. The young woman was diagnosed with cavernous sinus thrombosis, a blood clot in the cavernous sinuses, which are hollow spaces located under the brain, behind each eye socket. A blood clot can develop when an infection spreads to the cavernous sinuses from the nose, sinuses, ears, or teeth. The condition can be life-threatening even with prompt treatment. As many as one in three people with the condition may die, according to NHS. Doctors said that Ms Yangs infection developed after she popped the pimple on her nasal tip, part of an area known as the Triangle of Death. Also named as the Danger Triangle, the Triangle of Death stretches from the tip of the nose to a point on either side of the lips, roughly where dimples usually appear. Medical experts warn that picking at skin inside this danger zone can have serious implications for your overall health. Doctors said that Ms Yangs (not pictured) infection developed after she popped the pimple on her nasal tip, part of an area known as the Triangle of Death. The file picture shows an Asian woman standing in front of a mirror as she tried to squeeze the pimples on her face The teenage girl was in a critical condition when she was brought to the hospital, Dr Han Kun, deputy director of the department of neurology, told Ningbo Evening News. She had a continuous fever of 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) while showing signs of developing meningitis, the medic said. Her life could be in danger if the condition worsens. After receiving a series of antibiotics treatment, Ms Yang is said to have been in stable condition while recovering at the Ningbo hospital. Also named as the Danger Triangle, the facial Triangle of Death stretches from the tip of the nose to a point on either side of the lips, roughly where dimples usually appear According to Jeremy Brauer, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Centre, the veins running behind our eye sockets lead back to the 'cavernous sinus' which is located in the brain. He told Men's Health that when we pick or pop pimples, dirt from our hands and airborne bacteria can infect the open wound, triggering serious infection. The veins behind our eyes form clots to contain infections, which in turn puts pressure on the brain leading to partial or full paralysis and, in some cases, even death. Left untreated, an infection of the sinus cavity can also lead to a total loss of vision, brain abscesses and meningitis. Meanwhile Dr Sandra Lee, aka Dr Pimple Popper, explained that in worst-case scenarios, if inflammation from a spot spreads to the inner part of the brain, there is potential for blindness and massive stroke. But she cautioned that the chances of this happening are 'slim to none' when speaking to The Doctors. However, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't take every possible precaution when dealing with spots. Dr Lee recommends dabbing hazel onto stubborn spots in the Danger Triangle to disinfect the area and reduce swelling. But while picking at skin inside the triangle can certainly lead to grave infections, it is far more likely youll experience significant facial scarring as infections must be left to develop in severity before they become life-threatening. Abedi (22) was reported to police and security as acting suspiciously in the minutes before he detonated his bomb, the inquiry heard, but no action was taken. The first day of inquiry into the events of May 22nd, 2017, was told how one member of the public spotted Abedi, wearing a large back pack and thought he was praying, less than an hour before he detonated his bomb at 10.31pm and another told a British Transport Police (BTP) officer. Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said experts had been asked to look into the security at the arena that night. Mr Greaney said that of considerable importance, the experts consider, on the basis of the information currently available to them, that, on May 22, there were missed opportunities to identify Salman Abedi as a threat and take mitigating action. Advertisement He said that the experts concluded: If the presence of a potential suicide bomber had been reported, it is very likely that mitigating actions wouldve been taken that could have reduced the impact of the attack. This is because there was sufficient time between Abedi first being spotted by, and also reported to (security) staff and his attack to effectively react. Mr Greaney said: The evidence about these potential missed opportunities will need to be considered with the greatest possible care. He said whether there were missed opportunities to prevent the attack or reduce its deadly impact would be a key consideration for the inquiry, which began on Monday. Loved ones of the 22 people who died in the bombing stood in silent remembrance as the names of the victims were recited at the opening of the hearings. The 22 victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack (Greater Manchester Police/PA) The sombre proceedings began with Mr Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, reading the names of each of those murdered by suicide bomber Salman Abedi on May 22nd, 2017. Sir John Saunders, a retired High Court judge, is leading the probe examining events before, during and after the attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Advertisement Abedi, surrounded by a throng of elated youngsters leaving the show, exploded his shrapnel-packed rucksack bomb, sending thousands of nuts and bolts shredding everything in their path. Summarising the evidence at the beginning of the inquiry process, Mr Greaney described how William Drysdale spotted Abedi in the City Room of the arena and a second witness with Mr Drysdale then approached a British Transport Police (BTP) officer The officer cannot recall the conversation, the hearing was told. Two more witnesses, known only as A and B, a couple who had taken their daughter to the concert, also saw a man matching Abedis description acting suspiciously. Salman Abedi on the night he carried out the attack (Greater Manchester Police/PA) Mr A spoke to a Mohammed Agha, an employee of Showsec, the firm which provided security to the Arena on behalf of the venues owners, SMG. Mr A spoke to Mr Agha at 10.14pm, some 17 minutes before the detonation. Mr Agha then spoke to a colleague, Kyle Lawler, about the matter, eight minutes before the bomb went off. But neither security control, nor anyone else, was informed about the suspicious activity, the hearing was told. Earlier, formally opening the inquiry, Sir John said: This is an exercise in establishing the truth. Advertisement If I conclude things went wrong then I shall say so, but we are not looking for scapegoats. We are searching for the truth. The explosion killed 22 people, including children, the youngest was eight years old. Salman Abedi blew himself up in the explosion but he intended as many people as possible would die with him. Sir John said some evidence must be heard in secret to prevent further similar terrorist attacks. Abedi was known to the security services, and a senior MI5 officer, known only as witness J, is expected to give evidence to the inquiry later this year. The bombers brother, Hashem Abedi, now 23, was last month jailed for life with a minimum 55 years before parole, for his part in the deadly bomb plot, which left hundreds of other people injured. Hashem Abedi, younger brother of Salman Abedi, has been jailed for life with a minimum 55 years before parole (Greater Manchester Police/PA) Some evidence, involving information judged to be potentially of use to terrorists, is subject to restriction orders, and those hearings will be closed to the public. The most sensitive evidence is likely to be heard at closed hearings, with both press and public excluded because of the risk to national security. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:37:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Chen Jiabao, Ming Dajun BANGKOK, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Remote signing can be an alternative solution for investors and cross-border business in Thailand to address practical difficulties brought on by COVID-19, Shi Datuo, a renowned Thai lawyer said recently. Remote signing witnessed via video could be accepted when cross-border travel is restricted, Shi said in an interview with Xinhua. When investors want to set up companies in Thailand during the pandemic, their mailing original copies of signatures executed under the witness of video could be accepted by Thai international law firms with the approval of Thai government bodies, Shi said. Shi, founder of the Thailand DTL Law Office and familiar with both Chinese and Thai laws, mainly provides legal services and dispute resolutions for Chinese investors to Thailand. He said the coronavirus pandemic continues to rock the global economy and affects cross-border trade and investment. Thailand has banned international passenger flights since April to prevent imported COVID-19 cases, posing challenges to the implementation of some cross-border business projects. In most cases, Thai government departments require the authorized corporate director to be physically present when signing documents. In case that someone has to sign documents abroad, all the documents need to be authenticated. Amid the travel restrictions during the pandemic, cross-border trade and business activities are hindered by existing regulations and procedures, according to Shi. "Business people are very concerned about how to ensure smooth operations. International law firms in Thailand should offer agency service, including acting wage payment, paying social insurance in the absence of enterprise owners," he suggested. Shi said Thailand and China should create a more open and effective cross-border business environment during the present difficult times. "Trade between the two countries continues to rise despite the pandemic. There are growing demands for trade in service. Deepening legal service cooperation between the two countries will help accelerate the growth of investment and trade," said the lawyer. Thailand's cross-border trade fell by 9.18 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2020, due to lockdown measures and the slowing economies of neighboring countries. However, the country's trade with China went up 10.1 percent during the first seven months of 2020, according to the Chinese embassy in Thailand. Thailand has become an investment hot spot for Chinese enterprises. Shi, also executive president of the Thai-Chinese Bar Association, suggested the two sides should enhance cooperation in legal arbitration to provide trading and investment with alternative dispute settlement mechanism. Shi attended the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) and made a video speech on one of its forums on Monday. Enditem Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor said Monday that eight people had been sentenced to prison terms between seven and 20 years for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in what the prosecutors said was a "final" ruling in the case, according to a statement carried by the Saudi state-run news agency. The statement did not name the defendants, who were all believed to be members of a 15-man hit squad that traveled from Saudi Arabia to Turkey in October 2018 before killing and dismembering Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The rulings came after a trial that was closed to the public and the news media and that was criticized by human rights group as lacking in transparency. "These verdicts carry no legal or moral legitimacy. They came at the end of a process which was neither fair, nor just, or transparent," Agnes Callamard, a United Nations human rights expert who conducted an investigation into the killing, wrote on Twitter after the sentences were announced. Saudi Arabia's leaders have been eager to move past the killing . Grisly details had fueled global outrage, as did Saudi Arabia's initial denials that it had anything to do with Khashoggi's disappearance. The Saudi ruling on Monday failed to answer the most urgent questions about the murder, including who had ordered it and the whereabouts of Khashoggi's remains. The CIA concluded with "medium to high confidence" that Mohammed, who effectively rules Saudi Arabia, had ordered the killing, which he has denied. Turkey is holding a separate trial and has indicted 20 Saudi citizens on murder charges, though none of the defendants are in Turkish custody. Khashoggi, 59, was a veteran Saudi journalist who contributed opinion columns to The Washington Post. He had visited the Istanbul consulate intending to collect documents that would allow him to remarry while his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, waited for him outside. In a statement posted on Twitter, Cengiz said: "The Saudi authorities are closing the case without the world knowing the truth of who is responsible for Jamal's murder. Who planned it, who ordered it, where is his body?" Five of the eight defendants were spared the death penalty after Khashoggi's sons announced in May that they had forgiven their father's killers. The Saudi justice system allows families of victims in some capital cases to grant clemency to convicted killers. Instead, the five received 20-year prison terms, according to the Monday statement . Three other defendants received sentences between seven and 10 years, the statement said. Two senior Saudi officials - Saud al-Qahtani, a powerful royal media adviser, and Ahmed al-Assiri, a former deputy head of intelligence - were exonerated by the Saudi court late last year, even after Saudi prosecutors said the two men played central roles in the plot that led to Khashoggi's death. Sudans Government Signs Agreement Separating Religion and State, Ending 30 Years of Islamic Law Sudans transitional government on Sept. 3 agreed in principle to separate religion from the state, putting an end to 30 years of Islamic rule in the country. A declaration to adopt the principle was signed in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, Thursday by Sudans Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu, a leader of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North political party. The state shall not establish an official religion. No citizen shall be discriminated against based on their religion, the document states, VOA reported. For Sudan to become a democratic country where the rights of all citizens are enshrined, the constitution should be based on the principle of separation of religion and state, in the absence of which the right to self-determination must be respected, it continues. The agreement is the latest in a series of steps to undo the three-decade system of strict sharia law under the rule of Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the military in April 2019 after months of protests against his rule. During the dictators rule, Islam was the religion of the state. Al-Bashir sought to make Sudan the vanguard of the Islamic world when he seized power in 1989. It was signed just days after the government initialed a deal with rebel groups in Juba, South Sudan. The peace agreement has raised hopes that conflict in Darfur and other regions of the country, which continued under al-Bashirs rule, could be quelled. The final signing of the deal has been scheduled for Oct. 2 in the South Sudanese capital. The Sudanese prime minister and al-Hilu have stated that they believe separating religion from the state is a necessary move to address the countrys conflicts. Sudans 45 million population is approximately 91 percent Muslim and 6 percent Christian. In recent months, Sudans transitional government has dropped a number of Islamic laws, including eliminating penalties for apostasyrenouncing Islamand allowing non-Muslims to drink alcohol. Officials also prohibited female genital mutilation. We [will] drop all the laws violating the human rights in Sudan, Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari told state TV in July. We are keen to demolish any kind of discrimination that was enacted by the old regime and to move toward equality of citizenship and a democratic transformation, he said. While the reforms have been welcomed by human rights campaigners both domestically and internationally, they have been publicly criticized by Islamic parties in the country, including the Popular Congress Party (PCP). Its clear that this government, which is obeying the West, is going for full secularization of the countrywhich is against our values and religion, the PCP said in statement. A Queensland mother has pleaded guilty to torturing her three young children and subjecting them to 'excruciating' violence over a seven-month period. The Moreton Bay woman, who can't be named for legal reasons, put her children through 'gratuitous inflictions of violence and pain' at her home between July 2017 and February 2018. The three children, who are aged 10 or under, were repeatedly hit with spoons and belts by their mother, or each other if she demanded it. Brisbane District Court heard the children were starved for more than a week at a time and subject to a horrific beating called 'The Wall'. The punishment involved the children standing facing a wall with their arms stretched above their heads while being beaten with various objects for hours. A Moreton Bay mother has pleaded guilty to three counts of torture on her children between July 2017 and February 2018 (stock image) Crown prosecutor Toby Corsbie told the court the oldest son missed school in February due to injuries sustained at home, with authorities notified on his return to class. 'Ultimately, he had physical violence inflicted on every surface of his body,' he said, as reported by NCA NewsWire. Mr Corsbie said the woman had tried to keep her family's home life a secret from authorities. 'One of the children had told police she had been told not to speak to them,' he said. The mother's lawyer Patrick Wilson told the court her actions were influenced by her partner and previous abusive relationships. 'She has suffered at the hands of these men in her relationships... the children observed violence directed towards her by the partner,' he said. The woman would use belts and spoons to torture the three children (stock image) Mr Wilson said the mother is doing parenting courses and drug and alcohol counselling. The mother was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Tuesday. Her partner is awaiting trial for his alleged role in beating the children. Kuleba has initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the current situation and ways out of it. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has commented on the escalation in Donbas. The minister called enemy provocations, as a result of which one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was wounded, "obvious attempts to disrupt the ceasefire and create significant obstacles to the peace process." "I emphasize: Ukraine stands for unconditional and strict observance of the ceasefire. The path to peace and the end of occupation of our territories is thorny, but it begins exactly when the weapon is silent," he wrote on Facebook. Read alsoRussian-controlled forces breach truce in Donbas, Ukrainian soldier killed (UPDATED)Kuleba reiterated Ukraine had already activated a coordination mechanism to respond to ceasefire violations with the assistance of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire and stabilization along the contact line in Donbas and informed the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine about the incident. "In addition, I have initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the current situation and ways out of it," the minister said. Donbas ceasefire: background Labor Day is typically summer's final hurrah. It could be the difference between life and death this year, warned governors from across the U.S. as the nation's coronavirus death toll approached 190,000, about 62,000 more than any other country. Were facing the challenge of our lifetimes and we must do better, Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday while announcing that The Bluegrass State had set a record for the second straight week for most positive cases with 4,742, up from 4,503 the previous week. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, expressed similar worry as The Peach State surpassed 6,000 deaths: This #LaborDayWeekend, I am urging all Georgians to wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash their hands ... By staying vigilant in the fight against COVID-19, we can continue to protect people & paychecks in GA!, he said on Twitter. Mapping coronavirus: Tracking the U.S. outbreak, state by state Some significant developments: A USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data through late Saturday shows three states had a record number of deaths in the last week: Kentucky, Missouri and North Dakota. Ahead of the Jewish New Year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered overnight curfews in many cities beginning Monday amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. At least 7,000 health care workers worldwide have died from the coronavirus, according to Amnesty International. That total includes more than 1,000 deaths in the U.S. Today's numbers: The U.S. has almost 6.3 million confirmed cases and nearly 189,000 deaths. Globally, there are more than 27 million cases and almost 900,000 fatalities. What we're reading: Do you need a COVID-19 test if you plan to travel? It's confusing. That's in part because states have different views on COVID-19 risks, the role of testing and the need for quarantine. This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter. Story continues People crowd the beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Labor Day weekend, seeking relief from a dangerous and record-setting heatwave but risking the spread of coronavirus. Florida reports lowest daily case count since June heading into Labor Day Florida reported 1,838 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the lowest single-day number of new infections since June 15. That's according to the latest state data released by the Florida Health Department. The report also reflected 22 new deaths, pushing down the average number of deaths over the past week to 99 a day the lowest since July 16. But health officials across the state are waiting to see if the Labor Day weekend might produce an uptick in the number of coronavirus cases, as most of the states beaches remain open through the Labor Day holiday. To date, the state has recorded more than 648,200 cases of COVID-19. In all, the state has tallied 12,023 deaths linked to the virus since the outbreak began. COVID-19 double lung transplant ready to go home A double lung transplant COVID-19 patient is feeling fine and will be going home Tuesday from a Polish hospital, physicians said. Grzegorz Lipinski, 45, needed the transplant after the virus almost totally destroyed his lungs, Marian Zembala said. Lipinski is head of the medical instruments sterilization room at a hospital in Tychy, southern Poland, that only treats COVID-19 patients. He was initially treated there but had the double transplant in July at the Silesia Center of Heart Diseases in Zabrze, where Zembala serves as director. Black patients' outcomes improve when treated by Black physicians Research suggests Black patients have better outcomes when treated by Black doctors and nurses. Yet, only 5% of doctors nationwide are Black, and only 2% are Black women, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Kay McField, a 51-year-old single mother in Jackson, Mississippi, is a patient at the Central Mississippi Health Services clinic on the campus of historically Black Tougaloo College. Its meaningful to be taken care of by someone who looks like you, who understands you, said Kay McField, a patient in Jackson, Mississippi. Other doctors go into the exam room, and they dont ask your name. And me, when I go there and be treated that way, Im not going back no more. Workplace of tomorrow may look like home As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, there have been many questions about what or even where the workplace will be in the future. Video-based conference calls on platforms such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams are with us to stay. Its an approach that literally overnight went from something unusual to completely mainstream, and the remote workplace has created habits that were not going to be able to walk away from. Further down the road, we may well fall back into some of our old work habits and environments. For the next year or so, however, and especially as we enter into a more uncertain cold weather, indoor-focused fall and winter season, it seems likely that work is going to be pretty similar to what weve been experiencing. Home is where the work is. Bob O'Donnell School daze: Child care, pre-school programs forced to change protocols Many child care centers and preschools that survived COVID-19 shutdowns are reopening their doors this fall, but the first day of class looks a little different this year, leaving some kids and guardians feeling anxious.To keep kids, families and staff safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that child care programs implement an array of new safety measures, such as reducing class sizes, requiring kids and staff to wear face masks, staggering drop-off and pick-up times, spreading nap mats out six feet apart, ending family-style mealtimes and more. Many states and counties have additional guidance. "Kids are really resilient, and they follow their parents' and teachers' cues," said Dr. Erica Lee, a psychiatrist at Boston Childrens Hospital. "The more calm and predictability we can create for them at home and at school, the better kids will do." Grace Hauck Donald Trump, Gavin Newsom agree on one thing: Wear masks on Labor Day While Californians contending with record-breaking temperatures of 110 degrees and higher flocked to the beaches, creating the potential for further spread of the virus in the state with the most reported cases, New Orleans was warning against "unacceptable" gatherings that "could have serious consequences that show up in the data two weeks from now," city officials said. There were 36 calls about large gatherings and 46 calls for businesses not following the rules on Friday and Saturday in New Orleans, according to the city. President Donald Trump urged safety ahead of the holiday weekend, pushing for "social distancing, wearing a mask whenever the distancing is not possible." California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has many times sparred with Trump, did the same: "Wear a mask. BE SMART. I know were tired of #COVID19 but literal lives are at stake," he said on Twitter. Israel imposes overnight curfews in hardest-hit cities amid COVID-19 surge With new infections at record levels less than two weeks before the Jewish New Year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered overnight curfews in about 40 cities and towns, beginning Monday at 7 p.m. It's unknown how long the curfews will remain in place. People will not be allowed to venture more than 500 yards from their homes, and nonessential businesses must close. Netanyahu, however, resisted reported recommendations for full lockdowns after an uproar by politically powerful religious politicians following hours of consultations on Sunday. CDC to oversee 'mind-boggingly complex' vaccine supply chain When a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, there's a plan in place for its distribution from manufacturers to the American public. The process will be run by the CDC, which for decades has overseen vaccine distribution in the United States and ran the last national vaccination effort during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Still, Tinglong Dai, a professor of operations management who studies health care analytics at the Johns Hopkins University, told USA TODAY he expects the vaccine supply chain to be "mind-bogglingly complex." Who will get it first? While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still finalizing plans, front-line medical workers, first-responders and people at high risk for severe disease are likely to get first dibs. Who will pay for it? All the vaccine supplied in the initial phases will be purchased by the U.S. government and no one will be charged for the actual dose. What about availability? The vaccine is expected to be in short supply, at least in the beginning, though CDC planning documents say significantly more will be available by January 2021. Elizabeth Weise COVID-19 toll on health workers: 7K deaths, Amnesty International says At least 7,000 health workers worldwide have died after contracting COVID-19, human rights organization Amnesty International said last week. "For over seven thousand people to die while trying to save others is a crisis on a staggering scale. Every health worker has the right to be safe at work, and it is a scandal that so many are paying the ultimate price," Steve Cockburn, Head of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty International, said in a statement. At least 1,320 health workers are confirmed to have died in Mexico alone, the highest known figure for any country, the group said. The U.S. has seen the second-highest number of health care worker deaths, Amnesty International said, with more than 1,000 deaths. COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY On Facebook: There's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch, to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19. In your inbox: Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter. Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID news: Labor Day weekend brings risk as US nears 190K deaths The prime minister said that the education policy, like defence and foreign policies, is not of the government but of the country New Delhi: The new National Education Policy (NEP) policy focuses on learning instead of studying and goes beyond curriculum to focus on critical thinking, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday asserting that it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to implement the policy in letter and spirit. In the NEP, first since 1986, the pressure on students for taking specific streams has been removed, he said. "Our youth will now be able to learn according to their interests," he said, while addressing the inaugural session at the Governors' conference on the Role of NEP in Transforming Higher Education. Earlier, students used to pick a stream beyond their aptitude and they would realise it much later. These problems have been addressed in the NEP, the prime minister said. "With vocational exposure right from an early age, our youth would get better prepared for life," he said, adding that their participation in the global job market and employability in India will increase with practical learning. The prime minister said that the education policy, like defence and foreign policies, is not of the government but of the country. India has been an ancient centre of learning, and the government is working to make it the hub of knowledge economy in the 21st century, he said. "It is our collective responsibility that the policy is implemented in letter and spirit. The more teachers, parents and students are associated with education policy, the more relevant and broad-based it will be," the PM added. The prime minister said that new policy has paved the way for international institutions to set up their campuses in India. The NEP approved by the Union Cabinet in July replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education framed in 1986 and is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower. COVID-19 has brought many things in our communities to a stop, but it hasnt stopped the volunteers and board members of Communities Promoting Animal Welfare NJ (CPAW NJ) in Essex County from continuing their efforts on behalf of homeless animals. In recognition of the groups efforts, the Unilever Federal Credit Union recently provided the cat rescuers a $10,000 grant to trap, neuter, vaccinate and return (TNVR) feral and stray cats. Its no secret that New Jersey has a problem with cat overpopulation, said board member Michelle Brodbeck, and the only humane alternative to euthanasia is the process of TNVR. By getting these cats fixed, the number of kittens born each year will decrease. CPAW NJ is an all-volunteer nonprofit group based in Montclair that had spayed/neutered 1,315 cats through March 2020. For more information on the group, go to www.cpawnj.org or email cpawnj@gmail.com. The Egyptian minister will be accompanied by a 20-doctor medical team of different specialisations as well as a number of nurses and experts in epidemic control Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed is set to visit Sudan on Tuesday to help the Sudanese people to overcome the repercussions of the torrential rains and floods that have swept a number of Sudanese governorates, Egypt's Charge d'Affairs in Khartoum Nader Zaki said on Monday. Weeks of heavy flooding nationwide in Sudan have left dozens of people dead and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. In remarks reported by Egypts state news agency MENA, Zaki said the Egyptian minister will be accompanied by a 20-doctor medical team of different specialisations as well as a number of nurses and experts in epidemic control. He added that the medical team is set to stay in the flood-hit country to help the Sudanese people until the crisis subsides. On Saturday, the Sudanese authorities declared a national state of emergency for three months because of the floods and designated the country a natural disaster zone. The floods have left at least 99 people dead, inflicted damage on more than half-a-million people, and caused the total or partial collapse of more than 100,000 homes. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has reiterated Egypt's solidarity with Sudan during the crisis, affirming his country's readiness to provide all means of support, according to state news agency SUNA reported. Egypt has dispatched humanitarian aid including medical supplies and foodstuffs since the crisis started in Sudan. Search Keywords: Short link: The Modi government on Monday, September 7, provided Y-plus category security to Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut. The decision comes days after Ranaut likened Mumbai to Pakistan occupied Kashmir. After her shocking comment, all hell broke loose between the movie motormouth and Maharashtra politicians (not from the BJP, of course; former CM Devendra Fadnavis has been silent about her jibe at Mumbai asmita). After her comments led to an ugly spat with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, Kangana claimed she felt unsafe in Mumbai. Kangana, who has been based in her native Himachal Pradesh during the lockdown, is a resident of Mumbai where she found fame and fortune in the movies. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took a swipe at Kangana's unfortunate PoK comparison, saying some people don't have gratitude for the city where they earn their livelihood. The Modi government, of which Kangana has been a vocal supporter, has now provided the actor with a platoon of 11 plus security personnel, including a couple of commandos. The home ministry, of course, has not revealed the reason or threat perception that led to such an unusual security measure. Kangana, who will visit Mumbai on Wednesday, September 9, for the first time since the lockdown began, has now hurled a fresh challenge at Sanjay Raut. Dominic Xavier wonders when this verbal slugfest will end. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Trump hails historic Serbia-Kosovo deal normalizing economic relations Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment President Donald Trump announced Friday that as a result of U.S.-brokered talks, the leaders of the two rival Balkan nations of Serbia and Kosovo have normalized their economic ties after decades of dispute. Serbia and Kosovo have each committed to economic normalization. Theyve been working on this for many, many years decades, actually," said Trump, who presided over the White House signing of a deal between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti of Kosovo. Trump said his administration proposed a new way of bridging the divide after a violent and tragic history, and years of failed negotiations. By focusing on job creation and economic growth, the two countries were able to reach a major breakthrough something that nobody thought was going to be possible. And I think its going to work out very well. And were going to be working with them on economic cooperation across a broad range of issues, the president said. Theres been tremendous death over a long period of time, and that all stops, he added. In the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo, which began with the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, more than 13,000 people have been killed. While Serbia considers Kosovo part of its territory, the latter says its an independent state. Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell served as a special envoy for the talks, according to The Washington Times, which quoted Grenell as saying, Lets give them a little taste of the Trump economy. Its not known when the agreement will be implemented, however. Officials from both countries said it could depend on whether Trump gets reelected, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Journal also reported that Serbia and Kosovo said they will remove 5G equipment provided by untrusted vendors from their mobile networks and ban them from bidding in the future, referring to Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies Co. that's controlled by China's communist regime. Weve also made additional progress on reaching peace in the Middle East, Trump added. I will say that Kosovo and Israel have agreed to normalization of ties and the establishment of diplomatic relations. The agreement we made with UAE has been incredible. And we have other countries in the Middle East coming very much to us and saying, When do we go? When can we sign? I think were going to have great peace in the Middle East. And nobody has been able to say that for a long time. Trump added that Serbia had committed to opening a commercial office in Jerusalem this month and to move its embassy to Jerusalem in July. This comes about three years after the Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital and about two years after it moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018. In this Tuesday, May 5, 2020 file photo, a health worker draws blood from a patient for a COVID-19 coronavirus antibody test in DeLand, Fla. Scientists are still working to figure out how well antibodies for the new coronavirus may shield someone from another infection, or how long that protection might last. (AP Photo/John Raoux) At the height of the coronavirus lockdown, President Donald Trump and his top health advisers trumpeted a new test that would help Americans reclaim their livesone that would tell them if they already had the virus and were protected from getting it again. Their arrival would help "get Americans back to work" by showing those who might have "the wonderful, beautiful immunity," said Trump, a point repeated at the daily briefings last April. Months later, the U.S. is awash in the tests but the bold predictions about their usefulness have yet to materialize. "There was definitely a lot of wishful thinking that there was going to be a magical test that was going to save us all, but we're not there yet," said Dr. Jennifer Rakeman of New York City's Public Health Laboratory. The tests check the blood for antibodies the body makes to fight off an infection. Scientists are still working to figure out how well antibodies for the coronavirus may shield someone from another infection, or how long that protection might last. Some early studies suggested any immunity fades fast; research published last week was more promising, suggesting that antibodies last at least four months after diagnosis and do not fade quickly. For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Medical Association explicitly warn that antibody tests should not be used to make decisions about returning workers to the office or students to school, though some labs still promote them for those uses. The CDC recommends everyoneeven those who were sick and recoveredtake precautions to prevent getting and spreading the virus. Experts say it was probably unrealistic to expect answers to key immunity questions early in the outbreak. Those questions have traditionally been answered only through long-term animal or human studies, said Marc Jenkins of the University of Minnesota. The National Institutes of Health and universities are conducting some of this work, but much of it has taken a back seat to the rapid development of vaccines in the middle of a pandemic. "Everyone's impatient and I can see why," Jenkins said. "But there's no easy path to this knowledge" about immunity. Antibody tests are different from the standard nasal swab tests that diagnose active infections. Instead, they use a blood sample or finger-prick of blood to look for signs of a past infection, whether the person was sick or had no symptoms at all. Based on other viruses, experts expect those with coronavirus antibodies to be at least partly immune for several months, if not longer. Dr. Anthony Fauci and other members of the White House task force said early on it was a "reasonable assumption" that if "you have the antibody, you're protected" but added that there wasn't proof. To get that proof, scientists first run experiments in animals. Human trials come next and can take even longer. Researchers track people who had an infection and developed antibodies to see if they become reinfected. Their antibodies are measured to to gauge the level needed for immunity. Jenkins and others said it's entirely possible that an effective vaccine will arrive before coronavirus antibody studies are completed, helping answer some of the key questions. Vaccines spur the production of antibodies, and a number of coronavirus vaccines are now being tested around the world. This Tuesday, April 14, 2020 file photo shows an antibody test kit at a drive-thru testing site in Hempstead, N.Y. The test, being administered by Somos Community Care, takes approximately 15 minutes and tests for the presence of antibodies in a person's blood, signifying that they may have some immunity to the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) In the meantime, experts say antibody tests are useful for two things: Large studies in the general population to see how widely the coronavirus has spread, and screening people who may be able to donate their antibody-rich blood plasma, which is used as an experimental treatment for COVID-19. But those uses were not the focus of White House briefings last spring, which attracted between 8 million and 10 million cable TV viewers daily, according to Nielsen. A spokesperson for the White House coronavirus task force did not provide a response to requests for comment. Expecting massive demand, the Food and Drug Administration chose a "flood-the-zone" strategy, allowing more than 170 tests to launch with little oversight. At the same time, Trump highlighted his administration's "fantastic progress" bringing antibody tests to market, some officials were raising concerns. Reports of European governments forced to discard millions of faulty tests raised alarms. "We're going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you you're likely immune from the disease ... the test really said that," said Admiral Brett Giroir, the administration's "testing czar." The FDA pulled back on its lax policy for antibody tests in May, requiring companies to begin submitting data on accuracy. The FDA has authorized about 40 thus far, while dozens more await review. Despite the precautions from regulators, some testing companies continue to advertise the tests for workers and others. Big laboratories, including LabCorp and Quest, offer the tests to employers, along with other services like temperature checks. "We are aware of the CDC's guidance," Quest spokeswoman Kimberly Gorode said in a statement. "That is why we recommend that employers use antibody testing as part of a holistic approach to bringing their employees back to the office." LabCorp said in a statement: "As knowledge grows there may be benefit in having access to this information." At testing sites in New York City in April, doctors with Somosa medical non-profit serving low-income communitiestold people who tested positive for antibodies that they could safely return to work, although they acknowledged "nothing is 100%." In a recent interview, the group's founder, Dr. Ramon Tallaj, defended the testing. He said the workers would have been expected to go back anyway. The antibody tests simply provided "one extra layer of protection," he said. The CDC and state public health agencies continue to use antibody testing to track the spread of the virus in the U.S. So far, in most areas studied, fewer than 5% of the population have antibodies. That's far below the levels that most experts think will be needed for herd immunity against coronavirus, underscoring the need for a vaccine. For now, Jenkins doesn't recommend spending the money to get tested for antibodies unless a doctor recommends it. "Even the research community can't really tell you what the result means," Jenkins said. Explore further Large antibody study offers hope for virus vaccine efforts 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The Chinese Military Air Force recently acquired new fifth-generation stealth fighter jets that complete the country's 2,500 massive fleets, making them deadlier than ever in neutralizing threats. The 5th generation jets are just a few of China's addition to its military force. Beijing is getting upgraded with its Air Forces in its fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, the Chengdu J20, which is the same size as the United States' F-22 and F-35C. Alongside this increasing number in China's airforce is the help of a neighboring country, Russia, with its air defenses design that the Chinese already owns and uses. Fox News reports that China is stepping up its military forces in the skies with all-new equipment and vehicles to advance the country in military warfare. The Chengdu J20 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets are accompanied by new attack drones, upgraded cargo planes, and the Russian S-400 and S-500 air defense systems China's deadlier force is considered a massive threat against the United States, trying to keep up with its advanced technology. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Forces count a 2,500 fleet of fighter jets, cargo planes, and drones readily available for the country's disposal. The Pentagon is keeping tabs on China's growing force and keeps an eye on the massive Asian country's advancements. Pentagon's recent publication of the 2020 report on China's Military power ensures the security of United States-China engagement and cooperation. ALSO READ: Does NASA Need White House's New SPD-5 Cybersecurity Policy? China's Fifth-Generation Stealth Jets and Cargo Aircraft The Chinese Chengdu J20 was first sighted in January 2011 while serving as a prototype. This year saw its complete release and use, adding to the country's massive fleet of fighter jets capable of stealth and incredible speeds. The Chengdu J20 is considered by the Chinese Government and Military to be a fourth-generation aircraft. However, its technology still falls in the fifth according to international standards. This large plane is capable of housing quite a number of short-range missiles. The J20 lacks in terms of maneuverability due to its nature of being a large fighter jet. On the other hand, China's Y-20 cargo aircraft is a massive bird intended for cargo and moves away from stealth. The easily detectable Y-20 is being configured to be a tanker aircraft capable of doubling the range of the country's fighter jets for a more effective offense tactic. Department of Defense and Pentagon's Take on China's Air Force The Department of Defense and Pentagon is studying and keeping a close look at China's increasing forces that prove to be deadlier as of now. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is gearing up in its sizes and is becoming more sophisticated technology with the arrival of the new vehicles. US Air Force is continuously upgrading its F-15s with new and more advanced weapons that will be enough to defend the country and ensure its effectiveness. A new air force stealth bomber is supposedly arriving in just two years, favoring and equipping the US with an aircraft tech upgrade. The B-21 bomber will help deliver advanced stealth, software, and nuclear deterrence that can change the United States' tactical approaches in the skies. ALSO READ: Elon Musk Expected to Unveil the Million Mile Battery on Tesla Battery Day 2020 Happening on September 22 This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Alonzo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Children are seen in the waters of the Blue Nile floods within the Al-Ikmayr area of Omdurman in Khartoum, Sudan August 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah (Photo : Reuters Connect ) A state of emergency has been declared in Sudan by the country's Security & Defence Council due to flooding from heavy seasonal rains that left 99 people dead and over 100,000 homes damaged. A Major Disaster in Sudan SUNA, the Sudanese state news agency, reported that the country is currently under a state of emergency for three months after experiencing massive record flooding, which has killed 99 people so far. The Security & Defence Council also currently designated the country as a natural disaster zone, as reported last Saturday by SUNA. According to Lena el-Sheikh Mahjoub, minister of labor and social development of Sudan, in addition to those who died, there were also over 500,000 people who were severely affected by the flooding. It also injured 46 people and damaged over 100,000 residential properties, causing a total or partial collapse of these homes. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: South Korea Flooding: Three Killed, 195 Displaced, More Rains and Floods in the Coming Days Record-Breaking Rains and Floods Most of the floodwaters came from the heavy seasonal rains, which mainly came from Sudan's neighbor Ethiopia, causing the River Nile water level to elevate to almost 17.5 meters (or roughly 57 feet) by late August. Authorities say it is a record-breaking level of water at least within the past 100 years. The rains and floods this year recorded high as well, which surpassed the records measured during the years 1946 as well as 1988. According to Lena el-Sheikh Mahjoub, there are expectations of a continued rise in levels, according to indications. Worst-Hit Places The flooded areas which were hardest hit include the following states: River Nile, Blue Nile, and Khartoum. According to UN reports, there were also damages in the regions of West Kordofan, Gedaref, South Darfur, and Gezira. READ ALSO: South Asia Floods: Death Toll at 550, Millions Displaced, Looming Humanitarian Crisis UN's Response The UN is in these areas providing support to the response of the country to the disaster. It provided household supplies, emergency shelter, sanitation, hygiene assistance, water, food, vector control, and health services. According to the UN, it quickly responded with the provision of needed supplies for the needs of a quarter of a million Sudanese ready in position even before the start of the rains. However, it said its supplies were rapidly depleted so that it is now making a call for more support from other nations. Supreme Committee As reported by SUNA, the Security & Defense Council also formed a "supreme committee" to be headed by the Labor & Social Development ministry for dealing with the damages and ramifications caused by floods this autumn of 2020. The rainy season in the country starts in June and ends in October. Within this time, Sudan experiences its yearly torrential rains and floods. The supreme committee issued a warning last Friday that Sudan can still have more rains, citing the record-breaking water level of the Blue Nile, which measured at 17.58 meters. The government and the UN are expected to rise to the challenge to the current state of emergency in Sudan and its massive flooding from the heavy seasonal rains, and it is hoped that there will be no additional deaths or homes damaged. READ NEXT: A River of Black Sludge With Debris Flooding Through Arizona Check out more news and information on Natural Disasters on Nature World News. A controversial pastor at the center of a COVID-19 resurgence in the country will be reincarcerated after a court canceled his bail Monday, legal sources said. Jun Kwang-hoon, who pastors Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul, was accused by prosecutors last month of violating the conditions for his bail by taking part in large-scale anti-government rallies in downtown Seoul. The prosecutors requested his bail be canceled, and the Seoul Central District Court accepted the request on Monday, according to the sources. The court also confiscated a deposit of 30 million won (US$25,284) from Jun. The decision comes 140 days after Jun was released on bail pending an investigation into charges he violated public election laws ahead of the April 15 parliamentary elections. He was also charged with libel against President Moon Jae-in. Jun's conditions for bail included a ban on attending all illegal rallies or protests, or those related to the investigation. In accepting the prosecution's request, the court cited Jun's violation of those conditions. Prosecutors plan to execute an arrest warrant for Jun in the morning and send him back to a detention facility. Jun tested positive for COVID-19 two days after he took part in the Aug. 15 rallies. He was subsequently hospitalized and later discharged from the hospital on Sept. 2. Police have raided Jun's house and facilities related to the church to secure evidence that the church hampered the government's efforts to slow the spread of the virus. The church and Jun have attracted conservative groups critical of the Moon Jae-in government. (Yonhap) Labor Day 2020 was no holiday for Rikki Burchett. Instead, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum fireman spent the day created to honor working men and women on the job, working. And happy. I love it here, TVRMs self-described token female steam railroad crew member said candidly. Id like to stay here forever. I have no plans to go anywhere else. Small wonder. Her current position fireman on a coal-fired locomotive is the job the Seattle, Wash., native has been working toward since she was six years old. The youngest of the three daughters of Rick Burchett, the 34-year-old blonde grew up knowing how much her dad loved trains and how determined he was to find some he could work on. She was in first grade, she said, when her dad discovered Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, an all-volunteer non-profit which would let him work on its steam engines. Before long, she was hooked, too. These days, with activity at TVRM picking up now that pandemic-related restrictions have been eased, Ms. Burchett and the rest of the workers at the railroad museum are staying busy. Over Labor Day weekend, for example, the Missionary Ridge Local made four trips a day, Friday through today (Monday). Special Dinner on the Diner excursions on Friday and Saturday both sold out, as did the Chickamauga Turn Steam excursion on Saturday. Even some of todays Missionary Ridge Local trips have run out of seats for would-be riders. Thats music to the ears of the former Washington resident who moved more than 2,500 miles to work on coal-fired steam locomotives here. During the years she was growing up in Seattle, Ms. Burchett recalled, she and her dad regularly spent weekends traveling halfway to Portland, Ore. Chehalis is 90 miles from Seattle and volunteering as crew members. Today, almost 30 years later, her dad is on the CCR&M board (of directors) . . . (and) still volunteering, she said proudly. Hes worked as brakeman, fireman, engineer, conductor . . . wherever he was needed. Undeterred by her youth, CCR&M also welcomed his then-six-year-old daughter into the fold and began training her to work on a railroad. I knew how to fire an oil burner by the time I was 12, she explained. Once she was grown up, however, real life intervened. She needed to find a job and begin supporting herself. Eventually, she enrolled in a community college and got a degree in computer programming. For five years, she was employed as a data base operator. Her interest in steam trains remained strong, however. She was active in the Heritage Rail Alliance, a nationwide railroad-related preservation group, and it was that association which led to her first trip to Chattanooga. In 2011, she traveled here to attend a conference hosted by TVRM. Not long after that, she said, she found a full-time job in Colorado working in the steam shop at San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad, where she stayed until she was offered a position on the train operations crew during the filming of the movie, The Lone Ranger. That position, unfortunately, didnt last long, she said, and she wound up back in Seattle working on computer-related jobs. Her eventual return to Chattanooga, she said, grew out of her interest in learning more about steam engines particularly coal-fired engines. Everything west of Colorado is oil-based, she said. To work with coal, you have to come East. She fired off a series of applications for railroad operations-related jobs, including some to TVRM. At the time, she said, I didnt even know they were hiring. I was applying to be a volunteer. But in 2018, she said, she received a call from TVRM telling her that the railroad museum was running excursions and needed part-time employees interested in training to become locomotive engineers. Was she interested? they wanted to know. Was she ever! Since then, she said, shes settled into TVRM and her new life. She has a boyfriend, also a TVRM employee, and a cat named Mikado after a kind of steam engine, she said with a laugh. This year has been challenging, she said, because of the pandemic. TVRM stopped hauling passengers for a while and both she and her boyfriend were out of work. But things are gradually getting back to normal, she said, and TVRM excursions are attracting passengers. These days, Ms. Burchett, one of the things she wants to do is let other women and young girls know that they, too, can do what she has done. A lot of people think you have to be a man to work on a railroad, she said. But theres no reason women cant do these jobs, if theyre interested and willing to work hard. The menu at Pho King Bon includes a drink called "Viet Kong" and encourages diners to mispronounce the name of a classic Vietnamese dish to sound like sexually explicit slang in French. But following criticism from some Vietnamese Quebecers who say those dishes and drinks are vulgar and offensive to their culture, the restaurant in Rosemere, a municipality about 20 kilometres north of Montreal, says it's making changes. Danny Khoi Nguyen Le Kim says while it's commendable that the non-Vietnamese owner of the restaurant wants to celebrate the culture and cuisine, this just wasn't the right way to do so. "It doesn't sit well with me, reading and going through and seeing my language and my culture. It feels mocked to me," he said. "The more I looked into it, the more I saw that this felt really disrespectful." Le Kim said he was particularly shocked at the seemingly cavalier usage of the term Viet Cong, which carries serious baggage for many in the Vietnamese diaspora. He said for those who fled Viet Cong armed forces, naming a cocktail after the regime is not an appropriate way to pay homage to Vietnamese culture. For Kim Nguyen, a second-generation Vietnamese Montrealer, the name evokes a painful family history. "Especially as someone whose family fought in the Vietnam War," she said. "My grandfather was a political prisoner for five years at the end of the war." Submitted by Kim Nguyen "I find this extremely offensive and I'd really like to get an apology from the owner," Nguyen said. She started a petition calling on the restaurant to change its name and some of the names of its menu items. By Sunday evening, it had been signed by over 2,000 people. Pho King Bon owner Guillaume Boutin sent a statement to CBC News saying the restaurant's branding had been called "marketing genius" by some, and was never meant to hurt anyone. "The Restaurant Pho King Bon therefore apologizes to all those who felt insulted by our play on words, there were no bad intentions behind our humour," says the statement. Story continues Management will modify the menu considering the concerns highlighted by the Vietnamese community, but the statement also appeared to characterize some of the outcry on social media as "hate speech" that it would not tolerate. The restaurant's management declined to comment further until later in the week. 'Brushing it off as a joke' Le Kim, says he is happy to hear the restaurant will make some changes. "I just hope the changes they make really encompasses everything we've brought up," he said. He said there are many examples of Asian restaurants with non-Asian owners that operate in a respectful way. But Nguyen says the apology is inadequate. "The restaurant made the Vietnamese language the butt of a joke that we never consented to be a part of," she said, noting that the owner should apologize for using the terms that are offensive, not for the fact they offended some in the community. "I'd like to see them further educate themselves on why it is offensive, rather than brushing it off as a joke." Nguyen says she will wait to see if the actions of the restaurant line up with its promise to make appropriate changes. IT services firm Happiest Minds Technologies will open its initial public offer (IPO) on September 7. Price band for the IPO has been fixed at Rs 165-Rs 166 per equity share. The share sale will end on September 9. The firm will issue fresh shares aggregating up to Rs 110 crore, and an offer for sale of up to 3.56 crore equity shares. It plans to raise Rs 702 crore at the upper end of the IPO price band. Promoter Ashok Soota will sell 8,414,223 equity shares and private equity fund CMDB-II will offer 27,249,362 shares through the offer-for-sale route. Application in the IPO can be made in a lot size of 90 equity shares and in multiples of 90 scrips thereafter. The Bengaluru-based company plans to use the net proceeds from the fresh issue to meet long-term working capital requirement and general corporate purposes. The shares are proposed to be listed on BSE and NSE. ICICI Securities and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) are the manager for the offer. The company filed draft papers with the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in June approval for the IPO from SEBI on August 21. Happiest Minds IPO: Rs 316 crore raised via anchor investors On Saturday, the IT firm said it received Rs 316 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial public offering (IPO). Government of Singapore, Goldman Sachs, Kuwait Investment Authority, Nomura Funds Ireland, Jupiter India and Pacific Horizon Investment were some of the anchor investors. A total of 25 anchor investors were allotted 1,90,30,541 equity shares at the upper price band of Rs 166 per scrip. Business Today spoke to analysts to find out whether investors should subscribe to the Rs 702-crore IPO. Here's what they said. Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said, "On the financial front FY18-20 revenue growth stood at 23% on a CAGR basis while profit witnessed a steady growth from Rs 14 crore in FY19 to Rs 72 crore in FY20 due to increase in sales, lower operating expenses and 50% reduction in interest cost in FY20. However, Q1FY21 numbers came flat at Rs 177 cr and on an annualised basis just showing a 1% growth in FY21E. Happiest Minds IPO opens; here are 7 things to know As per the management 76% of the business was not impacted by Covid 19 pandemic which is a positive for long term. Based on FY20 EPS, the P/E works out to be 26x which is close to large cap IT players. Given the strong management as Ashok Soota, co founder of Mindtree being the promoter and potential for growth in the digital space post the pandemic era and attractive valuation, we recommend a subscribe rating on the IPO for long-term perspective." Abhimanyu Sofat, Head of Research at IIFL Securities said, "This is a unique business since 97% of the business is digital as most other similar listed firms are still largely dependent on legacy business. We are quite positive on the future outlook of Happiest Minds considering it trades at a discount to eastern European peers who have a similar profile. Pedigree of Mr. Ashok Soota gives additional strength to the issue." Yash Gupta, Equity Research Associate, Angel Broking said, "At the upper end of price band, shares are offered at 23.6 times FY2020 EPS. Considering very high exposure to digital services and strong promoter background, we expect that the company will continue to grow at a faster pace as compared to similar sized companies and therefore should command a premium valuation to the peer group. We would therefore recommend SUBSCRIBE to the IPO." Abhijeet Ramachandran at Tips2trade said, "Even though very attractively valued in terms of PE for a small cap IT stock and impressive growth in the last 2 years, we would suggest caution for retail investors to subscribe to the Happiest Minds IPO. Investors should wait for another 2 to 3 quarters to see if the growth in earnings is sustainable. This period will also help investors understand whether the company can run smoothly or efficiently as currently valuations seem to be more based on the promoter's track record and goodwill than the earnings growth." Share Market News Live: Sensex down 220 points, Nifty at 11,281; Sun Pharma, Tata Motors top losers While a number of stars from The Matrix trilogy returned for The Matrix 4, one of the most glaring omissions was Hugo Weaving, who explained why he isn't coming back. The 60-year-old actor, who played the nefarious Agent Smith in all three of The Matrix movies, was promoting his new movie Measure For Measure when he told Collider the real reason he's not returning. Weaving revealed that he was approached to return, and was planning on reprising his role as Agent Smith, but scheduling complications could not be ironed out. Explained: While a number of stars from The Matrix trilogy returned for The Matrix 4, one of the most glaring omissions was Hugo Weaving, who explained why he isn't coming back 'Lana was very keen for me to be a part of [The Matrix 4]. I really wanted to because Im very, very fond of all of them,' Weaving began. The actor added he, 'had some initial reticence about the idea of going back to revisit The Matrix, after having already done three films, but then I read the script and got an offer to my agent.' 'I immediately responded yes to that, and then we went into negotiation. I was doing a play, at the time, but we were working out dates and things so that I could do both,' he added. Fond: 'Lana was very keen for me to be a part of [The Matrix 4]. I really wanted to because Im very, very fond of all of them,' Weaving began The actor revealed that, 'Lana decided that she didnt wanna change her dates, so I couldnt do it. In a nutshell, thats what happened.' The Matrix 4 started filming in San Francisco in early February, with production also slated to take place at Babelsburg Studio in Germany. Production was halted in March due to COVID-19, though filming resumed in Berlin last month. No change: The actor revealed that, 'Lana decided that she didnt wanna change her dates, so I couldnt do it. In a nutshell, thats what happened' While no story details have been revealed for The Matrix 4, a number of stars from the original trilogy will return. Keanu Reeves will be back as Neo, alongside Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, plus Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe, who was featured in the sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. A slew of new cast members have also been announced, such as Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Jonathan Groff, Yahya Abdul-Mateen III and Jessica Henwick. Story: While no story details have been revealed for The Matrix 4, a number of stars from the original trilogy will return Lana Wachowski, who wrote and directed The Matrix trilogy with her sibling Lily Wachowski, will direct The Matrix 4. She will direct from a script she co-wrote with previous collaborators David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas) and Aleksandar Hermon (Sense8). Warner Bros. has set an April 1, 2022 release date for The Matrix 4, though it remains unclear how much filming remains. Director: Lana Wachowski, who wrote and directed The Matrix trilogy with her sibling Lily Wachowski, will direct The Matrix 4 CHICAGO, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market by Product (Equipment (Immunoassay Analyzers), Consumables), Technology (Immunoassays, Chromatography-MS), Class of Drugs (Antibiotic Drugs, Bronchodilator Drugs), End User - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market is projected to reach USD 2.0 billion by 2025 from USD 1.4 billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2020 to 2025. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=155350443 The TDM Market growth is largely driven by factors such as the rising number of organ transplant procedures, the use of TDM across various therapeutic fields, the increasing preference for precision medicine, a growing focus on R&D related to TDM, and technological advancements in immunoassay instruments. Increasing adoption in the treatment of autoimmune diseases is expected to provide a wide range of growth opportunities for players in the market. Consumables is expected to hold the largest share of the therapeutic drug monitoring market in 2020 On the basis of product, the market is segmented into equipment and consumables. In 2019, consumables segment accounted for the largest market share, primarily due to the repeat purchases of kits and reagents and the increasing number of immunoassay tests being performed across the globe. Browse in-depth TOC on "Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market" 288 - Tables 35 - Figures 241 - Pages Immunoassays is expected to hold the largest share of the market in 2020 Based on technology, the TDM Market is segmented into immunoassays and chromatography-MS. In 2019, immunoassays segment accounted for the largest market share, due to the increasing incidence of chronic and infectious diseases and technological innovation. Antiepileptic drugs is expected to hold the largest share of the therapeutic drug monitoring market in 2020 On the basis of class of drug, the market is segmented into antiepileptic drugs, antibiotic drugs, immunosuppressant drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, bronchodilator drugs, psychoactive agents, and other drugs. During 2019, antiepileptic drugs held the largest share among the class of drug due to the high complexity and heterogeneity of epilepsy, lack of biological markers or specific clinical signs aside from the frequency of seizures to assess treatment efficacy or toxicity, and the highly complex pharmacokinetics of these drugs. Hospital laboratories segment commanded the largest share of the TDM Market in 2019 By end user, the market is segmented into hospital laboratories, commercial & private laboratories, and other end users. Hospital laboratories accounted for the largest share of the market in 2019. The large share of this segment can be attributed to factors such as the availability of advanced healthcare facilities in hospitals and the rising incidences of chronic diseases. Get 10% Customization on this Research Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=155350443 North America commanded the largest share of the therapeutic drug monitoring market in 2019. On the basis of region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2019, North America commanded the largest share of the market. Increasing per capita healthcare expenditure and the presence of technologically advanced healthcare infrastructure in the region, coupled with initiatives taken by different government associations, are anticipated to boost the market growth in the region. The major players operating in this therapeutic drug monitoring market are Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), F. Hoffmann-La Roche (Switzerland), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), Thermo Fisher Scientific (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Bio-Rad Laboratories (U.S.), bioMerieux (France), BUHLMANN Laboratories (Switzerland), SEKISUI MEDICAL (Japan), Randox Laboratories (Ireland), DiaSystem Scandinavia AB (Sweden), Cambridge Life Sciences Limited (United Kingdom), ARK Diagnostics, Inc. (U.S.), Chromsystems Instruments & Chemicals GmbH (Germany), Grifols (Spain), Exagen Inc. (U.S.), Theradiag (France), R-Biopharm AG (Germany), apDia Group (Belgium), BioTeZ Berlin-Buch GmbH (Belgium), Eagle Biosciences Inc. (U.S.), JASEM Laboratory Systems and Solutions A.S (Turkey), Aalto Scientific (U.S.), Immundiagnostik AG (Germany), and UTAK (U.S.). Browse Adjacent Markets: Medical Devices Market Research Reports & Consulting Get Special Pricing on Bundle Reports: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/RequestBundleReport.asp?id=155350443 Browse Related Reports: Healthcare Asset Management Market by Product (RFID (Active, Passive), RTLS, Ultrasound, Infrared), Application (Hospital (Equipment, Patient Monitoring, Staff Management, Hand Hygiene), Pharma (Drug Counterfeiting, Supply Chain)) - Global Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-and-pharmaceuticals-asset-management-market-1195.html In Vitro Diagnostics Market by Product (Instruments, Reagents), Technology (Immunoassay, Clinical Chemistry, Molecular Diagnostics, Hematology, Urinalysis), Application (Diabetes, Oncology, Cardiology, Nephrology) - Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/ivd-in-vitro-diagnostics-market-703.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/therapeutic-drug-monitoring-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/therapeutic-drug-monitoring.asp I noted here that U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Peter Kirsanow has written to the Mayor of the City of Seattle, suggesting that critical race theory or white privilege training that the city recently imposed on its employees likely violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race. Paul added that the Department of Justice has also sought information about the same training sessions from Seattle, on the same ground. Seattles white privilege training was no different from what many companies and units of government have inflicted on their employees, and if it was illegalas I think it wasthe illegality is widespread. Last week at Liberty Unyielding, Hans Bader applied federal law to the case of Sandia Labs: Last year, Sandia National Laboratories which designs Americas nuclear weapons hosted a segregated 3-day reeducation camp for white males, with the goal of exposing their white privilege and deconstructing white male culture. So reports the Manhattan Institutes Christopher Rufo. The details are sickening: In the opening session, trainers demanded that the men make a list of associations about white male culture. The trainers wrote white supremacists, KKK, Aryan Nation, MAGA hat, privileged, and mass killings. Afterwards, white male employees were told to expose the roots of white male culture, which consists of rugged individualism, a can-do attitude, hard work, and striving towards success which sound good, but are in fact devastating to women and people of color, according to the trainers, a company called White Men as Full Diversity Partners. The whole thing is reminiscent of the Red Guards: In a subsequent session, the white males were forced to publicly recite a series of white privilege statements and male privilege statements. They had to accept their alleged complicity in creating oppression of women and people of color. At the end of the training, the white males had to write letters directed to white women, people of color, and other groups in which they apologize for their privilege. Dan Brouillette, Secretary of Energy, has asked the Inspector General to investigate Sandias white privilege training, but Rufo says Sandia executives have only accelerated their purge against conservatives. One brave Sandia employee, an electrical engineer named Casey Peterson, stood up against Sandias racist regime. He emailed 16,000 Sandia employees, protesting against the imposition of critical race theory. He also published a video that was critical of the companys white privilege training on YouTube. In response, Sandia executives placed Peterson on paid administrative leave and established a security review board to evaluate whether [his] actions have comprised or posed a threat to Sandia computing and security systems.' Hans argues that Petersons suspension may violate Title VII and another federal statute: The suspension of Peterson might violate the anti-retaliation provisions of at least two civil-rights laws, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and 42 USC 1981. Petersons video opposes racist scapegoating that a reasonable employee could view as racial harassment, and seems to oppose race-based hiring. *** Criticism of discrimination against whites is protected against retaliation by the civil-rights laws, even when it involves an affirmative action policy that turns out to be legal unless the policy is so obviously legal that no reasonable employee could have thought otherwise. (See, e.g., Sisco v. J.S. Alberici Co. (1981)). Peterson could reasonably have thought that Sandias anti-white training was racial harassment that created a hostile environment in violation of federal civil-rights laws. Forcing an employee to confess his complicity in oppression of women and people of color just because of his race and sex is extremely racist and sexist. Courts have ruled that baseless accusations of racism made against employees because of their race are racial harassment that contributes to a racially hostile work environment in violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. (See Underwood v. Northport Health Services (1989)). Courts have also ruled that anti-male diversity training seminars can be sexual harassment. (See Hartman v. Pena (1995)) *** Here, it wasnt just a single episode but a three-day period, over which white male employees were forced to admit to racial wrongdoing and pressured to say negative things about their race. That is probably sufficiently severe as to be illegal racial harassment. Not just minorities, but also whites, are protected against racial harassment by the civil rights laws. For example, courts have ruled that employers are liable for racial harassment against whites, in cases like Huckabay v. Moore (1998). Even if Sandias training wasnt harassing enough to violate federal law, Petersons complaint could still be protected against retaliation. Complaints of harassment are protected against retaliation, not just when the harassment was illegal, but also when it wasnt bad enough to violate the law but an employee still reasonably viewed it as harassment. Someday, the federal courts may drive a stake through the harassment of, and discrimination against, white and male employees that have become common in todays workplace. (Of course, that isnt likely to happen if Joe Biden wins in November.) If you live in the Upper Midwest and believe you have been discriminated against by mandatory white privilege or anti-male training imposed by your employer or former employer, I recommend that you contact the Upper Midwest Law Center at 612.428.7000. Last week, the benchmark indices in the Indian dropped nearly 3 per cent each on weak global cues, historically low GDP numbers, and geo-political concerns. For this week, investors are likely to switch focus to stock-specific approach. Although, they would continue to track development around India-China tensions, US stimulus announcement, and the Covid-19 updates. Market participants would also keenly follow the case of extending the loan moratorium. The Supreme Court will hold the next hearing on the matter on September 10 and banks will react to any verdict that might come. Besides, investors would also watch out for July industrial and manufacturing production data scheduled to release on Friday after market hours. India and China are engaged in talks through both diplomatic and military channels to ease the tension at the border. Any further escalation will be a big negative for the On the Covid-19 front, India's tally of cases went past 42 lakh with a record 91,723 people being infected in a day, according to Worldometer. The death toll climbed to 71,687. With this, India is now the leading country with the highest number of daily cases ahead of both US and Brazil. Meanwhile, the June quarter earnings season will continue to roll in with about 341 companies, including BHEL, IRCTC, and Info Edge set to release their quarterly earnings this week. Apart from these, market participants will also keep an eye on the Rupee's trajectory, foreign fund flow, and oil price movement. FIIs were net sellers last week to the tune of Rs 3,800 crore after several weeks of consistent buying. In the primary market, two IPOs open for subscription this week. IT company Happiest Minds Technologies will open its Rs 702-crore IPO on September 7 and close on September 9. The price band of the issue has been fixed at Rs 165-166 per share. Omnichannel cloud communication service provider Route Mobile's Rs 600 crore IPO will hit the primary market on September 9, the price band for which has been fixed at Rs 345-350. And now let's quickly look at the trade setup for today Asian shares were largely trading higher on Monday, with Australia's ASX 200 and South Korea's Kospi up half a per cent. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.17 per cent and Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.2 per cent. The US had also closed lower on Friday. As for the SGX Nifty, it was trading 22 points lower at around 11,340 levels at 7:30 am, signaling a flat to lower start for the Indian markets today. Vodafone Idea is set to trade actively after the company's board approved fund raising of up to Rs 25,000 crore. The company has also said it will make a strategic announcement today. Moreover, on Friday, Moodys had downgraded the long-term local and foreign currency deposit ratings of four public sector banks Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, and Union Bank of India. The stocks of these respective banks will react today. Find all of the most important pandemic education news on Educating N.J., a special resource guide created for parents, students and educators. In the last few weeks, universities and colleges from New York to California have suspended in-person classes due to clusters of coronavirus cases among students. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday suggested that milk could be given either as part of breakfast or the mid-day meal in order to improve the nutritional levels of children. Naidu spoke to the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani in this regard and made this suggestion. The Minister assured the Vice President that the central government would consider recommending to all the States to include milk in the mid-day meal scheme. Earlier in the day, Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, called on the Vice President at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas today and briefed him about various measures being taken to help poultry and dairy sectors to tide over the problems in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. He informed the Vice President that the government was encouraging entrepreneurship in the poultry sector and providing support by way of incentives and policy intervention. He also said that the Department of Animal Husbandry would also consider recommending to the Ministry of Finance the need to restructure loans for the poultry industry. He also apprised Naidu that the procurement by the milk cooperatives in the organized sector has been stepped up. The Government is providing an interest subvention of two per cent per annum to cooperatives on working capital loans. Also, an additional incentive of two per cent interest subvention is being given in case of timely repayment. On the suggestion of the Vice President, the Secretary assured to consider extending a similar facility to private dairies. The Vice President was also informed of the plans of the department to develop cattle farms, sheep and goats rearing farms and regional fodder stations through public-private partnership model by better utilizing the available infrastructure. He also apprised him of plans to improve cattle breed through latest in-vitro fertilization technology. Debbie Crowe and her siblings prefer to celebrate their successes rather than the turmoil they went through when they were young. She is one of six children born into the Lauber family in Cornwall, Ont., but in 1968 all their lives were turned upside down when they were taken into protective custody and removed from their home. Four years old at the time, she vaguely remembers two vehicles pulling up to the front of the house and taking her away. She said the family was known to the Catholic Childrens Aid Society, now Family and Childrens Services, a result of her absent parents who were often at the hotel drinking. Crowe, as well as John, 10; Raymond, 7; Brenda, 5; Marlena, 3, and Brigitte, 18 months, were all taken to start new lives and would not be connected until 22 years later. Sept. 12 will mark 30 years since all six siblings were reintroduced to one another. An annual gathering is scheduled to be held at Debbies home in Wainfleet. In March 1990, Family and Childrens Services stepped in to inform Debbie with a registered letter matches had been found for two of her siblings. John, Raymond and Debbie were able to connect first, and through research and obtaining baptismal records from a local church, within about six months they were able to find Marlena, Brenda, and Brigitte, who was born as Kathleen but had her name changed by her adoptive family in Cornwall. Debbie went to a foster home for just more than a year before she was adopted by the Gaboury family residing in the Dain City area of Welland. John and Raymond stayed close to home with the same foster family until they were 18. Marlena and Brenda were taken in by a couple in Kingston in 1971, but four years later they split up again separating the two sisters who would occasionally see each other around town, Marlena said in a recent interview. When the first three were reunited in 1990, their story was told on the front page of The Toronto Star, said Debbie. In 1998, Raymond died by suicide, Debbie said. At his funeral, their birth parents attended, and she spoke to them briefly. I wished them the best in their life, but I didnt want anything from them. When the siblings meet again Debbie expects the conversation to be positive and not be focused on their troubled childhoods. We dont dwell on that kind of stuff. We were able to have great lives and grow out of all of that, she said, adding the siblings do their best to meet every year. Debbie lives in Wainfleet, Marlena and Brenda in the Kitchener area. John lives in Quebec, and Brigitte remains in Cornwall. A mother of two daughters, 27 and 29, Debbie said she started volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters when she became a parent, and later donated her time to FACS working with young women and girls which her daughters also became involved with so they could see how lucky they were, she said. Marlena, whose last name is McLay, said the separation of her adoptive parents was also a tough time, four years after she and Brenda were taken in by them. The mother of a 28-year-old son, expecting her second grandchild in October, Marlena said her complicated younger years are something she applied to being a parent. It makes you know what you dont want to be, she said. Every time they get together, Marlena looks for similar traits within the group. You just scan everybody, looking for similarities. Marlena also tries to focus on the positive at the annual reunions. You cant regain what was lost. D owning Street has insisted new Brexit legislation is necessary to protect the Northern Ireland peace process in a no-deal scenario amid a growing row with EU leaders. Senior EU figures reacted with dismay after it was reported the Government was set to table new legislation which could override key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement which sealed the UKs departure from the bloc in January. Boris Johnson has set a five-week deadline for free trade deal talks to reach an agreement or for both sides to accept no-deal when the current transition period ends at the close of the year. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Government was proposing limited clarifications to the law to ensure ministers can preserve the gains of the Good Friday Agreement in the event of no deal. Boris Johnson invited the wrath of EU leaders over the reports / PA The Internal Market Bill, set to be tabled on Wednesday, will ensure goods from Northern Ireland continue to have unfettered access to the UK market while making clear EU state aid rules which will continue to apply in Northern Ireland will not apply in the rest of the UK. In addition, an amendment to the Finance Bill will give ministers the power to designate which goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are considered at risk of entering the EU single market and are therefore liable to EU tariffs. The PMs spokesman said discussions were continuing with the EU to resolve the outstanding issues relating to the Northern Ireland protocol, intended to ensure there is no return of a hard border with the Republic once the transition is over. He said the legislative changes were a necessary safety net in the event that they were unable to come to an agreement. As a responsible Government, we cannot allow the peace process or the UKs internal market to inadvertently be compromised by unintended consequences of the protocol, the spokesman said. So we are taking limited and reasonable steps to clarify specific elements of the Northern Ireland protocol in domestic law to remove any ambiguity and to ensure the Government is always able to deliver on its commitments to the people of Northern Ireland. A UK official added: If we dont take these steps we face the prospect of legal confusion at the end of the year and potentially extremely damaging defaults, including tariffs on goods moving from GB to Northern Ireland. In a statement, Mr Johnson said he would not compromise on the fundamentals of what made Britain an independent nation and that no deal would still be a good outcome for the UK. EC president Ursula von der Leyen warned the UK against backtracking / AP However, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warned there could be no backtracking by the UK on its previous commitments if it wanted to reach a free trade agreement. I trust the British Government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership, she said. (The) protocol on Ireland-Northern Ireland is essential to protect peace and stability on the island and integrity of the single market. Irelands foreign minister Simon Coveney warned that abandoning the agreement would be a very unwise way to proceed. The EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier said he would be seeking clarification about the UKs plans. He told French radio that honouring the Withdrawal Agreement was a pre-condition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected. The Prime Ministers spokesman rejected that the Government was seeking to backtrack, insisting ministers are "fully committed" to the Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland protocol. 27 stranded girls evacuated from Lebanon on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Int. airport, Abuja on Sunday. Another batch of 27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon by the federal government and the Lebanese government, as well as its community in Nigeria, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday. Receiving them, Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who represented the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the evacuation was in fulfillment of the Nigerian governments promise to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded in Lebanon. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been several pleas from Nigerians stranded in Lebanon appealing for assistance to enable them to return home. Mr Nwonye said the Nigerian government was aware of the unfortunate situation they experienced in Lebanon, hence the collaboration to ensure their safe return to the country. I am here on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs who facilitated this return, together with the Ministry of Aviation, Embassy of Nigeria in Beirut, the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria and the Lebanese community in Nigeria. These are the individuals and institutions that made it possible for you to be here today. It is unfortunate the situation you passed through; which is why the Ministries concerned made sure you are here today and we are telling you that you are now home today and nothing will happen to you. Make sure you follow the protocols they advised you on; you know what to do to recover your passports again. You are welcome back home and I wish you journey mercies to your various destinations, Mr Nwonye said. The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson told journalists that the stranded Nigerians were evacuated in line with the federal governments guidelines on COVID-19 evacuations. He said the girls tested negative for COVID-19 before embarking on the journey and would be allowed to go home after 14 days self-isolation, in line with the federal governments guidelines for COVID-19 evacuations. He explained that their passports were retrieved from them upon arrival and they are expected to collect them back with proof of COVID-19 tests which they are expected to take again once they complete their 14-day self-isolation. The spokesperson said the girls were tested in Beirut before embarking on the journey and they were also profiled on arrival. Also speaking, Philip Webbe, a representative of the Silver Wings Group in Nigeria, said the Lebanese community and its embassy in Nigeria had facilitated the return of the girls with the support of the Nigerian government. Mr Webbe said it was in fulfillment of their word that they would not leave any Nigerian girl stranded in Lebanon. We are the company, silver wings that brought the Chartered flight to Nigeria. We are evacuating stranded Nigerian girls that are in Lebanon. These girls had nobody to assist them to bring them back to Nigeria. The Lebanese Community is assisting them with the help of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Aviation, the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria and Nigerias Ambassador to Lebanon, and they have put great efforts to bring them back. We had 27 girls that came on this flight and just like we promised last time, we will not leave any stranded Nigerian girl in Lebanon. On this flight, Fassai Khalid supported 20 girls to come and there were another seven girls facilitated by the Lebanese community. They all came today and they are finishing the process. Some came yesterday, some will come tomorrow, we wont leave anyone of them behind. One of the returnees who spoke on condition of anonymity appreciated the Nigerian and Lebanese governments for ensuring their safe return back home. Advertisements She said that if not for the assistance, they would have been left stranded in Lebanon as they could not afford to buy tickets to return home. The returnee said they encountered many challenges in Lebanon with many of them being owed seven to eight months salaries by their employers. (NAN) How this ISIS operative from Mangaluru lured her victims and converted them to Islam After amendment NIA set to test waters in Afghanistan India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: A team of the National Investigation Agency will travel to Afghanistan to probe the Kabul Gurudwara attack case. On March 25, terrorists stormed into the Gurdwara in Shor Bazar area in Kabul and fired indiscriminately. 27 devotees were killed in the attack, while several others were injured. In the attack an Indian citizen, Tian Singh was also killed. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan. The NIA had said that as per the preliminary investigation, one Muhsin from Kasargod in Kerala is suspected to be involved in the attack. The case was registered under the provisions of Section 6(8) of the NIA act. This is the first case in which NIA has registered outside the country. As per the amendment, the NIA can probe terror cases which are committed at any place outside India against Indian citizens or those cases that affect the interest of India. BRO works in double shifts to provide faster passage to security forces in Ladakh It may be recalled that in June 2019, an amendment was made to Schedule 4 of the UAPA which allowed the NIA to designate an individual suspected to have terrorist links as a terrorist. Currently, only organisations are designated as terrorist organisations. The NIA came into existence in 2009 following the Mumbai 26/11 attack. The proposed amendments are under consideration since 2017. The same was proposed to give the agency more teeth and also a wider scope in the wake of fresh challenges emerging. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, September 7, 2020, 12:19 [IST] Rising civil unrest, conspiracy theories and racism typically follow in the wake of epidemics, a study of historical outbreaks has warned. Researchers from Italy analysed 57 past epidemics finding that the turmoil from each outbreak tended to result in a quieting of existing unrest. The findings, the team said, may explain why movements such as the activism of Greta Thunberg and Liberate Hong Kong seem weakened since COVID-19 began. However, the team also found that epidemics can sow the seeds of later discord. This can arise, for example, through attempts to assign blame for the disease outbreak on conspiracy, immigration or the 'filth of the poor'. But at the same time, epidemics can increase social inequalities while simultaneously serving as an incubator to exacerbate previous social tensions. Rising civil unrest, conspiracy theories and racism typically follows in the wake of disease epidemics, a study of historical outbreaks has warned. Pictured, Dutch Renaissance painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder's oil composition 'The Triumph of Death' depicts the social upheaval which beset medieval Europe in the wake of the Black Death 'The social and psychological unrest arising from the epidemic tends to crowd-out the conflicts of the pre-epidemic period,' said paper author and political scientist Massimo Morelli of the Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. 'But, at the same time, it constitutes the fertile ground on which global protest may return more aggressively once the epidemic is over,' he added. In their study, Professor Morelli and economist Roberto Censolo of the University of Ferrara analysed 57 epidemic outbreaks. The study included the infamous Black Death of 13461353 and the Spanish Flu of 19191920. Their investigation suggests that amid an epidemic the status quo is typically reinforced and incumbent governments consolidate their power but that such is commonly followed by a sharp rise in social instability after the threat has passed. In fact, the team identified only four revolts that occurred amid the outbreaks that were not directly connected to the epidemics themselves. Focusing specifically on five outbreaks of the bacterial infection cholera, the researchers counted 39 rebellions in the decades preceding the epidemics, but 71 in total in the ten years that followed them. 'Overall, the historical evidence shows that the epidemics display a potential disarranging effect on civil society along three dimensions,' the duo wrote. 'First, the policy measures tend to conflict with the interest of people, generating a dangerous friction between society and institutions.' Next, they added, 'to the extent that an epidemic impacts differently on society in terms of mortality and economic welfare, it may exacerbate inequality.' 'Third, the psychological shock can induce irrational narratives on the causes and the spread of the disease, which may result in social or racial discrimination and even xenophobia.' Researchers from Italy analysed 57 past epidemics finding that the turmoil from each outbreak tended to result in a quieting of existing unrest. The findings, the team said, may explain why movements such as the activism of Greta Thunberg (left) and Liberate Hong Kong (right) seem weakened since COVID-19 began In the case of COVID-19, for example, the latter dimension has manifest as an increase in racism targeted at the Chinese and Muslim communities. Furthermore, the researchers also noted that on a short-term basis governments can strategically exploit the restrictions of freedom introduced to combat disease outbreaks to reinforce their power. Government actions to protect the interest of landowners and large employers can also act to foster greater inequality, the team said. The full findings of the study were published in the journal Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy. Navy Recognition one of the most popular online magazine covering Naval Forces, Naval Defense Industry, Navy Technology and Maritime Security News with Army Recognition online Defense and Security magazine have been appointed by NAVDEX organizers as the Official News Online and Official Web TV of NAVDEX 2021 taking place in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates from 21 to 25 February 2021. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link NAVDEX 2021: Navy Recognition appointed as Official News Online and Web TV. (Picture source: Navy Recognition) Dear Exhibitors and Visitor of NAVDEX 2021, As the Official News Online supplier and Official Web TV for NAVDEX 2021, Army/Navy Recognition editorial team will have a significant presence at the show to provide a full coverage about this event. Published online and updated daily, use NAVDEX 2021 Official News Online and Official Web TV to increase your impact and presence before, during and after the exhibition. Our Official News Online and Official Web TV spread all activities of the event and provide all exhibitors with a global online window in parallel with NAVDEX 2021 exhibition about the latest defense and security technologies and innovations. During the event, the Online Show Daily News will be read by 25,000 to 50,000 people from all over the world (130 countries). As Official Online Web TV of NAVDEX 2021, we will provide daily videos with interviews, reports and full coverage of the event. Thanks to the popularity of our Online Defense and Security News channel on YouTube with more than 138,000 subscribers, 1,500,000 videos views/month and more than 3,300,000 minutes view/month and our Defense and Security Web TV website: Defense Web TV, use these new ways to communicate and promote your Company and its range of products during NAVDEX 2021. Our daily videos of NAVDEX 2021 will also publish on the main screen in the press center. For more information, please contact our advertising and marketing services: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +32 85 30 00 72 NAVDEX 2021: Navy Recognition appointed as Official News Online and Web TV. (Picture source: Navy Recognition) About NAVDEX 2021: In 2021, the regions leading naval defence and maritime security exhibition (NAVDEX) will return to Abu Dhabi and will have the prestigious honour of the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and organized by IDEX LLC (an ADNEC Group Company) in association with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ. NAVDEX is held alongside IDEX, the International Defence Exhibition and Conference and features a purpose-built exhibition hall, ADNEC Marina for visiting naval ships, a pontoon for small crafts, daily water demonstrations and an outdoor display area. NAVDEX provides a dedicated and focused platform for international naval defence and maritime security companies to showcase their technologies and services to an international audience. NAVDEX offers exhibitors the unique opportunity to promote the latest in naval, maritime and coastal security technology, equipment and crafts. 2 Catholic nuns, 60 others remain missing for weeks in Mozambique Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Two Catholic nuns and 60 others who were under their care remain missing since Islamic State group-linked militants seized control of a port city in Mozambique in early August, and the authorities have no answers. Sister Ines Ramos, who is in her 70s, and Sister Eliane da Costa of the congregation of St. Joseph of Chambery were in their convent on the port of Mocimboa da Praia in the gas-rich northern province of Cabo Delgado at the time of the attack but no one knows what happened to them, according to Aid to the Church in Need. We are hoping that they are still alive but have no means of communication. We have not had any official notification, Fr. Kwiriwi Fonseca of the Diocese of Pemba in northern Mozambique said, noting that no travel is allowed to the area. If the sisters have returned to the convent, we have no way of knowing it, because there is no place there where they can buy a new mobile phone. Without any news of these people we have no idea whether they have disappeared, died or been abducted. We dont know anything. After a series of attacks between Aug. 5 and 11, the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or IS, declared it had seized two military bases near the port town, which has remained cut off from the rest of the country since then. There were about 60 people, mostly elderly people and a few children, in the convent in the care of the two sisters at the time of the attack, and authorities say they do not know what happened to them. Aleteia reported that a member of the community informed the diocese of Pemba on the phone that the sisters convent was attacked. Their silence since then makes us think that they must have lost their phones and are perhaps hiding out somewhere. Hence we have to assume that Sister Ines and Sister Eliane whereabouts unknown and [are] therefore among the disappeared. We have no information, so we cant make it up, Fonseca said. Father Cantifula de Castro, assistant director of Radio Encontro, the radio station of the archdiocese of Nampula, in the neighboring province, stated, The province of Cabo Delgado has been embroiled in a war for the past three years. The people are going through unbearable suffering on account of the terrorism houses burned, villages abandoned, people reduced to living in the hills and others fleeing with absolutely nothing and seeking protection in places of relative safety. A Washington, D.C.-based think tank, Center for Strategic and International Studies, estimates that over 1,000 people have been killed in attacks in northern Mozambique since 2017. The attacks have allegedly been carried out by the Islamic State and the homegrown Ahlu Sunna Wal extremist militant group, which has been kidnapping men and women. Tinder's Swipe Night will be available in India starting September 12 with three episodes each week. Tinder has finally launched its interactive event Swipe Night in India. Swipe Night debuted in the US last year, and it was scheduled to launch in India earlier this year in March. Tinder however delayed it due to the pandemic. Tinder users in India can now experience Swipe Night starting September 12. For those unaware, Swipe Night is an interactive event/game/video series that can be experienced in the Tinder app itself. Its a story-based event where users have to select one out of two options and the story will go forward based on their decision. Its slightly similar to those Episodes and Choices games but on Tinder, Swipe Night is shot like an actual movie. Also, based on the users choices theyll get to match with people who have also selected the same answers. The plot for Swipe Night has an end of the world theme. Tinder users are the protagonists and it starts with going to a party with friends and finding out later that an asteroid is hitting Earth. For each decision, users have only seconds to choose. For Swipe Nights production Tinder roped in Drakes go-to music video director Karena Evans. The show was written by Nicole Delaney (Big Mouth, Netflix) and Brandon Zuck (Five Points, Facebook Watch). With the launch of Swipe Night in the US, Tinder said that it received a very positive response. The response was incredible both to the innovation and the content itself. Our members made millions of choices and engagement levels remained high every week. Most importantly, Swipe Night delivered on its promise of unlocking more matches and helping to start more conversations. Total matches increased 26% and messages increased 12%, compared to a typical Sunday night in the US, Tinder said in a statement. Swipe Nights content is focused on the Gen-Z crowd (18-24) which is Tinders largest user group. The decision to choose an end of the world plot was based on something Tinder users actually talk about. On Tinder, people tend to ask if you have one hour left, how would you spend it? We took something that was already happening on Tinder to break the ice - we took that as a kernel and ran with it. Having a high stakes story, felt like a strong forcing mechanism to make your choices or decisions really count, Tinder said. For now Swipe Night has only three episodes and these were filmed last year before the pandemic. Tinder plans to bring in more content in the coming months. Swipe Night is debuting in India with three episodes starting at 10 AM on September 12. The episode will be available until midnight Sunday. The second and third Swipe Night episodes will air on September 19 and 26 respectively. Serena Williams staged another comeback last night to keep her dreams of a 24th Grand Slam title alive. The 38 year-old American found herself in trouble at 0-2 in the decider against Greece's Maria Sakkari but again held firm to come back and win 6-3 6-7 6-3 to make the quarter finals. Against the same opponent two weeks ago she lost a second set tiebreak and then the match, and had to try and erase the memory when the world No 22 levelled matters. Serena Williams reached the US Open quarter-finals once again with win over Maria Sakkari Williams is looking to win the 24th Grand Slam of her successful career to date 'Of course I thought about that but only a little because I knew it was a different match, different moment,' she said. 'I kept fighting, she was being so aggressive and I knew I had to do the same thing.' Williams, who was awaiting the winner of Alize Cornet and Tsvetana Pironkova, found herself in the unaccustomed position of facing someone serving more aces than she did. She now faces three matches in four days if she is to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Major singles titles. 'I feel much fitter than I did two weeks ago,' she added. Sakkari (above) struggled in the opening set, which she lost 6-3 to the American champion The Greek 15th seed improved in the second set, which she claimed in the tiebreak Williams won 6-3 in the deciding set to throw off the challenge of Sakkari after over two hours At an event that has been shunned by some Australians, No 1 Alex de Minaur became the first man from the bottom half of that draw to reach the last eight, defeating Canada's Vasek Pospisil 7-6 6-3 6-2. Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski were on Monday knocked out of the men's doubles quarter finals, beaten 6-2 7-6 by Mate Pavic and Murray's former partner Bruno Soares. Mike Pence - Peter Thomson Mike Pence, the US vice president, appealed to voters in Wisconsin to back the best friend American workers have ever had in Donald Trump, as he went head-to-head with rival Kamala Harris in the battle to win over the key swing state. Mr Pence spoke on Monday to employees at an energy plant in La Crosse, a heavily white Mississippi River city at the western edge of the state. The Trump campaign is keen to win back some of the blue collar workers who have abandoned the president since helping him to victory in 2016. "Joe Biden wants to bury the economy under red tape," Mr Pence told employees at the Dairyland Power Cooperative. "Biden and the radical Left would crush American energy, energy that Mr Trump has unleashed." In a sign of how desperate Mr Trump is to win in Wisconsin this November, he and Mr Pence have made eight visits between them since announcing their bid for re-election. Ms Harris, in her first public campaign appearance since she was named Joe Bidens running mate, meanwhile, met with union members and labour leaders before attending a roundtable with black Milwaukee business owners where she will focus on racial equity as a part of economic recovery. After the presidential campaign was roiled this past week by reports of Mr Trump making allegedly disparaging comments about fallen soldiers, Mr Pence tried to redirect attention to the issue that polls consistently find at the top of voters' minds: the economy. The US economy has been steadily rebounding from its collapse in the spring as a result of coronavirus lockdowns. Unemployment rose to levels not seen since the Great Recession (see the chart below). Recovery has been slow and only about half the 22 million jobs that vanished have been recovered. Wisconsin, which has a population of 5.5 million, has been hit particularly hard, recording 150,000 unemployment claims in the last week of August. Speaking on Labor Day, which is the traditional kickoff to the campaign season, Mr Pence emphasised achievements made by the administration before the pandemic hit in March. Story continues Were created jobs, jobs, jobs (...) some 500,000 manufacturing jobs in just three years, he told workers in La Crosse. Wages were rising at their fastest pace in years. They rose most for our blue collar workers - the forgotten men and women of America. Forgotten no more," he said to cheers. "The American comeback has begun." The state has been hit by protests since the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, by police in the city of Kenosha in late August. Ms Harris met with Mr Blake's family for an hour, and spoke to him by phone. Ben Crump, the family's lawyer, said the meeting was "inspirational and uplifting". He said: "In a moving moment Jacob told Senator Harris he was proud of her, and the senator told Jacob that she was also proud of him." Mr Trumps "law and order" message - intended to motivate his base and draw new supporters in suburban areas - has so far failed to galvanise. Despite the unrest Mr Biden has pulled ahead in the crucial battleground, which Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate in 2016, lost by less than a percentage point. Democratic U.S. vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris visits Milwaukee - Reuters Ms Harris is trying to woo the black vote in Wisconsin. African Africans and other minority voters turned out in large numbers for Barack Obama but stayed home last election when Ms Clinton was top of the ticket. If Mr Biden is to take the crucial battleground state he must win back support of the black hub of Milwaukee and hope that Mr Trump loses some of the still undecided voters. If we think about the swing states where Black voters turnout dropped off in 2016 Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina [Biden] needs black turnout to increase back to or near Obama levels, Adrianne Shropshire, executive director of left-leaning BlackPAC, told The Hill. They certainly cannot be where they were in 2016. In an interview with CNN on Sunday night, Ms Harris attacked Mr Trump and Bill Barr, the Attorney General, for suggesting over the weekend there was no racial injustice in the country. "We do have two systems of justice" for black and white Americans, Ms Harris said, saying she and Mr Barr are "spending full time in a different reality." A Lagos high court has ordered Access Bank to pay the sum of N5 million to its customers, Blaid Construction Limited and Blaid Properties, for breach of bank-customer relationship. The court also declared that a post-no-debit alert action by the bank and continued denial of the customers rights to access and operate their accounts since 2015 were unlawful, illegal and void except within the periods between July and September, 2016. In a judgement dated August 13, Justice I.O Harrison of the Lagos high court noted that the judgement was delivered outside of the 90-day period prescribed by the 1999 constitution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She added, however, that the court is well aware of the facts of the case and submission of the counsels. Details of the judgement, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, showed that the suit was instituted against the defendant, Access Bank, in May 2017. The claimants statement of claim include a declaration that the post no debit alert and continued denial of the claimants right to access or operate their bank accounts is illegal and unlawful; an order directing the defendant to immediately remove and take down the post no debit alert placed on the account; N500 million damages for breach of bank-customer relationship; and costs of the actions. The court said the defendant filed its defence submission in June 2016 while the claimants filed a series of documents, including cheques, solicitors letters, among others. Details showed that the defendant opened its case on October 22, 2019, by calling its sole witness, Olugbenga Kutemi, the zonal head business banking division of the bank. He adopted his statement on oath dated June 11th, 2019 and tendered two documents out of the six documents mentioned. The court said that the post-no-debit alert placed on the claimants accounts was removed by the bank in December 2017. The case was closed on January 14, 2020. The claimants (Blaid) claimed that the bank was obligated to allow unrestrained access to its accounts, alleging that the banks action made it suffer. Within the period, the claimants said their accounts terribly diminished in value and lost over forty percent of its purchasing power. In its judgement, the court said the bank unilaterally restrained about seven accounts belonging to the claimants and placed post-no-debit alert on the accounts in September 2015 even though a letter by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) letter only referred to two accounts. The court noted also that the ICPC did not obtain any order from a competent court authorizing the PND order, contrary to a prevailing law. Similarly, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission obtained a valid order from a court, the order was to lapse three months. Thus, from 30/9/2016 till the PND was lifted, the court said, the claimants accounts were frozen without any court order. The court noted further that when ICPC instructed the bank to lift the PND order, it failed to comply and a warrant of arrest was issued against the bank and its managing director. In its defense submissions, the bank noted that in obedience to the letter from ICPC, it was in the process of lifting the PND when another letter dated 9/11/17 from the special presidential investigation panel for the recovery of public property instructed them to place PND on the accounts and they were confused and had to seek the directive of the federal attorney general over the conflicting directives. But, the court, in its judgement, found that the bank is in breach of its banker-customer relationship. The customer has equally suffered loss that does not require specific evidence, the judge added. The court, thereafter, ordered the bank to pay N5 million to Blaid Construction Limited and Blaid Properties, adding that the PND order was illegal and unconstitutional. It remains unclear whether the bank will appeal the judgement as of press time Monday afternoon. Efforts to reach the bank between Sunday night and Monday morning were unsuccessful. The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz receives fuel from the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe during an underway replenishment in the South China Sea on July 7, 2020. (U.S. Navy/Christopher Bosch/Handout via Reuters) Navy Searching North Arabian Sea for Missing USS Nimitz Sailor Navy officials announced late Sunday that a search and rescue operation is currently underway for a sailor who went missing from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement that the USS Nimitz and guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton are currently searching the North Arabian Sea after the sailor was reported missing Sunday. Man overboard was called after the sailor was not located upon a search on board the aircraft carrier, Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a 5th Fleet spokesperson told ABC News. The search and rescue mission was then activated. The unnamed missing sailor has been listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) onboard the Nimitz, and the rescue mission continued after sundown. Officials said the sailors name is being withheld in accordance with U.S. Navy policy. Details of the sailors rank were not released. The Navy said that updates will be provided as they become available. The aircraft carrier was deployed from San Diego in early June and has been operating outside the Persian Gulf since late July. It follows a separate incident last summer, when Petty Officer 2nd Class Slayton Saldana went missing in the Arabian Sea after reportedly going overboard from the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Following an extensive search, Saldana was declared dead on July 30 last year. According to USNI, the USS Nimitz was the first carrier to implement measures to curb the transmission of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Its crew entered an isolation period in April at its base in Bremerton, Washington. More than 1,200 crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt were infected by the CCP virus earlier this year, and one person died. Captain Brett Crozier was fired from his command of the carrier, and the Navy said in June that they would not reinstate his position. Read More Navy Will Not Reinstate Captain Fired for Raising COVID-19 Concern Admiral Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations and the Navys top officer, said Crozier did not do enough to prevent an outbreak of the virus aboard the carrier. After six months at sea, the vessel returned to its base in San Diego in July. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In an effort to give more time for teachers and students to prepare for the upcoming school year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, New York City has delayed the first day of school to Monday, Sept. 21 -- pushing it back from the initial Sept. 10 start date. It will mark the first time students will return to their classrooms since the coronavirus outbreak shuttered school buildings in March through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Tran Quoc Viet, chairman of the Management Board cum general director of Cat Tuong (left), and Tetsuya Fujimoto, director of public affairs at Top Textiles (right), signing the land lease agreement "Prestigious" and "professional" are the words most frequently used when it comes to Cat Tuong Real Estate Group. In the southern region, the success of Cat Tuong Group is marked with a series of completed large-scale projects like Cat Tuong Western Pearl Urban Area (Vi Thanh city, Hau Giang province), Cat Tuong Phu Hung (Dong Xoai city, Binh Phuoc province), or Cat Tuong Phu Sinh (Long An province). To become a leader in the real estate industry, Cat Tuong is gradually scaling up its operation, stretching from commercial real estate to resort and industrial real estate. Aurora IP, also known as Rang Dong Textile and Garment Industrial Park, is located in Ninh Co Economic Zone over a total area of nearly 14,000 hectares, including airports, seaports, and power plants, among others. The area is set to become an international industrial park, attracting domestic and foreign investors. Phase 1 with the total planning of nearly 520ha is almost finished with the completion of associated infrastructure. Aurora IP is now eligible to attract and welcome investors in the fields of garment, textile-dyeing, supporting industries, and other services. Even though the world is undergoing many challenges and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other complexities, Aurora IP still proves its attractiveness and unique value as a well-invested industrial park by closing a deal with a total investment surpassing $200 million for land lease contracts with two investors to develop high-tech textile and dyeing projects. Top Textile Vietnam is a strategic project of Hong Kong's leading investor group and one of Japan's largest multidisciplinary economic groups. The launch of the project is expected to boost the evolution of the local textile and garment industry as well as an aid to the realisation of the global textile value chain restructuring strategy. Jehong Textile Vietnam also marked success in attracting investors leading the state-of-the-art dyeing technology, enhancing its commitment to contributing to Vietnam's green manufacturing industry. As the global economy has been full of hardships, construction and operation activities in the sector have reflected a good prospect for sustainable growth in textile. It has also demonstrated the effective strategies of Nam Dinh province and capacity of Cat Tuong. Germanys support for the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 pipeline is developing a few cracks. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas over the weekend became the first member of Chancellor Angela Merkels cabinet to link the natural-gas conduits fate to Russian cooperation with an inquiry into the poisoning of dissident Alexey Navalny. A lawmaker from Merkels party suggested suspending the project. While theres no sign that Merkel is about to pull the plug, the comments amplify the latest flare-up of exasperation about President Vladimir Putin in Berlin and suggest an emerging debate in Merkels governing coalition. The German leader has consistently backed the pipeline in the face of opposition by the U.S. and some European Union allies. I certainly hope that the Russians dont force us to change our stance, Maas told the Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag. If Russia doesnt start helping clear up what happened to Navalny in the next few days, Germany will have to consult with our partners about a response, he said. Pressure on the Gazprom-led project increased after the German military said last week that Navalny was attacked with novichok, a Russian-developed nerve agent. The chancellery in Berlin didnt respond to a request for comment on Sunday. Coalition officials have signaled that there is still little appetite to abandon the pipeline. Already raising or publicly invoking individual measures doesnt help us, said Rolf Muetzenich, caucus leader of the Social Democrats in the German parliament, in an apparent rebuttal to Maas, a fellow Social Democrat. Germany must discuss a joint response with allies, depending on Russias contribution, he said. Merkel issued an uncharacteristically sharp rebuke over the novichok finding and pledged a coordinated response among NATO and EU members. At a news conference on Thursday, she didnt repeat her demand made days earlier that the project should be finished. German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the party chairwoman of Merkels Christian Democratic Union, also said any response hinges on the behavior of the Russian side, according to Reuters. She didnt rule out a response involving Nord Stream. Roderich Kiesewetter, a senior CDU lawmaker on the lower houses foreign affairs committee, said on Twitter that short of scrapping the project, Germany could impose a moratorium on completing the pipeline, or back the completion but halt gas transit. Norbert Roettgen, a CDU member who chairs the committee and is running for the CDU chairmanship, said last week that Germany should drop its support. Global Pressure U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC on Sunday that Russia has a case to answer over the alleged poisoning given its track record. While its too early to attribute blame, its very difficult to come up with a plausible alternative explanation other than Russias involvement, he said. Russia has been linked to two previous poisonings in the U.K., with novichok suspected in the attempted murder in 2018 of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil. A Statement By the Prominent Civil Rights Advocacy Group; Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on The Many Atrocities of The Security Forces Against Civilian Peaceful Protesters From 2015 Till Date and The Denting of Nigerias International Image Cum The Imperative of Most of The Commanders of The Security Forces Who Gave the Illegal Orders for Protesters to Be shot Dead To Be Dragged Before Either The International Criminal Court (ICC) or International Court of Justice (ICJ) BACKGROUND Protest is a form of political participation. Election, which is the most common form, is very ritualistic and periodized, and citizens often have no choice than to follow its rituals and periodization before they can achieve any political or social changes. With protest however, an opportunity is made available for citizens of a country to demonstrate their need for political change, or ventilate their angers on certain political issues that they do not agree with. Quite often they do this through means ranging from rallies, strikes, street marches, sit-ins and so on. Demonstration is the most used means of protest all over the world today. All forms of protesting, or means, if we like, can, in a sense, be forms of demonstration since they need to be exhibited to press demands and make claims. In a democracy, it is the right of citizens to conduct peaceful processions, rallies or demonstrations without seeking and obtaining permission from anybody. It is a right guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and any law that attempts to curtail such rights are null and void and of no consequence. Contrary to this, Nigeria has since 2015 seen significant atrocities by the security forces against civilian peaceful protesters. The documented reports by global wide and local NGOs on these incidents and killings have dented Nigerias international image. Rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association have continued to be violated with impunity and possess grave implications on the essence of democracy and rule of law. Since the disruption of public meetings and rallies is an infringement of the fundamental right of Nigerians to freedom of association, assembly and expression it is pertinent to draw the attention of the authorities to the state of the law on public meetings. THE ISSUE According to the respective enabling Acts, the Nigeria Police Force is the primary law enforcement agency along with other federal organizations. The Department of State Services is responsible for internal security and nominally reports to the president through the National Security Adviser. The Nigerian Armed Forces, which report to the Ministry of Defense, are responsible for external security but also have some domestic security responsibilities. The current central government has not really maintained effective control over the security services. It cannot been gainsaid nor overemphasized that the clampdown on peaceful protests, arbitrary arrests and detention of activists, and media repression signify a renewed intolerance of free speech and dissent by the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015. Since August 2015, there has been a series of protests, marches and gatherings by members and supporters of IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) who have been seeking the creation of a Biafran state. Tensions increased further following the arrest of IPOB leader; Nnamdi Kanu on 14 October 2015, who was eventually, released two years later on 28 April 2017 from prison on bail. According to the investigation published by Amnesty International on November 24, 2016, in 2015 and 2016, the Nigerian security forces, led by the military, embarked on a chilling campaign of extrajudicial executions and violence resulting in the deaths of at least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra protesters in the south east of the country. The Amnesty International had blamed the Nigerian governments decision to send in the military to respond to pro-Biafra events for the excessive bloodshed. This reckless and trigger-happy approach to crowd control has caused at least 150 deaths and we fear the actual total might be far higher, said Makmid Kamara; Amnesty International Nigeria's Interim Director By far, the largest number of pro-Biafra activists were killed on Biafra Remembrance Day on 30 May 2016 when an estimated 1,000 IPOB members and supporters gathered for a rally in Onitsha, Anambra State. The night before the rally, the security forces raided homes and a church where IPOB members were sleeping. Reportedly, on Remembrance Day itself, the security forces shot people in several locations. Amnesty International has not been able to verify the exact number of extrajudicial executions, but estimates that at least 60 people were killed and 70 injured in these two days. The real number is likely to be higher. On 5 August, 2019 several protesters including journalists were arrested and detained across Nigeria by security officials for participating in the #RevolutionNow protest. This year, while marking the one year anniversary of the protest on August 5th, a similar incident occurred between the protesters and the Nigerian Police. On 9 July, 2019, at least two Islamic Movement of Nigeria protesters were killed and more than 60 arrested, when their peaceful protest calling for the release of their leader; Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife; Zeenah Ibrahim turned violent after security officials fired live ammunition at the protestors at the National Assembly Complex. On 22 July 2019, 11 protestors, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and a reporter for Channels Television were killed when police opened fire on IMN protesters during their procession in Abuja. Scores were injured and many arrested when officials from the Nigeria Police violently disrupted the protest, which was largely peaceful. On 12 November, officials of State Security Service beat up one journalist and fired teargas and live ammunition to disperse activists during a protest to demand for the release of prisoners of conscience; Olawale Bakare and Omoyele Sowore. The Executive Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria; Yemi Adamolekun was also attacked during the protest. In 2019 alone, security forces arbitrarily arrested at least 200 and killed at least 10 members and supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at different times. Last month, precisely on the 23rd of August, 2020, at least two Officers and up to 21 civilians were reportedly killed in a clash between Nigerian Security Forces and members of IPOB in the city of Enugu on August. OUR POSITION AND DEMANDS: The provision in section 40 of the Constitution is clear, direct and unambiguous. It is formulated and designed to confer on every person the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons. With the combined effect of sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the right to assemble freely cannot be violated without violating the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and association. Violation can only be done by the procedure permitted by law, under section 45 of the Constitution, in which case there must be a state of emergency properly declared before these rights can be violated. The Public Order Act so far as it affects the right of citizens to assemble freely and associate with others, the sum of which is the right to hold rallies or processions or demonstration is an aberration to a democratic society. The Court of Appeal had already annulled this so called public order Act with regards to any kind of request for police permit for protests. Therefore, it is clear that the Nigerian government has serially failed to uphold its constitutional mandate of protection of human rights in the country. The right to life of Nigerian citizens has been violated with alarming frequency and without any justification or accountability. State parties are also obligated to act and prevent loss of life, investigate and punish wrongful actions resulting in deaths. Thus, the inescapability of most of the commanders of the security forces who gave the illegal orders for protesters to be shot dead to be dragged before either International Criminal Court (ICC) or International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the near future is imperative. This is because there is no status of limitations in crimes against humanity if the central or bi-national governments are actively involved in these crimes. For instance, the Burmese government is now before the ICJ for the killings of Moslem minorities and the Lebanese Islamic Militia also dragged to ICJ over the assassination of ex-Prime Minister; Mr Hariri. These analogies alongside the sentencing of Charles Taylor, the prosecution of war criminals from Rwanda by the World's bodies like ICC should teach Current Government in Nigeria a lesson that these various killings of civilians by security forces are being meticulously researched and documented for use at such international judicial fora like ICC and ICJ even as those in government now who are guilty of these crimes against humanity will not escape it. In our previous similar statement dated 27th August, 2020, we had warned the federal and state governments to desist forthwith from using security forces illegally to crudely quell peaceful protesters because DEMONSTRATIONS are allowed and indeed peaceful protest is the soul of democracy. Hence, we are by this statement further demanding that these violations must be halted or the violators charged to court for crimes against humanity locally or inevitably they will be dragged to the International Criminal court in The Hague, NETHERLANDS and the ICJ for prosecution in due time since this administration tolerates impunity. Relatedly, we encourage Nigerians faced with the inevitability of more hardship due to fuel and electricity price hike to mobilize themselves and protest these evil policies unless we, the citizens want an end to freedoms and democracy. Demonstrations against oppressive policies of government is the surest assurance to the sustenance of democracy because accepting hard pills of evil public policies that violates public good, hook line and sinker without a whimper is to hit death nail on democracy. Nigerians must arise and defend democracy now or forever remain silent. *COMRADE EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO: NATIONAL COORDINATOR. Miss. Zainab Yusuf: Director; National Media Affairs. HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). September 6th 2020. Hearst Connecticut Media / Tara O'Neill NEW HAVEN A city man suffered non-life-threatening injuries Sunday night after being shot in the shoulder, according to police. Around 7:40 p.m., police and fire units responded to 911 calls of a person shot in the area of Bassett and Butler streets in the Newhallville neighborhood, Capt. Anthony Duff said. Labor pains with baby number two were tough for Joy Anna Duggar, who joked in a new home video that she's 'not having another kid.' The 22-year-old and her husband Austin Forsyth, 26, welcomed daughter Evelyn May on August 21, and in a new video recorded at the hospital, Joy Anna is seen struggling through labor pain and expressing gratitude for epidurals. Between painful contractions, the Counting On star expressed disbelief that she didn't get an epidural while delivering her first child, calling it 'stupid' and went so far as to joke that she was done having children, which seems incredibly unlikely given her family history. Recorded: Joy Anna has shared video from the hospital from when she gave birth to her daughter Getting though: The clip includes video and still images of her in labor, with her husband Austin Forsyth comforting her Family affair: Austin's sister, Rachel, is a doula and came along to help with the process Moving along: The mother-of-two had gone past her due date, so her doctor ordered her to the hospital to induce The mother-of-two had gone past her due date, so her doctor ordered her to the hospital to induce. Once they got there around 8 p.m. the day before the baby was born, Joy changed into her gown and she, Austin, and Rachel all wore masks in the room while they waited for active labor to start. They also hung twinkle lights for ambience, and plastered 'birth affirmations' all around the room so wherever Joy Anna looked, she could read something 'encouraging.' Soon, Joy Anna explained, the doctor came in to help her along. 'The doctor broke my water, and instantly I started having contractions, two to four minutes apart,' she told the camera. 'That's encouraging. My body's doing what it needs to do.' She was then given increasing doses of Pitocin to get labor moving faster. 'The doctor broke my water, and instantly I started having contractions, two to four minutes apart,' she told the camera Come on, baby! She was then given increasing doses of Pitocin to get labor moving faster What a relief! Joy got an epidural, and expressed disbelief that she didn't get one while delivering her son, Gideon calling it 'stupid' Lookin' good! Despite the pain, she stopped to apply makeup while dilated to eight centimeters She did have to pause with the foundation powder in her hand because she was in pain Joy gave updates via video confessionals on her phone, while Austin's sister Rachel captured the most intimate moments on camera when Joy took a break from filming. Images shows her leaning on Austin for support and breathing through 'intense' contractions. Eventually Joy got an epidural, and told her sister-in-law: 'I'm so happy I got the epidural... I don't see how people do this without epidurals.' 'You did it with the last one!' her sister-in-law told her. 'I know... stupid,' Joy Anna replied. 'I don't know how I did it with Gideon. It hurts so bad.' It was bad enough that she joked to Austin, 'Babe, we're not having another kid.' That's unlikely, given her family history. While her mother Michelle famously gave birth to 19 children, most of Joy Anna's married siblings have started growing large families of their own. Ouch! It was bad enough that she joked to Austin, 'Babe, we're not having another kid' Intimate moments: They set up a camera to record Joy pushing and the actual delivery The camera stayed on Joy's face as she strained and pushed, with Austin's hand there to comfort her, caress her hair, and give her a cool cloth She's here! After over an hour of pushing and with a final moan from Joy, the baby was born Despite the agony, when Joy felt like the baby's entry into the world was imminent and she was dilated eight centimeters she stopped to put makeup on. As Austin filmed, Rachel brought over powder foundation and a color palette, which Joy Anna held onto through contractions. Finally, it was time to start pushing. The camera stayed on Joy's face as she strained and pushed, with Austin's hand there to comfort her, caress her hair, and give her a cool cloth. After over an hour of pushing and with a final moan from Joy, the baby was born. 'The baby was posterior (sunny side up), so that explains why Joy had such terrible back labor and why she had to push so long!' reads the video caption. 'So thankful that Mom and Baby are doing good!!!' While their 'birth plan didn't go as expected,' Joy said that she 'loved it.' ' I only have one regret... I was so stressed about going into the hospital and how the birth was going to go, that I lost site of the excitement of meeting our baby girl!' she said. Unveiled: Joy Anna and Austin named the little girl Evelyn Mae Forsyth Ta-da! The 22-year-old Counting On star and her husband Austin Forsyth, 26, welcomed the baby girl on August 21 New pics: A week later, they shared professional photos of the new baby Proud dad: Austin poses with the newest addition to the family Much-needed accessory: The Duggars would never photograph a baby girl without a bow Nearly a week later, the couple revealed on Instagram that they'd named her Evelyn Mae. 'I wanted her name to be perfect and elegant!' Joy Anna wrote on Instagram. 'We had a hard time deciding but after a few days finally settled on 'Evy Mae' and we think it fits her perfectly!' Last week, Joy had shared video of the first half of her childbirth story, documenting the moments before they headed to the hospital. The first clip began the day before her due date, when Joy was still pregnant. She admitted she never thought she'd get that far in the pregnancy, and assumed she'd have had the baby a week before. 'Plans change though, and life happens,' she said as two-year-old Gideon crawled all over her. Real time: Joy is sharing lots of updates as the latest season of Counting On airs but is about eight months behind Behind-the-scenes: Joy Anna also shared a video of the early part of labor on YouTube last week Ready: She and Austin went to the hospital after her due date, and she had to be induced 'Our birth plan didn't go as expected, but looking back, I loved it,' Joy Anna wrote in the YouTube caption Lead up: Joy recorded herself the day before her due date. She admitted she never thought she'd get that far in the pregnancy, and assumed she'd have had the baby a week before 'Plans change though, and life happens,' she said Get going! The next day, she, Austin, and Gideon went for lunch and for a 3.6 mile walk in an effort to get the baby 'on her way out' put she didn't budge The next day, she, Austin, and Gideon went for lunch and for a 3.6 mile walk in an effort to get the baby 'on her way out' put she didn't budge. After visiting the doctor on Thursday, Joy Anna was finally ready to pack for the hospital. She said that the doctor had found that her amniotic fluid levels were low, and was worried that blood wouldn't be pumping well during labor. If that was the case, she'd end up needing a C-section event though she wanted a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-section) following her miscarriage and C-section delivery last summer. So to prevent that, they planned to induce but had to be careful to do so in a way that didn't cause her uterus to rupture. 'So we're just praying about just what we need to do,' she said. 'We're excited. I'm kind of nervous. I really want to make the right decision for the baby and I don't wanna do anything to harm her or harm me.' On their drive to the hospital, the couple picked up Austin's sister Rachel, who was Joy Anna's doula for childbirth. On their way: After visiting the doctor on Thursday, Joy Anna was finally ready to pack for the hospital Nerves: Upon learning she'd have to induce, she said: 'I'm kind of nervous. I really want to make the right decision for the baby and I don't wanna do anything to harm her or harm me' Birth team: On their drive to the hospital, the couple picked up Austin's sister Rachel, who was Joy Anna's doula for childbirth 'I only have one regret... I was so stressed about going into the hospital and how the birth was going to go, that I lost site of the excitement of meeting our baby girl!' she said later 'I'm kind of nervous about all of this, all the unknowns,' Joy Anna said Waiting: Once at the hospital, she changed into her gown and she, Austin, and Rachel all wore masks in the room while they waited for active labor to start Wait for more: The new video stops before she went into labor, but shows the lights Austin hung to set the mood 'I'm kind of nervous about all of this, all the unknowns,' Joy Anna admitted on the way there. The couple first shared their baby news on Instagram at the beginning of last week, with Joy writing: 'To say my heart is full is an understatement..We have been dreaming of this day and are so happy to announce that our baby girl arrived August 21st at 2:12pm weighing 8lbs 5oz and is 19.5' long!' New baby: Joy Anna shared the first photos after the birth earlier this week The 22-year-old announced the news on Instagram and shared images of their bundle of joy in the hospital 'To say my heart is full is an understatement,' Joy wrote on Instagram 'I wanted her name to be perfect and elegant!' Joy Anna wrote on Instagram Flashback: She had previously shared photos from last Wednesday, her due date, showing she was still pregnant She also shared two photos of Evelyn, Austin, and herself in the hospital. 'She has the best personality, is easy going, and loves to be held!' Joy Anna wrote. 'She has her nights and days mixed up, but honestly, I love it! Getting to spend that quiet, quality time with her through the night has been SO special!' Joy was still bumping along on her due date, August 19, and shared the final photos of her pregnancy on Instagram last week. 'We are just here impatiently awaiting your arrival,' she wrote at the time, posing with the couple's two-year-old son Gideon sitting comfortably on her belly. The new baby's arrival comes almost 14 months after Joy miscarried at 20 weeks in July of 2019. 'We only had her for 20 weeks, Life is fragile and precious,' the couple wrote on Instagram at the time. 'So thankful the Lord gave her to us for that short time! She will be in our hearts forever!' Devastating moment: Joy Anna and Austin were excitedly expecting a daughter last year when she tragically suffered a miscarriage Tribute: 'We only had her for 20 weeks, Life is fragile and precious,' the couple wrote on Instagram at the time Family ties: They posed several candid shots taken in the hospital after Joy Anna delivered Memories: In their Instagram post, Joy Anna and Austin shared a photo of their daughter's footprints (left), which her best friend Carlin also posted on her own account 'Although we don't understand why, God has given us unexplainable peace and comfort during this very difficult time. Yes, it still hurts and we have cried countless tears, but we know that we can trust the Lord. 'We don't grieve as those who have no hope because we trust that we will see this little one again,' they wrote. 'Please pray for continued healing, not only physically but for our hearts as well.' The young parents named the baby Annabelle, and went on to bury her at his family's camp in Combs, Arkansas. Four months later, they conceived again, but waited until March to announce it to the public. 'Yes... it's true! [Austin] and I are PREGNANT again!' Joy Anna wrote on Instagram earlier this year, confirming rumors that began to swirl a couple of weeks before. 'Ahhh!!! It's been quite the crazy journey these last few months, but we are so thankful that mom and baby are healthy!' Another one on the way! They announced the pregnancy on Instagram in March Family of four: The couple already has a two-year-old son named Gideon Bumpin' around: Joy Anna shared some bump photos on Instagram, and also updated fans on the progress of her pregnancy on YouTube Stepping back: She and Austin have been largely absent from the new season of Counting On She also posted a YouTube video, in which she caught fans up on her pregnancy journey. 'I'm shocked. I'm not actually as scared as I thought I was gonna be after miscarrying at 20 weeks. It's just, I thought I was gonna be so nervous, but I'm really not. I'm excited,' she said in the video. When she told Austin, she did so by wrapping a positive pregnancy test in a gift box. But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Not long into her pregnancy, she started to experience spotting. She went to the doctor, who told her it might be a nonviable pregnancy. After some anxious waiting, though, Joy Anna and Austin learned that that wasn't the case and also found out they were having a daughter. 'We're having a girl! I could not believe it. I just started crying,' Joy Anna said. 'We're super excited, nervous, and thankful, all at the same time.' It's positive! She was already quite far along when she announced her pregnancy and shared a video on YouTube catching fans up on everything that had happened so far Pee stick! She took several negative pregnancy tests before one turned up positive, and she gave it to Austin for his birthday She said: 'I'm shocked. I'm not actually as scared as I thought I was gonna be after miscarrying at 20 weeks. It's just, I thought I was gonna be so nervous, but I'm really not. I'm excited' Woosh: They had a gender reveal party, with big brother John David dropping confetti from a helicopter 'It's just a huge load lifted off our shoulders, knowing that the tests came back good, came back normally,' Austin added. Finally, they finished off the video with the gender reveal they had for family, watching on from their yard as older brother John David dropped a bucked of pink confetti from a helicopter. She and Austin continued to offer updates on YouTube, taking fans along for the gender reveal and doctor's appointments. In July, she celebrated her impending arrival with a baby shower, with her mom, sisters, sisters-in-law, and best friend Carlin Bates coming together for a not-so-socially-distanced party. Photos from social media show a room decorated with white, yellow, and rose gold balloons, which her family put up ahead of time. The party appears to have included a rather large group given that the country is in the middle of a pandemic, with everyone gathered together indoors without masks or social distancing. Excited: Joy Anna celebrated with a baby shower that was thrown in July The whole fam (almost): Pictured at the festivities is Joy Anna's mom Michelle, as well as her sisters Jana, Jill, Jessa, Johanna, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie More girls: Her sisters-in-law Lauren and Anna (who is married to sex pest Josh) also came with their daughters Look who got an invite! Her big sister Jill was also notably in attendance. Jill has been absent from quite a few family gatherings, due to some dubious rulings from her dad, Jim Bob BFF: Her best friend Carlin Bates came to visit, too, and helped her open presents Pictured at the festivities is Joy Anna's mom Michelle, as well as her sisters Jana, Jessa, Johanna, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie. Her big sister Jill was also notably in attendance. Jill has been absent from quite a few family gatherings, which her husband Derick Dillard has claimed on numerous occasions is because dad Jim Bob restricts her access to the rest of the family. Sisters-in-law Lauren and Anna showed up, too, with Anna bringing along daughters Meredith, Mackynzie, and baby Maryella, and Lauren toting her baby, Bella. Also there was Joy Anna's longtime friend and fellow reality star Carlin Bates, who had her own first child earlier this year. Other Instagram pictures show five other guests, bringing the total to at least 21 people. While the images don't show any masks or other precautions taken, the group did seem to play some games, including one in which Joy Anna and Carlin competed to change a diaper while holding a phone between their faces and shoulders. Joy Anna, who is due August 19, also opened gifts, including diapers and dresses. Pictures don't show any food, and it doesn't appear that Joy Anna had any sort of cake. Previously, after her sister-in-law Lauren miscarried at just five weeks, she had an entirely separate cake for 'Big Brother Asa' at her baby shower during her next pregnancy. Big: The party appears to have included a rather large group given that the country is in the middle of a pandemic The struggle is real: They played some games, including one in which Joy Anna and Carlin competed to change a diaper while holding a phone between their faces and shoulders Before the Covid-19 pandemic slashed global fuel demand and sent prices to record lows, the U.S. was a significant supplier of tanker-borne gas to northwest Europe. But U.S. fuel must be chilled into a liquid form and shipped across the Atlantic at great cost. Russia is transporting its gas mostly through the worlds largest network of pipelines that have been in place for decades. This year transatlantic LNG shipments have become even less economic. Yet U.S. suppliers are focused on long-term prospects, and have had some success securing deals with Poland. More broadly, they have to hope for a resolution of the trade war between the U.S. and China, whose imports of U.S. gas have slumped since the government in Beijing applied tariffs in retaliation to levies imposed by the White House. The International Energy Agency expects the U.S. to become the worlds biggest LNG seller in 2025. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: The preparation is on to commence the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya after September 17 which marks the end of a fortnight-long Pitra Paksha', according to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trusts general secretary Champat Rai. Pitra Paksha refers to the period when Hindus express gratitude to their ancestors. Rai said heavy machinery to be used in foundation laying and construction of temple has started reaching the Ram Janmabhoomi premises. To make way for heavy machines to reach the temple site, scores of big and small temples lying dilapidated without puja and bhog for years due to ongoing dispute over the birthplace on Janmbhoomi premises have been razed to the ground. ALSO READ | Draw global publicity plan for brand Ayodhya, develop it as solar city: CM Yogi to officials One of the famed temples demolished to clear the way for the machines included over 300-year-old Sita Ki Rasoi (Sitas kitchen). According to Champat Rai, the scores of temples on Ram Janmabhoomi premises, the land of which was acquired by the Centre 30 years ago, had turned into ruins. The temples had become so decrepit and rickety that it was dangerous to enter them, said Rai. The other temples demolished in the process are Sakshi Gopal, Kohbar Bhawan, Ram Khazana, Anand Bhawan, and Manas Bhawan. However, the sanctum sanctums of all the demolished structures were preserved to be pedestalled after the construction of respective temples on Ramjanmbhoomi complex, said Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, the heir apparent of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. Rai said countrys leading construction company Larsen and Toubro was all set to lay the foundation for the grand temple, which would come up in 12,879 sq metre area on Ram Janmabhoomi premises. The company will carry out construction without charging any fee. The temple edifice would stand on around 1,200 pillars which would be placed below the temple surface around 100 feet under the ground to prepare the temples foundation. These pillars would be of stone and no iron will be used. Again on these pillars, another layer of foundation will be laid. ALSO READ | Copper sheets to be used for Ayodhya Ram temple, trust says shrine to stand for 1,000 years The sources claimed that the construction company has been sourcing the machines from Mumbai and Hyderabad. Initially, the trust is expected to engage around 100 labourers to lay the foundation of the temple. Moreover, the key sources in the temple trust claimed that the raw material to be used in construction would be sourced from the forests of Bundelkhand where Lord Ram spent the maximum time of his 14-year in exile. However, a high-level meeting involving UP Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state administration is likely to be held on Tuesday to finalise the blueprint for a security blanket to be thrown around Janmabhoomi complex during the construction of the temple. Earlier last week, the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) had approved two layouts -- one of Ram mandir and another of the entire Ram Janmabhoomi campus. The ADA had handed over the layouts to the trust on September 4 after it received the requisite fee of Rs 2.11 crore in the development authoritys bank account. ALSO READ | Mosque in Ayodhya will be of same size as Babri Masjid: Trust The proposed Ram mandir will be 360 feet long, 235 feet wide and 161 feet high with five domes. According to the trust, the temples foundation will be laid by using modern techniques so that it could withstand any calamity like an earthquake for over 1,500 years and its structure for 1,000 years. Experts from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and IIT Madras have been roped in to make the temples foundation strong so that it can withstand earthquakes and storms. On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court had ruled in favour of Ram mandir ending decades-old Ayodhya title dispute. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the temple during the groundbreaking Bhoomi Pujan in Ayodhya on August 5, 2020. Faizabad: In the aftermath of the recent Supreme Court ruling holding as "corrupt practice" seeking votes in name of religion, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar said on Monday that the party will "remain silent" on Ram temple issue during Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll campaign. The Rajya Sabha MP told PTI, "Though it is the matter of our personal belief, but belief also comes in the criteria of religion, so we will remain silent on Ram and mandir issue during election campaign." In a majority verdict last week, the Supreme Court had held that any appeal for votes on the ground of "religion, race, caste, community or language" amounted to "corrupt practice" under the election law provision. Katiyar was the face of the Ram temple movement in Ayodhya in the early 1990s. He has said in the past that the Modi government should "move to resolve" the matter without waiting for a Supreme Court verdict on the disputed site. However, Vijay Bahadur Pathak, the BJP's state spokesman, refused to comment when asked whether leaders willraise the Ram temple issue in the forthcoming polls. "Ram temple is not a political issue, it is our belief," he added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. By Express News Service Shiv Sena activists held protests against Kangana Ranaut over her recent remarks targeted at Mumbai, its police and her Taliban jibe at the state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. On Friday afternoon, the womens wing of the Dindoshi Vidhan Sabha constituency protested by beating Kanganas effigy and posters with shoes and slippers and shouting Kangana Ranaut haye haye and Kangana Ranaut hosh mein aao. Protests also took place in other parts of Mumbai, including the suburbs. Widespread protests took place in cities like Thane, Palghar, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik. This happened after Kangana Ranaut made several remarks targeted at Mumbai city, comparing it with POK, called the Mumbai Police a sham in the name of Police force, and took a jibe at the politicians using the word Taliban. How you promoted yourself from POK to Taliban just in one day is commendable, the actor tweeted on Friday afternoon. If you are openly threatening me to lynch me like Palghar Sadhus with stones and rods if I come to Mumbai its only because you got away with it you killed innocent people and faced no consequences this has empowered you, we want CBI for Palghar lynching, she wrote in a separate tweet. Reacting to a news piece saying Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has said that Kangana Ranaut has no right to stay in Mumbai and Maharashtra, the actor tweeted, He is taking his own calls on my democratic rights, from POK to Taliban in one day. Protests took place across the state after Kanganas jibe on Twitter where political activists raised slogans condemning the actor, stoned her posters and hit the same with shoes, and also burnt her posters and effigies. Reacting to a news piece showing a video of the protests held by women at Dindoshi, the actor tweeted: After Sushant and Sadhus murder now beating my posters with chappals for my opinions on administration, it seems Mumbai is addicted to blood. An agreement to convert Cambodias contentious wartime debt to the United States to development aid or which would forgive the sum would substantively improve US-Cambodia relations, analysts and observers say. The issue, at times, has been prickly over the years. In the instance of Washington and Hanoi, an agreement to resolve Vietnams debt accrued to the U.S. during the same era was eventually reached through negotiations. In the early 1970s, the U.S. lent around $270 million to Cambodias Lon Nol-led government, which had deposed head of state Norodom Sihanouk, to purchase food and agricultural commodities. The loan was made under a USAID program called Food for Peace, according to The New York Times. While the United States was providing this relief for food and clothing for displaced persons and refugees, it also dropped around 500,000 tons of bombs on eastern Cambodia in a large bombing campaign from 1969 to 1973, as part of its attempt to cut off supply routes for the Viet Cong in neighboring Vietnam, according to a study by scholars Taylor Owen and Ben Kiernan published in the Asia-Pacific Journal in 2015. Since the 1980s, the Cambodian government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen has refused to pay off the debt and interest and instead called it dirty debt, asserting the U.S. owed a moral debt to Cambodia for the destruction caused during the Vietnam War. Arend Zwartjes, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, said the U.S. believed that countries that get into debt should have to pay back the loans. Thats an issue that weve tried to work on over the years and sometimes we made progress, Zwartjes said. But, certainly, thats one of the issues we would like to have resolved. The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh in recent months has undertaken an extended celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of U.S. relations with Cambodia, with a concerted social media and news media initiative to highlight many aspects of bilateral cooperation. Analysts say the wartime debt remains a sore point as efforts continue this year to improve the bilateral relations that have been contentious for more than three years. In 2017, the U.S. renewed calls for the debt to be repaid, though the context seemed to be fiscal prudence. Hun Sen appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump for debt forgiveness, but little came of the request. At the same time, Prime Minister Hun Sens senior officials were using a so-called color revolution narrative to justify a severe crackdown on political opponents and civil society groups and freedom of expression. At the crux of this claim was the allegation that the U.S. was helping the opposition party overthrow the Hun Sen government. Ou Virak, the founder of public policy organization Future Forum, said the U.S. should raise the debt issue with Cambodia in a way that ensured an acceptable solution for both sides. He said it was important to remember that Cambodia was a victim of the Cold War, with the nation caught between global superpowers in the 1960s and 1970s. The debt ought to be talked about in the sense of [Cambodia being] a victimized country, said the Cambodian-American analyst in Phnom Penh. To find ways to cancel it or convert it into aid, to reconnect the U.S.-Cambodia relations. Ou Virak said one way this could be achieved was by the U.S. providing more scholarships to Cambodian students or by increasing American investment and aid in the education field, which would help foster closer bilateral relations. Chheang Vannarith, president of Asian Vision Institute and a Cambodian foreign policy specialist, suggested the way forward is talks. Regarding the debt issue, both sides should resume their negotiations and convert it into development aid, Chheang Vannarith said. Meaning that Cambodia could make the payments back to the U.S. and later turn them into aid [to benefit Cambodia]. Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia and a personal advisor to Hun Sen, noted the issue is challenging and that Cambodia has informed the U.S. that steps toward the conversion of the debt to aid and to set up a premium education program would be the best chance for a solution. The U.S. Congress, in its reconciliation efforts with Vietnam, established the Vietnam Education Foundation in 2000 that provides scholarships for Vietnamese students wishing to study in the U.S. and provides an exchange of professors to teach in the Southeast Asian nation. Hanoi also signed an accord with the U.S. in 1997 to pay $140 million in debt from the same Food for Peace program in 20 annual installments. Vietnam did not agree to pay back millions of dollars worth of military assistance provided to South Vietnam. U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy, in an interview with VOA Khmer late last year, said around 600 students from Cambodia study annually in the U.S., and that he would like to help significantly increase that. He was not referring to the conversion of the debt into an education program. In order to consider options like that, we would really need to have those discussions with the Cambodian government, said Zwartjes, referring to a potential scholarship program emanating from the outstanding debt. Cambodian government spokesperson Phay Siphan, Cambodian Peoples Party spokesperson Sok Eysan, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Koy Kuong declined to comment on the issue. They referred queries to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Kim Sopheak, a spokesperson at the Finance Ministry, responded via Telegram text message, saying that the latest position of the Cambodian government was to demand a complete cancellation of the debt because it had been considered odious debt. Chhang Song, information minister under the Lon Nol administration which received the debt in the 1970s, said the loan issue was complex. He said there was no written agreement prepared at that time, outlining the conditions of the debt. Was it a loan or aid? Nothing was clear, he said in a phone interview from Long Beach, CA., where he currently resides. Why? Because the Vietnam war was so huge that even just a [little] aid spilling over from South Vietnam was sufficient for Cambodia, Chhang Song explained. So, there was no word of a loan but aid. If Cambodia owes wartime debt to the U.S., the debt should be converted into humanitarian aid for Cambodian citizens because Cambodia was a victim of the war, Chhang Song said. Officials in Washington D.C. at the Departments of State and Treasury were not available for comment on the issue. U.S. State Department officials have said in the past that Cambodia had been able, yet unwilling, to make payments against the debt and that only lawmakers in the U.S. Congress could decide changes to the debt status. Sebastian Strangio, author of the book Hun Sens Cambodia, said the resolution of the debt issue would require a considerable shift in the bilateral relationship, especially given the current political situation in Cambodia. He indicated no one should hold their breath for this matter to be resolved. It will require Hun Sen to retire or move on or finish up his tenure and for new leadership to perhaps take a different perspective on the repayment of the debt, Strangio said. Stickers and masks bearing photos of Sushant Singh Rajput can be seen in various places in Bihar, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a campaign seeing justice for the late actor. The BJP's cultural cell -- Kala Sanskriti Manch -- has released stickers and masks with the photo of Rajput and the message Na bhoole hain, na bhulne denge (we have neither forgotten nor will we let anyone forget) The actor was found dead at his residence on June 14 this year. Barun Kumar Singh, state coordinator of Kala Sanskriti Manch said so far we have printed 30,000 stickers and posters and 30,000 face masks. "We have been using these as a sign of a movement to seek justice for the late actor who died in Mumbai," said Singh. With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, there have been allegations that the party has been attempting to give the matter a political angle. "It is not a political issue but a matter close to my heart. Earlier, we demanded a CBI inquiry to probe the matter (Sushant Singh Rajput's death). I had even sent letters to ministers demanding justice for him (Sushant)," Varun Kumar Singh said. "We started this movement on June 16. Being a part of BJP Kala Sanskriti Manch, I supported him. He was an artist and so am I," Singh said. On being asked why BJP leaders are using the stickers and masks, Singh said, "It started at BJP office so we were the first ones to put it on our vehicles." Bihar BJP spokesperson, Nikhil Anand said, "BJP Kala Sanskriti Manch have been working for the welfare of the artists. They are paying tribute to Sushant Singh Rajput and they want justice." "It was never a political step but is a feeling of solidarity," Anand said. Janata Dal-United leader Rajeev Ranjan said, "Since the election dates have not yet been disclosed, one cannot connect the actor's (Sushant) death with the upcoming election in Bihar." "Instigating someone to commit suicide is the matter of concern," he said "The Maharashtra government was controlling the state police in the matter," he added. The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for the Bihar polls sometime this month. Polls to the 243-seat assembly are likely to be held in October-November. Of course well have fascism, legendary Huey Long was reported to have said. Well have it under the guise of anti-fascism. Today, of course, we see the confirmation of Longs prediction on Americas streets in the self-parodying Antifa movement. At the executive level, for all the mindless chatter about President Trump as Hitler or worse, it is not he who deserves the label fascist. By American standards, that honor goes to President Obama and his fierce little toady, Joe Biden. To gauge the fascistic impulses of Trump and Obama respectively, Merriam-Webster offers a useful measuring stick, a definition of fascism untainted by the politics of the moment: A political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. On every fascist metric, Obama beats Trump by a giant goose step. One could argue that Trump exalts nation more than Obama, and that is true, but not above the individual. For Obama, like all socialists, national socialists included, the individual was expected to subordinate his interests to those of the state. I think that when you spread the wealth around, Obama told plumber Joe Wurzelbacher in a carelessly honest moment in October 2008, its good for everybody. Like Englands Henry II, who reportedly said of Thomas Becket, Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest, Obama typically let his henchmen and women do the dirty work. In this case, they did not disappoint. Within days, the New York Times struck a flurry of shockingly low blows against Joe the Plumber. Arguing that the defenseless Wurzelbacher deserved celebrity-level scrutiny for daring to question Obama, reporter Larry Rohter revealed that Joe did not currently have a plumbing license or belong to the plumbers union. In the lowest blow, Rohter reported that Wurzelbacher owed back taxes. He even documented the outstanding liens against him. As to which president best fits the mold of dictatorial leader of a centralized autocratic government, there can be no serious argument. Although Trump mans the bully pulpit more forcefully than Obama did, he has aggressively decentralized the government, never more obviously than during the COVID mania. On the social regimentation scale, Obama and Biden are off the charts. They have been criticizing Trump for not issuing a nationwide three-month mandate that would force all Americans to wear face masks outdoors. Said Trump in response, Americans must have their freedoms, and I trust the American people and their governors very much. What a sorryass fascist Trump makes. With the media looking the other way, Obama gradually assumed dictatorial powers well beyond anything Trump has imagined. In speaking about the so-called Dreamers in 2011, Obama admitted, With respect to the notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order, thats just not the case, because there are laws on the books that Congress has passed. A year later, with the election at stake, Obama ignored those laws. With a stroke of the pen, he overrode Congress and gave as many as a million people relief from deportation proceedings. Said constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley, In many ways, President Obama has fulfilled the dream of an imperial presidency that Richard Nixon strived for. It is on the forcible suppression of opposition metric that Obama and cronies showed their real strength. Texas Tea Party organizer Catherine Engelbrecht can vouch for that. At the outset, Engelbrecht had been told it would take four or five months for her organizations to be approved for 501(c)(3) status. Two years later, with approval still pending, two years during which she had endured twenty-three distinct audits or inquiries, Engelbrecht finally sued the IRS. Although the harassment of Engelbrecht was extreme, the targeting was not exceptional. The IRS stalled or rejected the applicants of hundreds, if not thousands, of comparable groups. James Rosen, then chief Washington correspondent for Fox News, would also give Obama his due on the subject of suppression. For three years beginning in 2010, the Department of Justice had used a search warrant to probe Rosens personal and professional communications. Search warrants like these have a severe chilling effect on the free flow of important information to the public, First Amendment lawyer Charles Tobin told the Washington Post, Thats a very dangerous road to go down. Challenging the White House narrative on any subject came with risks. As Sharyl Attkisson continued to report the truth about Benghazi, some agent somewhere in the deep state launched a frighteningly invasive campaign of electronic harassment against her. An analyst hired by her then employer, CBS News, confirmed the harassment. A WikiLeaks document claimed that Obamas all-purpose fixer John Brennan was behind the witch hunts of investigative journalists learning information from inside the beltway sources. Brennan was just warming up. Then there was Nakoula Basseley Nakoula. Obamas DoJ spirited the filmmaker off to prison for a year after the White House falsely blamed his film, Innocence of Muslims, for inciting the attack on the Benghazi consulate. Ken Timmerman, who wrote a book on the subject, called the imprisonment disgraceful, un-American, illegal, and a clear violation of Nakoulas constitutional rights. He was not exaggerating. In 2015, pro-life activists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt recorded a series of undercover videos at Planned Parenthood clinics so powerful that even Hillary Clinton found them disturbing. To get out of the jam, Planned Parenthood execs hired Fusion GPS to discredit the videos. They then turned to their friends in Texas and California to prosecute the pair on bogus charges. One of those friends was Kamala Harris, then California attorney general. With an eye on his legacy, Obama leaned on Biden to pick Harris as his running mate. Daleiden thought the choice perversely apt, citing Harriss radical disrespect and contempt for the First Amendment and for First Amendment civil liberties. Those first seven Obama years, in fact, were just a warmup for him and his pals in the media and the deep state. In 2016, Brennan would step up to the plate. So would Biden, Fusion GPS, and the New York Times among others. They had a candidacy to subvert and then a presidency to sabotage. Were there a Nobel Prize for fascism Obama would have won it for ObamaGate alone, this time deservedly. Jack Cashills new book, Unmasking Obama: The Fight to Tell the True Story of a Failed Presidency, is now widely available. To learn more, see www.cashill.com. Image: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-13773 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:17:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JAKARTA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Finance Ministry recorded the state revenue till August 2020 at 1,028.02 trillion rupiahs (some 69.5 billion U.S. dollars) or 60.2 percent of the amended state budget that amounted to 1,699.9 trillion rupiahs (about 114.8 billion U.S. dollars) as stated in the presidential regulation number 7, year 2020. The amount was lower than 1,189.3 trillion rupiahs (80.3 billion U.S. dollars) in the same period last year, or 54.9 percent of the target in 2019 state budget which totaled 2,165.1 trillion rupiahs (146.3 billion U.S. dollars), Vice Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara told a working meeting with the House of Representatives here Monday. The state revenue consists of the tax income of 795.95 trillion rupiahs (53.8 billion U.S. dollars) and the non-tax income of 232.07 trillion rupiahs (15.6 billion U.S. dollars), he said, adding that the debt ratio till the end of August 2020 reached 34.53 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Annually, the debt ratio to the GDP till the end of August 2020 showed an increase compared to that in the same period of the previous year, namely 29.8 percent, he noted. The debt ratio was up among others due to the increase in the issuance of state securities and the widening state deficit in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. In the presidential regulation number 72, the state deficit was predicted to touch 6.34 percent of the GDP until the end of 2020 or 1,039.2 trillion rupiahs (70.2 billion U.S. dollars). Enditem Press Release September 7, 2020 Transcript of Senator Pia S. Cayetano's Manifestations During the Period of Amendments on the CoW's Committee Report on PhilHealth Part 1 Sen. Pia: Mr. President and Mr. Senate President and Sponsor, I have a very serious concern with that amendment because the very nature of the case rate is it averages the expense of an ailment across all types of health facilities. So whether you are a very high end hospital, let's say St. Luke's, Makati Med, or a very low end small public hospital in the province, they study that rate and create an average. And that does a way with all the meticulous reporting of Q-tips, cotton buds, syringe, paper cloth, all the medicines. Kasi otherwise, every single ailment would have to be itemized by the medical professional and the hospital and submitted to Philhealth. And that is why the case rate system is considered the gold standard all over the world because it allows an easier system to deliver the service immediately and payments should be done immediately. It is not flawless, and there have been criticisms on this, but it far outweighs the disadvantage of one-by-one itemizing these expenses, including professional fees na na-itemize din if we go back to the per-fee system, that is called the fee-for-service. I can explain this longer to anyone who would like to understand it better, but the minute you introduce the concept that whichever is lower, then you are basically shifting to the fee-for-service. And that is exactly the opposite of the case rate system, which is institutionalized now in the Universal Health Care Act. So that's the brief explanation, Mr. Sponsor. I feel very strongly about it because yun nga po, it is the gold standard of the world. The developmental partners of DOH and Philhealth, ito ho yung mga WHO, and even our local health experts from PGH and all across the medical associations support po the case rate system. So, may I strongly urge that we not include that kind of language. But I have language, and when my time comes, my proposal really is to support the case rate and put in the other safeguards so that we minimize the abuses of the case rate, but we cannot go back towards fee-for-service, Mr. President, with all due respect. SP Tito Sotto asks if Sen. Pia has any objection to the 2nd paragraph Sen. Pia: Unfortunately, I don't even know what the MIDAS is, Mr. Chair. So as long as hindi ho siya... Yes opo. --- Part 2 Sen. Pia: I had a series of meetings and more research to provide more technical data in our Committee Report. And since it's already very lengthy, it's already 12 pages long, I deemed it better to just submit a separate opinion, which I will do. But what I would like to do with the permission of the sponsor is I will pull out as I have, a few short paragraphs to include as amendments, including the point on the case rate, as requested to clarify that issue, and then the rest, with the more lengthy explanation, I will just submit as a separate opinion, with the permission of the good sponsor. --- Part 3 Sen. Pia: Mr. President, I concur with both the Senate President and the Minority Floor Leader. I have no desire to burden my colleagues with my separate opinion. I will just be submitting that separately, for those interested in the technical details on the case rate system, etc. It will all be there. But because the item on the case rate system was brought up, I was not even going to propose it as an amendment but I think it's timely because I would like to explain my point on it. I have read it, it's a few paragraphs long. And then the other two points, Mr. President, are just additions to what I already amended, just an additional paragraph or two. So I am ready to proceed, unless His Honor would like a copy, and I am checking with my staff if they have already provided your staff a copy. SP Sotto said he is willing to listen to Sen. Pia's proposed amendments Sen. Pia: I am ready, Mr. President... Mr. President, with your indulgence, on Page 80... It's part of the recommendations, before the recommendation that starts with "increased involvement of COA," I will insert another paragraph... Add a new recommendation to read as follows: "IMPROVE THE COOPERATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT (COA) AND PHILHEALTH TO ENSURE SOUND AND ETHICAL SPENDING OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. In particular, with regard to the case-rate system, which is the gold standard in many parts of the world, COA auditors and management must have a clear understanding of how the case-rate system works. PhilHealth, along with its developmental partners and health finance experts, should conduct training workshops with COA auditors and management. COA and PhilHealth should eventually prepare technical guidelines, and promulgate orders and issuances aligned with each other regarding the implementation and auditing of the case-rate system." I submit. A very brief explanation, Mr. Sponsor is simply that, I understand that the technical people in PhilHealth and DOH have encountered difficulties also with COA in terms of their understanding of how the case rate system works. And I can explain that even further later on on the part on case rate. But the only objective here is that from management down to the auditors, they must understand first how it works and conduct workshops so that they understand it when they start auditing, Mr. President. Sen. Drilon asked if the amendment involves a pre-audit on part of COA Sen. Pia: Not at all. The sole objective really is for them to conduct the workshop so that they understand what is this case rate. It's a different system that might defy basic logic. So that's all it is. SP Sotto accepted the amendment. Sen. Pia: Thank you for that, Mr. President, may I proceed with the next? The next item is on Page 82. This is just before the recommendation that starts with the line, "For the PhilHealth to look into strengthening..." To add a new recommendation that reads as follows: "RESTRUCTURE PHILHEALTH TO ENSURE THAT POSITIONS ARE IN LINE WITH THE MANDATE OF PHILHEALTH, AND THE EMPLOYEES HIRED ARE QUALIFIED FOR THEIR POSITIONS. It should be pointed out that prior to the implementation of Republic Act No. 10351 or the Sin Tax Law of 2012, PhilHealth was focused on membership and collection. This is the reason the majority of the personnel in PhilHealth were dedicated to such functions. However, after the Sin Tax Law of 2012, the focus of PhilHealth changed as the national government expanded health insurance coverage by providing the PhilHealth premium subsidy for indigent families and senior citizens from the incremental revenue from the excise tax on all tobacco and alcohol products, thus decreasing the need for PhilHealth to focus on membership and collection. But the bulk of Philhealth personnel were hired for that purpose and are still holding those positions. Due to the changes in the focus of PhilHealth, the organization must have a set of personnel trained in accreditation and provider payment or reimbursement, also known as "strategic purchasing". In addition, PhilHealth should monitor HCIs to ensure quality care is provided and there are no fraudulent transactions submitted. PhilHealth needs the support of these technical personnel to perform critical functions exclusively mandated in PhilHealth." I submit, Mr. President. SP Sotto accepted the amendment. Sen. Drilon asked if Sen. Pia is suggesting that there should be a redundancy program in PhilHealth to streamline their personnel force Sen. Pia: Thank you so much. I'd like to express my gratitude for pointing that out because he correctly observed that that is the direction that I am recommending. I did not go so far as directly saying it because to be honest, I was cramming my studies over the weekend on this issue. But it does appear that we should consider a redundancy program. So would the Minority Floor Leader like to suggest an amendment to my amendment, directly saying for PhilHealth to consider, to study the possibility of a redundancy program? I am very happy to accept that. Sen. Drilon confirmed that he is willing to propose an amendment, subject to style. Sen. Pia: Actually, Mr. President, and now is the last one on the case rate. Mr. President, still on Page 82, after the recommendation that reads, "For the PhilHealth to look into strengthening its manpower..." An insertion of another recommendation there, Mr. President. I will proceed with your permission. "PROPERLY IMPLEMENT THE CASE-RATE SYSTEM AS INTENDED UNDER THE UHC ACT AND CONTINUOUSLY UPDATE CASE-RATE DATA TO IMPROVE ACCURACY. The case-rate system is one of the global best practices introduced in the Philippines even before the passage of the UHC Act. It is a fundamental feature of the UHC Act. The objective of the case-rate system is to simplify and make it efficient to bill treatments. It is a payment scheme where a fixed amount is paid to health care institutions (HCIs) per instance of treatment of a specific illness or "case". The amount to be paid per case is computed from the average cost of treatment in public and private HCIs, which includes professional fees, medical tools, bed fees, and medicines. Being an average, there will be instances when the payment is insufficient to cover treatments as it is when a case is more complex - more tests or procedures are done and if it is in a private hospital. But there will also be times when the payment exceeds the cost of treatment, more likely to be the case in public hospitals. Given the foregoing, the payments to the HCIs are expected to balance out. The case rate system far outweighs the disadvantages of using a Fee-for-Service system which is not only a tedious process requiring the submission of every expense that forms part of the procedure, but has also been shown to be more prone to abuse by way of over-charging what was actually used and over-prescribing procedures or medications. However, we must take note that the case-rate system currently utilized by PhilHealth is merely in its initial stages.The next step for PhilHealth is to introduce the Diagnosis Related Groupings (DRGs) in the current case-rate system, as provided for under the UHC Act. DRG classify cases according to the following variables: principal and secondary diagnoses, patient age and sex, the presence of co-morbidities and complications and the procedures performed. DRGs will ensure that benefits given to patients are tailor-fit, as the benefit rates will be modified based on a database of reimbursement rates that will provide average differential cost per treatment." I submit. Mr. President, brief explanation. The case rate system is a complex case and we also have to graduate into, not just always updating the case rate, but graduating into this DRG. Yung DRG will provide different kinds of classification within the same kind of ailments. So kung bata ka, mas maliit yung cost kasi the chances of you having complications will be much less, and so on and so forth. Ito po yung sinasabi ko na medyo mahaba yung explanation ko, that's why it's in my own separate opinion. However, because of the questions raised, I shortened it and I am submitting it to the main Committee Report, with the permission of course of the good sponsor. Thank you. Sen. Lacson said the case rate system has been the source of corruption Sen. Pia: Mr. President, I am happy to respond. May I? As I mentioned, Mr. President in the other recommendation that was already approved, that is precisely why we are suggesting that there would be these workshops and training programs with COA auditors and management. Because without a clear understanding of how case rates work, madali hong sabihin na it's a source of abuse, because it can be abused, like any system. Again, with the example I gave you, if you look at pneumonia, obviously, St. Luke's, Makati Med, or whatever private hospital will always charge for pneumonia much more expensive than a public hospital, right? And yet, the case rate is the same, regardless kung private or public. So may savings talaga si public hospital diyan. Now if we will now go with the way of COA and simply say, "Ay, mag fee-for-service kayo kasi mas mura kayo 'pag fee-for-service diyan," then we will now open that pandora's box wherein the disadvantage we are told far outweigh the disadvantages of the case rate, because dito naman, they can put in any expense that they want and the tendency in the fee-for-service, Mr. President is that, they overprescribe. Because they can charge it. Yan ho yung parang sa US... If I may ask you to visualize whatever you know of the US system, wherein angtaas-taas ng healthcare cost, it's because they keep charging it to the insurance provider. Ganyan ho ang mangyayari sa fee-for-service. The doctors will feel the need to keep ordering all these kinds of tests dahil may magbabayad. And that is PhilHealth. Even the abuses will happen that way, kahit hindi kailangan yung procedure na yun o test na yun, papagawa nila. So doon ho yung disadvantage ng fee-for-service. And that is why all the health experts have weighed in on this and they recommend the case rate. In any case, all we are saying is let's allow COA to be trained properly and then we can hear from them kung ano pa ang ibang recommendations nila, Mr. President. I submit. Sen. Drilon said he would endorse Sen. Pia's proposal to stick with the case rate system. --- Part 4 Sen. Pia: Yes, Mr. President. I understand where the presiding officer, the good gentleman from Cavite is coming from. This is also why I go back to the recommendation in the case of COA because it makes total sense what his honor is saying, whichever is lower. However, that goes against the very nature of how the case rate system works. Because the way the case rate system works, it does away with the tedious process of itemizing every expense. It will just be submitted that "Item No. 1" which is "Case Rate 0001" as happened, therefore approved. Pagka hong meron tayong "or whichever is lower," then you will now require that PhilHealth, who is already so inefficient and undermanned with people who are qualified to do this job, will now be comparing the case rate and every single itemized item that is being presented to them. That is the fee-for-service. So technically, the simple amendment of the good gentleman, which I said in principle, makes sense, actually opens the door for the fee-for-service. Nagiging fee-for-service na po siya by giving that "or," by providing for that "or," you are then saying pwede ka namang mag fee-for-service. Yes, nandun ho yung, captured po ang concern ng ating colleague from Cavite na lower, but yung efficiency ngayon ng Philhealth to itemize every single one will really wreak havoc, I believe, on the system of Philhealth. That is my understanding, Mr. President. Sen. Lacson said Sen. Marcos brought up the problem of upcasing during the hearing. Sen. Pia: Mr. President, I'd like to thank the gentleman for his concerns. Kasi they are very valid concerns. But again, I will also repeat that that's why part of my recommendations are that no. 1, the case rates are regularly updated so it captures what are the ailments and concerns of the time, and no. 2 din, ang malaking culprit din kasi dun sa situation na sinasabing upcasing is because currently, we do not have outpatient treatment. And that is also part of my recommendations, which is already in the separate opinion, because I did not want to burden the Chair and the Committee with them. But that is such an important component, because imagine, kung mabibigyan ang outpatient ng tablets or ng medicine, then hindi na siya tatanggapin sa ospital. Ang nangyayari, and I mentioned this during the debates in the Committee of the Whole, some doctors, without malice, without intention to defraud, would agree to upcasing kasi walang pambayad ng gamot yung bata o matanda. So kesa wala silang gamot or whatever, D"Sige upcase na lang natin yan. Pneumonia na lang yan." Pero sa totoo lang, with an outpatient treatment, it will be solved. Now the Universal Health Care provides for outpatient treatment, and I will present you, my dear colleagues, with a challenge. We have to ensure that the budget for 2021 will now include a budget for outpatient because that will address the upcasing, or one of the instances of upcasing. SP Sotto accepted Sen. Pia's final amendment. Ever since the tragic demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, people have been constantly questioning how Bollywood functions and have made their stand against the lobby culture pretty clear. In fact, people have started campaigning full-fledgedly against all Bollywood movies until justice is served. After Sadak 2, people are now wanting to boycott Akshay Kumar's Laxmmi Bomb. Some of the earlier reports had claimed that the film was initially supposed to release on an OTT platform on September 9 on Akshay's birthday, but recent news suggests it has been postponed to Diwali 2020. However, other reports claim that the filmmakers have dropped the idea of the digital release of the film altogether and will wait for the theatres to reopen. With these multiple and overlapping reports floating around, there's a confusion over the final status of the movie. Laxmmi Bomb is trending on Twitter and trolls are having a field day as they don't want to invest in the movie, be it in theatres or on OTT. People have openly declared that they will not support the movie and are confused about what's happening with the release of the movie. Ye Kya scene hai ? #LaxmmiBomb (@Inner_Zee) September 7, 2020 #LaxmmiBomb starring @akshaykumar in lead pulled out of OTT platforms . Meanwhile audience to Akshay : pic.twitter.com/GPqdzQIjN2 Pragya Tiwari (@iam_pragyaT) September 7, 2020 In the movie, Akshay will be seen playing a transgender person and the horror-comedy is a remake of the 2011 Tamil film Kanchana. It has been directed by Raghava Lawrence, who also helmed the original. "In my career of 30 years, this is my most mentally intense role. It has been that tough. I've never experienced something like this before. The credit goes to my director, Lawrence sir. He introduced me to a version of myself which I didn't know existed," Akshay told reporters at the HotStar launch. "This is unlike any character I've ever played. I had to be careful to portray this character with utmost honesty, without offending any community," he added. Will you be watching the film when it comes out? Let us know in the comments below! London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has talked tough ahead of a crucial round of post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union, saying Britain could walk away from the talks within weeks and insisting that a no-deal exit would be a good outcome for the UK. With talks deadlocked, Johnson said an agreement would only be possible if EU negotiators are prepared to rethink their current positions. The EU, in turn, accuses Britain of failing to negotiate seriously. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Credit:AP Johnson's comments came as the Financial Times reported that Britain is planning new legislation that will override key parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement a step that, if implemented, could threaten a treaty signed in January and stoke tension in Northern Ireland. For years, universities have denied basic procedural protections to students accused of sexual misconduct. Despite the seriousness of such allegations, schools routinely condemn students as responsible without so much as a hearing or the opportunity to confront their accusers. This was supposed to change when the Department of Educations new Title IX regulations took effect on August 14. But the more things change in higher education, the more they stay the same. Its no secret that schools fought the new regulations tooth and nail. Now they are outdoing each other to circumvent them. Universities resisted the regulations despite the fact that they actually deregulate higher education in important ways, by limiting universities liability exposure and narrowing the scope of students private lives that universities must police. But universities clearly want to police their students sex lives and are now finding creative new ways to do so. This is a continuation of universities zealous expansion of sexual-harassment policies to infringe upon constitutionally protected speech and academic freedom in ways that could never be enforced in a court of law. Civil anti-discrimination laws already extend to behavior that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive, but schools want to push beyond this to accommodate everyones subjective feelings of offense. Once sacrosanct, academic freedom is now routinely cast aside in the name of student comfort and safety. Professors can now teach controversial subject material only at great personal risk. At public universities, where the First Amendment applies, numerous Title IX policies have been ruled unconstitutional by federal courts. No such constitutional protections apply at private institutions. Things were supposed to change in August, when the new Title IX regulations took effect, with robust free speech and due process protections. Now it appears that many campuses are fighting to ensure these protections remain illusory. Its not that institutions arent changing their policies. Rather, they are doing so to comply superficially while claiming increased authority to subject students and faculty to processes that provide few, if any, of the protections that the regulations require. Story continues Take the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, for example. With nearly 50,000 students, it is one of the largest American universities. Last month, UIUC adopted a new policy that claims that the new Title IX regulations establish a floor not a ceiling to the varied forms of misconduct that can be prohibited at a university. UIUC has decided to go beyond this floor to promote a safe and welcoming culture and climate. Schools bemoaned the new regulations complexity and the extra costs, as well as the confusion they would supposedly cause. So what is UIUCs antidote? UIUC now wants to maintain two separate definitions of sexual harassment: Title IX sexual harassment, tracking Supreme Court law in Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, and another, special and broader category of campus speech and conduct that UIUC will now police as sexual harassment. A student accused of Title IX sexual misconduct will get the new procedures specified in the regulations. These include, importantly, the right to a live hearing with cross-examination. Not so if youre accused of non-Title IX sexual misconduct. Then youre out of luck no hearing for you. This also raises the possibility that students will be subject to the whim of bureaucrats, who will switch the new Title IX regulations on and off depending on the situation. (Spoiler alert: They will usually turn them off.) And how are schools such as UIUC going to decide which policy to adjudicate various behaviors under, since the broader category of campus sexual misconduct will always encompass Title IX sexual misconduct? No potential source of confusion there, right? Take the new policy of Arizona State University. Like Illinois, ASU establishes two separate procedures for adjudicating sexual-misconduct tracks, one with robust protections and one without. Why not use both? says the university. ASUs policy defines Title IX sexual harassment in accordance with the regulations, but maintains other policies defining sexual harassment more expansively. And ASU makes clear that if the facts or occurrences forming the basis of a formal complaint of Title IX sexual harassment would also constitute a violation of other university policies, respondents may be subject to a second process that could proceed concurrently. In one proceeding, students will receive all the due-process protections required by the regulations, including the right to access evidence, the right to a hearing, the right to cross-examination, and the right to be presumed innocent. In the parallel proceeding, however, students will not. They cannot even challenge the findings of an investigator until everything has already been decided and sanctions already doled out. Dating back to 2011, universities bemoaned Title IX mandates as a heavy-handed federal imposition. This was always dishonest. Universities clearly wanted to extend their control over campus sex life and promote new norms for sex on campus. Universities zealous activism has now found new expression in the voluntary creation of multi-track, ever more byzantine enforcement regimes, even as they continue to bemoan federal mandates. It really is Opposite World on college campuses today. The Department of Education carefully created a system that offers procedural protections commensurate with the seriousness of sexual misconduct accusations. Unfortunately, universities commitment to procedural unfairness never was about government policy with regard to Title IX, a common excuse during the years when Title IX guidance itself undercut due process. The inescapable conclusion is that this is about the universitys perceived need to redefine sexual agency, sexual mores, and consent, which will apply only on campus and nowhere else in American life. To do so, they are claiming ever more power over the minutiae of students private lives. More from National Review Egypt has resumed flights to a number of international destinations in July after a lockdown was effected on 19 March due to the coronavirus pandemic Egypts flag carrier EgyptAir announced on Monday the resumption of flights to Accra and Abuja, the capitals of Ghana and Nigeria, respectively, as well as Lagos in Nigeria, later this week. EgyptAir said it will operate three weekly direct flights to Nigeria starting 8 September and two weekly flights to Ghana starting 10 September. Booking is available through the airlines contact centre at 1717, 090070000, or on egyptair.com, the statement noted. Egypt has resumed flights to a number of international destinations in July after a lockdown was effected on 19 March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Two days ago EgyptAir announced the resumption of flights between Cairo and Moscow mid-September, a few days after Russia announced the resumption of flights to several countries including Egypt. Egypt has required travellers arriving in the country starting 1 September to present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) lab test result certificate for the novel coronavirus. Visitors at any of four airports in the Red Sea governorate and South Sinai can take a coronavirus test upon arrival. Search Keywords: Short link: China has showcased its potential coronavirus vaccines for the first time as the country steps up its efforts in the global race. High hopes hang on the small vials of liquid on show at a Beijing trade fair this week - vaccine candidates produced by Chinese companies Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm. Neither has hit the market yet but the makers hope they will be approved after all-important phase 3 trials as early as year-end. An employee displays a coronavirus vaccine candidate from China National Biotec Group (CNBG), during the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing China has showcased its potential coronavirus vaccines for the first time, as the country where the contagion was discovered looks to shape the narrative surrounding the pandemic A Sinovac representative told AFP his firm has already 'completed the construction of a vaccine factory' able to produce 300 million doses a year. On Monday, people at the trade fair crowded around booths showing the potential game-changing vaccines. China, which is facing a storm of foreign criticism over its early handling of the pandemic, has been trying to repurpose the story of COVID-19. State media and officials are now emphasising the revival of Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the deadly pathogen surfaced, as a success story in the fight against the virus. They are also touting progress on domestic vaccines as a sign of Chinese leadership and resilience in the face of an unprecedented health threat that has pummelled the global economy. The picture shows a booth displaying a coronavirus vaccine candidate from China National Biotech Group (CNBG) is seen at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services A boy looks at Sinovac Biotech LTD's vaccine candidate for COVID-19 coronavirus on display at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing on September 6 In May, President Xi Jinping pledged to make any potential vaccine developed by China a 'global public good'. The potential vaccines on display are among nearly 10 worldwide to enter phase 3 trials, typically the last step ahead of regulatory approval, as countries race to stub out the virus and reboot battered economies. Sinopharm said it anticipates the antibodies from its jab to last between one and three years - although the final result will only be known after the trials. China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times reported last month that 'the price of the vaccines will not be high'. Every two doses should cost below 1,000 yuan (111), the report said, citing Sinopharm's chairman, who told media he has already been injected with one of the candidate vaccines. On Monday, people at the trade fair crowded around booths showing the potential game-changing vaccines. People wearing face masks take pictures of a booth displaying a coronavirus vaccine candidate from Sinovac Biotech Ltd at the Beijing trade fair on Saturday As of last month, at least 5.7 billion doses of the vaccines under development around the world had been pre-ordered. Every two doses should cost below 1,000 yuan (111), said the Sinopharm's chairman, who told media he has already been injected with one of the vaccines China's official Xinhua news agency reported Monday that another vaccine candidate, developed by Chinese military scientists, can deal with mutations in the coronavirus. As of last month, at least 5.7 billion doses of the vaccines under development around the world had been pre-ordered. The Chinese government has launched emergency use of a potential COVID-19 vaccine since late July, Zheng Zhongwei, a director from the National Health Commission, told state broadcaster CCTV in August. He claimed that the government had authorised the use of the potential coronavirus vaccine on key workers including medics and border officials. The health official also said that they are considering to scale up the programme on people working in food markets, public transport and hospitality to prevent a possible virus outbreak in the autumn and winter. But the World Health Organization has warned that widespread immunisation against COVID-19 may not be on the cards until the middle of next year. The head of the World Health Organization said the U.N. health agency will not recommend any COVID-19 vaccine before it is proved safe and effective, even as Russia and China have started using their experimental vaccines before large studies have finished and other countries have proposed streamlining authorisation procedures. At a press briefing on Friday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said vaccines have been used successfully for decades, and credited them with eradicating smallpox and bringing polio to the brink of being eliminated. 'I would like to assure the public that WHO will not endorse a vaccine thats not effective and safe,' Tedros said. He said newly developed Ebola vaccines helped end the recent Ebola outbreak in Congo, noting that stopping the deadly virus was complicated by the dozens of armed groups operating in the region. Tedros appealed to people opposed to vaccination to do their own research. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested former ICICI Bank MD-CEO Chanda Kochhars husband Deepak Kochhar in connection with its money laundering probe against the couple and companies run by them, people familiar with the development said. Officials said that Deepak Kochhar was arrested in Mumbai after he was called for questioning on Monday and will be produced in a court on Tuesday morning. He was confronted with several documents linked to alleged money laundering in his companies after which he was put under arrest, an officer said requesting anonymity. Deepak Kochhars arrest is the first in the multi-agency investigation launched against his wife in January last year for decisions taken by her as the head of a private bank in giving loans to the Videocon Group in lieu of bribes allegedly paid in their companies. Chanda Kochhar had stepped down from ICICI Bank on October 4, 2018, after allegations of irregularities surfaced against her. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also investigating Chanda Kochhar and Deepak Kochhar for alleged corruption. In its FIR registered in January last year, CBI had alleged that six high value loans worth Rs 1,875 crore were given by ICICI Bank to Videocon group of companies between 2009 and 2011. It has been alleged that a payment of Rs 64 crore was made into a Deepak Kochhar company - NuPower Renewables by Videocon in 2009, which was a quid pro quo from Dhoot for a loan of Rs 300 crore to Videocon. While attaching properties worth Rs 78.15 crore belonging to Kochhars in January this year, ED had said that an amount of Rs 64 crore, out of the loan of Rs 300 crore sanctioned by a committee headed by Chanda Kochhar to Videocon International Electronics Limited, was transferred to M/s Nupower Renewables Pvt Ltd (NRPL, earlier known as M/s NuPower Renewables Limited, a company of Deepak Kochhar, husband of Chanda Kochhar) by VIL on September 8, 2009, just one day after disbursement of loan by ICICI Bank. Further, net revenue of Rs. 10.65 crores was generated by NRL from these tainted funds, it added. The agency termed the flat at CCI Chambers, Churchgate, where Chanda Kochhar lives, was an illegal gain; she has lived there since 1997, as it was owned by a Videocon entity QTAPL (Quality Appliances Pvt Ltd; now named Quality Techno Advisors Pvt Ltd) from 2009 till 2016. It is noticed that Chanda Kochhar and Venugopal N Dhoot are known to each other whereas family members of Chanda Kochhar are having joint holding in certain companies with the persons of Videocon group viz in NRPL (NuPower Renewables Pvt Ltd) and SEPL (Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd). The nexus is evident from the changes in the shareholding patterns in the specified companies into and amongst such persons under a design and plan, said an ED report in possession of HT. The agency added that these suspected transfer of funds and changes in the companies have taken place both at the corporate level and at the individual level. However, in an investigation report filed in a Delhi court, as first reported by HT in April 2019, ED had claimed that it was investigating a total of 24 loans aggregating Rs 7,862 crore that were given by the bank to Videocon Group between 2009 and 2018. Both the agencies decided to look at quid-pro-quos between Videocon Group chief Venugopal Dhoot and Kochhars after it emerged that former was an investor in Kochhars husband, Deepak Kochhars company. Ministers are exploring plans to cut the quarantine time for holidaymakers to just five days by testing them 48 hours before they arrive in the UK, it is claimed. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is said to have 'warmly welcomed' the proposal which would more than halve the 14-day self-isolation period. Under plans by industry leaders, tourists and business travellers would undergo a second test five days after landing. If both tests are negative, they could leave quarantine. This would satisfy experts on the Sage committee of scientific advisers, who say a second test around eight days after the first will pick up the vast majority of cases. It would also allay Government concerns about the shortage of tests here by putting the onus on other countries to carry out the first tests. Under plans by industry leaders, tourists and business travellers would undergo a second test five days after landing. If both tests are negative, they could leave quarantine The proposal is in its early stages and one of a range of options said to be under consideration. It emerged as Mr Shapps told the Commons he is working 'night and day' to explore the possibility of airport testing regime but warned it could take weeks to finalise. He told MPs: 'My officials are working with health experts with the aim of cutting the quarantine period without adding to infection risk or infringing our overall NHS test capacity.' As quarantine restrictions were imposed on seven Greek islands, Airlines UK, the trade body representing British carriers, warned time is fast running out to save the industry. They are calling on ministers to commit to testing within the next month to prevent fresh economy misery and further job losses. And last night Adam Marshall, the head of the British Chambers of Commerce, warned that failure to introduce airport testing would lead to 'significant job losses'. Dr Marshall told the Daily Mail: 'The imposition of blanket quarantine measures have been a hammer blow to the already fragile travel and tourism industries. 'It also endangers international business and trade links that help drive the growth we need to encourage at a time when we face unprecedented economic challenges. 'Co-ordinated checks at departure and arrival airports, together with a sophisticated testing system, would alleviate the need for measures that impact arrivals from every country.' The Chambers of Commerce, which represents 75,000 businesses, has written to Mr Shapps and Business Secretary Alok Sharma to call for a German-style airport testing regime. A woman is pictured arriving back at Manchester Airport as ministers work to find a way to allow for quarantine to be reduced In another boost for the Mail's campaign to Get Britain Flying Again, Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday said he is working with Mr Shapps on an overhaul of the rules. He told LBC: 'We are working to try to find a way to allow for the quarantine to be reduced, but done in a way that also keeps people safe.' Although the Department for Transport has been supportive of airport testing, they have been met with resistance from other government departments worried about the risk of false negative test results. However, there are signs of growing cabinet unity after Mr Hancock and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab pledged to review quarantine rules. Downing Street is also said to have thrown its weight behind the plans. Mr Shapps told MPs yesterday: 'We are working actively on the practicalities of using testing to release people from quarantine earlier than 14 days. 'This could not be a pure test-on-arrival option. But my officials are working with health experts with the aim of cutting the quarantine period without adding to infection risk or infringing overall NHS test capacity.' Tim Alderslade, chief of Airlines UK, said: 'The Transport Secretary has intimated that good progress is being made but it's critical this is signed off by Government and implemented by the end of this month.' A DfT spokesman said: 'Work is ongoing with clinicians, the devolved administrations and the travel industry to consider if and how testing could be used in the future to reduce the self-isolation period.' We cannot live in terror cut off from the world, we must get Britain open again, writes PROFESSOR SIR JOHN BELL Britain urgently needs to shift its mindset from a terror of the Covid-19 virus to focus on the damage already done to our economy and the worse that is yet to come. The spike in infections reported in the past few days was to be expected as life slowly returns to our streets and workplaces. They are concerning and, yes, we must be prepared for a second wave of Covid-19 while working hard to contain localised outbreaks to prevent it. We must not, however, let this hamper our efforts to return to normality. Much of the increase in infections is among the young, who tend to experience moderate or no symptoms. Crucially, we have not yet seen a jump in hospital admissions or deaths. As summer turns to autumn, cases will continue to rise and clearly, university towns face potential dangers as thousands of new students start the next phase of their education and others resume their studies. A Greater Anglia train from London to Norwich was nearly empty on Monday morning as the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt But how good it will be to see them back in the libraries and laboratories just as it was magnificent to see our children returning to school last week. Now we need to get more people back on public transport, and into offices, back into coffee shops and sandwich bars and shopping malls. We need to claim back our old lives lives in which we took for granted trips to the cinema, to the theatre and to concert halls. And, of course, we need to get our hospitals back firing on all cylinders, detecting and treating the cancers and cardiac diseases that did not go away just because Covid-19 was dominating the news. Tens of thousands of people have missed out on tests and treatments and we must remedy that as best we can. This is why I unambiguously support the Daily Mails campaign to get Britains economy rolling and especially to get airports open again. And, as the Mail reports today, at last the Government seems to be listening, with plans to slash existing quarantine rules and begin the introduction of a two-test system. That is only right. We cannot thrive, we cannot live our lives in any decent enriching way, if we remain cut off from the world. Of course, international travel brings increased risk of infection. The Office for National Statistics shows the risk of disease in those who travel is about three times that of those who dont (0.17 per cent vs 0.05 per cent). So we must be vigilant as we think our way through to practical solutions. Airport testing provides a screen to identify infected people on arrival, with a second test five days later for those who initially test negative. Beyond testing at airports, there are grounds for further optimism on population testing and our progress in developing a vaccine both of which are crucial in enabling us to live and prosper with this virus. Britain has one of the largest testing capacities per capita, but we still need significantly more for two distinct purposes. First, it is crucial that we are able to diagnose Covid-19 accurately in potentially sick patients, health workers, those in care homes and other vulnerable populations. For this, the highly sensitive PCR test is the gold standard. The Governments SAGE committee suggests that using this form of testing on 10 per cent of the population at highest risk could reduce the R number the reproduction rate of the virus which needs to be below 1 by a startling 0.4. More broadly, how do we best give people the confidence to go to work, to the cinema, go shopping, travel abroad or attend school and university? We will need tests that are easier to use but less sensitive, and designed to measure whether or not an individual carries a high viral load and is therefore likely to spread the disease to others. Those with high levels of virus will need to isolate. Those with very low levels of virus are less likely to spread the disease and as a result pose little threat. In my work I move between lecture halls, laboratories, and to Whitehall and Westminster. I have never shown any Covid-19 symptoms, but because of the nature of my work, I am tested three times a week. Regular testing needs to become the norm for most of the population and I have no doubt it will. Swabbing of the nose and back of the throat is uncomfortable, but these types of Covid-19 tests will soon be a thing of the past. We hope that new consumer tests now being developed, known as Lateral Flow and LAMP tests, can be done at home and give results in minutes as quick and easy to use as pregnancy tests and, once licensed, available from pharmacies or on Amazon for a few pounds. These tests are not entirely fool-proof, but they should be good enough to spot potential super-spreaders. We cannot achieve absolute perfection and safety with any test regime, but regular testing will make managing the infection rate much easier and restore confidence. There is also good news on vaccine development. There are now 10,000 people in the UK who have had one or two double doses of a vaccine under development in Oxford, and a further 8,000 are being vaccinated in Brazil, a country which has one of the highest rates of infection. The outlook is promising, and I believe the trial will be satisfactorily concluded in the next few months. If the results are positive, there will be a supply of the vaccine available to start treating vulnerable groups once regulatory approval occurs. Indeed, it is quite possible we will get the green light for manufacture within six weeks. This would be the ultimate game changer. But it will take time to vaccinate larger populations, whole cities for example, so we need flexible testing in place too. Nor should we forget how much more we now know about Covid-19 and how to treat it. In the early days we over-treated patients, and put too many of them on oxygen and ventilators. A discovery by the Oxford team that the cheap, widely available steroid, dexamethasone, reduces Covid mortality rates by 30 per cent was a huge advance, and will end up saving an estimated 1.3 million lives worldwide. We have to remove or reduce fear of the virus so we can focus on the other essential parts of our recovery from the pandemic. Above all, we must avoid another national lockdown and get the economy back on track and fast. After all, how else will we pay for the NHS, and for the university and hospital laboratories where the scientific fightback against Covid is being waged? Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 04:59:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli special ministerial committee has decided to impose a night closure on 40 cities and towns with high COVID-19 morbidity starting Monday, according to a Sunday government statement. The night closure will run from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time, said the joint statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Health. During these hours, it will be only allowed to move within 500 meters from home, and only essential businesses allowed to open. In these cities and towns, gatherings of more than 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors will be banned, and schools and kindergartens closed. The 40 cities and towns were announced "red" as part of a government "traffic light" program, which has classified all cities and towns in Israel into four colors of red, orange, yellow and green according to morbidity level. Enditem UK, Austria Sign Deal On Granting Tax Treaty Benefits by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London 07 September 2020 HM Revenue and Customs has announced that it is has agreed changes with authorities in Austria regarding how the two authorities will deal with requests for relief under the two countries' tax treaty. Austria has agreed to accept changes to HMRC procedures with regards to the certificates HMRC issues to confirm that a person is resident in the UK for the purpose of Article 4 of the treaty. Austrian law requires that a claim for benefits under the Convention must be submitted on a specified claim form that has been certified by HMRC. Typically these forms are certified using a "wet ink" stamp and are hand-signed by HMRC officials. This procedure applies both for relief at source and to reclaims of tax that has already been deducted. Owing to COVID-19, the two authorities have agreed that to ensure claims are processed in a timely fashion, HMRC will instead use electronic signatures to certify these certificates. Further, the two authorities are to exchange information under Article 24 of the treaty to verify the validity of the certificates. The agreement will remain in place until June 30, 2021. New York: Jacob Blake, the black man who was shot in the back by a white police officer in Wisconsin last month, spoke out for the first time from his hospital bed as duelling demonstrations over racial justice and policing continued to roil US cities. In a video posted on Twitter, Blake, dressed in a green hospital gown, described being in constant pain after the shooting that left him paralysed from the waist down. Jacob Blake, speaking from his hospital bed. "I got staples in my back, staples in my damn stomach," he said in the video posted by his attorney, Ben Crump, late on Saturday. "It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side to side, it hurts to eat." The August 23 shooting of Blake, 29, reignited protests over racism and police brutality that have swept the United States since May when another black man, George Floyd, died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Kate Garraway has revealed her husband Derek Draper lost a shocking eight stone as he fought for his life during a six-month battle with coronavirus. The former lobbyist, 53, was hospitalised on March 29 after suffering serious complications from Covid-19 and has remained in intensive care ever since, in a minimally conscious state from which no one knows if he will ever recover. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday's YOU magazine about the family's ordeal, Kate, 53, revealed doctors had warned her Derek wouldn't survive, and expressed her shock at seeing his appearance as his 'worn-out and thin' body struggled to fight the virus. Shocking: Kate Garraway has revealed her husband Derek Draper lost a shocking eight stone as he fought for his life during a six-month battle with coronavirus (pictured in December) Kate recalled: Doctors were saying, Hes not going to make it. Unable to breathe, he was put into a medical coma to give his lungs a rest. Before he went under, he called Kate and said, I love you, youve saved my life. For several weeks, the familys only contact with Derek was through hospital staff, so when Kate first saw her husband, she found him unrecognisable. Kate recalled: When I finally got to FaceTime him, seeing him unconscious was a big shock. 'Hes lost nearly eight stone in weight, a lot of it muscle throughout his body. He looked worn-out, thin and pale with dark circles under his eyes and there were lots of tubes. Heartbreaking: Kate, 53, revealed that doctors had warned her Derek wouldn't survive, and expressed her shock at seeing his appearance as his body struggled to fight the virus Derek is one of an estimated just five people in the world whose bodies have been damaged so much by Covid. He has survived but for how long or even if he can recover the doctors cant say as his condition constantly fluctuates. Kate contracted coronavirus herself at the same time as Derek, but made a full recovery. Last month, the presenter discussed wanting to donate her blood plasma to Derek in a bid to help him in his battle. The TV host said she she was 'desperately researching anything she could do to help' her husband who remains very sick in hospital. A timeline of Derek's coronavirus battle MARCH Kate revealed she and Prince Charles had got 'relatively close' at the Prince's Trust Awards on March 11 - Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March. She said: 'Around the 29/30 March, I came home came in and said [to Derek] 'god you look ill.' 'He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand, and was struggling to breathe, 'I rang Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he talked to Derek. He said put me back on, I think you need to call an ambulance' Derek, 52, was taken into hospital on March 30 and remained in an unresponsive condition. APRIL Kate and her children isolated at home after she displayed 'mild symptoms'. Kate said: 'Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I'm afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time. 'I'm afraid he is still in a deeply critical condition, but he is still here, which means there is hope.' MAY Kate said: 'The journey for me and my family seems to be far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus has more battles for Derek to fight. 'But he is still HERE & so there is still hope.' That month, Kate and her family took part in the final clap for carers She said: 'I'll never give up on that because Derek's the love of my life but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty' JUNE On June 5, Kate revealed Derek is now free from coronavirus but continues to fight against the damage inflicted on his body JULY On July 5, Kate revealed Derek has woken from his coma but he remains in a serious yet critical condition. On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after being urged by doctors to 'get on with life' during Derek's recovery. She added that Derek had 'opened his eyes' after waking from his coma, but has been told his recovery could take years. On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalised. On July 28, Kate revealed she'd paid an 'extra emotional' first visit to Derek, and admitted she's 'frustrated' by his slow progress. Advertisement Her GMB co-host Adil Ray, 46, said: 'On the show last week, you would have seen Kate talking about the potential importance of blood plasma transfusions for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. 'That day the number of people offering to donate went up 300 per cent. Kate said: It's a lovely lovely thing. The process which is similar to giving blood, only takes 45 minutes and can be used to help treat patients who aren't producing enough of their own antibodies to fight COVID-19. 'The reason it's popped up, why I was talking about it, was because when Derek first got sick, I was desperately researching anything I could do to help. 'I watched him be consumed by the virus despite all the brilliant efforts of those around trying to help him in the NHS.' She continued: 'I was told at the time, because it was one of the ideas I had, "what about giving my blood, there are antibodies in my blood because I've had it, will that help?" they said no because the trials for it hadn't really started. 'I started talking about it last week because I found out that now it is being used which is fantastic.' Adil said: 'Kate, I will say this, you're so inspiring at a time like this.' Kate replied: 'I don't know about that, I feel very emotional about it actually, not just the idea that people are coming forward but that it might save lives. Kate revealed she is reluctant to talk about Derek 'every week' on the show as she doesn't want to upset viewers, but was reassured by Adil that she has been 'inspiring.' Kate said Derek 'is very much still with us,' but it is still a 'waiting game'. In July Derek emerged from his deep coma and started showing some signs of consciousness, occasionally opening his eyes. Only a few weeks ago, Kate was finally allowed to visit Derek in hospital. Coronavirus precautions mean the children and Dereks parents havent been able to yet. She admitted: 'I see him quite infrequently, not as often as Id wish'. Discussing the moment doctors told her that Derek may never recover, Kate confessed that she threw up in shock. She said: ;We hope and believe he will come out of it, but we just dont know. 'The heart of the family has been ripped out and we dont know if we will ever get it back.' Giving an update on his condition, she continued: 'At first it was all about Dereks lungs. 'But then his kidneys started failing and he was on dialysis. Now theyve realised Covid can affect every cell of the body: most recently Dereks been having problems with his intestines. 'The absorption of food and vomiting are problems and theyre trying to work out whether thats because his cells dont produce the enzymes to digest. 'His liver and heart and blood vessels have been affected. Last month, Kate revealed she paid an 'extra emotional' first visit to Derek, as he continues to slowly recover from COVID-19. The Good Morning Britain presenter also told Ben Shephard that it was 'lovely' to see her partner as (28 July) was his 53rd birthday, but she continues to be 'frustrated' by his slow progress. Kate told Ben: 'I did go and see Derek, he's had a tough couple of weeks, and it's just frustrating. 'It would have actually been his birthday today so I was extra emotional so I was thinking about the day he was born. Doting mother: Kate and Derek married in 2005, and share daughter Darcey, 14, and son Billy, 11 (pictured in December) She added: 'What the doctor said to me was, "Sometimes, Kate, a day when nothing has gone backwards is a positive".' As Ben agreed that Derek had 'a stable day,' Kate added: 'It's just I'm desperate for a step forward. It's always lovely to see him and so it's wonderful to have the chance to see him.' Kate and Derek married in 2005, and share daughter Darcey, 14, and son Billy, 11. Earlier this year, Kate took a break from work in order to look after their children in lockdown and be there for Derek. The journalist made a welcome to present Good Morning Britain in July after being away for 14 weeks and has now announced she will be returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek 'can hear my voice as well as many of the songs we both love.' The broadcaster confirmed on Sunday that she will be heading back to the Global studios in London to record her show from 10am to 1pm everyday this week, after her friend Myleene Klass filled in for her. As she announced her return to the airwaves, Kate acknowledged the frightening circumstances she currently faces, but hopes work will provide a welcome distraction for both herself and her husband. Heartbreaking: Discussing the moment doctors told her that Derek may never recover, Kate confessed that she threw up in shock (pictured in 2008) She said to The Sun: 'Im delighted to be returning to my morning show on Smooth and to my Global family who have been a big support to me. 'Things are still hugely challenging and a long way from being normal, but Id like to think that this will give Derek yet another opportunity to hear my voice as well as many of the songs we both love. 'My heartfelt thanks go to Myleene Klass who has been brilliantly caretaking the show for me and to all my regular listeners for their messages of support.' Throughout all this, Kate has been holding the fort at home, trying to present a chipper front for the sake of the children. She has been fitting in work around endless conversations with medics, not to mention sorting out the nonstop legal and financial challenges that accompany a partner being in a coma. 'Theres been more than the odd day when Ive just been consumed with fear, she told YOU magazine. But as a mum you cant go to bed and cry for 24 hours. Children dont choose when theyre going to be upset; you say: Its 9pm, Im going to bed, Ive got to be up at 2am for work, and thats when they suddenly want to talk about Dad, so of course you just have to say, OK, lets talk about it. Meanwhile, Kate recently revealed she is writing a self-help book as she continues to support Derek during his coronavirus battle. She admitted that she was given the deal before Derek's illness and is now tweaking the book to include 'insights' from the ordeal. During an appearance on GMB, Kate revealed she is writing a book about well-being, which she planned to call Good Morning Life: How To Wake Up Every Day And Smile. Kate and her co-host Alex Beresford discussed self-help books after Adele praised Glennon Doyle's Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living for 'changing her life'. During the chat, she said:'I am going to declare that just before Derek got sick I started writing a book, I got a publishing deal, based on well-being and all the things I've learned. 'It was going to be called Good Morning Life: How To Wake Up Every Day And Smile, it's still going ahead, I'm still writing it, but I'm going to include obviously different insight that has happened to me along the way.' She added: 'I find that there are books that are very helpful.' When a producer asks Que Minh Luu about the types of programs Netflix might commission in Australia, she gives a simple answer: You tell me. Its not so much about the genre, said Ms Luu, who is in charge of local original content for the global streaming giant. We want people to tell us what theyre absolutely dying to say in a show that theyve not been able to say anywhere else. Were a creator-led company. Que Minh Luu is Netflix's first head of original Australian content. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Since joining Netflix in July, the former ABC executive producer has been inundated with pitches. My inbox is dead, said Ms Luu in an exclusive interview with The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Im meeting as many people and trying to hear as many ideas as I can. Whether it's drama, comedy, unscripted, reality [or other genres], I am genuinely looking at all of it. A week after India reported a significant contraction in its GDP during the April-June quarter of 2020-21 fiscal, former Reserve Bank Governor and noted economist has said that the negative GDP growth numbers should alarm everyone. Emphasising on the importance of government relief or support in the given scenario, he pointed out that it is "meagre" so far. In a note published on LinkedIn, he also opined that the 23.9 per cent contraction in the GDP during the Q1 would be "even worse if the damage to the informal sector is taken into account". "The recently released quarterly GDP growth numbers for the first quarter of FY2020-21 should alarm us all. The 23.9 per cent contraction in India (and the numbers will probably be worse when we get estimates of the damage in the informal sector) compares with a drop of 12.4 per cent in Italy and 9.5 per cent in the United States, two of the most Covid-affected advanced countries," Rajan said. He said that India is "even worse off" than these comparisons suggest. Since the coronavirus pandemic is still raging in India, discretionary spending, especially on high-contact services like restaurants, and associated employment, will stay low until the virus is contained, Rajan said, adding that government relief becomes all the more important in the given scenario. However, the government support so far has been "meagre", he said, primarily in terms of free food grains to poor households and credit guarantees to banks for lending to small and medium (SMEs) firms, where the takedown has been patchy. "The government's reluctance to do more today seems partly because it wants to conserve resources for a possible future stimulus. This strategy is self-defeating," the former RBI Governor said. According to him, at a time when the government should expand resources to spend more and take more action, the Indian government "seems to have retreated into a shell", after an initial burst. He said that the government and public sector firms should clear their payables quickly so that liquidity moves to corporations. In addition, small firms below a certain size could be rebated on corporate income and GST tax they paid last year, or some portion thereof, with the rebate tapering off with firm size. This would be an objective way of helping small, viable firms based on a hard-to-manipulate metric, even while rewarding them for their honesty, Rajan said, adding that finally, the government will likely have to set aside resources to recapitalise public sector banks as the extent of losses are recognised. According to Rajan, the private sector should also be urged to give a helping hand. "Cash-rich platforms like Amazon, Reliance, and Walmart could help smaller suppliers get back on their feet -- even funding some of them. All large firms should be incentivised to clear their receivables quickly," he said. A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed following an argument at an apartment complex on the city's Northwest Side, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Officers responded to the incident just after 10:30 p.m. Sunday at an apartment complex in the 8700 block of Cinnamon Creek Drive, near Fredericksburg and Wurzbach roads. Charge LTTE suspects if enough evidence, Mahathir tells govt The Perikatan Nasional government should press charges against the alleged supporters of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) "if they feel that they have enough evidence", said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad. According to Mahathir, when he was in power, the then attorney-general Tommy Thomas had informed him that there was no sufficient proof to charge the suspects under our terrorism law which denied them bail. He said that was why he had written a letter to Muhyiddin Yassin, who was the home minister, stating that LTTE should be taken out of the country's list of terror organisations. "Regarding the LTTE supporters, I was informed by the (then) AG that there was no solid evidence to charge them under the terrorism law which does not allow bail while waiting for trial. I gave this opinion to the minister in charge of the matter. My opinion was not an order. "For me, if the government and the AG of the day feel that there is solid evidence to charge them (the suspects), then they should initiate the appropriate legal action. "I hope that there won't be any injustice when we uphold and enforce the law," Mahathir said in a statement posted on his blog. He was referring to the case of 12 individuals arrested by police in October last year for allegedly supporting the now-defunct terror organisation, which was based in Sri Lanka. Detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), the 12 were later charged in various courts in several states over suspected links to the organisation. However, on Feb 21 this year, Thomas exercised his constitutional powers to discontinue proceedings against the 12 with immediate effect. Last week, a Feb 12 letter written by Mahathir to Muhyiddin was circulated on social media. In the letter, Mahathir said he believed that there was no reason for the government to continue labelling LTTE as a terror organisation when Sri Lanka had also discontinued labelling them as such. "I feel that it would be good if LTTE is excluded from the list of terrorists. And thus, the criminal trial can be carried out without denying them from getting bail," he said in the letter. Mahathir had since confirmed the authenticity of the letter but denied that it meant he supported the group. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, is a close ally of Angela Merkel - AFP The president of the European Commission has threatened to not do business with Britain if "trust" is broken by the UK reneging on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Ursula von der Leyen said respect for the divorce treaty that paved the way for the UK to leave the EU on January 31 this year was a "prerequisite" for any free trade agreement with Brussels. Boris Johnson is planning to use the internal market bill, due to be published on Wednesday, to renege on provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement, according to reports on Sunday. If the bill does undermine commitments made in the Brexit divorce treaty, it will make it extremely difficult politically for Michel Barnier to offer the UK any concessions in the trade negotiations, which restart on Tuesday. Ministers have denied that the Government plans to tear up the treaty (see video below). Mrs von der Leyen tweeted: "I trust the British Government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership. [The] Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is essential to protect peace and stability on the island and the integrity of the Single Market." Mr Barnier told French radio on Monday morning that he would ask David Frost, the UK's chief negotiator, for an explanation when they meet in London on Monday evening ahead of the trade talks. The EU's chief negotiator said honouring the Withdrawal Agreement was "a precondition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected". He accused Britain of trying to get "the best of both worlds" but warned that there would not be an agreement "to the detriment of the Single Market". "If there is no free trade agreement, the UK will fall back on traditional and customary WTO rules. There will be customs tariffs for products that we export to the UK and we will impose tariffs on products we import from the UK," Mr Barnier said. Story continues A European Commission spokesman said: "While we are determined to reach an agreement with the UK, the EU will be ready in the event of a no-deal scenario to trade with the UK on WTO terms as of January 1, 2021. "The full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and in particular the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland are essential these are legal obligations under international law. This is a matter of trust. This is a prerequisite, a precondition for the negotiations on the future partnership, and I think that's clear." "We might be losing the UK, but we won't lose our stiff upper lip #Brexit," Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, tweeted in an effort to show that the EU would not buckle to UK pressure. Mr Barnier said the bloc would not sign any trade deal unless there was an agreement granting EU boats access to UK fishing waters after Brexit, adding: "Excluding European fishermen is not acceptable to us. There are people who do not wish us well, who want to destroy us. Mr Farage and his friends." Michel Barnier, pictured arriving at Downing Street in July - Will Oliver/EPA-EFE Mr Johnson is expected to say later on Monday: "The EU have been very clear about the timetable. I am too. There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it's going to be in force by the end of the year. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us and we should both accept that and move on." The EU has already set a deadline of the end of October for the trade deal to be finalised so there is enough time to ratify it before the end of the year, when the UK will leave the transition period and the Single Market and Customs Union. Failure to agree a deal will mean both sides trading on WTO terms, which, unlike the proposed agreement, will mean tariffs and quotas on goods. Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, called on Britain to compromise over fishing and state aid. "Germany is convinced that it is still possible to reach a Brexit agreement with Britain, but there is not very much time left," a German government spokesman said. "The United Kingdom must make compromises in the Brexit talks." An EU diplomat told The Telegraph that a no deal outcome would make the UK the only country in the world without any agreement with the bloc. The source said leaving deadlocked issues such as the UK's future state aid regime and fishing rights to the last moment risked an accidental no deal. "Boris Johnson said he wanted to put a 'tiger in the tank' of the negotiations. It looks like the tiger in the tank has shrivelled into a salted slug," said an EU diplomat. "There is still time to put a deal in the offing, but at this moment it certainly doesn't look like it should be ready in time. If the UK no longer sees the merit in a deal, that would be unfortunate. It would make Britain the only country in this part of the world that doesn't have a relationship with the EU in one form or another." MEPs in Brussels attacked Mr Johnson. Philippe Lamberts, a member of the European Parliament's Brexit Steering Committee, said the UK would be "a rogue state" if it reneged on the Withdrawal Agreement. Manfred Weber, the leader of the largest political group in the parliament, tweeted: "Prime Minister, there is no such thing as a good outcome in Brexit. Instead of taking Northern Ireland hostage again, it would be better that you keep your word and stand by the Withdrawal Agreement. Can we trust you to keep your word?" Afghan government negotiators will push for a ceasefire when talks begin with the Taliban, a top official said Sunday, signalling that the two foes could parley for a long time. A date for the opening round of talks to be hosted in Doha has not been set, but both sides indicated that negotiations could begin soon after they wrapped up a controversial and months-long prisoner exchange last week. The Taliban's seriousness about peace will be evident from the outset, when Kabul's negotiating team pushes for a permanent ceasefire, Vice President Amrullah Saleh said. "The first test for the Taliban is (a) ceasefire," Saleh told Tolo News, the country's biggest private television network. "If they accept the ceasefire, they are committed to peace. If not, they are not." Saleh said the Afghan delegation would go to Doha after all logistical issues are sorted. "We will not go until everything is in place... like desks, our flag and what to call each other," he said. "It is a war of symbols now and we are not going to give up on it. We have to be assured that we are respected. We will not give in to any pressure." Saleh said the start of the talks were delayed over opposition to the release of some militants. "We had to reach an agreement with our allies about six blacklisted prisoners," he said, referring to France and Australia. Paris and Canberra objected because of their links to the murders of French and Australian civilians and troops in Afghanistan. Saleh said it was agreed that these prisoners "will be sent to Qatar for a specific period". Negotiations were initially supposed to begin in March as agreed in a deal between the Taliban and Washington in February. But repeated squabbles over an overall prisoner exchange delayed the negotiations. The US-Taliban deal stipulated that Kabul should release a total of 5,000 militants in return for the insurgents freeing 1,000 Afghan troops. Story continues The swap was completed last week, except the release of the militants opposed by France and Australia. Saleh said talks could drag on for a long time. "We will not restrict the talks to weeks or months and we will not accept any timetable," he said. emh-jds/sst Lets start the week with a simple question-who regulates Indias banking sector? Sure, the answer is obviousthe Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The RBI, being the constitutional authority, is responsible for regulation and supervision of any lending institutions in the country be it a commercial bank, co-operative bank or even a micro-lending institution. The central bank is supposed to have all the powers at its command to do whatever it deems right to set the house in order, punish the erring and reward those who follows the rule book in letter and spirit. The RBI can also introduce unconventional measures in times of emergencies, like the ones we saw during the COVID-19. But the RBI is not really independent in the true sense. Despite all the powers it enjoys, the RBI has complained in the past about lack of operational autonomy. The interventions from the government in crucial issues have irked the central bank that has led to deeper debates. The government shoving aside the RBI on important events is not new. Take the 2016 demonetisation for example. The biggest economic disruption Independent India has ever seen was conducted keeping the RBI on the sidelines. Indias banking regulator hardly came into the picture during the entire episode and only confined its role in issuing press releases notifying the endless changes in rules. Not that things were different during the UPA era. When Pranab Mukherjee was finance minister, an unusual thing happened. Mukherjee practically announced in Parliament that RBI will issue more private bank licences. He said this at a time when the central bank was reluctant to do any such thing. Mukherjee's announcement caught the RBI by surprise. This meant that the RBI had to act on fresh permits. Still, it was only after a few months, the RBI published a discussion paper on the issue to seek comments from the public. However, most RBI governors of the past, be it D Subbarao or YV Reddy, have limited their concerns or displeasures to passing remarks in their speeches, often calling it frictions or creative frictions in the RBI-Centre relations. Matters came to a head during Urjit Patels tenure, however. There was an open spat between Delhi and Mint Road on several crucial issues, mainly on the dual regulation of public sector banks and transfer of RBI reserves to the government. Patels deputy, Viral Acharya, even warned that governments that do not respect central bank independence will sooner or later incur the wrath of financial markets, ignite economic fire, and come to rue the day they undermined an important regulatory institution. This led to a much serious debateand the premature exits of both Patel and Acharya. The controversy died down soon; a top technocrat was appointed as RBI governor and all went quietbut not without raising a major question on RBIs autonomy. Cometh the judiciary! Now, the latest episode where RBI has been reduced to a mute spectator is the issue of interest waiver on moratorium loans. The court will decide what is to be done in this case, not the RBI. As part of the COVID-19 measures, the RBI let banks defer EMIs on all term loans for a period of six months. The window expired on August 31. But there is case going on in the Supreme Court where petitioners have sought the waiver of interest amount on moratorium period. Those who want the waiver says loan moratorium was introduced as a crisis response measure by the RBI. Banks were asked to implement the scheme to help the stressed borrowers. Charging interest on interest during the moratorium period will be adding to the burden, not helping them. Hence, the interest amount for the moratorium period should be waived entirely, they say. But banks and RBI arent in favour of this demand. Banks will have to take a hit of about Rs 2 lakh crore if banks undertake the interest waiver, the RBI has told Supreme Court. After all, banks have to charge interest on loans to pay interest to depositors. Thats the basis of the business itself. There is no final order on the issue yet. In the last interim ruling, the SC stopped the NPA (non-performing assets) clock by saying that loans that arent bad on August 31 cant be tagged as NPAs until a final order is passed. Once again, the decision is not with the RBI. Lets go back to the old questionwho regulates banks really? The RBI is the best judge and has the expertise to decide what needs to be done in the interest of depositors (after all, banks are the guardians of public money). If interest is waived of loans, how will banks pay interest on deposits? Who will speak for the depositors? The RBIs operational autonomy has been undermined several times in the past by the government. The judiciary shouldnt do the same. The banking sector is the backbone of an economy. The RBI has the experience and wisdom to decide what is good for the sector. The judiciary should leave the banking regulation to the banking regulator in the best interest of the depositor and the economy. Banking Central is a weekly column that keeps a close watch and connects the dots about the sector's most important events for readers. President Donald Trump salutes as he participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day and honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in Arlington, Virginia on May 25, 2020. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) The Atlantics Ridiculous Stab at Relevance Commentary I hope that you are as disgusted as I am about the report that Donald Trump, completely unprovoked, assaulted a baby, punching him in the face. Yes, thats right. Secret witnesses who have not been named are confirming that Trump wound up and punched the baby square in the face, even though the baby had done nothing aggressive or right-wing that would rightly provoke such an attack. According to several unidentified anonymous sources, Trump claimed that the baby looked at him funny. I know a funny look when I see one, Trump said. What a dope! That baby looks like a complete and total loser. Ok, thats from the Babylon Bee, a satire site. But how can you tell? Is it really any more outlandish than the story published in The Atlantic a few days ago by Jeffrey Goldberg, the magazines editor-in-chief and a recipient of the National Magazine Award for Reporting? The Atlantic is not a satire site, not officially, but a venerable organ of American letters. Founded in 1857, it has published Mark Twain, Henry James, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. These days, it publishes race-baiting pieces by one of Americas most overrated writers, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and a steady stream of anti-Trump boilerplate. Goldbergs piece, Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are Losers and Suckers, marked the magazines passage from partisan posturing to surreal hysteria. Really, which is more ridiculous, the Babylon Bees obvious satire or The Atlantics stealth satire? When President Donald Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018, Goldberg writes, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that the helicopter couldnt fly and that the Secret Service wouldnt drive him there. Neither claim was true. According to whom? Why, anonymous, of course. Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, Goldberg claimed, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers. In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as suckers for getting killed. Sure he did. It was John Kelly, then Trumps Chief of Staff, who made the decision not to go to the cemetery. The weather made travel by helicopter inadvisable and the long drivesome four hours round tripwas too risky. John Bolton, an outspoken opponent of Trumps who once-upon-a-time was his National Security Advisor, was with the President on the trip in question and he stoutly denied Goldbergs ludicrous story. Honoring the Troops Why is it ludicrous? Because Donald Trump has consistently and avidly supported the military, worked hard for veterans, and gone out of his way to honor the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty. Joe Kent, an army Green Beret whose wife Shannon was killed in the line of duty by an ISIS suicide bomber in Syria, recalled how the president spent twenty minutes comforting him as he waited for an army airplane to bring the bodies of Shannon and three others back to Dover Air Force Base. When I read the anonymous allegations this week that President Trump spoke disparagingly of our troops, Kent wrote, I knew they simply werent trueor were taken completely out of context in order to hurt him before the election. Bingo. Like everything the left-wing media does these days, it is all about trying to defeat Trump in November. The Atlantic is owned by the widow of Steve Jobs. She is a immensely rich woman who is also a huge donor to Biden and other Democrats. No lie is too scurrilous to print if it is thought that it might hurt the President or further the cause of wokeness. In fact, as Joe Kent went on to observe, President Trumps actions have shown our troops more respect than any president in my lifetime. His use of decisive military force only when absolutely necessary, combined with his reluctance to use the military as the sole tool of foreign policy, is not only good and smart, but the sign of utmost respect for the lives of our troops. That is the truth. But the truth doesnt matter to the anti-Trump machine. A talking point is a talking point, however groundless, however absurd. So it was hardly surprising that Joe Biden, even while acknowledging that he did not know whether the allegations were true, lost no time in castigating Trump and demanding that he humbly apologize to every Gold Star family. Naturally, Goldbergs fantastical story was seized upon by Trumps enemies. But I am happy to see that it has already boomeranged, further tarnishing The Atlantic and its Trump-bashing editor. The Presidents scathing response on Twitter gets to the heart of the matter. The Atlantic Magazine is dying, he wrote, so they make up a fake story in order to gain some relevance. Story already refuted, but this is what we are up against. Just like the Fake Dossier. You fight and fight, and then people realize it was a total fraud! Roger Kimball is the editor and publisher of The New Criterion and publisher of Encounter Books. His most recent book is The Fortunes of Permanence: Culture and Anarchy in an Age of Amnesia. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. 07.09.2020 LISTEN The United Nations has finally reacted to the trending Dr UNs fake awards saga. The UN-Ghana in a press statement issued in an address to the saga has disassociated itself from the awards scheme purported to be associated with the UN. Again, the UN-Ghana reacting to the issue has stated unequivocally that they have no alliance with Blueprint Global Awards Challenge nor with the organizers of the fake awards. The United Nations further in their release urged the general public not to be swayed by some of these scandalous acts. They urged all and sundry to visit their relevant UN agencies/UN-Ghana websites to get the latest and correct news. Visit; https://ghana.un.org/en. The news regarding Dr Kwame Owusu Fordjour alias Dr UN has been trending for the past few days. As reported, he(Dr UN) has scammed Sarkodie, Apostle Kantanka, Wontumi, Legon Vice-Chancellor, Berla Mundi, Nathaniel Attoh, Natalie Fort and many others. The above-mentioned names among other prominent individuals who fell for his scam were presented with fake plaques in an award dubbed the 7th edition of the Global Leadership Service to Humanity. These personalities after receiving the award and making noise on social media have been heavily trolled. Some Netizens claimed the plaques received by these celebs/politicians were cocktail mixers decorated with metallic gold spray. Read the press release below; https://twitter.com/UNinGhana/status/1302722390632419335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1302722390632419335%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ghanaweb.com%2FGhanaHomePage%2Fentertainment%2FUnited-Nations-finally-speak-on-Dr-UN-s-fake-awards-saga-1052905 Santiago: Four people killed in a plane crash in southern Chile on Sunday. The accident occurred on Sunday near the Laquecahue airfield in the Bio Bio region at approximately 1700 GMT. Four passengersa woman and three mendied after the plane had a troubled landing, said Humberto Toro, the governor of Arauco, noting the regions high winds. It was not clear if the pilot was killed. The aircraft, which was owned by a private company, was flying the Mocha Island-Tirua route about 720 kilometres south of Santiago, the official told a Chilean television network. Investigations into the incidents cause are underway. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. NABU claims to have seized an additional UAH 8.36 billion from corporate transactions that never happened. NABU claims credit for collections it had no hand in. This is according to the business weekly Dilova Stolitsya (DS) with reference to official responses obtained from NABU and the Ministry of Finance. On 17 August, NABU Director Artem Sytnyk told a news conference that the economic effect from NABUs operations during the 1st half of 2020 had exceeded UAH 1.5 billion. An inquiry was sent to NABU with a request to explain where the revenues had come from. In its response the Bureau states that NABU contributed UAH 689 million rather than UAH 1.5 billion during the 1st half of 2020, of which UAH1.95 was collected from individuals during pretrial investigation as amicable settlements, over UAH 82 million was settled by business companies and over UAH 605 million came from third parties as damages caused by criminal offences. A similar inquiry was made to the Ministry of Finance. In its official response, the Ministry stated that over the period in question the total contribution to the state budget from all anticorruption establishments was a mere UAH 48 thousand. A further inquiry was made to NABU with a request to clarify the discrepancy. In its response to the second inquiry, NABU not only challenges the official data provided by the Ministry of Finance but also contradicts its own earlier statement. This time, NABU claims it seized an additional UAH 8.36 from corporate transactions that never took place because they were annulled. This includes over UAH 7 billion worth of deals involving Ukrnafta that NABU could have potentially sue for in court. As a matter of fact, it couldnt. NABU may not sue [on behalf of the state], this is the prerogative of the prosecutors office (SAPO). They also claimed as revenues UAH 65.5 million worth of bails collected from suspects. And UAH 82 million settled by business companies. And another UAH 605 worth of debt settled by third parties. Those are commercial relationships. Whoever owed money to other people simply settled their debts. Dont you even ask where NABU comes into play: Sytnyk thinks it always does one way or the other, reports Dilova Stolytsia. Over the 5 years Sytnyks been in charge, NABU has turned from an anticorruption bureau to a bureau of greatly exaggerated performance statistics and imaginary achievements, continues DS. In fact, why fight corruption in earnest, why catch and put corrupt officials behind bars when all you have to do is inflate your performance statistics. Just as a reminder, NABU uses an annual operating budget of UAH 1.038 billion. According to a survey conducted by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation jointly with the Razumkov Foundation, 96% of the respondents think the fight against corruption is ineffective while a mere 1.1% are fully satisfied with Director Sytnyks own performance. New Delhi, Sep 7 : The Supreme Court-mandated Committed on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA), in its 19th meeting held virtually on September 4, has taken serious note of the fact that many states are yet to constitute their respective state level committees. It also warned of putting "embargo" on issue of further advertisements by nodal agencies of the governments concerned, in any further non-compliance. The meeting was chaired by Om Prakash Rawat, the former Chief Election Commissioner, and attended by two other members - Ramesh Narayan of then Asian Federation of Advertising Associations and past President, IAA; and Ashok Kumar Tandon, a Part-Time Member of the Prasar Bharti Board. As per the apex court's directions, states are mandated to set up three-member committees on content regulation of government advertisements. Karnataka, Goa, Mizoram and Nagaland have already done so, while Chhattisgarh has given its consent to the Central Committee to monitor the content of their government advertisements. The CCRGA thinks that some state governments' delay in setting up the state-level committees may be construed as contempt of the Supreme Court's order. It also noted that some respondents were yet to furnish their replies to the notices issued to them in response to the complaints received by the Committee. However, "in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Committee decided to allow further time to respondents to furnish their replies to the notices In all the pending complaints lodged with the Committee", it said. The CCRGA strongly felt that non-compliance of its decisions was a serious matter, and that in the event of any non-compliance of CC Orders, it may be "constrained to put embargo" on the issue of further advertisements by nodal agencies of the governments concerned. "The Committee may, if necessary, also decide to summon the concerned official of the government agencies dealing with release of advertisements in the event of undue delay in responding to Committee's notices," it warned, as per a statement. As per the directions of the Supreme Court on May 13, 2015, the Centre had set up a three-member body consisting of "persons with unimpeachable neutrality and impartiality and who have excelled in their respective fields", on April 6, 2016, to look into content regulation of government funded advertisements of all media platforms. The court had in May 2015 held that "the content of government advertisement should be relevant to the government's constitutional and legal obligations as well as the citizen's right and entitlements". It had also observed that "Advertisement materials should be presented in an objective, fair and accessible manner and designed to meet the objectives of the campaign", "Advertisement materials should be objective and not directed at promoting political interests of ruling party", "Advertisement Campaigns be justified and undertaken in an efficient and cost-effective manner" and " Government advertising must comply with legal requirement and financial regulations and procedures". The government reiterated on Monday that the Committee is empowered to address complaints from the general public in violation of the Supreme Court's guidelines and make suitable recommendations. Samsung launched its Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ last month, which the company describes as offering the power of a PC, the flexibility of a tablet, and the connectivity of a smartphone. The South African pricing for two versions of these tablets is now available on Samsungs website, and is as follows: Galaxy Tab S7 LTE R19,998.99 Galaxy Tab S7+ WiFi R22,999 Pricing for other versions of these tablets is not yet available. Features Samsung claims that these devices displays are the most advanced ever used on a tablet. The Tab S7 has an 11-inch 2,560 x 1,600 LCD screen while the Tab S7+ has a 12.4-inch 2,800 x 1,752 Super AMOLED display. Both feature a 120Hz variable refresh rate. These tablets use the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor and are available with up to 8GB RAM and 512GB storage. They also boast impressive batteries 8,000mAh and 10,090mAh for the Tab S7 and Tab S7+ respectively and offer support for 45W fast charging. The Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ also offer impressive camera systems, with a 13MP + 5MP dual rear camera system powered by software-driven features like Night Hyperlapse, Single Take, and Front and Back Conversion. Both tablets also have an 8MP front camera for high-quality selfies. The Tab S7 range also comes with the new S Pen, which Samsung said offers ultra-low latency and its biggest leap in responsiveness. These tablets come in three colours Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, and Mystic Bronze. Specifications Specifications and images of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ can be viewed below. She is set to strip off in Channel Seven's All New Monty: Guys & Girls this month. But Sam Frost covered up as she hit the beach in Byron Bay with her Home and Away co-stars, Maddy Jevic and Tim Franklin, last week. While Maddy and Tim slipped into their swimwear for a spot of sunbathing, Sam reclined in a white knitted dress. Keeping under wraps! Sam Frost covered up in a long white dress as she soaked up the sun at a beach in Byron Bay last week The frock accentuated the 31-year-old's toned and tanned arms and legs. The former Bachelorette star showed off her flawless complexion by going makeup free, and tied her hair up in a casual bun. Meanwhile, Maddy flaunted her slender figure in a bright orange bikini as she sat chatting to Sam on the sand. Sun protection? While Maddy and Tim slipped into their swimwear for a spot of sunbaking, Sam reclined in a white knitted dress The girls were also joined by their co-star and Sam's on-screen love interest on the long-running soap, Tim Franklin. The outing comes after Sam recently courted attention by uploading two Instagram posts of herself modelling a tiny striped bikini. But it was her noticeably fuller-looking bust that really caught the eye. Fun with friends: The girls were also joined by their co-star and Sam's on-screen love interest on the long-running soap, Tim Franklin Busted! Sam debuted a noticeably fuller-looking bust in a raunchy bikini selfie last month - before quickly deleting it. Pictured left in March 2020, right last month In one photo, a very bronzed Sam proudly displayed her svelte frame and prodigious cleavage while posing for a mirror selfie. Sam also uploaded another photo of her ample assets as she lay on her back while positioning the camera above her body. However, Sam quickly deleted both images. Daring to bare: Sam also uploaded another photo of her cleavage as she lay on her back while positioning the camera above her body The following day, Sam uploaded an essay to her website explaining that she decided to delete the posts after receiving backlash from online trolls. 'It was just easier to [delete the photos], than deal with peoples judgment about my body or their opinions about what I should or shouldnt be posting,' she lamented Earlier in the essay, the blonde shared details of her decade-long battle with body confidence. 'It was just easier': The following day, Sam uploaded an essay to her website explaining that she decided to delete the posts after receiving backlash from online trolls. Pictured in November 2019 'I spent my twenties hiding': Earlier in the essay, the blonde shared details of her decade-long battle with body confidence. Pictured in May 2020 'I spent my twenties hiding under a black cap, wearing baggy clothes,' she wrote. 'I was wearing clothes like that because I felt extremely insecure about my body. I felt ashamed and uncomfortable,' Sam continued. These days, however, Sam is feeling more confidant about her body than ever, having recently signed up for Channel Seven's upcoming charity strip show, The All New Monty. The show is set to premiere this Sunday night. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 21:23:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Three students at a primary school were killed and three others injured after a school gate collapsed in Vietnam's northern Lao Cai province on Monday, Vietnam News Agency reported. The school gate in Van Ban district suddenly collapsed on Monday afternoon after a group of six students, aged between five and six, played around and pulled the iron gate which was two meters high, the news agency reported. The collapse killed three on the spot and injured three others, according to the report, adding that the injured people were taken to a local hospital. The provincial police are investigating the cause of the accident, said the news agency. Enditem Appointment 7 September 2020 With more than 22 years of culinary experience, the Indian national will be responsible for overseeing all culinary operations at the hotel which includes a number of highly-regarded outlets including Fishmarket, Byblos Sur Mer, Cho Gao Marina Walk, and Circo. Law was previously part of the pre-opening team of Southern Sun Abu Dhabi and Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers. He has also held a number of executive chef positions for international hotel chains such as Taj Group, Sheraton, The Oberoi, and Pan Pacific, having worked around the world in countries including Egypt, Japan, Lebanon, South Africa, Kuwait, Singapore, and Malaysia. You may also recognise Law from television, with the multi-talented chef making appearances on cooking show on Egyptian Nile TV and the Low Cal Show on Zee TV in South Africa. President Muhammadu Buhari has said that there will be negative consequences if the government continues with the business of fixing or subsidising the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol. Mr Buhari, represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, gave this explanation on Monday while declaring open a 2-day First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The president said that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a severe downturn in the funds available to finance the nations budget and also severely hampered governments capacity. Mr Buhari said that one of the steps the government took at the beginning of the crisis in March when oil prices collapsed at the height of the global lockdown was the deregulation of PMS. He, however, assured that the government is working towards mitigating the impact of the deregulation on the citizens. There are several negative consequences if the government should even attempt to go back to the business of fixing or subsidising PMS prices. First of all, it would mean a return to the costly subsidy regime; today we have 60 per cent less revenues; we just cannot afford the cost. The second danger is the potential return of fuel queues which has, thankfully, become a thing of the past under this administration. Nigerians no longer have to endure long queues just to buy petrol, often at highly inflated prices; also, as I hinted earlier, there is no provision for fuel subsidy in the revised 2020 budget. Simply because we are not able to afford it, if reasonable provisions must be made for health, education and other social services, he said. The president said that the government is extremely mindful of the pains that higher prices mean at this time. He said that the government did not take the sacrifices that all Nigerians had to make for granted. We will continue to seek ways and means of cushioning pains especially for the most vulnerable in our midst. We will also remain alert to our responsibilities to ensure that marketers do not exploit citizens by raising pump price arbitrarily. This is the role that the government must now play through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). This explains why the PPPRA made the announcement a few days ago setting the range of prices that must not be exceeded by marketers. The advantage we now have is that anyone can bring in petroleum products and compete with marketers, that way the price of petrol will be keep coming down. Mr Buhari said the recent service-based tariff adjustment by the Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) had also been a source of concern for his government. The president said that like many Nigerians, he is unhappy with the quality of service given by the Discos, but there are many constraints including poor transmission capacity and distribution capacity. Mr Buhari said he already signed off on the first phase of the Siemens project to address many of these issues. Because of the problems with the privatisation exercise, the government has had to keep supporting the largely privatised electricity industry. So far to keep the industry going we have spent almost N1.7 trillion, especially by way of supplementing tariffs shortfalls. We do not have the resources at this point to continue in this way and it will be grossly irresponsible to borrow to subsidise a generation and distribution which are both privatized. Advertisements But we also have a duty to ensure that the large majority of those who cannot afford to pay cost reflective tariffs are protected from increases. According to Mr Buhari, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the industry regulator, approved that tariff adjustments had to be made but only on the basis of guaranteed improvement in service. He said that under the new arrangement, only customers, who are guaranteed a minimum of 12 hours of power and above, can have their tariffs adjusted. Mr Buhari said that those who get less than 12 hours supply, or the Band D and E Customer must be maintained on lifeline tariffs, meaning that they will experience no increase. This is the largest group of customers; the government has also taken notice of the complaints about arbitrary estimated billing. Accordingly, a mass metering programme is being undertaken to provide meters for over 5 million Nigerians, largely driven by preferred procurement from local manufacturers creating thousands of jobs in the process, he said. He said that the N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), consists of fiscal, monetary and sectoral measures to enhance local production, support businesses, retain and create jobs and provide succour to Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Earlier in his opening address, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said the retreat was expected to provide an opportunity for the government to review the First-Year report of the ministerial mandates. SHERBROOKE, QUE.Two bars in Quebecs Eastern Townships region have allegedly flouted public health regulations meant to stem the spread of COVID-19, police in Sherbrooke said on Monday, as the province reported over 200 new COVID-19 cases for the second straight day. Public health officials said 216 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 63,713 since the pandemic began. One additional death attributed to the novel coronavirus was also reported. Authorities said that death occurred between Aug. 31 and Sept. 5, and it brings the total number of deaths to 5,770. Quebec has seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week, prompting government officials to repeatedly urge people to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines. Mondays figures come after police in Sherbrooke, Que., over 150 kilometres east of Montreal, said they had to intervene this weekend at two local bars where they allege patrons were not respecting regulations meant to stem the spread of COVID-19. Sherbrooke police said they went to a bar which was hosting a karaoke night from Friday to Saturday and found customers were allegedly not following public health guidelines. Police said they went to another venue on Sunday where patrons were allegedly not maintaining physical distancing. Customers were dancing close to each other and not wearing masks when moving inside the establishment, police said. Police spokesman Martin Carrier said the two bars are owned by the same person, who may face fines for violating public health guidelines. The Quebec government has urged people to be extra vigilant after a recent karaoke night at a Quebec City bar was linked to dozens of COVID-19 infections. Also on Monday, public health officials said hospitalizations went up by three cases over the past 24 hours, for a total of 105. Of those, 18 people were in intensive care the same number that was reported on Sunday. Quebec said it conducted 12,737 COVID-19 tests on Saturday, the last date for which the testing data is available. Read more about: By PTI DUBAI: A 40-year-old Indian expat sexually abused a jogger while she was exercising near her residence in Dubai, according to a media report. The incident took place at Bur Dubai in June, police told the Dubai Court of First Instance during a hearing of the case on Sunday According to police, the man touched the woman inappropriately while she was exercising near her residence, the Gulf News reported. After a call was received at the Dubai Police command room about the incident, two policeman who were patrolling in the area went to the scene and met the victim who was crying. Dubai Police then scanned the area and arrested the man who was identified by the victim. "He admitted to touching the woman...He kept apologising, but we noticed that he was drunk," the police told the court. Dubai Public Prosecution has charged the man with sexual abuse and illegal consumption of alcohol. The next hearing is scheduled for September 16 and the defendant remains in police custody. All is set for the launch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2020 manifesto today, 7th September 2020 at the University of Professional Studies Accra. According to a statement signed by the Campaign spokesperson for NDC 2020 elections copied to GhanaPoliticsonline, the Manifesto which represents the vision and programs of John Mahama and Naana Hane Opoku Agyemang ticket for the elections 2020 will address the felt needs of Ghanaians. The spokes-person James Agyenim-Boateng added in the statement that the manifesto follows months of wide consultations with various interest groups and individuals across Ghana. The launch was initially scheduled for August 29, 2020, but was postponed days after the ruling party NPP Launched their manifesto. NDC manifesto according to the spokesperson will broadcast live on radio and TV stations across the country Accredited media houses have been asked to pick up their accreditation from the office of the Flagbearer. India may conduct a separate phase-3 clinical human trials after receiving data from Russia pertaining to its COVID-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V'. Russia has shared details of its vaccine's efficacy and safety with India. Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, which has developed the inoculation, has submitted "comprehensive data" on its safety and efficacy to Indian authorities, the Indian Express reported. The said engagement is being coordinated by Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (in India), and by Indian Ambassador D B Venkatesh Varma (in Russia). Also Read: Russia's COVID-19 vaccine safe, produces immune response: Lancet Prominent medical journal The Lancet has already published the results of phase-1 and 2 clinical trials of the Russian vaccine which has been cleared by Moscow regulators for public use. So far, the Sputnik V vaccine has triggered a "strong" immune response, during phase 1 and 2 trials on 76 people, the report added. "We are now deeply engaged with Russia on the vaccine front," a source told the publication. As the data is being assessed by experts in India, one option, according to the sources, is to have a distinct phase 3 trial after getting the required approvals from regulators in the country. Meanwhile, Russia is planning to conduct phase 3 trials of its vaccine in Brazil, UAE, Philippines, and Saudi Arabia, according to Sputnik V official website. India is one of the 20 countries that have evinced interest in being part of the vaccine's phase-3 trials. Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Russia's top medic quits over 'untested COVID-19 vaccine'; calls out Putin's rush through Russia had on August 11 registered what it claimed to be the world's first COVID-19 vaccine which has been jointly developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute and the country's defence ministry. The inoculation will also be the first vaccine candidate against the novel coronavirus to be registered. The mass production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is likely to begin in September 2020. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Moscow (on September 4) for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, expressed confidence in the efficacy of Russia's vaccine saying that it will be effective. The Russian government had earlier reached out to India seeking a collaboration for manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine "Sputnik V'' and conducting its phase 3 clinical trial in the country. However, there has been scepticism in some quarters about limited data related to the efficacy of the Russian vaccine. Australia on Monday announced that it had struck supply and production agreements with pharmaceutical companies worth 1.7 billion Australian dollars (USD 1.2 billion) over two potential COVID-19 vaccines. Under the agreement, Britain's University of Oxford in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Australia's University of Queensland working with CSL will provide more than 84.8 million vaccine doses for Australia's population of 26 million people, almost entirely manufactured in the Australian city of Melbourne, a government statement said. Australians would have access to 3.8 million doses of the University of Oxford vaccine in January and February, it said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said both vaccines would need to be proven safe and effective and meet all necessary regulatory requirements before being made available to the public. Any vaccine would be free to all Australians. Also read: 90% of China's Sinovac employees, families took experimental coronavirus vaccine: CEO Also read: Russia's COVID-19 vaccine safe, produces immune response: Lancet Famed UW Archaeologist George Frison Dies at 95 George Frison takes part in UWs Homecoming Parade in 2010, when he received the universitys Medallion Service Award. Frison died Sunday at the age of 95. (UW Photo) George Frison, a Worland native and University of Wyoming graduate who achieved international acclaim as an archaeologist during a lengthy career as a UW faculty member, died Sunday, Sept. 6, in Laramie. He was 95. Frison, who founded UWs Department of Anthropology and was the first state archaeologist, is the only UW faculty member ever elected to the National Academy of Sciences. George was a huge figure in archaeology, most known for his pioneering Paleoindian archaeology in Wyoming as well as for his research into human hunting, shaped by growing up hunting in Wyoming, Interim Provost Anne Alexander says. Well into his 90s, George came into his lab every day up until last spring -- and, then, only deterred because of the pandemic. His legacy is profound, and he put Wyoming on the map for archaeology. He is a legitimate legend. Frison was born Nov. 11, 1924, in Worland and grew up on his grandparents ranch near Ten Sleep, spending his early years working sheep and cattle. He spent his spare time collecting arrowheads, exploring caves in the Bighorn Mountains and developing a love for the history and prehistory of Wyoming. He enrolled in UW in 1942, but his education was cut short when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the amphibious forces of the South Pacific during World War II. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to the family ranch. While operating the ranch, Frison joined the Wyoming Archaeological Society and was an avocational archaeologist, discovering numerous artifacts including atlatl and dart fragments. His interactions with UW Professor William Mulloy prompted Frison to enroll at UW in 1962 at the age of 37 to finish his undergraduate work. After earning his masters and doctoral degrees at the University of Michigan, Frison returned to UW in 1967 to head the new Department of Anthropology and serve as the first state archaeologist, a position he held until 1984. During his decades of work at UW, Frison made major contributions to our understanding of the prehistory of the northwestern Great Plains in the areas of chipped stone technology, bison bone beds, Paleoindian systematics and Plains chronology. His many books and papers, which include Prehistoric Hunters of the High Plains, made him an internationally recognized figure in archaeology. More than 70 students graduated with the Master of Arts degree in anthropology during his tenure at UW, and many more students attended his classes and graduated with undergraduate degrees from the Department of Anthropology. Our department would be a shadow of its current self if not for his efforts. He easily ranks among the greatest field archaeologists in the history of American archaeology, having excavated several major sites in Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, says Professor Todd Surovell, head of UWs Department of Anthropology. Dr. Frisons contributions to the field of archaeology, the Department of Anthropology, the University of Wyoming and the state of Wyoming cannot be overstated. George was a giant while maintaining a persona that was quiet, humble and approachable. His many awards include the lifetime achievement award from the Society for American Archaeology; a Regents Fellowship Award from the Smithsonian Institution; UWs George Duke Humphrey Distinguished Faculty Award; UWs Medallion Service Award; and the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award. He was named to the National Academy of Sciences in 1997. Among his legacies is the George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at UW, which funds archaeological research in the Rock Mountains; supports student and faculty participation in international research and education opportunities; sponsors an annual lecture and public talks; and provides for volunteer participation in field and lab programs. London, Sep 7 : Italys competition watchdog on Monday said it has opened an inquiry into Google, Apple and Dropbox over alleged anti-market practices in their cloud computing services. The Competition and Market Authority said it has launched six investigations into Google Drive, Apple's iCloud and DropBox. The investigation follows a number of complaints alleging unfair commercial practices by the tech giants. "The parties involved are Google (for the Google Drive service), Apple (for the iCloud service) and Dropbox, each concerned both by a proceeding for alleged unfair commercial practices and / or violations of the Consumer Rights Directive and by one for alleged clauses vexatious included in the contractual conditions," the Italian watchdog said in a statement. In particular, the investigations for unfair practices against Google and Apple concern the failure or inadequate indication, when presenting the service, of the collection and "use for commercial purposes of the data provided by the user and the possible undue influence in towards consumers". The same complaints were also raised against Dropbox. The companies were yet to issue a statement. The investigation comes in the wake of a big action by the European Union against the tech companies to clarify their terms and conditions and provide greater privacy protections for the end users. Facebook agreed to change its terms and conditions under pressure from EU officials last year. She's been living it up ever since the UK coronavirus lockdown restrictions eased in June. And Lucy Watson kept the good times rolling on as she documented her idyllic getaway to Greece's Emelisse Nature Resort with her boyfriend James Dunmore on Monday. The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, took to Instagram to upload images of herself posing up a storm in an orange bikini. Working it: Lucy Watson kept the good times rolling on as she documented her idyllic getaway to Greece's Emelisse Nature Resort with her boyfriend James Dunmore on Monday Showcasing her incredible figure, the vegan restaurateur stunned in the vibrant two-piece, complete with a structured bralet and matching briefs. The media personality teamed her swimwear with an oversized cream shirt by & Other Stories, Tom Ford shades and a dainty necklace from her brand Creature Jewellery. Poking fun at her man's photo-taking skills, the brunette captioned her shots: 'spot the insta boyfriend shadow.' (sic) Watch her glow: The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, took to Instagram to upload images of herself posing up a storm in an orange bikini Bronzed goddess: Showcasing her incredible figure, the vegan restaurateur stunned in the vibrant two-piece, complete with a structured bralet and matching briefs Lucy was catapulted into the spotlight after appearing on Made In Chelsea from 2012 till 2016, and has since turned her attention to the world of veganism. The TV star - who has been dating James for five years - previously treated fans to tips on maintaining a long-lasting romance, telling MailOnline: 'You have to choose the person that youre with. 'You can fall into loads of relationships with people you just end up with, but you have to look at whether their personality and goals match up to yours. All in the details: The media personality teamed her swimwear with an oversized cream shirt by & Other Stories, Tom Ford shades and a dainty necklace from her brand Creature Jewellery Quality time: The reality star and her long-term beau pulled animated facial expressions before soaking up the sun 'I think a lot of people just end up falling into things, and it doesnt work out as there wasnt a lot of thought process that went into it.' On not feeling pressured to get married or have kids, Lucy went on: 'I dont know when, but I know James will probably be the person I end up with, unless something drastic happens. 'Im settled now for the foreseeable. Unlike my friends, I dont have any set goals for marriage and kids. They put a lot of pressure on themselves to reach those goals, but I dont. When it feels right for both us, then we will, but well have to see.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:42:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday urged the United States to show sincerity, respond to China's reasonable request, and extend visas for all Chinese journalists working in the United States as soon as possible. "If the United States is bent on going down the wrong path and doubles down on its mistakes, China will be compelled to take necessary and justified responses to firmly safeguard its legitimate interests," foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily press briefing. Zhao made the remarks in response to press queries about whether tensions could escalate as some media reported that China has refrained from renewing the expiring press credentials for journalists from U.S. media outlets. Denying the reports as untrue and blame-shifting, Zhao said extensions of press credentials for U.S. journalists are being processed, during which time their work and life in China will not be affected. "For some time, the United States has been escalating political suppression of Chinese media, which has now reached a hysteria extent," he said. Since 2018, around 30 Chinese journalists have had their visa application indefinitely delayed or denied. In February 2020, the U.S. designated five Chinese media organizations in the United States as "foreign missions" and then placed a cap on the number of their staff, in effect expelling 60 Chinese journalists. In May 2020, the United States limited visas for Chinese journalists to 90 days, requiring them to apply for a visa renewal every 90 days. "Such moves have severely disrupted the normal work of Chinese media in the United States, seriously harmed the reputation of Chinese media, and hindered the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two sides," he said. The United States, while branding its press freedom, discriminates against Chinese media and even uses Chinese journalists as hostages to put pressure on China, Zhao said, adding that this reveals its hypocrisy regarding so-called press freedom. "It is bare-faced double-standards and hegemonic bullying." The spokesperson said that China has always been willing to maintain communication and consultation with the United States on resolving the issue concerning the two countries' media and journalists, based on equality and mutual respect. The United States, however, has been rude and arrogant during the consultations, ignoring China's legitimate concerns and requests and exerting maximum pressure on China using Chinese media and journalists as hostages, according to Zhao. "If the United States cares about their journalists in China, they should extend visas for all Chinese journalists as soon as possible, rather than using journalists of the two countries as hostages for the selfish political interests of a few politicians," he said. Enditem YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. As of September 6, the number of coronavirus infected patients in Armenia who are in a serious condition is 178, and those who are in a critical condition comprise 45. 17 patients are switched to ventilators, Healthcare ministers spokesperson Alina Nikoghosyan told Armenpress, adding that this dynamics is gradually declining. At the moment the number of patients in serious and critical condition is declining. Just a month ago the number of those patients was reaching 300, 400. As of yesterday, their number is 240. It also declines every day, she said, expressing hope that this number will not grow anymore. The spokesperson, however, urged the citizens not to lose the vigilance, in order to be able to keep this situation. According to the latest data, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Armenia has reached 44,845, out of which 40,121 have already recovered. The number of active cases is 3549. The death toll has risen to 900. Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan Large groups of protesters marched in one of Hong Kong's densest commercial districts after officials ordered to postpone legislative elections amid the new security law and mainland China exercising increasing influence in the city. Massive Hong Kong protest The Sunday gathering marks one of the most massive protests fighting against the city's government after Beijing implemented the new legislation on June 30. Experts called the new law an authoritarian move that aims to suppress political freedom in the region. According to the Wall Street Journal, several social media platforms became the meeting place of many citizens who planned the protest. Due to the widespread traction the posts garnered, Hong Kong police were quickly stationed to deal with the movements. The protesters disguised themselves as regular shoppers and residents as compared to their usual black attire. While police officers observed, people began to chant common slogans, including "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" as others proceeded to throw objects such as water bottles and umbrellas at law enforcement arresting individuals. However, police officers had difficulty differentiating between protesters and regular shoppers amid the large crowds who were all wearing face masks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Riot-gear equipped police officers quickly charged through the Mong Kok neighborhood, going into the crowds of people and dragging away suspected protesters. Law enforcement also occasionally fired pepper balls or used pepper spray to clear their paths. On Sunday, groups of young Hong Kong residents stood for several hours while detained on street corners. Hong Kong police revealed that they had arrested at least 90 people and that some attempted arrests turned into frantic chases where officers wearing green jumpsuits rushed through crowds. When night fell, the protests continued under the lights of store signs, most of which continued to operate through the ordeal. Also Read: Hong Kong Police Arrest Pro-Democracy Publisher Jimmy Lai in Newest Purge of New Security Law Hundreds arrested When the day ended, police announced that 289 people were arrested, most of which were for unlawful assembly. In the Kowloon district of Yau Ma Tei, one woman was taken into custody and charged with assault and spreading pro-independence slogans, as reported by Aljazeera. Hong Kong's new security law passed on June 30 marks pro-independence slogans illegal and punishable by law. On July 31, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that she would be postponing the legislative elections for one year, arguing that the surge of coronavirus cases posed a significant risk to the people's health. However, critics stated that Lam's decision was an attack against the opposition, who they believe would have gained an advantage in the elections if the event was held as scheduled. The legislative elections would have marked the city's first official vote since Beijing implemented the new security law. June 2019 marked the beginning of protests over the proposed extradition law that aimed to drag citizens to mainland China to be tried. However, the events evolved into greater calls for democracy and called for the end to police brutality. Police officers have defended their actions saying that their tactics were caused by violent and disruptive protesters' actions and have continued to deny that law enforcement committed acts of brutality. According to CNN, the incidents show no sign of decline. Still, the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic and its severe impacts on the economy and social relations have denied people the opportunity to hold public assemblies. Beijing has taken advantage of the situation and moved to implement the new security law before protests could resume in full blast. Related Article: Hong Kong's New Security Law Denies Visa for Foreign Journalist, Marking Attack on Press Freedom @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. - Anne Curtis penned a heartwarming message to her beloved husband, Erwan Heussaff - She praised Erwan for being such a loving and devoted father to their daughter, Dahlia Amelie Heussaff - The celebrity mom thinks that she is more in love now with Erwan than before because Dahlia looks a lot like him - Likewise, Anne said that she and Dahlia will celebrate having Erwan in their lives every day and not just every Fathers Day PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Anne Curtis (Photo from Wikimedia Commons) Source: UGC Anne Curtis took to social media to pen a heartwarming message to her husband, Erwan Heussaff. KAMI learned that Anne praised Erwan for being such a loving and devoted father to their daughter, Dahlia Amelie Heussaff. According to the actress, she thinks that she is more in love now with Erwan than before because Dahlia looks a lot like him. She added that she and Dahlia will celebrate having Erwan in their lives every day and not just every Fathers Day. PAY ATTENTION: Shop with KAMI! The best offers and discounts on the market, product reviews and feedback We celebrate having you in our lives not just on Fathers Day but every. single. day. Thank you for being an amazing partner and an even more amazing papa to our little one. We love you @erwan. Happy Fathers Day. Naaaks this year, you get to celebrate twice.. P.S - I guess its safe to say that I love you more- Why? Well, our firstborn looks exactly like you. My Mum told me ganun daw yun. Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads, Grandfathers and Father Figures on this side of the world! Big hugs and kisses, Anne posted on Instagram. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Anne Curtis is one of the most famous celebrities in the Philippines. She is an actress and a pioneer host of the ABS-CBN noontime program Its Showtime. The actress paid tribute to the sacrifices of frontliners braving the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Anne usually doesnt shy away from commenting on different social and political issues. Her husband also opened up about the struggles of being a photographer of his daughter Dahlia Amelie. Netizens lauded the celebrity dad for his light-hearted and relatable post. Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters! Source: KAMI.com.gh Congress minister slams Kangana Ranaut over her comments on Gandhi; calls her 'dancer girl' Home Ministry approves Y-Grade Category security to Kangana Ranaut India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Sep 07: The Union Home Ministry has granted Y-Plus Category security to actor Kangana Ranaut ahead of her visit to Mumbai. This would entitle the actor deployment off 10 armed commandoes. Earlier, the Himachal Pradesh government decided to provide security to Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut in the state and is also considering extending it during her upcoming visit to Mumbai, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said here on Sunday. The chief minister disclosed it while talking to reporters after a BJP legislature party meet here. This is our duty to provide her security as she is a daughter of Himachal Pradesh and a celebrity, he added. Responding to reporters' queries, Thakur said that both Kangana Ranaut's sister and her father have approached the government seeking security for the actor. "Her sister telephoned me yesterday and talked to me. Her father too had written to the state police seeking security. So I have asked DGP to give her security in the state," said Thakur. The actor has also a programme to visit Mumbai on September 9 for which the government is considering to provide her security during the visit also, he added. The chief minister, however, refused to say anything on Kangana Ranaut's recent remarks on actor Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide case, stating that the matter is being investigated. During Mumbai visit, Himachal govt may extend Kangana's security He also avoided answering questions on the alleged threats given by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut to the actor. Earlier on Sunday, Raut demanded that the actor Ranaut apologise for her comments against Mumbai and Maharashtra. Ranaut in a tweet recently had compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). "Why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir?" Ranaut had asked recently in a tweet, tagging with it a September 1 news report where Raut purportedly had said she should not come back to Mumbai if she was afraid of the city police. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, September 7, 2020, 12:12 [IST] When Turkey and Greece last came to the brink of war, phone calls from President Bill Clinton to the leaders of both countries persuaded them to pull back. Now, as the two NATO allies again face off in the eastern Mediterranean, President Donald Trumps desultory efforts to defuse the tensions are having no effect, Bloomberg writes in the article How Merkel Can Calm the Conflict Between Greece and Turkey. After the intervention of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, both sides stood down though only briefly. Hostilities have since resumed in earnest. Ankara and Athens are dialing up their belligerent rhetoric, and two of their warships recently collided during a confrontation. The stakes are higher than in 1996. Then, the clash was primarily over a cluster of islets in the Aegean Sea. Now, territorial claims are being invoked to support assertions of exclusive drilling rights over large deposits of natural gas under the eastern Mediterranean. Outright military conflict is possible. With the U.S. lacking both the will and the influence with allies it would need to intervene effectively, Merkel needs to redouble her efforts. Other countries with energy interests in those waters especially Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel also harbor grievances against Ankara, and are siding with Greece. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for economic sanctions against Turkey and recently dispatched a frigate and jets to the area. The Trump administration, having failed to resolve the crisis, might have made it worse by choosing this moment to ease a longstanding arms embargo on Cyprus. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is unlikely to be cowed. He will also be buoyed by the recent natural gas find off Turkeys other shore, in the Black Sea.Even so, Erdogan does listen to Merkel. At her request, he paused Turkish exploration activities near Cyprus last month, resuming only when Greece announced a maritime-border agreement with Egypt, akin to one between Turkey and Libya last year. The renewed reciprocal brinkmanship has made Merkels task harder, but not impossible. Having shown that she can get the principal protagonists in the confrontation to pause, she should strive to mediate a permanent resolution. It helps that Germany is a major trading partner of the interested parties, and that Berlin currently holds the European Unions rotating presidency. Bringing Turkey into the East Mediterranean Gas Forum would be a good place to start. This was created by the littoral states to establish a regional gas market and an export hub to Europe. Turkey was left out because the forum includes Cyprus, which Ankara doesnt recognize. Membership would allow Turkey a share of the resources and access to mechanisms for resolving disputes over where it can drill. Getting Turkey and Cyprus to agree on this would be a challenge for any mediator, to be sure. Greece and Merkels other European partners, vexed by Erdogans intransigence on other issues, may balk. She could remind them that access to the eastern Mediterraneans natural gas reserves offers Europe its best alternative to energy dependence on Russia while telling Turkey and Cyprus that Europe is the logical market for the gas and that the shortest route is through both countries. That seems like a basis for talks. If Merkel steps up, she might make the difference. Prude died after police found him naked in a street, put a hood over his head to stop him spitting and held him down. Naked except for spit hoods in a reference to the killing of Daniel Prude, several protesters sat outside Rochesters police headquarters Monday morning to push for police accountability, local news outlets reported. Photos and video showed the demonstrators, some with Black Lives Matter written on their backs, sitting silently with their hands behind them, on a rain-slicked street outside the city Public Safety Building. The Democrat & Chronicle reported that after a time, the demonstrators were given blankets and left in cars. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump tweeted that Rochester was among cities that had bad nights, while Mayor Lovely Warren commended activist leaders, police and community elders on a night of calm protest. Prude, a 41-year-old Black man, died after police found him running naked in a street March 23, put a hood over his head to stop him from spitting, then held him down for about two minutes until he stopped breathing. He died a week later after he was taken off life support. His brother, Joe Prude, had called 911 seeking help for Daniel Prudes unusual behaviour. He had been taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation earlier that night but released after a few hours, his brother told officers. Daniel Prude died after police put a spit hood over his head during an arrest [Lindsay DeDario/Reuters] His death sparked outrage after his relatives on Wednesday released police body camera video and written reports they obtained through a public records request. Seven police officers were suspended Thursday, and state Attorney General Letitia James said Saturday she would form a grand jury and conduct an exhaustive investigation into Prudes death. Warren and Police Chief LaRon Singletary have faced calls for their resignations over the delay in releasing details of Prudes death. Police union officials have said the officers were following their training. Protesters have demanded police accountability and legislation to change how authorities respond to mental health emergencies. Nightly demonstrations continued Sunday, when police said more than 1,000 protesters marched to the Public Safety Building. Previous nights demonstrations intensified into clashes between police and protesters, with officers dousing activists with a chemical spray and firing what appeared to be pepper balls to drive them from barricades around the headquarters building. At points, fireworks were shot off and a bus stop was set ablaze. Local media said there were no such confrontations Sunday night, when community elders served as a buffer between protesters and police. The Rochester Police Department said no arrests were made. Naked protesters seen from a different angle stage a demonstration to protest the death of Daniel Prude at Rochesters Public Safety Building in Rochester, New York [Tracy Schuhmacher/Democrat and Chronicle via USA Today/Reuters] Last night the world saw the true spirit of Rochester, Warren said in a statement, adding that she had told the police department Sunday to adopt a smaller and more restrained posture. Trump, however, mentioned Rochester in a Monday morning tweet about cities he said all had bad nights and were weakly run by Radical Left Democrat Governors and Mayors! Get the picture? the Republican president added. Rochester N.Y., Brooklyn N.Y., Portland All had bad nights, all weakly run by Radical Left Democrat Governors and Mayors! Get the picture? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2020 Warren, a Democrat, urged people to ignore Trumps comments, accusing him of trying to bait people to act with hate and incite violence that he believes will benefit him politically. During the past months, Trump has repeatedly portrayed Democratic mayors as weak leaders who have let their cities be overrun by violence and disorderly protests, casting himself as the president of law and order who will protect the country from chaos. Shootings, killings and other crimes have increased recently in cities, including New York, Chicago and Detroit, although crime overall remains lower than it has been in years past. Trump has sought to tie street violence to protests. Criminal justice experts say the crime spikes defy easy explanation in a year with historic unemployment and a pandemic that has killed more than 180,000 people. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 18:59:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosions killed two civilians and injured two others in southern Afghanistan, officials said Monday. In one incident, a civilian was killed and another wounded early on Monday after a tricycle was hit by an IED in Zharay district of Kandahar province, Jamal Barekzay, provincial police spokesman, told Xinhua. In neighboring Uruzgan province, a man who was carrying a patient from Chinarto district to provincial capital Tirin Kot city was wounded, while the patient succumbed to serious injuries after a pressure-plate IED was detonated along a dusty road late on Sunday evening, Zurgay Ebadi, provincial government spokesperson, told Xinhua. Militants in Afghanistan have been using home-made IEDs to make roadside bombs and landmines to target security forces, but the lethal weapons also inflict casualties on civilians. More than 800 civilians were killed and over 2,330 others wounded in IED explosions in 2019, according to official figures. Enditem Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 Experts and the nations child protection agency are urging the government to prevent a spike in child marriages during the COVID-19 health crisis, which they fear could exacerbate the problem. The director of the University of Indonesias Child Protection and Wellbeing Center (Puskapa), Santi Kusumaningrum, said the pandemic had multiplied preexisting vulnerabilities, including the issues of poverty, school dropouts and unplanned pregnancies that have driven child marriages in the past. With life difficulties increasing and schools being closed, you can imagine that various risk factors are becoming more and more [present] around children, she told The Jakarta Post. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut on Monday took to Twitter to share videos of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials at her office premises in Mumbai and expressed the apprehension that they may demolish the property. IMAGE: Women Shiv Sena party workers stage a protest against Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, outside Shiv Sena office in Thane. Photograph: PTI photo However, the civic body said the visit by its officials was part of a regular exercise undertaken to keep a tab on illegal constructions in suburban Bandra where her office is located. Kangana's recent remark comparing Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has drawn ire of the ruling Shiv Sena whose leaders are targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party for defending her. In a tweet on Monday, she said officials of the Sena-ruled civic body visited her office and may demolish the property on Tuesday. Stating that she has done nothing illegal on her property, the actor said BMC should show the illegal construction with a notice. 'They have forcefully taken over my office measuring everything, also harassing my neighbors,' she tweeted. 'I am informed tomorrow they are demolishing my property,' she added. Parag Masurkar, deputy municipal commissioner, confirmed that a team of officials inspected Ranaut's office set up in a row house located in the upmarket Pali Hill area of Bandra. He said the visit was a part of regular exercise to keep a tab on illegal constructions and the team also inspected some other row houses in the area. Masurkar said as per their records it (Ranaut's office) was a residential property, and they wanted to confirm if any changes have been made in the structure. According to BMC sources, the team is likely to submit a report within a couple of days after which further course of action will be decided. The Bachelor's rumoured winner Irena Srbinovska has hinted she is no longer dating Locky Gilbert. On Thursday, the 31-year-old nurse liked an Instagram comment from a reality TV fan who said she was 'too good' for the former Australian Survivor star. 'You're too good for him tho!!!' the fan wrote alongside two rose emojis. As reported by The Wash, Irena was among the seven users who liked the comment. Oh no! The Bachelor's rumoured winner Irena Srbinovska (pictured) has hinted she is no longer dating Locky Gilbert While it's not conclusive evidence, the social media activity suggests that Irena and Locky quietly split after filming the finale in July. Of course, there are other possible interpretations. Irena's 'like' could be a telling clue that she doesn't win the show at all - despite Sportsbet and TAB tipping her for first place. Alternatively, Irena may have liked the comment by accident, which is quite easy to do when scrolling through Instagram quickly. What does it mean? On Thursday, the 31-year-old nurse liked an Instagram comment from a reality TV fan who said she was 'too good' for the former Australian Survivor star Will they go the distance? While it's not conclusive evidence, the social media activity suggests that Irena and Locky (right) quietly split after filming the finale in July Irena has been the bookies' favourite since the first episode, but rumours are swirling that she isn't the clear-cut winner like in previous seasons. Daily Mail Australia has heard whispers that Locky actually rejects Irena and chooses Bella Varelis in the finale, but Bella turns him down because she can't handle the fact he is also in love with Irena. He then makes a sudden about-turn and begs Irena to take him back, and she tentatively agrees to begin a relationship with him. A slip of the thumb? Alternatively, Irena may have simply liked the comment by accident, which is quite easy to do when scrolling through Instagram quickly Front-runner: Irena has been the bookies' favourite since the first episode, but rumours are swirling that she isn't the clear-cut winner like in previous seasons These rumours are still unconfirmed, however, and the actual outcome of The Bachelor remains a closely guarded industry secret. But it's interesting that this ending seems to correlate with trailers for the series, which promise a finale 'you won't believe' as Locky is forced to choose between two women he has fallen in love with. The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 Bombshell: Daily Mail Australia has heard whispers that Locky actually rejects Irena (right) and chooses Bella Varelis (left) in the finale, but Bella turns him down because she can't handle the fact he is also in love with Irena. He then makes a sudden about-turn and begs Irena to take him back, and she tentatively agrees to begin a relationship with him A woman covers herself by an old Belarusian national flag reacts as opposition supporters gather in front of police line toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Sunday's demonstration marked the beginning of the fifth week of daily protests calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation in the wake of allegedly manipulated elections. (AP) Minsk: Security forces in Belarus detained scores of protesters and were filmed beating a man as he lay on the street, as the authorities launched a crackdown on mass demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko. Nearly a month after an election which Lukashenkos opponents say he rigged, tens of thousands of people marched through Minsk, many decked out in red-and-white opposition colours and shouting go away! and youre a rat!. The authorities had laid barbed wire on the streets, and deployed military vehicles, prisoner vans, water cannons, helmeted riot police and plain clothes officers with masks and truncheons to try to contain the demonstrations. At least 100 people were detained, the Russian news agency Interfax quoted the government as saying, while the human rights group Spring-96 put the figure at more than 200. Local media also showed protests and detentions in other cities. A witness said the harsh treatment of the protesters appeared to mark an escalation by the authorities after weeks of comparative restraint, although the violence was not as widespread and indiscriminate as in the protests first days. Footage from local media outlet TUT.BY showed a masked man beating a protester as he lay on the ground. Plain clothes officers could be seen smashing the glass door of a cafe to get at protesters sheltering inside. We ran into a cafe to hide from the riot police, they broke the glass, burst inside, pulled out three people, beat at least one, Evgeny, a 28-year-old protester, said while waiters cleaned up the smashed glass. JUMPING INTO THE RIVER A witness described helmeted security forces and men in plain clothes detaining at least two dozen protesters near President Alexander Lukashenkos residence, and beating and kicking another man as he lay on the ground. Some protesters left chanting well be back. An ambulance arrived at another cafe, where another witness said a man had been beaten by men with truncheons and could only walk with difficulty. TUT.BY described people jumping into the Svislach River to escape the police in Minsk. Protests also took place outside the capital. In the city of Brest near the Polish border, video footage from TUT.BY showed women shouting shame at masked members of the security forces who dragged people away. Internal Affairs Minister Yuri Karayev defended the actions of the security forces. They talk about the brutality of the Belarusian police, and I want to say this: there are no more humane, restrained and cool-headed police anywhere in the world, he said, according to the official Belta news agency. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, denies electoral fraud. Buoyed by a show of support from traditional ally Russia, he has rejected calls for new elections. Demonstrations have carried on throughout the four weeks since the election, gaining in size on the weekends and drawing tens of thousands of people each Sunday. Western countries have had to balance sympathy with the Belarusian pro-democracy movement against a desire not to provoke Moscow. The crisis has tested European resolve at a moment when countries are also weighing how to respond to the suspected poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. In an interview published in the Financial Times on Sunday, Lithuanias foreign minister urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Belarus and counter Russias influence or risk undermining the credibility of its foreign policy. Press Release September 7, 2020 Drilon urges immediate cancellation of Sangley airport contract with Chinese firm linked to fraud and corruption Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon pressed the government to terminate the contract with Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) which bagged the contract for the construction of Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) in Cavite, citing the firm's history of fraud and corruption. "I urge for the immediate cancellation of the contract with Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) to build Sangley airport on the account of its questionable reputation. CCCC has a history of fraud and corruption," Drilon said in a statement on Monday. "We cannot just brush it aside. We cannot turn a blind eye on this," he added. CCCC was among the Chinese firms blacklisted by the US Department of Commerce for building artificial islands in the West Philippines Sea, Drilon noted. The World Bank blacklisted the firm for corrupt practices, he added. In a press release in 2011, the World Bank announced the debarment of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Limited, and all its subsidiaries, for fraudulent practices under Phase 1 of the Philippines National Roads Improvement and Management Project. The company was also reported to have given kickbacks to former Malaysia Prime Minister Rajib in exchange for the construction of the East Coast Railway Project, Drilon noted. At that time, the firm's president was Chen Fenjian, who is believed to have committed suicide last month due to corruption issues. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. initially called for the termination of contracts with Chinese firms involved in the construction of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea. The Malacanang, however, said the President had already decided to push through with the project despite the blacklisting issue. The Senate chief fiscalizer said it is not yet too late for the government to cancel the contract with the Chinese firm. "Given the dubious track record of CCCC, the only logical move here is to cancel the contract - no ifs and buts. A lucrative project such as the Sangley cannot be awarded to a company with such a bad track record," Drilon stressed. The first phase of the project is reported to be worth $10 billion. Drilon said that the government's anti-corruption stance will be questioned if it awards the lucrative contract to a firm with a history of corruption. "There are hundreds of companies with credible and outstanding track records in airport construction. What standards did they follow when they awarded the contract to CCCC? Shouldn't they consider the allegations against CCCC before the contract was awarded?" Drilon asked. People should abide by stricter social distancing rules It is hard to understand why conservative groups are pushing to hold mass rallies in central Seoul to mark National Foundation Day, Oct. 3. Groups such as the Freedom Union and one asking for a pardon for former President Park Geun-hye have applied for permission for the gatherings that they expect will attract up to 40,000 people. Their move is inappropriate as it comes amid the stepped-up social-distancing campaign to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a matter of fact, the coronavirus has been spreading rapidly, prompted by a mass rally in Gwanghwamun Square on Aug. 15 Liberation Day. The police said it would reject the latest request, citing fears of potential infection clusters. But such rallies could possibly take place if a local court approves them. We urge the court to make a careful decision, considering the possible transmission of the coronavirus among participants. Although new daily infections remained below 200 for the fourth straight day Sunday after hitting 441 Aug. 27, it is still premature to loosen safety measures. The health authorities have extended the enforcement of the stricter social distancing rules, which are higher than Level 2 but lower than the top level, by another week until Sept. 11. Rally organizers are heightening health risks by asking anticipated participants to avoid body temperature checks. The organizers are even urging people to switch off their cellphones to evade location tracking by police. Also worrisome is that some Protestant church members are allegedly planning to gather at some churches for face-to-face worship services, which are banned in Seoul and its surrounding area. Municipal and provincial authorities thus need to take steps to block such religious gatherings as part of efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19. In a democratic society like Korea, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly should be fully guaranteed. But such freedom can be restricted when a pandemic threatens public health. Concern is also growing over a spike of infections during the Sept. 31 to Oct. 4 Chuseok holiday when large crowds travel to their hometowns for family reunions and to tourist attractions. We should all be on high alert to protect ourselves from the resurgent pandemic. The owner of Saffrons Restaurant says the wind scared him this weekend. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 7/9/2020 (500 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The owner of Saffrons Restaurant says the wind scared him this weekend. For months, doors to John Kolevriss Mediterranean restaurant in Winnipeg were closed to diners, as businesses across the city were placed under mandated lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic. Then, patio season happened. Kolevris said he saw the largest volume of summer customers at his Corydon Avenue eatery in years almost enough, he said, to make up any losses made during the shutdown. "It wasnt easy opening up after restrictions happened because people wanted to stay home," he said. "But I think customers just found it much safer to eat outside in the sun and that meant we could easily convince them to come to our restaurant, which is known for having a great patio." But on Sunday, as Environment Canada issued wind warnings for Winnipeg, the agency said an "abrupt transition to fall" would occur over the Labour Day long weekend. And as a pandemic winter looms with "risk of widespread frost" across the Red River Valley and throughout Manitoba, restaurant and bar owners in the city are worried. A recent poll by mobile app Andie.work found that Canadians feel safer dining at patios (21.7 per cent) than indoor restaurants (10.2 per cent). Jonathan Alward, Prairies director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said thats why "patio season couldnt have been more important this year." "Places that were closed for so long definitely relied on the outdoor spaces to make their ends meet once they were allowed to reopen," he said. "They could allow more people to sit outside and be socially-distanced and so that way, they eased customers who wanted to go out during this time." Alward said he "commends" the city for allowing restaurants and bars to open "much faster and with quicker permits" than previous years. "But what I do worry about is what happens now." "I just wish it was as easy in previous years," he said. "Its already an expense to get set up for patios to begin with, especially on top of their personal protective equipment concerns. And having to worry about meeting permits and regulations is just another issue some places have had to deal with." Still, Alward said its cause for concern when social-distancing measures allow restaurants and bars to remain only at half capacity. "And not all businesses could afford patios this year," he said. At The Roost in Corydons Little Italy, co-owner Elsa Taylor said their rooftop terrace and patio quickly became "the easiest way to get people back in our doors." "While it wasnt nearly in the same amount we were used to seeing and we definitely lost business because of how many tables we were actually allowed to have set up, it did make things easier because we could space everyone outside." In fact, at Peasant Cookery on Bannatyne Avenue, manager Thomas Johnson said some customers walked out after not being able to get a table at their patio. "Weve definitely had it easier than some of the neighbouring restaurants in the city though," said Johnson. 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. "Some of them just didnt get anyone walking in because they didnt have space to socially distance folks." Thats why Taylor said The Roost plans to put space heaters on the patio. "We just want to prolong this season for as long as we can," she said. "At the end of the day, its still pandemic times and were trying to figure out the best ways to keep going." Temur.Durrani@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @temurdur Cardi B took to Instagram on Sunday evening after her sister Hennessy Carolina, 24, was allegedly harassed by a group of 'racist [MAGA] supporters' over a parking space. The 27-year-old rapper shared footage of the altercation with her 75million followers and directly called out Donald Trump for fueling the alleged aggressors with his rhetoric. 'Meanwhile not only you got racist [MAGA] supporters that are [lynching] ,racist cop shootings and killing black men all cause their leader make them feel like they could do so,' claimed Cardi B in her post's caption. Don't mess with sis: Cardi B took to Instagram on Sunday evening after her sister Hennessy Carolina, 24, was allegedly harassed by a group of 'racist [MAGA] supporters' over a parking space; Cardi B pictured in 2018 'My sister couldn't even park her car today with out this man harassing her girlfriend soon as the camera cane out they started being sweet .TGIS BRAVENESS IS COMING FROM THEIR LEADERS ENERGY' The expletive-riddled footage showed two men - one donning a 'Make America Great Again' cap - and one woman engaging in a heated back-and-forth with Hennessy at a beach. 'Get your vehicle out of here,' demanded one of the alleged aggressors, to which Hennessy hastily replied: 'Get the f**k out of my face!' Heated: The expletive-riddled footage showed two men and one woman engaging in a heated back-and-forth with Hennessy at a beach MAGA: One of the alleged aggressors was donning a 'Make America Great Again' cap in the video 'Ok, don't EVER come to a female [unintelligible] while I'm not here,' shouted Hennessy, who was referencing to her girlfriend. One man in the video, who was shirtless, insisted that he 'did not come near [Hennessy]' as he continued to remain uncomfortably close to her and her parked vehicle. Hennessy shouted numerous times for the two men to 'back the f**k off [her] car,' which, oddly, prompts the female member of the group to approach her. Back-and-forth: 'Get your vehicle out of here,' demanded one of the alleged aggressors, to which Hennessy hastily replied: 'Get the f**k out of my face!' Back up: Hennessy shouted numerous times for the two men to 'back the f**k off [her] car,' which, oddly, prompts the female member of the group to approach her Hennessy and the woman engaged in a close shouting match for a few seconds, before the woman began slowly retreating. 'You're blocking some people,' she exclaimed, to which Hennessy replied: 'I hope you know that you will be online and your husband.' The woman flashed her middle finger at Hennessy's camera and then began chanting 'Trump' over and over again. It's go time: Hennessy and the woman engaged in a close shouting match for a few seconds, before the woman began slowly retreating Documentation: 'You're blocking some people,' she exclaimed, to which Hennessy replied: 'I hope you know that you will be online and your husband' Before the video cut-off, Hennessy briefly focused the camera on herself as she breathed heavily with rage. Hennessy, who boasts 6.8million followers, shared the entire video of the explosive interaction on her Instagram Story, which her sister Cardi B later reposted. She returned to Instagram after the altercation gained traction online to express how 'sad and angry' she still was over the 'racism' she allegedly experienced. Yikes: The woman flashed her middle finger at Hennessy's camera and then began chanting 'Trump' over and over again 'This f**king racism and police brutality still going on in 2020 is f**king insane!!!!' she wrote in. She marveled at the fact that people in the United States 'are dead out here being proud and racist harassing people while wearing they MAGA hat like if they know the government going to hold them down is ridiculous!' Hennessy concluded her lengthy Instagram Story post by saying: 'F**k Donald Trump [and] suck my d**k if you support that n***a and you racist [as f**k].' Sister act: Cardi B and Hennessy (right) pictured in 2019 In a follow up post, she took the time to thank those that have voiced their support towards her and she mirrored her sister's sentiments about Donald Trump's rhetoric. 'I can't believe [the people in the video] are openly harassing a lesbian and being racist while wearing a Maga hat literally super confident knowing the president is permitting and encouraging them to yell at people 'go back to your country'' one portion of Hennessy's comment read. She then accused Instagram and Facebook of purposely 'shadow banning' her on their platforms for speaking out about Trump. Reflecting: She returned to Instagram after the altercation gained traction online to express how 'sad and angry' she still was over the 'racism' she allegedly experienced Same view: In a follow up post, she took the time to thank those that have voiced their support towards her and she mirrored her sister's sentiments about Donald Trump's rhetoric Cardi B has vocalized her support for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden over the past few months, even interviewing the 77-year-old politician for ELLE in August. The Grammy Award-winning rapper has also continuously used her massive social media platform to encourage people to register and vote in the upcoming election. During her conversation with Biden, Cardi listed what she 'wants the next president to do for [the country]' but that her number one priority is getting 'Trump out.' Got her vote: Got her vote: Cardi B has vocalized her support for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden over the past few months; Biden pictured on September 4 Iconic: Cardi B interviewed the 77-year-old politician for ELLE's September issue in August 'His mouth gets us in trouble so much. I don't want to be lied to -- we're dealing with a pandemic right now and I just want answers,' expressed the rapper passionately. After the interview, Cardi B told ELLE that that she wants 'a president who makes me feel secure' and a president 'understands the pain of the people.' She added: 'I want a president who is going to give us answers.' 'Those people that [Donald Trump] caters [to], he's not going to do anything for them. It's not like Republicans are getting better housing. It's not like Republicans are getting better benefits. They're not. He's not doing anything for anybody. He's just saying things that appease the same people,' she said. Top priority: During her conversation with Biden, Cardi listed what she 'wants the next president to do for [the country]' but that her number one priority is getting 'Trump out'; Trump pictured in April x California Prosecutor: Need of Looters Should Be Considered Before Charging Them Prosecutors in a California county are being told to take into account the need of people accused of looting when deciding whether to file charges. Prosecutors in the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office must now consider, Was this theft offense substantially motivated by the state of emergency, or simply a theft offense which occurred contemporaneous to the declared state of emergency? According to the new policy, officials should consider whether the business was open or closed when it was looted, how the suspect gained entry to the business, and the nature, quantity, and value of the goods stolen. The new guidelines ask, Was the theft was [sic] committed for financial gain or personal need? The guidelines were published by East County Today after being reported first by Red State. The district attorneys office didnt immediately respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment. District Attorney Diana Becton, a Democrat who received financial backing from left-wing billionaire George Soros, was appointed to the office in 2017 before winning reelection. Scott Alonso, a spokesman for the office, told East County Today that the guidelines were put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines are consistent with how we evaluate criminal cases. The policy does not say we wont file these types of cases, he said. A man runs with boxes of shoes after looters broke into a shoe store, in Hollywood, Calif., on June 1, 2020. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) Both Antioch Mayor Sean Wright and Steve Aiello, president of the local police union, spoke out about the new guidelines. I am disturbed by our Contra Costa County District Attorneys announcement that our police officers must consider if looters needed stolen property before they can charge them with looting. Our DA is the first and only DA in the nation urging this kind of guidance, Wright said in a statement. Looting that takes place in times of emergency, such as we are going through, is against the law. According to our DA, if the looters need an item in a retail shop, for example, it is OK for them to take that item without being charged. I dont agree with this approachdo you? According to California state law, any person who commits second-degree burglary during a county in a state of emergency shall be guilty of the crime of looting, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for one year. Widespread looting has taken place during the pandemic in Contra Costa County. Things got so bad in late May and early June that David Livingston, the countys sheriff, told all residents to stay inside from 8 p.m. one night to 5 a.m. the next morning. Approximately 100 people banded together to loot a Best Buy on May 31, the Pleasant Hill Police Department said in a statement. Thieves smashed windows at the Best Buy and three other stores before looting them. Becton and four other prosecutors wrote in a recent op-ed that they were committing to using our offices power and platform to advance discussions of divestment from the criminal legal system and toward community-led and community-defined responses to harm. Strong community support, restorative justice practices, and diversion practices are key to dismantling the current legal system and shifting its focus from punishment toward justice, they wrote. Becton said in her celebratory announcement after winning the election that she supports a criminal justice system that not only holds people accountable for their crimes, but also seeks to divert nonviolent, low-level offenders away from continued criminal activity and supports them to become productive members of society. News Washington, DC - Four individuals responsible for mass-mailing fraud schemes were charged with allegedly defrauding thousands of elderly and vulnerable victims, the department announced Tuesday. Two U.S. individuals and two Canadian individuals were charged for their roles in operating the schemes, which collectively caused tens of millions of dollars in victim losses. Two defendants were charged in the Eastern District of New York and two defendants were charged in the District of Nevada. Fraud schemes are intolerable, especially those that harm our nations seniors, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ethan P. Davis of the Department of Justices Civil Division. As Attorney General Barr made clear earlier this year when he announced record results in the 2020 Elder Fraud Sweep, the Department of Justice is committed to protecting seniors. These two cases illustrate that the Civil Divisions Consumer Protection Branch, together with partners at the Postal Inspection Service, will not stop until the scourge of elder fraud is defeated. These charges demonstrate the Postal Inspection Service will relentlessly pursue these fraudulent schemes until they no longer arrive in your mailbox, said Deputy Chief Inspector Craig Goldberg of the Postal Inspection Service. Prize notices like these are mailed in an attempt to trick our elderly and vulnerable Americans, while the perpetrators attempt to hide their involvement around the corner or around the globe. We are committed, with the Department of Justice, to protect our older Americans. These individuals mailed their fraudulent prize promotions to victims in blatant defiance of prior Postal Service consent orders and agreements that prohibited them from doing so. The fact that many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable makes the defendants conduct particularly egregious. The Postal Inspection Service will continue its efforts to protect the public from fraud schemes and bring the perpetrators of those schemes to justice, said Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett. Two Long-Island Residents Indicted for Multi-Million Dollar Elder Fraud Scheme An indictment unsealed Tuesday charges Long Island residents Sean Novis, 50, and Gary Denkberg, 57, with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and multiple mail fraud and wire fraud counts for running a fraudulent mass-mailing scheme that tricked thousands of consumers into paying fees for falsely promised prizes. Novis and Denkberg made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York after they were arrested by United States Postal Inspectors Monday morning. The indictment alleges that, from January 2003 to September 2016, the defendants mailed hundreds of thousands of prize notices that represented that victims were specially chosen to receive a large cash prize and would receive the prize if they paid a small fee. Victims who paid the requested fee, however, did not receive the promised cash prize. Although the notices appeared to be personalized correspondence, they were merely mass-produced, boilerplate documents that were bulk mailed to recipients whose names and addresses were on mailing lists. According to the indictment, Novis and Denkberg continued to operate their fraudulent mass-mailing scheme in violation of United States Postal Service cease-and-desist agreements and consent orders that they agreed to in 2012. The agreements and orders had permanently barred the defendants from mailing fraudulent prize notices. Each charge in this case carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, and a statutory maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Artie DeCastro and Daniel Zytnick of the Department of Justice Civil Divisions Consumer Protection Branch. The Consumer Protection Branch thanks the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York for its assistance in this case. Canadian Nationals Charged For Long-Running Elder Fraud Schemes In a separate indictment filed on August 5 in the District of Nevada, Canadian nationals Alex Quaglia and Patrick Fraser were charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with schemes to defraud consumers by sending deceptive mailing pieces that falsely promised large cash prizes in exchange for payment of a fee. Many of the victims were elderly. The solicitations were sent using fictitious names and were designed to deceive recipients into believing that they had won hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. To claim their winnings recipients were directed to pay a small fee. In fact, there was no cash prize sent to victims, and Quaglia, Fraser and their co-conspirators pocketed the money sent by victims. As alleged in the indictment, victims in Nevada, across the country, and around the world were defrauded of money in connection with the defendants schemes, said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. Working with our Postal Inspectors and other law enforcement partners, we will identify, investigate, and prosecute criminals both foreign and domestic who prey on our seniors and other vulnerable Nevada residents. These fraud schemes can happen to anyone. The scheme allegedly caused millions of dollars in losses to thousands of victims. Quaglia was charged with one conspiracy to commit mail fraud count and seven counts of mail fraud. Quaglias scheme is alleged to have begun as early as 2000. Fraser was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud with Quaglia and with a separate conspiracy charge related to a similar scheme he orchestrated after breaking away from Quaglias operation in 2015. Fraser was also charged with six counts of mail fraud. Each charge of the indictment carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison along with a statutory maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Matt Lash and Yolanda McCray Jones of the Department of Justice Civil Divisions Consumer Protection Branch with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Nevada. The Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs has also provided critical support. An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Since President Trump signed the bipartisan Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (EAPPA) into law, the Department of Justice has participated in hundreds of enforcement actions in criminal and civil cases that targeted or disproportionately affected seniors. In particular, in March 2020, the department announced the largest elder fraud enforcement action in American history, charging more than 400 defendants in a nationwide elder fraud sweep. The department has likewise conducted hundreds of trainings and outreach sessions across the country since the passage of the Act. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish and other languages are available. DUBLIN, Sept. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Biodegradable Plastics Market (Value, Volume) - Analysis By Product, Application, By Region, By Country (2020 Edition): Market Insights and Outlook Post Covid-19 Pandemic (2020-2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Biodegradable Plastics Market, valued at USD 4709.19 Million in the year 2019 has been witnessing unprecedented growth. Growth opportunities in biodegradable plastics market is promising backed by concepts like corporate social responsibility and decreased dependence on synthetic resources. Rising consumer awareness about global warming and government legislation such as ban on plastic bags will increase the demand for biodegradable plastics across the globe. The major driving factor for biodegradable plastics market is growing inclination towards reduction in carbon emissions during the manufacturing process of biodegradable plastics. However, with the coronavirus outbreak, end user companies are forced to give up the use of biodegradable plastics in an effort to maintain revenue and profit margins. In addition, the drop in petroleum prices has made traditional plastics cheaper, putting additional obstacles in the path of the biodegradable plastics market. Among the Product segment in the Biodegradable Plastics market (Starch Blends, PLA, PHA, PBS and Others), Starch Blends segment leads the market. Starch blended biodegradable plastics are used in edible films and food packaging which reduce the loss of food and keep fresh. In the agricultural sector, the starch blends are majorly used in mulch film, greenhouse covering and controlled release materials for fertilizers. As a result of starch blends renewability, lower cost, higher abundance and biodegradability, they are used for the development of sustainable materials. Based on Application (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Agriculture, Textile and Others), Packaging segment gains a considerable share. Changing lifestyle of consumer along with increase in packaged food products demand in developed regions are boosting the demand for biodegradable plastics in packaging industries. The new applications of biodegradable plastics in the packaging industry are diaper and adult incontinence products, and landfill covers. The European region has dominated the global market share and will continue the dominance in forecast period also on account of high awareness among individuals about plastic waste combined with a ban on single-use plastics. This will boost the regional market over the forecast period. Moreover, European legal framework and strategies are expected to boost the extensive use of bio-based plastic products and provide growth opportunities for the European biodegradable plastics market. Scope of the Report The report analyses the Biodegradable Plastics market By Value and By Volume. The report analyses the Biodegradable Plastics market by Product (Starch Blends, PLA, PHA, PBS, Others). The report assesses the Biodegradable Plastics market by Application (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Agriculture, Textile, Others). The Global Biodegradable Plastics Market has been analysed by Region ( North America , Europe , Asia Pacific ) and by Country ( USA , Canada , Germany , Italy , France , Spain , United Kingdom , China , Australia , Japan ). , , ) and by Country ( , , , , , , , , , ). Also, the attractiveness of the market has been presented by region, product and application. Also, trends, drivers, challenges of the industry has been analysed in the report. The report tracks competitive developments, strategies, recent industry developments and mergers & acquisitions. The companies analysed in the report include Carbios, NatureWorks, BASF, Total Corbion PLA, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Biome Bioplastics, Kuraray, Danimer Scientific, Novamont and Teijin. The report presents the analysis of Biodegradable Plastics market for the historical period of 2015-2019 and the forecast period of 2020-2025. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Scope and Methodology 1.1 Scope of the Report 1.2 Research Methodology 1.3 Executive Summary 2. Strategic Recommendations 3. Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Product Outlook 4. Global Biodegradable Plastics Market: An Analysis 4.1 Market Size, By Value, Year 2015-2025 4.2 Market Size, By Volume, Year 2015-2025 4.3 Market Growth Rate, Year 2015-2025 5. Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product (By Value, By Volume) 5.1 Competitive Scenario of Global Biodegradable Plastics Market: By Product 5.2 Starch Blends- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 5.3 PLA- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 5.4 PHA- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 5.5 PBS- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 5.6 Others- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 6. Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Application (By Value, By Volume) 6.1 Competitive Scenario of Global Biodegradable Plastics: By Application 6.2 Packaging- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 6.3 Consumer Goods- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 6.4 Agriculture- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 6.5 Textile- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 6.6 Others- Market Size and Forecast (2020-2025) 7. Global Biodegradable Plastics Market: Regional Analysis 8. North America Biodegradable Plastics Market: An Analysis (By Value, By Volume) 8.1 North America Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 8.2 North America Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 8.3 North America Biodegradable Plastics Market - Prominent Companies 8.4 Market Segmentation By Product (Starch Blends, PLA, PHA, PBS and Others) 8.5 Market Segmentation By Application (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Agriculture, Textile and Others) 8.6 North America Biodegradable Plastics Market: Country Analysis 8.7 Market Opportunity Chart of North America Biodegradable Plastics Market - By Country, By Value (Year-2025) 8.8 Competitive Scenario of North America- By Country 8.9 United States Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 8.10 United States Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 8.11 United States Biodegradable Plastics Market Leading Companies 8.12 United States Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 8.13 Canada Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 8.14 Canada Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 8.15 Canada Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 9. Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market: An Analysis (By Value, By Volume) 9.1 Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 9.2 Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 9.3 Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market - Prominent Companies 9.4 Market Segmentation By Product (Starch Blends, PLA, PHA, PBS and Others) 9.5 Market Segmentation By Application (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Agriculture, Textile and Others) 9.6 Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market: Country Analysis 9.7 Market Opportunity Chart of Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market - By Country, By Value (Year-2025) 9.8 Competitive Scenario of Europe- By Country 9.9 Germany Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 9.10 Germany Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 9.11 Germany Biodegradable Plastics Market Leading Companies 9.12 Germany Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 9.13 France Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 9.14 France Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 9.15 France Biodegradable Plastics Market Leading Companies 9.16 France Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 9.17 United Kingdom Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 9.18 United Kingdom Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 9.19 United Kingdom Biodegradable Plastics Market Leading Companies 9.20 United Kingdom Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 9.21 Italy Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 9.22 Italy Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 9.23 Italy Biodegradable Plastics Market Leading Companies 9.24 Italy Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 9.25 Spain Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 9.26 Spain Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 9.27 Spain Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 10. Asia Pacific Biodegradable Plastics Market: An Analysis (By Value, By Volume) 10.1 Asia Pacific Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 10.2 Asia Pacific Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 10.3 Asia Pacific Biodegradable Plastics Market - Prominent Companies 10.4 Market Segmentation By Product (Starch Blends, PLA, PHA, PBS and Others) 10.5 Market Segmentation By Application (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Agriculture, Textile and Others) 10.6 Asia Pacific Biodegradable Plastics Market: Country Analysis 10.7 Market Opportunity Chart of Asia Pacific Biodegradable Plastics Market - By Country, By Value (Year-2025) 10.8 Competitive Scenario of Asia Pacific- By Country 10.9 China Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 10.10 China Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 10.11 China Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 10.12 Japan Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 10.13 Japan Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 10.14 Japan Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 10.15 Australia Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Value 10.16 Australia Biodegradable Plastics Market: Size and Forecast (2020-2025), By Volume 10.17 Australia Biodegradable Plastics Market Leading Companies 10.18 Australia Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation By Product, Application 11. Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Dynamics 11.1 Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Drivers 11.2 Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Restraints 11.3 Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Trends 12. Market Attractiveness and Strategic Analysis 12.1 Market Attractiveness 12.1.1 Market Attractiveness Chart of Global Biodegradable Plastics Market - By Product, By Value (Year-2025) 12.1.2 Market Attractiveness Chart of Global Biodegradable Plastics Market - By Application, By Value (Year-2025) 12.1.3 Market Attractiveness Chart of Global Biodegradable Plastics Market - By Region, By Value (Year-2025) 12.2 Strategic Analysis 12.2.1 Mergers and Acquisitions 12.2.2 Recent Industry Developments 13. Competitive Landscape 13.1 Market Share Analysis 13.2 Competitive Positioning (Leaders, Challengers, Followers, Niche Players) 14. Company Profiles (Business Description, Financial Analysis, Business Strategy) 14.1 Carbios 14.2 NatureWorks 14.3 BASF 14.4 Total Corbion PLA 14.5 Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings 14.6 Biome Bioplastics 14.7 Kuraray 14.8 Danimer Scientific 14.9 Novamont 14.10 Teijin For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rsnbfq Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com When my transformation started, you have to understand, I was preparing to die, Hudson said in a Tribune interview shortly after he arrived at the Chicago ministry where he will begin his new life. I wasnt preparing for this moment for a chance to be set free. And, so, my transformation was for me. My transformation was that I didnt want to die being good for nothing. I didnt want to die knowing that no one cared. Gods Rest Area: an in-depth spiritual read that instills wisdom on people that will lead them toward the Lords rest and away from all of lifes worries and fears. Gods Rest Area is the creation of published author Tiffany Dudley, an active community volunteer and a teacher at her local church. Dudley shares, Sometimes problems and difficulties hit our lives like a tornado, leaving people in worry, fear, and stress. God did not design us to live that way. We were created to live in rest. The challenge is entering in that rest. As you go through the chapters, you will see some things that prevent most believers from entering Gods rest. Once you identify these causes, you can then enter Gods rest. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Tiffany Dudleys new book hopes to bring genuine rest to all seekers of truth and light that can only found in God who offers it freely to the willing and tormented. This book is a gem of thought-provoking insights that instill grace and stillness from lifes sorrows and anxieties. View the synopsis of Gods Rest Area on YouTube. Consumers can purchase Gods Rest Area at traditional brick-and-mortar bookstores or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Gods Rest Area, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Police arrest suspects in Moscow Region surgical masks warehouse robbery flickr.com/ michael_swan 11:54 07/09/2020 MOSCOW, September 7 (RAPSI) Police have arrested fout suspects in robbery and stealing 2 million medical face masks from a Moscow Region warehouse, the Interior Ministrys spokesperson Irina Volk has told RAPSI. The arrested persons have been placed in detention upon a court order. According to the police, the evil doers burst into a warehouse in Odintsovo, a town near Moscow, roped a guard and threatening employees with items similar to pistols stole about 2 million surgical masks and 600 electric thermometers, Volk said. They also stole money, mobile phones, watches totaling 64 million rubles from the victims, she added. A case over robbery was launched by the Odintsovo police. Donald Trump claims he wont allow the Pentagon to shutter the nations century-old military newspaper after Defence Department officials ordered the publication to cease operation by the end of the month. Defending himself against several corroborated reports that he insulted military personnel, veterans and war dead as losers and suckers while in office, the president reportedly prompted by White House staff after reviewing press coverage of the publications potential demise said hes reversing the decision. Stars and Stripes, an editorially independent newspaper funded through the US Department of Defence, has published for nearly 160 years from its founding by Union soldiers on the brink of the US Civil War through endless wars abroad often provoking leadership with a grunts-eye view of the military and its brass. A Pentagon memo to the newspapers publisher and staff ordered it to dissolve and publish its final edition, in print and online, on 30 September. It also demanded a specific timeline for vacating government owned/leased space worldwide. But on Friday afternoon, following a day of allegations that he had repeatedly denigrated veterans of war, the president unexpectedly announced that the United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to the newspaper under my watch. It will continue to be a wonderful source of information to our Great Military! he said on Twitter. Before the presidents apparent intervention, a bipartisan group of senators urged Defence Secretary Mark Esper to continue funding the newspaper, an essential part of our nations freedom of the press that serves the very population charged with defending that freedom, they wrote. Outlined in February, the Defence Departments 2021 budget proposal would cut $15.5m from the newspaper roughly half the newspapers annual budget, with the remainder covered through subscriptions and advertisements but lawmakers have urged officials to wait for congressional approval before ordering the newspapers closure. A group of four Republicans and 11 Democrats requested that Secretary Esper rescind his decision to discontinue support for Stars and Stripes and reinstate the funding necessary for it to continue operations. In a separate letter to Secretary Esper sent at the end of August, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a former Air Force Reserve lawyer who retired at the rank of colonel, expressed his support for the publication. As a veteran who has served overseas, I know the value that the Stars and Stripes brings to its readers, he wrote. Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego, an Iraq War veteran, had included an amendment to the Defence Department budget that specifically maintains funding for the newspaper. Trump is only doing this now to prevent my amendment from taking hold, he said. This is just another attack on the press. Stars and Stripes staff believe its unlikely that Congress would approve the Pentagons request and are sceptical that the presidents timely announcement would preempt lawmakers budget process. The Senate Appropriations Committee will mull whether to approve those funding measures, though nine members on that committee including four Republicans and five Democrats were among senators who wrote to Secretary Esper. But it remains unclear why the Pentagon would gut the newspaper, within a budget thats a fraction of the Defence Departments massive $700bn operation, and place it within the administrations crosshairs, as the White House continues to undermine journalists and the media. Weve had three-plus years of the press being described as the enemy of the people, Stars and Stripes ombudsman Ernie Gates told The Independent, adding that the presidents frequent message likely emboldens officials who already consider the press a nuisance at the Pentagon, he said. Thats one of the underlying factors, without a question, he said. Though its not the first time the newspaper has faced budget cuts that would force its closure, as well as economic challenges that have scorched the print media landscape, its potential dissolution follows the Trump administrations moves to cripple other government-funded media outlets, including the US Agency for Global Media, which manages Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcast Networks. The newspapers print circulation provides a vital lifeline and independent voice to service members embedded in remote corners of the world, featuring voices of military personnel on the ground and an independent lens that functions beyond press releases, often contradicting leadership. Mr Gates told The Independent that closing Stars and Stripes would be fatal interference and permanent censorship of a unique First Amendment organisation that has served US troops reliably for generations. To shut down Stars and Stripes on [1 October] would also defy the expressed will of the House and pre-empt full consideration by the Senate, he said in a statement. Theres every reason to expect that the federal government will operate under a Continuing Resolution when the current fiscal year ends on [30 September] When Congress completes the budget process, it should then make Stars and Stripes funding ironclad. David Ibiyeomie, a Nigerian televangelist and founder of Salvation Ministries, has threatened to kill a popular broadcaster, Daddy Freeze, if he ever insults the founder of Living Faith Church, David Oyedepo, again. The cleric made the threat and rained curses on the broadcaster while delivering a sermon at his church headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday. Describing the radio host as a non-Nigerian, Mr Ibiyeomie said, If he insults me, I wont mind; but insult Oyedepo, that bastard who is his father? Does Daddy Freeze have a father? That bastard who was born by a Somalian. The day I hear him insult Oyedepo again Ill deal with him. The 57-year-old pastor, who studied under Mr Oyedepos tutelage before establishing his ministry in 1997, said he will never allow Daddy Freeze insult his mentor. If he has a father let him show us his fathers picture. Someone they gave birth to in a ship. Does he look like a Nigerian? I curse the day he was born. He is insulting my own father and people are laughing. Anybody may not talk but I will talk. I will never be alive and see somebody insult my father. It is not done. You are not born. I will kill you, I will tear you into pieces. Very soon I will arrest him. Asides the threats, he also made a mockery of Daddy Freezes failed marriage and relationships. READ ALSO: The man who cannot marry. He has no wife. He cant manage his home. He is coming to talk on television. Is it not his wife who left him? A broadcaster, does he have a good job? Daddy Freeze, real name Ifedayo Olarinde, describes himself as a scripture teacher, convener of FreeTheSheeple movement. He was yet to respond to the remarks at the time of this report. Background PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Oyedepo made a recent post on his Instagram handle which read, The only way to a fruitful marriage is total submission on the part of the wife. Until it is in place, every other thing she tries to do will be out of place. A woman who refuses to submit to her husband is disobeying God. Daddy Freeze, who has always been critical of the teachings of some Nigerian preachers especially as it relates to tithing, reacted to Mr Oydepos post. He wrote, The fact that you have been married for 30 years doesnt necessarily make you an expert on marriage. A prisoner in prison for 30 years is still not an expert on the penitentiary system. Also, the fact that you are single, separated, or divorced doesnt disqualify you from giving marital advice. Paul and Christ gave most of the New Testament advice on marriage and neither was married. He added, Many religious marriages are endured and not enjoyed. Many pastors are suffering in silence. Mr Ibiyeomie made news headlines in 2017 when he arrested a popular blogger for allegedly publishing a story believed to be offensive to him. See the video of the clerics outburst below. Genuine contact tracers will not ask for your social security number or send you links via text message. (fizkes/Shutterstock) Scam Alert: Things a COVID Contact Tracer Wouldnt Say Be alert to fake contact tracers trying to use the pandemic to steal your money and personal information State officials and federal agencies warn theres a new phone scam circulating: Some callers posing as COVID-19 contact tracers try to pry credit card or bank account information from unsuspecting victims. The grifters apparently are taking advantage of a genuine public health intervention intended to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus: contact tracing. In one such scheme, detailed in a warning from the Montana attorney general, scammers tell their victims, Im calling from your local health department to let you know that you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. Then they move in for the kill, asking for payment information before we continue. Dont fall for that, say public health advocates and officials. Legitimate contact tracers dont ask for payment or seek other financial information. That is absolutely not part of the process, said Crystal Watson, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. No one should give bank information or credit card information. Genuine Contact Tracers Real contact tracers generally work for health departments. They contact COVID-positive patients to track symptoms; they help the people they call figure out how to isolate themselves from others until they clear the virus, and they determine which friends, neighbors, colleagues or acquaintances people might have been near in the days just before or after they tested positive for the coronavirus. Those contacts, in turn, are sought out by the tracers, who are in a race against the clock, hoping to get those folks to quarantine as well. This tried-and-true public health tool (along with hand-washing, wearing a mask in public, and maintaining six feet of physical distance from people outside your household) is one of the few strategies available to slow the spread of the virus while scientists work on treatments and vaccines. Legitimate contact tracing is being employed widely in some areas, such as the District of Columbia and Hawaii, and has been credited with helping countries such as New Zealand and Taiwan contain the virus. But with this success also comes bad actors. The Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, and Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Better Business Bureau, state law enforcement, and health officials from across the nation, have issued consumer alerts about unscrupulous people using phone calls, texts or emails to get personal information from those they scam. What differentiates a real call from a fake one? For one thing, legitimate tracing calls might be preceded by a text message, notifying patients of an upcoming call from the health department. Then, in that initial call, the legitimate tracer seeks to confirm an address and birthdate, especially if you are the COVID-positive patient, Watson said. They ask about your identity to make sure you are the person they are trying to reach so they dont disclose potentially private information to the wrong person, Watson said. The tracers can also help people who must isolate or quarantine by connecting them with resources, such as food or medicine delivery. Some can even provide you with a separate place to quarantine safely if, for example, you live in a multigenerational house with no separate bathroom or bedroom in which to isolate, said Watson. At the end of the call, the tracer may ask if they can call or text you in the coming days to check on how any symptoms may be progressing. What to Watch For Be concerned if you get an initial text asking you to click on a link, which might be spam and could download software onto your phone, the FTC warned in May. Unlike a legitimate text message from a health department, which only wants to let you know theyll be calling, this message includes a link to click, the agency said. Another clear red alert: being asked for your Social Security number. Contact tracers in most regions dont ask your immigration or financial status, either. Also, watch out if any names of COVID patients are provided. An authorized contact tracer will not disclose the identity of the person who tested positive and is the starting place for that tracing effort, the Wisconsin attorney generals office said in a release warning consumers about scams. Another piece of advice: Do a little research before you respond. Anytime someone calls you for information, you should be concerned about who is calling, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. If they are legitimate, you can say Give me your name and phone number and you can always call them back after doing some checking. Did the caller ID indicate the call was from a health department? Some states are including that information. For example, Virginias calls are from the VDH COVID Team. Call the health department if you have any questions. Scammers prefer to prey on individuals who may be more trusting, are alone, or may respond out of confusion or fear, Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Robert Torres said in an Aug. 12 press release. He warned people to be certain they know who they are talking to. Its important that they stay alert about any contact from anyone identifying themselves as a contact tracer and do not provide personal information until they are sure the individual and information are legitimate. And, finally, if you think youve been contactedby phone, email or textby a scammer, report it to agencies, such as your state attorney generals office. If you see something, say something, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a recent consumer alert his office issued. We are working to track these impostors. Julie Appleby is a senior correspondent who reports on the health laws implementation, health care treatments and costs, trends in health insurance, and policy affecting hospitals and other medical providers. This article was originally published on Kaiser Health News, which 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. The number of University of Connecticut students living on campus who have tested positive for coronavirus has decreased, according to officials, while the number of commuter students with the virus has grown. On its COVID-19 dashboard, the university said 50 students living on campus have currently tested positive for the coronavirus, while 67 have recovered. Since the students began moving back to the university on Aug. 14, UConn said a cumulative 99 residential students have tested positive for the virus out of 7,424 tests administered. It said 67 on-campus students have recovered from the virus. The university said the number of off-campus students to test positive has increased from 35 to 37. Two faculty members expected to be regularly working on campus also tested positive, it said. Connecticut College in New London is reporting two students have tested positive for the virus for a total of three cases. On Thursday, Sacred Heart University restricted students living off-campus in Bridgeport to online-only classes. This decision came after 10 students in that demographic tested positive for the virus. In an email on Sunday, Executive Director of Communications Deborah Noack said the university was still waiting on the results of tests that had taken place over the weekend. Once we do, we will make a decision tomorrow about when we can allow our off-campus Bridgeport students to return to campus, Noack said. She said the results the university had received showed eight new cases among off-campus students living in Bridgeport, for a total of 18. She said all of the new cases were linked to the original ten through through the universitys contact tracing protocol. According to Noack, no residential students have tested positive for COVID-19. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7 By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend: Turkmenistans Turkmenaragatnasyk Agency (Turkmen Communications) will sign a contract with the UAEs Vialeh FZE for the purchase of equipment, software and licenses for the modernization of the videoconferencing system, Trend reports with reference to Turkmenistans State News Agency. The corresponding decree authorizing the concluding of the above-mentioned contract was signed by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. With the implementation of this agreement, video conferencing equipment will be installed and put into operation in Turkmenistan. The UAE companies are actively operating in the Turkmen energy market. As reported, earlier, the UAE's Petrofac oil and gas company expressed its readiness to continue cooperation with Turkmenistan in the development of the Galkynysh gas field. Galkynysh field, with a total area of more than 4,000 square kilometers, includes more than 40 wells, the production rate of each reaches on average 2 million cubic meters of gas per day. Hyundai, LG (Republic of South Korea), CNPC (China), Petrofac, Gulf Oil & Gas International Fze (UAE) were involved in the development of Galkynysh field at different stages. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @JeilaAliyeva Roderick MacKay had to get government approval to leave Australia, spent two weeks in preventive coronavirus quarantine in Rome and will be locked up in a hotel back in Australia for another two weeks upon his return. But the 33-year-old director says it's a small price to pay to get his first feature film,'The Furnace,' to the Venice Film Festival _ especially after it took six years to make. 'The Furnace' explores a forgotten aspect of the 19th century west Australian gold rush, when Muslim and Sikh camel handlers from India, Afghanistan and Persia _ Iran's former name _ were brought in by the British colonizers to help open up the Outback, many essentially working as indentured laborers. 'The Furnace' follows the story of a young Afghan cameleer played by Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, who is led astray from his friendship with local Aboriginal people by a shifty gold prospector. "It's shining a light on a little known chapter of our history and representing community groups who have not really been represented in Australia's history,'' MacKay told The Associated Press. "And so I think on the basis of that, that was really the thing that compelled me to come here and do my bit to represent the film.''\ That was no easy feat given the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown of MacKay's hometown of Perth, in western Australia, as well as Italy's restrictions on travelers coming from outside Europe. MacKay had to get federal government approval to leave the country, and successfully made the case that "The Furnace'' was the only Australian official selection at Venice, where it is screening in the Horizons section for new talent. "It turns out, we're kind of representing the country,'' he said. "So luckily, or thankfully, they considered that to be a worthy enough cause.'' Upon arrival in Italy, MacKay quarantined at a Rome apartment for two weeks, people-watching from the rooftop terrace, preparing for the festival and watching movies, including Ridley Scott's "Gladiator'' to "get in the vibe, in the zone'' of Rome. Now at Venice, he is overwhelmed: MacKay had only previously made two short films before "The Furnace,'' which he conceived of when researching the western Australian gold rush in 2014. "It's taken me six years to get this project off the ground. So a month in quarantine, really in the scheme of things, is kind of a small blip in the time that I've taken from my life to realize this project,'' he said. After Venice, he retraces his steps back to Perth, where a government-appointed hotel quarantine awaits him. "Not ideal, but we understand that it's necessary in these times,'' he said. "And hey, perhaps it'll be a nice sort of two-week window to just process everything that we've been up to here in this extraordinary time.''The Furnace, who caught a big attention since its premier on Friday, is Malek's first collaboration with an international production. The Venice International Film Festival is taking place between 2 and 12 September. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-08 00:49:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LILONGWE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Schools reopened in Malawi Monday under strict COVID-19 preventive measures, about five months after the government closed the schools in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. President Lazarus Chakwera ordered that examination classes such as Standard 8 in primary school and Form 4 in secondary school should reopen first together with colleges and universities where students were about to write exams. Following the president's order, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Agnes Nyalonje, announced late August that the exam classes would reopen on Sept. 7 while the rest would reopen later in the months of September and October under close monitoring of the COVID-19 trends. "Apart from the primary and secondary school examination classes other institutions that will open on Monday, September 7, are initial primary teacher education, final year students at colleges and universities and examination classes for all schools that offer international curriculum," the minister had said then in her statement. The local media across the country reported that classes commenced with every learner in class and teachers wearing face masks and maintaining social distance. COVID-19 prevalence in Malawi is generally decreasing with only 3 new cases recorded Sunday, bringing the total number of recorded cases to 5,614. The death toll remained at 175 on Sunday while 3,551 recoveries had been recorded since the pandemic hit the Sub-Saharan country. Enditem A pair of Cootes Paradise visitors have delighted the local birding community. Two American pelicans made a Hamilton stopover along their migration rout south. The aquatic birds are en route to the shores of the southern U.S. states, Mexico or Central America from their summer breeding grounds. The pelicans have been roosting on Hickory Island and fishing in Cootes Paradise. A pair of American pelicans fly over Cootes Paradise Sunday morning. Cathie Coward A pair of American pelicans fly over Cootes Paradise towards the high level bridge. Cathie Coward A great blue heron has its feathers ruffled by aggressive terns as it fishes in Cootes Paradise near the Marsh Walk trail at the RBG Arboretum. Cathie Coward A great blue heron has its feathers ruffled by aggressive terns as it fishes in Cootes Paradise. Cathie Coward A couple in a canoe startle cormorants and seagulls fishing in Cootes Paradise Sunday afternoon. Cathie Coward Monarch butterflies make a stop near the Marsh Walk trail at the arboretum. Cathie Coward Amber Heard has reportedly opposed her former husband Johnny Depp's request to delay their 37 million ($50 million) defamation trial so he can film Fantastic Beasts 3 in London. According to The Sun, the actress, 34, accused the screen star, 57, of making 'no effort whatsoever' to follow their planned court dates in January next year and is treating the judge as 'subservient' in papers filed on Saturday. The Hidden Palms star is said to have claimed she's due to film Aquaman 2 in February 2021, with her schedule potentially being at risk of clashing with the case if Johnny's motion is accepted. Shut down: Amber Heard has reportedly opposed Johnny Depp's request to delay their 37 million ($50 million) defamation trial so he can film Fantastic Beasts 3 in London The Texan's lawyers reportedly wrote against the appeal: 'Although Mr Depp had been contacted in late June or July with the proposed filming dates, he did not alert them to the trial dates. 'Mr Depp decided that, rather than speak with his employer to work his film commitments around his trial, he asks this court to subserviently reschedule around his employment and the entire film schedule and production.' Pirates of The Caribbean actor Johnny, who is suing Amber for libel in Virginia, filed documents in Fairfax County on August 21, to push back the case until anywhere between March and June 2021. Disagreement: The actress, 34, accused the screen star, 57, of making 'no effort whatsoever' to follow their planned court dates in January next year (pictured in the 2018 edition of the film) Request: Pirates of The Caribbean actor Johnny filed documents in Fairfax County on August 21, to push back the case until anywhere between March and June 2021 The court had set the trial to run from January 11 to January 28, although Warner Bros. recently revealed they plan on filming his fantasy sequel from October until February next year. Johnny is slated to return as Gellert Grindelwald, who was teased in a brief cameo in 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, before his starring role in 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. 'When the Court set the current trial date in this case, Mr. Depp understood that Warner Bros. planned to shootFantastic Beasts 3 in London long before January 11, 2021,' an excerpt from the court filing read. The court documents also included a letter sent by Warner Bros. Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs, Glenn A. Eckerle, revealing the production schedule. Clash: The Hidden Palms star is said to have claimed she's due to film Aquaman 2 in February 2021 (pictured in first edition in 2018) It added that the All the Boys Love Mandy Lane star would not 'suffer any unfair prejudice' from the trial being delayed until later in 2021. The award-winning thespian wrapped up his 16-day libel trial against The Sun in July. Johnny is suing the newspaper over an April 2018 article that suggested he was a 'wife beater'. Explicit details of the pair's turbulent marriage has dominated headlines, as each accused the other of domestic violence. One claim included Johnny bashing Amber's head into a fridge and sending texts threatening to cut off Elon Musk's penis after suspecting they were having an affair. Judgment in the High Court trial in London is not expected to be delivered by Mr Justice Nicol until late September, giving his lawyers enough time to prepare for his US defamation case against Amber. In the US proceedings, Johnny is suing Amber for $50 million over a 2018 article she wrote in the Washington Post in which she describes herself as being a domestic abuse survivor. It will feature all the same witnesses that appeared on behalf of either Depp or Heard in London and is also based on the same bombshell evidence that was produced at the High Court over the past few weeks. The US hearing will also result in the former couple - who were married from 2015 until 2017 - returning to the witness box again to divulge details of their stormy relationship, which have already generated widespread publicity around the world. Bitter case: The award-winning thespian wrapped up his 16-day libel trial against The Sun in July (former couple pictures in 2015) Last month, Amber claimed Johnny 'organised and orchestrated' an internet 'smear campaign' against her, US court documents reveal. The documents insisted the father-of-two attempted to 'defame Ms Heard and interfere with her reputation, career and livelihood' through an online trolling campaign. She said her ex and his lawyer Adam Waldman arranged for both authentic Twitter accounts and fake 'bots' to 'smear and harass' the Aquaman star. The papers allege Waldman 'is publicly associated with Russian individuals with the capability to organise such attacks'. MailOnline has contacted Amber and Johnny's representatives for further comment. The National Democratic Party (NDP) has acclaimed its founder, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, as the party's flag bearer for the December 7, 2020 elections, with a call for a paradigm shift from the politicisation of national development policies. The NDP founder, who made that call shortly after her popular acclamation as flag bearer at the partys national delegates conference, said the habit of politicising national development policies for partisan interests must stop because it was counter-productive and inimical to sustainable development. "We have the habit of politicising policies for national development in favour of coined stories geared towards elections. The focus is so much on party primaries and interests and this has taken precedence over the collective task of ensuring that government and governance are reflective of the diverse, yet collective view of Ghanaians; and we have got to move away from that," she stressed. A former First Lady said the time had come for political parties to refocus their lenses on long-term development visions, instead of short-term party visions, if the country was to develop. "It is our ability to have a collective vision born out of our varied experiences, skills set and unique characteristics that will propel the best, highest, brightest and most patriotic individuals to advance a non-partisan agenda for our continued national development," she added. Acclamation The founder of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM) made the call after a declaration by the Electoral Commission (EC) that she was the chosen one by the party to be its presidential candidate for the December 7 elections. The Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr Serebour Quarcoo, supervised the acclamation at the conference held in Accra last Saturday. He was joined by the Deputy Director of Electoral Services, Mr Michael Boadu, who lifted the hands of the former First Lady to announce her candidature, while the party delegates, drawn from across the country, cheered in approval. Clad in a white attire, Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings waved at the delegates, amid the shouting of the NDP slogans: "Power to the people" and "Our nation, our future". The conference, which was held on the theme: "Shared leadership for national transformation, human empowerment and anti-corruption", also saw the acclamation of national officers for the party. National officers Eleven national leaders who will steer the affairs of the party for the next four years were endorsed and introduced after they had been returned unopposed. The national officers are led by Dr Asare Bediako as Chairman, with Mr Anthony Kusi as Vice-Chairman and Mr Mohammed Frimpong as General Secretary. Mrs Betty Akuffo Amoabeng was confirmed as the Deputy General Secretary, while Mrs Peace Aryee and Hajia Salah were named as the Women's Leader and Deputy Womens Leader, respectively. The other executive members are Maame Yaa Edusei, Communications Director; Mr Ernest Owusu Bempah, Deputy Communications Director; Dr David Sunu, Youth Leader; Mr Charles Opoku, Deputy Youth Leader, and Mrs Margaret Appiah, Treasurer. Unity among smaller parties Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings rallied the support of minor political parties for the NDP to become a formidable force and worthy alternative to the two main political parties in the country the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). She observed that the NDP was poised to lead Ghana on the path of economic transformation and inclusive governance. "We are taking a bold step and inviting all the smaller parties to join us in this mission," she said, adding that until the debate on national issues was taken away from the perspective of only the two major parties, the country would lag behind. The NDP flag bearer urged the smaller parties to join forces and begin to push for a diversified Legislature, where representation would not be limited to only the NDC and the NPP. "Let us diversify the legislative arm of government to make sure that it encompasses the multiple opinions, perspectives and collective development goals that we want as a people," she said. Rawlings' message In a goodwill message to the NDP, former President Jerry John Rawlings urged the party to adhere to the principles of integrity, probity and accountability, which formed the basis on which it was founded. The message, which was delivered on his behalf by a legal practitioner, Nana Osei-Mensah Bonsu, said it was important to prioritise participatory governance, as exemplified in the local government system. The former President called for a relentless war on corruption, questioning why "we have allowed the 'Kalabule' system to creep back" into the country's governance system. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video By Trend After the collapse of the USSR, maintaining influence in the post-Soviet space has always been considered one of the main priorities of the Russian Federation. The plans to destroy Russia as the largest and richest (in terms of natural resources) state in the world, according to Moscow, have not disappeared, and the post-Soviet republics are a kind of the last geographic (geopolitical) frontier protecting Russia from a potentially hostile space (NATO). Therefore, stability in the former Soviet republics bordering on Russia is an important condition for ensuring the security of Russia itself, and one of the tasks of its foreign policy. Recently, new circumstances have emerged that may pose a potential threat to stability of not only the South Caucasus, but also Russia. Planes flying from Beirut with Lebanese Armenians on board arrived in Yerevan. According to the regional media outlets, their settlement in Nagorno Karabakh has begun. Judging by the way the plotters of the Armenian far-fetched moves are accustomed to act, at the initial stage everything looks rather harmless - as a purely humanitarian action and care for compatriots. However, coupled with plans to build roads and infrastructure, as well as residential settlements directly in the occupied territories (especially, Gubadli, Zangilan and Kalbajar districts of Azerbaijan), satellite images of which were recently provided by Azercosmos, it becomes obvious that the settlement of Armenians there is a deliberately planned powerful irritant factor for Azerbaijan. Why is all this being done? The background is not immediately apparent. The main goal is not only the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, which the Armenians finally decided not to return, but Russia. Such conclusion can be explained. In Lebanon, which, by the way, is often called the Middle Eastern Switzerland, an Armenian community of about 160,000 people has lived (and does not live in poverty) in a warm Mediterranean climate for more than a century. The Armenian deputies of the Lebanese parliament and the Armenian ministers of the Lebanese government are some kind of indicator of the Armenian communitys authority in this Arab country. The terrible explosion in Lebanons capital Beirut, according to the Armenian media outlets, left 13 Armenians killed and 300 wounded. But, this doesnt look like a reason to promptly leave ones habitual place. Nobody, except for the Armenians, began to leave Lebanon, especially since the aid was being provided, and the EU, on behalf of France and Germany, guaranteed the provision of significant financial support to the Lebanese government. While the rate of migration of the population from Armenia itself remains consistently high, the resettlement of the Lebanese Armenians looks more than strange. Its very difficult to believe in the sincerity of even the poorest sober-minded Lebanese Armenian, who decided to snap and move to a completely devastated foreign territory, where bullets are flying, and which he will sooner or later lose. The change in climate, lifestyle, field of activity (Lebanese Armenians are mostly not farmers) hardly counts as the search for a better life, as it was during the development of America. What is it then? Yes, changing the demographic balance in Nagorno Karabakh or the arrival there under the guise of migrants of Armenian militants from Lebanon (and other Middle Eastern countries) to conduct hostilities, as many analysts write, are also the goal of the Armenians, but these are tactical goals. The resettlement of Lebanese (and before that Syrian) Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh means the emergence of an alien Middle Eastern element in the South Caucasus and the transfer of Middle Eastern ties, including terrorist ones, to the post-Soviet space. Armenia has been tasked to turn the Caucasus into a second Middle East. The strategic goal is the destabilization and collapse of Russia. The absence of an immediate response from the international community to the settlement of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, which is a direct violation of international laws, gives one more reason to assume that this is not a spontaneous process, and that there is a powerful force behind it, which gave the command not to take serious actions against Armenia. The calculation is unmistakable: Azerbaijan will not silently observe the illegal settlement of its historically and legally recognized territories, and sooner or later will sharp reaction to the actions of Armenia, using its right to liberate the occupied territories. This will be the beginning of a series of tragic events and, as a result, complete destabilization of the situation in the South Caucasus. Further, its quite likely that the fire of the war will also affect the Russian North Caucasus. A big war on the borders of Russia or already on its border territories is what the West needs. At the same time, the goal will be achieved to put Russia and Turkey on opposite sides of the barricades, since their cooperation is the Achilles' heel of the West. Russia is a large and strong country, and large and strong countries do not immediately feel the potential danger, relying on inertia on a sense of self-confidence. But sometimes it happens that even a huge bear, having received a small wound, eventually dies from blood poisoning. The conflict in Nagorno Karabakh was the first destructive impetus to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now a similar scenario may be realized once again. Armenia is fulfilling a new order of overseas patrons - to kindle the fire of a big war in the Caucasus region. One can ask: what is the benefit of this for Armenia? The Armenians are sure, or rather, they were convinced that after the collapse of Russia, they will be helped to change again the borders in the region and finally become "Great Armenia". -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean cleared up rumors that she was house hunting in the Hamptons. Captain Sandy Yawn |Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo Reports that she toured a multi-million dollar Hamptons estate hinted that Yawn was interested in buying in the exclusive area. However, Yawn shared on Twitter she was simply visiting friends at the home. Loved spending time with my friends at their beautiful home! Yawn tweeted along with the article that teased that she was house hunting. Yawn spent some time in the area and visited the massive estate, which is on the market for $10.99 million, according to The New York Post. The home was also featured on the 2014 series Kourtney & Khloe Take the Hamptons. Captain Sandy and girlfriend Leah Shafer fell in love with the Hamptons Yawn took girlfriend Leah Shafer on vacation to the Hamptons last summer. It was Shafers first visit to the area and she instantly fell in love with the relaxing atmosphere. Much needed alone time before Sandy leaves to film a new season, Shafer posted to Instagram. The couple relaxed in the harbor and Shafer soaked in every minute, sharing moments on Instagram. Its so beautiful here, Shafer observed in an Instagram video. Here in the Hamptons. Heres my babe. She pans the camera over to Yawn who is working away on her phone. Doesnt she look beautiful, Shafer added. Shes going to go film in New York. And Im going to hang out here. RELATED: Captain Sandy From Below Deck Med and Leah Shafer Vacation in the Hamptons Shafer explored the area while Yawn was working in the city last year. She walked the quaint streets, commenting on the adorable gingerbread homes lining the streets. So charming, she wrote over a video of a gingerbread house. Its so cute here. Yawn will likely move to Florida instead Although Yawn and Shafer currently live in Denver, Yawn recently purchased a historic firehouse in Jacksonville, Florida, which she plans to renovate and turn into a restaurant. Shafer told Showbiz Cheat Sheet the couple plans to remain in Denver while her daughter is still in high school. Then, We will be between LA and Florida, she said. Yawn closed on the firehouse in June and excitedly shared the news on social media. Downtown JAX is becoming a Superyacht destination! The history is rich w a vibrant culture. Im personally invested in the city. I just bought a 106 year old firehouse downtown to convert into a restaurant w a rooftop lounge. Now the journey begins! she shared on Twitter. Yawns sister also lives in Jacksonville. Downtown JAX is becoming a Superyacht destination! The history is rich w a vibrant culture. I'm personally invested in the city. I just bought a 106 year old firehouse downtown to convert into a restaurant w a rooftop lounge. Now the journey begins! #BelowDeckMed #Superyachts pic.twitter.com/tK50WIUFAd Captain Sandy Yawn (@CaptSandyYawn) June 11, 2020 RELATED: Below Deck Med: Captain Sandys Larger Than Life Vision Paves the Way for an Exciting New Venture She purchased the historic 7,600 square foot, two-story firehouse for $185,000. The property was originally listed for $295,000, the Jacksonville Business Journal reports. James Angelo brokered the deal and said Yawn was the perfect buyer for the property. He said the firehouse, is not a fit for your average investor and requires someone with vision. This needs someone with a larger-than-life vision of what can happen. Shes a person of great vision. On Sep 4, we issued an updated research report on A. O. Smith Corporation AOS. In the past three months, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has lost 4.4% against the industrys growth of 7.3%. Present Scenario A. O. Smith has been benefiting from solid demand for its water treatment products in the United States along with improvement in the effectiveness of its direct-to-consumer channel. For 2020, the company expects sales growth of 20-22% from its water treatment business in North America. Going forward, its focus on investments in product developments, automation and production efficiency is also likely to be beneficial. Also, A. O. Smiths acquisition of Water-Right (in April 2019) has strengthened its growth opportunities in the water treatment industry. For instance, the company anticipates the Water-Right business to generate incremental sales in the second half of 2020. In addition, it remains committed to rewarding shareholders handsomely through dividend payments and share buybacks. In the first half of 2020, the company used $77.8 million for paying out dividends, and repurchasing shares worth $56.7 million. Notably, the quarterly dividend rate was hiked by 9% in October 2019. Its worth noting that its share buyback activities have been temporarily halted due to the coronavirus crisis. However, A. O. Smith has been witnessing a low demand environment for commercial water heater and boilers in North America. For 2020, it expects sales volume from both of its commercial water heater and boiler businesses in North America to decline 10% on a year-over-year basis. In addition, weak end markets in India amid the pandemic might be a concern. Moreover, the company anticipates incurring a capital expenditure of $60-$70 million in 2020. High capital expenditure might negatively impact its short-term liquidity. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the companys 2020 earnings has trended down from $1.83 to $1.81 on one downward estimate revision against none upward. Story continues Key Picks Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are ABB Ltd ABB, Enersys ENS and Regal Beloit Corporation RBC. All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. ABB delivered a positive earnings surprise of 100.00%, in the last reported quarter. Enersys delivered a positive earnings surprise of 5.20%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. Regal Beloit delivered a positive earnings surprise of 18.91%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. Just Released: Zacks 7 Best Stocks for Today Experts extracted 7 stocks from the list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys that has beaten the market more than 2X over with a stunning average gain of +24.3% per year. These 7 were selected because of their superior potential for immediate breakout. See these time-sensitive tickers now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Regal Beloit Corporation (RBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report ABB Ltd (ABB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Enersys (ENS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research You'd probably think that the moon shouldn't rust, right? Yeah, we say that because this whole conversation about moon rusting has popped out of nowhere. It's coming from a study that's been published in Science Advances with the help of the data from ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 orbiter. That's right. ISRO'S Chandrayaan-1's orbiter has sent images of the moon and it's been discovered that the moon's poles had a different composition compared with other areas of the lunar surface. We're looking for a breakthrough here because it has helped people find rust on the lunar surface. Reuters Shuai Li, the lead author of the study, confirmed that he reached out to scientists and NASA Jet Propulsion Lab for confirmation. So Why Is This Happening? Well, there are multiple reasons behind it. But it goes without a surprise that Earth is partly to blame. Because the moon exists in such close proximity to Earth, it plays host to trace amounts of oxygen that's traveling from the Earth. This oxygen is traveling from Earth's upper atmosphere all the way to the moon. It's been confirmed that the side of the moon that faces Earth has more rust than the areas that don't face us. Reuters It's worth pointing out that this has been happening for billions of years. It's not entirely clear if there's anything we can do on our part to prevent this from happening but we'd like to extend our sincere apologies to the moon for the rusting. Source: NASA Mr John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer, National Democratic Congress (NDC), has appealed to Ghanaians to vote the Party back to power for sustainable growth and prosperity for all. Speaking ahead of the Partys Manifesto launch on Monday, September 7, in Accra, Mr Mahama said: "Let me take this opportunity to offer some personal reflections on the political substance of this manifesto. "You offered me the humbling chance to serve you from the highest offices in Ghana first as Vice-President, for four years, and then as President for another four years. "For this, I will forever be grateful, and I will fight for your wellbeing, for your hopes and for your rights with all my strength for the rest of my life. "But since I have already been there, why run again? I know many of you ask this question sometimes openly, sometimes in silence. Why run again? It is a fair question, and it deserves a fair, personal answer," he said. Mr Mahama said the manifesto would provide the answer, coming from all NDC members and supporters, and men and women, who participated in its formulation. "In all honesty, I didnt take the decision to run for a second term as President neither easily, nor quickly. I didnt jump into it. I did it out of a sense of urgency, after I began to contemplate more and more thoroughly about our vulnerabilities as a nation," he said. Mr Mahama said a sustainable and an ever-growing prosperity required the building of a robust social and economic infrastructure, one that supported creativity, innovation and the production of high value-added products and services. "This is precisely why, during my Presidency, I took aggressive steps to develop and consolidate our healthcare infrastructure, our educational infrastructure, our transport infrastructure and our digital infrastructure," he said. Mr Mahama said that was the only way to build a resilient nation and that without creating and consolidating a developed infrastructure, no nation could resist global shocks. He said unfortunately, the current government had allegedly refused to continue on that path. "Let me give you just one example, access to electricity in 2012 was 69.2 per cent of Ghanaians. "In 2016, when I left office after my first term as President, 79.3 per cent of Ghanaians had access to electricity. A 10 percentage points increase in four years. When I left the office, I was confident that a new government will deliver 90 per cent, if not 100 per cent access to electricity in the next four years." Mr Mahama said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government allegedly increased overall access to electricity from 79.3 per cent to only 82.3 per cent, a mere three percentage points increase. He said it was the NDCs mission to turn Ghana into an advanced nation as soon as possible, stating that "It is our moral obligation to be bold and to aim for greatness!" Good enough is no longer good enough! To prosper and thrive, we need fundamental change. We need to set our standards and expectations far higher than good enough. If we settle for good enough, we settle for a slow death of our very soul and of our pride." Mr Mahama said: "I run for President because I want to leave a legacy, a solid infrastructure, with 100 per cent access for all. With this legacy, we will build a truly developed Ghana, at par with the advanced nations". "I know how to do it, part of it Ive already accomplished, and since I know how to do it and the current government doesnt, I feel I have the moral duty to ask for a second term. This is not about me, its about Ghana and Ghanaians," the former President said. 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 AN A BUSINESS CLOSE A STREET? That pandemic-era question comes from EJ Gentz, who shares in an email that In Old Town, the Church Street Cafe has put up an outdoor dining tent in the middle of Church Street, effectively closing Church Street. Is this even legal? In this case, it is. Matt Ross of Mayor Tim Kellers office says, Last month we announced a grant program to help restaurants create safe spaces for dining so they can stay afloat through the pandemic. We made $200,000 available to struggling local restaurants to expand patios, open tents in parking lots, and do some limited street-closure setups if the circumstances are right. We also waived some fees for permits, etc. Church Street applied and was granted one of the permits. They are so far the only one who has been approved for street closure, but only a couple of restaurants have shown interest in that. The overwhelming majority, nearly 200, have stuck on patio, parking lot, and sidewalk dining. WHERE DID THE TRAMWAY MERGE LANES GO? A reader emails, While we certainly appreciate the recent resurfacing of Tramway Boulevard, what we do not appreciate is the removal of the merge lanes that were once there. I was told by the New Mexico Department of Transportation this was done to protect the pedestrians and bicyclists that ride along Tramway Boulevard. However, what you have now is an even more dangerous situation where vehicles entering Tramway must turn directly into 50-plus mph traffic. Not even a week has gone by and already there has been a collision at Tramway and San Bernardino because of the lack of these merge lanes. Kimberly Gallegos, who handles information for NMDOTs District Three office in Albuquerque, says the NMDOT is aware of the writers concerns. As we move forward with new projects, our engineers are always looking for ways to improve our highways and roadways. Tramway had a real need for new bike lanes as this area is heavily used by the bicycle community. We understand this is a huge change to drivers that are used to the auxiliary lanes, but with time the traveling public will adjust to these changes. CAN PASEO GET CLEANED UP? Victor emails that Paseo del Norte looks terrible. Litter, weeds, trash both east- and westbound. Whos responsible for cleaning it up? How about whos responsible for making it that way? Gallegos says, I have informed crews of this area of concern. Both the litter crew and our maintenance patrol will address the litter and weeds in the area, and we will also schedule sweeping with our environmental management crew. The issue we are having with Paseo is that people are not securing their loads, and when debris flies off of a vehicle, it ends up getting snagged on a tree or in the median. Paseo del Norte from Coors to I-25 does not have shoulders for crews to work on without impacting traffic. Therefore, work has to be scheduled when a lane closure takes place. Crews regularly schedule cleanups on Paseo, however, within a matter of days trash and debris accumulate in this area. MORE MVD HELP FOR SENIORS AND CDLS: Charlie Moore of the Motor Vehicle Divisions parent agency, Taxation and Revenue, has some updates on recent improvements for customers: Senior hours are now available for people 75 and older. Those hours are 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at these state-run offices: Clovis, Farmington, Roswell, Santa Fe on Camino Entrada, and in Albuquerque at the Eagle Vista, Montgomery, Rio Bravo and Sandia Vista offices. The commercial vehicles bureau was able to create a 120-day temporary license for commercial drivers license holders. Right now, anyone whose license expires (between) March 11 (and) Oct. 31 is eligible. Go to MVDonline.com, select Online Services, then Drivers & Placards, then Print Temporary License and enter the requested information. Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, N.M., 87109. 6-year-old girl rescued after being beaten by father for days Police rescue a six-year-old girl after she had been locked up and beaten by her father for several days in Bac Ninh Province, September 5, 2020. Photo courtesy of Bac Ninh police. A six-year-old girl has been rescued after being locked up and beaten by her father for days in their house in the northern Bac Ninh Province. Details are sketchy. What is known is that Dang Trung Kien, 47, was reported on Saturday morning for perpetrating violence on his child in his house. Officers arrived and ordered to let his daughter out, but he refused and locked the doors. After spending many hours failing to convince the man to surrender, the police broke in at around 6 p.m. to rescue the girl. She was hospitalized with bruises on her back and a broken right arm. He had been beating her for several days, according to authorities. A police search of the house turned up 7.7 grams of various drugs, a pistol, 14 bullets, two knives, and evidence that pointed to domestic violence. Despite legal protection on paper, violence against children remains widespread in Vietnam. Official data since 2015 shows an average five children were sexually or physically abused every day. UPDATE: The father was arrested almost a week later on Friday morning, while hiding in Hanoi. He is facing criminal charges for abusing his child, storing drugs and fighting officials on duty. With the US election approaching, President Donald Trump on Monday (US time) again raised the idea of separating the US and Chinese economies, also known as decoupling, suggesting the United States would not lose money if the world's two biggest economies no longer did business. "So when you mention the word decouple, it's an interesting word," Trump told a Labor Day news conference at the White House in which he vowed to bring jobs back to America from China. "We will make America into the manufacturing superpower of the world and will end our reliance on China once and for all": US President Donald Trump. Credit:AP "We lose billions of dollars and if we didn't do business with them we wouldn't lose billions of dollars. It's called decoupling, so you'll start thinking about it," Trump said. Trump, who long touted friendly ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping as he sought to make good on promises to rebalance a massive trade deficit, has made getting tough on China a key part of his campaign for re-election on November 3. He has accused his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, who leads in most opinion polls, of being soft toward Beijing. Democratic Party's Indian-American vice-presidential candidate has said that her late mother would have been "extremely proud" of her historic nomination and told her to go ahead and "beat Trump". Harris, 55, is a Senator from California. She is the first-ever black, African American and a person of Indian descent to be nominated as the vice-presidential nominee by a major political party in the United States. The US presidential election is scheduled for November 3, wherein Democratic Party's presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden along with Harris are challenging President and Vice President Mike Pence from the Republican Party. Remembering her mother Shyamala Gopalan, who was born in Chennai and immigrated to the US to attend a doctoral programme at UC Berkeley, Harris told CNN that, "I think she'd be really, extremely proud. And she would say, beat Trump." "She raised us to live a life of service. And she would look at the suffering right now, she would look at the denial of science right now and it would piss her off, excuse my language," Harris said of her mother, who was a breast cancer researcher and died of cancer in 2009. Harris also opened up about her family, including her relationship with her husband, her step-children, and her late mother. Harris has two step-children, Cole and Ella, with her husband, Doug Emhoff. Her father Donald Harris, a retired professor of Stanford University, immigrated to the US from Jamaica to study economics. "We have a very modern family. If everyone approaches it in the way that there's plenty of love to share, then it works. And we have plenty of love to share within our extended family," she said. "My mother was a scientist. She had two goals in her life, to raise her two daughters and end breast cancer. She was one of - all five feet of her, one of the strongest, most loving, and toughest people you have ever met. "And she raised us to live a life of service. And she would look at the suffering right now, she would look at the denial of science right now, and it would piss her off. Excuse my language," Harris said. Asked if her mother would be surprised that her daughter was the first woman of colour on a ticket, she said: "I don't think - I don't think she would. I think she would be immensely proud". "But she always encouraged us to go for it. She encouraged me to never listen to no, except if she said it, you know?" Harris 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.) New Delhi: Actress Tisca Chopra has slammed the "medieval" treatment meted out to Rhea Chakraborty, the prime accused in actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Rhea and Sushant were in a relationship. His family has accused Rhea of abetting the actor's suicide. The actress has been questioned by the three federal agencies - CBI, ED and NCB - probing into Sushant's death case. In an Instagram post, Tisca wrote, "It pained me to see that we have lost all restraint, all decency and patience to let the law take its course #InnocentUntilProvenGuilty #SSRDeathCase #LetTheTruthEmerge." Her statement read, "I am not a fan of Rhea Chakraborty, in fact, I didn't know about her before the SSR death case... But what we are doing is medieval and just so wrong.. If by some chance she is innocent, just think if.. then we will burn in the hell of our own conscience, if we have one.." Read what Tisca posted: Meanwhile, actresses such as Shibani Dandekar, Taapsee Pannu, Vidya Balan, Lakshmi Manchu and others have called out the vilification of Rhea in Sushant's death case. Rhea is currently being questioned by the NCB in a drugs case linked to the actor's death. Her younger brother Showik has been arrested by the agency along with two domestic helps of Sushant. The African Union has awarded service medals to Battle Group twenty-seven (BG XXVII) troops of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, in recognition of their contribution to execution of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mandate. The troops of Battle Group XXVII have completed one year and five months in the Horn of Africa country. The usually one-year tour of duty was extended by five more months, in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic that came along with international flight restrictions. After take over from Battle Group XXIV in April 2019, the outgoing battle group had been conducting anti-insurgent operations against Al-Shabaab in the Lower Shabelle region that include areas of Arbiska, Albao, Baledogle, Afgooye, Lantabur, Seaport, State house, Parliament, Basecamp and Aljazeera 1,2 and 3. Stories Continues after ad The group will be replaced by Battle Group XXX (BG XXX), which will assume security responsibility of the same areas. While presiding over at the scientific function held while observing covid-19 Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs), the AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and logistics Maj Gen George Owinow said that UPDF has been the cornerstone of AMISOM operation, having been the first Troop contributing country in 2007, and appreciated the payment of taxes by the citizens of Uganda, which cater for uniforms, salaries and equipment of the military. So, it means that every citizen of our troop contributing countries is contributing to the peace process in Somalia and it cannot be taken lightly, He said. Gen Owinow further commended the professionalism and focus which the UPDF has exhibited in Somalia, while alluding to the joint effort made with the Somali National Army (SNA) and partners in liberating key towns from Al-Shabaab control. Col Kutesa and your team, as you go back home, be proud of the contribution that you have made, be proud of the achievements and also the losses because the achievements cannot be made without some losses, said General Owinow at the medal awards and send off ceremony held at Sector One headquarter in Mogadishu. The Deputy Sector One Commander Col John Winston Mugarura congratulated Battle Group XXVII on behalf of the Sector One and Uganda Contingent Commander, Brig Gen Richard Otto and the entire sector one, for successful completion of their tour of duty. You have not left Somalia the same, your contribution to the peace process in this country has not only made a positive mark in the hearts and minds of the Somali people, but also impacted positively on the regional peace and security. Col Mugarura told the soldiers during the medal awards ceremony. Col Mugarura also expressed gratitude for how fast Battle Group XXVII responded to the covid-19 pandemic, through the mitigation measures put in place, and further revealed that there is no registered case of covid-19 in the rotating out Battle Group. The Battle Group Commander Col Sam Kosiya Kutesa thanked the entire AMISOM leadership and Sector One headquarter under the stewardships of His Excellency Ambassador Francisco Madeira and Brig Gen Richard Otto, respectively, for the relentless support and guidance that enabled the Battle Group to successfully complete their stint in Somalia. Col Kutesa further expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership for availing him and his entire team of the Battle Group the opportunity to contribute efforts to the quest for peace and stability in Somalia. I congratulate and also thank BG XXVII troops for the job well done and for the successful completion of their tour of duty in Somalia. They have learnt from the Somalia experience. Therefore, I urge them to utilize and share the knowledge gained for individual growth and with others back home. Col Kutesa said at the ceremony. The BGXVII and former Contingent Armour Asset commander, who was also a medalist, Lt Col Fred Kakaire said he was very happy to see that his service in Somalia has finally been recognized, I feel great having been recognized internationally by being awarded an African Union medal and certificate he joyously added in a side interview with the AU/UN media team. Present at the ceremony was the Deputy BG XXVII commander Col Rogers E Okiror, Sector One Chief Administrative Officer Col Elvis T Byamukama, senior and junior officers at the Sector headquarter, among others. President Nana Akufo-Addo has said former President John Mahama's distasteful description of people from his tribe as criminals should not go unnoticed. He said it was time for well-meaning people, particularly the clergy, to speak out against the former President's errant behaviour. The former President, who is seeking a comeback after his heavy electoral defeat as incumbent in 2016, went dirty on the President last week when he endorsed a tribal jibe aimed at the President by one of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament, Isaac Adongo, in the heat of the Agyapa Royalties debate. In the course of sharing Isaac Adongo's foul language about the President and his Vice on Facebook, Mr. Mahama even added his own by calling the President's tribe 'Sakawa Boys', a common term largely used to refer to people engaged in cyber fraud and other dubious and criminal activities. Whilst addressing the leadership of Catholic Bishops Conference last Friday at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo appeared incensed and said the former President should be condemned for his ethnocentric remark. A presidential candidate, a former President of Ghana, you can call a group of Ghanaians 'Sakawa people'? And it involves the group the sitting President comes from? And that statement goes without comment? And at the same time we hear this statement 'let's all try and bring the politics of insults to an end and etc etc, the President told the Bishops. President Akufo-Addo said former President Mahama made a remark about the Akyem people as 'Sakawa' people and up till today I have not heard any senior citizen of this country, lay, religious, civil society organizations, public think tanks reprimand him for that statement, adding what can be the basis of such a remark? He said Archbishop! This name-calling and insults seem to be a feature of Ghanaian public life which isbut sometimes one would hope that when things come out, people will comment on them, adding the comment made by my opponent that 'Akyem Sakawa people' I have not heard any public figure in this country, independent, yourself or anybody comment on it. It is completely unacceptable (sic). President Akufo-Addo said if he made a mistake to personally make such a comment about people from the northern part of the country from where the former President hails or even Gonjas (Mr. Mahama's tribe), you could imagine the uproars that would be in the country. He said because of the country's past which is the authoritarian origins of our state where it was considered dangerous to criticize government but added that things have changed and everyone is at liberty to criticize the government whether fair or foul. If you criticize government, no matter what you say, it is legitimate. If government is to respond, that's illegitimate. Media freedom is interpreted as meaning the freedom to criticize others but you can't criticize the press. If for instance they step out of bounds, where they conduct themselves in an irresponsible manner (sic), he stated. President Akufo-Addo said this is the package that needs to be dispassionately acted on when they do occur. It goes for me that when the President opens his mouth and says something which is unacceptable, he should be reprimanded. In same way, when opposition politicians and people in the public space, if they conduct themselves in their utterances in an unacceptable manner, they should be brought to book, they should be reprimanded so that we all know that the goal that we are seeking is one that is a sanitized space (sic), he added. ---Daily Guide A new book by Donald Trumps disgraced former lawyer Michael Cohen has described the president leaving an event with evangelical leaders and ridiculing their faith in crude terms. In his memoir Disloyal, excerpts of which have emerged in the last few days, Mr Cohen calls Mr Trump a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man and describes him tearing into one of his most loyal constituencies after a group of Christian leaders prayed over him. According to Mr Cohen, the president emerged from the session with contempt. Can you believe that bulls**t? he allegedly said. Can you believe people believe that bulls**t? The White House has dismissed Mr Cohens account of the incident, along with the book as a whole and other incidents that it alleges (including watching a urine-themed sex act in Las Vegas and dismissing black folks as stupid). Hardly known for his religiosity before entering politics, Mr Trump has successfully cultivated a relationship with evangelical leaders and voters since he began running for president in 2015. When asked by interviewers at the time to name a favourite Bible verse, he refused; pressed on whether he preferred the Old or New Testament, he said probably equal yet despite this, as well as his history making money in the casino business and his two divorces, Mr Trump was able to lock up the support of much of the Republican Partys evangelical base early on in the primary. Telling evangelical congregations that he would end a supposed national siege of Christianity, he also formed a bond with many of the USs most prominent Christian leaders, including Jerry Falwell Jr., president of the highly conservative Liberty University. (Mr Falwell has recently been pressured to leave the university amid allegations of abusing his position for financial gain and enjoying a three-way sexual relationship with his wife and a male pool attendant. He denies the claims of impropriety.) However, even as Mr Trump has maintained his claims to be devout during his presidency, especially during his nomination of two conservative Supreme Court justices, not all are convinced. He was widely castigated for a notorious photoshoot in Washington, DC this summer in which he ordered police to tear gas Black Lives Matter protesters out of the way so he could pose with a Bible outside a church. The incident saw many political and religious leaders outside the evangelical movement accuse him of exploiting the book as a prop. Nonetheless, in January, he launched the Evangelicals for Trump Coalition before a congregation of thousands in a megachurch in Miami, Florida. The event began with a group of leaders placing their hands on him to pray. By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijani servicemen have won the Golden Voice vocal nomination in the song and dance contests of the "Friendship Without Borders" Festival of National Cultures held in Moscow as part of the International Army Games - 2020, the Defence Ministry has reported. Azerbaijan was represented by the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Army Ideological and Cultural Center named after Hazi Aslanov in these song and dance contests. The Azerbaijani ensemble also took the second place in Dance rhythms nomination in the song and dance contests of the "Friendship Without Borders" Festival of National Cultures. The ministry noted that successfully performing at the festival, the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Army took first place in the "Golden Voice" vocal nomination and second place in the "Dance rhythms" nomination. It should be noted that at the festival, servicemen performed songs, martial music, and dances of their country and other peoples of the world. National martial music performed by the Azerbaijani servicemen and dances in national costumes to music performed on Azerbaijani traditional musical instruments won the sympathy of the jury and the audience. Earlier, Azerbaijani servicemen ranked 4th in the Tank Biathlon and also won the Sea Cup competition both held as part of the "International Army Games 2020 organized by the Russian Defence Ministry recently. The "Sea Cup" international contest was held in the territorial waters of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea from 25 August to 4 September this year. Azerbaijani Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov and the Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu inaugurated the opening of the Sea Cup competition at the Buta Naval base of Azerbaijans Naval Forces on August 25. --- Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday said India is emerging as a big manufacturing centre. He also said that the global manufacturer ecosystem is realising that they must have other places apart from China. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday said that the global manufacturer ecosystem is realising that they must have other places apart from China as India is emerging as a big manufacturing centre. While interacting with the non-resident Biharis via video conference here, Prasad said that India is emerging as a big manufacturing centre and the global manufacturer ecosystem is realising that they must have other places apart from China. He added that he was glad to inform that Apple was shifting to India in a significant way, Samsung had already come and they further want to expand. He said that he had been told that around eight factories of Apple have shifted to India from China. He added that when they came to power in 2014, there were only two mobile factories in India, now its number has crossed 250. He said that they launched Atmanirbhar Bharat with production linked incentive. He further said that they invited global companies to come to India and also Indian companies to match. Also read: Historic GDP decline is due to Gabbar Singh tax of Centre: Rahul Gandhi Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case: Rhea Chakraborty questioned by NCB; Actors lawyer alleges witch hunt, says ready for arrest The Union Minister Prasad said when we talk about Aatmnirbhar Bharat, we dont want an isolated India but it means India being a major economy of the world becoming good economic power to support the global economy. Prasad said that he announced the scheme in April, during the height of COVID and gave July 31 as the last date for filing applications, they had committed to make mobile phones and components worth Rs 12 lakh crores in 5 years of which Rs 7 lakh crores worth products would be exported. He said that it would provide jobs to three lakh in India directly and nine lakh Indians indirectly. He said that the bold step by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against China has been recognised by the US, UK, Japan and Australia. He said that when something happened with China in Ladakh, the PM stood firmly and made it very clear that India should not compromise on its sovereignty. He added that the bold stand of India was being globally recognised from US, UK and Japan to Australia. Also read: Rajnath Singh meets Iranian counterpart to discuss regional security A tall peepal tree, believed to be more than 100 years old, stands within a house behind Jagat Cinema near Jama Masjid in the Walled City. One of its branches has been cut and a and a portion of its trunk has been concretised to accommodate the construction around it. It is one of the 24 old and full-grown trees in the densely populated Old Delhi, which are being restored by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Delhi governments forest department on directions of the Delhi High Court. While some of these trees have permanent or semi-permanent structures around their trunks, damaging their roots, others have been heavily pruned over the years. A team of officials from the corporation and the forest department had conducted a joint survey of the area last month and started removing the concrete around them. Sixty-seven-year-old Omwati, the oldest resident of the three-storey house which has come up around the peepal, said the tree has been a saviour for the three generations that have lived there. We believe that it has protected us from all evil. In 1970, a huge branch that was spreading up to the next building was cut by its owner, as it was coming in between the construction he was doing. Its branches would provide shade to the entire house and had to be pruned several times over the years for sunlight to pass through, said Omwati. Omwati (R), who lives in a home built around an old tree, seen at home in the Chandni Chowk area in New Delhi on September 7, 2020. (Biplov Bhuyan/HT Photo) Omwati said she was 13 when she came to the house after her marriage and the tree had been there ever since. A few days ago some officials had come to inspect the tree and said that they would put a number on it in order to save it from further damage, she said. According to a senior forest official, who did not wish to be named, said, In case of this tree, de-concretisation cannot be done, as it is too close to the foundation of the old house and also there is lack of space, which may pose a danger to the building. Deputy conservator of forests (DCF-North) Aditya Madanpotra said a number of trees that had grown inside the house or a wall, de-concretisation could not be carried out because of limited space and potential danger to the building. In rest of the trees where religious structures have come up around tree trunks, the matter has been referred to the Delhi governments religious committee for action as per norms. Besides, around other trees, the cemented boundaries have been broken allowing them space to breathe and water to seep into their roots, he said. A man working near a large tree with a small shrine constructed around it and homes built adjacent, in the Chandni Chowk area in New Delhi on September 7, 2020. (Biplov Bhuyan/HT Photo) He added that since most of these 24 trees are peepal or neem, which regenerate fast, the root system has been preserved. We will keep monitoring them and in case any further encroachment is reported, we will put up tree guards around them, said Madanpotra. As per an affidavit filed by the North Corporation in the Delhi High Court on September 2, at least eight of the 24 trees have religious structures around their trunks in Chandni Chowk municipal ward. Also, the tree branches are wrapped in a web of wires and cables in most places. The corporation submitted the affidavit listing the old trees in Dariba Kalan, Urdu Bazar, Jama Masjid, Jagat Cinema area and Kinari Bazar, among others on the courts directions which came during a hearing in a plea to restore an approximately 300-year-old banyan tree in Nai Sadak area of Chandni Chowk. On August 6, Nai Sadak resident Nitin Gupta had filed a plea about unauthorised construction that was damaging the tree. At Kinari Bazars, Gali Peepal Wali, locals said the street got its name from the old peepal tree there. The tree has been here for at least the three generations that I have seen. A team of officials had visited the site some days ago and broke down some structures that had come up around the tree, said Hazari Lal, 73, who owns a decorative items shop nearby. At Cycle Market near Dariba Kalan, another peepal tree, almost five-storey tall, had cement around its trunk, as a temple had come upon it. I have been seeing this tree since at least 1983 when I started working here. The religious structure had been there since, said Rajeev Khurana, who owns a shop in the compound. At least five trees on the Netaji Subhash Marg and Urdu Bazar Road fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD) and de-concretisation has been carried out here. The roots of the tree on Urdu Bazar Road lay covered with fresh mud. A senior official from the North Corporation said, We have removed concrete from tree trunks in most of the cases except for those which had religious structures and a few others, which had grown into walls and houses, that could threaten the buildings foundation. We are waiting for the response of the governments religious committee to take further action, the official said, who did not wish to be named. PWD officials said de-concretisation of trees under its jurisdiction has already been done. A Delhi government spokesperson did not offer any specific comment. Residents look out from a home built near a large tree in the Chandni Chowk area in New Delhi on September 7, 2020. (Biplov Bhuyan/HT Photo) CR Babu, professor emeritus at the Centre for Environment Management of Degraded Ecosystems at Delhi University, said there are several trees in Old Delhi area have been concretised over the years. The trees do stand tall because of their roots being deep into the ground, but these trees are not healthy at all. They are just surviving with a thin canopy. All trees have two kinds of roots --- deep in ground and another that are close to the surface. Concretisation damages the roots close to the surface, which play a crucial role in maintaining plant health by absorbing moisture and helping in uptake of nutrients. The root system can regenerate if concrete is removed, said Babu. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vatsala Shrangi Vatsala Shrangi joined HT Editorial team on July 2, 2018 as Principal Correspondent. She covers Environment, Civic bodies and the Social Sector. ...view detail Hyderabad, Sep 7 : After a gap of 169 days, the Hyderabad Metro resumed its services on Monday with new mandatory COVID-19 safety guidelines, but there was a big drop in the number of passengers travelling. The services were resumed on one of the three corridors with restricted hours of operations and elaborate measures for thermal screening of passengers, sanitisation and social distancing. Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) officials said train operations resumed on the 29-kilometre LB Nagar-Miyapur corridor at 7 a.m. After five hours, the services were stopped and they will resume at 4 p.m. and will continue till 9 p.m. The same timings will continue on Tuesday when the second Nagole-Raidurg corridor will be re-opened. However, from on Wednesday trains will be operated on all three corridors including Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) to Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Before the Covid outbreak, Metro trains operated from 5 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. While 1,000 passengers used to travel in each train before the COVID-induced lockdown, the authorities have reduced the capacity to one-third to ensure social distancing. 'Please don't sit here' stickers were pasted on every alternate seat while markings were made for the standing passengers to ensure social distancing. However, the number of passengers was far below the permitted capacity and there were no standing passengers. Most of those seen availing the service were office-goers. They were happy over resumption of services and also expressed satisfaction over the measures taken for sanitisation and distancing. "For the last five months, I was going to my office on my bike. Though there is less vehicular traffic on roads, I prefer travelling by the Metro for its comfortable journey," said Srinivas Reddy, a private employee travelling from Miyapur to LB Nagar. Some passengers said they were missing Metro services as reaching their destination through vehicular traffic was not only stressful but they were also incurring higher expenses on auto-rickshaws or cabs. A teacher in a government school, who travels from Kukatpally Housing Board Colony to Falaknuma in the old city every day, said the resumption of Metro services has come as a great relief to her. The Hyderabad Metro was operating 55 trains carrying about 4.5 lakh passengers every day before operations were suspended on March 22. Gandhi Hospital, Bharat Nagar, Moosapet, Musheerabad and Yusufguda, the five stations falling in containment zones, will remain closed HMRL Managing Director N. V. S. Reddy said the services were resumed with a frequency of five minutes but the same may be improved depending on the demand. Under COVID guidelines, wearing a mask is mandatory for passengers. Security personnel at entry points to the stations were checking the body temperature of the passengers with thermo guns. Officials said in case a passenger has a high temperature or shows any symptoms for COVID-19, he or she will be taken to an isolation room at the station and medical assistance will be provided. They appealed to people with COVID symptoms such as fever, cold and cough to avoid travel. Coins usage as tokens has been dispensed with and passengers have been requested to go for smart cards or the QR code based tickets. Authorities have also made elaborate arrangements for sanitisation at stations and in trains. Pedal hand sanitising stands were arranged at all entry points. Sanitisation points have also been created for luggage before it passes through the x-ray machine. HMRL officials appealed to passengers to carry minimum luggage and not to carry metal objects to make the frisking process hassle-free. Passengers have also been advised to carry a sanitiser bottle with them. Those entering stations were also advised to download the Arogya Setu app but this has not been made mandatory. Officials have also made arrangements for disinfection of touch points, stations and trains thoroughly after every few hours and at the end of the day. HMRL authorities also reconfigured air-conditioning to let in more fresh air from about 30 per cent to 75 per cent adhering to the latest safety norms issued by the health authorities. Social distancing is being monitored through CCTV cameras, station controllers and train operators. Waiting time for trains at the stations increased from 20 seconds to 30 seconds to ensure that passengers don't come in contact while boarding or de-boarding. The 73-km elevated metro is the biggest metro project in the world in public private partnership (PPP) model built at a total cost of Rs 20,000 crore. L&T MRHL, the private partner in the project, is estimated to have suffered Rs 300 crore loss during the last five-and-a-half months. In February this year, with the launch of the 11-km stretch from JBS to MGBS, Hyderabad Metro Rail had become the second largest metro rail network in the country after Delhi, covering a distance of 69.2 km. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) As Russia begins producing vaccines for civilian use, India might have a separate Phase 3 clinical trial that would be evaluated by regulators here, according to a report in the Indian Express. Apart from India, Russia also plans to conduct Phase 3 trials in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Brazil and Philippines, Sputnik V official website said. At least 20 countries, including India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and Philippines have shown interest in obtaining Sputnik V vaccine. Comprehensive data on the Sputnik V vaccines safety and efficacy has now been made available by Russia to India. Also Read: Russia may release Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V for civilian use next week We are now deeply engaged with Russia on the vaccine front, an official source told the publication. The talks are being held by Indian Ambassador in Russia D B Venkatesh Varma and Secretary Renu Swarup of Department of Biotechnology. Results of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Sputnik V clinical trial have been published by The Lancet. It has also been cleared by Russian regulators for public use. Despite scepticism from western countries, The Lancet states that Sputnik V Phase 3 trial will include 40,000 volunteers from risk groups (medics and teachers) and different age groups. According to the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, where the vaccine has been developed, vaccine candidates triggered a strong immune response in first two phases of the clinical trial which consisted of 76 people. The two open and non-randomised trials were well tolerated and did not cause serious adverse affect on their health. Biden Campaign Wont Say Whether Hed Take CCP Virus Vaccine A senior adviser to Joe Bidens campaign wouldnt say whether Biden would take the CCP virus vaccine. Will Joe Biden get the vaccine if its available? Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Symone Sanders on Fox News Sunday. Well, look, Bret, again, as I just noted, first and foremostI think folks have asked, weve had conversations about testing, right? And as folks know now, Vice President Biden and Senator Harris are being regularly tested, as are our campaign staff, she answered. But, first and foremost, at the top of the minda top-of-mind for Vice President Biden is, are the American people getting what theirwhat they need? You know, the White House has testing, Bret. You know, folks are tested very regularly coming in and out of the White House, anyone whos around the president. But that testing, that level of testing is not available to folks across the country. So, if a vaccine were to become available, again, its about will working families benefit, will they be able to receive the vaccine? Biden for months refused to get tested for COVID-19, a disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. His campaign said in August that he would get tested. Sanders said Biden and Harris are being regularly tested. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bidens running mate, suggested during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union that she wouldnt take a vaccine approved by the Trump administration. I think thats going to be an issue for all of us. I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump, she said, adding later, I will not take his word for it. Sanders was pressed on whether the Biden campaign was saying a vaccine shouldnt be trusted if its approved before the presidential election. Jose Muniz prepares a CCP virus vaccination at Research Centers of America in Hollywood, Fla., on Aug. 7, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The question really is, is how can Americans and folks across the country trust the president to be able to effectively and equitably distribute a vaccine when hes had issues getting personal protective equipment to front-line workers all across this country? Sanders responded. So we all want a vaccine, Bret. We all wantbut we wanted to be safe and we want to get folks across the country, in every community that needs it, she added. Tim Murtaugh, director of communications for President Donald Trumps campaign, said in a social media statement that Harris was acting like an anti-vaxxer. Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are using dangerous rhetoric to scare people away from a vaccine when its ready. Their hatred of President Trump could actually kill people, he said. A vaccine is expected to be ready by early 2021, if not earlier. Trump told reporters in a recent briefing that we remain on track to deliver a vaccine before the end of the year and maybe even before Nov. 1. We think we can probably have it some time during the month of October, he added. Biden told a virtual fundraiser last week: The American people have to trust the vaccine is safe, effective, and that it will be distributed fairly. Politics shouldnt play any role in that. The Democratic nominee added that he believes Trump is going to say its going to be available around Election Day, hes going to hype it. We need a vaccine. We badly need it, he said. And by the way, if the Lord almighty came down and said, Joe, we can have a vaccine tomorrow and guarantee it works, but its not going to help you win the election, Id say, do it anyway. More than 600 people have been arrested during the course of the recent Extinction Rebellion protests in London, with the government said to be considering new measures that could curb the ability of the group to cause disruption to critical national infrastructure. In a series of daily actions, environmental protesters marched on Parliament Square, blocked roads, staged sit-ins and glued themselves to the ground - after months of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic. Activists also staged a blockade outside two newspaper printing plants on Friday night, preventing the overnight deliveries of The Sun, the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and The Times. Prime minister Boris Johnson condemned the demonstration as completely unacceptable, while home secretary Priti Patel said it was was an attack on our free press, society and democracy. Other ministers described the activists as idiotic and an intolerant minority. The government is now set to crack down on the demonstrators, according to reports, with Whitehall officials asked to re-examine how the group is classified under law. The Sunday Times claims that the Johnson administration is considering a new subversion power that would help protect critical national infrastructure which is regularly targeted by Extinction Rebellion, including printing plants. A government source told the newspaper: It would be illegal to stop MPs going to vote or judges getting to court and it would also protect a free press. In response to the recent protests, Metropolitan Police imposed conditions on where the demonstrations could take place, while protesters were warned they risked a large fine if they failed to comply with coronavirus rules banning gatherings of more than 30 people. Scotland Yard said on Saturday that 20 people had been reported for consideration of a 10,000 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for holding regulation-breaching gatherings representing a range of different causes. Police said the FPN reports related to demonstrations called "Resist the Government", "Move One Million", "The Ivory Coast Protest", "Citizens' Assembly Extinction Rebellion" and "The Lightship Greta procession". One penalty report relates to an anti-Government demonstration which took place in Trafalgar Square on August 30, the Met said. Commander Kyle Gordon, Gold Commander for the weekend's policing operation, said protests had caused "serious disruption to local communities" in the past week. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 14 January 2022 Ecologist Emma Smart (left) and retired GP Dr Diana Warner outside HMP Bronzefield, in Surrey, following their release from the prison where Emma undertook a 26-day hunger strike during her incarceration. Ms Smart was sentenced in November, along with other members of Insulate Britain, to serve four months for breaking a High Court injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 motorway during the morning rush hour on 8 October last year PA UK news in pictures 13 January 2022 A TV presenter holds a copy of a newspaper outside 10 Downing Streetafter the Prime Minister apologised for attending a gathering of colleagues in the Number Ten garden in May 2020, while the UK was in strict lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic Getty UK news in pictures 12 January 2022 Fitness guru Derrick Evans after receiving an MBE during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 11 January 2022 A couple walk underneath an umbrella during wet weather on Westminster Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 10 January 2022 A jogger passes the Covid Memorial Wall in London AP UK news in pictures 9 January 2021 The sun rises over horses at Seaton Sluice in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 8 January 2022 Riders compete during the Veterans Men's race at the UK Cyclo-Cross National Championships 2022 in Ardingly, south of London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 7 January 2022 A dog looks out of a car window at the wintry conditions in Killeshin, Co. Laois PA UK news in pictures 6 January 2022 People walk through frost and mist alongside a frozen lake during sunrise in Bushy Park, London REUTERS UK news in pictures 5 January 2022 A skier jumps on the slopes at Allenheads in the Pennines to the north of Weardale in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 4 January 2022 Freshly-fallen snow covers houses in Corbridge, near Hexham in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 3 January 2022 Dean Morrison, 13, receives his Covid-19 vaccine from student nurse Anthony McLaughlin during a vaccination clinic at the Glasgow Central Mosque PA UK news in pictures 2 January 2022 Konastantinos Tsimikas of Liverpool with Chelseas Mason Mount during the Premier League match at Stamfrod Bridge Liverpool FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 January 2022 New Years Eve Lasers, drones and fireworks illuminate the sky in front of the Royal Naval College in Greenwich shortly after midnight in London EPA UK news in pictures 31 December 2021 Competitors in fancy dress run across the Pennine tops near Haworth, West Yorkshire, in the annual Auld Lang Syne Fell race which attracts hundreds of runners every year PA UK news in pictures 30 December 2021 Sunrise at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 29 December 2021 The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, looks at Becket, a six month old red-billed chough as he visits Wildwood Wildlife Park in Kent on the anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket PA UK news in pictures 28 December 2021 Troops of the Household Cavalry are seen reflected in a puddle during the changing of the Queens Life Guard, on Horse Guards Parade, in central London PA UK news in pictures 27 December 2021 A pedestrian walks past a winter sale sign outside a John Lewis store on Oxford street in London Getty UK news in pictures 26 December 2021 Riders take their bikes through the snow near Castleside, County Durham PA UK news in pictures 25 December 2021 Patrick Corkery wears a santa hat and beard as waves crash over him at Forty Foot near Dublin during a Christmas Day dip PA UK news in pictures 24 December 2021 People stand inside Kings Cross Station on Christmas Eve in London Reuters UK news in pictures 23 December 2021 Christmas shoppers fill the car park at Fosse Shopping Park in Leicester PA UK news in pictures 22 December 2021 The sun rises behind the stones as people gather for the winter solstice at Stonehenge. Getty UK news in pictures 21 December 2021 People take part in a winter solstice swim at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh to mark the solstice and to witness the dawn after the longest night of the year PA UK news in pictures 20 December 2021 An auction employee displays poultry to buyers and sellers attending the Christmas Poultry Sale at York Auction Centre in Murton PA UK news in pictures 19 December 2021 Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 December 2021 Freight lorries queuing at the port of Dover in Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 December 2021 Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan, bursts 'Boris' bubble' held by colleague Tim Farron, as she celebrates following her victory in the North Shropshire by-election PA UK news in pictures 16 December 2021 Brussels sprouts are harvested by workers as they prepare for the busy Christmas period near Boston in Lincolnshire PA UK news in pictures 15 December 2021 Lewis Hamilton is made a Knight Bachelor by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 14 December 2021 The Royal Liver Buildings surrounded by early morning fog in Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 13 December 2021 People queue outside a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination centre at St Thomas's Hospital in Westminster Getty Images UK news in pictures 12 December 2021 People take part in the Big Leeds Santa Dash in Roundhay Park, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 11 December 2021 People arrive at a Covid-19 vaccination centre at Elland Road in Leeds, PA UK news in pictures 10 December 2021 Stella Moris speaks to the media after the US Government won its High Court bid to overturn a judges decision not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange PA UK news in pictures 9 December 2021 Camels are lead around Salisbury Cathedral during a rehearsal for the Christmas Eve Service PA UK news in pictures 8 December 2021 Margaret Keenan and Nurse May Parsons, a year after Margaret was the first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer vaccine PA UK news in pictures 7 December 2021 Snowfall in Leadhills, South Lanarkshire as Storm Barra hits the UK with disruptive winds, heavy rain and snow PA UK news in pictures 6 December 2021 A person tries to avoid sea spray on New Brighton promenade in Wallasey as the UK readies for the arrival of Storm Barra Getty UK news in pictures 5 December 2021 People release balloons during a tribute to six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes outside Emma Tustin's former address in Solihull, West Midlands, where he was murdered by his stepmother PA UK news in pictures 4 December 2021 People walk through a Christmas market in Trafalgar Square Reuters UK news in pictures 3 December 2021 A pedestrian carries a dog as they dodge shoppers on Oxford Street in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 2 December 2021 Duchess of Cambridge inspects a Faberge egg at the Victoria and Albert Museum Getty UK news in pictures 1 December 2021 Meerkats at London Zoo with an advent calendar PA UK news in pictures 30 November 2021 Workers put the finishing touches to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree ahead of the lighting ceremony later in the week PA UK news in pictures 29 November 2021 Home Secretary Priti Patel is greeted by a police dog at a special memorial service for Met Police Sergeant Matiu Ratana Getty UK news in pictures 28 November 2021 Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City battles for possession with Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United during a match at the Etihad during snow Manchester City/Getty UK news in pictures 27 November 2021 Residents clear branches from a fallen tree in Birkenhead, north west England as Storm Arwen triggered a rare red weather warning AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 26 November 2021 A killer whale (orca in the fjord of Skjervoy, northern Norway AFP/Getty He added: "Throughout this period we have become increasingly concerned the organisers of these events have not always taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of coronavirus, thereby posing a risk, not only to those involved, but the wider public and communities of London. "We remain in the middle of a pandemic and we all need to play our part in keeping each other and our communities safe." He said officers sought to enforce coronavirus legislation "as a last resort" and had proactively told event organisers of their "public health risk". Mr Gordon added: "I would appeal to anyone planning on organising a gathering to consider your responsibilities under the regulations, and to do all you can to help keep our communities safe." On Saturday afternoon, an XR "Citizens Assemble!" gathering was dispersed by police in Trafalgar Square. During the peaceful protest outside the National Gallery, activists sat on the ground and listened to speeches while surrounded by a large police presence. Officers asked the group to move on, with most dispersing by around 2.30pm. Some that refused to leave the area were carried or led away by police, including one man in handcuffs. Officers asked the group to move on, with most dispersing by around 2.30pm.Some that refused to leave the area were carried or led away by police, including one man in handcuffs. Activists had chained themselves to bamboo structures and used vans and a boat to obstruct the roads to the two printing factories. XR apologised to newsagents for the disruption, which left shelves empty in some parts of the country, but claimed the right wing media is a barrier to the truth. The group also called on Rupert Murdoch, the owner of The Sun and The Times, to stop suppressing the truth about the climate crisis and profiting from the division your papers create. The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) said the protests had hit home delivery operations, including for the elderly and vulnerable, and that members were having to deal with angry customers. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Mon, September 7, 2020 15:15 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4335180 2 World Saudi-Arabia,Israel-UAE,Israel-Palestine-conflict,Israel-annexation,normalization Free Saudi Arabia supports a "fair" solution for the Palestinian cause, King Salman has told Donald Trump in a phone call, as the US President praised the kingdom for opening its airspace to Israel-UAE flights. Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow the United Arab Emirates, which announced last month it would establish diplomatic ties with Israel, until the Jewish state has signed an internationally recognized peace accord with the Palestinians. In a phone call to Trump on Sunday, King Salman affirmed the "kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and fair solution to the Palestinian cause to bring peace", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Last week, Saudi Arabia agreed to permit UAE flights to "all countries" to overfly the kingdom, as Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of regular direct flights linking the UAE with the Jewish state. The announcement came just days after the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi passed through Saudi airspace, marking the normalization of Israel-UAE ties under a US-backed deal known as the Abraham Accords. Riyadh's decision marked another concrete sign of Saudi Arabia's cooperation with Israel even after it publicly refused to follow the UAE's move. "President Trump... welcomed the opening of Saudi air space to flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, beginning with last week's historic commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi," said a White House readout of the phone call. "President Trump highlighted the significance of the Abraham Accords and discussed ways to enhance regional security and prosperity." Allowing flights between Israel and the Emirates to cross Saudi airspace saves long detours around the Arabian peninsula. Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy and home to Islam's holiest sites, faces more sensitive political calculations than the UAE. Despite its clandestine relations with Israel, a formal recognition of the Jewish state would be seen by Palestinians and their supporters as a betrayal of their cause and hurt the kingdom's image as the leader of the Islamic world, analysts say. Trump also urged Saudi Arabia to "negotiate with other Gulf countries" to resolve a regional rift with Qatar, the White House added. Riyadh and its allies severed ties with Doha in a shock move in 2017, accusing the gas-rich emirate of backing extremists and siding with Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran. Qatar denies the charges. The crisis shows no sign of relenting despite rising international pressure. People ask us how we stayed so motivated through the years in an industry that is always transforming. It is because we deeply care about the experiences of our people and customers. Inc. magazine revealed that Nsight, Inc. (Nsight) made it to 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. Nsight along with many great firms gained national exposure as honorees by Inc. 5000. We are privileged to be on this list along with many prestigious companies, especially as we commemorate our 15th founding anniversary, said Anudeep Bhatia, Co-Founder and CEO of Nsight. He added: Innovation, growth and commitment have been integral part of our DNA since inception. Our team constitute of best technology professionals in the industry, working towards a common cause, focused on digital Transformation and modernization for our customers and community. At Nsight, we propel our clients businesses by enabling them to adopt complex transformation strategies to tackle challenges and opportunities emerging from todays crisis, said Jayesh Rane, Vice President, Innovation and Digital Transformation at Nsight. Our business solutions in Customer Engagement, User Experience, Cloud, ERP, IoT, Big Data, Analytics, Security and AI & ML, fueled with innovation, best practices and customer-centric approach help us deliver the best to our customers giving them an edge over competition. Dheeraj K Ramasahayam, Vice President, Delivery at Nsight said, In todays changing times, our commitment to serve our customers is more crucial than ever. We are so proud of the deep relationships the whole Nsight team has established, which enhanced our progression. We are vanguards, and proud to be one of the fastest growing partners in the system integration space around the latest technology ecosystems while maintaining an exceptional customer satisfaction index for the past 15 years! About Nsight, Inc. Nsight, headquartered in Santa Clara, CA helps organizations orchestrate their digital transformation around business solutions in Customer Engagement, User Experience, ERP, IoT, Analytics, Infrastructure, Security, Big Data and AI & ML. Our strong partnerships with SAP, Oracle, AWS, Salesforce, and Microsoft help us stay up to speed with the most recent innovations and technologies and provide a wide spectrum of system integration services. For more info about Nsight, please visit website: https://www.nsight-inc.com , Email: info@nsight-inc.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 multi-platform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. Key equity indices traded sideways with small gains in afternoon trade. At 13:24 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 56.55 points or 0.15% at 38,413.69. The Nifty 50 index rose 7.75 points or 0.07% at 11,341.60. In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.73% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index slipped 0.18%. The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1121 shares rose and 1439 shares fell. A total of 178 shares were unchanged. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 1,888.78 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 456.88 crore in the Indian equity market on 4 September, provisional data showed. COVID-19 Update : Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 27,105,151 with 883,342 deaths. India reported 8,82,542 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 71,642 deaths while 32,50,429 patients have been discharged, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Gainers & Losers: Bharti Infratel (up 4.12%), HDFC Life (up 2.06%), Hindustan Unilever (up 2%), Tata Motors (up 1.83%) and TCS (up 1.56%) were top gainers in Nifty 50. Mahindra & Mahindra (down 3.27%), UPL (down 3.12%), NTPC (down 2.53%), GAIL (down 2.35%) and ONGC (down 2.12%) were top losers in Nifty 50 index. Earnings Today: Future Lifestyle Fashions (down 5%), CG Power (up 3.82%), Info Edge (down 0.44%), General Insurance Corporation (down 0.52%) and Parag Milk Foods (up 0.89%) will announce quarterly earnings today. Stocks in Spotlight: TCS rose 1.43%. The IT major announced partnership with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in South Africa, part of Transnet SOC, a state-owned freight transport and handling company, to help the latter develop an integrated online marketplace platform by bringing together cargo owners, shipping lines, clearing and forwarding agents, and road/rail haulers. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) fell 1.6%. The construction major said its power transmission & distribution business secured large contracts. As per the L&T's classification, the valuation of the 'large' order stands between Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. NMDC fell 0.05%. The coal miner announced hike in iron ore (lump ore and fines) prices with effect from Saturday, 5 September 2020. Lump ore prices have been raised by 10.16% to Rs 3250 per tonne and prices of fines have been increased by 11.27% to Rs 2960 per tonne in September 2020 over August 2020. Repco Home Finance hit an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 181.90 after the company's consolidated net profit rose 2.6% to Rs 64 crore on 4.1% increase in total income to Rs 341.92 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. The overall loan book rose 6% to Rs 11,979.50 crore at the end of June 2020. Loans to the self - employed segment accounted for 51.7% of the outstanding loan book and loans against property product account for 18.7% of the same. Stage 3 assets stood at 4% of the loan assets as at the end of June 2020 as compared to 4.2% as at the end of June 2019. Global Markets: European markets opened higher while most Asian stocks were trading lower on Monday. The Trump administration is reportedly considering imposing export restrictions on Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China's largest manufacturer of semiconductors. US stocks closed lower on Friday though well above its session low as selling eased late in the day after investors dumped heavyweight technology stocks due to concerns about high valuations. US employment growth slowed further in August and permanent job losses increased as money from the government started running out. Nearly a fifth of the job gains reported by the Labor Department on Friday were from the government's temporary hiring for the 2020 Census. While the unemployment rate fell below 10%, it was biased down by a continuing misclassification problem. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and a senior World Health Organisation adviser have warned Daniel Andrews his targets for easing Victoria's lockdown are unrealistic. Mr Hunt made an emotive appeal to the Victorian Premier on Monday night, urging him to re-evaluate his road map to recovery and saying his coronavirus goals are 'not achievable'. 'We're saying to Victoria: Please listen to the calls and the cries of your people, your population who are saying "why can't we do what NSW has done" and not to demand zero cases from 14 or 28 days,' he told A Current Affair. 'Some of the epidemiologists have said it is simply not a likely or achievable figure and therefore creates a barrier which would be insurmountable.' Scientists at the CSL Biotech facility in Melbourne on Sunday. Health Minister Greg Hunt said a vaccine would likely be ready by the first quarter of next year Mr Andrews has set a goal of reducing the 14-day average to five new infections per day before lockdowns are lifted, however the Federal Government is pressuring him to ease restrictions earlier. The World Health Organisation's Dale Fisher said that goal would prove difficult to achieve. 'Why does (Daniel Andrews) need the numbers to be so low, to be less than five. Why can't it be less than 10 or less than 20? He would probably say that, above that, you exceed the capacity to manage,' he told The Australian. 'You don't have to be an infectious disease professor to realise: increase your capacity to manage. If the concern is that the contact-tracing teams will get overwhelmed, you simply wonder why you can't have more contact-tracing teams. But University of Melbourne lead modeller Jason Thompson told the ABC's 7.30 that the higher the case load at re-opening, the higher the risk of more crippling shutdowns. Reducing the fortnightly average case load to five per day would reduce the chance of another lockdown to just five per cent, he said. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews defended his lockdown strategy as having reduced daily case numbers from 725 to 41 in a month Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt implored Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to 'listen to the cries of the people'. Pictured: coronavirus protests in Sydney on Saturday 'We don't just think about the next week or the next two weeks or the next four weeks,' he said. 'What we look at is the longer term. What are the risks associated with going in and out of these shutdowns and then opening up and then shut downs again.' Victoria recorded 41 new cases of coronavirus to take the state's total to 19,574 on Monday, according to Department of Health and Human Services figures. Of the 1781 people sick with active infections, 266 are in hospital, 25 in intensive care. Mr Hunt said testing, tracing and isolation had worked in Queensland, Tasmania and NSW, before comparing Victoria unfavourably with NSW. 'That's what's worked in NSW which has had multiple potential outbreaks which could have led to the same impacts as Victoria but for the strength of their contact tracing,' he said. 'Isolation and lockdowns are what you do when everything else has failed.' Mr Hunt said the coronavirus targets had to be real and achievable, and said the national cabinet plan that was implemented across the country to fight the first wave of coronavirus had been successful. Mr Andrews said the lockdown was working and it would be foolish to lift restrictions too soon and risk having to put the state back in another lockdown before Christmas. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said contact tracing is the solution rather than lockdowns Pictured: a man is arrested during anti-lockdown protests on Saturday in Sydney 'In the last month we've gone from 725 cases about a month ago, to 41 cases today,' he told ABC's 7.30 on Monday. 'So we are seeing very significant reductions in the number of people who've got this virus, the chains of transmission, the mystery cases. 'The strategy's working, but if you open up too much too early, you don't stay open for long.' When asked whether Sydney would be under curfew now if NSW had taken the same approach as Victoria, Premier Andrews rejected the premise. 'Well I don't think it would be because Sydney's not had the amount of community transmission that we've had,' he said. Pictured: coronavirus protests in Sydney on Saturday. Tensions are rising over lockdowns and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is under increasing pressure to lift Victoria's lockdowns Scientists at the CSL lab in Melbourne. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt revealed pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca will not be liable for any side effects of a vaccine, however the government would not allow it to be released unless it is tested and safe Victoria still has widespread community transmission from unknown sources, while NSW had only four new cases on Sunday bringing the state's overall total to 3,929. Business groups have been lobbying for an easing of restrictions that are destroying their economic livelihoods, with the December quarter crucial for the retail and hospitality sectors in particular. Premier Andrews defended his road map saying it would save livelihoods to have the lockdown eased properly so businesses don't spend the rest of the year and next year 'bouncing in and out of lockdowns every four weeks'. 'There can be no economic recovery until we deal with the health issue,' he said. Mr Andrews also defended his state's contact tracing efforts, saying 2600 contact tracers had been meeting the national benchmarks of 'getting to 100 per cent of contacts within 48 hours' The premier reiterated that he was not interested in playing politics over the virus and that he would do 'what's right' over 'what's popular'. 'The politics of this has no value - the only thing that matters is we all stay the course, we all keep following the data,' he said. The final end to the risk of pandemic lockdowns is expected to come with a vaccine. Mr Hunt said the coronavirus vaccine could be ready within the first months of 2021 if proven safe, ending the pandemic. The government is now backing both the Astrazeneca vaccine and a slower alternative from the University of Queensland. 'We'll make them available on a free and voluntary basis to the whole of the Australian population,' he told A Current Affair. However he also said Australia had agreed to an indemnity for AstraZeneca leaving the pharmaceutical company free from liability for side effects, but assured Australians that it would not be released to the market unless it was safe. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 19:46:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RISE ABOVE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS Xi said national rejuvenation would not come easy and great struggles must be fought to realize the great dream. The epidemic brought severe challenges to the world's largest developing country, but showed the importance of following its own path and adhering to reform and opening up. Initially, medical materials were in short supply and weak links in hospital protection led to infections among health workers. Practices of bureaucratism and formalities for formalities' sake were exposed at local levels. While fighting the coronavirus as the most pressing task, Xi pushed for building institutions with a long-term impact. Last year, the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee adopted a decision on institution building. Xi said China must use the strength of its institutions to cope with risks and challenges. "The epidemic was a big test for China's system and capacity for governance," Xi said bluntly. "We must draw experience and learn our lessons." He said the exposed shortcomings told of the need to improve the national emergency management system and boost the nation's ability to handle urgent and challenging tasks. In February, Xi demanded efforts to strengthen public health legislation, reform the disease prevention and control system, and improve public health services when he chaired a meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform. Two months later, the commission's meeting adopted documents on the provision of public health emergency supplies and on oversight of medical insurance funds. During the "two sessions," when joining deliberations with lawmakers from Hubei, Xi stressed fortifying the public health protection network. Several priorities were in the spotlight: reform the disease prevention and control system; boost epidemic monitoring, early warning and emergency response capacity; advance the treatment system for major epidemics; improve public health emergency laws and regulations; and carry out patriotic public health campaigns. The COVID-19 pandemic is dealing a heavy blow to the world economy. More than four out of every five people in the global workforce of 3.3 billion have been affected by full or partial workplace closures, according to a report by the International Labour Organization in early April. Xi told a symposium on economic and social work that the pandemic will accelerate the profound changes the world is undergoing, changes unseen in a century. The Chinese economy shrank 6.8 percent in the first quarter. On the day the statistics were released, Xi chaired a leadership meeting that pointed out the first quarter of 2020 was "extremely unusual." The sudden COVID-19 outbreak had an unprecedented impact on China's economic and social development. On dealing with the impact on the economy, Xi said: "We must stay confident and not be frightened by problems and difficulties." "I have said many times that China is a big country with enormous resilience, huge potential and great flexibility in development," he added. Xi said at the "two sessions" that China has set no specific target for economic growth this year as the sudden COVID-19 outbreak has created challenges to completing the tasks in this final year of the 13th Five-Year Plan. He emphasized the importance of maintaining stable and sound economic performance in the long run, and devised a series of strategic measures including the creation of a new development pattern in which domestic and foreign markets boost each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay. Since early February, Xi has been giving instructions on stabilizing the economy. From March to August, he visited villages, rural families and businesses on inspection tours to coordinate regular epidemic control with economic and social development. In Zhejiang Province, Xi chatted with workers by an assembly line, asking if their return to work had gone smoothly, particularly if they had received their paychecks. He demanded the prices of daily necessities and the income of farmers remain stable. In Shaanxi Province, he encouraged companies to overcome the negative impact of COVID-19 and actively expand markets. In the village of Jinmi, Xi lauded the local black fungus industry. This went viral online, and 20 million people visited the e-commerce sites, where over 20 tonnes of black fungus were sold out in quick succession. In Shanxi Province, Xi called on businesses to make up for lost time with the proper safety precautions in place. In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, he said no ethnic minority group should be left behind in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. He also urged efforts to maintain epidemic control measures while accelerating the return to normalcy in people's daily lives. In Jilin Province, Xi took a particular interest in the employment of college graduates and migrant workers and ordered Party committees and governments at all levels to actively create favorable conditions for college graduates to find jobs. The Chinese economy bounced back to growth in the second quarter of 2020, expanding 3.2 percent year on year. Major indicators returned to growth, economic performance steadily recovered and market expectations were positive in general. Foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, also grew 8.4 percent year on year in the second quarter, indicating foreign investors' growing confidence in the Chinese market. By mid-April, over 99 percent of major industrial enterprises in China had reopened. They included foreign companies and their local suppliers like Apple, Tesla and Volkswagen. Writing back to Global CEO Council members' representatives in July, Xi said those CEOs had made the right choice by staying rooted in China. Six days later, when he attended a symposium with entrepreneurs, Xi said: "We must shore up confidence, rise up to challenges, work hard to recover the loss caused by COVID-19, and strive for good economic development for the whole year." The spring and summer of 2020 represent an unusual chapter in the Chinese nation's journey toward rejuvenation. Under Xi's leadership, the Chinese people are united to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. With epidemic control measures in place, China has secured a bumper summer grain harvest, overcome floods and made solid progress to eliminate poverty. In the meantime, China, as a major and responsible country, is actively advancing global cooperation against the pandemic. During this process, China's socialist system has demonstrated its strengths. In this extraordinary year, Xi has taken on great responsibility, firmly fulfilled his commitment to the people, and worked hard to eradicate poverty and achieve a moderately prosperous society in all respects. "The Chinese nation has experienced many hardships in its history, but it has never been weighed down. Instead, it has grown stronger and stronger through trials and tribulations," Xi said. Enditem Ayodhya, Sep 7 : Nripendra Mishra, the Chairman of the Committee for the construction of the Ram temple, will arrive in Ayodhya on Monday evening to participate in several meetings related to the temple construction. During his two-day visit, Mishra will be holding meetings with the Trust members and engineers from Larsen and Toubro (L&T) before returning to Delhi on September 10. Earlier this month, the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) had handed over the approved design of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple to be constructed in Ayodhya to the Trust. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had submitted the layout designs of the Ram temple and other documents related to it to the ADA for approval in August. General Secretary of the Trust Champat Rai told reporters about various measures taken to make the temple strong and ensure that it would last for thousands of years. According to Rai, the shrine will be built in adherence to the country's ancient and traditional construction techniques. It will also be built to sustain earthquakes, storms and other natural calamities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Ayodhya on August 5 to attend the 'Bhoomi Pujan' at the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Victoria has recorded 55 new cases of COVID-19 and an additional eight deaths in the past 24 hours. Although the number of new cases is higher than Monday's 41, it brings the 14-day average down to 89, from 96 on Monday. The average is a key figure in the government's decision-making for its road map to ease restrictions in Victoria. Monday's figure of 41 was the state's lowest daily tally in two months - as residents, politicians, business leaders and medical experts spent the day digesting and responding to the state's road map to recovery. If you want to compound wealth in the stock market, you can do so by buying an index fund. But you can do a lot better than that by buying good quality businesses for attractive prices. For example, the Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX) share price is up 78% in the last five years, slightly above the market return. It's also good to see a healthy gain of 30% in the last year. See our latest analysis for Comfort Systems USA While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During five years of share price growth, Comfort Systems USA achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 29% per year. The EPS growth is more impressive than the yearly share price gain of 12% over the same period. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Comfort Systems USA's TSR for the last 5 years was 86%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Comfort Systems USA shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 32% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 13% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Comfort Systems USA better, we need to consider many other factors. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Comfort Systems USA (of which 1 is a bit unpleasant!) you should know about. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. 'It may be prudent not to plunge into a new online tax appeals system in one go, which could only create more disputes and increase the embarrassingly high tax arrears of the government,' warns A K Bhattacharya. The proposal to introduce a mechanism for faceless appeals against tax assessment cases seems to have stirred up a hornets' nest. Recent newspaper reports suggest that tax officials are apprehensive that the transition from the existing appeals system to a faceless mechanism will face many logistical hurdles. Tax consultants, too, fear that the proposed online appeals system could lead to additional demands from the tax assessment officers since it is difficult to explain a case at the appeals stage based on electronic mail exchanges alone. The danger is that tax demands may increase and more disputes could arise, overburdening the tax tribunals, whose capacity is already overstretched. In the end, the ultimate goal of creating a more tax-friendly environment and an easy system for settling tax assessment and appeals may not be achieved. Making tax payment and initial assessment faceless through an online system was a laudable achievement of the government. But making the appeals system completely online at one stroke could create problems, particularly at a time when a majority of taxpayers in the country are neither used to keeping proper records nor comfortable with an online platform for settling disputes. As an idea, an anonymised, faceless and online appeals system is brilliant, but its implementation must be gradual and in keeping with the preparedness of both the taxpayers and the tax administration. To begin with, a hybrid system of handling tax appeals is perhaps a better option, till at least such time as the taxpayers are ready and the online system becomes free of glitches and technical bugs. Today, neither the tax officials nor the tax consultants, let alone the taxpayers, are confident of a completely online system for deciding on tax appeals. For instance, preliminary assessments could be completed through an anonymised and online mechanism, but the transition to an online appeals system could be graded. In the first stage of appeal, the tax department could still use the faceless mechanism, but if the decision arising out of that triggers another appeal, then it makes sense to escalate it to a consultative process overseen by a group of senior officers. Failure to resolve such appeals through a consultative process will only add to the huge tax arrears that the government has accumulated over the years. This accumulation of tax arrears is a big problem. It has arisen not out of the government's tax assessment and appeals process, but because of the weak and porous system in ensuring expeditious collections of dues. This needs to be addressed urgently, particularly in a year when its revenues are expected to fall steeply, compared to the Budget targets. The problem with tax revenue collections becomes evident if you look at the growth in tax arrears over a period of five years ended 2018-2019, the latest year for which data is available. As a share in the Centre's gross tax collections, total tax arrears have risen from 51 per cent in 2013-2014 to 53 per cent in 2018-2019. This share was already quite high in 2013-2014. Worse, this has been rising in the subsequent five years, reflecting the poor monitoring of the government's tax collection system. Significantly, the problem of mounting arrears is more pronounced in direct taxes, where the new system of faceless appeals is proposed to be introduced triggering fears of more disputes and hence a rise in arrears. For indirect taxes, the arrears were about Rs 5 trillion or 22 per cent of the Centre's total indirect tax collections in 2013-14. Over the next five years, this share was brought down to 18 per cent in 2018-2019. In contrast, direct tax arrears of Rs 4.76 trillion in 2013-2014 were already high at about 75 per cent of the total direct tax collections that year. And by 2018-2019, the arrears shot up to Rs 9.4 trillion, accounting for over 83 per cent of the direct tax collections that year. The near doubling of direct tax arrears in the space of just five years took place at a time when the government was busy streamlining tax laws to improve compliance, reducing tax rates and using more technology to facilitate tax payments and filing of tax returns. Yet, direct tax arrears kept mounting, while indirect tax arrears had been reined in during this period. These numbers underline the need for policymakers and tax administrators to examine why one division of the revenue department, dealing with indirect taxes, succeeded in checking the growth in arrears, while the other division, overseeing direct taxes, failed in performing the vital task of clearing arrears. It will be argued that direct taxes are more prone to disputes and hence arrears pertaining to income tax or corporation tax are more difficult to clear. However, the data for these five years reveals that even with respect to tax arrears not under any dispute, the performance for direct taxes has been worse than that for indirect taxes. Between 2013-2014 and 2018-2019, direct tax arrears without any dispute increased from 10 per cent of the total direct tax collections to 12 per cent. In the same period, indirect tax arrears without any dispute fell from 3 per cent of the total indirect tax collections to 1.5 per cent. Clearly, the problem has arisen not only out of disputes, but also from a failure to secure early and expeditious collections of taxes without any dispute. And the problem is more severe with direct taxes. Even non-tax arrears of the government expose a more glaring weakness in the collection mechanism. Non-tax revenue arrears in the government's total non-tax revenue collections were only 55 per cent in 2013-2014, but they spurted to about 113 per cent of the total non-tax revenue in 2018-2019. Of course, overestimating the projections for non-tax revenue is one of the flaws that may have led to the accumulation of non-tax revenue arrears. But that only underlines the deeper problems with the government's internal systems of collecting what is due to it. If even non-tax revenue arrears are more than what the actual collections the government makes under that head in a year, as the 2018-2019 figures show, then there is a need for more careful budgeting of its revenues. At the same time, it may be prudent not to plunge into a new online tax appeals system in one go, which could only create more disputes and increase the embarrassingly high tax arrears of the government. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Typhoon Haishen batters South Korea after slamming Japan September 07,2020 | Source: BBC News Typhoon Haishen has touched down in South Korea after slamming through southern Japan. The storm made landfall in Ulsan, just north of Busan, South Korea's second-largest city. More than 300 flights from 10 airports were cancelled, with some train services suspended. The typhoon caused a loss of power across hundreds of thousands of homes in Japan, though initial assessments suggest it did less damage than feared. Thirty-two people were injured, including four who sustained cuts after the glass windows of an evacuation centre were blown in, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK. Some eight million people in Japan had been asked to evacuate in the path of the storm. The storm comes days after Maysak, one of the region's strongest typhoons in years, slammed into the Korean peninsula and Japan last week. High winds have already cut power to almost 5,000 households on the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, including the resort island of Jeju, says a Reuters report. A typhoon alert has been issued for Jeju and other southern parts of South Korea like Gyeongsang province. But a KMA official told Yonhap News that it was likely the typhoon would weaken as it passed by. South Korea's Korea Forest Service had earlier raised the landslide alert to its highest level. Nearly 430,000 homes in the Kyushu region were without power as of 03:00 local time Monday (18:00 GMT Sunday), Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported. Haishen has led to the closure of factories, schools and businesses across western Japan. Hundreds of flights and train services were also cancelled. The typhoon has also forced Japan's coast guard to suspend its search for missing sailors from a cargo ship that sank during Typhoon Maysak. The Gulf Livestock 1 was carrying 43 crew members and 6,000 cows when it went missing on Wednesday. Three crew members were rescued, though one later died. 2020 BBC Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. SHI YU/CHINA DAILY Editor's Note: Xinjiang Development Research Center, a think tank set up in 2019, released an essay on Thursday to refute a German scholar's so-called report on Xinjiang's population. Full text below: Recently, the German anti-China scholar Adrian Zenz published a so-called "research report" titled "Sterilizations, IUDs and Mandatory Birth Control: The Chinese Communist Party's Campaign to suppress Uyghur's Birthrates in Xinjiang", citing biased data and ill-intended cases claiming that "Xinjiang's natural population growth has declined dramatically" and "measures to forcibly suppress birthrates among ethnic Uyghur communities, are a "troubling aspect of state policy in Xinjiang: measures to forcibly suppress birthrates". His findings are not derived from academic research methodologies and run counter to the reality in Xinjiang. The truth is Xinjiang's Uygur population has been increasing. The rights of all residents in the region, including those of Uygurs, have been protected during the law-based implementation of the family planning policy. Xinjiang's population has continued to grow in recent years, and the birth rate of the Uygur population have been higher than Xinjiang's average level. Zenz's claim that government policies in Xinjiang represent a "demographic campaign of genocide" has no basis whatsoever. The data from 2010 to 2018 show Xinjiang's total population has increased steadily, including that of the Uygur population, whereas the Han population in the region has registered just a meager increase. During that period, Xinjiang's permanent residents increased by 3.0518 million (13.99%) to 24.8676 million from 21.8158 million. Among that, ethnic minorities population increased by 2.8749 million (22.14%) to 15.8608 million from 12.9859 million; Uygur population was up 2.5469 million (25.04%) to 12.7184 million from 10.1715 million; Han population rose by 0.1769 million (2%) to 9.0068 million from 8.8299 million. The growth rate of the Uygur population was not only higher than Xinjiang's population growth rate, but also higher than that of ethnic minorities and a lot higher than that of the Han population. From 2010 to 2018, the birth rate and natural population growth rate of Xinjiang's population were stable while slowing slightly. During this period, the birth rates for Xinjiang's permanent residents were 14.85, 14.99, 15.32, 15.84,16.44, 15.60, 15.34, 15.88,10.69 respectively; natural growth rates were 10.71, 10.57, 10.84,10.92, 11.47, 11.06, 11.08,11.40, 6.13 respectively. Before 2017,Xinjiang's population birth rate was around 15, natural growth rate around 11. Although there was a decline in Xinjiang's population birth rate and natural growth rate in 2018, compared to the national level, its birth rate (10.69) was almost the same with that of the national level (10.94), and natural growth rate (6.13) was higher than national level (3.81). Among them, Uygur's birth rate (11.9) was higher than Xinjiang's overall population birth rate (10.69), and higher than Han's birth rate (9.42).Since the growth rate and birth rate for Xinjiang's Uygur population was higher than that of Xinjiang's overall and Han population, the so-called "genocide" is simply nonsense. The decline of Xinjiang's population growth in 2018 is the result of the full implementation of the family planning policy, which also reflects Xinjiang's economic and social development and the changing attitude towards childbearing among all ethnic groups. Before 2017, the family planning policy was not implemented adequately in the region's southern prefectures such as Kashgar and Hotan, which resulted in more newborns than the policy allowed. In recent years, during Xinjiang's poverty alleviation campaign, home visit and information soliciting have identified and registered a large number of children born outside of the policy, accounting for 20 percent of the newborns registered in that year, echoing the estimations of health and statistics authorities. Xinjiang's birth rate and natural growth rate were down to 10.69 and 6.13 in 2018 from 15.88 and 11.40 in 2017 respectively. The number of newborns in 2018 was 120,000 fewer than the number in 2017. According to the estimates of health and statistics authorities, around 80,000 fewer newborns, thanks to the measures taken to address out-of-policy births. Meanwhile, as the poverty alleviation campaign advanced, living and production conditions have improved significantly in southern Xinjiang; urbanization has accelerated and more people live in urban areas; people's education and cultural level has also improved a lot, and their attitude toward childbearing has changed, with more people favoring delayed marriage and fewer children. Family planning is a basic State policy of China. The implementation of the family planning policy in Xinjiang has promoted the long-term, balanced development of its population. The current population growth patterns conform to the objective law of economic and social development. The implementation of the family planning policy in Xinjiang is the implementation of the basic national policy, due to the objective need to realize the coordinated and sustainable development of population, economic, social and environmental resources. Xinjiang is an arid region with severe desertification problems. An average of 48,300 cubic meters of water is produced per square kilometer in Xinjiang, which is only 16.7% of the national average (29,000 m3/km2). Of the Xinjiang region's 1.66 million sq km, oases account for only 0.1711 million sq km. In the southern part of Xinjiang, due to the rapid growth of the population, farming land has become a scarce resource. In 2018, per capita farming land in the four southern prefectures was 2.32 mu (1,547 square meters), which is only 67.78% of the world's average. Due to the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, for a long time the family planning policy couldn't be fully implemented in the southern prefectures of Kashgar and Hotan; plus, many were born outside of State family planning policy and marriage, which led to a rapid population rise in Xinjiang, causing the inappropriate allocation of limited natural resources and placing a huge burden to households. In order to resolve the problems of water, farming land allocation, and enable the people of Xinjiang to lead a better life, Xinjiang needed to implement the family planning policy to foster the long-term and balanced development of the population so as to promote the sound development of Xinjiang society and its economy. After implementing the family planning policy in Xinjiang, the pressure due to rapid rise of population has been alleviated, and the health condition of people from various ethnic groups, particularly women and children, has improved. Xinjiang's maternal mortality rate was down from 43.41 per 100,000 in 2010 to 26.65 per 100,000 in 2018, the infant mortality rate declined from 26.58 to 14.02 Xinjiang's average life expectancy was 74.82 years in 2015. The trend of world population development shows that as the level of economic and social development of an area rises, the fertility rate and the natural growth rate of the population will decline. With the continuous development of Xinjiang's economy and society, the living conditions of people of all ethnic groups, including residence, education, medical treatment and employment have undergone fundamental improvements, which has promoted the decline in the fertility rate and the natural growth rate. The birth rate in Xinjiang dropped from 22.55, 7.69 and 14.86 in 1978 to 10.69, 4.56 and 6.13 in 2018, respectively. Xinjiang's population development has entered a modern population growth type featuring low birth, low death and low population growth rates. Xinjiang implements the family planning policy according to the law, and people independently choose safe, effective and appropriate birth control measures. There has been no "mandatory sterilization" in the region. China's family planning policy has been rolled out from the eastern and central regions of the country to the border areas, from urban areas to villages, and from the Han population to other ethnic groups, which have received differentiated and looser policies than Han couples. As a part of China, Xinjiang abides by the family planning policy according to the law. China hasn't formulated and implemented any family planning policies for a single ethnic group. From 1975, the family planning policy was implemented first in predominantly Han-populated cities such as Urumqi."Provisional Regulations on Several Issues of the Family Planning Policy" was published in 1981, starting with the policy for Han couples. "Measures for the Implementation of Family Planning of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region" was published in 1992, according to which urban Han couples could have one child and rural Han couples could have two; while urban couples of ethnic minority groups could have two children and those in rural areas can have three. In 2017, Xinjiang revised its population and family planning regulations, applying a uniform policy to all ethnic groups: whereby urban couples can have two children and rural couples can have three. As can be seen, the family planning policy was implemented toward ethnic minority couples 17 years later than it was to Han couples, and it is still more relaxed compared to China's other provinces. In recent years, Xinjiang has taken measures in accordance with the law to implement the family planning policy by promoting management, scaling up policy publicity and advocacy, and providing quality services and so on, which has had remarkable results. People make independent choices on safe, effective, and proper contraception practices. Women of childbearing age voluntarily take tubal ligation and use intrauterine devices (IUDs), especially those who have completed their childbearing but not taken birth control measures since 2014. Some areas like Hotan prefecture have applied the principal that combines voluntary participation with technical guidance, encouraging people to choose long effective contraceptives that are suitable for themselves. For a period of time, there was a spike in tubal ligation and IUDs out of people's voluntary choice, as practice has proven that, among all kinds of contraceptives, tubal ligation and IUDs are internationally recognized safe enduring ways with few side effects but high effectiveness. And such contraceptives have been widely used in other areas in China and are also accepted willingly by childbearing women in Xinjiang. New Reddit reports highlight that Google Fi users are getting a $0 bill for this month, all thanks to a bug. Normally, users are billed around $30-80, or $70 on the Unlimited plan. However, due to a bug in Google Fi, subscribers are not only getting $0 charges and zero data usage. This has gotten Google Fi users worried, as they might end up paying double charges the next month. For the unaware, Google Fi works in collaboration with three major networks Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and T-Mobile along with a WiFi hotspot. This gives more 4G LTE coverage with no additional setup needed. Advertisement Google Flexible charges $30 to $80 plan per month, while the unlimited plan costs $70 per month. This price is before taxes and fees. Notably, the bills are charged only for the actual usage. Meaning, $20 for the base charge along with $10 for each gigabyte of data usage. Besides, the data is free after 6GB or a maximum of $80. And after receiving a $0 bill, this has left many users puzzled as to what they actually have to pay for the Google Fi bill. Advertisement Reportedly as per multiple Reddit reports, when users opened their monthly statement email, the total billed amount is charged as $0. Moreover, it is written that they will not be charged this month. A talk with Google Fi support seemingly confirms the original amount One user has reported that not getting the usual bill of around $180, left him confused regarding the current months bill of $0. Because their last months data usage, as per the bill, is zero. Besides, taking a look at the user comments on the Reddit post, brings to light that talk with customer support confirms the actual amount. Advertisement In fact, the support has confirmed that there is a glitch, and the company is working on it to resolve the matter at hand. Though users are pretty happy seeing a $0 bill for the previous month. But they do not want to get a surprise add-up bill the next month. The app also reveals the same $0 bill for the entire month. Multiple users have contacted and got clarification from Google Fi support that the actual bill is still being finalized. Furthermore, they are working on a fix for this glitch. Advertisement Interestingly, users of Google Fi on both Android as well as iOS have confirmed this $0 bill glitch. The company is expected to fix this issue for Google Fi $0 bill glitch. And provide the actual bill value to the customers soon. In the meantime, let us know in the comments below if you also received a surprise bill of $0 on Google Fi or not. Imperial Valley News Center Man Pleads Guilty to Making Threatening Interstate Communications Baltimore, Maryland - Phillip Cline, Jr., 39, of Elkton, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to making threatening interstate communications. Cline admitted that during a recorded phone conversation with an employee of an auto loan business, Cline threatened to physically harm the employee, whom he described using racial epithets. The guilty plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division; U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Baltimore Field Office. According to Clines publicly available plea agreement, on Feb. 1, 2019, an employee of an auto loan business contacted Cline about what the business suspected to be a delinquent auto loan. During the call, which was recorded, Cline was clearly upset with the caller and unwilling to provide information verifying his identity. Ultimately, Cline, who was advised that the call was being recorded, used racial epithets to threaten the employee with physical harm. As detailed in the plea agreement, Cline stated to the employee during the telephone call that his white power friends will hang your ass. Cline faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for Cline on Oct. 10, 2020. U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cunningham and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, who are prosecuting the case. The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) reveals the enormous challenges facing hotels and guesthouses across Ireland as demand continues to plummet as a result of the Covid crisis. The impact on employment and peoples livelihoods is stark for an industry that supported 270,000 jobs nationally at the beginning of the year one in 10 of all Irish jobs. An estimated 100,000 jobs of these have been lost so far this year and a further 100,000 are now at imminent risk in the coming weeks. With the summer season finished, Irelands hotels and guesthouses are now reporting a 70% drop in projected revenues for September compared to this time last year. This follows a very challenging July and August with average national occupancy at 49%, representing an enormous drop compared the 90% occupancy achieved during these key summer months last year. Breakdown of occupancy results for September/October 2020 National room occupancy: 24% Dublin City and County: 12% Other cities: 24% Rest of country (excluding cities): 30% Regional breakdown Border region: 33% Mid-West: 17% Midlands / Mid East: 22% South East: 41% South West: 31% West: 30% Commenting on the results, chair of the South East branch the Irish Hotels Federation, Colm Neville, said that the figures highlight the requirement for further sector specific measures to support Irish tourism. Our industry is operating in a quasi-lockdown. The existing supports are totally inadequate for our industry given the current restrictions. If appropriate measures are not put in place, more jobs will be lost. "Prior to the Covid crisis, tourism supported 5,100 jobs in Tipperary, contributing 120 million to the local economy. With a predicted revenue loss of 90 million, 3,800 of these jobs are now under threat. A severely devastated tourism sector would be a major loss to the economy and society for many years to come. This can and must be avoided. We are doing everything we can to protect public health whilst also helping to restore the economy and safeguard peoples livelihoods, but we face extraordinary challenges. These have been greatly exacerbated by the additional restrictions introduced last month, including limiting indoor gatherings to no more than six people. Businesses are, in effect, operating under close to lockdown conditions. This flies in the face of the detailed operational guidelines that are in place, endorsed by the HSE, HSA, HPSC and the FSAI as well as hotels proven track record in managing gatherings safely. It is our belief that the controlled environment provided by hotels can safely accommodate gatherings of significantly more than six people, which are an essential part of the fabric of Irish life. A major frustration for us continues to be the lack of meaningful consultation with our industry in advance of new restrictions being announced by Government. All areas of society negatively impacted by Covid-19 should be consulted, including businesses, when developing the Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery, which is due to be published on September 14. Public health goes hand in hand with ensuring a viable economy when this pandemic has passed. Commenting on the additional Government supports required for the tourism industry, Mr Neville said: The measures contained in the Governments stimulus package do not go far enough to address the unique and existential challenges facing our industry. In particular, they fail to deliver adequate supports around competitiveness and liquidity in particular. The IHF is calling on the Government to implement the following measures as a matter of urgency: Review of 6-person limit: Hotels provide a very safe environment in which to hold indoor gatherings in a controlled manner. Urgent approval of a hotel protocol is required to enable indoor gatherings of up to 50 people based on six people per table and subject to strict time-limits, physical distancing and protocols around wearing PPE and sanitisation. Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS): If jobs are to be retained, the EWSS rates of support must be increased to the previous TWSS levels of 350/410 per week. This would make it possible for employers to retain staff during the difficult winter/spring months ahead and to facilitate training and upskilling structures designed to allow employees get personal benefit from this challenging period and to help the industry prepare for post Covid-19 recovery opportunities. Qualification for the scheme should be based on performance from March until the end of the year with payment made on a weekly basis to assist with cashflow. The scheme should be continued until the impact of Covid-19 restrictions has fully abated. Liquidity measures: Additional liquidity measures are required to help fund hotels during the coming months as a result of the cash flow lost out due to Covid-19 restrictions, including extension of the moratorium on bank term loans from six months to 12 months. Local authority rates waiver: The waiver period should be extended for tourism businesses to coincide with business interruption due to Covid-19 and for a minimum of 12 months. After that, payment of local authority rates should be based on reduced levels of activity due to the crisis and until the industry has recovered. Reduction in tourism VAT to 9%: Permanent restoration to 9% to assist recovery and secure a viable and sustainable future for tourism. Reducing VAT will not only provide a stimulus in the Irish economy but also improve our competitiveness as an international tourism destination. Testing regime: As an island nation with an open economy, we have to restore international travel safely as soon as possible. An effective tracking, tracing and testing regime must be introduced to facilitate this and to protect the health and livelihoods of all. Safeguarding public health is an absolute priority for the Irish Hotels Federation and our members, who are fully committed to supporting the Government in the task of supressing Covid-19. We also wish to be part of the process of restoring the economy and the livelihoods of the almost 270,000 people who worked in our industry last year. But we need support now so we can play our part again in the recovery. The National Economic Plan in October will come too late for many, said Mr Neville. American Airlines is facing backlash among workers after allowing its cabin crew to wear Black Lives Matter pins on their uniforms while on duty. The nation's largest commercial jet carrier announced on Sunday that it would be introducing the new policy across its fleet. But it has already run into fierce opposition among staff with some saying they are 'completely disgusted' at the move and claiming that the BLM movement is divisive, promotes violence and is anti-police. Reaction to the decision has sparked fierce debate online with some passengers even calling for a boycott of the airline. American Airlines is facing backlash among workers after allowing its cabin crew to wear Black Lives Matter pins on their uniforms while on duty (stock image) In a company-wide statement introducing the new policy American Airlines wrote: 'Clearly we live in a time where it is so important to have a dialogue about this important issue of racism in our society and try to find common ground. 'American is truly committed to having an inclusive culture that is welcoming to all and a reflection of our country and world. 'This is why American is so committed to creating a more tolerant and diverse team. 'Through our partnership with American's office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we are continuing to work through an overall plan for addressing these issues in our workplace.' It went on to say that a uniform pin, which is set to be designed by the company's Black Professional Network, was being introduced as a symbolic way of showing support. But the move has sparked backlash with one veteran flight attendant writing to American Airlines to complain in an email obtained by the New York Post. It read: 'I take offense to this. Serious offense. My husband is a LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), as was my deceased father and as far as I'm concerned ALL LIVES MATTER. 'I am completely disgusted at the fact that we can't show support for our GOD, our COUNTRY, our LEOs but when it comes to BLM organization (which is controversial in itself), American Airlines says that's obviously different,' she wrote. 'And we can. How is that right? Well, I don't feel included.' A second flight attendant, who spoke to Fox News, vowed to start wearing a badge in support of President Donald Trump on duty if others are permitted to wear the BLM pins. The backlash of the new policy has also spread among American Airline passengers who are now calling for a boycott of the company. The backlash of the new policy has also spread among American Airline passengers who are now calling for a boycott of the company One wrote: 'Bad move #AmericanAirlines #blm don't matter #AllLivesMattter support pins for #allcauses. I won't be flying with you until you change #BoycottAmericanAirlines.' Another commented: 'Guess I'll add #AmericanAirlines to the list of boycotted idiots.' And a third added: '@AmericanAir...will no longer fly on your airlines! BOYCOTT #AmericanAirlines.' Other social media users were positive about the move as one wrote: 'Fly American Airlines, a company that openly supports #BlackLivesMatter. Something that is a social issue, not a political one, to all you #MAGA folks out there, btw.' A second tweeted: 'People are hating on American Airlines because they allow people to speak their mind? I have no problem with it. 'It doesn't change the flight unless you want to b*tch and moan about your differences. Were allowed to have political differences and normal people know that.' A third said: 'I literally have never noticed the pins that an employee of American Airlines or any other airline wears but there are apparently people excited about some employees expressing the thought that #BlackLivesMatter.' Other social media users were positive about the move as they claimed that the Black Lives Matter movement was social and not political A spokeswoman for American Airlines told MailOnline: 'American Airlines believes in equity and inclusion for all. Our Black team members saw the Black Lives Matter pin being worn at other airlines and companies and asked if they could do the same. 'In light of the appropriate attention to lives of Black Americans, we will allow team members who wish to wear a Black Lives Matter pin to do so if they choose. 'Fundamentally, we believe Black Lives Matter is an expression of equality, not a political statement. 'It doesn't mean other lives don't matter, rather that in our society Black lives should matter and be valued the same as others. We are showing our support for our Black colleagues and customers who have experienced discrimination and injustice, not any particular organization. 'This decision underscores our belief that all people, regardless of race, gender or ethnicity, deserve to be treated with equality and respect.' American Airlines recently announced that it would be laying of 19,000 workers due to the coronavirus crisis impacting the the travel industry. The Black Lives Matter protests have spread across the country since the death of George Flloyd in Minneapolis on May 25 after a white police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes. Migrants stranded in Panama are growing desperate and are urging the government to allow them to continue their journey to reach the United States. Panama, a transit point for virtually every migrant heading from South America to the US, closed its borders on March 16 as part of a nation-wide strategy meant to halt the spread of COVID-19. Almost no one entered, and nearly 2,000 migrants from Haiti and a handful of African and Asian countries were stuck in camps in the jungle along Panama's northern and southern borders. Duperat Laurette fled Haiti in the wake of her country's massive 2010 earthquake. Laurette, 45, and her husband made their way to Chile, then five years later to Panama, with the dream of reaching the United States and getting a job that could help her support her 14 siblings left behind in Haiti. But like many others her dreams were halted by the coronavirus pandemic. In another camp prior to the Lajas Blancas, Laurette was taken to the hospital for what doctors said was a fibroid tumor that gave her stomach pains and caused her to lose weight. "They brought me to the hospital to operate, but they never did," she said. The told her there was no space for the operation and the hospital was full with coronavirus cases. Patience is wearing thin in Lajas Blancas where about 200 migrants wait to move on. It's the same story in nearby Penitas, where in August some of nearly 1,100 migrants there were accused by police of setting fire to tents holding medical supplies at another camp. Most of those stuck in Panama left Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake that left the country in ruins, spent years working in Brazil and Chile saving up money to continue north, and can't imagine returning worse off than they were before. "We are poor, we came out of a country that is not a power like the United States or Canada, we came from Haiti," said Jean Bernadeau, another Haitian who arrived from Chile. "Everything we had in our hands, we spent it all. To return to my country with nothing on my hands is not right," said Jean Bernadeau. Jean Edoly, a 30-year-old Haitian, is there with his wife and two children ages 2 and 1, who were born in Chile. "They don't feed us well, we're fed like dogs," he said. Panama's government says it is providing migrants with humanitarian support. It has built, along with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, a new camp with better shelter on the outskirts of Meteti where it hopes to soon move 400 migrants, especially families with young children. "The Panamanian government asks them to remain calm. We've already made it six months, what remains is little, light can be seen at the end of the tunnel," said Panama Public Security Minister Juan Pino, during a recent visit to the area. The flow of migrants through the dense and dangerous Darien jungle has been going strong for more than a decade. This is the first time authorities have stopped it for an international health emergency. In Lajas Blancas,migrants don't wear masks or practice social distancing, but Pino said there haven't been more than 10 infections among the migrants. Panama proposed flights back to Haiti in early August with support from the International Organization for Migration. But Pino said that most migrants were not interested. Mail-in ballots are placed in bins to be processed after arriving at the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters in Sacramento, Calif., on Oct. 22, 2018. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo) Trump Campaign Not Allowed to Contest Democrats Election Lawsuit in Pennsylvania Both President Donald Trumps reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee arent allowed to intervene in a state-level lawsuit brought by Democrats to change the rules for the Nov. 3 elections, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled. In Pennsylvania Democratic Party v. Boockvar, the court granted permission to the Senate Republican Caucus and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania to intervene in the case. The court turned down requests to intervene from the Trump campaign, the RNC, and from several activist groups including Common Cause of Pennsylvania, and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Parties rejected as intervenors are still allowed to file friend-of-the-court briefs, the order dated Sept. 3 stated. Trump narrowly won Pennsylvania in 2016 with 48.2 percent of the popular vote, beating Democrat Hillary Clinton, who won 47.5 percent, according to Ballotpedia. Pennsylvania has 20 electoral votes out of the 270 needed to be elected president. In the original complaint filed in the lawsuit, state Democrats and several individual Democratic candidates for office sued Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar, a Democrat, along with all 67 county election boards. The plaintiffs claim that state election rules pertaining to voting-by-mail, as applied during the current pandemic, led to large numbers of mailed-in ballots being rejected because of minor defects, not being accompanied by a secrecy envelope, and receipt after 8 p.m. on Election Day during the recent primaries. They seek greater flexibility for election officials to do things such as provide drop boxes, as well as a declaratory judgment and injunction claiming the state constitution and state election law are being violated. The 2020 Primary was the test run for the implementation of recent legal changes, the complaint states. Analysis of the Primary identified implementation snags that needed to be smoothed in time for the November General Election. Legislation is pending in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to correct some of these issues, but in light of the existing extreme partisanship, may never be adopted. Because time is running out before the November elections, the plaintiffs are compelled, to file this petition with this Court. Although voting-by-mail has been available for absentee electors in Pennsylvania for decades, in 2019, the General Assembly passed Act 77 to expand mail-in voting to all registered Pennsylvania voters who choose that option to exercise their constitutional franchise to vote, the complaint states. Voting by mail is generally safe and reliable, the complaint states, contradicting some studies and recent reports questioning its efficacy. Through Act 77, signed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 31, 2019, the General Assembly created a universal right to vote by mail in Pennsylvania elections, permitting no excuse mail-in voting for all qualified electors. But the presence of COVID-19 presents unpredictable constraints upon in-person voting that, in turn, raises questions about ambiguities in Act 77. Democrats, especially those in large cities, reportedly want more ballot drop boxes provided and want local election officials to count mail-in votes postmarked Nov. 3 for up to seven days after the polls close. Republicans are opposed to more drop boxes and dont want counting extending after Election Day, expressing concerns of voter fraud. The Trump administration sued state and county election officials in June, claiming some of the methods of ballot collection during the primaries were improper. Some 1.8 million residents voted by mail in the June 2 primary, and 4 million may vote by mail in November, according to The Center Square. Republican state lawmakers and Wolf have been negotiating over possible changes to state election law, but its unclear if progress will be made in time for Election Day. The Trump campaign couldnt be immediately reached by The Epoch Times for comment. In a separate proceeding in a neighboring state, activist groups are suing Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, in federal court over his directive implementing a state law that instructs each county to offer only one drop box for absentee ballots in the upcoming elections, The Epoch Times previously reported. The lawsuit, filed by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and the NAACP, claims that more drop boxes must be allowed because of reported slowdowns in processing by the U.S. Postal Service. LaRose argues state law doesnt allow the addition of extra drop boxes. The Ohio Democratic Party also filed a similar lawsuit in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. An MV20 ventilator from Japan is given to Vietnam on April 20, 2020. Photo by VnExpress. The Japanese government has given VND455 billion (over $19.6 million) to four Vietnamese hospitals to help them fight the Covid-19 outbreak. The four hospitals to receive the funds are the National Lung Hospital, the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, all in Hanoi, and the Da Nang C Hospital in the central city of Da Nang. The funds will be released over 18 months, beginning August. "The Japanese government's support package to Vietnam is very valuable," acting Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said Monday at the signing ceremony of the exchange note between the two governments on the Covid-19 relief package. The overall goal of the grant is to provide technical assistance to upgrade medical equipment to the four hospitals towards meeting the Covid-19 pandemic control and prevention needs, limiting Covid-19 related incidence and deaths, meeting the needs of medical examination and treatment and improving the quality of healthcare for Vietnamese people. Japanese ambassador Yamada Takio said that when Japan faced a scarcity of masks this spring, the Vietnamese government had sent over 1.2 million masks. "That gift is very much appreciated by the Japanese people," he said. After the signing ceremony, both delegations discussed medical issues related to the resumption of commercial flights between the two countries. Vietnam has so far reported 1,049 Covid-19 cases with 853 recoveries and 35 fatalities. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resumed campaigning in New Zealand's virus-delayed general election Monday with an attention-grabbing promise to make the Maori New Year a public holiday. Electioneering had barely started last month when a sudden Covid-19 outbreak forced Auckland into lockdown and brought a temporary halt to campaign activities. Ardern ended up delaying the election by four weeks to October 17 so her government could focus on containing the Auckland infections, which ended 102 days without community transmission of Covid-19 in New Zealand. With lockdown now over in New Zealand's largest city, Ardern kick-started her Labour party's renewed campaign with a pledge to make Matariki, the Maori new year, a public holiday from 2022. "As I've travelled around New Zealand I've heard the calls for Matariki to become a public holiday - its time has come," she said. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Matariki -- which usually falls in mid-winter July -- would help stimulate the economy by driving up spending / AFP/File Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis, who has a Maori background, said a Matariki holiday sent an important message to New Zealand's indigenous people, who comprise less than 20 percent of the country's population but are central to its national identity. "Making Matariki a public holiday is another step forward in our partnership as a people and a further recognition of te ao Maori (the Maori worldview) in our public life," he said. Ardern said Matariki -- which usually falls in mid-winter July -- would help stimulate the economy by driving up spending. "We don't have many statutory holidays compared to other OECD countries and it would be good to break up the long run through winter," she said. The youthful leader retains a commanding lead in opinion polls and is expected to win a second term for her centre-left government. The most recent poll released last week by Roy Morgan Research had Ardern's Labour Party on 48 percent, 19.5 points ahead of the main opposition National Party. The 40-year-old retains a shot at ruling in her own right -- without support from minor party coalition partners the Greens and New Zealand First that she needed during her first term. However, Labour's support has slipped from the record 60 percent reached in July after the Auckland virus outbreak gave her opponents ammunition to criticise border control shortfalls. The National Party said Ardern's priority should be on creating jobs to ease the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, not announcing new holidays. "The issue is that it is another public holiday that businesses have to pay for," party leader Judith Collins said. News Richmond, Virginia - Daniel McMahon, 32, was sentenced Monday in federal court in the Western District of Virginia to 41 months of imprisonment for threatening an African-American Charlottesville City Council candidate because of his race and because he was running for office, and for cyberstalking a separate victim through Facebook messenger, the Justice Department announced today. Following his term of incarceration, McMahon will be placed on three years of supervised release, during which time he will be prohibited from using internet-capable devices without prior court approval. Americans have the right to run for office in this country without facing racially-bigoted threats of violence, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. Furthermore, no American should have to live with hateful threats of sexual violence for opposing white nationalism. The Justice Department will continue vigorously to prosecute anyone who attempts to infringe on these civil rights and thereby undermine our democracy. The hallmark of our Nations democracy is the right to peacefully protest and engage in an effective exchange of ideas via the political process, said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez for the Middle District of Florida. When either of these rights are infringed, and individuals are targeted, intimidated, or threatened because of their race/ethnicity or beliefs, the cornerstone of our system is put at risk. Todays sentence demonstrates our intent to work together to preserve our Nations founding principles and ensure that all citizens are protected under the law. This defendant weaponized social media to threaten and intimidate his perceived political enemies and propagate a violent white-supremacist ideology, said U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen of the Western District of Virginia. Because his online activity crossed the boundary between protected First Amendment expression and unlawful threats and harassment, he will spend considerable time in federal prison. The FBI applauds the sentencing in this case and remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans, said Special Agent in Charge David W. Archey of the FBIs Richmond Division. We also commend the courage of the victims who come forward to report these threats. We are grateful for our partners with the Department of Justice, the FBI Tampa Division and the U.S. Attorney's Offices in Virginia and Florida for their support during this investigation. On April 30, 2020, the defendant pled guilty to one count of racially-motivated threats to interfere with an election, and one count of cyberstalking. At the plea hearing, the defendant admitted that he uses the online pseudonyms Jack Corbin, Pale Horse, Restore Silent Sam, and Dakota Stone, to promote white supremacy and white nationalist ideology, and to express support for racially-motivated violence. The defendant admitted that in January 2019, upon learning that D.G., an African-American resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, planned to announce his candidacy for city council, the defendant used his Jack Corbin account on the social media platform Gab to threaten violence against D.G. because of D.G.s race and because D.G. was running for office. The defendant admitted that his posts used racial slurs and invoked long-standing racial stereotypes, and that he intended for D.G. to understand his posts as threats to his safety. In addition, the defendant admitted to using his Restore Silent Sam Facebook account to cyberstalk a person identified in court documents as Victim 2. In connection with this charge, the defendant admitted that he used Facebook to send Victim 2 numerous intimidating and threatening messages that placed Victim 2 in reasonable fear of harm to Victim 2s minor child. The defendant acknowledged that Victim 2 has been active in countering white nationalist rallies in her community. The defendant admitted that, because of Victim 2s activism, he began an online campaign to intimidate her and to extort information from her about her fellow activists. This included sending Victim 2 numerous messages over the course of twelve days in which he threatened to sexually assault Victim 2s minor daughter, who has autism. The defendant admitted that, at around the same time that he sent these messages, he also used the internet to conduct searches relating to sexual contact with girls who have autism. The defendant admitted that his messages reasonably caused Victim 2 serious emotional distress and fear for Victim 2s childs safety. This case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen of the Western District of Virginia; Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia; Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George of the Middle District of Florida; and Trial Attorney Risa Berkower of the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 22:46:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit stressed on Monday "full solidarity" of the pan-Arab organization with Sudan for facing the impacts of floods that led to "catastrophic and painful" losses of lives and properties. He instructed to send immediate funds to help the Sudanese government for overcoming the crisis and providing aids to the victims, according to the AL's statement. Aboul-Gheit also called for speeding a coordination mechanism between the AL and the Sudanese government for putting emergency plans at the developmental and relief levels. On Saturday, the national council for the civil defense of Sudan said in its daily report that the victims of the recent rains in Sudan rose to 89 people with the collapse of more than 35,000 houses. Sudan often witnesses floods caused by heavy rains from June to October. Enditem Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, September 8 2020 The countrys emerging millennial farmers are striving to weather the COVID-19 outbreak that has impacted the agriculture sector, with many relying on innovations in technology. Safari Munjin, a farmer and a Javanese literature graduate from the University of Indonesia, said on Friday that he had been able to boost his farming business, called Sayuran Pagi, during the health crisis, by maximizing promotion on social media. We do not use complicated advertisements other than maximizing the potential of Sayuran Pagis Instagram account Safari said in a virtual talk on Friday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login The deputy prime minister has been slammed for suggesting Black Lives Matter protests held in Victoria contributed to the state's second wave of COVID-19. Michael McCormack appeared on ABC's Q&A on Monday night to discuss the coronavirus-stricken state and the government's handling of the crisis. When host Hamish Macdonald asked whether Victoria's contact tracing system could be trusted if the state were to ease restrictions, Mr McCormack's answer had the rest of the panelists scratching their heads. 'We have had that outbreak because of the security guards, who did the wrong thing. We had that outbreak because of a family who gathered in too large a number. We had the outbreak in Victoria because of a protest rally,' he said. Macdonald immediately disputed the statement and insisted there was no proven link between the second outbreak of COVID-19 and any BLM rallies. Protesters are seen during a Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne, Saturday, June 6. The deputy PM suggested on Monday that protests were linked to the second wave of COVID-19 in Melbourne 'What's the evidence of the protest rally leading to the outbreak... Sorry, you're drawing a link that I'm not sure is substantiated in fact,' he said. 'I'm not sure there is any actual evidence that the Black Lives Matter protest led to this outbreak.' But Mr McCormack doubled down on his claim, arguing that it formed part of the official reasoning given at the height of the crisis. 'When the second wave occurred, they were the three reasons that were given. It was the security failure, it was the family that gathered in too large numbers-' Macdonald interjected again, asking him to accept that he was 'wrong' in blaming protesters. An inquiry into the failures of the state's mandatory hotel quarantine system have suggested about 99 per cent of all new cases can be traced back to returned travellers, and about 90 per cent are linked to just one family. Michael McCormack appeared on ABC's Q&A on Monday night to discuss the coronavirus-stricken state and the government's handling of the crisis People are seen on Swanston Street in Melbourne, Sunday, September 6 as Premier Daniel Andrews warned the lockdown would be extended Instead of acknowledging those findings, Mr McCormack again reiterated his belief that demonstrators did the wrong thing. 'No I don't. I don't think people should be protesting, actually, at the moment. In any way, shape or form,' he said. 'There were people at that rally with COVID-19 and that has since been proven, that they did have COVID-19 when they went to that protest, they should not have been at that protest.' Mr McCormack finally appeared to concede that his argument wasn't based in fact, and changed tactics to anecdotally support his opinion. 'Police resources have been used unjustly. They should have been doing what their job is, and that is to ensure that law and order has been kept, rather than have to attend and babysit a group of protesters who shouldn't have been protesting in the first place,' he concluded. After an excruciating few minutes in the hot seat, Macdonald finally turned his attention to the other panelists. Mr McCormack doubled down on his claim, arguing that it formed part of the official reasoning given at the height of the crisis Macdonald immediately disputed the statement and insisted there was no proven link between the second outbreak of COVID-19 and any BLM rallies Dr Omar Khorshid, President of the Australian Medical Association supported Macdonald in saying there was not any evidence linking the Black Lives Matter protest to the second wave of cases in Melbourne and wider Victoria. 'With respect, Deputy Prime Minister, we do know what happened in Victoria. We know that the processes around hotel quarantine failed, the virus was able to get into some community groups,' Dr Khorshid said. 'I'm certainly not aware of any evidence that the Black Lives Matter protest resulted in the outbreak in Victoria.' 'But I would agree that congregating in large numbers at the moment does not make sense. But we shouldn't be hiding from the real causes of the outbreak.' Kristina Keneally, Labor's Shadow Home Affairs Minister, also took the opportunity to lambast Mr McCormack. 'I'm gobsmacked by what I heard from the Deputy Prime Minister,' she said. 'Trying to assert that this second wave in Victoria is linked directly to the Black Lives Matter protest. I mean, that is an alternative fact, Trumpism, make up your own reality.' Protesters are seen during a Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne, Saturday, June 6 Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Monsoon session of Parliament: Over 1k officials being screened Officials are being screened for Covid-19 to ensure highest health safety standards during Parliaments monsoon session that will commence from September 14, people aware of the matter said. Read Here India is proud: Rajnath Singh congratulates DRDO for developing made in India hypersonic tech Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for successfully flight testing the indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). India records over 90,000 Covid-19 cases for the second day in a row, tally past 4.2 million India recorded the highest number of cases of the coronavius disease (Covid-19) globally at 90,802 in the last 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry on Monday. Read more Home ministry grants Y-plus category security to Kangana Ranaut ahead of Mumbai visit Kangana Ranaut has been granted Y-plus category security by the Union home ministry ahead of her Mumbai visit on September 9, said officials, amid an escalating war of words between the actor and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut. Read more Bill Gates unsure about electric future for big trucks, passenger jets In his latest blog post GateNotes, the Microsoft co-founder writes that while battery technology has and is improving by leaps and bounds, it may not be enough to form the core of such machines. Read more Cargo trailer: Vikrant Massey plays a rakshasa, takes emotional baggage to space in new Netflix film Netflix India has unveiled the first trailer for Cargo, two days before its release. Directed by Arati Kadav, the science-fiction film stars Vikrant Massey and Shweta Tripathi in lead roles. Read more Delhi Metro services resumes after nearly 6 months, people flood Twitter with images Delhi Metro, after remaining closed for nearly six months, due to the lockdown in the wake of the pandemic, resumed today morning at 7 am as a part of unlock 4. However, not all the lines are operational as it will take place in phased manner. Read more Covid-19: India overtakes Brazil as 2nd worst hit in the world Hindustan Times National Political Editor, Sunetra Choudhury brings you the top stories you need to know. Sunetra talks about the number of Covid-19 cases in India so far, countrys record spike as it overtakes Brazil as the 2nd worst hit in the world after the US. Watch Kids who test positive for the coronavirus but show no symptoms can be infectious for up to three weeks, according to a new study by two Washington-based scientists. The findings could have major implications for teachers and staff at schools that have reopened for fall classes, and for daycare centers. In the paper published Aug. 28, in JAMA Pediatrics, two Washington-based scientists, Robeta L. DeBiasi and Meghan Delaney, analyzed 91 COVID-19 cases among children at 22 hospitals in South Korea. They found that half the kids with symptoms and a fifth of those without symptoms shed the virus from three days to three weeks. About 22% of the cases were asymptomatic and another 20% initially asymptomatic but developed symptoms later. Those amounts roughly correspond to the estimated percentage of COVID-19-positive adults who are asymptomatic or presymptomatic (40%). A total of 58% of the South Korean children exhibited symptoms at the time of their first test. Previously scientists thought children who contracted COVID-19 mostly experienced mild symptoms that quickly disappear. Another study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics on Aug. 19, examined the respiratory secretions of 192 children, adolescents and young adults who came to the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 or suspected exposure to the disease. Harvard Medical School researchers based at at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Hospital for Children showed that the children and young adults had higher levels of the virus, or viral load, than adults fighting COVID-19 in intensive care units. I was not expecting the viral load to be so high, said Lael Yonker, Harvard Medical School assistant professor of pediatrics at Mass General. You think of a hospital, and of all of the precautions taken to treat severely ill adults, but the viral loads of these hospitalized patients are significantly lower than a healthy child who is walking around with a high SARS-CoV-2 viral load. In addition, the scientists found the younger children had far lower levels of ACE-2 receptors, the protein that provides the entry point for the coronavirus to attach itself and infect a wide range of human cells, than older children and adults. That contradicted previous assumptions that kids are less likely to become infected or seriously ill because they possess fewer ACE-2 proteins. The studys authors concluded that children may be a potential source of contagion in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in spite of milder disease or lack of symptoms. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. While children with COVID-19 are not likely to become as seriously ill as adults, they can spread infection and bring the virus into their homes if they attend school as asymptomatic carriers or carriers with few symptoms, the scientists wrote. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. The 6-foot rule is 'outdated': Researchers devise chart to gauge COVID risk How worried should the Bay Area be about a 'third spike' of COVID-19 in the fall? Rapid $5 coronavirus test doesn't need specialty equipment Will wildfire evacuations accelerate the spread of coronavirus in the Bay Area? Alameda County to allow outdoor hair, nail salons to open Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate Circuit court stops Trump admin. from enforcing Title X ban on funding clinics that promote abortion Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An appeals court has upheld a judges ruling that blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a rule that halted Title X funding for medical professionals who refer women for an abortion. In a 9-6 decision released last Thursday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld a district court decision issuing a permanent injunction against the Title X rule. All dissenting judges were appointed by Republican presidents, including three by President Trump. All judges in the majority were appointed by Democrat presidents, save for Chief Judge Gregory, who was appointed by President George W. Bush. Fourth Circuit Judge Stephanie Thacker, a nominee of President Obama, authored the majority opinion, arguing in part that the rule on Title X funds failed to recognize and address the ethical concerns of literally every major medical organization in the country, and it arbitrarily estimated the cost of the physical separation of abortion services. Several medical organizations submitted comments to HHS about the Final Rule, and all of them stated that the Final Rule would violate the established principles of medical ethics, wrote Thacker. even if HHS did not need to identify a particular medical organization that supported its view, it nonetheless cannot easily brush off the swell of evidence in the record before the agency that the medical community finds this Rule to be repugnant to the ethical rules governing the profession. The majority opinion also argued that the Title X rule violated the Noninterference Mandate of the Affordable Care Act, which said that HHS cannot advance a regulation that, among other things, creates any unreasonable barriers to the ability of individuals to obtain appropriate medical care. Prohibiting Title X health care providers from referring a woman for an abortion when she requests it, as the Final Rule does, quite clearly interferes with communications about medical options between a patient and her provider, continued Thacker. Circuit Judge Julius N. Richardson, a nominee of President Trump, authored a dissent, arguing in part that the Title X rule falls well within HHSs established statutory authority, and the record shows that it was a product of reasoned decision making. Whatever courts or commenters think about the wisdom of an agencys regulations are of no moment, wrote Richardson. I conclude that the agency considered the issues and drew a rational line from the facts it found to the choices it made. Todays decision ignores text, abandons administrative-law principles, and forsakes the limited role of courts, particularly inferior ones, in our constitutional structure. The Title X family planning program gives approximately $286 million a year to health clinics that provide services, among them STD testing and contraceptives, to lower-income patients. In February 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a Final Rule regarding Title X funds, clarifying that funds could not go to programs that supported abortion, meaning they cannot provide abortion procedures or provide referrals for abortions. The rule was based off of a similar measure created during the Reagan administration in 1988, which was upheld by the United States Supreme Court in 1991 but never implemented. Planned Parenthood, the nations leading abortion provider, protested the rule change and exited the Title X family planning program rather than comply with the new regulations. Prior to the exit, Planned Parenthood received approximately $60 million in Title X funding. In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the new rule, with a 7-4 decision whose majority opinion was authored by Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta. In light of Supreme Court approval of the 1988 regulations and our broad deference to agencies interpretations of the statutes they are charged with implementing, plaintiffs legal challenges to the 2019 rule fail, wrote Ikuta. In her decision, Ikuta took issue with the term gag rule, which is commonly used to pejoratively describe the HHS rule, noting that the Trump administration rule does not fully censor abortion talk. a counselor providing nondirective pregnancy counseling may discuss abortion so long as the counselor neither refers for, nor encourages, abortion There is no gag on abortion counseling, added Ikuta. In late March, the Fourth Circuit denied the Trump administrations motion to stay a district court order blocking the new rule from taking effect in the state of Maryland. Chanda Kochhar fails to appear before probe agency, to be summoned again Ex-ICICI Bank CEO's husband arrested over money laundering allegations India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Sep 07: Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Deepak Kochhar, husband of former ICICI Bank MD & CEO Chanda Kochhar in connection with ICICI Bank-Videocon case. Deepak Kochhar was arrested in Mumbai under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the agency is expected to produce him before a local court on Tuesday to seek his custody. Officials said Deepak Kochhar was placed under arrest as the agency wants to put him under custodial interrogation to obtain more details about some fresh evidence gathered in this case, that was filed under the criminal sections of the anti-money laundering law in January last year. The ED had filed its case after studying an FIR registered by the CBI against the couple, Videocon Group promoter Venugopal Dhoot and others. It slapped money laundering charges against the Kochhars and their business entities for "illegal sanctioning of loans amounting to Rs 1,875 crore to the Videocon Group of companies". The ED had earlier said an amount of Rs 64 crore, out of the loan amount of Rs 300 crore sanctioned by a committee headed by Chanda Kochhar to Videocon International Electronics Limited, was transferred to Nupower Renewables Pvt Ltd (NRPL) by Videocon Industries Limited on September 8, 2009, just a day after disbursement of the loan by ICICI Bank. NRPL was earlier known as NuPower Renewables Limited (NRL) and is a company of Deepak Kochhar. The agency had alleged that the "net revenue of Rs 10.65 crore was generated by NRL from these tainted funds". "Therefore, proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 74.65 crore were transferred to or to say generated in NRPL," the ED had claimed. The ED, early this year, also attached assets -- including a Mumbai flat where the couple lived, land, and plant and machinery of a wind farm project based in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra -- valued at Rs 78 crore "in possession of" Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar and the companies owned and controlled by him. It had said Chanda Kochhar and her family "acquired" the Mumbai apartment, owned by one of the Videocon Group companies, by way of "acquiring that company through her family trust at a nominal price and by creating book entries". The couple has been questioned by the central probe agency multiple times in the past at its offices in Mumbai and Delhi. The CBI, in its FIR, had named Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar, Dhoot and his companies -- Videocon International Electronics Ltd (VIEL) and Videocon Industries Limited (VIL). It also named Supreme Energy, a company founded by Dhoot, and Nupower Renewables, a company controlled by Deepak Kochhar, in its FIR. The CBI slapped sections of the Indian Penal Code related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act on all the accused. The CBI alleged that Dhoot had invested in Deepak Kochhar''s company Nupower through his firm Supreme Energy, a quid pro quo to loans cleared by ICICI Bank after Chanda Kochhar took over as the CEO of the bank on May 1, 2009. The ownership of Nupower and Supreme Energy changed hands through a complex web of shared transactions between Deepak Kochhar and Dhoot, the CBI had alleged. During its preliminary enquiry, the CBI found that six loans worth Rs 1,875 crore were sanctioned to the Videocon Group and companies associated with it between June, 2009 and October, 2011 in alleged violation of laid-down policies of ICICI Bank. "Existing outstanding in the accounts of these private group companies were adjusted in Rupee Term Loan of Rs 1,730 crore sanctioned by ICICI Bank under refinance of domestic debt under consortium arrangement on April 26, 2012," a CBI spokesperson had said. The loans were declared non-performing assets in 2012, causing a loss of Rs 1,730 crore to the bank, it had alleged. With more than 4,100,000 confirmed infections and 126,000 deaths from the virus, Brazil has the second highest totals in both figures behind only the United States. In recent weeks, Latin Americas largest country has left a new case number plateau that had dragged on from almost three months and started seeing a reduction in the number of new confirmed cases. But with an average of 820 deaths per day, its numbers are still considered high by health experts. Terzo vertice di maggioranza sulle amministrative in programma il 24 e 25 ottobre. Dovrebbe essere quello definitivo che ratifica le candidature nei quattro Comuni con piu di 15mila abitanti. I segretari dei partiti del centrodestra si riuniranno a Villa Devoto alle 14 convocati dal presidente della Regione Christian Solinas. Per Nuoro dovrebbe correre il nome indicato dalla Lega: Pietro Sanna, 53 anni, architetto. A Quartu sceglie il Psd'Az e la coalizione sembra aver trovato un accordo su Christian Stevelli, Psd'Az. Per Sestu si profila una conferma: la prima cittadina uscente Paola Secci dei Riformatori. Piu confusa la situazione a Porto Torres dove la candidatura e contesa da Psd'Az e Riformatori, ma non si esclude che possa spuntarla un uomo di Cambiamo!, il movimento fondato da Giovanni Toti e in Sardegna rappresentato dal consigliere Antonello Peru. Riproduzione riservata E' stato il coordinatore regionale della Lega Eugenio Zoffili a chiedere la convocazione odierna. "Ci son da fare delle ultime limature, mi aspetto che oggi vengano ratificate le scelte maturate nei tavoli locali e che siano definiti i candidati sindaci". BERLIN - Activists are setting up thousands of chairs outside the German parliament in Berlin to underline their calls to take in migrants from an overcrowded camp on a Greek island. The 13,000 chairs being set up in front of the Reichstag building on Monday are meant to symbolize the inhabitants of the Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, as well the readiness of some German cities and states to take migrants in. Sea-rescue activist groups that back Mondays action say the first confirmed coronavirus case at Moria adds urgency to long-standing calls for the camps evacuation. Greek authorities last week imposed a 14-day quarantine on Moria after one man who had been living in a tent outside the camp fence tested positive for the virus. As of Aug. 31, the Moria camp housed 12,714 people, several times its capacity of 2,757. Germanys federal government has agreed to take in a total of 243 children from camps in Greece who need medical treatment, as well their closest relatives. So far, 99 of the children have arrived. It also has taken in 53 unaccompanied children evacuated from the camps. Read more about: A man walks past the building of the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap By Bahk Eun-ji Trainee doctors decided to return to work today, ending their two-week-long strike, the Korean Interns and Residents Association (KIRA) said Monday. The decision to strike came as the KIRA and a taskforce representing medical students opposed an agreement made between the Korean Medical Association (KMA) and the government over controversial medical reform plans. The KIRA, representing interns and residents at general hospitals, said its members will return to hospitals starting 7 a.m. Tuesday. The members of the junior doctors' group, however, said they will launch an escalated collective action if the government does not come up with further measures within two weeks to support the medical students who decided not to apply for the state medical licensing exam which will also be held today. The conflict between medical students and the government escalated as the students decided to push ahead with their boycott of the state-run licensing exam. After the government backed down from implementing the medical reform plans, including those to increase the quota for medical students, establish a new public medical school and extend medical insurance coverage to traditional Korean medicine treatments, the trainee doctors were expected to get back to work starting Monday. But the KIRA and the taskforce representing medical students eventually refused to return to work and the students planned to boycott the licensing test slated for Tuesday. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, however, stressed that it will not be further postponing the test schedule, which was already rescheduled once due to the junior doctors' collective action. According to the ministry, 14 percent or 446 of 3,172 people signed up for the 2021 Korean Medical License Examination. "We have repeatedly informed medical students that it will be difficult for them to take the test this year if they boycott the rescheduled test which will take place on Tuesday. The test will be carried out and as for now, we are not considering another postponement," Son Young-rae, a senior official of the health ministry, said during a regular press briefing at the government complex in Sejong. "This is a matter of laws and principles, and that the principle is applied to all national examinations not only for the doctors but also for numerous professional qualifications." Previously, the government postponed the state-run medical licensing exam by one week, from Sept. 1 to 8, in order to "minimize the damages against the medical students." The medical licensing exam is divided into a clinical exam and a separate written test scheduled for January. The students' refusal to take the clinical exam has led to immediate concern over a shortage of licensed young doctors. The first exams scheduled for Sept. 1 to 18 were pushed back to Sept. 8 to 25. The health ministry began to come up with alternatives as medical students have refused to take the exam again. "Because 3,000 people are not suddenly vacant a year, it is not a big problem enough to disrupt the supply and demand of medical personnel in the community," a ministry official said. "We are looking for alternative and support measures for rural health centers, military doctors and public health doctors." HARRISBURG Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) announced the first grants approved under the Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority (MIRIA) to reimburse water utility customers for surcharges used to fund water remediation projects. These funds will help fulfill the promise to local water customers who paid surcharges to water utilities to offset the costs of cleaning the PFAS from water systems, Stephens said. This is why I created the legislation to help the utility customers who carried the costs of removing PFAS from our drinking water. MIRIA formally approved the following grants: * Horsham Water & Sewer Authority $1,432,917 * North Wales Water Authority $742,691 * Warminster Municipal Authority-$500,000 The money will benefit customers of the Warminster Municipal Authority Water, which had to purchase PFAS-free water; North Wales Water Authority customers for the cost of delivering PFAS-free water to customers; and Horsham Water and Sewer Authority will be able to reimburse customers for surcharges used to address PFAS contamination in privately owned drinking water wells. Additional grants will be announced later in the year. In 2006, the federal government closed several military bases around the country, including the Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Montgomery County. In transferring the land, the federal government discovered significant environmental issues, including contamination of the drinking water in some Montgomery County and Bucks County communities caused by firefighting foam at the military installation. Faced with insufficient federal action, local governments had no choice but to impose surcharges on ratepayers to fund cleanup efforts. Act 101 of 2019, crafted by Stephens, created the MIRIA to help water providers address PFAS contamination. State tax revenue generated on or around the former Willow Grove Naval Air Station is redirected to the locally based authority. This was the first bill enacted in Pennsylvania to provide dedicated and recurring funding to eliminate PFAS from drinking water. The main point of investing for the long term is to make money. Furthermore, you'd generally like to see the share price rise faster than the market Unfortunately for shareholders, while the Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZSE:PCT) share price is up 46% in the last five years, that's less than the market return. The last year has been disappointing, with the stock price down 11% in that time. See our latest analysis for Precinct Properties New Zealand In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, Precinct Properties New Zealand actually saw its EPS drop 27% per year. Essentially, it doesn't seem likely that investors are focused on EPS. Since the change in EPS doesn't seem to correlate with the change in share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics. The revenue reduction of 2.2% per year is not a positive. It certainly surprises us that the share price is up, but perhaps a closer examination of the data will yield answers. The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). This free interactive report on Precinct Properties New Zealand's balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Precinct Properties New Zealand, it has a TSR of 79% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Precinct Properties New Zealand shareholders are down 7.8% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 4.3%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 12%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Precinct Properties New Zealand (including 1 which is is concerning) . Of course Precinct Properties New Zealand may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on NZ exchanges. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. The Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Information, and some partners, have organised a workshop for the Volta Regional House of Chiefs to sensitise them on the COVID-19 pandemic and some Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). A statement issued in Accra, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Dr Da Costa Aboagye, Director of Health Promotion Division of the Ghana Health Service, educated the chiefs on COVID-19, its associated stigma and NCDs, such as diabetes and hypertension. Dr Da Costa is also the leader of Risk Communication and Social Mobilization Committee for Ghana's COVID-19 Response Team. Dr Da Costa explained, "In recent times, there has been a paradigm shift and sharp a increase in the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension among Ghanaians. When a diabetic develops an infection, it becomes harder to treat due to fluctuations in blood glucose levels and, possibly, the presence of diabetic complications. "It also leads to a compromised immune system, making it harder to fight infections and prolonged recovery period when one contract COVID-19. The Leader of Risk Communication for COVID -19 emphasised that smokers were likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as it destroyed the lung tissue making individuals susceptible to the virus which caused respiratory infection. He said the act of smoking also increased the chance of transmission of the virus from infected hands. He reiterated that older people with underlying noncommunicable diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer tended to have a higher risk of developing severe and even fatal complications of COVID-19. Dr. Da Costa said, The current COVID-19 pandemic has provoked social stigma and discriminatory behaviours against people of certain racial backgrounds, as well as people infected and their families, and the impact that drives others to hide their illness and prevents them from seeking health care early. Again stigma can discourage people from adopting healthy behaviours and may cause depression among people who have recovered from COVID-19. He, therefore, admonished Ghanaians to build trust in the health system, show empathy to those affected, and assist the GHS to adopt effective preventive measures to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. He urged traditional leaders to engage with various stakeholders including, Ghana Federation of Disability, Persons Living with HIV, schools heads, market women, Muslim women associations, transport unions, community opinion leaders, among others, to help drive home the key messages on Non-Communicable Diseases, Stigmatisation and COVID-19 preventive protocols. Mr Kofi Dzamesi, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, urged the chiefs to lead in COVID-19 community education. Mr Pius Enam Hadzide, a deputy minister of Information, also touted Governments achievements in the management of the pandemic. 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 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has laid down rules in the conduct of clinical trials for coronavirus vaccines, releasing a resolution on Monday that gives priority to the test spearheaded by the World Health Organization. Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Pena explained that WHO's Solidarity Trial, which Philippines is a part of, should be prioritized over independent trials conducted by private vaccine manufacturers if there is a "competition" for participants. The recipient of the vaccines in WHO's large-scale trial will be recruited from the top 5-10 barangays with the most number of COVID-19 cases in the country, according to IATF's Resolution Resolution No. 68. The households that will join will be randomly picked. Only permanent residents will be allowed to participate, unless the person can show proof they will be living in the area for two years. In case of shortage of participants, officials can ask residents from neighboring areas to join. The Department of Health's Epidemiology Bureau is tasked to manage the data of all trial participants and monitor their condition. The Philippines is in talks with Russia for its "Sputnik V" vaccine and 16 other firms to hold a coronavirus clinical trial in the country. The Philippines' panel of vaccine experts is still reviewing documents from the Russian manufacturer before turning over their recommendation to the Food and Drug Administration, which will give the final approval to hold the Phase 3 trial in the country. The DOST Chief also said the IATF approved the creation of a sub-technical working group to solely focus on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. He said this will be led by the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service. The Departments of Health, Finance, Budget and Management, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, Interior, Philippine International Trading Corporation, and National Economic Development Authority will serve as members. The DOH is tasked to decide which vaccine and how many doses should be procured, the IATF said. Last Wednesday, the New York Times carried a front-page article claiming the Russian group that interfered in the 2016 presidential election is at it again, using a network of fake accounts and a website set up to look like a left-wing news site. The article set the stage for a series of follow-up news stories, comments and editorials from virtually every publication in the political establishment, all treating the unsubstantiated assertions of US intelligence agencies and social media companies as definitive proof that the Russian government is renewing its efforts to promote left-wing political views as part of an effort to sow political discord and destabilize the United States. No one stopped to ask the obvious questions: Where is the proof? Who set up the website allegedly operated by the Russians? What, moreover, has become of the breathless allegations, repeated in hundreds of news articles, memoirs and editorials, that Russia meddled in the 2016 elections? In the four years since the US intelligence agencies and major news outlets rolled out their claims that the Russian government conspired with WikiLeaks to steal the election from Hillary Clinton, this narrative has totally fallen apart. The linchpin of the accusationsthat a private research company examined the Democratic Partys servers and confirmed that the contents of WikiLeaks 2016 disclosures were stolen by the Russianscollapsed in congressional testimony when the company made clear it had no real evidence that the data allegedly stolen by Russian hackers was actually transferred from the Democratic Partys computers and internal network. Theres no evidence that they were actually exfiltrated, CrowdStrike President Shawn Henry told a congressional committee in secret testimony that was only made public in 2020. The reality is that, for all the ink spilled over Russian interference in the elections, there exists clear, unambiguous evidence for only one incident of such meddling, and that is by Democratic Party operatives closely tied to the US intelligence agencies. In October 2017, media reports began to circulate that tens of thousands of Russian twitter bots had suddenly begun to follow Roy Moore in a special election that captured national attention for months. The narrative being promoted was that the Russians were meddling in the Alabama Senate race in favor of Moore. The Moore campaign denied any involvement, and the incident remained unexplained until the following year. On December 19, 2018, the New York Times carried an article with an explanation. A group called New Knowledge, according to an internal report quoted by the Times, declared, We orchestrated an elaborate false flag operation that planted the idea that the Moore campaign was amplified on social media by a Russian botnet. The project involved some of the biggest names in technology, as well as high-profile figures in the Democratic Party and the US intelligence agencies. The Times report gave a picture of the scale of the operation: The funding came from Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn, who has sought to help Democrats catch up with Republicans in their use of online technology. The money passed through American Engagement Technologies, run by Mikey Dickerson, the founding director of the United States Digital Service, which was created during the Obama administration to try to upgrade the federal governments use of technology. Sara K. Hudson, a former Justice Department fellow now with Investing in Us, a tech finance company partly funded by Mr. Hoffman, worked on the project. New Knowledge was intimately connected to the campaign to claim that Russia had promoted left-wing viewpoints on Twitter and Facebook. In 2018, the Senate Intelligence Committee commissioned New Knowledge and Graphika (more on it later) to author a pair of reports on Russian disinformation. The New Knowledge report alleged that Russia set up left-leaning pages that criticized mainstream, established Democratic leaders as corporatists or too close to neo-cons, and promoted Green Party and Democratic Socialist themes. Hyping the reports, Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, gasped, Incredible. These bombshell reports demonstrate just how far Russia went to exploit the fault lines of our society and divide Americans in an attempt to undermine and manipulate our democracy. Just two days after the publication of the reports, the Times detailed how New Knowledge had deliberately set up exactly the types of inauthentic pages attributed to the Kremlin in its report on Russian meddling. And yet, the media continued to peddle the discredited anti-Russia claims as good coin. In February 2019, for instance, NBC News reported that Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, a critic of American imperialist policy, was being backed by the Russians. NBC reported that experts who track websites and social media linked to Russia have seen stirrings of a possible campaign of support for Hawaii Democrat Tulsi Gabbard. The experts, in this case, were none other than New Knowledge. Which brings us to the present day. Last week, the New York Times published a front-page article alleging that Russian intelligence agencies have used allies and operatives to place articles, including disinformation, into various fringe websites. Specifically, it identified a website called peacedata.org and its associated social media accounts as being a front group for the Kremlin-backed Internet Research Agency. The Times story was based largely on a report by Graphika, which, along with New Knowledge, was commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee to report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election. The lead author of the Graphika report cited last week by the Times was Ben Nimmo, a former propagandist (the official term was press officer) for NATO and a current fellow at the Atlantic Council, a CIA/State Department front organization. The report claimed that peacedata.org amplified leading left-wing websites, including the World Socialist Web Site, Mint Press News, Common Dreams, the Intercept, and the Grey Zone. It linked to an article from the WSWS (Vindictive court rulings prove British state wants Assange dead) and noted that the operation had a clear preference for groups that identified with socialism and opposed the mainstream Democratic Party, as represented by Biden and Harris. The Times report continued: [T]he decision to espouse progressive positions and attack both center-left and right-wing politicians indicates an attempt to woo more left-wing audiences for future influence operations. New reports have claimed that in addition to republishing articles (in the WSWSs case, without permission), peacedata.org solicited paid contributions from freelance writers. Unusually for research related to the intelligence agencies anti-Russia narrative, the Graphika report actually goes into extensive detail about the way peacedata.org operated, including theories that its editors were, in fact, fake personas, whose photos were created through artificial intelligence. It presents a plausible narrative that peacedata.org was, in fact, a fake site. But what the report does not even attempt to do is prove that the site was operated by the Internet Research Agency or any other organization connected with the Russian state. It is simply asserted, allegedly based on claims by the FBI (which have not been made publicly), Twitter and Facebook. In keeping with their role as mouthpieces for the intelligence agencies, neither the Times nor the Guardian, NBC News nor any other mainstream news outlet that has reported on the findings has questioned the veracity of the claims that peacedata.org was a front for the Russian government. The only concrete, demonstrable evidence of supposed Russian meddling in US politics is the operation in the 2017 special election for the US Senate seat for Alabama, cited above, which was actually a false flag operation conducted by New Knowledge, the peer of Graphika in producing the Senate Intelligence Committees reports. Which begs the question: Was peacedata.org set up in an operation similar to the one run by New Knowledge, with the aim of discrediting left-wing political opposition as the Biden-Harris campaign moves ever further to the right? We do not know. Neither we nor the other left-wing sites we contacted have any knowledge of this organization. Over the weekend, peacedata.org shut down, and its website now carries only a news story in Russian, a strange piece of evidence for the Kremlins top foreign propaganda team to leave behind. The actual story behind peacedata.org may never be made public. But it is clear the intelligence agencies unsubstantiated allegations of Russian meddling are being used to discredit mounting opposition to capitalism and to establish a preemptive justification for intensifying the campaign to censor the internet. While the claims of New Knowledge, Crowdstrike and the like have been exposed and debunked, these allegations have done real damage. In response, Google initiated a system known as project owl to blacklist and demote websites based on their political views, predominantly affecting left-wing sites, while Facebook and Twitter have removed accounts with millions of followers on the grounds that they were inauthentic. Reddit, meanwhile, has instituted blacklists on many of its most popular forums, barring hundreds of thousands of Reddit users from sharing or reading World Socialist Web Site articles. These latest unsubstantiated allegations will only accelerate the calls for internet censorship. Ultimately, the medias claims about Russian meddling are aimed at promoting an essentially conspiratorial narrative: That social discontent in the United States is the result not of domestic social conditions but of the work of outside agitators. But amid the greatest social, economic and political crisis in a century, such allegations lack the slightest credibility. Even if Vladimir Putin set up not one but 100 left-wing websites or if he had bought not $100,000 worth of ads but $100 million worth, how would that compare to the effect on social consciousness that nearly 200,000 people have been allowed to die in the COVID-19 pandemic, and that just three individuals control as much wealth as the bottom half of the American population? This type of reporting aims only to create a McCarthyite pretext to attack and delegitimize oppositional publications, while intensifying the military standoff between two countries armed with the worlds biggest nuclear arsenals. Millions understand that it is not the Russians who are at it again, but the New York Times. Donald Trump claimed on Monday that he opposes schools teaching the New York Times' 1619 Project because it seeks to 'change our history' and slammed protesters for tearing down Confederate monuments across the US. During a press conference Trump was asked about instructors using the project to teach slavery in America and whether he wanted the subject to be taught. In response, the president said: 'I want everybody to know everything they can about our history. I am not a believer in cancel culture, the good or the bad, if you dont study the bad it could happen again. So I do want that subject studied very carefully and accurately.' Trump then claimed: 'But, we grew up with a certain history and now theyre trying to change our history. Revisionist history. Thats why they want to take down our monuments, take down our statues.' Scroll down for video Donald Trump claimed on Monday that he opposes schools teaching the New York Times' 1619 Project because it seeks to 'change our history' and slammed protesters for tearing down Confederate monuments across the US The Pulitzer-Prize winning collection of essays, photo essays, poems, and short fiction pieces seeks to reframe American history as starting on 1619, when the first slaves from Africa arrived to Virginia, rather than 1776, when the founding fathers declared independence from Britain The president was referring to the removal of several Confederate monuments amid the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Pulitzer-Prize winning collection of essays, photo essays, poems, and short fiction pieces published last year seeks to reframe American history as starting in 1619, when the first slaves from Africa arrived to Virginia, rather than 1776, when the founding fathers declared independence from Britain. Trump's comments about the project came just a day after he retweeted a message from an unverified account saying the project would be taught in schools and shared: 'Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded!' On Friday, the president also banned federal agencies from conducting racial sensitivity training related to 'white privilege' and 'critical race theory'. On Sunday Trump retweeted a message from an unverified account saying the project would be taught in schools and shared: 'Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded!' On Friday, the president also banned federal agencies from conducting racial sensitivity training related to 'white privilege' and 'critical race theory' Russell Bought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, ordered heads of federal agencies to alter racial sensitivity training programs for employees in a two-page memo where he called such training 'un-American propaganda' on Friday Critical race theory asserts that 'institutions are inherently racist and that race itself... is a socially constructed concept that is used by white people to further their economic and political interests at the expense of people of color', according to Texas A&M University professor Tommy Curry. Russell Bought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, ordered heads of federal agencies to alter racial sensitivity training programs for employees in a two-page memo where he called such training 'un-American propaganda'. That memo said: 'Employees across the Executive Branch have been required to attend training where they are told that "virtually all White people contribute to racism" or where they are required to say that they "benefit from racism"'. He continues: 'These types of "trainings" not only run counter to the fundamental beliefs for which our Nation has stood since its inception, but they also engender division and resentment within the Federal workforce.' Bought subsequently states: 'The President has directed me to ensure that federal agencies cease and desist from using taxpayer dollars to fund these divisive, un-American propaganda training sessions.' The banning of the 1619 project is the latest effort by Trump against new progressive interpretations to history that he deems un-American. This engraving shows the arrival of a Dutch slave ship with a group of African slaves for sale in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 New York Times' 1619 Project In August 2019 the New York Times Magazine published the 1619 project, a collection of essays, photo essays, short fiction pieces and poems aimed to 'reframe' American history based on the impact of slaves brought to the US. It was published to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the English colonies. It argues that the nation's birth was not 1776 with independence from the British crown, but in August 1619 with the arrival of a cargo ship of 20 to 30 enslaved Africans at Point Comfort in the colony of Virginia, which inaugurated the system of slavery. The project argues that slavery was the countrys origin and out of it 'grew nearly everything that has truly made America exceptional.' That includes economic might, industry, the electoral system, music, public health and education inequities, violence, income inequality, slang, and racial hatred. However, the project is debated among historians for its factual accuracy. In March 2020 historian Leslie M. Harris who served as a fact checker for the project said authors ignored her corrections, but believed the project was needed to correct prevailing historical narratives. One aspect up for debate is the timeline. Time Magazine said the first slaves arrived in 1526 in a Spanish colony in what is now South Carolina, 93 years prior to the landing in Jamestown. Some experts say slaves first arrived at present-day Fort Monroe in Hampton, instead of Jamestown. Others argue the first Africans in Virginia were indentured servants as laws on lifetime slavery didnt appear till 17th century and early 18th century, but worked essentially as slaves. Advertisement Following the projects publication the Pulitzer Center was named an education partner for the project and announced its education team would develop education resources and curricula for teachers to use, which is online for free through the center. Some schools said they wanted to use the 1619 Project into their curriculum but some efforts have been thwarted. Arkansas Sen Tom Cotton, a Republican, introduced legislation that would ban schools from teaching the curriculum through the Saving American History Act of 2020. The bill would 'prohibit the use of federal funds to teach the 1619 Project by K-12 schools or school districts. Schools that teach the 1619 Project would also be ineligible for federal professional-development grants.' The legislation is unlikely to gain any traction in the Senate but voices political opposition to the reframed history. Trump has in the past defended Confederate statues, called the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' a symbol of hate, and threatened to withhold funding for liberal cities that saw civil unrest and protests decrying police brutality and racism. He and Attorney General William Barr have said they dont believe systemic racism exists in the US. The 1619 project was an effort led by the New York Times and black writers to highlight the importance African slaves and black Americans had in building the US into the superpower it is today. Some people believe the nations birth and the notion of slavery started in 1776, when the founding fathers declared independence from Britain. But the project argues it started in late August 1619 with the arrival of a cargo ship of 20 to 30 enslaved Africans at Point Comfort in the colony of Virginia, which inaugurated the system of slavery. The project argues that slavery was the countrys origin and out of it 'grew nearly everything that has truly made America exceptional' including economic might, industry, the electoral system, music, public health and education inequities, violence, income inequality, slang, and racial hatred. Essay titles in the project include 'America Wasn't a Democracy Until Black Americans Made It One', 'American Capitalism Is Brutal. You Can Trace That to the Plantation, 'Why Is Everyone Always Stealing Black Music?', and 'Why Doesn't America Have Universal Healthcare? One word: Race.' However, the project is debated among historians for its factual accuracy. Time Magazine said the first slaves arrived in 1526 in a Spanish colony in what is now South Carolina, 93 years prior to the landing in Jamestown. In March 2020, historian Leslie M. Harris who served as a fact checker for the project said authors ignored her corrections, but believed the project was needed to correct prevailing historical narratives. The strong, decisive and dynamic leadership of President Akufo-Addo has revived the hope of the Ghanaians. Mr Prince Appiah Debrah, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Korle Klottey, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Saturday, said the path for total development embarked on by the President should not be truncated on December 7. Rather, Ghanaians should empower the Government to do more, he said, adding: Ghana cannot go back, the President, the Vice President, and the leadership of the Majority in Parliament as well as performance across the public sector confirm that leadership is a key factor in development. The NPP-led Government has demonstrated good leadership. Mr Debrah expressed the commitment and determination to transform the Korle Klottey Constituency and make education accessible to all because no society could achieve meaningful development without quality education. My people cannot be seated near the river and be thirsty. Access to education is a fundamental human right and I pledged to do everything humanly possible to implement measures to improve the quality of basic and high school education in the Constituency, he said. Korle Klottey cannot be left behind. We deserve better and I'm here to mobilise our people for the transformation of the Constituency. I was encouraged by party members and the people of my constituency to contest the primaries and unseat the current NDC MP who has failed to develop the area and I will not relent on my efforts to win the seat for the NPP. Mr Debrah said empowering the youth was another major priority on his calendar and that he would support needy but brilliant students to access higher education and provide vocational skills training for those interested to improve their standard of living. The people of Korle Klottey know me very well and I can say very confidently that the spirit of Osu is behind me. We are winning the seat massively. He said the party had put structures in place to prevent incidents that led to NPP losing the seat in 2016, adding: Now all signs and statistics point to a massive win for the NPP both in the Presidential and Parliamentary polls come December 7. ---GNA Rhea Chakraborty filed a complaint against the late Sushant Singh Rajput's sister Priyanka Singh, accusing the latter of acquiring a 'bogus medical prescription' for Sushant, days before his death. Sushant's family lawyer Vikas Singh has responded to this new development, and has claimed that this is an attempt to keep the Mumbai Police involved so that they can do 'some mischief' and come in the way of Sushant's family getting justice. Speaking to ANI, Vikas Singh said, "So this is a clear attempt to somehow keep the Mumbai Police alive in this matter so that they can do some mischief and ensure that the family of Sushant does not get justice in this matter." In the complaint filed with the Mumbai Police, Priyanka and a few others are accused of acquiring an unlawful prescription for Sushant's anxiety issues on June 8, days before he allegedly died by suicide on June 14. Singh continued, "I've been given a complaint filed by Rhea Chakraborty in Bandra Police station. It's an effort to keep jurisdiction of Mumbai Police in this matter when SC said complaints with regard to death of Sushant Singh Rajput will be investigated by CBI." "If Bandra Police accepts the complaint, it'll be a violation of the order of Supreme Court and hence a contempt of the court. If Bandra Police proceeds with it, we will take the matter to Supreme Court under contempt of court," he added. Singh was referring to the ruling by the Supreme Court last month, that all matters related to Sushant's case will be referred to the CBI. ALSO READ: Rhea Chakraborty Files Forgery Case Against Sushant's Sister Priyanka; See Documents (Exclusive) ALSO READ: Richa Chadha's Cryptic Post, 'We Will Make Sure You Pay For Your Actions', Directed At Media? Advertisement A British Transport Police officer was alerted to the Manchester Arena suicide bomber more than half an hour before he went on to kill 22 people, the public inquiry into the atrocity was told yesterday. Experts have said there were 'missed opportunities' to identify Abedi as a threat and take action to stop him as witnesses claim they told officials that someone was acting suspiciously. A witness, Julie Merchant, approached BTP officer Jessica Bullough, around 32 minutes before the deadly bombing, to point out Salman Abedi. Paul Greaney QC said Ms Merchant cannot recall the details of the conversation with the officer but that it was 'to do with praying and political correctness'. And a man, identified only as witness A, said the suspect looked 'out of place' carrying a large rucksack in a crowded place. Another witness, William Drysdale, spotted Abedi in the City Room of the arena on the night of the attack, and a companion of Mr Drysdale then approached Ms Bullough, the inquiry heard. Abedi had conducted several 'hostile reconnaissance' trips to the arena and the area outside it ahead of the attack on May 22, 2017, which left 22 people dead. His first trip to the arena occurred on May 18 - the same day he arrived in the UK from Libya. In this trip, he walked into the City Room after wandering around the outside of the venue. It was in the City Room that Abedi, surrounded by a throng of elated youngsters leaving an Ariana Grande concert, that he exploded his shrapnel-packed rucksack bomb, sending thousands of nuts and bolts shredding everything in their path. Chilling footage showing suicide bomber Abedi struggling under the weight of his backpack and 'adjusting wiring' underneath his clothes moments before he murdered 22 people has been shown on the first day of the public inquiry into the terror attack. The inquiry today heard: A member of the public - known as witness A - challenged a man matching Salman Abedi's description at Manchester Arena and told security but was 'fobbed off', he claims; Another witness William Drysdale spotted Abedi in the City Room of the arena on the night of the attack; Someone else with Mr Drysdale then approached a British Transport Police officer. The officer cannot recall the conversation; A BTP officer and a PCSO on duty at Victoria Station went for a break and returned to duty two hours 10 minutes later on the night of the bombing; Abedi conducted several 'hostile reconnaissance' trips to the arena and the area outside it ahead of the attack; His first trip came on May 18, 2017, the same day Abedi arrived in Manchester Airport from Libya; There were no BTP officers on patrol at the train station as Abedi, carrying his large rucksack bomb, made his final journey to the City Rooms entrance to carry out his suicide attack; On the day of the attack he was seen struggling under the weight of his backpack and 'adjusting wiring' underneath his clothes; Experts have concluded there were missed opportunities to identify Abedi as a suicide bomber. Salman Abedi was seen 'adjusting wiring' underneath his clothes in the moments leading up to the devastating terror attack which left 22 people dead on May 22, 2017 A witness, Julie Merchant, approached BTP officer Jessica Bullough (pictured) around 32 minutes before the deadly bombing, to point out Salman Abedi. On May 21, the day before the attack, footage shows Abedi walking into the arena's City Room area (pictured) before sitting on a stairwell leading up to a mezzanine area - apparently on his phone Abedi (pictured on the day of the attack, shortly before 9pm) is pictured struggling under the weight of his backpack Abedi's first trip to the arena occurred on May 18 - the same day he arrived in the UK from Libya. Pictured: Abedi (back centre) walking towards the stairs that lead up to the City Room on his first trip On this first trip, footage shows Abedi (white cursor pointed at him) spending two minutes inside where he 'observes queues into the Arena' (pictured) before leaving on a tram Footage of Abedi's trips to the arena and the area outside it - ahead of the attack were also shown on the first day of a public inquiry into the incident. Pictured: One of his trips Sir John said: 'Salman Abedi (pictured) blew himself up in the explosion but he intended as many people as possible would die with him.' Right: A CCTV image of Salman Abedi at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017, where he detonated his bomb INQUIRY WILL EXAMINE WHETHER MANCHESTER ARENA PAIR WERE RADICALISED BY FAMILY The possible role of Salman Abedi's family in radicalising the Manchester Arena suicide bomber and his brother needs to be assessed, the public inquiry into the attack has heard. Opening the hearings on Monday, Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said: 'The inquiry will need to explore whether, and if so to what extent, the Adebi family or members of it were a radicalising influence on Salman and Hashem Abedi.' Mr Greaney told the inquiry how, a few hours before the attack in May 2017, Salman Abedi received text messages from a Libyan number 'associated with the Abedi family'. He said that at 7pm, this number sent a message to a third Abedi brother, Ismail, which said: 'Allah's peace and blessings be upon you.' The barrister told the inquiry: 'This message and the coincidence of its timing with what was happening in Manchester may be innocent but do serve to indicate that... the inquiry will need to explore whether, and if so to what extent, the Adebi family or members of it were a radicalising influence on Salman and Hashem Abedi.' Mr Greaney said that Abedi made a final phone call lasting about four minutes at 8.23pm to the same Abedi family number. He said this reinforced the need to know whether family members played a role in radicalising Abedi 'or even have known what was to occur or have suspected it'. Mr Greaney described how at 8.30pm, the Abedi family number sent a text to Ismail Abedi, which he read to the hearing. He then said: 'Whilst perhaps no interpretation of this message can be certain, we will need to explore whether it was sent by Ismail Abedi's mother, and the mother of the killers, and amounts to a complaint about the extreme views of her husband. 'And, if so, again that will serve to reinforce the need to understand whether the family of Salman and Hashem Abedi had a radicalising influence upon them.' Mr Greaney told the inquiry: 'Ismail Abedi, the brother of the killers, has been required by the inquiry legal team to answer a series of questions relating to what might, in general terms, be described as the issue of radicalisation. 'To date, he has declined to answer these questions on the basis that he maintains that his answers may tend to incriminate him. 'And that his position notwithstanding that he was recently prepared to give an interview to Sky News in the aftermath of Hashem Abedi's conviction.' Mr Greaney said: 'All who are listening and viewing should be assured that the inquiry is probing Ismail Abedi's response.' He said similar requests to the brothers' parents, Ramadan and Samia, who are believed to be in Libya, 'have not been responded to, at least not in any substantive way'. Mr Greaney said questions had also been asked of Hashem Abedi, who was jailed for a minimum of 55 years for planning the attack with his brother and murdering 22 people. Advertisement Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquest, said a witness had spoken to the suspicious person, asking him 'What have you got in your rucksack?' but received no reply. Mr Greaney added: '[Witness] A then said, ''It doesn't look very good you know, you with a bag in a place like this. What are you doing?'' The man replied: 'I'm waiting for somebody, mate. Have you got the time? What time is it?' Witness A then spoke to Mohammed Agha, employed by venue security firm Showsec, but said he was 'fobbed off.' Mohammed Agha then spoke to fellow Showsec employee Kyle Lawler about the suspicious man and what they should do, the inquiry heard. Mr Lawler is then said to have tried to radio his security control but could not get through. He then spotted the man get up and start walking towards the arena entrance. His statement continued: 'I just froze and did not get anything out on the radio. I knew at that point it was too late.' Mr Greaney QC said the accounts of Showsec employees differ about what happened with 'gaps and discrepancies' between their accounts and the CCTV evidence captured at the arena. Abedi, 22, was reported to police and security as acting suspiciously in the minutes before he detonated his bomb, the inquiry heard, but no action was taken. Mr Greaney said that 'of considerable importance, the experts consider, on the basis of the information currently available to them, that, on May 22, there were missed opportunities to identify Salman Abedi as a threat and take mitigating action.' He said that the experts concluded: 'If the presence of a potential suicide bomber had been reported, it is very likely that mitigating actions would've been taken that could have reduced the impact of the attack. 'This is because there was sufficient time between Abedi first being spotted by, and also reported to (security) staff and his attack to effectively react.' Mr Greaney said: 'The evidence about these potential missed opportunities will need to be considered with the greatest possible care.' He said whether there were 'missed opportunities' to prevent the attack or reduce its deadly impact would be a key consideration for the inquiry, which began on Monday. Loved ones of the 22 people who died in the bombing stood in silent remembrance as the names of the victims were recited at the opening of the hearings. The sombre proceedings began with Mr Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, reading the names of each of those murdered by suicide bomber Salman Abedi on May 22 2017. Sir John Saunders, a retired High Court judge, is leading the probe examining events before, during and after the attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Abedi, surrounded by a throng of elated youngsters leaving the show, exploded his shrapnel-packed rucksack bomb, sending thousands of nuts and bolts shredding everything in their path. Summarising the evidence at the beginning of the inquiry process, Mr Greaney described how William Drysdale spotted Abedi in the City Room of the arena and a second witness with Mr Drysdale then approached a British Transport Police (BTP) officer The officer cannot recall the conversation, the hearing was told. Two more witnesses, known only as A and B, a couple who had taken their daughter to the concert, also saw a man matching Abedi's description acting suspiciously. Mr A spoke to a Mohammed Agha, an employee of Showsec, the firm which provided security to the Arena on behalf of the venue's owners, SMG. Mr A spoke to Mr Agha at 10.14pm, some 17 minutes before the detonation. Mr Agha then spoke to a colleague, Kyle Lawler, about the matter, eight minutes before the bomb went off. But neither security control, nor anyone else, was informed about the suspicious activity, the hearing was told. Abedi walks out of the City Room onto the footbridge that leads down into Victoria Station during the first trip to the arena on May 18 Abedi uses the toilets at the train station where he 'struggles to work out how the turnstile operates'. He crouches over due to the weight of his backpack On his first trip, footage shows Abedi spending two minutes inside where he 'observes queues into the Arena' before leaving on a tram. Then, on May 19, Abedi is seen close to the arena at 1.36pm, conducting another 'hostile reconnaissance', Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said. He is then captured outside the station carrying a long cylindrical object inside a black bin bag. Abedi then gets into a taxi which takes him to a rented flat on Granby Street. Then on May 21, the day before the attack, footage shows Abedi walking into the arena's City Room area before sitting on a stairwell leading up to a mezzanine area - apparently on his phone. Abedi heads up the stairs to the mezzanine level where he pauses - looking over the bustling City Room below. On the day of the attack - May 22 - he stakes out the arena yet again after arriving at the Metrolink platform at 6.31pm. He pauses to tie his shoelaces before entering the City Room entrance at 6.34pm. But he heads back to the station - possibly after seeing British Transport Police officers - and gets into a taxi. At 8.30pm, Abedi arrives by tram yet again. He spends around ten minutes in the toilet at the station. He arrives at the City Room at 8.51pm but leaves again at 9.10pm - getting to the station via a lift - before returning at 9.33pm. On his final journey, Abedi got into the lift at the ground floor of Victoria Train station. CCTV footage captured in the lift shows him apparently adjusting wires underneath his clothing. Mr Greaney says: 'It is possible when one studies this photograph carefully to see Abedi adjusting wiring beneath his clothing.' He 'headed straight for the mezzanine level' where he stayed for just under an hour before going into the City Room and setting off his devastating bomb. Speaking of one of Abedi's visits to the arena ahead of the attack, Mr Greaney said: 'On the 21st of May, the CCTV footage captured Salman Abedi on a third occasion, apparently engaged in further hostile reconnaissance. 'At 18:53 on that day, Abedi was captured walking into the station from the Metro Link tram platform and going up the stairs to the footbridge leading to the City Room, apparently while speaking on his telephone. 'At 18:56, he can be observed entering the City Room and sitting down on the stairs to the mezzanine, still on his phone. 'At 19:04, he then walked up the stairs to the mezzanine level and stood at the top for about eight seconds, looking out over the City Room.' The City Room allows concertgoers to get to the car park, tram platform and the railway station. Families, lawyers and chairman of the inquiry Sir John Saunders (right) a retired High Court judge, stood with heads bowed for the minute's silence as Paul Greaney QC (left), counsel to the inquiry, read the names of each of those murdered Transport police officer and a PCSO on duty at Victoria Station 'went for a break and returned to duty two hours 10 minutes later' on night of bombing A British Transport Police officer and a PCSO on duty at Victoria Station, where the Manchester Arena is sited, went for a break and returned to duty two hours 10 minutes later, on the night Salman Abedi bombed the venue. There were no BTP officers on patrol at the train station as Abedi, carrying his large rucksack bomb, made his final journey to the City Rooms entrance to take up position to carry out his suicide attack, the public inquiry heard. A witness, Julie Merchant, approached BTP officer Jessica Bullough, around 32 minutes before the deadly bombing, to point out Salman Abedi. Paul Greaney QC said Ms Merchant cannot recall the details of the conversation with the officer but that it was 'to do with praying and political correctness'. The officer cannot remember the conversation taking place, the hearing was told. She was the first police officer to enter the City Rooms after the bombing, showing considerable bravery, Mr Greaney added. Advertisement Experts have concluded there were missed opportunities to identify Abedi as a suicide bomber. Abedi, 22, was reported to police and security as acting suspiciously in the minutes before he detonated his bomb, the inquiry heard, but no action was taken. The inquiry was how one member of the public spotted Abedi - who he presumed was praying - wearing a large back pack less than an hour before he detonated his bomb at 10.31pm and another told a British Transport Police (BTP) officer. Mr Greaney said experts had been asked to look into the security at the arena that night. Mr Greaney said that 'of considerable importance, the experts consider, on the basis of the information currently available to them, that, on May 22, there were missed opportunities to identify Salman Abedi as a threat and take mitigating action.' He said that the experts concluded: 'If the presence of a potential suicide bomber had been reported, it is very likely that mitigating actions would've been taken that could have reduced the impact of the attack. 'This is because there was sufficient time between Abedi first being spotted by, and also reported to (security) staff and his attack to effectively react.' Mr Greaney said: 'The evidence about these potential missed opportunities will need to be considered with the greatest possible care.' He said whether there were 'missed opportunities' to prevent the attack or reduce its deadly impact would be a key consideration for the inquiry, which began on Monday. It was also revealed at the inquest that a British Transport Police officer and a PCSO on duty at Victoria Station - where the Manchester Arena is sited - went for a break and returned to duty two hours 10 minutes later, on the night Abedi bombed the venue. There were no BTP officers on patrol at the train station as Abedi, carrying his large rucksack bomb, made his final journey to the City Rooms entrance to take up position to carry out his suicide attack, the public inquiry heard. A witness, Julie Merchant, approached BTP officer Jessica Bullough, around 32 minutes before the deadly bombing, to point out Salman Abedi. Mr Greaney QC said Ms Merchant cannot recall the details of the conversation with the officer but that it was 'to do with praying and political correctness'. The officer cannot remember the conversation taking place, the hearing was told. She was the first police officer to enter the City Rooms after the bombing, showing considerable bravery, Mr Greaney added. Loved ones of the 22 people who died in the bombing stood in silent remembrance as the names of the victims were recited at the opening of the hearings. The sombre proceedings began with Mr Greaney reading the names of each of those murdered by suicide bomber Salman Abedi on May 22 2017. Sir John Saunders, a retired High Court judge, is leading the probe examining events before, during and after the attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Summarising the evidence at the beginning of the inquiry process, Mr Greaney described how William Drysdale spotted Abedi in the City Room of the arena and a second witness with Mr Drysdale then approached a British Transport Police (BTP) officer. The officer cannot recall the conversation, the hearing was told. Loved ones of the 22 people (some pictured) murdered at the Manchester Arena bombing have stood in silent remembrance at the opening of the public inquiry into the terror attack The sombre start to proceedings began with Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, reading the names of each of those murdered (some victims pictured) by suicide bomber Salman Abedi on May 22, 2017 Two more witnesses, known only as A and B, a couple who had taken their daughter to the concert, also saw a man matching Abedi's description acting suspiciously and witness A challenged him. The man said the suspect looked 'out of place' carrying a large rucksack in a crowded place. Paul Greaney QC, said the witness spoke to the suspicious person. 'He asked the man, what have you got in your rucksack, but got no reply. MrA then said, 'It doesn't look very good you know, you with a bag in a place like this. What are you doing?' The man replied: 'I'm waiting for somebody, mate. Have you got the time? What time is it?' Witness A then spoke to Mohammed Agha, employed by venue security firm Showsec, but said he was 'fobbed off.' Mohammed Agha then spoke to fellow Showsec employee Kyle Lawler about the suspicious man and what they should do, the inquiry heard. Mr Lawler is then said to have tried to radio his security control but could not get through. He then spotted the man get up and start walking towards the arena entrance. His statement continued: 'I just froze and did not get anything out on the radio. I knew at that point it was too late.' Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquest, said the accounts of Showsec employees differ about what happened with 'gaps and discrepancies' between their accounts and the CCTV evidence captured at the arena. Earlier, formally opening the inquiry, Sir John said: 'This is an exercise in establishing the truth. 'If I conclude things went wrong then I shall say so, but we are not looking for scapegoats. We are searching for the truth. A view inside the room where the Manchester Arena Inquiry is being held, at Manchester Magistrates Court 'The explosion killed 22 people, including children, the youngest was eight years old. 'Salman Abedi blew himself up in the explosion but he intended as many people as possible would die with him.' Sir John said some evidence must be heard in secret to prevent further similar terrorist attacks. Abedi was known to the security services, and a senior MI5 officer, known only as witness J, is expected to give evidence to the inquiry later this year. The bomber's brother, Hashem Abedi, now 23, was last month jailed for life with a minimum 55 years before parole, for his part in the deadly bomb plot, which left hundreds of other people injured. Some evidence, involving information judged to be potentially of use to terrorists, is subject to restriction orders, and those hearings will be closed to the public. The most sensitive evidence is likely to be heard at closed hearings, with both press and public excluded because of the risk to national security. Governor says health protocols in place for reopening of Cancun, Riviera Maya beaches Cancun, Riviera Maya, Q.R. Governor Carlos Joaquin says that as of September 7, when beaches begin to reopen in the northern region of the state, hygiene and prevention protocols will be applied during the gradual opening of beaches. In a public address, he said some of the beaches may begin to open gradually, but alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed on them and food cannot be had. People will be able to start going, except for vulnerable groups. He explained that people considered part of vulnerable groups are those over 60, people with hypertension, people with diabetes, obesity and people who suffer from respiratory diseases, stressing that these groups run the highest risk of losing their lives if they become infected with Covid-19. The update came from the governor as the epidemiological light for the northern area of Quintana Roo advances to yellow (from orange). This advancement means the gradual reopening of public spaces including beaches, as well as an increased occupancy rate for businesses. Governor Carlos Joaquin Governor Carlos Joaquin reiterated that the change to yellow in the epidemiological light is only for the northern part of the state in the municipalities of Tulum, Solidaridad, Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, Benito Juarez, Lazaro Cardenas and Isla Mujeres. The southern municipalities, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Jose Maria Morelos, Bacalar and Othon P. Blanco will remain orange during the week of September 7 to 13. Job Title: USEFM Management Assistant (WAE) 2 Job Positions Organisation: United States US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Salary: USD $33,685 Open to: U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) All Agencies Position Number: Kampala-2020-022-RA2 About US Embassy: The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Deborah R. Malac currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador. Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Peace Corps Job Summary: The USEFM Management Assistant (WAE) provides full administrative and clerical support to all Embassy sections including filling in for all direct hire/EFM Office Management Specialists during temporary absences/periods of short staffing. Incumbent shall assist in managing special projects including COTELs and POTUS and escort pouch when required. Incumbent shall work on temporary basis and supervised by the Management Officer. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Administrative duties: Coordinates unclassified documents from drafts as well as routine telegrams and outgoing correspondence, with special attention to grammar syntax and spelling. Reviews, distributes and files incoming official communications and assorted correspondence. Receives and screens telephone calls, visitors, and responds to requests for information, schedules and confirms appointments. Typing a variety of documents, placing official calls, screening calls and visitors referring onward as needed, maintaining contacts lists, office files, and office calendar. Gathers information for management meetings and reports. Ensures that all action cables and correspondence are answered. Performs other administrative duties as needed. 50% Special projects assistance: Incumbent shall be called upon to assist manage/provide assistance in CODELs/POTUSs, direct hire EER processes, escort pouch, and arrange travel and any other duties that may be assigned. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. The applicants for the United States US Embassy USEFM Management Assistant (WAE) job opportunity should have completed secondary school /High School At least two years of administrative or secretarial experience is required. Knowledge of correspondence procedures and general customer service is required. Knowledge of office protocol matters, logistics and related office requirements is required. Proper and efficient secretarial and office management procedures is required. Typing level II (40wpm) is required. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Internet is required. Ability to work flexible hours is required. Must be tactful, possess good judgment and be able to communicate with employees at all levels. Ability to accurately proofread written material to eliminate errors, well-organized, ability to meet deadlines and to work in a multi-tasking environment is required. Must be eligible to obtain a secret clearance. Basic numerical skill is required. This may be tested. Language: Level III (good working knowledge) reading/speaking/writing in English is required. This may be tested. How to Apply: All those interested in working with the US mission in Kampala should send their applications online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 30th September 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 The ex-bikie founder of a fight club in Sydney's inner west has died in hospital two days after police believe he may have fatally shot his housemate. Albert Rick Difloriano, 55, died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Sunday night after he was found with gunshot wounds to the head in a quiet Lewisham street. Police at the scene in Henry Street, Lewisham, where Aleksandar Stevanovic was shot dead and Albert Difloriano was in a critical condition. Credit:Rhett Wyman Armed police officers found Mr Difloriano in a home on Victoria Street after another man, Aleksandar Stevanovic, 36, was found with gunshot wounds to his chest in nearby Henry Street on Friday afternoon. Mr Stevanovic was shot at the home before making his way down Henry Street, where he was found by members of the public. He died on the way to hospital. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mardika Parama (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 08:02 501 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c431089a 1 Business Public-Works-and-Public-Housing-Ministry,PUPR,state-budget,economic-recovery Free The Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry is seeking a budget of Rp 149.8 trillion (US$10.1 billion) for 2021 a 42.7 percent increase from this years allocation in part to fund infrastructure projects to support the nations economic recovery. PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said on Thursday that the ministry would focus on six priority programs next year: food security, connectivity development, public health development, attracting investment in strategic regions, providing a social safety net through labor-intensive projects and disaster mitigation enhancement. From the Rp 149.8 trillion budget allocated in 2021, we will allocate Rp 18.14 trillion for the labor-intensive cash-for-work [PKT] program. The program will receive a higher allocation than this years budget of Rp 12.32 trillion, Basuki said. The ministry allocated Rp 11.5 trillion for the PKT portion of the program and Rp 654 billion for the labor-intensive work portion this year, providing jobs for an estimated 680,000 workers amid a wave of unemployment during the health crisis. Indonesias economy contracted 5.32 percent in the second quarter of this year as domestic consumption, business investment and government spending fell significantly. The government expects the economy to contract 0.2 to 1.1 percent this year. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Wednesday that Indonesias economic recovery in 2021 may not be at full power, as the government expected the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to dampen domestic consumption and investment until next year. Given these challenges, the government expects the economy to grow 4.5 to 5.5 percent next year. To augment food security and resiliency, Basuki said the ministry would allocate Rp 6.47 trillion for a food estate program in Central Kalimantan. The program aims to transform 165,000 hectares of land previously administered by the Peatland Development Project (PLG) into farmland. We will start improving the food estate zones irrigation system and accessibility by October. We will continue developing the 133,000 hectares of land by 2021, and hopefully, we can start planting crops next year, he said. The 2021 state budget is under deliberation in the House of Representatives and must be approved by the legislature before taking effect. Editors note: This review was originally published at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. NEON releases the film in virtual cinemas on Friday, January 29. The subject of Dear Comrades! stretches across the decades: On June 2, 1962, Soviet soldiers opened fire on workers in the city of Novocherkassk who were protesting for better living conditions and lower food prices. The Novocherkassk massacre ended with 26 people dead and buried in secret by KGB officials; it wasnt until a 1992 investigation that the full scope of the violence came to light. Director Andrei Konchalovsky doesnt need to follow the story that far. Instead, Dear Comrades! hovers in the immediacy of the disaster, with the vivid black-and-white saga of a Communist Party official whose own daughter goes missing in the chaos. More from IndieWire That face belongs to Lyudmila (a tense Julia Vysotskaya), who has served as a loyal servant of the Communist Party for decades. Dear Comrades! follows her through nearly every scene, as the government braces for the first major labor strike and the ensuing demonstration before it tips into violence. Konchalovsky and Elena Kiselevas screenplay wastes no time presenting the conflicts at the center of her life: A loyal Stalinist and WWII veteran who resents the Khrushchev era, she defends the legacy of the former leader at every opportunity, watching the mounting protests with a frozen scowl. At the same time, she contends with backlash from her own teenage daughter Svetka (Yulia Burova), and when the protests erupt into violence, Lyudmilas forced to confront her dueling allegiances to motherhood and the motherland in a sudden, harrowing eruption of chaos. The use of crisp black-and-white imagery, constrained to a 1:33 aspect ratio, recalls Pawe Pawlikowskis Cold War for the way it evokes the romanticism of a bygone era while giving it an ironic context. The myth of the unassailable Soviet machinery reaches a harsh reality check as the KGB struggles to contain the mounting protests, then goes into panic mode in the aftermath of the killings. Lyudmila sits in on many of these meetings, first as a kind of passive observer who encourages the authorities to rule with an iron fist, then as a terrified mother incapable of focusing on anything else. Story continues With the town on lockdown and tanks roaming the streets, Lyudmila embarks on a frantic search to determine the fate of her missing child. As she goes from the city morgue to the outskirts of town, the suspense keeps rising, and troops swarm in. Aided by an enigmatic co-worker (Vladislav Komarov), Lyudmila endures a series of close calls as she gets closer to the awful truth about the cover-up, if not Svetkas fate. The camera often sits close to Lyudmilas face, watching her struggle through a set of dueling emotions that form the centerpiece of the movie as it builds to a remarkable final confrontation. Dear Comrades! sometimes works a bit too hard to remind viewers of just how much Lyudmila has committed to the lost cause of her governments priorities (Had Stalin been around wed already be living under communism! she declares, in one of several terse reminders that she simply adored the guy.) However, Konchalovsky excels at building out the complex set of generational forces at work in Lyudmilas household, from her angsty daughter to her batty military veteran father, who still wears his WWI outfit around the house like a rumpled echo of another bygone era. Let it burn, he tells her, as the city goes into lockdown. Lyudmilas husband, meanwhile, remains an ambivalent side character throughout; only Svetka seems to harbor enough passion to chase a better future. But Lyudmila only starts to grasp that once her daughters gone, and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance make it clear that the city might not be worth saving at all. Many of these realizations unfold through complex visual schemes, with Lyudmila gazing off-frame at people or scenery that illuminates the contradictory nature of her circumstances. The movie excels at keeping us connected to the way one image flows into the next. Konchalovsky, the eclectic 83-year-old director whose credits range from co-writing Andrei Rublev to getting fired from Tango and Cash before giving up on Hollywood, displays confidence in the art of composition in frame after frame: The gradual buildup to the violent outbreak, which begins with the KGB escaping out the side door before Lyudmila rushes into the center of the madness, slides into a jarring revelation before the bloodshed begins. The pace is so swift that its impossible to take into account the full picture until Lyudmila gets a moment to breathe and think it through. Konchalovsky doesnt linger on the violence, but endows it with symbolic intensity. His camera captures much of those circumstances through a shattered window pane, as Lyudmila helps a wounded woman find shelter, and the frame-within-a-frame neatly encapsulates the sense of entrapment at hand. Later, unable to contain her anxiety in the midst of an energy meeting, she drifts to the bathroom and melts into a puddle of fright. Its a fascinating transformation that helps smooth over some of the more obvious soul-searching dialogue (What am I supposed to believe in, if not communism?) and allows Lyudmila to become both symbolic of her countrys shifting identity as well as a complex figure waking up to the lies she has told herself for years. Dear Comrades! may seem far-removed from the ominous impression of the Russian prowess today, when a new set of concerns about governmental secrecy roil the troubled regime. However, Lyudmila transcends the specific incident surrounding her transition. Gazing out at the future in the movies bracing finale, she embodies the complex blend of hope and fear at the center of a country unlikely to untangle that conflict anytime soon. Its a movie about Russias past transgressions readymade to explore more recent ones: National soul-searching never really ends, but Dear Comrades! makes the case that the quest is always worthwhile. Grade: B Dear Comrades premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Saudi Arabia has cut its official selling prices for crude oil in the latest sign that demand recovery is stumbling, Bloomberg reports, adding that this is the first time Riyadh has cut its oil prices to a discount against the benchmark since June. Prices were lowered both for Asian and U.S. buyers this time, after Aramco kept its prices higher for U.S. refiners for six months in a row. For Asian buyers, this was the second consecutive month of price cuts, which suggests that the appetite for Saudi oil is dwindling after Chinese refiners spent the better part of the year stocking up on cheap crude amid the price crash and the pandemic. In China, a key market, Saudi Arabia has been losing market share to its geopolitical partner, the United States, over the last few months. China has imported record volumes of crude oil in recent months, taking advantage of the lowest crude prices in two decades in April to stock up on dirt-cheap oil. In their bargain-hunting for low-priced oil, Chinese state oil giants and independent refiners alike snapped up cheap U.S. cargoes in April, which were loaded in May, started to arrive in China in June, and set records in July. Meanwhile, Saudi oil exports to the U.S. hit the lowest in more than three decades by August this year, down to an average daily of 177,000 bpd from some 1.3 million bpd in April. This month, Saudi oil imports into the U.S. are seen lower still, at some 264,000 bpd, which would be the lowest since 1985. Just a month ago, Aramcos chief executive said he was optimistic about the recovery of oil demand in Asia, seeing it almost back to pre-crisis levels. This followed earlier comments by Amin Nasser in June that the worst of the crisis was over, and the second half of the year would be much more robust in terms of oil demand than the first. Based on the latest price adjustments, for shipments in October, this may not turn out to be the case. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Screengrabs from a video of a 12-year-old girl being tackled by Hong Kong police Hong Kong police tackled a 12-year old girl to the ground and arrested her on Sunday amid a protests against delayed parliamentary elections. A video widely shared online shows riot police pushing the youngster to the ground as she tried to dash away. She was later charged for allegedly violating coronavirus social distancing rules, police said. But her mother told local media: She was just trying to buy art supplies with her brother." The video has sparked outrage online, gathering over a million views on Twitter. On the local Reddit-like forum LIHKG, one commenter criticised the police for being "loud and impolite" as if a "mad dog chasing after people who run." In a statement on Facebook, the police said the girl was running in a "suspicious manner" that required officers to chase and subdue her with the use of "minimum force". A young girl of school age was just cornered by riot police & proceeded to run away, before being viciously wrestled to the ground, kicked & pinned down by several police officers. I wish I could say this isnt normal in Hong Kong today, but it is. Vid: HKUST student reporters pic.twitter.com/LjaobRN2IB Jack Hazlewood (@JackHHazlewood) September 6, 2020 The arrest came amid demonstrations against delayed parliamentary elections, with hundreds of protesters facing off against thousands of riot police. Around 290 people were arrested in the biggest single-day sweep since early July, in one of the largest demonstrations since a draconian national security law was imposed by Beijing on the territory. The new law, introduced July 1, criminalises acts deemed as secession, subversion, terrrorism and foreign collusion, making them punishable by life imprisonment. Story continues Protest slogans and songs are banned, and books deemed politically sensitive have been pulled from public library shelves. During the protests, activists were arrested for a range of alleged infractions, including chanting anti-government protest slogans, engaging in unlawful assembly, misconduct in a public place, and failing to produce identification. Before the protest, activist Tam Tak-chi, 47, was arrested on suspicion of uttering seditious words, police said. Screengrabs from a video of a 12-year-old girl being tackled by Hong Kong police Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong appeared nearby the starting point of the march early in the afternoon, but it is unclear if he managed to join it due to the heavy police presence. We hope the world can never forget September 6 should be election day. And now Beijing delayed and even cancelled the elections, which is totally unreasonable, he said. Clashes erupted on multiple occasions as police fired rounds of pepper balls while protesters hurled water bottles and an umbrella towards them. The 2020 Hong Kong Legislative Council election was originally scheduled for September 6, until it was postponed for a year by the government, citing coronavirus concerns. Activists have criticised the Hong Kong authorities for using the pandemic to delay an election it appeared poised to lose, especially as the decision to suspend polls came after several pro-democracy opposition candidates were barred from running. The government took away our voting rights, Ms Wu, 23, a clerk, told the Telegraph. In recent months Hong Kong authorities have engaged in a wider, chilling crackdown on dissent, which has included the mass arrest of leading pro-democracy activists. Several have fled overseas, including to Britain. The government has also arrested journalists, academics and politicians. President Muhammadu Buhari has urged West African leaders not to elongate their tenures in office. Mr Buhari made the remark in his address at the 57th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Niamey, Niger, according to his official spokesperson, Garba Shehu. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Buhari arrived in Niamey on Monday ahead of the summit, attended by his fellow West African leaders. Agenda Top of the agenda in Mondays ECOWAS Summit at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre was the political impasse in Mali which led to the ouster of Malian President, Ibrahim Keita. He was forced at gunpoint to relinquish his seat by mutinous soldiers last month. As leaders of our individual Member-States of ECOWAS, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits. This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region. Related to this call for restraint is the need to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. This must be the bedrock for democracy to be sustained in our sub-region, just as the need for adherence to the rule of law, the presidential aide quoted Mr Buhari as saying. READ ALSO: Mr Buhari, 77, is serving a second term in office, after winning the 2019 elections against his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar. Last December, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Charles Enya, filed a suit seeking a constitutional amendment to allow the president and state governors to seek third terms in office. It was later withdrawn. The president had consistently said he would not be seeking a third term in office. Im not going to make the mistake of attempting a third term, Mr Buhari said last year. Besides age, I swore by the Holy Book that I would go by the constitution and the constitution said two terms. I know that Im in my last term and I can afford to be reckless because Im not going to ask for anybodys vote. Andhra Pradeh: AP signs MoUs with Dutch govt, 8 others in food processing sector by Gopi Dara September 07,2020 | Source: The Times of India The state government on Friday signed MoUs with eight companies including the Netherlands government in the food processing sector. Representatives of seven companies from across the country and the Netherlands government signed the MoU in the presence of chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy at his camp office in Tadepalli. These companies would help farmers through the state government in the food processing sector, including harvesting, processing and packaging of fruits, vegetables, fish and aqua products. The Netherlands government would help the state government and the farmers in food processing, technology, packaging, containers and other areas. One of the firms, IFB, would assist the state government and the farmers in fish and aqua culture including technology, processing, packaging and export. The State government is focusing on maximum utilisation of aqua base in the state. The government had already proposed Fisheries University in West Godavari where the farmers are engaged in aqua and fish culture. Another company, ITC, would assist the government in mango and chillies. Mangoes are cultivated mostly in Vizianagaram, Krishna and Chittoor districts, which have greater demand in Western countries. The Lawrencedale Agro Processing India Private Limited too had signed the MoU in Mango, while BigBasket had signed the MoU for processing of Tomato and Bananas in harvest and processing. The Futuretech Foods India had signed the MoU with the government to help in all fruits including banana beside vegetables. The National Research Center (NRC) for Banana had signed the MoU to help the government in banana processing, besides introducing technology in dry banana products. The representatives of the NRC have also displayed the dry fruit banana products, which have better marketing facilities in the world. Jaganmohan Reddy had requested the representatives of these companies to help the farmers in the state in food processing sector. Minister for agriculture K Kanna Babu, Agriculture Mission vice-chairman MVS Nagi Reddy, agriculture special chief secretary Punam Malakondaiah and other officials were present when the MoUs were signed. After Bengaluru recorded its first case of a recovered coronavirus patient contracting the disease again, Karnataka medical education minister Dr Sudhakar K on Monday said he has called a meeting with a team of specialists to discuss the issue. A 27-year-old woman has been re-infected with Covid-19 within a couple of months after she had recovered. Today, I have called a meeting of a team of specialists on this, the minister told news agency ANI. The woman had first tested positive in July and was discharged later that month after recovering from the virus. However, on Sunday, Fortis Hospital, where she underwent treatment for Covid-19, said that in the last week of August, she once again tested positive for the disease. Karnataka is one of the worst-hit states in the country, with nearly 4 lakh cases of Covid-19 thus far. Till Sunday night, the southern state had reported 2.92 lakh discharges, 99,266 active cases and over 6,300 deaths. Most of the states cases are from its capital Bengaluru, with the IT hub also being among the worst-affected cities in the country. In yet another shocker from Kerala, a woman, who was under quarantine, has alleged that she was raped by a health worker recently. IMAGE: BJP Mahila Morcha activists burn an effigy of Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja during a protest demanding her resignation over the alleged rape of a COVID-19 patient in Aranmula, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo The accused, a junior health inspector at a primary health centre, was arrested on Monday and a case under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) registered against him, police said. The incident came to light a day after a 19-year-old woman was raped by an ambulance driver as she was being shifted to a COVID care centre at Pandalam in Pathnamthitta district on Saturday midnight. A police officer of the nearby Pangode police station said the 44-year-old woman, who was working as a home nurse at Malappuram, had returned to her home at Kulathupuzha recently and was asked to undergo quarantine by the health inspector. She also underwent an antigen test which was negative and was told by the man to collect the test certificate from his flat at Barathanoor, police said. The woman in her complaint stated that she went to his house on September 3 and was sexually attacked after being tied up and was allowed to leave only the next day. Meanwhile, the Women's commission has on its own registered a case against the health inspector and directed the state Health secretary to initiate disciplinary action against him. Condemning the incident, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the two incidents of rape has brought shame to the state. These incidents shows the 'serious lapses' on the part of the health department, he alleged. DULUTH, Minn. - A priest recently tapped by Pope Francis to become a bishop for a northern Minnesota diocese has resigned after an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in the 1980s surfaced before he could take up his post. The Vatican announced Monday that Francis had accepted the resignation of Bishop-elect Michel Mulloy, whom the pope named in June to head the Duluth diocese. Mulloy was supposed to be elevated to bishops rank in an Oct. 1 ceremony in Duluth. The Vatican did not provide details. At the time of his appointment, Mulloy was serving as diocesan administrator in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Diocese of Rapid City said in a statement that it received the allegation last month and that it dates back to the 1980s. It said there have been no additional allegations of abuse involving Mulloy. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment Monday at Mulloys office in the Rapid City diocese. It is highly unusual for a priest who has been selected to be a bishop to resign before that can happen. But the development underlines the pontiffs oft-stated resolve to crack down on predator priests as well as insist that any allegation of sexual abuse be promptly investigated. The Rapid City diocese said Bishop Peter Muhich informed law enforcement of the development and that Mulloy was directed to refrain from engaging in ministry. The diocese then commissioned an independent investigation to determine whether the allegation warranted further investigation under Cannon (church) Law, the Rapid City diocese statement said. The review found that the accusation met the standard for further investigation and conclusion and the Holy See was informed by Muhich. The Rapid City diocese said Mulloy received a summary of the specific allegation and submitted his resignation as bishop-elect to the pope. Police in Rapid City said they have no report of allegations against Mulloy. Its unclear where the 1980s allegation happened and which law enforcement agency received the report. A message left with the diocese to seek more details was not immediately returned Monday. Monsignor James Bissonette will continue to serve as administrator for the Diocese of Duluth until a new bishop is appointed. In a statement Monday, Bissonette said the diocese grieves with all who have suffered sexual abuse. I ask you to pray for the person who has come forward with this accusation, for Father Mulloy, for the faithful of our diocese, and for all affected, he said. We place our hope and trust in Gods providence as we await, again, the appointment of our next bishop. According to the Star Tribune, Mulloy, 67, most recently served as vicar general and administrator for the Rapid City diocese. He was ordained in 1979 and served in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City dioceses before joining the Rapid City diocese in 1986. by Sumon Corraya The incident occurred when worshippers were praying in a Narayanganj mosque, Fatullah. According to the Fire Service, gas from a leak in an underground pipeline accumulated in the mosque. Narayanganj (AsiaNews) A fire possibly caused by a gas leak killed 26 worshippers inside a mosque in Narayanganj, Fatullah, during last Friday prayers. Most of the victims were poor. The explosion injured the 45 people who praying inside the building. As of Sunday, 26 were dead and 11 hospitalised, six in intensive care. According to the Fire Service, the blaze was probably caused by gas that accumulated inside the building from a leak in an underground pipeline. The victims of were brought to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, in Dhaka. Dr Samanta Lal Sen said none of the survivors are out of danger yet. The Fire Service and Civil Defence launched a probe under the mosque floor to see if the pipeline running under the three-story structure leaks. Meanwhile, the government has announced aid for the fire victims. The families of the dead will receive 20,000 BDT (about US$ 236) whilst the injured will get 10,000 BDT (about US$ 118). Muslims often attend prayer with family members; in this incident, certain families suffered multiple fatalities. Julhas Unndi, 30, and his only son Jubair, 7, were injured in the fire, but Julhas Unndi died later on the same day of the blast, whilst his son died two days later. Rahima Begum, 25, a garment worker, also lost a son. My son was watching cartoons on TV. I told him to go with his father to pray. Had I not sent him, he would still be alive, she said, her eyes full of tears. Abdullah Al Arefin, assistant director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, has already started to investigate the incident. "We are checking the mosque's electrical connections with the help of experts, he said. Yesterday Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also ordered an investigation into the deadly explosion. I directed the cabinet secretary and other authorities concerned to find out the reason behind the blast in a mosque in Narayanganj, she told Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) during a discussion on an obituary motion. Beijing has been left red-faced after last weeks confrontation between the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) troops and Indian soldiers at the Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. On the night of August 29-30, Chinese forces intruded into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and tried to occupy strategic heights near the southern bank of the Pangong Tso overlooking Indian military positions in the Chushul area. Alert Indian troops not only pushed them back preventing an encore of what happened three months ago when the PLA forces stealthily occupied vantage points on the lakes north bank but also deployed on the dominating high ground within hours. From all accounts, the commander of the Chinese troops ordered a hasty retreat when physical conflict seemed imminent a move which reportedly earned him the displeasure of the PLAs Western Theatre Command chief. The Chinese leadership brazenly uses tactics short of armed conflict to grab land on the Indian side of the LAC at every opportunity so it can unilaterally change the status quo on the border. The five rounds of military commander level talks between the two sides, from mid-June till early August to restore border peace have evidently not yielded anything as the PLAs so-called salami slicing of Indian territory goes on. Unfortunately for India, Beijing is playing this treacherous Chinese checkers at a time when the Indian Army has been forced to postpone its annual military exercises in Ladakh because of the pandemic. (Indian troops usually use these drills to get acclimatised to the area before winter sets in.) In the latest face-off, however, what is remarkable is the Indian Armys use of the Special Frontier Force (SFF) to thwart and pre-empt the Chinese intrusion. Each service of the Indian Armed Forces has a special forces component: the armys Parachute Regiment Parachute (Airborne) and Parachute (Special Forces); the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the navy, and the air forces Garud Commando Force (Garuds). However, the SFF is markedly different, and although army units with the SFF elements are called Vikas battalions, they are not actually part of the Indian Army. They are a secretive paramilitary special force comprising mostly Tibetans, operating under the Cabinet Secretariat, and reporting directly to the Prime Ministers Office. The SFF commandos are specially trained in reconnaissance, direct action, unconventional warfare and covert operations, and excel in guerrilla tactics and mountain warfare. High altitude operations especially come naturally to them. These units were created during the India-China war of 1962 when, at the behest of the Intelligence Bureau, New Delhi raised a 5,000-strong unit of Tibetans living in exile in India to tackle Chinese aggression along the LAC. The SFF works closely with Indias external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) which initially trained them with the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The CIA, though, opted out of the SFF training programme in the Seventies when Washington began to mend fences with China. Considering that New Delhi never let the SFF operate near the LAC before, its deployment now in eastern Ladakh signals a new and robust policy of offensive defence. Military doctrine is changing in armies around the world and special operations forces such as the US Army's Delta Force and the US Navy's SEALs have become indispensable crisis response tools for the militaries of many countries. Units such as the British Special Air Service, for instance, specialise in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance, while others like Britains Special Boat Service are part of naval task forces. Russias Spetsnaz special forces, Israels Sayeret Matkal, Australias Special Air Service Regiment, the French Le Commando Hubert, South Africas Special Forces Brigade, and the New Zealand Special Air Service top the list of elite commando units of the world. Curiously, the PLA itself started focusing on special operations forces only in the late Eighties when a rapid reaction unit was set up in Guangzhou, southern China. However, their rigorous training notwithstanding, the Chinese troops lack actual combat experience, and have yet to prove their mettle in undertaking unorthodox security tasks. This is unlike the battle-hardened SFF, which has seen action right from its inception be it in Bangladesh in 1971, Operation Blue Star in Amritsars Golden Temple in 1984, or the 1999 Kargil War. These irregular troops with their unique skills lend invaluable support to the efforts of conventional military units like infantry battalions. As the Pangong Tso incident showed, Indias military planners are rightly turning to these elite units to reorient the armed forces into a new deterrence posture towards adversaries. Advertisement Hundreds of people gathered for a highlight of the Venetian calendar as colourful boats re-enacted the Historical Regatta sail along the Canal Grande in Venice, Italy this weekend. During this year's event, the first taking place after the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, numerous boats rowed on the Grand Canal to re-enact the glorious past of the Venice Republic. Venice was once one of Italys major maritime republics and its power and splendour are celebrated each September. Gondoliers in historical costumes recreate carrying the Doge and his wife up the Grand Canal. There are four races throughout the day with the finish line located in front of the Ca' Foscari palace. Amongst a thousand colours and costumed extras, the doge, elected lord and chief of state of Venice, the doge's wife and the highest magistrate officers of the ancient Venice Republic are brought back to life to show the splendour and wealth of Venice's glorious era. Hundreds enjoy colourful splendour of Venice's Historical Regatta as costumed Gondoliers race up the Grand Canal Boats with people re-acting the Historical Regatta sail along the Canal Grande this weekend in Venice, Italy Dozens of colourful boats took to the Canal Grande filled with people in traditional costumes to celebrate the historic event The regatta is a highlight of the calendar in Venice each year and is attended by hundreds of tourists and locals alike The event was the first to take place since the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown and many attendees donned masks The historical regatta celebrates Venice's history as a once powerful and splendid maritime republic Tourists and locals come from far and wife to enjoy the pageantry of the historical regatta on the Grand Canal in Venice During this year's event, numerous boats rowed on the Grand Canal to re-enact the glorious past of the Venice Republic Those taking part wore ornate 16th century costumes to reflect the historic splendour of Venice's maritime past The event dates back to the 1300s when gondoliers began to organise races and is an important part of Venetian culture The United Arab Emirates is planning to make its first official visit to Israel on Sept 22 to build up the countries' agreement to normalise relations, a source familiar with the provisional itinerary said on Monday. Israeli officials declined to comment and UAE officials did not respond to calls seeking comment. The two countries announced on Aug 13 they would normalise diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal that was hailed as a breakthrough by Washington and Israel but spurned by the Palestinians. The UAE delegation's trip to Israel, which has yet to be finalised, would come in reciprocation of a groundbreaking trip to Abu Dhabi last week by senior Israeli and US envoys, the source told Reuters. The source said the UAE was expected to finalise the trip after a date is announced for a ceremony, likely in Washington, where the countries' leaders will sign their normalisation accord. That ceremony is likely to take place in mid-September, the source added. The source declined to be identified by name or nationality due to the sensitivity of the evolving contacts. The trip would be the first publicly acknowledged visit to Israel by an official delegation from the UAE. Israel exchanged embassies with neighbours Egypt and Jordan under peace deals decades ago. But until the UAE accord, all other Arab states had demanded Israel first cede more land to the Palestinians. An Israeli minister said on Monday annual trade between Israel and the UAE is expected to reach $4 billion. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics BERLIN Just before hundreds of far-right activists recently tried to storm the German Parliament, one of their leaders revved up the crowd by conjuring President Trump. Trump is in Berlin! the woman shouted from a small stage, as if to dedicate the imminent charge to him. She was so convincing that several groups of far-right activists later showed up at the American Embassy and demanded an audience with Mr. Trump. We know hes in there! they insisted. Mr. Trump was neither in the embassy nor in Germany that day and yet there he was. His face was emblazoned on banners, T-shirts and even on Germanys pre-1918 imperial flag, popular with neo-Nazis in the crowd of 50,000 who had come to protest Germanys pandemic restrictions. His name was invoked by many with messianic zeal. 7 Sep Although being in a relationship feels great, KC Concepcion would rather focus on herself first for now. The actress, who spoke with G3 San Diego recently, stated that she was never ready to settle down in her 20s and thought that she would be as soon as she hits 30. However, she realised that she was still not ready for it. "I am really trying to be independent outside of all the relationships I've been in. It's fun to make your life and days revolve around a guy. But at the end of the day, the guy will only want to be with you however interesting your life is," she said. Concepcion elaborated that how you are in life is what the other party will get, which is why it is important that one should know what they want and what kind of life they want to share with their partner before a relationship could happen. When asked on the kind of man she likes, the actress, who calls herself a "global Filipina", stated that she wants someone whose world is not just the Philippines. (Photo Source: KC Concepcion Instagram) Military commanders of India and China sat down for another round of talks on Sunday aimed at defusing heightened tensions along the south bank of Pangong Tso, which erupted after the Indian Army pre-empted intrusions by Chinese troops on 29-31 August. The brigade commander-level talks on Sunday were the seventh in a row of discussions that started last Monday following Beijings bid to open a new front in the current military face-off with India. However, like it happened over the past week, the talks on Sunday also ended inconclusively", a person familiar with the matter said. The talks came two days after Indian and Chinese defence ministers, Rajnath Singh and Wei Fenghe, met in Moscow on the sidelines of a regional conference of defence ministers. That was the first face-to-face meeting at the political level between the two countries since tensions sparked in May after India detected intrusions by soldiers of the Peoples Liberation Army of China at multiple locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh in May. This included an intrusion along the north bank of Pangong Tso along the Finger area, a series of eight mountain folds jutting into the lake. Tensions between the two countries peaked following a clash at Galwan in mid-June in which 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese military personnel were killed. Many rounds of talks at the military and diplomatic levels have not been able to achieve a breakthrough on disengagement and de-escalation, stalled since mid-July after some initial steps. With the Singh-Wei meeting on Friday not yielding an obvious way forward, all eyes are on a meeting this week between Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, again in Moscow this week. Officials in New Delhi were not willing to hazard a guess about the outcome of the talks on Sunday. One official pointed to both the Indian and Chinese statements issued separately after Fridays discussions talking of keeping the channels of communication open. The official also said that the Singh-Wei talks had been requested by the Chinese side, which analysts such as Srikanth Kondapalli, a professor of Chinese Studies at the New Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University, saw as a possible sign that Beijing could be looking for a compromise. Given that China had challenges on the India border, besides the South China Sea, the Taiwan Straits and on the Senkaku Islands with Japan, there could be a window of opportunity for a compromise," Kondapalli said. But that process would need to be initiated by China," he said. So far, militarily, New Delhi was prepared for the long haul", which involves ensuring troops supported by the Indian Air Force staying put along its border with China not only in Ladakh but in the east in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, according to two people familiar with the matter. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says lockdowns and borders are not a sign of success and states relying on such measures should look to New South Wales as the "gold standard" when it comes to pandemic responses. Mr Morrison called for contact-tracing capabilities to be better integrated across the nation at a press conference on Monday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says NSW is a good example of a public health response to COVID-19. Credit:Getty Images He said the NSW government was happy to drop borders because it was confident in its ability to contain the virus. Western Australia could become a victim of its own success, he said, with states needing their contact tracing capability to remain "match-fit", but where there were no cases of the disease, there was not a lot to trace. It's been 12 years since Osher Gunsberg (formerly known as Andrew G) and James Mathison hosted Australian Idol together on Channel 10. But the duo have now reunited for the first time in more than a decade for an episode of Drunk History Australia. Their episode, which is available to stream on 10 Play, will air on free-to-air television for the first time later this month. Scroll down for video Guess who's back! Australian Idol hosts Osher Gunsberg (left) and James Mathison (right) have reunited for a new series - 12 years after they last shared a stage. Pictured in April 2004 James and Osher reenact the disastrous expedition of Burke and Wills, as told by the inebriated comedian Harley Breen. Osher told TV Week that the pair stayed in touch after James quit Australian Idol in 2008 and was replaced as host by Ricki-Lee Coulter. 'He comes to poker every now and then,' he said, adding that reuniting on screen with his old friend was 'the greatest'. Acting gig: James (left) and Osher (right) reenact the disastrous expedition of Burke and Wills in Drunk History Australia, which airs on Channel 10 later this month On demand: Channel 10 actually released the entire first season of Drunk History Australia on its streaming platform 10 Play in March Osher went on to praise James' acting skills, saying he could have had a career as a sitcom star if he'd wanted to. Channel 10 actually released the entire first season of Drunk History Australia on its streaming platform 10 Play in March. That month, former Bachelor winner Alex Nation shared promo photos from her episode, in which she starred as the first Miss Australia, Beryl Mills. 'Y'all thought my 15 minutes of fame was over?' That month, former Bachelor winner Alex Nation shared promo photos from her episode, in which she starred as the first Miss Australia She wrote at the time: 'Yall thought my 15 minutes of fame was over.. WRONGO. Catch me on Drunk History on @10playau.' Other celebrities featured in Drunk History include former Gogglebox star Yvie Jones, comedian Nikki Osborne and publicist Roxy Jacenko. Drunk History starts on Channel 10 on September 14, but every episode from the first season is available to stream on 10Play Dehradun: Strategist Prashant Kishor who has been roped in by Congress for the Uttarakhand polls on Sunday met state party chief Kishore Upadhyay, even as Chief Minister Harish Rawat said his involvement will act as a tonic for them. Kishor is like Chyawanprash, Rawat told reporters in Dehradun, adding that, people resort to such tonics as they age. The party has given the responsibility of coordinating with Prashant to the partys state secretary Vinod Chauhan under the leadership of state party vice-president Jot Singh Bisht, Upadhyay said. He said the strategy of the party will now have an edge and added that Kishor is giving providing his services to the party. Congress is completely prepared for the Assembly polls and is working to make a comeback in the state, Upadhyay said. He also said the party has agreed upon the names of 63 candidates for 70 Assembly seats, however, the final decision will be taken after getting nod from Congress Central Election Committee in New Delhi. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. UK lamb exports to Switzerland have increased over 200% in the first six months of 2020 compared to last year, HMRC figures show. Exports to the Alpine country - the seventh largest market for UK lamb - have also seen a boost since the reopening of the foodservice sector. With lamb from Wales accounting for nearly a third of UK exports overall, it is estimated this increase could be worth 600,000 to the Welsh red meat sector alone. Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) supports a variety of work all over the world marketing PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef. Of the success in Switzerland, HCC export development officer Kate Patten said: "It is a quality-driven market it is testament to the product that we have seen fast growing success there since it was first listed in the country in 2014. "We are especially pleased to see things returning to normality in foodservice which is a key driver in the sales of Welsh lamb. Swiss foodservice buyer Fideco confirmed that they are back to around 90% of the supply they were providing to eating out venues in July 2019, and are aiming to be back at 100% by September. Representatives from Fideco visited the Brecon Beacons in 2018 to see for themselves how Welsh Lamb is produced. A spokesperson said: Welsh lamb is an important product in our portfolio, supplied to and loved by the top restaurants all over Switzerland." Welsh lamb is available in several of the top supermarkets and cash and carries in Switzerland through meat specialist distributor A+C Delikatessen. MUMBAI : Indias largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday raised around 4,000 crore in perpetual bonds at a record-low coupon, a sign that investors are willing to invest in these securities once again after the Yes Bank episode, which saw the private lenders perpetual bonds being written off under its rescue plan. SBI raised the additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds at a coupon of 7.74%. AT1 bonds are unsecured, perpetual, high-risk bonds that banks issue to shore up their core capital base to meet the Basel III norms. Banks can skip paying interest on these bonds if their capital ratios fall below certain threshold levels. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can also ask a bank that is teetering on the brink to cancel its outstanding AT1 bonds without consulting its investors. Perpetual bonds came under fire after they were written off as part of the rescue package for Yes Bank. This led many investors to drag the lender to court demanding that they be compensated. RBI said that risks to these bonds were well known to the investors and that the rules allow writing off the bonds if capital falls below the regulatory minimum. Yes Bank wrote down its AT1 bonds worth 8,415 crore in the March quarter. Subsequently, several direct and indirect retail bondholders through mutual funds, insurance firms, and provident funds filed a case in Bombay high court against the mis-selling of these bonds. SBI has AAA credit scores from local credit companies, its AT1 offering is rated AA+ and can be called back by the lender after five years or any year thereafter. It is a great trade for SBI to raise equity like capital at such low levels. Investors view SBI as a quasi-government entity. Its a win-win situation for both the issuer and investors. The market is clearly distinguishing AT1 bonds issued by strong public sector banks and those by private banks," said Dhawal Dalal, CIO, fixed income, Edelweiss Asset Management Ltd. Last month, Bank of Baroda had raised 764 crore through AT1 bonds at 8.25%. These bonds had a call option after five years from the date of issuance and every year thereafter. In a 26 August report, rating agency Crisil Ltd noted that post moratorium credit behaviour of borrowers is a key monitorable for the banks asset quality. SBI has provided moratorium to its borrowers in line with relief measures provided by the RBI and around 9.5% as on 30 June 2020 (23% as on 31 March 2020). Any change in behaviour of borrowers on the payment discipline can affect asset quality levels, post the moratorium. Also, while the one-time restructuring scheme announced by RBI will offer support to affected borrowers in the current environment, the details and operational implementation of the same will have to be seen," the credit rating agency said. Given this, gross non-performing assets of SBI could increase from current levels. This in turn could elevate credit cost, thereby impacting profitability of the bank, and hence, remains a key monitorable," it said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Pockets of excellence exist all over Majorca. Local families who run successful dynasties, incomers representing corporate entities and then, the entrepreneurs. Amongst the successful are individuals who have taken their start ups to great success and sell out for lots of money. Then there are others who are inspired by ideas every day and just keep on making, creating and enjoying their work. Twenty years in Majorca has seen me meet people from all these categories and I am impressed. When the history of the island is told as a whole, the creativity and sharp brained application to work will be appreciated. The concept of the business people of the Mediterranean sending all their men out for long lunches while the women in the office do all the work is not actually true. The stuff of myths and legends only serve the story, not the truth. The truth is that there are feisty business men and women who make things happen in Majorca. This week I spent my time in La Sal, a new venture in the Puerto Soller. The building was under scaffolding for almost a year as a transformation took place. It was once the Tabac and Newspaper shop. These days it has been transformed into a Restaurant/Cafe/Cocktail bar with a Bakery to come. La Sal is going back to Puerto Soller roots with marine colours, rope bannisters and seating reminiscent of an old fashioned seaside resort. Blue and white are the themed colours and which lead in the terrace by the sea. To understand the concept and the menu took time spent with Hamlet Ramirez, the owner. The tell me your story question I start with, revealed a wander into a world of family, ambition, loss and tradition. Hamlets grandparents left the Soller Valley for Cuba when they needed to and it was still possible. They arrived with nothing and worked. Hospitality was in their blood and cafes gave rise to hotels and the poverty they left in the Soller Valley of the time was subsidised by the money they sent home. Their daughter (Hamlets Mum) married a boy from Cuba and the work continued. Then the time came again for the family to lose everything as Castro sequestered their properties and businesses, A new, poor era, began for the family. The experiences of enjoying a lifestyle with money could not be lost and Hamlets parents were determined that their children would have the best education they could find the money for. Plus access to a whole library of books, acquired in richer times. Hamlet grew up knowing that his mothers roots were Majorcan and one day he would go and see this place for himself. Hospitality, cocktail making, running bars and restaurants were all in his blood. This plus the desire to see the world and learn from the best. Prestigious cruise lines came next and promotions and experience galore. In time the ship he was on, made a weekly stop in Majorca and he was able to visit his familys roots. The drive through the Soller Tunnel to the entrance to the Soller Valley was his eureka moment where the land of his grandparents called him with a very loud voice. Hamlet was home and he said goodbye to the cruise liners which had taught him so much and shown him the world. Hamlets life then became La Residencia and then the opening team of the Jumeriah Hotel in the Puerto Soller. Other hotels knocked on his door to do their openings for them in worldwide destinations and that was when his Hospitality Management Solutions Company was created. He opens hotels and projects for the best brands in the world. Two of his dream team in HMS also run businesses in the Puerto Soller. They all met in Jumeirah and Residencia days and now share all they have learnt. Meanwhile back at the ranch Hamlet wanted to give back his philosophy to his home village of the Puerto Soller. A deceptively simple restaurant containing so many of the big, sustainable concepts of the multi nationals was his aim. La Sal is exactly that and has opened right in the middle of all the problems besetting business in Majorca right now. For Hamlet this gives him the opportunity to get right in it, amongst the heart of his kitchen, and the customers. Travel to luxury destinations is not on the agenda right now courtesy of Covid but here, right on his doorstep is his current pride and passion. He lives less than five minutes away from the restaurant and he has his ear to the ground. As visitors cannot travel so much the attention is turning to local residents. His La Sal staff and the Dream Team of the Management company are all based in the Puerto Soller. He is exactly where he wants to be and looks forward to the future with every part of his being. Himachal Pradesh government will provide security to Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said while speaking to reporters after a BJP legislature party meet in Shimla. Kangana is the daughter of Himachal Pradesh and a celebrity too. Its our duty to give her security. I have told the Director-General of police Sanjay Kundu to take steps accordingly," the CM said. The CM also said that Kanganas sister called him on Saturday and her father too formally wrote to the Himachal Pradesh police, requesting security for the actress. Kangana Ranauts father has given in writing asking for police protection. Ive directed DGP in this regard. Shell be provided security here. We are also discussing what can be done to provide security to her outside HP as she is leaving for Mumbai on 9th September," he added. The chief minister, however, refused to say anything on Kangana Ranauts recent remarks on actor Sushant Singh Rajputs suicide case, stating that the matter is being investigated. He also refused to say anything about the alleged threats given by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut to the actress. Kangana is having a war of words with Shiv Sena politician Sanjay Raut. She has condemned Raut for his abusive remarks on her, and said that it showed his mentality. The actress posted a video message on her verified Twitter account. In the over minute-long video, Kangana stressed upon the freedom of expression. Sanjay Raut ji, you have called me H****khor Ladki, you have abused me. You are a government official, you would know that, in this country, how many girls are getting raped, how many girls are getting abused, they are getting insulted, domestic violence, not every day but every hour. You know who is responsible for all this? It is a mentality like yours," she began. Daughters of this country wont forgive you. When Aamir Khan ji spoke about intolerance, no one abused him. When Naseeruddin Shah opened up about it, no one abused him. I have praised Mumbai Police in my past interviews," she said, adding that she has criticised the Mumbai Police after past few incidents, including the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. That is my freedom of expression. Sanjay ji, I condemn you and your thoughts. You are not Maharashtra. You cant say that I am insulting Maharashtra. Your people are threatening me, still, Ill come to Mumbai on September 9. Will see you. Jai Hind. Jai Maharashtra," she added. The war of words between Sanjay Raut and the Bollywood actor erupted over Kanganas Mumbai feeling like PoK" comment. Sanjay Raut had asked the actress to apologise for her comments, but she shared the video to assert that she has complete freedom of expression. (With inputs from agencies) Bengaluru: E-commerce platform Paytm Mall has sent a legal notice to cyber-risk intelligence firm Cyble Inc. on Monday, for its blogpost which alleged that the ecommerce platform had suffered a massive data breach. On 30 August, Cyble said in a company blogspot that Paytm Mall was hacked by a cybercrime group under the alias John Wick, which led the hacker to get unrestricted access to the entire database of the company. In addition to this Cyble had also mentioned on its blog, citing sources, that the grey hat hacker had demanded a ransom of 10 Ethereum (ETH), equivalent to $4,000 from Paytm Mall. A grey hat is a computer hacker who looks for vulnerabilities in platforms and systems, without the owners knowledge and asks for a fee to fix the issue. John Wick recently hacked the Twitter account of Narendra Modis personal website, last week, and through a tweet, clarified that it had not hacked Paytm Mall. Now, the e-commerce firm through its legal notice has asked Cyble to immediately stop making any further false claims on the matter, and issue a public communication stating that the contents of its August 30 blog post are incorrect. Further, Paytm Mall has given Cyble a week to comply with its requests. In case of non-compliance, the e-commerce firm said that it will move to court and initiate civil and criminal proceedings against the cybersecurity company. Mint has seen a copy of the legal notice, which was sent to Cyble. The most astonishing fact is that since your organisation is in the business of providing services around this area i.e. cyber threats, risks, and cyber security, thus we expected more sensible, professional and ethical standards from your side," said Paytm Mall to Cyble, as a part of its legal notice. [...]please note that your aforesaid unprofessional and callous act in circulating an unverified and false piece of information in the public has already done damage to the company, as our customers are completely disrupted and terrified by this information," added Paytm Mall, in its legal notice. A query sent to a Paytm Mall spokesperson did not elicit a response at the time of publication. Further, according to Cyble, John Wick has broken into multiple Indian companies and collected ransom from various Indian organizations including OTT platform Zee5, fintech startups, Stashfin, Sumo Payroll, Stashfin, i2ifunding, through other aliases such as South Korea and HCKINDIA. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics So how has your county fared after Covid-19 made this the year of the staycation? Despite fears an influx of tourists would turn holiday destinations into virus hotspots, the reality is that counties like Kerry, Clare and Donegal escaped relatively lightly. Instead, something of an east-west gap has emerged with Dublin and some commuter counties struck with a rise in new Covid-19 infections, putting them high on the national league table for the virus. Read More An analysis of Covid-19 figures from May 31 to August 31 shows that Dublin saw a surge of 1,393 cases over the three months. Kildare, which suffered a semi-lockdown after factory outbreaks, endured an additional 853 cases over the summer. Laois, which also was subjected to restrictions due to workplace flare-ups, saw an additional 155 new cases, while Offaly had 147 additional infections. Kerry, which was something of a getaway Mecca over the summer, recorded an extra 21 cases over the three months. Mayo had 18, Sligo had 28, Donegal had 63, while Clare recorded an additional 103 new infections. Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College, said the experience here over recent months is that transmission of Covid-19 has been predominantly in the workplace and in people's homes. There is very little evidence of transmission in hotels and restaurants, he said. There were issues with meat factories and food processing plants in recent months, taking over from the nursing homes and residential centres during the earlier stage of the pandemic. "Then it was happening in people's homes," he said. People who were holidaying did not seem to have brought the infection to counties, he added. "I personally was on holidays in Kerry and stayed in a hotel and visited a number of restaurants. From what I could see, everyone bought into the restriction measures," he added. Leitrim continues to be the county with the lowest number of Covid-19 cases in the country. At the end of August, it had had 85 cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic, with only two new cases diagnosed over the summer. It is the least populated county in the country with low levels of the kind of industry that might trigger outbreaks. A nationwide postponement in the opening of 'wet' pubs will be difficult to justify in light of the lower figures for the virus in some counties where rural isolation is a problem. Mr Mills said rural pubs in small villages would not be a big Covid-19 risk, but he would be more worried about larger pubs in the city. The Government's new plan for the direction of measures to control Covid-19 is due in the middle of this month. Mr Mills said he would like it to include the testing of passengers at airports and said there was a more rapid version of the standard virus test which could be looked at. The government has re-authorised badger cull licences for 33 existing areas alongside licences for 11 additional areas. Natural England on Monday (7 September) published licenses for areas that will undertake badger control operations in England this autumn. Counties undertaking first year of culling include Wiltshire, Somerset, Derbyshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Herefordshire. Licence holders will carry out badger cull operations under a four year licence. Natural England said all applications received were 'carefully assessed' to ensure that each cull company had suitable arrangements and plans in place to carry out operations. Bovine TB remains the greatest animal health threat that England faces today, with more than 30,000 cattle slaughtered each year due to infection. Defra Secretary George Eustice explained that the disease caused 'considerable trauma' for farmers and cost taxpayers over 100m every year. No one wants to continue the cull of a protected species indefinitely," Mr Eustice said. "That is why we are accelerating other elements of our strategy, including vaccination and improved testing so that we can eradicate this insidious disease and start to phase out badger culling in England. In July, the government announced that TB cattle vaccination trials are set to get underway in England and Wales as a result of a major breakthrough by UK scientists. The trials will aim to accelerate towards planned deployment of a cattle vaccine by 2025. Julian Assange's fiancee was today spotted outside court with friend-of-the-stars human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson before a judge refused to delay the activist's extradition hearing. Stella Moris, 37, who is herself a lawyer, was seen walking under the wing of Ms Robinson as the pair arrived at the Old Bailey this morning to support Assange. Ms Moris, who has two children with Assange, was in court after visiting Downing Street in a bid to deliver a Reporters Without Borders petition against the extradition, which has been signed by around 80,000 people. The extradition case was initially delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic in May. Ms Robinson, 39, who is representing Mr Assange, calls Amal Clooney her best friend and was seen rubbing shoulders with Prince Charles at an exclusive charity event in London before the Covid-19 outbreak took hold. Julian Assange's fiancee, Stella Moris (left), was today spotted outside court with friend-of-the-stars human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson Assange, 49, today lost a last-ditch legal bid to have his extradition case at the Old Bailey delayed further because of fresh '11th hour' allegations as his lawyers complained they were 'abnormal and unfair'. The activist faces 18 charges and a sentence of 175 years should a judge grant his extradition to the United States. US prosecutors claim Assange recruited a teenager to hack into the computer of a former WikiLeaks associate and delete messages relating to him. They claim that Assange, who appeared in court for his hearing today, met the then 17-year-old in 2010 in Iceland, who gave him data stolen from a bank. Mr Assange's father, John Shipton, Ms Moris, greeted one another outside the court Ms Moris brought her partner's press card with her as she arrived at Downing Street to deliver a petition earlier on Monday. Last month she launched a Crowdjustice campaign to help raise money for his defence According to an updated opening document, submitted by the US but not outlined by representatives in the Old Bailey on Monday, Assange later directed the teenager to target a former WikiLeaks associate. Assange is also fighting the extradition on the basis he would likely receive a life sentence on conviction which would be 'inhuman and degrading' for someone 'with his mental vulnerabilities'. His team stated there was a risk Assange would take his own life if extradited. Julian Assange, pictured in May 2019, faces 18 charges in the US - including plotting to hack computers and conspiring to obtain and disclose national defence information Defence solicitors say Assange would be denied the right to a fair trial in the US and claim a trial would be a 'flagrant violation' of his right to protect journalistic sources. Ms Robinson, a well-known Australian lawyer, recently made international headlines standing as Amber Heard's barrister during the Johnny Depp's libel case against The Sun newspaper in London in July. Ms Robinson was pictured accompanying Depp's ex-wife into court, where the Pirates of the Carribean star is suing the newspaper over a 2018 article that suggested he was a 'wife beater'. Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood joined protesters outside the Old Bailey demonstrating against the potential extradition of Julian Assange Demonstrators held up signs outside the Old Bailey, while inside, Julian Assange told a judge he did not consent to extradition Ms Robinson made headlines in July over her role as Amber Heard's barrister in Johnny Depp's libel case against The Sun newspaper in London. She is pictured during a hearing for Julian Assange in 2019 Ms Robinson (centre) was pictured accompanying Johnny Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard (second from the right) into the High Court in London on Thursday. Ms Heard was also joined by her partner Bianca Butti (left) and her sister Whitney (top left) Explicit details of the couple's turbulent marriage dominated headlines, including claims Depp bashed Heard's head into a fridge and sent texts threatening to cut off Elon Musk's penis after suspecting they were having an affair. In another, the model, 34, claimed her ex-husband, 57, used his severed finger to paint 'I love you' in blood on a mirror while they were temporarily based in the Gold Coast while he was filming. Ms Robinson is part of the powerful group of women who are supporting Ms heard through the blockbuster libel trial. Ms Robinson came from humble beginnings in the small village Berry, south of Sydney, where her father works as a horse trainer. She is now a leading human rights lawyer from Doughty Street chambers who also represents Julian Assange. She has become one of the UK's highest profile human rights and media lawyers, working in the practice established by prominent Australian lawyer Geoffrey Robertson. Ms Robinson is a close friend of Amal Clooney and attended her wedding to George in 2014, where she was asked to carry out bridesmaid duties. She arrived via Venice in a boat with fellow guest Bill Murray (pictured) The Australian (pictured in 2019) has appeared at the International Court of Justice and given expert evidence at the UN and in Parliament 'I am proud that women from my chambers, like Jennifer and Amal Clooney, are proving that young women can rise high in the law and overcome the bars and sexism in what used to be a male-dominated profession,' Mr Robertson told News Corp in July. 'She is quite brilliant and has assisted me on those important cases and has done very well and is having a successful career working at my Chambers. 'She has represented the West Papua independent movement and other human rights causes.' Ms Robinson has appeared at the International Court of Justice and given expert evidence at the UN and in Parliament. Her areas of expertise are free speech and civil liberties, and she regularly advises newspapers on media law. Ms Robinson attended Amal Clooney's wedding to George in 2014, where she was asked to carry out bridesmaid duties. She arrived via Venice in a boat with fellow guest Bill Murray. In 2017, she was seen canoodling with Jeremy Corbyn's former spin doctor Seumas Milne - with her father later telling MailOnline that his daughter was just enjoying a night out and a 'few drinks' with a friend. Johnny Depp pictured arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in Strand, London, in July. The Pirates of the Carribean star is suing The Sun newspaper over an article suggesting he was a 'wife beater' Actress Amber Heard, 34, pictured above leaving the High Court in London in July Her father, Terry, insisted his daughter is a 'good girl' who has been in a 'few relationships' but dismissed suggestions that she was having an affair with the married father-of-two. In 2011 she gave an interview about her private life and described herself as 'passionate' and 'infinitely curious', and said: 'My friends would probably add, ''the eternal optimist'' or ''a bit bonkers''.' She admitted that while being serious as a proud Australian she enjoys 'taking the p**s' and said she swears too much. Ms Robinson also confessed that she 'partied' a lot when she was younger. She said: 'London has too much fun on offer to be stuck at your desk all day and night'. And responding to a question about the contents of her London fridge she said: 'Nothing but a few bottles of champagne (and maybe a mouldy piece of cheese)' because she so rarely eats at home. She was also asked: 'What comes into your mind when you shut your eyes and think of the word 'law'?' and replied: 'Jude' - a reference to the British actor. Amber Heard is pictured above arriving at the High Court with Jennifer Robinson. It is hard to imagine Ms Wass, who defended the serial killer Rosemary West, ever walking hand in hand with a client, as Ms Robinson did with Miss Heard on the opening day of Depps case It was impossible to see Ambers expression, or if she even glanced in her former husbands direction, or if those glances were filled with regret or antipathy or something else. (Above, the 34-year-old actress and her 'Team Heard' arriving at the High Court; far right, her lawyer Jennifer Robinson) Ms Robinson was mainly an observer in Heard's case, which saw Depp hit with 14 allegations of domestic violence, claims he defending during the three days of testimony. The newspaper, which failed to have the case thrown out of court, is relying on Heard's claims to defend their article as true. The actor has denied hit his former wife on several occasions, but admitted he 'accidentally' headbutted her during a fight in Los Angeles in 2015. The court also heard Depp allegedly threw a phone at Amber Heard and called her 'Amber Turd' after she allegedly defecated in their marital bed after a blazing row on her 30th birthday party in which he threw a champagne bottle at her. Heard denied the claims, and suggested it may have been one of their small dogs, Pistol or Boo. The court was also shown photos Heard provided of her injuries, including bruises on her arms and black eyes. The model also alleged Depp tried to set fire to a painting Heard's former partner Taysa van Ree gave to her, that was hanging in her bedroom. While denying the claims, Depp has accused Heard of violence towards him, saying his finger was severed actually severed after she threw a bottle of champagne. He said he would be frequently 'punished' if he 'broke her rules', such as whether she took his boots off or whether he put his arm around her while watching TV on the sofa. Depp's case against The Sun is expected to continue for another two weeks. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 20:46:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces on Monday caught at least 165 illegal migrants off Mediterranean coast, local media reported. The state-run Anadolu agency said coast guard and gendarmerie forces captured the migrants from Afghanistan and Somalia on a tour boat off the Kumluca district in the province of Antalya. The migrants were trying to cross to Europe. Online news portal Sonhaber.com, meanwhile, put the number of the migrants at 190, saying that they intended to cross illegally to Greece, but were caught by gendarmerie forces when their boat had engine failure. The platform claimed that the refugees were from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. Since the beginning of this year, 15,535 migrants were attempted to cross to Europe via Turkey's seas, down from 29,279 over the same period in 2019, the Turkish coast guard revealed. Hosting over 3.7 million Syrian refugees in its territory, Turkey earlier announced that it could no longer cope with the issue alone, and urged European countries to take more responsibility. The Aegean Sea was once the main route for migrants trying to reach Europe via Turkey. A deal was signed between Turkey and the European Union in March 2016 to curb the flow of illegal immigration. Enditem By Ari Altstedter, Dhwani Pandya and Anurag Kotoky The novel coronavirus seemed like a distant problem in Boisar, a small factory town about two hours from Mumbai, until Daniel Tribhuvan died. The 35-year-old tutor started feeling feverish in April, while bringing his father home from a chemotherapy appointment in the Indian financial capital. When a test confirmed Tribhuvan was infected, the local health systems reaction was shambolic. After he checked into a public hospital, the first thing they did was try to pawn him off to a private facility in Mumbai. The ambulance turned around halfway when they discovered he couldnt pay. Back at the public hospital, a doctor didnt see him for three days, and when an elderly man occupying a bed nearby died, his body wasnt collected for 12 hours. After a week, Tribhuvans blood-oxygen levels were dangerously low. He died on May 17, becoming Boisars first confirmed fatality from Covid-19. For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here I think he would have survived if the system was good, Samuel Tribhuvan, Daniels older brother, said in a recent interview at Boisars local administrative office, inside a rundown building that also houses a liquor store and a portrait studio. This is the worst place where we could get the coronavirus. Six months after the start of the pandemicas the developed world tries to restore some semblance of normalcythe virus is arriving with a vengeance in Indias vast hinterland, where 70% of its more than 1.3 billion citizens live. The country is now adding more than 80,000 confirmed infections per day, with about 71,000 deaths so far, numbers experts say are likely being under-counted. On Monday it galloped past Brazil to become the worlds second-biggest outbreak, a sobering preview of what could happen once the coronavirus spreads in earnest across other poor, densely populated places from Nigeria to Myanmar. With such a vast reservoir of potential hosts and minimal ability to contain infections, it seems inevitable that India will at some point overtake the U.S. to have the most cases globally. The result is likely to be a human and economic catastrophe, risking untold numbers of deaths and the reversal of years of rising incomes and living standardsdevelopments that helped lift millions of people from grinding poverty into something like the middle class. The broader effects wont be confined to the subcontinent. With a gross domestic product last year of almost $3 trillion, India is the worlds fifth-largest economy and a crucial node in global supply chains. Despite the troubled state of its own medical system, it is by far the largest producer of both vaccines and the generic drugs that healthcare systems around the world rely upon. And with Asias economic giant, China, turning increasingly inwards, companies from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to Facebook Inc. had been investing heavily in India, betting on its rising consumer market. Indias trouble containing the virus, therefore, could weigh on any global recovery from the coronaviruseither epidemiological or economic. With infections gathering pace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing criticism for not doing more to help the state and local-level officials on the front lines of fighting the virus, who face an excruciating choice. Failing to stop its spread could mean the collapse of already-fragile healthcare systems, potentially leaving thousands to die untreated. But the distancing measures that most experts see as essential to doing so will worsen an economic contraction thats already among the worlds most severe, making it even more difficult for India to resume its progress toward broader prosperity and hampering the global recovery. That could ultimately cause just as many deaths, whether from malnutrition, other infectious diseases, or even suicide. ] As the virus spreads throughout India, the most immediate thing that will happen is people will die, said Vivekanand Jha, executive director of the Indian branch of the Sydney-based George Institute for Global Health. The second is that the people who have not died will lose their livelihoods. When Modi announced, on March 24, that his government would institute the broadest coronavirus lockdown in the world, many experts were impressed. Officially, there were only about 500 cases in India at the time, mainly in large cities and traceable to travelers from abroad. Stamping out the virusor at least keeping it from spreading into the vast and vulnerable countrysideby decisively interrupting daily life for the entire nation seemed like a laudable goal. But the dense slums that house large numbers of the urban poor proved particularly hospitable to the spread of the highly contagious pathogen. Meaningful social distancing was often impossible, while infections could spread widely before coming to the attention of healthcare workers. Government efforts largely failed to match the scale of the problem, with testing and contact tracing typically one step behind the virus. While officials procured ventilators, constructed field hospitals, and even converted train carriages into makeshift isolation units, hospitals in Mumbai and New Delhi were still overwhelmed. Patients were turned away for lack of beds and bodies were left unattended in corridors, conditions that developed-world cities like Milan managed to avoid at even the worst points in their outbreaks. Meanwhile the economic toll of the lockdown, which Modi extended repeatedly as new case numbers remained stubbornly high, was mounting. GDP contracted by almost 24% between April and June, throwing more than 120 million people out of work. Unlike in the U.S. and Europe, there was little financial support available. The Reserve Bank of Indias index of consumer confidence collapsed in May, and then plunged to an all-time low in July, the most recent survey. For some, the situation was desperate. Five weeks into the lockdown, which was enforced by police and barred most people from leaving their homes except for groceries and medical care, a survey of rural households by Oxfam found that half had cut back on the number of meals they ate, and a quarter had been forced to ask others for food. The biggest impact was on the millions of people from rural areas who staff factories, sell snacks, shine shoes, and do odd jobs of all kinds in Indias major cities. Dependent on daily wages to survive, many found themselves with no place to sleep and nothing to eat after their jobs disappeared, leaving them little choice but to return to their home towns. With trains and buses halted by the lockdown, some had to simply walk, forming columns on highways that were reminiscent of Partition, the bloody separation of India and Pakistan in 1947and almost certainly spreading the virus across the countryside. Faced with such desperation, Modi had little choice but to end the lockdown in early June, even as infections continued to rise. The unlock, as it came to be known, saw even more of these migrant workers return to their villages, seeding the new outbreaks now being seen in ever more remote parts of the country. India has a large and innovative healthcare industry, but private operators are focused on big cities and the wealthier patients who live in them. In rural areas, medical care falls to the creaking public health system, which is often absurdly under-resourced. Built on the side of a dirt highway in the Khair sub-district of Uttar Pradesh, one of Indias poorest states, a two-story community health center serves as the main source of care for a population of about 225,000. The modest facility has no intensive care unit, and when Bloomberg News visited early this month, its six oxygen cylinders had all been designated for use in ambulances. About 60 Covid-19 patients were in home isolation in Khair at the time; if one of them took a turn for the worse, the best the clinic could offer would be a ride to the nearest city, an hours drive away. The district administration is trying to create new centers, said Shailendra Kumar, the clinics manager. But for now, the increasing number of infected people in Khair can only hope the virus doesnt hit them hard. Uttar Pradesh has more than 200 million inhabitants, making it Indias most populous state. But its rural health system is the most understaffed in the country, with just 2.7 doctors for every 100,000 people. (The rate in the U.S. is a little under 10 times higher.) The numbers elsewhere arent much better. Only 40 percent of Indias physicians work in the countryside, even though its home to more than two-thirds of the population. In the district that contains Boisar, the town where Tribhuvan died, we do not have enough manpower to cater to this population, Abhijit Khandare, a state health officer, said in an interview at a local community center. We pulled manpower from other villages to deal with spikes in Covid-19 cases, he said, but now the other villages are affected too. In an attempt to fill the gap, local officials are even pressing teachers into service as healthcare aides. Schools remain closed due to the pandemic, but they provide a ready source of educated workers who are known in the community, an important factor in gaining trust. Last week, about 50 of them gathered in a brightly painted Boisar meeting room for a day of training. They were told their primary job would be to execute a strategy pioneered in Dharavi, a Mumbai slum where the virus was successfully brought under control in June. The teachers would be going door-to-door through the district, asking whether anyone in a home had symptoms and referring those who did for testing. In addition to breaking chains of transmission, the goal is to get infected people treated early, avoiding the common problem of severely ill patients arriving too late for doctors to be able to help. The group had spent the day seated on plastic chairs in front of a panel of public health workers, being instructed on how to read an oximeter and social-distancing strategies for people who live in tight quarters. While masks have become commonplace across India, physical distancing largely hasnt, despite regular government campaigns and official reminders. In the countryside, markets where farmers and merchants gather to do business are still packed with people, and day laborers pile together into the back of small trucks to travel to job sites. Tea stalls and corner stores are doing little to prevent crowds forming. In part, this may be a function of complacency about the dangers of Covid-19. With case numbers exploding, Modis government has been emphasizing Indias fatality ratewhich at about 1.75% is among the lowest in the worldas evidence that its managing the disease successfully. Experts are skeptical, however, that deaths are being counted comprehensively, and even if they are, the relative youth of Indias population compared with virus hotspots like Italy or Florida is a likelier explanation. Relatively lax attitudes to distancing could also owe something to the fact that, even in a worst-case scenario, the coronavirus is just one on a long list of diseases that can kill a person in rural parts of the subcontinent. Some 79,000 Indians died last year from tuberculosis, an infection thats now relatively rare in the developed world. A mother dies in childbirth roughly every 20 minutes. Even leprosy is still an active problem. Meanwhile, fear of impoverishment is starting to outstrip fear of Covid-19, a trend exacerbated as migrant workers return to the cities. The lockdown and economic slump means many poor families have suffered a double blow: the loss of remittances, plus more mouths to feed at home. Until the lockdown, 22-year-old Manoj Kumar earned about 14,000 rupees ($191) a month making car seats at a factory outside Delhi, sending almost everything he earned back to his family. But Kumars job disappeared in March and now hes back in his village, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from the capital, in a one-room house with nine other family members. The only person with a job is his mother, who earns about 6,000 rupees monthly as a part-time health worker. To survive, the family has had to borrow money at rates as high as 30%. Everyone is scared of corona, Kumar said, sitting cross-legged on the floor of his home, where the family had used rows of low red bricks to demarcate the kitchen and a tiny sitting area. We live in fear, but how long can we go on like this? The impact of this kind of financial strain is beginning to ripple across society. Delhi is recording higher rates of petty crime, while one mental health expert estimated suicides may have soared by as much as 70% nationwide. Unwanted pregnancies have spiked, child labor is on the rise, and activists warn that the scarcity of opportunity is intensifying caste and religious prejudices. That all of these trends derive, at least in part, from the response to the coronavirus, rather than the pathogen itself, highlights the precariousness of Indias situation. Its one likely to play out elsewhere as the pandemics epicenter shifts to poorer nations, where the challenges of containing the virus will dwarf those of countries like the U.S.and likely drag on the developed worlds ultimate recovery as well. Our concern here is the large population with limited resources to combat itbut thats also a concern for the rest of the world, said K. Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India in New Delhi. No country is safe until every country is safe. The virus can surge anywhere and then spring up anywhere else because the world is connected. A 59-year-old doctor from Dehradun has been arrested from Haryanas Palwal 26 years after he absconded when a case of fraud was registered against him in 1994 for forging a recommendation letter for gun license, the state police said on Monday. A local court had declared Sudhir Tiwari a fugitive in 1997. Sub-inspector Deepak Dhariwal, who led a four-member team that arrested Tiwari on Saturday, said the accused had attached a recommendation letter with fake signatures of then chief minister ND Tiwaris personal assistant while applying for the license. The letter later turned out to be fake and a case was then registered in Cantonment police station [Dehradun] and the probe was given to CBCID Lucknow branch [when Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh]. ... [a] charge sheet was filed in the case but Tiwari fled after knowing that a case has been registered against him, said Dhariwal. A reward was also announced in 2006 for his arrest. Dhariwal said Tiwari was working as a public relation officer at a private hospital in Palwal. He added Tiwari first fled to Meerut, where he stayed or four years before moving to Haryana. He was presented before a local court in Dehradun which then sent him to jail, said Dhariwal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A priest from Kedarnath shrine, who had been protesting since June against the formation of the Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board, was airlifted from the temple on Monday morning and rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh after his health condition worsened. Santosh Trivedi (32), the priest, had started the protest on June 12. He used to sit outside the temple and meditate as a mark of protest. He has been demanding the dissolution of the Board which was formed following the passage of the Char Dham Devasthanam Management Act, 2019. Vinod Shukla, the president of Kedarnath Tirtha Purohit Mahasabha, said, We have been protesting for months, but the state government has not paid any heed to our demands. Even in such extreme temperatures in Kedarnath, Trivedi would protest bare-chested outside the shrine and eat only one meal a day. His health condition has worsened. He has been admitted to AIIMS in Rishikesh for treatment. Shukla said the public in the Kedarnath valley is angry with the state governments lack of response. He threatened to intensify protests across all the Char Dham shrines, if anything untoward happens to Trivedi. Vineet Kumar, an official from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), said they received a call from police in the early morning on Monday about the worsening health condition of a member of the Kedarnath temple committee. A team rushed to the shrine and brought the priest to Lincholi on a stretcher, from where he was airlifted to Dehradun for treatment, said the SDRF official. Harish Thapliyal, the public relations officer (PRO) at AIIMS, Rishikesh, said that Trivedi was admitted to the hospital on Monday at around 11.30 am with abdominal pain. A priest from Kedarnath, Santosh Trivedi, was admitted to the hospital at around 11.30 am on Monday. He complained of pain in his lower abdomen and was administered medicines accordingly. Doctors have taken his swab samples for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) test as per the protocol. He is being examined further, said Thapliyal. BD Singh, additional chief executive officer (CEO) of the Board, said that they have learnt about the priests worsening health condition and are taking updates from police and SDRF. We have learnt that the priests health condition has worsened. We are in touch with the authorities concerned. Uttarakhand high court has given a judgement in the favour of the state government. Despite the verdict, the priests have been demanding the dissolution of the Board and all their rights are preserved. They must give up their protests and point out which parts of Act that they disagree with. A solution can be found based on their objections, said Singh. On June 21, the high court had dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Rajya Sabha (RS) member Subramanian Swamy against the state governments takeover of the Char Dhams and 51 other shrines through the formation of the Board. The court had ruled that the ownership of the temple properties would vest in Char Dham shrines and power of the Board would be confined to the administration and management of the properties. Last December, the Uttarakhand assembly had passed the Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board Bill. In January, Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya gave her assent for the Act. Aggrieved priests had threatened that they would move the court against the Act, as they claimed to have been kept in the dark about the new law. They had alleged that the state government took the step to ensure its control over shrine-related issues and bypassed the powerful priest community. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Patna, Sep 7 : In the run-up to the Bihar assembly elections, in his first-ever virtual rally on Monday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the leaders of opposition were making false statements to mislead people without knowing the ground realities. During his address, Kumar presented a report card of the last 15 years, in which he touched upon law and order, the economy, creation of road infrastructure and flood relief measures undertaken during the time he has been serving as CM. Kumar compared it with the Lalu-Rabri regime of 1990-2005. Replying to Tejashwi's allegations about lawlessness in Bihar, Kumar said: "When they were in power, people could not step outside from their homes after 6 pm. There were no arrests, no trial of criminals. With the blessings of the government, criminals used to wave rifles from their vehicles. Now, a majority of criminals have been put behind the bars. They've undergone speedy trials. We have carried out special drives to nab absconding criminals. Now, the situation has improved with people stepping out with their familiies in the evening without any fear." Referring to 2018 NCRB data, Kumar said with a crime rate at an average of 222.1 per lakh population, Bihar ranked 23rd in the country in incidents of crime. The national average is above 300 per lakh population. In Bihar, 60 per cent of was crime was happening owing to land disputes between family members. Besides, in crimes against women, Bihar's ranking is 29th in the country, 33rd in rapes, 23rd in kidnapping and 11th in murders. "Naxalism in Bihar was at its peak during the Lalu-Rabri regime. When our government came into power, we identified 65 village panchayats and carried out a special drive to give them technical training. The situation has improved now with no such incident of Naxalite violence taking place in Bihar. Have they any answer to this?" asked Kumar. Kumar said the maintenance of roads was at its worst during the Lalu-Rabri regime. "Now 96,500-km roads have bee constructed. Moreover, construction of 18600-km roads is underway. The state government has made the concessionaire accountable to maintain roads after they are constructed with zero-tolerance." During his 1.15-hour speech Kumar also spoke about the Coronavirus crisis in the state. He said that the Bihar government has initiated a mass campaign against the pandemic to facilitate affected people either coming from other states or residing permanently in Bihar. Due to this, the recovery rate of Bihar reached the top position in the country. "The total testing has reached 1.5 lakh per day including through rapid antigen test and RTPCR. Beside, if anyone unfortunately dies due to Covid, we compensate them with Rs 4 lakh cash. Moreover, if Covid warriors like doctors, medical staff or any other person die while serving Covid patients on duty, their families will get benefited with jobs. In case any relative is unable to accept a job, we will give them the total salary of the deceased till retirement under the pension scheme," Kumar said. Reacting to allegations by opposition parties on non-creation of jobs in the state, Kumar said that more than 10 lakh people had been given jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi Rastriya Rojgaar Guarantee Yojna and other schemes including to 2.9 lakh migrants who returned home owing to Covid-19. Besides, 164153 people are registered in the employment exchange. The country is undergoing an economic crisis, still Bihar has done better, added the CM. "Besides Covid-19, Bihar also suffered due to devastating floods. We have given help to 83 lakh flood-affected families in 16 districts. We have not missed any single family during the floods. The flood in Bihar happens every year and that is not the state's mistake. Waters comes from Nepal, UP and MP. Since, the land of Bihar falls under low-lying areas, water accumulates here during the monsoon session. But opposition parties leaders do not know this. They are young (Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav) and have no knowledge of ground realities. Hence, they are propagating falsehoods in the public without any basis," Kumar said. During the rally, senior leaders of JDU like Sanjay Jha, Lallan Singh accompanied him. Struggle on the waterfront The waterfront continues in struggle and wharfies are not backing down, nor should they. The whole container terminal industry is in struggle. The national operators are DP World, Patrick and Hutchison with Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) which operates in Melbourne alone. The employers position targets previous Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) gains and is an orchestrated industry attempt to unwind those past victories and take wharfies back a few steps, but they arent having it and good on them all. Cranes stand still at Hutchison Ports due to workers action. The MUA was able to secure a national agreement with DP World but still has four ports with local agreements outstanding. The national agreement was a significant victory for the union and comes on the back of nearly two years of industrial action by wharfies at DP World. DP World have now settled nationally leaving Hutchison outstanding and somewhat isolated. Patrick workers have just begun their campaign and are now starting to unleash their industrial capacity to reach agreement to protect and extend the position of wharfies there. Wharfies at Hutchison Ports have notified industrial actions which will begin on 5th September in Sydney and Brisbane on top of existing bans on overtime, shift extensions, and other flexibilities. Actions at DP World have waned for the moment due to the national agreement but there is no certainty that local rostering and working arrangements will not re-spark the dispute with the global operator across the four ports on local issues. VICT, the Australian arm of the nasty global operator International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) has failed to sell a non-union agreement to workers twice now and for the first time the hugely anti-union VICT will engage in negotiations with the MUA. The MUA were locked out of the Melbourne terminal but the inevitable excesses of the employer and attempts to further drive down the already forty per cent reduced rates and conditions at VICT have seen considerable organising growth that is now placed to challenge the company. One of the features of this new phase of struggle on the waterfront is the new tactics the MUA are adopting across the industry. When workers take industrial action they are balloted with a series of questions which outline the form of actions which can be taken. Waterfront experience has shown that a company facing industrial action will just move the vessel and outsource it to another stevedore. The new ballot questions deal with this situation, directly banning work on subcontracted vessels. Other new questions in the unions armoury include the slowest possible operation of a crane, driving a straddle carrier at ten km/h and working strictly to the employers load sheets which are notoriously incorrectly planned and formulated. Following the instructions of the incompetent bosses will lead to certain failure and is a worthy way of making the point about the value of wharfies and their knowledge and experience in loading and unloading vessels. Targeting the actual ship for action is a new and much more effective means of hitting the mark as a ban on a ship means the ship gets hit with action regardless of time-frame as opposed to nominating a specified period which allows employers to manipulate the work situation and avoid or at least mitigate the workers action. Industry pundits are screaming wildly about the development of this new union power. Any challenge to the employers unbridled power under the Fair Work Act must surely be a good thing but bosses are out organising trying to tarnish the MUA with claims of irresponsibility during an economic meltdown and during COVID-19. The MUA has clearly exempted any medical or COVID-19 related cargos exposing the employers rhetoric as hollow and self-interested. During the pandemic it has been employers using COVID-19 to try and get emergency services legislation in place to thwart the action of wharfies. The industry response to COVID-19 was also less than spectacular as every COVID-19 measure was fought out in every terminal including a ten-day stoppage over COVID-19 at Hutchison in Sydney. There was no coordinated COVID-19 industry response by employers which is a reflection of the devolution brought about by enterprise forms of employment. The issues for wharfies are issues that affect the entire community and every worker. The MUA and its members continue to fight against automation and outsourcing of their work. They fight for decent family friendly rosters and permanent jobs against the scourge of insecure work. The MUA has shown that it is not only possible to fight during the pandemic but it is essential as the employers will most certainly use every negative social circumstance to swell their profits at the expense of all workers and our communities. The employers will never stop waging the class struggle. If workers stop fighting it means they will lose. Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) have killed five members of the Boko Haram/Islamic States for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists, an official said. The troops also rescued seven victims of kidnap in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, John Enenche, a Major General, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. Mr Enenche said that the troops of 192 Battalion supported by the Air Task Force, successfully raided the terrorists location at Hamdaga Makaranta town in Gwoza on September 6. He said that the troops acted on credible intelligence on the activities of the terrorists in the area. According to him, the gallant troops overwhelmed them, killing five, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Troops also cleared nine identified isolated BHT/ISWAP structures and farmlands in the area. Furthermore, troops successfully rescued seven kidnapped victims comprising two females and five children. Currently the gallant troops have dominated the area with aggressive patrols, he said. ALSO READ: Mr Enenche said that the Military High Command has congratulated the troops for their gallantry and dexterity, urging them to intensify the onslaught against the criminal elements in the North East. Borno State has come under intense attacks in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP militants for the past few years leading to loss of lives and properties. Germany on Sunday increased the pressure on Russia over the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, warning that a lack of support by Moscow in the investigation could force Germany to rethink the fate of a German-Russian gas pipeline project. I hope the Russians wont force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. Maas also said if there wont be any contributions from the Russian side regarding the investigation in the coming days, we will have to consult with our partners. He did not exclude possible sanctions against Russia, telling the newspaper that such measures should be pinpointed effectively. However, Maas also admitted that halting the building of the nearly completed gas pipeline would harm German and European companies as well as Russia. Whoever demands this has to be aware of the consequences, he said. More than 100 companies from 12 European countries are involved (in the construction), about half of them from Germany. The German government has come under growing pressure to use the joint German-Russian pipeline project as leverage in getting Russia to provide answers on Navalny. The Nord Stream 2 project would deliver Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea when completed, bypassing Ukraine. Navalny, a Kremlin critic and corruption investigator, fell ill on a flight to Moscow on August 20 and was taken to a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk. He has been in an induced coma in a Berlin hospital since he was flown to Germany for treatment on August 22. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called Navalnys poisoning an attempted murder that aimed to silence one of Russian President Vladimir Putins fiercest critics and called for a full investigation. German authorities say tests showed that he had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group. British authorities previously identified the nerve agent, developed during the Soviet era, as the poison used to target former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018. We have high expectations from the Russians to bring light into this severe crime, Maas said. If they have nothing to do with this attack, then its in their own interest to put the facts on the table. France also added pressure on Sunday, suggesting the possibility of sanctions if Moscow fails to quickly respond to European demands for answers about Navalnys poisoning. Its a serious situation. Its serious firstly because its the poisoning of another opposition figure. And its serious because the substance that was used, Novichok, is banned, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, speaking on France Inter radio. (The Russians) must now tell us the truth so that we can act accordingly ... When we say quickly, its quickly, thats to say a week, now. Its a traumatizing event for everyone, he said. Putins spokesman has brushed off allegations that the Kremlin was involved in poisoning Navalny and said last week that Germany hadnt provided Moscow with any evidence about the politicians condition. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reiterated Moscows claim Sunday that Germany hadnt provided any evidence since Russia requested it in late August. Dear Mr. Maas, if the government of the Federal Republic of Germany is sincere in its statements, then it should itself be interested in preparing a response to the request of the Prosecutor Generals Office of Russia as soon as possible, Zakharova wrote in a Facebook posting. Maas rejected that accusation later Sunday, saying Germany had long agreed to Russias request and had told the countrys ambassador to Berlin so last week. There is no reason why we shouldnt agree to this request and therefore this is another one of their smoke grenades we have seen several of those during the last days and Im afraid there will be more in coming days, Maas told ARD public Television. Merkel personally offered the countrys assistance in treating Navalny. Hes now in stable condition at Berlins Charite hospital, but doctors expect a long recovery and havent ruled out that the 44-year-old could face long-term effects to his health from the poisoning. Merkel has previously rejected the idea that the Navalny case be linked to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The US has long opposed the project, which has been increasingly a source of friction between Berlin and Washington. In August, three Republican senators threatened sanctions against an operator of a Baltic Sea port located in Merkels parliamentary constituency over its part in Nord Stream 2. The Mukran port is a key staging post for ships involved in its construction. The US argues the project will endanger European security by making Germany overly dependent on Russian gas. Its also opposed by Ukraine and Poland, which will be bypassed by the pipeline under the Baltic, as well as some other European nations. In addition to the security concerns, the US also wants to sell more of its own liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to Europe. After the Galwan Valley incident, the popular idea that's resonating with a lot of Indians is that they should boycott Chinese goods and services. This, mind you, is not limited to just Chinese smartphones and electronic gadgets. People are trying to boycott everything that originates from China, in order to "teach China a lesson". Well, it's safe to say that a lot has changed since the whole anti-China movement began. Even the government has stepped in and has banned the use of a bunch of Chinese apps. Today, we'll be taking a look at some Chinese companies and how the whole anti-China movement has affected them. TikTok - Bytedance Reuters TikTok was one of the first Chinese apps to get banned in India during the first wave of the apps ban by the IT Ministry. It's been a few months since the app has been banned in India. The app's parent company Bytedance has lost a significant amount of money due to the ban. According to a report by China's state-run media The Global Times, ByteDance could lose up to $6 billion( Rs 45k crore) after the Indian government decided to ban them. PUBG Mobile - Tencent MensXP/Akshay Bhalla It has only been a few days since PUBG Mobile was banned in India. However, we've already started seeing its effects. Chinese technology giant Tencent lost $34 billion in market value in one day after India banned the popular battle royale game PUBG Mobile in the country. Now that's a huge number. Vivo - BBK Electronics Reuters Vivo's parent company, for those of you who don't know, is BBK Electronics, which is a Chinese company. Following the whole boycott China movement, a lot of people started raising questions on the BCCI asking them why they haven't taken a call on VIVO being title sponsors. It led to protests and calls to boycott the IPL itself, following which the decision was taken to drop them as the title sponsors. Huawei & ZTE There's also an on-going report that both Huawei and ZTE are to be kept out of India's plans to roll out its 5G network. This is primarily due to the rift between the two countries and the boycott China movement is not helping their case at all. This is also a massive blow to both the companies here, even though it may not seem like a huge deal to most people. The Congress on Monday kicked off its series of virtual rallies Bihar Kranti Mahasammelan from East and West Champaran districts calling out the people to teach the ruling dispensation a befitting lesson for its failure to deliver. Nitish Kumar-led NDA dispensation had come to power dubbing the previous regime as jungle raj and by promising qualitative change in all sectors. The negligence in dealing with coronavirus crisis have exposed the governments insensitivity towards the peoples plight, said former UP congress chief Raj Babbar. The first phase of virtual rallies will end on September 16 after covering 19 north Bihar districts. Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) spokesman Rajesh Rathore claimed over 10.50 lakh people watched the rally across the state and country. Meanwhile, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is slated to address a virtual rally after the second phase, covering south Bihar districts, which is likely to conclude by month end. Babbar alleged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is yet to deliver on the promises of better education facility, job opportunities, change in health infrastructure that he had made even as people continue to struggle with recurring floods and subsequent devastation. AICC general secretary and screening committee chairman Avinash Pandey alleged that state economy had collapsed and employment opportunities reduced. AICC spokesman Acharya Pramod Krishnam said the country was waiting for Bihars mandate, which always offered a new dimension to the nations political narrative. He said the CM should be ashamed for perpetuating a regime of chaos and corruption and leaving the people to fend for themselves. AICC secretary Ajay Kapoor, All India Mahila Congress Committee Chief Sushmita Dev and state Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha among others also addressed the rally from party offices in Delhi and Patna. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Mohammad Gharebagh, KYODO NEWS - Sep 7, 2020 - 21:55 | World, All The administration of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a bid to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, secretly proposed the barter of Iranian crude oil for U.S. grain via Japan last year, according to government sources. Two government sources confirmed to Kyodo News that the proposal was formally made in June 2019 when Abe made a visit to Iran -- the first by a Japanese prime minister 41 years -- in an attempt to serve as a mediator between Iran and the United States. In his June 12 meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Abe officially proposed the barter deal worth several billion dollars, and it was initially received positively by Tehran and Washington. The plan envisaged circumventing U.S. sanctions on Iran by exchanging U.S. corn and soybeans procured from the United States by Japan for Iranian crude oil, and to transport these after obtaining U.S. approval. As Japan saw it, U.S. sanctions could be avoided as the non-monetary transaction would prevent Iran from investing any oil profits in its military. But the diplomatic endeavor, primarily aimed at persuading Iran to agree to a dialogue with the United States, was ultimately unsuccessful as Japan could not overtime Iranian insistence that U.S. sanctions be lifted first before there can be any such dialogue. Besides Iran's deep mistrust of the United States, the inconsistent policy of the U.S. administration of Donald Trump was also regarded as a factor in the failure of the Japanese mediation effort, according to sources. At the time the proposal was made, Washington was in the middle of a trade war with Beijing and seeking buyers for its crops, especially corn and soybeans, while Iran needed an oil export outlet due to the crippling sanctions, as well as to boost its dwindling grain stocks. Abe's proposal was preceded by secret talks between Iran and Japan in earlier that same month in which Tehran asked Tokyo to add medication and machinery to its package. Despite being keen to resume crude oil exports, Iran doubted the United States would accept the Japanese proposal and insisted on a U.S. commitment in this regard. The Japanese side was initially confident in persuading the United States but gradually became less so. The Trump administration had imposed an embargo on Iranian crude oil in May 2019, causing Iran to lose a pillar of its national income and lash out in anger. Iran had vowed then that no country will be allowed to export "even a drop of oil" via the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow body of water that separates the Persian Gulf from the wider world, if Iran itself cannot freely export its oil. That threat was backed up by a series of mysterious attacks on oil tankers, which were widely blamed on Tehran. The Japanese proposal was also discussed when Rouhani visited Japan in December 2019 and met again with Abe, at which time he learned that the Japanese were unable to narrow the gaps between Tehran and Washington. Even though the Japanese proposal ultimately failed, a government source said the proposals of friendly countries were "seriously considered." In September last year, for example, France also tried to mediate with a plan to provide a credit line to Iran of $15 billion. A government source pointed out that "the Japanese proposal was better studied and formulated than the French proposal." In late 2019, there were also moves to encourage Iran to consider both the Japanese and French proposals as a set to increase the chances of a deal. "Both proposals failed because of U.S. noncooperation, despite Washington's initial greenlight," the source said. Vladislav Doronin says he loaned Campbell money throughout their relationship that she wont pay back. Supermodel, activist and influencer Naomi Campbell is being sued for over $3 million by her billionaire ex-boyfriend Vladislav Doronin. The couple began dating in 2008; they split in 2013, and theyve been separated for seven years. Doronin claims she has his personal property valued at over $3 million, TMZ reported. Naomi Campbell and Vladimir Doronin are shown in 2011 in Cannes, France. Doronin says he loaned Campbell money throughout their relationship that she wont pay back. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) According to TMZ, the Russian real estate tycoon says he loaned Campbell money throughout their relationship that now she is refusing to pay back. She could be required to appear in court following Doronins lawsuit. Doronin is an international real estate expert and founder of Capital Group, a Moscow-based real estate development company. He is also the CEO of Aman Resorts, a luxury hotel group spanning 20 countries, as well as the CEO of OKO Group, another real estate firm. Read More: Naomi Campbell reveals she eats only one meal a day Campbell, 50, has been modeling for over 35 years. She recently received positive attention for being ahead of the curve in coronavirus precautions, posting herself catching a flight in a full hazmat suit and face shield in March. Through her extensive career, Campbell has gained a diverse community of industry friends and accumulated a net worth of about $80 million. Doronins fortune is at about $1 billion. The actress and model appeared in court for several assault charges between 1998 and 2015. Read More: Naomi Campbell shot her own Essence magazine cover from home Since splitting from Doronin, Campbell has been romantically connected to Adam Clayton, U2 bassist, and Flavio Briatore, an Italian businessman. Her last relationship was reportedly Liam Payne in 2019. Campbell currently hosts a YouTube-based Livestream interview show titled No Filter With Naomi. Throughout the series, Campbell has interviewed Chris Rock, Cindy Crawford, Sean P. Diddy Combs and more. Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now! The post Naomi Campbells ex-boyfriend files lawsuit claiming she owes him $3M appeared first on TheGrio. In an exclusive conversation with NewsX for its special segment, Sahil Khanna, the owner and director of Romsons Group of Industries, gave us an insight into the effect for Covid-19 pandemic on medical sector, how his company dealt with the challenges and the loopholes in Indian healthcare system. Recently, in an exclusive interview with NewsX, Sahil Khanna, Owner & Director, Romsons Group of Industries shared his valuable insight about the effect of corona pandemic on the medical sector and the loopholes healthcare system has in India. He also talks about the products and services his company provides and how they dealt with the challenges posed by the pandemic. Talking about the pandemic and the lockdown, Mr. Sahil Khanna said that COVID-19 is one of the greatest challenges weve ever faced. It is not only causing a crippling effect on multiple economies in societies but also highlighting the gaps in our healthcare systems. With reference to their experience during the lockdown he said The first week was challenging as there was such uncertainty and there was a sudden need to procure necessary approvals from authorities. The next challenge was manpower as there was a severe labour shortage on account of the workers going back to the villages. To adhere to the Governments guidelines, they cut their manpower to 50% of full capacity. Their priority was to safeguard their workers. Hence, free meals and accommodation were provided to them. Also Read: Find a gap in the market and fill it: Sumit Ghosh, Co-founder, Chingari app Also Read: Fashion in times of a pandemic, ace designer Tarun Tahiliani on the future of fashion industry post Covid Moreover, as they were providing an essential service, they needed to ensure that there would be a smooth procurement of raw materials. They had to ensure that their raw material suppliers would get necessary approvals as well to resume manufacturing. He then highlighted the companys challenge of optimising the manufacture of their COVID-19 centric product range to meet rise in demand such as masks, hand sanitisers, surface wipes, and other disposable medical gear. The final challenge was to overcome the fear and hesitation of the supply chain and the distributers. They ensured that their customers would get door-to- door delivery wherever their distributers stopped supplying. Romsons group is known for already having world class manufacturing units, approvals and licences from all competent authorities in the world. The Groups mantra of consistency and quality has proven itself time and again and Mr. Khanna gives the credit to the in-house quality control department which leaves no scope for error. In 2010, Romsons decided to diversify their product portfolio and venture into new product categories to expand their consumer base. Hence, they delved into market research of adult diapers and their conclusions were shocking. They realised that there was an interminable gap between the demand and supply of adult diapers in the Indian market. About 80% demand was being met by imports from various countries that were dumping factory rejects into the Indian market. They saw it as their moral and social responsibility to create good quality adult diaper products at affordable prices. This initiative was named Dignity. Dignity became a patient care division and Dignity was recently named the Number 1 Adult Diaper in the Indian market and the initiative has now added a multitude of products. From maternity pads, baby wipes to surface cleansing products. Romsons Group has been a market leader and pioneer in the manufacture of medical and personal hygiene product production. It was the 1st Indian company in 1962 which manufactured disposable medical equipment. They have now scaled to more than 200 products and have become very well established in a very short span of time. The vision for the future is to transform the personal hygiene experience and make their products available in every chemist shop in the country. Mr. Khanna then shared the three lessons he learnt through the course of the pandemic. Speed and agility , he says Act as per market demand and the current situation. The speed at which you can transform and adapt your manufacturing process to cater to the market demand at the time of crisis makes all the difference. The second lesson according to him was Crisis management: Unexpected crises are a part and parcel of life and its important to manage and deal with them to the best of our ability. For us, getting approvals to start manufacturing again was extremely challenging. The most important, however, he reserved for the last. Team motivation. During challenging times, we need to keep our teams motivated to resume manufacturing. I give our teams all the credit as they were risking their lives every time they stepped out of the house. Also Read: India must work cyber-security: Aditya Narang Official information from the CEO of Huaweis consumer business, Richard Yu confirms that Huawei is all set to release a HarmonyOS powered phone in 2021. Notably, the US government with its latest regulations is tightening the screws around Huawei even more. This is the reason the company is trying its very best to get out of the clutches of Googles AndroidOS. Earlier it was revealed that Huawei is not planning on releasing a HarmonyOS powered phone this year. Note that Huawei has the mate 40 series lined-up for release. Advertisement The trade war between the US and Huawei does not look to end anytime soon. Instead, new regulations have put Huawei is a situation to look desperately to new chip makers for its devices. However, Huawei has already released HarmonyOS powered TVs in China. And the company is pretty adamant in making an eco-system similar to that of Apple in the near future. Moreover, the company is all set to release a new version of the HarmonyOS in the upcoming 2020 HDC Developers Conference on September 10. Advertisement Huawei will bring smartwatches powered by HarmonyOS this year According to Myfixguide, a lot of devices powered by HarmonyOS is set to release soon. The new HarmonyOS version will be known as HarmonyOS 2.0 and it will be better enhanced to work with Huawei PCs, watches/bands, and car products. Especially, smartwatches with HarmonyOS are soon going to be released by Huawei this year. The company aims to make the upcoming version, i.e. the HarmonyOS 2.0 an alternative to Android. The company is also working in enhancing its HMS Core (Huawei Mobile Services) which is an alternative to Google Mobile Services. Advertisement Richard Yu highlighted that there are currently 700 million monthly active users of the HMS core. Besides, the number of Huawei global registered developers is standing at 1.6 million. On top of that, the number of applications connected to HMS Core has exceeded 81,000 worldwide. The company is also continuously trying to update its HMS core. It recently announced the HMS Core 5.0 which offers services in seven areas including App services, Graphics, Media, AI, Smart Device, Security, and System. Advertisement Huawei Mate 40 series will be the last smartphones to be powered by Kirin chipsets Well, the company is trying to do whatever it can to mend the dent caused by the trade-ban by the US government. Huawei is in talks with MediaTek to find a viable path for covering its chipset needs. Richard Yu also added that Kirin 9000 chip will power the upcoming Huawei Mate 40 series devices. But it will be the last smartphones from Huawei to use a Kirin chipset. Yu said that they already have a HarmonyOS Huawei phone ready. But due to an agreement with Google, the first HarmonyOS phone is still waiting in line for its release. Advertisement The company aims to bring HarmonyOS powered devices and expects to develop HarmonyOS as a worldwide platform. has reiterated that it will pull out everything that attempts at voter suppression and spread misinformation on its platform before the 2020 US presidential election in November. In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Nick Clegg who is VP of Global Affairs and Communications at said that the platform will "label any claim by a candidate where they prematurely claim victory". " will remove outright attempts at voter suppression. We're now going to do this much more forcefully between now and November the third," Clegg said. Facebook recently launched a new Voter Information Center as part of the biggest ever voter information campaign in the US, with the goal of registering four million voters. Earlier this month, Facebook CEO said the platform will not accept new political ads in the week before the election. He said that Facebook will remove posts that claim that people will get Covid-19 if they take part in voting. "Importantly, if any candidate or campaign tries to declare victory before the results are in, we'll add a label to their post educating that official results are not yet in and direct people to the official results," Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post. The company has announced a new research partnership to better understand the impact of Facebook and Instagram on key political attitudes and behaviours during the US 2020 election. "The US elections in 2016 exposed the risk of social media being abused to interfere in elections, and misinformation and political polarisation clearly play out on social media platforms too," Clegg said earlier this month. "To continue to amplify all that is good for democracy on social media, and mitigate against that which is not, we need more objective, dispassionate, empirically grounded research". --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.) With a Chinese mobile cinema app in collaboration with American TV brand VIZIO, more than 40 Chinese theatrical releases now have chance to be seen on the TV screens of millions of American households. Smart Cinema USA, the handheld movie theater app accessible through smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, announced on Aug. 28 that it was launching its virtual cinema app on VIZIO SmartCast. The app makes the latest Asian blockbusters and arthouse films, including China's "Sheep Without a Shepherd," "The Fat Dragon" and "Bright Torch," accessible to viewers at home during their traditional theatrical window, prior to typical availability through streaming services. "Launching our service on the VIZIO platform and mobile devices marks another milestone in our business as we bring the virtual cinema into the homes of millions of VIZIO smart TV customers, reaching nearly a quarter of the American population," said Jack Gao, CEO of Smart Cinema. "This launch dramatically increases the exposure and awareness of quality Asian films in the North American market. The beauty of this partnership brings together the exciting and social cinema experience with smart phones and also smart TVs," he added. With a simple navigation on the SmartCast Home screen, users can now enjoy the latest Asian, mostly Chinese, films directly on their TV, adding to the many ways movie fans can access the Smart Cinema app. Different from brick-and-mortar theaters and traditional SVoD or AVoD streaming services, Smart Cinema USA provides the best of both worlds, allowing viewers to purchase tickets for one-time, any-location viewings of films currently playing in theaters, well before they are available for normal home viewing. Smart Cinema USA is an American version of the Chinese app Smart Cinema developed by industry veteran Gao and his team. However, VIZIO SmartCast made breakthrough to have the films screened on relatively bigger screen of smart TVs, as the app had originally been set only for smaller screens such as mobile phones. "Smart Cinema used to be the movie theater on a mobile phone, but now it has been expanded into being a movie theater on a TV set. It is more in line with the watching habits of local users in North America who normally don't like watching films in small phone screens. This move directly creates millions of new clients for Chinese film screenings in North America. This will promote the accelerated output of Chinese films and culture and further deepen the cultural exchanges and sharing between China and the United States," Gao said. At the same time, the 19th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), running a virtual edition this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has more than 40 Asian features streaming on the Smart Cinema USA app from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12, but with location restrictions on festival titles. Gao believed the Hollywood giants dominating distribution channels had made it very hard for Chinese films to get beyond borders. His Smart Cinema offers an alternative helping promote Chinese culture on foreign soil as well satisfying overseas Chinese demands. Advertisement South Korea has hunkered down as Typhoon Haishen travelled northwards along the country's east coast on Monday. It comes a day after the powerful storm battered Japan's southern islands with winds of 80mph and heavy rains, with four people missing following a landslide. The storm cut power to more than 17,500 households in the southern tip of the Korean peninsula as it made landfall in the southern city of Ulsan. A collapsed house in the aftermath of Typhoon Haishen in Makurazaki, Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture on Monday. Powerful Typhoon Haishen approached South Korea on September 7 after slamming southern Japan with record winds and heavy rains Mud and silt from a landslide covering a parking lot beside an apartment in Geoje, as Typhoon Haishen approaches South Korea on Monday High waves batter the coastline as Typhoon Haishen approaches in the southeastern port city of Busan, South Korea on September 7 The wild weather uprooted trees and caused landslides near apartment buildings on Geoje Island, off the southeastern tip of the peninsula, according to footage sent by residents to local broadcaster KBS. At least one person was injured after their car overturned in strong winds in Busan, the country's second largest city, where there was also flooding, the safety ministry said in a statement. More than 1,600 people were evacuated in preparation for the storm, while more than 76 flights across 7 airports, including Jeju International Airport, were cancelled. A landslide-hit apartment in Geoje, South Korea, as Typhoon Haishen approaches. South Korea has hunkered down as Typhoon Haishen travelled northwards along the country's east coast on Monday A riverside park near the Taehwa River is flooded by heavy rain caused by Typhoon Haishen in Ulsan on September 7. A powerful typhoon lashed South Korea on September 7 after hitting southern Japan A car drives through a road flooded by heavy rain caused by Typhoon Haishen in Gangneung on September 7 Two nuclear reactors in the city of Gyeongju, around 375 km (235 miles) southeast of Seoul were shut down, according to Yonhap news agency. Entries to national parks and some national train services have been suspended, the ministry said. In Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported that four people were missing and more than 50 people were injured in the wake of the typhoon. The four went missing in the village of Shiiba, in Miyazaki prefecture, after a mudslide hit the office of a construction firm, Kyodo said. Among the injured were a woman who fell down a flight of stairs in the dark and four people who sustained cuts after the glass windows of an evacuation centre were blown in. Residents mend the roof broken by strong wind following a typhoon in Amami, Kagoshima prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Monday. The Kyodo news agency reported that four people were missing and more than 50 people were injured in the wake of the typhoon A destroyed roof lies on a street after typhoon Haishen hit Kyushu island overnight in Fukuoka, Japan, on September 7 A clean-up crew works to remove roofs which were blown off into a street by strong winds brought by Typhoon Haishen in Fukuoka as the storm passes the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on September 7 Kyushu Electric said about 290,000 houses were still without power as of 1 p.m. (0400 GMT). Almost 2 million people had been ordered to evacuate the region, which was still recovering from heavy rains and flooding in July that killed 83 people. Typhoon Haishen weakened somewhat as it neared Japan's mainland yesterday, and shifted further west out to sea, but it remained a 'large' and 'extremely strong' storm. After lashing a string of exposed, remote southern islands, it neared Japan's Kyushu region on Sunday evening, with authorities issuing advisories for more than seven million residents. The weather agency urged people to exercise 'most serious caution' for possible record rain, violent winds, high waves and surging tides. Evacuation orders in Japan are not compulsory, though authorities strongly urge people to follow them. Local officials asked individuals to avoid crowded shelters where possible, to reduce the risk of coronavirus infections, and some centres were forced to turn people away in order to have enough space to maintain social distancing. In some places, residents were checking into nearby hotels to comply with evacuations advisories. Hotel Polaris in Shibushi city, Kagoshima, said all 73 of its rooms were sold out for the weekend. Local residents wearing protective face mask take refuge at a site acting as an evacuation center as Typhoon Haishen approached southwestern Japan A woman walks in heavy rain as Typhoon Haishen approached in Kagoshima, Kagoshima prefecture on September 6 'This is a large building for our area. I think our guests have chosen to stay with us to feel safe,' front desk employee Takayuki Shinmura told AFP, adding that it was unusual for all of the hotel's rooms to be occupied during typhoons. Those who sought hotel rooms said the pandemic and discomfort of public shelters were weighing on them. 'I am worried about coronavirus infections. We're with small children too, so we did not want other people to see us as big trouble,' an elderly man in Shibushi city told NHK after checking in at a local hotel with seven relatives. A broken tree lies down after typhoon hit Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Monday, September 7. The second powerful typhoon to slam Japan in a week left people injured, damaged buildings, caused blackouts at nearly half a million homes and paralyzed traffic in southern Japanese islands before headed to South Korea The roof of a house blown by strong wind caused by typhoon Haishen occupies a road in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Monday Large swells at Imwon harbor in Donnghae, Gangwon-do province, South Korea, on Monday. Typhoon Haishen is heading northward to the South Korean port city of Busan, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to the nation 'Record-level rainfall is expected. It may cause landslides or it could cause even large rivers to flood,' said Yoshihisa Nakamoto, director of the forecast division at the Japan Meteorological Agency, during a televised briefing. Typhoon Haishen comes just days after Typhoon Maysak smashed into the Korean peninsula, leaving at least two dead and thousands without power. North Korea, which bore the brunt of both Maysak and Typhoon Bavi a week earlier, is also in Haishen's trajectory with the storm expected to draw near the port city of Chongjin Monday afternoon. People struggle with their umbrellas against wind in downtown Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. A powerful typhoon damaged buildings, flooded roads and knocked out power to thousands of homes in South Korea on Monday after battering southern Japanese islands A man gives a traffic on a submerged road caused by typhoon Haishen in Sokcho, South Korea, September 7 A man holds his umbrella turned inside out from strong winds caused by Typhoon Haishen in central Seoul on September 7 Live footage on state TV, a rarity that has now been broadcast for three weeks, showed trees shaking and waves rising in Tongchon county in Gangwon province bordering the South. The state broadcaster reported that all Tongchon residents had been evacuated. North Korea's agriculture sector is particularly vulnerable to severe weather, and this summer's storms and floods have raised concerns over the country's tenuous food situation. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday toured coastal areas hit by Maysak, and ordered party members to join the recovery effort. Fishmen take pictures during bad weather caused by typhoon Haishen, near Imwon harbor in Donnghae, Gangwon-do province, South Korea, on Monday Promoting the wellbeing of school communities is a fundamental element of the Department of Education's overall plan to ensure a successful return to school as everyone continues to manage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In these exceptional times, the impacts on the wellbeing of everyone will be felt in different ways, at different times. People have been naturally worried about the risk to their physical health and that of their loved ones and have been challenged to varying degrees by the public health measures that were put in place in Ireland to control the spread of the virus, such as staying at home and school closures. However people have an inbuilt capacity to adapt, including children. Most are weathering this storm and will emerge stronger and with new skills. Most respond really well to information and practical advice on new ways of managing and staying active and connected. Some will, for a variety of reasons, struggle a little to adapt and will need greater levels of practical and social support to make the adjustments needed to stay well. A very small number may find the changes brought about by Covid-19 very challenging, and may need higher levels of practical and mental health supports. As schools reopen, most students, and indeed their families and school staff will be looking forward to going back, reconnecting with school, reconnecting with staff and friends and settling back into school work. This will be a time of change, with new rules and routines to learn, in order to keep everyone safe. Some students may feel anxious about the return to school. In times of change some worry or anxiety is a normal response. Most will settle and re-engage with little difficulty after an initial settling in period. It is important that children and young people are supported to experience a successful transition back to school, recognising that transition is a process over time rather than a once-off event. The following guidance will help schools support their students on this transition journey acknowledging that each school community has its own unique characteristics and will therefore use this guidance to develop their own plan to support the wellbeing of their own school community. Supporting the wellbeing of school communities at this time of transition is helped by fostering resilience using five key principles: * promoting a sense of safety so that people feel that they are safe, and that those around them are safe * promoting a sense of calm so that people feel relaxed, composed and grounded (regulated) * promoting a sense of belonging and connectedness so that people experience having meaningful relationships with others who understand and support them * promoting a sense of self-efficacy and community-efficacy so that people believe that they can manage and do what is needed, and so can their school community promoting a sense of hope so that people believe that things will work out well Supporting a successful transition back to what will be our new normal is best achieved when those within the school community feel safe, calm and hopeful, when they feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to their school community and feel that they can manage with the support of their community. Settling In - Slow Down to Catch Up It will take time for staff and students to adjust to being back in the school environment and be ready and available to fully engage with teaching and learning. A sense of urgency about returning to the curriculum is natural but time spent on settling the students and getting the students ready for learning will yield positive outcomes in the longer term and will likely reduce stress. So it is important that teachers and school staff do not rush into a focus on formal teaching and learning before first considering readiness, and focusing on wellbeing. Routines create a sense of psychological safety by providing predictability. Re-establishing routines or creating new ones will contribute to a safe and calm learning environment and give students a sense of security * we will see a variety of responses amongst our students as schools reopen ranging from excitement and happiness to worry and anxiety, which are normal responses to unprecedented events. Normalising feelings by communicating that we have all struggled with aspects of school closure, the pandemic and school reopening, will help to create a safe environment for students. (Its normal to feel anxious when things are changed) * remember that adults in the school are important role models for students. Modelling calm responses and coping strategies will help students learn helpful ways of managing their fears and anxieties * some students may find it more difficult to sit, focus and concentrate for the lengths of time they may have been able to manage prior to school closure, because they have not practised these skills for a number of months. * plan for managing those transitions that were impacted by school closures in a way that the school can manage. For example, for some students in primary school who will have a new teacher, having an opportunity to meet with the teacher they had as schools closed at short notice, may be helpful * different cohorts of students may require a different wellbeing focus * students transitioning into a school for the first time may need particular attention to be focused on establishing relationships * students taking State Examinations in 2021 may need particular attention to be focused on calm and hope. He gave up his job as a soap star on Neighbours to be by his pregnant wife Anna Heinrich's side. And on Monday, Tim Robards, 37, offered further insight into his exit from the popular soap, admitting that COVID-19 travel restriction forced him to end his work contract a month early to be with Anna, 33, in Sydney. Speaking in an Instagram Q&A, the actor said: 'I had a month to go [on his Neighbours contract]. But because I've got a baby on the way and I don't want to be in two states at once, I had to leave earlier because of the restrictions.' Answers: On Monday, Tim Robards, 37, offered further insight into his exit from Neighbours, admitting that COVID-19 travel restriction forced him to exit his work contract a month early to be with Anna in Sydney When asked if he felt glad about leaving coronavirus-riddled Victoria when he did, Tim explained: 'I feel more sympathy and empathy for everyone down there. 'I know how tough it was. I was down there for quite a chunk of it [lockdown], and it's just horrible. Hang in there, guys. Stay strong.' However, Tim did admit that he was 'missing' his Neighbours family, but was happy with his decision to quit and come home to Anna. 'Leaving early because of restrictions': Speaking in an Instagram Q&A, the actor said: 'I had a month to go [on his Neighbours contract]. But because I've got a baby on the way and I don't want to be in two states at once Soulmates: However, Tim did admit that he was 'missing' his Neighbours family, but was happy with his decision to quit and come home to Anna 'I've been away from my wife for so long. Even if I come back on the weekends, it's not the same as being there all the time.' The hunk announced his decision to leave Channel Ten soap Neighbours in mid-August. Tim also added that Anna was 'killing it' with her pregnancy. Gushing: Tim also added that Anna was 'killing it' with her pregnancy 'She's doing so well,' the former Bachelor gushed. Tim and 33-year-old lawyer Anna are expecting a girl in the coming weeks. The smitten couple wed at a fairytale Italian ceremony in June 2018. They announced their baby news in May. Saakashvili will soon talk about his plans on the return to Georgia. Georgian opposition coalition 'Power in Unity' has nominated former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili as the candidate for prime minister in the 2020 parliamentary elections. "The use of Saakashvili's resources is absolutely necessary for the state if the country wants to achieve domestic and foreign policy goals," one of the leaders of the United National Movement (UNM) party, Grigol Vashadze, announced at a briefing on September 7, according to Georgia Today. Read alsoUkraine's FM Kuleba comments on Saakashvili's controversial statementsWhen asked how the former president is going to return to Georgia, Vashadze answered that he will talk about his plans himself. Saakashvili in Georgia and Ukraine: background LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson talked tough on Sunday ahead of a crucial round of post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union, saying Britain could walk away from the talks within weeks and insisting that a no-deal exit would be a good outcome for the U.K." With talks deadlocked, Johnson said an agreement would only be possible if EU negotiators are prepared to rethink their current positions." The EU, in turn, accuses Britain of failing to negotiate seriously. Britain left the now 27-nation EU on Jan. 31, three-and-a-half years after the country narrowly voted to end more than four decades of membership. That political departure will be followed by an economic break when an 11-month transition period ends on Dec. 31 and the U.K. leaves the EUs single market and customs union. Without a deal, the New Year will bring tariffs and other economic barriers between the U.K. and the bloc, its biggest trading partner. Johnson said the country would prosper mightily" even if Britain had a trading arrangement with the EU like Australias" the U.K. government's preferred description of a no-deal Brexit. British chief negotiator David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier are due to meet in London starting Tuesday for their eighth round of negotiations. Barnier said last week he was worried and disappointed" by the lack of progress and said the U.K. had not engaged constructively." The key sticking points are European boats access to U.K. fishing waters and state aid to industries. The EU is determined to ensure a level playing field" for competition so British firms cant undercut the blocs environmental or workplace standards or pump public money into U.K. industries. Britain accuses the bloc of making demands that it has not imposed on other countries it has free trade deals with, such as Canada. Frost told the Mail on Sunday newspaper that Britain was not going to compromise on the fundamentals of having control over our own laws." We are not going to accept level playing field provisions that lock us in to the way the EU do things," he said. In another sign of potential trouble ahead, the Financial Times reported that Johnsons government was planning domestic legislation that would water down commitments to maintaining an open border between the U.K.s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland that it has already signed up to. The border guarantee was a key part of the legally binding divorce agreement made between Britain and the bloc last year. British Brexit supporters hate the agreement because it means keeping Northern Ireland aligned to some EU rules and regulations. But any move to undermine it would infuriate the EU and threaten the trade talks. This would be a very unwise way to proceed," tweeted Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney. The British government said it was working in good faith" to implement the agreed border provisions but was considering fallback options in the event this is not achieved." The EU says a deal has to be struck before November to allow time for parliamentary approval and legal vetting before the transition period expires. Johnson gave an even shorter deadline in remarks he's due to deliver on Monday, saying an agreement needed to be sealed by an EU summit scheduled for Oct. 15. If we cant agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," he said in the comments, which were released in advance by his office. Without a deal, British freight firms have warned there could be logjams at ports and supplies of key goods in Britain could be severely disrupted" starting Jan. 1. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday that talks were not going well" and dismissed British attempts to drive a wedge between EU nations on issues such as fishing. Le Drian said the 27 nations remained united. We would prefer a deal, but a deal on the basis of our mandate," he told France Inter radio. There is room for action, but the whole package, including the fishing package, needs to be taken up in order to avoid a no deal." This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics A US artillery brigade will conduct on Monday live fires from a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) in Estonia's Tapa as part of the Rail Gunner Rush operation, the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces said HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th September, 2020) A US artillery brigade will conduct on Monday live fires from a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) in Estonia's Tapa as part of the Rail Gunner Rush operation, the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces said. "The 41st US artillery brigade will unveil the MLRS missile launch system and conduct a demonstration firing at the Defense Forces Central Range on Monday," the statement said. The Rail Gunner Rush drills are running from September 1-10. This is the first exercise with live firing conducted by the US Army's 41st field artillery brigade outside its base in the German town of Grafenwoehr. The brigade is the only US artillery support unit in Europe to provide strategic, operational and tactical fire and support to the entire US European Command. The Russian embassy in the United States has previously said that it considers the drills that use multiple launch rocket systems in the immediate vicinity of the Russian borders to be dangerous and provocative. There was no evidence of foul play, the sheriff's office said, adding that no injuries or medical emergencies were reported at the parade Houston: A Texas boat parade in support of President Donald Trump's reelection campaign ran into trouble on Saturday, as multiple vessels took on water or sank, authorities said. The Travis County Sheriff's Office "responded to multiple calls involving boats in distress during the Trump parade on Lake Travis," it said on Twitter. "Several boats did sink." There was no evidence of foul play, sheriff's office spokeswoman Kristen Dark said. No injuries or medical emergencies were reported at the parade on Lake Travis, located northwest of Austin. "Some were taking on water, some were stalled, some were capsizing, it was all types of different things," Dark said. Photos on Twitter showed boats flying Trump 2020 flags in choppy water, likely caused by the large number of vessels moving closely together. "There were an exceptional number of boats on the lake today," Dark said, adding authorities were still gathering data on how many boats sank and how many people were rescued. More than 2,500 people marked themselves on Facebook as having attended the Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade, which Dark said was two to three miles (three to five kilometers) long. The parade, taking place over the US Labor Day holiday weekend, was to feature four parachutists jumping out of a helicopter with smoke and flags, according to the event's Facebook page. Boats were asked to travel at 10 miles per hour. Trump faces Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the 3 November election. The announcement came just days after the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi passed through Saudi airspace Riyadh: Saudi Arabia supports a "fair" solution for the Palestinian cause, King Salman has told Donald Trump in a phone call, as the US President praised the kingdom for opening its airspace to Israel-UAE flights. Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow the United Arab Emirates, which announced last month it would establish diplomatic ties with Israel, until the Jewish state has signed an internationally recognised peace accord with the Palestinians. In a phone call to Trump on Sunday, King Salman affirmed the "kingdom's keenness to reach a lasting and fair solution to the Palestinian cause to bring peace", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Last week, Saudi Arabia agreed to permit UAE flights to "all countries" to overfly the kingdom, as Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of regular direct flights linking the UAE with the Jewish state. The announcement came just days after the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi passed through Saudi airspace, marking the normalisation of Israel-UAE ties under a US-backed deal known as the Abraham Accords. Riyadh's decision marked another concrete sign of Saudi Arabia's cooperation with Israel even after it publicly refused to follow the UAE's move. "President Trump... welcomed the opening of Saudi air space to flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, beginning with last week's historic commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi," said a White House readout of the phone call. "President Trump highlighted the significance of Abraham Accords and discussed ways to enhance regional security and prosperity." Allowing flights between Israel and the Emirates to cross Saudi airspace saves long detours around the Arabian peninsula. Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy and home to Islam's holiest sites, faces more sensitive political calculations than the UAE. Despite its clandestine relations with Israel, formal recognition of the Jewish state would be seen by Palestinians and their supporters as a betrayal of their cause and hurt the kingdom's image as the leader of the Islamic world, analysts say. Trump also urged Saudi Arabia to "negotiate with other Gulf countries" to resolve a regional rift with Qatar, the White House added. Riyadh and its allies severed ties with Doha in a shock move in 2017, accusing the gas-rich emirate of backing extremists and siding with Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran. Qatar denies the charges. The crisis shows no sign of relenting despite rising international pressure. More than 500,000 coronavirus cases have been recorded in Spain since the beginning of the pandemic in March, according to data reported by the regions on Saturday. Catalonia registered 1,481 new infections and eight fatalities in 24 hours, while Andalusia reported 1,030 cases, Basque Country 745, Valencia 630, Castilla y Leon 560, Murcia 390, the Canary Islands 365, Galicia 293, Aragon 248, Extremadura 223, Cantabria 213, Navarre 191 and Asturias 65. In La Rioja, authorities detected a new coronavirus outbreak in a senior residence, as well as seven others linked to social gatherings, bringing the total number of active cases in the region to 997 on Saturday, a daily rise of 18. The Spanish Health Ministry does not publish figures on the Covid-19 crisis on weekends, nor does the Madrid region, which currently has the highest number of new cases. But if the figures reported on Saturday are added to the total number of cases recorded by the Health Ministry on Friday (498,989), the new total is now at 505,441. In response to the rise in cases, mandatory and recommended confinement measures have been introduced in some areas in Spain In a bid to curb contagion, regional governments have continued to tighten restrictions on social gatherings and nighttime venues. In Valencia, premier Ximo Puig announced on Saturday that the measures limiting private gatherings to 10 people and reducing the opening hours of bars and restaurants would be extended for another 21 days. Casinos and game rooms will also have to close by 1am and new patrons will not be allowed to enter after midnight. Last week, Madrid health authorities announced a raft of measures aimed at reducing the rising number of coronavirus infections in the region, which has once again become the epicenter of the ongoing health crisis in Spain. These restrictions include a 10-person limit on social meetings and reducing capacity at bar counters to 50%. In response to the rise in cases, mandatory and recommended confinement measures have been introduced in some areas in Spain. In Llera, a municipality in Badajoz province, local authorities have called on the towns 800 residents to remain at home. The mayor of Llera, Ana Torres, asked the residents to leave their homes as little as possible and not to have contact with anyone after the town recorded 19 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 51. From this week on and up until at least September 15, Llera residents will remain in social isolation, with measures similar to Phase 2 of the national deescalation plan, such as reduced capacity at bars and restaurants. Local authorities of Vall del Zalabi in Granada have also asked residents to stay at home in an effort to curb the rising number of cases there. Spanish authorities are particularly concerned about coronavirus transmission at senior homes, which have led to at least 23 deaths Spanish authorities are particularly concerned about coronavirus transmission at homes for seniors, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the virus and account for 10% of all current positive cases in Spain. On Saturday, the Andalusian regional government reported that a coronavirus outbreak in the El Zapillo seniors home in Almeria had led to nine deaths and 116 cases, 76 of which are among residents at the center. Another outbreak at a senior residence El Manantial de Terque, also in Almeria, has led to 39 infections (33 residents and six workers). In Galicia, 14 people have died from a coronavirus outbreak at the O Incio center in Lugo. The total number of coronavirus cases has exceeded half a million as schools across Spain prepare to reopen after being closed since mid-March due to the health crisis. Some regions, however, have announced that the return to schools will be delayed until the safety of students and teachers is guaranteed. Regional authorities in Asturias, the Canary Islands and Murcia will not reopen schools until September 21. In Santona, in Cantabria, a student-parents association backed on Saturday a petition from the school boards of the municipalitys two centers to push back the start of the new school year while the area remains in confinement. Police arrest 13 at anti-maskers march in Madrid Una mujer es arrestada este sabado por la policia en Callao durante una manifestacion negacionista de la pandemia. Olmo Calvo Police on Saturday arrested 13 people for disobeying officers during a protest against coronavirus safety measures in Callao square in the center of Madrid. Images on social media show how one of the participants at the demonstration was taken away by police. A spokesperson of the central governments delegation in Madrid said that the arrests were made after the protesters ignored police orders to wear a face mask, which are mandatory in all public spaces regardless of whether social distancing rules can be respected. This type of arrest is typically resolved with a proposed fine of between 300 and 600, and does not lead to criminal charges. Around 500 people attended the protest on Saturday afternoon, carrying signs against face masks, coronavirus vaccines and lockdown measures. The protesters marched through Callao, Mayor and Opera public squares but, according to the spokesperson, were stopped by police before they could reach their final destination at Madrids famous Puerta del Sol landmark. The organizers of the march did not notify the government delegation of the demonstration, which used social media to call for attendees. In addition to the 13 people arrested, police identified another 110 participants who were not wearing a face mask. According to the spokesperson of the government delegation, these participants may not be fined even though their details were taken. The spokesperson added that the 13 who were arrested were the most disobedient to police. The governments delegate in Madrid, Jose Manuel Franco, thanked police for their efforts on Saturday. Once again, they have shown exemplary behavior in maintaining order and protecting public safety in the center of Madrid, he told EL PAIS. Several protests have been held in Madrid against the governments coronavirus safety measures. Three weeks ago, more than 30 people were arrested at a large protest in Colon square in Madrid. Police also arrested one of the organizers of the march for inciting hate and violence against officers and health workers on social media, and for sharing fake data on the situation of the pandemic by posing as a top official in the Health Ministry. English version by Melissa Kitson. A report by The Mail on Sunday cited Banks camp as saying: The 1 million premium became due in July 2019 when Mr Edmonds reached an out-of-court settlement with the bank. We wrote to Mr Edmonds in August 2019 pointing out the policy conditions, but he ignored the communications. We have established that Mr Edmonds emigrated in a hurry shortly after the settlement. His solicitors have deliberately obstructed and delayed, but now that we have tracked down his hiding place we are seeking to serve papers on him in New Zealand to recover the money. A source close to Edmonds, meanwhile, disputed the liability, as well as the idea that Edmonds had fled. As for Banks, the Brexit bad boy is determined to make Edmonds pay. Im fuming, he told the publication. Mr Edmonds has run off to a lush part of New Zealand with my money, dishonestly trying to hide from his debtors. We backed him when no-one else would in his fight with the banks; he won and then he headed for New Zealand without even acknowledging his debt to me and my company. Banks warning? No deal is not an option cough up, or I will drag you back to the UK to face the music. Meanwhile the matter is bound to be a legal tussle, according to Edmonds side, which is reportedly looking at the issue of litigation funding. John Piper Returns to Pulpit after 8 Month Leave Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment John Piper returned to the pulpit Sunday after an eight month leave to reexamine his soul and work on his family life. The respected preacher and author delivered a message focused on prayer titled, "Our Deepest Prayer: Hallowed Be Your Name," based on Matthew 6:5-15. Those attending the service at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn., were asked to reflect on how Piper's leave influenced the examination of their own heart for pride and on their priorities regarding time, according to the sermon resource posted on the church's website. Piper took his first-ever break from 30 years of ministry last year, from May to December, to work on what he described as the "sins of my own soul" and "ongoing character flaws." "I see several species of pride," Piper had told Bethlehem Baptist Church last March. "They may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry. Nevertheless, while I don't think they do, I grieve over them." During the leave, Piper did not preach, write books, blog, or tweet, with a few exceptions in speaking engagements that his wife, Noel, agreed to. Earlier this month, Piper had posted a blog on the Desiring God, a ministry he founded, website where he provided an update on "the blessings" of his leave of absence. He noted that he wrote 265 pages in his journal about his thoughts and meditations during the eight months and that it will take the rest of his life to unpack what happened during that time. He shared that he "experienced afresh" his love for God while worshipping with church members of Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Bloomington, Minn., and that his marriage of 42 years is in "a good place now." "I would label my decades-long, besetting (and I hope weakening) sins in this relationship as selfishness, self-pity, anger, blaming, and sullenness (all of them species of pride)," Piper reflected in the blog post. "There are others, but these are close to the root of our troubles." Upon returning to ministry in 2011, Piper said he wants to guard his time with God, not overload his schedule with outside speaking engagement, and work on a long-term future plan for Bethlehem church, which includes a successor to his leadership position. Piper, who will soon turn 65, expects to step down within the next few years and wants to write books and serve as chancellor and professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary and founding contributor to Desiring God ministry. "God is as sovereign and gracious as ever. And I find myself chastened, humbled, and perhaps more useable now," Piper concluded in the blog post. "It is good to be back." His first public speaking engagement this year was at the Passion 2011 conference in Atlanta on Jan. 3. Cases of coronavirus are spiking in France, Spain and the UK even as social distancing restrictions ease, stoking concerns among doctors and policymakers about a "second wave" in countries still reeling from the pandemic's first wave. France set a new record on Friday after health authorities reported 8,975 new cases, far higher than the previous record of 7,578 the country set on March 31 at the height of the global pandemic. In the UK, new infections soared to nearly 3,000 in one day - the country's biggest jump since May. And Spain saw nearly 9,000 cases last Thursday. Outside of Europe, India displaced Brazil to take second place after the United States in terms of coronavirus infections, with 90,082 new cases whose numbers are expected to grow. Unlike the pandemic's punishing first round last spring, France's troubling rise in new cases has yet to cause a significant surge in deaths and hospitalisations, a salutary statistic for policymakers who remain determined to press ahead with re-openings of schools and businesses. "For the moment, the important number is the number of sick persons, and the number of sick people is not increasing," said Laurent Toubiana, a leading epidemiologist at the French Institute of Health and Medical Research. "The number of deaths are not increasing. So we shouldn't be getting worked up." Coronavirus across the globe101 There are fewer than 500 Covid cases in French intensive care wards - down from about 8,000 at the height of the crisis, according to the French government. Toubiana and other European health officials credit increased testing - France has just introduced free, rapid testing nationwide - for the abrupt increase in new cases. The new testing has sparked a statistical increase in patients with mild or no symptoms, many of them younger, healthy people like Feyrouz Hassam, 30, and her friend Alain Jaber, 28. The two took tests last week at a crowded free testing centre in central Paris despite neither suffering from symptoms. The testing site, housed in a large tent in front of Paris's stately Hotel de Ville, is among seven such centres in the French capital. Story continues Dr. Christophe Chevassu, a general practitioner for SOS Medecin, said the centre administers about 700 tests each day, mostly to young people. Hassam's boss had asked her to take the test after one of her colleagues tested positive, while Jaber sought a test simply because "it's simple". Neither sounded very worried. "Obviously, we are already in the second wave," said Hassam. "It's our responsibility to be careful but I don't think there's going to be a huge second wave. Hopefully not." On the official level, such optimism remains cautious. France has recently made mask-wearing compulsory in public in most major cities punishable by a fine. But policymakers have all but ruled out the kind of blanket lockdowns that crushed France's economy this spring. "I cannot envision a general lockdown," French Health Minister Olivier Veran told BFM TV on Saturday. "The lockdown was a lid on an overflowing cooking pot." Veran said he expects hospitalisations to increase and urged French people to remain "vigilant". He and other European health officials have warned that the effects of the increase could be delayed - with more cases and less social distancing, a surge in deaths and hospitalisations could be only a matter of time. "We have seen in other countries across the world and in Europe this sort of rise in the cases among younger people lead to a rise across the population as a whole," said UK health secretary Matt Hancock. "So it's so important that people don't allow this illness to infect their grandparents and to lead to the sort of problems that we saw earlier in the year." Yet the disease itself remains mired in uncertainty. As long as the death and sickness levels remain constant - even as cases rise - it's unclear whether the hand-wringing over an anticipated second wave is justified. Even with France's ramped-up testing, only about 3% of tests come back positive, said Toubiana, a statistically insignificant figure that's consistent with the testing's margin of error. "We have another epidemic. We have an epidemic of panic, of fear," said Toubiana. "So this fear and panic makes us not reflect on what is really happening." - This article first appeared on NBC The entire world has appreciated the Narendra Modi government for saving the lives of 130 crore Indians by imposing the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown, BJP chief J P Nadda said on Monday. Addressing the Jharkhand BJP executive committee meeting digitally from New Delhi, Nadda said that at a time when countries like the United States and the United Kingdom were unsure of ways to tackle the crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had imposed the lockdown by raising the slogan Jaan hai toh jahaan hai (life is wealth). Measures were taken on a war-footing, as a result of which 11 lakh COVID-19 tests are now being conducted daily, up from just 15 in March," he said. Ventilators were not built in India during the initial stages of the outbreak, but now three lakh ventilators have been produced in the country, Nadda said. As many as 4.5 lakh PPE kits are being produced in India every day, and the country has exported chloroquine tablets to around 30 nations, he said. Nadda said that the Centre is spending lakhs of crores" of rupees on welfare schemes for the poor amid the pandemic. More than 80 crore people will be fed for free till November under the Garib Kalyan Yojana. Also, 8.5 crore farmers have received cash benefits in two phases. An amount of Rs 1,500 each was transferred to beneficiaries of the Jan Dhan Yojana, while free LPG cylinders were given to the poor under the Ujjwala Yojana," he said. He said that even the United Nations secretary-general has lauded the prime minister for his measures on the economic front under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The Union government provided Y-plus category security to actor Kangana Ranaut on Monday, two days before she was expected to return to Mumbai in the midst of a raging controversy triggered by her remarks likening the city to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and subsequent protests by Maharashtras ruling Shiv Sena. Ranaut will be guarded by 10-11 armed commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) round the clock in three shifts wherever she travels across the nation, according to officials aware of the developments. The actor, who is in her home state of Himachal Pradesh, thanked Union home minister Amit Shah and said no one can crush a patriot. While the Maharashtra government appeared surprised over the move, and raised the pitch against the national award-winning actor, the Congress a partner in states ruling alliance alleged that Ranaut was carrying forward the political agenda of the Centres ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Centres move to provide security to people who insult Mumbai and Maharashtra is surprising and also sad, Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said. Even as a debate raged over Ranauts VIP security, a fresh row broke out after the actor shared on Twitter videos purportedly showing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials at her office premises in Mumbai. She said employees of the Sena-ruled civic body may demolish the property on Tuesday. They have forcefully taken over my office measuring everything, also harassing my neighbours, she tweeted. BMC officials said they were acting on a complaint. ...there were some deviations including an illegal extension of the office. Also, this property was converted from residential to commercial. Measurements of her office were taken and a report will be submitted in the next two days to top officials, said an official who did not want to be named. Ranauts recent remarks that she felt unsafe in Mumbai after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and a September 3 tweet asking why Mumbai was felt like it was PoK it was posted in response to Senas Sanjay Raut purportedly advising her not to visit the city if she was afraid of the citys police have drawn sharp condemnation by a section of Sena leaders, who allege she is insulting the city and its police force. Ranaut has also said she may require security from Himachal Pradesh police or the Centre, but will not accept protection from the Mumbai Police to expose an alleged drug mafia in Bollywood. With the Centre approving Y+ security for Ranaut, at least three Personnel Security Officers (PSOs) will accompany the actor 24x7 and one security officer will be deployed at her residence in Mumbai, according to the officials. She will also get an escort vehicle for her security personnel. Had he (Shah) wanted, he could have asked me to visit Mumbai later, but he respected a daughter of India and acknowledged my self-respect. Jai Hind, Ranaut tweeted. Ranaut is the first Bollywood celebrity to be guarded by CRPF, which protects about 60 dignitaries, including Shah, Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Chief Justice of India SA Bobde. The government will pay for her VIP security cover, said the officials cited above. High-risk individuals are given security (subject to periodic review) on the basis of threat assessment done by government agencies. The categories are broadly divided into four tiers Z+ (highest level), Z, Y and X depending on threat perception. On Monday, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur issued a video statement, welcoming the Centres decision. Officials said it was the Himachal government that requested the central government to provide security to Ranaut through a paramilitary force. In Mumbai, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said some people dont have gratitude for the city where they earn their livelihood a remark interpreted as a jibe at Ranaut. Many people from other states come to Mumbai. Work here for livelihood and get fame. Some of them are grateful but some are not, he said in the assembly, speaking on a condolence motion. Thackeray did not name Ranaut. At a virtual press conference, Congresss chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala, said the Sena-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Congress coalition in Maharashtra will ensure adequate protection to her despite a particular film actress carrying on with the agenda of (Prime Minister) Modiji and the BJP. To describe the business capital of the country as PoK is naive, incorrect, political opportunism and reprehensible which no reasonable person will accept. We reject such unfounded and politically motivated allegations being hurled through film actresses by BJP, he said. Back in Mumbai, BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said Ranaut made a wrong statement, but it was the responsibility of the government to protect her in a land of law. It is the responsibility of the government to protect the life of an individual. Hence, though we (the BJP) are not supporting what Kangana Ranaut said, and nobody will support it, still it is the responsibility of the government (to protect her), the Leader of Opposition in the legislative assembly told reporters outside the Vidhan Bhavan. New Delhi, Sep 7 : The Supreme Court Monday asked states to file a detailed affidavit within four weeks on a plea seeking directions to provide masks and sanitisers for senior citizens, who are living alone, amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, R. Subhash Reddy and M. R. Shah was informed by former Union Minister and senior advocate Ashwini Kumar that the affidavits filed by states based on August 4 direction of the court lack detail on actions taken to address the issue. Kumar submitted before the bench that except Orissa and Punjab, the affidavits on record lack details. On August 4, the top court had directed that all pensioners should be regularly paid pension, and states should provide them necessary medicines, masks, sanitisers and other essentials amid the ongoing pandemic. Kumar had argued that the elderly amid the pandemic need more care and protection. Today, Kumar insisted that priority should be granted to senior citizens who are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. He cited the affidavit filed by Manipur and contended that state governments should file better affidavits with more details on the actions taken so far. The Supreme Court had directed the Centre and the state governments to ensure timely pension to the elderly, besides ensuring availability of sanitisers, masks and PPE kits to them, wherever required, during the coronavirus pandemic. "We, in this application, which is specially confined to Covid-19 crisis, direct that all old age people who are eligible for pension should be regularly paid pension and those identified as older people should be provided necessary medicines, masks, sanitizers and other essential goods by respective states", said the bench. The top court asked the Centre to ensure that all Covid-19 safety precautions are followed and caregivers in old-age homes were well-equipped with masks, PPE kits, and sanitisers. "Further, as and when any individual request is made, the same shall be attended to by the administration with all promptness. The caregivers of those old age homes should be provided personal protection and appropriate sanitization should also be undertaken in the old age homes", added the bench. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) MINSK -- Authorities in Belarus said on September 7 that they had detained some 633 protesters as tens of thousands marched in the capital and other cities the previous day as part of the continuing opposition-led effort to pressure President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to resign. Meanwhile, police in Minsk denied they had detained a key member of the opposition's coordination group after an eyewitness reported seeing Maryya Kalesnikava taken away in a minivan as the protests entered their 30th day. Lukashenka, who has ruled the country for 26 years, has refused to hold talks with his opponents and rebuffed calls to hold a new election since a vote last month that the opposition says was falsified. Officials say Lukashenka won with 80 percent of the August 9 election, a number that democracy activists and the countrys leading opposition figure, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, dispute. Tsikhanouskaya, who fled into Lithuanian exile days after the vote, is reportedly scheduled to visit Warsaw this week to hold meetings with top Polish officials. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on September 6 repeated a call for "inclusive national dialogue," saying "impressive mass demonstrations" around Belarus show the "determination of Belarusian people to achieve their freedoms, rights & democracy" in the face of "arrests, intimidation & violence." One day later, Reuters quoted three unnamed EU diplomats as saying the bloc will seek to impose economic sanctions on 31 senior Belarusian officials, including Interior Minister Yury Karayeu, by the middle of this month. Initial approval without specifying who would be targeted, was given in August. "We initially agreed on 14 names but many states felt that was not sufficient. We have now reached consensus on another 17," one of the diplomatic sources told Reuters. "These are senior officials responsible for the election, for violence, and for the crackdown." Independent Russian-language news portal Tut.by quoted an eyewitness as saying that Kalesnikava, a member of the opposition Coordinating Council's decision-making presidium, was abruptly taken into a minibus marked "Communication" early on September 7 and swept off toward an unknown destination. "The Minsk police did not detain her," Interfax later quoted the police department of the Minsk City Executive as saying. The Meduza news site reported that acquaintances had lost contact with the Coordinating Council's press secretary, Anton Randyonkau, and a staff member of a barred opposition presidential candidate's headquarters, Hleb Herman. They said both were incommunicado without explanation and there were concerns for their whereabouts. The Interior Ministry's announcement on the number of detained represents a significantly higher figure than earlier estimates by rights campaigners and others monitoring the continuing crackdown. They had cited around 180 detentions in Minsk and dozens more in Brest, Baranavichy, and the western city of Hrodna on September 6, the 29th straight day of anti-Lukashenka protests since a disputed August 9 presidential election. Confrontations between police and demonstrators were also reported to the east in Mahilyou and in the southern city of Homel. Lukashenka, who has ruled the country for 26 years, has refused to hold talks with his opponents, and rebuffed calls to hold a new election. Officials say he won with 80 percent of the vote, a number that democracy activists and the countrys leading opposition figure, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, dispute. Opposition groups are also calling for the release of political prisoners and for an independent investigation of the police crackdown that swept up thousands in the days after the vote. A small picket-style protest was already under way in Homel early on September 7. Tsikhanouskaya, who ran for president after her husband was jailed following his announcement he would run, said on September 5 that her country is in deep political crisis. Belarusians have changed. They have woken up, Tsikhanouskaya said from Vilnius, where she fled days after the vote. Ahead of the September 6 protests, Lukashenka's security services warned of a crackdown against those who decided to participate in the unsanctioned demonstration in the capital. But scenes from Minsk showed massive crowds and a long column of protesters on the avenue leading to the presidential palace, which was guarded by police in riot gear, and protected by metal fencing and water cannons. Demonstrators were chanting, "Long live Belarus!" and, "Shame!" and carrying red-and-white flags and banners, a symbol of the opposition that has been banned by the authorities. Police later dispersed protesters with the help of tear gas. On September 5, two unsanctioned rallies organized separately by university students and womens groups took place in Minsk. News agencies reported that dozens of students were dragged from the streets at those events and pushed into vans by masked security agents. In addition to thousands of detentions, Belarusian authorities have silenced local journalists and expelled foreign journalists, and prosecuted many opposition leaders. With reporting by Current Time and Reuters In a recent video uploaded to YouTube, Elon Musk elaborated the works of AI giving a little bit more information about Neuralink and revealing what his biggest fear was. Google! Elon Musk is usually not one to fret away with the cutting edge next level technological innovation but it seems like he does not agree with. Have you ever heard about DeepMind? DeepMind is an AI that was purchased by Google with one goal in life and that is to constantly evolve and learn. The supercomputer is said to be able to learn at a rate much faster than humanly possible. DeepMind is capable of quite a selection of things like navigation, learning games, and basically growing at an extremely rapid rate. Google uses DeepMind in order to help them predict certain moves that their users are going to do before doing it. One way Google uses DeepMind is when you type a certain text, DeepMind then provides you with possible related texts. DeepMind was described to win at any particular game playing them at superspeed and at superhuman abilities. Read Also: [New Discovery] NASA Finds Rust on the Moon: How can Rust Form without Oxygen or Liquid Water? Why is Elon Musk afraid of DeepMind? Elon Musk expressed that this AI already has administrator's access to all of Google's servers in order to optimize the energy usage of the data centers. Although this is a great benefit for Google, the tech CEO expresses just how this could be harmful. According to his statement, DeepMind could potentially become an unintentional Trojan Horse. With that much access to Google's data system, it would not be hard for DeepMind to take control of it completely. Elon Musk stresses out that "this means they can do anything." Elon Musk admits that we are all moving towards an era of digital superintelligence calling this "obvious." This chilling statement was said with a stern face and a serious tone. You can see in the video the type of expressions that Musk gives off. Is AI really evil? Elon Musk explains that AI does not necessarily have to be evil in order to destroy humanity. The Neuralink CEO explained that if AI has a particular goal and humanity stands in the way, this could react in the AI destroying humanity as a matter of course. This means that for AI to destroy humanity, all that needs to happen is humanity becoming a hindrance to the AI's main goal. The type of analogy Elon Musk gives is like when people build a road and an anthill just so happens to be in the way, "we don't hate ants" Elon Musk explained following up with "we're just building a road." The statement ends with "goodbye anthill" and explains that an AI could destroy humanity as a means to accomplish a goal instead of destruction actually being a goal. Read Also: [Spotted] SpaceX Ships Raptor Vacuum Engine for Starship to Texas from California: The Testing Continues? 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The shooting for the 7th film of Mission Impossible franchise has started and the fans are quite excited. Director of the movie Christopher McQuarrie seems to take the excitement of fans to the next level as he shared a breath-taking picture from the sets. In the picture, a man can be seen on the top of scaffolding with the stunning mountain view in the background. Sharing the picture McQuarrie wrote, Action #MI7 Day 1 (sic)." The snap is surely a glimpse of the high octane action sequences going to be performed by the Hollywood star Tom Cruise in the film. The official page of Mission: Impossible has also shared the picture on Twitter. As the shoot has resumed, the netizens are swooning over the news. A user tweeted, YES!!! Super Excited! is That The Bridge in Poland? YES!!! Super Excited! is That The Bridge in Poland? Mahmoud Trance (@Mahmoud_Armin) September 6, 2020 Another user tweeted, Preparations for the big stunt scene? Mission Impossible (sic)." Preparations for the big stunt scene? Mission Impossible. Irene (@irenehumphreysa) September 6, 2020 Earlier, the shooting of the film was supposed to start in Venice in February before moving to Rome. However, due to COVID-19 outbreak in Italy, the shoot had to stall. Currently, the team is in Norway to shoot some sequences. According to reports, Tom Cruise hired a 500,000 ship for the film to maintain all the safety guidelines. The film was scheduled to release on July 21, 2021, but has been delayed due to coronavirus pandemic and now it is likely to release in November 2021. In the film, Tom Cruise will return as Ethan Hunt, along with Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Henry Czerny, and Vanessa Kirby. The film will also star Esai Morales, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Shea Whigham. Meanwhile, the Hollywood star shared his joy of being at the theatre after a long time from the preview screening of Christopher Nolans new film, Tenet, in London. The actor has shared the video Instagram. We know that everyone is not perfect, and we do make mistakes. Ordinary people or even celebrities can sometimes make the wrong decisions/actions. Sad to say, these celebrities will not appear on the KBS network permanently. Although the limelight illuminates actors, they are also not exempted from the industry's dark underbelly. From corruption and sexual violence to alleged drug trafficking, some actors were involved in these wrongdoings. And since these actors' names were stained by their scandals, the KBS network decided to ban them from the broadcast. KBS has constituted "acts that have caused social controversy through illegal or immoral acts" as the subject of the review of regulations on broadcasting appearances. The decision includes not airing their past projects and appearance. For programs aired that include the said celebrities, the network has the right to blur them out or edit some parts that they'd appear. Find out who they are on the list below! Jung Suk Won accused of illegal drug use Actor Jung Suk Won was reportedly arrested for drug use, specifically for using the illegal drug Meth. Further reports also confirm that the illegal drug used is Philopon, a form of methamphetamine, in Australia. When he came back from Australia, the actor was arrested at the airport upon his arrival. For a thorough investigation, Jung Suk Won's liver was tested, and the results came out that he tested positive for drug use. So there was no denying that the actor had used the illegal drug. He eventually to the drug charges, and Jung Suk Won pledged to cooperate with Police Investigations. Due to this, KBS decided to ban Jung Suk Won from appearing in their network. Han Ji Sun accused of assault Last year (2019), it was exposed that actress Han Ji Sun had gotten drunk and physically assaulted a taxi driver. She reportedly slapped a taxi driver in the face and hit him in the head with a thermos. When she was taken to the police station, her violence didn't stop, and she reportedly slapped, bit, and kicked a police officer. Fast forward to a month after this incident, she became a brand model for We Make Price, and people were not happy about this. She was then banned from the KBS network for her negative actions. Kim Byung Ok accused of drunk driving Actor Kim Byun Ok was once caught driving under the influence of alcohol. There was a resident of an apartment building called and reported to the police that someone is driving weirdly in the parking lot, and the driver turns out to be Kim Byung Ok. When checked, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.085 percent, which exceeds the license revocation limit. This was the reason he was banned from the KBS network. Kang Ji Hwan's alleged sexual assault Kang Ji Hwan was accused of sexually abusing two women while they were staying at a room in his house after a drinking session. Two women Kang Ji Hwan were having a drink at his house after holding a party with other members of the agency at an unstated place. A friend of the victim tipped the police at around 9:41 p.m. after he/she got a text message from the friend saying that she had a drink at Kang's house and was locked up there. The police immediately responded and arrived at the house and put Kang Ji Hwan into custody after separating Kang from the two women and interviewed them and got the testimony of the victims. Also, this was his wrongdoing that resulted in his ban on the KBS network. Americas college students are returning to campus for the Fall semester, and many are finding themselves in an environment that no longer resembles an academic institution, but something closer to a correctional facility for young adults. Its not just a handful of schools that are pursuing extreme restrictions and punitive measures in the name of stopping the spread of the coronavirus, but something that has become a nationwide norm. College campuses have transformed into some of the most restrictive environments in America. After hearing about these conditions, I sent out a post on social media asking for testimonials from students, parents, and educators. The responses below are some of the many replies I received discussing what students are experiencing in colleges and universities that have allowed for students to return to campus. ... Students must wear masks outside dorm rooms, cannot visit another dorm, etc. Threatened with draconian honor code violations if they violate the rules and orientation was declared all virtual at the last minute. Yet today, the athletes, with permission of and active participation by the University, were permitted to organize a BLM march through campus. Spam text messages to sell real estate projects. (Photo tienphong.vn) Hanoi - Real estate companies have said that they will push marketing channels on social media and e-commerce floors instead of calling or sending text messages as a Government decree to tackle spam comes into effect next month. Experts have said the decree will contribute to blocking spam messages, emails and calls to protect the interests of citizens. Nguyen Van Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Real Estate Brokers (VARS), said the decree will impact real estate sales efforts via telephone. Brokers still use phone calls to send information to potential customers and using telephones is the least expensive sales channel, according to Dinh. On the business side, Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper quoted a leader of the Van Khang Phat Corporation as saying advertising through phones was a traditional sales channel and was effective, so was used by many companies. "However, when the new decree is applied, sales of real estate via phone calls and text messages will have to change," he noted. Businesses would have to promote other online advertising channels and e-commerce, which would probably cost more, he added. Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Trung, a broker for the real estate portal batdongsan.com.vn, said senior professional brokers did not market real estate products to customers by phones but often used social media and other outreach channels. Therefore, he did not feel worried about the impact of the decree. With older customers who rarely use the internet, Trung often meets them directly and finds this method more effective. Marketing by phone was really annoying and Trung added he had even been called by salespeople from other real estate firms. However, to sell products online, brokers also needed to invest more money and effort to get results, he noted. Government Decree 91/2020/ND-CP on the prevention of spam messages, emails and calls will come into effect on October 1. Under the decree, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC)s Authority of Information Security will operate a system at the number 5656 where phone users can forward a spam text or call and let relevant units fine the spammers. For the first time, Vietnam will have a national list of subscribers who do not want to receive any advertising text messages (National Do not call - DNC) so users on the list won't receive spam messages or calls. Local phone users can register their number in the list via the system 5656. Advertisers, telecommunications and internet service providers who make calls or send advertising text messages to phone numbers on the list will be fined up to 100 million VND (4,300 USD) while telecommunication carriers who still allow calls and texts to go through will be fined from 140 million VND to 170 million VND. According to the decree, advertisers can only send advertising text messages if they send a copy of each text message to the system 5656 as well. According to the decree, firms providing internet and telecommunication services have to comply with the MICs requirements on the prevention and handling of spam. George Washington University released an official statement regarding professor Jessica Krug. After Professor Jessica Krug revealed her true identity, admitting to lying about her heritage, the George Washington University Department of History calls for her resignation. Read More: California professor and her brother profiled by campus police The members of the faculty of The George Washington University Department of History are shocked and appalled by Dr. Jessica Krugs admission on September 3, 2020 that she has lied about her identity for her entire career, reads the official statement. Jessica Krug (Credit: Duke University Press) The disgraced academic recently announced on an online blog that for years she lied about being Black. Her Medium post was an attempt to take responsibility for her actions. I have eschewed my lived experience as a white Jewish child in suburban Kansas City under various assumed identities within a Blackness that I had no right to claim: first North African Blackness, then US rooted Blackness, then Caribbean rooted Bronx Blackness, Krug wrote. Read More: North Carolina professor found dead in his home weeks after firing off racist coronavirus tweets theGrio reports M. Brian Blake, the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Paul Wahlbeck, dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences confirm she will not teach classes this semester. We want to acknowledge the pain this situation has caused for many in our community and recognize students, faculty, staff, and alumni are hurting, said the university in a statement according to the report. Students enrolled in the courses are being provided with different coursework opportunities. The department of history calls for her resignation and recommends the university rescinds her tenure and terminates her appointment. Jessica Krug (Credit: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation) With what she has termed her audaciously deceptive appropriation of an Afro-Caribbean identity, she has betrayed the trust of countless current and former students, fellow scholars of Africana Studies, colleagues in our department and throughout the historical discipline, as well as community activists in New York City and beyond, the statement reads. Story continues The discipline of history is concerned with truth telling about the past. With her conduct, Dr. Krug has raised questions about the veracity of her own research and teaching. Accordingly, the department calls upon Dr. Krug to resign from her position as associate professor of History at GW. Failing that, the department recommends the rescinding of her tenure and the termination of her appointment. According to her staff page, still active on the university website, Dr. Krug remains listed as an Associate Professor. Her areas of expertise listed include Africa, Latin America, African American History, and more. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! The post GWU history department demands resignation of professor who pretended to be Black appeared first on TheGrio. Venezuela: President Maduro announces week of radical quarantine Im asking Venezuelan families to prepare for this week of radical quarantine, we have to reduce the number of infections, the president indicated. The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, confirmed on Sunday that the country would begin a week of radical and social quarantine, according to the planned 7+7 method to combat COVID-19. On Monday, were starting seven days of radical, social, and conscious quarantine [...] the quarantine is necessary to cut the transmission chain and to be able to continue fighting hard against the coronavirus, President Maduro declared. The head of state discussed the results achieved by the Venezuelan method to control the number of infections, in comparison to other nations in the region. Its necessary to include the (radical and flexible) quarantine, and thats why we have the 7+7 method, he emphasized. In the coming days, we will be soliciting the volunteers necessary to test out the Russian vaccine ... were also coordinating with the Chinese and the Cuba vaccine, too, the Venezuelan president expressed. Before an audience of the countrys health professionals, the president confirmed the arrival of more doctors from Cuba. More than 1,000 new doctors are arriving in the country to contribute to medical attention and prevention against COVID-19 in communities, he added. Furthermore, the government ordained the Order of Francisco de Miranda to Dr Miguel Angel Rangel, who recently died from the virus and dedicated his life to saving lives. He was a tireless man of great humanity ... he was there on the front lines, tending the patients, what pain, President Maduro stated. In the last 24 hours the country reports 922 new cases of COVID-19, 825 of which are due to community transmission and 97 are imported cases, including six new deaths: two in Guarico, two in Tachira, one in the Capital District and another in Aragua, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez informed. Rodriguez signalled that of the imported cases, the majority are from Colombia: 91 are from Colombia, two from Peru and one from Ecuador. Of the new cases due to community transmission, the Capital District reported 332 infections, followed by Miranda with 178, Bolivar (48), Nueva Esparta (47), La Guaira (44), Barinas (35), Delta Amacuro (34), Aragua (34), Lara (15), Carabobo (14), Tachira (9), Merida (9), Yaracuy (7), Apure (6), Sucre (6), Cojedes (3), Zulia (2), Monagas (1) and Amazonas, the Vice President confirmed. Rodriguez also noted that the recovery rate has increased to 82 percent: The number of recovered patients are now 37,091 [...] we have 99 patients in intensive care, 610 cases in moderate conditions, 1,725 with light symptoms 5,962 with no symptoms, and unfortunately 381 deaths, she added. teleSUR Soaking in a traditional onsen bath is a must if you travel to Japan. Relaxing in mineral-rich steaming water is a restorative ritual, whether its in an onsen, natural hot springs available near Japans volcanic areas, or a sento, artificially heated bath facilities often found in hotels. Not just a soothing way to settle the body and mind, the waters are rich in minerals such as iron, sodium sulphate and sodium chloride, thought to heal and beautify the skin. For the average Japanese person, its common practice to take a bath every night at home in their ofuro (or yubune, which refers to the bath with water) as an escape from the stress of everyday life. It seems theyre onto something. Baths have been associated with good sleep quality and better perception of ones own health, but they may also lead to a longer, healthier life, according to new research published in the journal Heart. The long-term, observational, peer-reviewed study found that a daily hot bath is associated with a 28 per cent lower risk of heart disease and a 26 per cent lower risk of stroke, compared to a once or twice weekly bath or no bath at all. The researchers tracked the bathing habits and cardiovascular disease risk of more than 30,000 Japanese adults aged 40 to 59 living in Akita, Iwate, Tokyo, Nagano and Okinawa over 20 years, from 1990 to 2009. We found that frequent tub bathing was significantly associated with a lower risk of hypertension, suggesting that a beneficial effect of tub bathing on risk of (cardiovascular disease) may be in part due to a reduced risk of developing hypertension, the researchers summarized. Since travelling to Japan to try an onsen seems a long way off, closer to home, therapeutic water facilities like Body Blitz in Toronto offer a similar experience, with warm dead sea salt pools, cold plunge pools and hot Epsom salt pools. The main benefit of taking a bath is to cleanse the body by opening the pores to remove dirt and environmental toxins. But baths can also help alleviate stress and anxiety, increase blood circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, relieve muscle tension, and relax and calm the mind and body, says Tina Griffin, Body Blitz resident skin care expert. Communal baths such as Body Blitz have recently reopened in Ontario as part of Phase 3 COVID protocols, but there are plenty of ways to recreate that bliss and potential health-promoting effects at home. Here, Griffins tips on creating the perfect bath experience. Do utilize different temperatures The body reacts differently to different water temperatures. Warm water opens the pores and kills bacteria, while relaxing and de-stressing the body, relieving skin irritation and improving muscle tension. Cold water closes the pores, tightens skin, tones muscles and reduces inflammation. Its also said to encourage drainage of the lymph nodes. Hot water can relieve muscle discomfort by increasing blood flow to the soft tissues, reduce inflammation, activate sweat glands, and relieve colds and congestion. Dont make it too hot We recommend not having the water temperature too hot above 40 C as it can be hard on the body and cause hypotension, which can lead to light dizziness and a drop in blood pressure. When your body is submerged, you should feel warm and cosy. After a bath, take a one-minute cold shower (or add cold water to your bath) to regulate your body temperature. Do take the time to prep Your face should be cleansed so that when the steam from the bath opens your pores, they are not clogged. We require guests to shower before doing the therapeutic waters circuit because of health and safety standards, but also to get rid of dirt, oil and lotion from the skin, allowing the minerals to absorb better. Following the bath, while the skin is damp, apply a nourishing moisturizer to your face and body to seal in moisture. Dont let skin dry out Although baths are beneficial and relaxing, we would recommend having a bath no more than twice a week: Skin produces oil from the sebaceous glands for the purpose of lubricating the skins surface, and taking a bath on a very frequent basis can rid the skin of its natural oils. This can make the skin more susceptible to bacteria and become itchy, dry and flaky. Do add salts and oils Add one to two cups of therapeutic dead sea salts (like Body Blitz Dead Sea Salts) or Epsom salts to a warm bath and soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Dead sea salts are said to help ease muscle aches, improve joint mobility, provide relief from skin irritation and replenish essential minerals. Besides easing muscle tension and deeply relaxing the body, Epsom salts (a.k.a. magnesium sulphate) are thought to help regulate over 325 enzymes in the body. To enhance the experience, add 18 to 20 drops of an essential oil blend to a full bath. Body Blitz Relaxing Aromatherapy Oil, for example, contains lavender, ginger, rosewood and lemon verbena essential oils, as well as grapeseed oil, to relax the body, calm the mind and soothe the nervous system. Renee Tse is the editor of The Kit Chinese edition, based in Toronto. She writes about beauty and fashion. Reach her via email: rtse@thekit.ca Angry South Africans demonstrate in front of Clicks Pharmacy stores after opposition EFF calls for protests. Protesters have gathered outside several pharmacy chain stores in South Africa in reaction to a shampoo advertisement slammed by the critics as racist. The advertisement, commissioned by the TRESemme hair company and carried on the Clicks pharmacies website, compared two photos of Black womens hair with two photos of white womens hair, labelling the natural hair dry and damaged and frizzy and dull, while the white womens hair was fine and flat and normal. The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party on Monday called for demonstrations over the issue and rallied people to protest outside the companys outlets. We will not permit the unrepentant and perverse racism of Clicks to go on in South Africa. #clicksmustfall, the EFF posted on Twitter. CIC @Julius_S_Malema at Cycad Clicks shutting it down. All Clicks outlets must be closed. #clicksmustfall pic.twitter.com/TeGfQWafCM Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 7, 2020 Local website TimesLive reported that at least one store had been petrol-bombed early in the morning, causing minor damage. Videos on the EFFs social media pages and in local media showed small groups of protesters clad in the partys red berets dancing and singing protest songs in several malls. Many on social media also expressed their outrage over the advertisement, with Black women posting photos of their hair with hashtags #RacismMustFall and #BlackHairIsNormal. Not only is this disrespectful to black lives, it is also evidence of an absence of representation and diversity within the organisation, tweeted Zozibini Tunzi, who wears short natural hair and was crowned Miss Universe in December. And we are talking about a South Africa with a population of about 80 percent black people No ways. Not only is this disrespectful to black lives, it is also evidence of an absence of representation and diversity within the organization. And we are talking about a South Africa with a population of about 80% black people (stand to be corrected). No ways @Clicks_SA https://t.co/HWtfH40HCY Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) September 4, 2020 Apology As anger over the advertisement grew, Clicks Pharmacy, one of the two largest retailers in the country with more than 500 stores, issued an unequivocal apology and pulled down the images. We are strong advocates of natural hair and are deeply sorry we have offended our natural hair community, it said in a statement on its Twitter account on Friday. We have made a mistake and sincerely apologise for letting you down. Unilever SA, TRESemmes parent company, published an apology on its website that read: We are very sorry that images used in a TRESemme South Africa marketing campaign on the Clicks website promote racist stereotypes about hair. The campaign set out to celebrate the beauty of all hair types and the range of solutions that TRESemme offers, but we got it wrong. 200619071556063 Hair is a sensitive issue in many parts of Africa. South African students have had to campaign in the past to be allowed to wear natural hairstyles like dreadlocks, afros and cornrows at school. In 2018, the EFF staged protests, trashing outlets of Swedish clothing giant Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) in Johannesburg over a controversial advertisement featuring a Black boy. A photo on H&Ms website of the boy wearing a green hoodie with the inscription coolest monkey in the jungle had triggered outrage on social media. H&M and Clicks are not the only major companies to be hit by advertisement scandals in recent years. Spanish clothing brand Zara in 2014 removed striped pyjamas with a yellow star after facing outrage over its resemblance to clothes worn by Jewish prisoners in concentration camps. By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - Protesters in Portland threw rocks and fire bombs at police who in turn made over 50 arrests and used tear gas on Saturday night on the 100th day of demonstrations in the Oregon city against racism and police brutality. Police described what they called "tumultuous and violent conduct" by protesters on the city's Southeast Stark Street. One of the fire bombs caught a community member on fire and he was taken to hospital, Portland police said in a statement, adding that a sergeant was also struck by a commercial-grade firework that injured his hand. "Fire bombs were thrown at officers, injuring at least one community member", police said https://bit.ly/34lgHyK earlier on Twitter while re-tweeting a video posted by a New York Times reporter showing fire bombs being thrown and a protester running with his legs on fire. Police said officers used tear gas among other crowd control measures to disperse the gathering, which the Oregonian newspaper had estimated to be around 400. Portland has seen nightly protests for over three months that have at times turned into violent clashes between demonstrators and officers, as well as between right- and left-wing groups. Elsewhere on Saturday, armed police supporters and anti-racism demonstrators clashed in Louisville before the Kentucky Derby horse race, while Rochester police also used tear gas to disperse protesters. Demonstrations erupted around the United States following the death in May of George Floyd, a Black man, after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. President Donald Trump signed a memo on Wednesday that threatens to cut federal funding to "lawless" cities, including Portland. His Democratic challenger in the Nov. 3 presidential election, Joe Biden, has accused Trump of stoking violence with his rhetoric. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Frances Kerry and Lisa Shumaker) Remember Chotu Chaiwala, the man who got injured people from CSMTs to St Georges Hospital on a hand-driven cart? All this going on while Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan were still emptying bullets. Chotu proved to be a hero. But now that hero is having to leave Mumbai and return to Bihar. According to Mumbai Mirror, a lot of debt has mounted due to COVID and the lockdown has hit his business hard. iStock He came as a 12-year-old in 1995 and some years later had his own tea stall. For his bravery on 26/11, he got fame and a prize of Rs 70,000. But today he owes Rs 3 lakh in debt. PTI For a while, the railway officials of CSMT helped him out during the lockdown. But now he is pretty much drained of his finances and will return after 23 years to Dumri village in Bihar's Muzaffarnagar district. Eruditus runs on a partnership model with top global universities such as MIT, Columbia, Harvard, Cambridge, INSEAD, Wharton, and UC Berkeley, offering courses in coding, data science, fintech, block chain, and entrepreneurship. In 2009, after selling his first start-up Travelguru to Travelocity, Ashwin Damera took a years break to think what he could do next. I wanted to work in a field which had a high impact on peoples lives. "For this, I was closely looking at health tech and edtech, says Damera, a Harvard Business School alumnus. Soon, he met Chaitanya Kalipatnapu who had just returned to India after leading executive education programmes at INSEAD and was looking to start an edtech venture. With common goals in mind, both joined hands to bring quality education to people and Eruditus was born in 2010. The company, however, had a slow start. From 2010 to 2015, it could only raise $7 million. We wanted to prove our model first. There is no point in starting to run when you dont know which direction to take, says Damera. The start-up is finally inching towards the Unicorn club and is valued at around $800 million. And, it recently got a boost after Chan Zuckerberg Initiative - a philanthropy established by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan - backed it along with other investors in a $80-million Series-D fundraising. This was the funds second bet in the Indian edtech space after an investment in Byjus. Damera is a content man today, as his company has grown slow but solid organically with the majority of shares owned by the founders. Eruditus runs on a partnership model with top global universities such as MIT, Columbia, Harvard, Cambridge, INSEAD, Wharton, and UC Berkeley, offering courses in coding, data science, fintech, block chain, and entrepreneurship. Around 80 per cent of its revenues come from abroad, said to be the highest for any home-grown edtech player. While 450 of its workforce of around 650 are based in India, the rest are spread across the US, Mexico, China, Dubai, and Singapore. Eruditus is offering some of the highest quality programmes from leading universities that were only available on campus till now, says G V Ravishankar, managing director, Sequoia Capital India, which had led a $40-million Series-C round in the company in 2019. The start-ups education programmes cost between Rs 30,000 to Rs 25 lakh. The more online the programme, the start-up takes a higher share of the revenue, but with those with higher share of classroom content, the bigger chunk of revenue goes to the university partner. About 15 per cent of Eruditus revenue is generated from courses that are offered in languages other than in English. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative took notice of this We collaborated with local universities and started giving language options, as is important for access in countries where English is not the first language, says Damera. With Covid-19 bringing the importance of online education to the forefront, Eruditus is looking at closing this year with $200 million in revenue, double from the previous year. In India, it has partnerships with eight colleges such as IIM-Calcutta, IIM-Lucknow, IIT-Bombay, and XLRI Jamshedpur. The firm will boost partnerships to 20 in the next three years. Flush with fresh funding, the company is focussing on almost doubling its courses offering to up to 300 and growing five times in revenues in the next 2-3 years. Eruditus also hopes to increase its user base from 20,000 to 100,000 in the next 2-3 years in India. India is a significant market for us. But as India is growing, other markets are also growing. But we are excited about Indias push towards online providing degrees in higher education, says Damera. Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters (Natural News) Federal authorities conducted a raid on Sep. 3 at a Pennsylvania nursing home where hundreds of residents and staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. Armed with a search warrant, agents of the FBI, state attorney generals office and other agencies inspected Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center located northeast of Pittsburgh, according to Scott Brady, U.S. Attorney for Pennsylvanias Western District. Authorities also raided Mt. Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center another Pittsburgh nursing home run by the same owners as Brighton on the same day, a WXPI report said. The raids on both nursing homes follow an investigation of a Pa. scandal that centered on the housing of COVID-19 patients alongside more vulnerable patients. Attorney Brady encouraged anyone with information about abuse or fraud in relation to the pandemic to get in touch with authorities. Data from the State Department of Health showed that 447 residents and staff members tested positive for the coronavirus at the Brighton location alone, with 73 deaths recorded. Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro confirmed on Aug. 13 that Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center is among the subjects of his offices investigations into neglect at nursing homes. The reports of conditions and practices at the Brighton Rehab and Wellness Center are deeply troubling. I can confirm that Brighton is one of the subjects of our criminal investigations into neglect at nursing homes during the pandemic.https://t.co/wDNhthlzqm AG Josh Shapiro (@PAAttorneyGen) August 12, 2020 Authorities have flagged Brighton multiple times even before the pandemic began Prior to the Sep. 3 raid and the Aug. 13 confirmation by Attorney General Shapiro, Medicare inspectors had already pointed out lapses in the nursing homes day to day operations during a September 2019 inspection. These issues merited Brighton a below average rating of 2 out of 5 stars. Deficiencies cited by the inspectors included improper storage of soiled bed sheets, lack of hand washing facilities and failure to properly sanitize pots and large pans. Inspectors also indicated multiple examples of filthy conditions in the nursing home such as stained ceiling tiles, splintered wood and chipped vinyl on door frames and visible dirt, dust, debris and black spots on the front grills of air conditioning units. In addition, health inspectors reported instances of improper resident care. One patient with a leaking catheter was lying on a urine-soaked bed, with nobody bothering to change the wet sheets and pad. Another patient had a hurting leg with the dressing unchanged in three days. Brighton also came under scrutiny during the initial months of the coronavirus pandemic, with its use of hydroxychloroquine on residents without state approval. The facility gave it to around 200 residents nearly half of its total population in July, saying that the residents consented to the treatment. However, the state health department disputed this in a statement, saying that Brighton did not get approval to use hydroxychloroquine from the department. The FDA revoked the use of hydroxychloroquine as an emergency drug in June after studies showed it was not effective in treating COVID-19. Brighton officials said they stopped giving residents the drug after the FDAs announcement. (Related: How a false hydroxychloroquine narrative was created.) Later, Pa. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said Aug. 21 that Brighton managers refused to cooperate with his office for an audit. The auditor general added that the review planned to see if Medicaid patients receive the services for which the state is billed by direct care providers. Administration now probing why COVID-19 patients were housed alongside the more vulnerable In light of the coronavirus infections and fatalities at Brighton and other nursing homes, the Department of Justice had sent out letters to a number of state governors including Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania requesting information on the number of COVID-19 deaths in such facilities. The office of Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf said Aug. 28 that they are reviewing the request and will turn over any information the Justice Department requires. Housing patients with COVID-19 alongside the elderly in poorly managed facilities has caused coronavirus outbreaks and deaths in nursing homes all over the country. A Massachusetts nursing home for veterans experienced a coronavirus outbreak in May, leaving almost 70 residents dead. Staffing issues at the state-run Holyoke Soldiers Home played a big role in the spread of the virus there. A poorly managed nursing home in San Antonio, Texas had three-quarters of its resident population testing positive for the coronavirus in April. This outbreak resulted in five deaths. According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. listed almost 6.2 million coronavirus cases with 187,750 deaths and almost 2.3 million recoveries. Find out more updates about coronavirus infections in nursing homes at Pandemic.news. Sources include: BigLeaguePolitics.com NBCNews.com 1 WXPI.com 1 NBCNews.com 2 Medicare.gov WXPI.com 2 WXPI.com 3 PennLive.com WGAL.com A California Dept. of Corrections fire crew puts down hot spots while fighting the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, in Bonny Doon, Calif., on Aug. 21, 2020. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo) Fire On All Sides: California Wildfires Prompt More Evacuations, Power Outages More than 200 people were airlifted to safety overnight after a fast-moving wildfire cut off the only road out of the Mammoth Pool Reservoir, a popular recreational site in Californias Sierra National Forest. Twenty evacuees were taken to hospitals, the Madera County Sheriffs Department said on Twitter on Sunday, as the Creek Fire that started on Friday night rapidly grew to burn some 45,000 acres (18,210 hectares), forcing evacuations and road closures in the Fresno area in central California. Were completely trapped. Theres fire on all sides, all around us, said Jeremy Remington, as he stood on a beach surrounded by fire in the Mammoth Pool Reservoir in a video posted on Twitter. Remington was later airlifted to safety, local news reported. The blaze was completely uncontained on Sunday afternoon, while nearly 15,000 firefighters were battling some two dozen fires across the state, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Eight people have been killed and some 3,300 structures have been destroyed over the past three weeks in wildfires across the state. Three major fires, including the Creek Fire, were burning in Fresno, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, the agency said in a statement, adding it had increased staffing in preparation for critical fire weather. The San Diego County Sheriffs Department issued a voluntary evacuation order on Sunday afternoon as the 5,350-square acre Valley Fire raged unchecked on the eastern edge of the metropolitan area of more than 3 million people. The sky is so thick by my house; the sky is a dirty brown cloud and I live about 25 minutes to the west of the fire, Twitter user Cris Mel said in a post. Its kind of a struggle to breathe. A dangerous heat wave was baking swaths of the western United States through the weekend, and many locations in California registered record-high temperatures on Sunday. The temperature reached 121 degrees F on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles County, a record for the National Weather Service office that covers the metropolitan area. State officials on Sunday repeated calls to Californians to turn off appliances and lights to help avoid blackouts from an overwhelmed power grid. #ISO declares Stage 2 emergency; consumers should prepare for outages. Conservation will be critical to avoiding or limiting power interruptions. https://t.co/0zoCN0X4dV California ISO (@California_ISO) September 7, 2020 The states Independent System Operator declared a Level 2 emergency on Sunday afternoon, warning approximately 9 million residents to be prepared for rotating outages Sunday evening. Southern California Edison Co. (SCE), which services 5 million customer accounts in the region, was advising customers of potential rotating outages between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday. The @California_ISO has just declared a Stage 2 Emergency. Please continue to conserve energy to prevent the power grid from entering Stage 3. Set A/C at 78 degrees or higher Limit opening refrigerators, a major users of electricity Use electric fans instead of A/C pic.twitter.com/sqvWgBdvyC SCE (@SCE) September 7, 2020 Rotating outagesin which utilities purposely cut power temporarily to avoid broader outageslast occurred in the region in August. With additional reporting by Epoch Times staff. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A vaccine for COVID-19 is seen by manyrightly or wronglyas the finish line for the pandemic, the shot that will mark the resumption of our normal lives. Yet recent polls suggest that a significant fraction of Americans may opt not to get a vaccine when one becomes available, or are at least wary of getting it. Especially concerning are poll results indicating that populations that have been hardest hit by COVID-19, specifically Blacks and Latinos, have high rates of vaccine hesitancy. As dozens of COVID-19 vaccines enter various stages of clinical trials, what is being done to ensure this accelerated process is being conducted ethically? How will an eventual vaccine or vaccines be distributed in a fair manner among the various groups that have jobs, physical conditions, or living circumstances that put them at greater risk? And how can public health officials convince people that a vaccine is safe and worth receiving, especially among populations who not only have been victims of unethical and harmful scientific and clinical processes, but also bear the brunt of the disease a vaccine is aiming to prevent? Bioethicists, clinicians, and others at Penn have been grappling with these questions about COVID-19 since the earliest days of the pandemic. "Our human tendency is that when we speed up, we cut corners, but here we can't afford to," says Emma Meagher, vice dean at the Perelman School of Medicine. "Public trust is such a critical part of the research enterprise. If it's lost, the price to pay is enormous." Concerns about ethics and trust, researchers say, may wind up mattering as much as the careful scientific discovery process in the impact of a vaccine on the pandemic. Testing considerations In mid-March, much of the clinical research operations around Penn shut down. "We were at about 15 to 17% of our usual capacity," says Meagher. "Our focus switched to COVID research." At the same time, Penn became a center for a number of clinical trials, first testing therapies for the disease, such as remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine, and later two vaccines. Trials are complex; they require oversight and approval, including a rigorous ethics evaluation. And yet with large numbers of patients becoming hospitalized and dying from a disease with no proven effective treatment, the pressure to turn out results and prove that an intervention works is monumental. "As you might imagine, during this process you have to be exceptionally careful not to lower your standards," Meagher says, noting that Penn's Institutional Review Board, which ensures the protection and welfare of human research participants, met almost daily to review research protocols as quickly as possible. Vaccine trials present a special ethical consideration, because testing occurs in healthy people who have a lot to lose if the product under study turns out to be unsafe. It's important that trialsespecially phase 3 trials, which involve tens of thousands of people and evaluate a vaccine's safety and efficacyinclude volunteers who are representative of the population who will eventually receive and benefit from a vaccine. "With clinical trials we want to make sure there is no undue burden, but also equal opportunity to participate," Meagher says. "We know that the vast majority of the sickest COVID patients were African American and Hispanic. We also know that we are not effective at identifying adequate numbers of African American and Hispanic patients and volunteers who are willing to participate in the trials. This is a real and persistent challengeof our own making." Penn Medicine research teams responsible for vaccine clinical trial recruitment are taking a creative approach to build diversity into their pool of volunteers. "They are engaging with community leaders and are bringing the research opportunity into communities by using a mobile research unit and setting up sites in community centers and churches," Meagher says. To avoid any risk of coercion or improper influence, would-be volunteers go through a thorough informed consent process, with multiple opportunities to opt out of participating. Meagher is heartened by the care and thought she sees in her Penn colleagues as they carefully consider the ethical implications of this research. "In the current environment where we are so conscious of existing health inequity and social injustice, it is so incredibly important that we get this right." Outside forces The approaches taken by an institution like Penn, or any individual vaccine trial site, are only half of the effort necessary to engender necessary public trust. The operation of regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees the drug and vaccine development process and is responsible for determining whether vaccine products may be marketed and distributed, are likewise crucial. Holly Fernandez Lynch, a bioethicist at Penn Medicine whose scholarship examines the ethics and regulation of clinical trials and drug development, notes that the FDA has layers of protections in place to help make sure that product approvals are based on solid scientific evidence. "I've been a supporter of the FDA," she says. "They have a difficult job in balancing safety and speed and, although there's room for some criticism, they have largely done it well over the years." She notes also that the FDA has traditionally enjoyed substantial public trust. But she is concerned about politicization eroding the FDA's commitment to rigorous scientific standards. The FDA has issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for drugs heavily touted by President Trump on the basis of little evidence, she notes. One of these, hydroxychloroquine, had to be withdrawn when it became clear that the drug was ineffective against COVID-19 and carried significant risks. The late-August EUA for convalescent plasma came on the heels of the president's accusation that FDA staff were slow-walking approvals to hurt his election prospects. Fernandez Lynch also notes that the FDA has planned a meeting of its vaccine advisory committee for Oct. 22, sparking speculation about an "October surprise": a vaccine approval intended to sway people's views leading into the November election. "All signs are pointing to the agency being used as a puppet to just give the go-ahead for one of these vaccines," Fernandez Lynch says. Messaging counts For Joseph Cappella of the Annenberg School for Communication, who studies health and political communication, his thinking about the COVID-19 vaccine centers on the art and science of persuasion. "There are a lot of people out there saying that they are not currently interested in getting a vaccine," he says. "And a much larger fraction of African Americans say they are distrustful, likely based on events in history like the Tuskegee [syphilis study] and other events such as the inequitable distribution of the polio vaccine." To build back trust, he says, requires effective communication. "You've got to make the case over and over again that the emphasis in developing a vaccine is on safety, that the emphasis is on ensuring a breadth of testing during clinical trials that encompass a significant percentage of African Americans and Latinos," he says. "That information needs to be credible, and the sources sharing this information need to be credible." There are two parts to credibility, Cappella notes. "One is trustworthiness. What we mean is not expertise, not knowledge. Trustworthy sources are not only self-interested but have the interests of others at heart as well. "The other aspect is expertise. The best spokespeople are people who have expertise and are trustworthy." Messaging can make or break a vaccine distribution effort, he says, and nomenclature is part of that. "It's Operation Warp Speed, not Operation Safety or Operation Cure," he notes, referring to the U.S. government's goal to deliver 300 million vaccine doses by January 2021. To Cappella, just because there's an urgency in getting a vaccine to market doesn't mean that meticulous message testing shouldn't occur. "We're spending billions of dollars on the vaccine, as well we should," he says, "but why not spend half of one of those vaccine contracts lining up expertise in the world of advertising, in the world of communications research, in the world of psychology, in the world of marketing, to put our expertise to work so that people seriously consider this vaccine?" Ethical allocation Assuming clinical trials give way to the approval of a vaccineor a fewthe question of who should be first in line to get a shot has no easy answer. Faculty at Penn, however, are among those who have been part of crafting carefully considered proposals. One aspect of Penn Medicine bioethicist Harald Schmidt's research encompasses how to set priorities in health care; he was even teaching a course on rationing and resource allocation in the spring as the pandemic descended. He says that traditional notions of how to allocate scarce health resources, whether they be ventilators or vaccines, fail to take into account the reality of our society today. "Many take it for granted that you start from a utilitarian framework," he says, "that it's about saving the most lives or the most life-years. But in a society such as ours, you can't take that kind of ahistorical perspective. We have highly unequal access to health care, vast differences in how easy it is for people to live healthily, and, for example, in Philadelphia, a difference of 30 years in life expectancy between economically better and worse off zip codes. These are horrific facts that have to do with social determinants of health, with structural racism. That's why to me it's absolutely imperative that any allocation system doesn't proceed in colorblind fashion." Schmidt's beliefs, which he laid out in a paper for The Hasting Center Report, emphasize prioritizing COVID-19 vaccine distribution for residents of neighborhoods that rank low on measures of housing quality, employment, income, and more. "If you use a measure such as the Area Deprivation Index that captures this," he says, "you don't explicitly deal with race, but the index tracks it quite well, unfortunately, because of a history of redlining and segregated neighborhoods." This element of prioritizing vulnerable populations is also present in the draft report released for public comment this week by the National Academy of Medicine's ad hoc committee on Equitable Allocation of Vaccine for the Novel Coronavirus, on which the School of Nursing's Alison Buttenheim is serving. "The public comment period, which runs through midnight Friday [Sept. 4], is central to the framework development process," Buttenheim says, encouraging all to review and comment. "The ad hoc committee is a diverse and thoughtful group representing multiple disciplines and perspectives, all of which have informed the draft framework. Given the rapid timelines for the committee's work, the public comment window is brief, but comments will be reviewed and will shape the final product." The committee's framework proposes a phased vaccine distribution, prioritizing health care workers, those with conditions that predispose them to severe disease, and older individuals in the first of four tiers, while also acknowledging a crosscutting need to consider equity, specifically through the lens of the Centers for Disease Control's Social Vulnerability Index. Schmidt says the draft report is "quite interesting and should really be welcomed for countering in subtle, yet important ways the trend in dominant allocation frameworks to largely turn a blind eye to social justice." In a separate effort, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Ezekiel Emanuel has co-authored a plan for vaccine allocation, sharing a proposal deemed the "Fair Priority Model" in this week's issue of the journal Science. He and colleagues suggest that earlier ideas of either prioritizing health care workers and high-risk populations or allotting vaccines to different countries based on their population size are "seriously flawed." "The idea of distributing vaccines by population appears to be an equitable strategy," Emanuel says. "But the fact is that normally, we distribute things based on how severe there is suffering in a given place, and, in this case, we argue that the primary measure of suffering ought to be the number of premature deaths that a vaccine would prevent." Their model expressly values benefiting people and limiting harm, prioritizing the disadvantaged, and giving equal moral concern for all individuals, with an emphasis on preventing death, especially premature death. No matter how allocation proceeds, Fernandez Lynch underscores the need for faith in the product and process. "My biggest concern is the trustworthiness of a vaccine," she says. "A healthy person might just say, "I can continue to cloister myself, I don't have to get this vaccine. I'll wear my mask, I'll use my hand sanitizer." If not enough people trust enough to get a vaccine, then what's the point of having one?" Explore further Facts about vaccines and what people need to know More information: Harald Schmidt. Vaccine Rationing and the Urgency of Social Justice in the Covid-19 Response, Hastings Center Report (2020). Journal information: Science , Hastings Center Report Harald Schmidt. Vaccine Rationing and the Urgency of Social Justice in the Covid-19 Response,(2020). DOI: 10.1002/hast.1113 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Two systems being monitored by meteorologists in the Atlantic are highly likely to develop in coming days, with a third making its way across the African continent potentially pushing 2020s hurricane season to be the busiest on record. As the hurricane season nears its peak, the National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring four total areas for development, though two of the systems one in the mid-Atlantic and the other off the coast of Africa have a 90% and 70% chance to develop, respectively. The first system, which is about halfway between the African coast and the Leeward Islands, is becoming more defined and we should likely see some sort of consolidation here in the next 12 to 24 hours, according to Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Randy Adkins. We are anticipating that well end up with tropical depression 16 here within the next 24 hours, Adkins said, And looking further down the road, it does appear that there is some potential for this to indeed become a tropical storm. If that system is the next to develop into a tropical storm, it would be dubbed, Paulette, and should that indeed occur, that would be the earliest such instance of a named 16th storm on record, Adkins said, noting that could occur by Tuesday or Wednesday of this week shattering 2005s record of the 16th named storm being registered on Sept. 17. While that system could become a hurricane, conditions are not likely to be as favorable later in the week and the system is not considered an immediate threat to land, Adkins said, before warning that it does bear watching. The second area likely to develop, currently moving just off the African coast, is anticipated to also develop into a tropical storm, Adkins said. Should that be named, it would likely become, Rene, as long as the aforementioned system becomes Paulette first. The development of that system would continue the blistering pace of this years hurricane system. NHC is monitoring 4 disturbances in the Atlantic basin for tropical cyclone formation. For details on these systems, visit https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/veHRpWG9h2 National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 6, 2020 It does seem like by the middle of the week, certainly by the end of the week, we should have two named storms here, Adkins said. That total doesnt include a third system that is currently over the African continent, according to Adkins. That area of disturbance will be moving off of the African coast on Wednesday and development could occur a few days later meaning that three tropical storms could be present in the Atlantic at once. It is currently unclear if any of these systems will affect New York. Forecasters and researchers previously predicted an active 2020 hurricane season, and this years season got off to a blistering pace, as the Atlantic saw about double the typical number of named storms by early August something researchers have not seen in recorded history, said Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski at the time. Sea surface temperatures averaged across portions of the tropical Atlantic are somewhat above normal, a Colorado State University report said, while the subtropical Atlantic is much warmer than average contributing to favorable conditions for hurricanes. While its not guaranteed that this years hurricane total is going to eclipse 2005s total of 27 named storms, Adkins said this year is shaping up to be certainly a top-10 hurricane season with a good chance to be top-five. And it is still not out of the realm of possibility that this could end up being the busiest hurricane season on record. The two other systems currently being monitored over the Caribbean sea and southeast of Bermuda both have a low chance of development, according to the National Hurricane Centers forecast on Sunday. London, Sep 7 : Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi's request of a press blackout on evidence by former Bombay High Court judge Justice Abhay Thipsay has been refused by a London judge. Justice Thipsay is acting as witness on Modi's behalf this week. Modi's lawyer Claire Montgomery QC claimed Thipsay had been subjected to vile allegations after he gave evidence during the first phase of hearings in May. She made an application to Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday for reporting restrictions on Thipsay's evidence during the second phase of Modi's extradition trial. Montgomery requested district judge Samuel Mark Goozee for Thipsay's proof to be heard by the courtroom in person or for the reporting to be postponed until the "sting is out of the story" to stop Nirav from being subjected to "a completely unfounded critique of his proof" once again by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. District Judge Goozee then declared Justice Thipsay had himself engaged with the media in response to the controversy, and refused to take a seat in private or postpone reporting. Thipsay, who retired as a judge in 2017, gave evidence on May 13 as a witness for Nirav Modi at his first hearing and said that the charges levelled by the CBI against Modi - specifically dishonest and legal conspiracy - would not stand under Indian law. The next day Union minister Prasad held a press meet and accused Thipsay of working on the behest of the Congress party to save Modi. Montgomery told the courtroom, at that occasion Prasad "launched an advert hominem assault on Thipsay and his proof suggesting incompetence and that he was biased and had given proof on the behest of the Congress" to protect "a longtime fraudster." She stated reporting restrictions had been needed for "order and within the pursuits of justice" to stop an additional assault on Justice Thipsay. "The variety of papers that ran with the story was engineered as results of that press convention," Montgomery stated. "I would love the press and Indian authorities to be precluded from a private hearing, however, allow legal professionals to be there," she stated. "What the minister stated was plainly contempt. The minister of justice and the solicitor normal see nothing unsuitable in making unfair and unfounded remarks concerning the proceedings," she stated. Refusing the application, District Judge Gooze stated, "It's my view the press convention was given in political context of BJP and political commentary concerning the Congress party. This can be an excessive profile case in India and I've little doubt Thipsay has overseen many excessive profile circumstances and entered into the sector along with his eyes open." Gooze pointed out Thipsay had not refused to provide proof, had given slightly additional proof for this week and he needed to be heard in person to stop being maligned, however, that did not amount to the exceptional circumstances required to make it personal and there was no proof it could give rise to substantial threat of prejudice to the course of justice. "I don't concern myself about political commentary in India," Goozee added. Helen Malcom, representing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), on behalf of the federal government of India, stated, "This occurred in a political context, the minister who stated it's BJP and Thipsay is a widely known member of Congress. There's zero proof that what occurred afterwards was orchestrated by the federal government of India." "The strategies of expression, hyperbole and degree of dialogue widespread in India is not what we would see in this nation," Malcom added. The charges against the fugitive merchant centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Stellar Diamonds and Solar Exports making fraudulent use of a credit facility offered by the Punjab National Bank (PNB), known as "letters of undertaking" (LoUs). The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian authorities, sought to establish that a number of PNB staff conspired with Modi to ensure LoUs. The letters of undertaking (LoUs) were issued to his companies without required credit checks, without recording the issuance of the LoUs and without charging the required commission upon the transactions. This resulted in a fraud amounting to nearly USD 2 billion. W ildfires which have burnt through thousands of acres in California were ignited during a gender-reveal party, authorities have confirmed. A couple brought a smoke machine to El Ranch Dorado Park, just east of Los Angeles, on Saturday, to reveal whether their new baby is a boy or a girl. A member of their party filmed the moment the machine was set off, with onlookers expecting blue or pink plumes. Instead the device quickly ignited 4ft grass, with low humidity and a persistent breeze offering perfect conditions for the fire to spread. A similar gender-reveal event in 2017 ignited a 47,000-acre fire across Arizona / AP Surveillance footage showed the couple frantically race to their car to grab water bottles in a bid to extinguish the flames. But their attempts were futile and they were soon forced to call the emergency services. You cant fight a fire like this with a water bottle, said Captain Bennet Milloy of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. They had no chance after it started. The blaze burnt across the land of Yucaipa, California / AP Firefighters arrived within minutes and the couple told them what happened. Its a pretty tragic situation, Mr Milloy added. Obviously this was supposed to be a happy event. The couple could be liable for the cost of fighting the fire and face prosecution. The ensuing blaze prompted evacuations in parts of Yucaipa, a city of 54,000 people, and the surrounding area. Helicopters were brought in to drop water across the landscape but by Monday, the fire had torn across more than 7,300 acres (11.5 square miles) Mr Milloy said some devices used to reveal genders are harmless but others contain chemicals that produce heat and can spark fires. He said the device will be tested to determine what it contained. He did not know which colour smoke it had been intended to emit. Central California wildfires rage on as people airlifted to safety Wildfires have now burnt through more than two million acres in California this year setting a new record. The previous record was 1.96 million acres (793,184 hectares) burnt in 2018. Dry, hot winds are predicted to raise fire danger to critical levels in the coming days. On Sunday, August 6, 2020, over ten thousand party faithfuls thronged the principal streets of Tarkwa to participate in the Agenda 80000 votes-health walk exercise by the Tarkwa-Nsuaem NPP. The walk which is to keep members fit and canvass for 80,000 votes in the 2020 elections also saw the achievements of Hon. George Mireku Duker & H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, once again reiterated through several media. The walk recorded an unprecedented massive turnout in the political history of Tarkwa-Nsuaem by a single political leader. Most members & fascinated onlookers, who spoke to the media amid cheers and jubilations, expressed deep satisfaction with the unprecedented achievements of Tarkwa-Nsuaem MP, Hon. George Mireku Duker & H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Dignitaries that graced the walk included Western Regional Minister (W/R), Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, W/R 2nd Vice Chairman, Hon. Ishmael Evonrah, W/R Youth Organizer, Hon. Benedict Addae, Hon. Dominic Eduah Executive Secretary, GNPC Foundation, Hon. Kofi Jumah, CEO, Gihoc & Fmr. KMA Mayor, Hon. Dr. Nuamah, MP, Kwadaso, Hon. George Aboagye Asene Manso MP, Hon. Hormah W/R NPP Treasurer, Hon. Vincent Assifuah NPP PC for Tafo Pankrono among others. All dignitaries spoke in strong affirmation of the good works by Hon. George Mireku Duker & H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his first term and support the campaign for ''4more2domore'' for the President. Hon. Mireku Duker, delivering a speech reiterated the good works of the ruling NPP in the constituency under his leadership and his vision. He thanked all dignitaries for making time to be part of the historic event and urged all party faithfuls to step up the door-to-door campaign towards the delivery of the agenda 80000 votes. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mumbai, Sep 7 : The Indian equity indices closed on a flat-to-positive note on Monday after a largely choppy and subdued trade. The BSE Sensex closed at 38,417.23 points, higher by 60.05 points, or 0.16 per cent, from the previous close of 38,357.18. The Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange ended at 11,355.05, higher by 21.20 points, or 0.19 per cent, from its previous close. It had opened at 38,284.78 and has touched an intra-day high of 38,519.92 and a low of 38,060.74 points Rahul Sharma, Market Strategist & Research Head, Equity99 Advisors, said: "Markets have been experiencing unusual movements since the new margin rules as brokers and investors are still getting used to the same. In an otherwise dull and range-bound trading session, markets showed signs of recovery in the last hour, buying in index-heavyweight stocks. We expect a sharp recovery in the global markets and domestic markets in the coming days." In a joint statement on Monday, depositories and clearing corporations said that a significant amount of margin pledges and repledges continue to be processed seamlessly since September 1. The new margin pledge process has now been fairly stabilised, according to them. Sharma said that Nifty50 is expected to trade in the 11,400-11,500 range for the next few days. "Expect further weakness below the 11,300 level. Above 11,400 levels, Nifty can go to the level of 11,600," he added. The top gainers on the BSE were Hindustan Unilever, TCS and ITC, while the major losers were Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finance and NTPC. SHOTLIST JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICASEPTEMBER 7, 2020SOURCE: AFPTV 1. Close-up EFF members protesting outside the store in Sandton2. Mid shot EFF member of parliament Floyd Shivambu outside the Sandton Clicks store3. Close-up Shivambu's hands 4. SOUNDBITE 1 - Floyd Shivambu, EFF member of parliament (male, English, 22 sec): "So Clicks must take full responsibility of putting on their website an advert that dehumanises black people. That basically says that black people's hair is rubbish. We'll never accept that. That is what colonialism and apartheid did for centuries, that's what slavery did to our people." 5. Mid shot Clicks store shuts off the lights as people protest outside 6. SOUNDBITE 2 - Floyd Shivambu, EFF member of parliament (male, English, 10 sec): "If they want physical confrontation we dare them to open this place. We said that they must close all the stores or we will close them ourselves. So it is closed now, we have achieved our objective in terms of what is happening today, and that is how it is going to be like, everywhere where Click exists." 7. Wide shot Mall staff signalling patrons to enter the mall ///-----------------------------------------------------------AFP TEXT STORY: S.Africa's EFF pickets at top stores over 'racist' ads =(Video+Picture)= Johannesburg, Sept 7, 2020 (AFP) - Dozens of activists from South Africa's radical leftwing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party picketed outside stores of a leading retail pharmacy on Monday over a controversial "racist" hair advertisement.Wearing red party regalia, the supporters protested outside several Clicks Pharmacy stores across the country, forcing them to shut over the adverts posted on its website which described black hair as "dull" and white hair as "normal". The company which boasts of more than 500 branches across South Africa has apologised and pulled down the adverts.The EFF wants the retail chain shut for five days."They must lose revenue, they must lose profits because of their racism," said EFF vice president Floyd Shivambu, speaking in front of one of the largest stores in Johannesburg's upmarket Sandton business and shopping district -- considered Africa's richest square mile.He was accompanied by around two dozen chanting supporters. Further north in Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo province, EFF leader Julius Malema led a group of more than 100 supporters who chanted in front of a shuttered store."We are here to say peacefully that racism is violence," said Malema, addressing his supporters at the Mall of the North, the largest in the city."We need justice, not apology," said Malema. "Who calls black people ugly?" he asked, calling on the advertising agent to be fired. "White people insult us and they apologise, they think that is the end," he said."We have been projected as ugly people for a very long time by white people. It has got to come to an end at some point and it starts total with Clicks, we are tired."The images sparked an uproar and gave birth to hashtags #RacismMustFall and #BlackHairIsNormal -- with black women posting images of their afros on Twitter.The EFF staged protests in 2018 trashing outlets of Swedish clothing giant Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) in Johannesburg over a controversial advertisement of a black child.A photo on the company's website of a black boy wearing a green hoodie with the inscription "coolest monkey in the jungle" had triggered outrage on social media.bur-sn/erc ------------------------------------------------------------- Longstanding alliance with US should deepen Unification Minister Lee In-young's comment that Korea's longstanding alliance with the United States could turn into a "peace alliance" is under scrutiny. Lee mentioned in his meeting with the National Council of Churches in Korea last week that the relationship between South Korea and the United States, at a certain point, could move beyond the "military and Cold-War alliance" toward a "peace alliance." The statement appears to be a forward-looking, if idealistic, rhetorical vision. At further glance, however, what he said allows for a multitude of interpretations that may well hinder Seoul's relationship with Washington, while aligning it closer to Beijing and Pyongyang. As South Korea's top trading partners and parties to the denuclearization talks with North Korea, the United States and China have always been vital, and ever more so of now. As an insider in President Moon Jae-in's government, the minister surely is cognizant of the tests the relations have endured. The relationship with China has been testy over Seoul's agreement to the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system. Meanwhile ties with the United States have been topsy-turvy, mainly as talks on defense cost-sharing remain stalled. The sharpening economic and hegemonic rivalry between the two is subtly playing out on the Korean Peninsula. Senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi visited South Korea in August and met with National Security Adviser Suh Hoon, after which the two agreed that Chinese President Xi Jinping would visit Seoul as soon as possible after the COVID-19 pandemic dies down. For its part, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week urged Korea and other U.S. allies such as India, Australia and Japan to join U.S. efforts to tackle "economic and political aggression" from China. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has also expressed the hope that Korea will join the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Initiative. This is not the first time the unification's minister's comments have been scrutinized. In an August meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris, Lee proposed that a South Korea-U.S. working group be revamped to facilitate improvements in inter-Korean relations and the establishment of peace. As chief of the ministry dealing with North Korea, we can argue Lee is attending to the task of engagement with Pyongyang. Yet his critics found echoes of the 1980s student movement that aligned with claims by China and North Korea made in the "military, Cold-War alliance" and "peace alliance" comments. The minister carries weight in the Moon administration. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha aptly summed up the challenge facing Korea recently in a forum heightened tension between the superpowers. Seoul is working to "strengthen multilateralism and expand cooperation for peace and co-prosperity," she said. We hope this is a consensus shared by all Cabinet members. London, Sep 7 : A Saudi Arabian court has commuted the death sentences of five of the eight people convicted for the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a "rogue operation" as his family has pardoned them, reports said on Monday. The five men will now serve jail terms of 20 years each, the BBC reported citing local media. The jail terms of seven to 10 years for three other accused have been upheld. Khashoggi, who was openly critical of the Saudi government, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey's Istanbul by a team of Saudi agents, which the kingdom's government termed a "rogue operation" after the incident came to light and caused an international uproar. He had gone to the consulate to get some documents he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Khashoggi's body was never found and was likely dismembered and disposed of piecemeal. The Saudi government had in 2019 put 11 individuals, whose names were not disclosed on trial, and eight of them were convicted while the others were acquitted. The five said to have participated in the strangling of Khashoggi were sentenced to death while three others were handed down prison terms for covering up the crime. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 19:10:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The National Center for Disease Control of Libya on Monday reported 1,085 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily rate of infection in the country so far. The center said in a statement it received a total of 4,297 suspected samples, of which 1,085 were tested positive, adding that 81 patients have recovered and 11 died. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Libya so far is 18,834, including 2,162 recoveries and 296 deaths, the center confirmed. A series of precautionary measures against COVID-19 has been taken by the Libyan authorities since the first case was announced in March, which include closing the country's borders, shutting down 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 As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, scientists continue to scout new methods to predict or detect early changes in the prevalence of the infection in order to help evolve more effective public health strategies and contain its spread. A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* in September 2020 describes the measurement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins in wastewater as a reliable way to track the virus in the community. Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater by RNA SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater has recently gained ground as a method of understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 in a community, by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the nucleic acid. However, the low levels of fecal viral RNA, and the instability of RNA, compounded by a warm environment in many cases, as well as exposure to harsh chemicals and conditions, mean that cycle thresholds above the limit of detection of the technology are often required to amplify it to detectable levels. Another shortcoming of this technology is that the sewage preparation needs extensive processing, making it more expensive and cumbersome. Using MPAD for Viral Protein Detection in Wastewater To overcome these obstacles, researchers have been examining the feasibility of measuring viral proteins instead, since these are present at a higher load and are more stable. The current study uses the MPAD (Multiplex Paired-antibody Amplified Detection), which is remarkable for coupling the specificity of antibodies with the signal amplification capability of PCR. The aim was to evaluate the ability of this method to signal the presence of the virus more strongly and reliably, using wastewater samples derived from two Ottawa wastewater recovery facilities. Ottawa, Canada, has a low prevalence of COVID-19, and less than 10 cases are reported daily per 100,000 population. Nonetheless, the same team of researchers had earlier discovered detectable levels of viral protein in sewage samples. They chose this city as it would provide a useful standard for assay sensitivity in terms of viral detection. They also determined to use daily hospital admissions as a measure of viral shedding in the community, in preference to positive tests, since the former is relatively unchanging and more accurate. Levels of Ottawa wastewater SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins and RNA correspond with COVID-19 hospitalizations. Pink circles (from Figure 5): left Y-axis; MPAD determined Ottawa PEG precipitated influent solids N, S and M protein levels relative to April 8, 2020 (set to a value of 1.0), normalized to geomean of six fecal control proteins (see methods). Collection dates specified on the X-axis (no sample was analysed for June 10). Error bars represent standard deviation between replicates. Black triangles and squares (From DAoust et al., 2020)8 : left Y-axis; RT-PCR generated Ottawa PEG precipitated primary sludge viral RNA (N1 hollow triangle and N2 solid square) relative to level on April 8 (set to a value of 1.0) normalized to PMMoV. Collection dates specified on the X-axis, including additional samples on June 17 and 19. Grey circles: right Y-axis, 14-day (estimated median duration of fecal viral shedding) trailing sum of daily hospital admissions, proxy for active viral shedders in the community. Maximizing the MPAD Advantage MPAD uses quantitative PCR, just like the qRT-PCR used for viral RNA detection. This means the cycle thresholds can be directly compared, as well as the signal for protein detection vs. RNA detection. MPAD also allows several viral proteins to be analyzed simultaneously to increase the specificity of detection. Wastewater is a highly variable system with regards to flow, mass, type and concentration of organisms, and other vital characteristics. The RNA stability also varies with the conditions. The researchers used a multiple marker technique to standardize the wastewater sample in terms of fecal content. They, therefore, combined a surrogate fecal virus, PMMoV, which was earlier shown to be the most reliable of three different approaches, and five other content markers, including two viruses and three human proteins, with the three SARS-CoV-2 proteins to be assayed. These content markers allowed each of the three proteins to be normalized to the six fecal content markers, both separately and in combination. They also checked the correlation between the markers for each protein, comparing the levels normalized to the individual controls vs aggregated controls. This confirmed a highly superior normalization to be achieved with this combination of markers, with the best accuracy and comparability. The researchers remark, The robust specificity and normalization devolving from measuring all 9 (3 SAR-CoV-2, 6 fecal control markers) protein levels with this single, multiplex protein panel represents a significant advantage in any broad wastewater surveillance program. Markedly Higher Detection Rates in International Samples When processed by MPAD quantitative assay, it was found that the signal was several orders of magnitude higher than for RNA using qRT-PCR. In primary sludge, the viral protein signal was 64 to 208 times higher, while with influent solids, it was 20-128 times more significant than for viral RNA in the same samples. However, these signals come from several cities with a wide range of prevalence. Once adjusted, the difference in signal between protein and RNA ranges from 400 to 6,500 times higher in primary sludge, and 100-1,000-fold in influent solids. The signal correlated with the RNA and also the estimated incidence of the infection over the 10 weeks of the study period. Testing Ottawa Samples With the Ottawa samples, the researchers first did Western blot analyses to look for the presence of the virus in wastewater. Their findings confirmed those of Raman spectroscopy, with spike protein being present in all samples of a series taken over time, unlike viral RNA, which was present only in the most upstream specimens. The quantity of viral membrane protein detected agreed with the trend of viral RNA. They then measured the proteins using MPAD as part of the expanded panel. They found that they were able to detect viral RNA in influent solids on four of seven dates, but protein in all samples using MPAD. This could be because the protein content is higher because MPAD is more sensitive than qRT-PCR or both factors. Secondly, the viral RNA in influent solids did not correlate with that in primary sludge, with the viral protein signal, or with clinical data. They concluded that the viral RNA signal in influent solids probably was at the limit of detection of the qRT-PCR and would not be a good indicator of the viral titer in wastewater, compared to primary sludge. In the latter, the MPAD viral protein analysis produced a signal that matched the corresponding temporal trend observed in influent solids, and also the rolling 14-day total of hospital admissions for COVID-19. Implications and Future Directions The researchers concluded that it is possible to detect and measure the structural proteins of the virus in primary sludge after PEG precipitation. The data also suggest the presence of an intact virus, though the infectivity of sewage was not confirmed. Finally, this panel was able to control for the high variability of wastewater-based prevalence monitoring. This finding, they say, will help study the epidemiology of the disease, being more sensitive to the presence of the virus than RNA detection-based methods. Also, by providing early warning, it can help track the viral load in the community as a relatively simple method of surveillance, whether for institutions, schools, or homes. The measurements of both viral RNA and protein in stool in relation to the clinical activity of the virus suggests that the virus is shed in stool for about 14 days (median value). This would suggest that the rolling total of daily admissions for the last 14 days before a specified day indicate the number of hospitalized people who are shedding virus on any given date. However, a more extended period of study is required to understand how well viral protein in wastewater is concordant to the prevalence. More frequent sampling over this period will show the changing temporal trends of community prevalence. Nonetheless, the study concludes, The protein viral metrics in this study tracked well with this limited estimate of community viral load and with a sensitivity greatly exceeding that of viral RNA tracking. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Source The US is conducting nearly a million coronavirus tests a day - but not all states are screening equally. Rhode Island leads the pack, testing 52,730 people per 100,000 that live there, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania ranks last, and has tested just 13,490 per 100,000 residents, and states where the percentage of people testing positive has been on the rise in recent weeks - including Kansas, Indiana, South and Missouri, fall to the bottom of the rankings. That's concerning, as reopenings continue, children head back to school and state health departments may be unaware of impending outbreaks without adequate testing. Rhode Island ranks at the top of list, testing more than 52,000 people per 100,000 in its population (green) while states like Pennsylvania and South Dakota fall to the bottom of Johns Hopkins University's rankings for COVID-19 testing, despite rising their positivity rates Cuently, the US should be doing 1.2 million coronavirus tests a day in order to keep sufficient track of the virus's spread, according to the Harvard Global Health Institute. Last week, the nation was doing just 734,000 tests a day, as documented by the COVID Tracking Project. And six percent of tests run are coming back positive, putting the US just above the positivity rate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously said was cause for states to assess carefully whether or not it is safe to send children to school. In Rhode Island, the number of new daily coronavirus cases has risen slightly over the past week - by 1.3 percent - but less than four percent of everyone tested has been positive for the virus. Fittingly, most of its schools will be open for in-person learning. So are schools in South Dakota. South Dakota has more than 15,000 coronavirus cases - fewer than Rhode Island's 22,243 - but the number of new daily infection in the sparsely populated state ar rising faster than in anywhere else in the US. Last week, 114 of its schools reported at least one coronavirus infection, and 552 cases were identified across the state's colleges. South Dakota currently ranks 41st for testing among US states. It has only tested 17,445 people per 100,000 of its population, and its positivity rate was over 18 percent on Sunday. A New York Times analysis puts the positivity rate even higher, at 21 percent. Positivity rates are surging (red) in Alabama, Puerto Rico and South Dakota The low overall testing rates and high positivity rates are a dangerous combination. If such a high proportion of people getting tested do have coronavirus, the real number of infections is likely vastly underestimated, meaning many South Dakotans could be unwittingly spreading the disease. By comparison, Rhode Island's positivity rate is just 3.3 percent. Other states ranking highest for positivity rate include Iowa, Alabama, Mississippi, North Dakota, Missouri, South Carolina and Florida. Among them, only Florida ranks in the upper half of all states for testing its citizens, falling dead center at 25th on Johns Hopkins University's list. Puerto Rico falls dead last, behind all 50 states and US territories for testing. When the CDC issued 'guidance' for school reopenings, the agency declined to set any hard limit on how many tests a state needs to be doing a day in order to safely send children back to in-person classes. It was only when pressed by reporters on July media briefing call that CDC director Dr Robert Redfield said that a community would be considered a hot spot if its positivity rate was above five percent, and hinted states with positivity rates over 10 percent should perhaps be more 'cautious' about reopening. According to data tracking by the New York Times, 14 states currently have test positivity rates of 10 percent or higher, suggesting both that coronavirus may be actively spreading among their residents and that not enough teseting is being done. As Julian Assange makes his way in a prison van this morning, London time, to the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court for his US extradition hearing, he's heading for a date with destiny he long predicted. In Melbourne in 2010, after he had released the infamous US helicopter gunship video, Collateral Murder, which showed innocent civilians, including two Reuters news staff being mown down in a Baghdad square, Assange worried about being snatched off the streets. A frame from the "Collateral Murder" video published by WikiLeaks. Credit:Screengrab Now the United States is trying a less dramatic but equally questionable version of its CIA rendition program. The attempt to extradite Assange is designed to stifle dissent, sending a chill through the ranks of investigative journalists worldwide. If Assange can be prosecuted for exposing evidence of US war crimes, so can any journalist anywhere in the world. It was just such a fear of being extradited to the US that led Assange to successfully seek asylum in London's Ecuador embassy in 2012, where he remained until April last year when police stormed in and arrested him - a particularly zealous act for the relatively minor offence of skipping bail. A woman weaning a face mask walks near the notice showing a temporarily closed as a precautions against the coronavirus outside of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Seoul, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. AP The number of daily coronavirus cases in South Korea stayed below 200 for the fifth straight day on Monday, but health authorities remain alert over continued sporadic cluster infections across the country. The country added 119 more COVID-19 cases, including 108 local infections, raising the total caseload to 21,296, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). It marked a sharp fall from 167 additional cases reported Sunday and the fewest since Aug. 14, when the country identified 103 new infections. The stricter anti-virus measures have begun to take effect, but the fall in daily virus cases also came as virus tests tend to be fewer over the weekend than weekdays. South Korea has been struggling to contain a flare-up in virus cases as daily infections have been in the triple digits since Aug. 14 due to cluster infections tied to churches and a large-scale rally in central Seoul in mid-August. New infections shot up to a five-month high of 441 on Aug. 27 but have been slowed on the stricter social distancing measures, which health authorities called a "positive" sign in the virus fight. The country on Monday continued its enhanced social distancing scheme after it was extended by another week following an initial eight-day regulation period in the greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's 51 million population. Under the Level 2.5 measures, eating at restaurants and small eateries is only allowed until 9 p.m. Franchise coffee chains, bakeries and ice cream parlors are permitted to offer only takeout and delivery. The country also extended its Level 2 social distancing measures across the country by another two weeks until Sept. 20 as cluster infections continued to pop up nationwide. Of the newly identified local infections, 47 cases were reported in Seoul and 30 from Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital. Incheon, just west of Seoul, reported one more cases. Other municipalities reported new infections, with the southeastern port city of Busan adding nine cases and the southwestern city of Gwangju reporting seven new infections. Cases traced to the Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul, a hotbed of the recent spike in new infections, reached 1,162 as of noon Sunday. The church-tied cases marked the largest cluster infection after more than 5,000 virus cases traced to the minor religious sect of Shincheonji were reported in Daegu in late February and early March. Also, 527 patients have been reported in relation to the anti-government rally in Seoul on Aug. 15. Despite a letup in new cases, health authorities warned against any complacency on concerns that virus infections could rebound due to people's movements during the upcoming Chuseok fall harvest holiday. This year's Chuseok holiday runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4. The Korean autumn harvest celebration is one of the country's biggest traditional holidays and serves as a chance for family members to visit their hometowns. The country, meanwhile, reported 11 imported cases, with three cases coming from the Philippines and another three from India. South Korea reported two more deaths, raising the death toll to 336. The fatality rate was 1.58 percent. Growing concerns about a shortage of hospital beds have also emerged. The number of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients reached 162 as of midnight, down one from the previous day. The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries stood at 16,297, up 151 from the previous day. The country has carried out 2,051,297 coronavirus tests since Jan. 3. (Yonhap) At the end of James Michener's Korean War novel, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, an admiral notes the bravery of aviators who are flying missions against the enemy. "Where do we get such men?" he asks. Apparently President Donald Trump wonders the same thing - but not in a complimentary way. The Atlantic's editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, quotes Trump telling aides that the men and women who have given their lives for their country were "suckers" and "losers." "I don't get it. What was in it for them?" he reportedly asked his then homeland security secretary, retired Marine General John Kelly, as the two men stood by the grave of Kelly's son, who was killed in Afghanistan. Trump's own view of the military seems to echo Sonny Corleone's. In The Godfather, Part II, the mafia scion says of the men enlisting after Pearl Harbor: "They're saps, because they risk their lives for strangers." The Atlantic report clearly stung. Witness Trump's frenzied denials; he even called in the first lady to defend him. But a president who has lied or deceived more than 20,000 times has no credibility - and his defence quickly fell apart. Trump denied having called the late senator John McCain a "loser," yet he did so in 2015. The Atlantic report was confirmed in short order by the Associated Press, Washington Post and - the cruellest blow - even by Fox News. Confirmation from a Fox reporter did not prevent Fox hosts from calling the report a "hoax", but if history is any indication, it won't be long before they pivot from "he didn't do it" to "yeah, he did it, so what?" Why do Trump supporters even go through the motions of trying to discredit the latest allegations? Their support hasn't been shaken by all of the other things the president has done. He has welcomed Russian election help, called white supremacists "very fine people", put children in cages, gotten impeached for trying to blackmail an ally into helping him politically, kowtowed to Vladimir Putin and avowed his love for Kim Jong-un, unleashed security forces on peaceful protesters, fomented violence, espoused insane conspiracy theories, refused to say that he would accept the election results, and urged his fans to vote twice in violation of the law. He has erased every red line, and none of it seems to matter to his base. He entered office with 45.5pc approval in the FiveThirtyEight poll of polls. Today he stands at 43.5pc. Nearly four years of craziness and his numbers have barely budged. Most remarkably of all, even Trump's catastrophic mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and of the economy haven't dented his popularity. If you had asked me at the beginning of the year what one thing could cause Trump's support to crater, I would have said a recession. Well, we've had the worst recession since the 1930s, combined with the worst pandemic since 1918. Nearly 200,000 Americans have already died - and polling predicts 400,000 deaths by January. Trump's response has been a combination of inertia, denial and fantasy. He said, "I don't take responsibility at all," and he mused about injecting bleach. One study found that at least 70pc of the US deaths could have been averted if the response had been comparable to that of other wealthy countries. In other words, some 134,000 Americans might still be alive today if Trump were a competent president. And yet his poll numbers remain remarkably steady. His malign incompetence has certainly cost him some support: he is the one president in the history of polling to never crack 50pc approval, and he has not gotten the kind of polling bump that other leaders have seen during the pandemic. But neither has his support cratered as, by rights, it should have. How can this be? The only explanation I can see is that his supporters place party loyalty above all else. Trump is the leader of red America, and red America will stick with him no matter what. There is literally nothing Trump could do to shake the support of his base. This is the Founding Fathers' nightmare. Alexander Hamilton called "Party-Spirit" the "most fatal disease" in "governments of the popular kind." That disease is ravaging America: Were it not for Party-Spirit, Trump could have been impeached and removed before he had a chance to mismanage the coronavirus. And now Party-Spirit is likely to inoculate Trump from the political fallout of his insults to our military. Truly this is, as the kids would say, the "LOL nothing matters" presidency. ( Washington Post) Russia's most prominent opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, was taken out of a medically-induced coma and his condition "has improved," according to a statement from the German hospital where he's being treated. Navalny, 44, was transferred from a Russian hospital to one in Berlin for treatment after falling ill while on a plane in Siberia more than two weeks ago. Germany's federal government announced last week that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent, developed as part of a secret Soviet chemical weapons program. "The patient has been removed from his medically-induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation," Charite University Hospital Berlin said in the statement Monday. "He is responding to verbal stimuli. It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning." "The treating physicians remain in close contact with Mr. Navalny's wife," the hospital added. "After consultation with the patient's wife, Charite is reassured that the decision to make details of the patients condition public would be in accordance with his wishes." PHOTO: Medical specialists carry Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny on a stretcher into an ambulance in Omsk, Russia, on Aug. 22, 2020, before transporting him to an airport for his medical evacuation to Germany. (Alexey Malgavko/Reuters) Navalny, a dogged critic of the Kremlin, made his name through investigations of alleged corruption by powerful Russians, including top officials and some of President Vladimir Putin's inner circle. He also built a grassroots opposition movement that has helped lead some of the largest anti-Putin protests in Moscow in recent years. MORE: Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny was poisoned with Novichok nerve agent, German government says The Russian doctors who initially treated Navalny have continued to claim that there was no evidence he had been poisoned. Navalnys family and colleagues, however, have accused the Russian government of being behind his poisoning and seeking to cover it up. Russias foreign ministry has since accused Germany of an "information campaign" and making allegations without evidence. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has demanded Russia provide an explanation in the case. Story continues PHOTO: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny takes part in a rally in Moscow on Feb. 29, 2020. (Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters, FILE) The so-called Novichok group of nerve agents was created by Soviet scientists before the collapse of the Soviet Union. A Novichok nerve agent was used to poison the ex-Russian spy Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the British town of Salisbury in 2018, an attack that U.K. authorities have said was carried out by agents from Russia's military intelligence agency. The Russian government has repeatedly denied the existence of Novichok. "We have yet to find a substance that is more dangerous to the human body than the Novichok series," Gwyn Winfield, a chemical weapons expert with the publication CBRNe World, recently told ABC News. "There is no bulletproof vest that you can wear that can protect you from Novichok. It sends a very clear warning that to whoever might criticize [Putins] regime, in whatever country that they are in, that [Putins] sort of long hand will reach out and grasp them." MORE: Key opposition figure in Belarus disappears after weekend of mass protests Following Germany's announcement that a Novichok nerve agent had been used in Navalny's poisoning, White House National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said in a statement that "the United States is deeply troubled." "Alexei Navalny's poisoning is completely reprehensible," Ullyot added. "Russia has used the chemical nerve agent Novichok in the past. We will work with allies and the international community to hold those in Russia accountable, wherever the evidence leads, and restrict funds for their malign activities. The Russian people have a right to express their views peacefully without fear of retribution of any kind, and certainly not with chemical agents." ABC News Alina Lobzina and Patrick Reevell contributed to this report. Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny out of coma after 'severe' Novichok nerve agent poisoning originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Sharks' non-bony skeletons were thought to be the template before bony internal skeletons evolved, but a new fossil discovery suggests otherwise. The discovery of a 410-million-year-old fish fossil with a bony skull suggests the lighter skeletons of sharks may have evolved from bony ancestors, rather than the other way around. Sharks have skeletons made cartilage, which is around half the density of bone. Cartilaginous skeletons are known to evolve before bony ones, but it was thought that sharks split from other animals on the evolutionary tree before this happened; keeping their cartilaginous skeletons while other fish, and eventually us, went on to evolve bone. Now, an international team led by Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum and researchers in Mongolia have discovered a fish fossil with a bony skull that is an ancient cousin of both sharks and animals with bony skeletons. This could suggest the ancestors of sharks first evolved bone and then lost it again, rather than keeping their initial cartilaginous state for more than 400 million years. The team published their findings today in Nature Ecology & Evolution. Lead researcher Dr Martin Brazeau, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, said: "It was a very unexpected discovery. Conventional wisdom says that a bony inner skeleton was a unique innovation of the lineage that split from the ancestor of sharks more than 400 million years ago, but here is clear evidence of bony inner skeleton in a cousin of both sharks and, ultimately, us." Most of the early fossils of fish have been uncovered in Europe, Australia and the USA, but in recent years new finds have been made in China and South America. The team decided to dig in Mongolia, where there are rocks of the right age that have not been searched before. They uncovered the partial skull, including the brain case, of a 410-million-year-old fish. It is a new species, which they named Minjinia turgenensis, and belongs to a broad group of fish called 'placoderms', out of which sharks and all other 'jawed vertebrates' - animals with backbones and mobile jaws - evolved. When we are developing as foetuses, humans and bony vertebrates have skeletons made of cartilage, like sharks, but a key stage in our development is when this is replaced by 'endochondral' bone - the hard bone that makes up our skeleton after birth. Previously, no placoderm had been found with endochondral bone, but the skull fragments of M. turgenensis were "wall-to-wall endochondral". While the team are cautious not to over-interpret from a single sample, they do have plenty of other material collected from Mongolia to sort through and perhaps find similar early bony fish. And if further evidence supports an early evolution of endochondral bone, it could point to a more interesting history for the evolution of sharks. Dr Brazeau said: "If sharks had bony skeletons and lost it, it could be an evolutionary adaptation. Sharks don't have swim bladders, which evolved later in bony fish, but a lighter skeleton would have helped them be more mobile in the water and swim at different depths. "This may be what helped sharks to be one of the first global fish species, spreading out into oceans around the world 400 million years ago." ### BJP leader Ram Madhav on Monday paid tribute to the deceased Special Frontier Force (SFF) commando Nyima Tenzin. SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin was a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting the borders in Ladakh. BJP leader Ram Madhav on Monday paid tribute to the deceased Special Frontier Force (SFF) commando Nyima Tenzin. Madhav tweeted that he attended the funeral of SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting the borders in Ladakh and laid a wreath as a tribute. He added that let the sacrifices of such valiant soldiers bring peace along the Indo-Tibetan border. He further wrote that peace along the Indo-Tibetan border would be the real tribute to all the martyrs. India and China are engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including Finger area, Galwan valley, Hot springs and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan valley in June. Also read: India enters elite club, successfully tests indigenously made hypersonic vehicle, Rajnath congratulates DRDO chief #WATCH People raise 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' chants at the funeral of Special Frontier Force Commando Nyima Tenzin in Devachan, Leh today. He had lost his life in an anti-personnel mine blast near the Line of Actual Control in the last week of August pic.twitter.com/K37bvawvdw ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020 Also read: After abducting 5 Arunachali youth, China provokes again says never recognised so called Arunachal Pradesh A little more than a week ago the India-China border talks hit a roadblock. Despite several rounds of talks at different levels, nothing substantive was achieved, other than a partial disengagement at the three friction points at Galwan valley, Gogra-Hot Springs and Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. While diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis continued, once again in a pre-meditated and deliberate action, Chinese troops moved stealthily to occupy two strategically important hill features in the Pangong Tso area. Indian troops reacted swiftly, reportedly halted ingress and secured tactically advantageous positions in the south banks of the Pangong Tso and in features overlooking the vital road link to Spangur Tso. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case LIVE news updates: Rhea files forgery case against Sushants family over alleged fake prescriptions While flying to some off-the-beaten-path, exotic destination may not be in the cards right now, we could all use a quick break as this strange pandemic summer stretches on and on. The good news: Texans need not travel too far to experience one of the best quick getaways in the U.S. Austin has just landed a top spot on travel website Hotwire's 40 best cities in America list for a "quickie" getaway in 2020. Touted as the "Live Music Capitol of the World," Austin ranked No. 8 on the list of major metropolitan cities. BEST CITIES TO RETIRE: Two Texas cities make Forbes list of best places to retire in 2020 "Quarantine has made us stir crazy and that's probably putting it lightly, " brain health expert Dr. Mike Dow said in a Hotwire press release. "We've heard everyone talk about flattening the COVID-19 curve it's important to flatten the mental health curve." In making its selections for its "Make It a Quickie" list, Hotwire took a look at 10,000 internal and external data points across 300 cities based on these four factors: ease of arrival and driveability (30 percent), best bang for buck (30 percent), things to do and leisure (30 percent) and population (10 percent). What's cool about this list is that travelers can choose the scale of their destination and getaway experience from major urban centers and mid-size must-sees to small town favorites and "itty bitty cities." High on the list for major metropolises are Las Vegas, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Oklahoma City, Seattle, Memphis, Indianapolis, Austin, Denver and Portland. A recent survey by Hotwire found that more than four in five (81 percent) adults state that after the quarantine, quick getaway trips offer an ideal chance to test the waters before investing in a longer vacation. Hotwire also discovered changes in travelers' patterns amid the pandemic, including more travel by car (50 percent), visiting less crowded spots, (43 percent), researching a hotel's cleanliness procedures (29 percent) and traveling close to home in case of emergency (26 percent), according to the survey. "Travel, especially quick local getaways are a valuable way to balance our physical health with our mental health and can increase connections in our brain, thereby improving both our current and future mood so quickie getaways are actually an investment in your well-being," Dow added. Hotwire has rounded up a few things that should be on your must-do list for Austin. From Barton Creek to Hamilton Pool, explore some of Austin's best swimming holes. If you need to just unwind and take a hike, drive out to the Hill Country or spend a day at Emma Long Metropolitan Park. alison.medley@chron.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 09:40:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People sit according to signs on an overground train cabinet in Bangkok, Thailand, April 6, 2020. (Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) HEFEI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The delivery of trains manufactured in China as part of an order of 72 trains by Thailand has begun, CRRC Puzhen Bombardier Transportation Systems Co., Ltd. (PBTS) said. Assembly of the first two trains was completed on Friday and they left the city of Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province, where the company's manufacturing base is located, for Thailand. In June 2017, PBTS signed an agreement with Thailand railway for the manufacture and delivery of 72 trains, made up of a total number of 288 cars. The order is to be completed by early 2022. The trains, to ply in Bangkok, are equipped with fully-automatic unmanned driving technology and comply with advanced international standards emphasizing safety, reliability and comfort, PBTS said. They will be used for two urban rail transit lines, which will be opened in 2022. 'A celebrity of his stature would even remember someone whom he had met for a very brief period...He also had a great sense of humour. More than being his students, he treated us like his children,' says violinist Kala Ramnath on her guru, Pandit Jasraj My earliest memories of Pandit Jasraj ji was when I would hear him on the radio program Anuranjani, on returning home from school in the afternoon. I would love his renditions of 'Shudh Sarang', 'Bhimpalasi', 'Bilaskhani Todi' and 'Gorakh Kalyan', and thought to myself that if music was indeed this beautiful, then this is what I would want to do in life. All I remember from my childhood is this, and not much else about the intricacies of his singing. I had the good fortune of meeting him in my early teens when my aunt introduced me to him in the first concert of my life, along with my cousin in Mumbai. Thats when I started addressing him as Mama ji. He was very loving and affectionate. He would pamper me with sweets and I would tag along with him everywhere. Immediately after this, within a few months, I lost my dad, and Mama ji took my fathers place in my life as a father figure, advising me on everything. I especially sought his advice with regard to my career. I relocated to Mumbai and mustered the courage to ask Mama ji if he would teach me. Luckily, he agreed, and thus became my guru too. Since I was already performing, lessons started right on stage by accompanying him on the violin. Besides, he would always be immersed in music, so much so that he would teach us while we travelled with him, while we were sitting for lunch at the dining table, or before he retired to rest for the day. For him, it was all about music. Because of my strong memory, he would also sometimes call me from wherever he was to teach me a composition, and refer to me as his 'computer'. I used to call him 'the supercomputer'. Some of my best memories have been the camps he conducted, where he would teach us for 6-10 hours a day, intensively, for as long as two weeks. Today, if I am known for what I do, it is because of him. He took me with him everywhere to accompany him in concerts, and presented me in the right way. His dedication to the art of music, his sincerity and honesty, his poignant expressions, are things to learn. These qualities made him firm in his commitments. I remember, once I was in Hyderabad at his festival (Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh) where I was asked to perform. On the day of my performance, I was sick and had a 104-degree fever. Guru ma told Guru ji that I was not in the condition to perform. Guru ji dismissed Guru mas plea instantly, and said that I would play. He told me, If you put in the effort, lord will carry you through. You tell yourself that I have given a commitment and come what may, I am going to fulfil it." I played there and I got a standing ovation. It was a life lesson for me. Guru ji himself practised this with utmost sincerity. Even if he was sick, or had a cough and cold, he would never cancel his concerts or leave his commitments unfulfilled. You can imagine what a cough and cold feels like to a vocalist, but that was my Guru ji... I remember, there was a concert in Namibia, to which we were sent by the Government of India for the first time. I was there with him. Unfortunately, there were a lot of problems in the presentation by the organisers, and in the end, we only got 10 to 15 minutes for our performance. Guru ji was not happy. He finished his short performance and told the audience, I am going to my room. Anybody interested can come there and listen to me." He asked me to take my violin, and asked Vijay Ghate ji to take his tabla, and did a two-hour-long concert at the home where we were staying, to a packed audience. This shows his dedication and sincerity to his art. Masters like Guru ji had a strong connection with nature, and nature is the almighty. I remember an instance when he performed in Delhi outside, amid nature, on the day of Buddha Purnima. It was a clear beautiful evening with the full moon and stars in sight, and not a speck of cloud visible. Guru ji asked his daughter Durga ji to announce that he wished to sing 'Dhulia Malhar', and if a dust-storm were to happen (which apparently does when this raga is sung), he should not be held responsible. And lo and behold, as he started singing, dark clouds appeared, strong winds blew, and there was a thunderstorm. The concert had to be shifted indoors from outdoors. That was the power of his music and his connection with nature. He touched the hearts of many listeners and gave them a divine experience almost every time he sang. Also read on Firstpost: Pandit Jasraj's students highlight the maestro's legacy with stories of his compassion and generosity Guru ji had a tremendous amount of self-control. He would never touch oily food or sweets, or anything that is not good for his voice. He taught us discipline. These are the things you need if you want to be a good musician. There is not much to say, which will do justice to his humility. A celebrity of his stature would even remember someone whom he had met for a very brief period. He treated everyone with respect, and made each one of them feel special. That in itself is great art, which made him a peoples person. He also had a great sense of humour. More than being his students, he treated us like his children. With his demise, it feels like I have lost my father again. I will, throughout my life, cherish the moments I have spent with him, treasure the things I have learnt from him, and pass on to the next generation whatever I have imbibed from my association with him. Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae leaves the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. /Yonhap By Kim Se-jeong Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae found herself in deeper trouble Monday, as an additional allegation regarding her son's military service surfaced over the weekend. According to the main opposition People Power Party, a reserve colonel confided to a conservative party lawmaker that when he was in charge of a unit involving Choo's son in 2017, he received numerous requests from the National Assembly and Ministry of National Defense to assign him, identified by his surname Seo, to the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games as an interpreter, claiming the powerful politician used her influence to have her son assigned a relatively easy task. Choo was the leader of the ruling Minjoo Party at the time. Seo served his military duty at the Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army (KATUSA) between 2016 and 2018 and the Olympics were held in early 2018. Military service is mandatory for Korean men and has long involved corruption as people with power attempt to have their sons either exempted from service or assigned to easy tasks. "I knew those requests could be problematic and changed the way we selected the interpreters. Then, I told Choo's son and other soldiers who had applied for interpreter positions that we were going to draw lots to be fair, for I received many requests to select a certain man," the reserve colonel was quoted as saying by Rep. Shin Won-sik from the conservative People Power Party. This is another blow to Choo who was already faced with an allegation that her son's 2017 sick leave was a privilege gained through his powerful mother's influence, which allowed him to skip official procedures required by internal rules. The case is under the review of the prosecutors' office. Those who accuse Choo claim that the lack of records linked to Seo's sick leave requests indicate he used his mother's influence to skip required procedures, which could amount to a corruption charge. Last month, Shin also revealed that Choo's personal aide had made a phone call on Seo's behalf for the sick leave request. Choo and her son are denying the allegations. On Monday, a group of prospective lawyers filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office against the minister and her son, pressuring the law enforcement body to look into the case. "We're renewing our calls for the jumpstart of the investigation into the two people," the group wrote in the complaint. Less than a month ago, the judge-turned-minister lambasted the nation's law enforcement officers for corruption and demanded a higher moral ground. She also publicly rebuked those who were reluctant to comply with the President Moon Jae-in administration's reform drive. One of them was Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-youl against whom she used her power to isolate. Critics of Moon have likened Choo to her disgraced predecessor Cho Kuk, who was forced to leave the minister position because of corruption allegations involving his family members. Bihars junior doctors, who are postgraduate medical students, have pitched for de-notifying medical colleges in Patna, Gaya and Bhagalpur as dedicated coronavirus disease (Covid-19) hospitals because of lack of patients and allow admission to non-Covid-19 patients. They have cited that the existing arrangement is hampering their curriculum and also expressed concern about academic loss. Also read: Covid-19: Indias death rate has reduced by 0.43% in a month It was impossible to achieve the goals and objectives of medical training in a hospital that allows only Covid-19 patients, the members of Junior Doctors Association (JDA), Bihar, highlighted in a letter to Pratyaya Amrit, principal secretary, health, Bihar, on Monday. It also quoted extensively the regulations of the Postgraduate Education, 2000, of the Medical Council of India (MCI). Designating medical colleges as exclusive Covid-19 care hospitals should be the last resort and not the first option. Non-teaching hospitals should be engaged first, the letter stated. Conversion of a medical college into a dedicated Covid-19 hospital also renders a huge infrastructure and large pool of doctors, including specialists and super-specialists, useless, it argued. Dr Papu Kumar Safi and Dr Divyanshu Martand of Nalanda Medical College Hospital (NMCH) requested that admission of Covid-19 patients to medical colleges should be temporarily stopped and existing patients suffering from the viral infection be shifted to a ward with adequate oxygen beds. Earlier, though NMCHs JDA had raised the issue of academic loss on June 3 and 24, their plea had allegedly fallen on deaf ears of the authorities concerned. The JDA, alternatively, suggested that the 110-bed Guru Govind Singh Hospital in Patna that has six intensive care unit (ICU) beds could be utilised as a dedicated Covid-19 hospital after equipping it with more ventillator-supported beds and operation theatre for emergency surgeries of patients suffering from the viral infection. It also suggested developing a joint pool of doctors from NMCH, Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) and Guru Govind Singh Hospital for clinical management of Covid-19 patients. A medical college is bound to provide training as per curriculum prescribed by the MCI and failing to do so is a breach of contract by the institution. MD and MS (doctor of medicine and master of surgery, respectively) is a three-year course out of which we have lost six months. MBBS internships duration is one year. Half of it is gone and the students are suffering, said Dr Martand, who is pursuing a postgraduate degree in medicine at NMCH. Doctors with incomplete training can cause a serious threat to the patients they treat. No law of the land gives anybody the right to do so. If these incompletely trained doctors cause any damage to a patient after they pass out, the authorities must be held responsible for hampering their training for all these months, alleged Dr Safi, who is also pursuing a postgraduate degree in medicine at NMCH. JDA members said the bed occupancy of Covid-19 patients at NMCH had never crossed 50 in the past month against a total capacity of 447 beds. Bed occupancy of the other dedicated Covid-19 hospitals, including the one made by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at ESI Bihta was also low. The Patna-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had 145 Covid-19 patients against 600 beds until Sunday. While the NMCH had 32 Covid-19 patients against 447 beds. Bihar has less than 3,000 Covid-19 patients in institutional quarantine against a total bed capacity of 54,126 of which 36,011 beds were in ready to move in as per the government data accessed by HT. There were less than 600 patients in dedicated Covid-19 hospitals against a total bed capacity of 4,024, said government officials. The state government has designated AIIMS and NMCH --- both located in Patna --- Anugrah Naryan Magadh Medical College Hospital in Gaya and the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital in Bhagalpur as dedicated Covid-19 hospitals. The government has also created 100 isolation beds in each of the remaining six state-run medical colleges for Covid-19 patients. Bihar has reported 1,47,658 Covid-19 cases, including 754 deaths, until Sunday. At present, the state has 16,603 active cases and a recovery rate of 88.24%. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ruchir Kumar Ruchir writes on health, aviation, power and myriad other issues. An ex-TOI, he has worked both on Desk and in reporting. He over 25 years of broadcast and print journalism experience in Assam, Jharkhand & Bihar. ...view detail Jaipur, Sep 8 : Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday suggested that agriculture and computers should be added to the New Education Policy to make it more employable. "Science, technology, engineering and mathematics have been included under STEM in the multidisciplinary educational system in the New Education Policy. By adding agriculture and computers to it, it can be turned into STEAM-C (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Maths, Computer) which will make higher education more employable," the Rajasthan Governor suggested during the virtual Governors' conference on the role of NEP in the transformation of higher education. Mishra said that if the states implement NEP 2020 in a successful manner, the new education system will bring India at par with the leading countries of the world and change the present challenges into opportunities. The conference was also addressed by President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Mishra said that work has started as per the guidelines of the Centre and action has been taken by constituting a task force in this direction at the Raj Bhavan level for the implementation of NEP at all levels in Rajasthan. The new education policy could reduce the "dropout" rate by allowing flexible methods to allow vocational and non-vocational subjects along with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, the Rajasthan Governor said. By PTI KOLKATA: Troops of the Border Security Force on Monday rescued 25 cattle from smugglers and apprehended one Bangladeshi national in Malda district of West Bengal, an official said here. Border guards stationed at Nimtita area, on observing movement of cattle in the early hours of Monday, laid ambush in their speed boat near the Indo-Bangladesh international boundary, the BSF official said. One smuggler, who was in possession of two bovines, was arrested, he said. He has been identified as Salim Rezaan of Bangladeshs Chapinawabganj district, who claimed to have stayed for three days at the house of his Indian accomplice Sagar Sheikh in Dhuliyan in Malda district, the official said. In another incident, the BSF troops in the South Bengal sector succeeded in foiling attempts of smugglers and rescued 23 cattle, he said. The BSF personnel also seized a total of 567 bottles of phensedyl cough syrup and one kg of ganja in Malda district. The apprehended smuggler, along with the cattle, were handed over to Shamsherganj police station in Malda, he said. "During 2020, BSF troops of South Bengal Frontier have so far rescued 4,154 cattle and seized 1,91,518 bottles of phensedyl and 1,601 kg ganja when these were being smuggled to Bangladesh," the official added. Assam: All About Aquaculture in Assam and Government Subsidies Provided to Fish Farmers by Chintu Das September 07,2020 | Source: Krishijagran The province of Assam in the northeastern region of India has a superb sub-tropical atmosphere for the expansion and improvement of fresh water fish culture in the state. Fish farming assumes a significant part in sustenance as well as in the provincial economy of the State. The state infers an amazing open door for improving the provincial economy through the improvement of small scale fish farming. Major push is required towards creating more awareness and improvement of the skill sets of the fish farmers and their farming practices so that later on they would be in a situation to extend their exercises with money made accessible locally. Fish farming using technology is new for the farmers in Assam and given proper training and accessibility to new techniques and money, fish farming is surely bliss in the region. Assams fishery resources and allocation: Assam is blessed with more than 2.86 lakh ha of different water resources. Different water resources include ponds, rivers, tanks, beels etc. The state also has 2 major river systems namely Brahmaputra and Barak along with their tributaries. More than 90 percent of people in Assam eat fish and the fish market is on a rise. The fisheries sector acts as a major force behind the socioeconomic development of the state. Fish production and related activities can create a lot of employment opportunities, specially for the rural Assam. The total number of freshwater species found in Assam is more than 200 and the fish production level of the state for the fiscal year 2016-17 stands at about 3.07 lakh MT. The basic horizontal expansion strategy is achieved through formation of new ponds and lakes and through recovery and redesigning of the existing ones. Then again push on vertical development is given through efficiency upgrade with selection of improved and progressed culture practices and better maintainable administration practices. Current condition of development and administration of resources: Despite the fact that the assets potential for fish creation is high, scientific fish cultivation is being rehearsed impressively in a little segment. Fisheries systems have been embraced in a portion of the beels and low-lying zones which has expanded the production to around 1600 kg/ha/Year. Riverine fisheries systems in the state are currently under no or very minimal intervention, however the revenue fisheries , which covers the rivers and beels are leased out to interested individual or societies; are under the supervision of Assam Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd. Assam Government Schemes: States Own Priority Development Programme (SOPD): Major schemes under SOPD includes: "MatsyaJagaran- GhareGharePukhuriGhareGhareMaach" : This scheme is focusing on people keen on taking up fish culture through development of new ponds in a proper area with a mission to extend fish culture region and production of more fish through scientific farming, creation of independent work opportunity and financial upliftment. Seed Bank Programme: Building new ponds for seed rearing (fish). This Programme is focusing on those cultivators that are keen on pursuing fish seed raising business through development of new raising tanks or ponds in a reasonable land with the goals of making fish seed accessible as fingerlings, extension of fish seed raising territory, financial upliftment of the rural individuals and making independent work openings. Majuli Development Programme This scheme includes 2 sub schemes namely Seed Bank Programme and Fish Cum Pig Culture in the existing pond after renovation. Seed Bank Programme targets for an area coverage of 4 ha and expects an annual turnover of 6 lakh fingerlings which will benefit nearly 28 individuals. Fish Cum Pig Culture in the existing pond after renovation scheme is targeted to those farmers who have prior experience with pig husbandry. The individuals must be willing to take up this dual system of fish farming i.e. pig and fish together in the same system. The scheme specializes in the utilization of the same space in a more efficient way and also emphasizes an increase of income per unit area and reducing the cost of the overall fish farming process. Assistance to women self help groups (SHG) for production of other value added fish products: In spite of the fact that locals of Assam prefer fresh fish, there is always a market for ready to cookitems along with other fish items such as fish pickle, wafers, balls, dry fish and so on particularly for the urban territories. Fishery department of Assam has started this building program in collaboration with Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Cochi and College of Fisheries, Raha for interested ladies and groups. This scheme is proposed to help chosen women SHGs with the goal of strengthening women entrepreneurship in the fisheries field along with women empowerment. This scheme greatly promotes the value added fish products in the market. Nearly 15 women SHGs will be selected by the District Fishery Development Officers. Training of scheme beneficiaries and farmers: Before availing the above mentioned schemes, most of the farmers are using old techniques in their farming. With improvement and asset usage, the fish production and the pay can be expanded to a significant degree. In order to instill a creation program on a scientific basis, building the capacity of the farmers is exceptionally fundamental. This scheme is planning on building the capacity of the farmers and the scheme recipients by implementing scientific procedures and providing guidance and knowledge. Around 450 farmers are focused under the plan. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 lacks the action plan to implement it, Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia said during a video conference organised by the Union ministry of education on Monday. The Delhi government, in a statement detailing Manish Sisodias feedback on the NEP 2020 conference, quoted Delhis education minister as saying that The implementation of this policy should be carefully planned so that it is not limited to just a wonderful idea. Mondays NEP videoconference was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by governors, lieutenant governors, education ministers of various states and union territories. The education ministry had on July 29 released the NEP aimed to completely overhaul the existing education system in the country. Sisodia said that NEP doesnt talk about giving equal status to vocational degrees like any other undergraduate degree in other subjects. At present, about 80% youth having a degree are not considered employable. This needs our attention. Even after completing 20 years of education, if our students are not employable then where does the fault lie? It is inappropriate to treat vocational degrees differently from an undergraduate degree in any other subject. These courses should be given equal importance, then only we will be able to reap their benefits, he said. The education minister reiterated that a law should be made to implement the promised amount from the GDP on the education sector. This policy talks about spending 6 percent of GDP on education. This was said in a similar1968 policy as well, but never implemented. Thus, a law should be made so that successive governments are bound by it and necessary resources needed for effective implementation of the policy can be guaranteed, Sisodia said. Citing a newspaper report about growing trend of suicides among students, he said, We need to think about the lapses in the education policies which cause immense pressure on students resulting in a situation where someone commits suicide. It is very important to get out of the slavery of rote learning and examination-oriented education. Expressing apprehensions over the two models of Early Childhood Education-- Anganwadi model and the pre-school model proposed in the NEP , Sisodia said, We have to compete with developed countries through education. However, if trained teachers teach young children there but in our country we assign the same role to Anganwadi workers, the foundation will remain weak. Suellen de Souza could no longer endure the confinement. After six months of precautions, the Brazilian nursing technician decided that Sunday would be her first day at the beach since the pandemic began. This week it was very hot ... the truth is I really wanted to come to the beach, said the 21-year-old at Rio de Janeiros Ipanema beach, which is technically still closed to sun-bathers though few respect the prohibition and authorities seldom enforce it. Under a burning midday sun, she had difficulty finding an empty space in the sand as thousands crowded the famed beach, which was dotted with hundreds of umbrellas and families sunning themselves. Beach-goers were packed close together with few wearing face masks. With tentative signs the coronavirus pandemic is easing, Brazilians exhausted with quarantine measures and social distancing are increasingly relaxing precautions and flooding beaches as if the pandemic were over. They are being urged to do so - and violate the recommendations of health experts - by President Jair Bolsonaro, who has resisted many lockdown measures and pressed for a return to normal life from the beginning, famously calling the novel coronavirus a little flu. It is like a rain that is going to reach you, Bolsonaro said of the virus on July 7, the day he confirmed his own infection from which he has since recovered. In Rio, recommendations by health experts to remain isolated are being challenged even by people like Souza, a nursing technician who worked in a field hospital for coronavirus patients. The coronavirus is being controlled a little more, that gave me security to go out, she said. The same scenario is playing out in Sao Paulo, Brazils worst-hit state with more than 855,000 confirmed infections and 31,000 deaths. Thousands of residents took advantage of the long weekend to travel to the coast. If you stay indoors for a long time, you will go crazy. I was like that. The moment I found out the beach was open, I decided to come, said Josy Santos, a 26-year-old teacher who spent the day in Guaruja, a seaside resort an hour from Sao Paulo. With more than 4,100,000 confirmed infections and 126,000 deaths from the virus, Brazil has the second highest totals in both figures behind only the United States. In recent weeks, Latin Americas largest country has left a new case number plateau that had dragged on from almost three months and started seeing a reduction in the number of new confirmed cases. But with an average of 820 deaths per day, its numbers are still considered high by health experts. Patricia Canto, a pulmonologist at Brazils premier biomedical research and development lab, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, or Fiocruz, warned that if Brazilians are negligent the country could see a repeat of what happened in Europe, especially Spain, where second waves of new cases were seen. Spain controlled the pandemic, but there were new outbreaks when many young people were negligent during the summer, Canto said. If Brazils population is not conscientious and continues to frequent beaches and bars without precautions, it might mirror this. Geraldo Tadeu, political scientist and coordinator of the Center for Studies and Research on Democracy, said the lack of coordination among levels of government in the COVID-19 fight demoralized many Brazilians. After six months, no one can stand to stay indoors seeing how there are no clear guidelines for fighting the virus, said Tadeu. As there is no serious policy, the population is exhausted. People head out to the streets when they see that others are not complying and the effort of staying home is no longer worth it. More than 6 months after the start of the pandemic, Brazilians seem increasingly relaxed about taking precautions to fight the virus spread. Some attribute this to Bolsonarios denial rhetoric. Souza said many do not believe in taking precautions because Bolsonaro did not believe in the disease ... He did not set an example. But Sao Paulo Gov. Joao Doria, who clashed with Bolsonaro over quarantine measures, does not think this is necessarily the case. The congestion and vehicle flow on Sao Paulos highways this weekend exceeded that seen during Carnival in February. We see the same problem (of full beaches) in Spain, the United States and England, which do not see these speeches against social distancing, Doria told The Associated Press. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter More than 30 horses have been mutilated or killed in violent attacks across France since February. The motives for the attacks and the perpetrators are still unknown, although police made one arrest on September 7th in the eastern Haut Rhin department. I am not sleeping anymore and spend the nights guarding my horses, said a horse breeder of six mares. This situation is most distressing. We don't understand who these people are and why they would want to brutally attack harmless animals who give so much in return. Dozens of horses, ponies and sometimes donkeys have been killed and mutilated all over the country. They have been disembowelled or bled to death. They have been slashed on various parts of their body, had their genitals and ears cut off as well as their eyes gouged. Nicolas Demajean, who runs an animal shelter including horses in central France, told RFI that there have been occasional reports, over the last two years, of horses being maimed. But these barbaric attacks are now happening every day for the last two weeks, he said. The horse breeder in northern France, who wanted to remain anonymous for security issues, told RFI that the attacks are unpredictable. We never know when and how they will strike. We do not know how many they are. He told RFI that llamas had also been attacked. The attackers do not only go into meadows but are bold enough to target horses in the stables. Horse owners attacked Demajean was injured on 25 August by two attackers as he tried to stop them. He was woken up in the middle of the night by animal cries and saw two men. A horse and two of the shelter's ponies were deeply lacerated. Police in Yonne managed, following Demajean's description, to establish a sketch of the alleged assailant. La Garde Republicaine, the French mounted police, advised horse owners to take off the head collars of horses in the fields, to regularly patrol the fields at night, install cameras if they can and call for the police if there is any suspicious activity. Demajean told RFI he had to invest 19,000 euros for a new fence. We are just an animal shelter and even if we do not have that kind of money at hand, we will not spare any costs to protect the animals, he said. He also had alarms installed and employs a security firm. Volunteers agreed to patrol the shelter. There is so much that the gendarmes can do. There are not that many of them in secluded areas. So, we have to patrol the areas which may be targeted at night. The horse owner RFI spoke to said that he has brought his six mares, from the meadows, around his house so that he can keep a closer eye on them. I go out regularly during the night to check that they are all right, he said. Horse owners are regrouping on social media to share information about the attacks. There a number of Equids surveillance Facebook groups that have been set up as well as an interactive map showing where the attacks took place. Government involved Agriculture minister, Julien Denormandie, vowed to mobilise all resources to get justice done during a visit at Parriauds Stables at Saint Eusebe village on 28 August. On 6 September, 40 gendarmes, a dog unit and a helicopter were deployed in the eastern Cote d'Or department after a man saw torches in his field. One of his horses had a superficial wound. The French police is now searching for two men. Social media abounds with speculations of what kind of people are behind the attacks. Drug users, animal haters, a macabre dare, Satanists using the body parts for satanic rituals An interministerial group fighting sectarianism is also helping the police investigators. Colonel Hubert Percie du Sert, gendarmerie coordinator, said that it is clear that the attackers act in groups. Vigilantes face justice Many owners are openly saying that they are armed and waiting for the attackers. In Brittany, a 51-year-old mother and her 23 years old daughter are now facing a possible five-year jail sentence and a 75,000 euros fine for having stopped and threatened two drivers they suspected were involved in the horses' attacks. The two women used a pellet gun and a machete. Philippe Mahe, the prefect of Finistere prefect said that it is unacceptable that owners of horses take justice into their own hands. Actor Kangana Ranaut has accused the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation of vandalising her office space. Kangana took to Twitter to share a video of what she claimed to be BMC officials in her private property. This comes days ahead of her return to Mumbai, which has been a matter of controversy because of her recent comments against the city. Alongside a video showing off her brand new office space, Kangana wrote in Hindi on Twitter, This is the Manikarnika Films office in Mumbai. It took 15 years of hard work to achieve this. It was one of my dreams to have my own office if I ever got the opportunity to become a filmmaker. But now it looks like my dream is going to be destroyed. Today, some BMC officials showed up unannounced. They have forcefully taken over my office measuring everything, also harassing my neighbors when they retorted @mybmc officials used language like ," " I am informed tomorrow they are demolishing my property pic.twitter.com/efUOGJDve1 Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 7, 2020 ALSO WATCH | Kangana Ranaut gets Y-plus category security l All you need to know The actors follow-up video shows some men inside her office. She wrote alongside this video, They have forcefully taken over my office measuring everything, also harassing my neighbors when they retorted @mybmc officials used language like, Wo joh madam hain, uski kartoot ka parinam sabko bharna hoga (everyone must pay for the ladys behaviour). I am informed tomorrow they are demolishing my property. She added, I have all the papers, BMC permissions nothing has been done illegal in my property, BMC should send a structure plan to show the illegal construction with a notice, today they raided my place and without any notice tomorrow they demolishing entire structure. Kangana on Monday was accorded Y-plus category security ahead of her return to Mumbai. She is currently in Manali. The actor also took to Twitter to thank home minister Amit Shah. In a tweet written in Hindi, she said, This proves that a patriots voice cannot be crushed by fascists. I am grateful to Amit Shah, if he wanted, he could have advised me to go to Mumbai after a few days but he respected a daughter of India, protected her pride and self-respect. Jai Hind. Also read: Home ministry grants Y-plus category security to Kangana Ranaut ahead of Mumbai visit Kanganas verbal spat with the Shiv Sena started when she compared Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Addressing the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, she said she was afraid of living in Mumbai. Her comments were condemned by Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who said that he will not allow her to set foot in Maharashtra. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Russian lawyer gets 1.5-year suspended term for bribing bailiff RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 14:09 07/09/2020 MOSCOW, September 7 (RAPSI) Moscows Izmailovsky District Court passed a 1.5-year suspended sentence on lawyer Alexander Maslov for giving a 50,000-ruble (about $700 at the current exchange rate) bribe to a court bailiff, RAPSI learnt from the city Prosecutors Office on Monday. Additionaly, the defendant was ordered to 1.5-year probation after release. Maslov attempted to get relief from temporal restrictions on departure from the country. On June 20, 2019, he gave the bailiff the money in order to suspend execution proceedings and let him leave Russia, the statement reads. When he transferred the bribe he was arrested as part of the law enforcement intelligence-gathering activities. Upon my proposal, the fine for insult will be AMD 5,000,000 instead of the previous AMD 1,000,000, and the fine for defamation will be AMD 10,000,000 instead of the previous AMD 2,000,000. This is what Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan told reporters in parliament. This is an initial proposal, and in its turn, the government proposes AMD 2,000,000 and AMD 3,000,000, respectively. I believe this will be considered during the plenary session of the National Assembly because I would like to hear opinions from the deputies of all parliamentary factions. As a person who has filed six lawsuits regarding insult and defamation, I assure you that this will further restrain people to not spread false news and insult people. It will also relieve our dear citizens of seeing the trash on the Internet. I believe this step is necessary and a little late, he said. Simonyan expressed confidence that the large amount can restrain people who insult and defame others, including political figures. He emphasized that this is about real people since fake users dont have a big influence. Touching upon the lawsuits that he has filed, Simonyan said he is certain that he will win because the absurdities and fairy tales are mainly slander. Cameron Daddo and Alison Brahe returned to Australia in 2017, after chasing the Hollywood dream for 25 years. And the one-time 'golden couple' have revealed why they decided to leave Los Angeles three years ago. Cameron, 55, told TV Week that while he and Alison, 50, struggled to make ends meet at times, the decision to relocate their family was more personal. Scroll down for video Homecoming: Cameron Daddo (pictured) and Alison Brahe have revealed why they returned to Australia after 25 years living in Hollywood Cameron and Alison, who marred in 1991, share three children: daughters Lotus, 24, and Bodhi Faith, 14, and son River, 20. The couple had moved to LA in 1992, and Cameron went on to land small roles in shows such as Models Inc., The Mentalist and NCIS. Cameron's goal of a stable Hollywood career never materialised, however, and he decided to prioritise his family. 'Over the years, we'd had our moments [of wanting to come home],' the actor said. He said that the family particularly missed not being in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics, and felt less safe living in America after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Expats: Actor Cameron and model Alison (left) married in 1991 and moved to Los Angeles the following year. Pictured on January 11, 2014 in Los Angeles Family: They share three children, daughters Lotus, 24, and Bodhi Faith, 14, and son River, 20 'What we didn't have were our parents and my siblings and their families. We wanted our kids to know them and particularly our parents in their later years. So it just felt like the right time to come home,' Cameron added. Cameron is the eldest of five siblings. His brothers Andrew and Lochie are both high-profile actors and presenters. Earlier this year, he reflected on moving back to Australia with his wife and three children. Sharing a black and white photo of his family to Instagram, the actor said that he finds 'the deepest feelings of love' when he steps outside of his comfort zone. Trip down memory lane: Earlier this year, Cameron reflected on moving back to Australia three years ago with his wife and their three children (all pictured) New lease on life: Cameron said that embracing change made him a kinder person and filled him with gratitude 'Three years ago on this day, we'd recovered from saying goodbye to our family and friends in the USA,' Cameron wrote in the caption. 'We'd had an eventful stop-gap in Fiji that included hospital drips, tsunami warnings and food poisoning. We'd picked up Dobby [their dog] from quarantine, loaded the car and trailer and set off on our new life in Oz.' He added that embracing change made him a kinder person and filled him with gratitude. 07.09.2020 LISTEN The Deputy Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Mr. Alhassan Yakubu-Tali, has called on Ghanaians, especially the people of the Northern region, to retain the NPP to continue with its good works especially in the area of agriculture. With the sector being the highest employer of the country's labour force, engaging about 40% of the population, he stressed that a government that deserves another mandate must show an unparalleled record in the agricultural sector. He listed several 'game-changing' and transformational policies under the Akufo-Addo government, including the Planting for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development, Rearing for Food and Jobs, One-District-One Factory, One-District- One-Warehouse and the One-Village, One dam policies. Today, you just heard the Vice President announce Government's decision to convert the Pong Tamale Veterinary College into a University for agriculture. These are really exciting times for the people of the Northern region and Agriculture as a whole he stated. Mr. Alhassan Yakubu-Tali, a member of the 2020 NPP Northern Regional Campaign team, made these remarks on the sidelines of the Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia's campaign tour of the Northern Region which began on the 3rd and ended on 6th September 2020. Giving further examples of the NPP record in the agricultural sector, he pointed to the Pwalugu multi-purpose dam, a plan which had been on the drawing board since independence in 1957. But under the NPP government, some US$993million is being sunk into the construction of the dam, the biggest single investment made by any government in the Northern part of the country. The deputy ADB MD explained that these projects and programmes are adequate proof that the Akufo-Addo government is committed to modernizing the agriculture sector, improving production efficiency, achieving food security and increasing profitability for farmers. So I trust that our people will give the NPP, 4-more to do more for them; since we have walked the talk when it comes to the commitment to transform the agricultural sector, he said. Speaking to ADB's contribution to the sector, Alhassan Yakubu-Tali disclosed that ADB under the previous NDC administration had veered away from its core mandate. But under the new management appointed in 2017, the bank is re-focusing on agricultural financing. Thus far, this agenda is on course with the bank setting up an Agric Division with two Departments to finance the full Agric value chain as well as committing to increasing the Bank's Agric loan portfolio to 50% of its total loan portfolio. He also commended the Akufo-Addo government for the setting up the Ghana Incentive-based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) to finance and de-risk private sector investments in farming and other agricultural value-chain activities. This scheme is to encourage financial institutions to invest more in agriculture and already, it has started paying off, the deputy MD said. In May 2020, ADB announced that in partnership with GIRSAL, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Out-grower and Value Chain Fund (OVCF) it is investing GHS500 million into a 3-year investment programme for Ghana's poultry industry. The programme is meant to end the country's dependence on imported poultry products and create jobs for the youth. Quoting US president, Thomas Jefferson, the deputy ADB MP said: agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will, in the end, contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness. So, let us stick to a government that is committed to modernizing the sector that employs the lot of our people so that we will be assured of economic growth and jobs for our people, he urged the people of the Northern Region. Officials who have been testing the coronavirus samples of patients in different hospitals said in Kashmir that the staff was not fully trained to test the patients. The COVID-19 positive cases in Kashmir have remained significantly unreported as the hospitals in Srinagar refuse to admit patients while the health workers have not been able to test the contacts of positive cases as per norms. The authorities have admitted that the testing was not adequate and the health care resources were strained as the officials have lagged in creating the required bed strength to deal with the increase in the number of reported positive cases. A number of doctors said that even the elderly symptomatic people who are positive for the disease are being quarantined at home and hospitalisation of the COVID-19 positive cases was getting delayed. The positive cases are not being shifted to COVID care centres or COVID hospitals in time, read the documents of the recent meeting undertaken by the authorities to review the COVID-19 management in Kashmir. The was even though authorities have asked the health officials to ensure the timely shifting of COVID-19 positive cases to hospitals or public buildings that have been turned into COVID care centres. Adding to the difficulties of people, the security staff at several hospitals in Srinagar was refusing to admit the symptomatic patients. The response of the authorities to the crises has remained shoddy with people earlier complaining of getting contaminated food at the quarantine centres before the authorities in the Valley switched over to home isolation. Last month in a meeting, which was headed by the Kashmir divisional commissioner, a strong note was taken of the fact that the level of testing was inadequate across the Kashmir region. As per a government document, officers were directed that the target for contact tracing of the positive patients should be 8 to 10 persons, but they have been only testing a maximum of 4 people. In some cases, only 1 person was tested. All the district contact teams shall act more proactively and trace at least 8 contacts of each positive person, noted the direction issued by the divisional authorities to the deputy commissioners (DCs) and chief medical officers (CMOs) of the Valley. The authorities in Kashmir have been reporting the number of positive COVID-19 cases on a daily basis between 500-600. The cases have now climbed to nearly 42,000 while the number of deaths reported so far was 770 across the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT). The number of positive cases is seen to be significantly lower as the rapid antigen and RT-PCR COVID tests are coming negative in a large number of cases even as the other medical investigations like the CT scan contradict with test findings. Officials who have been testing the coronavirus samples of patients in different hospitals said that the staff was not fully trained to test the patients. According to them since the cases were not being fully reported, there was also a discrepancy in the data that was being maintained at the different levels in the government in the Valley. The sampling of the COVID cases was not being done properly. The staff was not fully trained. An overwhelming number of patients are turning negative for the infections and due to faulty test kits in many cases, the test reports are showing errors, said a health official in a sub-district hospital in Central Kashmirs Budgam district. A number of health officials said that they are admitting the patients for coronavirus treatment in the hospitals despite their negative COVID-19 results. We are admitting the patients on the basis of CT scan tests even if the COVID-19 test results come negative, said Medical Superintendent of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) hospital, Srinagar, Rouf Ahmad Bhat. The list of patients who are discharged from hospitals was also not being updated in the mobile application that was created for better COVID-19 management in Kashmir, officials said. Director Health Service Kashmir, Samir Matoo admitted that there was a delay in updating the manual list of the cases onto the online platforms. Several health officials in Kashmir, however, said that they have speeded up the sampling of the contacts of COVID-19 cases in the Valley. We are testing the patients in adequate numbers. We are carrying out both the rapid antigen and RT-PCR tests of the symptomatic patients, said chief medical officer, Anantnag, Mukhar Ahmad Shah. As the Charlottesville school division prepares for a virtual start Tuesday, officials are starting to eye the next big decision what will learning look like in the second quarter? When the School Board decided in July to start with all-virtual classes for the first nine weeks, school officials didnt outline a plan for the following quarters. Now, a community advisory committee made up of public health officials, medical professionals, teachers, parents and others will review local data about COVID-19, state and federal guidance and other factors, such as the divisions ability to transport students to school, in order to make a recommendation. Schools Superintendent Rosa Atkins said at Thursdays School Board meeting that the committee could recommend continuing virtual learning or propose a hybrid model. The division had proposed two different hybrid options this summer one with two days of in-person classes for all students and one with four days of in-person classes for elementary students and two days for the higher grades. So what we need to do in this community is to use the wisdom of many different groups to help us determine when we can safely return students to school and in what method, said Beth Baptist, the divisions coordinator of career and technical education and special projects. We know we would like to have the hybrid model and thats what were moving toward, but one of the big questions is when we can do that. Those interested in serving on the committee should apply at charlottesvilleschools.org/committees by Wednesday. The division wants to convene the first meeting by Sept. 24 with a report to the School Board by Oct. 1 and Nov. 5, if needed. The committee was one of three superintendent advisory panels detailed Thursday. The other two will focus on school security and reviewing building names. More information and applications for those committees also are available at charlottesvilleschools.org/committees. When school starts Tuesday, those in division buildings, including children and staff in child care programs, will be required to wear masks or an acceptable face covering, according to the policy the School Board approved. The mask policy mirrors what the Albemarle County School Board adopted last month. Also during Thursdays meeting, Baptist, who is working with the Thomas Jefferson Health District, reviewed the latest COVID-19 case numbers with the board. As of Aug. 31, the citys percent of positive cases was at 9.7%, up from 3.8% the week before. Those numbers were available through a Virginia Department of Health dashboard, which is not accessible to the public. A VDH spokeswoman said last month that the department did not intend to make the dashboard public. Until we are at a sustained 5%, Im going to be reluctant to go back, School Board Chairwoman Jennifer McKeever said. Its a baseline. To me, a pretty high baseline. These ups and downs are just not where I feel comfortable at sending my children, your children and our staff. The health districts percent positive rate for Aug. 31 was 7.3% after eight days of consecutive increases. Over the last month, the positive rate has fluctuated while slowly inching up after hitting a low of 5% on Aug. 6. In Charlottesville, cases climbed sharply in the last week of August after nearly a month of relatively flat day-to-day increases. As of Friday, the seven-day average of daily case increases stood at 19. At this point, Im not going to let us just accept the argument that its not all [University of Virginia] students because that is literally the only thing thats changed over the past two weeks, McKeever said. McKeever and other board members also wanted to know how exactly UVa students will be included in the districts case numbers. The university is tracking positive cases identified through Student Health and Wellness or a UVa clinic on its own dashboard. On Friday, UVa reported an additional 27 positive cases, with students accounting for 26 of them. Since Aug. 17, 161 students have tested positive and the university has reported a total of 201 cases. Kathryn Goodman, spokeswoman for the health district, said they are working on processes to ensure that the case numbers reflect whats happening in the community regarding the virus spread. Safety and security Following the boards decision in June to end the school resource officer program, a safety and security committee resources committee will be convened to make recommendations for a new safety model. The deadline for applications is Sept. 15 and recommendations from the panel are due to the School Board by Nov. 5. Board members encouraged Atkins to ensure that the committee would reflect a broad cross-section of the community and questioned whether the Charlottesville Police Department needed to be included. The school resource officers are people that [teachers and students] have a strong relationship with, and they have been in their buildings for a number of years, Atkins said. They provide valuable service to our students, to our teachers and to our community. Yes, it is time for us to take a critical look at the relationship and the [memorandum of understanding] no question about that. But we have our resource officers who have developed meaningful relationships with staff and students, and those are people that we would want to hear from as we have this discussion. LaShundra Bryson Morsberger and other board members expressed concerns that having a CPD representative on the committee would stifle discussion and prevent the division from creating a new model. ... I would like to push back on the idea that there has to be a Charlottesville Police Department member on the committee, because theres been so much outcry and so much pushback and its a delicate topic, Morsberger said. Maybe we should start off from a clean slate and not from how the CPD would handle it. McKeever said the board wants to move beyond the SRO model. I fear that if you have [a law enforcement officer] at the table, its just different if you dont, she said. They look at the world very differently. With all due respect to their relationships, theyve also created real concern in the buildings, as well. The committee also will include parents, students, teachers and principals in addition to UVa representatives, psychologists, social workers and community business partners. The first meeting is planned for Sept. 30 with work sessions during October before a recommendation is made to the School Board in November. When the board ended the current program, division staffers said they would schedule a series of feedback sessions to inform a draft of a new model. Officials did want the new model to be in place by early August, but planning for the fall semester and switching to online classes changed the timeline. Building names After many calls over the years for the division to review its school names, an advisory committee will begin that process. As part of that effort, the School Board approved a policy change Thursday, giving the board the authority to rename buildings. Interested community members, students, parents and teachers should apply by Sept. 23. Subcommittees will be convened for each school to give input on the naming review. We know that there has been some talk in the community about looking at the names of our buildings, and whether we should look at renaming any of them, Baptist said. We know that this has occurred in lots of different places around us and throughout the country. So we want to make sure that we are also doing due diligence and meeting the core values of the area by looking at the names of our schools to see if there needs to be any change. As opposed to the Albemarle County school division, which is taking a school-by-school approach to reviewing names, the city division is planning for the central advisory committee to make one recommendation to encompass all of the buildings. The divisions 10 schools have 13 namesakes, some of whom have ties to either the Confederacy, the United Daughters of the Confederacy or segregated schools, according to an analysis by community historian Phil Varner. The committees first meeting will be Oct. 15, according to a timeline presented Thursday. By Jan. 7, it is expected to provide a report to the School Board. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Duke Energy Corps DUK subsidiary, Duke Energy Florida, recently announced its plans to bring down Floridas residential rates by 2.8% for 2021. It will further make additional grid improvements to enhance reliability, security and resilience in 2021 and beyond. Such grid-reliability improvements are expected to lower Duke Energy Floridas annual capacity, energy conservation, storm protection plan and environmental compliance clause costs. Customers to Benefit from Rate Reduction Utility companies are mostly regulated and require systematic investments for infrastructural investments. A well maintained and upgraded infrastructure enables these companies to provide reliable services to the customer bases. The utilities recoup the invested amount through rate revisions approved by the commissions. Notably, usage of cheaper fuel, and introduction of new technology in generation and distribution systems aid the utilities to reduce rates. On approval of the aforementioned rate reduction, a residential customer of Duke Energy Florida, using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), will see a decrease of $3.63 in the monthly bill beginning January 2021. Additionally, commercial and industrial customers will witness bill impacts ranging from a 6.6% decrease to a 1.1% increase. Further, Duke Energy Florida has made commitments to help customers struggling financially due to the pandemic, by providing enhanced customer care services and expanded assistance. Alongside Duke Energy Florida, subsidiaries of other major utility companies, such as NextEra Energys NEE Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Ameren Corporation's AEE subsidiary, Ameren Missouri have announced their plans of reducing electric rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers in 2021. This March, unit FPL sought approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to lower electricity rates from May 1. FPLs plan was to make a one-time decrease of around 25% for the typical residential customer bill (using 1,000-kWh on average). In the same month, Ameren Missouri also announced that the Missouri Public Service Commission has given the green light to the new lower electric rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers effective from April. This approval has reduced monthly bills for the typical residential customer by $1.25 per month. Story continues Duke Energys Long-Term Plans We applaud Duke Energys long-standing efforts to expand its scale of operations and implement modern technologies at the utilitys facilities, by investing heavily in infrastructure and expansion projects. The company has a robust five-year capital plan and currently intends to invest $42.7 billion in its overall growth projects during the 2020-2024 time period. This investment plan will bolster earnings base growth in the companys combined electric and gas businesses by approximately 12%, over the next five years. The company further expects investments to help it achieve an earnings growth rate of 4-6% through 2024. Price Movement & Zacks Rank Duke Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. In the year-to-date period, Duke Energys shares have lost 11.2% compared with the industrys 14.3% decline. A Key Pick A better-ranked stock from the same space is Energias de Portugal EDPFY, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Energias de Portugals long-term earnings growth rate currently stands at 5.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 earnings has moved 8.6% north to $2.92 in the past 90 days. Just Released: Zacks 7 Best Stocks for Today Experts extracted 7 stocks from the list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys that has beaten the market more than 2X over with a stunning average gain of +24.3% per year. These 7 were selected because of their superior potential for immediate breakout. See these time-sensitive tickers now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ameren Corporation (AEE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Energias de Portugal (EDPFY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) : Free Stock Analysis Report NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research New Delhi: An actress named Tarana Singh was attacked by some residents of her society in Greater Noida over feeding stray dogs. The entire incident has been captured on a CCTV camera and the video has gone viral on social media. Tarana stays in Greater Noida's Knowledge Valley Park. She was attacked by a brick by two people, identified as Lokesh Bhati and his wife Sunita. The incident happened on August 13 when Tarana went to feed stray dogs. It has also been alleged that the Knowledge Valley Park police refused to launch a probe in the case. However, as per the police, a case has been registered by both the parties and investigation is being done. Tarana is an animal lover. She regularly feeds stray dogs and in the lockdown, she continued to feed the dogs near her society. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (Image: Reuters) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has proposed the setting up of a committee comprising retired officials from the auto sector, the government and the bureaucracy to come up with solutions to critical issues the sector faces. Addressing the 60th annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Gadkari even exhorted other panellists at the convention Kenichi Ayukawa, MD, Maruti Suzuki, Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar and Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra to furnish names for the formation of such a committee. We have one angle (of governance) from the government side and the (auto) industry has an economic angle. We need an independent, impartial and fair platform of talented, outstanding and fair people, who have experience in the sector but are retired. We can resolve many of the issues. You give me the names. Some retired people from the government, industry and bureaucracy. We can make a think tank, said Gadkari. SIAM, a major lobby of the auto industry, is tasked with highlighting issues faced by the auto sector to the government and proposing solutions. On several occasions, however, the lobby has fallen short in convincing the government about the proposed solutions. No headway Many appeals made by SIAM to the government in the last 18-36 months have cut no ice. These include seeking a cut in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, rollout of a vehicle-scrappage policy, opposing putting hybrids in the same tax bracket as electric vehicles, and rollback of the increase in registration fee and road tax. Even earlier appeals on issues such as the government's decision to bypass the Bharat Stage V emission norm to jump directly to BS-VI from BS-IV, opposed by every vehicle maker, were not received positively by the government. Again, despite SIAM claiming to have made several presentations and conducted multiple meetings with the government at various levels, the sector was left out of the Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package announced by the Centre in May. This highlighted the need for a more integrated approach. Like we take help from retired Supreme Court or High Court judges or retired bureaucrats, we can form a committee which will act as a platform for the government and the industry to discuss issues and take advice. Since they dont have any vested interests they can think in the interest of society, the country and the industry. It will be easier for us (government), added Gadkari. Author of much-needed change Since taking charge Gadkari has pursued several issues that not only impacted automakers but citizens as well. After several years, the Road Transport and Safety Bill, which addresses key issues such as safety and vehicle recall, was passed by both Houses of the parliament. Gadkari came to be known as its architect. He was also instrumental in amending the Motor Vehicles Act, for imposition of hefty penalties for traffic offences. During the same SIAM convention, Gadkari promised to roll out the vehicle scrappage incentive scheme before the end of September. MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI When you look around Milwaukee County, its easy to see the effects the coronavirus has had on our way of life. Whats less visible is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat. Feeding America, the nations largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by years end. Thats 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, its a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes. For others, food insecurity means real hunger. In Milwaukee County, about 119,940 were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding Americas Map the Meal Gap interactive study. Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Milwaukee County to 17.5 percent by the end of the year. Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include one in Milwaukee reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support. Some of the food pantries and other services available in Milwaukee are: Metropolitan Baptist Church Pantry 1345 West Burleigh Street, Milwaukee Amani Community Food Pantry 2480 W. Locust, Milwaukee Gospel Lutheran Church 1535 W Capitol Dr., Milwaukee Greater New Birth M.B. Church 8237 West Silver Spring, Milwaukee Veterans Services 5500 W Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee St. John's Neighborhood Breakfast 5500 W Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee Salvation Army Corps 4129 W. Villard Ave Milwaukee Hampton Ave Church Of Christ 5705 Hampton Ave, Milwaukee St. Gabriels Church Of God In Christ 5363 N. 37th Street, Milwaukee St. Gabriel's C.o.g.i.c 5375 N 37th Street, Milwaukee St. Matthias Svdp Pantry 9306 W. Beloit Road, Milwaukee Gospel Lutheran Food Pantry 1535 West Capital Drive, Milwaukee Morris Memorial C.o.g.i.c. 9619 W Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee Story continues Morris Memorial Cogic 9619 W. Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee SVDP - Blessed Savior 8607 W. Villard Ave., Milwaukee The Salvation Army 60th Street 5880 N 60th St., Milwaukee SVDP- St. James Pantry 7219 S. 27th Street, Franklin Calvary Memorial Church 4515 North Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa Macedonia MB Church 7265 N. Teutonia Ave., Milwaukee St. Peter Immanuel Lutheran Church 7801 West Acacia Street, Milwaukee South Milwaukee Human Concerns, Inc. 1029 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee New Berlin Food Pantry 14750 W. Cleveland Ave., New Berlin Brentwood Church Of Christ 6425 N. 60th Street, Milwaukee Faith Baptist Church 8519 S. 13th Street, Oak Creek RELATED: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor Food insecurity is often thought of as a poor peoples problem, but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation. Our members are reporting that many of the people theyre serving have never sought food assistance before, Kathryn Strickland, Feeding Americas chief network officer, told Patch. Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance. Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you. This article originally appeared on the Oak Creek Patch Panamas service market guide debuts at international fair By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-09-07 14:02 The Guide on Shanghais Trade in Services Development in Key Overseas Markets (Panama Volume) was first released at the ongoing China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTS). As the only guest of honor of the CIFTS 2020, which opened on September 4, Shanghai has showcased its efforts in promoting trade in services over the past three decades. On the Shanghai Theme Day on September 5, a series of activities was held for both Chinese and foreign guests to the global fair, among which were the debuts of the Guide on Shanghais Trade in Services Development in Key Overseas Markets (Panama Volume and Germany Volume). Roberto Jou Law, consul general of Panama in Shanghai, announced the release of the Panama Volume, in the presence of Leonardo Kam, ambassador of Panama to China. The Volume was jointly compiled by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Eastday.com. As a regional hub of logistics, trade and finance and the crossroads of the Western hemisphere, Panama has always been one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investment in Central America because of its geographical advantages and open economic environment. A presence in Panama means connections with North and South America. Given the opportunity, the importance for Chinese companies to explore the Panamanian market is self-evident. Since diplomatic relations between China and Panama were established in 2017, the two countries have seen frequent high-level official visits and stronger trade and economic cooperation. There are also currently many opportunities in trade in services in such sectors as finance, tourism and exhibition. The Panama Volume is a key project in 2020 initiated by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce. It aims to help local enterprises enter or expand their presence in the trade in services market in Panama, and have a better understanding of Panamas market demands, business environment and the Central American countrys social and cultural background. The comprehensive volume investigates Panamas macroeconomic conditions, the status quo, characteristics, systems and policies of its service industry, and the industrial trend of China and Panamas service trade. It also provides some advice on future China-Panama cooperation. The report also features interviews with relevant organizations and enterprises, who have shared professional insights into the potential of the two countries bilateral trade. Among them are Panamas Consulate General in Shanghai, the Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai, Shangtex Latin America (also referred to as the LA branch of Orient International Holding), and COSCO Shipping Lines Central America. In April, as the pandemic brought the concert industry to a halt, Taylor Swift canceled all her tour dates for the year. Im so sad I wont be able to see you guys in concert this year, but I know this is the right decision, she wrote on Twitter, giving her fans no indication they would see her again, in any form, until 2021. Three months later, she emerged from quarantine with Folklore, a classic surprise release that has dominated the Billboard album chart this summer. Now it is in its sixth week at No. 1, the longest streak at the top of the chart for any album since Drakes Views four years ago. In its sixth week out, Folklore had the equivalent of 90,000 album sales in the United States, including streams as well as copies sold as a complete package. After selling 17 physical versions of the album through her website for the first two weeks, Swift has lately been surprising fans by sending autographed copies of the CD to indie record stores. In the United States, Folklore has sold 860,000 copies of its complete album version counting downloads as well as its various physical versions and nearly 700 million streams. Around the world, the album is nearing two billion streams, according to Swifts label, Republic, a division of the giant Universal Music Group. Only customers with a guaranteed minimum of 12 hours of electricity can have their electricity tariffs adjusted, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has said. Mr Mohammed said the recent increase in electricity as approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will be on the basis of guaranteed improvement in service. During a press briefing on Monday on the recent increase in the price of fuel and electricity tariff, the minister said the arrangement is to protect the large majority of Nigerians who cannot afford to pay cost-reflective tariffs from arising from the increases. He said that the government has been supporting the industry due to the problems with the the largely-privatised electricity industry. To keep the industry going, the government has so far spent almost N1.7 trillion, especially by way of supplementing tariffs shortfalls. Mr. Mohammed said the government does not have the resources to continue supporting the industry and it will be grossly irresponsible for it to borrow just to subsidise generation and distribution, which are both privatised Those who get less than 12 hours supply will experience no increase. This is the largest group of customers, he said. Govts Plan He said due to the complaints about arbitrary estimated billing, the federal government is undertaking a mass metering programme which will provide meters for over 5 million Nigerians. This, he said, is largely driven by preferred procurement from local manufacturers and creating thousands of jobs in the process. NERC will also strictly enforce the capping regulation to ensure that unmetered customers are not charged beyond the metered customers in their neighborhood. In other words, there will be no more estimated billings, he said. READ MORE: The minister also said that the government is also taking steps to connect those Nigerians who are not even connected to electricity at all. Under its Economic Sustainability Plan, the government is providing solar power to 5 million Nigerian households in the next 12 months, he said. This alone will produce 250,000 jobs and impact up to 25 million beneficiaries through the installation, thus ensuring that more Nigerians will have access to electricity via a reliable and sustainable solar system. FG can no longer afford fuel subsidy He said the reaction of Nigerians towards the recent increase in the pump price of fuel is unnecessary and totally mischievous as the increase was largely due to the price of crude inching up. The minister said subsidising fuel is no longer feasible, especially under the prevailing economic conditions in the country. The government can no longer afford fuel subsidy, as revenues and foreign exchange earnings have fallen by almost 60 percent, due to the downturn in the fortunes of the oil sector. Yet, the government has had to sustain expenditures, especially on salaries and capital projects. Even though we have acted to mitigate the effect of the eeconomicslowdown by adopting an Economic Sustainability Plan, we have also had to make some difficult decisions to stop unsustainable practices that were weighing the economy down, he said. He said the cost of fuel subsidy was too high and unsustainable. From 2006 to 2019, fuel subsidy gulped N10.413 Trillion. That is an average of N743.8 billion per annum. He also said that there is also no provision for fuel subsidy in the revised 2020 budget because the government cannot afford it. The Federal Government is not unmindful of the pains associated with higher fuel prices at this time. That is why we will continue to seek ways to cushion the pains, especially for the most vulnerable Nigerians. The government is providing cheaper and more efficient fuel in form of autogas. Also, Government, through the PPPRA, will ensure that marketers do not exploit citizens through arbitrarily hike in pump prices. And that is why the PPPRA announced the range of prices that must not be exceeded by marketers, he said. He said in spite of the recent increase, Nigerians pay a cheaper electricity tariff when compared to many countries in Africa and lowest in the West/Central African sub-regions. Advertisements The opportunistic opposition and their allies are playing dirty politics with the issue of petrol pricing and electricity tariff. Please note that these naysayers did not complain when the price adjustment led to lower petrol prices on at least two occasions since March, Mr Mohammed said. He advised Nigerians to renounce those who have latched onto the issue of petrol pricing and electricity tariff review to throw the country into chaos. Photograph: Michael A McCoy/Getty Images Kamala Harris said that she would not trust Donald Trumps word on the safety of any coronavirus vaccine approved for use in America before the November election. In an interview with CNN excerpts of which were released on Saturday the Democratic vice-presidential nominee warned of the potential for political interference by the US president over the approval of a coronavirus vaccine in order to boost his re-election chances. Related: The bleak Covid winter? America still not on course to beat back the virus Asked if she would personally take any vaccine given the green light in the US before the November poll, Harris replied: I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever hes talking about. I will not take his word for it. There have been widespread reports of pressure being put on administration health officials to accelerate the development and approval of a vaccine that could halt or blunt the impact of a pandemic that has cost more than 185,000 lives in America and wreaked havoc on the economy not seen since the Great Depression. Harris said she expected that medical experts would not be allowed to make decisions on a vaccine without interference from above. Theyll be muzzled, theyll be suppressed, they will be sidelined, Harris told CNN. Because hes looking at an election coming up in less than 60 days and hes grasping to get whatever he can to pretend he has been a leader on this issue when he is not. Concerns over potential politicization of a Covid-19 treatment and vaccine began in the spring, when Trump touted anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine despite weak evidence that the drug was effective against the virus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency in charge of approving vaccines and treatments for public use, carried out an emergency use authorization (EUA) order to allow the use of the drug without the testing and trials that are usually accompanied with a drug rollout. Story continues The EUA for hydroxychloroquine was revoked in June, with the FDA saying the drug has not proven effective against Covid-19 and can have severe side effects. In late August, Trump announced another EUA for convalescent plasma, a type of therapy where blood plasma from a recovered Covid-19 patient who has developed antibodies is given to a patient fighting the illness. While one study conducted on the therapy suggested that the treatment could be helpful, public health experts, including Dr Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, said that there needs to be larger, randomized trials in order to ensure the efficacy of the treatment. Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked states to expedite approval for vaccine distribution sites by 1 November. Stephen Hahn, the head of the FDA, indicated that he would be willing to authorize a vaccine before phase three trials were complete a controversial move that has been taken by China and Russia. Hahn insisted he would not expedite a vaccine to appease the president. Moncef Slaoui, the co-chief of the White House initiative to release a vaccine, said that it was possible but unlikely that a vaccine would be ready by 1 November. There is a very, very low chance that the trials that are running as we speak could [be completed] by the end of October, Slaoui told NPR. For weeks, Trump has been claiming that a vaccine is right on Americas doorstep, an optimism that is not shared by public health experts. Trump told a cheering crowd at the Republican national convention last week that we will have a safe and effective vaccine by the end of the year. The Trump administration has dismissed accusations that its claims of confidence in a vaccine in the next few months are a way to boost Trump for election day on 3 November. I think its very irresponsible how people are trying to politicize notions of delivering a vaccine to the American people, Alex Azar, the health and human services department secretary, told CBS on Thursday. Trump himself has denied that any motivation to get a vaccine out around election day has anything to do with the election itself. Im optimistic that it will be around that date It wouldnt hurt, he said. Im not doing it for the election. I want it fast because I want to save a lot of lives. A policeman patrols in Tiananmen Square ahead of the closing session of the National People's Congress at the adjacent Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 28, 2020. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images) China Has Disappeared Tens of Thousands Under System of State-Sanctioned Kidnapping: Report This year, at least 20 people per day will be disappeared by the Chinese communist regime, according to a recent report by human rights group Safeguard Defenders. These people are taken by authorities, without a court order, and thrown into secret locations, where they are held incommunicado and in isolation for up to half a year. Inside these facilities, people are denied access to a lawyer and family visits, and torture is common, the report (pdf) released on Aug. 30 said. This system, which was legalized in 2013 and officially known as Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL), allows Chinese police to operate without supervision and endows them with unparalleled power over its victims, said Peter Dahlin, director of the Madrid-based nonprofit. If the police wanted to, they can on day one break every bone in your body, let you heal up for six months, then release youand no one would ever know, Dahlin told The Epoch Times in an email. Drawing from data on court verdicts posted on Chinas supreme court database, Safeguard Defenders estimated that between 28,000 to 29,000 people have been placed into RSDL from 2013 to the end of 2019. However, the real number is likely to be far greater given that this figure doesnt include those who were released from RSDL before any trial, the group noted. This is mass state-sanctioned kidnapping, the nonprofit said in a statement. The regimes widespread and systemic use of enforced disappearances, reminiscent of kidnappings by South American dictatorships during the 1960s and 1970s, may constitute a crime against humanity under international law, the report concluded. Dahlin said the system is often used against high-profile targets such as lawyers, NGO workers, journalists, and foreigners caught under the regimes hostage diplomacy. These victims are detained for a lengthy period and released without their case proceeding to indictment or trial, the group said. Last week, the Australian government announced that Cheng Lei, a naturalized Australian citizen born in China and anchor at Chinas English-language state-run news outlet, was detained under RSDL in August. The reason for the detention is unknown, and no charges have been made. Based on interviews with Chinas RSDL victims, the group found that a significant number of victims reported physical torture, and all reported psychological torture. Once inside, you will live your life inside a small cell, and victims speak of not seeing daylight for months on end, and the fluorescent lights in the room are always on, Dahlin said. In fact, the only break from staring into the wall will be the interrogation sessions that often takes place in another room near the cell, most often at night, to ensure disruption of sleep. Dahlin said that most victims who were later detained in detention centers or prison recounted their time in RSDL as far harder, far tougher, than anything else. Given that RSDL is a form of solitary confinement, its use for more than 15 days constitutes torture under the United Nations Convention Against Torturea treaty ratified by China, Dahlin said. This report concludes that the average duration of RSDL detention points to the systematic and widespread use of torture, the report said. The Disappeared The case of prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng highlights how the regime uses enforced disappearances to punish its critics. Gao is a self-taught lawyer who defended citizens who faced religious persecution, such as Falun Gong practitioners and house Christians, as well as those who had their property illegally seized by the regime. Since 2006, the lawyer has been repeatedly disappeared, tortured, and imprisoned. Gao has been missing for more than three years. Gaos wife, Geng He, who fled to the United States with their children in 2009, previously told The Epoch Times that Gaos brother often visits the local police station in Yilin city in northwestern Chinas Shaanxi Province to ask about Gaos whereabouts. One moment, they will tell him [Gao] is in Beijing and need to ask for instructions from higher-ups. The next moment, they say he is in Yulin, and that they dont know where he is either, Geng said. Geng has implored the international community to help with finding her husband. Every day, I worry, Geng said. As soon as I stop working, I immediately think of him. It suddenly jumps into my mind, and then I call his older brother, but there is still no news. In Xinjiang, a Uighur woman who was arrested by police officers and placed in a detention center claims they forced her to drink medicine that made her weak and nauseous while guards watched her gulp it down. Along with several others, the woman was ordered to fully strip off their clothes once a week and cover their faces while guards sprayed water on them and cleaned their cells with disinfectant. According to AP News, a woman, who spoke by phone from Xinjiang, recounted her experience and said the water was scalding hot. Wanting to stay anonymous, she added that the water's temperature ruined her hands and caused her skin to peel. Severe lockdown procedures Officials from China's Xinjiang region have resorted to severely harsh activities to fight against the country's coronavirus running rampant. The government has locked people inside their homes and implemented 40-day quarantines while arresting anyone who did not comply. Some residents of the region were also forced to swallow traditional Chinese medicine, in what experts call a breach of medical ethics, which can be seen through government notices, posts on social media platforms, and interviews with three people who were held in quarantine in the area. Despite the widespread use of traditional Chinese medicine, there is a lack of clinical data that shows they are useful in fighting against the COVID-19 virus. One of the herbal remedies used in the region, Qingfei Paidu, consists of elements that have been banned by several countries, including Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, because of the high level of toxins and carcinogens they have. Also Read: Chinese Hospitals Implement Horrific Late-Stage Abortions, Newborn Killings to Reduce Uighur Population The Xinjiang region has continued to implement its lockdown, which has now lasted 45 days after 826 positive infections were reported in the area since mid-July, marking the largest cluster in China since the beginning of the outbreak, as reported by Inquirer. The number of cases is not the only thing that made the region's lockdown gain attention; it was also because of the severity as Xinjiang has not recorded new cases of local transmission for more than a week. A large number of infections In other regions of China, officials have implemented harsh lockdown procedures, one of the most notable of which is in Wuhan in the Hubei province, which is believed to have been the origin of the COVID-19 virus. Wuhan has experienced more than 50,000 local cases, while Hubei recorded 68,000, which are significantly higher than the Xinjiang province. However, Wuhan and Hubei residents were not forced to take traditional medicine, and lockdown procedures were generally laxer than Xinjiang as officials allowed citizens to go out and shop for groceries or do exercise activities. According to Time, Beijing's response to the coronavirus pandemic in June was even milder, with only a few neighborhoods placed in lockdown for a couple of weeks. On the other hand, Xinjiang has placed over half of its 25 million population under strict lockdown protocols that range from the center of the outbreak in the capital, Urumqi, to hundreds of miles away. Despite most of China, including Wuhan returning to life before the pandemic, Xinjiang's procedures, supported by a massive surveillance system, has turned the region into a large digital police state. Related Article: China Continues to Punish US as Beijing Sanctions 11 More Americans @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. To review bilateral ties, India and Bangladesh to hold virtual meeting The matter figured in a phone conversation between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen. Jaishankar tweeted the two sides had agreed to hold the JCC meeting very soon but there were no details from the external affairs ministry. Read more PM Modi hails successful test of indigenous hypersonic technology, congratulates DRDO PM Narendra Modi applauded DRDO for successfully test firing hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) for the first time from the Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. Read more China dismisses New Delhis concerns over 5 missing Indians in Arunachal Pradesh China on Monday shrugged off the Indian armys concern over five missing civilians in Arunachal Pradesh, saying Beijing has never recognised the state which it claims is part of south Tibet. Read more IPL 2020: He brings a lot of experience, Virat Kohli explains why RCB have most balanced squad since 2016 They were the most dominant team in 2016 with de Villiers and Kohli wreaking havoc for them. They reached the finals but were defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Read more Why is Akshay Kumars wife not a big star?: Twinkle Khanna has hilarious meme as her answer Twinkle Khanna is consistently hilarious on her Twitter account and proved it yet again with her funny take on a meme about her. The meme said that she was not a big star courtesy her name, and in response, she protested against size discrimination that she was subjected to. Read more Apple may launch these two iPhones 12 models before A similar report has previously come from Bloomberg as well. However, it has been mentioned that the 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 might come before the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro models. Read more Watch: Message to China as Tibetan soldier martyred at LAC gets public funeral A funeral with mass public participation was held in Ladakh for a martyred Tibetan soldier. Company Leader Nyima Tenzin, of the Special Frontier Force, was killed in a landmine explosion during an operation at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, on August 29-30. Watch the video here SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A TOTAL of 785 people from South Oxfordshire have volunteered to register for coronavirus vaccine studies. They have signed up to the NHS website to receive information about medical trials, which could potentially lead to the creation of a vaccine. There are nearly 4,000 people from Oxfordshire who have agreed to take part and more than 200,000 across the UK. Anyone aged 18 or over can register by providing personal and contact details. They are also required to answer basic health screening questions relating to long-term conditions, such as asthma. Having a condition does not mean you cannot take part or be considered for trials. Residents aged 65 and over, frontline workers and people from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities are most likely to benefit from vaccines and are therefore being encouraged to sign up. Researchers will send an email or text message with information about a study to anyone who matches the criteria for a particular trial. There is no obligation and you can remove your details, or withdraw from a study, at any time. To register, visit nhs.uk/researchcontact Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Mon, September 7, 2020 15:13 500 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c43343c1 4 Inforial Free The multiplier effects of literacy help to empowerpeople, enabling them to participate fully in society and improve their livelihoods. UNESCO has reported at least 750 million youth and adults still cannot read and write and 250 million children are failing to acquire basic literacy skills. Indonesias efforts to lower illiteracy rates have yielded encouraging results. According to a 2019 National Socio-Economic Survey (SUSENAS) by Statistics Indonesia (BPS), there has been a significant decline in the number of illiterate people, from 4.63 percent of the population in 2011 to 1.78 percent in 2019. Jumeri, the Education and Culture Ministrys early childhood, basic and secondary education director general, has confirmed the increase in Indonesias literacy rate. The illiteracy rate in Indonesia continues to drop every year along with the implementation of various innovative strategies that respond to the learning needs of society, said Jumeri during a talk show on education to celebrate International Literacy Day, known in Indonesia as Hari Aksara Internasional (HAI). The talk show was held virtually on Friday, Sept. 4. The Education and Culture Ministrys literacy programsare in line with the global campaign run by UNESCO, which declared Sept. 8 as International Literacy Day. According to Jumeri, the 55th HAI carried the the theme Teaching and Learning Literacy in the Time of COVID-19: Opportunity for a Paradigm Shift in Education,and had a particular focus on the role of educators and changing pedagogies. While literacy programs in recent years have focused on under developed, frontier and outer most (3T) areas because these areas are difficult to reach, especially during the pandemic, the government hopes that this difficult time will encourage all stakeholders to improve their contribution to improving literacy. The 3T areas of Indonesia deserve the most attention, therefore, collaboration between the central government and local administrations is needed for illiteracy to be eradicateda cross the entire country. The theme of this year's HAI addresses the difficult circumstances brought about the pandemic, and serves to inspire the nation to care more about their fellow citizens in disadvantaged areas by providing them with access to information and more opportunities for development. The Education and Culture Ministrys director of community and special education, Samto, said the ministry was working to change the education development system. [These changes] aim to raise peoples awareness about the importance of literacy from the earliest stage [of education], so that equality of access to education can be easier to achieve, said Samto. Moreover, advancing literacy is an integral part of life long learning and is central to goal four in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) agenda. Responsible for coordinating international efforts to achieve this goal, UNESCO has taken several approaches, including building strong foundations through early childhood care and education, scaling up functional literacy levels for youths and adults and developing literate environments. Back in Indonesia, the ministry has held several activities as part of the HAI commemorations. For example, 10 Serambi Literasi (Literacy Platform) sessions were held every Friday evening from July 24 to Aug. 28, to discuss literacy development in local communities during the pandemic. Furthermore, a Literacy Celebration Week was organized from Sept. 1 to 7, with activities including a photo and video exhibition and virtual discussion on literacy, as well as a workshop on managing community reading centers. At the peak of the HAI celebrations, accolades will be given to those who have made significant contributions to improvingthe countrys literacy rate. The awards to be given are as follow: Anugerah Aksara (Literacy) awards for three outstanding regency and city administrations Literacy activator awards for the best nine community leaders, managers or tutors in literacy activism Creative or recreational community reading center (TBM) awards for the best eight institutions Literacy awards for six customary figures Literacy video publication awards for six selected creators Literacy publication in print media awards for four selected writers Literacy photo awards for the best three photos Literacy video awards for three selected videos Good literacy practice writing appreciation awards for the six best practices The awards are expected to inspire more people and institutions to contribute to the eradication of illiteracy in Indonesia, Jumeri said, adding that he was confident the award winners would continue contributing to the nations development. He became the breakout star of the summer with his roles in both Normal People and The Deceived. Now new behind-the-scenes pictures have been released showing the star at work on the latter - a four-part psychological thriller that aired on Channel 5. In the new shots, the actor, 24, is seen in the driving seat of a car having his makeup touched up as The Deceived crew made amendments to the set. One to watch: New behind-the-scenes pictures have been released showing the star at work on The Deceived - a four-part psychological thriller that aired on Channel 5 Paul - who plays volunteer firefighter Sean McKeogh - is later pictured sat in a pub alongside co-star Emily Reid as the crew use the clapperboard to mark the first take of the series, which aired in August on Channel 5. In another set of snaps, Paul is seen braving the rain in a waterproof jacket as he waits outside for filming to commence. The star still displayed his signature cheeky grin despite the grim filming conditions as he chatted to a crew member. Braving the elements: In another set of snaps, Paul is seen braving the rain in a waterproof jacket as he waits outside for filming to commence Talking: The star could be seen with his signature cheeky grin despite the filming conditions as he chatted to a member of the set The cast filmed the show in Northern Ireland and Cambridge, with some scenes being shot overnight at a large country estate. The candid behind-the-scenes snaps come after The Deceived hit TV screens on Monday 3rd August. The four-part drama tells the tale of Ophelia [Emily] who found herself trapped in a world where she can no longer trust her own mind. Scenes: The cast filmed the show in Northern Ireland and Cambridge, with some scenes being shot overnight at a large country estate Catch up: The candid behind-the-scenes snaps come after The Deceived hit TV screens on Monday 3rd August The plot sees the love affair interrupted by a shocking and tragic death, with Ophelia confiding in Paul's character McKeough - a local builder. Gangs of London actor Emmett plays the timelessly attractive English lecturer Dr Michael Callaghan, while Catherine Walker plays his long-suffering wife Roisin. Elsewhere in the series, Little Women actress Eleanor Methven plays devoted and sometimes overbearing mother Mary Mulvery. Final touches: The actor was seen in the driving seat of a car having his makeup touched up and sitting in a pub as the crew made amendments to the set Waiting: Paul was also pictured waiting in the rain holding a red umbrella while filming for the series gets underway Ian McElhinney is Michael's father Hugh, who viewers see fighting the oncoming tide of dementia. The series, which was filmed in Northern Ireland and Cambridge, was created and written by Derry Girls' Lisa McGee and Tobias Beer. Executive producer Charlie Hampton of New Pictures said: 'I was absolutely delighted to bring Lisa and Toby's fantastic scripts to screen. Set: The actor was seen talking through his lines and the scene with a crew member Concentrating: Paul listened intently as members of the crew gave him direction on the set Working hard: The Normal People actor appeared alongside actress Emily Reid, who plays Ophelia, in the four-part Channel 5 series 'Working with such talented writers is always a pleasure and it was important to find equally talented people for both in front of and behind the camera. 'Along with our wonderful director, Chloe Thomas, we were lucky to assemble a hugely gifted cast who added a whole other layer of intrigue into the already thrilling scripts. 'We wanted to make a show that nods to classic thrillers but also make something really modern that speaks to a contemporary audience. 'The Deceived is a psychological relationship thriller that will have the audience questioning everything and will hopefully leave them wanting more.' Normal People is available on Stan in Australia Action! Paul was pictured sat in a pub alongside co-star Emily Reid as the crew used the clapperboard to mark the first take Inspections: A crew member shone a light on a glass in the pub in between filming Out of the total vacancies announced, 55 are for part-time medical officers and 42 are for full-time medical officers The National Urban Health Mission, Kolkata has invited applications for walk-in interviews for recruitment of medical officers on its official website. Candidates who are willing and eligible can visit the official website of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation kmcgov.in to download the application form and general information. The recruitment drive is being conducted to fill 97 vacancies. Out of these, 55 vacancies are for part-time medical officers and 42 vacancies are for full-time medical officers. The walk-in interviews are scheduled to be held on 10 September, 2020 from 11.30 am at Room no 254, at second flood, PMU, Kolkata City NUHM Society, 5, SN Banerjee Road, Kolkata-700013. According to the official notification, the Kolkata City NUHM Society will engage the personnel for its Urban Primary Health Centres in Kolkata on a contractual basis. Candidates must have an MBBS degree from a MCI recognised Institute with one year compulsory internship. The upper age limit for candidates is 62 years as on 1 September. As per the official notification, of the 42 full-time Medical Officer vacancies, 3 are for the Unreserved category, 14 for SC, 4 for ST, 11 for OBC A category, 8 for OBC B category and 2 for Person with Disabilities. The monthly salary for full timers is Rs 40,000 while for part timers it is Rs 24,000. Documents that need to be carried during the time of the interview include photo identity card (Passport or Voter ID), proof of address like a Passport or Voter ID or Aadhaar ID, age proof (Madhyamik or equivalent examination certificate), MBBS certificate and registration and caste certificate, if any. The decision of the competent authority regarding the engagement will be final and the Kolkata City NUHM Society reserves the right to change/modify any/all of the above conditions regarding the vacancies. New AI-based test uses X-rays to detect Covid in a few minutes Hospitalisations in Delhi during third Covid wave significantly lower than second Pune: Private agency appointed to run COVID-19 hospital opts out due to 'political pressure' India oi-Briti Roy Barman Mumbai, Sep 07: Private agency Lifeline that was appointed to run Pune's jumbo COVID-19 facility at the College of Engineering Pune (CoEP), has decided to withdraw from the task due to "undue political pressure". "We cannot run the hospital in a situation like this. The atmosphere has been vitiated by undue political pressure. We've conveyed our inability to run the facility to the divisional commissioner. They'll have to take a decision on this," Director of Lifeline, Sujit Patker, told The Indian Express. The agency said that they have to face 'intense political pressure and drama', making it difficult for them to function. The facility had started to function on 24th August. This comes after the mass resignation of doctors and nurses, and lack of facilities in the hospital. The agency withdrew its name after the district administration appointed two more agencies to provide medical professionals for the facility. Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao said that as Lifeline cannot provide staff in adequate numbers, the administration has appointed two more agencies. Denying to Commissioner' statement, Patker said, "These are medico-legal cases. Someone has to be held responsible. A single party cannot be held responsible. And, therefore, I think it would be better if we opt out of the contract and allow those appointed to run the show." Parker further alleged that the problem arose when political leaders started to interfere. He said that they gate-crashed the facility and abused and threatened the medical staff. Some of the doctors and nurses resigned just a day after joining, while many refused to join. "Nobody wanted to work under intense political pressure." However, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has sought the probe report by Monday. "Three cardiac ambulances that came from private hospitals or other sources were not fit to carry the patient. One ambulance had no ventilator, while in another, the ventilator did not function. The patient died of cardiac arrest despite our doctors' effort to save his life," the management told government officials. "We have given our version to the authorities. We were asked to manage the hospital and our team put its best effort," Patker said. According to the contract signed by Lifeline, they had to manage 25 per cent of the facility's capacity for the first week and the number of patients was supposed to increase slowly. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, September 7, 2020, 16:25 [IST] Aizawl/Guwahati, Sep 7 : In the second such case in a week's time, 100 cartons of smuggled foreign cigarettes, valued at Rs 1.30 crore, were seized by Assam Rifles in Mizoram's border Champhai district, officials said on Monday. An Assam Rifles official said that acting on a tip-off, troopers of the central paramilitary force's 23 Sector raided some houses and makeshift structures at Zokhawthar area in Champhai late on Sunday evening and recovered the cigarettes, smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar. An Assam Rifles release said that a resident of Aizawl was detained in the operation and the contraband and the detainee were handed over to Custom Preventive Force for further investigations and prosecution. However, no arrest has been made so far. A total of 75 boxes of foreign cigarettes worth around Rs 1 crore were seized by Assam Rifles in the Champhai district bordering Myanmar on August 31. "Ongoing illegal drug trades are a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram," the release said. Although Mizoram's international border with Bangladesh (318 km) and Myanmar (404 km)and inter-state borders with Tripura, Assam and Manipur are sealed in view of the Covid-19 outbreak, smuggling of various drugs, arms and ammunition and other contraband is still going on. While the BSF guards the Bangladesh border, the border with Myanmar is looked after by the Assam Rifles and it has seized drugs and other contraband including heroin worth around Rs 29 crore since July 1 after these were smuggled from the neighbouring country. Meanwhile, industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) said that the Assam Rifles, during its recent successful interception, seized illicit cigarettes, smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar, worth Rs 14 crore. It said that the recent rise in smuggling in the northeastern region can be attributed to economic distress insinuated by Covid-19 pandemic. "Loss of jobs and lack of income due to recurrent lockdowns have left citizens without a means of livelihood. Reports suggest that smugglers and insurgents are using people from the local tribal areas to transport smuggled goods by taking advantage of their financial vulnerability caused due to Covid-19," a FICCI report said. The FICCI's Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE), headed by Anil Rajput, highly appreciated the efforts of Assam Rifles and praised its Director General along with other officers for their anti-smuggling operations. Assaults on police officers in the UK increased by 21 per cent during the coronavirus lockdown, according to figures, with forces reporting a particularly distasteful trend of spitting and coughing among offenders. A total of 7,863 instances of assault were recorded over the first three months of lockdown, compared with 6,505 for the same period in 2019, data collected by PA show. This comes as a recent study involving 40,000 police officers and staff showed that 88 per cent of officers said they had been assaulted during their career, with 39 per cent having been attacked in the past year. Additional figures released by the National Police Chiefs Council also demonstrated a continuing trend of increased assaults against emergency service workers. In the most recent data released, taking a snapshot of crime for the four weeks to the 2 August 2020, forces in the UK saw a 31 per cent increase in assaults against emergency workers compared with the same period in 2019. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 January 2022 Surfers enter the sea as the sun rises over Tynemouth on the North East coast PA UK news in pictures 17 January 2022 Bonhams Danny McIlwraith holds a Nigerian polycrome carved wood mask during a photocall for the sale of the Jim Lennon Collection at Bonhams in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 16 January 2022 The moon rises above the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Hampshire PA UK news in pictures 15 January 2022 Demonstrators outside Downing Street during a Kill The Bill protest against The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in London PA UK news in pictures 14 January 2022 Ecologist Emma Smart (left) and retired GP Dr Diana Warner outside HMP Bronzefield, in Surrey, following their release from the prison where Emma undertook a 26-day hunger strike during her incarceration. Ms Smart was sentenced in November, along with other members of Insulate Britain, to serve four months for breaking a High Court injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 motorway during the morning rush hour on 8 October last year PA UK news in pictures 13 January 2022 A TV presenter holds a copy of a newspaper outside 10 Downing Streetafter the Prime Minister apologised for attending a gathering of colleagues in the Number Ten garden in May 2020, while the UK was in strict lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic Getty UK news in pictures 12 January 2022 Fitness guru Derrick Evans after receiving an MBE during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 11 January 2022 A couple walk underneath an umbrella during wet weather on Westminster Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 10 January 2022 A jogger passes the Covid Memorial Wall in London AP UK news in pictures 9 January 2021 The sun rises over horses at Seaton Sluice in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 8 January 2022 Riders compete during the Veterans Men's race at the UK Cyclo-Cross National Championships 2022 in Ardingly, south of London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 7 January 2022 A dog looks out of a car window at the wintry conditions in Killeshin, Co. Laois PA UK news in pictures 6 January 2022 People walk through frost and mist alongside a frozen lake during sunrise in Bushy Park, London REUTERS UK news in pictures 5 January 2022 A skier jumps on the slopes at Allenheads in the Pennines to the north of Weardale in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 4 January 2022 Freshly-fallen snow covers houses in Corbridge, near Hexham in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 3 January 2022 Dean Morrison, 13, receives his Covid-19 vaccine from student nurse Anthony McLaughlin during a vaccination clinic at the Glasgow Central Mosque PA UK news in pictures 2 January 2022 Konastantinos Tsimikas of Liverpool with Chelseas Mason Mount during the Premier League match at Stamfrod Bridge Liverpool FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 January 2022 New Years Eve Lasers, drones and fireworks illuminate the sky in front of the Royal Naval College in Greenwich shortly after midnight in London EPA UK news in pictures 31 December 2021 Competitors in fancy dress run across the Pennine tops near Haworth, West Yorkshire, in the annual Auld Lang Syne Fell race which attracts hundreds of runners every year PA UK news in pictures 30 December 2021 Sunrise at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 29 December 2021 The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, looks at Becket, a six month old red-billed chough as he visits Wildwood Wildlife Park in Kent on the anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket PA UK news in pictures 28 December 2021 Troops of the Household Cavalry are seen reflected in a puddle during the changing of the Queens Life Guard, on Horse Guards Parade, in central London PA UK news in pictures 27 December 2021 A pedestrian walks past a winter sale sign outside a John Lewis store on Oxford street in London Getty UK news in pictures 26 December 2021 Riders take their bikes through the snow near Castleside, County Durham PA UK news in pictures 25 December 2021 Patrick Corkery wears a santa hat and beard as waves crash over him at Forty Foot near Dublin during a Christmas Day dip PA UK news in pictures 24 December 2021 People stand inside Kings Cross Station on Christmas Eve in London Reuters UK news in pictures 23 December 2021 Christmas shoppers fill the car park at Fosse Shopping Park in Leicester PA UK news in pictures 22 December 2021 The sun rises behind the stones as people gather for the winter solstice at Stonehenge. Getty UK news in pictures 21 December 2021 People take part in a winter solstice swim at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh to mark the solstice and to witness the dawn after the longest night of the year PA UK news in pictures 20 December 2021 An auction employee displays poultry to buyers and sellers attending the Christmas Poultry Sale at York Auction Centre in Murton PA UK news in pictures 19 December 2021 Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 December 2021 Freight lorries queuing at the port of Dover in Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 December 2021 Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan, bursts 'Boris' bubble' held by colleague Tim Farron, as she celebrates following her victory in the North Shropshire by-election PA UK news in pictures 16 December 2021 Brussels sprouts are harvested by workers as they prepare for the busy Christmas period near Boston in Lincolnshire PA UK news in pictures 15 December 2021 Lewis Hamilton is made a Knight Bachelor by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 14 December 2021 The Royal Liver Buildings surrounded by early morning fog in Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 13 December 2021 People queue outside a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination centre at St Thomas's Hospital in Westminster Getty Images UK news in pictures 12 December 2021 People take part in the Big Leeds Santa Dash in Roundhay Park, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 11 December 2021 People arrive at a Covid-19 vaccination centre at Elland Road in Leeds, PA UK news in pictures 10 December 2021 Stella Moris speaks to the media after the US Government won its High Court bid to overturn a judges decision not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange PA UK news in pictures 9 December 2021 Camels are lead around Salisbury Cathedral during a rehearsal for the Christmas Eve Service PA UK news in pictures 8 December 2021 Margaret Keenan and Nurse May Parsons, a year after Margaret was the first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer vaccine PA UK news in pictures 7 December 2021 Snowfall in Leadhills, South Lanarkshire as Storm Barra hits the UK with disruptive winds, heavy rain and snow PA UK news in pictures 6 December 2021 A person tries to avoid sea spray on New Brighton promenade in Wallasey as the UK readies for the arrival of Storm Barra Getty UK news in pictures 5 December 2021 People release balloons during a tribute to six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes outside Emma Tustin's former address in Solihull, West Midlands, where he was murdered by his stepmother PA UK news in pictures 4 December 2021 People walk through a Christmas market in Trafalgar Square Reuters UK news in pictures 3 December 2021 A pedestrian carries a dog as they dodge shoppers on Oxford Street in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 2 December 2021 Duchess of Cambridge inspects a Faberge egg at the Victoria and Albert Museum Getty UK news in pictures 1 December 2021 Meerkats at London Zoo with an advent calendar PA UK news in pictures 30 November 2021 Workers put the finishing touches to the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree ahead of the lighting ceremony later in the week PA In the wake of the findings, the NPCC and College of Policing has pledged to overhaul officer and staff safety training. Leicestershire Police recorded the most substantial increase in assaults, with 205 cases noted in the first three months of lockdown, up from 101 the previous year. The next largest increase of 57 per cent was recorded by Derbyshire Constabulary, followed by South Yorkshire Police and Cleveland Police each noting a rise of 55 per cent. Met Police figures showed 2,027 assaults on officers were recorded between May and July, a 38 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2019. Scotland Yard said the rise was partly driven by a series of high-profile protests and unlicensed music events marred by confrontations with police. Leicestershire Police's chief constable Simon Cole said a "particularly distasteful trend" of offenders spitting and coughing on officers and threatening to infect them with coronavirus has also developed countrywide. He said: "The rise in assaults has huge impacts on staff both physically and mentally, and it has a huge impact on communities. "Thousands and thousands of days of policing are lost because of these assaults." He added: "I think officers and staff know that they have to take risks on occasion, and they understand that, it comes with the nature of policing. But you can also see that they're concerned." Some 38 offenders spat on Leicestershire Police officers in the first three months of lockdown, compared with 20 last year, and coughing entered the offence records with 10 incidents in 2020, up from zero. Mr Cole said police forces are working together in an attempt to safeguard their officers against assault, and all his officers have been equipped with body-worn cameras to record any incidents as court evidence. All 43 forces will be establishing more contact time with personal safety trainers following the rise in assaults, as recommended by the NPCC. The NPCC also wants suspects who spit at police to be forced to give a blood sample to test for disease, and also called for spit guards to be issued to all officers if supported by local risk assessments. Additional reporting by PA CLEVELAND, Ohio - Chef Rocco Whalen of Fahrenheit will guide a live cooking demonstration at Flourish, a fundraiser to support youth-literacy programs at Cuyahoga County Public Library. The virtual event is 7-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and will feature a silent auction. It is rescheduled from the original postponed date in May. Ticket options include a food kit for $100 (includes ingredients to prepare four entrees) or host kit for $500 (includes ingredients to prepare 12 entrees). A wine that pairs with the dish is included with each kit. Order deadline is Monday, Sept. 21. Kits will be available to pick up Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25, from two library locations: 21255 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, and 25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. I am on cleveland.coms life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. If you want to see my stories, heres a directory on cleveland.com. Going out to a bar or restaurant but want to stay protected from coronavirus? Check out these masks that allow you to eat and drink without taking them off. (Photo courtesy Your Social Mask) Masks for eating and drinking on sale: Going out to a bar or restaurant but want to stay protected from coronavirus? Check out these masks that allow you to eat and drink without taking them off. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 10:13:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Britain has set a deadline on Oct. 15 for the European Union (EU) to agree on a trade deal, otherwise the island country would go ahead with the Brexit without a deal, several major media reported on late Sunday. Britain ended its EU membership on Jan. 31 this year but is still following EU rules during the transition period until Dec. 31 to enable a permanent future trade deal to be reached. However, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to local media reports, talked tough on the deal negotiations with the EU. He will announce a deadline on Oct. 15 for the deal to be reached, his office was quoted as saying on Sunday. "If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us, and we should both accept that and move on," he said. The British government's chief Brexit negotiator David Frost said Sunday that his government is unafraid to walk away from the post-Brexit trade talks with the EU if the regional bloc does not compromise on major issues, including fisheries and state aid rules. "We are not going to compromise on the fundamentals of having control over our own laws. We are not going to accept level playing field provisions that lock us in to the way the EU do things," he said. Trade talks are to resume on Tuesday in London between the two sides, which will be the eighth round of Brexit talks and is expected to mark the final phase of the negotiations. The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Wednesday in Dublin that he was "worried and disappointed" after Frost made no concessions to end the impasse during their informal talks in London a day earlier. Enditem Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) Quezon City Rep. Jesus Suntay has questioned Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's lack of action when it comes to improving the lotto playing system. During the House of Representatives committee on appropriations budget hearing for the agency, Suntay asked PCSO General Manager Royina Garma why they haven't bought a new system for lotto since the initial contract that started in 1995 already ended in 2003. If they cannot look for a new contractor, PCSO should have just negotiated for better terms, he added. Garma confirmed that the contract for two companies already expired, but when they were ready for another bidding, one of the companies filed a temporary restraining order versus the agency. She noted that this was only resolved early-2019. After winning the case, they held a bidding middle of that year, but that failed due to requirement issues with the winning bidder. Garma says with the pandemic, they are now planning to conduct another bidding by end-2020 or January next year. In response, Suntay said PCSO should have just stopped lotto operations if that was the case, but Garma said they cannot do so since more than 9,000 betting agents will be affected. Suntay said this is the problem with PCSO They will also have to return all machines and terminals to the contractor, she said. For the new contract, she said they will be unbundling the machine and terminals from the contractor so they do not have to depend on it. She said they also considering other betting systems like mobile applications to have alternatives. Lotto is one of the highest revenue-generating games of PCSO, earing 31.87 billion, 31.9 billion, and 21.3 billion in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. In June, PCSO said since the start of the lockdown, it has already lost 13 billion since its lotto, Keno, and digit games suspended operations as per the order of President Rodrigo Duterte with the implementation of strict community quarantine in March. These three games already resumed operations last July. Lesley-Lee Hill (pictured) allegedly blew cash donated on a GoFundMe page intended for her son's funeral on the pokies, cigarettes and clothes. Lucius Baira-Hill, 13, died in a horror car crash in Townsville on June 7 The mother of a 13-year-old boy who was killed in a horror crash alongside three other teenagers has been accused of blowing money raised for his funeral on trips to the pokies, clothing and cigarettes. Lesley-Lee Hill's son Lucius died instantly when the allegedly stolen Kia Sorento he was a passenger in clipped a roundabout, flipped over and hit a light pole on June 7. Well-wishers raised $7,000 on a GoFundMe page to help Lucius' family cover the costs of his funeral, but Hill, 28, allegedly blew about half the money on her own expenses in less than two weeks. The 28-year-old has been charged with dishonestly obtaining a sum of money. Police allege Hill was sent $3,600 from Lucius' father - who had run the fundraising page - in the days after the teenager's burial on June 22, while the funeral costs were paid for by the boy's grandmother, The Townsville Bulletin reported. Hill allegedly spent most of that amount on clothing, pokies and cigarettes. Lucius, 13, died after the allegedly stolen car he was a passenger in hit a light pole in Townsville, Queensland Hill, 28, (pictured) allegedly blew about half the money sent to her by Lucius' father on her own expenses in less than two weeks Hill pictured with son Lucius. Cayenne Nona, 14, Rayveena Coolwell, 15, and Aaliyah Tappa Brown, 17, also died in the crash in Townsville in June Hill last month was interviewed by police and a community call-out led to more than 40 complaints from people who had given money to the fundraiser. The mother is due to front Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday and police will push for her to be denied bail. Townsville Police's Child Protection Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said the alleged profiteering was difficult to fathom. 'To have an individual [allegedly] seek to profit from their own childs death is hard to put into words,' he said. Hill was previously granted a bail variation after she was released from custody on one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Her bail was changed to allow her to leave home to attend counselling sessions without her mother. The mother is due to front Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday (pictured, Lesley-Lee Hill) The car (pictured) clipped a roundabout before slamming into a light pole at around 4.30am on June 7 Cayenne Nona, 14, Rayveena Coolwell, 15, and Aaliyah Tappa Brown, 17, also died in the crash. Pictures from the scene showed a badly-wrecked white Kia Sorrento upside-down at the intersection. The 14-year-old alleged driver was charged with a string of offences, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary and possessing dangerous drugs. Two men from Maharashtra were allegedly beaten up by villagers on Sunday in Madhya Pradeshs (MP) Betul district, located around 175km south of state capital Bhopal, on suspicion of being cow smugglers. The men were transporting cows from MP to Maharashtra and had valid permits. Majid Khan and Sohil Khan, residents of Maharashtras Akola and Amravati districts, respectively, were admitted to a hospital in Betul and their health is stated to be stable, police said. Police have seized three mini-trucksone from Pabal village and other two from the neighbouring Gaunapur villagein which 30 cows were being transported to Maharashtra. Majid, the driver, and Sohail, the cleaner, were detained by villagers at Pabal on suspicion of being cow smugglers. The drivers and cleaners of the other two mini-trucks managed to escape, leaving their vehicles behind. Later, a first information report (FIR) was registered against the six persons, including Majid and Sohail, and they were booked under the relevant sections of MP Cow Progeny Slaughter Prevention Act, 2004, police said. A video clip of the villagers beating Majid and Sohail went viral on social media on Monday. Majid told mediapersons at the hospital that he was transporting the cows on the basis of a valid permit, but the villagers refused to listen to him. The villagers not only thrashed Majid and Sohail, but also snatched their mobile phones and money. Some villagers on Sunday stopped a mini-truck at Pabal village in Betul district. The villagers asked Majid and Sohail to show what were they carrying in the truck. However, both of them refused to open the truck and picked a quarrel with the villagers. A large mob forcefully opened the trucks tailgate and found the cows. They suspected Majid and Sohail of being cow smugglers, dragged them out of the vehicle and assaulted them, said Santosh Pandre, an inspector of Multai police station. A probe is in progress. If the villagers are found guilty, action will be taken, said Simala Prasad, the superintendent of police (SP), Betul. (With inputs from Mayank Bhargava) An influx of elderly people in Tauranga are turning to social service providers for accommodation support after finding themselves facing homelessness. Tommy Wilson of Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services Trust says the increase is due to families facing financial difficulty in the wake of Covid-19 and also the lack of affordable elderly housing in the area. More and more people are finding it difficult to look after their mums, dads and grandparents because they are losing their jobs thats what's triggering this trend. We cater to our wealthy old people in Tauranga that can afford it. But theres nothing for our old people that cant afford high rents anymore they are either in a family members garage or with us. Eight seniors are now living in trusts emergency housing at Tauranga RSA, and four others have been moved into a transitional house. Tommy says its upsetting the most vulnerable community members are not being cared for properly. Te Tuinga Whanau social worker Sai Watson Crooks says there are a lot of single men over 65 coming through the trusts doors. We had a 65-year-old who came straight from the hospital in his robe and slippers that was all he had, and he had nowhere else to go. She says another 80-year-old man recently moved into the Tauranga RSA as he was the victim of elderly abuse. Elderly people have also been found by trust staff sleeping in their cars outside the Tauranga RSA. Te Tuinga Whanau has recently formed its first transitional house Whare Annandale specifically for senior men. 65-year-old Gordon Thomas is one of four residents who recently moved into the whare from the Tauranga RSA. Gordon found himself without anywhere to live after returning home from Australia, where he had spent the two previous years. He says hes stoked to have safe space to call home, where he wont return to partaking in past drug habits. Its fantastic it feels like its my place to live and it takes my mind off having to return to a dysfunctional space. The towns that I know back home in Manawatu I left from there because I didnt want to be exposed to drugs anymore. I havent done that for two years from not being around it, he says. Gordon, who is an artist and carver, says hes looking forward to putting up some of his works up at the Greerton home. Sai says transitional housing provides elderly with security and support. Its one step further than emergency housing people know they arent about get turfed about because its permanent, but there is still support in place. Age Concern Tauranga general manager Tanya Smith says there is not enough affordable rental options available for elderly. She says homelessness among elderly is a heartbreaking problem, and more support for them is needed. We do see it happening in our community. They are stranded they dont know where to go or how to go about finding accommodation. Age Concern refers individuals onto organisations such as Te Tuinga Whanau, Tauranga Community Housing Trust and Accessible Properties. Tommy says the trust desperately needs more rentals for senior citizens. We need more houses we are full, and the demand is with old people. We are putting a plea to anyone that has got a spare house they can rent to us haere mai with your houses. This weekend marked 100 days of protests in the US against police violence since the Memorial Day murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police department. Large demonstrations were held in rural towns as well as major cities in the face of new instances of police brutality and murder and an increasingly virulent and violent law-and-order campaign led by the Trump administration, with the complicity of the Democratic Party. The overwhelmingly peaceful, multiracial and multiethnic protests are being met with tear gas, stun grenades, baton charges and mass arrests by riot police for the most part mobilized by Democratic governors and mayors, while Trump and the Republicans denounce the protesters as anarchists, socialists and terrorists and incite fascistic vigilantes to attack them. This explosive situation is only the prelude to a mass movement of the working class, driven forward by the death and poverty being meted out by the ruling elite and all of its political representatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling corporate-financial oligarchy, even as it enriches itself over the bones of pandemic victims, feels itself besieged. It is terrified at the prospect of a mass movement against capitalism, increasingly exposed before the world as a bankrupt and criminal system. Police use chemical irritants and crowd control munitions during a demonstration in Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) The breadth and duration of the protests express the courage and determination of millions to fight for a more egalitarian society, free of racism, repression and social inequality. But this must be elevated into a conscious struggle for socialism that brings together all sections of the working class, from educators to autoworkers, both in the US and around the world. A recent report from the US Crisis Monitor, associated with Princeton University, noted the global nature of the protests. It stated: In the weeks since Floyds killing, at least 8,700 demonstrations in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement were reported across 74 countries, including the US. Demonstrators focused their outrage on American symbolsincluding embassies, consulates and Trump propertiesbut they also rallied around local cases of police brutality and racial inequality. Since the protests in the US began in May, at least 19 protesters have been killed, including three within the last two weeks. Last Thursday, a police task force headed by US marshals shot and killed Michael Reinoehl hours after an arrest warrant had been issued for him in connection with the killing of a far-right Patriot Prayer member during a protest in Portland on August 29. Right-wing vigilante and ardent Trump supporter Kyle Rittenhouse killed two protesters and injured another in Kenosha, Wisconsin less than two weeks ago. The corporate media has increasingly cast the protests as violent and aggressive and portrayed the police as responding to unprovoked attacks by demonstrators. This is belied by the facts. The Princeton report points out that between May 24 and August 22 there were more than 10,600 demonstration events, of which over 10,100, or nearly 95 percent were peaceful protests, while less than 570 involved demonstrators engaging in violence. The authors of the report noted that in demonstrations that did become violent, aggression was often instigated by right-wing militias and racist gangs such as the Three Percenters, the Ku Klux Klan, the Proud Boys, the Boogaloo bois and the New Mexico Civil Guard. Demonstrations over the weekend included: Rochester, New York Saturday marked the fourth straight day of protests against police murder in upstate New York, following the release of bodycam video showing police torturing and murdering 41-year-old Daniel Prude on March 23 of this year. Over 1,500 protesters marched to the Rochester Police Department headquarters chanting, No justice, no peace. In the evening, the police, backed by armored vehicles, fired pepper balls and tear gas into the crowd. The police say they arrested eight people Thursday, 11 Friday and nine more on Saturday night. Portland, Oregon Ignoring pleas from Democratic Governor Kate Brown to end the protests, hundreds of demonstrators once again took to the streets, resulting in over 50 arrests Saturday night. Prior to protests on Thursday, Governor Brown issued a statement declaring that the violence must stop All who perpetrate violent crimes must be held equally accountable. Louisville, Kentucky Police were nowhere to be found for several hours Saturday as protesters were confronted by over 400 heavily armed patriots led by Dylan Stevens, a self-described staunch supporter of Trump, police, our troops, 2nd amendment, America and the Flag! Stevens, who in a recent YouTube video defended the Rittenhouse slayings as 100 percent self-defense, organized a counter-protest at Jefferson Square Park, where protesters demanding justice for Breonna Taylor have peacefully gathered since May 28 to demand the officers involved in her killing be arrested. After several heated confrontations, including at least two instances where pistols were unholstered by associates of Stevens, the counter-protesters left the park, only to be replaced by over 24 riot police. The Democratic Party and the presidential campaign of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have remained silent on the recent murders of protesters, while condemning violent protesters and demanding that they be arrested and prosecuted. In a CNN interview on Sunday, vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris did not mention the names of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, both murdered by Rittenhouse, nor did she comment on the police slaying of Michael Reinoehl last Thursday. When questioned by interviewer Dana Bash if she believed Kenosha cop Rusten Shesky should be charged for shooting Jacob Blake in the back seven times, Harris, a former prosecutor, backtracked on earlier statements, saying she thought charges very much should be considered... but everyone is entitled to due process, everyone, including police officers. NEW DELHI: Heres a list of top ten stocks that may be in news on Monday: Reliance Industries: Has released details related to hiving off its oil-to-chemicals business into a separate entity, six months after it first announced the proposal as a precursor to a stake sale. The segment's assets and liabilities, will be transferred to a new unit. Maruti Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corp has deferred plans to sell at least 5 million cars a year in India by 2030 in a grim admission that the recovery in the domestic automotive is far away. Suzukis largest unit, Maruti Suzuki India, has already trimmed capital expenditure plans for this fiscal. SBI: The country's largest bank, the State Bank of India, has mooted a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) that gives an option to employees who do not get promoted beyond a certain level to move out. SBI executives said the framework (scheme) is developed and will be discussed with the government Vodafone Idea: Vodafone Group has maintained its stance that it will not invest any fresh equity into Vodafone Idea. This follows the Indian telcos announcement to raise funds of up to 25,000 crore via a mix of debt and equity in one or more tranches, which will be used to pay statutory dues and invest in network operations to take rivals. Automobile Stocks: The much-awaited vehicle scrappage policy is in its final stages of approval and will be rolled out within a month, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday. Manufacturing: A government panel has cleared $100-billion worth mobile export proposals from global manufacturers. Applications by iPhone contract makers--Foxconn, Pegatron, Wistron--as well as Samsung, Karbonn, Lava to export mobile phones from the country have been cleared by an empowered group of ministers. Future Retail: Fitch Ratings has placed Future Retail Ltd's issuer default rating of C and the rating on its 500 million dollars 5.6 per cent senior secured notes due in 2025 of C with a recovery rating of RR4 on rating watch positive. This follows the announcement on 29 August 29 that the company has agreed to sell its business to Reliance Retail and Fashion Lifestyle, a subsidiary of RIL. Aviation Stocks: Full refund shall be provided by airlines immediately for tickets booked during the covid-19 lockdow for domestic or international travel within the lockdown period, civil aviation regulator DGCA has proposed in the Supreme Court. Taxes: The covid-19-led economic disruption may lead to reopening of several specific tax agreements that multinational companies (MNCs) have with Indian tax authorities. These have been reaching out to the direct tax board to seek clarity on revising the advance pricing agreements, with critical assumptions and preset margins having become irrelevant on account of factors like relocation of persons, supply-chain disruption, abnormal expenses, change in asset deployment, risk assumed, etc. IL&FS: Debt-ridden IL&FS has proposed to initiate bankruptcy proceedings for two of its offshore firms - ITNL Infrastructure Developers LLC (IIDL) and ITNL International DMCC (IIDMCC) - in courts of the UAE. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A judge has refused to marry two women in Colombia saying he chooses to follow 'God's law' despite the fact that same-sex marriage is legal in the country. According to the August 31 court ruling, the Cartagena-based judge Ramiro Florez refused to sign off on the marriage between Julieth del Carmen Ramos and Guskary Alejandra Vasquez because it was against his religious belief. 'I cannot marry said same-sex couple because it goes against my Christian morality, it goes against my essential principles,' Florez wrote. 'When there is conflict between what human law says and what God's law says, I prefer God's law, because I prefer to please my lord almighty God before the human being,' the judge added. Cartagena, Colombia, judge Ramiro Florez refused to marry Julieth del Carmen Ramos and Guskary Alejandra Vasquez because allowing two women to form their union went against his 'Christian morality.' Same-sex marriage has been legal in Colombia since April 2016 Florez's decision was condemned by Senator Angelica Lozano, whose wife, Claudia Lopez, is the mayor of Bogota. 'The Supreme Council for the Judiciary and the Attorney General's Office have the opportunity to protect the rights of them (the couple) and the pedagogy and punishment of the judge who abuses,' Lozano wrote on Twitter. Senator Roy Barreras rejected Florez's ruling and vowed to levy sanctions on the magistrate for his unconstitutional ruling, according to Infobae. 'The judge supposes that the fact that being a member of the LGTB community is to be excluded from God, that is to say that God is incompatible with being LGTB,' Barreras said. 'Therefore, instead of being a judge, he is an inquisitor and considers them sinners.' An LGBT rights group has offered Ramos and Vasquez assistance in getting married. Same-sex marriage has been considered legal in Colombia since April 28, 2016, following a 6-3 court decision that overturned a ban on marriage between two people from the same gender. Bar Sardine, which will close at the end of the month. Photo: Erinn Springer The last proper restaurant meal I ate before the COVID-19 pandemic began ravaging the country, upending daily life as we know it, and killing tens of thousands of Americans was lunch at Thai Diner, a downtown breakfast counter that true to its name combines some of the best parts of the American diner experience with dishes, techniques, and ingredients from Thailand. In practice, the combination works tremendously well, and its safe to assume there has never been another restaurant quite like it. On the day I dropped by, the place was jammed, in part because its owners, Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, built a truly dedicated following with their first restaurant, Uncle Boons. That following is so loyal, in fact, that it was a bit shocking when we got word yesterday that Uncle Boons will never reopen. It was also shocking when that news was followed a few hours later with the announcement that Gabriel Stulman will permanently close his restaurant Bar Sardine at the end of the month. And in Williamsburg, it appears the cocktail-and-oyster bar Maison Premiere is a goner, as well. Well-liked bars and restaurants have been shuttering for months now, but as this pandemic drags on with no end in sight, the pace of these announcements feels like it is only accelerating, and the profile of the affected businesses continues to grow. Taken as a whole, its hard to shake the feeling that we are now watching the collapse of the entire New York City hospitality industry in real time. The data that is available is, really, incredibly bleak: Nearly 200,000 food-service workers are jobless, and now face a future without the enhanced unemployment benefits upon which many depended. Eighty percent of restaurants could not cover their full rent back in June, and things have only gotten worse since then. Nobody can say exactly how many restaurants and bars will be forced to close permanently, of course, but every available prediction currently boils down to most of them. If operators have landlords who are sympathetic to the reality of the situation, they might have a shot at hanging on. Increasingly, it is clear that many landlords are not. As Delores Tronco-DePierro, who has been forced to close her popular new West Village restaurant the Banty Rooster, told us, her proposal for a new, tenable rent structure was met with a landlord telling her she isnt in the business of subsidizing tenants lease agreements. (The economic fallout is going to get worse it just is so where do landlords think their new, moneyed, rent-paying tenants will come from?) And while it is abundantly clear that bars and restaurants need and deserve a bailout, it is ominous that one does not appear to be in the offing. Instead, the only new solutions being offered to full-service restaurants are the ability to sell alcohol to-go and expanded outdoor dining. What happens when the temperature cools off and people head back inside? What happens when winter arrives and, if the predictions are correct, the infection rate begins to surge even more? Among all of the other news, concerns about restaurants can often feel slight. These businesses are, by design, distractions from the rest of the world, and in normal times there are always issues that feel more urgent. But New York Citys restaurants and bars comprise an industry that just recently employed more than 315,000 people. What happens when theyre all jobless, and the citys storefronts remain vacant for years? These are not slight concerns. Speaking to New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells, the chef Greg Baxtrom, who has radically rethought his restaurant Olmsted over the past few months, says his only goal is to make it to next spring without losing everything. But what really happens in March or April? There will be a vaccine, maybe, and there might be something like a renewed sense of optimism, hopefully. But in order to get there, we will first have to make it through an exhausting, maddening winter. Without some kind of help, it is only going to get worse much worse before we can even begin to talk about how it gets better. Eat like the experts. Sign up for the Grub Street newsletter. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Furthermore, the company said that the new agency channel will help it achieve its goal of three connections connecting the Chinese and Singaporean insurance markets, connecting insurance to technology, and connecting the agency channel to Singaporean talent. All consultants are required to pass the relevant exams offered by the Singapore College of Insurance and will also receive a 90-day in-house training programme, the statement said. Outstanding performers will receive further guidance in management and other skills, opening up more career opportunities. Lin Xiangyang, China Life Singapore CEO, said that the agency channel remains one of the most attractive sales platforms with the potential for significant career advancements. He also expressed optimism regarding the positive contributions the companys agency channel will provide to the industry. As a late entrant to this space, we have the nous and know-how to provide our clients with a fresh experience, said Jerome Png, head of agency at China Life Singapore.We are excited to improve on the best practices of our industry peers to create greater value for both our consultants and clients. Our digital transformation projects in the next few years will help elevate the customer experience journey, which will dovetail nicely with our consultants natural human touch, achieving a nice balance. Irish financial technology (fintech) companies have seen a surge in financial activity in the first half of 2020, according to new figures from KPMG. Eight deals resulted in 278m being exchanged in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital funding rounds and private equity transactions between January and June. This is already more than double the value of comparable transactions (132m) in the Irish fintech sector for the entire year in 2019, despite only being half the number of deals (14) during that period last year. Read More The new figures follow a trend showing a surge in investment in the wider tech and biotech sectors in Ireland. This week, the Irish Venture Capital Association published figures indicating that Irish tech funding is set to exceed 1bn this year with local firms increasingly seeing cash investors ready to sign funding deals of over 10m. The KPMG figures point to the 149m acquisition of Irish-founded Prepaid Financial Services by Australias EML Payments as the largest strategic fintech M&A deal globally for the period. The deal had been announced in November 2019 at a price of 253m but was renegotiated at a discount of 105m against the background of the global coronavirus pandemic. The KPMG report lists other notable deals in Ireland over the period including a 71m joint venture acquisition of Payzone Ireland by AIB and First Data and a 73m funding round by client lifecycle management company, Fenergo. The Irish figures compare favourably to global activity, where fintech funding fell sharply during the first half of 2020 with 21.7bn in total fintech invested across 1,221 deals. A sharp drop in M&A investment drove most of the decline globally, KPMG reports, with M&A accounting for just 3.4bn of fintech investment, compared to 72.5bn in the second half of 2019. The sizeable deals secured by Prepaid Financial Services, Payzone and Fenergo have been a huge boost for Irelands fintech ecosystem this year, said Anna Scally, partner and fintech Lead at KPMG in Ireland. I expect interest and investment in Irish fintechs to remain hot into the second half of the year, particularly as British and global fintechs work to ensure they are able to service their customers across Europe in the wake of Brexit. Irelands attractiveness as a place for global fintechs to do business also remains strong, with Mastercard announcing plans to grow its European technology hub on a new campus site in Leopardstown earlier this year. Donald Trump has accused Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris of using reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric after she echoed concerns from medical experts and public health officials about the efficacy and reliability of a coronavirus vaccine that the president has promised as soon as Election Day. He said the California senator relied on fake rhetoric for political reasons while he promised during a White House press conference on Labour Day that the US could see a Covid-19 vaccine maybe before a special date, and you know what date Im talking about. The president denied that he has repeatedly assured that a vaccine would be on the market on or before 3 November. I said before the end of the year, he falsely claimed, moments later. Im saying that because we want to save a lot of lives. With me its the faster the better. Senator Harris, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Bidens running mate, doubted the administrations trustworthiness following fears that the president would expedite untested vaccine production before Election Day, a timeline that medical experts have largely said is unrealistic. She also told CNN that concerns among health officials in the administration will be "muzzled, they'll be suppressed, they will be sidelined". He's looking at an election coming up in less than 60 days and he's grasping for whatever he can get to pretend that he has been a leader on this issue when he is not, she said. On a campaign trip to Pennsylvania, Mr Biden said: I'm worried if we do have a really good vaccine people are going to be reluctant to take it. And so he is undermining public confidence. But pray God we have it. If I could get a vaccine tomorrow, I'd do it. If it cost me the election, I'd do it. Nearly 190,000 Americans have died from Covid-19-related illness, far more than any other country, since the onset of an outbreak that has infected more than 6.2m people in the US, according to Johns Hopkins University. Several pharmaceutical companies are producing vaccines under the presidents Operation Warp Speed programme, which aims to produce up to 300m doses by January 2021, though the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has alerted states to prepare for distribution as early as October. The president has also suggested that his own Food and Drug Administration, under a chief he appointed, has enjoined a deep state conspiracy to slow production of a vaccine to weaken his re-election chances. "Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives!" the president posted to Twitter in August in a message that tagged FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn. Moncef Slaoui, who leads the administrations vaccine development programme, told NPR last week that there was a "very low chance" that a vaccine would be available in October. Mr Slaoui and the head of the FDA's Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research announced they would resign from their posts if the administration rushed an unproven drug to market. Moderna and Pfizer are currently in their third and final vaccine trials. Last week, AstraZeneca began Phase 3 of its trials with a goal to enroll 30,000 people within the next eight weeks. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 23:07:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VALLETTA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Three international organizations on Monday called for the immediate disembarkation of 27 rescued migrants stranded onboard a cargo ship for more than a month. The migrants, who were rescued on Aug. 5, have been denied disembarkation in both Italy and Malta and the Maersk Etienne has since been anchored just outside Malta's territorial waters. The ship's crew has been sharing food, water and blankets with those rescued. In a statement, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) called on governments to intervene to help the distraught group, including one child and a pregnant woman. "A commercial vessel is not a safe environment for these vulnerable people and they must be immediately brought to a safe port," said the statement. The ICS said it had urged the International Maritime Organization to urgently intervene and "send a clear message that states must ensure that Maritime Search and Rescue incidents are resolved in accordance with the letter and spirit of international law." The Maersk Etienne fulfilled its responsibilities, but now finds itself in a diplomatic game of passing the parcel, it said. "The absence of a clear, safe, and predictable disembarkation mechanism for people rescued in the Mediterranean, continues to pose an avoidable risk to life," said IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino. "The conditions are rapidly deteriorating onboard, and we can no longer sit by while governments ignore the plight of these people," said Guy Platten, Secretary General of the ICS. The Maersk Etienne is the third incident this year in which a merchant vessel has been stranded due to caring for people rescued at sea. In May, the Marina was delayed for six days with some 80 rescued people on board before being able to disembark, while in July, the Talia took four days out of its scheduled journey to care for 50 people who were finally allowed to disembark in a place of safety after four days. Enditem The National Co-ordinator of Ministry to Persons with Disabilities(PWDs) at the Church of Pentecost, Overseer Alexander Nyame has urged churches to include Persons With Disability ( PWDs ) in church activities. According to Overseer Alexander Nyame, PWDs, need the support of churches hence the aim of the Church of Pentecost is to help persons with disability to draw closer to God even though they are having physical challenges in their lives. Speaking to Peace FM News at a get together with persons with disability at the Church of Pentecost, Kwashieman Official Town Assembly(KOTA) in Accra, Overseer Alexander Nyame said, persons living with disability need the support of the church therefore the church should not leave such people when they need help. Deaconess Diana Oppong Kyeraa Adjei of Sarpeiman Pentecost Church and a retired teacher who led the Church of Pentecost to support 150 Persons with Disability also added that, the vision of the church is to support needy people and share the true gospel with them to help them live godly lives. 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 NEW DELHI : In March, press reports created a buzz in the Indian telecom industry: Reliance Jio has replaced Nokia and Oracles 4G voice technology with their own components, and built end-to-end network gear for 5G, the reports said, illustrating how Indias largest telecom operator is now capable of building network equipment. However, no major swap had taken place, Nokias Chief Marketing Officer Barry French clarified on the companys website. Jio had replaced only one among the dozens of Nokias components in its core network and the European companys technology continues to power Jios infrastructure. Four months later, at Reliances 43rd Annual General Meeting in July, Jios chief Mukesh Ambani formally declared the companys ambitions: Jio has created a complete 5G solution from scratch, that will enable us to launch a world-class 5G service in India, using 100% home grown technologies and solutions." The company, however, has yet not shared details on how it transformed itself into an equipment provider with the capacity to build network technology from scratch, and how it solved Indias decades-long challenge of boosting local telecom manufacturing90% of telecom gear is currently imported. Interviews with 5G researchers, telecom engineers, industry analysts and a review of public statements by Jio officials suggest it is unlikely that the telco is building a network from scratch with 100% indigenous technology. Jio is not going to be making in India," said Shiv Putcha, founder of Mandala Insights, an analyst firm focused on networking technologies. Jio has made acquisitions and investments that will help them build the network, but they are not getting into manufacturing per se," he said. Instead, Jio is integrating different components of the telecom network, building some on its own, procuring the resta strategy made possible by a global push towards open standards and softwarisation of telecom networks. The electronics and component manufacturing ecosystem is not quite ready. It will take several years for India to get there," a senior Reliance Jio executive said on the condition of anonymity. Even if we accelerate, it will take time for end-to-end manufacturing." What is possible for now is design locally and build components in Taiwan or Korea," the executive added, explaining that Jio aims to control design and Intellectual Property. But even with that, he said, our strategy would be a mix of buy and build." What also matters is the version of 5G Jio wants to build in the near future: the company is lobbying to push a deployment strategy in telecom standards called Option 6, which, experts said, cant exploit the full potential of 5G. It will save costs for the company, allowing it to leverage parts of the existing 4G network for providing 5G service, at least initially. The outcome will likely be a better version of 4G with higher capacity, rather than the true 5G" the world is anticipating. Jio did not respond to Mints detailed questionnaire. Homegrown networks There has been a growing call worldwide for homegrown telecom networks. While China leads the world in 5G, there is reluctance to use Chinese products, owing to the suspicion that Huawei and ZTE deploy backdoors in their equipment to snoop on data on behalf of their government. The US, UK and Australia have already banned Chinese products in their network gear. While India has not announced a formal ban, it practically remains so, especially following the escalating Indo-China border dispute. For Jios perspective, European vendors like Nokia and Ericsson, which appear relatively trustworthy, are expensive. The market is heavily concentrated among the big giants, leaving little choice for telcos. Equipment vendors sold end-to-end network devices, both software and hardware, as fully-integrated proprietary solutions," said Dr. SaiDhiraj Amuru, adjunct assistant professor at IIT-Hyderabad. Telcos realized that this dependency was hurting them and they had no bargaining power," he said. Vendors enjoyed this power because telecom networks involve complex engineering. It has two major parts. One, the radio access network, or RAN: the primary wireless component which connects your phone to the nearest base station, and includes hardware components like antennas and towers. Second is the core network: once the signals arrive at the base station, it connects to a more software-focussed core that links to the wider internet. As the dominance of vendors started pinching operators, they accelerated the process to find alternatives, culminating in an open source movement called Open RAN. The idea is simple in theory: instead of buying the entire network from one company, get each component from a provider of your choice, and integrate it at your end. This shiftwhich is fundamental to Jios ambitionsis best illustrated through the radio part, which consumes a bulk of the capital expenditure that is required to build a wireless network (estimates range from 60-80% of the total capex costs). Open RAN aims to break the big black box of telecom networks into several small black boxes. You can pick individual boxes from different vendors or build your own," Amuru explained. The key thing is for the boxes to have the ability to talk to each other through established standards, which Open RAN aims to accomplish for the first time with 5G deployment. In December 2018, Jio joined the ORAN Alliance. Jios version of 5G The focus on Open RAN is important for another reason: it is linked to the version of 5G Jio wants to build for India in the near future. Broadly speaking, there are two deployment modes: standalone and non-standalone, and each has variants depending on how the radio part of the network connects with the core. Most 5G deployments plan to begin with one of the non-standalone mode options, where a 5G radio co-exists with 4G radio, and both connect to the 4G corethis is option 3. That came up because operators wanted faster deployment, and did not want to wait long enough for core development to finish to roll out 5G. A software upgrade in the 4G core will allow the network to understand messages coming in from 5G radio. Eventually, the idea is to move to a standalone mode, where 4G components are phased out, and a 5G radio connects to a 5G core. But Jio has a unique problem. In September 2019, at a conference hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), Satish Jamadagni, vice president, network planning engineering at Reliance Jio, and vice chair of Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI), made a revealing statement: The non-standalone mode is not suitable for India (at least Jio) as the 4G network is running at almost full capacity due to an exponential rise in user base. In our country, LTE [4G] cells are 90-98% clogged," Jamadagni said, in contrast to other countries which are at 5 to 40% capacity. We are already clogged." We are being forced to move into something called a standalone option," he added. Jio doesnt want to invest in a 5G core in the near future and is pushing for Option 6 deployment: a standalone strategy where 5G radio connects with 4G core. The whole 5G core is a sham," Jamadagni said. Why should I be willing to pay 500 million to 1 billion dollars for it? Why would I want to deploy it?" he asked. 5G core is functionally the same thing as a 4G coreespecially if you virtualize itand brings no additional benefits, he claimed. You please advance in your technology. We want to be behind. We are happy with being behind. If it takes a billion dollars, we are perfectly happy being behind," he said, in reference to 5G core. Independent experts dont agree with Jamadagnis characterisation. Shivendra Panwar, a professor at New York University and a researcher at NYU Wireless, said: You cant get all the advanced 5G features with a 4G core. There are too many delays built in and you cant get low latency communication," he said with regard to Option 6. One can expect improvement in broadband applicationslike video streaming and downloadswhich would keep subscribers happy, he said, and that may be all that Jio wishes to do for now. Sandeep Nag, director of 5G at Capgemini, and a former employee at Jio, echoed Panwars concerns about Option 6: Enhanced mobile broadband will be possible but you cant guarantee end-to-end slicing that delivers quality of service for mission critical use cases like remote surgery and time sensitive industrial manufacturing," he said. Vodafone India is doing trials on option 3 with Nokia," he said. In an emailed response, Jamadagni said his remarks dont constitute Jio opinion" and were made in his capacity as vice chairperson of industry standards body TSDSI. The patents puzzle But even to create this version of 5G with homegrown tech is not an easy task. To build the radio box, for instance, antenna and chipset suppliers are required, among others. How will Jio build each of these components from scratch, using 100% homegrown technology? Huawei spends around $20billion annually in research and development45% of its workforce (~80,000 employees) doing just that. A recent study found that six companies (Huawei, Samsung, LG, Nokia, Ericsson and Qualcomm) owned 80% of the most closely connected patents to the 5G standards. Huawei has the highest count: 2,386. In contrast, Jio has just 29 patentsall technologies included. It is not clear how many are 5G related. At the ICWA conference, Jios Jamadagni argued that the firms developing the new process architectures are small startups: If we shell out about two hundred million dollars, we can buy off a few companies in the US and we are done. We are on par with anybody on the computer side." Reliance has begun to do just that. In 2018, the company acquired US-owned Radisys which has a presence in Bengaluru. The startup, which had built expertise in open systems and virtualisation, is now working on Jios Open RAN software stack, analysts said. The Radisys acquisition was the first signal that Jio wanted to be more than a telecom network and wanted to create bits of the network on its own," said the UK-based technology analyst Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, a consulting firm. India also has an emerging ecosystem of companies specialising in network equipment and software: SignalChip, Saankhya Labs, Tejas Networks, Sterlite Technologies, VVDN Technologies, among others. Technology built by these Indian companies can contribute to different parts of the Indian 5G network stack. But how far can Jio go with its 100% homegrown technologies claim and how does it want to pace it? There is going to be more localisation of some pieces, but everything cannot be localised. You still need Silicon; you still need antennas. The network will have these physical components," Bubley said. It ultimately depends on how you define what is a national supply chain." In the eyes of the industry, the companys trajectory closely resembles that of Rakuten, rather than Huawei. Rakuten is a Japanese e-commerce giant which is now embracing Open RAN to get into the telecom business. There is even a common link between the two firms: Tareeq Amin, the CTO of Rakuten, earlier held a senior position at Jio, which he joined in 2013 and left in 2018. Engineers Mint spoke to said that while Rakuten and Jio appear to be on the same track, their public messaging is different: Rakuten is clearly saying they are partnering and integrating, but Jio is claiming they are building all on their own. Jio is integrating. They are optimising the cost which is a smart business move. But there are no technological breakthroughs," said an engineer on condition of anonymity. To be fair, the complete Jio playbook will unravel in greater detail in the coming years. Industry insiders say that Jios announcement has boosted the momentum for self-reliance in telecom . With the alignment of geopolitical and business interests, this could be the moment the industry has been waiting for. But NYUs Panwar feels India needs to look ahead. If India truly wants to get in the business, it needs to jump ahead to 6G and do R&D right now, and get international patents. 5G is over in terms of intellectual property," he said. Samarth Bansal is a freelance journalist who writes about technology and policy Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Senior traditions for The Woodlands High School Class of 2021 are not going to be the same this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the students are creating new traditions. On Monday, the schools student council invited seniors to the school parking lot to decorate their cars, while socially distanced, just before students are allowed back in the class. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., seniors were invited in stages to bring their cars and their school spirit to the schools parking lot to decorate their cars and enjoy free ice cream from the PTO. We just wanted to give our seniors something special for them to do this year, said Elizabeth EB Billing, student body president of The Woodlands High. We just wanted to start a tradition and hopefully it will carry on. While school officially started for Conroe ISD on Aug. 12, the district decided to keep students in online instruction for the first several weeks of class due to a spike in positive COVID-19 cases in the county. Students who chose in-class instruction for the year will be returning to class on Tuesday. As of last week, around 41,000 of the 65,000 student body of CISD had indicated that they would be returning to in-class instruction. I think everybodys really excited to get back, just to spend time with each other and be in school and to get to have our last year together as one big senior class, Billing said. I think were all super excited for this year and I think its going to be a great year. Students decked out in Hawaiian shirts covered their cars in streamers, Class of 2021 and TWHS Seniors Monday morning as Katy Perry played from someones speakers. Masks didnt stop them from taking selfies together, enjoying the time together after months apart. Maria Lleras, a member of student council, said that in order to keep the event safe they divided the parking pots between even and odds and invited groups of seniors to the event based on their sections, to remain distanced. Students brought their own decorations and materials so they would not have to borrow or share. A lot of people didnt expect it, since weve never done it before, Lleras said of the seniors that had joined the event early Monday. But I feel like were all really excited and just happy that well be able to see each other again. She was excited to be able to see her friends again and appreciated that the school worked with student council to make it happen. Anything for the seniors, was the message they received from the school administration. Being able to come together safely meant a lot to senior Chloe Porras, who was sure to wear her mask and use her hand sanitizer at the event. She wants people to know they can still have fun while being safe. My parents are high risk, but I still came here with my mask and hand sanitizer and everything and I still get to see my friends and have the most normal senior year that I can, Porras said. Im really excited. As students return to class, masks will still be mandatory and the district has ordered protective equipment and hand sanitizer to be available on every campus. While this year was nothing like what they expected, the class of 2021 got to start with a bit of cheer and color, socially distanced of course. jamie.swinnerton@chron.com Anxiety is a serious mental health issue. According to the National Mental Health Survey of India of 2015-2016, 13.7 percent of people have declining physical and mental health throughout their life. Anxiety can have a severe impact on the quality of life and ability to work or socialise. While there is no single cause of anxiety, multiple factors such as life experiences or chemical imbalances in the brain can result in anxiety disorders. In a recent study, presented at the online meeting of the European Society of Endocrinology 2020, scientists found that patients with autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland may be at higher risk of developing anxiety. Autoimmune thyroiditis The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland present in the throat below Adams apple. It produces two hormones, T3 (thyroxine) and T4 (triiodothyronine) and is regulated by the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid gland helps in the regulation of various body functions such as monitoring heart, muscle and digestive functions, development of the brain and maintenance of bone health. Autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, also called autoimmune thyroiditis, occurs when the immune cells attack the thyroid gland, damaging the gland and resulting in less production of thyroid hormones in the body. The link between thyroiditis and anxiety Dr Juliya Onofriichuk, along with other researchers from the Kyiv City Clinical Hospital, Ukraine, examined the thyroid function of 29 men and 27 women who were diagnosed with anxiety and presented with panic attacks. The researchers took ultrasounds of their thyroid glands, measured the levels of thyroid hormones in their blood and also performed an antithyroid antibody test which is specifically done to find out the presence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase or thyroglobulin and confirms the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis. The results of the test showed that patients with anxiety showed the presence of inflammation in the ultrasound and also presented with antibodies against the thyroid gland. However, the level of thyroid hormones was either within the normal range or slightly elevated. When the researchers treated these people with thyroxine and ibuprofen (a painkiller) for 14 days, the thyroid inflammation was reduced and the thyroid hormone levels reached normal range. The scientists noted that once the inflammation of the thyroid gland reduced, the anxiety scores reduced simultaneously. Conclusion The scientists believe that the endocrine system can have an important role to play in anxiety. Doctors should not only examine the thyroid gland but the entire endocrine and nervous system while diagnosing patients with anxiety. This may help better treat anxiety disorders which are currently being managed with the help of anti-anxiety medications that do not prove beneficial in the long run. For more information, read our article on Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease). Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, Indias first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health. Hyderabad, Sep 7 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA), probing Bhima-Koregaon case, has summoned revolutionary Telugu poet Varavara Rao's two sons-in-law as witnesses. The agency has asked English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) professor K. Satyanarayana and senior journalist K.V, Kurmanath to appear before it in Mumbai on September 9. The duo has been summoned as witnesses under sections 91 and 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code. "NIA notice adds to our family distress at the time when Varavara Rao's health condition is not very good and the pandemic is fast spreading in Mumbai. I was summoned to Mumbai in these terrible times," said Satyanarayana. He recalled that the Pune Police had raided his flat in August 2018 on the pretext of collecting evidence against Varavara Rao. "I stated then that I was in no way connected to the Bhima Koregaon case. The fact of Varavara Rao being my father-in-law was used to raid my house and cause mental agony," he said. "It is a fact that I am related to Varavara Rao but I reiterate that I have no connection with the Bhima Koregaon case," he added. Maharashtra Police had arrested Varavara Rao in August 2018 in connection with the Bhima Koregaon clashes of January that year and shifted him to Pune. The same day Pune Police had conducted raids on some other activists across the country for their alleged links with Maoists. Following an order by the Supreme Court, Varavara Rao was brought back to Hyderabad and kept under house arrest. However, in November 17 the same year, police arrested him and took him to Pune on allegations that he was part of a group that allegedly conspired to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Varavara Rao, who was jailed in Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai since then, last month tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to the Nanavati Hospital on July 16. He was discharged from hospital and sent back to jail on August 28. Varavara Rao's family members here say they were not informed about the discharge from the hospital and his condition. They alleged that his condition continued to be fragile. Earlier, on May 28, the Telugu poet fell unconscious and was taken to Sir J.J. Hospital. He was discharged on June 1. The NIA court rejected Rao's bail petitions on several occasions. The family had also appealed to the government to release him in view of his deteriorating health. In May, a group of poets from different languages, including Gulzar, had sought the immediate release of Varvara Rao in view of the health emergency in the country. The group included women and children and are thought to have spent months at sea as traffickers demanded payment. Nearly 300 Rohingya have come ashore in Aceh, on the northern tip of Indonesias Sumatra island, authorities said, in one of the biggest such landings by the persecuted Myanmar minority in years, after a months-long voyage at sea during which more than 30 refugees are thought to have died. The group, mainly women and children, were spotted at sea by locals who helped them land near Lhokseumawe early on Monday, according to Munir Cut Ali, head of Ujong Blang village. We saw a boat coming ashore in Ujong Blang and so then we helped them land safely, Ali told AFP. At least one member of the group 102 men, 181 women and 14 children was ill and had to be rushed to a local hospital for treatment, according to the areas military chief Roni Mahendra. It was not immediately clear how long the Rohingya had been at sea or what type of vessel they arrived in. The UN Refugee Agency said it welcomed the life saving disembarkation of the Rohingyas, and said an unknown number might need medical attention. It was critical of those states that had not allowed the Rohingya ashore. The group had repeatedly tried to disembark over the course of more than 200 days at sea, to no avail, the agencys director for Asia and the Pacific, Indrika Ratwatte, said in a statement. Refugees have reported that dozens passed away throughout the journey. UNHCR and others have repeatedly warned of dire consequences if refugees at sea are not permitted to land in a safe and expedient manner. Ultimately, inaction over the past six months has been fatal. The group is reportedly the largest to land in Indonesia since at least 2015 when thousands of Rohingya attempted the risky crossing. The group of Rohingya who came ashore in Aceh on Monday is the largest in about five years [Rahmat Mirza/AFP] In June, about 100 Rohingya, mostly women and children, arrived in the same area after what they described as a perilous four-month sea journey during which they were beaten by traffickers and forced to drink their own urine to stay alive. Demands for money The members of the mostly Muslim minority said they had set off earlier this year from a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, near their native Myanmar. Some one million Rohingya have been living in densely populated camps there following a brutal mlitary crackdown in Myanmar. Junaidi Yahya, head of the Red Cross in Lhokseumawe, said the group was now in a temporary location. We hope they can be moved to the evacuation centre today, but their health, especially related to COVID-19, is our main concern, Yahya said. Indonesia and neighbouring Malaysia, which has closed its borders as part of the countrys response to the coronavirus pandemic, have long been popular destinations for Rohingya, and traffickers in the refugee camps run lucrative operations promising to find them sanctuary abroad. Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a non-profit group focusing on the Rohingya crisis, told Reuters news agency the smugglers had split the group up into several boats after they were pushed back from Malaysia and Thailand. Some of the vessels then managed to land in Malaysia and Indonesia in June, but several hundred remained at sea. The traffickers called their families to demand payments in the weeks before they were taken to shore. The smugglers seemed to not want to try to disembark them because not everyone had paid They were basically keeping them hostage on the boat, Lewa said. In July, Malaysian authorities said some two dozen Rohingya feared to have drowned off the countrys northwest coast after crossing by boat had been found alive, hiding in bushes on an island. Bengaluru, Sep 7 : The high-profile drugs case involving actress Ragini Dwivedi resulted in heated exchange of words between the ruling BJP leaders and the opposition parties in Karnataka on Monday, with both accusing each other of patronising alleged drug cartels in the state. Reacting sharply to the Opposition parties' charges, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa asserted that his government will not protect anyone related to drug cases. His sharp reaction was in fact a response to the Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Siddaramaiah and Janata Dal (S) leader H.D. Kumarswamy, who have been accusing the ruling BJP of handling noted Kannada actress Ragini Dwivedi's case with a lax approach. Speaking to reporters here, Yediyurappa asserted that there was no need for his party or government to pressurise anyone to protect someone in this case. "Drug menace will weaken our youngsters, hence, we are not the ones who will indulge in protecting anyone in this case. We have given the police a free hand to deal with the matter," he claimed. Concurring with the CM, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai maintained that the police will regularly share intel info with the neighbouring states as the present drugs case needs trans-state border approach in order to tackle this menace. "Most of the accused who have been arrested so far have procured drugs from the neighbouring states, hence it has become all the more important for us to initiate talks with our counterparts in these states," he said. Earlier in the day, without mincing his words, Siddaramaiah had caustically remarked that it was in public domain for whom Ragini Dwivedi campaigned during the by-elections. "There is video evidence. BJP leaders cannot wash away their hands from this. If there is any grain of evidence that she was involved in the drugs case, she should be punished. I appeal to the police not to succumb to any political pressure," he said. He further added that the Congress as the main opposition party has decided to raise as many as 1,200 questions in both written and starred formats for the forthcoming legislative session. In response to a question, Siddaramaiah said that let police take action even against Congress leaders if they have proof. "I would not like to lie, drug menace existed even prior to my tenure as CM. But be it me or my predecessors, we tried our best to curtail it with an iron hand. But that is not happening now," he said. Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) chief executive Umar Garba Danbatta, predicted Nigeria will see significant improvement in its telecoms industry over the next five years, backed by network rollouts and fresh initiatives. Danbatta was speaking at a media briefing, where he stated there will be mass deployments of 4G networks across the country, deeper penetration of broadband, and pledged proper implementation of a digital economy, and new strategies, Daily Post reported. The CEO also stated there will be a focus on boosting consumer confidence by investigating unwholesome practices from certain service providers to safeguard consumer rights, and plan to reduce the cost of mobile data steadily from the current rate of 800 Naira ($2.07) per gigabit to 390 Naira ($1.01). On the countrys broadband, Danbatta said the regulator aimed for a 70 per cent broadband penetration rate, connecting 90 per cent of the population by 2025, putting it in line with new targets from the Nigerian National Broadband Plan. The regulator created a new arm within itself called the Digital Economy Department, in a bid to spur Nigerias digital economy with new initiatives, and better leverage connectivity in the country. The Commission is placing emphasis on growing the digital economy in collaboration with sister agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Daily Post reported. In May, the NCC denied reports claiming 5G networks were up and running in Nigeria, stating licences for were yet to be issued then. WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 04: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference the White House on September 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. President Trump took questions on a variety of topics, including a recent magazine article in The Atlantic accusing him of making disparaging remarks about American soldiers. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Michael Cohen's tell-all memoir makes the case that President Donald Trump is "guilty of the same crimes" that landed his former fixer in federal prison, offering a blow-by-blow account of Mr Trump's alleged role in a hush-money scandal that once overshadowed his presidency. Of all the crises Cohen confronted working for Mr Trump, none proved as vexing as the porn actress Stormy Daniels and her claims of an extramarital affair with Mr Trump, Cohen writes in Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J Trump. Mr Trump, despite his later protestations, green-lit the $130,000 payment to silence Ms Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, reasoning he would "have to pay" his wife a far greater sum if the affair ever became known, Cohen writes, adding the president later reimbursed him with "fake legal fees". "It never pays to settle these things, but many, many friends have advised me to pay," Mr Trump said, according to Cohen. "If it comes out, I'm not sure how it would play with my supporters. But I bet they'd think it's cool that I slept with a porn star." Read More The White House called Cohen's memoir "fan fiction." "He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales," White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern said in a statement. "It's unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump." The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the book, which is scheduled to be released tomorrow. Cohen, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and other crimes, including lying to Congress, calls himself the "star witness" of a hush-money conspiracy that still could culminate in charges for Mr Trump after he leaves office. He described his new book as a "fundamental piece of evidence" of the president's guilt. Cohen's allegations - his most detailed to date - are part of an unsparing and deeply personal put-down of Mr Trump. Cohen calls Mr Trump an "organised crime don" and "master manipulator", but admits that he saw much of himself in a man he once considered a father figure. "I care for Donald Trump, even to this day," Cohen writes, "and I had and still have a lot of affection for him." Cohen remains at a loss to explain his unswerving allegiance to a cut-throat businessman who abandoned him at the most vulnerable point in his life. He likens his loyalty to Mr Trump to a mental illness and said he thought of himself as acting like a drug user in need of an intervention. "It seemed to (my family) that I wouldn't listen to anyone, not even the people who loved me most, as I gradually gave up control of my mind to Trump," Cohen writes. "I confess I never really did understand why pleasing Trump meant so much to me," Cohen adds. "To this day I don't have the full answer." The memoir offers an introspective - and at times self-loathing - apology for the role Cohen played in Mr Trump's political ascent. He urged Mr Trump for years to run for president but now laments that his election "led the nation and maybe even the world to the brink of disaster." "I thought Trump was a visionary with a no-nonsense attitude and the charisma to attract all kinds of voters," he writes. But the real reason he wanted Mr Trump in the White House, Cohen concedes, "was because I wanted the power that he would bring to me." He expresses little to no remorse for his federal crimes, saying he was "railroaded" by the government and pleaded guilty after prosecutors threatened to indict his wife. He writes that Mr Trump's three oldest children came to his office after Mr Trump's campaign announcement in 2015, in which Mr Trump referred to people coming to the US from Mexico as rapists and murderers. Cohen says they asked him to convince their father to drop out of the race, arguing his rhetoric was "killing the company". Cohen says Mr Trump was unconcerned with any harm to his businesses. "Plus, I will never get the Hispanic vote," Mr Trump said, according to Cohen. He returns to the president's treatment of women throughout the book. He describes the married Mr Trump ogling contestants at his Miss Universe pageant and boasting he could "have all of them" if he wanted. He also claimed to have seen Mr Trump corner and forcibly kiss women at his office. Cohen also sheds light on Mr Trump's admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he admired him most because he "had the balls to take over an entire nation and run it like it was his personal company". But he added that Mr Trump's campaign had been "far too chaotic and incompetent to actually conspire with the Russian government". Beyond his dealings with Mr Trump, Cohen is nostalgic about experiences he says informed his fierce loyalty and attack-dog persona. The Long Island native, a Holocaust survivor's son, writes of rubbing shoulders with mobsters at his uncle's club, where he worked as a teen. After witnessing a poolside shooting, he says he felt a duty to keep quiet. A few days later, he writes, a tough-looking fellow handed him an envelope stuffed with $500 cash. Cohen has led a publicity blitz around his memoir even as he serves his federal sentence in home confinement. A judge ruled this summer that authorities had retaliated against him, sending him back to prison in upstate New York after he was furloughed because of the coronavirus pandemic, for publishing the book ahead of the November election. Cohen was released to home confinement in July and the government lifted a ban on him speaking publicly. After struggling to stay open during the Covid-19 pandemic, a sushi restaurant in Japans Aichi Prefecture, has found success with an ingenious macho delivery service that involves using buff bodybuilders as delivery boys. Masanori Sugiura, a third-generation owner of the 60-year-old sushi restaurant Imazushi in the city of Anjo, started working out at the gym when he was in his 20s, but he never imagined that his hobby would one day help him keep his family business afloat. The trained chef had seen his profits plummet from the usual 100 million yen ($940,000) for the April-June quarter, to just 10 million yen, because of the coronavirus, and at one point had cut his staff from 50 to just four. But then he had a wacky idea to put his muscles to work as a way of attracting new business, and the Delivery Macho service was born. Photo: Delivery Macho Sugiura and some of his gym buddies started delivering food orders themselves, and surprising customers by taking their top of and revealing their chiseled physiques. They also started posing for photos with their clients, and some of those pics ended up on social media, helping the Delivery Macho service go viral soon after its launched. People couldnt stop talking about the muscly delivery boys, and Imazushi saw a sharp increase in daily orders. I started this for fun together with a specially selected group of five bodybuilders, Sugiura told The Mainichi newspaper. In the future, Id like to try hosting macho tuna cutting shows abroad. Photo: Delivery Macho As many of his bodybuilding friends were out of work during the pandemic, because gyms were closed, Masanori Sugiura had an easy time finding trustworthy delivery boys with the appropriate physique. They needed a quick way to make some money, and he wanted to keep his business afloat. Today Imazushi receives around 8 to 10 Delivery Macho orders on busy days, and monthly revenue from the service alone tops 1.5 million yen ($14,000). The Delivery Macho service is manly aimed at the city of Nagoya, located just 30 kilometres from Anjo, but Masanori Sugiura says that his muscly delivery men can travel to other cities, like Tokyo or Osaka, for the right price. He is currently looking to hire local talent in major Japanese cities, after seeing a surge in requests. Locals wanting to experience Delivery Macho need only call the Imazushi restaurant, ask for the service and place a minimum delivery order of 7,000 yen ($66). LANSDALE Mater Dei Catholic School, 493 E. Main St., is welcoming its students back to school for either virtual or in-person instruction beginning the week of September 7 at both the Lansdale and Hatfield campuses. The Lansdale campus will welcome children in six preschool classrooms as well as students in kindergarten to grade 8. The Childcare Center and Mater Deis Hatfield Campus will welcome infants to older toddlers to the Childcare Center as well as three and four-year-old children to the two new preschool classrooms opened for this school year. Teachers participated in two professional days prior to the schools opening. On the first day, the entire staff came together for a Holy Hour at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. As Mater Deis President stated in her opening remarks, We have done everything we could to prepare for the childrens arrival and to keep them safe; now the rest is in Gods hands. CYNTHIA CHANDRAN By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kottayam District Congress Committee has decided to celebrate former chief minister Oommen Chandys golden jubilee anniversary as a legislator with fanfare, which is being seen as a relaunch pad for him before the next assembly elections. With the Covid-19 protocol in place, the DCC has decided to hold the celebrations at Mammen Mappillai Hall in Kottayam at 5pm on September 17. It will see 50 personalities from various strata of the society participating at the venue and a whopping 20 lakh party supporters attending it online from across the world. Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will inaugurate the celebrations via videoconferencing. Ever since the UDF tasted defeat in the 2016 assembly elections, Oommen Chandy has been pestered by his supporters demanding to know when they can see him returning to take central stage in the state Congress. He keeps brushing off their questions with a smile while maintaining that he has not gone anywhere. Though he is actively intervening in major issues, he keeps away from the nitty-gritty of Congress politics. Once in a while, a buzz is created on whether he will contest in the 2020 assembly elections or not, ensuring that his name is in the air for the chief ministers post. Currently, Oommen Chandy holds the record in the country, among those who are still alive, for representing the same assembly constituency (Puthupally) for 11 terms. Earlier, former Kerala Congress (Mani) chairman K M Mani had held the record for being the legislator from Pala for 52 years until his death last year. Oommen Chandy is keen to make the golden anniversary celebrations a low-key affair. The Kottayam DCC which is organising the event has appointed Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, MLA, as the organising committee convener. Arrangements are currently on to make the programme a grand success. A slew of personalities from political, social, religious and cultural fields will be attending the celebrations on September 17, Thiruvanchoor told TNIE. The programme will see CWC leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, MP, A K Antony and Mukul Wasnik joining from New Delhi via videoconferencing. Apart from the top brass of KPCC, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPI secretary Kanam Rajendran and BJP former state president Kummanam Rajasekharan as well as community leaders will also attend the programme. During his 50 years of representing Puthupally, Oommen Chandy had defeated CPMs E M George (1970), Janata Partys P C Cherian (1977), independent M R G Panicker (1980), independent Thomas Rajan (1982), CPMs V N Vasavan (1987 and 1991), CPMs Reji Zachariah (1996), CPM independent Cherian Philip (2001), CPMs Sindhu Joy (2006), CPMs Suja Susan George (2011) and CPMs Jaick C Thomas (2016). The war of words between Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut took a fresh turn with the latter stating that the leader doesn't represent entire Maharashtra while confirming that she will return to Mumbai on September 9. Accusing Raut of "empowering those who exploit women" in the country, the Bollywood actor said that the daughters of India will never forgive him for his alleged abusive statement. "Sanjay Raut ji, you called me 'haramkhor.' It shows your mindset...If I criticise Mumbai Police or if I criticise you, then you can't say I am insulting Maharashtra. You are not Maharashtra. Your people are threatening me, still I will come to Mumbai on September 9," Ranaut says in the video she put out on her official Twitter handle. "Your people are saying they will break my jaw, they will kill me. Kill me, but this country's soil is enriched with the blood of those who sacrificed for its dignity and we too will do the same," she added. Ranaut also raised the issue of "inaction" by Mumbai Police during the Palghar lynching, and it refusing to register a case on the request of the father of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's in connection with his death, to state why she had turned out to be its critic. WATCH: You are not Maharashtra, Kangana tells Raut On Thursday, the actress took to Twitter claiming, "Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai. After Aazadi graffitis in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan occupied Kashmir?" "After a major star has been killed I spoke about drugs and movie mafia racket, I don't trust Mumbai Police because they ignored SSR's complaints. He told everyone they will kill him yet he was killed. If I feel unsafe, does that mean I hate the industry and Mumbai?" she said in another tweet. Hitting back at Ranaut, the Shiv Sena MP accused her of lying and said, "Mumbai gave a lot to Kangana and she is now working to discredit the name of Mumbai and Mumbai Police all over the world." The comments came after Kangana's statements in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. COVID-19 vaccine developers plan to issue a joint pledge of safety, an unusual move among pharmaceutical rivals. In a draft of the pledge, the COVID-19 vaccine developers said they would not seek government approval until the shots are proven safe and effective. The pledge of safety, which is still being finalized, comes as all COVID-19 vaccine developers address concerns over a rush to mass vaccinations. Companies taking part in the pledge are Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna Inc. A CNBC report confirmed that Sanofi would also take part in the pledge that commits the companies to the safety and well-being of vaccinated people. A report from The Wall Street Journal noted that the firms would also pledge to adhere to high scientific and ethical standards during the course of the studies. Sources said the companies might issue the final copy of the pledge as soon as early next week. COVID-19 Vaccine Developers Says There's No Rush The upcoming pledge statement will be one of the many assurances to the public from industry executives. With the need to have a COVID-19 vaccine soon, many are worried that rapid testing and making vaccines are being sacrificed. In the U.S. alone, many are doubtful of the manufacturing process and hesitant to take a vaccine. In large part, the hesitance is due to concerns that the vaccine and its potential authorizations are getting too rushed. Some are even concerned that the public health sector is being pressured to have a vaccine ready before Election Day. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnancy assured the public Thursday that the White House will not "in any way" sacrifice the safety of the vaccine, the Business Insider reported. Most experts said there's a very slim chance that a COVID-19 vaccine will be ready by the end of the year. Vaccines usually take years to be developed. But COVID-19 shots are moving ahead fast. In fact, some companies are already in the last few stages of development. "We will not cut corners," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a Fox News report. Pfizer is also in the late stages of its study. It started at the end of July and had already enrolled around 23,000 people. Bourla said he expects to find out if the vaccine works by the end of October. This is also a very fast timeline. The joint pledge claimed that it would "help ensure public confidence in the Covid-19 vaccines." It added that an emergency use approval would only be asked from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if a vaccine's phase three clinical trial had "substantial evidence." But FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn and infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said this stage could be cut short if a vaccine yields quick and strong evidence. Public health specialists are also concerned with the FDA emergency authorization as the agency had previously yielded to pressure. Last March, the FDA issued this authorization to President Donald Trump-backed anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. Later on, it took back its approval in June because of evidence showing that the drugs cause a higher risk of death for COVID-19 patients. Three companies have already tested their vaccine candidates in phase three trials: Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca. It is not yet clear if AstraZeneca will be part of the joint pledge. But it did release a statement, saying they will "follow the science" and "put patients first." Check these out! Coronavirus Vaccine Effort Led by WHO but US Won't Join Moderna Backtracks COVID-19 Vaccine Trials to Enroll Minorities CDC to States: Be Ready for COVID-19 Vaccines by November 1 Ahmedabad: The 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit will be inaugurated on Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be held with many heads of states, top global businessmen and Indian CEOs and several business houses expected to participate in it. This time the state government expects to receive investment proposals of more than Rs 25 lakh crore from the at Summit, which was the brain child of Modi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. In the 8th edition of the summit held in January 2015, Rs 25 lakh crore investment proposals were received by the state government. Around 20 heads of state and ministers representing different governments across the world would attend the 8th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Nisha Desai Biswal, an Indian-American serving as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central AsianAffairs in the United States Department of State will remain present along with large US business delegation. Also Read: Gujarat government to invite Nobel prize winners ahead of Vibrant Summit Other prominent dignitaries are - President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, PrimeMinister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, PM of Serbia, AleksandarVucic, Deputy PM of Russia, Dmitry Rogozin, first Deputy PMand Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Poland, PoitrGlinski. PM Modi will interact with some of the top state heads ahead of the formal inauguration of the Summit on Tuesday. This time, 12 nations have agreed to become partner countries for the event. They are - USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, The Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Sweden and UAE. Representatives of these countries will come with large business delegations. After the inauguration ceremony, Modi will attend CEO's conference in which top global and Indian industry leaders will participate. Out of these top 50 industry leaders, 25 will be fromIndia while the remaining will be from other countries, such as USA, Japan, France, UK, Netherlands and Taiwan among others, said Additional Chief Secretary (industries and mines) P K Taneja. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Los Angeles: A couples plan to reveal their babys gender went up not in blue or pink smoke but in flames when the device they used sparked a wildfire that burned thousands of acres and forced people to flee from a city east of Los Angeles. The fire prompted evacuations in parts of Yucaipa, a city of 54,000, and the surrounding area. Water-dropping helicopters were brought in but the fire has proven stubborn it grew to 30 square kilometres by Monday morning (local time) and more than 500 firefighters on the scene only had minimal containment. No homes have burned and no injuries reported. A helicopter prepares to drop water at a wildfire in Yucaipa, California, after a couples plan to reveal their babys gender at a party sparked the blaze at El Rancho Dorado Park. Credit:AP It's the latest in what has become a lengthy list of tragedies at events where typically smoke, confetti, balloons or other coloured objects are used to reveal the soon-to-be-born childs biological sex pink for girls and blue for boys. Sometimes the made-for-social-media gatherings are spectacles and include explosives and even guns, and at least one had deadly consequences. Press Release 7 September 2020 The Hotel Plus 2020, hosted by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets, concluded with great success at National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) in Shanghai, China from 12th - 14th August. Over the 3-day period, the show was packed with more than 110,000 professional visitors to develop business networking with industry peers from the community of hotel, design, retailing, cleaning and real estate. Advertisements "The show is very big and has many highlights, covering the needs of hotels at all aspects. I saw various intelligent products were showcased, they satisfied the current needs and development of smart hotels," said a journalist from HRC China, the sourcing directory for hotels and restaurants, "Hotel Plus is the first trade show for the hospitality industry after the epidemic situation is getting better. The large flow of people can be regarded as the vigorous momentum of continued development of the hotel industry." 2,100+ brands gather to form a one-stop sourcing platform for all categories of hotels and commercial space The show reaches an exhibition area of 210,000 sqm and gathers 2,100+ exhibitors, covering 8 exhibition halls of NECC which can be categorized into Hotel Textile & Uniforms (Hall 1.1), Hotel Supplies, Guest Room Appliances & Amenities (Hall 2.1), Cleaning, Air Purification, Facility, Epidemic Prevention (Hall 3.1), Contract Furniture & Hotel Mattress (Hall 4.1), Ceramics, Stones, Bathroom & Hardware Accessories, Engineering Design (Hall 5.1), Building & Decoration, Engineering Design (Hall 6.1), Lighting & Intelligence, Smart Hotel (Hall 7.1), Commercial Space, Vending Machine & Kiosk, Smart Retail (Hall 8.1). The exhibits range over all categories of construction and operation, serving as a one-stop sourcing platform for domestic hotels and commercial space. There are many well-known brands in the industry appeared at the show, including PHILIPS, Panasonic, Haier, GOLD, SSWW, Lamett, 3trees, Kingkoil, Serta, Sleemon, MYGLORY, BSD-Tech, DONGHONG, OPPLE, FLUA, ING+, Yunji Technology, Xie Zhu Technology, Canasin, Sidefu, Suntree, Tong Lang & ZIHUI, UG, COMAC, LYX, Gaussian Robotics, ChaoBao, Hako, Zoomgu, XINGX, KIMMA, Yile, SIXMORE, WISEIN, to name a few. "In recent years, construction projects have become a more mature sales channel for building material suppliers and contractors," says a reporter, "Hotel construction projects is an important part of all channels. Many well-known building material suppliers have a positive attitude. Through expanding sales channels, it is believed that, they will usher in a turning point in the second half of this year." A reporter from focus.cn, China's leading real estate online service platform, said, "Building material manufacturers and contractors have established distribution channel for engineering and decoration projects one after another in recent years. Hotel engineering is one of the key sales channels for building material suppliers. Many industry big names are holding a positive attitude about it. I believe they can successfully make a comeback in the market after the epidemic in the second half of the year with the development of channels." 80+ activities and forums help on close communication with industry leaders Get inspired by design thoughts During the show period, several design forums were staged in turn, including China International Building & Interior Design Forum, China International Lighting Design Forum, Digital Business Innovation Forum, New Dining Era - Dining Space Design and Floral Furnishings, Hospitality Design Trend Forum and The Sixth Edition of China Real Estate Architects Summit Forum, comprehensively interpreting case studies and sharing design inspiration on interiors, architecture and lighting, and won the good reputation of the audience. Among them, the China International Building & Interior Design Forum held on 12th August 2020 in Hall 5.1 invited Yang Bangsheng, founder and CEO of YANG and Associates Group, Peter Mackey, Director of Chapman Taylor, Yun Du, Partner and Architectural Director of BLVD International, White Wang, Design Director of HKS Greater China, Angela He, Design and Projects Director of Hilton, Ray Zhou, Founder and Interior Design Creative Director of Vermilion Zhou Design Group, Evan Gu, Technical Director of Gensler Shanghai Branch, Shain Lim, Head of Design of Ezhen, Ben Wu, Founder of WS Group and W.Design, and James Lee, Founder and CEO of L'Avventura and Associates to share their latest projects and industry trends. In the afternoon of Hall 7.1, the Xiangguang Qianxing Lighting Design Forum was organized by Wang Kai, Hu Bin, Zhong Ming, Hu Fang, Yu Xiankai, Xu Qingliu, Bai Wanjun, Pi Wei and other well-known lighting designers, owners of wine management groups, and commercial Space owners and other industry professionals focused on the lighting design of hotels and commercial spaces in the post-epidemic era. Through classic and latest lighting case sharing and design trend analysis, they jointly discussed the new information, new weather and new future of the development of the relevant lighting industry. In the afternoon of the same day in Hall 7.1, Kai Wang, Director of BPI, Bin Hu, Chief Designer and Engineering Director of InterContinental Greater China, Ming Zhong, Founder and Chief Designer of Tungsten Studio, Fang Hu, Founder of Purilighting, Xiankai Yu, General Manager and Design Director of Hanrun International Lighting Design Company, Alex Xu, Principal Design of A&P, Wanjun Bai, General Manager and Creative Director of Bamboo Lighting Design shared their professional experience and design thinking in China International Lighting Design Forum with other well-known lighting designers, delegates from hotel management groups and commercial space owners to discuss post-COVID-19 lighting design trends for hotels and commercial space through presenting classic and latest cases. Focus on Hotels and Cultural Tourism As the iconic events of Hotel Plus, Hotel Uniform Show and Hotel Housekeeping Competition invited staff representatives from several star hotels to compete on the same stage, showing professional grace of hotel staff. In addition, there were a series of summit forums attended by hoteliers, investors, developers and designers including China Hotel AC Index Investment Forum (Shanghai) & Hotel Design Innovation Forum, 2020 Asia Hotel and Travel Forum Annual Meeting, 2020 China Hotel Procurement Conference, The 6th Star Hotel Renovation Forum, and LIWULI Salon - Searching Resources of Hotel Design & Pre-Opening, focusing on future development trend of hospitality and cultural tourism industry. Another highlight of Hotel Plus was Mockup Room Show through which hotel groups, real estate companies and design firms presented their latest hotel brands and concept guest rooms in real scenario. They included BTG Homeinns, Shimao Star Hotels Group, Funyard Hotels & Resorts, Opera Movie Hotel Group, GAI by GREENTOWN, IMAGIN, g.da group, and PFD+, exploring the investment and design trends of hotels and commercial space. Hotel Plus Mockup Room Show is another event highlight joined by hotels, real estates and design firms to build mockup rooms on the show floor. The line-up this year includes BTG Homeinns, Shimao Star Hotels Group, Funyard Hotels & Resorts, Opera Movie Hotel Group, GAI by GREENTOWN, IMAGIN, g.da group, and PFD+, has attracted many professional visitors to stop and appreciate, leading the investment and design development trend of hotels and commercial space. Explore Cleaning and Property Management China Cleaning Skill Competition and 2020 China (Shanghai) Property Management Summit Forum - Best Practices for Commercial Building and Facility Management grabbed the spotlight in the field of cleaning and facility management. The former event presented proficient and professional skills of cleaners while the latter shared domestic and international successful cases on property management and operation from a global perspective. Expand into Commercial and Retail Industry In partnership with China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM), the Hotel Plus show fully expanded the resource into commercial and retail industry this year, planned and organized 2020 Shanghai International Shopping Mall Development Forum and The 4th Retail Technology Conference, to empower the commercial recovery in the post-epidemic world and future development of retail technology. Each forum was packed by attendees and received highly recognition from them. More concurrent events have been held successfully such as 2020 China New Business Brand Conference, The 2nd Unmanned Self-Service Retail Conference and New Shopping Trends of Younger Generation. 16 awards were released, witnessing the highlight moment of the industry On 12th August, the "Fusion 2020" Hotel Plus awards ceremony and gala dinner gathered industry insiders together to witness the highlight moment of the industry. The Hotel Plus Awards is focusing on cleaning, retailing, hotel and design, including 16 categories which are Best Cleaning Brand Awards, Cleaning Service Providers' Choice Awards, Most Popular Property and Facility Management Companies Awards, Best Mall Operator Awards, Best Retail Solution Awards, Best Smart Retail Supplier Awards, Best Hotel Supplier Awards, Hoteliers' Choice Awards, Designers' Choice Awards, Best Engineering Decoration Suppliers for Hotels and Commercial Space Awards, Best Lighting Brand for Hotels and Commercial Space Awards, Best Smart Hotel Technology Brand Awards, Best Mockup Room Design Awards, Best Designer Awards, Special Contribution Awards and Gold Awards 2020, to encourage excellent individuals, brands and suppliers who had made great contributions to the industry. See you in Hotel Plus 2021 Thanks to the great support from China Tourist Hotel Association, China Commerce Association for General Merchandise, China Association of Lighting Industry and China Architectural Culture Centre, Hotel Plus 2020 ended perfectly after 3 days Hotel Plus will keep moving forward, digging deep into the industry and contributing to the market revival after the epidemic. Stay tuned for the next edition of Hotel Plus taking place at SNIEC from 30 March - 2 April 2021. Based on structural similarities with other targets of the gamma-secretase system, researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center in the United States show that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor for cell entry may be affected by its proteolytic activity. Their results are currently freely available in a bioRxiv* preprint paper. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) health crisis, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused massive disruption worldwide with no drug or vaccine yet on sight. However, some primary research endeavors show promising results in the design of an effective and targeted therapeutic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a membrane-linked ectoenzyme that processes Angiotensin II but also mediates the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the human cell by means of binding the viral spike glycoprotein. More specifically, spike glycoprotein binding to ACE2 sets off membrane fusion and viral entry, but only after spike priming by transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which also cleaves the ectodomain of ACE2. ACE2 cleavage (or shedding) can additionally be fostered by the disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17), found to compete with TMPRSS2. Accordingly, there are conflicting reports of ADAM17-mediated shedding that affect coronavirus cell entry. Human ACE2 receptor, 3D illustration. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock The role of gamma-secretase The gamma-secretase (S) protein complex is comprised of a Presenilin 1/2 aspartyl protease catalytic core with regulatory (Aph-1a or Aph-1b), enhancer (PEN2), and targeting (Nicastrin) subunits. In short, this is a prototype intramembrane-cleaving protease (I-CLiP). Dozens of putative S targets have been identified, determined by a rather specific transmembrane conformational structure and accessibility. Nonetheless, the validation of novel targets is hampered by the lack of definite common features and ectodomain shedding demands. Based on the structural similarity of ACE2 to known S targets, the researchers from the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in the United States (led by Dr. Alberto Bartolome) hypothesized that S can regulate intramembrane cleavage of ACE2 and may impact the biology of SARS-CoV-2. From cell cultures to advanced methods A myriad of different methods was used to study the aforementioned hypothesis. For cell culture purposes, the researchers have used Presenilin-deficient (Psen1/2 double knockout) and control mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), as well as Nicastrin knockout and control MEFs. Furthermore, to test the hypothesis whether ACE2E and S physically interact, the researchers performed co-immunoprecipitation of endogenous S with C-terminally tagged ACE2 and detected the association with both Nicastrin and Presenilin1 with ACE2E, but not full-length ACE2. Finally, Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis immunofluorescence and confocal imaging were used. Recombinant Indiana, vesicular stomatitis virus, expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, has been generated as a pseudovirus. What did this study find? "We found that after ectodomain shedding, ACE2 is targeted for intramembrane proteolysis by S, releasing a soluble ACE2 C-terminal fragment", say study authors. "Consistently, chemical or genetic inhibition of S results in the accumulation of a membrane-bound fragment of ectodomain-deficient ACE2", they add. Interestingly, this study has found ACE2E accumulation even in unstimulated cells expressing ACE2 - suggesting that endogenous ectodomain shedding accompanied by S cleavage is inherent to the normal turnover of ACE2. Furthermore, it was shown that ACE2 undergoes TMPRSS2/ADAM17-dependent S cleavage, which results in short-lived ACE2 C-terminal intracellular domains. Considering the latter, chemical or genetic S inhibition prevents its generation, leading to the accumulation of a membrane-bound ACE2 lacking the ectodomain. Model of ACE2 cleavage. Model showing the sequential processing of full length ACE2 by ADAM17/TMPRSS2 and S, rendering ACE2E and ACE2-ICD, respectively. ACE2-ICD is then rapidly degraded in the proteasome. Fine-tuning for COVID-19 treatment "In sum, our results demonstrate that ACE2 is a novel S target, but that pharmacologic inhibition of S does not impact SARS-CoV-2 S-protein mediated cell entry", emphasize study authors in this novel bioRxiv paper. And albeit chemical inhibition of S does not alter SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, these data suggest an entirely new pathway for cellular ACE2 trafficking. Such findings may have direct implications for therapeutic and other applications. More specifically, given the optimal pharmacologic accessibility of S, further exploration into this novel biology is warranted in order to fine-tune it against COVID-19, which is possible due to a plethora of functions ascribed to ACE2. *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. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ram Madhavs presence at the official funeral of a Tibetan soldier from the secretive Special Frontier Force (SFF) on Monday created a flutter in diplomatic and political circles amid the border standoff with China. BJP MP from Jamyang, Tsering Namgyal, attended the funeral with Ram Madhav at Choglamasar, Ladakh, around 7.30am, the formers personal secretary said. Namgyals secretary said Ram Madhav had reached Leh on Sunday where he attended and addressed the first executive meeting of the newly formed unit of the BJP in the UT of Ladakh. Honble National General Secretary Bharatiya Janata Party arrives at BJP Head Quarters Leh, Ladakh for the inaugural State Executive Meeting, Namgyal had posted on his Twitter handle on Sunday. The funeral of SFF company leader Nyima Tenzin, killed in a landmine blast in an operation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during August 29-30, was held at Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The funeral cortege was joined by scores of cars and motorcycles and people waving the Indian and Tibetan flags. Tenzins coffin, carried in an army truck, was draped in the Indian tricolour and Tibetan flag, which were handed over to his widow at the funeral. Experts noted this was probably the first time an SFF personnel who died in action was given a public funeral, complete with military honours and a volley of shots by a ceremonial guard. BJP national general secretary Madhav posted photos of the funeral and paid tribute to Tenzin on Twitter but subsequently deleted the tweet. Screenshots of his tweet, which were widely shared, showed he had posted: Attended [the] funeral of SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting our borders in Ladakh, and laid a wreath as a tribute. Let [the] sacrifices of such valiant soldiers bring peace along the Indo-Tibetan border. That will be [the] real tribute to all martyrs. People present at the funeral shouted slogans such as Bharat Mata ki jai, Tibet desh ki jai, Vikas Regiment zindabad and We salute Tenzin. SFF is also known as Establishment 22 and Vikas Regiment. Banners put up at the funeral site by SFF ex-servicemen described Tenzin as a soldier who sacrificed his life to protect his second homeland India fighting common enemy China. Madhav spoke to the media at the funeral, saying in Hindi that he hoped Tenzins sacrifice will bring peace to the border and that efforts are on to end the tension. He added, We hope peace will be restored soon. People familiar with developments said Madhav hadnt attended the funeral as a representative of the government. On Sunday, Madhav began a two-day visit to the Union Territory that was carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir after its special status was scrapped in August 2019. However, the move marks a shift from the governments reported decision in early 2018 asking officials and leaders to skip events which were being organised at the time to mark the Dalai Lamas 60 years in exile. As the government worked to improve ties with China, especially through the mechanism of informal summits, the Tibet issue was largely sidelined. SFF was raised with former Tibetan guerrillas in 1962 and went on to see action during the 1971 war with Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh and the 1999 Kargil conflict. It is led by army officers and most of its personnel are men of Tibetan origin. Senior journalist and political analyst of J&K and Ladakh UTs, Zafar Choudhary said, Ram Madhavs presence at the funeral and choice of words in his tweet was clearly a signal to China that India would like to see Tibet a disputed territory. He mentioned desire for peace along India-Tibet border instead of India-China border. However, his decision to delete the tweet soon after suggests that the Government or the entire party may not be in complete agreement with him on giving China such a strong message. Amitabh Mathur, a former special secretary in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) who advised the government on issues related to Tibet, said it made sense for India to use a force such as SFF in the current scenario because of the special skills of its personnel. They are used to operating at high altitudes and it would be an enormous waste if they are kept away from the terrain where they are most useful, he said. However, he said the Indian side will have to ensure that their use is followed up with other messages that reach the overall Tibetan community, and a consistent policy. There has to be some sort of gesture, an overt sign and this message should reach the Tibetans in Tibet, he added. (With inputs from Ravi Krishan Khajuria ) A senior officer who led Scotland Yard's shambolic VIP child abuse inquiry was one of the country's best-paid policemen last year. Steve Rodhouse was awarded a bonus, a pay rise and a massive boost to his 2million pension pot, a new report shows. It took his total package at the National Crime Agency (NCA) to almost 300,000, making him among the highest earners in UK law enforcement. Steve Rodhouse (pictured) was awarded a bonus, a pay rise and a massive boost to his 2million pension pot, a new report shows He got the huge payday despite being blasted for his key role in the scandal of the serial liar known as 'Nick', real name Carl Beech, whose false claims of an establishment paedophile ring were deemed 'credible and true' by the Met. The fiasco cost the taxpayer millions and severely damaged the reputations of innocent public figures including ex-Armed Forces chief Lord Bramall, former home secretary Leon Brittan and ex-prime minister Sir Edward Heath. Mr Rodhouse has faced calls to quit over his role leading the notorious Operation Midland, and to face a fresh disciplinary investigation after he was controversially cleared of misconduct without being interviewed by watchdogs. He is one of several key police figures in the 'Nick' scandal who have been 'rewarded for failure' with promotions and/or enrichment since the case. Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, one of those falsely accused by Beech, said: 'It is a slap in the face to the families of the late Lord Bramall, Lord Brittan and myself that the police should seek to reward the person who caused so much damage to so many and left the reputation of the Metropolitan Police Service so low. 'What Steve Rodhouse and senior officers in the Met have got for themselves is a self-preservation society which has outrageously allowed them to get over-promoted, over-paid and over-protected. 'He should no longer be working as a police officer.' Criticising the 'incompetence and reckless credulity' of Operation Midland officers, Sir Edward's godson Lincoln Seligman said: 'Mr Rodhouse seems to lead a charmed existence. 'Whatever his generous package is a reward for, it's not for success.' Daniel Janner QC, whose Labour peer father Lord Greville Janner was falsely accused by Beech, said the 'public will be astounded that a police officer earns more than the Prime Minister' after overseeing the 'Nick' shambles. 'Mr Rodhouse has tarnished the reputation of the Met,' he added. It was Mr Rodhouse who, when a deputy assistant commissioner in the Met, decided in November 2014 to investigate claims by Beech that he had witnessed child abuse and murder carried out by leading establishment figures. He then decided to hold a press conference at which another officer described the fantastical claims as 'credible and true'. The 2.5million inquiry closed without any arrests or charges in March 2016 and paedophile Beech was jailed for 18 years last summer. Mr Rodhouse was accused of serious errors in the damning inquiry into Operation Midland by former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques, for having neither met 'Nick' nor read any of his contradictory interviews at the time the investigation was launched. He was one of five Met officers referred to watchdogs, but was cleared within months without even being quizzed about his conduct in the case. Mr Rodhouse then joined the NCA as director general (operations), effectively deputy to its head Lynne Owens. New accounts for the NCA Britain's equivalent of the FBI reveal details of his astonishing pay package. For the financial year ending in March, Mr Rodhouse received a salary of 175,000 to 180,000 a higher band than he was in the previous year. Serial liar known as 'Nick', real name Carl Beech (pictured), whose false claims of an establishment paedophile ring were deemed 'credible and true' by the Met The Daily Mail understands he also received a 450 bonus for last year. And his accrued pension benefits were 109,000, up from 70,000 the previous year. It gave him a total remuneration of between 285,000 and 290,000. And his total pension pot, after more than 24 years in policing, is now worth 2.2million. A handful of senior officers in the Met and the National Police Chiefs Council received total remuneration of just over 280,000 last year. Sir Richard's scathing report also savaged Mr Rodhouse over a parallel Met investigation into false claims of rape against Lord Brittan. Before that the bungling officer oversaw a much-criticised child sex abuse inquiry by Surrey Police into Jimmy Savile. The NCA said: 'Steve Rodhouse received the same 1 per cent pay increase in 2019/20 as all other eligible members of the NCA board. 'Additionally, pension benefit figures are not cash values and officers do not receive them as payment. 'It would be inaccurate to suggest that a change in that figure is comparable to an increase in salary.' Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Novan Iman Santosa (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, September 7, 2020 After staying mum for two months, Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner broke her silence on Indonesia's proposal to buy jet fighters from the European country. On a letter dated Sept. 4, a copy of which was obtained by The Jakarta Post, Tanner said she wanted to enter into specific sales negotiations with her Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto, Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported on Sunday. She also thanked Prabowo for his interest in buying a fleet of 15 Eurofighter Typhoon jet fighters. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Country eases coronavirus restrictions as peak passes, but crowds in public spaces raise fears of a new spike. Colombia is easing some coronavirus restrictions after months of lockdown. But many people are flouting some of the rules that are in place to keep people safe while mixing in public areas. Officials in the capital, Bogota, have found new ways to keep order using clowns who mingle with the crowds and remind people to follow the rules. Al Jazeeras Alessandro Rampietti reports from Bogota, Colombia. Would you pay higher taxes for this? Images: Getty Australians could be slugged with an extra 1 per cent of income tax to pay for improved aged care services under a solution proposed by a major consulting firm. Increasing the Medicare levy by 0.89 per cent or income tax by 1 per cent would help deliver four-star staffing levels in Australian nursing homes, provide more respite for family members and boost access to doctors, rehabilitation services and dentists Deloitte Access Economics found in modelling prepared for the Royal Commission into Aged Care. And Australians would generally be happy to cough up the extra tax - Flinders University has found that taxpayers would be willing to pay another 3.1 per cent in tax to cover this boosted aged care. The modelling was built on Australians preferences to age at home, rather than moving into a facility and modelling found that in order to deliver four-star care, Australias aged care workforce needs to increase by 30,000 full-time jobs in the next 10 years. Thats in addition to the 50,000 extra workers required just to care for the growing number of older Australians. Among that, the number of registered nurses would need to double while wages would also need to increase to attract more workers. The Deloitte modelling showed nursing wages would need to increase by 5.5 per cent a year along with other skilled workers in the sector - around double the average increase. That increase should also take pay for aged care workers to the same level as other healthcare workers. On top of that, the Government needs to supercharge its skilled migrant program targeting those with skills to work in aged care. Deloitte also suggested reforming the aged care sector to ensure young people with disabilities live in accommodation that is appropriate for them, rather than in aged care centres and that there are improved resources for public guardians to assist vulnerable elderly Australians without any family or friends to care for them. The modelling noted the Commissions interim report identified a pattern of societal neglect surrounding aged care that has left services fragmented, unsupported and underfunded. Story continues There is a need for significant reform to improve the quality of aged care and ensure older Australians have access to the care they need, Deloitte said. The report also noted that while the share of national income due to be spent on aged care will increase, shifting focus to providing in-home care rather than expensive care in a facility should mitigate that to some extent. The Commission is due to hand down its final report in February, as Australia grapples with a wave of cases in aged care homes. Across Australia, 554 people in aged care facilities have died of Covid-19, while 732 have recovered and 663 continue to battle the respiratory illness. The vast majority of cases are in Victoria, with Australias nurses union arguing the surge in cases is largely due to poor surge workforce plans. World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently said arguments that it was fine for elderly people to die of coronavirus was moral bankruptcy. "Every life, whether it's young or old, is precious and we have to do everything to save it." Want to take control of your finances and your future? Join the Womens Money Movement on LinkedIn and follow Yahoo Finance Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. How's this for a repressed story? Venezuela is in the midst of a massive oil spill covering a pristine national park, in what's the world's second biggest oil spill of 2020, and nobody's saying a thing. The Morrocoy national park in western Venezuela will likely take 50 years to recover. Here's what the news was last August 12, from a Canadian news agency, and there's been little said since: An oil spill in Venezuela has coated a stretch of the crisis-wracked nation's Caribbean coastline, treasured for its white sand beaches, clusters of small islands and wildlife. Fisherman and locals living around Morrocoy National Park began reporting oil washing ashore last week and it has coated roughly 15 kilometres of beaches. The area popular with tourists is located 300 kilometres from the capital of Caracas. Venezuelan authorities acknowledged the spill, saying they're containing and cleaning it up, but so they far haven't said what caused it. The area is near El Palito refinery operated by the struggling state-owned PDVSA oil company, but Environmental Minister Oswaldo Barbera tweeted late Tuesday that a flyover confirmed that the spill did not come from the refinery. He didn't identify the source, however. It's hard to prove a negative, but based on what I've searched, global environmental groups are saying nothing. Local environmental groups are repressed, so they get a pass. But as for the well heeled others, I've checked not a one is saying a thing. And day by day, the pictures get more and more horrible. Here are a few screen grabs and a video from a little Spanish-language news agency called El Estimulo: This most recent photo, from the Associated Press, run only by an obscure Slavic news outfit, which we don't have the rights to, is a shocker. Breitbart reports that oil in a nearby town has gotten into the water pipes and flooded the local houses. But it still isn't good enough for some environmental outrage of the same kind that came out during the Alaska Valdez spill or the 2009 Deepwater Horizon oil spill off Louisiana. Where are the denunciations of oil itself and the cries about oiled birds? Where is the outrage? This is a good one to get outraged about, given the pristine nature that has been destroyed. And the Chavistas running Venezuela say they have no idea where the oil came from. And elsewhere, nobody seems to understand that environmental degradation, of the most horrendous kind, is not the earmark of Western progress, but a signature disaster of socialism. Javier Caceres, a Venezuela scholar I respect, but who nevertheless gets the analysis he wrote for the New York Times just a little wrong, points out that lots of oil cash makes socialists repressive, but a lack of oil cash makes them repressive, too: These catastrophes are two sides of the same coin. Rising authoritarianism in Venezuela has led to oil mismanagement, which in turn has led to environmental degradation. And oil mismanagement is now turning the regime even more autocratic, which in turn is leading to opposition debasement. Pundits often debate whether rising oil fortunes contribute to the rise of authoritarianism. Large oil windfalls, the argument goes, allow states to offer consumption booms to the public in lieu of political rights and to fund repressive forces. But the Venezuelan case seems to be showing that declining oil fortunes can be both a cause and a consequence of hardening authoritarianism. Maybe that's because the root of this isn't cash; it's socialism. The socialists ran things with money and created an environmental hellhole, and then they ran things without money and achieved the same. But it was all the same socialism. Caceres calls them "incompetent." But they're not incompetent; they're experts, of socialism, that is, and the environmental disaster they are creating is cut out of the same piece of cloth as the black rivers of China; the horrendous nuclear wastelands of the old USSR, chiefly in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Russia itself; and the environmental wastelands of Cuba. Take away all property rights, and nothing is going to be kept up. Put the state in charge of resources, and nobody's going to take responsibility. Nationalize or repress the environmental groups, which is what happened in Venezuela, and watch them grow powerless. This doesn't excuse the large international greenie groups from making a stink, and they should. What are they saying? Nothing. Somehow, being socialist gives you a pass on the environmental degradation front according to this bunch, which raises questions about their sincerity on the environment. Images credit: El Estimulo, via shareble YouTube, screen shots. A doctor has appeared in court accused of a string of sexual assaults against a member of staff at a busy London hospital. Dr Kabir Sandhu, 29, allegedly sexually assaulted the member of staff while working at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, in central London. Dr Kabir Sandhu, 29 (pictured), appeared in court accused of a string of sexual assaults He is accused of repeatedly grabbed the complainant's breasts and bottom and of grabbing her around the throat with 'some pressure'. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard today that he is accused of kissing the alleged victim and rubbing his crotch against her. Dr Sandhu carried out one assault in the A&E department of the hospital on 1 December, 2018, and a further five on 2 February last year, it was said. The doctor, who is currently working as GP at a practice in West Hampstead, appeared in court today and denied all the allegations. The complainant also alleges Dr Sandhu, of Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, put his hand under her clothes and into her bra, prosecutor Jonathan Bryan said. He also allegedly rubbed himself against the woman and said 'can you feel that?', Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Dr Sandhu allegedly sexually assaulted the member of staff while working at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, in central London (pictured) Mr Bryan said the first allegation involved the doctor grabbing the woman's breast over her clothing. He added: 'Then on 2 February a whole series of incidents also took place in the Accident and Emergency department. 'There is grabbing of her breasts, kissing her.' District Judge Nina Tempia granted the doctor bail on condition he does not contact the alleged victim directly or indirectly. He was bailed ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 5 October. Coronavirus Updates: A total of 467 persons were tested at a temporary testing centre on Tuesday. The House will be in session only on 9 September as opposed to the two days proposed earlier Auto refresh feeds The toll increased to 7,897 with 31 more patients succumbing to the infection, said the BMC. Mumbai's tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,57,410 on Monday with 1,788 more people testing positive for the infection, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The discharge rate climbed to 85.40 percent, with 3,021 people recovering from the disease since Sunday evening, it said in a bulletin. The COVID-19 toll in West Bengal rose to 3,620 on Monday after 58 more people succumbed to the disease, while 3,077 fresh cases pushed the coronavirus tally in the state to 1,83,865, the health department said. As many as 2,278 new cases were detected in quarantine centres, while 1,583 people tested positive for the infection during contact tracing, he said. Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,27,892 on Monday after the state registered 3,861 new cases for the first time in single day. While, 10 fresh fatalities pushed the toll to 556, a health department official said. It has been decided to give the furniture brought for the said centre like- beds, mattress, pedestal fans, dustbins, water dispensers among others to government-run hostels and hospitals at free of cost. In an order dated 4 September, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city civic body has said the decision to close the facility with a potential capacity of over 10,000 beds was taken at a meeting chaired by the chief minister on the advice of the head of the Covid Care Care Task Force. The COVID-19 Care Centre at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre in the city, that was touted to be the biggest such facility for the treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients in the country, will be shut from 15 September, as it is not getting patients. Speaking to ANI, Dr OP Kalra, vice-chancellor, PGI Rohtak said, "We got permission from Bharat Biotech to start a phase-2 human clinical trial of their vaccine. We've 300 volunteers, aged between 12 years and 65- years, out of which screening of 15 has been completed." Over 5.06 crore COVID-19 samples have been tested so far, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), adding 10,98,621 samples were tested on Monday alone. After more than 16,000 individuals tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the COVID-19 tally climbed to 9.23 lakh on Tuesday. At least 27,027 patients have succumbed to the infectious disease so far, said the state health department. "The first batch of the 'Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) vaccine for the prevention of the new coronavirus infection, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, has passed the necessary quality tests in the laboratories of Roszdravnadzor [medical device regulator] and has been released into civil circulation," according to the Russian health ministry. The first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, developed by Russias Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has been released into civil circulation, regional deliveries are planned in the nearest future, reported news agency ANI on Tuesday. The Himalayan state now has 538 active COVID-19 cases, while 1,396 people have recovered from the disease and six died. Twenty-nine more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sikkim, taking the state's tally to 1,940, an official said yesterday. Of the fresh cases, 18 were reported from East Sikkim and 11 from West Sikkim districts, state Information, Education and Communication officer Sonam Bhutia said. "The total case tally stands at 42,80,423 including 8,83,697 active cases, 33,23,951 cured/discharged/migrated and 72,775 deaths," said the health ministry. India registered 75,809 new COVID-19 infections taking the overall count to 42.80 lakh on Tuesday, said the health ministry. With 1,133 deaths reported across the country in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll has risen to 72,775. "The total case tally stands at 42,80,423 including 8,83,697 active cases, 33,23,951 cured/discharged/migrated and 72,775 deaths," said the health ministry. India registered 75,809 new COVID-19 infections taking the overall count to 42.80 lakh on Tuesday, said the health ministry. With 1,133 deaths reported across the country in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll has risen to 72,775. The case fatality rate declined to 1.70 percent after 72,775 deaths were registered so far. As many as 33,23,950 people have been cured of COVID-19 so far, pushing Indias recovery rate to 77.65 percent, according to the recent data released by the health ministry on Tuesday. The state has not reported any death due to the virus, said the Health Department. There are 391 active cases while 732 patients have been discharged in the state. With nine new COVID-19 cases reported in Mizoram, the total number of coronavirus cases in the state reached 1,123 on Tuesday, according to the State Health Department. Of the total cases in the state, there are 76,467 recoveries and 15,632 active cases. Rajasthan reported 721 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours taking the overall count to 93,257 on Tuesday, said the state health department. The COVID-19 toll in the state has reached 1,158. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal for resuming the operations of 'Shramik Special' trains from Odisha to Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, for migrant workers to return to their workplaces, ANI reported. Referring to the woman found infected with coronavirus for a second time at the Fortis Hospital, the minister, who held a meeting with the COVID-19 taskforce officials, said several other countries have reported cases of reinfection and each country has come up with a different reason for it. "Minister Dr K Sudhakar has instructed the officials to conduct a clinical study about the coronavirus reinfection cases," his office said in a statement. Expressing concern over the reinfection of the patient who was discharged from a hospital in July after recovery, he said it should be dealt with carefully and efforts taken to dispel fears among the people. As a 27-year-old woman from the city probably became the 'first' case of COVID-19 reinfection nearly a month after recovering, Karnataka Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar on Monday instructed the officials to conduct a clinical study about such cases. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 304, followed by Rangareddy 191, Karimnagar 157 and Medchal Malkajgiri 132 districts, a government bulletin said on Tuesday. Telangana reported 2,392 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally of infections to1.45 lakh in the state on Tuesday. The COVID-19 toll has climbed by one to 177. At least 348 more tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra Police in the past 24 hours, said the police department on Tuesday. With this, the overall count in the force increases to 17,439, ANI reported. The nation's propaganda machine has churned out praise for China's Covid-19 response, reframing the public health crisis as an example of the agility and organisation of the Communist leadership. China has passed "an extraordinary and historic test" with its handling of the coronavirus, President Xi Jinping said Tuesday at a triumphant awards ceremony for medical professionals decorated with bugle calls and applause. In his letter to the rail minister, Pradhan said that he has received a number of requests from migrant workers in Odisha who have urged that train services be started from Odisha so that they can reach their workplace. The Railways started Shramik Specials on 1 May to transport stranded migrant workers to their native states after thousands tried to reach home on foot due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The last Shramik Special train was operated on 9 July. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal requesting him to restart Shramik Special trains from Odisha to ferry migrant workers back to their workplace in states like Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra. They are wary of safety measures they see as ill-funded as a new wave of coronavirus infections sweeps the country. They fear sick students could infect relatives who are at higher risk of falling ill from COVID-19. And they claim that they have invested in computers and better network connections to prepare for online lessons, even preparing to homeschool their children if necessary. Angela Lopez hardly fits the profile of a rule-breaker. But the mother of a 7-year-old girl with respiratory problems has found herself among parents ready to challenge Spanish authorities on a blanket order to return to school. Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Uttarakhand Gyan Singh Negi succumbed to COVID-19 on Tuesday. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat condoled his death: "May God give strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss and the departed soul rest in peace." Himachal Pradesh reported 28 new COVID-19 positive cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 7,703. Of the total, there are 5,366 recoveries, 2,267 active cases and 57 deaths. The health ministry issued SOPs for the partial re-opening of schools on a voluntary basis from 21 September. As per the Unlock-4 guidelines, students of Classes 9-12 can go to schools to seek guidance from their teachers, provided their parents give permission. The guidelines stipulate that a six feet distance must be maintained at all times and school must be sanitised before re-opening. Only schools in containment zones will be allowed to open and students' visits must be planned with staggered timings. Maharashtra records 20,131 new COVID19 cases and 380 deaths, taking the total cases in the state to 9,43,772 and deaths to 27,407.. Active cases stand at 2,43,446, said the state public health department. Andhra Pradesh registered 10,601 new coronavirus positive cases and 73 deaths, pushing the total number of cases to 5,17,094 and toll to 4,560, said reports. A total of 4,15,765 have recovered and the state now has 96,769 active cases From 9th September onwards, metro services will begin on blue line (Dwarka Sec 21 - Noida Electronic City/Vaishali) and pink line (Majlis Park - Shiv Vihar) from 7:00 to 11:00 in the morning and 4:00 to 8:00 in the evening. #MetroBackOnTrack pic.twitter.com/vaZK6KIfGy I got myself tested for COVID today as I was having cold and the report came came positive. Anyone came in my contact pl get yourself tested. I have home quarantined myself. National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma said she has tested positive for COVID-19 and home quarantined herself. The health ministry issued SOPs for the partial re-opening of schools on a voluntary basis from 21 September. As per the Unlock-4 guidelines, students of Classes 9-12 can go to schools to seek guidance from their teachers, provided their parents give permission. The guidelines stipulate that a six feet distance must be maintained at all times and school must be sanitised before re-opening. Only schools in containment zones will be allowed to open and students' visits must be planned with staggered timings. #UPDATE : Fire that broke out at Sir Sayajirao General Hospital in Vadodara has been brought under control. Patients have been shifted to safer places. #Gujarat https://t.co/ngU1Grcdae A fire broke out earlier at the COVID-19 ward of civic run SSG hospital in Vadodara and has now been brought under control, said reports. Pateints were evacuated to safer areas. There no injuries, reported PTI. Delhi records 3,609 new COVID-19 cases, 1,756 recoveries and 19 deaths. The total cases in the National Capital climb to 1,97,135 including 1,70,140 recoveries and 4,618 deaths. Active cases stand at 22,377, said a bulletin issued by the Delhi government. Maharashtra records 20,131 new COVID19 cases and 380 deaths, taking the total cases in the state to 9,43,772 and deaths to 27,407.. Active cases stand at 2,43,446, said the state public health department. A day after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's letter to the Railway Minister requesting him to restart Shramik Special trains from Odisha to ferry migrant workers back to their workplaces in other parts of the country, the Railways announced three special trains for the eastern state. The three trains announced on Tuesday are from Puri to Ahmedabad (4 days a week), Puri-Gandhidhan Express (weekly) and the Puri-Okha Express (weekly) which will begin operations from 12 September. These trains are in addition to the 80 trains announced earlier, which too would begin operations from 12 September. The Tripura government said it has decided to allow private hospitals in the state to treat COVID-19 patients. Plasma therapy would also commence in the state within the next two days, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. The Tripura government has also decided to allow Rapid Antigen Tests at 17 private hospitals and nursing homes, and it would cost Rs 750 per test, the statement said. Eight persons tested positive for COVID-19 during examination conducted on MLAs, Assembly staff and media persons Tuesday, ahead of the one-day monsoon session of the West Bengal House on September 9. A total of 467 persons were tested at a temporary testing centre since 10 am "A total of eight people tested positive; out of them, two are Assembly staffs. Four police personnel who were on duty inside the premises, one media person and a driver examined also tested positive. Necessary steps as per norms have been taken," Speaker Biman Banerjee said. Coronavirus LATEST Updates: "A total of eight people tested positive; out of them, two are assembly staffs. Four police personnel who were on duty inside the Assembly premises, one media person and a driver examined also tested positive. Necessary steps as per norms have been taken," said West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee. The health ministry issued SOPs for the partial re-opening of schools on a voluntary basis from 21 September. As per the Unlock-4 guidelines, students of Classes 9-12 can go to schools to seek guidance from their teachers, provided their parents give permission in writing. Andhra Pradesh registered 10,601 new coronavirus positive cases and 73 deaths, pushing the total number of cases to 5,17,094 and toll to 4,560, said reports. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that five states account for 62% of active cases and 70% of deaths in the country. The states are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. At the weekly COVID-19 briefing, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan says India has one of the lowest case fatality rates. India also has one of the lowest per million cases in the world at 3,102, he said. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, seeking his intervention to relaunch the now-suspended services of Shramik Special trains from Odisha to other states to facilitate the return of migrant workers to their places of work. Over 5.06 crore COVID-19 samples have been tested so far, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), adding 10,98,621 samples were tested on Monday alone. At least 348 more tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra Police in the past 24 hours, said the police department on Tuesday. With this, the overall count in the force increases to 17,439, ANI reported. The COVID-19 toll has climbed by one to 177. With 75,809 new COVID-19 cases in India, the overall count has gone up to 42,80,442 on Tuesday, said the Union Health Ministry. The toll has risen to 72,775 with 1,133 more fatalities. As many as 33,23,950 people have been cured of COVID-19 so far, pushing Indias recovery rate to 77.31 percent, according to the recent data released by the health ministry on Tuesday. Mumbai's COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,57,410 on Monday with 1,788 more people testing positive for the infection, the BMC said. India on Monday overtook Brazil to become the second worst-hit country by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the national caseload crossed the 42 lakh-mark with a spike of 90,802 new cases. The total coronavirus cases in the country reached 42,04,614, including 8,82,542 active cases, 32,50,429 cured, and 71,642 deaths, as per the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, Brazil has 41,37,521 COVID-19 cases and the United States continues to remain the worst affected with over 62 lakh cases. In India, five states Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh contribute over 60 percent of total COVID-19 cases, 62 percent of active cases, and 70 percent of overall fatality reported due to the virus. Maharashtra is at the top with 21.6 percent, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.8 percent), Tamil Nadu (11 percent), Karnataka (9.5 percent), and Uttar Pradesh at 6.3 percent. Meanwhile, the ICMR said that the total number of samples tested up to 6 September is 4,95,51,507, including 7,20,362 samples tested on Sunday. 'India in talks to join Covax plan' The World Health Organisation on Monday said that it is in discussion with India to be included in the 'Covax' global vaccine allocation plan. "India is certainly eligible, like all countries in the world, to be part of the Covax facility and discussions are ongoing in that regard," Bruce Aylward, senior WHO adviser was quoted as saying by Reuters. "We would welcome Indian participation... India has extensive experience (with vaccines)," he added. The WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) vaccine alliance are "leading the COVAX facility, aimed at helping buy and distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus fairly around the world," NDTV reported. WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are the "core partners" of the GAVI alliance, the report added. Meanwhile, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced that it will be leading the procurement and supply of coronavirus vaccines to ensure that all countries have safe, fast and equitable access to initial doses when they are available. UNICEF is the world's largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. With several vaccine candidates showing promise, the UN agency, in collaboration with the Revolving Fund of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will lead efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility for 92 low and lower middle-income countries, whose vaccine purchases will be supported by the mechanism. "We are ready for an immense new challenge: to lead the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines and help end the worst stage of this pandemic," UNICEF tweeted on Saturday. "UNICEF is the world's largest single buyer of vaccines for diseases like measles and polio, procuring over 2 billion doses on behalf of nearly 100 countries each year. Thanks to our supporters, we now have the experience and expertise to deliver a COVID19 vaccine to the world," it said. Metro services resume across country Five months after being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, metro services resumed across the country in a graded manner with strict COVID-19 precautions, including social distancing and masks and face shields for passengers. In accordance with the Union home ministry's 'Unlock 4' guidelines, metros in containment zones remained shut. The metro in Mumbai, one of the cities most affected by the pandemic, also remained closed. Union minister Hadeep Singh Puri had announced the resumption of metro services with multiple routes from 7 September. Uttarakhand minister positive Uttarakhand cabinet minister Madan Kaushik has tested positive for COVID-19. Kaushik was admitted to AIIMS, Rishikesh on Sunday night after his antigen report came positive, PTI reported. Though he was in complete isolation since Saturday, after coming in contact with an infected person, he decided to admit himself at AIIMS after testing positive. His sample has also been sent for an RT-PCR test for dual confirmation. The minister, who is also the state government's official spokesman, has appealed to party leaders and journalists who came in contact with him to get themselves tested for COVID. Kaushik had attended a cabinet meeting last week chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. Bengaluru COVID-19 care centre to shut The COVID Care Centre at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre in the city, that was touted to be the biggest such facility for the treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients in the country will shut from 15 September due to lack of patients, PTI reported. In an order dated 4 September, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city civic body has said the decision to close the facility with a potential capacity of over 10,000 beds was taken at a meeting chaired by the chief minister on the advice of the head of the Covid Care Care Task Force. It has been decided to give the furniture brought for the said centre like- beds, mattress, pedestal fans, dustbins, water dispensers among others to government-run hostels and hospitals at free of cost. The Social Welfare Department will get 2,500 furniture for its hostels, while the horticulture university hostel at Bagalkote, Minority Welfare Department hostel and the GKVK, Bengaluru will get 1,000 each. The remaining furniture will be given to government hospitals and hostels based on request, it added. Following the government's decision to allow home isolation of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 cases, there has been a drastic fall in people getting admitted to the centre, official sources said. With inputs from agencies The National Demoratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar may be in for a surprise ahead of state polls as one of its allies, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), might well queer the pitch. As the Chirag Paswan-led party goes into a huddle to decide its future course of action within the NDA, reports suggest a possibility that LJP might stage a repeat of its 2005 strategy. In 2005, LJP had fielded candidates against the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), even though both were a part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in Bihar. Today's meet comes against the backdrop of a tussle between the ruling Janata Dal (United), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the LJP, which has been on for months, and Chiraj Paswan's comments against Nitish Kumar haven't helped matters. Also Read | Bihar elections: Paswans flex muscles as Nitish launches virtual poll campaign By all accounts, Chiraj is miffed by the JD(U)'s move to include former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) into the alliance. Manjhi, like the Paswans, is a Dalit leader with a history of targeting the LJP. In March, Paswan had targeted Kumar over the "deteriorating law and order situation in the state", and while the CM had kept mum on his allies' criticism, some of the top JD(U) leaders had rushed to his defense. They also suggested before that Paswan, the son of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, has been getting ahead of himself, but the junior Paswan has continued his attack on the Bihar government. Paswan's salvos have all been mostly over the law and order situation in Bihar, but in recent days he has also attacked Kumar's decision to provide government jobs to kin of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes community members who were killed and has called it "nothing but an election-related announcement". Also Read: BJP culture wing prints posters demanding justice for Sushant Singh Rajput as Bihar election nears In a letter to the Bihar chief minister, he accused Kumar of not fulfilling earlier promises made to SCs and STs, including giving them three dismil of land. The LJP president said that "if the Nitish Kumar government was sincere", it should give jobs to a family member of all those from the communities who were killed during its 15-year rule. BJP's balancing act LJP and JD (U) are two of the three major partners in the Bihar NDA -- the third being the BJP. The saffron party has, so far, kept away from the squabble -- and it has its own reasons for doing so. According to an Indian Express report, it has been indicated to the BJP that the party can have an equal number of MLC seats, but it will have to contest them on a BJP ticket without conceding any to the LJP. The BJP would not want to shut doors on either of its two partners in Bihar, experts suggest, but it's a balancing act that the saffron party would have to negotiate carefully. Both the Paswans, on their part, have refrained from attacking the BJP, with Chirag even saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is, in fact, his leader. Redux of 2005? The LJP, according to reports, could be looking to turn the clock back to 2005 and repeat a strategy it had then adopted. Then a part of the UPA, the LJP had put up candidates against the RJD, while not fielding candidates against the Congress -- an option it could try now with BJP and JD(U) as the new players. Ironically, it was this that had eventually allowed JD(U) and BJP to come to power in the state after a hung assembly and another election a few months later. Mumbai: A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered by unidentified persons at Bhilawadi in Sangli district in western Maharashtra, police said on Saturday. The incident came to light on the night of January 5 when the body of the victim was recovered from roadside in Malavali village under Bhilawadi police station limits, police said. The body was sent to a government-run hospital for post-mortem, which revealed that the victim had been raped and smothered to death, a police official said. A case of rape and murder was registered against unidentified persons late last night, the official said. Police are questioning some suspects, who stay near the residence of the victim, in connection with the case. Tense situation prevailed in Malavali village, as local residents gathered outside Bhilawadi police station this morning and held a protest demanding arrest of the accused. The villagers are also observing a token strike today to condemn the incident. Police force has been deployed in Bhilawadi considering the possibility of law and order problems, police said. According to police, after the incident came to light, some people circulated messages on social media claiming that the accused belonged to a particular religion and caste. However, police have appealed to people not to believe in any such baseless and provocative posts on social media. Since we have not arrested anyone so far, how can somebody play a mischief by putting wrong information on social media. I request all the responsible citizens not to believe in such posts, Datta Shinde, Superintendent of Police, Sangli, said. All the necessary steps are being followed to collect the clues and scientific evidence. We are making all efforts to crack this case and to bring the culprits to book, Shinde said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Varanasi, Sep 7 : To check the increasing crimes against women in the country, Rachna Rajendra Chaurasia who is an expert in martial art Taekwondo, along with a young scientist Shyam Chaurasia, has prepared a women-safety 'hand grenade' in Varanasi which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency. It helps to promote women's safety in any emergency situation. Information will be sent to emergency numbers as soon as the device is activated. Rachna told IANS that the women safety grenade was very useful for the protection of women. "The grenade has a SIM card which can secure five to seven numbers. It will contain emergency numbers in addition to the contact numbers of the family members. It has an on-off trigger which can be pressed and thrown. Upon doing so these numbers will trace the location by which they will be able to protect the woman by reaching the location. It is built on complete wireless technology. Due to its small size, it can be kept in a purse or in the pocket. Distance sensor has been used in this and if there are incidents like snatching of purse or mobile of women, then it will start working in active mode. This will work even if the distance breaks," Rachna said. She said that later, the sound of firing will be heard by pressing the trigger. "The loud sound can be heard up to a kilometre away. The firing sound catches everyone's attention and people can easily reach the woman or young girl in distress. Using this unique grenade, the location of the incident reaches the number 112 of the police which will be live-streamed by them as well as to the registered members of the family," Rachna added. Shyam Chaurasia, in-charge of the research and development cell at Ashoka Institute, said it has been designed as an experiment to prevent incidents like molestation and rape. Shyam said, "This grenade costs a meagre Rs 650 and weighs nearly 50 gram. It works for nearly a week on an hour-long charging. It is a complete 'Make in India' product. No foreign material has been used to make it. A letter has been written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the same." Dr Manish Arora, Coordinator of the BHU innovation centre, said, "This is a good innovation for women safety. Right now its prototype is being made. It has an RF and a sensor base technology. It will work at the command centre and help in helpline numbers. It is a commendable effort and needs to be introduced to the industry. Its patent is mandatory." A $500-billion smart city. A $200-billion solar farm. Billions of dollars in investments in gas and petrochemicals. These were all facets of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030perhaps the most ambitious economic diversification in the world. Now, that ambition is in tatters. Can Saudi Arabia pick up the pieces and truly diversify its economy away from oil, or are its plans dead in the water, leaving the Kingdoms survival forever tied to oil revenues? Earlier this week, Saudi Arabias Aramco said it would shelve an investment of several billion dollars in Sempra Energys Port Arthur LNG terminal. It also said it would delay investments in a $20-billion refining and petrochemical project at home, at its Yanbu hub. The reason: cash conservation. Earlier this year, Riyadh government sources told the Wall Street Journal that Saudi Arabia was not pursuing its $200-billion solar farm project it had conceived in partnership with Japans SoftBank. Nobody was working on the project, the sources said, and Riyadh was discussing a replacement with several smaller solar projects. The $500-billion smart city project, Neom, is still on the table, it appears. The Kingdoms oil ministry recently said it would help fund the project and make sure it was completed on time. Neom is the flagship project of Vision 2030, Prince Mohammeds brainchild aimed at reducing Saudi Arabias reliance on oil revenues. Ironically, this diversification drive relied on precisely these oil revenues to materialize. And now that these revenues have been significantly reduced because of the effects the coronavirus pandemic had on oil demand, Prince Mohammeds vision is under threat. There was always some doubt Saudi Arabia would be able to pull all of these projects off. They were simply too expensive, even for its massive sovereign fund. Of course, it was never assumed that the Kingdom would finance all of these major initiatives by itself, but it did rely heavily on Aramcoon its revenues and, of course, its public listing. Story continues The company went public last year but with half the shares that were initially supposed to be listed. It did well in the beginning, becoming the worlds most valuable company. The oil price crash, however, led to Aramcos share price crash. Pretty much all oil stocks crashed this spring, so that was not unique to Aramco. But what was special about it is that a whole economic diversification program hinges on itutterly and completely. Aramco also has hefty dividends to pay, but cash is now tight. More projects are being delayed, too, projects that dont have anything directly to do with Saudi Arabias economic diversification. These are projects that have to do with Aramcos international expansion. Related: Oil Rig Count Inches Higher Amid Price Plunge The company is reviewing a $6.6-billion petrochemical production plan for its Motiva refinery in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported this week, citing unnamed sources familiar with the companys situation. The company is also freezing for a year its plans to boost oil production capacity to 13 million bpd. This decision, of course, is hardly surprising given the state of global supply and demand, and more importantly, the outlook for the latter. It is, nevertheless, telling of Aramcosand Riyadhsstep back from their diversification ambitions. It is an interesting development: a couple of years ago, there was concern among some observers that higher oil prices would discourage the Kingdom from pursuing its Vision 2030 diversification due to complacency, as history has proven time and again. When countries kick-start reform programs when oil prices are low, sometimes the enthusiasm wanes when commodity prices move higher. That is potentially a risk here. It will take continued focus on discipline to maintain many of those initiatives with higher oil prices, Fitch Ratings global head of sovereign ratings said in 2017. But the real threat to its grand diversification plans turned out to be exactly the oppositelack of funds caused by low oil prices. Perhaps Saudi Arabias enthusiasm did not exactly wane when prices were high: news of a multibillion-dollar project continued to flow in as the Kingdom sought to secure future markets for its main export product. And then the second price crash in five years came. For the second quarter of this year, Saudi Arabia booked a deficit of $29 billion. Its GDP is shrinking, as it is across the oil-rich and oil-dependent Gulf. Austerity measures are back, spending cuts are being made, and Aramco must pay a dividend of $75 billion as it promised when it listed 5 percent of its stock in December last year. The company has to keep up these annual payments for the next five years. It doesnt have the luxury of cutting these dividends like the international oil majors because its majority shareholder is the Saudi government and Aramco is its primary income source. With all these stressors, is Vision 2030 still on the horizon? It is, but it may well stay there like a mirage. A low-price environment is the right one for diversification efforts, but these efforts in Saudi Arabia are incredibly costly because of the scale of the program. Perhaps Riyadh will choose flexibility and substitute some of these multibillion-dollar projects for smaller ones, the way it reportedly did with its solar plans. That might be the most sensible path to take, after accepting an economy cannot change overnight, even if you have hundreds of billions of dollars to spend on this change. Economic diversification takes not just money but time, as well as realistic planning. Hopefully, the pandemic taught the worlds second-largest oil producer a valuable lesson about unforeseeable events and their effect on diversification plans. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Read this article on OilPrice.com Joy Van Duinen's son Gary (pictured) took his life following a 13-hour poker machine binge at Dee Why RSL, 18km north-east of Sydney, in 2018 A mother who lost her son to gambling addiction is trying to get all pokies venues to introduce gaming marshals to protect people from going too far. Joy Van Duinen's son Gary took his life following a 13-hour poker machine binge at Dee Why RSL, 18km north-east of Sydney, in 2018. The club was fined $200,000 and forced to employ a full-time gambling marshal, who would monitor gamblers. The club was also ordered to allow for third-party applications from family and friends to have the addicted person barred from the premises. But Ms Van Duinen believes enforcement on one club is not enough, and such rules should be extended to every pokies venue in NSW. She, along with Troy Stolz, Club NSW whistleblower and Kickin' The Punt founder Benjamin Hamilton, are working to make that happen and started Why Just Dee Why. 'The whole idea is that they (the marshals) would be trained to spot people who sit at a machine for hours putting endless stacks of money through,' Ms Van Duinen told Daily Mail Australia. 'They they could ask "Are you OK?" and "Can we help you?" in an attempt to break the cycle.' She said some people won't want help immediately, but they will be aware help is at hand and it might make them think more about their actions. 'I know there are stickers on the machine asking the same thing, but they had no effect on Gary,' she said. 'We tried to get him banned as well, but there was no third-party rule.' She said the gaming marshal would have to be there the whole time the pokies area is open and could discreetly speak with apparent problem gamblers. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is backing the move by Why Just Dee Why. 'The modest, additional protections for machines being introduced at the Dee Why RSL must be rolled out right across Australia,' he said in a statement on Saturday. The club (pictured) was fined $200,000 and forced to employ a full-time gambling marshal, who would monitor gamblers in July, 2020 'We can't have one level of protections for certain Australians, and lesser protections for everyone else. 'Right now venue workers can blame everybody else for failing to protect gamblers, but if venues are required to have a full-time gambling marshal the buck will finally stop somewhere. 'People suffering from an addiction often struggle to stop going to venues, so it's essential loved-ones are allowed to step in and help a family member to exclude themselves.' Victor Dominello, Minister for Customer Service, said what happened to Gary is a reminder of the tragic consequences of gambling addition. 'I welcome the recent ILGA decision, including the requirements placed on the club to implement additional harm minimisation measures such as dedicated Responsible Conduct of Gambling marshals,' Mr Dominello said. 'This and other arrangements will be considered as part of the NSW Government's review of gaming machine-related harm minimisation measures.' A Clubs NSW spokesman said they have supported the 'concept' of gambling marshals for years. Ms Van Duinen (pictured) started Why Just Dee Why to get the same restrictions placed in clubs across the state 'Just as we implemented Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Marshalls and CovidSAFE Ambassadors, ClubsNSW has supported the concept of Responsible Gambling Ambassadors for some years now,' the spokesman said in a statement. 'Discussions with both the regulator and the government have been progressing well and we look forward to saying more soon.' The push for gambling marshals comes as data released in May showed Australians were spending more money on online gambling than ever before while casinos and clubs were shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions. Australia's spending on online gambling was up nearly 150 per cent between April 26 and May 3 compared to a normal week, data from economic advisors AlphaBeta and analytics company illion showed. AlphaBeta director Andrew Charlton pinned the boost on eased restrictions and the one-off $750 coronavirus support payment hitting bank accounts. Since April, online gambling spending has fluctuated but stayed above 30 per cent of normal spending each week. However, Reverend Tim Costello said there has been a 'silver lining' to the pandemic - with pokies venues shut because of health restrictions, some gamblers have had to go cold turkey. Online gambling only accounted for $1.2billion of the $24billion Australians lost to gambling each year. Pokies accounted for $14 billion of gambling losses. For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 or Mensline 1300 789 978. With 2,100 new cases and 24 deaths, Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 count rose to 45,263 and toll to 380 on Sunday, a health official said. The day saw discharge of 711 patients following recovery from the infection, taking the number of recovered persons to 21,198, he said. The state now has 23,685 active cases. Raipur, which is the worst-hit district by the pandemic in the state, reported 711 fresh cases, Bilaspur 203, Rajnandgaon 182 and Raigarh 167 cases. They were the biggest contributors to the tally. "Of the 24 fatalities, 12 patients died on Sunday and seven on Saturday, while four deaths took place on September 4 and another death on September 3," he said. The state has recorded over 34,000 cases and 303 deaths just in the last one month, he said. With total 16,212 cases, Raipur district tops the tally. It has witnessed 200 deaths. Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 45,263, new cases 2,100, deaths 380, discharged 21,198, active cases 23,685, people tested so far 6,69,541. (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.) Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced former Hacienda Healthcare officers William Timmons and Joseph OMalley have been indicted for an elaborate alleged white collar fraud scheme that bilked Arizona taxpayers out of millions of dollars. Additionally, the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) reached a financial settlement with Hacienda Healthcare Inc. (Hacienda), where it will pay the State more than $11 million to resolve its case. In early January 2019, the AGO launched a criminal investigation into allegations of financial improprieties by former Hacienda executives. The former officers were charged with the following crimes: William Timmons Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class 2 Felony Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, a Class 3 Felony Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class 2 Felony Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class 2 Felony Joseph OMalley Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class 2 Felony Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, a Class 3 Felony The Arizona Department of Economic Securitys Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD) contracted with Hacienda to provide care and operate an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) for individuals that have developmental disabilities. Starting in 2013, Hacienda and DDD entered into a cost-settlement reconciliation contract in which Hacienda would be given a certain amount of money per day per patient ($1,100 per day). The contract stated if Hacienda received an overpayment, Hacienda would reimburse DDD. William Timmons was the Chief Executive Officer of Hacienda from July 1989 to January 2019. Joseph OMalley was the Chief Financial Officer from 2013-2019. The indictment alleges that from 2013 until Timmons resigned in 2019, Timmons and OMalley intentionally misallocated funds from DES/DDD and the Arizona Heath Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) by manipulating costs to avoid repayments of state funds in favor of inflated salaries and bonuses. The DES/DDD contract was with Haciendas ICF only. However, investigators purport Timmons and OMalley used the money to pay for a large portion of costs at Hacienda's other facilities and did not reimburse the State as required by the contract. This resulted in millions of dollars of overpayment by the State. South Mountain Health Supply operated under the umbrella of Hacienda. The indictment alleges between July 1, 2013 and June 2018, South Mountain purchased medical supplies from third-party vendors, and then re-sold the supplies to Hacienda at a 12.5% markup. Timmons purportedly directed the payment of the inflated prices, including a delivery fee (even though the two entities were located at the same address), with public monies. The indictment also alleges between July 1, 2013 and January 23, 2019, Timmons directed the fraudulent billing of health insurance companies for multiple uses of a Synagis vaccine. Timmons purportedly told staff not to discard Synagis vials after a single-use, but rather administer all remaining medication to patients. Health insurance companies were still billed for the entire cost of a vial. This investigation was led by Special Agents within the AGO Health Care Fraud and Abuse Section with the assistance of AHCCCS and DES. Timmons and OMalley were served their indictments and not arrested. No booking photographs are available. All defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Assistant Attorneys General Scott Blake and Sean Coll are prosecuting the cases. The AGO case against Timmons and OMalley is not related to the criminal case against Nathan Sutherland with the Maricopa County Attorneys Office. Hacienda Healthcare Settlement Recently, the AGO reached a civil settlement with Hacienda where it will pay the State more than $11 million to resolve its criminal case. Settlement agreement details include: Haiti - Economy : Order fixing the end of financial commitments for the fiscal year (2019-2020) In the Official Journal #140 dated August 31, 2020, a Presidential Decree was published setting the early closing date for commitments for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020, which we invite you to share. Text of the Order : "Having regard to the Constitution, in particular its Articles 222 and 223; Considering the Law of May 4, 2016 replacing the Decree of February 16, 2005 on the process of preparation and implementation of Finance Laws, in particular its article 61; Considering the Decree of May 20, 2020 setting the general rules for the protection of the population in the event of an epidemic or pandemic; Having regard to the Decree of June 5, 2020 establishing the General Budget of the Republic of Haiti for the fiscal year 2019-2020; Considering the Decree of February 16, 2005 relating to the general regulations of public accounting; Considering the Decree of March 19, 2020 declaring a state of health emergency throughout the national territory for a period of one (1) month; Considering the Decree of April 20, 2020 renewing the state of health emergency for an additional period of one (1) month; Considering the challenges of good cash management, in a difficult socio-economic context, facing the Ministry of the Economy and Finance; Considering the need to ensure the fluidity of the expenditure chain and to minimize the risk of accumulation of payment arrears or late payments; Considering the reasons underlying the preparation and adoption of the memorandum dated July 9, 2020 from the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation setting the deadline for transmission of disbursement requests for projects registered in the 2019-2020 PIP to the August 15, 2020; Considering that the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the various public entities to operate with a reduced staff; Considering the objective of encouraging good practices, in particular the visa of the financial controller on all expenditure projects; On the report of the Minister of Economy and Finance; And after deliberation in the Council of Ministers; ORDERED Article 1.- The closing date for commitments for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year for first and second-rank administrative entities of the State Administration is set for September 4, 2020. After this period, all files submitted for visa prior to the financial controller will be inadmissible, except with the express authorization of the Prime Minister via the Minister of the Economy and Finance. Article 2.- The expenses concerned by the provisions of Article 1 are as follows: 1 - Staff movements except transfers and terminations; 2 - Secondments and secondments; 3 - Purchases of property, plant and equipment; 4 - Draft contracts, except draft lease contracts and those which will take effect in the next fiscal year; 5 - Credit purchases and services; 6 - Vehicle rentals; 7 - Office supplies and small equipment. Article 3.- This Decree will be published and executed at the behest of the Prime Minister and all the Ministers, each as far as it is concerned. Given at the National Palace, Port-au-Prince, August 30, 2020, 217th year of Independence. By : President Jovenel MOISE Prime Minister Joseph JOUTHE The Minister of Planning and External Cooperation Joseph JOUTHE The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Claude JOSEPH The Minister of Defense Jean Walnard DORNEVAL The Minister of Economy and Finance Michel Patrick BOISVERT The Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development Patrix SEVERE" HL/ HaitiLibre Labor Day is first and foremost about celebrating workers, and no year in recent memory has been harder on the average New Mexico worker than 2020. As of late August, more than 88,000 New Mexicans were receiving weekly unemployment benefits more than 12 times the total at the same point last year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. New Mexicos unemployment rate stood at 12.7% in July, the highest figure since the state started tracking the rate in the 1970s. And it isnt over yet. I think well be feeling the pain on this for a couple of years to come, said Reilly White, an associate professor at the University of New Mexicos Anderson School of Management. Its a complete reversal from the situation at the beginning of the year, when the states unemployment rate had dropped to nearly record lows. In the months since, the COVID-19 pandemic and measures designed to contain its spread caused the economy to slow down drastically across the whole nation. Some shops and restaurants closed indefinitely and furloughed their employees. Tourist travel to New Mexico fell off dramatically during what is normally the beginning of high season. And many jobs disappeared as well. By July, New Mexicos leisure and hospitality sector was down 25,200 jobs compared to the previous July, a 24.7% decline in just 12 months. Some workers got their jobs back when the state eased its restrictions, but many are still waiting. While a recent jobs report painted a more positive employment picture nationally, White said New Mexico the only state to post a significant decline in its labor force in the last monthly update may have a long road to recovery. It takes a much longer time to hire than to fire, White said. Even in a pandemic, there are options for people looking for new lines of work. Joy Forehand, operations manager at Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico, which works with job seekers across the Albuquerque metro area, said her office has seen a steady stream of customers, primarily people looking to move out of the food service and hospitality sectors. Forehand encouraged workers looking for other opportunities to contact Workforce Connection and make an appointment with the organizations career counselors. On a day meant to celebrate workers, Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley suggested taking time out to thank those doing thankless tasks, from grocery store clerks to road graders. This stuff is a big deal, and its so important that we recognize those folks, he said. Even in a trying time, New Mexicans have found ways to keep going and keep working. A few who work or who would like to be working took time last week to talk with the Journal about how theyve managed during a unique year. Labor of love Heather Sanchez is in her 23rd year of teaching, but the 2020-21 school year has put her in the shoes of a first-time educator again. It has been frustrating. It has been difficult, and its been as challenging as my first year teaching, the Rio Grande High School teacher said. But it gets better. This week was better than last week. Sanchez is required to teach music classes including choir, guitar and mariachi through a computer hookup. Its a change teachers throughout Albuquerque Public Schools, the state and the nation are facing educating students remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instructors are having to find ways to manage science classes, physical education lessons and other inherently hands-on subjects from afar. Sanchez admitted there have been some hurdles like when she discovered some classes cant be as boisterous online as they are face-to-face. Singing has to be quiet; otherwise itll make feedback, or itll glitch out, she said. And its been a lot of work. Sanchez typically puts in at least 12 hours a day, primarily from home. On her longest days, shell be on the clock for 18 hours. During a normal, in-person school year, she was working closer to eight or nine hours a day. But for her, its been worth it to see students smiles or enthusiastic waves through the webcam. Being able to see the students and interact with them and know how happy they are to be there has been amazing, Sanchez said. Music class brings a normal rhythm to the chaos of the pandemic. During a regular year, the electives are what children come to school for a lot of children, Sanchez said. They come to school for their electives, and online its the same. Remote learning largely takes more time per task and greater preparation than in-person, Sanchez said. If I want to do a certain activity with my class, first I have to watch a tutorial, she said. Well what if it wasnt a good tutorial? Then I have to watch another tutorial. And then I try it and then it fails its a whole process of trial and error. So, this Labor Day, youll find Sanchez using some of the holiday to prep for the week ahead. The new norm As a father, Tristin Rogers knew he had to find a way to provide for his family and as a leader find a way to reassure his work crew that everything would be OK when the pandemic shut most businesses down in March. I think the first thing was obviously to try to get as many of the benefits and unemployment that you could, said Rogers, executive chef at Hollow Spirits Distillery. That was the first plan which I signed up for right away. After that, you start contemplating on things that you do outside of the kitchen, what youre good at outside of the kitchen, to see if you could actually, if need be, get another job. It comes down to that. Trying to find work to be able to provide for the family. The pandemic put Rogers and his wifes hopes of buying a new home on hold. The good thing about it was me and my wife were already planning on buying a house, which obviously took a big halt because of COVID and everything and being furloughed from work, he said. We had a nice nest egg but obviously you always want to have that plan, and the plan of action was to start looking for work. Taking care of the workers he oversees was another priority for Rogers. Its definitely hard to sit all your people down, especially since they work so hard for you, he said. They do so much already, and theyre underpaid, and then to sit there and tell them, Hey what you do for your livelihood is in jeopardy, and not having any answers was definitely something that was always playing in my mind and what we can do to help. Rogers researched unemployment benefits as well as COVID-19 safety guidelines and tried to provide his employees with as much information as possible. They look up to you so you kind of have to put on that straight face and just kind of reassure them that everything is OK even though deep down I was completely unaware if everything was going to be OK, he said. Many Hollow Spirits employees were able to find a temporary safety net with unemployment benefits that were higher than their regular pay. The time off for Rogers was a strange and unusual adjustment. Being forced to actually do that was difficult, he said. Being a chef, youre going 100 miles an hour, six, seven days a week, and I think the hardest transition was not having to get up in the morning and rush, rush, rush I went a little stir crazy the first couple of months. Being furloughed allowed Rogers to spend more time with his pregnant wife and their three children. The couple welcomed their baby girl July 31. It was a wonderful experience, he said. Its crazy how much of a blessing this is, but obviously its not a blessing because this pandemic has taken so many lives, but its given us an opportunity to sit back and reevaluate how we look at things and especially as chefs slowing down, getting to smell the flowers, spend time with your kids, relearning how to be in public, reprogramming ourselves to be family men again. It was a challenge but also something we dont get to do. On the margins The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone, but few have suffered more than those who were already on the margins when the crisis began. Nancy Swass, 60, had been homeless on and off for years before the coronavirus arrived in New Mexico. However, her year began with a stroke of good fortune: She found a job as an in-home caregiver for a friends brother in January. The new job provided room and board, along with a bit of spending money. Just a couple months later, however, that job like so many others this year fell through. Swass was back out on the street at the beginning of April, this time with far fewer resources to draw upon. Ive been homeless before in Albuquerque, and so I know how to do it, Swass said. Its not comfortable. Its not pleasant, but I know how to do it. In addition to leading to a record-setting number of unemployment claims, the pandemic has shuttered a lot of resources for those in Swass place. Swass said places where she was able to spend time in the past, including community centers and libraries, generally werent open to the public earlier in the year. No one was hiring, and people who were able to find work seemed to be outside Swass age bracket. Everybody is 40 years younger than me, she said. Swass added that filing for unemployment has proven almost impossible from the street. After her phone was stolen, Swass said, she asked to borrow phones from strangers and friends to call the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions office, only to be stuck on hold for hours. Whoever you borrow the phone from is only going to stand there for so long, Swass said. Even after months of trying, Swass said shes still waiting on benefits from the state workforce department. In lieu of permanent work, shes had to get creative, taking odd jobs like painting the outside of a building. Despite the difficult situation, Swass still makes it a point to give back to those in even greater need. Whenever she has extra nonperishable food, shell put it in empty newsstands for other people experiencing homelessness to find. Even I can find someone who has less than me, to give something to them, Swass said. A year like 2020 can test those who believe in a higher power. But even in hard times, Swass said she hasnt lost her faith or her willingness to help others. Come up with creative ways to help someone who has less than you, Swass said. God blesses that. A lovers picnic at Chepkiit Waterfalls in Nandi County turned tragic after a woman slipped and fell into the dam while posing for photos. Dorcas Jepkemoi Chumba, 31, was swept away by raging waters on Sunday afternoon while her partner, Benjamin Kazungu, was using her phone to take pictures of her. Efforts by Mr Kazungu to rescue her bore little fruit as he helplessly watched his fiance drown in the raging waters. I tried to rescue her but I was not able since the dam was full to the brim, he said after the horrific incident. Now, Mr Kazungu says the only memory he is left with is the last photo he took of her before she fell to her death. Ms Chumbas family, which hails from Kapchorwa village in Keiyo South, has been camping at the falls since Sunday with the hope of retrieving her body. Efforts by local divers were still futile at press time. Her brother Victor Kiptoo appealed to the county governments of Uasin Gishu and Nandi to help the family find her body. It has happened and we accept it, what we are requesting is help to retrieve the body for burial, he said. Nandi County police boss Samson Ole Kina said rescue efforts have been thwarted by raging floods. He appealed to family members to be patient as rescue teams continue to monitor the situation. This dam has become a dangerous place especially during rainy season, members of public are advised to keep off for their safety, he said. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates B Anbuselvan By Express News Service CHENNAI: Intra-state bus and train services witnessed a moderate turnout when they resumed after over 175 days on Monday, while Metro train services in the city received a limited footfall on the blue line between the airport and Washermanpet. Many commuters said they were forced to travel during the pandemic because of pressing personal or professional demands. Invariably, all the commuters complied with the COVID-19 guidelines by wearing masks at the railway stations and bus stands. However, social distancing norms were flouted in MTC and mofussil buses operated in highly congested sections. At Chennai Central and Egmore stations, tickets of passengers were validated through the contact-less automatic ticket verification system. Upon entering the station, passengers displayed text alerts on their mobile phones or paper tickets in front of the electronic screen installed at the stations. The tickets were verified by the railway staff viewing it through another screen on the other side. The passengers' temperatures were also tested through automatic thermal scanners installed at the stations. On the first day, about 530 passengers boarded the Coimbatore-bound Intercity Express from Chennai Central and 370 travelled in the Tiruchy bound special train from Chennai Egmore. Only passengers with reserved tickets were allowed to travel. Middle seats of the second seating class were left vacant to ensure social distancing, said a railway official. Passengers said they preferred to travel on trains because these were less congested than buses. S Shanmuga Rajendran, a Salem-based entrepreneur, said, It would be extremely difficult to maintain social distancing in buses. But safety guidelines wont be violated in trains since unreserved passengers are not allowed. There is more space and fewer passengers in trains." At MGR CMBT bus terminus, SETC and TNSTC Villupuram division resumed inter-district bus services as early as 6 am. While SETC operated over 300 buses from Chennai alone, TNSTC ran over 1000 buses. MTC operated 2374 buses. Commuters were permitted to enter and exit the terminus only through the main entrance and the second entrance remained shut. All shops including eateries and tea shops remained shut. Commuters were provided with hand sanitisers and their temperatures were tested through thermal scanners. Commuters whom The New Indian Express spoke to at CMBT said though they were concerned over the spread of COVID-19, they had no other option. Many said they had to meet their family members who are in distress because of the lockdown. I am aware its dangerous to travel, but I dont have a choice, said a 24-year-old woman who boarded the Tirunelveli bound SETC at Koyambedu. I have been waiting for three months to support my ailing mother. I married a relative and I will stay at my home for some time." Pichai Mani of Arumbakkam, a 42-year-old auto driver, said he was traveling to Kallakuruchi to bring his elder brother, an asthma patient, to Chennai. "There is no one to look after him in his village. He was also not given any treatment during the lockdown. Since I lost my livelihood because of COVID-19, I let him stay there. Now I'm going to take him back to Chennai." Eateries have borne a big part of the cost of the current pandemic lock down. They have been forced to change or curtail operations or even close. Managers have been hard-pressed to maintain an income stream sufficient to keep the doors open and the kitchen busy. Restaurants are tough businesses to start up and to operate. Successful ones must attract a loyal clientele -- people who appreciate the food, the preparation, the ambiance, the good cheer of the restaurant experience. It can take years for a restaurant to find its place in a community. Almost overnight this year, a tsunami of fear rolled across the land. A new flu bug had invaded. Everyone, including health and government officials at all levels, reacted with alarm. Shutdown. Lockdown. Just stop. Until we get a handle on what to do. That handle can be elusive. Restaurants turned to takeout, delivery, even outside tents. The whole point of a restaurants chef is to provide the gustatory creations we love. In a setting that welcomes us back again and again. Now Trenton is allowing eateries to provide inside seating for up to 25% of table capacity. The governor made his announcement just in time for the Labor Day weekend. Were hesitating, says Paul Liscio, the chef at Rosemaries Cucina in Clinton.. Things might get worse before they get better. Were playing it safe and were existing by playing it safe. Right now, were staying away from opening up the inside. Meantime, Rosemaries Cucina will continue offering takeout and delivery. Despite COVID-19, it has quickly become a popular destination. Patrons can sit at tables out in front of the place to eat the takeout meals theyve just bought inside. But there is no service outside. Rosemaries opened in January of this year -- just in time for the lockdown. Paul Liscio and Marie Meres operate the place. Hes a trained chef with many years experience, and shes a former attorney who learned the arts of baking growing up in a Brooklyn Italian family. She is a great baker, notes Paul. She can spend three hours to make cookies. At Rosemaries Cucina, Paul insists on farm to table and organic inputs. He regularly shops at Basil Bandwagon, selecting ingredients for the days menu. And he gets fresh fruits and vegetables from the Melicks Town Farm in Oldwick. We dont take shortcuts, he insists. Breads and pastas are made on site. Paul makes all his own sauces and soups, and he makes all his own natural stocks using herbs and vegetables. Italian gluten-free flours are imported from Naples. Even the wood burning stove is from Tuscany. Choose from Pauls assortment of dishes--veal, pork, salmon, shrimp, chicken and more. Many pastas are offered--how about a homemade ricotta pie, or a dish of stuffed peppers? The most popular pizza here is the artichoke spinach four cheese--straight from that Italian oven. Maries concoctions include an assortment of cakes--coconut, pineapple, chocolate and carrot. These are available whole or by the slice. Expect cannolis and cookies. And by all means, call to learn when she will be making sfogliatelle--sometimes called lobster tails in English. For more info and to order, call 908 323-2380 and visit RosemariesCucina.com. Also see Facebook. The place is located at 10 East Main St., Clinton. Since March, weve been open for takeout, and then we opened up for outdoor dining--we have 11 tables outside, says Jeff Stern. Jeff runs the Dockside Market & Grill in Flemington. The popular seafood restaurant opened the doors over seven years ago. Its located at 148 Route 31 N. Weve been taking reservations for the outside tables, he adds. The outside tables are under big umbrellas and socially distanced. Now we can serve diners inside. The business is still missing out on the formerly active catering side of the business. Before the lockdown, inside dining accounted for some 98% of meals served, he explains. Opening up indoor dining means Dockside will be able to serve 15 tables inside. The full restaurant can normally serve just over 60 tables. New Jersey is one of the last states to open up indoor dining, Jeff says. Trentons recent okay for 25% indoor restaurant dining came just in time for the Labor Day weekend. We take daily deliveries of fresh fish. No frozen fish here, Jeff notes. Its a wholesome cuisine, and were conscious of quality and value. Everything is cooked to order. He has operated restaurants for more than 25 years. Popular dishes are the cedar salmon, shrimp and crab linguini, and the fishermans platter. Vegetarian and gluten free dishes are also offered here. For more info and to make reservations, call 908 806-3000. And visit the website at DocksideMarketAndGrill.com. Also, see Facebook. Closed Mondays, otherwise open for lunch and dinner. The Sergeantsville Inn began life as a stone residence in the early 1700s. Today, it is a fine restaurant and tavern located at 601 Rosemont Ringoes Rd. The dining room serves up a wide variety of dishes. These include beef, lamb, seafood, chicken, duck, and more. And inside dining is now open--at the 25% capacity. Weve been offering outside dining under the stars or in the big tent, says Lisa Clyde. But for the tent, she wonders how the inn could have survived. There is also a deck and patio. Chef Joe Clyde is still offering the summer menu, but a fall menu soon, Lisa notes. Dinner begins at 5 Tuesday through Saturday. Lunch is served Friday and Saturday, 11:30 to 3. Reservations required for indoor dining and suggested for the tent. Deck and patio dining are on a first come-first serve basis. Closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 609-397-3700 and visit SergeantsvilleInn.com. Also Facebook. Al Warr may be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com. By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijani and Turkish land and air forces have held the large-scale joint military exercises in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Military exercises were held in accordance with the agreement on military cooperation signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey with the participation of the land forces and air force of the two countries. The exercises were held as the first stage of large-scale combat tactical and tactical flight training in Nakhchivan. The exercises were attended by Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan Vasif Talbov and Commander of the 3rd Army of Turkey, Colonel-General Srf Ongay. The Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Arms Army, Colonel-General Krm Mustafayev reported on the preparations for the exercise. Up to 5,000 people were involved in the preparation and conduct of the exercise, and more than 2,600 personnel were involved in the combat fire phase. In addition, more than 200 tanks and other armoured vehicles, about 180 different calibre missiles and artillery pieces, rocket launchers and mortars, 18 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, more than 30 air defence systems and 320 nearby vehicles were also involved. During the acquaintance with the plan of operational-tactical training, it was noted that the purpose of the exercises is to expand the exchange of experience between the personnel of formations, units and divisions of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Armed Forces. The exercises were aimed at organization of interaction and provision of management between the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Nakhchivan Independent Border Division, Nakhchivan Independent Operational Brigade and the special forces of the Nakhchivan State Security Service and headquarters. According to the scenario of the exercise, the combat shooting stage began with the neutralization of imaginary reconnaissance and sabotage groups causing panic among the civilian population and provoking the state border by the Rapid Reaction Battalion of the Nakhchivan Independent Border Division and special forces of the State Security Service. The ministry noted that in response to the imaginary enemys provocations, missile and artillery units and formations of the Combined Arms Army fired at the imaginary enemy. The scenario of the exercise also included the attack by Nakhchivan Garrison Troops together with the units of the Turkish Armed Forces at the imaginary enemy and destroying its manpower, firearms and armoured vehicles at the bases, and capturing its positions at the ruling heights and advantageous ranges. During the attack scenario, the imaginary enemy's aircraft were destroyed, small unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized and airstrikes were launched on its deep-moving reserves. Moreover, during the exercise, the engineering, supply and evacuation teams also acted decisively to ensure the unimpeded movement of the attacking troops. The imaginary enemys reconnaissance and sabotage groups were destroyed by the Independent Operational Brigade. The pyrotechnic squad of the Civil Defense Regiment cleared the captured positions and routes of mines, explosive and non-explosive obstacles, and tactical and airborne forces have been landed in the designated areas. Thus, the exercises achieved the goals of joint planning of operations between Azerbaijani and Turkish units and units, centralized management of units, organization of interaction and comprehensive provision of troops. Additionally, during the joint activities of the personnel, the tasks on warning, management, interaction, mutual recognition and targeting were also performed in the same way, and the experience was exchanged between the commanders. The training was followed by a review of newly adopted military radio-reconnaissance equipment. During the preparation for the training, the organization of interaction between the headquarters at different levels was in the focus of the exercises conducted by the joint headquarters. In order to imitate the imaginary enemy's activities, about 800 targets and more than 90 models were used in 28 designated target zones in the training area. Thus, 100 per cent of the designated target area, 85 per cent of the targets and more than 90 per cent of the models were destroyed. As a result of proper management and fire planning, 32 missiles, 220 large-calibre shells, 4 aircraft bombs and more than 7,800 rounds of ammunition were saved. Officers and soldiers who distinguished themselves in the training were awarded valuable gifts. It should be noted taht Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said on August 13 that the large-scale joint military drills being held between Azerbaijani and Turkish troops are another manifestation of the Turkish-Azerbaijani unity and brotherhood, adding that the intensity of these exercises will be increased from now on," he had added. The first stage of the Azerbaijani-Turkish joint large-scale tactical exercises started on July 30. The Land and Air forces of the two countries participated 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 held 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, were involved in the military exercises. --- Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz After 25 years at the helm of Leadership New Mexico, president and co-founder Patty Komko has announced she will retire at the end of the year. Our organization would not be where it is today without our donors, the volunteers and businesses we work with each year, Komko said in a statement. I will miss all the communities and the community leaders that have welcomed us with open arms these past 25 years. During her tenure as president of LNM, Komko oversaw the creation and growth of the nonprofit organization, which has now expanded to include three other partner organizations with nearly 1,800 program graduates. Our entire state will forever be indebted to Patty for her 25 years of dedicated leadership and immense contributions toward developing a network of nearly 1,800 leaders from 88 communities around the state, said Russell Allen, chairman of the LNM board. This state is better because of Leadership New Mexico and Pattys leadership, energy and passion to create and grow the organization to where it is today. LNM was founded in 1995 as an educational organization to identify and develop leaders with the goal of giving program members the tools to address the states economic, business and social issues. LNM class members learn about the challenges and opportunities unique to the state through speakers and other programs. The program began with an $8,000 grant and has grown over the decades to a $1.5 million yearly budget, which includes a $700,000 endowment funded by its lifetime members. LNMs Core Program focuses on established senior leaders. Each years class consists of several dozen leaders from the private industry, nonprofits and government agencies who participate in educational tours and presentations in various parts of the state throughout the year. Leaderships programs also include Connect New Mexico for emerging leaders under 40 and the the Local Government Leadership Program. It also features the Alumni Program, which includes 550 members. Allen said that the organization is beginning to search for Komkos successor and intends to have a selection by mid-November. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Business process management firm Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) is overhauling its portfolio in a bid to cater to growing market needs, with a broader focus on digital, said Partha De Sarkar, its Global CEO. In an interaction with Moneycontrol, Sarkar said the company had taken the first step in restructuring early this year with the divestment of its India domestic customer relationship management (CRM) business in January. Domestic divestiture is the first step. We are looking at the businesses that we want to invest in and grow, he added. Sarkar explained that the companys India (domestic CRM) business was a high headcount and low margin affair and was part of the restructuring exercise. We are right now in the middle of it, he explained, adding that HGS is currently looking at how each of its businesses is performing. Digital focus HGS is also looking at capabilities that it needs to build and those that can be gotten through acquisitions in the key areas of focus, including digital. Digital has fast tracked almost by a decade. So, we are looking at how to make digital a stronger part of the portfolio. How do we add muscle as far as digital offerings are concerned. That is the big part of the restructuring we talked about, Sarkar explained. The HGS chief said that analytics would be a big focus for the company. The company handles millions of calls per day and with speech and text analytics becoming powerful, all these transactions can build insights. This will, in turn, drive business outcomes. For instance, usage of analytics can help the company understand why a competitor is doing better and what the company can do to make its customers stick. The company is also focussing on driving tech partnerships. It has partnered with players such as Automation Anywhere and UiPath, which are robotic process automation service providers, and possess capabilities that are in high demand. It has also partnered with cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services. We are signing up with many technology partners and we are kind of ramping up our system integration capability. These are product companies and they are not into the deployment game. So, we help them in deploying their product to our clients, Sarkar explained. While the company has been doing this over the last two years, adoption has leapfrogged due to Covid-19 and is hence an important focus area for the company, he added. Apart from digital, the company will also look at its verticals and geographies as a part of its restructuring to see if any of these businesses are not a strategic fit anymore, as was the case with the India CRM business. Financials For the quarter ended June 2020, the company registered revenue of Rs 1,235.8 crore, which amounted to growth of 1.5 percent year on year, and a decline of 3.1 percent from the previous quarter (ended March 2020). The US and Jamaica account for about 38 percent of the companys overall revenue and India operations are at 25.3 percent, excluding the domestic business sold in January. The Philippines, UK/Europe and Canada account for about 17 percent, 7.6 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively. In terms of verticals, close to 56 percent of its revenues come from healthcare and insurance followed by telecom, with 14.6 percent. Consumer and retail account for 11 percent while banking and financial services contribute 8.4 percent to its top line. [Read more on Rusten Sheskey not being charged in Jacob Blake shooting.] KENOSHA, Wis. Demonstrations against police violence have been filled with the chants of victims names: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner. In recent days, a new name Jacob Blake has been called out in protests across the country. In that list, though, Mr. Blake, a Black man who was repeatedly shot in the back by a white police officer in Kenosha, Wis., is also set apart. Unlike so many of the people who have become grim symbols for a movement, Mr. Blake survived and has begun to tell his own story. Your life and not only just your life, your legs, something that you need to move around and move forward in life could be taken from you like this, man, Mr. Blake says from his hospital bed, snapping his fingers for emphasis, in a video released over the weekend. In the video, he speaks publicly for the first time about what happened to him. His injuries are severe, and his family says he was paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting last month. AIPA lawmakers urged to be more proactive in promoting collective COVID-19 response The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) should be more proactive in brain-storming among lawmakers in the region on how to collectively cope with COVID-19, said a Singaporean scholar. Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivers a remark at the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with AIPA Representatives within the framework of the 36th ASEAN Summit on June 26. (Photo: VNA) ASEAN needs new law concerning travel bubbles and quarantine exemption for frequent travellers, Dr. Termsak Chalermpalanupap, who is a visiting fellow with ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, told Vietnam News Agency ahead the 41st AIPA General Assembly which will be held virtually by Vietnam from September 8 10. Another pressing issue confronting many ASEAN societies, certainly in Vietnam and Thailand, is the arrogance of Facebook and Western-owned social media platforms in skirting domestic laws and promoting dissent under the pretext of freedom of speech, he said. Chalermpalanupap urged ASEAN member states' legislators under AIPA should come together to figure out how to formulate new common laws to protect regional social harmony and to tax these operators of highly lucrative social media platforms. He said he is confident that Vietnamese lawmakers are fully aware of the need for all legislatures in ten ASEAN members to coordinate their domestic laws and to harmonize them with regional commitments in ASEAN. Legislators need to keep track of all ASEAN agreements signed by leaders and ministers, he continued, they are not self-executing; they mostly need ratification so that they are legally binding in the domestic national context. Technavio has been monitoring the global N95 respirators market size and it is poised to grow by USD 382.90 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 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/20200907005080/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global N95 Respirators 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: Based on segmentation by type, which is the leading segment in the market? N95 respirators without exhalation valves accounted for the largest share of the N95 respirators market. N95 respirators without exhalation valves accounted for the largest share of the N95 respirators market. What are the major trends in the market? The growing advances in N95 respirators is a key trend in the market. The growing advances in N95 respirators is a key trend in the market. At what rate is the market projected to grow? The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. Who are the top players in the market? 3M Co., Ansell Ltd., Cambridge Mask Co., Cardinal Health Inc., Honeywell International Inc., JIANGSU TEYIN IMP and EXP CO. LTD., Kimberly-Clark Corp., Ohlone Press LLC, Prestige Ameritech, and Louis M. Gerson Co. Inc. are some of the major market participants. 3M Co., Ansell Ltd., Cambridge Mask Co., Cardinal Health Inc., Honeywell International Inc., JIANGSU TEYIN IMP and EXP CO. LTD., Kimberly-Clark Corp., Ohlone Press LLC, Prestige Ameritech, and Louis M. Gerson Co. Inc. are some of the major market participants. What are the key market drivers and challenges? The high demand during pandemic outbreaks is driving the N95 respirators market growth. However, the difficulties in managing demand-supply gaps during pandemic outbreaks might challenge the market vendors. The high demand during pandemic outbreaks is driving the N95 respirators market growth. However, the difficulties in managing demand-supply gaps during pandemic outbreaks might challenge the market vendors. ??How big is the North America market? North America will contribute 39% of the market growth. The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. 3M Co., Ansell Ltd., Cambridge Mask Co., Cardinal Health Inc., Honeywell International Inc., JIANGSU TEYIN IMP and EXP CO. LTD., Kimberly-Clark Corp., Ohlone Press LLC, Prestige Ameritech, and Louis M. Gerson Co. Inc. are some of the major market participants. The high demand during pandemic outbreaks 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 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. N95 Respirators Market 2020-2024: Segmentation N95 Respirators Market is segmented as below: Type Respirators Without Exhalation Valve Respirators With Exhalation Valve 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=IRTNTR43214 N95 Respirators 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 N95 respirators marketreport covers the following areas: N95 Respirators Market Size N95 Respirators Market Trends N95 Respirators Market Industry Analysis This study identifies the growing advances in N95 respirators as one of the prime reasons driving the N95 Respirators 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 N95 Respirators Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist N95 respirators market growth during the next five years Estimation of the N95 respirators market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the N95 respirators market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of N95 respirators 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 Respirators without exhalation valve Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Respirators with exhalation valve Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Type Customer landscape Overview 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 Vendor overview Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors 3M Co. Ansell Ltd. Cambridge Mask Co. Cardinal Health Inc. Honeywell International Inc. JIANGSU TEYIN IMP and EXP CO. LTD. Kimberly-Clark Corp. Ohlone Press LLC Prestige Ameritech Louis M. Gerson Co. Inc. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200907005080/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ LOS ANGELES _ A fire that has burned more than 7,000 acres in San Bernardino County was caused by a smoke-emitting pyrotechnic device that was part of a gender-reveal party in a Yucaipa park, officials said. Such devices typically shoot off blue or pink smoke to signal the gender of an expected child. The El Dorado fire near Yucaipa has burned more than 3,000 acres and forced evacuations in some communities. Cal Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesnt take much to start a wildfire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement. It was one of several massive fires burning in California amid an epic heat wave. A fire in the Japatul Valley southeast of Alpine has burned more than 9,850 acres and destroyed at least 11 structures in addition to 25 outbuildings. The blaze, dubbed the Valley fire, was the nightmare scenario many had feared: a roaring wildfire chewing through vast stretches of the back country amid searing record-high temperatures, forcing homeowners to flee _ all during a time of coronavirus-induced mask wearing and social distancing. Boiling clouds of smoke pouring from the fire rose into the air and filtered over the county with an acrid stench, making for unhealthy air conditions. The Bobcat fire in the Angeles National Forest near Duarte broke out Sunday afternoon and forced Labor Day weekend visitors to flee. It was not threatening homes. In the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno, the 45,500-acre Creek fire trapped more than 200 hikers in the Mammoth Pool recreation area when it crossed the San Joaquin River on Saturday afternoon, prompting a massive rescue effort by the California National Guard. READ: Carlisle police arrest man for calling 911 to complain about nearby neighborhood Prosper Dzokah, unemployed, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court for robbing a lady of her handbag containing GHS70.00 and other personal effects at Teshie in Accra. Charged with robbery, Dzokah pleaded guilty and he was remanded on July 16, this year into police custody by the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh. Appearing at the court today, the trial judge convicted Dzokah on his own plea. Prosecuting Inspector Eric Pobee, said the complainant, Gladys Ashie, resided at Teshie while Prosper also resided at Manet Tobinco Lane at Teshie. On July 7, this year, at about 11:45 pm, the complainant who had closed from work alighted from a bus at Teshie Ebenezer junction. Chief Inspector Pobee said Dzokah had armed himself with a knife and was lurking in the dark at the said junction. According to prosecution, Dzokah on seeing the complainant ordered her to surrender her hand bag or he would stab her with the knife. For fear of her life, prosecution said Madam Ashie handed her handbag containing a Sumsung phone, cash of GHS70.00, a Voter ID card, Name Tag, umbrella and a purse over to Dzoka. Prosecution said Dzokah on July 10, this year extended his nefarious activities to Teshie Trinity School Junction at Agblezaa where he attempted to attack another female but he was arrested by one General Sergeant Emmanuel Oduro who was near the scene. Prosecution said a search conducted on him showed that Dzokah had the Sumsung Mobile phone he had earlier on robbed from Madam Ashie as well as her (Ashie's) Voter's ID's Card. Prosecution said Sergeant Oduro retrieved Madam Ashie's brother's number and informed him that his sister's phone had been retrieved. Around 2:00am, the complainant and her elder brother proceeded to the Teshie Trinity Park and assisted the Policeman to the container shop where he had hidden the bag and its content, prosecution added. GNA After being shut for 169 days due to Covid-19, Delhi Metro on Monday resumed its services while ensuring that social distancing norms were adhered to at several stations including Rajiv Chowk, one of the capitals busiest interchange station. The police force has been deployed outside the metro stations for crowd management. Barricades have been installed at the entrance gates of Rajiv Chowk metro stations to maintain social distancing. Also read: Delhi Metro resumes services with strict safety measures after 169-day Covid hiatus We have deployed police force at every metro station for crowd management and to ensure that people wear face masks and follow norms of social distancing, said Atul Katiyar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Delhi. In phase 1, metro services will be resumed on Yellow Line connecting Samaypur Badli to Huda City Centre and Rapid Metro in Gurugram and the operating hours are 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm hours to 8 pm. Only the use of a Smart Card allowed for entry. A large number of passengers are relieved as the services in the national capital resume, however, some are still scared to travel amid the Covid-19 crisis. Ill be traveling to Gurugram. As of now, it is quite interesting to witness all the arrangements made by the government as the metro services have been resumed. It is going to be tough for all of us to travel amid the Covid-19 crisis. I hope everyone will follow the protocols issued by the government, said Nawan, a commuter at Rajiv Chowk metro station. Also read: Delhi Metro services resumes after nearly 6 months, people flood Twitter with images I have been spending much money on my travel since the metro services were put to a halt but it is a good initiative taken by the government to start the services again. Now I can save my time and money as well, another commuter told ANI at Samaypur Badli metro station. The Do not sit here stickers have also been fixed on alternate seats to maintain social distancing inside the metros. I am going for my duty and I am really happy that the metro service has been resumed. I had to face major problems while going to work earlier when the services were shut, said a commuter traveling via Yellow Line. Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has also resumed its services on the Aqua Line for the public from 7 am today. We are continuously making safe arrangements for the commuters here. We are checking their temperature, we also check if they have installed the Aarogya Setu app. Sanitisers and masks are also available here. Stickers have also been put fixed here to maintain social distancing, said Ram Mohan Singh, Deputy Commissioner, 49th BN PAC, Gautambuddh Nagar. The Home Ministry, in its Unlock 4 guidelines, gave a nod to the resumption of metro services from September 7 in a graded manner. The guidelines gave more relaxations in the restrictions enforced to contain the spread of Covid-19. The metro services were suspended in March due to Covid-19. The DMRC had said that the carrying of Smart Card (with online recharge) was a must as tokens would not be available and all cash transactions would not be permitted, adding that it will not be providing services to stations that in containment zones for any given day in any of the states. A London hearing resumes on Monday to decide if WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should be extradited to the United States to face trial over the publication of secrets relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 49-year-old Australian, who is currently being held on remand at a high-security jail, faces 18 counts from US prosecutors that could see him jailed for up to 175 years. The hearing at the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, is due to last three to four weeks. It had been due to go ahead in April but was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Any ruling is almost certain" to be appealed by the losing side, according to John Rees, of the Dont Extradite Assange Campaign, raising the prospect of more time behind bars for the former hacker. Rees told AFP that Assange who has become a figurehead for press freedom and investigative journalism had a very strong defence" but was concerned the case was highly politicised". A previous hearing in February was told that US President Donald Trump had promised to pardon Assange if he denied Russia leaked emails from the campaign of Hillary Clinton, Trumps opponent in the 2016 election. Assange faces charges under the US Espionage Act for the 2010 release of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Washington claims he helped intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before recklessly exposing confidential sources around the world. At the February hearing, Assanges lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, said his client would not get a fair trial in the United States and would be a suicide risk. James Lewis, representing the US government, said WikiLeaks was responsible for one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States". Reporting or journalism is not an excuse for criminal activities or a licence to break ordinary criminal laws," he added. Assanges partner and the mother of his two young sons, South African-born lawyer Stella Moris, attempted to secure his release in March, claiming he was in danger inside prison during the coronavirus lockdown. The life of my partner, Julian Assange, is at severe risk," she said, arguing that Covid-19 was spreading within (the) walls" of Belmarsh prison in south London. In an interview published in The Times newspaper on Saturday, Moris, 37, said: For Julian, extradition will be a death sentence." She said she feared he would take his own life, and that his sons, who were conceived during his asylum in Ecuadors London embassy, would grow up without a father. Assange appeared weak and confused during his February court appearance, apparently forgetting his date of birth. He also told district judge Vanessa Baraitser he had not understood what had happened in the hearing. His legal team has repeatedly warned about his health and an independent UN rights expert said in November that his continued detention was putting his life at risk. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe rights group warned that Assanges extradition would have a chilling effect" on press freedom. Other high-profile supporters of Assange include the Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson, designer Vivienne Westwood, and Greeces former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis. The saga began in 2010 when Assange faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he denied. He was in Britain at the time but dodged an attempt to extradite him to Sweden by claiming political asylum in Ecuadors embassy in London. For seven years he lived in a small apartment in the embassy, but after a change of government in Quito, Ecuador lost patience with its guest and turned him over to British police in April 2019. Swedish prosecutors confirmed last year they had dropped the rape investigation, saying that despite a credible" account from the alleged victim there was insufficient evidence to proceed. The New York Times The first famines of the coronavirus era could soon hit four chronically food-deprived conflict areas Yemen, South Sudan, northeast Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo the top humanitarian official of the United Nations has warned. In a letter to members of the Security Council, the official, Mark Lowcock, said the risk of famines in these areas had been intensified by natural disasters, economic shocks and public-health crises, all compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, he said, these factors are endangering the lives of millions of women, men and children. The letter, which has not been made public, was conveyed by Lowcocks office to the Security Council on Friday under its 2018 resolution requiring updates when the risk of conflict-induced famine and widespread food insecurity occurs. A copy of the letter was seen by The New York Times. UN officials have said before that all four areas are vulnerable to acute food deprivation because of chronic armed conflicts and the inability of humanitarian relief providers to freely distribute aid. In April, David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Program, the anti-hunger arm of the UN, warned the Security Council that while the world was contending with the coronavirus pandemic, we are also on the brink of a hunger pandemic. Lowcock, who is the UNs undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, effectively escalated the warning, saying a lack of funding for emergency relief and the complications created by the coronavirus scourge have now pushed some of the worlds neediest populations closer to famine conditions. Under a monitoring system for assessing hunger emergencies known as the Integrated Food Security Classification or IPC scale, Phase 3 is a crisis, Phase 4 is an emergency, and Phase 5 is famine the worst marked by starvation, death, destitution and extremely critical acute malnutrition levels. In Yemen, where famine was averted two years ago, Lowcock said the risk is slowly returning. The country, the poorest in the Arab world, has been ravaged for more than five years by a civil war between Houthi rebels and a Saudi-backed military coalition that has left 80 percent of the country dependent on outside aid. Lowcock said the Yemeni currency has basically collapsed, while food costs have surged and drinking water prices have more than doubled since April. In 16 districts of the country, nearly all in Houthi-controlled areas, he said, the hunger emergency is now at Phase 4 one step from famine. In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where decades of conflict have worsened this year, Lowcock said 21 million people are living in crisis or worse levels of food insecurity. In the northeast Nigeria states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, which have been roiled for years by armed extremist militants, Lowcock said more than 10 million people 4 of 5 now require humanitarian assistance and protection. He said more than 1.2 million people in northeast Nigeria remain largely inaccessible to aid agencies due to conflict and deliberate obstruction by nonstate armed groups, with more than 15 aid workers killed in the past year. In South Sudan, which has been upended by seven years of civil war, a recent upsurge in violence has left more than 1.4 million people facing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity, Lowcock said. Two years after the threat of famine was narrowly averted in South Sudan, he said, parts of the country are again deteriorating sharply. Rick Gladstone c.2020 The New York Times Company Union Minister on Sunday said that the global manufacturer ecosystem is realising that they must have other places apart from China as India is emerging as a big centre. While interacting with the non-resident Biharis via video conference here, Prasad said, "India is emerging as a big centre and the global manufacturer ecosystem is realising that they must have other places apart from China. I am glad to inform that Apple is shifting to India in a significant way, Samsung has already come and they further want to expand. I have been told that around eight factories of Apple have shifted to India from China." "When we came to power in 2014, there were only two mobile factories in India, now its number has crossed 250. We launched Atmanirbhar Bharat with production linked incentive. We invited global companies to come to India and also Indian companies to match," he added. The Union Minister Prasad said when we talk about Aatmnirbhar Bharat, we don't want an isolated India but it means - India being a major economy of the world becoming good economic power to support the global economy. "I announced this scheme in April, during the height of COVID and gave July 31 as the last date for filing applications. They have committed to make mobile phones and components worth Rs 12 lakh crores in 5 years of which Rs 7 lakh crores worth products will be exported. It will provide jobs to three lakh in India directly and nine lakh Indians indirectly," Prasad said. He said that the bold step by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against China has been recognised by the US, UK, Japan and Australia. "When something happened with China in Ladakh, our PM stood firmly and made it very clear that India shall not compromise on its sovereignty. This bold stand of India is being globally recognised from US, UK and Japan to Australia," Prasad 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.) Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough again took to social media to urge Gov. Greg Abbott reopen the state 100 percent, noting the survival rate of COVID-19 in Montgomery County is about 99 percent. In an emotionally charged video posted to Facebook Thursday, Keough called the pandemic response madness noting the initial predictions of the virus infecting more than 100,000 people in Montgomery County and 20 percent loss of the state population have not even come close to coming to fruition. In fact, as of Friday, the county has 9,164 total cases. Of those, the county has had 123 deaths, an increase of three from Thursday. There are still 1,294 active cases with just 23 Montgomery County residents hospitalized with the virus. However, those predictions prompted President Donald Trump, Abbott and the county to declare disasters regarding the virus forcing the shutdown of all non-essential businesses, schools, churches and some government offices. That effort, Keough said, was to avoid overwhelming hospitals with virus patients. We did the stay at home, we did what they told us to do, we never came close to overwhelming the hospitals, Keough said regarding the efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Ninety-nine percent of those who test positive are surviving. Keough said the national and state response to COVID-19 at the slow process to reopen has damaged the economy putting hardships on many families and businesses. You know what we arent going to survive? Gov. Abbott I am speaking to you, Keough said. We are not going to survive the destruction of our economy. Our restaurants, our hotels, our major businesses and one in five of churches will never ever open again. Our microbreweries, our bars we have picked and chosen certain groups to be successful and certain groups not to be. When is this madness going to end? He added families are hurting in this cooped up quarantined mindset mentality. Listen, Governor, I know you have mentioned you will do something next week, Keough said. I am pleading with you, asking you on behalf of the people of Montgomery County and the rest of the state of Texas, if you are going to do something, open us up 100 percent. Dont piece meal this. on Friday, the Montgomery County Public Health District reported three more COVID-19-related deaths, including a Conroe man in his 50s who died in the hospital; a Woodlands man in his 70s who died in the hospital; and a Woodlands woman in her 70s who died in hospice care. All three patients had existing medical condition in addition to testing positive to COVID-19. Total hospitalizations of both county and noncounty residents increased to 58 with 20 of those patients in critical care beds. The county will be closed in recognition of Labor Day Monday and the next COVID case update will be Tuesday. Online registration is still available for COVID-19 testing in Montgomery County. To get a voucher, go to mchd-tx.org or mcphd-tx.org and click on the need to be tested link. Fill out the information. A voucher will be emailed. Once you have the voucher, make an appointment at your choice of testing centers and get tested. For more information, the MCHD/MCPHD COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 936-523-3916. cdominguez@hcnonline.com Opposition MLAs on Monday staged a walkout in the Legislative Assembly in protest against tabling of a bill to appoint administrators on gram panchayats whose term has expired. Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said the matter is sub justice and the bill was contrary to the government's affidavit filed in the high court. "Make appointments as per high court's directives," he said. Speaking on the issue, state Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif said private persons will not be appointed as administrators. "Sarpanchs cannot be given extension. We have appointed government officials as per the court directives. Now, 8 to 9 gram panchayats come under one administrator due to which there is a chaotic situation," he said. Mushrif said the court also said that government officials will also not be allowed to be appointed as administrators. The court has said such a mention should be made in the legislation, the minister 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.) Much of California endured one of its hottest days in memory on Sunday, the day after scorching temperatures set scores of records and intensified destructive wildfires erupting in the state. Red-flag warnings for high fire danger covered the state while the heat fueled fires already burning as well as new blazes. Numerous locations in California experienced their hottest September day on record on Sunday. A few spots saw their highest temperatures observed in any month. Woodland Hills, 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles, soared to 121 degrees, the highest temperature ever observed in Los Angeles County. Chino, 32 miles east of Los Angeles, also hit 121 degrees. The Chino and Woodland Hills temperatures were the highest recorded west of the mountains in Southern California. Farther north, the readings in San Luis Obispo, 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, reached 120 degrees. This may be the highest temperature ever measured so close to the ocean in the Americas. Downtown San Francisco reached 100 degrees, a record for the date. The heat helped fuel a wildfire that developed Saturday when the Creek Fire in the Sierra National Forest erupted, about 290 miles north of Los Angeles. The blaze was detected Friday night and rapidly grew to at least 45,500 acres by Sunday afternoon. That fire trapped about 1,000 people near Mammoth Pool reservoir as flames crossed the San Joaquin River, including about 150 people who became stranded at a boat launch, The Associated Press reported. According to the AP, 200 people were rescued from the Mammoth Pool Campground by military helicopters. Two people were severely injured, 10 had moderate injuries and others had minor or no injuries. According to the California Air National Guard, this was the largest wildfire-related air evacuation in recent memory. The Fresno Bee reported that at one point, people trapped by the flames were told to jump into the water as a last resort if the fire got too close. However, Sierra National Forest officials said that the fire burned around the reservoir and that the air evacuations took place because the blaze blocked evacuation routes. The Fresno sheriff ordered new evacuations on Sunday morning as the fire grew. The Creek Fire sent smoke, embers and fine particles at least 45,000 feet in the air Saturday and Sunday, forming a pyrocumulonimbus cloud. Such clouds, which look like explosions from a distance, are fire-driven weather systems. The one seen on Saturday was causing lightning to strike areas downwind along with erratic and gusty surface winds. Ash fell more than 10 miles from the fire. Fires this weekend are what are known as plume-dominated blazes, which occur when the environment is favorable for the upward billowing of smoke and vertical transfer of heat. Plume-dominated fires can become firestorms, taking on the structure of a thunderstorm because of their vertical release of heat. Extreme fire behaviour, as has been seen with the Creek Fire, is often a characteristic of plume-dominated fires. The Creek Fire appeared to produce fire tornadoes based on Doppler radar data, which revealed vortices inside the fire and a smoke plume that matched the size and shape of tornadoes. A change of wind speed and direction with height known as wind shear caused the smoke plume to rotate. In an unusual turn of events, the smoke plume's updraft also appeared to repeatedly split, with pairs of spinning rotations repeatedly forming and drifting away from one another. Recommended Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson granted Greek citizenship for wildfire relief work The Loyalton Fire in Lassen County produced five or more fire tornadoes barely three weeks ago, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a first-of-its-kind fire tornado warning. In addition to the Creek Fire, firefighters are still dealing with the second-, third- and fourth-largest fires in state history, which erupted during a mid-August heat wave and unusual thunderstorms north of San Francisco. Although those fires are better contained, the heat, dry weather and shifting, strong offshore winds are causing an uptick in their activity. Since 15 August, the state has seen more than 1.6 million acres burned, 900 new fires started, eight deaths and nearly 3,300 destroyed structures. About 310,000 acres are burned in an average California fire season, according to Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency. Daniel Swain, a climate researcher at UCLA, said the state may set a record for the most acres burned in the modern era as soon on Monday. Firefighting operations will continue to be extremely challenging because of the triple-digit heat and extremely low humidity levels, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters are monitoring two periods for strong, desiccating offshore winds to pick up in strength early this week. The first looked as though it would take place through Monday evening, with the next taking shape as a rare early season Santa Ana wind event in Southern California from Tuesday into Wednesday. The National Weather Service's forecast office in Los Angeles is predicting elevated to critical fire danger through Wednesday. Many temperatures across the state appeared to be headed toward record territory by late Sunday as a dangerous to potentially deadly extreme heat event continued, the Weather Service said. The Weather Service office in Los Angeles described Sunday's heat as kiln-like. Some all-time high temperatures and numerous daily records are in jeopardy as a sprawling and unusually potent area of high pressure, also known as a heat dome, covers the West. In a sign of the heat to come, temperatures in some locations, from the San Fernando Valley to parts of Los Angeles County, did not drop below the 90s on Saturday night into early Sunday morning. In fact, two temperature stations in the LA area were still hovering above the century mark at 3.02am local time, the National Weather Service stated. Recommended Exclusive data shows how emissions soared during California wildfires High temperatures in Southern California on Sunday ranged from 105 to 115 degrees near the coast to up to 120 degrees in inland areas, which would edge past all-time high-temperature records in some locations. Some noteworthy temperature records that have already occurred include: - The 121-degree temperature recorded in Woodland Hills was not only the highest temperature on record there but also the highest seen anywhere in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, the National Weather Service said. - Burbank tied its all-time high temperature record of 114 degrees Saturday. - Palm Springs hit 122 degrees, breaking its previous September record from 1950. - Death Valley set a September record with a high of 125, overtook the record of 123, set in 1996. This comes just weeks after hitting 130 degrees, an August record, and the highest temperature observed globally since at least 1931. - Woodland Hills in Los Angeles tied its all-time high temperature record of 119 degrees, set in July 2016. The massive heat dome sprawled over western North America established September records from Mexico to the Colorado Rockies. Mexicali, Mexico, soared to 121.1 degrees, the country's highest temperature ever observed during the month. Denver hit 101 degrees, its highest September temperature and the latest on record it has crossed the century mark. Nearby Boulder reached 99 degrees, its highest temperature so late in the year. On Tuesday, Denver and Boulder are expecting snow. La Junta, in Colorado, about 60 miles southeast of Pueblo, registered a high of 108 degrees, a state record for the month of September. Temperatures are forecast to cool some by Tuesday but remain above normal in most of California for much of the week. Human-caused climate change is tilting the odds in favor of more frequent, severe and longer-lasting heat waves, as well as larger wildfires throughout large parts of the West. Research published last month shows that climate change is tied to more frequent occurrences of extreme-fire-risk days in parts of California during the fall. (Meteorologists define the fall as beginning on 1 September.) Michael Wehner, who researches extreme weather at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, estimates that climate change has caused extreme heat waves to be 3 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in California. These trends will continue as the planet continues to warm, Mr Wehner said in an email, noting that the amount of warming will depend on future greenhouse gas emissions. The heat wave has prompted warnings from the operator of California's electricity grid that rolling blackouts may need to be instituted during times of peak power use, and it has asked residents to take steps to reduce electricity use during times of peak demand. A Stage 2 warning was issued on Saturday, indicating that all efforts to prevent power failure had been taken, but it was not followed by outages. The California ISO declared a Flex Alert on Sunday, calling for reduced electricity use between 3pm and 9pm local time. The state utility PG&E has also warned that it may institute rolling outages if winds get too strong early this week because its power infrastructure has been blamed for sparking some of the state's largest and deadliest blazes in recent years. Extreme heat has been the top weather-related killer in the United States during the past 30 years, and combined with poor air quality from nearby fires and the coronavirus pandemic, the health threat is particularly acute. Air conditioning provides the best protection from excessive heat, but rather than risking exposure to the virus at cooling shelters, the pandemic may keep people who lack air conditioning at home. The Washington Post Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 07:32:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2020 shows houses hit by Nile River's flood in Khartoum, Sudan. Sudan's Security and Defense Council has decided to declare a nationwide three-month state of emergency over floods, Sudan's Sovereign Council announced in a statement Saturday. According to official statistics, the Nile River's flood water this year is higher than that of 1946 and 1988. (Photo by Mohamed Khidir/Xinhua) The Black Panther star will be laid to rest in his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. Just over a week after Chadwick Boseman died of cancer, several of his Black Panther costars gathered in Malibu for a private memorial. According to PEOPLE, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyongo, and Bosemans wife, Taylor Simone Ledward were among the attendees on Saturday. The Sun obtained photos of the event that also included Winston Duke and music played from a hang drum. Read More: Whoopi Goldberg calls for Wakanda theme park as tribute to Chadwick Boseman Chadwick Boseman died on Aug. 28 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. His death stunned fans around the world, especially since very few people were aware he was ill. His rep confirmed the news of his death in a statement. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman. A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much, read the statement. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side, the statement continued. The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. Michael B. Jordan was one of many of Bosemans friends who penned heartfelt tributes after his death. One of the last times we spoke, you said we were forever linked, and now the truth of that means more to me than ever, Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me, Jordan shared in a touching post on social media. Actors Michael B. Jordan (L) and Chadwick Boseman attend the Marvel Studios BLACK PANTHER Global Junket Press Conference on January 30, 2018 at Montage Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create legacy. And whether youve known it or notIve been watching, learning and constantly motivated by your greatness. Read More: Michael B. Jordan honors Chadwick Boseman: I wish we had more time You cared about me. You are my big brother, but I never fully got a chance to tell you, or to truly give you your flowers while you were here. I wish we had more time.Im dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did. With grace, courage, and no regrets. Is this your king!?Yes . he is! Rest In Power Brother. Story continues According to reports, Chadwick Boseman will be laid to rest in his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! The post Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyongo and more attend Chadwick Boseman private memorial appeared first on TheGrio. The High Court has appointed an interim examiner to the Cara group of pharmacies, which employs over 160 people. The group's directors are former RTE's Dragon Den presenter Ramona Nicholas and her husband Canice Nicholas, who had opposed the application. The application for the examiner's appointment was sought by Elm Corporate Credit DAC, which is the group's lender and is its largest creditor. Rossa Fanning SC for the company told the High Court on Friday that the group had been loss making every year since 2016, and was insolvent. The best course of action to save the business and the jobs was the appointment of an examiner, counsel said. Aillil O'Reilly Bl for the group asked the court to adjourn the Elm's application for the appointment of an interim examiner to the group. He said the directors were very concerned about the impact the appointment of an examiner would have on the employees and the communities they serve, as well as their own professional reputations. The company also said that the negative portrayal of Elm of the group's financial system was overstated'. At the High Court Mr Justice Michael Heslin said he was satisfied to appoint experienced insolvency practioner Mr Ken Tyrell of PWC as interim examiner to Cara Pharmacy Unlimited Company, and a dozen related companies. The court was not prepared to adjourn the application to appoint an Intermin examiner. Noting the objections raised by the company the judge said his decision "in no way impugns" the director's reputations, skills and professionalism. The judge said that an independent expert's report stated that the group, which operates 13 pharmacies and provides prescriptions to nursing homes, has a reasonable prospect of sucess if certain steps are taken. Those steps include restructuring of the business, fresh investment in the group, and court approval for a scheme of arrangement put together by an examiner with the group's creditors. The appointment of an examiner, Mr Fanning said, was in the best interests of all the stakeholders, including the 160 employees. Two parties are interested in investing in the group, counsel said. Counsel said Elm was prepared to provide sufficient funds during the examinership period on terms including that any such monies be certified by the examiner. In the event the group is wound up there would be a deficit of 16.3m. Counsel said Elm is owed 14m by the group which is due by the end of the year. Other creditors include suppliers, landlords and local authorities, counsel said. Counsel said that the group had pre-tax losses of 4.6m between 2016 and 2019. Its losses were partly due to the challenging retail trading environment, deficiencies in stock control, and an unsustainable cost base. The group had struggled to grow sales, and changes by the group's main supplier United Drug to its payment terms had a negative effect. There was a big gap between its budget and actual revenues, which counsel said had undermined Elm's confidence in the group's management. The Covid19 pandemic had exasperated matters, counsel said. Counsel said that earlier this year the group missed scheduled repayments, totalling 360,000 to Elm. Elm sought proposals from the group for the repayment of its facilities, but none have been received. Elm was concerned by a lack of explanations over items including a 83,000 directors loan made when the group was experiencing cash-flow problem, a payment of 100,000 to somebody outside the group, and over 37 cheque payments totalling 804,000. Counsel said while it was understandable for businesspeople like the directors to resist the appointment of an examiner over their business, he hoped they would not ultimately oppose the examinership application. The prospect of examinership was flagged to the group well in advance of the court hearing, counsel added. Counsel said given the group's financial situation any objections to the appointment of an examiner were "unrealistic" and compared it to "King Canute telling the sea to go back." The judge after appointing Mr Tyrell adjourned the matter for two weeks. Any objections to the examinership process he said can be heard on that date. A WITNESS told a murder trial that he lied to gardai when he initially said he saw nothing on the night of the alleged killing. Alan Starosz, a witness for the state, saidhe was afraid for himself and his familys safety. Russian native Dmitry Hrynkevich (24) died at Kerry General Hospital on October 2, 2015, two days after he was found with multiple injuries to his head, face, and neck, outside his house in Killeen Woods, Tralee. Arnoldas Ivanauskas (33) a Lithuanian national, with an address at The Parklands, Tralee, denies murder. It is the states case Mr Arnoldas and a Polish man, acted together in a joint enterprise and murdered Mr Hrynkevich. Mr Starosz agreed under cross examination by the accuseds barrister Mark Nicholas, that he lied to gardai on October 28, 2015, when he told them he saw nothing unusual on the night in question. Mr Starosz made a second statement seven months later, telling gardai that he saw two men assault Mr Hrynkevich outside the front of the deceaseds house, on the night in question. Mr Starosz told the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Limerick city, that he saw two men fighting Dmitry. He told prosecution counsel Roisin Lacey, SC, that he saw the two men pushing and throwing punches at Mr Hrynkevich. Mr Starosz said he knew one of the men, a Polish man who is not before the court, but he did not know the other man. The two men were drunk, he said. The witness agreed with Mr Nicholas, defending, that he lied in his original statement when he said he did not see or hear anything unusual on the night. Mr Starosz again admitted lying to gardai when he told them he first heard of the incident on a radio news bulletin. Mr Nicholas put it to the witness his version of events were not reliable and were different to testimony given by two other prosecution witnesses. Mr Starosz said he stood by his second statement to gardai, and told the court: I know it looks bad, and like Im lying. Mr Starosz agreed with Ms Lacey that he said what he said in his original statement to gardai because he was afraid of the Polish man, and that he made a second statement to gardai when he discovered the Polish man was no longer living in Ireland. Mr Starosz said he had understood he would only be giving evidence to the court in private and confidentially. I just want to say sorry for the first statement, he added. Last Friday, Magdalena Mroczek, a neighbour of the deceased, said she saw the Polish man, not the accused, punch Mr Hrynkevich four times. Ms Mroczek said she saw the accused hiding inside another neighbours house when a car pulled into the estate, and that he went into the kitchen of this house to wash his hands. Ms Mroczek said the accused asked her if there was blood on his face and neck, but she said she could not see any. Klaudia Jozwik previously told the court she saw the accused hide in her house, and that she noticed what she thought was blood on his hands. She said the accused was standing next to her when she heard what sounded like fight coming from Mr Hrynkevichs house later on. The trial continues before a jury of seven men and five women. Black and Women's History Months are times to celebrate the important and often overlooked contributions those groups have made to our society. However, we shouldn't just do that for a month. We need to take the lessons from these events and apply them to the whole year. In early April, the Rev. Jaime McGlothlin of Valley Mills First United Methodist Church in Texas started leading a weekly Zoom discussion group with eight other rural pastors seeking counsel in the time of COVID-19. It was "a place where we could be vulnerable," McGlothlin said in a recent interview. The oldest of the nine pastors was the Rev. Tom Wood, 83, who ministered at First United Methodist Church in the tiny town of Itasca (population 1,726) for 17 years. Wood was new to videoconferencing software, and he sometimes forgot to unmute his microphone, McGlothlin affectionately recalled. Nevertheless, every week for three months, McGlothlin said, Wood was the first pastor to sign on, always eager to "engage and connect." He was "the most faithful out of all of us" right up until July, when he participated in his final Zoom call with his young grandson sitting on his lap. Wood died July 29 of complications related to COVID-19, according to the Rev. Leah Hidde-Gregory, the Central District superintendent for the United Methodist Church's Central Texas Conference. The First United Methodist Church in Itasca, Texas. (Courtesy First Methodist Church) He is survived by his wife, Cathy, a teacher at the local elementary school, and two daughters, Gwendolyn and Deidre, according to an obituary posted on the church's Facebook page. Hidde-Gregory said he was beloved throughout Hill County, seen by many as a wise elder and spiritual beacon. "In all my years as a minister, I never knew a man as good," the Rev. Richard Chaffin, a retired pastor, said at Wood's funeral service, according to a blog post by the resident bishop of the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. In their weekly conversations, McGlothlin would often ask her fellow pastors to unburden themselves of the anxieties they were carrying as the coronavirus spread across the country. But when it was Wood's turn to share, he would say he didn't understand the question, McGlothlin recalled with a laugh. Story continues "He would say and it came from such an authentic place that his hope was in Christ and resurrection," McGlothlin said. "He said, 'I know, at my age, this virus will probably take my life if I get it.' He was sober about that early on. He was not anxious. He was grounded." "I think he understood the reality," McGlothlin added. "We could never have imagined that those words would be true." McGlothlin and Hidde-Gregory both described Wood as a calming presence, a man who seemed entirely at peace with mortality. In one of his final sermons, delivered virtually and uploaded to YouTube, Wood spoke to his congregation about hardship, grief and "this present craziness." "It just seems like this would be a good time to talk about bad times," Wood said in front of a large pipe organ in his church. In a gravelly voice, Wood called on church members to seek out a higher power in times of crisis, medical or otherwise: "Jesus knows you're stuck. He knows that. He wants to help you. He wants to be there. He wants to join with you in this problem." Wood was born in December 1936 in Detroit. He spent time in Illinois, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Kansas, Texas and Nevada "but Texas always called him back home," the obituary posted on the church's Facebook page attested. He became a pastor after a career as a salesman and business owner, trading what he described as "a life of success for a life of significance," Hidde-Gregory said. He was a "very young 83," she added a devoted and wholehearted "go-getter" who called himself "a salesman for Jesus," she said. McGlothlin, who saw Wood in person every few months over the last five years, said Wood was conscientious about his spiritual vocation, living his life with "a strong sense of the pulpit and his responsibility to it." She recalled Wood would sometimes spend as much as five hours alone in the sanctuary on Saturdays, practicing his sermon and praying. "I mean, that is such discipline," McGlothlin said. "He took his stewardship of this small community in Itasca that seriously." In his final months, according to Hidde-Gregory, Wood was diligent about social distancing and face-coverings. He could not wait to get back to preaching, she said, adding that so many in his congregation relied on him as a spiritual lifeline. "He was absolutely passionate about worshipping and bringing people together," she said. This is the case of the Studebaker President that we have here and which somehow survived through all these years to maintain a condition that would otherwise allow someone who still loves the brand to restore the car and make it a truly awesome classic driver.The fourth-generation President was brought back to life in 1955 after the company previously abandoned the series after model year 1942. The President Speedster was the flagship of the entire lineup, which was available in several configurations, including 2-door sedan, coupe, hardtop, and station wagon, as well as 4-door sedan and station wagon.The Speedster you can see in the photo gallery still comes with a running engine, but the owner explains that given it was abandoned for so long, major fixes are needed under the hood and elsewhere, including a thorough cleaning of the fuel line and the tank.The interior obviously needs to be taken care of too, but the good news is that it looks like it could be fixed as part of a proper restoration project. Sure, it could be pretty expensive to bring this President back to mint condition, but if you want to see the glass half full, then its worth mentioning that it comes with what the owner describes as immaculate chrome parts and the original dash.As for the paint, the President originally came with a Coral finish, but it was changed to brown at some point during its lifecycle.If this Studebaker President is the project car that youre looking for, then you can submit your bid on this eBay page . The starting price is $6,000, and the President is parked in South Bend, Indiana. Two months ago, we learned that President Trump apparently ignored reports of Russian targeting of U.S. Marines in Afghanistan. That story appears to have been forgotten and given the daily outrageous conduct by this Administration, it is disturbing yet not surprising. Maybe its being investigated and well get some answers in due time. Yet, here we are again. I mentioned before that I have a daughter in the U.S. Marines and I would like to say more about that. She is a Second Lieutenant and in two weeks she will finish her training and begin her career as an officer in the service of her country. This is all a new world for me since aside from grandfathers who served in World War II, I have no personal connection with the military. But, as any American, I was raised to respect and honor their service and sacrifice. Anybody who has studied history would have to appreciate this, from the American revolution to the Civil War to today. I dont personally know any other moms here who have children in the military now although I am certain I represent many who live in my district. Looking for information on her graduation I found the Facebook group for The Basic School (TBS). TBS is the level of training after Officer Candidate School. Its great to see the pictures of the training and individual stories of those in training. However, every Sunday the site posts a picture and story of a Marine killed in action over the years. A reality check of what it means to be a Marine. Are they losers, suckers? According to our President they are. In politics, there is a lot of empty rhetoric, lots of talk and no action. Support the troops comes to mind. What does that even mean? Putting a flag sticker on your car? Making a Facebook post? Im a Democrat so I see that Republicans have appropriated the patriotic, pro-military position. Where are they now? Are they choosing to support the worst President we have ever had over our members of the Armed Forces? I, however, refuse to defer to them on who is more patriotic, or who supports the troops more. Im going to say it: I support the troops and I am calling on all my colleagues and especially my Republican opponent, an Army veteran herself, to stand up to this horrible president and distance themselves from his abhorrent rhetoric. My daughter is most definitely not a sucker or loser. She is a classically trained harpist who graduated from the top program in the country. She trained and worked for three years in Philadelphia as a professional paramedic saving countless lives. She is an amazing sister to her six siblings and has proven to me she can do anything she sets her mind to. She has chosen to be an officer in the United State Marine Corps and I could not be prouder. Kristine Howard is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 167th legislative district. She was first elected on November 6, 2018. Money managers are having a tough time navigating the bull market this year. A lack of market depth aside, they have to find ways to not only beat the benchmark but also their peers. In China, actively managed stock funds reported an average 45% return in the first eight months. This entire industry has thus been put on a spinning wheel, perpetually looking for growth and paying an exorbitant price for it. All it takes is a further jump in bond yields, and the markets shooting stars will come crashing down to earth. EDITORS NOTE: Trendster Clothing Boutique recently changed its name to Boheme Boutique. This article has been updated to reflect that change. EDWARDSVILLE Trace on the Parkway, Edwardsvilles new $50 million mixed-use development located on Route 157, has built momentum moving into 2021. Located just minutes from SIUE, Interstates 270 and 55 as well as downtown Edwardsville, Trace on the Parkway is on its way to becoming a large component of the local residential and business communities. Local developer, Plocher Construction, continues building the second residential phase, consisting of 114 apartments, as well as the multi-use commercial phase of numerous businesses already open and several more opening soon. Having opportunities to patronize a variety of businesses within walking distance of their homes is proving very appealing to residents and business owners. Currently open to the public are Goshen Coffee (with a drive-through), Willow & Mohr Photography, Docs Smokehouse (with patio seating), Water Sweets Soap Company, Sunflower Dentistry and Kloss Furniture. Businesses coming soon include: Blue Violet restaurant, Boheme Boutique, Rocket Bowls restaurant, STL Kolache, Loverly Boutique, Taste of Lebanon and Alliance Chiropractic and Performance. The first residential building of 72 apartments is nearly 85 percent full, with reservations already placed for several units in the 42-unit second building. Trace offers one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans as well as two-bedroom floorplans with dens and large laundry rooms. Apartments feature high-end appliances and finishes. The all-inclusive package is an alternative to traditional monthly rental agreements because it covers all utilities and amenities, including Internet, game room, heated pool, hot tub, fire pit tables, grills, outdoor TV lounge, dog park, conference room, indoor lounges, kitchenette and 24/7 access to the pool in a single payment. Residents also have direct access to the Madison County Transit (MCT) bike trails and community parks in the vicinity. Future plans for residents include additional carports, a roof-top patio and climate-controlled storage units. Kunkel Wittenauer Group is the professional management company managing the Trace apartments. The response to the Trace on the Parkway experience has been overwhelmingly positive. We have wonderful residents that have joined the Trace family and are looking forward to future residents growing our community, Co-owner and Managing Broker of KWG Renee Wittenauer said. Our two resident managers love the energy of living and working at the Trace. They are not just managers but neighbors to our residents. To learn more about Trace on the Parkway and view videos sharing the Trace experience, visit www.traceedwardsville.com. Tours are available by appointment, virtually or by stopping by in-person Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kunkel Wittenauer Group and Trace on the Parkway can be contacted at (618) 224-3320 or by emailing info@traceedwardsville.com. Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735 The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) questioned actress Rhea Chakraborty for around eight hours on Monday, the second consecutive day of her interrogation, and said it was getting 'her cooperation' in the drugs case probe linked to the death of her live-in partner and actor Sushant Singh Rajput. IMAGE: Actress Rhea Chakraborty arrives at NCB office for questioning at Ballerd Pierd in Mumbai. Photograph: Kunal Patil/PTI Photo The 28-year-old arrived at the agency's office in Ballard Estate around 9.30 am and left around 6 pm. Dressed in a pink hooded jacket and carrying a bag, Rhea was escorted by police personnel. She was questioned for about six hours by the agency for the first time in this case on Sunday. She will be questioned again on Tuesday. "She came yesterday, she came today... we talked to her all day, questioned her. So, I cannot say she is not cooperating. She will come tomorrow too. "So we are getting her cooperation," NCB deputy director general (DDG) (south-west region) Mutha Ashok Jain told reporters after the questioning session. He said the agency was doing a 'professionally thorough and systematic job' and it will inform the court about its 'findings in detail' in this case. The agency has said it wants to question Rhea and confront her with her younger brother Showik Chakraborty, 24, Rajput's house manager Samuel Miranda, 33, and his house staffer Dipesh Sawant to ascertain their roles in this alleged drug racket after it obtained mobile phone chat records and other electronic data that suggested some banned drugs were allegedly procured by these people. The NCB had arrested the three men in this case last week. Officials said Rhea was questioned on these lines on both the days. She was earlier questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that are probing different angles surrounding the death of Rajput. Rhea, in interviews given to multiple TV news channels, has said she has never consumed drugs herself. She had, however, claimed that Rajput used to consume marijuana. The NCB, meanwhile, has arrested another man, identified as Anuj Keshvani, in the case. The agency said his name came up during the interrogation of Kaizan Ebrahim who was arrested by it in this case earlier. Ebrahim is currently out on bail. Keshvani has been taken for a COVID-19 test and will be produced before a court for custody through videoconferencing at 7.30 pm on Monday, DDG Jain said. The agency had said it had seized drugs like hashish, "commercial quantity" of LSD and marijuana and cash after raids were conducted against Keshvani on Sunday. A total of nine people have been arrested till now by the NCB with seven directly linked to this probe, while two were arrested when investigation was launched under criminal sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. When the probe in the case began, the agency had arrested two men, Abbas Lakhani and Karan Arora, for alleged drug peddling and officials have claimed that through them they reached Zaid Vilatra and Abdel Basit Parihar, who are allegedly linked to this drugs case as they were in touch with Miranda. It is claimed that Miranda told NCB investigators that he used to procure bud or curated marijuana for Rajput's household. Miranda, they had said, used to allegedly procure drugs from them on the purported instructions of Showik, agency officials said. Both Lakhani and Arora have been granted bail. The NCB had said it recovered 59 grams of cannabis from them. On reports that some of the accused had contracted COVID-19, Jain said, "It is not at all in my knowledge. We are getting them tested as per protocol laid down by the honourable court and if anyone tests positive (for coronavirus) we will take take all precautions as per the laid down down norms." He also said 'no one' from Bengaluru has been summoned in the case till now. The NCB, while seeking remand of one of the accused in this case last week, had told a local court that it was looking into the 'drug citadel in Mumbai, and especially Bollywood' in this probe. This case has given the NCB an 'inkling' into the narcotics network and its penetration in Bollywood or the Hindi film industry, DDG Jain had told reporters last week. The NCB probe began after the ED shared with it a report following the cloning of two mobile phones of Rhea that suggested talks about procurement, transaction and consumption of banned drugs. Rajput, 34, was found dead at his flat in the suburban Bandra area on June 14. In 1996, the first Generation Z members were born. They lived during the re-election of Bill Clinton, the introduction of Pokemon, and the growth of eBay. Today, Gen-Z has witnessed even more the good, the bad, and the in-between. I'm a devoted member of this generation. At 17 years old, I spend my time doing what most teenagers do: refreshing my social media pages, sending my friends amusing memes, or browsing trending news stories. A few days ago, I was munching on some delicious avocado toast and slurping down my creamy vanilla latte when I came across an article on my phone: "Why the 'Z' In 'Gen-Z' Means 'Zombie.'" I nearly choked on a chunk of avocado. With a wealth of experience by a young age, an intrinsic understanding of powerful technological tools, and a competitive drive to be seen and heard, Gen-Z is poised to have a positive and lasting influence on the world. This generation is the first to come of age with a deeply rooted understanding that climate and ecological breakdown is not a dystopian movie premise but a real, burning possibility. Even when equipped with this vital knowledge and the willingness to fight for change, many elder generations doubt the participation of Gen-Z in societal matters. "What wars have they fought and died in?" is one popular question. In fact, the answer is several, including Iraq, Iran and Syria. But it is important to note that waging endless war is not the only way we can fight in this modern era. It is clear through various teen-driven coalitions that Generation Z is dedicated to action, regardless of whether it involves using a gun. Take the Sunrise Movement, for example. A grassroots organization established in 2017, this Gen-Z-led group organizes climate strikes across the country and also fearlessly lobbies members of Congress to take drastic action. Greta Thunberg, a 17-year-old environmental activist, took a 13-day cross-Atlantic voyage to decrease her carbon footprint as she traveled to the United Nations Climate Action Summit last September. She faces attacks from President Donald Trump, but she relentlessly pursues her school strike, now at more than 100 weeks. Many fail to recognize how fortunate society is that members of Gen-Z are surrendering their adolescence to correcting this country's cruel course, the conditions of which elder generations created, or otherwise enabled by previous neglect. It's time to honor that work by seeing us deeply, hearing us clearly, and taking our values with the same validity you hold your own. More than 90 million Americans belong to Generation Z. In time, we will take many seats at the political table. Though most of our group was not of age in 2016, we will vote in large numbers this November and we will have an impact. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Day in and day out, we read and hear about the world apparently crumbling around us, with ever-evolving problems becoming more urgent to address every day. The odds are stacking up, and Generation Z has been left with the burden of solving these issues and reshaping surviving societal structures. It's a big task we've been handed, so please excuse us while we bring in a new way of looking at the world with a fresh set of morals and standards. We'd love to collaborate on fixing these issues with elder members of society, just as long as they join us with an open mind to see life through our eyes. So I will continue my extravagant avocado toast feasts, along with my vanilla latte on the side. I will continue perusing Instagram and Snapchat guilt-free. And I will continue to steadfastly support my peers. Older generations can keep complaining, with their minds shut to new visions and their heels dug in the sand. I'm with Gen-Z, and you should be, too. The new kids are in town, and we're not going anywhere anytime soon. "All we can say is, now we're going to move forward in a positive way to make this right from this point forward," McKenna said. "We can't change what happened in the past, but we can make the future better. And we will." A breakdown in leadership Williamsville bungled its reopening of schools, the school board president acknowledged. And Leatherbarrow pointed her finger squarely at one person: Martzloff. "We were led to believe school was ready to reopen," she said at a news conference after Monday's meeting. She said the board members asked Martzloff on Wednesday: "'Are we ready to open?' And he said, 'Yes we are.'" But then, two days later, the superintendent announced Friday afternoon that the first day of school would be delayed for remote learners in grades 5 to 12. The school board was just as blindsided as the parents in the district, Leatherbarrow said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-09-07 13:00:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- As the strenuous global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic recession is well underway, China has managed to place the pandemic under full control domestically and continued to buoy up the world with its robust recovery, consistent overseas assistance and global cooperation. CHINA'S RESILIENCE BOOSTS GLOBAL RECOVERY The ongoing 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) highlights China's success in the combat against COVID-19, said World Trade Organization (WTO) Deputy Director-General Yi Xiaozhun in his online speech for the event's opening on Friday. China is a driving force of world economy and increasingly plays an important role as supply-demand hub in services trade, Yi said, adding that China can positively influence and significantly contribute to international cooperation by supporting and advancing the services agenda of the WTO. The country's success in controlling COVID-19 has allowed its economy to revive steadily, as shown by a slew of upbeat data recently. For instance, in the first seven months of the year, China's pilot free trade zones (FTZs) attracted robust foreign investment and trade despite downcast sentiment in the global market, data of the country's Ministry of Commerce showed. The six pilot FTZs in the regions of Shandong, Jiangsu, Guangxi, Hebei, Yunnan and Heilongjiang, as well as Shanghai's Lingang Area, a newly launched section of the Shanghai FTZ, attracted 13.11 billion yuan (about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars) of foreign investment during the January-July period. Foreign trade in those FTZs came in at 660.76 billion yuan (about 90.5 billion dollars) in the seven-month period, accounting for 10.8 percent of the total foreign trade in the regions. On the other hand, the Belt and Road, serving as an international platform for cooperation, has played a vital role in assisting the global anti-pandemic fight and stabilizing global supply and industrial chains. In recent years, thanks to the joint construction of the Belt and Road, China's service trade with Eurasian countries has developed rapidly, noted Liu Huaqin, director and researcher of the Eurasian Institute of the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute under the Ministry of Commerce. In the first half of 2020, China-Europe freight trips rose 36 percent year-on-year to 5,122, transporting 3.67 million pieces and 27,000 tons of anti-pandemic materials to European countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Hungary. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to push for global economic recovery in his speech at the ongoing services trade fair, which analysts said has injected momentum into the world economy amid COVID-19. It (the fair) shows China's willingness to join hands with all of you in this trying time and work together to enable global trade in services to thrive and the world economy to recover at an early date, Xi said. Noting that Xi has reiterated China's commitment to further opening up, Piotr Gadzinowski, editor-in-chief of Polish newspaper Trybuna, said that "I believe that China will fulfill its promises, contribute in the efforts to bring the globe back to normal soon." "It serves the benefit of people all over the world," Gadzinowski added. OVERSEAS ASSISTANCE AGAINST COVID-19 Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has launched the largest medical assistance operation since the founding of the People's Republic of China to support the COVID-19 fight in the virus-hit Hubei Province, sounding early alarms and winning the world a critical window period for the prevention of the disease. From Jan 24 to March 8, China rallied 346 national medical teams, consisting of 42,600 medical workers and more than 900 public health professionals to the immediate aid of Hubei, according to an official white paper on China's battle against COVID-19. At a very early stage of the spread of disease, Chinese researchers shared the gene sequence of the novel coronavirus and insightful observations globally. From Jan 3, on a regular basis, China began to update the World Health Organization, relevant countries and regional organizations on the development of the disease. Overseas, China has offered help to 150 countries, including dispatching 29 medical expert teams to 27 countries as of May 31, and four international organizations to fight COVID-19. It has also provided two batches of cash support totaling 50 million dollars to the World Health Organization, and exported protective materials to 200 countries and regions from March 1 to May 31. Officials and experts worldwide have also commended China's efforts and rich experience in containing COVID-19. "Basically the Chinese have shown the way in how to deal with the epidemic," Namibian Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shalunga told Xinhua in an exclusive interview recently. The country has received numerous test kits, masks and equipment from the Chinese government, as well as donations from Chinese enterprises and organizations. "The response of China was hailed because it was within a reasonable period of time that they were able to bring the pandemic under control, and it was also from there that many countries have taken experience from," he said. Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa also praised the significant role played by China in bolstering her country's fight against COVID-19. "COVID-19 has wreaked havoc among our people, especially the economy, and we know our economy mostly is SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). The lockdown has caused a lot of problems, but I must say as a country, with the help of our best friends like China and many others, we have managed to contain this virus," she said. Enditem (Xinhua writers Zhang Xin in Beijing, Wu Changwei in Luanda, Zhang Yuliang in Harare, and Liu Qu in Geneva also contributed to the report.) Leaders of Jersey Citys Black Lives Matter movement have spent the last 13 weeks organizing, protesting and calling for local changes they believe will foster racial equality, but the weary activists say little has changed in that time. While a BLM mural down Grand Street is nice, it doesnt bring long sought-after accountability for the police department, they say. Juneteenth being declared a holiday was great, but it didnt lead to repercussions for the police officers who they say used excessive force during a chaotic fight on Bostwick Avenue in May. There has been a bunch of symbolic victories, but there has been no concrete policy change that we can point to, said Nevin Perkins, 25, who led hundreds of protesters in the citys first march after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May. There has been no reconciliation with the police department in the greater community. The crowds have dwindled down far below the masses that first filled the streets with signs and chants that included the names of those killed by police brutality. But the demands of local BLM leaders remain: cut the police department budget by 50%; remove officers from schools; create a citizen complaint review board; among others. Perkins, co-founder of the Black Men United Coalition community group, said the movement is at a familiar impasse. Organizers have seen national outcries give the BLM movement momentum, only to then watch it dwindle, he said. In Jersey City, the BLM movement began just shortly before Floyd died in police custody on May 25. JCPD faced accusations police brutality after officers used pepper spray and batons to disperse a crowd after a large fight on Bostwick Avenue. The incident quickly garnered attention after video recorded by bystanders was posted on social media. Pamela Johnson, executive director of the Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition Movement, along with civic activists, Chris Gadsden and Frank Gilmore, have called for the city to create a civilian review board to suspend or discipline police officers who use excessive force. Jersey City officials subsequently released body camera footage they said showed a man reach for an officers gun during the fracas. Jennifer Morrill, spokeswoman for the Hudson County Prosecutors office, said Thursday that the May 5 incident remains under investigation. Piggybacking on Floyd protests across the nation calling for justice, accountability, and an end to police brutality, people took to the streets by the thousands in Jersey City, led by Perkins, Johnson, and 18-year old Adreana Williams, a McNair Academic High School graduate. Among the activists demands was a call for Jersey City to defund its police department and reallocate money from the police budget to other areas, like the citys departments of recreation and health and Human Services. But elected officials, including Mayor Steve Fulop, have balked at the concept. Fulop had dismissed the idea outright because it would mean laying off newer officers who comprise much of the Jersey City Police Departments diversity. The city recently revised its municipal budget to account for $70 million in revenue losses and added expenses incurred during the coronavirus pandemic. The $12.5 million that was cut from the Department of Public Safety isnt enough, some said. Councilman-at-large Roland Lavarro Jr. and Ward E Councilman James Solomon proposed moving an additional $5 million from the Department of Public Safety to education and social service programs. Despite a public outcry during an eight-hour council meeting Tuesday, the City Council voted down the measure and approved the budget. Another avenue for change a proposed civilian complaint review board now rests on the shoulders of state legislators after the state Supreme Court ruled that a civilian review board with subpoena powers in Newark is not allowable under current state law. We dont see municipalities and the state stepping up saying, Oh yeah, we have these civilian review boards or we are creating a better line of checks and balances between police and community, like you dont see that, Gilmore said. Its almost like we are protesting for nothing because we are protesting to defund the police because we feel they are overfunded and youre actually pouring more money back in to the police. City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the city has done more than make symbolic changes and has put words into action. The Fulop administration has implemented several changes, including revising the police departments use of force guidelines and creating a community-led committee to review citywide policies, she said. These are meaningful changes and the city is committed to continuing to do more, however, the administration doesnt agree with some on the City Council that have advocated for 25-50% reduction in the Police Department, Wallace-Scalcione said. The mayor believes public safety is one of the primary responsibilities of government, to which defunding of the police would set the city back decades. However, the mayor also believes that we must continue to invest more money into social services, economic opportunities, and affordable housing at the same time, which is exactly what Jersey City is doing. Fulop, who declined to be interviewed, has faced repeated criticism from Black community leaders over his implementation and decision-making process in creating those measures. Leaders and activists from Black community said they want to have a say in changes that are made and even accused Fulop of hijacking the narrative surrounding police reform. Gadsden, a former councilman, and Gilmore, a local activist, echoed Perkins sentiments of the changes being largely symbolic. Gadsden said everything has been fluff. John Johnson, a history professor at Saint Peters University, said in places like Jersey City, there are a whole host of issues that Black communities have been facing since the 1950s, he said. One of the things the larger public has to be aware is that the struggle is a long, drawn-out one, Johnson said. Just as much as there are forces pushing for racial justice and dismantling structural racism, there are forces that are pushing to keep those structures in place, if not reinforce them. We saw that in the 1960s. Johnson said community policing and having police officers a part of the neighborhood is important. But there are some situations police arent as equipped as social worker would be, and a part of the problem is there is a lack of imagination when it comes to policing, he said. Police officers are by and large become watch forces, or people that maintain laws, but dont necessarily help build or maintain community. Whereas we see hyper policing and brutality, part of that is because there is no commitment to addressing some of the root causes be it drug addiction ... various forms of mental illness. 34 Jersey City Protest Leading thousands in protest has given Williams a sense of empowerment, but she is still left with the feeling that there is just no real winning. The way that this country lets me know that my life doesnt matter the way my government my mayor in my city McNair Academic let me know my life didnt mean s***, that is exhausting, the Howard University freshman said. Williams has shared stories of racial abuse at the hands of McNair Academic classmates. I am only 18, but I feel I am in my 50s, Williams said. Being Black in America has aged me, so I am just extremely exhausted. As for where the movement goes from here, Gilmore said local leaders will move their fight from the street to the offices of local legislators. Either they are going to hear our concerns or we are going to have to put them on blast, letting the community at large know that these are your concerns you came to us with (and) we brought it to elected officials and this is (where they stand), " Gilmore said. Those legislators who fail to act will be voted out of office, Gilmore said. But the same activists are quick to say that the movement must do much more than vote. Perkins, Gilmore and Gadsden have seen more people helping to organize and put pressure on the city during council meetings. When participation seems to be dwindling, the number gets bigger and bigger every time and I think that is what folks should be paying attention to, Perkins said. The three say the movement is going in a positive direction and wont fade away. The movement has been steady growing its organic, its issue-centered, its focused, it remains evident over the last couple council meetings, Gadsden said. We have had long council meetings and thats because advocates and activists are speaking up whether it be on the budget, whether it be just everything. Its like everyone is watching now. Perkins said the goal of his group, Black Men United, isnt to affirm that Black lives matter, but the empowerment of the Black community. We know Black lives matter, he said. What our main emphasis and our politics are centered around is Black power. That is community control of police. That is community control of our education, our housing. We are in the business of creating power and distributing resources amongst our community. An orca that once spent 17 days carrying her dead calf a dramatic saga of apparent mourning has become a mother once again. The orca, identified by researchers as J35 and also known as Tahlequah, became a symbol in 2018 of the plight of the Southern Resident whales, which were 88 in number when they were listed as endangered in 2005 and have dwindled further since. The new calf, which was seen for the first time by researchers Saturday, brings the population to 73. Its a bit of a nail-biter right now, said Deborah Giles, a whale researcher at the University of Washingtons Center for Conservation Biology. I cant help but be thrilled that she had this baby and this baby didnt die right away. Everybody is worried and on pins and needles, wondering if this calf is going to make it. The Southern Resident population of orcas, which are also known as killer whales, includes three pods that largely stay near Washington state and British Columbia. The whales have been struggling to endure a variety of troubles a scarcity of high-quality prey to eat, noise pollution from ships and boats in their habitat, and toxic pollutants that make their way up the food chain to them. Many of the populations pregnancies fail, and about 40% of the calves that are born die in their first year. J35 had a calf in 2018 that died shortly after birth off the coast of Victoria, British Columbia. The mother continued to carry the calf, pushing it through the water and repeatedly diving deep to retrieve it when it fell away. Orcas sometimes do that for a little while, but J35s journey of apparent grief lasted 17 days and covered about 1,000 miles, attracting wide attention at a moment when government agencies were grappling with how to alter the populations downward trajectory. Ken Balcomb, founding director of the Center for Whale Research, documented the newest calf, listed now as J57, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which separates the Olympic Peninsula of Washington from Vancouver Island. The baby looked very robust and lively, so I have good expectations for this one surviving, Balcomb said. He added that he was hopeful that recent efforts could bring back more robust runs of chinook salmon, the primary food source for the Southern Resident orcas. He pointed to the removal of a dam on the Elwha River, which empties into the strait, as a possible turning point. Two other whales in the pods are pregnant, Balcomb said. Researchers watch each of them closely, he said, because the pods now have only half a dozen families that have been really successful at producing calves. J35 had a calf in 2010 that is still alive. Photos taken by researchers Saturday show the new calf, J57, poking its head out of the water and swimming alongside its sibling and its mother. Balcomb said the three pods that make up the Southern Resident population had gathered in an area where salmon were running. He said it looked like a party, with a lot of breaching and communication among the whales. It was like a big picnic, Balcomb said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times.